/it appears that I have some explaining to do. The reason for why I gave Yuto a Number: simple. I may be a massive fan of the phantom Knights deck, but even I have to admit that compared to a lot of the other decks within the show, it just doesn't cut it. I mean, it only has 4 extra deck monsters. I just decided to give him a boost in power since he's going to be relevant in the story.
Btw, what I'm about to include in the deck of a certain King, was done by another story before, so no one complain that it shouldn't be there.\
Chapter 9: Lancers Reunited, Friendship Cup Starts
It has been a day since Yuto and Osrelios were adopted by the Fudo family.
During that time, Yuto and Oz finally got contact from Declan.
Declan instructed them to meet him at the City council's meeting room.
The two tell Yusei, who decides to take advantage of the situation.
Yusei wanted to speed up the adoption process, as well as try to bargain Crow's freedom.
Oz knew that Yusei didn't have to bargain, as Crow most likely would be there with the others. That is, if the timings right.
The three of them travel to the Council's office, thanks to Yusei's perks, he got a free escort.
Once they were there, they were walking to the meeting room, when they were stopped by a familiar voice.
"Looks like I've finally found the two of you."
The three Fudo turn to see Declan.
"Declan sir!" Oz exclaimed.
The two run up to him.
"Is anyone else with you?" Yuto asked.
Reira and Tsukikage appear from around the corner.
"Just us." Tsukikage answered.
"The rest are in the meeting room. I intend to barter with the council to gain their freedom."
"I guess heading to the council directly was a good choice after all." Yusei comments.
"And you are?" Declan asks.
"Yusei Fudo, the soon to be official adoptive father of these two boys." Yusei said as he held out a hand.
Declan gave the two boys a look. They both look away in embarrassed. "It kinda just happened." Oz admitted.
"We can save that conversation for later. Nice to meet you, I am Declan Akaba. The leader of the Lancers." Declan said as he shook Yusei's hand.
They then turn towards the Council's room and walk towards it.
They overhear Yuya mention about being from another dimension and meaning no harm.
Declan chooses that time to intervene.
"He's right." Declan said as he walked through the doorway. "Our aim isn't to cause mayhem."
"It's Declan!" Yuya cheered.
"Osrelios is there too!" Serena stated.
"Yuto! Your alright!" Exclaimed Shun.
Crows eyes widened. "Yusei!? That you?"
Crows friend Shinji spoke up. "It's good to see a close friend here."
"Crow, Shinji, Damon. I'm glad you three are alright." Yusei stated.
"Ah, if it isn't the up and coming scientist Yusei Fudo." One of the Council members said.
"Greetings Council members." Yusei stated.
"The forms that you have submitted have been approved. Congratulations on your adoption." The head council member: White Taki stated.
"Adoption?" Crow asked.
"I'll explain later." Yusei said. "For now, let's focus on the situation at hand."
It was then the conversation was continuing as Cannon.
The Lancers would participate in the Friendship Cup. Oz and Yuto excluded.
Seeing as Oz and Yuto weren't a part of those captured, and there wasn't that many slots for the cup, Oz and Yuto would be sticking with Declan.
Roget was then adding the Exhibition Match rule. This is when Oz decided to pay attention to what was going on.
"I would like to make a proposal." Roget spoke up. "I'd like one of the duelists here to be the King's opponent for the Exhibition Match this year. And I'd like it to be that young man right there!" He said while pointing at Oz.
'Huh!?'
"Him? May I ask why?" Another council member asked.
"I can tell he's a skilled duelist. It's just a feeling, but I believe that he'd make a great opponent for the King." Roget explained.
"Any objections?" One of the members asked Taki.
"None." Taki answered.
"And you Declan?"
"Also none." Declan responded.
He then turned to Oz. "Do you think you can handle this?"
Oz gave a smirk. "Obviously."
Members of Security then started to escort the participants of the Friendship Cup to the quarters.
Oz was escorted to the arena. Before he was lead out of the room, he was stopped by Yusei.
"Wait!"
Osrelios stopped, and turned to face Yusei.
"Here. I entrust you with this." Yusei said as he handed Oz a card.
It was Starlight.
Oz looked at the card surprised. "Are you sure?"
"I believe that you will be able to use its full potential. I trust you. Oh, and say hi to Jack for me, okay?"
Oz nodded and gave a grin. "You got it."
Oz was on a rental D-Wheel, waiting to be called.
He heard the announcer introduce Jack, which meant Oz was next.
"Now, his challenger: the recently adopted: Osrelios Fudo!"
Oz then took off towards the track.
Over with the rest, everyone was shocked about that announcement.
"Wait... Adopted!?" Yuya exclaimed.
"So that's what they meant." Crow stated.
"He got adopted..." Shun said. "Wait... If Yuto was with him, does that mean Yuto got adopted too?"
Even Jack was caught off guard by this information. 'He adopted another one? First it was the twins, and now an older kid? You and your soft heart Yusei.'
Oz then rolled up beside him. Oz stared at Jack for a little bit.
"You're staring." Jack said calmly.
"Oh, sorry. It's just that I'm a little star-struck." Oz admitted.
"I'm assuming that Yusei and the rest of his- ahem- your family told you about me?"
"Yeah. They told me that your a really powerful duelist."
"They're right. Now do you really think that you can defeat me? The king?" Jack asked.
"That's not something for me to decide. That's up to our cards to decide." Oz stated with a serious face.
Jack then cracked a smile. "I'm already seeing what Yusei must see in you. Very well, let's get this show on the road."
Oz smiled back. "May the best duelist win."
The two got ready and waited for the signal.
Once it was given, the two took off.
"Riding... Duel!" The two shout.
The two raced around the corner, but due to Jack's experience he got around the corner first.
"My turn!" Jack declares.
Jack LP: 4000 hand: 5
Osrelios LP: 4000 hand: 5
"I'll start by summoning Red Sprinter." Jack stated.
The monster appeared from a portal.
Red Sprinter: atk: 1700
"When this card is summoned while I control no other monsters, I can summon a level 3 or lower fiend-type tuner from my hand or GY. I summon Red Resonator."
Red Resonator: atk: 600
"Now, due to my Resonator's effect, I gain LP equal to my Red Sprinter's atk." Jack declared.
Jack LP: 5700
"Now I tune my level 4 Red Sprinter, to my level 2 Red Resonator! The crimson souls shall become one. All shall tremble before the king's might! Synchro Summon! Appear, Red Wyvern!" Jack chanted.
Red Wyvern: atk: 2400
"Now I set 2 cards and end my turn." Jack declared.
"My turn! Draw!" Oz shouts.
Osrelios LP: 4000 hand: 6
"Before you make a move, I have something to ask you." Jack stated.
"What is it?" Oz asked as the two duelists got even with each other.
"Why do you duel?" Jack asked.
Oz was silent for a second before answering. "Honestly, at first it was for the thrill. Being able to battle alongside real monsters was always something I wanted to do when I was younger. Now, my reason has changed. Now I want to protect my family, with all my strength. And I will crush anyone who tries to hurt them."
"I see. Then you are a worthy opponent." Jack stated as he once again took the lead.
Oz looked at him for a moment before focusing on the duel.
"First, I'll start by using Assault Synchron's effect. I take 700 damage in order to special summon it." Oz stated.
Assault Synchron: atk: 700
Osrelios LP: 3300
"That's a risky strategy there." Jack comments. "Now the gap between our LP is bigger."
"But it'll pay off." Oz stated.
"I activate the spell card: Battle of Rivals! What this card does is it allows the both of us to use monsters on both our fields to summon a monster from the extra deck. In this case, both of us can Synchro Summon a level 8 monster." Oz explained.
"So you want to face off against my ace so early? Very well." Jack said.
Red Wyvern turned into 6 stars before the starts split into a total of 12. Assault Synchron turned into 2 green rings before they split into 4 rings.
Half of the stars and rings went to Jack's field, the rest went to Oz.
"You can go first." Oz said.
"Very well. The heaven and earth shall tremble before the king's might. Let the power of the one and only supreme ruler be carved into your soul! Synchro Summon! The savage soul, Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend!" Jack chanted.
Scarlight appeared and gave a proud roar.
Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend: atk: 3000
"You see that everyone!" The announcer shouted. "Jack Atlas' ace!"
The crowd then started to cheer Jack's name.
"Cool dragon, but now it's my turn!" Oz shouts.
"Bonds beyond the flow of time and space come together to form new shining stars. Become the road that leads to our future! Synchro Summon! Starlight Stardust Dragon!" Oz chanted.
It was finally time to see Starlight up close.
Starlight is a dragon that looks similar to Stardust, but has a few differences.
First thing is that it has a gauntlet like appendage over its arm, like how Scarlight has. Next is that it has sharper horns, with a few chipped ones as well. The last difference is its wings. Its wings were translucent looking to house stars in them, as if they were windows showing a galaxy.
Starlight Stardust Dragon: Attribute: Wind, Type: Dragon, Level: 8, Atk: 2500, Def: 2000
Summoning condition: 1 tuner {plus} 1 or more non-tuner monsters
Effect: This card's name becomes "Stardust Dragon" while it is on the field or in the GY. While you control this card, your opponent can not destroy cards you control by card effect, except this one. Once per turn; you can send 1 tuner monster from your deck to the GY, this card gains atk equal to the sent monster's level x100. If this card is destroyed: special summon 2 monsters from your GY (1 tuner and 1 non-tuner).
Starlight spreads its wings and roars at Scarlight.
"I see that Yusei entrusted his ace to you." Jack commented.
"He did, and I intend to fight along side it to its full potential." Oz declared.
"Very well, then fight with full force!" Jack shouted.
"I intend to, but first, I'll be going all out! I activate the spell card: Alternate forms! This allows both of us to summon a second copy of a monster that we control. You can go first."
"Alright then! The pulse of the king now forms a line here! Witness the power of the rumbling heavens! Synchro Summon! My soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!" Jack chants.
Red Dragon Archfiend: atk: 3000
Oz looked at it for a second. "So your Scarlight's name is treated as Red Dragon Archfiend when on the field?"
"That's right. I may use Scarlight more, but my true ace is Red Dragon Archfiend itself." Jack admitted. "I've been saving it for when it was needed, but looks like you've forced me to use it prematurely."
The crowd then started to cheer louder.
"Would you look at that folks! The King's real ace!"
Oz then smirked. "Starlight is similar in this regard. Its name is treated as Stardust Dragon, and thus, I can summon the real ace of this deck as well."
"Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Soar, Stardust Dragon!" Oz chanted.
Stardust spread its wings and gave a loud roar.
Stardust Dragon: atk: 2500
Everyone was in awe at Stardust.
Yugo, who was currently in the crowd, looked at Stardust in awe more than the others. "It's like Clear Wing..."
Meanwhile in two separate locations, Yusei Akiza Leo and Luna all got headaches from seeing Stardust. Yusei's was the worst.
"Why is it that whenever I see that Dragon, my head hurts?" Yusei asked himself.
Declan, who was right next to Yusei, looked at with curiosity before focusing on the duel.
Jack stared at Stardust Dragon before holding his head in pain. "There's something familiar about that monster, but I don't know why."
Jack's distraction was enough for Osrelios to pass him.
Jack then focused and saw Oz ahead of him.
"Now I activate the effect of Junk Converter. I discard it and Jet Synchron in order to add Junk Synchron to my hand."
"Junk monsters? Is this Yusei's entire deck?" Jack asked.
"No. This is one of my actual decks. It's just similar to his. Anyway, I haven't normal summoned yet. I summon Junk Synchron!" Oz shouts.
Junk Synchron: atk: 1300
"Junk Synchron's effect! I special summon a level 2 or lower monster from my GY. Revive, Junk Converter."
Junk Converter: Def: 200
"Now, I tune level 2 Junk Converter, to level 3 Junk Synchron. The new world of speed is within my grasp. Become the key to open the way! Synchro Summon! Synchro-tuner Accel Synchron!" Oz chanted.
Accel Synchron: Def: 2100
"Hang on! A Synchro-tuner!?" Jack exclaimed.
Oz gave a grin. "Yep! And I'll show you what it can do! I use its effect to send Revolution Synchron from my deck to the GY in order to reduce Accel's level by the level of Revolution. Revolution is level 3, meaning Accel's level becomes 2!"
Accel Synchron: level: 2
"Ready Stardust?" Oz asked the duel spirit.
"Yes. Let us open this new world of speed." Stardust answered.
Stardust then concentrated some of his power into Oz' hand. Oz then placed his hand on the screen of the D-Wheel, simultaneously taking control of it and boosting its performance.
'Alright Osrelios. You know what to do. Clear your mind. Think of nothing, only the feeling of the wind. Only... the... wind...'
Oz then grabbed the handles of the D-Wheel and revs it into full throttle.
Oz then takes off, faster than before.
Everyone then hears a dragons roar. Oz recognized it as the Crimson Dragon.
"CLEAR MIND! I tune level 8 Stardust Dragon to level 2 Accel Synchron!"
Accel Synchron turned into two red rings, as Oz and Stardust started to be consumed by red energy.
"Dreams crystallize to open a new door of evolution! Become the path that lights the way! ACCEL SYNCHRO!!! Arise! Shooting Star Dragon!" Oz chanted.
The energy consumes them more as they gain even more speed.
Suddenly, the two of them disappear.
"Where'd he go!?" The announcer asked, surprised.
Jack, feeling as if he knows what's going on, looked behind himself and saw Osrelios and Shooting Star Dragon appear from a portal.
Shooting Star Dragon: atk: 3300
"What's this!? A new way to Synchro Summon!?" The announcer shouted.
"This method... it feels familiar." Jack says to himself.
"Get ready, Jack Atlas! I activate Shooting Star Dragon's effect! I look at the top 5 cards of my deck, and check if any tuners are among them. Shooting Star can attack as many times as revealed tuners."
Oz drew the top 5 cards of his deck and looked at them. The tuners among them were as follows: Majestic Dragon and Wheel Synchron.
"I count 2 tuners, this means Shooting Star can attack twice." Oz declared.
Back with the audience, they all had different reactions to what was going on.
"With 2 attacks from a 3300 atk monster, and a direct attack from Starlight... he'd be left with 2600 LP. Heck yeah! Kick his butt Yusei's kid!" Crow cheered.
"Oz still has many surprises." Declan observed. "To think he also had access to an advanced Synchro technique."
Yusei and the rest of the Fudo family( minus Yuto) were staring at Shooting Star and feeling nostalgic for an unknown reason. They also kept getting that killer headache.
Yugo was baffled. He has never seen such a powerful looking dragon other than Scarlight and his Crystal Wing. Yugo then thought he saw Shooting Star look at him for a moment.
Back with Oz, he continued his move. "I use Starlight's effect! I send Wheel Synchron to the GY in order to increase Starlight's atk by Wheel's level x100. Wheel is level 5, thus Starlight gains 500 atk!"
Starlight Stardust Dragon: atk: 3000
"Now, go Shooting Star! Stardust Mirage!" Oz shouts.
Shooting Star splits into two copies of itself as they fly towards both versions of Red Dragon Archfiend.
"Not so fast! Trap card: Changing Destiny! Your monster is switched to defense position and you get to choose between gaining LP equal to half your dragons atk, or inflicting damage to me equal to the same. Now choose!"
'Dang it! Now Shooting Star can't do anything until he attacks.' "I choose to gain LP!" Oz shouts.
Osrelios LP: 4950
"Now I set 1 card and end my turn." Oz declared.
"My turn! Draw!" Jack declared.
Jack LP: 5700 hand: 2
"You've dueled well, but it's time I end this." Jack states.
"I summon Crimson Resonator from my hand."
Crimson Resonator: atk: 800
"Next since I control a level 8 or higher Synchro monster, I can special summon Creation Resonator." Jack declared as he played the card.
Creation Resonator: atk: 800
'Oh no. This can only mean one thing' Oz though to himself.
"I double tune my level 3 Creation Resonator and my level 2 Crimson Resonator to my level 8 Red Dragon Archfiend! The king and devil now merge here! Rugged soul! Give the roar that created heaven and earth! Synchro Summon! Come, Red Nova Dragon!"
Red Nova Dragon was summon in the same manner as it was in 5Ds. It gave out a roar upon summon, to which Shooting Star did the same.
Red Nova Dragon: atk: 3500
"Hello my eternal rival. I see you've gotten a new duelist." Red Nova said.
"You certainly haven't changed." Shooting Star comments.
"Red Nova Dragon gains 500 atk for each tuner in my GY. I have 3 tuners so Red Nova gains 1500 atk!" Jack explained.
Red Nova Dragon: atk: 5000
Oz just looked at Red Nova in both awe, and excitement.
"Heh. Looks like my old reason hasn't fully died out. This duel is filling me with a lot of adrenaline. Every inch of my body is screaming at me to continue. Come on Jack Atlas! Give me everything you got!" Oz shouts.
"Very well. Go Red Nova Dragon! Burning Soul!" Jack declared.
Red Nova Began to charge at Starlight.
"I activate Shooting Star's effect! I banish it to Negate your attack!" Oz countered.
"In that case, Scarlight, attack Starlight. Scorching Crimson Hell Burning!" Jack shouts.
'He's gonna crash our monsters? This isn't an Action duel like it is in the anime, and he used up the last cards in his hand, unless...'
"Strike Back Starlight! Glimmering Sonic!" Oz shouts.
The two attacks fly at each other, clashing.
The two attacks cause and explosion. Once it cleared, the two dragons charge each other and began to fight up close.
The fight was vicious. The two dragons were clashing at high speeds, while occasionally scratching and biting each other.
'It's like all the times Stardust and Red Dragon Archfiend clashed in 5Ds.'
In the climax of the fight, Jack made a move.
"Trap card: King Scarlet! Scarlight won't be destroyed, then this card summons itself as a tuner." Jack explained.
King Scarlet: Def: 0
Scarlight then was surrounded by a crimson aura, and immediately gained the upper hand.
Scarlight grabbed Starlight and started to spin.
Scarlight kept spinning and gaining momentum, and then it threw Starlight straight down at Osrelios.
"Oh no." Oz said as he watched the dragon come hurtling down towards him.
Oz accelerated hard, narrowly avoiding the impact.
Oz then breathed a sigh of relief. He then focused. "When Starlight is destroyed, I can summon a tuner and a non-tuner from my GY. I choose Stardust and Accel Synchron!"
The two synchros rise up from portals.
Stardust Dragon: atk: 2500
Accel Synchron: Def: 2100
"I see. You can bring out another one of those Accel Synchro monsters. Very well, let's see what you've got! I end my turn." Jack declares.
"During the end phase, Shooting Star resurrects." Oz explained.
Shooting Star Dragon: atk: 3300
'Alright, everything depends on this very draw. Come on my deck, guide me down the intended path.'
Oz closed his eyes before opening them sharply. "Draw!"
Osrelios LP: 4950 hand: 1
Oz looked at his card before smiling. "Thank you, my deck."
Oz then looked up. "I use Accel's effect! By sending a second copy of Junk Synchron to the GY, I reduce Accel's level to 2. Now I perform a second Accel Synchro!"
Just like before, Oz and Stardust picked up speed.
This Time, however, the mark of the Dragon Head appeared briefly on Oz' arm.
'The Mark of the Dragon Head!? Is it because I'm using Stardust?' Oz quickly thought to himself before focusing.
"Clustering hopes crystallize to form a brand new path! Become the foundation that brings us a step closer! ACCEL SYNCHRO!!! Arise! Stardust Warrior!"
The two disappear again only to reappear behind Jack.
This time the Accel synchro monster: Stardust Warrior was on the field.
Stardust Warrior: atk: 3000
"Yet another one of those Accel Synchros! Too bad this guy isn't a participant, otherwise we'd get to see more of these amazing plays!" The announcer shouted.
"This is over, Jack! I activate my last face down, the quick-play spell: Final Cross! During my turn, if a Synchro monster was sent to my GY, I can target a Synchro I control and allow it to attack twice. Additionally, if the target is a Warrior, Synchron, or Stardust monster, then it gains atk equal to one synchro in my GY! I choose Stardust Warrior, and have it gain Starlight's atk!" Oz exclaims.
Stardust Warrior: atk: 5500
"Now, Stardust Warrior, attack Red Nova Dragon! Final Star Impact!"
Stardust Warrior charges straight for Red Nova.
"We won't go down without a fight! Red Nova, strike back! Burning Soul!"
The two monsters charge each other, and grip the other by the arm, similar to how Red Nova and Shooting Star did at the end of 5Ds.
"Sorry, but this duel ends in my favor. I activate the effect of Rush Warrior from my hand. When a Warrior Synchro monster of mine battles, I can discard Rush Warrior to double the current atk of my monster!" Oz shouts.
Stardust Warrior: atk: 11000
"11000!?" Everyone shouts.
"Oz sure likes bringing out high amounts of atk." Serena comments from her suite.
"It's over for Jack. Too bad this isn't an official match." Crow commented.
Yusei was just looking on with pride in his eyes.
Yuto just smiles. 'That my brother for you.'
Jack noticed he has no way of stopping the attack. He just smiles and holds his arms out.
Stardust Warrior pushes Red Nova off of it before flying upwards. It then started to fly downwards straight towards Red Nova with an arm forward.
'Just like Junk Warrior finishing off Red Dragon Archfiend.' Oz thought.
Stardust Warrior then is surrounded by energy that turns into a giant fist.
Red Nova tries one last time to fight back, only to be immediately pushed back by the energy.
Red Nova was pushed all the way down to the ground before being crushed by the energy.
Jack LP: 0
Jack's D-Wheel spun out of control before he regained control and slowed to a stop.
Oz then stopped near him.
The entire crowd was silent. Their King just lost.
Oz stepped off his D-Wheel and walked over to Jack.
Jack stepped of his D-Wheel and approached Oz.
The two stated the other down for a second before smiling and shaking hands.
The crowd then went wild. They were cheering both Jack's name and Oz' name.
Jack gave Oz a glance. "If this wasn't an exhibition match, you'd be crowned the new King."
Oz glanced back. "Then maybe next year, I'll challenge the Friendship Cup for real and claim that title."
Jack then gave a small, but hearty laugh. "I'd like to see you try."
With those watching, they all had different reactions.
"So he can be defeated." Roget observed.
"He brought everyone together through his dueling... I'll have to try the same." Yuya said.
"Such power... how does he do it?" Yugo questions.
"That's just how he is." Yuzu answered. "During the first duel I ever saw from him, he summoned out monsters that could quickly gain a lot of atk."
"If he was able to use that advanced Synchro technique, does that mean he can use Rank-Up?" Shun asked himself.
Back with Oz and Jack, some employees were sent to escort the two of them back to the tower.
Jack was taken back to his chambers, while Oz was taken to where Declan and the rest were.
Once Oz got there, he was greeted by the rest.
"Congratulations on your victory Osrelios." Declan stated. "We have successfully shown the power of the Lancers."
The council was talking amongst themselves.
The head of the council, Taki spoke up. "We have seen the power that your group holds. We are leaning towards assisting you in your endeavors. However before we make a final decision, the Friendship Cup must conclude."
"That is fair enough." Declan states.
"You did good." Yusei said.
After some discussion, Yusei was escorted to the entrance to go home.
Yuto and Oz had to stay behind with Declan.
The 5 lancers were then escorted to the same building that their comrades were.
Tsukikage was given his own room. Declan and Reira had to share, and Yuto and Oz shared a room.
For the Akaba siblings and Fudo siblings, their rooms had two beds respectively.
The biggest difference between their rooms and the rooms of the participants; they aren't confined to their rooms, and are able to move around the building freely, seeing as their are guests.
As Oz and Yuto were about to get some sleep, Oz was thinking about what he could do during this time. He isn't participating in the Friendship Cup, seeing as he walked in with Declan. Oz felt like him beating Jack in the exhibition match was most likely enough to sway the council in their favor quicker. Although Roget was certainly still a problem.
'Maybe I should go into my mindscape and ask one of my spirit partners to teach me how to make myself essentially invisible. That way I could sneak around without Roget noticing... The Relinquished line, as well as my illusion monsters got to be the ones.'
Oz then let his body go unconscious as he willed himself into his mindscape for training.