Grisaille Gaol
VII: Fragment Fusion
Winter camp, shore of Mansel Island,
Hudson Bay, Canada,
29 October 20XX (-8:00 GMT)
The surface of the pool lay calm and flat, nearly a mirror. Small waves lap on the sides of the pool, and Setsuka frowned as the crystalline sides flash from reflected light once more.
She let go. The crystal smashes onto the ground, water spilling out only to become frost. The crystal melts, ice changing to water in an instant.
"Numbers one, two and five in the spirit world," Setsuka muttered. "Number four in Orleans. Numbers three with me. Number seven with Summer. The only one left... is number six." A wave of her hand, and the ermine muff disappeared, replaced with flowing white cut-off sleeves that exposed her shoulders but covered her arms. Her leggings changed into a skirt, dark blue that contrasted with the long-sleeved tank top she wore, and her calves covered with striped blue and white stockings that ended in blue brogues. She took a step.
The Winter Queen looked up as the rotors of a helicopter's thwip-thwip-thwip resounded in the skies overhead. Seconds later, a white projectile dropped from above, metres away from Setsuka. The helicopter immediately flew into the distance, evading the swarm of Duel Monsters that started to chase after it.
"Wheel of Fortune, Phoenix Whirlwind model," Setsuka recognised the wheel-shaped hub of the D-Wheel. "Jack Atlas."
Its white-clothed rider dismounted, taking off his helmet to face Setsuka. Despite the age and height difference, the World King of Riding Duels and the Queen of Air and Darkness faced each other as equals.
"Shimotsuki Setsuka," Jack answered evenly. "Or should I say, the Cold Queen? The Ice Queen? The Winter Queen?"
"All of them are fine," Setsuka answered. "You have no need to know of my name. Yet, I do not know what brings the World King here, of all places. Perhaps you intend to martyr yourself in the cause of humanity?"
A particularly strong gale blew, buffeting at Jack, who simply stood through the winds to glare through violet eyes at her.
"Your son's eyes are grey," Setsuka commented. "But he has your face. Your daughter, though... she has your eyes."
"You're not saying about the missus?" Jack wryly added.
"There is nothing to be said," Setsuka replied. "Either she knows, at which she is prepared to mourn, or she does not know, which means that her mourning shall be all the more heartfelt for it. The involvement of Carly Nagisa into the affairs of spirits ended with the end of the Signers and Dark Signers. The Crimson Dragon has abandoned its champions. Fudo Yusei and Izayoi Aki do not remember the reason they have to fight me. Crow Hogan has lost against my champion time and again. Rua and Ruka are dead, and with them most of Summer's ties to the mortal world. The outcome has yet to change."
"It will change when I win," Jack affirmed, producing his DuelDisk from the dashboard of the Phoenix Whirlwind. "You're right. The outcome has yet to change, because, for some reason, Yusei took in the child of a witch nearly twelve years ago. The woman who openly called herself a witch, who claimed magical powers, and who stunned Neo Domino time and again... you are her legacy; the curse of Diana Hunter."
"If I am her curse, then what would you called Ryuusei Fudo?"
"Ryuusei has nothing to do with this!" Jack snapped.
"On the contrary," Setsuka's reply chilled to the bone. "After all, it was Ryuusei, your godson, who erased the memory of his parents. The reason why the King of Riding Duels and the Black Rose Witch cannot fight is because they do not remember. That, and the deaths of the twins, means that only Crow Hogan and you are left. Signers, relics of an era long gone... if you persist in my way, let me grant you release."
"You, prepare to fall," Jack threatened.
"Duel!"
Setsuka: LP 8000
Jack: LP 8000
"I will begin," Setsuka whispered. "Draw. I set a monster and a card. Turn end."
"Defensive moves? Weak," Jack scoffed. "My turn, draw!" he glanced from the card to the field. "Your misfortune in this life would be to face me. When my opponent controls a monster, I can special summon Vice Dragon from my hand at the cost of halving its attack and defence power [2000/2400 → 1000/1200]."
"I see," Setsuka plainly replied as the maroon dragon appeared, ragged and worn.
"Then, I summon Dark Resonator [1300/300]," Jack demanded as the cackling imp bearing a tuning fork and hammer appeared, smashing them madly. "Tuning, level five Vice Dragon to level three Dark Resonator!The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Demon's Dragon!"
A grand fireball erupted upon the field. Pure power flooded the tundra of Mansel island. The temperature climbed from freezing to hot in ten seconds, steam rising from the snow as it arose.
The dragon was horned. It was more muscled than any other dragon, the largest of the Signer Dragons. Heavier than Stardust. Wider than Ancient Fairy. The reverse colours of Black Rose. More solid than Black Feather. More powerful than any of them. The ace monster of the World King, Jack Atlas... and one of the five legendary dragons that once saved the world, the Red Demon's Dragon [3000/2000].
It opened a lantern-jawed maw, tiny yellow eyes gleaming, baring teeth that were really too sharp to be comfortable, and let loose a single bellow that sent birds scattering from above the island. A wave crashed onto shore.
Setsuka looked unaffected.
"Battle!" Jack ordered. "Red Demon's Dragon, attack that monster! Absolute Powerforce!"
The fiery fist that the dragon let loose was barely defended by a lone armoured penguin, and yet Jack blanched.
"Penguin Soldier [750/500]," Setsuka announced. "This monster has a flip effect. It can choose two monsters on the field, and return them to the hand. There is only one monster on the field... return, Red Demon's Dragon."
The dragon bellowed, but the magic was compelling enough to force its disappearance from the field.
"I'll set a card, turn end," Jack stiffly retaliated.
"My turn, draw," Setsuka announced. "I activate the Spell, Medallion of the Ice Barrier, to search for Prior of the Ice Barrier to add from my deck to my hand. I'll summon Defender of the Ice Barrier [200/1600]."
Armoured tail bristling, the fairly canine creature with brown-white fur that appeared, bearing the standard of the Ice Barrier upon its armour as it growled.
"By its own effect, I also special summon Prior of the Ice Barrier [1000/400] by its own effect from my hand," Setsuka murmured. "Battle. Prior, attack him directly!"
"Trap card, Revival Gift!" Jack countered. "For the revival of a tuner such as Dark Resonator, I can special summon two level three Gift Fiend Tokens [1500/1500] to your side of the field."
Setsuka glared as the two blobs appeared on her field, followed by the cackling imp bearing the tuning fork. "Replay. Stop, Prior. I declare turn end."
"My turn, draw!" Jack called. "I discard Barrier Resonator from my hand to special summon Power Giant [2200/0] as a level five monster. Tuning, level five Power Giant to level three Dark Resonator! The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Demon's Dragon!"
The dragon appeared, bellowing, but then lines appeared in the ice, trapping it.
"What?" Jack sputtered.
"The effect of the Ice Barrier's Defender," Setsuka elaborated, as the armoured canine bowed to her. "You see, when another of the Ice Barrier is on the field, Defender prevents monsters my opponent controls with attack power higher than its own defence power from declaring an attack."
"Lockdown tactics?" Jack frowned, but lightly. "I activate Red Dragon Vase, allowing me to draw two cards when Red Demon's Dragon is on the field. Turn end."
"My turn, draw," Setsuka declared. "I discard from my hand General Gantala of the Ice Barrier and Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls to mill General Grunard of the Ice Barrier into the graveyard. You should be pleased."
"Pleased?" Jack asked. "It's just the start of the Duel. While you've defended yourself, Red Demon's Dragon will reach you sooner or later."
"Shall we see?" Setsuka murmured. "You have yet to face one of Winter's strongest creatures. Perhaps you do not remember. The Ice Barrier has three dragons."
"No way, that one?" Jack glanced from the field to Setsuka with no small amount of horror. "That cursed card?"
"I am the mistress of the dragons," Setsuka's teeth clicked as ice itself seemed to freeze over some more in her presence. "Tuning, two level three Gift Fiend Tokens to level three Defender."
The roar shook even the foundations as the tuner dissolved into Synchro rings and circled the two monsters.
"Trident of the cold death, the swing of the pendulum is ever frozen," she called as icy winds gathered around her, her lips turning blue with cold. "May the three thousand worlds linger forever in winter! Synchro Summon! Touch the three worlds, Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"
There, right in front of them, rising from the Synchro rings, was an enormous monstrosity. The creature was almost serpentine, its long tail partially visible compared to its great size. It had a pair of short limbs that ended in enormous claws, and three triangular, snake-like heads, with a pair of wide, wide leathery wings. The monster was a solid silver-blue scaled creature, like a creature made from the very ice itself. Its power was incredible, a palpable force, power beyond anything else a human could comprehend. Seeing that power was like seeing the grind of the glacier bringing death directly to the doorstep.
The icy maw cracked open, and a thunderous roar tore through from a clearly inhuman throat [2700/2000].
"When Trishula is Synchro Summoned, its effect triggers, causing one card to be banished from my opponent's hand, field and grave," Setsuka declared, her eyes wide. "Three World Spear!"
Red Demon's Dragon bellowed as the dark ice covered it. Within Jack's hand, Battle Fader was banished, covered with ice. Within the graveyard, the sleeping Dark Resonator disappeared into nothingness, following Red Demon's Dragon.
"I shall tribute Prior to revive General Gantala of the Ice Barrier [2700/2000]," Setsuka waved as the shirtless general appeared. "Next, I activate Call of the Haunted to revive General Grunard of the Ice Barrier [2800/1000]."
"Those monsters..." Jack mouthed as the heavily armoured general appeared. "Total power, eighty-two hundred..."
"Gantala, Grunard," Setsuka ordered. "Give this Signer the hospitality he is due."
"Yes, my Queen!"
Jack grunted as the blows landed, and he flew back into a snowdrift.
Jack: LP 8000 → LP 2500
Setsuka: LP 8000
"Please rest, Jack Atlas," Jack heard as Setsuka loomed over the tall, defeated Duelist. "You won't curse anyone. You won't torment anyone. Your destiny is finished... it is time for oblivion."
Violet eyes widened as Jack found himself floating, light gathering around the three maws of Trishula as the monster loomed. "Curse? Torment?"
"Pitiful remnant of a fight long over, a fight of destiny in which you were never meant to survive..." Setsuka's arm raised. "Not knowing what to do with that life, not knowing the direction in which you wish your life to be... you and I are the same, Jack Atlas. You and I have nowhere else to go.
"Trishula... attack."
Until the end, Jack Atlas died with his eyes wide open, to face his death as no one expected.
Jack: LP 2500 → LP 0
Setsuka: LP 8000
The holographic projections disappeared; the power that gave them physical form was gone. Only the Defender remained, the canine whining as Setsuka reached for a rapidly cooling and hardening corpse wrapped in his own burial shroud.
"I know, Bernard," Setsuka murmured as she tugged at the corpse. "Even so, a hero deserves to be returned to his family."
This pacified the guardian spirit somewhat, as it held still as the body was strapped to its armoured back. It followed behind her as the Winter Queen took a step forward.
The world shifted around Winter's Queen, and soon enough the Winter Queen had disappeared off of the shore of Mansel Island and onto asphalt. In a moment, she had travelled across the world.
Slowly, Setsuka walked down the Star Street that bisected the city of Neo Domino. People walked on either side of her; the chill of winter did not seem to touch them as much, though she was drawing moments of attention. Then again, celebrities walked down Neo Domino's streets on a daily basis.
"This city has yet to change," she faced the spire of the Central Building, the one that housed Neo Domino's City Hall as well as the headquarters of the Neo Domino Police Department. "Neither has this building. Bernard, here."
People were paying attention to her now, and some of them had the good sense to run away, either towards the police building or the Arcadia Movement. Most just stared, stunned, as the body of Jack Atlas was laid onto the ground of Neo Domino, arranged with his eyes closed.
"Please stay back, we'll take care of this." The crowd parted.
Previously closed, Setsuka's eyes opened to consider the balding man.
Blues had replaced the grey uniforms of the old Public Security Maintenance Bureau era, but a uniform was a uniform no matter the cutting. The policeman wearing it was tall and muscular, tanned skin peeking out from where the uniform did not cover. Short thin black bristles covered a wide head, matched by an equally bristly moustache.
"Shimotsuki Setsuka," he spoke to her, causing a breakout of murmurs and terrified whimpers.
"Duel Crimes Unit, I take it," Setsuka began.
The man took a cautionary step back, clearly not underestimating the woman who terrified the Daimon Area into something resembling civility within two years. "So you're the ice queen. Or you used to be."
"As far as I know, I am the only ice queen," came the answer, easy and delivered with a small smile.
"Maybe," Akashi cautiously muttered. "And maybe I think you want to surrender. Sergeant Yamamoto Akashi. Know the name of your arresting officer for the murder of Jack Atlas."
"Not so easily, no," Setsuka disagreed. "I could kill you."
"Maybe," Akashi replied, still in the face of a predator. "But I will fight."
"Precisely the reason you continue to live," Setsuka answered. "Or I could kill every single man, woman and child here."
"That just drives me to fight harder," Akashi glared as he produced a foldable red DuelDisk. Sirens were blaring; people were running away, no one wanted to be in the vicinity of a known Psychic Duel.
The body of Jack Atlas, still broken but intact, thudded onto the ground. The Defender growled, and several more of the crowd dissipated before the impending fight.
"I do not suffer fools." A breeze blew past Setsuka, her coat's sleeves flaring as she glared at Akashi as she conjured her crystalline DuelDisk. "Such is the way of Winter."
"I challenge you anyway," the Sergeant answered.
"Duel!"
Deep Forest, Borders of Ghostrick House and Doll House,
Duel Monsters Spirit World
Blue light dissipated. A long coat of black leather flared out, before sneakers thudded onto leaf-covered ground. This was followed by a pair of hard-wearing shoes and two pairs of running sneakers.
"This is the Deep Forest, the closest place to neutral the Fellowship identified," Chase considered the glowing blue marble gem in his palm, where Winter's sigil glittered.
"If we can find this Fellowship contact, Princeton-san, we can probably trace Nikki," Hazuki commented. "Still, what was that girl thinking...?"
"She might not be thinking," Yukio muttered. "We're talking about an emotionally compromised kid here."
"Either way, Cologne's story means that they'll probably be at this Doll House," Orion pointed out. "Titania, I'll trust you to take her back if we find her. Cold Wolf, Zero, we'll press on afterwards. So, where is our Fellowship contact supposed to meet us?"
"Do I look like I know everything, Hunter?" Chase snapped, squinting up at the three moons of red, blue and yellow overhead. "I've heard of it, doesn't mean that I've been here. Usually when I deal with spirits, I don't go charging straight into the dragon's lair."
"Enough, please," Hazuki pleaded. "Princeton-san?"
"Well, if I'm right, Ryuusuke should be headed towards the Doll House," Chase mumbled. "If it's at the borders of the Madolche... oh crap."
"What?" Orion followed his gaze to the distance, where a large hound was loping towards them.
Chase knelt down as the Infernity Beast approached. "Reply."
The Beast spat out a sleek phone from its maw in answer.
"Eww, spit," the comment seemed perfunctory as Chase absently checked it over. "Short-wave... was it hard, getting there?"
The dog huffed again in reply.
"Really? That's good, lead us there, please." With a rewarding pat, Chase stood back up. "Killer spotted Nikki, she's headed towards Doll House. Or she was."
"Was?" Yukio focused on him.
"Last he saw, Nikki managed to stumble on the Traptrix sisters," Chase answered, breaking into a loping run with the rest of them following. "They're basically Wild, but where they are is took close to the Ghostrick House, which just allied with Winter. If we don't hurry, either she's plant food or she's going to stumble on the Winter troops there."
"It didn't stop?" Hazuki asked.
"Killer can't deal with three monsters by himself," Chase shook his head. "It's actually pretty smart."
The Infernity Beast whined.
"Yes, smarter than me," Chase huffed, shivering as he pulled the coat around him. "Mutt."
They turned right, and Chase paused as they came across a clearing containing a dolmens. "You blew it. This is the Summer-Winter border."
The Beast just barked.
"What did he say?" Yukio asked.
"He said that of course it is," Orion translated. "It's the biggest place. You can't get to anywhere without crossing through at one place or another."
Orion stopped at the looks he was getting. "You're not the only one who's hanging around them, Princeton. Get us out of here."
"Believe me, I don't want to hang here, either," Chase rolled his eyes. "Either we get the Disney version with elves and who knows what sugary cuteness, or we get the wicked witch version, which is considerably more entertaining, but less healthy. Killer?"
The Beast turned mutely towardsthe left of the dolmens, and the group followed it down the path.
"I think we're approaching the Winter part," Chase commented as the foliage went noticeably denser, the trees loomed higher, and the forest was shrouded mostly in darkness. "Any moment, a monster's going to appear, and it's going to be mocking."
They arrived at a larger stand, where Nikki was standing in horror as two Shark monsters rushed at her.
Yukio was the first to react. "Spear Shark!"
The shark appeared, double-bladed sword moulded upon its snout. It charged, impaling the Airorca heading for Nikki and destroying it in a burst of energy. The Airorca moaned, stumbling into the surroundings trees.
"Made it!" Chase gasped.
Its Duelist, a man shrouded in the light blue of Winter, took a fighting stance. "The Queen's potential knight."
"I rejected that application," Chase bit back. "I never submitted it."
To one side, Cologne stood beside Nikki. Nikki herself had sunk to her knees, staring at Raiho in no small amount of horror.
"It is a possibility," Raiho shrugged. "The Queen's disciple. The dog of Exodia. And... a pretender of power."
"Who is he?" Hazuki asked.
"He's one of the Generals of the Ice Barrier," Chase bit back. "The Duel Spirit, General Raiho!"
"Yes, that is the name conferred upon myself by the first Winter Queen," Raiho agreed. "My mission is to protect Winter. Your blood shall feed the soil of Winter."
"S- Strong..." Nikki whimpered softly.
"If you kill Winter, you shall become Winter," Raiho said. "But, it seems no matter for you all, who walk upon Winter's soil without rest."
The gem dangled from Chase's hand. "I have Shimotsuki's mark here."
"Stolen, no doubt," Raiho dismissed. "Traptrix sisters. Your next meal is here."
"Food? Heard that, Myrmeleo?!"
Nikki's scream cut off as she jumped away from a set of mandibles. "W- What is that?!"
"Food, Atrax. I'm so hungry..."
"Kazura is hungry, humans..."
"You have a lot to explain later, Kurosagi," Orion muttered, looking around.
"But, why isn't that guy moving...?" Chase muttered, almost to himself as he glared at an impassive Raiho.
A card flashed in Yukio's hand. "We'll have to kill our way through, then. Spear Shark!"
Giggles burst out as the shark appeared, before a hole burst open, and mandibles reached from within, seized upon the shark and swallowed it whole.
"Nepenthes... Nepenthes, the pitcher plant. Myrmeleo, the antlion. Atrax, the trapdoor spider," Hazuki recited. "Those names are insects and plants that feed upon insects, waiting for unsuspecting prey to stumble upon their nests... I see."
"What?" Chase asked.
"If we assume that Yamada-san's Spear Shark fell to a Trap Hole card... then it makes sense that this entire section of the forest is covered with Trap Holes," Hazuki explained. "The reason why that Winter General has yet to move, is because these cards have a non-discriminatory effect."
"If we can't think rationally, we'd have run out or rushed to attack the General," Orion pieced together, glaring at Raiho. "In short, our own actions would have led to our doom."
Trees rustled. Shadows played out under a blue moon.
"But, should the reasoning be taken further, it means that Raiho isn't on the side of the Traptrix sisters either," Hazuki elaborated, drawing a card. "In short, he is as vulnerable as us here. His own security is as shaky as ours."
"Winter's troops are stationed at the Ghostrick House," Raiho pointed out. "if anything were to happen to I, my brother shall investigate it."
"But you will be dead nevertheless," Hazuki dared, walking over to Nikki and picking her up by the arms. "Cologne, hold her."
"What are you intending?" the blonde Duel Spirit demanded.
"Predators like the Traptrix run when you reveal their true nature," Hazuki's DuelDisk fanned open, like the petals of a flower. "Let us Duel, Traptrix."
Mandibles clicked and an arachnid body climbed out of the shadows, the grinning girl perched upon its back almost vibrating with glee. Mandibles folded and fanned over, a DuelDisk of spider-web stretched between claws growing from the giant spider.
At the same time, the maw of a Venus flytrap grew, and then blonde girl that smiled from within was far more eerie.
"You are brave, nevertheless," the Spirit responded. "I am the oldest of the Traptrix, Atrax."
"I am the third of the sisters. Nepenthes," the blonde girl curtsied.
Yukio stepped up. "Titania."
"Thank you," Hazuki answered. Turning to the two monsters, Hazuki's posture never faltered. "I am Titania of the Arcadia Movement. This man is Cold Wolf. We shall be your opponents. Battle Royale."
"Duel!"
Atrax: LP 8000
Nepenthes: LP 8000
Hazuki: LP 8000
Yukio: LP 8000
"Sister, you go first," Nepenthes offered.
"Yes, sister," Atrax agreed. "I draw. First, I summon myself, Traptrix Atrax [1800/1000] in attack mode."
An exact copy of herself, dressed in gauzy black silk robes, appeared upon the field.
"I shall end here," Atrax licked her lips.
"I will begin, then," Hazuki declared as three cards appeared on her field. "Draw! I set a monster. Then, I shall set three cards and end my turn."
"My turn, draw," Nepenthes declared, her voice like a swallow's lilt. "I summon Koa'ki Meiru Beetle [1900/1500]. With that, I activate the Continuous Spell, Verdant Sanctuary, and I end my turn, revealing Beetron in my hand to maintain Koa'ki Meiru Beetle."
"I will go," Yukio declared. "Draw. I set a monster and a card. Turn end."
"On the defensive already?" Atrax licked her lips. "No matter. I draw! I summon our sister, Traptrix Myrmeleo [1600/1200] to the field."
Wings fanned out, ochre in the red moon as the ant-lion monster appeared, with another girl sitting astride it.
"When she is summoned, I can add one Hole Normal Trap to my hand," Atrax snickered. "I choose Bottomless Trap Hole. Battle! My clone, attack that girl's card!"
"Flip summon, Wall of Ivy [300/1200]," Hazuki defended. "When this card is flip summoned, I can special summon one Ivy Token [0/0] to my opponent's field in defence mode. Chain Continuous Trap card, Rose Flame. When a Plant-Type monster is special summoned to my opponent's field, my opponent takes five hundred damage."
Atrax: LP 8000 → LP 7500
Nepenthes: LP 8000
Hazuki: LP 8000
Yukio: LP 8000
"Even so, your monster is destroyed!" Atrax crowed, batting at the flames that chased the hem of her robes. "Myrmeleo!"
"Continuous Trap, Cursed Ivy," Hazuki called as Wall of Ivy reappeared on her field. "Cursed Ivy will special summon Wall of Ivy to my field in defence mode."
"Sister, destroy that monster!" Atrax snapped, as pincers from the antlion tore the wall apart.
"When Wall of Ivy is removed from the field, Cursed Ivy itself is destroyed," Hazuki called. "And two Ivy Tokens [0/0] appear on your field. The effect of Rose Flame activates; you take five hundred damage."
Atrax: LP 7500 → LP 7000
Nepenthes: LP 8000
Hazuki: LP 8000
Yukio: LP 8000
"That hurts!" Atrax screamed. "Turn end!"
"I draw!" Hazuki called. "I will summon Lonefire Blossom [500/1400]! Next, I tribute Lonefire Blossom to special summon from my deck Talaya, Princess of Cherry Blossoms [2800/1200]!"
"My effect activates, allowing me to activate 'Hole' Trap cards from my hand!" Atrax cackled as the pink flower began to bloom on the field. "I activate Bottomless Trap Hole!"
"Continuous Trap, Adapt to Adversity!" Yukio snapped. "This card prevents all Water Attribute monsters from being destroyed by the effects of Spells or Trap when they are first summoned. Your Bottomless Trap Hole still goes off, but Talaya won't be touched!"
"So... that means that his card protects hers..." Nikki mumbled.
"That woman is the Titania of the Arcadia Movement," Chase answered the unspoken question. "And that man is the Cold Wolf. For two Duelists to be able to team up like this on such short notice..."
"Talaya gains one hundred attack power for every Plant-Type monster I control [2800/1200 → 2900/1200]," Hazuki announced as the smiling princess sashayed. "Talaya, destroy Traptrix Atrax!"
Atrax: LP 7000 → LP 5900
Nepenthes: LP 8000
Hazuki: LP 8000
Yukio: LP 8000
"Turn end," Hazuki panted. "Your ability to activate Traps from your hand is gone."
"My turn, draw!" Nepenthes snarled. "I tribute Beetle to summon Gigaplant [2400/1200]! Gigaplant, attack that boy's set monster!"
Yukio shielded himself as the kneeling magician on his field was destroyed. "Because of Gishki Ariel's flip effect, I add a Gishki monster with less than a thousand defence power to my hand from my deck, such as Gishki Beast."
"I shall set a card and end," Nepenthes sullenly reported.
"Draw!" Yukio called. "I activate the Spell, Raft Party, to special summon two Raft Tokens [0/0] onto the field. I tribute both Raft Tokens to summon Big Whale [1000/3000]. Then, I tribute Big Whale to special summon three level three Water Attribute monsters with their effects negated. Come, three Needle Sunfish!"
Giant fish they were, they lingered, maws gaping open as they floated around.
"I construct the overlay network using two Needle Sunfish!" Yukio barked. "Exceed summon! Arise from the depths of deep blue, Number 47: Nightmare Shark!"
From the overlay network, a blue and white shark shimmered into existence. It had no legs, instead a tail hung behind it. It bore wings on its back, large ones like a stingray's. Its fin protruded between the shoulder blades. Its snout was the shark's one, awkwardly positioned with gills where the cheeks should be. Its arms, which were anatomically incorrect of a shark, and protruding out of a human torso, bore sharp implements [2000/2000].
"Number monsters?" Nikki gasped.
I construct the overlay network with these two monsters! Exceed summon!
"When it is special summoned, another level three Water Attribute monster from my hand or my side of the field can be attached as Exceed material," Yukio declared. "I shall attach the last Needle Sunfish."
"My Gigaplant is the more powerful," Nepenthes sniffed.
"If I were attacking you," Yukio flatly replied. "I use the effect of Nightmare Shark; by detaching one Exceed material, I can choose a Water Attribute monster I control, and that monster can attack directly, but only that monster can attack this turn. Of course, I choose Nightmare Shark himself. Nightmare Shark, attack Atrax directly with Jaws from the Deep!"
"Sister!" Atrax hissed.
"Trap card, Lair Wire!" Nepenthes defended.
"Counter Trap; Seven Tools of the Bandit," Hazuki countered. "I pay one thousand life points to negate and destroy Lair Wire!"
"I owe you," Yukio nodded as the Swiss Army knife sliced through the webbing that began to appear around Nightmare Shark. "Go!"
Atrax: LP 5900 → LP 3900
Nepenthes: LP 8000
Hazuki: LP 8000 → LP 7000
Yukio: LP 8000
"I am returning the favour," Hazuki simply answered in the wake of Nightmare Shark's return.
"I'll set a card, turn end," Yukio called.
"Draw!" Atrax screeched. "I see... they're dividing us to conquer. Using the Battle Royale rule to their advantage... I'll set two cards, turn end!"
"My turn, draw," Hazuki called. "I activate Cards from the Blessed Grass. By activating this card, I can special summon Card Plant Tokens equal to the number of times cards were added to my hand this turn, including my draw phase. I drew a card, so I gain a Card Plant Token [0/0]. I tribute this Card Plant Token to summon Rose Tentacles [2200/1200]!"
"Trap card, Trap Hole!" Atrax screeched.
"Too bad," Hazuki retorted as a cloud of cherry blossom petals drifted over the hole that appeared in the ground as the rose-octopus mutant monster appeared, crouching as the head bobbed around a slender stem. "Talaya prevents the destruction by card effects of other Plant-Type monsters I control. Also, since I control another Plant-Type monster, Talaya gains one hundred attack power [2900/1200 → 3000/1200]."
"No..." Atrax gaped.
"At the start of the battle phase, Rose Tentacles gains an additional attack for every Plant-Type monster my opponent controls," Hazuki recited. "Furthermore, when it destroys a Plant-Type monster, my opponent takes three hundred damage."
"That combo was made famous by Aki-sensei..." Chase commented from the sidelines.
"Rose Tentacles, destroy Myrmeleo!" Hazuki ordered as the ant-lion was destroyed with the snap of a stray vine-tentacle.
Atrax: LP 3900 → LP 3300
Nepenthes: LP 8000
Hazuki: LP 7000
Yukio: LP 8000
"Then, Rose Tentacles, destroy those Ivy Tokens!" Hazuki ordered as Rose Tentacles carried out its work in a flurry of snaps and cracks.
"Trap card, Nature's Reflection!" Atrax quickly countered. "Sister!"
"Counter Trap, Sea King's Verdict!" Yukio snapped. "When an opponent activates a Trap card during the battle phase, that card is negated and destroyed!"
A trident penetrated the monolithic shield that appeared, and Atrax cried out as the whips of vines lashed at her.
Atrax: LP 3300 → LP 1500
Nepenthes: LP 8000
Hazuki: LP 7000
Yukio: LP 8000
"Talaya can still attack," Hazuki severely declared. "Scatter Petal!"
"No..." Atrax whispered as the whirlwind of petals approached.
"Atrax!" Nepenthes screamed. "Myrmeleo, now!"
"What are they-" Chase cut off as mandibles appeared on either side of his head, the points resting delicately upon his Adam's apple.
Orion and Cologne dragged Nikki away from the giant insect, staring at it, and its tawny-robed mistress. Yukio's head shifted to consider the enormous brown ant-lion who held Chase hostage. "So they intended to take a hostage all along..."
"Cancel the attack," Nepenthes's voice thinned.
"Cancel it," the rider threatened. "Or Myrmeleo will call her beast to bite your comrade's head off. You humans are afraid of death, right?"
"Humans..." Yukio sighed. "What now, Titania?"
"Princeton-san...!" Nikki whispered, half-stunned. "Himemiya-san...! Cancel the attack! Cologne, can't you do something?"
"That monster is too close," Cologne assessed. "Furthermore, my defensive power is not high enough to allow me to stage an intervention."
"... even though humans are afraid of death, they are still prepared to face it," Chase defended. "Continue, Himemiya!"
"You are mad," Myrmeleo glared, not at him but at the red-haired Duelist. "Well?"
"...Kurosagi-san."
"Y- Yes?" Nikki whispered.
"Remind our leader that the consultant is theoretically under his ultimate responsibility."
"I get it," Orion scowled. "You mean I should have protected him, right? I'm a bit busy here."
"Excuses do not excuse one's responsibility," Hazuki answered. "I refuse. Talaya, continue."
"What- Myrmeleo!" Nepenthes screamed.
"My beast-" the rider was cut off as light swallowed Chase's form, winking out.
A heartbeat later, the brunet was slumped next to Orion, who held a card. "Ladies, meet the Compulsory Evacuation Device."
Atrax's dying scream closed the curtain upon the first half of the Duel.
Vieux-Québec–Cap-Blanc–colline Parlementaire, La Cité-Limoilou, Quebec City,
Quebec, Canada
29 October 20XX (-8:00 GMT)
The white raven flew low over the burning city of Quebec. Smoke mottled parts of the skies, and as the raven ducked past hordes of screaming monsters, it also flew over crowds of evacuating civilians that milled across the destruction. It flew over Saint-Jean-Baptiste, ducking under a screaming flight of planes from an increasingly panicked human air force before it circled the Château Frontenac and climbed up. The raven scanned through the skies, up before ducking down towards the summit of Cap Diamant, down to the Citadelle of Quebec.
The Citadelle was not simply a pretty bauble; it had been Quebec City's fortifications since the seventeenth century. Parts of the building had stood through the French and Indian War, nearly a century before the United States of America had been formed. It was now the official residence of the Governor-General of Canada and the Monarch, yet today it flew the blues and white of Winter.
The raven skirted solid battlements, ducking and weaving before it arrived at the windows, letting out a soft croak as it heralded the message to the grand hall.
Perched at the head of the long table, Michiru scowled. "Who let Setsuka return to Neo Domino?!"
"She's in Neo Domino now?" Satsuki registered in surprise. Milling about the room were a few more Duelists and Duel Spirits alike, who stopped at her pronouncement. "Why? This is accelerating the plan! Michiru..."
"Jack Atlas tried to kill our Queen," Michiru gravely announced to the room at large. "Her Majesty had no choice but to kill him."
This announcement heralded a round of cheers. "Knew she could do it!"
"That's the holder of Red Demon's Dragon!"
"But," Michiru broke out once more. "Right now, our Queen is in the city of her birth. Our Queen is back in the heart of all these events, the root of the matter... I see."
"What, Michiru?" Satsuki demanded.
"Oh, that's clever..." Michiru licked her lips. "Ladies and gentlemen... all of you have wondered why Her Majesty has yet to turn towards Japan."
"Yes!" one shouted.
"Japan's where the Momentum reactor is!"
"The reason for that is... until now, the presence of the remaining Signers were dangerous," Michiru licked her lips. "But, with the deaths of Rua and Ruka, plus our Queen's victory over Jack Atlas, Neo Domino City is ours to seize. Her Majesty has gone to prepare the way."
Michiru spread her arms wide, but her expression was unsmiling. "The Queen of Winter shall be the one who opens the gates from within! Until she calls, we will run free and turn this shitty world upside down! So, until then, rip apart this city, this country, this continent, and this world! All hail Winter!"
"All hail Winter!" they shouted with a feverish joy and bloodlust. "All hail Winter! All hail Winter!"
Please review!
