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?

72. Chapter 72: Crystals Camouflaged In Ice

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! This chapter was ninety percent written in the middle of the night on coffee over the course of like four days—I've been busy. Still, it was pretty fun! We'll talk more at the bottom.

---

Chapter 72: Crystals Camouflaged In Ice

In truth, when Yuno had heard Arisu Kirijo's story, his first thought had been 'that makes sense'. After all, someone as mature as she was, able to distinguish the greys between white and black—there had to be something there in her past that had blurred the lines. Even then, it had been far more savage than he had expected—innocence that had been torn from the woman's eyes, unable to be blinded again.

Even so…

Yuno had also wondered about this woman's morality. Yes, she certainly seemed to be the kindest one among their enemies—but Yuno also remembered what she had said after she had tased him and arrested him.

'Forgive me.'

Yuno had mused over those two words for a while.

"Don't stare for too long or your girlfriend will get jealous," Arisu said.

"She has nothing to be jealous about," Yuno said—maybe it was his tiredness that had allowed him to speak so frankly. Next to him, Yuya choked on his own breath in surprise. Yuno purposely did not look at Miharu's reaction.

Arisu smirked. "How bold," she said. "Well, if I wanted to see puppy love, I'd pick up a childrens' book." She gestured forward. "It's you two, right? It's like seeing double, but at least it's not Yugo. Give me your best shot."

Right, Yugo…

Yuno raised his arm, slightly more determined.

"We can't make Yugo fight another one of his sisters," Yuya said, voicing what Yuno was already thinking. "That's too cruel."

"Yeah," Yuno agreed. "You and I have to win, Yuya." He winked. "I have full faith in us."

And he most certainly meant it, too.

---

[DUEL!]

Arisu Kirijo: 8000LP

Yuya Sakaki: 4000LP

Yuno Sugisaki: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Yuya] [H:5]

Yuya, who had randomly been assigned the first turn, looked at his hand and choked.

Nope. This day had been far too long. He was not even going to question this right now. He could think about the implications of… this when they were finally done fighting.

He plucked up two cards from his hand.

"I'll set the Scale 2 Performapal Ballad and the Scale 5 Performapal Barracuda in the Pendulum Scales!" He declared. Two young men appeared, both of them with roses on the top of their heads—one white, one black. The two graceful knight-like monsters landed in the pillars of blue light.

Roses. Plants. It didn't take a genius to figure out exactly why these two strange cards had appeared in his deck.

"Oh, pretty handsome," Yuno said nonchalantly. Yuya shot him a surprised look. "What? I can admire, can't I?"

Well, yes, but that was far more open than Yuya had ever heard another boy be about male appearances. Then again, Yuno was always far more open about these things.

"With this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon Level 3 and Level 4 monsters! Swing, pendulum! Draw an arc of light across the aether! Pendulum Summon! Come, my monsters!" Two streaks of light shot down in front of him. "First—Performapal Parrotrio!" A group of three colourful parrots appeared, squeezing into a single Main Monster Zone. "And second—Performapal Trumpanda!" The panda with a trumpet appeared next to Parrotrio. The four animals cheerfully chatted with each other.

[Performapal Parrotrio (3*/S2/500/500/WIND/Winged Beast/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Performapal Trumpanda (3*/S3/800/800/EARTH/Beast/Pendulum/Effect)]

The two of them were both in Defense Position—Yuya wanted to test the waters first, after all.

"I'll end my turn," Yuya said. He glanced at Yuno, who nodded cheerfully.

[Turn 2: Yuno] [H:5]

"Don't mind if I do! My turn." Yuno glanced through his hand. "I'll Normal Summon Marincess Pascalus!" The pink-haired girl appeared on his field, raising her head with a demure smile.

[Marincess Pascalus (4*/1200/2000/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"Marincess Pascalus's effect! I'll Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from my hand! Come—Marincess Mandarin!" The orange sea idol appeared next to Pascalus.

[Marincess Mandarin (1*/100/100/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"Open, circuit of the limitless ocean!" He declared with a wink. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are a Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster! I will set Marincess Pascalus in the Link Markers! Shine, beautiful water creature that dwells in the depths! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Blue Slug!" The blue-haired Link Monster appeared in front of him, ready for battle.

[Marincess Blue Slug (L1/1500/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↓)]

"I'll activate Blue Slug's effect," Yuno continued. "I can add a "Marincess" monster from my graveyard to my hand, but I cannot Special Summon monsters this turn, except WATER monsters." He picked up Pascalus, putting her card back in his hand. "Open again, circuit! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are one Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster! I will set Marincess Mandarin in the Link Markers! Beautiful angel floating through the ocean, ascend now! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Sea Angel!" The white-themed girl appeared on the field, smiling brightly.

[Marincess Sea Angel (L1/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←)]

Both Blue Slug and Sea Angel turned to him—they both looked genuinely relieved. Why? Yuno offered them a smile, and both of them nodded determinedly.

"I'll activate the effect of Marincess Sea Angel," he said. "I can add a "Marincess" Spell from my deck to my hand. I'll add and activate the Field Spell, Marincess Battle Ocean." The water splashed out around him. "Marincess Mandarin's effect. Since I control two or more "Marincess" monsters, I can Special Summon Marincess Mandarin from the graveyard to a zone that a WATER Link Monster I control points to!" Mandarin reappeared to the left of Sea Angel.

"Well," Arisu murmured, "isn't this familiar?"

"Open, circuit of the limitless ocean! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Blue Slug and Marincess Sea Angel in the Link Markers! Appear now, colourful idol of the reef! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Marincess Coral Anemone!" The orange-haired woman appeared, colourful spots and patterns covering her clothes.

[Marincess Coral Anemone (L2/2000/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←, ↓)]

"Coral Anemone's effect!" Yuno declared. "I'll Special Summon a WATER monster with 1500 or less attack points from the graveyard to the field. Return to the field—Marincess Blue Slug!" The blue-themed idol reappeared on the field. "Spell Card, Marincess Dive! I will Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from my deck! Come! Marincess Blue Tang!"

The girl with dark blue hair—Yuno's playmaker, naturally.

[Marincess Blue Tang (4*/1500/1200/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"Blue Tang's effect. I'll send a "Marincess" card from my deck to the graveyard."

He dropped the card in the graveyard, before he raised a hand. The bright circuit reappeared above him.

"Open again, circuit! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are at least two WATER monsters! I will set the Link 2 Marincess Coral Anemone, along with Marincess Blue Tang and Marincess Blue Slug in the Link Markers! Light splits forth through the invitation of the great reef. Unimaginable colours, split-second reflections, all which exist within a second of time! Now, lady of the shimmering waters! Shine forth! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4! Marincess Great Bubble Reef!" The Link 4 monster appeared on the field—ready for defence and battle.

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef (L4/2600/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←, ↙, ↓, →)]

"Marincess Blue Tang's effect," Yuno said cheerfully. "I'll excavate the top three cards of my deck and add a "Marincess" card from among them to my hand." He plucked up the card. "Coral Anemone's effect. I'll add Marincess Dive from my graveyard to my hand. Battle Ocean then equips Blue Slug, Sea Angel and Coral Anemone from the graveyard to Great Bubble Reef, and she gains 600 attack points for each one, along with 200 attack points, since she's a "Marincess" monster!"

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 2600 + 600 x 3 + 200 = 4600ATK]

Yuya grinned in admiration.

Yuno was always so… overwhelming. And Yuya couldn't help but be confident, just because he knew how strong the orange-haired boy was.

"And now, I'll end my turn!"

[Turn 3: Arisu] [H:5]

"My turn, then," Arisu said. For a moment, a look of distaste crossed her face as she looked at her hand.

"Something wrong?" Yuno asked.

"... no," Arisu said. "Orders are orders. This is just… mildly upsetting. I tried my best not to use them earlier because just touching them makes me want to throw up… but my usual tricks won't work against you." The last part was directed at Yuno, who blinked. "Your new upgrades, right? Monster negation, banishing, Traps, monsters that can't change battle position. Just you alone, at this point, would probably give me some trouble. Let alone your other talented friend there. So I'll have to play like him, unfortunately."

She gestured forward.

"It's my Standby Phase."

"Oh, you remembered! I'll activate the effect of Great Bubble Reef," Yuno said. "I'll banish Marincess Blue Tang from the graveyard and draw a card. And when a monster is banished face-up, Great Bubble Reef gains 600 attack points until the End Phase!"

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 4600 + 600 = 5200ATK]

Yuno still had Mandarin in Defense Position on the field, along with Great Bubble Reef in Attack Position. Yuya, meanwhile, had Trumpanda and Parrotrio, which would hopefully help him through the turn.

"I did remember," Arisu said. "And the answer to that is blatantly obvious to me. Spell Card, Heavy Storm! I will destroy all Spells and Traps on the field!"

Yuya's eyes widened. His Pendulum Scales both broke down—the pillars of light shattering into blue fragments. At the same time, Yuno's entire backrow fell apart, along with his Field Spell. Great Bubble Reef's attack points plummeted.

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 5200 - 2000 = 3200ATK]

"Since Marincess Coral Anemone was sent from the field to the graveyard, I can add Marincess Battle Ocean from my graveyard to my hand." Yuno picked up the card from the graveyard. He seemed a little disappointed, though not shocked.

"Spell Card, Medallion of the Ice Barrier. I can add a "Ice Barrier" monster from my deck to my hand."

Ice Barrier? Wasn't her archetype Crystrons?

"I'll Normal Summon Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier." A dark-haired woman in blue and gold robes appeared in front of her, ice crystals forming around her and swirling around, forming bright mirror-like structures.

[Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier (2*/1000/400/WATER/Aqua/Tuner/Effect)]

"Since my opponent controls a monster and I control an "Ice Barrier" monster, I can also Special Summon General Wayne of the Ice Barrier from my hand." A man in cerulean, ice-like armour appeared next to Mirror Magic Master, looking rather calm. He was holding onto silver daggers which gleamed with a cold sheen.

[General Wayne of the Ice Barrier (5*/2100/400/WATER/Warrior/Effect)]

"General Wayne's effect," Arisu continued. "I will add an "Ice Barrier" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. Then, I'll activate the effect of Mirror Magic Master. I will tribute General Wayne. This turn, I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except WATER Synchro Monsters. Then, I can Special Summon up to three Ice Barrier Tokens to my field." In front of her, three floating ice crystals appeared, surrounded by a gold border of metal.

[Ice Barrier Token (x3) (1*/0/0/WATER/Aqua)]

Three monsters with a single move?

"Then, Mirror Magic Master's Level increases by 1 for each Token I summoned with this effect," Arisu continued. The dark-haired woman's eyes glowed, as the three crystals floated around her.

[Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier: 2* + 3* = 5*]

"I'll activate the Spell Card, Winds Over the Ice Barrier," Arisu revealed the card that she had added to her hand with General Wayne's effect. I can tribute any number of "Ice Barrier" monsters I control, and Special Summon the same number of Level 4 or lower "Ice Barrier" monsters from my deck. I will tribute all four of my monsters."

The four monsters burst into bright shards of ice that floated around her.

"Come." Arisu brandished four cards in her hand, placing them all down on the field. "Come. Strategist of the Ice Barrier. Shock Troops of the Ice Barrier. Revealer of the Ice Barrier. Hexa Spirit of the Ice Barrier." The ice crystals all came together—forming four different monsters that stood in front of her now. The first was an old man with a long beard, wearing a hexagonal hat that resembled the shape of a snowflake. Desaturated, dark blue robes were draped over his entire body.

Next, a man dressed in dark blue clothes appeared, an aqua blue veil around his face. Next to him, a confident, fiery-haired woman was standing, holding onto a mirror. Finally, there was a small, dark blue reptile with a white underbelly, staring innocently up at them.

[Strategist of the Ice Barrier (4*/1600/1600/WATER/Spellcaster/Effect)]

[Shock Troops of the Ice Barrier (3*/1500/800/WATER/Spellcaster/Effect)]

[Revealer of the Ice Barrier (4*/1700/1000/WATER/Spellcaster/Effect]

[Hexa Spirit of the Ice Barrier (1*/400/200/WATER/Sea Serpent/Tuner/Effect)]

"I will activate the effect of Mirror Master. Since she was sent to the graveyard, I can add a "Ice Barrier" card from my deck to my hand." Arisu picked up a card from her deck. "Strategist of the Ice Barrier's effect. I will send a "Ice Barrier" monster from my hand to the graveyard and draw a card." She now had three cards in her hand. "I will then activate the effect of Shock Troops of the Ice Barrier. By tributing it, I will target a WATER monster on the field and destroy it!"

An anti-WATER monster effect? Maybe it allowed her to destroy her own monsters, but what would be the point of that?

Unless it was meant to be used against someone else with a WATER deck…

"I'll target Marincess Great Bubble Reef, naturally."

"I'll activate the Trap Card, Marincess Wave!" Yuno, however, was frowning—he clearly hadn't wanted to use the Trap so early. He had always been rather methodical… "Since I control a Link 3 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster, I can activate this card from my hand. I will target… Revealer of the Ice Barrier and negate its effects, and then, since I control a Link 2 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster, all face-up monsters I currently control become unaffected by your effects this turn!"

"Believe me, I'm well aware." Shock Troops' effect failed, but that still left three monsters on the field. And now, Yuno's main form of negation for her monsters was gone, even though his monsters had attained a certain level of protection. "You were right to negate Revealer's effects, though that's the only free information that I'm giving you for now. I will activate the effect of Hexa Spirit of the Ice Barrier. I can send a Level 3 or lower "Ice Barrier" monster from my deck to the graveyard, and Hexa Spirit copies that monster's Level until the End Phase. I'll send the Level 2 Zuijin of the Ice Barrier from my deck to the graveyard." Hexa Spirit glowed, its Level changing as stars appeared above it.

[Hexa Spirit of the Ice Barrier: 1* → 2*]

"I'll tune the Level 2 Hexa Spirit of the Ice Barrier to the Level 4 Revealer of the Ice Barrier and the Level 4 Strategist of the Ice Barrier," Arisu said. Ice shot up around her. She turned her head away.

Yuya could tell it now—

There was something furious and disgusted to the woman's face, as she lifted the monster in the air.

"Ancestral dragon that sleeps within the frozen mountain," Arisu spat out. "From where you have hidden yourself away, rise up now and defend your homeland with your life. Synchro Summon. Level 10. Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain!"

In front of her, an enormous dragon appeared—its entire body seemed to be made of ice that was tinged bloody red—each of its wings was larger than a D-Wheel, and when they slammed forward, the air itself felt like it had frozen over. Its claws struck through the air, one after the other—a show of force, meant to intimidate.

It felt ancient—and at the same time…

The dragon turned its head to look at Arisu for a moment, before it positioned itself right behind Arisu's Extra Monster Zone—putting its body right between her and them.

It seemed… protective?

[Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain (10*/3300/2700/WATER/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

Yuno and Yuya exchanged a look. Yuno spoke up. "How come you don't like those cards? They're cool."

"... isn't it obvious?" Arisu shrugged. "They're my father's deck."

Oh.

Yuya glanced at his own deck, slightly self-conscious.

Arisu's next words didn't make him feel any better.

"They're monsters as strong as my Crystrons," Arisu said. "Honestly, I've never had to actually play them before. Usually, I…" A shadow passed over her face. "Don't like to think about them. But I'm going to make sure that if I'm defeated, I'm at least playing at my best."

In that case, this monster…

To her, wouldn't this monster be a reminder of her father?

"I'll activate the Spell Card, Graceful Charity," Arisu said casually. "I'll draw three cards and discard two." She swapped out the cards in her hand. "I'll send a "Crystron" card from my hand to the graveyard to Special Summon Crystron Sulfefnir from my graveyard." The yellow and green beast that served as Arisu's playmaker appeared on her field, letting out a sharp growl.

[Crystron Sulfefnir (5*/2000/1500/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

"Then, as Sulfefnir is Special Summoned, I must destroy a card I control. I will destroy Sulfefnir itself." The beast exploded into crystals, which then spun around, mixing with the ice. "When Crystron Sulfefnir is destroyed, I can Special Summon a "Crystron" monster from my deck. Come—Crystron Thystvern." The purple wyvern appeared on her field, next to Lancea.

[Crystron Thystvern (3*/1500/1500/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

"I'll banish Crystron Smiger from the graveyard to add the Spell Card, Liquid Crystallisation, which is always treated as a "Crystron" card, from my deck to my hand." As she slipped Smiger out of her graveyard slot, Great Bubble Reef's attack points shot up.

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 3200 + 600 = 3800ATK]

"You're not going to attack before you…"

Arisu chuckles. "Attack your monster, Yuno Sugisaki? If you had something in your graveyard that could banish itself, I'd be done for immediately. No, I think there's a far better route to take. I'll activate the Spell Card, Liquid Crystallisation. I'll banish a monster from the graveyard, like my Shock Troops of the Ice Barrier, and Special Summon a "Crystron" Tuner monster from the deck. Then, I can add a monster with the same name from my deck to my hand. I'll Special Summon Crystron Rion!" The small, pale figure with spiky hair appeared.

[Crystron Rion (3*/500/500/WATER/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 3800 + 600 = 4400ATK]

"Tuning the Level 3 Crystron Rion to the Level 3 Crystron Thystvern!" The two monsters shot up. "Burn brightly in the sky, gem that lies between flame and earth! With wings of passion, descend! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Crystron Carnelix!"

From the sky, a bright red bird flew down. Its avian body gleamed, strings laced with small crystals flying through the air, attached to its plumage. It tossed its head in the air, letting out a loud cry—the headdress of orange-tinged crystals on the top of its head shimmering brightly. It landed next to Lancea—but despite being far smaller than the dragon, it gave off a sufficiently strong aura to not seem diminutive.

[Crystron Carnelix (6*/2500/1800/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"I can only Synchro Summon Crystron Carnelix once per turn," Arisu said. "In return, when she's Synchro Summoned, I can draw a card." She plucked up the top card of her deck. "Battle Phase. Lancea attacks Performapal Trumpanda." She gestured forward dismissively, and the dragon breathed out ice towards Yuya's monster.

Yuya, naturally, was prepared for that much. He gestured forward. "I'll activate the effect of Trumpanda! Once per turn, when your monster attacks a Pendulum Monster I control, I can negate the attack." The small panda blew sharply through its trumpet, stopping Lancea in its tracks.

"I'm well aware of that," Arisu said. "That's why I attacked it first.

Wait, so… she was trying to force him to negate the first attack?

"Crystron Carnelix attacks Performapal Parrotrio." The red bird flew forward, crushing Parrotrio between its wings. However, since it was in Defense Position, Yuya took no damage.

"Since Carnelix destroyed a monster by battle, I can declare a card name and banish all cards with that name from all graveyards." Arisu raised a finger. "I'll choose Marincess Wave."

Yuno's eyes widened, before he picked up his Trap and banished it. "That's… unexpected."

"You can always take that Trap back on your turn, which is why I have to get rid of it before you can," Arisu said.

Yuya cleared his throat. "Parrotrio's effect," he said. "I can Special Summon a "Performapal" monster from my deck, except a Pendulum Monster! Come! Performapal Longphone Bull!" A blue-grey bipedal ox appeared, wearing a red vest, like a really aggressive matador.

[Performapal Longphone Bull (4*/1600/1200/EARTH/Beast/Effect)]

"Since I Special Summoned Performapal Longphone Bull, I can add a non-Pendulum "Performapal" monster from my deck to my hand!"

"Oh, believe me, I'm rather aware," Arisu said—smirking. "Once per Chain and twice per turn, when my opponent Special Summons a monster, Lancea's effect activates. I can Special Summon a "Ice Barrier" monster from my deck, graveyard or Extra Deck."

"So you're getting a free monster from this?..."

"Bow down to the king of the frozen mountains," Arisu said. "Come from the deck—Warlock of the Ice Barrier." In Defense Position, a woman with long pastel purple curls appeared, wearing a purple scarf and orange robes, spinning a silver staff through the air.

[Warlock of the Ice Barrier (3*/400/1100/WATER/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"I'll set a card facedown and banish Crystron Thystvern from the graveyard to add a "Crystron" monster from my deck to my hand. I'll end my turn."

So now, she had Lancea and Carnelix in Attack Position, and Warlock in Defense Position, along with a set card. Yuno still had Great Bubble Reef and Mandarin on the field, while Yuya had Longphone Bull and Trumpanda on his field. Their fields had mostly been left untouched, realistically speaking—it seemed that Arisu had been far more concerned with setting up a field, rather than dealing with them directly.

Still, Yuya wasn't going to let his guard down.

[Turn 4: Yuya] [H:3]

"Draw!"

"During your Standby Phase, Yuya, I'll activate the effect of Great Bubble Reef," Yuno called. "I'll banish Marincess Blue Slug from the graveyard and draw a card."

He glanced at his hand, before immediately placing a card down. "I will Normal Summon Performapal Skullcrobat Joker!" A strange spellcaster in a purple and black striped suit and hat appeared.

[Performapal Skullcrobat Joker (4*/S8/1800/100/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

"With Performapal Skullcrobat Joker's effect, I'll add a "Odd-Eyes" monster, a "Performapal" Pendulum Monster or a "Magician" Pendulum Monster from my deck to my hand!" Yuya picked up the card. "I'll open the circuit of the world of smiles! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two monsters with different Levels, including a Pendulum Monster! I will set Performapal Skullcrobat Joker and Performapal Trumpanda in the Link Markers! Silver silks that dance through the moonlit waters! Now, rise up, colourful performer, and aid in setting up the stage! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Performapal Odd-Eyes Silver Selkie!" The aquatic woman in a blue and white dress appeared, winking.

[Performapal Odd-Eyes Silver Selkie (L2/1700/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]

"Silver Selkie's effect!" Yuya declared. "I'll place Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon from my deck in the Extra Deck face-up! And then, I can Special Summon a Pendulum Monster with a different Pendulum Scale from face-up in my Extra Deck! Marine Excavation!"

As expected, Lancea glowed, as Arisu activated the monster's effect as well.

"With Lancea's effect, I'll Special Summon Defender of the Ice Barrier from my deck." A small golden beast with light blue ice crystals all over its body appeared, letting out a soft growl. It was fittingly in Defense Position.

[Defender of the Ice Barrier (3*/200/1600/WATER/Aqua/Tuner/Effect)]

"With Silver Selkie's effect, I'll Special Summon Performapal Ballad from my Extra Deck!" The knight with a white rose on the top of its head appeared, gracefully standing on Yuya's field.

[Performapal Ballad (3*/S2/500/1100/EARTH/Plant/Pendulum/Effect)]

"And then, I'll set—"

He was about to place the monster in the Pendulum Scale, but then, his duel disk let out a beeping sound, indicating an error.

"... huh?"

"As I thought," Arisu said. She folded her arms. "Have you heard of Anti-Spell Fragrance?"

Next to Yuno, Miharu let out a slightly exasperated sigh.

"No," Yuya said honestly.

"Well, in that case, Warlock is just a monster form of it." Arisu shrugged. "While I control it and another "Ice Barrier" monster, you must set a Spell Card before activating it, and you cannot activate it until your turn after you set it." She gestured forward. "I wasn't sure because we don't actually have a lot of data on your Pendulum Summons and how their mechanics work. But the setting of a Pendulum Monster in the Pendulum Scale seems to be the equivalent of activating a Continuous Spell. And I don't think that it's possible for you to 'set' a Pendulum Monster, in game terms—thus, you can't Pendulum Summon at all."

… that was a frankly terrible thing to learn right now.

"So you set up your field specifically to restrict Yuya's Pendulum Summons?" Yuno shook his head with a sigh. "That's… troubling."

"I'm giving both of you the credit you deserve," Arisu said.

Yuya frowned. What did she mean by that? What part of Yuno's strategy was restricted by—

Right.

Yuno had added Battle Ocean and Dive back to his hand with Coral Anemone's effect. Yuno's Field Spell was the main source of his offensive power—he was still good without it, but it would definitely slow down the damage that he could deal.

And that wasn't even counting just how much Yuya relied on Pendulum…

No. He could do this.

"Since my opponent controls at least as many monsters as me—" Arisu controlled four, while he controlled three. "I can Special Summon Performapal Radish Horse from my hand!" The red and green horse appeared on his field, letting out a rather cute sneeze.

[Performapal Radish Horse (4*/S3/500/2000/EARTH/Plant/Pendulum/Effect)]

"I'll activate the effect of Performapal Radish Horse," Yuya called. "I'll target Silver Selkie and your Lancea. Until the End Phase, your monster loses attack points equal to Radish Horse's attack points, and Silver Selkie gains attack points equal to the same amount!" The horse danced around, the two monsters glowing briefly.

[Performapal Odd-Eyes Silver Selkie: 1700 + 500 = 2200ATK]

[Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain: 3300 - 500 = 2800ATK]

"I'll then overlay the Level 4 Performapal Radish Horse and the Level 4 Performapal Longphone Bull!" Yuya raised a hand, his two monsters dissolving into brown streaks that dove into the earth. "Phantom that races across time and space, put up a show with your daring blades! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Performapal Odd-Eyes Blade Phantom!"

In front of him, a dark warrior with two orbs of light swirling around him appeared. He didn't seem to have a physical form—the edges of his body were blurry, and he lacked a face—his entire body was shadows that swirled within a tattered but elaborate purple costume. It drew the eye and seemed to fade from vision at the same time. From within the shadows where its head should be, two lights gleamed—one red, one smoky black-grey. Around him, two swords levitated—joined to his hands by trails of blue flame.

[Performapal Odd-Eyes Blade Phantom (R4/2300/2000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

It was nice to have an Xyz Monster of his own that was easier to summon than Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon—Dark Rebellion had been nice to borrow, and Odd-Eyes Rebellion, pretty much completely unusable to him right now unless he pulled off some weird effects, didn't exactly count. Two Level 4 monsters was far more achievable for him.

"When Performapal Odd-Eyes Blade Phantom is Xyz Summoned, I can target a monster on the field with less attack points than Blade Phantom's attack points and destroy it! I will target Warlock of the Ice Barrier. Phantom Slash!"

"... Lancea's effect," Arisu said calmly. "Furthermore, I'll chain Continuous Trap, Frozen Domain Leading to the Ice Barrier." She flipped up her set card. "Since a monster was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can return a "Ice Barrier" monster I control to the hand or to the deck. I will choose to return Warlock of the Ice Barrier to my hand." She picked up the card. "Then, I can place one card on the field or in the graveyard on the bottom of the deck. I'll choose Marincess Great Bubble Reef."

Even now…

Was she really making use of his moves to sabotage Yuno?

"It's fine, Yuya," Yuno said, seeming to understand what he was thinking. He winked. "If she returns to the Extra Deck—I can just get her back again."

… ever the optimist.

Yuya grinned.

Great Bubble Reef vanished from the field, but it didn't feel as terrible.

"Before you boys get too carried away with the power of friendship," Arisu said dryly, "Lancea's effect resolves. I'll Special Summon General Raiho of the Ice Barrier in Defense Position." A warrior with long grey hair appeared, standing proud and tall next to Lancea—there was something regal about him in particular, despite the typical noble appearance of all of Arisu's monsters.

[General Raiho of the Ice Barrier (6*/2100/2300/WATER/Warrior/Effect)]

"And General Raiho has a single Continuous Effect," Arisu explained. "When my opponent activates a monster effect on the field, they must discard a card when it resolves, or it is negated. This effect is permanent while Raiho is face-up on the field."

So… now she was draining at their resources as well?

"I don't need the effect to resolve, since you already removed your own monster from the field," Yuya said. He glanced at his hand. "I'll activate the other effect of Performapal Odd-Eyes Blade Phantom! I'll detach an Overlay Unit from it and reveal three "Performapal" or "Odd-Eyes" monsters with different Pendulum Scales from my deck. You can randomly pick one and I'll add it to my hand, before placing those other monsters on the bottom of the deck in any order."

[Performapal Odd-Eyes Blade Phantom: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1]

He picked out three cards from his deck, revealing them.

"Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn. Performapal Monkeyboard. Performapal Lizardraw!"

Arisu gestured to the left one after the cards were shuffled, and Yuya picked it up. Thankfully, it was the one that he wanted. He immediately discarded a card for General Raiho's effect, keeping two cards in his hand.

And well, two cards, and he was now free of Warlock's effect.

"I'll set the Scale 1 Performapal Monkeyboard in the Pendulum Scale!" Yuya declared. "I'll activate its Pendulum Effect. Once per turn, I can add a Level 4 or lower "Performapal" monster from my deck to my hand! I'll add Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn from my deck to my hand. And I'll set the Scale 8 Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn in my other Pendulum Scale!" These were considered as the activation of Spell effects, not monster effects, so he didn't have to discard a card for each of them.

He raised a hand.

"With this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 2 to Level 7! Swing, pendulum! Draw an arc of light across the aether! Pendulum Summon! Come, my monsters! First, Performapal Trumpanda! Second, Performapal Parrotrio!" The two monsters appeared on his field as well.

And naturally, for his final Main Monster Zone…

"With those beautiful and dichroic eyes—Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!" Yuya's ace appeared on the field, proud and bright red.

[Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (7*/S4/2500/2000/DARK/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect)]

And now, he had all six monster zones filled.

"Battle Phase! Odd-Eyes—"

"It's a lovely field," Arisu said. There was something knowing to her voice. "... it's a pity that you're too powerful."

"Huh?"

"The effect of Defender of the Ice Barrier," Arisu said. The beast was lounging around on her field. "While I control another "Ice Barrier" monster—like Raiho—monsters you control with higher attack points than Defender's defense points cannot declare an attack."

… damn it. Had she really accounted for Spells and attacks at the same time?

This was far beyond what Yuya had expected. Trumpanda, Parrotrio and Ballad were all in Defense Position, and they didn't have enough attack points to take out Defender anyway. And Odd-Eyes, Silver Selkie and Blade Phantom were all too powerful to attack under these conditions.

"I'll set a card and end my turn," Yuya said with a sigh. He just had to search for an opportunity…

[Turn 5: Yuno] [H:8]

Yuno drew a card, humming to himself. He glanced at it.

"You know, my entire deck revolves around monsters!" He said, winking. "This is terrible for me."

"You don't say," Arisu replied dryly.

"I'll set the Scale 1 Marincess Angelfish in the Pendulum Scale!" He declared. The pale Pendulum Monster rose up in a single pillar—Yuya couldn't help but feel satisfied when he saw Yuno use Pendulum Monsters. He wondered if Yuto and Yuno felt the same when they saw him Xyz Summoning or Link Summoning. At the same time, Yuno rarely actually Pendulum Summoned—he used them more as Continuous Spells. "I'll activate the Field Spell, Marincess Battle Ocean—and the Spell Card, Marincess Dive." The two Spells appeared on the field in quick succession. "Come from the deck, Marincess Blue Sunfish." One of his blue-themed idols appeared on the field.

[Marincess Blue Sunfish (3*/1400/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Tuner/Effect)]

"Blue Sunfish's effect," he continued. He casually discarded a card for Raiho's effect. "Come from the deck—Marincess Crown Tail." The dark-haired woman in a bright red skirt appeared, fins all around her body.

[Marincess Crown Tail (5*/600/2300/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"I'll open the circuit of the limitless ocean again! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are a non-Link WATER monster! I'll set Marincess Blue Sunfish in the Link Markers! Water, flow like humour and shoot into the brightened abyss! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Clownfish Confit!" The girl with orange and white hair appeared, smiling playfully.

[Marincess Clownfish Confit (L1/700/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/→)]

Yuya somehow knew what Yuno was going to do, even before Yuno spoke up again.

"Open again, my circuit! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are three monsters with different names, including a Link Monster! I will set Marincess Clownfish Confit, Marincess Crown Tail and Marincess Mandarin in the Link Markers! Cybernetic dragon that crosses into reality! Now, infuse yourself with the ocean waves that crash against the shore, and pull the world into your magnetic field! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Magnetic Current Link Dragon!" Yuno's ace appeared in front of him.

[Magnetic Current Link Dragon (L3/2500/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↓, →)]

Magnetic Current and Odd-Eyes roared at each other again. Yuya felt a strange feeling wash over him for a brief moment, but he shook his head and it dissipated.

(Yuno did the same. Next to him, Miharu's bracelet was shining softly—not that anyone was at the right angel to see it.)

For a moment, Yuya thought of his childhood—of fond moments when he could laugh and leap on his father's shoulders. The memories felt oddly vivid, and they sent a fresh wave of wistfulness to his heart.

"Lancea's effect," Arisu called out. "Since you Special Summoned a monster, I can Special Summon an "Ice Barrier" monster from my deck, graveyard or Extra Deck." She plucked out another card from her deck. "I will Special Summon Blizzed, Defender of the Ice Barrier." A small, pale blue bird of ice appeared on her field—very different in appearance from Defender of the Ice Barrier, despite their very similar names.

[Blizzed, Defender of the Ice Barrier (1*/300/500/WATER/Aqua/Effect)]

"You know," Yuno said after a moment, "everyone loves Magnetic Current back home." He turned to his dragon, smiling impishly. He reached up a hand, and the purple dragon laid its head in his palms for a brief moment. "I just remembered something. The first time that I summoned Magnetic Current and the crowds cheered for me and him together…" His lip twisted upwards, the smile taking on something more bittersweet—but still rather content. "It took a lot of training to become a Charisma Duelist back home, but absolutely none of it was in dueling. In fact, becoming a Charisma Duelist meant always holding back my dueling." He shrugged. "Sometimes, I wonder—would I be as popular if I showed my strength completely, at the expense of making every duel even? The audience is greedy—they want the back and forth, but they also want overwhelming power. How do you please them like that?"

He shrugged.

"But I always think that no matter what happens, no matter what, Magnetic Current is my star of the show." Yuno grinned. "Thinking of that day when I was so happy to see people smile when they looked at me… it makes me a little giddy!"

"Strange of you to think of that when you're far from home," Arisu said, taking his words in stride despite the lack of context that she had for them.

"I agree." Yuno shrugged. "It all just came flowing back to me suddenly—what can I say?" He gestured forward. "But more than the star of the show, Magnetic Current is a recruiter too. So, shall we? Marincess Angelfish's Pendulum Effect. Once per turn, when a WATER monster I control is sent to the graveyard, except by battle, I can send a WATER monster from my hand to the graveyard and draw one card. Then, I'll activate the effect of Magnetic Current Link Dragon! I'll target a Level 5 or higher monster on the field and negate its effects. Then, I can take control of it and place it in a Main Monster Zone that Magnetic Current points to until your next End Phase! I will choose General Raiho of the Ice Barrier! Magnetism Drive!"

"Raiho and not Lancea?" Arisu blinked.

"I value my hand more than my field," Yuno said with a wink. "Judging from the fact that you didn't use your Continuous Trap's effect on Magnetic Current, you clearly feel the same! Were you saving it for Great Bubble Reef?"

Arisu snorted. "I don't think it takes a genius to figure that out. But stealing Raiho's not a bad idea." The warrior was stolen by Magnetic Current's effect, dragged over by the electrified wires. Yuno discarded a card, however, since Raiho's effect still applied when the effect was resolving.

"You also get life points equal to that monster's original attack points," Yuno said, like an afterthought.

Arisu: 8000 + 2100 = 10100LP

"Of course, Raiho's effects are negated, so you still don't have to discard a card for every monster effect," Yuno said playfully. "But it's fun to have the shoe on the other foot once in a while."

He still had three cards in his hand, even after all that wild discarding and playing of cards.

"Anyway, Lancea can still use its effect once more, right?" Yuno gestured forward. "And that backrow card is so problematic, too!"

"Facetious," Arisu said, rolling her eyes.

"Guess so." Yuno glanced across the field again. "Your Defender of the Ice Barrier stops me from attacking, Raiho halts my effects and Lancea keeps on Special Summoning… and your Trap eliminates a card from my field when I Special Summon a monster from the Extra Deck…"

"Let me help you out," Yuya offered. "I can shut her Trap off."

Arisu shot him an intrigued look.

Yuno nodded, immediately taking his word for it. "Open, circuit of the limitless ocean! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are at least two monsters with different names, including a Link 3 or higher Link Monster. I will set the Link 3 Magnetic Current Link Dragon and my stolen General Raiho of the Ice Barrier in the Link Markers. Water, the lifeblood of the world. Pour forth violently from the skies and waterfalls, and finally come to rest within the beautiful oceans. Now, dragon born from the sapphire waters, raise those claws that tear through storm and deluge, and open up an era of peace! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4! Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon!" The beautiful blue-purple dragon appeared on Yuno's field.

[Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon (L4/3000/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↙, ↘, →)]

"... you really just did it, huh," Arisu said. "You didn't even ask him what his plan was."

"Oh, I believe that he can handle it," Yuno said confidently. "Yuya doesn't say things he doesn't mean in dueling—not like this, anyway."

Yuya blinked—somewhat touched.

"Well, let's see if it does work out for him. I'll activate the effect of my Continuous Trap."

"I'll chain the Trap Card, Performapal Show Down!" Yuya declared determinedly. "I can target face-up monsters you control, up to the number of face-up Spells I control, and change them to facedown Defense Position! I will choose Defender of the Ice Barrier and Blizzed, Defender of the Ice Barrier!"

"... ah, I see." Arisu chuckled. "Not bad."

Yuno was much less reserved with his praise. "Nice job, Yuya!"

By changing the two monsters to facedown Defense Position, Yuya would essentially make it so that there were no "Ice Barrier" monsters for Arisu to return to her hand for Frozen Domain. Lancea didn't count, after all. With no valid target, Arisu could not proceed to return any cards on their fields to the deck.

"Though you did leave out one thing," Arisu continued. "I will chain the effect of Lancea. I will Special Summon a "Ice Barrier" monster from my deck."

"I didn't forget," Yuya said. He turned to Yuno, who nodded and winked. Hydrostatic Current roared.

"When my opponent activates the effect of a monster on the field, I can activate the effect of Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon," he said cheerfully. "I'll target that monster and negate that effect. Then, I can take control of that monster and place it in a Main Monster Zone that Hydrostatic Current points to! Shackling Oceanic Stasis!" The water shackles shot up, clamping onto Lancea. Then, the monster was dragged over to Yuno's side of the field. Yuno cheerfully read through its effects, exposing them to Yuya with no shame whatsoever.

"It floats into another "Ice Barrier" Synchro Monster?" Yuya exclaimed.

"Do you not feel guilty about sharing my monster's effects like this?" Arisu said dryly.

"Not at all," Yuno replied, still smiling. "It's strategy!" He tilted his head. "... oh, and I gain life points equal to your monster's attack points. Probably should have explained that earlier."

Yuno: 4000 + 3300 = 7300LP

The effects all resolved in order—Blizzed and Defender were changed to face down Defense Position, meaning that Yuno could also now declare attacks. Arisu's Trap was thus rendered useless before the effect.

So Arisu was left with three monsters—her two facedown monsters, and Carnelix. Meanwhile, Yuno had two monsters to attack with.

"And unlike my Magnetic Current's effect, Hydrostatic Current's effect is permanent," Yuno added. "So you can't get it back. Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain attacks Crystron Carnelix!" The dragon rained down ice and sleet on the purple-haired woman, and her Synchro Monster shattered into red crystals that floated all around her.

Arisu: 10100 - 800 = 9300LP

"When Crystron Carnelix leaves the field after being Synchro Summoned," Arisu said, "I can target a card on the field and negate its effects, and then I can Special Summon a Level 5 or lower "Crystron" monster from my deck or graveyard. The monster that I choose to target is naturally Performapal Trumpanda."

… naturally? Why?

"If I remember correctly, Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon is unaffected by my monster effects when you control no set cards," Arisu said. "So targeting it is pointless."

"You got it," Yuno said. "So, who are you Special Summoning…"

"Come—Crystron Citree." The yellow-orange pixie-like girl appeared on her field.

[Crystron Citree (2*/500/500/WATER/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"So you can Synchro Summon on my turn now…" Yuno sighed. "Well, let's get it out of the way. Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon attacks Crystron Citree! Shifting Tidal Seizure!"

"I could," Arisu said. "But I won't." She shrugged. "Defeating 3000 attack points with a quick Synchro Summon? Not possible right now."

Citree was destroyed. Yuno sighed.

This woman was… just far too difficult to deal with.

"I'll end my turn," he said. "Thanks for the assist, Yuya."

"No problem!"

[Turn 6: Arisu] [H:6]

"Draw," Arisu said. "Spell Card, Moray of Greed. I'll shuffle two WATER monsters from my hand into the deck to draw three cards. Then, I'll Flip Summon my two "Ice Barrier" monsters." The two light blue beasts reappeared on her field. "And I'll open the circuit of the arctic blue!"

Yuno's eyes widened. "No way!"

Arisu smiled wryly. "This one," she said, "can probably be blamed on how strong you and your comrades turned out to be when using them. Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two monsters, including a Tuner monster. I'll set Defender of the Ice Barrier and Blizzed, Defender of the Ice Barrier in the Link Markers! Now, crystalline water, form the beautiful, thin structures as the world speeds forward through time! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Crystron Halqifibrax!"

A strange combination of all three of Arisu's main Tuner monsters appeared—the main body was something of a combination between Quan and Rion, and yet it also carried the yellow crystals of Citree around it. Thin pieces of transparent crystal—glass?—emerged from all over its body as well.

[Crystron Halqifibrax (L2/1500/WATER/Machine/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]

"When Crystron Halqifibrax is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower Tuner monster from my deck in Defense Position, but I can't activate its effects this turn. Calling of Needlefiber!"

Yuno gestured forward. It… might be a mistake, but he also didn't want to lose to an advantage engine. "I'll activate the effect of Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon! I will negate your monster's effect and place it in a zone that Hydrostatic Current points to! Shackling Oceanic Stasis!"

"Counter point—no." Arisu placed down a card. "Quickplay Spell, Forbidden Chalice. I will target Hydrostatic Current and negate its effects—but it gains 400 attack points." Hydrostatic Current growled in displeasure as it was forced to stop—though Yuno looked like he was too busy laughing at Arisu's bluntness to care.

[Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon: 3000 + 400 = 3400ATK]

"Now that I've settled that, come—Crystron Citree!" Another copy of her Tuner appeared on the field. "Then, I'll send a "Crystron" card from my hand to the graveyard to Special Summon Crystron Sulfefnir from the graveyard." The yellow and green beast reappeared on her field again. "Sulfefnir's effect. I will once again destroy itself. And when it's destroyed, you know the drill. Come—Crystron Rosenix!" The red bird appeared on the field, chains of crystals drifting through the air around it.

[Crystron Rosenix (4*/1800/1000/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

"I will tune the Level 2 Crystron Citree to the Level 4 Crystron Rosenix! Crystalline ice in the wilful blizzard. Remove your foes from this battlefield with elegance! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Brionac, the Dragon of Icy Malevolence!" A dragon made entirely of sharp ice crystals appeared, letting out a sharp roar.

[Brionac, the Dragon of Icy Malevolence (6*/2300/1400/WATER/Sea Serpent/Synchro/Effect)]

"Didn't you say that your Brionac was a dragon?"

"It is," Arisu said. "I gave that one to Kaname, along with Gungnir—they helped her out, and Trishula's not something that's convenient for her deck to bring out." She gestured forward. "When Brionac is Synchro Summoned, I can discard a card to target a card on the field and return it to the field. I'll discard a card and target Lancea."

Yuya gasped. Yuno seemed surprised too. Arisu held up her arm, and Lancea's card went back into her Extra Deck slot.

"I suppose that makes my next move incredibly obvious," Arisu continued. "I'll reduce Brionac's Level by 2 to Special Summon Zuijin of the Ice Barrier from the graveyard." A warrior in dark blue armour, short in stature, appeared on her field.

[Zuijin of the Ice Barrier (2*/500/300/WATER/Warrior/Effect)]

[Brionac, the Dragon of Icy Malevolence: 6* - 2* = 4*]

"Since I control a "Ice Barrier" monster, I can Special Summon Georgius, Swordsman of the Ice Barrier from my hand." A white-haired man appeared, dressed in tribalistic clothes—white, feathery wings spread out behind him.

[Georgius, Swordsman of the Ice Barrier (6*/2000/1200/WATER/Winged Beast/Tuner/Effect)]

"This monster always reminds me of Makoto's monsters," Arisu said thoughtfully. "... and it's just as annoying. When Georgius is Normal or Special Summoned, I can target a Level 5 or lower "Ice Barrier" monster in my graveyard and Special Summon it. Return—General Wayne of the Ice Barrier." The Level 5 monster from earlier reappeared on the field. "General Wayne's effect. I'll add a "Ice Barrier" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. I will add and activate the Continuous Spell, Freezing Chains of the Ice Barrier." Strange yellow light surrounded the field in a shimmering lattice. "I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Ice Barrier" monster from the graveyard. Return to the field—Hexa Spirit of the Ice Barrier."

The small reptile reappeared next to the intimidating warriors—and now, Arisu controlled six monsters.

"I'll activate the effect of Hexa Spirit. I will send the Level 1 Caravan of the Ice Barrier from my deck to the graveyard." It seemed that Arisu was just pitching a card into the graveyard, since Hexa Spirit's effect didn't actually change. "I'll tune the Level 1 Hexa Spirit of the Ice Barrier to the Level 2 Zuijin of the Ice Barrier. Zuijin is banished when it leaves the field." The two monsters shot up. "Emerge now, tank that supports the battlefront! Synchro Summon! Level 3! Martial Metal Marcher!" A large, bronze robot that was formed entirely from gears and clockwork appeared on the field.

[Martial Metal Marcher (3*/500/2200/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"When Martial Metal Marcher is Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon a Tuner monster from my graveyard in Defense Position, with its effects negated." Hexa Spirit reappeared on the field. "First, I'll tune the Level 6 Georgius to the Level 4 Brionac." She skipped the summoning chant—in front of her, Lancea reappeared, just as terrifying as before. "And I'll then tune the Level 1 Hexa Spirit to the Level 5 General Wayne. Proud tiger king atop the mountain, chase off the enemy with your fearsome roar! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier!"

A blue tiger appeared, icy crystals floating around it and on its fur, though there were also gold and white accents to its body, like some kind of armour.

[Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier (6*/2000/1400/WATER/Beast/Synchro/Effect)]

"... this is bad," Yuno Sugisaki, who never seemed fazed by anything, said.

"Huh?" Yuya looked at him. "I mean, her Lancea is pretty strong, but the rest…"

"He's saying that because he remembers the monsters that defeated him when he first stepped foot into this city," Arisu commented. "Allow me to show you. I'll tune the Level 3 Martial Metal Marcher to the Level 6 Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier!"

Using only Synchro Monsters as Synchro Material?

"Liquid fire that flows under the earth's crust. Expand and crystallise—and then, take the form of the eternal red gemstone! Accel Synchro Summon! Level 9! Crystron Phoenix!" A tall red warrior appeared on her field, letting off a sharp flash of heat despite its bright and elegant appearance.

[Crystron Phoenix (9*/2800/2000/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"And this is what he was afraid would happen," Arisu continued. "Since Phoenix was Synchro Summoned, I can banish every Spell and Trap that you control or in your graveyard! Razing Crystalline Blaze!"

Every Spell or Trap…

Yuno's Field Spell vanished, along with Dive in his graveyard and Angelfish in his Pendulum Scale. Meanwhile, Yuya's Pendulum Scales were rudely torn from him for the second time in a row, and he lost the Trap in his graveyard as well.

This meant that Arisu now had Phoenix, Lancea and Halqifibrax on the field, against them—no Spells or Traps available to help protect them.

Arisu glanced through the two cards in her hand. "I'll set a card," she said casually. "Battle Phase. Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain attacks Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon!"

The two dragons lunged at each other—brawling, before Lancea leaned forward, jaw clamping around Hydrostatic Current's neck and shattering the other dragon to pieces.

Yuno: 7300 - 300 = 7000LP

"And I could attack directly with Phoenix, but you do still have a lot of life points to work through," Arisu said. "Performapal Trumpanda negates attacks on Pendulum Monsters, right? Crystron Phoenix attacks Performapal Odd-Eyes Blade Phantom!" The warrior raised a fist, before slamming it straight down on the Xyz Monster, destroying it.

Yuya: 4000 - 500 = 3500LP

"And Halqifibrax attacks you directly." Clearly not wanting to waste her other attack while Yuya still controlled Trumpanda, she directed the Link Monster towards Yuno instead. The pale crystal figure leapt forward, hitting Yuno in the chest..

Yuno: 7000 - 1500 = 5500LP

"I'll end my turn," Arisu continued. "Frozen Domain's effect. I must reveal three "Ice Barrier" monsters from my Extra Deck, or this card is destroyed. I will reveal another copy of Dewloren along with two copies of Trishula, so my card stays on the field. Your move."

Yuya narrowed his eyes.

[Turn 7: Yuya] [H:2]

"Draw!" He declared. He glanced at the card. His Pendulum Scales were gone again, but… "Spell Card, Graceful Charity. I will draw three cards and discard two cards. Then, I'll Normal Summon Performapal Changeraffe!" A bright yellow giraffe with brown-red spots on it appeared.

[Performapal Changeraffe (1*/S5/100/500/EARTH/Beast/Pendulum/Effect)]

"I'll activate Changeraffe's effect! When it's Normal or Special Summoned, I can target a face-up monster my opponent controls. While Changeraffe is face-up on the field, that monster can't attack, and its effects are negated! I'll target Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain!"

He gestured forward. Changeraffe let out a squeak, before twirling around. Stars surrounded Lancea, locking it in place.

Arisu watched speechlessly.

Yuno coughed, sounding like he was going to burst into laughter again. "Only you, Yuya."

"Huh?"

Arisu shook her head. "A… twirling giraffe just negated the effect of one of my most dangerous monsters," she commented. "I don't know how to feel about this."

"You get used to it," Yuzu said from nearby, sounding genuinely sympathetic.

"Um…" Yuya felt like he was somehow being simultaneously roasted by everyone around him.

"No, no, it's great." Yuno grinned. "You always have the right card for the right situation, huh?"

"... I guess?" Yuya revealed the last card in his hand. "I'll set the Scale 4 Performapal Trump Witch in the Pendulum Scale!" The blonde witch in a blue hat and robes appeared in the pillar of light next to him. "Trump Witch's effect! I will perform a Fusion Summon using monsters I control! I'll fuse my Performapal Trumpanda and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Defender of the bamboo forest! Become one with the mysterious dragon, and create a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth, ferocious dragon with luminous feral eyes! Level 8, Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

A large dragon—mostly beige in colour appeared. Some of Odd-Eyes's red could still be seen under its new carapace-like structures, but it changed to blue as it got closer to the back of its body. A spiked tail slashed through the air. Heterochromatic eyes stared forward as the dragon raised sharp claws—ready to attack.

[Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (8*/3000/2000/EARTH/Dragon/Fusion/Effect)]

"I'll have Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attack Crystron Phoenix! Helldive Burst!"

Arisu shrugged. "Sure." Her monster was destroyed by Beast-Eyes's claws, cleaving straight through red crystal.

Arisu: 9300 - 200 = 9100LP

"Since Beast-Eyes destroyed a monster you control by battle, I can inflict damage to you equal to the original attack points of the Beast monster used as Fusion Material for its Fusion Summon! Trumpanda had 800 attack points, so I'll inflict 800 damage to you! Bestial Flame Strike!" Flames shot out at Arisu, burning away more of her life points.

Arisu: 9100 - 800 = 8300LP

"When Crystron Phoenix is destroyed by battle or a card effect after being Synchro Summoned, I can target another monster in my graveyard and Special Summon it to the field," Arisu explained. The remaining red crystal all joined together in front of her. "Return to the field—Brionac, the Dragon of Icy Malevolence!"

The blue dragon of ice reappeared on the field, letting out a loud roar.

"When Brionac is Special Summoned from the graveyard, I can discard a card and return a card you control to the hand," Arisu continued. "I'll return your Performapal Changeraffe to the hand." She discarded the last card in her hand, and the twirling giraffe was blown off Yuya's field, reappearing as the only card in his hand. "And it's Scale 5—so it doesn't seem that you can Pendulum Summon, even if you set it in the Pendulum Scale."

Yuya gestured forward. "Silver Selkie attacks Crystron Halqifibrax!"

"... Crystron Halqifibrax's effect. During my opponent's Main Phase or Battle Phase, I can banish it from the field to Special Summon a Synchro Tuner monster from my Extra Deck. This is treated as a Synchro Summon." The Link Monster dissolved into light.

So… a free Synchro Summon? That was ridiculous! Who designed that card?

"Water will form a new path in the mechanical crystal! Rise up, pure white evolution! Synchro Summon! Level 4! The Synchro Tuner, Crystron Quandax!" The white knight-like monster appeared, orange crystal glowing and forming around its body.

[Crystron Quandax (4*/1800/2000/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

It was in Defense Position, with defense points too high for Silver Selkie to defeat.

"I'll end my turn," Yuya said, grimacing. With Changeraffe having been removed from the field, Lancea's effect was going to be active on Yuno's turn again.

[Turn 8: Yuno] [H:4]

"Draw," Yuno said casually. "I'll Normal Summon Marincess Pascalus again." The pink-haired girl reappeared on the field. "Pascalus's effect. I'll Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from my hand. Come—Marincess Blue Tang." The girl with dark blue hair and yellow gloves appeared on his field.

"Lancea's effect," Arisu said. "I'll Special Summon Secret Guards of the Ice Barrier from my deck in Defense Position." A white-haired warrior wearing a long dark blue scarf appeared.

[Secret Guards of the Ice Barrier (2*/100/1600/WATER/Aqua/Effect)]

Yuno blinked, raising a hand to his neck, where he was wearing his long and fuzzy dark blue scarf. "Good taste!" He said cheerfully. "I'll activate Blue Tang's effect. I'll send a "Marincess" monster from my deck to the graveyard. And I'll open the circuit of the limitless ocean! The conditions are two WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Pascalus and Marincess Blue Tang in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Link 2! Return to me again, Marincess Coral Anemone!"

Another copy of Coral Anemone appeared in Yuno's Extra Monster Zone.

"Marincess Blue Tang's effect! I will excavate the top three cards of my deck and add a "Marincess" card from among them to my hand!" He picked up the card. "Marincess Coral Anemone's effect. Return to the field, Marincess Blue Tang!" He placed Blue Tang in the Main Monster Zone furthest to the right. "And then, I'll banish Marincess Pascalus from the graveyard to Special Summon Marincess Springirl from my hand!"

The woman with dark blue hair appeared, her silks drifting around her.

[Marincess Springirl (4*/1200/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"And then, I'll Special Summon Marincess Sleepy Maiden from my hand by targeting Coral Anemone, though it won't matter in a moment." The girl with curly, dirty blonde hair appeared next to Springirl.

[Marincess Sleepy Maiden (5*/500/2500/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"Opening the circuit again! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Sleepy Maiden and Marincess Springirl in the Link Markers! Float through the water, away from the dangerous predators that seek our trail! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Marincess Sea Butterfly!" The purple-themed sea idol appeared, dressed in her veil and silks, drifting aimlessly through the air.

[Marincess Sea Butterfly (L2/1800/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↑, →)]

"Activating Springirl's effect, since she was used as Link Material—and chaining Sea Butterfly's effect!"

"Activating Lancea's effect," Arisu said. "I'll Special Summon Georgius, Swordsman of the Ice Barrier from my graveyard." The winged man reappeared. "And with his effect, I'll also Special Summon Defender of the Ice Barrier from the graveyard." The blue beast appeared—back in Defense Position, ready to be an absolute pain again.

"That's fine." Yuno gestured forward. "When Marincess Sea Butterfly is Link Summoned while I control only WATER monsters, I can Special Summon 1 Link 1 "Marincess" monster from my Extra Deck. This is treated as a Link Summon! Come, Marincess Blue Slug!" Another copy of his main Link 1 monster appeared on the field. "Then, finally, Springirl's effect. For each "Marincess" monster on my field, I can send a card from the top of my deck to the graveyard. I control Sea Butterfly, Blue Slug and Blue Tang—so I can send three cards to the graveyard! And for each "Marincess" card among them, I inflict 200 damage to you!"

He raised his head, smirking slightly.

"All three of them were. So you take 600 damage!" Bubbles shot forward, bombarding Arisu.

Arisu: 8300 - 200 x 3 = 7700LP

"Blue Slug's effect," Yuno continued. "Since she was technically Link Summoned, I can add a "Marincess" monster from my graveyard to my hand, but I can't Special Summon monsters this turn, except WATER monsters."

"Hardly a problem for you," Arisu commented.

"Naturally." Yuno picked up a card from the graveyard. "I might not have Battle Ocean anymore either, but…"

He grimaced.

"... well. I can still do this. I'll open the circuit again. Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are at least two WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Blue Tang and the Link 2 Marincess Coral Anemone in the Link Markers! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Lovely sea idol arriving for the finale of the performance! Marincess Marbled Rock!" The colourful woman appeared on the field, smiling brightly.

[Marincess Marbled Rock (L3/2500/WATER/Cyberse/Link/←, ↓, →)]

"Coral Anemone's effect. I will add a "Marincess" card from my graveyard to my hand. Then, Marincess Marbled Rock's effect. She also lets me add a "Marincess" card from my graveyard to my hand." He picked up the card and revealed it to them. "My second copy of Marincess Dive. I'll Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from my graveyard, except a Link Monster. Return to the field, Marincess Blue Sunfish."

"Why are so many of your monsters blue?" Arisu asked, as the monster reappeared.

"Fits my hair," Yuno said, baffling both Yuya and Arisu, considering that his hair was bright orange. "Or well, it would, if I was putting on a show right now. Anyway, I'll activate the effect of Marincess Blue Sunfish! It does suck that your monster gives you two free Special Summons on my turn, but you've already used both, so you can't respond to this. Come—Marincess Knifejaw!"

Much to Yuya's surprise, Yuno actually Special Summoned his other Pendulum Monster to the field. The girl tossed her knives through the air, smirking.

[Marincess Knifejaw (3*/S6/1400/800/WATER/Cyberse/Pendulum/Effect)]

Yuno lifted a card from his Extra Deck. For a moment, he looked hesitant.

"Yuno?" Yuya took a step closer.

"I'm…" Yuno pressed a hand to his forehead. "I'm alright. I'm just…"

Yuya looked at the card that Yuno was holding. For some reason, it gave him the same feeling of dread.

Was Yuno… scared?

"I know what the objectively best move here is," he said. "I understand and see it, but…"

He turned his head—looking at Miharu.

Yuya gulped.

He did not know what had happened between the two—he'd passed out, after all. But…

"I'm not that easily scared, Yuno," Miharu replied. Her gaze was calm—far more collected than Yuno's. "I know what the best move for you is right now. It's okay—you can use that card—"

"But I'm scared," Yuno said. "I'm scared that there's something within me that made this card—something within me that might come out if I use it again."

Yuya thought about Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon, in his Extra Deck, a card that he could not bring himself to use. It felt… wrong, to think about using it without Dark Rebellion anyway.

Maybe he understood that feeling a little. There is a darkness inside you, that longs to devour your soul, Mieru had said during the Maiami Championship. Maybe that same darkness lingered inside Yuno as well—maybe it was inside all of them, the boys with the same face.

Yuya did not quite understand…

But he knew why it was terrifying.

"I know you're scared." A soft sigh. "I can't claim to… completely understand. But if necessary, I'll… defeat you again." There was something reluctant to her voice. "So don't worry about the consequences. Just do what's necessary—in the moment."

Yuno nodded. "Well, I don't have anything to fear if it's you. Open, circuit!" With the same effortless ease with which he'd trusted Yuya earlier, he dove straight into his next move, putting full trust in Miharu. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two or more WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Blue Sunfish, Marincess Blue Slug and the Link 2 Marincess Sea Butterfly in the Link Markers!" The three monsters shot up in the air. "Drifter, be caught in the ocean's waves that fall on the shore. Sweep away the uneasy souls with your elegant force! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4! Marincess Leafking Seadragon!"

In front of him, the dark figure appeared, wearing a large hat that hung over his face, shrouding him in shadow. The shackles and chains of decaying coral drifted around his wrists idly. The sokutai he was wearing, Japanese imperial dress, covered him in thick and elegant layers of black and green. Its dark wings drifted behind it, slow and menacing.

It was the first time that Yuya had seen this monster.

It certainly left… an impact. Yes, that was probably the best way to put it.

[Marincess Leafking Seadragon (L4/2500/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↓, ↘, →)]

---

Yuno looked at the monster.

He had never seen it with his own eyes, but it was… familiar.

It turned its head. The only part of the monster's face that he could see was a small smile.

He felt something strange from it, even now. It was not a… normal monster, strange as that sounded—and when had he started to believe in the supernatural so much?

… but even so…

This was still one of his monsters.

"I don't know what you want to do," he said to the monster quietly. "But I need your strength. So I'll be relying on you, like I do the rest of my deck. If you have a problem with that, if you want to exert some kind of malice on me… I'd much rather you leave completely."

A soft laugh left the monster's lips. It turned its head, and then, it tilted its head downwards swiftly, in a nod.

"Good." Yuno turned back to the duel, allowing himself to smile again. "When Marincess Leafking Seadragon is Link Summoned, if it has the highest Link Rating of all Link Monsters on the field, I can destroy cards you control, up to the number of WATER Link Monsters I control. And I don't select targets before the effect resolves."

"I will activate Frozen Domain's effect," Arisu said. "Since you Special Summoned a monster from the Extra Deck, I can return Defender of the Ice Barrier from my field to my hand and place your Leafking Seadragon on the bottom of the deck—in other words, back into your Extra Deck." She didn't seem to care about what he'd just said, after all.

Yuno smiled. "I know," he said. He placed down one of the last three cards in his hand."Marincess Ripples. Since I now control a Link 3 or higher "Marincess" monster, I can activate this card from my hand. I will pay 300 life points times the Link Rating of the "Marincess" Link Monster I control with the highest Link Rating, and negate the effects of all monsters you control that were Special Summoned from the Extra Deck until the End Phase!"

Yuno: 5500 - 300 x 4 = 4300LP

"But that's not the main reason I did that—Lancea's effect has already been used to its maximum capacity this turn, after all. After this, since I have a Link 2 or higher "Marincess" monster, all face-up monsters I currently control are unaffected by your card effects this turn!"

"... Frozen Domain doesn't choose targets when it's activated either," Arisu replied. "I'll return Defender to my hand regardless—and return Marincess Crown Tail from your graveyard to your deck."

So that meant that he'd have to search it out again, huh? Still, the effects resolved in order. "With Leafking Seadragon's effect, since I control two WATER Link Monsters, I can destroy two cards you control. I will destroy your Continuous Trap and Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain!"

"Secret Guards protects from targeting effects, but not this," Arisu said with a sigh. "Sure." Both of her cards exploded.

"Then," Yuno continued, "I can inflict 400 damage to you, times the Link Rating of all Link Monsters I control. I control the Link 4 Marincess Leafking Seadragon and the Link 3 Marincess Marbled Rock, so the total Link Rating is 7. With this effect, you'll take 2800 damage! Supremacy Ocean Crusher!"

Leafking Seadragon raised a hand. The wave swept over the field—

And yet, it wasn't quite as ominous as what Yuno had expected.

Arisu: 7700 - 400 x 7 = 4900LP

"Lancea's effect," Arisu said. "Which you already know, since you spelled it out so clearly for your friend over there when you took control of it."

Yuno winked. "I'm pragmatic," he said.

Arisu snorted. "Guess so. I can Special Summon a "Ice Barrier" Synchro Monster from the Extra Deck, and it's treated as a Synchro Summon. Destroyer in stasis, dipping the world down to the temperature where the oceans turn to ice! Emerge now, and bring forth the disastrous ice age! Synchro Summon! Level 11!"

Level… 11? So a higher Level than Lancea itself?

"Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"

A large, savage-looking icy dragon appeared, its entire body alternating between stark, blinding white and midnight blue. Most of its body was that white, though thin, bloody red veins ran through its body. Two other heads were charging up beams of energy, writhing around it. It had let go of any grace—it was pure, primal destruction.

[Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier (11*/2700/2000/WATER/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

How strange, from a woman whose entire deck seemed to revolve around grace—crystals, bright warriors.

"When Trishula is Synchro Summoned, I can banish up to three cards my opponent controls," Arisu declared. "I can't touch your monsters, but your partner's field is perfectly open. I will banish Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Performapal Trump Witch and Performapal Odd-Eyes Silver Selkie."

"What?" Yuno grimaced. "I didn't…"

The ice shot across the field. Beast-Eyes let out a roar as the ice froze over its scales, turning it into a frozen sculpture. Trishula roared, slashing down with one of its wings and shattering the other dragon. Silver Selkie, as an aquatic creature, fell to the ground under the ice, falling apart as well. Finally, Yuya's Pendulum Scale was frozen over, the pillar of light vanishing.

"... I'll still destroy that monster! Marincess Knifejaw's effect. Once per turn, I can target a WATER monster I control—and that monster permanently gains 400 attack points for each WATER monster I control, including Knifejaw herself! I'll target Marincess Leafking Seadragon! I control three WATER monsters, so it gains 1200 attack points!"

Knifejaw hopped over, handing three knives to Leafking Seadragon, seeming rather wary. The green and black monster smiled wryly, spinning around a knife idly.

[Marincess Leafking Seadragon: 2500 + 400 x 3 = 3700ATK]

"Battle Phase! Marincess Leafking Seadragon attacks Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier! Oceanic Strangle!"

The tendrils shot forward, wrapping around Trishula's neck. Leafking Seadragon raised one of his shackled hands to his hat, lowering it, still smiling. Then, the seaweed tightened—and with a flick of his hand, the dark-haired man tore the dragon's head off. It exploded into shards of ice.

The monster made it look effortless.

Arisu: 4900 - 1000 = 3900LP

"I know you can," Arisu said with a shrug. "When Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier is destroyed by an opponent's card after being Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier from my Extra Deck."

The original form of Trishula—the one that she had used against Gongenzaka and Sawatari—appeared on her field, letting out a roar.

[Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (9*/2700/2000/WATER/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

"Then, I can make Trishula's attack points permanently 3300, and I can halve the attack points of all monsters my opponent currently controls, as well negate their effects." Arisu shrugged. "The effect is not going to do anything to you, Sugisaki. But like I said, your partner is very different."

Yuya's remaining monsters—Parrotrio and Ballad, had their effects negated by a wave of frozen ice.

[Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier: 2700 → 3300ATK]

[Performapal Parrotrio: 500 / 2 = 250ATK]

[Performapal Ballad: 500 / 2 = 250ATK]

"So?"

"Marbled Rock can't destroy that dragon… so she'll attack Brionac! Elegant Wave!" His main defensive monster struck the other icy dragon, destroying it as well.

Arisu: 3900 - 400 = 3500LP

"I'll set a card and end my turn," Yuno said. "Over to you."

[Turn 9: Arisu] [H:2]

"Draw," Arisu said.

Currently, Yuno was still in better shape than Yuya—at least he still had both Leafking Seadragon and Marbled Rock on the field, which meant that he was pretty much safe this turn, unless Arisu somehow managed to banish his entire field. On the other hand, by making it so that she couldn't do anything to his cards last turn, Arisu's banishing effects had all gone for Yuya instead, leaving him with only Parrotrio and Ballad on the field—nothing else. And the last card in his hand was clearly Changeraffe—so he didn't have a lot of options left.

It was fine, Yuno reasoned with himself. With Marbled Rock, he could protect Yuya's monsters from battle if necessary, and since they were in Defense Position, it wasn't like Yuya was going to take battle damage.

It was fine.

Arisu currently had the original Trishula on her field, along with Quandax and her Secret Guards of the Ice Barrier.

"I'll Normal Summon Crystron Rion," Arisu declared. The pale Tuner appeared on her field again. "I'll tune the Level 3 Crystron Rion and the Level 4 Crystron Quandax to the Level 2 Secret Guards of the Ice Barrier!"

… it was a very good thing that Yuno's next thoughts stayed in his head, because if he'd said them aloud on stage, he'd have to do some massive PR to make up for the sheer amount of swearing.

"Crystalline, perfect gem that speeds through time! Golden perfection feeding into the evolution of the crystals of the water! Now, emerge, golden lord! Double Tuning! Synchro Summon! Level 9! Crystron Quariongandrax!" In front of her, the same golden yellow warrior from before emerged.

[Crystron Quariongandrax (9*/3000/3000/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"When Crystron Quariongandrax is Synchro Summoned, I can target monsters my opponent controls or in their graveyard, up to the number of Synchro Materials used for the Synchro Summon of this card, and banish them." Arisu gestured towards them. "I will banish Marincess Leafking Seadragon, Marincess Marbled Rock and Marincess Knifejaw. Golden Vaporisation!"

All three of Yuno's monsters dissolved into golden light. Just before it completely vanished, Leafking Seadragon turned to Yuno, exposing a smirk. What are you going to do now? It seemed to be asking, before it vanished.

And since it was banished, Leafking Seadragon's effect didn't trigger.

"Continuous Trap, Call of the Haunted," she continued. "Return to the field. Lancea." The dragon reappeared on the field for the third time. "It seems very similar to the last time we dueled, don't you think, Yuno Sugisaki?"

"... I guess so," Yuno said. He smiled honestly. "Your new cards are pretty strong."

He saw Arisu hesitate for a moment, and he grimaced. He hadn't meant—

For a moment, he'd forgotten the context of what exactly these cards were to her.

"I have a question," he said.

"Yeah?"

"You…" Yuno hesitated. "Yugo said that you were saving up to adopt him eventually so that he could live a better life in the Tops. But… with your circumstances…"

A shadow passed over Arisu's face.

Jack shot a look towards her. "That's not what you told me," he said.

"We had an arrangement, Jack Atlas," Arisu shot back.

"... I see," Jack said. "So it was a lie after all."

"What was a lie?" Yuya asked.

"I don't know Yugo personally, but surely he and the rest of the kids at the orphanage must have mentioned that the orphanage gets two sets of donations every month," Jack said, folding his arms. "One of them is from me. The other is from Kaname Mizuchi, in Arisu Kirijo's name."

… what?

Arisu stared at Jack for a moment, seeming annoyed. "You really shouldn't bring up things like that when I'm still in a duel," she said.

"Would you say it yourself if I didn't?" Jack replied. "I don't think so." He turned back to them. "The debt that she holds—"

"Jack Atlas," Arisu snapped. She seemed genuinely angry now. "Keep your nose out of this."

"I think it's important context," Jack said. "And he did ask."

Arisu clenched her fist. "I lied to Yugo," she spat out. "Happy?"

Yuno's eyes widened.

"Everything that I spend money on is accounted for as work expenses," Arisu said. "I can't save up any money at all—every tiny thing that I spend money on has to be accounted for and justified as a purchase for work purposes. They give me a flat amount at the start of every month, and whatever I don't spend goes back to them." A sharp fury coated her words. "Save up so that I could support both of us? That was all a lie. No matter how long I work in this city, I'm not ever making progress. I'm always in the same place, over and over. Every part of my life is scrutinised. My life hasn't moved forward since I was fourteen. Finally getting my younger brother into a position where he can pursue his own hopes? That's a dream that I can never fulfil, because of how useless I am."

"Then, why did you tell him that…"

"Because I wanted it so badly," Arisu said. "You have no idea how badly I want to have a family again." The words were softer, but carried no less bitterness. "You have no idea how much Yugo wants to have a family. I told him that lie when I was a teenager and he was barely old enough to ride a bike, because at the time, false hope was better than no hope at all. What was I supposed to do when we grew older? Confess that the dream I suggested for us was impossible? So when I needed an excuse, I talked to Kaname, and together, we built on that lie. I was donating to the orphanage to help everyone, so it would take a while longer, and so, I kept on buying time, telling him to wait and wait and wait—"

There was something heartbroken to the words.

"What was I supposed to do when what I wanted was impossible, no matter what I did?"

So this woman had lied and lied about things, just to stop Yugo from realising her situation. Just to stop anyone from finding out that she was suffering.

"Don't you think that he would have understood, if you had told him?" Yuya said. "Yugo's—Yugo's a good person—"

"He's too good of a person," Arisu said. "It would have been too greedy of me to hope that—"

She shook her head.

"... never mind. We're going too far with that." Her three high Level monsters were all staring down at them. "Spell Card, Salvage. I will add two WATER monsters with 1500 or less attack points from my graveyard to my hand. And by discarding a card, I will Special Summon Crystron Sulfefnir from my graveyard. You already know the drill. Sulfefnir destroys itself, and I'll Special Summon Crystron Thystvern from my deck." The purple wyvern appeared on the field again, letting out a growl. "Crystron Thystvern attacks Performapal Parrotrio."

"... ball's in your court, Yuya," Yuno called out. "I can protect myself, so do what's best for you."

Parrotrio was crushed by the attack, all three parrots puffing into colourful feathers.

"When Performapal Parrotrio is destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon a non-Pendulum "Performapal" monster from my deck!" Yuya declared. "Come—Performapal Skeeter Skimmer!" The colourful mosquito appeared on his field.

[Performapal Skeeter Skimmer (4*/500/1600/WATER/Insect/Effect)]

"Why would you summon that in Attack Position?" Arisu said, raising an eyebrow. "... interesting. I'll activate the effect of Lancea. Come from the graveyard—Georgius." The warrior with white wings reappeared in Attack Position. "And with Georgius's effect, I will Special Summon a Level 5 or lower "Ice Barrier" monster from my graveyard. Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier!" The dark-haired mage appeared on the field, looking rather serious.

Six monsters, six attacks.

"Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier attacks Performapal Skeeter Skimmer!"

"I'll activate the effect of Skeeter Skimmer!" Yuya countered. "By changing it to Defense Position, I can negate the attack!" The ice crystals were reflected as Skeeter Skimmer's wings beat quickly through the air.

"... nice," Arisu said. "Georgius attacks Skeeter Skimmer, and Quariongandrax attacks Ballad." She cleaned out his entire field. "Trishula attacks you directly, Yuno Sugisaki."

Huh? Why did she destroy all his monsters and then shift to attack Yuno instead?

"... man, I didn't want to show my hand so quickly," Yuno said with a shrug. "Trap Card, Marincess Bubble Elevator! Since my opponent controls a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Ritual Monster—"

He didn't know where this card had come from, but he was just going to accept this and move on.

"I can target a monster my opponent controls and destroy it. I will target and destroy Lancea!" Yet again, he cut down the dragon. "I can gain life points equal to the total Link Rating of WATER Link Monsters in my graveyard and on my field times 400. I have none on my field, but in my graveyard, I have…" He glanced through the cards. "The Link 1 Blue Slug, Sea Angel and Clownfish Confit. Two copies of the Link 2 Coral Anemone. The Link 2 Marincess Sea Butterfly. The Link 3 Marincess Marbled Rock and Magnetic Current Link Dragon. And the Link 4 Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon."

Bubbles swirled around him, colours dancing within them.

"That's nineteen. So I apologise, but it's just become very hard to defeat me."

Yuno: 4300 + 400 x 19 = 11900LP

"... ridiculous," Arisu said. She sounded… slightly more relaxed than before. "And destroying Lancea. That's to stop me from defeating your friend this turn, is it not?"

"Yes," Yuno said. "Our life points are both too high now. But it doesn't matter. A replay only occurs if the number of monsters on our side of the field changes, or if your monster's ability to attack changes." He winked. "So I'll take the attack. Come on!"

The ice shot past him, and it left a lingering chill on his skin.

Yuno: 11900 - 3300 = 8600LP

"... tch. You really are strange." Arisu shrugged. "Main Phase 2. I'll tune the Level 6 Georgius to the Level 3 Crystron Thystvern. Enormous castle in the sky, with wind that howls like a beast. Synchro Summon! Level 9! Cloudcastle!" The large castle from her duel with Sawatari and Gongenzaka appeared on the field in front of her in Defense Position.

[Cloudcastle (9*/0/3000/WIND/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"When Cloudcastle is Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 9 monster from my graveyard. Return to the field—Crystron Phoenix!" The red warrior from earlier appeared next to Quariongandrax. "I'll set another card and end my turn there. And I'll give you specifically a freebie, Yuya Sakaki."

Yuya?

"While I control Cloudcastle, Level 8 or lower monsters cannot attack on the turn they are Special Summoned," Arisu explained. "I could be wrong, but I think that all your Fusion Monsters are Level 8 or lower, and they seem to be your main attacking force from the Extra Deck. So that much won't win against me."

Yuno glanced at Yuya, who seemed… surprised.

Phoenix, Quariongandrax, Cloudcastle and Trishula. (And also Mirror Master, though she was pretty much just there as a shield against attacks.)

It seemed that despite their best efforts, they had not once managed to rid their opponent of these high-Levelled monsters. The two decks were working in tandem, despite Arisu's ostensible dislike of her father's cards.

And that was…

"You didn't have to listen to Roget and use those cards," Yuno reasoned. "If you're not going to be loyal to him anyway, then…"

"It's a punishment," Arisu answered sharply.

Yuno fell silent. He thought about Crystal Heart, which he had never once used in his entire life.

When he carried it with him despite that, even though he didn't want to look at it, was it his own way of punishing himself?

"I always thought," Arisu said, "that I was greedy for wanting others to notice my suffering. Because it wasn't like anyone would care anyway—and if they did, that was me dragging them down with me. Making them look at a problem that they couldn't solve, no matter how hard they tried. What was the use of telling anyone when all they would do was pity me? Only those that go through the same pain can truly understand. Those that don't suffer don't care. But I told myself it was fine, you see. I told myself that I was the one in the wrong for wanting to matter. But it's a messed-up way of thinking, huh?"

She shook her head.

"It's just—it always comes back to my father, you know. I tell myself I don't want to care, and then I go back to caring, and I hate myself for it. The moment that I lost my family, I lost myself—I became adrift. I think that's what happens to all people that lose their families."

Something cold ran down Yuno's spine.

"It feels like we're alone, no matter what—even if there are people there willing to lend a hand, we turn them away, because the loss of what was once there is too difficult to overlook. We would rather have nothing at all—intoxicate ourselves in the knowledge of loss—than fill up what's there…"

No. Please don't remind me.

Please don't make me think of that. Of what it felt like to be alone—I can't bear it—

Yuno took a step back, stung. It likely wasn't her intention, but the memories that her words brought back scalded him. He had been so afraid back then—so afraid to trust someone with his true self, the way that he'd trusted Chikyu. So afraid of that gaping vulnerability that he had exposed himself to.

Of what it was like to love so much, to admire so much, only to lose that person.

What if Chikyu had become an awful person before he had vanished? Would the loss of him still sting so much?

I run and I run. Am I any better than the people that I try to heal?

Miharu looked at him; Yuno shot her a reassuring smile to try and soothe her worries, and was unsurprised when she didn't buy it. She stepped forward, gently squeezing his hand.

After all, she knew about Chikyu. Even if there were still some things that Yuno held in, she knew what was most important.

"You'll go home again," she said. "And even if they are not here now, I am."

It was a simple declaration—one might consider it devoid of affection, because of that. But to Yuno, it spoke volumes. Because Miharu Kogami never went back on her word. When she said that she could do something, she meant that she would. A hundred percent guarantee. This was the strongest reassurance that Miharu could give him. She would not promise him the impossible—she would not promise that she could heal this aching scar. But she could promise that she would get him home, and when she said that, she really meant that she would do anything for it—even if she had to rip apart the very stars themselves, to give him back the place that he belonged.

And so, her promise that she was there, while sounding arrogant—was possibly one of the sweetest things that she could have said to him. It was a promise to stay—a promise that she would fight to stay by his side, no matter who tried to separate them. That she would use all her strength to make sure that no one could rip them apart.

Yuno breathed in slowly.

I love her so much. Sometimes I think that I love her too much—too much for this heart to handle.

Yuno nodded. He didn't have to say anything. He was sure that she understood.

"Alright," Miharu said. She gently let go of him, though the feeling of her touch still lingered on him. "There's someone else who feels the same right now, isn't there?"

… right.

Yuno turned to his partner in this duel.

He remembered hearing about Yuya being left behind by his father.

In the end, this fear was something they shared, wasn't it?

---

There was no logical way that Arisu Kirijo would know about what had happened with his father. But even so—even though he couldn't say that he had suffered from something quite as tragic—

Yuya grimaced.

He understood what it felt like to have someone that he had looked up to all his life vanish. To look back and think that the person who he had looked up to might not have been so perfect. To think that this person's actions might have ruined—no, had ruined his life…

We would rather intoxicate ourselves with the knowledge of loss than fill up what's there.

Yuya had always felt some resentment towards his father. Or rather, he had never really escaped Yusho Sakaki's shadow deep down—every move that he had made had always been linked to dueling in the way that his father taught him, or trying to break away from that.

Still…

There had always been one question lingering in the back of his mind.

Because the right thing to do was to find his father, find out what had happened, and live up to his father's expectations. But there was a less heroic part of him that had always considered something else—did he really have to? What if he chose not to forgive, what if he chose to allow himself to feel justified in his feelings of abandonment?

What then?

It had been three years. If his father could have come back by now, he should have. That wasn't a strange thing to think, right?

Did his father actually want to come back at all?

Yuya wanted to make people smile—but that intent would always be tainted with wondering if those were really his own thoughts.

A father's shadow was hard to escape. Especially a father that cast such a long shadow too—one that might forever shroud him.

His eyes met Yuno's for a brief moment.

For a moment, Yuya saw his own regrets reflected in those golden eyes.

A strange heartbeat—resonance. For a moment, Yuya felt light-headed.

And then, he was somewhere else.

He was in the middle of the arena. He was standing in front at Strong Ishijima again—the words were leaving his lips, shouting defiantly—

He was repeating that paralysing moment again.

Would I do it again, if I knew what would happen afterwards? How I would wait and wait for three years, the son of a coward?

"Yuya."

—he was released from the moment. Suddenly, he wasn't repeating the past again—he was able to move within the memory. Everything seemed to have frozen—the mocking audience had gone still, their mouths still open.

Yuya turned around.

Yuno was standing there. He looked younger—after all, right now, Yuya was in his thirteen-year-old body, so it made sense that Yuno was younger too. (As much sense as possible, he supposed, considering that this situation was ridiculous.)

"So this is what happened?" Yuno looked around at the crowds. Yuya felt exposed, all of a sudden—for someone to see this memory from his eyes…

"Yeah," he said, his voice slightly uncertain. He lowered his head. "It was when my father—"

Yuno sighed. "Your father," he said, "must have been a really good performer."

Yuya's head rose up immediately—he stared at Yuno in shock.

"For them to all mock him so much?" Yuno shook his head. "It's because their expectations were let down by him. It was an important duel, but even so, for them to keep on branding him as a coward for disappearing… why did they never question his disappearance in the first place? The fact that he never showed up again… even if he was a coward, they should have questioned something, right?"

But even Yuya himself hadn't questioned anything—he had just promised himself that his father would come home—

"Yuya." Yuno commanded his attention again. "I think that we should look for your father. He has to be in one of our dimensions. We'll ask everyone about it. I promise—we will find him, no matter what. And we will make him apologise to you."

"Why?" Yuya shook his head. "I don't need him to apologise. As long as he comes home, I—"

"Because…" Yuno looked around again. "Because you do deserve an apology, Yuya. For all of this. Not just from your father. From everyone who jeered. From your father's opponent, who chose to exploit you for publicity three years later. From the people who bullied you after that." He took a step forward, putting a hand on Yuya's shoulder. It was reassuring. "But you won't get an apology from most of those people. The thing that people hate to do the most is admit that they were in the wrong. If you only ever stand still and let others say what they want to say about you, you'll always feel like…"

He gestured outwards with a hand towards everything. Yuya looked at it as well.

"Like this, Yuya. You have to get in the habit of asking for the things that you have a right to. Of making people acknowledge that they wronged you. I know it's hard—I struggle with it too, sometimes. But you can do it for others, right? You can confront Academia for what they did to your friends and comrades. So why can't you do it for yourself?"

"... because sometimes, I think they're right," Yuya admitted. It was something that he could only say here, standing in the shoes of his younger self.

"... I get that." Yuno closed his eyes. "I feel that way too, sometimes."

"Huh? But you're always so confident—"

The world around them shifted.

It was a hospital room. Six beds in the ward were occupied. Yuya seemed to have gotten shorter, and he couldn't peer over the hospital beds—he couldn't see the faces of the people there, but from all the wires, he could tell that something terrible had happened.

He turned his head just in time to see Yuno run out of the room. And it was Yuno—ten years old and shorter, but Yuno nonetheless.

Yuya chased after him.

He found Yuno sitting outside. Even though he looked younger, the expression of the Yuno that looked back at him was the same as the one that he had always known.

"... sorry," Yuno said. "... guess we're looking at the past, but I've never been able to think about it without running away."

Yuya looked back at the hospital room.

He had never considered Yuno as someone that had suffered hardship. Maybe that was foolish of him, but he had assumed—but with Yuno's confidence compared to him, he had always thought…

"I'm terrified," Yuno explained after a moment. "Miharu knows I am, of course—but I still struggle sometimes with talking about it. People always say that I'm friendly and easy to get along with—but in reality, I've always been scared of being alone again. It's hard to have no one to talk to, don't you think?"

"Yuzu and Gongenzaka—"

"—but not about resentment," Yuno replied, seeming to anticipate his response. "You can't talk to them about anger, or fear, or worries about the future, because you feel like you need to defend your father's honour. Because otherwise, who will, right?" He rubbed the back of his neck. "... really, be more honest." He winked—the conversation became slightly more light-hearted at that. "Trust me. Keeping it all inside's not good for you."

Yuno had explained nothing at all about what was going on in this moment, but Yuya thought that he had at least managed to pick up on some of it.

"I understand," Yuya said, and maybe he did.

Yuno nodded. "I understand you too," he said. He tilted his head and smiled. "I probably won't talk about mine for a while. But if you need to talk… I'll be there, yeah?"

Yuya nodded too—he smiled back at Yuno.

A bright light came from his pocket and Yuno's. They both reached in at the same time, pulling out a card from each of their pockets.

"Odd-Eyes," Yuya murmured.

Yuno glanced at the card in his hand fondly. "Ok, partner," he murmured. "If that's the case… I'll trust you too." He held out his hand towards Yuya. "Why don't you take our power, Yuya?"

"Huh?" Yuya stared at the card—he knew what it was, of course, but… "Really?"

"It's not like this is the first time," Yuno said fondly. "But this time, it's just me—Yuto and Yugo have their own battles to fight. Even so, we can make this work, can't we?"

Yuya reached out with the hand that was already holding Odd-Eyes.

"Yeah," he said. "We can make a good attempt at it."

---

And then they were back, crashing back into reality. For a moment, Yuya shook his head, disoriented.

[Turn 10: Yuya] [H:2]

"Draw," Yuya said. He glanced at the card that he drew.

Yuno had defended them. And now, he was entrusting Yuya with the final blow.

… hmm. How should he…

"Since I have three or more Pendulum Monsters with different names face-up in my Extra Deck, I can activate the Spell Card, Pendulum Halt!" He declared. "I can draw two cards, but for the rest of this turn, I can't add cards from my deck to my hand!"

I'll close off the path to the future for this moment in the present. This moment when my soul resonates.

Halt, my pendulum!

He picked up the two cards, looking at them.

… there it was.

"I'll set the Scale 5 Performapal Changeraffe and the Scale 8 Dragonpit Magician in my Pendulum Scales!" Yuya declared. "With this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 6 to 7! In this case, I only need one!" The portal appeared above him. "Pendulum Summon! Return, faithful partner—Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

His ace appeared in front of him, roaring loudly.

"Interesting," Arisu said. "So, are you not going to Xyz Summon then? I would assume that would be the best way to surpass my monsters…"

But that was not the solution that his deck had proposed to him. If that was the case, he would have drawn something entirely different, wouldn't he?

With the cards in his hand right now, there was only one option.

"Spell Card, Monster Reborn!" He declared. "I can Special Summon a monster from either player's graveyard! Come to my field! Magnetic Current Link Dragon!"

Yuno's blue and purple dragon appeared on his field. When it roared, for a brief moment, Yuya felt dizzy again.

Even so, he persevered.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" He declared, smiling as brightly as he could. "Now, we've come to the climax of the show. Odd-Eyes and Magnetic Current have taken on other forms in this duel thus far, but now they'll take the leap together!"

"Together?" Miharu repeated from nearby.

Yuya nodded. "After all, our dragons share the same goal," he said cheerfully. "So it's always possible for us to work together! Let's welcome our newest performer to the stage, a dragon between land and ocean!"

He clapped his hands together once. Yuno seemed rather amused by the proceedings.

"Open, circuit of the world of smiles! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are one Dragon Link Monster and one "Odd-Eyes" monster! I will set Yuno's Link 3 Magnetic Current Link Dragon and my Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon in the Link Markers!" There was a sense of possession to the terms. While he currently controlled Magnetic Current, Magnetic Current was not his.

(Yet, a voice whispered in the back of his mind.)

"Dragon with dual coloured eyes! Adapt and assimilate the electrified machinery, and turn the world to your command with your waves of supremacy! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4!"

In front of him, a pool of water appeared. A dragon flew through it—its scales were a darker blue, with some accents of purple near its joints. Immediately, its red and green eyes stuck out—brighter than its scales. Around its head, it had the same fin-like appendages as Magnetic Current, though these were in white rather than the lighter blue of Magnetic Current. In general, for some reason, white seemed to overtake some parts of the dragon's body. Its wings were stunning dark blue veil-like membranes, each layered over the other, creating a surprisingly wavy-looking texture. Despite that fragility, the dragon still took flight easily with those wings. Its tail swept through the air, unmistakably aquatic in nature—fins and scales, blue and purple and ending with white.

And yet, there was something undeniably mechanical to it as well. From the bright blue light embedded in its chest, to the dark wires that seemed to snake along the top part of its wings, merging together into a structure that resembled bones.

When it roared, its voice was not savage in the way that most dragons would be. Rather, there was something melodic to it, something overly friendly—

Something charming, and yet, when it belonged to such a dangerous dragon, it could only be a siren song, luring in and destroying those that approached it.

"Emerge!" Yuya chanted, despite the fact that he himself was awestruck. He had not seen how Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon was born—he had no clue how that worked. However, looking at this dragon took his breath away.

It also made him feel seen. Like something incomplete sliding into place, like the border frame of a puzzle, partially complete.

"The Supreme King Cobalt Dragon," he concluded. "Odd-Eyes Current Dragon!"

The dragon's wings rippled in the air, and electricity rained down all around them, a sizzling sound causing everyone present to cover their ears—

Except Yuya, and of course, Yuno, who looked just as awestruck as him.

[The Supreme King Cobalt Dragon, Odd-Eyes Current Dragon (L4/S3/3000/DARK/Dragon/Link/Pendulum/Effect/↙, ←, →, ↘)]

"Odd-Eyes Current Dragon," Yuno repeated. "Oh, that's…" He seemed lost for words.

Yuya felt rather like crying too, and he wasn't sure why. There was something about Odd-Eyes Current Dragon that felt soothing, as opposed to the discomfort of Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon. Something gentle and welcoming, something like belonging.

Something, Yuya thought, rather like what Yuno was.

---

Yuno looked at the dragon. There was something proud and bold and seen to it, and with all that familiarity, he didn't just see the resemblance to himself, but to Yuya too.

It was slightly overwhelming. And he was not going to question how it'd happened, but even so, there was something undeniably beautiful about the dragon that he couldn't place.

---

"Odd-Eyes Current Dragon," Arisu repeated, clearly not privy to the same moment that they were currently having. "Interesting. A combination of your aces?"

"Yes." Yuya pulled himself together. "I'll activate the effect of Odd-Eyes Current Dragon. Since you control more monsters than me, I can target monsters you control, up to the number of Main Monster Zones that Odd-Eyes Current Dragon points to. And then—I can take control of those monsters until the End Phase, and Odd-Eyes Current Dragon gains 1000 attack points for each of them!"

"Take control of multiple monsters at once?" Arisu blinked. "... that's interesting…"

"I will take control of Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier and Crystron Quariongandrax! Torrential Magnetism Override!" The name flowed to his lips naturally, and Odd-Eyes Current Dragon threw its head back, that strange, songlike roar echoing around them. Around it, electrified chains of water shot forward, wrapping around the two monsters and dragging them over to his side of the field. At the same time, his dragon—their dragon glowed, drawing strength from the two monsters that it had swayed to their side—charmed for a brief spell.

[The Supreme King Cobalt Dragon, Odd-Eyes Current Dragon: 3000 + 1000 x 2 = 5000ATK]

"... I see," Arisu said. "What's the last move?"

"Huh?"

"I still have Mirror Magic Master in Defense Position," Arisu pointed out. "Right now, your attacks aren't enough to take me down—but surely, with a move as flashy as that one, you have a way to win this turn, right?"

"I do have a way," Yuya said. The fact that she'd picked up on that and said it so calmly…

… this woman truly didn't care if she lost, as long as she lost fairly.

"I will activate the effect of Pendulum Unveiling," he said. "I'll banish it from the graveyard and add a Pendulum Monster from my Extra Deck to my hand. I'll add Performapal Skullcrobat Joker to my hand! And I'll Normal Summon him!"

He could not use Skullcrobat Joker's effect, but those 1800 attack points were what he needed.

"... alright then." Arisu gestured forward. "Come and get me."

"Battle Phase. Trishula will attack and destroy Cloudcastle!" Since Trishula was a Level 9 monster, Yuya used it to avoid Cloudcastle's effect. The castle in the sky collapsed into rubble.

"Performapal Skullcrobat Joker attacks Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier!"

The weaker monster was destroyed—and while Arisu added a card from her graveyard to her hand, she was otherwise silent.

"Crystron Quariongandrax attacks Crystron Phoenix." The golden warrior dashed forward—betraying its original controller, and destroying Arisu's other monster.

Arisu: 3500 - 200 = 3300LP

And that left an empty field, except for one set card.

"It's not a trick," Arisu said calmly. "Attack and you win… that's all."

Yuya didn't really believe it.

But what other direction was there but forward?

"Attack directly, Odd-Eyes Current Dragon," he called to their monster, now hovering in the air. "Electrifying Storm!"

Water fell from the sky—

And as it landed, sparking with electricity, the dragon cried out one last time.

A sound that signalled smug, prideful victory. As though it was only natural—as though the dragon had never doubted its own strength.

There was something about it that was remarkably alive—

That roar blocked out all other sounds, and Yuya couldn't help but smile.

Arisu: 3300 - 5000 = 0LP

Winner: Yuno Sugisaki & Yuya Sakaki!

He was almost sad to see the holograms fade—to see Odd-Eyes Current Dragon go.

Arisu walked over towards them. "Fair's fair," she said. She handed the two keycards to them. "Well done. I don't know what happened at the end there, but…" She chuckled. "It was good."

Yuya took one, while Yuno took the other. They both looked at each other for a moment.

Only they knew what had happened in that moment. Yuya would probably talk to the rest about it later, but right now…

"What was your set card?" Yuno asked curiously.

Arisu shrugged. "Miracle Synchro Fusion," she said easily.

Miracle Synchro Fusion. Of all cards…

"I couldn't play it," Arisu admitted. "I just… couldn't. It would have helped me take one of you out, without a doubt, but not both of you. Even so…" She shook her head. "It feels silly, that there was a final step that I couldn't let myself take. So I set it facedown, in the hopes that you would at least destroy it—in the hopes that I wouldn't become desperate enough to use it."

"Fusion Summoning…" Yuya hesitated. "Isn't evil."

"I know that much," Arisu said. "But Miracle Synchro Fusion was handed to me by my comrades, after I confronted them over what they were doing." She shook her head. "They had their reasons, but it was not right. And if I use it now, I'm going against myself, and what I believe in." She smiled. "It's not worth it."

There was something hopeless to her smile.

"What are you going to do now?" Yuno asked. By unspoken agreement, he and Yuya left the topic of 'what the hell just happened' for later.

"... reflect," Arisu said with a shrug. "Toss my father's cards back where I don't have to look at them again. Something like that."

Yuno stopped. He didn't seem to know what to say.

Yuya remembered what Yuno had said earlier.

"... guess we're looking at the past, but I've never been able to think about it without running away."

Yuno wouldn't be able to say something against what Arisu had just said—and so, it fell to Yuya himself.

Now that the duel was done, his bravado and performer's attitude were gone as well—so he spoke more genuinely.

"I don't think you should do that," Yuya said.

Arisu turned to look at him—seeming to actually be listening to him, which was surprising.

"I… my deck comes from my father too." Yuya grimaced. "And I… have similar feelings to you. My father vanished, and he… left behind a terrible situation for me and my mother, along with my best friend and her father. I have…"

It was alright to say it, right?

"Mixed feelings about my father," he said. "I get why you would not want to use his cards, but… I never knew your father, so I don't associate him with those cards. When you dueled with those cards…" He pressed a fist to his chest. "To me, they felt like yours, too. Quariongandrax and Trishula… the fact that they both banish three cards from the field with their effect… doesn't that mean something to you?"

Arisu's eyes widened.

"Maybe it's a coincidence, but the cards you call your own worked well with those." Yuya shook his head. "As a child, I played with Odd-Eyes and my Magicians. My Performapals only truly became my deck after I decided to follow up on my father's ideals."

Ideals that he was still trying to figure out now, but that wasn't the point he was making.

"And they fit, I think." Yuya shifted self-consciously, aware of how everyone was watching him. "I think that… you're stronger with those cards. Not that I want to tell you to do anything. But… I think you'd be happier if you used them, instead of rejecting them—if you keep on rejecting them, you'll always have to leave some space in your mind to hate them."

Arisu let out a soft sigh after he was done.

"You're not wrong," she finally said. "I'm sorry that you know enough about that to point this out to me."

"Huh? Um. It's not a big deal…"

"... it is," Arisu said. She shook her head. "I won't head back with you all. I need to figure out what to do with him." She gestured to Sergey, who was still knocked out on the ground.

Jack looked at her speculatively. He turned back to them. "You should head back," he said calmly. "I will help her to… figure out what to do with Sergey Volkov, for now."

He walked towards them—and then he put a hand on Yuya's shoulder. Yuya jolted in surprise.

"That," he said quietly, "was very well-said, Yuya Sakaki. I am surprised… and humbled, by how I've misjudged you."

He turned around and walked back towards Arisu before Yuya could respond—Yuya was frozen in place.

"Tch." Sawatari rolled his eyes. "That guy's just trying to act cool."

"Looks like you've earned the respect of the King of the City, Yuya," Yuno said with a chuckle. "Not bad at all."

Yuya looked at him. He wondered if Yuno knew that Yuya had been talking to him too.

Yuno certainly still seemed rather happy-go-lucky, as he grinned at Gongenzaka and Miharu. "Let's get going!" He said cheerfully. "I'm sure that the rest are on their way back by now too."

Yuzu grasped onto Yuya's arm, much to Yuya's surprise. He turned to look at her—and she was beaming.

"I was worried," she said. "But you did really well, Yuya! I'm proud of you."

Yuya couldn't help but grin, feeling strangely warm. "Thanks," he said.

At this point, how could he let his comrades down?

They should get back now.

He could consider the revelations that he had come to later—

And for now, he just wanted to smile with his friends.

---

"They're good kids, aren't they?" Arisu shook her head. "... surprisingly skilled at their age. Even the two that I did defeat were pretty good—just lacking a little in conviction."

"They're good," Jack said. "What are you planning to do with him?"

"Did you hang behind because you were worried that I would do something illegal?" Arisu shook her head. "Don't worry. I'll leave it in your hands to punish him." She looked back at Sergey. "... I despise him, but I don't have the power to truly punish him for what he's done."

"And what if you did?"

Arisu tilted her head up to look at Jack, raising an eyebrow. "It is rather mocking to hear that from the man with the most power in the city," she said. "We're the same age, but you've accomplished far more than me."

"I am not intentionally doing so." Jack leaned on the wall, watching her. Arisu stared back at him. There was something tense between them—though clearly, neither of them were willing to pick fights now. "What are you planning on doing after this, Arisu Kirijo?"

"Didn't they already ask me that question? I already responded."

"What I mean is different. What do you intend to put your strength towards once Roget is taken down? An insurgency for the Commons is useless now—we have no order for them to overthrow. We will have to build things from scratch."

Arisu snorted. "Good," she said. Then, after a brief moment of hesitation, "I don't know. I might try to calm anything that happens. We do have to change things, but I would prefer that only the minimum amount of violence occurs."

"Not going to take the opportunity to run from the city?"

Arisu shook her head. "Afterwards, maybe. But I'm not irresponsible enough to run away after contributing to this whole mess. I'll accept my punishment from the city." Another snort. "At least this time, I'll be punished for something that's true."

"And who in this city has the right to punish you, Arisu Kirijo?" Jack said. "The Tops? The Commons? Today was a bad decision on your part. I will not absolve you from defending the corruption in our city—but I am to blame as well, for letting it stew for so long without advocating for any kind of genuine change."

"More than anything that anyone else did."

"Still," Jack said, "you've at least convinced me."

Arisu turned to look at him again, seeming confused.

"Roget will not be able to retain his position after today," Jack said. "I will need to be the one who mediates everything and settles the city—and I will need to lead the reconstruction too. I'm sure that Aki will help me, and I'm planning on recruiting that man—Shinji Weber—to help me settle the Commons. Things will change."

"I'll… believe it when I see it." Arisu frowned. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Repent," Jack said simply. "And free yourself. You know that you're the most popular member of Security. Commons trust you to get some level of justice for their cases, and Tops trust you because they see you as one of them."

Arisu grimaced.

"As such, if you're determined to calm this storm, work with me. You understand what it means to be treated unfairly, but you do not allow yourself to be caught up completely in emotions either. You act according to your own righteousness, and you make good on your promises. You are not perfect…" He stared at her imperiously. "But I do think that you are what this city needs."

"... what exactly do you want me to do?"

"I promise that regardless of the answer you give me, I will remove that debt of yours—the unfair hand you were dealt." Jack gestured towards Sergey. "You said that you do not have the power to punish him. But you could have it."

A wary look. She seemed to understand intuitively what he was asking of her—and didn't seem to believe him. "... you cannot expect me to accept that suggestion. I am one of the corrupt officers in this city, Jack Atlas."

"And yet, from what I know…"

Jack walked over. He began to help to lift up Sergey.

"You are, in my opinion, the best candidate to be the next Director of Security. You have the advantage of a good reputation—and if we truly punish everyone just because they were a part of Security, this city's faith in proper enforcement will vanish. And I would prefer to work with someone from the same generation as Aki and I—not as held back by the traditions of the past, but old enough to handle all this responsibility. Do consider it."

Arisu rolled her eyes. Still, she didn't argue. Instead, she helped to lift Sergey up as well. The man was very heavy, but they managed to drag him along. (And neither of them really cared that his legs were scraping against the ground.)

"If we get a truck," she said, "I can use it to get him to a holding cell."

Stealing a truck immediately after being offered a more powerful position?

Jack snorted.

Not too bad.

---

OC Cards:

Liquid Crystallisation

(Spell)

(This card is always treated as a "Crystron" card.)

If you control a "Crystron" monster: You can banish 1 monster from your GY; Special Summon 1 "Crystron" Tuner from your Deck, and if you do, you can add 1 monster with the same name from your Deck to your hand. You cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck on the turn you activate this card, except Machine monsters. You can only activate 1 "Liquid Crystallisation" per turn.

Crystron Carnelix

(6*/2500/1800/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)

1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters

If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can draw 1 card. You can only Special Summon "Crystron Carnelix" once per turn. If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can declare 1 card name; banish all cards with that name from either GY. If this Synchro Summoned card leaves the field: You can target 1 monster on the field; negate its effects, then you can Special Summon 1 Level 5 or lower "Crystron" monster from your Deck or GY. You can only activate this effect of "Crystron Carnelix" once per turn.

Trivia: Named after "carnelian", aka red-orange. Its 'canon' materials are Citree and Rosenix. Honestly, this is just my quest to make a Synchro of every Level that she can use.

Performapal Odd-Eyes Silver Selkie

(L2/1700/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)

2 monsters with different Levels, including a Pendulum Monster

If this card is Link Summoned: You can place 1 "Odd-Eyes" or "Performapal" Pendulum Monster from your Deck in your Extra Deck face-up, and if you do, you can Special Summon 1 Pendulum Monster face-up in your Extra Deck with a different Pendulum Scale from the monster placed in the Extra Deck by this effect. Once per turn, if this card and/or an "Odd-Eyes" monster(s) this card points to would be destroyed by battle or card effect: You can send 1 card from your hand to the GY instead. You can only control 1 "Performapal Odd-Eyes Silver Selkie". You can only Link Summon "Performapal Odd-Eyes Silver Selkie" once per turn.

Performapal Odd-Eyes Blade Phantom

(R4/2300/2000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect)

2 Level 4 monsters

If this card is Xyz Summoned: You can target 1 monster on the field with less ATK than this card's ATK; destroy it. You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; reveal 3 "Performapal" or "Odd-Eyes" Pendulum Monsters with different Pendulum Scale(s) from your Deck, and if you do, your opponent randomly picks 1 for you to Special Summon to your field, and you return the remaining cards to the bottom of the deck in any order. You can only activate each effect of "Performapal Odd-Eyes Blade Phantom" once per turn.

Trivia: People spend all their time making cool paladins, Odd-Eyes cards, etc. I love those too, but I also want to give base Performapals some love :) If you can't tell what this one's based on, I'm… immensely concerned for you. :)

Marincess Blue Sunfish

(3*/1400/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Tuner/Effect)

If this card is Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Marincess" monster from your Deck in Attack Position. If this card is sent to the GY: "Marincess" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. You can only activate each effect of "Marincess Blue Sunfish" once per turn.

Marincess Clownfish Confit

(L1/700/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/→)

1 non-Link WATER monster

This card cannot be destroyed by battle. You can Tribute this card; target 1 non-Link monster in your GY, Special Summon it. You can only activate this effect of "Marincess Clownfish Confit" once per turn.

Magnetic Current Link Dragon

(L3/2500/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↓, →)

3 monsters with different names, including a Link Monster

Once per turn: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher monster your opponent controls; negate its effects, then, place that opponent's monster in a Main Monster Zone this card points to and take control of it until your opponent's next End Phase, and if you do, your opponent gains LP equal to the original ATK of the targeted monster. If this card is sent to the GY: You can Set 1 Trap from your GY to your field. It can be activated this turn.

Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon

(L4/3000/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↙, ↘, →)

2+ monsters with different names, including a Link 3 or higher Link Monster

Once per turn, if this card does not point to any monsters: You can negate the effects of all Level 5 or higher monsters on the field until the End Phase, and if you do, until the end of this turn, this monster gains 500 ATK for each monster affected by this effect. If you control no Set cards, this card is unaffected by your opponent's monster effects. You can only activate 1 of the following effects of "Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon" each turn, and only once per turn.

- If your opponent activates the effect of a monster on the field: You can target that monster; negate that effect, and if you do, take control of that monster and place it in a Main Monster Zone that this card points to, and then, gain LP equal to its ATK.

- If your opponent activates a Spell/Trap card or effect that would target or destroy a monster you control: You can negate that effect, and if you do, gain 500 LP for each monster that this card points to.

Trivia: Effect is still the same, but errataed slightly due to a phrasing error.

Marincess Sea Butterfly

(L2/1800/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↑, →)

2 WATER monsters

If this card is Link Summoned and you control only WATER monsters: You can Special Summon 1 Link-1 "Marincess" Link Monster from your Extra Deck. (This is treated as a Link Summon.) You can only use this effect of "Marincess Sea Butterfly" once per turn. While you control this face-up card in the Monster Zone or Spell/Trap Zone, co-linked WATER monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Marincess Knifejaw

(3*/S6/1400/800/WATER/Cyberse/Pendulum/Effect)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, if you Link Summon a WATER Link Monster: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's Link Rating x 400, and if you do, while it is face-up on the field, treat it as a "Marincess" monster. (This effect continues even if this card leaves the field.)

Once per turn: You can target 1 WATER monster you control; it gains 400 ATK for each WATER monster you control. You can only activate this effect of "Marincess Knifejaw" once per turn.

Marincess Leafking Seadragon

(L4/2500/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↓, ↘, →)

2+ WATER monsters

(This card is always treated as a Cyberse monster.) If this card is Link Summoned, and it has a higher Link Rating than all other Link Monsters on the field (even if it is tied), or it is the only Link Monster on the field: You can destroy cards your opponent controls, up to the number of WATER Link Monsters you control, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the total Link Rating of all Link Monsters you control x 400. While your opponent controls a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Ritual or Pendulum Monster, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects. If this card is sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 Link 3 or lower WATER Link Monster from your Extra Deck, and if you do, gain LP equal to that monster's Link Rating x 1000. (This is treated as a Link Summon.) The monster Summoned by this effect cannot activate its effects this turn, and it cannot be destroyed by battle during the turn that it was Summoned. You can only activate each effect of "Marincess Leafking Seadragon" once per turn. You can only control 1 "Marincess Leafking Seadragon".

Marincess Ripples

(Trap)

If you control a "Marincess" Link Monster: Pay LP equal to 300 x the Link Rating of the "Marincess" Link Monster with the highest Link Rating on your field (you choose if tied); negate the effects of all face-up monsters your opponent currently controls that were Special Summoned from the Extra Deck until the end of this turn, then, if you control a Link-2 or higher "Marincess" monster, all face-up monsters you currently control are unaffected by your opponent's card effects until the end of this turn. If you control a Link-3 or higher "Marincess" monster, you can activate this card from your hand.

Marincess Bubble Elevator

(Trap)

If your opponent controls a Link Monster with a Link Rating equal to or higher than the Link Monster with the highest Link Rating you control, or if your opponent controls a Fusion, Xyz, Synchro or Ritual Monster: You can target 1 monster they control; destroy it, and if you do, gain LP equal to the total Link Rating of WATER Link Monsters in your GY, in your Monster Zones and treated as Equip Spells on your field x 400. If you control a Link-3 or higher "Marincess" monster, you can activate this card from your hand.

The Supreme King Cobalt Dragon, Odd-Eyes Current Dragon

(L4/S3/3000/DARK/Dragon/Link/Pendulum/Effect/↙, ←, →, ↘)

Pendulum Effect: (Hidden just because I can. Yes, I have decided on it though :D)

1 Dragon Link Monster + 1 "Odd-Eyes" monster

If you have no monsters in your Extra Monster Zone and you can Pendulum Summon Level 4, you can Pendulum Summon this face-up card in your Extra Deck to the Extra Monster Zone. (One effect hidden.) Once per turn, if your opponent controls more monsters than you do: You can target monsters your opponent controls up to the number of empty Main Monster Zones this card points to; take control of the targeted monsters and place them in Main Monster Zones this card points to until the End Phase, and if you do, this card gains 1000 ATK for each monster affected by this effect until the End Phase. Monsters that change control with this effect cannot declare direct attacks. If this card in the Monster Zone is destroyed: You can place this card in your Pendulum Scale.

Trivia: So, first things first—if and when the hybrid dragons from canon show up in an actual duel, I will probably be loosening their summoning conditions, changing some parts of effects just to give them some level of consistency, etc. It's interesting because most of them have no consistency in their effects and their relationships to the original dragons. I'm choosing to balance the power curve against anime Odd-Eyes Venom Dragon. You might question why I didn't use 'blue'. :) It's a pretty simple answer. *winks* I don't have enough different basic colours that suit the hybrids. Take that as you will. The fact that the different hybrids have different Levels and Pendulum Scales made it hard for me to decide how to design this card. Just be aware that like 90% of this card has some symbolism to it, and I had lots of fun with it. Most of its effects are related, in some shape or form, to Magnetic Current's own effects. As some fun facts, the mineral cobalt is used for heat-resistant and magnetic alloys. :) It's used to refine crude oil by ridding it of sulfur, to avoid causing acid rain when burning it. Cobalt-rich crusts exist at the bottom of the ocean. It is toxic for the ocean at high concentrations :) I'm not explaining any of that, but it definitely had some effect on my choice to use that specific shade, as opposed to any other one. The reason that I used specific materials for it (though you can still vary the Link Rating of those materials) is because it was the balance that I struck between the specific materials of the anime and the more vague ones in the TCG. I could make it 2+ Dragon monsters, but that doesn't feel right for a Zarc hybrid ace—that would imply that it's a fusion of more than just Magnetic Current and Odd-Eyes. So I settled on this in the end. I also really wanted to make it WATER, but in the end, since all Supreme King monsters are DARK, I had to obey canon. :( And I did say that I was using OCG names for these guys, because it's much cooler. :) Having to be Pendulum Summoned to the Extra Monster Zone is a reference to the fact that Pendulum and Link Monsters are the only truly EMZ-locked monster types IRL. And very fittingly, Odd-Eyes Current Dragon, a combination of Yuya and Yuno's aces, is best when facing a crowd of monsters. Also, I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but 'magnetism' is literally a pun on double meanings, since it also means the ability to charm others—thus, its pun in Magnetic Current's name and this monster's effect.

Pendulum Unveiling

(Spell/Quickplay)

Special Summon 1 Pendulum Monster from your Pendulum Scale. You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 Pendulum Monster from your Extra Deck to your hand.

Trivia: Last used by Yuzu, it's a generic Pendulum support card in this universe.

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Different Card Effects from TCG:

Performapal Monkeyboard - Anime effect.

Odd Eyes Pendulum Dragon - Anime effect.

Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn - Anime effect.

Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon - Anime effect, because no, I cannot give Yuya Contact Fusion now, but he gets Beast-Eyes early enough that some plays don't make sense if he can just Contact Fusion it.

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End Notes:

I have decided to bend my own rules on using only cards that have already been translated to the TCG just this once, if only because I genuinely cannot afford to wait until like midway through 2024 to write this chapter, haha. Like I said, these last few duels in the arc throw plenty of bullshit at the main characters for them to overcome. I'll leave myself a reminder to come back and translate them once Terminal World gets translated over to English. :) So, cards to translate are: Mirror Magic Master, Frozen Domain, Lancea, new Brionac, Georgius.

Ice Barriers are one of my favourite archetypes ever. So glad that they got support right after I was almost done with the arc, when I initially didn't make them a boss deck because they weren't at a good enough speed. *scowls* I'm satisfied splashing them in here though. Full disclosure, if Lancea had been released before I started the Synchro Arc, I probably would have fully retconned Arisu to Ice Barriers instead of Crystrons. I cracked my skull open just to figure out a turn that would properly meld the two decks without accidentally hitting the Crystron Machine-only restriction.

I did have the idea to make them a hybrid deck for fun even before the new support was released, but originally instead of Lancea, it was going to be an OC card. Still, I saw the opportunity. Lancea's effect to change battle position does jackshit to Yuno, but its swarming effects do help.

Me for this entire duel: "How do I write Yuno without Marincess Wave?" I also wrote the whole chapter on like two hours of sleep in three days, so while I've gone through it to look for typos, there may still be a few. I couldn't find any major duel mistakes, so I'm keeping it as it is—only in 4am hell could I write this duel and have it come out coherent, because it destroyed my brain to figure it out while I was actually well-rested, lmao.

And yes, Odd-Eyes Current Dragon was always going to debut next. Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon already showed up off-screen in Standard, but that one was more of Yuya cutting in line, so to speak—not that I'm going to elaborate on that for now. But Yuno is the counterpart that Yuya is the closest to here, and vice versa. However, I want to stress something very important here—Odd-Eyes is not special among the dragons. :) They're all on equal standing. Take that as you will. This is also the reason that Odd-Eyes Venom Dragon didn't show up yet, despite some people predicting it—like I said, Yuno's influence on Yuya is far greater.

Review responses! Apologies if I miss any—if anyone doesn't know, ffnet's email notification system is broken, and the review display is also broken, so I might not see some.

To TheRealD3lph0xL0v3r, I can actually answer that now! The protagonists of the other YGO series will never play a large role in the present in this fic, just because including them would subject me to people complaining that I'm not giving them enough to do. While I did plan to mention them once or twice just as fun easter eggs without directly bringing them into the plot, I got enough people complaining about my usage of Yusei that I'm probably going to just avoid the protagonists altogether now, since they were never a part of my plans anyway.

To Bryz0n, haha, you definitely called it. :) Was it that obvious that Odd-Eyes Current Dragon was going to come out? Anyway, I'm not confirming if Link Spells will ever show up, but at the very least, there will be no ruling problems with Odd-Eyes Current Dragon being in the Pendulum Scale, because its arrows in the Pendulum Scale will never point to anything :)

To Kuroto, it was more that Sergey had already been beaten, and was still trying to attack them anyway—in a sense, Jack's way was the best way of stopping him, because what was Jack supposed to do—duel and win against him again? If Sergey already wasn't going to stop, beating him again wouldn't solve anything. And yes, it's pretty interesting that Chiaki and Asuka have that specific connection between them when you consider what you just said :) We will go back specifically to those events that you mentioned later too—I just like setting up Chekhov's Gun early.

To DSpaceZ, I chose to interpret it as the Yu-boys keeping whatever cards they get when they Awaken, so yes, Yuno gets to keep Leafking Seadragon :D You can interpret that as a good or bad thing. As for the new White and Ghoti support, I think that's a given—I'm actually pretty glad for it, since it gives me a chance to manipulate the power curve more for her just a bit more. Judging from the remaining spaces in Phantom Nightmare, I think we might get one more Ghoti Synchro too. And I thought about giving Sergey a Level 10 Synchro too, but… hmm, in the end, I decided against it :D I might explain why in the future. As for the bracelets, we can't have everything happen at once. It'll take a while for everything to unfold :)

To phantomdragons, welcome back! You actually caught one of the slight differences I was going for with the Yuri-Shino dynamic and what went on in that chapter, yeah. Glad you enjoyed. And you're right—it's not that Miharu can't work with others! She's just bad at letting others help her :) As for your speculation, let's wait and see.

To ninetails55, the story's still in its early stages, so talking about a sequel now would be very premature. Let's see if I still have the motivation when I get to the end.

To T.V. 2000, really, don't worry about it. It makes my day when I do get a fun review to read, but you're never obligated to leave a review. I'm happy enough that people read my story in the first place :) The question about whether we'll see ZEXAL/DM legacy characters (the antagonists) is pretty interesting, but it's not one I can answer! One thing I can say is that I'm far more interested in Xyz/Ritual decks that were never in the anime… so I'm more inclined to write those. Plus, those two shows share the common issue of making characters with decks that they never expanded on (until recently). Anyway, like I said before, the email notifications are broken, so that might be the issue :) Ffnet is pretty broken.

To cardfan135, mm, you called that one. Until now, Miharu's Turn 1 has only been resource gathering + maybe using Thrasher for one single attack. Also, being a Kisara simp for this story's version of Kisara is entirely understandable. :D

To AccurateGap1, you're right that what happened to her during the incident hasn't been labelled specifically yet, but actually, I'm pretty sure I've given enough bits and pieces throughout the story that most of it can be worked out. :D And actually, I've never confirmed the arc order! You might have seen a review where people are trying to tell me what order to do the arcs in, because god knows I get those all the time, lmao. And honestly, the Standard characters will get their own big moments, but as characters like Serena have shown, I'm not exactly restricting myself to developing the characters only in the arc that their 'dimension' is from. It's a gradual process :D

Next chapter's duel might take forever. It might take three days. Eh, we'll see. Remember, there's only one member of Security to defeat before we deal with Roget. Also remember that the only group that hasn't taken on an opponent yet is Mion, Nue and Kyorin. As in, the potential decks involved in this are Traptrix, Spell Counters and Nekroz. As of writing this, I have no clue how I'm going to script that duel, but at most, I'll do what I did for this one and write it in the middle of the night. :)

QOTC: Let's see how much you guys have picked up! What are your Zarc/Ray/that third other person-related theories so far? And/or theories about the United World?

I most likely won't be able to comment on any of your answers, as a disclaimer—for pretty obvious reasons. Can't spoil anything so early. But I'd love to personally know if anyone is on the right track! :D

Alright, see you next time!