Hyper Runners: Duel Legacy
All Character © Respective creators
Elemental Knights © TheBlackCrow2
Chapter Thirteen: Preliminary Peril
Marcus could not believe he was here. He had always dreamed of taking part in one of the largest tournaments in the nation, but had always hoped that it was under different circumstances. He was standing amongst the crowd – Yubel and Amy floating on either side of him – watching the master of ceremonies opening the event. Hazama's eyes wandered across the crowd below him, occasionally stopping on a select few duelists. Already, he showed interest in Marcus, Rev, and Nami's leader.
"This is a bigger turnout than I had expected." Hazama thought. "This will certainly be an interesting time." He waved out his hands and called out to his loving audience. "Welcome, one and all, to the Ultimate Duel Tournament! I imagine that you are all eager to begin!"
"You got that right!!" A younger duelist called.
"Well, as they say, patience is a virtue!" Hazama chortled. "But before we can move on to the main tournament, we must first go through the painfully long process of weeding out the numbers! You may have noticed that all of you have received cards at the moment of registration!"
Marcus looked at the card he had obtained when he first registered for the tournament. He was told that it was important and should be kept on her person at all times. It didn't really look like anything worthwhile. It just held the number 36 on the front with a picture of the Black Rose Dragon on the back.
"Each of your cards presents a number and a dragon!" Hazama explained. "The numbers will act as your identity for the preliminaries and will determine who you will face! The dragons on the back each represent one of the four dragon domes surrounding us! Whatever dragon you have is where you shall be competing for the preliminaries! And in the end, only sixteen competitors will have a chance to play a part in the main tournament being held in the Stardust Dome!"
"That means only four from each dome will be able to move forward." Yubel noted.
"And just look at all these people." Amy said, gazing around at the army of duelists. "We're going to need to work extra hard if we want to move ahead. One screw up will ruin everything."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Marcus thought sarcastically.
"If there are no further questions, please proceed to your respective domes and commence the preliminaries!" Hazama commanded.
Upon his word, the cluttered groups pushed and shoved past one another to make a path for their assigned arenas. Marcus, on the other hand, managed to make his way out of the roaring sea of duelists at met with his friends near a vacant bench. Each of the teenaged heroes were looking at each other's cards, comparing them to one another.
"I'm in the Black Rose Dome." Marcus said.
"Me and this stuttering idiot..." Ruki grumbled, pointing at Namura; the Scarred Duelist felt saddened by her cold personality. "...Are stuck in the Red Archfiend Dome."
"And I'm in the Ancient Fairy Dome." Hikari stated disappointedly.
"Well, it looks like the next time we see each other is in the main tournament." Namura summarized. "That is...if any of us actually make it that far."
"What is with you?!" Ruki snarled, pound the top of his head. "Of course we're going to make it that far! I didn't come all this way just to lose in the first round! And Marcus still has a score to settle with Rev!"
"Calm down there, Ruki." Marcus laughed nervously. "I think he's suffered enough."
"Let's just make a promise to do our best." Hikari smiled. Win or lose, we will always be there to cheer each other on."
That was one of the things Marcus liked about Hikari. Despite the odds being against everyone, she always managed to stay optimistic. There were so many things about her that made Marcus lo – The Marked Duelist quickly shook his head before he could finish that thought, blushing embarrassingly.
Nearly ten minutes later, the redheaded troublemaker was wander through the Black Rose Dome alone, looking between the duels. The arena was mostly filled by eight dueling platforms, most likely used to handle several duels at once to push the tournament faster. As he passed by, Marcus watched some of the duels with interest. One duelist mostly relied on trap cards, another used an Alien Deck, and another centered his cards on his Strike Ninja.
"Whoa, look at them go." Marcus said amazingly. "I haven't even seen half these cards before."
"This is getting worse by the minute." Amy thought nervously. "Maybe we should just turn back."
"You want to give up already?!" Yubel yelled; Marcus covered his ears. "Are you saying you want to leave Sonic and your friends behind?!"
"It's not that..." Amy murmured.
"This competition is not for the weak hearted."
The trio didn't need to look to know who they were speaking with. Being the only other Duel Spirit in New Domino City, Deva Path was naturally seen with his master, Rev. The dark-haired duelist glared at his sworn rival with utter distaste. Though they may have worked together to defeat Ignite, that didn't change their natural mutual dislike for each other.
"So...you're in the Black Rose Dome, too?" Marcus said hesitantly.
"You have no reason to worry." Rev said coolly. "The Deva Path informed me that your number is 36. Mine is 11" He held up the Black Rose card with the number 11 on the front. "That puts us in separate brackets."
"Well, then I guess I should say good luck." Marcus said thoughtfully.
"You can keep your luck." Rev said monotonously, shoving past his rival. "Judging from your skills in our last duel, you'll need all the help you can get."
Marcus' hatred for the Akatsuki Duelist had increased by tenfold at that moment. However, before he could think of a good comeback, the announcement system blared across the stadium.
"Will number 36 please report to Duel Platform 5?" The announcement called. "Number 36 to Duel Platform 5!"
"That's us.' Marcus smirked excitedly.
"Good luck." Amy said helpfully.
Running past the crowd of observers, the Marked Duelist finally found himself standing at Dueling Platform 5, excited to be starting his first match. But his first opponent wasn't really something he would have expected in a high-class tournament such as this. The man was at least in his late thirties and portly around the waist. He wore a bright yellow leotard with the initials 'D.M.' sown sloppily on the chest with a bright red cape. He also wore a small wrestler's mask that only left openings for his eyes and mouth. Marcus, Amy, and Yubel all sweat dropped at his appearance.
"Is this guy for real?" Marcus thought ludicrously.
"Maybe he got lost on the way to a geek convention." Yubel ridiculed.
"Hah! I see you are struck by my awesome appearance!" The man shouted exaggeratedly. "But there is no reason to be fearful. Though I am gifted with awesome skills, I am still human! So you may know me as Duel Man!"
"Uh...yeah." Marcus said awkwardly.
"Let the match begin!" The referee announced.
"Duel!" The two opponents called.
Duel Man (4000) – Marcus (4000)
"My first draw will shine a path to justice!" Duel Man shouted, drawing his sixth card. "I summon Ally of Justice – Blind Sucker!"
A large red machine appeared on the field. Its main torso was contained in a spherical shape with a large black visor, twin piston arms, six spidery legs, and two cannon held over its shoulders (1600/1200).
"And now I place one card and end this turn!" Duel Man finished.
"Allies of Justice, eh?" Marcus thought. "Namura told me about these cards. He says they are mostly empowered by light monsters. That means Elemental Hero Neos is a big danger."
"Then we'll have to work without him." Yubel suggested.
"My move!" Marcus said, drawing his sixth card. "And now I play polymerization! Using this, I can fuse Elemental Hero Burstinatrix and Elemental Hero Clayman from my hand to summon Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster in defense mode!"
Burstinatrix and Clayman appeared on the field before being melded together in a swirling vortex. Emerging in their place was as tall and strong warrior with its vision locked on Duel Man. Her body appeared to mostly resemble Clayman's, except it was more mechanical. The right arm held a mutli-shot blaster and the left arm wielded a large crimson shield with the head wearing a yellow helmet with red flames on the edges. Rampart Blaster landed with a hard thud and kneeled with its shield in front (2000/2500).
"Since Rampart Blast is in defense mode, I can cut its attack points in half and attack your life points directly!" Marcus continued.
Elemental Hero Rampart Blast – (1000/2500).
"That was a nice trick, but there is one problem with that." Duel Man said confidently. "Because now I activate my Trap Card: DNA Transplant!" He revealed the card. "Now I select one attribute and all monsters must be force with the same attribute. And my selection is light!"
Suddenly, both monsters on the field gained a brilliant glow, slightly blinding Marcus.
"So what was the point of all that?" Marcus groaned.
"Just this!" Duel Man shouted victoriously. "As long as Blind Sucker is on the field, the effects of all light monsters are negated!"
Rampart Blaster's attack points were returned to its normal position, but the unknowing monster continued with its attack. The mechanized hero jabbed its right arm forward and released a series of energized bullets for the masked duelist. Unfortunately, Blind Sucker jumped in its path and raised its hands to capture the bullet in the air. Rampart Blaster stared shockingly while the spider machine dropped the bullets with a loud clatter.
"Grr...I place one card facedown and end my turn." Marcus grumbled.
"Aw, there's no need to be angry." Duel Man said confidently. "If this dueling career doesn't work out, you can always join me as my sidekick."
"Yeah, not happening." Marcus replied shortly.
"Too bad." Duel Man said, drawing his fifth card. "I summon Ally of Justice – Unknown Crusher!"
A mechanized elephant with glowing red eyes and blue-fluid tusks appeared on the field (1200/800).
"Unknown Crusher, take down that Rampart Blaster!" Duel Man commanded.
Marcus was bewildered by this action. The mechanical elephant stampeded across the field, nearly forcing the Marked Duelist off his feet, and jabbed its tusks into Rampart Blaster's shield. At first, it looked like the attack had been successfully repelled. But all of a sudden, the shield was unknowingly shattered and the elemental hero was stabbed through the torso. Even as Rampart Blast was destroyed, it was Duel Man who suffered the backlash of the strike.
Duel Man (2700) – Marcus (4000)
"What happened to Rampart Blaster?" Marcus questioned.
"That's Unknown Crusher's special ability." Duel Man smiled. "When it battles a light attribute monster, that monster is instantly destroyed, not regarding the difference in power. And with your Rampart Blaster out of the way, I'll attack with Blind Sucker!"
The spherical machine turned on its spider legs, fully facing the redheaded opponent. With a quick adjustment on its cannons, it released two ball of light energy, which exploded on either side of Marcus.
Duel Man (2700) – Marcus (2400)
"And now I end my turn!" Duel Man finished.
"Oh man..." Marcus hissed painfully "This guy might dress like an idiot, but he duel like a serious pro. I'm in big trouble for underestimating him."
"You can still win, Marcus." Amy said encouragingly. "You just need to keep up that fighting spirit."
"I don't have any other choice." Marcus said, drawing his third card. "Now I summon Squire of the Elements in defense mode!"
Young boy clad in a green tunic and brown pants carrying a small sword appeared on the field (900/900)
"Now I end my turn." Marcus finished.
"Well, boy, it's been a real blast." Duel Man said respectfully, drawing his fifth card. "But this is where it all ends. Because I'm summoning my Tuner Monster: Ally of Justice – Cycle Leader!"
"A Tuner Monster!" Marcus exclaimed fearfully.
A mechanical spider appeared on the field. A majority of its body was black with a white cover, eight golden armored legs, and a single red eye (1000/1000).
"And now I Tune Cycle Leader to Unknown Crusher and Blind Sucker!" Duel Man continued.
Upon his commanded, the three machines jumped overhead, clear for everyone to see. On the upper level, Nami was watching the entire duel while writing down her findings in a small notebook. Cycle Leader created three cybernetic circles with its eyes and the two remaining monsters became transparent through them.
"The hammer of righteousness knows no limits against the crimes of evil." Duel Man chanted lamely. "Unleashed your awesome power, Ally of Justice – Decisive Arms!"
A column of light appeared through the cybernetic circles and exploded all across the Black Rose Dome. What Marcus found next made him reconsider his place in the tournament. A colossal spherical fortress that touched the roof of the dome hovered lightly over the dueling duo. It was covered in gold and black armor with twin, spiked guns acting as hands and a massive super cannon resting on the top (3300/3300).
"I hate to admit it, but you're screwed." Yubel said frightfully.
"Is it too late to surrender?" Amy asked shakily.
"Now, Decisive Arms, attack with Pulse Cannon!" Duel Man commanded.
The super cannon above the monster's body gathered a large collection of light particles painfully slow, leaving everyone who was watching in suspense. Finally, Decisive Arms released all its power into one ultra powerful beam of energy. Marcus fell backwards on his back as his Squire was ruthlessly disintegrated.
"And that's not all!" Duel Man proclaimed. "By sending all of my cards to the graveyard, I can take a peek at your hand! And if I find any light monsters, you lose life points equal to their attack points!"
The pain only continued. As Duel Man shoved all his cards into the grave slot, Marcus' hand was forced into view. It was thankful that he only had two cards in his hand and only one of them was a monster. Unfortunately, the monster in question was Elemental Knight – Luminous. After spotting the card, Decisive Arms locked on target and shot thin beam of energy through the card and stabbed it directly into The Marked Duelist's chest. Marcus wasn't sure how much longer he would last.
Duel Man (2700) – Marcus (800)
"That was a good trick." Marcus moaned. "And I've got a better one. I activate Squire of the Element's special ability. When my squire is destroyed, I can special summon one Elemental Knight to the field. So I summon Elemental Knight – Luminous!"
A fair, white-haired woman appeared on the field. She wore a pure-silver cloak hiding her white body armor beneath and carried a golden staff with a curved hook at the end (1600/1200).
"And now I activate my facedown, Knight's Signal!" Marcus announced revealing the card. "When a monster is destroyed, I can special summon one knight from my deck! Come out, Elemental Knight – Yami!"
A fearsome, dark-hair man appeared on the field besides the female knight. His armor was deathly-black and seemed to cling close to his skin with his tattered dark cape blowing in an unseen breeze. He looked particularly vindictive, especially with the steel claws extending from his wrists (1500/1600).
"Now that that's over, I'll end my turn."
"All right, this is it." Marcus thought hopefully. "Either we pull it off in this next draw, or I'm out for good."
"I know you, Marcus." Amy said confidently. "You won't lose."
Nodding appreciatively at his Duel Spirit, the Marked Duelist drew his second card. But when he examined it, his eyes were wide in curiosity. In his hand was none other than the Master Emerald card.
"That's impossible..." Marcus thought. "How did I...?"
---Flashback---
"You can keep your luck." Rev said monotonously, shoving past his rival. "Judging from your skills in our last duel, you'll need all the help you can get."
What Marcus didn't see was that as Rev pushed him aside, he secretly slipped the Master Emerald card in his deck.
---End Flashback---
"Rev...I don't know what game you're playing at." Marcus thought, glaring at Duel Man. "But right now, I'm not going to question it."
"Have you finally submitted to the awesome power of Duel Man?!" The masked duelist shouted.
"No, I was just thinking of a great parting gift after you lose." Marcus smirked. "Because I activate my Spell Card: Chaos Fusion!" He revealed the card, showing Luminous and Yami standing in a vortex of twilight. "By sacrificing Luminous and Yami, I can special summon Elemental Knight – Chaos!"
The twin knights collided with one another, evaporating into a mixture of light and darkness. Suddenly, the particles mixed together in a portal of twilight, setting the stage for the man emerging from it. A tall human warrior with an impassive expression stared upwards at Decisive Arms. He wore white chest armor and helmet mixed with black armored boots and gauntlets. His uniform was completed by a twilight-colored cape and carried two swords – one made of white steel and another made of black steel (3000/2900).
"That may be impressive, but it no match for my amazing Decisive Arms!" Duel Man laughed.
"Actually, your fortress is about to crumble." Marcus stated. "Because I activate my Spell Card: Master Emerald! With this card, my monster's attack points drop to 0. But then it absorbs your monster's attack points as its own!"
"What?!" Duel Man exclaimed.
Ally of Justice – Decisive Arms (0/3300) – Elemental Knight – Chaos (3300/2900)
"Chaos, end this duel with Twilight Cross!" Marcus commanded.
The knight of light and darkness raised both blades forward, gathering a strong aura of both energies around his weapons. With the power in hand, the Elemental Knight jumped high into the air until it reached the center of the machines body. No one saw what happened next, but only realized that Chaos had landed back with its master. A moment of silence passed – nothing extraordinary happened. And the, Decisive arms was split into four parts as a cross of light and darkness appeared on its body. The machine crumbled on its former master, leaving the poor man buried under its weight.
Duel Victor: Marcus
"The match is over!" The referee announced. "Number 36 advances!"
"That was amazing, Marcus." Yubel complimented.
"Maybe..." Marcus replied dully, staring at the Master Emerald. "I just want to know what Rev is planning."
Meanwhile, Nami closed her notebook once the match had finished.
"Hmm..." Nami hummed. "He is more resourceful than expected.
Hours passed by with Marcus slowly advancing through his matches until he was among the final four that made it. It came as no surprise that he was guided by the tournament official with Rev as they made their way to the Stardust Dome. The other two winners were Nami and some person Marcus had never seen in New Domino City. He was a little younger than Marcus with messy black hair. He wore a bright orange vest over his chest with fingerless, black gloves, a pair of navy-blue jeans, and red sneakers. Though he looked more comical than most, Marcus couldn't really compare him to his first opponent.
"This where you will be meeting." The official said formally, leading the winners to the entrance hall. "Master Hazama and the rest of the competition will be waiting for you."
"Wait? The rest of the competition?" Marcus repeated strangely. "You mean the others finished before us?"
"We got held up in bracket four when one duelist got his foot stuck in his mouth." The Official said.
The comical dualist laughed lightly – the others took a step away. Rev was the one to open the doors to the entrance hall, where they found Hazama greeting the rest of the duelists. Marcus was pleased to learn that Namura, Hikari, and Ruki had managed to pass through the preliminaries. Nami had separated herself from the rest of the group to join her boss to the corner. And meanwhile, the man who was watching Marcus earlier glared at the redhead as they Marked Duelist spoke happily with his friends. The sixteen duelists were chatting lightly amongst each other until Hazama raised his hand, effectively silencing the group.
"Thank you for your cooperation." Hazama said gratefully. "As you all know, the sixteen of you have made it to the main tournament, which will be taking place tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?" An impassive teenager asked.
"Today's matches were only to select the duelist who would be competing." Hazama explained. "Tomorrow, we will be featuring the tournament in front of a live audience within the Stardust Dome. And besides, I'm sure you all need a good rest after such a strenuous day." The sixteen duelists grumbled exhaustedly. "Now you see my point. Rest up and be ready for tomorrow. The whole world will be watching."
"Before you go." An official said, holding a clipboard. "I will need to know the names of those entering."
"Marcus Kiva." Marcus answered proudly.
"Namura Jones." Namura said nervously.
"Ruki Kizani!" Ruki shouted eagerly.
"Hikari Reitai." Hikari smiled.
"Akira Seta, better known as Rev." Rev said monotonously.
"Nami Kimura." Nami said shortly.
"Trace Rodik." The third Elemental said.
"Kai Roujin." The glaring man stated coldly.
"Crash!" The comical teen shouted.
"Selene Aras." A slender brunette smiled.
"Amaye Watari." A girl with choppy hair nodded.
"Kana Izuma." A silver-haired female said impassively.
"Konah Shiori." A brown-hair man said eagerly.
"Brent Hizure." A spiky-haired boy said.
"Nick Magus." A dark-haired boy answered.
"Haru Xavier." A blue-haired male shrugged.
"And now we have our competitors." Hazama laughed lightly. "Tomorrow, let us light the fires of good sportsmanship within the hearts of our friends, family, and fellow duelists."
Unknown to the rest of the group, a familiar figure was hiding in the shadows of a nearby hallway. Ignite smiled malevolently with his eyes locked on the master of ceremonies. His fingers were twitching continuously, eager to reach for the Chakrams hidden beneath his cloak.
"Oh, there's going to be fire, all right." Ignite chuckled sinisterly. "But in the end, you'll only get burned."
The true competition has finally arrived. How will Marcus and his friends fare against this verity of powerful duelists? What secrets rest between them? And what are Ignite's plans for the tournament? Find out on the next Hyper Runners!
Please, read and review.
Note: Due to the lack of original cards, there will be no duel report for this chapter.
