bopdog111: You guys might've noticed the title change.
Ulrich362: True, after giving it some thought and Bopdog's suggestion we felt this name fits better for the purposes of the story.
bopdog111: With that said what's next here?
Ulrich362: Well, Mir's fled Duel Academy... she's working as a teacher at LID and has met Julia, Kit, Dipper, and Hector... and is bonding with Riley so... I think it's time the main plot of Arc-V begins, with a duel that changes everything. The birth of Pendulum.
bopdog111: How will she react?
Ulrich362: How will everyone react, there's only one way to find out, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V, all we own are the OCs.
It had been close to two years since Mir's arrival in the Standard Dimension and while she was still not super comfortable with mechanics other than Fusion she had gotten rather close with Marco, the Fusion Course students, Julia and her group of friends, and especially to Riley who she made a point of spending time with whenever she could... much to the disapproval of Henrietta Akaba. At the moment, she was talking with Marco about an upcoming class, unaware of the significance of the next day.
"So yeah that all decided?" Marco asked her softly.
"I think so." Mir nodded only to frown. 'Something's wrong, the spy should have shown up by now but I haven't seen anyone... then again, maybe my betrayal caused more problems back home than I thought.'
"Is something wrong?" Marco hasn't been informed of Mir's original home yet so he wonders what she thinks about sometimes.
"Oh, just thinking about my home." she answered before shrugging only to notice a clock. "Oh, I should get going I have an important appointment."
"You be careful." Marco smiled over.
Mir nodded before heading down to meet up with Riley since she'd promised to take her on a walk in the park that day only to bump into a man in a black and yellow striped suit. "Huh, pardon me are you a new teacher?"
"Hm?" the man turned to her. "Oh no, I'm the Sledgehammer's manager, Nico Smiley."
"The Sledgehammer's... why are you here, and where is that overgrown muscle head?" Mir questioned hearing that before sighing. "Sorry, I mean the champion. Shouldn't he be with his manager?"
"I came here to propose a solution to Mr. Akaba. The Sledgehammer is issuing an event for him to challenge Yusho Sakaki's son Yuya to a match." Nico answered over.
Hearing that Mir blinked. "So... he's dueling Yusho's son, ok? Well good luck to him I guess."
Shaking her head she walked past Nico Smiley and headed to the elevator to meet with Riley. Nico stared before walking off for Declan. Soon enough he reached Declan's office where Declan was talking with Claude only to look up. "Nico Smiley?"
"Ah Mr. Akaba I was hoping I catch you." Nico smiled over to him.
"What is it?" Declan inquired adjusting his glasses. "I assume it involves the current Action Duel Champion?"
"Yes indeed. He's issuing an event where he duels Yuya Sakaki." Nico explained over. "He wishes to use your big arena to show it."
"Yuya Sakaki, Yusho's son?" Declan inquired hearing that before closing his eyes in thought before nodding. "Very well, the duel can take place tomorrow."
"Very good we will be ready tomorrow." Nico smiled nodding before walking out.
Declan closed his eyes in thought at that before looking at an image on his desk of a man in a red magician's outfit.
"Mr. President? Should we not do it?" Claude asked him gently.
"No, this is an opportunity to test the Sledgehammer's dueling abilities against someone related to Yusho Sakaki... and to see if his son will be a useful addition to the Lancers." Declan replied turning to look at the city. "We have no idea how long we have, so every second we can improve our chances of surviving the coming invasion the better."
"And Mir sir?" Claude asked him.
"She's proven her loyalty and then some... let her know about the match... and that I'm trusting her to accompany Riley to watch it with her." Declan answered with a small smile recalling how close the two of them had become ever since they first met.
"Should I message her now?" Claude asked.
Claude nodded walking to a phone to call.
Meanwhile...
"Where we going now?"
Riley after the few years grew more emotions instead of the shy, reclusive girl she was before, and outside in public removed her coat showing her long gray hair, and had a smile.
"I thought we could get some fresh air in the park today and talk about how we've been." Mir smiled taking Riley's hand as they headed to the front door of the LID building. "It's an absolutely beautiful day too."
"I never been outside before I met you." Riley admitted over with a soft smile. "Just stayed inside."
"Well, I think it's a good thing that's changed. You're a lot more interesting to talk to than most of the people I used to know and I might have enjoyed watching you slip on the ice." Mir teased softly reminding Riley of when the two of them tried ice skating together.
Riley blushed a bit. "H-Hey come on... I was learning."
"I know, it happens to everyone." Mir reassured her with a gentle smile only to blink noticing Claude. "Huh, is everything alright? Riley and I were about to head out."
"I was about to give you a call before I noticed you here at the entrance." Claude admitted over to her. "The president wants me to inform you of an event tomorrow."
"An event?" Riley asked curiously. "What event?"
"Tomorrow at LID's arena is an event where the Sledgehammer will be dueling Yuya Sakaki for a rematch several years ago." Claude answered over.
Riley's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Wait, the Sledgehammer? I just saw his manager earlier." Mir mentioned thoughtfully.
"He asked the president if they can use the arena to show the match." Claude explained.
Riley looked down thoughtfully. "Do you think… it would be ok if we watch?"
Mir looked down to Riley who turned over towards her.
"Do you mind?" Riley asked her hopefully.
Mir looked before softly smiling. "Of course not, I don't mind."
Riley smiled hearing that as Claude nodded. "I'll inform the president about this."
They nodded as Claude turned walking out to inform Declan as Riley held Mir's hand with a soft smile. "What do you think the duel will be?"
"Probably an Action Duel, to be honest I'm still not fully used to those even after all this time." Mir admitted frowning as she looked up in thought. "Do you like them?"
"Well they add a new effect to Dueling." Riley admitted over.
Mir just nodded as she closed her eyes in thought.
Meanwhile in another area of Paradise City at the You Show School...
In a samurai Asian like landscape was a a white clothed man wearing wooden sandals, and a red headband has 2600 Life Points before calling, "It's time for Gong's two sword-swinging Superheavy Samurai to say buh-bye, and hit the road! Gong's bringing out the best one of them all, Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei!"
At that two mechanical warriors only to bring out a larger one with 3500 defense points.
"Alright Yuya enough riding around." the man stated clenching his fist, "It's time to take center stage and show Gong what you're made of."
"It's showtime! Ladies, gentlemen, and Gong how 'bout I kick things off this round's entertainment with some Carnival Craving Hippos!" a male voice cried riding on a hippo monster jumping on a rooftop showing it's a teen with crimson, and red hair, and having a red shirt with green pants playing a spell. "Get hopping hippos!"
Three different colored hippos appeared dancing in front of Yuya. Gong off-guard yelled, "Hey, what's with all that shaking! We're not dancing, we're dueling!"
"Gah! Quit goofing around Yuya!" a pink haired girl with a sleeveless pink blouse yelled slamming her hands on the controls which to her shock started to short out.
Panicking the girl started trying to fix it only for the controls to explode as steam started shooting out at her as the door opened and a man wearing a tracksuit with a flame design opened the door.
"What's going on Zuzu?" he questioned seeing the chaos.
"Oh... I just had a wee mishap." the pink-haired girl, Zuzu, answered as the man ran up to the controls.
"I told you to treat this equipment with TLC!" the man panicked. "Our duel school depends on this Arc-System!"
While this was happening Gong, along with a woman, and a blue haired boy notices the room glitching around while Yuya having not noticed calling, "You Hippos sure know how to have a good time!" Just then everything in the room vanished with him in the air which he started panicking trying to avoid hurting himself as they see he fell to the ground wincing as the boy covered his face. "...Ouch."
"Yuya, what do you have to say for yourself?" Zuzu questioned as though talking through a microphone only for Yuya to look up before putting his thumbs on his nose and making a silly face. "Figures..."
"Our duel school is going down the tubes!" cried the man in despair loud enough that people outside of the building to hear him before he collapsed to a kneeling position with his head in his hands. "We can't teach Action Dueling without our Arc-System, and all our You Show students will turn into no-shows."
He started shaking his head violently. "At times like this I wish I was principal of a cooking school!"
"Ah." Yuya frowned putting his goggles over his eyes revealing the right eye had a blue star on it. "I was just getting to my most dueltaining moves when the system went down."
"Your dueltaining distracted me, you should take life more seriously!" Zuzu scolded moving to smack him only for Yuya to avoid bumping into Gong face-first.
"Ouch... Is that you Gong or did someone placed a boulder here?" Yuya asked stepping back trying to pull off his goggles.
"Why do you have to turn everything into a joke Yuya?" Gong asked.
"Well..." Yuya started before putting his goggles back on his head revealing red rings around his eyes as he closed one of them. "There's nothing wrong with giving the fans a good laugh."
"When fans watch your duels, they're not laughing with you, they're all laughing at you!" Gong snapped to him before turning to a poster of a man dressed like a magician, "When your daddy was on the field he has all the fans smiling. He made Dueltaining, entertaining."
He then snapped back to Yuya, "Your duels are usually just embarrassing!"
While he said this outside the room viewing from a window was someone watching.
"Well if you ask me, my dad's last duel was pretty embarrassing too." Yuya replied standing on one leg with his hands behind his head as Zuzu and Gong both looked angry hearing that.
"Yuya!" the two of them cried together.
"Haha, relax." Yuya grinned as the door opened and Nico Smiley walked into the room.
"Afternoon all I do hope I'm not intruding."
They turned over confused while the red haired man questioned him. "Who are you?"
"I'm Nico Smiley, dueling manager and promoter." Nico introduced himself with a grin. "Currently I represent the reigning Action Duel Champion, The Sledgehammer."
Shocked Yuya said, "Not THE Sledgehammer."
"The Sledgehammer is hosting a fan appreciation day at the Leo Institute." Nico Smiley explained with a smile. "And as part of the festivities he's issuing a one-on-one dueling challenge to Yuya."
Off-guard Yuya asked, "Your inviting me to duel the Sledgehammer?"
"I'm not inviting you to duel his grandma!" Nico joked before saying, "Seriously, though, it's your chance to make up for your father's disappearing act. You remember what happened don't you?"
Yuya looked troubled very clearly remembering that day. It was a big day 2 years ago, and Yuya with his mother were present to see Yusho dueling to defend his title while getting ready to wow the crowd. However he never appeared that day, and it resulted into his opponent the Sledgehammer himself winning the title by default which made everyone really salty calling Yusho a coward, or chicken while Yuya gotten severe bullying from other kids. He swore to prove his father isn't a coward one day, and hopes he grows strong enough to knock the Sledgehammer down, and he like his dad.
"You're finally old enough to get your wish! We'll publicize it as the duel of the decade! "The son of Yusho Sakaki tries to clear up his father's name"!"
Yuya swallowed nervously at that already making up his mind. This opportunity is to good to pass up. However he was interrupted before he can answer over.
"Forget it. I will never let Yuya take part in this match."
Surprised Nico turned over to Skip who is looking stern over. Trying to convince him he brought up some points. "Why not? It's what all the fans want to see, plus it'll mean tons of free publicity for your dueling school!"
"I won't let Yuya be humiliated!" Skip argued over making Yuya give out a shocked look at him for refusing the chance to avenge his father while the older man sees this as a attempt to embarrass Yuya. Skip then clenched his fist. "The boy's suffered enough since his father disappeared... Get out of here Nico!"
"Oh hey I understand Boyle." Nico smiled putting a hand on his chest before leaning in and raising a finger. "It's a real shame though because if you had agreed the Leo Corp would have donated the newest augmented reality combat system to your dueling school for no charge, as in free."
Hearing that Skip's eyes widened as he leaned forward in excitement. "You got a deal!"
As soon as he said that Zuzu materialized a fan out of nowhere to hit him in the back of the head.
"You just said you'd never let Yuya duel the Sledgehammer." Zuzu pointed out in annoyance.
"But for the good of the school." Skip argued rubbing his face.
"What about for the good of Yuya?" Zuzu questioned.
"Um, well..."
"Yeah, we gotta have Yuya's back." Gong agreed with Zuzu closing his eyes.
"Uh we can't..." Hearing that they looked seeing Yuya's gone as Zuzu finished, "'Cause... he ran off."
"Just like his old man." Nico remarked.
Soon it shows Yuya was sitting on a railing staring at his swinging Pendulum looking out at the arena with his goggles down.
Flashback...
It then shifted to a younger Yuya sitting outside alone sniffing from a whole day of bullying with his goggles down before suddenly his goggles were removed releasing the tears that were building in it surprising him before he wiped his eyes crying as the magician man known as Yusho who was with him knell beside him, "Take your dad's advice, Yuya. Try to laugh when you feel like crying. And when things get tough, respond with a smile. It will give you the strength to keep moving forward!"
With that he removed Yuya's Pendulum as he swing it in front of Yuya, "It's kinda like a Pendulum. If the Pendulum swings one way, you know it will swing the other way, too, like in a duel."
"A duel?" the younger Yuya asked turning to Yusho.
"The key to dueling is to believe in your deck, and yourself." Yusho told Yuya with a smile. "When you're falling behind you can always make things swing your way again. So don't worry about anything, just try to enjoy the ride. Try to remember what I've told you Yuya."
End Flashback...
"It may help you some day." Yusho's voice echoed as Yuya continued watching his Pendulum sway in front of the stadium.
"You were right dad, I can win if I just have fun and believe in myself." Yuya whispered.
The next day at the stadium...
Mir and Riley were sitting together to watch the duel while the You Show students and Gong were also watching from a different area of the stadium.
"How do you think this will go?" Riley softly asked Mir.
"I have no idea." Mir admitted only to frown as she looked down at the field. "Do you know anything about this Yuya that's going to be dueling?"
"Only that he's Yusho's son." Riley admitted over. "So he's probably using Performapal like him?"
"I don't know, not everyone uses the same cards as their parents." Mir admitted thoughtfully before closing her eyes. "I definitely don't, and I'm pretty sure some of my students don't use the same decks as their parents... a few do though so maybe. By the way, have you considered my suggestion at all?"
Riley tries to remember the suggestion.
"I suggested you look at Burning Abyss cards, they're not exactly like your C/C cards." Mir reminded her with a gentle smile. "If memory serves you weren't comfortable changing decks but it might help you improve even more as a duelist and since it includes Ritual Summoning it can help you try and bond with your fellow classmates like Julia and Hector."
Riley blushed but smiled over. "Well uh... I don't know what Declan would think."
"Well, you don't have to switch. It was just something to think about." Mir mentioned before looking down where Nico Smiley had a microphone.
"You fans have been clamoring for this duel and now its finally happening!" he announced enthusiastically clenching his fist. "Three years ago the famous Dueltainer Yusho Sakaki failed to defend his title against the Sledgehammer. Now Sakaki's own son will try to erase that disgrace!"
With the You Show students and Gong, Zuzu looked down nervously.
"Do you think Yuya will show up?" she asked quietly.
"Who knows, but Gong's gut says he will." Gong answered calmly.
"All right! Then we'll get our ARC-" Skip started only for Zuzu to whack him again with her fan with a bandage at the bump as he weakly said, "Never mind."
"Now lets get this grudge match underway!" Nico announced as a card appeared in his hand. "Here goes, time to activate the field, Castle of Chaos!"
"Augmented Reality Combat System energized. Generating Action Field." a computer voice said as a machine below the arena glowed as the arena transformed into a landscape with castles looking like fangs appeared while the Sledgehammer stepped on the balcony.
"I tell you people this Arc technology blows my mind! The field it's generating is so real you can actually climb the castle walls, or toss your mother-in-law in the dungeon." Nico announced with a chuckle. A footstep echoed as Nico called, "It's him! Guys, and girls presenting the Leo Institute's top Action Duelist and reigning world champion. He's the biggest baddest bruiser to ever pick up a deck... The Sledgehammer!"
The Sledgehammer roared loud at this.
Mir frowned seeing him only to blink. "Do you see anyone else on the field?"
Riley looked over the field before admitting. "I don't see anyone else..."
The Sledgehammer roared out a cry as Nico added, "His challenger is a kid with a mission! Everybody give it up for Yuya Sakaki!"
"Yay, Yuya!" Skip cheered loudly.
...
...
...
Nobody was stepping up in silence.
"Kid that's your cue." Nico mentioned only for nobody to answer.
"The little guy ain't even gonna show up." frowned a man in the crowd.
"Yeah, he must be a scaredy-cat just like his old man." another man agreed.
"Guess the apple don't fall far from the bush." a third man commented causing Zuzu, Skip, and Gong to glare at them.
"Say what?" Zuzu questioned moving to yell at them only for Gong to hold up his arm.
"Not now Zuzu." he told her as Zuzu looked angry and Skip put an arm on her shoulder.
"But Gong!" Zuzu frowned.
"I was hoping if I challenge the kid his father would show up for sure." The Sledgehammer said disgruntled as he was unaware a clown was behind him doing funny faces. "I must defeat Yusho Sakaki in a one-on-one Duel to prove I am deserving to be the true champion!"
"Who is that?"
"Beats me."
Meanwhile the boy from the crowd realized who the clown is, "Oh!"
The group from You Show noticed the clown as the scene switched to them with them looking really stunned while Zuzu asked hoping she's wrong. "Please tell that isn't who I think it is."
"Sledgehammer, behind you!"
"What's wrong?" the Sledgehammer asked confused hearing everyone telling him to turn around.
"Turn around!"
He turned around to see the clown only to gasp in surprise at the face he's making.
"Eh, when did the circus come to town?" the Sledgehammer questioned as the clown twirled away from him.
"It didn't... I'm your opponent." the clown grinned bowing.
The Sledgehammer at that pointed to him, "Do not tell me you are the son of Yusho..."
"Yep, the one and only!" the clown took off his mask, and wig showing it's Yuya with a grin before winking, "Well? Are you ready to get this show on the road? Or, should I say on the castle!"
Riley let out a giggle seeing this at Yuya's preferred way of making an entrance.
"That's definitely unique." Mir admitted.
Yuya grinned more before activating his Duel Disk. "Let's see if you're as nasty as you smell."
"For such a little clown you have a big mouth." the Sledgehammer mentioned activating his own Duel Disk. "You won't be so insolent once the Sledgehammer squashes you."
"It looks like sparks are flying and they haven't even started dueling yet! Okay, duelists, get your five cards in hand and get set to battle!" Nico called as the two duelists got their hands prepared as Nico did some poses, and moves going over, "Our duelists and their decks are primed for an epic showdown like nothing you've ever seen before! As we kick off this contest, the whirlwind will leave you breathless! It'll be the duel to end all duels! Only the toughest duelist will survive this face-off! Are you ready!?"
As he asked that Nico raised his hand to snap his fingers.
"Let's do it!" Yuya and the Sledgehammer called together.
(Dueling Theme: Can You Feel The Power)
Yuya: 4000
Hand: 5
Field: Nothing
The Sledgehammer: 4000
Hand: 5
Field: Nothing
Let the duel commence!
Nico snapped his fingers as cards scattered across the entire field.
"Action Cards dispersed." the computerized voice announced.
"Listen carefully clown boy, I cannot wait to pummel you out of those pantaloons." the Sledgehammer told Yuya. "Let's get this battle started!"
"All right, show time! Welcome to the Yuya Spectacular!" Yuya grinned making his way to some zip wire standing on the edge before calling, "For my first move, I'm going to make a spectacular getaway!"
At that he jumped on the rope zipping down as the Sledgehammer cried not believing what he's seeing, "What!?"
"And to help make me my escape..." Yuya grinned grabbing a card in his hand, "I'll summon Performapal Skeeter Skimmer!"
Raising up for him to jump on is a bug wearing a suit with a top hat.
(Attack Position)
Performapal Skeeter Skimmer
WATER
Level 4
Insect/Effect
ATK: 500
DEF: 1600
When this face-up Attack Position card is targeted for an attack: You can change this card to face-up Defense Position, and if you do, negate that attack.
Yuya hopped on before waving to the Sledgehammer, "Yo, Sledgehammer, why don't you try and catch me!"
He rode off after sounding that off.
"They just started and he's already taking off?"
"The kid should grow some wings, then he can fly away like a real chicken."
The blue-haired boy looked on in awe as Zuzu frowned.
"I knew letting Yuya duel was a mistake." she mentioned in annoyance.
"Yeah but he's not dueling, he's running away." Gong agreed seeing Yuya ride off on top of his monster.
Yuya's Hand: 4/Field: Performapal Skeeter Skimmer (Attack Position)
The Sledgehammer 1st Turn:
"Do you want me to catch you kid?" the Sledgehammer questioned before drawing his card. "No problem! I activate the spell Feast of the Wild LV5!"
Feast of the Wild LV5
Normal Spell Card
Special Summon up to 2 Level 5 Warrior-Type monsters from your hand and/or Graveyard, but their effects are negated, also, for the rest of this turn, they cannot attack.
"This will get the crowd crazy for more, because it lets me summon two battling behemoths! I summon Swamp Battleguard, and Lava Battleguard!"
Two ogre creatures holding clubs appeared, one green and one red.
(Attack Position)
(Effects Negated)
(Cannot attack)
Swamp Battleguard
EARTH
Level 5
Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1800
DEF: 1500
Gains 500 ATK for each "Lava Battleguard" you control.
(Attack Position)
(Effects Negated)
(Cannot attack)
Lava Battleguard
EARTH
Level 5
Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1550
DEF: 1800
Gains 500 ATK for each "Swamp Battleguard" you control.
Riley noticing something blinked over. "Huh? That's strange."
"What is?" Mir inquired turning to her. "Didn't you say running around during an Action Duel is part of the strategy?"
"Well it's not that. Don't those two Battleguards gain 500 points since there opposites are on the field?" Riley asked her over a different part where Swamp, and Lava gain power if there opposite is on the field but there not for some reason.
"It must be his spell card, Feast of the Wild LV5 could negate their abilities." Mir explained to her. "Cards that summon multiple monsters tend to have side effects so they're not too powerful."
As she explained both the Battleguards jumped off before being dissolved to pixels, "I tribute you both right away so I can summon your ruler!"
At that the trees started to shake, and get knocked down as he called, "No forest can hide you or castle can protect you from the chief of all wild savages! All hail, Battleguard King!"
At that the monster he had drawn was revealed as what he summoned wearing armor, and earrings roaring holding a large club in his hand roaring.
(Attack Position)
Battleguard King
EARTH
Level 8
Warrior/Effect
ATK: 3000
DEF: 1100
Once per turn: You can Tribute any number of Warrior-Type monsters, except this card; for each Tributed monster, this card gains 1 additional attack during each Battle Phase this turn.
"The Sledgehammer summoned a monster that's as mean as he is." Nico commentated. "I wouldn't want to be in Yuya's clown shoes."
Yuya meanwhile raced up to the Battleguard King on his bug.
"Your father got away from me, but you won't be so lucky!" the Sledgehammer declared grabbing another card. "First I activate a second Feast of the Wild LV5 to summon back my two Battleguards!"
Swamp, and Lava popped up beside him.
Swamp Battleguard: (Attack Position/Effects Negated/Cannot attack)
Lava Battleguard: (Attack Position/Effects Negated/Cannot attack)
"Now I Tribute them both to activate Battleguard King's ability!" the two vanishes as King glowed while the Sledgehammer smirked. "But I don't feel like telling you what it is now when you can experience it for yourself! Now we will battle, Battleguard King bash that bug!"
The monster roared raising his club only for Yuya to grab a card grinning, "Sorry, but we have to get hopping! I activate my Action Spell, Evasion!"
Evasion
Action Spell Card
When a monster declares an attack: Target that monster; negate the attack.
At that as the club smashed the ground a sequence of Skeeter Skimmer jumping, and rolling around was performed as Yuya declared, "Roll with it, Skeeter Skimmer!"
"Why doesn't Yuya stand and fight?" Gong questioned in frustration. "He can't keep avoiding..."
"I wouldn't jump to any conclusions." mentioned a female voice.
They looked behind them to see a blonde haired woman having green eyes, and having on a beige shirt, and black jeans was walking up with a smile her hands in her pockets.
"Yoko hi." Skip mentioned as he turned to see her.
"Yuya's running is actually pretty cunning, Gong." Yoko mentioned.
Yuya continued running from the Sledgehammer and his Battleguard King.
"That kid knows how to use Action Cards alright, but only to help him stay out of the action." the Sledgehammer noted. "I will force him to battle me now! Battleguard King loves nothing more than a fight so it can attack any number of times in one turn for the amount of Warriors Tributed! Eliminate that bug!"
Yuya pulled out a panicked look, "No, not again!"
Battleguard King slammed his club down creating a smoke screen as they watched on as Nico announced, "Whoa, that should wipe the smile off that bug's face! Battleguard King took it out with a single blow-Wait, they're okay!"
They noticed that Skeeter Skimmer, and Yuya jumped out as the Sledgehammer questioned, "He survived?"
At that it shows on a screen the audience can see as Yuya explained, "Yeah, but barely! Just before Battleguard King landed his blow, I activated the Action Spell, Miracle! It saved my Skeeter Skimmer's hide and halved the damage I took!"
Miracle
Action Spell Card
If a monster on the field battles: Target that monster; it cannot be destroyed by that battle, also any battle damage is halved.
(Yuya: 2750/Hand: 4)
Riley lets out a smile seeing this which Mir notices.
"Someone looks excited." Mir chuckled seeing that.
Riley blushed while the Sledgehammer smirked. "Well that was two but here is the third attack!"
Battleguard King raised it's club the third time, and seeing he can't get to an Action Card Yuya called. "Well Skeeter Skimmer had a trick himself! By going to Defense Position, he can negate your attack!"
Skeeter Skimmer gains a blue outline as it dodged.
Skeeter Skimmer: (Defense Position)
"Oh, and Yuya manages to avoid all three of the Sledgehammer's attacks." Nico announced seeing that.
"You and that bug are as stubborn as cockroaches." the Sledgehammer frowned. Yuya grinned over as the Sledgehammer shrugged over setting a card. "Whatever. Battleguard King will stomp out both of you next time."
The Sledgehammer's Hand: 0/Field: Battleguard King (Attack Position), One Set Card
Yuya: 2250
Hand: 4
Field: Performapal Skeeter Skimmer (Defense Position)
The Sledgehammer: 4000
Hand: 0
Field: Battleguard King (Attack Position), One Set Card
Yuya 2nd Turn:
"I guess Yuya's not doing bad, but I still don't see what he's up too." Zuzu admitted.
"I think I do. For a long time, Yuya's been treating everything as a joke. Clowning around was his way of protecting himself. You see, Yuya felt that people would look down on him because of his father." Yoko explained with a smile as she watches over. "He idolized his dad. To Yuya, he wasn't just a great duelist, but a hero. Now Yuya has a chance to be like his father... And prove he was a hero."
"My turn again." Yuya called drawing his card revealing it to be a red dragon which he grinned. "Aw yeah!" The grin wasn't unnoticed by Riley, and Mir.
"I think he drew a good card." Mir chuckled. "I could get used to watching these with you Riley."
Riley smiled as Yuya added the card before grabbing another. "First I'll summon some help! Performapal Hip Hippo!"
At that raising up beside Skeeter Skimmer was a hippo wearing a pink suit, and a top hat along with a star on it's cheek, and a crescent moon on it's forehead.
(Attack Position)
Performapal Hip Hippo
EARTH
Level 3
Beast/Effect
ATK: 800
DEF: 800
After you Normal Summon this card, you can Tribute Summon 1 Level 7 or higher monster in face-up Attack Position during your Main Phase this turn, in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)
While still on Skeeter Skimmer they both jumped up to get the crowd's attention. "Your attention please, my next move's a real showstopper. As some of you may know if I summoned my Hip Hippo then right now I can Tribute Summon a Level 7 or higher monster from my hand in Attack Position. It's one of Hip Hippo's favorite tricks, go for it buddy!"
Skeeter Skimmer, and Hip Hippo ran before vanishing in pixels with Yuya in the air grinning. "Now put your hand together and welcome..."
He took off his Jester outfit showing his real outfit before saying, "Our main attraction! One of the wonders of the dragon world, the spectacular, Odd-Eyes Dragon!"
The Dragon appeared letting out a huge roar.
(Attack Position)
Odd-Eyes Dragon
DARK
Level 7
Dragon/Effect
ATK: 2500
DEF: 2000
If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard: Inflict damage to your opponent equal to half the original ATK of that monster in the Graveyard.
Mir's eyes shot open as she stood up in disbelief seeing the dragon. "What!?"
Surprised seeing Mir acting like this Riley turned over to her. "Mir? What's wrong?"
"That... that dragon, it can't be..." she shuddered as instead of Yuya and Odd-Eyes Dragon she instead saw a purple haired young man smirking coldly with a purple dragon above him as she took a trembling step back.
Feeling a hand taking her's she turned seeing Riley looked worried for her. "Mir? Are you okay?"
"Huh?" she blinked before shivering and shaking her head. "Oh... I think so, sorry just... I'll tell you, and Declan after the duel."
Riley's eyes widened but she nodded hearing that as they turned to the duel. Yuya landed on Odd-Eyes Dragon's back. "What do you say we swing into action?"
Seeing that Tate laughed in excitement.
"Bravo! That's exactly what his father used to say." Skip mentioned waving with tears in his eyes. "That kid's a chip off the old block."
'You've been waiting for this chance Yuya, make the most of it.' Yoko thought with a smile.
"I will teach you to fear me just like your father did!" the Sledgehammer promised.
A small screen popped up on his Duel Disk showing Yuya is serious, "My dad wasn't scared of you!"
"Oh, yeah?" the Sledgehammer questioned.
"He would've beaten you easy!" Yuya told him, "And I'll prove it, too! By taking you down using all the moves my dad taught me!"
"Ha! I can see you talk a tough game, but your monsters pack no punch!" the Sledgehammer called at Yuya's own screen before pointing out, "Your dragon cannot lay a claw on Battleguard King!"
Yuya chuckled at that. "But after I use this spell here it'll be a different story." He revealed another Action Spell. "It's called Zero Penalty!"
Zero Penalty
Action Spell Card
If you control a Level 7 monster: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; it's ATK/DEF becomes 0 until the End Phase.
"Thanks to this, your King loses all of the air in it's attack points!"
Just then chains wrapped around Battleguard King pinning it.
Battleguard King: (ATK: 3000 - 3000 = 0/DEF: 1100 - 1100 = 0)
The crowd sounded off as Nico announced, "Unbelievable! Yuya just turned Sledgehammer's hero into a zero!"
"If that hits, he'll wipe out more than half of the Sledgehammer's life points." Mir noted seeing that.
"Now I see that you've been playing games with me from the beginning." the Sledgehammer realized. "You just pretended to run away to find as many Action Cards as your feeble fragile fingers could pick."
Yuya smiled looking at his Pendulum. "It was risky, but I knew the duel would swing my way."
"He's amazing."
"The kids hammering the Hammer."
The crowd all started cheering at that. Yuya smiled looking around thinking, 'The crowd's got my back. They're all cheering for me... Just like they used to cheer for my Dad during his duels!'
"Okay Odd-Eyes, it's not enough for us to win this, we've gotta win in style!" Yuya called as Odd-Eyes roared starting to charge while building a blast in it's mouth, "Hey, Sledgehammer! When Odd-Eyes dethrones your King, you take half it's attack points as damage!"
Hearing that the Sledgehammer muttered to himself, "Half of Battleguard King's original attack points equals 1500. If I lose another 2500 in damage... The total would be catastrophic!" Realizing this would deal 4000 points of damage which is the amount total he has.
"One attack, he won in one attack." Riley whispered in awe.
"I can end this duel in one blast." Yuya whispered to himself. "Odd-Eyes get set to strike. Take out Battleguard King, Spiral Flame!"
At that Odd-Eyes Dragon fired a blast at the trapped Battleguard King creating a massive explosion.
"Yeah bullseye!" Skip cheered.
"Yuya!" Zuzu and Gong called in excitement as the crowd cheered even louder only for the smoke to clear revealing Battleguard King survived.
"Too little too late." the Sledgehammer taunted while the King roared. "Surprise, clown boy!"
"What?" Yuya questioned seeing that. "But how?"
"I... can't believe it!" Zuzu cried with Skip trembling in shock.
It was shown raising up the Slegehammer had used an Action Card which they noticed from it's design is Miracle, "You're not the only one who has a Miracle spell card. I was keeping this baby handy just in case!" (Sledgehammer: 2750/Hand: 0)
"Talk about staying cool under fire, the Sledgehammer shows once again why he's the champ." Nico commentated.
"You pose no threat to me boy." the Sledgehammer called as he finally jumped from the castle down to the forest. "Just like your father, you're all show and no grit and this trap is going to prove it."
As he said that he activated a set card.
(face-up)
Battleguard Rage
Continuous Trap Card
Activate this card by targeting 1 Warrior monster you control; it gains 1000 ATK. Monsters destroyed by battle with it are returned to the hand instead of going to the GY. When that monster leaves the field, destroy this card.
"With Battleguard Rage it inflates its attack points by 1000!"
Battleguard King appeared to grow inside the chains. (ATK: 0 + 1000 + 1000/Battleguard Rage)
Frowning at that Yuya stared at Battleguard King. "I end my turn."
"Battleguard King now bursts out of those balloons! The King of Savages is stronger then ever!" Nico announced as Battleguard King tore the chains off him roaring. (ATK: 1000 + 3000 = 4000)
Yuya's Hand: 3/Field: Odd-Eyes Dragon (Attack Position)
The Sledgehammer 2nd Turn:
"Yuya and his Odd-Eyes better do something quick or he's going to be the odd man out." Zuzu mentioned nervously.
"Now I have the upper hand my little friend." the Sledgehammer declared. "And I'm going to use it to crush you."
Yuya grunted as Odd-Eyes started to run off as the Sledgehammer called, "No! You won't escape! Battleguard King, destroy his Odd-Eyes!"
At that King rose as Yuya reached, "An Action Card!"
But Odd-Eyes was smacked by the club roaring in agony shattering as Yuya screaming landing hard on the ground. (Yuya: 0850/Hand: 3) A stomp echoed as Rage appeared as Sledgehammer stated on Battleguard King's hand, "Because of Battleguard Rage's effect, your Dragon goes back to your hand instead of the graveyard."
Yuya grunted raising up showing the card before placing it in his hand.
"Could this get any worse?" Zuzu asked nervously before the screen split showing a worried Yuya and a confident Sledgehammer.
(Yuya: 0850/Hand: 4)
(Sledgehammer: 2750/Hand: 1)
"Luckily for you, my Battleguard King cannot attack again this turn. You'll survive for now." the Sledgehammer smirked to him before setting a card, "But I promise this, you won't last long. It is useless, but go ahead and draw. Maybe you should pull a disappearing act, kid. After all, like father, like son!"
The Sledgehammer's Hand: 0/Field: Battleguard King (Attack Position/Battleguard Rage), Battleguard Rage (Battleguard King), One Set Card
Yuya: 0850
Hand: 3
Field: Nothing
The Sledgehammer: 2750
Hand: 0
Field: Battleguard King (Attack Position/Battleguard Rage), Battleguard Rage (Battleguard King), One Set Card
Yuya 3rd Turn:
"No thanks! I'm staying-!" Yuya started only to pause looking at his hand seeing Odd-Eyes with two performing animals, and a magician, 'Who am I kidding? It's hopeless, I don't have the cards or the skills to pull this out. Maybe I should pull a vanishing act... After all, I'm not the Dueltainer my dad was, and I never will be.'
"When things get tough try to laugh when you feel like crying." Yusho's voice echoed. "Don't worry about anything. If the pendulum swings one way you know it'll swing the other way too. Try to remember what I've told you."
Hearing that Yuya looked up with confidence back in his eyes.
"It's time to swing into action!" Yuya declared. "Ok pendulum, you swung his way so now you'll swing my way!"
Yuya drew as he said that with his card and Duel Disk glowing gold with sparkles and his Pendulum began to glow.
"Yuya...?" Zuzu asked seeing that.
The Magician, another magician, and Odd-Eyes began glowing before in front of Yuya's eyes in shock they transformed with Odd-Eyes turning to a familiar card they all know as Yuya narrowed his eyes in confidence before calling, "I'll use Stargazer Magician, and Timegazer Magician to set the Pendulum Scale! I'm taking control of this duel starting now!"
He placed the cards at the farthest part of his Duel Disk's blade as it showed a rainbow word 'Pendulum' as both magicians were rose in pillars of light with 1, and 8 in one of the pillars as Yuya declared, "I'm allowed to summon monsters from level 2 through 7 all at the same time!"
(Pendulum)
Stargazer Magician
DARK
Level 5
Pendulum Scale: 1
Spellcaster/Effect/Pendulum
ATK: 1200
DEF: 2400
Pendulum Effect: If a Pendulum Monster you control battles, your opponent cannot activate Spell Cards until the end of the Damage Step. Unless you have a "Magician" card or "Odd-Eyes" card in your other Pendulum Zone, this card's Pendulum Scale becomes 4.
Monster Effect: Once per turn, when exactly 1 other Pendulum Monster you control (and no other cards) is returned to your hand by an opponent's card effect (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon 1 monster from your hand with the same name as that returned to the hand.
(Pendulum)
Timegazer Magician
DARK
Level 3
Pendulum Scale: 8
Spellcaster/Effect/Pendulum
ATK: 1200
DEF: 600
Pendulum Effect: You must control no monsters to activate this card. If a Pendulum Monster you control battles, your opponent cannot activate Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step. Unless you have a "Magician" card or "Odd-Eyes" card in your other Pendulum Zone, this card's Pendulum Scale becomes 4.
Monster Effect: Each turn, the first card(s) in your Pendulum Zone that would be destroyed by an opponent's card effect, is not destroyed.
"What's that kid doing!?" the Sledgehammer questioned.
"Did he just say... summon multiple monsters at the same time?" Mir whispered in shock seeing the two magicians. "What is this?"
Turning to Riley she saw the young girl looked equal parts confused and awed by what was going on.
"Swing far Pendulum!" Yuya called as a massive version of his Pendulum started swaying between his two magicians. "Carve the arc of victory! My monsters are ready, to swing into action!"
He raised his hand to the sky as a portal opened and a blue, green, and red light flew out of it revealing a snake in a bowtie and top hat, a fish shaped like a sword wearing glasses and a bowtie, and his Odd-Eyes Dragon only it looked larger and more powerful.
(Attack Position)
Performapal Whip Snake
EARTH
Level 4
Reptile/Effect
ATK: 1700
DEF: 900
Once per turn, during either player's Main Phase: You can target 1 face-up monster on the field; switch its current ATK and DEF until the end of this turn.
(Attack Position)
Performapal Sword Fish
WATER
Level 2
Fish/Effect
ATK: 600
DEF: 600
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: All monsters your opponent currently controls lose 600 ATK and DEF. If you Special Summon a monster(s) while you control this card: All monsters your opponent currently controls lose 600 ATK and DEF.
(Attack Position)
Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon
DARK
Level 7
Pendulum Scale: 4
Dragon/Effect/Pendulum
ATK: 2500
DEF: 2000
Pendulum Effect: You can reduce the battle damage you take from an attack involving a Pendulum Monster you control to 0. During your End Phase: You can destroy this card, and if you do, add 1 Pendulum Monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck to your hand. You can only use each Pendulum Effect of "Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon" once per turn.
Monster Effect: If this card battles an opponent's monster, any battle damage this card inflicts to your opponent is doubled.
The new dragon roared upon being summoned.
"How'd he do that?" Zuzu asked in confusion.
"Got Gong." Gong answered in equal shock.
Everyone watched what happened in shock having never seen something what Yuya just done as the Sledgehammer said in awe, "The kid summoned three monsters at once. I should be the one flexing my dueling muscles in front of this crowd."
He then told Nico from his Duel Disk wanting an explanation, "I can't believe a puny boy like him can pull such a powerful maneuver. It must be a trick."
Nico appeared on a small screen. "I'm stunned too, but if his move wasn't legit the judges would have intervened."
"Where did he learn this Pendulum Summoning?" the Sledgehammer questioned.
Yuya meanwhile had gotten on Odd-Eyes back.
"Whip Snake, it's time for you to whip into action." Yuya called. "By activating its special ability it can switch the attack and defense points of your Battleguard King."
Whip Snake pulled a hypnotizing trick as Battleguard King was weakened dropping his mace while the Sledgehammer stepped off his hand calling, "That Snake weakened my only monster!" (ATK: 5000 - 1100/1100 - 5000)
"Oh, yeah!" Yuya added gesturing to Swordfish, "And now my Swordfish will wear him down some more! Using it's special ability, my Performapal can slice and dice your King's attack points by 600."
Swordfish called copies of itself stabbing the ground around Battleguard King zapping him with red electricity. (ATK: 1100 - 600 = 500)
"He cut the Sledgehammer's monster down to size." mentioned someone in the crowd. "Just what are they teaching at that You Show place, and how do get in to learn it?"
"Whoa, things are looking bad for the champ." Nico announced. "This kid won't stop hammering the Hammer."
"Now for the big finish." Yuya mentioned with a close-up of his eye. "Get set Odd-Eyes, time to power up and attack."
The orbs on Odd-Eyes started glowing to charge power as the Sledgehammer went to counter playing his face-down, "Your attack is about to be extinguished. I play the trap Battleguard Howling! Now your Odd-Eyes must retreat to your hand. But before it disappears, you will take all its attack points as damage!"
"Timegazer Magician you've mastered the deepest secrets of space and time! Use your powers to help protect me from the past!" Yuya countered raising his hand. "Check this everybody, Timegazer Magician's Pendulum ability can rewrite history. So Sledgehammer your trap's been trumped Infinity Gear Reverse!"
Timegazer moved his hand was a clock reversed where Howling wasn't activated as the Sledgehammer grunted, "I better move it or lose it."
He ran yelling grabbing an Action Spell which they can see it's Evasion as he called, "I'm activating an Action Spell card!"
"We've reached the grand finale Stargazer Magician, let's end this duel with a trick fans will never forget." Yuya called as the screen showed his other magician. "Watch in wonder as Stargazer uses his Pendulum Ability. When there's a Pendulum Monster battling Stargazer can stop spell cards from activating. Halting Horoscope!"
The Sledgehammer widen his eyes as the Duel Disk shows the not allowed icon on Evasion being ejected for him to add to his hand as he panicked, "That move leaves me wide open!"
"This attack deals 2000 points of damage, and then Yuya wins with his other two attacks." Zuzu smiled seeing that.
"Everything is set now Odd-Eyes, let's give the Sledgehammer a blazing sendoff!" Yuya called as Odd-Eyes roared running after him and jumping into the air. "Spiral Flame Strike!"
Odd-Eyes fired the attack as Battleguard King tried to block as the Sledgehammer raised his arm to block the light saying, "Nice try, but that attack couldn't even toast a marshmallow!"
"Then I guess I'll have to turn up the heat!" Yuya called as Odd-Eyes' orbs glowed brighter, "Since it's battling a monster, Odd-Eyes' special ability deals double the damage! That's a wrap!"
The attack overwhelmed Battleguard King as the Sledgehammer screamed landing hard.
Yuya: 0850
Hand: 0
Field: Stargazer Magician (Pendulum), Timegazer Magician (Pendulum), Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (Attack Position), Performapal Sword Fish (Attack Position), Performapal Whip Snake (Attack Position)
The Sledgehammer: 0000
Hand: 0
Field: Battleguard Howling (Set)
Yuya wins!
The screen faded black before showing Sledgehammer's points dropping to zero again as Odd-Eyes landed while Yuya grinned, "Odd-Eyes, that was perfect! Good job!"
A holographic screen shows Yuya before it shows 'Win' on it. The field started to disappear with the end of the duel as the entire crowd watched in stunned silence.
"He won?" Zuzu asked in shock.
"Uh-huh." Gong answered in equal disbelief.
"Oh yeah, Yuya making it look easy. You showed him how it's done!" Skip cheered with tears flowing from his eyes.
"That... wow, that was amazing." Riley smiled in awe seeing that while Mir looked at the field nervously.
'That... why did it remind me so much of... him?' she thought only to notice Riley's joy at the duel as she smiled. "Well, I guess this was worth watching then?"
"Yeah... but what was that he used though?" Riley asked over about Pendulum Summoning.
"I have no idea, but maybe Declan does." Mir answered. "Come on, let's go tell your brother what happened."
Riley saw Yuya's classmates and reporters running to talk to him after the duel before nodding as the two of them left.
Ulrich362: Pendulum Summoning, that's not going to be important at all clearly.
bopdog111: Well only one way to find out right?
Ulrich362: Agreed, but that's for later. Though what was going on with Mir during that match?
bopdog111: Maybe she seen that boy she imagined Yuya was before?
Ulrich362: Maybe, it's clear she's going to have a lot to talk about with Declan. See you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!