Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 26; Convergence! The Age of Death ( Chapter 26 )

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's reading the story. I just want to make a clarification on something. In a previous chapter I said that the dub of the TV series of Yu-Gi-Oh! Was horrible, I want to clarify, I mean the editing, the voice acting for the most part was well delivered, but if they'd left in all the Japanese elements it could have been even better.

 

Battle Stage 26: Convergence! The Age of Death

 

A figure rose in the mist, its striking crimson eyes were the only feature visible, “I have you trapped at last…”

 

Yuugi stepped beyond the group to face the figure, “Who are you?”

 

“Who I am is of no importance's, but I know who you are, Yuugi Mutou, Katsuya Jyoonouchi and Seto Kaiba, I have spent a great deal of time hunting you, now you are at my mercy.”

 

“A bit over the top isn't it?”

 

The figure laughed quietly, “Quite, but none the less accurate, do not fear, you will come to no harm.” The figure assured observing Anzu and Serenity cowering away from him, “Well, at first anyway.”

 

Yuugi growled, “What do you want?”

 

“I want you to play my game, you see, I have your Duellist League licences and I will rip them up unless you do exactly what I say.”

 

Yuugi glanced around to the faces of his friends continuing to frown as he looked back to the figure, “What do you want?”

 

The figure turned, “Seto Kaiba, check the computer.”

 

Kaiba walked around to the desk, on the screen was a map of the Shuba Region and a route guide, he examined it and rose to his full height, “What is this?”

 

“It's a guide to where I want you to go, you will compete in an underground duelling competition.” The figure began, Yuugi heard Amy gasp behind him, “What's underground duelling?”

 

The figure laughed, “You'll find out.” He responded as he and the mist began to dissipate. Yuugi walked forward to stand in the spot where the figure had been, “So… what do we do now?” Jou asked, Yuugi looked up, “What else can we do we have to go where they tell us.”

 

“Who are they?” Anzu asked as Yuugi paced the entrance, the rain that had been falling in sheets since the start of the day was finally beginning to thin out, “Whoever's been keeping an eye on us.”

 

“What do you mean, keeping an eye on us?” Jou asked confused.

 

“Back in Hel you said you felt like we were being watched…” Anzu responded to Yuugi.

 

“And you called me paranoid…” Yuugi responded to which Anzu ducked her head smiling slightly, Serenity frowned, “Like that person in Rhodes?”

 

“What person in Rhodes?” Jou asked, now even more confused, Yuugi sighed anticipating the response to his next statement, “On the island I battled a Vampire Lord who had taken control of the population and Seto, Mai and Isis. I won, but he killed the population and Isis, he tried to kill me as well, but I was saved by someone. I don't know who he was but his eyes were so cold…”

 

“You were attacked? Anzu and Jyoonouchi exclaimed Yuugi waved his hand, “He was killed before he got to harm me. Besides, I don't think he was apart of the same group.”

 

“What makes you say that?”

 

Yuugi paused collecting his thoughts, “The figure who came today, whomever he has working for him they've been out to hurt us. But whoever saved me on Rhodes I think he was working for someone who wants me alive for their own purpose, whether they want me alive after they've finished with me… that's another question entirely.”

 

Everyone fell silent until Yuugi spoke again, “Seto, download the route map to my DMT and we'll go.”

 

Seto nodded catching Yuugi's DMT, Yuugi stopped in front of Jou, “I know you didn't sleep with Anzu, I'm sorry…”

 

Jou considered Yuugi for a moment before striking Yuugi across the face. Anzu and Serenity rushed to Yuugi's side as Jou massaged his knuckles, “Apology accepted.”

 

Yuugi held his aching jaw scowling through the pain, “Bastard.” He muttered being helped to his feet by Serenity and Anzu. Seto, Mai and Amy approached while Jou stalked over to the reception desk. Seto glared at Anzu turning to Yuugi, “Do you want to fill us in?”

 

Yuugi looked from Anzu to Seto, “Well, Serenity passed on some new information it… was somewhat convincing…”

 

“So you just crawled back into…” Mai started by Yuugi cut her off, “No, I've told Anzu, I've moved on. I'm with Serenity now she understands, I hope…” He explained walking away with Serenity in tow.

 

Mai and Seto crowded around Anzu as Yuugi ascended the stairs, “Listen to me Anzu, Yuugi's been yanked around enough already, don't think you can worm your way back into his heart.”

 

“Hey, Yuugi's the one who put the brakes on. I love him I know that now, but he's moved on and I have to let him, he might decide one day to give me a second chance he might not. I'll have to live with that.” Anzu whispered burying her head in Amy's shoulder.

 

Upstairs Serenity went around Yuugi to stand in front of him, “Yuugi I need to know something, I need to know that we're going to stay together now that Anzu's back.”

 

“Serenity…” Yuugi responded quietly but Serenity cut him off.

 

“Yuugi, Anzu betrayed your trust, she made out with your best friend, my brother. She shows up again, batters her eyes and you fall into line? I love you, I gave you my virginity!”

 

Yuugi dropped his head, “I know, I care about you Serenity, but… I need time to work out how I feel about Anzu, I just need some…” Serenity didn't let Yuugi finish instead cutting him off with a slap across the face running to her room crying. Mai rushed upstairs throwing an admonishing glare to Yuugi as she passed.

 

“What, did you…” Anzu stuttered using the railing to support herself as Jyoonouchi stormed passed, “You miserable two timing!” Jou screamed attempting to tear one of Yuugi's limbs off and beat him over the head with it. Kaiba dragged the belligerent teen down the stairs leaving Anzu and Yuugi alone for the first time since before they entered Janus.

 

Anzu's azure orbs welled with tears staring up the stairs at her love, once again her heart broken, “You slept with her…” She asked, Yuugi nodded putting his head back, “Just like you slept with… what did you say your name was?”

 

“Amy, Amy Dunn, how did you know?” Amy asked as she came up the stairs to stand beside Anzu.

 

“I saw it in the way you were looking at each other.” Yuugi responded closing his eyes. Anzu stepped up slightly, “Why did you sleep with her?”

 

“Because, she wanted me to, because she was so warm, so willing and she made me feel loved.”

 

“So this is my fault?” Anzu shot, Yuugi shook his head, “That's not what I'm saying… I just wanted someone who cared about me and Serenity did…” He responded seeing Serenity emerging from her room with Mai. They walked passed Yuugi and Anzu without a word.

 

Yuugi sighed, “Oh yippie, what a fun endeavour we embark on.”

 

A few minutes later the seven were assembled in the reception area. The tension was palitible, Serenity refused to look Yuugi or Anzu in the eyes, Jyoonouchi growled quietly flexing his fingers, his eyes bearing down upon Yuugi's slender frame.

 

Mai cleared her throat, “Let's go.”

 

The group filed through the doors and out onto the road. Following Yuugi the group was taken through the forest. Dense undergrowth hampered their progress until finally cutting through to the end of a road, the group stopped, “Well Yuugi?” Kaiba asked.

 

Yuugi studied his electronic map tracing the route with his finger, “The location is at the end of this path.” Yuugi responded, Kaiba glance at the ground then out to the trees, “The other end, other end.” Yuugi qualified, Kaiba smirked and walked ahead with the group while Yuugi trailed behind.

 

The path cut a straight line through to an abandoned village. A charcoal stench hung in the air, the ground around the building was soaked with ash. The buildings were scared and smashed, broken windows allowed a view of the interior, Anzu peered through frowning her stomach turning over seeing the broken and burnt corpses inside, “Yuugi, are you sure that map was accurate?”

 

“Pretty sure.” Yuugi responded standing in the middle of the street as the others mulled around examining the remains of the area. Anzu sighed, “It's that Mutou sense of direction again…” Anzu muttered as Yuugi checked his DMT again.

 

Jou stood peering into another window, “Well, where have you taken us this time?” He growled, Yuugi returned his glare, “Exactly where we were told to go.”

 

“But there's nothing here!” Jou yelled gaining the attention of the rest of the group. Yuugi scowled, “Thanks Jou, being stupid my comprehension of the situation was lacking.”

 

“Don't be a smart arse Yuugi, it doesn't suit you.” Jou spat, Serenity pulled on his arm to stop him from doing something reckless. Jou glanced to Serenity and nodded. Anzu walked beside Yuugi, “Can we not have another argument, please.”

 

Yuugi nodded glancing back at Jou, “Yeah, come on, let's go.” He said turning away from the others. Anzu watched on confused, “Go where, we were told to come here.”

 

“According to Yuugi…” Jou muttered.

 

“Katsuya!” Mai snapped, Yuugi turned back, “No Mai let him talk.” Yuugi responded Mai shook her head.

 

“You had the map but we ended up here, I think you're scared, you haven't got the balls to take on these Underground Duellists.”

 

Yuugi smirked wryly, “You don't think I have the balls… well, don't throw stones Katsuya…”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“I'm just saying that if you couldn't even lay Anzu…” Yuugi responded smugly. Jou lunged at Yuugi, “You miserable son…” He yelled but was blocked, Yuugi's fist smashed across Jou's face sent him reeling back to the ground swearing through the pain. Yuugi glared down at Jou, “I told you Katsuya, I took the route designated, I've never been afraid of facing anyone in a duel…”

 

“Just in emotional situations.” Katsuya muttered which Yuugi chose to ignore. He pulled the map up on the DMT and studied it wandering towards a near by ravine then stopped suddenly, “Ah, guys, found it…”

 

The group rushed to the lip of the ravine. Below them was a canvas dome measuring a mile across and a mile high. Kaiba blinked, “I've seen that design before…”

 

“Millennium Dome?” Yuugi responded to which Kaiba nodded. Amy blinked, “Millennium Dome?”

 

“In London, it's… you can look it up on Wikipedia later, let's go.” Yuugi responded walking around the lip of the ravine to a rough path leading down to the dome. Two men stood flanking the door the entrance giving Yuugi contemptible glares as he approached.

 

As Anzu followed Yuugi down the path her shoe hit metal, leading down she picked up a sign half buried under the dirt, “Seto, can you read this?”

 

Kaiba took the sign, “It's Russian, it says we're in the town of Bilir, it's a small town in Russia.”

 

Anzu looked back at the burnt out buildings, “This was a Russian town… makes you wonder where we really are.”

 

Kaiba glanced at her and smiled, “Good, you're not as stupid as I thought you were…” He responded smirking, as Kaiba laughed his way down the hill Amy and Mai restrained Anzu from doing something unfortunate involving the sign, and Kaiba's head.

 

Joining him at the bottom of the hill the others found Yuugi and the thugs standing in silence, thug A was holding his finger to his ear nodding. Yuugi looked back at the group and shrugged as the thug took his finger from his ear and glared down to Yuugi. “You may enter.” He said stepping aside. The group passed through the entrance into the dome.

 

The corridor stretched into the main chamber, a descending well of a stadium with a stage at it's centre. A ramp led from the stage with a Titantron above it to a glass walled duelling arena. The group stood on the highest balcony watching the people below file into the mosh pits below the arena.

 

“This stadium must hold fifty thousand people.” Kaiba estimated, Yuugi nodded, “Maybe more.”

 

“What are we doing here?” Serenity asked meekly, Yuugi glance back to her, Jyoonouchi shielded his sister, Yuugi could only see half of Serenity's body, “We're waiting to see what will happen… remember the figure said we'd find out what underground duelling was, so we'll find out.”

 

“I thought we were supposed to participate…” Jou responded disdainfully. Kaiba barely glanced back to him, “We will, but we won't walk into a situation we know nothing about.”

 

“Right…”

 

Soon the stadium was full of people, a secondary stage lowered from the rafters settling beside the titantron. Yuugi shrugged when Kaiba gave him a questioning glance.

 

Suddenly the speakers sprang to life, a hologram appeared in the centre of the arena, an impeccably dressed announcer, “Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to our latest event, to open the show Marilyn Manson and Personal Jesus!”

 

On the secondary stage appeared a hologram of Marilyn Manson and his band performing a flawless rendition of his song Personal Jesus. When the song finished the titantron came to life a camera focused down upon a pair of men sitting at a desk. “Welcome to an Underground Duelling event broadcasting live across the internet, except in China where we're banned. My name is Jack Walker and he is David Morgan and tonight will crown a new King of Duellists, for one night only we will see the return of the greatest team in the history of duelling.”

 

“Yeah, yeah, but for now we have a special exhibition match, our World Champion, as embarrassing as it is having him as our world champion will put the title on the line in a champion vs. champion match against our Intercontinental Champion.”

 

“It's here, right now!” Walker announced cutting off his colleague as the crowd roared it's approval. Out of the smoke and Placebo's Pure Morning came a six foot three brunette in a long black trench coat, blue shirt and jeans. The crowd chanted Phoenix over the music.

 

Yuugi peered down, he squinted then looked to Anzu, “Isn't that?”

 

“His name is James Phoenix Carlstrom…” Amy interrupted causing everyone to stare at her. Anzu was the first to speak, “How do you know that?”

 

“We dated, once.” Amy admitted, Yuugi lent against the railing watching Phoenix assail the arena, “Who is he?”

 

“He's the so-called King of the Death Match a master of Underground Duelling. Well he was…”

 

“Was?”

 

“About twenty months ago he disappeared, no one knows why, then about three months ago I heard he'd reappeared participating in legitimate tournaments.”

 

“King of the Death match, how did he get that nickname?” Jou asked as Phoenix stirred the crowd, “He lived.” Amy responded turning away, Jyoonouchi stared at Amy's back for a moment, his eyes wandering downwards until Anzu smacked him in the back of the head.

 

After a few moments their attention was diverted by the announcer again, “The opponent, the Extreme Duelling Champion, Jean Claude Magnum!”

 

A tall man with beige hair in a crisp white tuxedo walked onto the stage holding up his World Championship as the crowd and commentators looked on with distain. “Well, here he is, our `World' champion, Jean-Claude Moron, the twenty eighth highest grossing action star in the last what?”

 

“Year?”

 

“About that.”

 

“We should give the man some credit, he does have the title.”

 

“So, he shouldn't have been allowed in the building, he's a joke.”

 

“We will now determine the match classification.” The hologram announced, the crowd went silent as the lights lowered, spotlights hung above the duellists. The spotlights went through a series of random shifts until arriving at black, the crowd cheered.

 

Everyone looked to Amy who'd dropped her head and spoke without looking at anyone, “It's a death match, each player starts out with eight thousand life points, the first to hit zero, dies.”

 

Jyoonouchi swallowed, “That's kind of permanent.”

 

Yuugi nodded, “Yes it is.”

 

“Too permanent.” Anzu agreed resting her hand on Yuugi's shoulder, “Yuugi, let's get out of here, we can talk to Pegasus, there has to be another way to resolve this apart from this blood sport.”

 

“No, we have to play the game his way for now, until we know where it leads.” Yuugi responded lifting Anzu's hand off his shoulder looking down to the arena. Kaiba was about to interject when the announcer beat him to it, “Ladies and Gentleman final bets are being taken please standby.”

 

Yuugi looked to Amy, “Bets?”

 

Amy pointed; Yuugi followed her finger to a black sphere at the left-hand side of the stage. “It's a transmission hub; it receives input from all over the world, Aristocrats and others among the world's more deviant rich bet on the outcome of matches.”

 

“So that's why they can afford this stadium.” Kaiba surmised to which Amy confirmed with a nod.

 

Once again the announcer cut in to their conversation, “The final bets have been placed, the challenger will take the first move, Let's Duel!”

 

Phoenix Life Points: 8000

Magnum Life Points: 8000

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Opticlops (Dark/Fiend/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1700) in attack mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down and end my turn.”

 

::Magnum::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Panther Warrior (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/2000 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down.”

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Zure, Knight of Dark World (Dark/Fiend/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down.”

 

::Magnum::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I activate Scapegoat (Quick Play/Spell) to summon four sheep tokens (Earth/Beast/1 ATK/0 DEF/0) in defence mode;

 

2. I'll sacrifice a Sheep Token;

 

3. To allow Panther Warrior to attack!”

 

“I activate Sakuretsu Armour (Trap) which destroys your attacking monster.”

 

“Clever opening move, any duellist worth their salt should have Sakuretsu Armour in their decks. At a key moment it can cripple a strategy, face down it can make an opponent hesitate and he who hesitates is lost.” Morgan explained as Phoenix began his move.

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Foolish Burial (Spell) I select a monster from my deck and send it to my graveyard;

 

2. But it won't be there for long, Monster Reborn (Spell) to revive Invader of Darkness (Dark/Fiend/Effect/8 ATK/2900 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

 

3. Since Invader of Darkness was a special summon I can summon Archfiend Soldier (Dark/Fiend/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

4. Archfiend Soldier, Opticlops, Zure, Knight of Dark World attack Scapegoats;

 

5. Invader of Darkness attack!”

 

“I play Michizure (Trap) when a monster on my side of the field is destroyed this card allows me to destroy one monster on your side of the field.”

 

“I counter with Trap Jammer (Counter/Trap) which negates and destroys your Michizure.”

 

Archfiend Soldier's, Opticlops's and Zure, Knight of Dark World's attacks destroyed Scapegoats; Invader of Darkness's attack inflicted 2900 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Invader of Darkness's attack ripped through to Magnum connecting with his stomach. Magnum doubled over spitting blood from his mouth. Phoenix smiled, “First blood is split.” The crowd cheered, Anzu squeezed Yuugi's shoulder, he nodded patting her hand.

 

Phoenix LP: 8000

Magnum LP: 5100

 

::Magnum::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I'll play one of my favourites, Succubus Knight (Dark/Warrior/4 ATK/1650 DEF/1300) in attack mode;

 

2. Lightening Blade (Equip/Spell) to increase Succubus Knight's attack eight hundred points (ATK/2450);

 

3. Succubus Knight attack!”

 

“Nice try, I counter with Magic Cylinder (Trap) which reverses Succubus Knight's attack back to you!”

 

Succubus Knight ripped through Magnum's suit tearing into the shoulder of his duel disk arm. The limb hung limply at his side as Phoenix began his turn.”

 

Phoenix LP: 8000

Magnum LP: 2650

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I'll end this now, I draw;

 

1. I sacrifice Opticlops to summon End of Anubis (Dark/Fiend/Effect/6 ATK/2500 DEF/0) in attack mode…”

 

“No you haven't Bottomless Trap Hole (Trap) destroys your monster and removes it from play.”

 

Phoenix scowled, 2. “That's ok, Final Ritual of the Ancients (Ritual/Spell);

 

3. I send Archfiend Soldier and Zure, Knight of Dark World from my field;

 

4. To summon Reshef the Dark Being (Light/Fiend/Ritual/Effect/8 ATK/2500 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

5. I activate Reshef's special ability sending Shrink (Quick Play/Spell) to the graveyard to take control of Succubus Knight;

 

6. Reshef the Dark Being, Succubus Knight, ATTACK!”

 

Reshef the Dark Being and Succubus Knight's attacks inflicted 4950 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Phoenix LP: 8000

Magnum LP: 0

 

Seconds after Reshef's attack subsided, Succubus Knight sliced through Magnum, his blood sprayed across the back wall of the duelling arena. Magnum's body crumpled to the ground. Up in the stands Anzu had buried her head in Yuugi's chest; Serenity had done the same with her brother. The boys, Mai and Amy watched as Phoenix approached the body picking up the championship raising it above his head.

 

The announcer reappeared, “Your winner and New World Champion, Phoenix!”

 

The crowd surged in delight as the music blared out of the speakers, suddenly the music died as did the crowd noise. Phoenix pointed into the stands, to Yuugi.

 

“Yuugi Mutou, face your fate in the death match…”

 

To Be Continued…