//------------------------------// // Chapter 35: Family Man // Story: Dueling is Magic! Many Futures // by Wolfgang //------------------------------// Dueling is Magic! Many Futures Chapter 35 Family Man /*********************\ Despite the population being all but gone, the streets of Neo Domino City had become very lively in the last week. Today was no exception. Rarity and Yeager ran as fast as they could while five Dark Troopers chased after them on foot. Rarity looked behind her and saw that Yeager was falling behind. “Yeager, hurry!” she said. “I’m going as fast as I can!” Yeager replied. Rarity frowned. “Don’t stop running,” she said, “and don’t look back!” Her horn began to glow as she jumped and spun around in midair. She fired a burst of magic at the Dark Troopers. It exploded just before it reached them and created a blinding flash of light. The dark men stopped and yelled, covering their eyes with their arms and hands. Yeager and Rarity quickly turned down an alley, ran to the next street over, then descended into a reservoir. “In there!” Yeager said, pointing at a large tunnel in the side of the reservoir wall. He and Rarity jumped in and ran into the darkness. They finally stopped, both of them leaning against the walls for support as they tried to catch their breath. “Do you think we lost them?” Rarity asked. “I hope so,” Yeager panted. “What did you do back there?” “Flash spell,” Rarity answered with a gasp. “Twilight taught me. In case I got kidnapped again.” “Again?” Yeager said. “Long story,” Rarity said as she began to tidy her mane, her breathing finally slowing down. “Where are we, anyway?” “A drainage tunnel,” Yeager said, his own breathing coming under control. “Water is collected in the gutters of our streets during rain, and it comes through here into the reservoir.” “This is a sewage tunnel?” Rarity gasped. “I don’t like it any more than you, Rarity, but we must press onward. There are still Dark Troopers looking for us. Besides, much of the ‘sewage’ that comes through here is treated along the way, so it isn’t as bad as you might imagine.” “Oh, very well.” Rarity flipped her mane behind her head and started walking. Yeager followed jogged and caught up with her. “You know a lot about this city, don’t you?” Rarity asked. “It was part of my job,” Yeager replied. “Before being elected mayor, I was the Vice Director, and then Director of the Security and Maintenance Bureau. Managing the city itself was the job of the Bureau. Construction, repairs, cleaning, law enforcement, all of these things are required for a city’s population to be comfortable and healthy. I know this city’s layout as if I had constructed it myself.” “That’s quite impressive, Yeager,” Rarity said. “How did you come to be in charge of the Maintenance Bureau?” “That is quite a story. When I was a child, I performed in a circus with my family. However, business was terrible and we barely had enough money to get by. As the oldest child, I went out into the world to find a better job, and I became an officer in Sector Security. My circus training was very useful in my career, and Director Rex Goodwin himself promoted me to head of special investigations. I was climbing the ladder quite quickly due to my talents. I was finally able to support my family. “After Director Goodwin’s death at the end of the Dark Signer War, four directors were appointed to replace him. Three of them were from Yliaster, and the fourth was a weak front man. He was just a face for the crowds to look at. Eventually, Yliaster used their technology to change history, and the Bureau was left without a direct once again. It was around that time that Team 5D’s convinced me to fight with them against Yliaster. I took over the Bureau and appointed myself as Director.” “Team 5D’s?” asked Rarity. “Yes. At the time there was a Turbo Duel tournament going on called the World Riding Grand Prix. Yusei and his friends entered as Team 5D’s, referencing the marks of the Crimson Dragon that they all bore.” “So... who exactly is Yliaster? You’ve mentioned them a few times, but no one has ever told us about them, not even Yusei.” “Yliaster was a secret society, and an ancient one at that, dating almost as far back as the previous Dark Signer War some five thousand years ago. They were dedicated to finding and gathering the Signers, as well as acquiring and preserving any knowledge that could help them defeat the Dark Signers and the Earthbound Immortals. But at some point, they were infiltrated and corrupted by Z-one.” “Z-one... now that’s a name I am familiar with,” Rarity said. “Yusei said he was the only surviving human in the future, and that he sent his servants to change the past by destroying it.” Yeager nodded. “Z-one knew that he could make good use of the resources at Yliaster’s disposal. However, all of his servants failed, and he eventually came to Neo Domino City to destroy it himself. Yusei stopped him, thank God. After that, the corrupt elements in Yliaster disappeared. The society itself still exists, but they are far more careful about who they let into their little world. I voluntarily left their service because even I had been an unwitting pawn of Z-one’s. I knew they would not trust me again, no matter how much their leaders actually liked me. However, in spite of my appearance and background, I have come to realize that I am a born leader, but one who also serves. I pursued a career in politics and was elected mayor of Neo Domino City shortly after the Security and Maintenance Bureau was disbanded.” “It sounds like you’ve had quite the adventurous life,” said Rarity. Yeager stopped with a raised hand. “What is it?” asked Rarity. “I just remembered where we are,” Yeager said. The passage before them forked in two directions. Along the wall beside one of the passages was a strange marking that Rarity didn’t recognize. Yeager walked down that passage with Rarity trotting behind him. Moments later, they came to a large curtain. Yeager pushed it aside, reached over to the wall and flipped a switch. Light flooded the room. It was very simply furnished. A low table sat in the center. At the back wall was a small stove and a rusty kettle. To the left were three beds. Yeager sighed as he took it in. “What is this place?” Rarity asked. “During Yliaster’s attack on the city, I became privy to certain information,” said Yeager. “I fled with my family here and did my best to keep them safe. Yusei and his friends found me and convinced me to help them defend the city.” “Where is your family now?” asked Rarity. Yeager sighed again. “Gone,” he said. “Taken into the shadows. My wife and son... they were taken from my by the Black King’s armies. “It was during the first days of the Black King’s rise,” said Yeager. “People had been disappearing at an alarming rate, but we didn’t have any leads. Not until my house was attacked. They broke into our home. I told my family to run, but the Dark Troopers grabbed them and took them into the shadows. The only reason I escaped is because they knew I was a duelist and challenged me. I won.” “Yeager, I’m so sorry,” Rarity said, putting a hoof on his shoulder. “There was nothing I could do, but that hasn’t stopped the guilt,” Yeager said. “Perhaps that is why I failed to protect the resistance. I’m not much of a leader, am I?” “You did a fine job of protecting them, and you are an excellent leader. You shouldn’t doubt yourself.” Yeager sighed. “Perhaps you’re right,” he said. “And now isn’t the best time to be moping. I suppose we can hole up here for a while, but not for long.” “Where will we go?” “We can hide out in apartment buildings and hotels. Beyond that, I don’t know what we’ll do...” “We can’t run forever, Yeager.” “I know, Rarity. But I truly don’t know what else to do.” “I never thought I would hear the words leave my mouth,” Rarity said, “but we should fight.” Yeager was silent. “That human with the glasses foalnapped Twilight! He must be working for the Black King! We have to go save her!” Rarity pleaded. “We can’t just storm KaibaCorp. Tower by ourselves, Rarity,” Yeager said. “And sneaking in will be next to impossible.” “Well, we have to do something!” Rarity said. “Yeager, Twilight is my best friend! What do I have to do to convince you that we have to try?” Yeager looked her in the eyes. “There are two things you can do for me. First, do you remember when I said that I would have a field assignment for you when you acquired a Duel Disk?” “Yes, I do,” Rarity replied. “I had hoped that you and Twilight would accompany me on a specific mission,” he said, “perhaps you and I alone can carry it out, but there is one other thing you must do first.” “What is it?” Rarity asked. “Duel me,” said Yeager. “You made mistakes in your first few duels, and you haven’t had much time to improve.” “You’re being awfully blunt,” Rarity said with a huff. “Duel me,” said Yeager. “Let me evaluate your skills firsthand and I’ll tell you what all of this is about.” Rarity sighed. Her Duel Disk flashed into existence before her. “Very well,” she said. “If you think I’m good enough, then we go on this mission of yours. If I win, then promise me that we’ll go save Twilight, even if it’s just the two of us.” Yeager lowered his gaze. “It will be nearly impossible,” he said. He looked back up at her. “But I suppose you’ll go with or without me, won’t you?” Rarity nodded. “Alright then. If you defeat me, we’ll go save Twilight immediately after my mission. Follow me. There’s a large junction in these tunnels we can use to conduct the duel.” ***** Rarity and Yeager arrived at the junction without incident. It was very large and several tunnels connected to it. Yeager took a rock and made a small mark near the floor on the wall of the tunnel they came from. “So we can find our way back,” he said. He and Rarity walked to opposite ends Rarity’s Duel Disk hovered in front of her. Yeager reached behind him and pulled his golden Disk out of his jacket, then attached it to his wrist. “DUEL!” they shouted. Life Point Count Yeager: 4000 Rarity: 4000 "I'll begin," said Yeager. "I Summon 'Jester Lord' and Set two cards face-down." Yeager’s tall, thin monster appeared before him, juggling two flaming orbs in his hands. Jester Lord ATK/2000 LV 1 “My turn!” said Rarity as she drew a card with her magic. “I activate ‘Gem-Knight Fusion’. With this, I combine ‘Gem-Knight Tourmaline’ and ‘Gem-Knight Obsidian’ and Fusion Summon ‘Gem-Knight Topaz’!” Two “Gem-Knights” appeared behind Rarity. The first wore bright yellow armor and fired lightning bolts from the silver rods on his wrists. The second was dressed in black armor with a ring of obsidian orbs resting on his shoulder. The two leapt into the air and disappeared into a swirling red and blue vortex. A light flashed and a new knight in orange armor and wearing a black cape appeared. In each of his hands he held a sword with a lightning-shaped blade. Gem-Knight Topaz ATK/1800 LV 6 “Since I control a monster, Jester Lord’s Attack Points drop back to zero,” said Rarity. “And if that wasn’t enough for you, ‘Gem-Knight Topaz’ can attack twice each turn.” “I won’t give it that chance,” said Yeager. “I reveal my Continuous Trap ‘Grave of the Super-Ancient Organism’. While this card is in play, Level Six and above monsters on the field that were Special Summoned cannot declare attacks or activate their effects.” “I still have another play to make,” Rarity replied. “When ‘Gem-Knight Obsidian’ is sent to the Graveyard from my hand, I can Special Summon a Level Four or lower Normal Monster from my Graveyard. I Summon ‘Gem-Knight Tourmaline’!” Gem-Knight Tourmaline ATK/1600 LV 4 “Battle! ‘Gem-Knight Tourmaline’, attack ‘Jester Lord’ with Mystic Lightning Strike!” Rarity ordered. The yellow knight held his hands out to his sides and an arch of electricity appeared above him. A ball of lightning formed at the crest and descended into the jewel on his breastplate. “Tourmaline” was glowing with energy. He threw his fists forward and fired bolts of lightning from the silver rods on his wrists, destroying the thin “Jester Lord”. Player: Yeager Life Points: 2400 Hand: 3 “I Set one card face-down and end my turn,” said Rarity. “Not bad,” Yeager said. “But this duel isn’t over yet. My turn! I reveal my other face-down card ‘Discord’. But since you don’t use Synchro Monsters, it’s not very useful here. I activate ‘Magic Planter’, letting me draw two cards by sending a Continuous Trap from my field to the Graveyard.” Yeager’s “Discord” card disappeared and he drew two cards. “I Special Summon ‘Jester Confit’ from my hand in Attack Mode. Next, I equip it with ‘Spirit Burner’ and use its effect to switch ‘Jester Confit’ to Defense Mode. “I Set three cards and end my turn.” A new “Jester” appeared, a short, fat man dancing atop a tiny ball. Jester Confit DEF/0 LV 1 “My turn,” Rarity said. “I Summon ‘Gem-Knight Sardonyx’ to the field!” Rarity’s new monster was a burly warrior with swirling stripes of red and white armor and gold plating. In his hands was a long chain made of red onyx. At the end was a spiked ball made of the same stone. Gem-Knight Sardonyx ATK/1800 LV 4 “I play ‘Particle Fusion’,” Rarity continued. “This card fuses two ‘Gem-Knights’ on my field. I fuse ‘Tourmaline’ and ‘Sardonyx’ to create ‘Gem-Knight Citrine’!” The two “Gem-Knights” turned to each other and slammed their fists together. A bright light erupted from the collision and a new Gem-Knight appeared. He wore bronze armor decorated with vertical red stripes, wing-like white markings on the breastplate, and yellow jewels on his shoulder guards, helmet and chest. A stone gray cape billowed behind him. His hands and his sword glowed bright orange, as if they were made of molten rock. Gem-Knight Citrine ATK/2200 LV 7 “‘Particle Fusion’s’ other effect activates,” Rarity said. “When I Fusion Summon with it, ‘Particle Fusion’ is removed from my Graveyard, and this increases ‘Citrine’s’ Attack Points by the Attack Points of one of its Fusion Materials until the End Phase.” A ghostly “Gem-Knight Sardonyx” appeared. Its image was absorbed into the large jewel on “Citrine’s” chest. “Citrine” began to glow a bright red. Gem-Knight Citrine ATK/4000 LV 7 “Battle! ‘Gem-Knight Citrine’, attack ‘Jester Confit’!” Rarity shouted. However, her monster didn’t move. “What? Why isn’t he attacking? Come on, you! Activate your effect and attack!” “Surely you didn’t forget about ‘Grave of the Super-Ancient Organism’, did you?” Yeager asked. “No, I didn’t,” Rarity replied. “‘Gem-Knight Citrine’ prevents you from activating cards and effects when he attacks or is attacked. I don’t understand why he won’t attack, though!” “Because he can’t attack at all, my dear.” Yeager cleared his throat. “Allow me to explain: What your monster and my Trap Card have in common are that their effects are Continuous. They do not activate. Think of them as a rule that is only applied while they are face-up on the field. For instance, you’re familiar with the rule that a player cannot conduct their Battle Phase on the first turn of the duel?” Rarity nodded. “These effects work the same way,” Yeager continued. “The only difference is that they can still be negated by other card effects.” “So ‘Citrine’s’ effect only applies when it’s battling. If it can’t declare an attack...” Rarity said. “Then its effect does not apply,” Yeager finished. “Then I suppose my move was wasted,” Rarity said. “I end my turn.” “During your End Phase, ‘Jester Confit’s’ effect activates,” Yeager said. “It returns itself and one of your monsters to our hands.” “Jester Confit” laughed and bounced off of its ball with a backflip, disappearing into Yeager’s hand. The ball struck “Gem-Knight Citrine” square in the chest and he too vanished. “‘Spirit Burner’s’ effect activates as well. When the equipped monster returns to my hand, you take six hundred points of damage.” Blue flames rose up around Rarity and swirled around her for a moment before dying away. Player: Rarity Life Points: 3400 Hand: 1 “My turn,” Yeager said. “First I activate my three Continuous Traps: ‘Imperial Custom’, ‘Astral Barrier’, and ‘Trick Battle’. Next, I play 'Jester's Trade'. If there are no monsters on my field, I can discard a 'Jester' monster from my hand to draw two cards and destroy one Spell or Trap Card I control. I choose 'Astral Barrier'." Yeager slid "Jester Confit" into his Graveyard and drew two new cards. "Perfect!" Yeager said. "I summon-" "Wait just a moment!" Rarity said. "The card you chose hasn't been destroyed!" "Ah, yes," Yeager said. "That would be the effect of 'Imperial Order'. Continuous Traps other than itself cannot be destroyed. Moving onward, I Summon ‘Jester Queen’ from my hand.” The gray-skinned woman appeared before Yeager, showing off her figure as she arrived on the field. Jester Queen ATK/800 LV 2 “When she is summoned, ‘Jester Queen’ destroys all Spells and Traps I control. However, ‘Imperial Custom’ prevents the other Continuous Traps I control from being destroyed, so it leaves and the other three remain. Finally, I activate ‘Secret Passage’, allowing ‘Jester Queen’ to attack directly. And remember, ‘Jester Queen’ can attack once for every Spell or Trap I control. ‘Jester Queen’, attack Rarity directly four times!” Yeager’s monster leapt into the air and threw four shining balls of light at Rarity. Each one struck the ground around her and created a small explosion. Life Point Count Yeager: 2400 Rarity: 200 “That ends my turn,” said Yeager. Rarity grit her teeth. “My turn!” she said. She glanced at the card floating beside her. ”Gem-Knight Sapphire”, she thought. This won’t do much good on its own. I need a way to attack with my Fusion Monsters! But as long as Yeager has that particular Trap in play.... Hmm... Suddenly her eyes widened and a wide grin spread across her face. “I have a question for you Yeager,” Rarity said. “Can you read to me the exact text of ‘Grave of the Super-Ancient Organism’?” “Of course,” Yeager said. “‘All face-up Level 6 or higher Special Summoned monsters on the field cannot declare an attack or activate their effects.’” “‘On the field...’ then I know what to do! First thing’s first. I activate the effect of ‘Gem-Knight Fusion’ in my Graveyard. By removing a ‘Gem-Knight’ monster in my Graveyard from play, I can add ‘Gem-Knight Fusion’ from my Graveyard to my hand of cards.” Two cards slid out of the Graveyard slot on Rarity’s Duel Disk. The first was “Gem-Knight Tourmaline”, which flew away and disappeared into a black vortex. The second was “Gem-Knight Fusion”, which floated over to the other two cards in Rarity’s hand. “Now I’ll activate ‘Gem-Knight Fusion’ itself, and fuse the Thunder-Type ‘Gem-Knight Topaz’ with ‘Gem-Knight Sapphire’. Lightning cracks in the bodies of fractured gems as they shatter and unleash their power! I Fusion Summon ‘Gem-Knight Prismaura’!” The newest “Gem-Knight” to appear wore silver armor edged with gold. Crystal stalagmites grew from his shoulders. Two curved, crystal horns stood on the sides of his helmet. In his left hand was a round shield decorated with a protruding white triangle with a gold tip and green gems on the sides. In his right hand was a lance made entirely out of clear crystal. A red cape rested on his shoulders. Gem-Knight Prismaura ATK/2450 LV 7 “I activate my Trap Card ‘Fragment Fusion’,” Rarity said. “This fuses two ‘Gem-Knights’ in my Graveyard by removing them from the game. I remove ‘Gem-Knight Sapphire’ and ‘Gem-Knight Sardonyx’ to Fusion Summon ‘Gem-Knight Aquamarine’!” The ghostly figures of "Gem-Knight Sardonyx" and "Gem-Knight Sapphire"- a warrior in slim, snow white armor- appeared before Rarity and swirled together. Her new monster was a burly warrior in deep blue armor. A hood curved up from the armor and surrounded the warrior’s helmeted head. Sapphires were set into the shoulders and chest of the armor. His right hand held a weapon that was both shield and sword, the blade protruding from beneath the circular shield. A large blue jewel was inset into the shield. Gem-Knight Aquamarine ATK/1400 DEF/2600 LV 6 “What are you up to, Rarity?” Yeager asked. “You’ll see in just a moment,” Rarity answered. “I activate ‘Gem-Knight Fusion’s’ effect, removing ‘Gem-Knight Topaz’ from my Graveyard to return it to my hand. Next I activate it, fusing the Aqua-Type ‘Gem-Knight Aquamarine’ with ‘Gem-Knight Garnet’ in my hand. Waves surging through crystalline waters, nourish the gems and give them strength! I Fusion Summon ‘Gem-Knight Amethyst’!” Another new Gem-Knight appeared, this one wearing violet armor. Violet crystals crew up from its shoulders, and another was embedded in its chestplate. His left hand held a shield made of swirling crystal. A long blade made of the same crystal was mounted atop his right wrist. A violet cape waved behind him. Gem-Knight Amethyst ATK/1950 DEF/2450 LV 7 “‘Aquamarine’s’ effect activates!” Rarity said. “When he’s sent to the Graveyard from the field, I can return one card on your field to your hand. I choose ‘Grave of the Super-Ancient Organism’! And since this ‘Aquamarine’ is in the Graveyard, your Trap can’t stop it!” A huge wave rose up from the water behind Rarity and splashed down onto Yeager’s card. It vanished in the water and reappeared in his hand. “Don’t think this game is over, Rarity,” said Yeager. “If two monsters in Attack Mode battle each other, ‘Trick Battle’ makes it so the stronger monster is destroyed by that battle!” “I activate ‘Gem-Knight Fusion’s’ effect one more time,” Rarity said. “I remove ‘Gem-Knight Garnet’ for its cost. And now that it’s in my hand again, I’ll send it to the Graveyard to activate ‘Prismaura’s’ effect. ‘Gem-Knight Prismaura’, destroy ‘Jester Queen’! Thunder Aura!” “Prismaura” raised his shield into the air, then brought it down to face “Jester Queen”. Waves of color erupted from the green gems and the gold triangle-tip of the shield, striking the gray woman and destroying her. “You’re wide open, Yeager!” Rarity said excitedly. “‘Gem-Knight Prismaura’, attack Yeager directly! Prismatic Lightning!” Rarity’s monster pointed his lance straight up. Multicolored bolts of lightning struck the lance and filled it with color. “Prismaura” brought the weapon down, drew his arm back, and charged. The knight jumped into the air and thrust the lance forward as he came down on Yeager. Yeager was hit and thrown back. Life Point Count Yeager: 0 Rarity: 200 Rarity walked up to Yeager, who was lying on his back. She offered him a hoof. He took it and she pulled him up. “You made some mistakes, but your final turn was spectacular,” Yeager said as he dusted himself off. “Very well. You won, so I will honor my word. After my mission is complete, we will go to Kaiba Corp. Tower and rescue Twilight.” “What is this mission of yours?” Rarity asked. “Another rescue mission,” Yeager said. “We are going to find and save my family.” /*********************\ Next time on Dueling is Magic! Many Futures Applejack and Rainbow Dash are trying to find shelter for themselves and Leo and Luna. They soon take up shelter in a grocery store. However, tensions are high within the group. In the end, the path they decide to take is.... Chapter 36 Rivalries /*********************\ Featured Card Gem-Knight Fusion SPELL Normal Spell Card Send, from your hand or your side of the field to the Graveyard, the Fusion Material Monsters that are listed on a "Gem-Knight" Fusion Monster Card, then Special Summon that Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck. (This Special Summon is treated as a Fusion Summon.) If this card is in the Graveyard: You can banish 1 "Gem-Knight" monster from your Graveyard; add this card to your hand.