Chapter 20: A Dueling Rush
He rushed around the corner, towards the dueling screens, where duels would be broadcast for free and for all to see. He knew he was late to the start of the duel, but if he could catch the end of the Championship Match, he might just get to see his personal hero retain the title that he eventually wanted to win. Arriving at the screens, he saw a rather large crowd, but that was to be expected. It wasn't every day that someone was challenging the Champion himself. Excitedly trying to see over the shoulders of the people in front of him, he saw the Champion's ace monster landing the final blow.
"Dark Magician!" the Champion called, his voice much older than anyone would expect, "End this duel with Dark Magic Attack!" The crowd went wild as the challenger's life points hit zero, the Champion successfully defending the title. What happened next is what shocked everyone, however. The Champion, speaking to his legions of adoring fans, stated that "It is with great sadness that I am here announcing that I am retiring from the Duel Circuit, and the winner of the next Domino Championship will be the one to inherit my title," The Champion's silver hair rustled in the light wind at the stadium, letting out a hearty laugh as the fans started complaining, the smile reaching his violet eyes, "I know, I know. It's been more than sixty years at the top, so why retire now? Well. I think that is self-explanatory. I think, like many, I'd like to spend the twilight years of my life relaxing, not dueling competitively! I'd also like to make an announcement regarding said Domino Championship: The LEO Corporation has been approved to use their new ARC Reactor system and the new, Real Solid Vision, as it's called. I won't pretend to understand how it works, but I've heard that it will allow duelists and their monsters to interact in ways previously thought impossible! I'll see you all there for the final show!" And with that, the screen showing the Champion flickered off to another duel, but the fans didn't particularly care for that. "Yugiiiiiiiiiii!" Was a common cry across the rest of the day, fans disbelieving that the beloved champion would be retiring. This only urged him on to become stronger.
A month had passed between the announcement, the Championship a mere two months away, and he had been practicing every day. As he put his cards in his new duel disk, one with Real Solid Vision capabilities, he headed out, a green pendant that had belonged to his father around his neck. Wandering around, he eventually made his way to the dueling fields, where the usual kids were, but also people experimenting with the limited Real Solid Vision the new duel disks could create. He was a member of both groups, but today, he saw someone who he had never before. A girl. He didn't have much experience with members of the opposite sex, but he could tell that she was beautiful, maroon hair framing her face as she laughed at something that had been said. He'd normally not let anything stop him, not that much could, but he seemed to have suddenly lost the ability to both walk and speak upon seeing her. He noticed a duel disk around her wrist, and his eyes widened ever so slightly. While, yes, female duelists did exist, why wouldn't they? But they were relatively uncommon, especially in the pro scene, which many men use to let out their frustrations. Finding both his voice and feet, he walked over to the small group, where he was greeted.
"Hey, Z-Man, how are you?" One of them asked,
"Alright I guess," He replied, trying his hardest to act indifferent to the new presence, "Who's the new girl?"
"She caught your eye, too?" the guy whispered to him, causing his eyes to widen, and the guy to laugh, "Ah, don't worry. She's got all our attention, if you will."
Noticing him passively looking at her, the girl started to speak, "Oh, my name is Ray. I only recently got into the hobby, so I was just looking for some people to duel."
"Well, Ray, I'm sure that we'd love to duel with you." He said, doing a mock bow, earning a slight giggle from her, his smile widening slightly,
"So, what's your name?" She asked,
"Zarc, but my friends call me Z-Man as I'm sure you've heard." Zarc told her,
"Oh? Well then, Z-Man, how about we duel now? I'm not very good, but I'm sure that you'll provide a good enough challenge." She laughed,
"Certainly. Shall we be using the Real Solid Vision systems?"
"No, I actually don't really like them. It is a bit tedious to set up right now, isn't it?"
"You don't like Real Solid Vision?!" Another member of the group exclaimed,
"Well, I don't mind." Zarc smiled as he and Ray took up spots on opposing sides of the duel field.
"Let's duel!" They declared, starting the duel.
Zarc: 4000 LP
Ray: 4000 LP
Turn 1: Zarc
"Since you're new, I'll go first to show you how it's done! Luster Dragon, join me!" Zarc declared as the blue, crystalline dragon emerged.
Luster Dragon: Level 4, 1900 ATK
"And I now set two face downs to end my turn. You're up!"
Turn 2: Ray
"I guess you aren't as gentlemanly as you seem, Zarc," Ray smiled, Zarc chuckling a little, "In any case, I shall draw. Then I activate a spell card called Polymerisation!"
"Polymerisation? I thought you said you were a rookie! Why are you already using something like that?"
"Just because I'm new doesn't mean I can't learn to Fusion, Synchro or Xyz summon! I fuse from my hand Buster Blader and Buster Whelp of the Destruction Sword! When mounted with the regrets of your previous failures, take that regret and make it your strength! I Fusion Summon! Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman!" Emerging from the fusion portal was a knight clad in sparkling gold and white armour, a massive greatsword at his side, "My monster now forces all your dragon-type monsters into defence mode, negates their effects and gains 1000 attack points for each!"
Luster Dragon: 1900 ATK - 1000 DEF
Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman: Level 8, 2800 ATK - 3800 ATK
"Now go! Attack Luster Dragon! Now, my monster deals damage even if your monster is in defence mode! Destruction Sword Slash!"
"Not so fast! My face down activates now! Waboku! This trap makes it so that I don't take battle damage this turn, and my monsters also can't be destroyed!" Ray's monster's sword bounced off the now defensive dragon, earning a small snarl from it and a growl from the legendary swordsman.
"In that case, I end my turn." Ray said, a look of confidence on her face.
Turn 3: Zarc
"My turn! I shall start by activating my face-down Forbidden Chalice, which gives your swordsman an extra 400 attack points, then negates its effects! I then summon a second Luster Dragon and use my monsters to build the overlay network! I overlay two level four monsters to bring forth the dragon that might look terrifying, but still wants to make you smile all the same! I… XYZ SUMMON! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, it's time to play!" As Zarc's Xyz dragon swooped out from the overlay network, a look of awe on the accumulated group's faces. Ray looked impressed, which send a flutter through Zarc's heart.
Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman: 3800 ATK - 3200
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: Rank 4, 2500 ATK, 2 ORU
"Now, by detaching one material twice, one level five or higher monster you control loses half its attack points for each overlay unit! Treason Discharge!" Zarc called, the overlay units being absorbed, a look of shock now on Ray's face.
Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman: 3200 ATK - 800 ATK
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: 2500 ATK - 4900 ATK, 2 ORU - 0 ORU
We have all we need, but let us make it a bit more fun, Master!" Zarc heard the familiar voice of his dragon in his mind, which he nodded to,
"I now activate the spell card Smile World! This spell grants both our monsters attack points for each monster on the field, 100 for each! That means that our monsters gain two hundred attack points each, but I chain my Attack = Nullquick-play spell, which means that your monster can't gain any more attack points this turn!" As a seal appeared on the Buster Blader's sword, Dark Rebellion let out a roar of joy as it powered up.
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: 4600 ATK - 4800 ATK
"Now, go! Attack and end this duel! Mauling Mandible Charge!" They weren't dueling with Real Solid Vision, but when Zarc ordered this, Ray could swear she saw the dragon nod, as if it were sentient, which was apparently a purported glitch in Real Solid Vision, but not one that affected dueling, intriguing her. She couldn't do anything to prevent the dragon's charge, and as a result, she was promptly defeated, the particles from the destroyed monster on her field washing over her as she was thrown back, despite the lack of Real Solid Vision.
Ray: 4000 LP - 0 LP
Zarc Wins!
Her vision was slightly blurred as she stood up, but for a second, she could swear that she saw Zarc putting his hand on the base of Dark Rebellion's neck, giving it a rub before the dragon disappeared, seemingly whispering something.
"You seem well in touch with your deck." She said, heading over to Zarc,
"Well, it's kind of hard not to be. Some of these cards are the only memories I have of my parents. They died in that earthquake a decade or so ago." A sad smile overtook Zarc's face, and if Ray had to guess, this parental loss created quite a void in Zarc who couldn't be older than twelve, like her. She knew what it was like to lose a parent as well. She had lost her mother to cancer a few years back, and her father was so focused on his job and research that he might as well be dead to her. But at least she had memories of her mother, and she moved closer to Zarc, as she could see tears starting to well up in his eyes,
"Oh. I didn't realise. If it is any consolidation, I lost my mother as well. Cancer, but not the preventable kind." The dragon duelist in front of her suddenly stepped forward, collapsing into her, surprising her a little,
"Every time I try to remember them, all I get is one memory which I hate. It is the one where my father pressed his deck into my hands, assuring me that they'd be back soon before they rushed into a collapsing building to rescue someone else," the boy sobbed, "I don't remember anything before or past then in regards to them, but something went wrong, and they were crushed by debris, and that apparently their bodies were so destroyed that they weren't even able to be buried." Ray's eyes were wide. She had known that a few hundred had been killed in the quake itself, due to a few large buildings being hit by the biggest quake Domino had ever seen, but Zarc's parents had lost their lives attempting to save someone else. Not really used to having someone crying on her shoulder, Ray was kind of at a loss of what to do, so she decided to comfort Zarc, basing the interaction off what she'd seen her father do when her mother was upset,
"Hey, its ok. I'm sure they're proud of you. Death is hard to deal with, especially since you were so young, but I'm sure that they wouldn't want you to sit here wallowing in sadness. After all, you've got some nice-seeming friends, a goal or two I presume and a killer deck! I bet even the Champion himself wouldn't stand a chance against it!" She said this while half-rubbing, half-patting his shoulder, but Zarc only dug his face further into her shoulder, his cries only increasing, a deep red blush rapidly exploding across her face. Despite how embarrassed she felt, she could almost feel a slight pull in her, but she couldn't explain it well.
"You really think so?" He asked as he started to recover, "You think my deck could beat the Champion's?"
"Yeah!" She confirmed, "That Dark Rebellion dragon you used against me was seriously cool, and it was super strong too. That effect is also really good, as isn't the Champion's ace monster level seven with 2500 attack points?"
"Oh yeah! I never thought of that." Zarc sheepishly admitted, causing them to share a laugh,
"Come on, you lovebirds!" One of Zarc's other friends teased, causing both of them to go beet-red,
"I-Its nothing like that!" Zarc almost yelled,
"Yeah! I was just comforting him, noting else!" Ray affirmed,
"Sure, sure. And you two just met as well." After a small laugh that Ray and Zarc were too embarrassed to join in with was had, they headed off to a nearby card shop, as a new booster set had apparently launched, and had some good cards for their decks, being Buster Blader, Dragon Spam, Fortune Fairy and Chain Burn for Ray, Zarc and his two other friends respectively.
When they arrived, they found the store rather empty, which surprised them, and they headed up to the counter.
"What can I get you lot? Let me guess: Some packs of Nightmarish Futures?" The middle-aged clerk asked, greeting the group,
"Yes. Could I get a box?" Zarc asked, the clerk smiling,
"Certainly. I presume the same can be asked for the rest of you?" he asked the group, getting a nod from Zarc's other friends, but Ray spoke instead,
"I'd like a case of the pack." She spoke with confidence, Zarc and his friends going wide-eyed,
"A case? Certainly. Now, will you lot be paying on one tab or separate?"
"Separate, thank you." Zarc said, a pleasant smile now on his face.
"Well, I be back in a minute." The clerk disappeared to the storage section of the store, leaving the group alone for a few minutes,
"So, a case, huh?" Zarc asked, seemingly impressed that someone had the money for one,
"My dad knows how much I like the game, so he set aside some money so that I could buy one when the next set came out. Convenient that it fits my current strategy!"
"I'll say. Your dad sounds like a nice guy." Zarc said, a melancholic smile appearing on Ray's face,
"You could say that. He just gets very focused on his research every so often." Ray said, as the Clerk returned, and they handed over the money, receiving their respective goods. They said goodbye to Zarc's other friends, who apparently had something they needed to do now, and they left Zarc and Ray alone.
"So, you want to go open your packs at my place?" Zarc asked Ray, an earnest grin on his face,
"Oh! Sure!" Ray said, caught slightly off guard by how casually he asked. She'd had countless lectures from her father about this topic, but strangely, they felt like they were a million years ago. They headed off to the apartment where Zarc lived, carrying their recent purchases with almost glee. They soon arrived at the apartment, where Zarc let her in. Gesturing to the master bedroom, he said "That's my room, I'd recommend against entering it." Causing a laugh, but Ray suddenly realised something,
"Wait, isn't that the master bedroom? Do you live on your own at, what, twelve?" She asked, astounded,
"Well, both yes and no. I physically live by myself, but the landlord is also my simultaneous guardian, and checks in on me every so often."
"Oh, well, that's a slight relief." They both laughed as they sat down in Zarc's living area. Opening his box, Zarc lay the packs down, backsides up, which he explained as to not spoil the first card in the pack. Ray did similar, only she just opened the case and popped open the first box and took packs out as she opened them. When they were halfway through Zarc's box, he saw the foil card included and almost jumped through the roof,
"I got a Prismatic!" He exclaimed,
"Really? Let me see!" Ray almost demanded, but neither of them paid it any mind,
"Supreme King Dragon Darkwurm!" Zarc proudly announced showing her the effect monster card in his hand,
"This looks really nice. You think you'll get any other cards like it?"
"Only one way to find out!" And with that, Zarc started opening packs with even more fervour than before. A few hours later, they had opened all the packs in all the boxes, looking over their rare pulls.
"I can't believe you got not only a half-dozen Prismatics, but an Ultimate and Ghost as well." Zarc said, impressed,
"Hey, don't downplay your pulls. You got two copies of that Darkwurm didn't you?"
"Yeah, you're right. So, did I pull anything you want?" Zarc asked, but Ray could tell that behind that innocent smile, he wanted one of her pulls,
"I guess that Buster Dragon Ultra Rare that you pulled would be nice. Why? Want anything that I pulled?"
"Yeah," he admitted, looking away as if in shame, "You pulled an Ultra I want as well. That Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. I don't know why, but it seems to be calling to me, if you understand."
Fully understanding what he meant, Ray picked up the card and held it out to the boy. "Well, I'd be glad to make the trade!" A very happy smile erupted onto Zarc's face as he picked up the card he was trading, and they exchanged them. "So, want anything else?" She asked,
"No. I just wanted Starving Venom…" Zarc trailed off, looking at the card, "Does anything about the card look strange to you?" he asked,
"Let me see. Wait, does it not have a set identification number?!" Ray exclaimed looking over the card. She whipped out her duel disk to use its internet function, and search for the card, "Looking online I can't find anything about it!"
"You don't think a prototype card was mistakenly packaged into your case, do you?" Zarc asked,
"Perhaps, but it doesn't matter. It's still your card now." Ray smiled, Zarc beaming in return.
As time went on, Zarc and Ray would only get closer, bonding over their shared love of Duel Monsters, among other things, eventually making it official that they were going out when they were fifteen. Zarc still hadn't met her father, although he eventually learnt that he was the famous scientist Leo Akaba, who had been the pioneer for the new ARC systems implemented to make Real Solid Vision more stable and, well, real. Zarc would compete in any tournament he could, winning every so often, but mostly only at local or regional ones, and he and Ray would watch Champions come and go after the former one, Yugi Moto, officially retired. No one had kept the throne for more than a single year, but that made it more exciting.
The pair would make sure to buy every booster box as it came out, Zarc eventually also being able to afford cases alongside Ray. The local card shop owner knew them so well by now that he set a case aside for each of them, even if they hadn't called in yet, knowing that they would want one anyway. Zarc and Ray continued to upgrade their decks, and eventually, Zarc removed Smile World, the last main deck card that belonged to his father, but he got all the cards framed and hung them on his wall, barring Dark Rebellion, who was a staple in his extra deck. He had since acquired another two dragons, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Odd-Eyes Dragon, and he'd been surprised to find out the former had a female duel spirt, much to the dragon in question's chagrin. His deck, which now used the 'Supreme King' archetype, all of the cards being rather rare, in fact, the most common cards in his deck were his four 'Summoning Method Dragon' cards, who were classified as Ultra Rares, and Ray's Buster Blader deck was stronger than ever. If he opened decently, Ray was literally the only one he knew who could stand against the cards in his deck.
A further year later, and they were entered in the Domino Championship, which had only become more and more popular, having won the male and female divisions of the National Tournaments, and they stood in the now combined participant pool, people from all over the world surrounding them. Upon seeing the bracket, they were relieved to find out that they were on opposing sides of it, meaning that they'd need to both get to the finals to duel each other, something neither of them was complaining about.
Zarc and Ray both breezed through the first few rounds, easily making it to the semi-finals, but it was during the semis that disaster struck. Zarc had already secured his spot in the finals, and he was sitting in the box that Ray's family and close friends were allowed to sit in, which had been only occupied by him for the course of the tournament, but a man joined him today. He appeared at the start of the duel and sat near Zarc, watching with intent.
"Uh, sorry, sir," Zarc said, "I think you are sitting in the wrong section?"
"Am I?" The man said, turning to face Zarc, upon which Zarc saw that the man had Ray's eyes and some other physical characteristics, and Zarc started sweating buckets. He had just unintentionally insulted Ray's father,
"I-I'm sorry, sir," He stammered, "I did not realise who you were. Please accept my most sincere apologies."
"All's well," the man replied, a small smile on his face, "I wasn't expecting you to recognise me right away. After all, I think this is the first time we're meeting. That is assuming you are the boyfriend that my daughter so often talks about."
"Ah yeah, that's me, Zarc." Zarc said, his embarrassment obvious,
"I'm sure you know my name, but I'm Ray's father, Leo Akaba. It is very nice to finally meet you, Zarc. I've heard only good things about you, so I hope that you are treating my daughter well."
"Well, sir, I do hope myself that she is happy with me, after all, it is what I strive for."
"That's nice to hear. She tells me you're a duelist, correct?"
"Yeah. I've already secured my place in the finals, and now I'm just watching my wonderful girlfriend probably get her place," With that he glanced back at the field, shocked at what he was seeing, "What the!?" Ray was losing and losing badly at that. Her hand was empty, as was her field, while a large ice dragon stood over her, its three heads roaring in seeming displeasure. Both Zarc and Leo were on the edges of their seats, suddenly only caring about Ray's seemingly imminent defeat.
State of the duel:
Ray: 3300 LP
Opponent: 4000 LP
Ray has no cards in her hand and controls no cards.
Her opponent controls Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier, which was summoned by Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier's effect, and has two cards in his hand.
Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier: Level 9, 3300 ATK
It is currently Ray's opponent's turn.
Turn 7: Opponent
"Now that I have finished off your field, it is time to finish you off! Trishula! Attack directly and end this duel with Freezing Roar of Annihilation!" Three beams of ice shot at Ray, who just stood there, frozen with fear, but she might as well have been literally frozen. As they hit, a large mass of ice appeared around the area, chilling the fans in the front row, but Ray emerged unscathed, excluding her life points, which had just hit zero.
Ray: 3300 LP - 0 LP
Opponent Wins!
Not caring that it was technically a violation of the contract signed to be in the tournament, Zarc vaulted the wall that sat between him and Ray and ran towards her. When he reached her, he shot a glare at her opponent, although he knew that the man had won fair and square. When he reached the lanes that the competitors walked through, Ray collapsed into him, slightly amusing Zarc, as it was an almost perfect reversal of what had happened the day they met. "Hey now, are you alright?" he asked softly,
"I- I failed in our dream. I'm so sorry, Zarc." She mumbled, neither of them hearing Leo approach,
"It's ok, Ray. Our dream was for one of us to win the title, remember? Not duel in the finals. That was just a bonus step if you would." He comforted her, noticing Leo,
"Ray," the older man said, "I'm sorry that you lost, but Zarc's right. You told me yourself, that, and I quote, 'One of us will win that title, even if it takes decades'. I think that you did wonderfully in your duels, someone just happened to outclass you, that's all."
"D-Dad?!" Ray exclaimed upon hearing Leo's voice, picking herself up off Zarc slightly, "What are you doing here? I thought you had work."
"I did, but I made sure to finish early to see the duel. I know how much this means to you, and as such, I wanted to be by your side. It is a shame that you and Zarc won't be dueling against one another in the finals, but he seems like one of the best duelists in history. The finals will be starting soon, and as such, don't you think it necessary to cheer on your boyfriend as he vies for the title?"
"Y- You're right, Dad," Ray sniffed, fully releasing herself from Zarc's grip, a small smile now on her face, "Let's put all our support into cheering Zarc on!" Zarc couldn't help but grin, the three heading off, Leo dismissing the people nearby who were trying to force an infraction onto Zarc, but as a major sponsor, Leo had the ability to veto said infractions by his own discretion.
Ray and Leo headed to the stands where they would sit while Zarc got ready to duel his final opponent, and, if all things went well, would claim the title of Champion.
Next Chapter Preview: Zarc is prepared to take on his final opponent in the race for the title of Champion, but will he be able to this year? What other surprises are on the horizon for this duelist? All that and slightly more covered next week.
Custom Card
Attack = Null
Quick-Play Spell Card
Monsters your opponent controls cannot gain or lose any ATK following this card's resolution.
Hello everyone! Thank you all for reading, and welcome to the first chapter of the mini-arc, where we get to see what Zarc was like, and how he and Ray met in this AU. I will say, I am a staunch believer that the reason why Zarc's fragments (excluding Yuri) all felt some sort of romantic attraction, informed or otherwise, is because Zarc and Ray were somewhat similar, even if it may have been one sided on one of their behalf, hence their relationship in this fic. Anyways, Zarc plays a generic dragon deck at the start of the chapter, which eventually changes to his Supreme King deck, which you'll be able to see in action next time! I also chose to give Ray a Buster Blader deck as a sort of irony, given that she does slay the dragon that is Z-ARC, even if temporarily, so I wanted to allude to that.
Aquatic Dragon – I would just like to say that my opinion regarding you couldn't change regardless of whatever you identify as, it is still an honour to be able to work with you to create the wonderful character that is Izumi, so, thank you. Also, regarding Master Duel, I'm sure you'll be fine having just watched the anime, as the only real thing it doesn't teach is the very circumstantial things, such as 'if' effects vs 'when' effects, but, so long as you have a deck that you are comfortable with its playstyle, you should be fine! Furthermore, BLS is definitely a very cool card, but I do think a dragon of a seemingly unknown summoning method would certainly catch someone's interest, let alone a 5-ish-year-old girl, lol.
Anyways, thank you all for reading this chapter, and I'll see you all next week for part 2 of Original Truth – NightWingBOI
