No duels this chapter, but lots of plot and other information. I am planning to get out another two or three chapters in the next week so stay tuned for more, and enjoy as always.
Chapter 4 – The Coalition
The park was just as empty as it had been the previous day. Having told his mum that he was meeting up with friends, Tanion had taken the duel disk in his back pack to hide it from her. Also just as before, Elise was waiting for him in the middle of the park, her disk also still attached to her arm.
"I must say, I am curious as to how you do this," Tanion said as he approached. "You and Darrien could make people disappear, and the guy from last night seemed to slow time almost to a halt. How?"
"The Duel Energy within our disks gives those from worlds outside of Eden such abilities," Elise answered.
"Eden?"
"That is the name given to the original universe," Elise said. "A biblical reference in your world, it carried over to ours. Anyway, I'm glad to see you came to your senses, Tanion."
"It's not like I have much of a choice," Tanion said angrily. "You nor the Grand Order would've left us alone if I didn't."
"That's true I suppose," Elise admitted. "Do you still have the stone I gave you?"
Tanion nodded, taking it out. "It's chilling," he said.
"That is to be expected. It is not of this world after all."
"You promise to keep my parents safe?"
"We will send two of our members to guard them," Elise replied. "Although I suspect that once you are on our world the Grand Order will focus on coming after you there instead."
"They won't use my family as leverage?" Tanion asked.
"Once you are on our world they will not need to waste precious Synchro energy sending people to Eden to get you," Elise said. "Your Duel Energy is very strong, Tanion. It's why the Coalition sought you out in the first place. Once on our world, you'll be like a beacon to the Grand Order, but it's a risk we are going to have to take if we want a chance at winning this war."
"If it'll keep my family safe, then I will go with you," Tanion said. "I left a letter for my mum. Hopefully she will understand even though all of this is ludicrous."
"Take my hand and crush the stone in the other," Elise instructed. "And do brace yourself. Multi-universal travel isn't the most pleasant of things."
Doing as Elise instructed, Tanion took the sickly looking stone in one hand and took hers in the other. Closing his eyes and drawing a deep breath, he braced himself for whatever was coming for him, and then everything around him disappeared.
"Ugh, I don't feel so good..."
Before he could stop himself, Tanion violently wretched up his breakfast onto the rocks next to him. To his right, Elise wasn't in much better shape, but having done the trip before, she was able to keep her stomach's contents where it belonged.
"You didn't tell me..." Tanion muttered, before spewing a little more.
"I wasn't told either," Elise admitted, forcing herself to stand. "My superiors obviously thought it would be a funny joke, so I thought I'd repay the favour."
"Bitch..." Tanion managed to utter, before holding his stomach.
"Give it a few moments," Elise said. "It'll settle in a few minutes. The recon team should arrive by then."
"They are tracking us?" Tanion managed to ask.
"Tracking you."
He found himself finally able to stand, and so he did so, and he found himself staring into a war zone. They were in what once would've been a bustling city, but now it was rubble, with very few structures remaining.
"You say you fight with your cards," Tanion remembered. "How could Duel Monsters cause such devastation?"
"I'll show you once we get back to our camp," Elise said. "The majority of the fighting isn't done in the duels that you know."
In the distance, Tanion could hear the sound of a helicopter's blades whirring in the air. He looked at Elise, who simply nodded in acknowledgement. However, much to Tanion's amazement, as the helicopter approached, he was able to recognise it for what it truly was.
"Wait a second, isn't that..?"
"Gyroid? Without it being comically edited by your writers, yes," Elise answered.
The small transport who's shape was almost identical to the monster card Gyroid landed around fifty metres from Elise and Tanion's position. The side door opened, and three men dressed in black jumped out, duel disks at the ready.
"Three be with you!" Elise called.
Upon hearing her words, the men urged them over to their position, their eyes constantly on the move in case of an attack. Elise and Tanion leaned on each other as they made their way over, Tanion still holding one hand to his stomach, which was sore but had settled somewhat now that half of it's contents were on the rocks behind them.
"That was a code phrase I assume?" Tanion asked.
"In reference to the three legendary duelists of our world," Elise said. "Yugi, who vanished when the Grand Order appeared, Jaden, the one who fights alone, and Yusei, the one who died protecting us."
"Yusei is dead?" Tanion gasped.
"There's a lot you are going to have to be caught up on," Elise said. "Our leader, Felirae, will be able to answer any questions you have once we are safe."
The men helped them inside, and the moment the door closed the helicopter rose from the surface. Peering into the cockpit, Tanion noted another person standing there, duel disk at the ready and a card placed in the monster zone. He could only assume that this was the Gyroid monster card.
"I'll try and fill in some gaps for you on the flight over," Elise said to Tanion. "Although based off your writer's world, in truth, ours is somewhat different. The Three are all of the same age, unlike in your television shows. Yusei, who utilised the Duel Runner technology when he was alive, was a pro duelist on the Duel Runner circuit. Yugi, on the other hand, was a pro duelist in the normal Duel Monsters competitions. Both were world champions."
"And Jaden?"
"He has a bond with the Duel Monsters unlike any other," Elise answered. "His teachings brought him fame and fortune, and in a Duel of Strength, he is simply unmatched."
"Okay, that just leads to more questions," Tanion said, confused. "A Duel of Strength? What is that?"
"You will know soon enough," Elise answered. "Anyway, when the Grand Order first appeared, they began assimilating the most powerful duelists into their fold. Yugi disappeared about a month after the Grand Order arose five years ago, and no one has heard from him since. I have met Jaden once, but he refuses to take a side in this war, saying that the Duel Monsters should not be used for war and instead continues travelling and trying to teach people a better path."
"Why haven't the Order stopped him yet?" Tanion asked.
"He's a master of both the normal duel and a Duel of Strength," Elise said, almost laughing. "I the Grand Order could take him down, they would've done it already."
"And Yusei..." Tanion muttered. "You said he died."
"He was the first to take up arms against the Grand Order," Elise answered, her voice lowered slightly. "He brought the resistances together and formed the Coalition and other groups to stop the rapid expansion of the Grand Order. However, one day, the Order raided his compound, their men outnumbering Yusei's twenty to one. Even he couldn't beat all of them, and the Grand Order had no reason to keep him alive. So they didn't."
A silence fell over the group as the blades of the helicopter whirled overhead. I can't believe that Yusei was beaten and killed, he thought. Only he of the best three duelists of all time was willing to fight against such an obvious threat... surely the other two must be doing something to fight against the Order?
"Stromberg Castle coming up on the horizon," the pilot announced. "E.T.A is one minute. Prepare for landing and to disembark."
Tanion looked out through one of Gyroid's windows, and he could see them approaching an island of some sort. It appeared deserted, but he assumed that that was exactly what you were meant to see. His theory proved to be correct, as part of the rock face on the closest side slide open as they approached.
Heading into the tunnel, they eventually burst back out into the sunlight into a previously hidden courtyard, which Tanion saw contained a landing pad for helicopters like this and strip for boats to take off and presumably leave through a hidden passage similar to the one they had entered. As they came to a landing, a welcoming party seemed to be waiting for them, three dozen men and women dressed similarly to those who had come and rescued them, with the exception of the man in front, who wore a proper military uniform.
The helicopter touched down lightly, and Elise and Tanion were escorted through the sliding door. Once they were out, the pilot followed, and upon leaving lifted the 'Gyroid' card off of his duel disk, causing the helicopter to disappear.
"Elise," the leader said. "Darrien is waiting for you in the infirmary. I expect to see you in the dining hall in three hours."
"Yes, Felirae," she said, bowing. "And thank you, sir."
"And you must be the Synchro user," Felirae said as Elise was lead away. His gaze was penetrating.
"The name is Tanion."
"Of course, my apologies," Felirae said. "We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Your help is sorely needed."
"You tracked me because of my Duel Energy, right?" Tanion asked. "Couldn't the Order track me here?"
Felirae shook his head. "This is one of the most secure rebel bases on the planet. Our shielding technology is unparalleled. You are safe here."
"That depends on your point of view, boy."
The voice came from a newcomer across the courtyard. The company turned to look at this man, who immediately struck Tanion as being far older than any of the other present. However, there also seemed to be something about him that he connected to instantly, and the look in his eyes suggested a hardness and wisdom far beyond what his body portrayed.
"Tanion, this is Jorann," Felirae said, seemingly annoyed by the interruption. "He is the only Synchro user left at our disposal, and the one who donated his energy in order to send Elise and Darrien to you."
"It's an honour to meet a fellow Synchro user, if what I've heard about us is true," Tanion said, nodding slightly.
"Don't give me that crap, boy," Jorann said gruffly. "You are not a Synchro user. You don't have the strength to be one."
"Jorann..." Felirae said warningly.
"I'm assuming you are referring to a Duel of Strength?" Tanion asked. "I would like to learn."
"Would you now?" Jorann said, smiling, and revealing a duel disk of his own. "Then I will be willing to show you."
"Jorann, no," Felirae ordered. "He can train later. For now he needs to get settled into his new home."
"Why don't you let the boy decide?" Jorann asked.
"I want to see what this is about," Tanion said. "The earlier I learn the better, right?"
"Sir," a man said behind Felirae. "I'd highly recommend against this. He's just come through and there's no telling what adverse effects his body might still be feeling..."
"Tanion, you are not entering into a Duel of Strength will Jorann. Your training for them will begin tomorrow," Felirae ordered. "I also want the two of you in the dining hall in three hours. No excuses. Teleor, Draven, show Tanion to his room."
"Yes, sir," the two men said in unison.
Felirae took this moment to leave, and the company he brought with him split, apparently having fulfilled whatever role they served. Teleor and Draven motioned for Tanion to follow them, and he did so, but not before looking over his shoulder at Jorann, and at the cold, hard eyes that he bore.
The dining hall was a lot simpler than Tanion had thought, but he suspected that whatever grand hall the castle used to have for meals now suited something more befitting of the force that occupied it. The room was small, but cosy, with a fireplace on the opposite end of the room from the double doors. As Tanion entered dressed in Coalition garb that had been found for him, he found himself faced with a table set for five; Felirae, Jorann, Darrien, Elise and himself. The others were already there, and they all stopped their conversation as he entered, and waited for him to take his place beside Elise and opposite Jorann before they continued.
"Good evening, Tanion," Felirae said in a welcoming tone.
"For me it feels like midday," Tanion said. "It's an odd feeling."
"You'll get used to it," Jorann muttered. "Now, back to the task at hand."
"Yes, Jorann, you're quite right," Felirae acknowledged. "As we were discussing before you entered, Tanion, we've picked up a strong Duel Energy signature about five hours from here. Fusion."
"Do you know who it is?" Tanion asked.
"We don't," Felirae admitted. "Although Darrien here has a theory."
"The Energy reading was far higher than the normal Fusion reading we pick up," Darrien said. "I think it might be Jaden."
"Impossible," Jorann dismissed. "Jaden has been off the radar for months. He knows how to keep himself hidden, so why would he let himself be known now?"
"He may know something we don't," Darrien said. "The Three knew things far beyond the rest of us."
"That they refused to share," Jorann reminded him. "It will not be Jaden, but it is still worth pursuing. Another Fusion user to put onto the siege teams could really help our cause."
"We did have two fall last week in the Delta C squad," Elise said. "They could replace them on that team if we get to them on time."
"We will continue this discussion later," Felirae said. "For now, let us eat."
The food was brought out, a soupy brew consisting of what seemed like meat and vegetables. Elise informed Tanion of how they get supplies flown in from farmlands to the north, but they were growing more and more on the island, almost to the point of being self-sufficient.
"Elise tells me you defeated one of the Grand Order's servants back on Eden," Felirae sat to Tanion as they ate.
"That's true," Tanion answered. "Wasn't easy, but I'm here and not with them."
"May I ask which monsters you faced when dueling them?" Felirae asked.
"Double Cannon and War Machine Omega."
"Omega?" This got Felirae's attention.
"He also used Molten Armoury and Titanium Casing, if that counts for anything," Tanion added.
"That's... impressive," Felirae said admirably.
"It was a normal duel, wasn't it?" Jorann asked.
"Yes, it was," Tanion answered.
"Hmph. Taking down an enhanced Omega in a normal duel isn't so hard," Jorann muttered.
"It's still impressive for someone an inexperienced as he is," Elise cut in. "He defeated both Darrien and myself as well."
"I'm right here, guys," Tanion muttered between mouthfuls.
"His training in a Duel of Strength will begin tomorrow," Felirae said. "You should take to it pretty quickly with your abilities, Tanion."
"Thanks, I suppose."
"Elise, I also want you and Darrien to report to the control room at 9 AM. I'll have you leading the hunt for this Fusion user," Felirae ordered. "Jorann, continue to oversee the training. We need to get some specialists out in the field soon if we don't want to lose any more ground."
"As you wish, sir," Jorann said somewhat begrudgingly.
"Well, thank you for the dinner," Tanion said to Felirae as he emptied his bowl. "I might go and get set up better in my room if that's alright."
"You are dismissed, Tanion," Felirae said. "And yes, you and Darrien can go as well, Elise."
"Thank you, sir," they said.
In unison, the three of them left the room, leaving only Jorann and Felirae to finish their meals. The mood shifted as the doors closed, and any of the warmness in the room dissipated immediately.
"You've looked at the report?" Felirae asked.
"He uses the Knights," Jorann said, nodding.
"I want you to monitor him closely for any signs of corruption," Felirae said. "If you see anything abnormal happening to him, report to me instantly, understood?"
"I understand the threat greater than you do in having him here, Felirae," Jorann said, shaking his head. "May the Three watch over us all."