"My fellow Members, I inform you that Soprano and Mozarta are being currently attended to and should recover soon. This was a bad night for us all, so now let us rest. We will be unable to reach our Maestra, Yuzu, until we are either called to perform, or Soprano and Mozarta are fully healed. We will all be praying for her safety until then."
It has been some time since Shopina left that message for all the Melodious Ensemble, as Soprano and Mozarta were in the nursery room. They had been knocked unconscious by Starving Venom Fusion Dragon's attack, but thankfully with no lasting injuries. Most of the Ensemble then rested after this attack. Tamtam and Opera were sleeping soundly, Sonata tended to Aria as she was shaken by what transpired, and Canon had gone a bit far off to the gardens to calm her nerves.
But not all rested, as Serenade trained Solo in dancing with grace, as the latter was eager to improve after her debut. Elegy had been hard at work for quite some time now. The recent tragedies that occurred in Yuzu's world have only helped her create new heart-wrenching melodies for people to hear. A warning of the war could be helpful to spread around and make people more aware of the situation.
And then there was Harmonia.
Harmonia the Composer had been at work non-stop as the ideas flowed through with their latest battles, but with her lost focus due to the recent losses, she decided to finish off what she deemed was important first. She had prepared scripts of the Pendulumstatues to present to the Inspiration, hopefully making them cards so they could assist Yuzu in their future battles.
"All right, I don't quite know how this will go…" The Composer murmured. "This whole thing just isn't established enough as a genre of melody… But if we put oscillations, and trills… I'm sure we can make someone out of this! Here we go!"
Harmonia had put the Pendulumstatue scripts on the podium. She then prepared her ritual, singing a light operatic scale to open up the portal. The ceiling of her room opened up to the sky, a bright ray carrying the scripts high up. Harmonia got very excited, even coming so far as to stand beneath that same light to say hello to their new member…
BONK!
Only to be met with a statue to the head, dizzying her and knocking her on the floor almost instantly. She's not one to stay there long though.
"WHY?" She shouted while springing up. "Why are you not accepting these gifts? These results of hard work?"
"Perhaps the Inspiration, the Muse, does not deem the Pendulumstatues authentic? Or perhaps they lost their power due to other means?"
Upon hearing those hypotheses, Harmonia kept going: "UGH… We all worked hard to make this go our way, even Yuzu… And now you're telling me that for some reason or another it's impossible, Sopra-"
Lost in her failures, she did not realize that the girl standing next to her was Soprano herself. She was wearing an emerald green light vest this time, and had pink, more delicate bandages on her eyes.
"SOPRANO! You've come back!" Harmonia ran up to the Songstress and hugged her tightly. "How are you now? How is Mozarta?"
"I have fully recovered, but Mozarta is still asleep." Soprano answered. "Her being particularly attached to Yuzu, I am afraid she has taken a lot more than I did. I may only hope for her swift recovery."
"I see…" Harmonia couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about this. She focused all of her prowess on making Bloom Diva a threat, while she could have produced better techniques that Yuzu could use to protect her Monsters. In two consecutive duels, there were two consecutive ways of their Superstar getting dispatched or taken advantage of. Soprano was quick to understand this.
"Worry not, little Harmonia. Not all songs may hit the mark, and such obstacles will only serve for us to improve. And I am sure Yuzu is strong enough to reach us back once more, in a duel."
"Thanks, Soprano…!" Then Harmonia, upon hearing "Yuzu" and seeing Soprano in front of her, had a light bulb on her head. "Soprano! Do you think you can see how Yuzu is doing? Even without Mozarta? You can create Bloom Diva with anyone, right?"
"Indeed I can… Though only the spirit of Mozarta herself has allowed us to talk to her. It may be worth trying, however, just to ensure she is alive and well."
"Then we just have to! Can you walk right now? Until the Fusion Garden?"
"I believe it is best for me to prepare first."
"Ah, you're right! Your stage outfit was a bit battered, but now it should be fine!"
They then went so that Soprano could change into her usual black and white stage outfit, replacing also her bandages.
"Ah, wonderful!"
"Soprano! Am I ever glad to see you well!" Shopina came to meet her once she had heard her.
"Thank you, Shopina! But, I now request your help. Harmonia believes we can see how Yuzu fares."
"Hmm… Mozarta was the one who truly bonded with Yuzu, but you were the missing link who allowed her to see the world alongside her… I will assist you in this task, Soprano."
"Splendid, then let us go."
Harmonia then came back to check on Soprano. "What's taking you so- Oh! Uh… Pardon me, Shopina!" Now realizing that the Maestra was there. "I forgot to mention, I've tended the Fusion Garden. Your arrival had… some flowers crushed, but it's all fine now!"
The three went right in front of the garden, the spiraling orange and blue flowers now intact. Soprano and Shopina resonated their voices to form the fusion, lights swirling with the same wavelength the garden did. For a Second, the image of Bloom Diva had appeared, making Harmonia extremely hopeful that this would work… Only for it to fail 5 seconds later and for the two to defuse.
Harmonia held her head down in shame. "Sorry that I wasted you two's time…"
"No, Harmonia! The Fusion may have only worked for little time, but it was enough for me to detect Yuzu!" Soprano gladly declared.
Shopina, hopeful, asked: "You did! How is Yuzu…?"
"I may say… She seems to be safe now, her aggressor no longer in sight!" Soprano declared, lifting the spirits of Shopina, Harmonia, and the whole Conservatory.
? - WHEREVER THE BRACELET TELEPORTED THE TWO
Yuzu was unconscious, most likely what happened as her bracelet was glowing. She heard nothing, it was all peaceful… Until…
"Hey… Hey!"
Yuzu slowly opened her eyes to see that it was… The rider who met her earlier, staring her down way too close for her to be comfortable.
"Hey… Are you okay?"
She instinctively yelped and pushed him off her, making him tumble down the hill they were on and crash on his bike.
"That hurt…" The boy lamented. "You know, I did this because I was worried about you! What is wrong with you?"
Yuzu could only respond in confusion. He then went right ahead to do a check-up on his bike, to find out it was ultimately fine. This place was alien for the pinkette… It was far from what Maiami City is… A huge net of small cities on what looked like islands all connected by roads that stood above an inferior level of the city. While she was looking around, the boy told her:
"Looks like it wasn't broken… Still, be a little more careful next time! I worked hard to build this thing!"
"Sorry, it's just… Where are we?" Yuzu asked.
"City. It's where I was born."
"Uh… I'm just… Wait, I was in the middle of a battle royale… Then I got ambushed by that boy… And while we were dueling, the bracelet glowed and he disappeared, and you came… Could it be possible that it sent me here with you?"
The rider stared at Yuzu confused. She was saying things too fast and offering little explanation thus far. But, she then asked him:
"Hey…Are you Yugo?"
"Wow, I'm surprised you know my name."
"Are you with Fusion?"
"Again with this… My name is not "Fusion"! It's YUGO! Get it right!" The annoyed boy lashed at Yuzu, scaring her further, then he turned away.
"You're not Rin. She would never get my name wrong."
"Rin?" She then remembered her duel with the Academia duelist. "The Academia Duelist who tried to take me also said he took Ruri and Rin."
"What? You met the guy who took Rin?"
"I was dueling him just before you appeared! Who is Rin?"
"Where is she now?"
Yuzu looked away worriedly as she didn't have an answer at all.
"I don't know… Right after, the bracelet lit up, and he disappeared. Then you appeared." She then looked at her bracelet, which caused Yugo to observe it as well. "The bracelet has lit up many times before… And it always happens when I'm with someone who looks like Yuya."
"Yuya…?" Yugo thought for a second before Yuzu continued.
"By the time the light dies out, the man disappears, then Yuya shows up. So when you appeared, I was sure you were Yuya!... After that, the bracelet lit once more, and that's how I ended up here…" Lastly, she asked: "This isn't Maiami City, is it? The town where I live?"
"No, it's just "City". The town where I was born and raised. It's in a different dimension from your Standard Dimension."
"A different dimension?"
"Makes sense that you're surprised. Is this your first time being sent through dimensions?"
"I'm in another dimension?!"
"Yeah. Take it from a guy who's traveled between them a lot! Though, to me, this is coming home." Yugo said confidently, then he explained how he started it in the first place.
"The first time I traveled dimensions, I was scared out of my mind." He then pulled out a card from his bike. "That was when Rin was taken away. Just before that, Rin said she thought she was being followed. I was keeping an eye on her to protect her, but the first time I found her, she was already knocked out, and over that guy's shoulder. When I saw that he looked like me, he activated something like… Violet Flash… And disappeared, along with Rin!"
Yuzu could only listen in concern. She too, had just been a target for the boy, and was about to get caught by him. The next thing he said, however…
"Once they disappeared, my bike lit up and this card, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, came out of it. I tried to touch it and… The next thing I know, I was in Heartland."
"Heartland? The XYZ Dimension?"
"Yeah. I still don't know why I was sent there. Maybe Rin was somewhere in that ruined City, so I searched for her. And then I found him! It had to be him!... An XYZ user with the same face I have. I had to get Rin back from him!"
Yuzu quickly corrected Yugo. "No, that wasn't him! It was Yuto!" Yugo turned around in confusion, then Yuzu continued: "Yuto is trying to save Ruri. who was kidnapped in the XYZ Dimension. He would never kidnap someone you care for!"
"C-Care for?!" Yugo showed off a huge grin once he heard that.
"Isn't Rin… your Girlfriend?"
"Nonononono! We're just childhood friends, we would never be…" Yugo tried to hide this fact, but with a huge grin and excited expression, he was doing a terrible job at it.
"Then why were you in Heartland?" Yuzu then asked, prompting Yugo to snap out of it.
"This card let me go after her. Maybe it realized how much I wanted to save her…"
Upon hearing that, Yuzu gasped. She had to check if at least Bloom Diva was safe and sound. She pulled out the card and held it in front of her.
"Bloom Diva…! Please tell me you're fine, please tell me you haven't…" Yuzu thought…
But she heard no response, once again. Before Yuzu could think of it any further, however…
"A Fusion Monster? But aren't you from Standard?"
"Ah!" Yuzu snapped out of her thoughts. "Yes, I am! I was taught Fusion fairly recently…"
"Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir…" Yugo observed the card, noticing it was dimmer than a card normally should be. "Those eyes… Look kinda creepy."
"DON'T SAY THAT!" Yuzu lashed back for a moment. "She's been with me since I got her, and she even-" Then she looked at the card again, now noticing that the card had lost a bit of brightness, making Bloom Diva's eyes lose a bit of the white light that contrasted the azure, whole irises.
"I… See what you mean now…"
"Why are you holding it up like that?" Yugo then wondered.
"When you said Clear Wing brought you to Rin… I thought, maybe it too knew how you felt and wanted to get Rin back for you… As Bloom Diva knows how I feel."
Yugo was a bit confused at Yuzu, but as he saw her tear up, he also heard:
"She tried to protect me… Protect me with her whole life… Against Starving Venom…"
"Starving… Venom?"
"Yeah. Starving Venom belongs to the Academia soldier who tried to kidnap me… and Also kidnapped Rin and Ruri…"
Yuzu then realized, upon talking about all of this, that…
"Could it have been that he was there? While you were dueling Yuto, he could have been nearby!"
Yugo, after a moment… "Wait… I got the wrong guy then! The one I dueled, Yuto, I believe… Had an XYZ Dragon he called Dark Rebellion!"
"I believe so… And I think I can see why. That Academia duelist looked a lot like Yugo… And the both look a lot like you too. And Yuya…"
Yugo listened with curiosity, as this may lead to him getting Rin back.
"I think the fact that Yuya appeared when I was with Yuto, and that you appeared when the Academia duelist tried to take me away… They probably weren't coincidences."
"No coincidences? Then, my Clear Wing Synchro Dragon made it all happen?"
"I don't know. But if you're all…"
"We're all what?"
Yuzu then came to the realization. "People with the same faces are being drawn together."
Yugo was shocked as he realized: "Now that you mention it, that guy had my face, too… No, hang on… It's just a chance that there are guys who look like me."
"It's not just you. There are also people who look like me. Rin, Ruri, and Serena…"
"Serena?"
"She's an Academia duelist, like the guy who came to abduct Ruri, Rin and me."
"Now that you mentioned it multiple times… What's this… Academia?" Yugo asked. Yuzu then proceeded to explain everything. The four dimensions… Academia, the Fusion Dimension's goal… And the war that came out of it. Then she mentioned that…
"Serena is part of the army, but Academia's after her, too."
"But why?"
"Maybe… the Professor seeks people who look like Ruri, Rin and me, so I'm sure he'd want Serena, too. I don't know why… why he wants us, why us four look like one another… as well as you guys…"
"I got it!" Yugo then addressed Yuzu. "That means that Rin is in this Academia place, right?" He then put his hands on her shoulders, scaring her.
"Let's go!"
"Where?!"
"Isn't it obvious? Now that I know where Rin is, we just have to go there and bring her back!"
"And how?"
"Your bracelet has the power to cross dimensions, right? It sent me back here with you! So if you get it to light up…"
Yuzu looked away, worried about bringing the bad news to Yugo.
"It won't work. I'm not the one who makes it light up. I told you already, just before Yuya appears, it lights up when I'm with someone who looks like him."
"Well, can't we just bring this Yuya guy here?"
"That's impossible… Because… Because…" Yuzu now started crying as she finished her sentence.
"Yuya isn't here!" She then kneeled down in despair, her crying overlapping with her own words.
"I just can't be with anyone now… Bloom Diva isn't here… Yuya isn't here… All of my friends and family aren't here and I don't know how to reach them…! I am just a target for a Dimension… Why is all of this happening to me…? How is everyone…?"
Yugo saw the pinkette cry and mellowed down instantly. He just couldn't bear seeing her cry like that, and wondered how he could help her… The first thing he would do is try to console her.
"Here." Yugo then handed Yuzu a pink handkerchief. "Sorry, I was a jerk."
"Thanks…" Yuzu then wiped her tears off her face and calmed down slightly. "I feel the same way. If I could use this bracelet to freely travel dimensions, I'd go back there right now… To where Yuya, my friends, and my family are waiting… Can't you do anything with that Card?"
"Sorry, I can't make it shine at will either." Yugo then lowered down to Yuzu's height. "Sorry about all of this. I have a habit of just saying whatever springs to my mind, and Rin gets mad at me a lot for that. She says I need to think before I speak. She's a real loudmouth… "Don't do this, don't do that" all the time."
Yuzu let out a chuckle at that. "So, kinda like your mom?"
"You could say that. Neither Rin nor I know what our real moms look like, though."
This concerned Yuzu, but before she could ask what that was about, they heard a yell. A kid was curious about Yugo's bike, which made his mom notice the two.
"T-There are Commons here! Help me!"
Suddenly, Yugo got up and started wearing his helmet, as well as giving a pink one to Yuzu.
"Put this on, we're getting out of here!"
"W-What's going on?"
"Move! Explanations for later!"
The two then got on the bike and speeded away from the place and into the highway.
"What was that all about?" Yuzu asked.
"That was a Tops only residential zone. I knew it, but I was so caught up with all of this I forgot to leave."
"Why do we have to leave? What are Tops?"
"Tops are society's highest ring, winners who possess most of City's wealth and status."
"Winners?"
"City is built on free societal movement, based on competition. The winners get everything, the losers lose everything."
"Why?"
"That's competition. Those who win become Tops. They control 99% of the city's wealth, even though they're only 1% of the population."
After they went through a tunnel, Yuzu could finally see what City was like. What she saw around her was a dazzling metropolis, buildings of all eras joining together to form what looked like paradise.
"It's beautiful…!" Yuzu exclaimed, but Yugo broke out the truth immediately.
"The light's amazing, isn't it? There's so much prosperity there. But beneath it…"
Yuzu then was shocked at what she saw below. Dim lights, buildings who could barely be considered as such… It looked almost like ruins from afar.
"The remaining 99% of the population lives there." Yugo explained. "Those are the slums, where our world of competition's losers live. The true hometown in which I was raised. Tops call us "slum-dwellers". The ordinary civilians, Commons. Though they treat us as equals on the surface… in their hearts, they scorn us as losers. But we won't always be losers!"
Yugo then reminisced of his time with Rin, from playground duels… to their dreams. "City is a competition-based meritocracy, so you should duel your way to the top. When we were kids, Rin and I decided that we would hone our dueling skills. A guy who was raised in the same facility as I was… Made it to a debut. There, it's coming into view."
Yuzu then observed the giant banner displaying a fierce-looking duelist with a spiked, white jacket, a silver belt with his initials, and blonde hair pointing his finger at who addressed him.
"The Duel King, Jack Atlas. He's the first Common to be world champion. He won City's ultimate duel festival, the Friendship Cup, and quickly rose to the top as a hero. If he could do it, and I was raised in the same facility, then I can, too. Rin and I used Jack as our example, and honed our skills. We dreamed of someday participating in the Friendship Cup and fighting Jack…"
"Yugo…" Yuzu thought, feeling sorry about the boy.
"I built this D-Wheel with Rin. So I could fight a Riding Duel with Jack!"
"Riding Duel?"
They stopped when they heard police sirens, and a person talking with a megaphone.
"D-Wheel ahead. Please stop at once. This is Security."
"Those people from earlier reported us!" Yugo exclaimed, before throttling on the accelerator, which made Yuzu ask:
"Wait, shouldn't you stop? Those are the police, aren't they?"
"They're the Tops' dogs. Lately, they've really had it in for us Commons."
"But running from them is still wrong!"
"If they catch us, they'll throw us in prison!"
"Prison?!"
"We've probably been named as trespassers on Tops land. There might even be a warrant out for us, for hurting these citizens."
"They can do that?!"
"Yes, Tops and security can!"
Yuzu then saw the motorbike flashing "DUEL MODE. STANDBY." along with an announcement from it.
"He's forcing us into a duel. If we lose, we'll be arrested." Yugo explained.
"Arrested?!"
Right after, Yuzu witnessed the road changing up. Roads were sprouting out of the ground, connecting themselves to form new pathways. The other vehicles have gotten off the road the two were on, as to make the pathway clear for the upcoming duel.
"Ah, what's your name?" Yugo asked.
"Ah, I'm Yuzu. Yuzu Hiiragi."
"Okay… Hold on tight, Yuzu! I'll show you what a riding duel is!"
The policeman, labeled as Duel Chaser 227, had reached Yugo's bike in the motorway. As the two stood side by side, they declared the beginning of the duel.
RIDING DUEL… ACCELERATION!
YUGO vs DUEL CHASER 227
Yugo started off his turn by Summoning Speedroid Tri-Eyed dice, then Special Summoning Speedroid Taketomborg from his hand.
Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice (Level 3/WIND/Machine/Tuner/300/1500)
Speedroid Taketomborg (Level 3/WIND/Machine/600/1200)
Next, he Synchro Summoned for his first Synchro Monster, Hi-Speedroid Kendama, who was, indeed, a blue Monster holding a Kendama stick like a lance.
Hi-Speedroid Kendama (Level 6/WIND/Machine/Synchro/2200/1600)
Yugo then activated its effect, banishing Taketomborg from the Graveyard to deal 500 damage to the Duel Chaser. Lastly, he set a card to end his turn.
DUEL CHASER 227 LP: 4000 - 3500
Yugo: 1 Set Card
Yugo sped up, terrifying Yuzu at the absurd prospect of this duel.
"A-Are you actually dueling while you drive?" She asked, to be met with a:
"You bet!"
"NO WAY!" She struggled to hold on to her tears of fear. "I think we should get off the bike first!"
A helicopter passed by, flashing on Yuzu's right side…
"What now?" She asked, prompting Yugo to explain:
"They're here, huh? Those are reporters of the Tops. If they're here, it means that we're going to have to do a little detour!"
Sure enough, new roads sprouted out of the ground, so the two riders would take a detour on their left. As Yugo realized his situation, he urged Duel Chaser to begin his turn, who warned him back by declaring he has a 100% arrest rate. Not good news for the duo.
227 Summoned Jutte Fighter, and by lowering Kendama's attack by 500, being a Synchro monster, he Special Summoned Sasumata Gardna.
Jutte Fighter (Level 2/EARTH/Warrior/Tuner/700/900)
Sasumata Gardna (Level 3/EARTH/Warrior/1000/2000)
Hi-Speedroid Kendama ATK 2200 - 1700
Next was him tuning his monsters on the field to summon Goyo Chaser, a warrior fashioned as an ancient Japanese fighter, with red and orange armor and a baton with a wire attached onto it.
Goyo Chaser (Level 5/EARTH/Warrior/Synchro/1900/1000)
At this point, Yuzu was wondering… If everyone can Synchro Summon, she could really have been warped to the Synchro Dimension. Duel Chaser attacked Kendama with Goyo Chaser, destroying it successfully.
YUGO LP: 4000 - 3800
Goyo Chaser's effect activated, reviving Kendama to the Duel Chaser's side with its ATK points halved as it was destroyed by battle. Then he proceeded with a direct attack.
Hi Speedroid Kendama ATK 2200 - 1100
YUGO LP: 3800 - 2700
Duel Chaser then set a card and ended his turn.
Duel Chaser 227: 1 Set Card.
Yugo drew his card, then Summoned Speedroid Ohajikid, and with its effect, Special Summoned Jutte Knight from his opponent's Graveyard to immediately use for a Synchro Summon. The Synchro Monster turned out to be Hi-Speedroid Chanbara, a warrior that seemed to ride a red Chanbara sword like it was a rocket.
Speedroid Ohajikid (Level 3/WIND/Machine/1000/200)
Hi-Speedroid Chanbara (Level 5/WIND/Machine/Synchro/2000/1000)
Yugo attacked Kendama with Chanbara. The latter's effect allows it to gain 100 ATK when battling each time.
Hi-Speedroid Chanbara ATK 2000 - 2100
DUEL CHASER 227 LP: 3500 - 2500
Chanbara can attack a second time during each Battle Phase, so Yugo declared it on Goyo Chaser, which got struck from behind with the whole sword.
Hi-Speedroid Chanbara ATK 2100 - 2200
DUEL CHASER 227 LP: 2500 - 2200
Duel Chaser activated the Trap Card Descending Lost Star, reviving Goyo Chaser in DEF position with its effects negated, Level decreased by 1, and DEF decreased to 0. Its position also cannot change. Yugo ended his turn right after that.
Goyo Chaser DEF 1000 - 0 Level 5 - Level 4
Duel Chaser slipped past Yugo's bike, not allowing it to pass through. However, Yugo found a way, went full throttle, and rode on the highway wall and past the officer, scaring Yuzu and having her hold on for dear life.
"Don't be so reckless!"
"If we lose this, then we'll go to prison! Then, I won't be able to participate to the Friendship Cup… And I'll never be able to rise on society!" Yugo responded at Yuzu's protests, then adding:
"In this place, duels are the only means of upward mobility. To live a proper life…"
Yuzu couldn't believe what she was hearing. Losing meant you lost your right to live a proper life… Would be quite the shock for Bloom Diva, if she returned and came to know that… but right now, Yuzu could only hope she and Yugo could be safe.
227 Began his turn by Summoning Torapart. It tuned with the revived Goyo Chaser to Synchro Summon Goyo Predator, an older looking and more grizzled Goyo Warrior clad in blue and yellow armor with a red scarf on top.
Torapart (Level 2/DARK/Warrior/Tuner/600/600)
Goyo Predator (Level 6/EARTH/Warrior/Tuner/2400/1200)
Then, he declared an attack on Chanbara with Goyo Predator. Chanbara gained 100 ATK yet again, but it was not enough to be on par, thus only it got destroyed.
Hi-Speedroid Chanbara ATK 2200 - 2300
YUGO LP: 2700 - 2600
Similar to Goyo Chaser, Goyo Predator could also Special Summon the monster it destroyed by battle, but its ATK was not halved this time. He attacked with Chanbara directly, putting Yugo in critical shape.
Hi-Speedroid Chanbara ATK 2000 - 2100
YUGO LP: 2600 - 500
"If we take this second attack, it's all over!" Yuzu exclaimed, Yugo remaining silent. Yuzu braces herself as 227 declared Chanbara's second attack, but Yugo activated Dice Roll Battle in return. When his LP is 1000 or less, he sends a Dice Monster from his hand to the Graveyard to Synchro Summon with another one in the Graveyard. The monster discarded was Level 1 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice, which he tuned with Level 6 Hi-Speedroid Kendama. Yugo's trump card was about to be revealed.
"Flap your beautiful and heroic wings, to strike the enemy at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" A White and blue dragon, with luminescent aquamarine wings, appeared on Yugo's side. It roared while speeding alongside the boy.
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (Level 7/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/2500/2000)
Dice Roll Battle also forces the attacking monster to battle Clear Wing instead.
"While Chanbara battles, its ATK points increase by 100. However, when a Level 5 or higher Monster's effect is activated on the field, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon negates the effect and destroys the Monster! Dichroic Mirror!" At Yugo's command, Clear Wing reflected a white, sparkly aura from its body to destroy Chanbara.
"In addition, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's ATK points increase until the end of my turn, by those of the monster it destroyed!" Its wings began flaring up with an intense aura as Clear Wing roared, scaring the Duel Chaser.
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 2500 - 4600
"Dice Roll Battle forces Clear Wing and Goyo Predator to battle! GO! I attack Goyo Predator with Clear Wing Synchro Dragon! Whirlwind Hell Dive Slasher!" The soaring dragon lit up its wings once again, this time twirling through the air like a drill and generating a fierce tornado which struck Goyo Predator right on its body.
DUEL CHASER 227 LP: 2200 - 0
"YES!" Yuzu cheered brightly for Yugo's victory. She then asked: "Are we safe now?"
Yugo admonished her: "Don't be stupid." Walls then erected right in front of then, forcing Yugo to turn straight into a road blocked by a Security Patrol. Yuzu's cries of help and pleas of stopping only flared Yugo even more. He went full throttle and jumped over the roadblock, having Yuzu hold on for dear life.
"THERE WE GO!" Yugo cheered, and Yuzu breathed a massive sigh of relief.
"I guess we have to hide now… So, where can we settle ourselves for the night?"
"It won't be much, but… I know of some hideouts!"
The two, avoiding Security, have managed to get into an abandoned Repair Shop, conveniently even having a bedroom, though it was not in the best shape.
"Here, Yuzu. You must have not been eating for a while." Yugo handed over some snacks to the pinkette.
"Where did you get these from? There really wasn't much here!"
"Ah, I got them from my bike! Can't go through dimensions without gobbling something, right?"
The two then had a decent meal. Definitely below her father's dining, but after perhaps 2 full days of not eating, anything really would have been enough.
"Well… What do we do now…?" Yuzu thought. "I'm a target for Academia and now Security as well! Is it… Alright for me to stay with you?"
"But of course!" Yugo reassured her. "Look, the guy who kidnapped Rin also wants you, right? Then if it ever happens that he comes for you, I'll just beat him! Then, we might be able to get everyone back! You don't need to worry, okay?"
Yuzu was still apprehensive about all of this. Sure, she was a target, and she was under the protection of a total stranger… But it was a stranger who clearly took great care of her, and with him looking like Yuya… She felt at least a little bit of his presence.
"Speaking of Academia… should we warn people here about this war, or is it pointless?" Yuzu asked.
"Hm… Not really the best idea to go outside and spout stuff people would hardly believe, especially as we are wanted."
"Maybe we could prepare some fliers…?"
"Not a bad idea, but… Maybe we're going a few steps too far now. Now, if Clear Wing would just teleport me once in the right place, we could get back… But it's best that we think about it another time, okay?"
Yuzu nodded in response, and Yugo headed off for a bit. "I'll go check if there's any danger around here. You stay put, okay?"
DUEL SPIRIT WORLD - CONSERVATORY
The Melodious were delighted to see Soprano and Yuzu safe and sound, at least for the time being. What Soprano saw in the vision, however, was still much unclear. They found Yuzu looking at a city that they've never seen before, with a boy who looked friendly, but they were quite unfamiliar with. Concerned about Mozarta's safety, Soprano entered the Nursing Room once more to check up on her. Mozarta's bed stood quite high above the ground, to give room for her large wings, as big as most Melodious members, as she rested. Harmonia was seen polishing and treating them.
"Ah, Soprano! Sorry, but I can't really speed up the process… I wish I could." Harmonia started the exchange.
"Do you have any estimates as to when she will wake up? If not, it may be worth attempting the ritual with Shopina once more…"
"Yeah, maybe it's best. Would be nice to check up on Yuzu again… That jerk of a dragon really hasn't treated her well… I would just teach him a lesson and- WHOA!"
Harmonia was knocked aside, with a loud harp sound, and fell to the ground, prompting Soprano to run up to her.
"Owie Owie Owie… What's with me being hit on the head by things today…?" Harmonia lamented.
"Harmonia, are you well? I wish no one else would be injured…"
The two then looked up to see Mozarta, now wearing a plain white vest, had gotten off her bed, at last. She was looking at Harmonia with some worry.
"Harmonia… Thank you sincerely for taking care of us. And apologies about the… Wingbeat…"
But both Harmonia and Soprano would come and hug her immediately, the big Fairy embracing them back.
"A terrible fate befell us all, but thanks to your efforts, we were all able to resist!" Mozarta declared, then she asked. "Now then, about Yuzu... Have you been able to verify if she is safe?"
"Indeed I did, Mozarta." Soprano answered. "I managed to perform the Fusion Ritual with Shopina. Although it lasted very little, we could see Yuzu had escaped her pursuer… Yet there's still much to know."
"If so, then let us make haste." Mozarta ordered.
"Really, Mozarta? Are you sure you're OK?" Harmonia asked.
"Not knowing Yuzu's fate fills me with much greater pain than any wound could. Besides, you have done an excellent job nursing me back to health." Mozarta answered.
The three then got themselves ready. Mozarta changed to her Stage Dress, its red with gold accents as bright as ever, ready to shine once more. The other Melodious members saw that Mozarta was alive and well and were truly delighted, but now there was little time for pleasantries. The three all got to the Fusion Garden, and performed the ritual. Soprano led the way, her voice strongly resonating with Mozarta's. The portal formed above the garden, the two swirled into it… And out of the flower bud she emerges from, Bloom Diva came back to the stage, fully recovered, and sang her delicate operatic note, heard by the entire conservatory.
"Harmonia… I cannot thank you enough for your hard work, carried by a strong mind and a passionate heart. But please… Rest now. It is now my turn to take the stage." Bloom Diva told the Composer, who replied:
"Bloom Diva… I'll be sure to have created even more beautiful melodies when you come back!"
"It is best if you do not injure yourself further, dear." Bloom Diva concluded, before leaving to reach Yuzu. Harmonia was left, mouth agape… But Bloom Diva had a point.
"I'll go to bed now…"
CITY - ABANDONED REPAIR SHOP
After Yugo was gone, Yuzu attempted to do what she always did recently when she was alone. Standing up, she pulled out Bloom Diva's card and tried to reach out to her.
"Bloom Diva… I hope you're here, I hope you're well…! There is still much to do here and I don't know what to do! I lost Yuya now… I'm in a different dimension… I would be just glad to see you, at least once more!"
...
"Yuzu… My deepest apologies for leaving you so long."
…This was it! This was the voice she had been longing for since she came here! She turned to the left to see Bloom Diva, both hands over her heart, and teary-eyed, facing towards Yuzu.
"I am glad… Delighted to see you well, Yuzu!"
"Bloom Diva!" Yuzu said out loud, tears swelling in her eyes. The two ran up to hug each other… Until they both stopped, stunned looks, to stare each other down with shock.
They SAW each other.
Both let out a scared yelp and covered their mouths as if they were mirrored.
"Hey! What's going on now?!" Yugo came back, rather annoyed. "What is this all about?!"
Both Yuzu and Bloom Diva froze… This is the first person who would have seen that the pinkette and the Choir had this kind of power… And that Bloom Diva was there as a person… However, Yugo swiftly walked to Yuzu passing through Bloom Diva entirely, surprising the Fairy. She attempted to lean into Yuzu's shoulder, but couldn't quite touch her. After that, she immediately retreated and vanished from Yuzu's sight.
"Did you say "Bloom Diva" back then? What happened to it this time?" Yugo wondered.
"Ah… I think she came back?" Yuzu replied, confusing Yugo. The boy had an idea, however, to inspect the card with a light. Sure enough, it was not dim, as when he saw it on the Tops' residence, but now it was foiled with colors of the rainbow when lit up, like a rarer card.
"I'm pretty sure I didn't see this before… Now this card looks much better." Yugo declared, prompting Yuzu to take a look.
"Yeah, I… Never saw it like this… I think. Or I just never took notice."
"What's the matter with it, anyway? You told me that it tried to protect you from… Uh… Starving Venom? That's what it was called?"
Yuzu, after Yugo witnessed such a scene, had to explain SOMETHING. However, she still couldn't feel like spilling the beans entirely, thinking it would all be weird for him to accept, so she told a partial story.
"You see, I was originally a Standard duelist, using no Extra Deck at all. But when I first lost to a Fusion user of Standard, as the School owned by my father was in jeopardy… I decided to learn how to Fusion Summon to protect my friends. Ever since, I felt… A bond with Bloom Diva. You see, I practice the Dueling style known as Entertainment Dueling, which aims to make people smile and be happy… And Bloom Diva, her voice, her attitude… I felt like she guided me to make the best Entertainment Dueling I could possibly have, and I feel like we really became friends. It all came to a head recently, when Starving Venom attacked us… Despite her being at her weakest, she bravely managed to fend off the dragon for a bit, just so I could escape…"
Bloom Diva listened to the conversation silently, now in Yuzu's mind, her heart melting at all that Yuzu had told. She wanted to praise Yuzu back, as she felt like the Melodious Ensemble, and especially her, have truly grown thanks to her help. Yugo then thought about something he had heard, which he then explained to the pinkette.
"Hm… I see that. They told us stories about how some cards are just special to a duelist. It was a thing we were told as kids, and I'm sure I was supposed to think of it as silly when I would grow up… But I think…" He then pulled his Ace Monster to show Yuzu. "If you say that Bloom Diva has a soul, and that she's your friend… Then I would definitely say the same for Clear Wing. I could feel a heroic aura about it, as we helped one another in our Riding Duels. Could it really be… That it wanted to help me save Rin?"
Yuzu and Bloom Diva kept observing the boy and the Choir attempted to ask:
"Save… Rin?"
"Bloom Diva, it's a long story. I'll catch you up once we're done here." Yuzu responded, then the Fairy retreated.
"You mentioned Entertainment Dueling, didn't you, Yuzu? What's it about?" Yugo asked.
"Entertainment Dueling is what we practice at You Show Duel School, the school owned by my dad. This is mainly possible due to a duel format called Action Duel, in which you can have Action Cards that are spread around the battlefield. You Show is about "Being one with your Monsters", so you help one another to have the upper hand in the battle and give a good show for everyone."
"Is your deck all singers? Then that could explain the whole "Show" theme…"
"Well, it got more refined once Bloom Diva was by my side. As we dueled, I felt like an orchestra conductor, and all of my Monsters as the singers. I felt like… We all duel together."
"Ah, Rin kinda did the same thing in Turbo Duels! She sometimes just rode on her Monsters and sped past the opponent! I can see your point!"
Yuzu then made a proposal.
"Well… If we have time tomorrow, how about I show you what Entertainment Dueling is about?"
"Honestly, it would be a nice alternative. Why not?"
"Perfect, then we'll get to it… Unless it's too risky."
"Eh, City's really big. Unless Security is extra tight, I doubt we'll have many problems. OK now, I think it's time to go to bed."
"Ah, Yugo… I'll join you shortly! Good night!"
"Night, Yuzu!" Yugo then excused himself. It was time for Yuzu and Bloom Diva to meet properly this time… And for an explanation.
"Yuzu… You saw me too, did you not?" Bloom Diva asked, referring to before the encounter with Yugo.
"Yes. I… Got so caught up in finally being able to hear you again that I didn't realize I could also see you." Yuzu responded.
"Like so?" Bloom Diva then manifested herself to Yuzu, gently, like she was a ghost.
"Yeah, just like that… It was really lucky that apparently it's just me that can see you." Yuzu was still talking with her mind instead of her mouth, yet Bloom Diva could still understand her.
"It is quite fortunate. It is still best to just hear me sometimes, as otherwise, you may look distracted as you look into what others cannot see."
"You're right. Ah… Are you well now?"
"Yes, I am. Though I have been struck down by Starving Venom, I eventually recovered with no major injuries. I have been treated excellently by my fellow Members."
"I'm glad to hear it! Now… The stuff YOU need to know. Wanna do it the same as last time?"
"Of course. Let us harmonize our thoughts, and concentrate."
Bloom Diva and Yuzu closed their eyes, and held their hands in front of them, as they were connected. Yuzu then flashed back from when she arrived in the Synchro Dimension. In not much time at all, Bloom Diva learned about how the City was structured, Yugo, and what exactly happened in general.
"Such an unpleasant balance…" Bloom Diva thought worriedly. "And if I am not mistaken, the Tops have only strengthened their grip on the population as of recent."
"Yeah… I really want to spread the word, to warn people about the interdimensional war, but… Will they even listen to us? Now that we're branded as criminals?"
"It is best to hold until we find a suitable method. Let us not make your situation worse."
"Well, it won't hurt to learn more about this City tomorrow. But still… You think fliers are safe enough?"
"I doubt they are sufficient, yet they are not risky."
"In any case… Let's continue tomorrow, OK? Good night!" Yuzu concluded, to receive a warm smile from Bloom Diva in return. She hadn't really seen it in what felt like an eternity, with all that happened recently… But she was glad to see it once more. She openly smiled back in appreciation.
"Have a serene night, Yuzu. You have earned your rest." With this, Bloom Diva disappeared from the pinkette's view. Yuzu then went to the shared bedroom to find Yugo soundly snoring. Despite all of this, she fell asleep easily as well, after such a day.