Miami City(?), Miami City(?), 1st P.O.V.
"I already told you Yuzu, I'm fine," I said to Yuzu as we were walking.
"No! you are not! Just… what was that?! How are still standing after being burnt alive!?" She continued to pester me. "What was that monster you summoned: A Dark Synchro Monster?!
"Is this really the thing we need to concern ourselves with at the moment?!"
"I think it is. Considering you almost died!"
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. It has not even been twenty minutes and already Yuzu was starting to get on my nerves. Everyone kind of got me caught up with what was going on. Something about an Academia invasion, Yuzu having another counterpart running about, with this whole otherworldly invasion that was not Academia currently going on. Tsukikage managing to somehow free them from some funky prison sphere. Something that nobody bothered to explain to me.
Needless to say, this did not solve a headache coming upon my brain.
So clearly things were going off-track - yes, no shit brain. That means, whatever happens, is just going to happen. This might be what the show was going for, but with how insane things seem to be…. I'd say this is beyond Konami's storyline.
"Certainly it is only the infectious Vestige who could come up with this plan," Alastor spoke up, I saw the ball of dark mist flying beside me.
"Do you really have to show up now?" I walked a bit faster than Yuzu, ignoring her; if I just talking to Duel Spirits in front of them, they might not believe I am the least bit sane.
"You took quite a chunk of damage. Their concern is justifiable. Besides, we are allies now as long as the deal remains intact. Try your best and be sensible with the kids."
I sighed and slowed down. He… has a point. I'm like the oldest of the group; guess I should play the part. Or something… if I don't just snap.
"Say, mind me asking again how Yuzu and Dennis are somehow not trapped in the weird sphere thing?" The question was starting to weigh on my mind and I needed answers. "Plus why Mister Ninja-dude is with our party?"
"Lowell, that isn't very nice!" Yuzu growled at me.
"But I do believe Lowell deserves an explanation; after all, she is your friend, is she not Yuzu?" Dennis decided to enter the conversation.
Yuzu pouted and folded her arms. "Fine. But in return, you are explaining just what a Dark Synchro monster is."
I rolled my eyes as we took a stop since Yugo was scouting ahead and no enemies were nearby. "Okay fine. I'll come clean with what I know if you can enlighten me a bit on how you managed to escape and find me."
"Certainly. I will begin where it all began. The Battle Royale was going as intended and something about Yuzu drew me toward her. There was another girl there as well. One who bore a striking resemblance to Yuzu herself." Dennis explained.
"Yuzu?" I inquired, glancing back at the Melodious user.
She did not respond. Almost refusing. Which was strange; did something happen?
"Next thing we knew, we were inside a strange area. It was quite a change in scenery. But it did not last for long. Strange Duelists started to appear and challenge the three of us. Almost was to no end. Then-!"
"Guys! Seems like there is a break up ahead." Yugo came speeding back on his D-Wheel. This interrupted the explanation. At least for now. "We can probably crash over there for a bit and grab our bearings."
"Good because if Lowell continues at this rate, she's going to hurt herself." Yuzu, really!?
"Yuzu, I am fine." I tried to take another step, only for my foot to slip up. Were it not for Tsukikage, my body would have fallen to the ground.
"That does it. Lowell, get on Yugo's D-Wheel. You are not walking in your condition." Yuzu commanded.
I was about to argue against it again, but then something occurred. The ground shook, startling all of us. Looking up, my eyes caught sight of a spiraling tornado!? It was tearing through an area not far from us. Didn't seem to be coming our way. Something about it seemed… familiar.
"Perhaps you should take the offer now. That will only spell trouble."
"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered before clearing my throat. "Yugo! I'm hopping on!"
Volcanoes, Miami City, 3rd P.O.V
A Duel was currently in progress, seen by how two Duel Monsters were currently out on the field. Sabrine was opposing the two monsters, having an empty field but a full hand. Her opponents appeared to be using Fujin the Breakstorm Star and Raijin the Breakbolt Star. Strangely enough was how the area appeared completely void of Dimension Zero activity.
"You got both your ace monsters out. How wonderful for you. But, I am afraid here is where I will truly shine above both of you! My turn begins now!" Sabrine drew a card, seeing that it was a Continuous Spell made her grin. "I play the Continuous Spell Ascending Soul from my hand. Then I Normal Summon Astrollite Lady Asterism from my hand."
The feminine humanoid monster appeared on the female, a teenage-like appearance with light yellow hair that covered her eyes and dark blue skin. She wore a bright white gown with yellow sparkles.
Astrollite Lady Asterism: Level 4 LIGHT Psychic/Warrior/Effect ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000
"Next I activate the Ritual Spell Astrollite Ritual Brooch. While the conditions of the monsters I have requires a total of Level Eight or more, Astrollite Lady Asterism ability allows her to be my only tribute! So I tribute Astrollite Lady Asterism in order to Ritual Summon this monster. Come forth: Astrollite Valkyrie Venus!"
Astrollite Valkyrie Venus appeared as a beautiful woman with bright amber hair with pale blue skin. Across her body was diamond armor over her long yellow gown. It went so far as to cover her legs from view, the edges of the fabric moving like seafoam in a constant wave motion. She had a weapon, held in both her hands: a silver staff with a glowing blue gemstone upon it.
Astrollite Valkyrie Venus: Level 8 LIGHT Spellcaster/Psychic/Ritual/Effect ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500
"Astrollite Valkyrie Venus' ability takes hold: When she is Ritual Summoned with Astrollite Lady Asterism as a tribute while you control any Extra Deck monsters, all those monsters are destroyed! Constellar Shower!" Sabrine declared as her monster raised its staff. "Then I activate the effect of the Astrollite Ritual Brooch in the Graveyard. By banishing it, I can equip an Equip Spell from my Deck straight to my monster. Of course, this will be Astrollite Celestial Brooch! And with this, my victory is secured. Celestial Brooch ability activates: my monster can attack up to the number of Extra Deck monsters in your graveyard! Since that would be two - you're history!"
Sabrine couldn't help but smirk as her monster unleashed its attack. Easily slaying both her opponents and securing her a victory. It was a bit bland though. Thankfully she didn't have to bother watching these sorry fools' die. She had grunts to do that work; a quick duel to brush up on her skills was enough to sate herself. Such a long time had it been from indulging a bit of this side of her; playing the good girl at LDS was enjoyable yet lacked something. The role lacked a good juicy duel that made her let loose. A high-action Duel that kept her on her toes; not just for entertainment but for the thrills. A high-pace rollercoaster ride would be nice. Too bad all of those back at base were busted beyond repair.
"Geez, just where is Yuya? Surely he has to be here somewhere…" Sabrine complained to herself, checking her locator system for other Duel Disks.
"Ma'am! We have both Duelists secured!" A Vestige came up to her, "But something has come up: Doctor Yang wishes to receive a message."
"What of it? I lack the time for any of her experiments when I'm in a mission."
"It is of most importance, Sabrine." A hologram of Ami Yang appeared on the field. "Especially since this a major break of the millennium. We had a surge of energy from a Core in this area; The Tempest Core."
Sabrine's eyes widen, lowering her locator at the mention. "The Tempest Core!? But that was supposed to be lost for eons."
"Indeed. I felt the same way until I looked over the data. It is extremely extraordinary. Never in my wildest dreams would The Tempest Core appear at this exact moment. If this has truly appeared, then it only confirms one thing: the Renegade has returned. Sabrine, I am giving you a new assignment: I want you to locate the Renegade at all costs."
"What of Yuya Sakaki? Shouldn't securing both him and Reiji Akaba be the priority?"
"Declan Akaba is of more value: our goal needs a viable and functional Pendulum mechanic. Kaiser will continue his ascent up LDS and secure Declan. Yuya is nothing but a fly buzzing around; he lacks any potential power to hinder our goals. Especially after an incident prevented his merge with Yuto to be completed. He can be a priority later on. The Tempest Core's resurgence is vital for our survival. Focus on locating the Renegade and retrieving The Tempest Core. That is an order and I give you full authorization. That is all."
The hologram vanished, the Vestige companion leaving to follow some others. Sabrine continued to stand there. She waited until the blinker on the device began to glow. There was one major one. Matching the path of a tornado nearby. She scanned it before she felt The Core's presence. The Tempest Core's power was evident to all who felt it. Gales and storms followed wherever it went. Activity fuelling power to be harnessed by its wielder. Legends spoke of its power: saying that one could harness it enough to command monsters of the WIND-Attribute to its side. Absolute and complete dominance without resistance.
Sabrine snickered as she watched it. "Now, let me see if this truly is the Renegade or just some idiot."
LDS Tower, Miami City, 3rd P.O.V.
"Kaiser, what a surprise. Tell me things over at LDS are going as planned." Sabrine remarked on her end of the communication.
Kaiser smirked, leaning against the wall of the elevator. "Things are as planned. Even better actually: some are actually putting up a fight. Sadly not enough to prevent my ascent."
Sabrine gave him a look. "You are on the elevator, aren't you?"
"What can I say? They got the backup generators on somewhere. Got to waste the supplies before it is cut off for good." Kaiser twirled an object in hand, off from Sabrine's view. "Plus I heard that the Renegade has returned with The Tempest Core. Yang send you to fetch it now?"
"Why of course! She cannot trust anyone else with the objective. Other than you. Yet you are ordered to secure Declan Akaba so it fell to me. Perhaps you can indulge yourself by watching my match after you are done."
"Your performance during a Duel is anything but a show; you still lack enough of a presence to sway any Duel." Kaiser paused, noticing the electronic numbers of the elevator reaching his destination. "Now if you shall excuse me, I need to ensure we leave no stone unturned."
"Just make sure I don't regret accompanying you. A lot is at stake with this mission."
"Don't you worry about a thing, Sabrine. I will see to that this is done. Just follow the plan and I'll join to see if The Tempest Core has been recovered. Leave this to me." Kaiser cut off the communication as the electrical ring went through.
"Kaiser, we have visual on that level. Looks like they got themselves some firearms." A Vestige informed him. "Then there is some security, but that won't be a problem for you, will it?"
Kaiser didn't respond immediately, drawing a certain card from his Deck; a Quick-Play Spell. "It won't be; I got exactly what I need. Just leave it to me."
A silhouette of three monsters appeared behind him, each sporting a pair of glowing eyes as the elevator doors opened. To which no person on the other end would survive. At least unless Kaiser gave the word or motion. He waited just outside the elevator while his monsters went to devour all those in his way. Ever so carefully the Duelist made his way to the large seal doors. Monsters continuing to slay the prey, Kaiser scanned the doors with his eyes before grinning. Raising a hand, a clicking noise alerting his monsters. One of them raised its head before walking right over. It growled before unleashing a beam of bright light.
Both doors destroyed, Kaiser made another clicking noise as his three monsters soon stood behind him. "Now then, where are you hiding away, Declan Akaba?"
Sabrine Fan Cards
Astrollite Lady Asterism
Level 4 Attribute LIGHT
Psychic/Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000
If you Ritual Summon exactly 1 "Astrollite" Ritual Monster with a card effect that requires this card can be used as the entire requirement. You cannot Special Summon any other monsters the turn you Ritual Summon using this card, except "Astrollite" Ritual monsters.
Astrollite Ritual Brooch
Ritual Spell
This card can be used to Ritual Summon "Astrollite Valkyrie Venus." You must all tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Level exactly equal Level 8 or more. Once per turn, while this card is in the Graveyard and you control an "Astrollite Ritual Monster: banish this card, and if you do, equip 1 "Astrollite Celestial Brooch" from your hand or Deck to the Ritual Monster.
Astrollite Valkyrie Venus
Level 8 Attribute LIGHT
Spellcaster/Psychic/Ritual/Effect
ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500
You can Ritual Summon this card with "Astrollite Ritual Brooch." When this card is Ritual Summoned using "Astrollite Lady Asterism" while your opponent controls any Extra Deck monsters: destroy all face-up Extra Deck monsters on the field. Once per turn, you can discard 1 card from your hand, take control of 1 monster your opponent controls until the end of the turn. If this card were to be destroyed by battle or card effect with an "Astrollite" Spell equipped: banish the Equip Spell instead.
Astrollite Celestial Brooch
Equip Spell
Equip this only to an "Astrollite" Ritual Monster. The equipped monster can declare additional attacks during the Battle Phase up to the number of Extra Deck monsters in your opponent's Graveyard. If this card is banished while equipped to an "Astrollite" monster: you can add 1 "Astrollite" Ritual Spell from your Graveyard to your hand.
While originally I had planned for one of the major Duels to be featured, I choose to scrap it for now. Didn't fit well with the current chapter. As many could probably guess, I do intend for Reiji to duel against Kaiser sometime during this Battle Royale Arc. Though I decided to make this a breathing chapter after the previous two instead. Only featuring a minor Duel to reveal Sabrine's final Archetype: Astrollite.
Sabrine's change in Deck came from me genuinely wanting to update and give her a decent mechanic. Since there is a lack of Ritual Decks, I decided to change Sabrine into a Ritual user. Would have gone for Nekroz, but I choose to go with an original Deck instead. Even with the minor Duel in this chapter, Sabrine will have a proper Duel eventually.
Next chapter will feature a bit of Kaiser and Reiji interacting. Not sure if I want to dedicate their Duel to the next chapter entirely. Due to how plot-heavy the current draft of this Duel is. But do not fear, for I have Chapter Previews with little summaries! Though this won't cover the entirety of the current Arc; this will go up to Episode 30.
Episode 24: Beacon of Chaos
As Lowell takes a short break to dwell on the situation, the weight of everything slowly begins to build. With LDS Tower compromised, Kaiser finally confronts Reiji to fulfill his mission. In order to fully obtain Akaba's compliance, Kaiser forces Reiji into a Duel. The power of D/D/D now must confront a terrifying opponent that commands a Deck of legend. Meanwhile, Yuto searches in order to find his comrade Shun in what remains of the Ancient Ruins zone. However, a new challenger blocks his path using Gem-Knights…!?
Episode 25: Cursed Strings of Corruption
Yuto's Duel against the mysterious Gem-Knight Duelist. In the midst of the battle, the Duelist reveals their trump card by taking Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon captive! Can Yuto achieve victory without his signature monster? At the same time, Kazama and Noboru find themselves working together to drive back a duo using Constellar and X-Saber monsters!?
Episode 26: Constellar Saber Pawns
The Duel with the Constellar and X-Saber Duelists continue against Kazama and Noboru. Can the combined powers of Dinomist and Superheavy Samurai be enough to stop the advance? Powers of the Pendulum and Synchro face off against the combined might of Synchro and XYZ!
Episode 27: Grudge Match
A fierce and rage-fueled Duel between Sora and Shun despite the destruction around them. Unaware that just nearby, Niles and Kamden come across an injured Yuto! Confronted by Sabrine, she issues a Duel for The Tempest Reactor Core in Kamden's possession. Deep down, it appears Sabrine and Kamden have more than meets the eye in this Duel!
Episode 28: Clashing Methods
Sabrine and Kamden Duel continues to tear through the Ancient Ruins zone. In the midst of their Duel, they collide into Sora and Shun's ongoing Duel. Niles and Yuto find themselves caught between both sides. What will become of these Duels?
Episode 29: Battlefronts Collide
Kazama and Noboru exit the frigid Action Field and convene with Lowell's party, which had just recently exited the volcanic Action Field zone. This brief moment is short-lived when they are ambushed by Vestige Duelists. Having no other option, everyone prepares for combat. Yet in a moment of weakness, the ground suddenly gives beneath Lowell and…!?
Episode 30: The Scourge of Academia
Fed up with events transpiring, Tanith's hand is forced when the safety of herself and her companion is compromised. She ventures out to seek refuge for her companion. The Fusion Duelist comes across an unexpected situation and faces a terrifying decision. With three lives on the line with this Duel, Tanith battles to secure her future by fighting her past!
I would put more but those would contain spoilers, like major ones. So this should be enough to buy the time with any theories or speculations. So until the Pendulum Sways, I'll see you then!