Big thanks to Yuka Kuroshiro, Ryujomaru15, Vibora1996, AlissonJohns, StrikeDragoon, infinite neos, Big duels, Shadow, Citylover96, Playerhood18, Demon Lord Luciela, Leafeon12, dvdryms, thetiger39, ScalchopWarrior, aqua9597, J, lord yuri, The Biggest Yami x Yugi fan, Hakuryukou79, ThePsychopath96 for reviewing the previous chapter!
Hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter :D
DUEL DOME – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
Kachidoki was eyeing Yuri with wary eyes. This person was the one who defeated Yuya last time. A dangerous boy who has the eyes of the predators, a downright terrifying Duelist who sees the act of carding others as a simple game, even more in different level than the other Academia Duelists. However, Kachidoki noticed something different about him now. Yuri was still smiling so playfully as always, but the aura he was giving felt colder and more intimidating. It was like a predator stalking its prey from the darkness, observing them before making its assault.
Yuri noticed Kachidoki looking at him. "Aren't you the guy who was with Yuya? The one who managed to escape with Ruri and Yuto. And…"
Yuri held his shoulder. "…the one kicked me when we just arrived here…" Yuri narrowed his eyes at Kachidoki and his smirk widened. Based on that, Kachidoki thought that Yuri apparently was holding a grudge for his kick. Not surprising though.
"K-kill them!" Sanders told Yuri, finally gaining the youth's attention. "You have been ordered by the Professor to get rid of them, right? Then eliminate them along with the traitor Battle Beast!"
Yuri tilted his head. "Oh my, Instructor Sanders, isn't it? From the way you just sitting there and those bruises, you have lost against them aren't you?" Yuri placed his fingers under his chin with interest.
"I won't deny that. I am ready to accept punishment, but first you need to carry out the Professor's order first!" Sanders said while glaring hatefully at the Lancers and particularly at Battle Beast.
Instead of doing as Sanders has told him, Yuri approached the instructor, standing in front of him. "You are aware of what happens to the fate of the loser, right?" He suddenly asked.
"W-what?" Sanders looked at Yuri questioningly. But before he could ask, purple light covered his body, and he changed into a card, shocking everyone in the dome who was watching.
"What are you doing?! Do you know what you have done to the Instructor?!" A student objected Yuri's sudden unexpected action.
Yuri looked up to the students. "The ones who lost will be carded. That is the rule of this unforgivable battlefield, no? That is what your instructor taught you." He answered simply, reciting Sanders' own teaching while holding his card before turning his attention to Kachidoki and the others again.
"Now, for the traitor…" Yuri stared at Battle Beast who instantly was trembling in fear the moment Yuri's gaze landed on him.
Kachidoki and Tsukikage stepped in front of Battle Beast protectively, shielding him from Yuri. Kachidoki briefly glanced at Battle Beast and gave him a nod, wordlessly telling him he will keep his promise of getting out of Academia together and give him the life he deserves. Yuri would be a tough opponent, Kachidoki aware of this very well, but if they work together they may able to do something.
Kachidoki and Tsukikage's unflinching forms amused Yuri. An idea then popped out in his mind. "Since you are in the middle of a lesson, then why don't you all come down here and let's have a Duel?" Yuri gestured the students to join them on the Field.
"This will be a practical lesson for all of you."
Yuri licked his lips. This is going to be so much fun.
THE DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
"Doctor, I hope you won't fail me this time. This is your last chance." Leo told the scientist through the holographic screen in the Doctor's laboratory.
"Yes. This time I will deliver those girls to your side, Professor. You have my word." The Doctor said while bowing to the Professor before turning off the screen. He turned behind, facing the people who were standing there as they waited for him.
"Go to your position. I will lead those girls to each of you." He told them, motioning the Duelists to go their posts, which they did. The Doctor turned on four different holographic screen that showed Yuzu, Serena, Ruri, and Rin's positions. He grinned.
"The best way to separate them is by luring them with things important to them."
HALLWAY (YUYA'S GROUP) – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
Each of the Lancers' group were heading towards one place: The Professor's Chamber. They followed the map provided by Edo that distributed to the other Lancers by Gongenzaka a while ago through their Duel Disks. Everything looked well and smooth without any obstacles in their way until each girl noticed something that stopped them on their way…
"That's… Dad?!" Yuzu widened her eyes when she saw her father, who wasn't supposed to be here, being dragged by Obelisk Force with his hand cuffed at the other side of the hallway at the left. Without thinking, she quickly ran after them.
"Wait, Yuzu! Where are you going?!" Yuya called out to her as she went to another way when they were supposed to go straight as the map said.
"Dad is here! I saw him being dragged by Obelisk Force!" Yuzu didn't wait for Yuya's answer or bothering to look back, eyes focused on where her father was being taken.
"What?! But that's impossible!" Gongenzaka stated, not seeing any benefit for Academia to capture Shuzo since Yuzu was already in their domain.
"Wait, Yuzu! That maybe a trap!" Yuya told her, but Yuzu wasn't listening. And his fear was proven right, when he was about to chase after her, the floor between him and to where Yuzu was going went up, blocking their path.
"Damn! It is a trap! Where is she now?!" Yuya said as he punched the wall.
Gongenzaka tried to check on the map, but found there was only his, Yuya, ,Reira, and Tsukikage's signal visible on the screen. "Her signal on the map disappeared."
"No way! Yuzu!" Yuya could only shouted her name in vain.
HALLWAY (YUGO'S GROUP) – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
Yugo was repeatedly punching the wall that blocking his path without a care if his hands were injured in the process until Jack stopped him. They were on their way towards the Professor's Chamber when Rin said that she saw Yuya on another path and called out to him, but when he didn't respond, Rin rushed towards the path without thinking further. The moment she ran separating herself from her group, the ceiling fell down, blocking the path before Yugo, Jack, and Sawatari could chase after her. Sawatari tried to track her down, but her signal disappeared when he checked the map.
"Damn it! This must be one of Academia's trap!" Yugo said in frustration for letting his guard down.
"Calm down. Getting angry over this will lead us nowhere. Let's continue our way to the Professor's Chamber." Jack suggested to Yugo.
"But what if something happen to Rin?!" Yugo protested at Jack, greatly worrying for his childhood friend.
"Rin is part of the Professor's plan, he won't harm her. Also, if we go to the Professor's Chamber, he'll surely know where Rin is since his goal is to capture her for his plan." Jack calmly explained to Yugo.
"He is right, Yugo. If we find the Professor, we'll find Rin too. Let's go." Sawatari agreed with Jack's plan. Yugo didn't have any better plan, so he conceded to the idea, praying that his most precious person is safe.
"Rin…"
HALLWAY (YUSHO'S GROUP) – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
"It's no use. No matter what I do, her signal won't come out." Reiji said while checking for Ruri's signal on his Duel Disk to no avail.
"Informed the others about this. I have a feeling the same thing may have happened to them as well." Yusho told Reiji as he looked at the wall that separated them from Ruri who took the path beyond the wall after she said she saw her brother.
"Yes. I'm getting to that…" Reiji sent messages to the rest of their comrades of their predicament. He hoped the same thing didn't happen to Yuzu, Rin, and Serena.
"Yusho Sakaki! Reiji Akaba!"
Yusho and Reiji turned when they heard their names being called. They were surprised when they saw Edo rushing towards them. But what concerned them was that he was alone even though he was supposed to be with Serena based from Gongenzaka's message.
"Edo!" Yusho exclaimed.
"Where is Serena? I thought you're with her." Reiji asked, though he has the feeling what Edo's answer will be.
"Serena said she saw Yuri and abruptly ran towards a different path. When I tried to chase her, the path was blocked and her signal was gone. I have no choice but to continue forward." Edo explained, which was the exact same thing that happened to them.
"As I thought. That means the same thing also happened to Yuzu and Rin." Yusho covered his face in exasperation.
"The same thing? Then…!"
"Ruri went this way before it was blocked by this wall." Reiji explained, pointing at the wall.
Edo covered his face in dismay. "What they saw are most likely Real Solid Vision projection…" He deduced.
"Luring them using the projection of their family, ally, acquaintance… A perfect scheme indeed…" Reiji commented with a tinge of bitterness.
"Let us continue. The quicker we get to Leo, the quicker we will end this war." Yusho told Reiji and Edo, both boys nodded in agreement.
PASSAGE – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
After she saw a glimpse of her brother, Ruri didn't think much and follow to where she saw her brother go. She was too late to realize when the path behind her was blocked. But nevertheless, she continued to follow the path with little hope that it was really her brother that she saw a while ago.
Unfortunately, she was proven to be wrong when she came face-to-face with a young woman clad in ancient Roman woollen palla, over a stolla with head ornament around her head, and not forgetting Academia Duel Disk on her left wrist.
"Foolish girl. Getting lured so easily by this Solid Vision projection." The woman said as she briefly showed the projection of Shun.
"So this is really a trap…" Ruri said in dismay. She should have known better.
"The Professor is waiting for you. We can do this the easy way or the hard way." The woman offered two choices to Ruri.
"The answer is already obvious, do you not think so?" Ruri replied as she activated her Duel Disk.
"The hard way it is then. I am Diana. I was the one who was supposed to guard the Western Tower where you were held captive." Diana introduced herself. "But that day when you escaped, I must left my post because I was called. If I were there, you wouldn't have escaped!"
"I don't think so. Even if you were there, Yuya and Yuto would defeat you!" Ruri said before activating the Action Field.
{FIELD SPELL: CROSS OVER}
[DUEL!]
"I'll go first! I activate Magic Card: Fusion! I Fuse Guardian Baou and Warrior Lady of the Moon! When the shining moonlight hits the Flamberge, the two warriors become one! Fusion Summon! Descend! Moon Protector (ATK: 2100 / DEF: 2400 / LV: 7)!" Diana summoned her ace Monster.
"I activate Moon Protector's Effect! I can Special Summon a Protector Shield's Token (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0). While I control this Token, Moon Protector cannot be attacked." Diana summoned Protector Shield's Token in Defense Position.
"I Set 1 card and end my Turn." Diana concluded.
"My Turn! With Scale 0 Lyrical Luscinia – Anyolite Dove and Scale 8 Lyrical Luscinia – Garnet Gull, I Set the Pendulum Scale! With this I can simultaneously Summon Level 1 to 7 Monster! Pendulum Summon! Flock to me!" Ruri summoned two copies of Lyrical Luscinia – Cobalt Sparrow (ATK: 0 / DEF: 100 / LV: 1) and one copy of Lyrical Luscinia – Sapphire Swallow (ATK: 100 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1)
"I Overlay all my three Monsters! Birds with beautiful wings! Gather on the battlefield and take brilliant flight! Xyz Summon! Dance in the sky! Xyz Summon! Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia – Recite Starling (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / RNK: 1 / ORU: 3)!" Ruri summoned a humanoid bird-like Monster that resembled Assembly Nightingale but with lavender skin and outfit of a black Starling bird with glittering stars patterns on its black wings.
"Recite Starling gains 300 ATK and DEF for each Overlay Unit it has!" Ruri increased Recite Starling's ATK and DEF to 900.
"I activate Anyolite Dove's Pendulum Effect! I can increase the ATK of all Lyrical Luscinia Xyz Monster I control by 1000!" Ruri increased Recite Starling's ATK to 1900.
"I'm sorry but that won't be possible." Diana opened her face-down card. "Trap Card: Protector Adoration! I can Special Summon two Protector's Shield Tokens and negate the Effects of Monster Special Summoned from Extra Deck and allow it to attack all Protector's Shield Token once each."
With its Effect negated, Recite Starling's ATK was reduced to 1000, weakening it. Seeing this, Ruri jumped for an Action Card and activated it.
"Action Magic: Bi-Attack! I double Recite Starling's ATK!" Ruri increased Recite Starling's ATK to 2000.
"You're letting me attack your tokens…" Ruri said in confusion. There must be something behind this.
"If your Monster doesn't attack the tokens during this Turn's Battle Phase, then it will be destroyed at the End Phase." Diana revealed. "Now what will you do?! Attack the tokens or not attacking and lose your Monster?"
"Battle! I attack Shield Tokens with Recite Starling!" Ruri chose to attack, destroying the first token. Diana smiled, she was waiting for that.
"I activate Moon Protector's Effect! The ATK of the Monster that destroyed Shield Token is lowered by 800 and my LP is recovered by 800." Diana decreased Recite Starling's ATK to 1200 and increased her own LP.
DIANA LP: 4000 = 4800
Diana snickered. "The more of my tokens you destroy, the weaker your Monster gets and my LP is healed. Will you still continue?"
"I have no intention to lose my Monster without a fight! Battle! I attack the second Shield Token!" Ruri proceeded with her Battle Phase.
Recite Starling swung its wings, unleashing strong gust of wind adorned with stars, destroying the second token at the cost of Recite Starling's ATK reduced to 400 and Diana's LP was increased. As Ruri declared her third attack, she jumped for an Action Card again.
DIANA LP: 4800 = 5600
"Action Magic: Extreme Sword! I increase Recite Starling's ATK by 1000!" Ruri increased Recite Starling's ATK to 1400 as it was attacking, the last token, destroying it, decreasing Recite Starling's ATK once again to and increased Diana's LP.
DIANA LP: 5600 = 6400
"You increased my LP to keep your Monster? But it's ATK is merely 600. Was there even a reason to keep it? Even if you use Action Card, it won't be enough to defeat me considering my LP." Diana told Ruri in condescending way.
Ruri paid no heed to Diana's taunting and remained undeterred. She looked straight, her determination didn't falter even one bit.
"There is always a way out!" Ruri replied to Diana, confusing the woman.
"With this all of your Shield Tokens have been destroyed! Recite Starling's Effect is no longer negated!" As Recite Starling regained its Effect, it's ATK is increased again following its own Effect, making its current ATK 1900.
"Battle! I attack Moon Protector with Recite Starling!" As Ruri declared, she jumped to the platforms.
"What a stubborn little girl. Even if you manage to raise your Monster's ATK and destroy Moon Protector, my LP is still far higher." Diana told Ruri who just picked an Action Card.
"Action Magic: Flame Power! I increase Recite Starling's ATK by 400!" Ruri increased Recite Starling's ATK to 2300, overpowering Moon Protector. The powered up Recite Starling unleashed winds covered in flames, burning the Fusion Monster to ashes.
DIANA LP: 6400 = 6200
"As I said, it's pointless. In my next Turn, you'll be finished." Diana stated.
"My Turn is not over yet!" Ruri raised her hand at Garnet Gull in the Pendulum Zone. "I activate Garnet Gull's Effect! Once per Turn I can Special Summon an Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters in my Graveyard as Materials!"
"What?! An Xyz Summon using Monsters in Graveyard as your Materials?!" Diana exclaimed in disbelieve.
"Birds with beautiful wings! Gather on the battlefield and take brilliant flight! Xyz Summon! Dance in the sky! Xyz Summon! Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia – Assembly Nightingale (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / RNK: 1 / ORU: 3)!" Ruri summoned her ace Monster.
"Assembly Nightingale's ATK is increased by 100 for each Overlay Unit attached to it!" Ruri increased Assembly Nightingale's ATK to 300. But she wasn't done yet.
"I activate Anyolite Dove's Pendulum Effect! I can increase the ATK of all Lyrical Luscinia Xyz Monster that I control!" Ruri increased Assembly Nightingale's ATK again to 1300.
"Assembly Nightingale can attack directly as many times as the Overlay Units attached to it! There are three Overlay Units, so it can attack three times!" Ruri declared the first attack.
"Three consecutive attacks?!" Diana was shocked.
Assembly Nightingale swung its wings, sending gusts of winds that caused Diana to step back as she received the damage, which continued the same for the next two attacks.
DIANA LP: 6200 = 4900
"The second!" Ruri declared the second attack.
DIANA LP: 4900 = 3600
"The third!" Ruri declared the final attack of Assembly Nightingale.
DIANA LP: 3600 = 2300
Diana clicked her tongue from the damage she took, but then smiled again. "I praise that you manage to catch up to me this much. But my LP still remains. In the end your efforts are for nothing–"
"Not yet!" Ruri exclaimed as she picked another card. Looking at the Action Card, she smiled. Her prayer has been heard. "Action Magic: Wonder Chance! A Monster that I control can attack one more time! I choose Recite Starling!"
Diana's legs lost its strength, her body trembling as she sat on the floor while looking helplessly at Recite Starling spreading its wings at her, ready to deliver the finishing blow.
"N-no! Stop!" Diana pleaded.
"For the sake of my hometown, family, and friends…I will not falter! I attack directly with Recite Starling!" Ruri declared her last attack. Recite Starling swung its wings, sending gust of winds adorned by sparkling stars at Diana, depleting the Academia Duelist's LP.
DIANA LP: 2300 = 0
Diana collapsed from the attack. Ruri sighed in relieved as the Duel was over. She wondered if she overdid it against Diana on that last attack though. She quickly dismissed this thought. She has no time to think about that. She proceeded on her way to the Professor's Chamber, knowing everyone are going there so she will meet with them again soon enough. She left the unconscious Diana, unaware of a shadow figure that had been watching her Duel the entire time from behind the wall.
DUEL DOME – ACADEMIA – FUSION DIMENSION
Kachidoki and Tsukikage fell on their back with bruises and gashes on their bodies as their LP were reduced to nothing. Most of their bodies felt numb, barely moving their fingers. Their visions were quite blurry, but they could still see the scene in front of them. Yuri was standing amongst dozens of scattered cards that contained all of Sanders' students. But Kachidoki and Tsukikage instead saw Yuri like he was standing on a pile of bodies. There was no remorse nor regret, there was only pure joy and delight on Yuri's face like a child who just cleared the highest level of game.
"Geez…all of you are all bark and no bite, huh?" Yuri sighed while looking down at the carded students. "All of you were talking all high and mighty. So since you guys shooting your mouths off, I thought you maybe actually strong. But that was quite a disappointment…"
Kachidoki and Tsukikage have lost their energies to talk. Yuri was too much. This was the first time they met and fought a Duelist who firghtened them to the core. Saying Yuri was in a whole different level was too light of a word to describe what they felt regarding Yuri. The way he was playing their minds, misleading them and then enjoying to see their struggling in futile was like a child playing his food. No, they didn't have the word to describe how frightening Yuri is. If they have to choose words that were available, that would be… The Devil. Yuri was like the Devil.
"It's your turn…Isao Kachidoki. You still owe me the kick you give me." Yuri's eyes slited as he told the Martial Artes Duelist.
Yuri raised his Duel Disk and his finger moved to press the button that will card the Martial Artes Duelist. Kachidoki couldn't stand to escape. His body refused to listen to him. It was then he felt his arm being pulled from behind. When Kachidoki realized it, Battle Beast was already in front of him as he once again landed on his back behind him. Kachidoki has a hard time processing what happened until Battle Beast's body was covered in the purple light that was meant to him. The last thing Kachidoki saw was BB's relieved smile before the only thing left was BB's card.
"BB!" Kachidoki cried out.
Kachidoki wanted to reach out Battle Beast's card, even if that was the last thing for him to do. He didn't care about the pain in his body or other things anymore. He had made a promise to free Battle Beast and he meant every word of it. He must retrieve Battle Beast's card and then find Yuya to change him back. That didn't seem to be possible, however, as Yuri proceeded with his original plan to card him now that Battle Beast was not there to get in his way and Tsukikage injured…or so he thought as there was another interruption that saved him again.
"Stop it, Yuri!"
Dennis came between Yuri and Kachidoki, followed by Yuya, Gongenzaka, Reira, and the former Academia students behind him who were quickly tending to their two injured comrades. Dennis, on the other hand, was staring at Yuri in disbelieve. It wasn't difficult to figure out what happened here. Everyone could tell by looking. The scattered cards of Academia students, the injured Kachidoki and Tsukikage, and finally Yuri who was standing without a scratch with that playful smile of his, it only meant one thing. Dennis and the others went pale once understanding what have happened.
"Yuri, why are you doing this?" Dennis asked. Putting aside the Yuri he knew when they were children, he didn't recall Yuri ever did something so unreasonable like this. True, he had said many times he will get rid of anyone who got in his way, be it enemy or ally, but this was going too far.
"I don't see what I did is wrong." Yuri tilted his head, didn't seem slightest bit concerned of his action. "I mean, those soldiers were incredibly weak. If that sort were to go to battle, they'd die in the blink of an eye."
Yuri picked one of the scattered cards. "So, even if they died now there wouldn't be any problem." He showed it to the Lancers with apathetic smile.
"No matter how many of that kind there are, without cutting the hide of even a single enemy, without even being able to act as a shield for the Professor, they would die instantly." Yuri threw away the card he just picked up again so carelessly as he looked at them.
He spread his arms wide to emphasize his point. "This is the kind of war we are starting isn't it? Whether weaklings live now or die now, it's all the same."
No one spoke a word. They have listened to what Yuri said, processing every word, and all of them thought and felt the same about the violet haired boy: He has lost it. He is a madman who only fight for his own amusement.
"Now you understand?" Yuya heard his inner-self speaking to him in his mind. "He is beyond saving. Having memories or not won't change him. He is already too corrupted."
"But that's…" Yuya said uneasily while glancing at Dennis with worry. Dennis has told him that he had recovered his missing memories of Serena and Yuri during their childhood when Yuya mentioned his conversation with Samejima. Dennis said he wanted to try to bring back Yuri's memories. But seeing Yuri now…
"Yuri…" Dennis took a step forward and then activated his Duel Disk. "Duel me!"
"Dennis?!" Yuya exclaimed as he approched him, whispering quietly into his ear. "Y-you're still going to try?!"
Dennis nodded without looking at Yuya. "Yeah. You all think it would be impossible. But even so, I still want to try… No matter how little the chances are, I want to believe…" Dennis looked at Yuri and the image of the latter's younger self overlapped with his present self. Call him stupid or whatever, Dennis wanted to believe that his childhood friend was still in there.
"Please. At least let me try, Yuya. You go on ahead with the others." Dennis pleaded. Seeing sincerity and hope in Dennis' eyes, Yuya couldn't say no despite the odds.
"I understand. All of you stay here in case the worst happened." Yuya told the former Academia students who complied.
"The rest of us will go to the Professor's chamber." Yuya told Yuzu and the rest.
"I'm coming too…" Tsukikage slowly stood, helped by two former Academia students. "I'll be fine in a few minutes. Even if I stayed I can't be much of a help."
"I'm staying behind." Kachidoki said, glaring at Yuri. "I can't leave until I retrieve Crow and Battle Beast's cards."
"Even Crow is carded?!" Yuya exclaimed in horror.
"Yeah. When we Dueled Battle Beast and Sanders. Anyway, you can go ahead, Yuya. We'll catch up to you once Dennis defeat this guy." Kachidoki told Yuya.
"Excuse me, you talk as if I'm not here. You have experienced with your own body how strong I am." Yuri reminded his clearly formidable skill, much to Kachidoki's frustration. Yuri then turned to Yuya. "Besides, I prefer to have a rematch with you, Yuya."
"A rematch with…me?" Yuya felt uncomfortable. His Duel with Yuri before was a Duel he don't want to experience ever again. It was the most terrible Duel he ever had. Not because he lost, but darkness lurking inside him and Yuri's own sadistic Dueling were downright terrifying. He thought he would die for real back then.
"Yes! All of the people I have carded talked big but they were no big deal. But you are different. I have never enjoyed so much in Duel. When Dueling you I felt amazing power filled my entire body! My hunger and thirst for destruction had never been so strong like that. I've been looking forward to Duel you again…!" Yuri's face became ecstatic expression on his face and regarded Yuya with savage glint eyes.
Yuya shuddered under Yuri's eyes. His body was trembling and sweats formed on his face without him realizing. He realized he has got into Yuri's good side, which was not as good as it sounds. As Yuya was having these thoughts in his head, his dark-self grew hostile as seconds passed. Even though they were not in their mindscape together at the moment, Yuya could see his dark-self glaring at Yuri so hatefully and his hands were more than eager to strangle their violet-haired look-alike. Killing intent came out from Yuya despite his attempt to suppress it.
"That's it. I'm gonna kill him." Yuya' dark-self tried to make his way out to take control of the situation.
"C-calm down! I understand and appreciate you are concern about me. Really! But now is not the right time!" Yuya tried his best to calm down his dark-self. He has a bad feeling if his dark-self and Yuri clash. But mainly he wanted to give Dennis the chance.
"Hahaha! Come on now, Yuri! Look, you're scaring Yuya-kun here." Dennis changed to his Entertainer persona, smiling cheerfully while patting Yuya's back. "Sorry to say but Yuya has another show to attend. He is a popular entertainer you know. If you want to have a show with him, then get in the line."
"So you're going to entertain me first, Dennis?" Yuri raised his brow with interest. "You really think you can entertain me with this show of yours?"
"Of course! I will introduce you to the world of entertainment that will surprise you!" Dennis declared in his flashy style.
"Go, Yuya! I promise I will catch up to you with everyone." Dennis winked at Yuya. However, despite the cheerful act that Dennis was showing, Yuya knew the Xyz-Fusion user was actually struggling on the inside. Wanting to help a close friend, however, Yuya understood.
"You're still going to believe that?! He is a psychopath if you ask me. Nothing will get through him." Yuya's dark-self told him.
"I don't think Dennis will listen even if I tell him. Let's try to believe in Dennis!" Yuya inwardly shouted at his dark-self and ended the argument with that.
"Let's leave this to Dennis everyone." Yuya told Gongenzaka and the rest who were still not sure that leaving Dennis to Duel by himself would be a good idea, but since Dennis won't back down and they must reach the Professor as quickly as possible, they have little choice.
"Be safe, Dennis." Yuya told his fellow Entertainment Duelist before departing, leaving Dennis, Kachidoki, and three former Academia students in the Dome with Yuri.
"Aaaah they get away." Yuri said in feigned pouting manner that quickly changed to his usual smirk. "No matter. I just need to beat all of you and chase after them."
"Don't be too full of yourself, Yuri. Overconfidence is what usually lead to demise." Dennis replied.
[DUEL!]
"I'll go first. I activate Continuous Magic Card: Predator Planter. Through its Effect, I can Special Summon Level 4 or lower Predator Plants Monster from my hand with its Effect negated." Yuri summoned Moray Nephentes in Attack Position (ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4).
"And then from my hand I Summon Predator Plants Squid Drosera (ATK: 800 / DEF: 400 / LV: 2)." Yuri summoned Squid Drosera in Attack Position.
"I Set 1 card and end my Turn." Yuri concluded, confusing Dennis.
"Two Monsters with low ATKs… Yuri's Monsters mostly have good Effects to compensate for their low ATKs and DEFs, not to mention that Reverse Card. It has to be a Trap." Dennis analyzed Yuri's cards on the Field, carefully making his next move.
"No pain, no gain." Dennis muttered. "My Turn! From my hand, I Summon Entermage String Figure (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1)!"
"And then I activate String Figure's other Effect! I can use this card to Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster with Monsters on my Field or hand as Materials! I Fuse String Figure and Damage Juggler in my hand!" Dennis placed his Monsters into the Fusion Vortex as he began his chant.
"Acrobat that freely manipulates even the pain! Merge with the infinitely form-changing strings that connect people, and become a new witch that spurs the sky! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 7! Entermage Trapeze Force Witch (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 7)!" Dennis summoned his Fusion Monster.
The sight of the Magician Fusion Monster brought a headache to Yuri. He winced as this time Yuri saw the image of younger Dennis with Force Witch by his side overlapped with his present self in front of him now. He started to hear voices. He held his head as images flashes in his mind and started to play like a video.
"How is it?! This is my ace Monster! Pretty, right?" YoungerDennis bragged to Yuri and Serena.
"Don't you think it's too girly for you?" Serena commented.
"You're a boy, so found yourself a more masculine Magician." Yuri told Dennis.
"That's rude! And isn't that a discrimination against woman?! You'll hurt Force Witch's feeling!" Dennis said as he gently rubbing Force Witch's hand in comfort.
"Nope. It doesn't seem to be mind at all." Yuri said, pointing out how wide and bright Force Witch's smile as usual like nothing happened.
"Force Witch, you should be angry! At least pretend to be!" Dennis pouted.
"That Monster…used to be your…ace Monster." Yuri slowly said as he looked at Force Witch. Yuri then blinked, his hand covering his mouth after what he said. What he said brought question to his own mind.
Dennis blinked. "Used to be…?" Dennis repeated the same question in Yuri's mind. Hope started to grow within him. "You…you remember?"
Yuri raised his brow in confusion. "Remember? About what?" He asked the Entertainment Duelist.
"The Professor erased Serena, mine, your memories when we were little. Me and Serena already recovered ours before we came here. You should've at least remember bit by bit. The times we spent together when we were children." Dennis explained, hoping to jog Yuri's memories.
"Huh? What are you talk–" Various scenes started to swarm inside Yuri's head like a video. He held his head, starting to feel dizzy as Serena and Dennis' face when they were children appeared more.
"Ugh…" Yuri shook his head, forcing himself to focus back on the Duel while holding back all these so-called erased memories. "Start your Turn, Dennis. The Duel is still not over yet."
"As I thought, this is still not enough…" Dennis murmured with a frown. But judging from Yuri's reaction, he started to remember. His memories were coming back. Dennis found hope from that. He will give more push.
"That's right! You said Force Witch is too girly for me. But this girly Monster is not as it look like! Now, you'll taste her real power!" Dennis said while pointing at Yuri.
"Battle! I attack Moray Nephentes with Force Witch!" Dennis declared Battle Phase, motioning Force Witch to hold onto its trapeze, swinging in the air.
"I activate Force Witch's Effect! When it battles an opponent's Monster, I can lower that Monster's ATK by 600!" Dennis lowered Moray Nephentes' ATK to 1000 as Force Witch attacked the carnivorous plant with its star-shaped lights. Force Witch then let go of its trapeze, lunging at the Predator Plants Monster and delivered a strong kick, destroying it.
YURI LP: 4000 = 2600
"I've expected that from you." Yuri opened his Reverse Card. "Trap Card: Predator Flower! I can Special Summon a Predator Plants Monster from my Graveyard and inflict damage equal to its ATK!" Yuri summoned back Moray Nephentes from the Graveyard and it unleashed a spore at Dennis.
DENNIS LP: 4000 = 2600
"If this is the best your Monster can do, I'm disappointed." Yuri told Dennis.
"Of course not! I still have other trick under my sleeve!" I activate Quick-Play Spell: Trapeze Duo! I can make an Entermage Monster that I control to attack one more time and I draw two cards!" Dennis drew two cards from his Deck and then made a second attack towards Skid Drosera, activating its Effect again to lower Skid Drosera's ATK.
"That is still not enough!" Yuri exclaimed. "I banish Predator Flower from my Graveyard to reduce Battle Damage to 0!" As Yuri banished his Trap Card, Force Witch's kick at Yuri was blocked by invisible force that deflected the Fusion Monster back to Dennis' Field.
"At this moment, Squid Drosera's Effect is activated! I can attach a Predator Counter on all Special Summoned Monster my opponent controls!" As Yuri declared, a Predator Counter appeared from Squid Drosera's remain and lunged at Force Witch.
"Sorry but you can't Yuri! As long as Force Witch is on the Field, Entermage Monsters cannot be targeted by card Effects!" As Dennis announced, Force Witch easily crushed the Predator Counter before it can attach itself to it.
"I Set 1 card and end my Turn." Dennis announced. "How is that for my first Turn?"
"I guess that at least worth an applause." Yuri said while clapping his hands. "You have to do better though."
"The same goes for you. You better show a good act if you want to entertain the audience." Dennis retorted at Yuri's sarcastic remark.
"Oh, I will. And I will have your Magician to be part of my act." Yuri glinted at Force Witch.
"What?" Dennis has a bad feeling hearing that. He unconsciously stepped closer to his Fusion Monster.
"My Turn! I pay 800 LP to activate Predator Planter's Effect. I can Special Summon a Predator Plants Monster from hand or Graveyard with its Effect negated." Yuri revived Moray Nephentes without its Effect
YURI LP: 2600 = 1800
Yuri then revealed a card in his hand. "I activate Magic Card: Super Fusion from my hand."
"Super Fusion?!" Dennis was surprised Yuri has that card. It was a rare card that was only given to a very few of the most elite amongst the elite of Academia Duelists. Yuri didn't have the card in the past and he never saw him used it even once when they worked together.
"That card is–!" Kachidoki remembered the card. It was the one that Yuri used to steal Yuya's Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon and used it as Fusion Material.
"With this card, I can use a Monster my opponent controls as Fusion Material!" Yuri pointed at Dennis' only Monster on the Field, Force Witch.
Dennis initially was startled but then remembered his own Monster's Effect. "Force Witch cannot be targeted by card Effects–" Dennis was cut off by Yuri who revealed Super Fusion's own Effect.
"Any activation of Effects that negate or immune from this card's activation would be rendered useless." Yuri interjected. Following the Effect, Force Witch reappeared on Yuri's Field beside Moray Nephentes.
"My Force Witch!" Dennis looked in dismay as his Fusion Monster was on Yuri's Field to become a sacrifice for his old friend's Fusion Summon.
"I Fuse Moray Nephentes and Force Witch! Flower with insect-alluring fragrance. Artisan of air. Now become one and give birth to a new power! Fusion Summon! Level 8! Predator Plants Dragostapelia (ATK: 2800 / DEF: 1900/ LV: 8)!" Yuri summoned his Fusion Monster in Attack Position.
"Now, be prepared. Battle! I attack directly with Dragostapelia!" Yuri declared his attack. Dragostapelia unleashed toxic purple blast towards Dennis.
"When my opponent controls a Monster while I'm not, I can Special Summon Entermage Wind Sucker (ATK: 2100 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1) from my hand with its Level reduced to 1!" Dennis summoned a clown-like Monster holding a what it looked like an inhalator, changing Dragostapelia's attack from Dennis to the Entermage Monster. But due to its high ATK, the damage Dennis receive was lowered.
DENNIS LP: 2600 = 1900
Dennis was thrown back by the attack, landing on his back as he received the damage. He quickly recovered and drew a card. "When Special Summoned Wind Sucker is destroyed, I can draw 1 card."
He then pointing at Candy Craftsman in his Pendulum Zone. "Candy Craftsman's Effect! At the end of my opponent's Battle Phase, if the ATK of the Monster my opponent controls that has the lowest ATK is higher than the total ATK of all Entermage Monsters I control, I can gain 1000 LP!"
DENNIS LP: 1900 = 2900
"Not only you prevented direct damage but you also increase your LP. You have grown. I'll give you that." Yuri praised Dennis, but still confident he will win.
"Yuri, look at this." Dennis shuffled his pocket pants and then brought out the worn-out notebook, showing it to his old friend. "Remember what this is?"
Yuri furrowed upon seeing the notebook. He clutched his head again as his erased memories were coming back even stronger than before. He saw it again, his memories with Serena, only this time her face was no longer obscured like before.
"Yuri, come up here! Are you afraid?" Serena asked him while swinging her legs.
"I'm still writing. And if you keep swinging your legs like that while not holding the branch…"
Not listening to Yuri, the girl kept swinging her legs while her arms behind her head. And just as Yuri thought, she lost her balance, falling from the branch. Good thing Serena didn't climb that high, so she survived with only several bruises and dirt on her face.
"…you'll fall." Yuri finished just as she hit the ground. He chuckled when a leaf stuck on the girl's nose and she wiped it away while pouting at Yuri.
"Shu-shut up!" The girl retorted in embarrassment, which only made Yuri to laugh louder. Her cheeks turned redder seeing his laugh. She then shifted from his face to the book he was holding.
"What are you writing?" The girl asked as she leaned to Yuri, taking a look at his writings.
"About our Duels so far, our Decks, and our Duelings." Yuri replied without looking at the girl, still writing.
"Do you really need to write it down?" The girl asked.
"It will remind me how many times I've beaten you~" Yuri said teasingly, annoying the girl.
"I'll beat you next time for sure! Don't cry when that time comes!" The girl tried to smack at Yuri. Keyword 'tried, Yuri easily dodged every one of it without even looking.
"That's what you always saying but I always beat you in the end." Yuri told the girl. That was the fact as much as the girl hated to admit it. Yuri noticed a tiny branch still stuck on the girl's hair. He carefully took it off from her hair.
"Even though I've tied it, I guess having a long hair is in the way after all." The girl commented.
"Why? It would be a waste. And if you cut it, you can't wear your ribbon."
"You think so?"
"You have a good hair and that ribbon suits you. You're cuter the way you are now."
The girl blushed at Yuri's comment. She looked away from him, holding her ribbon while muttering,
"…If you say so…I'll keep it this way then…"
That's right. That was his notebook that he used to write everything he knows about his opponent and their Decks. Because of this practice, Yuri has developed a great analytical mind and was easily able to form complex plans in short amounts of time and figuring out ways to counter tactics used by his opponents.
"Remember! Yuri!" Dennis told his old friend as he saw his reaction which indicated that he was starting to remember again.
"Urgh…!" Yuri fell on his knees, clutching his head tighter as the memories became clearer. This time he remembered the time when they decided to bury the time capsule where he put his notebook inside.
"Hey, let's bury a time capsule!" Young Dennis suggested to his two friends who were busy reading and taking care of the flowers.
"Time capsule?" Serena repeated in question, raising her brow.
"Yeah! We put things inside a box, buried it, and then we'll open it once we are older! It sounds fun, so why don't we do it? Come on!" Dennis heard of it during their little sneak out into the town square. He happened to overhear some children talking about a time capsule.
"You look so eager to do it…" Serena sweat dropped at Dennis' eagerness.
"Come on, you two~! Let's do it! Let's do it!" Dennis pleaded with his best puppy-dog face.
Yuri sighed, closing his book. "I guess it's not bad. Let's do it before Dennis starts whining, Serena." He told the only girl in their group of three.
"Right, his whining is annoying." Serena relented. She definitely didn't want to hear him whining.
"Hey!" Dennis pouted.
Yuri bit his lip to snap him out from this reminiscence. He stood again. Yuri's grin widened. "It seems all these talks about us knew each other in the past is right. Sorry to say that it's just a past now. Nothing special to me." Yuri dismissed.
"Is that how you truly think, Yuri?" Dennis questioned. "Are you sure about that? Isn't it just because you haven't completely regain your memories?"
"I don't care either way. What matters to me is the way I am now." Yuri answered straight. "I Set 1 card and end my Turn."
Dennis sighed at Yuri's answer. Despite that, he still won't give up. Just a little bit more and Yuri will regain his memories. He knows it. He will give him a harder knock in this Turn.
Kachidoki looked at Dennis with sympathy. He couldn't imagine how hard this is for the Entertainment Duelist. This must be also hard for Serena. If Yuri still won't remember anything and continued to be this way, will Dennis and Serena able to take it?
"My Turn! Using Scale 2 Entermage Bubble Gardner and Scale 5 Entermage Candy Craftsman, I Set the Pendulum Scale! Pendulum Summon! Come forth!" Dennis summoned Entermage Hat Tricker (ATK: 1100 / DEF: 1100 / LV: 4) and second was Entermage Flame Eater (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1600 / LV: 4). With two Monsters sharing the same Level on the Field, Dennis opened the Overlay Network.
"I Overlay Hat Tricker and Flame Eater! Show must go on! Artisan of the air, swing across the stage with grace! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 4! Entermage Trapeze Magician (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 2)!" Dennis summoned his ace Monster.
"Even though you're a resident of Fusion Dimension, this Xyz Monster is always your favourite Monster, huh?" Yuri commented at Trapeze Magician.
"Who wouldn't love this loveable gentleman Magician." Dennis smiled as he and Trapeze Magician bowed together.
Yuri shrugged. "Not that really concerns me. I'm going to win in the end anyway." Yuri declared.
"I wonder about that." Dennis smiled as he revealed two cards in his hand.
"Dennis must have something planned!" A former Academia student said in support for the Xyz-Fusion user.
"Go, Dennis!" Kachidoki cheered, finally regained his strength to stand up.
Hearing cheers from his allies, Dennis raised his hands wide as spotlights focused on him, marking the start of his show.
"It's show time!" Dennis said his usual catchphrase.
"Okay, everyone, today's second act is…Slaying the Dragon!" Dennis pointed at Dragostapelia. He inwardly apologized to Sawatari for quite copying his performance during his Duel with Yugo, but it can't be helped since Yuri also using a dragon. It's not exactly a dragon, but it does look like one.
"As you can see, the main star of this third act would be my partner, Trapeze Magician!" Dennis introduced Trapeze Magician who waved in return. "All of you must be wondering how this Magician will slay the hungry dragon that has higher ATK. That will be…"
Dennis showed the two cards in his hand. "By using the Magicians' two magical wands!" Dennis activated it the two cards.
"First I activate Equip-Spell: Wonder Wand! A Magician-Type Monster equipped with this card gains 500 ATK!" Dennis increased Trapeze Magician's ATK to 3000.
"Next, I activate another Equip Spell: One-Shot Wand! A Magician-Type Monster equipped with this card gains 800 ATK!" Dennis increased Trapeze Magician's ATK again to 3800.
"It's 1000 point higher than Dragostapelia!" A former Academia student cheered.
"It's enough to destroy Dragostapelia now!"
"I still have more! I activate Trapeze Magician's Effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can allow it to attack twice!" Dennis used one Overlay Unit, allowing his ace Monster to attack two times, which will be enough to finish Yuri's LP.
"Battle! Trapeze Magician, slay the poisonous hungry dragon with your magic!" Dennis declared his Battle Phase. Trapeze Magician pointed its emerald green-colored gem Wonder Wand at Dragostapelia. The gem was shining bright and then shot a red lightning at Dragostapelia. The dragon plant let out a painful cry as it was hit by the attack until its body turned into ashes.
YURI LP: 1800 = 800
"The second attack! I attack Yuri directly!" Dennis pointed at Yuri whose Field now was empty. Trapeze Magician pointed its thicker green-colored gem One-Shot Wand at Yuri and then shot a green lightning. "I put everything in this attack, open your eyes, Yuri!"
Yuri opened his face-down card. "Trap Card: Predator Drop. I Special Summon a Predator Plants Monster in my Graveyard and the Battle Damage is halve!" Yuri summoned back Dragostapelia, changing Trapeze Magician's attack from Yuri to the dragon plant, destroying it again but the damage Yuri received was halved, saving him from defeat.
YURI LP: 800 = 300
"After the Damage Step, I can destroy Wonder Wand to draw 3 cards." Dennis destroyed the Equip-Spell and then drew 3 cards. Since it was destroyed, Trapeze Magician's ATK was reduced to 3000. Dennis stared worriedly at Yuri while hoping his feeling reached to his old friend.
Yuri was thrown back by the shockwave of the attack, landing on his back. Yuri's vision blurred along with a tinge of headache. Another sense of nostalgia filled his mind. He remembered when he, Serena, and Dennis sneaked out. He and Serena were so eager to look at the bazaar. They went to the market stalls to blacksmith. They watched with awe at the glassblowers working outside forming different kinds of objects and figurines, and the artists who sketched their faces for free. And, with new portraits in their hands, they went to the stalls when Serena's stomach rumbled in hunger, causing the girl to flush in embarrassment while trying to deny it to Yuri and Dennis who watched in amusement mixed with exasperation. It was the most fun experiences they ever had, especially for him and Serena. For as long as they could remember, the boy and the girl have always been in Academia and never left. They were not allowed to leave, not even once, so this was their first time seeing and visiting the town.
Next he remembered when he and Serena exchanged their most precious cards. He gave her Smile Universe as he felt he couldn't use the card yet and in return Serena gave him Transcendental Fusion. He gave Serena that card because to him, Serena was the person he can trust the most. They made a promise that until the become top Duelists they'll keep each other's cards. Once they reached the top they'll return the cards.
Yuri's eyes widened as more of his erased memories came to him. It was like Yuri was watching his own documentary movie. Everything became clear to him, the headache disappeared as he remembered one by one, and eventually everything. His friendship with Serena and Dennis, the times they have spent together when they were children, everything came back to him. His latest memory of his times with Serena and Dennis then played in his mind.
That time, they were in a library, just the three of them. Yuri was reading as usual, Dennis was checking his Deck, while Serena was…swinging her Duel Disk for some reason and looked frustrated.
"Serena, what are you doing exactly with your Duel Disk?" Yuri finally asked after watching for a while.
"My Duel Disk cannot be activated no matter what I do!" Serena pouted at her apparently broken Duel Disk.
"Doing that won't fix it you know." Yuri took Serena's Duel Disk from her hand and began to disassemble her Duel Disk with his tools. He carefully fixed the parts that were broken while Serena and Dennis were waiting while watching him. Once Yuri finished fixing it, he rubbed the Duel Disk with a handkerchief to clean it up, making it shiny before returning it to Serena.
"Wow! It's like brand new! Thanks, Yuri!" Serena thanked the violet haired boy with eyes of amazement, which Dennis also shared.
"Wow. It's like you can do everything, Yuri." Dennis commented, impressed by Yuri's skill.
"It's only something I do to fill my spare times if not Dueling." Yuri replied.
The three of them were interrupted when a group of Obelisk Force came in.
"Yuri-sama, it's the time. Please come with us." Obelisk Red told the boy. Without saying anything, Yuri complied.
"Wait, Yuri!" Serena, together with Dennis, tried to reach Yuri, but was blocked by Obelisk Green. "Where are you taking him? We want to go too!"
"I'm afraid that is not possible. This is the Professor's order." Obelisk Green told them.
"Yuri!"
That was the last time Yuri saw his two friends. Afterwards, he lost his memories of them and he never meet them again until recently. Yuri finally remembered everything now. Every single one of them.
"I see… That's what happened…" Yuri looked down with bitter smile. "I remember everything now…"
"Really? Yuri, you really remember everything?!" Dennis asked, having high hopes. With this, he wished his kind old friend is back. They could become friends again.
"Yeah… When we first met, when we sneaked out, when we buried the time capsule, everything…" Yuri chuckled humorlessly, covering his face. "After our memories were erased, I returned to the way I used to be. Alone, being feared by everyone until no one want to approach me…"
"Yuri…" Dennis frowned. Yuri's exceptional skill and firm Duel style led everyone to fear and avoid him. He at first was also wary of him until he saw Yuri playing with Serena. The happy face Yuri was making that time convinced him Yuri was actually no different from him and other children.
"But one day, the Professor approach me again and introduce me to ARC Area Project. He said I can do Duel that I like and I can card the people I defeated. For the first time I felt needed by someone. That's why I always tried my best, I kept winning and card the people I defeated as I was told. It also made the Professor happy…"
After losing his memories of Serena and Dennis, for the first time in his life he had a sense of purpose. The Professor was not afraid of him, and in fact encouraged him to become stronger. The Professor didn't mind at all with his Dueling. It made him happy that someone finally accepted him for who he was. To gain the Professor's recognition, he obeyed his every order without question.
"But I don't care about that anymore…" Yuri's bitter smile became wicked. "Now I card people because I like doing it. From now on and always!"
Dennis, Kachidoki, and the former Academia soldiers were completely taken aback. Did they heard it right? Did Yuri say he is planning to keep carding people until there was no one left?
"I can't live without doing that… It's like breathing for me…" Yuri said while standing up and started to snicker.
"Wait a minute! If you turn everyone into cards, there will be no one left. You'd be the only one in the world! You will be all alone!" Dennis tried to talk Yuri out of it. That plan of his was just plain insanity. It won't be any good for everyone including Yuri himself in the end.
"That sounds nice. That means I'd be the strongest wouldn't I?!" Yuri removed his hand from his face, revealing a crazed eyes and sadistic grin. "That's right. It doesn't matter anymore. The Professor, the Academia, my memories, all of them doesn't matter to me!"
Dennis' face paled. His last hope was crushed with that. It was already too late. Yuri was already beyond saving. His old friend that he once knew won't come back anymore.
When Yuri was little, deep inside, he was actually suffering from loneliness as he had no friends due to how strong he was. So when the Professor offered him an opportunity to battle on the front lines and card the people he defeats, he was delighted to be given such a mission. However, over time, he has become addicted to carding people and it's become a fun game for him. Recently his desire became even stronger. He wanted to Duel more and card more, those thoughts kept coming into his mind for countless times. In fact, the idea of carding every single person in the world except for himself sounds exciting for him.
"Let's continue, shall we? My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Flower of Greed. I can draw cards equal to the total of Predator Plants Monsters I have in my Graveyard." Since there were three Monsters in Yuri's Graveyard, he drew 3 cards.
"With Scale 1 Predator Plants Genlisea Toad (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 300 / LV: 4 / PS: 1) and Scale 7 Predator Plants Brocchinia Salamander (ATK: 300 / DEF: 400 / LV: 2 / PS: 7), I Set the Pendulum Scale!" Yuri placed his new Predator Plants Pendulum Monster in the Pendulum Zone, forming the Pendulum Scale.
"Yuri also has Pendulum Monsters?!" Dennis was surprised. He knew that the Academia scientists has done some research on the Pendulum Cards he got from Reiji and tried to create one themselves, but to think they have completed it. Even Reiji took a whole month to complete it.
"With this I can simultaneously Summon Level 2 to 6 Monsters. Pendulum Summon! Come forth!" Yuri summoned two Monsters to his Field: Predator Plants Fly Hell (ATK: 400 / DEF: 800 / LV: 2) and Predator Plants Spino Dionea (ATK: 1800 / DEF: 0 / LV: 4), both in Attack Position.
"I activate Genlisea Toad's Pendulum Effect. Once per Turn I can Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters on my Field as Materials ignoring its Summoning condition. I Fuse Fly Hell and Spino Dionea!" Yuri began his summoning chant as his Monsters entered the Fusion Vortex.
"Beautiful flowers with insect-alluring fragrance, become a new power and destroy those who oppose you with your dripping venom until your hunger is satisfied! Fusion Summon! Level 7! Starve Venemy Dragon (ATK: 2700 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7 / PS: 1)!" Yuri summoned his Fusion-Pendulum Monster.
"What?! I never saw this dragon before!" Dennis was shocked.
"It's a Fusion-Pendulum Monster! Be careful with that Monster, Dennis! He uses that Monster to defeat Yuya!" Kachidoki alarmed Dennis from behind. Not to mention the last time, Yuri has yet to reveal its full power.
"A Fusion-Pendulum Monster?!" Dennis was even more taken aback. Yuri was able to perform a Fusion-Pendulum Summon in one try? He knew his old friend has always been a genius in many ways, but it never stopped surprising him.
"As he said, Dennis." Yuri confirmed Kachidoki's warning as he looked at Starve Venemy.
"It's one of my trump cards, so I make sure no one except certain people knew of this." After he gained Starve Venemy, he decided to hide this from his fellow Academia Duelists in case so no one can tell their enemies about it. The only ones he allowed to know were only the Professor and the Doctor.
"I activate Starve Venemy's Monster Effect. Once per Turn I can negate the Effect of a my opponent's Monster and gain that Effect!" Yuri revealed Starve Venemy's Effect that he hadn't used before against Yuya.
"Stealing Trapeze Magician's Effect?!" Dennis looked in disbelieve. "But even if you do that, Trapeze Magician's ATK is still higher!"
Yuri snickered before turning to Starve Venemy again. "When Starve Venemy stole the Effect, that Monster's ATK is decreased by 500 and inflict 500 damage to my opponent!" Yuri reduced Trapeze Magician's ATK back to its original 2500 ATK and then inflicts 500 damage to Dennis.
DENNIS LP: 2900 = 2400
Yuri then turned to Brocchinia Salamander. "I activate Brocchinia Salamander's Pendulum Effect. I can increase all the ATK of DARK-Element Monsters I control by 600 until the End Phase and Special Summon it." Yuri increased Starve Venemy's ATK to 3100 and then moved Brocchinia Salamander to his Field.
"I thank you, Dennis. I've realized I have a dream now." Yuri said his gratitude to his former friend. "I'm nothing unless I can turn people into cards… So I will card everyone in the world…no…I'll turn everyone from every dimension into cards!"
A cold of sweat drop fell from Dennis' face as the Entertainment Duelist was horrified of what he has done. His attempt of trying to reach out his old friend, instead has turned him into a demon. Dennis swore he could saw dark silhouette of an unknown being formed from Yuri's body, unleashing killing intent. This has made him even more convinced that there was no turning back for Yuri. He couldn't be saved.
"I activate Trapeze Magician's Effect that I've stolen. I can banish one of Starve Venemy's Fusion Materials in place of Overlay Unit. Now, Starve Venemy can attack twice! Battle! I attack Trapeze Magician with Starve Venemy Dragon!" Yuri declared Battle Phase at the Magician. The orbs around Starve Venemy's body were glowing as Starve Venemy shot a crimson blast from its mouth, destroying the Magician.
DENNIS LP: 2400 = 1800
"At this moment I activate Rank-Up Magic: Magical Force!" Dennis opened his face-down card as Trapeze Magician was destroyed. "I can Special Summon Trapeze Magician from Graveyard and use it as Xyz Material to Summon an Xyz Monster that is 1 Rank higher from my Extra Deck!"
"Show must go on! Oh magician of the sky, more magnificently, more vividly, run across the even greater stage! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear now! Rank 5! Entermage Trapeze High Magician (ATK: 2700 / DEF: 2200 / RNK: 5 / ORU: 2)!" Dennis summoned the evolved form of Trapeze Magician.
"I activate Quick-Play Spell: Air Dance! Until the End Phase, a Magician-Type Monster I control cannot be destroyed by Battle or card Effects!" Dennis set his defense. This should be enough for him to survive this Turn.
"Avoiding direct attack through a Rank-Up Magic. Smart move. It'll be pointless though." Yuri said before continuing his attack. "I attack Trapeze High Magician with Starve Venemy Dragon!"
Starve Venemy once again shot its blast at Trapeze High Magician, but thanks to Dennis' Quick-Play Spell, it managed to hold on against the blast and survived the attack even though Dennis still receive damage, but it wasn't such a big of a damage.
DENNIS LP: 1800 = 1400
"Good. He survived the attack. Even if Yuri attack with Brocchinia Salamander Dennis would still have LP remain. Dennis can counter in the next Turn." Kachidoki thought, relieved that Dennis managed to avoid defeat.
"I won't be relieved yet if I were you." Yuri warned, confusing Dennis and everyone. Yuri turned to Brocchinia Salamander. "I activate Brocchinia Salamander's Monster Effect. During Battle Phase I can perform Fusion Summon using it and Monster on my Field as Materials!"
"Another Fusion Summon during Battle Phase?!" Kachidoki exclaimed in shock. He has a bad feeling from this.
"I Fuse Brocchinia Salamander and Starve Venemy Dragon! Beautiful flower with insect-alluring fragrance. Hungry poisonous dragon. Become one now, and from the hell under your petal, give birth to a new terror! Fusion Summon! Appear! Dragon with poison hungering fangs! Level 8, Starve Venom Fusion Dragon!" Yuri summoned his ace Monster.
"I activate Starve Venom Fusion Dragon's Effect! It gain ATK equal to the ATK of all Special Summoned Monsters my opponent controls!" Yuri added Trapeze High Magician's ATK to Starve Venom, making its ATK 5500.
"An ATK of 5500?!" Kachidoki's face paled. Even if Trapeze High Magician cannot be destroyed, Dennis would still receive 2800 damage, and Dennis himself was aware of this, which was why he was starting to panic inside.
Yuri let out a soft sadistic laugh, eyeing Dennis with savage eyes. "Too bad that we cannot go back to the way we used to be, Dennis. This is the end." Yuri stretched his hand forward at Trapeze High Magician.
"I have no need for bonds anymore! All I need are the hunger and thirst that fuel my power! Battle! I attack Trapeze High Magician with Starve Venom Fusion Dragon! Toxic Roots Blast!"
Starve Venom bound Trapeze High Magician with the roots appearing from its wings, preventing it from escaping. Several green energies then gathered behind Starve Venom before Starve Venom finally unleashed it, depleting Dennis' remaining LP, blowing him away as he yelled out in pain.
DENNIS LP: 1400 = 0
"Dennis!" Kachidoki called out as Dennis stumbled on his back, bodies covered in bruises.
"That was a good Duel, Dennis. It's unfortunate that we have to part ways now." Yuri said as he approached his former friend, ready to turn him into card. However, before he could, the former Academia soldiers blocked his path, standing in front of Dennis and Kachidoki protectively.
"Kachidoki, take Dennis and go on ahead!" A female former Academia soldier told Dennis.
"Yeah! We will hold him back! Use this chance to escape!" Another female former soldier said.
"We'll buy some times, so hurry!"
Kachidoki, for once, didn't argue. He and Dennis were in no condition to Duel, especially Dennis who was not only harmed physically but also mentally. At this rate all of them will be carded. Although reluctant in leaving his new allies, Kachidoki carried Dennis on his back and ran as fast as he could from the dome, apologizing to the former Academia soldiers who were willing to stay for leaving them in his mind.
Dennis, who was carried by Kachidoki, let a single tear fell from his left eye, lamenting his inability to save his old friend who now has died. He and Serena have lost him forever. If only they were not in hurry, he would have cried out. He wanted to cry until this pain go away. He wished he can go back to the time when he, Yuri, and Serena were still playing together as friends, happy in their own little world far from sadness.
"Yuri…"
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:
The Trap Has Been Set – Yuya and the others regroup with Yusho, Reiji, and Edo. The Doctor lured Yuzu, Ruri, Serena, and Rin into his trap where each of them are confronted by Duelists who have been ordered to capture them. To save the girls, Yuya, Gongenzaka, and Tsukikage challenge the Doctor.
FANFIC ORIGINAL CARD MEMO:
PREDATOR FLOWER: You can Special Summon a Predator Plants Monster from your Graveyard. It cannot attack, but can inflict damage equal to that Monster's ATK instead. You can banish this card from Graveyard and battle damage is reduced to 0. (Trap Card)
TRAPEZE DUO: You can draw 2 cards and make an Entermage Monster you control to make a second attack. (Quick-Play Spell)
PREDATOR DROP: During Battle Phase when your opponent's Monster attacks, Special Summon Predator Plants Monster in your Graveyard with its Effect negated and if the attacking Monster has higher ATK than the Predator Plants Monster, the Battle Damage is halved. (Trap Card)
FLOWER OF GREED: You can draw cards equal to the total number of Predator Plants Monsters in your Graveyard. (Magic Card)
Regarding Starve Venemy's Effect, we added a new addition: If it's Effect targeting an Xyz Monster, the player can banish one or more of its Fusion Materials in place of Overlay Units to activate the Effect.
SOME OCG/ TCG / ANIME EFFECTS ARE CHANGED FOR THE SAKE OF CONVENIENCE.
Sorry for the incomplete memo. Our hands are really tired from typing. Needs rest for some times. We'll add the remaining ones later.
Hello everyone. We hope this chapter is worth the waiting. Our hands were tired from typing this chapter. It's been a while since we wrote such a long chapter with two Duels.
Maybe many of you dislike the characters like Asuka and the others got carded, but as we said before that we want to focus on the original ARC-V characters, and we think in real war/battle, there will be casualties on both sides. For Dennis, he'll stick around until the end and won't be carded. We won't reveal more than that even if you ask. As we said before, wanna keep it a surprise. The girls WON'T BE BRAINWASHED in the next chapter.
Also there were some who have asked when this fanfic will end or how may chapters left. We estimated it will be around 50s or 60s chapters. One thing for sure, we will end this fanfic before the end of the year.
Sorry if there are still many errors even after we checked it, we'll fix it later.
Please don't forget to review~