Phantom's Requiem
Chapter 33
Galaxy
"It's over..." Yuto declared, approaching the Commander-in-Chief.
"So, what will you do now? Card me?" Edo asked, glaring at his foe.
Staring down at the Fusion user, who was kneeling on the ground, Yuto made his decision. Just like before, Edo could've sworn that he saw the Xyz user's eyes change. "I'm not going to card you, but only on one condition. Get out of my sight," he snarled. "Leave Heartland, and never return. If you do..." Lifting the soldier by his collar, he glared at him, eyes filled with animosity. "Next time I won't be so merciful," he warned. Throwing the Fusion user down, he turned to his comrade.
"Kaito... let's go back to base. There's nothing to report here."
"I can't go with you..."
"W... what?"
"I left the Resistance. Staying there would've kept me from avenging my father," the blond answered.
"Kaito, please... just give up on revenge."
"What are you saying, Yuto?! That's what everyone wanted, isn't it? Revenge on Academia. Just look around you! If Academia never came here, then none of this ever would've happened!" he shouted, angered.
"I'm saying that it's not worth it. Now, I feel... empty. I don't know when it happened, but I lost my way. I forgot who I was. I'm not saying that I'm giving up on this war, but I am saying that we should stop trying to stop hatred with hatred. I learned the hard way that the only thing that comes out of that is more pain and suffering. I'm going to end this war... but I won't involve any of you anymore," Yuto explained.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm tired, Kaito," he sighed. "I just want all of this to be over. If- When I leave... I'm not sure if I'll come back. I feel like there's something calling me there, to Fusion... and I'm not sure if I can resist it for much longer. What I'm trying to say is that... this might be the last time."
"Duel me, then."
"Kaito?"
"If you really are going to go, then show me that you're ready. If you lose, then I'll keep going down this path. If you win, then I'll give up on revenge, and leave the rest to you."
"Kaito..."
"Yuto... You can't stop this. Now, fight me."
"I... I don't want to fight you, but... if this is the only way to convince you, then... I will fight. I'm not the scared kid I was three years ago," Yuto determinedly declared, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth as drops of sweat began to roll down his face.
"I'll be the judge of that," Kaito coldly remarked.
"Yeah... I guess you will. Ready?"
"You know the answer to that question just as well as I do."
Duel Start
Yuto VS Kaito
Turn 1: Yuto
Yuto LP/Hand: 4000/5
Kaito LP/Hand: 4000/5
"The first move's mine! I Summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves, and Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my hand with its effect!" Yuto exclaimed, as his thoughts wandered back to that fateful day when he had clashed with Yugo. Things were different now, though. He had a new trick up his sleeve that he didn't back then.
"Going for Break Sword? Maybe you really are all bark and no bite," Kaito commented apathetically, clearly unimpressed with his junior's display.
"I wasn't finished yet," the cloaked duelist replied. "I activate a Spell! Overlord Aura! I reveal Dark Anthelion Dragon in my Extra Deck, and the Levels of two monsters I control become equal to that monster's Rank. Meaning that my two Phantom Knights become Level 7!" A pitch-black shadow began to spread over the two affected monsters, settling into the shape of flowing auras, as the eyes of the Phantom Knights became a shining yellow color.
Overlord Aura
Normal Spell
Reveal 1 Xyz Monster in your Extra Deck, then target 2 face-up monsters you control, their Levels become equal to that monster's Rank, until the end of this turn, also, for the rest of this turn, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except Xyz Monsters.
"I Overlay Level 7 Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots! From the remnants of the rebellion, the fangs arise with new power to fight back against the foes that obstruct their path!" he chanted, as white, bone-like armor formed over the dragon that had risen from the vortex beneath his feet. "Be reborn! Rank 7! Slash through the pall of darkness! Dark Anthelion Dragon!" he finished, as the new arrival let out a mighty roar, allowing its presence to be felt.
Dark Anthelion Dragon
2 Level 7 monsters
Rank 7
PS: 10
DARK
ATK: 3000
DEF: 2500
[ Dragon / Xyz / Pendulum / Effect ]
Pendulum Effect
Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; halve its original ATK until the end of this turn (even if this card leaves the field).
Monster Effect
If you can Pendulum Summon Level 7, you can Pendulum Summon this face-up card in your Extra Deck. Once per turn (Quick Effect); you can detach 1 of this card's materials, halve the ATK of one of your opponent's monsters, then 1 of your monsters gains that much ATK until the End Phase, also you gain Life Points equal to that amount. If this effect is activated, until the End Phase, this card cannot be destroyed by battle or by card effects. When this card is destroyed by battle or by card effect, you can place it in your Pendulum Zone.
'Perfect. Now it's ready. I can win this if I play my cards right.'
"I Set one card face-down. Your move."
Turn 2: Kaito
Yuto LP/Hand: 4000/1
Kaito LP/Hand: 4000/5
"It's my turn! I'll show you the difference between us! It doesn't matter if you're an enemy or an ally, stand in my way and I'll eliminate you! I Summon three Cipher Wings, and tribute one of them so that the other two become Level 8 monsters!" the blonde duelist shouted as three small machines appeared in front of him, each with six prismatic green wings.
Cipher Wing
Level 4
LIGHT
ATK: 1400
DEF: 1200
[ Machine / Effect ]
If you control "Cipher Wing", you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can Tribute this card; increase the Levels of all "Cipher" monsters you currently control by 4.
"I Overlay my two Level 8 Cipher Wings and Xyz Summon! Demon of revenge, galaxy shining in the darkness! Coalesce into one, and become my servant! Descend! Rank 8! Arrive from the farthest reaches of existence, Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!" he called out, his voice echoing through the ruined landscape, as a brightly-colored dragon shot down to the field from beyond the clouds.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon
2 Level 8 monsters
Rank 8
LIGHT
ATK: 3000
DEF: 2500
[ Dragon / Xyz / Effect ]
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; take control of it until the End Phase. While you control that monster by this effect, its name becomes "Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon", its ATK becomes the same as this card's, it cannot attack directly, and its effects are negated.
"I'm sure you're familiar with its effect, so I'll put it to use! I activate Galaxy-Eyes' effect to take control of Dark Anthelion Dragon! Cipher Projection!" Kaito declared, clenching his outstretched hand into a fist in front of him as a brilliant light emanated from Galaxy-Eyes' wings, illuminating its foe. Yuto, however, appeared to be unfazed by this. Rather, it looked like he was… smiling?
"At this moment, I activate Dark Anthelion Dragon's effect! The ATK of a monster my opponent controls is halved, Anthelion gains that ATK, and I gain Life Points equal to the change! Devil's Drop! I thought you'd try to take it, so I took advantage of that fact," the younger boy grinned, as the light coming from Kaito's monster was forced back the the electricity coming from Anthelion, overpowering it.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ATK: 3000 / 2 = 1500
Dark Anthelion Dragon ATK: 3000 + 1500 = 4500
Yuto LP: 4000 + 1500 = 5500
"Tch… I hope you're enjoying those Life Points, because I'm getting rid of them! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon attacks directly! Cipher Stream of Annihilation!" the older duelist roared, as a torrent of energy washed over Yuto, kicking up dust and rubble.
Yuto LP: 5500 – 1500 = 4000
"With that, I Set two cards and end my turn. At this time, Galaxy-Eyes' effect ends, and Dark Anthelion returns to you."
Turn 3: Yuto
Yuto LP/Hand: 4000/1
Kaito LP/Hand: 4000/1
"It's my turn," Yuto stated calmly. At least, that was how he was trying to appear. Inwardly, his heart was racing, but he wasn't about to give away the nervousness he felt inside. "I activate Anthelion's effect again!"
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ATK: 3000 / 2 = 1500
Dark Anthelion Dragon ATK: 3000 + 1500 = 4500
Yuto LP: 4000 + 1500 = 5500
"The same move?" his opponent asked, sounding almost bored.
"Not exactly. I activate Phantom Knights' Sword, to give my monster 800 ATK and prevent it from being destroyed once. Battle! Dark Anthelion attacks Galaxy-Eyes! Blade Eclipse!" he commanded as his dragon charged forward, the sword clutched in between its jaws. Darting through its foe, the jet-black dragon had emerged victorious… or so Yuto, thought, however, when the dust settled, it was clear that not only had Galaxy-Eyes survived, but there were now two of them.
Kaito LP: 4000 – 3800 = 200
"A Trap that both saved the Cipher Dragon and gave it another material?" Outwardly, Yuto was trying to stay calm, however, he felt a deep sense of dread inside.
'Dammit! I wasn't counting on it surviving. I'll just have to try to survive with what I have.'
"I Set two cards face-down," he muttered, turning his head away in disappointment. "I… I end my turn."
Turn 4: Kaito
Yuto LP/Hand: 5500/0
Kaito LP/Hand: 200/1
"I activate Galaxy-Eyes' effect. I take Dark Anthelion Dragon once again. Battle! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon attacks directly."
Yuto LP: 5500 – 3000 = 2500
"I activate Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension. I use Galaxy-Eyes as material for a monster that's one Rank higher. Arise, Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! I then activate the Trap Rank-Up Gravity, which forces you to attack Neo Galaxy-Eyes or your monsters are banished at the end of the Battle Phase. I Set the last card in my hand and end my turn."
Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension
Normal Spell
Target 1 "Cipher" Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 "Cipher" Xyz Monster that is 1 Rank higher than that target, by using it as the Xyz Material. (This Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon. Xyz Materials attached to it also become Xyz Materials on the Summoned monster.) The Summoned monster gains 500 ATK for each Level 4 or higher monster you control.
Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon
3 Level 9 monsters
Rank 9
LIGHT
ATK: 4500
DEF: 3000
[ Dragon / Xyz / Effect ]
If this card is Xyz Summoned by using "Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon" as Material, it gains these effects.
● Once per turn: You can detach all Xyz Materials from this card; take control of as many monsters your opponent controls as possible, but their names become "Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon", their ATK become the same as this card's, their effects are negated, also they cannot attack this turn.
● If this face-up card leaves the field: Return control of all monsters whose control was taken by this card's effect to their owner.
Rank-Up Gravity
Continuous Trap
While you control an Xyz Monster Special Summoned with a "Rank-Up-Magic" Spell Card, monsters your opponent controls cannot attack, except to attack those Xyz Monsters. Monsters your opponent controls that did not attack are banished at the end of the Battle Phase. If you do not control an Xyz Monster Special Summoned with a "Rank-Up-Magic" Spell Card, destroy this card, and if it was destroyed during the Battle Phase by this effect, end the Battle Phase.
"Yuto… just give up," Kaito pleaded. "There's no reason for this to go on any longer. It doesn't matter what you do now, I've won. Just leave everything to me from now on."
"Leave everything to you?"
"Yes. I'll stop Academia and bring Ruri back home. Trust me. The people here need you more than they need me," he offered, stretching his hand out toward Yuto.
"Do you really think… do you really think I can accept something like that?! There are people I swore to save even if it's the last thing I do, and Ruri is one of them! I'll bear all of your anger and grief, just let me make things right!" he screamed, both sadness and resolve in his voice, as a faint pulse rippled through his Extra Deck.
"Yuto… what are you talking about?" Kaito asked, taken aback.
"You don't have to hold the weight of the world on your shoulders anymore. We're friends, aren't we?" he smiled, exhausted.
"What do you mean?"
"It means that I'm here for you. If that means carrying that weight for you, I'll do it. That's what friends are for, isn't it? I already told you, right? I'm not that scared little kid anymore. Before, I'd forgotten who I was. But now, I know who I am. I'm Yuto Tsukasa, and I'm going to protect this dimension and all of its people, no matter the cost. As long as everyone can be happy, it was all worth it. So, please. Just leave the rest to me."
"Not yet. The only way you'll convince me is to find a way out of this. Show me that you're finally strong enough to stand on your own."
"Then I'll have to bet everything on this last draw. Get ready, Kaito. It's my turn!"
Turn 5: Yuto
Yuto LP/Hand: 2500/0
Kaito LP/Hand: 200/0
'This is!' he thought, glimpsing the card he had drawn. Overlord Form. Just thinking about it brought to mind the wreckage of the Duel Palace, Sergey's broken body trapped underneath his D-Wheel, and a golden-eyed mirror image of himself. As much as he hated the idea, this was his last chance to win, regardless of the risks it posed.
"I activate Overlord Form! Using Dark Anthelion as material, I Xyz Summon a monster with the same Rank from my Extra Deck!" Scrolling through his Extra Deck to find the card he was looking for, he noticed that a completely blank card was present in it. No image or effect, not even a name, just a sea of white. Now wasn't the time to ponder, though, as his finger hovered over the monster that had made him into a pariah during his last duel in the Friendship Cup. Gritting his teeth, he selected it, as it was his only option in this dilemma.
"Rising from the abyss, the dark dragon melds with the dual-colored eyes, as thunder roars in the pitch-black sky to signal the coming of the ruler! Appear! Rank 7! The jet-black dragon howling in the night! Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon – Overload! Overload's effect! All other monsters on the field are destroyed, and I inflict damage to my opponent equal to the highest ATK among them! Lightning Overload!"
"You've done well, but it's over now. I activate the Trap Cipher Chain, which destroys all monsters on the field when one of them is destroyed, and inflicts damage equal to their combined ATK to both players."
Cipher Chain
Continuous Trap
If you take battle damage: Activate this card by targeting all monsters on the field. When 1 of those monsters is destroyed, destroy all the other monsters, and if you do, inflict damage to both players equal to the total ATK of those destroyed monsters.
Yuto LP: 2500 – 3000 = 0
Kaito LP: 200 – 7500 = 0
DRAW
"I'm still coming to Fusion, but we'll fight our own battles when we get there," Kaito said, cracking a slight smile.
"So I still can't stop you from going, can I?" Yuto chuckled, falling on his back.
"You didn't win, did you?" the blonde retorted, letting out a small laugh.
"I guess that's fair. Hey, Kaito. What do you plan on doing when the war is over?"
"What am I going to do? I've never really thought about it before. I guess I just want things to go back to the way they were before. What's your plan?"
"The people of this world forgot how to smile once Academia came. So I want to give them a reason to. When I was in Standard, I learned that there they have duelists called 'Entertainment Duelists'. That's what I want to be," Yuto explained, however, the moment was cut short by an incoming call on his Duel Disk. Answering, he was greeted with the face of Reiji Akaba, donning a grim expression.
"Yuzu Hiiragi… has been kidnapped."
Meanwhile, deep within Yuto's heart, S sat at the table of a café, sipping tea from a small cup as Yuya arrived, having previously been called by the doppelganger.
"What do you want?" Yuya asked, somewhat harshly. He still didn't trust S, nor did he think he ever would. He seemed familiar, yet the tomato-haired boy always felt uneasy around him. There was something about him that just radiated danger.
"You don't have to be rude, you know. I just wanted to talk. Here, have a seat," he beckoned, golden eyes glimmering in the sunlight. Reluctantly, Yuya obliged, pulling a chair up. "I wanted to ask you to explain something to me."
"What?" Yuya asked quizzically. Given S's slightly narcissistic attitude, he failed to see why he would ever come to him for answers, as he'd been under the impression the white-and-black-haired boy thought he knew everything.
"It has to do with what Yuto told Kaito earlier. Why would he be willing to go so far for another person? We can't rely on anyone but ourselves, can we? Trust other people and they'll inevitably stab you in the back."
"Do you really think that?"
"Why wouldn't I? I've been inside of Yuto for his entire life, and time after time people he thought wee his comrades turned out to be spies for the enemy."
"You've never had any friends, have you?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Maybe there are some people who will eventually betray you, but there are also people who'll stay by your side. Some of them forever. Yuto's trying to save someone like that now, you know. What I'm trying to say is that not everyone is like that. Maybe you want someone you can trust, too? Anyway, if that's all you wanted, I'm leaving. This place kind of gives me the creeps," Yuya commented.
As the younger boy left, S heard something fall in his drink. Looking down at it, he realized something was streaming down his face. Placing a finger to his cheek, he realized that it was wet.
"Why am I crying?" he asked. It was at that moment that he heard the blazing dragon's voice in his mind.
"You're not having second thoughts, are you?" it inquired.
"No, it's nothing," he replied, shaking his head.
"So you're certain, then?"
"Of course. Even if I had any regrets, it's too late to stop what's already begun."
So that took way too long. Sorry about that. Originally this chapter was supposed to some out two months ago, but a combination of the original version, which was almost complete, vanishing from the face of the earth and good old-fashioned burnout led to a lack of motivation and inspiration to keep writing, and I effectively had to force myself to finish this one. Anyway, Review Response Corner time.
Ulrich362's Review: Well... that works, Edo should consider himself lucky Yuto didn't take things as far as he could have. Though with everything going on in his head I'm not entirely surprised. I am wondering what's going to happen now with Kaito not going back to the base... am I to think that we'll be having a duel between former friends in the next chapter? Then again we could also see what's going on in the Fusion or Synchro Dimension since there's clearly plot relevant events taking place in both of them. In regards to the two dragons, I have a pretty good idea who they are I'm just trying to be subtle to avoid potentially spoiling it though this chapter just about confirmed my suspicions about one of them at the very least. Great chapter, looking forward to the update. Oh, but if you're able I do have a slight side question.
Well, that should answer your first question. Also, thanks for being courteous and not delving into any potential spoilers. The update's here, and it feels good to be back.
Slimslam's Review: Finally sorry I haven't commented on some of your other chapters I couldn't find the cover my bad but I'm willing to get back on the roplay when you want to. and this was a great chapter to. Done And Done Bring On The Next
The prophecy has been fulfilled. Good to have you back. Just to clarify, though, you are caught up on the 13 or so chapters you missed, right? Because you will be lost very soon otherwise.