Base of the Lighthouse: Midnight…
"Meet me at the lighthouse tonight at midnight because I'm ready to have that duel."
Kai arrived at the base of the lighthouse to find Topher waiting, and while being here naturally drummed up memories from months ago now, things were different. Kai and Topher were different. Nothing accentuated this more than the fact Kai didn't maintain distance.
He approached the dragon user who took the initiative to speak this time. "You know, I apologized that day a couple weeks ago, but I don't think I thanked you."
"All I did was speak my mind." Kai retorted. "How you've gone from there is all you."
"Nah, it was more that." Topher stated. "Without coming into conflict with you, I'd still be a follower rather than someone attempting to carve their own path. Regardless of that…" He walked the right distance away before adopting a firm look. "I'm still going to duel to win now."
"I wouldn't want it any other way." Kai gave a smirk as he turned to face the dragon user. "Let's just see what this new you is really made of."
"Let's Duel!"
(Kai 4000/Topher 4000)
"I'll take the first turn." Kai drew. "I War Rock Fortia(LV 4/1700/1700)." A young man with white hair and leather armor appeared. "Whenever an Earth Warrior-type monster is normal summoned to my field, I can special summon War Rock Gactos(LV 4/1900/1900)."
A man with two stone clubs appeared. "Now, I construct the overlay network with my two monsters to call forth the king of wishes. Xyz summon Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A gold and white warrior appeared. "I'll set a card, and that's my turn."
"Looks like you went for the defensive play rather than that Cowboy you've become fond of." Topher noted.
"Figured I'd mix it up for the occasion." Kai returned.
"Let's see what that does for you." Topher drew. "I'll start with Hand Destruction which sees us each discard 2 cards before then drawing 2."
"I'd wager one of those he sent is likely that dragon he used to overcome Chazz's Dragon Canon." Kai thought.
"I'll then summon Blizzard Dragon(LV 4/1800/1000)." Topher proceeded as a dark blue dragon appeared. "Once per my turn, this dragon can target any monster you control to prevent it from changing battle position or declaring an attack until you've ended your next turn."
"A clever effect, though that dragon as is can't touch my life points." Kai stated.
"While the dragon can't, Dragon's Gunfire can." Topher retorted. "Since I control a dragon-type monster, you'll now take 800 life points of damage." A flaming sphere was conjured and hurled past Utopia to go through the war challengers user (Kai 3200/Topher 4000). "That's my turn."
"Here goes." Kai drew.
"At your Standby Phase, the effect of Arkbrave Dragon activates." Topher declared. "Because he was sent to the grave last turn, I'm now permitted to target any other level 7 or 8 dragon within my grave and special summon them. The only other one in there is Light and Darkness Dragon(LV 8/2800/2400)." The white and black dragon of spectacular duality appeared.
"So, those are what he discarded through Hand Destruction." Kai smiled. "I'll admit, the way in which you've worked out how to summon that dragon for less cost is impressive; however, I've already got that dragon's number. I enter the Battle Phase."
"Did you forget?" Topher grinned. "Thank to my Blizzard Dragon, your Utopia can't declare an attack this turn."
"Nah, I remember, but I need to be in the Battle Phase if I want to activate my set War Rock Generations." Kai declared. "As you control more monsters than I do, this card lets me special summon any War Rock I wish from my deck."
"Light and Darkness Dragon(LV 8/2300/1900 effect) losses 500 ATK/Def to negate any one effect." Topher declared.
"That's only once within that chain of cards, and after lowering those stats, there's a window of opportunity to activate Forbidden Chalice." Kai countered. "Now, your dragon's effects are negated, and it gains 400 ATK in return until the end of this turn."
Light and Darkness Dragon(LV 8/2700/1900 effect)
"Leave it to you of all people to counter this dragon." Topher commented.
"As I've countered it, I'm now free to proceed with my prior play." Kai stated. "Since I'm facing down two monsters, there's no better target than War Rock Meteoragon(LV 7/2600/2600)." A white-haired warrior in red and gold armor and with two blades appeared.
"He will now attack your Light and Darkness Dragon. When an Earth attributed warrior battles, Meteoragon grants all War Rock monsters 200 extra ATK until the end of your next turn, and he can make up to 2 attacks on monsters as well."
War Rock Meteoragon(LV 7/2800/2600 effect) sliced through Light and Darkness Dragon (Kai 3200/Topher 3900).
"With my monster's second attack, I'll follow it up by having Meteoragon destroy your Blizzard Dragon." Kai continued.
Meteoragon then lunged at and sliced through the remaining dragon (Kai 3200/Topher 2900).
"I activate the effect of Mahaama the Fairy Dragon(LV 5/0/2500)." Topher declared. "During your turn, if either of us takes battle damage, I'm permitted to special summon this monster from my hand, and I do as such in defense position." A long, white and gold dragon appeared.
"A tuner monster." Kai noted.
"That's right." Topher smiled. "Though just getting out on the field isn't all this monster does. She now either restores my life points by what I just lost or doles out the same damage to you. I happen to like the latter solution best in this situation."
Mahaama the Fairy Dragon glowed brilliantly as light washed over Kai (Kai 2200/Topher 2900).
"I didn't normal summon because Light and Darkness Dragon would have just negated any follow up plays." Kai looked at his hand. "Typically, Topher goes for Kuibelt, but I can't expect Light and Darkness Dragon to be his only addition." He nodded. "I'll call my turn there."
"I draw." Topher smiled at what he got but transition it to his hand for the moment. "I'll now summon Defrag Dragon (LV 3/1000/600)." A blue and red futuristic dragon appeared. "Now, Mahaama will tune Defrag to synchro for 8.
Emerge from the depth of darkness. Synchro summon Dark End Dragon(LV 8/2600/2100)." A fiendish looked black dragon appeared. "I activate my dragon's effect, at the cost of 500 ATK and DEF, once per turn, this dragon can send any 1 monster on your field to the grave."
"An effect like Kuibelt he can now use every one of his turns." Kai noted.
"Your Utopia will be swallowed by the darkness!" Topher continued. "Go, Dark Evaporation!" Dark End Dragon(LV 8/2100/1600 effect) Utopia was consumed by darkness which dragged him into the grave. "Now, my dragon will attack Meteoragon, Dark Fog."
Dark End Dragon breathed forth a dark fog from his mouth.
"I know you must have something up your sleeve; however, you've also triggered Meteoragon's effect as it's solely restricted to a Battle Phase." Kai declared. "He now gains another 200 ATK until the end of your turn!"
War Rock Meteoragon(LV 7/3000/2600 effect)
"That increase hardly matters in the face of the quick-play spell, Shrink." Topher declared. "Now, any one monster you control has their original ATK halved."
War Rock Meteoragon(LV 7/1700/2600 effect)
Kai wished it cut current ATK, but at least this meant the full 400 extra ATK would still provide something of a buffer. In the end, Meteoragon was still weaker than Dark End Dragon meaning the War Rock was consumed by the fog (Kai 1800/Topher 2900).
"This last card in my hand is another Dragon's Gunfire, which means you'll be taking another eight hundred life points of damage." Topher declared, a second sphere of fire was produced and sent through the war challenger user (Kai 1000/Topher 2900). "Now, bring it Kai."
"I draw!" Kai smiled at what he got. "I think this is rather poetic. First, I summon Heroic Challenger – Double Lance(LV 4/1700/900)." A white, purple, and light blue armored warrior wielding two lances appeared. "For an Xyz summon, this Challenger can act as two monsters.
I now construct the overlay network with Double Lance. Xyz summon Heroic Champion – Gandiva(R 4/O1/2100/1800)." A black and yellow armored warrior, atop an armored horse and wielding a bow, appeared.
"That's where you're going with this." Topher smiled. "That's impressive in theory, but this time she ties with the dragon on the field."
"Not after I put a new spin on it." Kai declared. "I activate Armored Xyz allowing me to target 1 monster I control and equip them with an Xyz monster from my grave. All I got for both requirements is Gandiva and Utopia respectively."
Utopia appeared behind Heroic Champion – Gandiva(R 4/O1/2500/1800 effect) as she was outfitted with gold and yellow armor. "Two of the effects this grants her is the equip monster's ATK and attribute."
"You said two of her effects, but unless that last effect is enough to finish my life points this turn, I don't quite see the poetic nature." Topher stated, already figuring Kai was attempting to end the duel with this.
"The last effect won't matter as it's more about the spell in my hand, Heroic Chance." Kai retorted. "Gandiva keeps her name meaning Heroic Chance can double her current ATK in exchange for not attacking directly."
Heroic Champion – Gandiva(R 4/O1/5000/1800 effect).
"I see it now." Topher thought.
"Gandiva, end this with Rising Sun Shot!" Kai exclaimed.
Gandiva pulled back her bow as an arrow of light appeared. She release it, and the arrow flew true through Dark End Dragon, destroying him with an immense amount of light (Kai 1000/Topher 0).
As the monsters faded, Kai approached the dragon user. "You've upped your game quite a bit from the beginning of the year."
"Yeah, the deck feels good as it is." Topher smiled. "You know, duelist who use more generic dragons or warriors tend to get a bad rep. Weather its who I am now or who I was, the one thing that hasn't changed is the fact I just think generic dragons are neat."
"Sounds like a perfectly fine reason to pick up a deck to me." Kai shrugged. "Not to mention I think you've well exceeded most others who try out a more generic deck. Anyways, we should get back to the dorm."
"Yeah, let's go." Topher agreed.
The Obelisk pair walked back to their dorm together, the main topic of conversation was the duel they just had.
Duel Academy: Days Later, After School…
With all the crazy stuff that's happened, time has just flown by to the point it'd soon be winter break. Given the closeness of the holidays, Kai decided to hold off on his final needed rematch with Bastion until after said break. Besides, there were coming exams to prepare for.
Beyond those aspects, Kai found himself pondering on telling everyone else about his reasons to be at duel academy more as the days wore on. He's pretty much already decided to do it and was just attempting to think of how he'd go about it.
It was even still on his mind as he stopped off at a vending machine on his way out of the academy. He spotted Dimitri coming his way; however, just as the Slifer reached him, the lights began to flicker, cutting off whatever he'd been planning to say.
"That's strange." Dimitri commented. "Kai, what do you think is going on?"
"Generator could be on the flux." Kai reasoned.
Suddenly, the pair heard rushing footsteps from down the corridor.
Kai turned just in time as Torrey rounded the corner in a panic, his eyes wide with terror. "Help me! It's after me!"
Despite his pleas, Torrey rushed past the pair and other students who came along to see what was happening. Everyone looked down the corridor he came from, but there was nothing. Then, the lights went out again, and the temperature dropped.
What do you think…Kai!?" Dimitri shouted.
The Heroic user was already rushing after Torrey, not really paying attention to if anyone ran after him. While there didn't seem to be anything there, Torrey was scared out of his mind. Kai figured he should at least try to help the guy.
Academy Island
Torrey was one fast guy, to the point Kai almost lost sight of him several times as they ended up running out of the school. Fortunately, it seemed the guy was going to stop at the academy's central power station. There was suddenly an electrical discharge followed by Torrey's voice.
"AAHHHH! HELP!"
Central Power Station
Kai full on sprinted and was quick to enter the central power station where he saw Torrey laid prone on the ground. A tall, otherworldly being stood over his body at 7 feet tall. It wore a green overcoat equipped with green shoulder pads, a spiked collar, bracelets, and a belt.
The only area that was even slightly exposed was its head; however, there was only pinkish muscle tissue with bulging veins. Its body did not seem real as it crackled, faded, and glitched like an old VHS tape. Somehow, it was the duel monster Jinzo.
"What do we have here?" Jinzo's voice was mechanical and demonic. "An unexpected fly has been ensnared in my web." The spirit turned. "Why have you come here, little one?"
"What have you done to Torrey?" Kai asked.
"I'm afraid Torrey is feeling a bit drained at the minute." Jinzo answered. "He is alive. I have not yet fully claimed our agreement. The fool and his friends believed they could summon me to grant their wishes. They did not realize my price."
"Why haven't you taken him already?" Kai asked.
"I sensed a much greater power nearby." Jinzo stated. "One which comes from you."
Kai didn't even have the time to run, like he did against Ryuga. Jinzo was just suddenly gone one moment and behind him the next. Kai whirled around and attempted to jump back; however, he was grabbed by the neck and lifted into the air.
"Chaos, a power that has faded ever since it was sealed over three thousand years ago, rest within you at an abundance not seen since the time of Ancient Egypt." Jinzo declared.
"What are you are talking about?" Kai managed as he tried to struggle free.
"You are unaware because you've been disconnected from it." Jinzo noted. "It is loose, able to be taken. Yes, this will be more than enough to return me to life."
He reached out his free hand and placed it against Kai's head. The war challenger's user screamed in agony as he felt electricity coursing through him, draining him of something. The more Jinzo took, the more the war challenger noted a sense of emptiness.
"I went alone…" Kai thought, as things began to darken. "Despite all the warnings and offers of help I've received; I didn't think twice about leaving Dimitri there. I didn't even think to get a message out."
Kai's heartbeat and breathing slowed as his struggle weakened. Jinzo's body that had once seemed ethereal was becoming more corporeal while the war challenger user just felt cold.
"K-Kai?" A familiar, fearful voice called.
Just like that, the pain subsided. Jinzo removed his hand and looked towards the newcomer. Kai just managed to turn his head and saw Dimitri standing at the entrance to the power station. His eyes were wide with shock, and he shook as he looked at the spirit.
Despite wanting someone here now, he didn't want Dimitri to suffer through this. "Dimitri… run."
Jinzo carelessly tossed the war challenger's user away, his back slammed into the fencing around the yard. Kai's body then hit the ground and went limp as he fell into unconsciousness.
"KAI!" Dimitri yelled.
He wanted to sprint over and check on his best friend, but this monster moved to stand in his way. "He still breathes. His soul was not what I was after, but the power he held was more than I expected. I am almost restored, putting me in a good mood, so I will make you an offer.
Your friend will die today; however, you can save yourself by leaving now. If you stay, you can face me in a duel. Should you best me, the power from your friend, and the souls I have absorbed will be returned; however, your soul will be mine if you lose. Do we have a deal?
"A deal?" Dimitri questioned.
His eyes darted to the prone form of his friend. Dimitri didn't quite understand what was happening, but before him stood the living depiction of the monster card Jinzo. It claimed it was going to kill his friend, and by the looks of things, the Obelisk who had been running earlier.
"I accept your offer." Dimitri stated.
All his prior fear had evaporated the moment this thing hurt his friend. There was no change in Jinzo's expression, but a low chuckle escaped him. Jinzo vanished, only to then reappeared across from the Slifer.
Solemnly, Dimitri took off his backpack and removed his duel disk before attaching it to his arm. He paused upon taking out his deck, the one he'd been building since those exams months ago now. He'd just recently gotten the final few cards to finish it.
Since his deck was never finished, he hasn't really dueled beyond the few times it was required by class. Even then, he never used this deck. He simply broke out one of the prior decks he built. While the results were marginally better, he still hasn't won a single duel.
"No, I can't doubt my victory." Dimitri shook his head. "My life, Kai's life, and other lives are on the line here."
Slotting his deck into the duel disk, Dimitri activated it shortly after.
"Let's duel!"
(Dimitri 4000/Jinzo 4000)
"I shall take the first move." The cards Jinzo was using appeared in front of him. "First, I summon Malice Doll of Demise(LV 4/1600/1700)." The card in his hand flipped around to let a human-sized, demonic wooden puppet appear.
"I now activate the continuous magic of Ectoplasmer. At the end of each of our turns, we must tribute a face-up monster on our side of the field, and then our opponent will take damage equal to half the tributed monster's attack."
"Every turn, that effect is going to require a sacrifice of the both of us." Dimitri looked at his hand. "Hm, actually that might not be as debilitating to me as he thinks."
"I end my turn with one set card." Jinzo continued. "That means the effect of Ectoplasmer takes hold. I tribute Malice Doll of Demise to deal you 800 points of damage."
Malice Doll went limp as its soul launched itself at the Slifer. As it passed through his body, Dimitri felt a sharp, agonizing pain in his abdomen. Not prepared for such a pain, he dropped to his knees (Dimitri 3200/Jinzo 4000).
"What was that?" Dimitri gasped.
"That is the cost of a shadow game, child." Jinzo let out a menacing chuckle. "I'm collecting on our deal. Look at your legs." Dimitri's eyes widened as his legs were fading, glitching like an old videotape. "With each life point lost, I shall consume more of your soul."
Dimitri couldn't feel his legs, yet that didn't stop him from standing.
"It's my turn." The Slifer drew. "I'll summon Masked HERO Dusk Crow(LV 4/1200/1000)." A warrior in black and purple, with a black cape, appeared. "Whenever this HERO hits the field, I can fetch a Change quick-play spell from my deck. Now Dusk Crow will attack you directly."
Dusk Crow rushed forward and punched through Jinzo, who cried out in pain (Dimitri 3200/Jinzo 2800). "Then, I set one card to end my turn which means your Ectoplasmer takes hold. I'll tribute Dusk Crow to deal you an extra 600 life points of damage."
Dusk Crow's soul left his body and punched the duel monster spirit as well, resulting in more pain (Dimitri 3200/Jinzo 2200). "Whenever Masked HERO Dusk Crow(LV 4/1200/1000) is sent to the grave by the effect of a spell card, I can special summon him back to the field."
"Seems as though we have a similar strategy." Jinzo drew. "During my Standby Phase, Malice Doll of Demise(LV 4/1600/1700) resurrects due to being used for a continuous spell. In this phase, I'll also activate the card I set last turn known as Non Aggression Area. By discarding 1 card, you will not be able to summon or set in any capacity next turn."
Dimitri was stunned to have been put under such a restriction; however, some part of him reasoned it should all work out in the end. He could even very well still win on his turn, provided this turn went to plan.
"Now, I tribute Malice Doll of Demise to summon…myself! Jinzo(LV 6/2400/1500)." Jinzo declared.
The entire power station sparked before all that electricity collected just to crash down on Jinzo's card. The thing shattered as Jinzo himself appeared on the field, more solid.
"You summoned yourself?" Dimitri asked, stunned.
"I certainly did." Jinzo declared. "Now, I can attack you personally. Cyber Energy Shock, destroy Dusk Crow."
He brought his hands together and generated a black, crackling orb before throwing it at Dusk Crow.
"I activate my face down." Dimitri began.
"It's useless as traps don't work while I'm on the field." Jinzo interrupted.
"I'm aware of what your effect is." Dimitri declared as his face down was revealed to be a spell. "Recall, Dusk Crow let me fetch a quick-play Change card from my deck. Now, I'm activating it. Say hello to Mask Change. I now target one HERO I control and send it to the grave.
Then, I can special summon any Masked HERO from my extra deck provided it shares an attribute with the sent monster. Transformation summon Masked HERO Anki(LV 8/2800/1200)." A warrior in full on dull gold and silver armor appeared.
As Dimitri knew Jinzo would just run over Dusk Crow, so he decided to let the HERO rest.
"Er, I call off my attack." Jinzo declared. "You weathered me; however, you shall not escape unscathed, nor will it be with me utilizing myself for Ectoplasmer. I activate Monster Reborn to revive Malice Doll of Demise(LV 4/1600/1700). I then end my turn, and tribute my doll."
Again, the doll went lifeless, its spirit rising from its body to phase though the Slifer (Dimitri 2600/Jinzo 2200). Dimitri let out a cry as it felt like a knife was plunged into him, and more of his body faded up to his waist.
"Having this duel was an excellent idea." Jinzo stated. "It's always better idea to enjoy something slowly rather than to take it all at once."
"Leichter!?" Mokuba's voice rang out.
Mokuba had caught wind of a student freaking out before he was followed out of the academy by two other students. He traced their paths via the cameras and took an educated guess that they ended up here, as there weren't really cameras in this immediate vicinity.
"I have no idea who Leichter is sir, but I don't think he's it." Dimitri voiced, now drawing the vice chancellor's attention to his present state. "He summoned himself to the field, says he captured souls, did something to that Obelisk, hurt Kai, and can seemingly teleport."
"This is a shadow game then." Mokuba realized. "Given there's no duelist, Jinzo himself must be dueling."
Mokuba was by no means an expert on this stuff, but he's learned enough to know you couldn't really intrude in games like these. Intruding in a regular tag duel was easy enough but a Shadow Game was a whole other story.
"Dimitri, there isn't much I can do for you beyond being here and going to check on those two." Mokuba informed as he rushed over to the downed Obelisk. "Just keep dueling at your best, and I know you'll come out of this."
They might have just been words at the end of the day, but they were certainly welcome at this point.
"Will do sir, just make sure those two are good." Dimitri then turned back to Jinzo and drew. "Last I remembered, you just ended your turn, so this should be the end!"
"You can end this duel now?" Jinzo questioned snidely. "I don't see how that's possible given you can't summon anything this turn and your Anki hardly has the ATK to make it possible."
"It's quite possible; however, rather than talk about it, I'll show you." Dimitri declared. "Masked HERO Anki has the special ability to launch a direct attack for half his ATK."
Anki rushed forward and put a fist through Jinzo, causing him to scream in agony (Dimitri 2600/Jinzo 800).
"No, it can't end here!" Jinzo exclaimed, already knowing what was going to happen. "I'm so close!"
"At this point, you only have yourself to blame because you're the architect of your own defeat." Dimitri declared. "I end my turn which means your Ectoplasmer kicks in. I tribute Anki to deal you another 1400 life points!"
Anki's spirit left his body and punched another hole through the spirit (Dimitri 2600/Jinzo 0). Jinzo's pained wails echoed across the forest as electricity coursed throughout the power station. His lenses glowed with an intense fury before cracks formed from where Anki had punched him.
Instantly, the spirit shattered, and four trails of light escaped. Two of the trails landed on the floor, transforming into two Obelisk Dimitri didn't recognize. The other two flowed respectively into Torrey and Kai, the two visibly relaxing.
Dimitri stood frozen, waiting for something else to happen until the electricity ceased. "I…I actually won." He jumped as a hand rested on his shoulder. "Gah! Round 2!?"
"Relax, Dimitri." The Slifer turned to see the vice chancellor standing behind him with a smile. "You bested the spirit, and the four students should be fine now. I've already called in people to come help them, so you can rest now."
Dimitri did feel rather haggard from that whole experience. Now knowing his friend was at least alive and would be tended to soon, the Slifer collapsed to his butt.
Nurse's Office: Evening…
"Arghh!" Kai's eyes shot open, and his hand instinctively went for his neck; however, when he didn't find a hand clasped around it, he let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Jinzo was chocking me out with one hand, Dimitri showed up, I was thrown, and things went black."
Kai looked around and noticed he was in the nurse's office. Was he sick like his brother? No, he just felt exhausted, so this had to be good, right? If it really were, wouldn't Dimitri and Torrey be in this room with him? No, the rest of this wing looked empty. Kai was already getting out of bed, the uncertainty of the situation getting him moving.
"Mr. Delmar, what are you doing out of bed?" Ms. Fontaine chided as she entered the room.
"I don't have time to rest." Kai stated, starting to panic. "I need to make sure Dimitri is…"
Fontaine came over. "Dimitri Thompson is fine." Hearing that caused Kai to stop and enabled her to gently push him back onto the bed. "He stayed here for a bit before some of his fellow Slifers came to take him back to their dorm."
Unlike him, you need to rest here." Fontaine stated as Kai obeyed, now knowing his friend was seemingly alright, and laid down. "If you need anything, don't get up. Just shout for me, and I'll help you."
"Alright." Kai sighed as relief washed over him. "I'm sorry, Nurse Fontaine."
"It's quite alright, you were just worried." Fontaine started to walk away. "That's an admirable quality, but you shouldn't let it jeopardize your health."
"Before you go, can I have my PDA?" Kai asked.
"The one you had was damaged; however, Mokuba Kaiba managed to download everything to this new PDA." Nurse Fontaine explained as she walked over to a nearby table and grabbed the device before passing it to him. "For all intents and purposes, this should do."
"Thanks." Kai stated.
Fontaine left and Kai relaxed since he did feel rather tired now that the adrenaline, which came from worrying about his friend, was fading. Despite feeling tired, he was determined to do something considering this was the closest he ever came to what he didn't want to happen.
It was time to let everyone know the truth, and he had to do it before his mind told him he shouldn't. He started by explaining he was fine before then delving into a comprehensive explanation of exactly why he was on Academy Island.
He left no stone unturned, beyond keeping the fact he, Jaden, and Bastion reported to Seto Kaiba. It started with his brother. Who he'd thought Varris was, the theories he had surrounding what happened to him, and the fact that, regardless of what was true, his brother had hidden a house.
On that end he explained how ending up like his brother, the ways others would deal with that… He essentially explained how while he wanted to be there for his brother, seeing him like that wore on him. He then gave his explanation on why he never said anything to any of them.
Once he was done, Kai looked at the message and contemplated not sending it. Before he could talk himself out of it, the war challenger user sent the message. He then released a breath he hadn't even known he was holding.
Kai silenced the device and set it on a side table, some part of him fearful over what would come from this. He knew he'd have to deal with it, likely tomorrow, but for now he could pretend he hadn't just done that. Didn't change that it was done though.
"Chaos…what even is that?" Kai questioned, turning his mind to a different topic. "Jinzo said he hasn't seen Chaos like mine since the time of ancient Egypt, but what does that even mean? Apparently, I'm disconnected from it for whatever reason."
Kai didn't know how to make heads nor tails of this. He could recall something being pulled out of him, but he couldn't feel what that was now in the slightest. He figured it was back now because at the time he'd started to feel like something was missing, now he didn't
"Did Varris have this Chaos within him?" Kai contemplated. "Does it have anything to do with what ultimately ended up happening to him?"
Kai just had so many questions, though he wasn't about to try bringing Jinzo back to find answers. That said, even as he tried to rest now, those questions were swirling around his mind with the prospect of what might happen now that things were out on the open.
Central Power Station: Morning…
Jaden, Syrus, Greg, Chumley, Dimitri, Bastion, Alexis, Mindy, Jasmine, Sadie, and Topher met at the central power station come morning as they agreed they had to talk about Kai's message. Well, some of them didn't particularly see a reason for this.
"Why are we doing this?" Dimitri asked.
"Kai was holding onto this secret for months now." Greg began.
"What are you saying?" Jasmine questioned, guarded on Kai's behalf.
"I'm just saying this is a side of Kai none of us have seen until now." Greg reasoned. "Simply assuming everyone is on the same page is bound to fracture the group. That's why we must talk about it."
"I think what everyone here should realize is the fact Kai doesn't owe us a thing." Sadie reasoned. "This group has only been a thing for months. It's not like you can one day say, 'Let me tell you all about my deceased brother, and the doubts I have about him'."
"What about the fact that he told Zane Truesdale about this over any of us?" Mindy asked. "To my knowledge, unless they're constantly meeting up at night, that'd have been their only real interaction."
"Mindy, he did it to secure a mentor." Alexis stated. "Regardless of what the truth surrounding his brother is, some part of him believes dueling was involved."
"What about telling Jaden and Bastion, yet leaving the rest of us out?" Syrus asked.
"Sy, it was happenstance that learned of this at all." Jaden voiced.
"Before anyone asks why we didn't disclose this, it was not our information to share." Bastion added.
"Besides all of that, Kai was practically alone for a full year." Dimitri stated.
"I don't know about any of you, but he doesn't really talk about other people off the island." Jasmine added. "I've heard him talk about hanging around groups before, but he's never really said anything about people who were his friends before us."
"I think it's understandable those who do feel some negative way about this would have their reservations, but Kai's alright in my books." Chumley shrugged. "He's been there to celebrate the important events just as any of us would."
"He was willing to step up and try to find who was attempting to expel Jaden." Syrus added.
"He's the reason Sadie and I are together now." Bastion stated.
"There's no telling where the two of us would be without his intervention." Sadie agreed.
"Kai is someone special to me." Jasmine voiced. "Take it from me, this new information doesn't change how I feel."
"He inspired me to be my own duelist." Dimitri voiced.
"He opened my eyes to the truth of my situation, enabling me to change it." Topher stated. "Without him, I'd just ride someone else's coattails and wouldn't be my own person."
"Not to mention he was just as willing to go into that abandoned dorm as any of us." Jaden voiced. "In fact, he led the charge of the group going in."
"He also is the reason Crowler has improved as a teacher and person." Bastion added.
"I think this whole situation can be resolved, for those still on the fence, by asking yourselves 1 thing." Sadie stated. "Does this new information sour all the good Kai has done as your friend?"
Given the things said and memories brought to the forefront, those who had been doubting Kai suddenly began to feel bad about it. While this new information was a lot to take in, everyone now knew it didn't change a thing about what Kai had been doing as their friend.
Morning…
Kai was somehow able to get some sleep; however, a night's worth of sleep wasn't enough to make him dismiss his various questions, nor did it do anything to take his mind off what he did yesterday evening. What did help was seeing the messages everyone sent his way.
All of them definitively sent after his message, yet no one was treating him any differently than he thought they would. Jaden, Syrus, Chumley, Greg, Dimitri, Bastion. Alexis, Mindy, Jasmine, Saide, Topher, and even Zane sent him a message. In their own ways, they'd sent well wishes.
It wasn't too long after reading the last message that he heard Jasmine. "It's good to actually see you're up."
Kai looked to the door to see Dimitri and Jasmine were here. "You guys are here sooner than I thought visitors would be." He chuckled weakly before looking away. "Hey, about the message…"
"Don't worry about it." Dimitri stated. "I didn't exactly want it to happen, but everyone met up to discuss it." Kai looked to his friend. "There was some apprehension."
"By the end of it, people were reminded that what you were hiding doesn't really matter." Jasmine smiled. "With or without this information, you're still the same Kai we know. Now, we just now more of you."
"No one really said it, but I think this whole hidden information business was easier to digest for people considering we almost lost you to some duel spirit." Dimitri stated.
"I'm not going to complain about how it happened." Kai was just glad things weren't going to change because of this. "That said, what's the story we're supposed to go with this time."
Just as with the abandoned dorm, presumably only this group was really permitted to know. Sheppard didn't want the rest of the student body to panic.
"Torrey hasn't been getting much sleep resulting in paranoia." Dimitri explained. "You took the initiative to go after him, and the two of you ended up at the power station. I came along to help, and the three of us were caught up in an electrical accident."
"What's going to happen to Torrey?" Kai stated. "I mean really happen with him?"
"Vice Chancellor Mokuba has some contacts in Egypt." Jasmine responded. "They aren't well versed in duel monster spirits, but they know a lot about shadow games. Torey and his friends will be sent their way to help them through any trauma they may have."
"They might come back after holiday break, but that'll be for them to decide." Dimitri added.
"What happened with Jinzo?" Kai looked to his friend. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Dimitri assured. "The two of us dueled, and it was unlike anything I've ever experienced. The power of a shadow game. The pain, the exhaustion, and the terror were all real. It makes me wonder what else is out there that cannot be explained by normal means."
"Well, thank you for saving my life." Kai stated.
"Anytime." Dimitri smiled. "You've shown you'd risk your life all the same."
Jasmine patted the Slifer's shoulder. "I also appreciate you saving him, thank you."
"Like I said, anytime." Dimitri stated.
Kai had assumed things would calm down after the business with the abandoned dorm wrapped up; however, it seemed life had different plans. Whereas before he pretty much attempted to go solo unless the situation called for it, he now knew his friends had his back and he had theirs.
Just giving a tally of the poll question so far between reviews, the poll, and pms: (Duel Academy Guardians:Which deck should Chazz end up with in my story?)
Cipher/Tachyon: 3
Union/Armed Dragon/Ojama: 4
I think with this chapter, something I can do to give extra content is have Kai duel someone. Weather it furthers his stipulations with Zane or is just there to give some semblance of character. In the end, it ensures I take my time rather than put on the gas just to get to the next big arc. It also helps in at least giving 1 of the main characters, as I feel Kai and Jaden are deuteragonist at this point, duels while the rest of the cast gets to take on the duelists of the day.
Perhaps I'll even give some of these extra duels to Jaden to ensure he gets a duel or two in during this time. Anyways, moving onto the actual content of this chapter. Jinzo appeared, and while I am aware of all the Jinzo support, it felt right to keep him more in line with his anime self rather than loading him up with that support. Besides, Makato is still a character as well who should have that support.
Dimitri here gets to finally show off a bit of his deck. He's taken on the Masked & Vison Heroes, in their entirety. Dimitri does not have a HERO in his deck beyond those as I've simply given him the manga main deck Masked Heroes. While in the manga the Masked Heroes themselves had no effects, I decided to bestow them with effects.
3bodyjaa: Thank you.
Threebranch: Yeah, I forgot to put in a note about that. Thank you.
MerlockVonBaron: Noted.
Vital Info: At this point, I feel like Oprah. You get character development, you get character development, everyone gets character development. As for Zane, I got my idea on what I'm doing. I get it could be petty, but counter point. How could they have a dueling monkey and not name it Wheeler? Regardless of whether Seto was or wasn't behind that in canon, I think people would have been disappointed if the dueling monkey wasn't named Wheeler. As for Jasmine, it takes time to build a whole new deck...
I mean unless you get one from someone. Besides, I had to give her at least one last duel with the Harpies. Not to mention she was dueling Wheeler the monkey. It almost required the harpies just to add that extra level of DM fanservice. As for his brothers not bothering with any of Chazz's cards, clearly, they're just as worthless as Chazz is. We can simply pour more money into better cards. Chazz, in canon, despite losing the times he did, still cared about his deck to an extent at that point.
Guest: Jaden and Kai have gotten plenty of spotlight and wins under their belt. Might as well utilize these more filerish duels to show off the extended cast. As for that certain monster, it's possible he's around just fulfilling a different purpose...or maybe not. Honestly, I'm keeping my options open on just what manga elements I decide to take.
The Duelist of Dawn: Yeah, that is a possibility. As I've put it above, the extended cast can have the time to shine.