Boss Rush

XIX: Ivy Shackles

As was customary, Ryuusei awoke, awash in the scent of plum blossoms through no fault of his own, but by the blooms of the plum tree growing outside of his room by the window.

As following his usual school day schedule, he absently ruffled the petal-mane of the Dandylion at the foot of his futon, rolled out, stretched, and proceeded to freshen himself up and change for breakfast.

This would then be followed by a fairly brisk walk to the dining room. Depending on the schedule, either he was stuck with toast and butter, or Seika would have a full Japanese breakfast ready for everyone, or his Dad actually managed to wake up long enough to make something passably edible.

Between this time and actually leaving for school may be a rush to tidy up the Meteor Stream, or finding his homework, or actually grabbing the necessary items, Ryuusei would be decked in the senior blazer for Duel Academia Kings and ready to leave, helmet and bag in hand and D-Wheel.

Right around this time, there are three available routes from the Fudo apartment complex to Kings, each reachable. One is to walk, which he had done until he finally got his license. The second was a shorter, less complex route directly to Kings.

Instead, Ryuusei took the third route, which would take him through a mostly empty highway where the attacks would begin.

"Today we have a Dreadscythe Harvester," Marguerite materialised beside him, perched on her staff like a witch on a broom.

Ryuusei narrowly swerved to avoid the oncoming scythe. "Yes, I can tell."

"Oi, Ryuusei!" Casually calling, Chase swerved over on the red and black Carpe Jugulum. "So, today's Dreadscythe Harvester? Rex, don't get caught!"

"Like I would!" Rex scowled as he pulled behind on the black and gold Throne.

Ryuusei glanced at the black and gold, to the red and black, to his own red and gold. The three D-Wheels had been made as a set, a testament to their friendship where Chase had contributed the funds, Rex used his contacts to source valuable parts, and Ryuusei had made his project to build. All together...

"Ryuusei, watch out!" Chase's furious yell caused him to accelerate, narrowly missing a death via decapitation. "Dammit, Ryuusei, stop putting Calcifer at risk!"

"My laptop is not Calcifer!" Ryuusei answered heatedly.

Marguerite flew by the Meteor Stream on her staff. "You know, I swear I saw something familiar..."

The huge dragon materialised by Chase's Carpe Jugulum. You presume too much, witch.

"Ah, we're here," Ryuusei interrupted both monsters' bickering to swerve, all three D-Wheels rolling into the compound of Duel Academia Kings as the Duel Spirits continued to bicker and a bell rang. Just another day of school in Neo Domino City... for these three, at any rate.

"Ahem," Marufuji Ryou-sensei stood before his students. "Pay attention."

The entire class was silent. No one spoke up if Marufuji-sensei told them to be silent.

"As you know, Philosophy becomes one of the few electives offered in Duel Academia Kings during the third year," Marufuji-sensei began. "But, because Maeda-sensei has finally retired, I'd like to introduce your new Philosophy teacher, Kevin Dunames-sensei. Treat him well, or Coppermine-sensei will not be happy."

Everyone shivered at the thought of the terrifying Vice-Chancellor Pete Coppermine.

"Thank you, Marufuji-sensei." Kevin Dunames spoke up. He looked older than most teachers at Kings, which was to say approximately middle-aged, and his short blue hair, shorter height with sickly pale skin and red eyes made for a very interesting individual. Around his left eye was a rune drawing, complex and esoteric. "I am glad to be your Philosophy teacher. Even though we'll have less than a year together, I hope we can make some significant progress. Shall we begin?"

"Maeda retired?" Chase muttered. "Impossible..."

"I'm sure he had his own reasons," Ryuusei reasoned, frowning.

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. That Ryuusei knew well enough through Setsuka's cold-blooded rational arguments. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational argument. For the purposes of the syllabus, the ancient philosophies of faith vs free will was debated as an example, contrasting Eastern and Western schools of thought.

Either way, it was very tiring, but Ryuusei remained when Kevin dismissed the class.

"Is there something you need, Fudo Ryuusei?" Kevin inquired.

Ryuusei started. "H- How did you know...?"

"I'd have been living under a rock if I couldn't recognise the Prince of Duel," Kevin shook his head. "Do you have questions about the class?"

"Erm... well, I had questions about class and Maeda-sensei," Ryuusei frowned.

"Maeda had family problems," Kevin gently answered. "Your question?"

"Oh," Ryuusei nodded. "Erm, when you were debating Confucianism and Legalism then, which would be a more logical argument to fulfil?"

Kevin gave a sad smile. "Which do you think it is?"

"Neither," Ryuusei stoutly answered. "Or both. Because, even if a human being is incorrigibly selfish, they can learn, improve and perfect themselves using their selfishness as their motivation, right?"

"That does seem plausible," Kevin sighed. "So if you knew that, then why ask?"

"Because I wasn't sure."

Kevin smiled. "You're an unusual child, Fudo-kun. I wish there are more students like you. Well, off to your next class."

"Thank you, Dunames-sensei."

"Fudo-kun?" Kevin's words gave him pause. "I am curious. How exactly did you touch upon the idea that humans can improve themselves due to their own selfishness?"

"Oh, I'm in the Arcadia Movement," Ryuusei answered cautiously. "In the Movement, we're taught first to improve for ourselves, before we figure out what else do we want to protect to focus our powers."

Kevin's expression did not change in the slightest, yet Ryuusei felt the tension increase. "I see. You may go."

"See you next lesson, Sensei."

Kevin quietly watched him leave. "Such a bright boy... quite an interesting insight, as well. It's almost sad that Shimotsuki Setsuka has her claws in him, but he is young yet. He will thank me when she is gone."

"I do not like that man."

Ryuusei paused at one of Marguerite's comments. "Oh?"

"I remember him," Marguerite simply said.

"You do?" Ryuusei remarked, before he did a double-take. "Wait, you do... he made a contract?"

"His need called to me," she answered. "He wished for power to eliminate evil, allowing justice to flourish. He believed that there are those with power that abuse it in the world who had formed a collective, and he wanted power to oppose them, no matter what. He was sickly, ill then, and I sensed a mortal curse on him. I did not grant that wish."

"Why not?" Ryuusei frowned.

"Simply because he will be too dangerous if given power," Marguerite replied. "There has never been a true war that was not fought between two sets of people who were certain they were in the right. The really dangerous people believe they are doing whatever they are doing solely and only because it is without question the right thing to do. And that is what makes them dangerous."

"He would have opposed, maybe even finished off Shimotsuki," Ryuusei guessed.

"Perhaps, or he would have paid dearly for his folly," Marguerite acknowledged. "He had the True Sight, hence I hid myself. However... he is truly and unquestionably dangerous."

"He hates psychics?" Ryuusei frowned.

"Yes and no," Marguerite answered. "He claimed that his illness was due to psychic Duellists, and from his old hatred of those with power arose the darkness of his heart. He has yet to realise that pain is the natural order of the universe, that anyone could be a harbinger of destruction."

"So he doesn't understand," Ryuusei murmured quietly.

"Oh, Ryuusei, you're here," Setsuka walked up to him, a scowling man with a shock of orange hair in street clothes following her.

Ryuusei stared at him. "...Kurosaki Ichi-"

"No," the man answered.

"This is Rick Larson, Vice-chair of the North American Arcadia Movement," Setsuka introduced. "Larson-san, this is Fudo Ryuusei, the only other Class V psychic in Neo Domino City."

"Oh! I'm so sorry," Ryuusei shook the offered hand, bowing slightly. "I thought... it's a very stunning likeness."

"Thank you," Rick nodded. "I have had many comments about my coincidental likeness. It is a pleasure to meet another powerful psychic."

"Well, it's not like that," Ryuusei assured. "Shimotsuki, why is he here?"

"This guy is in charge of personnel," Setsuka answered. "Therefore we will be stopping by the infirmary before your appointment."

Ryuusei groaned. Of course... that date was today.

"Ryuusei?" Rex repeated as school ended and Ryuusei took a different road.

"Sorry, guys," Ryuusei shook his head. "I have an appointment with Shimotsuki."

Both of them had sympathetic looks.

A tray hit the wall as all three psychics entered the infirmary later. "Oi, when are we getting out?"

Ryuusei was about to open his mouth when a shoe flew from behind him to whack the brown-haired girl in the face. He continued to stare as Rick marched forward.

"You guys got yourself into hospital, and you're still complaining?" Rick drawled, looming over her.

"Rick, bastard, when did you get here?" Anna yelled back.

"I only just got off the plane!" Rick bopped her. "And then I have to entertain the head of the Arcadia Movement herself and apologise for you incompetent idiots! Anna, you haven't even finished your paperwork before leaving!"

"Who cares about the bloody paperwork, you ******! Rose is injured!"

"**** that! I do! Waller might let you off, but I won't! I brought the important stuff over, you're going to do them while you're laid up! Gonzalez knew what she was getting into with your insanity, Shiloh!"

"**** you!" came the eloquent reply.

"..." Ryuusei turned away from the storm of invectives. "They sound insane."

"The North American branch covers the entirety of North America," Shimotsuki answered. "And the one coordinating all personnel is Rick Larson. However, like all other Movements, they depend on the reputation built up by the Central Movement to function and operate, though a certain autonomy is granted."

"Should we step in?" Ryuusei muttered amongst the yells.

"Leave them," Setsuka dismissed as both Japanese left the two to their shouting match. "Have you touched upon the extent of Summer's powers?"

"No," Ryuusei shook his head as he followed her into the elevator and the doors gave an innocent ding as they closed. "I still have botanokinesis, just like you have cryokinesis."

"And the 'seed'?" Setsuka casually mentioned, waving to a security camera as they passed through the clean lit underground passageway. Ryuusei knew it was to prevent flooding of the passageways to drown people, though neither the reasons such a security precaution had to be implemented nor how did the Movement get permission to build the things to begin with understood.

"Who knows," Ryuusei answered as he stood opposite her. "What is the purposes of using this underground arena, to begin with?"

Setsuka smirked as she took one of the wooden swords that hung on the stands nearby. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Both silently faced each other for a moment, neither daring to move. "There aren't any plants here."

"Improvise," Setsuka crisply answered before she leapt into action. Ryuusei narrowly dodged, about to grab the sword before she let go and the temperature dropped. The wood hit the ground as Ryuusei ran from her icy hand, knowing full well that any contact with it would numb his own extremities for a long while.

The bamboo sprouted, green shoots spiking up like stakes as Setsuka stepped back from the fast-growing tree. "Your reaction is getting faster."

"No thanks to you," Ryuusei panted, reaching a hand out.

His opponent neatly sidestepped the next stake. "Really? It would take forever to root out those shoots. Yield."

Ryuusei twitched as the influence of the Geas hit. "N- No! You yield!"

"Samildanach gives the power of power mimicry," Setsuka murmured as she too flinched, fighting off the other geas.

By the end of the fight, they both stood, one surrounded by bamboo stakes, and the other surrounded by desolate ice remains.

"Shall we up the stakes, then?" Setsuka murmured.

"I brought my DuelDisk for this reason," Ryuusei heatedly answered as they reached for the main weapon of all psychic Duellists.

"Duel!"

Setsuka: LP 8000

Ryuusei: LP 8000

"I'll go first, draw," Setsuka announced. "I'll summon Dance Princess of the Ice Barrier [1700/900] in attack mode. Then, I'll set two cards. Turn end."

"Draw!" Ryuusei called. "I summon Lonefire Blossom [500/1400]. Then, I'll tribute it to special summon Spore [400/800] in defence mode. I set a card, turn end."

"Draw," Setsuka announced again. "I summon Strategist of the Ice Barrier [1600/1600] to the field, then I discard an Ice Barrier monster to draw again. I special summon Prior of the Ice Barrier [1000/400] and then use his effect to tribute him and special summon the tuner monster, Dewdark of the Ice Barrier [1200/800]. Tuning, level four Princess to level two Dewdark. Amidst the howling winds of winter, the roar of the king echoes. Synchro Summon! Ruler of the icy plains, Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier!"

The armoured white tiger bounded onto the field, roaring [2000/1400].

"I then bounce the two cards on my field to increase the attack power of Dewloren," Setsuka announced [2000/1400 → 3000/1400]. "Battle. Strategist, attack Spore! Dewloren, direct attack!"

"Trap activate in response to direct attack, Defence Draw," Ryuusei muttered. "Battle damage is reduced to zero, and I draw a card."

"I'll set two cards and then play Swords of Revealing Light," Setsuka decided as the shining swords surrounded his field. "Turn end."

Ryuusei frowned. If he was right... "Draw! I normal summon Mystic Piper [0/0]." the piper monster appeared next to him. "Activate Mystic Piper's effect, I will tribute it to draw a card." After he drew, he turned the card over for his opponent to see. "Since I drew into the level one Battle Fader, I can draw one more card. Now I will set two more cards and end my turn."

"Battle Fader? Are you trying to stall?" Setsuka repeated. "Draw! I discard another Ice Barrier monster to draw a card. Activate Continuous Trap, Call of the Haunted. I revive Prior, which I then tribute to revive the discarded General Raiho of the Ice Barrier [2100/2300]. Dewloren allows me to bounce back Call of the Haunted and Swords of Revealing Light. Battle! Dewloren, direct attack!"

"Upon the declaration of direct attack, special summon Battle Fader [0/0] from my hand and end the battle phase," Ryuusei responded easily.

"I set two cards and play Swords of Revealing Light once more," Setsuka answered. "Turn end."

"Draw!" Ryuusei smirked. "Activate Enemy Controller, tributing Battle Fader to take control of General Raiho."

"You..." Setsuka muttered as Raiho left her field.

"Raiho's monster effect lock would have been even more troublesome than Dewloren's loop," Ryuusei acknowledged. "I summon the tuner Copy Plant [0/0]. Tuning, level six Raiho to level one Copy Plant. Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Bloom, Black Rose Dragon!"

In a wave of petals, the monster appeared [2400/1800], howling its anger at her.

"Activate set Graceful Revival, I revive Mystic Piper to use his effect once more," Ryuusei announced. "I draw level one Level Eater, and then I draw once more. Activate One for One, I discard Level Eater to special summon Tuningware [100/300]. I banish Copy Plant to special summon Spore as a level two monster. Tuning, level one Tuningware to level two Spore. Evening shades envelop the world; herald of the night, shine. Take flight, Synchro Tuner, Twilight Rose Dragon!"

"Accel Synchro?" Setsuka closed her eyes, as if waiting. "So you will summon your strongest servant right here..."

"Tuning, level seven Black Rose Dragon and level three Twilight Rose Dragon," Ryuusei called. "Farewell, glorious sun; flower of the night, bloom! Accel Synchro! From the darkness greet me, Night Rose Dragon!"

A single roar, and the velvety black dragon coated with diamond dust leapt into being [3000/2500].

"Night Rose Dragon's first effect!" Ryuusei called.

"Trap activate, Imperial Iron Wall," Setsuka indicated, almost lazily. "You may not banish Plants for Night Rose Dragon's cost."

"Fine," Ryuusei decided. "I use the second effect to reduce the attack and defence power of Dewloren by half [2000/1400 → 1000/700]. Then, I set a card. Turn end."

"Draw," Setsuka indicated as her expression sharpened. "I play the Spell, Magic Planter to send Imperial Iron Wall to the graveyard and draw two cards. Then, I activate the Spell, De-Synchro, dissolving Dewloren to special summon Dance Princess and Dewdark of the Ice Barrier." The pig-tailed princess and the ninja reappeared. "I reveal Warlock of the Ice Barrier in my hand along with General Gantala of the Ice Barrier to bounce both set cards to your hand per the effect of Dance Princess."

"Trap activate," Ryuusei murmured.

"Finally, I discard Gantala to draw a card by the effect of Strategist before I summon Warlock of the Ice Barrier [400/1000]. Tuning, level four Dance Princess to level three Warlock to level two Dewdark."

Ryuusei could feel his teeth chattering even though Night Rose growled and complained. Having summoned his strongest servant, of course he was expecting the most powerful servitor of Shimotsuki Setsuka... but not this fast...!"

"Trident of the cold death, the swing of the pendulum is ever frozen," She whispered. "May the three thousand worlds linger forever in winter. Synchro Summon! Touch the three worlds, Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"

Three heads roared as one, sheer cold sweeping the field, and before this mighty behemoth that had frozen time and civilisation long before, he could not do anything.

"When Trishula is Synchro summoned, I can banish a card from my opponent's hand, field and graveyard," Setsuka murmured. "Leave us, Night Rose Dragon."

Night Rose cried out as it was frozen over and dissolved, along with Twilight Rose and the Bloom in Night in Ryuusei's hand.

"Activating Call of the Haunted, special summon Prior," Setsuka continued. "Tribute Prior to special summon General Gantala of the Ice Barrier [2700/2000]. Activate Monster Reborn, special summon Dewdark of the Ice Barrier. Tuning, level four Strategist to level two Dewdark. Amidst the howling winds of winter, the roar of the king echoes. Synchro Summon! Ruler of the icy plains, Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier!"

With a mighty roar, Dewloren [2000/1400].

"I bounce Swords of Revealing Light and Call of the Haunted once more to augment Dewloren's strength [2000/1400 → 3000/1400]," Setsuka declared coldly. "Trishula, Gantala, Dewloren. Direct attack!"

Before the merciless onslaught of the Winter Queen, Ryuusei was thrown back into the wall. Yet, as a spray of rose petals swept through, Setsuka was blown back as well.

Ryuusei: LP 8000 → LP 0

Setsuka: LP 8000 → LP 0

"What?" Setsuka coughed, doubling over as cuts appeared on her forearms, legs and skin.

"You... fell for it..." Ryuusei struggled. "When you used... Dance Princess... this was activated."

"B- Bloody Roses...?" Setsuka read. "I see... the opponent will take the same amount of damage as the original player..."

"Still, that attack hurt..." Ryuusei cursed as red petals seemed to fluttered about him, the tension from the battle gone. "Were you planning to ice me or something?"

"Pain is the natural order of the universe," Setsuka answered solemnly. "One day, we must break this tie, you know."

"My assessment?" Ryuusei asked as he was tossed a towel from a rack hanging nearby.

"Main power of botanokinesis, no change," Setsuka briskly answered. "Strategy-oriented damage, no change. Strategy, no change. Power levels, no change. Focus also no change. Basically, we're still equal overall, Class V."

"How can you tell?" Ryuusei countered.

"Because you still fight the same way this year as you did last year," Setsuka automatically answered. "In these battles, we are not meant to hold back. This room is also outlined with sensors by which we evaluate that power. The effectiveness of this room is questionable, giving only a rough overall analysis as opposed to a detailed analysis gotten from electrotherapy, but it assures that we do not strap our members to a chair and constantly shock them."

"Does that even work?" Ryuusei answered.

"Theoretically," Setsuka replied. "But only to an extent. Potential is decided by hard work and determination, not by machines. Have you manifested any powers besides Samildanach?"

"Sèamhaich stopped a crowd at the Daimon area a few days ago," Ryuusei recalled. "And Caledfwlch I used recently to prune the plum tree in Mutou Memorial Park."

Setsuka stopped to stare at him.

Ryuusei shrugged. "The shears were broken and the fairies needed wood."

She sighed. "Only you would use one-of-a-kind powers for your mundane tasks."

They hardly liked each other; most of the time Ryuusei even thought of the head of the Central Arcadia Movement as some benevolent dictator. However, as the only other person who might even have experienced what Ryuusei was going through now, Ryuusei thought that perhaps, he might have gotten some inkling as to what drove Setsuka, what drove the Queen of Winter.

"Your power as Summer King might already be more active than you can imagine," Setsuka murmured as Ryuusei bound up his injuries. "Tell that witch that hangs around you that I do not care for games."

"Bye, then," Ryuusei nodded as he got up and left the Arcadia Movement and the strangely chilly room.

"That was a deliberate jab against us," Marguerite huffed as she flew beside the Meteor Stream once more. "Why, she has the gall to think that it was a game!"

"You did, technically, release 'seeds' across the earth," Ryuusei pointed out as he neared the short-cut back home through the Puzzle Area. "So, aside from running from various monsters because I've become prime bait, and helping the Spirits here and there, my life hasn't changed much."

"Are you impatient?" Marguerite murmured. "No, it has not. Enjoy these peaceful moments for now."

"What was that?" Ryuusei muttered as a wave of cold and dark shrouded past him.

"Magic...?" the Witch of the Time Flower muttered. "Shall we?"

"Of course," Ryuusei moved the Meteor Stream towards the source of the disturbance, skidding to a halt after many turns when the explosion sounded.

"Ah, that's my favourite robe..." a voice muttered as Ryuusei spotted the dark-haired magician and his bat-familiar. "Meda Bat, I hate these humans..."

"What are you doing?" Ryuusei murmured.

The Dharc turned to look at him. "I... I think I recognise you... hey, Meda Bat, do you recognise him?"

It might have been an illusion, but Ryuusei swore that the Bat had nodded quickly.

"You were at the Lightsworn Revolution!" Dharc realised. "Oh, you were with the Winter Queen! Do you remember me? I'm Dharc, Familiar-Possessed – Dharc!"

"You're..." Ryuusei sighed. "You're... you were the Dharc that Stardust Dragon blessed... oh."

Dharc's expression soon fell as he narrowed his eyes at Ryuusei. "You smell... like sunlight and fire..."

Ryuusei blanched as he heard Marguerite's tinkering laugh. "It's not funny, Marguerite!"

Dharc's expression fell. "You were... Ryuusei... although, I suppose it's better if I called you King Summer now..."

"It's fine," Ryuusei quickly interrupted. "How did you get into the human world, Dharc?"

"I travelled," Dharc answered, his expression troubled. "I never expected to meet two monarchs in one lifetime... it is not auspicious that we meet again in such conditions."

"What conditions?" Ryuusei asked in trepidation. "Oh, and you can just tell me directly rather than transfer it directly," he added hurriedly.

Dharc's expression temporarily turned to confusion before it morphed to understanding. "Ah, yes, you mortals see things differently from us Spellcasters. I am to carry a message to King Summer, since the Summer Court is the Imaginary World has confirmed the existence of the successor of Tytannial. Though we are to dispatch independent messengers to Queen Winter as well, so as to prevent a misunderstanding of importance, one messengers has been waylaid in the Dark World and therefore the message carried to Queen Winter via Blizzed is rather late."

Dharc cleared his throat. "The message is as thus, from Kuraz the Light Monarch to the Monarchs of the Court of Summer. We have looked over the declaration of war as agreed between the alliances under the banner of Summer and Winter, and have agreed to place the Luminous Spark as a neutral zone by which an armistice may be conducted. In the interests of stopping the fighting between both empires, please respond."

"I believe we should discuss this privately," Marguerite interrupted Dharc. "The monarch does not know-"

"Fighting?" Ryuusei echoed numbly. "War? Marguerite... when were you going to tell me that there was a war going on?"

"Because it always has," Dharc answered in surprise. "Did you not know? I thought you were there. Summer and Winter have been fighting continuously for a very long time."

Bloody Roses (Chimamire no Bara)
Type: Quick-play Spell
Effect: When you activate this card when you control a 'Rose Dragon' monster, your opponent will take any damage you would have taken this turn. During the turn this set card is removed from the field, your opponent will take the same amount of damage as you (including battle and effect damage). Cards and effects cannot be activated in response to this card.

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