Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 30; Saint's of Death! Renaissance of a Thief ( Chapter 30 )

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's reviewing, I'm flatted by the praise being given. For Dalton's comment about the story being bleak, *Laughs* you haven't seen anything yet.

 

Battle Stage 30: Saint's of Death! Renaissance of a Thief

 

Jyoonouchi walked back into the locker room a cloth pressed against the wound on his head. Walking through the door he felt the eyes of his friends and Kaiba bearing down upon him. Jou put on a weak smile, “Sorry…” He mumbled.

 

After a few moments a closed eyed Kaiba spoke, “It was a competent performance, regret nothing.”

 

Jou blinked as his sister embraced him, “Uh… thanks Kaiba…”

 

Amy approached the Jyoonouchi's and took Katsuya's hand gently, “Let me see.” She asked pulling his hand and the cloth away from his head, “It's not too bad, you'll have a nasty scar though.”

 

Jou smiled, “Girls like battle scars, right?”

 

Amy shrugged a response as a knock came from the door, opening it the secretary who signed them up to the tournament entered the room carrying a clipboard. She smiled, “Team Mutou, due to the limited space in the stadium, you've only been allocated three rooms for the night, my apologies for the inconvenience.” The secretary reported before turning to leave.

 

When she was gone Jyoonouchi turned to the group, “We can assume Anzu won't be budging from beside Yuugi.”

 

“A safe bet.” Kaiba agreed.

 

“So that just leaves us, I guess you two will want a room to yourselves?” Jou begrudgingly asked of Kaiba and Mai, who nodded, “Ok, Serenity and I can…” Jou began but Amy cut in.

 

“I think Serenity and I can bunk together, if Serenity doesn't object.”

 

Serenity quickly shook her head, “Nope.”

 

“That's settled then, I get a private room.” Jyoonouchi finished with a small smile.

 

As the group prepared to turn in for the night after a late dinner, Bandit Keith was in another section approaching the door to his bosses office. He knocked and entered, “You wanted to see me?”

 

“Yes, I did.” Phoenix responded moving from his seat to beside the fireplace, “Answer me one question, what's the one rule about match types?”

 

“It doesn't matter…”

 

“Answer the question!” He yelled the force of his anger snapping Keith's head back.

 

“Once the match is decided it cannot be changed…” Keith recited word for word.

 

“So what were you doing earlier?” Phoenix asked, his tone as deliberate as his words.

 

“They're not…” Bandit Keith started before Phoenix interrupted again.

 

“WHAT were you doing earlier?” Phoenix repeated yelling the first word. Keith scowled, “I broke the rules.”

 

“Yes you did, they may be part of what we're fighting against but we must be true to our tradition. Do it again and you won't live out the day, if I don't, they will. At least I would make your death quick.” He said sitting on the arm of the chair, Keith came closer, Phoenix patted him on the shoulder, “Don't cross me again, understood?”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

“Good, go.” Phoenix said allowing Keith to leave.

 

Once Phoenix was alone his phone vibrated, he frowned and answered, “Yes, now? Very well, where?” He asked, pulling a notepad towards him he made a note. He hung up the phone without another word, folding the paper into a pocket he left quickly via the rear door.

 

Leaving the dome Phoenix walked to his Mercedes Mclaren SLR and started the engine leaving the area hurridly. An hour later he stopped at the edge of a path and walked to the set location.

 

He had just lit a cigarette when a long car in beige pulled up beside him. Putting out the cigarette against the sole of his shoe he entered the vehicle, “Mivac 62, nice work if you can get it.”

 

“Thank you James, brandy?”

 

“You need to ask Pegasus? Now, can you explain why you've called me out here in the middle of the night?” James asked being handed a warm brandy.

 

“I wanted a progress report, since they have been lacking recently I thought I would come to you.”

 

“Sorry, been a little busy keeping your protégé alive, as for your report they're all alive competing in an Underground Duelling event, happy now?” James responded curtly.

 

Pegasus made an indignant sound before responding, “So, what of your intentions, have you changed your mind?”

 

“Driver, stop here.” James asked before turning to Pegasus, “My intentions are my own, like any good duellist I won't reveal my hand until the time is right.”

 

Stepping out of the car James walked back into the wood, once Pegasus was sure he was gone he ordered his driver to depart.

 

The next morning Yuugi's friends assembled in his room, Anzu sat by his bed, Anzu's bloodshot eyes testament to her vigil. Mai put a blanket over her shoulders as Jou paced the foot of the bed, “How long does he have to be unconscious before we get him to a hospital?”

 

“We should have taken him already, but we can't.” Amy responded, Serenity's head shot up, “Why not?”

 

“They won't let us leave until the tournament is over, this is illegal, they won't risk being discovered. I've seen them shoot on sight if someone tries to leave; I doubt they've changed that policy.”

 

“We won't be able to help him if we're dead, with that I believe it's my turn to duel.” Kaiba responded kissing Mai before leaving the room.

 

Amy shook her head, “What do you see in him?”

 

Mai smiled, “That's my business.”

 

In the arena they had finished preparing for the day and Paint it, Black by the Rolling Stones heralded Seto Kaiba to the stage. He smirked as angry eyes bore through him, he enjoyed the hatred he inspired.

 

“His opponent from London, England, representing the Saints of Death, Ryou Bakura!”

 

Kaiba's head snapped around to the big screen as Anarchy in the UK by the Sex Pistols blared over the speakers, emerging from the stands was Ryou Bakura in worn and torn jeans, Union Jack sleeveless shirt under a black leather jacket and black boots. His white hair cascaded down his back as his chocolate brown eyes shone out from his albino skin.

 

Bakura stepped into the ring, his eyes a blaze with blood lust. He smiled at Kaiba, “I guess I should feel honoured, it's not every day one gets to duel the High Priest of Pharoah Atem's court.”

 

Kaiba sneered, “Theif, where's your light half?”

 

Bakura tapped his head, “Safe in here, for the moment.”

 

As they talked the coin toss and match selection had occurred, the announcer appeared, “This will be a normal match, Ryou Bakura has won the toss let's duel!”

 

Ryou Bakura Life Points: 8000

Seto Kaiba Life Points: 8000

 

::Ryou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I hope you don't get scared when the lights are off because I summon Fear from the Dark (Dark/Zombie/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

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

 

::Kaiba::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Kaibaman (Light/Warrior/Effect/2 ATK/200 DEF/700) in attack mode;

 

2. He won't be around for long though, I activate its special ability and tribute it to summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon (Light/Dragon/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

 

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

 

::Ryou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I sacrifice Fear from the Dark to summon Dark Dust Spirit (Earth/Zombie/Effect/6 ATK/2200 DEF/1800) in attack mode;

 

2. When Dark Dust Spirit is normal summoned its special ability destroys all face-up monsters except for itself;

 

3. Now attack!”

 

“Not so fast I activate Dimension Wall (Trap) which reverses the damage of your attack back onto you!”

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 8000

Ryou Bakura LP: 5800

 

::Seto::

 

“I draw;

 

1. To bad Dark Dust Spirit returns to your hand at the end of your turn, I summon Kasier Sea Horse (Light/Sea Serpent/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1650) in attack mode;

 

2. And attack!”

 

Kaiser Sea Horse's attack inflicted 1700 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 8000

Ryou Bakura LP: 4100

 

::Ryou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I activate Coffin Seller (Continuous/Trap) I'll get back to this in a moment;

 

2. I summon Regenerating Mummy (Earth/Zombie/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

3. Regenerating Mummy attack;

 

4. When your monsters are sent to the graveyard Coffin Seller takes an additional three hundred from your life points;

 

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

 

Regenerating Mummy destroyed Kaiser Sea Horse; Coffin Seller's effect activates.

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 7400

Ryou Bakura LP: 4100

 

::Seto::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Luster Dragon (Wind/Dragon/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

 

2. Luster Dragon attack!”

 

Bakura made an admonishing sound, “You made a cardinal mistake High Priest and now you'll pay, Sakuretsu Armour (Trap) negates your attack and destroys your monster which activates Coffin Seller's ability again!”

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 7100

Ryou Bakura LP: 4100

 

::Ryou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I sacrifice Regenerating Mummy to summon Vampire Lord (Dark/Zombie/Effect/5 ATK/2000 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

2. I remove Vampire Lord from play to summon Vampire Genesis (Dark/Zombie/Effect/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2100) in attack mode;

 

3. Vampire Genesis attack!”

 

“Attack, but I will be defended, I activate Conscription Order (Trap) you turn over the top card of your deck, if it's normal summonable it's summoned to my side of the field.”

 

“Hunter of the Dark Realm - Blue (Dark/Fiend/Effect/3 ATK/1400 DEF/800).”

 

Vampire Genesis's attack destroyed Hunter of the Dark Realm - Blue.

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 5300

Ryou Bakura LP: 4100

 

::Seto::

 

“I draw;

 

1. X-Head Cannon (Light/Machine/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1500) in defence mode;

 

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

 

::Ryou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I activate Forced Ceasefire (Trap) this card prevents the activation of Trap cards until the end of this turn;

 

2. I also activate Vampire Genesis's special ability to send Regenerating Mummy from my graveyard;

 

3. To summon Dissolverock (Earth/Rock/3 ATK/900 DEF/1000) in attack mode;

 

4. I sacrifice Dissolverock to summon Ryu Kokki (Dark/Zombie/Effect/6 ATK/2400 DEF/2000) in attack mode;

 

5. Ryu Kokki attack;

 

6. Vampire Genesis attack!”

 

Ryu Kokki's attack destroyed X-Head Cannon; Vampire Genesis's attack inflicted 3000 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Ryou Bakura LP: 4100

Seto Kaiba LP: 2000

 

::Seto::

 

“Not bad, I draw;

 

1. I summon Divine Dragon of Ragnarok (Light/Dragon/4 ATK/1500 DEF/1200) in attack mode;

 

2. I end my turn.”

 

::Ryou::

 

“Look what I've reduced the High Priest to, cowering behind his weak monster waiting to die, I draw;

 

1. I play one card face down;

 

2. Ryu Kokki attack!”

 

“I activate Spirit Barrier (Continuous/Trap) as long as I have a monster on my side of the field battle damage is reduced to zero.”

 

Bakura smiled, “True, but Coffin Seller activates and my Vampire Genesis KILLS!”

 

“Not on this turn, my other face down card is Draining Shield (Trap) this card negates your monster's attack and increases my life points by the same as your monsters attack.”

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 4700

Ryou Bakura LP: 4100

 

::Seto::

 

“You think without my Blue-Eyes White Dragons I can't win, you're mistaken, I draw;

 

1. I summon Lord of Dragons (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1200 DEF/1100) in attack mode;

 

2. I play Dragon Mirror (Spell) by removing Lord of Dragons from my field and Divine Dragon of Ragnarok from my graveyard;

 

3. I can summon King Dragun (Light/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/7 ATK/2400 DEF/1100) in attack mode;

 

4. I play Demotion (Equip/Spell) this card lowers King Dragun's level two stars;

 

5. This means I can equip Fusion Weapon (Equip/Spell) to King Dragun to increase its attack and defence fifteen hundred points (ATK/3900 DEF/2600);

 

6. I activate King Dragun's effect to summon Devil King Dragon - Vandalgion (Dark/Dragon/Effect/8 ATK/2800 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

 

7. Finally I'll equip Devil King Dragon - Vandalgion with Dragon Treasure (Equip/Spell) to increase its attack and defence three hundred points (ATK/3100 DEF/2800);

 

8. Devil King Dragon - Vandalgion attack Vampire Genesis;

 

9. King Dragun attack Ryu Kokki!”

 

Bakura laughed, ”It's not over yet your destruction of Vampire Genesis triggers A Deal with Dark Ruler (Quick Play/Spell) to summon Berserk Dragon (Dark/Zombie/Effect/8 ATK/3500 DEF/0) in attack mode.”

 

“Son of a bitch…”

 

Devil King Dragon - Vandalgion's attack destroyed Vampire Genesis; King Dragon's attack destroyed Ryu Kokki.

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 4700

Ryou Bakura LP: 2500

 

::Ryou::

 

Bakura laughed, “Look at that, my turn, I draw;

 

1. You think you're safe behind Spirit Barrier, to bad I have Remove Trap (Spell) to destroy it, simple yet effective;

 

2. I add Axe of Despair (Equip/Spell) to Berserk Dragon to increase its attack one thousand points (ATK/4500);

 

3. Berserk Dragon attack Devil King Dragon - Vandalgion!”

 

Berserk Dragon's attack destroyed Devil King Dragon - Vandalgion; Coffin Seller and Berserk Dragon's effects activate. (ATK/4000)

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 3000

Ryou Bakura LP: 2500

 

::Seto::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play one card face down and end my turn.”

 

::Ryou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Berserk Dragon attack!”

 

“Counter, Negate Attack (Trap) which negates your attack, you're done.”

 

Beserk Dragon's effect activates (ATK/3500).

 

::Seto::

 

“I draw;

 

1. You've run out of luck thief, I play De-Spell (Spell) to destroy your Axe of Despair (ATK/2500);

 

2. I use King Dragun's special ability to summon Armed Dragon LV5 (Wind/Dragon/Effect/5 ATK/2400 DEF/1700) in attack mode;

 

3. King Dragun attack;

 

4. Armed Dragon LV5 attack!”

 

King Dragun's attack destroyed Berserk Dragon; Armed Dragon LV5's attack inflicted 2400 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 3000

Ryou Bakura LP: 0

 

Bakura glowered at Kaiba as the announcer raised his hand, “Your winner, Seto Kaiba!”

 

Saints of Death: W: 1 L: 1

Team Mutou: W: 1 L: 1

 

Without a word Kaiba turned on the balls of his feet and walked away, Bakura waited for a moment then followed. As he entered the locker room the group fell silent, Jou stood to place himself between the thief and Serenity. Bakura laughed, “Relax mortal, I am not here to harm any of you.”

 

“Then why are you here, and where's our friend?”

 

Bakura smiled, “Relax, he's safe in here.” He replied touching his head.

 

“Then let us talk to him.” Jou demanded.

 

Bakura sighed, “Very well.” He closed his eyes and his body glowed, suddenly he became shorter. The glow faded and Ryou stumbled falling against Amy's body, he smiled slightly, “You're here, he said you would be.”

 

“Ryou, what happened when did you get here?” Jou asked supporting Ryou's weight.

 

“That doesn't matter now, you need to know, it's coming…” Ryou replied being helped to a bench.

 

“What?”

 

“The darkness, it gathers in the shadows, ever since the Cerimonial Battle, you have to stop it…” Ryou whispered his head down, Jou leaned in, “Why, what happens if we don't?”

 

“Hell rises to earth and you all die.” Bakura replied a perverse smile filling his eyes as he raised his head. The fear filling Serenity's eyes made Bakura laugh, “Hell awaits you.” He promised rising from the bench almost gliding out of the room.

 

Serenity wrapped her arms around her brother as the intercom came to life, “Mai Kujyaku please report to the arena…”

 

To Be Continued…