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.
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Toragami's eyes narrowed. "Judgment Dragoon! Your mistress commands you! Battle Neos Wiseman!"
Judai was left with no choice. "Neos Wiseman!" he shouted. "Counterattack!"
Both monsters collided with each other. Chiba and Tenjouin drew their arms back to shield themselves from the explosion...
But when the dust cleared, "Judgment Dragoon" was still standing.
"You're not the only one who can stealthily activate effects," Toragami explained. "While the Battle occured, I activated my facedown trap, 'Emissaries of Harmony'... which means, while your Neos Wiseman is destroyed, my Judgment Dragoon stays safe."
Judai realized his predicament.
"Unlike you, I have demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice," Toragami observed. "Loss is an inevitable part of life. You still hold to a childish belief - that you can win any fight as long as you believe. You thought you came here in search of me, but the truth is, I am here to test you! Are you going to continue to live a life attached to your vain imaginings, Yuuki Judai?"
"Does she mean to say..." Tenjouin gasped.
"...she's here to challenge him?" Chiba scratched his head. What could this mean? What in God's name is going on?
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YU-GI-OH! Negative Zero: Genex Midterms
Turn 26: "The Power of the Human Heart! The Light of Ruin, Judgment Dragoon"
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Toragami - 1200 LP
Judai - 2100 LP
Chiba gasped as his eyes fell on Toragami. Her aura... it's shining so brightly now. I can't even see her anymore...
Judai closed his eyes and smiled for the first time since his eye color had changed. "Toragami Hinata, was it?... Is this really what you believe?"
Toragami stayed silent.
"When this duel is over, Yubel will still be with me," Judai said. "I understand now; you've been fighting alone, all this time. Even when the Light of Ruin came to you, you still believed you were alone."
"I am alone," Toragami replied, very flatly.
"And what about those friends of yours that you sent away?" Judai pressed on. "Was it because you thought they would distract you? Or maybe, because you're scared of hurting them..."
Toragami frowned deeper. "Do not distract me from my purpose," she said silently. Her voice throbbed with a subtle emotion that was easy to miss. "I end my turn. I send 3 cards from the top of my deck to the cemetery because of Lightlord Magician Leila, as well."
Another building on the field glowed.
"My turn," Judai shouted. "Draw. Toragami... this duel isn't fun for you, is it? I sense no spirit in you. You are too young to have this kind of chain around your ankle. Destiny is not something you should be too worried about right now. You need to have the heart to enjoy the duel!"
"Enjoy the duel...?" Toragami muttered.
Judai, Tenjouin and Chiba both perked up to listen.
"Duels may be nothing more than children's games for people like you," Toragami went on. "They are everything to me. Losing is just an inconvenience for you, but for me, losing means much more. I would lose the support of the people who brought me this far."
She closed her eyes. "But of course, someone like you couldn't understand. You don't have the kind of family that puts that sort of pressure on you. Your parents were kind and loving to you under all conditions. Such a lifestyle... you couldn't possibly understand what it's like to have to assert your existence through a duel."
Tenjouin winced, knowing Toragami had struck a nerve.
"To talk about duels as if they weren't important to me too... what do you know?" Judai shouted, suddenly angry. "You haven't had to lose everything. To gain this power, I did not sacrifice, it's true. They were taken from me, against my will. Isn't it the same?"
"Shut up."
Tenjouin and Chiba gasped in utter shock when they heard Toragami say such a line.
"You don't know anything about what I've been through," Toragami muttered. "When you have to surrender pieces of your own body, then you can talk to me about unwilling sacrifice! Until then, you shut your mouth and don't speak about me. Are you going to end your turn?!"
Toragami-san... she must be talking about her lost arm, Chiba thought to himself. Did she... perhaps did she give that up for the power of the Light?
Judai shook his head. "Toragami, you see the world as cold and cruel to the life within it. If that's how you must see it, then there's nothing I can say or do to change your mind. But the day will come when you realize the world supports you as well."
"You're forgetting one thing," Toragami said.
"What?"
"The Light of Ruin has granted me knowledge of all events. So I know that day will come. And I know the events that will happen afterward."
"You're talking about destiny." Judai shook his head. "I believe you make your own destiny. And I'll demonstrate now! I activate the effect of 'Elemental Hero Captain Gold'!"
"Another new Elemental Hero..." Tenjouin marvelled.
"By discarding Captain Gold from my hand, I can take 'Skyscraper' from my deck and add it to my hand," Judai said and did so. "But before I activate it, let me summon the other card in my hand... 'Elemental Hero Bubbleman', in attack position!"
The water hero appeared on the field, cape flowing.
Elemental Hero Bubbleman - LV4 Water Warrior (800 ATK)
"In attack mode?" Chiba said, confused. "Even with Skyscraper out, it can still only suicide against Prophet of World Creation."
"Just watch," Tenjouin said. "This is the power of a legend."
"With Bubbleman alone on the field, his effect activates," Judai said. "Letting me draw two cards from my deck." He pulled them out, glanced at them, and smiled broadly. "And one of the cards is the equip magic 'Bubble Shot', which I'll equip to Bubbleman now!"
A rocket cannon that appeared to shoot water appeared, and Bubbleman kneeled as he held it.
Elemental Hero Bubbleman - 800 ATK + 800 = 1600 ATK
Chiba's mind was boggled. How... how could he rely on his deck giving him what he needed at just this time? This is not how a warrior fights. The power of a legend... could it be...?
"And now... I activate my field magic card! Go... my field of heroes, 'Skyscraper'!"
The towers of Justice World were shattered and replaced with the now-familiar rising buildings of Judai's signature field spell. Toragami, however, as usual, did not appear concerned.
Judai smiled, despite Toragami's lack of concern. "You know what I'm going to do, so I suppose you're not surprised. But let me make my play! The other card I drew from Bubbleman's effect... 'O - Oversoul', activates now!"
The image of the O on the card shined on the field.
"I can select a Normal Elemental Hero in my cemetery, and revive him! Resurrect now... Elemental Hero Neos!"
Judai's signature monster and ace reappeared on the field.
Elemental Hero Neos - 2500 ATK
"When you played 'Soul Release' earlier, you could remove up to five cards, Toragami," Judai said. "But you chose to only remove my 'Yubel' and 'Necro Gardna'. If you really are omniscient... why did you give me what I needed to defeat you?"
Toragami didn't answer.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Judai went on. "Elemental Hero Neos! Attack her Judgment Dragoon! Wrath of Neos!"
Neos' power rose by the effect of Skyscraper.
Elemental Hero Neos - 2500 ATK + 1000 = 3500 ATK
"So this is the effect of Skyscraper," Chiba said. "Very helpful... but..."
But Toragami-san's aura is shining brightly, he thought to himself. Surely she's expecting this, so why...
Chiba focused his sight so he could see through the aura and at Toragami's body. When he was able to do so, he noticed something strange about the lone card she held.
The card in her hand... her hand is trembling...
Toragami's head was lowered as Neos' attack approached.
If that's a card that could help her, Chiba thought to himself. Why didn't she set it last turn?
A thought occurred to him. Could Toragami be... throwing the match? Is she trying to fight her destiny?
But Toragami's next words made him think twice.
"Are you still frightened of the Light of Ruin?" Toragami asked Judai as she slowly raised her head. "Do you not yet see that a human may control it and force it to obey her own will? These things that you fear... they are nothing compared to the power of the human heart."
"What are you saying?" Judai said.
Neos' attack went through and shattered and destroyed Judgment Dragoon. Toragami trembled just a bit as her life points took a hit.
Toragami - 1200 LP - 500 = 700 LP
A light on the field remained where Judgment Dragoon once stood, and flickered away.
Elemental Hero Neos - 3500 ATK - 1000 = 2500 ATK
"Have you once considered that I know what actions you are going to take?" Toragami said in a stern voice. "To achieve anything, you will have to destroy my Prophet. Otherwise, I will revive my Judgment Dragoon next turn and you will lose. You have no cards in your hand. Show me this power that you put your trust in, Yuuki Judai!"
"I'd be glad to! Bubbleman! Attack Toragami's Prophet with your Bubble Shot!"
As Bubbleman prepared to attack, his power raised up via the spell as well.
Elemental Hero Bubbleman - 1600 ATK + 1000 = 2600 ATK
Tenjouin gasped. "Toragami will take 800 points of damage from this next attack," she said. "If Judai-kun's next attack hits, Toragami-san will have lost."
Chiba shook his head quietly. "Tenjouin-sensei," he said. "The power of a legend is one thing... but think about it. Do you think Toragami-san would have come to this match unprepared? If her power is what she claims it to be?"
"Judai-kun's power surpasses destiny, though," Tenjouin replied. "I've seen it with my own eyes too many times to doubt it."
Chiba sighed. "Toragami-san, though..."
Toragami's hand trembled once more, her head lowered as Bubbleman's shot approached. She then raised her head, and there was something fierce in her eyes.
I think we're about to see what her true plan is, Chiba thought quietly to himself.
"Did you really think that because my field is free of traps, that you're safe?" she asked quietly.
"Wha-what?" Judai gasped.
"You should know this better than anyone," Toragami said, her emotions uncharacteriscally rising. "Because the card in my hand... it's telling me that it's disappointed in you. It's telling me to remind you now, and for the rest of your days as a duelist... never underestimate an opponent!"
Tenjouin's eyes widened suddenly. "Could it be...?"
But Chiba already knew what the card was. He had figured it out when Toragami allowed her ace to be destroyed. She allowed Judgment Dragoon to be killed, and waited until now to play it. Toragami Hinata... what exactly are you trying to tell Yuuki Judai here?
Toragami spoke and moved with such absolute determination that it frightened Tenjouin, Chiba and Judai alike.
"The card in my hand... is 'Honest'!"
"H-Honest?" Judai choked.
"I suppose it has been so long that you've forgotten what it does? By discarding Honest, the power of your monster is added to my Prophet's," Toragami explained as she discarded the card to her graveyard. "Prophet! Shed your veil of concern for the physical world, and show my opponent the power that only God can wield!"
"What?" Tenjouin shouted. "What kind of words are those?"
"Impossible..." Chiba gasped and closed his eyes. But Toragami's aura was so bright now that he could literally not see anything. Even when his eyes were closed, the light bleached his vision.
And the Prophet, as bidden, tore the veil off from her face, revealing a great beauty. Behind her back, feathery wings appeared and rose menacingly over her body.
"Honest Wings!" Toragami shouted.
Prophet of World Creation - 1800 ATK + 2600 = 4400 ATK
The Prophet then pointed her staff at the approaching water attack, and blasted light out which shattered the Bubble Shot gun.
Elemental Hero Bubbleman - 2600 - 1000 = 1600 ATK
Elemental Hero Bubbleman - 1600 - 800 = 800 ATK
"But when Bubbleman would be destroyed," Judai said. "Bubble Shot is destroyed instead, and battle damage goes to 0," he said.
Toragami narrowed her eyes. "It is pointless to continue this match," she said. "You know that, don't you?"
Judai sighed and just smiled. "I would have to be some kind of coward to not go on now," he said. "Turn end."
Prophet of World Creation - 4400 ATK - 2600 = 1800 ATK
Toragami's face showed obvious disgust. "I discard the card I drew to activate my Prophet's effect," she said, not even looking at the card she drew. "And summon my envoy of victory, Judgment Dragoon!"
Judgment Dragoon - 3000 ATK
Judai's face had a more happy expression; his eyes were their normal color again. "That's an awesome monster," he said. "I didn't appreciate it before because I was caught up in having to defeat you. But it really is great!"
Tenjouin looked at the dragon. "The light that was around it is gone," she observed.
Chiba noticed this as well. The light had faded enough so he could see again. "Could it be that by sacrificing it earlier, she eliminated the evil of the Light?" he thought aloud.
"I don't have enough life points left to activate its effect," Toragami said with a deep, stern face. "But that barely matters at this point, does it? The target of my attack really makes no difference. I would merely prolong this unnecessarily by attacking Neos."
"So... it's up to you, Toragami," Judai replied. "Who will you have your monster battle?"
"Judgment Dragoon... your target..." Toragami said, thrusting her hand dramatically. "Is Bubbleman! End my opponent's fantasy now!"
Judgment Dragoon roared and shot a brilliant blast of light at Bubbleman, who was unable to resist its attack.
Tenjouin and Chiba covered their faces as Judgment Dragoon's light radiated on the field. Judai shouted as the dragon's attack penetrated Bubbleman and struck him, and he dropped to one knee, defeated.
Judai - 2100 LP - 2200 = 0 LP
"The dream that you held of your life is over," Toragami stated. "Wake up and face reality, Yuuki Judai. Your destiny is in the darkness. You have no future. Do not come to me again." She turned and walked away.
"Wait!" Tenjouin shouted.
Toragami turned slightly.
"You shouldn't talk to him so disrespectfully," Tenjouin said. "I am still your teacher and you are still my student. Toragami-san, Judai-kun is not weak. He walked through hell and back to help his friends."
"He did not do that because he wished to, though," Toragami replied. "His sacrifice was against his will. If it had been up to him, he would have continued his carefree lifestyle. He was compelled to walk through hell, because he did not want to give up his bonds."
"Whatever you believe about his motives," Tenjouin muttered. clenching her fist slightly. "You don't know him either!"
"We must talk about this later, Tenjouin-sama," Toragami said, turning away once more and continuing to walk away from the field. "If I were to tell you the truth now, you would not understand, and merely continue to be angry with me. Feel that anger if you must, but it does you no favors."
Chiba narrowed his eyes. That Toragami... you are so wrong on this. The day will come when I will show you myself. I promise!
Judai seemed to be drained from his defeat, and he grunted a bit, grasping his chest.
"Judai!" Tenjouin ran to her friend.
"Toragami Hinata..." Judai said to himself. "What a person to have defeated me... I guess she did teach me a lesson, though. I was starting to not enjoy the duel because I wanted to defeat the Light of Ruin so badly..."
"Judai-kun?" Tenjouin wondered about whether or not he was okay.
"She's right, anyway," Judai chuckled. "I don't have a future. Not a set one, anyway. The future is what I make of it!"
Tenjouin found the werewithal to smile just a bit.
"Toragami!" Judai called. "I'll believe that you're in control for now. But be wary! You still have time to surrender that power yourself!"
Toragami didn't appear to listen, but her thoughts were manifold. That fool truly understands nothing, she said to herself as she walked further away from the three.
"Well... there's just one more matter to settle before I leave this island for good," Judai said, and turned to his friend.
Suddenly, butterflies flew in Tenjouin's stomach. She knew... in her heart, she knew... this was the moment she had been both looking forward to and dreading since starting the Genex tournament.
Judai closed his eyes and smiled. "Let's settle it between us, once and for all... Asuka!"
There was no time for words or hesitation.
"Chiba-san," Tenjouin said. "We have to do this alone."
"I understand," Chiba said, although he thought it was a shame he couldn't witness this.
"You don't have to go anywhere if you want to seek opponents here," she said. "We're going to do this somewhere else..."
"O...okay..." Chiba nodded.
Tenjouin looked at her friend, who nodded as well. The location had been selected.
I knew there was a reason I put on my Duel Disk during this tournament, she thought to herself. Yuuki Judai... I'll show you how far I've come right now!
--
TODAY'S FEATURED CARD: The Effect Card, "Honest"
Level four Light Angel, attack power 1100, defense power 1900. You may return this card to your hand when it is face up on the field during your turn. More importantly, when a Light-attribute card you control is in battle, you can discard this card from your hand to add the battle power of the card you are attacking to the monster's battle power!
--
Aino: "The sun rises, and the day begins. Many things happen, and a legend is created. The moon appears, night falls. A boy and a girl meet on the riverside. This is not the story of that legend. This is the story of the boy behind the legend, and the girl who watched him go. Now, as a man and a woman, they are reunited, and their true feelings will be exposed in the true language that they have learned. This is the dawn of a new day in this world of the young and the restless. This is the duel between Yuuki Judai and Tenjouin Asuka. Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! Negative Zero: 'The Unseen Tears! The Legacy of Yuuki Judai'. Please enjoy."
Tenjouin: "The feelings I have for him will be revealed..."
Judai: "Gotcha... it was a fun duel..."
--
SUPPLEMENTAL SECTION
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CARDS USED BY JUDAI YUUKI:
NEOS WISEMAN (note: This card is an Effect Monster in the TCG)
Fusion Effect Monster (LV10 Light Spellcaster, 3000/3000)
"Elemental Hero Neos" + 1 "Yubel" monster
This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon with the above Fusion Material Monsters. This card cannot be destroyed by card effects. When this card battles an opponent's monster, inflict damage equal to its Attack points to your opponent and gain Life Points equal to its Defense points. When this card is destroyed by battle, you can remove from play 1 "Yubel" from your cemetery to Special Summon 1 "Elemental Hero Neos" from your cemetery.
ELEMENTAL HERO CAPTAIN GOLD
Effect Monster (LV4 Light Warrior, 2100/800)
You can discard this card to the cemetery to add 1 "Skyscraper" from your Deck to your hand. If "Skyscraper" is not on the field, destroy this face-up card.
SKYSCRAPER
Field Magic
When an "Elemental Hero" monster attacks, during Damage Calculation only, if its Attack points are lower than its attack target's Attack points, raise the "Elemental Hero" monster's Attack by 1000.
ELEMENTAL HERO BUBBLEMAN
Effect Monster (LV4 Water Warrior, 800/120)
If this is the only card in your hand, you can Special Summon it. If you have no other cards on your field when this card is Summoned, you can draw 2 cards.
BUBBLE SHOT (TCG name: Bubble Blaster)
Equip Magic
Equip only to "Elemental Hero Bubbleman". Raise the equipped monster's Attack points by 800. If the equipped monster would be destroyed in battle, destroy this card instead, and Battle Damage becomes 0.
O - OVERSOUL
Normal Magic
Special Summon 1 Normal "Elemental Hero" Monster from your cemetery.
ELEMENTAL HERO NEOS
Normal Monster (LV7 Light Warrior, 2500/2000)
A new Elemental Hero has arrived from Neo Space! When he initiates a Contact Fusion with a Neo-Spacian his unknown powers are unleashed.
--
CARDS USED BY HINATA TORAGAMI:
JUSTICE WORLD (TCG name: Realm of Light)
Field Magic
When cards are sent from your deck to the cemetery, place 1 Shine Counter on this card. For each Shine Counter on this card, increase the ATK of all "Lightlord" monsters on the field by 100 points. If this face-up card with at least 2 Shine Counters would be destroyed by a card effect, remove 2 Shine Counters to negate its destruction.
JUDGMENT DRAGOON (TCG name: Judgment Dragon)
Effect Monster (LV8 Light Dragon, 3000/2600)
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except when there are 4 or more unique "Lightlord" Monsters in your cemetery. By paying 1000 Life Points, destroy all cards on the field except this one. During your End Phase, send 4 cards from the top of your deck to the cemetery.
EMISSARIES OF HARMONY (TCG name: Waboku)
Normal Trap
You take no Battle Damage this turn, and your Monsters cannot be destroyed as a result of battle.
PROPHET OF WORLD CREATION (TCG name: Herald of Creation)
Effect Monster (LV4 Light Spellcaster, 1800/600)
Once per turn, you can discard 1 card from your hand to add 1 Level 7 or higher monster from your cemetery to your hand.
HONEST
Effect Monster (LV4 Light Angel, 1100/1900)
During your Main Phase, you can return this card from the field to its owner's hand. During the Damage Step of either player's Battle Phase, you can discard this card from your hand when a Light-attribute monster you control battles to raise its Attack points by the Attack of the opponent's monster until the End Phase.
