A/N: One of my complaints about duel writing is that I have to re-use a lot of material from previous chapters to keep continuity. Summoning chants, how Summons are conducted, and how attacks work are often just copy-pasted, with a few tweaks. I hope you guys don't mind if I change up how things are done, for the sake of having fresh content.
Fun Fact: Yugo and Yuto both like rap music. They've occasionally mused about becoming a superstar rap duo, but know they can't follow this dream when they're trapped in Yuya's body.
Chapter Summary: The duel continues with Serena's turn, and she aims to finish off Yuya with her most powerful card.
It was Serena's turn now. With a face-down Spell or Trap, five cards in her hand, and 1600 Life Points, she was in a bit of a bind.
Yuya was in a solid position. Aside from having 2800 Life Points, his field consisted of his two Pendulum Scales, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon in Attack mode, Wisdom-Eye Magician in Defense mode, and two face-down Spells/Traps.
Serena let out a sigh, then ruminated on her cards. It was distracting, having Yuya wait for her next move. But when it came to the thrill of dueling, she thought she could manage to focus entirely on her strategy.
"I use the effect of my Lunalight Black Sheep," she announced. "By discarding this card, I can add one Polymerization from my Deck to my hand."
Serena pulled a card from her hand and deposited it in her Graveyard. She was quick to replace it with another card from her Deck.
"Right now, I'll Normal Summon Lunalight Kaleido Chick."
Serena forcefully slammed card card onto the field. Rising from the ground and taking to the air was a young, humanoid female, glad in yellow clothing. It outstretched its arms, spreading the transparent, but colorful shawl.
"Using its effect, I can send a Lunalight from my Main or Extra Deck to the Graveyard, and Kaleido Chick's name will be treated as that monster's."
Serena swiftly grabbed the second card in her Extra Deck, then dropped it in her Graveyard. The image of Lunalight Panther Dancer briefly appeared before Kaleido Chick, before dissolving into a light purple mist.
Serena then revealed a card in her hand to Yuya. "Next, I set Scale 1 Lunalight Wolf in my Pendulum Zone."
She placed the card to the far right section on her blade. The monster appeared to her right, rising into the sky in a pillar of blue light. Once the monster reached the end of the pillar, the number 1 appeared beneath it.
"Just one Pendulum Scale?" Yuya asked. "You know you can't Pendulum Summon with just one Scale."
"I'm not going to Pendulum Summon," she informed him. "I activate it's Pendulum Effect: once per turn, I can Fusion Summon a Lunalight monster from my Extra Deck by banishing the Materials from field or Graveyard."
Yuya gave the girl a nod. Then, he got to work flipping his rollerboots on before skating away from the scene.
"Elegant beast dancing on the moonlit wilderness! The beast lurking in jet-black dress! The bird that creates a kaleidoscopic illusion!" Serena chanted. "Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power!"
Kaleido Chick's form shattered, and it, along with the two other Lunalight monsters in the Graveyard, sunk into the Banished Zone. This caused a growing, multi-colored vortex to swirl in front of Serena's Duel Disk.
"Fusion Summon! Come forth! The king of beasts dancing atop the summit of the moonlight wilderness! Lunalight Leo Dancer!"
The vortex pushed against itself, creating the form of a large, female humanoid. The colors faded, and Lunalight Leo Dancer was left on the field. Her mask shattered before her and reformed as decorative ornaments on her head. And then, the beast held up her mighty, curved sword above her head. (ATK 3500)
"Battle!"Serena declared. "Lunalight Leo Daner attacks your Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"
Yuya had no time to stand in awe of the furry in the skimpy outfit. His eyes were set on an Action Card, resting on a far end of the lot. He made a beeline towards the card, his free hand outstretched.
Just as he was about to reach for it, a large sword came down. The end of its blade stabbed into the ground, keeping Yuya just short of the Action Card.
He turned around to see Lunalight Leo Dancer in front of him. The monster looked down at hi with hungry eyes.
Yuya gulped. "Ah, hey there, Leo Dancer. It's a- it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Running by the duo was Serena. She passed by Leo and Yuya, then dove to the ground with an outstretched hand. She grabbed the Action Card and pulled it onto her Duel Disk, while Leo reached around Yuya to grab hold of her blade.
"Action Card - Take Flight! Lunalight Leo Dancer gets a boost of 600 ATK!"
And Leo Dancer indeed took flight. Large, angelic wings unfurled from her back. As she rose into the air and flew towards Clear Wing, pure white feathers fell from her wings and blew through the air.
To Yuya's horror, he could only watch as Leo Dancer's sword was buried into his dragon's torso. The dragon let a pained, screeching roar before it was destroyed. (Yuya: 2800 → 1200)
"Clear Wing..." Yuya said dejectedly.
Serena paused for a moment. She found herself staring at Yuya's backside, and lowering her gaze. "Uh..."
Yuya turned to look at his Wisdom-Eye Magician. To his surprise, the spellcaster also shattered in the wake of Leo Dancer's attack.
Noticing this, Serena rose up from the ground. "Y-yeah, that happens!"
"What happens?" Yuya asked her.
"When Lunalight Leo Dancer attacks, after the Damage Step, all of your Special Summoned monsters are destroyed. A-and Leo Dancer can attack twice during the Battle Phase!"
Yuya gulped. He skated across the lot once more, heading towards the columns of light he had left.
Serena let out a small but confident laugh. "You fought well, Yuya. But I told you I would kick you ass."
"Trap Card, activate!" Yuya announced. "Gust of WIND!"
Yuya turned back to face Serena, giving her an egao. And behind him came a blustering green wind.
You're using my card, eh? Yugo said to him. Good one, buddy. Show her who's boss!
"Gust of WIND sends all cards I control to my hand," Yuya explained. "After that, I get to draw a card from my Deck."
"What?" Serena gasped. "Do you think that card can help you?"
"Not at all!"
Yuya pointed a finger to his Performapal Gongato. Its started to beat its stomach with the small mallets in its hand. Music notes of various colors rained down onto the field, and the rhymic beats of its gong echoed through the field.
"You were watching my duel with Shinji, right?" Yuya asked Serena. "Once per turn, when my opponent declares a direct attack, I can use its Pendulum Effect to reduce the battle damage to zero. And best of all, the beats stay, even if the Gongato leaves the field!"
The green winds rose into the air, scattering the music notes and white feathers. It was a symphony of colors and beats, and it left Serena's jaw dropped.
Not bad, Sakaki, Rin mused.
Those feathers are yours, Serena, Ruri offered. Both of you made this together, not just him. Be proud you could make something so beautiful.
Ruri! Yuzu whispered. That sounds too romantic! Tone it down a bit.
The winds reached the tops of the Pendulum Scales. The monsters inside were blown away into the wind. And as the pillars of light faded, so did the blustering winds.
Serena found herself holding her breath. She let out a long sigh, the pressed her fingers to her forehead. "Okay, I'll admit it. That was pretty good."
Yuya winked at her playfully. "You're welcome to attack me again, if you'd like. It won't do anything to me, but it might feel you better."
Serena shook her head. "I'm good, thanks. For now, I'm going to end my turn."
And end the turn she did. With three cards in her hand, a single Pendulum Scale set up, and Lunalight Leo Dancer on her side of the field, she had set up a strong offense. Her Life Points remained at 1600.
Serena's turn ended, and so did Yuya's turn in the body. As he drew a card from his deck, his red eyes shifted into a pale gray. This was the signal that Yuto had taken over for his time in the spotlight.
To both Serena and Yuto's surprise, the show had some fans. At the far edge of the lot were Sayaka, Allen, Kaito, and a young boy with pale, light blue hair. The young boy held hands with Kaito.
"Kaito!" Yuto exclaimed. "Allen! Sayaka! Haruto!"
The young boy squeezed Kaito's hand. From his face, Yuto could tell that the boy seemed a bit shocked by Yuto's statement.
"Yuto? Is that you?" Kaito asked. "We saw the wind storm from where we were, so we came to check things out."
Yuto egao'd. "That was Yuya and Serena's work. But you've made it in time to see my turn."
Kaito nodded. "Let's see if you still have the skills you've worked so hard to perfect. Do the Resistance proud."
Yuto nodded in return, then turned to face his opponent. Now that he had an audience to impress, he was even more focused on bringing out the best of his dueling Skills.
"I activate Hi-Speedroid Kendama's effect!" Yuto announced. "Once per turn, if I don't control any cards, I can Special Summon this card from my Graveyard."
A spot on Yuto's field started to glow. Rising up from the ground was the body of Yugo's fallen monster.
"... However, I can't Normal Summon or Set this turn," Yuto added. "So I set the Pendulum Scales once more, with Performapal Gongato and Dragonpit Magician."
Yuto delicately placed the Pendulums back into their Zones. The blue pillars of light were erected once more, and the monsters floated high above the field.
"I use Hi-Speedroid Kendama's other effect!" Yuto said. "I banish Speedroid Taketomborg from my Graveyard to deal 500 points of damage to your Life Points." (Serena: 1600 → 1100)
"... Yuto uses those white cards," Haruto mumbled. "I've seen them before."
"Yuto can do a lot of things, I see," Kite responded. "Watch, I see he has another trick up his sleeve."
Together now! Yuya said to Yuto.
"Swing, pendulum of the soul!" Yuto called out. "Carve an arc of light across the ether! Pendulum Summon!"
The great pendulum in the sky spun around. Falling from the circle it created were two balls of light. They shot down to the field and landed before Yuto, becoming Wisdom-Eye Magician (ATK 1500) and The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm. (ATK 1500)
"Are you going to Xyz Summon, Dead Kid?" Serena asked. "You should know, Leo Dancer can't be targetted by card effects; Dark Rebellion's effect won't work on her."
"Not yet," Yuto replied. "I equip Hi-Speedroid Kendama with an Equip Spell, United We Stand."
Yuto placed a card on the blade, underneath Kendama's card. And on the field, Kendama's body started to glow blue. Its nearly tripled in size, towering over Yuto and his other monsters.
"United We Stand gives the equipped monster 800 ATK and DEF for every monster I control," Yuto explained. "Perfect for a deck that focuses on Pendulums." (Hi-Speedroid Kendama 2200 → 4600)
Serena's jaw dropped once more. "Your turn just started, and your field is stronger than when I left it."
"The Resistance always bands together to share their power," Yuto said happily. "Now, battle! Hi-Speedroid Kendama attacks your Lunalight Leo Dancer!"
"Wait! Quick-Play Spell, activate!" Serena declared. "Lovebird's Gift!"
"What? That's Ruri's card!"
The face-down card on Serena's rise rose up. Featured was an image of a white dove, sitting in the palms of feminine hands.
"During my Main Phase, or when my opponent declares an attack, I can activate this card," Serena explained. "I negate your attack, and I shift control of my monster over to you."
Aside from Sayaka, everybody around Serena gasped. Yuto himself seemed in stand in disbelief as Leo Dancer floated over to his side of the field. To him, this moment seemed unreal. (Hi-Speedroid Kendama 4600 → 5400)
I thought that card would be useless, Rin confessed. Why would you ever want to give your opponent control of your monster?
It's really good when you're in a pinch, Ruri told her.
Serena pointed at her former monster, egao-ing. "Yuto! You may have my monster, but she'll never turn on me! Due to Lovebird's Gift's effect, her effects are negated, and she can't attack me directly."
"That's not all, is it?" Yuto said.
"Right! Then, I gain Life Points equal to my monster's ATK!" (Serena: 1100 → 4600)
That's how you know that the love is true, Ruri said wistfully. You give someone your heart, and they would never hurt you.
"Yeah, whatever. I just saved us from losing, so."
Yuto egao'd. It was a nostalgic feeling, seeing that card in action again. Before making a move, he let the warm feeling of Ruri's love wash over him. Oh, how he missed being with her all day, every day.
Alright, enough of that. Time to attack Serena.
"I can still attack with my other two monsters. Go, Wisdom-Eye Magician!"
Wisdom-Eye jumped forward and floated across the field. Wielding a long staff with a prayer wheel tied to it, the monster used its weapon to smack Serena in the chest. The girl was forced stumbling backwards, barely able to keep herself on her feet. (Serena: 4600 → 3100)
"Now, Cloven Helm!"
Serena looked around the lot for an Action Card, or some way to escape the oncoming attack. From the ground below came two hands, which grabbed onto her legs and squeezed tight. Serena lost her balance and fell onto her knees.
Cloven Helm let go of Serena. It rose from the ground and floated back over to Yuto's side of the field. (Serena: 3100 → 1600)
"I end my Battle Phase," Yuto concluded. "Are you alright, Serena?"
Yuto walked over to the girl and held out a hand. Although she at first hesitated, she took his hand and let him help her up.
"Don't think I'll go falling in love with you, too," she joked. "You tried your hardest, and couldn't beat me."
"I'll leave that to Yuya and the others," Yuto chuckled. "For now, I'll overlay my Level Four Wisdom-Eye Magician, and The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm!"
A familiar black hole opened up on the field. The two Level Four monsters became light. They were sucked inside, and the portal started to change its shape.
"Formed from pitch-black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs! Now, descend! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"
The portal broke apart, and a black dragon floated into the air. Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon stood directly before its master, and its yellow eyes stared deep into Serena's green. (Hi-Speedroid Kendama 5400 → 4600)
Dark Rebellion then egao'd and took Yuto into his arms. Yuto gladly pressed his face against his monster's chest.
After a moment, the two broke free from their hug. Dark Rebellion went back to glaring at Serena menacingly, while Yuto turned his eyes to the cards in his hand.
"I'll set Yuya's face-down and end my turn here," Yuto said. "Your move, Yuzu."
His turn ended with two Pendulum Scales, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, Hi-Speedroid Kendama, and Lunalight Leo Dancer on his field. His Life Points settled at 1200, and he had one card in his hand.
And from the four members of the audience, applause. Applause for Yuto's near-victory, and the quick thinking Serena did to save herself. Even Haruto, shy as he was, clapped a bit before clinging onto his brother's jacket.
Yuto egao'd. This was going better than he had anticipated.
"My turn! Draw!"
It was Yuzu's turn to shine. She drew a card from her deck and threw her arm back dramatically. Her eyes drifted to the card she drew. It was the perfect card, the one card that would turn this all around.
Ruri set the stage with her opening act, and Serena's leveled the playing field and kept the audience on their seats. And now, with this card and this field, she was going to end the show on a good note.
Sorry, Rin, Yuzu said. Is it okay if I end the duel here?
Serena's happy and relaxed, and we got to have run, Rin replied. And as long as Yuri's losing, I'm fine with missing my turn.
Yuzu held her newly-drawn card to her opponent. "I activate the Spell Card, Ostinato!"
As Yuzu placed the card onto her blade, a pastel musical bar grew from her Disk. The bar, and all the various notes on it, danced through the air. It circled around Yuto and his side of the field, then bound its way back to circle Yuzu.
Now, they were in a giant "8" symbol created by the bars. A riff of a beautiful, alto choir could be heard.
Beautiful! Yuya commented. Yuzu just has the most beautiful... everything!
Yuto, don't get distracted by the music, Yugo advised. We gotta win, alright?
Yuzu placed a hand on her Extra Deck, then drew a card from the top. "If I control no monsters, I can Fusion Summon a Melodious monster from my Extra Deck, using 2 monsters from my hand or Deck as Fusion Materials."
The bar started to break apart, freeing the musical notes. The notes flew through the air and clustered together on Yuzu's side of the field.
"Supreme prodigy! Supreme genius! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon!"
The notes burst into a sea of pastel-pink light. The light faded to reveal the heavenly body of a floating monster. Golden flower petals and music notes flowed from its body. (ATK 1000)
"Now come here to the stage! Sing the song of victory! Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir!""
The riff of the choir went into a crescendo, reaching a loud, beautiful chant.
"Awesome!" Allen gasped.
The audience were captivated by the show. Once again, Haruto let go of his brother to admire and clap for the beautiful display.
Now, several more people started to gather onto the lot. A woman and her two kids; Grace and Gloria; even several of Dennis's students came to enjoy the show.
Bloom Diva's voice started to diminish into a soft, quiet hum. She gave the audience a polite little bow and egao'd.
The audience burst into applause.
"I'm not done!" Yuzu announced. "Yuto, your monsters may be strong, but the music you're playing is a little too high."
What's she talking about? Yugo scoffed. We're not making mu- oh, I get it, she's making a... a thing. Like a pun?
"This card can't be destroyed by battle or card effects," Yuzu told them. "And when it battles a Special Summoned monster, the damage is inflicted to you, instead!"
4600, take away 1000... Yugo mused. ... That's thr-
3600 points of damage, Yuri finished.
Yugo grumbled.
"Battle Phase!" Yuzu declared. "Bloom Diva attacks your Hi-Speedroid Kendama!"
Yuto! Yuya called out.
"Right!" Yuto responded. "Trap, activate! Performapal Show Down!"
The face-down card rose up to the face Yuzu. The image on the card - a whole troupe of Performapal monsters - exploded to life as the monsters tumbled forth, one by one. Yuto's side of the field was swarmed by the playful cast, who all organized themselves to hide Yuto's field from sight.
Haruto looked at the monsters in wonder. Just looking at the adorable monsters made him egao.
"With this card, I can target any number of my opponent's face-up monsters, up to the number of face-up Spells I control," Yuto continued. "Then, I can flip your monsters into face-down Defense mode!"
The Performapal monsters all took their bows, as did Dark Rebellion, Leo Dancer, Kendama, and Yuto himself.
Bloom Diva politely returned the bow with a courtsey. Her card appeared from under her, and her body disappeared inside. The card then flipped over, covering the monster's image.
"Unless you can Summon more monsters, I don't think you can continue with your Battle Phase."
Yuzu pouted. "So I can't beat you this turn. But I'm not going to let you beat me next turn, either. I activate the Spell, De-Fusion!"
Yuzu's card appeared on the field. Bloom Diva's card shattered, and from its shards came the forms of two new monsters: Canon the Melodious Diva (DEF 2000), and Mozarta the Melodious Maestra. (ATK 2600)
"Bloom Diva goes back to my Extra Deck, and the Fusion Materials used to bring her out are Special Summoned to my field!"
"But my monsters can destroy them next turn," Yuto informed her. "I'm sorry, Yuzu. But you haven't saved yourself at all."
"I'm not done, Yuto!" Yuzu cheerfully exclaimed. "Serena left me with another card. I activate her Polymerization!"
A familiar swirling vortex appeared on the field. Yuzu's monsters jumped towards it, and their bodies were merged into one. Their bodies gave birth to a reborn Bloom Diva, who let out another hum to signal her second coming. (ATK 1000)
Yuzu winked. "If any of your Special Summoned monsters attack, you take the damage and lose."
The crowd applauded for Yuzu, along with Yuto and Yuya. Both Yuzu and her monster turned to the audience and bowed in unison.
Yuzu ended her turn with a single Pendulum Scale and Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir on her field. She had one card in her hand, and 1600 Life Points.
"I'm handing the spotlight over to you," Yuzu said to Yuto. "Let's see you try and top my final act."
"Ey, Yuzu..."
"Yuya?" Yuzu asked. "N-no, that's not Yuya..."
"You should know that, when you ask your opponent to do the impossible, they'll meet your challenge."
The Performapal monsters shattered, revealing Yuri and his field of monsters. His had a derranged smile on his face, and his fierce purple eyes were locked squarely on Yuzu's face.
"It's my turn, Yuzu," Yuri said. "The fun has just begun!"
A/N: I had the idea for Lovebird's Gift way, way back in Rank 1. I've been excited to debut it, since I want to use it in a very important duel in the future.
Next time: The duel draws to a close, and the winners stand victorious. But what Yuzu does after is more of a surprise than the duel's outcome. Who's playing on your Heart Strings now?