Hyper Runners: Duel Legacy
All Character © Respective creators
Elemental Knights © TheBlackCrow2
Chapter Fifteen: Two-way Tangle, Part 1
Marcus could only stand there, watching the scene happening within the stadium. He was not only shocked that Hikari had been defeated so easily, but that the duel may have ended as her last. The other remaining twelve duelists were watching the screen as Hikari was lifted onto a stretcher and carried out of sight. Some of the contestants were worried while a few of them didn't seem to care about the girl's condition. Marcus couldn't stand waiting anymore. The Marker Duelist tried to exit the lobby until Akira "Rev" Set threw out his hand to stop him.
"Get out of my way, Rev." Marcus growled. "I don't have time to deal with you."
"You must remain here until your time comes." Rev said coolly. "You'll have plenty of time to see her when this is over."
"Listen, you arrogant..." Marcus said spitefully, grabbing his rival by the collar.
"I'd hate to say it, but he's right." Yubel said peacefully, appearing behind her master. "If you allow yourself to be controlled by your anger, you won't be able to duel properly when it's needed."
"But..." Marcus thought hesitantly.
"Too many people have fallen to defeat because of their emotions." Yubel said wisely. "While believe in your heart is one thing, allow anger to control your mind is another. You need to calm yourself."
Though he wanted to argue against it, he knew Yubel had decades experience in her hands. The Marker Duelist released Rev at the same moment Hazama walked into the lobby with Trace and the defeated Crash following behind. Marcus was thankful that Kana didn't show up with them – he wasn't sure if he could restrain himself. Just as the redhead opened his mouth to ask about Hikari, the master of ceremonies held up his hand to stop him.
"I have been informed that Hikari is being taken into emergency surgery." Hazama informed; the heroes moaned sadly. "It will take several hours to learn of her condition, but I have been safely assured that she will all right."
"That's good to hear." Ruki sighed.
While Marcus and his friends were trying to gain more detail on Hikari, Trace brushed past the rest of the competition. As he passed by, Trace and Rev locked eyes for one moment – only the silver-haired man noticed pulse emitting from the necklaces. He walked over to Nami and took a seat next to his subordinate.
"Did you collect the information?" Trace asked.
"I got as much as I could." Nami said nervously. "Boss...that angel..."
"Put as far from your mind as possible." Trace said sympathetically, resting his hand on the girl's shoulder. "You're not the same person you once were. You're much better."
The silent female blushed lightly.
"If you will all settle down, we can begin the next match." Hazama announced.
Meanwhile, the Stardust Dome was in an uproar. While a majority of the watchers were upset over Hikari's injuries, most of them were growing impatient for the next match. Up in the top box, the Signers had much more substantial priorities. Shortly following the duel, Jack called his secretary, Mina. Naturally, the blue-haired woman was thrilled that Jack had called her, but it wasn't the reason she was expecting.
"Mina, did you find anything on the Kana girl?" Jack questioned.
"Not much." Mina said disappointed as she searched through her portfolio. "There have been random sightings in the past two years, but no solid facts. In fact, this is the first time she has ever attended a serious competition such as this."
"She's not half bad for a rookie." Crow commented. The other glared and him furiously, forcing the Tail Signer back into his seat. "Ok, ok, my bad."
"There are also several rumors about her in Sector Security." Mina continued undisturbed. "Apparently, everyone she's every faced has ended in the same situation as Hikari. They say she has used her abilities for mercenary work and acts as a hit man for the right price."
"A hit man?" Akiza repeated fearfully. "What does she want here?"
"We're about to find out." Yusei said coolly.
Several agonizing minutes later, Hazama finally walked out onto the Dueling Platform, earning a chorus of cheers from the audience. And once again, the white-haired master silenced them with a simple wave.
"After much analysis, we have determined that Hikari is in no immediate danger!" Hazama announced, allowing the watching crowds to breathe easily. "And now we shall move on to our next match: Selene Aras and Konah Shiori vs. Ruki Kizani and Namura Jones!"
The Signers groaned at the mention of the last pair. If there were any people that should not work as a team, Namura and Ruki were definite choices. But unfortunately, the two teenagers walked out to the Dueling Platform with the other team taking their places across from them.
The younger if the two seemed at least a year older than the heroes with messy dark-born hair. He wore a ruby-red shirt underneath his black bomber jacket, a pair of navy jeans, and a pair of red/white sneakers. Much like Crash, he seemed excited to be dueling. His partner was a stunningly beautiful girl with mid-length brunette hair parted from her face by a black clip and a grey fang tattoo on her neck. She wore a pair of dark-blue jeans, a white long-sleeved shirt with black wings on the front, a vermillion scarf, and pair of brown high-heeled boots. Namura blushed embarrassingly at the sight of Selene, unknowingly earning a slap from his partner.
"Ow!" Namura whined. "What did I do?"
"Just stay focused." Ruki huffed.
"You better bring your 'A' game!" Konah shouted eagerly, throwing his fists playfully.
"Please take it easy on me." Selene smiled sweetly; Ruki didn't buy it.
"Let the second match begin!" Hazama yelled.
"Duel!" The four shouted.
Namura (4000) – Ruki (4000) – Konah (4000) – Selene (4000)
"I'll start off." Namura said, drawing his sixth card. "I summon Trap Reactor – Y FI in defense mode."
The human-shaped fighter jet appeared on the field (800/1800)
"Next, I activate my spell card: Double Summon." Namura continued, throwing the card on the field. "With this, I can summon a second monster to the field. And now I summon Trap Reactor – RE in attack mode."
The mechanical crimson dragon appeared on the field, posed to attack (1200/800).
"And then I place one card facedown and end my turn." Namura finished, placing the card on the field. "My facedown card is Fake Explosion. The moment one of their monster's attacks, my monster will be safe and I can call Summon Reactor – SK. With all three pieces together, I can create Flying Fortress SKY FIRE and victory is assured."
"My move!" Konah shouted eagerly. "I summon Lifeforce Harmonizer in attack mode!"
A small blob of water suddenly appeared. It looked relatively shapeless for a moment until it gained a distorted face (800/400).
"Then I activate the field spell: Brain Research Lab!" Konah continued.
"But that only activates Spell Reactor's special ability." Namura interjected. "By activating a spell card, Spell Reactor – RE can destroy that card and inflict 800 points of damage."
"Which is the reason why I summoned Lifeforce Harmonizer." Kohan smirked. "When my opponent activates a card effect that causes damage, I can sacrifice it to negate the attack and destroy the monster."
As Spell Reactor prepared to unload its missiles, Lifeforce Harmonizer jumped into action. The single celled organism latched itself onto the mechanical dragon's chassis and glowed ominously before exploding. Namura shielded himself from the blast, barely taking notice to their new surroundings. The Dueling Platform now resembled more of a dark laboratory with computer walls surrounding them and a bacteria tank with a floating brain in the center.
"Ooh, this is interesting." Selene mused. "What does it do?"
"Once per turn, this field spell allows everyone to summon a second psychic monster with their first." Kohan explained happily. "And since I'm the only one that uses psychic monsters, this works in my favor. So I summon Psychic Snail!"
The bacteria tank reacted to the summons as the brain was ruthlessly electrocuted by a surge of electricity. A moment later, the tank lifted to reveal the monster. A black and gold mass with masculine arms coursed itself from a golden spiral shell with topaz opals – its blank face ever watching (1900/1200).
"Psychic Snail, attack Trap Reactor!" Kohan commanded
The faceless animal stretched its arm forward, unleashing a wave of lightning. At once, Namura quickly activated his Fake Explosion card to safely prevent the destruction of his Trap Reactor. Kohan and Selene didn't need an explanation to know what had occurred. Summon Reactor – SK guarded its smaller counterpart with its arm – its eyes glimmering in expectation (2000/1400).
"Barely made it." Namura thought. "No doubt about it. This guy is good."
"Nice save." Kohan complimented. "I'll place one card facedown and end my turn."
Back at the private lobby, the ten remaining duelists were watching the match through the television screen provided. Of course, only a quarter of the group were actually impressed by the battle so far. Kai thought it was a waste of time, Nami was busy taking notes, and Rev wasn't even watching the match. Marcus felt a sense of isolation without his friends, being the only one in the room that would be willing to cheer them on.
"Those are your friends, huh?" The Marker Duelist looked over his shoulder, spotting the one called Amaya. "The boy seems to be doing well for himself, despite it only being two turns."
"Yeah, but I'm wondering how long that will last." Marcus said.
"What do you mean?" Amaya asked.
"Namura is one that likes to take it slow and think things through." Marcus explained. "But Ruki is different. She likes things fast and exciting, making her completely unpredictable. And putting them together is the worst move possible."
Back at the battlefield...
"My turn, finally!" Ruki yelled, drawing her sixth card. "And I sacrifice Trap Reactor and Summon Reactor to call out Experiment 626!"
"What?!" Namura exclaimed.
Despite the Scarred Duelist's protest, the duo of machines were ultimately offered into particles of light to make room for the next monster. The monster in question closely resembled 624, but was blue and had a masculine e tone. It had two tall ears with a cut in his left ear, two pair of serrated claws, and a row of spines down its back (3000/2000).
"Why did you do that?" Namura moaned sadly. "I had a plan set up for those two."
"Well, my plan was better." Ruki proclaimed. "626, get rid of that slug!"
The koala monster grumbled in its own language and dropped on all fours before charging ahead for the black mass. The electrical snail tried to use its lightning-based attacks to repel its, but the electricity only reflected off 626's fur. Finally, the blue koala passed by the snail, ripping its claws through the shell. A moment later, the snail exploded in a wave of electricity.
Namura (4000) – Ruki (4000) – Konah (2900) – Selene (4000)
"Then I place one card facedown and end my turn." Ruki smirked, grinning at her partner. "See, I told you it would work."
"But my idea was to destroy them in one hit." Namura stated. "Now that's out the window."
"You two don't get along very well." Selene commented, drawing her sixth card. "Anyway, I summon Dark Effigy in attack mode."
A block made from several smaller black blocks emerged on the field (1500/0)
"Then I place two facedown cards and end my turn." Selene finished.
"That would make it my turn." Namura said, drawing his second card. "With my Reactors out of the picture, I need to plan an entirely different strategy. And the best way to do that is with a fresh hand." He places a card on the field. "I activate Card Destruction! Now everyone will have to discard their hands and draw a number of cards equal to the ones they discarded."
None of the players seemed happy about this tactic – Ruki was straight-out pissed. But they had no choice but to follow through. Namura drew one card, Ruki drew four, Selene drew three, and Kohan drew two.
"Now I summon Machine King Prototype in attack mode." Namura continued.
A humanoid machine monster that look made from scrap parts appeared on the field. It had a thin layer of ruby-red armor and was seated in a chair, which was connected to the wires in its chest (1600/1500)
"Machine King Prototype, attack Konah directly." Namura ordered.
The thin machine looked like it had difficulty moving, but managed to raise its arm just enough to aim for the eager duelist. A burst of fire escaped from its wrist and rocket its hand across the laboratory platform. But at the last minutes, Selene activated one of her facedowns, blocking the attack. The receiver of the attack appeared to be a pathetic scarecrow made from pieces of random metal and materials.
"Scrape-Iron Scarecrow." Namura stated.
"So you know about it." Selene smirked. "Then you should also know that it can block one attack per turn and return facedown for later."
"I'll end my turn." Namura sighed.
"It's about time!" Kohan shouted eagerly, drawing his third card. "This next move is gonna blow you away! Because I'm summoning Power Injector in attack mode!"
A large Frankenstein-like monster appeared on the field. It wore a sky-blue suit around its rotund body, large red projectiles on both its arms, and three bolts in the middle of its head (1300/1400).
"Now I play a trap card called Psychic Tuning!" Kohan continued, playing the card. "This allows me to bring back one monster from my graveyard and transform it into a tuner monster."
"A tuner monster?!" Ruki exclaimed.
"And I bring back Psychic Snail." Kohan announced as his former monster appeared on the field. "And now I tune my Psychic Snail to my Power Injector!"
The electrical snail withdrew itself into its shell and suddenly deformed into four electrical circles. The Power Injector hurtled through the electrical circles, becoming transparent with its levels taking form. A beam of light flashed through the rings, landing in the platform with an echoing blast.
"The powers of the mind influence and bring absolute control!" Kohan chanted. "Bend Reality, Hyper Psychic Blaster!"
The light dispelled, revealing a creature standing shoulder to shoulder with its master. A humanoid machine made for a white, high-tech battle suit with extendable chrome wings, two power blasters on each hand connected to its waist, and silver helmet with a jade eye in the center. The abdominal titan was locking on to its target (3000/2500).
"That was an impressive move, but I know about Psychic Tuning." Namura stated. "When the Tuner Monster you chose is sent to the graveyard, you loose four hundred life points for each level."
Namura (4000) – Ruki (4000) – Konah (1300) – Selene (4000)
"That was kinda stupid." Ruki commented.
"Stupid or brilliant." Kohan grinned. "Because I'm activating my facedown: Psychic Sword!" He revealed the hidden spell card. "If my life points are lower than my opponents, I can increase one Psychic monster's attack by the difference."
"He lost his life points on purpose!" Namura exclaimed fearfully.
Hyper Sonic Blaster – (5000/2500)
"Oh crap." Ruki moaned.
"Hyper Sonic Blaster attack with Sonic Disruptor!" Kohan commanded.
The futuristic monster held out both blasters in hand, aiming them for the machine prototype. The newly created warrior wanted to move out of the way, but its operating systems wouldn't allow it. Without hesitation, the psychic monster released two streams of heavy white energy, eradicating the machine prototype in a matter of seconds. But in doing so, Hyper Sonic Blaster was forced back to its original power.
Namura (600) – Ruki (4000) – Konah (1300) – Selene (4000)
"Namura!" Ruki cried worriedly. "Are you all right?!"
"I'm fine." Namura groaned.
"With that, I end my turn." Kohan grinned.
"You idiot!" Selene snapped suddenly, scaring her partner. A moment later, she regained her sweet tone. "Sorry, but don't you think this would have been finished sooner if you summoned another Psychic monster. Your Brain Research Lab is still in play."
"Doh! I forgot!" Konah groaned.
"Something isn't right about her." Ruki thought, drawing her next card. "My move! And I activate my facedown card: Blissful Return!" She reveals a card with experiments returning to capsule form. "By returning one Experiment monster from the field to my hand, I can recover life points. So I return Experiment 626 and give the points to Namura."
"Huh?" Namura gasped.
The blue koala curled into a ball and vanished in a shower of white sparkles. The white sparkles then moved through Namura's body, restoring is body's vitality.
Namura (3600) – Ruki (4000) – Konah (1300) – Selene (4000)
"Why did you do that?" Namura asked. "That was your best monster."
"If we're going to get through this, we need to work together." Ruki said; her cheeks burned brightly as she smiled. "Besides, you're more important than any monster."
Namura's face was suddenly heated as well.
"Are you going to make a move or talk to your boyfriend?" Selene questioned.
"Um..." Ruki hummed flustered. "I summon Experiment 316 in attack mode."
The red blob appeared on the field, giggling wildly (0/0)
"What's the point of having a monster with no attack points?" Konah questioned.
"This is." Ruki said pointedly. "316 has a special power of replicating another monster on the field. And I choose Hyper Sonic Blaster!"
The red blob deformed for a moment and blew up into a different shape before forming a red version of the psychic monster (3000/2500).
"Be thankful that it's not you I'm after." Ruki continued. "I know your partner has Scrap-Iron Scarecrow waiting, so I have the magic spell: Double Attack." She played the card on the field. "This allows me to attack you twice in a row. And since Scrap-Iron Scarecrow only works once, you're finished."
"You think so, huh?" Selene scowled. "You forgot about my second facedown: Waboku!"
The crimson replica stabbed both of his sonic blasters forward, releasing a crimson version of the Sonic Disruptor. But unfortunately, Dark Effigy was surrounded by a trio of robed maidens. The holy women protected the dark cube from destruction and left its master untouched.
"Damn..." Ruki hissed. "I end my turn."
"And that will be the last turn you'll every take!" Selene screeched crazily, slightly scaring the competitors. "I am tired of play some sickly sweet girl! Now that all the cards are in play, I'll finally put an end to this."
"I knew there was something off about her." Ruki murmured.
"It's time I finally get rid of you brat!" Selene yelled, throwing a card on the field. "I play the spell card: Monster Reborn! And I summon back a monster you got rid of with Card Destruction: Whiptail Crow!"
An avian creature with fiery-orange skin appeared on the field (1650/1600).
"But it won't be sticking around for long!" Selene continued. "When Dark Effigy is used to sacrifice for a dark monster, it can act as two tributes giving me a total of three fiend monsters!"
"Three fiends?" Namura repeated before realizing. "No! She can't be...!"
"I sacrifice Dark Effigy and Whiptail Crow to summon Raviel, Lord of Phantasms!" Selene cackled wickedly.
Even the sound of the name was enough to strike fear in the hearts of every living occupant in the stadium. The two fiends faded away into a mist of darkness and faded away into the unseen roof of the stadium. Outside the Stardust Dome, a wave of ominous dark clouds formed with crackles of lightning jumping across the sky. One of the bolts of lightning struck through the roof of the stadium. In its wake, a gargantuan blue demon appeared with its malevolent eyes piercing down upon its prey. The demon had violet muscles visible beneath its armor, two transparent wings, and a crown of pointed horns. Raviel roared viciously, shaking the stadium in its presence (4000/4000).
"I can't believe it." Namura gasped. "I'm actually seeing one of the Sacred Beasts."
"You can admire it later!" Ruki screamed.
"This match is over." Selene smiled menacingly.
Meanwhile, the rest of the competition was watching from the lobby. Even those who were not interested in the match at first were suddenly drawn to the attention of the Sacred Beast. Even Rev was eying the monster with interest. Marcus only gaped at its power while Amaya shrugged besides him.
"I have to say it." Amaya said nonchalantly. "They are royally screwed."
Thunder crashes and lightning pierces their hearts. Will Ruki and Namura find a way to get around this obstacle? Will the Sacred Beast be too much for them to handle? Find out on the next Hyper Runners!
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Duel Report:
Name: Experiment 626
Attribute: Light
Types: Beast
Level: 8
ATK/DEF: (3000/2000)
Description: The last of the Experiment Series. Originally designed to create massive mayhem, this beast has undergone a change of heart and seeks to protect those close to him.
