It's close to lunchtime, the hunger is truly killing me, but not as much as Takashi. It his face planted onto his deck, now I know what he meant about eating the other day. Sigh, it can't be helped, but I am worried about Yurika. If I recalled, they seemed way too familiar with each other to be strangers, it's more than likely they might've been friends a while back. But seeing how emotional connected Delthea seemed when she ran out of the cafeteria makes me wonder what happened between the two of them. Time flew by fast that I didn't realized the bell rung, the first one I see out was Takashi. He didn't even wait up for me, must be nice to be him right now.

Not having to worry about any future consequence that might occur later on, hopefully not today. Since I am hungry, but I have spoken too soon, since the line was long. Yurika and Takashi were already at the table we usually sit at, eating in front me. Damn them! Ten minutes have passed as I finally got my tray of food, and ate the food with my friends. The crowd won't stop staring at us, probably cause we fought verbally against the "Treasured Child."

"Takashi, slow down. We certainly don't want you to choke."

"But I am so hungry, Yurika!"

I am surprised he was about to talk properly even with a mouthful. The whispers became louder than usual, until I noticed someone walking towards and behind them was...

"Delthea!"

Yurika and Takashi paid no attention to the duo that now stand next to our table, feeling uncomfortable about this until the guy point at me.

"Shizuka!"

"Y-Yes?"

"You are hereby challenged into an Action Duel, by me!"

"Umm.. Who are you exactly?"

His expression looked a bit defeated, I pretty sure he forgot that I never met the guy.

"Oh right, my name is Johan Suzuki! And I hereby challenge you to a Action Duel!"

I was in shock, that the possibility of an action duel was in my gasp and I don't know how to reply. I panicked with my answer.

"I-I refuse!"

"HUH!?"

He seemed in shock that I declined his proposal, it's like his first rejection until Delthea slapped the back of his head to snap out of it.

"You can't decline a rating match!"

"R-Rating?"

"Of cour-!"

He was interrupted by Yurika, she sure has act of doing that often. I think she prefers explaining things instead. Which I had no problems with, after all, she is my friend.

"Rating System is basically ranking, the more wins you have the more chances of career you have in the society. But the more losses you obtain, the higher chance of you being expelled from the academy."

"W-What!? Why didn't you say anything the first time!?"

"Hmm? I honestly believed you knew beforehand, but after your response with him. I just had to explain now before it's too late."

Johan decides to rejoin the conversation between us.

"Anyways.. Rating Duels cannot be declined once announced, it's mandatory!"

My feet begun to quiver due to the fact I haven't not gained enough knowledge of the game yet. But it can't be helped, it's mandatory after all. I have no choice.

"I guess I have to acc-."

Within that moment, I heard a slam on the table as Takashi got up and took a stand for me. Looking down at Johan, he wasn't intimidated by Takashi's height.

"Johan, I am taking over for Shizuka, you will be dueling me instead!"

"Taka, you do remember last time right? Or do I need to remind you?"

"I promise you, it won't be a repeat."

Takashi being serious about this, did he literally do this to protect me? Impossible, Takashi enjoys seeing me squirm for teasing him often.

"Taka, you lost the last time before we returned from spring break. It wasn't long ago."

"Doesn't matter, you tried to engage a rating match with a rookie. She is in a different category from you."

"Why does it matter to you? You never tried to defend your friends before, why now? Is it because she's a looker?"

"No, she may be a beauty, but seeing you trying to increase your numbers on rookies is against the rules. You know that."

"Do you truly believe that the rules are followed with honesty, Taka? If I remember correctly, you broke some rules yourself."

"..."

"And now you are trying to live an honest life? Understand that you are full of shit for doing so. No one changes easily, especially over the rating system, Taka."

"I actually enjoy this lifestyle more than my old days."

"Even so, you can't runaway from the past, that scar you have is proof."

Now that he mentioned it, there was a scar on his face, on his left eye. What rules did he break to cause him that scar in the first place.

"I will see ya after school, meet me at the quad, pretty sure we won't receive as much attention there."

"Indeed, I will see ya then."

"Let's go Dell, the line doesn't seem long as it was before."

"Agreed."

They both walked away to get in line for food, I never seen Takashi get riled up like that. Something else must be behind all this travesty, I don't like it.

"Takashi..."

"Hmm, what is it Shizuka?"

"T-Thank you.."

"Huh? Don't worry about it, it's just people like him that get under my skin at times."

"If I may?"

"What, Yurika?"

"What Johan said was true, did you break the rules at time before you met us?"

Takashi ignored the question, as he continued to eat his food. Yurika gave out a sigh as she took bites out of her caesar salad. While I finished off mines as well, today hasn't been a good day for all of us. School didn't seem long today as well, probably because the weekend is close by, it is Friday after all. As said, the three of us waited at the quad, only seeing a few students here, the sun begun to set.

The skies converting into the color orange, the wind felt a little cold, but it's manageable. The two finally came, the standoff between Johan and Takashi has begun, I don't want to believe that Takashi was formerly a rebel in the system. I enjoy the big idiot's company now.

"Taka."

"Hmm?"

"Understand where you came from, never forget your roots. I hope you understand what I meant."

"We will see about that."

The two finally stood their ground, activating the sequence to authorize an Action Duel. We gave them space, Yurika and I are on the right side, while view Delthea at the left. Something doesn't feel right, I feel chills going down my spine. Nothing about this is meant for entertain, it seems more of fight between animals.

"Shi-Chan."

"Yeah?"

"This could get ugly, if you must. I prefer it if you looked away when it gets gruesome."

"What are you talking about? Takashi isn't a monster, Yurika."

"You don't understand Shi-Chan, this is no Action Duel. This is what happens when people abuse the GN-Holographic System."

"What do you mean?!"

"You are about to witness why we have these rules and restrictions during school days. The fact that it's Friday makes it the perfect opportunity to abuse the system."

"Because it's the weekend.. And no staff are on the premise during that time.."

"Exactly, reason why it's a popular hangout at times like these."

The sphere filled with cards slowly raised upwards to the sealing, while the containment field zoned out the bystanders to avoid crossfire. Attention started, as the crowd was drawn by their match, the wind blew hard, this doesn't feel.

It finally latched onto the sealing, any second now the card will scatter. The field instantaneously terraformed into a wasteland, not much cover to use. It seemed fitting for some reason. Their distance was cleared, duel-disk have been authorized, now they are about to activate the system with their words. Here it comes, their voices synced as one, as the sphere shattered into fragments while the action card flew around the area.

"ACTION DUEL!"

- 3rd Person View -

[LP: 4000 - Takashi]

Vs.

[LP: 4000 - Johan]

Both players jumped back even further away from each other while drawing out their cards instantly during the leap. Standing their ground.

"I will take the first move" - Johan.

"If you must." - Takashi.

"I activate the Continuous-Spell Card, Black Whirlwind, now for each Normal Summon related to Blackwings, I am able to search my deck for a lower-level Blackwing and bring to my hand." He explained, "I Normal Summon, Shura, the Blue Flame in attack mode!" - Johan.

Shura:

ATK/DEF: 1800/1200

Shura appeared next to his master, in fight stance, glaring at Takashi.

"Due to the effect of Black Whirlwind I add Gale - The Whirlwind, and Special Summon it!" - Johan.

Gale:

ATK/DEF: 1300/400

Another Blackwing took flight, as it hovers over Johan as his smirk appeared. Feeling victorious with his field advantage.

"I set two cards facedown and end my turn, your move, Taka." - Johan.

"I draw! And I active the Continuous-Spell, Fire Formation - Tenki! Once activated, I can search for a Beast-Warrior, Yosenju - Kama 3!" - Takashi.

He drew the card that was designated, as his deck auto-shuffled as flames engulfed his side of the field due to Fire Formation. Keeping his glare at Johan, slamming the card on the duel-disk. Summoning Yosenju - Kama #2 on the field to aid him.

"Now I activate Kama's effect! Chain Summon Kama #3 to the field, due to Yosenju Kama #2's effect I could perform another normal summon, the same effect applies with Kama #3! Chain Summon!" - Takashi.

Kama #3:

ATK/DEF: 1500/800

Kama #2:

ATK/DEF: 1800/200

He slammed both his hand together, as wind generated around his body. Summoning Kama #3 and well as Kama #1 to the field.

Kama #1:

ATK/DEF: 1600/500

"Now I activate Kama #1's effect, allowing me to send on face up card to your hand! I will send Shura back to it's nest!" - Takashi.

Kama #1's sickle generated wind, swung it upwards which sent Shura in the air as it vanished. Returning to Johan's hand.

"Now, I begin my assault toward ya, Johan, prepare yourself!" - Takashi.

"Don't get cocky, Taka!" - Johan.

"Attack! Kama #1! Clear the path, destroy Gale!" - Takashi.

Kama #1 dashed toward Gale, attempting to slice through with its sickle until it was unable to move as a black vortex appeared in the middle of the field. A trap card lift off the ground from Johan's field.

"Fool! I activate Black Sonic! Now all attack position monster will be banished on the your side of the field! You idiot!" - Takashi.

"What is that idiot think he is doing!? He is being reckless!" - Shizuka.

"Shi-Chan, I wouldn't worry much about it." - Yurika.

"You heard him! They are getting banished!" - Shizuka.

"Just look, I highly doubt Takashi will allow such a thing to happen." - Yurika.

From Shizuka's view, he swiftly ran towards his left and slide to pick uo an action card that was laying there. Instantly activating it, as the black hole would disappear.

"Action Spell! Defense Ploy! It switches the position of my monster! Since they are all attack mode, they are now in defense." - Takashi.

"Hmph. You got lucky for now Taka, but we know what happens at the end of your turn. That is what you get for using that deck still." - Johan.

"Yurika, what does he mean by that?" - Shizuka.

"Yosenju Archetype is similar to BlackWing Archetype, but with one flaw, which you're about see." - Yurika.

"I set one card face-down, during the end phase all Yosenju monster that been chained summon, including the normal summon will return to my hand. I end my turn." - Takashi.

All three of his monster vanished in a vortex of wind, as they returned to his hand. Knowing that it holds him back. Johan begun to laugh at him as his way of mocking.

"Oh Taka, you truly are a fool. Then again, you become one the moment you decided to 'follow' the rules." - Johan.

"What's your point?" - Takashi.

"It's things like these makes me happy that you left. But it upsets me that you believe that your better person! Taka, literally cut the crap! You are a rebel! Like me!" - Johan.

"Rebel?" - Shizuka.

"Takashi has a lot of explaining to do after all this child's play done with." - Yurika.

"Johan.." - Delthea.

"Now I draw, I normal summon Shura once more, activating Black Whirlwind's effect, adding Blizzard of the North Pole to my hand." - Takashi.

"He is in trouble! He needs to act now before the swarm begins!" - Yurika.

"I special summon Bora - The Spear in attack position! Now, reign over him! Bora! Black Spiral!" - Johan.

Bora:

ATK/DEF: 1700/800

Takashi decided to runaway from Bora's attack, as it rotates 360 degree angle creating a literal black spiral towards him. Takashi was able to pick up the action card and activated but Bora made contact with him, causing Takashi to fly and fall on his back.

"Fool, like I would make it easy for you." - Johan.

[LP: 4000/ 3500 - Takashi]

"Wait what!? How!?" - Johan.

"Action Spell.. Harsh Command.." - Takashi.

"Harsh Command allows the user to evade or endure any attack for the rest of the battle phase, but at the cost of 500 damage." - Yurika.

"Don't believe it will be enough to save you! Gale and Shura! Attack Takashi directly!" - Johan.

The two monster engages Takashi, Shura swinging it's arms at him. Attempt to claw his opponent, Takashi used the ability of Harsh Command to duck and low-kick the monster. Making it hit the floor, as Gale comes it with the second strike, showing it's claws at him. Using his arm to block the claws as it penetrates his skin, using the card once more as he punches Gale in the face to remove it off his arm, jumping back to create some distance.

[LP: 3500/2500 - Takashi]

"Takashi is barely hanging in there." - Yurika.

"Even so, it still doesn't look like that Johan is done yet!" - Shizuka.

"I activate my trap card! Urgent Tuning! I will use my level 3 tuner-monster Gale along with level 4 monster Bora to Synchro Summon!" - Johan.

3* + 4* = 7

"Now take flight, reign over the winds as they are your home! Come forth! Blackwing - Armor Master!" - Johan.

Armor Master:

ATK/DEF: 2500/1500

"Now Armor Master! Direct attack Takashi! Black Hurricane!" - Johan.

"Takashi!" - Shizuka.

Armor Master came within range of Takashi, forcing himself to use Harsh Command once again, using both arms to block it's fist. Pain jolting through out his body as he was pushed back by a few feet, as he got on his knees. Breathing heavily, as he was covered in dirt and bruises, he wasn't looking good in the eyes of spectators.

[LP: 2500/2000 - Takashi]

"I must say, Taka you truly know how to take a beating. That is for sure." - Johan.

"He was lucky enough to pull such a good card at the last minute. Now I don't know if he can actually hold out anymore, Yurika. Isn't there anything he can do!?" - Shizuka.

"He can't do much here, all he has to do is play wisely now. He can't risk using a full on assault. It nearly costed him the match." - Yurika.

"Taka, I am not done with my turn. Guess what I found?" - Johan.

Revealing to the crowd, including Takashi that he picked up an action card while he was distracted with all the commotion. Activating the card, as he dashed over, kneeing Takashi's face forcing him back onto the ground.

[LP: 2000/1500 - Takashi]

"Wait what!? Why did he take damage!?" - Shizuka.

"Action Spell, Phantom Hit. Allows the player to inflict 500 damage once activated. I told you Taka, that you would regret this!" - Johan.

Johan decided to stomp onto Takashi's chest, pressing down hard as he begun to scream in agony. Due to the pain he received from Johan's monsters it made it hard to fight back.

"It's people like you that piss me off, no more, this time I will make sure you suffer for leaving your roots." - Johan.

He finally released his foot from Takashi's chest as he walked away from him. Takashi struggle to get up, staring at Johan, with an angered expression.

"I end my turn, now show me what you can do, Taka." - Johan.

To be Continued...

Chapter V: Scattered Feathers, Broken Promises!