Chapter 25: A Rematch Between Two Ideals
Recap: Yesterday, I encountered Yuki-san, hoping to get some answers about what happened last night. Did Haru and the white-clad duelist return back to the Synchro Dimension? Where was Yuto? Why did Yuya-san fall into a coma? But unfortunately, she didn't have any answers and revealed to me that Yuto had disappeared forever and was never going to return to their home
But I believe that he will one day, and Yuya-san will wake up from his coma. It seems that my prayers came true.
Sakaki's Residence_Yuya's Room_
After receiving news from Yoko that Yuya had regained consciousness. Naomi and Yuzu rushed to the house and went to Yuya's room to find the wide-awake boy. They both wiped their tears and gave him their congratulations on waking up. Yuya revealed to them everything that happened two nights ago before he went into a coma. Even what happened during the time he was unconscious, Naomi tells her version of what happened that night.
Yuzu couldn't help but be surprised by the information she was receiving. "There's another person who looks just like you two besides Yuto and Yuki," Yuzu repeated.
Naomi told Yuzu about her Xyz counterpart's appearance and how Ruri also has a bracelet that was somewhat similar to Yuzu's. The latter knew somewhere in her mind that she and Ruri looked similar to each other from what Shun and Yuto said before, but hearing it again convinced her. Yuzu wondered about her other dimensional counterparts. Similar to Ruri, there are others who share the same face as her.
"Do you two know that woman that keeps appearing lately? Maybe she might have some answers?" Yuzu questioned.
"I don't know who she is exactly, but for some strange reason, it feels like I've known her for years," Yuya answered. He recalls the warm feelings he felt yesterday. When he was trapped going through Yuto's memories and was devoured by the darkness, he was saved by this mysterious woman. He recalled how she drove the darkness away and calmed him down. But for some odd reason, he felt like this woman was important to him. Despite him not knowing who she is.
"Then could that woman be the one who told me to go to the park?" Yuzu mentioned, causing the two to look at her in surprise.
Yuzu retold her version of the events when she was about to head over to You Show. She heard a voice telling her to go to the park as soon as possible. She didn't know why, but she decided to trust the voice and headed straight to the park. On the way there, her bracelet started to blink.
She concluded her story by having to find her two friends unconscious and the park demolished.
"Your bracelet must have some kind of power to sense something was wrong," Yuya commented. Naomi nodded in agreement.
"It does. But I have no idea why I even have this thing in the first place? I asked my dad multiple times, but he tells me I've had this bracelet ever since I was a baby" Yuzu sighed. "But I'm grateful for this bracelet because it led me to you two being unconscious in the park that night. So whatever it does, I'll trust its judgment."
Naomi smiled and remembered an important fact from Yuya's story. "Speaking of trust. Yuya-san, you said Yuto trusted you with his Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon to make people smile, correct" Naomi noticed the card on his desk.
"Yes, he told me to make people smile with my power and to bring back Shimizu's true smile," Yuya recalled his counterpart's last words from that night. He felt he owed it to Yuto to make his final wishes come true. In the end, Yuto did save his life from Clear Wing's attack that could have severely injured him. So he will fulfill his promise to Yuto.
"I believe there is one person who deserves to hear the truth about what happened," Naomi said. "That person is Yuki-san. She has the right to know what happened to him along with Shun-san."
Naomi knew if something were to happen to her friends, she should at least be the second person to find out. After the parents, of course.
"Also, they might have more information about Academia. The place where Sora-kun is a part of," Naomi added with a downcast look on her features. Her friends now had similar expressions on their faces.
They feel betrayed and heartbroken by the fact that Sora is a part of the School that brought the Xyz Dimension to the brink of ruin. The same Sora they hung out with. The one that taught Yuzu how to Fusion Summon. The one that Yuya acted like a mentor figure. The mischievous boy Naomi befriended. However, despite the information they've received and what they witnessed during his duel against Shun. As well as the cruelty Sora displayed during his duel against Yuki and Yuto.
They still believed with all of their hearts that Sora was their friend. Call them naive, but that's how they truly feel about the matter.
Yuzu stood up and headed towards the door. "Come on, let's go to LDS to get the answers we need" Yuzu motioned her friends to stand up as well. They left Yuya's room and went out of the Sakaki's residence before saying their goodbyes to Yoko.
They all rushed to the LDS Stadium, hoping to make it on time to talk with Yuki or Shun.
At LDS Stadium Entrance_
The trio arrived at the entrance and saw their group waiting for them.
Gongenzaka was the first to greet the group by hugging Yuya tight in his arms, nearly breaking his spine. "YUYA! I'm glad you are awake, my friend! Thank the gods!" Gongenzaka shouted, tightening the hug he had. Yuya tried to escape but couldn't. Yuzu eventually convinced Gongenzaka to release Yuya before he accidentally ended up breaking his spine. Yuya panted and thanked Yuzu for telling Gongenzaka to release him.
"Sorry, I worried everyone" Yuya turned his attention to his friends.
"You should be. We were worried about will Yuya wake up. Will he miss his big chance? But luckily, you didn't," Shuzo explained the story. He mentioned Sora. Hearing his name caused the trio to look down at the mention of their friend.
But they shook their heads, remembering why they rushed over here in the first place. Yuya apologized once more for making everyone worried before walking toward the LDS group.
Naomi and Yuzu followed after the Entermate Duelist. "Hokuto, I want to speak with Kurosaki and Shimizu" Yuya went straight to the point as Hokuto was taken back. But soon recovered.
"About Kurosaki-san, we aren't allowed to talk with him despite knowing him for years. But Shimizu-san over there at the bench," Yaiba motioned to the group where the black-haired girl was sitting. Yuya and the others went over to Yuki, who turned her head when she heard footsteps going in her direction.
"I take it you all finally want some answers to the questions you've been searching for," Yuki mentioned the words she said to Yuzu a couple of days before the Championships began. Now it's time to fulfill the end of her vow.
"Let's go somewhere else. I don't want anyone listening in our conversation" Yuki stood up and walked to a deserted area in LDS Court where she knew there weren't any cameras.
"Yuki, what is Academia?" Yuzu asked Yuki to explain to Yuzu about Academia residing in the Fusion Dimension and its goal of uniting the four dimensions into one to create a utopia. Yuki's sharp words that what they were doing was the complete opposite when they invaded the Xyz Dimension. Naomi and Yuya have already known the truth, but it still hurts them no matter how many times they've heard it.
Yuzu nearly cried when she heard that Academia carded not only duelists but innocent people. They completely destroyed the dimension and left them with nothing but bitter memories of how things once were.
Naomi gave a comforting hand to Yuzu, who took it. Yuya looked at Yuki and remembered what he wanted to ask her that night before they were interrupted by Haru and Yugo.
"Shimizu. Who told you that duels are meant to make people happy?" Yuya asked. Yuki turned her attention toward him and answered his questions.
"Yusho Sakaki. He appeared three years ago, and my friends, Ruri and Sayaka, were enthralled by his teachings. Especially Ruri, she has always told me that she wanted her Deck to represent birds flying in the sky as if they were dancing."
"M-My dad is in the Xyz Dimension! Is he still there, Shimizu!" Yuya placed his hands on the girl's shoulder. He started to shake her furiously until, a minute later, he found himself pinned to the floor with Yuki on top of him, holding his arms behind his back.
"Y-Yuya!" Yuzu was shocked by the scene in front of her.
"Yuya-kun, I would advise you not to do that again, or else you'll be missing an arm or two. Are we clear?" Yuki warned, her voice dropping dangerously low as she released him from her grasp.
"As crystal," Yuya gasped, rubbing his arms.
"When the invasion started, Yusho disappeared without a trace, and no one has been able to find him ever since. Now that I have answered all of your questions. I have a question for you, Yuya-kun" Yuki turned towards Yuya. She barely remembered that Yuya, Yuto, and Yugo were still awake when she fainted. So the latter must have known about her boyfriend's disappearance.
"Where is Yuto-kun?"
Yuya looked down, and it was as if the memories of what happened that night came flooding in. The guilt he felt about his actions. Despite his shoulders trembling, he looked Yuki in the eyes.
"I don't know how to explain it. Yuto is gone physically, but he is alive inside me, Shimizu," Yuya answered. Yuki wanted to believe Yuya was playing a joke on her, but when she saw the sincerity in his eyes, she immediately dismissed her doubts. Naomi and Yuzu noticed the pained look on Yuki's face before it was masked with a blank expression.
"Thanks for telling me the truth. I really appreciate it, Yuya-kun," Yuki said, slightly smiling. But to Yuya, it was as if she was going to cry anytime soon. The smile she expressed was so unnatural and dull. He felt his heart beating, and for some strange reason, all he wants to do is wipe away her unshed tears. He wanted to embrace her in his arms. For another odd reason, why does he feel like crying when she looks like that? But strange enough, a lone tear dripped down his left eye, and Yuya wiped his eyes before anyone noticed that he was crying.
"Oh, that reminds me. Don't you have a match starting in a few minutes Yuya-kun against Isao Kachidoki from Ryozanpaku School?" Yuki mentioned, looking at the clock. Naomi gasped as she remembered Yuya did have a duel against Kachidoki, but the thought slipped her mind when she was in complete joy when Yuya woke up. But now she was worried about him because his opponent plays rough and injures his opponent in his duel just like he did with Yaiba. Judging from the male's injuries when they arrived indicates that he was still recovering from his wounds. Naomi groaned, realizing she had completely jinxed Yuya.
"Are you still going to face him, Yuya?" Yuzu asked. She was also concerned for the boy as well. However, when the two girls saw the determined look on his face, they were amazed.
"I'll keep the promise I made with Yuto. I will become stronger than ever to discover what happened to my father after Academia invaded the Xyz Dimension," Yuya thought. He glanced at his Extra Deck before giving a smile.
"Shimizu, no Yuki. I promise I will bring back your true smile in my match! So please watch me!" Yuya shouted those words. Yuki nodded despite not understanding his words but regardless, she gave him a small smile.
"I'll be looking forward to seeing it, Yuya-kun."
However, it seemed that Yuya wasn't able to fulfill his promise. Ten minutes later, after the match had started, Kachidoki started his assault on Yuya. He brutally attacked him during the duel, but before the male could finish Yuya off, the latter was saved by an Action Card. That's when it happened.
The clouds blocked the sun as it started to rain heavily in the area. Yuya's whole behavior changed greatly. His eyes started to glow a red color. Naomi and Yuki witnessed the match, and the birthmarks started to glow before their marks' outlines started to pulse. Naomi scratched her pulsing mark, unaware that she was scratching it.
Moments later, Yuya Xyz Summoned Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and won the match against Kachidoki in an One Turn Kill. The match was finished as Yuya returned to normal unaware of what had occurred in his match. The girls' birthmark stopped glowing and pulsing.
The Court was in deadly silence, and there were no cheers. No applause. The strange thing about it was that this sensation felt familiar to Naomi, Yuzu, Yuki, and Yuya. Especially to the latter, since he couldn't fulfill his promise to Yuto. He failed to bring back Kachidoki and Yuki's smiles as well.
Moments later, Yuzu's match came up, and Yuki decided to leave the area.
A transparent figure shows up. The figure was Thunder End Dragon. "Yuki, are you sure this is a good idea?" Thunder End Dragon asked. Yuki nodded. She felt someone's eyes on her when they were in that deserted area.
She knew that Naomi and the others had to leave the area quickly before something bad happened. Her suspicions were confirmed when she witnessed Hokuto leaving his seat and not returning minutes later.
"Besides, I had a feeling Reiji-kun thought the same thing and is planning to head there as we speak," Yuki continued. She quickened her pace and nearly ran back to the area where she felt the presence. Thunder End Dragon sighed at his master's reckless behavior but is grateful that Yuki feels better than she did yesterday and moments ago.
Yuki found herself in the back area of the Main Stadium and saw two figures walking in her direction. One of them took off their cloak, revealing their face to be similar to Ruri, except she had indigo hair tied with a large yellow ribbon and two light blue bangs very similar to Yuzu.
She had a pair of green eyes however Yuki glanced at the bracelet around her wrist, and on the other was an Academia's duel disk. She narrowed her eyes.
The other girl looked at her in confusion. "Akemi," the girl said. Yuki clicked her tongue in annoyance. This was the first time someone mistook her for Akemi, but it annoyed her. She took a deep breath to calm down before she did something reckless.
"My name isn't Akemi. It's Yuki Shimizu" Yuki cleared any suspicions of being confused for her Fusion counterpart. The other cloaked person flinched at the mention of her name and removed their cloak, revealing their appearance to be a tall man with a sturdy build. He has spiky gray hair swept back and red eyes. However, one of them was covered by a black eye patch.
"Serena-sama, this is not an opponent you can't defeat. Let me take care of her" the man stepped forward. His words irritated Serena as she activated her duel disk and stepped forwards.
"Don't underestimate me, Barrett! I can take her on by myself! I don't need your help!" Serena growled.
"I know your abilities. However, this person is part of the Resistance. She is also the target the Professor is looking for!" Barrett informed. Yuki raised an eyebrow at the information she had just heard from the male's mouth.
Yuki wondered why would the head of Academia was looking for her. She thinks it is the same for people like her, such as Naomi and her Synchro counterpart. She turned her attention to the arguing pair and noticed Serena still wasn't backing down.
"Then this will a good testament to display my skills and show the Professor for not sending me to the Frontlines!" Serena shouted, preparing herself and Yuki activated her duel disk in retaliation.
Before the girls could start, they were interrupted by a voice.
"I'm going to have to stop you both right there."
The voice was revealed to be Reiji. Much to her displeasure, Yuki deactivated her duel disk and stepped back when Reiji stepped forward.
"It seemed like Academia has information about me and my other counterparts," Yuki revealed quietly to Reiji, who glanced at her.
"Is that so" Reiji turned his attention back to the two duelists from Academia. He gives Nakajima his orders to not let anyone else in the area until he is finished.
"That girl is my opponent! If you continue to stand in my way, I will take care of you first!" Serena growled. She was pushed to the side by Barrett. She glanced at her guardian and clicked her tongue. She moves out of the way between the two males' incoming duel.
Minutes later, the duel ended in Reiji's victory, leaving Barrett to be injured. Reiji talked with Serena, and it seemed to Yuki that this was the second time they'd met since the first time was when Reiji first traveled to the Fusion Dimension three years ago.
Reiji revealed how he met Serena and Akemi, learned Leo Akaba's plan to invade the other dimension by uniting them, and was teleported back to the Standard Dimension.
"So three years ago is when Reiji-kun learned about the existence of the other dimensions as well as Academia," Yuki noted quietly. She continued to hear the conversation about Reiji's plan for the potential duelist to stop Leo Akaba and Academia.
Yuki nearly snapped when she heard Serena teleported to this dimension to gain recognition from the Professor. She will achieve her goal by defeating her and Shun since they lived in the Xyz Dimension without knowing the latter is one of the duelists she's looking for. But she just glared at her and turned her head. Yuki tuned out the rest of the conversation until Barrett revealed their location before teleported back to Academia. Serena left the area, declaring her goal once more.
"This speeds up your plan, Reiji-kun," Yuki mentioned. "I will continue to be on watch and do my job."
Just when Yuki was about to leave the area, she stopped in her tracks. "Don't worry, I won't tell Shun-kun about Serena, but if me and her cross paths again, and if she is still part of Academia. I will take her down."
With those words, Yuki left the area. When she returned to the second stadium, she saw Naomi had sent her a message stating that her match would start in two minutes. Naomi wanted Yuki to witness her duel. Yuki agreed and sent Naomi a message that she would be watching her duel from the sidelines and giving her a message about what would happen in the tournament regarding Academia. With her message being sent, Yuki rushed to the other stadium as soon as possible to see her Standard counterpart finally getting her rematch against her rival.
Where Naomi is_
Naomi waited for the people to tell her it was time to enter the Arena. When she heard her cue, she was about to walk into the Arena until she heard a voice.
"Naomi-chan!" Yuzu shouted. She ran into her and held her wrist. "Yuzu-chan? Are you here to see me off" Naomi asked. Yuzu looked into her eyes with an unreadable expression on her face.
Minutes later, Naomi and Izumi walked out of their respective areas and were standing 10ft across from each other with their duel disk on their respective wrists.
"Now for the final match of the second round of the Junior Youth Championship is between Kobiyashi Naomi from You Show Duel School vs Mizuno Izumi from LDS," Nico announced to the crowd. Both competitors stepped into the Arena.
"Just to let you know, Naomi Kobiyashi! I won't show you any mercy, unlike when we've faced each other! This time I'll be giving you my full strength!" Izumi declared. Naomi narrowed her eyes at the challenge.
"That's fine by me, Izumi-san! Because I'll take out whatever you throw at me and prove to you that my ideal is right!" Naomi replied.
"Then let's do this," Izumi said as her duel blade popped out, and so did Naomi's.
"Now, let's get this duel started! Field Spell: Extra Net activate!" Nico announced as the field transformed into different small platforms across the stadium. Below was a gigantic net at the bottom and small nets across from each other.
"Like some of the previous duels, this one will not have any Action Cards! Now, who will prevail in this duel that will leave you falling to defeat or springing back into the land of victory!"
Naomi: Duelist lock in battle!
Izumi: Kicking against the earth and dancing along with the air alongside their monsters!
Naomi: They storm through this field!
Izumi: Behold!
Both: This is the greatest and newest evolution of dueling! Action!
"DUEL!" Both girls shouted. Their LP was at 4000, and they each drew until they had five cards in their hands.
Naomi vs Izumi; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each
Turn 1
H:5
"I'll go first like last time," Izumi recalled, playing a card from her hand.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Triple Summon' to Normal Summon/Set three times this turn" Izumi activated a card before she summoned a monster on her field.
"I summon Goblindbergh from my hand," Izumi started as a small green goblin wearing airplane fighter clothes was flying in a red airplane appeared on the field.
Earth/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 0
"I activate his effect when he's normal summoned. I can Special Summon 1 Level 4 Monster or below from my hand, however when I use his effect he's switched to Defense Position" Izumi explained as Goblindbergh brought a crate in. "I Special Summon Heroic Challenger - Extra Sword by Goblinbergh's effect."
A heroic figure wielding a sword jumped from the crate, landing on one of the platforms.
Earth/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1000
"I will now overlay with my level four Heroic Challenger - Extra Sword and Goblinbergh!" Izumi shouted as her monsters transformed into balls of energy as they went into the Overlay Network.
"Hero of the medieval times unsheathed yourself from the stone and unravel your true powers! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Heroic Champion - Excalibur!" Izumi chanted Excalibur appeared on the field surrounded by two yellow Overlay Units.
Light/Rank 4/Warrior/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF/OU:2
"I summon Trojan Horse from my hand."
A wooden horse dropped down in front of Izumi.
Earth/Level 4/Beast/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1200
"Trojan Horse can be used as two tributes for an EARTH Monster. So I release Trojan Horse to Advance Summon Gaia the Fierce Knight!"
A knight with a lance in their hand is riding a purple horse.
Earth/Level 7/Warrior/Normal/ATK 2300/DEF1700
"When Extra Sword is used as Xyz Material. The monster that was used gains 1000 ATK," Izumi explained as she concluded her turn. "Now come at me! Naomi Kobiyashi!"
"Don't worry, I will!" Naomi yelled, drawing for her next turn.
Turn 2
H:5-6
"I set Scale 3-Guiding Ariadne on my Pendulum Scale!" Naomi set a card in her left Pendulum Zone. "I activate the Spell Card 'Duelist Alliance' to either add a monster with 'Pendulum' in its name or a Spell and Trap Card. I choose to add Scale 9-Pendulum of Fate - Eternia. Then I place her in my other Pendulum Zone!"
Izumi narrowed her eyes. "That's why she places Guiding Ariadne in her Pendulum Zone first. It was to activate her Spell Card's Effect."
"I can Special Summon Monsters whose Levels are 4 through 8! Shine so everyone can hear your voices across the heavens! Pendulum Summon! Naomi chanted as her birthmark glowed green. "Come forth! My monster friends! Element Valkyrie! Gellendou! Harvest Angel of Wisdom!"
Three lights rain down from the portal as different monsters come out.
E.V: Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 1200
G: Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 0
H.A.O.W: Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1000
"With my three monsters, I will Overlay!" Naomi's monster turned into energy as they went into the network.
"Appear from the bright brilliance in the sky! Descend as you carry that holy bow in your hand! Xyz Summon! Radiant! Rank 4! No. 102: Holy Lightning - Glorious Halo!"
No.102: Holy Lightning - Glorious Halo appeared with three Overlay Units surrounding him.
Light/Rank 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000/OU:3
"I detach an Overlay Unit to negate Excalibur's Effect and halve its ATK to 1500!" Naomi shouted. Holy Lightning - Glorious Halo shot an arrow towards the holy sword and caused its color to go gray.
"Battle! Holy Lightning - Glorious Halo attack!"
The Numbers Monster was given its command and shot an arrow towards Excalibur, piercing the arrow in its chest and causing it to explode.
Izumi winced because of the impact she felt.
Izumi:4000-1000=3000 LP
Naomi glanced at the Trap Card Counter Gate. It was the same card she used in her previous duel against Izumi. Naomi knows Izumi will eventually attack her directly, so she sets this card to be careful.
But Naomi also noticed Izumi used a non-Warrior Type Monster, but the question is, why did she use that card anyway?
"Izumi-san. Why do you have a Trojan Horse in your Deck?" Naomi questioned. Izumi gave a blank stare.
"After I won against my younger sister, Kaede, I gained her card. I just happened to put it in my deck," Izumi answered. Naomi looked amazed but kept her composure.
"Is your deck important to you, Izumi-san?" Naomi asked. This time the red-haired female scoffed.
"Of course. After all, my mother gave me this Deck before she died." Izumi starts to recall the tragic event that happened ten years ago.
Flashback_ 10 Years Ago_Izumi's Pov_
My mother was murdered by a drunk driver in a hit and run, but I remember she protected Kaede and me in her final moments. I was only four years old when it happened, and Kaede was just two, but despite having been so young, we still remember the look on her face when she perished. That's when I knew from here on out life would be difficult for us, especially for me.
A year after her death, My father trained me to become better than anyone else. He would constantly remind me that I need to rely on myself and not other people. That I have to strive to win towards myself, and the moment I ever rely on someone, that's when I will lose.
But there were times I would cry and wish my mom would come back and protect me from this brutal training I had to go through. However, I knew the truth that she will never return, and all I had left from my mom was her Warrior Deck. However, strange enough, seeing those cards gave me the strength to endure this hellish pain and the power to make sure Kaede never goes through the same thing. I worked daily, month after month, and year after year, to get where I needed to be.
With the words my dad drilled into my mind as a driving force to achieve my goals no matter how hard they were. I will not lose myself as long as I don't rely on others, just myself.
Flashback Ends_
"That's why I refuse your ideal because I don't want to lose myself in the process. I will continue to live and duel my way, so I don't want to hear about you convincing me that your ideal is right when you haven't even put yourself in my shoes," Izumi snarled.
Naomi frowned and felt bad Izumi had to go through all those things when she was just a child. That she had to grow up early for her sister's sake and hers as well.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Life Shaving Treasure Cards' to draw five cards however, during my fifth standby phase, I have to discard my hand" Izumi drew her cards.
"I summon Trident Warrior from my hand" Izumi summoned the declared monster to her side of the field.
Light/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1200
"Trident Warrior allows me to Special Summon the Tuner Monster Comrade Swordsman of Landstar from my hand" Izumi summoned another monster to her field.
Earth/Level 3/Warrior/Tuner/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 1200
"Boost Warrior's Effect activates! When I control a Tuner Monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand in Defense Position" Izumi continued. Boost Warrior appeared on the field, crouching in front of Izumi.
Fire/Level 1/Warrior/Effect/ATK 300/DEF 200
"I activate the Spell Card 'Warrior's Greed' I can draw a card for each Warrior-Type Monster I control. I have four on my field, so I can draw four cards."
Izumi looked at her drawn cards and picked one up from her hand.
"Next, the Spell Card 'White Elephant's Gift' by sending Gaia the Fierce Knight to the Graveyard. I can draw two more cards," Izumi said. She summoned another monster to her field through another effect.
"Come to my field! Dark Grepher!" the declared monster jumped on the platforms, nearly crushing it from underneath his feet.
Dark/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 1600
"I tune my Level 4 Trident Warrior and Level 1 Boost Warrior to my Level 3 Comrade Swordsmen of Landstar! Gigantic fighter made out of stone! Destroy our enemies! Synchro Summon! Level 8, Colossal Fighter!"
Dark/Level 8/Warrior/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 1000
A man made of stone with gems on his body arrived from a stream of light. Naomi felt sweat running down her temple but still didn't show she was nervous all over her face.
"Then I banish Excalibur and Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight from my Graveyard to Special Summon Black Lust Solider - Envoy the Beginning!" Izumi shouts. A portal opened up, and a dual-colored knight wielded a shield in his hands.
Light/Level 8/Warrior/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2500
"Colossal Fighter gains 600 ATK for each Warrior-Type Monster in our Graveyards. There's 6 in mine, so Colossal Fighter's ATK is now 3400!"
Colossal Fighter gems started to glow with each color as Envoy of Beginning blasted a gold light towards Glorious Halo, causing the monster to disappear from Naomi's field.
Naomi gasped but kept her eyes narrowed at her opponent.
"You activated Envoy of Beginning's Effect, right" Naomi questioned. Izumi chuckled.
"Of course, I can target a monster you control and banish that monster, but Envoy can not attack when I activate this effect. However, that doesn't matter. Battle Colossal Warrior!" Izumi confirmed, going into her Battle Phase.
"Just like you, I'll play a card you've seen before! Trap Card 'Counter Gate' to negate your direct attack and draw a card!" Naomi yelled. A gate stopped Colossal Warrior's movement and proceeded the rest of her card's effect.
"I drew the Tuner Monster Hallohallo and because of Counter Gate's effect I can summon him in Attack Position!" Naomi cried out.
Dark/Level 3/Fiend/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect/ATK 800/DEF 600/P.S:2
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Assault Mode Zero' by tributing Colossal Warrior. I can summon his Assault Mode Form from my hand! Appear Colossal Fighter/Assault Mode!"
A more gigantic monster than its former self appears on Izumi's field with a jet pack on his back.
Dark/Level 10/Warrior/Effect/ATK 3300/DEF 1500
"When Colossal Fighter/Assault Mode is Special Summoned, I can send two Warrior-Type Monsters to my Graveyard" Izumi sent two monsters from her Deck to her Graveyard slot.
"Monsters you control lose 100 ATK for each Warrior-Type Monsters in my Graveyard. I have eight, so Hallohallo loses 800 ATK points!"
Hallohallo was covered by a dark aura that drained all of his power while Naomi clicked her tongue.
Colossal Fighter/Assault Mode jumped in the air and punched Hallohallo in the face, causing shockwaves as Naomi held her ground against the attack despite her LP taking a serious toll.
Naomi:4000-3300=700 LP
"I end my turn. See, just like last time, this is what happens when you rely on something, and it falls you in the end," Izumi mentioned with a condescending grin.
"If that's the case. Then why did you rely on your late mother's Deck to get through the strict training you had to endure when you were young" Naomi mentioned. Izumi was taken back.
"T-That's because..."Izumi stuttered. She was lost for words for the first time.
Izumi just shook her head and glared at Naomi. "E-even if what you say is true! It doesn't change the fact that my mother is no longer here! I'll show you that I've stopped relying on my Warrior-Type Deck, So stop stalling and start your turn!"
Naomi looked at Izumi and then back at her Deck.
"Izumi-san, I want to understand you better than I did before. I don't want us to be just rivals but maybe even friends. However, that can't happen unless I knock down the walls you placed around your heart since you lost your mom. The only thing that's supported you in your time of need was your Deck that she left behind. That part I can definitely understand because I was in your shoes. Even though our situations were different, I still felt like I was alone even when I pushed others away, but I still had my Deck and my duel monsters. Because they will make sure I won't ever be alone even when I felt like I was during that time."
Clear Kuriboh chirped next to Naomi as if he understood Naomi's words despite her not saying them out loud. Naomi nodded at him and smiled.
"Then it's my turn!" Naomi drew a card from her Deck.
Turn. 4
H:0-1
"I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed' to draw two cards from my deck" Naomi drew her cards. "Then I activate the Spell Card 'Fairy's Gift' by discarding Splendid Venus. I can draw cards half of her Level. Since she is a Level 8 Monster, I get to draw four cards."
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Pendulum Hurricane' to destroy cards in my Pendulum Zone."
A blue and red hurricane blasted Naomi's scales away, causing the crowd to be confused. "I can then draw two cards from my Spell Card's effect. Now I chain the Quick-Play Spell 'Pendulum Fairy' since my cards were destroyed by a card effect. Because of this card's effect, I can add two Fairy-Type Pendulum Monster from my Deck to my hand" Naomi continued. " I add Scale 1-Juno the Celestial Goddess, and Scale 9-Astra, the Celestial Maiden! With these two monsters, I will now rebuild my Pendulum Scale!"
The two declared monsters went into their pillars as a green portal was in the middle.
"Now I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Salvation Pendulum' to add two Pendulum Monsters from my Deck to my hand. I add Pendulum Kuriboh and Athena, the Fairy Warrior" Naomi added.
"With these scales! I can simultaneously summon monsters whose Levels are 2 through 8 at the same time! Pendulum Summon! Appear from the Extra Deck, Hallohallo, and Eternia!"
Hallohallo returned to Naomi's side of the field along with her ace monster.
Eternia: Light/Level 8/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000/P.S:9
"I activate Aretha's effect from my hand. By banishing Gellendou from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon her from my hand" Naomi summoned Aretha to her field.
Light/Level 5/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 1000
"When Aretha is Special Summoned I can add a Level 4 or lower Fairy-Type Monster from my Deck to my hand. I choose to add Marian and Marian's effect Special Summons herself when she is added to my hand!" Naomi yelled as she Special Summoned Marian to her field.
Water/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1200
"Marian's effect activates! When she is Special Summoned, I can add a Spell or Trap Card to my hand" Naomi explained. She added another card to her hand. "I add the Spell Card 'Angelic Fusion', which I will activate! I fuse Marian and Eternia!"
Her monsters swirled together in a portal as Naomi chanted.
"One who uses the pendulum to determine our fates! The maiden of the sea! Combine your powers into a new kind of hope! Fusion Summon! Appear, Duclina, the Fairy of Autumn!"
Duclina appeared on the field in a spiral of different colored leaves.
Fire/Level 8/Fairy/Fusion/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2000
"Then I tune Aretha with Hallohallo! Dichromatic dragon with courageous eyes! Shine down in a pillar of light and illuminate the world's hope! Synchro Summon! Descend! Level 8! Dragon with kind eyes! Odd-Eyes Light Dragon!"
Odd-Eyes Light Dragon jumped down and gave a menacing roar towards Colossal Fighter/Assault Mode.
Dark/Level 8/Dragon/Synchro/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 1500/P.S:7
"Since Aretha left the field, I can Special Summoned the monster banished by her effect, return Gellendou!" Naomi yelled. Gellendou appeared once more on her field. "I banished Angelic Fusion to add Marian back to my hand, and Marian's effect activates once again!" Marian appeared once more. Naomi added the Quick-Play Spell Card Rank-Up Magic: Dark Fairy and proceeded with her turn.
"I overlay my Level 4 Marian and Gellendou! The fairy who supports her friends when they're down! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Fairy Cheer Girl!" Naomi chanted. Fairy Cheer Girl appeared on the field as two yellow Overlay Units surrounded her.
Light/Rank 4/Fairy/Xyz/Effect/ATK 1900/DEF 1500/OU:2
"She's performed an Xyz, Synchro, and Fusion Summon simultaneously," Izumi muttered. She was impressed her rival performed a pro-like move. It seemed that Izumi wasn't going to be disappointed after all.
"I detach an Overlay Unit from Fairy Cheer Girl to draw a card from my deck!" Naomi drew her card before briefly glancing at the drawn card. Her eyes widened slightly, but then she narrowed them.
"Battle! Odd-Eyes Light Dragon Attack Colossal Warrior/Assault Mode!"
Odd-Eyes Light Dragon powered up its attack as the Synchro Monster was heading towards him at a great speed.
"When Odd-Eyes Light Dragon is Synchro Summoned, all card effects you control are negated, and you cannot activate card effects until the End Phase!" Naomi shouted. Izumi quickly discarded a card from her hand.
"Then I will chain your effect! I discard The Fabled Alicorn to prevent my monsters from being destroyed by battle! I banish this card to reduce the Battle Damage to 0!"
Naomi clicked her tongue in annoyance. She looked back at the card she had drawn and nodded.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Fairies Recovery' I tribute Duclina to gain LP equal to her ATK."
Duclina disappears in a speck of gold dust as the dust envelopes Naomi restoring her LP to 3800.
"I set a card and end my turn," Naomi concluded her turn, knowing she won't attack since it would be pointless if she couldn't inflict damage to Izumi's LP. But she hoped this at least gets her message across, not just to her but to Yuki.
"Yuki-san, please hear this..." Naomi thought before turning her attention back to Izumi.
"Isn't the cards in your deck what connected you and your mother this entire time?" Naomi said. Izumi's eyes widened.
"I know someone who is going through the same pain you went through when you lost your mother. So I won't tell you that you should abandon your ideal because you feel like you will lose the connection between you and your father. But aren't you losing the connection between your mother when you used your fabled Deck?"
Izumi felt a vein pop out of her head. "That's because I relied on that Deck way too much! Whenever I used my fabled Deck, it proves I'm strong to throw away any emotional attachment I had towards that Deck, especially if it fails me in the end!" Izumi yelled.
"That's where you're wrong! You're willing to throw away one Deck for another if it means you will become stronger, which is stupid! Especially if that Deck is something your mother left behind is completely idiotic!" Naomi shouted back.
It was almost as if she was willing to become a different person if it meant she'll achieve victory is completely stupid to Naomi. She wouldn't be this upset if the two decks Izumi used represented herself. She has a connection to her fabled Deck, but hearing that the only Deck she has an emotional connection to is her Warrior-Type Deck. And now she's willing to throw it away for power. It made Naomi upset.
"Bonds can be weakened, but they cannot be broken so easily, so don't underestimate them. Even if that person is no longer here, they are still connected to you. Their feelings, hopes, and dreams left behind are still connected to us to ensure we fulfill them" Naomi looked at Izumi with a serious expression on her face. "Please, don't let your mother's feelings go in vain, Izumi-san."
Izumi was awestruck and couldn't retaliate against Naomi's words.
"I'll listen to what you have to say if you defeat me!" Izumi shouted, narrowing her eyes. She then drew for her turn.
Turn 5
H:1-2
"I activate the Spell Card 'Cards of Sanctity' so we each draw until we have six in our hand" Izumi smirked. "But you have six in your hand, so I will be the one who will draw six cards."
Izumi draws her cards. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Guarded Treasure' by discarding five cards. I can draw two" Izumi discards her hand and draw two new cards.
"I activate The Fabled Catsith effect when it's discarded to the Graveyard. I can destroy a card on the field. I choose to destroy Odd-Eyes Light Dragon!"
A cat figure appeared and shot lightning toward the dual-colored dragon causing it to roar in pain before disappearing. Naomi apologized to her dragon for being unable to protect it from destruction. Odd-Eyes Light Dragon growled, reassuring her worries.
"The Fabled Cerburrel and Ganashia's Effect activates! I can Special Summon them from my Graveyard! Arise my monsters!" Izumi shouted. Two monsters from the dark tales jumped from the portal.
Ganashia: Light/Level 3/Beast/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1000
Cerburrel: Light/Level 2/Beast/Tuner/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 400
"Fabled Krus' effect allows me to Special Summon Fabled Topi from my Graveyard."
A little female demon appeared on the field with mischief in her eyes.
Light/Level 1/Fiend/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 200
"I release Ganaisha to Advance Summon Fabled Dianaira through its effect. Next, Topi's effect allows me to destroy two Spell or Trap Cards on the field since you control more cards than me. I reveal a second Alicorn to destroy your Pendulum Scales!" Izumi activated her card's effect.
Topi blasted two light streams towards Naomi's Pendulum Scales, destroying them with her power.
"I tune Level 8 Dianaira to Level 2 Cerburrel! Deity of the seven sins, rise up to claim all the evil in this world! Synchro Summon! Level 10, Fabled Leviathan!"
Fabled Leviathan descended on the field as Naomi felt nervous about its presence.
Light/Level 10/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2000
"Then I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'The Fabled's Tale' to increase Leviathan's ATK by 1000, and my monster can attack twice per turn," Izuno explained. "That's not all! I activate Envoy of Beginning's effect. When this card destroys a monster by battle, he can attack again."
Izumi smirked and snapped her fingers, increasing Leviathan's ATK to 4000.
"Battle! First Colossal Warrior/Assault Mode attack Fairy Cheer Girl!"
"Fairy Cheer Girl's ATK is 1100 because of Colossal Warrior/Assault Mode's effect. If Naomi takes this damage, she will have 1600 LP," Tatsuya noted.
"She will be fine Tatsuya-kun. After all, Naomi-chan promises me that she will win," Yuzu reassured the worried children. She recalled the conversation she had will Naomi before her duel.
Flashback_One hour ago_
Naomi was getting ready to head to the Arena when Yuzu stopped her. "Yuzu-chan," Naomi mumbled. "Are you here to see me off?"
Naomi was confused when she didn't hear a response. "I just want to know why you didn't do it?" Yuzu asked. The matter had been nagging her mind ever since that day. When she saw Naomi shake her head, it made her feel confused. She kept wondering why didn't she say it.
Naomi gave a closed-eye smile. "I just couldn't do it because you're my friend Yuzu-chan. I don't want to hurt my friend, even if it is the boy I like. I just couldn't do that to you."
Naomi told the truth about her actions. Naomi didn't feel like it was right. Even though the mood was right and she could have said it, she didn't because of her friendship with Yuzu. Call her naive, but that's how she felt during that time.
Yuzu was taken aback. She then pouted and pinched Naomi's cheeks. "Then promise me you will win this duel, and maybe after the Championships is over, we will confess together. Okay," Yuzu said, letting go of Naomi's cheeks.
"A-Alright, I promise I won't lose. Besides, I have to show Izumi I've improved over the past week just like how you did with Masumi-san," Naomi mentioned, "it's because of that I will not lose to anyone until Izumi-san and I settle our score! I promise!"
Yuzu smiled and patted Naomi's back. "Alright. I'll hold you on to those words. So give it your best shot and excite the crowd, Naomi-chan."
Naomi grinned. "Of course I will, Yuzu-chan!"
Flashback Ends_
"I send Alice to the Graveyard to negate Fairy Cheer Girl's destruction from battle!" Naomi yelled. She winced from the damage and fell from her platform, but luckily her monster caught her from falling. She thanked her monster for being there to catch her when she needed it the most.
Naomi:3800-2200=1600 LP
"But I have another attack left! Envoy of the Beginning attack!" Izumi reminded Naomi as she went for another attack.
"I reveal my set card! Quick-Play Spell 'Rank-Up Magic: Dark Fairy' by using Fairy Cheer Girl as material to perform a Rank-Up!" Naomi activated her card before the attack could touch her Xyz Monster.
"Then if Fairy Cheer Girl can't raise our broken spirits, then let your darken form raise our hopes! Rank-Up Chaos Xyz Change! Rank 5! Chaos Xyz: Dark Fairy Cheer Girl!" Naomi chanted as Dark Fairy Cheer Girl appeared on the field as she appeared with two dark Overlay Units right in front of her as she stood behind them gracefully.
Dark/Rank 5/Fairy/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 1900/OU:2
"I banish the Rank-Up Magic: Dark Fairy, so Dark Fairy Cheer Girl gains 1000 ATK!" Naomi is increased her own monster's ATK to 3500. Higher than Envoy of Beginning's ATK.
"Counterattack! Dark Fairy Cheer Girl!" Naomi yelled.
The recently Rank-Up Monster twirled her weapon as she spun around, colliding with Envoy of Beginning. The faster she turned, the quicker her attack was over, especially when the monster was enveloped in a tornado. Eventually was destroyed.
Izumi:3000-500=2500 LP
"Since I destroyed your monster, Izumi-san! You take 400 damage for each card in my hand, I have five, so you take 2000 damage!" Naomi mentioned. Dark Fairy Cheer Girl blasted, five beams hitting Izumi all at once. However, the girl still stood her ground despite taking major damage.
Izumi:2500-2000=500 LP
"Nevertheless, I have two more attacks! Attack Leviathan!" Izumi growled.
Leviathan blasted two blasts at Dark Fairy Cheer Girl, destroying her on impact.
"I send Pendulum Kuriboh, so during this turn, the damage I take this turn becomes 0!" Naomi shouted, sending her Pendulum Monster to the Graveyard.
"When Chaos Xyz: Dark Fairy Cheer Girl is destroyed, I draw one card" Naomi drew her card and added it to her hand.
"With that, I end my turn" Izumi finished her turn. "If you want to convince me that these so-called bonds are precious or still there despite the person being dead, you are wasting your time."
"I'm not wasting my time! I will convince you that your bond with your mother is still there!" Naomi countered. She placed a hand on her Deck and drew her card.
Naomi knew what her game plan was. She will defeat Izumi for the sake of her opening her eyes and healing her wounded heart. Even though this is also about her pride, Naomi also has another reason to fight. She glanced at the stands and hoped Yuya cheered up from what happened in his previous match. She knew what Yuzu what trying to do in her match, and now she had to finish the job. Besides, she made a promise that she will win. She can't give up now.
Turn 6
H:7-8
"I activate the Spell Card 'Foolish Burial' to send Blue Nyx to the Graveyard" Naomi started her turn by sending a blue fairy with small wings to the cemetery. But this was all part of her plan.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Iris Fusion' to Fuse Bright Iris Magician and Dark Doriado!" Naomi yelled, fusing her monsters as she chanted.
"Beautiful creature with dichromatic eyes! Magician of the elements! Combine your powers to create a new kind of hope! Fusion Summon! Magician of the dichromatic dragon! Appear, Pendulum Iris Magician!"
Pendulum Iris Magician waved her magician's cane. She giggled when she heard the crowd cheer.
Dark/Level 8/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000
"When Bright Iris Magician is used as material. That monster gained 2500 ATK!"
The dual-colored eyes wizard waved her cane as her ATK was increased to 5000.
"Battle! Pendulum Iris Magician attack Colossal Warrior/Assault Mode!" Naomi commands her monster.
Pendulum Iris Magician blast a beam of different colors toward the stone warrior.
"When she battles, her ATK is double until the End Phase! So her ATK is now 10,000!" Naomi revealed, nearly causing everyone to shout in surprise.
"10,000 ATK! If this attack connects, then Mizuno will lose!" Nico announced, holding the microphone tightly.
"That won't happen! I send Alicorn to the Graveyard to negate my monster's destruction by battle. I banish this card to reduce the damage I take to 0! You lose Naomi!" Izumi shouted. Naomi's face broke out in a grin.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Celestial Transformation' to Special Summon Athena, the Fairy Warrior from my hand! However, her ATK is halved, and her effects are negated" Naomi quickly activated a card from her hand.
Her newly evolved monster appeared on her field, and she nodded to Pendulum Iris Magician.
Light/Level 7/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 1800/P.S:1
"I banish Blue Nyx to fuse my monsters! I fuse Athena and Pendulum Iris!" Naomi cries out. Blue Nyx formed a spiral as the declared monsters went into the spiral.
"The magician of the dual-colored dragon! The fairy warrior! Combine your power into a new kind of hope! Fusion Summon! The bright magician of the land! Krineas, the Bright Magician!"
An orange-haired woman with gold eyes wearing similar clothes to Pendulum Iris Magician however, the color of her clothes was white and yellow.
She wielded a staff in her hands and winked, causing cheers in the crowd.
Light/Level 7/Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 2100
"When Athena leaves the field, I can place her in my Pendulum Zone" Naomi added. Her monster was in a pillar as she gave a smile to her master, who responded with a smile of her own.
"Now, when Krineas is Fusion Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or Lower monster from my Graveyard. However, this monster will have its effects negated. So come forth, Marian, in Defense Position~."
Marian rose in a water stream as she sat on a platform waiting for her master's next order.
"Battle! Krineas attack Fabled Leviathan!" Naomi demanded. Krineas nodded and charged towards the other side.
"However, Leviathan ATK is 4000-!" Izumi mentioned.
"I know that!" Naomi interjected before playing a card from her hand.
"Quick-Play Spell 'Light Brillance' since I control a LIGHT Monster. All monsters you control ATK are changed to 0! This is the end Izumi Mizuno!"
When Krineas got close to the weakened monster, she blasted a huge light that nearly blinded everyone with the intensity of the light. But to Izumi, she saw something in the light. She saw her mother, and that's when she remembered her last words.
"Remember people are alone in this world...it's because they are alone that they want to rely on each other during the harsh times...it's not a sign of weakness to do it, but it's a sign of strength that you are willing to lend someone a shoulder to cry on. And who knows, maybe you will need a shoulder to cry on... Remember that Izumi, Kaede."
"M-Mother," Izumi whispered, feeling her eyes become wet with tears. She closed them so they wouldn't fall. She feels like a fool. In her harsh conditions had forgotten her mother's last words all this time. But now she remembered them. Maybe she won't start immediately, but she will at least try to lend a helping hand or shoulder to someone who might need it. Because soon enough, she's going to need it as well.
Izumi:500-2600=0 LP
"There we have it, folks. The winner of this match is You Show Duel School Naomi Kobiyashi!" Nico shouted. The stands cheered, especially Chou, who was doing the glow stick dance rapidly, causing the surrounding people to look at her.
"C-Chou," Shuzo muttered. Everyone in the area laughed nervously except for Yuya, who was still amazed by his friend's performance in their duels.
He remembered the promise he had made with Yuto. He feels so foolish that he broke his promise because of some unknown malicious intent from the other day. He doesn't know if it will happen again, but he knows that he will keep his promise to Yuto and find out what happened to his dad.
In the Kobiyashi Residence_Naomi's Room_
Naomi was exhausted after a tiring yet fulfilling day and wanted some rest. She was glad Yuya finally snapped out of his depressed state and reignited his vow to his lookalike. But when Naomi was just about to be at peace that everything would be somewhat back to normal, she received an email from Yuki stating a duelist from Academia was here. She has the same face as Yuzu. The message stated that Academia would be coming here to get Serena back and captured her in the process. Yuki also informed her that she and Yuzu would be kidnapped as well because they have similar faces to their counterparts.
Because of Yuki's message, Naomi was feeling restless. She was going to inform her friends about Academia invading the Maiami Championship but told them not to tell everyone unless the invasion actually happened.
Naomi sighed quietly and looked down at her birthmark, wondering when she had this birthmark. She recalled the pictures she saw when she was younger. That her birthmark wasn't noticeable until she was ten years old. But otherwise, her birthmark wasn't glowing. She wasn't seeing any of her dimensional counterparts' memories, and she didn't create cards (well, that part wasn't bad for her), but it was still strange.
Naomi got up from her bed and decided to come clean with her mother about everything except for anything relating to Academia. She entered her mother's room and lay down on her bed, surprising Chou with her actions. Chou put her book aside to see what was wrong with her daughter. She knows that whenever Naomi comes into her room, she has a nightmare or has something on her mind.
"What's wrong, Naomi?" Chou asked, patting Naomi on the head, and was shocked when Naomi suddenly embraced her out of nowhere.
"Okaa-san," Naomi chewed on her lower lip and wanted to ask her mother some questions. For starters, did Chou know why her daughter's birthmark glows green whenever she is near Yuki? Or why does Naomi see and witness her counterpart's memories as if they were her own? But The yellow-green-haired girl knew that if she didn't know, how would her mother know about her phenomenal birthmark? So with that thought in mind, Naomi decided to go with this route.
"I want you to understand the situation the best way you can, and even if you don't, then can you at least try to" Naomi requested, sitting up. Chou nodded slowly and sat up as well.
Naomi took a deep breath and told the entire story of hers, Yuya's, and Yuzu's dimensional counterparts. The four dimensions, and she involuntarily includes Academia because of Sora. She noticed her mother's reaction and could literally see the gears turning in her head.
Naomi turned her attention to her birthmark.
"Well, ever since that day Yuya-san discovered Pendulum Summon, that was the first time my birthmark started to glow. However, later on, my birthmark glows because of my counterparts" Naomi mentioned her lookalike again.
"The three girls that look like you?" Chou recalled. Naomi confirms by nodding.
"Yes! For instance, the two people that you saw running away from Sora-kun that night weren't 'me' and 'Yuya-san.' It was Yuki-san and Yuto."
Naomi finished her story about receiving memories of the past couple of weeks. Chou continued to blink for a couple of minutes until she just rested her hands on Naomi's shoulders.
"Well, I'm still on the part where there are people who look like you and Yuya-kun, honestly. But you've been receiving someone else's memories," Chou commented. She pressed her hand on Naomi's forehead. She wasn't just confused but hurt that her daughter didn't talk to her about all of this earlier. Maybe they could have figured it out together, but Naomi still had that habit of keeping things to herself. But Chou decided that Naomi knew what she was doing. She will trust her daughter with her decisions.
"As you said, Naomi. I don't understand, but I'm sure everything will be just fine" Chou removed her hand from Naomi's forehead to place it on her cheek. "I just know it."
Naomi nodded meekly and asked Chou if she could sleep in her bed for tonight for old times. Chou beamed as Naomi laid down next to her mother and wondered why she had the same feeling as the night when she'd encountered her Synchro counterpart. It was like her gut knew...
That whatever happened that night was simply the tip of the iceberg for what was about to come.
Oc Cards
Naomi:
• Salvation Pendulum _Quick-Play Spell
When you have two or more Fairy-Type Pendulum Monsters in your Extra Deck: you can add Two Pendulum Monsters from your Deck and them to your hand.
•Blue Nyx
Wind/Level 1/Fairy/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 1500
This card is treated as the Spell Card 'Fusion' by discarding one Spell Card from your hand. During your Battle Phase(Quick Effect): You can banish this card from your Graveyard to Fusion Summon using monsters you control as Fusion Materials.
• Krineas, the Bright Magician
Light/Level 7/Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 2100
1 Fusion Monster + 1 Pendulum Monster
When this card is Fusion Summoned: You can Special Summon a Level 4 or Lower Monster in your Graveyard. However, that monster has its effects negated. This card can attack your opponent directly. When this card inflicts Battle Damage to your Opponent; you can negate all effects your Opponent controls until the End Phase of your next Turn.
Izumi:
• Warrior's Greed_Spell
You can draw a card for each Warrior-Type Monster you control.
Author's Note: Here is Chapter 25. The next chapter is the Battle Royale. This chapter gave Izumi a little backstory instead of just it being a duel between her and Naomi. Speaking of Naomi, she discussed her mother with truth and everything else that seemed to be going on in the girl's life. As well as Yuto's feeling whenever he sees Yuki through Yuya hence the tear. The next chapter will probably be two-part depending on how long I want to make it. But otherwise, see you next time~ and happy holidays!