Yu-Gi-Oh GX: The American Duelists
Chapter 5 - Bastard of the One Turn Kill: Part 1
The midday sun looms high over the island. Judai, Kenzan, and Sho stagger up the steep incline leading from to Duel Academia's main building. "Aggghhh..." Sho whines as he trudges after Kenzan and Judai. "This is hopeless big brother! We've been searching all morning, and we still can't find him!"
Kenzan wipes the sweat from his brow before calling over his shoulder. "Just be glad big brother finally wore himself out."
Judai, who leads the group, looks to be in about as poor shape as Sho. With his back arched and his tongue hanging out, Judai pants like an overheated dog. The temperature on the island is nearing its peek, and the more intelligent students have either retreated indoors to an air conditioned building on the island, found themselves a shady hideaways in their dorms, or have set themselves up down on the beach. Judai shields his eyes from the blazing sun, as he peers skyward and cries out, "He has to be somewhere!"
Judai's complaint depresses Sho even further. "We've been everywhere already." Sho exclaims in an exasperated tone. "Even places we shouldn't have been."
"Like the beach." Kenzan reminds them wearily. The three share a collective flashback, as they recall themselves being chased from the beach by an angry mob, after Judai badgers one girl too many for information; under the mistaken impression that every girl on the island is a part of Kyle's harem of fangirls.
The flashback is cut off by Sho's addition. "Or the Obelisk Blue dorm..." Once again, their thoughts all return to the same memory of the three being run out of the Obelisk Blue dorm by a mob of pissed off Obelisk Blue boys, after the three breached the dorm's usually tight security.
"The girl's dorm..." Kenzan adds embarrassedly. The three pause and blush as their minds all synch to the memory of their excursion around the lake to the girl's dorm. Led by Judai's righteous desire to rematch Kyle, as well as his total lack of direction or leads. The three stumble across a paradise of bikini clad maidens playing in the soft mist of sprinklers, chasing each other playfully with hoses, and sun bathing on lawn chairs. Kenzan smiles fondly, as he watches two younger girls rubbing lotion over the bare back of an older girl on a lawn chair. Sho smiles fondly, as he watches the carefree smiles of two younger girls chasing each other with the hoses. Their and laughter fills the air like a sweet melody.
Judai, not one to understand the small simple pleasures in life that aren't related to Duel Monsters, comments that Kyle isn't here either. No sooner does he finish making his observation aloud, then the trio finds itself being stared down by dozens of bemused gazes. An older girl reclining on a lawn chair beneath an umbrella sits up and lifts her shades to examine the three intruders. "What do you three, think you're doing here?" She demands to know.
Sho, Kenzan, and Judai, being the manly men they are, respond the way they know best: They panic and try to flee; setting off a chaotic chain of events. In their panicked attempt to escape, the three trip over several of the hoses. When they untangle themselves, the built up water pressure comes surging out, causing the hoses to break free and go wild. Girls scatter in every direction, as they try to flee or recapture the crazed hoses. Two fat lips, one black eye, one nasty knot on the forehead, and one broken window later, the girls have the hoses under control, and the trio of boys faces the wrath of several dozen wet and annoyed girls, including 3 very pissed off older sisters.
The three exhale a collective sigh, before resuming their weary march up the dirt trail. "It's a good thing they forgave us. We could have been in big trouble." Kenzan states as he tries to put a positive spin on the encounter.
Sho looks crossly at him. "Forgave us... After making us swim across the lake in the buff!" He reminds Kenzan.
Both Judai and Kenzan cringe, as they recall it. As punishment for their unintentional voyeurism, that resulted in several girls getting injured, the three boys are forced to swim across the lake, butt naked, while dragging a row boat behind them with all of the girls they accidentally injured. Three pissed off senior girls oversee their punishment. Of which, one shouts in their ears over a megaphone the entire time. "That's right! Swim like dogs! Paddle, paddle, paddle!" The girl shouts, as the three boys dog paddle across the lake. "You're not good enough to be treated like dogs! Slither like the serpents you are!" The three boys try and slither across the water; with sinking results. "Get back up here! You haven't earned the right to drown yet!" She demands.
"Whose idea was it to go to the girl's dorm, anyways?" An exhausted Sho asks.
Sho and Kenzan both glare at Judai, who feels their eyes bore into his back. He musses his hair embarrassedly with a laugh. "I couldn't help it. I didn't know where I was going." He punches the air excitedly. "When I get psyched up to duel, my feet and body take over." He laughs it all off.
Kenzan and Sho sigh. "That's just like big brother." They both agree.
Sho resumes naming off where they've been. "We also checked the duel fields, the card shop..." They finally reach the campus grounds once more, where a few duelists are scattered here and there. Most have retreated to the shade of the surrounding trees, though. "The dock, the heliport, the cliffs, and even the woods." After scanning over the campus grounds, Sho adds, "And it doesn't look like he's here either. We've really checked everywhere, big brother. Where else could he be?" Sho asks.
"I don't know, but I'm getting hungry." Kenzan states. His stomach growls sharply in agreement. "It's gotta be lunch time by now." He deduces as he holds his gut. "We should really get something to eat, big brother. Before I turn canibalosaurus." With that comment, Kenzan peeks over his shoulder with a hunger crazed gleam in his eyes. Sho winces at Kenzan's profile as his grin widens; revealing a row of sharp teeth, and a trickle of drool.
Judai rounds on them. "Ahhh, come on guys! We'll never find him if we stop looking now!" Judai contests.
Both Sho and Kenzan stare at Judai in disbelief; even though Kenzan has Sho pinned to the ground, and is inches from biting into Sho's tender portions. Sho leaves it to Kenzan to talk some sense into their big brother, while he retreats behind a nearby trash can.
As Kenzan tries to get Judai to realize food is a higher priority than dueling, the attention of the three is drawn to an excited crowd leaving the main building and crossing the campus grounds. Every student in the area is drawn to the ruckus. Judai shouts excited. "It's gotta be one of the Americans!"
Before Kenzan or Sho can say anything, Judai is on his way to join the crowd. The two have no choice but to chase after him or be left alone together; which is a scenario that would probably leave them in a one-sided game of predator and prey, with the reward to the winner being tasty Sho morsels served over a side of Sho, the other, other, other white meat.
As Judai joins the crowd, his excitement is knocked down a peg, when he realizes it is not Kyle, or any of the other Americans for that matter. Rather, it is one of the Duel Academia clubs; The Machinist Duel Faction, if Judai remembers correctly. He's never dueled the group, but he's heard about them and seen their followers around campus. They pass the crowd without saying much, but their followers gossip like crazy, which is the source of the excitement. Apparently they just had an incredible duel session. Kenzan and Sho join their big brother.
"What's going on?" Sho asks at a safe distance from Kenzan. Judai shakes his head, but he doesn't intend to be in the dark for long.
"Hey!" He shouts over the crowd. "What's just happened!"
The six top machinists all stop and look at Judai. Kenzan smacks his head in disbelief. "Why must big brother always get us into trouble?" He asks to no one in particular.
Then, without a response or comment, four of them press forward. Only one of them, a Ra Yellow boy, responds. "Nothing worth mentioning." He quips. "We just had some trash to dispose of." With a cocky smile, he pursues the others and resumes his conversation with the other Ra Yellow boy.
Several of their fans retort that it wasn't nothing worth mentioning at all. One of the audio visual members, a fan of the Machinist Duel Faction club, stops to answer Judai properly, as well as address the crowd. "The Machinist Duel Faction's elite 6 just destroyed one of the American Duelists! I mean, it was a total massacre!" Judai and the others are shocked. The audio visual member continues. "These Americans act tough, but they aren't even in the same class as the Machinist Duel Faction!"
With that line, another audio visual member jumps forward, "And you could own footage of the Machinist Duel Faction's triumphant victory over all of the Americans, starting at only 2000 Yen!" He scans the crowd. "Pre-orders are now open. Act now, or risk being one of the unfortunate few to not witness the awesome might of the Machinist Duel Faction's elite 6!" After a moment has lapsed, the crowd kicks into a frenzy once more as their excited chatter turns to gossip and speculation. People immediately begin pre-ordering videos of the Machinist Duel Faction's duels. Several of them agree the club always delivers high end duels.
Judai forces his way through the crowd with great urgency. "Who did they beat!?" He demands to know. "It can't be Kyle!? Was it Kyle!?" The audio visual member, and follower of the Machinist Duel Faction, waves Judai's claims of urgency away, as if it to say that it was already guaranteed.
"No, no." One of them answers with a smile. "Their time will come soon enough. It was that big quiet guy. The dark one."
All at once, Kenzan, Sho, and Judai shout out in disbelief, "Michael?"
"Yeah, that's the one." The kid agrees with a laugh. "He looks imposing, but he's a lightweight at best. He'd be better off dueling preschoolers." He laughs out loud, as do many of the others, who aren't too busy with taking names and money for pre-orders. Judai looks furiously at the six elite machinists who have separated from the commotion of the crowd. Judai chases after them. As he breaks through the crowd he shouts across the campus grounds.
"Why? What did he do to you?" Judai protests.
To Judai's words, the six machinists stop and glare at Judai once more. The Light Machinist answers for the group in an eerily cold even toned voice. "Yuki Judai. The Machinist Duel Faction, has no grudge against you. Don't concern yourself with our affairs." He pauses, before continuing more forcefully. "You are notorious for letting your compassion cloud your better judgement. It is one of the factors that has held you back from being promoted ever since you arrived here, despite your impressive duel record, and it will only continue to get you into trouble." With a stern look, the Light Machinist states boldly, "While we may be on good terms at the moment, if you interfere with our mission, we will treat you as an enemy."
Not one to hold his feelings back, Judai immediately retaliates. "What do you mean - don't concern myself? We share a room! He's my bunkmate and a friend!"
"Temporarily!" One of the machinists adds. "When it's all said and done, he's one of the American Duelists, and thus, he's an enemy to everyone here at Duel Academia."
Another of the machinists chimes in; a young Obelisk Blue boy. "These Americans need to be taught a lesson in etiquette and the principles of dueling in Duel Academia. They've desecrated sacred grounds with their actions, and it would be a sin to not put a stop to them immediately." He and Judai exchange serious glances.
The Light Machinist sounds off once more. "When they have realized the error of their ways... Then, and only then, will their persecution end." With a wave of his hand, the other five turn their backs on Judai and resume walking away. Only the Light Machinist lingers behind. "Yuki Judai ..." He makes sure he has Judai's undivided attention before speaking again. "Even if these Americans learn their lesson, they will be our enemies. While they are here, they are our rivals; competing for the titles held in the hierarchy of this school. Unlike the real students here, they are not true duelists. Only two have earned the right to be here. The other six are here as winners of a publicity stunt cooked up by an American card shop. Despite how they have gotten here, they have been guaranteed a chance to go pro; a chance many of the real students of this academy will never have themselves." The Light Machinist's eyes narrow, and the air around him feels strangely cold, despite the sweltering heat. "If you show sympathy towards these publicity contestants, you will be spitting in the faces of true duelists whose dreams are destined to be shattered, as they are overlooked by talent scouts obligated to watch over the Americans, instead of the most talented duelists of Duel Academia."
Judai's eyes burn intensely, without so much as a glimmer of comprehension, as he stares down the Light Machinist. "You know that we're right, even if you don't agree with our means." The Light Machinist remarks, and he turns away. He spares Judai one last emotionless gaze from over his shoulder. "You, who fought with Kaiser Ryo for his graduation ceremony duel, should know full well... It isn't enough to like playing Duel Monsters: That doesn't give any player the right to go pro. Only the serious and most dedicated players who can give a grand experience to the audience, while dueling at their maximum potential, are truly worthy of being pros." Without facing Judai, he adds in a sympathetic tone, "And still, too have all of those traits... It isn't guaranteed to be enough..." Without another look back, the Light Machinist follows his group off the campus grounds; leaving Judai and the others to process what he has said.
Judai doesn't understand, and he doesn't want to. He shouts out at the top of his lungs. "I don't understand what you're talking about! And I don't care about any of that! You can't gang up on a person! Ever!" Judai reaches for his duel disk, but he is stopped by a small hand on his wrist.
"Big brother, no!" Sho pleads. "Not now, big brother. Right now we should check on Michael." Judai's look of intensity softens, and Sho looks down. "I know how it feels to lose, and I can't imagine how bad it must feel to lose so many times in front of the entire school."
Kenzan agrees, adding, "It must be even harder for him being a transfer student. For him and the other Americans, all they have while they are here are their reputations they create by dueling." Judai agrees. He takes one last look at the Light Machinist before hurrying back to the red hostel.
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Ramirez enters their room and leans against the bunk beds, where Michael lays face down on the top bunk. "Word is, you got your ass handed to you... big time?" He blurts out unabashedly in a low dry croak.
"Yeah." Michael replies into his pillow.
"That's pathetic."
"Yeah." Michael replies again, in the same despondent monotone voice.
"So, what now?" Ramirez asks, as he turns and rests his back against the bed post. "Are you just going to lay around here all day, and feel sorry for yourself?"
Michael turns to face Ramirez. "It's not that." He responds evenly. Ramirez raises an eyebrow in doubt. "These duel disks hurt. I feel like I got hit by a truck."
Ramirez chuckles with a slight smiles. "Be glad you're young. With the electric currents and waves these things pump out, it's a wonder no one's been killed by one of them yet. These damn rich people..." He chuckles. "It's like, they have nothing better to do with their money, than to make toys, to indulge, in their masochistic fetishes."
Michael half coughs half chuckles. "Is that how it is?"
"Yeah." Ramirez cracks dryly. "That's how it is." He waves a hand to Michael and heads out without another word.
Michael is glad he's gone. All he wants to do is rest. His body is sore to an extent that he wonders if Football wouldn't have been the less painful choice. On top of that, his heart is only starting to stabilize, after some really scary irregular beats. Just as he feels like he'll have some peace and quiet to rest, Judai and company come bursting through the door, shouting his name. He looks wearily at the troop without lifting his head.
"Are you okay?" Judai asks urgently.
"Fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Michael replies in a tired but sincere voice.
"Well, because..." Sho answers cautiously. "We ran into the machinists... And..."
"Yeah..." Michael agrees. "They tore me up. All six of them." Despite the others' surprise at his forwardness about it, he shrugs it off. "It's not a big deal." He admits. "My deck isn't very strong. It's very dependent on my opponent's deck type, setting up combos, and having luck... Which is something I don't have much of." He laughs weakly, but his ribs ache when he does.
"You're taking this really well." Kenzan admits.
"Yeah." Sho agrees. "A lot of people can't take being beaten once."
"You can't win them all. So it's not that big a deal." Michael shifts slightly. "Although, I still don't understand how I got stuck in the same category as Kyle and Ash. I don't think I'm that bad." The others laugh slightly, as they picture Ash and Kyle surrounded by fawning girls, or Hannah and the other American girls being pursued by DA boys wherever they go.
Judai heaves a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to see you're alright." The others agree.
"What are you going to do now?" Sho asks.
"I'm going to get some rest, right now. And later... I'll retire my spirit magician deck, until I can think of a way to make better. I have other decks I like more, that I'd like to give a try while I'm here, anyways."
Judai clenches his fist. "Alright! If you want to duel later, just ask. I'm your man."
Michael smiles slightly. "Yeah. We could do that."
With that resolved, Judai turns for the door with a look of fierce determination and a rekindled spirit. "Now that we know Michael's okay, we can go find Kyle, and I can get my rematch!" He declares.
"WHAT?" Sho and Kenzan shout out in disbelief. They argue with Judai; Sho protesting for a break, and Kenzan protesting for lunch, but Judai is too stoked to find Kyle and get his rematch to rest or eat. He sets off once more, and the two are forced to give chase.
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Meanwhile, Manjyome wanders the island on his own. Everywhere he goes, he can't help but overhear whispers about how great and mysterious the American boys are, or how incredibly sexy and cute the American girls are. There's no escape from the newcomers anywhere.
Manjyome's cool demeanor breaks down as he curses the DA inhabitants and their idol chasing. In that momentary lapse of concentration, he accidentally bumps into a girl who falters off balance. Manjyome apologizes quickly, as she is caught by her boyfriend.
"Be more careful where your going." He protests out of irritation, before checking with his girlfriend to make sure she's alright.
Manjyome apologizes once more, even though she and her boy friend pay him no more attention, before continuing on their way. As they walk away, Manjyome hears the girl suddenly blurt out, "Wasn't that...? That was, the rising star of our year." Her comment draws a wide grinned smile across Manjyome's face.
"At least they know who the original stars are around here." Manjyome thinks to himself with an air of smug self importance.
The boy agrees. "Now that you mention it, it was him, wasn't it?"
The bounce in Manjyome's step picks up, and he pushes out his chest as he marches onwards. "That's right. You know you love me." Manjyome thinks to himself. He can barely contain his laughter.
"Oh..." His girlfriend adds. "But, he's not a star anymore. He was demoted to Osiris Red."
Manjyome staggers as if struck in the back with a spear. "She doesn't have to be so matter-of-fact about it." Manjyome thinks.
"He's fallen so low. It's a pathetic disgrace." Her boyfriend adds.
Manjyome staggers once more. This time, he nearly falls over. The anger rises through his body. "First they forget about me, and then they belittle me..." He turns on them with the resolution to show them where they stand against him, but what he finds silences him and drains him of all feeling. The boy has his arm wrapped around her waist, and they talk face to face. After sharing a joke, which is certainly at Manjyome's expense, the girl rests her head on his shoulder, as they leave Manjyome alone on the dirt trail.
Manjyome watches them longingly. He imagines him with Asuka in the same situation. She places her arm around his waste and cracks a mean spirited joke about Judai. "Oh ho ho, Tenjoin-kun, you're so bad." Manjyome jokes cutely.
"How many times do I have to tell you, honey? Call me Asuka-chan." She replies with a warm smile.
"Asuka-chan." Manjyome says dreamily. Then, he leans his head on her shoulder, and the two walk off into the sunset. His wonderful image suddenly falls to pieces, and panic replaces his happiness, as Asuka's face contorts in unbridled rage.
"MANJYOME!" She calls out to him furiously. She grows larger and larger, until she is nothing but a massive black matriarchal shadow of terror. "How dare you include me in your twisted little fantasies!" Manjyome turns to run, but he steps on his own jacket and trips face first on the dirt trail. He remains face down in the dirt for several minutes, before finally rolling over. He crosses his arms as he looks up at the brilliant sun high overhead, and he sighs. Without a word, Manjyome dusts himself off and sets off on his way once more.
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With Judai wandering all over the island, and Sho and Kenzan in hot pursuit, the most unlikely of pairings has come to be in another part of the island. Misawa Daichi, the intellectual duelist who specializes in scientific means of dueling, and Asuka Tenjoin, the duel queen of Duel Academia, walk along a trail near the main building. Misawa is so uncomfortable with the arrangement, he follows cautiously behind her; the way he would if they were in a big group, which draws her exasperated sighs.
After walking together in silence for more than half of the trail, Misawa finally gathers the courage to ask her, "H... how..." He stops to make sure the sound of his voice isn't offending her. When she doesn't turn around and claw his eyes out or chew his head off, he continues. "How did you get stuck with me?" Asuka glances at him curiously. He quickly rewords his comment so it isn't misinterpreted as seeing her as intruding. "Wha... What I mean is... It's unusual, for you to get left behind, too, I mean."
Asuka replies without facing Misawa. "I don't feel like running around today."
"I see." Misawa replies uncertainly. While her tone isn't aggressive or cold, Misawa can't tell what she's thinking or how she feels. Misawa reminds himself, "A woman's mind is unpredictable. Unlike dueling, there are no formulas to figure out what they are thinking, or what course of action they'll take next, or what the best way to deal with them is." He tries futilely to analyze Asuka's reply, but he knows his chances of figuring out the female mind are worse than his chances of being popular, and neither will happen any time soon.
To their surprise, Ramirez emerges from a seldom used side trail on the path. He doesn't recognize them at first, until Misawa greets him. Once Ramirez has shifted his focus to the two, he approaches them and half asks, half states, "Asuka Tenjoin?"
"Yes." Asuka agrees politely.
He smiles slightly at the sound of her voice. "Funny, that we should meet here." He tells her with his usual raspy voice.
"Why is that?" Asuka asks; wearing a curious grin.
Ramirez shakes his head. "No reason. It's just that, you're a sight for sore eyes, so to speak. Or..." He pauses to study her face. "I guess you could say, I had an eye out, for you." He chuckles slightly. "I don't know, how well, any of that translates." He remarks; tapping his choker to draw attention to it. "This thing rambles on over my voice, and I don't know what I'm actually saying."
Asuka smiles slightly. "No, I think I get it." The two share an awkward moment. Then, for no reason at all, they both start laughing. Through her suppressed giggles, Asuka asks Ramirez, "So why were you looking for me?"
"I was hoping, you could give me, the tour. My original guide... He wasn't terribly reliable." Ramirez answers in his raspy voice. Asuka smiles with an apologetic look on her face; obviously aware of the person he is referring to. "Besides. Of his friends, you're easiest on the eyes." He shrugs slightly. "And, at my stage in life..." He breaths a dry chuckle. "Anything to help me see the sights, more easily, is greatly appreciated."
To his comment, Asuka glances away slightly. Her smile remains, but for a brief moment, it is different. "Sure. I would be happy to show you around. None of my friends need me at the moment, so I won't be missed." Her last comment, she says in rather mean spirits.
Ramirez dismisses the undertone of her comment, and thanks her. But, he adds, "I'm feeling a little hungry. Looking for a familiar face, I lost track of time." With a compassionate look, Ramirez asks, "Would it be too inconvenient to you, to give me the tour... after I eat something?" Ramirez breaths hard. The strain of saying so much is apparent.
Asuka shakes her head. "Not at all. I haven't eaten either. So, why don't we go together."
"That sounds nice." Ramirez replies; wearing a rare genuine smile. Ramirez let's Asuka lead the way, but unlike Misawa or any of her friends, he walks along side her, rather than ahead of or behind her.
As they leave to the cafeteria, Misawa stands alone and silent; puzzled by what just happened. After a long moment, a falling leaf snaps him back to reality. He drops his head with a sigh. "I've been forgotten again." He tells himself.
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Ramirez chats with Asuka as they walk to the cafeteria. He can tell that something is off about her, today. He apologizes if he is prying, but he asks her directly. "You seem different today. I've only been around you, a few times, but I can feel it." To make it even less intrusive, he adds jokingly, "I may not look it, but I'm fairly sensitive, to people's moods."
Asuka admits that she isn't feeling great today, but while her words say one thing he quickly recognizes them as something entirely different, as in, "It doesn't concern you!"
"Sorry, if I'm overstepping my bounds, but... I might be able to help you with your..." He scans her over once before continuing. "Your... not feeling great." With his curious comment, he unslings his backpack from his shoulder and opens it while they walk. He reveals to Asuka, that he has a supply of medicine bottles, pills, and similar things. "I don't know what an Asian aspirin looks like, so I planned ahead." He jokes. "Plus, I'm sort of a fan, of alternative medicines." He laughs slightly before adding. "I may have a cure for what ails you."
Ramirez sorts through a few of the bottles and names off their uses as he holds them up. "For relaxing muscle tension. For headaches. For dry, itchy eyes..." He pauses as his fingers run over a bushel of needle like straws. He brushes them aside and moves on, which tickle's Asuka's curiosity. He doesn't leave her a chance to ask about them though. "For disinfecting cuts and abrasions. For a hurting heart. For a hurting spirit..." He holds one up, and stresses its use. "For a hurting stomach." Asuka eyes the mysterious bottle. "It's a natural remedy; good for indigestion. I've been told, it's good for everything from cramps to ulcers; kind of a miracle stomach relief remedy."
He waits a moment, sensing her reaction to his descriptions, rather than watching her. He makes sure to keep his focus on the bottle, as if reading from the label. "It's also suppose to, give you energy." He breaths heavily. "I don't know about you... But, I could use some energy." He laughs at his comment, as he draws a deep dry breath. "What do you say?" He asks, finally facing Asuka. "Want to try some together? It's like miracle tea for hippies." He comments with a playful grin.
Asuka tips her head slightly, with an accompanying hum. "You're a pretty convincing salesman. I'm so curious now, how can I not try some?" She replies. He doesn't say anything more about it. Rather, he nods his head and adds the bottle back to his bag.
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At the Cafeteria, Ramirez sits at a table across from Asuka. Almost immediately, gossip and speculation begins to circulate around the room, but neither Ramirez nor Asuka pay it any mind. Asuka watches anxiously as Ramirez tries out the drink he has made with his herbal medicines. He admits that he's not sure how it tastes, since he can't smell or taste anything. She waves the steam away from her with great effort, which is a pretty good indicator of its smell.
With a slow deep breath for strength, Asuka holds her nose and takes a swig of the steaming medicinal drink. It nearly comes back up, as she pulls the cup from her mouth and gags. Ramirez watches with an amused smirk. "That bad, huh?"
"It's revolting!" She chokes while wearing a sour face. After wiping her lips and taking a sip of her regular drink, she answers his smirk again; this time, with some semblance of composure. "It makes green tea taste like cake by comparison."
Ramirez chuckles from his throat. "Is that so?" Without flinching, Ramirez drinks the last remaining bit in his glass; dregs and all. Asuka involuntarily cringes.
"That just sent a chill down my spine." Asuka laughs. He laughs along with her, but reminds her that the bad taste is the price of the cure. Asuka, not one to be shown up, grits her teeth and tries to gulp it down. Again, she is forced to pull the cup away from her mouth, as she back washes most of it. She chokes and coughs.
"It's times like this, that I'm grateful, I can't taste anything." Ramirez jokes.
Asuka nods as she chokes. "It's times like this, I'd have to agree." The two laugh together.
Right on cue, Manjyome comes bursting through the cafeteria doors wearing the most urgent expression he has ever had to muster. His demeanor changes to pure annoyance as he spots Asuka sitting across the table from Ramirez, and she is doing the most unforgivable of things with him; getting along. Manjyome flashes back to outside, where he overheard the rumor from a group of passing girls.
"Did you see? Upper classman Asuka Tenjoin was sitting with the scarred American boy at the cafeteria!" One of the girls states scandalously.
"Nooo way!?" A second girl replies. "It must be a misunderstanding, or something." At this point, Manjyome nods in agreement from the background.
"I don't think so. They seemed to be really hitting it off. I've never seen upperclassman Tenjoin seem so happy around a boy!" The first girl retorts to Manjyome's worried dismay.
"So even the duel queen of Duel Academia has fallen for one of the Americans..."
At that moment, a few of the Machinist Duel Faction members pass in the background behind Manjyome. One of them states his disappointment out loud, "Is nothing left sacred in Duel Academia?"
Back in the present moment; facing down the girl of his dreams and a new hated rival sitting together, laughing, and smiling, Manjyome's jealous fury kicks into maximum, and he marches forward to break them up. But after only three steps, Manjyome is frozen by the memory of the scolding he got just days before by his beloved, after he inadvertently knocked Ramirez down.
Manjyome turns away to hide his face from them. Gripped in fate's cruel clutches, he is torn between decisions. He can see it already. If he moves to break them up, he sees it followed by Asuka's immediate backlash, and pissing her off is the last thing he ever wants to do. But, if he does nothing, he can't bare to think what may come of it. "Was Ramirez right?" He wonders? "Could I really lose to him?"
He struggles very animatedly with what he should do. On one hand, he doesn't want to upset Asuka, but on the other hand, he doesn't want that raspy scarred bastard anywhere near her. He catches a glimpse of her smiling at Ramirez from the corner of his eyes. It's enough for him to make up his mind.
After composing himself; calmly straightening his jacket and taking a few deep breaths, Manjyome nonchalantly skirts the edge of the cafeteria, as if nothing he disapproved of was happening right underneath his nose. His forced natural behavior baffles everyone around him. A girl at the lunch line shakes her head as he passes by, stating, "Oh, how the mighty have fallen." The comment strikes him like a javelin through his heart, but he suppresses his annoyance; at the price of a rapidly swelling vein in his temple branching out even farther.
As he reaches the table, Asuka laughs at something Ramirez says, which causes Manjyome to nearly lose it right behind her. Both Asuka and Ramirez notice his angry presence, and they turn to find him calmly waiting for them to notice him, albeit obviously forced. Manjyome's smile widens as he and Asuka meet face to face. "Oh Tenjoin-kun, it's you. I didn't know you were here." He laughs unnaturally.
From Asuka's perspective, he looks like a half-crazed escaped mental patient lumbering over her. Asuka blurts out in shock, "Manjyome , what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing is wrong with me." He replies in his most natural tone he can manage. His eyes suddenly turn to icy slits as they meet with Ramirez's asymmetrical face. "My business is with you!" He declares seriously; holding out his arm and prepared duel disk. "We should duel... for absolutely no particular reason!" He adds quickly in an attempt to cover any suspicious motives.
Ramirez looks baffled more so than bothered. "As much as I'd like that..." He answers in a scratchy tone. "Asuka..." He emphasizes her name, "was just about to show me, around." Manjyome's expression becomes more fierce as his determination cracks and gives way to irritation at him using her name so familiarly. "Another time." Ramirez replies calmly.
By this point in the conversation, every word that comes from Ramirez's mouth is drowned out by the emergency siren blaring in Manjyome's head. Manjyome is heartbeats away from diving across the table and strangling Ramirez. The only thing stopping him is Asuka, who he can still see watching him suspiciously. Manjyome musters all of his will to suppress his rage, and he forces an open mouthed tooth-clenched smile at Ramirez. "Sure... It's no problem. It's not like I had some urgent reason for wanting to duel." He laughs maniacally to cover his outrage.
"Good." Ramirez replies in an antagonizing tone that only Manjyome picks up on. Ramirez gestures to Asuka with his hand to tell her, "after you," or "lead the way." Asuka nods, as she tries to overlook Manjyome's odd behavior. He's always weird around her, so it's not like it's new to her.
Turning away from Manjyome, Asuka tells Ramirez, "I'll show you our planetarium first. It's very impressive."
Ramirez agrees. "I've never seen one." He croaks. "It sounds interesting."
Manjyome watches tensely for Ramirez to look back at him. He expects the raspy voiced bastard to smirk back triumphantly at nay second, and it's all he'll need to justify throttling the life out of him. But, to Manjyome's disappointment and surprise, Ramirez doesn't spare Manjyome a look back or sign of caring that he just challenged him. Ramirez is totally consumed in conversation with Asuka, who leads him from the cafeteria without giving Manjyome a minute more of her consideration. Inside, Manjyome sinks into a deep dark pit of despair fueled by his disbelief that Asuka would spend time with that jerk. He sinks deeper as he realizes, he was not only bested by that buffoon, but he was snubbed. "It's so obvious he's a rat!" Manjyome states defiantly in his mind. "How can Tenjoin-kun not see it?"
Everyone in the cafeteria watches Manjyome's animated gestures as he struggles within himself. "Will he be okay?" A girl asks.
At the sound of her voice, Manjyome explodes. "EVERYONE HERE..." He shouts furiously. "IS GOING DOWN!" He points at the farthest student and turns, so his finger passes over every single student in the cafeteria.
Everyone chimes out in shock. "WHAT?"
Outside on the trail, Misawa scratches his head. Unable to find anyone, he figures Judai, or someone, will show up to get lunch sooner or later. As he reaches the cafeteria double doors, he is knocked off guard by Manjyome as he storms out of the cafeteria. "Hi, Manjyome ." Despite his awkward greeting, Misawa gets snubbed by the obviously pissed off Manjyome. Baffled as usual, Misawa proceeds into the cafeteria to find everyone inside on their knees sulking. A diminutive girl cries, "1."
A boy follows in an equally small and defeated voice, "10."
"100," follows a couple at the far end of the room.
"1000," cries the lady who was serving lunch.
All together they cry out in submission, "Manjyome Thunder!" They continue to sulk, and Misawa laughs uncomfortably. He can only surmise what events have transpired here.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Asuka shows Ramirez around the Planetarium. His good eye drifts around the inside of the massive structure. "You don't look like you're enjoying yourself." Asuka comments to his blank face.
His good eye drifts back to her. "No, I am." Ramirez replies with a soft breath.
Asuka smiles at his response. "I'm glad." She states, as she admires the stars and planets overhead, once more. "It's lovely, isn't it?" She asks.
"Yes." Ramirez answers in an empty tone. Asuka glances at him, and she is surprised to find his eyes on her. Their gazes meet briefly, before his eyes turn back up to the ceiling. "Do you mind, if I ask you about something." Ramirez asks.
"No. Go ahead." She answers in a curious tone.
"I'm interested, in your reputation here... You're title, of duel queen." He explains in a dry grating breath.
Asuka shakes her head dimissively. "That's something everyone else came up with; not me." Crossing her arms over her chest, Asuka states in an exasperated voice, "Honestly, I don't care about things like that. If they want to call me duel queen, it's fine, but I don't see anything wrong with calling me by my name."
"It's because, so many people admire you." Ramirez answers solemnly. "Like it or not, you're an idol here."
"And I wish I wasn't." She sighs, as she leans against the upper deck's rail. "I never wanted to be an idol. It's not why I came to Duel Academia."
Ramirez nods. "But, it was never, your choice." He admits harshly. "Idols are chosen by the masses. If it was any other way, there wouldn't be starving artists." He draws a long strained breath.
Asuka looks at him curiously, but then turns her head back down to the floor below. "I guess you're right." She admits with a weak smile.
"That's the fate, of anything beautiful..." Ramirez utters as his emotionless eyes leer up at the starry ceiling. "People like to instill special powers and traits, in beautiful people."
Asuka watches him curiously. "I suppose so." She agrees. "But being beautiful doesn't make a person special..."
"No, it doesn't... But at the same time, it does." Ramirez contradicts. "You're like these stars, Asuka Tenjoin." Ramirez states, as he faces the massive false sky. "Beautiful, and brilliant... People like to believe they have magical properties..." Ramirez draws a long labored breath. "But nowadays, we all know better: The real things..." He explains. "Aren't nearly so lovely, or wondrous... But despite what we know, we can't help, but to admire them, for their beauty, from a far... And we shoulder are dreams on them, none the less..." His eyes shift back to her. His large eye jitters as it tries to capture Asuka in its sights. "You and these stars, are not special. You're neither what people think they see, nor what they wish you to be..." He breaths heavily, as Asuka's eyes meet his. "But, you are special... If you weren't, people wouldn't admire you... And people wouldn't fantasize, about the person, they imagine you are."
Ramirez's gaze holds over her face, and Asuka can't take her eyes from his. His large eye holds her in its spell. As if feeling that Asuka is trapped, Ramirez turns his back on Asuka. "Thank you for today, Asuka." Ramirez breaths from his throat. "You're a special girl... An ordinary, special girl." He hesitates to say anything more, but finishes, "I wish I had the time, to waste, on a girl like you."
Without another word, Ramirez leaves Asuka; alone and confused, in the dark planetarium.
-----------------------------------------------------------
The sun inches towards the horizon, and another day is nearing its close. Manjyome sits alone beside the lake; thinking about Asuka and Ramirez. He sighs as the scene of the two laughing repeats over and over in his head. "It isn't fair!" Manjyome shouts out. "I'm three times the man that lazy eyed freak is!"
"You really think so?" A voice retorts from behind him. The flustered Manjyome is shocked by the sudden voice, and he wheels around to find Ramirez standing at the tree line on the side of the steep grassy hill. Manjyome looks all around for Asuka, but he doesn't see her anywhere; only Ramirez. Ramirez responds to Manjyome's searching in a very antagonizing tone. "Oh, so sorry, Manjyome Jun. I know how much, the love sick fool, wanted to see his hot piece of ass, with a lesser man..." Ramirez breaths hard through a twisted grin. "But I'm afraid it won't come to pass. I have no more time to waste, on such an ordinary girl."
Manjyome jumps to his feet, and he throws out his fist in protest. "Shut your mouth! Don't you dare talk badly of Tenjoin-kun in my presence!"
Ramirez releases the tree and slides down the grassy hillside. "Strike a nerve, did I?" He answers back, as he comes jogging off the bottom of the hill to Manjyome. He stops only a few meters from him. His face is still twisted in a grim and ugly smile. "I can see what you like about her, Manjyome Jun. Even I was fooled by her... for a moment." Ramirez's eyes narrow, as he turns his head down. "But you shouldn't waste your time, with an ordinary woman like her... She's not the type, to be possessed, by any man." Ramirez shakes his head as he draws heavy breaths. "There are a lot of girls out there, who are more desirable, and more obtainable."
Manjyome snarls furiously. "Shut up! you sick bastard! I'm tired of your bullshit!" Manjyome throws his coat off and arms his duel disk. "I'll defend Tenjoin-kun's name and reputation with my own! No one is allowed to say anything disgraceful about her as long as I'm around."
Ramirez grins savagely. "Hey Manjyome, I forgot to ask... How'd that make you feel, to see your crush, with a monster like me?" Ramirez asks with a laugh. Manjyome trembles at his comments. "I'll let you in, on a little secret? I only got close to her, to hurt you."
At those words, Manjyome's eyes flicker even more violently. "How dare you?" Manjyome curses.
"Yes, that's right..." Ramirez breaths. "I didn't think, she'd let me: I thought she'd be too strong willed, to use... But I was wrong. I can hurt her, without even using her." He explains. "You have no idea, how many enemies, a girl like her has... So average, yet so hated, by the envious..." Ramirez breaths harder, and he swallows hard before continuing. "We were alone, Manjyome... in the planetarium, for a good deal of time. Lots of people saw us together, today." Ramirez's smile widens, and his scars follow his raised lips and brow, while Manjyome's face grows redder, and his body shakes more violently. "I wonder... what kinds of stories... will they tell about her? Will they tell about us?" Ramirez laughs.
Manjyome breaths hard through clenched teeth. "You bastard... I'll kill you..." He shouts out to him. "I'LL KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!"
Ramirez tears his duel disk from his bag and arms it in a single motion. Then he throws out his arm at Manjyome. "That's right Manjyome! I am a bastard. I am the bastard, of the one turn kill, and you... You're the only obstacle, standing between me, and my goals..." Ramirez breaths hard, but his eyes don't waver. "You are the only one, I want, Manjyome Jun! That girl means nothing, to me, now!" Both boys stare each other down through hatefilled eyes. Their bodies tremble. "Fight me, Manjyome Jun! Fight me, with all you have... Defeat me here, and I won't drag her name through the mud, with mine!"
"I'll destroy you!" Manjyome declares boldly.
Their life points flash up behind them at 4000 to 4000, and the duel disk orbs cycle alternatively, finally stopping on Ramirez. Ramirez draws out his opening hand. He sets a monster face-down and 5 s/t cards. "Turn end." He breaths coldly.
Manjyome tears his opening hand from his duel disk; nearly ripping his cards. He has to fight to keep his eyes on his cards long enough to choose a strategy, but all he can see are his hands wrapped around Ramirez's throat. "I don't know what you're problem is with me." Manjyome thinks. "And I don't care anymore. For talking ill of Tenjoin-kun, and for even saying you'd hurt her, I won't forgive you!"
Manjyome summons his monster, "Armed Dragon Level 3!" The baby Armed Dragon appears and roars cutely at Ramirez. "Level Up!" Manjyome demands as he activates the spell card, Level Up from his hand. The tiny dragon vanishes, and is replaced by its massive older form. It roars at Ramirez in a much less cute manner. Manjyome activates Magic Shard Excavation from his hand, by discarding 2 cards. One of which, is Ojamagic, while the other is a card Manjyome used to humiliate Ramirez in their last duel; the trap card Adrenaline Rush. If Ramirez uses a 1TK to drop Manjyome's Life Points to 0, they'll only increase by the amount of damage he inflicts on him.
"That won't work, on me this time, Manjyome!" Ramirez declares harshly.
Manjyome doesn't pay his words any heed. He grabs all 3 Ojamas from his deck and recovers Level Up with the effect of Magic Shard Excavation. The spirits of the three Ojamas appear in front of their cards. "Big brother." Ojama Yellow declares respectfully. "We're here to serve you."
"Yeah, all the way." Adds Ojama Green.
"Just so long as it doesn't hurt." Adds Ojama Black. The other two agree with him.
"Shut up!" Manjyome hisses. All three Ojamas wince and hold each other.
"Big brother's mad at us!" Ojama Yellow states fearfully.
Manjyome activates Level Up once more, to bring his Armed Dragon LV5 to LV7. The newly summoned dragon roars fiercely at Ramirez. It's roar pushes Ramirez off balance, but he holds firm against Manjyome and his massive monster. Manjyome's fingers slide across the bottom of the Ojama's cards, until they reach his last non-Ojama card. "Hey, what's that?" Asks Ojama Green.
The three lean over the card, and shout in horror as Manjyome removes the card from his hand and activates it. Card Destruction sends all three Ojamas spiraling into the Graveyard screaming. After discarding the trio, Manjyome draws 3 new cards. Of the new cards, he activates an equip spell card, Genocide Drill on Armed Dragon LV7. Armed Dragon's hand is enveloped by a massive drill that spins rapidly at the sound of the dragon's roar. Armed Dragon's attack rises to 3500. "Armed Dragon Level 7, attack! Genocide Driller!" The massive dragon heeds its master's order and lunges forward with its massive spinning drill arm. It thrusts the spinning drill bit through the set monster; revealing a set Giant Rat. The rat is destroyed in a flurry or red sparks. Armed Dragon's attack continues forward, stabbing Ramirez in the chest and forcing him back several steps. When Armed Dragon jumps back to its original position, Ramirez's life points dive to 1950.
Ramirez's duel disk begins to cycle through his cards, it pushes each card in his deck outwards before pulling it back in; like a wave of cards. When it hits a monster, it spits the card out and orders Ramirez to put it in his Graveyard. He does so for 3 monsters, before his duel disk orders him to shuffle his deck. He examines the effect of Genocide Drill while Manjyome explains, "Genocide Drill will eradicate your hand and deck of all monsters with the same type it destroys. Soon, you'll have no monsters."
Ramirez scoffs at Manjyome's declaration as he activates one of his set cards, A Scavenger Appears. With its effect, he is allowed to special summon a beast type monster from his deck. He searches his deck for two beast type monsters and he special summons them to his side of the field. The first is a fierce looking primate with a multi-colored face and rump. "Savage Mandrill, attack position." The primate bares its massive canines at Manjyome, and Ramirez pockets his destroyed Giant Rat. The second monster appears beside it. Manjyome expects a large powerful beast, but instead, is stunned by the appearance of a cute tiny monkey with huge round eyes that take up more than half of its face. The pint-sized monkey is almost alien in appearance, with its bulbous eyes, tiny body, and unproportionately long legs. Ramirez pays 800 life points, dropping him to 1150, and a large badger tunnels out of the ground. It takes the field in defense position beside the diminutive monkey; where it snarls tirelessly at Manjyome's Armed Dragon.
Manjyome dismisses the play as he sets his last 2 cards and ends his turn.
Ramirez draws. He examines the field carefully. Despite Manjyome's 3500 attack Armed Dragon that deals piercing damage, and Ramirez only having 1150 life points left, Ramirez doesn't seem very concerned. The only cards he pays any attention to are Manjyome's 2 set cards. Manjyome watches his face carefully. He can tell he is trying to set something up, and the set cards are most likely the only things that could stop him.
Ramirez sets his newly drawn card before ending his turn. Both Savage Mandrill and the tiny monkey are left in attack position.
Manjyome draws while watching Ramirez suspiciously. "What are you planning?" Manjyome questions Ramirez in his head. To Manjyome's surprised delight, his newly drawn card is Giant Trunade. "It doesn't matter now." Manjyome thinks. He holds out the card. "This ends here!" He declares confidently as he slides the spell card into his duel disk.
"Giant Trunade..." Ramirez remarks under his breath. The wind around the two begins to gust, but Ramirez dismisses Manjyome's declaration. "Fool."
The two bulbous eyes of the miniature monkey reflect Manjyome's irritated expression. Then, they bulge out of its head at more than twice their original size. The little monkey draws a deep breath, holding it in its tiny body for a second. When it exhales, the entire field ripples and quakes as it shrieks a shrill piercing cry. Manjyome falls to his knees. Even with his hands clasped over his ears, it isn't enough to drown out the tiny monkey's shriek. Even Ramirez, who is facing away from the baseball sized monkey, covers his ears. Giant Trunade is dispelled by the cry, and with its mission complete, the tiny monkey curls up into a little fluff ball and falls asleep.
Ramirez shakes off the effects of the now sleeping monkey, but it takes Manjyome longer to recover. Manjyome staggers off balance when he tries to stand. Savage Mandrill and Tenacious Badger both snarl and growl at him, but all Manjyome can hear is ringing.
Holding one of his hands over an ear, and pointing the other at the tiny monkey, Manjyome orders Armed Dragon to attack. Armed Dragon LV7 lunges forward once more; targeting the sleeping monkey with its massive spinning drill arm. Ramirez activates his set continuous trap, Wall of Corpses, which creates a barrier of dead beasts on the field between the monkey and Ramirez. Armed Dragon's Genocide Drill arm destroys the tiny sleeping monkey and continues through it into the wall containing a Platypus and a second Giant Rat. Both animals are torn to shreds by the drill. Ramirez removes them from play as the drill continues forward. The tip hits Ramirez in the ribs, and Armed Dragon jumps back to its side of the field. Ramirez's life points drop by 150 points, bringing Ramirez's life points to 1000.
"Now it's the end, Manjyome!" Ramirez declares, as he sends 6 beasts from his deck to the graveyard. With each monster added to his graveyard another beast appears between Manjyome and Ramirez, forming a massive circle with their contorted bodies. They leave a hole in the middle, which makes it seem like Ramirez is framed by animal corpses. Ramirez points at his set cards. "Activate, Cornered Animal." He croaks, and the set card activates; revealing a spell depicting an injured snarling dog backed against a wall in a narrow alley, with the shadows of 2 men lumbering over it. Savage Mandrill and Tenacious Badger begin to snarl fiercely at Manjyome. "There's no animal more dangerous... than a cornered animal." Ramirez states, and he points to his monsters, which protest fiercely under the huge shadow of Armed Dragon LV7. "An animal's natural instinct, is to do whatever it must, to survive; fight, or flee..." Ramirez draws a deep breath. "When an animal has no place left to run, it escapes, the only way it can..." Both of his eyes narrow as he stares down Manjyome. "Through its enemy."
Manjyome sneers at him and his comments. With his battle phase over, there's nothing more Ramirez can do this turn, and Manjyome is confident his set cards will be enough to deal with Ramirez next turn. "Any monster destroyed in the next battle phase, will destroy the monster, that destroys it." Ramirez continues. He holds his hand over his set card. "Activate." The card flips over, revealing Last Turn. "By the effect of Last Turn, all of our cards will be cleared away, except the monster I choose." Ramirez points at Tenacious Badger. Savage Mandril stands on its hind legs and protests. "Savage Mandrill is unaffected by Trap Cards, that don't target." The look of realization shows across Manjyome's face as he looks frantically to his set cards.
"Trap card, activate!" Manjyome declares, revealing Seven Tools of the Bandit. He pays 1000 life points to activate it.
"It's too late, for that." Ramirez breaths. He activates his set card, Beast's Law - Survival Instinct. The counter trap depicts a wolf caught in a bear trap, biting its own leg off. Ramirez halves the attack and defense of Tenacious Badger to activate the trap and negate Seven Tool of the Bandit.
Manjyome watches helplessly as Armed Dragon LV7, Genocide Drill, and his set card are removed from the field. Ramirez sends his last set s/t card to the Graveyard, along with his Wall of Corpses. The massive pile of beasts shrieks out, as they fall to pieces. Two Bazoos are last monsters to vanish from the field. "Now choose your monster, Manjyome... so we can end this." Ramirez declares in heavy breaths.
Manjyome cycles through his deck. "I have to win." Manjyome tells himself. "I HAVE to win!" It isn't even a question in his mind. "For Tenjoin-kun, I have to defeat this bastard." He eyes Ramirez evilly. "But..." He's been trapped in Ramirez's trap. No matter what monster he summons, it'll be forced to attack. If it is destroyed, he'll lose at the end of the turn. If he destroys either of Ramirez's monsters, his monster will still be destroyed, and he'll lose. He cycles through his entire deck twice, but he can't find anything that will get him through this.
"Big brother?" A voice calls out from his graveyard. Manjyome looks at his duel disk. "We're here for you..."
"In a pinch..."
"To protect the girl our big brother loves..."
The three Ojamas declare from the graveyard, "It's time to use that card!"
"What card?" Manjyome asks. As he does, he finds it; stuck to the back of Ojama Delta Hurricane. He carefully peels the cards apart and examines it. His eyes widen as he reads its effect. Ramirez watches as Manjyome's expression goes from increasing desperation to a wide grin. He chuckles at the card. "You've been holding out on me." Manjyome states.
"We didn't want big brother to use that card..." Ojama Black states.
"Until it was absolutely necessary." Ojama Green finishes.
"Now's the time big brother. We're ready to lay down our lives, to protect your precious friends." Ojama Yellow states heroically.
Manjyome's eyebrows twitch. "You know..." He starts. "Had you of revealed this card sooner, I wouldn't have lost several important duels." The three Ojamas shriek fearfully.
"But, but..." they attempt to protest.
"No buts!" Manjyome shouts at them. "You'll be punished for your scheming later." He tells them. The trio cries from his graveyard.
"What have we done?" The three Ojamas cry out.
Manjyome holds the card high over his head as he laughs maniacally. His arm suddenly drops, and Manjyome points the card directly at Ramirez. "Game over!" Manjyome declares. He summons the new monster, Ojamama. The level 6 monster appears in a spectacular ray of light. Sadly, she is not nearly as impressive as her entrance effect. The chubby, white haired, hunch-backed, 3-eyed old woman stands alone on Manjyome's side of the field. She beats a rolling pin against the palm of her hand as she stares down the snarling Mandrill and Badger. Her intense gaze turns to the Manjyome's duel disk, while her third eye watches the monsters on Ramirez's side of the field.
"You three have some serious explaining to do." She snarls shrilly. All three Ojamas cry out from the Graveyard.
"No mama! It's not how it looks!" They protest together.
"It's Yellow's fault, mama!" Ojama Green insists.
"WHAT!?" Ojama Yellow shrieks out in shock.
"Yeah, it was Yellow's fault. He made us do it mama!"
"TRAITORS! My own brothers!" Ojama Yellow shouts out in disbelief.
"Enough." Ojamama demands without raising her voice. All three squeal, and they are silenced. Manjyome nods happily at her authoritarianism. "We'll decide whose to blame later. For now..." All three Ojamas gulp loudly. "It's time you three started behaving like men." The three protest and beg for forgiveness, but it is too late. Ojamama charges froward. As she closes in on Death Mandril, she extends her arm behind her. It stretches back into Manjyome's duel disk and seizes Ojama Black. He is pulled from the Graveyard as his mama's arm snaps back into place.
"Rest in piece, Ojama Black." The two remaining Ojamas state solemnly, as they bow over a shrine with a picture of Ojama Black being victimized by Manjyome, from the graveyard. Manjyome nonchalantly waves the burning incense out of his face.
"TRAITORS! My own brothers!" Ojama Black cries out; swinging back and forth in Ojamama's hand as she charges the enraged primate.
She comes sliding to a halt and spins around once, releasing Ojama Black like a high velocity projectile. "CLEAN YOUR ROOM!" She shouts out as Ojama Black goes spiraling head first into the mouth of the Mandrill. The primate crunches down on Ojama Black's skull, and they both explode. Ramirez shields himself from the explosion. He scowls at Manjyome's Ojamama who remains standing before him. "And don't forget..." She calls out as her arm goes extending back to the Graveyard to pluck Ojama Green and real him in. "DO YOUR HOMEWORK!" She spins once more, and she sends Ojama Green sailing for Tenacious Badger.
"Is this the end of Ojama Green?" Ojama Green shouts out as he soars through the air. Just before hitting the eagerly awaiting Badger, Ojama Green comes to a halt as he passes a massive cloud of gas in Tenacious Badger's face. He blushes and waves it off as the Badger reals in pain. "Oh my, pardon me." He laughs slightly. "That wasn't so bad, after..." The gas cloud and both monsters explode, leaving Ramirez's field clear.
Ojamama stands over Ramirez with her hands on her hips. Ramirez bares his teeth at her. His hands turn red from him clenching his fist so tight. Ojama Yellow sits at the alter that now holds 2 pictures of his dearly departed brothers being tormented by Manjyome. "They gave their all, so that I may be spared. Thank you, dear brothers. I'll never forget, your sacrifice."
Manjyome nods to Ojama yellow's speech. "Well said." he quips.
"Oh, no you don't." Ojamama states, as she shoots her stretching arm into the graveyard once more. Ojama Yellow cries as he's reeled in. "IF I'VE TOLD YOU ONCE, I'VE TOLD YOU 1000 TIMES; BRUSH YOUR TEETH, AFTER EVERY MEAL!" She hurls Ojama Yellow as well.
"But mama, the flavor will get washed away!" Ojama Yellow protests as he strikes Ramirez in the gut, butt first. Ramirez is knocked off balance by the last attack, but he doesn't take any damage. Ojama Yellow bounces off and explodes as well.
Ramirez's field is clear, and Ojamama stands triumphantly on the battlefield with her rolling pin in hand and cooking apron fluttering in the breeze. Manjyome cackles triumphantly behind Ojamama.
Ramirez trembles where he stands. He refuses to look up to Manjyome. Manjyome states contentedly, "Turn end."
To his words, Ramirez glares at him. His large eye bugles out; revealing the veins around the white of his eye. A massive phantom monkey head appears behind him obscuring the forest. It shrieks a ghastly cry before vanishing. Manjyome screams out in agony as he is consumed by a pillar of ghost beasts. Each latches onto him and begins sucking the life out of him. Ramirez glares at Manjyome with his massive bulging eye. The three Ojamas float past him, and cry out to their big brother. They attack Ramirez as best they can as ghosts, but he is oblivious to their pathetic slapfest. Both Manjyome's and Ramirez's life points fall to 0.
Manjyome falls to his knees. He gasps as he and Ramirez exchange hatefilled glances. "This isn't over yet, Manjyome. It won't be, until I put you down. Your luck will, run out." Ramirez hisses. With one final dirty look, Ramirez retracts his duel disk and walks away.
Manjyome shouts furiously. "No... we'll settle this NOW!" He arms his duel disk again.
Ramirez scoffs. "No. We'll settle this, on my terms." He hisses back in an even raspier tone. Manjyome can't contain his loathing for Ramirez. Without thinking, Manjyome charges Ramirez. Ramirez turns sharply on Manjyome. "What are you going to do, Manjyome? Hit me?" Ramirez shouts in disbelief.
But, Manjyome isn't joking. He reals back and hits Ramirez as hard as he can; with all his weight in it. Ramirez staggers back, but quickly catches himself. He throws his weight forward; slapping Manjyome's arm away as Manjyome tries to swing again, and Ramirez knees Manjyome mid chest. Manjyome gasps out for air, but can't inhale. Ramirez doesn't back off. He clenches Manjyome by the hair and whips him around like a rag doll. With Manjyome off balance, and with his back to him, Ramirez hooks Manjyome in the back of the head with fierce right hook that drives Manjyome face first into the grass. Ramirez stands angrily over him; gasping and clenching his hand open and closed repeatedly. Manjyome feebly tries to lift himself to his knees, but Ramirez won't let him. He kicks Manjyome in the ribs several times.
"STOP!" A girl screams from the hillside.
Ramirez wants to kick Manjyome again, but he holds himself back. Ramirez spits blood on Manjyome, as a final insult before storming off without a word.
Asuka slides down the hill and runs to Manjyome, who lies gasping on grass. Before she gets too close, Manjyome throws a hand out to have her stop. "Please..." He pleads in a small hurt voice.
Asuka stops, but she protests. "But Manjyome..." She pauses and watches Manjyome struggles to sit upright. He eventually manages on his own, and he sits with his back to Asuka. She takes another step forward, but stops when she hears him sniffing. He wipes his face with both hands. "Are you alright?" Asuka asks cautiously. Manjyome sniffs a bit more and shakes his head.
"I'm fine." He croaks; trying to hide that he's been crying, but he can't hide it well at all. Asuka tries to come a bit closer, but Manjyome holds out an arm to stop her once more. "Don't!" He blurts out more forcefully than he intends to. He softens his voice significantly. "Please, Tenjoin-kun. Don't look at me."
"Alright." Asuka agrees. She backs up a bit. As she does, her eyes glaze over the red stained grass all around Manjyome. It's heartbreaking. She knows she shouldn't pressure Manjyome right now, but this is too horrific for her to handle. Her eyes dart to the trail Ramirez disappeared down. "Idiots..." She breaths. "Why do boys have to be so stupid?"
Manjyome answers unexpectedly, "I'm sorry." Asuka wants to be mad with him and Ramirez. She wants to understand how they could get so mad at each other they'd end up like this, but despite that, she just can't.
Asuka turns her back on Manjyome, so she doesn't have to see him like this; on the ground, beaten, crying, and surrounded by blood. "You know..." Asuka starts, as she tests her voice and resolve against her feelings. "This isn't over. Ramirez is hellbent on beating you, and he isn't going to let you be until he has." She listens for Manjyome to respond, but he doesn't. "Manjyome, you need to find out why Ramirez is so mad at you, or this will never end. You're an elite duelist, and he refuses to acknowledge that." She softens her voice some. "I won't ask you to throw a game, but you have to find some way for you two to settle this." Asuka glances over her shoulder to watch Manjyome as he painfully lifts himself up. He hunches over; holding his ribs, but he still refuses to face her. Asuka looks away once more. "Maybe if you two understood each other, you could find a way to end this without beating each other senseless. Maybe he'd acknowledge you if he understood you better. Maybe..."
"Enough." Manjyome interrupts her. "Thank you, Tenjoin-kun..." Asuka faces Manjyome. He is standing up as straight as he can now, and he still faces away from her. The confidence has returned to his voice, which is reassuring. Asuka smiles a little, hoping this means he'll listen to reason, but as quickly as she gets her hopes up, Manjyome shatters them. "But I can't forgive him. Not now, and not ever."
"Why not?" Asuka demands.
Manjyome turns to meet her face to face. Asuka is shocked by the sight. Both of his eyes are swollen with dark rings around them, and his face is caked in blood. Yet, despite his injuries, he is firm in his resolve and as confident as he was before his fight. "He insulted someone important to me; a wonderful girl more precious than he'll ever know. And then he threatened to hurt her just to get to me..." Manjyome breaths angrily. "I won't forgive him for that."
"MANJYOME!" Asuka shouts out of irritation to his words. But, it is futile. He glares at her through his determined swollen eyes.
"I'm sorry." He breaths. "But, not this time... Tenjoin-kun." The two face stare at each other silently. Asuka can't contain her annoyance with him, but for the first time ever, Manjyome doesn't care that she is mad at him. "You don't have to feel the same about me, as I feel about you... But, you can't stop me from feeling this way. I won't let him get away with what he has said, even if it means you end up hating me." Manjyome turns and walks away. His ripped black jacket beats at his heals in the breeze.
Asuka can't do anything but watch the fool walk off. Her clenched fists shake at her sides. "Manjyome... You idiot." She breaths. "Who do you think I am?" Asuka asks herself. "That cool guy routine doesn't work on me, and it never will." She watches Manjyome disappear out of sight. "Idiot. You don't even know where you're going." Asuka turns her back on him and the lake, and she stomps off up the hill, while Manjyome marches around the lake towards the girls dorm. "Act like a macho idiot all you want, you buffoon. See if I care."
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Later that evening, Michael wakes to find Ramirez at it again. His cards are scattered across the floor, just like the other day. Michael watches him work from the top bunk. Every so often, Ramirez curses aloud, calling Manjyome all manners of names.
"Do you really hate him that much?" Michael asks. "You've only just met the guy."
The words cut into Ramirez like a hot knife. He crushes the cards in his hand. "Mind your own business." He demands in a harsh brutal hiss.
Michael is silent for a moment. "I can help you build that deck." Michael offers.
"I don't need help, from someone, like you." Ramirez states definitively.
Michael doens't let Ramirez's harsh demeanor bother him. "I'm actually an excellent deck designer." Michael states. "My decks don't run as well as others, because I put such tight restrictions on my play style. If don't have the same fetters, I can help you build the deck with any tactics."
"I don't need help..." He reiterates. "From a loser like you." The room falls silent.
Judai walks in sighing loudly. "Oh man am I beat! We spent all day looking, and I still couldn't find Kyle." He explains.
Sho agrees. "We were so close in the end too."
The two suddenly realize the air is dense and unnaturally quiet. Michael admits defeat. "As you wish." He turns over to face the wall.
"Did I... Miss something?" Judai asks. Neither of them answers.
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At the main building, James watches from the window of the headmaster's office. "It's going to happen soon." He states, and he waves his hands in front of his face, to return his sight to normal. "The tension is nearing its peak, and it's only a matter of time before he snaps." He leaves the window to take his seat at the headmaster's desk.
"What would you like me to do?" Lilica asks from the doorway.
"Nothing. Nothing at all." James replies solemnly. "You keep a low profile, and I'll handle this one personally. Ramirez is self destructive enough on his own that there really is no need to risk you blowing your cover. There are already more than enough instigators present on the island to give him that final push. Once they meet... Well..." James smiles slyly. "I feel sorry for the poor victims caught in between."
Chapter 5 - End... To Be Continued...
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Chapter 5 Author Notes
None this time around. Sorry this one took so long to get posted, but I've been super busy.
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Chapter 5 Author Cards
This section is for all cards I created for this fanfic. Hopefully, I don't miss any. (What is this, the 5th time I've said that?) Also, I'm adding a few key cards in as reminders of what they do. Specifically, Last Turn, which seems to have received a new eratta.
Adrenaline Rush
Trap
Effect: This card can only be activated from your Graveyard when your Life Points decrease to 0. Remove this card from play, and increase your Life Points by the same amount as damage you've taken during this turn. Afterwards, decrease your Life Points by the remainder of damage you would have taken when your Life Points decreased to 0. Only 1 "Adrenaline Rush" can be activated per chain.
Last Turn
Trap
Effect: This card can only be activated during your opponent's turn when your Life Points are 1000 or less. Select 1 monster on your side of the field and send all other cards on the field and in their respective owners' hands to their respective Graveyards. After that, your opponent selects and Special Summons 1 monster from his/her Deck in face-up Attack Position and attacks your selected monster. (Any Battle Damage from this battle is treated as 0.) The player whose monster remains alone on the field at the End Phase of this turn wins the Duel. Any other case results in a DRAW.
A Scavenger Appears
Quickplay Spell
Effect: This card can only be activated when a monster on your side of the field is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard as a result of battle. Special Summon 1 Bird, Reptile, or Beast-Type monster from your deck with an ATK of 1500 or less, and remove the destroyed monster from play.
Wall of Corpses
Continuous Trap
Effect: When you would take damage, remove from play monsters in your Graveyard, to decrease the damage by an amount equal to the sum of DEFs of the monsters removed from play. When this card leaves the field, remove all monsters in your Graveyard from play.
Soul Reparations
Trap
Effect: If this card is sent to the graveyard by a card effect, you can activate this card from the graveyard, by removing this card from play. Players each select 1 of their monster Types that is currently removed from play (if they have any). Players must pay 400 life points, times the number of their opponent's monsters that are removed from play, for the Type selected by their opponent. (This is not optional).
Tenacious Badger
Earth, Beast, LV 4, 1600/1800
Effect: When this card is sent from your hand, Deck, or field to the Graveyard, without being destroyed, you must select and activate 1 of the following effects:
Pay 800 Life Points, and Special Summon this card to your side of the field. Pay 800 Life Points, and add this card to your hand from your Graveyard.
Shuffle this card into your deck.
Savage Mandrill
Fire, Beast, LV 4, 1400/1200
Effect: This card is unaffected by the effects of Trap Cards that do not target. When this card battles a monster, increase the ATK of this card by 400 points, during the damage step only.
Death Platypus
Water, Beast, LV 4, 1100/1700
Effect: When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard as a result of battle, destroy the monster that destroyed this card.
Shrieking Tarsier
Earth, Beast, LV 1, 300/200
Effect: When this card is in face-up attack position, negate the activation or effect of 1 Spell Card on the field, and destroy it. Afterwards, change this card to defense position. When this face-up attack position monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard as a result of battle, the Battle Phase ends.
Cornered Animal
Trap
Effect: During the next Battle Phase after this card is activated, when a face-up Beast-Type monster on your side of the field is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard as result of battle, destroy the monster that destroyed that Beast-Type monster. This card cannot be activated during a Battle Phase.
Beast's Law - Survival Instinct
Counter Trap
Effect: This card can only be activated by selecting 1 face-up Beast-Type monster on your side of the field, and halving its original ATK/DEF. Negate the activation of an opponent's Spell, Trap, or Monster Card effect, and destroy the card.
Genocide Drill
Equip Spell
Effect: Increase the ATK of the equipped monster by 100 points times its level. When the equipped monster attacks with an ATK higher than the DEF of a defense position monster, inflict the difference as battle damage. When the equipped monster destroys a monster with a lower level and sends it to the Graveyard as a result of battle, select and activate 1 of the following effects:
Check your opponent's hand, and your opponent sends 1 Monster Card of the same Type as the destroyed monster to the Graveyard.
Your opponent picks up cards from the top of his/her deck and reveals them, until a number of monsters of the same Type as the destroyed monster equal to the difference in levels of your monster and the destroyed monster are revealed, and send them to the Graveyard. Your opponent then shuffles his/her deck.
Magic Shard Excavation
Spell
Effect: Discard 2 cards from your hand to add 1 Spell Card to your hand from your Graveyard.
Ojamama
Light, Beast, LV 6, 1500/1500
Effect: When this card is summoned, destroy all cards on the field with "Ojama" in their names, other than this card. You can only have 1 "Ojamama" in play at a time. When this card battles with an opponent's monster, by removing 1 "Ojama Yellow", "Ojama Black", or "Ojama Green" in your hand or Graveyard from play, skip the damage step. Afterwards, your opponent's monster is destroyed and removed from play. When this card destroys a monster with its effect, it may attack once more in a row. When this card attacks your opponent's Life Points directly, by removing 1 "Ojama Yellow", "Ojama Black", or "Ojama Green" in your hand or Graveyard from play, increase the ATK of this card by 1000 points, for the damage step only. Only 1 of each of the above named cards may be removed from play by one of this card's effects per turn.
