Yu-Gi-Oh GX: The Start Of Tag Force
Chapter 8: Replacement For The Blizzard Prince, For Now
... ...At the light-house ... ...
... ...Asuka joined Zane as they stand by the light house - - "Looks like the representative choosing is under way for the staff to decide on this. But how come you didn't volunteered Zane?"
"I am already on my third year. This is for the younger generations to perform at, first years or second years will suffice. Chancellor Sheppard will be the one deciding it. Though a duel may be in session. Though right now, I think the most with the highest percentage to be chosen is ... ... ... ... Judai."
-Both of them said that, as they stared in the horizon - -
...
...
...The next day, at the faculty gathering of Duel Academy ... ...
...Chancellor Sheppard is discussing along with the others, that includes the teacher staff, and even the top student of the Academy, Zane Truesdale. "Now then, ladies and gentlemen, as you know, the upcoming representative match of our school to Duel Academy to the North is coming, but right now, our only representative can only be a first year. As I've heard they're choosing a first year student of their own."
"Then, what would you suggest, Chancellor Sheppard-?" Crowler asked.
"Ah, about that. I've heard from Truesdale-kun that Judai Yuki has the highest percentage of dueling in this matter, so I thought of choosing him. -what say you, Truesdale-kun?"
"I have no issues of that. In fact, from his recent duels of defeating Jun Manjoume, not once, but twice, and also, he also sparred with me once, and though he lost, he did put up a commendable stance in battle. And as for that, he also defeated various duelists up to this point. Take the student who tried to test himself against the legendary Yugi Mutou's deck, so for now - - I think it would be fare to say that Judai Yuki is the first one to be of my choice - - "
"I see. Then, objections, any one ... ...?"
"I got an objection-! I want to recommend Hagure Konami-san, in this voting for our representative. I was there too when he beat - oh, no disrespect intended, I was there when he won against Kaiser Truesdale Zane-dono. And also, I heard and watched then that he also beat Manjoume Jun-san. And of course, including me, to that-! -So won't you at least recommend him-?"
"Hm, not a bad recommendation, sensei."
-Zane said that. "Then, we'll ask Hagure-san, then."
...
"No. I don't want to. -well, nice of you to recommend though, sensei." Konami's reply shocked Crowler to the core - at that. "-well, was that the answer you needed-?"
-Chancellor Sheppard and other staff members are also here, "-why do you not want to be representative, Konami-kun? If I may so bold, I would say you seem to be more powerful than Judai-kun. That is to say that you beat Kaiser Zane Truesdale-kun. And more than that, you also seem to have beaten the duelists that Judai Yuki have bested."
"Hello there, what are you all talking about-?" Judai, the latter, came in.
"Oh great, it's that Osiris drop out boy-!" Crowler thought in frustration.
"Judai. It's the staff questioning Konami of his intent to become representative, but he declined at that and now, the question falls to you. Daitokuji-sensei also recommended it, claiming you might be able to - - "
"-wait a moment, it's not just him who is available. How about Misawa Daichi-? He's also a talented duelist on his own caliber, and for that, I would say a duel representation is necessary. That way, we can decide if this Osiris student - " '-And drop out boy' - "And Misawa senior would be the perfect representative."
"Hm, not a bad recommendation. Sensei. Chancellor Sheppard, what's your thoughts?"
"Hm, Daichi Misawa, eh? Hm, very well, we shall ask him. Plus, I heard he's been planning to challenge Judai whom he recognized his potential at, and he's been eager to duel him of course. Yosh, everyone, thank you for your time, Hagure-kun. Excuse us."
-The staff left and/or except Daitokuji. "-well, this would be interesting, nya~~ Judai-kun, you are to represent our school against North Academy nyaa~~ It's in the Antartic part where Jun Manjoume-kun enrolled to."
"Oh, I remember! That's where he went-! It's very far-!"
"-well, of course, nyaa~~ It'll be not a training for him if it wasn't. You heard him say that he wants to go somewhere far away, right-? So don't mind its distance, mind the cold, nyaa~~" -Suddenly, Pharaoh begun to scurry away with Daitokuji sensei giving pursuit to him - - "-well, congratulations, I suppose. On being chosen as representative for the Academy."
"Haha, thanks a lot, Konami. But I'm kinda nervous, too, this is not like some duel - everyone must have expectations that I can't expect to meet. So, yeah, I'm just kinda nervous."
"...Just do what you can. That is the key. If others are dissatisfied, then, that's their problem. Right or wrong, that's pretty much how it goes."
"Right or wrong ... ...? Hm, hey, you're pretty philosophical than I thought, Konami! Even though you may act like casual or carefree, you're really pretty smart for a kid, huh?"
"...I don't know. I only have a "photograph memory" so I'm not really smart on tests, or exams. So I don't ... ... "
"Haha, yeah, well ... ...thanks, Konami. Now I don't have any reservations for this duel. Hm, I wonder who will be my opponent. Ah! But you know, what if it's Manjoume-san, this time?"
"Manjoume? Ah, crap, I didn't thought of that. He IS familiar with this place. And also ... ... Say, Judai, have you heard about Asuka's brother, Fubuki Tenjouin ... ...?"
"...Fubuki ... ...Tenjouin ... ...? Hm, ah, yeah, Asuka mentioned her before. Though I don't really know who or where he is, I heard he's gone missing. Though, that is scary, isn't it? I hope Asuka isn't anything into strange stuff or ... ... she might get into trouble. Oh, while we're at it, could you look at her for us, Konami?"
"Me? -watch over Tenjouin?"
"Yeah! I mean, she IS our friend, and matter of fact, I heard you two spoke more than once or thrice, so I can only trust someone who could know her better, is all. Haha, well, I gotta go. I gotta tell Sy and Chumley. See ya!"
"...Hmph, easy for him to say. But ... ... Fubuki ... ... Tenjouin, huh ... ... Is the academy giving up on those who went missing on this school ... ...?"
...Meanwhile, at the harbor ... ...
"Hai! Hai! Please bring it not altogether, you'll get hurt if you deliver them - Huh-? Is that ... ...was there someone there?" Dorothy asked as she'd noticed that it seems there's a presence of someone underwater, and swam to the facilities of Duel Academy - into the water underground basement, where it's accessible only by the staff - then, there are lockers here, too.
-Someone, Gerard, dons an Osiris red uniform - and goes inside the campus, and right then, he ought to act casual - but then, as he tries to get along he's berated or just ignored by other people, being called "Osiris drop out" by the Obelisk Blue people until - - Konami spots him and sees him to be upset or sad as he just walked away - - "Oi! Don't mind those losers, they keep prying on business that doesn't concern them."
-Konami said which seem to have calm down Gerard, who is grateful as Konami approached him - - "Say, I haven't seen you here before, and you look ... ...look like an old timer."
"Oh, ha ha. Everyone says that about me, why hello, fellow Red Osiris student, you seem like a nice guy - so thanks for looking out for me there, say, how come everyone is so ... ...jerky."
"Hmph, well, I suppose they're complaining about not being able to make their situation A-okay so they keep drinking poison of karma."
-That's what Konami said and it sparked a lot of menacing glares from the Obelisk Blue students.
"Say, I'll introduce you to someone who might be able to lift your spirit. He's an Osiris like us. Come on, I'll take you there."
-while they left, a lot of murmurings and angry spouts - - "Damn that kid-! Our almighty kaiser has been beaten - No, it wasn't like that-! That damn kid is always getting lucky in his draw, much like that other first year, Judai Yuki-!"
"Gr, their luck is unbelievable-! Anyway, it seems like we're gonna have a hard time trying to get rid of them, dammit-!"
"...what do we do now?"
"Don't ask me. Tch, they're gonna ruin our studies at this case."
-Jasmine and Mindy are at one table, "Geez, everyone is alarmed at that kid's words." Jasmine said.
"Hm, yes, huh-? That kid is strong, but ... ... going up against the school's number one student, and a hot stud, at that-! Zane Truesdale, that Osiris kid is like a ... ... a ... ... a god ... ... ... Oh, wait, what am I saying, hahahahaha-! Any way, I think we cannot lay a hand on him, it's like ... ... untouchable."
"-Untouchable? Gr, oh, geez, this is getting me some high blood pressure, I better do something to ease my mind-!"
...
...Later at the Osiris dormitory ... ...
"Yo-! Konami! How's it - - Huh-?" Judai greet Konami who is with Gerard.
"This is Gerard. Or so he claims. He may need some ... ...directions. He's quite new here, so don't mind him if he says something strange."
-Judai and co. got to talk with Gerard for some time, and he preferred to be called "old-timer", for some reason. "Ah, so old-timer, is it? Ha ha, well you do look older than the rest of us."
"Hm. But did you held back or something-?" Syrus asked that.
"I'm just an old timer, but uh can you guys tell me something mysterious about this island or this academy, for that matter-?"
-Gerard asked that and Judai pondered for a bit ... ... "Oh, there was that abandoned dormitory incident, though I heard our teachers forbid us from going there - so only trusted staff members and students are allowed there."
"I see ... ...then, that's quite suspicious, isn't it? It's like the Academy is hiding something from the students, or the public, for that matter. So to that, I plan to ... ... "
"Huh? Old timer, what were you talking about?"
"Yeah, did you say something just now?" Syrus asked.
"Hahahahaha! Nothing, nothing! It's just a joke-! Joke, joke-! Now, I thank you for your cooperation, but uh, oh. You dropped something, this is ... ... Ah-! T-This is ... ...Skyscraper ... ...! I once had this until ... ... ... ... Until I lost to that bastard, Seto Kaiba, on that one duel ... ... and I lost my passion for dueling that time ... ... ... ... why is this card ... ... "
"Oh, my Skyscraper-! Thank you, old timer, I thought I couldn't find it, and then you and Konami came along that it sort of slipped my mind!"
"Oh, Judai-kun, this belongs to you, here. I used to have one like that."
"What-!? Really? Wow-! Does that mean you play an Elemental Hero deck, Gerard-!?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, yeah. But uh, I gave up on it. Since, well ... ... I don't like dueling any more ... ... I lost my passion for it."
"You lost your passion for it ... ...?" Konami asked.
"Yeah, I think I may have learned a lesson the hard way."
"Oh, then ... ...why are you still here in this school then, you could drop out - Oh, no offense meant. No offense, meant-! Ha ha ha ha ha ... ... well, just recommending it, no offense meant-! Hahahaha ... ... " Syrus said.
"Yeah, well ... ...well, I got into a bad taste after my defeat of - Oh, I mean, from Seto Kaiba. After that, I just can't fight or duel any more, well that, and I somewhat found a new job. Thanks for the recommendation, though, ha ha ha ha ha!"
"Say, old timer, you don't have to let one set-back hold you back. Or rather, don't let the actions of others control your actions. It just means you can't face yourself, or have the courage to face yourself. I know that everyone has problems, but, they all solutions. So represent yourself, old timer."
-Everyone felt rather touched at Judai's speech just now.
"Precisely. Looks like the school has chosen a fine representative for our school's behalf." Konami commented.
"Haha, thanks, Konami! Hearing that from you is kinda refreshing! Oh, and one day, I want to duel you, too!"
"...we'll see. Then, I gotta go for now. See ya!"
-Konami left the dorm or the room of Judai and the others.
"Hm, well, I guess I better go to my own accomodation. See you guys, later." Gerard ought to do his own part, while apologizing to himself and the others ... ... "...well, see ya later-!"
"Hold it!" Chumley stopped him. "I can somewhat relate myself to you, but I'm also the same as yours. I got held back so many times now, that I don't think that I'll be able to graduate from this school. But ... ...watching Judai duel, as well as Konami, I think I somewhat regained my fighting spirit. Maybe if you saw your own deck, oh, sorry, your former deck, you may be able to gather back your fighting spirit."
"Oh, then ... ... ... ... Hm, I appreciate your words, but uh, I really gotta go-! See ya-!"
"...what was that all about?" Syrus asked.
"Yeah, I wonder what ... ... "
...
...Meanwhile at Daichi's own room ... ...
...Daichi is researching about the Duels that Judai had, and from there, he'd noticed that his ace cards are Elemental Hero, Flame wingedman and Thunder Giant. "From the duels I've seen, it seems Judai is a master of fusion ... ...Fusion-? Ah, fusion ... ...Fusion-!? That's it-!" He seems to grin too much about himself - - "Oh, I finally found the weakness of Judai Yuki's deck. Be prepared for yourself-!"
-Then, Daichi begun to re-arranged his deck, that consist of water decks. That is his ace card is the water dragon of legend, that is called ... ... water dragon, Timaedragon.
...
...
...Meanwhile, at the abandoned dormitory premises ... ...
"-who are you? This place is off-limits, Osiris. You shouldn't be here, it's not under the staff's jurisdictin on what happens here." Asuka confronts Gerard who came here after hearing the info from Judai and the others, and then, as he was standing here, he's confronted to by Asuka. "Just who are you?"
"Hm, don't you think it's suspicious? This dorm is said to be the former dorm of the rich and luxurious Obelisk Blue students, as well as the site of their exams or something. I heard then, that the three geniuses back then were ... ... Zane Truesdale. Fubuki Tenjouin, but there was also another one ... ...
"Eh? Another ... ...one?"
"Ah. I plan to see if there are other records of their disappearance, so try not to interfere."
-Konami arrived on the scene, and he sees Asuka confronting Gerard. "So please, I need this to find the missing people." 'And to also ... ...earn a lot of money from this, and get revenge on those bastards ... ... ... ... '
"...what-!? Are you ... ... a spy-!? Did you come here to expose on the disappearances of the Obelisk Blue ... ...including ... ...My brother ... ... "
'...As expected. This is the younger sibling of Tenjouin Fubuki. But ... ... ... ... well I can understand your reservations, so ... ... "
"No. It is not something you understand, yet. Here, I have pictures of you being in this vicinity so that you won't tell anything regarding this Abandoned dorm or the missing students. The money you may earn may put you in for life."
"Grr ... ...I may have underestimated you, but I - "
"That's enough, Asuka."
-Konami showed himself in front of the two. ""K-K-KONAMI-!""
"...So Gerard, it was a lie, then ... ...? That you got held back, or that you were ... ...bad at dueling ... ...? And that you gave up upon it ... ...?"
"N-No, that's ... ...Hm, well, I didn't really answered Judai's question about being held back, but I DID not lie when I told you I lost to Seto Kaiba, and then, I lost my passion for dueling, when I was using the same Elemental Heroes as Judai."
"You're using the Same Elemental Hero deck as Judai-!?" Asuka asked in great disbelief.
"Yes. I am. Good lady, but right now, this is the only thing for me, or at least, since I lost my passion for dueling, I've been on the dumps, but now, I'm back. And I used to be a reporter and it's my hobby to search the truth on others, so now, I'm willing to - - "
"No! This isn't something that can be easily told to the public-! It might cause a stir, not to mention a ruined reputation on the academy's part!" Asuka objected.
"Hmph! It's the academy keeping dark secrets, not the other way around!"
"T-That's ... ... "
"Don't abuse truth or fact, Gerard. That is ... ... " Konami said or spoke up all of the sudden - - "It's true that being honest is important, or that people must learn of the truth, but there are people out there not willing to accept the truth - or for who you are, that is why we need support from our friends, and family alike, it doesn't matter as long as it's someone you're bonded with. Heck, even those who are strangers to us, can or will help us."
'...Onii-sama ... ... ' -More signs of Fubuki onto Konami, as it seems - - "I appreciate your concern, Konami, but I have to do it-! I have to try-!"
"Oi! Hold a moment-! I will have you arrested for this-!"
"Asuka!" Konami called out.
"Konami ... ...This is something I cannot let just be ignored, you may not understand, but ... ... "
"...Asuka. People are doing everything they can, even though you may not like it sometimes, you'll have to give it all in the moment, and do not get distracted by time itself."
"...T-Time ... ...? T-That's ... ...say, what if people can no longer represent themselves, and ... ... "
"...Is that really what they think-? The light is within people, and they can make their situation A-okay, any one can. So Asuka, do not waste your time on books and stuff, or just them, at least. Try to enjoy being with your friends, and even more importantly, watch as I try to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible-! And don't you worry, the truth hurts only to those who defy or deny it."
"... ...Onii-sama ... ... ... ... ... ... " Asuka shook her head, after seeing Fubuki's visage or figure onto Konami, as if they're entirely the same, but then again, his usage of Red-eyes Black Dragon, as well as his goofy nature at times, reflect or can be compared to that of Fubuki's ... ...
...
...
...At the duel stadium of which a lot of people has gathered ... ...
"Ladies and gentlemen-!" Crowler is doing the announcing, as usual - - "The time has cometh for us to determine the representative of our beloved Duel Academy, for this duel shall decide that very factor-! On one side of the corner, is Misawa Daichi senior-! And on one side corner, an Osiris drop out boy."
"-That wasn't a very nice introduction ... ... " Syrus bemoaned Crowler's disdain to the Osiris red students - - "Can't be helped. I've learned that the hard way. Crowler is always pushing us to do something drastic, and we may actually end up getting sabotaged in our own stance for as long as he's in control."
-Zane Truesdale and Chancellor Sheppard arrived at the side corner. "Gr, now, for that drop out boy to finally be rid off, and not become a stain in our representation of our academy. Daichi Misawa senior must be the one to win this, he has talent and potential, and I would certainly NOT let this OSIRIS DROP OUT BOY become the representative of this school, no matter what-!"
-Everyone becomes tense, especially Syrus, at Crowler's behavior right now - that includes Chumley now, "Uh, d-don't you think Doctor Crowler is acting suspicious-?"
"Hmhm. He's acting like he's plotting something. But then again, you and Judai ended up fighting a bunch of duelists like the Labyrinth brothers who are said to have given the legendary duelist, Yugi Mutou, a hard time." Chumley said, which only raised more concern for Syrus for Judai - - "Now, Ichiban-kun. Your call first, but I should warn you. I've developed a strategy that might solve the equation of defeating your deck, so be warned, don't underestimate your opponent."
"-Huh-? You did your research-? Ah, haha, sorry, I'm not very good at that. Misawa."
"Hm, I'm quite aware of that. You don't have to be embarrassed about that fact, though. So does everyone have talent that those who contribute to society are those attaining effort to make their situation A-okay. As such, can only benefit into society."
"Haha, okay, then, ore no taan-!" -Judai begun with his turn, and right then, Pharaoh, the cat, is watching with some alertness since something is amiss - - at the computer room of the Academy, Gerard made his way here - - and begun to slice through the security, while trying to avoid the many guards, and the chairwoman, who has detected an intruder here, as they're on a search for Gerard, that same intruder - - and he begun to type rapidly then, as he sees the profile of the missing students - including Fubuki Tenjouin. Someone Gerard remembered that he did told Asuka that he intends to help the missing victims - and help Asuka, too, and make a fortune for himself - - Back to the duel of Judai and Daichi,
-Turn 1: Judai's turn.
"Here goes, I activate the magic card, Fusion -!"
"-Halt it, Judai-! I activate the spell, Forbidden Spell: Rule Stalwart-! This lets me negate the activation of a trap, magic or even a monster effect, and remove that same card from play and it cannot be retrieved by no normal means!" -That shocked Judai and the others, as of then, that everyone is on an uproar now - - and then Judai realized and the others, too, especially Syrus and Chumley - "T-That's absurd-! Aniki's deck mostly focuses on Fusion summoning-! But without the fusion, now ... He can't fusion summon anything!"
-Judai grimaced his fate, but Crowler is grinning like made - now, as he just thought that he finally had the chance to rid the influence of Judai, once and for all - Daitokuji-sensei does noticed his behavior, "-what's wrong, Judai-? Is that all? Are you finished?"
"...Hm." Judai smirked for some reason, which caused Crowler to be silent, too - "That was a nice combo there, Misawa. But, fusion isn't the only capability of the Elemental Heroes-! Though, this is probably the best duel I've had in this academy-!"
"-why thank you, Ichiban-kun. This is also my most awaited duel with you, so to that, let's proceed on, Judai-kun!"
"Ah. It's still my turn. Bubble Man in DEF position. Since he's the only monster card I got on my field, I get to draw two cards from my deck-!"
-Judai does so, and just drew winged Kuriboh and Transcended wings, that he can activate by giving winged Kuriboh a level 10 star and he can tribute it to destroy all monsters and inflict the same ATK to their LP. "Now, Elemental Hero, Clayman, in DEF position. Plus, I activate a magic card that lets me have six-hand cards, from here onwards. I'm not holding my breath, Misawa-!"
"I won't hold back, either-! Now, ore no taan-! I summon Oxygedon-! Hydrogedon-!" (Note: Oxygedon and Hydrogedon have exchanged names in this story in contrast to the anime or Duel Monsters game, as for why, I, too, don't know, as I'm just following or going along with the flow.)
"Ah...!"
"-Oxygedon and Hydrogedon have the special abilities to special summon either of them, to that, I summon another Hydrogedon and Oxygedon-! That's it for now. I still have to calculate my move!"
"Ah-! Amazing, Misawa-! I didn't think that you could summon four monsters in just one turn-!"
"Hm, calculative dueling is my style-! So for now, Judai-kun, it's your turn!"
-Turn 3: Judai's turn.
"Here goes - Ore no taan-! Elemental Hero, Sparkman, in ATK position! Plus, I use the Plasma Force Field, this lets me summoned forth a power up field to Sparkman to at least 30% power, up to 2500 ATK power-! The Elemental Heroes have more than the fusion combo to be their ultimate combo power-! Now, attack them all, "Attack-All", Sparkman Electro Shock-!"
-Sparkman emanated a bunch of shock current towards the dragon water monsters-!
"Now, I get to - "
"Not so fast, Ichiban-kun! Your own magic just empowered both of my hydrogedons now, have you forgotten-? Electricity gets multiplied when soaked with water bodies-! -So that's it-!"
"Hehe, but I'm not done yet, Misawa-!"
-Judai used Pot of Greed, "Magic card, Pot of Greed! I draw two cards, and then, Jar of Greed and Pot of Greed, again, I draw three cards-!" He does so, "Sweet-! -My turn still, I activate Ray Blaster, this, like Bubbleman, negates damage calculation to Sparkman and prevents him from being destroyed! Now, Misawa, I use this-! Neo Spiral Force-! This doubles a monster's ATK power, thus, Sparkman has 5000 ATK power-!"
-That impressed the crowd, especially Syrus and Chumley. "All right-! Aniki has managed to find a way around without fusion-!"
"Yeah-! He's really a dueling genius-!" Chumley cheered.
"You're really a genius, you know that-? Though your grades don't apply much to dueling, you're pretty much a dueling genius on this field."
"Haha, thanks, Misawa. -well, are you gonna do something? Or ... ... "
"Hmph! Of course, I will-! Now, I summon forth, a six-hand magic card, water reflection-! -water can be an impregnable shield, Ichiban-kun, it acts as your reflection, too, like what or who you are to be, and thus, with this, I summon - Jam Deflector Device, this lets me attack a Jam monster - or to be precise, an attack will be directed to a jam monster, I activate Charity of The Pure Integrity-! -Allowing me to summon a level 3 or lower level monster, come forth, Revival Jam-!"
"What!? Revival Jam-!?"
"This card is indestructible on the field, and it revives every time it's destroyed-! So now, all attacks go to Revival Jam, and now, he revives, negating all the attack-!"
-The crowd were impressed at that, "Ah...! Y-You negate all the ... ... all of my attack ... ... "
"...well, I wouldn't say I'll hold my breath, too. This water deck is my best, Judai, it holds my own calculation and my own integrity as a duelist."
-Crowler couldn't help but grin, and deems Judai has no chance of winning since the Fusion card is no longer in play, so he grins like silly again, much to Daitokuji's ire, but also feels he's going to get what he deserves. "Hm, not bad, Misawa. This may be the best duel I'll experience so far!"
'...It's true, removing the fusion card was the trump card for Misawa to prevent all the road for Judai Yuki to summon forth his strongest monsters. But, power without subtly is no more than an unstoppable force that has no direction - thus, they will only lead to one's own downfall.' Zane thought in an analytical manner.
"-All right, for now, I put one card faced-down. And end my turn."
-Turn 4: Daichi's turn.
"-Then, ore no taan-! -Now, I use a magic card, water deflection-! This lets me tribute a water monster that is at least level 6 or more, so I discard one card. Then, the water monster gains all of the other water monsters' on the field's ATK power-! But, in return, I cannot attack with the other monsters-!"
-Crowler laughed his head off, again, and deems this is the end of Judai. And right then, Daichi attacked with water ray blaze attack - that penetrated through the field, "Magic card, Bubble-Blaster-! Plus, Neo-Bubbleman-! Now, I get to attack on even terms with you, Misawa-!"
-Like he said he attacks using water, fight water with water, as it seems - and it collided into a collision of waves that destroyed the entire sight of them - until it was then, that the field is cleared up - "Yosh! Now this is a duel I've been eager to fight on-!"
"Ah, me, too!"
-The crowd cheered or give applause for both duelists, "So, Ichiban-kun, this is really what it means to fight on equal grounds. So this is now, your full potential-?"
"Haha, I don't know. But now, it's still your turn. But for now, I activate - Skyscraper-!"
-The skyscraper city like landscape is activated, riling up the crowd - and Gerard, who is passing by, sees this, and remembers his own dueling, and the city is so full of wonders - for entertainment becoming the most common thing to achieve peace to the mind - - "T-This is ... ... Skyscraper ... ...My card that is ... ...before Seto Kaiba ... ... "
...Flashback ... ...
...Gerard has accessed some of the profiles of the missing students - - and right then, he hits the jackpot, as he just found the missing report about the disappearance of the students and that the Academy intended to keep it a secret - and upon hacking it onto a disk, he managed to obtain the necessary file - his mission already done with. "All right! -with this, I can hit a fortune after I told the media that Duel Academy is not such a fun dueling institution, after all! And now, all I need is a boat ... ...oh, maybe I can catch the next ferry after here-! Now ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...Hm, why does keep - Oh, why is Judai keep popping up on my head - Huh-? -what the... ...?"
...End of Flashback ... ...
...Gerard arrives on the dueling stage and sees Judai dueling Misawa Daichi, "It's still my turn now, Judai-! Okay, though I cannot attack with my other monsters - calculation can be divided, in other words, you have to be open minded in all sort of various situations, it doesn't mean it's shrewd, it just means to be able to keep a calm mind and being creative - but of course, some people seem to be tainted at its blinding light, so don't underestimate just how far you have to cross under the boundary, Judai-! I activate, "Counter", and "Effect-All", thus, all of my other monsters, attack-! Go, water flash attack-! -water deflection blast-!"
-Earlier, as per effect of Neo-Bubbleman's effect, Oxygedon is destroyed, and Daichi only has three monsters left - and now, Gerard looks with great anticipation, "Magic card, Hero Barrier-! This lets me defend a Elemental Hero from an attack, now, with Sparkman being equipped with Electro ray, damage calculation is negated as well as him being sent to the graveyard-!"
-Gerard watches with great interest, and right then, Konami arrives at the scene, actually, he saw Gerard walking on the hall, and deems he did something rash or something rushful, so he thought to take a closer look at him - and now, he finds him admiring the Skyscraper of Judai, Gerard's own former deck of Elemental Heroes.
-Konami then decides to show himself and watch this representative duel, of sort - - "Thus, I protected myself, Misawa-!"
"Not bad, Judai. But as I know, your Neo-Bubbleman's effect is..."
"Precisely! Now, Hydrogedon is destroyed-! As per effect of Neo-Bubbleman, I protected him from your attack using Hero Barrier!"
"Not a bad combo, now, I put one card faced-down. And end my turn."
-Turn 5: Judai's turn.
"Then, here goes, Ore no taan-! I summon Burst Lady, in DEF position. And I put three cards faced-down. Turn End."
"-what-? Is that all... ...? Hm, I guess you might have a tactic in mind - but that's just a guess, but assumptions only means something is on the way. So, Ore no taan-! I summon forth Delta Squad Group, when two of a pairs are summoned along with another one, now, I use Mirage Ruler. I summon forth the two monsters I had, Oxygedon and Hydrogedon, back to the field. Thus, Delta Squad Group is activated - They all share their level of stars, and more than that, I get to draw five cards from the top of my deck. Judai, four times four is sixteen, thus, all of my monsters are now 24 in total amount of star level, plus, Revival Jam makes it five. But, I use this, Star Level Boost, I equip it onto Revival Jam to add four level that I discard to the graveyard. Now, Judai, I now have 30 amount of star level - enough to ... ...I use this Fusion magic card now, water Emerald Reflection-! This lets me tribute 30 amount or total of water monsters on my hand or field to summon forth, water Timaedragon-! -Show yourself now, oh blazing waves of the sea, please hear our cry, and let us bask in the glory of the reflection of the shimmering reflection upon it, Fusion Summon-! -Come forth, water dragon, Timaedragon-!"
"Oh no-! -Judai-!"
-Gerard shouted amidst the crowd, and only Syrus and Chumley noticed him. "Ah! It's old timer-!"
"Ah, what's he ... ...where's he been-? And, oh, it's Konami-!" Chumley notified.
'...Now then, this monster has ... ...20000 ATK points.' Konami thought observing the field and Judai seems to have a slim chance, but that's a "seem" situation ... ...and Skyscraper is on the field right now, and the crowd goes wild as well as Doctor Crowler as he seems excited that Judai's last turn is now.
"All right, Judai, this is my strongest monster, Timaedragon-! It's the most impregnable and most sharpest form of water reflection that I have-! Now, it's still my turn-! Go, Timaedragon-! Attack his monsters and finish this now, plus, Judai-! -Seal Defense-! You cannot put your monsters into defense mode-!"
"-Heh-! I was waiting for you to do that, Misawa-!"
"What-!?"
"Now, I use, Seal Attack-! This put my Elemental Heroes into DEF mode, again, and I get to draw more cards, using a magic card that lets me draw another one -! This is now ... ...the deciding factor ... ...if I don't draw this right, I'm finished ... ... ... ...Draw-! -Now, ah! I got it-! -Now, I activate the five cards on my substage, plus, Beatrix, Sparkman and Clayman. And Burst Lady-!"
"-Huh-? -wait, Judai, how did you put Clayman even though ... ... "
"Ah! I used Reinforce Guard Defense, when a weak ATK powered monster is all alone and there's no cards on my substage, and I can summon a high defense monster. Thus, I summoned it."
"Ah!"
"Hehe, sorry, I forgot to mention it."
"No. It's ... ...it can be quite forgetful in such situation."
"Now, I activate the five cards on my substage, like Exodia, this card also lets me have a semi-automatic victory-!"
-The Doctor Crowler is in total disbelief. Then, Daichi remembered that aside from Exodia, there are other two cards type, five of them, but require more ... ...effort or performance to perform other than collecting parts like Exodia. As compensate for it having no monsters - or more like, Exodia parts have weak ATK power, thus, compensating for it not having have to be summoned to fulfill the effect - - "Then, you're ... ... "
"Ah-! Come forth, UNITY-! -when all of the five letters of U. N. I. T. Y. are summoned, I can instigate an automatic victory-! -Thus, further more, I must have at least three or more Elemental Heroes on my field!"
-That created an impressive design then, that emanated brightly in the skyscraper in front of everyone as the entire sea or Daichi's field is emanating so radiantly now, that it's like a futuristic technology of a city - with Flame wingedman on top and is about to launch an attack - along with the other "normal" Elemental Heroes, that then penetrated through - as Timaedragon also attacked and so does the Elemental Heroes that resulted in a clash that blinded everyone on the stadium or stage - that then resulted in a blinding collision explosion.
-Leaving forth an amazing and astounding design all over the stage, and right then, Daichi's monster is calmed down as it sank back to the sea water, and Daichi's LP reaches 0.
Judai: 4000 win
Daichi: 0 Lose
-The crowd cheered more loudly now, and Asuka noticed Gerard and Konami - at the side corner, as the crowd cheered more loudly. "Mamamiiiiaaaaa-!"
"It's over. -when it comes to Judai, Misawa miscalculated." Zane said.
"And the winner of the duel is ... ...Judai Yuki-kun!"
-Chancellor Sheppard announced much to Crowler's grimacing and crying, and Daitokuji sensei consoling him again, but he got frightened by Pharaoh the cat.
'...Judai-kun. You really perform an alchemy deck style. It's really interesting nyaa~~'
-The crowd cheered loudly, "All right! Judai! You've won fair and square, and that was a fun duel-!"
"Ah, old timer! I see you're here! Did you see that-!? Misawa got me in a tight spot!"
"Hm, see ya! It was fun while it lasted-! See ya-!"
"Huh? But ... ... "
-Konami has made it out of the building, finding no place in there ... ...at least, in his case, he didn't fit in as he saw it.
And right then, Gerard is pursued by Asuka - - "Hold a moment-! Just who are you, and what are you doing here-? Didn't you ... ... "
"-At first, I just want to find out the hidden information about the missing students to earn fame and money, while informing of the media to rescue the missing students. But now, someone has relived my fighting spirit as a duelist-! So, I'm going to try harder, now and may be then, I'll be able to get back at my usage of my own Elemental Hero-! And I'll use the information I got now to find and find your missing students, including your brother, Asuka Tenjouin-san!"
-Gerard takes his leave, and Asuka ought to ask - - "Then, you won't do anything ... ...how would I ... ... "
"Hehe. The hero always wins, because their honest with themselves-! So trust or cross my heart into it! Heehee." He said, leaving the premises, and ought to catch the next ferry out of the island - with Konami waving at him, and he waves back at him.
...
...
...Later, at the beach ... ...
...Asuka sees Konami sitting by himself at the beach - but then, he pulled something out, it's Red-eyes Black Dragon - - "-That's where you've been. -why didn't you simply joined Judai and the others, there. It's like ... ... you're constantly alone, aren't you ... ...being friends with Judai and the others ... ... "
"...Huh. Friends, huh ... ...if that's the case, they'll probably be the first ones. My childhood is that of ... ...well, staring into the stars, thinking of new possibilities, while admiring the night - and in terms like that, I got really have no one to call my friend, Asuka."
"Eh? R-Really ... ...?"
"Yeah, really. My parents are always out, for some reason relating to their job overseas. They're involved with political entanglements, you see. Leaving me all alone in our house, challenging everyone who is eager to duel, and I get to earn prestige as a result, and earn enough to that of ... ...I heard of the legend of Mutou Yugi ... ... The first duelist to acquire the Sangenshin, or god cards, or whatever people call them ... ... "
"Ah ... Mutou Yugi ... ...He's the idol and image of Duel Monsters, and I heard the one who runs Kaiba Corp. and the founder of this school, Seto Kaiba, they had a fierce rivalry. And I heard they finally settled it during Battle City at that one time - "
"Ah, I heard. But Tenjouin, why don't you just go back to the others-? Besides, I don't think spending some time here is not your habit, unlike mine. Like Zane, I guess, I can kinda relate to watching the seas as it's like communicating with me, like telling me to do something ... ...very important."
"...R-Really?"
"Yeah, really. -well, "Ten" of Tenjouin shouldn't be much of a hassle, once you get ten thousand cards for the red-eyes black dragon, and then, Dark Mega Flare - is the thing that flares you up in the face of passion and heat - "
"NIII-SAMAAAA-!"
"...Huh-? ...D-Did I ... ...was there something I said-?"
"N-No, you're ... ...Konami-! ... ...! ...! ...! -Y-You're ... ...Konami."
"Oi, Asuka, what's gotten into you-?"
"Konami, I ... ...! ... ...Say, won't you ... ...duel me ... ...?"
"Huh...? ... ...Duel you ... ...? You-? An Obelisk Blue ... ... " Konami checks his DP, he'll get another 30000 DP if he gets to win this, which he'd just spent his remaining DPs then to earn Rei a Lightsworn deck to improvise her deck, and make her have a winning hand - - "...All right. If it will calm you down ... ... "
"Ah ... ...I will ... ...I will ... ...sniff, sniff ... ... I miss my brother ... ...but I ... ...maybe I can still do something about this-!"
"...Okay."
-Both duelists activated their duel disks and equipped them on their wrists. ""DUELL-!"
Konami: 4000 LP
Asuka: 4000 LP
""GAME ON-!"" -Both duelists said, as of then - - "Okay, I'll go first. I summon Cyber Tutu by her special ability, she can be summoned if she's the only available monster that I can summon."
"Oh, you don't have a level 4 or lower monsters, then."
"Precisely. Plus, I summon Cyber Petit Angel, in DEF position. She's allowed to take a monster or ritual card that is the monster is also of ritual summoning. Thus, I gain from here. I summon ... ...Fulfillment of Contract-! This lets me summon a Cyber Blader Ritual Monster from my hand or deck. And the one I chose is ... ... Cyber Blader Benten-! This monster can inflict difference to the DEF power of a DEF positioned monster! Plus, two Pot of Greeds. I draw two - No, four cards, from the deck. I put one card faced-down. Turn End."
-Turn 2: Konami's turn.
"Ore no taan-! Red-eyes Dragon Chick in DEF position-! You already know its effect, right-? Now I tribute Red-eyes Dragon Chick to summon forth its older version, Red-eyes Dark Dragon-!"
"...Red-eyes ... ...Black Dragon ... ...Nii-sama ... ...You're ... ...Ah-! ... ... " Asuka seems to be hallucinating that Konami is Fubuki Tenjouin. "Nii-sama ... ...! No, it's ... ...Konami. Hagure Konami, who gave me that Golden Egg Sandwich the other day, and he's been staying with us here in Duel Academy, yet ... ...what is this ... ...feeling I'm having ... ... N-No, I must stay focus-!"
"...You ready, Asuka? I'm about to do something else. Magic card, Dark Mega Flare-! This lets me attack directly with a Red-eyes Black Dragon's ATK power. Now, go, Dark Mega Flare-!"
-Asuka lost some of her LP, and she kneels to the ground, panting for some reason - "Oi, Asuka-! Get ahold of yourself!"
"A-Ah. I'm sorry. I activate my faced-down card. Should I receive a effect damage, I gain 2000 LP add. Thus, saving me at least, 3000 LP."
"Okay. Then, one card faced-down and end my turn."
-Turn 3: Asuka's turn.
"Here goes-! My turn-! Draw! I use Fusion-! I fuse Cyber Blader and Etoile Blader to summon forth the ultimate heroine in the battle, the one that surpasses that of man's ego and the one bringing forth the ultimate Cyber Dance, Cyber Blader-!"
"...whoah."
-Konami said in awe as he watched the female heroine doing some acrobatic dance while rotating around, in her skates, no less - - "Now, I'll show you! Like I showed Judai last time, I checked with my own cohorts that time, since there was a brief of misunderstanding. But right now, I think the proper time for introduction will have to wait - for right now, my Cyber Blader has a dance ball to attend - and that is, Hagure Konami, I notice something in you ... ...you seem to have an habit of making a bad reputation for us Obelisk, well, no, not all of us ... ... "
'...She's acting ... ...she wants me to do something drastic ... ...hmph, well, if it's drastic she wants ... ...then it's drastic she'll get ... ... ... ... "
"...what's wrong? Getting cold feet? Hm, I can understand that. But right now, My Cyber Blader will now attack - For in this turn, we'll see if you're not one of those barbaric men who just look down on others, women, specially! So hear this: Cyber Blader has three special abilities: One, if my opponent has one monster, it's not easily destroyed in battle-! Second, if my opponent has two monsters, then its ATK is double-! And third, if my opponent has three or more monsters, negate the usage of magic, trap, and monster effects-! So that's it, your fate is sealed-!"
"...whoah."
-Konami is in awe again, at the female heroine in front of him, but he also got a trick of his own, so ... ...Lambda has been drawn, already. ...If he fuses this with Dark Sage Magician, which can be summoned by the effect of Time wizard into Dark Magician, but ... ... Konami has a card that ignores that effect of requirements, so oblidging to Asuka's demand ... ...or request, or beggin ... ... ... ...for some reason, Konami ought to do something here ... ... "...Okay, then ... ...I summon Lambda in ATK position-! This card can be summoned in both of our turns, and it cannot act as a monster unit that will defend me like something to defend my LP. And it cannot attack. You've seen this before, too, I think. Against my match against Zane Truesdale, "Kaiser", in other term, and now ... ...I'll introduce you to god, let me show you true power-!"
-At that, Konami used a trap card that lets him discard all of his hand cards and the top of his deck that is 15 cards - - "I activate the trap card, Reckless Draw Cards, but now, I summoned forth, Dragon Piper using Premature Burial-! Oh, and I draw five cards, as a result of the trap card. Now, Lambda-! Fuse with Dragon Piper-!"
-Lambda does so and a fusion is instigated - - "FUSION-!" - - A new monster is summoned, and that is ... ... A Dragon summoner, Lambda. "Dragon Summoner, Lambda-! Lambda gains new special abilities, that's his speciality, fuse into new monsters to form new beings."
"T-That's ... ...That's the card that did in Kaiser, I-I mean Zane-kun!"
"...Now, if you're wondering what I'm about to do, Asuka ... ...well, it's this-! Lambda, his new special abilities include one: All dragons on the field are used a means to use something Inferno Reckless Summon or Cyber Dual Summon, I think, so now I can summon forth other type of the same monsters. Come forth, two other Red-eyes Black Dragons-!"
"...Nii-sama's ... ...ace card ... ... ... ...K-Konami ... ...w-where did you get those three rare cards-!? I heard the're very hard to find cards in the world, and my brother has an upgraded version of it, but it's ... ... a dark one. I don't know what it's called, Red-eyes ... Darkness ... ...Dragon, I think."
"...well, I'm not your brother. Fubuki is in your heart, Asuka. I cannot replace him. And don't try forgetting about him, either. So now, what you cherish the most, let it go, attachment leads to jealousy, Asuka, the shadow of greed. And you may end up losing everything then. So if you wish to find what is important to you, abide by the natural way, and go for it, with your heart in the right place and passion-! Yeah-!"
-Konami just struck a pose that is similar to Fubuki as a way of goofing off, though the ladies seem to be amused by it, and impresses the boys, much to Asuka's great chagrin.
"Any way, this is now! You wish for me to do somethin extraordinary like Fubuki-san-? -well, Lambda's other special ability activates-! -with three high level dragons on the field, level 8 or so. I can ignore any summoning condition and summon a monster from my graveyard and that is ... ...Dark Sage Magician-! Come forth, now-!"
-The dark sage of the century is summoned forth, and seems to have a keen eye on Asuka, as if trying to see through her soul - and the longing for her brother, dear brother ... ... It is there, as Konami also noticed then, with the help of Lambda who helps him see through it, and later on, all sort of movements performed by Fubuki is seen by Asuka's imagination of Konami, for some reason - as for why, well ... ...since that golden sandwich take away, and Manjoume and the others going on an outrage about an Osiris "humiliating" them, for not drawing the sandwich, and trying to "flirt" with the Obelisk Blue princess, as they claim, they - especially Manjoume - - tried to pursue him and he ended up challenging Manjoume, and using Exodia, beat him - -
"Ah ... ...! K-Konami, that's ... ... "
"...Next, I use De-Fusion-! I defuse Lambda from Dragon Piper-! Next, I fuse Lambda with Dark Sage now-! Become an entirely new being, Fusion-! Come forth now, high mage of the court, that may summon forth the ultimate guardian by simply picking out the "head" part of that part - and now, I use Monster Reincarnation-! I pick ... ...Exodia-!"
-That summoned forth the "head" of Exodia, and right then, Lambda, acting as a court mage of all the other court mages - summoned forth the other pieces from the graveyard, hand or deck ... ...
"Now, I instigate the ultimate guardian of Egypt-! Exodia-!"
-The guardian of the Pharaoh is summoned, then, as per effect of Lambda right now, and right then - "Asuka, no hard feelings, this is a duel, after all. Now, attack, Ultimate blast of fist, Exo-Flaaaaaammeee-!"
-That instigated a supreme blast that soon blasted away Cyber Blader but it's not hurting, but actually ... ... the sunset is reflected on this, for some reason, as of then ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Asuka stares at Konami - and right then, Asuka remembered that Fubuki pulled out Exodia - right then, too, and states out that he's gonna do something drastic, like pull out a victory like that - and now, "Remember, Asuka, don't let power blind you. Power is given to those with responsibility. And the only way to gain a lot of power to achieve one's desire, is through hardwork, that is why the Guardian of Exodia is there, for them to prosper - as someone who teaches, one must show responsibility to do something like respect your opponent - so now I respect you now, as a fellow duelist-!"
-Asuka is mesmerized at that, as her LP drops to 0. Losing the duel. And Konami wins by semi-automatic effect ... ...
"...Curse it, I lost-!"
-Asuka cursed, but ... ... ... ...she realized something, too, in this duel ... ... "I... lost, too ... ...to you-? First, it was Judai who beat me, but now ... ...ah, you're really ... ...strong, Konami. You're really ... ...a dueling god ... ... "
"...I don't know. But I suppose I just want to get stronger, to be able to protect those I care about."
"Protect ... ah, that's what my brother said. Ah! That's it! You remind me of my brother, my beloved brother ... ...Nii-sama ... ...I told you before, I came to duel Academy to find the whereabouts of my brother, oh, no, it's only that I told you that he's missing ... ... "
"... ...Yeah, you told me. So, what are you going to do-?"
"I don't know ... ...but, I feel like ... ...something about the GX tournament, like I'll find something there ... ...the tournament says the winner will get a wish from the school, but perhaps more ... ... But Konami, I need a partner! That is why, I'm asking ... ... ... ...I'm asking you, to be my ... ...hm, you've always listened to me, my problems ... ...remember when I mentioned that you heard of my dilemma regarding my brother ... ...? ...That's when I still have to find him, but I have a feeling ... ...just maybe, I'll get what I wish for in the tournament-! So to that, Konami Hagure, please lend me your strength-!"
-She bowed in a begging manner. "-I need your help! That is why, I can find my brother with a smile, and I hope, that in my faith in him, that all I can do is to believe he's okay and having a normal lifestyle. That is why, please, be my partner-! I really need your strength, on this, so -!"
"All right, you don't have to keep repeating the same request. But you see, this tournament, is it a tag duel tournament, or ... ... "
"Huh? A-Ah. It's a tag duel tournament, to foster friendship and bonding to other people, and so ... ...Konami, are you ... ...will you ... ...take my hand in partnership ... ... ... ... ... ... "
"...Yeah. I will ... ... "
"...I ... ...I'm so glad ... ... ... ...Thank you ... ... ...Thank you ... ... ... ... "
...Asuka approached Konami and leaned on his shoulder, crying now, for now, he's going to act as replacement for Fubuki - for now, at least - so that's it. Konami now has one qualification for the tournament, now as for the second one ... ... it's that of resolve, and that of ... ... a strong dignity as a duelist and a friend ... ...so for now ... ...he'll have to settle down ... ... ... ...
End of Chapter 8