Boss Rush

XV: Dark Element

Due to having to transport the spirits, Setsuka was late for school. It was nothing much, really. Duel Academia Queens was more understanding of her situation, since Setsuka had made it that way with an iron rule and casual threats.

A voice began the moment she stepped within the compound. "I challenge you-"

"Michiru-san, you shouldn't issue challenges unless you're prepared for them," Setsuka interjected. "I see you were waiting."

Tenjouin Michiru kept her arms crossed, pouting at her. "What do you think? Oh, and Satsuki-san said that she's stopping, so we have to field either Himemiya or Hinamori."

"I believe Hinamori Seiran will make an admirable first wheeler," Setsuka answered. "The Stygian Dirge is in October, but we're already preparing for it, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are," Michiru squealed. "I can't believe that Dark Epilogue is mine~! Thank you, Setsuka!"

"...it is a necessity," Setsuka answered. "And you are currently one of our members. Speaking of which, are you free today? We have disciplinary work to do, and I have no wish of taking Hazuki with me."

"Okay, if it gets me out," Michiru yawned. "Where?"

"The Puzzle Area."

"Are you- no, wait, never mind," Michiru sighed. "Who else are you dragging along?"

Setsuka's eyes sparkled with some hidden feeling that was definitely not good. "I'll leave you to guess."

"Don't leave me in the dark..." Michiru warned. "Say, what happened to lizard-for-brains?"

"He went back to Australia."

"Must be hard, having a long-distance relationship," Michiru leaned closer. "Say, Setsuka-"

Cold eyes met cobalt eyes, enough that had Michiru backed away. "We are at Queens. Hold yourself with the pride of Queens."

"Fine," Michiru scowled.

"Good girl. You'll have what you need by tonight."

"What?" Michiru raged. "But, Setsuka~!"

"We are going into one of the city's more dangerous areas," Setsuka answered. "If you cannot get your head together, I shall ensure that you are properly disciplined."

"You do realise that anyone would misunderstand at hearing that...?" Michiru snickered as she followed the head prefect of Queens into the building.

"We'll be visiting the Puzzle Area today. You're coming along."

If Ryuusei had been drinking, he would have done a spit-take at Setsuka's flippant order. "What?"

"We'll be visiting the Puzzle Area today. You're coming along." Any hope of having misheard was crushed as Setsuka repeated herself.

"Oi, that's unreasonable," Rex argued. "Ryuusei's not part of Queens!"

"You're not going to let two defenceless girls walk into one of the city's most dangerous areas alone, are you?" Michiru's innocent act fooled no one.

"The people from City Hall last night are still there," Setsuka answered coolly. "Unless, of course, you would prefer having people with explosives running around in a public area."

Ryuusei could see her point, but... "Why Michiru? Last I know, she doesn't have any psychic powers."

"Claiomh Solais," Setsuka answered, her cold eyes wandering over the other brunette. "She had one of the 'seeds' that are the Four Treasures. In case the Morrigan and Samildanach is not enough, the Shining Sword would be too much to resist, no?"

"What about Youkai-sempai?" Ryuusei pointed out.

"He's going on a date," Setsuka answered. "We're not going to be alone, but in this case it's best to have three people, so that two people can carry the third in case of injury."

Eyes narrowed, Ryuusei and Rex turned to the blushing Chase. "No wonder the third party never said anything," both of them muttered.

"Erm, we could cancel..." Chase muttered.

"Oh, no," Setsuka's smile could be as icy as the Arctic itself. "I insist you go on that date. After all, you've been such a good influence on Nowaki that the local typhoon alerts haven't rung all year.""

"So, the weather of Neo Domino actually depends on you keeping him happy...?" Ryuusei mouthed.

"Good luck, Chase!" Rex gave his friend the thumbs-up.

"Bastard..."

"Will you come?" Her eyes seemed to bore into his very soul, those eyes...

Are you? Monarch of the Land and Light?

"Fine."

Due to the high chances of getting D-Wheels stolen, the three and Rex had elected to move on foot. Thankfully, it seemed that Chase's date role in this operation, for this was certainly a sting operation, or something along those lines as Ryuusei thought, was to provide an excuse for the black cars of the Arcadia Movement a legitimate excuse to hang around the Puzzle Area. Whatever the case, or however flimsy the excuse, Ryuusei still felt trepidation at leaving school during the daily Duel Time to 'slum it', in Neo Domino terms.

They attracted stares the moment they entered the area. It was a generally prosperous area, if overrun with all the wrong types of shops minors should not find themselves in. Occasionally a gang of them would stare, cigarette butts in hand and hard eyes watching for weakness. Ryuusei felt quite a few stares on himself as well, and only Rex's constant presence kept him from gravitating towards Setsuka in an attempt to be rid of those hungry... no, predatory stares. On hindsight, he reflected, those stares were very much like his last date's stare. Half admiration, and half insanity. Of course, that was the same date who had tried to murder his best friend, so he may have been slightly biased there.

"When I think about it now, you're too attractive," Setsuka grumbled. "I don't even get it. Still... they're in that building."

"How do you know?" Ryuusei quietly asked.

"Tracker," Setsuka replied. "Handy things, aren't they? Michiru and I shall take the front. Rex and you, evacuate. Once no one is around, follow us in."

"Got it," Ryuusei answered as the two girls, one in black, and the other in blue, entered the squat block. The two proceeded to the nearest gang, composed of a bunch of chain-smokers.

"What?" one of them scowled as they approached.

"Arcadia Movement," Ryuusei shortly answered. "We're setting up an assault on that building. Leave if you want to live."

There was something in his tone, for the older man quietly persuaded his fellows to leave with him. Slowly, surely, the gangs milling around the specified block left under threat, and Ryuusei glanced slightly at his stoic friend before he looked to the abandoned building. "Erm, you don't have to-"

"Stop being an idiot," Rex shortly answered. "Come on, I got your back."

"Oi!" In the distance, Chase was running up to them. "Made it... I'm not going to leave you alone!"

"You could fly, you know," Youkai casually mentioned as he dropped from the skies. Ryuusei had long given up on deciphering that trick, it being a speciality of Glen and the Sylph of the Arcadia Movement.

"Well, where's the fun in that?" Chase retorted.

"Well?" Rex prompted.

"... thank you," Ryuusei quietly answered. "Let's go, then."

"Dammit!" Kisaragi swore. If Shimotsuki Setsuka alone was already more than able, the help she brought this time was even more irritating. The graceful beauty with long raven-colored hair that reached her chest and a pair of midnight blue eyes with ominously cold glares that gave chills with her smirk, and in an Obelisk blazer as well... not only good at Duelling, but she had also been leisurely countering his red spears with light blades.

Another 'seed' holder... just the thing to prove how outclassed they were.

"Let's do this," she snarked as she unlocked her DuelDisk. "I'm the Black Princess of Duel Academia Queens, Tenjouin Michiru!"

"I'll make sure you regret it," Kisaragi promised. "This Shinonome Kisaragi will beat you!"

"Duel!"

Michiru: LP 8000

Kisaragi: LP 8000

"Draw!" Michiru called. "I'll play the Spell, Card Destruction, to discard both our hands and draw five more cards."

"Heh," Kisaragi smirked as he did so as well. "Bad start?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Michiru smirked as a small three-headed red-furred dog appeared. "The Fabled Cerburrel [1000/400] is rather faithful, isn't he? To be special summoned even after discarding. Now, I'll discard two Fabled Krus in my hand to retrieve the two Fabled Kushano, and use one Krus to revive the other Krus [1000/800] and one Fabled Raven [1300/1000]. Then, I send both Kushano from hand to grave to revive Fabled Soulkius [2200/2100]. Tuning, level six Soulkius and level two Krus to level two Cerburrel!"

"Level ten Synchro?" Kisaragi mouthed.

"Legends sunk long ago into the darkness of time, arise to begin the revolution of the tales!" Michiru chanted. "Synchro summon! Lord of the monsters, Fabled Leviathan!"

Red, large leathery wings flared, long red hair hanging loose on its head as it floated, indulgently smiling even though its eyes were covered by a mask [3000/2000].

"I'll then discard a card from my hand to special summon The Fabled Nozoochee [1200/800]," Michiru declared. "I can then set The Fabled Peggulus [100/1600] and special summon a level two or lower Fabled from my hand, such as Fabled Lurrie [200/400]. Tuning, level two Nozoochee and level one Lurrie to level two Raven! Legends shrouded in false darkness for too long, spread your wings and fly into the light! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Fabled Ragin!"

"...Shit," Kisaragi swore as the armoured monster [2300/1800] appeared.

"When Ragin is Synchro summoned when I have one or less cards in hand, I can draw until I have two cards," Michiru announced. "I'll set a card, turn end."

"Draw!" Kisaragi muttered. "I summon Heroic Challenger – Double Lance [1700/900]! By its effect, its brother in the graveyard is also special summoned. I overlay both level four monsters! Come, Heroic Champion – Excalibur [2000/2000]! Now do you see-"

"What an uninteresting play," Michiru scoffed. "Trap card, Bottomless Trap Hole."

"..." Kisaragi deflated.

"Well?" Michiru pressed. "Are you quite done with your moves?"

"I... I set a card, turn end," Kisaragi whispered.

"Draw!" Michiru called. "I flip open The Fabled Peggulus. Then, I'll discard The Fabled Ganashia in my hand for Kushano, and thus special summon The Fabled Ganashia [1600/1000 → 1900/1000]. Now, I summon Snipe Hunter [1500/600]. I discard Kushano again, and let's roll the die of fate!"

Cackling, the monster's roulette clicked... until a two was reached.

"Too bad," Michiru smirked as Kisaragi's lone card on the field blew up. "Now, tuning, level four Hunter to level three Ganashia to level one Peggulus! Legends long hidden in the false lies, rise from the fires of doomsday to show the authority! Synchro Summon! Terrify, Fabled Valkyrus!"

In a flash, the last of the Fiend Roar Deities [2900/1700] appeared in shining armour.

"Hmm..." Michiru clapped. "Get him, boys."

Kisaragi kept staring, his eyes wide as he was thrown back. This was not supposed to happen...! Such power...! "W- Who are you?"

"The Black Princess of Duel Academia Queens, or, the Fabled Queen," Michiru laughed. "Carve the name of Tenjouin Michiru into your body."

"Y- You're a 'seed' holder as well..." Kisaragi gasped.

"Huh? Yeah," Michiru conjured a ball of light. "Hey, do you know the principle behind lasers? It's actually a lot of beams or photons concentrated together into a very small area, you know. There are lasers being used to cut, transfer, and basically do a lot of things. You know, I bet you'd become ash in a laser."

"W- What are you doing?" Kisaragi muttered as glowing bright white motes surrounded Michiru.

"Oh, this?" Michiru smirked. "This is my power, Claíomh Solais. This shining sword actually demands your blood as payment, so... mind dying~?"

Kisaragi started, shivering as Michiru made to lick an invisible blade before his eyes rolled back into his head and he conked out.

"...damn," Michiru muttered, making the sword disappear as motes of light gathered from Kisaragi to her. "I must have laid down too much scary."

Elsewhere, Setsuka was lazily pursuing Kiyomi when Sandra stood before her. "Where's Krissy?"

"Ms Leola is currently enjoying the hospitality of the Arcadia Movement," Setsuka casually answered as she dodged a slash and the Caledfwlch. "Sandra Torolini, I am a psychic Duellist under the Arcadia Movement. Under the Neo Domino Arcadia Rights Bill of 20XX, I can perform citizen's arrest in my capacity as a disciplinary member upon suspicious activity or imminent threat. Hence, for suspicion of terrorist activities, vandalism of public property, resisting arrest and breaking and entering, you are under arrest. You are allowed one chance to escape in a Duel."

"I'll take the Duel," Sandra countered, unlocking her DuelDisk. "Let's do this."

"Duel!"

Sandra: LP 8000

Setsuka: LP 8000

"Draw!" Sandra called. "I'll summon Flamvell Firedog [1900/200] in attack mode! Then, I'll set a card, turn end."

"Draw," Setsuka intoned. "I play the Spell, Medallion of the Ice Barrier to pull a Prior of the Ice Barrier from deck to hand. Then, I play the Spell, Magic Triangle of the Ice Barrier to reveal Prior, General Raiho and Strategist of the Ice Barrier to destroy your set card."

Sandra scowled as the set card was destroyed.

"With that, I special summon Strategist of the Ice Barrier [1600/1600]," Setsuka announced, never breaking stride. "Then, I discard a card to draw again. I normal summon Prior of the Ice Barrier, and tribute him to use his effect to special summon General Raiho of the Ice Barrier [2100/2300]."

A Chinese-looking man in loose robes of blue and a cap, both bearing the hexagonal snowflake symbol of the Ice Barrier, appeared.

"Battle," Setsuka crisply announced. "Raiho, destroy the Firedog. Strategist, direct attack."

Sandra shielded herself as the wave of cold ice blasted at her.

Sandra: LP 8000 → LP 7800 → LP 6200

Setsuka: LP 8000

"I'll set one card and end my turn." Setsuka declared.

"Strong..." Sandra gritted her teeth. "Draw! You're the one who killed Krissy's father, was it?"

"Kurogane Hayato betrayed the Arcadia Movement," Setsuka distantly answered.

"How bloodthirsty," Sandra commented. "I'll summon Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress [1700/200] to the field. Though we have nothing against each other, you caused my Krissy to be hurt."

"Continuous Trap, Eisbahn," Setsuka declared. "All non-Water Attribute monsters are moved to defence mode."

Sandra scowled. "I'll then set a card and end my turn. At the end phase, I have to mill two cards from deck to graveyard."

"I know," Setsuka answered. "Draw. I discard another Ice Barrier monster to draw again. Now, I play the Spell, Surface to revive Prior. I then tribute Prior to special summon Dance Princess of the Ice Barrier [1700/900]. I reveal Warlock of the Ice Barrier in my hand to bounce that set card, and I normal summon Warlock of the Ice Barrier [400/1000]. Now, both of us must set Spell cards before they are activated, and can only activate them at our next turn."

"...crap," Sandra muttered.

"Strategist, please deal with Lyla," Setsuka indicated with an elegant finger. "Raiho, Dance Princess, Warlock, direct attack."

Sandra: LP 6200 → LP 2000

Setsuka: LP 8000

Sandra coughed as she stood back up, staggering slightly. "That... hurt. Don't you face police brutality charges?"

"You are engaging in a Duel against a psychic duellist," Setsuka archly replied. "You certainly took it better than Ms Leola, at any rate. Turn end."

"What did you do to Krissy?" Sandra flared. "Draw! I'll... I'll set a monster and a card, turn end."

"Draw," Setsuka answered. "I reveal Medium of the Ice Barrier in my hand to bounce your set card. Raiho, the monster."

"Heh, UFO Turtle [1400/900] allows me to search for a weak Fire Attribute monster when destroyed," Sandra muttered. "And that monster will be moved to defence mode by Eisbahn, so too bad! Here comes the second UFO Turtle!"

"Ah," Setsuka nodded. "Then, Strategist."

"The third," Sandra answered as another UFO Turtle appeared.

"Dance Princess," Setsuka added.

"Flamvell Guard [100/2000]!" Sandra scowled in irritation.

This gave Setsuka pause. "I see. I discard Medium to draw another card. Turn end."

"Draw!" Sandra announced. "She's pushing me back by pure Duelling ability... so this is the power of the head of the Arcadia Movement... I set a monster and a card, turn end."

"Draw," Setsuka distantly replied. "I reveal Samurai of the Ice Barrier in my hand to let Dance Princess bounce that Rekindling you've been trying so desperately to activate for the past few turns."

Sandra muttered a few invectives.

"Well, then, I summon Samurai [1800/1500]. Raiho, the Flamvell Guard, Dance Princess, attack that monster," Setsuka murmured, barely flinching as the set Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter blew up her warlock. "Samurai, Strategist, deal the finishing blow!"

Sandra: LP 2000 → LP 0

Setsuka: LP 8000

Sandra clutched at the places where the monsters had hit and slashed at. "You're... a monster... like that kid with Marguerite on his side..."

"Funny, that was what Ms Leola said as well," Setsuka replied. "That was before I informed her that I knew nothing whatsoever about Kurogane Hayato, and that he was alive. Where, I hardly know or care, but the moment he steps out into public he will rue that day."

"He's... alive...?" Sandra's expression slackened. "Then..."

"You are still under arrest," Setsuka loomed as motes of light flew from Sandra to her as the very air itself seemed to chill about her. "What kid?"

Ryuusei was searching the whole building, the four boys having split up to cover more ground when he saw her. The Aussa from this morning was still there, the Yellow Baboon gone, and she was facing a panting white-haired man.

"You lie!"the Aussa raged. "You are not the Monarch!"

"Please..." Kiyomi panted. "I never said I was..."

"We attacked them for you, and we found him!" the Aussa was clearly not in the mood to argue with him. "You made us attack the King!"

"Oh, come on..." Kiyomi groaned. "I'm the only one who has an idea of who the man is. Unless you'd rather ask the Winter Queen... yeah, I thought so."

Ryuusei glanced. From the cadence, and that he was too clean to be part of the gangs about here... "You're under arrest for suspicious activities."

The white-haired man looked up to him. "Fudo Ryuusei, was it?"

The Aussa started, large eyes glancing at him with some unreadable expression. "King Summer..."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Ryuusei informed her. "As for you... erm, how do I address you?"

"Natashi Kiyomi," the man lazily waved a hand. He was considerably beautiful, but Ryuusei spotted that one hand of his seemed to have hardened, white and numb like it had been frostbitten. And only one person he knew used ice as a deadly weapon. "You came because Shimotsuki told you to, right?"

"You're under arrest," Ryuusei repeated as he reached for his deck. "You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can and will be used against you as evidence in court. You will be allowed-"

"Oh, please, drop the Miranda act," Kiyomi scoffed. "You and I know that Japan has a different system."

"Erm, actually we have to read the rights when we arrest people under the Arcadia Rights act," Ryuusei replied. "You are also entitled to one Duel."

Kiyomi stared at him suspiciously. "Why the Duel?"

Ryuusei shrugged. "I guess Shimotsuki thought we might injure them enough that it doesn't matter."

Kiyomi slowly nodded. "Okay... from what I know of your boss, that sounds likely." he waved the numbed hand to make his point.

"She's not my boss," Ryuusei answered. "Why?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Kiyomi rhetorically posed. "Then let's duel."

"Duel!" both called.

Kiyomi: LP 8000

Ryuusei: LP 8000

"Draw!" Kiyomi called. "I summon Atlantean Heavy Infantry [0/1600]! With that, during my main phase I can normal summon a level four or lower Sea Serpent Type monster, so here comes Atlantean Attack Squad [1400/0]! Atlantean attack Squad gains eight hundred attack points when I control a Fish, Aqua or Sea Serpent Type monster other than him [1400/0 → 2200/0]. Now, I set two cards, turn end."

"My turn, draw!" Ryuusei called. "I play the Spell, Reincarnation of Hope! I'll discard two monsters, and in the next two turns from now I can add a monster of choice from deck to hand. Now, I summon Junk Synchron [1300/500]! With Junk Synchron's effect, I can special summon Evil Thorn [100/300] to the field."

"Nice," Kiyomi whistled appreciatively. "But, not good enough. Continuous Trap, Discord!"

"Ah," Ryuusei nodded. "I tribute Evil Thorn to special summon two more Evil Thorn from my deck and inflict three hundred damage to you. Activate the Spell, Super Solar Nutrient, I tribute one Evil Thorn to special summon Lonefire Blossom, and tribute the other Evil Thorn per Lonefire Blossom to special summon Tytannial, Princess of Camellias [2800/2600]. Entering battle phase, Junk Synchron, attack Atlantean Heavy Infantry!"

"Trap card, Aegis of the Ocean Dragon Lord!" Kiyomi called. "This turn, all level three or lower Water Attribute monsters cannot be destroyed."

"But you will still take damage," Ryuusei reasoned. "And now that I know that, Tytannial, attack Atlantean Heavy Infantry!"

Kiyomi: LP 8000 → LP 7700 → LP 6400 → LP 3600

Ryuusei: LP 8000

"You duel very well," Ryuusei complimented.

"Same to you," Kiyomi answered. "So, why haven't you tried to defeat Shimotsuki yet?"

"It's a long story," Ryuusei shortly answered. "Why are you trying so hard? More people will suffer."

"Like many haven't already done so under Shimotsuki?" Kiyomi countered. "The Arcadia Movement is stifling, don't you think? And let's not forget those who cross that family. Do you know what her mother did to my father? My father was merely curious enough to ask about the game gotten. Shimotsuki Seiran landed him in a coma, I know it! But that's not important, you see. I don't care about that. What I do care is how it's done, so I can use it. The world would be so much better if I could use that power, possibly to reach beyond worlds..."

"So... you just want power," Ryuusei guessed.

"Power to reach beyond," Kiyomi whispered. "Power to break free. Join me, and we could be unstoppable."

Sempai... you could be unstoppable...

Ryuusei shivered. "I'll set a card, turn end."

"Draw!" Kiyomi announced. "I activate the Field Spell, A Legendary Ocean. To such a distinguished Duellist as yourself, I doubt I need to tell you exactly what this means, right?"

"All Water Attribute monsters gain an attack and defence boost, as well as a decrease of one level on the field and in hand," Ryuusei nodded as Kiyomi's monsters glowed [0/1600 → 200/1800] [2200/0 → 2400/200].

"I'll summon Deep Sea Diva [200/400 → 400/600]," Kiyomi announced. "With that, I can special summon Atlantean Marksman [1400/0 → 1600/200] to the field from my deck. Now, I tribute Diva, Heavy Infantry and Marksman to special summon Poseidra, the Atlantean Dragon [2800/1600]!"

"What!" Ryuusei shielded himself as the gigantic, trident-tailed blue dragon appeared in a splash that nearly knocked him off his feet.

"When Poseidra is special summoned by this effect, I return all spells and traps on the field to the hand," Kiyomi announced. "Not to mention, if three or more cards are returned by this effect, my opponent's monsters lose three hundred attack per card. But, when Marksman is sent to the graveyard as a cost, I have to destroy a set card on the field."

"Chain Trap card, Waboku!" Ryuusei called.

Kiyomi sighed. "Either way, Discord and A Legendary Ocean returns to the hand. Due to Heavy Infantry being sent to the graveyard as a cost for Poseidra, I can destroy a face-up card on the field, such as Tytannial!"

"The effect of Tytannial, I tribute Lonefire Blossom to negate that effect and destroy it," Ryuusei countered as the sparking bulb was swallowed into the ground. A fine gold mist seemed to surround them just like that.

"Yes," Kiyomi considered. "And thanks to Waboku, even if I used Poseidra [2800/1600] to attack with its power augmented by A Legendary Ocean, your Tytannial will survive. I'll reactivate A Legendary Ocean and set a card before I end my turn."

"Draw!" Ryuusei called. "I play the Spell, Angel Baton! I draw two cards and discard one."

"Activate Discord once more," Kiyomi mocked. "Are you troubled, Fudo Ryuusei? Of course you should be, without your precious Synchro monsters. Synchro monsters that revolutionised Duel Monsters, and your father was at the forefront of change. It looks like you didn't quite match up."

"I don't insult your parentage, kindly refrain from doing the same," Ryuusei countered. "I tribute Junk Synchron to normal summon Gigaplant [2400/1200]!"

"Ah," Kiyomi answered dispassionately as the giant monster appeared. "But, you cannot do anything..." Kiyomi trailed off as Ryuusei revealed the other card in hand. "Oh."

"Meet Supervise," Ryuusei gravely answered as he slotted the card in and Gigaplant roared, glowing. "And then, Gigaplant revives Lonefire Blossom, which brings out in defence mode Oberon, King of the Fairies [2200/1500]!"

"Quite an unusual theme," Kiyomi spotted as the king consort of the Fae appeared kneeling beside the Queen of the Fairies.

"It was a gift," Ryuusei muttered. "I'm still wondering myself. Either way, if you won't let me Synchro summon, Tytannial has three thousand three hundred points as Oberon grants an attack and defence boost to all Plants [2200/1500 → 2700/2000] [2800/2600 → 3300/3100] [2400/1200 → 2900/1700] I control. Tytannial, attack Poseidra with Judgement Bloom!"

Kiyomi was blown back as the queen struck.

Kiyomi: LP 3600 → LP 3300

Ryuusei: LP 8000

"Now, without Poseidra, your Atlantean Attack Squad loses its boost," Ryuusei observed [2400/200 → 1600/200]. "Gigaplant!"

The Venus Fly-trap gleefully chomped down.

Kiyomi: LP 3300 → LP 2000

Ryuusei: LP 8000

The red-headed Duellist looked frustrated. "Turn end."

"Draw!" Kiyomi called. "Well, I activate the Spell, Aurora Draw, to draw two cards. Now I activate the quick-play Spell, Call of the Atlanteans! I can special summon three level three or lower Sea Serpents from the graveyard, but this turn I cannot special summon other monsters. Come, Heavy Infantry in defence mode, Marksman in attack mode, and Attack Squad in attack mode! Now, Attack Squad, finish off Oberon!"

Ryuusei frowned, gritting his teeth as the monster was destroyed in the swipe of a single blade. "At least it's in defence mode."

"If you think so," Kiyomi shrugged. "I set a card and end my turn."

"Draw!" Ryuusei whispered. "Due to Reincarnation of Hope, I can add a monster from hand to deck..." he paused, calculating.

"Use me," Marguerite whispered. "Come, my card is within your deck. You know that assembling three weak monsters like this could only have one reason."

"You'll trust yourself into my hands, Marguerite...?" Ryuusei took a deep breath. "I choose the monster Sorciere de Fleur."

"...that was never in your data," Kiyomi flatly replied. "When did you...?"

"I guess..." Ryuusei shrugged. "Sorry... main phase, Gigaplant revives Lonefire, which I use to special summon Copy Plant. Now, I tribute both Gigaplant and Copy Plant to advance summon! Appear now, Witch of the Time Flower, Sorciere de Fleur [2900/0]!"

"M- Marguerite..." Kiyomi hissed as the pink-robed magician appeared. "You're siding with him... why? We're working to fulfil the contract, weren't we...?"

Marguerite never answered.

"Using the effect of Sorciere de Fleur, I can special summon Poseidra!" Ryuusei called as the blue trident-tailed monster appeared [2800/1600 → 3000/1800]. "Poseidra, attack Atlantean Attack Squad! Sorciere de Fleur, attack Atlantean Marksman!"

Slowly, the sorceress swung her staff out in a wide arc. "Mille Fleurs: Fragrance Storm!"

Kiyomi: LP 2000 → LP 0

Ryuusei: LP 8000

The blast threw Kiyomi into the wall, growling as he struggled. "That..."

"Wait!" Ryuusei shouted, taking chase as he took after Kiyomi beginning to run. Both of them went down in a full tackle as the bodies rolled slightly.

Kiyomi came up first, only to be met with the staves of Oberon and Marguerite, Gigaplant's jaws, and Tytannial carrying a disapproving expression. He was forced up, painfully contorted to match as Ryuusei was helped up by the Aussa by the sidelines.

"Your Majesty...?" she whispered. "Is that you, Your Highness?"

Discomfited, Ryuusei quickly got to his feet. "I don't know what are you talking about."

"That's impossible," the Aussa pointed out. "You smell of sunlight and fire. Have you no recollection? Summer needs you more than ever, what with the upcoming battles about to begin-"

"You're the Summer King?" Kiyomi started

"Help me," Ryuusei mouthed as Marguerite.

"Avalanching Aussa," Marguerite addressed. "He has no recollection, and he is... unlikely to be the Summer monarch." Ryuusei still saw her study the chains in her hand, there remaining only one corroding pairings of links.

"So he does not know, then?" Aussa archly remarked. That was before he was pulled into a deep kiss that felt soft and real and- and roots were digging into his head-

In the hand of Marguerite, the last links of the chains broke.

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