Yu-Gi-Oh! Revival of Dragons
Greetings once again loyal readers. Let me assure you that I have grown as a writer, and have taken great lengths to make this story well worth the time to read.
The rules of the game will follow the game rules almost to the letter. Some errors are intentional tweaks for excitement purposes, but unlike last time, they won’t be made through carelessness if I can help it. Most should go unnoticed unless you have the rulebook handy.
For those who like the unfamiliar cards posted at the end of the chapter, I hate to disappoint you. I will do my best to explain the rulings as I go along so I don’t confuse you.
The Safecracker card in this chapter was created by Dark Sage.
This story takes place about 6 years after LoD ended. This leaves the characters at about 15 or 16.
The story will feature tragic situations, and issues that come with the characters’ maturity and not all of them will be easy to watch. There also will include some of the swearing and violence, but it shouldn’t get worse then average everyday life.
Some of the more dramatic chapters will have warnings of their own should they need them.
I obviously don’t own Yu-Gi-Oh! If I did, GX would have a point.
I do however; have reason to keep the characters included to myself, unless of course, asked, but most people know that already.
I think that covers about everything.
Enjoy the story
Revival of Dragons: Chapter One: Getting Things Rolling
A well dressed Father rounded the corner of his home to verify that his son was still huddled by the door. It was just as he expected.
The events of years past were dimmer now, with only two facial scars to verify the events ever took place. The youth was fifteen now, his best friend a year older. His sandy hair had grown difficult to control, and was best described as a “mop.” Peter Wheeler had never bothered to change out of his school uniform. In fact, Joey had a sneaking suspicion that he didn’t even pick up his shoes.
“Peter, I know you’re excited about seeing your Aunt again, but for Pete’s sake you can’t wait there all day,” Joey offered concerned.
“Watch me,” Peter replied hotly.
It wasn’t his aunt he was anxious about; he had talked to her before. The landmark was that this was the first time he’d be meeting his eight-year-old cousin Matthew. Meeting, Peter restated with a curled lip, I believe the proper term is babysitting.
Duke and Serenity Devlin were returning to Japan on more then just a family visit. Duke Devlin had been owner of Industrial Illusions for years now, ever since Pegasus had retired. Business had never done quite as well as it had with Pegasus at the helm. In fact, Duel Monsters had only been releasing expansions every two years since just before the final Battle City Tournament.
Duke had taken to inventing new monsters for his Dungeon Dice game rather then basing them off of card monsters. In fact, from what Joey understood, Industrial Illusions was now little more then a distributor for Kaibacorp software.
Mai had picked up the phone a month before, and Serenity had told her that the family would be in town, and the two wives set up a dinner date at the Black Clown.
Peter got to play Babysitter to Matthew, and while he was looking forward to seeing his cousin, he wasn’t going to let go of the fact that his Mom had shoved the job on his shoulders without asking.
Joey, obviously wanting to say more, was silenced by a knock at the door. Each rap on the wood felt like a jackhammer on the back of the boy’s skull. Peter felt himself longing that Derik was nearby, but was comforted by the fact that Taishi would soon be on her way.
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Duke Devlin always had a room available at the Black Clown. It was, after all, where he had gotten his first start. The company owner caught himself looking across the street, parking space where the Turtle Game Shop used to be.
“Things have definitely changed,” Serenity commented as she walked in, noting where her husband was staring.
Duke nodded in agreement. “But it happened so fast.”
Serenity’s brow furrowed with thought. She looked older then she was, the stress of a long feud with her brother, and being away from home causing the slightest undertone of gray in her hair, years too early. The woman’s eyes were still young though. Duke always loved that sparkle of admiration in them.
One of the few times they had spoken between her wedding and the previous month was when Joey had called her with the news. Tea and Yugi Motoh were getting a divorce.
Joey hadn’t gotten all of the details, but to him, the issue was obvious. Tea wasn’t in love with Yugi, and never really had been. The relationship was built on clinging to an infatuation with the Pharaoh. The woman had chosen Yugi hoping to be with someone who just wasn’t what she was expecting.
It was the events of the previous tournament that had been the beginning of the end. After Yugi had sent the Puzzle back to Egypt with Marik and Bakura, Tea knew something was wrong. The rift deepened when she insisted that Derik give up Duel Monsters, stating that it would always be an invitation to danger, as it had always been for her husband.
In the end, Derik spoke on his own behalf, and with the heartbreaking decision to make of one parent or the other, he made his choice in Yugi. Derik’s last hug from his mother had been in court that day, and the last time he saw her was as she drove away, no longer a resident to the house.
The scandal wasn’t followed by the media. Even then, Duel Monsters had begun to die out, but Derik and Yugi just couldn’t take the memories of the game shop so nearby.
Peter talked to Derik about once a month, but as the years went on they had less and less to say. They hadn’t met face to face in years.
Duke went back to make sure that the Okonomiyaki was not yet cold. After so much time in America, it surprised him that he still knew how to make it.
For no reason in particular, Duke checked to see if his old Duel Disk was working, and counted the number of cards in a moderately worn deck to make sure they were all there. The man smiled a bit for old time’s sake, and turned as Serenity tapped him on the shoulder to signal that their guests had arrived.
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“Seems we always end up talking about Duel Monsters,” Joey relented, as the fifth attempted subject of conversation died within two sentences.
Duke shifted in his seat uncomfortably, causing his famous die earring to bounce against the man’s cheek, much to his annoyance.
“That’s not the subject I’d like to get into right now,” Duke admitted. “Kaiba insisted that we get Maikeru Itai to come promote our new project. I’m not looking forward to this at all.”
“Who?” Mai asked.
Serenity cleared her throat, taking over for a subject that was obviously tough for her husband to discuss. “Maikeru Itai is one of the last duelists on the Professional Circuit. It’s the only name people really recognize from dueling any more. He’s American, so it’s no surprise you haven’t heard of him over here. Ever since he made it to the pros, he’s never defeated an opponent.”
“No wonder he’s well known,” Joey laughed. “He’s never beaten anyone?”
“He’s never had to,” Duke finished grimly. “Everyone he’s dueled has surrendered before the final blow.”
The table went dead quiet.
“So,” Mai attempted, “what theme does he use?”
“Let’s talk about something else,” Serenity fielded quickly.
“Ok,” Joey quickly went along. “How ‘bout you Duke? You’re the Industrial Illusions owner; you must be one of the few duelists left out there.”
Deciding that it didn’t hurt, Duke slid his deck across the table. Mai couldn’t see anything, but Joey’s expression told the table that he was confused.
“Uh, Duke, I know you like dice, but you could kill yourself with these.”
“Oh, the payment,” Duke chimed as he realized what the question was. “Check the Field Card, that’s what it’s there for.”
“What’s this thing going to… oh,” Joey finished, his eyes looking at two very different cards.
“Tricky,” the blond noted, though obviously impressed, “but if anyone can make it work it’s be you.”
Devlin accepted the praise with a smile.
“Mai still has her deck too, don’t you Hon,” the Wheeler husband revealed.
Mai blushed slightly, tightening her grip on her purse.
“Aren’t you even curious as to what our newest project is?” Serenity let out of nowhere. Joey instantly knew that she had been waiting for them to ask all night.
Mai slumped sheepishly. “It had crossed my mind, but I didn’t know how to bring it up.”
“Well, it’s like this,” Devlin supplied, making sure everyone at the table had his attention. “Kaiba called me about six years ago with an idea to get Duel Monsters back as a huge popular icon.”
“No way,” Joey interrupted excited.
Mai was a bit more skeptical. “And just how does he plan to do that?”
“By building a school for the teaching Duel Monsters,” Duke revealed with a grin. The room went uncomfortable; the Wheelers obviously unsure if the man was being serious.
“Kaiba’s been working on it for the past six years,” Duke explained. “He’s had teachers training, he’s invented classes. This isn’t going to be like an after-school activity, students will be living there! Both Kaiba and I are trying to restructure the pro-league so that Duel Monsters won’t just be a hobby, but an actual occupation. Money could be coming in from scheduled appearances rather then just fishing for tournament winnings.”
“And you’re actually considering this?” Mai inquired, rapidly thinking the idea was ludicrous.
Serenity caught the woman’s attention with a wave. “Considered and finished Mai. The Duelist Academy campus in New York is finished and ready to accept its first wave of students next year for anyone over 16.”
“Wait a minute,” Joey noted suspiciously, finally putting the pieces together. “You want Peter to be a part of this new Duel Monsters School don’t you?”
Duke rolled his eyes slightly. “It was her idea,” he muttered under his breath, earning a minor look from Serenity. Clearing his throat, Devlin pressed on. “It’s not that simple. We have an event planned next week as an application with some of the staff going to be hired. If Peter wins, he’s open as an option.”
“Peter doesn’t duel anymore,” Mai stated with a hint of finality. “And I can’t believe you’d ask this of him after what that game did to him. He’s been seeing support groups for five years you two, and I’m not going to see whatever progress he’s made come undone.”
Duke was obviously too excited by the possibility to take no for an answer. “Come on Mai, just think of what he could be learning here. Just think, if a school for dueling had been around when we were in our prime, you might not have ended up such a loser.”
On reflex Joey pushed away from the table as Mai jumped to her feet. “What?” she challenged, her voice calm, but through heavily clenched teeth.
“Well, let’s see,” Duke began counting on his fingers. “Let’s start with Duelist Kingdom. First you dueled Joey… and lost. Then you dueled Panik… and lost.”
Joey looked for an opening to stop Duke’s train of thought as he saw Mai’s mouth go dangerously thin. As his wife listened, her hands instinctively clenched around the tablecloth.
Devlin was obviously not finished, “Then you not only lost, but surrendered to Tea. Yugi you surrendered to. You lost to Marik in the Battle City finals…”
Not to mention Raphael, Joey admitted silently.
“Let’s face it Mai,” Duke finished. Mai was looking absolutely livid. “You are the worst, good duelist ever.”
“Oh yeah?!” the “loser” in question thundered. “I say we duel right now, loser owes the winner the difference in life points in Yen.” She thought for a moment before adding, “Tripled.”
Joey winced. Mai had just released a successful fashion line, but if it was a shutout, that amount of money was quite a bit.
Serenity looked worried, but Duke just finished his drink and smiled. “You’re on.”
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Duke had to loan Mai a Duel Disk before taking the four to a large empty room with a checkered floor and wallpaper bearing different Dungeon Dice crests.
“We used to use it for minor tournaments, ones without holograms,” Duke explained, startling a bit at the echo. “After the Duel Disk went mainstream, we moved the tables, and used it for a private room.”
“Don’t want the public to see you fall huh?” Mai bashed, remembering her opponent’s first run-in with Yugi.
Duke ignored the remark switching on his disk and drawing his hand as the spouses watched from the sidelines.
“Duel!”
“I go first,” Mai declared, obviously a little annoyed at the fact that Duke had mocked her skill, “and I start by setting two cards facedown, and summoning a monster facedown in defense mode.”
Mai took her time, setting the cards carefully into place with a satisfied smile. “Your move hot-shot,” she taunted, noting a surprised twitch as Duke drew his first card.
The reason for this was the stream of thoughts going through the Industrial Illusions owner’s head.
Where did this come from? I’ve never known Mai to start on the defensive in any duel. Duke carefully looked at his hand, but caught himself panicking early for no reason. There’s only one reason a duelist would do something that out of character, and that’s starting off with a lousy opening hand. That must be why she played so many facedown cards.
Duke eyed the cards in question with an accusing stare. She might have started with some bad draws, but there’s no reason to open myself up for an attack next turn. Attacking that defense monster won’t do any damage anyway.
Deciding on a course of action, Duke made his first play of the game.
“I play a monster in defense mode,” Duke began.
A sly wink crossed the female’s eye as she heard the disk’s electronic recognition.
“Sorry to disappoint you Hon,” Mai coyly rebuked as one of her cards lifted to show its face, “but I had a plan set whether you attacked or defended. I play Shadow of Eyes.”
A prism of warm colors, shaped into the form of a maiden, gestured her arm, beckoning to the hidden creature. Despite being pure energy, the creature still cast a shadow, and it was that shadow’s touch that caused the card to rise.
The now uncovered form proved to be a rather battered looking skeleton wearing tattered robes, (then again does a skeleton wear any other kind?) and carrying a sword. Since a skeleton obviously has no muscles to hold itself up, it leaned rather heavily on a large headstone labeled with the number “13”. (1200/900)
Duke winced slightly, causing an uncomfortable pressure from his gritting teeth. “That switches my Thirteenth Grave to attack mode.”
“It certainly does,” Mai agreed, taking a confident poise as the luminous maiden dispersed with a hint of perfume in the air. “And it’s ripe for the picking next turn.”
Not if I have a way to protect it, Duke challenged from his mind. “In that case, I put this facedown and end my turn.”
Mai scanned the set briefly, before drawing her next card. It didn’t matter much though. She had what she wanted already on the field.
“My next card,” she purred, reaching for her facedown monster, “is Harpie Lady, in attack mode.”
The monster took a regal stance, arms crossed before her, as she raised her head, and causing her hair to billow up in unnerving ways before settling on her shoulders. The monster let out a battle cry, something between a chirp and a growl, as she threateningly brandished her claws. (1300/1400) Duke would have felt a bit more threatened if his attention wasn’t drawn to the fact that Harpie Lady’s entire upper body attire was a pair of well placed suspenders.
Serenity took a moment to blink before asking a question. “Wait a moment; shouldn’t that monster have 1600 attack points?”
Joey answered with an understanding nod. “You’re thinking of Harpie Lady 1, which is an effect monster that powers up Wind attribute monsters. I hate to break it to you, but Mai felt too connected with her cards to change them when the upgraded Harpie Ladies became the new fad.”
Joey looked off in thought for a moment. “Mai has always preferred strengthening her normally weak monsters with Magic and Trap cards anyway, and besides, she plays fewer Wind monsters then she lets on. Nope, in that deck are three good-old traditional Harpie Ladies. Just the way Mai likes it.”
Mai felt a bit of a blush overhearing the conversation, and took a moment to remember what exactly she was doing.
“I assume you know how this combo works. First Harpie Lady,” she took a pair of cards from her hand, “then Elegant Egotist, followed by Cyber Shield.”
The red-headed winged-beast raised her arms as she took to the sky. Her form briefly shimmered into a kaleidoscopic silhouette, the monster’s own face reflected ten-thousand times in a bright rainbow of color.
Four beams of light split in separate directions from the dazzling source of light. The blast glowing green regained Harpie Lady’s original form, positioned in preparation for a dive. The others, colored red, gold, and blue, each took the form of a far more menacing Harpie, each one of the three in brilliant metallic armor. Their combined cries, intensified by their sharp eyes made clear the true bloodthirsty nature of these avian women. (1950/2100)
As soon as they stabilized, a new change took place. Dark chains began forming links between the pieces of revealing armor. Dangerous looking spikes enhanced the Sisters’ breastplates, and rims of dark armor became apparent around the edges of the three Harpies’ natural attire.
To Duke it was an awe inspiring visual, but even a monster with 2450 attack points could fall prey to the trap he had hidden.
Mai let her euphoria die down a moment, as she looked suspiciously at Duke’s monster. Mai had always been wary of Trap cards. Her cautiousness of them had saved her many times. (Although it cost her one particularly memorable match.) Deciding not to take her chances on a trap that might be triggered by an attack against a monster, she took yet another card from her hand.
“Next I play this,” She declared, as a Magic card bearing the picture of a silver satellite dish surrounded by a blue starburst shimmered into play. “Reflect Energy, and once I send my Harpie Lady to the Graveyard, I can use its magic to let these three lovely ladies attack your life points directly.”
Duke hovered over his facedown card, thinking for a moment about the cards in his hand. This may be useful, but now Mai has only one monster. With The Thirteenth Grave safe, I can use it next round to destroy her Harpie Lady Sisters. That leaves my trap free to use in case she summons an even more powerful monster.
Harpie Lady took off behind Duke at frightening speed, before settling into position behind him, holding a silver looking glass.
Mai raised a finger to direct her attack as she called out to her monster. “Harpie Lady Sisters, combine your power and attack with Triangle Lightning!”
The three Sisters gathered spheres of energy in their claws, connecting their powers through a triangle of energy beams. With a cry, the threads crackled into bolts of electricity, which arced towards the silver mirror anchored behind Mai’s unfortunate opponent.
For a moment, it looked like the mirror would hold, even though the Harpie holding it was quickly reduced to ash. As the mirror shattered, it sent the arc of electricity directly into Duke Devlin’s back. The duelist cursed himself for looking over his shoulder, as a spasm from being hit caused an uncomfortable stretch in his neck.
Mai thoroughly enjoyed the sight of Duke’s life points receding to 5550. After the click, she waved a casual hand telling Duke to take his turn without even uttering a word.
Duke drew his next card before beginning an already prepared move. The Thirteenth Grave vanished, being replaced by a black summoning portal, cackling with black lightning. A scent of ozone filled the room, as static discharges raced across a giant bony form, laced with formidable looking muscle tissue. (2500/1200)
Mai raised an eyebrow, almost bored. “Summoned Skull? Devlin, I’m going to ask point blank, are you running a deck of skeletons?”
“No!” Duke insisted, obviously caught off guard. He took another moment to think. “Although come to think of it, I do have plenty in here.” It was perfectly clear to everyone that the company owner hadn’t ever thought of it. Mai just watched with interest as the duelist recovered.
“And to correct your mistake, this monster is an upgraded version of Summoned Skull known as Skull Archfiend of Lightning, and I assure you it’s more difficult to get rid of then its counterpart.” Duke took the moment to gloat. “Especially since he’s fifty points stronger then your Harpie Ladies.”
A throaty growl ran softly around the room. To Joey it sounded a bit like a cat with a sore throat. The Harpies cried again. Though the sound was the same, there was no mistaking that this time it was in fear.
“Lightning Archfiend!” Duke declared, his eyes narrowing on his target. “Diabolic Power!”
With its demonic growl, the large monster executed an attack not unlike the familiar Lightning Strike. The only difference was that these bolts were black.
Mai’s mouth curled into a smile. “Not this time Devlin.” Her other hidden card rose with a gesture revealing… “Gravity Bind,” the woman named. “And it negates all attacks from monsters whose star level is greater then three.”
In the center of the field, an undulating sphere of energy pulsed once, before ejecting a net of green cords across the entire field. Both monsters fell helpless, trapped under the deceptively heavy weight of the netting.
Sorry girls, Mai apologized, wincing, at the sight of her trapped friends.
Duke was obviously no more pleased then she was, but now realized what Mai had meant when she said it didn’t matter if he attacked or defended. Taking another card from his hand, he carefully opened the Field slot on his disk.
“It looks like I’m out of options. But I can still play Pandemonium.”
“Panda-wha?” Joey asked, confused. “Who knew Duke had a thing for Chinese animals?” Serenity was too embarrassed to answer.
“’Pandemonium’, you dunce! The lair of ten-thousand demon lords?” Duke answered obviously annoyed by the need to explain yet another card to Joey.
The “dunce” in question waited for the field to appear before swallowing heavily. “Uh, yeah,” Joey defended. “I knew that.”
The arena the duelists were standing on rebuilt itself piece by piece, into a demonic burning gazebo set on a raised platform. At one point it may have been a domed rotunda, but now all that remained were the burning ruins, a crumbling dome supported with six pillars each decorated in the shape of a ferocious open-mouthed dragon and marked with the first six roman numerals.
Mai simply shrugged, taking the new arena in. After a duel against Marik, this was something she could live with.
“I draw,” Mai declared, holding the card at arm’s length, and promptly smiling when she saw what it was.
“I admire the scenery Devlin, but now I’m going to sweep it all away…”
Just like I wanted you to, Duke congratulated himself, finger already positioned over a button on his duel disk.
“…with Harpie’s Feather Duster!” Mai finished, as the card bearing a white feathered sweeper shimmered into being.
The three avian monsters let out a chirp of delight. The gravity in the room didn’t let the monster take to the air. That did not prevent them from getting to their feet, backs to each other. Then the trio began to rotate at incredible speed, feathers releasing in a thin blue tornado, threatening to take out the entire field.
“Not today Valentine, I set up a special surprise just for you!”
Mai looked on in disbelief as a second brown tornado came down from above, engulfing her Harpie Sisters with a wind swarming the opposite direction. When it cleared, it was obvious that the half-bird siblings were more then a little surprised, as they kept double-taking quick looks at each other, trying to figure out what had occurred.
Mai looked over on Duke’s side of the field, and it became obvious what had transpired. A brown mythical animal now hovered over Duke’s left shoulder.
“Griffon Wing,” Mai noted, with more then a hint of annoyance. It was a kind of an underhanded play on Duke’s part, but she had to admit it was a legal one.
“Oh no!” Joey exclaimed, surprising Serenity slightly. “That means that all of Mai’s cards go up in smoke!”
Re: Yu-Gi-Oh! Revival of Dragons
It's been awhile. I guess you probably have RoD halfway done because you said in the preview that you were going to post it on this site when it was almost done. Im looking forward to it 
I already reviewed the first chapter on fanfiction.net, but I will review it again. It is really good, I really liked the duel between Mai and Duke. Keep up the good work. Bye 
Originally Posted by Zorak
