Yuuna was very young when she first watched Yugi Moto Duel. She knew a King of Games existed, from how often her classmates would play-pretend that they were the King of Games, or when they'd say they were Seto Kaiba.
She was watching the TV and it was showing reruns of some of the greatest Duelling moments in history.
"And now, for the best Duelling Moment in History, we have!" The announcer was then hidden by a VS card, on one hand a silver haired man and the other a boy with spiky hair. "Maximillion Pegasus VS Yugi Moto!"
Then the TV showed the Duel and Yuuna was in awe.
"We know people expected Battle City to be the top Duelling Moment in history, however, I remember first hearing the news that the person who invented this game was defeated and to me, that was more shocking than winning any tournament ever could have been."
Chaos Magician used his attack and the Duel was done.
Yuuna's eyes sparkled and she turned to Yubel. "Can I be like him someday?"
Yubel blinked and looked at her. "You want to become the Queen of Games?"
Yuuna nodded and smiled at them. "I wanna grow up big and strong and become the bestest Duelist in the world!"
Yubel smiled and ran their claws through her hair. "I don't see why you can't. Go for it, Yuuna."
Yuuna cheered and knew she would, one day.
"Man, that last math assignment kicked ass…" Yuuna yawns, arms over her head.
Chumley nods, rubbing his temple. "You can say that again."
Blair rolls her eyes. "Come on you two, you're older than me, you should know that stuff by now. Duel Monsters is almost entirely dependent on math."
Yuuna giggles nervously, rubbing her neck. "I do, it's just hard to translate it to a test."
The three of them are heading down to Dorothy's shop after another day of working hard in class. Or working as hard as the 'Slifer Slackers' ever work.
Blair shakes her head, smiling.
Even if her best friends are kinda stupid, she doesn't think she'd want them any other way. She honestly can't imagine them being any other way than they really are. She's glad. Even when she lied about herself, they accepted her in the end. That's more than she ever thought possible.
She's really lucky to be at Duel Academy.
"Hey, what's going on there?"
Blair blinks and looks at Yuuna, who's pointing at the crowd of people outside Dorothy's shop. Bastion's among them.
"Hey Bastion!" Yuuna runs over, Blair and Chumley following. "What's with the crowd? Is Eggwich day early or something?!"
"Eggwich day?!" Chumley calls, peaking over the heads of the students.
Blair scowls. Why does she have to be so freaking short?
"No, Yuuna, just a little lunchtime tussle." Bastion smiles.
Yuuna blinks. "Oh, I see!"
"Great, because I don't." Blair mutters, folding her arms.
The three of them blink and look down at her, Bastion and Chumley cringing at one another.
Yuuna sheepishly laughs and bends down. "Sorry, Blair. Piggyback?"
Blair blinks. "Seriously?"
Yuuna laughs. "What, too old for a piggyback?"
Blair bristles. "Of course, I-"
Then she stops.
"Stand up and take a moment to breathe."
"Spitfire. You have time."
"You don't have to rush growing up."
That's what Yuuna said to her in their Tag Team Trial. And Blair is doing her best to take those lessons to heart.
"I'd really like a piggyback." Blair smiles. "Thanks, Yuuna."
Yuuna practically beams and turns around. "Anything for my little sister."
Blair ignores her blushing face and climbs on Yuuna's back, wrapping her arms around Yuuna's neck while Yuuna grabs her legs. She stands up, a little shaky and Blair holds her a little tighter. But soon enough, they straighten out.
From where she's sitting, Blair can see a lot more now, holding her breath a little. It looks like an intense Duel.
"So whose Duelling?" Yuuna calls out. "It's kinda hard to see from the back."
"Well, on the left is Dmitri Kagurazaka. He's a Ra Yellow in our year." Bastion nods.
Chumley huffs. "Never heard of him."
Blair grins. "You don't exactly have a wide social circle though, koala man."
"Hey!" Chumley pouts at her.
Blair giggles, feeling childish, ridiculous joy curling in her guts. Yuuna's right. She doesn't have to rush growing up. Being a kid is fun!
"And on the left is Syrus." Bastion continues.
"WHAT?!" The three Slifer Reds shout.
The Duel temporarily pauses as Syrus turns to the source of the noise. "Is that you, Yuuna?"
Yuuna shoulders her way through the crowd, Chumley following and Blair just barely managing to cling to her back. "Damn right it is. What's going on, Sy?"
Syrus turns to them. "A high stakes Duel."
Blair blinks, then lets go of Yuuna, jumping to her own feet. "Did your brother get kidnapped again?!"
The crowd start babbling and rambling, ripples of shock from her statement likely starting the next wildly inaccurate rumour. Wonderful. Actually, that could be fun to watch playout, but another time.
"Wha-" Syrus shakes his head. "No, I'm Duelling for that!"
Then he points at a poster above their heads. A poster containing the very King of Games himself, Yugi Muto.
"You're Duelling for a poster?" Chumley frowns, holding his chin. "That's kinda lame, but whateves."
"No, silly!" Syrus huffs, stomping his foot. "I'm Duelling for what the poster is advertising!"
Blair blinks and looks at the poster again, but it doesn't say anything helpful.
"Yugi Muto's Deck is going on tour! And the first stop is Duel Academy!" Syrus cheers.
Blair gapes. "No way."
Yuuna squeals. "That's the coolest! I'll get to see the original King of Game's Deck with my very own eyes?! It'll be here?! I can't believe it! It's a piece of history! All it's been through… like Duelist Kingdom where he beat THE Maxamillion Pegasus! And Battle City, where he used it to beat Seto Kaiba and Marik Ishtar! And the way he used his Egyptian God cards in all the other amazing trials he's been through!"
Blair giggles, gently elbowing Yuuna in the side. "I thought you hated class."
"There's no way I'd sleep through learning about the King of Games!" Yuuna huffs, hands on her hips. "I am a Yugi Muto fangirl and I am not ashamed to admit it."
Blair snort-giggles and shakes her head. She hopes Yuuna never changes.
"It's not going on tour with the Egyptian Gods though, that'd be crazy." Chumley huffs, then grins. "Though, it'll have all the other classics, like the Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl."
"I can't wait!" Syrus squeals, waving his arms. "It's going to be the neatest thing ever, especially for us all to go together!"
"I'm with ya, Sy!" Yuuna bounces, giggling. "Let's go buy tickets now, I'll get one for each of us!"
Blair smiles, her heart pounding. Yuuna's so kind.
"Yuuna, that's why Syrus is Duelling." Dorothy calls.
The Slifer Reds turn to the large woman.
Dorothy shows off a single piece of paper with the Duel Academy logo on it. "There's only one ticket left and whoever wins, gets it. Can you imagine a Duel with a better prize than that?"
Blair's heart sinks into her stomach and is melted by it's acid.
Oh. He must have thought they already had tickets.
"I don't know, enough tickets for all 4 of us would be nice." Yuuna pouts.
Blair smiles sadly. Yuuna read her mind.
"You guys don't need to worry about me." Chumley rummages through his pocket. "I got one for me already."
Yuuna and Blair gape at him. "HUH?! Why didn't you tell us about this?!"
"Uhh, because I thought you already knew?" Chumley winces, inching away from them.
Blair seethes. Ohh for the love of-
"I already got it covered, girls."
Yuuna and Blair blink, turning back to Syrus.
Who's holding two tickets to them.
Yuuna and Blair gasp, gently taking one each.
"You bought us tickets?" Blair murmurs, her heart in her throat.
Syrus nods, beaming. "Yep! I got 'em this morning, thinking I'd bought 3 and I could surprise you guys with them later. But then I realised I only got two, so I ran back here to get my ticket."
"A-are you sure?" Yuuna holds the ticket close, like it's something precious. "I mean, you got it, you should have it."
"Yeah, I got it, so we could all go together!" Syrus looks up at them, with a determined glint in his eye. "I'm Duelling so all of us can go together and have a great time, just friends and no weird stuff happening."
Blair laughs, thinking back on other reasons they've all hung out; evil Duel Monster spirits stealing souls, angry Ras taking vengeance on the Obelisks, a hot shot tennis player flirting with someone who they aren't even friends with.
Yeah, it'd be nice to do something normal for a change.
"And I'm gonna win!" Syrus declares.
Then he focuses back on his Duel and in just that turn, Syrus wins.
"Yeah, that's how you Duel!" Syrus punches a fist into the air.
"Sweet moves, Sy!" Yuuna cheers, giving him a quick hug.
Syrus laughs and hugs her back, then releases her. "Thanks Yuuna."
"You sent the Golem to the junkyard." Blair grins, offering a fist bump.
Syrus returns it with a giggle.
"You've gotten a lot better, for a shrimp." Chumley rolls his eyes and ruffles Syrus' hair.
"Hey, hey, hey, not the hair!" Syrus scowls, swatting at him.
Yuuna, Blair and Chumley break out into laughter, as Syrus joins in and goes to get his ticket.
"Alright everyone, show's over." Dorothy starts clapping. "Now get back to class."
"Yes ma'am!" Yuuna laughs.
With that, the Slifer Reds walk away victorious and Blair's heart is buzzing with excitement.
"Ohh, I hope I can meet Dark Magician Girl! I admire her so much!"
Blair gasps and looks around. Oh no. She's hearing voices again.
"Dra-dra-dra!"
Blair spins on her heel, looking to her right.
Blue eyes and an orange body fly in midair, a mouth full of white teeth moving and making that noise at empty air.
Blair blinks and rubs her eyes.
The orange body, blue eyes and white teeth are gone and the noise has stopped too.
"Blair, you okay?"
Blair blinks and looks down the hall, where Syrus, Chumley and Yuuna are waiting for her.
"Yeah, sorry!" Blair runs over to them, trying to leave the strange sight in the hallway.
But she can't get it out of her head.
Why…
Why did she see Baby Dragon?
To be honest, Syrus isn't surprised when he finds himself following Yuuna and Blair to the exhibit while they're setting up, Chumley running behind him. He knows them well enough by now to expect this to happen.
But he is surprised to see-
"Bastion?" Yuuna stage whispers.
Blair comes to a stop, blinking. "Why are you here?"
Bastion laughs. "For the same reason you lot are here, I believe. Taking a sneak peak at the Deck?"
Yunna grins. "I guess great minds think alike."
"Oh man, I thought we'd be the only ones."
The five of them turn around to see Jasmine and Mindy coming around the corner, Mindy clinging to Jasmine's arm.
"Sorry girls." Syrus winces.
Oh man, they probably wanted a quick romantic moment alone with each other. But then again, doing it near Yugi Muto's Deck, seems a little…
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The seven of them turn towards the exhibit door, where the sound came from.
"Did you hear that?!" Chumley whimpers, hugging himself.
Jasmine takes a determined step forward. "Sure did."
"Someone's in trouble!" Mindy gasps.
"Let's go help them!" Syrus calls.
With that, they race down the hallway and burst open the door. And it's one of the worst things Syrus has ever seen in his life!
The display case where Yugi Muto's Deck is supposed to be, broken open with glass all over the floor and no cards in sight. And Crowler standing next to it, looking like a deer in the headlights.
"Crowler?" Bastion takes a hesitant step forward.
"The display case!" Yuuna gasps.
"He stole Yugi Muto's Deck!" Chumley gapes.
"Why'd you do it, Dr. Crowler?!" Syrus humphs, holding up his fists.
He knew Crowler was pathetic! But this is a new low!
"One of us needs to get the security guards!" Blair calls.
"Right, and the rest of us can make sure he doesn't go anywhere!" Jasmine cracks her knuckles.
"I'll get them!" Mindy turns around.
"NO!" Crowler screams.
Then he moves faster than Syrus has ever seen him move in his life, somehow grabbing them all and making them fall on their faces, everyone screaming in pain.
"PLEASE! I know this looks bad, but believe me, I didn't steal the Deck!" Crowler sobs. "You can search me, you can interrogate me, PLEASE I'M INNOCENT! Be-besides! Why would I break the case, when I already have the keys for it?!"
Then he reached into his pocket to show off the keys, which very clearly belonged to the display case.
Syrus gasps and they all get to their feet.
"Oh man. Then that would mean…" Syrus looks over to Yuuna.
"The real thief is still out there!" Yuuna looks around at their little group.
Blair growls. "Well sugar."
"Let's split up!" Mindy calls. "We can cover more ground that way!"
"Good call." Jasmine nods. "Meet back here in an hour?"
"Sounds like a plan." Chumley nods.
"Someone should stay here in case the thief or guards come back and inform them of the situation." Bastion looks at them all.
Crowler sobs and waves his arms. "I'll do it!"
Yuuna nods. "Alright then, you know the plan. Let's split up, gang."
Syrus nods with everyone, calling out. "Right!"
With the others exploring the main campus or the surrounding forest, Syrus figured it would be a good idea to explore the cliffs by the bridge, where he and Yuuna have Duelled a couple of times. It's just as hard to climb down as usual, possibly even harder in the dark, but Syrus isn't going to let anything stop him.
He's going to help find Yugi Muto's Deck, no matter what! So he and his friends can have one normal day!
Then he spots someone; a dark figure, with a scarf floating in the wind and standing on a rock who looks vaguely familiar.
Syrus runs up a rock above and behind that guy. "Hey!"
The man doesn't turn around, but Syrus swears he hears him chuckle.
"Someone just stole Yugi's Deck!" Syrus narrows his eyes. "Know anything about that?"
The man turns around and…
It's Dmitri, from earlier in the day. "Stole?"
Syrus blinks.
Okay, he knew he could throw his voice, but why does he sound like Yugi Muto?
"What do you mean?" Dmitri holds up a Duel Disk. "This is my Deck!"
Syrus' eyes widen. Oh man.
"If you don't believe me, why don't you go ahead and let me show you!" Dmitri throws the Duel Disk at him.
It flies through the air.
"Right here, right now!"
Syrus just barely manages to catch it. "Oh man."
He didn't sign up for this.
Dmitri slides a Deck into place on his Duel Disk, most likely Yugi Muto's Deck. It activates, turning on and preparing for a Duel.
Syrus scowls. He hasn't got time to let Yuuna and the others know he found the thief.
He slides his own Deck into the Duel Disk and it comes to life..
He'll just have to defeat Dmitri on his own!
"DUEL!"
Bastion must admit, he hadn't expected his night to go like this. He calculated a 65% chance that he would see other people wanting a sneak peak at Yugi Muto's Deck and he theorised that one of those people would be Yuuna, especially when taking into consideration her impulsive nature. He hadn't calculated for the chance that someone would steal the Deck though, or that he'd be helping his friends look for it.
The first thing Yuuna says once they meet up is. "Has anyone seen or heard anything from Syrus?!"
They're all by the bridge instead of in the campus main building, after Syrus didn't respond to anyone's attempts to message him. They knew he was heading in this direction though.
"No." Chumley huffs and puffs, hands on his knees. "Just got here."
"The Obelisk Blue dorms are clear." Mindy says. "Girls and boys."
Bastion nods. "The Ra Dorm is clear too."
"No thief in Slifer Red." Blair shakes her head.
Yunna groans and bites her lip. "The main campus is clear too. Do you think Syrus found the thief? Is he in danger-"
A scream rips through the night air. A very familiar scream that makes all their heads turn.
"SYRUS!" Everyone shouts.
Yuuna runs for the cliffs and jumps down, screaming as she goes.
"YUUNA!" Blair shrieks.
"Great Scot!" Bastion runs after her.
He hears the others behind him, but when he leans over, it looks like Yuuna's safe, running along the rocks to where she heard the noise. How did she get down that fast?
"Wait up!" Blair calls, starting to climb down.
"Let's hurry, before we lose her!" Chumley starts climbing down as well.
Bastion, Mindy and Jasmine do the same.
It doesn't take them too long to catch up to Yuuna, who's kneeling at Syrus' side and cradling his head in her lap, while someone stands on a rock above them, laughing madly.
"Syrus, are you okay?" Yuuna brushes some hair out of his eyes.
Syrus whimpers and weakly opens his eyes. "He... has it. Yugi Muto's Deck."
Then he points at the man on the rock and the moonlight reveals it's Dmitri.
"And he beat me with it." Syrus groans, getting to his feet.
Yuuna scowls and gets to her feet, helping Syrus up as she goes. She looks nothing short of furious.
"Alright, ya thief!" Yuuna jumps onto the rock above them, pointing at Dmitri. "You've had your fun!" She makes a fist and brings it back. "But now it's over! Hand over that Deck right now Dmitri!"
Dmitri turns his head. "Ha. Dmitri? I'm afraid that you're mistaken, I'm Yugi Muto! Dmitri's just some child who would study other people's Decks, then copy them."
Bastion shudders from the cold air. That's what he tells himself at least, looking at the demented look on Dmitri's face.
"You see, with these cards I'm not copying the King of Games…" The ocean crashes behind him as Dmitri throws out his arms. "I truly am the King of Games! And if you want this Deck back, you'll have to prove I'm not!"
Mindy shudders and takes a step back. "Oh geez, he's really lost it."
Jasmine sighs. "Look, I get wanting to be like the King of Games, but this is no time to have an identity crisis over his own insecurities!"
Blair nods, folding her arms. "I don't think saying that will make him change his ways, but it's true."
Syrus whimpers. "Still, there's no denying he's holding the greatest Duelling Deck in history. Can anyone defeat it?"
Bastion narrows his eyes and holds his chin. It's an interesting question.
"I'll take you on! I never back down from a challenge!" Yuuna calls.
Bastion stares at her and shakes his head fondly. Of course she would take up the mantle.
"Good." Dmitri nods. "So let's go."
He activates his Duel Disk.
"Yuuna!" Syrus calls.
Yuuna turns around just in time to catch the Duel Disk Syrus throws at her. She moves like lightning, putting it on her wrist, sliding her Deck into place, turning it on.
"Get your game on!" Yuuna shouts.
"It's time to Duel!" Dmitri calls.
YUUNA YUKI: 4000
DMITRI KAGURAZAKA: 4000
Yubel floats at her back. "Be careful, Yuuna. This might be one of your most difficult Duels yet."
"I know Yubel. I'll do my best." Yuuna sucks in a breath. "Alright, here I come!" Yuuna draws and looks at her hand, then makes her choice. "First off, I summon Stygian Street Patrol in ATK mode!"
Stygian Street Patrol bursts onto the field, growling, revving his engines, his 1600 ATK points at the ready. "Let's fuck this guy up, Yuuna."
"Let's get him, man!" Yuuna nods. "And that'll do for now."
"Will it?" Dmitri shouts, as he draws his card. He looks at his hand and then he raises 3 cards up high. "I fuse Gazelle, the King of Mythical Beasts and Berfomet-"
The two monsters briefly take to the field before disappearing in the magic of polymerisation.
"To create Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast!"
Out of a burst of golden light, appears the legendary monster with a lion's body, two lion heads one with a unicorn horn and the other with ram horns, and giant white wings. They give a roar with their 2100 ATK points.
Yuuna winces. "Oh crap. This isn't going to be pretty."
Yubel groans. "You can say that again, Little Princess."
Syrus, Bastion, Blair, Chumley, Mindy and Jasmine gasp.
Stygian Street Patrol roars. "Bring it on, ugly, just try it!"
"Do you have to aggravate them?" Yuuna groans. This is the legendary Yugi Muto's Deck, she'd like it if his monsters liked her, not hated her for God's sake!
"You know what he's like, Yuuna. Did you expect anything else?" Yubel chuckles.
Yuuna sighs and smiles fondly. No, she didn't expect anything different.
"Now go, attack!" Dmitri orders, throwing his arm out. "Pulverising Pounce!"
Chimera does as they're told, pouncing on Stygian Street Patrol and destroying him on impact, the shattered pixels hitting Yuuna and making her stumble back.
YUUNA YUKI: 3500
DMITRI KAGURAZAKA: 4000
Dmitri grins and folds his arms. "I end my turn."
Yuuna grits her teeth.
"I draw!" Yuuna does just that and looks at her hand.
She gasps.
Kahkki chuckles in her palm. "You need me to get rid of someone for you, my Queen?"
Yuuna blinks, but smiles. "Yeah, I could use your help Kahkki."
"Your timing is actually perfect for once." Yubel teases.
"Shut up, Yubel. Just tell me when to get assassinating, my Queen, I know what to do." Kahkki snickers.
Yuuna shakes her head and hums. She just needs something to discard him now…
Perfect!
"First, I'm gonna summon someone who's just dying to meet you! It's my Dark Crusader!" Yuuna thrusts her card up high.
Sure enough, her Dark Crusader comes to the field, wearing his black armour and red cape, wielding his 1600 ATK points bravely.
"My oh my, Lady Yuuna." Dark Crusader chuckles. "It appears we're up against some ugly opponents."
Yuuna shakes her head and laughs. "You could say that."
Why is everyone in her Deck being rude to Yugi Muto's cards?
"Why summon that monster?" Dmitri demands. "He's nowhere near powerful enough to take on my Chimera."
"For his ability! I can send any Dark monster in my hand to the Graveyard and he'll gain 400 points." Yuuna slips his card in the Graveyard, smirking. "And now I'll be discarding my Kahkki, Guerilla of Dark World, which means his ability activates!"
Kahkki's shadow rises from her Graveyard, snickering.
Dark Crusader's sword glows a menacing purple, his ATK points rising to 2000.
"Whenever I discard Kahkki, he gets to destroy any monster he wants!" Yuuna grins and raises her fist. "So make like Bellerophon and slay that Chimera!"
"With pleasure, my Queen!" Kahkki cackles.
Kahkki sneaks up behind the Chimera and laughs, stabbing them in the back with his knife, making the monster scream and burst into pixels.
"Nice ability!" Dmitri makes a fist at his side. "Now let me show you mine!" He throws his fist to his side. "When Chimera is destroyed, I'm allowed to summon back Berfomet from the Graveyard!"
Sure enough, the hairy man with four arms and two wings rises from the explosion and settles into DEF mode, with 1800 points.
"Yeah, well he won't be back for very long!" Yuuna holds a fist over her face. "Because it's still my turn and Dark Crusader hasn't attacked yet. Go!"
"Anything for you, my Lady." Dark Crusader laughs.
Then he charges at Berfomet, bringing his sword down on the monster, creating yet another massive explosion and leaving Dmitri's field wide open.
"Chimera's ability saved Dmitri from losing over half his life points in one move." Yubel murmurs.
"I know, Yugi Moto's Deck really is living up to all it's hype." Yunna giggles.
"But it's still not looking good. It's only the beginning of the Duel and you've already lost points, but he's damage free." Yubel continues. "Do be careful, Yuuna."
"I know Yubel, gimme a chance." Yuuna smiles. "I got this."
At least, she hopes she does.
"Alright!" Dmitri draws. "For my turn, I'll place one card facedown and play my Monster Reincarnation spell! Now by discarding one card, as you so often do, I can return one monster from my Graveyard."
Yuuna stiffens. So he's figured out her strategy.
"Gazelle, the King of Mythical Beasts, return!" Dmitri commands.
Sure enough, Gazelle appears on the field, a short horn on it's forehead, with a mane of vicious dark hair and 1500 ATK points.
"And now!" Dmitri holds up the last card in his hand. "I activate the magic card, Swords of Revealing Light!"
Yuuna, Bastion, Blair, Syrus, Jasmine, Chumley and Mindy gasp.
Green light bursts from the sky and rains down, surrounding Yuuna and Dark Crusader in a cage with bars made of energy.
"Eww, light. So gross." Dark Crusader scowls.
"Hey, what's happening?" Yuuna narrows her eyes, looking around.
"He's caging you in!" Yubel shouts.
Yuuna turns to them. "What?"
Dmitri raises a fist. "Not your attacks, that's what. For three turns, your monsters are useless."
Yuuna gasps. "Three turns?! I gotta find a way to break that spell"
Come on…
Come on! She has to win this!
Blair bites her lip as she watches the Duel unfold. It's really not looking good.
"Syrus, you Dueled this guy." Chumley pipes up, turning towards him. "Got any advice on how to beat him?"
Syrus turns to Chumley. "None. I tried everything, but nothing worked."
Mindy turns to Syrus, holding her hands over her heart. "What are you saying, Syrus? That Yuuna doesn't have a chance here?"
"She is fighting against the legendary Deck of the King of Games." Jasmine stands closer to Mindy. "I don't know what she could possibly do in the face of something like that."
Blair shakes her head. "No, I refuse to believe that! There's no such thing as an unbeatable Deck!"
She needs to talk to someone who makes sense!
"Bastion, what do you think?" Blair looks up at him.
Bastion hums, his arms crossed. "Dmitri is a CopyCat Duelist. So in order to defeat him, you need to exploit the failings of whoever he's copying. Such as how Syrus used a trap card activated from his hand to defeat his Wicked Token and Heavy Storm combo that brought out the Ancient Gear Golem." Bastion holds his chin. "But the problem is now, Dmitri is copying Yugi Muto. A Duelist who's weaknesses are not so well known." He starts to sweat. "That is, if he has any at all."
Blair gapes at him. "N-no way."
"There is no set formula on how to beat the King of Games. Therefore, there is no set formula on how to beat Dmitri right now." Bastion sighs. "This may very well be a battle Yunna can't win."
"No!" Blair shouts.
Everyone else turns to her.
"She has to win!" Blair holds her fists in front of her. "I know Yuuna and I know she has to win! Look!" She points at Yuuna, who's standing strong even though it looks hopeless. "She's still fighting! We have to have faith in her!"
Jasmine and Mindy look at one another, holding hands nervously. Syrus and Chumley whimper, biting their fingers. Bastion narrows his eyes and watches Yunna's back.
Blair hardens her resolve.
Come on…
Come on! Yuuna has to win this.
Yuuna draws and looks at her hand.
Dark World Brainwashing, Charge Into A Dark World, Battle Mania, Broww and Double Summon.
"No way to get rid of Swords of Revealing Light, like this." Yubel mutters.
"I know." Yuuna groans.
Damnit, she needs Gren in order to get rid of those Swords of Revealing Light. Double Summon isn't any good to her right now but she might be able to draw Gren if she discards Broww.
Alright then, she's got a game plan.
"First, I'll use Dark Crusader's ability again, to Discard a Dark monster to increase his points by 400 again!" Yuuna does just that.
Dark Crusader chuckles as his power increases to 2400 ATK points. "You're so kind to me, my Lady."
Yuuna laughs and shakes her head. "And because I discarded Broww, Huntsman of Dark World, I get to draw a new card!"
Dmitri folds his arms. "Do your worst."
"I'd rather do my best, thanks." Yunna grins as she draws.
"Did you need me, my Lady?"
Yuuna beams and looks at Gren. "Yes I did, Gren! Let's go!"
"I'm actually happy to see you for once." Yubel snickers.
"Excuse me?!" Gren snaps at them.
Yuuna groans. "Please guys, Duel now, bicker later."
"Well I'm more than ready when you are, my Lady." Gren snaps his book closed.
"Then let's roll! I'm gonna play my spell card, Charge Into A Dark World!" Yuuna brandishes the spell card. "With it, I can target a Level 4 or below Fiend monster from my Graveyard to resummon! And I pick my Stygian Street Patrol!"
A gateway appears on the ground and out of it, bursts the cackling Stygian Street Patrol, revving his engines with his 1600 ATK. "Let's ride, Yuuna!"
"We will, Stygian!" Yuuna pumps a fist.
Dmitri smiles. "I'm afraid you won't actually."
Yuuna stiffens.
"Oh no." Yubel groans.
"Because I have a Trap Card out!" Dmitri throws out his arm and his trap card rises. "Dark Renewal. It activates whenever you summon a monster."
Yunna curses.
Stygian Street Patrol swears in that same draconic language Yubel knows.
Yubel hisses at him. "Not in front of Yuuna!"
"Now, by sacrificing your Stygian Street Patrol alongside my Gazelle, I can bring back a Spellcaster monster from the Graveyard." Dmitri's graveyard glows as a card pops out.
Yuuna thinks. It would just be Chimera and Berformet in there, but…
"When you discarded for Monster Reincarnation!" Yuuna gasps.
"Yes, that was when the Spellcaster entered my Graveyard." Dmitri grins. "Now to bring back that Spellcaster."
A dark red coffin with yellow designs and markings appears, floating out of the smoky ground.
"Alright, Gazelle and Street Patrol!" Dmitri orders as the coffin opens. "Make some room for the one-"
The two are surrounded in a dark light.
"The only!"
They turn into yellow energy and dive for the coffin, which slams shut.
"My friend!"
The coffin opens and out of it rises-
"Dark Magician!"
Yuuna stares in awe. It's really him. The legendary warrior magician, in his incredible purple armor and holding his mighty green staff to wield his 2500 ATK points with.
"I am starstruck." Mindy gasps.
"The Dark Magician is the headliner of Yugi Muto's entire Deck!" Jasmine shouts.
"Think he'll give an autograph?" Syrus beams.
"I wish I bought my camera." Chumley chimes.
Yubel scoffs. "He's not that special."
Yuuna just stares, her mouth wide open, her eyes wide.
It's really him. It's rea-
"Uhh, My Lady?"
Yuuna snaps to attention, looking at Gren. "What?"
"You do remember the other effect of Charge Into A Dark World, right?" Gren stares at her, arms folded.
Yuuna gapes at him.
Then she gasps. "OH crap!"
Dmitri laughs. "What's wrong? Scared of my Dark Magician?"
"NO!" Yuuna shouts. "I wasn't finished with Charge Into A Dark World before you interrupted me with summoning your ace!"
Dmitri raises an eyebrow and folds his arms. "By all means, continue with that."
"I will!" Yuuna stops her foot and grins. "Now, I'm gonna follow through with Charge Into A Dark World's second effect. I have to discard a fiend monster!" Yuuna does just that, grinning. "Which means Gren, Tactician of Dark World can activate his ability!"
Gren rises from the ground in spirit form, reading aloud from his book.
"He can destroy one Spell or Trap card when he appears in the Graveyard-" Yuuna points at the light all around her. "Like your Swords of Revealing Light!"
"What?!" Dmitri shouts.
"About time." Yubel rolls their eyes.
"Wow, what a licious move!" Chumley calls.
Syrus beams. "You got this Yuuna!"
"Send those swords packing, Gren!" Blair shouts.
"You heard the girl, Gren!" Yuuna laughs. "Let's get out of this light show!"
"With pleasure." Gren chuckles.
He throws his book in the air and out of it bursts waves of darkness, each one jumping onto and consuming a Sword of Light until there's none left. She's free to attack.
"A clever play, but it won't change anything." Dmitri clenches his fist. "After all, my Dark Magician is more powerful than your Dark Crusader."
Yuuna grits her teeth. He's right. Dark World Brainwashing can only work on Effect monsters and Dark Magician isn't one. She doesn't have any other monsters in her hand to summon to protect her before Dmitri's next turn, or to discard to power Dark Crusader up.
Yuuna looks at Dark Crusader.
Dark Crusader chuckles, laying his sword over his shoulder. "I'm willing to fight the Magician, but I'd rather save our confrontation for when you have backup."
Yuuna nods. "You're right, Dmitri. So I'll put Dark Crusader in DEF mode and call it a turn for now."
Dark Crusader takes a knee, his DEF points standing at 200.
She'll just have to hope she can draw a monster by her next turn.
"That's Yugi." Dmitri draws. Then plays his card. "And I choose to play the magic card: Thousand Knives!"
Yubel swears in that draconic language.
"And when I activate it with Dark Magician on the field-" A thousand light coloured knives appear behind Dmitri and Dark Magician. "They can be used to destroy anyone one of your monsters!"
"Shit." Dark Crusader swears.
Yuuna agrees.
Dark Magician draws back his staff. "I attack! With my Thousand Knives!"
Yuuna squeals. "OH MY GOD!"
She!
Can't!
Believe!
She!
Heard!
Dark!
Freaking!
Magician!
Talk!
"YUUNA!" Yubel and Dark Crusader snap.
The glowing knives charge forward and dive for Dark Crusader, destroying him in one fell swoop.
The others gasp.
"Dark Crusader just got cut down to size." Syrus whimpers.
"Size 0 maybe, because he's gone." Chumley states.
"And Yuuna's wide open for a Direct Attack!" Mindy gasps.
"Yuuna!" Blair screams.
Yuuna growls and brings up her arms, bracing for impact.
"Still star struck? Well here, let's see how you like getting struck..." Dmitri taunts, throwing out his arm. "By your star! Dark Magician!"
Dark Magician raises his staff. "Dark Magic attack!"
An orb of green energy flies from his staff and hits Yuuna hard, sending her flying to the ground, screaming as she goes.
YUUNA YUKI: 1000
DMITRI KAGURAZAKA: 4000
Bastion gasps.
"Oh no." Jasmine cries out.
"Yuuna…" Blair and Syrus whimper in sync.
Yuuna groans as she sits up. "That hurt."
"Give up?" Dmitri grins.
Yubel hisses. "You useless copycat, thieving, scoundrel, bas-"
They break out into the draconic swearing again.
Yuuna gets to her feet. "Never!"
Dmitri beams. "That's the Spirit. Never give up! Always believe in the Hear-"
"Oh shut up!" Blair shouts.
Yuuna blinks and turns to her.
"The Heart of the Cards means believing in your own Deck and your own skills as a Duelist and just having fun!" Blair huffs. "Don't spout that nonsense when you don't even believe in yourself, Dmitri, it's ridiculous!"
Yuuna smiles. "Spitfire…"
That's her girl.
Yubel chuckles and shakes their head. "Every day that nickname seems to suit her more and more."
Yuuna laughs. She completely agrees with them.
"Alright guys, it's time for me to get my game on!" Yuuna shouts.
Blair's completely right. The Heart of the Cards is about believing in your own Deck and your own skills as a Duelist. And now more than ever, Yuuna has to believe in herself and win back Yugi Muto's Deck.
Yuuna reaches for her power. She's got a bit of a crap hand, but she knows how to turn it around. She just needs a little help…
"I draw!" Yuuna does just that.
She hears the cackling she's been waiting for.
"Here goes something!" Yuuna calls. "I summon a monster in facedown DEF mode and that'll do."
Her card appears on the field and that's that.
Bastion watches the Duel, completely fascinated.
The whole time, Dmitri has been playing perfectly as a Copycat Duelist would, mimicking Yugi Muto's strategies and methods to the letter.
Meanwhile Yuuna has played well too, though it appears she might have been dealt a bad hand by her Deck at first. He doesn't think she's giving up though.
"Well, well." Bastion folds his arms. "There may be no known blueprint to defeat the King of Games, but Yuuna's still trying to design one and if my hunch is correct, what she has planned might work."
He has full faith in her skills and abilities as a Duelist. But against the Deck that belongs to the King of Games?
"I think I know what she's planning." Blair beams next to him.
Bastion looks down at her.
Blair has a wide smile on her face, awe apparent in her eyes. She clearly admires Yuuna greatly, though someone would have to be blind, deaf and a fool not to notice it. Yuuna is very admirable though so it's understandable.
"What's she up to, you guys?" Mindy looks at them.
Bastion and Blair look at each other and grin.
"I'd rather not spoil the surprise." Bastion tucks his chin in.
Blair giggles. "What he said."
Mindy sighs and shakes her head.
Yubel watches the fight, helpless. They want to protect Yuuna, but she hasn't drawn them yet. They have to be patient.
But it's so difficult, watching Yuuna pant like this, wincing after the fall.
"You can attempt to hide all you want, but you can't escape my Dark Magician's attack!" Dmitri draws, bringing his hand back to one. "Dark Magician, destroy her facedown Monster!"
Dark Magician fires off his magic orb. "Dark Magic Attack!"
Yuuna makes another noise like she's dying, hopefully more in reaction to Dark Magician than the attack.
The attack hits home and Morphing Jar reveals himself with a cackle before going to the Grave.
"Thanks for flipping my Morphing Jar up before he disappeared, because he's got a little present for both of us!" Yuuna calls out. "We have to discard our entire hands and draw until we have 5 cards in our hands!"
Dmitri discards the only card in his hand with little trouble and draws until he's holding 5 cards, while Yuuna discards her three cards to replace them with 5 new ones.
"Way to play. You really show promise." Dmitri chuckles. "And thanks to your card, I drew the monster Watapon! When I draw him via a Monster, Spell or Trap effect, I can Special Summon him to the field."
Watapon appears on the field in DEF mode, with only 300 points to his name.
Yuuna coes and Yubel shakes their head. Goodness.
"I'll hand it to you." Dmitri nods.
"Here I go then!" Yunna draws.
She now has 6 cards in her hands. And Yubel can tell they're not one of them. Damnit.
"Kuri!"
Yuuna blinks and Winged Kuriboh waves his wings on his card. "Winged Kuriboh."
"Coach, let me at 'em!" Beiige roars and growls. "I'll destroy that stupid Dark Magician."
"Beiige, neither you nor I have the attack points for that." Snoww shakes her head. "But someone else in Yuuna's hand does."
Lucent chuckles. "Oh, you flatter me Unlight. If I didn't know better, I'd assume you had a crush on me."
"Haha, okay then, let's Duel everyone." Yuuna smiles.
Yubel smiles too. They can't wait to see what Yuuna does.
"First, I'm gonna play the Field Spell card-" Yuuna's Field Spell zone opens up and she slides the card inside. "The Gates of Dark World!"
The ground trembles and shakes and suddenly, behind Yuuna, a mighty doorway rises out of the Earth, white light spilling out of it's open doors. It's covered in odd markings, from top to bottom. The markings aren't odd to Yubel, though. They know this doorway well. They once would walk through it often, so Haou could meet his subjects.
"With this card in play, every Fiend Monster gains 300 ATK and DEF points!" Yuuna shouts. "And once per turn, I can banish one Fiend type monster from my Graveyard, to discard another Fiend type monster and draw one new card!"
"Alright!" Blair pumps her fist. "With that field spell out, Yuuna can activate the effects of her Dark World monsters a lot easier!"
"And she can add a new card to her hand with each discard! So she won't run out, unless her Deck runs short." Syrus adds, beaming.
"But she has to choose wisely who's effects to use each turn." Bastion narrows his eyes. "Plus with her monsters removed from play, she won't be able to use their effects again."
"And it's an ability she can only use once per turn." Jasmine bites her lip. "There's no guarantee she'll draw a new Dark World monster either."
Yunna knows all of this, of course. Yubel has absolute faith in her.
"I'll remove Kahkki from play, to discard Lucent, Netherlord of Dark World!" Yuuna does just that. "And Lucent's ability allows him to arrive on the field as soon as he's discarded!"
Lucent chuckles as he arrives on the field, bathed in the light from the Gates of Dark World, his ATK points rising to 2700. "It's good to be the Netherlord."
"Alright!" Mindy cheers. "Now Yuuna's got a monster that can stand up to the Dark Magician!"
"And all the other monsters in Yugi Muto's Deck!" Jasmine grins. "That's the strongest monster in his Deck, without the Egyptian God cards."
Chumley grins. "This is gonna be licious, Yuuna can turn it around from here!"
Yubel hopes he's right.
Dmitri starts laughing.
Damnit.
"Sorry. But I couldn't help but overhear your friends." Dmitri stands there, grinning. "They're quite wrong!"
Damnit all to Hell and back.
"Wha..." Yuuna gasps. "Oh no! Don't tell me-"
"It's true that Dark Magician is the ace of my Deck and my close friend. But he's not the most powerful Monster in my Deck, not by a long shot!" Dmitri declares. "And now it's time to summon them by playing this!"
He brings up a spell card.
"Dedication through Light and Darkness!"
Yuuna gasps. "That's the Spell card that summons Dark Magician of Chaos!"
"Good to see you check your work." Dmitri chuckles. "This spell card takes Dark Magician-"
The inky, purple blackness from the card surrounds Dark Magician, who cries out in pain, Yubel wincing at his shout.
"And turns him into a being even more powerful!"
The inky purple blackness shrinks, taking Dark Magician with it, back into the card.
"The Legendary Dark Magician of Chaos!"
Yubel winces. This is going to be ugly.
"Of Chaos?!" Syrus gasps.
"Boy, that doesn't sound good." Chumley mumbles.
"Because it's not." Bastion frowns. "Dark Magician of Chaos is one of the strongest monsters you'll ever see."
"And Yuuna's about to get up close and personal with him!" Jasmine warns.
"Yuuna!" Blair and Mindy shout.
Yuuna winces. "Oh sugar."
Yubel scowls, watching the spell card glow.
"Chaos Magician!" Dmitri shouts. "Rise!"
And out of the spell card appears the renewed Magician, in his dark blue/almost black leather suit with hot pink decorative buckles, a mane of black hair and 2800 ATK points aimed at Lucent.
"By summoning him, I can return one magic card from my Graveyard to my hand." Dmitri does just that. "Now watch his attack in action as he destroys your monster, removing him from the game!"
Dark Magician of Chaos raises his staff, shouting as it creates lightning. "Sceptur Strike!"
A ball of blue energy surrounded by lightning attacks and destroys Lucent, making him scream as he bursts into pixels.
"Lucent!" Yuuna shouts.
YUUNA YUKI: 900
DMITRI KAGURAZAKA: 4000
Yubel trembles with rage, watching Yuuna wince in pain.
No.
No. No.
No, no, no, no, NO!
"Yubel."
Yubel suddenly gasps for breath, realising they hadn't taken one in a while. They don't need to breathe, but it's soothing.
"I'm alright." Yuuna hisses.
She's standing there, wincing and shaking a little. How long has it been since she ate? How long has this Duel been going on? How much longer will they have to watch her be hurt before they can protect her?
"The Hell you are." Yubel growls.
"I'll be alright then." Yuuna stands up straight and doesn't look at them. "I can get through this."
Yubel watches their Little Princess standing tall, trying to be brave, shaking all the way as she faces down her enemy.
Yubel watches their Little Princess standing tall, trying to be brave, shaking with her sobs as those monsters scream at her.
Yubel looks at their cursed claws and curls them into fists.
They have so much power. But they can't protect her.
They couldn't protect Haou, though they loved him with all their heart.
They can't protect Yuuna, though they love her like their own daughter.
Yubel's hands shake as they watch the battle wage on.
How many more times will they have to watch the Holder of the Gentle Darkness die because they couldn't protect them?
Syrus frowns as he looks at the Field.
Yuuna has 900 Life Points, The Gates of Dark World and no monsters on her field.
Dmitri has 4000 Life Points, Dark Magician of Chaos with 2800 ATK points and Watapon with 300 DEF on his field.
"Yuuna is in deep trouble." Syrus whimpers.
Oh man. If only he'd beaten Dmitri first! Maybe then she'd be okay! He should have gotten stronger by now but… even against the King of Games' Deck…
"That's the understatement of the year." Jasmine frowns.
"Look what she has to deal with?!" Mindy tugs at her hair.
"The Dark Magician of Chaos, Full Life Points, the Deck that belongs to the undefeated King of Games." Bastion shakes his head. "The trouble isn't deep, it's subterranean."
Syrus whimpers. Damnit, they're all right!
"No!"
Syrus jumps, turning to see next to him Blair, shaking her hands, practically frantic.
"Yuuna isn't out of this yet! She has Life Points, she has her Deck and she has The Gates of Dark World on her field!" Blair stamps her foot. "I refuse to believe she won't find a way out of this mess!"
Chumley winces next to her. "Blair…"
Syrus knows how she feels. He wants Yuuna to win this too. She's always been so strong and he wants her to make it through this. He thinks the only person who's ever beaten her was his brother.
"Come on, Yuuna." Syrus begs.
Please, let her win. Please, please let her win.
Yuuna pants a little and then she straightens up. She's got a Duel to win and she's not going down this easily. She has to make a comeback.
Yuuna glances behind her.
Yubel is shaking where they float, their hands curled into fists.
Her friends are trembling behind her, each of them looking more nervous than the last.
They're counting on her to win, so they can get Yugi Muto's Deck back and finally have one normal day.
Yuuna looks ahead.
Dmitri stands before her on the rock, confident and firm in his belief that he is Yugi Muto.
He's the one thing standing between her and one normal day with her friends.
Yuuna narrows her eyes.
She won't lose... She won't lose. She won't lose!
"I draw!" Yuuna does just that, calling to her power.
Yuuna looks at her hand, her 5 cards.
Snoww, Beiige, Winged Kuriboh, The Forces of Darkness and Dark Corridor.
"I may be the strongest in your current hand, Yuuna, but I'm no match for the Chaos Magician." Snoww says, wise as ever.
Beiige snarls and hisses like the warrior he is. "I don't care that I'm not strong enough! Let me at 'em!"
"Kuri! Ku-ku-kuri!" Winged Kuriboh calls out, fluttering his wings.
"Yuuna…" Yubel murmurs behind her, a mild tremor in their voice.
"Guys..." Yuuna takes a breath and focuses on the plan.
She's got this.
"First, I'm gonna use the power of The Gates of Dark World!" Yuuna digs into the Graveyard. "By removing Gren, Tactician of Dark World from play, I can discard Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World and draw one new card!"
Gren grumbles as he's pocketed. "Ugh, I have to share space with the savages."
Kahkki snaps. "At least I get shit done, bookworm!"
"You both need to chill." Lucent sighs.
"And when I discard Beiige, he can take to the battle field!" Yuuna throws out her arm. "Come on back, Beiige!"
Beiige cackles as he walks out The Gates of Dark World, a slight glow around him, bringing his ATK points to 1900. "Finally, it's been too long since I last fought something!"
Yuuna draws her new card and breathes a sigh of relief. He's here.
Now she just needs him in her Graveyard.
"I play the magic of Dark Corridor!" Yuuna smiles as she calls out it's name. "I can add one Dark World monster to my hand from my Deck and then I discard a card!"
Dmitri frowns at her. "What are you up to?"
Blair gasps. "Is she searching?"
Yuuna looks through her Deck and smiles when she finds good old reliable Zure.
"Just tell me how I can be of service, my Queen." Zure gives her a slight bow.
Yuuna smiles. "I will, when the time is right Zure."
She puts her Deck back and discards. Beiige is going to be so mad at her.
"Sorry Beiige, but you'll have to hold off on getting into fights right now." Yunna warns.
Beiige turns to her. "What?! But Coach-"
"Beiige!" Snoww snaps. "Do not disobey her."
Beiige pouts and it's so unfairly cute. "But Snoww, I wanna beat at least the Watapon up."
"You can fight later Beiige, I promise." Yuuna calls. "But we need to take out the Dark Magician of Chaos first! So, please?"
She makes the best puppy eyes she can manage.
Beiige sighs. "Fine, but I better get to destroy SOMEONE later."
Yuuna smiles. Back on track, finally.
"Now, I activate the effect of the Dark World Monster I just discarded! By returning Beiige to my hand-" Yuuna pulls Beiige to her hand. "I can summon Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World!"
Dmitri's eyes widen in horror. "What?!"
Purple lightning strikes the field and out of the smoke, Grapha rises and roars with all his might, revealing his ATK points' rise to 3000.
Her friends gasp in awe.
Dmitri shouts. "Oh no! He has more ATK points than Dark Magician of Chaos!"
Yuuna grins. "That he does and I'm not done!"
Beiige squeals. "You haven't normal summoned yet! Pick me, pick me!"
"I play my Snoww, Unlight of Dark World in ATK mode!" Yuuna calls.
Snoww takes to the field with all her grace, softly glowing with her 2000 ATK points. "Thank you, Yuuna, for this opportunity."
"Coach…" Beiige snarls.
Yuuna laughs. "Chill, you'll get your turn Beiige, I promise."
Beiige huffs and curses in that draconic language everyone but her seem to know.
"And now, it's time for action!" Yuuna throws out her arm.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Dmitri yells.
"To kick your butt, Dmitri!" Syrus shouts, pumping a fist.
"Clean his clock, Grapha!" Blair shouts, punching the air.
Yuuna laughs. "If you'd be so kind then, Grapha?"
Grapha throws his head back and then roars black flames straight for the Dark Magician of Chaos, destroying him on impact.
Dmitri shouts as the black flames lick at him.
YUUNA YUKI: 900
DMITRI KAGURAZAKA: 3800
"Snoww, destroy that Watapon!" Yuuna orders.
Snoww chuckles darkly, taking off in a run. "With pleasure."
She spins around and slams her staff down on Watapon, destroying him on impact.
"I'll end my turn with that." Yuuna lets out the breath she was holding.
She's finally gotten a good hit in.
"Well done, Little Princess." Yubel folds their arms.
"Take that, Yugi, Dmitri, whatever your name is!" Chumley tucks his arms under his chin.
"Way to play, Yuuna!" Syrus throws his arms out.
"Remarkable." Bastion murmurs. "Even though she's so incredibly overwhelmed, Yuuna is still pushing ahead and it's paid off. She's managed to scratch at Dmitri's Life Points."
"Yuuna, Yuuna, she's our gal, if she can't do it, no one can!" Mindy and Jasmine cheer, waving their arms.
"You rock Yuuna!" Blair shouts. "He's all yours, you got him right where you want him!"
"YOU HAVE NOTHING!" Dmitri screams.
"YOU ARE NOTHING, JUDAI!"
Yuuna gasps and takes a step back. No. No, no she's not there, focus!
"My Deck is prepared for all contingencies!" Dmitrti continues to rant and rave, as if he's gone mad. "You have barely even scratched me!"
Snoww sighs. "Goodness, you humans can be so protective of your pride."
Grapha growls softly, most likely agreeing with her.
Yuuna can't find it in her heart to disagree with them.
"I draw!" Dmitrti does just that.
Yuuna bites her lip. Who knows what he'll do next.
"First, I'll play the magic card, Card of Sanctity!" Dmitrti holds the card up. "We shall draw until we both have 6 cards in our hands."
They do just that. Yuuna looks at her new cards.
Sinister Seed and Burial from a Different Dimension.
"Next, I play Monster Reborn to bring Watapon back to the field!" Dmitrti does that. "But he won't be staying for long. I sacrifice him to bring out-"
Watapon disappears in a small ball of light.
"Dark Magician Girl!"
And out of the light appears the spellcaster in the blue dress with the pink skirt, huge hat and 2000 ATK points.
"Wow, she's even cuter in person." Syrus gasps.
Blair raises an eyebrow at him.
Dark Magician Girl giggles. "Aww, thanks little guy."
Yuuna practically vibrates out of her skin. She can't believe this is happening! She's meeting Dark Magician Girl!
"Hi!" Yuuna stage whispers.
Dark Magician Girl blinks and waves at her. "Oh hello you!"
Yuuna squeals. "Oh my God, I can't believe I'm meeting you, you're the best Dark Magician Girl!"
Yubel laughs. "Excuse me Yuuna, but I thought I was the best?"
Yuuna turns to them, waving her arms. "Yubel, I love you, I promise but Dark Magician Girl is like-"
"Haha, it's alright you two, don't sweat it." Dark Magician Girl smiles. "Just do your best and have fun, okay?"
"I will!" Yuuna beams and bows. "Thank you Dark Magician Girl, it's an honor!"
"As will receiving an attack from her be, I'm sure." Dmitrti chuckles. "For every Dark Magician and Dark Magician of Chaos in the Graveyard, she gains 300 ATK points."
Dark Magician Girl glows a soft pink, her ATK points rising to 2600.
Snoww narrows her eyes. "Well, I can't imagine this will be painless."
Yuuna winces. She's right. Dark Magician Girl can't destroy Grapha, but she can still attack Snoww and win.
"Next, I activate Spider Web!" Dmitri plays his card.
A shot of white appears from his side of the field and dives into Yuuna's Graveyard.
"It allows me to take one of the cards you sent to your Graveyard during this Duel directly into my hand." Dmitri's scarf blows in the wind.
The light retracts, pulling a card with it and handing it to Dmitri.
"I choose your Double Summon Spell card, allowing me to have one more normal summon this turn." Dmitri then plays. "Say hi to the original Kuriboh!"
Yuuna's eyes widen.
"Kuri?!" Winged Kuriboh flutters from her hand.
Sure enough, the original Kuriboh appears on the field with 300 ATK points.
"I'll play one card facedown." Dmitri does just that. "And now it begins! Dark Magician Girl! Attack Snoww!"
"Good luck you guys! I'm rooting for you and sorry to do this but..." Dark Magician Girl calls out, spinning. "Dark Burning!"
She fires off a blast of pink energy from her staff, aimed right for Snoww. Snoww snarls and holds up her staff, defending herself against the attack. But only for so long.
Snoww bursts into pixels and Dark Burning hits Yuuna in the chest, sending her to her ass again.
"YUUNA!" Her friends scream
YUUNA YUKI: 300
DMITRI KAGURAZAKA: 3800
Yuuna groans as she shits up. "Geez, this is just not my Duel."
Grapha growls softly. "I will destroy those who harm my Queen."
Dark Magician Girl squeaks and backs off. "Oh wow, you are super protective of her, huh?"
"You could say that." Yubel growls, wings fluttering. "You best hope I won't actually get onto the field, Dark Magician Girl, or you will be sorry."
Dark Magician Girl laughs nervously and holds her staff in front of her protectively. "Sorry, you know how Duels go."
"It's alright you two, chill." Yuuna groans, getting back to her feet.
Dmitri looks awfully smug where he's standing. Yuuna frowns. She is not going to let that stand. She's gotta win this match.
"I draw!" Yuuna does just that.
She gasps.
Yubel smiles. "Finally."
Yuuna looks and sure enough… Yubel is in her hand.
Yuuna smiles and looks at the field again.
Dmitri has Kuriboh, Dark Magician Girl, a facedown and 3800 Life Points. If she plays her cards right…
"First, I'll start off by playing Burial From a Different Dimension!" Yuuna shows off her spell card. "With this, I can return 3 Banished monsters to the Graveyard!"
"Wonderful!" Gren cheers. "Now I'll be in the underworld with these savages!"
"Bookworm if we weren't already beyond dead, I would kill you where you stand!" Kahkki snarls.
"You two are so entertaining to watch." Lucent chuckles.
Yuuna slides all three of them back into the Graveyard slot.
"Next I use The Gates of Dark World's effect!" Yuuna calls out. "By removing Gren from play, I can discard Beiige to use his ability! Get on that field, dude!"
Beiige roars with joy, his ATK points rising to 1900. "Freaking finally, Coach you better not keep me off the battlefield for the rest of this turn!"
"Don't worry Beiige, you'll get to fight all you want." Yuuna grins as she draws Negate Attack. "Alongside your brother, Zure, Knight of Dark World!"
Zure arrives on the battlefield, brandishing his sword and his increased ATK points, standing at 2100 strong. "It will be my pleasure to fight beside you, Beiige."
"Next up, I remove Stygian Street Patrol from my Graveyard…" Yuuna does that. "To special summon a Fiend type monster from my hand with less than 2000 ATK points!"
Blair squeals. "They're here!"
Black smoke spills across the field, obscuring Dmitri's facedown.
Syrus gasps. "Oh yeah!"
Dmitri looks around in horror and confusion.
Bastion chuckles. "It appears the time has come."
"Ladies, gentlemen and distinguished guests!" Yuuna calls. "Give a big welcome to Yubel!"
Yubel rises out of the smoke with their 0 ATK points rising to 300 thanks to The Gates of Dark World. It'll make the damage they dish out less impressive, but it'll be enough. It has to be enough, since Yuuna hasn't been able to draw Samsara Lotus.
"Good to see you, Yubel." Grapha rumbles.
Yubel smiles at him. "And you, Grapha."
Chumley gasps. "So licious! Both of Yuuna's most powerful monsters are on her field, while Dmitri's only got that Kuriboh and Dark Magician Girl to defend him!"
"If Yubel attacks Dark Magician Girl, then the backlash from that will bring Dmitri's points down to 2100!" Mindy gasps.
Jasmine grins. "And once she hits Kuriboh with Grapha, Zure or Beiige, it's game over!"
Yuuna throws out her arm. "You heard the ladies, Yubel! Show Dark Magician Girl what we're made of!"
"And why she shouldn't mess with my Little Princess!" Yubel roars. "Guardian's Strike!"
Yubel flies straight for Dark Magician Girl, destroying her on impact.
Dmitri groans as the backlash hits him, making him fall to his knee.
YUUNA YUKI: 300
DMITRI KAGURAZAKA: 2100
"Beiige, take on that Kuriboh!" Yuuna punches the air.
Beiige roars with triumph. "With pleasure, Coach!"
Dmitri chuckles. "But which Kuriboh?"
Yuuna blinks.
Blair groans. "Oh no."
"I play the magic card!" Dmitri's facedown pops up. "Multiply!"
The one Kuriboh bursts into pixels and turns into five.
"By sacrificing one Kuriboh, I can now summon Kuriboh Tokens in all open spaces in my monster zone in DEF mode." Dmitri explains. "Of course, Beiige is still attacking though."
"Screw you Kuribohs!" Beiige roars.
He attacks the Kuriboh on the far right, destroying it on impact.
"But his significance has been deflated." Dmitri chuckles. "He did his best though."
Yuuna growls. "Don't you dare suggest any of my monsters aren't significant, Dmitri!"
"Coach…" Beiige sniffles.
Yuuna sighs. Damnit, she thought she could beat him this turn. She has Grapha and Yubel out. She summoned Zure and Beiige to ensure she had as many monsters as possible on the field, in case she couldn't get Samsara Lotus, but she didn't want to have to sacrifice either of them!
Yunna straightens her back. "Okay, the plan didn't go as I wanted it to, but we can still do things! Zure! Grapha! Destroy a Kuriboh Token each!"
"As you command, my Queen!" Zure calls.
Grapha roars, fire bursting from his mouth.
Yuuna puts Negate Attack in play. "I lay a facedown and I…"
Those attacks left only two Kuriboh Tokens on the field…
And Yuuna needing to sacrifice one of her monsters.
"I…" Yuuna looks between them all, heart aching.
Beiige wanted to fight so much. Zure has always been so reliable. She wouldn't have defeated Dark Magician of Chaos without Grapha. Yubel has always helped her.
Yuuna looks at her Deck. "I-"
"Use me to keep Yubel alive, my Queen." Zure calls.
Yuuna gasps. "Zure…"
"It's alright. The success of the group is important." Zure smiles at her over his shoulder. "If my sacrifice can help, then let it be me."
Yuuna stares at him. And smiles.
"Thank you." She turns to Dmitri. "I end my turn. In order to keep Yubel on my field, I sacrifice Zure."
Zure disappears into pixels and Yubel looks at his place sadly.
Beiige nods in respect. "I'll beat this guy up for you, brother."
Grapha rumbles. "Zure is honourable."
Yubel lifts their head. "And his sacrifice won't be in vain."
Yuuna nods.
Dmitri draws and smirks viciously. "Perfect. The Heart of the Cards has served me again!"
Yuuna scowls. Heart of the Cards her ass.
Dmitri calls. "I remove one Dark Monster-"
Kuriboh appears on the field.
"-and one Light Monster from my Graveyard!"
Watapon appears on the field.
Yuuna blinks, then her eyes widen. "No way."
"I've never seen this." Syrus looks around.
Yubel gasps. "Oh no."
"Is it a summoning?" Mindy tilts her head.
Beiige snarls. "SHIT!"
"I have no idea, Minnie." Jasmine takes her hand.
Grapha growls viciously.
"Nah, there's no way." Chumley huffs.
Bastion throws his arms out. "You're wrong, there is a way!"
Yuuna sweats. She didn't think it was possible.
"There are two Monsters that can be summoned like this." Bastion explains, voice hard. "Two rare cards of such power, Duelists have scoured the world over to add them to their collection."
She thought it was just a rumour.
"The first is Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End. A card so very powerful, it has been outlawed in official Duel Monsters tournaments."
She should have been prepared.
"The second has power comparable to the Chaos Emperor, but has never been forbidden on account of it's rarity. In fact, some say not a single one still exists."
And now her family are going to suffer for it.
"Oh?" Dmitri grins and holds his card up high. "Well they're wrong, because I have one right here! Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning!"
A blue vortex appears and it sucks in Kuriboh and Watapon.
And out of it bursts a knight clad in royal blue and golden yellow armour. He has a shield in one arm and a mighty blade in the other. A red gem on his chest and on his helmet. A mane of red hair in a ponytail comes out of his helmet. He's bathed in red light, obscuring his features.
"So Yugi Muto really did have that card." Yunna gasps.
Blair whimpers. "I thought it was a rumour."
"I'm afraid not." Dmitri smirks. "This card's been a part of my Deck for a long time."
The red light fades and they can finally see it.
Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning.
Standing tall with 3000 ATK points. Matching Grapha perfectly, who can only meet that thanks to The Gates of Dark World.
"But I only take him out for special occasions. And with Mist Body, he will stick around for quite a while." Dmitri clenches his fist. "Like now!"
Black Luster Soldier raises his sword.
"Luster Blade attack! Destroy Grapha!"
A thousand swords suddenly fly at Grapha, Black Luster Soldier stabbing too fast to see.
"Grapha!" Yuuna screams.
"NO!" Yubel shouts.
"Dragon Lord!" Beiige shrieks.
Grapha howls in pain and bursts into pixels.
"NO!" Yuuna howls.
Dmitri laughs and throws his arm out. "Well that was just the beginning! Now I'll show you the true power of this card! If the Black Luster Soldier can destroy your monster in battle, he can attack again."
"No way!" Blair gasps.
Syrus whimpers, hands over his mouth. "Oh man, now I'm starting to see why monsters like this are outlawed!"
"And if he attacks Beiige, Yuuna will lose!" Bastion calls. "Game over!"
Black Luster Soldier roars as he dives for Beiige.
"NO!" Yuuna screams. "I play my Negate Attack!"
Her trap pops up, stopping the battle by shielding Beiige and Yubel.
Dmitri stares at her, shell shocked. "What's this?"
"It's not the end of the Duel…" Yuuna wipes the sweat from her brow. "Because with Negate Attack, I stopped the Battle Phase."
Dmitri growls. "Fine then. I'll finish you off next turn."
Yuuna huffs. That was too close.
She looks at her Deck.
She looks at the field.
Yuuna has to end this on her turn. She has to!
"Kuri..."
Yuuna blinks and looks at her hand. "Winged Kuriboh?"
"Kuri!" Winged Kuriboh nods.
Yuuna blinks and smiles at him, giggling.
He's right. She can win. She can get through this.
Yuuna looks at her field.
Beiige grins at her, growling behind his teeth.
Yubel smiles at her, a glint behind their eyes.
All her monsters, her family, believe in her.
And she believes in them.
"I draw!" Yuuna calls.
She looks at her card. And starts laughing.
Chumley whimpers. "Guys, did she finally crack?"
"She's been crazy since day one Chumley." Syrus shakes his head.
Bastion nods sagely.
"Dmitri, you made one fatal mistake in your last turn." Yuuna begins.
Dmitri scowls. "That's Yugi. And what mistake could I have possibly made?"
Yuuna snaps her eyes to him. "You didn't get rid of Yubel when you had the chance."
Dmitri gapes at her. "Excuse me?"
"Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning has another effect. He can remove one monster on the field from play, but this means he can't attack that turn." Yuuna grins. "Yubel is impervious to damage and can't be destroyed in battle, so you wasted your one chance to stop them from ruining your day."
Blair gasps. "She's right!"
"Then, does that mean…" Syrus trails off, looking around.
"It does!" Yuuna punches the air. "It's over, Dmitri! Yubel, destroy that Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning!"
"With pleasure!" Yubel roars. "Guardian's Strike!"
They fly right for Black Luster Soldier, roaring with all their might.
"No!" Dmitri yells.
"Yes!" Yuuna shouts. "GO!"
Black Luster Soldier charges right for Yubel, meeting them in the middle, bringing his sword down on their head-
But it cracks and breaks off, flying right back and hitting Black Luster Soldier in the face.
He falls to the ground and disappears.
"He's gone!" Dmitri cries. "My Luster Soldier's gone!"
"And so have the rest of your Life Points, because every monster that battles Yubel-" Yuuna throws out her arm. "Takes the damage instead!"
"No…" Dmitri falls to his knees. "NOOOOOOOO!"
YUUNA YUKI: 300
DMITRI KAGURAZAKA: 0
WINNER: YUUNA YUKI
The holograms fade away.
Yuuna smiles and gives her two-fingered salute. "Gotcha! And that's game, along with the end of you using that Deck."
And thank goodness too. Maybe for once she and her friends can have one normal day.
Zane looks out at the rocks, as Yuuna Yuki attempts to console Dmitri Kagurazaka and Brier Kohara tells them all how many people were watching the match.
Alexis stands at his side. "He beat Yugi Muto's Deck, Zane."
Her hands are shaking.
Zane glances at her out the corner of his eyes. "I assumed you'd already beaten him though. Unless you lied about that."
Alexis snarls and turns to him. "I would never lie to you, Zane. You're the only person here who understands-"
She cuts herself off and looks down at her feet. But it's obvious what she was going to say.
He's the only one who understands the pain of losing Atticus and the heavy weight of being in the Society of Light, the only defense against the Supreme King's darkness.
The Supreme King who just defeated the Deck belonging to the King of Games.
"He's getting stronger." Zane turns to her. "And it's your destiny to stop him, Princess of Light."
Alexis turns to him and he remembers the little girl who hid behind Atticus when they first met, so glaring at him suspiciously, an outsider to the world she and Atticus grew up in, suddenly in their home and their space.
Now she looks at him like a soldier prepared to fight and die for her destiny and to get her brother back. He knows White Night Queen doubts her. But he never has.
Alexis loves her brother and she would do anything to have him back.
As would Zane.
"We should up your training." Zane declares.
Alexis nods.
With that, they turn away and leave the Supreme King to enjoy his last victory.