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DUEL DOME – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
"Do not think of Dueling as fun. The path you are about to walk is nothing naïve like that. The next time you'll be able to see your parents who bought you that Duel Disk for you is when you become a pro. Until then, you will be walking a pitch black road of darkness."
"Kachidoki!"
Kachidoki gasped when he heard his name being called by Crow, snapping him from his daydream. He wiped a sweat that unconsciously formed on his face. He sighed deep. Why did he remember that now? He thought he had already put it behind him.
"You're okay, Kachidoki? Your face is pale." Crow said with genuine concern.
"Yeah. I'm okay. I just remembered something…unpleasant." Kachidoki answered while trying to push away the painful memories. "Sorry, what we are talking about?"
"About this door in front of us." Crow pointed at a huge metal door in front of them.
Ever since they got separated from their comrades due to the structure change, they have been walking one way as the corridor, no matter how long they have walked, only has one path so they pretty much didn't have any choice but to follow the only path available. They have walked for a while but found nothing in their way until they finally stopped in front of this huge door that way saying 'there are enemies behind the door' at first sight.
"What do you think? Should we go in?" Crow asked for Kachidoki's opinion.
"I don't think we have any choice. There is no other way other than this door, and turning back would be pointless because our way is blocked by the wall when it moved." Kachidoki reminded when they got separated.
"I'm afraid there is no other option, even if there are enemies waiting behind this door. We have to go inside." Tsukikage suggested. While Crow was still contemplating, Tsukikage noticed Kachidoki's thoughts were elsewhere. The purple haired boy didn't seem well since earlier.
"Kachidoki-dono, is something the matter?" Tsukikage couldn't help but ask out of concern.
"I'm fine. I'm just thinking..." Kachidoki trailed off, hesitant to talk about it.
"Pardon me if I bring up unpleasant topic, but by a chance are you thinking about your school, Ryozanpaku?" Tsukikage asked to the point, and based on Kachidoki's reaction, he hit the jackpot. "I have observed you for quite a while ever since in Heartland. To be honest, I feel that place no longer suits you with your change of heart."
Kachidoki sighed, closing his eyes. "I know that very well. I actually don't want to go back there after this war is over." Kachidoki answered honestly. Now that he knew he wanted to forge his own path and his own Dueling that is not shackled by his school, he doesn't want to go back there again. But it won't be easy to leave that place.
"This maybe not my place to say, but I may be of a help if you wish to leave Ryozanpaku." Tsukikage offered his help to the Martial Artes Duelist.
"Are you sure?" Kachidoki blinked, surprised by Tsukikage's offer.
Tsukikage nodded. "Yes. We can discuss about it if you wish...after we end this war."
From the dome, the other side of the door, Sanders was watching Kachidoki, Tsukikage, and Crow standing in front of the entrance of his dome through the monitor. His students were also watching behind him. Five students, four boys and one girl stepped to the front with their Duel Disks ready on their hands.
"Everyone! These people are members of Lancers who came to destroy our noble goal of uniting the four dimensions!" Sanders told his students before turning to the five students. "All of you are my five strongest students. Show the Lancers your skills, make it as lessons for your fellow students."
"Roger, instructor! Glory on the Academia!" The five students saluted.
"Magic Field: Jungle of Predators – Predator Jungle!" Sanders activated the Magic Field, turning the inside dome to be covered in a jungle.
"I will not fail this time! My five strongest students will get rid both the Lancers, and that failure…!"
HALLWAY – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
After leaving Chris, Shun and Sora with the former carrying Yuto on his back, continued their way towards the Professor's chamber. While walking, Sora was reading the journal once belonged to Chris' father that Chris has given to them to explain his reason behind his betrayal and also the truth about the four dimensions. Sora was reading the whole thing with interest, making various impressed sounds that quite annoyed the Xyz user beside him who didn't read the journal as he was carrying his unconscious best friend.
"Will you stop making those noises and tell me what exactly that you found in that journal?" Shun finally lost his patience and demanded answer from the Fusion user.
"Hey, I'm concentrating here. Be patient and shut up for a bit, Xyz Loser. You keep interupting me will make me dumber for every second." Sora pouted, lowering the journal from his face to face Shun with annoyance.
"Then do tell me what did you find so far, Fusion Scum." Shun twitched, even though he said he was not interested with the reason behind Chris' betrayal as it won't change anything that had happened, he was curious to know about the four dimensions since it seemed to be connected to the Professor's plan.
"Fine, fine. According to this journal this world where we are living was originally a one single dimension." Sora started to explain, deciding to talk before Shun start pestering him.
Shun raised his brows. "One single dimension? So originally this world was not split into four dimensions?" He repeated in question to confirm he was hearing it right.
"Yeah. The journal referred this original dimension as United World where all Summoning Methods existed and this world was where the Real Solid Vision with mass technology came from." Sora continued as he flipped to the next page.
"However, 23 years ago, the United World got split into four dimensions that we know in the present."
"What made the world split into four dimensions?" Shun asked again.
"Unfortunately, Chris' father, Byron Arclight, lost his memories when the world split into four dimensions. He gradually regained his memories, but he died before he could remember the reason behind the world got split into four dimensions." Sora said with a tone of disappointment. And he was getting curious too.
"The only answer to that lies in the Professor. Since he wants to fuse the four dimensions, that means he knows about this United World. But what I wish to know the most is what is he planning to do to Ruri and the other girls." Shun narrowed his eyes. He didn't give a damn thing about this United World whatsoever, kidnapping his sister and destroyed his hometown for this ARC Area Project were something unforgivable to him. He swore he will make the Professor pay.
"Too bad, this journal didn't have the answer to that question either. We must aske the Professor himself. But…" Sora stopped at the last entry of the journal that has one name written in big size and was circled.
"Supreme King Dragon Zarc?"
PASSAGE – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
Yuya, Yuzu, and Reira were still on their way while trying to get into contact with everyone when they heard several footsteps. Thinking they were another Academia Duelists sent to capture them, they quickly readied their Duel Disks in their battle stance as the footsteps became nearer along with silhouettes they saw on the wall across the bend. With nowhere to run or to stop them from chasing after them, the three Lancers activated their Duel Disks, ready to Duel until…
"Are you sure this is the way to the Professor's Chamber is?"
"Yes. It can't be helped, because Instructor Sanders has changed the structure of the whole school we have no choice but to take a detour."
"Just be patient, Gon-chan. Yuya won't go anywhere."
Yuya, Yuzu, and Reira blinked when they heard two familiar voices amongst the incoming people. And the only ones they knew who would called and be called 'Gon-chan' were…
"Gongenzaka! Dennis!" Yuya called out when the two said people's figure were clear to see.
Gongenzaka and Dennis, with former Academia students behind them, beamed when they saw Yuya waving at them with Yuzu and Reira beside him. Gongenzaka was quick to let out tears once he saw his two childhood best friends, especially Yuya, and as usual without any thought, he rushed to them while opening his arms wide. Yuya didn't get to avoid it and thus, he was pulled into the big guy's strong embrace with his face buried deep into his chest that gave him hard time to breathe.
"Yuya! I, the man, Gongenzaka is so happy to see you again! I'm glad that you are okay! I've been worried so much for you!" Gongenzaka started bawling like a toddler.
"Gongenzaka…! Can't breathe…!" Yuya said in muffled voice.
"See? Yuya is fine, Gon-chan." Dennis separated the two before Gongenzaka suffocated Yuya. He turned to the latter with a smile. "Hello again, Yuya!"
"Yeah. I already heard everything from Dad and Yuzu. It's nice having you back, Dennis." Yuya returned Dennis' smile with his own, genuinely happy of having his friend back.
"Where is Yusho-sensei?" Dennis asked since Yuya mentioned his father.
"Along the way we got separated again because the walls and floors were all moving again." Yuzu answered.
"That's because the wole structure of Academia was changed by one of Academia's teachers, instructor Sanders." A female former Academia soldier explained from behind Dennis.
"Speaking of which…" Yuya looked behind Dennis and Gongenzaka, finally getting a good look of the people behind them who all were wearing Academia Duel Disks. And based from the three different colored pants they were wearing, Yuya could only conclude one thing.
"Are these guys also defecting from Academia?" Yuya asked for confirmation just in case.
"Yes! Not only them, Edo also defected from Academia!" Gongenzaka finally delivered the good news to Yuya.
"Edo did?!" Yuya exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course the credits all goes to Teacher and Yuya! Both of your Duelings reached his heart!" Dennis informed while patting Yuya's back.
"Our Dueling…reached Edo…?" Yuya uttered in slowly, still in shock but it soon turned into relieved and happiness. What Samejima said, and what he felt when he met Edo last time, they were right.
"Speaking about Edo, didn't he and Serena went to Yuya's cell?" Dennis just remembered. Since Yuya was here now, it would be pointless for Edo and Serena to go there because they will only find empty cell.
"We must send a message to them that Yuya is with us now!" Gongenzaka motioned a former Academia Duelist to give the message to Edo through his Duel Disk.
"But how? We can't call anyone no matter how we tried." Yuzu reminded.
"It's okay, Yuzu. Thanks to Edo's program, even though we still can't make a call, but we can still send a message." Dennis assured the pink haired girl. "That's why, let us borrow your Duel Disks. We'll add the program so you at least can send message to everyone."
While Dennis and a male former Academia student were adding the new program, Gongenzaka sent the message not only to Serena, but also all Lancers whose contact numbers are on his list to inform them that Yuya has been rescued. It only took a few minutes for the message to reach everyone's Duel Disks. The rest of the Lancers all felt relieved once they knew that Yuya was safe. This lessened many of their worries as one of their missions has been accomplished. Now, they can focus everything on their main goal infiltrating Academia, and all of them thought the same thing…
"Stop Leo Akaba!"
DUEL DOME – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
Tsukikage and Crow were running passed trees and bushes while keeping their guards up and carefully observed their surroundings for a mysterious unknown enemy lurking in the jungle. When they finally opened the door, they were surprised to find the sight of a green jungle as they entered the room, and then the door behind them automatically closed and locked itself. A voice of a man then announced a Survival Duel will begin as they have arrived. Just like they have to take one way path, they have no choice but to participate in this Survival Duel. Tsukikage initially offered to go ahead to scout the area, but since there were only the three of them, Crow suggested they stick together since they didn't know how many enemies are there to ambush them at any time.
Strangely, even after walking through the forest, there was no sight of enemy. They wondered if it was either the enemies got lost in the forest like they do. They thought that way until a loud scream was heard. They followed the voice, only to find two cards of boys in blue Academia uniform. Not long after, there was another scream, so Tsukikage and Crow without thinking decided to follow it while Kachidoki who caught a sight of an Academia Duelist, decided to follow him when he ran away to another direction.
Meanwhile, the Academia students who were watching were confused by the quick decreasing signal of their schoolmates when the Duel has just started. They initially thought that it was the Lancers' doing until another signal was lost on the map a few metres away from the Lancers' signals, which proved that there was someone else participating in the Duel.
"Could it be…the Battle Beast?" A male Academia student stated.
"You that Battle Beast? But isn't that just a rumour?" Another student said.
"But then how else this is happening? The map or signal are not broken or anything." A female student pointed out the facts.
"No way, so the Battle Beast really exist?"
While the students were murmuring amongst themselves, back to the Survival Duel, Tsukikage and Crow whow ere following the earlier scream found another Academia student turned into card and another student just attacked by a Monster belonged to a shadow figure who hid behind the trees and bushes before they could see him. The attacked student then activated a Trap Card that blow up their surroundings.
When the smoke was cleared, Tsukikage and Crow saw the student carded and a young, yet rather well-built man, even more muscular thatn Kachidoki. His hair was reddish brown and very long, as it passed his shoulders and reaches his back, while also sporting two bangs, both of which almost reach his abdominal. Due to him wearing very little clothing, his physique was especially pronounced, with his six-pack abdominal, wide chest and large shoulders. The only real clothes he was wearing are a pair of ragged trousers, which further emphasized the brutish theme of his design. He was wearing a very simplistic necklace with three black fangs, with the center fang being visibly the longest of them. He was also wearing black wristbands, and has a white armband on his right arm's biceps. On the left side of his upper body, he seems to have a black gladiatorial-like shoulder pauldron, with three orange disks. Cementing his barbarian motif even further, he was barefoot. From the Academia Duel Disk he ws wearing, Tsukikage and Crow quickly concluded he was also an Academia student.
The Academia students who finally saw the seemingly savage young man was very shocked and looked in worry.
"Hey, that's…Battle Beast…BB?"
"No way! Seriously?!"
Sanders gritted his teeth. "It's a shame that my elite 5 didn't exceed him, but killing the Lancers is top priority!" He thought with frustration.
Sanders turned to his students. "All of you look! This is the strongest Battle Beast that I have ever grown, known as BB!" He pointed at the Battle Beast, earning everyone's attention.
"Battle Beast?" Crow repeated in questioned.
"BB you said?" Tsukikage also repeated.
"As you students probably know from rumors, BB is very hostile. He cards anyone from friend to foe, thus was judged defective and was imprisoned. I was planning on molding you all into strongest Duelists! But the result was what? My chosen five were killed without much effort! You can follow them! If you don't want to be carded like the first five, watch this closely!" Sanders told his students, demanding them to learn from this Duel that about to take place.
"Yes, Sir!" All the students said in unison.
"You're the one responsible for carding the other students?" Crow questioned the man.
"If I am, so what?" The man said without a care, grinning menacingly.
"Aren't you guys comrades? So why did you carded them?!" Crow questioned angrily.
The man snorted at Crow's question. "Because they got in my way." He answered simply.
Tsukikage eyed the man warily. From the way he talks, moves, and Dueling, the young man was like a savage wild beast that stalking and then blindly preying his opponents, enemies and allies alike. He will be a tough opponent to deal with, one they must not underestimate.
{FIELD SPELL: CROSS OVER}
[DUEL!]
"I Summon Gladial Beast Laquer (ATK: 1800 / DEF: 400 / LV: 4) from my hand!" Battle Beast summoned a humanoid lion-like Monster wearing red armor with a red haired helmet and circle flames around its body in Attack Position.
"I Set 3 cards and end my Turn." Battle Beast concluded his Turn.
"My Turn! I Summon Black Feather – Calm the Shimmer (ATK: 600 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 4)!" Crow summoned a purple spirit bird-like Monster in Attack Position.
"Since I control a Black Feather Monster, I can Special Summon Black Feather – Gale the Hurricane (ATK: 1300 / DEF: 1400 / LV: 3)!" Crow summoned a humanoid bird with black fur body while its head was yellow-colored with green-colored wings-shaped hair, also in Attack Position.
"I Tune Calm the Shimmer with Gale the Hurricane! Spread your jet-black wings and storm forth in tandem with your roaring thunder! Slash apart the lightning! Synchro Summon! Cascade! Assault Black Feather - Raikiri the Sudden Shower (ATK: 2600 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7)!" Crow summoned his ace Monster.
"Battle! I attack Gladial Beast Laquer with Raikiri!" Crow quickly declared his Battle Phase, pointing at the Gladial Beast.
At that moment, Battle Beast opened one of his three Reverse Cards. "I activate Trap Card: Medallion of Gladial Beast! I can prevent destruction of a Gladial Beast Monster by Battle, but the damage I receive will be doubled!" Laquer endured Raikiri's slash and was not destroyed, but Battle Beast received doubled damage as the consequence.
BATTLE BEAST LP: 4000 = 2400
"I activate Laquer's Effect! When it battled, I can return it to the Deck and Special Summon a Gladial Beast Monster with different name from my Deck! I Special Summon Gladial Beast Secutor (ATK: 400 / DEF: 300 / LV: 3)!" Battle Beast summoned a green-colored reptile Monster clad in deep blue-colored armors in Defense Position.
"I Set 2 cards and end my Turn." Crow finished his Turn.
"My Turn! With Scale 1 Twilight Ninja – Jogen and Scale 10 Twilight Ninja – Kagen, I Set the Pendulum Scale! With this I can simultaneously summon Level 2 to 9 Monsters! Pendulum Summon! Appear!" Tsukikage summoned two Monsters: His ace Monster the four-armed ninja-like Monster carrying two saber katana and wearing blue cloak with another green cloak underneath, Twilight Ninja – Shingetsu (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 100 / LV: 4). Second is a ninja-like Monster clad in darkish brown armor with two green flags hanging on its back and green cloak while carrying a spear, Twilight Ninja Shogun – Getsuga (ATK: 2000 / DEF: 3000 / LV: 8).
"He summoned two Monsters at once?!" A student exclaimed in shock, so did the other students. "This is Pendulum Summon…the Lancers' power…?"
"As I control Ninja Monsters, I activate Continuous Magic Card: Illusion Ninjutsu – Hazy Shuriken! Whenever a card is added to my hand, I can send it to the Graveyard to inflict 300 damage to my opponent!" As Tsukikage activated the card, he jumped to a platform for an Action Card.
Battle Beast quickly jumped as well to block him, but then he was pushed down by a kick that he blocked with his arms. He looked at his attacker in surprise while Tsukikage and Crow smiled in relieved when they realized it was Kachidoki who has saved Tsukikage, allowing the ninja to grab the Action Card and sent it to the Graveyard. Shingetsu threw three purple colored shurikens at Battle Beast, inflicting 300 damage.
BATTLE BEAST LP: 2400 = 2100
Due to Kachidoki intruding into the Duel, per the rules of Action Duel, he received 2000 LP penalty.
{INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000 POINT}
KACHIDOKI LP: 4000 = 2000
"Thank you, Kachidoki-dono." Tsukikage gave his gratitude to the Martial Arts Duelist.
"Don't mention it." Kachidoki said after he did a somersault backwards to distance himself from Battle Beast who was glaring at him intensely for his interference.
"Where have you been, Kachidoki! You have us worried!" Crow asked while smiling in relief.
"I followed an Academia student I happened to notice. I thought I can get information from him, but nothing was really helpful so I knocked him out after defeating him." Kachidoki explained, keeping it short. "Never mind that, this guy is dangerous. Focus on him."
Tsukikage nodded in agreement. "Battle! I attack Gladial Beast Secutor with Shingetsu!" He declared Battle Phase. "I activate Jogen's Pendulum Effect! When a Ninja Monster I control is attacking, it can inflict piercing damage!"
Shingetsu slashed its sword at Secutor, but due to Medallion of Gladial Beast's Effect, Shingetsu's sword was blocked by invisible barrier that protected Secutor from destruction, however, thanks to Jogen's Effect, Shingetsu inflicted piercing damage to Battle Beast…or so he thought.
"Trap Card: Gladial Absorption!" Battle Beast opened his second Reverse Card. "When a Gladial Beast Monster that I control is attacked, I can gain LP equal to the damage I would receive!"
BATTLE BEAST LP: 2100 = 4300
"Tsk. So he has that kind of Trap Card." Crow clicked his tongue.
"Next, I attack Secutor with Getsuga!" Tsukikage declared the second attack. Like before, Getsuga's attack was blocked due to the Continuous Trap Card, but Battle Beast received double damage.
BATTLE BEAST LP: 4300 = 1100
"As Secutor Battled, I activate its Effect! I can Special Summon 2 Gladial Beast Monsters from my Deck except Secutor!" Battle Beast summoned Gladial Beast Augustus (ATK: 2600 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 8), a humanoid bird-like Monster clad in black and silver armors with huge tail and wings. His second Monster was Gladial Beast Murmillo (ATK: 800 / DEF: 400 / LV: 3), a blue-colored humanoid fish-like Monster. Both were in Attack Position.
"As Augustus was Special Summoned through a Gladial Beast Monster's Effect, I can Special Summon a Gladial Beast Monster from my hand in Defense Position, but it will be returned to the Deck at the End Phase." Battle Beast summoned another copy of Murmillo in Defense Position.
"As both copies of Murmillo were Special Summoned by Gladial Beast Monsters, I activate their Effects! I can destroy a face-up Monster on the Battlefield! I choose Getsuga and Raikiri!" Battle Beast pointed at Tsukikage and Crow's Monster.
"I activate Trap Card: Black Feather Cursed Guard! When an Effect of a Monster my opponent controls targeted 1 Black Feather Monster that I controls, I can negate that Effect towards Raikiri!" Crow equipped the Cursed Guard to Raikiri, preventing it from being destroyed, but since it only affected Raikiri, Getsuga was still destroyed.
"Sorry I can't save your Getsuga, Tsukikage." Crow apologized to the Ninja Duelist.
"There is no need for apology, Crow-dono. I'm the one who wasn't prepared enough." Tsukikage assured the Black Feather user while scolding himself.
But Battle Beast was just getting started. "Since I control Gladial Beast Monsters, I activate Continuous Trap Card: Pollice Verso! I can inflict 500 damage for each destroyed card to its controllers!" Battle Beast opened his last Reverse Card, sending shockwaves of the Effect damage at Tsukikage.
TSUKIKAGE LP: 4000 = 3500
"I end my Turn…" Tsukikage announced while wiping a dust on his face. "He's a formidable opponent, be careful, Kachidoki-dono."
"I know." Kachidoki nodded to Tsukikage before startng his Turn. "My Turn! When my opponent controls a Monster while I'm not, I can Special Summon Hayate the Earth Soaring Star (ATK: 2100 / DEF: 0 / LV: 5)!"
Kachidoki pointed at the Fish-Type Gladial Beast. "Battle! I attack Murmillo with Hayate!" He declared Battle Phase. Hayate thrust its weapon to Murmillo. Similarly as the other Gladial Beasts, due to Medallion of Gladial Beast's Effect, Hayate's weapon was blocked by an invisible wall that deflected it back.
"I activate Gladial Absorption's Effect! I can banish this card from Graveyard to negate Battle Damage and gain LP equal to the Battle Damage I would've received." Battle Beast increased his LP again.
BATTLE BEAST LP: 1100 = 3700
"I Set 1 card and end my Turn." Kachidoki finished his Turn.
"My Turn! I return Murmillo, Augustus, and Secutor to my Deck to perform Contact Fusion!" Battle Beast declared as he sent back all of his three Gladial Beast Monsters.
"Contact Fusion?! It's similar as Serena!" Kachidoki remarked in shock.
"Wandering souls of ancient gladiators! Combine your powers and rise up for your emperor! Fusion Summon! Come! Gladial beast Andabatae (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 2800 / LV: 8)!" Battle Beast summoned a Winged-Beast-Type Monster with green skin clad in blue winged armor, carrying a shield in its left hand and purple blade sword in its right hand.
"I activate Andabatae's Effect! I can Special Summon a Gladial Beast Monster from my Extra Deck, but it will be returned to Extra Deck when it battles. Ancient fighting spirit of the bird of prey! Entwine with the soul of the spirit of a gladiator and become a storied hero! Fusion Summon! Come! Gladial Beast Gaizares (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 6)!" Battle Beast summoned another Winged-Beast-Type Fusion Monster in Attack Position.
"When Gaizares is Special Summoned, I can activate its Effect which lets me destroy up to two cards on the Field! I destroy Shingetsu and Hayate!" Battle Beast targeted Tsukikage and Kachidoki's Monsters, removing them from their Field. This left the Lancers with only Raikiri. Also, due to Pollice Verso's Effect, Tsukikage and Kachidoki received 500 damage for each of their destroyed cards.
TSUKIKAGE LP: 3500 = 3000
KACHIDOKI LP: 2000 = 1500
"Since I have no Ninja Monster, Continuous Magic Card: Illusion Ninjutsu – Hazy Shuriken is destroyed." Tsukikage destroyed his Magic Card as he no longer has any Ninja Monster on his Field.
Due to Andabatae's Effect, Gaizares returned to the Deck. However, Battle Beast then revealed another Effect of his Fusion Monster. "When a Gladial Beast returned to the Deck, I activate Andabatae's Effect, increasing its ATK equal to the ATK of the returned Monster!" Battle Beast increased Andabatae's ATK to 3400.
Battle Beast pointed at Kachidoki. "You will pay for interfering last time! Battle! I attack you directly!" He directed Andabatae to attack Kachidoki who quickly ran for Action Card, something that Battle Beast won't allow.
Kachidoki tried to grab an Action Card, but Battle Beast once again blocked his path. Kachidoki jumped back a few good feet, and Battle Beast wasted no time in running after him, making an attempt to trample Kachidoki as he ran along. Kachidoki rolled to his right, just as the stomp came, and quickly rose up, sweeping low at him with his left leg as he did so. Kachidoki knocked Battle Beast to the ground, and Kachidoki followed up by sliding forward and kicking out in a low right roundhouse kick, catching him while he was on the ground. To finish, Kachidoki brought said same leg down in a kick, flipping forward and bringing his heel down on his chest, knocking the wind out of him. However, Battle Beast was quick to recover and blocked him once more as Andabatae was closing in. Fortunately for Kachidoki, Battle Beast was too preoccupied blocking Kachidoki that he neglected Tsukikage and Crow, giving either of them a chance to get an Action Card that was located elsewhere.
"Action Magic: Evasion! I negate the attack!" Crow activated an Action Card, negating Andabatae's attack at Kachidoki.
"You're okay, Kachidoki? That's a pretty sweet move!" Crow praised Kachidoki's martial artes skill.
"Thank you. But it's not easy." Kachidoki eyed the Battle Beast warily. This was the first time he face an opponent who was capable of countering and enduring his martial artes techniques head on. Other than his fellow Ryozanpaku students, his previous opponents always evaded his attacks and never fought back as they were not martial artists like him. Battle Beast was not a martial artist himself, but Academia's training must be the cause behind this. Kachidoki found this oddly familiar somehow.
"BB, you fool! Don't get distract so much!" Sanders scolded the Battle Beast, earning a groan of disdain from the said Duelist.
"Since Andabatae battled, I return it to Extra Deck to Special Summon two Gladial Beast Monsters from my Deck!" Battle Beast summoned Gladial Beast Bestrouli (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 800 / LV: 4) and Murmillo.
"I activate Bestrouli's Effect! When this card is Special Summoned by the Effect of a Gladial Beast, I can destroy Magic or Trap Card on the Field! I choose your Black Feather Cursed Guard!" Battle Beast destroyed Crow's Continuous Trap Card, stopping the Synchro user from using its Effect to prevent Raikiri's destruction and inflicts 500 damage to Crow.
CROW LP: 4000 = 3500
"I activate Murmillo's Effect! I can destroy 1 card my opponent controls! Of course, I choose your Raikiri!" Battle Beast finally succeeded in destroying the Synchro Monster, and with Pollise Verso's Effect, inflicts another 500 damage to Crow.
CROW LP: 4000 = 3000
"I return Bestrouli and Murmillo to Special Summon Gaizares!" Battle Beast summoned back Gaizares again. "I activate Gladial Absorption's Effect. When Battle Phase ended and I control a Fusion Gladial Beast Monster, I can banish this card from Graveyard to inflict damage to my opponent equal to its ATK!"
Battle Beast pointed at Kachidoki again who has the least LP. "Now you are finished!" He declared as shockwave was shot at Kachidoki.
"I won't let you!" Crow declared as he opened his other Reverse Card. "Trap Card: Black Feather Cost! When my opponent inflict Effect damage, I can direct that damage to myself and Special Summon a Black Feather Monster from my Graveyard!"
Crow changed the direction of the shot from Kachidoki to himself, receiving the 2400 damage in Kachidoki's place before he revived his ace Monster from his Graveyard. Crow kneeled from the pain of the shockwave as several bruises also formed on his bodies.
CROW LP: 3000 = 600
"Crow! Are you okay?!" Kachidoki asked out of concern. "Sorry, I didn't have the chance to pick an Action Card."
"Shouldn't you say 'thank you' instead of sorry?" Crow said with a soft laugh as he struggled to stand up. "You can pay me back by defeating this guy."
"I Set 1 card and end my Turn." Battle Beast finished his Turn.
Crow readied his hand for his Draw Phase, but before he could start, Sanders' loud voice interrupted them.
"What are you doing wasting your time like that, BB?!" Sanders shouted at the top of his lungs. Battle Beast was supposed to finish them in his Turn, but yet he still hasn't get the job done. Getting impatient, Sanders jumped into the Field, joining the Duel.
"You are my greatest masterpiece! The greatest Duelist Academia has to offer! If it has come to this, then I will personally instruct your Dueling!" Sanders said as he intruded the Duel.
{INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000 POINTS}
SANDERS LP: 4000 = 2000
"The Instructor himself is Dueling?!" An Academia student commented with shock and astonishment.
"My Turn! From my hand I activate Slave Fusion! With this I can Fusion Summon using a Gladial Beast Monster from my Extra Deck ignoring its Summoning conditions using Monsters in my hand or other side of the Field! I Fuse Slave Ape and Slave Tiger in my hand! Captive ape! invite your master to whip the fierce tiger! Fusion Summon! Appear! Gladial Beast Tamer Editor (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 3000 / LV: 8)!" Sanders summoned a humanoid reindeer-like Monster clad in maroon-colored armor while carrying a long whip as its weapon in Attack Position.
"I activate Tamer Editor's Effect! I can Special Summon a Gladial Beast Fusion Monster from any Extra Deck to its owner's Field ignoring its Summoning condition! I choose Andabatae!" Sanders summoned Battle Beast's Andabatae to his side of the Field in Attack Position.
"That Monster is back again?!" Crow was startled for once.
"And from BB's Deck! He can freely Summon Monsters from other Player's Deck, then?" Tsukikage exclaimed in disbelieve.
"Of course! Tamer Editor is the master of all beasts! No matter what beast it may be it can control them with the flick of its whip!" Sanders said with confidence. "Now, BB! I have returned your Monster under your control! Now you can fight freely! Show your ferocity and terror to the enemies that wait before you!"
Battle Beast flinched as Sanders gave his order, growling differently from before. Kachidoki noticed this, looking from BB to Sanders and then back to the younger man. The Battle Beast was acting differently.
"Now, let's get rid of this nuisance first!" Sanders pointed at Raikiri.
"I activate Tamer Editor's second Effect! When there are two or more Gladial Beast Monsters, I can destroy one Monster and deal its ATK as damage to its controller!" Sanders pointed at the Synchro Monster.
Following its master's order, Tamer Editor unleashed dozens of lashes at the Black Feather user. Kachidoki and Tsukikage tried to get an Action Card to help Crow, but they are blocked by Battle Beast and his Andabatae respectively.
"Get out of my way!" Kachidoki yelled at Battle Beast.
He actually didn't want to use his martial arts technique again in a Duel, but his comrade's life is at stake here. He lunged at the Battle Beast with his right arm, the range and speed of the attack impressive to him. But Battle Beast blocked it in time, and came at Kachidoki with his own right fist, a familiar assault that used to be known as a "shut down" move in Martial Artes world. It was known to be feared for its sheer speed and as a retaliatory strike. And Battle Beast did the job quite well with the technique, his fist crashing into Kachidoki's stomach, winding him completely.
"Good, BB! Keep blocking them! Don't let them help their comrade!" Sanders told Battle Beast.
Hearing Sanders ordering him around, Battle Beast flinched and narrowed his eyes in disdain, something that caught Kachidoki's attention. Tamer Editor intensified its lashes, trapping Crow in its attack until the Black Feather user's LP was depleted completely while Crow let out cries of pain.
CROW LP: 600 = 0
Not finished with just the attack, Tamer Editor tied Crow by his right arm with its whip and pulled it towards Sanders who held him on the ground with his foot, causing his rib bones to crack in the process from the weight. Tamer Editor's attack caused a number on Crow that he couldn't move. He has reached his limit. Crow looked at Kachidoki and Tsukikage who could do nothing but watching helplessly as Battle Beast and his Monsters kept blocking their way.
"Kachidoki, Tsukikage, I leave the rest to you guys. Beat these guys to pulp!" Crow told them before smiling sadly, accepting his defeat. His body then covered in purple light coming from Sanders' Duel Disk, leaving only Crow's card lying on the ground where he was pinned with Kachidoki and Tsukikage watching in horror.
"CROW-DONO!"
"CROW!"
Sanders picked the carded Crow, showing it to Battle Beast. "Look closely, BB! This is what happen if you lose this Duel!" He told him.
"Get your hands off that card." Kachidoki said in cold tone. "A hand of filthy Duelist like you who treat people like slaves will defile that card. Hand it over!"
Sanders snorted at Kachidoki's demand. "If you want this back then you have to defeat us! But that won't be happening because you'll follow him now!" He pointed at Kachidoki.
"I attack directly with Tamer Editor!" Sanders targeted Kachidoki. Tamer Editor unleashed a laser from the gem on its chest armor towards Kachidoki.
Kachidoki quickly jumped to his left side where an Action Card was located on the ground. Tsukikage was ready to back up Kachidoki if Battle Beast tried to get in his way again, but surprisingly, as opposed to what they have thought, the Battle Beast only stood still despite Sanders' order to stop the Martial Artes Duelist, thus, allowing Kachidoki to pick the Action Card and activated it before the attack hits.
"Action Magic: Evasion! I negate the attack!" Kachidoki evaded the laser.
"BB, why won't you follow my order?!" Sanders yelled angrily at Battle Beast. "This is why you couldn't become a proper soldier! On the battlefield, your superior's orders are absolute! Ignoring that and acting on your own will not only lessen your chances of winning but put your allies into danger! You all are to remember this as well! Listening to your superior's orders is absolute!" Sanders explained to Battle Beast and all his students. While the students took his words into their hearts, Battle Beast seemed disgusted by it.
"He dares to say that when his own orders got five of his students turned into cards? How shameless." Tsukikage said with bitter taste in his mouth as he glared at Sanders.
"I Set 1 card and end my Turn here." Sanders finished his Turn.
Tsukikage, who was standing on a platform, jumped down to Kachidoki's side.
"We shall retrieve Crow-dono's card from your hands! My Turn! With the Set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon!" Tsukikage summoned another copy of Shigetsu and Twilight Chunin – Nichirin (ATK: 2300 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 6), Japanese warrior-like Monster wearing its signature long red scarf with big body built.
"Battle! I attack Gladial Beast Andabatae with Nichirin!" Tsukikage proceeded with Battle Phase now that Battle Beast only has one Monster on his Field.
"Due to Medallion of Gladial Beast, Andabatae won't be destroyed!" Battle Beast reminded.
"But the damage you'll take will be doubled!" Tsukikage retorted.
BATTLE BEAST LP: 3700 = 1100
"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Gladial Beast Fort! When I take a damage in Battle involving a Gladial Beast I destroy every other card I control, and any currently active Gladial Beast Magic or Trap Cards Effects are negated, and are now treated as Gladial Beast Fort!" Battle Beast destroyed Pollice Verso. A huge fortress then emerged to the Field, complete with spiked walls and wolf-shaped statue.
"Once per Turn, Gladial Beast Fort can on either player's Turn can negate Battle Damage involving a Gladial Beast and negate its destruction! Also, any destruction from cards effects is negated!"
"Then there's nothing can be done!" Tsukikage frowned as it would be pointless to make his second attack using Shigetsu.
"To think he still has that kind of card…" Kachidoki stated in dismay.
"And next I can place a Gladial Beast in the Gladial Beast Fort that has been created by its Effect!" Battle Beast placed Augustus in the fort before running and then jumping onto the fort, looking at his opponents from above.
"Then by returning that card to my Deck at any time, I can deal 1000 damage to my opponent! How do you like it? This is my trump card! If you can break through it, then try!" Battle Beast dared the Lancers while starting to growl uncontrollably.
Kachidoki stilled as he kept seeing Battle Beast's wild behaviour. Kachidoki gasped softly and widened his eyes when he saw his own younger self superimposed with Battle Beast's form. The old feelings that he thought he had buried deep inside started to return. The feelings during early days in Ryozanpaku Duel School.
"He's…actually…" Kachidoki came to realization. Now he understood why Battle Beast and Sanders felt so familiar to him.
"I end my Turn." Tsukikage finished his Turn. "Kachidoki-dono, I hope you can do something in your Turn."
"I'll try…" Kachidoki replied to the Ninja Duelist, not giving any promises until he was sure.
"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Shooting Star! I can Special Summon a Star Monster from my Graveyard!" Kachidoki opened his face-down card to revive Hayate.
"And then from my hand, I activate Magic Card: Fusion! I Fuse Hayate the Earth Soaring Star and Kaiki the Sky Fusing Star! O stars racing through the heavens, soaring above the earth, now become one, and shine as the star of the eternal conqueror! Fusion Summon! Come! Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2200 / LV: 10)!" Kachidoki brought out his ace Monster.
"He did a Fusion Summon?!" An Academia student commented. "Furthermore a Monster with 3000 ATK! It's higher than Tamer Editor and Andabatae!"
Kachidoki stared at Sanders. "If I'm right, then first I need to defeat him so I can talk to BB directly." Kachidoki pointed at Sanders' Tamer Editor.
"Battle! I attack Tamer Editor with Idaten!" Kachidoki declared the Battle Phase. As he told, Idaten lunged towards Tamer Editor. While his ace Monster was attacking, Kachidoki picked an Action Card and activated it. "Action Magic: Illumination! I can negate an Effect of an active Magic or Trap until the end of this Turn! I negate Gladial Beast Fort's Effect!"
"With this Tamer Editor can be destroyed and Instructor will receive damage!"
"I activate Idaten's Effect! When this card battles an opponent Monster with lower or equal Level than it, that Monster's ATK will become 0!"
"Trap Card: Tamer's Timeslot! I can negate destruction of my Monster and the Battle Damage is halved!"
SANDERS LP: 2000 = 500
"As expected from Instructor. He won't lost that easily."
"I praise your Fusion Summoning for a sham, but it's still nothing against our, Academia's true Fusion Summoning!" Sanders said.
"I Set 2 cards, and end my Turn." Kachidoki finished his Turn.
"You end your Turn? Now, BB! Send Tsukikage and Isao Kachidoki to their graves!" Sanders ordered Battle Beast. However, instead of immediately doing as he was ordered, Battle Beast only kept growling in his place.
"What are you doing! That was an order! Ignoring my…no Professor's orders is unforgivable!" Sanders yelled again when Battle Beast still refused to move from his spot. Sanders gritted his teeth, growing impatient. "Why won't you fight!? Refusing to fight is the same as accepting defeat! Do you want to be turned into a card?!"
The moment those words left Sanders' mouth, something hit Battle Beast from inside him. Something seemed to break. He stopped growling and went silent while Sanders continued to yelling at him.
"Get them, BB! If you don't want to be turned into a card then eradicate them down to the last man!" Sanders ordered him again.
Finally, Battle Beast made his Draw Phase. "My Turn! When there are two or more Gladial Beast present, any Gladial Beast controller can activate Editor's Effect!" He announced, intending to use Editor's Effect.
Sanders smiled victorious. "Yes! That's it, BB! If you use that card's Effect to destroy Isao Kachidoki's Idaten, he will take 3000 damage and–"
"The card I will destroy is…Gladial Beast Tamer Editor!" Battle Beast pointed at the Tamer Editor itself.
"WHAT?!" Everyone said at the same time, all were shocked by Battle Beast's betrayal towards his own instructor.
"And you will be dealt with that 2500 points of damage!" Battle Beast said as Tamer Editor started to slash its whip.
"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND, BB?!" Sanders questioned as his own Monster was slashing its whip at both him and itself. It slashed so quick that it created whirlwind of green shockwave that destroying Tamer Editor and depleting all of Sanders' LP.
SANDERS LP: 2000 = 0
Sanders kneeled from his injuries he received from the self-destruct. His students were nearly renderred speechless by Battle Beast's betrayal. True to Sanders' words, Battle Beast will card anyone be it Lancers, five of their fellow students, and now even their instructor Sanders. However, a female Academia student with bobbed hair then spoke something that quickly changed the other students' minds.
"No. It's just like the Instructor said. Only the strong will remain alive on the battlefield!" She said.
"If this Duel is to teach us how unforgiving the battlefield is, then Instructor Sanders who has lost must be turned into card!" A male student with spiky hair added, agreeing with the girl.
Battle Beast let out a battle cry before he jumped at Sanders, pinning him to the ground and pointed his Duel Disk at him, preparing to card him.
"Stop it!" Kachidoki rushed in attempt to stop the Battle Beast from carding someone more than he already has.
Seeing Kachidoki coming, Battle Beast stood for a moment to deliver a kick at Kachidoki who easily blocked it with his arms. However, he didn't expect Battle Beast to twirl his body to deliver another kick with his other foot, causing Kachidoki to fall on his back. Battle Beast then turned his attention again to Sanders, pointing his Duel Disk again at his instructor.
"Wait! BB! This is now what you really want! You…you actually don't want to fight, aren't you?!" Kachidoki finally voiced the source of Battle Beast's savageness, surprising everybody.
Blindly competitive and savage, to the degree of coming off as feral, Battle Beast has no problem in defeating his own comrades and card them. His savagery is such that he is referred as being "Duel starved" and has shown violent tendencies like physically assaulting his opponents if needed. But Kachidoki knew well. In reality, Battle Beast actually didn't want to hurt anyone. What appears to be savageness is actually Battle Beast being frustrated and upset to have been dragged into Academia's war affair against his will. However, due to Sanders' lesson, the only way that Battle Beast know to protect himself is by defeating and carding his opponents. The lesson also caused Battle Beast to struggle dealing with the constant pressure and threat from Sanders was the one responsible of making him the way he is.
"I know. I understand. Because I also experienced something similar in Ryozanpaku." Kachidoki started to reveal his own backstory. "Ryozanpaku also taught us to think Dueling as a battle. We're separated from our family and are not allowed to leave until we become a Pro Duelist. Day after day we were trained so hard, I could only think that the only way to survive is by becoming stronger and keep winning even if it means severely harming my opponents."
"Don't think of Dueling as fun."
Even until now the principal's cold words still lingered on Kachidoki's mind. Ever since he was around 7 years old, Kachidoki grew up in Ryozanpaku Duel School. When he first arrived there, there was no walm greeting or welcoming whatsoever, all new students were gathered in a dojo where the teachers explained the rules and schedules of the training, mainly their martial arts training.
His first experience of his first few days at Ryozanpaku Duel School: Purgatory. It was a rough environment that would have easily casted him out if he ever showed weakness. He couldn't take the training well on his first few days. As the result, he was punished, oppressed, isolated and his training was more intense than the others. He wanted to cry out, but he couldn't or else he will be hit even more. Days after going through with those, his desperation and wish to be freed from those harsh treatments, pushed his will to live to the limit.
"I must win."
"If I don't win, I won't have a place to belong."
"If I can't win here…I'll die."
Those thoughts filled his mind ever since that day. To survive, he had to rely solely on his own skills, developing a tenacious fighting spirit in order to endure his hardships in the school. Wht he acquired to survive were absolute concentration to win and merciless fighting style. Ironically, his desire for freedom from his pain, was what chained him to the school's system, to their fight. That caused him to forget his own conscience and his own parents.
"You made that fortress to protect your heart!" Kachidoki pointed out Battle Beast's inner struggle.
"I see. His ferocity is similar to a cornered animal. That's why he became even more ferocious when the Academia Duelist blew away the jungle." Tsukikage finally realized Battle Beast's inner turmoil.
"That's right…" Battle Beast finally said. "Orders? I don't care about that! Don't drag me into this war you all started on your own! I'll turn you into a card and get out of here!"
"Don't–" Kachidoki attempted to stop him again until voices from Academia students who were watching objected his attempt.
"Stay out of this!"
"Our instructor must be carded!"
"Show us the survival for the fittest principles you have been teaching us with your own body!"
"We believe in you, Instructor!"
"May you leave this war with honor!"
"Glory on the Academia!"
Tsukikage stared at the students with disbelieve. "What do these people think a person's life is? This is Academia's teaching?"
"Very well. Do it!" Sanders finally said, surprising Battle Beast and the Lancers. "Even if it's from a surprise attack, the fact that I lost still remains. I have no regret if I can teach my students how unforgivable battlefield is!"
Sanders looked at Battle Beast straight in the eyes without any fear. "Let me tell you one more thing though. I had a plan for this mission. You are an animal hungered for battle who turns his own allies into cards! So in this SurvivaL Duel I would send my five elite students that I've trained, to give birth to greatest warrior! And doing that I would also fulfil the Professor's goal to eliminate the Lancers. You are the ultimate beast that I created! Card me and eradicate the Lancers!"
"You're still giving me order?!" Battle Beast questioned.
"This is an order from the Professor! If you don't eliminate the Lances you will not survive!" Sanders told him.
Battle Beast stiffened. "I…will not survive…?" He uttered in fear.
"Burn your fighting spirit and survive! Devour the strong and make their strength your own! Glory on the Academia!" Sanders told the unnerved Battle Beast. Even at the face of being carded, Sanders' conviction didn't waver.
"If I don't eliminate the Lancers I will not survive!" Battle Beast jumped back to his fortress. "I activate Gladial Beast Assault Fort's Effect! I return Gladial Beast Augustus to inflict 1000 damage to Isao Kachidoki!"
Yellow shockwave came out from the wolf statue's mouth, shooting at Kachidoki who quickly jumped on Idaten's hand who then threw him up to a platform where an Action Card was located. He picked it up and activated it before the attack could hit him.
"Action Magic: Acceleration! I reduce the Effect damage to 0!" Kachidoki evaded the shockwave and landed safely while Battle Beast went inside his fortress.
Kachidoki frowned seeing Battle Beast's state. "His experience is worse than mine. I know well that this is not something that can be settled with words."
He glanced at his face-down card. "I have to show him a Dueling that won't harm anyone…like Yuya did."
"As both Gladial Beast Forts has no card underneath them, I place a Gladial Beast Monster from my Deck to each of them." Battle Beast chose to place Laquer and Augustus underneath each other Forts before ending his Turn.
"My Turn!" Tsukikage drew a card and then faced Kachidoki. "Kachidoki-dono, forgive me if I am wrong, but I know that you are planning to free the Battle Beast from his shackles."
Kachidoki nodded at the ninja. "Yeah. I can't leave him alone. I understand his pain, that's why I'm going to save him. If not, I can't forgive myself." Kachidoki said with determined face.
"Allow me to assist you then." Tsukikage told Kachidoki before continuing his Turn.
"I Release Shigetsu and Nichirin to Advance Summon Twilight Ninja – Fujibayashi (ATK: 3500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7)!" Tsukikage summoned a ninja-like Monster wearing a green haori with white trimmings, and around its waist a brown sash with a fringed trail wrapped around its waist twice. It also wore light-brown platoon sandals with straps in the same colour as its kimono. Its long hair was gathered in a white bun holder, while two locks of its hair fell loose framing its face, bound with metal hair cuffs at the ends.
"I activate Fujibayashi's Effect! At the Turn this card is Special Summoned I can destroy cards my opponent controls equal to the total Ninja Monsters I have in my Graveyard!" Since there were 3 Ninja Monsters on his Graveyard, Tsukikage destroyed all of Battle Beast's cards. He thought now Battle Beast has nowhere to hide, but he was proven wrong by Battle Beast's next move.
"I activate Gladial Beast Fort's Effect! When it was destroyed, I can activate Gladial Beast Great Fortress from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard!" Battle Beast activated the card from his Deck, summoning an even bigger fortress with huge horse-shaped statue and walls completed with cannons, once again hiding inside it.
"Great Fortress allows me to place all Gladial Beasts Monsters in my Graveyard to underneath this card and negate the Effects of all face-up Monsters on the Field!" Battle Beast revealed its Effect, preventing Kachidoki and Tsukikage from using their Monsters' Effects.
"Then, Battle! I attack directly with Fujibayashi!" Tsukikage declared.
"I activate Great Fortress' Effect! I can Special Summon a Gladial Beast Monster that is underneath it but its ATK becomes 1000 equal to the number of monsters underneath Great Fortress times 1000. That monster will become the new attack target!" Battle Beast summoned Andabatae that now has the ATK of 4000. It was already too late for Tsukikage to get an Action Card as Fujibayashi's sword clashed with Andabatae's weapon.
"Fujibayashi's second Monster Effect! Once per Turn, it can negate destruction by Battle!" As Tsukikage declared, Fujibayashi was slashed by Andabatae, but was not destroyed, simply returning to Tsukikage's side while kneeling and holding where Andabatae slashed it.
TSUKIKAGE LP: 3000 = 2500
"At the end of the Battle Phase, Great Fortress places all Gladial Beast Monsters Special Summoned by its Effect underneath it." Battle Beast announced, returning Andabatae underneath Great Fortress.
"I activate Quick-Play Spell: Ash of Blessing! When I receive damage involving a Ninja Monster, I can Special Summon a Ninja Monster from my Graveyard at the End Phase." Tsukikage revived Getsuga in Attack Position.
"I Set 1 card and end my Turn." Tsukikage finished. "Kachidoki-dono, the rest is up to you now."
"Thank you. I will pull him out from that fortress." Kachidoki looked at the horse-shaped statue where Battle Beast was hiding himself.
"My Turn! With Scale 2 Saotome the Earth Falling Star and Scale 6 Yakumo the Earth Wave Star, I Set the Pendulum Scale! With this I can simultaneously summon Level 3 to 5 Monsters! Pendulum Summon! Come forth!" Kachidoki summoned Entermate Thunderhino (ATK: 200 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 3).
"Huh? That Monster is not a Star Monster like the others."
"That is Yuya-dono's card. Did Yuya-dono gave it to him?" Tsukikage wondered.
"The preparations are done. All that left is…" Kachidoki briefly glanced at his face-down card before facing the fortress again.
"Battle! I attack directly with Idaten!" Kachidoki attack with his ace Monster.
"I activate Great Fortress' Effect! I Special Summon Andabatae!" Battle Beast summoned his Fusion Monster.
"I activate Saotome's Pendulum Effect! During my Battle Phase when I control at least 2 Star Monsters I can negate destruction and the damage I receive is halved!" Thanks to Kachidoki's quick activation, Idaten was not destroyed and his damage was halved.
KACHIDOKI LP: 1500 = 1000
At this moment, Tsukikage opened his Reverse Card. "I activate Trap Card: Scroll of Summoning! During Battle Phase I can place one of my Ninja Monster to another player's Field and that player will gain LP equal to half of its ATK!" Tsukikage allowed Kachidoki to take control of Fujibayashi, increasing his LP by 1750 as Fujibayashi reappeared on Kachidoki's Field.
KACHIDOKI LP: 1000 = 2750
"I attack again with Hayate!" Kachidoki made his second attack.
"I activate Great Fortress' Effect! I Special Summon Augustus!" Battle Beast once again summoned Augustus to block Hayate's attack. However, like Idaten, due to Saotome's Pendulum Effect, Hayate was not destroyed and the damage was halved.
KACHIDOKI LP: 2750 = 652
"This should be more than enough." Kachidoki stated, confusing everyone.
"He's not going to attack again with Fujibayashi or Thunderhino?" Sanders wondered out loud, confused as even though Kachidoki still has two Monsters on his side, he hasn't start attacking nor ending his Battle Phase.
"No. Two Monsters belonging to BB on the Field are more than enough to activate this card." Kachidoki pointed at his face-down card.
"You purposely attack even though your Monsters have lower ATKs just to make BB summon his Monsters?" Sanders said with disbelieve, questioning why Kachidoki would take such a risk.
"Now it's time to activate this card." Kachidoki looked at a card in his hand that he picked. "Yuya, I'll use these cards you gave me like you did when you Dueled me!"
"I activate Trap Card: Acrobat Tower!" As Kachidoki Released Thunderhino, all Monsters on the Field and the ones in the Graveyard became orbs of colourful lights and a tall tower appeared from the ground. The orbs of lights became balls that landed on one another that seemed will fall at any time.
Battle Beast, who took a peek from inside the fortress when his Monsters didn't return, was shocked to see his Monsters has became part of the tower. Kachidoki then approached his fort, looking up at the horse statue where Battle Beast was hiding.
"Us, the three players, will draw 2 cards from our Deck and determining on what Monster cards are drawn. The tower will fall on either player and deal damage equal to 200 times the amount stacked up." Kachidoki explained the Effect of Acrobat Tower.
Battle Beast stuck his head out from the statue. "So the victor will be determined by a card draw?" He asked to confirm the Effect.
"Yes. No harm will be done, BB." Kachidoki gestured his hand to Battle Beast to come down. "It's time for you to be free from your shackles."
"Free…from my…shackles?" Battle Beast murmured. For some reason, when he heard those words and saw Kachidoki's assuring face, for the first time in years he felt there was a hope. Furthermore, when he looked at Kachidoki, he saw himself within him. Was it because Kachidoki was saying the truth when he said he experienced similar thing like he did?
While still unsure, Battle Beast jumped out from his hideout. He, Kachidoki, and Tsukikage were all ready to draw 2 Monster cards that will determine their fate. They drew 2 cards, sending the first card to their Graveyard.
"The first cards are…"
The three new Monsters standing on the towers were Kachidoki's Level 5 Tenma the Sky Rising Star, Tsukikage's Level 3 Twilight Ninja Kagemaru, and Battle Beast's Level 6 Gladial Beast Alexander. Since Battle Beast's Monster's Level was the highest, the tower started to leaning towards Battle Beast.
"Now, the second cards are…"
The three Duelists send their second drawn cards to the Graveyard. Three new Monsters standing on the towers were Kachidoki's Level 4 Nawaki the Earth Rising Star, Tsukikage's Level 2 Twilight Ninja Hiromaru, and Battle Beast's Level 4 Gladial Beast Darius.
They counted the total of the Levels of the Monsters that they drew. Kachidoki drew Level 5 and 4 Monsters, Tsukikage drew Level 3 and 2 Monsters, while Battle Beast drew Level 6 and 4. This means the results are Kachidoki's total Monsters' Level was 9, Tsukikage was 5, and Battle Beast was 10. With Battle Beast's Monsters' Levels being higher than both Kachidoki and Tsukikage, the tower started to fell to Battle Beast's side.
"Battle Beast has the highest total…that means…!" Sanders watched in immense shock as the tower started to wabble due to the weight of the Monsters.
"The total Monsters is 17!" A male Academia student noted.
"…so with 17 times 200 damage…it becomes 3400 damage!" Another male Academia student counted to total of the damage as the wabbling tower finally fell down.
The tower fell on Battle Beast, creating pink explosion with colorful decorations filling the Field.
BATTLE BEAST LP: 1100 = 0
"No way…they defeated the Battle Beast?!" All Academia students were gaping.
"I…lost…" Battle Beast uttered with fearful expression as Kachidoki was standing hovering him. However, he became confused when Kachidoki extended his hand to him.
"There is no shame in losing or making mistake. If you never experience what it means to lose and making mistake, there's nothing you can learn. It's because we've experienced those things that we can improve, becoming better." Kachidoki was reciting what Yuya told him after the latter defeated him for the second time. The words that had saved him from the darkness that had shackled him for years.
"Accepting lost and admitting your weaknesses doesn't make you weak. It's through accepting them we can become strong. Don't let other people's judgment to cloud your mind. Forge your own path. Your own Dueling." Kachidoki continued, smiling gently at Battle Beast.
"My own…Dueling?" Battle Beast stared hard at the hand extended to him. He had spent years in Academia being taught how cruel Dueling in battlefield was, so to him Dueling itself was cruel. But Kachidoki and Tsukikage showed different Duelings that had never been taught in Academia. When he lost, as Kachidoki said, there was no harm done. There were still many Dueling styles out there beyond what he knew.
"Stand up and let's get out of here together, BB. You don't need to listen to Academia anymore. You can make your own choice. You can do whatever you want from now on. You are free now."
Tears started to form in Battle Beast's eyes as he heard those words. 'You are free now'. Those were the words he had been wanting to hear for all these years. That was his greatest wish. He wanted to be a free man. He wanted to get out here. He didn't want to hurt anyone. He didn't want to fight anymore. The day has come his wish finally came true.
Battle Beast was about to accept Kachidoki's hand when an applause echoed throughout the dome. Everyone looked around but didn't see anyone clapping his hands either from the Academia students and definitely not from Kachidoki and the others who were on the Field.
"What a touching scene."
Someone emerged from behind the trees and bushes of the jungle while commenting what occurring between Kachidoki and Battle Beast. Kachidoki instantly took a battle stance once he recognized the person emerging from the forest. Those violet-colored eyes and playful smirk that promises pain.
"Yuri…!"
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:
Path of Madness - Yuri intrudes into the Survival Duel, carding many of his own including Battle Beast. Yuya and the others arrives, and seeing so many casualties, Dennis alone challenge his old friend to a Duel in hope able to recover Yuri's memories and old self. While the other Lancers are on their way to the Professor's chamber, the Doctor manage to separate the Yuzu, Serena, Rin, and Ruri from their respective group.
FANFIC ORIGINAL CARD MEMO:
GLADIAL ABSORPTION: When a Gladial Beast Monster that you control is attacked, you can gain LP equal to the damage you would've received. You can banish this card from Graveyard to negate battle damage and recover LP equal to the damage you would have received.
BLACK FEATHER COST: When your opponent inflict Effect damage to another player, you can direct that damage to yourself and Special Summon a Black Feather Monster from your Graveyard.
SHOOTING STAR: You can Special Summon a Star Monster from your Graveyard.
TAMER'S TIMESLOT: You can negate destruction of your Monster and the Battle Damage is halve.
TWILIGHT NINJA – FUJIBAYASHI: (WARRIOR / EARTH / ATK: 3500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7). At the Turn this card is Special Summoned you can destroy cards your opponent controls equal to the total Ninja Monsters you have in your Graveyard.
SAOTOME THE EARTH FALLING STAR: (WARRIOR / EARTH / ATK: 2200 / DEF: 900 / LV: 5 / PS: 2). Pendulum Effect: During your Battle Phase when you control at least 2 Star Monsters you can negate destruction and the damage you receive is halved.
YAKUMO THE EARTH WAVE STAR: (WARRIOR / EARTH / ATK: 600 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 3 / PS: 6)
SOME TCG/OCG/ANIME EFFECTS ARE CHANGED FOR THE SAKE OF CONVENIENCE.
Hello everyone. I'm still dizzy and has quite a fever, but with my partner's help we can finished this chapter. We are sorry if there's a lot or errors or mistakes even after double checking, we'll check again and fix it once I get better.
Sorry that the beginning of the Jungle Dome part was skipped with narratives. To be honest, we thought in the anime seeing the five Academia students participated but then carded in a flash was actually a waste of time, so that's why we decided to skip it and just go straight to the Duel. We are so not satisfied with how Crow being carded. They should've showed him Dueling more in detail instead of skipping it like that. The same also goes for Tsukikage who we decided not to card in this Duel because we want to keep him a while longer.
To Shadow : Your analysis in the previous review is not wrong, everything was right. Just add a little bit tsundere side of him that he only do to Yuzu and Yuya's other friends (Except Yusho).
Next chapter: Yuri vs. Dennis! There is another Duel but we'll keep it a secret for a surprise.
Please don't forget to review :D