Boss Rush

XLIII: Infernity Break

Misawa Nowaki, or Youkai, or Sylph as the Arcadia Movement listed his profile under, was really not one for being subtle. It was understandable, really – he had spent a lifetime of hiding who he was and being picked on mercilessly; now that he had self-confidence, a new, expanded family, and a (generally, if the guy's sarcastic knight-in-sour-armour personality was considered) loving boyfriend, he generally tossed subtlety to the wind. Most of the time, it was pleasant; like being caught up in the middle of a sudden sunshower, being pulled along for a ride in a fast car, or a dance with a talented partner suddenly going from a waltz to a flamenco.

Then, there were times when his lack of subtlety and love of expression got incredibly frustrating. So the reception counter of the Kaiba Dome found out when the mountain of DA Kings banners walked in, threw the ticket through the banners, and then marched up to one of the booths.

"Am I late?" Youkai demanded as he marched in, wiping a few strands of snow-white hair off from equally pale lashes. His scarlet eyes seemed to glimmer in the light.

"Yes, dammit!" Rex growled, crossing his arms as he reclined in his seat.

Ryuusei shook his head. "Chase just began attacking."

Meanwhile, on the field, Chase and Justin exchanged challenging stares, while their monsters impatiently pawed at the ground, as if sensing each other's killing intent.

Chase: LP 8000, Lavalval Chain [1800/1000], Continuous Trap: Dark Smog, 1 reversed card.

Justin: LP 6200, Constellar Ptolemys M7 [3200/2000], Constellar Acubens [1300/2000], Continuous Spell: Constellar Star Belt, Continuous Trap: Ultimate Offering.

"OOOHHH!" the MC roared into his microphone. "Chase Princeton has just managed to hit Justin Aquila directly with eighteen hundred points of damage! But right now Chase's own field is disadvantageous! Will he actually succeed?"

"Dad, Chase runs an Infernity deck, and I'll eat that mike if the card he placed on top of his deck isn't Infernity Archfiend. Assuming that Chase lasts this turn, he has everything made..."

"Draw!" Justin called. "I admit, I was surprised when you actually managed to damage me, but it means nothing in the long run. Now, Constellar Ptolemys M7, attack Lavalval Chain!"

"Continuous Trap activate, Void Shield!" Chase called as a circular shield appeared. "When my hand is at zero, attacks may be negated."

Justin grimaced. "Fine. I'll summon Constellar Kaust [1800/700] from my hand. Overlay level four Constellar Kaust and Constellar Acubens, descend, Constellar Omega [2400/500]! Due to Constellar Star Belt I can draw a card. Turn end."

"He made it!" Youkai cheered. "Go, Chase!"

"He'll make it," Rex crossed his arms, smirking.

"Draw!" Chase announced. "When Infernity Archfiend [1800/1200] is added to my hand when my hand is at zero, I can special summon him. If that's not enough of a kicker, I can also search for an Infernity card from my deck when Archfiend is special summoned when my hand is at zero. I'll choose Infernity Necromancer. Now, I'll detach one material from Lavalval Chain to send a card from my deck to the graveyard, and I'll send the tuner monster, Infernity Avenger. Now, I summon Infernity Necromancer [0/2000] who immediately moves to defence mode, and then activate the effect of Necromancer to revive one monster in the graveyard. Of course, I'll choose Infernity Avenger [0/0]."

"From no cards in hand, to fielding four monsters..." Justin gasped.

"Tuning, level four Infernity Archfiend and level three Necromancer to level one Avenger." Chase chanted. "The dead and the living... The moment they meet at zero, above the cage of eternity, the demonic dragon comes out! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Infernity Death Dragon!"

From the light of the Synchro rings descended a single dragon that could passably be described as uglier than sin itself. Its ratty leathery wings spread out, barely large enough to support its body. Its pincer-like hands gnashed threateningly, a maw full of fangs bared, and its brain could be glimpsed set in a chitinous crown above a multitude of beady eyes [3000/2400].

"Finally, Chase Princeton has summoned his infamous trump card, Infernity Death Dragon!" the MC roared. "It's even more powerful than Constellar Ptolemys M7!"

"The effect of Infernity Death Dragon," Chase was announcing. "By giving up its attack this turn when I have zero cards in my hand, I can destroy one monster card on the field, and half of its attack power gets blown out of your life points. My choice is that Constellar Omega. Burn in the black flames and be satisfied, Infernity Death Breath!"

The dragon's maw flooded with a black fire that was shot at the shining monster, turning it into so much shrapnel that rained down on Justin lifting an arm to shield himself.

Justin: LP 6200 → LP 5000

Chase: LP 8000

"Then, Lavalval Chain can attack directly with the gift of Infernity Queen in the graveyard," Chase continued as the flaming red dragon roared. "Will o' Wisp!"

Justin: LP 5000 → LP 3200

Chase: LP 8000

"Assuming that I get through your next turn, I can hit you where it hurts and win already." Chase commented lightly, though the fight never left his eyes. "But... you are Dueling with your heart and soul as well, aren't you? Turn end."

"I have faith that my deck will pull me through this," Justin answered. "No... My deck must pull me through this. You will not win against me."

"Good," Chase grinned, showing both incisors. "I like that kind of Duelist who believes in their deck and their cards to pull them out. People with determination to see a Duel to the end are true Duelists."

"You misunderstand." Justin's tone was plain.

"Huh?" Chase looked at him curiously. "What do you mean...?" he trailed off as his eyes widened. "You..."

Ryuusei squinted, the only way he could access any form of spirit-Sight, and Saw. The glistening spirits, gathered in pearly chains like floating sigils around Justin, their power being fuelled into the lone boy standing across Chase. "Damn."

"What?" Rex looked up.

"Justin has Duel Spirits forcibly bound to him," Ryuusei answered quickly. "Their power is being transferred to him..."

"A cruel binding, forged of trickery if not actual power," floating incorporeal, Marguerite observed. "How callous, such bindings on covenants that should be contracted willingly. But you fail to observe, Ryuusei."

"No, I see," Ryuusei quickly added. "The Constellar are the ones holding the contract. This is..."

"Chase seems to have noted something odd!" the MC called. "What is it?"

"...a collar," Chase finally breathed, his free hand moving towards his mouth. "I thought..."

"You thought wrong, whatever it was." Justin touched his neck, where those with spirit-Sight could see the chains turn their barbs into milky skin. "I accepted this geasa upon myself, for power. I needed power for what I must do."

"Why?" Chase breathed. "Why...?"

Justin smiled beatifically, and it was like transcendent joy followed by an accompaniment of touchingly soulful violins. "I made a promise. To the one who saved my life, I must help her. I must. I have contracted myself, I have worked and bled and toiled to get here. I cannot afford to fail now. So, I am sorry, but I must defeat you here to get to my target."

"Ryuusei?" Chase immediately turned defensive. "What do you want with him?"

"You do not have to know," Justin affirmed. "It is my turn. Draw! I will activate the Spell, Swords of Revealing Light. With that, I shall set a card. Turn end."

Cheers sounded as the crowds began to sit up and take notice.

"And now Justin is preparing for a comeback! But will he manage to get ready in three turns, or will he be defeated?"

Glass shattered against the screen on impact. Shards of the vase littered the carpeted floor, and a stain of water deepened the burgundy colour of the material. Seiran ignored it, too absorbed in seeing their team leader lose her cool for once.

"That idiot..." Setsuka hissed through her teeth. "Don't tell me... Larson!"

"Not me," Rick held up both hands in a conciliatory gesture. "I guess Aquila was really desperate. I mean, your disappearance last year did cause mass panic in all the branches, Ms Setsuka."

Reclining behind the orange-haired vice-Head, Rose merely nodded. "Aquila is someone who will do anything for the Arcadia Movement to continue. Even with Ryuusei's brief stint as Head, the other branch heads figure that even though they will work with him, they do not think he will be as... effective as you are."

"The Arcadia Movement is already public, a minor cannot remain as the leader," Setsuka pointed out.

Beside Rose, Anna snorted. "Doesn't stop you from controlling it through your butler, Cold Queen."

Setsuka ignored the jibe. "First is to figure out how long, and why, also his plans. We can guess that it has something to do with the other side of the business."

Seiran groaned with the American Duelists. "Really, Setsuka-san?"

"Chase has the Anam Ghairm, and with it the ability to see Duel spirits," was the reply. "If it's something to do with spirits and this place at this time, then most likely it's either Ryuusei or I that will be targeted. But, Justin Aquila..."

"Justin Aquila was a personal case taken on by the Madame before she..." Rick made an empathetic gesture. "And... well, the Madame was... very dynamic."

Setsuka quickly nodded. Come Samhaine I must perform the change, and I cannot do it without Ryuusei. Yet, the Constellar tribe is Summer-bound, so why would they want to kill their own king? It would place the entirety of Summer at a disadvantage should Ryuusei be finished now, but... given that Justin had had ample chance to do it, why not then, and choose when there are too many witnesses and no escape? No... either way Ryuusei must win, otherwise the entirety of both rulers will be trapped here, and the Court must be rejoined one way or another... rejoined... it would be so easy for the Constellar to divine the stars for that moment, and then... I see. One world is never enough even in the twelve dimensions.

Setsuka nodded, getting up to walk towards the nearest window. If the other Duelists present had any protests as she rolled up the glass screen, they kept it to themselves.

Pulling a card, she twirled it between her fingers pensively. "My messenger, my defender, thought and memory flies, Blizzed, Defender of the Ice Barrier, hear me, carry my cry."

The white bird flashed as it appeared, a mere shade in the world before it turned more solid.

"Fly, and tell the Hound of my intentions," Setsuka whispered as the bird took flight to echo the croak of the coming unkindness. "Blizzed the Defender, call my words, my orders, remind the Hound that he yet owes I."

Spreading its wings wide, the bird glided through the air in a manner befitting of an albatross, alighting at the nearest stadium roof above the match. Its cry echoed, though most pitiful souls could not hear the cry of the spirit.

Hmm... you order me, Queen Winter? How odd.

"What are you talking about?" Chase hissed from the corner of his mouth.

Queen Winter orders that the match be taken to the last wheeler, if we can.

"She can burn, I'm not letting the creep near Ryuusei."

Not even if it were for his own good? Let the King of Summer face the last champion they have. The Mist Valley will have their pound of flesh either way even without this servitor of the Constellar.

"... oh, come on," Chase moaned as he reached a conclusion. "It's my turn, draw!"

His lips twitched. "I'll sacrifice Lavalval Chain to summon Infernity Destroyer [2300/1600] in attack mode! Now, I use the effect of Infernity Death Dragon and roast Constellar Ptolemys M7 to ashes!"

"Trap card open, Destruct Potion!" Justin bellowed. "I'll destroy my own Ptolemys M7 and gain life points equal to its attack! Now your dragon has no target!"

Justin: LP 3200 → LP 6400

Chase: LP 8000

"Turn end," Chase scowled.

"I'll draw!" Justin called. "I play the Spell, Pot of Avarice, allowing me to return Constellar Ptolemys M7, Omega, Zubeneschamali, Antares and Kaust in my graveyard to my deck, shuffle and then draw two cards. With that I'll activate the Spell, Light of Redemption, allowing me to pay eight hundred life points to return one banished Light Attribute monster to my hand, such as Constellar Pleiades! Then the other card, Card of Demise!"

"Not bad," Chase reluctantly admitted as Justin took the card from his pocket and placed it back to the extra deck before Justin drew until he had five cards in hand. "Damn..."

Justin: LP 6400 → LP 5600

Chase: LP 8000

"I'll summon Constellar Sheratan [700/1900] to the field." Justin declared. "Now, I can add a Constellar monster from hand to deck, such as Constellar Pollux. I'll pay five hundred life points each by Ultimate Offering to summon Constellar Kaust [1800/700] and Constellar Pollux [1700/600]. Once when Pollux is normal summoned to the field, I can normal summon another Constellar monster, such as Constellar Sombres [1550/1600]. I'll set two cards, turn end."

Justin: LP 5600 → LP 4600

Chase: LP 8000

"Heh," Chase smirked. "Draw!"

"Activate both copies of Solar Ray," Justin commanded. "For each face-up Light Attribute monster on my side of the field, my opponent takes six hundred damage."

"WHAT?"

Chase: LP 8000 → LP 3200

Justin: LP 4600

"Dammit," Chase muttered the curse incoherently as he glared at the albino. "I will end you. So you want to play it with burn damage, do you? I summon Infernity Mirage [0/0]!"

Justin stilled as the eerily terrifying Native American shamanic monster appeared. "With zero attack and defence?"

"When my hand is at zero, Infernity Mirage can be released to special summon two Infernity monsters from the graveyard," Chase informed him. "So. We go with the ever-popular duo if Archfiend and Necromancer!"

Both monsters reappeared, looking visibly pissed off as they malevolently glowered.

"Archfiend triggers his search effect, and I choose this Spell," Chase showed it. "I set the card. Now that my hand is at zero, Necromancer can get to special summoning my favourite tuner Avenger."

"But I have Swords of Revealing Light," Justin sensibly pointed out.

"Won't make a lick of difference," Chase answered. "I'll activate the set Spell, Infernity Burst! For each face-up Infernity monster I control, my opponent takes eight hundred damage, and I've managed to fill most of my slots!"

"W- What? No!" Justin yelled.

"Yes!" Chase countered as the demonic shadows reached out from the card to claw at Justin.

Justin: LP 4600 → LP 600

Chase: LP 3200

"The effect of Infernity Death Dragon activates, and I choose Constellar Kaust as my target," Chase declared. "Burn in the black flames and be satisfied, Infernity Death Breath!"

Justin: LP 600 → LP 0

Chase: LP 3200

"And Team Black Knights has won... wait, Chase Princeton is calling for a changeover at the same time as Team Underworld is switching?" the MC called. "Well, by the rules adapted from the first World Riding Duel Grand Prix, the changeover means that both sides will start with the exact same field, but with the same eight thousand life points and a brand new hand!"

"Chase?" Ryuusei blinked. "What are you-"

"Go, go," Chase pushed the other towards the door, slapping the armband into his hand. "I have to catch up to that guy, pronto. You manage the last wheeler, and for god's sake don't you dare lose this match, even if we're leading in the win count. I'm not having any dispute over our entry into the semi-finals."

Ryuusei nodded, taking everything in stride. "Rex, take over."

"Just you and me, Calcifer," Rex sighed.

"Stop naming my laptop!" was Ryuusei's parting jibe before he walked up.

Drake Lancaster stood smirking opposite him on the stage. With brown hair worn in a surfer cut, plus fair skin, light brown eyes, a runner's physique on top of a taller-than-average height, there was a certain debonair charm about him. A small hoop earring in his left ear and a necklace with a Celtic knot pendant glimmered in the light, matching his white full-body Riding suit with green trimming. "So you're Fudo Ryuusei, eh?"

Ryuusei gave a short, sharp nod, glaring not at Drake as the other Duelist might have thought, but at the translucent white fowl cawing overhead. The bird stopped by the MC's table, hopping to the microphone perch, before Ryuusei caught its eye... its cold blue eye.

The bird winked before it took to the skies.

"Make this a fun Duel, will you?" Drake drawled, unlocking his DuelDisk with care. "I didn't fly to Japan just for nothing."

"I will do what I can," was Ryuusei's stoic answer.

"Duel!"

Drake: LP 8000

Ryuusei: LP 8000

"Please," Ryuusei offered.

"Oh, pretty confident, are we?" Drake offered lightly, though there was a challenge in his voice.

"Age must precede youth."

"I'm not that old, brat," A tic formed in Drake's temple. "I'll summon Mist Valley Falcon [2000/1200] to the field!"

Ryuusei's lips thinned as the monster appeared.

"Well, both our team-mates left us impressive fields to work with, so let's do this," Drake offered, smirking. "I construct an overlay network with Pollux and Sombres! Exceed summon! Come, Diamond Dire Wolf [2000/1200]!"

It was with a loud, echoing roar that heralded the appearance of the lupine monster.

"Using the effect of Diamond Dire Wolf, I choose to destroy the Beast Type Constellar Sheratan to destroy Infernity Death Dragon." Drake called as the wolf howled, and two cards exploded. "Now, opening battle phase, I'll return Swords of Revealing Light to my hand to allow Mist Valley Falcon to attack. Falcon, attack that Infernity Archfiend! Diamond Dire Wolf, chomp down on Infernity Avenger!"

Ryuusei: LP 8000 → LP 5800

Drake: LP 8000

"Then, I'll play Swords of Revealing Light again." Drake decided. "Turn end."

"Go, Drake!" a woman's scream echoed. "Fight!"

"And Drake Lancaster opens with a volley of attacks that actually scratches Fudo Ryuusei! What a strong start! Of course, the judgement is still out on whether Fudo Ryuusei can recover in time, not to mention the consistency of Drake's barrage. One wrong move, and Drake could pretty much lose out!"

"The MC is right," Kaido assessed. "By combining Diamond Dire Wolf in this situation, Drake Lancaster made use of the varying types of the monsters left behind to facilitate himself. Building up on what was left behind by Justin..."

"Yeah, Drake was always a dab hand at team strategy." Adrian nodded in affirmation. "But he's not a bad man. I doubt that he would knowingly side with whatever it is... that did that to Justin Aquila."

"Drake's... like me," Satoshi winced under their shared looks. "Don't look at me like that!"

"You mean, like you as in he keeps walking into dimensional holes," Kaido slowly enunciated, crossing his arms, "Or like you, as in, has a Duel spirit partner? Because you said the same thing about Rodriguez and so far he's been doing those two things as well."

Adrian burst into laughter at Satoshi's uncomfortable look. "Dios, Shinamori, the look on your face!"

Koichi, ever the straight man, just face-palmed. "Regardless, right now should we hope that Lancaster isn't about to unleash some power to kill the kid, or not?"

Down on the stage, Ryuusei studied his hand before nodding. "It's my turn, draw!" Ryuusei called as he pulled a card from his DuelDisk. "I activate the quick-play Spell, Trap Booster, which allows me to discard a card in exchange for activating a trap card from my hand. I choose to activate the trap, Synchro Spirits. By banishing Infernity Death Dragon, I can revive the Synchro material monsters used in the Synchro summon. Come, Infernity Archfiend, Infernity Necromancer, Infernity Avenger!"

The three monsters reappeared, glowering furiously at Drake's field and the monsters.

"Tuning, level six Infernity Destroyer with level one Infernity Avenger." Ryuusei closed his eyes.

Drake's eyes widened. "Oh sh-"

"Chilling flames engulf the entire world." Ryuusei chanted. "Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"

Like the storm of midsummer itself, the dragon swept through the field, hovering above like a heat haze for the brief moment that preceded the implosion of the entire field to leave nothing.

"And I haven't used my normal summon," Ryuusei pointed out. "I summon Debris Dragon [1000/2000]! Using its effect, the monster Tuningware [100/300] is special summoned to the field. By playing Machine Duplication, I can special summon two more Tuningware from my deck. By using the effect of Tuningware to be treated as a level two monster! Tuning, two level two Tuningware with level four Debris Dragon!"

"Level eight Dragon Type Synchro monster?" Drake echoed. "It's... not possible...!"

"Clustering wishes will become a new shining star," Ryuusei murmured as the lights gathered. "Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon!"

Billowing white wings spread, the stellar dragon [2500/2000] spread its wings out threateningly.

"And I draw two cards due to the Tuningware," Ryuusei murmured. "Activate Monster Reborn, reviving Infernity Avenger in attack mode. Tuning, level one Avenger to level one Tuningware. Gathering wishes will call out a new speed's horizon! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! The Power of Hope, Synchro Tuner, Formula Synchron!"

Wheels whirred, and the mechanical menace growled as it skidded onto the field [200/1500].

"F- Formula Synchron!" the MC bellowed. "The infamous Synchro Tuner that was first used in public memory by Fudo Yusei, the card which was one of a deck that was instrumental in a win in the WRGP and revolutionised Dueling! The one, the first, Synchro Tuner!"

"One more card for the last Tuningware, and then one more for Formula Synchron," Ryuusei determined. "Formula Synchron, Stardust Dragon, attack directly! Shooting Sonic!"

Machine and dragon moved, immediately attacking Drake with every ounce of power they could muster.

Drake: LP 8000 → LP 5300

Ryuusei: LP 5800

"If you will attack me..." Ryuusei murmured. "Then I shall have to return the favour."

"A- And in one turn, Fudo Ryuusei has evened the score! Now, we wonder if, perhaps, that signature monster of Fudo Yusei might appear here once more!"

A chorus of excited murmurs greeted this declaration, ranging from shock to surprise to many, many things.

In the booth of Team Conflagration, Kaido slapped his face with his palm. "I thought this might happen..."

"That was close," was Setsuka's more relaxed remark as she exited the washroom. "Who knew what might happen if Justin were to face him..."

"You did it, didn't you?"

Setsuka paused at the masculine voice's declaration. "Who are you?"

In answer, there was a rustle of plastic and paper. "Ookazi!"

Setsuka flipped out of the way, the fireball scorching the floor left in her wake. "You asked for it... Cold Wave."

Ice crystallised over the ground, enough for the unknown man to hiss as he slipped. Setsuka easily skated, using the momentum to deliver a two-heeled kick and land on her feet. The other fell back to hit the floor before Setsuka leapt, now straddling the other's back.

Idly, the literally icy girl ran a fingernail down the back of the man's neck. "If I stab you here, right in the spine, death will be instantaneous. I am sure that you know the consequences now, and I assure you that I am experienced in making a body disappear. Now, my good man, tell me. Who sent you?

"Wow, frigid much, my honey?" the man commented. "So, you were behind Princeton throwing the match?"

In answer, Setsuka reached up to grab a hank of hair and use that to slam the man's face into the floor. "James. I should have known."

"You know, much as abuse is your way of expressing love, this is rather painful when I'm not on a nice soft surface," James Crocodile Cook the Second commented idly, despite still being trapped on the floor. "Can I get up now?"

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