"Not asleep yet, Yuto?"
"Yugo is snoring too loudly, and I couldn't stop thinking about the story you were telling us… could you finish the story for me?"
"Of course. Just let me get the book."
"..."
"Alright, we stopped when the dragon tamer returned to his village, didn't we?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright. The dragon tamer stepped into his village, looking around. At the lush green fields, the wooden houses, the singing birds that flew through the sky. This was what he had been fighting to protect. This was what he had always wanted to protect, and he had succeeded. And he would keep growing stronger, so that the village would never be at risk again. He would serve the prince, and he would be the savior of everyone who knew him.
Such great ambition. But alas, that was not to be. The tamer did indeed come home year after year… until one year, he came home to burning ruins and corpses laid everywhere. The kingdom they were warring with had heard about the dragon tamer of lightning and targeted his village with an attack, hoping to destroy him.
However, they only made their own destruction.
The dragon tamer knelt in the ashes. He let out a piercing scream to the sky. And when he stood up, the gentle hearted man was gone. In his place was a monster, who had pledged himself to revenge.
The sunrise never came again for him. And he was left, trapped in the shadows of his own mind."
"What happened next then?"
"... nothing."
Yuto had always liked birds. He had always been the earliest waker out of all of his brothers, and every day he had sneaked down to the window on the first floor. Yoko would give him that kind smile and there would already be a bag of birdseed on the table, ready for him to head to the birdhouse he had placed outside—handcrafted, each piece of wood carefully cut and nailed together. It had been a simpler time, when he could lose himself in bird chirps and fond smiles, and come home to a warm breakfast. Back when not everything was alright, but he could lie to himself enough to believe that it could be right. That nothing was wrong.
And then the incident had happened, and the angry mobs had come to Yoko's house demanding that her son be put down. She had put up a brave face in front of them, but he and Yuri had known that they couldn't go on like this. That Maiami would eventually force them away.
This was the neighbourhood Yoko had grown up in, the park a few minutes away was where she and that man had gotten married. She loved that place. And they hadn't wanted her to give it all up for Yuya.
Yuri, Yuri. Yuri had always been the most perplexing of all his siblings, and yet perhaps the one that he could understand the best. They both wanted to protect Yuya. They both understood that their desire to protect Yuya could be extremely selfish sometimes. Somehow, one exchanged look had turned into many whispered plans over the table, or sneaking into each other's bedrooms at night to discuss what they were going to do. It was a week after the first threat of violence that Yuri, chewing on a bagel, had come up with an idea.
Running.
Yugo had been hard to convince, but he didn't need to be. As manipulative as it had been, they had known that as long as Yuya agreed, Yugo would come with them. So they had talked to Yuya, asking him to run with them. And Yuya, hating that he had caused his mother trouble, agreed.
Yuto wondered if Yoko had noticed anything. Probably. He and Yuri had decided to get part-time jobs to get money for going to Domino. Yuya and Yugo had begun to pack stuff, deciding what could be brought to Domino with them and what they could get away with selling off. The cards were kept in the spare compartments in their duel disks, a few set of clothes because according to Yuri's GPS research there were a few manual laundry places in the new city and the apartment that the two older brothers had their eyes on came already furnished anyway.
He wondered if his brothers had ever considered how they had been able to afford four tickets, an apartment and food for the first week before he had gotten his own part-time job. He knew Yuri had gone to some extremely illegal means for the money. And yet…
On 26th December, one day after their fourteenth birthdays, the Sakaki brothers had snuck out of the house and caught the first train to Maiami.
They hadn't seen their mother for… a whole year and a half by now. Yoko…
But Yuto Sakaki knew. He knew he had to be strong, and he knew he had to protect all his younger brothers. He knew he wasn't allowed to miss that which he had chosen to leave behind, and he had promised Yoko that he would be better. He was the Phantom Knight, and he would watch over everyone else. For the sake of his family.
For the sake of his family, he would be selfish and never stop fighting.
(A part of his mind scoffed. "Who's going to protect you then?" It asked mockingly, and Yuto shut it away. He wouldn't think about himself for now.)
He smiled at Ruri Kurosaki. "Shall we?"
She blushed. "Yup! Let's do this!"
Rin raised an eyebrow. "I do hope that you're not trying to flirt with my sister. My older brother will slaughter you if he ever sees you." The green-haired girl gave him a cold and confident smirk. "Well, shall we? I'm assuming you're the best of the four of you, so I hope we'll be having a nice, fun game here."
"You're the oldest, too?" Yuto smiled politely. "I hope I'll be good enough for you two then." He nodded to Yugo and the two raised their duel disks to face the green-haired and black-haired girls.
"Let's do this!" Yugo said excitedly. "Watching them got me pumped—let's have fun, Rin, Ruri!"
Ruri gave a cheerful wink (Yuto wondered why he suddenly got annoyed at the sight of that and decided he was probably still wound up from his conversation with Yuya) and nodded. "We'll definitely win against you! Duel!"
Rin Kurosaki/Ruri Kurosaki: 4000LP
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 4000LP
Rin smiled, and Yuto raised an eyebrow—she definitely seemed to be the most frigid out of all the Kurosaki sisters. "I'll start. Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Wind Witch - Ice Bell (3*/1000/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Effect) from my hand. Then, I can Special Summon a "Wind Witch" from my deck. I Special Summon Wind Witch - Glass Bell (4*/1500/1500/WIND/ Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect) from my deck. Also, when Ice Bell is summoned, you take 500 damage! Icy Wind!" The spellcaster laughed, raising its rod and shooting a blast of cold wind at Yugo.
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 4000 - 500 = 3500LP
"Whoo, chilly." Yugo chuckled. "Not bad!"
Rin gave a confident smirk. "When Glass Bell is Summoned, I add a "Wind Witch" from my deck to my hand. I'll add Wind Witch - Ice Bell to my hand. Now, I tune the Level 3 Ice Bell to the Level 4 Glass Bell! Midwinter wind. Make ice and snow my power and blow through! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 7! Wind Witch - Winter Bell!" (7*/2400/2000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)
A sleek sapphire bodied hybrid of an avian and a bell appeared, looking graceful and letting out a low trill, the echo of a bell sounding behind her. The monster appeared right next to her, and Rin gave a wink.
"This is my ace."
"Explains why you're so cold." Yuto shot back immediately. Hmm… that almost sounded like something Yuri would say, not him. He heard said brother's slight laugh.
"So I am. Wind Witch- Winter Bell's effect. I target a "Wind Witch" in the graveyard and deal you 200 damage times its level. I'll target Glass Bell and deal you 800 damage!" She pointed a finger forward. "Hypothermic Subzero!"
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 3500 - 800 = 2700LP
The wind that came this time was far colder, far more forceful, even though Yuto wasn't the one who it was mostly directed towards. Yugo shivered. "Whoa! You are way too cold, you know that?" He grinned. "You should chill out a bit."
Rin sighed in exasperation. "Puns are the lowest form of humour." She replied. "I set one card and end my turn."
"My turn!" Yugo drew a card. "I will activate the effect of Speedroid Terrortop (3*/1200/600/WIND/Machine/Effect) in my hand—I Special Summon it since I control no monsters!" Rin cocked an eyebrow. "Then, Terrortop will add a "Speedroid" to my hand! I'll add Speedroid Taketomborg (3*/600/1200/WIND/Machine/Effect) to my hand. When I control a WIND monster, I can Special Summon Taketomborg from my hand!"
Is he—no, he wouldn't! He knows the danger of it. But why do I feel so uneasy?
"Two Level 3 monsters… are you gonna Xyz? I assumed your eggplant haired brother was the Xyz specialist." Rin said with a chiding look. "Stick to what you're good at."
Yugo puffed up at the insinuation. "Hey, I'll—"
"Yugo. If you finish that sentence or do what you were going to do, I'll slit your throat in your sleep."
The low hiss came from his mouth, barely audible—and yet his brothers all heard it anyway. Yoko had mentioned that she thought they had been speaking in a different language, but whatever this hiss thing was, the only people who understood or spoke it were his brothers. It was… weird. Yuya looked shocked at the violent words, while Yuri was giving him this… odd look. A mix of understanding and concern. It was weird on his face. And Yugo—
"Understood." He looked almost injured at the accusation. "You know I love Yuya too. I wouldn't have done anything to hurt him."
They were always more raw in this private language of their own—more angry, more aggressive; more desperate, more hurt. Yuto didn't know what to say—luckily, his brother turned back to the duel.
I'm sorry for assuming this about you, Yugo. I can't help it. The last time any of us brought out those monsters, they ruined us. They hurt us. They made Yuya what he is today.
I can't ever allow any of us to use those monsters.
"Speedroid Taketomborg's effect. I can tribute it to Special Summon a "Speedroid" Tuner from the deck, however I may only Special Summon WIND Attribute monsters for the rest of this turn. Come, Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke!" (3*/1000/1000/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect) "I will tune the Level 3 Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke to the Level 3 Speedroid Taketomborg! Magical sword with the form of a cross. Use your power to destroy our enemies! Synchro Summon! Appear now—Level 6! Hi-Speedroid Kendama! (6*/2200/1600/WIND/Machine/Synchro/Effect)
"Kendama?" Ruri smiled. "That's the one that you used against Yaiba Todo, isn't it? Before you evolved it into a dragon…"
"Yep! Now, if that bell had been in Attack Position I couldn't have destroyed it… but its defence points are lower so it's not a problem! Battle Phase!"
"Wind Witch - Winter Bell's second effect. Once during either player's battle phase, I may target one "Wind Witch" monster I control, and Special Summon a "Wind Witch" monster from my hand with a lower Level than it. Come, Wind Witch - Gale Bell (6*/2000/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Effect) from my hand. On the turn that Gale Bell is summoned, my WIND monsters cannot be destroyed by battle. I cannot Special Summon non-WIND monsters while this card is on the field. And when it's Summoned, you take 500 damage for each "Wind Witch" monster I control. Freezing Gale!"
The winds struck Yugo again, and he shivered painfully. Yuto gritted his teeth. Despite his knowledge that it was a friendly match, that there was nothing on the line… seeing Yugo hurt still irritated him.
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 2700 - 500x2 = 1700LP
"Well, I suppose you've outsmarted me… or not! Say hello to Speedroid Gum Prize! (1*/0/800/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect) When I take damage during the Battle Phase, I can Special Summon this card and immediately tune it to other WIND monsters I control!" He raised his hand. "I tune my Level 1 Speedroid Gum Prize to my Level 6 Hi-Speedroid Kendama!" The signature Synchro rings appeared. "Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear now—Level 7, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" (7*/2500/2000/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)
His ace dragon flew out from the Synchro rings, landing above him with a roar. Yuto winced. What if people came up here? He wasn't sure that he could stand to duel in front of other strangers now.
"I can't destroy your monsters, so I'll just have to set two cards and end. Over to you, Ruri!"
Ruri giggled. "I hope I'll be able to entertain you!"
Yuto violently suppressed the thought of "she's so cute" that was blooming in him. He did not crush on anyone. He was Yuto Sakaki. He was not…
Was not…
So cute… no snap out of it.
"Draw! I'll Normal Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Emerald Nuthatch. (1*/0/0/WIND/Winged-Beast/Effect) When I summon it from the hand, I can add a "Lyrical Luscinia" to my hand, but for the rest of the turn I may only summon WIND monsters. I will add Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow (1*/100/0/WIND/Winged-Beast/Effect) to my hand. Then, I'll activate Sapphire Swallow's effect. Since I control a Winged Beast, I can Special Summon it and another Level 1 Winged Beast from my hand. Come, Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow! Lyrical Luscinia - Cobalt Sparrow! (1*/0/100/WIND/Winged-Beast/Effect) When Cobalt Sparrow is Special Summoned, I can add a "Lyrical Luscinia" to my hand from my deck. Another Sapphire Swallow!"
"Very nice." He complimented. "I guessed it, but you are indeed the Xyz specialist, are you not?"
"Yep!" She winked cheerfully. "You should smile a bit more—you're too serious. I will activate the effect of Lyrical Luscinia - Ruby Raven (1*/0/0/WIND/Winged-Beast/Effect) in my hand. Since I control two or more "Lyrical Luscinia" monsters, I discard this card to draw two cards. Now—I overlay my three Level 1 monsters! Birds with beautiful wings! Gather on the battlefield and take brilliant flight! Xyz Summon! Dance in the sky! Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale!" (R1/0/0/WIND/Winged-Beast/Xyz/Effect/OU:3)
The monster that appeared was a hybrid of an avian and a girl, with long wings covered in bright brown, blue, pink and so many various shades of feathers. It was breathtakingly graceful, just like Bloom Diva, Cat Dancer and Winter Bell before it. And yet… there was something more to it? As though he had seen it before…
"It has no attack points though." Yugo said with a laugh. "You can't beat my Clear Wing with that!"
"I don't have to. Sapphire Swallow's Effect. When used as material, I can attach a "Lyrical Luscinia" in my graveyard to Assembly Nightingale. I'll attach Ruby Raven. (Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: OU:3 + 1 = OU:4) Assembly Nightingale gains 200 attack points for each of its overlay units. Four. 800 attack points. It can also attack once for each." (Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: 0 + 200 x 4 = 800ATK)
With all due respect to her though, he couldn't see how that mattered in the grand scheme of things.
"I will switch Rin's Winter Bell to attack position! Then, Wind Witch - Winter Bell's effect! I will deal you another 800 damage! Hypothermic Subzero!"
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 1700 - 800 = 900LP
"Battle Phase! Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale can attack you directly! Go, Nightingale! Avian Gale!"
Yugo jerked. "W-What? Uh… damn, to think that birdie was that strong… I will activate my trap card, Waboku! This turn, I don't take battle damage and my monsters cannot be destroyed by battle!"
Ruri pouted. "Oh well… I set a card and end. Over to you, Yuto-kun!"
"Just Yuto." He said, turning back to his cards. "Draw. I'll set a card face down. Then, once per turn, since I have no traps in my graveyard, I can activate the effect of my set The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine on the turn it was set. I'll Special Summon it as a monster. (4*/0/300/DARK/Warrior/Effect) I will then Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm (4*/1500/500/DARK/Warrior/Effect) from my hand. I will overlay my two Level 4 monsters!"
He felt a pressure at the back of his mind building, cold and determined. The feeling of direction, of knowing what to do.
All my rage collapses into this hand of mine—
"Formed from pitch-black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs! Now, descend! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" (R4/2500/2000/DARK/Dragon/Xyz/Effect/OU:2) His partner landed next to him, letting out a howl. Clear Wing let out a cheerful chuckle.
"I like that one much better." Ruri remarked.
While Yugo began trying to convince Ruri that his dragon was much cooler than Yuto's own, Yuto suppressed the urge to laugh. "I will set four cards face down. Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's effect will activate!" Lightning shot out from the dragon, binding Rin's ace monster. "I will detach two Overlay Units and halve your Winter Bell's attack points, adding the amount lost to my dragon's attack points! Treason Discharge!" (Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: 2500 + 1200 = 3700ATK; OU:2 - 2 = OU:0) (Wind Witch - Winter Bell: 2400/2 = 1200ATK)
The lightning grew more wild, more violent—before Winter Bell collapsed to the ground, it's strength sapped. Yugo gave him a questioning look; a look that was mirrored by Yuya. An unspoken question. Why was he being so confrontational?
Yuto had no idea either.
"Battle Phase! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon will attack Wind Witch - Winter Bell! Rebellious Lightning Disobey!" The lightning flew towards the monster, and Yuto has a split second where his thoughts ground to a halt—don't hurt them! His dragon let out a huff and the lightning flew to the side, giving no indication that Dark Rebellion had been aiming it at the girls in the first place.
Ruri was giving his dragon a thoughtful look. "It feels different now from earlier, somehow… but why?"
Rin Kurosaki/Ruri Kurosaki: 4000 - 2500 = 1500LP
"This will finish it! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon will attack your Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale! Helldive Whirlwind Slasher!"
"I'll activate the effect of Assembly Nightingale! I can detach an Overlay Unit and this turn, my "Lyrical Luscinia" monsters cannot be destroyed by battle, nor do I take damage! Feather Barrier!" Assembly Nightingale waved its wings, deflecting Clear Wing's attack. (Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: OU:4 - 1 = OU:3)
"I'll end my turn." He couldn't end it here, huh?
"My turn! Draw!" Rin glanced at her hand. "Since I control two or more WIND monsters and no non-WIND monsters, I can Special Summon Wind Witch - Snow Bell (1*/100/100/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect) from my hand. I will now tune my Level 1 Wind Witch - Snow Bell to my Level 6 Wind Witch - Gale Bell! Wind of the forsaken. Clear a way through the corpses of the ones you struck down! Synchro Summon! Level 7–Wind Witch - Niflheim Bell!" (7*/S4/2400/1500/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect)
There is a sudden shift in the air, as though something has gone terribly wrong. And then a monster reminiscent of Winter Bell—in an eerie way, with its grey-silver colour scheme, a stark contrast to the vibrant blue of Winter Bell.
Something is terribly wrong. This monster gave him the shivers, and he didn't mean that as a joke. It felt wrong. It felt disturbing, just like Cat Songstress before it. Was he the only one who felt this way?
Rin didn't seem to notice. "When Wind Witch - Niflheim Bell is Summoned, I may add two "Wind Witch" monsters from my deck to my hand, but I cannot Special Summon non-WIND monsters this turn. I will add Wind Witch - Snow Bell and Wind Witch - Gale Bell to my hand. Now, once per turn, I can deal my opponent 200 damage for each monster in my graveyard with "Wind Witch" in its name. I have Winter Bell, Ice Bell, Snow Bell, Glass Bell and Gale Bell. 1000 damage. You're finished. Cold Whirlwind!" The monochrome spellcaster sent a gust of wind towards them.
"I will chain the effects of the two Traps, The Phantom Knights of Dichromatic Eyes, that I set last turn to your Niflheim Bell's effect. When my opponent activates an effect, I can negate the effect, Special Summon this card as a monster (1*/0/100/DARK/Warrior/Effect) and then if the activated effect was a monster effect, I can treat this card and other "Phantom Knights" monsters I control as monsters with the same Level as the monster which activated its effect and Xyz Summon!"
"On my turn?" Rin gasped, her composure breaking for a few seconds.
"Fangs of rebellion gain new power and slash the pall of darkness! Awaken, dark raging dragon that presides over the battlefield!" His brothers' eyes all widened. They knew what he was calling out. He only owned one Rank 7 monster, after all. "Xyz Summon! Rank 7! Dark Anthelion Dragon!" (R7/S10/3000/2500/DARK/Dragon/Xyz/Pendulum/Effect/OU:2)
The monster almost looked like a purified version of Dark Rebellion, if there was such a thing. Silver blue accents decorated its sleek indigo body as it let out a friendly growl—and an admonishing scolding to Yuto. He was letting his personal issues cloud his duelling? What did it mean?
Rin sighed. "Well, it can't be helped that you brought out another one of those dragons. I meant to ask, but he—" she jerked her head to Yuri, "uses plant monsters. The idiot uses machines, and you use warriors." She avoided said idiot's indignant scowl. "Where do these dragons come into the mix?"
How, indeed. "The gods are fickle," he said quietly. "Who knows?"
"... I will then Normal Summon Wind Witch - Ice Bell. Its effect will deal you 500 damage when Summoned."
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 900 - 500 = 400LP
"Battle Phase."
"I will now activate the effect of Dark Anthelion Dragon. I can detach one Overlay Unit, halve the attack points of a monster on your field and Dark Anthelion gains that amount as attack points while I gain it as life points. The attack points go back to normal at the end of the turn. I will halve Wind Witch - Niflheim Bell's attack. Draining Lightning!" (Dark Anthelion Dragon: 3000 + 1200 = 4200ATK; OU:2 - 1 = OU:1) (Wind Witch - Niflheim Bell: 2400/2 = 1200ATK)
The same lightning that had assaulted Winter Bell earlier shot towards its comrade, knocking it to the ground. At the same time, some of the charges flew towards Yuto, although he barely felt them. Kind of ticklish.
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 400 + 2400/2 = 1600LP
"Even if you weakened Niflheim, Assembly Nightingale has enough attack to finish you off. Attack directly, Assembly Nightingale! Avian Gale!"
"Trap card activate, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring! When an attack is declared by your monster, I negate it and Special Summon this card as a monster! (2*/0/0/DARK/Warrior/Effect) Come, Wrong Magnetring!" His monster appeared on the field.
"Hmm… Avian Gale—Two!"
Yuto shielded himself with his arms at the unexpectedly strong whirlwind.
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 1600 - 600 = 1000LP
"Now, Avian Gale—Three!"
"You're really harsh." He remarked—only for Rin to scoff.
"You think I'll lose to someone who isn't even fully focusing on this duel? If this duel is supposed to show me what kind of person you are, Yuto Sakaki, you are failing the standards I set for anyone who wants to be friends with my sisters. A hasty strike always misses its mark! Go, Nightingale!"
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 1000 - 600 = 400LP
"I will end my turn there. Well?" (Dark Anthelion Dragon: 4200 - 1200 = 3000ATK) (Wind Witch - Winter Bell: 1200 x 2 = 2400ATK)
"My turn." Yugo stepped forward. "Listen, I know you mean well, what with your scolding and all—but we're the only ones who get to scold the eggplant edgelord! Draw! I will activate Yuto's set The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine and Special Summon it! Then, I will activate Wrong Magnetring's effect and send it and another "Phantom Knights" card I control to the graveyard to draw two cards." Yugo shot him a look. He couldn't quite read it. "I will Normal Summon Speedroid Ohajikid (3*/1000/200/WIND/Machine/Effect) from my hand. When Ohajikid is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Tuner from either player's graveyard." He smiled, reaching a hand out to Rin. "May I borrow your Snow Bell for a second?"
Rin gave him a wry smile. "Not like I can say no."
"That's the spirit! Ok, so Ohajikid has an additional effect—I immediately Synchro Summon using the monster I summoned and Ohajikid! I tune the Level 1 Wind Witch - Snow Bell to the Level 3 Speedroid Ohajikid! Synchro Summon! Thousand-face possessing shadow of the labyrinth. With that sharp blade, render chaotic darkness!" The two monsters floated around each other, holding hands before turning into light. "Synchro Summon! Level 4, Hi-Speedroid Puzzle!" (4*/1300/1600/WIND/Machine/Synchro/Effect) He gave a wink. "See, I told you it would only be for a second! Have more faith in me, Rin!"
Rin and Yuto both winced at the same time, before exchanging a look. So informal… so Rin was an introvert like him too, huh? Her earlier statement still confused him, but he tried to focus. Tried to? He was already focused…
"Battle Phase! Hi-Speedroid Puzzle will attack Wind Witch - Niflheim Bell!"
"Are you crazy? Niflheim Bell has higher attack!" Rin exclaimed.
"When Hi-Speedroid Puzzle battles a Special Summoned monster, I can double its attack! Second Saber! Cleave it in two, Puzzle!" (Hi-Speedroid Puzzle: 1300 x 2 = 2600ATK)
Rin quickly opened the card that Ruri had set. "Trap card, Lyrical Luscinia Birdsong! This turn, you can only target the "Lyrical Luscinia" monster with the highest attack points on my field for attacks! That will be Assembly Nightingale!" Puzzle paused. "Replay. Will you attack Assembly Nightingale?"
"Yup!"
"Geez… I will detach an Overlay Unit from Assembly Nightingale. This turn, I take no damage from battles involving "Lyrical Luscinia" monsters, and they are not destroyed by battle! Feather Barrier!" Another of Assembly Nightingale's Overlay Units flew forward, forming a barrier. (Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: OU:3 - 1 = OU:2)
"Then there's no point in attacking with the other dragons. I will set two cards and end my turn."
"My turn!" Ruri chirped. "Draw! I will activate Sapphire Swallow's effect. I will Special Summon it and another Cobalt Sparrow from my hand. Cobalt Sparrow will add a "Lyrical Luscinia" to my hand again. I'll add another Lyrical Luscinia - Ruby Raven to my hand and discard it to draw two cards. I will Normal Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Turquoise Warbler (1*/100/100/WIND/Winged-Beast/Effect) from my hand. I will Overlay my Level 1 Sapphire Swallow, Cobalt Sparrow and Turquoise Warbler! Bird of stars that sings in the glowing sunset. Appear before us! Xyz Summon! Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia - Recite Starling!" (R1/0/0/WIND/Winged-Beast/Xyz/Effect/OU:3)
Yugo's eyes widened comically. "Birdie…" he whispered. Yuto heard the beginning of a snort, and he couldn't tell if it came from Yuya or Yuri.
"When Recite Starling is Xyz Summoned, it gives a monster on my field 300 attack and defence points for each material used to summon it. I'll give the boost to Assembly Nightingale. Gift of the Stars! Then, I will activate Recite Starling's effect. Once per turn, I detach one of its Overlay Units to add a Level 1 Winged Beast to my hand. Nest Calling! I will add my final Ruby Raven to my hand. Now, Battle Phase! Assembly Nightingale will attack you directly! Avian Gale! She has 1300 attack points, so you'll lose if it hits!" (Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: 400 + 300 x 3 = 1300ATK)
"Trap card, activate! Speedroid Run Panic! I tribute a "Speedroid" on my field to gain life equal to its attack! I will tribute Hi-Speedroid Puzzle!"
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 400 + 1300 - 1300 = 400LP
"But I still have one more hit!" Ruri grinned. "Go, Assembly Nightingale! Avian Gale Two!"
"I will activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Dichromatic Eyes in my graveyard! I can banish it to negate an attack!"
"Hmm… none of my monsters can defeat yours, and even if I were to try, Dark Anthelion Dragon could activate its effect… I will move to my Main Phase 2 and activate the effect of Wind Witch - Niflheim Bell! I have 5 "Wind Witch" monsters in my graveyard! 1000 damage! Cold Whirlwind!"
"Man, but you guys are awesome!" Yugo chuckled. "I've never met anyone who could force us on a defensive like this! I'll banish my trap Speedroid Run Panic from the graveyard to negate one instance of effect damage!"
"You two are pretty resilient too," Ruri said with a gentle smile. "I end my turn."
"Nice!" Yugo turned to him. "This is really fun, isn't it? Yuto?"
There is another question in that statement, the same question that Dark Anthelion and his brothers have all been asking him this duel. He doesn't understand… he is having fun, isn't he?
"Yuto."
Surprisingly—or perhaps not at all—it is Yuri who finally speaks up.
"Are you crazy, eggplant boy? I admit to having my own motives for organizing these duels, but I did want it to be an introduction of us to them and them to us. Look at yourself! This isn't you! Do you want to show this to them?"
Show?... he thought about everything he had done in the duel so far. Bringing out Dark Rebellion and Dark Anthelion so quickly and aggressively, striking down Rin's monsters over and over again, refusing to let her monsters have any sort of strength…
I'm fighting like I'm angry, like how I faced off Hokuto... He gulped. This is a friendly duel, but I'm treating it like a war… what's wrong with me?
He tried to calm himself down. He hadn't even realised how wound up he was about today, about what April 1st meant to him… He sighed. Dark Rebellion gave a growl. "Yeah, I'm back to myself." He said softly, smiling at the Kurosaki sisters. "I'm gonna make this fun. Draw!" The card that he drew caused him to sigh. Was this a sign or something? Whatever. "I will activate the spell card Sunset Calling! I can set two "Phantom Knights" Traps with different names from the deck, and if my life is lower than 2000, they can be activated this turn! I will set one Phantom Knights Sword and one Phantom Knights Fog Blade from my deck!" The card let out bright orange-yellow light across the sea, even as his traps appeared. Ruri and Yuzu let out admiring gasps at the sight of the light. Dark Anthelion and Dark Rebellion both let out roars, with Clear Wing growling at them to calm down, though it too was smiling.
He smiled.
"Are you ready for our finish?"
Rin gave him an approving smile. "Now, there's spirit. Well, if you think you can take us down, go ahead!"
"I will have Dark Rebellion attack Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale! I then activate the Trap card Phantom Knights' Sword and equip it to Dark Rebellion! Dark Rebellion gains 800 attack points!" (Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: 3700 + 800 = 4500ATK)
"I'll activate the effect of Assembly Nightingale!"
"Sorry, Ruri." He smiled. "Like I said, I want to finish this with a bang. Trap card activate! Phantom Knights' Fog Blade! I equip it to Assembly Nightingale! I negate its effect, and it cannot attack or be attacked! I get a replay—Dark Rebellion will go after Recite Starling! Rebellious Lightning Disobey!"
Ruri smiled, while Rin sighed. The black-haired girl laughed. "You had three attacking targets, but you ended up going for a draw, huh? I guess that's just what hubris is. Still I'm happy with this result. All damage I take from a battle involving Starling deals you the same amount!"
Mutual destruction… Yuto sighed. He shot Yugo an apologetic look, but his brother gave a large smile. Dark Rebellion struggled against Starling and eventually, they all exploded into sparks and flew all around them.
He was satisfied with this ending, too.
Rin Kurosaki/Ruri Kurosaki: 1500 - 3700 = 0LP
Yugo Sakaki/Yuto Sakaki: 400 - 3700 = 0LP
They all fell backwards and Yuto finds himself lying on the floor with a bright smile on his face. Yuya ran over to him and pulled him up. "Are you alright?"
"... Yeah."
He found the sunset before it was too late, huh? Heh… he was being far too sentimental about that old story. As the Solid Vision vanished, the orange light faded with it, revealing the blackness as they approached Academia.
As the sisters gathered together and started walking towards them, he turned to his brothers.
Yuri, with that cocky but concerned smirk.
Yugo, with that well-meaning confidence.
And Yuya, who held them all together.
"Catch me if I fall into the darkness." He said cryptically, before changing back to their normal language. "We're nearly there."
They all gathered around the railing, watching as they drew ever closer to Academia.
Yuya's hand closed around his own, while Yuri and Yugo moved closer.
They didn't need to say anything.
They would catch him.
They would guide him.
A/N: Hi everyone! Here's Chapter 5! Rin and Ruri have their debut duel, and we have a bit more Yu brothers bonding, because I'm a huge fan of that. Anyway, the normal ace monsters also debuted here (Winter Bell and Assembly Nightingale) as well a pair of Pendulums—Dark Anthelion Dragon from the manga (it has an official effect now!) and Rin's Synchro-Pendulum monster! Stats below :)
Wind Witch - Niflheim Bell (7*/S4/2400/1500/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect)
(1 WIND Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters)
Pendulum Effect: You may send WIND monsters from your hand to the graveyard whose total levels equal 7 or more; Special Summon this card from your Pendulum Scale.
When this monster is Synchro Summoned, you may add two monsters with "Wind Witch" in their name from your Deck to your hand. However, you may only Special Summon WIND monsters the turn that you activate this effect. Once per turn, you may deal your opponent 200 damage for each "Wind Witch" monster in your GY. If this card is destroyed: Place it in your Pendulum Scale.
Now, the Chapter Preview!
Chapter Preview: Chapter 6—Abyss Stage
The Sakaki brothers reach Academia, where they are split into different dorms. They meet their roommates, and Yuya is challenged by one of his roommates, and they decide to duel the next day…
As usual, thank you so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. I really appreciated that you took the time to read this! See you soon! :)
-Blaise
Edit: (8/7/19) Fixed some formatting issues.
Edit 2: (11/10/20) Fixed even more formatting issues and changed the duel to the newer format. Also changed "Windwitch" to "Wind Witch", and "Windwitch Freeze Bell" to "Windwitch Gale Bell", because apparently, I happened to predict one of Konami's future names for this line accidentally like three years before it actually became a thing. New Windwitch support, guys! Also, Chapter 4 will be edited too, but after this one, because I felt that updating this one was the most important. Please tell me if there are any more mistakes that I made!