Chapter 8: Legends foretold

Episode Basis: Unfulfilled Soul: the Signers and the Legendary Dragon

Down the hallway the four security guards from before were escorting Yusei and Lua to an interrogation chamber. When they arrived at the door, one of the guards made contact at the intercom. "Chief, I brought Numbers 88 and 89." Lua looked scared while Yusei looked stern with a scowl as the door to the chamber opened. He could try helping himself and Lua but couldn't take the risk of alerting more guards.

Back at the duel arena, the other prisoners were discussing about random things, such as Yanagi looking at his cards and laughing until, "Grandpa. Besides Lua's under-age riding, they were caught for illegal trespassing?" Ushio was checking what Yusei and Lua were brought to the detention centre for. Yanagi confirmed, "That's right. The same as me." Ushio wondered, "Isn't it strange? The investigation was completed before they were brought here. So what are the guards investigating now? Chief Takasu is a tough guy. I have a bad feeling about this."

Chief Takasu tower over everyone in the chamber as he looked at Yusei and Lua. He started off by saying, "Let me start off by saying this:" plucked his nose hair, stated as he looked at Yusei specifically, "I hate the people of Satellite." blew the hair at Yusei. Then walked to behind both Yusei and Lua. "In truth, I don't like touching them either!" as he grabbed Yusei's right arm and inspected it by pulling the sleeve as if he was looking for something like the mark that appeared during Yusei's duel with. Then moved onto Lua to do the same as he said, "Much less the brats of that place!" Takasu grabbing the arm made Yusei angry as Lua grimaced in slight pain, and deep down the fear in Lua was replaced with slight anger as he naturally felt the same to Takasu. Takasu shoved Lua to the researchers and ordered, "Inspect them! Thoroughly." That made Lua and Yusei scowl.

Lua and Yusei were stripped down to their underwear and strapped down to separate tables. Lua was the first to be placed into machine then one of the researchers activated the machine It released several shocks around Lua. As Takasu looked at the monitor for scans, the researcher turned up the power, letting out more shocks, causing Lua to scream in pain. Yusei looked away in grimace as he couldn't stand hearing Lua scream in pain, much less look at such a thing. It was only a few seconds after that the the researcher stopped the scan and Lua was taken out of the machine. Then it was Yusei's turn, with the same procedure. Lua recovered enough to look at Takasu grabbing Yusei by the hair. Lua looked angry as Takasu said, "Had enough already? I thought you'd last longer then the runt did. A citizen of Satellite isn't worthy of a D-Wheel or a deck." Yusei looked at him the same as Lua as Takasu continued, this to both of them. "Your D-Wheels and decks are now property of the Public Maintenance Department. It seems the Director has an interest in your belongings. They're being thoroughly inspected in the security vault." Then Takasu flinged his nose hair, this time at Lua. Yusei got angrier than before by that, but not as angry as Lua, though they both did their best to control it.

At Security HQ, Godwin walked to his office accompanied by Yeager who reported, "A few moments ago, we received information from the detention centre." When they arrived, Yeager pressed in a few commands on holographic board, and data on Yusei appeared on the screen followed by Lua's info. The info of the two took turns being displayed as Yeager said, "So far, Chief Takasu has been unable to confirm that these two from Satellite are Signers. He will continue to research and observe." Godwin nodded in approval. "Did you tell the King everything?" Yeager asked, referring to Jack. Godwin answered, "If I didn't reveal everything, I would have failed to calm down the King." "This is becoming interesting." Yeager snickered. "Yes. Next are the two from Satellite." Godwin agreed. "I will meet them." As the screen show Lua's data, Godwin was reminded of his curiousty, wondering exactly what kind of birthmark Lua has, since he had an idea who the other Signers, if any more, are and what birthmarks they had.

It was night-time back at the detention centre, where Lua was already forced back into his cell and Yusei was pushed into his own cell. Ushio and Yanagi respectively checked on their cell mates. "Are you okay, kid?" Ushio asked as he helped Lua up. "Pull yourself together. What did they do to you?" Yanagi said as Yusei slowly got up himself. Yusei answered, "They were looking for a mark." Yanagi asked "A mark?" Ushio asked the same thing before Lua told him about how he and Yusei knew Jack, as well as the duel. "During Yusei's duel with Jack, a crimson dragon appeared, then a mark appeared on my arm as well as Yusei's. Then they both vanished." Ushio didn't understand why the guards would be interested in such a thing, but Yanagi had an idea after being the same thing about the marks from Yusei. He wanted to make sure though, "What do you mean, bro?" He was about to continue when a guard passed by. He quickly covered himself before the guard could hear any more. The guard wasn't sure what was going on but the dismissed the thought as he continued on his patrol of the hall.

Once clear, Yanagi asked quietly, "Bro, are you a Signer?" "Signer?" Yusei asked, his curiosity peaked. Yanagi explained, "When I was wandering in South America, I heard about the legend of the people of the stars. Signer is a word that came up in that legend. According to the legend of the people of the stars, the Crimson Dragon is their god. The people who summon it have the mark of the dragon and are known as Signers. There are five Signers. Each controls a dragon that draw out its power. In other words, there are five Signers and five dragons." "Five dragons?" Yusei repeated as he recalled when Red Demon's and Stardust battled and when the Crimson Dragon appeared. Yanagi continued, "The five dragons continue to live throughout the generations and change their appearances." Yanagi then thought out loud, "Hey, wait. That means... Bro, your dragon!" Yusei looked at his right arm as he pondered. "If that card is one of them..." Yanagi interrupted, "Card? The dragons currently live as cards? I want to see that card." But Yusei said, "I don't have that card." That made Yanagi upset. "How frustrating! I want to see that card!" Then he realised, "Wait, could it be..." then he asked, "Is it the same with the lad?" Yusei nodded, knowing Yanagi meant Lua. "A birthmark did appear on his arm at the Crimson Dragon appeared too." Yanagi then wondered, "It's strange. Why would the detention guards be interested about this?" That made Yusei curious as well.

It was at his mansion when Jack looked at the top card of his deck, Red Demon's Dragon, and thought about what Godwin told him. 'You are the chosen one of the stars.' He knew it was Mikage who arrived when he asked, "What do you want?" Mikage spoke, "The data on your opponent in tomorrow's duel has arrived. Please look it over." "How do I look right now?" Jack asked. She answered, "Clearly you are the King of Duelists." "You're wrong!" Jack interrupted. It's clear he was still upset his possible loss to Yusei, had the duel not been stopped since he said, "My undefeated legend has already ended. I lost to him. I am not the King!" He slammed his card onto the table in frustration, though Mikage protested. "You're wrong. Master Atlas, you must be the King." "I must?" Jack said as he looked with narrowed eyes. "If I continue to feel like I do right now, I can't duel!" Realising he shocked Mikage, Jack turned away and walked towards the window. "Am I the clown?" Jack said, mostly to himself. He didn't want to admit it but his presumed loss to Yusei, proven by the last card played, wasn't the only reason he no longer felt like the King of Duelists.

At the detention centre, the only ones who were still awake when it was time to sleep were Yusei and Lua. Yusei, thinking about the mark that appeared on his arm and the legend Yanagi told him about, and Lua thinking about how to get his and Yusei's decks and D-Wheels back.

In the morning, Takasu announced, "Attention! For today's rehab lesson, we invited Director Rex Godwin of the Neo Domino City Public Maintenance Department. Open your hearts and listen to his talk about public maintenance!" Yusei focused on Godwin for different reasons, while Lua thought about what Yanagi told him on the way to the lecture hall. Suddenly they both felt Godwin glimpsing at them, which also caught the attention of Yanagi and Ushio.

Meanwhile, the duel stadium was filled many people, all here to see the Duel King's title match,waiting for it to get started until, "Everbody listen! The moment has arrived for today's most exciting show!" The MC had made the announcement, made things more exciting by saying, "Let's welcome the challenger who face the King. He has boldly challenged the King in order to get his revenge!" At the resting area for the event, Jack was preparing himself. "Your current appearance suits best, Master Atlas. Thank you for accepting today's duel." Mikage said, trying to make Jack feel better but with little success. It was shown when Jack looked at her angrily, then asking as calmly as possible. "Is the director watching?" Mikage answered as best as she could, "He went to the detention centre today." Jack then stopped rubbing his hands and picked up his deck.

Back at the arena, the MC announced, "C'mon, the fire revenger Mukuro Enjo!" And out came Mukuro Enjo, the duelist Jack faced before. This time he's out for revenge. "Today, I will smash the King! I've assembled the most powerful deck! I will become the next King!" His claim made some of the audience cheer, as he stopped by the starting line. Then, it was Jack's turn to come out onto the arena. He placed his duel disk onto his D-Wheel, placed his deck and warmed up the D-Wheel as the door opened. "Will his undefeated legend finally come to an end?" the MC announced as the arena's lights turned off for dramatic purposes, with sidelights turning on for the big entrance. "Show us your skills again today, King of Duelists Jack Atlas!" Smoke came out by the time of the MC's introduction just before Jack burst through and sped around the arena. Jack declared, "There is only one King, and it's me!" The crowd went wild as the MC continued, "Today's challenger is different than the ones before! He reconstructed his deck after his previous duel with King! How will the King counteract it?" However, Jack wasn't paying attention, though he stopped by the starting line. It was like the crowd's cheers didn't make him feel better since he said to himself, "They are all expecting the duel of a King." He looked around the arena, at the cheerleaders, at the crowd, but he still didn't feel like a King. He did disguise it well though since the MC told the crowd, "The King smiles happily! He's fully prepared to face the challenger!" The smile hwoever disappeared as Jack thought, 'Standing here among the cheers and events... It's never felt so pointless before.'

Mikage arrived at the stands as the MC asked, "Will you witness the birth of a new King? It's about time for the duel! Set on the field spell Speed World!" And that's what the duelists did as the D-Wheel's onboard computers showed the duel modes activated. Soon the arena was affected by the field spell. The countdown marker appeared. As the countdown started , the MC announced, "The battle of the century is about to begin. Who will win?" and when he announced, "Riding Duel acceleration!" the signal sounded, the duel has begun.

Mukuro Enjo: 4000; Hand size: 5

Jack Atlas: 4000; Hand size: 5

The duelist sped off, with Jack in the lead. The MC announced for the first turn, "The King goes first!" Jack accepted as he signalled, "My turn. I draw!"

Jack Atlas: 4000; Hand size: 6

Mukuro Enjo: 4000; Hand size: 5

"I summon Dark Resonator in defense position!" Jack said as his mentioned monster appeared in a defensive stance, with its tuning fork and other item held like they were making a shield. The MC confirmed, "The King summoned the Level 3 Tuner Monster Dark Resonator! Once a turn, this card cannot be destroyed in battle!" Mukuro remarked as well, "So you brought out a Tuner." Jack then finished his turn by saying, "I set two cards and end my turn!" The MC announced, "Will those two set cards lead to an incredible highlight? I'm looking forward to it!" Mukuro however doesn't seem concerned.

Back at the detention centre, Godwin began his lecture. "There is a big reason why I separated the two groups of people between Neo Domino City and Satellite." He walked to the prisoners as he monologued, "The two worlds complement one another in order to promote development. The people who live at Satellite are Satellite citizens, and the people who live at Neo DOmino City are Neo Domino City citizens." He walked in the gap in the middle of the group as he continued, "There's a reason why this is necessary." until stopped just next Yusei, "If you leave Satellite, then the order of the world is disturbed." Yusei and Lua looked at Godwin, not convinced. "One person's reckless actions can result in causing trouble for his and acquaintances." Godwin seemed to look specifically at Lua and Yusei as he said, "At times, it may bring pain."

We go back to the duel arena, where it was Mukuro's turn as he announced, "It's my turn! King, check out my super revenge deck! I draw!"

Mukuro Enjo: 4000; Hand size: 6; SPC: 0-1

Jack Atlas: 4000; Hand size: 3; SPC: 0-1

By glacing at the card he drew, Mukuro knew what to do. "I'll steadily apply the pressure, King! It's the same thing you do so well. I'll show you that I can do it too!" He began the Main Phase by announcing, "I send Skull Conductor to the graveyard and activate its effect!" A ghostly image of Skull Conductor appeared as Mukuro explained the effect. "I can Special Summon two Zombie-Type monster in faceup defense position from my hand whose combined attack points equal 2000! Come, Burning Skull Heads!" And the mosters he chose to special summon appeared on his side of the field. The MC announced, "There it is! Two Burning Skull Heads have appeared!"

Burning Skull Head

Level 3

Zombie/Effect

Fire

ATK: 1000; DEF: 800

As the crowd cheered, Mukuro explained, "When Burning Skull Head is successfully special summoned, the opponent takes 1000 points of damage! Since two were summoned simultaneously, you take 2000 points of damage!" He then yelled the effect name, "Hell Burning!" and the blue flames on the Skull Heads turned red as they made contact with Jack, who grunted as his life points reduced.

Jack Atlas: 4000-2000; SPC: 1-0

The crowd got worried, just like the MC who exclaimed, "The King has already taken big damage!" But Mukuro wasn't done. "There's still more! I tribute the two Burning Skull Heads to Tribute Summon Skull Flame!"

Skull Flame

Level 8

Zombie/Effect

Fire

ATK: 2600; DEF: 2000

A terrible monster called Skull Flame in place of the two Skull Heads, inspiring the MC to tell the audience, "What a bold development! If he chooses not ton attack with Skull Flame, he can Special Summon one Burning Skull Head from his hand. But will he do so?" And that's what Mukuro did. "From my hand, I Special Summon Burning Skull Head!" The MC confirmed as the mentioned monster appeared in defense position, "He didn't betray our expectations! The third Burning Skull Head has appeared!" Mukuro yelled the effect, "Hell Burning!" and Skull Head opened its mouth, letting out red flames which hit Jack.

Jack Atlas: 2000-1000

"There's great turmoil from the beginning! By the second turn, the King only has 1000 life pints left" the MC reminded the crowd, who were astonished by what just happened.

Mukuro said to Jack, "Do you understand now? This is the power of my revenge deck! It has a scary combo where I defeat you with consecutive monster effects! As long as Skull Flame is on the field, instead of drawing normally, I can add one Burning Skull Head in my graveyard to my hand. Then due to Skull Flame's monster effect, I can Special Summon Burning Skull Head from my hand. That means I can summon Burning Skull Head every turn!" Mukuro laughed, claiming victory as he turned up his speed. He finished, "On the next turn, if I Special Summon Burning Skull Head, the King's life points become zero! That means I will be the new King of Duelists!" The MC commented, "The challenger Mukuro Enjo has declared victory!" Mukuro laughed, believing his victory's assured. But Jack didn't seem convinced since he said, "You call this a duel? You were just lucky. This wasn't good enough to be considered a duel!"

Back at the detention centre. "And that concludes the Director's training speech. Return to your rooms immediately!" Takasu announced. The detention guards were escorting the prisoners to their cells when, "Numbers 88 and 89, you stay here." Takasu ordered, and Yusei and Lua got concerened, same with Yanagi and Ushio. "Be careful." Ushio warned them.

While everyone else went back to their cells, Yusei and Lua stayed and Godwin walked to them. It's almost as if he knew that they wanted to know where Jack was when Godwin said, "The King is currently dueling at that stadium." Lua asked in a not-so-nice tone, "So what?" "Watch your mouth, you runt!" Takasu yelled, but was then silenced by Godwin, who said, "It's fine." Yusei asked "What do want to know about us?" Godwin answered, "Everything. Where did the mark go?" Yusei asked, "Why does the Public Maintenance Department care about that?" Lua said in his opinion, "I'm guessing it has some sort great power, and you want it all to yourself. That's just the kind of people you Security guys are." Godwin responded, "Actually, it is because it relates to public maintenance." That, Lua didn't believe, and neither did Yusei. "What are you thinking about?" Yusei asked. "In that speech you gave, what did you mean by pain?" Godwin said though, "I also don't know what you're thinking about. I just wanted to talk about the relationship between Neo Domino City and Satellite." Lua still didn't like it as proven by saying, "Sounds more like greed than development to me. You don't share what you have with us, and only give us garbage." Yusei put his in front of Lua before he could do anything else and said, "Just don't touch our friends. They have nothing to do with this." "Really?" Godwin asked. Lua asked, "Who do you think you are anyway?" Godwin answered, "I'm just a person who dreams of Neo Domino City's development and peace in the world. However, since I must deal with reality, I'm willing to sacrifice one side to ensure the survival of the other." Lua yelled, "Sacrifice?!" Godwin responded, "Calm down. It's just an example." Yusei still held Lua in, but he was just as angry.

"Let's pay attention to the King's turn!" the MC confirmed back at the duel arena as Jack drew for his turn.

Jack Atlas: 1000; Hand size: 4; SPC: 0-1

Mukuro Enjo: 4000; Hand size: 1; SPC: 1-2

Jack narrowed his eyes, and turned around. "I tribute Dark Resonator to Tribute Summon Big Piece Golem!" And in place of Dark Resonator, Big Piece Golem appeared. The MC noticed Jack placing his hand over one of his set cards and commented, "Oh. Will he use his set card?" Mukuro wasn't worried as he said, "Whatever you do is pointless! Stop struggling!" But he didn't expect Jack to such a thing like, "I activate the trap card Revival Gift!" The MC explained, "The trap card Revival Gift lets him Special Summon one Tuner Monster from his graveyard!" And that's what Jack did as he announced, "From my graveyard, I Special Summon the Tuner Monster Dark Resonator!" "And then..." Two tadpole-like monsters appeared, on Mukuro's field! Mukuro asked, "WHy are they are on my field?" The MC answered, "This is the surprising effect of Revival Gift! It Special Summons two Gift Fiend Tokens on the opponent's field! But looking at the situation, that effect looks like a negative for the King. What is the King planning?"

Jack's strategy was about to be revealed as he announced, "Level 3 Dark Resonator tunes Level 5 Big Piece Golem!" As the tuning rings formed from Dark Resonator and went to Golem, Jack chanted, "The pulse of the King now forms a line here! Witness the power of the rumbling heavens! Synchro Summon! My soul! Red Demon's Dragon!" And out came Jack's signature monster, Red Demon's Dragon. The MC announced, "It finally arrived! The King's mightiest ace Red Demon's Dragon! It is so beautiful that the entire stadium swallows its breath!" "It arrived!" Mukuro growled, since he didn't expect Jack's ace to appear so soon.

Jack declared, "Battle! Go! Absolute Powerforce!" Red Demon's crushed Skull Head with its claw and flames from the claw also affected the Gift Fiend Tokens. The MC commented, "Due to the attack, the Gift Fiend Tokens have been destroyed! That's Red Demon's Dragon's monster effect! When it attacks a monster in defense position on the field, all monsters in defense position on the opponent's field are destroyed!" However, Jack was't done as he turned around again after passing Mukuro and signalled, "I activate my trap card! Lineage of the Destruction Deity!(TCG name: Lineage of Destruction)" The MC noticed as he said, "The King has shown his violent fangs! With Lineage of the Destruction Deity, for every monster in defense position that was destroyed, the target monster can attack again!" Red Demon's roared, showing it's ready for more and Jack said, "I destroyed three monster in defense position this turn. Therefore, it can attack an additional three times!" "Three additional attacks? No way!" Mukuro exclaimed. Jack continued the battle by announcing, "Witness the power of the King! Finish him, Red Demon's! Absolute Powerforce!" Red Demon's thrust its claw, destroying Skull Flame.

Mukuro Enjo: 4000-3600

And just before Red Demon's attacked Mukuro, Jack said, "There is nothing you can do to escape! You have the honor of being attacked by Red Demon's! Scorching Crimson Hellflare!" Red Demon's attacked dealing great damage to Mukuro.

Mukuro Enjo: 3600-600; SPC: 2-0

"The challenger's life points have instantly decreased by 3000 points!" the MC commented, but the battle wasn't done. Jack announced, "This will be the final attack! Didn't yo say that you would become the King on the next turn? Well, this is reality! Kneel before the King! Absolute Powerforce!" Red Demon's unleashed the attack, finishing Mukuro.

Mukuro Enjo: 600-0

"No way!" Mukuro yelled, just before his D-Wheel stopped applying the air brakes. Jack pulled up next to him and said, "While you were bragging about your consecutive attacks, you were unable to finish me during your own turn. You don't have the right to challenge the King!" Mukuro grunted in response. The stadium filled with cheers as the MC announced, "It's over! The King was too strong! The breathtaking counterattack made this greater than his previous duels! He is powerful and invincible! He has once again defeated his undefeated legend!" Jack got off his D-Wheel and took his helmet before announcing, "There is only one King, and it's me!" The crowd cheered for Jack and even chanted his name, but it wasn't enough for him. 'This pathetic duel can't quench my thirst!' he thought. And it wasn't just because of that. He didn't want to admit it but deep down, he felt that it didn't feel like victory without sharing it with the one he loved as a little brother, and still does.

Sorry it took so long for me to update. I have been on a hiatus with things coming, like the business and college parts of the apprenticeship. Good news is I now have a chance for more updates for two weeks since I am now on annual leave to spend the Easter holidays with my family.

As you may have noticed, I made some changes, such as Rua to Lua. That is actually how official translators showed the name being pronounced. I had to do the same to the chapters before this one since, admittedly I am a perfectionist. For those of you who have a hard time imagining the marker on Lua's cheek, I'm afraid you'll have to ask someone who's more skilled at art. Being a perfectionist does mean it takes time for drawings, maybe more than stories like this one.

Anyway I hope you liked this chapter, and as always I'm open to suggestions for improvements. Please remember that I can't say the names of the upcoming characters or cards until their introduction chapters or that will risk spoilers.