Starting Notes:
Welcome back! Reminder that Yuji vs Yuno is next chapter. This chapter is the transition chapter between the two chapters, focusing on other characters. Also, this chapter has more Action Duels that aren't really Action Duels, since most of the characters within them have no experience with them. :)
This chapter is also a bit odd in terms of writing style—there's a lot of casual exposition just thrown out of nowhere. If you catch it, good on you, if you don't, it's fine, there'll be a much clearer lore dump further on in the story. If you want the out of universe reason why the exposition is so bad in this chapter, I rewrote it like seven times and gave up. Don't judge too much :)
Chapter 20: Traps, Spells and Dragons
"So my father has stooped to such awful ways of coercing others to fight for him," Reiji said as he watched the screen.
Still though, that uncanny devotion, and that skill…
If Reiji could figure out a way to simply protect Chiaki Katsuya from Academia, Yuji Fujita might cease to be a proper enemy.
"It looks like Serena-sama is no longer in the Ruins Area," one of the Obelisk Force members said. The Ruins area had been completely demolished by earlier duels in that area. "Let's head to the Volcano Area then—"
"Actually, why don't you head back to Academia?"
The three blue-suited individuals turned to look at the person that had spoken up—a green-haired girl with her hair in a bun, and a boy with spiky black and purple hair. "Oh, two Standard duelists," one of them said, completely unaware of how wrong he was. "I suppose you're volunteering yourself to our noble cause."
"What noble cause?" The dark-haired boy said. "We'll stop you from doing to Standard what you did to us."
"'Us'... you must be an Xyz remnant!" The three of them raised their duel disks.
Hitoda Makishima turned to Yuto Kamisoka, winking. "Looks like there's no point in diplomacy. Let's defeat them!"
Yuto nodded, adjusting his wrist brace.
[DUEL!]
Hitoda Makishima: 4000LP
Yuto Kamisoka: 4000LP
Obelisk Force Red: 4000LP
Obelisk Force Green: 4000LP
Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000LP
[Turn 1: Hitoda] [H:5]
Hitoda picked up the five cards for her hand. Alright.
(If there was one thing that she needed in order to play Charmers, it was information. Information about her opponent's cards and decks. And well, Yuto had been fighting these opponents for half a year. She had all the information that she needed.)
"I will Normal Summon Eda the Sun Magician." The orange-haired woman wearing silver armour appeared.
[Eda the Sun Magician (4*/1500/1500/EARTH/Spellcaster/Effect)
"And with her effect, I will Special Summon a Spellcaster monster from my Deck in facedown Defense Position." A sideways card appeared on her field. "I will activate the Field Spell, Secret Village of the Spellcasters. And then, I'll set two cards facedown and end my turn."
[Turn 2: Yuto] [H:5]
"I'll set five cards facedown," Yuto called. "Over to you."
"Huh? You two took the first two turns and didn't attack? Fine!" One of the Obelisk Force members began his turn.
[Turn 3: Obelisk Force Red] [H:5]
"I will activate the Spell Catd, Polymerization—"
There was a loud beep. 'Error.' The boy tried to place down the card again, but it didn't work.
"While I control a Spellcaster monster and Secret Village of the Spellcasters," Hitoda declared, "my opponents cannot activate Spell Cards. I am the only person permitted to activate Spell Cards."
"What?" The Obelisk Force member blinked rapidly. "I will Normal Summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!" A rusty green dog made of metal appeared on their field.
[Antique Gear Hound Dog (3*/1000/1000/EARTH/Machine/Effect)]
"And since you control a monster, I can inflict 600 damage to you! Hound Flare!" The dog shot out a fireball. Yuto grimaced as it hit Hitoda.
Hitoda: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP
"And then, I—"
He was clearly about to declare an attack, so Yuto quickly responded before he could.
"I will activate my set card, The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace!" He revealed the Trap. "I'll target your Hound Dog and lower its attack points by 600!" Shadows surrounded the rusty dog.
[Antique Gear Hound Dog: 1000 - 600 = 400ATK]
"Then, I Special Summon Lost Vambrace to my field as a monster in Defense Position!" The set of armour surrounded by blue flames appeared, defending him from the incoming strike.
[The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace (2*/600/0/DARK/Warrior)]
"Hound Dog attacks Lost Vambrace!"
"This turn, "Phantom Knights" monsters cannot be destroyed by battle!" The dog bounced off the set of armour harmlessly.
"I will set a card and end my turn!" He turned to the others. "We need to defeat that Spellcaster of hers, or we can't Fusion Summon!"
"Got it," the next one said.
[Turn 4: Obelisk Force Green] [H:5]
The one with the green gem placed down a card. "I will Normal Summon Antique Gear Wyvern from my hand!" A small, green and rusty mechanical dragon appeared on their field.
[Antique Gear Wyvern (4*/1700/1200/EARTH/Machine/Effect)]
"And then, I can add an "Antique Gear" card from my deck to my hand."
"I will activate Eda's effect," Hitoda declared. "I can flip up a facedown monster I control." She gestured to her set monster, who changed into face-up Defense Position. "Come—Aussa the Earth Charmer." The short-haired brunette girl appeared on Hitoda's field, a small winged marmot sitting on her arm, while she held a staff in her other hand.
[Aussa the Earth Charmer (3*/500/1500/EARTH/Spellcaster/Flip/Effect)]
"When Aussa is flipped up, I can take control of an EARTH monster you control!" Antique Gear Wyvern was dragged over to her side of the field. Yuto raised an eyebrow. He was more familiar with Miharu's deck, compared to Yuno and Hitoda, since he did hang out with the quiet girl more, due to how their personalities matched. Still though, a duel style like that, suppressing the opponent… that was pretty interesting. So that was why she had asked him about Academia's main deck…
"I will set a card facedown!"
[Turn 5: Obelisk Force Yellow] [H:5]
"I will Normal Summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!" The dog appeared on his field as well. "I'll inflict 600 damage to you. Hound Flare!" The large fireball hit Hitoda again.
Hitoda: 3400 - 600 = 2800LP
"I will activate the Continuous Trap, Unpossessed," Hitoda said. "Charmers cannot be destroyed by battle." She tilted her head. "Not that you can activate that Spell." The Obelisk Force Yellow member, who had been putting down a card, frowned as it buzzed with an error.
In the end, it went back to Hitoda's turn.
[Turn 6: Hitoda] [H:2]
"Draw." Hitoda shrugged. "I'm a defence specialist. Effect damage is the only thing that can even touch me. I will activate the Continuous Spell, Awakening of the Possessed. Then, I'll open the multi-coloured circuit! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two monsters, including an EARTH monster! I will set Aussa the Earth Charmer and Antique Gear Wyvern in the Link Markers! Appear now, ascended figure of the earth! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Aussa the Earth Charmer, Immovable!"
An older version of Aussa appeared, with a small creature with red wings floating next to her.
[Aussa the Earth Charmer, Immovable (L2/1850/EARTH/Spellcaster/Link/Effect/↙, ↘]
"And with Aussa's effect, once per turn, I can Special Summon an EARTH monster from your graveyard to her Link Marker." Antique Gear Wyvern reappeared at Aussa's bottom-right Link Marker.
"Link Summon… so you're from the Link Dimension?"
"I certainly am." Hitoda winked. "Over there, they call me Soothsayer. I'm a bit of an entertainer!" She was completely calm, despite the dangerous situation. "Though I've always just dueled the way that I wanted to. I will draw a card with Awakening of the Possessed. I will activate the Spell Card, Graceful Charity, drawing two cards and discarding one. Then, I will activate the Equip Spell, Scroll of Bewitchment. I will make Eda a LIGHT monster."
[Eda the Sun Magician: EARTH → LIGHT]
"I will then open the multi-coloured circuit! Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two monsters, including a LIGHT monster. I will set Eda the Sun Magician and Antique Gear Wyvern in the Link Markers! Appear now, ascended figure of the light! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Lyna the Light Charmer, Lustrous!"
A white-haired woman appeared, a golden fairy floating next to her.
[Lyna the Light Charmer, Lustrous (L2/1850/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]
"Set card, Possessed Partnerships. I will Special Summon Familiar-Possessed - Dharc from my graveyard." The dark-haired boy with a large bat floating next to him appeared.
[Familiar-Possessed - Dharc (4*/1850/1500/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect)]
"I can choose to destroy a face-up card you control, so I'll destroy the Hound Dog you have, Yellow!" The dog was destroyed with a dark blast of shadows. "Furthermore, with Awakening of the Possessed's effect, all monsters I control gain 300 attack points for every Attribute that I control," Hitoda continued.
[Lyna the Light Charmer, Lustrous: 1850 + 300 x 3 = 2750ATK]
[Aussa the Earth Charmer, Immovable: 1850 + 300 x 3 = 2750ATK]
[Familiar-Possessed - Dharc: 1850 + 300 x 3 = 2750ATK]
"Aussa will attack your Hound Dog, Red," Hitoda called casually. "And when a "Familiar-Possessed" monster attacks—which Aussa and Lyna are both treated as—it gains 800 attack points while I control Unpossessed!"
[Aussa the Earth Charmer, Immovable: 2750 + 800 = 3550ATK]
The rocks rained down on Red's field, decreasing their life points.
Obelisk Force Red: 4000 - 2550 = 1450LP
"I will then have Lyna attack you directly, Yellow!" The light-haired girl summoned an orb of light, eliminating most of their opponent's life points.
Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 - 2750 = 1250LP
"Alright, I softened them up for you," Hitoda said. She turned to Yuto. "Would you prefer them all on low health or only two of them left?"
"Only two left."
"Understandable." Hitoda gestured forward, and Dharc eliminated Red.
Obelisk Force Red: 1450 - 2750 = 0LP
"All yours. I'll set a card and end my turn. Go on ahead, Yuto."
Yuto felt briefly nostalgic. The first time that they had fought the Obelisk Force, Nue, too, had borne most of the burdens and left everything to him.
And as usual, he would deliver. He would never want to disappoint the people who believed in him.
He had entrusted Dark Rebellion to Yuya, and so he was currently without his ace monster. However, he had every bit of confidence in himself to still win.
[Turn 7: Yuto] [H:1]
"Draw!" Yuto declared. "I will activate my Trap Cards, The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield and The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine! I will Special Summon both of them as monsters!" In front of him, a black and purple shield appeared, wreathed in blue flames. Next to it was a black chestplate with blue flames around it as well.
[The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield (3*/0/0/DARK/Warrior)]
[The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine (4*/0/300/DARK/Warrior)]
"So what?" One of the Academia students scoffed. "You can't Xyz Summon when your monsters all have different Levels!"
Yuto took a deep breath.
"That is true," he said, "but luckily, that was not my intention. Manifest, circuit that honours the fallen warriors!" Behind him, a black circuit appeared, shadows swirling around it.
Hitoda blinked in shock for a moment, before she smirked to herself. "Miharu?" She asked.
"Would it have been anyone else?" Yuto replied, shrugging. More than anyone else that he had met, except Ruri, Miharu understood the value of silence. And so, that was why the two of them got along so well too.
"Reiji Akaba asked if I wanted Pendulum or Link Monsters," Yuto said. Miharu glanced at him. "I would like to learn how to Link Summon."
"... that would be useful." Miharu turned to him. "In that case, I have a request for you too…"
"Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two or more DARK monsters. I will set The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield, The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine and The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace in the Link Markers. Dark, angry polearm, rise into the air with the crackling blue fire of the ancient warriors! With no path backwards and only light in front of you, aid your fellow warriors in destroying the enemy. Circuit Combine. Link Summon—Link 3! The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche!"
In front of him, an armoured figure in a tattered cloak appeared with a long axe or pole weapon in their hands. Blue fire swirled around their joints, as they staggered forward on the field.
[The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche (L3/2100/DARK/Warrior/Link/Effect/↙, ↘, →)]
"With Rusty Bardiche's effect, once per turn, I can send a "The Phantom Knights" monster from my deck to the graveyard. Then, I can set a "Phantom Knights" Spell or Trap from my deck to my field!" Another set card appeared in front of Yuto. "And I'll activate the Trap Card, The Phantom Knights of Dark Gauntlets. I will send another "Phantom Knights" Spell or Trap from my deck to the graveyard."
He narrowed his eyes.
"I will banish Phantom Knights' Sword from my graveyard to Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves from my graveyard." A pair of black leather gloves appeared, surrounded by blue wisps of flame.
[The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves (3*/1000/500/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]
"I will Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak from my hand!" The tattered purple cloak appeared, with a face of blue flames, with two beady black eyes.
[The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak (3*/800/1000/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]
"I will change Ancient Cloak to Defense Position and raise Rusty Bardiche's attack points by 800!"
[The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche: 2100 + 800 = 2900ATK]
"And then," Yuto declared, "I will overlay the Level 3 Ancient Cloak and Ragged Gloves!" He couldn't use Spells, technically, but his deck had always focused around monsters and Traps anyway. It would be a deadly Field Spell for Hitoda Makishima to use if she had a teammate that needed to activate Spells, but it suited Yuto just fine. "Souls of knights who fell on the battlefield. Revive here and now, and become the light that breaks the darkness! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 3! The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!" The dark knight on horseback appeared, shadows swirling around him.
[The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R3/2000/1000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]
"Ragged Gloves grants 1000 attack points to Break Sword!"
[The Phantom Knights of Break Sword: 2000 + 1000 = 3000ATK]
"Since a DARK Xyz Monster was Special Summoned to Rusty Bardiche's Link Marker, I can destroy a card on the field," Yuto called. "I will destroy your set card. Rising Rebellion!" The final set card of their opponents was destroyed. "I will then have Rusty Bardiche take you out, Yellow! Rusty Strike!" The polearm struck through the air, riding their opponent of the rest of his life points.
Obelisk Force Yellow: 1250 - 2900 = 0LP
"And Break Sword will attack you directly," Yuto called. He glanced over at Hitoda. He was gambling, technically, but…
Hitoda met his gaze, and she shrugged as the attack hit their last opponent.
Obelisk Force Green: 4000 - 3000 = 1000LP
"Want it destroyed?" Hitoda offered. "If I remember the effect of that card, that should be what you need."
"I'll take you up on that," Yuto agreed with some relief.
"I'll activate the Trap Card, Possessed Partnerships," Hitoda called, revealing the card that she had set the previous turn—the second copy of it that she had played this duel. "I will revive Aussa the Earth Charmer in Defense Position. And then, since I control two or more Attributes on my field, I can destroy a card on the field. I will choose The Phantom Knights of Break Sword."
The Xyz Monster was destroyed.
"And since Break Sword was destroyed," Yuto continued, "I can revive two "Phantom Knights" monsters from my graveyard and increase their Levels by 1. Phantom Resurrection!" Ancient Cloak and Ragged Gloves reappeared on his field. "I will then have Ragged Gloves attack you directly!"
The monster leapt forward, finishing their opponent off.
Obelisk Force Green: 1000 - 1000 = 0LP
Winner: Yuto Kamisoka & Hitoda Makishima!
Their opponents' duel disks glowed, before they were all teleported away.
Yuto stared at the position where they had been.
"I have a question," Hitoda said from next to him.
"Feel free to ask."
Hitoda approached him, putting her hands behind her back. "... do you ever feel angry enough to kill them?" She asked. There was no need to clarify what her question was about.
Yuto sighed, and he pinched his nose.
"I get angry," he said. "But angry enough to kill… I don't think so. I don't think I have the capacity to hate them to that extent." He turned to look at her. "I mean, I sometimes worry about what kind of person I am. Because everyone I know carries that capacity to hate. You've met Nue and Shun, right? And the others that you haven't met, like Kaito… they're all so angry at what we've lost. And I'm angry too. I can't deny my own anger. But even though I'm angry, I can't hate them enough to wish to wipe them out. I just want everything to go back to normal… I just want everything to be over."
"Did you consider just fleeing to another dimension then?" Hitoda asked. "You could've lived a pretty peaceful life, you know."
"... I didn't think I could escape," Yuto admitted. "No matter how far I went… Academia would invade that place someday. The only way to live a peaceful life would be to defeat Academia completely. And also, I couldn't leave Ruri behind."
"Ruri's your girlfriend, right?" When Yuto nodded, Hitoda giggled for a moment. "Makes sense. You look a little gentler when you talk about her." She shrugged. "... how does it feel like to be in love?"
"... easy," Yuto said, smiling to himself. "It felt easy to be around her. I never felt stressed out around her. I never felt like I had to be anyone other than myself around her."
"... oh," Hitoda said, glancing away. Yuto noticed her cheeks going slightly red.
"What about you? Is there someone that you like?"
"There is," Hitoda admitted readily. "Maybe… I think so, anyway. I suspect that you feel a lot more overwhelmingly than I do." She pressed a hand to her chest. "There is someone who… makes it feel easy to be around them all the time. I don't know about feelings—there's nothing strongly intense there, but I certainly do think about them a lot. But I'm not sure… I haven't been very truthful to them about who I am."
Yuto cleared his throat. "I don't know you," he pointed out. "But I think that anyone that can't accept you for the person that you truly are isn't someone that you should care about the opinion of. If they only find out what kind of person you are after they start dating you, won't it hurt both of you?"
Hitoda shrugged. "Maybe, but I've come to realise that sometimes, facades are a little better." She gestured to herself. "While I only ever dueled in a way that was true to myself, I was also only ever someone that I thought others wanted to see. 'Soothsayer'. To be honest, I envy Yuno a little—he's dropped his mask and he's barely any different. Meanwhile, I find myself slipping a little between who I am in real life, and the person that I wanted to be, to be admired by others."
"I cannot relate to that."
"No?" Hitoda raised an eyebrow. "I would think that you would recognise masks a little, edgelord—"
She stopped talking. Yuto turned around, only to see her collapse onto her knees, clutching at the left side of her chest, clearly in pain.
"H-hey!" Yuto rushed over. With his arm busted like this, he couldn't carry her—did she suffer from heart problems? What was wrong—
"I think all I can do is sit down for now," Hitoda said, breathing out rapidly. "I'll be fine in a moment. But I probably won't be able to move for a while."
"That's fine," Yuto said. "Reiji Akaba said that there were eleven enemies. Most of them have already been eliminated—we can afford to take a moment to rest, for now. Don't push yourself."
"… well, an Xyz Resistance member, a Standard duelist and a Honor Student walk into a forest clearing. Wasn't on my bingo list today, but I guess I'll treat it as the free space!"
"… do you literally have a bingo sheet in front of you right now."
The magenta-haired girl lifted her head, having been balancing a book on the arm of her wheelchair. Her hair was short and neatly cut, with the fringe being cut straight, stopping barely above her eyes. She had bright green eyes. She was wearing a blue uniform, with a white skirt.
Nue Kamisoka, whose eyes had narrowed at the sight of the girl in the blue uniform, didn't stop glaring at her.
Mion Myojin just looked at both of them, feeling mildly confused.
"Nope! This is a crossword. Eight letters for a word to describe 'forever in its entirety'?"
"Eternity," Mion said, and Nue shot a glare at her. "What? I may not know her, but she asked politely."
"And I appreciate that!" The girl said playfully. "Alright, one more, and then we can talk! Eleven letters, a word denoting 'a liquid at rest'!"
Nue glared at her, folding her arms.
Shino beamed back.
"... hydrostatic," Nue said reluctantly.
Shino scribbled down the letters, and then she stuffed the crossword book in the bag hanging off the back of her wheelchair. "Thanks! How'd you know what that meant—"
"Can you stop stalling?" Nue snapped. "I'm not going to play your games."
"Technically if you duel me, you're playing 'a' game." Shino shrugged. "Hey, I just wanted to set a lighter mood before we talk business! After all, your friend there doesn't know anything about this war, right?"
Both Nue and Shino turned to Mion. Alright, Mion didn't know anything about what was going on right now, but she could definitely pick up on context clues. "You called me Standard, and you called her Xyz… that implies that there are different places based on different summoning methods. Since you called her Resistance, that means that whatever place you're from is suppressing the place that she comes from."
"You are quite intelligent!" Shino clapped her hands together. "Yes, we come from different worlds, each world based on a summoning method. I'm from Fusion, she's from Xyz, you're from Standard. And isn't that interesting? Three in one!" Her voice shifted to a storytelling tone. "A burning city. Rampaging monsters, destroying everything. A bright light. A thousand screaming voices. Hearing the voices of dying people in our sleep every night—"
"Stop it," Nue said, her voice rather tight. Mion couldn't help but agree. It wasn't every night, per se, but she had certainly had visions similar to that—of a city that looked nothing like Maiami City. However, it wasn't like these two had those dreams, and if Mion said any of this aloud, she would sound insane. So what was going on with that?
"Stop it?" Shino blinked innocently, as though she hadn't done anything wrong. "Stop what? It seems that you've already put Heartland behind you, Nue Kamisoka."
"Stop talking right now," Nue said. "How did you even know we were—never mind. Stop talking already." The dark-haired girl turned to Mion. "Let's get this girl out of your dimension, Mion Myojin."
Mion looked at her.
She had never really talked to Nue. However…
"Sure," she said. "Then allow me to help out."
Nue took a long look at her, before she turned towards Shino. "Let's duel," she said.
"Against the Ace of Diamonds and LDS's strongest?" Shino laughed. "Might be fun, then. Make sure you don't bore me! Oh, but I'll be taking double the life points, alright? Since I'm facing two illustrious duelists such as yourselves!"
[ACTION DUEL!]
Shino Gitsune: 8000LP
Nue Kamisoka: 4000LP
Mion Myojin: 4000LP
[Turn 1: Nue] [H:5]
"I'll Normal Summon Traptrix Myrmeleo," Nue declared. The familiar white-haired girl dressed in orange appeared, with two devil horns.
[Traptrix Myrmeleo (4*/1600/1200/EARTH/Insect/Effect)]
"And since she was Normal Summoned, I can add a "Hole" Normal Trap from my deck to my hand." Nue swiped a card from her deck. "I will set three cards facedown. And I'll open the circuit of the entrapping flowers!" Above her, a large circuit of flowers and vibrant green vines appeared. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are a "Traptrix" monster that isn't a Link Monster!"
"Oh!" Shino clapped her hands together. "So you've managed to add Link Summoning to your arsenal! I guess it's true that pressure makes diamonds—sort of like how your entire school back in Heartland was crushed under the pressure of a few golems—"
"Stop it. Don't say a single word!"
Shino blinked, and then she covered her mouth. For a moment, she looked shocked at herself. "… sorry," she said. "That was too far."
Nue closed her eyes for a moment. "I'll set Myrmeleo in the Link Markers! Now, cute girl in the beautiful meadow! Rise up with the sunshine over your hair and trap the world in your shadow! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Traptrix Sera!"
A girl with vibrant green hair appeared, sitting in a circle of flowers, a rather calm look on her face.
[Traptrix Sera (L1/800/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↓)]
"I will end my turn," Nue said, her monster floating in front of her three set cards.
"Oh, you're a terror when given the first turn," Shino said cheekily. She leaned on the side of her wheelchair. "But fine. I'll take the second turn. And to make it fair, I'll even not attack Myojin until she takes her turn! Draw!"
[Turn 2: Shino] [H:5]
"Draw," Shino said in a singsong voice. "Spell Card, Branded in Pacifistic Lament. If I do not control "Fallen of Albaz", I can send a card from my hand to the graveyard and draw three cards. Then, I must reveal a "Fallen of Albaz", or a card that lists "Fallen of Albaz" in its card text in my hand. If I cannot, I discard all the cards in my hand." She revealed a card. "Albion the Shrouded Dragon. So I get to keep my hand."
A rather potent draw spell. So her playmaker was "Fallen of Albaz", huh? How come Nue hadn't heard of her before?
"Now, I'll activate the Continuous Spell, Branded Lost." The green-bordered card appeared on her field. "You cannot negate the activation of cards and effects that would Fusion Summon a monster, and you cannot activate cards or effects when a monster is Fusion Summoned that way. Therefore, even with that impressive backrow of yours, you can't do anything to me, Nue-chan!"
"Don't call me that," Nue said.
"Sure, sure! Anyway, I just need to only rely on Fusion Summons. No big deal. Spell Card, Branded in White." She revealed two cards in her hand. "I will perform a Fusion Summon using cards in my hand or on my field, including a Dragon monster. I will fuse Despian Tragedy and Albion the Shrouded Dragon in my hand." She slid the two cards into her graveyard. "Darkness sealed within a suit of holy armour, emerge now in the flurry of the rising curtains, and crush them in the emptiness of destruction. Whom do you seek?" She flashed a peace sign. "Fusion Summon! Level 8—Despian Quaeritis!" A black suit of armour with grey and red spikes everywhere appeared. Devilish wings and a cape drifted behind her. The piece of armour was holding onto a long red and black lance.
[Despian Quaeritis (8*/2500/2500/LIGHT/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"Since Despian Tragedy was sent to the graveyard by a card effect, I can add a different "Despia" monster from my deck to my hand." Shino picked up a card.
"Your card names are so depressing," Mion said. "Tragedy?"
"Actually, my cards are based on theatre!" Shino winked. "And some of them are named after history! That's beyond the point though. You can't respond to my Fusion Summons, Ace of Diamonds, so it seems that I'm in the clear for now! Since I Fusion Summoned a Fusion Monster, I can add a monster that mentions "Fallen of Albaz", or "Fallen of Albaz" itself, from my deck to my hand with Branded Lost's effect." She plucked the card from her deck. "Albion the Shrouded Dragon is treated as "Fallen of Albaz" while in the graveyard. Thus, I can Special Summon Blazing Cartesia, the Virtuous from my hand!"
A white-haired girl appeared on the field with bloody red eyes, wearing a dark tiara and dress, with a sword in her hands. The sword had an eye-like structure at its base, with a thin blade.
[Blazing Cartesia, the Virtuous (4*/1500/1500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]
"I will use Cartesia's effect. I can perform a Fusion Summon of a Level 8 or higher monster using monsters on my field or in my hand. I will fuse Blazing Cartesia on my field with Aluber the Jester of Despia in my hand." The two monsters turned into dark streaks. "Beautiful masks lie over a hidden darkness. Scarlet dragon, rise up, and with the power of your envious heart, strike down all others like a phantom! Fusion Summon! Level 8! Masquerade the Blazing Dragon!" (8*/2500/2000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)
The dragon that appeared was bright red, with wings that looked just like the curtains on a stage. No, wait—its scales were black, it was just covered in a lot of red and white plate armour. It had some long, red, hair-like structures on the top of the dragon's head.
[Masquerade the Blazing Dragon (8*/2500/2000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"... that's a Fiend monster?" Mion questioned.
"While Masquerade is face-up on the field, you need to pay 600 life points to activate cards or effects." Shino explained cheerfully. "After all, to visit the Theater of the Branded, you have to pay the toll!" She pointed forward. "And thus, let the masks rise, and let's begin! Despian Quaeritis's effect! During the Main Phase, when I activate this effect, the attack points of all monsters on the field, except Level 8 or higher Fusion Monsters, becomes 0 until the End Phase! Cry of Absolute Despair!"
Quaeritis glided upward gracefully, summoning forth clouds of red and black, an oppressive aura crushing the field. Traptrix Sera seemed to curl in on herself, terrified.
A monster that removes all attack points, and a card that penalises card effects…
What a horrifying combination.
[Traptrix Sera: 800 → 0ATK]
"A card that penalises all non-Fusion Monsters?" Nue gritted her teeth. "… what a xenophobic card."
"To be fair, I had this card long before I knew about the other dimensions," Shino pointed out. "It does mean that I was considered an absolute weakling against other strong Fusion duelists though. I suspect that you two, who were born strong, don't have a problem with that though."
"As if you weren't born strong." Nue narrowed her eyes. "Don't ask me to feel pity for you when you stand in front of me with those disgusting monsters!"
"… and don't insult the only ones who have been there for me throughout my life," Shino murmured. "Attack Traptrix Sera! Hope-Seeking Shadows!"
The large knight shot forward. Then, Mion heard a ghastly voice speak up from it.
Whom do you seek?
"Trap Card, Trap Hole of Spikes!" Nue called. She winced as her life points fell from Masquerade's effect.
Nue: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP
"When a monster that was Normal or Special Summoned this turn declares an attack, I can destroy it and inflict damage to you, equal to half the original attack points of that monster!"
"I see, I see!" Shino revealed another card in her hand. "I will activate the Quickplay Spell, Branded Vision! I will Special Summon Albion the Shrouded Dragon from my graveyard, and immediately perform a Fusion Summon by banishing monsters from my hand and field! I will fuse Albion the Shrouded Dragon and Despian Quaeritis!"
Fusing a Fusion Monster…
The two cards faded into dark streaks.
"Lawful dragon born of the stoic judgement of the land of cruel dogma! With your ruthlessness, reduce this world to ashes. Fusion Summon—Level 8, Titaniklad the Ash Dragon!"
A large metallic dragon appeared, its wings glowing with the light of bright fire. Its spine was covered with bright red horns that were glowing.
[Titaniklad the Ash Dragon (8*/2500/2000/DARK/Dragon/Fusion/Effect)]
"With Titaniklad's effect, I can increase his attack points by 100 times the total original Levels of the monsters used for his Fusion Summon!" The dragon let out a loud roar.
[Titaniklad the Ash Dragon: 2500 + 100 x 16 = 4100ATK]
"Furthermore, he is unaffected by the effects of other monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn." Shino held up a finger. "So your Trap misfires, and you can't respond to Titaniklad's Fusion Summon, since I control Branded Lost!"
Nue narrowed her eyes. "Did you know I would…"
"Of course you would." Shino smiled innocently. "I came all the way here for you. Of course I would read the reports that have been sent back about the Resistance to prepare."
Nue flicked out her hand. "I will activate the effect of Traptrix Sera! Since I activated a "Hole" Trap, I can Special Summon a "Traptrix" monster from my deck!"
Her life points fell again, and she grimaced.
Nue: 3400 - 600 = 2800LP
"Come—Traptrix Nepenthes!" The orange-haired girl appeared in Defense Position.
[Traptrix Nepenthes (4*/800/2000/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]
"But you still lose if you let this attack through!~ Titaniklad can't attack directly, but since you control a monster, that's no problem! Titaniklad the Ash Dragon attacks Traptrix Sera! Silver Judgement!" The dragon dashed straight towards Nue's weakened monster.
"Trap Card, Life-Sucking Trap Hole!" Nue called. Her life points fell again.
Nue: 2800 - 600 = 2200LP
"If a monster that was summoned this turn declares an attack while I control a Level 4 or Rank 4 monster, I can destroy it and regain life points equal to its attack points!" Titaniklad exploded, and Shino nodded, looking rather impressed.
Nue: 2200 + 4100 = 6300LP
"Guess I shouldn't have expected it to be that easy to take you down!"
"I will pay 600 life points to use Nepenthes's effect," Nue continued. "I will add a "Traptrix" monster from my deck to my hand."
Nue: 6300 - 600 = 5700LP
"And since a "Traptrix" monster activated her effect, I can use Traptrix Sera's other effect! I will set another "Hole" Normal Trap from my deck to my field!"
Nue: 5700 - 600 = 5100LP
"Well, Masquerade will still destroy your Sera!" The poor green-haired girl was destroyed in an instant by a frankly large amount of fire. "Curtain Call!"
Nue: 5100 - 2500 = 2600LP
"And that's my turn!" Shino giggled. "Since Titaniklad was sent to the graveyard this turn, I can add "Fallen of Albaz" or a "Dogmatika" monster from my deck to my hand, or Special Summon one of them from my deck!" She revealed a card. "Come—Dogmatika Fleurdelis, the Knighted!" A knight in bright, shining silver armour appeared in front of her.
[Dogmatika Fleurdelis, the Knighted (8*/2500/2500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Effect)]
"Furthermore, since a Fusion Monster was sent to the graveyard this turn, I can also add Blazing Cartesia back to my hand. Over to you, miss magician! Hope you match up!"
Mion pursed her lips. Six hundred attack points for every effect, huh? And her deck focused on comboing off effects…
"Myojin," Nue called. Mion glanced over, meeting the black eyes of the Xyz duelist. "Trust me. Start off by Normal Summoning."
Trust her, huh?
[Turn 3: Mion] [H:5]
Mion immediately placed down a card. "I will Normal Summon Mythical Beast Jackal!" The small, wispy blue-grey beast appeared on her field.
[Mythical Beast Jackal (1*/S4/0/1400/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]
"I will activate the Trap Card, Titanocider," Nue called. The final one of the Trap Cards she had set the previous turn flipped over. "I will have to pay six hundred life points to activate it."
Nue: 2600 - 600 = 2000LP
"I can target a monster on the field that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck," Nue explained. "And then, I will negate the effects of a monster on the field that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, and reduce its attack points to zero! I will choose Masquerade the Blazing Dragon!" The dragon with curtain-like wings roared in pain as green lines looped around it.
[Masquerade the Blazing Dragon: 2500 → 0ATK]
Both Shino and Mion stared at Nue in confusion.
"Um, is that a permanent debuff?" Shino said.
"Yes," Nue replied.
"Why didn't you activate it on my turn then—" Shino's eyes widened. "Oh! You wanted to wait until I no longer had the option to just fuse it away!"
"And now you're open for our two turns," Nue said. "You claim that you've studied me, but you don't seem to understand the most fundamental part of my dueling. Namely, the fact that I control the state in which a monster is allowed to exist on the field!" She turned to Mion. "Well, Myojin? You're free to do your usual work now."
She sacrificed over five thousand life points to grant both of us a free shot…
For all that she's reckless and rude, she is certainly more of a team player than most other duelists I know.
Mion returned her thoughts to her own turn.
"I will set the Scale 2 Servant of Endymion and the Scale 8 Magister of Endymion in the Pendulum Scales!" The two pillars of light appeared around her. Jackal glowed, gaining a Spell Counter for each, while Servant gained a Spell Counter, since Magister had been set in the Pendulum Scale after her.
[Mythical Beast Jackal: Spell Counter(s): 2]
[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]
"Next, I'll activate the Spell Card, Upstart Goblin! I will draw one card, and then my opponent gains 1000 life points! I will choose Kamisoka!" A bright glow surrounded Nue, increasing her life points.
Nue: 2000 + 1000 = 3000LP
"Taking advantage of the fact that your duel disk registers the other person as an opponent, huh?" Shino winked. "Not bad, Myojin!"
Mion blinked in surprise. "... thanks?"
"Don't thank the enemy," Nue scolded.
Shino stuck out her tongue. "Hey, to be fair, I'm only the enemy of those who get in my way! One of you made my poor cousin doubt his own abilities, and one of you literally hunted me down here to duel. I'd say that I'm not the aggressor here, you know."
Mion turned to Nue. "Did you bully her cousin?"
"... I hunted her down," Nue said, unimpressed. "I'm assuming you're the one that bullied her cousin."
Mion frowned, turning back to Shino. "Who's your cousin?"
"Sora," Shino said cheerfully. She gestured to her own green eyes. "Doesn't this make it clear?"
… fair.
"Well, I'm sorry if he's upset, but I'm not sorry that I won." Mion gestured to her field. "Jackal, Servant and Magister all gain a Spell Counter."
[Mythical Beast Jackal: Spell Counter(s): 3]
[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 2]
[Magister of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]
"I'll remove three Spell Counters from Mythical Beast Jackal and tribute him," Mion declared. The beast dissolved into mist. "I can Special Summon a "Mythical Beast" Effect Monster from my deck. So come! Mythical Beast Master Cerberus!" One of her two strongest monsters appeared on her field immediately, an imposing, bipedal humanoid with a beastly face, with blue fur covering his entire body.
[Mythical Beast Master Cerberus (8*/S4/2800/2800/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]
"Continuous Spell, Mythical Institution!" She revealed the card. "Servant and Magister gain a Spell Counter, and Master Cerberus gains 2 Spell Counters."
[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 3]
[Magister of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 2]
[Mythical Beast Master Cerberus: Spell Counter(s): 2]
"With Servant of Endymion's effect, I will remove three Spell Counters from her and Special Summon her to the field, along with a monster with 1000 or more attack points that a Spell Counter can be placed on from my deck. I will Special Summon Mythical Beast Medusa!"
A black octopus-like monster appeared, with smoky blue and purple dragon-headed tendrils forming its tentacles. Servant appeared next to her, a sly smile on her face.
[Servant of Endymion (3*/S2/900/1500/WIND/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]
[Mythical Beast Medusa (4*/S4/1500/1500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]
Now, she had Servant, Medusa and Master Cerberus on her field, with Magister in the Pendulum Zone and Mythical Institution in the Spell and Trap Zone.
"Then, Servant places a Spell Counter on both of them."
[Mythical Beast Medusa: Spell Counter(s): 1]
[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]
"I will remove four Spell Counters from my field—two from Magister of Endymion, one from Medusa and one from Servant of Endymion—to use Mythical Beast Master Cerberus's effect. I will banish Dogmatika Fleurdelis from the field face-up and have Master Cerberus gain attack points equal to the banished monster's original attack points! Erasure Experiment!" The four Spell Counters turned into bright light that shot towards the bright knight, pulling her from the ground and turning her to bright energy.
[Mythical Beast Medusa: Spell Counter(s): 0]
[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 0]
[Magister of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 0]
[Mythical Beast Master Cerberus: 2800 + 2500 = 5300ATK]
"Master Cerberus will attack your Masquerade!" The poor dragon was destroyed by a gigantic blast. "Mythical Magicbloom!"
Shino's life points dropped by a large chunk. Nue let out a whistle—a sound of satisfaction that immediately stopped as the force of the attack flung Shino back with such force that her wheelchair toppled over, knocking her to the ground.
Shino: 8000 - 5300 = 2700LP
"H-hey!" Mion reached out a hand—and then, to her surprise, Shino pushed herself up with her left arm. There were some bruises from how she had been knocked down. Obviously she couldn't stand up, not with her missing leg, but she seemed extraordinarily used to this situation. Had she been knocked down like this enough to be able to recover from the shock so quickly?
That was honestly kind of sad.
"Since a Fusion Monster was destroyed by battle," Shino said, breathing out slowly, "I will revive Aluber the Jester of Despia." A red-haired boy in red clothes appeared, with a black and white checkerboard cape floating behind him.
[Aluber the Jester of Despia (4*/1800/0/DARK/Fairy/Effect)]
The boy floated over to Shino's side, helping to lift her up. With his other hand, he lifted the wheelchair back to its normal position, carefully helping her into it.
"Aluber is in Attack Position, and he has more attack points than any of your monsters," Shino pointed out, properly settling back into her wheelchair. "Is that it then?"
Mion could technically use Medusa's effect to halve the attack points of Aluber, but that wouldn't deal enough damage to defeat Shino, and it would lower her chances of being able to protect Master Cerberus.
"I end my turn," she said. She turned over to Nue.
Nue didn't draw a card yet. She simply looked at Shino.
"Yes, Nue-chan?" Shino said, tilting her head in a rather cute manner.
"... your monsters are remarkably… filled with personality," Nue said. Shino beamed, and Aluber let out a low chuckle at that.
"You can't possibly be unaware of the myth of Duel Spirits," Shino said. "Our cards have souls. For a card to come into existence, there must be a Duel Monster Spirit that exists in a world parallel to ours, the same as it." She glanced at Aluber, who leaned on the side of her wheelchair, seeming rather playful despite not saying anything. "Aluber and Albaz are the first cards that I ever had. I do still enjoy talking to a lot of other people in Academia, but I'll always remember that the two of them were my first friends."
There was something affectionate in her voice as she talked about the other people she had met.
Mion frowned.
"... sweet words. Still a murderer." Nue swept up a card from her deck. "And I still judge you guilty."
[Turn 4: Nue] [H:4]
Nue had a set card and Nepenthes on her field. She glanced at her field, and then she held out another card.
"I will Normal Summon Traptrix Dionaea!" The dark-haired girl with white flowers in her hair appeared, looking rather bored.
[Traptrix Dionaea (4*/1700/1100/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]
"And with the effect of Dionaea, I can revive a "Traptrix" monster in Defense Position. Return, Traptrix Myrmeleo!" The white-haired girl reappeared on the field. "And since Myrmeleo was Special Summoned, I can destroy a Spell or Trap card on the field! I will destroy your Branded Lost, so I can respond to your Fusion Summons!" The Continuous Spell was shattered by Myrmeleo as she dashed forward, before returning back to Nue's field. "I will overlay the Level 4 Myrmeleo, Dionaea and Nepenthes!"
The three monsters turned into streams of flower petals, flying upwards.
"Beautiful worker that assists the alluring forest of the tricksters, arise now and revive the darkness that dwells in the forest! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Traptrix Allomerus!"
The red-haired girl dressed in black appeared with a playful smile—completely at odds with Nue's scowl.
[Traptrix Allomerus (R4/2200/600/EARTH/Insect/Xyz/Effect) (OU:3)]
"Interesting," Shino said. "That's the one that revives monsters from your graveyard, right? But you currently have no Level 4 Insect or Plant monsters in your graveyard."
"... you really do know my cards' effects." Nue pinched her nose. "Then let me show you something that goes beyond any data that Academia has ever been able to find on me." She revealed a card. "Rank-Up-Magic Tantalizing Force!"
"Rank Up?" Both Mion and Shino gasped in unison.
Nue glanced at the card she was holding, pinching her nose.
You gave this to me. Before any of this, before our homeland was reduced to nothing but ashes, you gave this to me.
Everyone in Heartland is mine. My people to protect, my people that I will take vengeance for.
But more than them…
Yuto. Kaito. Ruri.
And you.
I am selfish. I am possessive. I know that… and so do all of you.
But my possessiveness exists in the form of protectiveness.
Isn't it the same for you?
Eight months ago:
"Rank-Up-Magic?" Nue blinked, glancing at the card that Shun had handed to her. "Similar to your specialty, right? Not sure it would suit me. I'm content with my Rank 4 monsters…"
"Yuto already knows how to Rank Up," Shun pointed out. "If you have a Rank Up, it makes your deck more versatile—you have an answer to cards that might specifically lock lower Ranks down. Your deck lacks actual offensive power, even though it's a pain to fight." Nue couldn't help but smirk at that. "It's not a good thing, don't look so smug."
"Ah, you know that it's fun to watch."
Shun rolled his eyes. He pushed the card into his hands. "I asked Kaito's father to teach me how to make cards," he said. "I made that for you. Along with this." He revealed an Xyz Monster. "Happy birthday, Nue."
Nue took the card as well. She couldn't help but smile. She met his gaze. "Well, if you've gone to this amount of effort for me, I won't reject you." She took the cards, reading through them again. "Gaining a bit of firepower might be nice. I might think of you every time I use it though. It's like you've put in a reminder of yourself in my deck."
Shun didn't reply. When Nue looked back at him, he was glancing away. Aww, was he shy?
… so was she.
She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Purely platonic for now, but they both understood the hidden meaning behind it.
"I know I'm joking a lot, but I do appreciate it, Shun," she said. "Thank you."
She stood up, heading towards the door.
"Nue."
Nue stopped at the door.
"We're going to become pro duelists," Shun continued. "All of us, but you and Kaito have always been my greatest rivals. So, when we finally graduate…" He glanced away, his cheeks going slightly red. "Will you…" He lapsed into silence, his usually stoic expression on his face.
Nue understood. She replied, when it became clear that he was too nervous to speak up.
"... when you defeat me in a tournament, I'll consider it," Nue said. She smirked at him. "I would never make things easy for you."
"Even after I gave you a card to make you stronger?"
"Especially because of that," Nue said. She smiled enigmatically.
Isn't that why you like me? Because of how different our styles are, but how strong we both are?
Isn't that why I like you too? Because you're protective and yet still so kind?
In the present:
Nue sighed.
Those days feel so far behind us. Now, you're charging in ahead to find Ruri, while I want to protect Yuto, no matter the cost. Our younger siblings, who love each other—
Is that another reason why we couldn't say it?
Because we wanted to make sure that our siblings were happy. Because if they weren't happy together, we would pick our siblings over each other. So it was best that we didn't speak up for now.
Even so…
I still want to duel you in a tournament.
But to do that…
First, I will crush Academia beneath my feet.
"With the effect of Rank-Up-Magic Tantalizing Force, I will target a Plant or Insect Xyz Monster I control, and use it as material to Xyz Summon an Insect or Plant monster that is one Rank higher! I will target Traptrix Allomerus and Rank her up!" Allomerus turned into a brown sphere of light, the three orbs of light that had been orbiting her flying alongside her into the Overlay Network. "Tricksters, let your mind bloom with the brightness of the deceiving flower, and evolve into the hungry devil that longs for chaos! Rank-Up-Xyz-Change! Rank 5! Traptrix Cephalotus!"
A girl with dark green hair appeared. She was holding two green fans in her hands that resembled the leaves of a cephalotus plant. She was sitting within the mouth of a cephalotus, a slight smirk on her face, as she twirled a fan through the air. She was wearing a grass skirt and a yellow tunic, and she had a crown of flowers in her hair.
[Traptrix Cephalotus (R5/2800/0/EARTH/Plant/Xyz/Effect) (OU:4)]
"Nice!" Shino called.
"Since Traptrix Cephalotus was Xyz Summoned, I can first attach Rank-Up-Magic Tantalizing Force to her as an Overlay Unit," Nue said.
[Traptrix Cephalotus: OU:4 + 1 = OU:5]
"Then, when Cephalotus is Xyz Summoned, I can send cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard, up to the number of Overlay Units she has. Then, for each of the "Traptrix" monsters and Normal Traps sent to the graveyard by this effect, she gains 200 attack points!" Five cards fell off the top of Nue's deck, and she revealed them. "Two monsters, two Traps. Cephalotus gains 800 attack points."
[Traptrix Cephalotus: 2800 + 200 x 4 = 3600ATK]
"And Myojin's cards gain Spell Counters."
[Mythical Beast Master Cerberus: Spell Counter(s): 4]
[Mythical Beast Medusa: Spell Counter(s): 1]
[Magister of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]
"Cephalotus attacks Aluber!" A vine lashed out.
"I will remove two Spell Counters from my field," Mion called. "One from Medusa and one from Magister. And then, I will use Medusa's effect to halve your monster's attack and defense points!"
[Aluber the Jester of Despia: 1800 / 2 = 900ATK; 0 / 2 = 0DEF]
[Magister of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 0]
[Mythical Beast Medusa: Spell Counter(s): 0]
"So you've changed this attack to a lethal attack." Shino giggled. "Not bad! Guess I'll have to guard. Discarding Sphere Kuriboh to change your monster to Defense Position." Cephalotus shifted into Defense Position. Nue frowned.
Cephalotus is meant to attack… I guess I'll have to guard against her next Battle Phase. It's a pity I couldn't end it this turn.
"I'll set a card and end my turn," Nue said.
"I will activate the effect of Masquerade the Blazing Dragon in my graveyard," Shino called. "Since you control an Xyz Monster, I can revive it!" In front of her, the dark red dragon appeared.
"I will activate the effect of Traptrix Cephalotus," Nue replied. "When a monster is Normal or Special Summoned, I can detach 2 Overlay Units from her and banish a "Hole" Normal Trap from my graveyard that fits its activation conditions! Then, I can copy that Trap's effect! I will banish Deep Dark Trap Hole! When Level 5 or higher monsters are Special Summoned, I can banish those monsters face-up! I will banish Masquerade the Blazing Dragon! Avaricious Pitfall!" The dragon was dragged back into a dark void. After all, if she just destroyed it, Shino could just bring it back on the next turn.
[Traptrix Cephalotus: OU:5 - 2 = OU:3]
"I will once again end my turn," Nue said.
Shino chuckled. "... man! I knew this was going to be a losing battle from the get go, but it's so painfully overwhelming to stand in your presence. How'd Xyz lose so badly with you around?"
"We haven't lost," Nue said defiantly. "Our Heartland will rise up once again—we will never give in!"
"... I admire that," Shino said. "Truly, I do… and it's not even like I want to use this strength of mine for these awful things."
"... why does someone like you fight for Academia?" Nue asked. "I sense no sadism from you, unlike your allies. No hostility, no cruelty, no genuine malice and condescension. What does someone like you have to gain from this?"
Shino's smile became smaller. "... what do you know about Academia?" She asked.
Nue tensed up, clearly ready to take back her question. She was not interested in learning about the backstory of their invaders. However, Shino simply continued on.
"Sora and I are from the Outer Islands of the Fusion Dimension. Academia is offshore from the largest landmass continent, Domino City, and the Outer Islands are other settlements that lie on islands further away from Academia. A long time ago, before the Professor came to Academia, our dimension was at war with itself—the settlements were all at war with each other in particular, and Domino City was profiting off the war by selling powerful cards to all sides."
Shino sighed.
"There was battle everywhere no matter where you tried to escape to. The people in our dimension fought with actual weapons alongside cards. Knives and bombs and setting fire to entire towns." She tilted her head to the side, her smile finally fading for the first time since they had first seen this girl here. "The Professor stopped all the wars, unifying everyone together, sharing Real Solid Vision. Everyone was unified under a single leader… and that was him. It was a fanatical type of loyalty that he inspired, both from adults and children who were just tired of the war and wanted it to stop. The only people that didn't like him were the leaders of Domino City, who had lost the capability to profit off the war, but they shut up pretty quickly when he started up the equivalent of a personal military school."
Mion frowned. So that was the story behind the Fusion Dimension?
"The Professor only began staying in Academia full-time around three years ago, but he first started visiting our dimension around ten years ago." Shino glanced at her hands. "To a lot of the others there, he's a hero. Sora certainly thinks so. He doesn't talk about it a lot, but neither of us have parents anymore. He watched his own house burned to the ground, his parents screaming from within it. I was the one that took his hand and dragged him out of danger. We had to leave our own parents to die for the sake of survival. To him, the Professor was the one who gave him a chance to be strong enough to win, in a way that we weren't back then. That's why he's practically fanatical about Academia's goals."
"And what are Academia's goals?"
"To fuse the six dimensions together," Shino answered without hesitation. "According to the Professor, it will create a utopia."
A utopia… for a bunch of traumatised kids, that might sound like heaven.
"And for that utopia, you all destroyed my homeland?" Nue snarled. "Heartland did nothing wrong!"
"... I never went to Heartland," Shino said. She chuckled. "But if I had, I might have defected. I hate the very idea of war." She gestured around them. "I'm here because I wanted to meet the two of you, and I also wanted to bail out Sora if he got in trouble. And I also have a few too many people that I care for at Academia, so I'm afraid that even if I want to, I can't walk away."
"... in that case," Nue said, "I don't despise you quite as much. But I still despise you. Bystanders are also guilty." Her eyes were harsh. "No matter how much of a tragedy your backstories were, it doesn't give you the right to make our lives a tragedy too!"
"... no one has the right to hurt another," Shino said. She closed her eyes. "I just want to stay by the side of the people I care for. And I want to make sure that less people are hurt by them. They're all children at Academia, you know."
"So were we!" Nue shouted.
Shino shook her head. "I don't mean—of course you're still children. None of us are proper adults yet. None of us should have to deal with any of this… that's what I believe, at least. But Academia's children have the minds of children. Caught up in simplicity, caught up in this black and white view of the world we live in. 'The Professor is just, Academia is just, anyone else who Academia targets deserves it.' That's how they think." She waved a hand through the air. "Their trauma and fear trapped them in that childish way of thinking. And well, Academia's indoctrinating techniques didn't do them any good. It'd take a lot of work to change their minds."
"Then, why don't you think like that?" Mion replied. There was something devastating about the thought of a world that had dragged children into its wars. She was glad that her… world? Her world had never had to deal with anything like that. She thought about Shingo being subject to something like that, and it filled her with white hot rage. "If it's truly how everyone else there thinks…"
"... because I don't believe that a utopia can exist," Shino said, smiling rather honestly. "There is no such thing as perfection. There is only suffering, and laughing, and then suffering again, until you can't breathe at all. There is no perfect world where everyone could coexist. Human ideals cannot coexist."
She shrugged.
"And because of that, I can say that I don't believe in Academia's goals. And well, one loose thread led to another, and now I'm just here fighting because if I leave, I'll have to cut down my friends someday. And even if this is wrong, even if this is not how dueling should be used… I want to at least keep the few remaining loved ones that I have safe."
She drew a card.
[Turn 5: Shino] [H:2]
She cracked a smile.
"It's really a shame that this is how our duel has to end," she said. "I really, really wanted to take my time and enjoy myself here…" She revealed the card in her hand. "But work comes before pleasure, I suppose. Master Cerberus's attack points go back to normal, since an opponent's turn has ended."
[Mythical Beast Master Cerberus: 5300 - 2500 = 2800ATK]
"Spell Card, Graceful Charity. I will draw three cards and discard two cards." She cycled out her hand. "I will activate the effect of Despian Tragedy in my graveyard. By banishing it from the graveyard, I will set a "Branded" Spell or Trap from my graveyard to my field. I will set and activate Branded Lost."
The Continuous Spell reappeared on her field. Nue let out an annoyed hiss.
"I will then banish Branded Retribution from my graveyard, which I discarded last turn, and add another "Branded" Spell or Trap from my graveyard to my hand." Shino revealed the card. "Branded in Pacifistic Lament. I do not control Fallen of Albaz. Thus, I will send a card from my hand to the graveyard to draw three cards. Then, I will reveal "Branded Fusion" in my hand, so that I don't have to discard all the cards in my hand." She revealed another card. "Continuous Spell, Branded in Central Dogmatika."
She picked out another card from her graveyard. Alright, did all her cards have graveyard effects? This was getting ridiculous.
"I will activate the effect of Albion the Shrouded Dragon. I will send a "Branded" Spell or Trap from my deck to the graveyard, and shuffle Albion into the Deck to draw a card." Shino swiped up the new card, grinning.
She placed down another card.
"Spell Card, Branded Fusion. I can Fusion Summon a monster that uses "Fallen of Albaz" as Fusion Material using materials from my hand, field or deck, but this turn, I can only Special Summon Fusion Monsters from the Extra Deck, and no other type of monster." Two cards slid out of her deck. "I will fuse Fallen of Albaz and Albion the Shrouded Dragon in my deck."
So she wanted it back in the deck for that effect?
"The bright red jester and the brave warrior with the power of dragons. Now, bathed in the flames of rebirth, have your power become one, and let the boiling magic roar more intensely! Fusion Summon! Level 8—Alba-Lenatus the Abyss Dragon!"
A scarlet dragon with some black scales forming a contrasting darkness on its body appeared. It glowed like fire. Holding its large claws up, it let out a loud, ferocious roar.
[Alba-Lenatus the Abyss Dragon (8*/2500/2500/DARK/Dragon/Fusion/Effect)]
"When a Fusion Monster is Special Summoned by a Spell card or effect while I control Branded in Central Dogmatika, it gains attack points equal to its original attack points," Shino said cheerfully.
[Alba-Lenatus the Abyss Dragon: 2500 + 2500 = 5000ATK]
"However, it can only attack monsters who are in Attack Position."
"So you're planning on taking out Myojin?" Nue said.
"Of course not," Shino said with a giggle. "I'd be screwed if I tried to attack while you still had that monster on the field. Who knows if you have a way to give it more Overlay Units. Plus, you still have Trap Hole of Spikes in your graveyard!" She gestured to her field. "I'll go for the safer route. Branded Lost allows me to add Fallen of Albaz from my deck to my hand. And I will Normal Summon Fallen of Albaz!"
[Fallen of Albaz (4*/1800/0/DARK/Dragon/Effect)]
The dragon appeared on her field. Nue frowned. That was the card that every single one of Shino's cards seemed to mention… and she had mentioned that her two oldest cards were Aluber and Albaz, huh?
"I will activate Cephalotus's effect," she declared. "I will detach two Overlay Units from her and copy Nightmare Trap Hole's effect in the graveyard by banishing it! I will destroy Fallen of Albaz and Aluber the Jester of Despia!" There was no point in targeting Alba-Lenatus, since her other set card was…
[Traptrix Cephalotus: OU:3 - 2 = OU:1]
Shino broke into a smile.
"I'm aware," she said as her monsters were destroyed. "That's why I didn't use its effect yet."
She put down a card.
"Either way, that's the last time you can use Cephalotus's effect. Plus, you can no longer respond to effects that would Fusion Summon a monster. I will activate Branded in White. I will banish Fallen of Albaz and Titaniklad the Ash Dragon from my graveyard to Fusion Summon!" The two monsters turned into bright swirls that flew out of her graveyard. "This one's my favourite!"
Both Nue and Mion tensed up.
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Cruel ice bleeds into the empty glass. Reflections. Empty fighting. A cold grip. Submerge in the frozen jade, young legend, and forbid entry to the unworthy! Fusion Summon. Level 8! Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon!" A bright, crystalline blue dragon appeared, its entire body seeming to be made of ice crystals. Bloody red lines covered some parts of the crystals, the same red as the eyes of the dragon itself. It was an imposing, regal creature.
[Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon (8*/3000/2500/DARK/Wyrm/Fusion/Effect)]
So this monster was Shino's ace?
… she couldn't use Titanocider's graveyard effect, since Branded Lost was on the field.
"And now, let's go into the Battle Phase," Shino said. "Once per turn, I can send a Fusion Monster which mentions "Fallen of Albaz" from my Extra Deck to the graveyard. Then, I can banish a monster from the field. I will choose your Cephalotus!"
"While Traptrix Cephalotus has Overlay Units, you cannot target any "Traptrix" monster I control with a card effect," Nue replied.
Shino grinned. "Oh, what an amazing effect! But sorry, it's useless against me." She raised a finger. "For one very simple reason—Mirrorjade's effect does not target." She snapped her fingers. "Reflection Implosion!"
… damn it.
I'm sorry that I couldn't protect the monster you gave me, Shun.
Next time, I will do better.
Her monster was banished, shattering into pieces of glass, as though it was simply a 2D painting of stained glass.
Shino pointed towards Mion. "Alba-Lenatus will attack Medusa. And he can attack once for each of his materials. So? Will you use its effect?"
Mion's monsters were glittering with Spell Counters now, considering that five Spells had been activated so far.
[Mythical Beast Master Cerberus: Spell Counter(s): 14]
[Mythical Beast Medusa: Spell Counter(s): 5]
[Magister of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 5]
"... I will remove two Spell Counters from itself to use Medusa's effect." Mion said. She was personally surprised. This duel was possibly one of the most complicated scenarios she had been in, considering that she and Nue were both counterplay duelists.
The fact that Shino had even been able to make a move against the two of them was, to put it bluntly, astonishing.
"I will halve Mirrorjade's attack and defense points until the End Phase. Petrifying Lash!"
At that proclamation, both Nue and Shino shot her a confused look.
[Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon: 3000 / 2 = 1500ATK; 2500 / 2 = 1250DEF]
[Mythical Beast Medusa: Spell Counter(s): 3]
Medusa, however, was still destroyed by Alba-Lenatus's attack, and Mion's life points fell. Mythical Institution did gain two Spell Counters, since her "Mythical Beast" monster was destroyed.
Mion: 4000 - 3500 = 500LP
[Mythical Institution: Spell Counter(s): 2]
"Ok, I have to ask," Nue said after a moment. "What the fuck was that, Myojin?"
"Seconded," Shino said, somehow looking just as offended as Nue.
Mion cleared her throat. "If I had halved Alba-Lenatus's attack points, I would have taken 1000 damage from that attack, and then 1600 from an attack on Servant," she pointed out. "But her only monster that can attack directly is Mirrorjade. Thus, by halving Mirrorjade's attack points…"
"You were trying to stop her from defeating me this turn," Nue said, sounding exasperated. "Since my life points are exactly 3000. You were guaranteeing my survival. Are all Standard duelists this naive?"
"Maybe that's their character flaw." Shino said, shaking her head. "But, Nue Kamisoka, you have no right to talk. Or was that suicidal Titanocider play at the start of the duel not born from your intent to shield her from harm?"
Nue lapsed into silence. "Not nearly as self-sacrificial of a play as this," she said.
"Correct!" Shino gestured to Master Cerberus. "But I accept this sacrifice, Mion Myojin! If you're willing to lose so that your partner has the chance to defeat me, that's fine by me! Alba-Lenatus attacks your Master Cerberus! Chaotic Fused Hellfire!" Another blast of hellfire shot down at her.
A cold voice spoke up.
"Unlike her, I do not accept your sacrifice, Mion Myojin."
Nue rubbed her forehead, before she revealed her facedown card.
"Trap Card," she called. "Ring of Destruction. I will destroy Alba-Lenatus the Abyss Dragon and inflict damage to its attack points to all of us!"
A large ring of bombs appeared, blowing up Alba-Lenatus and flinging all of them back. Shino's wheelchair luckily kept her up this time.
Shino: 2700 - 5000 = 0LP
Nue: 3000 - 5000 = 0LP
Mion: 500 - 5000 = 0LP
DRAW!
"... I could have destroyed Master Cerberus and won with 200 life points to spare," Nue pointed out. She stood up, facing towards Mion, who had also been knocked to the ground. "Do you know why I didn't?"
Mion looked back at her.
"No one in this world is allowed to sacrifice themselves for me, Mion Myojin," Nue continued. "In war, if your life points fall to zero, you will be carded. Even if the duel hasn't ended. Therefore, I would rather end the duel with no victory for anyone, than for anyone to lose while someone else wins! Never sacrifice yourself for anyone else. Whether or not you think you'll win in the end, live!"
"... you could have used Ring of Destruction from the start," Mion said. "Youcould also have destroyed Cephalotus with my Trap Card before she got to play a card, and left me as the only one standing. Why…"
"Because I am never going to leave anyone behind to die, but I will also never choose to die myself," Nue said. "If you duel by my side, you are mine to protect! So don't you dare try to lose in front of me."
Mion breathed out slowly.
There was quiet, bell-like laughter.
"A draw, huh? I guess that's… telling." Shino folded her arms. "But tell me, Nue-chan, Mion-chan. To fight so selflessly… where will that get you?"
"... what are you implying?" Mion said with a frown.
"Oh, I'm not insulting you. I could never." Shino seemed genuine in her words. "I envy you, in a way. I don't know a single person in Academia who would really sacrifice themselves like that for me, or for one another… and the two of you would do it even for a stranger. But… no matter how strong you all are together, no matter how much you defend other people… if you die, it's always on your own."
She glanced away.
"I guess what I'm saying is that I've taken a shine to both of you!" She smiled brightly. "So don't die. I want to duel you again, on this battlefield."
"... if I meet you again," Nue said, "I will card you."
"Ooh, scary." Shino winked. "Well, getting killed by you might be fun too. I wouldn't pick any other person to do it. See you around, Nue-chan, Mion-chan! Oh, and since I didn't get to see him, tell Yuno-kun hi! I'll be sure to repay him for that match in the Link Dimension–with my true strength this time."
Shino vanished in a flash of light, and Mion stood there, caught in her own emotions for a moment.
To have enough awareness to break from dogma, but to fight on the wrong side knowingly because everyone you loved was there…
"She's the most awful one of them all," Nue said, and she did not elaborate.
To understand that something was wrong and do it anyway…
Nue couldn't understand it.
"Kamisoka—"
"Just call me Nue," Nue said, rolling her eyes.
"Nue. What was that?"
"I don't know," Nue said. She glanced at her duel disk. "... I'm just glad it's over. That girl… she was an imposing force. I don't even know if Yuto could have taken her down."
Yes. Mion had felt the strength of that girl. And if there was anyone else on the same level as her here…
"Let's find the rest," Mion said, and she rushed off, Nue right behind her.
"Hey."
"... it's you." The young man in the park looked up. "You're the one that heard me talking to my dragons…"
"Yes." The young woman sat on the park bench next to him. "You're not here with that pretty friend of yours today, huh?"
"No. She's mad at me."
The young woman blinked. "Why?"
"I forgot our friendship anniversary," the young man said. "So now she's ignoring me."
"Tsk. Aren't friendship anniversaries important to humans? I can see why she's mad at you."
The young man huffed. "At least my dragons are never mad at me."
"That's true. Duel Monsters are far more accepting from humans."
"That's right! You never showed me yours though."
"I didn't… I guess I didn't."
The young man laughed. "Well, we've only met once before this, right? I don't think we've even exchanged our names. If R_ was here, she'd yell at me. I'm Z_. And you?"
"... does my name matter?"
"Well, we're going to be friends, aren't we?"
"I guess we are." The young woman hesitated. "... then I guess, I'll tell you my name. Don't go telling it to anyone else, ok?"
And he never did.
Duel 1 Summary: Hitoda Makishima & Yuto Kamisoka vs Obelisk Force Red, Yellow, Green
Duel Format: Battle Royale
Turn 1: Hitoda Makishima
Hitoda Normal Summons Eda the Sun Magician (4*/1500/1500) from her hand. With Eda's effect, she sets Aussa the Earth Charmer (3*/500/1500) from her Deck to her field in facedown Defense Position. She activates the Field Spell, Secret Village of the Spellcasters. While she controls a Spellcaster monster, her opponents cannot activate Spell Cards. She sets 2 cards and ends her turn.
Turn 2: Yuto Kamisoka
Yuto sets five cards facedown and ends his turn.
Turn 3: Obelisk Force Red
Red Normal Summons Antique Gear Hound Dog. (3*/1000/1000) With its effect, he inflicts 600 damage to Hitoda. [HM: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP] Yuto activates the Trap Card, The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace, Special Summoning it as a monster in Defense Position. (2*/600/0) Hound Dog attacks Lost Vambrace, but Lost Vambrace cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. Red sets 1 card and ends his turn.
Turn 4: Obelisk Force Green
Green Normal Summons Antique Gear Wyvern. (4*/1700/1200) With its effect, he adds an "Antique Gear" card to his hand. Hitoda uses Eda's effect, flipping up Aussa the Earth Charmer into face-up Defense Position. Aussa's effect lets Hitoda take control of Wyvern. Green sets 1 card and ends turn.
Turn 5: Obelisk Force Yellow
Yellow Normal Summons Antique Gear Hound Dog. Activates Hound Dog's effect. [HM: 3400 - 600 = 2800LP] Author loses sanity. Hitoda activates Unpossessed. Yellow ends turn.
Turn 6: Hitoda Makishima
Hitoda draws. She activates the Continuous Spell, Awakening of the Possessed. Using Aussa and Antique Gear Wyvern, she Link Summons Aussa the Earth Charmer, Immovable. (L2/1850/↙, ↘) With Awakening of the Possessed, she draws a card. She uses Aussa's effect to revive Antique Gear Wyvern to her field. She activates Graceful Charity, drawing 3 and discarding 2. She activates Scroll of Bewitchment, changing Eda's Attribute to LIGHT. Using Wyvern and Eda, she Link Summons Lyna the Light Charmer, Lustrous. (L2/1850/↙, ↘) She activates her set Trap Card, Possessed Partnerships, Special Summoning Familiar-Possessed - Dharc (4*/1850/1500) from her graveyard to the field in Attack Position. Since she controls two or more monsters, Possessed Partnerships lets her destroy a card on the field. She chooses Yellow's Hound Dog. Awakening of the Possessed grants all of her monsters 300 ATK for each Attribute she controls. (ATECI: 1850 + 900 = 2750ATK) (LTLCL: 1850 + 900 = 2750ATK) (FPD: 1850 + 900 = 2750ATK) Aussa attacks Red's Hound Dog. Unpossessed grants it 800 more ATK. (ATECI: 2750 + 800 = 3550ATK) [OFR: 4000 - 2550 = 1450LP] Lyna attacks Yellow directly, Dharc attacks Red directly. [OFY: 4000 - 2750 = 1250LP] [OFR: 1450 - 2750 = 0LP] Hitoda sets 1 card and ends her turn.
Turn 7: Yuto Kamisoka
Yuto activates the Trap Cards, The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield and The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine, Special Summoning them as monsters. Using the two of them and Lost Vambrace as material, he Link Summons The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche. (L3/2100/↙, ↘, →) He sends The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves from his Deck to the GY for Rusty Bardiche's effect, setting a "Phantom Knights" Spell/Trap from his deck to his field. He activates the Trap Card, The Phantom Knights of Dark Gauntlets. He sends Phantom Knights' Sword from his Deck to the GY, and banishes it to revive Ragged Gloves. (3*/1000/500) He Normal Summons Ancient Cloak. He changes Ancient Cloak to Defense Position and increases Rusty Bardiche's ATK by 800. (TPKORB: 2100 + 800 = 2900ATK) He overlays Ancient Cloak and Ragged Gloves to Xyz Summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword. (R3/2000/1000/OU:2) Break Sword gains 1000ATK with Ragged Gloves's effect. (TPKOBS: 2000 + 1000 = 3000ATK) Rusty Bardiche destroys Green's set card with its effect. Rusty Bardiche attacks Yellow directly. [OFY: 1250 - 2900 = 0LP] Break Sword attacks Green directly. [OFG: 4000 - 3000 = 1000LP]
Hitoda activates Possessed Partnerships. She Special Summons Aussa the Earth Charmer from her GY in Defense Position and destroys Break Sword. Break Sword's effect revives Ancient Cloak and Ragged Gloves. Ancient Cloak attacks directly. [OFG: 1000 - 1000 = 0LP] Yuto and Hitoda win!
Duel 2 Summary: Shino Gitsune vs Nue Kamisoka & Mion Myojin
Duel Format: Battle Royale
(I wrote this duel summary a whole day after I wrote the duel. Help. Spell Counters are so difficult to track.)
Turn 1: Nue Kamisoka
Nue Normal Summons Traptrix Myrmeleo (4*/1600/1200) from her hand. She adds a "Hole" Trap from her Deck to her hand with Myrmeleo's effect. She sets 3 cards. She uses Myrmeleo to Link Summon Traptrix Sera (L1/800/↓) and ends her turn.
Turn 2: Shino Gitsune
Shino activates Branded in Pacifistic Lament. She sends 1 card from her hand to the GY to draw 3 cards, and reveals Albion the Shrouded Dragon in her hand to keep her cards. She activates the Continuous Spell, Branded Lost, stopping Nue from responding to the Fusion Summons of her monsters, or effects that would Fusion Summon a monster. She activates the Spell Card, Branded in White, fusing Despian Tragedy and Albion the Shrouded Dragon in her hand to Fusion Summon Despian Quaeritis. (8*/2500/2000) She uses Tragedy's effect to add another "Despia" monster to her hand, and she uses Branded Lost's effect to add a monster that mentions "Fallen of Albaz" from her Deck to her hand. She Special Summons Blazing Cartesia, the Virtuous (4*/1500/1500) from her hand, since she has Albion the Shrouded Dragon in her graveyard, who is treated as Fallen of Albaz. With Blazing Cartesia's effect, she fuses her with Aluber the Jester of Despia (4*/1800/0) from her hand to Fusion Summon Masquerade the Blazing Dragon. (8*/2500/2000) While she controls Masquerade, her opponents must pay 600LP to activate cards or effects. Quaeritis's effect reduces the attack points of all monsters on the field, except Level 8 or higher Fusion Monsters, to 0 until the End Phase. (TS: 800 - 0ATK) Despian Quaeritis attacks Sera.
Nue activates Trap Hole of Spikes to destroy Quaeritis. [NK: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP] Shino activates Branded Vision, Special Summoning Albion the Shrouded Dragon from her graveyard, before banishing it and Quaeritis to Fusion Summon Titaniklad the Ash Dragon. (8*/2500/2000) Titaniklad gains 100 ATK x the total Levels of monsters used for its Fusion Summon. (TTAD: 2500 + 100 x 16 = 4100ATK) Nue pays 600LP to activate Traptrix Sera's effect, Special Summoning Traptrix Nepenthes (4*/800/2000) from her Deck in Defense Position. [NK: 3400 - 600 = 2800LP] Titaniklad attacks Sera. Nue activates Life-Sucking Trap Hole. She destroys Titaniklad and gains LP equal to its ATK. Nepenthes lets her add a "Traptrix" monster to her hand, and Sera sets a "Hole" Normal Trap to her field. [NK: 2800 + 4100 - 600 x 3 = 5100LP] Masquerade attacks and destroys Sera. [NK: 5100 - 2500 = 2600LP] Shino ends her turn. With the effect of Titaniklad in the graveyard, she Special Summons Dogmatika Fleurdelis, the Knighted (8*/2500/2500) from her deck in Attack Position. With Cartesia's effect, since a Fusion Monster was sent to the graveyard, Shino can add her back to her hand.
Turn 3: Mion Myojin
Mion Normal Summons Mythical Beast Jackal. (1*/S4/0/1400) Nue activates Titanocider, permanently changing Masquerade's ATK to 0 and negating its effects. [NK: 2600 - 600 = 2000LP] Mion sets Servant of Endymion and Magister of Endymion in the Pendulum Scales. Jackal, Servant and Magister gain 1 Spell Counter when a Spell is activated. Mion activates Upstart Goblin, drawing 1 card and giving Mion 1000LP. [NK: 2000 + 1000 = 3000LP] By removing 3 Spell Counters from Jackal and tributing him, Mion Special Summons Mythical Beast Master Cerberus (8*/S4/2800/2800) from her Deck in Attack Position. She activates the Continuous Spell, Mythical Institution. Master Cerberus gains 2 Spell Counters with each Spell Card. By removing 3 Spell Counters from Servant of Endymion, Mion Special Summons Servant from the Pendulum Scale in Attack Position, and Mythical Beast Medusa (4*/S4/1500/1500) from her Deck in Attack Position. Servant no longer gains Spell Counters when Spells are activated while in the Monster Zone. Medusa gains 1 Spell Counter when Spells are activated. Servant's effect resolves, placing 1 Spell Counter on Medusa and Servant.
Mion removes 4 Spell Counters from her field—two from Magister, one from Servant and one from Medusa—to use Master Cerberus's effect, banishing Fleurdelis from the field and gaining ATK equal to Fleurdelis's ATK. (MBMC: 2800 + 2500 = 5300ATK) Master Cerberus attacks Masquerade, destroying it. [SG: 8000 - 5300 = 2700LP] Since a Fusion Monster was destroyed by battle, Shino revives Aluber the Jester of Despia in Attack Position. Mion ends her turn.
- Mythical Beast Master Cerberus: Spell Counter(s): 2
- Mythical Beast Medusa: Spell Counter(s): 0
- Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 0
- Magister of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 0
Turn 4: Nue Kamisoka
Nue draws. She Normal Summons Traptrix Dionaea (4*/1700/1100) She revives Traptrix Myrmeleo, and with Myrmeleo's effect, she destroys Branded Lost. She overlays Dionaea, Myrmeleo and Nepenthes to Xyz Summon Traptrix Allomerus. (R4/2200/600/OU:3) She activates the Spell Card, Rank-Up-Magic Tantalizing Force. She Ranks Up Allomerus into Traptrix Cephalotus. (R5/2800/0/OU:5) With Cephalotus's effect, she sends a card from the top of her Deck to the GY for each Xyz Material Cephalotus has, and Cephalotus gains 200ATK for each "Traptrix" monster or Normal Trap sent to the GY. Four out of five cards fit the criteria. (TC: 2800 + 200 x 4 = 3600ATK) Cephalotus attacks Aluber. Mion removes a Spell Counter from Medusa and Magister to use Medusa's effect, halving Aluber's ATK until the End Phase. (ATJOD: 1800 / 2 = 900ATK) Shino discards Sphere Kuriboh, changing Cephalotus to Defense Position. Nue sets 1 card and ends her turn. During her End Phase, Shino revives Masquerade the Blazing Dragon since there's an Xyz Monster on the field. Nue detaches two Overlay Units from Cephalotus and banishes Deep Dark Trap Hole from the GY to trigger its effect. (TC: OU:5 - 2 = OU:3) She banishes Masquerade. Her turn comes to an end.
- Mythical Beast Master Cerberus: Spell Counter(s): 4
- Mythical Beast Medusa: Spell Counter(s): 0
- Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 0
- Magister of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 0
Turn 5: Shino Gitsune
This turn gave me five heart attacks. Help. The sheer amount of cards I had to keep track of…
Shino draws. She activates Graceful Charity, letting her draw three and discard two. She banishes Despian Tragedy to set Branded Lost back to her field. She activates it. She banishes Branded Retribution from the graveyard to add another "Branded" Spell/Trap from her GY to her hand. She adds and activates Branded in Pacifistic Lament to her hand, drawing 3 cards and discarding 2, before revealing Branded Fusion in her hand. She activates the Continuous Spell, Branded in Central Dogmatika. She sends a "Branded" Spell/Trap from her deck to the GY, shuffles Albion the Shrouded Dragon into the Deck and draws 1 card. She then activates Branded Fusion, fusing Fallen of Albaz (4*/1800/0) with Albion the Shrouded Dragon in her Deck, Fusion Summoning Alba-Lenatus the Abyss Dragon. (8*/2500/2000) Branded Lost lets Shino add Fallen of Albaz from her deck to her hand. Central Dogmatika gives Alba-Lenatus ATK equal to its original ATK, but it can only attack Attack Position monsters this turn. (ALTAD: 2500 + 2500 = 5000ATK) She Normal Summons Fallen of Albaz.
Nue activates Cephalotus's effect, banishing Nightmare Trap Hole and copying its effect, destroying Aluber and Albaz. (TC: OU:3 - 2 = OU:1) Shino activates Branded in White, banishing Titaniklad and Fallen of Albaz from the graveyard to Fusion Summon Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon. (8*/3000/2500) Shino uses Mirrorjade's effect, sending a Fusion Monster that mentions "Fallen of Albaz" from her Extra Deck to her graveyard to banish Cephalotus. Alba-Lenatus can attack monsters twice, since two Dragon monsters were used for its Fusion Summon. Alba-Lenatus attacks Medusa.
Mion activates Mythical Beast Medusa's effect, removing 2 Spell Counters from itself to halve Mirrorjade's ATK and DEF until the End Phase. (MTID: 3000 / 2 = 1500ATK) Medusa is destroyed by Alba-Lenatus's attack. [MM: 4000 - 3500 = 500LP] Mythical Institution gains 2 Spell Counters. Alba-Lenatus attacks Master Cerberus. Nue activates Ring of Destruction, destroying Alba-Lenatus and inflicting 5000 damage to all players. [MM: 500 - 5000 = 0LP] [SG: 2700 - 5000 = 0LP] [NK: 3000 - 5000 = 0LP] The duel ends in a draw.
OC Cards:
Branded in Pacifistic Lament
(Spell)
If you do not control "Fallen of Albaz": You can send 1 card from your hand to the GY; draw 3 cards, then, you must reveal a card that lists "Fallen of Albaz" in its card text, or "Fallen of Albaz", in your hand. If you cannot, send all cards in your hand to the GY.
Branded Vision
(Spell/Quickplay)
Special Summon 1 "Fallen of Albaz" from your GY, and immediately after this effect resolves, perform a Fusion Summon by banishing cards from your hand and/or field, but the Fusion Monster Fusion Summoned by this effect cannot declare a direct attack this turn.
Life-Sucking Trap Hole
(Trap)
If a monster that was Summoned this turn declares an attack while you control a Level 4 or Rank 4 monster: Destroy that monster, and if you do, gain LP equal to its ATK on the field.
Rank-Up-Magic Tantalizing Force
(Spell)
Target 1 Plant or Insect Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 Plant or Insect Xyz Monster that is 1 Rank higher than that monster you control, by using it as the Xyz Material, and if you do, attach this card to it as Xyz Material. (This Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon. Xyz Materials attached to it also become Xyz Materials on the Summoned monster.) If you control a "Traptrix" Xyz Monster: You can banish this card and 2 Normal Traps from your GY; draw 2 cards. You can only activate this effect of "Rank-Up-Magic Tantalizing Force" once per turn.
Traptrix Cephalotus
(R5/2800/0/EARTH/Plant/Xyz/Effect)
2 Level 5 monsters
If this card is Xyz Summoned: You can send cards from the top of your Deck to the GY, up to the number of Xyz Materials this card has, and if you do, this card you control gains 200 ATK for each "Traptrix" monster or Normal Trap sent to the GY. While this card has Xyz Material, all "Traptrix" monsters you control cannot be targeted by card effects. (Quick Effect) You can detach 2 Xyz Materials from this card; banish 1 "Hole" Normal Trap from your GY which meets its activation conditions, and if you do, this effect becomes that Trap Card's effect when that card is activated. You can only Xyz Summon "Traptrix Cephalotus" once per turn.
Nightmare Trap Hole
(Trap)
If you control only "Traptrix" monsters (min. 1) and have at least 1 "Hole" Normal Trap in your GY: Discard 1 card; destroy 2 monsters on the field. You can only activate 1 "Nightmare Trap Hole" per turn.
Different Card Effects from TCG:
Ring of Destruction - Anime effect.
End Notes:
Note: There's a bit of a rant at the end, specifically targeted towards a single Guest reviewer. I apologise for it—feel free to skip it.
We have a warm-up duel with Yuto, the one that feels far too much, and Hitoda, who feels nothing, and giving them some time to just chill. Yuto gets to win a duel without Dark Rebellion. My first fic on this website had Yuto basically as the protagonist, and I still have a soft spot for his character to this day. Also *slaps story* this can fit so many character interactions in it. I know my descriptions tend to be a lot longer than most fics, but I'm 90% sure that the story is so much longer because I can't stand writing a chapter with no meaningful character interaction. This chapter, back in the early stages of the story, was going to just be lore, but then I realised that Yuto was just sitting injured in the hospital, so I decided to let him talk to people and show off Rusty Bardiche a little earlier. I hope that I've done most of the Arc-V cast that has shown up so far justice. (Especially those who did nothing in canon Arc-V.)
Then, we get to the real meat of the story—and lore. *rubs hands together like a villain* So much lore.
We'll talk about the reasoning for this chapter's structure first. Showing off both Nue and Yuto using their Link Monsters for the first time in the same chapter was a nice touch. Shino doesn't have all the Dogmatika cards, etc. She just has one card from every Fallen of Albaz archetype. Nue was supposed to use Pinguicula here, but since the card's official translation isn't out yet, my policy is that I'm not using it. So instead, the Rank Up monster that I originally planned for the Synchro Arc shows up here. I won't comment on the flashback scene too much.
Then, Shino's explanation of what the Fusion Dimension is like is mostly original—since the Fusion Dimension's geography isn't properly explained, and I'm a world-building nerd, I decided to give it a bit of geopolitical background. Domino City is, in a way, the main trading hub of the Fusion Dimension, and the Outer Islands are less rich cities and nations that were in a constantly escalating war, while Domino City profited from it. Yes, the Fusion Dimension and Ritual Dimension both have a city called Domino City. That will be addressed later.
Mion and Nue actually make a deadly pair, and I didn't realise that until I wrote this duel. Nue stops any chance at field presence, and Mion can easily OTK afterwards. If they were facing anyone other than Shino "My Fusions can't be negated" Gitsune, their opponent would have been demolished instantaneously. Also, I don't know what keeps making me write Battle Royales when they feel objectively awful to write, but for how short this one is, I think it came out well.
Also, yes, Shun/Nue is a pairing. *clears throat* Disclaimer, this fic is not romance-centric. If there are pairings, I intend for them to not take over the story. And yes, I recognise the mild hilarity that Yuto and Ruri's older siblings have a crush on each other, but are still violently against them dating. There's an omake on that coming out soon. To be honest, I didn't intend to pair them up when I first planned out the story here, even though they were paired up in that other fic I mentioned that I'm never going to write. However, it kind of just… happened. Traptrix Cephalotus will get to show off its stuff in another duel, when Nue is not facing against two of the most annoying decks in this story.
This chapter was originally very different, and it's a bit clunky. Have mercy—it was a necessary evil. "I'm never writing a Battle Royale again," I say, even as I pen two more of them into my Synchro Arc outline. Admittedly, the Albaz Fusion Spell was created because I misread Branded in Red's effect and couldn't be bothered to rewrite everything starting from Turn 2. There's a lot of hidden easter eggs for future plot points in this one chapter, but for now, hope you enjoyed!
Now, for proper review responses! Thank you to everyone for all the reviews. :)
For HunterHQ, I never said that all the girls' bracelets have the same powers. I'll elaborate more when it's not a spoiler, but you'll figure out what each bracelet's power is as it becomes relevant. In this fic, I will say this very clearly now—Yuya is not the 'core' of Zarc. No counterpart of Zarc or Ray is more important than any of the others in this story. Fubuki Tenjoin exists in this story—Asuka has mentioned him a few times when she's shown up. So does Jounouchi. I won't elaborate on deck clashes until the characters appear in the story. Kaiba will not appear in this story. No reason other than the fact that the plot doesn't allow for him. Also, if I was writing Arc-V, I would have let Shun beat Leo Akaba up. That's the least of what that guy deserves. I will be treating him with some decency since my policy with this fic is that no one is one-dimensional—everyone is human, no one is fully good or evil, etc. However, my personal stance on him is that he's one of the worst villains ever written. You PMed me about some plot thread questions, but I can't answer any of those. I have no plans to use anything from either Rush Duel series. The decks are all certainly interesting, but I can't see a way to incorporate them. In this story, all six summoning methods existed in the United World from the get go. PSA to everyone, Links are just another Special Summoning method in this world, it's not different from the others in any way.
Also, if you're asking what other Yu-Gi-Oh! Series I'm interested in writing a fic for, it's GX or VRAINS at the moment.
To the Guest talking about how Zarc would revive, my policy from earlier chapters is that I won't talk about anything with regards to the fusing of the boys until it happens. Appreciate your theory though.
To LHOCIN, you're probably the most perceptive reader I have, and that's a compliment! You did guess the duel here very well. We will have an individual Ritual Dimension and Link Dimension arc, so we'll get more details on what's going on in Ritual later on. Right now, your Yu boys ranking is exactly correct, yes. It'll change up in the Synchro Arc though.
To DSpaceZ, I would argue that Empty Abyss isn't that broken! After all, unlike Starving Venom, which has Squid Drosera to let it attack multiple times, Empty Abyss can only attack once. Thus, even though it reduces all Special Summoned monsters' ATK to 0, it doesn't actually get to make use of that effect for more than one attack. Like I said, the other effect is the one that is broken. :) I remain confident that Magnetic Current's name is the single best pun in this entire fic, since your analysis is correct on what its name represents. Current being both water and electricity-based was fun. Also, slight correction—Empty Abyss Special Summons itself without a Ritual Spell. It still uses tributes.
To T.V.2000, don't sweat it! Welcome back. :D Yes, that fallen angel vibe was referencing Zarc somewhat. There is a Zarc trait that Yuji and Yuno have, but it's very much a spoiler, so I can't talk about it for now.
To naminexriku2468, yes, Serena would beat Chiaki in raw strength, but Chiaki would beat her in an actual street fight. That does give me ideas for a future omake though. Hope Yuno vs Yuji lives up to your expectations!
To the Guest asking about my favourite series, objectively, it's 5Ds. I have a soft spot for Arc-V because it's the first one I watched, but I rewatch 5Ds duels far more. I'll just give my favourite characters for each series though, since I think that's fun.
- DM: Seto Kaiba (how is this even a question) (I was so upset when I realised that my plot meant I couldn't add him ugh) (I do like Yugi but I like Kaiba more) (wow DM has so few characters)
- GX: Ryo Marufuji (duh), Asuka Tenjoin, Edo Phoenix (also duh)
- 5Ds: Aki Izayoi (also duh, have you seen my favouritism towards Plants), Sherry Leblanc, Antinomy/Bruno
- ZEXAL: (Um, this is hard) Ryoga Kamishiro, Kaito Tenjo, Rio Kamishiro (the first time I saw her duel against that plant cannon girl I lost my mind)
- Arc-V: Shun Kurosaki (meet the best character in Arc-V, ladies and gentlemen), Yuto, Yuri, Sora Shiun'in
- VRAINS: Revolver (was this even a question), Blue Angel, Akira Zaizen, Ghost Girl (so basically the fan favourites lmao)
To phantomdragons, thanks for your review! It was almost comical to go from Yuji vs Kyorin to this chapter's duels, since the emotional weight is so different, but I hope you enjoyed anyway!
To the Guest who I didn't see the review of before I posted this chapter, I don't intend on giving Ray the title of the Supreme Queen. It just doesn't make sense to me in the context of the lore of this story. My favourite OC so far is Chiaki. Getting to write her as a main character again is one of the main motivations for me to keep on writing until I reach the point where she returns to the main cast. Sure, you can vote in reviews. I'll be starting up that poll once I post Chapter 21.
Anyway, here's a question if you've made it this far! Since we're heading off to the Synchro Dimension soon, let's ask one that fits the theme—who's your favourite 5Ds character, and what's your favourite Synchro archetype? Mine is Aki, and my favourite Synchro Archetype is *ahem* Naturia.
Thank you for reading! Next chapter, we end the Maiami Championship. To most readers, feel free to skip the small rant below—it's very targeted towards one Guest, and I'd prefer not to spread negativity to you guys!
Rant alert!
There was a Guest comment that I ended up deleting because it was filled to the brim with the person swearing and insulting me for, in essence, not making Yuji an overpowered protagonist who was destroying everyone in his path. I usually don't delete any comments, so this marks the first and only time I've done that. Something about how Yuji should be a lot stronger than he currently is, that he should beat up Reiji and Yuri right now, and that he should be having a harem, that he should be evil of his own volition and have Zarc's memories. To that Guest reviewer, kindly stop projecting yourself onto my story. Quite frankly, I don't write this story for you to project yourself into the characters I create. If you want to write a fic like that, sure. I don't judge anyone's tastes in fics—we're all writing for our own sake, and we all enjoy reading different fics. (And I'm not insulting anyone who genuinely enjoys those fics—I'm glad you do enjoy them! There are some harem-style fics that are genuinely good.) But please write your own fic instead of trying to insult me into writing that fic for you—that's just rude.
Sorry, rant over. See you guys next time!