Whew, looks like the last chapter came out great! AND ALREADY OVER 100 REVIEWS?! That is a literal record for me and my stories, thanks! Shoutout to fanfic meister for being the 100th reviewer! Congrats, friend! :D
Anyway, I'm dedicating this chapter as well to more of the Arc-V characters and their situations, but don't worry! The story plot will start to move nearing the end of Chapter 7 (for those confused, I count by the prologue, then by the story chapters, so it will be Chapter 9 on Fanfiction for all of you).
I also got two new kittens! You can check my YouTube channel (CorinnetheAnime) for the latest video of them playing. Their names are Selena and Ray. XD
Thanks again to Donjusticia for helping with the chapter and the duel! You're the best! :D And enjoy!
"So what's the day's count so far?"
One of the Fusion students, a Slifer carrying a clipboard, flipped through the pages. His eyes scrutinized the various graphs and notes before finding the right report. It held the census of victims of the Academia invasions, which numbered into the millions. "Two new families and five individuals, ranging from ages two to fifty-four, all accounted for with little injuries. They will be reported into a nearby recovery camp."
"That's a little low by normal standards," the other student, his superior, mused with worry.
"There are still many more in the city who haven't come out of hiding yet," his subordinate hastily explained. "And some are unable to, most likely from an accident or illness."
"How many do you think are hiding?"
"Hard to say. Dozens, maybe?"
The two students paused in their conversation when they noticed Yuto and Shun approaching them from the distance. The other, an Obelisk blue (which was acknowledged as being a higher-up), turned to the Resistance fighters, nodding in respect. He knew they would either ask a few questions about their progress or give their own reports about the locals.
Since the end of the war, most of Academia had taken their time to provide resources and shelter for the remnants of the Resistance and the damaged Xyz Dimension as a whole. It took many months, and substantial progress had been made. But there were multiple conflicts that hindered them from fully helping, one being the destroyed city, as it held multiple survivors who were still wary of the Fusion faction to risk coming out into the open again.
But there was something else too, one that troubled them greatly.
"What's the status on the missing survivors for the Club Branch?" Shun asked abruptly, getting straight to the point. "Any progress?"
The Slifer soldier hung his head down. "Still missing," he grunted. "We could organize a search party with the Resistance members, were it not for the other...complications."
"Complications?" Yuto asked.
The Slifer student looked to his Obelisk superior, who nodded, giving permission to speak. "Some of our own men have been disappearing lately, or rather, their cards have been showing up," he explained. "We can reverse the process, of course, but we don't want to risk any more encounters or chances with whoever is attacking."
"We believe whoever is doing it is either a malcontent from our own dimension, or a Resistance fighter taking revenge into their own hands and taking on our own men," the Obelisk Soldier added. "We haven't found any carded Xyz civilians, but that may just be because he or she is actually storing those cards, rather than leaving them as a warning like the other victims."
"That sounds like trouble," Yuto mused, his eyes narrowing in thought. The idea of a few rebels from either faction, hurting others either for the sake of revenge or for "fun," was still plausible. After all, there was still tension between the two former enemies, and some people could never forgive or be forgiven of their actions. Another war could easily brew if fanatics such as these continued to stir up trouble. This was a serious matter they had to deal with by themselves. "We can help investigate whoever the perpetrator is if it helps."
"And maybe knock some sense into them," Shun added in a low tone, carrying a subtle undertone of aggression.
Both Academia students glanced at each other, silently coming to an agreement. They could help.
"I've been preparing some of my men," the Obelisk soldier replied. "Whoever's been doing this has been striking primarily in these sectors. He or she apparently strikes quickly, cards the duelists, and then disappears before reinforcements can arrive. Unfortunately, we haven't managed to restore any of the victims yet, so we have no intel on what deck he or she uses."
"The uncarding process takes time," Yuto mused out loud. "By which time the attacker could easily manage to make more victims. We can't allow this to continue."
"We've faced plenty of greater threats than a single rogue duelist," Shun agreed, cracking his knuckles.
"I wish you luck, then," the Obelisk soldier sighed. "My men and I will meet you at the rendezvous point in fifteen minutes. Once we deploy, we will spread out in groups of two in order to locate survivors and the rogue. Keep the tracking function on your duel disks on so that we can all see one another's locations and stay in contact. Sound good to you?"
"Shun and I will go together," Yuto agreed. "We know the city both inside and out, like the back of our hands. Just make sure that your men don't wander too far off from one another."
The student sighed wearily. "Very well, if that is what you wish. We'll scour the other sectors and see if they appear." He ran a finger through his hair, removing some of the sweat off his forehead. "Let's hope we can find this rogue before they cause any more damage to our peace."
"Again, you can trust us," Yuto reassured. "We'll take this fugitive down and alert you."
It was not an easy mission, Yuto had to admit. Whoever was doing this, recklessly attacking and carding Fusion (and possibly Xyz) individuals had some expertise in leaving no tracks or traces of their identity behind. It almost made the few cards that were "dropped" somewhat ironic and a little unsettling.
Were they walking into a trap? Or perhaps into an ambush? That was likely. All the more reason to keep their guard up and eyes peeled. Even so, the older Raidraptor duelist noted that his friend hadn't spoken a word since they left the camp.
"You have been too quiet, even for someone like you, Yuto." Shun's voice cut through the deafening silence like a blade, directed to his younger comrade. "Something is on your mind."
"I don't want to give away our position," Yuto whispered back, changing the subject so as to not bother his friend with his thoughts. "They could be anywhere."
"Somehow, I doubt that this rogue duelist really wants to hide," Shun replied, looking off into the distance. He noted that Yuto dodged his concerns, but decided to wait until later before addressing it again. He knew the boy had a lot on his mind over the past few weeks.
"You think that us coming here was part of his plan, then?" Yuto asked.
"Why else would they leave the cards for Academia to find?" Shun asked. "This duelist is leaving calling cards as bait, hoping to find even bigger prey."
Yuto nodded solemnly. "All the more reason for us to keep our guard up," he mused, thinking over what kind of reason this rogue would have for trying to continue fighting. "We don't have any idea how strong this duelist is. Worse, we don't have any idea how he or she—!"
Two red dots on his and Shun's duel disk suddenly went out. In the distance, they could hear a faint explosion going off. The two Xyz duelists quickly put two and two together, alarmed by the revelation.
"Captain!" Yuto called, addressing the Obelisk Commander through his duel disk. "What's your current status!?"
Nothing but static answered on the other end, which signaled that something happened to them. Shun immediately began running in the direction of the explosion, Yuto following close behind for backup.
A little distance off, another immense explosion rang out through the otherwise silent sky, with two more dots fading away at the same time.
"Whoever's doing this, his deck works fast!" Yuto exclaimed. At least that partially answered their question on the mysterious duelist's strength.
"I can see the smoke," Shun growled, eyes narrowed. "He's close by, so keep your guard up, Yuto!"
They passed through what was approximately three blocks of buildings, when another explosion, this time sounding very close by, suddenly knocked a nearby building off its foundation, causing the entire structure to begin plummeting towards Shun and Yuto. They looked up to see it crashing down right on top of them.
With their lives flashing momentarily before their eyes, they reacted without thinking, each of them jumping opposite ways so that they managed to dodge the falling structure. With a deafening crash the building collided into the ground, scattering debris and leaving an immense wall of rubble between Yuto and Shun. It would be very difficult to cross the rubble without hurting themselves, and given the situation time was not on their side.
"Are you alright, Shun?!" Yuto called out to his friend.
He barely managed to make out Shun's muffled voice from the other side, when a raging blast of flame rocketed into the building in front of Yuto, the subsequent explosion lifting him off his feet before he roughly crashed into the ground.
Groaning, Yuto managed to pull himself from the ground before spying a figure approaching him, the silhouette of an immense monster floating in the air above him.
The monster was cloaked in the shadow of the smoke, so he couldn't make it out what it was. The rogue himself was covered in a musty cloak that spread over most of his body, save for his legs, head, and arms, but Yuto caugh the flint of an Academia uniform underneathz
One thing was for sure; this was the target they were searching for. Except it found _them._
Yuto gritted his teeth, baring his duel disk's purple blade. "So you're the one behind all this?"
"Finally showed up," the figure sighed with relief, voice slightly muffled by his cloak. Even with the gruff tone, Yuto could make out that the owner was masculine. "I was getting tired of dealing with Academia traitors and sniveling Xyz remnants. Thanks for delivering yourself to me. Once I take out one of the Xyz Dimension's heroes, maybe my fellow students will finally wake up from this little dream and realize that we DIDN'T lose the war!"
Before the Xyz duelist could reply, the Academia soldier had shot a line of energy from his duel disk, which wrapped around Yuto's duel disk arm. With a tug, the duelist pulled him forward, Yuto's own duel disk automatically activating against his will.
Duel Commencing - Yuto v.s. Rogue Duelist
"Shun!" Yuto called into his duel disk. "I've found-..."
"Don't even bother," the duelist growled. "I'm scrambling your transmission, so you're fighting me one-on-one without any pesky interruptions. And don't think anybody's gonna come to rescue you in time either. I intend to make this quick!"
Yuto knew he had no choice. Whoever this maniac was, they were already forcing him into a duel, which was one of Academia's previous tactics to find their victims. Even the energy cord was the exact same. But he had to be sure if his hunch about this rogue was correct...
"Fine. We'll settle this in a duel, just as you want!"
Turn 1: Rogue Duelist
LP: 4000
[] = 5
"MY MOVE!" Yuto's opponent looked down at his hand, immediately smiling at what he drew. It was a good hand right at the start, and he immediately concocted a quick scheme to take down his opponent. "I set one monster face-down before setting one card face-down in my Spell/Trap Card Zone and ending my turn!"
Yuto's eyes narrowed before he drew from his Deck. "Then it's the start of mine. Let's see what you have up your sleeve."
Turn 2: Yuto
LP: 4000
[] = 6
Alright, what can I do? Glancing at his hand, Yuto strategized over what to do with the little information he had collected about the foe. This duelist fights fast and must have a powerful deck to take down so many people so effectively. I'll need to begin with a strong and ready defense for whatever he has in store.
He took one card, placing it down on his duel blade. "I Normal Summon Phantom Knights - Ragged Gloves."
A ghostly warrior, clad in dark blue armor over his chest and arms, floated on the field before Yuto. Orange flames sprouted from its gloves and head, the latter being in ponytails. It had a light blue wispy tail below the belt (3/1000/500).
Before the rogue could make any snide remarks on its appearance, Yuto continued with more summons from his hand (which, for the most part, shut him up). "Since I control a 'Phantom Knights' monster, I can Special Summon Phantom Knights - Silent Boots."
Another warrior, this one adorned in brown garments over a dark set of pants, stood next to its comrade. It had chains on its "arms," small skulls around its neck, and a blue face that featured only a small set of dark dots for eyes (3/200/1200).
"I can Special Summon a second Phantom Knights - Silent Boots due to the same effect." A second copy of the same monster appeared next to the knights. Yuto had the pieces he needed, stretching out his hand. "I create the Overlay Network with my Level three Phantom Knights - Silent Boots and Phantom Knights - Ragged Gloves!"
A glowing portal, reminiscent to a black hole with golden sparkles of light decorating around it, circulated before the two monsters. An aura of blue covered their bodies before they disappeared into the Xyz network, with a column of light bursting out from the center.
"Souls of warriors fallen on the battlefield. Revive now and become the light to rend the darkness! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank three! Phantom Knights - Break Sword!"
A hunkering bulk of armor riding on a metallic horse galloped from the Xyz portal, blue flames erupting from underneath all of the armor. It wielded a huge executioner's blade over its right shoulder, making the opponent a little uneasy at the sight of the weapon (3/2000/1000).
Sensing that the duelist was a little intimidated, Yuto continued with his plan. "Ragged Glove's effect gives Break Sword an extra thousand ATK since it was Xyz Summoned." The knight's blade glowed an ominous blue as its power increased by a large amount (ATK: 2000 - 3000). "Furthermore, I detach an Overlay Unit to activate its effect: by targeting one card I control and one card you control, I can destroy them."
A small smirk graced itself on the rogue's face, hidden from Yuto. "Oh, really? What card of mine do you plan on destroying?"
"Perhaps your face-down in the Spell/Trap Zone." The Xyz duelist gestured to his other monster. "I destroy my second Silent Boots, so expose your card!"
The face-down on the opponent's field slowly rose up, revealing itself to be a Trap known as Call of the Haunted, before dissipating into sparkles alongside his warrior. It wasn't a super powerful card as Yuto had expected, but at least that was out of the way. All that was left was his face-down monster.
He would just have to risk it for now. "Battle Phase! Break Sword, attack and destroy his face-down!"
The knight's horse neighed and reared on its hind legs before it charged down to the set card, bringing down the glowing blade to it. It cut the unsuspecting monster in two, which the opponent revealed by stretching his own hand out.
"By attacking and destroying my UFO Turtle"—an aged turtle with an alien ship-looking shell also evaporated—"I can Special Summon a FIRE monster with 1500 or less ATK from my Deck! Come out, Cyber Phoenix!"
Yuto was more or less worried as a metallic phoenix with four wings, donned with orange feathers, flew to the field with a shrieking cry (4/1200/1600). He waited till his knight returned before finishing up with one last move, and in a whole, his turn. "I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
"As much as I would expect from Xyz scum!" the opponent cackled to himself before drawing from his deck. However, what he shouted only confirmed Yuto's suspicions even further; there was only one faction who called them Xyz scum.
So they probably are of Academia, or, at least of its former ways. And from what we know of their actions, they're a crazed fanatic still pursuing to hunt and hurt others. This left him with all the more reason to keep his guard up, his eyes narrowed. I need to end this quickly.
"IT'S MY TURN!"
Turn 3: Rogue Duelist
LP: 4000
[]: 4
The duelist looked at what he drew, his smile widening with glee. "Perfect! Just the card I need to grind you to dust! I play the Spell, Fusion!"
Yuto gritted his teeth. There is no doubt. But what is he going to summon?
The familiar whirlpool of blue and orange swirled behind the opponent, who spread out his arms wide. His voice hitched to a higher pitch, slightly unhinged, as he continued to explain its effects. "I fuse Ducker and Prominence Dragon in my Hand to Fusion Summon!"
A two-legged metal android with guns protruding from its head, and a scaled snake with fire covering most of its body (save for its underbelly) both disappeared into the light of the swirling portal. The Fusion fugitive clasped his hands together, symbolizing the fusion of the two monsters inside the spell.
"Warrior of strong metal, become one with the dragon burning with the sun's flame! Be reborn as a terrifying beast of armor and fire! Fusion Summon! Level six! Explosive Beast Volcannon!"
A horned dragon with grey scales and covered in bulky armor roared proudly before soaring down to the field. It had four arms, two red cannons on its "shoulders," and a whip-like tail (6/2300/1600). The strength of the monster's cry rolled off in waves against Yuto's knight, even though it was still more powerful.
"2300 ATK?" It was nothing to sneeze at. And as far as Yuto knew, it had even more powerful abilities that he had to watch out for.
His hunch was right. "I activate Explosive Beast Volcannon's special ability! I target one monster you control and then destroy it and destroy Volcannon. Then, if both were destroyed, I can inflict damage to you equal to the original ATK of your destroyed monster!"
Yuto widened his eyes; this was going to be some serious trouble for him if he didn't react fast. "Trap activate! Phantom Fog Blade! I target your monster and negate its effec—!"
"NOT SO FAST!" The phoenix on the fugitive's field spread its wings and screeched as he demonstrated what it could do. "Cyber Phoenix's ability! As long as it's in ATK Position, I can negate any Spell and Trap effects that target one Machine monster on my field!"
"That means...!"
"So long for your trap!" The duelist laughed as Yuto's card was destroyed, leaving his monster open for the enemy's beast to obliterate. "Volcannon, destroy his ridiculous pawn!"
Within seconds, the monster effect went through and both aces were destroyed in a blazing fire blast. Yuto kneeled down on one leg and raised his arms to protect his face from the heat, losing half of his Life Points in a single effect (LP: 4000 - 2000).
He dreaded for what the duelist had in mind next, deciding to take action before he could do any more damage. "Since my Break Sword was destroyed, I can Special Summon two 'Phantom Knights' monsters with the same Level in my Graveyard, and then increase their Levels by one!"
The two cloaked warriors returned to the field (Levels: 3 - 4), which irritated the opponent greatly. He snarled against his teeth before raising his hand. "Big mistake! I attack one of those trashy creatures with Cyber Phoenix! Feel its fiery wings!"
"Not before I play my second Trap!" Yuto raised his hand to the second face-down. "Phantom Knights - Wrong Magnering not negates your attack, but I can also Special Summon this card as a DARK, Warrior-Type Effect Monster!"
A hooded metal knight holding a blue ring that sparked electricity appeared before its master, blocking the phoenix's fire with its own power (2/0/0). The rogue, angered that his attack failed to go through to the Xyz duelist, was forced to end his battle and the turn as a whole.
"I set a face-down. Your move, prey."
The battered Xyz duelist rose up slowly, shaking off the remains of the last blow on his cloak. He guessed that the destroyed beast was this fugitive's ace, which meant he had a few more tricks. Yuto still had to be cautious.
"My turn. Draw!"
Turn 4: Yuto
LP: 2000
[]: 2
The new card in his hand was a good monster. Yuto used it to his advantage. "I Normal Summon Phantom Knights - Fragile Armor."
A set of dark blue armor with a tattered green cape marched to its field, its body composed of bright blue flames. The armor had silver skulls and other menacing designs (4/1000/2000).
"Next, I banish Fog Blade in my Graveyard to activate its effect," Yuto continued. "I target one 'Phantom Knights' in my Graveyard and then Special Summon it to the field, and I target my Break Sword to come back int DEF mode!" His knight on the horse came thundering back from the Graveyard portal.
His enemy wasn't super impressed by the move, crossing his arms and tapping his boot out of impatience. "So you managed to bring it back. It won't change your situation."
"Or so you think!" Yuto was one to smirk, starting his main plan and slowly unraveling it to his enemy. "I banish Ragged Glove to activate its effect, sending one 'Phantom Knights' card from my Deck to the Graveyard." A random card was shuffled out from the Deck, and he placed it into the Graveyard by hand. It was shown to him to be a third Silent Boots.
Alright, now I have two Level four monsters on the field. I can Xyz Summon Dark Re—!
He stopped, his heart nearly skipping a beat. For a moment, a brief second, Yuto forgot that his dragon wasn't with him anymore. Dark Rebellion was no longer an available comrade or a friend to lean on, simply because he left the boy for the demon...
Why? He lowered his duel blade for a moment, his eyes covered in shadow by his purple bangs. Why did you leave me? I thought we were friends...
Yuto still struggled with accepting the new truth, but it was bearing down on him now. He had to duel without the use of his dragon and win. He didn't realize he had grown attached and incredibly dependent on Dark Rebellion, but with good reason. He was a loyal comrade, always ready to fight by his side against all enemies that stood in their way. Protective, powerful, fierce and dangerous, the dragon's personality was similar to his own.
They worked well together as partners. But the dragon was now gone.
You may not be here now, and I need your power to help end this duel quickly...but I can't. Yuto breathed in slowly, deeply. I can't let the loss get to me. Focus, Yuto.
Trying to keep his emotions of frustration and despair about his missing ace in check, Yuto had to make an alternative. Without Dark Rebellion as his ace, it would be harder to get an edge on the duel. But he just had to try for his sake and everyone's.
"I overlay my two Level four Silent Boots and Fragile Armor to build the Overlay Network!" The same black hole appeared before the dark duelist, with the three knights all disappearing into it, and then a column of light burst from the middle.
The Fusion duelist growled to himself. "Another Xyz Summon? What trash are you going to summon this time?"
Yuto took the words to heart, nearly growling. "Spirits of the comrades lost in battle! Revive in the darkness and fight as one against our foe! Xyz Summon! Come now! Phantom Knights - Old Axe!"
A mighty animated set of black armor stormed to the field, with the real body of the knight covered in blue flames inside it. It rode on a metal horse like the other Xyz monster, but was instead wielding a powerful and malicious axe instead of an executioner's blade (4/2300/1300).
The intimidating presence of the new monster rolled off in waves against the rogue and his monster, but they didn't let it show. Yuto turned to his new Xyz knight.
"Its ability lets me activate Traps from my hand." That earned a surprised reaction from his opponent, but was mostly ignored by Yuto. "Therefore, I play Phantom Sword from my Hand, and its first effect allows me to target one monster and raise its ATK by eight hundred!"
"Eight hundred?" the rogue parroted, and, for a brief moment, no longer hid his feelings. He was astonished.
"Yes, and I target Old Axe!" The weapon of the monster also glowed with blue fire, and the knight raised it high above his head (ATK: 2300 - 3100). "Furthermore, I detach an Overlay Unit to activate its ability; I can move the monster to the same column as Phantom Sword and then Special Summon one Rank three or Rank five DARK Xyz monster from my Extra Deck or Graveyard!"
The fugitive hated to admit it, but that was a pretty powerful ability.
"I Special Summon from my Extra Deck a Rank three Xyz monster!" Yuto declared, as a card from another portion of his duel disk slipped out to his hand. "Come forth, Phantom Knights - Cursed Blade!"
A set of purple armor came to the field, with light purple flames surrounding the suit and representing the bearer inside. It wielded a weapon like the other two knights, but it was a thinner blade like a katana (3/1900/1200). It had no Overlay Units, which the opponent noted with a wide smile.
"Is that it? It has no special abilities!" he laughed manically.
"The other ability of Aged Axe's effect activates!" The other knight on his field grunted before pointing its weapon at the new Xyz monster. "I can now equip Cursed Blade with a card in my Graveyard that has the same name as the Overlay Unit used to detach from Aged Axe!"
"W-what?" Thinking over what Yuto just said, the rogue widened his eyes. He knew what that meant for him. "Hey, that's not fair!"
But by then, the Graveyard opened up and a light escaped from it, an Overlay Unit, before circling around the katana-wielding knight.
Yuto glared at the enemy, his grey eyes burning with subdued wrath. "However, even though it can use its ability, the monster can't attack as a result. But I'm not finished yet!" He gestured to his Graveyard. "I banish the Silent Boots to activate its effect, which allows me to add a Spell or Trap to my hand."
Another card from his Deck popped out for him to take. However, his enemy was getting impatient with his turn and moves, as well as becoming more and more emotional due to Yuto's plan unraveling his mind. "When are you going to attack?! You're just STALLING!"
No reply from Yuto.
"Shunning me now?" His lip curled into a disgusted snarl; he loathed this Xyz duelist with every fiber of his being. "I'll make you pay for your arrogance! Come on and ATTACK!"
"It's you who is arrogant instead," Yuto retorted, raising his hand before the fugitive could rant on. "Cursed Blade's effect activates: I detach an Overlay Unit, which leaves me to return up to three Banished monsters to my Deck."
"WAIT, WHAT?"
"Ragged Glove, and Silent Boots all return to the Deck and then I can draw one card." The three mentioned cards were revived back to the other cards, soon shuffled in as well. He added the top card to his hand, one that can be used for a later time. "I then banish the other Silent Boots in my Graveyard to draw a second Spell or Trap."
The card he drew next wasn't any one of the three cards either. However, Yuto had all the pieces he needed, unaware of his enemy's plan.
"Battle Phase!" Those two words left a wry smirk on the rogue's lips, waiting for the enemy to make his move. "I attack Cyber Phoenix with Aged Axe! I'll end that fiend with one blow!"
"HA-HA-HA!" A loud cackle rang into the air, making Yuto shudder as his opponent revealed his intentions. "FOOLISH SCUM! YOU FELL FOR IT! I play my Trap, Blazing Mirror Force! Not only can I destroy as many ATK Position monsters as possible on your field, but after I take damage equal to half of the total original ATK of all the monsters, I can inflict the same damage to you!" His card started to shine brightly as a mesmerizing shield formed before him. "It's over for you!"
"Then you will be disappointed," Yuto replied smoothly, making the Fusion rogue growl in anger.
"Don't tell me you got a counter for that!"
"By destroying Phantom Sword, I can stop my monster from being destroyed by battle or a card effect." The glowing aura around the axe-wielding knight slowly died away, also lowering its ATK back to normal (ATK: 3100 - 2300). "That means the attack still goes through."
The enemy gritted his teeth as the knight raised his blade, his steed galloping towards the metallic phoenix. The bird shrieked and bared its talons, but the knight sliced right through the monster's body, cleaving it in two (LP: 4000 - 2900).
"Since Cyber Phoenix was destroyed, I draw a card from its effect!" the rogue snarled, drawing from his Deck.
Unknown to the rogue, more of his true colors were shown. Yuto caught a glimpse of blue underneath the tattered remains of the cloak from the last blow. So this guy is an Obelisk Blue.
"I end my turn with that, Fusion traitor," he concluded with tranquil fury in his tone.
"So that was the best you could do?!" Another loose cackle escaped from the mentally unhinged foe. "Wow, I'm not surprised! All of you Xyz scum are the same, worthless pieces of trash who can't fight well in a good hunting game! It'll be all the more satisfying for me when I destroy you!"
Turn 5: Rogue Duelist
LP: 2900
[] = 2
He drew, looking at the new card with eyes glinting in mad glee. "I activate the Spell, Soul Charge! I Special Summon Cyber Phoenix and Solar Flare Dragon from my Graveyard, but lose a thousand Life Points for every monster Special Summoned this way."
An electric shock shot out from the card and electrocuted the duelist, making him wince slightly (LP: 2900 - 900). Yuto grew very suspicious, eying the one last card in the duelist's gloved hand. Something was up.
Perhaps another Fusion? Is he going to bring back his ace?
"I play the Spell, Fusion Substitute!" His hunch was right as another spell, one very similar to the regular Fusion, but also a little different. "I fuse Cyber Phoenix and Solar Flare Dragon to Fusion Summon my Explosive Beast Volcannon! Return to me, my great servant!"
Sure enough, another metallic dragon with cannons on its shoulders came diving down to the field. It roared majestically, filled with power and anger against the opponent and his ghostly monsters, ready to rip them apart.
"I activate its effect!" he shrieked, stretching his hand up to the metal beast. "I target your Old Axe and destroy both it and my monster! Prepare to take all of that damage again and lose, trash! It's over for you!"
"It won't happen again!" Yuto was ready for something like this to happen again. "You didn't forget about Old Axe's ability with Traps, have you? I can play Phantom Wing from my Hand, increasing my Old Axe's ATK by five hundred and also negating its destruction from battle or card effect! And without your Cyber Phoenix on the field, you can't negate this Trap!"
"YOU DIRTY ROTTEN—!" A few curses fled from the rogue's mouth as the knight gained more ATK and also stayed on the field (ATK: 2300 - 2800). His ace also roared furiously, frustrated to not have been able to destroy or rip anything to shreds. He was left with a fallback. "I banish Fusion Substitute and then shuffle Volcannon from my Graveyard back into my Extra Deck, allowing me to draw another card!"
He hastily drew again, glimpsing at the new spell in his hand. The fugitive was very pleased with what he got, leaving Yuto also extremely uneasy.
What does he have this time? It doesn't look good.
"I play Molten Inferno Fusion!" With a wide smile, the Fusion rogue slapped the card down onto the duel blade. "I pay with half of my Life Points (LP: 900 - 450), then I can banish two FIRE monsters from my Graveyard to Fusion Summon two Pyro-Type monsters and/or Machine-Type Fusion Monsters with different names from my Extra Deck!"
"What?!" Left in shock, Yuto could only watch as his enemy's monsters returned from the Graveyard, disappearing into another Fusion portal that appeared much darker than the ones before. From the light Volcannon returned with vengeance alongside one other monster.
"Phoenix reborn from fire, become one with the dragon of the sun! Become a being of scorching heat who razes everything in its path! Fusion Summon! Level eight! Blaze Fenix the Burning Bombardment Bird!"
A beautiful fiery phoenix, completely covered by flames, soared down to the field with a piercing cry. It had dark metal armor over its arms, chest, and wings, as if framing the fiery structure of the bird (8/2800/2300).
The rogue took his enemy's silence and surprised face as horror, laughing madly. "It's over for you and your pathetic monsters now! I again activate Volcannon's effect and target your Old Axe!"
Yuto heard his scream, thinking up a counterstrategy on the fly by looking at his hand. "I play Phantom Knights - Cankered Cross-Guard and Special Summon it as a DARK, Warrior-Type Effect Monster!"
A small specter holding twin blades floated to the field, wielding the two weapons (3/0/1500).
"It won't stop Volcannon's effect from going through!" The rogue was steadily becoming more and more unraveled, nearly ranting and foaming at the mouth. "DESTROY THEM!"
As the metal dragon destroyed itself, Yuto made sure to not lose his monster and thus, the duel. "I can banish Cankered Cross-Guard to negate the destruction of a battle or card effect that would've destroyed a monster I control!"
"NO!" As the little monster dissipated due to its effect, the rogue was very furious that his monster now failed twice to end his enemy. He switched tactics to deal the Xyz Duelist some heavy damage instead. "I banish Molten Inferno Fusion to Special Summon Volcannon again! Plus, the spell gives my monsters an extra thousand ATK!"
Yuto noticed one specific detail about his enemy; he had a huge dependence on his ace. He's been using the same monster again and again. However, he can't use that ability again since it wasn't Fusion Summoned...so what's he planning?
As both monsters on the Fusion duelist's field gained more strength (Blaze Fenix's ATK: 2800 - 3800/Volcannon's ATK: 2300 - 3300), he snarled viciously, "I activate Blaze Fenix's ability! By losing the ability to attack, it can inflict three hundred damage to you for every card on the field!"
"For every card on the field?" Yuto quickly counted the math in his head, his eyes widening.
"There are six in total," the duelist concluded, smirking predatorily, "which means you take eighteen hundred in damage!"
Yuto tried to find a way to repel the attack, but his luck ran out for that round. The burning phoenix conjured up a fireball in its beak before hurtling it at him, singeing his cloak when it made contact. The heat was intense against his skin, forcing the helpless duelist to shield his eyes and face (2000 - 200).
"I need to finish this...in the next round..."
Smirking that he finally got some damage in, the rogue ended his turn. "Soul Charge prevents me from conducting a Battle Phase. I end my turn for now."
Smoke rose from Yuto's clothes, slowly dissipating into the air. He shakily rose to his full height, dusting off the remains of the attack off of his tattered clothes. However, even if he took a good amount of damage physically, he was far from being defeated in spirit.
"I'm still standing...right on down to the last Life Point!" Yuto declared proudly, his eyes giving a determined glare. "Even if I'm fighting alone and beaten to the ground, even if our comrades fall one by one...I won't fall to someone like you, and I'll prove it right here and now!"
Turn 6: Yuto
LP: 200
[] = 3
"Old Axe's effect allows me to play Phantom Knights - Lost Vambrace. I target Blaze Fenrix with it: your monster loses 600 ATK and its Level goes down to two, and all 'Phantom Knights' cannot be destroyed in battle!"
Dumfounded, his foe could only watch in horror as his Fusion monster was weakened (3800 - 3200). "Well, even so, it's still more powerful than any of your monsters! Same goes for my other dragon!"
"Not for much longer!" Yuto shot back. "I then Special Summon Lost Vambrace in DEF Position as a DARK, Warrior-Type Normal monster!"
A bulky set of breastplate armor and gloves, covering over a blue set of flames with a purple orb in the "chest" region, floated before the duelist besides its fallen comrades (2/600/0).
"It's still weak!" He had to laugh his head off; what was Yuto thinking of Special Summoning the Trap Monster? "Last I checked, if you are planning to Xyz Summon with my monster, you can't!"
"I'm not going to use Blaze Fenrix as an Xyz Material," the Xyz duelist replied cooly. "With my Level two Lost Vambrace and Wrong Magnering, I build the Overlay Network!"
The two Trap Monsters, glowing with their respective auras, soon swirled and disappeared into the black singularity that formed before Yuto's feet. With electricity coursing in the portal, a bright column of light flooded from the opening with a new monster forming in its dark depths.
"Ten thousand warriors entombed forever in darkness! Pierce with the cursed spear of rebellion! Descend now! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank two! Phantom Knights - Cursed Javelin!"
A knight, decorated with skull armor and red cloth, stomped out from the portal. It had blue fire emanating from its shoulder, wielded a sword in its right arm that held skulls, and a shield on the left arm that sported a skull face to intimidate its enemies (2/1600/0).
The rogue's pride overlooked one specific detail of the new Xyz Monster. "Oh, look, another Xyz Monster? What's it going to do, bore me to death?"
Fueled by a deep, innate fury burning in his soul, Yuto unleashed the power of his new comrade. "This is the end for you!" Cursed Javelin's effect activates: I detach an Overlay Unit and then target your Blaze Fenix! It loses all of its ATK, and its effects are also negated (ATK: 3200 - 0)!"
"EH?" The opponent almost didn't hear the last part. "IT does what?!"
"You've heard me!" Yuto snarled back, showing all of his hidden anger up his sleeve. He had had enough of this trash-talking foe and his persistent tactics to drive him to the ground. "This is your downfall for underestimating your opponents and continuing to prolong their suffering! Battle Phase! Cursed Javelin, attack and destroy Blaze Fenix, and wipe out the rest of his Life points!"
"Wait, WAIT!" The Fusion duelist stepped back as the knight brandished its sword, charging straight at his completely defenseless monster. "NO! THIS CAN'T BE THE END! I REFUSE TO BE BEATEN!"
"Finish this duel once and for all!" Yuto cried out. As if answering to his anger and words, the knight's attack went through, the bird being sliced into many pieces before his foe's very eyes. The remains of the monster fell down and burned the rest of his cloak, making the rogue scream in terror while the rest of his Life Points were depleted (450 - 0).
The once proud Fusion rebel now laid fallen before Yuto, arms and legs splayed with his body singed from the attacks. His proud monsters were all defeated around him.
"It's over, rogue." Yuto walked over to the duelist, with the chain linking his duel disk to the enemy's quickly disappearing from existence.
"No," the duelist growled, crawling onto his feet. "NO! It's not over! It's NEVER over! Not until we WIN!"
"You've lost," Yuto bluntly replied. "Academia is no longer fighting the war. They've moved on and have decided to help the other dimensions rebuild. There is no more need to continue fighting and hurting people, which makes people like you scum."
"Traitors!" the rogue duelist spat. "YOU'RE ALL TRAITORS! COWARDS!"
"No," Yuto replied, stepping forward and grabbing the collar of the foe to pull him up. "The only one betraying his own dimension now, is you. The Inter-Dimensional War harmed everyone involved, including Fusion. Spreading more conflict and terror is not doing anybody any good, least of all yourself."
"I gave everything for Academia's glory!" the fugitive roared. "And I won't stop fighting until I see Academia grasp it's glorious future! AGAIN! We duel again! Immediately! You didn't have the guts to card me when you defeated me last time, and now you'll pay for it! I'll crush you this time! I'll turn you into a card and tear that card into pieces! I will—!"
A fist to the side of the rogue duelist's head stopped him mid-sentence. Shun stood over the duelist, knuckles cracking and face set in an expression of deep contempt.
Moments later, the remaining Academia soldiers in their group had surrounded the duelist, Duel Disks raised.
"Xyz scum...and traitors..." the rogue panted with contempt. "I don't know which is worse. All of you are living in a delusion! We can't forget the past and live together in harmony now, like we're in some sort of magical fantasy! The war never ended between us! It'll never end! Not so long as there's at least one person to continue fighting and crushing the enemy into the dirt!"
He lunged for his duel disk, button reaching for the emergency escape function on it, but before he could press the screen, Shun's foot slammed down on the duelist's arm, preventing him from teleporting away. He shrieked in pain as the sole of the Raidraptor's shoe nearly broke the bone.
"The fighting's over," Shun growled, his own gold eyes blazing. "You're going to prison."
"Hee hee, he he he!" the duelist snickered. "That's what you think, Xyz scum! There are more people like me than you know. On BOTH sides! When the war resumes, we'll see who's put behind bars...or carded!"
The duelist continued laughing like a madman as the Academia soldiers proceeded to disarm him, handcuff him, and haul him away, ending his crimes. As they walked away, Yuto couldn't help but read the expressions on some of the soldiers' faces. Was that shame? Embarrassment? Or something else entirely?
He couldn't quite make it out as they thanked the Xyz duelists and walked away to a nearby jail camp. The rogue's words rang inside his mind endlessly, repeated over and over into his ears.
What if some of what he said is true? Will we find ourselves in another war? Yuto felt his heart sank into his stomach, lost in his thoughts until he felt Shun pat his shoulder.
"I don't know what might have happened between you and him," he started in a low voice, his gold stare softened a bit, "but it's clear that something's on your mind. Do you want to talk about it now, friend?"
"Has anything really changed, Shun?" Yuto asked. "All those years, all that fighting...has either side really forgiven? Is that even possible?"
Shun snorted, eyes hardening. "I don't forgive Academia for what it did. I'm just willing to let them try to fix things. So long as they don't try anything again, they can help us rebuild. Once they're done, I personally hope they go back to their dimension and stay there forever."
"Shun!" Yuto exclaimed, not exactly surprised, but somewhat disheartened. "But I thought you consider some of them as our friends!"
"I'm sorry, Yuto," Shun replied, "but that's the truth. Sora, Edo, Asuka, there are a few who are decent, but I can't forgive them for what they did to our home or my sister, and I don't see why I should. The Xyz Dimension did nothing wrong in the war. We didn't want to fight anyone. If Academia has a change of heart and wants to fix what they broke, good for them. But that doesn't change everything they did in the past." His eyes softened a bit. "We still lost Ruri to them."
Yuto nodded solemnly. And Dark Rebellion too.
Glancing at the direction of the duelist the Fusion soldiers hauled off, Yuto noted that there was one thing in that fated battle, a simple, almost unnoticeable detail that he shared with the rogue. He didn't want to acknowledge it, but it was too alarming, too depressing, too heartwrenching to ignore.
He relied on his ace again and again throughout the duel. Even though his mind and motives were in the wrong place, there was still that relationship with that dragon that he subtly shared. It was like Yuto's own partnership with his former comrade, the dark dragon who always protected him whenever things went downhill...
If anything, Yuto was frustrated. But why? Why did Dark Rebellion leave me? Was I...simply not a good enough friend?
He had that same blessing once, leaving him to envy the rogue duelist. The thought of it hit him hard.
"Yuto?" Shun stared hard at his friend, seeing that he was spacing out. "Yuto!"
"I understand your feelings completely, Shun," his friend added after a long pause, clenching his fists and trying not to let his tears fall down his face. "Sometimes, things happen beyond our control. We try hard to fight against it, but we lose many comrades, our friends, our family, so many people and relationships along the way."
"I agree to that."
"Yes...it is true that the Professor started this war through Academia, and now it's all over." Yuto closed his eyes. "I want to move on from the past, forget about everything that happened to us and our home, but...it's also impossible to forgive them for taking away so many of our comrades."
For a brief moment, his heart burned with anger. It was a familiar feeling he had, one that Zarc often manipulated to try to cloud his judgement and take over his mind. But Yuto still suppressed the emotion. "We...we can't let the losses get to us. For them, for your sister, for my dragon...we must stand strong and move on. And never, under any circumstance, should we seek revenge again."
Shun knew and understood his fury. He shared many of Yuto's passionate feelings.
"I don't want to start another war," he continued, trying to keep his tone calm and controlled. "You were absolutely right about that. If we tried to get revenge, that would just hurt everyone, including ourselves. But I can't stop how I feel in my heart." He looked down at his hand, before clenching it tightly into a hard fist. "The only thing I control are my actions. So long as I'm not picking a fight with anyone with Fusion, then I'm helping everyone rebuild. But if any of them try to attack us again, like that duelist did today, then I won't just stand by and take it."
Yuto nodded, not able to disagree with his friend. But still...
"That duelist today...he must be feeling exactly what we're feeling, unable to forgive the other side. He was ballistic in my battle, but...could he have lost someone precious as well?"
"If he did, he brought it upon himself," Shun huffed. "They started the war. Not us. Please just drop this now, Yuto. I'm having enough trouble keeping myself in check with Academia just walking around my home without having to pile on trying to walk in their shoes."
He turned away from his friend, bowing his head. "Plus, if Ruri was here, she would do her best to help too. We both know that. Let's honor her wishes and support the comrades we have now, Yuto...the ones who really matter. Kaito, Sayaka, Allen...they need us too."
The two stayed silent for a moment before Shun slowly walked away towards another nearby camp, one that their friends had made as a refuge against Academia. He didn't say another word, but the message was clear.
Yuto sighed, unconsciously placing a hand over his deck pocket. They had lost too many comrades in this war, and it was still unclear what the future had in store for them.
Ruri...Dark Rebellion...how many more must we lose?
He shook his head. It was useless to wonder what might have been.
No...we must accept the things we have for now and hope for the best. The comrades and friends that need our help, that need my help, I should focus on them first. Then, perhaps when our situation is better, I'll be coming for you, Ruri, Dark Rebellion.
The long road of the future lay before Yuto and his companions for them to explore. And although he had little hope that life would ever be the same, much less happy, he knew that the best and only thing he could do now, was continue trudging on.
For everyone.
Haha, this was originally gonna be a chapter that focused on the other three Yu-boys, but it shifted focus to Yuto alone. It has been over a YEAR since I last wrote a duel (thanks again to Donny for the help), so I'm sorry for being rusty.
These are all the cards that are either made-up by one of us, by someone else, or new.
Phantom Knights - Old Axe
DARK
Rank 4
Warrior, Xyz, Effect
ATK/DEF: 2300/1300
3 Level 4 Monsters
Once per turn, you can also Xyz Summon this card by using 1 "Phantom Knights" monster and 1 DARK monster with the same Level as materials. You can activate "Phantom Knights" Trap Cards from your Hand. Once her turn (Quick Effect): You can detach 1 material from this card; then move this card to a Monster Zone in the same column as a face-up "Phantom Knights" card; Special Summon from your Extra Deck or Graveyard, 1 Rank 3 or 5 DARK Xyz Monster, and if you do, take 1 card in your GY with the same name as the card you detached from this card and attach it to the Xyz Monster as material, but it cannot attack, also banish it when this card leaves the field.
Phantom Knights - Cursed Blade
DARK
Rank 3
Warrior, Xyz, Effect
ATK/DEF: 1900/1200
2 Level 3 monsters
Once per turn, detach 1 Xyz Material to target up to 3 banished "Phantom Knights" cards and return them to your Deck; draw 1 card. When this card declares an attack while you control another "Phantom Knights" monster; this card gains 100 ATK for every one of the banished cards. When this card is destroyed, add 1 banished "Phantom Knights" card to your hand.
The Phantom Knights of Cankered Cross-Guard
Normal Trap
Special Summon this card as an effect monster (Warrior-Type/DARK/Level 3/ATK 0/DEF 1500). (This card is NOT treated as a Trap Card). If summoned this way, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect once per turn.
Once per turn: If a Phantom Knight's Monster you control would be destroyed or you would take damage: You can banish this card; Negate the damage or destruction.
Molten Inferno Fusion
Normal Spell
Pay half your LP: Fusion Summon 2 Pyro and/or Machine-Type Fusion Monsters with different names from your Extra Deck by banishing 2 FIRE monsters from your GY that can be used as Material for both monsters. You can banish this card from your GY: Special Summon 1 Machine or Pyro-Type Fusion monster from your GY. Monsters summoned by this card's effect gain 1000 ATK.
Time for reviews!
To Ulrich362: Yup, I am so happy to see how it all worked out realistically. Perhaps there is a solution, but maybe there isn't. And yes, Yuya was the cosmic plaything in the anime. He is still that here. XD And as for your idea, I do plan on revealing Zarc's past over time to Yuya, but it will be in a different way than just a dream. I'm getting that all planned out, but let's just say it involves a certain someone having C-PTSD...
To SchalchopWarrior: Yup. They are all suffering. Especially Leo and Ray; I try to portray them as humans, one who made a super huge mistake and the other one suffering as a result. What a downer.
To Epsilon Tarantula: I'm still debating on whether to kill Leo off or not, to be honest. And yes, Yuya has a bit of a rocky relationship with his father now, but they still love each other.
To KuriMaster13: YOU GOT YOUR WISH, YA HAPPY?! XDD
To Oblivian03: Thanks! And mmmmmmmaaaaayyyyyyybbbbbeeeeeeeee...
To Leafeon12: He will never catch one.
To 4fireking: Yup.
To Gentyman: I think he deserves to show his humanity that was obvious not shown in the anime. He had a backstory, affected by Zarc's and Ray's actions, and the anime had so much opportunity to show that. He's not a perfect human or a great father, but he does his darn best for his family. And that same drive, when it overshadows the means to attain it, can lead to devastating consequences. Same goes between Yuya and Yusho, but to a lesser extent. Yusho was selfless in his actions while Leo was selfish. Yuya understands why his father did what he had to do, but Ray doesn't because Leo gives little reason to. The chapter shows that all actions have consequences, and the end DOES NOT justify the means.
To Venomous Blade: Awesome! I managed to read two more chapters in your story. :)
To XYZArtemis: Thank you!
To Ghostkid33: Thanks for the help! And yeah, this was a rather interesting chapter to read and write because of all the themes, little foreshadowing, and literary contrast of the relationships!
To fanfic meister: Perhaps, but this story might defer from that. And the Pendulum thing is actually a good theme for what will happen to the characters in the story.
To Donjusticia: Thanks! I loved how it came out too! And thanks for pointing out the juxtaposition!
To Yuka Kuroshiro: Yup! And thanks!
And now, for the question: what will happen between the Xyz and Fusion Dimensions in the near future?
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Till next time, this is CTA out! And God is good!
