Author's Note: I know I said this chapter would take a while to get up, but I had not intended for this long of a delay. This time the delay wasn't so much caused by my online class as it was by all this yard work I had to do over the course of last week. This is one of the reasons why I don't like summer.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL.
Chapter 11: Fated Rivals
It was the second day of the preliminary round, and the duel between Yuma and Kaito was only moments away. The stadium was already packed with fans eager to see the two duelists face off. Many of the people watching still remembered Yuma and Kaito from their performance in the World Duel Carnival. Kotori, Droite, Cathy and Anna were back up in the stands along with most of the former Barians. Rio, Mizael and Stacy were there as well, as they had been knocked out of the tournament. Yuma and Astral meanwhile were silently waiting down in the dugout with most of the other competitors. They had hardly said two words to Kaito since they arrived at the stadium, but that moment was not the time for words.
"You okay, Yuma?" Hikari asked, stirring the young duelist from his thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm good." Yuma assured her. "I'm just a little excited and nervous about my duel with Kaito. I think Astral's the same way."
"I didn't think you were the type to get nervous." Hikari told the energy being.
"Kaito is the strongest duelist Yuma and I have encountered to date." Astral replied. "We've never won against him."
"Well maybe this time will be different." Hikari told them.
"We'll find out pretty soon." Yuma replied.
"The next duel between Yuma Tsukumo and Kaito Tenjo will now commence!" the referee announced. "Will both duelists please step onto the stage?"
With that, Yuma headed for the stage with Astral and Kaito. Once they took their positions on what would soon become a battlefield, Yuma and Kaito looked each other in the eye.
"Yuma… this duel between us was bound to happen sooner or later." Kaito spoke. "In fact I've actually been looking forward to this day."
"Same here." Yuma replied. "I was hardly able to get any sleep last night thinking about this."
"Still, I cannot let you and Astral win here today!" Kaito declared. "The chance of you dueling Alnia is too big of a risk to take. You could lose, and if that happens, she'll take the Numeron Code and plunge this world into darkness."
"Then Astral and I just won't lose!" Yuma declared.
"You and Astral are strong, but I highly doubt you'd have a chance against Alnia." Kaito replied. "She even defeated me. And since you and Astral have never beaten me, you'd probably wouldn't stand a chance against Alnia."
"Then there's simply only one thing to do, isn't there Yuma?" Astral interjected.
"That's right! Astral and I will prove we're strong enough to beat Alnia by beating you!" Yuma told him.
At this, Kaito smirked. "That was just the response I was expecting to hear from you. Okay then. If you can surpass me right here and now, then I'll know that you can surpass Alnia!"
"You're on!" Yuma agreed.
"Let the duel… begin!" the referee declared.
Yuma activated his D-Gazer and duel disk. Kaito activated his own duel disk and D-Gazer tattoo. As the audience members activated their own D-Gazers to watch, Kaito's usual black outfit turned white. In an instant the color of the surrounding area went through a slight change.
"I'll go first!" Kaito declared with his first draw. "I summon Photon Baby in Defense Mode!"
Appearing on Kaito's side of the battlefield was a small robot-like creature with blue armor covering its head and torso, and blue and white armor on its arms. Instead of legs, the creature's lower half was a pair spheres made of blue light. The creature had a single red eye, and in its right hand it carried a small sword.
"I set one card on the field and end my turn." Kaito announced.
Yuma drew his first card. "I summon Zubaba Knight in Attack Mode!"
Materializing on Yuma and Astral's side of the battlefield was a knight clad in red, gold and black armor. On the back of the knight's helmet was a large jagged ornament that slightly resembled a lightning bolt, and on his back was a flowing red cape. In each hand the knight carried a jagged sword, and attached to the back of both blades was a round orange emblem that bore a symbol that looked similar to the letter Z.
"Since I just summoned a level three Warrior monster, I can also summon Kagemucha Knight!" Yuma announced.
A shadow appeared on the ground next to Zubaba Knight and rose up to take the form of a black shadowy warrior. Dark reddish-brown armor covered the warrior's head and torso, and its eyes were two large yellow circles.
"Using the level three Zubaba Knight and Kagemucha Knight, I build the overlay network and Xyz Summon Number 17: Leviathan Dragon!" Yuma announced.
A large vortex in the form of a galaxy appeared in the center of the battlefield and pulled in the two knights as balls of blue energy. Rising out of the galaxy only seconds later was a large ornate round object that looked like it had a blue serpent coiled around it. Orbiting the object were two balls made of blue light. The object soon uncoiled and changed shape to take the form of a purplish-blue serpentine dragon with red eyes and a long narrow body. The dragon had three pairs of blue wings on the sides of its body, and on the back of its head was a large blue fin. On the dragon's head were five grey horns that pointed forward, and glowing on its large left horn in yellow alien writing was the number 17.
"It's been a long time since I've seen Yuma and Astral use that Number." Kotori recalled up in the stands.
"Is that the Number Nasch ended up using during his very first duel with Yuma and Astral?" Durbe asked.
"Yep. Same one." Kotori confirmed.
"You're starting out this duel using that Number?" Kaito asked. "I'll admit it has a decent effect, but I'm sure there are plenty of better Numbers you could've summoned."
"Any Number has the potential to grow into a powerful force." Astral told Kaito. "All it takes is the right card to bring it out!"
"And with that cue, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Limited Barian's Force!" Yuma announced. "With this card, I use Leviathan Dragon to rebuild the overlay network and Xyz Summon Number C17: Leviathan Devil Dragon!"
Another galaxy-like vortex appeared on the field as Leviathan Dragon changed back to its sealed form. The object receded back into the galaxy and a pillar of red light shot from the center soon after. Rising out of the vortex as the energy subsided was a new object that looked like it had a red serpent coiled around it and a red diamond on the front. Sticking out of the top was a golden spike, and on the sides of the object were two golden blades reminiscent of sides of the Barian Emblem. In moments the object transformed to become a new and larger version of Leviathan Dragon.
The dragon had changed from blue to red, and his wings along with the fin on the back of his head had turned black and had lines of crimson energy glowing on them. On the front of the dragon's chest was a golden version of the Barian Emblem. The dragon's horns had turned gold, and the number 17 on his left horn had become the color of dried blood. On the ground in a circle around the dragon were three red crystals covered with gold plates.
"I activate Leviathan Devil Dragon's effect!" Yuma announced. "By detaching one of his overlay units, I can double Leviathan Devil Dragon's ATK from 2100 to 4200 until the end of my opponent's turn!"
One of the crystals around the crimson aquatic dragon shattered and released a bolt of gold electricity that went into the emblem on the dragon's chest. Leviathan Devil Dragon roared and began to glow with a red aura.
"Not bad." Kaito remarked. "Of course all that ATK would mean more if my monster wasn't in Defense Mode."
"Normally you'd be right, but Leviathan Devil Dragon has another effect." Yuma revealed. "Since he still has the original Leviathan Dragon as an overlay unit, he can inflict piercing damage in battle!"
"Kaito's Photon Baby only has 100 DEF!" Alit realized down in the dugout. "If this attack gets through, Kaito's life points will be wiped out."
"Get real. There's no way an attack like that will work on Kaito." Shark told him. "Both Yuma and Astral should know that better than anyone."
"Leviathan Devil Dragon, attack Photon Baby!" Yuma commanded. "Fatal Vice Stream!"
"I activate my Trap, Photon Beacon Flare!" Kaito announced. "By sacrificing Photon Baby, I can negate your attack and summon another Photon monster from my deck to replace him. And of course the monster I choose to bring forth is Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!"
Leviathan Devil Dragon opened his jaws and sent forth a massive beam of crimson energy at Kaito's small monster. Before the attack could hit though, a pillar of white light shot up from the ground around Photon Baby and high into the air, absorbing the energy from the dragon's attack. Leviathan Devil Dragon's attack ended and the pillar of light exploded to reveal a new dragon. The dragon's body was mainly purple, and on its chest was a red cross with a blue gem in the center. A galaxy could be seen in both of its glowing blue eyes.
"Did you really think I wouldn't be prepared for an attack like the one you just tried?" Kaito asked.
"Actually I would've been disappointed if you weren't." Yuma admitted.
"Indeed." Astral agreed. "We know you're a much better duelist than that."
"I'll just set a card on the field and end my turn." Yuma announced.
Kaito calmly drew his next card. "I'm sure you know what comes next, Yuma. Leviathan Devil Dragon may have 4200 ATK right now, but the moment I attack with Photon Dragon I'll remove both him and Devil Dragon from the field. When they come back at the end of the battle, Devil Dragon will have lost all his overlay units and his ATK will be back to 2100. But more importantly, Photon Dragon's ATK will go up from 3000 to 4000."
"If you're so sure about that, go ahead and attack." Yuma eagerly dared.
"Fine with me!" Kaito replied. "Photon Dragon, attack Leviathan Devil Dragon! Photon Stream of Destruction!"
"I activate my Trap, Number Conversion Shield!" Yuma announced. "When a Number monster of mine is targeted for an attack, Number Conversion Shield negates that attack and use the target to Xyz Summon another Number of the same Rank. So I use the Rank four Leviathan Devil Dragon to Xyz Summon Number 39: Utopia!"
Just as Photon Dragon was about to launch his attack, a blinding pillar of golden light shot up from the ground around Leviathan Devil Dragon. The light soon cleared to reveal a familiar white sword with three balls of golden light orbiting it. In moments the sword transformed to become Utopia. Many of those who were watching the duel were left stunned.
"Looks like you and I had the same idea, huh Kaito?" Yuma observed.
"I see. So Leviathan Devil Dragon was only a decoy as well." Kaito realized.
"Pretty much." Yuma admitted.
"Pretty amazing." Stacy remarked up in the stands. "I had no idea that Yuma and Kaito dueled at such a high level."
"Up until now they've just been feeling each other out." Droite responded. "This is where the real duel is about to begin."
"I'll set one card on the field and end my turn." Kaito announced.
As Yuma drew his next card, it flashed with a golden light. "I activate the Spell card, Rank-Up-Magic Numeron Force! With this card, I use Utopia to rebuild the overlay network and Xyz Summon Number C39: Utopia Ray Victory!"
With the activation of that card, Utopia's armor began to transform. The armor covering his arms had turned red, while his shoulder armor had grown larger and more pointed. He had also gained a second pair of arms covered in the same red armor as his main pair, and in all four hands he carried a sword with a golden handle. Utopia's wings had become golden and blade-like, and his golden face had gained what looked like a mouth. Orbiting around the warrior now were four balls made of blue light.
"Thanks to Numeron Force, Photon Dragon's effects are negated." Yuma continued. "I attack Photon Dragon with Utopia Ray Victory! And during the battle I detach one of Utopia Ray Victory's overlay units to have him gain Photon Dragon's ATK during the battle! Hope Sword Victory Slash!"
As Utopia Ray Victory charged towards Kaito's dragon, one of the balls of light orbiting him vanished. The warrior slashed Photon Dragon to pieces with his swords. The bits of the dragon's body shattered to bits and Kaito's life points took a steep drop to 1400.
"I activate a Trap, Photon Restoration!" Kaito announced. "By banishing Photon Baby from my Graveyard, I can recover the life points I just lost in battle!"
A pillar of white light shot up from the ground around Kaito. After a moment the light faded, and Kaito's life points had gone back up to 4000.
"At this point the secondary effect of Photon Restoration kicks in." Kaito continued. "By returning two card in my hand to my deck, I can add a light monster in my deck to my hand."
"Astounding! He undid the damage we did to him and improved his hand as well." An impressed Astral observed.
"That's Kaito for ya." Yuma replied. "I'll set two cards on the field and end my turn!"
Kaito drew his next card. "Yuma. You and Astral have put up a good fight, but it's time I started to wind this duel up. I summon the Tuner monster, Photon Priestess in Attack Mode!"
Appearing on Kaito's side of the field was a humanoid female covered almost completely in a white skintight bodysuit. Her head was completely covered in a silver helmet that showed a single red eye. On her chest was a piece of silver armor with a round green gem in the center, and around her waist was a silver belt. Hanging from her back was a transparent white cape made from a shimmering ethereal fabric.
"Wait, did he just say that monster he summoned was a Tuner?" Hikari asked.
"When Photon Priestess is summoned to the field, I can summon another Photon monster from the Graveyard with its effects negated." Kaito announced. "Blaze back to life, Photon Dragon!"
With that, the red cross that was on Photon Dragon's chest appeared in Kaito's right hand. The blonde duelist threw the cross into the air, causing it to explode with a flash of blue light. The light cleared and Photon Dragon returned with a roar.
"I tune the level two Photon Priestess into the level eight Photon Dragon for a level eight Synchro Summon!" Kaito announced.
The gem mounted in the priestess's chest armor flashed and she changed into two rings of blue light. The two rings encircled Photon Dragon and caused his body to become transparent, revealing eight golden stars floating around inside him.
"The stars in the heavens shall now gather as one! Their spark signals the coming of the ruler of light!" Kaito chanted. "Synchro Summon! Be born, Galaxy-Eyes Kaiser Photon Dragon!"
The stars inside Photon Dragon flashed and became a pillar of golden light. At the same time, the Signer marks of Hikari and Cleo began to glow. Meanwhile, Kaito cried out and gave of a bust of the same golden energy. After a moment, the light faded to reveal Photon Dragon in a new form. His body gave off a brilliant golden light. The once blue armor that covered the dragon's tail, chest, upper legs and the back of his neck had turned red. The gem in the center of the dragon's chest had become green along with his eyes. On the dragon's head were three long narrow horns made of red armor that pointed back and curved up slightly.
Kaito meanwhile was glowing with the same golden light as his dragon. His eyes were glowing with an intense green light as well. Yuma and Astral were completely stunned by this development, as was everyone watching the duel.
Up in the stands, a shocked Mizael stood from his chair. "Tenjo… what have you done?"
"No way… since when has Kaito had a Synchro Monster version of Photon Dragon?" Yuma wondered.
"The power that dragon is giving off is immense!" Astral informed Yuma. "I'm not sure how we'll be able to stop it."
"Yuma! Astral! This dragon is a weapon my father and I developed to stop threats like the Death Queens!" Kaito revealed. "Now that it's out on the field, there's no way the two of you can win! Your time in the Millennium Tournament is over!"
Author's Note: For those who were wondering what Kaito's two new cards were, you've just seen them. The full reason for their creation will be revealed in the next chapter, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, please review and let me know what you think.