Hey everyone. I know its early, but given its Christmas Eve, I wanted to give you a chapter for a gift. Hope you all have a great Christmas and Holidays! Here's hoping 2023 is a bit brighter then previous years.
A hush was over the crowds of Central, North, South, East, and West students. The cause of it? Two brothers in the main arena. One was wearing a black overcoat with white trimmings and sharp edges. This was Zane Truesdale, reborn Hell Kaiser of the Pro circuit. His eyes were lit with sadistic glee, standing there waiting.
Opposite of him was a shorter teen with powder blue hair, glasses, and wearing a Ra yellow Central uniform with beige pants and yellow shoes. His own eyes were shining with grim determination. He had seen his brother descend into this monster before him. A monster who had no care for those he hurt. The pair walked up to one another, Syrus looking up while Zane looked down.
"Syrus. I will take great pleasure in this." Zane said, setting a pair of cases down.
Syrus scowled, pulling out his deck and handing it to Zane. Zane did the same. The moment Syrus touched the cards though, he heard a group of voices in his head.
"The chosen!"
"It is he!"
"He who will unlock our full potential."
"The Mage of Technology."
Syrus ignored it, shuffling the cards. Zane did the same with Syrus' deck. Both finished at the same time, walking back to the other ends of the arena. They slotted their decks in, took up their stances and deployed their disks.
Sheppard watched as a young man with dark blue hair in a referee shirt took up residence at the edge of the arena.
"Alright, let's have a clean duel! Blue corner, are you ready?" The ref asked.
"Ready." Zane said.
"Red corner, are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Syrus said.
"Then DUEL!"
Zane: 8000/Syrus: 8000
Both drew their opening hands. Zane then allowed his little brother to go first. Syrus drew his card and looked over his hand. Three monsters, a spell, and two traps. Before he took his turn, he looked at his brother.
"I know you'll just disregard my words, Zane...but here goes. I am going to knock some shit into that fucked up brain of yours!"
Zane looked shocked at his brothers choice of words, but Syrus wasn't done yet.
"Do you have ANY idea what your disappearing act did to Mom?! She suffered a breakdown and was in the hospital for three weeks before you came back! Dad is right pissed at you right now!"
"As if I ever cared about what they thought. The moment they could, they shipped me off to that damn Dojo just so they could get an early start on my career in the pros. They should be grateful that I now do nothing but win!" Zane snarled. "That's all that matters is victory and nothing more!"
"I knew you were deluded, but not this bad...alright, since my words didn't reach you, guess my skills will!" Syrus snarled.
He looked carefully at his monsters before selecting one and placing it on his MZ.
"I play this monster in facedown defense mode along with a card facedown. That ends my turn."
Zane drew his card, frowning. Syrus was obviously being cautious. No matter. He looked over his own hand, seeing one of his Cyberdarks. He smirked. He played a monster.
"Behold Exploder Dragon!"
(Exploder Dragon – LV/***, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/1000, DEF/0, Type/Dragon/Effect.
When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can destroy the monster that destroyed it. While this card is attacking or attacked, all Battle Damage you take becomes 0.)
Exloder Dragon was a small dragon with a bomb in its talons. Zane declared an attack, the facedown monster flipping up.
It was a young teen in black robes with a large pointed hat on his head. His left arm had been replaced with a cybernetic arm. The bomb crashed into them, exploding. Syrus smirked.
"What you destroyed was my Techno-Mage Apprentice. When he's destroyed, I can summon one Techno-Mage monster from my deck, provided its level four or below. I summon out Techno-Mage Wesley!"
(Techno-Mage Apprentice – LV/****, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/1400, DEF/900, Type/Spellcaster/Effect.
This card is also treated as a Machine-Type on the Field or in the GY. When this card is sent to the card GY, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Techno-Mage" from your deck in attack mode.)
(Techno-Mage Wesley – LV/****, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/1600, DEF/1200, Type/Spellcaster/Effect.
This card is also treated as a Machine-Type on the Field or in the GY. When this card is Summoned, add 1 Spellcaster monster from your deck to your hand. Once per turn, reveal 1 "Techno-Mage" OR "Techno-Tome" card in your hand. Special Summon 1 Tuner monster whose level is equal to or lower then this card's Star Level.)
Wesley was a red-headed gangly teen, a cybernetic leg on his right. He wore gold and red robes, carrying a staff in his hand. Syrus took a card from his deck, per Wesley's effect. He added it to his hand, staring at his brother. Zane frowned, playing a card facedown and ending his turn. Syrus drew, activating Wesley's effect. He revealed Velocity, summoning the Tuner monster, Techno-Mage Avis in defense mode. He switched Wesley to defense as well, setting another facedown monster, ending his turn.
Zane drew his card, wondering what was going on here. He ignored it, summoning out his Infernal Dragon.
(Infernal Dragon – LV/****, Attribute/DARK, ATK/2000, DEF/0, Type/Dragon/Effect.
Once per turn, during the End Phase, if this card attacked this turn: Destroy this card. When this card on the field is destroyed and sent to the GY: You can Tribute 1 monster; Special Summon this card from the GY.)
A twisted black dragon rose up next to the smaller one. Syrus frowned, knowing what was coming next. Infernal Dragon attacked first, tearing apart Wesley first. That had Syrus reveal his facedown.
"You activated the trap, Cyber Repairer!"
(Cyber Repairer – Type/Trap/Normal
Your opponent draws 1 card. During this turn, Machine-Type monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle.)
"But you have no machines." Zane said, mocking Syrus as he drew. All Syrus did was smirk.
Zane was floored when Wesley was blasted by Infernal Dragon, yet had remained. Syrus chuckled, explaining. All of his Techno-Mages were treated not just as Spellcasters, but as Machines while on the field or in the grave. Zane blinked, stunned. He shook it off, looking over his hand.
He placed a card facedown, ending. Infernal dragon exploded, Syrus frowning. What was the point of that? He drew his card, switching Wesley back to attack mode and using its effect. He revealed Techno-Tome Velocity. This caused Zane to react.
"I reveal Quick Summon and bring forth Cyberdark Horn in attack mode! Thanks to it being summoned, I attach Infernal Dragon to it."
The monster appeared, Syrus watching as the dragon rose up and grabbed by the machine monster.
Horn – ATK/800 → 2800
"Good thing I planned for that. I use my Velocity's effect and bring forth, Techno-Mage Lunaris!"
(Techno-Mage Lunaris – LV/*******, Attribute/DARK, ATK/2500, DEF/2100, Type/Spellcaster/Effect.
This card is also treated as a Machine-Type on the Field or in the GY. This card's name is treated as 'Dark Magician' while in the GY. When Summoned, select 1 Machine-Type monster on your opponent's side of the field. Take control of it. When this card is destroyed, return the chosen monster to the opponent's side of the field.)
For a brief moment, everyone had thought that Syrus had summoned the famed and fabled Dark Magician. But Jaden noticed a tiny device over the chest of the monster, pointing it out. That was not the Dark Magician, but a Techno-Mage that looked like him.
It was true; the clothing and color scheme did make one thing that Lunaris was Dark Magician. But the staff had a gear, not an orb, and had Cyber heart on the monster's chest showed otherwise. Syrus smirked, pointing at Edge.
"Thanks to Lunaris' effect, I gain your Cyberdark Horn."
"WHAT!?" Zane roared, seeing Cyberdark Horn slither over...almost happy.
Syrus smirked, seeing that Zane's field was nearly cleared out. He had Wesley attack Exploder Dragon, the dragon blowing up. But Zane's counter remained unchanged.
"Exploder negates any damage done to me in battle and destroys the monster that attacked it."
Wesley then saw the bomb the dragon had left behind and panicked. He was blasted away, Syrus frowning. But that meant Zane was wide open for attacks from his Lunaris and Cyberdark. Zane watched as Lunaris appeared, his staff crackling with electricty. Zane felt the electrocution hit him hard, making him grunt in pain.
Zane: 5500
"Edge, you're up!" Syrus roared.
Cyberdark Horn attacked next, Zane grimacing. The black fire of the dragon slammed into him.
Zane: 2700
"Nice! Sy got Zane down to less then half his life points!" Chazz cheered, everyone of the EoD agreeing.
Syrus put a card facedown, ending his turn. Zane drew, looking at his card. He smirked, revealing it.
"Meet my Cyberdark Cannon. I'm not summoning him, but activating his effect. By discarding him, I can add one Cyberdark from my deck to my hand." Zane said, choosing a card, revealing it as well.
"Let me guess, another Cyberdark?" Syrus snarked.
"That's right, this one is called Cyberdark Claw. By discarding him, I can gain a Cyberdark spell card." Zane stated.
(Cyberdark Cannon – LV/***, Attribute/DARK, ATK/1600, DEF/800, Type/Dragon/Effect.
If this card is sent to the GY while equipped to a monster: You can draw 1 card. You can only use each of the following effects of "Cyberdark Cannon" once per turn.
●You can discard this card; add 1 Machine "Cyberdark" monster from your Deck to your hand.
●During damage calculation, if a monster equipped with this card battles: You can send 1 monster from your Deck to the GY.)
(Cyberdark Claw – LV/***, Attribute/DARK, ATK/1600, DEF/800, Type/Dragon/Effect.
If this card is sent to the GY while equipped to a monster: You can target 1 "Cyberdark" monster in your GY; add it to your hand. You can only use each of the following effects of "Cyberdark Claw" once per turn.
●You can discard this card; add 1 "Cyberdark" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand.
●During damage calculation, if a monster equipped with this card battles: You can send 1 monster from your Extra Deck to the GY.)
The two monsters appeared before they went into the graveyard. Zane revealed another Cyberdark monster, one Syrus knew was dangerous.
"I summon my Cyberdark Edge and equip it with Claw."
Edge – ATK/800 + 1600 → 2400
"Now, I attack you directly and deal half the attack as damage."
Syrus braced himself. This was going to hurt. Black lightning and fire struck him, making him hiss in pain.
Syrus: 6800
"Not done yet! Thanks to my claws effect, I send this from my Extra Deck to the Grave." Zane said, taking a card and placing it in his Grave. "Now I play Rewind!"
"SHIT!" Syrus swore, seeing the spell.
(Rewind – Type/Spell/Quick-Play.
Return to the Start of your Main Phase 1.)
"Now, I attack you again!"
Syrus: 5400
Another card from the Extra deck was sent, Zane ending his turn with another facedown. Syrus drew, glaring. He knew that facedown was dangerous and looked at his two face-up monsters.
"Horn, attack his Edge!"
Horn clamped down on the monster, but Zane smirked. Thanks to Edge's effect, the equipped monster was destroyed, not Edge itself. That in turn triggered Claw's effect. Cannon was added back to Zane's hand. Syrus scowled, having Lunaris attack Edge. Zane revealed his facedown to be Power Wall. Syrus hissed, watching his brother send nearly every card in his deck to the grave. Edge was destroyed, but the damage was negated. Zane then smirked, a glow coming from his grave.
"I use the Effect of my Grave Wyvern."
(Grave Wyvern – LV/*****, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/1700, DEF/2500, Type/Dragon/Effect.
When this card is sent to the card GY by a card effect, select and destroy 1 monster on the field.)
A black and white dragon, its entire form being bone white. From its breath came a gaseous smog that consumed Lunaris. With him destroyed, Horn returned to Zane's side. Zane then revealed two of his cards. Syrus hissed, seeing it was Cybernetic Fusion Support and Power Bond.
Zane: 1350
Everyone watched as Horn, Edge, and Keel made their apperance, only to fuse as one. Cyberdark Dragon roared, appearing next to Zane. From his grave came a card that made Syrus' bug out.
"FIVE GOD DRAGON?!" He shrieked in shock, making Zane laugh.
The dragon was snatched up by Cyberdark, connecting to it. The dragon roared in agony as its power was forcibly taken.
Cyberdark – ATK/1000 x 2 → 2000 + 5000 → 7000
"Don't forget my Cyberdark's effect! He gains a hundred points for each card in my grave!" Zane roared.
Cyberdark – ATK/7000 + 4400 → 11,400
"Oh no..." Syrus whimpered.
Zane ordered an attack at Syrus' facedown. The monster was blasted away, but it was revealed to be another Apprentice. Syrus summoned Techno-Mage Diva in defense. Zane placed a card facedown, then followed that with Cyber Blast Shield.
(Cyber Blast Shield – Type/Spell/Normal.
Negate any Effect damage until the End Phase of your second turn when this card was played.)
A dome appeared around Zane, cutting off the electricity from Power Bond. At that, he ended his turn. Syrus drew, Zane activating one of his facedowns.
"Go, Power Balance!"
(Power Balance – Type/Trap/Normal.
You can only activate this card if there is a 4000 point difference between your life points and your opponent. Increase your life points until it matches your opponent's. If a 'Cyberdark' monster OR 'Cyberdark Dragon' is in play when you activate this card, Your opponent cannot enter their Battle Phase this turn. All 'Cyberdark' OR 'Cyberdark Dragon' can attack twice for the remainder of the Duel.)
A glow came around Zane, his counter shooting up to match Syrus'.
Zane: 1350 → 5400
"I guess the card's name should be Power IMbalance because if I use it while I control a Cyberdark or Cyberdark Dragon, it prevents you from entering your Battle Phase and what's worse for you, better for me, is that my Cyberdark Dragon can attack twice for the rest of this duel!" Zane gloated, Syrus snarling.
He looked at his hand, seeing DMG. He could summon her...but what good would that do? He looked over his hand. Thanks to that trap, he couldn't enter his battle phase.
He paused when he saw a pair of traps sticking out. His eyes went wide as a plan began to form in his head. He set one of the traps first, then tributed Diva for...
"Rise up, Dark Magician Girl!"
North, South, East, and West schools were shocked to see the legendary female spellcaster appear next to Syrus. Even Zane blinked a bit.
"So...you finally got your card crush. What a loser..." Zane huffed out making Syrus glare.
"Don't be jelly bro! Not my fault the Harpie Lady Sisters don't like goth emo wannabes." Syrus quipped back.
That made Jaden burst out into laughter, Alexis following soon after. Everyone was soon joining in, Zane growing a tick mark. The laughter was even more then what Aster had elicited many months ago. His eyes became stormy, fist clenching so hard it broke skin.
Syrus grinned impishly, but that soon faded when he saw the MURDEROUS aura around Zane. He suddenly felt a pressure around him, thick and heavy.
He nearly fell to one knee, gasping and choking on the air around him. He struggled to stand, panting hard.
Sheppard and Foster stared, seeing the Duel Aura encompass Zane. It was dark purple. A sign that Zane was not happy at all. The miasma began to retreat though from around Syrus.
The reason?
A green duel aura of his own rising off his body. With a yell, Syrus blasted back the purple aura, shocking Zane, Foster and Sheppard. Syrus panted, glaring at his older brother.
"I am going to show you that Victory at all costs...takes everything from you." Syrus said, placing two cards facedown.
"We'll see about that!" Zane roared, drawing his final card. "I play Burial in a Different Dimension, returning my three Cyberdarks to the grave! But I'm not stopping there! I play Cyberdark Impact returning Cyberdarks Horn, Edge, Keel, Claw, and Cannon to my deck!"
"WHAT?! NO!" Sheppard called out in horror. "ZANE DO NOT PLAY THAT MONSTER!"
"Too late old man!" Zane roared, the five appearing.
They entered a swirling vortex, merging together. Syrus watched as a monster appeared before them all. It was a much, much, MUCH larger version of Cyberdark Dragon. It dwarfed the dragon by a good three stories. It let loose a roar, making everyone cover their ears.
"Meet my Cyberdarkness Dragon!" Zane called out, crazed.
(Cyberdarkness Dragon – LV/**********, Attribute/DARK, ATK/2000, DEF/2000, Type/Machine/Fusion/Effect.
5 "Cyberdark" Effect Monsters
Must first be Fusion Summoned. If this card is Special Summoned: You can equip 1 Dragon or Machine monster from your GY to this card. Gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the monster equipped to it by this effect. When your opponent activates a card or effect (Quick Effect): You can send 1 Equip Card you control to the GY; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card. This card gains 200 ATK for every card in your GY. If this card is Equipped with a Dragon-type monster, it gains the following effect:
This card is unaffected by Spell and/or Trap card effects.
If this card is equipped with a Machine-Type monster, It gains the following effect:
Once per turn, you can send 1 card from your deck to the GY; Special Summon 1 Machine-Type Fusion monster, ignoring its summoning conditions. Destroy it at the end of the turn.)
"I attach to my Cyberdarkness another Five God Dragon!"
The dragon appeared, roaring in agony. Cyberdarkness took it in its claws, its power added to it.
Cyberdarkness – ATK/2000 + 5000 → 7000 + 44 x 200 → 15,800
"Now...ATTACK!"
The two dragons roared aiming at Syrus's Dark Magician Girl. But Syrus was ready for this. The blast was sent her way, Syrus rapidly pushing a button on his disk.
"I activate my trap card, Urgent Tuning!"
"What?!" Zane said, shocked.
(Urgent Tuning – Type/Trap/Normal.
During the Battle Phase: Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster using monsters you control.)
"I tune my level two tuner monster Techno-Mage Avis with Dark Magician Girl! Progress is always in motion, just like the gears of time...now behold the majesty of hard work and dedication! Arise, Techno-Mage Mana The Cyber Magician Girl!"
Abis became two rings that surrounded DMG. Her six stars joined together and a burst of light came forth. From it, a shadow descended.
(Techno-Mage Mana, The Cyber Magician Girl – LV/********, Attribute/DARK, ATK/2600, DEF/2000, Type/Synchro/Spellcaster/Effect.
1 Tuner monster + "Dark Magician Girl"
Can only be summoned by Synchro Summon. This card is also treated as a Machine-Type while on the Field or in the GY. This card cannot be attacked if there is another Spellcaster or Machine-Type on your side of the field. This card gains 400 ATK for each 'Dark Magician' and 'Magician of Black Chaos' in your GY. When summoned, select 1 Machine-type monster and take control of it.)
Mana, The Cyber Magician Girl looked like DMG with some key differences. Her skin was tanner, her outfit, while remaining the same as DMG, was electric blue with white trimmings and had Cyber Augmented eyes that were bright blue. She landed next to Syrus, her scepter glowing brightly. Syrus smirked.
Cyber Magician Girl – ATK/2600 → 3000
"Thanks to Cyber Magician Girl being summoned, I take control of your Cyberdarkness!"
"NO!" Zane roared watching as Cyberdarkness slithered over. But due to the difference in the graves, its power dropped considerably.
Cyberdarkness – ATK/15,800 → 9200
"You fool...your grave only has a few cards in your Grave. Cyberdarkness power has weakened! Cyberdark! Attack his Cyberdarkness!"
"I use my SECOND trap! Techno-Art – Nova!" Syrus roared, watching Cyberdark attack Cyberdarkness.
(Techno-Art – Nova – Type/Trap/Normal.
You can only activate this card if you control 2 level 5 or higher Machine-Type monsters. Select 1 monster on the field. Increase its ATK by the sum total of all ATK on the field other then the selected. Destroy all cards on the field at the End Phase.)
"Nova allows me to select one monster and increase its attack power by the sum total of all attack points in play! Cyber Magician Girl, Cyberdarkness, and finally your Cyberdark! I put them all in the target monster, Cyberdarkness!"
From the two monsters came an aura that flowed into Cyberdarkness. It screeched at the power boost.
Cyberdarkness – ATK/9100 + 3000 + 11,400 → 23,500
Zane stared in shock. He couldn't call off the attack. Cyberdark fired its blast at the dragon. Cyberdarkness batted it away like it was gnat, returning its own purple black blast to the smaller dragon. Zane watched the oncoming attack, his mind completely unable to comprehend what had just happened.
At least...this side of Zane couldn't comprehend it. The true Zane though...he knew how he lost. He disrespected his cards, disrespected his opponents, and worst of all...disrespected his little brother. He had betrayed everything he had learned, all for power. Power for power's sake. But his brother...his wonderful, wonderful, amazing little brother...he had gained power not for power's sake, but to respect his opponents, no matter what.
Tears fell down Zane's face at this revelation.
"Syrus...thank you." Zane whispered, opening his arms.
The blast washed over him, causing the arena to explode in smoke and dust. Syrus covered his face as did everyone else. The smoke and dust cleared, Syrus seeing his brother splayed out on the ground.
Zane: 0
"The winner! Syrus Truesdale!" The Ref, who had ducked down to avoid the back blast, shouted.
That had the arena erupt into cheers and applause. Syrus ignored it all, rushing to his brother. He knelt down, seeing Zane pale and shaky.
"Nurse! MEDIC!" Syrus screamed over the din.
All of the applause that had started stopped at that. Instantly, Fonda was rushing to the downed duelist, checking his heart. Her eyes went wide.
"Erratic heartbeat! We need a crash cart NOW people!" She hollered.
Everyone watched, confused and shaken. What was going on? Jaden looked at the inner circle, all nodding. They got up and headed to the infirmary.
EODGX
Fonda had run test after test on Zane. In that time, Sheppard had put a hold on the other matches to find out what happened. He along with the other students and staff of the four branches had joined the Central Main and Gen X, Syrus pacing with a worried expression on his face. Hours later, she came out, a frown on her face. Syrus looked up at her.
"He's not good. He's got a very erratic heart beat which is also weak." Fonda reported.
"But how?" Foster said, unsure what happened to the former top duelist of Central.
"Shock Collars." Jaden said, bitterness in his voice.
Everyone turned to look at him. Jaden explained with anger in his eyes as he relived painful memories of his own. After Zane's defeat at Aster's hands, Zane had looked shaken. He had gone from the majors to the minors.
"I guess he kept on losing...and if some comments I saw online were true...they doubted Zane had dueled Jaden honorably. Said that Jaden drew with him out of a form of pity." Syrus said, frowning hard.
"Allowing Shroud to get his claws into him and use him in the Underground circuit." Foster realized, scowling hard. "I hope to God that man was finally arrested!"
"Then the constant duels..." The headmistress of East said, shocked.
It had taken a heavy toll on Zane's heart. No doubt he had demanded to up the juice for each duel, to push himself. But there was a SERIOUS and DEADLY side effect to that.
"It all matches up..." Fonda whispered, sighing. "He won't live past his thirtieth birthday if he keeps this up."
"He won't be keeping it up. He's retiring from dueling if I have anything to say about." Syrus snarled, holding a deck of cards up. "Jay. I hear the spirits of these cards...they keep calling me the Chosen."
Jaden took a look at the cards in question. He had seen the Cyberdarks and heard Yubel inhaling sharply. He looked at her who was looking at Syrus and then the Cyberdarks.
"I'll help you build a deck for them Sy...two decks are always a good thing to have." Jaden said, holding a no argument tone.
Syrus nodded. He would master these cards. For his brother's sake.
Well, I hope this chapter has redeemed Zane for you all. Once again, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.