Hey guys! Chapter 4 is here. Consider this your holiday gift! For those curious for the times of the next updates, I keep deadline dates on my profile beside all of my fanfiction info. All of that info is found under my large wad of favorites.
On another note, I have a poll on my profile asking which of my fanfics you find to be your favorite. Should one story have a large favored majority over the others, an update may come sooner than you think! (EXCEPT for Tom Riddle's Item, that fanfic is complete, and votes for that one do NOT count toward its sequel).
If I used a card wrongly, please let me know ASAP. I don't have my stash of cards in front of me and I'm going by memory.
I want to wish you all the best this holiday season and have a great New Year! See ya in 2008!
Chapter 4
"Two turns are up," said Zane, "which allows me to take the card from Different Dimension Capsule and place it in my hand, not that it matters, because I'm going to use it!"
"Zane's got this duel in the bag, folks!" said the announcer, "for his eighth game in a row, this powerhouse has gone undefeated, and by the looks, he's not about to lose!"
"Big deal!" smirked Zane's opponent, "you won't defeat my line of high powered warriors!"
"You may want to rethink that," snapped Zane, "I play Overload Fusion! Now by fusing Cyber Dragon with three other machine-type monsters, I can summon Chimeratech Overdragon!"
"…No, not that!"
"Yes, and because I fused four monsters, my dragon has a total of 3200 points!"
"3200!!!"
"Scared? Well, you should be, but not by its attack points. My Overdragon can attack four times, one each for the number of material monsters I used!"
Zane's opponent staggered back, "but that means…"
"You're life points are mine! With only three monsters on the field, all in attack mode with less stats than Chimera's, well, you're through. Chimeratech Overdragon, attack!"
"And Zane Truesdale wins…again! He just simply cannot be beat!"
Zane exited the arena and continued down the hall, avoiding the main hall where journalists would be awaiting their next duelist to pick at. Zane turned a corner and nearly walked straight into someone. Zane disregarded this person and continued, but it was when the man spoke when the young duelist stopped.
"Hello, Mr. Truesdale. It's been a while…"
Zane didn't turn around, "Shroud."
"I'm pleased you remember me, Zane. How have you been, though your streak of wins gives me the answer…"
"Cut it, Shroud," said Zane, finally turning to face his old manager, "What do you want?"
"Just here to give you my congratulations. It's not often someone under my wing leaves me out of the picture but continues a long-lasting, wealthy streak. The last tournament gave a nice check, if I recall. You deservingly won, your opponent didn't stand a chance."
"Are you here to give a lecture? Last time I checked, I'm out of school, and you're the last person I want lecturing me."
"I'm not here to lecture you," Shroud gave a small chuckle, "I'm here to give my regards."
"Well, you already did, Shroud, and you're still here. Obviously you still want something."
"Well, in a matter of speaking, yes. But not for me, for you, Mr. Truesdale. I have a proposition for you…"
"Shroud, maybe you didn't get it when I kicked you to the street. I don't want anything more to do with you."
"What I have to offer will make you extremely powerful, Zane."
"Tch. Shroud, have you been a mud puddle for the last year? Look at me. I am powerful. No one can beat me. Everyone who tried failed. I have all of the fortune I need, and it continues to grow. I'm unbeatable."
"Are you unbeatable Zane Truesdale? You have flounced every duelist in your way?"
"Are you seriously asking me that, Shroud?" Zane crossed his arms on his chest, "I've beaten everyone who's challenged me."
"Not everyone, Zane. You must remember him…what's his name…"
"Don't even mention him," Zane snapped.
Shroud gave an evil smirk, "So you do remember that fateful duel…"
"I'll never forget that night, and you know that. Now get down to business or I'm leaving, Shroud."
"The only way you can be the best duelist is to beat him. And I can help you Zane."
Zane scoffed, "Yea, right."
"I'm very serious, Mr. Truesdale. I can get you to the crown you deserve."
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
"Trounce him in a duel. Humiliate him. Give him the pain he brought upon you those many months ago. End his career."
"That's your big plan? To defeat Phoenix in a duel? You made it sound as if you were going to drop him off the planet or something. I can duel circles around him."
Shroud nodded, his eyes closed, "You can duel circles around him," he repeated, "Then why haven't you?"
Zane opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped. I can't be thinking this…but the creep is right. Why haven't I gotten back at Phoenix for nearly destroying my career? I know I can defeat him…but something…seems to hold me back…I know I'm not scared, but what's wrong with me?
"You're scared Zane," said Shroud, "scared to lose to him again. I'm going to make sure it doesn't happen, even if you don't end up dueling Aster Phoenix until weeks from now, I'm going to make sure you are victorious. All I ask in return…is for you to allow me to become your manager again."
Zane looked at Shroud, "Forget it," he said quickly.
"I'm aware you dislike me, Zane," said Shroud calmly, "but I can help you. You let me help you get rid of Aster Phoenix, and after you are established as the King of the Circuit, I promise to fade away from your life forever."
Zane thought for a moment, "You'll get me a duel with Phoenix or something similar, get me to the top and then disappear?"
"If you wish."
Zane looked at Shroud, and then back toward the Duel Arena through the doors behind him, "I'll think about it," was all he said, as he continued out of the Kaiba Dome.
Shroud has his car stopped at an abandoned warehouse on the verge of the city. The driver, one of the ten escaped prisoners, led him within the old and dusty building and through to the secret entrance. As Shroud locked the door, his companion opened the bookcase and showed him to another room. Through a set of doors, Shroud was left with Thorn Turama, who was busy working on a laptop.
"You get reception out here?" asked Shroud, leaning against the wall. Thorn glanced up from his computer.
"Yea, one of the boys got a hold of a unsecured connection a few blocks from here. Connection is slow, but it works."
"What are you even doing?"
"Just checking up on an old friend," said Thorn. He turned the screen to face Shroud.
Shroud went closer to the screen. "Aster Phoenix? You're looking at his dueling records? Doesn't every rock know his record by now?"
Turama chuckled, "Yes, I know of his accomplishments." He opened the door and proceeded down the hall, Shroud in tow. "I'm just catching up on my facts before our champion comes for a visit."
"Speaking of champions," Shroud began, "Why do you want me to help Zane? You and I both know that he hates my guts, and you and I also know that I don't want to help him any more than he wants my help."
Turama stopped and looked at Shroud, "Well, I have a few theories. One, being that once Phoenix is out of the way, Zane will be given the crown. He is a formidable opponent, and if at all possible, I would like him on my side."
"On your side? You sound like you're planning a complete takeover of the Leagues."
"Not quite," corrected Turama, "I have nothing against Industrial Illusions and Kaiba Corp, the two big sponsors for the Circuit. My battle is with the players, and anyone against me will…well, let's just say that they will follow Katie's example."
"I see…"
"Did Zane agree to my proposal?" asked Thorn.
Shroud shrugged, "He said he would think about it. I think he's torn between wanting to defeat Phoenix, but having to put up with me."
Thorn nodded understandingly, "That's to be expected. He kicked you to the streets with the idea of leaving you behind forever, and here you are offering him help. Don't pressure him, Shroud. Give him time to think it over. If he declines, so be it. I will think of a new strategy to win him. Otherwise, he might end up as an enemy."
The two continued down another hall, neither of them speaking. It was Shroud who broke the silence, "So, where is Simmons?"
"Maxwell Simmons? Oh, he's…being taken care of…"
Shroud smirked, "May I ask how?"
They had stopped walking and were at the door leading to the stairs. Thorn led him down to the door below. Closing the door behind him, Shroud looked around. How a room this large made it into an abandoned warehouse, he will never know. The floor below was several feet down, but two feet below the edge of the path was a pool of water. Sets of stairs were at the other side, leading up to a walking path above. He could see a hook on the ceiling.
"How deep?" Shroud knelt closer to the water's edge.
"Twenty feet."
Shroud looked up at his companion, "Are we underground? There's no way…"
"We are underground, Shroud."
"So you're going to drown Simmons?"
Thorn laughed and shook his head, "No. This is for Phoenix."
"So what are you going to do with Simmons? Did you just capture him and then kill, or what?"
"I told myself I would not use the same murder methods twice. Katie was shot to death, Simmons…well, I'll leave that a surprise for when it hits the news tomorrow."
Shroud nodded, "Fair enough. So this room is for Phoenix, you say?"
"Yes, that's right."
"I find it hard that you say Aster Phoenix caused you all of this suffering, but you're just going to drown him."
"That's only a piece of it. You see, my friend, Mr. Phoenix is different. I'm going to give him all the prolonged pain and suffering he deserves. I'm going to make his life a living hell. Then I'm going to kill him."
"So why drowning?"
"Based on my research, Aster is a pro athlete in various sports, but his favorites include surfing and deep-sea diving. I find it funny how his past-time favorites will be his end."
Sartorius found himself in a dark, dimly lit room, in an unfamiliar place. He saw a clock on the far wall and reached for it, but to his surprise his hand went through the wall when he placed his palm upon it. Turning back to the center of the room, he noticed something he didn't see before.
How could I have missed this? Sartorius thought to himself as he took a step closer. He saw Aster dueling, though he could tell his star duelist was suffering. He was breathing heavily and was hunched over, as if someone had run forward and kicked him in the stomach. He was slightly leaning more on his left leg. Strange bands were upon Aster's wrists, upper arms, and ankles. There wasn't one, however, on the wrist his duel-disk was connected to. Aster's opponent was hidden by the darkness of the room.
He could hear the opponent though, the voice seemed familiar, and he couldn't place where he had previously heard it.
"Aster, what's going on?" asked Sartorius.
Either Aster didn't hear him, or ignored him completely. Sartorius touched Aster's arm gently, but like with the wall, his hand went through. Sartorius then figured that whatever he did would have no effect on his sights.
The mysterious voice commanded an attack, and the dueling manager watched Aster's lifepoints drop from 3800 to zero.
"Aster, you lost! But to who?" Sartorius said to no one in particular, but like before, he wasn't heard.
Sartorius was then horrified to see the strange band light up, and then watch Aster's face contort in pain. Obviously the strange things were hurting him.
Aster, already weak from before the blast, was sent backwards and landed with a thud on the other side of the room.
Sartorius hurried to his side. The pro seemed to be out cold. "Aster!" He tried to shake his duelist's shoulder, but his hand went right through. A few seconds went by, and Aster still didn't stir.
Finally, his opponent, face still hidden, approached Aster and Sartorius.
"Who are you?" Sartorius demanded. The man, unable to hear Sartorius, knelt down and began removing the bands. After taking one off Aster's right upper arm, he stopped, and reached his hand toward Aster's tie. The man pulled a small red-blinking chip from the underside of Aster's tie. Glancing at the item he found, he narrowed his eyes.
The man stood suddenly, then went to the other side of the room and threw the door open. Another figure was in the doorway, but due to the dim lighting and darkness, Sartorius was unable to see who it was. He was only able to hear Aster's dueling opponent.
"He wore a tracker. Get him ready – he dies tonight."
"Aster!" Sartorius shouted, trying to wake him, "Aster, wake up!"
"Sartorius!"
Sartorius looked around. He had heard his duelist speak, but Aster was still unconscious.
"Sartorius!"
Sartorius's eyes flew open, as he glanced around frantically. There was no dark room, mysterious figures, nor was there Aster, unconscious in pain on the ground. He was in a waiting room, a nurse next to him, and Aster sitting beside him.
"Aster! What the –"
"Sartorius, are you okay? You were mumbling, and you kind of dozed off."
"Sir," the nurse began, "if it's alright, we're going to take Mr. Phoenix to the examination room now."
Sartorius looked around confused, trying to understand what his dream was about, and remember what was going on at the same time.
"Aster, what is going on?"
"Jeez, you must have really been sleeping," Aster grinned, "the Doc is taking a look at my bones, and hopefully the cast will come off, remember?"
"Oh, that's right. I'll wait here."
Aster nodded and went with the nurse through the door.
Sartorius looked at his hands, lying in his lap. Was that dream only a dream? Could I be predicting the future again? Since the Light of Destruction, save a small fraction, was destroyed from inside of me, my powers have been depleted somewhat. If this omen should come to pass, Aster is in great danger! If only I could remember where that voice came from…I know I've heard it before…
That's all for now! I know, you're probably going to kill me for the ending like that, but oh well! I have to leave you in suspense somehow!
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Have a wonderful holiday, and I'll see you in 2008!