Big thanks to Unknowedz, KuriMaster13, Divadix999, Ulrich362, yuman28, Guest, dvdryms, Jansen for reviewing the previous chapter!
I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter as well!
D-WHEEL WORKSHOP – THE BROTHERHOOD HQ – CAPITAL – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V
"You want to get stronger?" Sherry repeated her student's words while polishing her D-Wheel, surprised at the sudden intrusion by her student. Lilac, who was also in the garage, was equally surprised while she was cleaning other D-Wheels.
"You're saying that to me?" Sherry asked again.
"Who else am I talking to? You're my mentor." Yugo replied. For once, he didn't shout like he usually did.
Sherry could feel there's something different with Yugo and his request this time. She understood. He just lost his close friend. It was rare for her not to see Yugo with Yuya and his look-alikes back when they were still in their training days, and from the way he behaved when he was around them, it was clear Yugo cares a great deal about every one of his look-alikes. For losing one of them, it must be hard. The feeling of losing someone important, she could understand that perfectly.
When seeing Yugo the way he was now, Lilac felt like she was seeing Yuno. They were truly related by blood. Yugo was still struggling with the loss of his loved one, but he put aside his grief to continue fighting for the sake of the peace Yuya fought for. And more than anything, he doesn't want to lose the people he cherished who are still there with him. For that reason, he wants to become stronger.
"To tell you the truth, Yugo, I'm not sure what else to teach you, because I think you're already pretty much strong than necessary." Sherry started to say, stopping what she was doing to approach her student.
"I have one idea, but I don't know if this will work out." Sherry admitted. It was pointless to sugarcoat, and it wasn't something that Yugo needs at this situation.
"As long as the chance is not zero, I'll take it." Yugo answered resolutely. He has no intention of backing down.
"Alright. Follow me." Sherry instructed.
ROAD – FOREST – EAST – DUEL MONSTER REALM
When Yuya said that there's a place he and Odd-Eyes needed to visit, Kuribohder and Winged Kuriboh suddenly materialized themselves and motioned them to follow their lead. It has been 30 minutes since they departed from the meadow. They went deeper into the forest. Fortunately, Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom who were now in their real form have a whole lot of stamina, so they're hardly tired. Since they're in their dragon forms, they're able to carry their respective masters. Yuya was on the top of Odd-Eyes like he usually does whenever they were dueling together, though this time he was sitting with Kuribohder instead of standing. Venom, on the other hand, was sitting comfortably on Starve Venom's palm with Winged Kuriboh purring on his lap.
For the past 30 minutes, Yuya said nothing and only played with Kuribohder. As he and Odd-Eyes were walking ahead, he couldn't see Venom's stare on his back, and he was too tired to notice it. The Predator Plants user has been observing Yuya's behavior. Only a stranger would see Yuya being fine. Those who are close to him would know at first glance that something was weighing on the Entermate user's mind. A one big weigh that can only be solved by Yuya himself.
"Master, are you sure you'll keep quiet about Yuya?" Starve Venom asked, breaking the long silence. She made sure her voice was low enough for everyone, but Venom was unable to hear her.
"Only for the time being." Venom answered, not budging his eyes from Yuya.
"I understand his reason, but to fight Apophis and his forces, we'll need Yuya's strength." She responded. Yuya is one of their best Duelists. They can't have him being absent for too long. It's not an exaggeration to say that Yuya's presence would make a big difference in their manpower against Apophis, and her master knows that.
"I know. But if we force him, he'll just be in the way and may get himself killed again. Until his heart is ready, we'll keep quiet." Venom replied, leaning on Starve Venom's arm.
"Until his heart is ready? What do you mean?" Starve Venom looked down at her master with confused look. Finally, Venom raised his head to look at his dragon.
"He said he'll stay away until we can steel ourselves for the sacrifices to come. He really meant what he said, but I think rather than us, those words were directed more at himself. The one who needs to steel his heart the most is his own self." Venom explained.
When Yuya first made the request, Venom knew that the one who was not ready to return was his Pendulum Counterpart himself. He could see fear in his eyes. It was similar to those whom he had carded in the war last year. Not that Venom could blame him. This war was much more dangerous and terrifying than last year. Unlike those who were carded were able to return to normal, in this war, the death is permanent. Yuya had experienced many life-threatening battles, some even almost got him killed, but this time, Yuya had experienced death itself. He was only lucky that Ma'at's blessing managed to revive him.
Venom never experienced a death beforehand, so he doesn't know how it feels. But, judging from Yuya's reaction, to die that way must have scarred him. Any assuring word he says would do nothing to help the Pendulum user. It would be nothing but wishful words. This is reality. While there's nothing wrong in being optimistic, there's no turning back against reality if they want to win this war.
"How long do you think we can keep it up? What if Yuzu moves on and find a new guy?" Starve Venom asked again, trying to lighten the subject.
"That'll never happen. She's been head over heels for Yuya since forever. A chance of her finding a new love so quick is zero." Venom answered confidently.
"I see. It's like how Serena is the only girl for you." Starve Venom nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, it is– Wait, why do you bring up Serena into this?" Venom questioned his dragon by the sudden inclusion of the name. He tried his best to remain composed, but his dragon knew him better to notice the miniscule movement that expressed his surprise.
"I'm merely stating the fact, Master." Starve Venom replied with a straight face that was telling that she's saying the obvious.
"There's no fact in that. She's my childhood friend." Venom corrected her.
"Is that so? That's too bad. She seems to like you." Starve Venom said again, expecting a reaction from her master. And it was beyond her expectation.
"She is?" Venom asked. He abruptly stood up to face his dragon properly. His face was showing mixed emotions like confusion, curiosity, expectation, and excitement.
"I'm just jesting." Starve Venom said with a sweat dropped. She couldn't blame his obliviousness. Not just him, but also Serena and other kids who were taught in Academia. They were so Duel-focused that the concept of common sense, common courtesy, and love were basically alien to them. His master, especially, has it worse because he was isolated from others and only recently, he started socializing better. The concept of love was not quite familiar to him.
"Then, as a friend, if she has a boyfriend, you'll be happy for her, right?" Starve Venom asked again. Nevertheless, it was interesting to see her master making that kind of reaction. She'd like to tease him more for that.
Venom paused. He thought and tried to imagine if Serena would get herself a boyfriend. Imagining her holding hands with another boy, smiling together and all, strangely left a bitter taste in his tongue. A lump formed in his throat that he felt like throwing up. His stomach was bubbling crazy inside like a lava pit. It was infuriating. Imagining Serena going out with another boy is revolting. He hates it.
"I don't think so... I think I'll torture the guy for the rest of his miserable life." Venom answered with not-so-barely concealed fury. It was like he was going to go berserk again like when Zarc took over him.
Seeing this reaction, from this moment, Starve Venom made it her goal to bring Yuri and Serena together to save any poor guy who possibly has feelings for Serena before her master could ruin his sanity and life.
Unaware of what the Fusion users were talking behind them, Yuya and his monsters were in their own world so to speak.
"Yuya, are you sure you're feeling better?" Odd-Eyes asked worriedly.
"Yeah. Thanks for worrying about me, Odd-Eyes. I really do feel better." Yuya answered with a smile, patting his dragon gently.
"Kuri!" Kuribohder pouted, not wanting to be left out.
"You too, Kuribohder." Yuya chuckled, ruffling Kuribohder's fur before hugging it.
Yuya tried his best to act like usual. He didn't want to worry Odd-Eyes and the others any more than he already had. However, deep down, he felt like he was closing himself like whenever he covered his eyes with his goggles. Then, it came back again, the moment of his death. Before, he had thought how that would feel. Will it hurt? Will he be scared? Will there be release or just panic and pain? Those questions crossed his mind several times, but he didn't think too much because he had always believed as long as he's with his friends, everything would be alright. And as long as it's for his friends, death won't be scary for him.
Now that he had experienced it beforehand, he couldn't think the same as before.
The pain that once burned like fire had faded away to an icy numbness. Black filled the edges of his vision and the only thing he could hear was his own heartbeat. His breath came in ragged, shallow gasps. In the moment that the coolness rushed in he knew he was already dead. In moments he was sure he'd float like the seaweed, nothing more than flesh and bones ready to decay in the currents. All alone, leaving everything and everyone he loves behind. Unable to hear their voices, unable to see them, unable to be with them. Immense fear surged inside his entire being. He wanted to be saved, he wanted a rescuing hand to tow him back to life, to the world he knows, the those he loves.
It was the most terrifying experience he ever had. Death is an inevitable fate for every living being. It's something that everyone must accept. Yuya knew that. Yuya understood that. He thought he was ready whether he or someone else died. Now, he knew that he wasn't. He's never been ready. His mind understood but his heart has yet to accept it. The thought of losing himself or his loved ones, unable to be with them again, terrified him to no end.
He repeated what Yuno had told him before to remind him that death wasn't something to be afraid of. Unfortunately, it was useless.
"I'm sorry, Yuno-san... This is harder than I thought..." Yuya was ashamed of himself for being like this. Everyone was still fighting so hard, but here he was, struggling like this. He couldn't face them like this. It frustrated him that he couldn't bring himself to have a violent resentment at having to leave this world. He felt he had disappointed his friends and family.
Yuya's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Odd-Eyes threw him up and then caught him in his arms, obviously startling the Entermate user who was questioning his dragon. Odd-Eyes leaned on his face and nuzzled his master in comfort.
"I understand very well, Yuya. I had experienced it too. Take your time." Odd-Eyes told him and then said nothing. No words of comfort will help him. From the start, having children go on a war was not right. No matter how strong they are, it doesn't change the fact that they're still children. They should be spending their days in peace, away from the war. Having to carry the weight of life and death is too much of a burden for children, especially for kind children like Yuya. They said they had prepared, but truthfully, none of them wants to die.
Yuya didn't say anything either. He held Odd-Eyes and Kuribohder tightly but gently. He buried his face in them, trying hard not to cry from his frustration.
CAVE OF DESIRE – MOUNTAIN – MILLIA – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V
"I'm sorry for making you all worried." Yuzu apologized, lowering her head in shame while wiping her tears.
"It's okay. Ray also said she's sorry if she's being too harsh." Sara smiled gently in understanding.
"Not at all. That's exactly what I needed. I must thank both of you for coming all this way for me." Yuzu thanked Sara and Ray. She couldn't believe it took her this long to realize the answer. There's no point chaining herself to the past. She'll move forward and put an end to what they started. For Yuya's sake.
"But wait, you mentioned Ray and Zarc, does that mean you knew everything? About your past life?" Yuzu asked, realizing that Sara and Yukiya shouldn't have known about their past lives. She and the others had agreed not to tell the two of them. She doubted any of them spoke about it, so the only explanation would be both Sara and Yukiya remembered everything about their past lives.
"Yes. Yukiya too. We decided to keep quiet because we wanted you to know us as Yukiya and Sara, not as our past lives." Sara replied.
"You don't have to worry about that anymore." Yuzu smiled in return. They were thinking the same thing. Now that they knew, there's nothing to hide anymore nor should they worry that they'll cling to the past. They won't do that.
"We haven't been able to talk properly since we're so busy. I've always wanted to talk with you, like Yuya did with Yukiya." Yuzu admitted. She has met Sara several times, but they didn't have the time to have a long talk because of the whole Reformist remnants and Apophis' army. They could only exchange brief greetings.
"Tell you what, once we get back, we'll have our talk in your room." Sara suggested happily. The feeling is mutual. She wanted to speak with Yuzu. Seeing her from Ray's memories made her curious about Yuzu. She wanted to get to know Yuzu like Yukiya did with Yuya. She hopes that now it's truly their chance to start.
Yuzu then held Sara's hands in hers.
"If...I lose another person precious to me and end up depressed again..., can you help me get back to my feet again?" Yuzu requested, which Sara returned with a nod.
"Of course. Not just me, Celica-san and the others will be there to help." Sara held back Yuzu's hands to affirm her promise. "When things are at worst, we will always have each other's back."
The two girls were smiling tenderly at each other, happy at the prospect of beginning their friendship. A huffing sound alerted the girls from their moment. They turned to the way where they came from and saw a silhouette of someone coming towards them. It was then Sara remembered that she didn't come alone.
"Finally...! I caught up...to you...!" Yuhei said with a ragged breath, taking a deep breath once he reached them.
"Yuhei!" Yuzu called out in surprise.
Before Yuzu could ask anything, Yuhei stood up straight and gave Sara an admonishing look while pointing his finger at her.
"Seriously, didn't you listen to me?! It's dangerous to recklessly go inside! You're a human! What if you get lost and end up entering Duel Monster realm?! You're gonna die!" He scolded the Sephira user who stayed quiet until Yuhei was finished. She was reckless, and there's no denying that.
"I'm sorry, but I just had to do it." Sara apologized.
"Umm...what's going here? You mentioned about Duel Monster Realm and Gongenzaka is in danger." Yuzu finally asked once the two calmed down.
"Gongenzaka and the others went to the Duel Monster realm to recruit new allies and find out about the last Supreme King Dragon. 30 minutes ago, we received an SOS from Sora. Because the Rift is sealed, I intended to go through the entrance inside this cave." Yuhei explained straight to the main point.
"This entrance...it has something to do with this place?" Yuzu asked, looking around the cave. The bubbles with her memories were gone, but their surrounding was still the same. She didn't see any entrance or the sort and thought it was a dead end.
"The last time I used this entrance, this place didn't exist. And then there's a story about people disappearing inside this cave and never return, it's not hard to figure out..." Yuhei walked several steps away. He stopped and stared at what looked like nothing but thin air. Then, suddenly, he brought out a knife and slashed the thin air, causing their surroundings to dissolve back into a black cave. Following his slash was a loud screech and something blue then jumped away from him.
"What's that?!" Sara exclaimed in shock upon seeing a humanoid female creature with blue skin, long brown hair, and butterfly-like wings glaring at them.
"Illusion Fairy. She lures people with their happiest memories and then led them astray to the Duel Monster realm." Yuhei identified the creature. It was typically friendly Duel Monsters, there were some cases where it brought the idea of salvation too far. The Illusion Fairy clearly refused to leave. Yuhei couldn't let any more people fall victim to her false salvation.
"I don't need to ask to know that you're doing this because you believe you're helping them from the pain of living. Even so, that doesn't give you the right to kill those people." Yuhei stated as he activated his Duel Disk, challenging the Illusion Fairy. He must make her leave and never return by force since clearly, she won't listen to any word he says.
"Yuzu, Sara, get out of here. I'll handle this. I'll be fine. Besides, you can't enter Duel Monster realm anyway. There's no point in you two staying! Get out of here, now!" Yuhei instructed the two girls without looking back at them, eyes stay steadily at the Illusion Fairy who materialized her own Duel Disk, accepting his challenge.
Yuzu and Sara looked at each other before nodding in agreement. This was the best option. They'll believe in Yuhei, in Clear Wing.
"We'll be waiting for you, Yuhei!" Yuzu said before she ran out of the cave with Sara.
"Let's get this over with, shall we?" Yuhei addressed the Illusion Fairy, both activating their Duel Disk and beginning the Duel.
[[MASTER DUEL!]]
"As I control no cards, I activate Magic Card: Speedraw! It let me to draw 2 cards and send 1 Speedroid monster to the Graveyard!" Yuhei drew 2 cards before sending Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice.
"I summon Speedroid Double Yoyo (ATK: 1400/ DEF: 1400 / LV: 4)!"
"I activate Double Yoyo's effect! Since it was Normal Summoned, I can target a level 3 or less Speedroid monster in my Graveyard, and Special Summon it!" Yuhei targeted and Special Summoned Tri-Eyed Dice (ATK: 300 / DEF: 1500/ LV: 3) via this effect.
"I tune Double Yoyo with the Level 3 Tuner monster Tri-Eyed Dice!"
"Spread your wondrous wings! Blow your enemies away with fierce turbulence! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Clearwing Speed Dragon (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7)!" Yuhei summoned his ace monster in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I set 3 cards and end my Turn!" Yuhei concluded.
"My Turn! I summon Witchcraft Pittore (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 3)!" Illusion Fairy summoned Pittore in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I activate Pittore's effect! During Main Phase, I can release this card and discard 1 Spell Card to Special Summon a Witchcraft Monster from my Deck except itself!" Illusion Fairy tributed Pittore and discarded a card and then summoned Witchcraft Edel (ATK: 2000 / DEF: 2300 / LV: 5) in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I activate Edel's effect! I can discard a Spell Card and then Special Summon a Witchcraft Monster from my hand!" Illusion Fairy discarded another Spell to Special Summon Witchcraft Haine (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 7) in Attack Position in the Main Zone next to Edel.
"I activate Witchcraft Haine's effect! I can discard a Spell Card to destroy a face-up card my opponent controls!" Illusion Fairy discarded another Spell and pointed at Clearwing Speed Dragon, choosing the only face-up card on Yuhei's Field.
"I activate Clearwing Speed Dragon's effect! When it was targeted by a monster's effect, the effect is negated, and the opposing monster is destroyed, and it gains ATK equal to the destroyed monster until the end of this Turn!"
"When my opponent activates an effect that targeted a Magician Monster, I can activate the effect of Witchcraft Golem Arles (ATK: 2800 / DEF: 0 / LV: 8)! I can target 1 card my opponent controls or 1 Spell Card in my Graveyard to Special Summon it!" Illusion Fairy once again chose Clearwing before then summoning Golem Arles in Attack Position in the Main Zone next to Haine.
"And when Golem Arles is summoned through this effect, that targeted card is returned to the hand!" Illusion Fairy revealed. Since Clearwing was Synchro Monster, it'll be sent to the Extra Deck instead. Golem Arles formed a magic circle right beneath Clearwing Fast Dragon, forcefully absorbing the Pendulum-Synchro Monster into the magic circle, leaving Yuhei's Field with only his three set cards.
"Battle! I attack directly with Golem Arles!" Illusion Fairy declared Battle Phase. Golem Arles pointed to its magic staff, unleashing a bright yellow destructive stream towards Yuhei.
"Trap Card: Storm Quell! When my opponent declares Battle Phase, I can end the Battle Phase and Special Summon a Speedroid Monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position!" Yuhei took a backward jump, evading the strike and then revived Tri-Eyed Dice in Defense Position in the Main Zone.
"I activate Storm Quell's additional effect. I banish it from Graveyard to increase my LP by 500!" Yuhei banished his Trap Card, increasing his LP.
YUHEI LP: 4000 = 4500
"I set a card and end my Turn." Illusion Fairy concluded.
"Due to the effects of my Spell and Trap Cards, during End Phase, if I control a Witchcraft Monster, those cards return to my hand." Illusion Fairy revealed as she retrieved the Spell cards she has discarded back to her hand and concluded her Turn.
"Spell Cards that will return itself at the End Phase as long as she has Witchcraft on her Field? That's not so different than being able to repeatedly use it in her every Turn unless I empty her Field..." Yuhei thought alarmingly. Illusion Fairy was usually docile by nature, so to think he encountered one who's so hostile means that Apophis' influence must have reached the Duel Monster realm. Yeah, the situation was worse.
"My Turn! I summon Speedroid Pachingo-Kart (ATK: 1800 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4)!" Yuhei summoned Pachingo-Kart in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"Appear once more! Clearwing Speed Dragon!" Yuhei summoned back Clearwing Speed Dragon by once again performing Synchro Summon by tuning Pachingo-Kart and Tri-Eyed Dice.
"Battle! I attack Witchcraft Edel with Clearwing!" Yuhei declared Battle Phase. Clearwing whirled its body with wind covering its body, making itself looked like a whirlwind. The dragon easily strikes through Edel, destroying it.
ILLUSION FAIRY LP: 4000 = 3500
"I activate Trap Card: Green Road! During Battle Phase, if a WIND Monster I control successfully performs an attack, that WIND Monster can make a second attack!" Yuhei opened his second Trap Card, pointing at the Illusion Fairy's second monster.
"Next, I attack Witchcraft Haine!" Yuhei declared attack again. Clearwing, once more, destroyed the said monster with ease.
ILLUSION FAIRY LP: 3500 = 3400
"I end my Turn." Yuhei concluded.
"My Turn! I activate Quick-Play Spell: Witchcraft Demonstration! I can Special Summon Witchcraft Monster and my opponent cannot activate any effect in respond to my Magician Monster's effect for the rest of this Turn!" Illusion Fairy summoned Witchcraft Master Verre (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 2800 / LV: 8) in Attack Position in the Main Zone next to Golem Arles.
"I activate Continuous Magic: Witchcraft Bystreet! The first time each Witchcrafter monster I control would be destroyed each turn, by battle or card effect, it is not destroyed. I can only use 1 of the following effects of Witchcraft Bystreet per turn, and only once that turn." Illusion Fairy activated her Magic, preventing her monsters from being destroyed.
"I activate Magic Card: Witchcraft Collaboration. I can target one Witchcraft I control, that monster can make a second attack during Battle Phase." Illusion Fairy chose Golem Arles that was her only monster left on the Field.
"Battle! I attack Clearwing Speed Dragon with Witchcraft Golem Arles!" Illusion Fairy declared Battle Phase. Golem Arles once again pointed its staff, this time, towards the Synchro Monster.
"Due to Witchcraft Collaboration's effect, you cannot activate any effect until the end of this Turn!" Illusion Fairy added, stopping Yuhei from any attempt to activate an effect. Without defenses, Clearwing was incinerated by Golem Arles' magic strike.
YUHEI LP: 4500 = 4200
"The second attack!" Illusion Fairy continued her Battle Phase. Golem Arles attacked Yuhei directly, sending him to the rocky wall behind him with a groan of pain coming out from Yuhei's mouth.
YUHEI LP: 4200 = 1400
"And now, the final attack!" Before Yuhei could recover from the second attack, he was pushed again by Verre's attack, almost knocking him out.
YUHEI LP: 1400 = 400
"I end my Turn." Illusion Fairy concluded. Following the effects of her Spell Cards, she retrieved them again from the Graveyard back to her hand.
"Oh, shoot. I gotta do something in this Turn." Yuhei thought to himself while wiping the blood from his mouth. If he didn't do something now, Illusion Fairy would use her deadly Spell Cards combo again in her next Turn.
COTTAGE – FOREST – CAPITAL – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V
Yugo recalled the times he synchronized his mind with his counterparts and Clear Wing. The instances when he synchronized his mind with them mostly whenever either himself or the others were dueling. That's most likely because of their connection as Zarc's fragments. After Zarc passed on, the synchronization had stopped, and he thought it would never happen again in the future. He was proven wrong when he synchronized his mind with Clear Wing during the battle at Ramssess Fortress. Their connection is still there. If he can master this ability, it'll be a great help for him and his friends in this war.
They don't have much time until the next battle, so he must master this ability as soon as possible.
"We're here." Sherry said as the car stopped, snapping out Yugo from his mind. Yugo looked outside the window. They stopped in front of a cottage. The small cottage was perched on the plain near the woods, so old and poor that it was surprising how it was still standing. And yet it seemed alive and welcoming, a warm ribbon of smoke rising from the old chimney. The walls were made of the same wood and the roof was clearly stone, so old that it was a wonder how it had not yet caved in. If the smoke hadn't given it away, anyone would've thought it was abandoned.
"This is Haruna-san's temporary house. She's waiting inside." Sherry said, beckoning Yugo to come out.
"Haruna-san? If it's her, we can meet back at the HQ." Yugo asked with a raised brow. He has crossed paths with the disguised Holy Elf several times at the HQ since she's helping them, so why the need to go meet all the way in her temporary residence? Speaking about residence, why did she choose this secluded place?
"Because this is her hideout when she and Sara and the others secretly investigating Apophis. There are things that she left hidden here just in case of an ambush like last night. Also, Holy Elf prefers to be close to nature." Sherry answered, able to guess what Yugo was thinking.
Sherry knocked on the front door twice. Once hearing a soft voice that gave them permission to come in, they entered the old cottage. Yugo was astonished to find the inside of the cottage was completely the opposite of the outside. It was still old, but much cleaner and one you could see in any ordinary house. It also has a nice scent of iris flower.
"Welcome, Sherry-san, Yugo-kun. Sorry that there's not much room in here." Haruna greeted her two guests, serving them some tea and sweets as they took a seat together.
"No! Not at all! This place is amazing!" Yugo told her in response.
"Sherry already told me of your reason for coming here. I think, I can help you with that." Haruna said calmly while putting a cube of sugar into her own cup of tea.
"You can?" Yugo looked at Haruna hopefully, eyes brimming with expectation.
"Yes. For you to Synchronize, first, you must die." Haruna answered bluntly after taking a sip of her tea.
"Okay." Yugo nodded seriously.
And then, there was a pause on Yugo's part before he burst out.
"Wait just a sec there! What do you mean I gotta die?! The whole point of me trying to master this synchronization is to not die!" Yugo yelled while standing up from the shock that finally hit him. Even so, this didn't bother Haruna in the slightest. Yugo earned himself a signature smack from his Kuriboh from behind his back and he was then pulled back to his seat by his mentor.
"Let her finish first, brat." Sherry said while pinching Yugo's right ear for around 10 seconds before she let it go with an exasperated sigh. "Seriously, children these days don't even know a common courtesy."
"It's okay. I like how energetic Yugo-kun is." Haruna answered sincerely, chuckling at the two.
"So... what do you mean by die...?" Yugo asked in a more polite tone.
"To be precise, you'd be in a state where you're partially dead. You don't just synchronize your mind but also your soul with the other person. It'll be especially stronger if your minds and souls are on the same wavelength. If you're trying to initiate a synchronization one-sided, then first you must send some sort of signal to the other so they can match their wavelength with yours and this can be done even without you yourself realizing." Haruna explained. It was like when people make a call through phone. You make a call and then the other person answers it. In Yugo and his counterparts' case last year, it happened because of Zarc's influence. Zarc's scattered essences that resided within each boy and the dragons' desire to become one made it possible.
"What do I need to do to send this signal?" Yugo asked again.
"With the help of your Synchro Monsters. Yugo-kun, the reason why you're the only one with this ability is because that power originated from Synchro Monsters. There are few of other Monsters who have the same power, but not all of them can and even if they are, it won't be as strong as Synchro Monsters." Haruna answered.
"So, anyone with Synchro Monsters can do this?" Sherry asked, also curious.
"Only if they have a strong connection with their Synchro Monsters. Those who only treated their Synchro Monsters as disposable tools would never be able to achieve such state." Haruna firmly but softly answered to emphasize that it was the most important criteria.
"Yugo-kun, with the help of your Synchro Monsters, try to remember the feeling you have when you unknowingly performed the synchronization. Remember it and immerse yourself in that feeling with your Synchro Monsters while thinking of the one whom you want to synchronize with." Haruna told the Speedroid user. She stood up, opening the back door that leads to a small garden.
"You can try to concentrate here. But the wind is quite strong today. If you feel cold, feel free to return inside. We'll let you be with your monsters, so we won't be a bother." Haruna gently urged Yugo outside and closed the door without waiting for the boy's reply, leaving him alone.
"Synchro Monsters, huh..." Yugo took out all the Synchro Monsters he brought with him. There were plenty of them, and he's positive that he has a strong connection with each of them, so he didn't know which one he should ask for help. If Clear Wing was with him, he'd definitely choose his ace monster.
"It's decided, I'll try to synchronize with him again." Yugo made up his mind. The last time it happened, he synchronized with his temporarily human form ace monster, so he'll do it again this time. It might be easier that way. As for the Synchro Monster...
"When Haruna-san said to ask help from my Synchro Monsters, I don't think she meant all of them..." Yugo could notice the underlying meaning in Haruna's words. The Synchro Monsters that help him must also have some sort of connection with the one he chose to synchronize. The problem was, those times he synchronized that he remembered, everything was when he had Clear Wing with him.
"She said I need to remember the feeling I have when I synchronized..." Yugo tried to recall what kind of feeling he experienced when he did the synchronization. It happened when either he or his counterparts were in the middle of dueling. But from what Haruna said, it's not necessarily needed for them to duel to achieve it. As long as he remembered the feeling when he first initiated the synchronization, that'll do the trick. The problem is, how exactly do you immerse yourself in that feeling when that should be something you can only do when experiencing it directly?
"Try follow your instinct!" It was something that Yugo imagined Yuya would say.
"I already tried, but it didn't work." Yugo stated as if responding to Yuya himself.
"This is why I told you to pay attention. Be more attentive next time." It was something that Yugo imagined Yuto would say.
"I can't wait for the next time! It has to be now!" Yugo sighed in exasperation as if whining to Yuto himself.
"Aren't you the type who remembers with your body instead your head? You'll only wreck your brain if you try to think. For the sake of that little head of yours, give it up unless you clear your mind." Was something that Yugo imagined Yuri would say.
"You're not helping at all, grinning bastard!" Yugo exclaimed furiously as if Yuri was there mocking him.
Kuriboh, who was with him the whole time, was giving its master a look as if its master has gone crazy. Seeing someone talking to nobody all by himself, it won't be weird if anyone thinks so. And then abruptly, a strong blow of wind caught Yugo by surprise that he slipped and fell flat on the garden floor. But instead of sitting up and cursing at the wind, Yugo lay there, looking up at the sky with eyes widened.
"Perhaps a Riding Duel can help you."
Yugo's vision was met with a helmet falling on his face. Yugo sat up with a yelp, picking up the helmet that was dropped right on his face. It was his helmet. He looked up to see Sherry, motioning him to follow her. Not one to defy his teacher, Yugo followed her out of the garden.
Sherry brought him to a wide rolling terrain. Their D-Wheels were already there for them. Sherry put in her helmet and rode her D-Wheel.
"Are you telling me to duel you now?" Yugo asked.
"Why else I brought you here? Now hurry up and ride on!" Sherry demanded in a commanding tone, not accepting objection.
Yugo didn't know why Sherry suddenly challenged him, but she must be trying to help him. The instances when he synchronized with Yuya was when he dueled during the Friendship Cup. Perhaps the fastest way for him to understand this synchronization was through dueling.
"Alright, here goes!" Yugo fired up.
[[RIDING DUEL ACCELERATION]]
"I'm taking the first Turn! From my hand, I activate Magic Card: Speed Fusion! I fuse Swift Horse of the Flower Knight Order and Holy Knight's Spearholder!" Sherry activated her Magic Card and fused two monsters in her hand.
"Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 6! Centaur Mina (ATK: 2200 / DEF: 1600 / LV: 6)!" Sherry summoned Centaur Mina in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"I summon Flora Star (ATK: 400 / DEF: 200 / LV: 2)!" Sherry summoned her Tuner Monster in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone next to Centaur Mina.
"I tune Centaur Mina with Flora Star! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! Fleur de Chevalier (ATK: 2700 / DEF: 2300 / LV: 8)!" Sherry summoned her Ace Monster in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"I end my Turn!" Sherry finished.
"My Turn! As I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Speedroid Beigomax (ATK: 1200/ DEF: 600 / LV: 3) from my hand!" Yugo summoned Beigomax in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"Next, I summon Speed Roid Tri-Eyed Dice (ATK: 300 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 3)." Yugo summoned Three-Eyed Dice in Attack Position next to Beigomax's right side.
"I turn Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice with the Level 3 Beigomax! Magical sword in the form of a cross. Use your power to rend all enemies! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 6! High-Speedroid Devil Sword Dama (ATK: 2200 / DEF: 1600 / LV: 6)!" Yugo summoned his Synchro Monster in Attack Position.
"I activate Devil Sword Dama's effect! Once per turn, I can banish 1 Speedroid monster from my Graveyard and inflict 500 damage to my opponent!" Yugo banished Beigomax from his Graveyard. Devil Sword Dama shot a strike of lightning from the tip of its blade towards Sherry.
SHERRY LP: 4000 = 3500
"I set a card and end my Turn." Yugo finished his Turn.
"You can't destroy my Monster, so you inflicted an effect damage instead. Good move for your first turn." Sherry commented.
"I'd never go easy on you, Teacher." Yugo replied. His Synchro Monster was still weaker in ATK than Sherry's Fleur de Chevalier. On her next Turn, he won't be surprised if she uses Fleur de Chevalier to attack Devil Sword Dama. But he was already prepared if that were to happen.
"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Floral Gift Box! When I control a LIGHT Synchro Monster, I can Special Summon a lower Level LIGHT Monster from my Deck!" Sherry activated the card she just drew and summoned Burgundy the Magic Elf (ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1400 / LV: 4) in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"I activate Floral Gift Box's additional effect! By banishing this Card from the Graveyard, both players can set a Magic or Trap Card from the Deck to the Field." Sherry and Yugo both set a card face down on their respective Magic and Trap Zone.
"I'm not done yet! I activate Magic Card: Exchange!" Sherry activated the card that she kept on her first Turn. It was a Magic Card that required both players to show their hands and each take 1 card from each other.
"What?!" Yugo didn't expect Sherry to make such a move. Both players showed each other's hand, but Sherry only has one card while he has three cards. He only has one choice to pick.
Both Sherry and Yugo revealed their hands. Sherry's only card was Desperate Tag Change, so Yugo could only take that card. Yugo's hand has Cyclone, Speedroid Demonmagne, and Speedroid Mencoat. Sherry picked Cyclone, adding it to her hand.
"She chose Cyclone. Did she take it to stop me from activating any Magic or Trap?" Yugo thought suspiciously.
"Magic or Trap that was set through Floral Gift Box's effect can be activated on the very turn they were set." Sherry revealed.
"Next, I activate Continuous Magic Card: Name Erasure! I declare my opponent's card on their hand! If I am right, the card will be discarded. If I am wrong, I will receive 1000 damage!" Sherry opened the reverse card she set using Floral Gift Box's effect.
"Declaring the opponent's card on their hand?!" Yugo gritted his teeth. Now he understood. She used Exchange to make him reveal his hand, so she'd know all the cards he has in his hand and discard all of them.
"The cards in your hand are Desperate Tag Change, Speedroid Demonmagne, and Speedroid Mencoat!" Sherry correctly declared the three cards' name, forcing Yugo to discard them all to the Graveyard, leaving his hand empty.
"It's still too soon for you to breathe easily! I activate Burgundy's effect! Each time a card is discarded, I can inflict 400 damage to my opponent! Wrath of Creation!" Sherry added. Following Sherry's command, Burgundy shot three blades of light at Yugo.
"Say what?!" Yugo screamed as he got hit by the three blades.
YUGO LP: 4000 = 2800
"On top of making me discard all cards in my hand, she also inflicted damage to each card discarded." Yugo was both impressed and nervous at his teacher's unexpected move.
"Battle! I attack High-speedroid Devil Sword Dama with Fleur de Chevalier!" Sherry finally Declared Battle Phase, targeting the only Monster on Yugo's Field.
"Not so fast! Trap Card: Speedroid Fire Wall! When a Speedroid Monster is about to be destroyed by Battle, I can negate its destruction!" Yugo opened his Reverse Card that he set through Floral Gift Box's effect, summoning a wall of flame that protected Devil Sword Dama from Fleur de Chevalier's attack.
"But you'll still take damage!" Sherry reminded him.
Yugo and his D-Wheel were blown back by the clash between Sherry's Synchro Monster's attack and the wall of flame protecting his own Synchro Monster.
YUGO LP: 2800 = 2300
"I set a card and end my Turn." Sherry finished her Turn.
"You're not cutting me some slack aren't you, Sherry-san?" Yugo had dueled with his teacher many times, but today she was being more offensive than usual. He was completely taken aback.
"You can't expect to become stronger if I'm holding back against you. You already understand that our enemies won't give any mercy. Compared to fighting them, this training is a luxury." Sherry retorted. After what they had experienced recently, polishing their skills as Duelist is something absolute. Apophis' armies would no doubt begin their next attack with greater forces, and they must be prepared to take them on.
Yugo understood what Sherry was trying to tell him. Even though he was there that night, he felt useless. That feeling of powerlessness, hopelessness, threatening to eat him whole. However, he had made up his mind not to let those feelings overwhelm him. Instead, he'll use them to motivate himself to stop more of his comrades being taken away by their enemies. To do so, he'll become stronger. If he can't defeat Sherry, let alone Apophis himself, he can't defeat the ones lower than him.
Yugo began to assess his situation. The card that Sherry has set must be Cyclone, the Trap Card she took from him via Exchange. Using Magic or Trap won't work since she'll just activate Cyclone to destroy it. He still has Devil Sword Dama's effect to banish a Monster from his Graveyard to inflict 500 damage. But then what comes after that?
"This Draw Phase will determine if I can survive this Turn or not." Yugo could only hope that he'll get a good card. "My Turn! Draw!"
Yugo looked at the card he got. His eyes sparked. He has been given a chance after all.
"I activate Magic Card: Wind of Souls! I can Special Summon a WIND Monster from my Deck with lower Level than the WIND Monster I control with their effects negated!" Yugo activated the Magic Card he just drew.
"I activate Trap Card: Cyclone! I destroy your Wind of Souls!" Sherry immediately activated her Reverse Card, destroying Yugo's Magic Card.
"Of course, I already expected that!" Yugo grinned in response to his card's destruction. "I activate Wind of Souls' second effect! When this card is in Graveyard, I can Special Summon another WIND Monster in my Graveyard to my Field!"
Yugo revived Demonmagne (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1) in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"I activate Demon Sword Dama's effect! I banish 1 Speedroid Monster from my Graveyard to inflict 500 damage to my opponent!" Yugo banished Mencoat from the Graveyard, inflicting 500 damage to Sherry.
SHERRY LP: 3500 = 3000
"I activate Demonmagne's effect! If this card was Normal or Special Summoned, I can target 1 non-Tuner Monster my opponent controls and use it as Synchro Materials along with Demonmagne to Synchro Summon!" Yugo chose Sherry's Burgundy the Magic Elf, tuning it with Demonmagne.
"Synchro Summon! Feel the pulse of this swordsman's soul! Come forth Level 5! High-Speedroid Chanbarider (ATK: 2000 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 5)!" Yugo summoned Chanbarider in Attack Position.
"I activate Wind of Souls' final effect! By banishing this card from the Graveyard, the WIND Monsters I control gains 800 ATK!" Yugo increased Demon Sword Dama and Chanbarider's ATK to 3000 and 2800 respectively.
"Battle! I attack Fleur de Chevalier with Demon Sword Dama!" Yugo chose Sherry's ace Monster as his first target. Demon Sword Dama pierced through the opposing Synchro Monster, obliterating it to nothing.
SHERRY LP: 3000 = 2700
"Next, I attack directly with Chanbarider!" Yugo prepared for his second attack, intending to deliver the finishing blow now that Sherry's Field was empty.
"It won't go as you wish, Yugo! I activate Flora Star's effect! When I control no Monster and is targeted for an attack, I can banish this card to Special Summon a Monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position and that Monster cannot be destroyed until the end of this Turn!" Sherry revived Burgundy the Magic Elf in Defense Position.
"She chose Burgundy? Why? Why not Fleur de Chevalier that has higher ATK?" Yugo stared confusedly at the Magic Elf Monster.
"I end my Turn." Yugo finished. There's no point in continuing to attack if it won't destroy the monster or inflict damage.
"My Turn! When I control a Magic Elf Monster, I can Special Summon Tressa the Magic Elf (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4) from my hand!" Sherry summoned a Monster resembling Burgundy but with long hair and four fairy wings on its back.
"Come forth! The circuit of bravery and justice!" Sherry set Tress on the Link Marker.
"Link Summon! Appear, Link 1, Elven Chevalier (ATK: 200 / LINK: 1 / LM: Bottom-Right)!" An elf-like Monster wearing armor like Fleur de Chevalier emerged on Sherry's Link Monster Zone.
"I activate Elven Chevalier's effect! If this card's Link Marker points a Monster in my Main Monster Zone, I can add Elf Monster from my Deck to my hand!" Sherry added Klaret the Elite Magic Elf to her hand.
"I Release Burgundy the Magic Elf to Advance Summon Klaret the Elite Magic Elf (ATK: 2000 / DEF: 1400 / LV: 6)!" Sherry tributed Burgundy and summoned Klaret in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"When my opponent's hand is empty, Klaret's ATK doubles!" Sherry increased Klaret's ATK from 2000 to 4000.
"An ATK of 4000?! It's higher than both Chanbarider and Devil Sword Dama!" Yugo realized that things didn't look good for him now.
"I activate Elven Chevalier's second effect! I destroy a Magic Card I control and then I can destroy one Monster my opponent controls!" Sherry destroyed her Card Erasure and then destroyed Devil Sword Dama, leaving Yugo with an empty Field.
"Battle! I attack High-Speedroid Chanbarider with Klaret! Sacred Magic Eye!"
Klaret spread its wings wide and from the eyes on his wings, shot down magical light that incinerated Chanbarider.
YUGO LP: 2300 = 400
"I attack directly with Elven Chevalier!" Sherry continued her second attack. Elven Chevalier took out a metallic fan from its back and swung it down, blowing Yugo backwards, further away behind Sherry.
YUGO LP: 400 = 200
"I end my Turn." Sherry concluded.
Yugo grimaced at the two consecutive attacks. He's truly in a bind now. He has no card in his hand nor his Field. Like his previous Turn, the next draw would be a gamble. Everything depends on this one draw. His destiny draw.
"But...even if I can pull this off... Is there any meaning? I still can't reach the perfect synchronization."
There won't be any meaning if he won but he doesn't make any progress. Even now, he hadn't gotten a clue of how to synchronize of his own free will.
"Don't think unnecessary things, Yugo." Sherry interrupted his pensive thoughts. "Do you think you can win against Apophis if you're not focusing on the Duel?"
Yugo looked down. He did it again. A bad habit of his. Rin would've scolded him if she knew this.
"When was the first time you synchronized?" Sherry suddenly said.
"When? That was–" However, before Yugo could answer, Sherry continued.
"What were you doing when you synchronized? What do you feel when you synchronized? Recall those feelings." Sherry told him.
Yugo was confused. Why did Sherry tell him this when he already told her the answer? He first experienced synchronization with Yuya during his Duel against Sawatari in the Friendship Cup. It was during a Riding Duel like this, and yet he couldn't do it now. Why? Just what was lacking? What did he do wrong?
"Now that we have changed, let's ride. Yugo, you're riding it, okay?"
"You can count on me!"
"?!" Yugo gasped as he remembered. That time when he and Rin first started riding their D-Wheel.
Before, the two of them had only been able to watch others Riding Dueling, but now they can do it themselves. They could only dream and imagine how it feels to ride a D-Wheel. Now that they experienced it themselves, it feels amazing. More amazing than they imagined. The winds that touched their bodies as they were riding forward were great.
For that moment they felt nothing…
…nothing but freedom.
When they were riding like this, it was almost like they were becoming one with the wind itself. As free as the wind.
"As free as the wind..." Yugo then remembered more.
The blowing wind that he felt whenever he was riding his D-Wheel in Riding Duel. The wind felt exceptionally exhilarating when he was the one who inadvertently initiated the synchronization. The wind felt so liberating. He couldn't feel anything except the joy together with his monsters.
"The only times I synchronized like that, and the monsters I used during those times were..." Yugo was hit with realization.
Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, Clearwing Fast Dragon, Odd-Eyes Wing Dragon, and Shine Wing Dragon.
These dragons have a strong connection with Clear Wing out of other monsters he has. Not only that, but they're also his most powerful Synchro Monsters. If it's with them, he might be able to synchronize with Clear Wing no matter how far he is. Perhaps, not just Clear Wing, but also his other counterparts. No, it must be.
"Don't think unnecessary things, Yugo." That's what Sherry told him. Was she trying to tell him not to bog down on why he couldn't synchronize?
Right. He had been so focused on that and forgot the most important thing. The answer has always been there all along.
Feel the wind. Feel the excitement. Feel the liberation. Clear your mind. Don't think of anything else.
CAVE OF DESIRE – MOUNTAIN – MILLIA – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V
"Isn't it about time you surrender?" Illusion Fairy told Yuhei.
"That's not an option I would take." Yuhei retorted sharply.
"Are you really in the position to say that? If you surrender, I'll give you what you desire the most." Illusion Fairy offered him.
"I may look like this, but I am also a Duel Monster like you. Sorry, but your offer won't work on me." Yuhei stuck his tongue out, irritating the opposing Duel Monster.
"Can't you mind your own business? I'm doing my job here." Illusion Fairy said with evident hostility in her tone.
"You almost killed my friend a while ago, so letting you be is out of question." Yuhei persisted in continuing the Duel. He narrowed his eyes at the Illusion Fairy. It's faint, but there's no doubt that he sensed the same revolting power of Apophis from the Illusion Fairy. At first, she did this to ease the feeling of the humans who were hurt and led them back out of the cave, but after the seal was broken, Apophis' power influenced her to the worst level.
"I can purify her with Ma'at's blessing...but it'll be quite difficult getting out of this situation..." Yuhei hated to admit it, but he's in a bind. This draw would be his Destiny Draw. Everything will be decided in this Draw Phase.
Just as Yuhei was about to start his Draw Phase, he noticed his Extra Deck glowing. Even though he was inside a cave, he felt a wind, even though there's no wind blowing from anywhere. Following the feeling of wind were excitement, trust, freedom...these feelings...he always felt it whenever he...
"Yugo...!" Yuhei murmured softly. There's no mistaking it. He could sense Yugo. He was calling him. He was trying to connect their mind and soul together. The synchronization.
It's not a difficult task for Yuhei. There's no way he'll forget about it. The feeling of enjoying the wind and dueling alongside his master. Nothing chaining them down. Together taking down their enemies. They perfectly coordinated their moves. It was like they're part of each other.
"It's our Turn now!" Yuhei and Yugo exclaimed together.
"I activate Magic Card: Squall Alteration! When I control no monster, I can Special Summon a WIND Monster from my Graveyard with its effect negated!" Yuhei and Yugo opened his last face-down card. He revived Clearwing in Attack Position in the Main Zone with its effect negated.
"And then I summon Tuner Monster Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice (ATK: 100 / DEF: 100 / LV: 1)!" Yuhei and Yugo summoned Red-Eyed Dice in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I Tune Clearwing with Red-Eyed Dice! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 8, High-speedroid Kidrake (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2800 / LV: 8)!" Yuhei and Yugo summoned Kidrake in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I activate Kidrake's effect! If this card is Synchro Summoned, I can choose between destroying all cards on the Field except itself or negate the effects of all face-up cards my opponent currently controls! I choose to negate all effects of the cards you control!" Yuhei and Yugo negated all of Illusion Fairy's Witchcraft monsters' effects and Witchcraft Bystreet's effects.
"I activate Squall Alteration's additional effect! When this card is in Graveyard while I control a Level 8 or higher WIND Monster, I can banish it to increase the ATK of my WIND monster and decrease the ATK of all non-WIND monsters on the Field by 200 equals to the number of Levels of the WIND Monster I control!" Yuhei and Yugo revealed. Since Kidrake is Level 8 Monster, that means Kidrake's ATK will increase by 1600 while all of Illusion Fairy's Witchcraft Monsters' ATK were decreased by the same amount. Kidrake's ATK was increased to 4600 while Golem Arles' ATK was decreased to 1200 and Verre's ATK was decreased to 600.
Illusion Fairy was too shocked by the sudden turn of events that she was rendered speechless.
"Battle! I attack Witchcraft Verre with High-speedroid Kidrake!" Yuhei and Yugo declared Battle Phase.
Concentrating their blessing into Kidrake's entire body, Kidrake's mechanical wings glowed green and red. From the crimson crystals attached on its body, it unleashed crimson lasers attack that strike through Verre's body, exploding the Witchcraft monster, followed by Golem Arles that got caught in the explosion.
ILLUSION FAIRY LP: 3400 = 0
Illusion Fairy fell on her knees, sobbing continuously as her body slowly and eventually disappeared without anything left.
D-WHEEL TRACK – THE BROTHERHOOD HQ – CAPITAL – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V
This is it.
He could feel it.
That same feeling when he synchronized.
The intense sensation of the wind rushing past and the vibrations of the engine. Exposed to the elements and will feel every nuance of weather. Temperature, moisture, everything. He was there but at the same time he wasn't. He was entering a different plane, but never really left. He was himself, and yet there was someone else with him.
"Clear Wing..." Yugo murmured.
He could hear his ace monster's voice.
The roar of his soul.
The feeling of enjoying the wind and dueling alongside his ace monster. Nothing chaining them down. Together taking down their enemies. They perfectly coordinated their moves. It was like they're part of each other.
Sherry, who was riding ahead, looked back at Yugo. She sensed something different from him. Just earlier, he was unsure, at a loss of his way. His mind was unnecessarily distracted, no doubt because of the uncertainty bothering him. But now, there was no negativity, in his mind and heart. He maintained focus on the battle at hand and nothing else.
"Good. That's it, Yugo." Sherry smiled. Her student has finally done it. Even though the situation was to her advantage no matter how to look at it, she has a feeling that her student won't disappoint her.
"It's our Turn now!" Yugo and Yuhei exclaimed together.
"I activate Magic Card: Squall Alteration! When I control no monster, I can Special Summon a WIND Monster from my Graveyard with its effect negated!" Yugo and Yuhei activated the card that they just drew. They revived Devil Sword Dama in Attack Position in the Main Zone with its effect negated.
"And when Squall Alteration is sent to the Graveyard while I control a WIND Monster, I can Special Summon Tuner Monster Speedroid Domino Butterfly (ATK: 100 / DEF: 300 / LV: 2) from my Deck!" Yugo and Yuhei summoned Domino Butterfly in Attack Position in the Main Zone.
"I Tune Devil Sword Dama with Domino Butterfly! Synchro Summon! Spread those wings shining with scared light. Strike down your enemies with that radiance! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8, Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500 / LV: 8)!" Yugo and Yuhei summoned Crystal Wing in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"I activate Crystal Wing's effect! Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can target 1 monster on the field whose effect was activated; negate its effects, and destroy it, then Crystal Wing gains ATK equal to the ATK that target had on the field until the end of the turn!" Yugo and Yuhei negated Klaret's effect and destroyed it, increasing Crystal Wing's ATK to 5000.
"An ATK of 5000?!" Sherry exclaimed in shock.
"Battle! I attack Elven Chevalier with Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!"
The Synchro Dragon Monster flew high to the sky until it was high enough and then green lights accumulated in Crystal Wing's wings while its body then enveloped by the same bright light. Eyes marked on its target, Elven Chevalier, Crystal Wing dashed down towards the Link Monster with its highest speed, striking through the Link Monster that quickly exploded into nothingness.
SHERRY LP: 2700 = 0
Sherry's D-Wheel automatically stopped as she had been defeated. Smoke coming out from the engine in response to the result.
Sherry got off from her D-Wheel, smiling proudly at Yugo.
"Congratulations, Yugo. You did it." Sherry patted Yugo's shoulder gently, making the boy grin in embarrassment.
"I owe you one, Sherry-san. I remember the most important thing thanks to you." Yugo expressed his gratitude to his mentor.
"But this is just the beginning. Now that you know how to achieve synchronization, you must learn to put that knowledge and skill to use in the real battle. Don't ever let yourself get distracted like you did earlier."
"Yeah. I know."
Yugo knew that this wouldn't be easy. Just because he already knows the conditions that must be done to achieve synchronization, it doesn't mean anything if he couldn't keep his mind perfectly clear. He was fully aware how short-tempered he could be. He could easily fall for taunts or be distracted by danger. And that was something that he must overcome.
For the sake of those precious to him, he'll master this skill.
CAVE OF DESIRE – MOUNTAIN – MILLIA – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V
"She should be purified and returned to the Duel Monster realm now." Yuhei stated with a sigh, relieved that he won the Duel.
"Oh yeah, we did it! I did it!" Yugo cheered in his mind, making Yuhei smile wide proudly. As expected from him and his master. They finally pulled it off. Yuhei then turned to the portal. He could see the other side, his home.
He never thought that he'd return this way.
"Here we go."
VILLAGE OF HOLY ELF – EAST – DUEL MONSTER REALM
The village of the Holy Elves, to put it in simple words, resembled Venice, the city of water. The only transportation was boat moved by gondoliers. Other than that, they all walk. It was beautiful. Since there's no modern technologies of the sort, it's more refreshing and cleaner than Venice. If only they're not here on an important mission, Artemis and the others would like to take their time here like a vacation.
"Here we are." The Holy Elf who became their escort stopped at a house with a plate that has the same ancient writings found in the hieroglyph. Following the Holy Elf, they entered the house. They were welcomed by an elderly Holy Elf sitting in the living room, having expected them.
"Welcome to the Holy Elf Village. Please, make yourself comfortable." The elderly Holy Elf beckoned the escort to leave them be. With a bow, the escort left.
"I have heard everything from Haruna. You wish to know about the last Supreme King Dragon, correct?" The Elder inquired for confirmation.
"Yes. We wish to know if this dragon is another being similar to Ma'at and Apophis or something else. And from the hieroglyph, we heard this dragon might be our chance to vanquish Apophis for good." Artemis answered, representing herself and her friends.
"The Last Supreme King Dragon in the hieroglyph doesn't refer to an existence that was already born like Ma'at and Apophis." The Elder held out a scroll, rolling it out to show similar hieroglyphs written there with several translated points as well.
"It refers to an existence that will be born the moment all of the Supreme King Dragons in existence reached their peak, in which they will give birth to one and final Supreme King Dragon." The Elder revealed, filling the entire room with a surprised gasp coming from the three visitors' mouths.
"Wait, you mean, once this dragon is born, there won't be any Supreme King Dragon to be born anymore in the future?" Artemis asked again, finding herself unsure that she heard it right, to which the Elder nodded in confirmation.
"Yes. As its title suggests, this dragon will be the last Supreme King Dragon to be born into this world."
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:
The Elves' Prayer – Yuya and Venom are led to the inner part of the Dimension Pulse by the Kuriboh. At the Holy Elf Village, Ginger and Benmaru, who can escape with the Superheavy Samurais' help, warn of Apophis' forces in the realm, only for the village to be attacked.
Because of the whole corona pandemic, my workplace is temporarily closed until further notice. As a result, I'm stuck at home and have more time to write. It's quite difficult to go out now even with a mask and all prepared. This arc will be wrapped up in a few more chapters, and then the story will return to the human realm.
Please don't forget to review this chapter!