The Dreamscape
Zane's POV
There was fog everywhere, even if I was in my room. The memory of my loss was still fresh, and I tried to shake it off, but I heard sinister laughter everywhere. I began running in order to get away from it, only to see a figure with a machete in his hands, a hockey mask on his face, and small green embers on his body. It was sitting on something, looked like an oddly-shaped rock.
"Time's up, Zane Truesdale," the figure said, getting up as he looked at me.
"Who are you?" I asked, stepping back a bit.
"I am your Ghost of Christmas to Come, a sinister one to be honest," it answered, chuckling. "Such a pity your brother didn't put up a fight. Hell, he said I was doing him a favor," it ended, pointing at the rock that was really my brother. I ran as fast as I could, only to see something that shocked me: despite the fact that my brother was stabbed in the chest, he was smiling, eyes open.
"No, it can't be..."
"It can, future isn't written yet. You'll eventually get what you want, but it always come at a price," the figure said, smiling as it lifted its machete and-
I woke up. It was too horrible, and when I looked around the room, I heard a voice in my mind:
'Hello Zane,' a female voice began. It was Yubel, but how was it possible?
"What are you doing in my mind?" I asked.
'I've come to warn you about your loss tomorrow. Tomorrow, you will duel Spike at 6:00 P.M, at the lighthouse. Alexis and the others will be there.'
"How can I know you are not lying?"
'I already entered your mind, which reminds me, you only have 16 hours to prepare for the duel.' After that, I didn't hear her voice anymore. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't. The little to no time I spent with Syrus, was spent scolding him from what some people told me. I was sure it wasn't true, but I had to win this duel.
Spike's POV
'Bel arranged a duel between me and Zane. I knew she'd only arrange a duel between the two of us when I was ready, unless there was another purpose for it. Whatever it is, it's time to make Zane feel their pain.
- Spike Solaris
Chancellor's Office
10:00 A.M
As I stood in the office, I looked at Chazz, who was looking down. He was on trial due to theft and other issues, and I was the one who was going to designate his punishment (well, part of it).
"Tell you what, I want a fancy apartment for me. You know, three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and some fancy stuff: video games, a computer, and a hot tub, yep, hot tubs are cool," I said. I knew my dragon instinct was kicking in, but hey, those decks were given to me by the big boss, and the cards were quite expensive. I already had my two dragon decks back, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone: he'd pay back, and I'd get a better place to massage my clients. It might be unfair, but his parents have already discounted the money necessary for the construction from his savings, and let me tell you, he's fucking rich.
"That part done, we need you to exit the room Chazz, Spike and I are going to discuss a bit more in order to put a punishment suitable for your crimes on behalf of the school," the Chancellor said, before Chazz exited, two guards behind him.
"Does Kaiba have an academy where discipline is fundamental?" I asked.
"There is one, somewhere around Scandinavia: the place has the best students of Europe, and it's known as North Academy."
"I think the academy's found a punishment," I said, before Chazz and the guards entered.
"Chazz Princeton, for theft and other minor crimes in the school, you are forced to transfer to North Academy until you are worthy of being here once more. As an extra, your deck must be left here before transfer, which happens in three hours," Sheppard ended, as my rival left.
"As for you, Spike, you should get to your next class, which has already begun." That said by the chancellor, I started to run, smiling as my mind went to a certain blonde-haired duelist dressed in blue...
3:00 P.M
I was eating with Mindy, and she was smiling as she enjoyed the taste of the steak I had prepared. Yes, there was quite some luxury this day, given that I won a trial, and I was now in Ra Yellow, giving me more privileges.
"How long have you been cooking?" Mindy asked, before drinking from her glass of cider.
"Nine years, started since I was 6," I answered, before cleaning my mouth with a napkin as to remove any crumbs and stains on my mouth.
"Still, why did you invite me?"
"Just to break the routine on who eats with me, if someone is at the time. It's mostly Syrus and Chumley, and sometimes alone, so yeah, it's just to get to know people better."
"Well Spike, I'll see you tonight for our session," she said, before she parted. Now, it is not THAT kind of session if that's what you're thinking. These sessions are nightly ones, given the peace that oddly occurs at night. I told her it was going to cost her a bit more, but she still accepted.
'You must prepare for the duel Spike, you are facing the Obelisk Kaiser,' Yubel said, looking serious.
"So I'm facing the German Obelisk leader? Hail Truesdale!" I answered, mocking a German when mentioning the second sentence.
'Putting the Captain America reference aside, he is the best duelist on campus.'
"Yeah, I'm going to need help from the genius," I said, walking to the Ra Yellow Headmaster's room. The man was a bit old, black hair, and he was known as Sartyr.
"Good afternoon Solaris, how may I help you?" Sartyr asked.
"Good afternoon Professor Sartyr, I was wondering which room belonged to Bastion Misawa," I answered, before he answered me.
"Ah yes, young Bastion is quite a remarkable student. You may find him in the left section of the dorm," he said, as I went to the right section, to invite Syrus over. He accepted, and then we went to Bastion's room. If you guys thought Twilight took science seriously, you haven't seen Bastion's domain. The walls, Hell, even the ceiling had formulas.
"Hey Bastion, you run out of paper?" I asked, smirking as he finished a formula.
"No, I use this method to build and counter decks," he answered, admiring his own work.
"Cool. Hey Bastion, we wanted to know if you could help us with our decks. We've got brawn in dueling, but we don't fare well in deck building," I said, before he smiled.
"Excellent, let me show you how to build a proper deck, depending on your interests.
5:57 P.M
The time had come, and I was walking to the lighthouse along with Bastion, Syrus and Chumley. Remaining calm was easy, but taking on the Kaiser was a different issue.
"We know you can do it," Bastion said.
"Thanks you guys, just a bit nervous since it's Zane we're talking about here," I answered, before Yubel told me about her actions with Zane. This meant, that I had to deliver the Obelisk Kaiser a punishment.
"Hey Spike," Alexis said.
"Hey Alexis," I said, as I waved at her.
"I thought you wouldn't show up," Zane said. Ok, that is quite unnatural of him, but putting that aside...
"Well, I'm here," I answered, preparing my Duel Disk.
"Time to see if the nightmare was bogus," he muttered, before the duel began.
Zane: 4000 - Spike: 4000
1. Zane
"I'll activate 'Different Dimension Capsule', which allows me to remove from play a card. Then, I'll end my turn with a face-down and 'Cyber Valley', in Attack Mode (0 ATK)."
2. Spike
"Alright, I'll set two face-downs, and normal summon 'Red-Eyes Wyvern' in ATK-"
"I don't think so, I'm activating 'Bottomless Trap Hole', which removes from play a monster you summon if it has 1500 or more attack points." That said, my wyvern fell down the hole.
"Ok, I'm done."
3. Zane
"I'm removing my 'Cyber Valley' and a card in my hand from play to add a card in my Graveyard to the top of my deck. Next, I'll summon 'Proto-Cyber Dragon' in Attack Mode (1100 ATK). Now 'Proto-Cyber Dragon', attack Spike with Proto-Photon Strike!" That said, a white ball was launched, and I received the hit.
Zane: 4000 - Spike: 2900
4. Spike
"Alright, now I'm going to set a face-down and summon 'Spear Dragon' in Attack Mode (1900 ATK). Next, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Dragon's Gunfire'. I'll use its second effect, which allows me to destroy a monster with less than 800 defense points, and since your dragon's of only 600, it's gone," I said, as it was destroyed.
"Now Spear Dragon, attack directly with Aerial Lance!" Once I said it, the dragon flew straight towards Zane, inflicting damage and then going into Defense Mode (0 DEF).
Zane: 2100 - Spike: 2900.
5. Zane
"Now that two turns have passed, I can add the card I removed from play to my hand. I'll activate 'Brain Control', which lets me take control of one of your monsters by only paying 800 Life Points. I'll switch 'Spear Dragon' to Attack Mode, and attack you directly!" He exclaimed, as I was attacked by my own monster, receiving it in Defense Mode (0 DEF).
Zane: 1300 - Spike: 1000
6. Spike
"Fun duel, but you've lost it. Spear Dragon, end this," I said, as Zane's LP dropped.
Zane: 0 - Spike: 1000
"Zane Truesdale..." Jasmine said.
"...Just, lost." Alexis completed.
"Against a former Slifer..." Missy added, before I went to Zane, who fell to his knees in disbelief.
"Your mind is filled with the lack of sleep, as well as the loss against Tommy Oliver. Your soul is tainted by the pain you've inflicted on your own blood, see the Deadly Truth and feel the pain of Syrus," I said, resting my hand on the top of his head, as his face went from one of disbelief to agony.
Let me explain how the Deadly Truth happens: it is similar to the Penance Stare, just that the enemy's eyes aren't burned, and neither is their soul. Instead, they see the truth, and after a while, they return, but with a change or two after seeing the truth. As to why it is called 'The Deadly Truth'? The agony some feel is one that makes them want to end their lives, although they are not allowed to.
When I finished, Zane fell, eyes open and his mouth slightly open. The others looked at me, before I answered:
"I showed him the truth, he'll be alright. If you'll excuse me, I'll take him to his room," I answered, before carrying him to his room. A few minutes after I reached my dorm, I received a message from Alexis:
'What is up with you? Why did you do that to Zane?!'
- Alexis
I merely answered:
'I showed him the truth. Tell Syrus to meet me at my room. Once you tell him, tell Zane, the effects of the Truth must be wearing off.'
- Spike
I didn't think they'd come, but they did. First Syrus, then Alexis and Zane. I received a swift slap from Alexis, only to stop her before she delivered a second one. I motioned her to look, and boy was it a surprise: Zane was crying. That's right, the Kaiser was crying. He knelt to hug Syrus, before speaking.
"I am sorry, Syrus. All those times I hurt you, thinking I was helping you..."
"It's alright. Not the best way, but it's still alright. All I needed was to understand the lessons, and Spike helped me understand," Syrus said, hugging back. Alexis then looked at me.
"My method is unorthodox, but the result is unarguable on this occasion," I answered, rubbing the sore spot.
"Sorry for slapping you," she answered, looking away.
"I sort of deserved it, after all, when do you do that to the Kaiser?" I asked, before walking out of the room, only for Alexis to follow me. We reached the forest a bit later, and she asked:
"Why did you do that?"
"They needed to fix that. Hell, I would've fixed it long ago if I were one of them. I know very well that you know the feeling of losing a brother," I answered, before she looked at the ground.
"Zane wasn't much of a duel: he wasn't at his full potential, which explains why he lost quickly. I know that he is much better than I am, and I await a duel against him when he's at his best," I ended.
The rest of the night was quiet as I walked her and the other Obelisk Girls along with her. What I didn't expect however, was for my duel against Missy to be told to the Chancellor, nor the fact that a man was going to arrive to the island soon in order to take a friend of mine.
The Dreamscape
Shining Armor's POV
Rage, the ever-existing emotion. Gives some people power, makes others... Different. Cadence suffered it, divorced and made me infamous due to a supposed affair. However, her rage was the small push which would lead me to my new life. Now, as I sit on my bed, I look at my loved one, smiling as she was asleep. Blonde hair, clear skin, and a height of 6'4", she's quite a fighter, but she also has her soft side. Still, it's funny how I'm making sure she's alright, asleep or not.
"Hello brother," a man said, from the doorway. This man had a one-piece suit, and a set of glasses as well.
"Spike?" I asked.
"Yes, it is me," he answered, smirking as he left the room. I followed him, only to see his hair grow, covering several parts of his body to change his attire to that of a yellow blazer, jeans and sneakers. We ended up in the kitchen, and there was a bottle of cider on the table, as well as two glasses.
"Cider from Sweet Apple Acres?"
"Yep, top-notch stuff," he answered, serving cider in each glass. We each got one, and began drinking.
"Been quite a while since I've had a glass," I said, looking at him.
"Yeah, I know. How's life as of late?" He asked.
"Pretty well. After a few weeks in Heaven, I ended up on an odd planet, met a princess named Rosalina. After that, I ended up with the woman who would then be my girlfriend, Samus Aran. How about you?"
"Now that you say it, it's funny how we have a thing for blonde girls. I'm quite alright, just died a month or so ago, but I've got a new life in another world," he answered, before he drank a bit from his glass.
"How did you get here?"
"Special pass, courtesy of Lady Death herself. Quite a nice mare, although I have to give her a massage every Saturday night."
"So you seduced Death..."
"You say it as if the massage comes with a happy ending."
"Alright, sex jokes aside, it's been a while. Now we're alive again, have a preference of blond girls, and we are traveling through worlds unknown to us.
"Yep, good life," he said, lifting his glass. "To resurrection."
"To resurrection," I answered, as we clinked our glasses before we drank the cider. After a while of talking, we got up, smiling as we shook hands.
"Leaving already?" I asked.
"Yeah, time's up for me. I don't know when I'll see you again, but I'm sure it will be cool," he answered, before he vanished in thin air. I woke up, seeing as my love was in my arms. It was morning, and I decided to give her a proper wake-up.
"Morning love," she said, after I had kissed her.
"Ready for another day?" I asked, looking into her eyes.
"Yeah, just need to get the suit on."
"Same here. Now, let's go hunt down that 'Ridley' you've been talking about lately."