Yu-Gi-Oh! re:ARC-V

Chapter 6

The Deck Passed

I'd been in the hospital for a couple of weeks when it happened.

"Ugh, even going to the bathroom is too much work," I groaned as I limped my way down the halls. It was then that I fell. But I never hit the ground. I opened my eyes to see that someone had caught me. I looked up to see a man with brown hair and glasses.

"You okay? Looks like you're not used to those crutches yet," he said with a smile on his face.

That was how we met...


"You're a Pro Duelist? What's that?" I asked. At the time, I'd only really heard of it. I had never actually played, though.

"Well, do you know what Dueling is?"

"Yeah. Some of my friends are into it."

"It's a game played all over the world, and every country has its contests," he explained.

"So if it's pro, then you make money in the contests?"

"Haha. Well, basically, yes. It must be pretty boring at the hospital. Do you want to try Dueling with me?"

"I dunno. You've gotta think a lot to duel, don't you?"

"It's easier than you think. Dueling is fun!" He laughed.

"Hmm... It's brawn over brains for me. Like baseball. That's how I broke my leg, though," I said.

"The hospital's really boring. I need something to do, don't you?" He had a point, though I didn't want to admit it.

"That doesn't mean it's okay to sneak out of bed!" A dark-haired woman yelled as she approached us.

"Uh-oh. This is my sister," he said sheepishly.

"Hi, I'm Midori Hibiki. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Judai Yuki."

"You know, my sister is going to be a teacher at Duel Academia next year."

"There's a school for that?!"

"Yup. That's how big Dueling is. Dueling is fun!"

"... Maybe I should try it," I muttered nervously.

That's how my Dueling days began. From that day on I Dueled him every day. Even after getting out of the hospital, I went to meet him after school. Dueling was so awesome... and he was even more awesome. But... he never got out of the hospital.


"Oh, man! I lost again! I spent all night putting that Deck together!" I threw my cards into the air in frustration. Looking back on it now, it was pretty stupid of me to think that I could beat a world champion so easily, but I guess that's how it is when you're a kid.

"Sixty-eight wins and two defeats. You've still got a long way to go, Judai. And you forgot lesson one again," he laughed.

"Darn it. Why can't I win? You just made that Deck a few minutes ago," I whined.

"You're still a long way from being able to duel me with my real Deck. This one," he grinned, holding it up.

"Really? Then when do I get to take on that Deck?" I asked.

"Well... that'll be the day you stand before me as a Pro Duelist." Back then, I didn't know what he knew. Back then, I thought that day might actually come.

"Hey, can I have another look at your Deck?"

"Hm? Yeah, sure," he responded. Of course, I'd seen it a few times before. But one card in it always stood out to me.

"Man, this is sweet. Terra Firma! It's the only one in the world! Is this card your favorite, too?" I never had asked him that question. Though I didn't believe his answer. Not at first, anyway.

"Umm... Yeah, it's important. But if I had to choose, I'd choose this one," he said, picking up one of the cards on the bed.

"Winged Kuriboh? But that's such a weak card. Why choose it and not one of your HEROes?"

"I'm gonna let you in on a secret, but you can't tell anyone," he whispered.

"Huh? What?"

"This card has a spirit inside of it."

"Yeah, right. There's no such thing as spirits. Gimme a break," I scoffed. As it turns out, I was wrong.

"Believe it or not, it's true."

"If you say so," I shrugged. "Anyway, I wanna see you Duel with this Deck. Are you gonna enter next month's tournament?" After he introduced me to Duel Monsters, I tried to learn everything about it that I could in my spare time. I knew the fifty strongest and fifty weakest Monster Cards by heart, and I had the tournament schedule for the year memorized, though the next Dragon Duel League wasn't for a while. That was the only one I could enter at the time, having been so young.

"Ah... the tournament," he muttered.

"Huh? Did you forget or something?"

"Huh?" He asked, head snapping up. "Oh, yeah... I guess my memory isn't what it used to be," he chuckled.

"You're only 20, though. Oh, well. I have this year's schedule memorized, so you can ask me if you forget again," I said. I took his answer at face value. Knowing what was really going on wouldn't have changed anything, but it was still stupid of me not to question it any further than I did.

"Thanks. You're a good kid, Judai," he smiled. It made me happy, knowing I could help him like that, but it was starting to get late. So I packed up and went home for the night. I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.


Of course, I came back the next day as always, even getting there early to surprise him. But what I found would weigh on me for a long time. The door was cracked open when I arrived, and Ms. Midori was shouting at him.

"You're gonna enter the next tournament?! Are you out of your mind? You're hospitalized." Ms. Midori had acted like that when we met, too. I thought she was overreacting, but I was wrong. As usual.

"I've already asked for an exit pass. Don't worry... I've been feeling a lot better lately."

"But what if you have another attack? What then?!" I didn't know it at the time, but he was suffering from an incurable heart condition. Exerting himself too much for long periods of time could result in heart attacks. The treatment he was getting at the hospital was good for keeping it stable, but... it was far from permanent.

"Sis... I may be ill, but I'm still a Pro Duelist! If I'm gonna go down, I want it to be a Duelist," he proclaimed.

"What...? That sounds familiar," she muttered.

"And, more than that... I want Judai to see. I want him to see the real me. The Duelist, not the sick weakling sitting here. I want him to see me in battle."

"You're so stubborn, you know that?" she sighed, shaking her head. "... I'll go with you... I'm your sister, and I'm going to support you. Even if I think that this is a bad idea."

"... Thank you, Sis."

I wasn't there for the next part, but from what Ms. Midori told me, the crowd was roaring inside the stadium. They loved him. Even now, I wish I could've been there.

"And the winner is... Koyo Hibiki! He advances to the semi-finals! He definitely lives up to the title of World Champion! He was hospitalized following his last tournament appearance, but in that blazing red costume, he's made a stunning comeback!"

On his way to the waiting room, he met one of his fans. A boy my age with black hair and dress clothes.

"H-Hello, Mr. Hibiki! C-can I have your autograph?" he asked nervously. It's actually kind of hard to imagine that, having known him for so long.

"Of course!" he beamed. Kneeling down, he took the boy's pad. "What's your name?"

"J-jun, sir. Jun Manjome. T-thank you for this," he stammered, dropping the card he was holding.

"Here you are, Manjome," he smiled, giving the pad back. It was then that he noticed the card. "You dropped your card." Apparently, Manjome hadn't noticed. Picking it up, a smile spread across his face.
"Wow, I've never seen this one before. Armed Dragon Thunder LV10. This looks like a crazy powerful card!"

"Yeah, it came with a pack I just bought."

"I see. Take good care of it!"

"Y-yeah! I will," Manjome exclaimed. "I want to become a Pro Duelist just like you, Mr. Hibiki!"

"Oh... that's good. I look forward to dueling with you, Manjome!"

"Th-thank you. Please win the game!" he called as ran off, laughing as he did so.

"I'll do my best."

He never got to participate in the semi-finals.

"I can't believe I overslept! And on such an important day!" When I got there, I was too late. He had collapsed immediately after he finished talking to Manjome. I pushed my way through the crowd. I saw him being rolled into the ambulance. I screamed his name as I ran after it, tears streaming down my face. I didn't know it at the time, but I passed Manjome on the way. He was out cold for most of the night.

"I'm in a hospital? Oh,I must have collapsed again... wait, is that Sis?" Ms. Midori had fallen asleep at his bedside. She was so worried about him that she had stayed beside him the entire time. She began to stir as he was talking.

"Thank God... You have no idea how worried I was." she cried upon seeing him.

"Sorry, Sis. I overdid it."

"So, Judai was here, too?"

"He was even more broken up about it than I was."

"It's my fault... he collapsed because of me..."

"Don't ever say that, Judai. It's not your fault..."

"Yes, it is!" I screamed. "This never would've happened if I wasn't so selfish! I'm the one who wanted to see him in the tournament! And I couldn't even be there for him when it mattered! That's why... that's why...!"

I ran off crying. I didn't come back for a week after that. And when I did, I couldn't work up the courage to enter the room. I just stood there, in front of the door.

"How am I supposed to get to my room with you blocking the door like that?" A voice called from behind me.

I turned around, and there he was. I grabbed him and started crying, my apologies coming out as choked sobs.

"It's alright, Judai. It's alright," he whispered, putting his head on my hand.

"So you overslept and missed my Duel?"

"... Yeah. I was so excited the night before that I couldn't sleep."

"So you didn't see my cool costume either?"

"No..."

"What was so cool about it?" Ms. Midori asked as she entered the room. "It was all red and flashy."

"You really think so? You wound me, Sis," he laughed, placing his hands over his heart for effect. And for the first time in a long time, I laughed with him.

"It was really that cool?" I asked, flicking a tear away from my eye.

"It was completely uncool," she snarked.

"No way. It was awesome."

"... I wish I could've seen it."


After that, we returned to our usual routine. For the next few months, I'd visit every day after school to Duel him. Until that day. I didn't know it yet, but that would be the last time I'd ever visit him like that again.

"... Judai," he began. "I want you to put a Deck together by Sunday. Make the best Deck you possibly can. You're gonna use it to Duel me and my best Deck."

"You mean your Elemental HERO Deck?! Sweet!" I exclaimed. It was what I wanted more than anything... or so I thought.

"This won't be a game like usual. When I use that Deck... it's for real."

I remember standing outside of the hospital that day. I was there in front of the entrance, gathering my thoughts.

"Make the best Deck you possibly can!"

"My best Deck..." I recalled the first time I'd ever seen it.

"Wow! So this your tournament Deck! C'mon, Duel me with it!"

"Haha, you've still got a long way to go before you're ready for this Deck!"

"Aw, c'mon!"

"The best Deck I can make!" I shouted as I ran home. If I was going to Duel against him with that Deck, there was only one option.


"Sis... please be there with me and Judai when we Duel."

"? I would've been there whether you asked or not. You know that. What's on your mind?"

"No... it's nothing."


I spent the week going over every one of them I could get my hands on. It was late Saturday night before I was done. My best Deck. I thought I was ready... but nothing could prepare me for that day.

I arrived at the hospital that afternoon. "Hello?" I asked as I gently pushed the door open. Ms. Midori was standing in the middle of the room, her hands behind her back.

"Ah, you're here, challenger!" she smiled. "I have a present for you, Judai! Try it on!"

She had been holding a Duel Disk. The kind that we used in Fusion. Well, back then, anyway. These were the kind that were made entirely of plastic and metal. We didn't switch to Real Solid Vision-based boards until a couple of years later. I still use the one they gave me back then.

"Wow! A Duel Disk! This is awesome!" I exclaimed. "But... are you sure? These are expensive, aren't they?"

"Kids shouldn't worry about things like that," she laughed. "Let's go! The champ is waiting!"

With that, she led me up to the roof. There he was, wearing his costume. He was right.

It was awesome.

"All right, Judai! Let's have our best Duel!" he shouted. This was what I'd spent the whole week preparing for. I. Was. Ready.

"Yeah! Let's go!"

"Then I'll start off, if you don't mind."

"Yeah, go for it!"

Judai Yuki

VS

Koyo Hibiki

Duel Start!

Turn 1

Koyo Hibiki

Judai LP/Hand: 4000/5

Koyo LP/Hand: 4000/5

"I summon Elemental HERO Voltic! Then I equip it with Voltic Spear, raising its ATK by 1000, and end my turn with a face-down!" Koyo exclaimed.

-x-

Elemental HERO Voltic

Level 4

LIGHT

ATK: 1000

DEF: 1500

[ Thunder / Effect ]

When this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: Return all banished cards to the Graveyard (s).

-x-

Voltic Spear

Equip Spell

Equip only to a Warrior-Type monster. The equipped monster gains 300 ATK. If the equipped monster is "Elemental HERO Voltic" it gains 1000 ATK, instead.

-x-

Elemental HERO Voltic ATK: 1000 + 1000 = 2000

-x-

"Huh? When did I start trembling?" I asked.

"Nervous? It's only natural in a situation like this," he said.

"Not at all!" I exclaimed. "I'm completely psyched! This is what I've always wanted!"

"Then show me. Show me your Duelist's soul, Judai!"

"You want it, you got it!"

Turn 2

Judai Yuki

Judai LP/Hand: 4000/5

Koyo LP/Hand: 4000/2

"I draw! I summon Elemental HERO Bubbleman! I activate its effect! Since he's all alone on my field, I can draw 2 more cards!"

-x-

Elemental HERO Bubbleman

Level 4

WATER

ATK: 800

DEF: 1200

[ Warrior / Effect ]

If this is the only card in your hand, you can Special Summon this card. If this card is Summoned, if you control no other cards: You can draw 2 cards.

-x-

"An Elemental HERO," Ms. Midori gasped.

"I see. So this is your best Deck, Judai," Mr. Koyo smiled.

"Yeah. It's an Elemental HERO Deck, just like yours. But it's my Elemental HERO Deck! I activate Bubble Shuffle! I swap Bubbleman and Voltic to Defense Position, then I tribute Bubbleman and Special Summon a different HERO from my hand! Come forth! The blade of justice that dashes through the night! Elemental HERO Bladedge!"

-x-

Bubble Shuffle

Quick-Play Spell

Target 1 face-up Attack Position "Elemental HERO Bubbleman" you control and 1 face-up Attack Position monster your opponent controls; change both those targets to Defense Position, then Tribute that "Elemental HERO Bubbleman", then Special Summon 1 "Elemental HERO" monster from your hand.

-x-

Elemental HERO Bladedge

Level 7

EARTH

ATK: 2600

DEF: 1800

If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent.

-x-

'Judai just summoned one of the most powerful Elemental HEROes on his first turn. He's become stronger in such a short time than I ever would've imagined. Koyo... what's your next move? How will you respond to his challenge?'

"Battle! Bladedge attacks Voltic! Edge Hammer!"

"Not bad Judai, but you'll have to do better than that! I activate Hero Barrier, negating Bladedge's attack!"

-x-

Hero Barrier

Normal Trap

Negate 1 attack from an opponent's monster. You must control a face-up "Elemental HERO" monster to resolve this effect.

-x-

"I'll end my turn with a face-down, then," I muttered. I was so close!

"It's like I always say. Gotta be careful of Trap Cards."

"I thought it was good move, Judai," Ms. Midori commented. "Cards like that can be a pain later in the match, so it's good that you made him use it this early."

"Hey, Sis. You're not gonna start giving classes right here, are you? You don't start as a teacher until next year," Mr. Koyo laughed.

"I'm not giving classes! It was a pep talk. I don't want him to regret making that move," she said, clearly annoyed.

"Still, this is a Duel between me and Judai. Please don't interfere!"

Then the argument started.

"Interfere?! I was just giving advice! What's the big deal?!"

"It's totally uncalled for!"

It was then that I found myself starting to laugh.

"Wh-what's so funny, Judai?" she asked me.

"Sorry, it's just that... I don't have any brothers or sisters, so watching you guys go at it... was kinda fun," I mumbled.

"I see. Then how about I become your big sister, Judai?"

"Really?! And that makes Mr. Koyo my big brother!" I beamed.

"Yeah, I guess it does," he chuckled. "Anyway, it's my turn now. I draw!"

Turn 3

Koyo Hibiki

Judai LP/Hand: 4000/4

Koyo LP/Hand: 4000/2

"I activate Polymerization! I fuse Elemental HERO Voltic on my field with Elemental HERO Shadow Mist in my hand! Heroes of light and shadow combine their might as one! Fusion Summon! Claws of vengeance emerge from the darkness! Arise, Level 8! Elemental HERO Escuridao!"

"Huh? But it's tied with Bladedge," I pointed out. "Couldn't you have summoned something stronger?"

"It's true that Escuridao looks like it's tied with Bladedge. But appearances can be deceiving. Escuridao's effect gives it 100 extra Attack Points for each HERO in my Graveyard. I have Voltic and Shadow Mist in my Graveyard, raising it to 2800 Attack Points!"

"Ack! It's stronger than Bladedge now!"

"That's right. Battle! Escuridao attacks Bladedge! Dark Diffusion!"

"And that's just what I was waiting for!" I yelled. "I activate a Trap! Soul Union! It gives Bladedge the Attack Points of a HERO in my Graveyard this turn! I only have one, but 800 is more than enough to take out Escuridao!"

-x-

Soul Union

Normal Trap

When a face-up monster is targeted for an attack: Target 1 "Elemental HERO" monster in your Graveyard; that attack target gains ATK equal to the targeted monster's ATK, until the end of this turn.

-x-

Elemental HERO Bladedge ATK: 2600 + 800 = 3400

-x-

Koyo LP: 4000 – 600 = 3400

-x-

"It's like you always say. Gotta be careful of Trap Cards," I grinned, parroting his earlier remark.

"Yeah. That one was on me. I set a card and end my turn."

Turn 4

Judai Yuki

Judai LP/Hand: 4000/4

Koyo LP/Hand: 3400/0

"Draw! I summon Elemental HERO Sparkman! Battle! Bladedge and Sparkman attack the player directly! I win!" I called out. This was it. The moment that would decide the match. And then...

"I activate Negate Attack! The Battle Phase ends here!"

"Still hanging on, Mr. Koyo? I set a card and end my turn." I said, a drop of sweat rolling down my cheek.

"Of course. You won't win that easily."

"No, but he's getting close," Ms. Midori said. "I never thought he would've gotten this strong in such a short time. He's actually got you on the backfoot. The next card you draw decides it."

"Yeah, I know. So I might as well get on with it, huh? It's my turn, Judai!"

Turn 5

Koyo Hibiki

Judai LP/Hand: 4000/3

Koyo LP/Hand: 3400/0

"I... draw!" And then, he paused. He took a deep breath and looked me in the eye. "Judai. I want you to listen closely. I'm about to use my last resort."

"You don't mean...!" Ms. Midori gasped, her eyes wide.

"Yeah, I do. Judai. From now on, no matter how the match ends, just know that you were strong enough to push me this far," he said, putting his hand over his heart. "I don't have much time left. I wanted you to be my last opponent. So let's finish this with no regrets."

I felt my chest tighten. "Yeah, I... I think I get it," I said.

"Then let's end this. I activate Miracle Fusion! I Fusion Summon using monsters in my Graveyard!"

"From the Graveyard?" I grinned nervously. "You really are awesome, Mr. Koyo!"

"I fuse Escuridao, Shadow Mist, and Voltic! The three justices converge! Appear atop the summit of the world! Fusion Summon! Level 9! The ultimate Elemental HERO! Elemental HERO Core!" In that moment, the only thing I felt was exhilaration. So this was Mr. Koyo's strongest HERO. I'd seen it in his Deck, but this was my first time witnessing it.

-x-

Elemental HERO Core

3 "Elemental HERO" monsters

Level 9

EARTH

ATK: 2700

DEF: 2500

[ Warrior / Fusion / Effect ]

When this card battles: double its ATK. When this card destroys a monster by battle: you can destroy 2 cards your opponent controls. When this card is destroyed: you can Special Summon 1 "Elemental HERO Terra Firma" from your Graveyard, ignoring its Summoning Conditions.

-x-

"Battle! Elemental HERO Core attacks Elemental HERO Sparkman, and its Attack Points double!" He shouted. I was lucky I'd put it out Sparkman and not something like Liquid Soldier. Just 200 Attack Points less and Core would've finished me off right then and there.

-x-

Elemental HERO Core ATK: 2700 x 2 = 5400

-x-

Judai LP: 4000 – 3800 = 200

-x-

"Man, that was close," I panted, reeling from the aftershock of the attack.

"You're not out of the woods yet, Judai! Core's effect activates and destroys two cards my opponent controls. Bladedge and your Set card are both destroyed!"

"Darn it! But now it's my turn! And I've already figured out how to counter Core's effect," I said, regaining my composure.

"Is that so? Go on, then! Show me how strong you've become!"

"You got it!"

Turn 6

Judai Yuki

Judai LP/Hand: 200/3

Koyo LP/Hand: 3400/0

"Well. Here goes nothing. I draw! I set a monster and one face-down. That's all for this turn."

"That's all? I'm disappointed. I thought you were going to destroy Core."

"I never said that," I countered. "I said I figured out how to stop it from destroying my cards."

"I'll take your word for that, then. It's my turn! I draw!"

Turn 7

Koyo Hibiki

Judai LP/Hand: 200/2

Koyo LP/Hand: 3400/0

"I summon Elemental HERO Heat! Those cards had better be good, Judai! This turn decides whether the Duel goes on!" Mr. Koyo called.

I merely nodded in response.

"Battle! Core attacks your face-down monster! And then its effect destroys your set card! I win!"

-x-

Elemental HERO Core ATK: 5400 x 2 = 10800

-x-

"I wouldn't be so sure. Core's effect can't activate!"

"And why's that?"

"Core's effect requires it to destroy two cards I control. But there's only one card on my field, meaning that the effect doesn't meet its activation conditions."

"I see. Good thinking, Judai! So it all comes down to this! Heat attacks the player directly!"

"I activate a Trap! Reveal Hero Blast! I add a HERO from my Graveyard to my hand, then I destroy a monster my opponent controls with Attack Points that are equal to or less than that monster's! I return Sparkman to my hand and destroy Heat!"

"I'll end my turn there, then. The ball is in your court now, Judai."

"Yeah. I draw!"

Turn 8

Judai Yuki

Judai LP/Hand: 200/3

Koyo LP/Hand: 3400/0

"Mr. Koyo. You've shown me your ultimate HERO. So here's mine! I activate Polymerization! I fuse Elemental HERO Avian and Elemental HERO Sparkman in my hand! Thunder and wind combine as a raging storm! Fusion Summon! Level 7! The hero that appears at the dawn! Elemental HERO Sunrise!"

-x-

Elemental HERO Sunrise

2 "HERO" monsters with different Attributes

Level 7

LIGHT

ATK: 2500

DEF: 1200

[ Warrior / Fusion / Effect ]

Must be Fusion Summoned. Monsters you control gain 200 ATK for each different Attribute you control. If this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Miracle Fusion" from your Deck to your hand. Once per turn: when an attack is declared involving a "HERO" monster you control: You can target 1 card on the field; destroy it.

-x-

"Then I summon Elemental HERO Wildheart, and Sunrise's effect increases the Attack Points of each monster I control by 200 for each different Attribute on my field, raising Sunrise's Attack Points to 2900 and Wildheart's to 1900!"

-x-

Elemental HERO Wildheart

Level 4

EARTH

ATK: 1500

DEF: 1600

[ Warrior / Effect ]

This card is unaffected by Trap effects.

-x-

"Not a bad move, but you're still nowhere close to taking out Core like that. It's okay if you can't do it, Judai. You put up an excellent fight regardless. You really are worthy of being my last opponent."

"Mr. Koyo. You're strong. Much stronger than I am. But I will defeat Core! Battle! Wildheart attacks Elemental HERO Core!"

"Are you insane?!" Ms. Midori screamed. " Wildheart is weaker than Core! The moment the attack goes through, you'll lose!"

"I already told you, didn't I?" I said, smiling. "I will defeat Core. And here's how! Elemental HERO Sunrise's effect activates! When an attack is declared involving a HERO I control, I can target one card on the field... and destroy it! Elemental HERO Core is toast! Wildheart's attack then becomes a direct attack on the player!" I exclaimed.

-x-

Koyo LP: 3400 – 1900 = 1500

-x-

"Well done, Judai. You've won. All that's left is for Sunrise to attack directly, and then you've won," he smiled weakly as he staggered backwards.

"Are you okay, Mr. Koyo?" I asked. "C-c'mon, let's get you back to bed. You can't handle any more."

"Judai. I can already feel my heart failing. Back then, I told Sis that if I was going to go down, I wanted it to be as a Duelist. And now I'm about to go down for the last time."

"You're kidding. T-this is crazy!" I turned to Ms. Midori. "C'mon, help me! We can't let him go through with this!"

She simply looked down and whispered, "Judai. I know it hurts, but... that's not our decision to make. If things are as bad as Koyo says they are, no amount of treatment can save him now."

I turned back to him, tears rolling down my cheeks. "Mr. Koyo. Don't go."

"Judai. My time is up, no matter what you do now. You've won. Now it's time to seal it."

"I won't! I won't do it!" I cried.

"Judai. I want you to do this for me. We promised that we'd finish it with no regrets, remember? Let the last thing I see be you surpassing me."

"... Sunrise attacks the player directly!" I declared, the tears becoming a flood. "I'm sorry, Mr. Koyo!"

"Don't be. No regrets," he smiled as the force of the attack knocked him back.

Koyo LP: 1500 – 2900 = 0

WINNER

Judai Yuki (200 LP)

In an instant, it was over. I immediately ran to his side. "Mr. Koyo!" I shouted, holding him in my arms.

"Heh, you did well, Judai," he laughed.

"Mr. Koyo... what am I going to do without you?"

"That's up to you. So what is it that you want to do now?"

"I... I'm gonna become a Duelist. An awesome Duelist like you, Mr. Koyo!"

"Really? Judai... I'm entrusting you with my Deck. No matter who you Duel... always have fun. I think that's the kind of Duelist you should be. As of today, you're my successor. You're my legacy. These last few months... They were some of the best times of my life. Goodbye, Judai. You'll always be my little brother. I love you."

I couldn't cry. Not in front of him. Not after that. I only let the tears flow late that night, after my parents had gone to bed and I was the only one who could hear. After a few hours of lying awake, it became clear that I wouldn't be getting any sleep that night. Gazing at the desk where I'd left our Decks, I got up out of bed and began to look them over. I spent the night drafting a combined Deck.

Before I knew it, the day of Mr. Koyo's funeral arrived. It was a small arrangement, with only family and a few friends attending. Ms. Midori approached me afterwards, inviting me to come study at the Academia next year. If you're lucky, you may end up in my class, she said. After that, I threw myself into perfecting the Deck. I passed the entrance exam and ended up in Osiris Red. It's the lowest-ranking dorm in the Academia, but it has a great view of the ocean.

With that, I took the first step to fulfilling my promise.


That was a long one, huh? Anyways, we got a Review Response corner to get to.

Guest 01's Review (Chapter 4): I can get annoying, Ik that, but I'm still reviewing. Ok... I'm not sure, but I think this guy IS Jaden, you (or he, I guess) just changed his name. If I turn out to be right, sorry, hehe probably ended up putting spoilers.

Bye! -01

Not at all! I love engaging with my readers. Though, you are correct about Judai. He was using Koyo's name as an alias.

Guest 01's Review (Chapter 5) (1): So... I was right... and wrong? So it's not Yusei... uhh but Jaden IS here? Hmm... still a bit confused hehe... I've also noticed that this has some major backstory btw. I do love reading abt any of the fusion counterparts anyway. Also, I'm a bit confused... I though Sora was dueling YUTO please be clear with that next chapter. Speaking of which, I never reviewed earlier (bc I mostly read the whole thing AND THEN do I review) but I always do read. Please don't take too long to update soon. See ya!

-01, out!

Sora was dueling Yuto. The duel ended prematurely when Yuto was warped away by Serena's bracelet (so, y'know, just a normal Monday for him). And, uh, I think I failed too update in a reasonable length of time, but I might just be crazy, I dunno.

Guest 01's Review (Chapter 5) (2): Hey, uhh megaguy, u still here? It's been a long time... I checked ur other stories but ur last updated was in may. Please update soon, hopefully ur alright. Stay safe.

-01 :)

Yeah, I've just been busy and tired. I usually write at night, but on nights I wasn't doing something else I was too out of it to actually write anything. Thank you so much for checking in, though.