Ra Yellow Dorm: Kai's Room, Nearly Noon…
Given last night's challenge, Kai got a late start to today, but that was fine by him. He prepared to tackle the day, ate breakfast, and finished up unpacking before getting down to business. With what little time he had left, the Heroic user went on the computer to begin researching.
He felt good about the Heroic deck, but it was missing something. Something he could add to truly make it his own, and not in the way of new support as decks were changing over time. No, he was looking for complimentary cards.
"Monsters…spells…traps…extra deck." Kai thought. "I'll take each one step by step to build this out properly, even take the deck apart to each individual card and determine a proper build. Firstly, monsters. I need something that blends with my Heroic monsters.
Heroics, for the most part, consists of Earth Attributed warriors, so it'd be wise to tap into that wider pool of cards before attempting to restrict it by the level of the monsters I currently have. Preferably, there'll be a few coherent monsters I can use from the hand."
Research was but the first step. Once he committed down what cards he wanted, he'd need to start heading to the academy card shop where he'd buy the appropriate packs and potentially single cards needed to construct his deck.
Outside
When the time came to meet Bastion, Kai was joined by Dimitri, and the pair headed on outside.
"Based upon how he took the top score in the written portion and coupled with how he performed in the practical exam, I imagine this will be one tough duel." To Dimitri's credit, he did sound concerned, yet also sounded excited about the coming duel all the same.
"Perhaps you're right, but I'll never learn where I stand if I back out." Kai stated. "Win or lose, I imagine Bastion and I will duel again anyways."
At that moment, the pair were approaching Bastion. "Good afternoon, I see you've brought Dimitri along."
"Hope that's alright." Kai stated.
"The more the merrier." Bastion smiled. "Anyways, provided you don't mind, I've found a spot by the cliff nearby that would give us some privacy. I hope you don't mind if we have our little contest there?"
"Lead the way." Kai stated simply.
They ended up going not far from the yellow dorm. Bastion initially took the pair down the path that would have led to the red dorm before pulling a sharp left. They then descended a hill before coming to a cliffside overlooking the ocean. It was a neat spot.
"Before we begin, I'll give you the privilege of selecting which deck you would like to face." Bastion declared as he unbuttoned his blazer to reveal six deck boxes strapped to his torso. "I have a deck for every attribute, from dark to wind."
"Given who Bastion is, it stands to reason he wouldn't be comfortable using the deck Kaiba got him until he understands it inside and out." Kai glanced Dimitri's way. "With outside company, smart of him not to make a big deal of it."
He shifted his gaze back his opponent's way. "The Evols are all fire attribute, so that's an option; however, I think I want to see what else he's got." The heroic user nodded. "Let's see your dark deck."
Bastion retrieved and inserted the selected deck. "If my dark deck is your selection, then my dark deck you shall face."
They moved across from each other, with Dimitri moving to the side, and activated their duel disks. "Let's Duel!"
(Kai 4000/Bastion 4000)
"With your permission, as I was the one to issue this challenge, I would go first." Bastion stated.
"Go right ahead." Kai stated.
Bastion drew his sixth card before smiling. "So many options, but I believe this to be the optimal move. Through the effect of Gravekeeper's Commandant, I can discard him to retrieve the ace card of this deck being Necrovalley."
A transparent, muscular man in a black robe and with the mask of Anubis appeared before shattering as the field spell was ejected from the deck. "I'll then activate the card I added, which is a field spell."
The immediate area became a valley at sunset. "Thanks to this field spell, all my Gravekeeper's shall see a 500 ATK/DEF boost." Bastion explained. "Additionally, interaction with the grave is now prohibited for both sides."
"Given his deck's archetype, such a field spell makes sense." Kai stated.
"Now then, I'll set one monster and one card before ending my turn" Bastion nodded. "It is now your move."
"Alright, I draw!" Kai did just that before looking at his hand. "I got Halberd again, but with that field spell in play, the possibility of him getting over that monster is reduced." He'd need an alternative play. "Fortunately, I see one."
He nodded. "If you control a monster while I control none, I'm allowed to special summon Heroic Challenger – Assault Halberd(LV 4/1800/300)." A purple armored warrior, wielding a halberd, appeared.
"Oh, Kai's not playing that dragon deck of his?" Dimitri was surprised, but he grinned. "Well, this new one seems to be off to a good start with a monster like that."
"I now normal summon Heroic Challenger – Night Watchman(LV 4/1200/1000)." Kai continued as a leather armored, blue caped warrior appeared.
"Impressive cards." Bastion remarked. "Well executed on your part to boot."
"If you think that's impressive, just wait until you see what the monsters themselves can do." Kai declared. "Night Watchman, attack that face down monsters."
Night Watchman rushed forward and sliced at the card which flipped to reveal Gravekeeper's Guard(LV 4/1500/2400 effect), a more rotund man who instantly shattered upon Watchman stabbing him with his blade. Contrary to what Bastion and Dimitri thought, Kai took no damage. Conversely, both of Kai's monsters were suddenly afflicted by a purple aura.
"To clear up your confusion, Night Watchman's can destroy any monster he attacks before the damage step." Kai explained.
"That's quite the counter to a good portion of this deck given quite a few are better served being set." Bastion nodded as this made his decision easier. "Well, upon being flipped, Guard allows me to send any one monster you control back to your hand. I choose Assault Halberd."
The purple aura overcame Assault Halberd as he was once again back in Kai's hand.
"By sending Assault Halberd, he prevents Kai from dealing any damage this turn while conserving that face down of his." Dimitri realized.
While that was part of the reason, Bastion had more to his decision than that alone. Keeping Night Watchman on the field made him easier to contend with than giving him back to Kai and having him potentially hold onto such a monster now that he knew what deck this was.
"With only Night Watchman left, who's already attacked, I got no choice but to set one card." Kai declared.
"Too bad, you were stopped Kai!" Dimitri called from the sidelines. "You'll get him next time!"
"Seems you two have become quite the friends in such a short time." Bastion noted.
"When you have the opportunity, it's nice to have someone watch your back." Kai responded.
"A well put sentiment" Bastion drew with a smile. "Now, I'll begin this turn by activating my set Rite of Spirit to target any 1 Gravekeeper's monster in my grave and special summon them to the field."
"I don't take you for someone to play an impossible card that would conflict with your field spell." Kai noted.
"Right you are." Bastion smiled. "Necrovalley is the ace card of the Gravekeeper's because they can observe the proper practices associated with such a space. Common cards like Monster Reborn or Call of the Haunted simply ignore proper customs of the afterlife. Now, I'll be using this trap to return my Gravekeeper's Guard(LV 4/1500/2400 effect) to the field.
I'll then normal summon Gravekeeper's Spiritualist(LV 4/2000/2000 effect)." A woman in ritual garbs appeared. "She has an effect due to Necrovalley being on the field. During my Main Phase, Spiritualist can initiate a Fusion summon utilizing monsters I control or that are from my hand."
"He can pull of Fusion without a spell card for it!" Dimitri thought stunned.
"I shall combine my Spiritualist with Guard to bring about a superb boss monster." Bastion continued. "Fusion summon Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist(LV 7/2500/2500 effect)." A muscular young man with wild white hair appeared.
"I'll admit, this is the first time I've seen such a way of fusing." Kai stated, impressed.
"If you're impressed by the way I fused, then the effects of the result should knock your socks off." Bastion declared. "First, this monster gains ATK & DEF equal to the combined levels of the materials used. Guard and Spiritualist had four levels each, so that's eight levels.
An 800 boost." Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist(LV 7/3300/3300 effect) was surrounded by a light blue aura as his strength rose. "Next, as Necrovalley is on the field, this monster and the field spell cannot be destroyed by card effect.
Lastly, during my Main Phase, I can initiate the effect where I add any Gravekeeper's monster or Necrovalley card from deck to the hand at the End Phase of my turn. In case it wasn't obviously, I shall initiate it."
"Whoa, that is one powerful boss monster!" Dimitri realized in awe.
"It really is impressive." Kai thought.
"Now, Supernaturalist will destroy your Night Watchman with Supernatural Surge." Bastion declared.
"I activate my face down Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light." Kai countered. "Once per attack, when you initiate an attack, I can instead pay 1000 life points to negate it."
Three swords of light shot down from above and fell around Supernaturalist before glowing brilliantly to cease his attack (Kai 3000/Bastion 4000).
"Hm, what an interesting card." Bastion noted.
"I slipped this one in myself because it has its uses." Kai alluded.
"I'll assume more than he's just shown." Bastion nodded. "Alright, I'll set one card and end my turn." Supernaturalist's staff then glowed blue as he pointed it at Bastion's deck. "That means Supernaturalist lets me add a card." He made his selection. "Your move."
"Even though he's got such a powerful boss monster, you still did a great job Kai!" Dimitri cheered. "You spared yourself a good deal of life points and you got your monster!"
"I'm about to put him to use right now." Kai drew. "I'll start this turn by summoning Heroic Challenger – Double Lance(LV 4/1700/900)," A white, purple, and light blue armored warrior wielding two lances appeared.
"For the purposes of Xyz summoning a monster, this Challenger can act as two monsters. Considering you decided to show off a more advanced form of fusion, I figured I'll reciprocate with a slightly more advanced Xyz summon.
I overlay Double Lance and Night Watchman to build the overlay network. I call upon the legendary sword of Japan. Xyz summon Heroic Champion – Kusanagi(R 4/O 2/2500/2400)." A red and orange warrior with a glowing orange blade appeared.
"As impressive as that is, I'm afraid I'll have to make is seem less so." Bastion called out. "I activate my face down Necrovalley Temple. While a Gravekeeper's monster and Necrovalley are on the field, this continuous trap will weaken your monsters ATK/DEF by 500."
"I'll counter with Kusanagi's effect." Kai declared. "By detaching one of his overlay units, I can destroy any one trap you activate and bestow my monster with 500 extra ATK."
Heroic Champion – Kusanagi(R 4/O 1/3000/2400 effect) slashed out his sword, sending out an orange crescent of energy that struck and shattered the trap card.
"When Necrovalley Temple is destroyed by one of your card effects, I can set any other Necrovalley spell or trap directly from my deck." Bastion selected just the card. "Now, I assume you wouldn't have played that monster without something to get over my Supernaturalist."
"You'd be right as I have the spell card Heroic Chance." Kai declared. "In exchange for being unable to attack directly, I can target any Heroic monster I control and double their ATK for the rest of the turn."
He smiled. "I only got the one." Heroic Champion – Kusanagi(R 4/O 1/6000/2400 effect) "Kusanagi will now destroy your Supernaturalist!" Kusanagi rushed forward and with one slash of his sword he cut Supernaturalist down (Kai 3000/Bastion 1300).
"Alright, great turn Kai!" Dimitri cheered. "Keep it up!"
"It was a superb move." Bastion noted. "Is there anything more?"
"Nope, that's all I have for this turn." Kai nodded. "I'm handing the reigns to you."
Heroic Champion – Kusanagi(R 4/O 1/3000/2400 effect)
"Very well, my draw." Bastion drew and seemed satisfied with what he got. "First, I'll summon Gravekeeper's Curse(LV 3/1300/1300 effect)." A man wearing black robes and wielding a hooked staff appeared. "When this monster is summoned, you take 500 life points of damage."
Curse's staff glowed purple before Kai was afflicted with the same energy (Kai 2500/Bastion 1300).
Kai grinned. "That's a cheeky little card."
"Even then, it is a mere prelude." Bastion declared. "I now activate the card I set prior thanks to you, Necrovalley Throne. This normal spell has 2 effects, I'll utilize the one which allows for the normal summon of a Gravekeeper's monster.
I'll facilitate this by offering Curse as Tribute. Now, I bring out Gravekeeper's Chief(LV 5/2400/1700 effect)." A man in white and black robes, with golden trim, appeared. "By controlling him, my grave is unaffected by Necrovalley.
Additionally, I can target and special summon any Gravekeeper's in my grave. I shall return Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist(LV 7/2500/2500 effect). Now, the board is set accordingly as I move to finish this."
"What does he mean by that?" Dimitri asked himself. "Sure, Supernaturalist has exactly enough ATK to wipe out Kai's remaining life points, but he's protected by Kusanagi."
"Now, I activate Magicalized Fusion to conduct a Fusion summon of a spellcaster by banishing materials from my field or grave. I banish Gravekeeper's Commandant, Guard, Spiritualist, and Curse from my grave along with Chief from my field."
"A five-material fusion!" Kai/Dimitri declared as one.
"Indeed." Bastion declared. "Securing this card for my dark deck took quite the pretty penny, but I feel it more than constituted as such. I call upon the pinnacle of Spellcaster Fusions. Fusion summon Quintet Magician(LV 12/4500/4500)."
A tall Magician in regal blue, purple, and gold spellcaster robes appeared with multiple, archaic runes floating around him. A monster whose sheer power rivaled the strength of any of Seto Kaiba's Ultimate Dragons.
"If you think my Magician's sheer power is all I have, then I'd think again." Bastion declared. "One of his effects is that upon being Fusion Summoned through five differently named materials, I can destroy all cards my opponent controls."
Kusanagi turned into blue particles before surging into the grave, leaving the heroic user virtually undefended.
"No way…" Dimitri was stunned.
"Quintet Magician, end this duel with Quintuple Dark Magic Attack!" Bastion called out.
The five runes moved before Quintet's right hand as he held it out.
"If you're going to win, I'll make you work for it." Kai declared. "I activate the effect of Rainbow Kuriboh from my hand." A small fiend came forth from his back row and sheened with rainbow energy. "He now equips to your monster, preventing him from attacking."
"I figured a duelist such as yourself would have a counter, and Quintet's effects don't prevent that." Bastion declared. "That's why, when the opportunity presents itself, always have a back up. Supernaturalist, end this with Supernatural Surge!"
Supernaturalist held out his staff and shot out a beam of light blue energy which washed over Kai (Kai 0/Bastion 1300).
As the holograms faded, Kai walked over to Bastion and offered his hand. "You had me beat Bastion, but it was a great duel."
"Same to you." Bastion smiled as he shook the offered hand with a sincere smile. "You pushed my dark deck to its absolute best." He nodded as they let go. "Any time you want a rematch, you just have to ask."
"That duel was sweet!" A familiar voice called out. "You guys really are awesome!"
All three Ras turned to see Jaden, Syrus, and Greg, who seemingly joined Dimitri when none of them were looking.
"Jaden, when did you arrive?" Bastion asked.
"Sy, Greg, and I were checking out more of the island when we happened to see magic effects in the distance." Jaden replied. "We figured a duel was going down and came to check it out." He cheerily walked up to the pair. "Are either of you guys up for another duel?"
"I'm afraid I'm not quite ready to duel you yet, Jaden." Bastion stated politely. "I'm still determining what deck will give me the best chance against your heroes."
"That's cool." Jaden nodded. "What about you, Kai?"
"Sorry, I need time to assess this duel before getting into another one." Kai stated.
He couldn't deny the urge to duel Jaden; however, he'd hold off in the spirit of reassessing how his deck stood at present.
"We'll duel back at the dorm after we've explored the island." Greg offered.
"Alright, that works for me!" Jaden declared happily before then looking to the Ras. "Hey, why don't the six of us check out the island together. It can be like yesterday."
"Provided we avoid that arena, I think Dimitri and I would be in." Kai nodded. "The two of us were thinking of checking out the island together anyways."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Dimitri declared, matching Jaden's level of energy.
"You'd all be alright with me accompanying?" Bastion question, not expecting the invitation.
"It would be rude not to after we've said all this in front of you." Kai voiced.
"Yeah." Syrus agreed.
Bastion smiled. "Then, I would love to join you all."
Over the Rest of the Day…
The six students, three Ras and three Slifers, went around the island. Unsurprisingly, you couldn't see the whole place in half a day; however, they saw all the important sights. The hot springs, the dorms, and checked out the academy.
Their group was rather eclectic, but it was a good group. Jaden and Dimitri had similar energy levels to the point conversation was never lacking. Bastion had a great deal of insight into duel monsters, which went well with Dimitri's diverse knowledge.
Kai could be serious when he dueled, but outside of that, in a setting like this, he tended to go with the flow of the group. Greg was a chill guy who could chime in on the dueling aspects but shined in music. Syrus was simply down to earth, and down for anything.
Slifer Dorm: Early Evening…
After hours of fun, laughs, and stories, each set of boys returned to their respective dorms. Syrus now stood atop the cliff while Jaden and Greg faced off down below. The sun began to bathe the island in orange light while the water of the ocean lapped against the nearby rocks.
"Alright Greg, let's see what you're working with." Jaden declared.
Greg nodded with a smile. "I'll do my best not to disappoint."
"Let's Duel!/Get your game on!" Greg/Jaden declared.
(Jaden 4000/Greg 4000)
"I'll take command." Greg drew. "It starts with Gladiator Beast Retiari(LV 3/1200/800)." A bipedal, green lizard man wielding a trident appeared. "I'll then equip him with Gladiator Beast's Battle Archfiend Shield." A fiendish shield appeared and was grasped by Retiari. "I'll reveal what this does in due time. For now, I'll set one card and end my turn."
"Alright, my move!" Jaden drew and grinned. "Oh, this is going to be sweet! I summon Elemental HERO Ice Edge(LV 3/800/900)." A short warrior in blue spandex with ice armor appeared. "This little guy may not look like much, but his effect might make you rethink that."
"What exactly is that monster's effect?" Greg questioned.
"One of them is that during my first Main Phase I can send any one card from my hand to the grave in order for this little guy to attack directly." Jaden did just that. "Let him have it Ice Edge!" Ice Edge skated along the ground and through Greg (Jaden 4000/Greg 3200).
"Now that Ice Edge has dished out some battle damage, he can destroy any one set spell/trap card on your field. You only have one set card to target." Ice Edge produced an icicle, which he threw at the face down, and it flipped up to reveal Double Tag Team before shattering.
"Jay managed to achieve a lot, but was that monster really the best he could bring out?" Syrus pondered.
"That's not bad." Greg stated.
"Just wait because this is only the beginning." Jaden grinned. "For now, I'll throw down two face downs to end my turn."
"Alright, my turn!" Greg drew. "I'd hoped Jaden would summon something stronger and attack Retiari; however, he unknowingly avoided what would have followed." He selected a card from his hand. "I summon Gladiator Beast Bestiari(LV 4/1500/800)."
In accordance with the changed strategy, Greg had summoned forth a bipedal green bird with green armor. "You're pretty good Jaden, to the point I got to show you my deck's secondary function. Allow me to introduce you to Contact Fusion."
"Contact Fusion?" Jaden questioned before grinning excitedly. "I've never heard of something like that before. What is it?"
"This is the way Gladiator Beasts fuse." Greg held up his duel disk. "I reshuffle Bestiari and Retiari back into my deck to conduct fusion without the aid of a spell. I call upon the beast of destruction. Descend, Gladiator Beast Gyzarus(LV 6/2400/1500)."
Syrus stared on in awe at what Greg achieved as the green, bipedal bird appeared now wearing thick armor. "He really just summoned without the aid of a spell card." He blinked in disbelief. "How is he a Slifer Red?" He thought about it. "Did he even participate in the practical?"
People like Bastion, Jaden, and Kai stood out from the rest who'd taken that exam. With an ability like this on his side, Greg should have been no different. Syrus supposed it was possible he just hadn't used it. Yeah, that made sense to the young Truesdale.
"Whoa, that's awesome!" Jaden exclaimed happily.
"Just wait, as this only gets better." Greg declared. "First, as Gladiator Beast's Battle Archfiend Shield was equipped to a monster shuffled into the deck, I'm allowed to return it to my hand from the grave. Now, whenever Gyzarus is special summoned, I can destroy two cards.
I'll destroy your Ice Edge and your left face down." Gyzarus lunged forward and destroyed both cards, the one set being Draining Shield. "With that cleared, I'll equip Gyzarus with the priorly returned equip spell."
"Oh man, your deck isn't disappointing!" Jaden declared.
"You know, Jaden is actually a blast to duel." Greg grinned as he proceeded into the final move of this turn. "Now, I finish out my turn by having Gyzarus attack you directly!" Gyzarus rushed forward and through Jaden (Jaden 1600/Greg 3200).
"That was one heck of a turn." Jaden laughed good naturedly. "Looks like I need to do something big in return." He drew before nodding. "Alright, get ready for this Greg because I'm coming at you full force."
"I'm ready Jaden." Greg nodded back. "Give me everything you got."
"Alright, then I'll first utilize the effect of Elemental HERO Necroshade from my grave." Jaden declared. "Once while he's in there, I can summon any Level 5 or higher HERO without tributing a single card."
"Necroshade, when did…" Greg stopped as he realized when that happened. "Wait, you…"
"That's right." Jaden smiled. "Thanks to Ice Edge last turn, I was able to set up my grave to summon Elemental HERO Bladedge(LV 7/2600/1800)." A golden hero with blades coming out his arms appeared.
"Whoa!" Syrus was stunned. "Jaden has such a powerful monster in his main deck!?"
"Before I get down to it, I'll equip my HERO with Element Sword." Jaden declared. "This blade will grant my HERO an extra 800 ATK if he battles it out with a differently attributed monster. Let's see if your Gyzarus is one. Go, Elemental Slash!"
Elemental HERO Bladedge(LV 7/3200/1800 effect) rushed forward as his blade glowed green before being slashed at Gyzarus. The Beast put up the shield which took the blow and shattered, leaving the monster on the field (Jaden 1600/Greg 2400).
"That was a nice attempt, but it ultimately proved fruitless as that shield I've been equipping my monsters with can be destroyed instead of them." Greg declared. "What's more, almost every Gladiator Beast thrives in combat.
Any time they come out the other side of their encounter, I can return them to the deck or extra deck. In the case of most fusions, I'm allowed to return them and bust out two monsters instead of the one most any main deck beast allows."
"Not so fast Greg." Jaden grinned. "I activate the face down you missed earlier, Edge Hammer. By tributing Bladedge, I can destroy any 1 monster you control and inflict damage equal to the ATK of that monster. I tribute Bladedge to destroy Gyzarus!"
Bladedge retrieved a golden blade from his back as he turned into golden particles and flowed into Jaden's grave. Before he vanished completely, he hurled the blade dead center into Gyzarus' chest destroying him and causing a golden aura to wash over Greg (Jaden 1600/Greg 0).
"That's game!" Jaden declared.
"Yeah, I suppose it is." Greg nodded as he approached his fellow Slifer. "No wonder you were able to overcome Crowler in the Entrance Exam like you did." He shook his head. "That deck of yours is no joke."
"Well, your deck was pretty sweet." Jaden patted his back. "To think, I'd get to go up against someone with a whole style of fusion I haven't ever seen before." He threw his arm around Greg as they proceeded to walk on up to Syrus. "I can't wait to see what else people got on the island."
Syrus was wide eyed. "Those two really are something else."
Ra Yellow Dorm: Night…
This night was no different from the last as Kai ate his fill at dinner while everyone watched. Granted, they weren't as shocked, though it's not like one could expect them to be used to seeing a dormmate eat many plates of food on just the second night.
Sartyr was still quite happy with this turn of events. Still, people were quicker to return to their dinners, which meant many ended up adjourning to their rooms sooner. Among them were Dimitri and Bastion who wanted to finish up their rooms.
Once Kai was satisfied, he stood which only brought Sartyr over to him. "Mr. Delmar, a word before you depart."
"Of course, sir." Kai nodded. "What do you need?"
"Shortly before dinner, a letter arrived on the island addressed to you." Sartyr stated.
Now, this was bizarre. Kai didn't think he had anyone close enough to him that he'd receive a letter at all, let alone one on his second day at the island. That's not to say he was a loner. The heroic user could usually head out and hang with people around Domino City.
It's just, he hadn't been living in Domino long before his brother's stint in the hospital. Moving to a whole new country tended to make maintaining any friendships he'd established prior hard. Given how messed up he'd been after losing his brother, that strained anything he had built.
Realistically, in the short time he's known them, Kai was now closer to Dimitri, Bastion, Greg, Jaden, and Syrus than anyone else in his life. Upon looking at the letter, he didn't recognize the return address. Perhaps this was something he should investigate for Kaiba?
"Mr. Delmar, are you okay?" Sartyr asked concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine sir." Kai shook his head. "I'm just not used to receiving mail." He walked off. "Anyways, thank you for this. I'll return to my room and open it there."
Kai's Room
Kai closed and locked his room before taking a seat at his work space. He held the envelope before him, studying it as though it'd tell him something about what might be contained within. He eventually sighed upon realizing how ridiculous that was and ultimately took the plunge. After opening the thing, he looked inside to see a photo and two duel monster cards.
Kai pulled out the cards first, only to drop both on the desk as he was shocked by what one of them was. He couldn't comprehend how it was here. The cards were: Number 39: Utopia and Number 105: Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus. Gingerly, he reached out and scooped up Number 105 before just starting at it.
"My brother's over 100 monster…" Kai thought in disbelief.
Number monsters were a strange innovation, in Kai's opinion. Apparently, they were made to celebrate the world's third extra deck method. One for each number were created before being randomly distributed through packs sent out into the world.
Seven numbers beyond 100 were then created and handed out to specific people. Beyond being numbered, there wasn't much difference between them and your standard Xyz monster. It's not like any of them were granted added protection, beyond what their effects may have to say.
"How is this possible?" Kai contemplated.
Kai set the card down and shifted Number 39 to be next to it before moving to take out the photo. He grabbed it and ended up removing it back first. He immediately saw the words written on the back.
"Your on the right track, but as you become closer, you'll need to strengthen your deck. May your brother's cards be the start."
"My brother's cards?" Kai looked at the 2 Numbers again. "He didn't have Number 39."
Battlin' Boxers were another archetype of warrior monsters consisting of mostly level fours, so bringing out the Number 39 would have been effortless. Given its effect, it'd have been advantageous in any number of his brother's duels in the pro leagues.
"If my brother did have Number 39, he'd have surely used it, right?" Kai contemplated, confused.
He flipped the photo, only to grow more confused over what the picture was of. It consisted of four people standings befor what looked like a futuristic dueling arena, beyond whatever Seto Kaiba has made in the present day. The first two figures where people Kai knew.
It was himself and Varris. The versions in the picture looked exactly as they did at that age. In the picture, Kai was a mere child who stood in front of his brother who looked about Duel Academy graduation age. Then, there were two people Kai didn't know.
The version of him in this picture seemed genuinely happy to be there while Varris had his arms thrown around the two figures in a friendly manner. It seemed like they'd known each other for years, should this picture be believed.
The first figure was a woman with long, maroon and dark red hair held by hairclips. She wore a blue, white, and pink outfit with a thigh strap as well as pink goggles. Additionally, she had four bracelets along her left arm.
The second figure had spiky silver hair with light green highlights and yellow eyes. He wore a blue and white jacket with orange borders, a black undershirt, thick brown gloves, black pants with brown chaps, gold knee pads, and brown shoes with dark-blue outlines.
"Who sent me this?" Kai couldn't investigate beyond asking Sartyr, and while he planned to, the heroic user didn't have much hope in finding anything. "Though, someone interested in anything bizarre happening on the island might be able to."
Kai got up and ensured his room was locked down before taking his seat again. He then booted up his computer and proceeded to log in using the credentials Seto Kaiba had provided him. This opened a single website used to put in a report.
He went about documenting everything and including it with a thorough report before sending it off. Once he was done, Kai made sure to log out before turning his gaze to the two Number monsters he'd been sent.
"They are my brothers, apparently on Number 39…" Kai thought.
He ultimately took the two Xyz monsters and slotted them into his extra deck. Once that was sorted, he prepared for bed and soon laid down. Though, sleep would evade him as his mind was left to ponder what all this meant.
The final section of this chapter is one huge hint as to why Synchro and Xyz monsters exist in this era. For those of you who might assume Leo Akaba is here, you'll simply have to look elsewhere for him. Await future chapters to understand where he is if not here.
Vital Info: It's basically a node to the video games in that the 'Red Hat' or unseen character you play gets put in their own dorm room at Slifer. That said, it does leave open potential story points as well. As for twelve-star monsters, here this Bastion has one; however, Zane, canon and here, has a few of those to. As for the duels, they shouldn't be too complicated. As for Ryuga, I can say he'll show up before season one is done.