ARC 53: Mistaken Identities! Shula's Burning Mirage of Soul!
The young officer looked at her opponent, her green and purple hair hanging slightly from her helmet as she fixed her eyes on her target. "Finally caught you...Ruxki Maltoxin." She hit a few keys on her Duel Runner's control board. "I'm afraid you're under arrest!" She called to the fleeing Turbo Duelist.
The other duelist grinned. "So, you'll be my next victim then?" the voice was not what the young officer expected, it was sweet and smooth, the perp was a young woman. That didn't fit her data or conclusions at all.
Something wasn't right. "Who are you?!" She shouted as the rider slowed down and allowed her to pull alongside. Looking over she gasped, it was in fact the face of Ruxki Maltoxin looking out at her from the helmet, except the rider was undoubtedly female. "I said who are you?" When she got no answer the young officer was forced to hit a button to initiate a Duel.
"You know," the girl resembling Ruxki said to her as her Runner's Duel mode activated and deck shuffled. "You are the first to ask who." Her dark eyes bespoke a dar emotion and a glimmer of amusement as she spoke. "Everyone else only asked 'Why?'." She noticed her opponent flinch and recoil at those words and giggled. "But since you were so kind, I'll tell you. My name is Shula. I have no family, no friends, no loved ones, all I can remember is that everything I once had…." She pointed at the young officer as her eyes filled with a murderous malice; "everything I once had was taken away by filthy Security scumbags like you!" She saw the guilty reaction on the other girls face, smirking, satisfied. "So, no I am not your precious boyfriend (I assume) Ruxki."
The young officer shook her head, reminding herself what was important was the mission, the job, arresting this girl who nearly cost several Security workers their lives, but also realizing she needed to say something. "I'm sorry." She said simply. "I heard in the past that Security did terrible things to the Commons. BUT," she pulled ahead as her own Duel mode engaged and Speed World 3 activated. "that doesn't excuse your crimes and misdeeds. I'm sorry but I must place you under arrest!"
The other girl remained silent, letting the officer get the lead. "You know I won't come quietly, so you already forced me into a Duel. I won't deny, you are smarter than the last few I tangled with. What is your name? I might need to remember such a gutsy girl after I wipe the highway with her."
"Melody." She said simply drawing her starting hand. "My name is Melody Mizuki. And tonight, there will be no more victims for you."
"You really do have guts," Shula said revving her motor up as her auto-pilot activated. "Then beating you will be even more satisfying."
"Time to see if that new Speed World is as good as I was told." Melody though to herself as she looked it over. "Then let's rev it up! Your days of assault end here!"
"DUEL!"
Speed World 3: Activating…
Speed World 3 [Field Spell]
At each player's Standby Phase, each player gains 1 Speed Counter on their copy of this card.. Each player can apply the following effects based on the number of Counters they remove from this card.
2: Banish 1 Field Spell from your hand, deck or GY, until the End Phase of the next turn, apply that card's effect as this card's effect.
4: Discard 1 Quick Play Spell Card and inflict 800 damage to the opponent.
6: Move 1 Monster from a Main or Extra Monster Zone to any other unoccupied Main Monster Zone you control.
8: Draw 1 card.
Remove all Speed Counters from this card: Activate your Skill if you have 1500 or less Life Points. You can only activate your Skill once per Duel.
"I'll start things off." Melody said rushing ahead.
Turn 1 - Melody
Speed Counters: 1
Hand: 5 LP: 8000
Shula
Speed Counters: 1
Hand: 5 LP: 8000
"When I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Windwitch Ice Bell!" Melody said as she summoned the card, causing a petite blue haired witch to burst onto the field next to her. "Next, when summoned, I can call out a different Windwitch from my deck, and have Ice Bell burn you for five hundred points of damage!"
Shula found herself grinning despite the icy cold burst of wind that hit her from Ice Bell's effect. "No Goyos?" She mused. "A lovely change of pace."
Shula - LP: 8000 - 7500
"From my deck, I call out Windwitch Glass Bell!" With a second burst of wind, a petite green haired witch appeared next to the other one.
Windwitch Ice Bell - WIND - Level 3
ATK/1000
Windwitch Glass Bell - WIND - Level 4
ATK/1500
"Next when Windwitch Glass Bell is summoned, I can add Windwitch Snowbell to my hand." Melody said as the card ejected itself from her deck as she grasped it and held it up. "I activate Snow Bell's effect, letting me Special Summon her when I control only two Wind monsters and no other attribute." A small chime was heard as a third monster appeared on her field, this one looking like a small bell.
Windwitch Snow Bell - WIND - Level 1
ATK/ 100
Melody held out her hand and pointed skyward. "Now, appear my Circuit!" A large Link Circuit appeared overhead. "Arrowheads confirmed. The Summoning Requirements are three Windwitch monsters. I set Glass Bell, Snow Bell and Ice Bell in the Link markers." The three monsters flew upwards and struck the bottom middle, bottom left and middle right points of the square. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon!" A large green tornado dropped on the highway next to her before being blown away by a large witch holding an emerald green staff. "Link three, Windwitch Ice Queen!"
Windwitch Ice Queen - WIND - Link 3 (Extra MZ B)
Bottom Left, Bottom Middle, Middle Right
ATK/1400
3 "Windwitch" monsters with different names
When this card is Link Summoned: Target 2 "Windwitch" monsters in your GY, Special Summon them to zones this card points to with their effects negated. The turn you activate this effect, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except for Windwitch monsters. Once per turn, you can Banish 1 "Windwitch" monster from your Deck to target 1 "Windwitch" monster in your GY that is a Tuner monster and Special Summon it, it's effects are negated, also Banish it when it the leaves the field. During the End Phase if this effect of "Windwitch Ice Queen" was activated: Take 1400 points of damage. You can only activate each effect of "Windwitch Ice Queen" once per turn.
"I activate Ice Queen's effect! I can Special Summon Ice Bell and Glass Bell to zones this card points to." Melody found herself grinning as the monsters revived to her field.
Windwitch Ice Bell (4)
Windwitch Glass Bell (3)
"Next I tune my level three Ice Bell to my level four Glass Bell." The two monsters flew forward as Glass Bell split into a quartet of rings and encircled Ice Bell who turned into stars. "The bells of Winter chime together as one. Synchro Summon!" A blast of snow flew out of the ring. "Wind Witch Winter Bell!" A large crystalline fairy appeared next to Melody, shaped like a bell which chimed loudly.
Windwitch Winter Bell - Level 7 (3)
ATK/2400
"I activate Winter Bell's effect. I inflict damage to your Life equal to Glass Bell's level times two hundred." Winterbell shook and began to chiming, sending a second blast of icy wind at Shula who grunted.
Shula - LP: 7500 - 6700
"Next I activate Ice Queen's effect. By Banishing Windwitch Ice Bell in my grave, I can revive Windwitch Snow Bell."
Windwitch Snow Bell (2)
"Next I activate Ultra Polymerization. By paying two thousand Life, I can fuse Snow Bell and Winter Bell."
Melody - LP: 8000 - 6000
"Bell that chimes in the winter air, unite with the bell that chimes with the falling snow and unlock a new power born of the crystalline ice." Melody spread her arms and clasped them together as her monsters swirled together and a flurry of snow surrounded her. "I Fusion Summon! Arise Windwitch Crystal Bell!"
Windwitch Crystal Bell - WIND - Level 8 (4)
ATK/2800
"Next I activate Crystal Bell's effect! I can select a Windwitch monster in my grave and activate its effect."
"Oh crap…" Shula muttered under her breath.
"I activate Winter Bell's effect as Crystal Bell's. I chose Winter Bell in my grave to inflict damage to your life equal to it's level times two hundred." Crystal Bell chimed once again, loudly as the snow flurry cloaking her flew towards Shula and buffeted against her Duel Runner.
Shula - LP: 6700 - 5300
"I activate Burial from the Different Dimension to return Snow Bell to my grave, next I use Ultra Polymerizations second effect to Banish it from the grave to special summon my Fusion materials. However, their effects are negated."
Windwitch Snow Bell (1) Windwitch Winter Bell (2)
"I set two cards face-down and then due to Ice Queen's effect, I take fourteen hundred damage." Ice Queen turned pointed her staff at Melody, blasting her with an icy wind that slowed her Duel Runner down a bit as she shivered.
Set Cards (1, 2)
Melody - LP: 6000 - 4600
"Turn end."
Shula remained silent for a few moments, as she pulled alongside looking Melody in the eyes. "You're not like the others I dueled." She said calmly. "You enjoy the Duel itself, not the rush of beating down anyone who stands in your way you deem beneath you." She pulled ahead and prepared to draw from her deck. "However, in return for your fellow Securities that ran my friends who looked after me down and locked them up for nothing other than being Commons, I can't back down. I'll beat you to. My burning heart won't let me ignore this!" She drew the drew from her deck and prepared for her all out assault on the other girl. "MY TURN!"
Turn 2 - Shula
Speed Counters: 2
Hand: 6 LP: 6700
Melody
Speed Counters: 2
Hand: 1 LP: 4600
"I'll start by summoning Magibullet Starfire." With the sound of a gunshot, a veiled woman in a dancer's outfit appeared on her field.
Magibullet Starfire - LIGHT - Level 4 (5)
ATK/1700
"I activate the Spell card, Bullet Tuning." Shula said activating the card in the slot underneath her monster. "This turn, a Magibullet on my field becomes a Tuner monster."
Magibullet Starfire - Tuner - Level 4
"Next, since a Spell card was activated in her column, I can use Starfire's effect to summon a Magibullet monster to my field in Defense mode. Come out, the level four monster, Magibullet Calamity!" From within the folds of her clothing, Starfire pulled out a derringer and fired it in front of her, and as the bullet flew outwards it burst into a sphere of green light as woman with red hair in a skimpier dancers outfit appeared on her field, wielding a rocket launcher.
Magibullet Calamity - LIGHT - Level 4
DEF/1300
"Let's rev it up." Shula said pushing her speed to the max, leaving Melody far behind. "I tune my level four Starfire to my level four Calamity."
"Here it comes," Melody thought to herself. "Her Red Dragon Archfiend monster."
Melody spun her Duel Runner around and skidded to a halt pointing at Melody. "Desert heat unyielding, the power of my passion ignites a new blossom of beauty!" Her monsters flew towards Melody, one splitting into four crimson colored rings and the other into crimson colored stars. "Synchro Summon!" A burst of flames filled the air as Melody swerved instinctively to avoid them, forgetting it was merely Solid Vision. "Level eight, burning dragon of Egypt, Burning Mirage Synchro Dragon!" The flames faded away, revealing a large red and gold dragon that roared in rage, magma dripping from its joints.
Burning Mirage Synchro Dragon - FIRE - Level 8 (Extra MZ A)
[Dragon/Synchro/Effect] ATK/3000 DEF/2500
1 Tuner + 1 or more Non-tuner monsters
When this card is Synchro Summoned: Inflict damage to your opponent equal half the ATK of a Special Summoned monster they control with the highest ATK. When this card battles, destroy all Spell/Trap cards in the same column as it.
"You thought I was going to waste my time summoning Scarlight didn't you?" Shula said as turned her Duel Runner around and sped towards Melody. "Give me a break, you're worth more than that. My full power is what I need to bring to bear. You've earned that much courtesy." Her dragon roared as he eyes glowed golden in color. "Burning Mirage Synchro Dragon's effect activates! When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can burn you for the highest attack of a Special Summoned monster you control." A golden red aura surrounded her monster as it roared and Shula approached Melody, it's golden body starting to melt slowly, making large splashes of liquid metal on the highway, the card seemed to radiate real heat. "BURNING MIRAGE!" The aura flew towards Melody at lightning speed, taking the form of her Crystal Bell, the wave blasting her, making her cry out as the heat pushed against her.
Melody - LP: 4600 - 1800
"Battle! Burning Mirage Synchro Dragon, remove that eyesore of a Link monster here and now!" Her dragon roared in savage delight as Melody struggled to regain control, flying the air and making a large crimson and gold colored lotus in the air before throwing it's head back in a final triumphant howl, it's mouth glowing with golden flames. "Go! Crimson Desert Lotus!" The dragon lowered its head and blasted the area in front of it, surrounding Melody in the golden flames as Shula found herself laughing maniacally. "I set one card, turn en-"
"Traps activate!" Melody said as she came speeding out of the flames, a green shield a around her. "Lunalight Reincarnation Dance!" One of her set cards flipped face-up. "When a monster I control is destroyed, I can add two Lunalight monsters to my hand!" Two cards ejected from her deck. "I add Lunalight Black Sheep and Lunalight White Rabbit to my hand. Next my second trap activates! Ancient Faerie's removing from play a Synchro monster and a Tuner monster I control, I can Special Summon a Synchro monster to my Main Monster zone in defense mode whose level is equal to the difference in their levels!" Winter Bell split into seven stars as Snow Bell split into a single white ring and a bright light flashed through. "Reduction Synchro Summon!" A calming roar filled the air as a red mark shaped like a claw appeared on Melody's right arm. "SInging songs of the ancients, I call upon thee now in my greatest hour of need. Arise, level seven! Ancient Pixie Dragon!" A bright green flash of light filled the air as a large blue dragon with fairy wings appeared on Melody's field, curling around her Duelist defensively.
Ancient Pixie Dragon - DARK - Level 7 (1)
[Dragon/Synchro/Effect] ATK/2100 DEF/3000
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
After resolving a Field Spell Card that was activated during your turn: Draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Ancient Pixie Dragon" once per turn. Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Attack Position monster on the field; destroy that target. There must be a face-up Field Spell Card on the field to activate and to resolve this effect.
Melody - LP: 1800 - 200
"-d." Shula finished simply, as if oblivious to Melody's play, her eyes still glowing gold.
"Something is not right with this girl." Melody said to herself as she passed the girl, and turned around to pursue her again, not letting her out her sights. "I need to get rid of that dragon, something about it feels off." As she came along side again, she looked over, and saw the glowing gold eyes the girl now possessed and shuddered, the face still looking strikingly familiar. "It's my move, I draw!" Melody said calmly drawing from her deck. "Next, during my Draw Phase, if my Life is fifteen hundred or less, I can activate my skill by removing all Speed Counters I have on Speed World 3, however, once I do, I cannot gain any Speed Counters for the rest of the Duel." A soft purple light surrounded her Duel Runner as she closed her eyes. "Skll Activate! Lunalight Fusion Dance!" Two cards ejected from her Deck which she added to her hand. "When I activate my skill, in return for all my Speed Counters, I can add a Lunalight monster and Polymerization to my hand." Melody revealed the two cards, Lunalight Wolf, and Polymerization to Shula who still seemed oblivious to it.
Turn 3 - Melody
Speed Counters: 0
Hand: 5 LP: 200
Shula
Speed Counters: 3
LP: 4600
"It's time to end this." Melody said calmly. "I activate the effect of Lunalight Black Sheep in my hand. By sending this card to my grave, I can add Polymerization to my hand." A second copy of Polymerization ejected from her deck as she grabbed it. "Next I summon Lunalight White Rabbit." She revealed one of the monsters she added to her hand with Reincarnation. "When I summon her, she calls Black Sheep from my grave to join her on the field."
Lunalight White Rabbit (2)
Lunalight Black Sheep (3)
"I activate White Rabbit's monster effect. I return your Set card to your hand." Shula's set card faded away, and yet she still had no reaction. "I activate Polymerization!" Melody said revealing the card. "I Fuse Lunalight White Rabbit and Black Sheep. White Rabbit who dances under the full moon, become one with the black sheep of night and create a new power." Melody clasped her hands together. "Fusion Summon! Appear level seven, Lunalight Cat Dancer!"
Lunalight Cat Dancer (Extra MZ B)
"I activate Polymerization, I Fuse Lunalight Cat Dancer with Lunalight Blue Cat in my hand. Beautiful cat who dances in the moonlight, unite with cat who hunts at night to bring forth a new power. Fusion Summon! Appear level eight, Lunalight Panther Dancer!"
Lunalight Panther Dancer (Extra MZ B)
"Next, in my left Pendulum Zone, I place Lunalight Wolf. I activate the effect of Lunalight Wolf, I fuse Lunalight Panther Dancer with Cat Dancer and Blue Cat in my grave! Prideful Panther who hunts under the shadow of the new moon, become one with the beautiful cat and proud cat who dance and hunter under the full moon and create a final power. I Fusion Summon! Appear level ten, Lunalight Leo Dancer!"
Lunalight Leo Dancer (Extra MZ B)
"I activate Ancient Pixie Dragon's monster effect!" Melody said as her dragon roared again, unfurling her wings. "Once per turn, I can destroy one monster on the field in attack position if there is a field spell present." Speed World 3 shown above her head as she spoke and her dragon bathed Burning Mirage in blue fire. "I destroy Burning Mirage Synchro Dragon!"
Shula's dragon roared and withered in apparent pain before exploding in a burst of gold and crimson flames, causing Shula to cry out suddenly, her eyes returning to normal. "What's….going on?" she muttered to herself before noticing her situation. "Oh shit. She's got a giant neko on her field wielding a large sword. Oh well, I can deal with tha-WHERE'S MY THREATENING ROAR?!"
"Finally back to normal are you?" Melody asked looking at the other girl. "Sorry, but it's game over for you. You won't be hurting anyone else, nor will I let that homicidal dragon in your possession go either." Melody pulled ahead and spun her Duel Runner around. "BATTLE! Lunalight Leo Dancer can attack twice each turn." Leo Dancer charged at Shula, it's sword flashing twice, once on each side as her Duel Runner shut down, smoke pouring from its vents as it slowed down.
Shula -LP: 4600 - 0
WINNER: Melody
Shula's Duel Runner came to a complete stop in front of Melody who looked at her with pity. "I'm sorry for what happened to, but I still have to take you in."
The other girl's helmet fell off, her long fair flowing down to her back as she dismounted. "You really think I'll just come skipping merrily along to your fucking political prison you big titted bitch!" Her voice changed, a harsh draconic roar underlying it as she pushed Melody away and held up her dragon. "I am afraid that won't be happening!" A large wall of flame surrounded her rushed outwards towards Melody who instantly threw up her arms as an otherworldly wailing filled her ears.
"Entrevue~~~~~~~" An oddly sing-song voice within the wail said as Ancient Pixie materialized and shielding Melody from the flames, before fading away. When the light and smoke cleared, Shula was gone, as was her Duel Runner.
The news copter hung over scene, having recorded all the action, the lady in it looking incredibly confused. "So...Director what should we do?" She asked into her earpiece, we're still live right?"
Back in his monitor room in headquarters, Roget smashed his fist on the small chess table he kept next to his seat in frustration. "CUT THE FEED NOW BEFORE WE GET VISUAL BACK!" The feed went dead, as he set back in his chair, pressing his hands together resting his head on him. "So….looks like I need to take extra care here…" He said to himself as he moved a pawn to end of the board. "The girl has become a Queen now, that mark is very important, but the other girl…" He moved a knight forward to face the new queen. "That dragon has untold amounts of power. I must have it." He keyed a few buttons on his screen in front of him. "Junior Lieutenant Melody, you have my personal congratulations for successfully stopping the suspect from running amuck."
"Thank you Mr. Roget," Melody said as she remounted her Duel Runner and began returning to base. "However she got aw-"
"I am aware." He said simply. "Don't worry, you are not to be held responsible. In fact, when you return; I intend to make you a full officer."
"Really?" Melody said her heart dancing. "Thank you."
"I run a Meritocracy," Roget said simply, "You showed Merit, you therefore get rewarded. And for your first assignment, I wish you to go Standard Dimension's Duel Academy as my representative and thank Professor Mokey for letting us be able to use his new Skill technology in our Security Force, as it is already given us amazing results."
"Yes sir." Melody accepted promptly. "When I will leave?"
"Tomorrow, and I request you remain there until I call you back."
"Will do sir." Melody affirmed as the call ended.
Roget sat back in his chair, in deep thought. "Now to begin the new hunt." He keyed another command in. "Sergey? I have a job for you."
To Be Continued...
