Duel 20: Scar Lion VS Odd-Eyes! The True Smile!
Hiroto's POV
Yuya, for some reason became upset, after seeing me and Akaba Reiji use Pendulum, which was the Summoning method that he found to beat Strong Ishijima. Principal Hiragi on the other hand, refused to let Yuya feeel that way as he forced him and me to duel each other, in order to try and calm Yuya down, despite of his hesitance and refusal to duel.
His anger... I see that it's kind of selfish. If he wants to prove himself to be a better Pendulum Summon user, then he will have to fight and beat me in a duel! But, in this duel... I won't hold back! In order to show Yuya that Pendulum can't be his alone, I'll show him by using Pendulum, too! Along with my Xyz and Synchro Summon!
End POV
TURN 03
Hiroto: LP 4000 x2
Field:
Dark End Dragon (2100/1600) (Synchro)
Scar Lion Xyz Dragon (2500/2200) (Xyz) (OU: 2)
Fiendish Chain (Trap/Continuous)
The Eye of Truth (Trap/Continuous)
Pendulum Scales:
Dark End Chidori (2500/1500) (Scale: 3)
Light End Cheer Elf (1300/1500) (Scale: 5)
Yuya: LP 3500 x2
Field:
Performapal Whip Snake (1700/0900)
Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (2500/2000) (Pendulum) (Scale: 4)
Pendulum Scales:
Stargazer Magician (1200/2400) (Scale: 1)
"Take this, Yuya! Darkness Destruction!" Hiroto called as Dark End shot dark miasmas at both Yuya and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, leaving Yuya to widen his eyes in shock as he quickly looked around for an Action Card. He found one at a nearby building as he raced to grab it. "If I can just grab it... maybe it could stop Odd-Eyes' destruction!" Yuya thought as he tried to jump for it.
He still wanted to prove he was the better Pendulum user than Hiroto, making him determined to win. However, before he could grab it, the Darkness Destruction power blasted Odd-Eyes away, knocking Yuya off balance in the air! "Wah!" Yuya yelped as he fell to the hard pavement, as he missed the Action Card he was about to grab.
The kids watched in shock as they covered their eyes, all not wanting to see their Entertainment Duelist get hurt. "Yuya-niichan... He was so close!" Tatsuya pointed out in disbelief. "He was so close, it's giving me the shivers..." Futoshi said, feeling a bit terrified of the current situation. "Yuya... and Hiroto, too..." Yuzu said, as she looked at both sides.
Hiroto looked serious, as he looked merciless in the duel at the moment while Yuya was struggling to fight back, despite of his wish to become a better Pendulum user than Hiroto. "Those two... They're serious about this duel..." Gongenzaka stated quietly, catching the Melodious Duelist's attention. "How can you tell? Aren't they supposed to be friends with each other?" Yuzu asked in worry.
"They are friends... But with the way things are, they have to settle the score with each other by taking each other out in a duel. This duel... It will decide whether their friendship will continue or not... and if Yuya will understand the situation that's occurring in the world." Gongenzaka explained seriously, causing Yuzu to blink before she looked back at the duel.
"Prepare yourself, Yuya! Battle! I attack Performapal Whip Snake with Scar Lion Xyz Dragon!" Hiroto called, pointing at the circus snake, who hissed with a bit of fear and surprise as the Xyz Dragon roared to strike at the Performapal monster. Yuya widened his eyes before he narrowed them again with gritted teeth, as he tried to defend himself from major damage.
"At this moment, I activate Whip Snake's effect! Once per turn, it can switch a monster's ATK with their DEF! I'll use Whip Snake's effect to switch Scar Lion Xyz Dragon's ATK and DEF!" Yuya called as the hypnotic eyes of Whip Snake weakened Scar Lion again, with the points exchanged in different places.
(Scar Lion Xyz Dragon ATK: 2500 to 2200 / DEF: 2200 to 2500)
"It's useless, Yuya! Scar Lion's ATK is much more higher than Whip Snake even with the points switch! Continue your attack, Scar Lion! Scar Fang Pride Slash!" Hiroto yelled as the attack made it through, destroying the circus snake in the process! "Argh!" Yuya grunted as he had felt the attack hit through his remaining monster, and right into his Life Points.
Yuya LP 3000 x2
"Next, I attack you directly... with Dark End Dragon!" Hiroto yelled, as he gestured his Synchro Dragon to attack, surprising Yuya as the dragon roared before it attacked. "Darkness Breath Burst!" The attack was called as the attack blasted the Entertainment Duelist away! "AHHHHHH!" Yuya screamed as he was slammed to the ground by the powerful attack.
Yuya LP 900 x2
"Yuya!?" "Yuya-niichan!" Yuzu, Ayu, Futoshi, and Tatsuya all yelled together in concern. Gongenzaka remained frowning, while looking concerned for his childhood rival and friend, too. Shuzo at the top, kept watching, seeing the Pendulum user struggling with Hiroto's ruthless attacks, despite of both being Entertainment Duelists.
"I set one card facedown and end my turn. At this moment, Scar Lion's ATK and DEF points both return to normal." Hiroto said as the Xyz Dragon regained his power back once more.
(Scar Lion Xyz Dragon ATK: 2200 to 2500 / DEF: 2500 to 2200)
TURN 04
Yuya LP 900 x3
"My turn..." Yuya started, until Hiroto spoke up for another conversation. "Hey..." Hiroto said, catching the Pendulum user's attention as the Synchro-Xyz Duelist spoke up. "Was it really a shock for you... to see me and Akaba Reiji using Pendulum?" Hiroto asked, as he gave a glance at Yuya's stiffened look before continuing on.
"If that's the case, then you're nothing like Yusho-sensei, or should I say, your father." Hiroto scoffed, leaving Yuya to glare back at him. "What do you mean by that!?" Yuya asked as Hiroto talked again, feeling serious of what he was about to say.
"From what I heard from everyone around here... Your father was the one who created the Action Duels... But, he wasn't shocked to see some other people being able to do the same as he was, unlike you..." Hiroto explained.
The kids, Yuzu, Gongenzaka, and Shuzo listened on as the conversation continued. "What I'm saying is, instead of being shocked and angry for seeing someone else use your Summoning method, you should be improving your skills to not just become the best Pendulum user, but to become the best Entertainment Duelist in the world!" Hiroto explained out loud.
"Become... a better Pendulum user... and a better Entertainment Duelist...?" Yuya whispered back, enough to let the Synchro-Xyz Duelist hear. "Yes... Wanting to have Pendulum Summon all to yourself sounds wrong... and selfish. Like I said before, instead of seething in anger by seeing others use your discovery, you should be happy and be proud, since now you would have many rivals to fight against!" Hiroto said out loud.
"Once you have many rivals to fight against, you can battle and have a chance at defeating all of them in order to prove that you're the true master of Pendulum Summon." Hiroto continued on, making Shuzo smile in satisfaction. "That's it, Hiroto... Keep it up!" Shuzo thought out loud, as he silently encouraged the Synchro-Xyz Duelist to continue on.
Yuya on the other hand, was bewildered and amazed to hear such words coming from his friend as he looked at his pendulum, before gripping it a little as he closed his eyes. "Dad... If you were here... would you have said the same thing to me?" Yuya thought, as he opened his eyes, before looking around at Action Field he and Hiroto were in.
"Of course I know your father... As one of the pioneers who helped build the foundations for the current golden age of Action Duels... I sincerely respect him." Reiji's words echoed in his mind as the Entertainment Duelist frowned. "He said that too, didn't he..." Yuya muttered to himself as he bit his lips, still unsure of his feelings and of himself.
Remembering what the Synchro-Xyz Duelist had said to him, he suddenly remembered of what his father said to him when he was young: "If you curl up because of fear, you won't be able to do anything... If you want to win..."
"... then bring out your courage and step forward!" Yuya said out loud. The sudden outburst startled the three kids, Yuzu, and Gongenzaka, as Hiroto only smiled. He recalled of those words that was said by his teacher. "I still can't see what lies beyond the Pendulum... But even so...!" Yuya started as he looked up.
Determination burned in his eyes as he drew his card. "My turn!" Yuya called as he drew his card. As he looked at it, he smiled, before revealing the card to his opponent. The Synchro-Xyz Duelist noticed that Yuya drew a new Pendulum Monster: Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn (0100/0600) (Scale: 8)!
Suddenly, the field grew dark as the spotlights shined on Yuya. "Ladies and Gentlemen!" Yuya cried, surprising Hiroto as the Pendulum user began his show. "I will now present you with a true, genuine Entertainment Duel performed by yours truly, Sakaki Yuya!" Yuya cried out loud. The announcement left the kids excited as they waited for Yuya's Pendulum Summon.
"Here it comes!" Futoshi exclaimed out loud. "Yuya-niichan's Pendulum Summon!" Ayu exclaimed happily. The Pendulum user nodded before he revealed the unicorn card to his opponent. "I, using Scale 8 Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn, set the Pendulum Scale!" Yuya cried as he set it on the opposite edge of Stargazer Magician.
The unicorn rose into the air, next to Stargazer Magician as the Scales were set. "With this, I can Summon multiple Level 2 to 7 monsters simultaneously!" Yuya cried as the Pendulum swung, as he changed his call. "Sway, Pendulum of the Soul! Draw an arc of light across the ether! Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my monsters!" Yuya cried out loud.
As he said so, the portal opened up to Summon four monsters to the field! "Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (2500/2000) (Scale: 4)! Performapal Spikeagle (0900/0900)! Performapal Friendonkey (1600/0600)! And last, but not least! Timegazer Magician (1200/0600) (Scale: 8)!" Yuya cried as his four monsters appeared from the portal.
The Synchro-Xyz Duelist blinked, before he smiled, understanding Odd-Eyes and Timegazer Magician's return. "I see... Pendulum Monsters don't go to the Graveyard, but they go to the Extra Deck instead..." Hiroto said, as he turned to his two dragons. "You two... Brace yourself for some impact." Hiroto said, as his Synchro Dragon responded with a scoff.
"You don't need to tell me twice. I'm ready!" Dark End Dragon said, his voice filled with confidence. "They're back...? Hmph. More nuisances for me and my young master..." Scar Lion scoffed as Kazuto sighed at his dragon's behavior. "Hey, Scar Lion... Can't you be a bit more friendlier?" Kazuto asked with a dull look on his face.
"Y-Yes, my young master..." Scar Lion said, startled by the sudden order as both Hiroto and Dark End Dragon chuckled as they turned back to the duel. They watched as Yuya grabbed an Action Card, before he activated it. "Alright! I target Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and activate the Action Magic: Illusion Fire!" Yuya called as his monsters gathered around him for battle.
"With this card's effect, my other Monsters cannot attack, but Odd-Eyes can attack once for each monster I control!" Yuya explained, shocking Tatsuya as he widened his eyes. Hiroto narrowed his eyes, before biting them. "Aside from Odd-Eyes... Yuya has three other monsters on the field..." Hiroto said, leaving Tatsuya to finish the conclusion.
"Odd-Eyes is going to attack three times!?" Tatsuya yelped, until the Synchro-Xyz Duelist reminded his friend of something. "Did you forget? Scar Lion Xyz Dragon has 2500 ATK points, the same as Odd-Eyes! If you attack, they'll both be destroyed, even if you manage to beat Dark End first!" Hiroto reminded sternly, leaving Yuya to grin at the situation.
"Then, in that case, I would need to find another Action Card! Let's go! Odd-Eyes!" Yuya called. The Pendulum Dragon roared as it hopped off the building to find an Action Card as the Synchro-Xyz Duelist watched the Pendulum user go on around, leaving both Kazuto and Dark End Dragon confused. "Um... Aren't you going to try and stop him?" Kazuto asked.
"If he does find a card that helps Odd-Eyes with his attack, then we'll end up losing!" Dark End Dragon snapped, as the Synchro-Xyz Duelist only smiled at their attempts of reasoning with him. "It's fine... Even if he did find an Action Card... I'm well prepared for it. And since I'm his opponent, I should wait for him to make his move, so that he can show his true Dueling." Hiroto explained calmly.
Dark End Dragon still hesitated to understand, until he sighed and gave in, allowing his Duelist to do whatever he wanted now. "Whatever... Just don't blame me if we actually lose..." Dark End Dragon said, as Kazuto smiled with a sweat drop. The Synchro-Xyz Duelist just watched as Yuya grabbed an Action Card, before he activated it.
"Action Magic, Attack Force! Odd-Eyes' ATK goes up by 600!" Yuya called, as the Spell boosted Odd-Eyes' power.
(Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK: 2500 to 3100)
"Odd-Eyes' ATK is higher than Hiroto-niichan's monsters now!" Ayu pointed out in amazement. "If he attacks all of Hiroto-niichan's monsters and destroys him... he'll be wide open!" Tatsuya exclaimed, now understanding Yuya's victory chance. "Shivers!" Futoshi cried, as he felt excited for the Entertainment Duelist gaining the advantage in the duel.
"Alright! Go for it, Yuya!" Gongenzaka cried, punching his fist in the air. He and the kids all began to cheer for their Pendulum user as Yuzu could only remain silent and watch as she looked at both of her friends. "I do want to support Yuya on this... but what Hiroto...?" Yuzu thought to herself as she was unsure on who to side with in the duel.
"Battle! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Attack Dark End Dragon!" Yuya cried as he rode on his Pendulum Dragon. His ace monster ran towards the other Dragon, before he leapt up high in the air. The Synchro-Xyz Duelist watched as the attack proceeded to aim at his Synchro Dragon. "Spiral Strike Burst!" Yuya yelled. The Pendulum Dragon roared, before shooting a colorful ray of light at Dark End Dragon.
At the same time, Spikeagle glowed, before it flew to boost Odd-Eyes' attack as it mixed within itself with the Spiral Strike Burst attack. Everyone grew amazed to see this, especially with Shuzo as he got out of his seat to see the beautiful attack. "Whoa! It's a real phoenix!" Shuzo exclaimed in shock and amazement.
The Synchro-Xyz Duelist widened his eyes for a moment before he smiled, giving off a small chuckle. "So this is... Yuya's Entertainment Dueling, huh..." Hiroto said to himself as he watched the Spiral Strike Burst come closer, with Spikeagle diving towards Dark End Dragon. He turned to his Dragon of darkness, who nodded to him in understanding.
The Synchro-Xyz Duelist nodded back as he braced himself for a hard blow. The attack managed to reach Dark End as he roared before exploding, shaking Hiroto up a bit as the effect of Odd-Eyes was activated. "Odd-Eyes' effect activates! When it battles a Level 5 or higher monster, the Battle Damage is doubled!" Yuya said as the battle power was doubled.
"Reaction Force!" Yuya cried as the attack became intense. The explosion became bigger as it nearly blasted Hiroto away as he gritted his teeth, while skidding on the ground to prevent himself from being flown away.
Hiroto LP 2000 x1
"2000 points of damage...!" Tatsuya breathed out in amazement. "Shivers!" Futoshi said, shaking with excitement.
The dust cleared as Hiroto faced Yuya once more, as the Pendulum user prepared for a second attack! "Next! Attack Scar Lion Xyz Dragon!" Yuya cried as Odd-Eyes roared once again, as it attempted to blast the Xyz Monster away now. The Spiral Strike Burst was shot again, but this time, with Timegazer Magician's time magic attack!
The Spiral Strike Burst blasted Scar Lion away, causing it to roar in pain as the damage was inflicted to Hiroto once more! "Argh!" Hiroto grunted as more of his Life Points dropped down.
Hiroto LP 1400 x1
"Hiroto doesn't have any monsters on his field anymore!" Yuzu pointed out in surprise. "If Yuya manages to land a direct attack on a Hiroto on his third attack... he'll win!" Gongenzaka pointed out, believing in his friend's incoming victory.
"This is the end, Hiroto! One more time, Odd-Eyes! Attack Hiroto directly! Spiral Strike Burst!" Yuya cried as his Pendulum Dragon shot the third attack at the Synchro-Xyz Duelist. Bracing himself, Hiroto stood on his ground, before he felt the attack blast right into him! "ARGH!" Hiroto grunted as he tumbled onto the ground, looking defeated.
Smoke plowed across the field as everyone in the sidelines watched to see what had happened to their Synchro-Xyz Duelist. "Did it work...?" Tatsuya asked. "The smoke is so thick that I can't see!" Ayu complained as Yuzu focused hard. Before any of them could react, everyone noticed that the smoke was clearing away. It revealed itself to show Hiroto... okay?
Hiroto LP 2300 x1
"Eh!?" The three kids gasped as they realized that Hiroto was still in the duel. "But how...?" Yuzu asked, as she was surprised at this, too. "Not only did he survived the attack, but his Life Points increased, too!" Gongenzaka exclaimed in disbelief. Shuzo was surprised at this too, until he realized on how he survived.
"That set card... Could it be!?" Shuzo started as he watched Yuya looking surprised, too. "Eh? What... happened?" Yuya asked in surprise as the opponent smirked, before he explained. "Right before Odd-Eyes' attack had landed completely, I activated the Trap Card: Nutrient-Z!" Hiroto explained as his Trap was now revealed.
"This card can be activated when I take 2000 points or more Battle Damage. It increases my Life Points by 4000, before letting the attack hit." Hiroto explained, making Yuya understand. "I see... You took 3100 points of damage... That's why..." Yuya breathed out loud, as the kids frowned at their Entertainment Duelist's close, but failed victory.
"Yuya-niichan was so close..." Tatsuya said with a frown as Yuzu smiled. "But... At least... he managed to show his good side back... He's the Yuya we know now..." Yuzu said, as the show her childhood friend had put showed proof that Yuya was back to his cheerful self now. Gongenzaka smirked, understanding what she meant as he turned his attention back to the duel.
"I end my turn! At this moment, Attack Force's effect ends, returning Odd-Eyes' ATK back to normal." Yuya said as he once again passed his turn to his friend.
(Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK: 3100 to 2500)
TURN 05
Hiroto LP 2300 x2
"My turn! Draw!" Hiroto said as he drew his next card. He took a look at it before he smirked. "I activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn! With this card, I'll revive Scar Lion Xyz Dragon (2500/2200) from the Graveyard!" Hiroto called as Kazuto's ace monster roared at his revival. "Scar Lion is back!" Ayu exclaimed in amazement.
Both Hiroto and Yuya watched as the Xyz Dragon roared at Odd-Eyes, who roared back in retaliation. Seeing the determination in the two dragons' eyes, the Synchro-Xyz Duelist looked at the remaining card in his hand. "I'm not done yet! I activate Pot of Greed! With this, I get to draw two more cards!" Hiroto called as he drew two more from his Deck.
At the two cards, the Synchro-Xyz Duelist smiled before he turned to his friend. "Oi! Yuya! What do you say we give our audience a bit of a show here?" Hiroto asked, catching the Pendulum user by surprise. At seeing Hiroto holding one card in his hand, Yuya gave a small grin, as he knew the card that the Synchro-Xyz Duelist was going to use.
"Alright! Let's give them a show, then!" Yuya cried, answering Hiroto's request. At the acceptance, the Synchro-Xyz Duelist cleared his throat, before turning to the ones that were watching the duel. "Everyone! Watch us as the two of us take this Entertainment Duling to another level! This card... will be the key to that level!" Hiroto said, announcing his words to the small audience.
That left the three kids excited as they cheered for more entertainment. "I activate the Spell Card... Smile World!" Hiroto called as he played the card, causing the field to be surrounded with colorful and glowing smiles, leaving the small audience in awe as Smile World began to make their feelings feel positive. "Smile World..." Yuzu said, as Gongenzaka smirked.
"The card that Yuya's father uses to rise his Entertainment Dueling level..." Gongenzaka said, knowing how famous that card was for bringing smiles to many people and duelists. Yuya watched as the Smile World took effect as he smiled, now understanding why the Synchro-Xyz Duelist had that kind of card.
"Dad... So this is why you gave Smile World to him..." Yuya whispered happily as he grinned at his opponent's dueling. "Smile World raises all monster's ATK by 100 for every monsters on the field! Since there's five monsters... all of them gain 500 ATK points!" Hiroto called as the Spell made all the monsters smile, as they looked happy to enjoy this duel.
(Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK: 2500 to 3000)
(Timegazer Magician ATK: 1200 to 1700)
(Performapal Spikeagle ATK: 900 to 1400)
(Performapal Friendonkey ATK: 1600 to 2100)
(Scar Lion Xyz Dragon ATK: 2500 to 3000)
"Ah! All the monsters are smiling!" Tatsuya said in amazement. "Even Scar Lion and Odd-Eyes are smiling, too!" Ayu cried out happily. "Shivers!" Futoshi cried as he trembled with both excitement and joy.
Through the effects of Smile World, Scar Lion felt as though happy feelings were coming to him! "What... What is this feeling... It feels so warm... and peaceful..." Scar Lion growled in content as Kazuto snickered at his ace monster's joy of the feeling from the smiles of the Spell Card. "That's the power of smiles, huh..." Kazuto said as Hiroto gave a nod in agreement.
"It sure is." Hiroto said, knowing what his Xyz friend meant. The time when he witnessed Yusho playing Smile World once came back to him as he smiled, remembering how amazing it was for the Entertainment Duelist to achieve victory like that. He looked at the last card in his hand, before he faced Yuya once more.
"This card will decide this duel! Prepare yourself, Yuya!" Hiroto called, catching the Pendulum user's attention. "Alright! Bring it, then!" Yuya said, accepting the challenge. With the challenge accepted, the Synchro-Xyz Duelist played the last card in his hand to decide the duel.
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card, Light and Dark Sacrifice!" Hiroto called, as he played the risky Continuous Spell, surprising Gongenzaka and the kids as they knew what that card was. "That card...!" Tatsuya started.
"It's the card that Hiroto-niichan used to defeat that Fusion girl from LDS!" Futoshi exclaimed in disbelief as Yuya prepared for impact. "When this card is activated, I can banish one Light or Dark Type monster from my Graveyard, in order to let one of my monsters gain ATK half of that monster's ATK! But... for every time I use this effect, I have to pay 400 Life Points." Hiroto explained.
"And not only that, during the Standby Phases, he needs to pay 1000 Life Points in order to keep that card on the field." said Gongenzaka, as he knew what the other side effect was.
"I'll pay 400 Life Points to banish Dark End Dragon from my Graveyard! And at that moment, Scar Lion will gain half of Dark End's ATK points!" Hiroto called as he removed his Dragon of darkness from the game, while paying for the cost.
"Dark End Dragon's ATK is 2600... So, that means..." "Scar Lion Xyz Dragon will gain 1300 ATK!" Tatsuya started, as Ayu finished it off.
Hiroto LP 1900 x0
(Scar Lion Xyz Dragon ATK: 3000 to 4300)
"4300 ATK!?" Yuya gasped in shock as the Synchro-Xyz Duelist continued on. "I'm not done! I'll pay 800 more Life Points to remove Dark End Knight (1900/1000) and Light End Wild Lion (1600/1200) from the game!" Hiroto declared as two more of his monsters were removed from the Graveyard, so that they could lend Scar Lion their powers.
Hiroto LP 1100 x0
(Scar Lion Xyz Dragon ATK: 4300 to 6050)
"An ATK of..." "...6050!?" Ayu and Tatsuya cried together in shock, causing Futoshi to tremble in both fear and amazement. "It's giving me the shivers!" Futoshi cried as Yuya was stiff in shock. While he was frozen in disbelief, the Battle Phase was on as the Synchro-Xyz Duelist pointed at the Pendulum Dragon.
"Battle! I attack Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon with Scar Lion Xyz Dragon! Scar Fang Pride Slash!" Hiroto cried out loud, allowing the Xyz Dragon to strike at the enemy Dragon. "Yuya!" Yuzu cried in worry, snapping Yuya out as the Pendulum user ran to find an Action Card. "I won't let you, Yuya!" Hiroto called as he jumped on Scar Lion's back.
The Xyz Dragon flew towards Odd-Eyes, attempting to strike it down, while the Pendulum user snagged an Action Card, allowing him to use it. "Action Magic, Evasion! Scar Lion's attack is negated!" Yuya cried, until Hiroto played an Action Card of his own. "I won't let you! Action Magic, No Action! Evasion is negated and the battle continues!" Hiroto cried as the battle went on.
The Entertainment Duelist could only widen his eyes as the attack blasted his ace monster away, while knocking him away, too! "ARGH!" Yuya yelled as he fell on the ground, looking defeated as everyone in the sidelines gasped. "Yuya!" "Yuya-niichan!" Yuzu, Gongenzaka, and the kids gasped as they watched their ace Duelist be defeated by their friend.
Yuya LP 0 x2
WIN: Hiroto
The Solid Vision turned off, taking down the Action Field along with it. As the duel was over, Yuya sat on the ground, scratching the back of his head. "I lost..." Yuya said before he brought his head up to show a big smile on his face. Before he could say another word, he watched as the Synchro-Xyz Duelist suddenly fell on his back, catching Yuya by surprise.
"Hiroto! Oi! Hiroto, are you okay!?" Yuya gasped as he held the near unconscious Synchro-Xyz Duelist up, as Hiroto sighed. "Tch... I was okay with handling one duel... but three duels in one day? I don't think I ever felt this exhausted before... Ngh..." Hiroto groaned as the Entertainment Duelist blinked, before he remembered on how hard his friend fought for the Duel School.
"Hiroto..." His name was what Yuya could only say as the Synchro-Xyz Duelist gave a small glance at him, before he gave a small smile to the worried Pendulum user.
"Hey... What's with that look? You found your own resolution to fight now, haven't you? I've taught you all that you need to know for now... The rest of the answer... You'll have to find out on your own..." Hiroto said weakly as he fell limp, leaving Yuya to look up at the sky and yell the Synchro-Xyz duelist's name. "HIROTO!"
- Hot-Blooded Shuzo Theatre: FIN -
Just as the Synchro-Xyz Duelist looked like he was really gone, a slap on the face by Yuzu's paper fan was enough to wake him up! "ARGH!" yelped Hiroto as he shot up, lifting his head off from Yuya's arms. He glared to see Yuzu glaring at both him and Yuya with the paper fan in her hands.
"Don't go ending it on your own!" Yuzu snapped as everyone else gathered around. Shuzo and Gongenzaka looked touched, while the kids were bewildered to see this occur. "Hey! I was serious about the exhausted part! Do you know how much damage I had to endure from today!?" Hiroto snapped back, as he crossed his arms, pouting for the hit that he took on the face.
"It's youth!" Gongenzaka said as he wiped his tears with his uniform sleeve. Shuzo cried as well, filled with joy and touched at the same time as Yuya nervously laughed. The others laughed at the two boys bonding together as the Entertainment Duelist turned to the Synchro-Xyz Duelist, saying his words to him.
"Thanks, Hiroto." Yuya said, causing Hiroto to turn and look at him in question. "What for?" Hiroto asked as the Pendulum user smiled. "What you said during the duel... you were right. I'll train harder than anyone else! I'll get better and stronger! So I can become a Duelist who puts smiles on everyone's faces like my father one day!" Yuya said proudly.
At his resolution, Hiroto sighed before smiling back. "No problem, Yuya..." Hiroto said as Kazuto floated besides him, smiling as well. But, the smile on his face didn't stay as the Xyz Duelist looked up at the orange sky. This conflict was over... but the 'war' between the Duel Schools weren't over yet.
Later, that night...
After saying his farewell to the You Show students, Hiroto laid on his bed, looking over his cards, including the four Pendulum Cards he gained from his duel with Reiji. He even looked at Scar Lion Xyz Dragon, as he wondered of what Kazuto had said earlier in the duel.
"You gave me your ace monster so that I could win in that duel with Akaba Reiji, right? Do you... want him back?" Hiroto asked as Kazuto shook his head, floating besides his friend. "Mm mm... I think it's best if you keep it with you right now. Scar Lion... tends to get bored when he doesn't get to be in any part of the action." Kazuto said, with a smile on his face.
The Synchro-Xyz Duelist smiled back as he turned his body on the bed to look up at the ceiling in his room. "Whatever you say..." Hiroto said as he frowned. "But still... How did I get those Pendulum Cards, anyway? It's like my Pendulum was reacting to my determination your encouragement." Hiroto asked as the Xyz Duelist frowned as well.
"I... don't have an answer to that. All I know is that it happened. And that's it. I don't... really know how those cards appeared." Kazuto said, admitting his unsureness to the Synchro-Xyz Duelist. The two remained silent as they both pondered on how the Pendulum Cards miracle occurred in their struggle afternoon.
With no answers to come up with, they both fell asleep, both deciding to think about it more tomorrow.
Meanwhile...
In an alleyway, a shadowed figure walked across the dark alleyway, as if he was trying to keep himself hidden in the dark. He had his fists clenched as he took out a small picture showing a young boy... which was Kazuto and himself, along with a girl and another boy that seemed to be his friend. He shook a little, before shaking his head as he continued on walking.
"I will find you, along with your sister... one way or another... my little brother." The figure said darkly as he disappeared into the alleyway.
In another unknown place...
In the warehouse of where he fought the LDS students, a masked Duelist stood still, his eyes closed. He slowly opened them, as his eyes showed that he was either cold or fierce. "I can feel it... He has to be around here somewhere." The masked Duelist said as he looked up at the ceiling of the warehouse, which had a large hole on it, due to the impact that he had caused after his duel with one of the LDS students.
"I just hope... Shun doesn't cause any more trouble than he already did right now." The masked Duelist said as he closed his eyes again, silence coming back to comfort him.
DM Stats:
Wins/Losses: 7/1
Next duel:
Duel 21: A Fusion Apprentice! Yuzu's Resolution!
Duel 22: The Four Dimensions and the Truth!
Duel 23: Yuto VS Hiroto! A New Rebellious Ally!
Duel 24: Kazuto's Past! Phantom VS Lions!
Duel 25: Gem-Knight Grudge! Masumi's Anger!
Next chapter preview:
Yuya: Just wait for me, Dad! I'll become strong... and be a Pro Duelist like you someday!
Sawatari: If you think you can win in the Maiami Championships with your dirty dueling, you've got another thing coming!
Hiroto: You're the one who needs to have his dueling clean, you hundredth rate Duelist.
Yuzu: I have to... I have to become strong! Sora! Please teach me how to Fusion Summon!
Sora: Could it be because... you're still upset about losing to that girl from yesterday?
Hiroto: Fusion...? This is getting tiresome. If you want to learn Fusion that bad, why don't I test you in a duel?
OC Cards: