Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monster GX Fan Fiction ❯ The Darkness of Destiny ❯ The Truth Is In Here... ( Chapter 2 )

Destiny of Darkness

 

As a note, I differentiate a bit from the real rules here, but hey, since when is the anime itself 100% faithful?

 

Chapter 2

 

The Truth is In Here…

 

“C'mon man, I need my fix, you know I'm good!” A hand came out and shoved the junkie to the street.

 

“Fuck off man, your word means shit,” The dealer snarled, stomping away. The junkie groaned and trotted back to his friends.

 

“No luck dudes, we're outta the shit,” He groaned. A limo pulled up in the street behind him, and the back door opened.

 

“We're here,” Shroud smiled, stepping out, Zane followed him and looked around. This area of Domino was a major slum, home to all sorts of low-lives.

 

“GridIron,” Shroud called. The junkie lowered his glasses and stood up.

 

“Shroud dude, c'mon man, not now, I got nothing,” He protested. “I'll pay you when I got the cash, honest, I just gotta find a job.”

 

“You've had a month, GI, and I'm not waiting any longer. But I am willing to offer you a deal.” Shroud nodded at a rusty Duel Disk on GI's arm. It was a Generation One Disk, used years ago for the Battle City tournament. “Duel my client. Win and you're off the hook, but lose, and you owe double.”

 

“Double or nothin'?” GI sniffed. “Deal, who's the dude I gotta face?” Zane stepped out in front of Shroud. “Ah shit man, you're da Truesdale!”

 

“You accepted the deal, GI, back out now and you'll forfeit the match,” Shroud chuckled. GI walked a few feet down the street and turned on his Duel Disk, wincing as the old circuitry sparked slightly.

 

“You want me to duel him?” Zane growled.

 

“He owes me money, and I want to collect. Crush him and you can have half.” Shroud said. “Besides, it's not like you can refuse. And it'll also be a test of that custom new Duel Disk I gave you.” Zane narrowed his eyes but turned on his disk. Shroud claimed he had custom designed the dark disk himself, but Zane knew better. It reminded Zane of some sort of wrist-mounted sword, with the card slots lined along the blade. It also had the sharp point on the end to match its look. He had heard some sort of rival for Kaiba Corp had designed the disks over a decade ago. It reminded him of the Academy's Duel Disks, except a darker grey. Shroud called it a Dusk Disk.

 

“Alright man!” GI called. “It's like, time ta duel and all that crap.”

 

-GridIron LP: 4000, Zane LP: 4000-

 

“Okay man, my turn,” GI grinned. “I'll set two cards, and throw down a monster in defense.” GI's cards blinked into place.

 

“That all? Pathetic,” Zane snorted, drawing. “I activate `Graceful Charity'. Now I draw three cards and discard two. And next I'll play `Monster Reborn' to revive the monster I just discarded. Rise `Raremetal Dragon' (2400, 1200)!” The large black dragon rose beside Zane with a roar. “Raremetal Dragon, attack! Metal Flame!” The dragon fired a blast of fire.

 

“Check it, `Alien Grey' (300, 500). Now your monster gets a little doodad called an A-Counter.” A grey-green glob of flesh appeared above Raremetal Dragon's eye. “Oh, and I can also draw a card.” Zane sneered.

 

“Then I'll end my turn,” He said.

 

“Rockin' start dude,” GI sniffed, drawing. “Check it out, my `Pot of Greed'. I'll draw two cards now. And here's this card called `A-Blast'. Now all I gotta do is vape an Alien monster from my hand, and like, your monster gets an A-Counter for each star on my Alien. So like, now I'll ditch `Alien Mars' (Level 3) to put 3 more A-Counters on your dragon, far out.” The glob of flesh on Zane's monster pulsed and grew bigger, puss oozing from a hole.

 

“And here's `Alien Hunter' (1600, 800). Okay Hunter dude, blast that dragon!” The alien, a green-blue lizard creature with black armor and matching trident, ran forward and threw its trident at Raremetal Dragon. “And like, whenever an Alien battles a monster with an A-Counter, your monster loses 300 points per counter. Sucks to be you man!” Raremetal Dragon roared as the trident pierced the spot above its eye, the glob of alien flesh splattering on impact. “And it gets worse, because when Alien Hunter beats a monster with an A-Counter, he can attack again. Heavy huh?” Alien Hunter charged, grabbed its trident, and slashed Zane across the chest. Zane barely flinched.

 

-GridIron LP: 4000, Zane LP: 2000-

 

“And next I'll play a trap called `Crop Circles'. Now I can ditch my Hunter to bring out an Alien from my deck with the same level. So check it, `Alien Warrior' (1800, 1000)!” The new alien was silver and white with a pair of wicked, hooked claws. “Okay Warrior, time ta take down Truesdale with Galaxy Slasher!” The alien roared and leapt into the air, landing behind Zane and spinning into a slash across his back.

 

-GridIron LP: 4000, Zane LP: 200-

 

“I'll set a card and call it a turn. Your move man, make it count,” GI advised.

 

“I'm not pleased, Mr. Truesdale. You better win,” Shroud warned.

 

“I will,” Zane promised. Shroud smiled and reached into his pocket, withdrawing a small remote control.

 

“I know you will. In case you've forgotten Mr. Truesdale, I like my clients to duel a bit more…shockingly.” Shroud pressed a button on the control, and Zane's Dusk Disk beeped. He looked down at it, and gasped as a blast of electricity shot up his arm from the disk.

 

“What have you done?” He roared.

 

“A simple safeguard to ensure you don't betray me ever again,” Shroud sneered. “Unless you want to die, I'd keep dueling. Every time you fail me, you'll be punished.” Zane spun around, his eyes flashing.

 

“You bastard. Get this thing off of me!” Zane commanded.

 

“I would, but even I can't. You see that disk has a special safeguard built in it. Try and take it off and a secret switch in the wrist will cause it to self-destruct and explode. So if I were you, I'd keep that disk on and duel a little better,” Shroud warned.

 

“Shut up. You'll pay for this Shroud,” Zane snarled, drawing. “I play `Pot of Greed', and draw two cards. And next I'll summon `Cyberdark Horn' (800, 800).” A long metal dragon made of black metal slithered onto Zane's field, a gigantic pair of jaws roaring at GI. “And when he's summoned, I can give him the power of a Dragon in my Graveyard, and I choose Raremetal Dragon!” Raremetal Dragon appeared and let out a cry of pain as Cyberdark Horn's loose circuits wrapped around it and ensnared it (3200, 2000). “Alright, Cyberdark Horn, attack!” Horn screeched and launched a blast of black light. GI grinned

 

“Activate Trap `Alien Force Field'. Now sadly my monster stills bites the dust, but my Life Points are safe, and for every multiple of 1000 in your monster's points, it gets an A-Counter again!” Alien Warrior withered and crumpled in the heat of the blue blast. 6 globs of alien flesh appeared on the metal of Cyberdark Horn's body.

 

“I'll set one card face-down and end my turn.” Zane finished.

 

“Cool dude. Okay, I'll draw.” GI did and grinned. “Sweet man, check this out. It's a Trap called `Brain-Washing Beam'. It lets me control any monster with an A-Counter. Cool huh?” A ray of golden light engulfed Cyberdark Horn, and its eyes glowed red and it floated to GI's field. “And next I'll sacrifice your monster to bring out this! Check it, `Cosmic Horror Gangi'el' (2600, 2000).” A gigantic beast with metal parts and over a dozen steel tentacles rose behind GI. It opened its massive jaws and roared at Zane. “Now my monster normally needs two Tributes, but if I'm Tributing your monster, I only need one. So Cosmic Horror, waste the pro with Solar Blast!” Gangi'el fired a ray of orange light from its mouth. “It's like, over man.”

 

“Activate `Power Wall'!” Zane cried. He grabbed his deck and flung the cards into the air, sparks flying from the Dusk Disk. “Now for each card I send from my deck to the Graveyard, the damage I take decreases by 100! So I'll send twenty six cards to cancel out your attack!” A wall of white light appeared around Zane and absorbed the attack.

 

“Weak man, real weak, that's almost your entire deck.” GI sighed. “And it ain't gonna get any better, I play `Card Drain'. Now I get 1000 Life Points, and you can draw a card.” Zane rolled his eyes and drew. “And now if my math is right, you got only one card left man. Sorry, I think you lose.”

 

“You're a fool,” Zane chuckled.

 

“Wha?” GI gasped. Zane drew the last card in his deck with a smirk.

 

“I activate `Power Bond'. Now I can fuse Machines together to bring out a new monster. And I'll also play `Cybernetic Fusion Support'. So at a cost of half my Life Points, I'm allowed to use the monsters in my Graveyard in the fusion. I remove from play `Cyberdark Horn', `Cyberdark Keel', and `Cyberdark Edge' to summon forth this!” A long, black metal dragon flew in the air above Zane, roaring. “Behold my `Cyberdark Dragon' (1000, 1000)!” Zane crowed.

 

-GridIron LP: 5000, Zane LP: 100-

 

“Like, not chill man,” GI groaned, stepping back. His rusty glasses fell to the street with a clink.

 

“Next my Power Bond doubles his original attack power,” Zane called. “And then, he can drain the energy of a Dragon in my Graveyard, and I choose my Raremetal Dragon. And finally, for each card in the Graveyard, he gets 100 more points.” The evil machine (7600, 5400) glowed brightly as streams of energy flowed into it from Zane's Duel Disk.

 

“Ah man!” GI shrieked.

 

“Cyberdark Dragon, destroy him!” Zane roared. Cyberdark Dragon roared and launched a blast of fire at GI. GI dove for cover as the machine roasted the Reptile on his field to a crisp. His Duel Disk sparked at the power overload and burst into flame before self-destructing. GI screamed as the explosion sent him flying back to the street.

 

-GridIron LP: 0000, Zane LP: 100-

 

“Alright GI, pay up,” Shroud sneered, walking to stand over him. GI groaned and lifted a hand to grab a dumpster and pull himself up.

 

“C'mon Shroud dude, I'm broke, honest.” GI pleaded. “Gimme some time.”

 

“Your time is up,” Shroud sneered. “Now give me the money before I get angry.” GI winced and reached into his pocket.

 

“Here, take it, really, it's all I got, I'm gonna get the rest Tuesday!” He insisted, shoving a wad of bills towards Shroud. Shroud counted the money and smiled.

 

“It'll do for now,” He said. “You've got one week GI.” He turned and walked back to the waiting limo. “We're done for tonight. I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Mr. Truesdale.” Shroud slammed the door to his limo shut as Zane glared.

 

“What's the deal?” He snarled. “Open up!”

 

“Sorry, no room,” Shroud called up the window. Zane growled and pulled back a fist. His Duel Disk beeped and sent another blast of electricity up his arm. Zane fell to his knees as Shroud grinned. “What's wrong, Mr. Truesdale? From what I heard from my friends in the GX Tournament, you like pain.” Shroud finally let go of his control, and Zane fell forward with a groan.

 

“I think he's hurt sir,” The driver said.

 

“That's what happens to the dog when it bites the hand that fed it,” Shroud replied. “I've still got his original betrayal to make up for, and I intend to.” Shroud looked out his window as Zane slowly climbed to his feet. “I told you before, Mr. Truesdale: you'd regret firing me.” Shroud's limo roared down the street as Zane stared down as his Duel Disk and growled.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“Medium coffee, decaf. That'll be one forty-nine hun.” Alexis pulled open her purse and counted the spare change she had.

 

“Um…don't suppose you could let me off for a quarter?” She muttered, picking up what change she did have and putting her purse back in the lone suitcase she had at her feet. The waitress snorted and waved a hand at the broken down diner.

 

“Hun, does it look like I can spare a quarter?” She asked. “Sorry, I can't afford charity.” She picked the coffee back up from Alexis' table and started back towards the counter.

 

“I'll pay it.” A hand slapped a twenty down on the counter. “A little something extra for the courtesy fee too.” The waitress rolled her eyes as Aster took the coffee from her and sat down opposite Alexis. “What's up?”

 

“Great, what do you want?” Alexis asked, turning to stare out the window.

 

“To give you your coffee, and maybe talk a little,” Aster shrugged, pushing the coffee across the table. Alexis avoided eye contact as she sipped it and gagged.

 

“A buck fifty, and it's still a rip-off.” She muttered. Aster smirked slightly as Alexis choked down another drink.

 

“So, what's up with you?” Aster asked. Alexis stared at him.

 

“Why do you care? As I recall you never were Mr. Popular,” She reminded.

 

“It's been two years, a lot has changed for me.” Aster explained. “I just wanted to see how you were feeling over the match earlier.”

 

“I lost in my first duel in the Pro Leagues, how do you think I feel?” Alexis chuckled bitterly. “Why the hell was I booked against you anyway, you're the champion.”

 

“Yeah, I know. I didn't understand it either,” Aster sighed. “Look, seriously, I don't want you to get too depressed or anything. The last thing I need on my conscience is a repeat of Zane's career. The fact if I was just better this time.” Alexis raised an eyebrow.

 

“And I'm supposed to feel better?” She asked dryly.

 

“I'm not kidding, play back the duel. No matter what you had done I would have called all those monsters out next turn. You did well while you lasted, but you would have lost one way or the other.”

 

“I don't need to take this,” Alexis sneered, grabbing her suitcase and standing up.

 

“Hold on, I'm trying to help you here,” Aster insisted. “You are a good duelist, Alexis. It's not your skills that make you a bad duelist, or your deck. It's how you use them. A lot of duelists play to counter the opponent's moves and stay one step ahead. Me, I play without worrying about what my opponent is going to do because I'm two steps ahead. That's what separates the good duelists from the great ones. Do you think Yugi was always worrying what type of cards Kaiba was going to play? No, because he had a plan one way or the other.”

 

“Please don't tell me you're comparing yourself to the King of Games,” Alexis laughed.

 

“Not really, just how we duel. With a few modifications to your style, and maybe a couple of the new boosters, your deck could be really powerful,” Aster replied. “I know a place that can give you a discount on the boosters.”

 

“Thanks, but I don't take charity from a person more than once,” Alexis sniffed. “If you'll excuse me, I have to find a motel before the weirdoes come out on the streets.” She turned and walked out onto the street, wincing as a car zoomed past in a blast of wind.

 

“Motel?” Alexis rolled her eyes as Aster stepped up behind her. “Why would you need a motel, why not stay with a friend or your parents?”

 

“I told you, I don't take charity,” Alexis said, walking down the street. “The whole point of going to Duel Academy in the first place was…” Alexis stopped herself and groaned. “Why am I even telling you any of this, it's none of your business where I'm staying!”

 

“Maybe not, but the fact is that too many good duelists out there go to the gutters because of a few bad breaks. And I'd frankly hate to see another duelist with talent wind up on the streets. Domino has too many social drop-outs as it. Judging from your seeming lack of money I'm guessing no one offered you a sponsorship deal before you graduated, and it's next to impossible to juggle a dueling career and a job,” Aster told her. “You don't want to take charity, fine, that's admirable. But so is knowing when to swallow your pride and ask for help. Take it from someone who knows, Alexis, the dueling world is rough, and sometimes you need a little help to get started.” Alexis snorted and turned.

 

“What is with you anyway?” She asked, putting her suitcase down and crossing her arms. “What do you want from me?” Aster nodded to the street as a black limo pulled up.

 

“Well it's fairly obvious you don't like me, I can live with that, lots of people don't. But I don't want you to get all soured on the professional idea. And on that note, there's someone I think you should see.”