Yuuna looks around the streets as she walks home.
It's December, which means people are getting ready for Christmas. She's watched some of the movies at school, but she doesn't really like Christmas. Her parents were home more during Christmas and she would get in trouble if she didn't give her parents a gift.
Yuuna sighs. "Yubel, do they have Christmas in the Spirit World?"
Yubel appears, blinking at her. "Well, some areas of the Spirit World celebrate it, but most don't. Why do you ask?"
Yuuna watches two teenage girls walk out of a shop together, cooing over the gift they have.
"I don't really like Christmas. I wish we could go somewhere we didn't have to do it." Yuuna murmurs, looking at the ground.
Yubel hums gently in concern, running a clawed hand through Yuuna's hair.
Christmas is supposed to be a time for spending with people you love, but Yuuna doesn't love her parents. She only loves Yubel and she can't give them a gift. Maybe if she loved someone, Christmas wouldn't be so miserable.
Yuuna wishes she had people to love.
"I'm going to miss you guys so much when you're on Winter Break." Yuuna says.
Bastion, Mindy and Jasmine are standing in front of her, all of them with large bags at their feet or on their shoulders. Meanwhile standing with Yuuna are Blair, Syrus and Chumley. After starting their school year in September, it's now time for the Winter Break. Most of the students and facility will be returning home and classes won't be on. But Yuuna and the other Slifers will be staying here for various reasons.
"I know, I'm going to miss you too, Yuuna." Jasmine brings her in for a hug, which Yuuna returns happily.
Mindy hugs her as well. "Don't cause Professor Banner too much trouble, okay?"
"Me, trouble?" Yuuna smirks. "What ever could you mean by that?"
The Obelisk Girls giggle and pull back from the hug, going on to say their goodbyes to Blair and Syrus.
"Yuuna." Bastion calls.
Yuuna turns to him. "Yeah?"
"Just because I'll be out of my workshop, doesn't mean I won't be planning strategies on how to defeat you." Bastion smirks.
Yuuna laughs and offers him her hand. "Oh, I wouldn't count on it. I'm going to be staying at Duel Academy though and Duelling everyone I see, so I won't be slacking off either!"
Bastion grins and shakes her hand. "Until we meet again then, old friend."
Yuuna's heart flutters. They're friends.
"You got it!" She shakes his hand back, just a little stronger. "You have fun."
Bastion nods and pulls his hand back, Yuuna resting her hands at her side.
Last chance. She's gotta take it.
"Would it be awkward if I hugged you too, before you left?" Yuuna blurst out.
Bastion blinks and Yuuna feels her face flush. Oh no, that was probably weird.
"I'm not a good hugger, but I wouldn't be opposed." Bastion smiles.
Yuuna blinks and smiles.
She opens her arms and hugs him around his neck, Bastion hesitantly settling his own arms around her waist. Yuuna closes her eyes and just takes in the moment, enjoying the comfort of having a friend care about her. It's something she'll never take for granted.
"Have a good break, Yuuna." Bastion gently claps her back.
Yuuna nods and holds him a little tighter. "You too."
The horn of the boat blows, a final warning for everyone to get on board.
Yuuna and Bastion pull back, Bastion taking his bag and walking away.
"Bye Bastion!" Yuuna calls.
"See ya later, Mindy!" Syrus shouts.
"Buh-bye Jasmine!" Blair waves.
"You guys take care!" Chumley shouts.
Bastion, Mindy and Jasmine wave to them as they board the ship. The Slifer Reds chase the ship as it leaves, waving all the way, Bastion, Mindy and Jasmine waving to them as well and shouting. Though no one can hear what the others are saying due to the fog horn, they wave and hollar until the boat is out of sight.
Yuuna takes in a deep breath of the salt air. Now only one question remains.
How does one spend their Winter Break?
"Pass me the star, would you Yuuna?" Blair calls.
"On it!" Yuuna shouts back.
She goes through the box and passes the star to Blair, who hangs onto Chumley's hair with one hand while she uses the other to put the star on the tree. Once it's settled, Blair nods and Chumley bends down, letting her climb down his back and stand on solid ground. Soon the remaining Slifer Reds are standing next to each other in a line, looking at the tree.
It's your classic Christmas tree, covered in red tinsel and white fairy lights. There's a few toy candy canes on the tree, along with other red and white decorations. Some of the ornaments are Duel Monster themed, while the star at the top is silver.
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." Syrus smiles. "I remember my Mom and my Mama would spend Christmas Eve teaching Zane and me how to make gingerbread men."
Blair smiles. "That sounds really sweet, Syrus. Do you think you could teach me?"
Chumley moans softly, rubbing his stomach. "Gingerbread men sound great."
"I wanna learn too!" Yuuna giggles. "I wanna decorate them!"
Syrus laughs. "Okay then, let's go to the mall and get the ingredients, before they close!"
The four Slifer Reds cheer.
"Ah, ah, ah, not so fast children."
The four of them turn around to see Banner standing there, cradling Pharaoh.
"It's going to be cold out there, so make sure to wear your winter wear." Banner instructs.
Blair feels her face flush. Oh no. She doesn't have any. She never thought to pack any when she was running.
"Uhh, Profesor?" Yuuna raises her hand. "What if we don't have any?"
Banner chuckles. "Why don't you check your rooms then, children?"
The First Years blink.
They all turn to Chumley, who only chuckles. "Just go guys."
With that, Blair, Syrus and Yuuna walk up the steps outside the Slifer Red dorm and walk into their rooms.
They gasp.
On each of their desks is a set of winter wear. A red hat with a white bobble on top, a red scarf with white strings on the end and red gloves with white cuffs.
"They're beautiful." Blair murmurs.
She picks up her set and Yuuna's, bringing it to the shell shocked girl. Yuuna takes the winter wear with slightly shaking hands and it makes Blair wonder…
Is this the first time Yuuna's ever gotten a gift?
"I hope you children like them." Banner walks up the stairs, Pharaoh still in his arms. "I make a set each time we have students staying over the winter break."
"Wait…" Syrus walks out of his dorm, tying his scarf around him. "You made this for us?"
"Why yes, children." Banner chuckles. "As a younger man, I did a good bit of knitting in my time and this is good practice for me. Do you like them?"
Blair nods as she puts on her gloves. "They're awesome, Professor Banner!"
It's all so soft.
"Yuuna, put them on, they feel great!" Blair turns her head, smiling.
Yuuna blinks and shakes herself out of her daze. "O-oh, right."
She puts the winter gear on slowly, like she's not used to wearing it. That's fair, things haven't been very cold on the island since they arrived, even now.
"Hey guys, I had an idea." Chumley calls as he walks out with a more faded version of their hat, scarf and gloves. "Why don't we do a Secret Santa?"
Yuuna and Blair blink, tilting their heads.
Syrus nods. "Hey, that's a great idea Chumley!"
Yuuna and Blair look at each other, confused.
Well, Yuuna was the one who asked about winter gear, so it's Blair's turn to be the socially awkward one.
"What's a Secret Santa?" Blair raises her hand.
Syrus and Chumley turn to her, blinking.
"Well, Blair, a Secret Santa is an event where people are assigned someone to give them a gift for the holiday's. But the gifter has to keep who they're giving the gift to a secret, especially from the giftie." Banner explains, nodding. "I think it's a good idea, so that each of you can get a gift, without going overboard and having to get something for all of your friends. It guarantees everyone gets something."
"Ohhhh." Blair and Yuuna nod.
Sounds simple enough.
"I'll write all of our names on strips of paper and we can put them in my hat." Syrus ducks back into his room. "We'll do a gift to whoever we draw and if we draw ourselves, we just put it back."
Blair blinks and smiles. Oh wow. She hasn't had a Christmas gift in a long time. She can't wait to give a gift to whoever she gets.
"Okay, so we're going to split up to do the Secret Santa shopping and then we're going to meet back here to buy the ingredients for the gingerbread." Yuuna looks over the group. "Everyone got that?"
"Yep!" Chumley and Blair call.
But Syrus is barely paying attention, his mind stuck on other things.
"Sy, you good?" Yuuna calls.
Syrus shakes himself off. "Yeah, sorry Yuuna, I was lost in thought."
He laughs nervously, trying to show her everything's fine.
Yuuna narrows her eyes suspiciously.
Syrus shivers as he looks at them. "E-anyway, let's go! See you in a while!"
And with that, he turns tail and runs. He runs and runs as fast as he can and only once he's sure no one tried to follow him, does he stop and breathe.
Syrus pants hard as he leans against a wall, a hand over his heart.
It's pounding like crazy, but not from the run. It's pounding from fear.
"What's wrong with me?" Syrus groans.
He closes his eyes, but then he's flooded with memories, with the very reason why he's scared.
Syrus froze stiff, locked in the moment, unable to do so much as scream.
Mindy was screaming and shouting as she hugged Wheeler, who was struggling and fighting.
Jasmine was yelling as well, one of her arms out in front of Syrus protectively.
The grunts had a net and were running at Mindy and Wheeler.
While the leader scientist had his big sister, his best friend, the one person who has unconditionally believed in him since they met, laying face down with a gun to her neck.
Syrus was cursing himself out, cursing his weakness, cursing his fear when he saw it.
Yuuna's eyes turned from soft, kind, passionate honey brown, to hard, cruel, angry, molten gold.
Syrus squeaks and slaps his cheeks. "Stop it!"
He's imagining things! Yuuna's eyes didn't change colours, it was just the light being weird or some flowers in the way or maybe Syrus's brain messed up!
Syrus whimpers and takes his hands off his cheeks.
Then why…
He groans and makes two fists.
Why is he afraid of Yuuna?
Yuuna laughs as she finishes pushing the last chair out of the way. "That should be more than enough room for a Duel!"
Syrus pants next to the last chair he moved, but nods. "Sure should be."
Yubel chuckles. "You really are obsessed with Duel Monsters, Yuuna."
Yuuna rolls her eyes, murmuring. "Oh shut up Yubel."
It makes sense though. After all, Yubel raised her! And her destiny is pretty much tied to the game, so it's probably a good thing she likes it.
The Slifer Red Dorm's cafeteria has been practically cleared out, all the tables pressed to the walls with almost all the chairs piled on top of them or slipped under them. What remained of the Slifer Reds were hanging out in the room.
Yuuna and Syrus are standing on opposite sides of the cafeteria, preparing for a Duel.
Banner and Chumley are operating a small grill on the floor, cooking giant marshmallows, while Pharaoh sits between the two of them staring at the food.
Finally, Blair is sitting on top of one of the tables, swinging her legs as she waits for the Duel to start.
Oh and Yubel is here too, floating overhead.
"You ready to get your game on, Sy?" Yuuna calls, smirking.
Syrus jumps but gives a determined nod. "Y-yeah!"
"Do your best Sy!" Blair cheers. "Rock it, Yuuna!"
Yuuna laughs and gives her a two finger salute. "You got it, spitfire!"
"Yeah, but don't knock the grill over!" Chumley shouts. "We don't need to deal with any burns."
Yuuna rolls her eyes. "Yes, Dad, now game on!"
Syrus nods. "Game o-"
CRASH!
Everyone screams as the front door crashes in, wood and glass scattering on the floor, while the one responsible for the mess lays in it. He's an Obelisk Blue student, probably in his first year. He's wearing faded yellow glasses and has shoulder length, dark brown, straight hair. He looks pale and ill, passed out on the ground.
"Uhh, guys?" Syrus whimpers. "What should we do?"
Yuuna narrows her eyes, then turns to Yubel. "Yubel, can you look around the area please?"
Yubel nods and flies through the wall, not hesitating for a moment.
Yuuna walks over and kneels next to the Obelisk. "Hey, come on. Can you stand?"
She offers him her hand and he hesitantly takes it, Yuuna pulling him to his feet. The Obelisk groans and whimpers, but other than a few scratches, he looks alright.
"Professor Banner, where's the first aid kit?" Yuuna turns to him.
Banner stands up. "I'll get it immediately. Children, someone needs to get him a chair and someone needs to get him some water."
"I'll get the chair!" Chumley calls, rushing to turn the grill off.
Blair zips out of the room. "Water's on it's way!"
Banner nods and walks out of the room as well.
Yuuna smiles. That's good at least.
"Hey, you're going to be okay, I promise." Yuuna glances at the Obelisk.
He groans and opens his eyes, revealing a pair the same colour as his hair. "Wh-who are you?"
"Yuuna Yuki, Slifer Red, First Year." Yuuna smiles. "You?"
The boy winces. "T-Torrey Takadera."
"Nice to meet ya." Chumley walks over with a chair at the ready.
Yuuna guides him to it, letting the boy take a seat, as Blair rushes back into the room with some water and Banner follows behind with the first aid kit.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." Syrus whimpers, walking over.
Torrey shudders, staring into the water. "I have."
Blair and Yuuna stiffen, glancing at each other.
Not this again. This is bad.
"What are you talking about?" Chumley takes a few steps back, away from Torrey and their destroyed front door.
"Jinzo the Duelling Card!" Torrey cries out. "You have to help me, please!"
Yuuna hisshes. Shit.
"Hahaha, good one, Professor Banner can you call Miss Fontaine please?" Syrus fakes a laugh, nervous as Hell.
Banner walks over, setting a small first aid kit at his side. "I already have Syrus, don't worry."
Torrey gasps, then he puts the glass down and grabs Banner's arm. "Professor Banner, I'm Torrey, I'm in your ParaDuelling class, please you have to help me! Everything you said was right about Duel Spirits being real, it was all true!"
Chumley shudders. "Uhh, do we have a school therapist too?"
Yuuna holds back the urge to groan. This isn't good.
In the real world, the Jinzo archetype is designed to stop Trap cards, cutting off a 3rd of the opponent's Deck, but are ultimately harmless outside of a Duel. But in the Spirit World, Jinzo is a powerful Duel Spirit, leading a small gang of mercenaries who specialise in disabling other monsters' access to Traps to make them easier to defeat or destroy.
If Torrey has somehow gotten tangled up with the real Jinzo, then he's in serious danger.
Yuuna's eyes widen as she looks around the room.
No. All of them are in danger, so long as Torrey is here! But she's not going to kick him out.
Yuuna's eyes narrow in determination.
She'll just have to stop Jinzo, whatever his plan is.
"Just calm down, Torrey." Banner kneels in front of him. "Explain what happened from the start to now."
Torrey whimpers and nods. "Yes Professor."
Yuuna moves so she's standing with her back to Torrey and her eyes on the door.
"A while back, I told my friends Isaka and Mukouda about your class. Specifically, the part about how under certain conditions, Duel Spirits can come to life." Torrey shudders.
Yuuna holds her breath and curses the universe, hoping he won't say that-
"Well, we started trying to create those conditions, even though the Academy forbids it." Torrey says.
That. That's exactly what she hoped he wouldn't say.
Wait.
Yuuna's eyes widen.
The Academy forbids trying to summon spirits to this world? And they won't let students near the Abandoned Dorm? Yubel has felt some kind of evil darkness since they got here and now that Yuuna's getting more in touch with her powers, she's starting to feel that darkness too.
Just what is going on at this school?
"We tried a few times, but nothing happened. Until…" Torrey gulps. "A week ago, we did things exactly like we always did, but something was different. A book fell and the Ouija Board we were using spelled out a message. Give me three and I'll be free. We thought he meant cards and we'd already agreed before we could back out."
Yuuna gasps, turning around. "You entered into a contract with Jinzo?!"
Everyone in the room turns to her and Yuuna realises her error. Oh no.
"Glad to see someone paid attention in my classes." Banner nods.
Okay, she can work with that.
Syrus tilts his head. "What's a contract, Professor Banner?"
"It's a deal forged between two parties, where a person's soul is put at stake, Syrus." Banner explains, going into teacher mode. "If either party tries to break the contract, the breaker will suffer horrible consequences, usually losing their soul in the process or suffering some kind of other immeasurable pain."
Blair shudders, hugging herself. "That's creepy."
"It sounds like the contract you entered into was a Summoning contract, Torrey." Banner shakes his head gently. "And I'm afraid, three cards would never be enough to meet the requirements of such a contract."
Syrus gulps. "Then sir, what… what would? What did the three mean?"
Torrey whimpers, shuddering as he says. "People."
"People?!" Syrus stumbles back.
Chumley groans. "Where's the purifying salt when you need it?!"
Blair sighs. "Okay you two, calm down. You weren't a part of the deal, so you're fine."
Yuuna wouldn't bet on that, not with Jinzo involved.
"He's already taken two of the three." Torrey whimpers and hides his face in his hands, crying. "My friends are gone! Jinzo took them both! I tried calling their parents, but they didn't know where they were either. And when I tried to run away on the boat, he was waiting for me there. There's no escape!"
Yuuna glares at the broken down door, moving to ensure she's standing protectively between it and Torrey.
She won't let Jinzo take him!
"Yuuna!" Yubel flies back into the room. "Jinzo's coming!"
Yuuna gasps. Oh no.
Then right on cue, the lights go out.
Yuuna gasps, Pharaoh meows and Blair squeals.
"What was that?!" Syrus whimpers.
"Easy Syrus." Banner says. "Maybe it was just a fuse."
Chumley nods. "Yeah, or maybe a bolt."
Yubel shouts. "Yuuna, in front of you!"
Yuuna gasps and there he is.
Jinzo.
Torrey screams. "NO DON'T TAKE ME-"
"Shut up, human!" Jinzo roars.
Everyone screams at the voice and suddenly pink lightning strikes in the room, making Torrey scream before knocking him out.
"Torrey!" Yuuna shouts, grabbing his arm, glaring at Jinzo. "Jinzo! Release him and his friends from his contract, now!"
Jinzo hisses. "We had a deal."
Suddenly, Torrey flies from Yuuna's hands right into Jinzo's and he takes off running.
And Yuuna follows him.
Blair gasps as she chases after Yuuna, running as fast as she can.
As soon as the pink lightning struck the room, Yuuna ran out and Blair followed her, ignoring the confusion they left behind in the Slifer Red Dorm. Blair could barely make out Yuuna's classic red jacket and red skirt, even when placed against the dark night, but she just about manages to keep up with her sister.
"Where do you think you're going, Jinzo?!" Yuuna shouts.
"Yuuna, wait!" Blair calls.
Yuuna gasps, skidding to a stop, turning around. "Blair!"
Blair runs until she's standing in front of her, bending over, panting.
"What were you thinking, following me like that?!" Yuuna snaps, bending down to they're eye level. "Blair, this is serious! More serious than what happened with Titan, do you understand me?"
Blair straightens. "What do you mean? Titan tried to kill you!"
"Exactly. Tried." Yuuna narrows her eyes. "Titan stumbled into the Shadow Game, because his imitation of them angered the powers in the games. Jinzo's already taken two human souls and those weren't accidents. Jinzo is serious and you can't be here, okay?"
Blair gapes at her.
What? After everything they've been through, Yuuna's just telling her to go home now?!
"NO!" Blair shouts, raising her fists. "I have to come! If something bad happens to you, then I'll never be able to look myself in the eye again, okay?! And I'm going to come with you no matter what, so just accept it!"
Yuuna glares at her for a moment, then she starts twitching and wildly looks to the side, glaring at something Blair can't see. Probably Yubel.
Wherever Yubel says, it makes Yuuna stop glaring daggers at them, sigh and turn to face Blair.
"Okay, you can come, but you have to stay behind me." Yuuna rises to her feet. "And if I tell you to run, you have to run away, okay?"
Blair nods.
She can live with that.
"Where did Jinzo go?" Blair looks around.
She can't see the tall man in the weird coat anywhere.
Yuuna gasps. "You can?"
Blair turns to where Yuuna's staring, but Blair can't see anything other than the rest of the dark forest.
"Lead the way." Yuuna nods.
She grabs Blair's hand and they take off, Blair stumbling but catching up.
"Where are we going?!" Blair shouts. "Who are we following?!"
"Yubel and House Dragonmaid!" Yuuna shouts back. "They can sense where Jinzo is and are leading the way."
Blair gasps.
House Dragonmaid? Yuuna can see her?
Blair narrows her eyes and focuses on running.
It's no surprise now that she thinks about it. There's no time to worry about that though, Torrey and two more people are in danger of losing their lives.
So the Slifer Red Girls run through the forest until they reach a tall wire fence in a square. At each corner are electrical towers, with mini towers in front of each of them and four boxes between the towers on the left and right. Finally, there's two larger boxes with wires and mini electrical towers on them near the middle of the area.
"What is this place?" Yuuna stops inside it, looking around.
Blair remembers it from a map she got of Duel Academy. "It's the central power station for the entire island. Everything, from the lighthouse to the academy itself, is powered by this."
Then she spots him.
Torrey is laying on the ground, near one of the towers.
"There he is." Yuuna lets out a breath. "Torrey, don't worry, I'll save you!"
Yuuna walks forward and suddenly, the tower behind Torrey lights up like a Christmas tree, as do every other tower, blue lightning shooting off in every direction but striking the ground near where Yuuna was standing.
"Yuuna!" Blair shouts
But she can barely hear her own voice over the static in the air and the ozone on the wind.
And then, just to make matters worse, out of the lightning appears Jinzo in his true form. Though difficult to see and fuzzy as Hell, there's no mistaking that green armour, black leather and revealed brain.
"You won't be saving anyone, little girl!" Jinzo shouts.
Blair gasps. "How can I see him? What's happening?!"
"It's the electricity, Blair!" Yuuna calls over her shoulder. "He's using it to sustain his form in the human world until he can consume the third soul he needs."
Which means…
"Torrey." Blair gasps.
He's still laying there, right where Jinzo can reach him.
"Let Torrey go, Jinzo!" Yuuna shouts.
Jinzo scoffs. "And why should I listen to a pathetic little moral like you?"
There's a beat of silence.
"On orders of the Supreme Queen, I demand you release him from your contract!" Yuuna shouts.
Blair gasps. She can't see Yuuna's face right now, but she's certain.
Yuuna's eyes are gold. She's displaying her power.
"Ohhh, how interesting." Jinzo chuckles madly. "The Supreme King of the Darkness of Justice, masquerading as a pathetic mortal girl. There were rumours you had returned from your eternal slumber, but none of us ever could have imagined you would have taken on such a weak form!"
Blair gasps.
No way.
"How does Jinzo know you?" Blair calls.
Yuuna straightens her shoulders, standing taller. "The Supreme King had the ability to control Duel Monsters, not just speak to them. It made him their King and well, I have that same power. I've never met Jinzo, but he probably knows me from stories."
"Hahaha, right you are, mortal." Jinzo laughs. "Oh, how the bards would laugh if they saw you now."
Blair scowls. "Shut your trap!"
No one insults her sister!
Yuuna gasps and looks over her shoulder and yep, her eyes are gold. "Blair, don't backtalk him, I've got this! I need you to just stay back and let me handle him right now, okay?"
Blair growls, glaring at Jinzo. But she nods and takes a step back.
Yuuna is trusting her, so Blair has to honour that trust, even if she doesn't like what she has to do.
Yuuna smiles, then turns back to face him. "Fine, mock me all you want, but what you've done is unforgivable! You tricked three innocent humans into signing a contract for your own gain, none of them having had any idea what they were signing for!"
"And? Your point is, mortal?" Jinzo snarls.
"Because of that, you've created a loophole, one that I can exploit!" Yuuna puts a hand on her chest. "Jinzo, I offer myself as a replacement sacrifice with a condition!"
Blair gasps. "Yuuna no!"
She can't be serious!
"Oh? The Supreme King offering himself to save one stupid mortal? How times have changed the once mighty King of the Gentle Darkness." Jinzo chuckled. "What's your condition?"
"You can only have me as a replacement sacrifice if you defeat me in a Duel!" Yuuna's voice is strong, but that doesn't mean she's actually feeling strong. "If I lose, you can have me as a replacement sacrifice and you have to let Torrey go. But if I win, you need to release all members of the contract and return Torrey and his friends to this world!"
Blair wishes she could breathe easier hearing that, but it doesn't help her.
"A Duel?" Jinzo growls. "Very well. I should be able to be sustained by this electrical limbo long enough for a match."
Then the power station goes nuts. Again.
Blair screams as she jumps away from the electricity, scrambling to avoid the lightning strikes.
"First I'll beat you, then I'll consume you!" Jinzo roars.
"Not a chance!" Yuuna shouts, turning on her Duel Disk. "I am Yuuna Yuki, the Supreme Queen of the Gentle Darkness and I will defeat you, Jinzo!"
Then there's a giant flash of blue light that reaches high into the sky.
"DUEL!" Yuuna and Jinzo shout.
JINZO: 4000
YUUNA YUKI: 4000
Yuuna draws her hand, while Jinzo draws his, the cards appearing like a wall in front of him.
"Be careful, Yuuna." Yubel instructs.
"Kick his ass, Yuuna!" Blair shouts from the back.
Yuuna gives Blair a thumbs up and Yubel a nod. It'll have to do, Jinzo's drawn his first card.
"First, I summon Malice Doll of Demise in ATK Mode!" Jinzo declares.
Black particles condense until they form an ugly wooden doll, with shaggy scarecrow hair, wearing purple overalls over a blue shirt and wielding an axe as tall as the monster to put those 1600 ATK points to use.
"And next, I'll activate the continuous spell Ectoplasmer!" Jinzo shouts. "This fiendish spirit allows each player to sacrifice one monster at the end of their turn. Then half of that monster's ATK points are dealt to the opposing player as damage!"
Yuuna gasps.
Then that means-
"I'll show you right now by ending my turn!" Jinzo cackles.
A howling white spirit comes out of Malice Doll's back and charges straight for Yuuna, who raises her arms, bracing herself-
"AHH!" Yuuna screams.
The ghost shoots out her back, having gone through her chest to deal the damage.
"YUUNA!" Blair screams.
JINZO: 4000
YUUNA YUKI: 3200
Yuuna pants, holding her hand over her heart, groaning.
Yubel hisses. "We didn't agree for this to be a Shadow Game, Jinzo."
"Yubel, it's fine." Yuuna straightens up, ignoring the ache in her chest. "Functionally, it was always going to be a Shadow Game, since we're gambling people's souls on this."
She was just hoping it wouldn't hurt as much as it did the last time she participated in one.
"Yuuna!" Blair screams.
"I'm alright!" Yuuna shouts, doing her best to stand tall, even as her heart aches. "I promise Blair!"
She hears Blair whimper and Yuuna wishes she could comfort her sister. But she has to defeat Jinzo before she can do anything like that.
"I draw!" Yuuna shouts.
Ectoplasmer is a double edged sword and a dangerous card. Since tributing isn't optional, it means every turn will end in someone's life points depleting and Jinzo's already got a head start on that. The only way to win with it on the field is to make sure you always end the turn with at least one monster on your side of the field that you'll keep for the next round and one monster that you're able to tribute.
Or she can try to destroy it, so that Jinzo can't use it anymore and Yuuna won't have to sacrifice her monsters. It'll depend on what's in her hand.
Yuuna looks at it.
Dark World Dealings, Gateway to Dark World, Sillva, Gren, Broww and Morphing Jar.
"Lady Yuuna, it's good to see you." Gren chuckles. "How may I assist you today?"
"Well Gren, there's this really nasty spell card that I need you to take care of for me, you think you can handle it?" Yuuna smiles at him.
Gren nods. "Why, I'd be honoured Lady Yuuna."
Sillva scowls. "I could destroy it easy."
"I know Sillva, but I need to save my Discard for Gren. I promise when I can, I'll get you on the field. Broww, if this doesn't work, I might have to sacrifice you." Yuuna holds his card closer to her. "Is that okay?"
Broww nods and draws his bow on his card.
Yuuna smiles. "Let's go then."
She lifts her head, glancing behind her at Blair.
Only to quickly face ahead. No.
"Yubel, please tell me the boys aren't standing there." Yuuna whispers.
Yubel turns around and sighs. "I can't, because I'd be lying."
No, no, no, Syrus, Chumley and Banner are right there and her eyes are gold and she can't turn her powers off while she's in a Shadow Game, shit.
Okay, she just can't look at them, no big deal.
"Yuuna!" Syrus yells.
Chumley gasps. "Professor Banner, is, is that-"
"It's Jinzo!" Banner shouts and Yuuna hears a cat's shriek. "He's come back to life using the electricity!"
"And Yuuna's Duelling him for her soul, Torrey's and the other guys Jinzo ate." Blair explains. "So she can't take her eyes off this match, she's gotta focus, do you understand?"
Yuuna lets out a breath.
Smart girl.
"First, I'm going to play Dark World Dealings!" Yuuna calls out. "We each draw a new card and then we'll discard one card."
Yuuna and Jinzo do so, Yuuna glancing at her drawn card.
Damage Condenser.
Yuuna smirks. Perfect.
"And now, because I'm discarding my Gren, Tactician of Dark World-" Yuuna slides his card to her Graveyard. "I get to destroy one Spell or Trap card on the field!"
"What?!" Jinzo shouts.
Gren rises from the Graveyard, racing across the field, cackling as he does. He slams his book straight into Ectoplasmer, destroying it on impact.
Syrus cheers. "Alright, now Jinzo can't use it to deal her any more damage!"
"Next, I'm going to summon Broww, Huntsman of Dark World in ATK mode!" Yuuna shouts.
Broww takes to the field, his arrow already nocked, his arm pulling back to use his 1400 ATK points.
"Attack Jinzo directly!" Yuuna shouts.
Broww does just that, sending his arrow flying.
Jinzo screams as the arrow flies through him, the lightning spiking up once more.
JINZO: 2600
YUUNA YUKI: 3200
"Now I'm activating a Quick-Play spell!" Yuuna shouts. "Gateway to Dark World! I get to Special Summon a Dark World monster from my Graveyard and I think you can guess who's coming back."
Gren rises from the graveyard, book held to his chest, his cape flying on the wind, his 300 ATK points at the ready. "I hope you didn't miss me too much, Jinzo."
"Gren?!" Jinzo snarls. "Damn you, old man-"
"Gren, attack Jinzo directly!" Yuuna orders.
"With pleasure, Lady Yuuna!" Gren declares.
He sends his book flying like a boomerang and it smacks Jinzo in the face, making him roar.
JINZO: 2300
YUUNA YUKI: 3200
The book returns to Gren, who chuckles as he catches it. "That is why knowledge is power."
"I'll lay a facedown and call it a turn." Yuuna calls, setting Damage Condenser.
Yubel chuckles. "You've done well to turn the tides of this Duel, Yuuna."
Yuuna smiles. She tries.
"Would have been more fun if there was a monster to fight." Sillva huffs.
"That's the spirit!" Syrus cheers. "I mean, that's how you beat a spirit!"
"Alright, we got a totally lishious game now." Chumley shouts. "Keep it up Yuuna!"
Pharaoh meows.
Blair shouts. "If you die, I swear I'll kill you!"
Yuuna laughs. "Don't worry Blair, I'm not going to die any time soon."
"Don't make a promise you can't deliver, mortal!" Jinzo shouts. "My draw!"
Yuuna straightens up, focusing.
"After all, since Malice Doll of Demise was sent to the Graveyard due to the effect of a continuous Spell Card, he gets resummoned during my Standby Phase." Jinzo laughs.
Sure enough, the ugly wooden doll with the axe returns, wielding it's 1600 ATK points.
"And now I'll summon Emissary of the Afterlife, in ATK mode!" Jinzo declares.
The grim reaper joins the ugly doll, wielding his 1600 ATK points with a scythe.
"On second thoughts, it might have been smart to play a little DEF." Chumley whimpers, gulping.
"Oh dear. Lady Yuuna, I believe this will be ugly." Gren warns.
Yuuna grits her teeth.
"Emissary of the Afterlife, attack that pathetic ex mentor of mine, Gren!" Jinzo orders.
Yuuna gapes at him. "You were his what?!"
Emissary charges the field, screaming blood murder.
"Oh would you look at that, time to go!" Gren chuckles nervously.
Then Emissary cuts him down, making Gren burst into pixels and Yuuna screams as Emissary's scythe swings for her arm.
JINZO: 2300
YUUNA YUKI: 1900
"Yuuna!" Blair, Syrus, Chumley, Banner and Yubel scream.
Pharoah meows.
"Having this Duel was an excellent idea, mortal." Jinzo chuckles. "It's much better to enjoy something slowly, rather than to take it all at once."
Yuuna scowls, shaking as she stands up straight.
"Yuuna, your legs!" Syrus shouts.
Yuuna wishes she could look behind her.
Blair screams. "OH my GOD!"
Yuuna looks down and gasps. "What's happening?!"
Her legs are fading! They're see-through, just like Jinzo is now.
"I'm collecting on our contract!" Jinzo cackles. "You've lost over half your life points, so I'm taking half your soul and it feels goooood."
Then something weird starts happening with Jinzo.
He starts glowing darkly, shadows curling around him, making him laugh maniacally.
"Oh yes, the power of your soul is incredible, Yuuna Yuki!" Jinzo howls with laughter, shaking. "Maybe instead of resurrecting, I'll just use your body to explore this realm! I'm sure it would make a wonderful host for my spirit!"
A beat of silence.
"OVER MY DEAD BODY, YOU DISGUSTING CREEP!" Yubel howls, eyes glowing, hair standing on end.
"Did he say what I think he said?" Syrus whimpers.
"I think he did, Sy." Chumley whimpers. "And meant it in the way you think he meant it."
"Oh dear me." Banner whimpers.
Blair makes a sound of confusion. "What way did he mean it, other than he's going to take over our best friend and use her body for his own benefit?"
Broww growls, drawing his bow tighter, practically shaking with rage.
"I won't let you take me Jinzo." Yuuna scowls, holding her arm. "I'll Duel, until the end." She pants, eyes foggy. "I… I play a trap card!"
Damage Condenser flips up.
"When I take battle damage, I discard a card... And then I get to summon a monster with ATK points less than or equal to the damage I took." Yuuna takes her hand off her arm to discard Sillva. "And because I'm discarding Sillva, I get to special summon him!"
Sillva roars as he takes to the field, his 2300 ATK points ready to be used with his sword. "You made a mistake in attacking Lady Yuuna, Jinzo."
Yuuna smiles and pulls out her Deck.
She took 1300 points of damage, so she can only get Scarr, Renge, Ceruli or Kahkki. But Scar is the only one with an effect that activates on the field, he has the highest ATK points of the four and Damage Condenser forces you to summon the new monster in ATK mode, so…
"I summon Scarr, Scout of Dark World!" Yuuna declares.
Scarr takes to the field, wielding his knife and 500 ATK points. "I'm ready to fight, Yuuna."
Yuuna smiles.
"If you're so ready to fight, then you'll be the first to die!" Jinzo shouts. "Malice Doll, attack that Scout!"
Yuuna gasps. "Scarr!"
Malice Doll swings it's axe and destroys Scarr on impact, his eyes shooting up lights, the axe swinging straight through Yuuna.
JINZO: 2300
YUUNA YUKI: 800
Yuuna bites back a scream, hugging her chest, struggling to breathe as the fade on her legs reaches all the way up to her chest.
"Yuuna, hang on!" Yubel pleads.
"Oh man." Syrus whimpers.
"Yuuna's not looking so hot." Chumley takes a step back.
"Come on, Yuuna. " Blair murmurs.
Yuuna hisses out through her grinding teeth. "I... activate Scarr's… ability."
She pulls out her Deck.
"When he goes, he brings a…. Level 4 Dark World monster to my hand… From my Deck." Yuuna looks through her options.
She needs something that can destroy that Malice Doll and Emissary. Sillva can handle one of them, but she needs back up and she needs it fast.
"Yuuna, use me."
Yuuna blinks, but nods, making her selection.
"I end my turn." Jinzo chuckles. "Soon I'll have your body, mortal, and I'll have eaten your delicious soul right up."
"Not today, Jinzo." Yuuna scowls, drawing.
The Forces of Darkness.
"I'm throwing down a Facedown." Yuuna places the Forces of Darkness facedown. "And summoning my dear friend, Snoww, Unlight of Dark World!"
Snoww takes to the field, wielding her staff and her 1700 ATK points at the ready. "You've hurt Yuuna for the last time tonight, Jinzo."
"Bring it on, Unlight, I dare you." Jinzo snarls.
Snoww bristles. "Yuuna?"
"Let him have it, girl!" Yuuna shouts. "Destroy his Malice Doll!"
Snoww races across the field, swinging her staff down on Malice Doll's axe, destroying it.
JINZO: 2200
YUUNA YUKI: 800
Jinzo roars. "You'll pay for that, Unlight!"
"Sillva, follow her lead!" Yuuna punches the air. "Take out that Emissary!"
Sillva roars. "With pleasure, Lady Yuuna!"
Sillva races across the field, bringing his sword down on Emissary's scythe, which destroys it on impact.
JINZO: 1500
YUUNA YUKI: 800
Jinzo screams. "Damn you, Warlord! When Emissary goes to the Graveyard, we each get to add a Normal Monster to our hands, so long as it's Level 3 or below. I'll add my Thousand Eye Idol."
Yuuna winces. She doesn't have any Normals Monsters below Level 4. She only has two in her whole Deck, Zure and Renge.
"I'm not done!" Yuuna calls. "Broww, would you be a gentleman, please?"
Broww unleashes an arrow without hesitation, sending it flying straight into Jinzo's chest, who shrieks like a banshee.
JINZO: 100
YUUNA YUKI: 800
"An impressive comeback. You had me worried for a moment." Yubel nods.
Syrus cheers. "Alright, that's how you play Yuuna!"
"I told you to kick his ass, you got this!" Blair shouts at the top of her lungs.
Chumley shouts. "You're almost home free, Yuuna, don't give up!"
Yuuna gives them a V for victory, but she doesn't turn around, her eyes are still golden after all.
Jinzo scowls. "Don't get so cocky, mortals. My draw."
His new card appears before him.
Then he starts to laugh. "And I couldn't have asked for a better one! With this card, my resurrection is all but closer."
Yubel hisses. "That can't be good."
Yuuna braces herself.
"I activate Double Summon, so I can have more than one summon this turn. First, I'll bring out my Thousand Eye Idol." Jinzo chuckles.
The fat, ugly monster with a thousand eyes appears on the field, hissing with it's 0 ATK points.
"And now I'll sacrifice my Thousand Eye Idol to summon-" Jinzo cackles as the lightning starts up again. "Jinzo!"
The lightning starts up, striking in every direction, Yuuna's friends screaming-
"NO!" Yuuna turns around, hand up-
Then the unexpected happens.
Shadows rise up and absorb the lightning before it hits anyone, everyone huddling together and closing their eyes, as if waiting for the strike. But the lightning doesn't touch anyone and the shadows don't stay in one place.
"What's happening?" Yuuna gasps.
Yubel gapes at her. "Yuuna… It's your power."
Yuuna turns to them. "What?"
"One of your abilities as the Supreme King was control over shadows. You can make them solid and use them to hide yourself or others." Yubel smiles. "You could even make portals."
Yuuna watches her shadows, her eyes wide.
They're not just absorbing the lightning. Some of the shadows are absorbing it and others are creating-no, they're directing the lightning somewhere else.
She's making portals.
Yuuna watches her power at work, in total awe.
Then all the lightning stops striking indiscriminately, relocating to a single point in the centre of the field and striking the ground.
Yuuna turns around, dropping the shadows around her friends, shielding her eyes from the blast.
And out of the dust rises Jinzo himself, with his 2400 ATK points, cackling maniacally.
"Oh come on." Yuuna groans. "You seriously just drew and played yourself?!"
"We never said there were rules against such a thing, mortal!" Jinzo cackles, drawing up a ball of pink lightning in his hands. "And now I'm going to attack you personally!"
Yuuna gasps.
Sillva roars. "I'll defend you, Lady Yuuna!"
"So be it, Cyber Energy Shockwave!" Jinzo throws the lightning.
It hits Sillva dead on, making him roar as he bursts into pixels, the remains of the pink lightning hitting Yuuna's feet.
JINZO: 100
YUUNA YUKI: 700
Yuuna yelps at the sting, scowling. "Shit."
Snoww scowls. "How dare you, Jinzo."
"I suppose you're next then, Unlight." Jinzo growls.
Yuuna growls.
"Oh no." Chumley gasps. "Yuuna's most powerful monster is gone."
"And whenever Jinzo is on the field, you can't use any traps." Syrus whimpers.
Blair scowls. "She's unable to use a third of her Deck."
Yuuna makes a fist at her side. Blair's right. If she doesn't pull out a miracle draw soon, she's going to be in trouble.
"I draw!" Yuuna does just that.
She glances at her card. Then smiles.
She can win this right here, right now.
"Snoww, Broww, you're amazing as always, but I have someone who can defeat Jinzo if we can get him on the field." Yuuna looks between her two monsters. "Are you okay with going to the Graveyard?"
Broww nods, lowering his bow.
Snoww holds her staff at her side. "So long as he punches Jinzo hard."
Yuuna grins. "I'll make sure to pass that along."
Then she straightens up and glares at Jinzo.
"It's time to end this!" Yuuna shouts. "I sacrifice Broww and Snoww to summon-"
The two of them disappear in a storm that appears overhead, purple lightning striking the same place on the field over and over again, creating a massive smoke screen.
"Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World!" Yuuna punches the sky.
Grapha appears out of the storm and smoke, giving a mighty roar, his 2700 ATK points on display.
Syrus, Blair and Chumley gasp.
Grapha growls low in his throat. "Who dares attack my Queen?"
Jinzo shouts and takes a step back. "NO! Not that monster!"
"Yes, that monster!" Yuuna smiles. "Grapha, destroy Jinzo and break this contract!"
Grapha roars, conjuring the black flames in his mouth.
Jinzo screams. "NO! I WON'T BE DEFEATED, I WILL GET YOU SUPREME KI-"
Grapha blasts him with his black flames, destroying the monster and the spirit in one attack.
JINZO: 0
YUUNA YUKI: 800
WINNER: YUUNA YUKI
Yuuna smiles as her body goes back to normal.
But the holograms don't fade.
Grapha's flames continue to build and build and build-
Blair screams. "YUUNA GET OUT OF THERE, IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE!"
Yuuna runs towards the fire. "Torrey!"
She hears Yubel calling her an idiot and her friends screaming and she sees Torrey laying there-
Just before the explosion happens and it all goes black.
"Yuuna! Yuuna wake up, please! Please don't go!"
Who… who's calling her?
"Blair, it's fine, she's breathing after all-"
Why… is she on the ground?
"Breathing means nothing if she doesn't open her eyes! Yuuna!"
Yuuna groans, forcing her eyes open.
"Good. I was starting to worry." Yubel chuckles.
Yuuna blinks, lifting her head.
"Oh thank Slifer the Sky Dragon, Yuuna, you're awake."
Yuuna turns her head, eyes widening.
Blair is sitting at her side, tears on her face, Syrus also crying next to her.
"Sorry to worry you guys." Yuuna sits up, smiling. "I'm okay."
Blair huffs and rubs at her face. "Don't scare me like that, okay? Especially not on Christmas Eve."
Yuuna blinks, looking around.
It's already morning. Banner and Chumley are checking over three Obelisk Blues, one of them being Torrey. Yubel is floating between Syrus and Blair, shaking their head fondly.
"You really frightened those two, Yuuna." Yubel sighs. "In fact, you frightened me as well."
Yuuna blinks and nervously smiles. "Sorry I scared you, guys. I didn't mean to."
She brings the both of them into a hug, Blair sniffling as she wraps her arms around Yuuna's neck, Syrus wrapping his arms around her waist. Yuuna wraps her arms around their backs and gently rubs them. Yubel sighs and joins the hug, wrapping their arms and wings around all three of them.
"It's okay guys. I won't leave you." Yuuna holds Syrus and Blair tighter. "I promised, didn't I?"
Blair huffs a laugh. "Yeah, you did."
"Doesn't stop you from scaring us though." Syrus whimpers.
"Well I can't promise not to do that." Yuuna pulls back slightly, so she can see their faces. "But I can give you your Christmas Eve gifts once we get back to the Slifer Dorm."
Syrus and Blair blink. "Christmas Eve gifts?"
Yuuna nods. "I know we did the Secret Santa so everyone at least had one gift from someone else. But I still wanted to make everyone something, so I figured a small Christmas Eve gift for everyone would be nice and then I could actually give my Secret Santa gift tomorrow."
Syrus and Blair stare at her.
Yubel chuckles, pulling back from the hug. "Oh Yuuna."
Yuuna shrugs.
"It appears everyone is fine." Banner walks over to them, the three Obelisk Blues behind him. "Now, let's all return to our dorms."
"Okay teach." Yuuna gets to her feet, pulling Blair and Syrus up with her.
Yubel fades for the time being. They're probably exhausted after the long night, Yuuna knows she is.
The Slifer Reds start walking out together.
"Hey."
They all stop, turning around.
"Yuuna Yuki, right?" Torrey calls.
He and his two Obelisk Blue friends are standing in a row, looking ashamed.
Yuuna nods and points to herself. "That's me."
"We…" Torrey bows his head. "We just want to say we're sorry for the trouble we've caused."
"And to thank you for saving us." The one on the right bows his head.
"We promise to never mess with Duel Monster summoning again." The one on the left bows his head.
Yuuna blinks at them and smiles.
"I'm just glad you're all safe now and I'm happy to hear that you're not planning on trying that again. Jinzo shouldn't come back, since my Duel with him completely severed your contract." Yuuna walks over and offers her hand. "But if ever ya need me, just hollar."
Torrey and the others lift their heads, blinking at her.
Yuuna smiles, tilting her head.
Torrey flushes and hesitantly takes her hand. "R-right, same here Yuuna."
The two shake on it and let go of each others' hands.
"Well, have a Merry Christmas Eve you three." Yuuna smiles.
Torrey nods. "You guys too."
With that, the three Obelisk Blues head their way while the four Slifer Reds, their teacher and their cat head another way.
Blair stares at her feet as they walk back.
The sun is bright, but there's clouds in the distance and the wind is cold, so they might have snow later. Blair should be happy. She should be fine. Jinzo's gone and no one died, but…
"YUUNA GET OUT OF THERE, IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE!"
She was so scared at that moment, all she could think about was making sure that Jinzo didn't hurt Yuuna and then…
She gulps.
She swears, she saw her shadow move. Her shadow moved to Yuuna, to try and save her.
"Blair?"
Blair shakes herself off, turning to Yuuna. "Yeah?"
Yuuna frowns slightly. "Are you okay? I know that was a scary match. Especially with the whole..."
Yuuna can't name the Gentle Darkness stuff, not with the others around.
"It's okay." Blair smiles. "It was scary, but I'm alright."
She just…
Why did her shadow move like that?
Yuuna smiles. "That's good, because if you weren't, I would have to beat up Jinzo again for scaring my little sister."
Blair blinks, then giggles. She'll worry about the shadows later…
Unaware that Syrus is having similar doubts and concerns.