Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 33: Revelation! The Sins of Tomorrow ( Chapter 33 )

Author's Note: Come on people, you must have an opinion on this story…

 

Battle Stage 33: Revelation! The Sins of Tomorrow

 

James Carlstrom returned his gaze to Yuugi Mutou's Amethyst eyes, “I want you to come with me, I have something you need to see…”

 

“Where have I heard that before…?” Yuugi thought for a moment, “Well there was that one time at band camp with Jyoonouchi…” Yuugi shook his head dismissing the memory returning his focus to James, “What do you want to show me?”

 

“I'd rather show than tell, come…” James responded bekoning him forward, but Yuugi remained steadfast, James turned back to him smiling, “What, don't you trust me?”

 

“Trust is earnt, not given away like candy, besides you were threatening to kill me a couple of hours ago…”

 

“Heh, you don't know me so let me make this clear, if I were to kill you, you would be facing me and you would be armed.”

 

Yuugi remained steadfast, James sighed, “Yuugi, this is something you need to see…”

 

Yuugi growled and grudgingly followed James up the path. Emerging from the canyon he found a small four-seater helicopter waiting for them. Without a word James climbed in, Yuugi followed suit and within moments they were airbourne. After about ten minutes of silence Yuugi turned to his unlikely companion with a question, “Why didn't you carry out your threat in the stadium?”

 

“I didn't have an opportunity…” James responded curtly looking out the window to the fields below.

 

Yuugi scowled, “No way, we both know Reshef could have ended the duel and killed me easily, so why didn't you?”

 

James rubbed his temples, “Because I knew killing you would solve nothing, you didn't kill Mal…”

 

“Neither did you.” Yuugi pronounced, James smiled sardonically, “That's a matter of opinion dear Yuugi.”

 

“Yeah… where are we going?” Yuugi asked returning to the matter at hand.

 

James glanced down below, “On the duellist maps it's a big empty barricaded area on the edge of the Lost Lands, in reality it's a secret test bunker for genetic research.”

 

“That's where the duel monsters genome project was started?” Yuugi questioned looking out the window to the ground below.

 

James nodded, “Indeed, the planning stages began around the time of the Duellist Kingdom, but only in limited laboratory projects in the depths of I2 buildings on the Nellus Air Force Base in Nervada, North America.”

 

Yuugi smiled disbelievingly, “No way, Nellus is allegedly Area 51 you're saying the DM Genome project was conducted on a top secret Air Force facility in the middle of the United States…”

 

James returned Yuugi's smile, “You read International news don't you?” Yuugi nodded allowing James to continue, “Genetic research is one of the most controversial topics in modern parlance, it invokes bitter even violent arguments amongst experts and commentators alike. The DM Genome project is the biggest genetics project ever undertaken, it influences all parts of society and possibly the future of humanity. The US government provided money and assets to I2 to help continue the research in secret.”

 

“So at some point the research hub was transferred here to develop the duel monsters for the Duellist League. What…” Yuugi began before seeing James pulling a gun from his jacket, “Is that…”

 

“It's a Mateba revolver.” James responded checking he had six live rounds and a clear barrel before replacing the breach and placing the revolver back inside his jacket. Yuugi watched him in stunned silence for a moment, “Why do you have a gun on you?”

 

James smiled, “To be honest, what we're doing… we shouldn't be…”

 

“We're back to me and Jyoonouchi in the trees at band camp.” Yuugi cut in with a rye grin, “Don't get your hopes up, this is a secure facility they have guards with guns who have orders to shoot trespasses on site.”

 

“Everyone around here is so trigger happy, it's like being in America again…” Yuugi replied with a shake of his head, James did the same continuing speaking as if Yuugi hadn't, “They won't care who you are if they see you they will kill, that's why I have the revolver.”

 

“Yeah, great, how long until we get there?” Yuugi asked hesitantly relaxing his head on the seat. James pulled back his sleeve to look at his watch before responding, “About twenty minutes, I'd get comfortable.”

 

Meanwhile Anzu wandered the corridors of the stadium waiting for Yuugi to return. Finding a corner and a chair Anzu sat pulling a small notebook from her pack. Inside dance steps filled the pages, thumbing through she found the page she wanted. It was the only page in the book free of dance steps, instead it had a worn and torn photo taped to the paper. Anzu smiled turning her book horizontally stroking the photo gently.

 

The photo had been taken a few days after the battle city finals outside Yuugi's Grandfather's Games Shop, Yuugi knelt at the front of the group with the battle city trophy and a V-sign, to Yuugi's left was Jou, his sister's arms wrapped around his neck her head resting on his shoulder. Otogi and Honda stood back to back grinning to Yuugi's right while Anzu stood between Yuugi and Jyoonouchi a hand on his shoulder the other in a victory sign. Yuugi's grandfather was behind the camera taking the photo.

 

It was a few moments of peace in Anzu's tumultuous teenage life, moments she'd savoured. If Anzu had one wish at that moment sitting in the underground duelling stadium it would be that they were all back in Domino at Yuugi's in front of a roaring fire his arms wrapped around her, her friends… elsewhere if Anzu were being honest with herself. As Anzu was caught up in her thoughts Amy approached resting her hand gently on Anzu's shoulder, Anzu looked up and smiled, “Hey.”

 

A bittersweet expression crossed Amy's face as her eyes drifted over the notebook, Anzu's fingers had been caressing Yuugi's face absently as she thought, “You still love him don't you?”

 

Anzu blushed realizing her fingers were still resting on Yuugi's face, Anzu looked into Amy's eyes tenderly and nodded, “Yeah, I do.” She responded quietly.

 

Amy's gaze dropped sighing unsure of how to respond, after a long moment of silence Anzu spoke, “I'm really sorry Amy I… I didn't mean too…” Anzu began, Amy squeezed her shoulder to silence the brunette, “I know you didn't Anzu, I always knew I was your rebound girl, I guess I knew eventually it would be over…”

 

“I didn't want it to end like this…” Anzu whispered small tears running down her cheeks, Amy brushed some hair away from Anzu's face smiling bitterly, “I didn't want it to end at all…” Amy responded kissing Anzu gently savouring the taste of her lips, both girls closed their eyes gently caressing each other's bodies with their fingers for a few moments before separating.

 

Amy stepped away from Anzu, her bangs hanging over her eyes, “I can't ask Yuugi to leave Serenity but I can't lie to you either…” At this point Amy spoke, “It's… ok Anzu you don't need to explain just, let me walk away…”

 

Anzu nodded sadly tears rolling down her cheeks as she watched Amy disappear down the stadium corridors. When Amy was alone she collapsed against a wall in tears sliding to the floor. Putting her head back Amy let the tears roll down her face, “Anzu, my sweet peach, don't see… Yuugi's not the only one, I love you too…”

 

At the same time James and Yuugi's helicopter was touching down at the research facility, as soon as they had vacated the chopper and gotten clear it took off, Yuugi spun around, “Where's the helicopter going?”

 

“It'll be back to retrieve us when we're done… the guards remember, “James responded walking away. They had landed in a wide alleyway, before theme was a large entry to a loading dock, a rampway led to a steel plated elevator. Approaching the door James took a key from his pocket and turned it in the lock opening the door, the two men stepped inside, the door immediately closing behind them.

 

Yuugi turned to his unlikely companion and blinked, “Sooo, now what?”

 

Patience Yuugi, give me a moment…” James responded turning to the control panel, reaching into his jacket James pulled a cylindrical pen length device with a blue dome light at the top. Yuugi watched curiously as a low hum came from the device as James drew it across the seams of the panel. Moments later the panel swung open like a cabinet door, James smiled, “Jackpot.”

 

While James manipulated the circuitry Yuugi pondered a question, “What was that thing?”

 

“What, this?” James asked holding up the device while not looking away from his work, Yuugi nodded a response, “It was a gift from someone I met in my travels, it's a useful little tool a kind of electronic swiss army knife… got it!”

 

The lift suddenly sprang to life with a solid hum as it began to descend quickly into the depth of the complex. A minute later the lift stopped and opened into a corridor, it was dark except for an occasional electrical spark from the reminants of the overhead lighting. The metallic panelled walls were scarred with ash and burns the occasional gash exposed the circuitry beneath. The floors were covered in soot, glass, burnt circuitry panels, blood, wiring and insulation. James pulled a flashlight from his jacket and encouraged Yuugi forward, the torch light accentuated the acrid smoke that hung in the air as they ventured forward.

 

Approaching the end of the corridor the two were confronted by a pair of doors, one to their left was a second lift. However at that moment their attention was drawn by the scorched broken doors that half covered the entrance before them. Switching off the torch James pushed the doors aside allowing them to enter the dimly lit lab. Yuugi could see a briny viscous substance reflected in the glow of the monitors, glass shattered under Yuugi's feet as he gingerly moved forward towards the monitors.

 

“Why are we here, I don't understand?” Yuugi asked confused turning to James who stood half hidden by shadows, James exhaled drawing a cigarette from a pack, “This was an incubation lab run by this woman…” James responded switching the torch back on, Yuugi followed the light to a woman sprawled on the floor, dried blood stained her grey shirt and blonde hair. Yuugi knelt beside her cupping her face gently, “She was beautiful, what happened?”

 

“One of her experiments got out of control…” James answered as Yuugi resumed his feet, “What experiment?”

 

“Check the tank at the end of the room.” James requested handing Yuugi the torch, Yuugi moved towards the end of the lab a large empty tank sat smashed open glass and brine strewn at the foot of the tank. Yuugi stopped short almost dropping the torch, James exhaled frowning, “I see you noticed.”

 

“How, why is my name on this tank…” Yuugi whispered, James laughed bitterly, “What do you think, it's not a dedication plaque…” Yuugi spun on his heels to face James, “What are you saying, they cloned ME!”

 

“Yes, that's what I'm saying.” James responded coldly.

 

“I-I don't understand how they…” Yuugi began but James cut in, “Think have you given blood in the last six months?”

 

Yuugi shook his head, “No I… wait…” Yuugi's eyes drifted right for a moment, “Last year, Anzu made a big school drive for blood donations, she roped Jyoonouchi, Honda, Yami, Ryou Serenity and I into giving first, I felt a little wobbly afterwards.”

 

“That's all she would have needed, a couple of pints of blood and insta-Yuugi.” James explained, “There's another me out there?” Yuugi asked, James shook his head, “It's worse than that, this is a duel monsters genetics lab, it's not just another you its another Yuugi Mutou with the abilities of the world's most powerful duel monsters plus your strategic mind, I'm struggling to decipher a more dangerous combination.”

 

“Why did they do this…?” Yuugi asked bewildered, James looked down at the body, “Not they, her. Doctor Jane Turner, another fan of yours, this one is, was, slightly more obsessed than your run of the mill fan, she had a PhD in applied genetics and gene therapy. She was lonely and wanted a friend, recognition for her genius. But the experiment got out of the lab, killing her and multiple guards before escaping the facility. This is why I brought you here Yuugi you need to know that there's another version of you out there and you need to be ready.”

 

“I…” Yuugi started but James held up his hand peering around the door, he sighed, “Arse…”

 

“Unwanted company?” Yuugi whispered, James glanced back and nodded holding up four fingers while drawing his gun. Glancing around the door James was forced to dodge out of the way as the guards opened fire, “Ok, new plan…”

 

Pulling his “Electronic Swiss Army Knife” from his jacket James turned it on aiming it at one of the computer terminals causing it to spring to life. Yuugi waited until the device was back in James's jacket before asking the obvious question, “What plan?”

 

As if to answer Yuugi's question the lift doors adjacent to the lab opened, Yuugi looked at James, “That lift will take you to the roof, it won't be intercepted or overridden, I'll hold them off until the lift comes back for me, when I say…”

 

“James…” Yuugi responded warningly but James cut him off, “Yuugi you need to get out of here, there will be a helicopter waiting, now, when I say run, run.” James turned pulling his Mateba crouching by the door, James glanced back, “Ready?”

 

Yuugi nodded and James lent out opening fire on the patrol, after the second shot James yelled, “Run!” Yuugi dived out hitting the farthest wall from the lab inside the lift. As the opposition opened fire the doors of the lift closed. James remained crouched behind the shattered door, re-arming, “Hey, let's do a deal, you put down your guns… I come out and shoot you, how about it?” His answer was gunfire, “No? Ok.” James yelled returning fire.

 

Yuugi emerged onto the roof, dust and debris was being kicked up by the rotors of the large cargo helicopter that was hovering just above the roof. Yuugi ran towards the chopper pulling the sliding door open, climbing in the pilot looked back, “Where's James?”

 

“He's on his way.” Yuugi responded looking anxiously back to the lift doors.

 

Meanwhile, below the fight continued with James quickly running low on ammunition, the opposition though had plenty of ammunition to continue the fight with. James was down to his last two replacement breeches as the lift returned. James exhaled launching himself from his shielded position letting off four rounds in time with his steps hitting the walls of the lift as the bullets flew around him. The doors shut and James slid down the wall, blood trickling underneath him, James pulled his mobile from his jacket and dialled a number, “Take off, plan b… I just need to rest… a minute…” The mobile dropped to James's side as the blood pooled beneath him.

 

In the helicopter the pilot hung up the phone, manipulating the controls causing the helicopter to rise from the roof. Yuugi hit the plexiglass barrier, “Hey, we have to…” Yuugi turned to look down at the roof to see James's body lying in the lift, the voice dying in his throat. Yuugi dropped into the seat his head in his hands breathing deeply, “It's another body to add to the pile… I wonder who'll be next…” Yuugi wondered aloud staring at the floor.

 

Meanwhile in Haven, “Ladies and gentlemen flight 223 express from Domino, Japan is arriving at gate 12…”

 

As the plane disembarked a squat older gentleman in green overalls, a cream shirt and a green cap stepped off the plane a small pack on his shoulders. Sugoroku Mutou looked over the terminal shaking his head, “Well Yuugi, you can't run now.”

 

In another section of Shuba a man in robes stood at a candle lit alter, his fingers caressing a photo in his hands. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door, “What?” The man asked, the doors opened and Malik Ishtar entered closing it behind him, “It's prepared, our people are in place awaiting your orders.”

 

“Tell them to go when they appear.” The man in robes responded placing the picture back on the alter. Malik raised his head, “It will end soon, won't it?”

 

The robed man smiled, “Yes, one way or another it will be an end, or a beginning.”

 

Malik nodded, “Indeed, we will see.”

 

To Be Continued…

 

Author's Note: Some of the events in this chapter may sound similar to what happened to Jaden in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. I just want to make it clear that while they are similar I didn't know until very recently that happened. I haven't watched most of GX so I wasn't aware until I read it on Wikipedia, anyone who takes issue with the similarities I apologise.