Koros45 doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh!, or Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's
Chapter 57: Falsehood - Battle of the Fractured Souls!
Divine could only chuckle to himself as the damaged helicopter was still able to make it back to his headquarters. Once he was save, Divine felt giddy, convinced that Shiro was likely dead. Still – Divine himself had survived a tremendous fall once before. He wouldn't be able to count on Shiro's demise.
Therefore, Divine picked a new building to shift his operations to in the immediate future. He would be starting fresh once again. That had been something Divine felt he was becoming good at.
Still – he had all the essentials he needed. Aki was with him. His Arcadia Movement was behind him. And he had personally dealt with the leader of Yliaster, if Shiro was telling the truth. Even if he hadn't died, it had confirmed Divine's suspicions that he was stronger. Should they face one another again, he was sure his Psychic deck would beat whatever monster Shiro conjured.
All of that was concerning the future. In the present, Divine wanted to enjoy his victory. And now – he would be able to witness the end of Yusei Fudo with his own eyes. It would be a fitting celebration for the future of his Arcadia Movement.
Malik Ishtar needed the Duel to complete his ownership of Yusei's body. A lie detector test had confirmed it was the truth. Divine personally thought the man was insane but wasn't going to let a chance like this pass.
The camera was rolling by the time Divine arrived, seeing Aki and 'Yusei' facing each other on the top of his skyscraper. It would be publicized, of course. The whole of Satellite and the City would see their hero fall. Right after the return of the Earthbound Immortals no less. It would be the perfect rallying cry for the Arcadia Movement.
If 'Yusei' won, Aki would be hurt. Divine didn't know much about Malik Ishtar, but the man's Duel record featured a few hospitalized opponents, Jounouchi Katsuya and Mai Kujaku among them if Kujaku's biography was true. Therefore it could stand to reason that Aki would be hurt in the Duel. IF that happened, Yusei Fudo's image as a hero would be ruined. And if Aki won – well, Divine could always spin that Yusei was insane and she was defending herself with her natural born powers. In either case, he'd win.
In the unfortunate event that Aki was lost, he could always fall back on his prisoner. Sherry LeBlanc would not comply normally, but Divine saw potential in the mercenary Duelist. The test results he'd gotten back from the prison's acolytes confirmed she had enough potential to be a Cyber Psycho Duelist. All he would have to do is prey on her hatred of Yliaster and he'd have a new weapon.
He stopped his train of what – ifs and focused on the scene in front of him. It was brisk out, the sunny day contrasting the ritual that was about to begin. Atop the skyscraper, the two Duelists had begun, activated their Duel Disks.
Divine was glad that the first move was still in the air. Aki wore a replica of the uniform she'd had in the Fortune Cup and Arcadia Movement. While 'Yusei' had discarded his jacket and crossed his arms, looking bored.
"About time I had an audience." Yusei said in the same distorted voice that was all wrong. Divine had to admit – from the research he'd done on Malik Ishtar on the flight back, the voice was similar. Only audible in his later duels against Mai Kujaku, Katsuya Jounouchi, and of course, Yugi Mutou.
He still didn't believe the man was Malik Ishtar, but it was an opportunity to be rid of his most annoying obstacle. He didn't hate Yusei, but as long as that man was alive, Divine's control over Aki was in jeopardy. Even if it really was just Malik wearing his skin.
"Well then – begin!" Divine yelled as the two each drew five cards.
/
Turn 1: AKI IZAYOI: 4000, YUSEI FUDO: 4000
The Black Rose Witch drew her first card, looking across at her enemy, the accursed Signer. As she looked to his face, a grin of a feral beast, something felt off. It was not the man's normal face. Yet it was most likely a deception. Divine was smart to warn her of the enemies' treachery. If they were so bold as to brainwash her for so long it was no surprise that she would still feel things about them. Even if the feelings were all a lie.
Yusei Fudo looked across from her, with a wicked grin on his face, eyes wide as he anticipated her first move. He was a hypocrite then. His words in their first duel meant nothing if he was this eager to face her again.
"Draw."
The Black Rose Witch pulled a sixth card and didn't need to look at it as she played it.
"Evil Thorn. Defense Mode." She said calmly. Beside her a large ovular plant appeared, purple and covered in bristling spikes. It was about her size. And just what she wanted out on the first turn (1/100/300).
"Evil Thorn's monster effect – I destroy it to deal you three-hundred points of damage. Then I Special Summon two more copies from my deck." The woman explained as she sent the card to the Graveyard.
The plant's body exploded, sending debris flying around the field, falling from the skyscraper and fading as distance between them and her decreased.
Yusei Fudo raised an arm and grunted as the effect damage hit him (4000 3700).
"Not bad!" He said, examining his arm to find it had a cut on it from the flying thorns. "I'll relish this pain to deal you the same later!" The grin was all wrong. Though she didn't know why.
That's not Yusei Fudo. The small voice in her head said. She silenced it, choosing to play the remaining copies of Evil Thorn (1/100/300 X 2).
"Then I set one card. Turn end." She finished, leaving her with four cards in hand.
"Hmph!" The man drew and looked angry when he saw his own hand.
Turn 2: AKI IZAYOI : 4000 , YUSEI FUDO : 3700
"Blast! This hand is a bit lacking." He said aloud.
"Still, I Summon Ghost Gardna in Defense Mode!" He declared, the white armored ghost appearing before him with a wail (4/0/1900).
"End turn!" He said with a huff, still holding five cards in his hand.
Turn 3: AKI IZAYOI: 4000, YUSEI FUDO: 3700
She drew again and played a spell. "I activate Closed Plant Gate! This spell card will prevent you from attacking me next turn since I control two of the same plant type monster. Furthermore, I set a monster and end my turn." She said and ended her turn with three cards in her hand.
Turn 4: AKI IZAYOI: 4000, YUSEI FUDO: 3700
"These monsters in my hand might be weak – but I'll use them to build something stronger!" The man said aloud once again, drawing a sixth card.
Weak was not a word he used often. Yusei Fudo was the Witch's enemy, but it was an enemy that she had fought twice before. His method was a feigned compassion – not outbursts of anger and enjoyment of pain.
Still– the Witch knew it had to be him. The man looked like him. And his monster was the same. As was the deck. He was the enemy! One that she must not allow Aki Izayoi to become attached to again! One she had to destroy for Master Divine!
Once again she dismissed the voice and focused as he continued his turn.
"I release Ghost Gardna to Special Summon Turret Warrior!" The man said as the ghost was replaced by the large battle station of rocks sculpted in a rough humanoid appearance (5/1200/2000).
"Then I Normal Summon Junk Synchron." The man said, Yusei's signature Tuner appearing next to Turret Warrior (3/1300/500).
"Now – I tune my monsters together!" The man said with a smirk.
The light flashed and she expected to face his wretched Stardusts Dragon. Instead, four metal arms burst from the light, revealing a different monster entirely.
"Synchro Summon! Behold - Junk Destroyer!" The man said as the four armed and armored robot appeared with a grunt (8/2600/2500).
"I activate Junk Destroyer's effect to get rid of your set card, Witch!" The man warned. Junk Destroyer fired its blast of Tidal Energy from its chest and her Doppelganger Trap Card was consumed by it, shattering apart.
"Then I set two cards!" The man said with an chuckle, giving him two cards left in his hand. "Turn end!"
Turn 5: AKI IZAYOI: 4000, YUSEI FUDO: 3700
She drew her next card, not needing to see what it was. "Turn end." She declared, holding her four cards as she waited to see what he would do next.
"Hmph! You can't make a move then? I'll take initiative then!" Yusei said.
The Witch felt strange. The man didn't seem to be urging her on with honeyed words. Rather – he definitely had the same intention to destroy as she did. It was a different feeling than earlier but it didn't change the fact that he was the enemy.
Turn 6: AKI IZAYOI: 4000, YUSEI FUDO: 3700
He grinned and drew a third card, beckoning Junk Destroyer to attack the hidden monster.
The man chuckled for a moment as the robot slammed its' two largest fists down on the set card. Then Yusei's expression changed, looked surprised as the monster appeared briefly before shattering apart.
"Lord Poison!?" The man exclaimed. It was off-putting. He'd never known that card in Aki Izayoi's Duels with him. Yet he said it as though it was familiar to him.
"When Lord Poison is destroyed, I can Special Summon a Plant Type monster from my Graveyard. I bring back the first Evil Thorn!" The woman stated as the first copy of her plant appeared before her (1/100/300).
"Pah. Gather as many weaklings as you like. I end my turn." He said with a scowl.
Turn 7: AKI IZAYOI: 4000, YUSEI FUDO: 3700
"Draw." She stated, her plan coming together as soon as she touched the top of her deck. She added the card to her hand, giving her five, though it became four once again as she Summoned it to the field.
"I Summon Black Rose Witch!" The woman said. The monster was doll like in appearance with large eyes and head and a small body. She was dressed in a Gothic Lolita fashion (4/1700/1200).
"Now - tuning level four Black Rose Witch with my three evil thorns!" The witch chanted, ready to call out her strongest servant.
"Chilling Flames Engulf the Entire World! Pitch Dark Flower, Set into Bloom!" "Synchro Summon!" "Appear now – Black Rose Dragon!"
The woman roared as her fury rose to roar beside her – a great black and red dragon, its black wyvern body adorned with scale and scale of red rose (7/2400/1800).
The Black Rose Witch's ace monster let out a chilling roar as it manifested, its shadow falling on Junk Destroyer's frame.
"Hmph! Calling out your dragon like that. I'm not impressed." Yusei Fudo said, crossing his arms again and sneering. "My Destroyer is stronger!"
This time the voice wasn't something that the Black Rose Witch disagreed with. Her opponent – Yusei Fudo - had been cunning. He understood how to use power – that it wasn't just some blunt object as he saw it, but rather something fluid and multi-formed.
However this 'Yusei' before her didn't appear to see it that way. He was false. She did not care to know how or why, only that Divine's orders were still absolute. The Black Rose Witch decided to take initiative and improvise. The first thing to do when dealing with the false person in front of her - test his tolerance to pain.
"Now I equip Black Rose Dragon with the equipment spell Thorn of Hatred!" She commanded as the sharp thorns on the outside of Black Rose's plated body extended to be longer and sharper. Black Rose Dragon's eyes widened as it bucked backwards before unleashing an even greater roar. (7/2400 3000/1800).
"I enter my Battle Phase. Black Rose Dragon, attack Junk Destroyer!" The witch commanded, her Dragon familiar assaulting the robot with lash after lash from its tentacles.
The attacks struck true and Yusei grunted as his life-points were again damaged, a stray tendril grazing his leg. He gasped at the cut, reflexively staggering backwards. Still – he was grinning as he looked back as her, eyes wide in some kind of sick admiration (YUSEI FUDO: 3700 3300).
"Thorn of Hatred's effect; - " She spoke.
" - Your monster isn't destroyed by battle, but it does lose six-hundred attack and defense points." She said, chuckling as Junk Destroyer lost some power (2600/2500 → 2000/1900). She pointed at him as his expression of pain and glee confirmed her suspicions.
"I see that you're not the real Yusei, so I'll have all the time in the world to weaken your monster and pry you open to find him and then defeat him myself!" The witch smirked.
It would please her to no end extinguishing the proverbial thorn in Divine's side for good. The man in question watched the Duel with a big grin on his face, wide eyed as he witnessed her ace monster deal the opponent damage.
"Be careful your don't make promises you can't keep, Witch! I'll use this trap card after your battle resolves – Reinforce Truth!" The man cried as Speed Warrior appeared next to Junk Destroyer (2/900/400).
"Hmph!" The Black Rose Witch snorted. Now he wasn't even denying it. She looked over to Divine, who nodded to her, a content look on his face. All the approval she needed then.
"Two set cards. Turn end." She finished abruptly, with two cards left in hand.
Turn 8: AKI IZAYOI: 4000, YUSEI FUDO: 3300
The man drew his next card, giving him four in total and his shoulders shook as he chuckled. "It's here! It's here! The card that will deliver my victory!"
"Trap Card! Synchro Out! I return Junk Destroyer to the Extra Deck to Special Summon Junk Synchron and Turret Warrior as they were used to Summon it!" The man explained with a grin.
The witch frowned. "To Synchro Summon Junk Destroyer a second time?" She asked him, already formulating possible countermeasures to its' effect.
He laughed. "No, fool! For something far greater! For this! I release Junk Synchron, Turret Warrior, and Speed Warrior to Advance Summon!"
The three monsters on his field vanished as a dark orb appeared far up in the sky, humming with an off kilter tone – a vibration that the witch could feel shake her bones.
"As the sun fades and dies to the night
It's twin rises by the death of the light
Twisted reflection, heed my call!
Unleash your powers to conquer all!
Now appear before me, in this Shadow Game
And emerge from the shadows as I call your name!"
THE WICKED AVATAR!
The black sun expanded, enveloping a large part of the sky behind him (10/?/?).
"Behold! My ace monster, God of Copies! The Wicked Avatar!" The man cried out, before going off into full blown laughter.
The Black Rose Witch grinned at the sight of the new monster, relishing the challenge.
The man recovered from his fit of laughing and pointed.
"I supposed I should explain what my unique monster can do. You see, The Wicked Avatar copies the attack power of the strongest creature in play – and is always one hundred points stronger than it! In other words – there's nothing you can do to overpower it!"
The man looked to Divine with what looked like childish playfulness as the area the two were Dueling in was surrounded by shadows.
"And now that my Avatar is summoned – this Duel just became a Shadow Game – meaning now you'll feel pain as well!"
"And now my Avatar – copy the Witch's pet dragon!" The man commanded with a sneer, his face distorted even more into a wide – eyed grin.
The black sun shrank, warping into an approximation of her Black Rose Dragon, only this one was entirely jet black with soulless white eyes (10/?/? 10/3100/ 3100).
"Now Avatar, attack! Dark Rose Flare!" The man commanded as a corrupted stream of her own Black Rose Flare struck the original Black Rose Dragon, shattering the monster.
The Black Rose Witch felt a minor cut on her face as she took the damage (AKI: 4000 3900). The attack made her take a step back and she felt something push her forwards – the shadows that twisted around the two seemed to keep them confined in the Duel space.
"Now now – you can't go to far. Not when we've only just started having fun, my dear."
"Real damage?" She asked, looking up to the man. Yusei wasn't a Psychic Duelist so this didn't make any sense to her.
"Of course! My Avatar's power is one rivaling the legendary Egyptian God Cards! Such a power is unrestrained to Solid Vision! While I may not have powers like you, or even an item to create a Shadow Game with, my Avatar should suffice quite nicely to substitute for both!" The man explained.
"Shadow Game?!" Divine asked through the thick shadows. He was barely audible and the other man sneered at him. "Of course. How else would I make this little wager of ours' any fun?"
"Junk Destroyer would've done more damage." The Witch responded with a scoff, recovering from the initial surprise that was a Duel of Darkness. "You could have destroyed Black Rose Dragon and then your field would be set up for a direct attack. As a Psycho Duelist I am more than prepared to face Dark Signers. Your Shadow Game is nothing special compared to that."
The man suddenly grew angry as his opponent didn't seem to care about the conditions of the Duel.
"Than ignoring the new stakes of the Duel - since I Summoned my Avatar successfully, you can't use Spell or Trap cards for the next three turns! The man countered.
The Black Rose Witch froze in her tracks.
"What?! That means that my set Overdead Line is useless!" She thought. Her hand had some stall tactics, but it wasn't enough to counter this new monster. Without the luxury of spell or trap cards for the next few turns, facing off against this man would be tough.
"That is all for me! Now, bring out my Avatar's next victim!"
Turn 9: AKI IZAYOI: 3900, YUSEI FUDO: 3300
She drew for turn and immediately used the card in question.
"Ivy Wall. In Defense Mode." She said, playing her monster horizontally. It was a collective of thick vines coming from the earth, rising from the concrete as she played the card. (2/300/1200).
"Turn end." The Black Rose Witch finished.
Turn 10: AKI IZAYOI: 3900, YUSEI FUDO: 3300
Her opponent drew and ignored his hand, looking at her hidden monster.
"Smart. More defense than attack power. However. . . I have a way around that!"
His eye narrowed as he played another card.
"I Summon Max Warrior!"
At the declaration of his summon, the grey and bulky warrior appeared, brandishing it's two-pronged staff (4/1800/800).
The mass of shadows that made up The Wicked Avatar warped as it made a shadowy copy of Max Warrior (10/? → 10/1900/1900).
The man glanced at the Max Warrior on his duel disk.
"Hmm, and since this thing loses attack points if it battles with a monster, I'll have my Avatar attack first!"
"Then Ivy Wall's effect: You get an Ivy Token Summoned to your field in defense mode!" The Witch countered as a small plant appeared on her opponent's side of the field (1/0/0).
"Fine! But I still continue my attack!"
The monster slammed its pronged staff into Ivy Wall, but Aki's monster didn't budge.
"I discard Hedge Guard during the damage step." The Black Rose Witch countered. "This prevents my monster from being destroyed by battle this once - but it loses half of its attack points for the turn."
The man grinned. "Then I'll kill it with Max Warrior!"
"Then you'll get a second Ivy Token." She responded, a second one appearing on the field (1/0/0).
The original warrior slammed a second pike into the wall, shattering it this time.
Since Max Warrior destroyed Ivy Wall for good, its' power dropped as a result (4/1800/400 900/200).
In response, the Wicked Avatar shrank in size, stats adjusting as well (10/1900/500 → 10/1000/1000).
Turn 10: AKI IZAYOI: 3900, YUSEI FUDO: 3300
The Black Rose Witch drew again, looking to her hand for any answers to this problem. She currently had only two cards left in her hand. They would have to do for now.
"I Summon Night Rose Knight!" She declared. The monster that followed her playing the card was a black armored knight (3/1000/1000).
As the knight was Summoned, The Wicked Avatar changed again to copy its' shape and exceed its' attack power (10/900/900 → 10/1100/1100).
"And when I Normal Summon Night Rose Knight – I can Special Summon a Plant Type monster from my hand. Such a Dark Verger!" She exclaimed.
The next monster that appeared was a set of gigantic leaves with a large eye on each (2/0/1000). It turned blue as it was in Defense Mode.
"Battle! Night Rose Knight! Attack Max Warrior!" The Witch commanded. Night Rose Knight charged, blade slashing Max Warrior in half as Yusei grimaced, taking minor damage (YUSEI FUDO: 3300 → 3200).
"Turn end." The Black Rose Witch said.
/
She didn't care who he was. It agitated Marik more than he wanted to admit. Having a body all to his own was needed for survival, but this was supposed to be his revenge. This Duel was supposed to be easy and yet she resisted him at every turn. Even with the Summon of his Avatar. Even with the Shadow Game – it seemed the Black Rose Witch was content to face it all.
Divine's reactions had been humorous. In his case, Marik had no problem preying on his vanity and desire to kill Yusei Fudo. Divine was so easy to manipulate precisely because he thought he was the one in control. The Witch was far more terrifying in Marik's opinion. She had the skills in a Duel to back up her title.
Turn 11 AKI IZAYOI: 3900 YUSEI FUDO: 3200
Marik drew his next card and used his host's memories of the card he was holding to give him knowledge of how it worked. The memories did more than explain Yusei's play style – they also gave him an idea for his upcoming move.
"Hmph! You survived the initial attack of my Avatar, but now I'll make things harder for you! I set a card, then I destroy it to Special Summon my Card Breaker from my hand!"
The set trap card shattered and a man holding a massive staff with a jade fist on the end appeared (2/100/900).
Then Speed Warrior rose up to join him (2/900/400) "And since the card my Card Breaker destroyed was my Limiter Overload, I can then Special Summon Speed Warrior!"
"And then I Summon Bri Synchron!" The man stated as the level four Tuner appeared on his field (4/1500/1100).
"I see. So you decided to leave my cards intact and destroy Limiter Overload so you could Synchro Summon." The Witch responded unflinchingly. The previous attack from his Avatar had left a cut on her right cheek, but she stared at him as though she didn't feel the pain.
"No matter what you've set – you'll never win if I Summon this alongside The Wicked Avatar! Now I tune all three monsters together! I'll crush you with this ace monster!"
Bri Synchron broke into four rings that Speed Warrior and Card Breaker flew through. Then he chanted the words. His own chant, one that the Dragon would respect.
"From stars aligned the dragon arrives! Dominate this space with great cosmic might! Purge all foes from your sight!""Synchro Summon!" Marik yelled as he played his host bodies' treasured monster onto the Duel Disk.
"I call on the Stardust Dragon!" The man said as the ethereal blue and white dragon appeared behind him with a roar (8/2500/2000).
"Stardust Dragon!" The Black Rose Witch cried out as she heard its rasp.
Marik couldn't help but laugh as she seemed affected by its' appearance. Her eyes widened the slightest bit and her fingers tensed. If not The Avatar, then he'd use the Dragon to destroy her.
/
Suddenly a cascade of images flooded her mind. A duel where it grappled with Black Rose Dragon. A hospital where it quelled her rage. A highway chase where it saved her from a falling bus. And a Riding Duel where it fought alongside her.
But why is it there? She wondered. The thought shone light on a crack – a bright and wicked light seeping into her mind. It broke the perfect calm like a nightlight meant to keep a child relaxed only pried them out of their sleep.
Ignore it! She shouted to herself. Focus on winning the duel!"And due to Bri Synchron's effect, Stardust Dragon gains some attack points until the end of this turn!" The man explained (Stardust Dragon: 8/2500 → 3100/2000).
"Now Stardust Dragon, once again let my Avatar borrow your form!"
The Witch saw that now Stardust Dragon was joined by this new creature mirroring its' appearance – becoming a dark, texture less reflection of the white and blue dragon. (The Wicked Avatar 10/1100 → 3200/1100 → 3200).
"Once again?" Had he fought Yusei before? The Witch found it difficult to suppress the voice screaming and knocking at the abyss of her subconscious – but the other her had to sleep! For the glory of the Arcadia Movement, she would strike the man down!
"Now, Avatar! Devastate her Knight! Dark Sonic!"
The dark imitation of Shooting Sonic shattered her knight and the impact of the blast sent its fragments flying to her side of the field, scattering off the top of the skyscraper. The Witch stood on her feet and growled. The damage felt like her head was being doused in cold water (AKI IZAYOI: 3900 1700).
"Now Stardust Dragon attacks Dark Verger! Shooting Sonic!"
The cascade of white incinerated Dark Verger, and the attack caused the Witch to shake, even though her monster was in Defense Mode.
"Now I end my turn!" He said with a chuckle.
TURN 11: AKI IZAYOI: 1700, YUSEI FUDO: 3200
She drew her next card and was glad to see it.
"I Summon Copy Plant, in Defense Mode! Then since I have a plant type Tuner, I can revive Dark Verger!" Both monsters appeared in front of her, two barriers to protect her remaining life-points.
"He can't do anything about a trap card I can use next turn!" She thought to herself, looking to what she had set on the field earlier.
/
Turn 12 AKI IZAYOI: 1700, YUSEI FUDO: 3200
The man drew his next card and narrowed his eyes. "I will set this card!" He said aloud.
"And now Stardust Dragon and Avatar will attack you once again!"
Both of her barrier monsters shattered once again from the twin blasts of power.
Turn 13 AKI IZAYOI: 1700, YUSEI FUDO: 3200
"Draw!" She yelled, feeling the pressure of the Shadow Game start to get to her. Her other self had been in one earlier and the Witch assumed that it would be simple if her other could so it. Still – she had an urge to end things quickly. Divine would be relieved if she was victorious.
The card she drew was a strong one. Right now she just needed a diversion. Luckily for her she now had another play she could make.
"I'll use this Continuous Trap Card, Overdead Line! I resurrect Black Rose Dragon at the cost of eight-hundred life points!" She explained as she felt her body tense from paying almost half of her remaining points (AKI IZAYOI: 1700 → 900).
"This trap card will give Black Rose Dragon an additional one thousand attack points." She stated as her dragon's revival was heralded by a mighty roar (Black Rose Dragon: 7/2400 3400/1800).
As its attack power changed to reflect its strength, The Wicked Avatar's form warped once again, shifting from Stardust Dragon's to copy Black Rose Dragon once again (10/2600/2600 → 10/3500/3500).
"Battle! Black Rose Dragon, attack Stardust Dragon! Black Rose Flare!"
All of her hatred and sorrow. Even Stardust Dragon was not enough to stop it now. That man would not proclaim he'd save her. It was almost sad. The Witch felt a tinge of regret as she'd never know what exactly changed the man. The only one worthy of facing her fury.
The stream of purple and black overwhelmed Stardust Dragon and shattered the cosmic monster, damaging its controller's life-points (YUSEI FUDO: 3200 → 2300).
The feeling of regret was overcome with one of victory as she had finally destroyed the wretched Dragon that opposed her so many times before. The loss of such a creature didn't seem to bother the man, who just deepened his grin.
He chuckled. "So you overcame Stardust Dragon after all. However it doesn't matter what you do at this point! My Avatar is invincible! And since you put Black Rose Dragon in attack mode – that means that you'll take damage next turn!"
She stopped. Something was eating away at her. The child that cried time and time again in her heart was wailing once again. Something was still very, very wrong.
Was it the loss of Stardust Dragon? No. It was deeper than that. The Witch felt tears on her face once again.
/
The crack widened and more light flooded in. Aki saw her father proudly waving a banner with her name inscribed on it as she drove around a Duel stadium as the audience cheered her on. Her mother's embrace at her choice to attend medical school. And beyond that the patch on her riding uniform proudly displaying a logo of '5D's'.
Then the child stopped wailing and she was joined by a quiet high school student, the Duel Academia drop out embracing the child as the child faded. The student stood and looked through the crack at Black Rose Dragon.
Memories of her past in full bloom now, Aki did her best to wade through all of the repressed memories – the ones that Divine's meddling wouldn't have reached. Things only she could know. As she walked the high-schooler faded to be replaced by the young fierce woman who'd devastated the Fortune Cup.
She was more or less at this point again, yet looking out at the great beyond she saw a member of Team 5D's in a formfitting black and red riding suit watching her, wearing a helmet matching the suit, leaning against a crimson D-Wheel. The woman faded once Aki reached her, but then she realized that she'd become her, looking down to the D Wheel she leaned against. Then she saw the most recent depiction of herself, the medical student.
Aki closed her eyes as all of the versions of herself she could think of vanished – a piece of herself in every one of them. And now - they were a united whole. Even the Witch, whose unending rage and sorrow was as much a part of her as everything else. Aki caught the witch and pulled back the hood and mask, holding the confused girl in her arms.
"You fought well. But now – you can rest. I'll finish this." She thought.
Divine's meddling had created a pocket in her mind for the Black Rose Witch personality to fester – but it was still a part of her. One that Aki was able to accept. The dark abyss faded and suddenly she felt things. Wind. Her own heartbeat. The pressure of the Shadow Game. She was back in control now.
/
Izayoi Aki opened her eyes, feeling the unrestrained psychic powers billow around her. The man who looked like Yusei was across from her and to their right, Divine was watching the whole thing unfold.
At the moment she had just one burning desire.
"I use the spell card – Magic Planter. I send my continuous Overdead Line Trap to the Graveyard to draw two cards! Return to the Graveyard, Black Rose Dragon!"
The trap anchoring Black Rose Dragon to the field shattered and Black Rose Dragon did the same, leaving only the Wicked Avatar remaining as Aki held her two new cards.
Black Rose Dragon vanished and the man laughed. "Fool! You rid the field of your best monster! Now there's nothing holding my Avatar back!"
"Wrong. That God of Copies is nothing if it has nothing strong to copy!" Aki retorted as the creature's attack points could only reflect an Ivy Token now (10/?/? → 100/100).
"My set card. At this moment, let it be enough." Aki thought. "I end my turn." She said.
Turn 14: AKI IZAYOI: 900, YUSEI FUDO: 2300
The man drew his next card, scowling.
"Even if the Avatar is alone, it still can deal you damage! Attack her directly!" He commanded with a wide grin. So unlike Yusei.
Aki growled as the black sun shrank, warping and twisting to become a copy – of herself.
Body and clothes jet-black, and with no features save dull white eyes and a wicked grin, the copy thrust her hand into Aki's waist.
Aki screamed as the shadows phased through her, far worse feeling than the earlier Shadow Game with Bakura. If the attack from the creature while it copied Stardust was like a bucket of ice water on her head, this was far stronger. Like she'd been thrown into an ocean of the stuff and it seeped in her like blood from an open wound. (AKI IZAYOI: 900 → 800).
The reflection of herself grinned as it looked down on her, yet Aki didn't see anything resembling a soul in its eyes. Merely a mirror of whatever was facing it.
"You're not him. Not Yusei at all." She breathed, glaring at whoever was hiding within his body.
"You're right! You can call me Marik! Let my name to the last one you hear before I rip you to shreds in this Shadow Game!" He said as his laughter resumed.