Brinolovania Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 [quote name='Archbaron Barthandelus' timestamp='1348955814' post='6034788'] The Cake isn't a lie.... Don't tell me this cake is a lie man. O.o [/quote] But the cake is a lie. It's literally impossible to touch it, you just noclip through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reinforce Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Therefore the cake is both a lie and is true at the same time, because it exists but it is impossible to get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synchronized Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I think I'm all caught up now. I liked seeing Madolche in action, though I thought for sure you'd take the route of having the Atlanteans win. This was interesting and I can't get over how good you are with this kind of stuff. So much better than my duels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 [quote name='Thunder Spark' timestamp='1349063076' post='6035486'] I think I'm all caught up now. I liked seeing Madolche in action, though I thought for sure you'd take the route of having the Atlanteans win. This was interesting and I can't get over how good you are with this kind of stuff. So much better than my duels. [/quote] Good to see that results aren't always predictable and can still catch people out. And that duelling has improved, because they were often slow and downright awful in Armageddon. I'm really excited with some of the duels coming up, I mean really there's five on the spin I've done which I've really enjoyed (been frustrated by, but enjoyed). Trying to hammer number six into shape now. It's just really annoying that I've had to cheat/modify/alter a card effect to various degrees in each one (damn Konami) but it's usually to make a drab section of duel more exciting (examples can be picked upon as they come out). Don't like doing it but keep writing duels thinking 'just need a card in this gap that does [b]X[/b] basic effect but I'm sure there is one'... and there isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synchronized Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I remember we worked on that for a while via PM, I'm interested to see what you ended up going with. Looking forward to the next chapter. ...and dat eventual ff review ;D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 [quote name='Thunder Spark' timestamp='1349101177' post='6035609'] I remember we worked on that for a while via PM, I'm interested to see what you ended up going with. Looking forward to the next chapter. ...and dat eventual ff review ;D [/quote] Stop making me feel guilty Anyway, for those who have lost track of events after an overly long absense, and need a refresher, an updated list of character bios, decklists, and what not for you chronicling events to this point. Ahead of the final hour. [spoiler=[b]Protagonist Team[/b]] [spoiler=[b]Masuro, Daiki[/b]]Real Name: Yumura Katsuro. Otherwise known as Dai Age: 25 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Kaneko (daughter). Parents known to be deceased Associates: Clarissa, Keylan, Yuri, Jin, Natsumi Body Type: 6ft, semi-athletic Hair: Dark, scruffy Eyes: Green Clothing: (Both real world and VDS): Tanned jacket, shirt and jeans. Standard D-Disk. Bio: A little over six years ago, a young man called Yumura Katsuro caused a big stir at a special duel monster tournament held by Real Duel Ltd, defeating a former champion on his route to the finals with an incredible unique style. He was defeated, and disappeared from the public scene thereafter until his suicide a few months later. However, the dead man was not Katsuro. He was in fact another troubled young man. The real Katsuro was lying unconscious in a hospital bed with two broken legs, under the name of the dead man Masuro Daiki. Taken in by Real Duel Ltd and used as the father specimen for Project Eve in order to produce a child with his duelling skill amongst other traits, the man was granted life for his aid, but one set up for him instead of his own. He could never be allowed to know or remember the truth. When Clarissa told him the truth about his life, Dai reacted as those at Real Duel may have predicted and went berserk. Shunning everyone as liars and out to use him, his state of mind was not helped by the possession of Number 96: Black Mist, which twisted his darkening thoughts. Dai was rescued from his dark subconscious by the persistence and self sacrifice of Jinrei, and took full responsibility for his fall into madness. He rejoined the team set out to rescue his daughter Kaneko and stop Murtagh, however only through mutual goal, and he still remains deeply scarred and haunted by what has happened. Desperate to aid Kaneko, Daiki fought with Jin and Clarissa against Murtagh’s cronies, reserving a special hatred for his former partner Garvan who maintained the lie of his life. He was devastatingly destroyed by Asami and her powerful Number, leaving him broken when he was forcibly withdrawn from the VDS. Duel Decks: Instead of an archtype, Daiki plays an Instant Xyz Deck that revolves around the swarming of mostly warrior type monsters to summon key monsters. Many of his cards can manipulate their own or other monsters levels, or can special summon their allies to combine their might for fast Xyz summons ranking from 2 to 4. His two Numbers seem complete contrasts to each other, reflecting his own coined personality as he struggles with his identity. Numbers: [i]39: Aspiring Emperor Hope (appeared at end of duel against Garvan), 96: Black Mist (received from Wilhelm) Lost both to Kaneko’s return.[/i] [spoiler=Ground Deck]Dol Dora, Evil Shinobi, Goblindbergh, Howling Warrior, Kagemusha Knight, Key Warrior Keyman, Little Trooper, Real Crusader, Shield Warrior, Shine Knight, Speed Bird, Summoner Sambel, Tasuke Knight, Trident Warrior, Warrior Lady of the Wasteland, Jar of Avarice, Power of Unity, Raise Dead, Surging Resonance, Unprecedented Wind, Xyz Energy, Battle Mania, Damage Condenser, Demon Chain, Dimensional Imprisonment, Guard Block, Holy Barrier – Mirror Force, Seven Tools of Bandit, Truth Reinforce, Xyz Reflect Extra Deck: Grenosaurus, Kachi Kochi Dragon, Missing X-Saber Invoker, Solid Frozen Gantetsu[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Clarissa Haines-Wilshire][/b]Age: 26 Country of Origin: England Family: Wilhelm (brother), Kaneko (daughter) Associates: Daiki Body Type: 5ft 10, slim, curved figure Hair: Long black Eyes: Dark brown Clothing: (Both real world and VDS): Black tight fitting combat outfit with gloves and heeled boots, and many gun holsters. Black D-Disk. Bio: Clarissa moved to Japan as a teenager to study medicine at Tokyo University and teach English, when she was identified and recruited by Real Duel to be part of Project Eve. How this came about is still unknown, but the end result was Clarissa spending months trapped in an induced trance as she was forced to give her genes onto Kaneko, and she was shipped back to England with her memories wiped. Clarissa returned for bloody vengeance against Real Duel, to rescue her daughter, and make the world open their eyes to the evils the company had committed. However her plan was manipulated and used as a stepping stone by Murtagh, who used the chaos she had created to his advantage to capture the VDS, and Kaneko, for himself. He left her, Daiki and Wilhelm for dead, but they were rescued by Hunter. Forced to work for the secret service given her connection to Kaneko, Clarissa ventured into the VDS alone, leaving her brother to keep track of the others. She was pursued by Sakura, who wanted payback for her boyfriend’s defeat by her duel drones. She fought her to prove her own power and Sakura’s naivety, letting her feel her suffering through Acid Golem then summoning the monstrous side of Kaneko’s power that connects them, during which time Wilhelm was captured. A rescue was mounted too late, the traitor Evos killing Wilhelm seconds before she arrived. Another rescue attempt for Kaneko proved equally unsuccessful, as she and the others were slaughtered mercilessly by Asami, who seems to have a personal vendetta against her. She was dragged, bloody and injured but still fighting, from the VDS by Rokuro and Sakura before it collapsed. Duel Decks: Clarissa uses a sinister archtype called the Inverz. Insectoid in appearance, the fiend’s strategy works around sacrificing each other to advance summon more powerful monsters which activate their effects thereupon, often at the cost of life points. Or she will call on her two heavy hitting and dangerous Numbers, risking everything despite the huge drawbacks to their immense power. Numbers: [i]30: Acid Golem of Destruction (obtaining unknown, although suggested to be similar to how Daiki acquired Hope), 22: Fran Ken (see Acid Golem). Lost both to Kaneko’s return[/i] [spoiler=Ground Deck]Critter, Evil Cell of the Inverz, Illusion Snatch, Inverz All Purpose Form, Inverz Caller, Inverz Gasath, Inverz Gilafer, Inverz Madith, Inverz Moth, Inverz Sentinel, Inverz Sharp, Overlay Eater, Tour Guide from Hell, Allure of Darkness, Dual Summon, Enemy Controller, Foolish Burial, Magic Box of Death, Move of the Invasion, Xyz Gift, Holy Barrier – Mirror Force, Hell Blast, Invasion Ripple, Limit Rebirth, Means of the Invasion, Mirror of the Cursed Words, Number Wall Extra Deck: Inverz Roach[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Wilhelm Haines-Wilshire[/b]]Age: 21 Country of Origin: England Family: Clarissa (sister), Kaneko (niece) Associates: Daiki Body Type: 5ft 3 while sat in wheelchair, frail, thin Hair: Grey, long and unkempt Eyes: Green and purple Clothing: (Both real world and VDS): Plain grey shirt and smart trousers. Sits in a motorized wheelchair that has a special D-Disk arm. Bio: Crippled from the age of thirteen by a rare spinal disorder similar to Motor Neurones, except more aggressive and still incurable (hence Clarissa’s study of medicine) Wilhelm became a computer genius and powerful duelist; two factors that made him key to his sister’s plans. Like his sister he was rescued by Hunter from the exploding RDL Building, and forced to serve the secret service’s orders to help them recover the situation, or else they would likely be quietly disposed of from their crimes. Devoted to his sister, he gladly wanted to help rescue Kaneko, but was often frustrated by lack of progress and the depicted lack of competence by his team-mates, especially Rokuro. Wilhelm was captured by Evos and the others, as they needed someone to finish the Number Converter for them. He refused at first, but was broken by Murtagh threatening to use it even if its safety was minimal, thus jeopardising all of humanity unless he fixed it. After successfully completing the machine to reduce the risk of total extinction, Evos was made by Murtagh to ‘dispose of him’ as punishment for his own incompetence (and what would be later revealed as a trap for Clarissa and the others). Wilhelm fought with tenacity and anger, pushing himself to and beyond the physical limitations of his body already strained by Evos’ strategy. In one all or nothing move he summoned his Number to totally erase Evos from the face of the earth, but failed, and his mind and body could take no more. He died seconds before his sister arrived on the scene, with words between them unspoken and deaf to. Duel Decks: Wilhelm used a hybrid of a Gusta deck that mainly focused on an easily triggered OTK that incorporates Chimeratech Overdragon, Daigusta Phoenix and Brionac. He used this strategy as duelling for prolonged periods had a painful and tiring effect on him. Should this OTK fail, he fell back on the safety of the Gusta, and the destructive force of his Number as a devastating last resort. Numbers: [i]91: Thunderspark Dragon (obtaining unknown, lost to Evos)[/i] [spoiler=Ground Deck]Bolt Hedgehog x3, Calm Silent Gusta, Cyber Dragon x3, Gusta Eagle, Gusta Grif, Gusta Gulldo, Gusta Thunbolt, Hyper Synchron x2, Mist Valley Soldier, Top Runner x2, Wynnda Miko of Gusta, Future Fusion, Hand Obliteration, Overload Fusion, Raise Dead, Tuning, H.B – Mirror Force, Prayer to Gusta Extra Deck: Chimeratech Overdragon, Daigusta Gulldos, Daigusta Phoenix x2, Dragon of the Ice Barrier Brionac[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Sakamoto, Jinrei[/b]]Age: 14 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Ms Sakamoto (mother) Associates: Daiki, Clarissa, Wilhelm, Rokuro, Hunter, Natsumi, Sakura Body Type: 5ft 3, small, wiry Hair: Black spikes with a blue streak Eyes: Hazel Clothing: (Both real world and VDS) Scruffy jeans and black rock band endorsed t-shirt Bio: The everyday nobody thrown into an incredible situation, Jin re-emerged at the secret service base, having been rescued by Hunter and Doctor Zielinski’s expulsion method and taken in for questioning by the secret service. There he told them of what happened to him, and was thus recruited, and given the chance to rebuild his deck for the battles ahead. Nervous but steadfast, he plunged in headfirst with the others. His first job, self-assigned by a strange sense of compassion, was to rescue Kaneko’s father from himself. Believing it was his mission given to him by Kaneko to reunite her parents, he duelled Dai to try and show him the goodness of his intentions and befriend him, and got more than he bargained for when the controlling Black Mist emerged. Jin fought back with his Numbers and his victory was certain, but believing his victory would accomplish nothing, he threw the match instead. His crazy recklessness for a total stranger shocked Daiki into recovering his senses, if nothing else. Jin continued to help out where he could searching for Kaneko, and joining Daiki and Clarissa in fighting Murtagh’s allies. He however suffered at the hands of Asami, and was finished off by Garvan. He took the effects of their brutal attacks much worse than the others; when he was withdrawn from the VDS he was barely alive. It is perhaps only thanks to the Numbers protection he is still alive, but only just. Duel Decks: Jin still uses the Mainsprings; a group of wind-up toys that can only activate their effects once, then have to be ‘rewound’ by various means. Originally he had to use the weaker cards supplied in the original set in an unorthodox style, but at the secret service base he was able to upgrade his deck with more powerful Mainsprings and staple cards for the fight ahead. He used various Numbers. Numbers:[i] 33: OOPArts Super Weapon Machu Mach (received from Kaneko), 12: Armoured Ninja Crimson Shadow (won from duel drone), 20: Giganto Brilli-Ant (won from duel drone). Lost all to Kaneko’s return[/i] [spoiler=Ground Deck]Mainspring Dog, Mainspring Hunter, Mainspring Rat x3, Mainspring Shark, Mainspring Soldier, Mainspring Warrior, Dual Summon, Raise Dead, Swinging Mainspring Scales, Dimensional Imprisonment, Guard Block Extra Deck: Mainspring Air Carrier Zenmaighty x3, Mainspring Zenmaister, Mainspring Zenmaines Old Cards: The following cards appeared in Jin’s original deck, and may or may not be part of his new rebuilt deck: Mainspring Knight, Mainspring Magician, Mainspring Rabbit, Limiter Release, Minimum Guts, Mainspring Manufacture, Overwound Spring, Star Changer, Half Unbreak, Regretful Complaint, Spring Rewind, Xyz Veil[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Tanaka, Rokuro[/b]]Age: 35 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Ifalna (fiancé), Vladimir (stepson to be) Associates: Hideo, Mai, Baron, Hunter, Jin, Daiki Body Type: 6ft 3, broad build Hair: Blonde, wavy. Is long in VDS Eyes: Blue Clothing: (Real world): Smart black suit. (VDS): Tight fitting maroon tank top with black leather MMA gloves and leather trousers. Standard D-Disk. Bio: Hideo’s minister for defence, Rokuro put himself forward to lead from the front against the original terrorist threat of Clarissa, co-ordinating with his resources, although he remained very secretive about his communications which aroused some suspicion amongst the others. When Murtagh emerged, Ryuunosuke accused him of being in his league, until it turned out to be Izura who was working within. Rokuro joined the others working for the secret service, having an old friendship with director Murakami Baron and field commander Hunter Webb from the seems of it, and entered the VDS as a leader of the group working on his government’s behalf. However Wilhelm suspected an ulterior motive to his desire to enter the VDS. He pressured him about it, and it was during one of their arguments that Murtagh’s crew turned up and captured Wilhelm. Rokuro has felt like he has been trying to hold together a dysfunctional team and struggled with it. However the truth of his involvement coming to light, thanks to Natsumi, may relieve him of a burden. His secrecy and desire to be involved was due to his concern for his potential stepson, Vladimir Kanchev, being trapped in the VDS while all this was going on. He did not want his relationship with a Russian politician to become public, but it was unavoidable. He was part of the attempted rescue of Kaneko, and had to help Clarissa withdraw after their failure and the Number Converter ripped reality apart. Duel Decks: It is currently unknown what deck Rokuro uses.[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Hunter Webb[/b]]Age: 32 Country of Origin: Australia Family: Unknown Associates: Baron, Rokuro, Jin Body Type: 6ft 1, lanky, does not look powerful Hair: Black scruffy mess, also badly unshaven Eyes: Green Clothing: (Real world): Black field operations camo. (VDS): Baggy jacket and trousers, capped with a boonie hat, neck scarf, and various other accessories. Bio: An Australian who moved to Japan at a young age, Hunter made his way through the ranks to become a likeable field agent for the secret service; always cheery and relaxed yet sometimes reckless with his decision making. He was also one of the organisations top duelists. Hunter first entered the VDS to investigate, and try out Doctor Zielinski’s escape plan. There he found and duelled Jin, but had to evac when they were attacked by two mysterious figures. He was part of the team that stormed the RDL Building with the aim of capturing Clarissa before it exploded, and then went on to lead the team in the VDS. There he was partnered with Hotaru Natsumi, an unlikely ally. He was with her when she discovered her mentor Orion had been killed, and left her a message of what to do. They ventured to the area of the VDS called Polar Star Radiance, but it was there they were attacked once again by the mysterious duelists, now revealed to be a man from her past, and his friend Rokuro’s stepson Vladimir, whom he had been asked to look for in addition to his official mission goals. The two, reborn as embodiments of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, attacked Hunter and Natsumi with devastating force, Vladimir attacking Hunter directly with his Number and forcing him to crash. Just before his partner could inflict the lethal finisher to Natsumi, Hunter managed to recover and force her to crash out of the duel, sacrificing himself to save her in the hope she will help Vladimir and the others instead, and with a message which only they know the details of. He was killed by the second attack of Vladimir’s Number 9: Dyson Sphere. Duel Decks: Hunter played an Inzecter deck; a powerful archtype that focuses a lot on equipping insects with their weapons and each other, and has the powerful combo of Damsel, Centibete and Hornet to destroy the opponent’s field and increase the swarm. Numbers: None [spoiler=Ground Deck]Gigaplant, Inzecter Ameise, Inzecter Centibete, Inzecter Damsel x2, Inzecter Gigamantis, Inzecter Hornet, Hand Obliteration, Inzecter Axe Zectahawk, Cry of the Living Dead Extra Deck: Inzecter Exa-Beetle[/spoiler] [spoiler=Riding Deck]Inzecter Ameise, Inzecter Damsel, Inzecter Gigamantis, Inzecter Gigaweevil, Inzecter Grasshopper, Inzecter Hornet, Explosion, The End of the Storm, Variable Form, Zekt Conversion Extra Deck: Inzecter Exa-Beetle[/spoiler][/spoiler] [/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Other Allies[/b]] [spoiler=[b]Hotaru, Natsumi[/b]]Otherwise Known as: The Firefly Age: 21 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Unknown Associates: Daiki, Orion, Hunter Body Type: 5ft 8, slim Hair: Brown, spiky with pigtails Eyes: Red Clothing: Tight grey and red riding suit that matches her bike. Bio: Still the same elusive, hot headed and rebellious girl who roams the VDS searching for the reasons for her frame-up by RDL that forced her to go into hiding, Natsumi returned to join the group as soon as it arrived in the VDS, having flagged Daiki’s user account. The reunion of the former partners did not go well as Daiki accused her, to her astonishment, of only going out with him to spy on him for Real Duel, which earned him a deserved slap. However Natsumi was still offered the chance to join the team by Rokuro, which she accepted as a mutual necessity, despite her preference to fight her own battles. Partnered with Hunter Webb, they searched the VDS until she received a message from her mentor, protector and friend Orion. Warping straight to the co-ordinates given, she was devastated to find him killed by Murtagh, and had left her a message for such circumstances; telling her some truths about the VDS, Project Eve, and himself, asking her to protect Kaneko. It was at this time that Hunter also needed to tell her something regarding their enemies, which she is yet to share with anyone else. She may be the only one who knows what Hunter told her, after he was killed by Vladimir while trying to save her. Incensed by Hunter’s sacrifice, Natsumi caught up with the others and demanded Rokuro tell her what Hunter had died for him over. She then joined the team in the failed rescue of Kaneko and watched in horror as Murtagh’s plan came to function and withdrew all of the Numbers from their possession. She got out of the VDS with the others, but her current whereabouts are now unknown. Duel Decks: Natsumi uses a Laval deck, which focuses on sending various members of the fiery clan straight to the cemetery to activate various effects. The archtype uses both Synchro and Xyz monsters, and she wields the burning rage of her Number Volcasaurus to destroy foes with heavy burn damage. Numbers: [i]61: Volcasaurus (obtaining unknown), 50: Black Corn, 7: Lucky Stripe (obtained from Gorou) Lost all to Kaneko’s return[/i] [spoiler=Ground Deck]Laval Burner, Laval Burning Verdant Temptress, Laval Cannon, Laval Gunner, Laval Lady of the Burning Lake, Laval Magma Artillery, Laval Phlogis, Necro Gardna, Poke Dra x3, Tender of Laval Volcano, Berserk Scales, Dual Summon, Jar of Avarice, Pureflame Eruption, Star Changer, Attack Invulnerability, Compensation of Blood, Cry of the Living Dead, Dimensional Imprisonment, Firewall, Quickening of the Flame Swirl Extra Deck: Lavalval Chain, Lavalval Dragon, Lavalval Ignis, Laval Steraid[/spoiler] [spoiler=Riding Deck]Boundless Dead, Flamvell Helldog, Laval Burner, Laval Gunner, Laval Lady of the Burning Lake, Necro Gardna, Tender of the Laval Volcano, Angel Baton, High Speed Crash, Shift Down, Attack Invulnerability, Cry of the Living Dead, Heaven’s Penalty Extra Deck: Lavalval Chain, Lavalval Dragon, Lavalval Ignis, Laval Steraid[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Nakashima, Sakura[/b]]Age: 17 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Hideo (father), Mai (mother) Associates: Yudai (boyfriend), Daiki, Jin, Rokuro Body Type: 5ft 6, petite, slim Hair: Brunette, braided ponytails Eyes: Blue Clothing: (In real world): blouse and jean shorts. (In VDS): female tunic and armour similar to Yudai Bio: Following ‘her star’ in an attempt to help Yudai, her boyfriend who fell into a coma after he was attacked by Clarissa’s duel drones and the aforementioned star she then possessed, Sakura found herself in the base of Japan’s secret service division. There she was reunited with her worried father, discovered the full scale of what was going on and the truth about her rescuer Murtagh who deliberately allowed Yudai to fall in order to manipulate her, and came face to face with the woman responsible for Yudai’s condition, Clarissa. She wanted to volunteer to help, but Hideo had her taken into holding by Baron’s agents. There she remained, until Murtagh’s fighters orchestrated an assault on the base, giving her distraction time to escape and join the others in the VDS. Her initial goal was however not to fight Murtagh or find Kaneko, but to find Clarissa and demand an explanation, and find out how to help Yudai recover. Upon hearing that she had no definite answers and incensed by her selfishness and careless attitude to those she had hurt, Sakura challenged her to a duel. There she was faced with the prospect of wielding her Number in battle for the first time. The prospect of using it terrified her and she refused at first, and was hopelessly outmatched as Clarissa effortlessly killed her attempts at ‘petty revenge’. Eventually she succumbed to her fears and summoned Shock Ruler, giving in to its power, but this only allowed Clarissa an excuse to summon her own Number, and place its curse on her to show the true meaning of suffering. There was a glimmer of a fight back, but it was crushed by Clarissa who then revealed she had to hold back throughout to not kill her and walked away at the news her brother was in danger, leaving Sakura in despair. Feeling useless, Sakura wandered the VDS until a chance meeting with Daiki and Jin. She also saw Clarissa again, and once more refused to leave the VDS and reiterated her desire to help somehow. She bore witness to the carnage caused by Asami and her allies as they attacked Clarissa and the others, and had to help forcibly help drag her out of the VDS before the world collapsed entirely. Duel Decks: Sakura uses a deck built for her by Yudai based on a race of holy warriors that were the successors to his Vairon; the Sacred. These fabled warriors have many swarming and level manipulating tactics to bring out their many powerful Xyz monsters. She seems to harbour great sadness that stuns her actions, much like her Number Shock Ruler. Numbers: [i]16: Ruler of Colour: Shock Ruler (won from duel drones, lost to Kaneko’s return)[/i] [spoiler=Ground Deck] Daybreaker x2, Effect Veiler, Priest of the Sun, Sacred Dabaran, Sacred Gredi, Sacred Kaust, Sacred Pollux, Sacred Sheratan, Aurora Draw, Fighting Spirit, Magic Planter, Overlay Regenerate, Photon Lead, Raise Dead, Star Sign of the Sacred, Cry of the Living Dead, Holy Barrier – Mirror Force, Photonize Extra Deck: Sacred Beehive, Sacred Hyades, Sacred Pleiades[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Murakami, Baron[/b]]Age: 38 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Unknown Associates: Hunter, Rokuro, Piotr, Keylan, Yuri Body Type: 6ft 2, semi-athletic Hair: Dark, smooth hairstyle and pointy beard Eyes: Dark Clothing: Smart bespoke suit Bio: The director general of the secret service, Baron is not a man to cross. Fed up with having to tread cautiously around Clarissa as she turned Japan on its head until a mission to end it was implemented too late, he has now taken charge of fighting the threat of Murtagh, and will do anything to stop him. He forced Clarissa and Wilhelm to work for him due to their knowledge of the VDS where they would fight, and of the girl that the mission demanded they rescue before Murtagh could get her and use her for his plans, and was also more than happy to allow children like Jin and Sakura fight for him too. While his agents and others connected to the girl Kaneko fought on the battlegrounds of the VDS, he led the search in the real world for Murtagh, and the siege on his fortress. Again, his forces were seconds too late as the Number Converter fired just as they breaking into the confines of his base. Duel Decks: Baron does not duel, but although he has no interest in playing Duel Monsters, he has researched and is aware of the operations and workings of RDL to a degree.[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Piotr Zielinski[/b]]Age: 58 Country of Origin: Poland Family: Garvan (son) Associates: Baron, Keylan, Yuri Body Type: 5ft 3, stout and gone to seed figure Hair: Thinning grey hair and scruffy beard Eyes: Dull green Clothing: Pullover and smart trousers Bio: Piotr was involved in Project Eve, the creation of Kaneko using the genes of two specially selected specimens, as one of the world’s leading experts on artificial intelligence. At first he was excited about his work bringing joy to millions, but as the project reached its conclusion and more so in the aftermath, he questioned the morality of his actions and left Japan, to return to his native country. Years later, the day he always feared had come. The mother specimen had returned and was making her rage felt. Perhaps feeling guilty, perhaps fearful of her hunting him down, he contemplated suicide, but at the last second decided to put the people of Japan first and try to aid them. He joined Baron’s team via connection from Warsaw, where he has supplied them information and technical support, such as creating a subspace on the edge of the VDS through which trapped users could escape from. It is unknown what happened to Piotr at the time of the real and virtual worlds merging. Duel Decks: It is not known if Piotr duels or not.[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Deymura, Keylan[/b]]Age: 23 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Unknown Associates: Daiki, Garvan, Yuri, Beniko Body Type: 5ft 9, slight, lanky Hair: Dark, smartly flattened Eyes: Dark Blue Clothing: Smart shirt and blazer for office wear Bio: A work colleague of Daiki and Garvan in the metropolitan police, Keylan was drafted in to work for the secret service as cover for their stretched and exhausted resources. Nervous and excitable, Keylan is good with computers and finding information, and managed to pinpoint an area that Murtagh was suspected to occupy from what was recovered of teleporter data. He was with Baron and the others when the group was withdrawn from the VDS, as the real and virtual worlds merged. Duel Decks: It is not known whether Keylan duels or not.[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Ono, Yuri[/b]]Age: 30 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Unknown Associates: Daiki, Garvan, Keylan, Beniko Body Type: 5ft 8, average Hair: Tight bob, brown Eyes: Light green. Wears glasses Clothing: Smart business suit and trousers Bio: A work colleague of Daiki and Garvan in the metropolitan police, Yuri was drafted in to work for the secret service as cover for their stretched and exhausted resources. Cold and blunt, Yuri excels in the organisation and lead of teams of field agents and mission planning, and was relaying information and instructions to operatives as they stormed Murtagh’s base and engaged his hired forces. Shee was with Baron and the others as the real and virtual worlds merged. Duel Decks: Yuri does not duel, and sees the game as ‘pointless’.[/spoiler] [/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Antagonists - Murtagh’s Team[/b]] [spoiler=[b]Murtagh[/b]]Age: 29 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Asami (partner) Associates: Garvan, Evos, Izura, Sakura Body Type: 5ft 11 (is taller in the VDS), athletic and muscular. Left side of neck and shoulder scarred. Hair: (In real world): Shaven headed. (In VDS): White, long spikes Eyes: Miscoloured shades of green in both real world and VDS. When in Duel Mode: they change to lizard like style; one blue and white, one red and black Clothing: (Inside VDS): Long black coat, fine clothes with gauntlets and ornate belt, heavy boots. Bronze D-Disk shaped like a dragon wing. Mirrors his virtual image as closely as possible in reality. Bio: Around ten years ago, a teenage orphan boy impressed during a special RDL tournament that was staged as a contest to select the next VDS avatar. Murtagh did enough early on to win the ultimate prize, and was chosen to become ‘god of his own virtual world’. At least as far as he saw it. However seen as too tyrannical and having brutally assaulted his ‘subjects’ Murtagh was forcibly removed from the VDS, defeated by his returning master Orion, and placed into a Chinese high security prison. Now Murtagh’s revenge has come to of fruition, as has his conquest to become ruler of not just the virtual Duel Monster world, but the real world as well. All he needed was Kaneko and the Numbers. First he defeated his rival Orion, killing him in the process with his own hands. Kaneko went into hiding, leading to the slaughter of many innocents to try and coax her out, but by capturing her friends, allies, (and unknown parents) he got the chance to face her. After a titanic struggle in which he was behind for a lot of and had to use dirty tactics to try to win, Murtagh eventually succeeded and took control of her. By using his Number Converter, fuelled by Kaneko and the Numbers, he activated it with the aim of merging the two worlds as one, to rule of as an all powerful deity. Duel Decks: Murtagh uses a powerful Chaos variation of a dragon deck, with a high count of powerful high level monsters. His affinity for dragons goes to such lengths that he undergoes a transformation whilst duelling called Dragon Soul Duel Mode, making himself resemble something dragon like. Numbers: 6: OOPArts Atlanthal, 11: Big Eye (obtaining unknown), 32: Shark Drake (defeating Orion) [spoiler=Ground Deck]Battle Fader, Blue Eyes White Dragon, Darkblaze Dragon x3, Darkflare Dragon, Darkstorm Dragon, Destruction Dragon Gandra, Dragorado, Eclipse Wyvern, God Dragon Apocalypse, Guard of the Flamvell, Lightpulsar Dragon, Masked Dragon, Material Dragon, Phantom Dragon, Red Eyes Black Dragon, Star Bright Dragon, Variable Machine Gunner Dragon, Advance Draw, Berserk Scales, Chaos Zone, Dragon Mirror, Forbidden Chalice, Hand Obliteration, Hell Reckless Summon, Monster Gate, Raise Dead, Silent Dead, Trade In, Wingbeat of Giant Dragon, Cry of the Living Dead, Cursed Prison, Declaration of God, Demon Chain, Reincarnation of Dragon, Torrential Burial Extra Deck: Five God Dragon, Number 6: OOPArts Atlanthal, Number 11: Big Eye, Number 32: Shark Drake, Thunder End Dragon Old Deck: In his duel against Orion eight years ago; Murtagh used an aggressive Hieroglyphic Dragon deck, which released monsters to activate effects and call other dragons for powerful Xyz summons. Curse of Dragon, Dragorado, Emerald Dragon, Hieroglyphic Dragon Aset Dragon, Hieroglyphic Dragon Geib Dragon, Hieroglyphic Dragon Nephthe Dragon, Hieroglyphic Dragon Shiyu Dragon, Hieroglyphic Dragon Tfeni Dragon, Hieroglyphic Seal of the Dragon King, Hieroglyphic Seal of the God Dragon x3, Red Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon, Forbidden Chalice, Hell Reckless Summon, Hieroglyphic Seal of Supremacy, Super Rejuvenation, Hieroglyphic Seal of Reflection, Holy Barrier- Mirror Force Extra Deck: Hieroglyphic Dragon King Atumus x2, Hieroglyphic Dragon God Ennead[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Garvan Zielinski[/b]]Age: 27 Country of Origin: Poland (moved to Japan aged 7) Family: Unknown Associates: Murtagh, Evos, Asami, Izura Body Type: 6ft 3, broader build, semi-athletic Hair: Black, shorter, neatly combed back Eyes: Green Clothing: (Both real world and VDS): Casual smart shirt and trousers, with biker jacket for riding. Standard D-Disk. Bio: Daiki’s former partner at the Metropolitan Police, Garvan has worked as an inside man for Murtagh whilst keeping tabs on Daiki for Real Duel and making sure he didn’t recover his memory of Project Eve, something that may or not have been to Murtagh’s benefit. Garvan seems to act as the dragon master’s right hand man, looking after parts of their mission while he is not around and charged with general tasks and overseeing the others. He was involved in leading the kidnap of Wilhelm, and overseeing the completion of the Number Converter while Murtagh was searching for Kaneko. One of his main tasks was, while Murtagh was fighting against Kaneko, was to prevent the outside interference of those who would surely attempt a rescue. This ended in a six way battle royal, but his team had a plan. Garvan summoned the defensive might of Terabyte to bluff a stall strategy in order to goad the others into summoning Numbers, setting up Asami for the win. He himself took out Jin, with a trap card called Hate Crevasse. Duel Decks: Garvan uses a spellcaster deck that has instant Rank 4 Xyz capabilities similar to Daiki’s, but since obtaining Numbers he has modified his deck to have more ways to swarm different monsters of various levels to summon them more easily. One archtype that remains predominant is the Gagaga series of level manipulating magicians and warriors. Numbers: 83: Galaxy Queen (appeared at end of duel against Daiki), 17: Leviath Dragon (won from duel drone), 34: ECB Terabyte (won from Scag) [spoiler=Ground Deck]Dark Spider, Gagaga Girl, Gagaga Magician, Jester Confit, Jinhua Cat, Light Serpent, Mutant Highbrain, Power Giant, Predicting Monk Cho-Len, Summon Priest, Cyclone, Gagaga Back, Gagaga Revenge, Galaxy Wave, Mysterious Wok, One for One, Wonder Wand, Damage Condenser, Damage Translation, Forced Stop, Gagaga Rush, Hate Crevasse, Underground Machine Gun Extra Deck: Magi Magi Magician Girl, Number 17: Leviath Dragon, Number 34: ECB Terabyte, Number 83: Galaxy Queen, Tinplate Archduke Old Cards: The following cards appeared in Garvan’s original ground and riding decks, and may or may not be part of his new deck: Battle Fader, Full Elf, Bound Wand, Giant Shadow of Egotism, Magic Blast, Cry of the Living Dead, Gagaga Guard, Hidden Soldiers, Xyz Reborn, Shine Elf[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Doctor Hank Evos[/b]]Age: 35 Country of Origin: USA Family: Unknown Associates: Murtagh, Garvan, Asami, Izura Body Type: 6ft 4, tall and broad build Hair: Wavy brown hair, and some stubble makes him quite rugged Eyes: Dark green. Wears glasses Clothing: (Both real world and VDS): Traditional scientist coat over smart red jumper and trousers Bio: A credited biological scientist who was hired by Real Duel as a director on Project Eve, given the task of creating a perfect human embryo with all the necessary qualities to serve as a benign, controlled ruler of the VDS, and accelerate their growth. Evos has spent his life studying the subject, and believed his work would better humanity by making the next generation perfect; free from being born with physical and mental deformities and able to change their genes to better them. Wanting to keep his work to themselves, Real Duel destroyed his research, and discredited his ideas as playing god. This may have been what unhinged the doctor. Murtagh approached him with the chance to create a world as perfect as he dreamed of, where only the strongest would deserve to survive, and Evos accepted. He became Murtagh’s inside man in Clarissa’s circle, setting up her actions that would give Murtagh a veil to work behind and a stepping stone on his own ascendance to godhood. Over this time Evos developed an intense hatred of Wilhelm; someone who proved the unfairness of a society that handicaps the strongest and smartest such as himself and gives handouts to the weak who would otherwise die. Unable to complete the Number Converter as instructed, Evos came up with the idea to capture Wilhelm, and when his work was done was forced to dispense with him, which doubled up as a trap to lure the others into. When Clarissa arrived Evos had to run for his life, and remerged when Murtagh’s victory was confirmed. Duel Decks: Doctor Evos uses a methodical control based strategy using the Evol archtype; a series of fire based reptiles that grow into dinosaurs that evolve into terrifying dragons, in a way that befit his mentality of the weak being sacrificed for the strong. In his duel against Wilhelm, Evos nullified his OTK strategy with a simple tactic, then deliberately kept to a slow, controlled pace and chipped away at his opponent’s life points using the burn effect of Black Snake Disease to exploit his weak condition. He is surely a crafty and intelligent foe. Numbers: Unknown [spoiler=Ground Deck]Evoldar Cerato, Evoldar Diplodocus, Evoldar Vulcanodon, Evoltile Odochelys, Evoltile Pleuros, Evoltile Westlo, Black Snake Disease, Forced Evolution, Prohibition Command, Pitfall of Hades, Seven Tools of the Bandit Extra Deck: Evolkaiser Doruka, Evolkaiser Lagia[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Kato, Asami[/b]]Age: 32 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Murtagh (partner) Associates: Garvan, Evos, Izura, President Shinawatra Body Type: 5ft 7, quite curved Hair: Shoulder length and curly, auburn Eyes: Dark Clothing: (VDS): Violet shoulder-less dress with hip high slash, heeled boots and long gloves. Lots of jewellery. Purple D-Disk. Bio: Like the others in Murtagh’s team, Asami has an as yet unknown connection to Project Eve, and was Murtagh’s insider in Real Duel, working for the company as a personnel manager in charge of training, recruitment, and worker grievances. She is also Murtagh’s girlfriend of several years. She has a cruel and vindictive personality, a strong personal vendetta against Clarissa, and even causes friction with her own team-mates as she catfights with Izura, accusing her of getting special treatment from Murtagh. This may be down to jealously, or fear of an unknown threat. Asami was involved in the capture of Wilhelm with the others and trying to break him into doing their dirty work, and also sees herself as second in command as opposed to Garvan. Another of her jobs appears to be keeping Murtagh calm and stop him from killing all his followers in blind rage when things go wrong, although she appears more than happy to take his ‘fury’. The nature of Asami’s personality is shown heavily in her deck. During the battle royal set up to stop Kaneko’s allies from rescuing her, Asami finished a team strategy in devastating fashion; completely destroying Daiki, Jin and Clarissa in one turn and revelling in her victory over them. She was on the Number Converter with the rest of her team when it fired and the virtual world collapsed, current whereabouts unknown. Duel Decks: Asami now uses a Gimmick Puppet deck; a terrifying archtype that reflects her sadistic and twisted nature. Able to easily summon weak but high level monsters, she can Xyz summon Numbers of terrible destructive power. Numbers: 15: Gimmick Puppet Giant Killer (obtaining unknown) [spoiler=Ground Deck]Gimmick Puppet Baby Face, Gimmick Puppet Scarecrow, Designator from the Different Dimension, Resonance Device, Gimmick Box, Mischief of the Yokai Extra Deck: Number 15: Gimmick Puppet Giant Killer Old Deck: Before using her Gimmick Puppets, Asami used a Madolche deck. Based around keeping monsters out of the cemetery to power up the key monster Madolche Puddingcess, the deck perhaps reflects her selfish desires to be something regal and live in a fairytale world that revolves around her. Ground Deck: Battle Fader, Madolche Butlerusk, Madolche Chouxvalier, Madolche Majoleine, Madolche Marmamaid, Madolche Puddingcess, Cyclone, Forbidden Garment, Madolche Chateau, Madolche Manners, Madolche Tea Break Extra Deck: Queen Madolche Tiaramisu[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Maeda, Izura[/b]]Age: 28 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Riku (daughter) Associates: Murtagh, Garvan, Asami, Evos Body Type: 5ft 9, dainty, cute Hair: Light, quite short Eyes: Blue Clothing: (VDS): Thick biker jacket, jeans and biker boots. Long thin, translucent D-Disk. Bio: A real enigma on Murtagh’s team; Izura worked for Prime Minister Nakashima Hideo as his personal assistant and PR manager, whilst the whole time being connected for Murtagh waiting for this day. When she revealed she was working for him no-one seemed to believe her, forcing her to prove what ‘a terrible person’ she was, by fatally shooting health minister Yukimura Minori, who bullied her anyway. After rejoining Murtagh’s group in the VDS, she has kept mostly to herself working on her own little assignments, as well as being involved in the capture of Wilhelm. Her secrecy has not gone unnoticed by Asami, who questioned her preferential treatment and threatened her, but Izura ignored her. What her connection to Real Duel is remains similarly unknown. She was also involved in the battle royal, her part in the strategy simply to protect and set up Garvan and Asami’s plays. Duel Decks: Izura duels, but during the battle royal the only cards she was seen to use were used to protect Garvan and Asami and sabotage the enemies moves, directly supportive of a pre-empted team strategy rather than anything of her own. It might be possible that this deck was only for that duel. Numbers: Unknown [spoiler=Ground Deck]Demon Chain, Foolish Revival, Seven Tools of the Bandit[/spoiler][/spoiler] [/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Other Enemies[/b]] [spoiler=[b]Vladimir Kanchev[/b]]Otherwise Known as: War Age: 19 Country of Origin: Russia Family: Rokuro (stepfather), Ifalna (mother) Associates: Famine, ???? Body Type: 6ft 3, broad shouldered Hair: Slick flat black Eyes: Dark blue Clothing: Full blood red armour and helmet, both covered in spikes. Carries a large hammer. Bio: The reigning Duel Monsters Champion of the Western Asia countries, Vladimir disappeared after his loss to Garvan, the brutal attack of Leviath Dragon having left him in on the brink of death. He was last seen being taken in by a semi-visible stranger, having been promised a second chance to reaffirm his greatness if he agreed to join a noble quest. Vladimir resurfaced several hours later, transformed into something entirely different. After a seemingly lengthy period of transformation that made him first appear like a shadow without definite shape or features, his rebirth was complete in time with that of rescuer Unmai when they attacked Natsumi and Hunter in the Polar Star Radiance, into the embodiment of the horseman of the apocalypse War. With no clear motive, not even that of Number hunting, War and Famine mercilessly attacked the duo; using his Number to strike Hunter’s finishing blow. The aim was later revealed to be attacking anyone who entered that area, but the horsemen’s final ambitions remain largely unknown. Duel Decks: After his loss to Orion, Vladimir edited his Gemknight deck to incorporate an anti-Numbers strategy, mixing their power with various effects to remove the indestructible monsters from the field. Since having obtained his own Number, Vladimir now focuses more on using its almighty power. Numbers: 9: Canopy Star – Dyson Sphere (obtaining unknown) [spoiler=Ground/Old Deck]Gemknight Alexand, Gemknight Emerald, Gemknight Ganet, Gemknight Obsidia, Gemknight Rumarin, Gemknight Sapphia, Dark Factory of Mass Production, Fusion Cancel, Gemknight Fusion, Magic Planter, Raise Dead, Assemble Fusion, Guard Block, Pitfall of Hades, Reckless Greed, Turn Away Extra Deck: Daigusta Emeral, Gemknight Amethys, Gemknight Aquamarine, Gemknight Madeira, Gemknight Master Diamond, Gemknight Paz, Gemknight Prism Aura, Gemknight Ruby, Gemknight Zirconia, Number 9: Canopy Star – Dyson Sphere[/spoiler] [spoiler=Riding Deck]Gemknight Ganet, Gemknight Lazuli, Gemknight Rumarin x2, Gemknight Sapphia, Rescue Rabbit, Speed Fusion, Tune Up 123, Assemble Fusion, Slip Stream, Windstorm of Etaqua Extra Deck: Daigusta Emeral, Gemknight Amethys, Gemknight Aquamarine, Gemknight Madeira, Gemknight Master Diamond, Gemknight Paz, Gemknight Prism Aura, Gemknight Ruby, Gemknight Zirconia, Number 9: Canopy Star – Dyson Sphere[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Hakai, Unmai[/b]]Otherwise Known as: Famine Age: 22 Country of Origin: South Korea Family: Unknown Associates: War, ???? Body Type: 5ft 10, thin and lanky Hair: Short scruffy black mess Eyes: Grey Clothing: Long black coat over dark tightly fitting armour, black scarf and mask. Carries a throwing blade Bio: An employee of Real Duel who was fatally shot having escaped from and whilst being reinserted into the virtual world, Unmai was restored in part by a mysterious being from pieces of his conscious and memories imprinted and scattered throughout the VDS. Having won a duel against his former colleague and similarly unfortunate Bozu; Unmai proved himself worthy of a full rebirth. After a seemingly lengthy transformation process that had him wandering the VDS for a long time as a shadow or light and darkness, Unmai was first seen after the process was complete attacking Hunter and Natsumi for invading the Polar Star Radiance area. Along with his partner Vladimir, Unmai was reborn as an embodiment of the four horsemen Famine. What the group’s ultimate goal is remains unknown, but for some reason they did not want anyone entering the realm to leave alive. Duel Decks: Previously Unmai used an archtype called the Destiny Heroes; a group of vigilantes based on various villains and anti-heroes of British culture. He has since expanded this deck to include the Evil Heroes, mutilated and twisted versions of old heroes with a dark sinister streak. Numbers: 75: Apocalypse Wyvern (obtaining unknown) [spoiler=Ground/Old Deck]Destiny Hero Bloo-D, Destiny Hero Dagger Guy, Destiny Hero Defend Guy, Destiny Hero Diabolic Guy x2, Destiny Hero Diamond Guy, Destiny Hero Die Hard Guy, Destiny Hero Dogma Guy, Knight of the End, Twin Breaker, Devil Sanctuary, Earth Crush, Fusion, Jar of Avarice, Over Destiny, Warrior Returns Alive, Crossroads of Destiny, D Counter, Destiny Signal, Guard Block, Limit Rebirth, Trap Stun Extra Deck: Dragoon D-End, Number 75: Apocalypse Wyvern[/spoiler] [spoiler=Riding Deck]Destiny Hero Bloo-D, Destiny Hero Dogma Guy, Effect Veiler, Evil Hero Hell Brat, Evil Hero Malicious Edge, Overboost, Speed Fusion, Tune Up 123, Chain Lost, Damage Polarizer, Demon Chain Extra Deck: Dragoon D-End, Number 75: Apocalypse Wyvern[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]????[/b]]Age: Unknown Country of Origin: Unknown Family: Unknown Associates: War, Famine Body Type: Hard to tell exactly under armour, but presumably tall and broad shouldered Hair: Unknown Eyes: Unknown Clothing: Pale crystal clear, colourless armour, with helmet and cape. Carries a staff and sheathed weapon Bio: Little is known at all about this mysterious figure, other than from his appearance and his apparent seniority over his ‘brothers’ War and Famine, that he is embodiment of the forth horseman of the apocalypse Death. In this case it might be assumed that he is the one who rescued Unmai and Vladimir from the brink of or death itself and gave them their new forms. He takes to watching events in the virtual world unfold from a sub-related space without direct involvement, but his true identity, how he became to exist as a horseman and his ultimate goal are all a mystery. Duel Decks: Unknown[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Hayegawa, Naru[/b]]Otherwise Known as: Scag Age: 22 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Unknown Associates: Garvan Body Type: 5ft 8, thin Hair: Dark grey Eyes: Green Clothing: Loose fitting shirt and trousers, scruffy Bio: A young ne’er do well from the mean city streets and forced to survive through alternative means, Scag has kept himself out of prison by finding out information for Garvan in his police inquires. He originally alerted him to the signs of a terrorist threat and of the Numbers, before going into hiding during the riots. Scag evacuated the city for the mountainside in hope of finding safety for a few days, along with some choice items to ‘salvage’ and sell on his return. However his fortune was ill, as he ran straight into a very different Garvan as part of Murtagh’s crew. When Murtagh was unable to blast his head off due to the power of the Number he had earlier obtained, Garvan duelled for it. Knowing he was dead either way when Garvan refused him any chance to play for his safety, Scag tried to bow out by humiliating Garvan in front of Murtagh and prove he was no better, and came agonizingly close. He was killed by Murtagh. Duel Decks: Scag uses a mismatch of weaker cards that he has scavenged/found/stolen/etc. Some have a computer hacker theme, possibly in relation to his small time criminal background. Numbers: [i]34: ECB Terabyte (picked up after being discarded by another duelist, lost to Garvan)[/i] [spoiler=Ground Deck]Bugman X, Bugman Y, Bugman Z, Cracking, Virus Mail, Attack Nullification,Compulsory Evacuation Device, Dark Shrine Bribery[/spoiler][/spoiler] [/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Government of Japan and Peoples Republic of Japan Party[/b]] [spoiler=[b]Prime Minister Nakashima, Hideo[/b]]Age: 48 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Mai (ex-partner), Sakura (daughter) Associates: Kenji, Yudai Body Type: 5ft 7, stout, unfit Hair: Balding, grey Eyes: Brown Clothing: Business suit Bio: Trying to steer the country through the terrorism threat with as few casualties to endangered lives as possible and with the secret service about to achieve that goal, Hideo was horrified by the emergence of Murtagh demolishing the RDL Building and turning the VDS into a war zone. Plans to stop him became desperate as new alliances were formed with old enemies, and Hideo had to nervously wait through the night in the hope this new extremist could be reined in. He had his own problems to deal with in the meantime. His main political opposition for the next election Ageda Junichi and his father Tarao made it their business to make their opinions about him heard and influence him into stepping down, resorting to blackmail by making out he was a traitor to the nation. Hideo held firm, and was forced against his principles to hire a detective agency to get the dirt on Junichi. All these thoughts have now presumably been put in the back of his mind now faced with the new crisis. Duel Decks: Hideo does not duel.[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Fujita, Kenji[/b]]Age: 29 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Unknown Associates: Hideo, Mai Body Type: 5ft 10, tall and thin Hair: Brown, neat mop top Eyes: Green, wears glasses Clothing: Business suit Bio: Recently promoted to the cabinet as a fresh face, Kenji has tried to support the prime minister through the crisis and with the confrontation with Tarao. It was his suggestion to use a detective agency to break into Junichi’s flat and steal anything incriminating on him. What they got was only briefly examined before the world conversion of Murtagh’s machine took over. Duel Decks: Kenji does not duel.[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Nakashima, Mai[/b]]Age: 46 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Hideo (ex partner), Sakura (daughter) Associates: Kenji, Yudai Body Type: 5ft 8, average Hair: Brunette, long Eyes: Blue Clothing: Business suit and skirt combination Bio: Having left the hospital to search for her missing daughter Sakura, who wandered off in search of a way to help those trapped in coma’s, Mai was relieved in hearing she was safe at the secret service base and would remain so there. She was so relieved, and so worried about the threat that may envelop Sakura, she agreed to rejoin her ex-husbands staff to help solve the problems of Murtagh and Tarao. She has been doing a lot of research and computer work for the prime minister and trying to work out a way to break out from the grip of Tarao’s threats. Duel Decks: Mai does not duel.[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Ageda, Tarao[/b]]Age: 52 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Junichi (son) Associates: Peoples Republic of Japan Political Party Body Type: 5ft 2, small and weasel-like figure Hair: Slick dyed black hair Eyes: Green Clothing: Black suit Bio: A scheming and manipulative little man, Tarao is the honorary chairman of the PRJ, Japan’s second major party. He has always had a vocal dislike for Hideo and his government, which came to the fore when after hours of being kept in the dark about the cause of the riots and the thousands of coma victims he burst into Hideo’s office and demanded to take charge. Failing to get him to step down honourably, he resorted to underhand tactics of painting Hideo as a national traitor, a sentence punishable by death, across the recovering media; for allowing things to get so bad and putting his daughter’s safety above others by willingly allowing a member of Murtagh’s team to evade capture. Tarao gave the prime minister a few hours to announce his resignation and recommend his son Junichi for the vacant position once the crisis had been resolved, or he would push him. Power hungry to rule himself through his son, who knows what he might resort to next? Duel Decks: Tarao does not duel, and seems to have little tolerance of Junichi’s affair for the game other than its potential vote drawing ability.[/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Ageda, Junichi[/b]]Age: 28 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Tarao (father) Associates: Peoples Republic of Japan Political Party Body Type: 6ft 1, athletically built Hair: Bleach blonde, wavy hair Eyes: Blue Clothing: Smart designer suit Bio: Fast tracked through the countries second major party as a vote winner with his charismatic young personality and his already large fan base from his championship winning past, Junichi is seen as the bright light of politics to lead the country forward again after years of standing still under Nakashima. Or at least the press release says that. Junichi is treated as the mouthpiece of his father, the real aspiring influence of power of the party. He allows his ‘daddy’ to do all the talking and negotiating, unless it is on stage in front of the voters, and seems rather under the thumb. After putting Hideo’s head in the noose and waiting for him to resign, the celebrations of his imminent nomination as successor were put on ice when he discovered his flat had been burgled and an item from his past had been taken. A device given to him by Asami, which she stills holds a copy of, with information that the public may not like to hear. Duel Decks: Junichi is the 2050 East Asian Duel Monster Champion, but his duelling career after that initial success petered out into mediocrity. He plays a deck that combines the aquatic Mermail and Sea Emperor archtypes, a set of beautiful and powerful monsters that can quickly decimate opponents. [spoiler=Ground Deck]Mermail Abyssgunde x2, Mermail Abysspike x2, Mermail Megaloabyss, Sea Emperor Dragon Poseidra, Shooting Soldier of the Sea Emperor, Abysscale Armour Kraken, Forgotten Capital Lemuria, Hand Obliteration, Raise Dead, Abyssquall, Abysstrom, Bubble Bringer, Reckless Greed Extra Deck: Mermail Gaioabyss[/spoiler][/spoiler] [/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]The VDS Avatars – Kaneko and Orion[/b]] [spoiler=[b]Kaneko[/b]]Age: 6 Country of Origin: Japan Family: Daiki (father), Clarissa (mother) Associates: Orion, Jin Body Type: 3ft 2, small Hair: Golden, very long Eyes: Bright blue Clothing: White dress, grows fairy princess wings in duel mode Bio: The child produced from the DNA of Daiki and Clarissa in an attempt to create a perfect child with the desired qualities to preside over and develop an alternate reality for the entirety of her life as part of a giant computer, Kaneko was raised under the illusion she was born in a world inhabited by fantastic creatures that ran parallel with another human world, where people freely ventured between, and she was just the latest in a line of those helping it grow and evolve, which she has done so humbly and inquisitively under the tutelage of Orion. Sensing the coming danger, the two made plans to fight against Murtagh and the mysterious woman trying to capture Kaneko and her friends and physical beings of her emotions, the Numbers, and recruited allies to help them such as Natsumi and Jin. Orion forbad Kaneko from frontline fighting, fearing catastrophic consequences should she be captured, but she disobeyed him and ventured into the VDS proper to look for Jin, who she blamed the disappearance of on herself. This gave Murtagh the opportunity to catch and he came very close, until Orion dived in and faced him. Kaneko watched in terror as her sensei was killed, and ran and hid. She remained in hiding, helplessly watching Murtagh slaughter those trapped in the VDS to try and coax her out, crying and haunted by what he was doing and she was allowing to happen. Eventually her resolve broke, and she invited Murtagh to fight her and settle things once and for all, hoping that defeating him and taking his Numbers would allow him to be captured. Protected by Galaxy Eyes Photon Dragon, Kaneko fought with great passion and skill against the more experienced and powerful enemy, as he resorted to trickery and mind games to try and throw her. When he told her the truth of her creation, she snapped, sending shockwaves of destruction felt across her world. Going all out in rage to completely destroy Murtagh, she misplayed into his trap, and was narrowly defeated. Under his control, Kaneko summoned all the Numbers from across the VDS back to her, stripping heroes and villains alike of all the Numbers they carried as they were placed on the Number Converter to which she was then bound. Using her and her cards as a power source, the converter fired. Duel Decks: Kaneko used a predominately Light attribute deck and the Photon archtype; a group of light monsters with high attack power that call on their trump card Galaxy Eyes Photon Dragon, which Kaneko considers her guardian. There is also plenty of swarm and level manipulating strategies to incorporate her Numbers. Numbers: Under the control of Murtagh, Kaneko used her powers to call all of the Numbers back to her and place them into the Number Converter. Before that, she was known to have 10: White Knight Illuminator (received from Natsumi/Orion) 25: Fullmetal Photoglide - Focus Force (given to her by Orion) [spoiler=Ground Deck]Galaxy Eyes Photon Dragon, Holy Bird Crane, Mirror Ladybug, Necro Gardna, Photon Cereburus, Photon Kaiser x2, Photon Sabre Tiger x3, Summon Priest, Tasuke Knight, Hand Severing, Photon Trident, Compensation of Blood, Photonize, Safety Zone, Sub-Space Matter Transporter Extra Deck: Number 10: White Knight Illuminator[/spoiler][/spoiler] [spoiler=[b]Kodai, Orion[/b]]Also known as: Methuselah Age: Unknown Country of Origin: Japan Family: Unknown Associates: Kaneko, Natsumi Body Type: 5ft 9, tall but frail and thin, covered in runes Hair: Bald, with pony tail and grey beard Eyes: Grey Clothing: Long white hooded robe. This becomes royal blue when in Duel Mode. Has a D-Disk in the shape of Ceremonial Water Mirror of Ritua Bio: The second avatar and mentor to both Murtagh and Kaneko, Orion served Real Duel as avatar for four decades before passing the baton onto Murtagh, then having to return after much pleading from President Shinawatra to defeat the power hungry deity and reinstate himself until a rightful successor was found (or created as the case was). Not as skilled in duelling as the other avatars by his own admittance, Orion however was better suited to the program and mental pressure of being avatar due to superior personal qualities. Orion admitted to Kaneko that although his decision to become avatar came with much sacrifice and missing out on a lot, he did not regret it as it came with unique experiences, and he loved his time and helping young duelists like her. However he was often stern and cautious, afraid of what would happen should Kaneko be captured, thus he kept himself and her out of the fray and let allies they found do the fighting, such as Natsumi. Despite his fears and perceived cowardice, Orion was forced to confront Murtagh when Kaneko ventured into the VDS and was almost captured by him. He had defeated Murtagh eight years, but this time his foe was much more powerful. When even resorting to Numbers failed, Orion sacrificed himself for the ritual of the ultimate Ritua monster Zeal Gigas in an attempt to take Murtagh with him. Murtagh survived, and finding Orion clinging to life, he ended it by breaking his neck, sending his old and broken mind into fatal shock. Duel Decks: Orion played a Ritua deck, of which he has played various builds of throughout the years, either as resource destruction or turbo based. His trump cards were Zeal Gigas, only to be used as a last resort, and the Number he borrowed from Kaneko to protect her as another destructive behemoth. Numbers:[i] 32: Shark Drake (loaned by Kaneko, lost to Murtagh)[/i] [spoiler=Ground Deck]Eviritua Mind Ogress, Eviritua Soul Ogre, Eviritua Zeal Gigas, Necro Gardna, Ritua Beast, Ritua Chain, Ritua Diviner, Ritua Erial, Ritua Noelia, Ritua Shadow, Water Spirit Aqueria, Yasha, Ceremonial Water Mirror, Downward Current, Duplicate Soul Mirror, Jar of Avarice, Magic Planter, Unprecedented Winds, Clever Scheme, Eisbahn, Holy Barrier – Mirror Force Extra Deck: Black Ray Lancer, Eviritua Merrowgeist Old Deck: In his duel against Murtagh eight years ago, Orion used a Hand Control Ritua variant that incorporated the Ritual Devils as well. Eviritua Gustkrake, Eviritua Soul Ogre, Eviritua Tetraogre, Necro Gardna, Ritua Abyss, Ritua Beast, Ritua Marker, Ritua Shadow, Ritual Devil Precogster, Ritual Devil Releaser, Black Hole, Ceremonial Water Mirror of Ritua, Preparations of Ritual, Turnover of Treasure Bills[/spoiler][/spoiler] [/spoiler] Well that took forever. (Remembers he doesn't have to do all this again.) Thank goodness. Hopefully some bugger will comment and make me feel I haven't wasted about six and a half hours of my life compiling all this stuff (even though I like compiling decks, posting them is arduous as hell). Please realise that if you are reading this within a minute of me posting it I'm doing it in stages and it's a work in progress. Right, now with the housekeeping all done, the cobwebs brushed away and the cupboards of inspiration have been restocked, all that remains now is the little matter of the remaining arc, entitled Daybreak, and the final twelve chapters that tell to us all the end of this little adventure into the flights of fantasy and thrill seeking. Stay tuned... [spoiler=...]... When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see!" I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest, heralding the beginning of judgement day, and spreading disease and ruin in his wake. Pestilence is coming... ...09:10:12...[/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synchronized Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 [quote name='Majestic Star Bahamut' timestamp='1349216989' post='6036710'] Stop making me feel guilty Anyway, for those who have lost track of events after an overly long absense, and need a refresher, an updated list of character bios, decklists, and what not for you chronicling events to this point. Ahead of the final hour. [/quote] It's out of love Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guuu1234 Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 *notices this is updated* *drops everything I'm doing to read this* It's so good to have you back. Creative writing has been dead without you, and I really missed writing. No lie, I'm slightly disappointed that you didn't send your regular readers a message about you coming back but what can we do? Anyway I enjoyed both extra chapters. Doctor Evos seemed like a different person under the circumstances, which was pretty amusing. I'm glad for the debut of Atlanteans and Madolches. Even though we didn't see their true versatility or capabilities, it was done pretty nice. Do you think we will see newer archetypes? Like the firestars (hoping Natsumi gets the honor), the heroics, or the other ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2012 [quote name='guuu1234' timestamp='1349445166' post='6038360'] *notices this is updated* *drops everything I'm doing to read this* It's so good to have you back. Creative writing has been dead without you, and I really missed writing. No lie, I'm slightly disappointed that you didn't send your regular readers a message about you coming back but what can we do? Anyway I enjoyed both extra chapters. Doctor Evos seemed like a different person under the circumstances, which was pretty amusing. I'm glad for the debut of Atlanteans and Madolches. Even though we didn't see their true versatility or capabilities, it was done pretty nice. Do you think we will see newer archetypes? Like the firestars (hoping Natsumi gets the honor), the heroics, or the other ones? [/quote] Yay. Hi Er, fair comment about the PM idea. Sorry, didn't think about doing it. Half the readers who have commented on this fic at one time or another seem to have busied themselves elsewhere, or left the site entirely in some cases. Still 1500 or so views since this came just for extra chapters is a good start (and seven people have posted, yes!) Glad you enjoyed the chapters. Just a chance to wirte about a few different things (I enjoyed writing a 'stadium' scenario duel for the first time ever). [spoiler=Mini spoiler]The last of the Atlantic Mermails has not been seen yet...[/spoiler] Well, we may see a few of them here and there. Have been using the most recent cards throughout although obviously most of the main characters decks were established by the time Heiratics/Lightrays/Heroic/Magical/Madolche/Geargi/OOParts came out. But remember there's three or four duelists left to debut in this arc card games wise. Oh, just seen my speaking in your sig. Hadn't realised, feels weird seeing my words there. And flattering too of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2012 [spoiler=...]... When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come and see!" I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. The End is coming......... 09:10:12...........[/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerion Brightflame Posted October 6, 2012 Report Share Posted October 6, 2012 And so it begins........Also, yay Mermails And Aww... Oh well, hopefully they shall return. Hopefully I never commented on that before now... wierd. Its going to be a long wait. But patience is a virtue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reinforce Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 Good, I'm looking forward to the return of Atlantean Mermails now. They are one of my favourite archetypes. New chapters look good, and regardless of what quality your chapters are (though I'm hoping the same good quality of up till now), you've got me hooked on this fic now so i'll support you until the end. You won't get any reviews on chapters from me as I have said repeatedly that i'm not good at reviewing in various places on this forum, but I'll keep reading this until the end. Good Job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 [quote name='Archbaron Barthandelus' timestamp='1349549145' post='6039131'] And so it begins........Also, yay Mermails And Aww... Oh well, hopefully they shall return. Hopefully I never commented on that before now... wierd. Its going to be a long wait. But patience is a virtue. [/quote] I said they will return [quote name='Simdoggy' timestamp='1349612488' post='6039530'] Good, I'm looking forward to the return of Atlantean Mermails now. They are one of my favourite archetypes. New chapters look good, and regardless of what quality your chapters are (though I'm hoping the same good quality of up till now), you've got me hooked on this fic now so i'll support you until the end. You won't get any reviews on chapters from me as I have said repeatedly that i'm not good at reviewing in various places on this forum, but I'll keep reading this until the end. Good Job. [/quote] Awww New chapters are good, duels are looking so much better than they ever were in Armageddon (although some cards haver had to be tweaked slightly in terms of 100% accuracy to make it so, which has been frustrating at times). Thing is some chapters are quite... long... Again not ideal, but if it gets everything in and it all comes across as good as it can then hopefully it will be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerion Brightflame Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 So that you don't have to double post, here. Also, I must say, the supense is killing me. Post the chapter. Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 [quote name='Archbaron Barthandelus' timestamp='1349816752' post='6041156'] So that you don't have to double post, here. Also, I must say, the supense is killing me. Post the chapter. Please. [/quote] Yeah well... you know... don't just spam. Say something (I was expecting Thor to ask a question, but that hasn't happened for some reason). Alright, alright. I'll post it now. Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ages... this is... the final arc. Daybreak. [b]Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! 24[/b] As night cast its darkness over Japan, the true horror began to reveal. The original terrorist threat was nullified, and quickly eclipsed, by the demented [b]Murtagh[/b]; a former avatar of the VDS world seeking to reclaim his rightful place as not only ruler of the duel monster game world, but the real one as well. Assisted by his allies who all have similar connections or grudges with Real Duel, he caused the RDL Building to explode, sending a message of his destruction across the land. Trapped in the building at the time were Tokyo detective [b]Daiki Masuro[/b] and the terrorist leader [b]Clarissa Haines-Wilshire[/b]; the biological parents of a child forcibly created to replace Murtagh as the VDS’ permanent avatar. They were rescued and enlisted by the secret service of Japan to combat Murtagh’s threat along with others on their duelling skill and their connection to the avatar; a six year old girl known as [b]Kaneko[/b] who is seen as a key part of Murtagh’s plan. The team re-entered the virtual game world to find a battle zone where attacks were more than holographic images and simulation, and in some circumstances life points could take on a very literal meaning. In part responsible for the chaos are the [b]Numbers[/b]; one hundred monsters created by Kaneko as physical extensions of herself that she scattered throughout the VDS for reasons unknown. The Numbers wield greater attack strength than regular monsters, as well as giving their duelists some halo of protection, meaning that a Number attacking a non-Number holder will have fatal consequences, as discovered by [b]Natsumi Hotaru[/b], an on the run hacker who watched as her ally Hunter Webb was murdered by two mysterious figures they once knew, who now appear as some kind of [b]Riders of the Apocalypse[/b]. The Riders goals remain unknown; however they talk of destruction and death. The death toll began to rise from there. Clarissa’s brother Wilhelm was captured by Doctor [b]Hank Evos[/b], forced to finish a weird machine called the [b]Number Converter[/b] by Murtagh which bore ominous threats of ruin, before he was then disposed of by Evos. Wilhelm tried everything to fight back, but his physical condition could not handle the pressure and he died seconds before Clarissa could get to him. In one desperate attempt to save everyone, Kaneko fought against Murtagh in one-on-one duel, whilst her mother, father, and [b]Jinrei Sakamoto[/b]; a young duelist she enlisted the help of, tried to rescue her. However they ran straight into the trap set by Murtagh’s allies, led by Daiki’s partner in the force [b]Garvan Zielinski [/b]and Murtagh’s vindictive partner [b]Asami Kato[/b], who used her terrifying Number monster to repel and slaughter all three duelists. After a titanic struggle between gods, Kaneko was defeated, and Murtagh was able to force all the Numbers to return to her possession and then place them into the Number Converter, to which she was bound. Using their power the machine fired, and the world as we know it is began to change... This is the final arc of the story, detailing the events of what might well be humanity’s final six hours. [spoiler=Chapter 19:1][b]The following takes place between 3AM and 4AM.[/b] Slowly, the shaking that had been rocking the room so violently most of its inhabitants had been unable to stand began to cease, and the world became silent. This small darkened room, inhabited now by twenty or so people, with the modified VDS terminals the team had been using totally and eerily still. No-one dared speak. No-one dared breathe. Except for the small teenager Jin, who was collapsed in his seat half conscious and sucking in rapid, shallow, desperate gulps of oxygen to keep himself going, as Ono Yuri pulled herself upright beside him and took his pulse, terrified of what forces might have done this to him. His body was covered in scars of the last battle, the slaughter bought forth to him and his allies who were slowly getting to their feet. Her colleague Daiki was being helped to his feet by Keylan, clutching his head and ribs which she could tell from his grimace were giving him almighty grief. How could that be possible, for him to suffer such physical injury whilst being sat in here using a virtual simulator? The woman Clarissa was on the other side of the room, forcing herself to stand and furiously pushing away the assistance of anyone who offered, despite her precarious wobble telling them she badly needed support. Sakura and Rokuro weren’t as physically beat up, but they still looked dreadful. To her surprise, they were dressed entirely differently; now as they appeared in the VDS. In the centre of the room, the director general Murakami Baron got to his feet and waited a moment, a long anxious moment, for the aftershock. None came. For anything to start up again; some noise or other disturbance, or something. Nothing. With a nervous cough, he found words difficult to come by. “Ria, can we get a display of the outside, please?” One of the female agents swallowed as she nervously tapped at a set of controls on the wall before her, at the command of which a giant flat screen holograph simply materialised against the far wall before them, and showed them the view of the world outside the base. Collective gasps greeted the sight. Tokyo was still there, or some semblance of it anyway, but not as they were used to. The buildings were darkened and deformed, collapsed in places from the force of whatever had gone on that had ripped them apart. The ground was covered in a light green mist that illuminated the buildings from the base with a strange glow, the mist pouring from great fissures in the streets. The sky was a dark purple and coursed with lightning. And the crowning horror, right where the sun should have been in daylight, was a giant darkstar; casting its own ominous glow over the earth. “That’s... the field magic... [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Malefic_World"]Sin World[/url]." “Excuse me?” Baron turned, as did everyone else, to see Daiki looking up at the screen with a look of extreme pain mixed with anguish on his face. “An area of the VDS... Sin World... combined with our world” Daiki repeated. “Murtagh... his machine worked... it’s made the real world and the virtual world one. We might... be in real trouble now...” ...03:02:15... As Daiki rightly realised, it wasn’t just Japan, it was the whole world. The people there who had been lucky enough to live through the disastrous effects of the merging might have woken up to find the world transformed into a nightmare, and decided that on reflection maybe they weren’t the lucky ones at all, but other parts of the world had witnessed the transformation first hand as their cities were destroyed, and were melded with terrifying and harsh new worlds of darkness. The morning sun had disappeared over America and been replaced by a veil of black night. The President was staring wide eyed out of his office window at the buildings opposite giving off a [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Shien%27s_Castle_of_Mist"]strange violet aura[/url], as did the no longer White House to those staring back at it in horror. On the other side of the country in San Francisco, drivers on the Golden Gate bridge got out of their crashed cars and gawked open mouthed at the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Molten_Destruction"]huge smoking volcano[/url] that had sprouted up in the middle of the city. The bridge creaked as the earth rumbled far below it, before with a thunderous roar the volcano exploded and blew a mighty smokescreen across the sky, along with meteor like chunks of molten rock, hurtling towards... them... In one barrage, sections of the bridge collapsed into the reddened sea below. Europe and the other continents were no better. The Eiffel Tower of Paris could just be seen by those high enough peeking out of the top of the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Closed_Forest"]dense dead jungle[/url] surrounding it, the forest rapidly encasing the city in its never-ending maze. London – the sky ahead was grim and cloudy as the parliament houses and noble [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Clock_Tower_Prison"]clock-tower[/url] took a twisted and sinister new shape, chiming spookily over the old ghost town. The Taj Mahal was covered in [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Garden"]thick vines[/url] that wrapped around its structure and snaked across the rest of the land towards the cities, sprouting poisonous blooms along their growth. The great opera house of Sydney took on a weirder shape than usual, as the city around it was overcome in [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Zombie_World"]thick mist[/url] and dead trees like a world of the undead. Arguably the worst of it was felt by Rio, and the great statue Christo Redentor. Christ it seemed had abandoned them and become a devil, leering down over the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Pandemonium"]hellish landscape[/url] it had forsaken to the wickedness taking over the world. Screams of horror, screams of despair, screams of death, all mangled together as one horrible chorus for the new world to wake to. ... Elsewhere, somewhere overlooking the blood red Nile and fallen pyramids, was a palace that had appeared in the empty oasis sands. Wherever this once had been was now merged with the Lightlords home of the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Light_of_Destruction"]Light of Destruction[/url], but was no safer or even light at all. The palace had been half destroyed in places, the great columns broken and fragments scattered over the steps leading up to the grand building, parts of it emitting smoke and flame. The skies over the ruined palace were equally dark and red as the ground below, and great dragons of yore screeched as they circled overhead. Inside the palace and its grand open chambers, things were not so desolate. Dark yes, but still finely decorated with gold and velvet and sculptures that had survived the crossing into this world, as thankfully had the tall pillars supporting the high ceiling of the king’s throne room. At the back of the grand expanse, a dark machine was quietly humming away, the top panel glistening with the reflected power of the cards placed upon it, and at the front bound by its chains a small girl in a white dress hung limply, unconscious. On the balcony outside, the group of Garvan, Izura, Doctor Evos, and Asami were surveying their new world in wonder. This was the world they had created. And somewhere to the left... “I did it. And it’s so beautiful.” Murtagh was half hanging over the balcony, greedily drinking in the new world. His world. Laughing manically to himself, he dropped back to his feet and fidgeted in excitement, turning his attention to his shaking hands. The world had changed to his idea of perfection, now it was time for his body to do the same. A golden aura shielded his gauntlets and bronze D-Wing, flowing all the way over his body. Bewitched by the aura, Murtagh felt his neck, and the warm sensation passing through it as he did so. “Mirror! Mirror, mirror, mirror!” Smiling devilishly and sharing his excitement, Asami produced hers for him to use and see what it was. The scars on his neck and shoulder, self inflicted as a constant, savage reminder of what Orion and Soul Ogre had done to him years ago, were beginning to fade and heal. He was victorious now and Orion vanquished. Studying himself vainly, he now looked for real as he had done in the VDS. His mane of spiky white hair that he preferred in virtual form to his shaven head was real now, enough to run his claws through, as were his transformed dragon eyes of blue and white and red and black. Laughing loud and long, he couldn’t contain himself. Throwing back his head to laugh at the sky, he opened his mouth, and a torrent of flame shot forth like fireworks instead. Taken aback at first, Murtagh looked at the others who were equally surprised, before laughing and doing it again and again. “Wow, that’s new” he eventually managed to say, ending the last burst of flame with stylish swirls of crackling sparks, before studying his still glowing hands again. “This is just... amazing. I can... do...” Concentrating hard, he set his mind to the challenge... and a fireball burst into life in his hand as he willed it. He held it for a moment, before launching the fireball powerfully into a decorative statue hanging from an outside wall, making it explode into nothingness spectacularly. The group watched its burning remains disappear out of sight below, as Murtagh fell still and took it all in. “I can do anything I want to. I am a god.” “That’s right darling. You did it all.” Asami found her voice, rather breathlessly in shock, and exuberantly jumped on her man in a tight embrace. “It’s all ours. The whole world to rule and shape as we see fit. All thanks to your ambitions and your drive to become the power you were destined to be.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek, before snuggling into his shoulder, ignoring Izura roll her eyes and walk off into the palace and the two other men’s awkward reactions. “And I will be by your side forever.” “Pretty cool huh?” Murtagh replied childishly, kissing her back. He only remembered the other two were still present when the doctor coughed awkwardly. “Oh yeah right, I forgot there were still bits to tie up. Thank you very much for your help gentleman, it’s been a pleasure working with you and you have both taken part in a great deed. I guess this is where we all part; although as a benign, generous ruler I now am I must obviously reward you both for...” An explosion cut him off, a small one yet forceful enough to knock them all to the ground. Shaking his head and open mouthed, Murtagh looked in amazement back into the palace. The machine, his Number Converter that had given birth to the new world, was suddenly starting up again, engulfed entirely in a black light like fire. The machine shuddered and strained, the disk on the top exploding and fallen at an angle, the cards on the top plate no longer glistening but covered in the same dark aura as the hulk of the metal. The girl Kaneko, chained to the side, was awake and screaming in pain, as once again the thing groaned and boomed. The group exchanged glances of horror, Garvan managed to stutter a few words to Evos. “What the... why’s it doing that?” “The hell do you think I know?!” Murtagh was about to tell them to shut up and be calm, or force them to do so with another breath of flame, but he was interrupted once more by something in the sky behind him. No, it was all around him. Everything just seemed to lose shape for a moment, just a few seconds, everything became blurry and distorted, as if it was being sucked and stretched by something. He could feel something pulling on his body too, and given Asami’s cries she could feel it to, something gripping them tightly as death. Trying to find the source in wild rage, Murtagh spun onto his feet and stopped, amazed by what had appeared behind him now. A rip in the sky a few feet in front of him, like a black hole, dragging everything into its pure dark heart and crackling with lightning. Just a rip in the sky, a hole in reality, threatening his rule. Furious, Murtagh engulfed the thing with his new power of flame, but somehow the flame just passed into the darkness and was erased into nothingness. No effect whatsoever. The others were struggling and were slowly being dragged across the ground by its magnetic pull, fighting desperately to get away. Even he was struggling to stand in one spot. If this kept up... But it didn’t. As suddenly as the chaos begun, the rip sealed or collapsed in on itself, or something, and everything stopped. Everything regained its shape and focus, the others were still and breathless, and the sky was back as it were, as if nothing had happened at all. But obviously something very, very wrong had just happened. Groaning as they staggered to the feet, Evos gestured to the converter. Kaneko could be seen, quiet and still again now, but the machine continued to struggle and choke in its dark ember covering. “Come on.” They didn’t need much encouragement. The four sprinted into the throne room towards it, Murtagh easily taking the lead in a few bounding strides. A little way in they passed Izura, who was sat down having been bowled over by the explosion and looking horrified at the machine and poor child chained to it. “What the hell did you do?” Asami shouted as she flew past. “I didn’t touch it” Izura shakily replied, giving chase as the boys passed. “I just saw that weird flame come over it, then the top part blew up!” “Yeah right...” “Enough!” In one giant leap Murtagh flew through the air, landing deftly on top of the machine. The flame like aura it seemed only had a visual effect on him, but no physical one. Desperately he fiddled with the controls, but nothing responded. “Damn it, why are you doing this? Why aren’t you responding to me?” The machine did not reply, as he continued to pound away at it, and Garvan climbed up beside him and turned to the plate. “Er, Murtagh. I might have spotted your problem.” “What would you know?” “I don’t know, but I can kind of guess that there being gaps amongst the Numbers resting on that plate up there are probably not good for this thing.” “What?!” That wasn’t true. That couldn’t possibly be true. Disbelieving his insane words, Murtagh wanted to punch Garvan, but he was just stood there pointing at the glowing grid. Following his indication to look at the top of the plate, and one of the card sized slots in the ten by ten grid, he could see what was worrying him, and he immediately felt the same empty stomach feeling. Right in the top corner of the plate, next to where the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Number_10:_Illumiknight"]Number 10: White Knight Illuminator[/url] was resting, was an empty slot. “Oh” he uttered simply. “Er... how many of those are there?” Garvan gave the grid two quick glance over’s to double check. “Four out of a hundred. So that is definitely what’s affecting the machine and caused that black hole thing right?” “I... would assume so at this time. If there were Numbers missing when I activated it, it might not have completed its operation, or it is struggling to complete the conversion and can’t do so and can’t cope with it and... I don’t know exactly. But I do think we definitely need those gaps filled.” Quickly dropping to the ground beside the others, Murtagh shook Kaneko awake, to which she only blearily responded. “Kaneko, can you hear me? Listen, we’re missing four Numbers. I need you to find them and summon them back. Do you understand?” The distress that had invaded Murtagh’s voice was obvious, as Kaneko tried weakly to lift her head to face him. “I... I can’t...” “Yes, yes you can” Murtagh pleaded, shaking her a bit more forcefully. Still she shook her head. “Kaneko, you don’t seem to understand. We all might be in some real danger here, unless you get those Numbers back and on this machine. If it’s just a lack of strength, I can give you what you need to do it. But I really, really need you to find those missing Numbers.” [i]“Eh heh heh heh. She won’t find them.”[/i] All five, even Murtagh, physically jumped backwards as Kaneko chuckled darkly and spoke. No way, that wasn’t her speaking in that voice, one of a full grown man and twisted darkly as it echoed through her. As if pulled back by an invisible string, Kaneko was given the strength to look up into their eyes, and hers were glazed over. She smirked wickedly, before whoever was using her continued to speak. [i]“The end has begun, and the world has you to thank for it. The seals have been broken.”[/i] “I beg your pardon” Murtagh spluttered indignantly. “Who the hell do you think you’re speaking to? Even better yet who the hell are you to dare speak to me?” [i]“Heh heh heh, so many questions, you ignorant fool, but I’ll grant you a few answers. You are my inferior and my puppet, and you always were. You are the lamb, and you have broken the seals, thus final judgement upon this world and what it has become, what it always was, shall soon be at hand.”[/i] The girls shared terrified glances. Garvan swallowed at this horrifying prophecy, Evos was looking ill and positively disbelieving in this witchcraft, this sick possession. Recovered from his initial shock Murtagh looked as scornful and powerful as ever, which only drew more mirth from whoever was speaking through the little girl in delight. [i]“The lamb broke the first four of seven seals, and a voice like thunder echoed across the lands ‘Come and see’. So looking into the darkened abyss, the emergence of four horses were witnessed, each with a rider setting out across the land bringing disease, war, starvation and ruin in their path, with the devil following close behind. This wretched and cursed world and everyone who soils it, it is all going to die. The end... has begun...”[/i] The possessor leaving her, Kaneko’s eyes closed, and she fell unconscious once more and left the room in silence. “What.... was that...?” Asami shakily managed after a minute. “What was he talking about?” “Presumably, that is who has our missing Numbers, or at least is stopping Kaneko getting them back” Murtagh replied. There was no fear in his voice now, but malice, as he turned and walked towards the balcony. “Somebody is interfering with matters they cannot comprehend, and is going to suffer for it. I’ll find him, and make him pay. You lot work on keeping the converter going and stop it from causing any more of those black hole things in the mean time. If it breaks down... I shudder to think about it...” “Murtagh, wait.” The deity stopped as Izura ran around to face him and grabbed his hands. “Please... this is serious. Who knows what that man or thing was talking about, but he may well want you to go after him. You heard what he said; you might be playing into his hands. Everything could be in danger. You have to step back...” Murtagh looked at her seriously for a moment, as if he wasn’t sure how to respond. “... what are you suggesting?” he asked slowly. “I’m asking... no, I’m pleading, and I know you’re going to hate it, but I think you might have to give this up, and reverse the machine and the world merging.” If Murtagh was as surprised as the others, he didn’t show it. He didn’t react much at all, as Izura continued to try reason with him. “I’m sorry, but we might not have a choice. Whoever that was, he must be powerful, and he sounds like he’s planned for what’s happened. I’m frightened... that we’re walking into a trap and bringing this world with us to destruction. But if we go back, he might not be able to do anything and everything will be okay. Please. Put everything back to normal, or else I fear there might not be a world left at all. Please stop this crusade before things get out of hand.” Asami and Evos both went to speak, but Murtagh waved them off. “You are scared by this?” Izura nodded mutely in reply. Murtagh responded in kind at first, but still he smiled, and shook his head. “Sorry, but you should not be scared. It is too late to go back now, and I wouldn’t want to go back even if I could. Besides you forget, I’m the most powerful thing in existence now. Whoever that was, he wants us to be scared of him, and is using cheap tricks to do so. You can’t be scared of such tricks if you know that’s all they are. Now I’m going to find him, and punish him extra painfully for scaring you, okay?” “Murtagh, please.” “Nobody can go back on the path they walk, that’s a foolish thing to do. You are wise enough to know that Izura. I’m committed to my path and have got too far down it, and there is nothing that is going to stop me on it now. Even if I have to fight the devil himself, I’ll destroy him, and then this perfect world will be safe. Please, stay with me on this.” Izura gulped, and nodded weakly. Murtagh let her go, before continuing on and beckoning Garvan to come after him. “Come on, it’s a big world to search.” Stunned into mutely following, he joined him as the two were engulfed in light. “Keep that machine going. Any problems at all, contact me right away.” The light faded, and the two disappeared into the ether. ...03:12:14... Having found it safe to leave the terminal room, the secret service was trying to get back into action in the operations room. Further exploration of the base had been... disturbing, as collapsed buildings and dead agents littered the premises, killed either by the destruction, or from what looked like mental collapse according team field medics. There were now roughly seventy people still alive and working at the base across all departments, all of whom having reconvened to the central areas that still stood. Working however was difficult, as Rokuro, Baron and his men discovered as Yuri briefed them as to the losses and damage. “As you can see; most of the computers and all other technology had gone down” she indicated the static screens of the more high tech systems. “Either fried by what happened, or...” “... or we truly are in a new world, and it doesn’t compute with them.” “Shut up” Baron smacked the guilty Keylan around the head. “I’m not buying that magic nonsense for a second and neither should you. It ill becomes you.” “Hey, I’m the last person to believe in magic, but look around you. Something beyond our understanding is going on. What’s your explanation?” Keylan managed to duck a second smack, but was still told to go away and boil his head by his irate superior. “Bah, it doesn’t matter what happened, what we need to focus on is fixing it. So ideas people. How do we find Murtagh? How do we get to him and how do we reverse... this?” “Well we only have the most basic of resources left that don’t rely on such computer information that this... situation... has caused havoc with. Arming men for combat and close range transport isn’t a problem, but locating and getting men on the ground to fight Murtagh if he’s very far away is an issue.” Across the room, Daiki listened to the conversation intently, whilst pouring himself a coffee. Thankfully, that was one of the machines that was basic enough in AI terms to still work. Drinks made he limped over, ribs still hurting like hell, to Clarissa. She was standing in a corner away from everyone, arms folded and head bowed, clearly in more than just physical pain as he offered her a cup. “No thank you.” “I’m not offering, I’m telling you” he replied, forcing her to take the drink. “You need it.” Scowling Clarissa took it, but still didn’t drink it. The cup trembled in her hand, and she shied away from Daiki a little more as he looked at her, trying to hide her face with her long hair. “Clarissa, you crying?” “No.” Well clearly something was wrong; else a normal Clarissa would have probably bitten his head off, or even hit him for making such an accusation of weakness like that. Daiki told her as much, and still no furious reaction came. She just stood there, hollow and lifeless. “I just can’t stop thinking about what happened. Now my little girl is in that maniac’s control and trapped to that machine in pain, and we couldn’t rescue her. I hate myself.” “Hey come on, our little girl remember?” Clarissa blinked at his words. “This isn’t like you. You don’t sit and sulk. That’s the idiot in me that does that. You’re supposed to go and floor people who hurt you and drag me along with you, not the other way around.” How well his humour went down he didn’t really know; Clarissa was still refusing to look at him. But they were closer now. Not knowing what else to do, not thinking what he was doing, Daiki wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her. Clarissa gasped in surprise, but she weakly embraced him back in a gentle hug. “We’ll get her back. I promise.” “I’m sorry... I’m just scared. What if...” “No, no what if’s, don’t think that way. We’ll go and find her, and we’ll get her back. Alright?” Clarissa broke from the hug. She seemed embarrassed, but smiled anyway. “Alright. We will.” On the other side of the room, Sakura watched the exchange with a curious expression, before Jin’s groaning refocused her attention. Having moved him as he regained consciousness and finding him in much pain, she was comforting him and bandaging his arm as a medic tended to his more serious injuries. “Isn’t there a proper medical bay around here?” “Destroyed” replied the medic. “Some guys are setting up a room downstairs to use and recover what equipment we can, but our medical team is overstretched as you can imagine.” “Sorry” Sakura blushed. Jin groaned again, clutching her hand. “Hey, don’t worry. You’re not in life threatening condition anymore, and we’re going to take care of you. Just rest.” “No, I need to help...” “For goodness sake, you’re in no condition” replied the medic. “I can’t understand how you got these injuries inside a simulator, but I guess that’s just the sort of day this is. At least you’ll live, but no way are you getting into any more of this duelling business. I find it deplorable that you were used in this mission anyway” the medic added overly loudly, glaring at Baron and making sure his opinion was heard. “Oh alright, so I might have been wrong to ask for help in desperate times” Baron snapped. “It’s not like I’ve got the safety of a nation on my shoulders or anything, but if it makes you happy, I’ll withdraw the kids from further missions. Alright?” The medic shrugged as the doors opened, and a colleague walked in with a stretcher. “Stop telling me how to do my job and focus on yours, and... look after him, I guess.” The group watched glumly as Sakura and the medic with the stretcher took Jin away. The one who had attended to him insisted Clarissa and Daiki come and receive similar treatment, but both refused, and instead got themselves into re-strategising. Five minutes passed, they felt like hours, and they struggled. Ideas were few and far between. Morale was low. Nothing was working, and the situation all round seemed helpless as they sat around in silence, each trying to come up with a plan that got increasing profound as they were formed. “There must be some way of recovering the situation” groaned Rokuro, rubbing his eyes and looking extremely tired in doing so. “We just need some spark, some idea, some...” “We need a bloody miracle” Keylan finished the sentence for him, earning himself a few murderous glances. Daiki was about to hit him this time, but stopped himself as something in the air behind Keylan caught his eye. A small flash of light, then a hole in the air was opening where plain wall had been, stunning him in disbelief as he looked and saw a person emerging through the hole. At that very moment, to everyone’s astonishment, what might be considered close to a miracle happened. “Ugh, I’m too old for this crap doing” moaned the short bearded man, stretching as he wandered dizzily towards the speechless group, shaking his head to clear it and nearly dislodging his D-Gazer as he did so. “Doctor Zielinski?” Rokuro stuttered. “How did... how did you...?” “Get here?” the Polish scientist asked. “Oh, easy, in the same way you’ve been doing all your night. I just warped here. It seems that the real world and the virtual duel monster world of Real Duel merged in ways that Murtagh perhaps did not anticipate. Since his machine activated and caused the catastrophe, I have discovered that different parts of the world have merged with different field magic areas used by the VDS, as you have no doubt seen here. But if you have a D-Gazer, you can also warp between these field areas like you did the VDS. This is great news for us. I’m surprised you didn’t know already.” “Playing with D-Gazers was not exactly high on our list of thoughts at this time” Baron growled to the doctor who was looking at them all like they were incredibly simple. “But this is a good discovery for us, as it solves our problem of getting armed forces on the ground. Plus having you and your expertise here makes things much smoother.” Doctor Zielinski nodded his approval, as did some impressed others. “Certainly works for me.” Before anyone could move, Clarissa had sprung. Snatching a D-Gazer and a gun from the distracted agent next to her, Clarissa had armed both and was on her feet, aiming at the doctor. There was a scramble for weapons, but a change in aim stopped everyone who thought about it, ducking out of the way as she circled towards the doctor. “Don’t move! Anyone moves and I kill him! Not even you Dai!” Daiki was the only man standing, slowly edging round after her with his hands up, following her around as she approached the doctor who, by all means, looked unsurprised by what was happening. “Clarissa, this isn’t a good idea. I know what he’s done, but he’s our best chance of finding Kaneko.” “You think he’s going to help?” Clarissa scoffed as she got close enough to place the weapon against the doctor’s head. “He’s just as responsible for what’s happened as anyone else! He could have done something earlier to stop this, but he just ran and hid. All his ‘help’ has just been too little too late in some pathetic attempt at making up for it!” Still the doctor remained completely mute as she pulled him away, using him as a shield as Daiki and now Baron followed. “Clarissa, put the gun down. If you shoot him we might never find your daughter.” Clarissa ignored him, and everyone ducked as she clicked and loaded the trigger. “What about you? You got any reason why I shouldn’t kill you on the spot?” The doctor sighed. Was he resigned to death? Maybe not, because he was beckoning Daiki over. The two watched him suspiciously as he reached into his coat pocket, and withdraw two cards, face down. “You are right, I am guilty of much wrong against you, and maybe I do deserve to have my life ended by you. I can only apologise, and give you these. They are yours after all.” “Cards?” Clarissa exclaimed at the sight of them. “What are they?” “They are unique cards created by me as Kaneko’s birthright, which would serve as her guardians in your place. You see, I asked the president what he would do when Kaneko began to ask about her parents, he had her believe that her parents had gone away on a cause of sorts, and had left their friends in their stead. There are only two copies of each; this pair, and her own. They will prove your relationship to her.” Daiki accepted one of the cards, nodding numbly, but while Clarissa snatched hers she still did not lower the gun. Piotr sighed again. “It is your decision, and I accept whatever fate you decide for me. I would prefer however, if you decide to kill me, to wait until after the crisis resolves. I believe I can help.” Clarissa groaned as she fought with her decision, leaving everyone on edge for a few long seconds. To immense relief she shrugged and pulled back the gun, passing Daiki her stolen items, before walking off and pocketing her new card. “It wouldn’t be proper punishment if you were fine with it anyway. Now make yourself helpful and find my daughter. I will get myself ready for the battle ahead.” Watching her go, Piotr returning to the main table as if nothing had happened at all. Baron let out a large breath, before returning as well. “Right then, let’s carry on working out a plan. Daiki, you get yourself ready as well, as soon as find them we’ll be deploying you on the ground. Rokuro... Rokuro?” Rokuro stopped at the door he was about to exit and turned, rather sheepishly as he pushed his long hair out of the way. “Carry on without me; I’m just going out for a cigarette is all. Might as well see if I can contact Hideo for an update as well.” Baron shrugged and bade him leave, much to his relief. He had no intention of doing as he said, he was going somewhere else, as he re-read the message that had come to his D-Gazer during Clarissa’s timely dramatics that had distracted attention from his unpreventable reaction at what he’d read. [i]‘Need your help, something has gone badly wrong. Come to Realm of Light area and meet me in the main chamber, as quietly as you can. Izura.’[/i] ...03:21:01... Looking down at the green mist outside from his office, Hideo gulped. This could only mean one thing. Mai was working furiously at her computer trying to restart it, after it just blacked out, and Kenji was trying to make contact with America and Europe. In the streets below, beyond the large crevasse that had just missed the halls, he could see the remains of the press that had re-established its presence and the security keeping them out. Half of them were lifeless on the ground now, in pools of blood and gore. [i]‘How many lives have been lost here?’ [/i]Hideo wondered.[i] ‘And how many will follow as this goes on?’[/i] The doors opened and Kenji entered; his expression grim. “Sorry sir, I couldn’t contact anyone to assess the situation in full. All satellites are down, all communications, everything. It’s like we’ve gone back in time two hundred years.” “Or entered a whole new world altogether, where such things do not exist” Hideo muttered. The other two looked at him oddly for an explanation. “Do you remember what Murtagh said? ‘The new world of my creation’? Perhaps this is what this is. I have never seen it for myself to be sure, but maybe this is a duel monster world, where there is no Internet and satellites and particle matter transfer and E-link. This is the virtual nightmare come to life.” “That’s one theory” Mai replied. “There must be some way of getting through to Baron and the others at the secret service though. Even if we have to abandon here and go down there ourselves.” “Erm, that might not be a good idea...” Kenji and Mai blinked as Hideo glanced out the window again, but before they could ask what he meant, screams answered for them. The group of survivors outside were screaming and fleeing from their lives, away from the crevice in the earth from which were emerging a series of horrid demons; [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Fabled"]monsters[/url] with bat like wings. One lizard like man carried a giant mace and another clawed giant with purple skin charged after their prey, before several regal looking winged devils soared from the abyss into the sky, cackling madly as they were freed from hell to spread their terror on Japan. ...03:22:14... Overcome by the dark aura, the wires in his hands sparked and fizzed, shocking Evos into dropping them and into a burst of profanities. Such had been the frustrations of the last ten minutes. Kaneko continued to hang lifelessly from her binds, whilst the machine continued to shudder and groan, struggling from whatever ills were making it fail. Evos punched the side of it in anger, giving himself another shock. Asami, who was on the top panel, ignored him. But Izura rushed around as he shouted. “Careful.” “No time to be careful” Evos snapped. “Every time I try and touch something crucial or that needs adjusting the damn thing shocks me. Whatever this black flame mist stuff is doing to it its stopping me from fixing it. And before you ask, no, I’ve no idea how to get rid of it. I deal with provable facts and figures, not this hocus pocus that Murtagh specialises in.” “Well... maybe you could go and find yourself some gloves or something to protect yourself. And your proper tools” Izura asked innocently. “All your gear is downstairs isn’t it? You’ll be able to work a lot more effectively with it.” Evos seemed to agree. “Okay, it’s a fair suggestion. You go and fetch it for me.” “No no” Izura replied quickly. “You know better than I what you need and how to use it, and even five minutes break could give you time to breathe and think. I can look after this while you’re gone, just make sure it doesn’t deteriorate or anything.” Listening carefully, Asami stopped what she was doing and leaned over the side. “You just get your tools and a drink and have a think, I’ll look after this.” Evos frowned, trying to drill through her facade for anything she might be planning. But her reasoning seemed viable enough, and as he subconsciously rolled his shoulder that still bore scars from his last battle, he guessed he could use the break. “Fine, I guess it won’t take long. There are quite a few things I could do with fetching though.” “I’ll help.” Before Izura had even opened her mouth, Asami was climbing down from the top and walking towards the grand chamber entrance. “I could use the break too, and I’m sure Izura is capable to looking after things.” “Er, sure. Don’t worry about a thing, I can handle everything.” As soon as Evos and Asami were out of the chamber, Izura flew into action. She had only minutes, maybe seconds, to do what she had to do. They could come back, Murtagh and Garvan could come back, so she had to be fast. Shaking Kaneko a little more vigorously in her rush, Izura tried to wake her. “Kaneko, can you hear me? Please listen; I need you to reverse the machine. It might be the only way to stop any more chaos and death. Please Kaneko, wake up and use your strength. I know you can do it.” Kaneko limply shook with Izura’s movements, but didn’t respond. Desperately Izura tried harder, but still the little girl gave her nothing. She’d have to improvise. Murtagh had shown her in good detail the workings of the machine, and help had been called for and hopefully would be responded to. Quickly as she could she climbed onto the top plate. There were the controls that had fired the machine, if she could just tamper with the wiring or something, it could be reversed. Busily she started working, trying her best to hold onto the glowing wires and keep going despite the shocks, fully focused on her task. Too focused to notice the sound of a portal opening across the chamber behind her, the grinding of gears, or any of the signs of danger, until that horrible sense of something getting close to her came over her. [i]‘Oh no...’[/i] She turned, and found herself staring up into a pair of dead soulless eyes far above her, and a giant dark hand closed in around her. Unable to move, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Number_15:_Gimmick_Puppet_Giant_Killer"]Giant Killer[/url] snatched its helpless prey in its iron grip and off the machine, bringing her back down to come face to face with the puppet’s smug master. “Asami.” “Oh, you’re not even going to try and deny your betrayal?” Asami sneered as she lazily studied the trapped woman. “I knew you couldn’t be trusted, and Murtagh was always too soft on you to see you’d do this in the end. But now it’s just you and me, and no-one else to hear you scream.” “I wouldn’t waste my breath on someone like you, trying to make you understand. You’re completely committed to this madness” Izura sniped back. “So bent on becoming someone powerful, you’re blind to the destruction you’re walking right into.” “Whatever, you’re a coward” Asami retorted. “Me and my darling Murtagh are going to rule this world, and no-one is going to stop us. Not Clarissa and Daiki, not the brat, not the weirdo tampering with the machine, and certainly not you. I warned you that this would happen if you didn’t watch your back, but to tell the truth, I’m so glad you did. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.” “So that’s it, you’re just going to have your puppet crush me?” Izura demanded. “Go ahead; I’ll happily watch from my fiery prison as you try to explain that to Murtagh. You can tell him I’m some kind of traitor all you want; it’s just your word going against everything he knows about me, and everyone knows you’ve had it for me all this time.” Asami frowned under her stern gaze, but her frustration was only brief before her cruel smile returned. “Clearly Murtagh knows nothing about you, but you have a point. However, I always have a plan. Come with me.” With that a small portal opened behind Asami for her to pass through, before growing just enough to envelop Giant Killer. The change in light as they passed blinded Izura, she couldn’t see... ... With a heavy thud, Izura coughed and spluttered from the dust thrown up around her by her landing. Well at least Giant Killer seemed to have gone for now. Shakily pushing herself upright, Izura took in her new surroundings. A grand Roman styled arena of combat shrouded by the violet smog hanging in the air, a place for bloody battles. Izura whipped around searching for her opponent amongst the dark archways, until her shrill laughter helped her find her. Asami was standing in the second tier, leaning over the balcony from the viewers section. “So, how do you like my personal arena, the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Savage_Colosseum"]Savage Coliseum[/url]? I’ve always fancied having somewhere like this when I became queen, where I could be entertained like the empresses of ancient times.” “That doesn’t surprise me. But what are you doing up there? Aren’t you going to face me?” Asami just laughed at her again, making no move to come down. “Believe me dear Izura, I would love nothing more than to do that. However you were right about what you say, that Murtagh might be so blind by his care for you that he might not believe me when I told him you were going to betray him. But, if you were faced by those annoying pests who keep trying to stop him, and forced into a duel...” Izura gulped and turned, as a figure staggered out of the archway across the arena. Slowly and groaning heavily, Rokuro shuffled into the arena, looking as if he had just suffered an attack as well, dully coming to the realisation of where he was... and who was facing him. Numb with fright Izura tried to speak, but was distracted by her D-Disk arming itself. “This is...” “One of the guards picked up your little friend just as he arrived” Asami called down from on high. “I thought at first that somehow his group had discovered our location, but when he appeared to be alone, and given it was your old colleague, I sensed your hand was in his arrival. Now I wonder how he might take to falling into your trap.” “My trap?” Izura repeated. She could see Rokuro’s D-Disk had been armed as well, and there was something about his expression that didn’t seem right. He opened his mouth, but no words seemed to come out. “No, wait Rokuro. This isn’t what I called you for. We’re being set up.” “You saved your pathetic breath on me, then waste it on him? I’m insulted you think so little of me” Asami interrupted, as Rokuro failed to respond. “He can’t hear you; of course I wouldn’t allow that. The fog here seems to have an effect on the minds and soul of the combatants, making them lust for battle. You know it’s an illusion, so you’re not as affected, but your dear friend can only see and hear what he believes is going on, and that would be a hellacious and bloody battle. One I’m so looking forward to watching.” Indeed, Asami placed herself lazily onto a grand throne just behind her in the royal box. “Do put on a good show, you wouldn’t want to disappoint me now.” Izura snarled. “Go to hell!” Asami dismissed the remark. “Generic threat, but funny you should say that. Because unless you do something about him, that’s exactly where you’re going.” The thick fog rippled as Izura and Rokuro’s D-Gazers automatically went into duel mode and their decks offered them five cards without input. It was starting to get into her senses too now, stirring her blood and clouding her mind. Desperately she tried to shake it off and warn Rokuro again, but her pawn was having none of it, as he just frowned savagely in response to whatever he was hearing instead, much to Asami’s amusement. “Enough talk. Begin!” [i]‘ARV link established. Duel commencing’[/i] Reluctantly, Izura took the sixth card that offered to her. [i]‘My words aren’t getting through to him, something of this arena or Asami’s doing no doubt. I’ll have to show him through actions that I am not the enemy, in a way that she cannot manipulate.’[/i] “I set one monster in defence mode.” The horizontal image of a hidden card floated before her. “I set two more cards and end my turn.” [i]‘Come on Rokuro, work it out. I’m not trying to fight you. Although unless I figure out a way to get through to you and break this spell, I might not have a choice. If I lose I can’t get save Murtagh from himself, or the world, but to win I would certainly end up killing one my best friends. What do I do?’[/i] What could she do? Right now it appeared fighting for her life was the only way out of these bloodstained walls, and even if one of them escaped, Asami was still there to watch over them from on high, revelling in her cruel spectacle.[/spoiler] Welcome back everyone. Let comments come. Comments? Please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerion Brightflame Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 YAY. No more suspense. And sorry for what may have seemed like spam. Anyways the chapter: [spoiler='Review'] So its post apocolaptic in the proper term of it, not just the flat out end of the world. I do think your choice of field spells for the locations was fairly good. Well, better than fairly good, pretty amazing if im honest. Then we move on to the next parts, with murtagh, who is now considerably cooler than I thought he would end up being. And i like he didn't act like a hugely steriotypical villain. Then the developing relationship between Asami and Izumi, which was great. Nice to have villains angry at each other, and actually acting. Izumi is a much better character i think, rather than just Murtagh's arm candy. Speaking of which... I think there was just a moment where Murtagh lost his edge. His Psycopathic side. He seemed to... mellow. I understand it fits him, but I like the edgier part of him, which snaps at people, and makes Isumi, the person he supposedly loves terrified of him. And the duel looks like its going to be great. [/spoiler] Welcome back man, an awesome chapter as per ever. Glad you've sorted most of it out now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reinforce Posted October 10, 2012 Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 Nice chapter, Izumi's betrayal wasn't something that I saw coming, but it makes sense that she would clash with Asami, although I wasn't expecting Rokuro to get tangled up in it. Two new decks to be revealed in the next chapter, so I'm very much looking forward to it now. Good Job. I'm wondering what Clarissa's and Daiki's new cards are now too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 [quote name='Archbaron Barthandelus' timestamp='1349820425' post='6041219'] YAY. No more suspense. And sorry for what may have seemed like spam. Anyways the chapter: [spoiler='Review'] So its post apocolaptic in the proper term of it, not just the flat out end of the world. I do think your choice of field spells for the locations was fairly good. Well, better than fairly good, pretty amazing if im honest. Then we move on to the next parts, with murtagh, who is now considerably cooler than I thought he would end up being. And i like he didn't act like a hugely steriotypical villain. Then the developing relationship between Asami and Izumi, which was great. Nice to have villains angry at each other, and actually acting. Izumi is a much better character i think, rather than just Murtagh's arm candy. Speaking of which... I think there was just a moment where Murtagh lost his edge. His Psycopathic side. He seemed to... mellow. I understand it fits him, but I like the edgier part of him, which snaps at people, and makes Isumi, the person he supposedly loves terrified of him. And the duel looks like its going to be great. [/spoiler] Welcome back man, an awesome chapter as per ever. Glad you've sorted most of it out now. [/quote] Thanks for review. It's about damn time Izura, Asami and Rokuro got some major screen time. Murtagh does act a bit too kind around Izura I think, but reasons will be revealed soon. I don't expect the duel will set off that many fireworks because I'm not good with arc opening duels (both here and Armageddon) but it picks up quickly. There is a lot to get through. [quote name='Simdoggy' timestamp='1349847588' post='6041420'] Nice chapter, Izumi's betrayal wasn't something that I saw coming, but it makes sense that she would clash with Asami, although I wasn't expecting Rokuro to get tangled up in it. Two new decks to be revealed in the next chapter, so I'm very much looking forward to it now. Good Job. I'm wondering what Clarissa's and Daiki's new cards are now too. [/quote] Thanks for commenting and don't worry; the wait won't be too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synchronized Posted October 10, 2012 Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 So good. It took me a little while but I finished the entire chapter and I'm all caught up. The spread of characters and your amazing ability for description is so good. Kudos, I'm already excited for the next Chapter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canopy Star - Eon Sphere Posted October 10, 2012 Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 My theory is that Rokuro uses HEROs. Only cause someone else guessed Heroics, and you told them it was a close guess. Maybe. I can't remember, but that's my prediction. As for Izura? Can't say. I can't even hazard a guess. The rest of the chapter was really good, showing us all the stuff that's going on with everyone else, just as a kind of catch up. Nice for the first chapter back. P.S: Big Ben as Clock Tower Prison made me lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 [quote name='Thunder Spark' timestamp='1349879781' post='6041518'] So good. It took me a little while but I finished the entire chapter and I'm all caught up. The spread of characters and your amazing ability for description is so good. Kudos, I'm already excited for the next Chapter. [/quote] Yaay Next chapter will be up Friday sometime. Warning: Due to getting all this into 12 parts, this is the shortest chapter of the arc [quote name='The Seal of Eon' timestamp='1349884736' post='6041551'] My theory is that Rokuro uses HEROs. Only cause someone else guessed Heroics, and you told them it was a close guess. Maybe. I can't remember, but that's my prediction. As for Izura? Can't say. I can't even hazard a guess. The rest of the chapter was really good, showing us all the stuff that's going on with everyone else, just as a kind of catch up. Nice for the first chapter back. P.S: Big Ben as Clock Tower Prison made me lol. [/quote] Glad it's gone well. Well that's what Destiny Heroes are based on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brinolovania Posted October 10, 2012 Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 So the real world got Yugioh'd, huh? Well, that's gotta pretty much suck for Earth...card games are destroying it. Ouch. Anyway, great chapter, as usual. This duel ought to be interesting, I should think. Also, I really want to find out who the other 2 Riders are, as only 2 are revealed. I assume they and their master will be the final villains of this story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Sage Posted October 10, 2012 Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 SO, the question I was wanting to ask, which has minor Late-Arrival Spoilers: [spoiler='Spoiler, if you couldn't tell.']Was an avatar mentioned between Orion and Murtagh? I have the faintest collection there was and he died, but I couldn't find it through search. Alright then. These kinds of setup will always remind me of Crow and Aki vs Sherry for some reason, especially since both combatants are now out of control. Can't wait for Friday Great chapter.[/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guuu1234 Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 This chapter was awesome. I'm actually glad this is the shortest chapter; it lets me enjoy it more. Now on to the chapter. Is it me or did Murtagh go a little soft on Izumi? It felt so random... It's pretty cool that 4 numbers are gone, so we have more going on than meets the eye. Also, we get to wonder what numbers Pestilence and Death (especially Death) are carrying. Speaking of the horseman, Death mentioned that "four of the seven seals have been broken", and that the devil will be following. Will we see one more, final villian after the riders? If this follows the mythology how I think it does then I don't think it will be a good idea to defeat the riders . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted October 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 [quote name='Pacmanexus' timestamp='1349897830' post='6041682'] So the real world got Yugioh'd, huh? Well, that's gotta pretty much suck for Earth...card games are destroying it. Ouch. Anyway, great chapter, as usual. This duel ought to be interesting, I should think. Also, I really want to find out who the other 2 Riders are, as only 2 are revealed. I assume they and their master will be the final villains of this story. [/quote] Yep. Defacing the world's most iconic monuments was THE most fun thing ever! Feel mean to poor Brazil giving them Pandemonium but everyone's got it pretty bad. NOWHERE IS SAFE!!! Oh and it gets so much worse. Glad that this duel is getting some excitement going. [quote name='Archbaron Thor the Just' timestamp='1349898861' post='6041701'] SO, the question I was wanting to ask, which has minor Late-Arrival Spoilers: [spoiler='Spoiler, if you couldn't tell.']Was an avatar mentioned between Orion and Murtagh? I have the faintest collection there was and he died, but I couldn't find it through search. Alright then. These kinds of setup will always remind me of Crow and Aki vs Sherry for some reason, especially since both combatants are now out of control. Can't wait for Friday Great chapter.[/spoiler] [/quote] Thanks. Yeah I remember that duel, in Armageddon there was something similar (Luca vs Tyrana) and I've seen others. It's a little 'really?' in terms of setup, but hopefully Savage Colosseum makes it a bit more believable and that Asami is going down the bond villian route because she's just a stuck up.... [spoiler=Response to spoiler] Well remembered, it can be assumed you didn't just make that up. Intriguing theory, but that guy as you rightly remembered is dead, and has been for some time.[/spoiler] [quote name='guuu1234' timestamp='1349921467' post='6041934'] This chapter was awesome. I'm actually glad this is the shortest chapter; it lets me enjoy it more. Now on to the chapter. Is it me or did Murtagh go a little soft on Izumi? It felt so random... It's pretty cool that 4 numbers are gone, so we have more going on than meets the eye. Also, we get to wonder what numbers Pestilence and Death (especially Death) are carrying. Speaking of the horseman, Death mentioned that "four of the seven seals have been broken", and that the devil will be following. Will we see one more, final villian after the riders? If this follows the mythology how I think it does then I don't think it will be a good idea to defeat the riders . . . [/quote] Glad people are baulking at the sight of longer chapters (let's see how you all react when they get here though). Yeah, I admit Murtagh did go maybe a bit too nicely. He's got plenty of awesome moments and lines coming up though so he should make it up. Ooh, questions questions. Ahahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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