Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monster GX Fan Fiction ❯ The Darkness of Destiny ❯ A Duel to the Death ( Chapter 16 )

The Darkness of Destiny

 

Chapter 16

 

A Duel To The Death

 

Alexis ran down the street, her eyes glancing down at her watch every few seconds.

“I'm coming Aster,” she thought, turning a corner. Finally, she reached the boardwalk east of the seaport, and ran down the wooden steps, narrowly missing several people who turned and shouted at her as she passed them. The wooden planks of the boardwalk ended with a concrete staircase down to the Domino seaport. The crowds ended, and Alexis looked around.

 

“Zigfried!” she cried, running down the rows of warehouses. “Where is he?” she thought, turning a corner.

 

“Halt!” Alexis skidded to halt and spun around. An armed security guard stepped out behind her from the doors of a warehouse. “You're trespassing on private property,” the guard snapped.

 

“Where's Zigfried?” Alexis snapped. The guard smiled.

 

“Ah, you must be Alexis Rhodes. Mr. Schroeder told us to be expecting you,” he chuckled.

 

“Well you got me here, so where is he?” Alexis repeated.

 

“Relax, we've been told to take you to him,” the guard said. He held open the door he had come from. “After you,” he offered. Alexis walked towards him and narrowed her eyes.

 

“Is this some sort of trap?” she hissed.

 

“Yeah,” the guard shrugged. “Of course, we've got your little boyfriend Aster, so do you really have a choice?” Alexis growled.

 

“I'm not playing your games,” she muttered.

 

“On ze contrary Ms. Rhodes.” Alexis's head snapped to the side as Zigfried appeared in the doorway of the warehouse. “You're role in my game is about to become even bigger,” Zigfried explained. Alexis felt something wrap around her face, and she struggled as she was lifted into the air by the guard. Her feet kicked backwards to no avail.

 

“My, she's a lively von,” Zigfried smirked. “Take her inside, ve're about to start,”

 

“Yes sir,” the guard nodded, taking the struggling duelist into the warehouse.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

Zane walked down the street with his eyes down, he looked up and gasped. His eyes widened, then narrowed again. The man stepping out of the cab ahead of him caught his eyes and cried out, turning around and running down the street. Zane ran after him and grabbed the back of his coat, turning down an alley and flinging the man to the asphalt. His cloak pushed itself over his head as his hat rolled away.

 

“Shroud, you twisted little worm,” Zane hissed, watching his manager groan and push himself up. “Where have you been slithering the last few days?”

 

“Zane, stay away from me!” Shroud yelled, backing away from him. Zane lunged, and Shroud screamed and turned to run. Zane grabbed Shroud's hair and swung him into the brick wall face-first. Shroud screamed as his teeth rattled and he tasted blood.

 

“Schroeder, Shroud! That name mean anything to you?” Zane asked.

 

“Not a thing!” Shroud insisted.

 

“Wrong answer!” Zane roared. He pulled Shroud back to the ground, putting a boot on his chest and kneeling down. “The Schroeders, Shroud! Kaiba Corp's biggest rivals. Kaiba Corp runs the Pro Leagues, the Schroeders fund the Underground Leagues, quite a coincidence, wouldn't you agree?”

 

“Yes, yes I'd agree!” Shroud cried.

 

“Really?” Zane muttered, grabbing the front of Shroud's shirt. He swung the man to his feet and pressed him back against the wall, holding him by his collar.

 

“Please don't hurt me…” Shroud whimpered, his feet kicking the wall.

 

“Shut up and stop whining, it's pathetic,” Zane ordered. “So tell me Shroud, how long did you think you could string me along, huh?”

 

“What are you talking about?” Shroud asked, blinking.

 

“Let's see, you express an interest in me just before Kaiba Corp starts a tournament, and then Aster gets kidnapped. I'd say you've got some talking to do Shroud, and you can start with explaining your little scheme with the Schroeders.”

 

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Shroud insisted. A fist slammed into Shroud's jaw, and he cried out.

 

“Strike one,” Zane hissed.

 

“Zane, please…”

 

“Wanna go for strike two?” Zane asked, holding back his fist.

 

“Alright alright!” Shroud wailed. Zane lowered his fist as his manager gasped for breath. “Zigfried and his wife, they own the Underground Leagues, they've run the thing since day one. They hired me on as a promoter. Then when one of our spies got wind of Kaiba's tournament a month ago, they came up with a plan to take over Kaiba Corp. So they had me rehire you.”

 

“So, I was expected to win the whole tournament and then just kindly let you all use me to destroy the company?” Zane sneered. “Do you think I'm just an idiot you can order around?”

 

“That Duel Disk on your arm and the shock generators inside it say yes,” Shroud snickered. Zane tightened his grip on Shroud's coat. “Look, Alicia and Zigfried made the plan, I just helped!” Shroud continued. “Then you started winning by smaller margins, so they thought they'd go straight for Aster in case you lost.”

 

“And what about me, huh?” Zane demanded. “You forget about me and swipe Aster, where does that leave me?” Shroud winced.

 

“In case anyone found out about our connection to the scheme…you would be framed for it and take the heat off of us,” he explained. Zane growled and dropped Shroud onto the pavement.

 

“Where is Zigfried?” he said coldly.

 

“I don't know…” Shroud whispered. Zane reached down. “The seaport, he has a warehouse at the seaport!” Shroud wailed as Zane grabbed his neck.

 

“Good,” Zane said, standing up. “And in the future, Shroud, the next time you see me, you better pray I don't see you.” Zane turned and walked down the alley. Shroud watched him before reaching a shaky hand into his pocket and pulling out a small phone. He dialed and watched, nursing his jaw. The phone picked up after two rings.

 

“It's Thomas. We may have a problem…”

 

Zane marched onto the street and headed for a cab on the curb. A man with a briefcase was walking towards it. Zane pushed him aside and pulled open the back door.

 

“Hey, that's my cab!” the man protested.

 

“Not anymore,” Zane replied, climbing inside and closing the door.

 

“C'mon man, not cool,” the driver said. Zane reached into his pocket and tossed a fifty onto the passenger seat.

 

“Domino seaport,” he said. The driver picked up the bill and whistled.

 

“Yessir!” he nodded, grabbing the steering wheel.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“Wake up Phoenix.”

 

Aster's eyes blinked open, and he looked up as a burly man in a security uniform unlocked the shackles on the chair. Another man behind him held out a Duel Disk.

 

“Master Zigfried has ordered you to put this on and come with us,” the guard said, pulling back the edge of his jacket. Aster locked his eyes on the guard's holstered pistol as the second pulled him to his feet. Aster reached out and took the Duel Disk, taking out the deck and looking at it. It was his deck. He put the deck back in the Duel Disk.

 

“Come with us,” the second guard said. Aster turned and followed him through the door to a long hallway lines with doors. Acknowledging the footsteps of the guard following them, Aster followed the one in front of him into an elevator. The three stepped inside, and one of the guards pressed the button for the ground floor. The steel structure lurched to life and hummed as it descended.

 

As the doors opened, Aster saw a large room with a single door on the opposite end of it. In front of said door, Zigfried stood next to Alicia. The rest of the room was well decorated with wall-mounted lamps and a small oak desk in front of Aster. A small silver briefcase lay propped against the back of a chair.

 

“So, now what?” Aster sneered, stepping out of the elevator.

 

“Velcome Herr Phoenix, to ze end game,” Zigfried chuckled. “It is in zis very voom zat you shall lose everyzing you value.”

 

“We'll see,” Aster scowled.

 

“Yes ve vill. Now, approach ze desk,” Zigfried instructed. Aster hesitated for a moment before obeying. The two guards moved down, and Aster lowered his head to watch as two metal shackles chained to the desk clamped over his ankles.

 

“Here you go, Herr Phoenix,” Zigfried said, sliding a piece of paper and a pen across the desk.

 

“What's this?” Aster scowled, picking up the paper.

 

“A contract to Schroeder Corp and ze Underground Leagues,” Zigfried explained. “If at any time ze game gets too much for you, ze just sign ze contract and ve vill end ze game immediately.”

 

“I'm not going to do that,” Aster snapped, throwing the contract over his shoulder. One of the guards placed it back on the desk.

 

“Vat a pity,” Zigfried sighed, closing his eyes. “Alicia my dear, bring in ze second participant of our game.” Alicia nodded and opened the door behind her.

 

“Let me go!” Alexis shrieked, struggling with two guards as they dragged her in by her arms.

 

“Alexis!” Aster cried, straining against the chains around his legs.

 

“Aster?” Alexis said, growing still. “What's going on?”

 

“Good question,” Zigfried said. The two guards pulled out a pair of handcuffs and slapped one around Alexis' wrist before bringing the chain up over one of the lamps on the wall and cuffing the other wrist. Alexis pulled at the lamp, her feet barely touching the floor. Next, Zigfried approached and reached into his pocket, withdrawing two small, black metal bands with small spikes. He clicked them open and slipped one over Alexis' wrist.

 

“What are you doing?” she demanded, pulling at the handcuffs.

 

“You're going to help us break Herr Phoenix, will, body und spirit,” Zigfried explained, clicking the other cuff into place. “Vell, Alicia my dear, ze game is yours.” Two of the security guards followed Zigfried out of the room, the other two staying behind Aster. Alicia picked up the briefcase nearby and flipped it open, picking up a Duel Disk and sliding it onto her arm.

 

“So, what are the rules of this game?” Aster spat.

 

“They're quite simple. Duel me and win, and you're both free to go,” Alicia said with a smile. “But if I win, both you and Alexis here become duelists in the Underground League.”

 

“That's it?” Aster laughed.

 

“Aster will wipe the floor with you!” Alexis shouted. Alicia smirked.

 

“Oh, I have no doubt of that,” she thought. “In fact, I'm counting on it.”

 

“Well, shall we begin Aster?” she asked, turning on her Duel Disk.

 

“It'll be a pleasure,” the pro replied, activating his own disk. “Let's duel!”

 

-Aster LP: 4000, Alicia LP: 4000-

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“It's really quite ingenious, if I say so myself,” Zigfried chuckled, walking out of the warehouse. “By ze end of ze duel, even if Herr Phoenix wins, he'll be in no position to compete in the tournament. Ze is quite literally no vay ze plan vill fail. Now, let's go und get ze chopper veady, ve need to get out of here as soon as possible in case zose wretched Kaibas find us.”

 

“Are you sure you want to leave sir, don't you want to watch your wife's duel?” one of the guards approached a stationary helicopter on the docks

 

“Zat is not needed, Alicia can handle Aster and Alexis on her own,” Zigfried replied. “Vith ze type of duel I designed for her, ze is no way ve can lose.”

 

“The game's already started, huh?”

 

Zigfried and his guards stopped as Zane walked down the concrete peer towards them.

 

“That's a pity. I guess I'll just have to plan with you three,” he finished.

 

“Mr. Schroeder, allow us,” one of the security guards said, pulling out his gun. His partner followed suit.

 

“Schroeder?” Zane scowled, narrowing his eyes. “You must be Zigfried.”

 

“Zat I am, and you must be Herr Truesdale,” Zigfried said. “I see Thomas couldn't keep his mouth closed.”

 

“I hope you have the same problem,” Zane said, walking forward again.

 

“Stand back kid,” the guards said, cocking their guns and raising them.

 

“Now now gentlemen, Herr Truesdale is our top client,” Zigfried coaxed, holding up his hands. “He has come all zis vay looking for me, it is all I can do to indulge him, its only polite.”

 

“Good to see you're so eager,” Zane smirked as the guards holstered their weapons.

 

“Yes, but a request, if I may,” Zigfried called, turning and leaning inside the helicopter. “If you veally vant a go vith me, Herr Truesdale, zen how about ve solve our little spat ze vay I did vhen I vas your age?”

 

“How's that?” Zane asked. Zigfried turned out of the copter and took a few steps forward. Zane lowered his gaze slightly and smirked. A rather old but functional Generation 1 Duel Disk was on Zigfried's arm.

 

“I know you little urchins zese days are so violent, but if you can calm down and face me like a civilized young man, I may be villing to talk about your involvement with us,” Zigfried said.

 

“You want to duel me?” Zane sneered. “This isn't some kiddie game like they played during Battle City, old man. You don't know what you're up against.” Zigfried bristled slightly at the `old man' remark, but regains his composure.

 

“Vell if you're so confident, zen zere should be no trouble, vight?” he asked.

 

“Whatever,” Zane said, activating his Duel Disk. “This duel won't take long.”

 

“I quite agree,” Zigfried nodded, turning on his classic Duel Disk. “Alvight Herr Truesdale, let's see how good ze favorite to vin ze title veally is!”

 

-Zane LP: 4000, Zigfried LP: 4000-

 

“I'll start,” Zane said, drawing. “I summon `Volcanic Dragon' (2200, 0000)!” The large red dragon appeared on Zane's field with a roar, spreading its wings wide. “Then I'll place a card face down and end my turn.”

 

“Zat move vas pathetic,” Zigfried scoffed.

 

“Then you do better,” Zane countered. “Let's see if your dueling skills are as old and outdated as that Duel Disk on your arm.”

 

“I assure you, my techniques may be a little out of date, Herr Truesdale, but ze true beauty of my deck far surpasses zose violent var machines you use,” Zigfried said, sliding a card into his Duel Disk. “I activate ze Spell card `Graceful Charity'. Zis lets me draw three cards as long as I discard two.” Zigfried drew and placed the cards in his hand before slipping two others into the discard slot. “Now, let's see vat I drew,” he smiled, lifting his hand. His eyes widened slightly.

 

“Vell Herr Truesdale, it seems zis duel is over before it even began,” he chuckled, looking up. He reached out and took a card from his hand. “It is time to, how do you urchins say it…go `old school' on you.” Zigfried held his card into the air with a smirk.

 

“Vith zis, ze ultimate Spell card `Vide of Ze Valkyries!”

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“I'll begin our little game,” Alicia said, drawing. “I play `Poison Rose' (500, 500) in defense mode.” A small pile of thorns grew up from the carpeted floor, budding and blooming into a dark violet flower blossom. “What a lovely flower, isn't it? I'll place two cards face down and end my turn.”

 

“Is that all?” Aster said. “That little rose bud is nothing, I'll clip it like a weed.”

 

“Then go ahead and summon a monster. With only five hundred defense points, my lovely little rose is nothing to your hero cards,” Alicia replied.

 

“She's trying to psyche me out, but it won't work,” Aster thought, looking down at his hand. “Even if that rose has an ability, I won't know until I attack, and the only way to get Alexis and me out of here is to win. So I have no choice.”

 

“I summon `Destiny Hero Dunker' (1200, 1700),” he announced. The dark-skinned hero rose from the floor in a flash of light, flexing its arms. “Dunker, that rose into compost!” Aster commanded. Dunker ran across the field and swung a large arm into the flower. Alicia cringed as a blast of smoke burst up from the impact. “So much for that plant,” Aster smirked.

 

“Don't count your flower buds before they bloom,” Alicia advised as Dunker leapt back in front of Aster. “Observe.” The smoke cleared, and Poison Rose continued to sit in front of Alicia.

 

“No way!” Alexis protested.

 

“Afraid so, Poison Rose can't be destroyed in battle, as long as I'm willing to discard one Plant card from my deck to the Graveyard that has more attack points than the monster she battles,” Alicia explained. “I'll send `Darkworld Thorns' (1200, 900) to the discard pile to save my little blossom. My Plant has twelve hundred points, and Dunker has eleven, so your attack fails!”

 

“Fine, I'll find another way to take it out,” Aster scowled.

 

“Before you do that, Poison Rose has another ability. Whenever she's attacked, one card in your hand is discarded to the Graveyard,” Alicia said. Aster shrugged and discarded `D-Spirit'.

 

“I don't need that card anyway,” he said.

 

“Perhaps, but it's time to take something you do need! I reveal my Trap `Magical Thorn'!” Alicia laughed. Aster looked down and gasped as thorn-covered brambles burst from the floor and wrapped around his legs. “Since you just discarded a card, my Trap inflicts five hundred damage to you!” Alicia said. Aster scowled, then screamed as an electric shock tore through his body a moment later.

 

-Aster LP: 3500, Alicia LP: 3000-

 

“What…was that?” Aster gasped, clutching his chest.

 

“That's the effect of the electric shock generators my dear husband installed in your Duel Disk,” Alicia explained. “Every time you lose Life Points, you'll feel as though they were ripped from your body!”

 

“That's insane!” Alexis protested.

 

“That's how we duel in the Underground Leagues,” Alicia countered. “Get used to it, because every duel you ever play after this will be exactly the same!”

 

“So you have a similar stipulation?” Aster clarified.

 

“I do,” Alicia nodded.

 

“Good, then I'll discard `Destiny Hero - Disk Commander' from my hand,” Aster continued. He cringed as another shock burst through him. “Thanks to Dunker's effect, I can discard a Destiny Hero to deal five hundred damage to you!” Dunker leapt up and lifted its hand as a giant ball of energy appeared in its palm. It hurled it down at Alicia with a roar.

 

-Aster LP: 3000, Alicia LP: 3500-

 

“Let's see how you like getting the jolt!” Aster said. Alicia shrugged. There was a beeping sound, and then…

 

“AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!”

 

“Alexis!” Aster shouted. Alexis collapsed and hung limply by her handcuffs, the black bracelets Zigfried had placed over her wrists smoking slightly. Alexis groaned and panted for breath.

 

“I said a similar stipulation,” Alicia lectured. “Every time you take damage, you'll be shocked Aster. But if I take damage, then its your friend Alexis who takes the pain.”

 

“You….” Aster growled. “I forfeit then!”

 

“Aster, no!” Alexis urged.

 

“No, I won't duel, not like this, this is practically cheating!” Aster explained. “Neither of us is gonna be hurt, I refuse to duel!”

 

“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Alicia said, pulling a small remote control from her pocket. “I control the manual override for the shock systems connected to both of you. So if you think Life Points damage is the only way to make you both suffer, think again.”

 

“Then…” Aster whispered, looking down at his Duel Disk.

 

“There's only two ways out of this duel, Aster!” Alicia mocked. “Surrender and sign that contract to Schroeder Corp, or defeat me!” Aster looked up with a stunned look. “The question you need to ask yourself, Aster, is what matters more? Alexis' life, or your career? And I'd figure it out quickly if I were you, because the longer this duel takes, the more punishment I can inflict on you!” Alicia laughed.

 

“By the time this duel is over, both of your bodies and spirits will be broken, and you'll be loyal employees of Schroeder Corp!”