[Lock] Newb Defense League [Lock]

Max Darkness · May 16, 2010

Actually, I think all the "Earthbounds" have their full names and then the ones they use on their days off (you know, when they aren't harvesting the souls of the innocent for the King of the Underworld)

Necro Pheonix · May 16, 2010

I say replace that image with your current Yugioh Randomness.

Max Darkness · May 16, 2010

Done and done.

Headmaster Monokuma · May 16, 2010

I am so easily distracted. I am watching a TAS of Banjo Kazooie, which is an awesome game, and it's increadable. Love the new Yugioh Randomness.

Max Darkness · May 16, 2010

If anyone's interested, here's the first half of the next part of the 'Dark Signer Chronicals' I seem to be writing. It follows on directly from "A Sinister Test" (the one where "Majestic Rose Dragon" gets owned.)

[spoiler=[b]Rise of Darkness[/b]]

[spoiler=[b]1. Already in Motion[/b]]

The two black D-Wheels rode through the rain, the riders conversing.

“I still don’t understand why you had me duel her if you didn’t want me to finish it.” Muttered Akira.

“That’s because I haven’t told you everything yet.” Hiro calmly replied.

“So what was the purpose of that duel, because you clearly didn’t want me to kill her?” Akira asked.

“I needed you to duel her to the point that the Crimson Dragon showed itself. As you saw, it didn’t turn up until it became truly dire. That means her ability to summon it isn’t as strong as I’d thought.”

“And that’s good because?” Akira inquired, becoming annoyed at his companion’s lack of answers.

“Because it means her own internal darkness is deeper than that of the other Signers. You saw yourself; there’s something very strong in her mind. And I want to know if we can use it.”

“Use it? How could we use something like that? And don’t you forget, she’s a Signer. Oh, and you tried to kill her. Why would she help us?” Akira became increasingly critical of Hiro’s plans.

“It’s simple. Because I won’t ask her. I’ll ask the personality that showed itself in your duel. Her dark personality.”

“Do what you will. Do you need me to go duel the other Signers now?” Akira’s tone changed to sarcasm as he looked at his scarred and dented D-Wheel, and his own torn robes. Hiro let out a sly laugh.

“No, I don’t. The others do not have want I need. Only the Witch does.” Hiro smiled. “What I do need you to do though is remain on your guard. No doubt she informed the other Signers of our existence, so they may come after us. But also remember this, they are your enemies, but Yliaster is of greater importance.”

The pair rode through Satellite to Old Momentum. Climbing down the stairs, Hiro mentioned that he ‘had things to prepare’ and disappeared down one of the many shadow-filled corridors that branched from the main chamber. Akira simply looked up and stared at Old Momentum. This was the device that had, indirectly, given him life. Thinking back to his first duel as a Dark Signer, he now realised that this was the device he had seen whenever he had looked at Uru’s card. Pulling the card out, his Dark Mark lit up and once again, a faint outline of the machine in front of him appeared in his vision.

“Fascinating, isn’t it?” a voice asked from behind him. Turning, he saw Erika. “The previous Dark Signer’s blew this thing up, but when we got here, it seems it had returned. Perhaps it isn’t actually here, it’s just an illusion…”

“An illusion?”

“A way of obscuring the gateway to the Underworld. Perhaps that’s why no-one but us knows what it actually is. It’s that good at hiding itself.” Erika answered, coming to stand next to Akira. “You still haven’t accepted it have you?”

“What do you mean?” Akira questioned, curious at the vague nature of the question.

“That fact that you’ve come back to life. You felt it; your heart stopping, your pulse ending. And yet here you are, an envoy of darkness.”

“I’ll admit I didn’t think my life would take this turn.” Akira admitted, slightly sheepishly.

“How did you die? Hiro never told me.”

“It was in a duel with the prison warden. I’d managed to smuggle my Deck into the facility and I challenged him in a bid to win my freedom.”

“An odd idea.” Erika replied.

“Apparently, someone had done it before and won, so I thought I could do it as well.” Akira explained.

“So what killed you?”

“It was the conditions under which we duelled. Both our duel disks were chained to the floor, which I found out had an electric circuit running through it. Whenever we took damage to our Life Points, a bolt of lightning shot through us. Or at least it should have done. His was rigged to nullify any shock while mine slowly weakened me. As my Life Points dropped beneath 1000, I could feel my heart weakening. But what I felt most was the pain. It’s like nothing else. You can’t describe it. The closest it gets to is a terrible burning, but everywhere and all the time. It was a direct attack from one of his monsters that finished me off. The current shot through me and that was it. I was there, in the darkness, feeling the cold of death.”

“The feeling that you’ve reached the end.” Erika concluded. Akira nodded.

“It was then, just as the light seemed to fade completely, I saw a speck of red. Then more, and soon these streams of light formed themselves into a shape. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was Uru. And he was giving me another chance.” Akira continued.

“What did he promise you?” Erika asked.

“To give me the power to get back what I had lost.” Akira smiled. “I looked upon his form and swore loyalty. Then, my eyes opened. I was lying on the floor of the duelling ring. As I picked myself up, the warden started gloating. But I didn’t care. I now held in my hand the strength to change my destiny.”

“So did Hiro find you then?”

“No. I suppose he wanted to see my strength. The same reason he waited until Gemma had killed those debt collectors in Satellite before revealing himself. He wanted to judge my power. But I was focussed on one thing. Revenge. Once I was on my feet, I wrenched at the duel disk’s chain, breaking it with ease. I then immediately challenged the warden to a rematch.”

[spoiler=[b]2. The Fourth Earthbound[/b]]

“I’m not accepting that! You just lost, and you knew the stakes. Now hand me your Deck!” Takasu demanded.

“I’m afraid you really can’t decline this challenge.” Akira responded drying, raising his left arm to the horizontal. As he did, his clothes were replaced by the robes of a Dark Signer and a ring of purple flames rose, separating the duelists from the outside. “If you don’t accept, you lose by default, and that has dire consequences indeed.” Akira’s mouth twisted into a sadistic smile as he spoke.

“What is this?! Are you doing this?” Takasu asked nervously.

“This is my doing yes. And this is now a Duel of Darkness. In this fight, everything is real. And the punishment for losing is usually fatal. Also, don’t try escaping. No mortal can cross those flames and live. Now, do you accept my challenge?”

“Fine, but you’ll lose again!” The warden retorted, hiding his fear.

“This is a different duel. The result will be different I can assure you.” Akira said as he activated his duel disk.

“Duel!”

Turn 1

Akira

“Since I challenged you, I’ll go first. Draw! I summon Breaker the Magical Warrior in Attack Position. Breaker’s effect means I put one Spell Counter on it, raising its ATK by 300. I play two cards face-down and end my turn.”

“You didn’t have that card before!” Cried Takasu, clearly confused.

“Like I said, this is an entirely different duel. Now make your move.”

Takasu

“My turn! I Summon Iron Chain Blaster in Defense Position. Then, I activate the Continuous Spell Card Poison Chain. During each of my End Phases, as long as I didn’t attack, you send a number of cards from the top of your Deck equal to the number of Iron Chain monsters I control. I end by setting one card face-down, and since I control Iron Chain Blaster, you discard one card. This will end the same!”

Turn 2

Akira

“Hardly.” Akira drew.

“Trap Card activate; Shadow Spell! I select one monster you control.” Explained Takasu, pointing to Breaker. “The selected monster cannot attack, change battle positions and loses 700 ATK.” The dark chains quickly restrained Breaker the Magical Warrior, causing Akira to laugh.

“You think something like that would stop me? Breaker’s second effect: By removing the Spell Counter, I can destroy 1 Spell or Trap Card on the field. I destroy Shadow Spell!” Breaker’s sword glowed briefly and the chains shattered. “Then, I summon Trap Reactor Y FI in Defense Position. Now battle! Breaker the Magical Warrior attacks Iron Chain Blaster!” The dark sorcerer lunged forwards and sliced through the machine.

“I set one card face-down and I’ll end by activating my face-down card Spatial Collapse. As long as this card remains face-up on the field, both of us can only control a maximum of five cards. I currently control five and you control one. Let’s see what the next turn brings.”

Takasu

“Draw!” The warden looked at the drawn card and smiled slyly. “I’ve just drawn the card that will end your duel right here! But first, I activate Mystical Space Typhoon, and I destroy the face-down card in the middle of your field!”

“In that case I counter with Dark Bribe. By allowing you to draw one card, I negate your effect and destroy your card.”

“It doesn’t really matter, since I now summon Iron Chain Repairman!”

“Is that the duel-ending card? How…disappointing.” Akira sighed.

“Iron Chain Repairman’s effect: Once per turn, I can Special Summon any Level 4 or lower “Iron Chain” monster from my Graveyard. Be reborn, Iron Chain Blaster! Then, I activate the Equip Spell Synchronised from my hand. I equip it to a Level 2 or lower monster, and that monster is treated as a Tuner monster.”

“Now! I Synchro Summon Iron Chain Dragon!” A burst of light caused Akira to shield his eyes. When the glare had subsided, the beast that had killed him roared. “Iron Chain Dragon’s effect: I can remove from play all Iron Chain monsters in my Graveyard to have it gain 200 ATK for each one removed, until the End Phase. (Iron Chain Dragon ATK: 2500 → 2900) Battle! Iron Chain Dragon attacks Breaker the Magical Warrior!”

“Trap Card activate! Ultimate Offering! By paying 500 Life Points, I can Normal Summon one monster from my hand during your Battle Phase.” (Akira LP: 4000 → 3500) As Akira reached for the card, it glowed a dark purple, before shining brightly as he drew it. “I Summon Earthbound Immortal Uru!”

Breaker the Magical Warrior and Trap Reactor Y FI were consumed by the purple light, forming into a shape similar to a stone heart. As it began to beat, it rose and consumed the souls of the prisoners in the facility, red streaks of light eventually forming into the markings on the evil deity.

“What’s happening?! What monster did you summon?!” Takaru asked, his voice trembling.

“I already told you, the Earthbound Immortal Uru.” Akira replied, showing no emotion. As Uru’s body began to form, Akira began chanting.

Servant of the darkness, bound by the very earth we stand on, I call you forth. Incarnation of struggle and torment! Come, Earthbound Immortal Uru!

The purple flames grew to a great height as the dark god appeared, hanging over the battlefield, waiting for an opponent.

“I…I cancel the battle.” Takaru ended. “What the hell is that thing?”

Turn 3

Akira

“You’ll see soon enough.” Akira drew. “I activate the Spell Card Goblin Thief from my hand. With this card, you lose 500 Life Points while I gain 500.” (Takuru LP: 4000 → 3500) (Akira LP: 3500 → 4000) “Next, I activate the Spell Card Hinotama. This simply deals 500 damage to you.” As Akira spoke, a trio of flaming meteors formed above him, before throwing themselves at Takuru. Howling in pain from the flames and force of the impact, he dropped to one knee. (Takuru LP: 3500 → 3000)

“And now it ends.” Akira looked down triumphantly at his opponent, ready to send the mortal to the Underworld. “Earthbound Immortal Uru attacks!”

“Hah! I have Iron Chain Dragon. You’ll have to get through that!”

“That doesn’t matter! Earthbound Immortal Uru can attack directly!” Akira shouted as his Dark Mark burned brightly. “Hell Thread!” (Takuru LP: 3000 → 0)

Takaru’s eyes widened as the demonic attack closed in. As it struck, the area burst into flames as energy surged from the Underworld onto the duelling field. Akira’s opponent disappeared into a cloud of dust as large sections of the facility began to collapse, falling into a growing vortex of black smog forming beneath the gantries. Akira didn’t move as debris fell around him; he had gained the revenge he’d wanted.

_______________________________________________________________________________

“After that, in a way I woke up. I didn’t know what had happened. I looked around with no clue as to where I was. All I saw was a ruined building, devoid of life except for me. And then I heard the clapping.”

“Hiro…”

“When I turned to look at him, I was horrified. The dark eyes, the black robes and that general malevolent aura he seems to carry around him. But he explained it to me, and led me here. I owe my existence to both him and this machine.” Akira sighed as he contemplated the rest.

The two Dark Signers stood in silence until a shout was heard over the opening of Old Momentum.

“Akira!”

Going to investigate, Akira climbed out of Old Momentum and looked across to see Jack Atlas.

“What do you-“ Started the Dark Signer.

“What did you do to Aki?!” The former King demanded, grabbing Akira’s robes.

“I did what was needed.” Akira replied calmly. “And I did what our leader asked.”

“Where is he?!” Jack asked, still irate.

“He’s busy. But if you wish to vent your fury out on something, then I’ll duel you. That is what you want right?” Jack’s eyes narrowed. “Your loyalty is commendable, but everything is already set in motion. See if you can change destiny.” The former King threw Akira away and walked to his D-Wheel. Akira simply waved his hand and his D-Wheel arrived behind him. As he climbed onto it, the geoglyph of Uru formed around the B.A.D. area, encompassing both riders. “Shall we begin?”

“Duel!”

[spoiler=[b]3. A King's Downfall[/b]]

Turn 1

Jack

“My turn!” declared Jack. “I Normal Summon Twin-Sword Marauder and Set one card. Turn end.”

Akira

“Very well. I hope you don’t mind, but I want to get this over with quickly. Hiro apparently has further plans involving your friend Aki that I’m part of.”

“I won’t let you get near her!” Retorted Jack.

“You really can’t do anything about it, I’m afraid. I Normal Summon Double Coston and play three cards face-down and end there.”

Turn 2

Jack

“You want to get this done quickly and yet you don’t attack? Are you afraid of my power Deck?”

“I have my reasons. Now, I activate my face-down Spirit Barrier. As long as I control a monster, I take no battle damage. Now draw!” Returned Akira.

“So now you’re hiding behind Trap Cards. My turn! I can Special Summon Trap Eater from my hand by destroying a face-up Trap Card my opponent controls. You’ve set up your own defeat! I destroy your Spirit Barrier!” As the card fragmented, Akira simply smiled. “I now tune my Trap Eater and Twin-Sword Marauder!”

The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!

Akira watched as the Signer Dragon rose cloaked in flame, roaring as it did. ‘Whatever you do Jack, you will lose this turn’ thought Akira, glancing at his hand and face-down cards.

“Battle! Red Demon’s Dragon attacks Double Coston! Absolute Powerforce!” The dragon’s claw blazed as it lunged towards Akira’s monster. “Feel the power of the King’s Deck, Dark Signer!”

“If you insist. Trap Card activate; Security Orb. This switches your dragon to Defense Position.”

“Where is this strength? The want to finish this duel quickly? You’re nothing but talk!” Jack taunted.

“Oh it’s coming. End your turn and you’ll see it.”

“Then I’ll end.”

Akira

“Your final mistake.” Jack seemed thrown by this statement. “Everything I needed to defeat you was in my hand from the start. All I needed to do was to let you walk into my strategy.”

“What?”

“I wanted you to Summon Red Dragon Archfiend, firstly because it is the key to your own destruction and secondly because I want you to see, as you put it, ‘your very soul’ fall to my dark being.”

“I Normal Summon Titanium Skorpius. Double Coston can count as two tributes if I Tribute Summon a DARK monster with it. So, come forth Titanium Skorpius! (ATK: 2400) Battle! Titanium Skorpius attacks Red Dragon Archfiend!” The metallic arachnid scuttled towards the dragon before slicing it into numerous pieces with its claws and sting.

“So that was your big plan? Remember, my dragon was in Defense Position; my Life Points are safe!”

“You are mistaken. Titanium Skorpius’ effect; when it destroys a monster by battle, it deals 500 damage for each Level of the destroyed monster.”

“Impossible!” Jack cried as he realised the situation.

“Red Dragon Archfiend was Level 8, so you take 4000 points of damage, former King!” (Jack LP: 4000 → 0)

Jack watched as Akira’s monster’s sting rose, before stabbing through both his D-Wheel him. As the pain flooded through him, he only just managed to look up to see the monster’s bladed tail, soaked in his own blood. Quickly, his Wheel of Fortune collapsed and he was thrown across the duel track, passing out as the flames died.

Nathanael D. Striker · May 16, 2010

Thanks for taking my idea Max, even though I didn't expect a new YGO Randomness from it.

Max Darkness · May 16, 2010

You're welcome. I guess you can see why they don't use their nicknames in battle, after all, the summoning chant looses a little gravitas...

Bring forth the ultimate destruction! The strongest Earthbound God! Come forth, Dan!!"

In other news, http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/thread-203602.html <- New cards here.

Jolta · May 17, 2010

Bring forth the ultimate destruction! The strongest Earthbound God! Come forth' date=' Dan!!"[/i']

Lmao!

[align=center][spoiler=Hey fellas lookie I found out how to make Fake Subtypes]

This card is treated as a Normal Monster while in your Monster Zone or in the Graveyard. You may Normal Summon this card to your Spell & Trap Zone to be treated as a Continuous Trap Card with the following Effect:

-Once per turn, you may move turn count 2 steps forward or 2 steps backwards.

[/align]

Mr.WHAM · May 17, 2010

@ Jolta: I smell Future Fusion Spam!

Lord Ursus · May 17, 2010

That's funny, Max.

Today is Norway's national day, so I get an opportunity to wear my favorite blood-red shirt with my black suit and black tie. :)

The weather could be a little nicer, but I'm doing fine.

How are you doing?

Mr.WHAM · May 17, 2010

Ursus You win b/c you like to wear that! I wuud too ^^

Lexadin · May 17, 2010

Nice fan fic Max.

Max Darkness · May 17, 2010

@ Jolta: Your card + "Pyro Clock of Destiny" = 3 turns into the future. That's three less turns for "Final Countdown" or any of the high-level "Destiny Hero" effects. Complete manipulation of the turns is severely broken. And alongside that, it's once per turn, not one-off. Suddenly, you only have to wait ten turns for "Final Countdown" to take effect, maybe seven with a trio of "Pyro Clock" cards and possibly five (or less) if you have two or three of your card. Right...a card that makes "Final Countdown" broken; never thought that would happen...

@ Whamo: That too.

@ Ursus: Red and black-tie...right... And what's it celebrating? The foundation of Norway? Or one of the many times it re-wrote the boundaries of that part of the world?

@ People: Some of the new cards I'll be using in some of my fics. Since there is a Dark Tuner and Dark Synchro, I'd have to post them in AoC, which gets less views than the dark side of the moon...

[spoiler=[b]The Cards[/b]]

http://i43.tinypic.com/k03wxy.jpg' alt='k03wxy.jpg'>[/center]

http://i43.tinypic.com/29m96y8.jpg' alt='29m96y8.jpg'>

[/center]

http://i44.tinypic.com/18cj04.jpg' alt='18cj04.jpg'>

http://i44.tinypic.com/jgt7iu.jpg' alt='jgt7iu.jpg'>

[/center]

Effect: 1 DARK non-Tuner - 1 Dark Tuner monster

When this card is Dark Synchro Summoned, you can send up to 2 cards on the field or in either player's hand to the Graveyard. Your opponent cannot select any monster you control, except "Demon Queen Lilith", as an attack target, or as a target of a Spell or Trap Card. You can Tribute this card to negate the activation of a Spell Card, Trap Card, or Effect Monster's effect that destroys a DARK monster(s) on the field, and destroy that card. If you negate an effect this way, you can Special Summon this card from your Graveyard during the End Phase. If you control at least 2 other DARK Fiend-Type monsters, when this card destroys a monster by battle, remove from play 2 cards in your opponent's Graveyard.

Necro Pheonix · May 17, 2010

I am quite fine Ursus, tired, but fine.

I love the card Jolta, but I'm not completely sure if the OCG is right.

Max Darkness · May 17, 2010

I've said what I will about the card.

Hi Necro.

Any thoughts on the "Black Rose" archetype?

Necro Pheonix · May 17, 2010

Me thinks Akiza found some playmates.

Max Darkness · May 17, 2010

Her name's Aki!

I'm currently waiting on Alcander for the trump card of the set, "Malevolent Rose Dragon".

Xand · May 17, 2010

@Max Darkness: Remember that last Vanilla...?Does this help any?

[spoiler=Cards]

Max Darkness · May 17, 2010

Not really, considering now you have a 3900 ATK Level 4 on the field...

Oh, and a Level 5 that can overpower the "Monarchs" and "Jinzo" (which are seen as the 1-Tribute Effect Monster standards)

Xand · May 18, 2010

Not really' date=' considering now you have a 3900 ATK Level 4 on the field...

Oh, and a Level 5 that can overpower the "Monarchs" and "Jinzo" (which are seen as the 1-Tribute Effect Monster standards)
[/quote']

Ugh...I think you only glanced at it. Plz, read it again.

Clair · May 18, 2010

Oho. So Maximilian is writing fanfiction? Link please? D:

Also, I have also made a fanfiction. Not as good as Max's, but it's in the Fan Fic section if you want to read~

Headmaster Monokuma · May 18, 2010

I don't believe that Mr.Maximilian has a thread for it yet. Has Weather Report reviewed your Fic yet Clair? In other news, I finished watching the TAS, and they did a great job.

Max Darkness · May 18, 2010

For those of you who haven't seen them yet, here are my "Gate Guardian" remake and "Assassin" Archetype threads.

@ Xand: 1900 (Vanilla's Original ATK) + 2000 (Dragon's effect) = 3900.

@ Dark: You need to get more subtle with the links...

@ Clair: Loving the new avi.

Here's the fiction:

[spoiler=[b]A Sinister Test[/b]]

[spoiler=[b]1.[/b]]

The dark clouds added to the already-depressing ambiance surrounding the remnants of Old Momentum, the greys of the sky melting into the faded concrete to form an ending sea of black and white shades. In the middle of this, deep in the main room of the dilapidated construction, two robed figures stood at the table, both glancing at a single photograph. The dim candlelight obscured most of their features, but distinctive marks could be seen on their faces, the marks of the Earthbound Immortals.

“Put simply, I want you to test her.” Hiro said calmly, gesturing to the picture of Akira’s target.

“Test her? In what way, and why?” Akira asked, clearly very confused to his fellow Dark Signer’s motives.

“Well, the how should be obvious. The why is a little more complex. I want to see if she is any more of a challenge to you than she was to me. I beat her before, and sent her to the edge of her own despair, but that was when I was newly-crafted and my anger boiled like a raging surge.” Hiro answered.

“And why do I come into it?”

“It’s two-fold. One, I want to see her true strength: I defeated her too quickly in my duel so I couldn’t observe. And two, I want to judge your power Akira.” Hiro returned, some sadism in his voice.

“My power?!” Akira was shocked at the final sentence.

“Yes. I saw your duel in prison and was impressed. But that was when you had just been brought back. I need to see if your prowess is still there.”

Hiro turned, leaving Akira alone in the room with the photograph of his ‘subject’. She was younger than him, around one7, with dark red hair and a rather flamboyant outfit. Regardless of who she was, Hiro clearly wanted this to be done, and Akira thought that it probably wouldn’t be too difficult. After all, Hiro had already defeated her once and her record wasn’t spotless, having lost to a few other duelists in the past. As a storm began in the sky above, Akira readied himself. What he couldn’t shake was a feeling that he had seen or at least heard of her before. For some reason, her name seemed familiar…‘Black Rose Witch’.

***

Aki Izayoi rode down the highway, looking up at the sky as the clouds thickened and the rain began to fall more heavily. She sighed; scenes like this depressed her. When even the planet was a sorrowful grey, she found it hard to smile. As she rode under a bridge, she looked up and saw a man on a D-Wheel. Her eyes widened in the brief moment she observed him. Her mind raced, the memories of her duel with Hiro flooding back. The trauma she thought she had put behind her was now very much alive in her thoughts.

Passing under the bridge, she glanced behind to see the rider gone. Aki relaxed, justifying it as either a figment of her imagination brought on by the weather or by her mistaking a dark-clothed rider for Hiro. What she hadn’t seen was that the rider on the bridge had set off in close pursuit, now shadowing her as she carried on her way. Akira wanted to see his opponent’s riding skill before challenging her, lest she had anything he didn’t expect.

It was several minutes before the Dark Signer was satisfied, and so let the evil deity free in his mind, flaring his Dark Mark and cloaking his Duel Runner in characteristic purple flames. Immediately, Aki’s Mark of the Dragon responded and she looked behind her in terror to see the now-blazing black D-Wheel following her closely. Her flight instinct took hold and she accelerated, trying to escape. Akira matched her speed and drew up alongside.

Aki didn’t look across. She simply forced her machine to go faster. In her panic, she misread a corner and was throw off her bike, using her psychic abilities to shield herself from any serious harm. Still consumed by fear, she scrambled to re-start her D-Wheel. Akira slowed to a stop and removed his helmet. Aki was shocked to see a face she didn’t expect.

“W-who are you?” Aki asked, shaking with fright.

“I am Akira, a Dark Signer. And I am here to test you.” Akira responded.

“Test me? W-why? Who sent you?” Her voice became shakier as she went on.

“Someone you know wants to see if you still have the strength he faced. And I think you know the person who sent me.” Akira answered, with a slight laugh complimenting his last words.

“Hiro…” Aki’s mind was raked once again by visions of that duel. How she had lost and was thrown into the darkness of her own soul. And how she almost gave herself to Chacu Challhau.

Akira watched as Aki sank to her knees, clutching her head, trying to control herself. Suddenly she stopped. Akira took a step back, confused by the sudden change. When Aki removed her hands from her head, he noticed she had removed her hairpiece, letting her hair trail over her face. Her eyes had changed. Instead of being wide and cat-like, they were now piercing and malevolent. Picking up her D-Wheel, Aki simply rode off, forcing Akira to quickly give chase. As he drew up alongside once again, he saw that she had drawn an opening hand and was ready to start. Still not entirely clear as to what had happened, Akira drew his hand and started the duel.

From a roof-top not far away, Hiro watched as the Earthbound flames twisted round a section of highway, forming a circuit for the duel.

“So, there is something else in that mind of yours Aki… At least I can now see which of these two is stronger…let it begin.” Hiro’s monologue turned into laughter as below, the two duelists began.

[spoiler=[b]2.[/b]]

Turn 1

Akira

“Since I challenged you, I’ll start.” Declared Akira, drawing his first card. “I Set one monster and one card face-down and end my turn.”

Aki

“That’s it?” Aki asked, somewhat scornfully. “I draw. I Set two cards face-down and activate Speed Spell-Angel Baton, allowing me to draw two cards, provided I discard one. I send my Dark Verger to the Graveyard and Normal Summon my Serene Rose in Defense Position. Dark Verger Special Summons itself when a Plant-Type Tuner monster is Normal Summoned.” The bizarre plant with eyes appeared beside the gigantic flower as Aki chanted.

[/center]

The newly-formed dragon swooped down to carry Aki’s D-Wheel, before soaring into the sky. Both duelists’ marks burned strongly as the power of the Crimson Dragon bore down on the duel.

“Majestic Rose Dragon is unaffected by Spell and Trap Cards, so your face-down cards won’t help you! And now my dragon negates the effect of your Avatar of the Illuminati, reduces its ATK to 0 and switches it to Attack Position. This will end it! Battle, Majestic Rose Dragon attacks Avatar of the Illumanti! Triumphant Rose Flare!” The dragon accelerated, becoming cloaked in a dark red aura, lunging towards Akira’s monster.

“I’m sorry.” He said quietly, before activating his two face-down cards. “I activate Zero Gravity! It switches the battle position of all monsters on the field. Your dragon won’t change, but my D.D. Trainer and Demon Dekoichi are switched to Attack Position while my Avatar of the Illuminati is returned to Defense Position.”

“Then, I activate Speed Spell-Unity. During this turn, one face-up monster I control gains DEF equal to the DEF of all other monsters I control. Both my Demon Dekoichi and D.D. Trainer have 2000 DEF, meaning my Avatar gains 4000 DEF.” Aki’s eyes widened at the sudden futility of her actions, but the power of the Crimson Dragon drove her to continue. Akira watched as the blazing dragon slammed into his monster, which grabbed the opposing force’s four wings with its own four arms, before throwing the wyvern to the ground.

The Rose Dragon slammed into the ground and rolled numerous times, before its outer shell collapsed and Aki’s D-Wheel emerged. The dragon’s body drained of colour until it became a husk and reformed into Black Rose Dragon. (Aki LP: 400 → 100)

Wobbling slightly on her motorcycle, Aki weakly spoke, “Turn end.”

Turn 8

Akira

Looking back at his opponent’s burnt and damaged D-Wheel, Akira knew that this turn would finish it, in more ways than one.

“Draw! Demon Dekoichi attacks Black Rose Dragon!” As the monster charged its attack, a D-Wheel shot over the flames that lined the duel track. Hiro’s. Riding alongside Akira, he said simply.

“End this. I’ve seen enough.”

“But I’ll win! Isn’t that you wanted?” Akira asked, confused.

“No. What I wanted was an indication of your strength. And now I have that.” Hiro replied. “You have no grudge against her correct?” Akira nodded. “She killed me, not you. And this is my fight. You have helped me, but you’ve done all I need of you.” Akira relaxed, causing the flames to die down and the monsters to disappear. Hiro slowed to drift alongside Aki.

Looking across, and seeing the fear he’d seen the first time, he smiled slightly.

“Our fight is yet to come. You will pay for your crimes.” With that, the two Dark Signers accelerated into the night, leaving Aki cruising slowly along the highway.

She stopped, and stared into the black sky. Questions flooded her mind, with one appearing over and over. Why were these Dark Signers so different to the originals? What set them apart? Certainly, they seemed more determined, but why? Something was different this time round, but what? Aki didn’t move as the heavens opened, soaking the area in dark rain.

[spoiler=[b]Rise of Darkness[/b] (Incomplete)]