Chapter 4: The Friendship Cup Commences
A long, rather peaceful night's sleep awaited Yuya, upon which he woke up refreshed and ready to see who would be duelling today. He turned on the TV in his room, as it would have a live broadcast of the tournament and what went on in it. When he turned it on, it was in the middle of a report about his, well Yuto's, duel against Jack Atlas, with Atlas himself being interviewed.
"How do you feel about coming so close to losing after nearly a half-decade of being the winner and the winner only?" One of the anchors asked Jack, his co-anchor nodding along with the question,
"Well, there's no doubt that Yuya is a skilled duellist," Jack explained, "And I will say one thing: Yuya, if you're listening, know that luck isn't what allowed you to last more than my expectations against me. I am far more skilled than you, you must have just caught me on a once-in-a-lifetime, no, once-in-a-universe bad day. Had I been playing at the top of my game; I doubt that you would have gotten anywhere near as close to beating me. You hear that Yuya?"
"Well, there you have it! Even the mighty King of Games, Jack Atlas has a bad day, even if it is, as he said, once-in-a-universe!" the anchor said, "Last question Jack, do you think that Yuya will win the tournament and be able to fight you again in the fight-or-die match?"
"I would like to say so, but you can never be certain, after all, I'm sure that there are a bunch of duellists just as, if not more, skilled than Yuya in this tournament. I will say though that Yuya does have my bet if I were allowed one." Jack told the anchor,
"Well, I'm afraid that we have run out of time for today's show, as the first duel of the Friendship Cup is about to get underway! On behalf of all of New Domino, I would like to thank among others, the High Council for organising this event, Sector Security for keeping us all safe and last but most certainly not least, our King of Games, Jack Atlas, for giving us some of his valuable time to interview him. This has been Channel 1's 'Friendship Cup Special' for Day 1, now off to Melissa for the reveal of who shall tear around the track first!"
The camera cut to the announcer from yesterday, where she was standing in a control booth of sorts, where she introduced herself as Melissa Ranch, and then the camera cut to the field, where holographic projections of the duellists appeared in 2 rows of 8, facing back-to-back.
Yuya gasped at seeing one of the holograms, which he recognised as the duellist who had beat him with that rank 13 Xyz monster. Dark Annihilation Xyz Dragon – Reincarnation. What a ferocious and strong dragon. We'll probably have to face it again eventually, he thought.
"And now for the duellists!" All but two of the holograms disappeared, leaving Yuya and the Duel Chaser's holograms standing. "It has been decided! Yuya Sakaki and Duel Chaser 227 shall be duelling in the first match of the tournament! Yuya whipped up a storm last time he duelled, so lets see if he can do so again!" Yuya was then led to the garages again where he got changed, Yuto telling him this time to duel with his own deck.
(A/N: If I don't cover a duel, that means that it runs the same as in canon, or the changes that would occur don't/barely affect the outcome (ie character gets a new card in a duel, but it doesn't make sense for me to rewrite a future duel just to include the card) There might still be comments afterward about the duel though)
Yuya managed to pull out an incredibly close victory against the Duel Chaser, surprising everyone when he used his pendulum and Performapal cards. "Yuya Sakaki surprises us all with new cards that he didn't use in his duel against Jack Atlas, but nonetheless he still manages to claim victory against Duel Chaser 227 and his ferocious Goyo Emperor!" Melissa called to the crowd, "The next duel will be very soon dueling fans, so please just hold on a minute while we clean up the track!"
Not long later, Yuya was back in his penthouse when the next duel was confirmed: Shinji Webber vs Moon Shadow. Yuya was nervous for Moon Shadow, as he knew that Moon Shadow's deck would be at a disadvantage with him not being allowed to run around looking for Action cards like if it were a normal duel. In the end, Moon Shadow did end up losing, but he did surprise Yuya by being able to run off his duel runner and grab Action Cards. The next duel, and the second last of the first day, was announced to be Gong vs Ren. Yuya got rather worried at this since he doubted that Gong could beat Ren, as Ren was one of the strongest duellists that Yuya had seen.
Both duellists drove onto the track, ready for their battle. Neither said any words to each other, Ren only giving a small smile upon seeing his opponent. "Let's duel!" they both called as they sped away.
Ren: 4000 LP
Gong: 4000 LP
As both duellists approached the end of the first corner, Yuya noticed that Ren suddenly applied the brakes, giving Gong the first turn,
Turn 1: Gong
"Alright, its Gong's turn, and Gong opens it by summoning Superheavy Samurai Flutist." Gong's monster appeared, playing a little tune.
Superheavy Samurai Flutist: Level 3, 500 ATK
"Flutist has an ability which Gong activates! It allows Gong to tribute Flutist to summon Gong's Superheavy Samurai Big Benki in defence mode!" Gong's monster disappeared in a flash of light, swiftly being replaced with Gong's ace.
Superheavy Samurai Big Benki: Level 8, 3500 DEF
"With that Gong ends Gong's turn!" the steadfast duellist declared.
Turn 2: Ren
"My move," Ren hissed, "I draw and summon my Dark Soldier! And its special ability calls out another! Rise my servants!" Two of the monsters that Yuya had committed to memory appeared, both ready for what came next.
Dark Soldier: Level 4, 1700 ATK (x2)
"Now I overlay my Dark Soldiers to Xyz Summon! I play my Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: Rank 4, 2500 ATK, 2 ORU
I now activate the spell Rank Up from my hand, which allows me to send any 'Xyz Dragon' monster from my extra deck to increase my Dark Rebellion's rank by the sent monster's! I send rank 7 Dark Destruction Xyz Dragon to my graveyard to increase Rebellion Dragon's rank to 11!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: Rank 4 - 11
"But that's not it! I activate Rank-Up-Magic Annihilation Force! I can now summon any monster from my extra deck with a higher rank than Dark Rebellion at the cost of 500 LP for each rank gained! I pay 500 LP to summon a rank 12 monster!"
Ren: 4000 LP - 3500 LP
"Now, I build the overlay network using Dark Rebellion! If dragons of rebellion and destruction weren't enough, I call upon the dragon that shall end you all! Go! Rank-up Xyz Evolution! I Xyz Summon, Rank 12, Dark Annihilation Xyz Dragon!" The dragon that emerged from the portal roared, shattering more than a few glasses, startling quite the few people.
Dark Annihilation Xyz Dragon: Rank 12, 3000 ATK, 4 ORU
"Since my dragon clearly isn't enough, I rebuild the Overlay Network using my current dragon! Dragon defied; dragon denied! My last dragon brought fear, but allow this one to introduce you to true terror! Go, Rank-Up Xyz Evolution! I Xyz Summon my ultimate monster, rank 13 Dark Annihilation Xyz Dragon – Reincarnation!" The dragon that emerged surely did bring terror. Almost large enough to have to be outside the Duel Palace, Ren's dragon made quite the few people feel the terror he wanted it to.
Dark Annihilation Xyz Dragon – Reincarnation: Rank 13, 3000 ATK, 5 ORU
"Now Dark Annihilation Xyz Dragon gains the ATK points of all the monsters attached as overlay units! Reincarnation Burst!"
3000 + ((1700*2) + 2500 + 3000) = 11,900
Dark Annihilation Xyz Dragon – Reincarnation: 3000 ATK - 11,900 ATK
The crowd gasped at this. They hadn't ever seen a monster this powerful, and as it roared, all but a few panes of glass shattered, Jack Atlas' crystal throne even cracking with the force behind it. "I activate my monster's special ability! By using a single overlay unit, I destroy all the monsters on your field, and then I get a token for each! Now use Reincarnation Overdrive!" The same streams of light that had destroyed Yuya's field twice before emerged again, kicking Big Benki to the curb.
DAXD-R: 5 ORU - 4 ORU, 11 900 ATK - 10 200 ATK
Token: Level 8, 3500 DEF
"I won't bother to activate the effect that I know you know Gong, because there's no need! Now end this duel now my servant! Annihilation Burst!" The dragon reared into the sky, swooping high above the Duel Palace before opening its mouth, where a mass of purple energy was amassing. The beast released it a second later, and Gong's duel runner was soon covered in it, dealing over 10000 LPs of damage.
Gong: 4000 LP - 0 LP
Ren Wins!
Gong was flung out of the explosion so hard that a massive crack was heard upon him hitting the ground. His duel runner was in no better shape, being split in half, cards everywhere. Officials rushed out to reclaim the runner's halves, but also to clear the track and treat Gong who had dislocated a shoulder and broken a few ribs in the impact. Yuya was horrified sitting up in his room, and he could tell the audience was as well. Gong wasn't just beaten. He was very nearly killed! Not long later, after everything had been cleared, it was announced that the duel that would have been the last of the first day would instead be the first of the second day. In fact, the whole tournament was even pushed back a day to replace all the glass that had shattered.
As it got dark, Yuya, who had been pounding at the door, demanding to see Gong, sat down, and upon doing so, he heard two of the bellhops talking. "Do you think that Gong will still be sent underground?" one asked,
"Not sure. That impact may only have delayed his arrival rather than stopped it." The other replied.
Underground? Yuya thought, What do they mean by that? If only he could ask, but no one ever did respond, either because they were ignoring him, or simply there wasn't anyone to hear him. As the night went on, Yuya became more and more disheartened, but he was surprised by a knock on his door at around 1 AM. He groggily stood up and twisted the previously unopenable door. It swung open, and Yuya was surprised to see a note sitting just before the door. Why wouldn't whoever this is slide it under the door? He questioned, picking the envelope up and closing the door. Opening the letter, Yuya saw that it was written in a rather familiar script, that of Declan Akaba.
Yuya, it read, I hope this letter finds you, as I do have some information that I feel that all Lancers should know. We have successfully located where Zuzu is staying in the building and are planning a rescue of sorts for her. With an objective you have assigned us nearly complete, I ask that we now focus on the future, and specifically, winning this tournament and spreading the news of Duel Academy's plans. I have managed to get my hands on some other information regarding your next duel, Yuya. Depending on whoever wins the upcoming match between that boy that looks like you, Yugo, and Sylvio will be your opponent. Wishing to judge this Yugo's skill, I have asked Sylvio to try to not beat him in a turn or two, but I doubt that Sylvio will listen. This duel will be takin place after the one tomorrow morning. I do hope, for your sake, that you watch this duel. After all, don't want to underestimate your next opponent, do you?
Yours in good faith,
Declan Akaba.
After reading this, Yuya collapsed on the bed behind him, and Yuto appeared to chat. "They've found Zuzu," Yuya smiled, "We're so close to being able to fight Duel Academy."
"Yes. Hopefully Lulu is alright as well, but we shouldn't be too carefree. Declan said that our counterpart from this dimension is dueling against Sylvio, and, as we were informed, should watch that duel. Learn Yugo's strategies so that, should we face him, we are prepared." Yuto replied,
"Yeah, well, I should be getting to sleep now. Although, that 'underground' does concern me." Yuya noted,
"Agreed, but we shouldn't let that trouble us too much. Goodnight, Yuya." Yuto said,
"'Night Yuto." Yuya said, starting to drift to sleep.
Next Chapter Preview: The Friendship Cup continues! As the first round gets truly underway, two old friends meet on the battlefield. Get ready to see some speed as Yusei Fudo takes on Crow Hogan!
First off, sorry that this chapter is a day-ish late. Mid-Year exams suck. Anyways, yeah, Ren is as strong as last time, also sorry Superheavy Samurai players/fans, I really don't know how to write them effectively, but I would appreciate tips, as I do like Gong's character. Also, Declan is being much more active than in canon. I did this as I felt that Declan was a very underutilised character, which didn't make much sense to me, although I do understand that it was because his Japanese VA was rather busy at the time, so what can you do?
Declan here is a much better force, helping, even if through Moon Shadow, to further the Lancer's goals, and he actually takes the effort to (at the very least) try to organise a rescue operation for Zuzu, who was, as far as they knew, held against their will.
I will also let you all know this now: Synchro WON'T end with Jack's defeat in the final duel, as I feel that Synchro went on too long, and I want to put some more focus on Xyz, and perhaps the Original Dimension. Yuya will be pulled out of the tournament, and dimension, in a few chapters, and I know that the last duel against Jack was important for Yuya, as it helped him realise his style, but Yuya's duel style has kinda already seen a change towards a more beatdown style, courtesy of a certain Xyzian living in his soul. I do intend to have the next chapter, a chapter without a duel and a few more duels before Synchro does end though.
No questions again, but please don't hesitate to ask them, and if you liked this chapter, or the story as a whole, please do consider leaving a follow or favourite, and if you have friends who you think would like this, please let them know about my fic.
See you all next week, where (hopefully) the chapter will be on time - NightWingBOI
