Chapter 63: Paradox
Four days later...
[3rd POV]
"Could you refresh my memory? Why exactly are you here?" Seto inquired, his finger tapping a steady rhythm on the desk as he fixed a penetrating gaze on the man seated opposite him. Maximillian Pegasus hummed contentedly, taking leisurely sips of his tea. "Isn't it only natural for me to ensure the well-being of my esteemed business partner?" he remarked casually. "Nevertheless, I must admit, I was quite surprised when you agreed to this meeting. Boys your age usually prioritize their studies... But then again, you're not like most boys, are you, Kaiba-boy?"
Seto scoffed dismissively, leaning back in his chair and propping both feet up on the desk. Behind him stood the Domino High principal, visibly anxious as he nervously rubbed his palms together, bracing himself for whatever orders Seto might issue next.
"Hmph... I could breeze through these mediocre teachings without even batting an eye," Seto boasted confidently.
"Is that so?" Pegasus smiled calmly. "Well, I'm not one to criticize Japan's educational system. That aside, you do seem quite different from the last time I saw you."
"What the hell are you babbling about now?" Seto scowled, sensing a strange shift in the
conversation.
"Well, don't get me wrong, but back then, I always saw you as someone who held their head high with pride and wouldn't listen to anyone else," Pegasus chuckled softly. "But now, you seem more composed, more mature, and more tolerant of other people..."
Resting his chin on his hands, the American businessman smiled: "You changed Kaiba-boy, perhaps for the better. I wondered if something caused this transformation or if I had to guess... Someone?"
Seto flinched, and his calm expression began to crumble. The image of a girl that had been bothering him for the last four days resurfaced in his mind, and Seto felt his mood worsening. It was only four days ago that they argued, and they haven't talked ever since.
This wasn't the first time they had gone without seeing each other for a while, but for some reason, this instance felt the most memorable to Seto. He couldn't quite understand why he felt so uneasy about facing her again...
"Looks like I was right," Pegasus grinned knowingly. "And we both know who I'm referring to."
"Shut up," Seto snapped, his tone sharp and final.
Pegasus chuckled softly. "I apologize. I always enjoy witnessing young love blossoming. It reminds me of the times I spent with my beloved Cecilia..."
"How about you cut the bullsh*t and tell me why you're really here?" Seto slammed his fist onto the table; his voice edged with impatience. "If I have to endure any more of your drivel, I feel like my ears are going to rot."
"Fine, fine," Pegasus sighed with disappointment. "You're way too uptight. Loosen up a little."
Smiling, he ran his hand along his long white hair: "It's true that I wanted to check up on you once in a while, but the second reason was I was merely delivering a package to someone." "A... package?" Seto frowned disapprovingly. "Instead of wasting all of our time, couldn't you have just gotten someone else to do it?"
"I shall do no such thing!" The American man exclaimed loudly. "The recipient was none other than the esteemed Yuna Sano! How could I entrust just anyone with such a task?"
"Y... Yuna Sano?" Seto blinked in disbelief, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected name. "But of course," Pegasus smiled warmly. "To think she would request several cards to be made. I have to say, I haven't had that much fun in years. Unfortunately, most of the cards she ordered resulted in failures, as her creative mind was too big for me to handle..." He mumbled, his words trailing off with a sigh.
"I... see..." Seto muttered, processing the information. After a few seconds of silence, he extended his hand. "Then give it to me. I will deliver it to her."
"Never!" Pegasus exclaimed, gripping the white envelope tightly to his chest.
"This b*stard..." Seto cursed, also rising from his seat, his annoyance evident. "If you keep going to be a pain in the a*s, for the love of god, I will..."
*ROAR*
Immediately, the two men fell silent, their attention drawn to the loud commotion outside. Seto's eyes widened in disbelief as he instinctively turned towards the window, witnessing the sight of a massive, slender dragon descending from the sky.
"What are you playing at?" Seto growled, turning to Pegasus, but to his confusion, Pegasus seemed just as bewildered as he was...
Meanwhile...
[Yuna's POV]
As I sat there, I subconsciously fidgeted in my seat. For the past three days, we had been diligently preparing for the arrival of Paradox: planning the best strategy to defeat him, predicting where he would show up, and setting up countermeasures for the innocent people who might get caught up in the duel.
As the final day arrived, my mind raced, and I found it difficult to focus on the class, mentally preparing myself for what was about to come.
*ROAR*
Instantly, everyone turned toward the wide windows, gasping as they beheld the form of Stardust Dragon soaring through the air.
"Is that a dragon?"
"This must be some kind of prank, right?"
"No way, it looked way too real..."
Skrrt
The silence shattered as I stood up, the sound of my chair scraping against the floor. "I... need to... leave," I stammered, my voice drawing everyone's attention.
"Sano-san?" Yugi spoke out. "Where are you going? Do you know what's happening?!"
"Yu... Yugi..." I muttered, my expression complicated. Shaking my head, I calmly stared at everyone and waited.
Almost immediately, from the back row, the students groaned and clutched their heads in discomfort. One by one, they collapsed, falling into unconsciousness. Quietly watching the scene unfold, everyone except me fell like dominos.
Once I made sure they were all asleep, I hurriedly retrieved my duel disk from the
compartment under my desk and stormed out of the room.
"Stop." Suddenly, a domineering voice stopped me in my tracks.
Turning around, I gazed at Yugi slowly rising from the floor. His demeanour had changed completely, and I understood that he was no longer the Yugi I was familiar with.
"So you do know what's happening," Yami Yugi spoke, crossing his arms. "Sano-san, just who is behind all this?"
I closed my mouth, at a loss for words. However, to my surprise, before I could respond, Yami Yugi smirked and held out his hand.
"Just go; you must have your reasons," he chuckled, glancing out the window. "Be careful,
Sano."
Nodding gratefully, I rushed out of the door. Sprinting, I observed all the students gradually falling asleep. Once I reached the stairs, I began to ascend with haste.....
Meanwhile...
[3rd POV]
been jolted awake by an external force.
Entering the hallway, he was greeted by the sight of all the students lying there, not dead but unconscious. The scene disturbed him deeply, and he quickened his steps, his subconscious leading him back to the classroom. In his mind, thoughts of a certain someone consumed
him...
Entering the room, Seto's eyes hurriedly scanned the interior, but to his surprise, Yuna was
nowhere to be found. Turning towards the boy gazing out of the window, Seto growled, "Yugi... Where is..."
"Sano-san left as soon as the dragon appeared," Yami Yugi calmly interrupted before Seto could finish his sentence. "I don't know where she went."
Seto's frown deepened, his gaze filled with contempt as he glared at Yami Yugi. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the hallway, slowly approaching them. The tension in the room heightened as the door swung open, revealing an ominous figure standing in the doorway. The two duelists instinctively tensed their bodies, ready for whatever was to come.
"It's over," Paradox spoke coldly as he entered the room. "Give up the struggle; you will both
die here..." "Kaiba..." Yami Yugi muttered, his voice heavy with resignation.
Seto nodded solemnly. "I know," he replied, determination burning in his eyes as they both reached for the Duel Disks in their bags.
"Stop!" A voice shouted from the door, and Seto's glare shifted to the sudden appearance of
Yusei.
Paradox glanced at Yusei with amusement. "So, you're abandoning Pegasus to chase after
me? Looks like you couldn't save everyone."
Contrary to his expectations, Yusei smirked. "Do you really think we haven't considered that possibility?"
"What are you talking about?" Paradox snarled.
"You don't need to know," Yusei replied enigmatically as he activated his Duel Disk. "So, are
we dueling or not?"
Paradox gritted his teeth. "Fine... Just because you're here, the outcome will never change."
"We'll see about that," Yusei mumbled confidently. [Paradox: 4000 LP] [Yusei/Yugi/ Seto: 4000 LP]
At another part of the school...
"Kaiba-boy, where did you go?" Pegasus called out, his voice echoing through the empty
halls. However, before advancing any further, his path was blocked by a figure standing in his way. "I'm sorry, I don't recall anyone dressing as strangely as you."
Paradox scoffed. "Keep talking for now, but your life will soon end." Pegasus raised one of his eyebrows. "Many people have wanted my life. You'll
"Ho-oh?"
need to get in line."
"Enough with the jokes!" Paradox snapped, revealing his Duel Disks. "Let's get this over
with." Yet, to his dismay, he sensed three new presences approaching. "Unfortunately for you, Maximillian Pegasus won't be perishing today," a feminine voice announced while two figures stepped forward to join her. Pegasus hummed thoughtfully as he turned around.
"Ah, Madam Ishtar, I never knew you would be here today!" Pegasus said with genuine
surprise.
Ishizu, Marik, and Odion brushed past Pegasus, positioning themselves protectively between him and Paradox. "We were also not expecting to be called so soon," Ishizu replied calmly.
"But if the Miss has spoken, we will undoubtedly follow." Turning to the displeased Paradox, Ishizu spoke calmly but firmly: "I apologize, but to reach Pegasus, you must get through us."
"So many insects... Just keep getting in my way!" Paradox shouted in rage. "Just like moths
throwing themselves into flames! No matter how many people appear, their death was
fated!"
"Hmph, to talk about fate..." Ishizu scoffed, her Millennium Necklace shining ominously.
"Let me show you what true fate is!" [Paradox: 4000 LP]
[Ishizu/Marik/ Odion: 4000 LP]
[Yuna's POV]
This was it, the duel against Paradox. Yusei had gone to chase after the two clones, while
Jaden, Yumi, and I would fight against the main body here. Thankfully, knowing that Paradox was actually an android programmed with the memories of the real Paradox who passed away
in the future, the notion that there could actually be more than one body never left my nerdy
mind.
"Let's get this over with; I will show you the true difference in our strength," Paradox spoke confidently as he glanced at his hand. "First, I will play Pot of Greed, drawing two cards from my deck. Then, I will activate Malefic Territory to add Malefic World to my hand. Additionally,
once this card is on the field, you can't target Field Spells with card effects." Paradox: "With this, I activate my field spell, Malefic World...."
WOOOOOSH
Suddenly, our entire surroundings began to change. The sky darkens, taking on an eerie and
ominous hue as if shadows themselves are creeping across the landscape. The ground below us cracked, revealing a purplish otherworldly terrain, and the air around us became heavy with unsettling energy as if we had been transferred into an alien realm.
Staring down at us, Paradox cackled maliciously, and our bodies tensed: "Now... Let us truly
begin!"
I hope you enjoy it!
[1] I still couldn't really figure out why Paradox just did not kill a young Pegasus or something
so I just made something up.