RUSH DUEL - Yuga vs Setsuko (R2)
"I Summon Dark Cycliptron. By revealing 2 DARK Cyberse monsters with Level 5 or higher, or Maximum Monster trait, I draw 2 cards and send 1 card from my hand to the GY during the End Phase. If I revealed 2 monsters with different Levels by this effect, Dark Cycliptron can be treated as 2 Tributes for the Tribute Summon of a DARK Cyberse monster. I reveal these."
*Setsuko reveals Disconnector Dog, Nidhoggr the Malice Dragon.
"Revealing Nidhoggr... 2 Tributes. Is she?"
"I Tribute Dark Cycliptron. Break free from imperfection! Defy the will of heaven and bestow perfection upon this universe! Nidhoggr the Malice Dragon!"
"There it is." Yuga's confrontation with the black dragon has begun. Its dark roots wrap around Setsuko briefly before spreading to the field.
"Because I have a Level 5 or higher DARK Cyberse monster on my field, I Special Summon Disconnector Dog from my hand. Its effect activates. I excavate the top 7 cards of my Deck, send an excavated Level 4 Cyberse Normal Monster and Disconnector Dog from my field to the GY. I Summon Dark Attron and send it to the GY. I draw 1 card during the End Phase."
"Her playstyle is like yours, Nail. Setting up a long combo for a big payoff in the end."
"I taught her how to Duel. Setsuko has a lot of potential to be a great Duelist in the future."
"Are you proud of your sister?"
"I..." Nail hesitates, but only briefly. With a smile on his face, he confidently continues, "I am."
"With Nidhoggr and Dark Femtron... Perfect Providence Fusion! By shuffling monsters on my field or GY into the Deck, including Femtron or Dark Femtron, I can Fusion Summon using those monsters!"
"Just like Sevens Wonder Fusion. Did you anticipate this, Yuga?"
"No, Yuna. It's a new strategy from her. Her Dueling is quite flexible, I must admit."
"The unknown horizon to an unseen world manifests itself in the form of the malice draconic tree. Show us true perfection. Unseen Malice Dragon, Nidhoggr Unknown!"
And it appears. The dragon that delves in darkness is now called to the field. Its roots sharpen, and its trunk emits a sinister purple radiance.
"A Fusion Monster using a Maximum Monster... Now we're speaking!"
"Be prepared for the worst, Yuga. Because you take double battle damage from battles involving Nidhoggr Unknown. Unknown Malice Strike!"
"Magical Switch, activate. Protect me, Illusion Road!" Yuga Special Summons his shield by sending Sevens Paladin to the GY. "You have to attack Illusion Road, and Dark Sevens reduces all battle damage from battles involving my other monsters to 0!"
"The same tactic again. Not a big deal, however, because Nidhoggr Unknown is indestrucible once per turn."
"A strategy that reflects battle damage to the opponent, against a strategy that deflects battle damage from their opponent. Neither side is having more advantage than the other."
"So this is Rush Duel from the future. The strategies have evolved tremendously from our era." Yuamu comments on the evolution of Dueling.
"I end my turn. During the End Phase, I draw 3 cards and send 1 card from my hand to the GY. And... Nidhoggr Unknown's effect activates! I gain 1000 LP for each time I drew a card during the End Phase this turn (Setsuko: 4000 → 6000 LP). Then, by forbidding myself from drawing for the rest of this turn and for my next normal draw, I can Special Summon another Nidhoggr Unknown from my Extra Deck and draw 3 cards!"
"Summoning a Fusion Monster without Fusion Summoning! Woahhh~ Gosh darn cool!"
"This... Goddammn nonsensical!" Yuna grows angry over Setsuko's tactics.
"Setsuko Saionji. She has only been working formally after the departure of Yuga. Initially replacing his place after the battle with Otes, her skills had proven us beyond doubts that she will be a valuable gem in the future. Not long after, she decided to move to Development Department, but she quickly gained leadership and the trust from other colleagues in no time. I personally hate to admit, but she has the charisma of Otes and the talent of Yuga." Yuo thought to himself.
"Even if she cannot Special Summon another Nidhoggr Unknown this turn, she can still gain LP from its effect. Her providence is perfect."
"Now I truly end my turn. All yours, Yuga." (Setsuko: 6000 → 9000 LP)
"5 cards in her hand. It's probably like before. Setsuko is planning to Maximum Summon Nidhoggr. That terrifying and unorthodox Maximum... But I'm prepared for it! My turn! I Summon Spell Arsenal to shuffle 1 Monster, 1 Spell and 1 Trap back to my Deck and draw 1 card. If it is an Equip Spell, I draw 1 more. Draw!"
*Yuga shuffles back Sevens Paladin, Sevens Wonder Fusion, Magical Switch to draw Magical Dragonic Crest - Sevens Geas.
"Nice! I get to draw 1 more. I return Illusion Road to my hand and activate Enchanting Road. I draw 1, and if I have Sevens Road Enchanter in my GY, the next damage I would take this turn becomes 0. I send Sevens Road to activate Road Magic - Dark Twilight. Destroy Nidhoggr Unknown, Dark Sevens!"
"Nidhoggr Unknown cannot be destroyed once per turn!"
"I will follow up with this. Should my soul's prayers reach you, then use the power of the underworld and rise forth, my friend! I activate Sevens Wonder Fusion! Gallop forth from the heavens! Sevens Chariot the Magical Knight!"
"Whoop her ass, Yuga! Annihilate her for making you sad!"
"Ahahaha... I send Illusion Road from my hand to the GY to equip Sevens Geas to Sevens Chariot. I Set 1 card. Sevens Chariot's effect activates! I destroy both Nidhoggr Unknown! Magical Count Burning Scissors!"
"The remaining Nidhoggr Unknown still remains on the field!"
"I shuffle back Sevens Road Witch and Illusion Road to activate High Magic - Double Acceleration. Dark Sevens gains ATK equal to its original ATK until the end of this turn. And with Sevens Road Enchanter in my GY..." (Dark Sevens: 2800 → 3100 → 5900 ATK)
"5900 ATK!"
"This is my Rush Duel. Here I go, Setsuko! Sevens Chariot attacks Nidhoggr Unknown! Sevens Wheel Thunder Streak!"
The thunder sparkled from the chariot stuns the resisting roots of the unknown dragon. Binding the malice with lightning, the magical knight lands justice.
"Due to Sevens Geas, the equipped monster gains an additional attack on monsters in addition to its normal attack. That means it can attack directly. Together with Dark Sevens..." Yuga glances at Yuna, nodding in satisfaction. Yuna smiles back at Yuga, too.
"Bright Light Road!"
Setsuko faces the brunt of the attack head-on, "...8900." (Setsuko: 9000 → 6000 → 100 LP)
"Her LP is like candles on the wall. One soft blow away from being extinguished. You are amazing, Yuga!"
"Thanks. (flustered) You really don't mind me using Dark Sevens and its related supports, do you?"
"Well, Kuaidul has been dealt with, and you won't Duel this well if your brain is zapped. Also... You know, I believe in whatever you do, whatever you plan, and anything. I'm always on your side!"
"I want to find an answer to the turmoil in my heart back when I arrived to Mutsuba Town. About Otes' feelings, and why I could feel sentimental towards him in that battle, just for a brief moment. Though, I don't want to make myself too well-known in a timeline I'm not supposed to be there, and I have to concentrate in Duels against our enemies. There's no time to consider my deepest thoughts, at least until I return to Goha City and relax."
"I don't think you would return here, not without Rovian warning you about Lord of Chaos... Come on, you are crying again!" Yuna poutingly purifies Yuga's sad eyes with her love.
"Sorry. I end my turn. Do you have it, Setsuko?"
"Oh, come on. You think I don't? (smile) Manifest, the symbol of perfection!" Setsuko raises three cards above her.
"I know it... Nidhoggr the Malice Dragon!"
"Desperate to break free from imperfection, the malice dragon gnaws upon the tree of providence. Using your three sets of wisdom, now is the time for you to defy the will of heaven and bestow perfection upon this universe! Maximum! Nidhoggr the Malice Dragon!"
"During Yuga's End Phase!?"
"It's possible, Yuo. It's possible to Summon a monster within Battle Phase or End Phase, even in Rush Duel or Goha Duel."
"Yuga, do you know about this monster?"
"I only learned about it earlier this morning, Yuo. Nidhoggr can attack directly during Setsuko's turn, and it gains 1000 ATK for each card on the field when doing so. If my monsters that can attack have less than 4000 total ATK, they can't attack Nidhoggr. It cannot be destroyed once per turn, also she takes no damage except for battle damage from direct attacks."
"And I can activate 1 Trap from my hand each turn, too! Malice Stems! When a Level 10 or higher monster is Special Summoned, I can choose to draw 3 cards by forbidding my next normal draw, or inflict 500 damage to both of us. Though, because I activate Malice Stems from my hand, I get to choose both effects!"
"Due to Enchanting Road, I take no damage. Well, so do you, I suppose."
Setsuko smirks after she draws 3 cards, "While I have 3 or more cards in my hand, Nidhoggr doesn't just deflect my damage. It reflects my damage back to you!"
"Oh no! Ouch!" (Yuga: 4000 → 3500 LP)
"How's that, Yuga? It's fun, right?"
"Ye.. Yeah. You are strong."
"Being praised by a senior. It's such an honour."
"I'm happy to see newcomers try out Rush Duel every day. That's nice to hear."
"Everyone in Goha City knows how to Rush Duel, right?"
"Yeah!"
"Including your mom?"
"Mmm... She doesn't Duel, but she doesn't mind about Rush Duel replacing Goha Duel."
"Including your dad, too?"
"My dad has been busy since my elementary days, so I'm not really sure."
"Including Luke's parents? And grandparents?"
"Luke's great-grandpa enjoyed Dueling with Asana's. They did have some Rush Duel together during the time I was here."
"I see. Some don't Rush Duel, and some do. Not all, though. I went a little bit off-topic. Sorry for that. My turn. I can't normal draw this turn, but I can still attack. Nidhoggr gains 700 ATK for each card on the field. There are 5, so its ATK is 3500!"
"Yuga's LP is exactly at 3500! If this attack goes through..."
"Nidhoggr! Finish Yuga! Nastrond Malice Strike!"
"Trap, Emergency Return! I return Dark Sevens to the Extra Deck and negate the attack!"
"Thanks for that. Because a face-up Trap is sent from your field to the GY, I can activate Malice Vines from my hand. Sevens Chariot cannot activate its effects or attack until the end of your next turn, also 1 of your Monster Zone is unusable until then!"
"No! I would be able to attack directly with Sevens Chariot, but... She anticipated this?"
"Yuga. Do you think it's unfortunate that some adults don't know how to Rush Duel? Or pay attention to it and give it the respect it deserves?"
Yuga smiles, "It's not really about the number of people that play Rush Duel. For me, it's about the enjoyment that people get when playing Rush Duel. Even if there is only a hundred players, ten players, or even one; if that person, those people that are willing to try Rush Duel smile because they have so much fun with the format, I'm already beyond happy."
"Wouldn't it be better to make something that everyone universally plays, rather than something a specific format that only a circle of people pay attention to?"
"It wouldn't be as fun, would it? It's much more fun for some people to play a format that doesn't feel restrictive."
"If the demographic is dominated by kids, what will happen to Rush Duel when they become adults? Deserted?"
"I'm sure they will still like it. I believe in the future ahead of us!" Yuga confidently grins.
Setsuko stares at Yuga soullessly. She is skeptical about Yuga's answer.
"Time is running out for you." Setsuko focuses herself on Yuga's forehead, which has been turning more and more red. "That future may not reach out to you. (worried tone) Yuga! Are you sick!?"
"It has to be now... I'm starting to feel dizzy. But, this fun Rush Duel is so fun. It's fun... I Tribute Sevens Chariot! Guide us, o little-sister disciple of the spellcaster who stands atop the crown of the Sevens Road! Sevens Road Witch! I send Magical Stream from my hand to the GY to Special Summon this monster. The gentle darkness that embraces the tender light of Sevens Road! Illusion Road Magician! I send Sevens Road Sorcerer from my hand to the GY to activate Wind Spirit's Protection! Illusion Road gains 1000 ATK this turn!" (Illusion Road: 1500 → 2500 ATK)
"No card in hand. I'm disappointed." Setsuko comments on Yuga's state.
"Batt.. (gasp) I... Att... I attac..." Yuga's fever starts to kick in.
"Yuga! Hold onto me!" Yuna holds onto Yuga's shoulder, preventing him from falling to the ground.
Yuga gasps to catch a breath, but his eyes begin to divert from his monsters. His concentration is dwindling.
"Tch...! I order you, Sevens Road Witch! Attack Nidhoggr! Sevens Punish!"
"Nidhoggr cannot be destroyed once per turn. Also, because I have 3 or more cards in my hand, Yuna, you take battle damage in my stead!"
"Really!?"
"Don't worry, Yuna... Illusion... Its effect. (gulp) If I have Witch or Magician on my field, battle damage involving... becomes 0."
"Nice! Go, Illusion Road! Finish Nidhoggr!"
"Trap, activate! Magic Cylinder! You take damage equal to Illusion Road's ATK, also your attack is negated."
"Illusion Road's attack cannot be negated! Arghhh!" (Yuga: 3500 → 1000 LP)
"There's nothing you can do to prevent Nidhoggr's destruction, Setsuko! End of the line!"
"Because I have 2 or fewer cards in my hand, I take no damage!"
Despite that, Illusion Road's attack goes through and destroys Nidhoggr.
"Hooray! Yuga does it! He destroys Setsuko's ace!"
"Don't celebrate too early, Damamu. Nidhoggr may just have been a wall for Setsuko to survive."
"It's about Malice Vines. She stops Sevens Chariot from launching a counterattack, and blocking a Monster Zone on top of that. Hmm, Nidhoggr does have that 4000 total ATK restriction, right, Yuhi?"
"Yeah. Nidhoggr requires you to have a specific combination of monsters for you to even attack. Ideally, having 3 monsters would bypass that restriction easily."
"By blocking 1 Monster Zone, Yuga's options are limited. But more importantly, that effect may have been there to restrict the use of powerful monsters."
"Nail, monsters like Baneclipse Auf are strong, but usually, they have less than 4000 ATK standalone. If your resources can be restricted, it is harder to Summon another monster to bypass that restriction."
"With the use of Magic Cylinder, Setsuko has made sure Yuga cannot finish the Duel this turn with 2 Monster Zones remaining." Yuo makes an analysis.
"Just like my last turn. A victory against Setsuko seemed so close, yet so far. I only learn how crafty and careful Setsuko is when setting her defense after I realize that I couldn't deplete her LP yet. Is the ideal future that far away from me? And with each passing turn, my chance for comeback decreases. Time is running out, isn't it? Rush Duel holds comeback potential, but just against Setsuko... She always gains the favor of the Goddess of Comeback. Urgh... My vision is so blurry, I'm not sure I can register her next moves."
"Yuga! Do you want to stop the Duel? We've confirmed that your behaviour doesn't drastically change because of Dark Sevens and Darkness Rogue. It's providence that the Darkness cards are merely a coincidence, so..."
"Don't stop this fun Duel, please! I'm still having fun, just feeling very tired. Haha..."
Setsuko looks at the cards she has drawn, "This Duel will end soon. Here I go! Because I have no monsters on my field, I Special Summon Extender Shrimp from my hand. I Summon Dark Femtron. Extender Shrimp's effect activates! I send Dark Femtron to the GY, and during this turn's End Phase, I add back 1 Trap from my GY to my hand. I Tribute Extender Shrimp for Dark Viscom Nanotron. I send Dark Viscom Nanotron to place back these cards on top of my Deck!"
"Now she can draw Nidhoggr again!" Yuhi and Yuamu freak out.
"Just as expected. Setsuko can return her Maximum back to her Deck."
"Aw~ Yuga has to defeat it again."
"Nidhoggr this, Nidhoggr that! I'm infuriatingly angry!"
"Calm down, Yuna. Finally, I find it! The weakness of Nidhoggr!"
"Nidhoggr's weakness? That powerful Maximum has a weakness?"
"Nidhoggr may have been an oppressive Maximum, but it is passive. It doesn't have a lot of offensive power, 1 Trap is enough to stop its attack. And if you can defeat it in combat, even if you can recover Nidhoggr, you have to wait for my turn to Maximum Summon it again. I still have my field intact, plus the 5 cards that I would draw in my turn. There will be a Road that lead to my victory! I'm sure of it!"
"You're right. The current Nidhoggr has that weakness. I Summon Dark Yoctron. By placing Dark Femtron, Dark Attron and Dark Zeptron on the bottom of my Deck and sending Dark Yoctron to the GY, I draw 3 cards during this turn's End Phase. Turn ends. I draw 3 cards and add back Malice Stems to my hand."
"Alright. Let's see if I can defeat Nidhoggr and clinch it this time! My turn!"
Yuga is about to draw a fresh new hand. But Setsuko interrupts him!
"At this moment!" Setsuko raises three cards up high, "The realm of perfection is unattainable. Is that true? Is it possible to transcend the world of thought and enter the world of enlightenment? Only the malice draconic tree knows, for it to be the vanguard of this universe! Maximum! Malice Dragon of Perfection, Nidhoggr Nysa!"
"Before I draw for my turn!?"
"Surprise, Yuga? Nidhoggr Nysa's effects cannot be negated, and before either of us draws for our normal draw, I can stack 1 card from my hand underneath this card. And Nidhoggr Nysa gains the effects of underneath Nidhoggr!"
"Essentially, the terror of Nidhoggr appears sooner than when Yuga expected. This feels like a bunch of cheats going on! Grrrhhh!"
"It's over, Yuga, Yuna. Because a card is stacked on top of or underneath a card on the field, I activate Malice Stems from my hand. In sequence, I draw 3 cards and inflict 500 damage to both of us."
"And... (pants) Nidhoggr Nysa reflects your damage to me."
"It's your loss again. Yuga!"
"Krghhh... Arghhh!" (Yuga: 1000 → 500 → 0 LP)
"That was time well-spent." Setsuko offers Yuga a handshake, "Thanks for the Duel."
Yuga grunts. He tries his best to reach towards Setsuko's hand. Right after, he lies on the ground. He sweats profusely.
"Send Yuga to the nursing room immediately! He has a big fever!" Yuo gives his order.
"Now I'm truly angry! Oh, poor Yuga. Hold on my back, I will quickly carry you to the nurses."
"Mhmm. Thanks..."
Seeing Yuga falls asleep, Setsuko can't help it but ask, "So what should we do if the interviews have to be cancelled?"
"Invite Yuhi and Yuamu, I suppose. They can talk in behalf of Yuga, if needed."
"Sure. Hope Yuga can recover, even a little bit would be good."
On the other side, Yuhi and Yuamu have heard Yuo's proposal. If Yuga's fever is too much for him to handle, the twins can take the job. They know him quite well, after all, or at least they can tell the press about their story with Yuga.
"I will come with you two. This may be a great chance for you both to know the inside of Goha Corporation."
"Yuna's company, huh... Just what the heck happened that made her company a big corporation?"
"We'll find out. Damamu, come with us!"
"Nice! Let's also visit Yuga together!"
At the Nanahoshi Insect Ninja Village, Nanaho is watching the broadcast. Yuga does appear, but he tends to leave the stage after a while. Yuhi and Yuamu fill in whenever Yuga is not feeling well. Overall, the broadcast receives a positive rating.
"Yuga Ohdo's fever is definitely caused by Duel Virus. The virus created through the polymerization of dark arts and the essence of modern Dueling, infused by our blood to form something that is uniquely linked to each of our operatives. I would like to test the potency of the virus, but Setsuko jumps the gun. (smirk) Well, it works out in the end. Soon, the world will be dyed in the aesthetics of evil. Heheheheheh..."
It's evening. Yuka and Setsuko are inside an elevator, heading towards the helipad.
"Anything important that you want to talk to me privately?"
"This is an order from a Goha President. Don't refute."
"Sure. (elevator opens) The sky is clear today. Look! The stars are mesmerizing to see!"
"Indeed."
"What do you want to—!" Setsuko turns her back to Yuka, but she is caught surprise by Yuka's Duel Disk in front of her.
"Let's Rush Duel, Setsuko."
"Why?"
"Once again. I, Yuka Goha, order you as a Goha President. I have the right to command you to do whatever I say."
"Fair. It's an honor to Duel a Goha President. I accept your challenge!"
RUSH DUEL - Yuka vs Setsuko
"My turn. I Summon Dark Femtron, Dark Cycliptron. By revealing Extender Shrimp and Dark Attolashoot Highdron, I draw 2 and send 1 card from my hand to the GY during this End Phase, also I treat Dark Cycliptron as 2 Tributes. I Tribute Dark Cycliptron for Dark Attolashoot Highdron. Because I have a Level 5 or higher DARK Cyberse monster on my field, I Special Summon Extender Shrimp. By sending Dark Femtron and Extender Shrimp, I add back 2 Traps from my GY to my hand during this End Phase. Dark Attolashoot Highdron's effect activates. If I have 3 or more DARK Cyberse monsters in my GY, during this End Phase, I draw 1, but if those monsters have different names, I draw 2 instead. I Tribute Dark Attolashoot Highdron for Dark Peacock Picotron. If I have Dark Femtron in my GY, I send Dark Peacock Picotron and the top 2 cards of my Deck to the GY so I can draw 2 cards during this End Phase."
"I quite like your Deck, Setsuko. It's worthy to be battered."
"I have high expectations for you, Yuka. Don't disappoint me." Setsuko sneers back at Yuka.