Hey guys, here is Chapter 12 of the Fusion Arc. I hope that you all are excited for this. I hope that you all are enjoying this story.
Now let's get right to it.
Chapter 12: Survival Duels! Who's Friend and Who's Foe
Academia – Three Years Ago
Serena was throwing a ball back and forth in her room with a bored expression on her face. She was locked in the room after she tried to run away to see her dad, but she got caught because of Reiji. "I just want to see my dad…" Serena got sad and buried her face in her knees.
Just then, the door opened to reveal a skinny man with long black hair and glasses, carrying a tubby cat with him. "Hello, Serena. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Who are you?" Serena asked.
"I am one of the main professors of this Academia, Daitokuji. And this is Pharaoh." Daitokuji introduced himself and his cat. The cat jumped down from Daitokuji's arms and went to Serena. Serena smiled and petted the cat who purred in bliss.
"Pharaoh really likes you. So, shall we get going?" Daitokuji asked.
"Go where?" Serena asked.
"After a lot of annoying with Leo Akaba, he agreed to let me take you under my wing over at the Osiris Red Dorm. It's not as fancy as what you are used to, but in my experience, the best way to reach the top is to start at the bottom. Of course, it's up to you if you want to go or not." Daitokuji said.
"You mean, I get to leave here?" Serena asked.
"It's up to you." Daitokuji responded.
"Okay, let's go!" Serena quickly got up and walked out of the room.
"Very adventurous, that one." Daitokuji commented while Pharaoh meowed.
Osiris Red Dorm
"This is our welcome dinner?"
"The other dorms are having an incredible feast!"
"And our dorm leader is a cat!"
Most of the Osiris Red students complained since their dinner was just white rice, a few fish, soup and fruit. At that moment, Daitokuji entered the room and all complaining stopped.
"I'm your dormitory leader, Daitokuji." Daitokuji introduced himself. "I am in charge of the alchemy subject in class. It's a pleasure to meet you all. Please dig in."
Most of the students looked at the food and they wondered if they should eat it. Some were still upset that they didn't get fancy food like the Ra and Obelisk Dorm.
"Delicious!"
Everyone looked at the back table as Serena was eating the food with a big smile on her face. "This is so much better than that fancy food." Serena ate faster as rice got stuck on her face and soup dripped out of her mouth.
"Hey, wasn't she supposed to be the Professor's important student?"
"Why is she here?"
"I heard she wasn't even allowed to go outside at all."
"Everyone, this is our newest addition to Osiris, Serena Andersen. Please treat her like family." Daitokuji introduced Serena.
"You gonna eat that?" Serena asked the girl next to her.
Academia – Classroom
"Make sure to prepare for your practical exam tomorrow!" Sanders announced. "Remember this will determine whether you will advance a rank…" Sanders got an annoyed look as he looked over at the Osiris section, specifically Serena.
Serena slept through the entire class and made a poor attempt to hide it by making a paper face with dotted eyes and a smiley face. "Or be held back for another year!" Sanders slammed the desk near Serena with his riding crop.
Serena yawned as she woke up. "Lunchtime! See ya nerds!" Serena quickly ran out of the classroom, much to the irritation of both Sanders and her classmates.
Academia – Hallway
Serena had bought a sandwich from the store and she took a bite of it and golden egg yolk came out. "Yes, I got the golden eggwich." Serena sang as she took another bite.
"Serena is an embarrassment to this school!"
Serena stopped when she heard yelling from the teacher's conference room. She peaked inside to see her teachers.
"She sleeps through all my lectures and she doesn't even try to win her Duels." Sanders yelled.
"Yes, well that being said, she does win all her Duels. Maybe we should try a more practical approached." The PE teacher and nurse of Academia, Emi Ayukawa, proposed.
"Nonsense! The curricular is perfect for the creation for the army for the upcoming battle with the Xyz Dimension! If Serena can't get it together, then she shall have no place here in Academia!" The Vice Principal of Academia, Napoleon argued.
"But Serena, does have potential, especially when it comes to her card design class, even the high esteemed artist, Hayato Maeda praised her and is offering an internship." Kabayama, head of the Ra Dorm, added.
"We don't need artists! We need warriors!" Sanders banged his fist on the table. "Professor, you know I'm right!"
"Daitokuji, having Serena leave her room was your idea. You said that she would become better if she interacted with her classmates and teachers, but the results are poor. Tell Serena to pack her bags, she's moving back into her old room." Leo Akaba ordered, which made Serena gasp.
"I refuse." Daitokuji answered calmly.
"What did you say?! The Professor's orders are absolute!" Napoleon shouted.
"And his orders are wrong." Daitokuji said clearly. "This is only the first month, of course it wasn't gonna be perfect. And besides, the blame falls on you, Professor. Had you not locked her away from everyone for so long, she could have started to get stronger and probably respected you. She just needs time and motivation."
"Three years." Leo said. "If she doesn't improve within three years, not only will she be locked up again, but she will be forbidden from playing Duel Monsters ever again."
"I understand." Daitokuji nodded. "Then, excuse me." Daitokuji walked out of the conference room and he saw the golden eggwich on the floor and some wet drops on the floor.
Academia – Docks
Serena quickly loaded a boat with food and supplies before starting to untie the rope keeping it from drifting away. "You can't run away." Daitokuji said.
"I can try." Serena said.
"If you leave, the Professor will lock you up immediately. You can't give up." Daitokuji encouraged. "It's not just me, a few of your professors see potential in you, you just need to realize it."
"I don't even want to be here!" Serena shouted. "This is not the Academia I wanted to go to! I want to go home! I miss my dad, my uncles, Karen…I don't have any friends…I don't even have a dream anymore…" Serena started to cry.
Daitokuji approached Serena and pulled her into her arms and comforted her. "I know how you feel. I miss the old Academia as well as my colleagues, Cronos and Samejima. Which is why, you and I are gonna take Academia back for them."
"Huh?" Serena looked up at her teacher.
"I don't like Leo Akaba and what he's done to this beautiful school. But you're important to him, that's why I wanted to take you under my wing, because you could be the key to getting the old Academia back." Daitokuji said.
"But how?" Serena asked.
"Just be patient, and enhance your skills. The time will come." Daitokuji assured Serena.
Academia – Osiris Red Dorm (3 years later)
Serena burst into Daitokuji's room with Pharoah. "Sensei! Sora Shiunin has returned and he said Yuya. The same name of the Dragon Soldier, of legend!"
"So, he survived…which means our chance is finally here." Daitokuji grabbed a Duel Disk and gave it to Serena. "I customized it just for you. Head to standard, warn Yuya of the danger that's to come and help him fight Academia."
"But what about you?" Serena asked.
"I have to report back to Samejima and report what's happened. This…is goodbye." Daitokuji said.
Serena hugged Daitokuji and he hugged her back. "Thank you…for these last three years. They were fun."
"You are my favorite student." Daitokuji smiled. "And one day, I hope to see your full potential. Now go…and save our school."
Serena put on her Duel Disk and entered the transportation code to Standard. She and Daitokuji waved to each other before Serena disappeared.
Academia – Present Time
Serena opened her eyes as the night sky and stars shined above her. She turned to her side to see Dennis and Johan asleep as the fire kept going. Serena got up from the ground and went over to the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean.
She still kept remembering when the main ship was destroyed and Yuya, Reiji and Sawatari were sucked in. She looked down at her pendant that Yuya gave her. "Yuya…" Serena shook her head. "Pull it together, he's still alive, and so are the others. You have to do what you came here to do."
Serena turned to go back to the others when she saw a green symbol. "Huh?" The mark then moved away from her. "W-Wait?!"
Serena's shout woke up Johan and Dennis. "Serena, what's wrong?" Johan asked.
"Just follow me!" Serena ran after the mark.
"Whoa, wait!" Dennis called out as he and Johan followed Serena.
Academia – Osiris Red Dorm
Serena stopped as she saw where the mark had led her allowing Johan and Dennis to catch up. "This is…"
"Huh? The Osiris Red Dorm." Dennis said. "Isn't this your dorm?"
"According to the map, this is a pillar." Johan looked at his Duel Disk.
The mark appeared again and it led to one of the rooms. "That's…" Serena knew which room that was. Serena opened the door to reveal a clean single bedroom. "This is Professor Daitokuji's room."
"The alchemist professor?" Dennis asked.
"Professor Daitokuji!" Serena called out.
"Meow." Serena saw a familiar cat.
"Pharoah! Where's Professor Daitokuji?" Serena knelt down to the cat.
The cat just headed towards a hole in the wall that was big enough for him to go through and the same wall opened in front of the group to reveal an elevator.
"I don't like this." Johan said. "It's basically screaming it's a trap."
"But what other choice is there? Hey, Serena…" Dennis turned to Serena who was already in the elevator. "Hey, hold it!" Dennis and Johan ran in before the door closed.
Academia – Alchemy Lab
The elevator went down for a while before it stopped and it revealed a laboratory in front of them. "Whoa, lots of fancy equipment here." Dennis looked around.
"Welcome to my lab!"
The lights turned on to reveal a figure in a mask with a gray cloak, black armor and a red scarf. "I am one of the Seven Stars and I protect his pillar that protects Academia. My name is Amnael."
"Amnael?" Serena repeated.
"What lies at the bottom is like what lies at the top, and what lies at the top is like what lies at the bottom…" Amnael quoted. "The Professor said not to engage you, but I will ignore his orders and face you, Serena Andersen."
"Like I'm gonna let you take on my daughter while I'm here!" Johan stood protectively over Serena.
"You will have to wait your turn. You see I possess something that your daughter wants. Answers. If she wants them, she has to accept my Dark Duel before this Emerald Tablet, composed of the truths of our world!" Amnael held up a tablet.
"Emerald Tablet?" Dennis looked at the tablet.
"This tablet should only be in the hands of the ultimate alchemist. Serena Andersen, I am your final exam, show me that you are the ultimate alchemist that was praised by Daitokuji." Amnael said.
"Professor Daitokuji?! How do you know him?" Serena asked.
"I told you, if you want answers, you must accept and win." Amnael said.
"Fine." Serena stepped forward and activated her Duel Disk.
"Wait, Serena! You're being too hasty! I'll Duel!" Johan argued.
"It's too late, she has already accepted." Amnael removed his hood and let his long white hair flow and he activated his Duel Disk. "If you intrude the Duel, you will pay the consequences."
"Bring it on!" Serena shouted.
"Duel!" Serena and Amnael declared.
Amnael LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Serena LP: 4000, Hand: 5
"Let me show you the power of alchemy! My turn! Draw!" Amnael drew his card. "I activate the Continuous Magic: Alchemic Kettle – Chaos Distill!" A large distillery appeared behind Amnael.
"Due to this card's effect, any card that goes to my Graveyard will be banished instead." Amnael revealed.
"Banished?" Serena thought.
"Next, I activate the Magic Card: Iron Lamp! When Chaos Distill is on my field, I can Special Summon Alchemy Beast – Iron Salamander (ATK: 500, LV: 3)! Amnael summoned an iron clad salamander.
"In exchange for not being allowed to Normal Summon my Alchemy Beasts…they are able to direct attack my opponent! Next, I activate two Magic Cards: Copper Scales and Lead Compass! With Chaos Distill on the field, this card allows me to Special Summon Alchemy Beasts! Appear! Alchemy Beast – Copper Ouroboros (ATK: 500, LV: 3)! And Alchemy Beast – Lead Lion (ATK: 500, LV: 3)!" Amnael summoned two more beasts.
"I set one card and end my turn!" Amnael finished his turn.
Amnael LP: 4000, Hand: 1
Serena LP: 4000, Hand: 5
"Three monsters at once and without Pendulum." Dennis said.
"But they all have low Attack Points." Johan pointed out.
"When faced with my alchemy, your common knowledge of Duel Monsters will not be enough to win, Serena." Amnael said.
"We'll see about that. My turn! Draw!" Serena drew her card. "I'll hit him hard with this."
"I activate the Magic Card: Fusion! I fuse Moonlight Blue Cat and Moonlight Purple Butterfly in my hand!" Serena's two monsters entered the spiraling vortex.
"Blue cat that prowls through the darkness! Butterfly with violet poison! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Moonlight Cat Dancer (ATK: 2400, LV: 7)!" Serena summoned her dancing cat.
"Next, I Normal Summon Moonlight Kaleido Chick (ATK: 1400, LV: 4)!" Serena summoned another of her dancers. "I activate Cat Dancer's Monster Effect! By releasing a Moonlight monster on my field, Cat Dancer is allowed to attack all monsters on your field twice! I release Kaleido Chick." Kaleido Chick disappeared.
"And when Kaleido Chick is sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can add Fusion back to my hand!" Serena added Fusion back to her hand.
"Since Cat Dancer can attack twice on each monster, this Duel is as good as done!" Dennis smiled.
"Battle! Cat Dancer, attack Lead Lion!" Cat Dancer charged into battle.
"Such a straightforward tactic is not enough! Continuous Trap: Elemental Absorber! This card banishes a monster in my hand to negate an attack by a monster with the same element!" A device appeared on the field.
"What?" Serena gasped.
"Moonlight Cat Dancer is a Dark Attribute! I banish Luna the Dark Spirit from my hand!" The Elemental Absorber spun around before one of its spikes glowed purple and it created a wall of darkness to block Cat Dancer.
"Damn it, almost all of Serena's monsters are Dark Attribute, now she can't attack until that card is destroyed." Johan cursed.
"I end my turn." Serena finished her turn.
Amnael LP: 4000, Hand: 0
Serena LP: 4000, Hand: 3
"My turn! Draw!" Amnael drew his card. "Go, my Alchemy Beasts! Direct Attack Serena! Iron Salamander, Armed Flow!" Iron Salamander unleashed a fire breath attack. "Ouroboros Roar! Leon Vulcan!" Copper Ouroboros did a roar attack and Lead Lion unleashed spikes of lead and all three hit Serena, making her grunt in pain.
Serena LP: 4000→2500
"Serena!" Johan shouted in worry.
"Hang in there! There'll be a chance!" Dennis encouraged.
"A chance doesn't come to you; the chance is what you create." Amnael scolded Dennis. "Alchemy is the same, by creating new material, you create new possibilities and chances. From my hand, I activate the Magic Card: Black Process – Nigredo!"
"When I have no cards in my hand and I have Chaos Distill on the field, I can banish all Alchemy Beasts on my field and for each monster, I am able to draw two cards!" Amnael revealed. All of Amnael's monsters got destroyed.
"Your own monsters…" Serena was surprised that Amnael would do this.
"Alchemy is a cycle of destruction and rebirth. Sometimes to gain something, you must lose something." Amnael lectured. "With three Alchemy Beasts banished, I draw six cards!" Amnael drew six cards.
"Now I play three Magic Cards: Tin Magic Circle! Mercury Hourglass! Silver Key!" Amnael played three cards. "Appear! Alchemy Beasts! Tin Aeotos (ATK: 500, LV: 3)! Mercury Ekenas (ATK: 500, LV: 3)! Silver Moonface (ATK: 500, LV: 3)!" Three more Alchemy Beasts appeared.
"Just like before, these monsters are allowed to attack you directly. I end my turn. Now, what will you do, Serena?" Amnael asked.
Amnael LP: 4000, Hand: 3
Serena LP: 2500, Hand: 3
"My turn! Draw!" Serena drew her card. "I have more than Dark Attribute monsters now!" Serena declared. "I release Cat Dancer!" Cat Dancer disappeared.
"She released her own Fusion Monster?" Dennis was shocked.
"Appear! Moonlight Wolf (ATK: 2000, LV: 6, PS: 1)!" Serena summoned one of her Pendulum Monsters to the field, it was a beast warrior dressed like a wolf with green and gray hair.
"A Pendulum Monster." Amnael observed.
"This was given to me by Professor Daitokuji, the light to balance the darkness! Battle! Moonlight Wolf, attack Silver Moonface!" Moonlight Wolf charged.
"I activate Elemental Absorber's effect! I banish Diana the Light Spirit from my hand to negate the attacks of your Light Attribute Monster!" The Elemental Absorber spun before a yellow light shined and a wall of light stopped Moonlight Wolf from attacking.
"Damn it, so you had Light Attribute as well." Serena cursed.
"Your deck is the balance between light and darkness, but my deck is about all of the elements. Light, Dark, Fire, Water, Earth and Wind, the elements that make up our world give destruction and birth and only by achieving the balance of all six can the ultimate alchemy item be created, the Philosopher's Stone."
"The Philosopher's Stone?" Serena asked.
"The stone has two purposes, the first to turn all the metals it touches into pure solid gold and silver. The other purpose is the Elixir of Life, a substance that will allow you to achieve near immortality. Only the ultimate alchemist has the ability to create such as stone and this Duel will determine whether it is me or you." Amnael said.
"I don't care about some rock." Serena said. "I set one card and end my turn!"
"I'm disappointed to hear you say that, Serena. There's no point in prolonging this Duel anymore. I'll end it now." Amnael put his fingers on his deck as Serena prepared herself.
Team 6
Edo, Jim and O'Brien were taking a break and eating some food around a campfire. "So, Edo, do you know about the pillar we are heading towards?" Jim asked.
"It's not really pillars; they just call it that because they prevent anyone from launching an attack outside the castle. But each pillar was made to the Duelist's desired taste." Edo explained. "The one we're heading towards is run by Sanders, he's a professor in charge of actual combat."
"I've heard about him. He had a reputation of being too harsh with his troops and he only cared about getting results. He was dishonorably discharged for putting his men in danger even though he completed his mission." O'Brien said.
"He is harsh, but he was forced to tone it back by the Professor. But I think he's still doing something to the students." Edo said.
"What do you mean?" Jim asked.
"Well, before I was sent to the Xyz Dimension, I noticed that there was one soldier in my squad that was reassigned to stay at Academia." Edo said. "I don't know why because that soldier was the best one in the whole school. He aced his exams and won all his Duels; he would be our ace in the hole. When I confronted Sanders, he said that Duelist was not fit for the battlefield."
"That's an obvious lie. He must've done something." Jim said.
"Wonder what he did?" O'Brien said. He then heard something. "Shh." O'Brien changed his Duel Disk into a gun. He aimed in at the bushes around them.
"Karen, get close." Jim ordered.
"Who's there?!" Edo shouted.
Suddenly, red nets shot from the bushes and captured the three Fusion Users. "An ambush!" O'Brien said.
"These nets can't be cut!" Jim tried cutting it with his Duel Disk and Karen tried biting through them.
"We caught them, Professor! Your orders!"
"Bring them to me!" A familiar voice that Edo knew spoke.
"Sanders." Edo narrowed his eyes.
Academia – Survival Duel Arena
"Now, it is time for your lesson!" Sanders shouted. "Ted, Ethan, Bernie, Jacob and Emma, step forward!"
"Yes sir!" Five students walked up.
"You five are the ones with the greatest abilities out of the ones of this top-level class that I have taught. I am now going to be sending the five of you into the arena with our prisoners! And there, you will take part in a Survival Duel where only one will remain!" Sanders explained.
"This is not training! This is actual combat! You are all modern gladiators! Burn your fighting spirit and survive! Devour the strong and make their strength your own! Win and return here standing above them! Glory on the Academia!" Sanders chanted.
"Glory on the Academia!" The five students chanted.
"Now get the other group and him, ready." Sanders thought.
Edo, Jim and O'Brien were brought towards the arena. "Welcome back to Academia, traitor!" The three looked up to see Sanders looking down at them.
"Hello, Sanders." Edo said. "Still being a douchebag and sending others to fight your battles like the coward you are."
"Tch…with an attitude like that I questioned why the Professor picked you as Commander of the Xyz Force." Sanders glared at Edo. "But now you are a traitor and you will be punished along with your two friends. You'll be the perfect test subjects for Academia's special lessons!"
"Very well. I wouldn't mind showing your students how wrong you are." Edo said.
"The lesson will be a Battle Royal between three groups! The Duel will stop when only one person is left standing!" Sanders said.
"Three groups?" Jim questioned.
"There's us and Academia…so who's the other group?" O'Brien wondered.
The five students made it to the arena. "My elite students! What Academia needs is warriors! Not students who are only capable of earning high grades! Become the strongest! I wish you the best of luck. Glo—" Sanders was gonna chant the motto.
"DAMN THE ACADEMIA!" Edo shouted loudly and it echoed throughout the entire the arena. "This is not the true Academia! The real Academia is the one that was run by Samejima! The Professor doesn't care about any of you, but if you want to be fools and follow idiots like him and Sanders, then fine! The result won't change! We're gonna win!" Jim and O'Brien nodded in agreement.
"You bastard…" Sanders growled. "Let's begin! Field Magic: Jungle of Predators – Predator Jungle!" The entire arena transformed into a jungle. "Begin the Survival Duel!"
"I'll also release the other group and him." Sanders pressed a button on his controls.
Team 6
"Guess we have no choice but to play their game." Jim said.
"If you win, break their Duel Disks. They can't card each other if their Duel Disks are broken." Edo said.
O'Brien changed his Duel Disk into a gun. "I'll take the lead. Both of you stay close." O'Brien entered the jungle first with Edo and Jim following from behind.
The three kept a tight formation, watching each other's back, when they heard a scream. "Karen…" Jim whispered to Karen. Karen sniffed the floor and followed a stench before she found a lone card.
Jim picked it up and he let out a sigh. "A student got taken out." Jim showed the card.
"You think they would work together and then take each other out." O'Brien said.
"They would…something's not right." Edo said.
More screams were heard and the trio tensed up. There was then ruffling in the bushes near them. "1…2…3. Three are here." O'Brien said. "On my go." O'Brien raised his hand as Jim and Edo activated their Duel Disk. "Now!" O'Brien shouted.
All three of them charged towards the bushes. O'Brien fired his cards that turned into fire but ice froze them. Jim's Duel Disk blade met with a ninja sword and Edo got into a wrestle grip with his opponent.
"Wait?! You guys?!"
The one that spoke was the one that froze O'Brien's cards…
"Rio?" O'Brien's eyes widened.
"Ninja boy?" Jim noticed he was clashing with Tsukikage.
"Crow?" Edo realized he was wrestling Crow. "You guys are the second group."
"Thank god…I was getting tired of fighting in these Survival Duels." Rio sighed in relief.
"How did you all get here?" Jim asked.
"I was sent here by one of the Seven Stars after Jonouchi lost his Duel to her." Tsukikage said.
"I was with Rin and Gongenzaka but some guy in a white D-Wheel came and knocked me out. When I came to, they said Rin was taken by that guy and Gongenzaka was fighting a Seven Star." Crow admitted.
"And I was just walking with Shun and Ruri when some strange guy acting like Tarzan kidnapped me and put me in a cell with the others. Since then, they've been using us as subjects to these Survival Duels." Rio admitted.
"How many of these have you've been in?" Edo asked.
"At least three. But we never turned our opponents into cards, yet…" Tsukikage held up some cards of students turned into cards.
"Same here, but we haven't Dueled anyone." Jim showed the card.
"I don't think the students are doing this. There must be something more to it. It's common sense to take out the enemy and then focus on each other." Edo said.
"It sounds like a hit and run tactic. From their expressions, they were caught off guard, someone is attacking from the shadows." O'Brien looked at the expressions of the students on the cards. "Okay, stand back!" O'Brien changed his Duel Disk into a gun. "I'm gonna burn them out into the open."
"I'll help you!" Crow activated his Duel Disk.
"Might as well join in the rampage." Jim activates his Duel Disk.
"Burn down the forest! Volcanic Devil!" O'Brien fired his ace monster and it started burning the forest.
"Appear! Assault Black Feather – Dark Hurricane Dragon!" Crow summoned his dragon. "Enhance the flames with your wind!" Dark Hurricane Dragon flapped its wings to make the fire burn hotter and spread out.
"Appear! Gaia Plate the Earth Giant!" A large rock giant appeared. "Mow everything down!" Gaia Plate charged and started destroying all the trees and stomping on all the bushes.
The monsters kept destroying the forests until all of a sudden, they were destroyed in an instant. "The monsters!" Rio's eyes widened.
"There!" Tsukikage pointed towards some flames, emerging from it was the one that kidnapped Rio.
"You…that's the one who kidnapped me." Rio said.
"No way…" Edo's eyes widened. "You're…Benjiro!"
"That is no longer Benjiro!" Sanders shouted, getting their attention. "That is the strongest creature that I trained myself, the Battle Beast! Codename: BB!"
"Battle Beast…" Rio said.
"BB…" Crow said.
"Hey, Edo. That Duelist that you said was the best that was pulled out because of Sanders." O'Brien said.
"Yes, that's him. Benjiro, wielder of the Gladiator Beasts. But he never looked like this." Edo said.
"Benjiro was definitely a good Duelist, but he lacked the steel of resolve to turn his opponents into cards! He believed that peaceful negotiations were the key to our utopia but that was wrong! Turning people into cards, no matter who they are is the key to our utopia! With rough training and rehabilitation, I turned him into the strongest soldier in all of Duel Academia! Battle Beast!" Sanders explained.
"Sanders!" Edo shouted in anger.
"How dare you do this to your own people!" Rio got angry as well and unleashed an aura of ice.
"BB! Turn them into cards!" Sanders ordered. BB activated his Duel Disk.
"Benjiro…" Edo activated his Duel Disk. "I'll take care of him; you all stay ba—"
BB let out a roar and he charged towards Rio. Karen quickly got in front of Rio and readied her mouth to bite BB. "Out of my way!" BB avoided Karen's bite and picked her up and dropped her hard on the ground.
"Karen!" Jim shouted in worry.
"You poor thing…" Rio knelt down to the injured crocodile before she glared at BB. "That's it, now it's personal!" Rio activated her Duel Disk.
"Duel!" Rio, Edo and BB declared.
BB LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Rio LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Edo LP: 4000, Hand: 5
"My turn! Draw!" BB drew his card. "I summon Gladiator Beast Laquari (ATK: 1800, LV: 4)!" BB summoned a beast warrior with fire. "I set four cards and end my turn!"
BB LP: 4000, Hand: 1
Rio LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Edo LP: 4000, Hand: 5
"Gladiator Beasts, that's definitely the deck that Benjiro uses." Edo said. "Rio, you can't play carelessly."
"I know. My turn! Draw!" Rio drew her card. "When I have no cards on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand! Come, Blizzard Crab Hammer (ATK: 1900, LV: 5)!" Rio summoned a blue skinned crab with a hammer for a claw.
"Then, I activate the Continuous Magic: Blizzard Vision! By targeting one Water Attribute monster on my field, I can Special Summon this card as a Normal Monster with the same type, attribute and Level as that target!"
Blizzard Vision (ATK: 0, LV: 5)
"I Overlay my Level 5 Blizzard Crab Hammer and Blizzard Vision!" The two monsters turned into blue light and entered the spacelike portal in front of her.
"Princess of another world, transcend the boundaries of space and time and lead us into battle! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 5! Number 94: The Princess of Polar Ice, Crystal Zero (ATK: 2200, RNK: 5, OVU: 2)!" Rio summoned her Number.
"Xyz Summon…" BB gave a wild expression, like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.
"It's the summon of our enemy."
"What kind of power does it have?"
"I activate Crystal Zero's effect! By using one Overlay Unit, it can half the Attack Points of one monster on my opponent's field until the end of the Battle Phase! I reduce Laquari's Attack Points! Crystal Eraser!" Crystal Zero released a powerful ice that cooled the flames from Laquari.
Crystal Zero (OVU: 2→1)
Laquari (ATK: 1800→900)
This action surprised the Academia students.
"It was already stronger than Laquari but now it made it weaker."
"Is this the power of the Xyz Dimension."
"Battle! Crystal Zero, attack Laquari! Crystal Javelin!" Crystal Zero threw her javelin at the Gladiator Beast.
"I activate my Continuous Trap: Medallion of Gladiator Beasts! Gladiator Beasts on my field can't be destroyed in battle!" A barrier protected Laquari. "But Battle Damage is doubled."
BB LP: 4000→1400
"After battle, I can return Laquari to my deck and summon another monster! I Special Summon Gladiator Beast Secutor (DEF: 400, LV: 4) in Defense Position!" A beast wearing blue armor appeared.
"Switching out his monsters after they battle, but he lost a lot of Life Points. What is he planning?" Rio thought. "I set one card and end my turn!" Rio finished.
BB LP: 1400, Hand: 2
Rio LP: 4000, Hand: 3
Edo LP: 4000, Hand: 5
"My turn! Draw!" Edo drew his card. "From my hand, I activate the Magic Card: Fusion! I send Destiny Hero – Decision Guy and Destiny Hero – Dream Guy to the Cemetery and fuse them!" Edo's monsters entered the spiraling vortex.
"Hero resolved to claim a fated victory! Hero from the world of dreams! Become one now and reign over this dark future! Fusion Summon! Come on! Destiny Hero – Dystopia Guy (ATK: 2800, LV: 8)!" Edo summoned his ace monster, which made the Academia students smile.
"There it is!"
"Commander Edo's ace monster!"
"Fools!" Sanders snapped. "Edo Phoenix is the enemy now! You must not cheer for the enemy!"
"I activate Dystopia Guy's effect! I deal damage equal to the Attack Points of one of Fusion Material monsters that was used to summon him. I choose Decision Guy! Squeeze Palm!" Edo revealed.
"Decision Guy's Attack Points are 1600." Tsukikage said.
"That guy's Life Points are only 1400, it's over!" Crow said.
"I activate my Trap Card: Gladiator Mirror of Refraction! When effect damage would be applied to me, this card replenishes my Life Points!" The Squeeze Palm damaged turned into healing and BB smiled.
BB LP: 1400→3000
"He replenished his Life Points." Rio said. "And if his monster is attacked."
"I summon Destiny Hero Devil Guy (DEF: 800, LV: 3)!" Edo summoned a hero in dark clothes and red cape. "Devil Guy's Monster Effect activates! Once per turn, I can banish one monster on the opponent's field! I banish Gladiator Beast Secutor!"
"Alright. With this, we don't have to worry about its Monster Effect." Rio smiled.
"Continuous Trap: Gladiator Beast's Dimension Barrier! As long this card is on the field, my Gladiator Beasts cannot be removed from the field by any of my opponent's card effects!" BB protected his monster. "Furthermore, my opponent must attack my Gladiator Beasts if they have monsters in Attack Position!"
"Guess there's no choice. Dystopia Guy, attack Gladiator Beast Secutor! Dystopia Blow!" Dystopia Guy charged in.
"Due to Medallion of Gladiator Beast, Secutor can't be destroyed in battle!" BB said as a barrier protected his monster. "At this moment, Secutor's effect activates! After it battles, I can Special Summon two Gladiator Beast monsters from my deck! Come! Gladiator Beast Augustus (ATK: 2600, LV: 8) in Attack Position! And Murmillo in Defense Position (DEF: 400, LV: 3)!" BB summoned two more Gladiator Beasts.
"That's two more Gladiator Beasts." O'Brien sweated.
"When Augustus is Special Summoned by a Gladiator Beast's effect, I can Special Summon another Gladiator Beast from my hand in Defense Position! I summon another Murmillo (DEF: 400, LV: 3)!" BB summoned another one.
"When Murmillo is Special Summoned by a Gladiator Beast's effect, I can destroy one monster on the field! The first one I will destroy is Crystal Zero!" Murmillo unleashed a water blast that destroyed Crystal Zero.
"At this moment, I activate the Continuous Trap: Pollice Verso! As long as this card is on the field, every time a card is destroyed the owner of that card takes 500 points of damage!" A thumb pointed downwards at shocked Rio with lightning making her scream.
Rio LP: 4000→3500
"And the second one I will destroy is…Devil Guy!" The second Murmillo destroyed Devil Guy. "And now you take damage equal to Pollice Verso's effect!" The thumb fired lightning on Edo and he screamed.
Edo LP: 4000→3500
"Aw man, he's doing whatever he wants to them and it's not even his turn." Crow said.
"As expected of you, Benjiro…" Edo winced. "I set two cards and end my turn."
"At the End Phase, Augustus's effect ends and the second Murmillo is returned to my deck." BB returned the card to his deck.
BB LP: 3000, Hand: 0
Rio LP: 3500, Hand: 3
Edo LP: 3500, Hand: 0
"I'm sorry, Rio. Your ace monster…" Edo apologized.
"Don't worry about it. Just keep doing your Dueling." Rio said.
"My turn! Draw!" BB drew his next card. "Gladiator Beasts can be Fusion Summoned without a Fusion Card by returning the needed cards to my deck!"
"A Contact Fusion." Edo narrowed his eyes.
"I fuse my three Gladiator Beasts, Augustus, Murmillo and Secutor!" The three Gladiator Beasts entered the spiraling vortex.
"Roaming spirits of ancients gladiators! Gather under the name of the emperor and offer your power! Contact Fusion! Come! Gladiator Beast Andabatae (ATK: 1000, LV: 8)!" BB summoned a reptile in blue armor and a sword.
"When Andabatae is Fusion Summoned, I can Special Summon a Gladiator Beast Fusion Monster aside from Andabatae from my Extra Deck! Come! Gladiator Beast Gyzarus (ATK: 2400, LV: 6)!" BB summoned a green skinned bird in armor.
"I activate Gyzarus' effect! When Gyzarus is summoned, it can destroy up to two cards on the field! I destroy your set card!" BB pointed to Rio. "And Dystopia Guy!" BB pointed to Edo as their cards were destroyed. "You know take damage thanks to Pollice Verso's effect!" Lightning struck both Rio and Edo.
Rio LP: 3500→3000
Edo LP: 3500→3000
"Now, which of you will be Gyzarus' prey?" BB looked back and forth from Rio and Edo.
"My set card is Destiny Rebirth; this will bring back Dystopia Guy and increase its Attack Points by 500. I'll use it to destroy one of his Trap Cards and end the Battle Phase, he has to attack me." Edo thought.
"Hurry up, Benjiro! Make your decision!" Edo shouted.
"I've decided…" BB looked at Edo.
"That's right, attack me." Edo thought.
"Gyzarus! Direct Attack!" BB turned and pointed at Rio.
"No!" Edo shouted as Gyzarus flew towards Rio and knocked her in the air and she crashed on the ground.
Rio LP: 3000→600
"Due to Andabatae's effect, Gyzarus is returned to my Extra Deck after battle, and its Attack Points are added to Andabatae's!" Andabatae got stronger.
Andabatae (ATK: 1000→3400)
"Xyz Duelists must die! Andabatae! Direct Attack!" BB ordered and Andabatae headed towards Rio.
"Rio!" Edo, Jim, O'Brien, Tsukikage and Crow shouted.
Rio took a deep breath and suddenly, the entire area got really cold and Rio unleashed a blizzard that made Andabatae fall back. "What?!" BB gasped.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Sanders was confused.
"Looks like I have to use this power after all." Rio raised her hand. "Bariarphose!" Rio's appearance changed and she turned into her Barian Form.
"Wh-What is she?!"
"She's not human!"
"Wha-What are you?!" BB stepped back in fear.
"I am the Queen of the Barians!" Rio held her hand out. "I activate the Trap Card that you destroyed, Snowstorm Destruction! When I'm about to be direct attacked when I have 1000 or fewer Life Points, this card negates the attack and destroys two cards on your field! I destroy Medallion of Gladiator Beasts and Gladiator Beast's Dimension Barrier!" BB's cards were destroyed.
"Now have a taste of your own medicine! Due to your Pollice Verso, you take 500 points of damage for every card destroyed!" The thumbs shot lightning at BB making him grunt.
BB LP: 3000→2000
"Since it's attack was negated, Andabatae didn't battle so I can't use its effect." BB recovered from the attack. "I set one card and end my turn."
"To think that one of them was a beast as well." Sanders looked at Rio's Barian Form.
Serena vs Amnael
Amnael LP: 4000, Hand: 2
Serena LP: 2500, Hand: 2
"My turn! Draw!" Amnael drew his card. "I activate the Magic Card: White Process – Albedo! This card allows me to Special Summon Golden Homunculus (ATK: ? LV: 6)!" Amnael summoned a large gold monster.
"This card cannot be Normal Summoned! And this card's Attack and Defense Points are the total amount of my cards that have been banished times 300! I have 13 cards banished, so it's Attack Points are 3900!"
Golden Homunculus (ATK: 0→3900)
"So, that's why he's been banishing all of his cards!" Dennis realized.
"If all those monster's attack, Serena…" Johan looked at his daughter.
"Battle! Go! Alchemy Beasts! Sonic Burst! Squirt Gun! Silver Cutter!" The Alchemy Beasts attacked Serena and she was knocked off her feet.
Serena LP: 2500→1000
"Serena!" Johan and Dennis shouted.
"Farewell. Golden Homunculus attack Moonlight Wolf! Golden Harvest!" Golden Homunculus fired sharp pieces of gold.
"I activate my Trap Card: Dance Instruction! By banishing Cat Dancer from my Graveyard, I can add its Attack Points to one monster on my field! I choose Moonlight Wolf!"
Moonlight Wolf (ATK: 2100→4500)
"Counterattack, Moonlight Wolf!" Moonlight Wolf danced and sliced right through the golden monster, destroying it, some of the gold scratched Amnael's mask.
Amnael LP: 4000→3400
"Not bad…I end my turn." Amnael finished his turn.
Amnael LP: 3400, Hand: 2
Serena LP: 1000, Hand: 2
"My turn! Draw!" Serena drew her card and smiled. "I activate the Magic Card: Miracle Moonlight Contact! By discarding a Fusion card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can perform a Contact Fusion by returning monsters from my field and hand to my deck!"
"Contact Fusion." Amnael looked at Serena.
Serena discarded Fusion. "Now I return Moonlight Wolf from the field and Moonlight Queen Lion from my hand to my deck!" Serena returned her cards to her deck.
"Queen of the Moonlights! Wolf that shines the light of the moon! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Contact Fusion!" Serena put her hands together. "Come to me! Majestic creature blessed with the power of the moon! Level 8! Moonlight Dancer Dragon (ATK: 2800, LV: 8)!" Serena summoned her dragon.
"When Moonlight Dancer Dragon is summoned via Contact Fusion, her effects vary on the number materials that were used. Since she used two, she's allowed to destroy all monsters on the field and for each one destroyed, inflict 300 points of damage!" Serena revealed. "Go! Moonlight Dancer Dragon, Lunar Eclipse!"
Moonlight Dancer Dragon created a lunar eclipse and unleashed a breath attack that destroyed all of Amnael's monsters.
Amnael LP: 3400→2200
"Alright!" Johan smiled.
"She destroyed his monsters and dealt damage!" Dennis smiled.
"Alright, if I can just keep up this momentum…" Serena thought.
"Meow." Serena, Johan and Dennis turned to see Pharaoh entering the room. "Pharaoh?" Pharaoh jumped down to the field and headed towards Amnael and purred against his leg.
"Why is that cat being friendly with the creepy guy?" Dennis questioned.
"Pharoah…" Serena looked at Amnael.
"Well done, my favorite student." Amnael said, making Serena's eyes widened.
"No way…you're…" Serena trembled.
"Yes." Amnael removed his mask to show his face.
"Professor Daitokuji!" Serena said. "But why? Why are you here? Why are you siding with Academia!"
"Oh, Serena…" Daitokuji smiled. "I haven't forgotten our mission. But…you are in danger."
"Danger? I already know Leo Akaba wants me, you don't—" Serena spoke.
"Not Leo Akaba. You're in danger…from your own dragon." Daitokuji looked at Moonlight Dancer Dragon.
"Huh? My dragon?" Serena looked at her dragon as it looked down in shame.
And that is the end of Chapter 12. What did you all think? Let me know in the reviews.
The reason I gave BB the name Benjiro was because in Japanese it means Enjoy Peace and Sanders corrupted BB into becoming a heartless animal.
Thanks for reading and I will see you next time.
Preview: Rio and Edo continue their fight against BB with Rio unleashing her Barian Powers to give them an edge. Daitokuji reveals to Serena the threat that the Four Nature Dragons possess and the key to stop them. And while searching for the girls, Yuya is met with a battalion of Obelisk Force Soldiers.
Next Time: Academia's Final Lesson