FIELD – THE BROTHERHOOD HQ – CAPITAL – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V
For a second, Sayaka stopped her track when a droplet of water hit her glasses. It didn't take long for one after another droplets of water came down, raining the entire Capital. Despite the heavy rain, Sayaka could still the sound of battle cries around her.
A bitter wind swept the field and the ground was slick with rain. Fortunately, Sayaka wore boots when she ran out to stop her brainwashed comrades. She felt like puking all the while fighting. She has seen several of her comrades fighting to their last breath and the brainwashed Duelists fought without mercy. The wounded and dead lay thickly over the wintry ground, garish scarlet flowing over the frosted white. Under the whims of the Parasite Fusioner inside their brains, they killed their own comrades. In the end, despite their best, there are still casualties.
Sayaka didn't want to imagine how their comrades would react when they were freed from their brainwashing and realized what they have done. No. Sayaka tried her best not to think about that scenario. Right now, she must concentrate on stopping as many brainwashed comrades as she could.
Sayaka stopped when she saw a familiar figure not far from her. She gasped when she recognized that back. Her most precious best friend. Sayaka didn't think further and ran towards the figure who was only standing by in the rain.
"Ruri!" Sayaka called out, making Ruri to turn around.
"Are you okay, Ruri?!" Sayaka asked between her gasps, relieved to see her best friend.
However, her relief didn't last for long. Sayaka knew right away that something was wrong. Ruri smiled, but it was so cold and arrogant, a total opposite of the gentle serene smile that she knew. And her suspicion was proven when Ruri raised and activated her Duel Disk while taking a battle stance.
"You're my next opponent, Sayaka? Perfect timing." Ruri challenged her best friend.
"No way. Parasite Fusioner got to you too?" Sayaka took a step back, frowning. She has seen what Parasite Fusioner could do from the brainwashed comrades she has defeated along the way, but to see it affecting her best friend like this was far more unpleasant than before.
"Yes. It feels great. I feel even more powerful than before." Ruri giggled as she said so.
"Ruri, please stop. That monster is destroying your mind in exchange for power." Sayaka tried to persuade her best friend, even attempting to get closer. However, she's forced to take another step back when Ruri swung her Duel Disk blade, almost hitting Sayaka.
"Enough talk! I'll eliminate you here! I haven't pay you back for my loss in our last Duel!" Ruri shouted, reminding of the Duel between Spade Branch and Clover Branch in which Sayaka defeated her. Because the Academia invasion happened didn't long after that Duel, she and Ruri didn't get a proper rematch for that Duel.
"Yuya already warned me that nothing I will say can sway the one brainwashed by Parasite Fusioner, but I thought I should still give it a try..." Sayaka hoped she can end this peacefully, but it was clear now there was no other choice she has. Sayaka made a resolute expression, activating her Duel Disk.
"It can't be helped. I'll stop you even if it means I must use force! Since this is a rematch for our Duel before, we'll go by the Master Duel rule. No Action Cards." Sayaka said, choosing the Master Duel Program in her Duel Disk.
"Certainly perfect." Ruri accepted, itching for the fight to begin.
[MASTER DUEL!]
"I'm taking the first Turn! I summon Little Fairy (ATK: 800 / DEF: 800 / LV: 3)!" Sayaka summoned Little Fairy in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I activate Magic Card: Fairy Hands! When I control a Fairy Monster on my Field, I can add 2 cards from my Deck!" Sayaka added two cards from her hand and immediately set it.
"I set 2 cards and end my Turn!" Sayaka concluded. "I'll show you how much I've gotten stronger, Ruri!"
"And you're showing it by underestimating me?" Ruri made an annoyed look, which confused Sayaka. "Little Fairy and two set cards. You think I'm going to fall for such an obvious trap? Enough underestimating me!"
"I'm not! I'm being serious! This is part of my strategy!" Sayaka replied firmly. Her first move might be a no big deal, but she won't do this without a proper plan. But from the way Ruri reacted, she thought she was offending her.
"Are you? I'll make you regret it! My Turn! I summon Lyrical Luscinia - Cobalt Sparrow!" Ruri summoned Cobalt Sparrow in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I activate Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow's effect in my hand! As I control a Lyrical Luscinia monster other than Sapphire Swallow, I can Special Summon it along with a Level 1 Lyrical Luscinia monster from my hand!" Ruri Special Summoned Sapphire Swallow and a copy of Cobalt Sparrow in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I activate the effect of the second Cobalt Sparrow! I can add a copy of Cobalt Sparrow from my Deck to my hand!" Ruri added another copy of Cobalt Sparrow to her hand.
"And then I activate the effect of another copy of Sapphire Swallow!" Ruri Special summoned another copy of Sapphire Swallow and the added Cobalt Sparrow, filling her entire Main Zone.
"I Overlay my five Level 1 Lyrical Luscinia Monsters! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / RNK: 1 / ORU: 5)!" Ruri summoned her ace monster in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"Assembly Nightingale gains 100 ATK for each Overlay Unit it has, and it can attack directly a number of times for each of its Overlay Units!" Ruri declared her Battle Phase as she increased Assembly Nightingale's ATK to 500. Assembly Nightingale swung its wings, attacking Sayaka directly five times. The Fairy user has difficulty keeping her ground from the Winged-Beast Xyz Monster's attack, barely remained standing.
SAYAKA LP: 4000 = 1500
"I end my Turn." Ruri concluded, smiling spitefully at Sayaka. "This is just the beginning. I'll give you more pain in my next Turn!"
"My best friend is not a type of person who would do something like that... Ruri is not that kind of girl! That's why, I'll bring you back no matter what!" Sayaka replied, not backing down. No matter how hurt the words coming from her best friend's mouth, she won't let it bother her. She will stand tall and continue to fight.
"My Turn! I activate Little Fairy's effect! By sending a card from my hand to Graveyard, I can increase its Level by 1!" Sayaka increased Little Fairy's Level to Level 4.
"I summon Aerial Pixie (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800 / LV: 4) from my hand!" Sayaka summoned Aerial Pixie in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I Overlay Aerial Pixie and Little Fairy! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Fairy Cheer Girl (ATK: 1900 / DEF: 1500 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 2)!" Sayaka summoned her ace monster in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I activate Fairy Cheer Girl's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can draw a card!" Sayaka drew a card. She looked at the card she drew and immediately revealed it to Ruri.
"I activate Rank-Up Magic: Fairy Miracle Force! I can Xyz Summon a Fairy Monster from my Extra Deck using this card and an Xyz Monster I control! The Xyz Monster I summoned is one Level higher than the Xyz Monster used as material!" Sayaka used Fairy Cheer Girl that she just summoned and the Rank-Up Magic Card, opening the Overlay Network.
"Rank-Up! Xyz Change! Appear! Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl! (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 1900 / RNK: 5 / ORU: 2)!" Sayaka summoned Radiant Fairy in Attack Position in the Main Zone. It's a Monster in a form of a young girl with short, mint green hair, and purple eyes. She wore a red and white leotard with bits of gold, and white knee-highs with black and red shoes, as well as black gloves with red fingers. She also has butterfly-shaped wings and red-colored pom-pom in both hands.
"It's an Xyz Monster I've never seen before! It's Sayaka's new monster? Since when she has it?" Ruri wondered, taken aback by the new Xyz Monster.
"I've done training on my own so that I won't be a burden. Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl is the result of my training!" Ever since her talk with Zira, she had intensified her training. With Allen and the others' help, she's able to reach this far. She had only trained this once, but she has faith in her own skill and monsters to win this Duel.
"Battle! I attack Assembly Nightingale with Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl!" Sayaka declared Battle Phase. Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl emitted a bright light throughout its body before going into its pom-pom. Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl flew towards the opposing Xyz Monster.
"Fool! Have you forgotten?! I activate Assembly Nightingale's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can prevent its destruction and reduce the damage to 0!" Ruri used the first Overlay Unit, making Assembly Nightingale's Overlay Units only 4 left. Assembly Nightingale is protected by a barrier from the detached Overlay Unit, blocking Radiant Fairy's pom-pom attack.
"I know what I'm doing, Ruri! I activate Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl's effect! After this card conduct a battle, I can detach an Overlay Unit and inflict damage equal to half of its ATK to my opponent!" Sayaka declared, removing the first Overlay Unit. Radiant Fairy threw its pom-pom at Ruri, almost causing her to fall.
RURI LP: 4000 = 2750
"So your goal is not to destroy Assembly Nightingale, but to inflict damage through Radiant Fairy's effect!" Ruri clicked her tongue, glaring at Sayaka.
"I set a card and end my Turn." Sayaka concluded.
"I have to admit. I take back my last statement about you underestimating me. But this will be as far as you can go! My Turn! Draw!" Ruri began her Draw Phase. When she saw it was Parasite Fusioner that she has drawn, she grinned menacingly.
"I attack directly with Assembly Nightingale!" Ruri declared Battle Phase again. However, before Assembly Nightingale's attack could reach Sayaka, the Fairy user opened her first face-down card.
"Trap Card: Fairy Gate! When I control an Xyz Fairy Monster, I can negate Battle Damage until the end of this Turn!" Sayaka declared, forming a barrier that protected her from Assembly Nightingale's wind attack.
"I activate Quick-Play Spell: Lyrical Luscinia – Bird Call! As a Lyrical Luscinia Monster I control conducted Battle Phase, I can Special Summon a Level 1 Monster from my hand in Defense Position!" Ruri summoned Parasite Fusioner in Defense Position in the Main Zone.
"So that's Parasite Fusioner..." Sayaka mumbled, staring at the insect monster distastefully. She heard that they'll use it to perform Fusion Summon, so most likely Ruri will perform Fusion Summon. Ruri had done it before at Ramssess Fortress, but Sayaka has a strong feeling that the Fusion Monster she'll be summoning is not the same monster.
"As Parasite Fusioner is Special Summoned, I can use its effect to Fusion Summon using it and a Monster I control or in my hand as Fusion Materials!" Ruri used Assembly Nightingale and Parasite Fusioner as the replacement of the other material.
"Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 1! Lyrical Luscinia – Independent Nightingale (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1)!" Ruri summoned Independent Nightingale in Attack Position in the Main Zone. Per Parasite Fusioner's effect, when Independent Nightingale is Fusion Summoned using Parasite Fusioner, Parasite Fusioner will be equipped to the summoned Monster. Parasite Fusioner attached itself to Independent Nightingale.
"Independent Nightingale gains one Level for each Overlay Unit Assembly Nightingale had before Fusion Summon and it gains 500 ATK for each Level it has!" Ruri increased Independent Nightingale's Level to Level 5 and its ATK to 3000.
"Battle! I attack Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl with Independent Nightingale!" Ruri declared Battle Phase. Independent Nightingale flew up and then pointed its claws down towards Radiant Fairy.
"I activate Radiant Fairy's second effect! I detach an Overlay Unit to negate its destruction!" Sayaka detached the last Overlay Unit, creating a barrier that blocking Independent Nightingale's claw.
SAYAKA LP: 1500 = 1000
"I activate Independent Nightingale's effect! I can inflict 500 damage to my opponent for each Level it has!" Ruri activated Independent Nightingale's additional effect.
"Trap Card: Fairy Fireflies! I can halve my Fairy Monster's ATK to negate effect damage until the end of this Turn!" Sayaka halved Radiant Fairy's ATK to 1250 in exchange to stop Independent Nightingale's effect damage. Radiant Fairy immobilized Independent Nightingale by creating glowing rope, binding it in place.
"In that case, I activate Continuous Trap Card: Lyrical Luscinia – Bird Cage! As I control a face-up Lyrical Luscinia Monster, I can negate the effect of all monsters my opponent controls!" Ruri opened her face-down card, sealing Radiant Fairy's effect.
"Now, even if you manage to get another Overlay Unit, you won't be able to use Radiant Fairy's effect, or any Monster you summon." Ruri smirked smugly before ending her Turn.
"Do you really think that will stop me, Ruri?" Sayaka questioned.
"Not really. I'm sure you'll still try to defeat me. But really, it's actually a waste of time. All your efforts would be in vain." Ruri replied mockingly.
"At least you're doing better now. Before, you always looking so weak, acting like a pathetic good girl you are. Using such a pleading face like you're asking for sympathy. Don't you realize that it only made you look like you're asking to be bullied?" Ruri said so sarcastically with so much sharpness that it hurt Sayaka more than she imagined. Sayaka frowned deeply as Ruri kept talking with the same tone.
"I approached you because I felt sorry for you. Although, to be honest, seeing you playing in my little fingers, thinking that we are best friends, is quite fun. I just need to say a few sweet words and you're easy to fall for it." Ruri snickered, staring at Sayaka condescendingly.
Sayaka's body trembled from those harsh words. She had expected that she'll try to drop her spirit through mind games, reminding her of her past. She was prepared. But it still hurt to hear it. Sayaka was close to tears hearing that from her own best friend. But she won't do it. Sayaka clenched her fists tight and bit her lip until bleed a little. She opened her eyes, glaring at Ruri, which surprised the latter who expected for the Fairy user to crumble down.
"I know that this is not you talking. It's that Parasite in your head making you talk like that. Listen to me and mark my words, I won't let that Parasite have its way!" Sayaka said with renewed resolve. She knew that her best friend would never say something like that to her. Not now, not ever. She won't forgive the Parasite and whoever planted it inside Ruri for making such cruel words coming out from her best friend's mouth.
"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Fairy Resurrection! I halve my LP to Special Summon a Fairy Xyz Monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position!" Sayaka revived Fairy Cheer Girl from her Graveyard in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
SAYAKA LP: 1000 = 500
"I activate Rank-Up Magic: Fairy Evolution! I can use a Fairy Xyz Monster I control and this card as Material to Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster with 1 Rank higher than the Fairy Monster!" Sayaka used the card and Fairy Cheer Girl to open the Overlay Network.
"Aid the warriors in the battlefield with your angelic prayer! Rank-Up! Xyz Change! Rank 5! Fairy Bright Cheer Girl (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 1900 / RNK: 5 / ORU: 2)!" Sayaka summoned Fairy Bright Cheer Girl in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"Xyz Monster summoned from Fairy Evolution cannot be affected by card effect on the Turn it was summoned, so your Trap Card can't affect it!" Sayaka revealed, surprising Ruri.
"I activate Fairy Bright Cheer Girl's effect! Once per Turn, by detaching an Overlay Unit, I can destroy 1 Magic or Trap Card my opponent controls and increases its ATK by 1000!" Sayaka destroyed Ruri's Lyrical Luscinia – Bird Cage, increasing Bright Cheer Girl's ATK to 3500 and allowed Radiant Fairy to use its effect again.
"Battle! I attack Independent Nightingale with Fairy Bright Cheer Girl!" Sayaka declared Battle Phase.
"When Fairy Bright Cheer Girl battles, the opposing monster's ATK is lowered by 500!" Sayaka revealed, decreasing Independent Nightingale's ATK to 2500. Fairy Bright Cheer Girl bumped its pom-pom together before striking at Independent Nightingale.
"I activate Parasite Fusioner's effect! I can destroy this card instead and prevent Independent Nightingale's destruction!" Ruri sent Parasite Fusioner to the Graveyard, creating a barrier that protected Independent Nightingale from Bright Cheer Girl's strike.
RURI LP: 2750 = 1750
"Too bad, Sayaka. You intended to destroy Independent Nightingale with Fairy Bright Cheer Girl and then attack me directly using Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl to finish me off. But Independent Nightingale is still here. Your Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl is no match for it. This is the power of Parasite Fusioner bestowed to me!" Ruri stated with sinister tone that was almost to the point of madness. It was clear that Ruri was so confident that she'd win this Duel.
"It seems you've forgotten something, Ruri." Sayaka replied calmly.
"What?"
"In the war last year, Yuya and the others have already encountered and fought Parasite Fusioner. And not too long ago he fought it again. It never crossed your mind that we have thought of a way to make a countermeasure against Parasite Fusioner?" Sayaka asked, and this made Ruri seemingly dumbstruck. She hit the bull's eye. Ruri didn't expect something like that.
"I have. And I'm sure the others as well. That's why I summon Fairy Bright Cheer Girl. I summoned it specifically to get rid of Parasite Fusioner. There's nothing that can stop the destruction of Independent Nightingale now." Sayaka pointed out, clicking the card in her Graveyard.
"I activate Aerial Pixie's effect! By banishing it from my Graveyard, I can select an Xyz Monster on my Field and double that monster's ATK until the end of Turn!" Sayaka banished Aerial Pixie and then doubled Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl's ATK to 5000. Ruri only has 1750 LP left. This attack would decide it.
"What?! No way!" Ruri exclaimed in disbelieve and horror.
"Parasite Fusioner doesn't make you strong. It makes you weaker. The Ruri that I know is stronger without it!" Sayaka realized that the Parasite Fusioner was too self-centered. Its Deck focused more on itself that it neglected the full capabilities of Ruri's own Deck. If only the Parasite Fusioner incorporated itself with Ruri's Deck, Sayaka would have been in much more trouble facing Ruri.
"Battle! I attack Independent Nightingale with Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl!" Sayaka declared her last Battle Phase.
Radiant Fairy Cheer Girl strikes Independent Nightingale with its two pompoms, cracking its strong body and destroyed it completely. Ruri was blown away by the impact, sending her flat on her back and losing her consciousness as her LP depleted completely.
RURI LP: 1750 = 0
"Ruri!" Sayaka checked her unconscious best friend. Looks like the impact of the attack was stronger than she thought. There was no grave injury other than scratches, though the hit on the head may cause concussion. Sayaka reminded herself to apologize to Ruri once this is over.
"I'm sorry for doing this. But I promise that you'll be okay soon." Sayaka said as she handcuffed Ruri's wrists and ankles like she did to the other brainwashed comrades who she defeated.
"Sayaka! Are you okay!"
Sayaka turned and saw Shun and Allen running towards her.
"Shun! Allen! I'm okay!" Sayaka shouted back.
"Ruri! What happened to her?!" Shun asked, kneeling worriedly at his sister.
"She's also controlled by Parasite Fusioner, so I handcuffed her until Yukiya defeat the Parasite Queen. Sorry, I know it's not comfortable, but I have no choice." Sayaka apologized to Shun, which he returned by a pat on the head to assure her that he understood.
"We must stop the rest too." Allen said, glancing at the fighting that was still going on.
"I'll take Ruri to where we place all the ones brainwashed. You continue take care of the ones controlled. I'll be back to help as soon as possible." Shun told them while carrying Ruri in his arms. He went towards the west building where they're imprisoning their brainwashed comrades until the situation is solved.
"Okay!" Sayaka and Allen replied at the same time before going to stop their other comrades.
ROOFTOP – THE BROTHERHOOD HQ – CAPITAL – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V
"They've done well repelling their possessed comrades."
Geist stared down at the battlefield from the roof, humming in astonishment at the Brotherhood's persistence and ferocity. He had implanted the Parasite Fusioners to dozens of members inside and hoped it'll lessen the numbers of the Brotherhood. There were casualties, but it was not as many as he had hoped for. Yuno sure inspired and taught his men well, able to keep the casualties to a minimum. Maybe he should have brought more Parasite Fusioners.
"Not that really matters. They're just mainly for distraction."
Geist turned to his right side. Four people were standing next to him, Sanders, Zira, Yubel, and Kamui, were also watching the ensuing battle.
"You guys are really going to join the fray?" Geist asked, raising a brow.
"We have been granted permission from His Excellency." Sanders replied.
"I have my own objective doing this, and Apophis doesn't mind with it since it's also convenient for him." Yubel said without looking at Geist, her eyes focused solely on the battlefield.
"As long as you don't lose the sight of our objective, then by all means, go ahead." Geist said, extending his hand at the battlefield as a sign for them to go.
Without a second to lose, the three Apophis offspring, Yubel, and Sanders jumped into the battlefield, joing the fray.
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:
The Evolution of the Beast – While helping Yukiya looking for the one controlling Parasite Queen, Battle Beast encounters his former mentor, Sanders who is given a new Deck by Apophis. Determined to completely put the past behind him, Battle Beast challenges Sanders alone.
Hello. I'm back with a new chapter. For this Parasite battle, I'm not going to make this a long arc, it'll end in about two or three more chapters. Depending how much I can write in one chapter. Afterwards, the story will start moving towards the final arc.
Please don't forget to review this chapter!
