Chapter 15 of 17
Chapter 15: The Greatest Treasure, Blue-Eyes Deck
1.3k words
The light from the pedestal pulsed, drawing Ryuki forward. His exhaustion, a dull, persistent ache in his bones, receded under the sheer force of his curiosity. The terminal screen flickered, text materializing in crisp, blue letters: "Duelist Identified. Legacy Protocol Initiated." A soft whirring sound broke the vault's silence, and a compartment in the pedestal slid open, revealing a pristine, dark blue deck box. Right in the central console.
It didn't just sit there; it hummed with a soft, internal light, a subtle glow that seemed to emanate from its very core. Ryuki reached out, his fingers hovering for a moment before he gently closed them around the box. The material was cool, smooth under his touch, unlike any card box he'd ever held. He felt a tremor in his hand, a mix of anticipation and disbelief.
He opened the box. The scent of fresh cardstock, crisp and new, filled the air, a familiar aroma that instantly transported him back to the feel of a brand-new booster pack. His eyes widened, fixing on the top card. A single word escaped his lips, barely a whisper: "No way."
Three familiar heads stared back at him from the artwork. It was unmistakable. A "Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Not a proxy, not a replica, but the genuine article, its scales shimmering even in the vault's subdued lighting. He pulled it out, turning it over in his fingers. The card was thick, substantial, bearing the distinct texture of an original print.
He began to sift through the deck, each card he pulled out solidifying the impossible reality. Three "Blue-Eyes White Dragons." He held them together, feeling their familiar weight, a tremor of power vibrating through them that resonated deep within his own mark. Then, two "Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon," their menacing, yet elegant forms a stark contrast to the pure white originals. A rare, genuine smile touched his lips.
His core strategy unfolded before him: "The White Stone of Legend" and "The White Stone of Ancients." These were the anchors, the engines of his favorite deck. He recognized "Kaibaman," a nostalgic grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, a nod to the legendary duelist whose legacy he was now, impossibly, inheriting. Then came the sheer power: "Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon," its dark, angular form promising overwhelming force.
Support cards followed: "Sage with Eyes of Blue" and "Maiden with Eyes of Blue," their serene faces a stark reminder of the deck's consistent strength. A surprise caught his eye: "Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon." He had seen this one in his old world, Didn't realizein this world kaiba put his jet into a card. His eyebrows rose, intrigued by the unexpected addition.
He paused, his gaze hardening on the next card. "Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End." The old version, its text still carrying the weight of its devastating, forbidden power. This deck wasn't just a tribute; it was *his*. It contained the calculated risks, the overwhelming force he always favored. He smirked. This was a deck built for a actual duelist, for someone who bent the rules to their will. And then, the unexpected utility, the surprise factor he loved: three copies of "Peten the Dark Clown."
He moved onto the spell cards. "Roar of the Blue-Eyed Dragons," "Return of the Dragon Lords," "Wishes for Eyes of Blue." All the familiar power spells, designed to swarm the field with his titanic monsters. "Burst Stream of Destruction" and "The Melody of Awakening Dragon," essential search and removal. "Dragon Mirror," for devastating fusion plays, and "Cards of Consonance" for unparalleled draw power. He noted the three "Speed Spell - Angel Baton" with a flicker of recognition for this world's Turbo Duel rules, an adaptation he would master.
The traps were a solid defensive line, with plenty of utility. Three "Majesty of the White Dragons," "True Light," "Rainbow Life," "Dragon Rebirth," "Jar of Greed," and "Type Zero Magic Crusher." A formidable arsenal, covering every angle of defense and disruption.
Finally, the Extra Deck. He fanned them out, the images of colossal dragons filling his vision. "Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon," "Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon," "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," "Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon," "Dragon Master Magia," "Blue-Eyes Spirit Dragon," "Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon." Each one a titan, a monument to the power he now held.
Then he saw it. The card from his dream, the one that had resonated so strongly with his mark, the one that had felt like a piece of his very soul. "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Spirit Dragon." He pulled it from the fan, holding it aloft. As he did, the entire deck in his other hand began to pulse, a pure, brilliant light emanating from within the cards. The light swirled, growing brighter, encompassing him in its radiant embrace.
The crimson mark on his right forearm flared, burning with an intense heat that mirrored the deck's glow. It throbbed, a deep, resonant hum vibrating through his muscles. The spectral forms of Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Alternative Dragon, and Ultimate Dragon, previously faint and distant, now solidified, shimmering with ethereal light around him. They observed him, their massive, draconic eyes fixed on him, acknowledging his presence, his power.
He wasn't just holding cards; he was holding a part of himself, a piece of his past, resurrected and refined in this strange new world. This was his legacy. This was the defiance he'd craved against the 'pre-written script' he so detested. He wasn't just a Signer; he was a force, a continuation of a lineage, the heir to the dragon's might.
The KaibaCorp terminal's AI voice, now clearer and more resonant, echoed through the vault. "Duelist identity confirmed. Legacy deck integrated. Prepare for… activation." The words resonated with the thrumming power of his mark. *Activation*. He understood. This wasn't just a vault; it was a proving ground. His shield, his sword, now in his hands. The fatigue that had dogged him for days receded entirely, replaced by a surge of pure, unadulterated energy, a fierce determination that made his blood sing.
The glowing light around him subsided, leaving the deck warm and vibrant in his hands. He glanced around the pristine vault, the gleaming, futuristic dueling stations that lined the walls. *Activation*. What kind? A duel? A trial? He would face whatever came. This was his chance to truly carve his own path.
He approached the nearest dueling station, its sleek, metallic arm extended, a modern Duel Disk resting on its charging port. It hummed with latent power, far more advanced than the battered model he'd used in the Satellite. This Duel Disk felt like it had been waiting for him. He picked it up, feeling its perfect balance.
With practiced movements, he carefully shuffled his newly acquired, powerful deck. The cards, crisp and new, glided smoothly between his fingers, a comforting weight in his palm. A soft whirring sound filled the air. The massive vault door, his only way in, now slowly began to slide shut, sealing him within. The light in the vault dimmed slightly, focusing on the dueling field that had materialized on the floor.
Ryuki took a deep, steadying breath, the scent of ozone and fresh cardstock filling his lungs. He exhaled slowly, his eyes fixed on the Duel Disk, his resolve a solid block of ice in his chest. He slotted the longed-for deck into the Duel Disk, the click of the mechanism a sound of both finality and beginning.
Went around the console and stare down at the A.I. manned robot. Having the duel disk ready.
---
Mokuba's fingers flew across the holographic keyboard of his private terminal, a flurry of blue light and rapid commands. "Find me any active cameras in KaibaCorp Vault 001. I need eyes inside." His face was grim, a cold mask of absolute focus, as the distant, ancient signal pulsed in his mind. He would watch what was happening, and who was dueling inside that vault.