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After Relon and Ryan's duel, the five had finally lost their remaining energy leaving them to begin their trek home. It wasn't until reaching the outskirts of Uni City that they were finally splitting up.
"Okay, catch you guys… ah, later." Nile bids with a yawn.
"Thanks again for the help, man." Relon waves. "You too Sera."
Unable to see the spirit sitting atop Nile's shoulder give a sweet smile and wave, both depart.
"Tonight was pretty fun, don'tcha think?" She asks peering to her best friend.
"Yeah. It was definitely something..." He murmurs resting his hands in his pockets as he goes quiet.
"Thinking about Relon?" She wonders hopping off to float beside him.
Giving only a nod, his attention looks to the morning sky.
"Arise from the murky depths and crush everything and everyone before you! Let the cheers of the Colosseum lead you along the path of victory! I fusion summon! Gladiator Beast Domitianus!"
"Domitianus; a monster that can negate other monster effects, not to mention decide which monster the opponent has to attack."
"Emerge once again, savager of the deadly night. Let those that stand before your mighty power hear your deadly screech! Gladiator Beast Nerokius!"
"Nerokius; a monster that is immune to destruction through battle on top of ceasing all effects from activating. Then… the one that will cause us the most trouble."
"Noble sovereign instilled with the primordial flames, roar with the fury of a champion my chimera! Gladiator Beast Heraklinos!"
He stops his stride to give a momentary glance from where he came. Nothing to see but the bustling civilians heading either home to rest from their busy night or to get to work on another hectic day in the famed city.
"Heraklinos. A monster that can negate as many spells and traps as it wants as long as he has cards in his hand."
"Nervous after seeing him go all in?" She wonders with a grin.
"Yeah." He answers bluntly returning to his trek for the momentarily stunned Sera to snap from her stupor catching up. "Ryan himself is on another level but Relon was still holding back and brought out a win."
"What do you mean?" She wonders with a tilt of her head.
"Did you forget Ryan banished Domitianus? Had it not been banished and Relon was able to summon the other two, that duel would have been over much sooner. All three out on the field at once… that's way too potent of power." He growls, fists clenched in his pocket.
"That just means it'll taste all the sweeter when we beat him." She says with equal confidence for Nile to eye the spirit before returning ahead.
"Yeah… First things first, we need to figure out how to stop him from summoning his boss monsters. Our simple strategies won't work on him. It'll only delay the inevitable."
"You say that but you haven't had an opponent make you duel hard in a long time." She eyes the male. "A strategy is fine, silly, but you don't need to be overly cautious just because you see the strength of a duelist. Have some faith in us." She crosses her arms, the sense emanating from her every word causes Nile to pause once more as his mind slowly comprehends her meaning.
Suddenly slapping himself, Sara doesn't jump, only awaiting the grin he soon wears.
"Thanks, Sera. Lost my cool there. Almost ended up like that idiot Kaiba." He grins for a fit of giggles to escape Sera.
"Like that would ever happen."
Relieved over the situation, both continue on home. Plans for the near future already being formulated. Some to defeat strong duelists like Relon and Ryan while others would be focused on how to troll their next victims.
Relon
"And another thing, DON'T EVER TAKE MY STUFF AND NOT TAKE ME TOO!"
"Ugh, this is exactly why we left you! Because you never SHUT UP!"
If he had a single yen for every time both girls argued, he'd have more money than both Uni City itself and Kaiba Corporations put together.
Immediately after bidding their farewells, not even a minute into their tired trek, Anna raised all of her pent-up cain on the two and the worst part was she wasn't wrong in the slightest. However that didn't mean either was up for hearing the irate young woman complain the entire way home.
"Anna, we get it! We're sorry!" He groans, the fatigue from the night and his duel having finally caught up to him.
"DON'T EVEN TRY TO WEASEL YOUR WAY OUT, MISTER! WHEN WE GET HOME, YOU'RE NOT LEAVING MY SIGHT! AND YOU, PANCAKE, ARE TO NEVER COME INTO MY LINE OF SIGHT OR YOU'RE GETTING BLASTED!"
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A PANCAKE, YOU COW?! GOOD LUCK AIMING WITH ALL THAT FAT IN THE WAY!"
One yen. Every argument. Rich as can be.
Sighing at his current life nowhere near as financially successful, Relon can only roll his eyes as a small crowd near one of the parks grab his attention.
"A duel?"
Giving a momentary glance at the two, he carefully slips away.
"Frostbite Blizzard!" A voice shouts through the spectators for a plume of frost to whip at the air.
Shuffling through the crowd, Relon comes to a halt in time to see the life points of one duelist reach zero. Looking to the virtual snow dissipate, his eyes shift across to the likely victor retracting their duel disk.
Said item resembles a painting palette donned in an assortment of colors belonging to the rainbow. As for the duelist himself, he's a slim-figured male around Relon's height. He has short reddish-orange hair with a portion of it curving outwards on both sides of his head and ocean-blue eyes. His attire consists of a dark-gray sweatervest over a white dress shirt with a red tie around his collar, black pants, an orange wristband with two white lines on his left wrist, and shoes an assortment of red, blue, white, and yellow.
Watching as both duelists shake, the crowd begins to disperse. Eyes remaining on the duelist, it isn't long until their eyes meet. Stifling for a moment, the blue-eyed duelist widens ever so slightly to raise a hand. Curious if it's a wave, Relon's interest is intercepted by two hands grabbing his collar.
"Gak!"
"I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD SLIP AWAY LIKE THAT!"
"A-Anna, it's not like that!"
"Master, we are going home. NOW! I refuse to be with this nuisance for another moment! And when we get home, you're not leaving my sight for a second!"
"R-Rio, c-calm down!" He struggles, their grips on him not budging an inch.
Staring in wonder at what just transpired, the duelist's hand lowers.
"Huh. Didn't expect to see Lucinance of all people out and about this early." He muses, eyes lingering on the sight of the protagonist being dragged by two girls. "Oh well, we'll get a chance for introductions soon enough."
With that, the painter-duelist departs. His next destination already in mind.
"How'd you even find us in the first place?" Relon asks now free as he adjusts his messed-up collar.
"Hellooooo, I have a tracker on all my stuff." Anna emphasizes by lifting her duel disk.
"Note to self; take that out the next time we go for a night walk." Rio mutters.
"DON'T YOU EVEN-"
"OKAY, ENOUGH WITH THE YELLING!" Relon groans as they finally reach the neighborhood district. "I just wanna get home and sleep."
"Maybe next time you both will think of bringing me along."
"Anna, how were we supposed to know a simple night walk in the city would turn into… all of that?" He argues.
"Your luck isn't exactly the best in hindsight." Rio muses aloud in thought. "Then again, you're friends with Anna so that basically quadruples."
"GRRRR, THAT'S IT! WE'RE DUELING! RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!"
"Didn't Relon just say-" Sighing, she bats the girl an eye. "Fine." She forces a smile. "I'LL SHUT THAT MOUTH THE ONLY WAY I KNOW HOW!"
"FINALLY, WE CAN AGREE ON SOMETHING! GET READY TO GET BLASTED TO SMITHEREENS!"
Watching their disks activate, Relon can only walk over to a nearby wall and sigh one thing.
"Why me?"
Kaiba Corporation
Looking at the latest data sent from his research team, the world-renowned Seto Kaiba looks on with a calculating gaze.
Much of the Duel Circuit's duelists have either elevated their skills to greater heights or drowned within the abyss known as fame losing what little footing they had in the first place.
Not that it mattered to him of course. Losers were the ones that lost and winners were the victors. That is how it has always been since the beginning of time. Still, his own status as a "Legendary Duelist" to the world was the epitome of skill in the art of Duel Monsters.
The title alone spoke of his success and prowess. Very few could match him in terms of anything and everything. Yet, the few that could… wouldn't. None gave him the time of day, no challenge ever issued or requested and he didn't personally care. He had a business to run. There was no point in wasting time on duelists that didn't interest him or vice versa.
Peering out the glass window at Uni City, his focus draws back to his deck. Atop it all lay three of the many prized possessions known to dueling.
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon…" He mused inspecting his faithful monsters.
Only three existed and he held all three. If some idiot duelist boasted about a card being what represented them, then Blue-Eyes would be Kaiba. Its dominance on the field, its ability to fuse strategies together in order to decimate the competition; it was the embodiment of Kaiba himself.
"Seto!"
Thoughts returning to reality, he returns his three cards atop the deck before dismissing the virtual analytics. In doing so, his sight takes in his beloved younger brother. The same little brother who happened to be the vice president of their company.
"What is it?"
"Pegasus has arrived."
Ah, that irksome man. The founder of duel monsters who also happened to be their collaborator on the game itself.
Rising from his seat, he brings his coat. With a few buttons, they depart down the elevator. Feeling lights shutter faster than one can blink, all motion ceases. With a whirring sound, both step into the lobby to meet the man himself.
"My, if it isn't the Kaiba brothers. My, how you've grown my dear Mokuba." He smiles.
"Save the pleasantries for those that actually care."
"Now, now, Kaiba-boy, there's no need for the same childish attitude."
If Kaiba could sever that irksome smile, he would. Consequences be damned.
"You're here for business so let's get to it." He turns beckoning the two to follow.
Once again, they enter the elevator only to exit it moments later. Trekking down a small corridor where workers bow in respect, they enter a meeting room. Situating themselves, Pegasus takes the reins.
"Let us discuss the recent happenings within Uni City and its Academy, shall we?"
Duel Circuit
"AND THAT'S IT, FOLKS! IN A ONE-SIDED VICTORY, TEAM SENATE ELIMINATES TEAM RNG WITH AN ASTONISHING SCORE OF 5-0! IS THERE ANY TEAM THAT CAN PUT AN END TO THIS GROUP'S STREAK?!
Watching far below as the winning team waves to their adoring fans, one Rex Goodwin watches from his office.
"Lazar, how is the Ener-D Reactor Prototype coming along?" He questions.
"Thus far it has proved efficient, sir." A short man with makeup on humbly bows. "All data has gone as predicted."
"Ensure it remains that way. The capabilities to empower an entire city such as Uni… the sheer possibilities are endless should we succeed."
"Yes, sir."
Watching his assistant depart, Goodwin returns to the celebration. One duelist currently in an interview pauses. As though able to sense Goodwin's own gaze, he grins before returning to the interview.
Much was to come. For both Uni City and its inhabitants.
Arcadia Movement
Within the dark, abandoned structure, deep underground sat the leader of the Arcadia Movement himself, Sayer.
Perusing possible candidates was a tedious task. The odds of one having "abnormal" abilities had become quite common over the last few decades. The issue lies in what sort of abnormality one sported. There was a slight difference between a duelist using the power of duel spirits and a duelist using their own power.
It took an experienced eye to spot the difference and even then, individuals like himself could still be fooled. That's why he wished to gather as many "abnormals" as possible.
Uni City was a place of opportunities on the surface but below, equality was the furthest thing from the truth. The rich prospered, and those with support thrived in the dueling occupation. Only those with talent, luck, or both managed to escape the clutches of the underside. On the other side lay the poor, those who struggled, the less fortunate scavenging what cards they could. Yet, a large majority of that very same class happened to have abilities ripe for the picking.
His plan to overthrow the corrupt would soon be underway. Once all the criteria and preparations were met, Uni City would change for the better. Those who looked down on the common folk would pay for their transgressions.
Hearing a knock at the door, his own thoughts come to a halt.
"Come in." He calls to immediately smile at the individual approaching. "Akiza." He breathes.
Akiza Izinski. The most prominent, loyal, and destructive psychic duelist next to himself. Following her own parents abandoning her in fear of the power she possessed, he was quick to take advantage of such an opportunity.
"Do you have a moment, Sayer?"
"Of course. I always have time when it comes to you, Akiza. How can I help you? Well, before that, shouldn't you be resting? You did just return home."
"I couldn't sleep. Something has been… bothering me."
"Oh? Pray tell what might that be?"
"Relon Lucinance." She mutters as though befuddled by her own answer.
Sayer was aware of the Uni Student. Most of Uni City was if anyone paid attention. He was the only person to survive that tragic plane crash all those years ago. News has kept track of him and other skilled duelists who've had their own tragic stories.
"What about him? Does it relate to your late return home?" At this, a hesitant nod comes.
"After completing my assignment, I was departing when I bumped into him and his acquaintance." Nodding, she continues. "They were being chased by the authorities and before I could grasp the situation, he dragged me along until we rejoined the bustling city."
"Go on." He says leaning forward with interest.
"I separated myself from them and was about to return here but…"
"But what?"
"I… can't explain it." She forces out supporting her head. "I couldn't turn away, Sayer. It was like he himself was calling to me. Even as they escape the authorities, I couldn't turn my back away." By this point, the girl was gripping herself clearly distraught.
Rising, he walks over bringing the young woman into a soft embrace.
"It's okay, Akiza. Take your time."
"His very being… It felt like watching myself." She whispers. "He fought to survive and yet, he was smiling all the same. Tell me, Sayer!" She pleads looking up at her leader. "How can someone who showed so much pain in those eyes be able to still smile?!"
For once, Sayer was at a loss for words. Never before had Akiza been so stuck on something so vague much less anyone else but him. Her curiosity was astonishing. With such an emotion, surely her powers would grow to.
At that moment, a plan hatched. Something that would enable his plans to be pushed ahead of schedule by a great margin should it succeed.
Returning to peer at the worrying girl, his facade activates.
Hands moving to hold the young female by the shoulders, his tender smile is the first thing that begins to ease her.
"I don't know, Akiza. But it seems as though you've taken an interest in this boy." He answers, stepping back to his desk. "If one seeks answers, then to the source is where they must go."
"But… to do that…"
He nods.
"I know. For now, let's keep watch. When the time presents itself, I promise, you'll be able to ask him directly."
"Do you mean it?" She awes with enlarged eyes for another nod to come.
"I do."
Like any child promised a treat, she gleamed in delight. And like any becoming adult, she realized this and quickly confirmed.
"Thank you, Sayer. I will be heading to bed now."
Chuckling, a few types later and the boy in question pops up on his screen.
"Relon Lucinance… huh."
Airport
Gazing upon the endless city, one woman with a suitcase next to them releases a jovial smile.
"Uni City. How long has it been?"
Donned in a simple cool weather attire consisting of pants, a shirt and a short sleeve jacket with shades, said woman withdraws a phone. On the home screen lies a picture of her, a man, and a young girl.
Honk!
Eyes shifting over to the taxi approaching, she drops her shades veiling the world in a darker tint.
"Mrs. Irisear I presume?" The driver greets tipping their hat.
"Haha, the one and only."
"Thank you for your service ma'am. My family has sworn to the service ourselves so you have my utmost respect."
"Well, sir, it's thanks to you all for your wonderful support that we can keep fighting the good fight."
"Welcome home, madam. Are you returning to your family by chance?"
"Yes. My wonderful husband and daughter whom I haven't seen in years." Settling into the car for it to drive off, she rolls down her window allowing the cool breeze to brush against her skin. "Ahh, it's good to be home. Eina, just how much have you grown since I left? I can't wait to see!"
Uni Academy
"How are repairs coming…"
Seated at a desk with multiple monitors open lies a bespectacled youth with pale skin and gray hair. Wearing a dark blue sweater and pants with a red scarf wrapped around his neck, the young man peers at one individual on a monitor.
"Professor Banner?"
"President Akaba, repairs are estimated to be at 30%. The construction organization estimates full repairs in under two weeks."
"Very well. Keep me notified on both the repairs and on our students."
"If I may sir, are you referring to the school body or only the top 10?"
Adjusting his glasses, his neutral attitude faces off against the jovial expression his teacher sports.
"Wouldn't the 10 refer to the student body as well, professor? Or are you inquiring that I care only for those who excel within my school?"
"Given your own search for potential lancers, it is quite obvious that we are nurturing all of our students to bring out their latent potential. Lucinance being one of the many, sir."
Eyes remaining still, the mental narrowness that they do makes the silence that follows grow dense.
"Whoever stated Relon Lucinance was a student of interest?" Reiji wonders.
"How odd?" Banner wonders expressing a thinking gesture. "Given the media coverage on him, the obvious lack of skill he shows despite his deck's abundance of coverage, his personal bond to the nearly equally skilled Anna Kaboom and Rio Castle, need I continue?"
Hands intertwining to cover his lower face, Reiji looks on unamused. Sighing, Banner relents.
"Of course, like other students, that is but a guess."
"And only that." Reiji dismisses. "Keep watch and notify me should anything occur. That goes for all students of interest. Including Relon Lucinance and those related." With a click, the screen closes.
Allowing a breath to escape, the young man rises to peer out the window at the vastness that is Uni Academy. A fearsome fate would arrive in the near distant future and he needed as many warriors as possible for what is to come.
"We must be ready. They will not wait."
Sighing as his monitor closes, Banner gathers a cloth to wipe at his glasses.
"He can never be honest. Not until I make a mention first. Alas, I can't help but wonder how things will be. Relon, Anna, everyone, do be careful. Troubling times are approaching us…"
Gaven Household
"YOU FUCKING IMBECILES!"
Within the confines of the Phenex Manor, the shattering of glass echoes within the room. Kneeling before Gaven Phenex himself, unkempt hair matching his furious attitude, the room full of followers whimpering in fear at the anger.
"Sir, please let me explain!"
"EXPLAIN WHAT, YOU WORTHLESS TRASH?! YOU FAILED TO RETRIEVE SIMPLE PURSES FROM OLD WOMEN!"
"Boss, we did steal fortunes though!" One grunt musters out.
"Oh?" He blinks, looking around every nook of the room. "THEN WHERE THE SHIT IS IT?!"
"The… cops… took it back."
"MY FUCKING POINT YOU IMPUDENT PEONS!"
"Gaven, it isn't our fault!" Neil, his right-hand man, bursts aloud from his kneeling position.
"Not your fault? You, the one who I deem second only to myself. You, the one who has the best skill second to my own. You, the one whom I gave numerous custom cards and still lost! Do explain yourself, Neil. Go on, I'm listening! Who stopped you all from committing a simple crime?"
"It's all Lucinance's fault! Him, Vance, those bitches! It's all their fault!"
That… made the overflowing hot water erupt within. So much that Gaven didn't react. Instead, his furious demeanor softened to the point that his transition worried his group of grunts.
"Oh." He finally speaks, turning and taking his seat on the tarnished couch. "I see. Yes. That makes sense. Tell me, Neil, did you duel Lucinance?"
"N-No sir. I dueled the Castle girl."
"I see…" Rising up to cover his face, the edges of his lips reveal a sinister grin like that of a lunatic. "Hehehe… hahaha. I see, yes." As if having an inner epiphany, his head snaps to his group of grunts and Neil who stiffen. "I need not explain my cause for going down this path, do I? The hatred I have from having to rely on this uppity family that took me in, the boredom of a simple human life?"
"N-No sir! We all grasp the words you offered us and follow you faithfully!" Neil kneels as do the rest.
"Good. I know the next plan. Do not interfere with Relon or his companions. None are to interfere in any way. Relon Lucinance is my prey. I'll be the one to annihilate him. He has both embarrassed me and stood in the way of my own term of living. He's wronged me twice. There will not be a third time. Our next battle will put all on the line!"
Relon Lucinance, you'll rue the day you crossed my path!
Pub
Within the city, down an alley, down a stairwell, in the depths past a quiet bar in the far back lies a quiet man with a single phone in his hand. On its wallpaper, it shows a picture of a young Relon and his family.
A fairly young man with pale red eyes and blue hair with pink highlights, wearing half-moon glasses. He wears a long red shirt with strips of it flying loosely below his waist and nearly touching the floor, along with a loosely tied white and navy undershirt.
"It's time I uphold my promise I suppose." With a click, the picture transitions to the Relon of today in his school uniform. "Relon, time to see how good your worth is."
Picking up his tab, he makes his way to the bartender dropping off his payment.
"Pleasure as always." He parts with an aloof wave. Bowing before their most renowned guest, the bartender lifts up as the bell indicates said guest's departure. "Mr. McBurn."
Key Characters
Seto Kaiba - Duel Monsters
Seto Mokuba - Duel Monsters
Pegasus - Duel Monsters
Rex Goodwin - 5D's
Lazar - 5D's
Akaba Reiji - Arc-V
McBurn - Legend of Heroes: Cold Steel