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Yu-Gi-Oh! Negative Zero by JuJube

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The non-original characters in this fanfiction are copyrighted to Kazuki Takahashi, Studio Gallup and Toei where applicable.  All other characters are considered public domain by the author and may be used freely, but he does request that you ask permission as a courtesy.
 
The card names used are translations of the Official Card Game (OCG) names.  For the TCG names, see the "Cards used" at the end of the story.  And don't forget to e-mail me your thoughts (vm_postitnotes@yahoo.com).  Thank you very much for reading.
 
A large thanks go out to AxelDH (Lux-Nero on FanFiction.net) for helping me write much of this chapter’s duel, and to Blue-Eyes White Knight of FanFiction for contributing the character of Ganryu Masaki.
 
--
 
"Lightlord Warrior Garoth," Toragami replied to her opponent flatly.  "Finish the match."
 
The warrior approached Kobayashi and slashed him across the chest, bringing his life points to zero.
 
"Damn it," he muttered, giving up his single Star point.  "Why are you even taking my Star point?  Shouldn't you be going after the rats who didn't even earn their place in this tournament?"
 
"And you believe that because you memorize rote details and endear yourself to the teachers, you're a worthy duelist?" Toragami muttered as her Star points rose to seven.  "You're the third so-called 'elite' I've stripped of their ranking today.  Being a good student hardly makes you a good duelist.  Get out of my sight."
 
Kobayashi knew better than to voice his true feelings, and left without further comment, but continued to mutter curses as he did so.
 
In the distance, a Ra and an Obelisk watched Toragami duel in admiration; a boy and a girl. The Ra boy, unusually, wore a uniform that was colored green, as well as a neckerchief, while the Obelisk girl wore thick rimmed glasses but was otherwise unassuming.
 
"Toragami-sama is quite amazing," the girl said.
 
"Yes, indeed!" the boy replied.  "It will be quite awesome for the great me to duel her!"
 
"You idiot!" the girl laughed.  "We both know that I'll be the one to do that... after I beat you, of course."
 
The boy shook his head and closed his eyes.  "The time isn't right for that yet!  We need to get more Star points.  We're wasting time.  Let's go."
 
"Hmph... don't get disqualified," the girl said as she went her own way, while he went his.
 
-------------
YU-GI-OH! -0
Turn Twenty-Four: "For the Sake of Honor!  The Combo of Certain Death"
-------------
 
  Chiba - 400 LP
  Ganryu - 100 LP
 
Chiba's field consisted of two Command Knights in defense mode.  While Ganryu had five strong Six Samurai monsters, none of them could attack.
 
Ganryu, however, was confident.
 
"And now..." Ganryu said.  "My combo is complete... to finish you."
 
"Finish me?" Chiba said curiously.  "You may have many monsters, but you can't attack with any of them."
 
"On the contrary," Ganryu replied.  "This is our last turn.  Chiba Katsurou, I have overcome the wall that is you!  Prepare yourself!"
 
What... what does he mean? Shougo thought to himself as he and Tenjouin looked on.  He felt a deep sense of unease churling within him.  Chiba-kun... don't lose here!  Please!  Please don't!
 
Chiba felt a drop of sweat roll down his face as he wondered what his opponent meant.  He then realized - Ganryu's facedown.  It must be a trap that can eliminate my monsters!
 
"So you finally noticed!" Ganryu laughed.  "Behold... The power of a master general! Using his troops to the best of his ability! I relinquish Yaichi! Yariza! Kamon! And Nisashi! In order to activate..."
 
His card flipped face up.  "ELEMENTAL BURST!"
 
Tenjouin blinked.  "'Elemental Burst'?"  Her face betrayed a hint of disappointment.
 
"Tenjouin-sensei?" Shougo noticed this.  "You look a bit... let down."
 
"No, it's a good move," she said.  "I just... expected a card that I hadn't seen before.  And that's another card that he uses..."
 
"'He'?"
 
"Never mind," Tenjouin shook her head.  "In any case, Chiba-kun may be in real trouble.  By sacrificing monsters of fire, wind, water and earth attributes, 'Elemental Burst' allows its user to destroy all cards on the opponent's side of the field.  And since Masaki-kun has another monster left, he can attack Chiba-kun and win this."
 
But... Chiba-kun won't lose here, Shougo thought to himself.  I know it... because...  He felt his heart squirm uncomfortably in his chest.
 
Yaichi, Yariza, Kamon and Nisashi nodded and turned into balls of water, earth, fire and air respectively, and struck at Chiba's field.  The Command Knights shouted out and were annihilated by the blows.
 
As the smoke cleared, Chiba narrowed his eyes.  So, it's coming, he thought to himself, as he saw Zanji ready to make his move.  But it seems I've drawn a bit of attention.
 
Along with Tenjouin and Shougo, a number of other students had gathered to see the famous Six Samurai duelist, and the Osiris he'd chosen for his opponent.  Several were wondering why he chose an Osiris, while others had noticed Shougo and wondering why Ganryu hadn't challenged him.
 
"There's nothing left on your side of the field, and I still have a monster," Ganryu said, clenching his fist.  "I'm sorry, Chiba Katsurou, but victory is mine today!  Look at it this way - you'll learn a lot from your loss here!"
 
Zanji clenched his sword in preparation for his master's order.
 
Ganryu pointed dramatically.  "Zanji!  Finish him off!"
 
At Ganryu's order, Zanji moved to cut Chiba down.
 
But Chiba appeared unconcerned.
 
"Why does Chiba-kun look that way?" Tenjouin wondered.  "Is he trying to put on an appearance?  He's about to lose... he should be disappointed if those are his true feelings."
 
"No, Tenjouin-sensei," Shougo explained.  "It's not over."
 
"What?" Tenjouin asked.
 
"Masaki Ganryu-san," Chiba said.  "I'm very sorry to have to put it to you so plainly.  Please take this not as a judgment, but as an observation.  You've been so busy setting up your combo that you've failed to take into account your surroundings."
 
"What did you say?!" Ganryu shouted.
 
"You've risked your life points because you figured that you would make it a fair fight," Chiba said.  "I suppose you think honor has something to do with that.  But duels aren't about fighting fair.  Duels are about winning, no matter what, and a good general understands that!  For example...
 
"When I played 'Angel's Charity' earlier, did you pay attention to the cards I sent to the cemetery?"
 
Ganryu remembered that the cards were 'Necro Gardna' and 'Single-Strike Samurai'.  However, he assumed that when Chiba didn't negate Yariza's attack with it, that meant Chiba wasn't aware of its effect.
 
"If I put all of my resources into stopping small attacks," Chiba explained.  "I will be defenseless against the real threat.  At this moment, I activate the effect of 'Necro Gardna'.  By removing it from play, I can negate one attack from an opponent!"
 
The shadow of Necro Gardna appeared and blocked Zanji's slash.  Zanji retreated, helpless to make another move.
 
"Masaki Ganryu-san... I'm not sure what you want from me," Chiba said.  "I'm glad for the opportunity to duel you, but you're asking me to put something on the line that I don't understand."
 
"Honor is the thing that all duelists must have!" Ganryu shouted.  "The passion of fighting a worthy opponent, of putting their all on the line!"
 
Chiba shook his head.  "If you want that kind of thing, you should try friendship," he said.  "Friendship is where we put it all on the line, and we don't have to worry about the stress of combat.  We don't have to worry about making a statement with victory."
 
"Making a statement?" Ganryu asked.
 
"In a duel, even though it is at its heart a game of chance, we cannot help but feel uplifted in victory and downtrodden in defeat," Chiba explained.  "It is human nature.  To add even more things to worry for in a duel besides victory is to put a weight on the duelists' shoulders, and ask them to bear excessive burdens."
 
"You aren't making sense!" Ganryu shouted, visibly irritated.  "What are you trying to say?"
 
"Calm down, Masaki-san," Chiba said with a laugh.  "I apologize for rambling, so I'll get straight to the point.  I see that you care for your monsters very much.  You honor their sacrifice, and what they do for you in the battlefield.  But I sense you do not believe I feel the same."
 
"What?" Ganryu mumbled.  "No... you're an honorable opponent for someone like me!"
 
"So you're saying you made a mistake by declaring your victory earlier, then?"
 
Ganryu frowned and put his card hand down.  "No, you're right," he said, with much chagrin.  "I did underestimate you.  I should have known that you would have had a plan for this kind of situation."
 
"But that's my point exactly.  I didn't have a plan.  It was mere fortuitude.  It's true I was looking for a way to get 'Necro Gardna' to the cemetery, but it was luck that I got 'Angel's Charity' when I did."
 
"No, it wasn't!" Ganryu shouted.  "The gods always give opportunities to those who seek them!  I'll end my turn."
 
Chiba looked quite plainly embarassed.  I'm starting to see what he means about honor, he said as he reached for his deck.  Every student here has their own way of dealing with victory and defeat.  In a duel, many believe that only the winner can feel the value of their own existence.  But having lost many duels, I'm still here.  And I know...
 
"My turn," he said.  "Draw!"
 
I'm sorry, Shougo-kun, he sighed to himself as he did.  If I do win this match, it will be on sheer luck alone.  I'm still not a worthy opponent for you, I guess.
 
Chiba looked at the card he drew and the two cards still in his hand.
 
"I set one card, and activate the magic card 'Life Slashing Treasure'," Chiba announced.  "This card allows me to draw until I have five cards in my hand; in exchange, in five turns, if this duel is not decided, I must discard my entire hand.  I have one card in my hand, Masaki-san, which means I now receive four."
 
"Four cards?!" Ganryu shouted.  "That's an unfair advantage!"
 
"Are you now starting to realize the flaw in your strategy?" Chiba said as he drew his hand.  "You value and honor the sacrifices of your monsters, but you've allowed yourself to lose sight of the true goal of a war - victory!  And victory can only be had with resources.  The army without resources is not an army at all."
 
He then adjusted his glasses a bit, causing light to refract off of his lenses.  "The combination I use most frequently is summoning Troop Commander and then using his effect to bring out the Rogue Mercenaries, dispatching my opponent's monster while opening up a front for the Troop Commander to attack.  If I haven't used that combination thus far, the chances of me being able to execute that now are marvelously high, wouldn't you say?"
 
"No!  I believe in my monsters, and they won't let me down," Ganryu asserted.
 
"You can have faith in phantoms all you want, but I put my trust in mathematics," Chiba said.  "I summon Troop Commander, and use his effect to summon Rogue Mercenaries."
 
The armored soldier appeared, and alongside him a band of warriors who, contrary to their usual appearances, looked stern and ready for action this time.

Troop Commander - LV3 Earth Warrior (1200 ATK)
Rogue Mercenaries - LV4 Earth Warrior (1000 ATK)
 
"All a soldier really needs is someone to believe in him.  You give him faith, and he'll give his life for you," Chiba said.  "But of course, I am delving into symbolism.  The effect itself is quite simple.  I sacrifice Rogue Mercenaries to activate its effect.  Ambush Strike!"
 
The mercenaries leapt across the field and surrounded Zanji, who gripped his sword in preparation for battle.  He was able to fight one off, but not before the others overwhelmed him.  A Solid Vision explosion occurred, causing Ganryu to shield his face.
 
"No!  Zanji!  My honorable samurai!"
 
"You bet everything on being able to finish it this turn," Chiba said.  "But sometimes, when you bet everything, you lose.  You're still in the tournament, Masaki-san, so I have no regrets."
 
"Neither do I," Ganryu said.  "I am proud to lose to you... I was right.  There is strong fighting spirit in Osiris Red!  And I did underestimate you, and I apologize.  I will not do so again."
 
Chiba smiled a bit, and felt his glasses start to drop, so he pushed them back up with his finger.  "Troop Commander," he said.  "Direct attack!"
 
Shougo gasped.  "Chiba's going to win!" he shouted.  "He... he's going to..."  His eyes rolled in the back of his head as he felt his body's consciousness start to swim.  "Tenjouin-sensei!" he called, before he passed out and fell backward.  Tenjouin ran up and caught him.
 
"Aoyama-kun!" she said.  She suppressed the urge to shake him up, knowing that his body was in poor health.  He needed to be returned to the medical office.
 
Ganryu reeled back as Troop Commander's holographic sword penetrated his body.  He then managed to smile through his apparent pain.
 
  Ganryu - 100 LP - 1200 = 0 LP
 
Chiba's Star point counter raised up to 2.  "Thank you for the battle, Masaki-san," he said, bowing.
 
"No, thank you," Ganryu said, bowing.  "It was a most fulfilling duel.  And I hope you understand more about honor now."
 
Not quite, Chiba thought to himself.  Why do I feel like I was the one who was imparting a lesson here?
 
Ganryu turned off his Duel Disk.  "My only regret is that I fear I will not face a more honorable opponent," he said.  "Goodbye, my friend!"
 
Chiba clicked his tongue and turned to where Shougo stood, and saw his body being held by Tenjouin.  "Shougo-kun!" he shouted.
 
"He passed out!" Tenjouin called.  "The stress of the duel must have gotten to him.  Chiba-kun, help me get him back to the medical office!"
 
"Oh no!" Chiba ran to help his friend.  Something told him not to try to wake him up, but to simply get him to the medical office quickly.
 
Ganryu Masaki watched his opponent run to help his friend.  He pondered on Chiba's words about friendship.
 
Friendship is where we put it all on the line, and we don't have to worry about the stress of combat.  We don't have to worry about making a statement with victory.
 
Masaki smiled slightly.  There are worse things than the stress of combat, Chiba-san, he thought to himself.  With those bonds of friendship, also comes the inestimable pain of losing that friend to death.  And that pain may never heal...
 
He drew his next card, and saw that it was his final Six Samurai card, "The Six Samurai - Irou".
 
Or perhaps I am the weak one for relying on friends that never truly leave me? he thought.  Let's see what this tournament tells us.
 
--
 
Shougo was again in the care of Ayukawa in a hospital bed in the medical office, hooked up to an IV.
 
"Is he okay?" Tenjouin said.
 
"I'll know more when the blood tests come in," Ayukawa said.  "But it seems Aoyama-kun is just exhausted.  I told you it was a mistake to let him in the tournament!"
 
"I know," Tenjouin nodded.  "But he insisted.  I still don't think he truly realizes that there are people out there who seek his life.  He'll probably want to return once he wakes up."
 
"I won't allow it," Ayukawa replied.  "Although I can discuss with him who he'll give his extra Star chip to."
 
"I just don't know if it'll be that easy," Chiba mused.  "Shougo-kun is a fighter.  For him to stay still is not in his nature."
 
"Well, he'll have to," Ayukawa said.  "We've taken enough risks with him already.  Even if we are at Duel Academy, this is too much to go through for just a game."
 
Chiba nodded quietly.  It was a fair point.
 
"Come on, Aoyama-kun is okay now," Tenjouin said.  "You and I both need to get back to the tournament."
 
Chiba nodded his affirmation again and walked with Tenjouin outside, but when they were outside the medical office, they bumped into someone who was holding a duel disk.  The disk wasn't the same type as the Duel Academy Duel Disk.
 
"Sorry!" Chiba said embarassedly as he looked up at the person he bumped into.  It was a young man with scruffy brown hair, wearing a red jacket and black shirt.  He had a bit of a wrangly figure.
 
The man looked at Tenjouin and his eyes lit up in recognition.  "Asuka!" he shouted, using her first name.
 
Tenjouin blinked.  "Do I... know you?"
 
"You... you don't recognize me?" he said, looking a bit disappointed.
 
"I'm... I'm sorry," Tenjouin apologized.  There was something familiar about him, but Tenjouin couldn't quite put her finger on it.
 
"Anyway, it doesn't matter right now," he said, obviously sounding out of breath.  "Do you know where someone named Toragami Hinata is?  I need to see her right away!"
 
"She's participating in the Genex tournament," Tenjouin said.  "I could probably use her locator signal to find her.  But... but, wait, who are...?"
 
"Never mind," he said.  "Let's go!"
 
Tenjouin looked at Chiba, who shrugged.  "I'll come along, too," he said.
 
"That's fine," the unknown man.  "Just hurry!"
 
As Tenjouin ran following the young man, her thoughts were in disarray.
 
There's something familiar about him, she thought to herself.  Why can't I recognize him?
 
--
 
TODAY'S FEATURED CARD: "Life Slashing Treasure"
A normal magic card that allows you to drastically increase the possibilities in a duel.  You are allowed to draw cards until you have five cards!  In exchange, you lose your entire hand in five turns.  So have a way to settle the duel before then!  It's an integral part of Chiba-sama's deck!  Excuse me!
 
--
Chiba: "Who is this guy?"
Aino: "Everybody knows by now, so why keep it a surprise?"
Tenjouin: "That's Yuuki Judai.  Not everyone knows of his legend; only those who were in Duel Academy during those times..."
Aino: "And he's come to the island to duel Toragami-sama."
Katsuki: "Ridiculous!  Legend or whoever, I don't care who he is!  He shouldn't act that way..."
Toragami: "You are mistaken if you think I did not foresee this."
Chiba: "It's too crowded here, so Aino-san, could you finish this...?"
Aino: "Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! Negative Zero: 'Time Overlap!  Judai vs. Toragami'."
Judai: "I kept you waiting, didn't I?"
 
--
SUPPLEMENTAL SECTION
 
-
CARDS USED BY HINATA TORAGAMI:
 
LIGHTLORD WARRIOR GAROTH (Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior)
Effect Monster (LV4 Light Warrior, 1850/1300)
If cards are sent from the deck to the cemetery by the effect of a "Lightlord" monster you control other than "Lightlord Warrior Garos", you may send 2 cards from the top of your deck to the cemetery, and for each "Lightlord" Monster discarded by this effect, draw 1 card.
 
-
CARDS USED BY GANRYU MASAKI:
 
ELEMENTAL BURST
Normal Trap
Sacrifice 1 each of WIND, WATER, FIRE, and EARTH monsters to activate this card. Destroy all cards on your opponent's side of the field.
 
THE SIX SAMURAI - YAICHI
Effect Monster (LV3 Water Warrior, 1300/800)
Once per turn, while you control another "Six Samurai" monster with a different name, you can destroy 1 Set Magic or Trap Card.  This monster cannot declare an attack on the turn this effect is used.  If this card would be destroyed, you can destroy another "Six Samurai" you control instead.
 
THE SIX SAMURAI - YARIZA
Effect Monster (LV3 Earth Warrior, 1000/500)
While you control another "Six Samurai" monster with a different name, this card can attack your opponent directly.  If this card would be destroyed, you can destroy another "Six Samurai" you control instead.
 
THE SIX SAMURAI - KAMON
Effect Monster (LV3 Fire Monster, 1500/1000)
Once per turn, while you control another "Six Samurai" monster with a different name, you can destroy 1 face-up Magic or Trap Card.  This monster cannot declare an attack on the turn this effect is used.  If this card would be destroyed, you can destroy another "Six Samurai" you control instead.
 
THE SIX SAMURAI - NISASHI
Effect Monster (LV4 Wind Monster, 1400/700)
While you control another "Six Samurai" monster with a different name, this card can attack twice during the same Battle Phase.  If this card would be destroyed, you can destroy another "Six Samurai" you control instead.
 
THE SIX SAMURAI - ZANJI
Effect Monster (LV4 Light Monster, 1800/1300)
While you control another "Six Samurai" monster with a different name, destroy any monster this card attacks at the end of the Damage Step.  If this card would be destroyed, you can destroy another "Six Samurai" you control instead.
 
THE SIX SAMURAI - IROU
Effect Monster (LV4 Dark Monster, 1700/1200)
While you control another "Six Samurai" monster with a different name, if this card attacks a face-down Defense Position monster, destroy the monster immediately with this card's effect without flipping it face-up or applying damage calculation.  If this card would be destroyed, you can destroy another "Six Samurai" you control instead.
 
-
CARDS USED BY KATSUROU CHIBA:
 
COMMAND KNIGHT
Effect Monster (L4 Fire Warrior, 1200/1900)
While this card is face-up on the field, all Warrior-type Monsters you control gain 400 ATK. When there is 1 Monster card on the field other than this card, your opponent cannot select "Command Knight" as an attack target.
 
ANGEL'S CHARITY (Graceful Charity)
Normal Magic
Draw 3 cards from your deck. Then, discard 2 cards from your hand to the Cemetery.
 
NECRO GARDNA
Effect Monster (LV3 Dark Warrior, 600/1300)
Remove this card in your cemetery from play to negate 1 attack this turn from a monster your opponent controls.
 
LIFE SLASHING TREASURE (Card of Demise)
Normal Magic
Draw until your hand contains 5 cards. On your fifth Standby Phase after the activation of this card, discard all cards in your hand into the cemetery.
 
TROOP COMMANDER (Marauding Captain)
Effect Monster (L3 Earth Warrior, 1200/400)
While this monster remains face-up on the field, your opponent cannot select another Warrior-type monster on your side of the field as an attack target. When this card is Normal Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your hand.
 
ROGUE MERCENARIES (Exiled Force)
Effect Monster (L4 Earth Warrior, 1000/1000)
Sacrifice this card to destroy 1 monster on the field.

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