Coral: We're back! To the average chapter's length!
Aki: Not that that's important.
Coral: We're also back to part 3 of the Punishment Duel! And we will find out just why Kohaku took off the way she did.
Aki: I think the readers already know though, from what was revealed.
Coral: True... Still, readers! Enjoy~!
Normal dialogue
Life Points/Monster stats
*LOCATION CHANGE/ CHANGE IN P.O.V*
Attacks/Effects
'thoughts'
Language other than Japanese (this is English sub after all)
Meikyuu Brothers: 7000 LP
Judai and Shou: 1700 LP
Gate Guardian: Level 11/DARK/Warrior/3750 ATK/3400 DEF
Defense Wall: Level 4/EARTH/Rock/0 ATK/2100 DEF
Elemental Hero Rampart Gunner: Level 6/EARTH/Warrior/2000 ATK/2500 DEF
"So it was all futile from the start, huh?" Misawa muttered. "For their first and sudden Tag Duel, they're way outmatched."
"Yes. Not only is each duelist's power important for a tag duel, but so are their combinations with their partner," Asuka agreed. "However, an impromptu team does has its limits."
"The properties of Judai and Shou's decks are far too different. It doesn't seem like they tuned them for tag teams, either, even after all that training and practice. Is this the end?"
"Judai..."
"Hang in there..." Hayato thought out loud, mentally furious that Judai and Shou might break their promise of returning to Osiris Red.
Certain people watched happily at the downfall of the two reds.
"This is good. This is oh-so-good," Chronos thought out loud. "I would've expected no less from legendary duelists who've gone up against the Duel King- na no ne. This will be fine, the end, for the impudent dropout boys!"
"You never know the outcome of a duel until the end, Chronos-kun," Samejima told him.
"Yes, I know, Mr. Principal. But wouldn't it be in their best interest to expel them instead of prolonging their suffering any longer?"
"Even though said duelist hasn't given up yet?" Chronos got confused at those words and looked back at the duel at one person in particular. Much to his surprise, Judai stood there with a determined look on his face.
The ex-headmaster gasped and paled in complete shock. "This is absolute bonkers! Salted shrimp crackers!"
"My, my... what a grave predicament-nya," Daitokuji muttered in the audience. His cat, Pharaoh, meowed. "You think so too, Pharaoh-nya?"
"Hmph. By that look of yours, it seems you still don't plan on quitting, having come this far," the elder brother spoke.
"How stubborn..." the younger brother stated.
"As long as they have cards in their decks, duelists never give up until the very end!" Judai stated. "The Duel King would do the same, wouldn't he?" A faint image of his Spirit Partner, Winged Kuriboh, appeared and spoke some of its words. "You got that right."
"But what about your partner?"
"He seems to have lost his will to fight."
Judai looked at Shou to find what they said to be true. "Shou! We can still go on, right?"
"Big Bro..." Shou seemed to want to say something.
"Besides, you have a card that can beat Gate Guardian." The '-roid' duelist gasped at that reminder. "My turn! Draw!"
*MEANWHILE...*
Alex looked everywhere for Kohaku. After they left the stadium, she just took off. This worries him more.
"Kohaku! Where are you?!" he called. He slowed to a stop as he heard the sound of vomit, coming from the girl's bathroom. As soon as the vomit came to a stop, the Light and Darkness duelist knocked on the door. "Kohaku? Are you okay?"
"S-... Somewhat..." came his friend's hoarse voice. Kohaku walked out the girl's room.
"... You want to talk about it? We're friends after all. It's the least I can do at least."
"... I guess I should talk about this to someone. Get this weight off my chest." They both sat in the middle of the hall. "... I had a younger twin sister. Years ago, she died of a crime she didn't commit. Before that, we'd usually duel together, mostly tag duels. They were the best days of my life. But, because of her powers, everyone sees her as a monster."
"Powers?"
"She can materialize monsters, make them real, kind of like me. Only difference is, her power also makes the damages she inflicts onto players real. We didn't want the whole world to think that our father's circus was a group of monsters, like how kids in our home town did to her, so we only stuck with table duels, only using the duel disks when we're practicing her control over her own powers. There were times when she would duel against other kids without me being there to look after her, but somehow, she would be convinced to put on a duel disk and duel them. We're lucky enough that she dueled them in private, otherwise, our father's career would've been down a long time ago. Seeing those two Meikyuu Brothers do their tag dueling style... made me remember all those tag duels I had with her."
"... I think I see what you mean, about your sister being treated bad," Alex spoke after a moment of silence.
"How so?"
"You remember that time when I said I thought we met before? I think that was your twin that time. I can faintly remember a couple of things, mainly how she was always picked on for being different. She wouldn't tell me what made her different from everyone else."
"I see. At least now I know that she made a normal friend who understands her the way I do. You do understand my sister the way I do, right?"
"If you mean that it wasn't her fault for having powers in the first place, then yeah, I do understand. Not every flower can choose where they bloom or what they look like."
"Huh. Never took you for a metaphor kind of guy."
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing." The two friends laughed happily.
"... Kohaku... I've been thinking... I think maybe you do have the right to know. About your Punishment Duel," Alex decided.
"Really? You don't need to-"
"You should know. You have every right to." Alex explained everything that happened in Kohaku's duel. Every. Last. Detail.
"You're kidding..." Kohaku spoke, after a long silence.
"Would I kid around about a topic like this?" Alex questioned. "I know the truth hurts. Especially since you found your sister's murderer and lost your chance to kill him for her, but it's actually a good thing you didn't. I mean, if the you back then is-"
"I know. I'm glad too actually, that I didn't kill him. That wouldn't be me at all. My sister would haunt me if I did something that doesn't define me."
"If she can materialize monsters, that might be possible." They both chuckled at the fact. "So, should we get back? Judai and Shou need all the support they can get."
Kohaku nodded to that idea and they both ran back to the stadium.
*BACK TO THE DUEL*
Couple turns had passed. Judai summoned Sparkman and equipped Spark gun onto him, using its effect to switch Gate Guardian to Defense, ending his turn with a face-down. The younger brother only used his turn to set a card as well. Shou, before starting his turn, asked Judai why he would want him as his partner. Judai replied saying that he noticed how much Shou likes his cards, that he wants to keep dueling at the school and duel him again. Encouraged by those words, Shou drew his card, one that was said to defeat Gate Guardian. He then summoned Drillroid and attacked Defense Wall, not only dealing some damage to themselves, but destroying Defense Wall, via Drillroid's effect. Despite that, the brothers mocked Shou, saying that unless they can defeat Gate Guardian, which they dubbed impossible, they are sitting ducks. However, Shou activated the card he drew, Shield Crush, destroying Gate Guardian, since it was in Defense. This brought cheers from fellow Reds, Yellows, even the Blues, surprisingly.
Meikyuu Brothers: 7000 LP
Judai and Shou: 1200 LP
Elemental Hero Sparkman: Level 4/LIGHT/Warrior/1600 ATK/1400 DEF
Drillriod: Level 4/EARTH/Machine/1600 ATK/1600 DEF
"Who would've thought they defeated Gate Guardian?" Misawa asked, shocked at the turnaround.
"We figured they didn't refine their decks, but that might've been for the best," Asuka believed. "They don't have tag team decks like the Meikyuu Brothers, but with the strong points of each other's decks in mind, they work in tandem perfectly. I think it's okay for there to be tag teams like that."
"We're back!" came Alex's voice.
"What'd we miss?" Kohaku asked. The Ra Yellow and female Obelisk Blue explained the situation.
"Who would've thought that they'd make this kind of turnaround?"
"It's a miracle. Now all they have to do is win before the Meikyuu Brothers comes up with a method to bring Gate Guardian back."
"I set a reverse card face-down and end my turn," Shou finished. "Big Bro, I..."
"Just leave it to me, Shou," Judai assured, knowing what he would say.
"It appears we've let out guard down a bit," the elder brother stated.
"We never would have thought they would take down our Gate Guardian," the younger added.
"HOWEVER!"
"This is only the beginning of our invincible combination. It's my turn. Draw!" The elder brother drew his next card. "I activate a Magic card from my hand! Dark Element! This card effect's activates when Gate Guardian is in my Graveyard! By halving out Life Points, it special summons the Guardian of Darkness- Dark Guardian from my deck!" A gladiator-like monster with an insect-like lowerhalf made of rocks and steel legs appeared.
Meikyuu Brothers: 3500 LP
Judai and Shou: 1200 LP
Guardian of Darkness- Dark Guardian: Level 12/DARK/Warrior/3800 ATK/3800 DEF
"An ATK of 3800?!" Misawa gasped.
"Go! Guardian of Darkness- Dark Guardian! Attack Drillroid! Dark Shockwave!" the elder declared, as his monster sent lightning at the drill monster.
"This is bad! If it connects, Judai and Shou will lose!"
"Unless those face-downs can save them, they're goners!" Alex stated.
"Judai," Asuka spoke.
"Don't lose!" Kohaku shouted.
"This is the end!" the turn-taker declared.
"Reverse card open! Hero Barrier!" Judai countered. "This card activates when an 'Elemental Hero' monster is on the field! It negates one of my opponent's attacks!" A blue barrier appeared in front of Drillroid, shielding it from the hit.
"Blocking that attack..."
"-was quite a feat!" the younger finished for the elder. "However it will be your last!"
"And, to add that, Dark Guardian is our guardian that cannot be destroyed by battle. So long as our Dark Guardian remains, you two have no chance of winning this time!"
Shou got to his knees, mentally blaming himself for causing this to happen.
"Shou. Stand, Shou!" Judai called.
"Big bro..."
"We're gonna win this, no matter what."
Though a bit reluctant, Shou shakily got back on his feet.
"Oh? You're still gonna fight, huh?" the elder questioned.
"I admit that their spirit is commendable," the younger said.
"My turn is finished."
"My turn. Draw!" Judai drew his card. "I activate a Magic Card, Pot of Greed! I draw two cards, and then I activate Field Magic, Fusion Gate! As long as this card's on the field, anyone can Fusion Summon without Fusion. I'll fuse Elemental Hero Featherman and Bubbleman from my hand with Sparkman from my field! Hero of the wind, hero of the water, hero of the lightning! Become one and give birth to a brand new power! Fusion Summon! Come out, unbeatable hero! Elemental Hero Tempester!" Sparkman fused with his two allies, now appearing as a muscled man with a suit somewhat similar to Sparkman's, some light armor, and Featherman's wings.
Elemental Hero Tempester: Level 8/WIND/Warrior/2800 ATK/2800 DEF
"He's reached this point, but Judai's not giving in."
"But, even so, he can't beat Dark Guardian," Asuka reminded Misawa.
"Kohaku..." Alex spoke with a smirk.
"Yeah. Judai... You're up to something," Kohaku agreed with Alex's thoughts.
"A triple Fusion Summon? But..."
"Dark Guardian's ATK is 3800," the green-robed duelist finished for the orange-robed. "And it can't be destroyed by battle."
"Yet, what does he plan to do?"
"I plan to do this!" Judai answered. "I activate the field magic, Skyscraper!" Fusion Gate was dismissed, replaced with a hologram of the city. "This effect raises 'Elemental Hero' monster's ATK if it's ATK is lower than the monster it's attacking!"
Elemental Hero Tempester: 2800 + 1000 = 3800 ATK
"What?!" both brothers gasped.
"Chaos Tempest!" At that order, the Fusion monster dove and punched the dark monster.
"They may both have an equal 3800 ATK, but we told you that Dark Guardian can't be destroyed by battle!" the elder reminded.
"Your efforts are wasted!" the younger boasted.
"Shou, I'm borrowing your card." Shou got confused at those words. "Tempester's special effect activates! By sending a card on my field to the Graveyard, this card can't be destroyed by battle!"
"Judai, what are you thinking?" Asuka wondered.
Elsewhere in the stadium, Shou's actual older brother, Marufuji Ryo, understood Judai's hidden intentions. "Shou, will you answer him back?"
"Big bro," said duelist spoke.
"Did you pay attention, Shou?" Judai asked. Shou nodded that he payed attention. "All right. I end my turn."
"It's my turn! Draw! Trap card open! Single Combat!" The younger brother activated his card the moment he drew his card. "During this turn, each players do battle with their strongest monster! With Dark Guardian, I attack Tempester!"
"Again? But no matter how much you try, the results will be the same, won't it?" Shou questioned.
"Is that so?"
"Judai doesn't have any cards on his field to send to the Graveyard to activate Tempester's special effect," Asuka pointed out.
"In order to prevent its destruction..."
"To keep Tempester from being destroyed, I send Skyscraper to the Graveyard!" Judai finished Misawa's thoughts, as the holograms of the buildings faded away.
"Even if it can't be destroyed now, the damage will still run its course!" The wind from the force of Dark Guardian's swing passed the monster and got to Judai and Shou.
Meikyuu Brothers: 3500 LP
Judai and Shou: 200 LP
"I end my turn," the turn-taker finished.
"We applaud you for making it this far," his partner/twin complimented.
"But now comes your end."
"Keep what just happened in mind," Judai said to Shou.
"Big Bro..." Shou was still confused as to what it was Judai was trying to tell him. He then realized what that thing was.
"I'm counting on you, Shou."
Shou nodded. Pressure was increasing, from both worry and excitement, for certain things from the latter. The '-roid' duelist looked up at his blood-related brother in the audience, looking back at the time when the former told the latter that he would be coming here. "It's my turn! Draw!" Shou drew his next card. That card... turned out to be Power Bond. "I offer Drillroid as a sacrifice to summon UFORoid!" The drill monster turned into a UFO.
UFORoid: Level 6/LIGHT/Machine/1200 ATK/1200 DEF
"And then, from my hand, I activate a Magic Card! Power Bond! This card is a Fusion Magic for Machine-types! Big Bro, here we go!" Shou turned to his partner.
"Yeah, go with all you got!" Judai encouraged.
"It'll fuse UFORoid and Tempester! Small UFO, become a support for the unbeatable warrior! Fusion Summon! Come forth! UFORoid Fighter!" His monster seemed to have upgraded itself, becoming big enough for Judai's monster to stand on and use as his own vehicle.
UFORoid Fighter: Level 10/LIGHT/Machine/? ATK/? DEF
"It's ATK is the total ATK of its Fusion Monsters!"
UFORoid Fighter: ? -} 4000 ATK
"What good is it now? Its ATK might be higher by a small fraction but..."
"-Dark Guardian can't be destroyed by battle!" the younger finished for his elder.
"That I know! Next, Power Bond's effect activates! It doubles the ATK of the Special Summoned monster!"
UFORoid Fighter: 4000 x 2 = 8000 ATK
"8000?!" the brothers gasped.
"Big Bro made me realize through example. Even if a monster can't be destroyed, the damage still goes through! Fortune Tempest!" At his order, the fused monster sent a powerful blast at the monster before it, depleting the rest of the Meikyuu brothers' Life Points and ending the game.
Meikyuu Brothers: 0000 LP
Judai and Shou: 200 LP
WINNER: JUDAI AND SHOU!
"They did it!" Hayato cheered.
"Nice going, you two!" Alex shouted.
"Thank goodness. Now those two can remain at the academy," Misawa sighed in relief.
"Even though he'll turn into a tough rival, you're still happy?" Asuka asked.
"What about you?"
"I would just feel guilty if they got expelled because of me. But I'm glad now."
Kohaku noticed a faint blush on her cheeks. "Oh? Asuka, what's that I'm seeing?"
"What's what?"
"Is that...? No way! Are you blushing?!"
Asuka got flustered at that accusation. "D-D-Don't be ridiculous!"
"You stuttered..." A smirk appeared on Kohaku's face. "That would mean...~"
"Don't say it..."
"Oh ho? I didn't think you'd be interested in Judai that way~" Kohaku got ready to run, feeling a dark aura from her female friend.
"Kohaku!" And so began the chase.
"This can't be!" Chronos exclaimed in shock, stumbling back. "For legendary duelists to lose like this!"
"Well, my students are quite impressive, aren't they? They were amazing-nya," Daitokuji said. Pharaoh licked the blonde teacher.
"Gah! A cat! It's a cat! On cats I'm not to keen, no! Cappuccino!"
"We did it! All thanks to you, Shou!" Judai cheered.
"Big Bro... I... I..." Shou was speechless, as he wiped away his happy tears.
"We won. Fair enough, agreed?"
"You have shown us a fine duel. Naturally, your expulsions will be dropped," Samejima confirmed.
"Awright!" Judai then realized something. "I almost forgot." He did his victory pose. "Gotcha! That was a fun duel! Let's duel again, okay?"
"Hmm... If you have that much energy left, allow me to give you some homework." Judai flinched at the principal's forced offer. "Your expulsions have been dropped this time, but your penalty for entering a restricted area will be different. You will turn in a thirty-page report on dueling strategies."
The two reds groaned at the punishment, Judai more than Shou.
"Wait! But Kohaku didn't tell us about this!"
"She was an exception, considering that she already got into that life-and-death duel and... that one other thing during the duel."
"Can you do that?" the 'Elemental Hero' duelist asked.
"Keep it up. I'll leave you to oversee things, Daitokuji-kun."
"Yes sir. Leave it to me-nya," the Osiris Headmaster replied.
"No way! A thirty-page report is torture!" Judai complained. Shou looked back at his brother in the audience, both mentally telling each other that the younger will get stronger enough for them both to duel. "Okay, let's get back to the dorm. We're pulling an all-nighter."
"An all-nighter?!" Shou questioned his idea.
"But c'mon! Why's this always-?!" Judai sighed, not bothering to question their misfortune. "This after we won the duel... what a joke... This is so- what's it called? Yeah! Unreasonable, you know!"
At that point, everyone applauded for their stay at Duel Academia.