Chapter three and it will be Yuri vs Serena! For people that really like YurixSerena, I will up-front say that this chapter will not be that romantic since Yuri and Serena's relationship is not that romantic...at all. Especially when compared to the other pairs.
I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V! I hope you enjoy!
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*Clap-tap clap-tap clap-tap*
Sound of Serena's boots echoed throughout the empty halls of Academia. She shifted her gaze from left to right constantly, as if she was on a lookout for something or someone. She stopped her walk for a few seconds to listen if she could hear any other footsteps or sounds, but there was nothing. The entire island was eerily quiet. She continued walking until she came across a classroom. The clock was 10:00 AM, which under the normal circumstances would've meant that there was a class going on in there. But when she looked inside, she saw an empty classroom, with the only thing off about it being the numerous cards on the floor. Serena walked inside and bend down to grab one of the cards. She flipped it over and wasn't surprised to see the image of a horrified Academia student in it.
''Has he really gotten to everyone...'' Serena muttered as she put the card back down. She had no intention of taking it or any of the other cards with her. When she turned back towards the door, she stopped for a moment. Next to the door was a huge cut, as if hit by a claw or a fang or something like that and next to it, was a big bloodstain. ''Ugh.'' Serena grimaced and saw that there were five cards floating in the pool of blood, she didn't need to check them to know what kind of cards they were. ''That dragon...'' It and its user were truly too deadly. Serena left the classroom, making sure to avoid getting blood on her shoes. She didn't want to leave behind any footprints.
Once outside, she continued walking towards her destination. She walked past Academia's garden, which was really only a garden in name only. It was just called that since it was the only green area in the school. But now even that area was filled with cards, some face-down and some face-up. Serena turned her gaze away from there, not wanting to stare at carded people more than she already had. The next door she was standing in front of was much bigger and elaborate than any other door in the entire school. It was a door she had walked through many times, but never before alone. She pushed the door open and frowned. She hated this room.
''Professor...'' The room was very large, with multiple pillars on the sides and one long blue carpet laid out from the door to the back of the room, where there were a few stairs and an empty throne. Behind that throne was a large window that flashed with mysterious green light. ''He's gone as well.'' Serena walked closer to the empty throne and studied it. There wasn't any cards in sight, meaning he must've taken it with him when he...
''Found you.'' Serena froze at the sound of that sickly voice. ''The two of us are the only ones here, you couldn't hide forever.'' Serena clenched her fists and turned around to see a boy in royal-looking clothing standing at the door, duel disk in his left hand and a pile of cards in the right. The boy had a very striking purple hair and an amused grin on his face. His purple eyes were fully focused on the girl in front of him.
''Yuri.'' Serena glared at the boy, who didn't seem to mind the glare one little bit. She then turned her attention to the cards in his hand. ''So you're saying those are the last ones?'' Serena asked and Yuri looked at the cards nonchalantly.
''I suppose so. At least I didn't see anyone else besides you.'' Yuri then threw the cards on the ground around him, not caring where they dropped. He looked back at Serena to see her still glaring at him. ''Don't look at me like that. I'm just doing what Professor told me to.'' Yuri shrugged his shoulders.
''I don't think Professor would have wanted you to card him...or the entire Academia!'' Serena yelled with her arm outstreched. She was about to say more when Yuri started laughing. It wasn't the kind of laugh you did when you had heard a good joke. It was the laugh you did when you were mocking someone. Serena was about to yell him to be quiet, when he stopped laughing, but that mocking smile was still there.
''Sora.'' Serena blinked at the sudden mention of a name, only for Yuri to continue. ''Grace. Gloria. Noro. Edo. Barrett. Dennis...''
''Why are you listing those names?'' She recognized a few of them of course, but...
''People I've carded. I listed them to see if you would react in some way to any of them. You didn't. So don't even try to pretend that you care about anything that happens to students of this place.'' Yuri laughed again as Serena grit her teeth and looked away from him. She had no counterargument to that. ''And don't even try to say that you care about this place. All it has ever been to you, is a prison. Nothing more, nothing less.'' Yuri said, making Serena clench her fist even tighter.
''What do you think you know about me?!'' Serena yelled at the boy who was being much too smug to her liking. Just like with her glares, Yuri was unfazed by the yelling and kept his constant grin. ''You and I were never friends so don't even pretend you know what I think.'' Serena added as she took a few steps closer to Yuri.
''Oh, but I do know. Your constant escape attempts were the talk of Academia after all. There wasn't a single person here who didn't know about you and your attemps to get Professor to recognize your strength.'' Yuri said as he dug his pocket for a card and held up in his hand. ''Kind of hard to do that now though.'' He flipped the card around to show Leo Akaba in it, who didn't look horrified as much as...shocked? Serena stopped walking for a moment as she stared at the card. ''A reaction? I guess on some level you cared about him, even if he kept you imprisoned here.'' Yuri put the card back in his pocket, not wanting to throw away such a great-looking card. Serena stayed quiet, she couldn't explain how she felt about that man anyway, she didn't herself understand it. Why, despite everything, he felt like a father to her? It made no sense.
''You've carded nearly everyone now, what are you going to do next?'' Serena asked and Yuri looked little bit shocked at the question.
''I dunno.'' He said, making his voice sound a bit higher than usual to sound more childish. Serena just rolled her eyes, knowing he liked to mess with people like that. ''Maybe I card you next.'' Yuri glanced between his duel disk and Serena, who had raised her duel disk up in preparation.
''If you're claiming to still follow Professor's orders, that means you can't card me...or the others.'' Serena glanced at her bracelet. She and the other girls with the bracelets, Professor had never explained to her why they were important and now he never would...
''But that's so boring!'' There was that exaggerated reaction again, Serena couldn't understand why he enjoyed them so much. But then he smirked widely again, showing that he was serious. ''Maybe I'll ignore that order for now.'' Yuri said and then Serena activated her duel disk, making Yuri chuckle. ''You're really going to duel me? What's the point? Even if you win, nothing would change, no one would come back. I can't imagine you duel for vengeance either when even your feelings towards Professor are mixed.'' Yuri said and Serena was quiet for a few seconds, mulling over her thoughts and Yuri's words. It was true that she couldn't say that she was fighting for Academia, but..
''I'll do it for my pride. My pride as a warrior and as a duelist. My pride that won't allow you to continue carding every single person in all the dimensions.'' Serena's deck auto-shuffled itself. All she had to do was get her opening hand and the duel would start, no going back after that. Yuri activated his duel disk as well, grinning widely.
''Pride? You're forgetting something here Serena, I'm Academia's pride. I'm the best duelist here and I'll make sure to crush every little inch of that non-existent pride of yours!'' Yuri's deck auto-shuffled itself as well and he drew his opening hand.
''Duel!''
Yuri's Life Points: 4000
Serena's Life Points: 4000
''I take the first turn.'' Yuri smirked when he saw his hand. This was going to be way too easy. ''I Normal Summon Predaplant Cephalotus Snail.'' Yuri's first monster was a large snail-like creature with small leaves sprouting out of it.
Attribute: Dark Type: Plant Atk: 1300 Def: 1200 Level: 4
''Then I set two cards face-down and end my turn.'' Yuri said and noticed that Serena was just staring at him with a baffled expression on her face. ''What's wrong? Want to give up already?'' Yuri hoped not. This really would be boring if she did that.
''You claim to be Academia's pride, yet that's your first move. You didn't even Fusion Summon!'' Even the lowest ranked students did some fusion plays on their first turn. Yuri just chuckled again, to which Serena responded with another glare.
''I don't need to Fusion Summon on my first turn to beat you.'' Yuri said nonchalantly, not caring about how angry Serena was getting.
''Fine then. I show you how a real fusion duelist plays.'' Serena drew, but she didn't need to take a look at the card. She had already decided on what to do when she saw her opening hand. ''I discard Lunalight Black Sheep to the Graveyard to add Polymerization from my Deck to my hand. Then I Normal Summon Lunalight White Rabbit.'' Serena's first monster was a masked bunny girl with long legs and white hair, wielding a mallet in her hand.
Attribute: Dark Type: Beast-Warrior Atk: 800 Def: 800 Level: 2
''When White Rabbit is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Lunalight from my Graveyard in Defense Position and obviously I choose Lunalight Black Sheep.'' Rabbit swung her mallet downwards, creating a portal through which jumped out a black-suited female with some sheep woal on her, along with sheep horns.
Attribute: Dark Type: Beast-Warrior Atk: 100 Def: 600 Level: 2
''Oh, two Level 2 monsters. Are you going to Xyz Summon?'' Yuri giggled, clearly amused by his own joke.
''As if! I activate White Rabbit's second effect. Once per turn, I can return spell and trap cards my opponent controls to their hand, equal to number of other Lunalight monsters I control. I return the card on the right.'' Serena pointed at the said card. White Rabbit swung her mallet side-ways which returned the set card to Yuri's hand, but he didn't really seem all that concerned. ''Then I activate Polymerization to fuse together White Rabbit and Black Sheep! The lively white rabbit illuminated by moonlight! The beast lurking in jet-black darkness ! Swam in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Lunalight Cat Dancer!'' The combined form of the two monsters was an elegant human-like cat, who danced as she took the stage.
Attribute: Dark Type: Beast-Warrior Atk: 2400 Def: 2000 Level: 7
''I activate Black Sheep's effect! If it's sent to the grave as a fusion material, I can return a Lunalight from my grave to my hand and I choose White Rabbit. See that Yuri? This is how you duel with fusions.'' Unless it was absolutely necessary or you knew you were going to win, you shouldn't waste too much resources on a Fusion Monster without gaining some back. You never knew what kind of traps your opponent might have after all.
''You'll regret trying to lecture me on Fusion Summons.'' Yuri said as he looked at a certain card in his hand.
''Next I activate a Spell Card, Luna Light Perfume! With this card, I can Special Summon a Lunalight monster from my Graveyard and I choose Black Sheep!'' The butler-like monster appeared back on to the field with a bow. ''Then I activate Cat Dancer's effect! By tributing Black Sheep, Cat Dancer can attack each of your monsters twice, but they aren't destroyed by the first attack.'' Black Sheep bowed even deeper in front of Cat Dancer as it disappeared and Cat Dancer was surrounded by purple aura. ''Now Cat Dancer, attack Cephalotus Snail!'' Cat Dancer jumped towards its prey, sharp claws outstreched. ''I activate Cat Dancer's effect! When she declares an attack, you lose 100 Life Points!'' Yuri just shrugged his shoulders. As if damage like that would matter to him.
Yuri's Life Points: 3900
''I activate a Continuous Trap, Predator Infection! Now whenever a Predaplant monster I control battles an opponent's monster, that monster gains a Predator Counter!'' Cephalotus Snail was surrounded by spores and as soon as Cat Dancer made contact with it, those spores surrounded her as well and formed a floating carnivirous plant head next to her. ''Not only that, but while Cephalotus Snail is in Attack Position, it can't be destroyed by battle and all battle damage I get from battles involving it is halved!'' Cat Dancer's claws couldn't get through the snail's body and she jumped back to Serena's side of the field.
Yuri's Life Points: 3350
''Cat Dancer, ready for round two!'' Serena declared and Cat Dancer jumped towards the smaller monster once again. ''I activate Cat Dancer's effect again, since she declared an attack, you lose 100 life points!''
Yuri's Life Points: 3250
''You think you can win by just poking at me?'' Yuri asked, still not sounding all that concerned about what was going on. Cat Dancer threw two crescent blades at the plant monster, but the crests just bounced off, not destroying the monster.
Yuri's Life points: 2700
''You can call it poking, but that's still 1300 damage to you in one turn alone.'' Serena said, though she couldn't help being a bit disappointed. If it wasn't for Cephalotus Snail's effect, she would have inflicted even more damage. ''I set three cards face-down and end my turn.'' Serena said and Yuri looked at the face-down cards puzzled.
''Three face-downs? Seriously?'' Yuri chuckled a little as he drew his next card. ''From what I heard, you prefer offensive tactics, even sometimes going for one turn kills if you can and very rarely rely on traps. And now you're setting three of them?'' Yuri laughed even harder as he put his right hand onto the side of his face. ''Are you that scared of me?'' He smirked and titled his head a bit, making Serena glare. She really didn't care for his mannerisms.
''There's no reason for me to explain my duel strategies to you.'' Serena said harshly as Yuri kept on smirking.
''What a shame...Oh well, if you want me to Fusion Summon so badly, I'll grant you your wish. I Normal Summon Predaplant Sundew Kingii.'' To the field crawled a hybrid of a lizard and a plant, green with red spots all over it.
Attribute: Dark Type: Plant Atk: 800 Def: 200 Level: 2
''All that talk about managing your resources with Fusion Summons...I'll show you how to really do it! With Sundew Kingii's effect, not only can I Fusion Summon, I can use my opponent's monsters with Predator Counters as Fusion Materials!'' Yuri smirked wider than ever before as Serena took a step back in shock.
''You can what?!'' Use her monsters as materials? In that case...he was only going to lose one card in this Fusion Summon!
''As it so happens I have a Fusion Monster that requires a Predaplant and a Dark Attribute monster. I activate Sundew Kingii's effect to fuse together it and Cat Dancer! Plant reptile that indulges in darkness! A dancer consumed by her inner demons! Now become one and create true despair! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Predaplant Chimera Rafflesia!'' Much to Serena's horror, her monster was used to summon a giant plant monster with a flower in the middle and multiple drooling heads coming out of its vines.
Attribute: Dark Type: Plant Atk: 2500 Def: 2000 Level: 7
''See why you shouldn't have lectured me on Fusion Summons? Now you're without a monster and I have one of my favorites.'' Chimera Rafflesia's many vine heads snapped at Serena, looking very ready to take a bite out of her. ''Looks like my monster is impatient...and to be honest so am I. Chimera Rafflesia, attack Serena directly!'' The numerous vines headed towards the fusion duelist, but she was prepared.
''I activate my Trap Card, Emergency Fusion! When my opponent attacks directly, I can banish Polymerization or a Spell Card with Fusion on it from my grave, to Special Summon a Fusion Monster from my graveyard in Attack Position, but it's destroyed at the end of Battle Phase. I banish Polymerization and summon back Cat Dancer!'' The elegant beast dancer returned to the field, clearly unpleased to have been used in a fusion of such an abomination.
''Pointless. Chimera Rafflesia attacks Cat Dancer and at this moment, I activate its effect. When an attack is declared involving it, I can reduce my opponent's monster attack by 1000 and increase its own attack by 1000!'' Serena's eyes widened as the gulf between their monster's attack was suddenly increased from 100 to a total of 2100! She had hoped to reduce the damage she would take this turn with her trap, but she had only managed to reduce it by meager 400! The only good thing was that Cat Dancer couldn't be destroyed by battle. So as much as Chimera Rafflesia's vines kept hitting her, she withstood it. Yet, few of them hit Serena as well, but she managed to stay on her feet.
Serena's Life Points: 1900
''Looks like you spared yourself a direct attack from Cephalotus Snail so i suppose that accomplished something. I end my Battle Phase and at this moment, your Cat Dancer is destroyed.'' Serena nodded as her monster disappeared in a flash, but she wasn't concerned.
''I activate another Trap Card, Lunalight Reincarnation Dance! When a monster I control is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can add two Lunalight monsters from my deck to my hand.'' ''And considering that monster's effect, going for a double attack fusion might not be my best bet...'' ''I add Lunalight Blue Cat and Kaleido Chick to my hand.'' Losing some life points was definitelly worth it for getting some new monsters to her hand.
''I see, so that's why you used your Trap Card. I set the card you so rudely returned to my hand last turn and end my turn.'' Serena raised an eyebrow. Why would he emphasize that? In any case, she got a bad feeling about that set card.
''My turn! I activate a Spell Card, Lunar Draw! When there's a Fusion Monster on the field, I can draw two cards and then discard one Lunalight Monster. '' Serena drew two cards and saw a way for her to get out of this situation. ''I discard Lunalight Crimson Fox, activating her effect! When she's sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can target a monster my opponent controls and that monster's attack becomes 0. I think it's obvious which one I choose.'' Chimera Rafflesia was blinded by moonlight shining all over it, dropping its attack to a total and absolute zero. ''Then I Normal Summon Lunalight Kaleido Chick.'' To Serena's field landed a yellow and young-looking girl who was flying on a hang-glider like device.
Attribute: Dark Type: Beast-Warrior Atk: 1400 Def: 800 Level: 4
''How cute. Sorry to say, but you need more than a 1400 difference to beat my Fusion Monster.'' Yuri said and Serena knew he was right. Thanks to its effect, even with 0 attack, she would need more than 2000 Attack.
''Do you think I don't know that?'' Serena asked and Yuri nodded immediately, knowing it would get under her skin. ''I banish Luna Light Perfume from my Graveyard to activate its effect. I discard Blue Cat and add Purple Butterfly from my deck to my hand. Then I discard Purple Butterfly to activate her effect! By targeting Kaleido Chick, she gains 1000 more attack!'' Purple Butterfly floated around its fellow female monster for a while, boosting its attack to 2400. ''Now, Kaleido Chick, attack Chimera Rafflesia!'' The said monster took flight on her hang-glider towards the enemy beast.
''I activate Chimera Rafflesia's effect! When an attack is declared involving it, the opponent's monster loses 1000 attack while Chimera Rafflesia gains 1000 Attack!'' Yuri said, but even with that, the difference between the attacks was still 400. Kaleido Chick dodged all the vines and kicked the appaling plant monster in the face, destroying it.
Yuri's Life Points: 2300
''Also, since your monster battled a Predaplant monster I control, Kaleido Chick gains a Predator Counter.'' Yuri pointed out as a floating carnivorous head appeared close to the bird-looking monster.
''Fine by me, I activate a Trap Card, Lunalight Slash! At the end of the Battle Phase, I can destroy cards you control up to the number of Lunalight Monsters I control. I destroy Cephalotus Snail!'' A giant claw emerged from Serena's Trap Card and slashed the smail monster to million little pieces.
''If there's no Predaplant monster on my field, Predator Infection is destroyed.'' Yuri said, though he still didn't look concerned in the slightests, making Serena frustrated. What did it take for this guy to lose his cool?
''Thanks to Lunalight Slash's other effect, I can draw one card. I set a card face-down and end my turn.'' Serena realized it wasn't her best turn, but at least she got rid of Chimera Rafflesia, Cephalotus Snail and Predator Infection so it wasn't a total loss.
''My turn. On my Standby Phase, Chimera Rafflesia's effect activates. Since it was sent to the graveyard since last Standby Phase, I get to add 1 Polymerization or a Spell with Fusion in its name from my deck to my hand. Of course, I add Polymerization.'' Yuri smirked as he did that and Serena knew that she was in trouble. A new Fusion Monster was clearly coming. ''I'm going to make use of your monster again okay? I tribute your monster to Special Summon Predaplant Drosophyllum Hydra in Defense Position.'' Kaleido Chick was suddnely ensnared by vines and they crushed her completely. Afterwards those vines returned to Yuri's side of the field and formed a monster with a lizard-like head, multiple vines and a mouth in the middle of its body.
Attribute: Dark Type: Plant Atk: 800 Def: 2300 Level 5
''This monster can be Special Summoned by tributing a monster with Predator Counter on it, like your Kaleido Chick.'' Serena grit her teeth. Twice now he has made use of her monsters. She had to make sure he pays on her next turn. ''Then I set a monster face-down...'' Serena gulped at this. She was sure that that was a Dark Attribute monster and now he had two of them on the field and Polymerization in his hand. There was no doubt about it, he was going to summon...''I end my turn here.'' Serena's jaw dropped. He...He didn't summon it? But he had every chance to!
''You...Are you going easy on me?'' Serena asked, her tone notably lower and angrier than before.
''Now, what ever would give you that idea?'' Yuri said, exaggerating his tone to make it sound more childish again.
''You could've summoned Starving Venom yet you didn't! Aren't you supposed to be Academia's pride!?'' Serena asked, fists clenched and with rage in her eyes. Going easy on her...no one would get to do that!
''Didn't I tell you? I intend to detroy every bit of your non-existent pride and what better way to do so...than to beat you while still going easy on you?'' Yuri asked with an amused smirk, which made Serena's blood boil even more.
''I'll make you regret those words! My turn!'' Serena drew her card with amazing amount of force, but she didn't really care for what it was. She had already decided on what to do last turn. ''I once again Normal Summon Lunalight White Rabbit.'' The rabbit monster with the mallet took the stage. ''With her effect, I Special Summon from my Graveyard, Cat Dancer in Defense Position.'' The mature dancer shook and twisted her body as she returned elegantly to the field. ''Then I activate White Rabbit's second effect, returning your set card to your hand.'' Rabbit swung her mallet sideways as Yuri returned a card to his hand yet again.
''You really like returning this card to my hand.'' Yuri said, making Serena wonder what that card was. Was he just bluffing with it or was it something deadlier? Well, speaking of deadlier...
''If you won't Fusion Summon, then I will! I acivate Polymerization, fusing together White Rabbit and Cat Dancer! The lively rabbit illuminated by moonlight! The beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! Swarm in the vortex of moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Elegant beast dancing in the moonlit wilderness! Lunalight Panther Dancer!'' Out came a monster very similar to Cat Dancer, only this one had dark skin, even sharper claws and she was also slightly taller.
Attribute: Dark Type: Beast-Warrior Atk: 2800 Def: 2500 Level: 8
''I activate Panther Dancer's effect! Now this turn, she can attack all monsters you control twice each and I start with that set monster of yours!'' Panther Dancer leaped towards it and slashed the set monster, making it flip up and reveal itself to be...a shiveling and a nearly dead plant with only a small head and zero attack or defense points. In other words, Predaplan Cordyceps.''Now for the second attack.'' Panther Dancer's second slash destroyed the pathetic plant. ''I activate Pantehr Dancer's second effect! Since she destroyed a monster by battle, her Attack Points rise by 200.'' For a total of 3000 which was quite enough to get rid of the other plant. ''Now Panther Dancer, destroy Drosophyllum Hydra!'' Two large slashes later, the monster was gone and Yuri's field was empty once again. Panther Dancer's attack rose to 3200, but with no monsters on the field, it didn't really matter. ''I end my turn. What do you say, do you regret going easy on me now?'' Serena ased with a hint of confidence. Panther Dancer wasn't that easy to get past after all. Instead of being intimitaded though, Yuri started laughing.
''Are you really that desperate to be defeated?'' Yuri asked while still laughing. It took him a couple of seconds, but he eventually calmed down. ''Fine then. I'll show you what you're longing to see! My turn! On my Standby Phase I activate Predaplant Cordyceps's effect! By banishing it from my Graveyard, I Special Summon two Level 4 or lower Predaplant monsters from my graveyard and I Special Summon back Cephalotus Snail and Sundew Kingii.'' The two hybrid plant monsters appeared back on to the field through a green portal. ''On the turn I use this effect, I can't Normal Summon or Set monsters nor Special Summon anything else besides Fusion Monsters...but that's not a problem is it? I activate Polymerization to fuse together Cephalotus Snail and Sundew Kingii! Two beautiful flowers with an insect-alluring fragnance! Now become one and from the hell beneath your petals, give birth to a new terror! Fusion Summon! Appear! Poisonous Dragon with hungry fangs. Level 8! Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!'' Out came a truly deformed purple dragon with way more eyes and mouths than should be possible in one body.
Attribute: Dark Type: Dragon Atk: 2800 Def: 2000 Level: 8
''There it is...'' Serena gulped. That destruction and blood she saw earlier, it was no doubt caused by this dragon, a dragon whose hunger for destruction could never be satisfied...much like its owner's.
''I hope you're happy. Starving Venom is more than eager to devour you and your monster.'' Yuri chuckled as he looked at his monster proudly. ''I activate Starving Venom's first effect! When it's Fusion Summoned, I can make it gain Attack equal to Attack of a Special Summoned monster you control, like that Panther Dancer of yours.'' Starving Dragon let out a deranged roar as its Attack Points doubled to 5600. ''Next I activate Starving Venom's second effect. I target a Level 5 or higher monster my opponent controls and Starve Venom gains that monster's name and effects.''
''I don't think so! I activate Crimson Fox's effect in my grave! By banishing it, I negate an effect that targets a Lunalight monster and both of us gain 1000 Life Points!'' A transparent figure of Crimson Fox appeared on the field and it surrounded Panther Dancer, protecting it. After a while of this, she exploded into small red sparkles that surrounded Yuri and Serena.
Yuri's Life Points: 3300
Serena's Life Points: 2900
''That's a shame. Starving Venom loves playing its food.'' Yuri said as Serena just glared. He had had no reason to use that effect, he just wanted to mess with her and her monster. ''Oh well, I'll just do this the boring way then. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Panther Dancer!'' Two of the dragon's multiple mouths suddenly extended from its body and shot towards the animal dancer. If this hit, Serena's Life Points would drop to 100 and there was no way she was letting that happen!
''I activate a Trap Card, Lunalight Soul! When I control exactly one Lunalight Monster and my opponent has the monster with the highest attack on the field, this card doubles my Lunalight monster's attack!'' With this, their Attack Points would be even and...
''I activate Drosophyllum Hydra's effect in my Graveyard! By banishing Cephalotus Snail, I reduce your monster's Attack Points by 500.'' Drosophllum Hydra suddenly appeared onto the field and latched onto Panther Dancer's legs, dropping her attack to 2300. She managed to jump away from it, but her Attack Points only doubled to 4600 and the result was that she was devoured by Starving Venom's two mouths. The impact of this attack had Serena reeling a bit, but she kept her stance.
Serena's Life Points: 1700
''Did that feel as good as you hoped it would?'' Yuri asked, but Serena didn't answer, she just waited for him to end his turn. ''This would be more fun if you reacted a bit. So many of my other opponents had such hilarious lines like 'this duel is not over yet' 'as long as I have Life Points left there's a chance' and 'I can beat you'. Crushing their hopes was very satisfying.'' Yuri then sighed and stroked his chin. ''I suppose I expected more out of this. I'm Academia's pride and you're, according to rumors anyway, one of the best duelists here, yet this is the first time we have dueled each other.''
''That is true...'' Serena thought about it. The two of them had met once before, but it was a very brief meeting. Yuri was almost always on a mission and she was almost always detained so it didn't really leave much time for socializing with each other...or anyone else for that matter. She supposed they had that much in common, though she hated that she had anything in common with this boy. ''I already swore on my pride to beat you. I don't need to say anything else besides that.'' Why waste time declaring that you still have a chance when you never know what card you're going to draw next? Ridiculous!
''You really are straightforward to a fault, just as the rumors say.'' Yuri said and Serena really had to wonder just how many rumors there were about her. She knew she was rather infamous here, but still...''I once again set the card you've twice now returned to my hand and end my turn. At this moment, Starving Venom's effect expires and its attack returns to normal.'' Which was still very respectable 2800.
''That set card...'' It was really starting to bother Serena. He has had it from the beginning of the duel after all. ''My turn! I banish Purple Butterfly in my Graveyard to activate her effect, allowing me to Special Summon a Lunalight monster from my hand and I Special Summon Lunalight Green Squirrel.'' In a flash of light a squirrel girl with an especially big and fluffy green tail appeared onto the field.
Attribute: Dark Type: Beast-Warriror Atk: 1700 Def: 1500 Level: 4
''When Green Squirrel is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a Lunalight monster from my hand or Graveyard and I Special Summon Lunalight Blue Cat from my Graveyard.'' From a dark portal jumped high to the air, as the the name would suggest, a catgirl with a blue color scheme.
Attribute: Dark Type: Beast-Warrior Atk: 1600 Def: 1200
''When Blue Cat is Special Summoned, I can target a Lunalight monster I control and double her Attack Points!'' Blue Cat jumped around Green Squirrel for a moment, who was surrounded by blue aura as her Attack Points rose to 3400. ''Now Green Squirrel, attack Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!'' The nimble animal girl dodged all of poison dragon's numerous mouth's and lethal appendages and finally jumped high and dive bombed onto the dragon which dissolved into a pool of acid.
Yuri's Life Points: 2700
''This is...''
''Starving Venom's third effect. When it's destroyed, I can destroy all Special Summoned monsters my opponent controls.'' The pool of acid extended to Serena's side of the field and her two monsters disappeared into it. ''Such a shame, I'm sure he wanted to play with you more.'' Yuri said, still not showing concern even though his ace monster was destroyed. Serena ignored him, not falling for his attempts to rile her up.
''I activate Blue Cat's effect! When she's destroyed, I can Special Summon a Lunalight monster from my deck and I choose another Blue Cat!'' Identical azure cat girl jumped eagerly to the field. ''Now Blue Cat, attack Yuri directly!'' With Serena's order, Blue Cat pounced towards Yuri and scratched his face multiple times, leaving more than a few scratches on his face.
Yuri's Life Points: 1100
''Didn't even draw blood...'' Yuri traced his scratches with his finger with an unamused look on his face. ''Your cat isn't really all that lethal.'' And right now he couldn't tell who was glaring at him harder, Serena or Blue Cat.
''I end my turn by activating Green Squirrel's effect. During the End Phase of the turn it was sent to the graveyard, I can add 1 Lunalight card from my deck to my hand and I choose Lunalight Wolf!'' Serena showed the card to Yuri and for once the look on his face was of pure shock.
''That card...'' A card that looked to be both a monster and a spell. ''Where did you get that card? You're not supposed to have that!'' Serena was surprised at the reaction. She had expected little shock, but now he was actually yelling.
''The Professor gave it to me in case I face you. I don't know where he got it.'' She also didn't know how long these Pendulum cards had existed since Professor, like usual, completely avoided her question. ''How would you know I'm not supposed to have it? Is it rumors again?'' She only got this card recently, she highly doubted that rumors would travel that fast, especially with the dwindling population of the island.
''Come to think of it there was that one time...I should've known...'' Yuri mumbled to himself and then shook his head, before smirking again. ''Whatever, it's not like that card will save you. My turn!'' Yuri drew his next card, almost as if that whole conversation didn't happen.
''Hey, answer my...''
''I activate a Spell Card, Predator Fusion. With this card I can Fusion Summon a Predaplant Fusion Monster by banishing monsters on my side of the field, Graveyard or using monsters you control with Predator Counters. I banish Chimera Rafflesia and Sundew Kingii to fuse them! Grotesque, carnivorous predator! Plant reptile that indulges in darkness. Now become one and poison this feeble world! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 8! Predaplant Dragostapelia!'' Yuri laughed as his new monster took the field. It resembled a dragon with its wings and tail, but it was covered in thorns and the head was clearly an insect's. As it flew, poisonous spores fell down from its wings.
Attribute: Dark Type: Plant Atk: 2700 Def: 1900 Level: 8
''I activate Dragostapelia's effect! During either's player turn I can target a face-up monster you control and put a Predator Counter on it. As long as Dragostapelia is on the field, the activated effects of monsters with Predator Counters are negated.'' The poisonous spores surrounded Blue Cat and formed a plant head that started floating around the cat. Serena wasn't concerned though. That effect couldn't reach the grave so even if he destroyed Blue Cat, she would...''I activate a Quick-Play Spell, Predator Drain! Now I target one face-up monster with a Predator Counter on the field, reduce its Attack Points to 0 and all of its effects, including the ones that would activate in the grave, are negated.'' The floating head gnawed all over Blue Cat's body, inflicting wounds until she had to fall to her knees as her attack became 0.
''Should've known...'' Of course Yuri would have an actual reason to put up that Predator Counter. As much as he messed around, he still knew how to make actual good and devastating plays.
''Now it's time to finish this! Dragostapelia, attack Blue Cat!'' Dragostapelia flew up high and fired a purple beam out of its deformed mouth. Blue Cat watched in horror as the attack closed in...
'I banish Lunalight Soul from my Graveyard to activate its other effect! When I control only one Lunalight monster and my opponent controls the monster with the highest attack, that monster's attack is halved!'' The size of the beam suddenly halved, becoming lot less devasting, but no less deadly. The beam hit the cat head on and knocked Serena backwards, to the point where she almost stumbled onto Leo Akaba's throne.
Serena's Life Points: 350
Serena took deep breaths, only barely able to keep standing after that. She could feel her knees buckling a bit and her vision getting hazier, but she refused to fall down. ''Good good, that's the fighting spirit I expect from you. I haven't destroyed all of your 'pride' yet after all.'' Yuri chuckled as Dragostapelia landed back onto his side of the field. ''I end my turn here and with that, your Trap's effect expires.'' Dragostapelia roared as its attack returned to its original value of 2700.
''My...turn!'' Serena winced in pain when she drew the card, but she couldn't let that bother her. Collapsing here wasn't an option. She looked at the card she drew and dismissed it. It's not like she needed it right now. ''I...I place Lunalight Wolf on the Pendulum Scale.' She placed the card at the very edge of her Duel Disk and a blue pillar appeared next to her. To the top of that pillar rose a masked warrior with, as the name would imply, wolf-like qualities and features. Number 1 appeared over her.
''Pendulum...Where did Professor get something like this?'' Yuri wondered.
''I activate Lunalight Wolf's Pendulum Effect. By banishing Fusion Materials from my field or Graveyard, I can Fusion Summon! I banish Panther Dancer, Green Owl and Kaleido Chick! Elegant beast dancing on the moonlit wilderness! The squirrel that makes home in darkness! Youngling illuminated by full moon! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! The king of beasts dancing atop the summit of the moonlight wilderness! Lunalight Leo Dancer!'' A full moon appeared to Serena's side of the field and in that light danced a gorgeoua beast wielding a huge sword.
Attribute: Dark Type: Beast-Warrior Atk: 3500 Def: 3000 Level: 10
''So that's your strongest monster.'' Yuri said with an amused smile on his face.
''This will end now, Yuri. I activate the effect of Kaleido Chick that was banished! Now on this turn's Battle Phase, you can't use cards or effects!'' Serena said with a smirk. She had won. There was absolutely nothing that...''Yuri?' He had started...laughing again?! Was there nothing that fazed this guy?
''I can't use anything on my Battle Phase...what a shame.'' Yuri's laughing had died down a bit, but he was still chuckling every few seconds.
''What do you mean?'' Serena asked, feeling a shiver go down her spine from all the laughing that Yuri was doing. There shouldn't be anything he can do...right?
''I wanted to make this all dramatic for you by activating my card when you attacked, but it seems I have to do it on your Main Phase. Truly a shame I can't crush your hopes a bit later.'' Yuri stopped laughing and smirked again.
''Activate your card? ...That set card!'' He was actually going to use it?
''Yes, the one I have had from the very beginning!'' Yuri made a dramatic pause before making the most wicked smile that Serena had yet seen on his face. ''I discard a card from my hand to activate...Super Polymerization!'' Serena's eyes widened as a huge vortex appeared over the field.
''Super...Polymerization?!'' Serena knew what that card could do, she had heard about it from many of the classes that The Professor had forced her to be on, but she had never seen it being used and she had no idea that Yuri had it.
''Super Polymerization allows me to fuse using monsters from both sides of the field. And as it so happens, I have a Fusion monster that requires a Predaplant monster and a Level 8 or higher Dark Attribute monster. I trust you know what this means.'' Serena clenched her fist, she should've done more to get rid of that face-down card! ''I fuse together Dragostapelia and Leo Dancer!'' The two monsters were sucked into the vortex. ''Toxic plant dragon! Fallen king of the moonlight! Now become one and indulge in whatever pleases you! Fusion Summn! Come Forth! Level 10! Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon!'' A flash of light forced both duelists to close their eyes and once they opened them, the only monster on the field was a deadly multi-colored dragon. Like with its smaller counterpart, it also had multiple eyes and mouths with saliva dropping out of them.
Attribute: Dark Type: Dragon Atk: 3300 Def: 2500 Level: 10
Serena fell to her knees and looked down at the ground. Yuri had had that card from the vety beginning, he could've used it at almost any time and...and ''Damn it!'' Serena yelled. She had fought her hardest while Yuri had been playing around yet she was the one who was cornered. ''How...how can I...''
''There it is! There's that pride crumbling down!'' Yuri clapped slowly as he spoke. ''You realized it didn't you? First turn, second turn, Cat Dancer, Panther Dancer, it doesn't matter! I could've finished you off anyime I wanted! Your imaginary pride is nothing next to me, the real Academia's pride!'' Yuri stopped clapping and licked his lips. ''I have to say, you've been one of the most satisfying opponents to break..no, the most satisfying!'' Yuri kept watching Serena, waiting for her to make a move, but she remained motionless. ''This looks like a good moment to give up.'' Serena stayed quiet for several seconds after that until...
''...No.'' Yuri's smile disappeared when she said that and he was even more shocked when she actually stood back up!
''Why? I crushed yur pride! You have nothing left!'' Yuri yelled annoyed. That wasn't enough! He needed to see her completely and utterly broken! She was the last one left, she had to satisfy him until the end!
''The moment I surrender a duel that isn't finished...that's when I know I have no pride left. You might have wounded it, but my pride won't be shaken from a mistake like this! I set a card face-down and end my turn!'' Serena yelled, back to full fighting spirit. ''I'll make you regret not finishing me off when you had a chance, by winning this duel!'' Serena's eyes were fierce and focused, far cry from how she appeared just a few seconds ago.
''Tsch, just when did you grow this much?' Yuri mumbled, but it was loud enough for Serena to hear and then something clicked in her head. His comment before about her having a card she shouldn't have, all those rumors he kept bringing up...
''You...you have been monitoring me haven't you?'' The slight gasp Yuri made all but confirmed it. Yuri looked away for a moment and then he nodded.
''That's right. Whenever I was here, The Professor ordered me to monitor you, just in case you actually managed to escape. You never did so I never had to interfere...though there were a few times when I wanted to.'' Yuri said with a...disappointed sigh. Serena stayed quiet, wanting him to continue. ''I wanted to duel you so badly. I knew you were the strongest duelist here besides me, I knew no one else could give me the thrill that you would...yet it wasn't meant to be. Professor didn't want me to actually interact with you. Don't bother asking why, he never explained.'' Sometimes that man's ambiguity really annoyed him, but he allowed him to do what he loved to do so he didn't complain too much.
''Yuri...'' Serena had never seen Yuri this long without looking like he was mocking someone or amused by something. ''To be honest, I wanted to duel you too.'' Yuri looked at her shocked. ''I heard about you, how you never lost and the other students resented you for it...just like they resented me for being so close to Professor.'' Serena looked downwards for a moment. Why was she symphatizing with him right now? It was too late already. ''I didn't imagine it would happen like this, but we can't stop it now. Let's finish this duel Yuri.'' She raised her duel disk again, a sign that she was ready to take on whatever he would dish out.
''Serena...'' He stared straight into her green eyes and couldn't refuse her. ''My turn! Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Serena directly!'' What...what was this feeling? Why did he feel like...like...
''I activate a Trap Card, Fusion Break! By discarding Polymerization from my hand, I destroy all Fusion Monsters on the field and the controller of those monsters takes 800 damage from each one. Also for the rest of this turn, neither of us can Fusion Summon!'' A strike of lightning stopped Greedy Venom's attack and another strike destroyed the monster completely.
Yuri's Life Points: 300
''See what I meant...by making you regret going easy on me?'' Serena asked. She had no cards in her hand sure, but with Lunalight Wolf's effect, she could Fusion Summon next turn and..
''I do regret it.'' Serena was a bit surprised by how honest he was being. ''If I had just finished you off when I could...I wouldn't be feeling like this right now. Feeling like...like ARGH! I activate Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon's effect!'' Yuri yelled at the top of his lungs ''When it's destroyed, I can banish a Level 8 or higher Dark monster from my Graveyard to Special Simmon it back to the field. I banish Starving Venom Fusion Dragon so revive, Greedy Venom!'' The toxic dragon returned with a pool of acid, ready to strike at its opponent again. ...If only Yuri would order it.
''Yuri, what's wrong?'' Serena asked. He had a clear shot at her, why wasn't he attacking.
''I...I...'' Yuri looked at Serena again and immediately looked away. ''I end...''
''Don't you dare!'' Serena suddenly yelled. ''You can finish this duel now! If you don't attack right now, I will never forgive you. When you're dueling, you should only focus on dueling! Isn't that what your pride as a duelist is screaming?!'' Serene clenched her fist again and pointed it at Yuri. ''So attack me!'' Yuri looked at her again and sighed.
''...Fine. Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon. ...Attack Serena directly.'' Yuri ordered and the dragon abomination used its whip like tail to strike Serena, sending her flying and making her hit her back against the throne.
Serena's Life Points: 0
*Drip drip drip*
Blood started to drip onto the throne and to the floor next to it. Serena coughed a few times and wasn't surprsied to see blood coming out of there too. Looking at her side showed a gash in her clothes and body that was already turning crimson red. ''That dragon...'' She had tried to brace herself, but an attack from one of those two dragons was just too much for a single person.
''Serena.'' Serena looked up from her wound to see Yuri standing in front of her...actually looking a bit concerned? Granted most people would probably be besides themselves with worry if they saw someone bleeding like this, but from Yuri, even this little was quite a lot. ''About that duel...'' Yuri stopped there, he had no idea what he was saying anyway. He knew he had to say something, but...
''It's fine, it was a complete defeat for me. You held back and I still lost.'' She was trying to ignore the pain for now, no matter how hard it was. ''But at the very end...why did you try to end your turn?'' That was just too blatant to not be cause of something else besides wantint to go easy on someone. Yuri was quiet for a moment and then he turned away from Serena.
''I started to feel empty.'' Serena raised an eyebrow at this and even though he wasn't looking her way, she beckoned him to continue. ''Towards the end I realized that if I won, that would be it. There would be no one left to challenge me...no...you wouldn't be left to challenge me. At first, I held back because I wanted to crush and break both you and your pride, but then I realized I was holding back because I wanted the duel to last longer. I didn't want it to end. I wanted to keep dueling against you because I could tell...you could actually beat me.'' Yuri turned back towards Serena and he was actually smiling a little. Just a little, but it was a genuine smile, not one born out of malice or mockery.
''Yuri...''
''I know. I'm not allowed to say all that after I carded everyone, after I enjoyed carding everyone. I brought this upon myself. I was just so obsessed with getting stronger that I didn't realize that I enjoyed dueling more than carding. If I card everyone, there's no one left to duel. What's the use of being the strongest in the world if you're the only one in the world?'' He should've realized the paradox nature of his dream before this, but it felt like there was something inside him, beckoning to make him stronger.
''I wouldn't mind a rematch, but...argh!'' Serena coughed up some more blood, splattering some of it on Yuri's clothes. ''I...I really can't...r-right now.'' Her breathing was getting really heavy and she could feel her strength leaving her. Through her half-open eyes she saw Yuri raise his duel disk, a finger ready to press a certain button. ''Yuri, are you...''
''You'll bleed out at this rate and there's no one else on the island besides me. The easiest way to quarantee your survival is for me to card you.'' Serena coughed again, which just solidified Yuri's decision. ''Don't worry, I'll promise to return you to normal and after that...can we duel again?''' Yuri asked as he smiled a bit more.
''Yes...and we can also...get to know each other better.'' Serena's breathing got even heavier and Yuri knew he had to act fast. There was a purple flash and Serena turned into a card, the only person he carded who still had a smile on her face. Yuri sighed as he held the card.
''I'm sorry Serena. I can't keep our promise.'' Yuri pointed his duel disk at himself and closed his eyes. ''Thank you.'' Another purple flash illuminated the room and two cards floated down onto the pool of blood together.
...
Like I said in the beginning, I really hope that YurixSerena shippers weren't expecting this to be super romantic or something because I think I crushed their hopes and dreams. Sorry, but Yuri and Serena's relationship is so much different from the others that I wanted to do a different kind of duel and chapter and the end result was this. I hope you still enjoyed it!
Oh right and sorry that this took a bit longer. Didn't feel like writing for a while and I also wasn't exactly sure where to take this duel for a while...Probably because Predaplants is the only deck so far in this fanfic that I haven't played myself.
And of course the next match is Yuya vs Yuzu so I hope you're looking forward to it! Will Yuya tie things up for the boys or will the girls take the ultimate win? ...I'm acting like this is some sort of best out of four when I just wanted to write some duels.
Review if you liked, review if you didn't like!