YuGiOh 5D's: Konami/Kazuki Takahashi
Magic's eyes opened to a white-tiled ceiling; not the plaster she usually woke up under. She stood up to look around her surroundings. The room was white, with a few small articles of furniture on the side. The bed she was sitting in had white railings along the edges; the blanket she was covered under was baby-blue. To her left she was hooked to some strange machine, like the ones you would see in a hospital. But as she turned that direction, her sights moved to the last person she wanted around; Seria was sitting next to her on a chair.
"You...!" Magic tried to get out, but a migraine she obtained kept her in bed.
"Please don't get up," Seria replied motherly, "You're still suffering from the aftereffects from the...you know..."
"I remember alright, at least now I do anyway," Magic replied acidly, "Are we still at the Arcadia Movement?"
Seria said nothing; she picked up a remote controller and turned on the television, going straight to the news channel...
This is Angela Rains, coming to you live from downtown New Domino City, where last night a mysterious force rocked the entire city. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blast and the strange lines they left. Although there were no fatalities, one hundred twenty people seem to have simply vanished. There are also scattered reports of strange glowing lights in the sky. Now, with the people demanding answers to what really happened last night. All eyes are on a young woman who was found unconscious in the rubble, apparently the only witness to this disaster...
Outside of New Domino Hospital, a black limousine pulled up. The doors were opened and two people stepped out, a tall, grim man in a black suit, with dark brown hair and beard, and a woman with flowing red hair, wearing an ankle-length pale blue dress with a dark purple sash tied around her waist. The two hurried forwards towards the hospital, passing through a crowd of reporters, who immediately laid into them with a barrage of questions. Some wanted comments about the destruction around the Arcadia Movement, some commented on the identity of the girl, while the rest speculated that the girl was Black Rose who terrorized during her matches at the Fortune Cup.
The man kept walking onwards with the woman, into the hospital, the doors closing behind him and immediately being barred by two Sector Security officers. Inside the hospital, in a large room, Akiza was laid on a bed while a doctor and nurse worked to try and bring her back into consciousness. So far their efforts were futile.
Through a glass window, Jack, Leo and Luna watched the hospital staff. They had been there since the night before, watching and waiting desperately for Akiza to recover.
Hey, I just realized something! We've got 3 Signers right here," Leo commented, "Four if ya count me. That's good, right, Jack?"
"Leo, for the umpteenth time, you're not a Signer," Luna sighed, then turned to Jack, "But you may be onto something. Jack, do you think we were brought together for a reason?"
"Perhaps, Luna. But I think we'll need-"
Just then the man and his wife hurried up to the glass and peered through anxiously at red-headed psychic, "Akiza..." the woman cried, "my little girl..."
The doctor and nurse walked out of the room to meet with the man and woman.
"Doctor!" the man replied anxiously, "Will our daughter pull through?"
"Please, she's all we have."
"I... think it would be best if we talked inside," the doctor led the two into the room to the girl's bedside, "It's a complete mystery. Physically speaking, she's in perfect health. It's like I told her friends outside. I believe she's in this coma because of some sort of 'emotional' trauma."
"I knew it! It's all our fault! We pushed her to this; we could've been better parents!" she fell to her knees, weeping into the sheets beside Akiza's pillow, "Oh Akiza, mommy's little rose! We're so sorry for how we treated you! Please, wake up!"
As unconsolable the couple are, Rico was more bothered, "Poor Akiza," he whined, "I gotta do something to help..."
"If there's something wrong the doctors can't fix, maybe we could use our Signer powers," Luna said, "Like with telepathy or something. Would that work, Jack?"
"If the doc's right and she's got some sort of broken heart, it's gonna take a lot more than telepathy. She needs someone that knows the 'true Akiza'. Sayer's gone and vanished, so I'm afraid we're out of options."
The kids all looked at each other in worry.
"Unless he might help her..." With that cryptic pronouncement, Jack walked into the room and joined the doctor, nurse, and parents, "I'm Jack Atlas; and I think I know someone who might be able to help your daughter wake up after all."
"Like who?" Mrs. Izinski pleaded, "Please, tell us!"
"...His name's Yusei Fudo."
YuGiOh: 5D's
Reverse of Arcadia
Ride 20: Heroes from the Stars
An hour or so later, Rico was fast asleep on one of the benches outside of the room. He was tired from waiting so long that it just put him to sleep. He then woke up when the doors opened and someone entered inside. He grabbed his stuffed wolf and ran up to the window and saw Yusei standign over Akiza, who was still in bed. Soon, he followed everyone else into the room as well.
"It's me... Yusei," he heard the Satellite whisper; he took off his right glove and reached out to brush a tear from her cheek, when suddenly his Mark of the Dragon and hers blazed into life. Akiza's eyes slowly opened, and was surprised to see who it was.
"Yusei... ?" She sat up on the bed; everyone else gasps in awe and relief.
"What happened to me?"
"Big Sis!" the weight on Rico's shoulders were diverted as he scampered to Akiza and pounced her into an embrace, which she happily accepted, "I'm so glad you're awake, Sis!"
"Rico! Oh, I was so scared! I had this bad dream and-"
"Akiza!" the young lady turned and was surprised to see her parents there. However, her expression hardened as she saw them.
"What're they doing here!" Akiza spat furiously to her parents, "In case you didn't know, I've got a new family! The Arcadia is all I need now!" those words forced her to flash back to the last time she was at the Arcadia Movement, when she saw Sayer plummet down... "I remember... ! He fell, didn't he! He was all, all I had left! He was more of a father to me than you ever were! This is all your fault!" Rico moved back, afraid of his sister's sudden outburst.
"It was the Dark Signers-"
"Stay out of this, Yusei!" Akiza snapped, then glared back to her father, "That stranger over there ruined my life! Where am I supposed to go now? There's nothing left for me but a home in ruin, and another father that's missing! If you're trying to erase the past, don't bother! I have already forgot about them!" she shoved Yusei back, and leap out of the bed, activatin her duel-disk, "And now I think I'll erase you from my memories as well!"
"I know this is hard to take in," Yusei assured, "but if you need to duel to find out who your friends are, then I'm right here."
"'Friends'?"Akiza spat out in disgust, "You mean like you Signers? From the moment I met you I've had my life completely torn apart, thanks to that thing on my arm! And that's no one's fault, but your own!" Rico silently gasped; why would it be Yusei's fault, he wondered, "You all wanna destroy my life! Well I won't let that happen!" the moment she slapped a card onto her disk, all of the furniture in the room was blown away by the frighteningly powerful wind Akiza had called up, smashing against the walls. Rico, Leo and Luna were the first ones to be picked off; the twins were slammed backward into Jack, who kept them from being blown away, whike Rico pressed against the wall. Across the room, Akiza's parents also withstood the wind. And to make matters worse, it was only a matter of time before the storm stole Yusei's footing and sent him slamming into the wall, his cards flying out of his disk and around the room. The storm died down, Yusei's cards fluttering to the ground.
"Yusei!" everyone (with the exception of Akiza and her parents) rushed over to the fallen Satellite. It seems Yusei was knocked unconscious due to the impact. With him out of commission, who would take Yusei's place? Neither of the twins would fare well against Akiza and Jack Atlas did not think to bring his deck to this occasion. That left only one other option...
Rico relieved Yusei of his duel-disk and ran to Akiza, who instantly took the hint, "You stay out of this! This doesn't concern you, Rico!"
"I'm not going to let you hurt yourself!" Rico cried, "I won't let your powers run wild anymore! If no one else will do this, then I will, even if it hurts me!" then he took out his stuffed doll. He opened up the compartment in one of its tails, and took out his dueling deck. The deck was then inserted into Yusei's disk and shuffled on its own; the duel-disk was a bit hard to comprehend, considering the clamp fro the left ard was a bit bigger than he was usually used to.
"...Then in that case, I welcome you to try and stop me!"
Both player then drew their starting hand.
"DUEL!"
Akiza: 4000
Rico: 4000
"I'll be going first! I summon my monster (10) Evil Thorn(1/ATK: 100/DEF: 300)!" on Akiza first move, she conjured plant with a wilted flower and black oval-shaped ball with spikes, "It's nothing you've seen before, Rico. You see, if I sacrifice it right away, you end up taking 300 points of damage. I can't attack on my first turn, so it seems like a good tradeoff. This might stick a little..." the plant exploded, shooting several sharp thorns at Rico. The did not actually pierce him, but instead exploded on contact and and forced Rico on his butt.
Akiza: 4000
Rico: 3700
Leo: "Jack, look, it's the first round and Rico's already been knocked off his feet by Akiza's psychic powers!"
Jack: "And I think there's more coming."
"The ex-champ and his friends have a reason to be worried. As soon as I sacrifice one Evil Thorn, two take its place!" two more copies of the portentious plant appeared (ATK: 300x2).
Jack: "But her thorns don't have their special abilities."
Luna: "Thank goodness."
Leo: "Yeah, but if he's trying to help Akiza by winning, he's gotta do better!"
"And now I'll activate a spell card; it's called Closed Plant Gate!" the plants' withered vines then grew and infested the floor around them. They coiled around each other like a small tornado, thus creating a living shield of vines, "I can use it whenever there's two plant-type monsters on my field; the spell gives them the power to create a living wall that nothing can penetrate. That means no attacks for you next round! Let's see how your fare now."
"It's my turn!" Rico drew his next card, "And I'll start by playing the (5D's) Cosmic Beacon spell card!" the young by activated a permanent-spell showing a shooting star soaring from the earth's surface towards a nearby, unknown planet, "Next, I summon (5D's)(1) Cosmic Hero Shooting Starr(3/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1000) in ATK mode!" a young bronze-haired boy about 15 years of age appeared on Rico's field; his body from the neck up was covered by a dark-blue suit, which changed into white slightly beginning at his chest, and finally changing into light blue. He wore a blue helmet with a red-tinted visor (ATK: 1400), "And now the effect of Cosmic Beacon activates: anytime I normal-summon a Cosmic Hero, I can add a union-monster called a WaveWizard to my hand from my deck!" Rico scanned his deck for the card he wanted before adding it to his hand, "Next I activate Frontline Base, and then use its effect to special-summon the monster I just got; say hello to (5D's)(4) WaveWizard War-Rock(2/ATK: 600/DEF: 200)!" next to Shooting Starr appeared a turquoise flame under a layer of light-blue armor. Its helmet was a blue canine head with fearsome crimson eyes (ATK: 600), "And now I'll combine War-Rock with my other monster! Shooting Starr! On, the, Air!" War-Rock combusted and its flames surrounded the other monster. When the flames died out, Shooting Starr was now adjourned in blue armor around his legs, wrists and torso. The armor on his legs were boots with lines on some of the parts that reached up to his knees. The helmet now had ear guards that had spikes going to the back of his head and close to his chin. The top of his helmet had a star-shaped symbol crested on the top of it. His right arm had a cobalt glove with a gold shooting star symbol on it, while the left wrist was set ablazing with the green flame, originating from the canine head for his right hand. "And since War-Rock's now an equip-card, Shooting Starr gains 600 ATK and DEF points!"
Cosmic Hero Shooting Starr: (ATK: 2000/DEF: 1600)
"Finally I place 2 cards face-down!" two reverse-cards appeared, "It's your turn!"
"If that's the best you an do, then you're in a lot of trouble," Akiza drew her next card, "I summon Twilight Rose Knight!" the female ebony knight appeared (ATK: 1000), "And since I summoned a tuner this turn, I can also summon the Dark Verger that's in my hand!" the plant with two leaves with an eye on each appeared as well (ATK: 0), "And with these four monsters, Twilight Rose Knight will combine them all to summon You-Know-Who."
Leo: "So we got 2 Evil Thorns, which are both a level-1..."
Luna: "Plus the level-2 Dark Verger, tuned with Twilight Rose Knight-"
Jack: "Equals the level-7 Black Rose Dragon."
"Rico, I know you think by dueling me you'll find the 'Kind Big Sister' you knew and loved...but that person went right out the door the moment Sayer and Arcadia were lost! I'm the Black Rose, now and forever!" the four monsters combined as Akiza then chanted:
"Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"
As ferocious red dragon took the field (ATK: 2400), another massive wind began to blow; everyone fought to stay on their feet, "And now I activate the equip-spell, Thorn of Malice! This gives my Dragon a little power boost!" he thorns on the vines that Black Rose Dragon had grew larger and sharper and its head also has spikes, giving it 600 more ATK points. That extra increase in power caused an extra gust of power-laced wind.
Black Rose Dragon: (ATK: 3000)
"Please..." Mr. Izinski pleade, "don't..."
"Don't try to tell me what to do!" Akiza snapped back, "You treated me like a monster! So now I'll behave like one! That's who I am!"
"That's a lie, Akiza!" Rico called out.
"It's a little too late to try and help me, Rico," Akiza said, "I warned you I was too dangerous for you to be around from day-one. I warned you how dangerous my powers are, but you always disregarded the dangers of my abilities. And now you will be shown the error of your ignorance! I activate the Enemy Controller quick-play, and use this spell's effect to force your Cosmic Hero to DEF mode!" Shooting Starr then bowed to one knee (DEF: 1600), "Now my Black Rose, attack!"
"But since Shooting Starr is equipped to a union-monster, whenever you try to destroy him, War-Rock takes the hit instead!"
"That, you shouldn't worry about; because Black Rose Dragon can't destroy a monster when attacking with Thorn of Malice," Akiza explained, "However, when it attacks a monster in DEF position, not only does it lose 600 points; the difference in their points are dealt to you as battle damage! Brace yourself, Rico Burst!"
"Then I activate the Spirit Barrier trap card!" a transparent shield then appeared around the small boy, "As long as there's a monster on my field, I can't take any damage!" Black Rose Dragon attacked, whipping at Shooting Starr with her vines, while the Cosmic Hero stood his ground and kept them at bay. However, parts of his armor became covered in small cracks at the end of the battle (ATK: 1400/DEF: 1000).
"With that done, I place two cards face-down," two reverses appeared, "It's you're move."
"Alright," Rico started his turn, "I summon (2) Cosmic Hero Harpe(3/ATK:1200/DEF: 1500) in DEF mode!" a female Hero monster with blonde hair appeared; she wore a skin-tight black jumpsuit, over pink striped arm-warmers and a pink dress with a heart over her chest. The helmet she wore was pink with a clear visor, showing her eyes. She had what looked like a short light pink and white cape that started from the back of the neck and ended about halfway down her back. The bent down on one knee next to Shooting Starr (DEF: 1500), "Now I use Cosmic Beacon's effect to add (5D's)(5) WaveWizard Lyra(2/ATK: 600/DEF: 500) to my hand!" Rico showed his opponent his card before it was added to the hand, "Now I use Frontline Base's effect to summon her to the field and fuse her with Harpe!" the second WaveWizard was an animated harp with a pair of pink flames lit atop. When then combined, Lyra's helmet now had a light pink heart on the forehead area of the helmet, as well as a pair of white metal probes on either side. Lyra was now a baby-blue guitar, "And as long as Harp is equipped to Lyre, she gains 500 ATK and DEF points (ATK: 1700/DEF: 2000), "That ends my turn!"
"Then I guess it's my turn," Akiza drew her next card, and glared at it, "It was a bad call leaving all those spells out. So now I'll play a spell of my own: the quick-play Spell Shattering Arrow!" a silver bow then appeared in the psychic's hand. She pulled back the string, a glowing arrow made of psychic energy drawing out, "With this spell, I can destroy every spell on your field; and then you take 500 points of damage for each one," Akiza aimed the bow-and-arrow upward and shot the arrow into the air. The projectile separated into two, then four, and then descended onto Rico's field. Two of the arrows pierced the armor on Shooting Starr and Harpe, as well as the two permanent-spells. The all exploded, the force of the blast knocking Rico onto his back.
Akiza: 4000
Rico: 1700
Cosmic Hero Shooting Starr: (ATK: 800/DEF: 400)
Cosmic Hero Harpe: (ATK: 1200/DEF: 1500)
"And now my Black Rose Dragon will attack your Cosmic Hero Harp! Go, Thorn of Malice!" the dragon lashed out on the female hero, her thorny tendrils ripping through Harpe's attire in multiple areas, "But thanks to her equip-spell, your monster can't be destroyed; but it still loses 600 ATK and DEF points (ATK: 600/DEF: 900), "And with that done, I end my turn."
"Then I draw!" Rico started his turn, "First I activate Spellbook Inside the Pot!" both duelists drew thrice, unfortunately, he couldn't find the card he was looking for, 'It's not here yet! I have to draw Mask Change as soon as possible! But still...' "Now summon (5D's)(3) Cosmic Hero CopyCat(2/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000) in ATK mode!" another female hero in a snow-white jumpsuit appeared beside Harpe. A pair of white cat ears twitch atop of her long brown hair, as well as a tail below her back. She wore a white helmet with a sunny-yellow visor. On her legs were shuriken and kunai pouches and her hips had a katana on each one. Around her neck she wore a light-blue scarf. The new hero stood proud against the Black Rose Dragon, "And thanks to her special-ability, she can take the appearance of one monster on your field! And what better monster than your Black Rose Dragon!" after performing a ninja hand-sign, a torrent of frozen water erupted from CopyCat's feet. The liquid modified in shape until it duplicated the dragon's frame. Soon, the Black Rose Dragon was facing a mirrored version of herself.
Cosmic Hero CopyCat-Black Rose Dragon: (ATK: 2400/DEF: 1800)
"My dragon is still more powerful, so why bother?"
"Because after I activate Double Summon, I can summon (5D's)(6) WaveWizard Copy(2/ATK: 600/DEF: 200)!" the third union-monster so far was an ice-blue flame under white cat armor (ATK: 600), "And when combined with CopyCat, she adds 800 points!" Copy ignited and surrounded CopyCat. The flames died to reveal a new dragon. It still had the appearance of its original counterpart, except its petals were white instead of blood-red. The scaled antennae that were on its head were replaced by long trails of icy-blue hair.
Cosmic Hero CopyCat-Black Rose Dragon: (ATK: 3200/DEF: 2600)
"And there's more! CopyCat is integrated with WaveWizard Copy, she can target one monster on your field once per turn; and then that monster can't attack on their next turn!" the white dragon breathed a blaze of freezing fire at the Black Rose Dragon. Soon, the dragon itself was slowly encased in ice. But suddenly, the ice shattered. Black Rose Dragon's petal were now sleek and shiny as if they were metal.
"I'm sorry to disappoint, but as soon as your dragon attacked, I activated the Draconic Metalmorth trap card," Akiza revealed a continuous-trap showing a metal sprite in the shape of a small dragon, "And once equipped onto a level-7-or-above dragon-type monster, that monster is immune to any targeting monster, as well as immunity to destruction once a turn."
"But you can still take damage, right?" CopyCat attacked Black Rose Dragon once again with her freezing breath. However, due to Black Rose Dragon's new equip-card, the attack passed against her with no restraint.
Akiza: 3800
Rico: 1700
"I'll end my turn for now, okay?"
"You're too kind," Akiza drew her next card, "Now is a perfect time to activate Black Rose Dragon's special-ability. I'm sure you know what happens now, don't you?" after banishing Evil Thorn, the dragon consumed its spirit and then constricted the duplicate ice dragon with her mercury tendrils.
Cosmic Hero CopyCat-Black Rose Dragon: (ATK: 0/DEF: 2600)
"Black Rose Dragon, destroy that imposter! Black Rose Flame!" the dragon then unleashed a rose-fragrance flame from her maw, which shattered CopyCat's ice shell and forced her out of her transformation. However, her jumpsuit still remained crimson "Finally I activate the Dark Door spell card; that means each player must attack with only one monster for the duration of the duel. I'll pass this turn over to you now."
Cosmic Hero CopyCat-Black Rose Dragon: (ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000)
"Please, Sis! Let's just talk!" Rico pleaded, "I know you're scared! I know you're upset because of that mark on your arm! You don't have to deal with this alon-"
"Please, stop trying to reach me!" the psychic barked, "You're just trying to help; I get it! You don't want to see your 'Big Sis' hurt like this...but you're not one of those comic-book superheroes where the battle ends with some moral lesson being learned. This isn't a fairy tail when the knight saves the damsel in distress. You just don't understand. Only one person really got me, really tried to help me. Only one person understood what it was like to be me. Not you, not my father, not even Yusei, just Sayer. But now that he's gone, there's no place left that I can call home. As a matter of fact, nether of us does!"
"But you still do have a home, Akiza!" Rico then gestured to the older psychic's folks, "They're right there in front of you! And I bet they've been waiting for you to come back! They're your family, after all-"
"My 'family'? So you're saying I should go home and play house with those people over there, the ones who sent me away because they thought I was a monster? You just don't get it, do you?"
"..."
"I never did tell you about what happened between us, did I? Well, maybe I can give you a little summary," Akiza began, "you remember Sayer told you I ran away from home, right? What he didn't tell you was that my troubles actually began when I was five, when my powers first surfaced. I couldn't control them then; I was just a child... But that day ruined me! My father wouldn't even come near me!"
"Bust he must have a good reason..." Rico said.
"And maybe he had a good reason to send me away so some school, right!" Akiza spat sarcastically, "He sent me to Duel Academy when I was thirteen, in some hope I could control my powers. But that only made things worse! I couldn't stop hurting people! So I ran..." the psychic's eyes were material with anger with loneliness. She covered her eyes under her free hand, "But when I came home...I saw something...something that scarred the rest of my life..."
"What happened?" Rico asked, "What did he do?"
Akiza did not reply, except for the small whimpers elicited. But then those whimpers became a bit louder and louder. Soon, rivers of tears were drawn out, "They were happy..." she cried, "...happy without me! And now...they will reap the consequences of the upbringing they gave me!" and with a swift move of her hand, she swiped the hairpiece from her hair, her crimson shade being replaced by a dark-blue. Her rage was being fuel by the murderous blue dragon controlling her emotions, "You 'Big Sis' is gone, Rico. If you want to survive, I suggest you stop whining and duel."
Rico's worst fears were realized yet again; the Black Rose has returned. Things had gotten worse now that the Black Rose Dragon is lashing out at full force. But somehow, he knew this would come to this. He knew he would have to face Akiza in this raged state. And the only way he could calm her down is to tame that dragon and break her spell from Akiza...
The recent wind shook Yusei awake. He looked around in bewilderment at the battlefield, "What happened!"
"Yusei!" Leo cried, finding out the Satellite woke up, "This is bad! You were knocked out, so Rico stepped in for you! But Akiza's dragon keeps attacking his monsters! It's like its actually hurting them!"
"Really..." Yusei looked on to Rico's damaged heroes, "Then I guess we'll have to trust Rico to calm this storm."
"I draw!" Rico slashed his card from his disk; his hoped card finally revealed, 'Finally! It's here!' "First I switch CopyCat to DEF mode (DEF: 1000)! I summon (5D's)(7) Cosmic Hero Megas(4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1000) in ATK mode!" the next Hero wore a black jumpsuit with a yellow circle with two red blocks in it on his chest, as well as a tattered cobalt trench-coat. He also wore a blue-and-yellow helmet with a black visor, over his blue, yellow-highlighted hair (ATK: 1800), "Next I activate the quick-play Mask Change spell card! By releasing a Hero monster on my field, I can call on a Masked Hero fusion-monster from my extra-deck with the same attribute! And I have just the guy for the job!" suddenly a large white device with a small ruby center appeared in Megas' hand. When he placed it over his waist, a belt materialized and fastened the device around his waist. Then from out of nowhere, he presented a card in his right hand, "Henshin!" he called out and dropped it into the device.
"KAMEN RIDE: DECADE!" the computer voice of his henshin device called out. It then produced the silhouette of 9 humanoids that looked like mercury mannequins, as they all slammed on Megas, one by one each producing a new bit of armor on his person, until the last one turned into ruby holographic cards and slid into his helmet, illuminating the emerald optics. With his transformation completed, Megas now produced His sides, arms, and legs were both magenta pink and in the middle was black, but his new helmet was the same magenta pink color. Over her chest was something like a tilted white plus, and his head had something on it that looked like black cards being stuck in his head; even though it stood brave against the Black Rose Dragon, he was considered in DEF position, "Say hello to the Charlatan of the Crossworlds, the (5D's)(9) Masked Hero Decade(5/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000)!"
"A knight in pink armor with 1000 ATK and DEF points?" the Black Rose snickered, "Just what sort of monster did you summon?"
"First of all, it's magenta," Rico corrected, "He's just you average passing-through Duel Monster, and you'd do your best to remember it; because he gains 500 points from other Heroes on my field (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2500).
"That's still not enough power to slay my dragon."
"This is the best I can do," Rico concluded.
"That's too bad," mocked Akiza as she drew her next card, "Black Rose Dragon, attack Cosmic Hero CopyCat!" the dragon lashed out her vines against CopyCat. It was a difficult chore to oppose against those sharp thorn as she screamed as the ripped through not just her shinobi uniform, but also her being as well. The lashes the dragon made created a powerful gust of wind emanating through the room.
Cosmic Hero CopyCat-Black Rose Dragon: (ATK: 400/DEF: 400)
"Akiza, there's no need for this!" Mr. Izinski pleaded, "Please, stop! Let's talk this out!"
"Not a chance, 'Dad'," snarled Akiza as she set a reverse-card.
"Then it's my turn! And I activate Decade's special-ability: during the draw-phase, I can add 1 level-4-or-lower Hero monster from my deck to my hand!", Rico added a monster card from his deck in place of a card he would've drawn, "Now I summon (5D's)(8) Cosmic Hero Gyra(4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1700) in DEF mode!" a third female Hero appeared. She wore a pink sleeveless jumpsuit with yellow likes on the sides. Covering most of her arms were a pair of pink lino-sleeved fingerless gloves. The pink helmet she wore had ear-warmers each embedded with a heart. Underneath, her long blonde hair was looped into a large tassel, "And with her special-ability I can cancel a monster's attack once per turn!"
"Just another human shield in my way," Akiza drew her next card, "I activate the spell Forbidden Chalice. Now Gyra loses her precious special-ability; but she also gains 400 ATK points. I think that's a goon trade-off, don't you think?"
Cosmic Hero Gyra: (ATK: 1800)
"Next, I activate the Double Attack spell card. By sending one monster from my hand to the graveyard, Black Rose Dragon can attack twice this turn. And finally, I activate the face-down I placed last turn: Miracle Locus, giving my dragon 1000 more ATK points until the end-phase (ATK: 3400). Now let's see how all this plays out. Black Rose Dragon, attack Gyra with Mercury Vine!" Gyra was share the same torture as her companions from the dragon's metallic thorns, "And now Decade will shame the same fate! Attack!" the tendrils pierced against the masked hero's armor, breaking it in multiple places, "But I'm not done yet! My dragon's got one more lashing left especially for him!" one more horrid session left Decade on his knees.
Cosmic Hero Gyra: (ATK: 800/DEF:1100)
Masked Hero Decade: (ATK: 1800/DEF: 1800)
Leo: "She attacked three times?"
Jack: "Double Attack allows a monster to attack twice, while Miracle Locus lets a monster attack two monsters in the same turn."
Luna: "So Akiza can really attack two monster using her trap, before attacking either one of those with her spell."
"You might want to switch your heroes into ATK mode, Rico," Akiza taunted, referring to the battered line of Rico's Cosmic Heroes, "They're only going to endure more anguish each and every turn. And on that topic I end my turn with a face-down."
'Rico is doing everything he can,' Mr. Izinski thought as he looked on toward the carnage, 'He's trying to help her, to talk some sense into her; but she won't listen to anyone. I was right back then...she is a monster... No... no, what are you saying! She's just scared of herself; I didn't understand that back then because I was too afraid to be a good father. If she is a monster, then I created that monster by turning my back on her!'
"I draw!" since Rico's field is full of monsters thanks to Decade, he had to rely on normal draws from there on. But even when he received an extra card from Miracle Locus' effect, he couldn't find any way to break Akiza's effect, "I'll pass..."
"Really? You would rather just stand there and let you precious heroes writhe in pain instead of fighting to defend them? I thought you were gonna 'save' me; given up on me already? Like everyone else?"
"Not true!" cried Rico, "No matter what, I'll always be there for you! I won't give up on you, don't you get it?"
The Black Rose scoffed, "Sure, that's what you said, but what exactly do you mean by that?"
"Huh?"
"As long as I can remember, you followed me anywhere I go. You cling to me like a love-sick puppy. But of all of my duels you watched, have you even once wondered what you would do if you were the one in way of my wrath?"
"..."
"Of course you don't. All you would do is hide somewhere when the destruction plays out, as observed by your monsters..." she pointed towards the Cosmic Heroes, abused, blemished, and crippled by the Black Rose's wrath, "The only way you would keep yourself safe is to hide behind some shield, even a human shield would be no problem for you. As long as you're safe, nothing else matters. Isn't that right, Rico?"
"No, that's..." Rico stammered, "that's not it..."
"Then how could you bare to stand and watch as your monsters are being shredded, while you stood comfy in your little barrier! I guess really don't care who suffers as long as you get off scot-free!"
"No! No, Akiza! That's not true!"
"Admit it! You're only saying those things just so I can 'calm down', that I can restrain my dragon! ...I'm no dummy, I know what you're doing. I'll say I'm sorry, everyone will hug. And then you'll just have me shipped off somewhere and find a new Big Sis to cling to!" the Black Rose then slashed her next card from her deck, "Well it's not gonna work! I activate Card of Sanctity! So we each draw until we have six cards in our hand," both players replenished their hands, "Now you will become my next victim to my dragon. First I activate Mystical Space Typhoon! Say goodbye to your precious Spirit Barrier," a sudden gust of wind shattered Rico's barrier, "Next I activate yet another spell: Wonder Clover! It works just like Double Attack, except I only have to discard one plant-type monster so my dragon can attack twice this turn! And now my Black Rose Dragon will attack your Masked Hero with Black Rose Flare!" the dragon spewed another blast of blazing petals from her maw. But then, Gyra intervened. The tasseled hair behind her began to spin around Gyra, its gyrating winds creating a barrier which deflected the dragon's attack, "Your monster may have saved you this time, but on my next attack, you will wish you have never crossed me!" the malefic psychic said, her voiced fueled with more and more hatred from the Black Rose Dragon, "I trust no one but me and my Black Rose Dragon now! I am not going to fall for any more of your false comfort! My father said the same things when he sent me away; and now he will watch as you and your so-called heroes pay for his mistakes!" as if by command, the cobalt dragon unleashed another fierce blaze of purple flame at her enemies. She no longer cared which one; all she could ever think about is inflicting her demented wrath on the entire world. And the first one who will vanquish must be the boy who tried countless times to steal her host away from her...
But suddenly, something unexpected happened. At the last minute, Mr. Izinski rushed over and put himself in the path of the dragon's flame, "Stop this, Akiza! Stop hurting people more than you already have!" the man never stepped away, but braced himself for the monster's wraith. But at the moment, the attack hit, the Masked Hero Decade stepped in and took the hit for both him and Rico. The end result had him limp on his feet, his armor damaged and his costume torn...
Masked Hero Decade: (ATK: 1200/DEF: 1200)
Akiza: 3800
Rico: 500
Then Izinski stopped bracing himself and looked at his daughter, his eyes full of pain, "Sorry, Akiza. I, I wasn't as good a father as I-"
"Save it!" hissed the Black Rose, "It's all too little and too late."
"I admit it; I was scared of your power. I was scared of you..."
Akiza gasped,,,
"I didn't understand your, your abilities. You just...you really frightened me."
"Yeah, I know all of this. That's why you decided to get rid of me. You were scared, scared of your little girl."
"That's right. You had powers I couldn't comprehend and that terrified me. But that's not the only reason. I was disappointed in myself for not being able to deal with you; having you around made me feel powerless. Like a failure. What I'm saying is-"
"So wait a minute! This is about you now?"
"Yes, it's about me letting you down. I never stopped caring about you, Akiza. Neither did your mother. You'll always be our little girl-"
"Stop! Just stop talking, dad! No way am I falling for this! I reveal my trap card, Doom Petal Countdown! I can channel this card's incredible power, by removing one plant-type monster in my graveyard from play. Then I can use that power to slam you with 300 points of direct damage!" from Akiza's continuous-trap fired a torrent of blazing petals. And this time, Mr. Izinski braved the fragrant storm, as the petals were leaving little cuts all over his suit.
Akiza: 3800
Rico: 200
"All I have to do is remove one more plant monster from play on my next turn, and you are finished! Make the most of your next move, Rico Burst, because it will be your last!"
"Akiza..." Mr. Izinski weakly stood, stumbling towards Akiza. The petals continued to bombard Hideo, but he kept walking regardless.
"Stay back! I'm not kidding!" but despite her fierce retorts, but he kept moving forwards.
"Move, sir! You're gonna get hurt!" cried Yusei.
"I don't care!" Izinski replied, "I don't care if she hurts me! After all, when she was hurting I turned my back on her! When she needed me I turned away! I won't turn away from her again!"
"That all sounds really sweet, but you don't mean it!" Akiza acidly spat.
"He does mean it, Sis!" Rico cried.
"Huh?"
"Just give him a chance! Your parents really do love you and they've been waiting for you a long time to come back home! All you gotta do is give them a chance to show that they care! You're lucky, Akiza! At least you still have a family to reach out to!"
That last sentence drove Akiza back into reality. All along she thought her family never cared about her, that they saw her as nothing but a freak. All along, she thought Rico was just a scared little boy, just looking out for himself, only pretending to like her just to hide behind her. But now it all made sense. Her family never forgot about her; they were waiting for her, for the moment she return home to them. And all Rico ever wanted was a family for himself. And when he does get one, his memories of his mother will still live on with in him.
...Sadly, the Black Rose Dragon would not stand for such meek ideals. As she released a bone-chilling screech, the storm of petals picked up even faster, even the objects around the room. Seeing the chaos blooming here, Rico knew there was only one thing that must be done...that dragon must be slain!
"It's my turn!" the young boy called out, "I activate the Natural Tuning spell card, and make Shooting Starr into a tuner-monster!" soon, green lines circled around Shooting Starr's jumpsuit, "And now I use Shooting Starr and tune him with Harpe and CopyCat for a synchro-summon!"
Leo: "He must be summoning Scrap Dragon!"
Luna: "But didn't he lend it to Jason a few days ago?"
''Wait a minute...' Yusei felt around to his empty deck box, then to the many cards flying around in the wind, 'Is he going to summon who I think he's summoning?'
The three Cosmic Heroes sprang into the air. Shooting Starr foundered on himself and separated into three glowing blue synchro-gates, as opposed to the usual green gates. Harpe and CopyCat's physical frames collapsed and released a total of five stars; three of them pink and the last two winter-blue. The stars lie across the gates and ignited a column of light. All the while Rico chanted:
"Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon!"
"Stardust Dragon, let's rev it up!" in a flash of sparkling light, Yusei's trademark dragon arrived in the midst of the Black Rose's tempest (ATK: 2500).
Leo: "But that's Yusei's dragon!"
Yusei: "Rico must have picked up some of my cards when I was out!"
"Next I equip Stardust Dragon with Silver Wing!" Stardust's wings became blanketed in a veil of stark-white feathers, "Now I activate Release Restraint Wave! By releasing an equip-card from a monster, that monster can destroy every spell and trap on the field!" in a giant wingbeat, the Stardust Dragon launched all of his feathers at the Black Rose Dragon. Those divine feathers seemed to be a bane to the monstrosity as they struck against her frame, eventually shattering her iron framework and lethal spikes.
Black Rose Dragon: (ATK: 2400)
Masked Hero Decade: (ATK: 0/DEF: 0)
Yusei: "And because of Thorn of Malice's V2 effect, all the damage Decade had taken this duel has been negated!"
Masked Hero Decade: (ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000)
But still the Black Rose did not abandon her twisted ambitions. With another massive screech she magnified her host's powers, as well as the fragrant cyclone as battered Akiza's father with more razor-sharp petals that ripped into him.
"Akiza!" he cried out in pain.
"Dad, don't. Get back..." Akiza cried at him. She suddenly felt so small in the eye of the maelstrom, just a small bud in a raging storm. Though the storm was her making, she could not find her way out. Her powers could no longer listen to her, and neither could her dragon, "Stop it! I don't wanna do this anymore!" Suddenly, blown by the violent winds, a large piece of machinery came hurtling directly at Mr. Izinski, "Daddy! No!" Akiza clenched a fist. The storm instantly ceased, the machinery crashing to the ground mere inches from her father. Her eyes widened in shock, staring at the machinery, then at her fist. What she thought she could never do, it finally did: Akiza had master her psychic power; and more importantly, the wickedness plaguing her and her dragon had been erased. The Black Rose Dragon was finally tamed.
"I...did it...! I was able to control my power!"
"Akiza…" Hideo groaned, and she ran to him as his spent body collapsed. Rico stared at the father and darghter, ardent warmth coursing in his heart.
The same happened to Akiza, only that flame was much stronger. The cold shell was broken from her heart, gates opened and welcomed to all... "Rico, please finish this," she murmured, "End this duel. I don't wanna fight anymore."
Rico understood; besides, there was still one more thing that must be done, "I activate the (5D's) Final Form spell card! Now since Stardust Dragon is a monster level-8-or-higher, he becomes Decade's equip-card; and all of his ATK points become inherited to Decade!" the Masked Hero took out a card and then dropped it into his belt.
"FINAL FORM RIDE! F-F-F-FIVE D'S!"
Stardust glowed brightly and changed shape, until he took the form of a claymore-like baton. The long silver blade was designed as Stardust's neck, topped with his head as an ornament, and the hilt was made as the dragon's wings. Decade caught the sword and twirled it a few times.
Masked Hero Decade: (ATK: 3500/DEF: 1000)
Then, he presented one final card and placed it into his belt, "FINAL ATTACK RIDE! F-F-F-FIVE D'S!" a dozen of silhouette cards descended from parts unknown and lined up between Decade and the Black Rose Dragon. The Masked Hero made a battle-stance, holding the sword's sparkling blade opposite of his direction. Decade then launched himself upward towards the dragon, the cards guiding his path. And finally, with a single vertical slash, he brought Stardust against the dragon, slicing her entire titan form clean in half.
With one final screech, the dragon exploded. What now remained was crimson rose petals, raining down over Akiza and her father. The slumbering psychic lying in her father's arms. Relief snowed over the young boy Rico. The duel didn't matter to him anymore. What was important that he was able to break Akiza's final source of hate...
Akiza: 2700
Rico: 200
(Duel Postponed)
"Daddy…" Akiza whispered softly as her mother ran forwards to join them, "I miss you..."
"I'm so sorry, Akiza. I should've never been afraid of you," Hideo said, "I should've realized that you were just as frightened. I should've held you and comforted you, but I didn't. Let me start making up for that right now."
"Thank you, dad, but, you sure you want me home? I mean, I... I was very mean. I hurt you and mom and everyone else I ever knew-huh?" her voice was cut off fron a sudden drop of extra weight. She looked to find Rico beside her against her, arms around her waist, "Never mind..."
"Akiza..."
She turned to see Yusei walk up to her, "Listen... You and your parents have a lot of catching up to do. But we Signers could really use you around, too," the Satellite offered, "Whaddaya say? Will you fight with us? Will you take a stand alongside your friends?"
Akiza sighed, tears flowing down her cheeks, "You got it, Yusei," she then turned back to her father, "If that's okay?"
"Of course."
This was an excellent time to celebrate after the storm. Akiza's mother started to crying for joy. Leo jumped up cheering, and Jack and Luna were smiling. For the first time, the four Signers stood together, as the previous Signers had for millennia.
"You see, Akiza, these marks connect us, all of us," Yusei said, "We share a destiny. So like it or not, we're friends."
"That's sweet, but... I've had friends before, and that didn't turn out so well for them," she closed her eyes against her tears, remembering Sayer's reassuring smile, the first person to care about the person behind the Black Rose's mask, "I mean... losing people you care about really hurts..."
"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean, Akiza. I ran into an old friend the other day, and well, let's just say he's changed," as for Yusei, he was reminded of his best friend Kalin Kessler, the leader of the Enforcers, "We all lose people in different ways, but... I don't know. We just have to keep going. I know it's scary to trust new people, but... Akiza, I'm asking you to trust me, to call me a friend."
"... I'll try."
The psychic accepted the Satellite. And thus began a powerful bond of unity...
DUEL-MON DATABASE
(1) Cosmic Hero Shooting Starr
Stats: [Warrior] Level 3 ATK/1400 DEF/1000
Attribute: LIGHT
(2) Cosmic Hero Harpe
Stats: [Warrior] Level 3 ATK/1200 DEF/1500
Attribute: WIND
(3) Cosmic Hero CopyCat
Stats: [Warrior/Effect] Level 2 ATK/1000 DEF/1000
Attribute: WATER
Description: When this card is Summoned, select 1 monster your opponent controls. This card's ATK and DEF become equal to the selected monster's original ATK and DEF. The card's name is also treated as the selected monster.
(4) WaveWizard War-Rock
Stats: [Thunder/Effect] LV2 ATK/600 DEF/ 200
Attribute: LIGHT
Description: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can equip this card to 'Cosmic Hero Shooting Starr' you control as an Equip Card, OR unequip it to Special Summon this card in face-up Attack Position. While equipped to a monster by this effect, that monster gains 600 ATK and DEF. (A monster can only be equipped with 1 Union Monster at a time. If the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle, destroy this card instead.)
(5) WaveWizard Lyra
Stats: [Thunder/Effect] LV2 ATK/600 DEF/ 500
Attribute: WIND
Description: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can equip this card to 'Cosmic Hero Harpe' you control as an Equip Card, OR unequip it to Special Summon this card in face-up Attack Position. While equipped to a monster by this effect, that monster gains 500 ATK and DEF, and can attack while in DEF position (the monster's ATK is applied for damage caculation. (A monster can only be equipped with 1 Union Monster at a time. If the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle, destroy this card instead.)
(6) WaveWizard Copy
Stats: [Thunder/Effect] LV2 ATK/600 DEF/ 200
Attribute: WATER
Description: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can equip this card to 'Cosmic Hero Copy' you control as an Equip Card, OR unequip it to Special Summon this card in face-up Attack Position. While equipped to a monster by this effect, that monster gains 800 ATK and DEF and gains the following effect: Once per turn, you can select 1 monster your opponent controls. It cannot change its battle position or declare an attack until the end of your opponent's next turn. (A monster can only be equipped with 1 Union Monster at a time. If the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle, destroy this card instead.)
(7) Cosmic Hero Megas
Stats: [Warrior] LV4 ATK/1800 DEF/ 1000
Attribute: EARTH
(8) Cosmic Hero Gyra
Stats: [Warrior/Effect] LV4 ATK/1400 DEF/ 1700
Attribute: WIND
Decription: Once per turn, you can negate the attack of one of your opponent's monsters.
(These above cards are based on characters from Gammatron's Hoshienger, as well as Megaman Starforce. Inspiration goes to Gammatron and copyright goes to Capcom.)
(9) Masked Hero Decade
Stats: [Warrior/Fusion/Effect] LV1 ATK/100 DEF/ 300
Attribute: EARTH
Description: Must be Special Summoned with "Mask Change" and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. This card gains 500 ATK and DEF for each 'Hero' monster you control other than this card. You can add 1 Level 4 or lower 'Hero' monster from your Deck to your hand instead of conducting a normal draw in your Draw Phase.
(This card is personified from Kamen Rider Decade. Copyright goes to Tokusatsu, Toei Company, and TV Asashi.)
(10) Evil Thorn
Stats: [Plant/Effect] LV1 ATK/100 DEF/ 300
Attribute: DARK
Description: You can Tribute this card to inflict 300 damage to your opponent and Special Summon up to 2 "Evil Thorn"(s) from your Deck in face-up Attack Position. Those monsters' effects cannot be activated.
CFGX: Deep below the abyss of Satellite, Katherine is given an offer she can not refuse. Will she allow her feelings to cloud her senses and sell the earth and its people just to reunite with her sister? Next time on Reverse of Arcadia: Heart's Desire. Coming Soon...
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