A/N: I don't want to just constantly re-use content and rephrase it so it sounds different, and I feel like that would be boring to read over and over again. So I hope you don't mind me abridging some of the summon stuff to keep the chapter from getting too bloated.
This was originally going to be two chapters, but I decides to combine it into one. This means that the Synchro arc will likely be shorter than expected, but it also means that I can advance the story at a quicker pace.
Fun Fact: Yuri is a lot more devious than he lets on. The sassy pervert bit? Mostly an act to trick people into thinking he's just quirky and weird. In reality, he's still a dangerous and calculating individual. That's also sassy and maybe perverted.
Description: Yugo faces off against Jack Atlas.
This time, Garome was watching the duel from a front row seat in the stands. He could see Jack and the boy on the other side of the track, discussing something. Probably sizing each other up, or talking smack. Which was good, because tension made the duels much more intense. And intensity made for happy, entertained audiences.
He decided that he wanted the boy to win. Yugo - that was his name, wasn't it? Now that he knew of his power, he wanted to remember him. Yugo was powerful and willing to fall into Garome's traps. He couldn't afford to let this chance slip up, no matter the risks.
The 777 Challenge rules this time were another one of Garome's machinations. Something that could punish Jack for his own impulses, while still being fair enough to keep people from thinking that the match was rigged.
Meanwhile, Yugo's rule would discourage him from wasting resources on Xyz Summoning. Garome wanted to keep him strictly involved in Synchro Summoning in the hopes that he would be forced to rely on those Dragon Synchro monsters of his. Keep those filthy, non-Level-based monsters away from the field. That last dragon wowed the crowds and won the duel for Yugo, and having something like that would mean duelists from all over the world would come flock to see it.
Garome took a breath from his cigar. He chose to ignore the coughs of the child behind him, who was choking on the cigar's smoke.
Yugo and Jack were on their D-Wheels, parked at the starting line. The audience was packed in their seats, watching the duo and eagerly awaiting the duel.
Yugo looked to the crowd, to the people right at the front. En, Rin, Gongenzaka and Crow were looking to him. Rin and Gongenzaka gave him nods of support, while En let out a little bark.
He looked to Jack now. Jack wasn't looking at him. Instead, his eyes were drawn to one girl int he audience, with dark hair and glasses. He said nothing to her, but simply looked at her blushing face and nodded slowly.
"Get ready, Jack!" Yugo told him. "I'll show you how powerful my dueling is!"
Jack scoffed. "You don't know the true power behind Riding Duels."
Is it the power to turn everything we touch into this weird CGi look? Yuya asked.
Yuto's own thoughts facepalmed. Yuya, that's honestly... that's honestly ridiculous.
I mean, I noticed it, but I didn't want to make a fuss about it...
"Jack, what's this power you speak of?" Yugo questioned.
Jack scoffed again. He then lifted up his helmet and placed it on his head.
"You'll find out on your own," he said dismissively. "I'm not a teacher. I'm not here to simply explain things to you."
Radio static filled the air again. The speakers were life, and the announcer took a deep breath to grab everyone's attention.
"Welcome back to another exciting duel!" the announcer announced announcingly. "Like the last duel, this is a last-minute change to tonight's roster. Sorry to those that were hoping for the duel between Kyosuke Kiryu and Bommer. There will be no refunds."
And cue tons of loud boos (and one person chuckling) from the audience. Yugo could see a pop can fly from the stands and hit the window of the announcer's booth.
"... Ignoring that," the announcer said bitterly. "We'll be doing another 777 Challenge this time, and it's going to be a riot!"
A trash can hit the window of the booth. It shattered the glass and smacked into the announcer, knocking them to the ground.
"... I'm okay!" they said weakly.
There were some chuckles from the audience. Yugo couldn't help but snort and laugh at it, too. But Jack remained as determined and stone-faced as ever. Not a big laugher, that guy.
"You Year's rule is different this time around. He can talk all he wants, but Xyz Summoning will cost him 700 Life Points."
Yugo nodded. I can live with that.
"And Jack has no restrictions on dueling, but he cannot say soul while he's dueling."
Yugo looked over to Jack. No reaction.
Clang! The sound of the trash can hitting the ground. From the speakers, people could hear the announcer grunt and force themselves to stand up.
"Without further ado... Let's get ready to ride!"
Yugo looked straight ahead and revved up his bike. He was ready for this. Tired and aching, but unwilling to surrender. He wasn't afraid to keep on fighting.
3...
2...
1...
"Riding...
... DUEL!"
Yugo: 1 Speed Counter
Jack: 1 Speed Counter
Yugo was quick to push through with his D-Wheel's at full force. Both he and Jack were driving at incredible speeds, aiming to overtake the other and reach the first corner. In doing so, they would be the first one to make a move.
But Yugo pushed on, slowly pushing his way towards the middle of the track. This way, he'd be able to keep Jack back and unable to surpass him. And to Yugo's luck, Jack started to slow his speed.
Yugo was the first to reach the corner, so he was up first. And with seven cards in his hand, 7000 Life Points to his name, and a song in his heart, he was ready to throw down some cards and kick Jack's ass.
"When I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Speedroid Terrortop from my hand."
Time for the terror-fying monster's encore performance. Speedroid Terrortop materialized in front of Yugo, smaller tops trailing behind it. (ATK 1200)
"And when this card is summoned, I can add a Speedroid monster from my deck to my hand!"
A card was ejected from the deck. Yugo grabbed it and presented his card to his opponent.
"If I control a WIND monster, I can Special Summon Speedroid Taketomborg from my hand!"
Speedroid Taketomborg materialized on the field, to the left of Terrortop. It first took the form of a large taketombo. But it unfolded its body and transformed into a more robotic, humanoid appearance. (DEF 1200)
Yugo took a deep breath, then let out a sigh. He had a plan for his turn, and he imagined all the steps for it. But honestly, he was feeling pretty winded. Heh, WIND-ed, and he played a WIND deck. Haha.
No puns, only action. "I can Tribute my Taketomborg to bring out a Speedroid Tuner from my deck!"
Second verse, same as the first. Speedroid Taketomborg brought its body back into its previous, taketombo form. It started to spin, letting the rushing winds around it lift it up into the air. It few high above the field, above Yugo's head, before shattering into a sea of sparkles.
This time, the chorus was of a different tune. Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice was realized and materialized by Terrortop's side. (ATK 300)
Yugo's eyes strained to look ahead. But he wasn't going to let his sore eyes get in the way of a power play. "I tune my Level 3 Terrortop with my Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice!"
Tri-Eyed dice became three rings that danced around Terrortop. Terrortop itself gave way to three Level orbs. When all the material collided, they created a new light that lit up the field.
"Synchro Summon!" Yugo cried out. "Level 6! Hi-Speedroid Kendama!"
The light unveiled a new monster: Hi-Speedroid Kendama galloped onto the field and floated before Yugo. (ATK 2200)
Yugo could feel Yuya's mind reach out to him. You're doing great, Yugo.
Thanks, Yugo said, though even his thoughts seemed strained and tired.
I can take over if you're too tired.
Yuya, no.
I know, I know, Yuya sighed. You need to do this yourself.
Right.
Sorry. It's just hard to stand by and watch when your brother is hurting.
Yugo egao'd. Then I'll end this duel soon, 'kay?
"Hi-Speedroid Kendama's effect!" Yugo declared. "Once per turn, I can banish a Machine-Type monster from my Graveyard, and then inflict 500 damage to my opponent."
The image of Speedroid Taketomborg appeared before Kendama's sword. Kandama thrust forward and pierced the image through the chest, shattering it. (Jack: 7000 → 6500)
Jack didn't even look over to Yugo or acknowledge the attack. He didn't really react at all.
"I'm not done!" Yugo said. "Next, I Normal Summon my Speedroid Double Yoyo."
He placed a card on the Disk in front of him. Double Yoyo, the green-wheeled, knife-featuring robot toy was summoned forth by Yugo. (ATK 1400)
"When Double Yoyo is Normal Summoned, it can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower Speedroid monster from my Graveyard."
A small portal opened up from behins Yugo. Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice exited the portal, then flew forward and parked itself beside Double Yoyo.
Yugo closed his eyes. It almost felt like his eyelids were burning his eyes, but it felt good, in a way.
"I tune my Level 4 Double Yoyo with my Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice."
The stars aligned and the rings were joining them. Yugo rode on by as the new creation created a strong, dangerous whirlwind.
"Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light," Yugo chanted. "Synchro Summon! Appear before us. Level 7, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"
The whirling broke apart, revealing a monster that trailed behind Yugo. The dragon with clear wings and white body let out a triumphant roar to declare its victorious return. (ATK 2500)
"I set two cards," Yugo concluded. "And I end my turn."
And with that, Yugo's turn was over. He had two Synchro monsters, two set Spell/Trap cards, three cards in his hand, and 7000 Life Points.
Yugo: 2 Speed Counters
Jack: 2 Speed Counters
Jack drew a card, giving him eight cards. And... yeah.
"I summon Red Resonator," he said simply.
The card he drew was now placed on the field before him. Red Resonator materialized by its summoners side. It held two staffs: a tuning fork, and a want with a red ball on top. (ATK 600)
"When Red Resonator is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon Red Sprinter from my hand."
The creature banged its two staffs together. A visual sound wave echoed forward, and the waves became a portal that released the dog-like Red Sprinter out onto the field. (ATK 1700)
"March forward!" Jack declared. "I tune my level two Red Resonator with my Level 4 Red Sprinter!"
Red Resonator banged its items together again, and its body divided into to green Synchro rings. They danced around Red Sprinter, who became the four Level orbs that yadda yadda yadda now we have Red Rising Dragon. (ATK 2100)
People in the audience were applauding now. Though many more booed, and some expressed their grievances through insults. Though their specific calls were hard to hear over the rushing winds, some of them could be heard in Jack's ear: they wanted Yugo to win, they were disappointed by Jack's performance so far, they thought he was washed-up.
Not helping was the announcer's own commentary. "Jack, is this the best you can do? Tell me you have an ace up your sleeve, because that monster's ATK is pathetic!"
But Jack didn't care about their words. A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of the sheep.
"When Red Rising Dragon is Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon a Resonator monster from my Graveyard."
"Clear Wing's effect!" Yugo declared. "At this time-"
Jack lifted a hard out from his hand. "By discarding Veiler Resonator from my hand, I can negate the effects of one monster on the field that my opponent controls."
Clear Wing spread its wings, which started to glow with a green light. But the image of a ghoulish Resonator with bat wings appeared behind it. The monster touched the wings, and the once-wondrous glow started to fade.
Yugo let out a small growl. Sorry, Clear Wing.
A portal opened up to the right of Red Rising Dragon. Red Resonator, grinning like a madman, rose up from the portal and floated before Jack.
At once, Yugo completely understood Jack's plan here. Argh, why didn't I see this coming?!
What? Yuya asked. What is it?
I see what he's doing now, Yugo explained to him. He's going to destroy my monsters and hit hard with Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend.
"I tune my Level 6 Red Rising Dragon with my Level 2 Red Resonator!" Jack declared.
[Note: remember to include a paragraph about rings and balls and shit. Make it sound nice, even though it's clearly just there to pad things out while the character does their chant or whatever.]
"The heaven and earth shall tremble before the king's might!" Jack commanded. "Let the power of the one supreme ruler be carved into your soul! Synchro Summon!"
(Jack: 6500 → 5800)
The heavens almost ripped apart when the right arm of Scarlight punched itself through the summon's light. The dragon burst forward and rose high above the field, breathing fire and flames at it soared.
"My very soul, Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend!" (ATK 3000)
(Jack: 5800 → 5100)
"You can't say soul," Yugo said to him. "That's why you're losing Life Points, dude."
"I know," Jack said dismissively.
"Eh? Then why'd you say-"
"Because I won't suppress my spirit for a challenge."
Yugo let out a small grunt of confusion. He chose not to question Jack any further on this, though he was still a bit confused. But Jack threw his pointer finger up into the air, drawing attention from everyone in the underground stadium.
"Why would I hold myself back?!" Jack roared to the audience. "A duel is not a duel unless you can unleash your true power! And if I have to suffer for it, then so be it!"
Members of the audience was cheering for Jack now. How quickly did some of them (ie, the people who didn't place bets, or were already betting on him) were to turn against Yugo. Yugo didn't really care for that aspect of show business.
"I activate my dragon's effect!" Jack announced. "Once a turn, I can destroy all Special Summoned monsters with less or equal ATK to that of my Scarlight! Absolute Powerflame!"
Scarlight lowered its head, and it threw itself downward like a falling star. The dragon raised its right fist and threw it ahead of itself. So when it crashed into Yugo's side of the field, its powerful punch was able to plough through and shatter his monsters.
"You also take 500 damage for each monster destroyed," Jack explained to him.
(Yugo: 7000 → 6000)
Yugo smirked. Though he was starting to feel weak, his resolve was still strong. Clear Wing, your sacrifice won't be for nothing.
"Now, battle phase!" Jack shouted. "Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend attacks you directly!"
Scarlight raised its right fist. It breathed fire down upon Yugo's side of the field and threw its fist toward him.
"Not so fast, Jack!" Yugo responded, egao-ing. "Trap, activate! Dice Roll Battle!"
From behind Yugo's D-Wheel, one of his two face-downs rose up. This Trap's art featured two octahedron dice - one blue and one red - clashing together in a fierce battle.
"That's not all!" Yugo said proudly. "I also activate Speedroid Menko's effect! When you make a direct attack while it's in my hand, I can Special Summon it!"
Scarlight's fist fell down towards Yugo, but it couldn't hit him; Speedroid Menko (ATK 100) materialized between Yugo and the dragon, protecting its master from a hit.
"And your monster is switched into DEF mode!"
(Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend: ATK 3000 → DEF 2500)
Jack simply scoffed.
"Don't forget about my Trap, dude!" Yugo continued. "By banishing a Speedroid from my Graveyard, and a Speedroid Tuner from my hand, I can Special Summon a Synchro monster whose Level is equal to those monsters' total Levels."
Speedroid Gum Prize (LV1) was removed from the hand and banished. Double Yoyo (LV 4) would leave the Graveyard to join it. And the Synchro rings and Level orbs would appear on the field and merge together.
Together, they created a monster riding atop of a sword. Hi-Speedroid Chanbara (ATK 2000) floated behind Yugo and rode with him, keeping Jack and his monster from getting any closer to his master.
Yugo looked straight on ahead. His back hurt and he wanted a glass of water. "How's that, Jack?"
"I'll set a card and end my turn." That was Jack's only response.
With the placement of a face-down Spell or Trap, Jack ended his turn. He also sported his Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend on his field, five cards in his hand, and 5100 Life Points.
Yugo: 3 Speed Counters
Jack: 3 Speed Counters
Alright. Now with four cards in his hand and a strong field at his disposal, Yugo was feeling a little more confident in himself. Even better, a few people in the audience were cheering for him. (Well, "Yuya" and "You Year." But close enough, right?)
He looked down at his hand. Unfortunately, couldn't see a way to bring about Clear Wing Accel Synchro Dragon just yet. And regular ol' Clear Wing Accel Dragon didn't seem like an option, either. But the pieces were in place for another monster...
"I play Speed Recovery!" said Yugo "I can Special Summon a Speedroid monster from my Graveyard. And I'm bringing back my Hi-Speedroid Kendama!"
Behind Yugo, and beside Chanbara, the a portal opened on the ground. Hi-Speedroid Kendama rose from the portal and faced Jack and his dragon. (ATK 2200)
"And I can banish Speedroid Terrortop from my Grave to hit you with 500 points of damage!"
The image of Terrortop appeared before Kendama's sword. Kandama thrust forward and pierced the image through the chest, shattering it. (Jack: 5100 → 4600)
"So far, you've done nothing but chip away at me," Jack commented dryly. "I've done more damage to myself than you've been able to do to me."
"That's gonna change, Jack!" Yugo answered. "I summon Speedroid Dominobutterfly, and tune it with my Level 6 Hi-Speedroid Kendama."
Speedroid Dominobutterfly (ATK 100) materialized onto the field before Yugo. But immediately after it was summoned, it flew backwards, passed Yugo by, and became the rings that yadda yadda and now we have Crystal Wing. (ATK 3000)
"Do you remember my dragon, Jack?" Yugo asked him. "I used it against Serena in the Friendship Cup."
"I remember," Jack answered.
"And I won with it."
"That won't happen here."
"We'll see," Yugo said with a smirk. "Battle! Crystal Wing attacks Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend!"
Crystal Wing spread its crystal wings. It shot up high into the air, then opened its mouth, and...
"I activate my Trap!" Jack announced proudly. "King Scarlet protects Scarlight from being destroyed by this battle!"
... Did nothing as Jack's card rose up in front of him. Crystal Wing halted its attack, then dove down as quick as it good. It stopped right behind Yugo and trailed behind him.
And on Jack's side of the field, the shield-like item depicted on the Trap's artwork materialized on Jack's side of the field, next to the dragon it protected. (DEF 0)
"As you must know, King Scarlet also Special Summons itself as a Normal Monster," Jack explained.
Yugo nodded. "And it's a Tuner. So I'm could be in trouble next turn."
"Correct."
Yugo closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "Then Hi-Speedroid Chanbara attacks your King Scarlet."
Yugo let out a sigh, then leaned back. He was getting a bit too tired to keep on watching the fight. He simply opened his ears and listened for the sound of impact and the resulting explosion caused by King Scarlet's destruction.
And due to Chanbara's effect, it gained 200 ATK during the start of the damage step. (ATK 2000 → 2200)
Boom!
"I'm ending my turn here," Yugo said simply.
Not the most impressive end to a turn. But with Speedroid Menko, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Hi-Speedroid Chanbara on his field, he, the two cards in his hand, and his 6000 Life Points were safe.
Yugo: 4 Speed Counters
Jack: 4 Speed Counters
Now with six cards, Jack's hand was faring much better than Yugo's. But with only his Scarlight on the field, he was in a bit of a pickle.
He looked to the Crystal Wing ahead of him. Monster effects would just trigger it and make it stronger. Raigeki was forbidden on the Synchro Dimension's banlist, so that was also not an option. Directly attacking it wouldn't work... Or would it?
"I change Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend to ATK mode," Jack started.
(Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend: DEF 2500 → ATK 3000)
"I can equip Soul Fist to a Red Synchro monster I control," he went on.
A blown-up version of the Spell Card materialized to Jack's left side. It depicted a fist with a burning orange symbol on the back of it. The same mark now appeared on the back of Scarlight's right fist, and its entire arm was wreathed in flames.
(Jack: 4600 → 3900)
"I activate the Spell, Scarlet Security! I can destroy all Spell and Trap cards my opponent controls!"
The image of a dragon's clawed hand, similar to Scarlight's own left hand, materialized high above the field. It came crashing down onto Yugo's side of the field, hitting a now-visible face-down behind him. Upon impact, both the hand and the card shattered.
Yugo grunted. He knew Jack well enough to see where he was going with this. Mutually-assured destruction.
So he's going to destroy his own dragon? Yuto questioned.
Not exactly, Yuya told him.
Yuya's got it right, Yugo confirmed. That dragon is Jack's soul. He'll never let it stay down.
"Battle Phase!" shouted Jack. "Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend attacks Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!"
"Crystal Wing's effect activates," Yugo said tersely. "But it won't work, will it?"
(Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 3000 → 6000)
"At this time, I activate Soul Fist's effect," Jack explained.
(Jack: 4600 → 3900)
"Once per turn, if my opponent has monsters with ATK higher than the monster equipped with this card, I can make the ATK of all those monsters equal to the equipped monster's own."
(Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 6000 → 3000)
"Scorching Crimson Hell Burning!"
Scarlight flew upwards, towards Crystal Wing, while Crystal Wing spread its wings and blasted towards Scarlight. The two monsters clashed together, with Scarlight striking Crystal Wing with its burning fist, and Crystal Wing clawed and bit into its enemy's flesh.
The monsters tore each other apart. Once both of them made their final attacks, they shattered. Their sparkles rained down on the field.
The audience was going wild now. People were screaming in surprise, or in confusion. Some were applauding, though many were booing.
"Jack ended the battle by destroying Crystal Wing, at the cost of his own soul!" the announcer screeched. "But his turn isn't over. Can he turn this around before You Year's turn?"
"I activate Mirror Resonator's effect!" Jack announced. "When my opponent controls a monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, and I do not, I can Special Summon this card from my hand."
A Resonator monster materialized before Jack. It had a large mirror on top of it, and it reflected Hi-Speed Chanbara's image. (ATK 0)
"And I will never let the Devil have my soul!" Jack declared. "I activate the Spell, Red Reborn and revive my Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend!"
(Jack: 3900 → 3200)
And now, another Spell Card appeared beside Jack. The Spell then morphed and changed its shape and design, becoming Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend. (ATK 3000)
He's gonna do it! Yugo thought.
"I summon Barrier Resonator to my field!"
And that he did. A friendly-looking Resonator with a battery pack thing on its back materialzed to the left of he other Resonator monster. (ATK 300)
Jack threw a finger up into the air. "With my Level 8 Scarlight and Level 1 Mirror Resonator and Barrier Resonator, I perform a Double Tuning!"
The two Tuner monsters became the two flaming rings that surrounded Scarlight. Scarlight gave way to the eight Level stars, and they created a mighty wall of flame that separated Jack and Yugo.
"The king and the Devil, they cross here and now! Touch the soul of the Crimson Dragon, and raise up the cry of creation!"
(Jack: 3200 → 2500)
A crimson dragon rose out of the flames, flying into infinity and vanishing before everyone's eyes. The flames themselves were ripped apart by a powerful and enormous dragon.
"Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 10, Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend!" (ATK 3500)
"HERE IT IS!" the announcer screamed. "Jack's greatest ace in the hole!"
"I activate Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend's effect: one per turn, I can destroy all other cards on the field! Absolute Power Inferno!"
The tyrant dragon flew high into the air and, like a falling star, descended towards Yugo's side of the field. Its right fist punched the track, and flames spilled forward. Yugo's monsters were instantly incinerated.
"I spend my Speed Counters to inflict 800 damage."
(Jack SC: 4 → 0) (Yugo: 6000 → 5200)
"Then I set a card and end my turn," Jack concluded.
With the setting of a Spell or Trap card, Jack's turn ended. He had no cards in his hand and had 2500 Life Points, but he had a strong showing with Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend acting as his protector.
Yugo: 5 Speed Counters
Jack: 1 Speed Counters
Alright, so things were kinda fucky now. But that didn't matter! Because with Yugo's next draw, he was determined to turn the duel around and show the king who was boss.
Now Yugo had three cards in his hand, including the Pot of Avarice he just drew. And with the other cards in his hand, he had an idea.
He was starting to feel that passion again. The excitement of dueling his idol, the rush of victory and the joy of achieving his goals. He was still exhausted, but he also felt so alive. Everything in the duel had been leading up to this moment: flawless victory.
Clear Wing Accel Synchro Dragon... I'm coming for you.
"I play Pot of Avarice!" Yugo announced. "I return Hi-Speedroids Chanbara and Kendama, Clear Wing, Crystal Wing and Speedroid Menko to my Deck, and then I draw two cards."
Five cards were ejected from the Graveyard. Yugo slid the Synchro Monsters onto the top of his Extra Deck, then put Speedroid Menko in his Main Deck. The Main Deck was then automatically shuffled, and the top two cards popped out.
Yugo picked up the first card. Speed Spell - Go Really Fast, which granted him three extra Speed Counters, but would take four away at the end of the turn.
Yugo drew his next card and flipped it over, giving it a quick examination before...
Yugo's jaw dropped, his face went pale, his eyes went cold, whatever. Whatever the hell you can imagine, he was fucking terrified. His hand was shaking badly. He could barley even hold onto the card, much less add it to his hand. He
He
Please no.
It was Supreme King Brutality. One of Zarc's cards.
Zarc... he thought.
No. No, this couldn't be. Zarc was gone. Zarc was purified. They were his legacy, but their existence proved that he wasn't around anymore. He shouldn't be around anymore. He should be gone. He is gone. Right? Zarc's gone, right?
Yugo let go of the handle bar. His hands pressed against the side of his head and his fingers pressed hard against his helmet.
No. Please no. Please no please no please no please no please no please no please no.
Things were starting to flash before his eyes: Yuto's body being destroyed and his soul being absorbed by Yuya. Yugo's own body being destroyed and his soul absborbed by Yuri. And Yuri's own death at the hands of Yuya.
And he could see that Spellcaster monster, the one that helped to create Zarc. And he could see, from Zarc's own eyes, cities and worlds on fire.
Tears ran down Yugo's face. He could see it. He could see everything that Zarc was doing. He could see people dying, being burned alive by the fire. He made those fires. He killed them.
Please no please no please no please no please no.
He could see himself. Or Zarc. No, they were the same. They were looking in a mirror, or a puddle or water, or. Or...
Together.
Please no! Yugo's mind cried out. Leave me alone!
Zarc's voice was clear in his head, louder than all of his other thoughts. Together.
"Never!" Yugo screeched. "I'll never be like you!"
No. Together, Zarc said again.
Yuya, Yugo, Yuri! Yugo begged. Help me... Help me! HELP ME!
Yes...
Please...!
Zarc held his hand out to Yugo.
Please no please no please no please no please no please no please no-
Poor Yugo was so busy trapped in his own thoughts, he didn't see that he went off-track. His bike ran straight forward, sending him crashing him into a wall.
A/N: Soul Fist can't actually counter Crystal Wing like that. But since it's an anime-exclusive card and not available in the OCG or TCG, I decided to take creative liberties and allow it to counter Crystal Wing's effect. Consider it one of the cards retconned after Zarc's second downfall.
Also, I really hate riding Yugo duels because of Clear Wing and Crystal Wing. Their negation effects just shit all over everything in ARC-V. There are ways to get over them, but only a few of them are interesting.
Next time: Yugo wakes up in time for the grand finale. The duel against Garome begins now.