(As it turns out, I am alive, but very busy, also I have nothing to post so here’s a full size thingy of the Ruri sketch I made earlier, if you care. Mistakes and shitty clean-up job are more evident here, lol.)
Ruri’s got some magic up her sleeve. Er, in her deck. She’s not cheating. Though you’d think maybe in the case of actual war, the combatants would try to bend the game rules in addition to pulling cards out of thin air.
Notes: Symmetry, how the fuck does it work?? And, for the record: no, I don’t know Japanese, I just threw the words into a katakana generator. I couldn’t be assed to cram effect text in there, either. And yes, I absolutely had to use the “I’m holding up my card with my middle finger so it looks like I’m flipping you off” pose. (I decided to skip Day 21, by the way.)
Notes: I actually included another character this time! It makes sense to me that Shun would at least have someone to report to regarding the war effort. I mean, apart from Yuto, we did see those other people in the flashback, so you’d think they’d be involved at least somehow.
“This is... Heartland? Yuto’s... and you guys’ home?”
“Hm,” Shun replied affirmatively, minimally.
Ruri was similarly silent in her demeanor. It was not that they were particularly cold towards Yuya, but rather that Heartland always stirred bitter memories within the siblings. It had been some time since they had been in the location, but their homecoming was hardly sweet.
A handful of figures approached them. Distant, yet familiar regards were exchanged. Curious glances were cast towards Yuya. He shrunk away from the attention. Shun and Ruri exchanged glances. They noticed that there were fewer faces than there were before they had left. The silence was finally broken when it seemed that most of the local Resistance members had gathered.
“We’re glad that you’re safe, Ruri,” one voice spoke. The speaker turned towards Shun and Yuya. “It’s good that you two were able to recover her.”
“It’s... a lot more complicated than that,” Ruri cut in. She sighed. “Our plans have been... going awry.”
“We have, however,” added in Shun, “Gained allies in Standard who will help us in our fight against Academia. This is one of them.”
“I’m Sakaki Yuya,” he spoke nervously, avoiding eye contact.
“So he’s not Yuto? Then where--?”
“Yuto has fallen in battle,” Shun announced grimly. The bitterness in his voice was not entirely concealed. “He--”
“He sacrificed himself to protect me.” Yuya’s voice was trembling, nearly breaking. “Now, his soul resides within me. He entrusted me... to bring bring smiles with duels, and he gave me his dragon.”
The others murmured, seemingly in disbelief, but they nodded. Yuto was their life long comrade; they knew that those actions would be characteristic of him.
“But I know Academia must be stopped, before they do the same to my home as they did to yours. And to that end, I know Yuto would want me to fight. For my friends, and for his.”
“Yuto believed in this boy,” Ruri spoke up, “and so must we. He is an ally, one of us.” She turned to Shun. “I’ll handle the debriefing. You look after him.”
Ruri went off to a tent with another, who was the closest thing they had to a commanding officer. She didn’t hold any rank over the other Resistance members, but her declarations did carry a measure of authority. Meanwhile, Shun stood by Yuya as he became acquainted with the Resistance members.
With each person he met, Yuya felt Yuto’s memories stir within him. Unlike the anguish-inducing flashbacks he had experienced previously, Yuya saw flickers of brief childhood happiness. He realized each and every one of these people were Yuto’s friends. The whole affair was still rather overwhelming for him. He eventually sat down by himself, putting some distance between him and the others, and stared at the meal portion he’d been handed. Shun followed him.
“It’s not much of a home, not in this state, but it’s where our friends are... those who are still surviving.” His tone was grim and somber.
“Kurosaki... why... all of this?”
“At first, I didn’t believe that you were someone Yuto cared about, much less someone who holds his soul. Sure, he’d be the type to protect the innocent, but if he entrusted his Dark Rebellion to you, then there must have been something more. Of course, you could have simply taken his dragon, as I had assumed initially, but...”
Shun fixed his gaze towards Yuya, staring intently.
“Haou Kokuryu - Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon. That was Yuto’s power entwined with yours. And I know it’s not just his power you’ve inherited. The darkness threatening to consume his soul has come after you.”
Yuya gasped. He knew it was within him, lurking in the shadows of his mind, waiting to strike in a moment of weakness.
“How much do you know about it?” Yuya asked nervously.
“I know it was what Yuto feared most. He became so afraid that he’d lose control and cause harm to his friends with his own hands. I know it was a burden he was trying to overcome constantly. And I know that he depended on us to give him the will to fight it off. You carry his soul within you. and he’s still fighting off that darkness. And I won’t leave him to fight it alone.”
Ruri arrived alongside them, and sat down, gnawing on a piece of meat absentmindedly.
“What did you tell her?” Shun asked.
“Everything. What I did in Fusion, what happened in Standard.”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
“You told her that you were to blame for... what happened to Yuto, didn’t you?”
“Might’ve implied it.”
“You’re not personally responsible for every--”
Ruri glared fiercely at her brother. He opened his mouth to rebut, but held his tongue, sighing and shaking his head.
Ruri turned to Yuya.
“I’m guessing home is pretty bittersweet to you, too, huh?”
“It’s a lot to take in,” he replied, still nervous. She somehow managed to be the more intimidating one of the siblings.
“Yuto entrusted his feelings to you. You’ve got his responsibilities now. His companionship with us, the Resistance; his fight against Academia; and-- well, I heard you two going over it already. But with his hopes and dreams, you’ve got his strength, too. You’re on of us now. Nobody fights alone. Our enemies may be formidable, but they’re not infallible.”
“Thanks.” Yuya felt a sense of relief, knowing that they had accepted him. They had an odd way of showing it, but Yuya realized that they were forming bonds together through Yuto. He saw distant memories, of a time when the now battle-hardened siblings were innocent and carefree and happy.
I understand, Yuto. I need to bring back their smiles, too.
“Here.” Ruri tossed him a card.
Rank-Up-Magic: Rebellion Force.
“We made this card together, Yuto and my brother and I. You could probably figure out how to use it.”
Shun handed him a red scarf. “Wear that, too. Like Ruri said, you’re one of us. You’re carrying on Yuto’s place in the Resistance.”
Yuya accepted both graciously. “I won’t let him down. And I won’t let you down, or my friends, either.“
It was his first time in the Xyz Dimension, but Yuya felt at home in Heartland, if only just a little bit.
(Still falling behind! Again not bothering with the title.)
Summary: Ruri is dissatisfied with her mission progress.
Notes: A little thought I’d like to entertain: What if Ruri wasn’t actually endangered by Academia at all? What if she deliberately got herself captured because she thought that Shun had been the one captured, and she was attempting to rescue him?
Ruri had been in the same prison cell for weeks. It might have been months, actually, but she was beginning to lose count. She swore under her breath.
I’m not gathering enough intel. I’ve been here so long and yet I still have more questions than answers.
She pulled out from under her bed a woefully blank piece of notepaper and a pen. She had intended to gather as much information as possible, keeping her ears open as much as possible, but they didn’t move her out of her cell enough for her to catch anything.
I don’t know where they’re keeping everyone they sealed into cards. I haven’t found out anything about their strategies or their personnel or their deployments. I don’t know what Akaba Leo is up to. The only thing I have learned is that the boy with Yuto’s face had captured a girl from Synchro that had my face... It seems a little less than coincidental, but I still can’t make anything of it. But, if Academia is attacking Synchro, then perhaps they may not be our enemy?
Ruri had recalled the day she was brought in, struggling and cursing. The girl definitely looked like her, but she didn’t catch her name. She had heard her speak one line:
“Don’t think you can hold me here! When Yugo finds out, he’s going to kick your ass and break me out, and then I’ll kick your ass, too!”
Feisty as she seemed, that was the last Ruri had heard of her. Evidently, this Yugo had not found out.
That boy is a threat, though. It would seem he’s a special agent for Academia; they send him out on priority missions against strong targets. And if he is going into Synchro, they might be planning to invade them just like us...
She couldn’t be sure with what little she had gathered. What she did realize was that she wasn’t making enough progress. At this point, she was accomplishing nothing by letting Academia keep her locked up. She’d be more effective if she was back in the fight.
Perhaps I can gather intelligence by other means... But first things first: I need to get out of here.
Ruri reached into her garments, pulling loose a few cards kept in hidden pockets. Academia had been fairly thorough in ensuring that she had kept very few possessions on hand, but they were not thorough enough to render her powerless. She saw a guard walking towards her cell.
“Hey you, bastard!” She flaunted an Xyz monster, the black card frame catching his eye. He cursed, and ran to the door, opening it as he activated his Duel Disk. Ruri was ready. She grabbed his arm, pulling him through, and kicked the guard in the gut. She slapped a monster down on the card plate, and her serpentine monster emerged. With a swipe of its fangs, the Academia duelist collapsed. She pulled the Duel Disk off his arm, and pressed a button on it. The unconscious body disappeared in a flash of light, and a new card emerged, dropping to the floor.
The irony of being sealed into a card by his own device. Now, to get my own...
She cast a glance down the hall.
Could I find and break out that Synchro girl? Would she hinder my escape? Would she even cooperate? Would she help with my goals?
Ruri decided that there were too many unknown variables, and decided to stick with the original plan. She stealthily made her way to the room where her confiscated belongings were kept.
Upon eluding several guards and eliminating a few others, she retrieved her own Duel Disk, equipping it on her forearm. She also strapped her belt around her waist, ensuring that all its contents were accounted for. Her belongings collected, she exited the compound, heading to the shore. Upon arrival there, she summoned another monster, which slunk into the water, and she mounted it before directing it towards the mainland.
The sun fell below the horizon against the tranquil waters. Ruri sighed wistfully.
Hopefully I can find out more in the city. I’ll head back to Heartland once I get a good amount of intel.
She removed two halves of a bracelet that she kept in one of her belt pouches. Its original form was three rings, each angled apart and joining together at either end of their diameters. There was a single gemstone embedded on each of the rings at a different point. The intersections of each band were the fracture points where it had split in half.
I swear to you... I won’t let Academia keep their hands on you. I’ll find you and bring you back to safety, Shun.
Ruri wasn’t getting enough results on her mission, but she intended to rectify that.
(Late! Also didn’t even bother with the title this time.)
Summary: It’s been years since the war, but Shun still manages to worry Ruri.
Notes: I’m just going to accept the fact that this is the only thing I can write about. Stick to what you’re good (for certain values of “good”) at, I guess? Also, this one has actual violence! Except It’s written poorly. Should probably do not that.
“Hey, jackass, you were supposed to cook food today!”
“Alright, alright!”
Ruri did not hold much faith in the reply coming from upstairs, and stormed towards her brother’s room to give him a piece of her mind. She flung the door open without bothering to knock.
Shun was slouched forward on his desk chair, sitting in a stained undershirt and pair of pajama pants. His hair, usually meticulously kept, was oily and clumped. Notebook paper was strewn about, half of them crumpled and all of them nigh indecipherable. The several computer screens were cluttered with windows filled with rows of text and infographics.
“I’m sorry; I’ll take care of it,” Shun said. “I’ve just been... busy. What do we have in the pantry?”
“You were supposed to pick up groceries the other day.”
“Shit.” He groaned. “I’ll... go by the store and do everything after I finish this part.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Ruri replied, “I’ll just order some delivery. You look like you could use a break.”
“The due date--”
“Ever since you started college, I barely see you anymore.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just the workload.”
“Shun, if something’s wrong, please, talk to me.” The anger in her tone had faded to concern. “Or even Yuto. He’s noticed your absence, too. Just because we’re dating, doesn’t mean we don’t have time for you. He’s still your best friend and I’m still your sister.” She patted him on the back. “So don’t feel the need to stay all closed up.”
Shun brushed her cheek gently. “Noted.”
“I’ll go order the food. At least wash your hands, use the bathroom, clean your face...”
Shun sighed, relenting as she left and walked downstairs.
“Food’s here!” Ruri called, setting the delivery down at the table, as well as providing the tableware for both her and her brother.
“Go a head and get started; I’ll be down in a minute,” came the reply.
Ruri was rather hungry at that point, so she began gorging herself without a second thought. It wasn’t until she had finished with her first serving that she noticed that her brother had not only failed to make an appearance, but he had remained entirely quiet for the duration. She marched upstairs, a plate of food in her hand.
Shun was keeled over forwards, his head laying awkwardly on one hand draped across the desktop, while his other hand hung limp at the side.A snore exited his mouth.
“Get up and eat, dammit.”
He languidly turned towards her voice, elevating his head a few degrees and blinking slowly.
“Not hungry.” The words came out muffled as he sunk his head back down.
“Not hungry my ass! I can tell you’ve lost weight! Are you anorexic or something? No,” she looked over her shoulder around the room, “because there wouldn’t be cheap cup ramen containers all over. And it’s not bulimia either, because there’s more than one stench I can detect, but vomit is not among them.”
“I don’t have an eating disorder!” he retorted defensively. “I’ve just been losing my appetite lately.”
“I’m not going to take any excuses. You survived a war for years; I’m not losing you to malnutrition. I will force feed you if I have to.”
He realized that Ruri would indeed make good on her word, so he relented. He didn’t really feel like arguing anyways. He reluctantly but obediently cooperated as she began to feed him.
“Shun, you’re exhausted. I haven’t seen you like this since...” She sighed, shaking her head. “I saw what that war did to you, what it did to both of us, and I’m not going to let it happen to you again. I’m not going to let this stress destroy you like it did before.”
“I just... don’t know what to do.”
“Talk to me Shun, please.”
“I feel... so burdened. Like I have so much to do but I’m crippled by the weight of it all.”
“Shun, you need a break. If you’re worried about falling behind on your paper, I can take care of it for you.”
He sighed. “And what do I owe you?”
“Tickets to--” she had cracked a smug grin that quickly faded to a more sincere expression. “No. I want you to go out take it easy for a bit. I’d invite you to hang out with Yuto and me, but we have some crap after school. So just do something with your college buddies instead. Go out on a date after you ask someone to be your girlfriend. Or boyfriend.”
“I’m assuming you’d want every last detail if I did so, then.”
“I would. But what’s important is that you get some time to relax.”
“Sure thing.”
“Promise?“
“I promise, Ruri.” He wrapped his arms around her.
“Just... take care of yourself.” She returned the embrace.
Shun wondered why he even bothered showing up. Everything about the place was obnoxious. The music, the crowd, the walls, the drinks. He swirled the glass in his hand.
Why do I even bother with this shit anyways?
“Hey, Kurosaki...”
Oh right.
“Are you some kind of lightweight or something? That’s your first one and you’ve barely touched it.”
Shun downed the rest of the beverage in a rapid gulp.
“That’s how it’s done! Now ready for round two.”
Shun hated alcohol. He briefly considered figuring out exactly how he managed to acquaint himself with these people, before realizing that it wasn’t worth the headache. He began sipping at his second drink.
That still leaves the problem of getting away from them.
Shun wished he was with his actual friends. The problem was that none of them had ended up in the same college as him, and somehow he’d become entangled with this group of people.
I would’ve been better off alone.
At some point he had finished imbibing his second drink and started on a third. As much as Ruri would have disapproved of the isolation, the current situation was not helping in the least.
I’m just being goaded by these idiots into doing this crap they somehow find entertaining. I don’t have to let them push me around.
“Fuck this.” Shun tossed the half-full glass aside. It shattered as it struck the ground, its contents spilling on the floor.
“Oi, Kurosaki! You’re not the one paying for that, you know!”
Shun tossed a wad of bills and coins onto the table. “I’m leaving.”
“And where do you think you’re going?”
“I’ve had enough.” He stormed out the door.
Shun’s gait wobbled. He clutched his abdomen and his forehead. He stumbled into an alley, leaning forwards onto a wall.
Too much damn alcohol.
That was not the only thing responsible for headache, the nausea, the exhaustion, the overall sickness.
Too much bullshit in my life.
“Say, Kurosaki, weren’t you going to invite your sister to hang out with us?”
“And why,” he replied, with bitterness oozing from his voice, “would Ruri want to associate with you filthy pigs?”
“Hey, now, that’s no way to talk to your friends.”
“You’re not my friends, you assho--”
He saw the fist coming, and made a motion to dodge, but intoxication impaired his reflexes, and he was caught in the cheek. Another set of arms shoved him backwards. He staggered backwards, reeling, and barely managed to stay on his feet.
“Last chance, Kurosaki. Call her and tell her to come here, or she’ll be wiping you off the ground.”
“You leave her ALONE!”
He lunged forward, his fist balled and ready to strike the nearest person’s face, but he felt his wrist twist and his legs swiped out from under him. He was sent sprawling to the floor. He winced as he lifted himself off the ground, still on his hands and knees.
“Why are you so insistent on doing this the hard way?”
“Fuck... y--ugh!”
He collapsed again with a kick in the gut, and ejected the contents of his stomach. Shun heard laughter surrounding him. He was grabbed, and lifted upwards. Defiantly, Shun spat in his assailant’s face. He was hurled across the alley, and crashed to the asphalt with a pained grunt. He heard their laughter, taunting, menacing, approaching towards him. He hissed in anger, clenching his fist, burning for a fight, but his body failed him. He could barely move.
A head jerked suddenly to the side impacted by a spinning kick; it bounced off a chain link fence, and the boy followed it as it slumped forward.
“Looking for me?”
Ruri dodged two punches directed towards her, countering with an elbow to one abdomen and a kick to another. She shoulder charged, shoving a body to the ground, and she picked it up, tossing it into another, both impacting a brick wall. She delivered an uppercut and a reverse kick. As all of the men got up and lunged towards Ruri together, she eluded their attacks, grabbing two heads and forcing their collision. She cartwheeled, delivering a kick to the back of the knee, and as he collapsed backwards, she elbowed him in the face. Channeling her wrath, she counterattacked with a torrent of heavy blows. She blocked and evaded flawlessly, remaining unscathed throughout the brawl. She dashed up the side of a building, and flipped away, swinging her leg around and spin kicking the entire group.
One man stood up, brandishing a knife. As he charged towards Ruri, she grabbed him by the wrist, twisting until an audible crack sounded, and the knife fell from his grip. She cast him downwards and crushed his hand under her heel.
“Don’t. You. Fuck. With. MY BROTHER!!”
Ruri punctuated her words by kicking each of the collapsed men in the face, spilling blood and teeth. She looked around, surveying her handiwork.
They deserve to suffer even more. But right now--
“Shun, are you alright? Can you walk?”
Ruri knelt down beside him, draping his arm over her neck, and helped him up. He groaned in pain as she began to walk him forward.
“Hold on, I got you.” She put her arms around Shun and lifted him into her grasp, and carried him out of the alley.
“I don’t think I broke anything,” he murmured, “It just--” he broke off with a wince.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of you.”
“How did you...?”
“I saw your messages with them. Your friends are assholes.”
“They’re not my friends.”
“No shit, that’s your problem.”
“Ruri, I’m sorry...”
“Hey, take it easy. It’ll be okay.”
A car pulled up at the to the side of the road. Yuto hurriedly emerged from the driver’s seat.
“What happened?” Yuto asked with concern, opening the back door. He assisted in getting Shun situated inside the car.
“It seems like it’s just a few cuts and bruises, a sprain,” she replied. “I took care of it.
Yuto surveyed her, looking down and back up. She cast her gaze downward as well.
“Not mine,” she indicated the bloodstains painting her garments.
Yuto nodded in response, and he returned to the driver’s seat as Ruri sat in the back beside Shun. As he drove off, he began speaking.
“I stop seeing you for a little while, and next thing I know, you end up like this, Shun? I guess I was right to be worried. If you get into these kinds of messes, let me know. We’re friends; I’m going to help you out.”
Shun sighed. “Guys, I... I just don’t know...”
Ruri put a hand on her brother’s head comfortingly. “I know you’ve been going through way too much lately. And we’re not going to leave you to deal with it all alone. You just need some R&R, and someone to talk to...”
“And something to smile about!” added Yuto.
Shun groaned and his mouth contorted. He still couldn’t help but grin a little bit.
That’s what I’ve been missing.
“Thanks, guys. For being there for me, even when I didn’t realize that I needed you.”
He felt the pain, the sickness, and the dread all subside, at least a little bit.
So, instead of paying attention to today’s lecture...
(Some notes below)
So, this is my completely unfounded wild mass guess regarding Ruri’s deck. My first thought process was to keep the “Dark Rebellion” motif. The next was to make an alliterative parallel to Raid Raptors with the letter S, because not only are R and S consecutive letters in the alphabet, but in keeping with the RURI RAPTORS, I needed SHUN SOMETHINGS. Strike Serpents naturally followed due to the similar terminology between Raid and Strike, and that Serpents were a fairly large subgroup of animals. That, and Sharks were already taken by another Xyz duelist also from Heartland City. To contrast the all-out-attacking and OTK potential of the RRs, I focused on a more stun-oriented and disruptive deck, which deals most of its damage via burn effects. The idea was that the SSs’ venom would cripple both the monsters and the opponent slowly, painfully, and subtly. Rather than the massive amounts of collateral damage and overt carpet bombing performed by the RRs, SS would focus more on stealth, ambushes, and guerrilla tactics. The deck would also heavily use the Graveyard, as well as supporting S/T cards, including Rank-Up-Magic. Oh, and since it probably didn’t come across with the drawings, Stealth Cobra is supposed to feature plates that provide active camouflage, while Tunneling Viperidae is based off of a TBM.
Summary: The Resistance may have disbanded, but Shun still has his bad side.
Notes: Three prompts in a row! Procrastination is just that powerful, you know. (Help.) Apparently I can’t write about anything other than Shun/Ruri/Yuto. I like to think Shun hella ships Ruri X Yuto. I still suck at titles. Should probably give up on those.
Shun had decided to ditch class that day. Not out of any rebellious spirit or general apathy for lessons, but rather because he felt... happy. His grades were... reasonably adequate, and it wasn’t like he was missing any important content or exams. He had felt a whim to enjoy the day on his own, and acted on it.
It feels nice to be able to act so carefree.
It had been over a year since the war had finally concluded, the residents of the Xyz Dimension released. Heartland’s reconstruction was not complete, but it was getting there.
Shun smiled, a wide grin across his face. It had taken some time for that to return, even after the war was over. He was relieved, of course, but at the time, he didn’t think that he’d ever be able to rediscover the person he was before all that trauma. For weeks, he’d still been bitter and disgusted by the memories that were scarred into his brain. It took a while, but Yuto finally kicked his ass hard enough so that he could remember how to enjoy himself again. Yuto helped Ruri just as much as him, too. The war had hit her just as hard as it had Shun, if not moreso, but something almost magical about Yuto was able to bring her back.
Those battles never crushed you like they did us, did they, Yuto? In those desperate times, you still held on to hope, while we were overcome by fear, and anger, and hate.
“Dueling with smiles.”
Shun tried to scoff aloud, but he couldn’t dismiss its validity. He could have mocked Yuto for perpetually clinging to such a silly notion, but the kid was right. That’s what pulled him and Ruri out of despair. And they’d really relearned to enjoy things.
That very day, Shun had spent a couple hours watching some publicly broadcasted duels, and he truly was entertained. It was, put simply, fun. Dueling, bird watching, eating ice cream-- by himself or with his friends, life was finally good.
And try as he might, he couldn’t wipe that wry grin off his face.
He checked the time.
Ruri and Yuto should be out soon...
Ruri and Yuto dashed out of class the second the bell had rung. It’s not like they needed to take the time to pack up; they were just texting each other in class. They talked about fond memories and deck building and some rumors that they didn’t really care to look into, and Ruri mentioned how her brother had the nerve to claim that his most recent loss to her was due to a brick hand and--
“Hey, I’ll race you,” Ruri proposed with a wink.
“Where to?” Yuto questioned.
“You already know!” She took off running before she finished the sentence.
“Hey! Wait up!” Yuto trailed after her, having lost the head start.
The two ran to a grassy field, and Ruri jumped over a crater before posing triumphantly. Yuto miscalculated the jump, however, and faceplanted onto the ground. Ruri laughed, offering a hand to help him up.
“I should probably stop forgetting about that,” Yuto winced slightly as he took Ruri’s hand and stood up.
The crater was among a few battle scars that field had borne as a result of Fusion’s invasion. But the grass had returned and grown over it so the area was returning to the state it was years ago. It was the place where Yuto, Ruri, and Shun had dueled each other for the first time.
The two exchanged gazes, smiles on their faces.
He’s still kinda cute.
Admittedly, Ruri’s crush on Yuto had never truly disappeared. It was childish back then, and it was drowned out by a torrent of other emotions during the fight with Academia, but perhaps she held on to the feeling of him being more than a valued comrade throughout those time, if just a little bit. She had always cared about him and the feeling was certainly mutual, but maybe now, they could pursue something more.
Things are different, now, and who’s to say they can’t change even more?
“Hey, Yuto.”
“Hm?”
“Let’s have a duel.”
Yuto nodded, grinning. The two removed their Duel Disks from holsters.
“I just have one condition...”
“You’re going about this completely wrong.” Shun grabbed Ruri’s Duel Disk right as she was about to attach it to her forearm, and held it away, out of her reach.
“What the hell, Shun? Give it back!”
“Oh, I will. But you do realize how ridiculous it is to bet a date on a duel, right?”
“Date?” Yuto immediately flushed bright red.
“No! I mean-- what kind of baseless assumption is that?”
“You two are hardly masters of subtlety. I’m surprised it took you this long to make things official. Come on, Yuto, I know you weren’t clueless. Don’t act like you weren’t interested.”
Yuto turned averted eye contact as he muttered something incoherent.
“C’mon, Yuto, smile! Your first date is something to be happy about!”
“It’s not a date! Yuto and I were just going to--”
“Don’t say that! You’re giving him mixed messages. Do excuse the confusion, Yuto; this is her first time asking a boy out.” Shun then changed his tone, injecting a mock serious concern. “Say, Yuto, you’re not going to reject my sister, are you? You won’t break her heart, right?”
“A date sounds really great, Ruri.” Yuto made partial eye contact with her, still blushing profusely with a shy grin.
“Alright, you killed the moment!” Ruri conceded to Shun in frustration, “Now can you give me back my Duel Disk so we can continue uninterrupted?”
“How about this: I’ll give it back, but instead of dueling first, you go on an actual date like normal people, and after that, then you can have your--”
Shun was interrupted by a splat of a wet something falling on his hair. He closed his eyes, drawing a slow, deep breath, while mentally preparing himself for a ruthless onslaught of his sister’s ridicule.
Ruri was laughing so hard, that she couldn’t form the words to mock him. The point was carried across just as well.
“I’m going to go home and take a shower. I’ll show up to watch your duel after your date. Here you go.”
He handed back the Duel Disk to Ruri, who uttered some sentence that contained the words “sure,” “shit,” and “bird,” among other inarticulate verbiage. He made a show of walking away with a scrap of his dignity, but he realized that he was fooling no one.
In the corner of his eye, he saw the pair of third year Heartland Academy students running towards downtown, hands interlocked, and laughing in unison.
And to think, neither of them made a move up until now. They’ll be kissing in no time at all.
A smug grin marked his countenance. Once he was out of their line of sight, he removed from his pocket a fistful of Xyz monster cards. Ruri’s Strike Serpent Extra Deck. A little sleight of hand had allowed him to pull off the trick, and the fruits of his labor would be oh so sweet. He imagined how it would play out during his sister’s upcoming duel.
“Xyz summon! What? Error? But--”
And then she’d open up the Extra Deck zone to find--
“What the-- condoms!?”
The realization would suddenly hit her--
“SHUN, YOU ABSOLUTE FUCK!!”
But her pride would keep her in the duel--
“Just because my moronic brother stole my Extra Deck, doesn’t mean I’m going to quit! And don’t you go easy on me just because I’m handicapped!”
And with that, Yuto would obviously win, because Ruri definitely wasn’t going to accept any pity from him. Shun himself would remain on the sidelines, collapsed to the ground, laughing his ass off.
I didn’t plan on having a bird shit on me, but with Ruri’s reaction, it’ll be worth it. Her unbridled rage afterwards, though? If I ever get a girlfriend, I better make sure Ruri never finds out...
His face contorted into a half grimace, half smile at the thought his possible fate after that.
Summary: Well, it’s not like Heartland’s malls are open.
Notes: I tried to make this one actually lighthearted. I suck at titles, so I just borrowed a relevant trope name. Not sure how many prompts I’ll end up doing, to be honest.
“So, let’s see what we’ve found.”
Ruri, Shun, and Yuto had run into the issue of growing out of their clothes. Due to the state of Heartland City being a battle-scarred field of rubble and ash, simply going on a shopping trip to the mall was not exactly a viable option. So, they resorted to the technique by which they acquired most of their physical necessities: scavenging.
Yuto had found a Heartland Academy uniform. The shirt’s fit was a bit off, and the pants were too long, as it would have been a while until he was old enough to be a first year student there. He’d still be in elementary school, had Academia not invaded. He had the collar popped and the tie loose, and a scarf that matched the fabric tied around his arm, identifying him as a member of the Resistance. Yuto also had a studded choker with matching armbands, a face mask with goggles, and a cape.
Shun, being older, had grown out of his first year uniform, which was a few broken threads from falling apart. He had gone a different route: while he had the right pants, appropriately upsized, he wore a zippered trenchcoat with belt buckles, tattered at the bottom fringe. Shun wore his red scarf like a bandana, obscuring his face in conjunction with a pair of dark sunglasses.
Ruri had taken a route similar to Yuto, though her uniform was not quite standard; the collared neck flap that would sit over the shoulders was missing, and her stockings were from a different set of clothing, as they were thigh-high as opposed to below-knee. She had swapped her shoes for boots, and wore a belt with several pouches. She had also taken the time to give herself a new hairstyle, eschewing the long style reaching her down to her mid back for a shorter cut that ended at the base of her neck.
The three exchanged glances. Ruri was the first to remark.
“Aren’t you two overdoing it on the whole... punk look?”
“What makes you say that?” the two boys asked in unison.
Ruri sighed, moving her gaze from Yuto’s cape and Shun’s trenchoat.
“Don’t tell me you ripped up the edges yourself. Jeez, you boys are such... ugh. I don’t even know what to call you.”
“Funny, coming from you,” retorted Shun, “Oversized-combat-boots-and-tactical-belt-with-missing-pouches no ojou-san.”
“It’s utilitarian! And I’ll grow into them,” with a pause she then added, “Onii-sama. And another thing-- if you’re going to try and dress code me, realize that not all of the uniform was exactly in pristine condition, so improvisation was necessary.”
“Regardless, you shouldn’t be so judgmental about what we’re wearing. After all, you were easily the least fashion-minded of all the girls in your school.”
“I don’t need to be fashion minded to recognize that both of you are trying way too hard. You’re total wannabes.”
“Ruri,” Yuto interjected, attempting to steer the conversation in a different direction, “I like your new haircut.”
Ruri stared at him for a moment before answering. “Thanks, Yuto. Though you might get a better look if you take off the goggles.” She pushed them up onto his forehead for him.
“By the way,” Ruri turned back to her brother, “what’s under that?”
She attempted to grasp the zipper on Shun’s trenchcoat, but he caught her hand. She deftly unzipped it with her other hand, exposing the garment underneath.
“Really? A turtleneck sweater?”
Shun tossed aside his sister’s hand and hurriedly zipped his trenchcoat with a huff of annoyance. “I was having trouble finding clothes in my size.”
Yuto decided to speak up again. “Why are you wearing your Resistance cloth on your hand, Ruri?”
“So that Academia sees what’s hitting them,” she answered, clenching her fist.
“Are you going to duel them or punch them?” Shun shot back.
“Who says I can’t do both?” Ruri glared at Shun menacingly, slowly raising her balled fist.
“Guys!” Yuto stepped between them, lowering Ruri’s hand. “We don’t need to be bickering like this. Besides, I found something for all of us.”
He produced a packet of powdered hot chocolate.
“Nice!” exclaimed Ruri.
“But how are we going to make it without milk?” questioned Shun.
“Water will work,” answered Yuto, “and we can make a fire to heat it up with our old clothes.”
“I’ve got a lighter,” chimed Ruri.
“There was some usable china in the cupboard,” added Shun.
Having moved past the topic of clothes, the three duelists sat down around a fire and enjoyed a now-rare treat, together.
Summary: It’s been only days since Academia attacked, and Shun falls to a bitter defeat. But he realizes that he only stays down if he doesn’t get up.
Notes: I’m not much of a fiction writer, but the 30 Day Challenge seemed fun! But more importantly, procrastination is a helluva drug. Tossed in a few Zexal throwbacks. Also, I thought it would be cool if Ruri, Shun, and Yuto all had copies of a card that symbolized their kizuna, in this case a RUM that was somewhat specific, but fit in all of their decks.
“You have gathered here because you wish to fight back against our invaders. Know this: we are hopelessly outnumbered. We are outmatched. But we have a power they cannot conceive. A power unique to us, of the Xyz Dimension. This power is known as Rank-Up.”
Shun clenched his fist. Yes. I have a way to become stronger now. I will learn Rank-Up and use it to protect--
He cast his gaze to the side. Ruri and Yuto were intently listening to the speaker. Shun decided it best to follow suit, lest he miss any vital information.
“Such power, however, transcends the limits of human potential. This power was borrowed from other worlds. As such, not every human is capable of using it. Be warned: Rank-Up is not to be trifled with. Its energy levels are nigh-unmatched, and can be extremely dangerous to the user. My family has developed a human Rank-Up, but know that if you lack the strength to control it, you may be killed.”
The three children gulped. They were not the only ones. The entirety of the audience knew the gravity of the situation. But driven into a corner by the Fusion invaders, desperate times called for desperate measures. This could be their only chance of leveling the playing field.
“If you think you’re capable of handling this power, rise.”
Shun immediately shot up from his seat in the front row. A few beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
“Shun, no, wait!” Ruri and Yuto cried almost in unison.
“I am strong enough!” Shun declared with iron determination. He stepped forward. “I will own this power and use it to halt our enemy’s advance! I will protect--”
Another glance at Ruri and Yuto, another step forward--
“Heartland! My... our... home!”
“Very well,” came the reply, “Show us all your strength.”
Ruri and Yuto jumped out of their seats, following behind Shun. He held out an arm to obstruct them.
“I promised to keep you two safe. And I’ll show you that I’m strong enough to do so. Watch me.”
The two sat back down, and Shun marched to the speaker. He was handed a card.
“This is Rank-Up-Magic. It will be your key card in unleashing the power of Chaos in your monsters. You will duel me with it.”
Shun nodded, placing it in the deck slot in his Duel Disk, which shuffled automatically. He stood at the opposite end of the room from his opponent.
“DUEL!!”
“I shall take the first turn,” the man declared.
Shun stared at his opponent’s Duel Disk. It was an older model, with a physical card plate. It was a custom build, too and likely an expensive one at that. Its design looked positively antique. He peered at his own hand.
Cyclone. Raid Raptors - Vanishing Lanius. Raptor’s Storm. Raid Raptors -  Nest. Another Vanishing Lanius.
A strong opening, but...
“Turn end.”
Shun snapped out of his thoughts. He had completely zoned out during his opponent’s turn.
Damn, if this was a real battle, I’d be at a huge disadvantage. I need to focus... He’s got a Rank 3 Xyz monster, 2 Overlay Units, 2100 ATK... and a set card.
“You can do it Shun!”
“I believe in you!”
He peered to the audience. Yuto and Ruri were standing up, cheering him on.
That’s right. I have to break through my limits to protect them!
“My turn! Draw!”
He gazed at the card.
It’s here.
“I activate Cyclone, targeting your set card!”
His opponent’s Trap was destroyed.
Perfect.
“I normal summon Raid Raptors - Vanishing Lanius!”
As he played the card, the robotic bird emerged, unfurling its wings.
“By Vanishing Lanius’ effect, I can special summon another Vanishing Lanius from my hand! Next, Continuous Magic, Raid Raptors - Nest, activate! Since I control two Vanishing Lanius, this card allows me to add a third copy from the deck to my hand! And, by the previously summoned Vanishing Lanius’ effect, I summon it!”
“Here it comes!” exclaimed Yuto.
“Shun’s ace!” added Ruri.
“I construct the Overlay Network with three Level 4 Vanishing Lanius! Obscured Falcon, raise your honed talons against adversity; spread your wings of rebellion! Xyz summon! Rank 4! Raid Raptors - Rise Falcon!”
With a wailing cry, the mechanical bird beast emerged. Its intimidating presence hinted at its powerful effect, despite its lacking Attack Points. But...
This is it.
“From my hand, I activate a magic card: Rank-Up-Magic - Argent Chaos Force!“
His opponent narrowed his eyes.
“This... card...”
Shun felt a chilling aura overcome him. He stumbled, losing his balance and falling to the floor with a low grunt.
“Stop it, Shun!”
“You don’t need to continue!”
He gazed towards the cries from the audience. “I’m fine!”
“It would seem that you are not strong enough for the power of Chaos.”
“Yes I am! I’ll prove it!”
He stood back up.
“This card allows me to Rank-Up one Xyz monster I control! I Target Rise Falcon! With this Rank 4 monster, I reconstruct the Overlay Network! Chaos Xyz Chang--EEAAAARRRGGHHH!!”
Shun violently collapsed to the ground, shrieking in agony, his body writhing. The duel was immediately cancelled, the Solid Vision dissipating, and his body went limp.
“Shun!!”
“Now you have witnessed the dangers of Chaos. This was, fortunately, a controlled demonstration, so there will be no permanent harm. But if you are to wield Rank-Up in battle, you must find your own strength to bear the burden of such power.” He retrieved the Magic Card that had inflicted so much harm to Shun.
Shun was carried off in a stretcher, still unconscious. Ruri and Yuto chased after the medical personnel, but were blocked.
“Please let us go, I need to make sure my brother is safe.” Ruri was on the verge of tears. Yuto caught up from behind, nodding affirmatively, worry marking his face.
The man Shun had dueled knelt down, placing his hands on their shoulders.
“Don’t worry, as soon as he’s recovered we’ll let you see him.” His voice was softer, kinder, and less authoritative. “We’ll make sure he’s alright. He’s a good kid, trying to protect you two. But you have to take care of him, too.”
He looked into Ruri’s eyes.
“Trust me, I know what it’s like to be the younger sibling. You two are going to need to lend him strength in the coming battles. As a sister--”
He then turned to Yuto.
“And as a friend.”
He smiled softly.
“I’ll let you know when you can see him.”
Shun sat upright on the cot, leaning forward, head bowed down, dejected. He remained motionless as Ruri and Yuto entered and each ran to opposite edges of the bed beside him.
“Brother...” Ruri’s excitement upon learning that he was okay was quickly overshadowed by concern.
“I failed,” he replied bitterly, “I failed because I’m too weak. I’m... not strong enough... to protect...”
“Don’t say that!” exclaimed Yuto. “You’re the strongest duelist I know!”
Ruri glared at him, objecting, but refrained from interrupting. Yuto had suggested, prior to visiting the medical tent, that Shun and Ruri duel when Shun was feeling better, and that Ruri deliberately lose to cheer Shun up, to which she vehemently objected, citing that her duelist pride would never let her lose to Shun, even on purpose, because she was the better duelist. When Yuto reminded her that her record against him had been lost some time ago, she claimed that Shun got rid of it on purpose because he was a sore loser. It did require a conscious effort to hold her tongue upon Yuto remarking that Shun was the strongest.
“In these past few days, you haven’t just kept Ruri and me safe, but our other friends too! I know you can grow stronger!”
“Yuto’s right, Shun. We’ll all become stronger together, and we will be victorious.”
Shun peered up, looking from side to side, from his best friend to his sister.
“Become stronger together... That’s right. Our bonds will be unbreakable! Between us, and all of our comrades! I see... that’s how we’ll all become stronger. Strong enough, to Rank-Up, and strong enough to defeat Fusion!“
He grinned slightly.
“Thanks, guys.”
The trio embraced. Shun held back tears.
Three voices called out, miles apart. Three hearts entwined, no matter the distance.
hey! i’m asking for your feedback on gravity walk so i can make edits!!
oddeyesbootyanon answered your question: hey y’all! i’m in the process of editing gravity…
It’s sometimes ambiguous or confusing reading the texting conversations.
do you mean you get lost in who’s saying what, or who it is, period? or maybe sanyuushi group text in particular?
would it help if i used different bracket styles (one for kaito, everyone else shares one)? i don’t like putting names with texts usually bc personally i get lost in “did they send it or are they receiving?”
 Maybe a little more closure with the Tenjos at the end, because it’s a tad abrupt?Â
Okay!
Oh and why would Kaito get an iPhone over a Samsung Galaxy?/joke
Who is saying what, I meant. Usually it’s easy enough to determine the participants of a conversation, but I found myself re-reading multiple times on occasion to attribute a speaker to each line. Differentiating the brackets might help, yeah.
(Also I’m ridiculously amused that you're actually going to change his phone to a Galaxy xD)
A bunch of card-game-playing teenage nerds, after volumes of romantic mishaps, decide that they’re better off as just nakama. However, they’re still longing for life partners. (The edgy antihero with the tragic angsty backstory was involved, too, but profusely asserts to be too cool for love.) Suddenly, by a convoluted series of “plot twists,” the band of protagonists find themselves trapped in the Duel Monsters Spirit World! However, they’re not the only ones transported, and an overwhelming threat emerges! As our heroes battle this new evil, they find themselves developing feelings for... their own monsters!?
titsay
germansingergirl
prguitarman
jacobvanloon
discoholicmusic
areudirty
