Blue Sky

by Shimmering-Sky

Sky Fudo has never lived an 'ordinary' life. From living through Zero Reverse, to finding out her younger brother is a Signer; from battling Dark Signer and Yliaster alike, 'ordinary' isn't even in her dictionary. Still, it is her life, and she is proud of it. This is the story of how she helped her brother and the Signers save the world (twice).

36. Chapter 36: Imposter

Me: Hey look! It didn't take me four months to update this time!

Sky: Nice, because I want to find out what happens.

Me: Uh, you might not, eh, like the end to this chapter.

Sky: Great…

Leo: Can I make some popcorn?

Me: *clenches fists* No, and please do not ask again. By the way, do any of my readers like the show Criminal Minds? I am so obsessed with it right now. I want to rant about it, but I think I might wait.

Crow: Should I go warn the characters from that show?

Me: …About what?

Crow: That they might end up being chased around by a psycho authoress that sometimes likes to kill off the main characters for fun!

Me: Aw, come on! I've only thought of killing one of them-maybe two-but that would be in an alternate ending to a fanfic I may or may not write!

Crow: I'll just go tell them to watch out now…

Me: Agh, just go! Before I get too carried away, I should start the chapter now. Disclaimers, well, I'm fairly certain you all know I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh 5ds and I do own my OCs. Enjoy!

Chapter 36

I whip around, furious. "You…! I know you're an imposter! And now…" I pause, not believing what I saw and willing tears not to come. I mean, I could only assume what had just happened and the facts pointed towards… well…

"I challenge you to a Turbo Duel, whoever you really are."

The imposter grinned. "I'll take you on any day."

XXX

"Duel!"

Imposter Jack's Life Points: 4000, Sky's Life Points 4000

"I'm taking the lead," I start angrily.

Imposter S.C. 1, Sky S.C. 1

A quick glance at my hand told me I was in for a rough Duel, and not just because I was Dueling someone with Jack's Deck. "I'll start off with Summoning Celestial Defender, obviously in Defense Mode."

Celestial Defender ATK: 500, DEF: 2000, Level 2

"I end with a face-down."

The Imposter grins. "You call that a move?" he asks. "That was pathetic! I draw!"

Imposter S.C. 2, Sky S.C. 2

"Because you control a monster and I don't, I'm allowed to Special Summon Vice Dragon, although its power is halved," Imposter Jack says.

Vice Dragon ATK: 1000, DEF: 1200, Level 5

As the dragon appears, I can't help but think, I'm screwed. I know what he's going to do next.

"And since that was a Special Summon, I can still Normal Summon the Tuner Dark Resonator," Imposter states, and then smiles. "I Tune my level 3 Dark Resonator with my level 5 Vice Dragon."

"The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!"

Red Dragon Archfiend ATK: 3000, DEF: 2000, Level 8

I want to scream right now. This… this… monster has no right whatsoever to use Jack's best card. Instead, I bite my lip and clench my fist together.

"Go ahead, Jack," I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "See what happens when you make me angry."

"I told you before, you don't have the right to call me Jack."

"Yeah, because you really aren't Jack! Just a stuck-up imposter!"

The Imposter snorts. "You'll take those words back once I defeat you. Go ahead Red Dragon Archfiend, why don't you show her pathetic knight off the field? Attack with Absolute Powerforce!"

I let out an audible growl of frustration as the attack rips through my monster. And then I realize that the real Jack was right when he said there was real damage; I could see a scorch mark on the road.

"Not so tough when you're facing a King, now, are you?"

I bite back a smart-aleck comment and glare at the Imposter, "Just finish your turn already."

"I will, but not before placing two cards face-down."

I draw my card without announcing my turn, while pulling ahead of the Imposter.

Imposter S.C. 3, Sky S.C. 3

Taking a look at the card, I smile. This should turn things around.

"I Summon Celestial Rose to the field in Attack Mode!"

Celestial Rose ATK: 0, DEF: 0, Level 1

A silver and gold colored well… obviously a rose appears on my side of the field. Its thorns are out and look slightly menacing.

"You call that a monster? I've seen trees that look more menacing than that flower!" the Imposter says with a laugh.

Just wait until you see its effect, I think. "I end with one face-down."

"My turn then," the Imposter says.

Imposter S.C. 4, Sky S.C. 4

"You don't stand a chance! I Summon Luster Dragon in Attack Mode!"

Luster Dragon ATK: 1900, DEF: 1600, Level 4

"Luster Dragon, attack her pathetic rose!" the Imposter shouts.

"You're going to have to try better than that," I interrupt. "I activate my trusty Quick-Play Speed Spell-Celestial Reflector, which means that your attack is null and void, Jack."

The Imposter frowns. "You forgot about my Red Dragon Archfiend, it can still attack, and has much more strength than your flower does. Red Dragon Archfiend, show her what I mean!"

I brace myself, knowing full well that my Life Points were needed as a sacrifice if I was going to turn this Duel around. Even so, as the dragon's claw ripped through Celestial Rose and on into me, I weave off-course, wobbling slightly.

Sky's Life Points: 1000

I also definitely feel blood rolling down my face, but it doesn't matter. Because as the dust settles, one of my ace monsters, other than my Synchros, is standing next to me.

"That was your mistake, Jack; since you destroyed Celestial Rose in battle, I'm allowed to Special Summon a 'Celestial' monster from my Deck that has equal or less ATK than the damage I took. The monster I Summon also gains 500 ATK," I say.

Celestial Knight-Jupiter ATK: 2900 to 3400, DEF: 1000, Level 8

The Imposter snarls at me. "Grr, I end my turn."

"That means it's my turn," I say. The card I draw makes my plan even better.

Imposter S.C. 5, Sky S.C. 5

"Since I have a face-up 'Celestial' monster, I can Special Summon Celestial Knight-Saturn in attack mode," I say with half a smile on my face. "And because I did so, I get one card from my Graveyard as an added bonus. I choose my Speed Spell-Celestial Reflector."

Celestial Knight-Saturn ATK: 2000, DEF: 1000, Level 4

A knight clad in dark gold-and-silver colored armor appears next to me. He joins the larger knight that is clad in royal purple armor. Both knights hold long swords.

If only I had another monster in my hand, this Duel would be mine, I think. Well, possibly mine, since he has those two face-downs.

"Let's go, Celestial Knight-Jupiter! Show Red Dragon Archfiend what you're made of with Imperial Thunder Slash!" I shout with glee.

Of course, the moment of happiness was not to last. "You think I'll let you even touch my Red Dragon Archfiend?" the Imposter asks. "I activate the Continuous Trap Fiendish Chain! Not only does this card prevent that Celestial Knight-Jupiter from attacking, it also negates his effects."

Several slightly-glowing chains appear and wrap themselves around my larger knight, effectively binding him.

Actually, I expected that move. Just wait for the second effect of Celestial Rose to kick in, then we'll see who is laughing.

"Well, my Celestial Knight-Saturn can still get rid of your other dragon, Jack," I say. "So go ahead, Saturn, wipe that smile off his face!"

I'll be happy to, Mistress, said my knight. Then he drove his sword through Luster Dragon, the latter separating into tiny pixels.

Imposter's Life Points: 3900

Even though he hardly lost any Life Points, the Imposter's Runner quivered violently. I had accidentally put some of my own power into that attack, in addition to whatever freaky force was making the damage real in this battle.

Oops.

You seriously need to be more careful, a voice says. I know it's Reshiram and that she wants to give me a scolding, most likely, so I shut her out and continue my turn.

"I'm going to place a card face-down and end my turn," I say, and then grin wildly.

Many silver thorns appear to be coming out of the ground, enveloping Red Dragon Archfiend.

"What is this!?" the Imposter demands, shock and anger clearly visible on his face.

"That, my friend," I say, quite literally forcing the word 'friend' out, "is why you don't want to mess with Celestial Rose. You see, Celestial Rose has a second effect: when it is removed from the field, during my next End Phase-which is now-I'm allowed to select and destroy one monster on the field. I'm pretty sure it's obvious what my choice is."

If looks could kill, I would probably have just been hit by a nuclear warhead, brought back to life, and killed again, this time slowly and painfully, by the look the Imposter is giving me.

Strangely, I can imagine the same look on the real Jack's face.

The thorns drag the thrashing dragon into the ground and disappear altogether. I let out a breath I was holding; I had thought that the Imposter would have found a way around that. The real Jack probably could have.

"You are going to pay for that," the Imposter snarls at me. "It's my turn!"

Imposter S.C. 6, Sky S.C. 6

The look on the Imposter's face looks like it was a bad draw, but that he was formulating a plan. Great, that's just what I need.

"I set a card face-down and end my turn."

I hesitate before I draw. Now I know something is up, and I'd rather not find out. "I draw!"

Imposter S.C. 7, Sky S.C. 7

I look at the card. Perfect.

"I play the Quick-Play Speed Spell-Mystical Space Typhoon! I remove 2 of my Speed Counters to destroy that Fiendish Chain," I say.

Sky S.C. 5

"And with that out of the way, and no monsters on your field, my knights will attack you directly, Jack."

"Actually, that just gives me the chance to activate Battle Fader's ability," the Imposter says. "I can Special Summon it, and also call an abrupt end to your Battle Phase."

As the small monster appears, it sounds like a bell rang, and my knights stop their attacks.

Battle Fader ATK: 0, DEF: 0, Level 1

I frown. I forgot he had that card. Shortly followed by; This Imposter is good. Now why did I think that?!

"I guess I'll end my turn then," I say. "You're up."

"I know that," the Imposter says, slightly irritated. "I draw!"

Imposter S.C. 8, Sky S.C. 6

The Imposter grins, which looks a lot like a smirk. "This is just what I need to win! First I Summon the Tuner Dread Dragon," he says.

Dread Dragon ATK: 1100, DEF: 400, Level 2

"Now I activate one of my face-downs, which just so happen to be the Continuous Trap Powerful Rebirth! This lets me bring back Luster Dragon, increasing its Level by one and its ATK by 100," the Imposter says.

What are you planning? I've already defeated your Red Dragon Archfiend, I think.

Luster Dragon ATK: 1900 to 2000, DEF: 1600, Level 4 to 5

"I Tune my Level 2 Dread Dragon with my Level 1 Battle Fader and Level 5 Luster Dragon! Surprised, are you? I Synchro Summon my second Red Dragon Archfiend!" the Imposter shouts.

Red Dragon Archfiend ATK: 3000, DEF: 2000, Level 8

"N-No way! There's only one copy of that card in existence!" I exclaim.

Then it hits me. If this Imposter copied Jack's entire Deck, then he would have thought ahead and made multiple copies of Red Dragon Archfiend. If only I knew how that works…

The Imposter smiles, "Well, there's obviously more than you knew about." He pauses. "I activate another one of my face-down cards, another Continuous Trap called Shadow Spell! With this, I can select a monster on the field. It loses 700 of its ATK Points and it can't attack! Obviously, I choose your Celestial Knight-Jupiter."

I wince. There goes my field advantage.

"Now, Red Dragon Archfiend, attack her Celestial Knight-Saturn and end this Duel! Go, Absolute Powerforce!"

"I play the Quick-Play Speed Spell-Celestial Reflector!" I counter, internally praising myself for choosing that card instead of a monster when Celestial Knight-Saturn's effect was activated. "You know what it does."

"Hmph, you get another turn then," the Imposter says.

"Good," I say while drawing my card. I wince slightly as I do so, the pain from the earlier Red Dragon Archfiend attack starting to get to me.

Imposter S.C. 9, Sky S.C. 7

"I Summon the Tuner Celestial Knight-Uranus! But he won't be staying long, for I Tune him with my Level 4 Celestial Knight-Saturn! As night falls and darkness rises, the stars gather together to form one mighty beast! Synchro Summon! Bring forth the light, Celestial Dragon-Quasar!" I chant.

Celestial Dragon-Quasar ATK: 3000, DEF: 2000, Level 8

"Not only that, but because my Celestial Knight-Uranus was used in the Synchro Summon of a 'Celestial' monster, he can come back to the field in Defense Mode!"

Celestial Knight-Uranus ATK: 1500, DEF: 1000, Level 4

One of the Imposter's eyes twitch. "You just don't know when to give up, do you?" he asks.

I laugh. "Me? Give up? If you were the real Jack, you would know I would never do something like that!" I pause, flinching as I stop laughing. "Since our dragons have the same power, I'm just going to end my turn."

"My turn." The Imposter pulled the card from his Deck.

Imposter S.C. 10, Sky S.C. 8

"You're going to regret messing with me, Fudo, because I just drew the card that marks your defeat! I activate the effect of Speed World 2, which says I can remove ten Speed Counters and destroy one card on the field. Obviously I choose Celestial Dragon-Quasar."

A bolt of light from the Imposter's Runner tears through my silver dragon. Crap. That was my best card.

"Now I Summon Archfiend Interceptor to the field in Attack Mode!" he continues, adding to my fear that I might lose this turn.

Archfiend Interceptor ATK: 1400, DEF: 1600, Level 4

"Archfiend Interceptor, take out Celestial Knight-Uranus!"

Now I'm wide open, and the card I have down won't do a thing against a direct attack, much less one from Red Dragon Archfiend.

The realization hits me almost like I ran into a brick wall. I'm going to take the next attack, and lose. Oh my god, this is going to hurt so much.

"Red Dragon Archfiend, end this Duel! Attack with Absolute Powerforce and finish the rest of her Life Points!" the Imposter shouts with what seems like glee.

The dragon's claw becomes wrapped in flames, and strikes me without holding back. If I thought my Duel with Roman had hurt, then words couldn't begin to describe what I feel now.

Sky's Life Points: 0. Winner: Imposter Jack

My Runner gives out after my Life Points hit 0, and I skid along the ground, only adding to the immense pain I felt.

In the moment before I lose consciousness, I realize four things. First, that strange Infinity Symbol had appeared at the beginning of the Duel, and that's why the damage was real. Secondly, I wouldn't be able to heal myself. Third, I probably shouldn't have gone into this Duel angry.

And the last thing, of all the times to have humor smack me in the face, was that neither of the two Red Dragon Archfiends that the Imposter had Summoned were red. One of them was purple and the other was blue.

I swear I lost consciousness with a grin on my face.

XXX

Me: There, that's how I end the chapter. Oh yeah, Crow, you probably did a good thing warning those Criminal Minds people. The original idea for this chapter ended with… well… you know.

Sky: I'm not even going to bother with that, but seriously, what was up with the different colored Red Dragon Archfiends?

Me: I just can't believe the real characters-no offense-didn't see that in the original show. I mean, it isn't Red Dragon Archfiend if it's purple!

Sydney: So true. So very, very true…

Me: …Okay… I guess I'll just request the usual. Reviews are lovely! Flames are okay too! If you don't like my story, I want to hear why!

Crow: Tell me if you flame it! I'll help you!

Sydney: Me too!