Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V: The Six Dimensions

by BlaiseCandell

Before the invasion of the Xyz Dimension, scans done by the Fusion Dimension reveal two more dimensions. The Ritual Dimension, and the Link Dimension. Within those two dimensions, Chiaki, Yuji, Miharu and Yuno have their lives turned upside down, and are tossed into a vicious war. Also, why are there five people with the same faces as them?

57. Chapter 57: Disgraceful Demonic Duelist

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! I would like to ask something of everyone—to suspend your disbelief when it comes to a certain person not dueling optimally in this chapter. I'll explain that more down below. :) This chapter also contains the single longest turn ever written in this story, which is an achievement… kinda? Lmao. You'll understand why it's kind of questionable when you see it. That turn was so painful to write that it won't get a duel summary, though the rest will. :D

Two other things! I know that there's a chance that my warnings at the start spoil things, but I do feel the need to warn about more sensitive topics. There is some discussion of child abuse in later parts of the chapter, though it's definitely not portrayed in a good light. The other thing is that there is some ableism by a certain someone, which the writer certainly doesn't condone.

---

Chapter 57: Disgraceful Demonic Duelist

"Genghis. Caesar. Darius."

The three monsters struck down his next set of opponents, and Reiji turned over to Mion, who was dealing with a few more—after all, since he was the one carrying Reira, she was trying to take the pressure off him. Taking out three of them was a rather relaxing exercise, but more of them would require him to actually put in effort.

"How are you holding up?"

"Against them? They use Spells. They Normal Summon and have no recovery if it's removed from the field." Mion shrugged. "That's it." And yes, she did have a point there. That was exactly the type of deck that she was good at dealing with. "I've spent more time watching you duel than actually focusing on my own duel."

Reiji fought the urge to snort, because it would be too undignified.

"There are six more over there," Mion said. "Do you want to take care of them too?"

"We can sweep through," Reiji said casually, as though he was just talking about having a meeting. "It shouldn't take too long."

"Of course not." Reiji glanced around. "It's odd that we haven't bumped into any of the other Lancers, or any members of Security, however… it may be that Security is deliberately trying to isolate us in this place."

The six members of the Obelisk Force looked over at them as they walked over. "Looks like our prey is approaching us!" One of them snickered. "Alright then, let's get them!"

"It looks like they've already started a duel amongst themselves," Mion observed. "What a cheap tactic." She tilted her head. "It does mean that anyone can escape them though—they can't force someone to intrude a duel in progress."

"Huh?" An Obelisk Force member with a yellow jewel put her hands on her hips. "Are you going to run away then?"

"Of course not," Mion said with a shrug. "Just stating a fact." She raised her duel disk. "I'm perfectly ready."

[INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000LP]

Mion Myojin: 4000 - 2000 = 2000LP

Obelisk Force Red 1: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Green 1: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Yellow 1: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Red 2: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Green 2: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Yellow 2: 4000LP

[Turn 7: Mion] [H:5]

"So, each of you…" Mion glanced at the field. In order—the first soldier, with a red jewel on his mask, had a Antique Gear Devil on his field in Defense Position. Most likely, it was intended to float into another monster afterwards—the two of them had already encountered Antique Gear Devil quite a few times. As a boss monster… well, it had that annoying effect of being unaffected by other cards' effects, but that was really it. It would probably be really underwhelming if it was the ace monster of someone's deck. The second and third ones had an Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog on their fields, ready to sabotage any monster that the opponent summoned. The fourth one had a Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog on the field (oh, how creative. Not just two heads, three heads! Wow! Alright, that might be slightly mean, even if she wasn't saying it aloud.)

Anyway, the fifth one had an Antique Gear Reactor Dragon—a rather large, purple-tinted mechanical dragon on their field. And the sixth one had an Antique Gear Golem on their field. And yet, despite all of those monsters…

[Antique Gear Devil (8*/1000/1800/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

[Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog (x2) (5*/1400/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

[Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog (7*/1800/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

[Antique Gear Reactor Dragon (9*/3000/3000/EARTH/Machine/Effect)]

[Antique Gear Golem (8*/3000/3000/EARTH/Machine/Effect)]

"Are you stunned by how impressive our fields are?"

"... I'm shocked that between all of you, there's not a single set card on the field," Mion snarked. "I will Normal Summon Royal Magical Library." The three black obelisks appeared in front of her.

[Royal Magical Library (4*/0/2000/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"I'll then set the Scale 2 Servant of Endymion in my Pendulum Scale." The blonde-haired woman in a dark mask appeared in the shining pillar of light to her left. "I will then activate the Spell Card, Terraforming. I will add a Field Spell from my deck to my hand. And I'll activate the Field Spell, Magical Citadel of Endymion."

Reiji watched her with attentive eyes.

"My Royal Magical Library gained a Spell Counter each time that a Spell was activated. I can remove three Spell Counters from it to draw a card." She swiped up a card from her deck.

"Spell Counters?" One of the Obelisk Force members echoed.

"Surely you know the concept of counters," Mion said with a shrug. "I learned about those before I ever got a formal education in dueling. I'll activate the Spell Card, Mythical Bestiary. I will send the top two cards of my deck to the graveyard and target a face-up card on the field that a Spell Counter can be placed on. Then, I can place two Spell Counters on it. I will target my Magical Citadel of Endymion."

"I'll activate the effect of Servant of Endymion. By removing three Spell Counters from her, I can Special Summon her from the Pendulum Scale, along with a monster from my deck with 1000 or more attack points, which can have a Spell Counter placed on it." Servant of Endymion stepped out of her Pendulum Scale. "I will Special Summon Mythical Beast Jackal King from the deck!" The chimeric creature surrounded by dark mist appeared in front of her as well.

[Servant of Endymion (3*/S2/900/1500/WIND/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Mythical Beast Jackal King (6*/S4/2400/1400/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

"Then, I can place a Spell Counter on each of them." Currently, judging from the symbols adorning the cards around her, Jackal King, Royal Magical Library and Servant of Endymion had a Spell Counter each, while the Magical Citadel of Endymion had three.

"I will activate the effect of Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog!" The first Obelisk Force soldier with a green gem said. "I'll place a Gear Counter on both of your monsters!"

"Sure," Mion said, seeming rather calm about the whole thing. Her opponents looked confused. "I'll take the counters then."

[Mythical Beast Jackal King: Gear Counter(s): 1]

[Servant of Endymion: Gear Counter(s): 1]

"I'll set the Scale 2 Reflection of Endymion in my Pendulum Scale. Then, I will activate the Spell Card, Spell Power Grasp," Mion said. "I'll place a Spell Counter on a card on the field, and then, I can add another Spell Power Grasp from my deck to my hand. But I can only activate Spell Power Grasp once per turn. I will choose to place the additional Spell Counter on Royal Magical Library." Her entire field was bathed in a strange sheen. "I'll remove three Spell Counters from Royal Magical Library to draw another card. And I'll activate the Spell Card, Graceful Charity. I will draw three cards and discard two cards."

"... what is going on?" One of the soldiers said, a baffled look on their face.

"I've been told I tend to drag on a bit," Mion said, which was the largest understatement that Reiji had heard in his life. "I will activate the Spell Card, Spell Power Mastery. I will add an "Endymion" card from my deck to my hand. Then, I can place Spell Counters on the field, up to the number of "Spell Power Mastery" and "Spell Power Grasp" on my field and in the graveyard. I have four."

"Four? But you only have…"

"I had another copy of Spell Power Grasp in my hand, so I discarded both with Graceful Charity," Mion explained. "I will place one Spell Counter on Royal Magical Library, and the other three on Magical Citadel of Endymion."

As a result, she now had a Magical Citadel of Endymion with ten Spell Counters, a Mythical Beast Jackal King with nine Spell Counters, a Royal Magical Library with three Spell Counters, a Servant of Endymion with one Spell Counter, and in her Pendulum Scale, Reflection of Endymion, with three Spell Counters.

"I will remove three Spell Counters from Royal Magical Library to draw another card." She now had three cards in hand. "I will activate the Pendulum Effect of Reflection of Endymion. I will remove three Spell Counters from her and Special Summon her from my Pendulum Scale, along with a monster from my hand that a Spell Counter can be placed on. Come, Reflection of Endymion!" The blonde woman dressed in beautiful white robes appeared, a spell circle behind her as she raised her staff. "And from my hand, Mythical Beast Medusa!" The strange tentacled monster appeared as well.

[Reflection of Endymion (7*/S2/1850/2700/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Mythical Beast Medusa (4*/S4/1500/1500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

"Then, a Spell Counter is placed on both Reflection of Endymion and Mythical Beast Medusa."

"I will activate the effect of Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog!" The other controller of Double Bite Hound Dog declared. A Gear Counter appeared on both of her newly summoned monsters.

[Reflection of Endymion: Gear Counter(s): 1]

[Mythical Beast Medusa: Gear Counter(s): 1]

"Reflection of Endymion's effect," Mion said. "I will return a card with a Spell Counter that I control to my hand, and a card you control to the hand. I will return my Servant of Endymion to the hand, along with your Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog! Mystical Mirror." The first Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog was removed from the field. "And the Spell Counter on my Servant of Endymion goes to my Reflection of Endymion." She placed down another card. "I'll activate the Continuous Spell, Mythical Institution. I will use its effect. By removing Spell Counters from the field, I can add a monster from my deck or face-up in my Extra Deck to my hand, with a Level equal to the Spell Counters removed. I will remove two Spell Counters from Reflection of Endymion and two Spell Counters from Mythical Beast Medusa, along with three from Jackal King." She added one card to her hand.

Reflection of Endymion and Mythical Beast Medusa now had no Spell Counters. Magical Citadel had eleven, while Jackal King had eight. Royal Magical Library had one as well.

"I will set the Scale 8 Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic in the Pendulum Scale. And I will remove 8 Spell Counters from my field—eight from Jackal King—and Special Summon Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic from my Pendulum Scale."

The archmage dressed in black appeared on the field.

[Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic (7*/S8/2800/1700/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

"And you've run out of Double Bite Hound Dogs to deal with me," Mion said with a small smile. "Not that it matters. With Endymion's effect, I'll destroy cards on the field up to the number of cards I control that a Spell Counter can be placed on. I have seven. I will destroy Antique Gear Reactor Dragon, Antique Gear Golem, Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog and Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog! Magical Law of Destruction!" Magic energy hit all four of the monsters except Antique Gear Devil—still the trickiest one to deal with. "Then, a Spell Counter is placed on the Master of Magic for each of the destroyed cards." Four Spell Counters appeared on the monster.

"Open, the circuit of the glittering citadel! Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are at least two monsters, including a Spellcaster monster! I will set Mythical Beast Medusa, Reflection of Endymion and Mythical Beast Jackal King in the Link Markers! Moonlight shines down on the citadel lit to the brim with magic. Beautiful empress, crush those that would ruin your peaceful empire! Circuit Combine! Link 3! Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians!" Selene appeared—an unmasked version of Reflection of Endymion, rather beautiful, with a bow in her hands.

[Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians (L3/1850/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Link/Effect/↙, ↓, ↘)]

"Selene gains a Spell Counter for each Spell on the field and in the graveyards of each player," Mion said. "There's nine for me, and… six in total for the rest of you. That makes for fifteen."

[Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians: Spell Counter(s): 15]

"I will set the Scale 8 Magister of Endymion in my Pendulum Scale," Mion explained. "I will remove three Spell Counters from Royal Magical Library to draw a card." She glanced at the card. "... good. I'll set the Scale 2 Servant of Endymion in the Pendulum Scale."

Right, she had returned it to her hand…

"Pendulum Summon. Return from the Extra Deck—Mythical Beast Jackal King, Mythical Beast Medusa and Reflection of Endymion!" Mion filled up all her Main Monster Zones. "I will overlay the Level 4 Mythical Beast Medusa and the Level 4 Royal Magical Library. Sleepy, tired scientist working in the dead of night, appear now and cast the envious shadow of genius on us! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Downerd Magician!" A short young woman with blue hair and goggles on the top of her hair appeared, holding onto a vial of pink potion.

[Downerd Magician (R4/2100/200/DARK/Spellcaster/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

"Pendulum, Xyz and Link?"

"Downerd Magician gains 200 attack points for each Overlay Unit," Mion explained.

[Downerd Magician: 2100 + 200 x 2 = 2500ATK]

"I will then activate the effect of Endymion the Master Magician in my hand. By removing six Spell Counters from my Magical Citadel of Endymion, I can Special Summon him from my hand." A different form of Endymion appeared on the field.

[Endymion the Master Magician (7*/2700/1700/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"Since Endymion was summoned this way, I can add a Spell from my graveyard to my hand." She plucked up a card from her graveyard. "Reflection of Endymion attacks Antique Gear Devil." The light-haired woman shot out a large blast towards Antique Gear Devil, destroying it.

"When Antique Gear Devil is destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon an "Antique Gear" monster from my deck, ignoring summoning conditions—"

"Antique Gear Devil is only unaffected by card effects while it's on the field," Mion said. "I will activate the effect of Mythical Beast Jackal King. By removing two Spell Counters from Selene, I will negate the effect of Antique Gear Devil." She gestured forward. "The Mighty Master of Magic and Downerd Magician will attack you directly. Jackal King and Selene will attack the second one directly. And Endymion the Master Magician will attack the third one of you directly."

The attacks all landed, effortlessly clearing away two opponents.

Obelisk Force Red 1: 4000 - 2700 - 2500 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Green 1: 4000 - 2400 - 2850 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Yellow 1: 4000 - 2700 = 1300LP

"Only two?" Reiji said lightly.

"It would have been three, but that would have meant leaving Antique Gear Devil on the field." Mion put her hands in her pockets, turning to him. "They can't do anything now. I'm leaving it in your hands."

"Much appreciated," he said. Internally, he tacked on, though even if they'd had more cards on the field, they'd have been useless before you. "Draw."

[INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000LP]

Reiji Akaba: 4000 - 2000 = 2000LP

[Turn 8: Reiji] [H:5]

He just had to deal enough damage to take out three enemies at full life points and one with less than half.

If he couldn't even do that…

Well, he would be incredibly unfit to be on this battlefield.

(Anyone who heard that would probably choke, considering how ridiculously high of a bar that was.)

"Akaba?" One of the remaining members of the Obelisk Force said with a loud gasap.

"I will Normal Summon D/D Savant Kepler," Reiji said, ignoring their opponents' shock. The strange, shining dark blue figure appeared on the field in front of him.

[D/D Savant Kepler (1*/S10/0/0/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

"I will activate the effect of D/D Savant Kepler. Since it was Normal or Special Summoned, I can add a "Dark Contract" card from my deck to my hand. I will activate the Continuous Spell, Dark Contract with the Gate." The Continuous Spell appeared in front of him. "I will add a "D/D" monster from my deck to my hand. I will add D/D Swirl Slime to my hand. With its effect, I will perform a Fusion Summon using monsters in my hand. I will fuse D/D Swirl Slime and D/D Lamia in my hand. Grotesque God, drink the blood washed away by time, and now become one and give birth to a new king! Fusion Summon! Be born! D/D/D Flame King Genghis!" The red-skinned king appeared, holding onto a thick sword and shield.

[D/D/D Flame King Genghis (6*/2000/1500/FIRE/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"I will send Dark Contract with the Gate from my field to the graveyard to Special Summon D/D Lamia from the graveyard." A strange snake girl appeared, white, black and red scales covering her body. Her hands drifted at her sides, almost like flowers, their bright red colour starkly standing out.

[D/D Lamia (1*/100/1900/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"Since a "D/D" monster was Special Summoned to my field, D/D/D Flame King Genghis's effect allows me to Special Summon another "D/D" monster from my graveyard. Return—D/D Swirl Slime!" The bright green slime appeared in front of him, glowing slightly, odd parts sticking out of it.

[D/D Swirl Slime (2*/200/200/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"Now, open, circuit of the dimensional demons! Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two "D/D" monsters! I will set D/D Swirl Slime and D/D Savant Kepler in the Link Markers! Subjugating those unworthy, rise forth now, king of the nothingness! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh!" The blue-skinned man appeared, holding onto a long, white and gold spear and a glowing sword in his other hand, bright blue and green flames streaming around it. Many other weapons could be seen on his back.

[D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh (L2/1800/DARK/Fiend/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]

"With D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh's effect, I will take 1000 damage and place two "D/D" Pendulum Monsters in the Pendulum Zones from my deck! However, I can only summon "D/D" monsters this turn." Reiji gestured outwards. "I will set the Scale 1 D/D Savant Copernicus and the Scale 8 D/D Savant Nikola in the Pendulum Scales!" The two pillars of light shot up around him, even as his life points fell.

Reiji: 2000 - 1000 = 1000LP

"You lowered your life points…"

"You won't get the chance to strike at me," Reiji said. "With this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 2 to Level 7! Pendulum Summon! D/D Vice Typhon! D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser!" Two monsters appeared on the field in front of him—one of them a strange, dark snake-human hybrid, with an indigo, serpent-like body, connected to a tanned torso. The other was a tall warrior king in silver armour, with a long, crimson scarf.

[D/D Vice Typhon (7*/2300/2800/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

[D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser (7*/2800/2100/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"I will tune the Level 1 D/D Lamia to the Level 7 D/D Vice Typhon! Climb over the corpses of heroes, carrying your bloodstained blade! Synchro Summon! Be born! Level 8! D/D/D Cursed King Siegfried!" A warrior with long white hair appeared, dressed in shining armour, a torn red scarf that was just like Reiji's around his neck. The scarf drifted through the air, despite there being no visible wind.

[D/D/D Cursed King Siegfried (8*/2800/2200/DARK/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)]

"I will activate the Pendulum Effect of D/D Savant Nikola! By discarding a "D/D/D" monster, I can increase the attack points of a Level 6 or lower "D/D" monster I control by 2000. I will target D/D/D Flame King Genghis!"

[D/D/D Flame King Genghis: 2000 + 2000 = 4000ATK]

"I will then activate the effect of D/D Vice Typhon. I will banish it and other monsters from my graveyard to Fusion Summon a monster. I will fuse D/D Vice Typhon and D/D Swirl Slime! Proud genius, be absorbed into the arcane swirl that takes in all forms! Be reborn into a new king! Fusion Summon! Come forth, ruler who carries the glory of God! D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc!" The white-haired fiend king appeared, adjusting his dark face mask, his two red and blue wings wrapping around him. He lifted the thin blade, running his fingers over the blade.

[D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc (7*/2800/2000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"I could keep going, but the result is simple. I do not need to duel to my full potential to clean up what remains of you." Reiji pushed his glasses up. "Pendulum Zones are, currently, treated as Spell and Trap Zones. Thus—I will use the effect of Supreme King Kaiser. I will destroy both of the cards in my Pendulum Scales. And Supreme King Kaiser gains an additional attack for each card destroyed."

He pointed forward.

"Gilgamesh will attack you directly, the one with 1300 life points, Genghis will attack you directly, Red 2. Siegfried and d'Arc will attack you directly, Green 2. And King Kaiser will attack you directly twice, Yellow 2."

Reiji watched as the attacks struck down the rest of their opponents. There was nothing more to add.

Obelisk Force Yellow 1: 1300 - 1800 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Red 2: 4000 - 4000 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Green 2: 4000 - 3000 - 2800 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 - 2800 - 2800 = 0LP

Winner: Mion Myojin & Reiji Akaba!

Their opponents were teleported back to Academia.

"Well done, Reiji," Mion said, smirking slightly.

"Not so bad yourself. It was far easier for me due to you removing all the monsters from the field."

Mion laughed, smiling to herself. "Yeah. I guess so. Want to change over? Your arms must be getting tired. I'll take over carrying Reira for now."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate your concern when she wakes. I can still handle it though, if you can handle dueling more."

"That part's no problem."

Reiji adjusted his scarf, but he didn't look away from her. It was just one of those moments—a moment where he could just forget everything else and stand there. A moment where he could just look at Mion Myojin's smile. She was standing on the opposite end of the street right now, having walked forward to scout for any more soldiers in the vicinity. She wasn't even looking at him, but perhaps that was for the best.

Moments like this were few and far between, after all.

A moment where I can just like someone, even for the briefest time.

But those childish thoughts and romantic ideals had no place in the life of someone with as many responsibilities as him.

"... do you hear that?" Mion asked, snapping Reiji out of it.

Reiji focused. Now that she mentioned it…

There was a strange rumbling sound nearby.

"I hear it too," he said. "They're—"

And then, Reiji bore witness to one of the most horrifying things that he had ever seen.

One moment, he was simply looking at Mion, who was ahead of him on the path.

And the next moment, a large D-Wheel smashed through the street, sending Mion flying through the air, even as her eyes widened, and she let go of Reira, pushing her to the side.

Reiji flinched away instinctively, but then he immediately ran forward.

The figure on the D-Wheel laughed—his voice low and maniacal. Reiji had already heard that insane cackle once before—and inside him, a sharp, cold anger began to burn.

"Sergey Volkov!..." He hissed.

The large, white-haired man tossed his head back, laughing in a way that echoed through the streets. His D-Wheel was covered in far more blood than a single person would conceivably bleed. "Did you see how she flew?" He slammed his arms on the front of his D-Wheel with full strength, his arms covered in bruises. His eyes were swirling around in their sockets. "Beautiful! Magnificent!"

Looking at Sergey, Reiji couldn't help but replay the image of Reira being thrown off the track over and over again in his mind. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got—and he had just managed to stop picturing that terrible moment when this had happened—

He turned over to look at Mion, who was clearly unconscious, crumpled on the ground. She was not visibly bleeding—while Sergey had hit her, it hadn't been at full speed, so she hadn't landed quite that roughly. But, even so…

"I crushed her. Just like the rest of them!"

Reiji knelt down, looking over Mion. Her breathing was even. She was fine. She would be fine. He would help her to a hospital and check for any issues immediately after this.

It was just…

He was just furious.

---

It had been a simple question that he had asked, a while after Mion came back to Maiami City.

"How did you lose your arm?"

"That's a sensitive topic, you know," Mion replied, but after a moment, she shrugged. "I never told you? It was a car accident. The same car accident that killed my mother."

And that silenced Reiji. Mion, however, carried on explaining.

"It was before I moved to live in Maiami City—I had already met Shingo a few times at that point, but I wasn't staying here yet." Mion gestured to her arm. "Before we met—obviously, since you would have recognised if I somehow lost my arm after we met. There was a… bad car accident. A seven car pile-up caused by a drunk driver. The closest hospital was thirty minutes away. There were seventeen people involved, and five of them died on the scene. Six of them perished later on, and out of the six who survived, only one came away from it without permanent harm."

She said it in an almost detached manner. As though she wasn't one of the people who had…

"I'll save you from the gory specifics. All that really needs to be said is that my arm was completely crushed, with no chance of reattachment—it had already been destroyed beyond repair. It was all that the paramedics on the scene could do to save my life, considering how heavy the bleeding was. I don't blame them—according to what I heard, from my injuries, I was judged to be one of the least likely to survive, out of the people there."

"Regardless, you lived." Reiji hesitated. "I'm surprised that you're still willing to get on a motorcycle, after that."

"Well," Mion said, "officially, I'm old enough to drive one." She shrugged. "We have a low traffic accident rate in this city. I'm probably never going to be happy about being on the road, but at the very least, if I just grit my teeth and figure out how to drive, I will never have to be in the passenger's seat again. That's better… I think. It means that whether I crash or not, it depends only on me."

---

And apparently, on whether or not some lunatic was going to attack people out of nowhere.

That happened before we ever met. Realistically, I could never have hoped to protect you from that. It's the same with what happened to Reira when she was a child, before we met. And it's the same for my mother. Even if I disagreed with her sometimes, I understood that many of her actions came from a place of deep hurt that I could never have hoped to heal.

Even so…

What have I been doing this entire time?

I promised that I would do my best to protect the people who rely on me. And I always intend to keep my promises.

Logically, I could not have known the pain that either of you would go through in this dimension. I was in the wrong for not protecting all of you well enough…

So there's one way to make up for it.

Sergey was just… watching him.

Reiji glanced at Reira, who had escaped the hit, at the very least.

Reiji raised his duel disk.

Avenge the pain that you have suffered, and do better by all of you!

Sergey slowly grinned again, his lips parting in a grotesque manner, dry and split. "Good," he said, breathing heavily. "That's how it should be! I'll crush you too!"

"You've hurt two of the three most important people in my life," Reiji said. He slowly pushed up his glasses. "It's rare that an opponent forces me to act directly against them—I am usually the one who delegates. But… for once in my life, I can say this. This is not logical. This is personal."

[DUEL!]

Reiji Akaba: 4000LP

Sergey Volkov: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Reiji] [H:5]

"I'll start," Reiji said. Not bothering with any pleasantries—this monster didn't deserve any of them—he simply started his turn. "I will activate the Continuous Spell, Dark Contract with the Gate. During my Standby Phases, I will take 1000 damage. However, once per turn, I can add a "D/D" monster from my deck to my hand." He picked up a card, flipping it over. "I will activate the effect of D/D Swirl Slime in my hand. I will perform a Fusion Summon using it and another monster in my hand. I will fuse D/D Swirl Slime and D/D Gryphon in my hand." He sent the two cards to the graveyard swiftly. "Grotesque God, drink the blood washed away by time, and now become one and give birth to a new king! Fusion Summon! Be born! D/D/D Flame King Genghis!" Genghis appeared on the field immediately.

[D/D/D Flame King Genghis (6*/2000/1500/FIRE/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"Next, I will Normal Summon D/D Nighthowl." A large, gaping jaw appeared, long white teeth stretching out from its gums.

[D/D Nighthowl (3*/300/600/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"When D/D Nighthowl is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a "D/D" monster from my graveyard, but I cannot Special Summon monsters this turn, except Fiend monsters. The Special Summoned monster's attack and defense points become 0. Return to the field, D/D Gryphon!" A tall, bipedal avian appeared on the field, brown feathers around its face and forming large wings. It raised its lion's claws, a tail with a tip of brown fur swishing through the air.

[D/D Gryphon (4*/S1/1200/1200/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

[D/D Gryphon: 1200 → 0ATK/DEF]

"When D/D Gryphon is Special Summoned from the graveyard, I can add a "D/D" card other than Gryphon itself from my deck to my hand." Reiji gestured forward. "Since a "D/D" monster was Special Summoned, I can activate the effect of D/D/D Flame King Genghis. I can Special Summon a "D/D" monster from my graveyard. Return to the field, D/D Swirl Slime."

In a rather matter-of-fact manner, he flicked out his hand, the circuit rising up above him. It was a rather standard move for him, at this point.

"Open, circuit of the dimensional demons! Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two "D/D" monsters! I will set D/D Swirl Slime and D/D Gryphon in the Link Markers! Subjugating those unworthy, rise forth now, king of the nothingness! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh!" The blue-themed king appeared, weapons floating all around him in a storm.

[D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh (L2/1800/DARK/Fiend/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]

"Since Gilgamesh was Special Summoned, I can place two "D/D" Pendulum Monsters with different names from my deck in the Pendulum Scales. However, I can only Special Summon "D/D" monsters this turn, and I take 1000 damage. I will set the Scale 1 D/D Savant Copernicus and the Scale 8 D/D Savant Newton from my deck in the Pendulum Scales!"

A sharp shock hit him, unexpectedly—it was a stronger shock than what Solid Vision would deliver.

So this was something on Sergey's own duel disk.

Was this what Reira had felt?

Reiji: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP

"Then, with this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 2 to 7! Pendulum Summon! First, return from the Extra Deck, D/D Gryphon!" The strange avian creature appeared on his field again. "And from my hand—D/D Lilith."

Gryphon appeared, of course. A strange bright pink demon appeared, a large, tattered pink wing emerging from her back. Around her, bright blue-green scales formed her right arm, swirling around her in a long spiral, like a vine around a blooming flower.

[D/D Lilith (4*/100/2100/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"When D/D Lilith is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add a "D/D" monster from my graveyard to my hand." He lifted up a card from his graveyard. "And when D/D Gryphon is Pendulum Summoned, I can discard a "D/D" monster or a "Dark Contract" card to draw a card." He discarded and drew once. "I will then tune the Level 3 D/D Nighthowl to the Level 4 D/D Lilith. Gain the swiftness of a gale and become the cries of a newborn king! Be born! Synchro Summon! Level 7! D/D/D Gust King Alexander!" The figure in a green cloak and white armour appeared, holding onto a shining sword in his hands.

[D/D/D Gust King Alexander (7*/2500/2000/WIND/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)]

"I will then activate the effect of D/D Necro Slime in the graveyard," Reiji said. "I'll banish it and D/D Nighthowl from the graveyard to Fusion Summon. Proud genius, be absorbed into the arcane swirl that takes in all forms! Be reborn into a new king! Fusion Summon! Come forth, ruler who carries the glory of God! D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc!"

Reiji's monster appeared—as sinister as usual. The one that converted effect damage to life points.

[D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc (7*/2800/2000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

Now, Reiji controlled Gilgamesh, Genghis, d'Arc, Alexander and Gryphon.

"When I Special Summon a "D/D" monster while I control D/D/D Gust King Alexander, I can Special Summon a "D/D" monster from my graveyard." Lilith reappeared on the field. "I will overlay the Level 4 D/D Lilith and the Level 4 D/D Gryphon. In order to subjugate all that resides in this world, now, descend onto the peak of the world! Xyz Summon! Be born! Rank 4! D/D/D Wave King Caesar!" The man wearing full purple armour appeared, swinging a heavy sword through the air.

[D/D/D Wave King Caesar (R4/2400/1200/WATER/Fiend/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

Five kings on a single field.

"Yes!" Sergey exclaimed, grinning maniacally. "This is how it should be!"

How old was this man anyway?... physically, with that large build, he certainly appeared like he was in his thirties. At the same time, this sadistic excitement seemed almost… childish. "I will set two cards and end my turn." That left him with one card in his hand. "Over to you."

[Turn 2: Sergey] [H:6]

"Draw!" Sergey said gleefully. "Five, five, five… I can play with you and you won't break as fast as them!"

Reiji pursed his lips in distaste.

"Field Spell, activate. Earthbound Prison." Sergey pointed to d'Arc. "While… control Prison, your monster's effect is negated!"

Well, that might cause some problems.

"Will activate the effect of Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper in hand! Discard to add Level 3 or lower Fiend Tuner from my deck to my hand, but can't Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck this turn, except Fusion or Synchro Monsters!" He flashed a card in his hand with a toothy, wide-eyed grin. "Come! Normal Summoning Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper!" The strange reptilian creature with purple lines on its black skin appeared, letting out a sharp, rattling sound.

[Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper (1*/300/300/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"Effect of Ground Keeper activates." Sergey held up an arm, a reverent look on his face. "Come back, Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper!" A dark aquatic creature appeared on the field, green lines forming wave-like structures across its body.

[Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper (5*/1600/1600/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"Tuning, tuning! Tuning Level 1 Ground Keeper to the Level 5 Stone Sweeper! Spirit bound to the earth, shake all of creation with your mystic power! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 6! Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin!" The dark minotaur with shackles around its wrists appeared, copper all around it. Light blue lines ran across its body, and yellow eyes peered forward, like stains on a wall.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin (6*/2000/1000/DARK/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)]

"Will activate effect of Geo Gremlin! Target face-up monster you control, and you choose to destroy it or give me life points equal to its attack points! Choose D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc! Choose! Choose—"

Reiji cut off his mad rant. "My choice?" He said calmly. "Gain your life points." Shadows wrapped around Sergey.

Sergey: 4000 + 2800 = 6800LP

"Battle Phase!" Sergey barked. "Kill! Geo Gremlin's effect! Perform Fusion Summon by banishing Stone Sweeper and Ground Keeper from graveyard!"

The monster which Sergey had summoned back when he was facing Reira was Geo Kraken. But that wasn't a monster that would be useful against an entire field which hadn't been summoned that turn.

"Spirit bound to the earth, stealthily snare the souls of foolish humans, and devour any that stand before you. Drag them into the depths of the oceans and the earth, as fierce winds blow around you! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 6!"

Sergey cackled for a long time, and Reiji barely managed to avoid lashing out at the lunatic.

"Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade!"

A beautiful dark, bestial figure appeared. A hooked tail flicked through the air like a whip. Black fins slowly drifted through the air, white lines running along its body. Its shark-like body drifted through the air. It was completely silent, and it was rather eerie. Water and mist swirled around it.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade (6*/2400/500/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"If Geo Isonade is Special Summoned while I control a Field Spell, I—" Sergey grinned widely, his teeth showing. "Halve the attack points of all monsters you control until the End Phase!" A dark wave of shadows shot across the field, drowning all of the monsters there.

[D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh: 1800 / 2 = 900ATK]

[D/D/D Flame King Genghis: 2000 / 2 = 1000ATK]

[D/D/D Gust King Alexander: 2500 / 2 = 1250ATK]

[D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc: 2800 / 2 = 1400ATK]

[D/D/D Wave King Caesar: 2400 / 2 = 1200ATK]

"Then—" Sergey gestured forward. "Target monster, destroy, inflict half of original attack points as damage! Destroy D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc!"

d'Arc's effect was negated, meaning that he couldn't currently convert damage to life points. It was his insurance against effect damage, but…

d'Arc exploded, and Reiji's life points fell.

Reiji: 3000 - 1400 = 1600LP

"Geo Isonade attacks D/D/D Wave King Caesar!"

"I will activate the effect of D/D/D Wave King Caesar! During either player's turn, I can detach one Overlay Unit from him. At the end of the Battle Phase, I can Special Summon as many monsters back from the graveyard as possible that were destroyed this turn, but I take 1000 damage during the next Standby Phase for each monster Special Summoned by this effect!"

[D/D/D Wave King Caesar: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1]

The strange black shark darted forward, lashing its tail across Caesar and destroying him.

Reiji: 1600 - 1200 = 400LP

"Since D/D/D Wave King Caesar was sent from the field to the graveyard, I can add a "Dark Contract" card from my deck to my hand."

"Doesn't matter! You die now! Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin attacks D/D/D Gust King Alexander!"

"Trap Card, Contract Laundering." Reiji's set card flipped over. "By destroying as many "Dark Contract" cards in my Spell and Trap Zone as possible, I will draw the same number of cards, and gain 1000 life points for each of them." Dark Contract with the Gate exploded, and Reiji drew a card, his life points shooting up.

Reiji: 400 + 1000 = 1400LP

Then, Geo Gremlin's attack hit, knocking him back slightly, even as Alexander was destroyed.

Reiji: 1400 - 750 = 650LP

"Main Phase 2."

"At the end of your Battle Phase, Caesar's effect activates! Return to the field! D/D/D Gust King Alexander! D/D/D Wave King Caesar! D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc!" The three monsters reappeared on his field. "Then, I will activate the effect of D/D/D Flame King Genghis! Since a "D/D" monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon a "D/D" monster from my graveyard! Return to the field, D/D Gryphon!" Once again, the strange bird reappeared.

"D/D Gryphon is… Pendulum Monster. Should be in Extra Deck."

"That would be the case if it was sent from the field to the graveyard. But since it was attached to an Xyz Monster, that doesn't count," Reiji explained. "Since D/D Gryphon was Special Summoned from the graveyard, I can add another "D/D" card from my deck to my hand."

Sergey's eyes swirled around the field for a moment, before the left side of his lip curled up.

"Activate Spell Card, Earthbound Terraforming. Destroy Field Spell, draw two cards!" Sergey drew, going back up to five cards in hand. "Earthbound Prison grants an additional Normal Summon—used earlier to Normal Summon Ground Keeper! Now, using my proper Normal Summon! Come—Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker!" The dark golem appeared, floating in front of him, yellow lines running along it.

[Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker (3*/800/1100/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"Line Walker adds Earthbound Prison from graveyard to hand! Activate Earthbound Prison! Negate effects of D/D/D Flame King Genghis!"

Reiji arched an eyebrow.

… interesting.

"Set two cards! End turn!"

[Turn 3: Reiji] [H:4]

"Draw," Reiji declared. "During the Standby Phase, I take 1000 damage for each monster Special Summoned with D/D/D Wave King Caesar's effect."

"Yes! Yes!" Sergey leered at him. "Take that damage and die!"

"While I control D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc, if either player would take effect damage, I can change that damage into life points for myself!"

"What?" Sergey's eyes bulged.

"Do it, d'Arc! Life Elation!"

A glow surrounded Reiji.

"I Special Summoned three monsters with D/D/D Wave King Caesar's effect! Therefore, that will be 3000 damage, converted to life points!"

Reiji: 650 + 3000 = 3650LP

That was why he hadn't been that concerned about battle damage, after all.

… he searched out Earthbound Prison. Therefore, it must be rather important to his strategy. I will have to keep that in mind.

"Battle Phase!" Reiji declared—scouting things out with the Battle Phase, since he had already filled up his monster zones.

"During the Main Phase, before you change phases, Geo Gremlin's effect activates!" Sergey said, his voice coming out like a shriek. "Target D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc!"

"Gain life points," Reiji said with a sigh. It was obviously the better choice.

Sergey: 6800 + 2800 = 9600LP

"Now, I will have D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc attack Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade! Oracle Charge!"

"Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade cannot be target for attacks when other "Earthbound" monster is on field!" The shark easily dodged the attack.

"Then I will have D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh attack Earthbound Servant Line Walker!" Since he couldn't target Geo Isonade for an attack anyway, he technically hadn't actually declared an attack yet. Gilgamesh struck down Line Walker easily, and Sergey's life points fell.

Sergey: 9600 - 1000 = 8600LP

"Once per turn, when "Earthbound" monster is destroyed while I control Geo Isonade, I draw one card!" Sergey swiped up the top card of his deck.

"D/D/D Wave King Caesar attacks Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin! Tidal Torrent!"

"Trap Card, Earthbound Sacrifice," Sergey rumbled out. "Banishing Geo Gremlin until End Phase and negating the attack. Then, Special Summon Level 10 or lower "Earthbound" monster from deck, ignoring summoning conditions!"

This time, Reiji was unable to suppress his disgusted grimace at the sight of Sergey's reverent expression. The man was salivating slightly, and it was not a pleasant sight in the slightest.

"Beautiful! Come forth! Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua!"

A dark whale appeared above them, purple lines running across its body. It floated ominously, and the presence that it gave off…

What was this malevolent feeling? What was this oppressive atmosphere that felt almost claustrophobic, as though he was being crushed downwards?

Could a Duel Monster… really give off this strange feeling?

[Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua (10*/2900/2400/DARK/Fish/Effect)]

"What is this?" Reiji muttered. "What are you?"

Sergey laughed. "Can't you tell?" He said with the same rough tone-but his words carried a strange clarity that had been absent thus far in his speech. "Earthbound. Immortal." He spread his arms out. "I was still young then. And I found them, these cards!" He laughed to himself. "And I touched them, and I saw… oh, I saw… all those beautiful things. A city in ruin, ash and dust everywhere. Black shadows and glowing lines and the world was dying!"

Sergey clawed at his own face, and Reiji took a step back.

… it sounded like he had been driven mad by the cards. Somehow… did those cards have some kind of negative effect on the person who touched them?

"And so I knew it was my destiny! To make everything just as beautiful!"

… to destroy everything, then.

"And for that," Reiji said, "you would hurt children? You would hurt those who haven't done anything to deserve it?"

"Children?" Sergey's grin was like a crack in a road—narrow, jagged, as though sunken into his face. "Children are easier to break! Easier to make beautiful! Ah, I remember my finest work of art!"

Reiji gritted his teeth.

"She was just about this small!" Sergey held out a hand, and Reiji noted with some horror that the child that he was talking about couldn't have been older than a toddler—maybe three, at the oldest. "And she was just so… noisy! Children are always like that, they talk and they talk and they never go quiet! So I took my kettle and—" He mimed the action, which was so brutal that Reiji averted his eyes for a brief moment.

"So you killed a child?" Reiji said, barely able to breathe. And it would have happened to Reira too, if everyone had really just sat by and done nothing—

A man like this should have been left to rot forever, not recruited as part of law enforcement.

"She was the most beautiful one," Sergey said. "When she bled, her blood looked like mine." His words were slurred. "And so I did it over and over and over and over—" His voice only got wilder.

Did that mean…

Did this man not just hurt a child, but rather, his own—

Reiji pointed forward, trying to cut him off—if only because it was so terrible that even he didn't want to hear about it. None of his monsters had enough attack points to take out Chacu Challhua, whatever the monster was, and so, he did not bother to declare an attack. Isonade floated by the side of Chacu Challhua, unable to be attacked while the other monster was on the field. "Main Phase 2," he said. Even as Sergey continued ranting in the background, he placed down a card. "I will activate the Continuous Spell, Dark Contract with the Swamp King. I will perform a Fusion Summon of a Fiend Fusion Monster using monsters in my hand and on my field, or, if I am Fusion Summoning a "D/D" Fusion Monster, I can also banish monsters from my graveyard as material. I will fuse D/D/D Wave King Caesar and D/D/D Flame King Genghis!" Since Genghis's effect was already negated, it made more sense to use it as Fusion Material now.

His two monsters shot up in the air above him.

"Fusion Summon. Come forth, dark devil of armageddon! D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon!"

His main Fusion-Pendulum monster appeared on the field, its large, purple-feathered wings spreading out around it as it stared forward.

Fusion-Pendulum. It had been an experiment that had worked out, surprisingly—using Yuya Sakaki's strange hybrid monster, Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon, as a basis, they had made one experimental monster. (And that monster had given off a lot of readings that Reiji had not really understood.)

[D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon (10*/S1/3500/3000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Pendulum/Effect)]

"Since D/D/D Wave King Caesar was sent from the field to the graveyard, I can add a "Dark Contract" card from my deck to my hand."

He gestured forward.

"I will activate—"

"When Level 6 or higher monster is Normal Summoned or Special Summoned, activate Trap Card, Earthbound Release! Tribute Level 10 "Earthbound" monster, destroy as many monsters opponent controls as possible, inflict damage to you equal to the total original attack points!"

A field nuke? Interesting…

Reiji had 3650 life points. Even losing two monsters to this effect would be deadly.

"Set card, activate," he said, his other set card flipping up. "Counter Trap, Solemn Judgement. By paying half my life points, I will negate the activation of a Spell or Trap!" It did mean that Sergey wouldn't pay the cost either, but that was fine. Sergey's Trap exploded, and Reiji was protected from its effects.

Reiji: 3650 / 2 = 1825LP

"I will activate the effect of D/D/D Gust King Alexander. I will Special Summon D/D Lilith from the graveyard. And with D/D Lilith's effect, I will add a "D/D" monster from my graveyard to my hand."

He continued on with the turn that he had planned.

"I will activate the effect of D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon! I will target a monster you control in Attack Position and inflict damage to you, equal to half that monster's original attack points! I will choose Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua!"

He knew Geo Isonade's effect, and so, better the enemy he knew than the enemy he didn't.

The whale exploded, thankfully. Sergey roared with laughter as the damage washed over him.

Sergey: 8600 - 1800 = 6800LP

"I'll end my turn with another set card." This left him with D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc, D/D/D Gust King Alexander, D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh and D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon in Attack Position, with D/D Lilith and D/D Gryphon in Defense Position, along with a set card and two cards in his Pendulum Scales.

[Turn 4: Sergey] [H:4]

"Draw!" Sergey said, still having Geo Isonade on his field. Geo Gremlin had returned to his field as well. "Activate effect of Geo Gremlin! Target D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon!"

Reiji shook his head. "Let it be destroyed," he said. Purple Armageddon vanished from the field.

"Then, since DARK Tuner monster is on the field, can Special Summon Earthbound Prisoner Tomb Sweeper from my hand!" Another one of the strange dark creatures appeared.

[Earthbound Prisoner Tomb Sweeper (5*/1500/1500/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

Reiji frowned. "DARK Tuner?"

"Geo Isonade," Sergey said. "Normal Summon another copy of Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker. Use effect to add Harmonic Synchro Fusion from deck to hand and activate. Send two monsters on field to the graveyard, Special Summon Fusion and Synchro Monsters from the deck which use those monsters as material!"

A simultaneous Fusion and Synchro Summon? Well, this technically wasn't a 'proper summon', since Sergey was just Special Summoning the two monsters, but the fact still remained.

"Come!" Sergey raised his hands.. "First, revive from the depths of the earth. Gigantic beast with wings of punishment. Synchro Summon. Come forth. Level 8. Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon." The dark creature stretched out its wings, its tail whipping through the air. It let out a sharp shriek—it was the same creature that had devastated Reira with its winds.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon (8*/2500/1500/DARK/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)]

"Prisoner that crawls across the earth. Become one with the prisoner fated to drown in grief eternally, and become a gigantic beast that delivers out punishment. Fusion Summon. Come forth. Level 8. Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken." The large giant squid appeared, its purple-streaked tentacles lashing out towards Reiji.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken (8*/2800/1200/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"When Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken comes to my field, I can add Field Spell from deck or graveyard to hand." Sergey picked up another card from his deck. "Geo Gryphon's effect. Special Summon "Earthbound" monster from graveyard in Defense Position. Return in Defense Position. Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua!" The whale reappeared, floating on the field.

So now, he had five monsters again…

"Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken attacks D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc." The tentacle lashed out. The two monsters shared the same attack points, and thus, they both fell at the same time, destroying each other. "Since other "Earthbound" monster destroyed, Isonade activates effect. Draw one card."

"Geo Isonade attack Gilgamesh."

Gilgamesh was destroyed, but Reiji wasn't necessarily bothered by it.

Reiji: 1825 - 600 = 1225LP

"Since Gilgamesh was destroyed by battle with an opponent's attacking monster, I can activate its effect. I will Special Summon a "D/D" monster from my Extra Deck or graveyard in Defense Position." Reiji adjusted his glasses. "Come from the Extra Deck—D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon!" The large purple fiend king appeared in front of him again.

"... hah. Defence!" Sergey sounded like he was doing his version of a scoff—something high-strung. "Imagine. Defence!" He waved a hand. "Geo Gryphon! Geo Gremlin! Destroy D/D Gryphon, D/D Lilith!" The two monsters were destroyed as the Synchro Monsters ran over them. "Activate Field Spell, Earthbound Prison!" A second copy of Earthbound Prison appeared on the field, destroying the first one. "Target D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon, negate effects!" Chains shot up, tying the powerful monster to the ground.

He grinned.

"Chacu Challhua! Once per turn, inflict damage to you equal to half its defense points!"

The large whale slammed itself against the ground, destroying a building, much to Reiji's shock. Waves shot up.

"Trap Card, Call of the Haunted," Reiji said. D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc reappeared on his field. However, since d'Arc's effect had to be activated in response to the activation of the effect, it missed the timing, and Reiji's life points fell again.

Reiji: 1225 - 1200 = 25LP

"You missed," Reiji said, raising his head and glaring at Sergey imperiously. "I'm alive." He gestured forward. "D/D/D Gust King Alexander's effect! I'll Special Summon D/D Lilith from the graveyard in Defense Position!" The blue and pink creature appeared on his field again. "D/D Lilith adds D/D Gryphon from my Extra Deck to my hand!"

"Good!" Sergey cackled. "Then keep clinging onto your last lifeline! It'll make your corpse more beautiful! Continuous Spell, Earthbound Revival! Once per turn, when control Level 8 or higher "Earthbound" monster, revive "Earthbound" monster from graveyard in Defense Position! Come, Geo Kraken!" The dark giant squid appeared on the field. "Ending turn!"

[Turn 5: Reiji] [H:5]

"Draw," Reiji said. "My Dark Contract with the Swamp King will inflict 1000 damage to me. However, D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc will grant me life points equal to the effect damage that I would have taken instead. Life Elation!"

Reiji: 25 + 1000 = 1025LP

"Pointless resuscitation," Sergey said. "Have… Geo Kraken! You die anyway!"

"Meaning that you can destroy monsters if I Special Summon them from the Extra Deck." Reiji narrowed his eyes. "... I have a question. Why did someone like… you decide to follow Roget?"

"Decide?" Sergey had that same crooked smile. "No deciding… no choice."

His eyes glowed then. Now that Reiji was looking at them properly (he had been trying to avoid looking at Sergey this entire time, after all), he could see that there was something strange to them. Slightly yellowed.

"No choice in city," Sergey elaborated. "... when rearrested, he… 'programmed' me."

Did Roget have some way of messing with the minds of others? Was that what he had done to Miharu Kogami and Yuno Sugisaki too?

"He wanted… obedient puppet." And then, Sergey smirked thinly. "... I am not. Obedient."

"So everything is still of your own will?" Reiji curtly narrowed his eyes. "Good. Then I don't have to feel any guilt about you."

"I do everything for the goddess," Sergey said. "So I can be destroyed again. Destroy, destroy, destroy!" His fingers spasmed by his side.

"Then you're nothing more than a sick, sadomasochistic freak." Reiji shook his head. "With my current Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 2 to Level 7! Come from my hand! D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser!" The same monster he had used earlier appeared on the field, red scarf rippling through the air. "And D/D Gryphon!" The brown bird appeared for the umpteenth time.

[D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser (8*/2800/2100/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"D/D Gryphon's effect lets me discard a "D/D" monster or a "Dark Contract" card to draw a card. D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser's effect. If Pendulum Summoned, the effects of all cards my opponent controls are negated until the end of the turn!" The reason that he hadn't used this earlier was because other than Mion, no one else in the duel actually had cards at the time.

"Activate Gremlin's effect! Target D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon!"

"Gain life points," Reiji said with a shrug. Both effects resolved.

Sergey: 6800 + 3500 = 10300LP

And this meant that whatever effects Chacu Challhua had, they were sealed off. And Kraken's effect had been sealed off, which meant…

"With D/D/D Gust King Alexander's effect, I will Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "D/D" monster from my graveyard. Return to the field—D/D Nighthowl!" Another copy of Nighthowl appeared—clearly, a card that he had discarded earlier. "Tuning the Level 3 D/D Nighthowl to the Level 7 D/D/D Gust King Alexander!" The three monsters shot up in the air. "King of the swiftest gales, ascend now into a new form, and tear through the night with your power! Synchro Summon! Level 10! D/D/D Gust High King Alexander!"

Next to Supreme King Kaiser, a version of him that seemed to gleam more brightly, holding onto a large green and black sword. A large green cape fluttered behind it, rising up like cross-shaped wings.

[D/D/D Gust High King Alexander (10*/3000/2500/WIND/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)]

"Since I control three or more "D/D/D" monsters, D/D/D Gust High King Alexander gains 3000 attack points."

[D/D/D Gust High King Alexander: 3000 + 3000 = 6000ATK]

"I'll activate D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser's effect. I will destroy both cards in my Pendulum Scales to give him an additional attack for each!"

He pointed forward.

"For starters! D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser will attack and destroy Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua, Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken and Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon! Wipe them all out!"

The new king dashed forward, swiftly slicing his way through the three monsters. Only Geo Gryphon was in Attack Position, and thus, it was the only attack that Sergey took damage from.

Sergey: 10300 - 300 = 10000LP

Ten thousand life points…

Well, Reiji had faced worse odds.

"Geo Gryphon—" Sergey started, before he stopped. Clearly, he had remembered that his burn effect would do nothing while d'Arc was on the field.

"D/D/D Gust High King Alexander attacks Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade!" The fourth monster was cut down, and Sergey's life points dipped down.

Sergey: 10000 - 3600 = 6400LP

"And D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc will take out your last monster!" The vampiric king shot forward, cutting down Geo Gremlin.

All five, in a single turn.

Sergey: 6400 - 800 = 5600LP

"D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon and D/D Gryphon attack you directly," he said, and the brown bird dashed forward. Sergey's life points fell again.

Sergey: 5600 - 3500 - 1200 = 900LP

"I will set two cards and end my turn," Reiji said.

[Turn 6: Sergey] [H:2]

"Draw," Sergey said. He placed down a card, and another swirling vortex emerged behind him. "Spell Card, Miracle Synchro Fusion! Fuse Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin and Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken in graveyard by banishing them! Demon that rules over the earth! Demon that clings to the land! Become one and rise from the depths of the underground! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha!"

And the world split open. A large, black demon appeared—red lines ran across it, sinister and bright. Long, segmented wings batted through the air, sharp at the edges. Two horns emerged from its canine head, curved and long around its skull. Its bright red eyes blended into the red glow that surrounded its face.

In conclusion—it was Sergey's ace.

It was every bit the disgusting, cruel creature that had struck his sister down.

And it was a reflection of this disgusting, cruel man.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha (10*/3000/1800/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"Activating effect of Earthbound Revival! Come back! Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon!" The glowing, winged creature appeared, letting out a sharp shriek. "Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon's effect! Revive Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade!" The two monsters appeared on the field, both in Defense Position, but no less deadly. "Since Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade was Special Summoned while I control Field Spell, halve attack points of all monsters you control and destroy monster you control! Also inflict damage equal to half that monster's original attack points! Target D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc!"

"Trap Card, D/D/D Human Resources," Reiji retorted. "I will shuffle D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc from my field, along with D/D/D Wave King Caesar and D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh from the graveyard into the deck, and I'll add two "D/D" monsters from my deck to my hand!"

Because d'Arc wasn't destroyed, Reiji didn't take any damage. However, his monsters were all weakened by Geo Isonade's effect.

[D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon: 3500 / 2 = 1750 ATK]

[D/D/D Gust High King Alexander: 6000 / 2 = 3000ATK]

[D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser: 2800 / 2 = 1400ATK]

[D/D Gryphon: 1200 / 2 = 600ATK]

[D/D Lilith: 100 / 2 = 50ATK]

"Destroy his strongest monster!" Sergey roared, eyes bulging wide. "Make it beautiful—Geo Grasha!"

Geo Grasha flew towards Super Doom King Purple Armageddon.

"... it's almost disgraceful, that you're the strongest opponent I've faced on this journey," Reiji said. There was a sharp glint in his eyes. "And that you've been undone by yourself, and that sick desire of yours that longs for mutual destruction."

"Huh?"

"Trap Card, D/D/D Contract Change," Reiji replied. "By banishing a "D/D/D" monster from my graveyard, your monster loses attack points equal to the attack points of the monster I banished. I will banish D/D/D Flame King Genghis from my graveyard, and your monster loses 2000 attack points!" Glowing light surrounded Geo Grasha, who howled in fury.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha: 3000 - 2000 = 1000ATK]

"Capsize!" Reiji ordered. "Retaliate with all your might!"

Purple Armageddon struck back, destroying the monster. Sergey let out a sharp howl that sounded exactly like his monster's.

Sergey: 900 - 750 = 150LP

"Neither Geo Isonade nor Geo Gryphon can declare an attack, since they're both in Defense Position!" Reiji pointed forward. "Your only option now is to lose!"

"Lose?"

Sergey's voice made Reiji feel like something was crawling down his spine.

"Lose? Lose? Me? Lose?" Sergey clutched at his head, and then he let out another loud scream, which almost sounded like a laugh. "Never! Reiji Akaba!... I'll kill you! I'll destroy you! Everyone that's important to you, I'll make them beautiful!" He picked up a card from his graveyard. "Geo Grasha will live! Will banish Earthbound Terraforming from graveyard to protect from destruction." He gnashed his teeth. "End turn!"

[Turn 7: Reiji] [H:4]

"Draw," Reiji said.

His Dark Contract's effect triggered. His life points dipped down. And yet, he didn't care.

Reiji: 1025 - 1000 = 25LP

"Don't look at me like that."

Reiji raised an eyebrow.

"Don't look at me like that!" Sergey howled. "You're going to die!" He slammed his large hands on his D-Wheel. "Die, Reiji Akaba! For thinking you can destroy me with that ugly logic, for stopping my beautiful victory, die, die, die! Disappear—"

"... you've finally lost even the smallest shred of sanity," Reiji reflected. "I will not die. You've got it wrong. The one who deserves to die is you. And not in the way that you hope, either—not in a blaze of glory. You do not deserve that. And if you don't understand this, that's even more true! This is the end for you!" He held up a fist. "I will activate the effect of D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon!"

"Fool!" Sergey was grasping at straws now. "Earthbound Prison! Targeted your monster! Effects negated!"

"Yes, that would be true…" Reiji had a carefully neutral expression on his face as he tilted his head upwards. "And that's why I Pendulum Summoned D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser last turn. When Supreme King Kaiser was Pendulum Summoned, I negated the effects of all cards on your field temporarily. However, once an effect like Earthbound Prison's is negated—it forgets which monster it targeted for its effect, or that it activated that effect at all. Thus—there is nothing that you can do to stop this now. My monster is completely free of your chains!" Purple Armageddon flew up. "With the effect of Purple Armageddon, I will target a monster you control in Attack Position, destroy it, and inflict damage to you equal to half its attack points! I will target Geo Grasha!"

Sergey looked like he was having a seizure.

"This is for my sister," Reiji declared coldly. "For the girl that I feel everything for. For my Lancers, who you and your master have hurt and suppressed. And for all your victims as well." He glanced at the blood-stained D-Wheel.

… even if Sergey's other opponents were likely from Academia, this was still not right.

"Finish him off, Purple Armageddon!"

And the explosion hit Sergey, knocking him back.

Sergey: 150 - 3000 / 2 = 0LP

Winner: Reiji Akaba!

Reiji breathed out slowly.

He turned away from his opponent, who was now shrieking on the spot—

To see Mion looking at him, rubbing the back of her head slightly.

Had she heard…

"Are you alright?" He asked, deciding to feign calmness for now.

"I'm alright," Mion said. "It was a rough fall, but… I don't think I was injured." There were some scrapes on her forearm and her knees, so Reiji begged to differ, but he at least trusted her to know when she was fine. Both of them studiously ignored Sergey's mad laughter in the distance. "... I think that's the first time I've heard you say it so clearly."

Crap.

"What do you mean?"

"That you care for Reira." Mion glanced at Reiji's sister.

Reiji mentally rewound, checking his words.

Had Mion thought that he was talking about Reira with that description?

"Well, let's get going," Mion said with a sigh. "It looks like he's not teleporting away… but he's not in the state to duel anymore, either." She glanced at Sergey, who had collapsed facedown on the ground and was now spasming.

"Good," Reiji said, and if it was a little more vehement than usual, Mion didn't point it out.

Reiji lifted Reira on his back, and the two of them set off again.

---

"Another programming error?" Roget snarled. "Reiji Akaba, you—"

He slammed the table.

No. It wasn't over yet. He still had cards to play. He was fine.

He commanded Sergey to head back, and was relieved when the man obeyed.

Besides, even if some members of Academia had been driven back, the main problem was still there. He had no clue where Yuri and his partner were, but at the very least, he could see where the three main threats were, other than those two.

Ryo Marufuji was currently making his way towards Security, and if that had made Roget panic when he had realised it, he wasn't going to tell anyone. (He had already prepared a way out of here, if the Kaiser showed up and couldn't be stopped by anyone. He was not going to challenge the Hell Kaiser directly.)

Kisara Tsutsuji, on the other hand, was headed towards the Friendship Cup stadium. Roget would admit to some surprise at that—he had expected it to be the other way round. That woman had always thrown herself completely into her work—he hadn't expected her to be here at all, but at the very least, he had assumed that she would be the one who would come for his research.

And finally…

Roget turned back to a certain camera's view. He grimaced.

She's just sitting there.

"The camera's light flickered on," the girl in the wheelchair said cheerfully, sitting right outside the High Council's office, moments away from the carnage inside. She had taken a look and come right back out. "That means you're watching, right?"

Roget grimaced. She had noticed that tiny red light?

Academia's Empress of Dragons, Honor Student Shino Gitsune. A strange, rarely serious girl who never seemed quite committed to anything.

Roget turned on the speaker near her, which was typically used for public announcements. "Not doing anything? I wonder what the Professor would think about that."

"Oh, please, we're over your whole spiel. You're not loyal to the Professor at all." Shino tilted her head, leaning on her left arm. "You did a pretty good job keeping me out! Seriously, do you have no elevators at all in this city? That's just painfully ableist! Staircases are super effective against me, you know."

… right.

"... seriously," Shino said, all traces of amusement gone from her voice all of a sudden. "You're lucky that there's no elevator in your Security building. I probably could have found a way in anyway, but I couldn't be bothered."

"You'd lose. I have duelists stronger than you."

"And?" Shino replied. She was not smiling. "How many of those people genuinely chose to work for you?"

Roget twitched.

"You don't need to say it! I already know the answer. It's none." Those green eyes seemed almost mocking. "You lack the most important trait that a leader needs to have."

"And what's that?" Roget growled out.

"The ability to inspire," Shino said. "You have a lot of cheap tricks, and I'm sure that those have worked for you in the past, but you'll never be half the leader that people like Reiji Akaba, Jack Atlas or Ryo Marufuji can be. There's nothing genuine to you, after all."

"Says the girl always pulling on the Kaiser's coattails," Roget replied. "You were nothing before you got crippled by that insane ratspawn of a Kaiba, and you're even less now."

"... what did you just call him?" Shino said sharply.

Roget inhaled sharply, before realising (with some mortification) that he was currently being intimidated by a teenage girl. Before he could retort with anything though—

"You had better hope that Ryo or the Lancers finish you off," Shino said softly. "Because if they leave it to me, I'll make sure you know exactly what I think of those words."

She left. Roget stared at the screen for a moment, and then he realised that his hands were shaking.

Ridiculous. That girl was nothing. She couldn't do anything to him—she was no threat—

He had too many other things to worry about right now.

---

It was harder to wake up than to fall asleep.

The first conscious thought that Yuji had when he woke up was rather detached. Simply just 'it hurts'. He recognised in some distant way that he was hurting all over, but he struggled to reconnect—to understand what was going on. Each part of his body felt numb and separated from the rest.

Hands. Feet. Knees. Fingers. Neck. Head.

(Eyes, staring blearily at the ceiling.)

He felt like he had been drenched in water—every part of him at once heavy and yet afloat, out of his control.

What had…

He had lost consciousness and woken up to that strange feeling of falling for just a moment, and then…

Nothing.

Slowly, he tried to get up—there was a strange rush to his head, and he nearly collapsed, but he managed to get into a sitting position.

What was—

Then, he remembered.

That person, Yugo…

"Looks like you're lucid. I'm not surprised."

Yuji glanced over. There was a green-haired girl there who he didn't recognise at all. He tilted his head—he was numb enough that his communication skills, which were already typically poor, were suffering even more. He meant to ask for her identity, but instead, what came out was, "people?"

"I am a person, yes," the person said readily, and she tilted her head, smiling in a disarmingly charming way. "I'm Hitoda Makishima." She unknowingly answered his question, even as Yuji slowly looked around—turning his head too fast would only make him even more disoriented.

There was Yugo. Passed out—had they both fallen? When? Hadn't they been dueling? Then, Yuri was there with two of the others who looked like him—Serena was nearby as well, and Hitoda was with—

Yuji immediately tried to stand up, but he fell back down immediately, his legs shaking.

"Don't injure yourself, Yuno's fine." Hitoda rolled her eyes. "Unconscious, but that seems to be his usual state nowadays. He's fine. You're more injured than he is."

"He's…" Yuji found the word eventually. "Alright?"

"Yes," Hitoda said. "He'll recover. They'll all recover… well, it's not completely without damage. That guy might have some issues in the future, but I don't exactly know enough to help him. And I'm not a doctor."

That guy… Yuji slowly followed her gaze. She was looking at Yuri, who…

Oh.

"Something fell on them, and he leapt to shield Yuya," Hitoda said. Yuji mentally assigned the name Yuya to the boy with the clashing colours for his hair.

"Shield him?" Yuji frowned.

… was that something that Yuri would do?

But anyway…

He could feel his body starting to get less numb, thankfully, but he was still just sitting there…

He heard footsteps.

He turned his head, eventually seeing three members of the Obelisk Force appear.

… figured.

"What happened here?" One of them muttered.

"Doesn't matter," another one replied. "Those are primary elimination targets, aren't they? Just get rid of them."

"Hold up, Yuri-sama's there too."

"He's injured?" One of the three stepped forward. "Well then, if we card him along with the rest, no one will know, right?"

Yuji grimaced.

"Don't even think about it," Hitoda said. "You're not in good condition, and neither am I."

"Then am I supposed to let them…" Yuji shook his head. "I can't…"

"What you can do is rest," another voice said, and all of them turned to look.

Yuji blinked slowly. His brain connected two and two together, but he was just frozen there.

"I'll take you three on." The newcomer was a figure wearing a white hood over her face, as though that would really hide her identity. "You can deal with them if you can deal with me. Or aren't you all so mighty and powerful? Don't you settle everything with this card game?"

"You're just one person!" Clearly overconfident, the three agreed. Yuji watched as the duel began.

(... his heart was racing.)

[DUEL!]

?: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Red: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Green: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Obelisk Force Red] [H:5]

"I'll start! I'll Normal Summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!" The rather commonly seen mechanical dog appeared on the Academia student's field.

[Antique Gear Hound Dog (3*/1000/1000/EARTH/Machine/Effect)]

"I'll activate the effect of Antique Gear Hound Dog! I'll inflict 600 damage to you! Hound Flare!" The bright flames shot towards the girl—

Who stood still, completely unfazed.

?: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP

"Then, I'll activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I'll fuse the Antique Gear Hound Dog on the field with Antique Gear Hound Dog in my hand! Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 5! Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog!" The two-headed dog jumped out, appearing on his field.

[Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog (5*/1400/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"I'll then end my turn!"

As the next member moved to draw, the girl intercepted them, starting her turn immediately.

[Turn 2: ?] [H:5]

"Since there is a monster on the field that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can Special Summon Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous, from my hand," the girl said. A blonde girl appeared on the field, dressed in white armour, with a rather determined look on her face.

[Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous (4*/1500/1500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Effect)[

"When Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add a "Dogmatika" card other than Ecclesia herself from my deck to my hand! However, I can't Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn!"

"It was my turn!" One of the Obelisk Force soldiers said, and the girl scoffed.

"So that you could attack me directly? No, fuck right off. It's my turn now. I'll play fair when I'm up against people who are actually worth a damn." The girl's voice was filled with sharp bitterness. "And anyone who messes with Yuji can't ever be forgiven. Since you control a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I'll Special Summon Dogmatika Fleurdelis, the Knighted from my hand!" A woman dressed entirely in silver armour appeared, her face not visible at all. She held onto a large shield and sword, swinging both through the air. Thin golden trails of fabric made up a cloak-like structure behind her.

[Dogmatika Fleurdelis, the Knighted (8*/2500/2500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"Then, I can negate the effect of a monster on the field until the End Phase." She gestured to Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog, which didn't even get the chance to respond as it was pinned down by a bright ray of light. "I will then activate the Spell Card, Pre-Preparation of Rites. I will add a Ritual Spell from my deck to my hand, and a Ritual Monster listed in that Ritual Spell from my deck or graveyard to my hand." She added two cards from her deck to her hand. "I will activate the Ritual Spell, Dogmatikamacabre."

An eerie red light surrounded her.

"I will tribute the Level 4 Dogmatika Adin, the Enlightened in my hand." The girl held up a card, which dissolved into light in front of her. "Holy corpse shrouded in the light of dogma. Let your relentless apathy cleanse this funereal plane, and bring forth the perfection that you seek! Advent! Level 4! White Relic of Dogmatika!"

A girl with pale blonde hair appeared, dressed in pink and white, with strange, sharp and shining patterns across her clothing. She carried a sense of emptiness to her—something apathetic to her gaze, dullness to her clothes—for all that her clothing was elegant, it carried no life to it. She held up a staff, staring forward. She looked rather similar to Ecclesia, too.

[White Relic of Dogmatika (4*/500/2500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Ritual/Effect)]

"If White Relic of Dogmatika is Ritual Summoned, I can target two monsters on the field, and one of them gains attack points equal to the other's attack points," the girl continued. "I'll target Ecclesia and Fleurdelis. Ecclesia's attack points increase by Fleurdelis's attack points! Awakening Cleanse!" Ecclesia glowed, though she seemed somewhat nervous.

[Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous: 1500 + 2500 = 4000ATK]

"4000 attack points already?" One of the Obelisk Force members gasped.

"What, are you finally scared?" The girl stared forward. There was a seething anger to her every move—something waiting to explode. "That's fine. I'll give you a chance to fight back. White Relic of Dogmatika attacks you directly, Green. And once per turn, when a "Dogmatika" monster declares an attack, the effect of Dogmatika Fleurdelis, the Knighted, activates. All "Dogmatika" monsters I control gain 500 attack points! Blessing of the Holy Stigma!" All her monsters glowed with an eerie, almost… 'too pure', light.

[Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous: 4000 + 500 = 4500ATK]

[Dogmatika Fleurdelis, the Knighted: 2500 + 500 = 3000ATK]

[White Relic of Dogmatika: 500 + 500 = 1000ATK]

White Relic's attack hit the second soldier.

Obelisk Force Green: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP

"You can't even argue that it's unfair, because that's what you all do." The girl gestured forward. "Do you know what they say about justice? Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." She narrowed her eyes. "Fleurdelis!"

Fleurdelis struck the second soldier, sending them flying.

Obelisk Force Green: 3000 - 3000 = 0LP

"But… Lancers don't fight with those methods!" One of the soldiers stammered—were they afraid?

"What the fuck is a Lancer?" The girl replied. "And why not? Is it because the people fighting you are supposed to be better? Is it because they're not supposed to stoop to your level? What a shame." Her words were coldly sarcastic. "If you wanted that, you have the wrong opponent. I'm not here to teach you right and wrong, and hold your hand like you're a toddler. I don't care about making you become a better person or some rubbish like that. I'm just here to punish you."

She gestured forward.

"Ecclesia!"

In a single strike, her next opponent was defeated.

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 - 4500 = 0LP

And then, there was one.

"I'll set a card facedown," the girl said. "Your turn." Ecclesia's attack points fell, but Fleurdelis's attack point boost remained.

[Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous: 4500 - 2500 = 2000ATK]

The soldier that had taken the first turn drew a card as his teammates were teleported back to Academia.

[Turn 3: Obelisk Force Red] [H:3]

"Draw. I'll activate the Spell Card, Fusion Recovery. I will add Polymerization and Antique Gear Hound Dog from my graveyard to my hand. And I'll activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I will fuse Antique Gear Hound Dog and Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog. Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!" The next form of the typical Fusion chain appeared on the field, letting out a loud roar.

[Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog (7*/1800/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"And Spell Card, Antique Gear Double Imitate! I will Special Summon two copies of Antique Gear Hound Dog from my graveyard with their effects negated! And by activating another copy of Polymerization, I will fuse Antique Gear Hound Dog and Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!" Two of the monsters shot up. "True leader of the mechanical hounds, emerge and howl out your demands for order! Fusion Summon! Lunge forth! Level 9! Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog!" The large dog appeared, its many heads all roaring at the same time.

[Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog (9*/2800/2000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"When this card is Fusion Summoned, your life points are halved!" The dog roared, and the girl's life points fell.

?: 3400 / 2 = 1700LP

"That's fine with me," the girl said. She flipped over her set card. "I will activate the Trap Card, Dogmatika Punishment. I can target your monster and send a monster with equal or higher attack points from my Extra Deck to the graveyard. I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck until the end of the next turn after this card is activated. Then—I will destroy that monster." She pulled out a card, pursing her lips. "St. Joan." It was a monster with no effects—clearly there for the sake of being sent to the graveyard. Ultimate Hound Dog exploded.

Her opponent looked terrified.

"Are you going to surrender, or do I have to clean you up too?"

The soldier surrendered without a thought, teleporting back.

Only then did the girl turn to look at him.

"... what took you so long?" Yuji asked. "I've been waiting for you." And that might sound rude, that might sound indifferent, that might sound like a thousand other things—

But he could trust her to find the true meaning behind them, because she was Chiaki Katsuya, and if anyone could find the single, shimmering truth in the night sky of his words, it was her. He could allow himself to expect that of her, in a way that he had never expected it from anyone else before—

He could expect her to recognise all of him, to see him and judge his actions.

(She would understand, but never be too kind. She would stand up against him if he did something that she didn't agree with, but support him wholeheartedly if she did agree.)

He could always, always be selfish with her—and selfish for her. He could do all these misdeeds for the hope of seeing her again, and know the entire time that she would despise what he had done—

—if it was anyone but him who had done it.

(That was the hypocrisy, after all, of allowing themselves to be so selfish with the other.)

"You've been waiting for me?" Chiaki replied. She took a step forward. Her hair was longer, as though she hadn't cut it for months—and it made her look slightly colder, slightly sharper around the edges, but still like herself.

"I waited so long." Yuji wanted to bury his face in his hands so that she couldn't see him, and at the same time, he wanted to never stop looking at her, so bright and vibrant and herself.

He got to his feet, and he stumbled forward. He collapsed in front of her, moments later, barely out of arms' length. It took all his energy to stand up and stagger over again. Even so, he looked at her.

"Chiaki," he murmured. "Please." And if that word was filled with more desperation than he had ever managed to express in his life, that was between the two of them. There were so many things that he wanted to say, but all of them could be tied back to that single word.

Please.

Chiaki's eyes did not soften. But she did watch him, and then she replied. "Yes," she said. "Of course."

Please understand.

Yes. Of course.

And the relief that it brought to him caused his legs to give way. Chiaki's arm looped around him and caught him before he fell again.

He leaned into her shoulder.

"You had to wait too long," she said.

"You… waited too. Back then."

"I always thought there was something more. I was waiting for you to be ready."

"... you didn't need to wait," Yuji said. "If you wanted to go somewhere, I would have gone with you."

"I know." Chiaki raised her head. "For you and me, I will burn Academia to the ground. That's my promise to you."

"... keep it."

"Who do you take me for?"

Yuji looked at her, eyes closed slightly due to tiredness. "… Chiaki."

"That was a rhetorical question. You've clearly hit your head too hard." However, she reached out, tucking his fringe behind his ear. "I'm here. You can rest now."

And there was still a war going on. They were still in the centre of it.

But at the very least, for the first time in half a year…

They were together.

---

Duel 1 Summary: Reiji Akaba vs Sergey Volkov

Duel Format: Normal Duel

Turn 1: Reiji Akaba

Reiji activates the Continuous Spell, Dark Contract with the Gate. He uses its effect to add D/D Swirl Slime to his hand. He activates the effect of D/D Swirl Slime to perform a Fusion Summon using materials in his hand. He fuses D/D Swirl Slime and D/D Gryphon to Fusion Summon D/D/D Flame King Genghis. (6*/2000/1500) He Normal Summons D/D Nighthowl (3*/300/600) and uses its effect to Special Summon D/D Gryphon (4*/S1/1200/1200) from the graveyard, with its ATK/DEF becoming 0. Reiji uses D/D Gryphon's effect to add a "D/D" card from his Deck to his hand. He uses the effect of D/D/D Flame King Genghis to Special Summon D/D Swirl Slime from the GY. He uses D/D Swirl Slime and D/D Gryphon to Link Summon D/D/D Abyss King Gilgamesh. (L2/1800/↙, ↘) He uses Abyss King Gilgamesh's effect, taking 1000 damage to place the Scale 1 D/D Savant Copernicus and the Scale 8 D/D Savant Newton in the Pendulum Scales. [RA: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP] Reiji Pendulum Summons D/D Gryphon from the deck and D/D Lilith (4*/100/2100) from the Extra Deck. He uses D/D Lilith's effect to add D/D Swirl Slime from his GY to his hand. He uses Gryphon's effect to discard D/D Necro Slime and draw a card. He tunes the Level 3 D/D Nighthowl to the Level 4 D/D Lilith, Synchro Summoning D/D/D Gust King Alexander. (7*/2500/2000) He uses the effect of D/D Necro Slime, banishing itself and D/D Nighthowl from the GY to Fusion Summon D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc. (8*/2800/2000) He uses D/D/D Gust King Alexander's effect to Special Summon D/D Lilith from the GY. He overlays the Level 4 D/D Lilith and D/D Gryphon to Xyz Summon D/D/D Wave King Caesar. (R4/2400/1200/OU:2) Reiji sets two cards and ends his turn.

Turn 2: Sergey Volkov

Sergey activates the Field Spell, Earthbound Prison. He negates the effects of D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc while Earthbound Prison is face-up on the field. He sends Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper (5*/1600/1600) from his hand to the GY to add Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper (1*/300/300) from his Deck to his hand. He Normal Summons Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper, using its effect to Special Summon Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper from the GY. He tunes the Level 1 Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper to the Level 5 Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper,, Synchro Summoning Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin. (6*/2000/1000) He activates Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin's effect, targeting D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc, forcing Reiji to choose to destroy it or grant Sergey LP equal to its ATK. Reiji chooses to give him LP. [SV: 4000 + 2800 = 6800LP] Sergey starts his Battle Phase, banishing Stone Sweeper and Ground Keeper from the GY to Fusion Summon Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade (6*/2400/500) with Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin's effect. He uses Geo Isonade's effect to halve the attack poitns of all monsters Reiji controls. Then, he can target and destroy d'Arc, and destroy it, inflicting damage to Reiji equal to half its original ATK. [RA: 3000 - 1400 = 1600LP] Geo Isonade attacks D/D/D Wave King Caesar.

Reiji activates the effect of D/D/D Wave King Caesar, detaching one Overlay Unit from it to allow himself to Special Summon as many monsters as possible back from the GY during the end of the Battle Phase, as long as those monsters were destroyed that turn. Geo Isonade's attack destroys Caesar. [RA: 1600 - 1200 = 400LP] Since D/D/D Wave King Caesar was sent from the field to the GY, Reiji adds a "Dark Contract" card from his Deck to his hand. Geo Gremlin attacks D/D/D Gust King Alexander. Reiji activates the Trap Card, Contract Laundering, destroying Dark Contract with the Gate to draw 1 card and gain 1000 LP. [RA: 400 + 1000 = 1400LP] Geo Gremlin destroys Alexander by battle. [RA: 1400 - 750 = 650LP] At the end of the Battle Phase, with Caesar's effect, Reiji revives Alexander, Caesar and d'Arc. He uses the effect of D/D/D Flame King Genghis to Special Summon D/D Gryphon from the GY. He uses D/D Gryphon's effect to add another "D/D" card from his Deck to his hand. Sergey activates the Spell Card, Earthbound Terraforming, destroying his Field Spell to draw 2 cards. He Normal Summons Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker. (3*/800/1100) He adds Earthbound Prison from his GY to his hand. He activates it again, targeting D/D/D Flame King Genghis. Sergey sets two cards and ends his turn.

Turn 3: Reiji Akaba

Reiji draws. During his Standby Phase, Caesar inflicts 3000 damage to him. d'Arc's effect converts it to LP. [RA: 650 + 3000 = 3650LP] Sergey activates Geo Gremlin's effect, targeting D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc. Reiji allows him to gain LP. [SV: 6800 + 2800 = 9600LP] Abyss King Gilgamesh attacks Line Walker. [SV: 9600 - 1000 = 8600LP] Sergey uses Geo Isonade's effect to draw 1 card. Caesar attacks Geo Gremlin. Sergey activates the Trap Card, Earthbound Sacrifice, banishing Geo Gremlin and negating the attack, while Special Summoning Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua (10*/2900/2400) from the Deck.

Reiji activates the Continuous Spell, Dark Contract with the Swamp King, using its effect to fuse D/D/D Wave King Caesar and D/D/D Flame King Genghis to Fusion Summon D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon. (10*/S1/3500/3000) He uses the effect of D/D/D Wave King Caesar to add a "Dark Contract" card from his Deck to his hand. Sergey activates the Trap Card, Earthbound Release. Reiji activates the Counter Trap, Solemn Judgmeent, negating the activation of the Trap by paying half his LP. [RA: 3650 / 2 = 1825LP] He uses D/D/D Gust King Alexander's effect to Special Summon D/D Lilith from the GY, and uses its effect to add a "D/D" monster from his GY to his hand. He activates the effect of D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon, targeting and destroying Chacu Challhua, inflicting half its original ATK as damage to Sergey. [SV: 8600 - 1800 = 6800LP] Reiji sets 1 card and ends his turn. Geo Gremlin returns to Sergey's field.

Turn 4: Sergey Volkov

Sergey draws. Geo Gremlin's effect is activated, targeting D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon. Reiji chooses to destroy it. Sergey Special Summons Earthbound Prisoner Tomb Sweeper (5*/1500/1500) from his hand. He Normal Summons Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker. He adds Harmonic Synchro Fusion from his Deck to his hand. He activates it, and sends Line Walker and Tomb Sweeper from the field to the GY to Special Summon Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon (8*/2500/1500) and Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken (8*/2800/1200) from the Extra Deck. He uses Kraken's effect to add a second copy of Earthbound Prison from the Deck to his hand. He uses Gryphon's effect to Special Summon Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua from his GY in Defense Position. Kraken attacks D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc, and both are destroyed. Isonade's effect triggers, and Sergey draws 1 card. Geo Isonade attacks Gilgamesh. [RA: 1825 - 600 = 1225LP] Since Gilgamesh was destroyed by battle with an opponent's attacking monster, Reiji Special Summons D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon from the Extra Deck. Geo Gryphon and Geo Gremlin attack D/D Gryphon and D/D Lilith respectively. Sergey activates her second copy of Earthbound Prison, targeting Purple Armageddon and negating its effects. Chacu Challhua inflicts damage to Reiji equal to half its DEF. [RA: 1225 - 1200 - 25LP] Reiji activates the Continuous Trap, Call of the Haunted, reviving D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc. He uses D/D/D Gust King Alexander's effect to Special Summon D/D Lilith from the GY. Hee uses Lilith's effect to add Gryphon from his Extra Deck to his hand. Sergey activates the Continuous Spell, Earthbound Revival, ignoring summoning conditions and reviving Geo Kraken.

Turn 5: Reiji Akaba

Reiji draws. Dark Contract with the Swamp King inflicts 1000 damage to him, but d'Arc changes it to LP. [RA: 25 + 1000 = 1025LP] Reiji Pendulum Summons D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser (8*/2800/2100) and D/D Gryphon from his hand. D/D Gryphon lets him discard a "Dark Contract" or "D/D" card to draw a card. D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser negates the effects of all cards that Sergey controls until the End Phase. Gremlin targets D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon. Reiji chooses to let Sergey gain LP. [SV: 6800 + 3500 = 10300LP] He activates Gust King Alexander's effect to Special Summon D/D Nighthowl from the GY. He tunes the Level 3 D/D Nighthowl to the Level 7 D/D/D Gust King Alexander, Synchro Summoning D/D/D Gust High King Alexander. (10*/3000/2500) Since Reiji controls three or more "D/D/D" monsters, Gust High King Alexander gains 3000 attack points. He uses the effect of D/D/D Supreme King Kaiser, destroying both cards in his Pendulum Scales for two additional attacks. Supreme King Kaiser attacks and destroys Chacu Challhua, Geo Kraken and Geo Gryphon. [SV: 10300 - 300 = 10000LP] D/D/D Gust High King Alexander attacks Geo Isonade. [SV: 10000 - 3600 = 6400LP] d'Arc destroys Geo Gremlin. [SV: 6400 - 800 = 5600LP] D/D Gryphon and D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon attack directly. [SV: 5600 - 3500 - 1200 = 900LP] Reiji sets 2 cards and ends his turn.

[Note: For those that might be confused—Reiji never directly mentions it here because it's not possible for him to know exactly how convenient Supreme King Kaiser's effect was for him, but I'll explain it now. Because of the negation effect, Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua and Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade can be targeted for attacks despite their respective effects, and Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua's effect to stop the Battle Phase does not apply. Earthbound Prison's effect is negated here and loses its target. Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin's effect is negated, so Geo Grasha cannot come out yet. So yup, Chacu Challhua got majorly screwed over here, but Reiji doesn't know that.]

Turn 6: Sergey Volkov

Sergey draws. He activates the Spell Card, Miracle Synchro Fusion, fusing Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin and Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken in his GY to Fusion Summon Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha. (10*/3000/1800) He activates the effect of Earthbound Revival, Special Summoning Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon in Defense Position. He activates the effect of Geo Gryphon, Special Summoning Geo Isonade from the graveyard. Geo Isonade's effect allows him to target d'Arc and destroy it, along with halving the ATK of all monsters Reiji controls until the End Phase. Reiji activates the Trap Card, D/D/D Human Resources, shuffling d'Arc from the field into the Extra Deck, along with Caesar and Gilgamesh from the GY into the Extra Deck, adding two "D/D" monsters from his Deck to his hand. His monsters' ATK are still halved, but I'm not typing all that.

Geo Grasha attacks D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon. Reiji activates the Trap Card, D/D/D Contract Change, banishing D/D/D Flame King Genghis from the GY to lower Geo Grasha's ATK by 2000. (ESGG: 3000 - 2000 = 1000ATK) [SV: 900 - 750 = 150LP] Sergey activates the effect of Earthbound Terraforming, banishing it from the GY to protect Geo Grasha from destruction. He ends his turn.

Turn 7: Reiji Akaba

Reiji draws. He takes 1000 damage from Dark Contract of the Swamp King. [RA: 1025 - 1000 = 25LP] He activates the effect of D/D/D Super Doom King Purple Armageddon, destroying Geo Grasha and inflicting half its ATK as damage to Sergey. [SV: 150 - 1500 = 0LP] Reiji wins!

---

Duel 2 Summary: Chiaki Katsuya vs Obelisk Force

Duel Format: Battle Royale

Turn 1: Obelisk Force Red

Red Normal Summons Antique Gear Hound Dog. (3*/1000/1000) He inflicts 600 damage to Chiaki with its effect. [CK: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP] He activates Polymerization, fusing two copies of Antique Gear Hound Dog on his field and in his hand to Fusion Summon Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog (5*/1400/1000) in Attack Position.

Turn 2: Chiaki Katsuya

Chiaki Special Summons Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous (4*/1500/1500) from her hand, since her opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. She uses Ecclesia's effect to add a "Dogmatika" card from her Deck to her hand. Since her opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, she Special Summons Dogmatika Fleurdelis, the Knighted (8*/2500/2500) from her hand. She uses its effect to negate Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog's effect. She activates the Spell Card, Pre-Preparation of Rites, adding a Ritual Spell and a Ritual Monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Dogmatikamacabre and White Relic of Dogmatika (4*/500/2500) from her Deck to her hand. She activates the Spell Card, Dogmatikamacabre, tributing the Level 4 Dogmatika Adin, the Enlightened, Ritual Summoning White Relic of Dogmatika. She uses the effect of White Relic of Dogmatika, increasing Ecclesia's ATK by Fleurdelis's ATK. (DETV: 1500 + 2500 = 4000ATK) White Relic attacks Green directly. With Fleurdelis's effect, all "Dogmatika" monsters gain 500 ATK. (DETV: 4000 + 500 = 4500ATK) (DFTK: 2500 + 500 = 3000ATK) (WROD: 500 + 500 = 1000ATK) White Relic's attack hits. [OFG: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP] Fleurdelis attacks Green directly. [OFG: 3000 - 3000 = 0LP] Ecclesia attacks Yellow directly. [OFY: 4000 - 4500 = 0LP] Chiaki sets a card and ends her turn.

Turn 3: Obelisk Force Red

Red draws. They activate the Spell Card, Fusion Recovery, adding Polymerization and Antique Gear Hound Dog from the GY to his hand. He activates Polymerization, fusing Antique Gear Hound Dog and Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog, Fusion Summoning Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog. (7*/1800/1000) from the Extra Deck. Red activates the Spell Card, Antique Gear Double Imitate, Special Summoning two copies of Antique Gear Hound Dog from the GY. Red activates Polymerization, fusing Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog and Antique Gear Hound Dog to Fusion Summon Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog. (9*/2800/2000) When Fusion Summoned, Ultimate Hound Dog halves Chiaki's LP. [CK: 3400 / 2 = 1700LP] Chiaki activates the Trap Card, Dogmatika Punishment, sending St. Joan from her Extra Deck to the GY to destroy Ultimate Hound Dog. Red surrenders. Chiaki wins.

---

OC Cards:

Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade

(6*/2400/500/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Tuner/Effect)

2 "Earthbound" monsters

While you control this card, Field Spells you control cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects. This card cannot be targeted for attacks while you control another "Earthbound" monster. If this card is Special Summoned while you control a Field Spell: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; all monsters your opponent controls have their ATK halved until the End Phase, also, you can destroy the targeted monster, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half the destroyed monster's original ATK. If a "Earthbound" monster you control is destroyed while you control this face-up card: You can draw 1 card. You can only activate each effect of "Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade" once per turn.

Trivia: Based on the legendary isonade, a mythological Japanese shark-like creature which lives by the ocean coast.

Earthbound Terraforming

(Spell)

Destroy 1 face-up Field Spell on the field; draw 2 cards. If a "Earthbound" monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect while this card is in your GY, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only activate 1 "Earthbound Terraforming" per turn.

Earthbound Prisoner Tomb Sweeper

(5*/1500/1500/DARK/Fiend/Effect)

If you control a DARK Tuner monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position. You can discard this card; send 1 "Earthbound" card from your Deck to the GY. A DARK Fiend Synchro Monster that was Summoned using this card as Synchro Material cannot be destroyed by battle. A DARK Fiend Fusion Monster that was Summoned using this card as Fusion Material cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Earthbound Sacrifice

(Trap)

If your opponent's monster attacks a DARK monster you control: You can banish that monster you control until the End Phase; negate that attack, and if you do, you can Special Summon 1 Level 10 or lower "Earthbound" monster from your Deck ignoring Summoning conditions.

Earthbound Revival

(Spell/Continuous)

Once per turn, if you control a Level 8 or higher "Earthbound" monster: You can Special Summon 1 "Earthbound" monster from the GY in Defense Position, ignoring summoning conditions. If this card is destroyed by an opponent's card or effect: You can target 1 "Earthbound" card in the GY; add it to your hand.

---

Different Card Effects from TCG:

D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc - Anime effect, slightly dicey due to the 'activation' part, so it's essentially just TCG effect, but optional and applies to damage inflicted to any duelist.

Antique Gear Hound Dog - Uses its later anime effect.

Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog - Anime-only card.

Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog - Anime-only card.

Antique Gear Double Imitate - Anime-only card.

Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog - Anime-only card.

---

End Notes:

You haven't seen her in half a year, Yuji? It's taken me half a year to get here. :)

I think it's very telling that Sergey is the only character which has to be censored within the story itself. (E.g. Reiji mentioning that Sergey is ranting in the background, but not actually mentioning what he's saying.) Also, that Sergey is basically the only character in this story that deserves his own trigger warning. I am patiently waiting until I can say "yup, this guy's not showing up again". Also, not going to lie, I hate writing dialogue for characters who don't have any grasp on grammar. Writing broken English pains me.

So, I had a choice when it came to writing this chapter. One, I could actually spend days trying to figure out optimal D/D/D strats. Two, I could just read through all the cards and wing it. I'm sure there was a much more optimal way for Reiji to play, even with pure D/D/Ds, but I wanted to get this chapter out sometime before next year. :D So that's how it is.

(And yes. The title of this chapter is a pun. :) I couldn't help myself.)

The Pendulum Zones and Spell/Trap Zones are a complicated case. This story follows Master Rule 5, except that Pendulum Zones are separate from Spell/Trap Zones, and Pendulum Monsters can be Pendulum Summoned back to any zone, not just the Extra Monster Zone. In Master Rule 5, Pendulum Zones are the S/T Zones, but in Master Rule 3, back when the zones were separate, they were considered different. In the end, this story treats them as Spell/Trap Zones as well, because that's an easier ruling to deal with than otherwise. This was specifically important with Supreme King Kaiser's effect. In the end, the ruling for this story is that Pendulum Zones are a subset of Spell/Trap Zones.

Did I get carried away with Mion's turn and not realise it until I reread the chapter? Yes. Whoops.

Also, my friend pointed this out to me, but this is structured exactly like a boss fight. A bunch of mooks that are easy to take out, and then the boss comes out of nowhere and jumpscares the shit out of you. It's definitely intended to be mood whiplash, though there's a high chance that you already figured out that Sergey was the opponent from the start.

The third person that Reiji cares about most, naturally, is his mother. Also, I'll be honest—I genuinely thought that Mion had already explained her car accident to the Lancers, but it turns out that I cut that scene, so that's a whoops from me.

I had to rewrite the whole duel because Harmonic Synchro Fusion does not summon the monsters 'properly', so they can't be Special Summoned from the graveyard. :D So that was painful. Also, I got to Turn 4 of the duel and was like "am I going overboard with the long turns"? And the answer was no, D/D is just ridiculous. I'm not a D/D player, but even I can see how ridiculous the combos can get.

Reiji, being a chad (jk), literally doesn't care about Sergey's monsters having supernatural strength. Instead of getting traumatised or anything, he just makes an observation that 'huh, that's interesting' and moves on. It's something that happened when I was writing the duel—it just felt out of character for Reiji to care about it after realising that it was in fact 'a thing', so to speak.

And no, Sergey does not fuse with his D-Wheel. I'm sorry, that part was uh, kind of ridiculous, to be honest, even in a show about sentient monsters and souls fusing together. I wouldn't be able to write it with a straight face.

Alright, now to the other star of the show! Welcome back—Chiaki Katsuya! :D We'll discuss more implications later, but I'm very glad to get to this moment. Going into nerd stuff, what Chiaki references is the law of retributive justice, aka that a person should receive a punishment proportional to the offence. It is an argument used for certain laws, but while Chiaki claims that it's the definition of justice, it is simply a possible definition of justice. Not quite the same thing. :D

Also, remember Chiaki saying that countering the Extra Deck was useless, back before she knew anything about other dimensions? :) Well, considering what deck she's playing, she now has to eat her words. In case anyone is wondering why she changed decks—Asuka was mentioned to have stolen her deck from Academia's evidence locker, to stop her friend's deck from being in Academia's hands. The Dogmatikas were given to her by Shino, which was the only way that I could justify it, since Dogmatikas are a Branded archetype.

Review responses!

To Bryz0n, haha, I have a feeling that I know what your theory is! Both Blue Angel and Revolver will play pretty important roles once we get to the Link Dimension, though that'll take a while. Unfortunately, Revolver is so strong that I can't include him in the story too quickly, or it'll break the power scale.

To kikuruhime, I'm glad that you like Dennis's portrayal, but he's… definitely going to suffer for a while, haha. Sora and Dennis are kind of downplayed foils in the last chapter—one of them finally recognises his own actions and their consequences, while the other one already knew, and both suffer from the guilt they feel.

To DSpaceZ, hey! :) Yeah, as someone who likes Sora's character a lot, I wanted to give him a proper arc to redemption at least. In the canon of this fic, Dennis doesn't run the Antique Gears in his deck. Also, I'm glad that you were split on who should win, because so was I! Originally, I was going to have Dennis defeat Sawatari on-screen to give him a win, but that felt a little mean-spirited towards Sawatari, so I went with what I had here instead. I honestly didn't think about the name of Leo Akaba's deck until now, but that's pretty interesting! And don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the dragons, and I do acknowledge that they'd be a good parallel. It's just not my cup of tea, in this case. :D

To Kurodo446, yes, though her bracelet already wasn't doing that. Just so that I could have some actual interactions between the Yu-boys, I made that ability only work when Yuzu felt threatened by something.

To Ben23ten, Sora has a long road ahead of him! I don't intend to let him be that easily forgiven—most of the Lancers, such as Tsukikage and Shun, still have personal issues with him that are only not being addressed because well, there are bigger problems at hand. And well, thanks for the compliment on the villains! Obviously, there are some villains who I do think are unforgivable (*coughs* Leo Akaba, Roget, Sergey, [redacted]), but I'm generally trying to straddle the line between sympathy and judgement. Yes, the characters are tragic, but it doesn't make their actions any less wrong.

To Makosultima12, mm, I did mention it very early on in the story, but Miharu and Chiaki's motifs are a part of their names, if you want a hint. :D

To naminexriku2468, I'll check that theme out when I get the chance!

To LHOCIN, mm, giving Yuzu Pendulums was always set in stone. And I'm glad that you liked Sora and Dennis! :)

To Unlucky-Fausto, Sawatari will get a duel later on! Originally, I had him lose to Dennis here, but it didn't work for any of the characters involved in the way that I wanted, so I cut it. Honestly, I've had the specific scene with Yuzu breaking her bracelet written for quite a long time, though without the rest of the chapter. I'm glad to get it out. :)

To cardfan135, oh, I totally get the AMV effect. There are some songs that people always use in AMVs, and then you associate them forever with that duel.

To phantomdragons, I usually call the girls the Nature Girls in my notes, so you can use that name if you want? :) And yup, those Pendulum effects (along with Mottotheme) were absolutely born out of my frustration that Yuzu can't touch back row cards, lmao.

QOTC: Give me your predictions for future duels in the arc! :)

Next chapter, as you might expect, will explain how Chiaki got out of Academia! (And as you might also expect, how some… others might also have benefitted from this change in plot. :))