A/N: I hope you all know that I had to duel myself so I can visualize the duel. Enjoy this long chapter!
Zane had just recently beaten someone as they run off in fear. Another pathetic Society of Light member. Honestly, he's getting tired of these members always trying to recruit him or defeat him. Yet, he keeps thinking of the previous duel. Where his Cyberdark End Dragon had burnt that member's hand. That never happened before, and it didn't happen in this duel either...
He sighed, puttting his hands in his pockets as he was beginning to walk away.
"Zane, was it?"
Zane turned his head to whoever called his name, a permanent glare on his face. He stared back at Jesse, who walked with Hassleberry and Syrus behind him.
"If it isn't my little brother with... Two others." He said with a voice that seemed like the embodiment of ice.
Hassleberry growled a bit, his eyes growing to slits for a second while Syrus flinched at the piercing, bone-chilling gaze of his brother.
Just as he suspected, he can see Keel began to appear.
Syrus..?
The voice that somewhat calmed his nerves, though he feels it would be the opposite to anyone. He looks up at the dragon towering over the group.
Why are you here..? It's dangerous..!
They hissed, alarmed of how close he was to Zane. "I..."
"I'm here to challenge you, Zane." Jesse spoke up, taking a step ahead. Zane raised an eyebrow as he looked at Jesse with slight confusion. "I don't reconize you."
"I recently transfered here." Jesse said. "I was told quite a lot about you. How you were the top duelist in Duel Academy. How you were an Idol, but now.. You changed.You became ruthless." That's one way of putting it.
"That's how the dueling world is." He turned his head with a scoff. "Like I have said before, there's only two types of people in this world. The ones who get hurt and the ones who hurt others."
Jesse's eyes narrowed as he frowned. "Zane, that's not true. I don't know what happened when you went off, but this isn't how dueling works."
"Then, are you going to meet me in the depths?" He turned to look at Jesse. The Obelisk Blue student stiffened a bit. He can hear Ruby Carbunkle mewing in concern.
'It's alright, buddy. We got this.' His thoughts echoed.
Be careful...
"If you're talking about those electric collars, then that's not allowed in our challenge." Jesse got out his duel disk, inserting his deck. "I want to show you that dueling doesn't have to be all about pain. Besides, I feel like you probably use other methods, nowadays."
Zane glared at Jesse, taking out his deck. "What do you mean by that?"
"Just a suspicion."
The elder Truesdale activated his duel disk, putting his deck in with a scowl. "Fine. I guess I'll accept it. If you have a desth wish, that is."
Syrus and Hassleberry watched from the sides, as they got ready.
"DUEL!!"
[Jesse: 4000]
[Zane: 4000]
"I'll go first. Draw!" Zane said as he draws a card. Studying his hand, he looks upon Jesse before making his move.
"First, I'll activate the spell card Pot of Greed! I draw two more cards." He looked upon his hand.
Two Cyber Larva, Cyberdark Realm, Cybernetic Horizion, Negate Attack and Rebirth Judgement.
"I summon Cyber Larva in attack mode!"
Cyber Larva [ATK:400 DEF:600]
"Huh? That guy's puny!" Hassleberry blinked. "Yeah, but Zane will take no battle damage.." Syrus said solemly. A part of him felt frozen, unable to even run whenever Zane talked. It's like being constantly turned to stone.
"Then, I'll set two cards face down and end my turn."
"Alright, I draw!" Jesse shouted, then looked at his hand.
"I summon Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle in attack mode!!"
Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle [ATK:1400 DEF:800 ]
"Now, Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle! Attack Cyber Larva!" Cobalt Eagle immediately slashed at Cyber Larva, causing it to be destroyed as wind blew at Zane.
"Don't forget, my Cyber Larva has a special ability." Zane spoke. "I get no battle damage this turn when it's destroyed."
Jesse nods.
"I place two cards face down and end my turn. Your move."
Zane draws a card, then smiled a bit. "I activate the spell card, Cyber Emergency!"
"Oh no..!" Syrus whispered.
"When this is activated, I can add one of my Cyber Dragons from my deck to my hand."
"Oh boy." Jesse said, now realizing the problem.
"And because I have no monsters, I can special summon Cyber Dragon!"
The metallic serpent appeared as it roared through the arena. The building rumbled, as if shivering from it's cry.
"Cyber Dragon, attack Cobalt Eagle!" As commanded, it shot a blast at the bird, which destroyed it and sent a gust of hot wind at Jesse.
He grunted, shielding himself just in case. Luckily, he didn't get hit by anything. But, he can tell.. That blast was really there.
Was Zane really a Psychic Duelist?
[Jesse: 3500]
"Not so fast!" He shouted. "Thanks to my Eagle's special ability, he hangs around as a continuous spell!" Cobalt Eagle appeared, staying in the spell zone.
"Tch." Zane looked at his cards. "Then, I end my turn."
"My turn!" Jesse draws a card, then smiled. Amber Mammoth!
"Alright, I use the spell card, Crystal Promise! It allows me to special summon a Crystal Beast from my spell zone! So, guess who's back?"
Cobalt Eagle flew forward, hovering in the air. "Now, I summon Amber Mammoth in attack mode!"
The mammoth rose from the ground with a triumphant cry. It's curled tusks aim at Zane, ready to charge if commanded to.
Amber Mammoth [ATK:1700 DEF:1600 ]
"Now, I activate my trap!" A card rose from the ground as it revealed itself. "Crystal Brilliance! This allows all my pals to gain attack points equal to their defense points! A pretty neat boost, huh?"
Cobalt Eagle [ATK:2200 DEF:800 ]
Amber Mammoth [ATK:3300 DEF:1600 ]
Zane's eyes went wide for a bit, watching the attack points rise. He looked at his hand and realized that he may be in a tough spot. No, he won't lose. He won't be beaten by this pathetic sap.
"Whoa, he's gonna get pulverized!" Hassleberry exclaimed as Syrus stared at the battle with shock. He never thought Zane can get dragged into a corner this early..
"Now, Cobalt Eagle! Take out that Cyber Dragon!!"
Cobalt Eagle sent a gust of wind at Cyber Dragon, destroying it as the wind harshly blows at Zane. He was pushed aside a bit by the wind, a bit puzzled at how strong it was. They're holograms, so they shouldn't really be able to do this.. Is he causing this?
[Zane: 3900]
"I'm not done yet! Amber Mammoth, attack Zane directly!!" Jesse shouted as his Amber Mammoth began to charge at Zane.
"Not so fast!" He said, revealing his trap. "I activate Negate Attack! So, I'm safe!"
A shield forms around Zane as it blocks Amber Mammoth's attack. The elder Truesdale felt the very earth rumble at the impact and grew more skeptical. What..?
"I-I need to check on Jaden-"
"Hold on, Soldier!" Hassleberry grabbed onto his shoulder, making Syrus stop. "Jaden's in good hands, but we need to be there for Jesse! So, stay put!" Hassleberry huffed, but blinked when Syrus didn't try to argue back. All he did was stare at the battle with anxiety and fear.
Jesse's eyes narrowed. "I end my turn."
Zane draws. "Get ready to feel pain! I use the spell card, Cyberdark Realm!" The card glowed. "That means I can special summon a monster from my deck! And I choose Cyberdark Keel!"
"But, thats not all. Keel's ability activates. That means that when it's normal or special summoned, I can equip a dragon type monster from my graveyard."
"But, ya don' got any!" Jesse shouted.
"But, that's when Rebirth Judgement comes to play! Every time my turn starts, I can choose what type my monsters will become in my graveyard! And i choose Dragon!"
Now Keel, use Cyber Larva's energy!"
As Cyber Larva was summoned, Keel took hold of it with their cords.
[Keel: 1200 ATK]
Syrus felt pain rise when he witnessed Keel on the battlefield. He can feel them not really wanting to be involved in this fight. Nor to fight at all.
Keel looked over at Syrus, and made a sound of a hiss.
Syrus, I'm so sorry... Please, do not blame yourself for what's about to happen..
Huh? But..
The thought that has been bothering him resurfaced. Ever since they went to see Zane's last duel, and now when Jaden got hurt..
No, it can't be. It's impossible.. Right? Right?!
"That monster only has 1200 Attack. It isn't enough to take out any monster." Hassleberry said. "This guy's gonna get wrecked."
Syrus wished to leave, but he knows Hassleberry will stop him again.
Will Jesse really be alright..?
Zane glared. "I end my turn.
Jesse draws. "My move!"
"I activate Cyberdark Invasion! I can get rid of Cyber Larva to take out our Amber Mammoth!!" Amber Mammoth began to glow, making Jesse act quick.
"Amber Mammoth's ability activates! It goes to the spell zone instead of the Graveyard!"
Zane ends his turn, looking a bit troubled. "Alright, My move!" Jesse shouted.
"Now Cobalt Eagle! Attack Cyberdark Keel!!"
Cobalt Eagle flew at Cyberdark Keel, slashing through the monster as it exploded to light.
"Keel..!!" Syrus had to use all his willpower to hold back from screaming Keel's name, barely raising his voice.
[Zane: 2500]
"And that's it for now." Jesse said.
"I draw." Zane growled. "I keep the dragon type for the monsters in my Graveyard."
"Then, I use Cybernetic Horizions! I can discard one card from my hand and deck to the graveyard to special summon another monster! Thus, I send Cyber Dragon Drei from my hand and Cyber Dragon Core from my deck! In exchange, I can special summon Cyber Dragon thanks to my Cyber Dragon Core's special ability!"
He says as Cyber Dragon formed by him, letting out a metallic hiss.
Syrus picked up their voice.
Why is it all crumbling..?
"I get Cyber Dragon Vier from my Deck in exchange for Cyber End Dragon being sent to the graveyard."
"Then, Vier's effect activates! When I have normal or special summoned a Cyber Dragon, this card can be special summoned in defense mode! Another bonus is, All Cyber Dragons gain 500 attack or defense points!" Cyber Dragon Vier appeared on the field, before turning to a shade of blue with a growl.
[Cyber Dragon: 2600 ATK]
[Cyber Dragon Vier: 2100 DEF]
"With that, I attack Cobalt Eagle!" Zane shouts as his Cyber Dragon charges at Cobalt Eagle, striking it down with it's fangs.
[Jesse: 3100]
"I activate Crystal Pair!" Jesse cried out through the wind and damage that was being caused. Hassleberry noticed that more students were coming in to see the fight, all holding shocked faces at how the duel monsters were causing real damage.
"This trap allows me to summon a Crystal Beast to the spell zone! And I'm choosing my ol' pal, Ruby Carbunkle!"
Ruby Carbunkle hopped into the field, mewing as it defends.
"And he's got a neat effect! You see, when he's been special summoned, he allows me to special summon all the Crystal Beasts from my spell zone!" Amber Mammoth stomps back into the field as the ground rumbles.
[Ruby Carbunkle: 600 DEF]
[Amber Mammoth: 3300 ATK]
Zane scowls. "I end my turn." He said begrudgingly. Syrus felt himself grow more suprised when he kept watching. He never seen Zane grow this uneasy during a duel. Was he really driven into such a corner?
Jesse draws. "Here I go!" Then, he glares at Cyber Dragon.
"Amber Mammoth, attack!!" Thus, Amber Mammoth destroys Cyber Dragon. Causing wind, light and bits of metal to fly everywhere. Zane tries to shield himself as everyone clings onto something so it wouldn't blow them away.
[Zane: 1800]
"I set a card face down and end my turn." Jesse said, lowering his arm from protecting his head. "Your move."
Zane draws.
"I keep the Dragon type onto the monsters that are in the Graveyard." He said, then looks at his hand. He doesn't have alot of options..
"Then, I use Monster Reborn! Thus, bringing back Cyber Dragon back in defense!"
The metal serpent roared before coiling up, a tint of blue showing in it's color.
[Cyber Dragon: 2100 DEF]
[Cyber Dragon: 2600 ATK]
[Cyber Dragon Vier: 2100 DEF]
"Then, I change Cyber Dragon to defense mode."
The other Cyber Dragon turned to defending itself.
[Cyber Dragon: 2100 DEF]
Zane sighed. He's barely hanging on. "I end my turn."
Jesse draws. "Alright!" Then, he places a card into his duel disk, showing a card.
"I use Crystal Bond!"
"I place Emerald Tortoise into my spell zone and add Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon to my hand." Emerald Tortoise appeared in the spell zone, coming out of it's shell.
"Now, Attack!" Jesse commanded, causing Amber Mammoth to attack Cyber Dragon, making another powerful impact with the arena. Zane growls.
"I activate Emerald Tortoise effect, switches Amber Mammoth to defense." Thus, Amber Mammoth shifts to blue.
Jesse glances back at Zane. "Your move.
Zane draws. "The monsters in the Graveyard stay Dragon type." He looks at what he drew, then his eyes went wide. Just what he needed!
"I use the spell card, Overload Fusion!" He said as a card appeared. Hassleberry gasped while Syrus jolts. "Oh no, Jesse!" He cried.
"I banish Cyber Dragon Vier, Cyber Larva, Cyber core, Cyber Dragon, Cyber Dragon drei, Cyberdark Keel and Cyber Dragon to summon.."
A huge gust of wind blew at everyone as the heat of the light burns from behind Zane. Many heads began to appear from the light as it's many roars thundered through the arena.
"Chimeratech Overdragon!!!"
Syrus gasped as he heard every monster that was fused to become Chimeratech Overdragon. Cyber Dragon Vier hissing at Jesse's Crystal Beasts, Cyber Dragon growing worried about the destruction.
And Keel..
He can tell which one was Keel, even when the heads all look the same. Keel is scared. Scared for him, because...
Because.. It's not Zane. He's tried so hard to deny it, but.. It just makes too much sense. Everything that's been happening, all these dangerous duels, it's because of him..
Are you okay?
Syrus looked down on Dragonroid, who rubbed her head on his leg to comfort him.
He gulps, before continuing to look onto the battlefield.
[Chimeratech Overdragon: 5600 ATK 5600 DEF]
"I attack Amber Mammoth!"
"Amber Mammoth's effect activates, causing him to chill in the spell zone!" Jesse shouted, but felt pain as a blast almost hits him, a sharp cut that burns his cheek. Shards of amber have cut him up quite a bit, leaving cuts on his arms and a few on his legs.
"Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon's effect activates, allowing it to be special summoned from my hand when an attack is declared involving a Crystal Beast!"
His Rainbow Dragon appeared as it roared.
[CB Rainbow Dragon: 3000 ATK]
"Then, I activate Crystal Boon!"
"It allows me to special summon all crystal beast from my spell zone to the field and gain life points equal to their combined attack!"
"So, I special summon Emerald Tortoise in defense mode and Amber Mammoth in attack mode!" Amber Mammoth and Emerald Tortoise stepped into the field, Emerald Tortoise shifted to blue as Amber Mammoth roared.
[Jesse: 5400]
"I set a face down and end my turn."
Zane draws. He looks at his card.
"I attack Rainbow Dragon!!"
Chimeratech Overdragon fires a sharp blast towards Rainbow Dragon, who gets destroyed as Jesse suffers the leftover impact of the blast.
[Jesse: 2800]
"I activate Ultimate Crystal Magic!"
"I can send all Crystal Beasts from my deck and field to my Graveyard to use as fusion material for an Ultimate Crystal Fusion!" The arena glowed and was flashed with many colors. it was like being in a prism filled with light.
"Come forth, Rainbow Overdragon!!"
"And I'll think I'll banish Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon to give his attack to Rainbow Overdragon!!" Rainbow Dragon circled Rainbow Overdragon, before becoming light as the crystals absorb it.
[Rainbow Overdragon: 7000 ATK]
Zane stares at it, stunned. No... No, this can't be! What can he do?! He doesn't have any spells that would be of use! No traps he can use, no nothing!
"Done?" Jesse asked as he narrows his eyes at Zane. The elder Truesdale looked at his hand again, trying to find a way out. But, there really is nothing he can do. He had to use everything to keep himself from losing all his life points.
He begrudgingly nods.
"I draw!" Jesse said.
"I attack Chimeratech Overdragon!!" Rainbow Overdragon fired a blast at Chimeratech Overdragon, causing it to burst and explode. Zane felt his body get pushed back as a piece of jagged metal slashed at his face, giving him a cut. His eyes went wide as he touched his cheek, feeling the warm blood ooze from the new cut.
[Zane: 400]
Jesse flinched at how much damage it caused. Alot of students fled. He needs to end this now!
"I'm not done! By sending Crystal Brilliance to the Graveyard, I can special summon a Crystal Beast from my grave!" A card exits the Graveyard.
"And I choose Sapphire Pegasus!!" The Pegasus rose from the ground as it's sapphire horn glistened in the light.
"Now, Sapphire Pegasus!! Attack Zane directly!!"
Sapphire Pegasus shoots a beam of light at Zane, who stared at the beam in disbelief. The closer it got, the more he can feel the heat radiating from it. The light closed in more as Zane's eyes went wide.
"ZANE, LOOK OUT!!!" Syrus shrieked with desperation when he wasn't running. No, no, no, no, no!! He can't stay here-!!
Zane quickly sidestep away to dodge the blast as it shot past him, crashing to the walls of the arena and sending dust to envelop the area. Hassleberry and Syrus coughed as they tried to see through the dust.
[Zane: 0]
When they were able to see him, it was an unusual sight. Syrus was extremely relieved that he was fine, but Zane looked as still as a statue. Parts of his coat was burned and damaged, ash falling from his sleeve and side. He stared at Jesse, as if he was being hunted.
Jesse was stunned as he looked around the arena. It was crumbling from the sides as all the students who were here before had fled. He can hear footsteps.
"Uh... N-Nice duel?" Jesse then bolts to the two waiting for him, as he gestures them that it's now time to get out of this place.
Syrus was about to Follow until he looked at Zane, who was walking away.
And saw Keel appear.
Syrus stared at the damaged arena, then back at Keel.
He then nods.
He'll take them. Tonight.
And then, he has to leave Duel Academy.
Jaden peeked out from hiding under the desk while Ms. Fontaine got out with caution.
"Okay... I think it's over." She sighed in relief as Jaden got out from under the desk. "That's strange.. Our Island shouldn't be getting earthquakes.. I'll need to talk to the Chancellor." She mumbled before she looked at Jaden with concern.
"Are you alright? Nothing hit your shoulder?"
"Nope!" Jaden smiled. "As peachy as ever!" He then looked at the ceiling, feeling a tint of dread in his stomach.
'Kuriboh, what do you think happened?' He thought.
Kuriboh chirped with worry.
It isn't an earthquake, Jaden. It's something else for sure..