AN: Err- so this'll be a sneak peak I never planned to show to you in such an early chap. But who cares~ I hope some of you guys'll be satisfied by this update. Tell me if something was out of joint(the whole story IS out of joint actually), okay? Enjoy~
Today's room was rather hot and dark. It was a-floor below the earth's surface. The audience within this little bar-like room wasn't just me. Duel-fanatics and sadists wearing domino masks and fancy outfits were swarming in here watching the duel that's been giving me goosebumps.
If I remember correctly, it's in the third or forth turn already.
Underground Duelist LP 2100 Hell Kaiser LP 2000
"I summon Mad Dog of Darkness in attack mode (ATK1900)!"
A dog that looks like a crazy golden retriever was insanely drooling. He was growling at the opponent with blood red eyes. I doubt that it'll have much of a taunting effect though.
"Your pipsqueak of a monster doesn't even compare to mine. Battle!" The Hulk-built man just insulted Cyberdark Keel who only had 800 attack points. I felt sorry for the guy, not the monster. He doesn't know the full power of the Cyberdark Deck.
"Munch that insignificant contraption to pieces!" God was I embarrassed for him that I went on twirling the sip-less glass of wine with nervousness.
The Mad dog bared its fangs on Cyberdark Keel without further reconsideration.
The red electricity from the electrodes in Ryo's neck and wrists tried to zap him with cruel electrocution.
Hell Kaiser LP 900
He smirked and chuckled with a feeling like he'd already won. "Turn end." I really can't bear to watch this.
"Draw." Kaiser was cool and collected as I last saw him to be. It's obvious but I'll say it. He's not finding his opponent challenging.
"I activate spell card - Overload Fusion! From the graveyard and in my hand, I fuse Cyberdark Horn, Cyberdark Edge and Cyberdark Keel."
Let me see. Cyberdark Keel was in the graveyard while the other two must be in his hand. Nice draw.
Instead of fusing, it's more like he banished them from the play for something unimaginable. And as soon as I realized it, i was already looking forward to it.
"Ascend! Cyberdark Dragon(ATK0)"
Dark must really be the right adjective to it. It just had that kind of aura. With its wings of six tendril blades, I think I wasn't the only one that would say such.
"Attack points are zero." The hulk guy must be feeling the chills already. His voice was smaller and more cautious. It must be a famous card here in the Underground world.
"So that's the famous Cyberdark Dragon."
"Can I purchase that card, I wonder?"
I'm really starting to hate this place. No, that's not right. I HATE this place. Dark, hot and full of pigs in love with pain and suffering. If I could just run for the exit then I would have done so before this anti-climatic duel even started. Problem is, I need to keep a low profile.
"I activate Cyberdark Dragons effect. I can select 1 Dragon-Type monster from the Graveyard and equip it to Cyberdark Dragon. It gains ATK equal to the equipped card's ATK. This card also gains 100 ATK for each Monster Card in your Graveyard."
I finally got his logic of sending half of his deck down the graveyard. The power boost must be inconceivable considering that THAT card was send to the graveyard early in the game.
Kaiser, who normally laughs like a maniac, wasn't even smiling as he summoned the card. "From the graveyard, I equip Cyber End Dragon to Cyberdark Dragon!"
The three headed mechanical Dragon with an ATK of 4000 was going to be injected with Cyberdark Dragon's wires. In addition, the monster cards were worth 100 ATK in the graveyard.
Cyberdark Dragon(ATK5000)
Everyone gasped as the number of 0 increased to 5000.
The Underground Duelist stepped back from his previous stand. "Impossible!" The shaking of his ballistic voice was a pretty good sign that this farce was about to end.
It was my cue to get out of this putrid dome with stealth. If even one of these pigs gets a good look on my face I'm sure to be swarmed. Time to cloak myself with my hood.
Kaiser turned his back from the field. "Attack." He started to walk out of the steel cage. A dark surge was forming in the dragon's mouth.
"Grrr-" Duelist A growled. He saw how Kaiser tried to mock him in the most noticeable way. "Kaaaiiiseeeerr!" The electrocution started.
Underground Duelist LP 0
I heard his scream from the exit. I know it's not right to say it but. "Serves you right."
The stairs that I was currently stepping on led to an alley. No one went out yet. I rested my back on the alley wall near the exit. Watching the duel was really something. When I saw Kaiser fighting Sho with those electrifying gifts just last year, I never thought that this was what he experienced. Pain, the feeling of hopelessness. All I thought back then was: 'What happened to the Ryo that used to respect his opponents?'
I was childish. Far TOO childish. Thinking only of a 'fun' and 'enjoyable' duel without thinking of the responsibilities I've created for myself. Naive. That's how THAT incident started.
Footsteps came out of the door-less passage. Guess Hell Kaiser's finally done with his packing.
"Aren't you feeling well, Hell Kaiser Ryo." The greeting was mine. Timing was when he got out of the building.
He turned to take a look at me. "You're-" The glare felt like it would fry me anytime soon. "RED."
RED. Name of an underground duelist that won duels without a scratch. It wasn't a self-centered commentary. I really tried my best not to get myself electrocuted. Don't want myself ending up like someone with a name of 'Mad Dog'. The name, though, must've come from the red jacket 'they' gave me.
I chuckled with an evil intonation. I was really into the act of Anti-hero. "Aw come on." I'm sure my villainous smirk was visible. "Ain't that too formal."
"What did you come here for?" His question was as stern as it ever was. I was really laughing from within. It was like doing a prank call to a friend.
"I have reason's but I'm pretty sure it's not what you're thinking about." I finally got over the prank.
"Just a chat. For old time's sake." The hood that covered the upper part of my face flipped to by back.
The joke's out. "Jaden Yuki?" He just raised a brow.
Hmmm. He didn't sound surprised like I wanted him to. So much for seeing him clueless.
"Jackpot." I cracked a burning smile.
An eye to eye with him was never awkward. He didn't say a word after I revealed my identity.
"Get lost." Thus, he continued walking with his attache case. What? No asking why I'm here? Why I'm not in the academy studying for my Second year final exams? This guy is so grim. But I guess that's what makes his 'strong and cruel' facade.
"I said I wanted to talk with you." I pointed the black gundisk right at his back. Closing my heart for the minute. "And I'm not giving you a choice."
He was silent at my behavior. Cold, uncaring, and almost too emotionless. Just tell me who wouldn't? "Can you really fire that gun disk?"
I wasn't bulging my hand out of the trigger. "Who knows?" Nor was I forging a smile.
My ear caught his 'heh' after a long shot of noiselessness. "You've changed."
"I had to." I lowered the gun-shifting disk, scowling at my own metamorphosis. He won't and didn't walk away.
Crowds from the Underground Arena constructed some noise. The clanging of their leather shoes and heels were climbing up. We looked at the entrance to see if anyone went out. None so far.
Kaiser led himself from the dark alley to the street full of sunshine. "We better find a nice place to chat."
A sly grin replied for me. "I guess so."
xxxXXXxxx
"Coffee is fine."
"Hot Choco would be nice."
We took our own orders in a European styled cafe near the arena. Only a few were dinning in this cool, air-conditioned place. It was still hot even though I already removed my jacket thus revealing my black tank top. Well, sitting near the window was my choice with the sunshine directly hitting us with its beams of light. I'll be liable this time.
The minute our waiter went for the counter, I started our conversation.
"Edo Phoenix." Two words. One name. "Remember him?"
His jaw clenched for a second. "What about him?" If it was the shock of the name or his own hatred for the man was a question mark to me.
"Do you know of his guardian? The D?"
"The Pro league's champion?"
"Yeah. Heard he disappeared out of nowhere. Any thoughts of his whereabouts?"
Kaiser was silent. Can't blame him. This plan was a long shot anyway. I don't even know why 'they' suggested Hell Kaiser to have some info.
"I've brought your orders, sir." A waitress held a tray with two cups. My hot choco must be in there.
I broke a smile in appreciation as she handed us our drinks. "Thanks."
"N-no. N-not at all." Her words became shaky somehow and left in distraught. What's with that?
"RED is a lady-killer indeed." He blew the hot coffee in fresh blend.
I thought I heard Kaiser whisper. "Huh? Did you say something?"
He just continued drinking it with little sips as his 'cool cross-legged handsome guy' aura leaked out. I held the hot mug with two hands and began blowing it.
"Why do you want to know?" The cup was put down with half of the coffee left.
I savored a drink of the sweet chocolate in the mug. "That guy kinda owes me."
"Houu~" He smiled. "And what is it that he is in debt with?"
I laid the mug down with straight and glaring eyes. "Something called 'life'."
The BGM of an 80's instrumental music gave our serious atmosphere to a test.
"So you plan to kill?"
"Kill is a little too much for a second year student." The pretentious grin was inserted in my face. "If I had the chance to say it, it would be: 'Passing judgement to the sinner.'"
He snickered to my statement with a little tone of agreement. "So you've learned how to twist words as well?"
I sighed too a deep sulking breath. "A lot has happened." The reflection of myself in the brown liquid acknowledged the sad face I wasn't trying to accept just yet. "All because of my immature way of thinking things."
"Until now, too."
My eyes went wide. "What do you mean?" Is he saying that I'm still the same as before?
"Why not ask Phoenix himself?" Now he's trying to change the subject.
My lips were sealed after the question. "If he wasn't moving from one place to another I would have done so." I sighed as I rested my chin to my palm.
Another time to swig down our cups. This time we were finishing it. Our drinks and this mixed topic conversation.
Kaiser was the first to finish. The porcelain cup parted with his lip that was in a crucible smile. "Why don't we have a duel?"
I was about to be done with mine. His challenge made me stop mid-way. The gulp was the last drink. "If you're asking me as RED then no. I'm not a sadist like you." I stood up and grabbed the red jacket, trying to leave without a scratch.
I was sure I caught a 'hmph' from his throat. "Too late."
Men in black entered the cafe. They all wore the same black business attires and shades. They cleared out the whole place starting from the costumers down to the tables and chairs.
I drew out my hood before they even saw my face. Shit. I knew it. He was too cooperative. "Kaiser, you-"
"The last one didn't satisfy me." Now he's back to Hell Kaiser. "I expect you to show me your usual 'zero-turn-kill' duel." He knows that I can't do that to him right? I mean, he's not like those worthless guys.
So much for my painless plan.
One of his men presented himself to me. The attache case he held was open with electrodes for the neck and wrists. Looks like I'll be entering the world of pain anytime now.
AN: I wasn't really sure of the Underground Duel thing especially the 'cafe' part( and the whole RED thing ) so can anyone tell me what they think about Jaden being an underground duelist? I'm thinking that it's cool but I don't know what you're thinking.
P.S: Don't ask me HOW Jaden got himself an 'Underground Duelist' status. I'm saving that chapter sometime soon. =)