Zephyr: Whew, it's been a long time! Took me a while to adapt to my full-time job, and this is long overdue. You'll hopefully see more of me more often now!
To guest: Thank you! Sui and Johan make quite a clumsy and funny pair.
To mintlita: I do not agree on 90% of your review, most especially the "Manjoume totally can't fall in love and be happy with a girl that's 10,000 times better for him (pun intended) because there's somehow, somewhere, some rule set in stone that he HAS to love Asuka only, even in an AU" part.
However, I feel there's something I need to clarify: In my country, people kiss each other in the cheek all the time, even among men, it's nothing special. "A pat in the back" would read as extremely cold, Sui-level cold, kinda as in "you're a little disgusting, so I wouldn't kiss you". We descend from Europeans, and Johan is European too, so it's not so out of line. This is an AU in no real country, so whichever way will work anyway. My intention was something along the lines of "ah, he gave me a kiss. It was kinda close to the mouth, though. Was it intentional…?"
Thank you for taking some precious time to read and review though.
And now, everyone, enjoy chapter 2! We're going to war!
Final Fantasy GX
Chapter 2: Game On!
Sui and Fubuki's heels echoed loudly in the Academia Hall, as they made their way to an expecting Professor Chronos.
A group of duelists was surrounding him.
"You did the Duel Spirit Quest in time, I see," he said.
Sui nodded.
"It's 1600. Time to announce the last squad deployment for the field exam. Let's see, Sui, you'll be with—"
"Eeeek!" Thanks to her extensive physical training, Sui was able to duck in time to avoid being hit by a flying Duel Disk. The disk, however, hit Chronos in the face.
"Arrrrrgh! You did this, Dropout Boy!"
"Ahahaha… It was meant to be a greeting to Sui, but—I'm sorry, Chronos-sensei!"
"What kind of greeting that is… Chronos-sensei! Don't tell me he will be my squad teammate!" Sui panicked.
"Yes! And I'll see him take the most dangerous part of the mission!" Chronos growled.
"Aw, that's not fair! I apologized, didn't I!" Judai Yuki pouted.
"Sui, you'll be with Dropout Boy here, and with Tyranno Kenzan!"
Sui turned her head to see an athletic-looking fellow smile at them.
That musclehead? How can I expect to pass the exam if I'm teamed up with these two…? Sui panicked. Then she turned to Chronos. "Can't I switch members?"
"I'm afraid that's not possible. A Duel Soldier must learn to work with all kinds of people."
"…I understand," Sui let her head hang.
"So, good to be working with you!" Kenzan said, wiping his hand on his pants, and then offered it to Sui. She didn't reciprocate, and after a while, Kenzan got tired and lowered his arm.
"You don't get along with people, do you-don? Everybody knows you don't see eye to eye with Asuka-saurus."
"…None of your business."
"I heard she beat you up pretty good this morning!" Judai smiled. Sui dedicated him a sour look.
"We were not fighting. We were training. Something you should do more yourself."
"Whoooo…" Judai whistled.
"I betcha you don't actually think that way-saurus."
"Speaking of Signora Asuka—she's the squad leader."
Sui startled. "What!"
That moment, Asuka made her way out of the crowd, as Sui gawked. As usual, she was followed by her flunkies Junko and Momoe.
"Why was Asuka assigned as leader!" Sui screamed.
"Signora Asuka, please try to cope with this unruly bunch."
"Will do, Chronos-sensei. They are not a problem. I can totally handle them."
"Sure, Asuka can handle anything—including the four cream sandwiches she downed this morning," Sui smirked.
"What—How dare you!" Junko and Momoe said.
"The field exam will be good to burn some calories," Sui winked.
Asuka muttered something under her breath. It didn't sound pleasant. "Put her on the list," she told the other two female duelists.
List?
"Teamwork is of utmost importance-nanone. Now then—"
"Is everyone here?"
Heads turned as Duel Academia's principal Samejima walked to them.
Oh, so the Principal came to see us off. How nice of him.
"How's everyone doing? This exam will involve four people squads, from A to D. You will be proceeding to an actual battlefield. Obviously, the battles are for real. Are you up to it?"
Samejima pointed to one of the squads. "You will be accompanied by a group of actual Duel Soldiers. Should you fail, these Obelisk Blue elites will get the job done. They always do." He shrugged. "Well, that's one less worry in your mind. The pride of Duel Academia—the Duel Soldiers! Do your best to become one of them! Fame, honor and glory—it's all for you! Learn from them, obey their commands and accomplish the mission! Prove yourself worthy of becoming a Duel Soldier! Best of luck to you!"
The students thanked him and left. Sui gave him a lingering look before leaving.
"We've yet to have a Zombie deck specialist among the Duel Soldiers elite… I hope you pass the exam," she heard the principal say.
"Thank you…" she hastened away.
Sui was a bit nervous as she entered the submarine supposed to carry them to their destination. It was a huge ship, and she was to share one of the rooms with her squad.
They took place in it, Judai at Sui's side while Kenzan and Asuka in the opposite seat.
"Yo, Sui, so you took the Duel Quest exam just now, right? What spirit did you get?" Judai beamed.
"…"
"C'mon, tell me."
"…"
"Tch! Fine!" Judai crossed his arms, sulkily.
"…" Sui didn't move.
"Why do you have to be this way?!"
"…"
Meanwhile, Kenzan stood up and started practicing fist fighting moves.
"Stop that," Asuka said. "If you need practice, you should have practiced earlier."
"…" Kenzan sat on his seat again.
That moment, they were summoned to the war room. They left the cabin. There were Fubuki, Chronos and more people.
"Hi," one of the Duel Soldiers, with a rather forgettable face, said. "Nice to meet you. I am Daichi Misawa, and I will brief you in this mission."
They all took seat, as Misawa walked to the side of a large screen. "Everyone ready? Our mission is to help the city of Dice, which stands between West and North Academia. This help request came from North Academia itself."
"I heard that West Academia had been up to no good for a while now-don," Kenzan whispered.
"Be quiet and listen," Asuka said.
"Yes, ma'am…"
"The battle has lasted for 72 hours now. 49 hours into the battle, the North Academia forces abandoned their position in the inner city. Currently, they are reorganizing their troops after retreating into the nearby mountains. However, they are losing the battle in the mountain region. Our mission is to eliminate the remaining army in the city and liberate the region. Afterwards, Duel Soldiers will intercept any West Academia forces trying to make their way into the city from the mountains. The order to withdraw takes priority. Do not forget."
"I was expecting something else…" Asuka said.
"Woot! Sounds exciting!" Judai cheered.
"We're almost there. We anticipate a battle as soon as we disembark. Get ready," Misawa said.
The submarine refloated and accelerated, breaking the beach surf as it arrived.
"I gotta go see this!" Judai ran to the submarine's roof, followed by Kenzan, and screamed as the water splashed them. "Woot! This is so great!"
"Wooo-hoooo!" Kenzan screamed.
"We'll be arriving in a couple of minutes. Shake off the childishness and get ready," Asuka said, appearing behind them.
Sui, meanwhile, remained at Misawa's side, heart pounding in her throat as the fated hour of her first real battle reached her menacingly. She directed a nervous glance at her teammates as they rejoined her.
The submarine swiftly landed. In an instant, the whole Duel Academia force jumped from the submarine and onto the land.
"Okay, you squad D! You are to secure the plaza! Have your Duel Spirits ready!" Misawa said. The four students nodded and rushed to the appointed place.
"Let's get a move on," Asuka said. They ran off through a couple of blocks among their soldier peers, and when they climbed to a wall, they met face to face with people in brown—the West Academia soldiers!
"Elite forces from Duel Academia?!" they exclaimed.
"Leave this to me!" Kenzan exclaimed.
"Duel!"
Duel Start!
Tyranno Kenzan: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"I wonder what kind of deck will the soldier use!" Judai said, eyes shining.
"You don't even know that?!" Asuka asked, unbelieving.
"Why should I?" Judai shrugged.
"…" Sui said nothing.
"West Academia specializes in elemental decks, typically fire. Some of the elite use Poison decks as well," Asuka said.
"Heee… Interesting," Judai placed a hand on his chin.
"How can you take a field exam without studying anything!" Asuka said.
"Sorry!" Judai sweatdropped.
"My turn, draw!" the soldier said. "I set one monster face-down, and then set two cards face down. Turn end!"
"That all? My turn. Draw-don!"
Turn 2
Tyranno Kenzan: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"I Special Summon Gilasaurus-don." A nimble raptor appeared in the field. (ATK 1400) "And then I Normal Summon Giant Rat." A huge rat with a skull on its hands showed up at the dinosaur's side. (ATK 1450) "And now for the action! Gilasaurus! Attack-don!"
"Too easy! I activate Nightmare Wheel!" the soldier revealed a trap. "Your monster can't attack anymore."
"I still can attack you with my other monster! Giant Rat, go!"
The monstrous rat attacked the face-down card, resulting in Flame Sprite destroyed (DEF 200)
"I Set two cards. Turn end-don."
"My turn. Draw!"
Turn 3
Tyranno Kenzan: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"And now for Nightmare Wheel's effect: you receive 500 points of damage on each of my Standby Phases!"
"Argh!" (Tyranno Kenzan's Life Points: 4000 - 3500)
"And I Set two cards."
"This looks like a stall and burn deck," Sui mused under her breath.
"Turn end."
"That's it? My turn. Draw-don!"
Turn 4
Tyranno Kenzan: 3500 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"Trap card, open!" the soldier said. "I Activate Backfire! For each of my monsters that get destroyed, you take 500 points of damage!"
"I see, so this is how West Academia Soldiers fight," Judai nodded. "Do your best, Kenzan!"
"Heh, no prob," Kenzan made a V sign to Judai. "He's gonna need so much more than this to take me down! I sacrifice Giant Rat and Gilasaurus to summon Ultimate Tyranno!" (ATK 3000).
"And with this, Nightmare Wheel is no more," Asuka said. "Looks like he can think once in a while."
"Ultimate Tyranno! Attack!"
"How dumb… I activate another Nightmare Wheel!" the soldier said. A restraint device appeared around Ultimate Tyranno.
"Back to square one!" Judai pouted.
"Heh, you fell twice for the same trick! How sad," the West Academia soldier smirked.
"Shit… I activate The Shallow Grave. This brings back both Gilasaurus and Fire Sprite to the field, in face-down Defense Mode. I end my turn with this."
"My turn. Draw!"
Turn 5
Tyranno Kenzan: 3500 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"Nightmare Wheel's effect is activated: 500 points of damage!"
"Argh!" (Tyranno Kenzan's Life Points: 3500 - 3000)
"And now I Flip Summon Raging Flame Sprite into Attack Mode." (ATK 100) "Raging Flame Sprite, Direct Attack!"
"That Sprite is quite troublesome… He'd better get rid of it fast," Asuka said.
The tiny elf leaped to attack Kenzan, but a card stopped him.
"My Trap activates: Dimensional Prison! Your Raging Flame Sprite is removed from the game," Kenzan smirked.
"Ugh… Turn end."
"My turn. Draw!"
Turn 6
Tyranno Kenzan: 3000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
This can't go on… It looks like an innocent game, but I can't attack, and I'm the only one losing Life Points-saurus! Kenzan thought, gritting his teeth. "I Sacrifice both Ultimate Tyranno and Gilasaurus to summon Super Conductor Tyranno, in Attack Mode!"
Another great dinosaur appeared in the field with an earth-shaking loud roar (ATK 3300)
"Great… but there are more Traps laid. He won't pull it off," Asuka said.
"That's right. Trap activation: Begone, Knave!"
"How dirty!" Judai jumped.
"He will manage to attack, but Super Conductor Tyranno will return to his hand after it, leaving the field open," Asuka said.
"I was waiting for something like this," Kenzan suddenly said, straightening.
"What…?"
"That's right, Asuka…But our Duel Spirits give us strength. And this is the time!" Kenzan smiled.
"Wh-what…?" the soldier flinched. "Duel Spirits? The rumored weapon of Duel Academia?"
"That's right! And when a Duel Spirit has joined us, we can summon it to the field, under any circumstances!" He lifted a hand. His eyes become strangely reptilian. "Glory of the Jurassic Ages! Come to my field and squash my enemy! I summon you, Dark Tyranno!"
In a flash of light from above, a huge brown dinosaur appeared, lifting feathers from the floor. (Dark Tyranno's Attack Points: 2600)
"Super Conductor Tyranno! Dark Tyranno! Attack him both at once! JURASSIC RAGE!"
"AAAh!" the soldier fell back as both monsters hit him with their huge might.
Tyranno Kenzan: 3000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 0 Life Points
"Great, Kenzan!" Judai jumped in the air, arms up.
"Let's go. We still have ways to go to the plaza," Asuka said.
"We have to be careful-saurus! That guy was no pushover! I wasn't expecting to pull out my Duel Spirit for the likes of him!"
"Yeah…" Sui mumbled.
All of them ran to the plaza, as more Duel Soldier candidates secured the area.
"Hey, have you seen any more West Academia soldiers around?" Judai asked one of them.
"Arrrrgh! Don't speak to me! You'll make me lose points!" he growled.
"Sorry!" Judai scampered away.
When they finally arrived to the plaza, it was empty. The lone clock melancholically signaled the hour.
"Nobody around…?" Kenzan asked.
"Scout the area for enemies," Asuka told Sui and Judai.
Damn… I hate taking orders from her… Sui thought.
"Let's go," and Sui followed Judai around as he swept the area. Suddenly, a West Academia soldier jumped to them from behind the bushes.
"Waaah!" Sui and Judai parried him, each to one of his sides.
"This one's mine!"
Duel Start!
Judai: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"My turn. Draw!" Judai drew a card. "From my hand, I activate the effect of Neo Space Pathfinder. I can send it to the cemetery in order to add a 'Neo Space' card to my hand. And I activate Neo Space!"
A mysterious iridescent space took over the field.
"How pretty…" Sui mused, more interested in the swirling rainbow colors than in the actual duel.
"Next, I summon Elemental Hero Neos Alius, in Attack Mode."
A young warrior in a shimmering silver suit appeared in the field. (ATK 1900).
"Then I set a card. Turn end!"
"My turn," the West Academia soldier said. "Draw!"
Turn 2
Judai: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"So you like playing fields? Here's one much better," the crystalline space dissolved as the scenery changed to one of a volcano. "I activate Molten Destruction! All Fire monsters' attack raise by 500 points, while their defense decreases by 400. Next, I activate Swords of Revealing Light. You can't attack for three turns. I set a card. Turn end."
"He sure got one-upped quickly, Asuka said.
"…" Sui said nothing.
A small sweatdrop ran down Judai's temple. "My turn. Draw!"
Turn 3
Judai: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"I set another card, and end my turn."
"My turn, draw!"
Turn 4
Judai: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"I activate Tri-Blaze Accelerator. Turn end."
"My turn. Draw!"
Turn 5
Judai: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"Oh, sweet," Judai smiled at his draw. "I activate the spell 'Reinforcement of the Army'. I can add a Warrior-type monster from my deck to my hand. I choose Elemental Hero Stratos. Then, I shuffle my deck. I summon Stratos to the field!"
A winged Elemental Hero took place next to Neos Alius. (ATK 1800).
"I activate the effect of Elemental Hero Stratos! When I summon it, I can add an Elemental Hero to my hand. I choose Elemental Hero Neos," he said, showing the card to his opponent. "Turn end."
"My turn. Draw!"
Turn 6
Judai: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"I summon Volcanic Slicer to the field (ATK 1800). Thanks to Molten Destruction, its attack increases!" (Volcanic Slicer's ATK 1800 2300) Volcanic Slicer, attack Neos Alius!"
"Reverse card, open! Sakuretsu Armor! The attacking monster gets destroyed!"
"Ugh," the soldier grimaced as his monster blew to pieces. "But as long as Molten Destruction is in the field, anything I summon will be more powerful than what you do! I set two cards. Turn end."
"What's the deal with this guy-don?" Kenzan asked.
"…" Sui said nothing.
"My turn. Draw!"
Turn 7
Judai: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 4000 Life Points
"Finally," Judai made a sly smile. "I sacrifice Neos Alius and Stratos to summon Elemental Hero Neos to the field!"
Judai's ace monster appeared in the field, his silver armor shining brightly. (ATK 2500)
"Wait, isn't that one of Judai's Duel Spirits? Why did he summon him normally, when he could have just summoned him any time without requirements?"
"Summoning your own Duel Spirit that way has a hefty handicap. You know that, right?" Sui said.
"Oh, right-don," Kenzan said, dejected.
I don't think I'll ever summon mine, Sui thought. And you're just too impulsive, dude.
"Next, I activate O - Oversoul! When I have an Elemental Hero on the field, I can Special Summon another Elemental Hero from the cemetery! Come back, Elemental Hero Neos Alius!"
Looking like a younger version of Neos, Alius took position near him. (ATK 1900).
"And one more! R – Righteous Justice! With an Elemental Hero in my field, I can destroy one of your traps or spells! I'm glad to get rid of your Swords of Revealing Light!" the trapping light vanished in faint glowing spheres.
He made a large gesture with his arm. "Neos! Alius! Attack him directly! DOUBLE WRATH OF NEOS!"
"What!" Asuka gawked. "There's plenty of set cards!"
"They are all a bluff," Judai smirked. "This guy looked like he had something going on… but his strategy is as simple as it can be!"
"Aaaaaargh!" the Duel Soldier screamed as his Life points were deleted in an instant.
Judai: 4000 Life Points
West Academia Soldier: 0 Life Points
"I think that's all of them," Sui said.
"Why can't they just come out and say they want to duel? Ambushing us like that… Damn that guy…" Judai mused.
Sui returned to Asuka's side, reluctantly followed by Judai.
"Well then, we're on standby until the enemy comes. What a waste…" Asuka folded her arms.
Judai dedicated himself to check his deck, Kenzan to shadow-fight, and Asuka simply leaned over a pillar. Sui aimlessly walked around, taking glances of the deserted city. It looked like a very nice place. Before the West Academy army stroke, it must have been a very nice place to live. In front of them was a quaint café, and she remembered seeing some nice shop windows on the way there.
A nice, quiet place… There was some itching inside her heart to live in a place like that—but she knew it just would not happen for her. War was her way of living. And war was everywhere. There was no way around it.
"Still keeping us…?" Asuka said.
"Damn, I so want a snack," Judai said, placing his arms behind his neck.
Damn you… Now I want a snack too… Sui frowned.
Asuka snorted and took position somewhere else.
Sure, you don't want a snack after so many cream sandwiches.
"Can we go to that café? Pretty please, Asukaaaaa…?" Judai made a puppy face.
"I wonder if they have good steak?" Kenzan asked.
"The civilians are not there. Would you be running a café when there is a war in the street?" Asuka asked.
"Aww, man… I'm totally gonna eat up until I burst tonight," Judai pouted.
That moment, a bunch of West Academia soldiers rushed to a nearby street. The four immediately seeked cover, and peered at them. They stood at the plaza, and looked around. Then they took off to a small side street.
"What are they doing…?" Asuka whispered.
"What's that place they're hushing to-saurus?"
Asuka waited until they were out of sight. "Our next destination."
"But that's against orders!" Kenzan complained.
"What are we here for if not to drive off those West Academia soldiers?" Asuka frowned.
"Sui!" Kenzan cried.
Sui walked a couple steps away. "I can't help it. We have to follow the leader's orders." Unfortunately…
Asuka turned to her. "Leader's orders?" She walked to Sui's side. "C'mon, you just want to go out and wreak some havoc, don't you?"
Sui gave her an unamused look. "It's a good opportunity to test my training. After all, it's thanks to you. If I can face you, then no dumb West Academia soldier should be a match for me."
"Sure. You'll thank me when the time comes," Asuka snorted.
"What the hell… I thought you guys didn't get along? You're, like, all buddy-buddy now," Judai said.
"That's all good and all, but this is a field exam. We won't pass if we don't stick to orders, you know," Kenzan said.
"Then you stay here. I don't need your help anyway," Asuka said.
"If we go, let's hurry," Sui said.
"The enemy is heading for the facility. Only we, squad D, know of their position. We are to secure the summit."
"Right," Sui said.
"Damn… Fine!" Judai growled. "I can totally see Chronos-sensei chewing me off for this!"
"Don't leave me behind-don!" Kenzan exclaimed.
To be continued!