It's finally time. The friend who requested that I actually write this can now have his presence in the story in the form of his OC character, who he named, though I had to look up Japanese names for him. Anyway, I can now properly introduce one of Akiru's childhood friends into the mix. We now begin.
Additional update: This chapter is in loving memory of my beloved cat, Buster, who passed away last night, 2/20/24, as of writing this add-on note, due to fatty liver. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to save him.
Previously...
The seven Barian Emperors and their Heirs have bested the Rebel Leader and his followers. With post war reconstruction underway, each Emperor begins to train their respective Heir to fully harness their new powers. However, Kotori's evolution into a Barian and gaining her own Number Over One Hundred has called for an emergency meeting of the Emperors to discuss this recent turn of events amongst themselves, while Kotori, her mother, and the other Heirs wait to hear what the Emperors have decided...
Chapter Fourteen
Son of Darkness
(Barian High Palace, Sanctuary, Heirs' Common Chambers)
Akiru paced back and forth across the room, softly muttering to himself, his mother and sister watching with concern. Shiki and Murakumo were going through their Decks, Yumi was meditating, Yozakura had her eyes closed in deep thought, Homura and Yomi were sitting together in the corner, unsure what to do, and Asuka watched Akiru's pacing with concern. Eventually, he stopped pacing and looked at his sister. "Are you okay?" Staring at him in confusion, the younger sibling replied, "I should be asking you that."
His mother gently wrapped her arms around her son gently, telling him, "It's going to be okay, honey. Hopefully your father can convince the other Emperors to let Kotori decide if she wants to remain a Barian or not." Looking at his mother with a deadpan expression, Akiru replied, "That isn't the issue here, Mom. I'm more worried if they'll consider her a threat since she now has a Number Over One Hundred." Mira gently rubbed his shoulders as she replied, "I get the impression that you would be the bigger threat, considering that your Number can apparently bend reality to your will."
As she finished saying that, Mizar entered the room. The Heirs, Kotori, and Mira looked over at him, waiting to hear the news. Clearing his throat, the Dragon Emperor said, "I have good news." Sighing softly, he added, "And bad news." Mira asked, "How bad is it?" Her husband explained, "I'll start with the good news. The Emperors have agreed that, whlie unexpected and unanticipated, Kotori's transformation into a Barian simply signifies that we can each have more than one Heir to our thrones." Tilting his head, the young man asked what everyone else wanted to. "What's the bad news?"
Mizar replied, "She has to remain in Sanctuary until she can be properly trained with her new powers." Kotori asked, "So I can't go back to Earth?" Her father replied, "No. I'm sorry." Asuka put her hand up. At the Emperor's nod, she asked, "Does that mean that the rest of us might have siblings?" Mizar replied, "To my knowledge, your father only had you, and Marin only had Yumi. The other Emperors, however, I'm not sure. It could be possible." Homura tilted her head in confusion. "I know for a fact that I was an only child." The Dragon Emperor replied, "I do remember Dumon mentioning that, yes."
A knock came at the door, and Mizar said, "Come in." Vector walked in, and looked at Akiru. "I don't mean to interrupt, but it's come to my understanding that you have a friend in Osaka by the name of Ichiro Kamikage?" The young man nodded. "Yes, he is a friend of mine. Is there a problem?" The Dark Emperor replied, "He's my son." Everyone in the room gasped in shock upon hearing that, Shiki gently approaching her father. "I have a brother?" The Dragon Emperor asked, "Do you believe he has the potential to become a Barian?" Vector nodded. "He is the better Duelist between himself and Shiki, so it is more than likely."
Turning his attention to everyone gathered, he added, "Nash and the other Emperors agree that the best course of action is to bring him to Sanctuary for his own safety." Facing Akiru, the Dark Emperor finished, "They've selected you to retrieve him, since you know him personally." Mira spoke up. "Hang on. Didn't the Emperors want to wait until sending any Heirs out on missions?" Mizar nodded. "That was the decision, yes." Vector explained, "Due to the nature of his powers, and the fact that he is the most experienced Duelist of all the Heirs here, Nash feels that this kind of mission shouldn't be an issue for him."
Nodding in understanding, Akiru asked, "When do I leave?" The Dark Emperor replied, "Not quite yet. There are a few things we need to go over with you before you go to Osaka." The young man nodded in understanding. Gesturing for Akiru to follow, Vector said, "We'll discuss everything with Nash before you leave." The young man replied, "I understand." The Dark Emperor led Akiru and Mizar to a room where Nash was waiting for them, his cape blowing in the wind. Looking at Akiru, the High Emperor spoke up. "You've probably already guessed this, but I want you to keep a low profile while you're there. Don't draw attention to yourself." The young man nodded. "I understand."
Vector held something up. "Keep this with you, but don't use it unless you absolutely have to." Looking it over, Akiru recognized it. "I remember seeing one of those. Corwan used one when I first met him." Mizar nodded. "They're called Varia Sphere Cubes. Supply of them are limited, so as Vector said, only use it if you must." His son nodded. "Understood." Nash spoke up again. "The sphere cube will open a Barian Sphere Field, which will allow you to harness your full powers during a Duel. Otherwise, you will be unable to use your Barian form."
Hearing that, the young man asked, "Will I be able to use any of the powers from the Galaxy-Eyes?" Mizar replied, "I doubt you'll be able to fully harness them, but you might be able to use them to a limited extent." Akiru replied, "Understood." Nash said, "Now, to use the Overlay Network, simply concentrate on where you want to go." Confused, the young man asked, "The Overlay Network is a real thing? Not just in Dueling?" The three Emperors all chuckled in response, Vector replying, "Yes. However, you can't just open the Overlay Network anywhere in Osaka. We've found an abandoned warehouse in the city about a kilometer from Ichiro's apartment. You should be able to use it as a base of operations while you're there."
Nodding, the young man asked, "So how should I explain everything to him?" Vector replied, "It would be best to introduce him to the truth slowly." Handing Akiru a blank card, he said, "This will form into his Number Over One Hundred if he does become a Barian." Nodding, the young man asked, "Is there anything else I should know?" Vector replied, "I don't believe so, other than being discreet, which you may have already guessed." Akiru nodded. "I understand." Nash nodded. "Good luck, Akiru." The young man bowed, then left the room, his long blue hair flowing behind him until he opened the Overlay Network and flew through it.
(Osaka, Abandoned Warehouse)
Three men sat around a card table looking over some Duel Monsters cards they'd collected. One of them looked at a few in particular and said, "We found some good ones. Thse will make us a load of money." His friends laughed with him, not noticing a portal opening behind them, and Akiru stepping out of it in his human form, looking around for a moment, then noticing the three men. "Ah, a minus." The three looked at him, as he finished with, "Current tenants." One of them grabbed a baseball bat and said, "Get your ass gone." With a smirk, Akiru replied, "Make me, bitch."
Angered at Akiru's tone, the man rushed him, but collided into a wall that suddenly appeared out of thin air and dropped unconscious. The other two picked up their Duel Disks and activated them. "I don't know how you did that, but there's no way in Hell you can beat us in a Duel!" With a smirk, forming his Duel Disk, Akiru replied, "Try me." A few minutes later, all three men lay in a pile near another warehouse, with their illegal drugs and other substances in the pile with them, all softly groaning. The police officer who came to check on them could only make out the word, "Plasma" from them, which made him think they were so high, they couldn't even speak.
Inside the warehouse he'd just cleared out of the criminals, the young man went through the cards on the table, and took note of one in particular. "Oh, I've always wanted this one!" Putting it in his pocket, he continued sorting through them. When he was finished, he took the cards he had no use for, and put them them in a baggy. Making his way up to the warehouse office, he took a seat at the desk, and looked through his Deck. Looking at his Number Over One Hundred, he made a distinctive choice. "I can't use you on Earth except against another Barian. You're too powerful for any human."
After modifying his Deck for while he was in Osaka, he walked to the window and looked outside. "Hmm..." Closing his eyes, he concentrated, and found a trace of his friend's whereabouts. Making note of the location, he put his Deck into his pocket and stepped out of the office, making his way to the warehouse entrance. It was time to find his friend.
(Osaka Kita district, an hour later)
A young man with a small growing beard, brown hair, and a brown jacket walked along the street making his way to his apartment. His backpack carried a Duel Disk in it, though he hadn't had any major competition since coming to Osaka. Oh, how he missed a certain friend of his, who was one of two people who could and had kicked his ass in the past. He took notice of two figures in trench coats approaching him, and slowly got ready to bring out his Duel Disk, when a familiar face popped in front of him. "Surprise!" Stumbling back in shock, the brown-jacket-clad young man said, "Akiru?!"
His friend and rival grinned as he replied, "The one and only, Ichiro. How've you been?" His friend laughed as he got up. "Goddamn it, Akiru, call ahead next time. I could have prepared something." Nudging his glasses, Akiru replied, "That's not necessary. Come on, we have a few things to talk about." Ichiro grinned and followed after his friend, the two sitting down at an outdoor cafe. After ordering a couple drinks, Ichiro faced his old friend and asked, "So, still the top Duelist in Jurin?" With a nervous chuckle, Akiru replied, "Ah, there's been a change for me recently. It's why I'm here."
Tilting his head in confusiong, the bearded young man asked, "What do you mean by that?" His friend replied, "It's a very long story." Ichiro replied, "I have time. It couldn't be any worse than the shithouse I used to work at." Raising an eyebrow with an amused expression, Akiru quipped, "As much as I'd like to hear that story, this is kind of important." After making sure that no one was listening, he leaned in and said, "I'm not human." Confused, his friend asked, "What the fuck do you mean by that?" In response, Akiru removed his glasses, revealing the golden tint in his eyes, much to Ichiro's shock. "Wha...?"
Their drinks arrived, and they thanked the waitress, then went back to their conversation, Akiru beginning to tell his friend everything about how he was pulled into Barian, getting his Barian form, Ichiro listened on, his expression becoming harder to read. Finally, he asked, "So your dad is an emperor of another world in another galaxy and you only found out a few days ago?" Akiru nodded. "I did get a nice upgrade for my Deck, in the form of this." Laying Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon on the table for Ichiro to see, he waited to see his friend's reaction, who took note of the Number Crest on the artwork. "A Number Over One Hundred?"
The Heir of Mizar explained, "They can only be used by a Barian Emperor and a Barian Heir, like me, which leads me to why I'm here. One of the other Emperors is your father." His friend looked up at him with a very surprised expression, asking, "Are you sure?" Akiru nodded. "He sent me to bring you to Barian. There was a rebellion in Barian until recently, and the Emperors, after discovering that you were the son of Vector, are concerned that you might be targeted." Ichiro let out a breath and leaned back into his seat for support, asking, "How many other Heirs are there?" His friend replied, "Including you, there are nine that we know of. You have a sister."
As Ichiro's eyes widened at that revelation, the sound of a man clearing his throat got their attention, the man saying, "It's time to settle this, boy." Tilting his head in confusion, Akiru asked, "Have I see you somewhere befo-?" Realization hit him, and he growled in frustration, "Oh, it's you." His friend looked at him. "You know this guy?" Akiru replied, "His name is Corwan." Ichiro nodded in understanding. "Right, the son of a bitch with that reaper you were just talking about." Looking at him, Corwan asked, "I beg your pardon? My mother wasn't a dog." Rolling his eyes, the Heir of Mizar asked, "Don't you have anything better to do?"
It was then that a second man joined them, bowing politely. "Hello again, my Lord." Akiru raised an eyebrow as he recognized the habit. "Morris?" The former rebel nodded with a smile. "I am pleased to be remembered, my Lord." Ichiro spoke up. "Is this a servant of yours?" The Heir of Mizar replied, "No, he's also a rebel, just more polite." Nodding in understanding, Ichiro faced him and said, "Sorry I have to kick your ass." Morris tilted his head and replied, "I apologize, but I am not acquainted with you." Akiru spoke up. "If you two want to Duel, follow me. If we Duel out in the open, we may attract some unwanted attention." Corwan and Morris nodded in agreement.
The four entered the warehouse Akiru had claimed as his base, taking up tag team positions, Akiru handing Ichiro the blank that Vector had given him. "Maybe you'll get lucky and enter your Barian form here." Corwan sighed. "Don't tell me he's another one." Ichiro replied, "We'll see how you feel about me after I kick your fucking ass!" The former rebel was quiet for a moment, then turned to Akiru with a grin. "I actually like this one." Smirking back, Akiru replied, "You know that won't save you." The Heir of Mizar formed his Duel Disk as Ichiro activated his, and the former rebels activated theirs, the three Barians entering their Barian forms, while Ichiro took a look at Akiru's Barian form, muttering to himself, "What the fuck...?" His friend replied, "Duel now, talk about my Barian form later." The bearded young man nodded in agreement, and the four drew their starting hands.
(Ichiro: 4000)
(Morris: 4000)
(Akiru: 4000)
(Corwan: 4000)
Getting ready, Ichiro said, "I'll start this off! I Draw!" Looking at his card with a grin, he said, "I hope you two aren't scared of the dark. I Summon Vampire Familiar to the field!"
(Vampire Familiar appeared: a level 1 DARK monster with 500 ATK)
Corwan made a "hmm" in response, while Morris simply watched. Continuing, Ichiro said, "I'll also put two cards Face-Down, and end my turn!" Morris drew his card in response, and said, "An impressive first turn, young man. I will Special Summon Dark Nova Dragon through his Special Ability!" A purple dragon with stars floating off of it appeared in front of Morris, its gaze focused on Akiru and Ichiro and letting out a roar of fury.
(Dark Nova Dragon appeared: a level 6 DARK monster with 2500 ATK)
Seeing this dragon made Akiru raise an eyebrow, saying, "That's an odd choice for a Hieratic Deck." In response, Ichiro looked at his friend with an annoyed expression. "Dude! Spoilers!" Facepalming, his friend replied, "Right, sorry..." Morris smirked in response. "This dragon is how I have hunted the Galaxy-Eyes dragons. For now, I will simply end my turn." Drawing his card, Akiru took note of what it was, and said, "I activate the ability of Nebula Dragon in my hand. While I have another level 8 Dragon in my hand, I can reveal them both, and Summon them to the field with their abilities negated! I reveal Nebula Dragon and Rabidragon!"
Morris grinned under his mask, thinking to himself, 'Excellent. He has taken the bait.' Putting the cards on his Duel Disk, the Heir of Mizar said, "Come on out, you two!"
(Nebula Dragon appeared: a level 8 LIGHT monster with 2000 ATK)
(Rabidragon appeared: a level 8 LIGHT monster with 2950 ATK)
With the setup complete, Akiru said, "I Overlay my level 8 Nebula Dragon and Rabidragon!" As the two dragons were enveloped in streams of light, the streams suddenly vanished, the Heir of Mizar's eyes widening in surprise. "What the hell?!" Morris explained, "Here is why Dark Nova Dragon is my most powerful weapon for hunting the Galaxy-Eyes. While it remains on the field, no one can Xyz Summon any Xyz Monsters higher than Rank 6!" Narrowing his eyes in annoyance, Akiru replied, "You sneaky bastard!" Ichiro growled under his breath. Looking over his options again, the Heir of Mizar sighed and said, "I'll put this card Face-Down to end my turn."
Turning to glare at Morris, he added, "You're damn lucky I can't attack on my first turn in a Tag Duel." Morris simply laughed in response. Drawing his own card, Corwan said, "I will activate the Spell Card Xyz Benefit. Each player will count the number of Xyz monsters in our Extra Decks. I only have three, to start." Looking at his own, Akiru replied, "I have ten." Morris looked through his Extra Deck to count, Morris said, "I have three." Ichiro didn't even need to count. "I have five." Corwan explained, "That makes for twenty-one Xyz monsters in all. I divide that number by seven, which becomes three, then I draw that final number of cards."
Drawing his three cards, the former rebel said, "I now activate the Spell Xyz Rising!" Akiru rolled his eyes in annoyance. "This stupid card again..." Corwan replied, "As the Heir of Mizar is already aware, I reveal an Xyz monster in my Extra Deck to you two, then Summon its required Summoning materials from my Deck. The monster I reveal is Crossroads Reaper!" Tilting his head in confusion, Ichiro asked, "What kinda sick ass name is that?" Corwan looked at him with a sigh, replying, "You are fortunate that your question is not as annoying as the Heir of Mizar's gay jokes." In response, Akiru quipped, "Which is totally true."
Growling in response, the former rebel called out, "I'll Summon three Dark Blades from my Deck!"
(Three Dark Blades appear: each level 4 DARK monsters with 1800 ATK)
Continuing, the former rebel said, "I now Overlay my three level 4 Dark Blades!" As the three monsters were enveloped in dark energy and spiraled upwards, Corwan continued, "With these three monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" A triple-ringed portal formed in front of him as he said, "I Xyz Summon Crossroads Reaper!" The skeletal monster rose from the portal, its massive scythe held at the ready.
(Crossroads Reaper appeared: a Rank 4 DARK Xyz monster with 2700 ATK and 3 Overlay Units)
Finishing, Corwan said, "I will activate his ability, cutting the Heir of Mizar's Life Points in half by using one Overlay Unit!" Akiru grimaced as the Reaper blasted dark energy at him, his Barian form reducing the pain he felt, his friend watching in concern.
(Crossroads Reaper's Overlay Units: 2)
(Akiru: 2000)
The former rebel stated, "I am unable to attack, so I end my turn." Ichiro drew his card with a concerned expression. "He can cut our Life Points in half with that thing's ability?!" Akiru explained, "No, the ability gives him three choices, but he can only do each one once per Duel." Looking over his options, Ichiro decided, "I Summon Vampire Retainer!" A white beast-like monster appeared in front of him.
(Vampire Retainer appeared: a level 2 DARK monster with 1200 ATK)
Continuing, he said, "I'll also activate Vampire's Domain!" As the Continuous Spell Card appeared in front of him, Ichiro said, "If any of my Vampires happen to deal battle damage to you, I gain the damage they deal to my Life Points!" Corwan chuckled. "You are aware that your Vampire Retainer and Vampire Familiar are no match for either of our monsters, correct?" Ichiro replied, "I'm fucking well aware of that, asshole. I'm just making some preparations, is all. I end my turn." As Corwan was confused as to what Ichiro meant by that, Morris drew his card. "I believe I will begin the onslaught, then. Dark Nova Dragon, destroy Lord Akiru's Nebula Dragon!" The purple dragon fired a beam of darkness mixed with what appeared to be stars, obliterating Nebula Dragon and knocking Akiru off his feet, landing on his back with a grunt.
(Akiru: 1500)
Ichiro looked at his friend in concern. "Akiru!" Getting up, the Heir of Mizar replied, "I'm fine." Turning his attention to Morris, he added, "I'll get him back for that soon enough." Morris smirked, and put a card Face-Down. "I'd very much like to see you try, my Lord. I end my turn with that Face-Down." Looking over Morris' field, Akiru began to think to himself. 'That Dark Nova Dragon stops me from Summoning my Xyz Galaxy-Eyes, but not Etoirir. I just need to draw either him or some way to take that dragon down.' Drawing his card and looking at it, he looked thoughtful. 'Lightray Grepher. This is a good start.'
Making his decision, he said, "I'll activate the ability of Lightray Grepher in my hand. By discarding a level 5 or higher LIGHT monster, I can Summon him to my field!"
(Lightray Grepher appeared: a level 4 LIGHT monster with 1700 ATK)
With that accomplished, Akiru ordered, "Rabidragon, attack his Dark Nova Dragon, and rip it apart!" The Hieratic rebel was ready. "I activate one of my favorite Trap Cards, Sakuretsu Armor!" The Heir of Mizar's eyes widened upon seeing it flip face up. "Damn it!" Ichiro remembered this particular card. "That card destroys a monster that's attacking on the spot!" Morris replied, "Very good. Now say goodbye to your Rabidragon!" As the dragon exploded from the Trap, Akiru gritted his teeth under his mouth guard. 'Just great. Looks like I'll have to go with Plan B.' "I'll Normal Summon my Queen's Knight."
(Queen's Knight appeared: a level 4 LIGHT monster with 1500 ATK)
Glaring at Morris, he said, "I Overlay my level 4 Lightray Grepher and Queen's Knight!" As the two monsters were enveloped in shining energy and spiral upwards, a triple-ringed portal opened in front of Akiru. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon Photon Papilloperative!"
(Photon Papilloperative appeared: a Rank 4 LIGHT Xyz monster with 2100 ATK and 2 Overlay Units)
Continuing, Akiru said, "I'll also activate my Pot of Greed, to draw two more cards!" Looking them over, he said, "I'll put one of them Face-Down, and end my turn."
Corwan drew his card, and said, "I will activate Crossroads Reaper's ability again, using an Overlay Unit to have each of us draw a card, then discard a card." Once all four Duelists did so, he added, "Now, attack Akiru's Photon Papilloperative!" Akiru was ready for this one. "My Photon Papilloperative isn't going anywhere! I activate the Counter Trap Card Negate Attack!" As the card was flipped up, Akiru said, "This card not only stops the attack, but ends the Battle Phase!" As the Reaper was halted in its tracks, Corwan sighed. "You're only delaying the inevitable, boy. You can't stall forever. I end my turn."
Ichiro called out, "You forget, he's got the Vampire Master on his side. You guys are not winning this Duel!" As he spoke, a voice entered his head. "Are you prepared to enforce that claim?" Gasping in pain, Ichiro slumped to the ground, crying out. The voice continued, "Do you yearn for this victory that badly? The night is your cloak, and your fangs are now sharpened. Go forth, and go for their throats, and embrace who you really are!" Ichiro's eyes glowed for a moment as he was covered in dark energy, revealing his new form, which was wearing a long red tailcoat, a dress shirt and khakis, dress shoes, long black hair, and glowing golden eyes, the left turning red.
His Duel Disk was similar to his human one, but colored crimson. Staring them both down, the newborn Barian declared, "You'll both make fine appetizers." The two former rebels stared in confusion to the remark as Ichiro drew his card, and said, "I Summon a second Vampire Familiar!"
(Same as before)
Grinning, he said, "I hope you guys aren't too fond of this place, 'cause you're going to Hell! I Overlay my two level 1 Vampire Familiars, and my level 2 Vampire Retainer!" Staring in shock, Akiru explained, "Yours can do that, too?!" Their opponents were shocked as well, Corwan speaking up, "How is this possible?!" The three monsters were enveloped in dark energy, and sailed upwards, a galaxy-shaped portal opening before Ichiro, who called out, "With these three monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" As the portal exploded, revealing a massive beating heart, he chanted, "Come, mine emperor, and lay waste to my enemies." As the heart formed into a dark garbed pale-skinned man with a sword, Ichiro called out, "Join us, Number 116: Vampire Emperor!"
(Number 116: Vampire Emperor appeared: a Rank 5 DARK Xyz monster with 2700 ATK and 3 Overlay Units)
As both of the rebels stared in confusion, Akiru explained, having already figured it out thanks to Shiki's Number before. "If I'm not mistaken, he can use any Vampire monster to Xyz Summon it, even if it's not level 5." Ichiro replied, "That's exactly right! Now, time to have some fun. Turnabout's fair play, motherfuckers! Go, mine Emperor, and attack Dark Nova Dragon! Dark Cross Slash!" Vampire Emperor gathered dark energy into the blade of his sword, and sliced Dark Nova Dragon in half, Morris grunting from the impact.
(Morris: 3800)
Ichiro called out, "Don't forget that I gain Life Points from Vampire's Domain because I inflicted Battle Damage to you! But first, I activate the ability of Vampire Emperor! Since he just destroyed a monster in battle, I can Special Summon that monster to my field, but its abilities will be negated, and it becomes a Vampire monster!" Grinning in response, Akiru added, "I'll have some fun with that. I activate my Trap, Eternal Galaxy, which lets me use my Photon Papilloperative to Xyz Summon a Galaxy Xyz monster that's four Ranks higher!" Staring in fear, Corwan called out, "No!" Grinning, Akiru replied, "Yes."
Continuing, he called out, "Using Photon Papilloperative, I rebuild the Overlay Network! Galactic Xyz Transformation!" As Photon Papilloperative flew into the sky as a stream of light, a galaxy-shaped portal appeared in front of her master, which she sailed into as it exploded, the familiar blue crystal rising from it. "Master of reality bound in chains, cast off your shackles and break free! Join us, Number 114: Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon!" The Galaxy-Eyes of Reality manifested, and roared at his prey.
(Number 114: Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon appeared: a Rank 8 LIGHT Xyz monster with 3000 ATK and 3 Overlay Units)
Ichiro called out, "Come on back, Dark Nova Dragon! You have a new master now!" The aforementioned dragon rose from its place, being bitten on the neck by Vampire Emperor and growling at its former controller.
(Dark Nova Dragon reappeared, now treated as a Vampire monster)
The self-proclaimed Vampire Master sighed happily as his Life Points went up. "I love this game."
(Ichiro: 4200)
Corwan stared in shock. "How the hell...?" Ichiro then declared, "Do it, Dark Nova Dragon! Attack Morris directly!"
(Morris: 1300)
(Ichiro: 6700)
Akiru snickered into his hand. "Damn..." Corwan grimaced, while Morris got back up, worried about the change of events. "Oh, dear..." Smirking, Ichiro asked, "Do you feel the agony of being overpowered?! I end my turn!" Corwan drew his card, grimacing, then got an idea, and said, "I put this card Face-Down, and end my turn!" Akiru drew his own card, stopping when he saw what it was. Looking at Corwan, who was grinning, he grinned back. "Corwan, you just struck out. Any last words?" The former rebel replied, "I have no last words." Without missing a beat, Akiru replied, "That works. Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon, attack Crossroads Reaper! Plasma Scourge of Destruction!"
Corwan grinned as he called out, "I activate my Trap, Ring of Destruction!" As the Trap rose up, he said, "When this Trap is activated, I choose one of my opponent's monsters, and destroy it on the spot, dealing all four of us damage equal to its Attack Points!" Making his decision, he said, "I choose to destroy Vampire Emperor! Say goodbye to your Life Points, boys!" Ichiro spoke up. "There's just one problem with that plan." Akiru added, "We don't give up. I activate the Quick-Play Spell known as Spell of Pain!" Upon the former rebel's look of confusion, Akiru explained, "This Spell only activates when a card effect would deal me damage. All the damage I would have taken is dealt to you!"
Ichiro chimed in, "And I've got my own Spell of Pain Face-Down as well, so I'll activate it now. So all the 2700 points of damage Akiru and I would have each taken is dealt to you instead, as well as the 2700 you stupidly dealt to your own partner, dumbass!" Morris spoke up, "So no matter what action we had taken during this turn..." Corwan finished with, "We still lose?!" Akiru replied, "It's your fate! Now get out of my sight!" The ring exploded, and Morris and Corwan both were blasted backwards, crashing into the ground, defeated.
(Morris: 0)
(Corwan: 0)
(Ichiro: WIN)
(Akiru: WIN)
As the two former rebels fled from them, Ichiro looked at his friend with a grin. "That was fucking amazing!" Akiru grinned in reply. "Come on, let's get to Barian. Your father is waiting for you." The two friends entered the Overlay Network, unaware of a pair of eyes watching the entire Duel. Stepping into the light in a militaristic outfit, with a katana at her side, a long black-haired young woman with piercing blue eyes watched the portal close with interest. "Barian..." Turning to leave, she muttered to herself, "I must inform Kiriya-sensei..."
A/N
This took a lot longer than it should have, mostly my fault, to be fair... Also, something that occurred to me. I have been neglecting the develupment of Asuka and the others, and I intend to correct that. These next chapters will be focused on their development, not Akiru's. As for the OC Cards, here we go.
OC Cards
Dark Nova Dragon
Attribute: DARK
Level: 6
ATK: 2500
DEF: 2000
Type: Dragon/Effect
Effect: If your opponent controls a monster(s) and you don't, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. Neither player can Xyz Summon Rank 6 or higher Xyz monsters.
Xyz Benefit
Normal Spell Card
Count the number of Xyz monsters in both players Extra Decks (Your opponent counts their own for you), then divide the total number by seven. Draw cards equal to the result of the division, rounding to the nearest possible result if necessary.
Number 116: Vampire Emperor
Attribute: DARK
Rank: 5
ATK: 2700
DEF: 2000
Type: Zombie/Xyz/Effect
Summoning requirements: 3 level 5 monsters
Effect:
You can treat any "Vampire" monsters you control as level 5 to Xyz Summon this card. When this card destroys a monster by battle, you can Detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; Special Summon the destroyed monster to your side of the field, but its effects are negated, also, it is treated as a "Vampire" monster. If this card would be destroyed, you can Tribute one "Vampire" monster you control instead, except this card.