Starting Notes:
Welcome back! I decided to take it slow for these duels—trying to do three in one for the last chapter destroyed my life. So the chapter count for this arc might be longer, but it'll feel better for me writing-wise. :) That also does mean that the update is slightly faster, but I've decided to go back to not having an update schedule in any way, shape or form. It's more fun that way. :) Enjoy!
Chapter 69: The Moon That Illuminates The Dragon's Scales
A few years ago:
It was one of those days again. Serena found her way out of her room, wandering the school—and naturally, heading to the places that she had been strictly forbidden to go to. She had never been too obedient.
So she headed to the Arena.
It was a pretty simple name—a stadium parked on the west of the island that Academia sat on. According to her father, it was a classroom for remedial training—for those that were so weak that they needed intense training. Pressure made diamonds, or something like that.
She didn't know how exactly she had stumbled into a forest, but she ended up lost there for a while.
That was when she heard footsteps—fast ones, getting louder and louder.
And then, a boy with long brown hair burst through the overgrowth. He was completely covered in dirt and mud—Serena raised a hand to her face, covering her nose and mouth, because the stench was overpowering. His eyes were darting around rapidly, and then they landed on her.
Abruptly, Serena felt like she was being hunted. Oddly enough for herself, she took a step back, and then another—
Was she…
Was she actually afraid? Ridiculous! She had to be the strongest. She had to be…
The boy's mouth moved. "Hrrgh—" The first sound that left his lips was something like nails dragging against a chalkboard. "Help."
Help?
In that case…
"This is just special training, right?" Serena said. "It's meant to help weaker people become good soldiers for Academia. If you're here, you just have to tough it out until you're out. It's not a big deal." She took another step back. "Once you're strong, you won't have to go through this anymore."
"Once I'm… strong?" The boy repeated.
"Yeah. It's all happening to you because you're weak, you see? If you're strong, nothing will ever happen to you again."
The boy let out a frustrated howl.
Serena took that moment to run, though even she wasn't sure why.
She wasn't ever going to go back there. It had been such a strange feeling.
(Eventually, she would forget about it too. But the consequences of such careless words would carry on for a long time.)
In the present:
The sky was already blue now—they had crossed from dawn to the blue of the early morning.
And yet, despite her tiredness, Serena couldn't be any more awake than she was right now.
To avenge her past losses. That was what she wanted the most of all. Every person that she had ever lost to was another milestone to overcome—not just for her own honour, but for her aspiration—to become someone with the strength to overcome any enemy that she needed to fight.
At the same time…
"I've grown," Serena said. "But not enough to win against you on my own, not when I'm…"
Not when she'd just gone against Yuri of all people. Not when she still had so many doubts in her head, about both enemies and allies.
While she and Sora had come here with Tsukikage, they'd split up to search. It'd just happened that the two of them had happened to come across Makoto before Tsukikage had.
Shinji was looking at them with surprise.
"Can't take me on one on one?" Makoto raised an eyebrow. He had walked over to the cat nearby—was that his cat? Carefully, he nudged it to move back into the stands. "Fine. I can accept that. The boss had the officers gas you, didn't he? I'm surprised that you're still moving now, after undergoing a duel in that state. Are you feeling fine?"
"Is that an actual question?" Serena shot back.
"Yeah." Makoto shrugged. "I'm not interested in dueling someone who's going to collapse halfway through."
"I'm fine," Serena snapped. To her surprise, the dark-haired man smirked at her rudeness.
"Sure. Then let's save the chatter and get this show on the road, shall we? I'm assuming you're her partner in this duel, mini blue?"
"Me?" Sora blinked.
"Yes," Serena said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Serena said. "There's not a single member of the Lancers that I can't count on as a comrade—I know that you may not feel the same, because you only joined us recently. But to me, you're a comrade."
Sora visibly swallowed his apprehension, and he nodded firmly.
"Hmm. Fine. I'm not as honourable though. Two on one, Battle Royale—but I get eight thousand life points."
"Deal," Serena said immediately. After all, she and Sora both played rather ultra-aggressive decks.
Four thousand or eight thousand—they'd become zero anyway.
"Let's go." Makoto pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, lighting it and putting it between his lips. "Hopefully you put up a better fight than last time—I don't exactly have the others to back me up this time, after all. And who knows? If you win, that's a nice bookend for you on your time in this world, don't you think?"
[DUEL!]
Makoto Toyama: 8000LP
Serena Akaba: 4000LP
Sora Shiun'in: 4000LP
[Turn 1: Sora] [H:5]
"I got the first turn?" Sora said, clearly surprised.
"Mm. I'll take the third turn, so I get the first Battle Phase." A puff of smoke left Makoto's lips. "That's the best thing for me, after all—I'm pragmatic."
Sora frowned, but he began his turn anyway. "Spell Card, Frightfur Patchwork. I'll add a "Edge Imp" monster and Polymerization from my deck to my hand!" He picked up the two cards immediately. "I'll Normal Summon Fluffal Dog!" The small brown plush dog with tiny wings on its back appeared.
[Fluffal Dog (4*/1700/1000/EARTH/Fairy/Effect)]
"I will activate the effect of Fluffal Dog! Since it was Normal or Special Summoned from the hand, I can add another "Fluffal" monster from my deck to my hand!" Sora picked up the card. "I will activate the Spell Card, Polymerization!"
"Two Fusion users, then…" Makoto commented.
"I will fuse Fluffal Dog on the field with Edge Imp Chain in my hand. Guardian of the home. Dark creature that resides within. Become one and reveal a new power! Fusion Summon! Reveal yourself! Chained beast that binds everything! Frightfur Sheep!" The orange sheep appeared on the field in Defense Position, strange chains dangling all over its body and wrapping up parts of it, stringing it up to pulleys like a marionette.
[Frightfur Sheep (5*/2000/2000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"When Edge Imp Chain is sent from the hand or field to the graveyard, I can add a "Frightfur" card from my deck to my hand!" Sora declared. "I'll end my turn!"
Sheep… so, was he setting up a defence to test the waters? That made sense since he couldn't attack.
Serena probably should follow in his footsteps.
But…
She didn't feel like it.
[Turn 2: Serena] [H:5]
Serena looked at her hand, before she placed down a card. "I'll discard Moonlight Black Sheep from my hand to add Polymerization from my deck to my hand. Then, I'll Normal Summon Moonlight White Rabbit!" The hooded dancer appeared, looking rather quiet and calm.
[Moonlight White Rabbit (2*/800/800/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Effect)]
"Moonlight White Rabbit's effect! I'll Special Summon Moonlight Black Sheep from the graveyard." A performer in a dark suit appeared, the colour theme of her clothes the opposite of White Rabbit's.
[Moonlight Black Sheep (2*/100/600/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Effect)]
"I'll then activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I'll fuse Moonlight White Rabbit with Moonlight Black Sheep! The lively white rabbit illuminated by moonlight! The beast lurking in jet-black darkness! 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!" Her favourite Fusion Monster appeared in front of her, gracefully drawing her ribbons through the air.
[Moonlight Cat Dancer (7*/2400/2000/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect)]
"With Moonlight Black Sheep's effect, when it's sent to the graveyard as Fusion Material, I can add Moonlight White Rabbit from my graveyard to my hand. I will set a card facedown too," Serena said. "Your turn."
[Turn 3: Makoto] [H:5]
"Interesting. So that's the turn that you wanted to play out last time, before you were stopped by Naturia Beast." Makoto hummed. "... a single monster without even 2500 attack points? Unless it has an insane effect, it's not working against me. I'll discard Dragunity Remus from my hand to add the Field Spell, Dragon Ravine to my hand, and I'll activate it. I'll activate the effect of Dragon Ravine. I will discard a card to add a Level 4 or lower "Dragunity" monster from my deck to my hand."
He plucked up the card from his deck.
"I'll Normal Summon Dragunity Couse." The blue dragon appeared on the field, a large blade attached to its head.
[Dragunity Couse (2*/1000/200/WIND/Dragon/Tuner/Effect)]
"I will send Dragunity Couse from my field to the graveyard to Special Summon Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from my hand!" In front of him, a golden yellow dragon appeared—slightly smaller than his Synchro Monsters, but still larger than the rest of his monsters. It was holding onto a long silver blade in its hands, and as it roared, the feathers around its underbelly and back bristled up. In contrast with the golden scales, the underside of its wings were black and leathery, with its feet and shoulders carrying the same black texture.
[Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (6*/2100/1500/WIND/Dragon/Effect)]
"Dragunity… Arma?"
"Higher Level Main Deck monsters," Makoto said. "I used to rely on these guys when I was first starting out dueling, though I don't use them as much anymore, now that I can actually Synchro Summon properly. When Dragunity Arma Mystletainn is Special Summoned, I can equip a Dragon "Dragunity" monster in my graveyard and equip it to him. I will equip Dragunity Couse to him. And naturally, while Dragunity Couse is equipped to a monster, I can Special Summon it!"
In a gust of wind, the blue dragon reappeared on the field.
"Dragunity Couse can be treated as a Level 4 monster for a Synchro Summon. I'll tune the Level 4 Dragunity Couse to the Level 6 Dragunity Arma Mystletainn!" The two monsters shot up, turning into a green streak of light that flew through thin rings of light.
Level 4… Level 6…
"Oh, you know what I'm bringing out." Makoto tilted his head. "Afraid?"
"Not at all," Serena said. "Bring it!"
"... hah." A shake of the head. "Fire, form the explosive star that floats over the chasm of the world beyond us! Be seen by the ice and the wind and bury the world in your light! Synchro Summon! Level 10! Dragunity Knight - Ascalon!"
And the dragon with wings of bright sunlight appeared, its gold and orange body swiftly slashing through the air.
[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon (10*/3300/3200/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]
Serena stared at it.
Of course she remembered this monster. As someone who prided herself on raw power, losing to someone else like that while being completely helpless…
It had sucked. That was the plain and simple of it.
"Ascalon's effect," Makoto called casually. "I'll banish Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from the graveyard to target and banish a monster that the opponent controls. I'll choose Frightfur Sheep—Ascending Sunblaze!"
"During my opponent's Main Phase, I can activate the effect of Edge Imp Scythe in my hand!" Sora declared. "I'll reveal it and perform a Fusion Summon of a "Frightfur" monster using monsters in my hand and on my field as material, including Scythe itself! I'll fuse Edge Imp Scythe and Fluffal Penguin in my hand with Frightfur Sheep on the field! Reaper's scythe! Adorable water bird! Cotton-clinging chains! Become one and reveal a new power! Show yourself! Wild ghost-cave beast that bares fangs at all! Frightfur Sabre-Tooth!"
The beast with indigo fur appeared, snarling at Makoto, its fangs glinting.
[Frightfur Sabre-Tooth (8*/2400/2000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"Huh. Nice." Ascalon's effect resolved, but since its target had left the field, the golden flames didn't end up banishing anything.
"Then, since Frightfur Sabre-Tooth was Fusion Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Frightfur" monster from the graveyard! Come back—Frightfur Sheep!" The orange sheep reappeared in Defense Position. "And since Fluffal Penguin was sent to the graveyard as Fusion Material, I can draw two cards and discard one! Furthermore, while I control Frightfur Sabre-Tooth, "Frightfur" monsters I control gain 400 attack points!"
[Frightfur Sabre-Tooth: 2400 + 400 = 2800ATK]
[Frightfur Sheep: 2000 + 400 = 2400ATK]
"Well, you protected your monster pretty well, didn't you? Fair enough. I'll activate the Equip Spell, Dragunity Divine Lance. I'll equip it to Ascalon. It gains 100 attack points times its Level."
[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon: 3300 + 100 x 10 = 4300ATK]
"Divine Lance lets me equip a Dragon "Dragunity" Tuner from my deck to the equipped monster as well."
So… that Brandistock?
"I'll equip Dragunity Sovnya to Ascalon."
What was that card? A strange red, white and blue polearm appeared, floating in the air above the dragon rider.
"Dragunity Knight - Ascalon attacks Moonlight Cat Dancer! Cremation Veneration!"
Serena held up an arm to shield herself, the golden flames raining down all around her. They destroyed Cat Dancer as well—going up in explosive flames.
Serena: 4000 - 1900 = 2100LP
"When the monster equipped with Dragunity Sovnya destroys a monster by battle, I can add a "Dragunity" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand." Makoto picked up a card from his deck.
Refusing to be outdone, Serena flipped over her set card. "Trap Card, Moonlight Reincarnation Dance! I'll add two "Moonlight" monsters from my deck to my hand!"
"Sure. I'll set two cards facedown—ball's in your court."
"You're using two cards to defend against both of us?" Serena said incredulously. She had never met someone so arrogant—never mind, she'd met Yuri before, but even Yuri knew the value of defending. And maybe Serena wasn't the best person to talk about defence, considering that her deck was one that would just keep on attacking over and over, but…
"Defend?" Makoto blinked, and then he chuckled. "Sorry, you seem to be mistaken. Why do I need to defend against you?"
"What?"
"I mean, yeah, I have one or two battle traps in this deck, just for the sake of balance. But the best defence is a good offence, don't you think? While I have Ascalon, I have nothing to fear from either of you."
Serena gritted her teeth.
"I really want to punch you," Sora muttered from next to her, which—oh, good. They were on the same page with that. Serena really wanted to punch this guy too.
But…
"And so what? Yes, they burned me! They burned me like an animal, and then they told me that I should become the dog that would hunt for them!"
She had been thinking about it over and over again. Herself and her indifference in the past to the suffering of others.
She had been privileged twice over—to be born in Domino City, far away from war. Then, to be adopted by a wealthy and powerful man.
Privilege was what allowed you to ignore the suffering of others.
How many people at Academia were there because they had no other place to go? Because their families, their homes were gone, and they didn't know how to live without war? She had seen Academia as an honorable army, but that army was still made of individual people, with their own reasons to fight.
Instead of an honourable whole, a devastated people.
If she just dueled now to prove that she was stronger, wouldn't she end up being the same person that she was back then?
As Serena was thinking about it—as she felt those same doubts in her heart again—Sora spoke up. "You know," he said, "I'm in a really bad mood today."
"Yeah?"
[Turn 4: Sora] [H:5]
"So you're not helping at all." Sora drew a card swiftly. "Serena might be the one that wants to kick your ass, but I'm not going to hold back just because of that!"
Serena glanced at him.
What exactly was going through his mind?
Had she ever really understood anything about her fellow students at Academia?
Despite his aggressive words, on the inside, Sora was just as doubtful of himself as Serena. Naturally, neither of them were being honest.
Sora's problem…
He might be backsliding.
He'd been so proud of himself. Looking out for comrades, standing up to his cousin, all that stuff—that was what was right, wasn't it? If doing what was right was better, then why did it make him feel so disappointed?
And his anger, his hatred…
Ugh. It was too complicated to think about right now.
"I'll discard Fluffal Bear from my hand to add the Continuous Spell, Toy Vendor from my deck to my hand! And I'll activate it. By discarding a card, I'll draw a card—and if it's a "Fluffal" monster, I can Special Summon a monster from my hand." He drew the card, before he revealed it and placed it on his duel disk. "Come! Fluffal Dolphin!" The fluffy pink dolphin that was wearing a yellow and orange life buoy around it appeared.
[Fluffal Dolphin (4*/1600/1000/WATER/Fairy/Effect)]
"I'll then activate the effect of Fluffal Wings in the graveyard! By banishing it and Fluffal Bear from my graveyard, I can draw a card! Then, I can send Toy Vendor from my field to the graveyard to draw another card." Sora picked up the two cards from the top of his deck, before smiling confidently as he raised his head again. "And when Toy Vendor is sent from the field to the graveyard, I can add a "Fluffal" monster or Edge Imp Sabres from my deck to my hand."
"Three cards in a single move!" Serena sounded impressed and shocked.
… right, Serena had never seen this play herself—after all, Sora being on their side was new, and she hadn't been witness to any of his duels before this.
"Fluffal Dolphin's effect," Sora said. "I'll set Toy Vendor from my graveyard back to my field, and send a "Fluffal" monster from my deck to the graveyard. Then, I'll Normal Summon Fluffal Owl!" The small yellow owl appeared in front of him, flapping its wings swiftly.
[Fluffal Owl (2*/1000/1000/EARTH/Fairy/Effect)]
"Since Fluffal Owl was Normal Summoned from the hand, I can add Polymerization from my deck to my hand. And I'll activate it! I'll fuse Edge Imp Sabres in my hand with Fluffal Dolphin and Fluffal Owl on the field! Demonic claws! Become one in the mystic vortex and show us a new form and power! Fusion Summon! Show yourself! Mystical jungle beast that rips everything to shreds! Frightfur Tiger!" The bright aquamarine tiger appeared, raising its claws and baring its teeth.
[Frightfur Tiger (6*/1900/1200/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"When Frightfur Tiger is Fusion Summoned, I can target cards on the field, up to the number of Fusion Materials used for this card, and destroy them! I'll target Dragunity Knight - Ascalon, Dragon Ravine and your set card!"
"And your assumption is that when Ascalon goes, the Equip Spells will go too, right?" Makoto shrugged. "... you're a little over-confident. Trap Card, Dragunity Guard." The card flipped over. "I'll target a Dragon monster I control and equip a "Dragunity" monster from my deck to it. I'll equip Dragunity Svardstav to it."
What?
A yellow staff appeared above the knight as well, glowing brightly—slightly more orange than Mystletainn from earlier, but still yellow.
"While Dragunity Svardstav is equipped to a monster, that monster cannot be destroyed by the opponent's card effects," Makoto said.
Sora gritted his teeth. Dragon Ravine and Dragunity Guard were destroyed, but they were not the main problems. The main problem was the monster with 4300 attack points that was currently staring them down.
"Since Fluffal Dolphin was used as Fusion Material and sent to the graveyard, I can shuffle a Polymerization from the graveyard into the deck." He gestured forward. "While I control Frightfur Tiger, all "Frightfur" monsters I control gain 300 attack points for each "Fluffal" or "Frightfur" monster I control!"
[Frightfur Sabre-Tooth: 2800 + 300 x 3 = 3700ATK]
[Frightfur Tiger: 1900 + 400 + 300 x 3 = 3200ATK]
[Frightfur Sheep: 2400 + 300 x 3 = 3300ATK]
"I'll activate my set Toy Vendor. With its effect, I'll discard a card and draw." He glanced at the card. "I'll Special Summon Fluffal Cat from my hand!" The purple cat appeared in Defense Position. At the same time, Sabre-Tooth, Tiger and Sheep's attack points shot up again with Tiger's effect.
[Fluffal Cat (1*/700/300/EARTH/Fairy/Effect)]
[Frightfur Sabre-Tooth: 3700 + 300 = 4000ATK]
[Frightfur Tiger: 3200 + 300 = 3500ATK]
[Frightfur Sheep: 3300 + 300 = 3600ATK]
"Frightfur Sheep attacks Dragunity Knight - Ascalon!"
"What?" Serena exclaimed.
Makoto arched an eyebrow. "Counter, Ascalon," he said, sounding intrigued. "Cremation Veneration."
The golden flames consumed the entire field again, incinerating the wool that made up the orange sheep. Sora's life points fell by a small amount.
Sora: 4000 - 700 = 3300LP
"Interesting play," Makoto said. "Since the monster that Dragunity Sovnya is equipped to destroyed a monster by battle, I can add a "Dragunity" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand."
"Once per turn, when Frightfur Sheep is destroyed by battle or by an opponent's card effect, I can Special Summon it back to the field!" The orange sheep reappeared on the field, seeming completely unaffected by what had just happened. "And then, it gains 800 attack points! Puppet Restring!"
[Frightfur Sheep: 3600 + 800 = 4400ATK]
"It has more attack points than Ascalon now!" Serena nodded towards him. "Nice job, Sora!"
"Let's go for another round!" Sora shouted. "Frightfur Sheep attacks Dragunity Knight - Ascalon! Woolen Strike!"
After all, who would expect a person to destroy their own monster and take damage for the sake of victory?
The attack hit, creating a puff of dust that surrounded Ascalon and Makoto at the same time.
Makoto: 8000 - 100 = 7900LP
When the dust cleared, Ascalon was gone.
Sora exhaled with satisfaction—
"How fierce." A golden, swirling portal had appeared in front of Makoto. "There was no way I could have expected that… but it's a good move. First, when the monster targeted by Dragunity Guard is destroyed, I can draw a card. Next, when Dragunity Knight - Ascalon is destroyed by an opponent's card after being Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Dragunity" Synchro Monster with 3000 or less attack points from my Extra Deck, and it's treated as a Synchro Summon."
So his monster floated into something else? But whatever he brought out probably wouldn't be able to match up to Sora's monsters in attack points…
"Amethyst courage lying within the heart of the sturdy warrior! Riding atop the brave dragon of the mountaintops, let your glory shine across valleys! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Dragunity Knight - Luin!" A purple and blue dragon appeared in front of him in Defense Position—an older form of Couse, clearly.
[Dragunity Knight - Luin (6*/1200/2900/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]
"When Dragunity Knight - Luin is Special Summoned, I can equip a "Dragunity" monster from my graveyard to him. I'll equip Dragunity Svardstav to it!"
"Doesn't matter," Sora said. "Frightfur Tiger attacks your monster!"
"Mm, right. That's Luin gone then."
Why was he so calm?
The attack hit, destroying the blue and purple dragon.
"Frightfur Sabre-Tooth attacks directly!"
The purple beast lunged forward—Makoto's life points fell again, but he still seemed rather unconcerned.
Makoto: 7900 - 4000 = 3900LP
"I'll end my turn," Sora said. He turned to Serena. "Be careful. His set card might be the reason why he doesn't care."
"I don't think so." Serena's response was swift—resolute. "I think I understand the problem with his dueling."
"The… problem?"
Serena turned towards their opponent.
"You only started dueling to be a dog for others," she said. "You don't care. Not about dueling itself. So your dueling is just what you think is the best way to win, isn't it?"
Makoto arched an eyebrow.
"Back then, the one who restricted all our moves was the woman with you," Serena said. "So—the truth is, you don't restrict your opponents at all, right? You don't bother with negating our effects, you don't bother with stopping us from getting set up. You just summon strong monsters and keep attacking until you win, because that's the best option if you're just bullying people who can only rely on weak monsters. So no matter what I set up here, you probably can't stop me!"
[Turn 5: Serena] [H:6]
"Draw!" She revealed the two cards that she had added to her hand with Moonlight Reincarnation Dance. "I'll set the Scale 1 Moonlight Wolf and the Scale 5 Moonlight Tiger in the Pendulum Scales!" The two pillars of light shot up around her, illuminating the field. "With this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 2 to 4. Pendulum Summon! Come—Moonlight Emerald Bird! Moonlight Purple Butterfly!"
The two monsters appeared on the field—splendid green and royal purple, both of them equally eager for battle.
[Moonlight Emerald Bird (4*/1200/1000/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Effect)]
[Moonlight Purple Butterfly (3*/1000/1000/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Effect)]
"Then, I'll activate the effect of Moonlight Emerald Bird! By sending a "Moonlight" card from my hand to the graveyard, I can draw a card!" She revealed the card that she had discarded. "I sent Moonlight Yellow Marten from my hand to the graveyard for Emerald Bird's effect. With that, I can add a "Moonlight" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand! Then, I'll Normal Summon Moonlight White Rabbit again!"
The dancer in the white hood appeared on the field.
"Since Moonlight White Rabbit was Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Moonlight" monster from my graveyard in Defence Position. Come back—Moonlight Cat Dancer!" This was the reason that she hadn't Pendulum Summoned White Rabbit, after all—she needed Cat Dancer back.
The purpose of that, no matter what, was very apparent.
"I will activate the effect of Moonlight White Rabbit! I will target your set card and return it to the hand!"
"Oh? Then I guess I have to make that move now." The set card flipped over, as Serena had expected. "Quickplay Spell—Dragunity Whirlwind."
Winds stirred up around them, swirling everywhere.
"Watch out!" Shinji called. "It's a card that gives a free Synchro Summon!"
"You make it sound so convenient," Makoto said. He smirked. "Well, I guess it is. While my opponent is the only one that controls a monster—and both of you count as my opponents, don't you?—I can Special Summon a "Dragunity" Tuner and a Winged Beast "Dragunity" monster from my deck with their effects negated. Come! Dragunity Miltium! Dragunity Aklys!" The green and gold winged man appeared, while next to him, a small red dragon also emerged with a gust of wind.
[Dragunity Miltium (4*/1700/1200/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]
[Dragunity Aklys (2*/1000/800/WIND/Dragon/Tuner/Effect)]
"Then, since my opponent…" Makoto glanced towards Sora. "Controls a monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can immediately Synchro Summon a Dragon Synchro Monster using only "Dragunity" monsters that I control!"
So, a free Synchro Summon with a single card?
"But… I'm not doing that."
"Huh?" Serena blinked.
"Against you? I'd rather have two monsters in Defense Position to protect myself." Makoto tilted his head. "What's the point of Synchro Summoning here? No matter who I bring out, the attack points won't be enough right now. I'll keep Miltium and Aklys, thanks."
"... fine!" Serena made her decision immediately. "Spell Card, Polymerization! I'll fuse Moonlight Emerald Bird on my field with Moonlight Cat Dancer!" The two monsters flew into the vortex behind her. "The beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! Emerald feathers that shroud the sky! Swarm in the vortex of moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Elegant beast dancing in the moonlit wilderness! Moonlight Panther Dancer!" Cat Dancer's evolution appeared, letting out a threatening growl.
[Moonlight Panther Dancer (8*/2800/2500/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect)]
"Since Emerald Bird was sent to the graveyard by a card effect, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Moonlight" monster in my graveyard or that was banished! Come back, Moonlight Black Sheep!" The performer in jet-black dress appeared on the field. "And now…"
"Have you been feeling guilty about that all this time? No, it's not your fault! It wasn't your fault at all! I'm so sorry that you feel like you were responsible for me too… but it wasn't you. I have no right to blame you!"
"You should!"
"Don't tell me that! You can't tell me to blame you—it's my choice what I want to do, and I don't want to choose to hate anyone!... if you really feel so bad, then, after this… let's duel, me and you. (...) That's your language, right? Let's duel. Then, you'll see that I really don't blame you at all. And I'll be able to see just how different of a person you've become since then."
"I'll overlay the Level 2 Moonlight Black Sheep and the Level 2 Moonlight White Rabbit!" She declared. "Dancer with a beautiful plumage of feathers! Let the world hear your colourful song as you tide through the night! Xyz Summon! Rank 2! Moonlight Songbird Dancer!" The beautiful woman with icy blue skin appeared, a sky blue cape sweeping behind in the air, resembling wings. She held onto a rapier with an imperial look on her face, the moonstones in her rose gold crown gleaming as they reflected the light around them.
[Moonlight Songbird Dancer (R2/1000/1500/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]
"Moonlight Songbird Dancer attacks Dragunity Aklys! Nightlit Pierce!"
Her Xyz Monster glided forward, neatly spearing through the small dragon like a fish in the water.
"When Moonlight Songbird Dancer destroys a monster by battle, I can pay 800 life points to add a "Rank-Up-Magic" card or a "Moonlight" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand!" Her life points fell; she picked up a card with enthusiasm.
Serena: 2100 - 800 = 1300LP
"Panther Dancer will attack your other monster!" Miltium was cleared away as well. "And Purple Butterfly attacks directly!" The dancer with dark wings tossed out a dagger, lowering their opponent's life points again.
Makoto: 3900 - 1000 = 2900LP
"I'll set a card facedown and end my turn."
Tap tap tap. The sound of two fingers tapping against each other wasn't quite as loud as a clap might have been—but it was still applause, albeit more mocking in nature.
"... hah." Makoto shook his head. "Can't negate your cards, huh? It's not that I can't, you know."
"Huh?"
Makoto pointed at her. "What about you? Isn't your strategy the same as the one that you're pinning on me? Attack, attack and never stop?"
"I never claimed that it was a bad thing," Serena replied—not afraid to stand up to him. "It's just your weakness. Your cards don't directly defend yourself." Even his Dragunity Whirlwind was meant for a Synchro Summon—offensive pressure, in other words.
"... well, you're not wrong." Makoto shrugged. "What use do I have for defending? I rarely work alone. My partners clear the field, and I attack until the opponent has no life points left. I trust in Kaname's ability to break boards, Kirijo's ability to shut off attacks, and Chino's ability to stop any plays that could interfere with me."
This guy…
What a charmed life.
He was right. To have partners in battle that could cover up one's weaknesses so effectively… that was likely the reason that these four alone had cemented Roget's shadow rule over the city for so long.
No matter what a weakness was, if it could be covered up, then it was no longer a weakness.
Yes, his dueling style didn't care about defences. But he had still successfully survived two consecutive Battle Phases from her and Sora, two of the most offensively inclined of the Lancers. Who was she to criticise a weakness that he had already managed to patch up on the fly, using cards that were meant to help with attacking?
If only she could figure out how to do that herself…
[Turn 6: Makoto] [H:3]
"Draw." Makoto glanced at the card. "Spell Card, Graceful Charity. I'll draw three cards and discard two cards." He glanced at the cards that he had picked up, before deliberately choosing two of them and discarding them. "I'll Normal Summon Dragunity Dux." The winged warrior dressed in black and gold appeared, long white feathers swept up by the wind.
[Dragunity Dux (4*/1500/1000/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]
"Dux's effect. I can target a Level 3 or lower "Dragunity" monster in the graveyard and equip it to him." He lifted up the card. "Would I be saving time if I just said that Dragunity Couse Special Summons itself when it's equipped to a monster?" The blue and purple dragon appeared on the field yet again. "I'll tune Dragunity Couse, treated as a Level 4 monster, to the Level 4 Dragunity Dux! Emerald, shining scales! Glide onto the field now, and let these fallen souls be your fuel! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Dragunity Knight - Barcha!" The green and purple dragon let out a roar as it appeared.
[Dragunity Knight - Barcha (8*/2000/1200/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]
"Barcha's effect," Makoto continued. "I'll equip as many Dragon "Dragunity" monsters as I'd like from my graveyard to him. "I'll equip Dragunity Knight - Luin, Dragunity Aklys and Dragunity Couse to him."
And that monster gained attack points, right?
"I'll then activate the effect of Dragunity Couse! I'll Special Summon it."
Couse's effect wasn't once per turn? Serena grimaced in annoyance. Wait, but if he was doing this, then that meant he had another Level 10 Synchro Monster?
"I'll tune the Level 2 Dragunity Couse to the Level 8 Dragunity Knight - Barcha!" Makoto declared, confirming Serena's suspicions. "I showed this to Mister 'Revolution is my middle name' over there, but shall I introduce you again? Spear that sings of unimaginable slaughter, bloodthirst that can never be sated. Reduce logic to ashes, and passion to dullness. Synchro Summon! Level 10! Dragunity Knight - Areadbhair!"
The beautiful blue and white dragon from earlier appeared—and Serena felt the great urge to facepalm.
Right.
She had really put her foot in her mouth this time. There it was—
The effect negation that she had clearly said that her opponent didn't have.
[Dragunity Knight - Areadbhair (10*/3300/3200/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]
"Since Dragunity Knight - Luin was sent to the graveyard, I can target a "Dragunity" monster I control and equip Luin to it. And that monster gains 1000 attack and defense points."
[Dragunity Knight - Areadbhair: 3300 + 1000 = 4300ATK; 3200 + 1000 = 4200DEF]
"Oh, and Aklys was sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster. With that, I can select a card on the field and destroy it." Makoto pointed at Frightfur Tiger. "So let's say goodbye to you as well."
With that, he blew yet another monster off the field. Without Frightfur Tiger, Sora's monsters immediately became weaker.
[Frightfur Sabre-Tooth: 4000 - 300 x 4 = 2800ATK]
[Frightfur Sheep: 4400 - 300 x 4 = 3200ATK]
"But we're not done yet." He hummed. "You know, I lied. There is one target other than a "Dragunity" Spell or Trap that Sovnya lets me add to my hand."
The card that he had added to his hand when Sora had purposely attacked with Frightfur Sheep to destroy it? That had to be one of the two cards left in his hand right now.
"Let's introduce you, shall we? Spell Card, Miracle Synchro Fusion!" The signature Spell of the Elite Officers appeared—Yuto had already mentioned it briefly to them earlier, and Serena knew roughly what it did. However, while they'd seen the end of the duel earlier, they hadn't seen this card in play. Makoto wasn't shy about describing its effect though. "I'll banish Dragunity Knight - Barcha and Princess of Tsurugi from my graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon!"
Behind him, translucent forms of the monsters appeared—a blonde woman with nails like blades and the green dragon from earlier.
That Princess of Tsurugi… didn't feel quite right. Serena wasn't given much time to think about it though, because a new problem had emerged.
"With the power of wind and stardust, blaze forth with the force of the whirlwind! Dragon that kills dragons, cannibalistic lance that consumes all enemies! Fusion Summon! Level 10! Dragon Knight Draco-Equiste!" The tall warrior dragon appeared, at once humanoid and yet inhuman. Its bright blue wings stirred up winds—it looked at home in the field that had brought out dragon after dragon at a swift rate.
[Dragon Knight Draco-Equiste (10*/3200/2000/WIND/Dragon/Fusion/Effect)]
Fusion and Synchro, two Level 10 monsters on the same field…
Serena narrowed her eyes.
"I like that," Makoto said with a smirk. "You're the kind that never accepts defeat before the result is finalised, aren't you?" He gestured forward. "Dragon Knight Draco-Equiste's effect. I'll banish Dragunity Knight - Ascalon from the graveyard and copy its effects. Draconic Ascension!" A bright golden glow surrounded the Fusion Monster. "With Ascalon's effect, which was copied by Draco-Equiste, I'll banish Dragunity Miltium from the graveyard to banish a monster from the field. I will choose Frightfur Sabre-Tooth!"
What? Why? Wouldn't it have made more sense to banish Panther Dancer, since Panther Dancer couldn't be destroyed by card effects?
… wait.
Her opponent didn't know that!
Serena grimaced.
Because the last time that she had faced this opponent, she had been suppressed so strongly that Panther Dancer had not been summoned at all.
So instead, he had directed his effect towards Sora's Sabre-Tooth, likely because it was powering up his monsters…
Sora looked rather annoyed at that.
[Frightfur Sheep: 3200 - 400 = 2800ATK]
"See, the thing is, I'd much rather shut you down immediately," Makoto said. "You dealt quite a lot of damage to me last turn—and you're right. She's the one that wants so badly to defeat me, right? So why don't your monsters exit the stage? Dragunity Knight - Areadbhair attacks Frightfur Sheep! Daybreak Gale!" The dragon dashed forward, destroying the orange sheep with a single, strong gust of wind.
Sora: 3300 - 1500 = 1800LP
"I'll activate the effect of Frightfur Sheep—" However, Sora's hand paused. Clearly, something was wrong.
"When Dragunity Knight - Areadbhair battles a monster, after damage calculation, that monster is banished," Makoto explained. "Your monster's effect only triggers when it's destroyed and sent to the graveyard. So you don't get that."
Serena took a step forward—her set card wasn't able to help Sora at all. She hadn't expected that in this tense moment, their opponent would somehow be able to completely counter Sora's monsters—which had all been lingering around 4000 attack points!
"Dragon Knight Draco-Equiste attacks Moonlight Songbird Dancer!"
So… he was planning to take out her life points in one go?
"Trap Card, Moonlight Exchange! If I would take damage, I recover up to twice that amount as life points!" A glow surrounded her.
"But your monster's still gone!"
Yes.
With a single strike, the dragon cleaved through the graceful dancer, destroying her.
Serena: 1300 + 2200 x 2 = 5700LP
Barely staying afloat…
"I'll end my turn," Makoto said calmly. "Your move."
[Turn 7: Sora] [H:4]
"Draw!" Sora didn't seem discouraged, despite what had happened. "I'll use the effect of Toy Vendor to discard and draw again!" He revealed the card. "Three in a row! Come—Fluffal Octopus!" The cute pink octopus appeared on his field, wobbling about.
[Fluffal Octopus (1*/800/800/WATER/Fairy/Effect)]
"When Fluffal Octopus is Normal or Special Summoned, I can target a "Edge Imp" or "Fluffal" monster in my graveyard and add it to my hand. I'll add Edge Imp Chain back to my hand."
Right now, Sora's field just had Cat and Octopus on it—two weak monsters, nothing else at all.
And yet…
"I'll activate the Spell Card, Frightfur Fusion!" Sora declared. "I'll perform a Fusion Summon by banishing monsters from my graveyard! I'll banish Edge Imp Scythe and Fluffal Dog from the graveyard! Guardian of the home. Dark creature that resides within. Combine and form the dark monster that destroys all! Fusion Summon! Level 9! Frightfur Cruel Whale!" The fiendish black and white whale appeared on the field.
[Frightfur Cruel Whale (9*/2600/2400/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"Frightfur Cruel Whale's effect! I'll target Fluffal Octopus and your Dragunity Knight - Areadbhair, and destroy both of them!" The whale opened its maw, as though ready to chew on all of the monsters on the field.
Serena's eyes widened. "His monster—" She didn't get to finish her warning before their opponent spoke up.
"I'll activate the effect of Dragunity Knight - Areadbhair. By banishing Dragunity Sovnya from the graveyard, I'll negate the effect of your card and banish it. Skyward Dominion!" Cruel Whale was flung into the sky by Areadbhair, before it was crushed by the dragon's claw.
Sora frowned.
"It's only once per turn," Serena said.
"It's my fault," Sora said. His gaze was still determined. "I lost focus. It won't happen again."
Lost focus…
"Are you still upset over what happened back in the stadium?" Serena hadn't been awake, so she had only gotten the information about it secondhand, in short snippets of conversation.
Sora went still for a moment.
"I can't say I understand." Serena shook her head. "But it doesn't matter that you lost back then. It doesn't matter if you've lost ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times in the past! Right now, all that matters is that we win this. There's no use worrying about the past when we're dueling an opponent now!"
… well. Serena had clearly misread the situation. Sora would admit that it was embarrassing—being demoralised by a loss would be a far better excuse for being upset than being hung up over being abandoned, right?
Still, even if she had the wrong idea of what Sora was thinking about, her words…
That was right.
If he wanted to move past the Sora that had been a member of Academia and relied on someone else for everything, he needed to focus on the moment. The person that he was in the past was different from the person that he was now. He kept on telling himself that, right?
So what if he'd lost? So what if that duel back then ended up being all for nothing?
(Secure Yuri, he had thought. Secure Yuri and then as long as I'm here and he's here, she'll come over, where it's better. And he'd failed to do so completely.)
Right now, he was with… a friend. Not just a comrade, someone who he could genuinely consider a friend, just like Yuya, Yuzu and Gongenzaka. Serena had welcomed him into the Lancers and taken the time to talk to him, back when he'd first joined them. Sora had seen a wish to understand on the sheltered girl's face.
He'd felt it too, back then. When he was in Academia after the failed invasion of Standard…
He'd felt it in his bones. Confusion, wanting to understand…
Regret.
"Serena," Sora said. "Do you think I'm… a jerk?"
"Huh?" Serena blinked. "I mean… back then, in the Volcano Area… yes. I did." She was as blunt and honest as ever, only stopping to consider her own memories.
"The Volcano Area?" Right, when they had met there during the tournament. Serena had been carrying Kurosaki, Sora had caught up to them…
"I still believe in my ideals about dueling," Serena said. "But I don't believe that Academia embodies them anymore. I want my dueling to be righteous, I want to always do the right thing."
"There is no such thing as the right thing," Sora scoffed. "Only the results matter. And if you don't succeed, it doesn't matter if you did the right thing."
And then, Sora had carded Hikage Fuuma.
He had…
"But we're the same. I would have carded people too." Serena clenched a fist. "I nearly did, if not for her. So. You were a jerk back then. I was too. But now… aren't we better?"
"... yeah."
He had to focus. He couldn't let a failure in the past distract him from the present and lead to another failure.
As long as he was standing in this duel, he would do his best to clear the way for Serena to win!
He owed her that much. He owed the Lancers that much.
And he owed himself that much.
If he'd chosen this path himself, what was he hesitating so much for?
"I will Normal Summon Edge Imp Tomahawk!" A strange, glowing black machine appeared on the field.
[Edge Imp Tomahawk (4*/1800/800/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]
"I'll activate the effect of Tomahawk. By sending an "Edge Imp" monster, like Edge Imp Chain, from my hand to the graveyard, I'll inflict 800 damage to you!"
"While I control Draco-Equiste in Attack Position, you take any effect damage I would take," Makoto responded. Sora didn't flinch as Tomahawk's blades shot past him.
Sora: 1800 - 800 = 1000LP
That was fine. What they were gaining was information. And more than effect damage, what he had gained was…
"Since I sent Edge Imp Chain to the graveyard from my hand, I can add a "Frightfur" card from my deck to my hand! I'll add and activate Frightfur Patchwork! I will add Polymerization and a "Edge Imp" monster from my deck to my hand. Then, I will use the effect of Edge Imp Tomahawk. I can send a "Edge Imp" monster from my deck to the graveyard, and Tomahawk will copy its name. I'll send Edge Imp Sabres from my deck to the graveyard." Tomahawk glowed. "And I'll activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I'll fuse Edge Imp Tomahawk, treated as Edge Imp Sabres, and Fluffal Octopus!" The two monsters shot up. "Become one and show us your new powerful form! Fusion Summon! Come out! Sea devil that steals freedom and pulls everything into the darkness! Frightfur Kraken!" The large purple creature appeared.
[Frightfur Kraken (8*/2200/3000/WATER/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"Frightfur Kraken's effect! I'll send your Areadbhair to the graveyard!"
"I'll banish Breakthrough Skill from the graveyard and negate your monster's effect."
"Fine," Sora said. That was why he had brought out his monster in Defense Position, after all. "But now you don't have that for her." He turned to Serena. "Do it, Serena. There's nothing standing between you and the win now!"
"Sora…" Serena nodded determinedly. "You've cleared the way. No matter what—I'll win!"
[Turn 8: Serena] [H:1]
"Draw," Serena said. "I'll activate the Pendulum Effect of Moonlight Wolf! I'll banish Moonlight Panther Dancer from the field, along with Moonlight White Rabbit and Moonlight Yellow Marten from the graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon. Elegant beast dancing on the moonlit wilderness! The lively white rabbit illuminated by moonlight! Crescent-tailed moon creature that dances through the night! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! The king of beasts dancing atop the summit of the moonlight wilderness! Moonlight Lio Dancer!" Her strongest monster appeared, a striking figure as usual.
[Moonlight Lio Dancer (10*/3500/3000/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect)]
"Moonlight Lio Dancer is unaffected by your card effects," Serena said. "Attack Dragon Knight Draco-Equiste! Shredding Moonlight Blades!" Lio Dancer moved forward gracefully, her blade cutting through the air. She sliced straight through the other Fusion Monster.
Makoto: 2900 - 300 = 2600LP
"Then, after that, Leo Dancer lets me destroy all monsters you control! Lunatic Fury!" With another strike, Leo Dancer cut through Areadbhair as well—there was no way that the monster could negate her effect, after all.
"I'll banish Dragunity Guard from my graveyard," Makoto replied casually. "Since a Level 10 or higher Dragon Synchro Monster was destroyed, by banishing it, I can Special Summon a Level 10 Dragon monster from my graveyard or banished cards. So come back to the field—Dragunity Knight - Ascalon!" The bright orange dragon reappeared on the field with a roar.
Still—Serena could just use Leo Dancer's second attack—
"And then, the summoned monster gains 200 attack points for each "Dragunity" Synchro Monster in my graveyard or among my banished cards." There was a smirk on her opponent's face. "Areadbhair, Barcha, Luin. Stand proud on this bloodstained battlefield, Ascalon!"
The dragon roared, and a bright glow surrounded it.
[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon: 3300 + 200 x 3 = 3900ATK]
"Furthermore, when Areadbhair is destroyed, I can destroy all Spells and Traps you control." Sora's Toy Vendor was destroyed, though he did get to add another card from his deck to his hand with its effect.
"Damn it!" Serena shook her head. "I'll set a card and end my turn."
[Turn 9: Makoto] [H:2]
"Close. But close doesn't count." Makoto reached for the top card of his deck. "Draw." He glanced at the card. "Well, that's fair. I'll activate the effect of Dragunity Knight - Ascalon. I'll banish Dragunity Svardstav from my graveyard to banish your Frightfur Kraken. Ascending Sunblaze!" Golden flames incinerated the purple kraken, leaving Fluffal Cat as the only monster left on Sora's field. "I'll then activate the Continuous Spell, Dragunity Draft. When this card is activated, I can add a Level 4 or lower "Dragunity" monster from my graveyard to my hand. I'll add and Normal Summon Dragunity Dux from my hand." Yet another monster appeared. "I'll use its effect and equip Dragunity Aklys from the graveyard to it. And then, with Dragunity Remus's effect, I'll Special Summon it from the graveyard, but it's banished when it leaves the field."
The small white and blue dragon appeared, floating next to Dux.
[Dragunity Remus (2*/800/800/WIND/Dragon/Tuner/Effect)]
"Tuning the Level 2 Dragunity Remus to the Level 4 Dragunity Dux! Descend from on-high, dragon born from phoenixian fire! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Dragunity Knight - Vajrayana!" An orange and red armored dragon appeared, fiery wings around it with a long orange tail slinking down, almost serpent-like. The knight on its back was dressed in much the same colours.
[Dragunity Knight - Vajrayana (6*/1900/1200/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]
"Since Aklys was sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, I can select and destroy a card on the field. I'll choose Fluffal Cat." The purple cat shattered and vanished from the field. "Vajrayana's effect. When Synchro Summoned, I can equip a Level 3 or lower "Dragunity" monster from my graveyard to it. I will equip Dragunity Aklys to it." A red spear appeared above it. "And then, by sending a card equipped to Vajrayana from the field to the graveyard, I can double its attack points." The red spear vanished, and Vajrayana glowed.
[Dragunity Knight - Vajrayana: 1900 x 2 = 3800ATK]
"And Aklys was sent to the graveyard after being equipped to a monster again. You know what that means." Makoto gestured to Serena's set card, which exploded. "So—Vajrayana attacks you directly." The vermillion dragon dashed forward, slashing at Sora and knocking him back into a wall.
Sora: 1000 - 3800 = 0LP
"Sora…"
"It's fine," Sora said. "I'm not upset. Be careful!"
"Dragunity Knight - Ascalon attacks Moonlight Lio Dancer! Cremation Veneration!" Ascalon dashed forward, setting Lio Dancer on fire and slamming the graceful dancer into the ground.
Serena: 5700 - 400 = 5300LP
"I'll set a card and end my turn."
Serena moved over to Sora, who was grimacing. "Hey, are you—"
"I'm fine," Sora snapped. Then, he shook his head. "Sorry. I'm just… on edge. Thanks for the concern. But you can beat him, can't you, Serena? So talk later—win against him now!"
Win…
Sora had such strong belief in her.
Serena turned back to Makoto.
[Turn 10: Serena] [H:1]
"Draw." Serena glanced at the card. "I'll activate the Pendulum Effect of Moonlight Wolf! I'll banish Moonlight Emerald Bird, Moonlight Black Sheep and Moonlight Lio Dancer from the graveyard to Fusion Summon! Emerald feathers that shroud the sky! The beast lurking in jet-black darkness! Regal nobility that shines through the darkness! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Blades that shred through the curtains! Moonlight Sabre Dancer!" The beautiful gold-haired dancer appeared on the field.
[Moonlight Sabre Dancer (9*/3000/2600/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect)]
"Is that your last resort?" The set card flipped over. "Counter Trap, Solemn Strike! I will pay 1500 life points to negate the summon and destroy that monster!"
… damn it…
Sabre Dancer shattered before Serena got to use her effect.
Makoto: 2600 - 1500 = 1100LP
"No one can say that you lost for a lack of effort," Makoto said. He put his hand down, next to his thigh, smoke drifting from the cigarette. "Very well done. But that's it, I assume."
That was it?
That was it?
… she absolutely refused to lose. No matter what, she would never be satisfied with losing, never—
It was one thing to learn from loss. But loss still burned her alive.
Serena remembered what Yuzu had said to her. That conspicuously missing bracelet.
I'm not going to break so easily.
I have to win. To make sure that the faith that others have in me is warranted…
I don't care about this. I don't care…
Her fingers slipped around the bracelet on her arm. She squeezed her eyes shut.
I don't care. Just because it's been with me all my life… I don't care!
She had to convince herself of that.
She had to keep on telling herself that, even though it was untrue. A part of her clung to it. Growing up in an orphanage, the only thing that had made her feel special was this bracelet. In part, a large part of her early childhood had been connected to this bracelet.
To shatter it…
I don't know if I have the strength to.
But…
Yuzu did. She had the courage to break it.
… I'm not Yuzu Hiiragi. I'm just me.
She slipped it off her arm.
"Serena?" Sora said, sounding confused.
Serena raised the bracelet in the air.
This.
This is the only part of me that Leo Akaba has ever found important. This bracelet. Isn't that the case? Why else would I be hunted not as his runaway daughter, but just as one of "the girls with the bracelets"?
I am…
I am tired of looking for the approval of that man. Even though I've rejected him, a part of me still clings to the idea of him.
She flung the bracelet at the wall.
"Huh?" Both Sora and Makoto reacted with confusion at the same time.
The bracelet shattered into pieces. Serena hadn't actually thrown it that hard—rather, with a feeling of needing to get it as far away from her as possible.
(It shattered not with the strength of her throw, but the strength of her conviction.)
Because she disgusted herself. Her past self, her self-righteousness.
The thought of who she had been made her want to throw it all away.
But she couldn't. She couldn't just pretend that she had never been that person.
So she just had to accept it and move on. To truly stand for justice, by knowing what not to do.
So.
She could reshape herself without relying on miracles. Like how she had chosen to help Barrett, like how she had chosen to stand up against Yuri…
In the end, her life was still her own to choose.
Serena looked at the shattered remains. Internally, she asked a question.
Is that enough, then?
I can't give any more than that—my own beliefs and my own conviction. Take it or leave it, whatever you are.
That bracelet stopped glowing when I needed it the most, after all.
I can't rely on it any longer.
This is the last miracle you will ever grant me—and you will do it with an act from my own hands!
An indigo light shot up, flying straight into Serena's duel disk—a silent answer.
Serena tapped the screen to check her Extra Deck.
… alright.
"Are we just not supposed to question that, or…"
"Stuff like this happens all the time with the Lancers," Sora said. "You get used to it."
Serena side-eyed him.
… okay, but it was true. She had seen some of those things herself.
"I'll activate the Pendulum Effect of Moonlight Tiger," Serena said. "I'll Special Summon a "Moonlight" monster from my graveyard with its effects negated. It cannot attack, and it is destroyed during the End Phase. Come back—Moonlight Songbird Dancer!"
Her Xyz Monster reappeared on the field.
If it's true that I can be forgiven for my past mistakes…
Then please let it be so. Let me earn my redemption with these hands of mine!
"While I have three or more Fusion Monsters in my possession that are in the graveyard or among my banished cards, I can Special Summon this monster from the Extra Deck by sending two monsters with the same Attribute from my field to the graveyard!" Serena declared. "I'll send Moonlight Songbird Dancer and Moonlight Purple Butterfly to the graveyard now!"
She plucked the card from her Extra Deck.
"Spiral into the moon's gravity and reveal a new power! Shimmer with moonlight and dance in the night! Come forth now—Contact Fusion! Natural Energy Spirit - Moonstruck Paladin!"
A figure dressed entirely in black and indigo armour appeared—a violet cape with silver trim swept out behind her. She had the same technicolour skin that most of Serena's monsters had—in this case, vibrant blue. However, most of her skin was covered by her dark armour. On her hands, she was wearing two long fingerless gloves—they went up to her elbow, stark white. A tiara was on full display on the top of her head—a half-circlet, held up by the curls of her hair. Her hair was a smidge darker than her armour, if that was even possible—midnight black. Her body seemed to glow with radiance that didn't come from any other source—
Shining from within herself.
The figure held onto a pair of long blades, similar to Lio Dancer.
Serena looked at her, and her heart skipped a beat.
[Natural Energy Spirit - Moonstruck Paladin (7*/2500/2000/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect)]
"H-hey," Serena said. She stuttered for a moment.
The spirit floated in front of her—moving closer to her for a brief moment.
Then, an affirming nod. A confirmation that it was her strength.
Serena breathed out in relief.
"So that's your last effort?" Makoto said. "What does it do?"
"... first," Serena said, "when Moonstruck Paladin is Special Summoned with its own effect, I must discard one card, or it's destroyed." She discarded the last card in her hand. "I discarded Moonlight Crimson Fox. Your Ascalon's attack points become 0."
[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon: 3900 → 0ATK]
"... is that the case?" Makoto raised his head.
And then, a soft, carefree laugh.
"Do it then," he said.
Moonstruck Paladin's sword struck—
And it sliced straight through Ascalon.
A pause—
And then her opponent's life points finally fell.
Makoto: 1100 - 2500 = 0LP
Winner: Serena Akaba!
"Yes, Serena!" Sora cheered.
Serena breathed out. The monsters faded.
She pressed a hand to her forehead. She felt… dizzy.
But she also felt satisfied.
There it was.
Makoto sighed. He flung something through the air—Sora caught it.
"My end of the bargain," he said. "Well done. Leave now, if you don't mind. I need to think."
He walked towards the track of the Underground. There was something quietly contemplative to his expression.
Serena took a step forward.
To be honest, those words were still reminding her of something else.
"I believe in allies, yes. I believe in my allies, who will always deliver, and who I will support to the best of my ability. I don't need a collective, I only need myself and the people who are like me."
"What use do I have for defending? I rarely work alone. My partners clear the field, and I attack until the opponent has no life points left. I trust in Kaname's ability to break boards, Kirijo's ability to shut off attacks, and Chino's ability to stop any plays that could interfere with me."
She had said that he was wrong, naturally. Because the idea of only needing people who were like herself… it was the same fallacy that had made her look past Academia's actions for so long.
If people only ever surrounded themselves with others like them—the same kind of misery, the same kind of hatred—there was no way that they could ever move forward.
"I think you should try," she said determinedly.
Makoto glanced at her. Mild irritation could be seen in his gaze. "Try what?"
"To be a good person," Serena said.
"... really. You're preaching to me after defeating me. How original."
And Serena finally understood. She understood the familiarity of this man to her—that feeling of recognition and regret.
"I had a friend," she blurted out. "He—he lost his family before I ever met him. He was devastated by it—I don't think I ever understood that enough. I didn't understand him enough. And I don't think that he thinks that he can be good again. I tried to reach out to him, but I failed."
"Your self-righteousness. Your blindness. Your sense of justice. Your lack of gentleness. How did it end up with me as the one serving Academia, while you defected from it? I thought that you'd be blind forever. I still think of you too. It's wrong, and I hate you for it. If I gave you up, I should have forgotten about you completely. And yet I think about you all the time. I can't get you out of my head. Even when you're dimensions away and I can't see you, I feel like I can still feel you there, looking at me. Judging me every time I make a move. We can be on the same side again if you go back with me. And there are no other options other than that."
"And I don't want to fail again," Serena said. "He's done terrible things. But I want to see him become a better person. And if that's the case, because you're so similar to him, I… want to see you be a better person too."
"... tch." Makoto shook his head. "I'm part of the poison that has to be removed from this city too."
Serena was about to argue with him, naturally, before another voice interrupted.
"Shiun'in. Serena-dono."
Serena turned over. Tsukikage was there, walking over. And he was pushing a wheelchair with—
Makoto's mouth fell open. "... Momoi," he muttered. "What are you doing out of the hospital?"
Serena took a moment to observe the dark-haired woman who was sitting on the wheelchair. She was not obviously injured, but tubes lined her wheelchair, and there were some of them wrapped around her as well. Despite all of that, her gaze was anything but fragile. She looked determined—a resilience that had survived even the horrific experience that she had lived through.
Ah.
This was the reason for the Princess of Tsurugi, that completely out of place card, wasn't it?
"It's not safe out here," Makoto said. "Go back to the hospital."
"I heard Roget's announcement," Momoi said. "I couldn't stay there—not when it was clear that my little brother would do something that he didn't believe in again, put himself in danger again, for the sake of a regime that he should never have had to serve. I snuck out of the hospital when they were all distracted by overwork, and I heard one of the nurses say that the male Elite Officer was guarding the hospital. You're the only one it could have been. You were trying to protect me the whole time, weren't you? Just me, during this invasion, no one else."
Makoto clenched his fists. He looked away.
"I helped her here," Tsukikage explained. "Once I saw her desperately searching for him on the streets."
"It's enough, Makoto," the woman said—her voice authoritative, and yet carrying something softly pained to it. "I know that I don't have the right to say this, because it's my fault. But I can't stand to watch you suffer because of me any longer."
"Since when was it ever… your fault?" He wasn't looking at them. "It's not your fault. Not the Lancers' fault. Not even fully that damn Roget's fault either, though he shares in it… it's just this city. This rotten, horrible city… don't even suggest that what happened to you was your fault!"
"What happened to us," Momoi said softly.
Silence.
"It happened to you too. You're a victim too."
"... ah."
At first, it sounded like an exhale—and then it got louder.
And then, he collapsed directly into his sister's waiting arms with a defeated howl that seemed to shake his entire body. His sister didn't seem surprised—her arms wrapped around him, even as he wept into her shoulder. It was a collapse that came from exhaustion—a person who had finally burned out on his will to keep going on his path.
Tsukikage, Sora and Serena exchanged looks.
It was a collapse that could only be born from defeat—from finally allowing the walls of hostility to fall.
Beneath that callous man that they had faced was a boy that had been resisting the urge to cry his eyes out at his misfortune the entire time.
It felt inappropriate to intrude on the moment.
Eventually though, when Makoto raised his head, he turned to them. Slowly, he smirked. It was the same smirk as before—but it was softer.
"What are you waiting for?" He asked. His attempt at confidence was ruined by the redness around his eyes. "Go. Your comrades need that, don't they?"
"... okay," Serena said. The scene had brought mixed feelings to her heart.
Because it was touching. Because it was sweet.
But looking at it reminded her that…
It reminded her that that other person would never be able to have the same moment again.
… she really shouldn't think about these things.
She looked at the card in her Extra Deck again.
… if I can, I've decided.
As much as I want justice on a wider scale, I also want something so selfish.
I want to understand that person better. The way that he's always understood me so well. I want to see him as he is… I don't want to go back to back then, when I didn't understand him, but I do want to have the chance to try and build some proper trust between us.
He's… special to me. He is my regret. The person that I missed the chance to save far too many times.
It's an ideal. To save Yuri at the same time as saving six whole worlds, even while he's my enemy… it's too hopeful of an ideal. But I want to live possessed by that ideal, now.
I don't want to believe in the impossible. Redeem, save and do it all right…
That's best.
She scoffed to herself.
And no one will be able to say that I'm not determined enough.
OC Cards:
Dragunity Sovnya
(2*/100/300/WIND/Dragon/Tuner/Effect)
Cannot be used as Synchro Material, except for the Synchro Summon of a "Dragunity" monster. While this card is equipped to a monster, that monster gains the following effects:
● Spell/Trap cards equipped to this card cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects.
● Once per turn, if this card destroys a monster by battle: You can add 1 "Dragunity" Spell/Trap or "Miracle Synchro Fusion" from your Deck to your hand.
You can only control 1 "Dragunity Sovnya".
Trivia: Named after the Russian polearm. Not much to say about that. It protects other Equip cards from being destroyed too, so it references the collective. *cough* I'm sure it's a coincidence that I chose the Russian polearm for that. And yes, the Russian flag is red, white and blue as well. The irony of it having the same main colours as the American flag will never fail to amuse me.
Dragunity Guard
(Trap)
Target 1 Dragon monster you control; equip 1 Dragon "Dragunity" monster from your Deck or Extra Deck to that monster, and if you do, if that card is destroyed this turn, draw 1 card. If a Level 10 or higher Dragon Synchro Monster is destroyed while this card is in your GY: You can banish this card from the GY; Special Summon 1 Level 10 Dragon monster that is banished or in your GY, and if you do, it gains ATK equal to the number of "Dragunity" Synchro Monster(s) that are banished or in the GY x 200.
Dragunity Svardstav
(2*/400/800/WIND/Dragon/Tuner/Effect)
While this card is equipped to a monster, that monster cannot be destroyed by the opponent's card effects. If this card is currently equipped to a monster: You can Special Summon this equipped card.
Trivia: Named after svardstav, or the Swedish sword-staff. As such, it carries both offensive and defensive effects. I realised that Dragunity had absolutely no effect protection and made this like eight months ago, but I didn't get the chance to use it until now. Same with Sovnya, actually.
Moonlight Songbird Dancer
(R2/1000/1500/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Xyz/Effect)
2 Level 2 "Moonlight" monsters
This card cannot be targeted by card effects. Once per turn, if this card destroys a monster by battle: You can pay 800LP; add 1 "Rank-Up-Magic" card or 1 "Moonlight" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate this effect of "Moonlight Songbird Dancer" once per turn. If this card declares an attack: All your opponent's monsters lose 400ATK. You can detach 2 Xyz Materials from this card; for the rest of this turn, the first time each monster your opponent controls would be destroyed by battle, it is not destroyed, also this card can attack all monsters your opponent controls, twice each, this turn.
Moonlight Exchange
(Trap)
If you would take damage: You can gain LP equal to twice that amount instead. You can banish this card from your GY: Special Summon 1 "Moonlight" monster from your GY. You can only activate each effect of "Moonlight Exchange" once per turn.
Natural Energy Spirit - Moonstruck Paladin
(7*/2500/2000/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect)
2 monsters on the field with the same Attribute
(This card is always treated as a "Moonlight" monster.) You can also Special Summon this card by sending the above monsters you control to the GY while there are 3 or more Fusion Monsters in your possession that are banished or in your GY (in which case you do not use "Polymerization"). If this card is Special Summoned with this effect: You can discard 1 card, otherwise, destroy this monster. Effects not fully revealed.
Trivia: Oh boy. So let's start with 'moonstruck'. Giving the definition of 'moonstruck' from the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it means to be deeply affected in a manner that resembles the moon, such as being romantically sentimental, lost in fantasy or reverie, or mentally unsound. While we use the idea of 'romantic' to mean love nowadays, the term 'romance' can also refer to romantic ideals—such as those of knights and honour. Serena is the 'paladin' to Yuzu's 'angel'—she is far more willing to fight head-on, and her ideals are less aligned to goodness and more to justice, which are two separate concepts, for all that they align. Serena being 'moonstruck' in comparison to Yuzu's 'reflowering' shows that Serena herself brings out this monster through her ideals—not through questioning and discarding it all like Yuzu, but through affirming her current self, losing herself in the dream of change. I'll comment on the effects later—since I didn't reveal them in the chapter itself, I can keep them for later. :D
Different Card Effects from TCG:
Moonlight Cat Dancer - Anime effect. This is like the one Serena card I cannot change, even though I really want to.
Moonlight Black Sheep - Its anime effect adds it back to the hand, but instead, I just gave it its TCG effects, minus the clause where it cannot add itself back to hand, so that I don't interfere with her canon duels but her deck is a little more consistent.
Moonlight Panther Dancer - Anime effect.
Moonlight Lio Dancer - Anime effect.
End Notes:
So, I'll spoil one thing very early on for you guys. The Battle Beast arc as you all know it in canon will not ever exist in this story… note the phrasing of that statement. I'm being very specific. A person deeply traumatised by Academia's own systems, terrified and hiding behind his own strength, hunting down others not for a game, but for survival… in canon, this was such an obvious way to contrast with and develop Serena's character that I'm shocked they didn't do it then… right. Parasites.
I'm not saying that's how I'll do it in this story, of course. For now, I'll be real and say that I don't care that much about the Battle Beast as a character, but he does serve the purpose of emphasising just how much of an oblivious and insensitive jerk pre-character development Serena was in this story. I refer everyone back to her first meeting with Ruri, Chiaki and then Miharu. :D
It's also really nice that in this story, Sora and Serena's confrontation in Standard was the final nail in the coffin when it came to Serena's allegiance to Academia. In a sense, Sora and Serena's character arcs mirror each other. Serena is further along than he is—she started questioning things before Sora, and she's had an easier time of it when it comes to changing sides, because of her straightforward personality—to her, if it's wrong, it's just wrong. But it's because she's only a little ahead that talking to Sora also pushes her own character arc here. And yes, I just think that they both need more actual friends who understand them. Friendship carries the day!
And Serena also crushes her bracelet! It was always going to be Yuzu, and then Serena—they're the two that have had the most time to contemplate themselves as people, while Ruri, Rin and Chiaki have been held back by being locked up, and Miharu hasn't been pushed to her breaking point against her opponents in the same way. I'll give you all a freebie and say that no other bracelets are being cracked this arc.
Finally, Serena's final thoughts about the duel being about how similar Makoto is to Yuri, but that Yuri doesn't have this hope left… well, I do enjoy making people feel sad.
I'm going to do my best to keep on updating, despite the fact that I'm pretty busy for the rest of this month. We're still not super close to finishing this arc yet. Assuming that the chapter splits go as expected for the rest of the arc, we have… ten to twelve chapters left in the arc, maybe? I'm not going to lie, while the duels are still really fun to write, I really just want to finish this arc already. I won't rush anything unless necessary, obviously, but to put this into perspective, I've been writing Synchro since January this year. I'm very ready to move on. Still, since we're in the finale part of the arc, we do have to make it explosive! :D I promise that I'll put in the best effort that I can for this, despite my slightly lower motivation (I really am a bit burned out on writing this arc.) And I hope to get it done before the first anniversary of this fic! I'll do my best :D
Review responses!
To Bryz0n, wow, you reviewed that chapter pretty fast! :) I did consider retraining Shooting Star Dragon for that fight, but in the end, it just didn't feel quite right to have Aki do it. I'll give you a freebie and say that since Yuji and Chiaki don't really start to play a big role until next arc, Empty Abyss isn't going to evolve until at least next arc. Plus, Yuji just hasn't had enough duels with its base form to justify it.
To Kuroto, Arisu's actually known Yugo and Rin for the same amount of time, so… we'll have to wait and see. I'm pleasantly surprised that you do like Kyorin's character, and she'll definitely get more to do starting next arc! Also very understandable on the Empty Abyss front, I love Empty Abyss, and I'm not ashamed to admit that about my own original card, lmao.
To phantomdragons, you're correct. That was the original chapter split. :) Also, thank you for the compliment! As for the cigarette metaphor, you've got it mostly down! The one part that you didn't mention is that smoking in itself is a slippery slope. So people who start doing cruel things, whether forced to or not, find it difficult to stop. And I definitely think that what you said about more recent moments sticking in people's heads is very true. People are already saying that Yuno hasn't done anything this arc, and the series of Chapter 51-55 (which knocked him out for plot reasons) was literally one of the most tense parts of the arc because of Yuno and Miharu's different situations.
(Also thank you to the assorted guests that just sent in rankings! :))
To kikuruhime, it was supposed to be two duels, but burnout's hitting real hard :3 Thank you for the review! Definitely agree with what you said about new characters being more fun to read about.
To TheRealD3lph0xL0v3r, you seem to be binge-reading, so hope that you have fun as you go! :) Appreciate the enthusiasm.
To AccurateGap1, no problem, haha. As a recap, the Friendship Cup is on pause! It was halfway through Round 3 when Academia attacked—Reira was eliminated by Sergey, which caused a whole bunch of chain reactions. Yuno was eliminated by Miharu, though Roget kidnapped Miharu right afterwards and arrested Yuno. The four that haven't dueled yet in the Friendship Cup's third round are Yuya, Yugo, Serena and Shun. Will it actually be finished? :D Well, maybe not in the way that people think. As for Yuto, I'll admit that my headcanon of him is pretty different from yours! It's understandable though :D
To cardfan135, yup, it's definitely an issue with having too much plot. There'll be a time for the characters to just settle down and chill… but it won't be while they're all still fighting. Also, I'm interested in your theories, so feel free to let me know!
I did not have a QOTC prepared for this chapter, but, uh, on the spot, let's get some feedback!
QOTC: What is your opinion on how villains in general have been handled in this fic? Do you like sympathetic villains or monstrous ones more?
I've tried to give every villain a reason, a way of thinking, no matter how unsympathetic it is. I hope that comes through—I really like writing antagonists that change as the story goes along, and develop in their own ways. Good people don't have a patent on character development! :D
Alright, see you next time, whenever that is!