Starting Notes:
Welcome back! In this chapter, we're going to be flying all over the place, as is typical for this arc by now. Also, no duel outlines in this chapter, because the first duel is a pain to outline because of one character involved, and the other two duels aren't worth the time to outline due to not being as plot-relevant. One is normal-length, the other two are relatively short. More on that later. I will admit that I painfully did not want to write this chapter, because I was so excited for the later chapters that I did rush through this a little. Plus being sick does not help with writing long duels, yikes. I do hope you do enjoy the chapter anyway.
Chapter 44: Tapes of Black and White
"Hey, Yuya."
Yuya turned to see Sora holding out a cup of water to him. "Didn't we all agree that you should stay out of sight?" He said. After all, if anyone noticed Sora there, even if they didn't know about Academia, they would still kick him out for not being a participant of the Friendship Cup.
"I know, but…"
Sora fidgeted. "Are you alright?"
Yuya looked at him.
No, he thought after a moment. He really wasn't.
So Sora just wanted to check on him?
That was kind…
Yuya rubbed at his eyes, struggling with his own emotions. "Sure," he said. "Let's go back to my room."
"Yeah," Sora said.
There was either something cosmically cruel to the way that the world had decided to randomise things, or someone out there was a sick bastard. Or both.
Those were the only two explanations that Mion Myojin had for who her opponent was.
"I refuse," she said the moment that she stepped into the garage and saw the other participant there. "Absolutely not."
"You can't refuse to participate."
"So disqualify me," Mion replied. She folded her arms—not rebellious, but fully aware of the stakes and unwilling to risk anything at this point. "I refuse to take this duel. I'd rather lose by default."
From across the garage, Reira was watching, completely silent.
"We cannot remove a match when the people outside have already gotten their tickets. There's a schedule to follow—"
"What does that have to do with me?" Mion said, her eyes sharp. "I'm not fighting Reira, and that's it. That's my decision."
The guard looked somewhat helpless—he seemed to have realised that he really had no way of coercing her to participate in the duel. Just then, however, the screen above them lit up. The faces of the High Council appeared on it, as well as—
"Reiji," Mion murmured, feeling somewhat relieved to see him still safe and sound. It seemed that the antagonistic city hadn't gotten to him yet.
"Nii-san," Reira said, taking a step closer to the screen.
"What's taking so long?" One of the High Council members—Mion honestly did not care to remember their names, and that was in equal parts due to the unfair way that they ran the City and her own rebellious nature against authority—said.
"She refuses to participate, sir," the guard said, looking like he had been stuck in a desert and had finally found water—as though he assumed that those old geezers would be able to persuade her to do something that she didn't want to do.
"Of course she does," Reiji said, and while he kept his typical calm and composed expression, there was a level of exasperated fondness hidden in the words. Mion looked at the screen, and though they were far apart, she almost felt like she was making eye contact with him.
For a moment, they both understood each other—the anger at the unfairness of the situation, and their acceptance of the fact that the other would not let it stand.
"Mion," Reiji called. "I have already made a deal with the High Council. If Reira loses, they will be withdrawn from the tournament and sent here instead."
Mion heard it, and she understood the silent order. (And it was an order—as much as they were friends, Reiji was also the leader of the Lancers. She understood that much.)
Reira would be withdrawn if they lost, but Mion would not.
Therefore, the order was simple.
Win against Reira Akaba, and send them back to Reiji's side. Stay in the tournament.
Mion glanced away.
"Take care, Reira," she said.
Reira looked at her with an understanding look, and it broke Mion's heart a little.
"Do your best," Mion said softly. "If I win, I win. Don't give it to me on a silver platter."
"Ok," Reira said. Mion reached down, hugging him.
I'll make my decision when I have to.
When she reached the D-Wheel that she had been assigned, she hesitated, before she pulled the Mythical Vestige Priestess card out of her deck, sliding it into a different slot for cards that she wasn't currently using.
She was still wary of that card and how it had suddenly changed. Best not to use it for now.
When they crossed the corner, Mion was easily the first to cross, which suited both her and Reira just fine. She did know how to ride a motorcycle, after all, and this was barely any different.
[DUEL!]
Mion Myojin: 4000LP
Reira Akaba: 4000LP
[Turn 1: Mion] [H:5]
"I'll start," Mion said calmly. "I'll Normal Summon Mythical Beast Jackal." The smoky blue canine creature appeared, mist floating around it.
[Mythical Beast Jackal (1*/S4/0/1400/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]
"Mythical Beast Jackal gains a Spell Counter when a Spell is activated," Mion continued. "I'll set the Scale 3 Magical Abductor in the Pendulum Scale." The dark-haired woman in black and green robes appeared in the glowing blue pillar of light. "And to those uninformed, that counts as the activation of a Spell. Now, I'll activate the Spell Card, Mythical Bestiary. I will send the top two cards of my deck to the graveyard and place two Spell Counters on Magical Abductor. And she also gains a Spell Counter from every Spell activation."
[Magical Abductor: Spell Counter(s): 3]
"I will then remove three Spell Counters from Magical Abductor to add a Pendulum Monster from my deck to my hand. I can only do this once per turn though." She picked up the card from her deck. "I will then set the Pendulum Scale with the Scale 8 Magister of Endymion."
[Magical Abductor: Spell Counter(s): 0]
She hadn't drawn her Magical Citadel, but that didn't matter as much with the current hand that she had.
"Jackal now has three Spell Counters. By removing three Spell Counters from the field—from himself, essentially—and tributing him, I can Special Summon a "Mythical Beast" Effect Monster from my deck. Come—Mythical Beast Jackal King." One of her stronger monsters appeared, an evolved form of Jackal that was almost chimeric. Dark armour was covering its body with some gold traces all over it. Smoky tails with faces slid through the air.
[Mythical Beast Jackal King (6*/S4/2400/1400/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]
"I'll then activate the Continuous Spell, Arcane Barrier," Mion continued. "Magister of Endymion gains a Spell Counter when a Spell is activated. Jackal King gains two. Thus, Magical Abductor now has two Spell Counters, Jackal King has two and Magister has one."
And it would only increase. After all, Mion knew that Reira's deck was just as Spell-dependent as hers.
"I'll end my turn."
[Turn 2: Reira] [H:6]
"I will Normal Summon Phonograph Magician," Reira said. A young girl dressed in black robes appeared, holding up a two-dimensional cardboard cutout of the tube of a phonograph, a hood covering her head.
[Phonograph Magician (4*/0/0/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Effect)]
Mion blinked. That was new…
"By tributing Phonograph Magician, I can add two "C/C" monsters with different Attributes from my deck to my hand," Reira continued. The girl dissolved into black and white particles. Reira pulled out the two cards, revealing them.
Mion spotted the green border at the bottom.
Ah. That would make sense.
"I will now set the Scale 2 C/C/C Shadow Mimicry the Embodiment of Balance and the Scale 8 C/C/C Shining Pillar the Embodiment of Balance in the Pendulum Scales." Around Reira, the two pillars of light rose up. Within each was a transparent cube that was reflecting light and splitting it into all the colours of the rainbow. However, within the one on the left was a black frustum, or a pyramid with its peak cut off, floating within the cube, light barely able to pass through it and bend within the cube at all. There were shadows writhing around the cube. Meanwhile, the right one had a white version of the same frustum floating within the cube, with rainbow light reflecting all around it. "Pendulum Summoning." He didn't even bother to say what his Scales were or anything like that—he was just very simple about it. "Come. C/C One-Eyed Past Eye."
They only Pendulum Summoned a single monster?
[C/C One-Eyed Past Eye (3*/1400/1000/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]
That meant that he was likely using them for their Pendulum Effects then…
"Spell Card, Montage Fusion. I will take a picture of your Mythical Beast Jackal King and fuse it with my One-Eyed Past Eye, but the summoned monster is destroyed during the End Phase." A black and white clone of Jackal King appeared, before it spun in a void with One-Eyed Past Eye. "Empty weapon slumbering in the void, rise to my aid! Dwell in this eye and give me your power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! The sword of shadow which slashes while unseen! C/C/C Shadow Sword the Embodiment of Fused Arms!"
A dark sword with a crooked shape and blade appeared, surrounded by misty shadows.
[C/C/C Shadow Sword the Embodiment of Fused Arms (6*/2400/0/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"I will activate the Pendulum Effect of C/C/C Shining Pillar the Embodiment of Balance," Reira said. "Since I control a "C/C/C" monster, I can target a monster on the field with the same Attribute as a "C/C/C" monster I control and negate its effects. I will negate the effect of Mythical Beast Jackal King."
… hmm. Not bad. Mion had been waiting to use that effect when Shadow Sword attacked—after all, the one disadvantage that Reira had against her was that since his monsters relied on the strength of his opponents, depending on what monster Reira's opponent brought out first, they could influence what monster he would bring out. Jackal King would have negated the effect and destroyed Shadow Sword. The Pendulum Monster had solved that issue, however.
"The Pendulum Effect of C/C/C Shadow Mimicry the Embodiment of Balance can also be activated. Since I control a "C/C/C" monster, I can add a "Montage", "Shutter" or "Past" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand." Reira pointed forward. "C/C/C Shadow Sword the Embodiment of Fused Arms will attack Mythical Beast Jackal King. And when Shadow Sword attacks, it can gain attack points equal to the total attack points of all DARK monsters on the field!"
[C/C/C Shadow Sword the Embodiment of Fused Arms: 2400 + 2400 = 4800ATK]
The attack connected, and Jackal King was destroyed. It didn't bother Mion at all.
Mion: 4000 - 2400 = 1600LP
"Since a Spellcaster monster I control was destroyed, I can place a Spell Counter on Arcane Barrier," Mion replied. "And that's the end of your turn, isn't it?"
"I will set a card and end my turn." Shadow Sword was destroyed after Reira finished talking.
Mion nodded.
[Turn 3: Mion] [H:2]
"Draw," Mion said. "Magical Abductor currently has five Spell Counters. I'll remove three of them from her to add a Pendulum Monster from my deck to my hand, once again."
[Magical Abductor: Spell Counter(s): 2]
"I will remove three Spell Counters from Magister of Endymion to Special Summon it from the Pendulum Scale and Mythical Beast Jackal King from my Extra Deck, and place a Spell Counter on both of them." Both monsters appeared on Mion's field.
[Magister of Endymion (3*/S8/1500/900/EARTH/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]
"I will then set the Scale 8 Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic in the Pendulum Scale. Jackal King and Abductor gain Spell Counters with their effects. I will then remove six Spell Counters from my field—all three from Abductor, one from Magister, and two from Jackal King."
"I understand the problem," Reira said calmly. "I will chain the Trap Card, Film Processor. Since I control no monsters, I can declare an Attribute, and my opponent cannot Special Summon monsters with that Attribute with Spell or Trap effects. Effects of monsters with that Attribute are also negated. These effects only stop during the End Phase."
So the cost was paid, but Mion could not resolve the effect. She shrugged. It wasn't a big deal. And now that her monsters basically had no Spell Counters…
Well, she hadn't Pendulum Summoned yet, huh? She might as well make the most out of her resources.
"Open, circuit of the glittering citadel. Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two Spellcaster monsters. I will set Mythical Beast Jackal King and Magister of Endymion in the Link Markers. Dawn shines over the infallible citadel. Enforcer of the magic-destroying will, crush those who defy the wish of the master of sorcery. Circuit Combine! Link 2! Day-Breaker the Shining Magical Warrior!"
The white and gold magical knight appeared in front of her, sitting in her Extra Monster Zone. The only monster that she currently had.
[Day-Breaker the Shining Magical Warrior (L2/1600/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]
"When Day-Breaker is Link Summoned, he gains a Spell Counter," Mion continued. "Now, with my Pendulum Scales, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 4 to 7. Come—Mythical Beast Jackal King." The bestial spellcaster reappeared at Day-Breaker's bottom-left Link Marker.
"You also only Pendulum Summoned a single monster," Reira noted.
Mion nodded. "Since a Spellcaster monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, Day-Breaker gains a Spell Counter," she continued. "By removing both Spell Counters from him, I can destroy a card on the field. He's a LIGHT monster, so he's not affected by your Trap. I will destroy your Shining Pillar." The left Pendulum Scale exploded. While both Pendulum Effects were powerful, Mion only needed to destroy one to disable the Pendulum Summon for now.
Reira had no monsters currently. It obviously wouldn't be that easy to win, but Mion took a shot at it anyway.
"Jackal King attacks you directly."
"I will banish Film Processor from my graveyard to Special Summon a "C/C/C" monster from my Extra Deck ignoring summoning conditions, but it is destroyed during the End Phase," Reira declared. Mion nodded. So they had purposely stopped Mion from bringing out Endymion, because Endymion would have negated that. "Come—C/C/C Shadow Halberd the Embodiment of Fused Arms!" The dark monster from before in his match with Tony practically crash landed on the field.
[C/C/C Shadow Halberd the Embodiment of Fused Arms (8*/3000/0/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]
"When Shadow Halberd is Special Summoned, I can activate his effect. This turn, he cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."
So that would prevent him from suffering the drawbacks of Film Processor then… that made sense. And by sealing off Jackal King's effects this turn, Reira had stopped Mion from effectively countering the move.
"Not bad," she said. "I'll stop my attack. I'll then activate the Spell Card, Spellbook of Secrets. With its effect, I will add Spellbook of Knowledge from my deck to my hand. And by activating Spellbook of Knowledge and sending Day-Breaker to the graveyard, I can draw two cards." Since Jackal King's effects were negated, it still wasn't gaining Spell Counters, but Magical Abductor was. So at the very least, Mion would have something to work with on Reira's turn. "I'll set a card and end my turn."
[Turn 4: Reira] [H:4]
"Draw," Reira said. "I will use the Pendulum Effect of C/C/C Shadow Mimicry the Embodiment of Balance. I will add another "Montage", "Shutter" or "Past" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. I will then enter my Battle Phase. Since you control a DARK monster, Shadow Halberd can make three attacks this turn. It's a Continuous Effect, and thus, you cannot activate the effect of Jackal King to negate it. For the first attack—attack Mythical Beast Jackal King."
Mion sighed. Both of them were attacking with possibly lethal damage, while knowing that the other probably wouldn't let it go through. It was a completely calculated move, regardless. "Trap Card, Negate Attack," she said. "I'll negate the attack and end the Battle Phase completely."
"I understand," Reira said calmly. "There is no reason for me to continue my turn here. I will set two cards and end my turn."
True. Reira's monsters were intended to only stay on the field for one turn, with only special cases like Shadow Halberd staying on the field for any longer.
[Turn 5: Mion] [H:3]
"Draw," Mion said. Finally. "I will activate the Spell Card, Terraforming. I will add the Field Spell, Magical Citadel of Endymion from my deck to my hand and activate it!" Her signature Field Spell appeared on the field. "I will then remove six Spell Counters from the field—the four that Jackal King has accumulated, and two of the four on Magical Abductor—to Special Summon Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic from the Pendulum Scale again. Do you have a response this time, Reira?"
"No," Reira said.
"Very well then." The black warrior stepped out of the Pendulum Scale, landing on the field, runes floating around him.
[Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic (7*/S8/2800/1700/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]
"Then, since Endymion was Special Summoned—I can destroy cards on the field, up to the number of cards I control that a Spell Counter can be placed on. I have my Arcane Barrier, my Citadel, Abductor, Endymion himself and Jackal King. Thus, I can destroy up to five cards. I will wipe out your entire field! Magical Law of Destruction!"
Her signature field destruction effect wiped out Reira's cards in an instant.
"And that, I do believe, is game, Reira," Mion said. "Endymion gains a Spell Counter for each card he destroyed with his own effect."
[Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic: Spell Counter(s): 3]
"I will then set the Scale 2 Servant of Endymion in my Pendulum Scale. And now, I have three Spell Counters on Magical Abductor, so I can remove them to add another Pendulum Monster from my deck to my hand."
"But you can't Pendulum Summon with that Pendulum Scale."
Mion chuckled. "I have nothing to Pendulum Summon," she pointed out. Just Magister, but no matter what the other Pendulum Scale was, she couldn't Pendulum Summon him back anyway. "Jackal King attacks you directly."
"I will banish Snap Shutter from the graveyard to use its effect."
Mion tilted her head, understanding very well. Snap Shutter was likely one of the backrow cards that she had destroyed. Snap Shutter, when banished from the graveyard, could copy the effect of another "Shutter", "Past" or "Montage" Spell or Trap in the graveyard, as well as revive One-Eyed Past Eye.
"I will activate the effect of Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic," she replied. "I will return—"
She stopped.
She could return Magical Citadel of Endymion to her hand and attack directly with both monsters for the win. She had no clue what card Reira was planning on copying, but the answer was most likely Montage Fusion, for another Fusion Monster. If she stopped it here, it was likely that Reira had no way to counter it.
She would win if she did that. It would be what was expected of her.
The airport's walls were frustratingly white. Mion glanced at her phone again, before she headed towards the place where she would be checking in.
"Mion."
Mion turned around, blinking. Reiji was there, looking rather prim and proper, having exited from the limousine that was currently parked outside the airport. Reira was next to him as well.
"Seeing me off?"
"I did say that I would."
Mion had thought so. It wasn't everyday that one was practically banished by their father to an entirely different place that was an ocean away from where they lived. She had been somewhat worried that they wouldn't show up in time, but it seemed that it was unwarranted.
"Your flight's in two hours, correct?"
"Yes," Mion said. She saw Reira shift, and she turned over. "Is something wrong, Reira?"
It took a moment, but then Reira spoke up. "... do you have to go?"
"... oh, Reira." Mion leaned down, patting his shoulder. She knew very well that Reira still struggled to make connections with others, though she still had no clue why. All that Reiji had ever let her know was that Reira had not come from a good place before she was adopted by the Akabas. Even around LDS, Reira never wanted to be around anyone except Reiji—and after about a year of slow recognition and bonding, Mion. And Mion did treasure their friendship very much—she knew how difficult it was for Reira to trust someone.
"I'll miss you," Reira said, barely audible.
"I know," Mion said. "But you'll—you'll meet more people who will take the time to learn and understand, alright?" She definitely hoped so—she hoped that Reira would meet someone that would want to be their friend just because of Reira himself, not because of any connection to Reiji. "Someday, you'll make more friends."
"I will?" Reira sounded slightly hopeful.
"Yes," Mion said reassuringly. "It might be soon, it might take a while. But someday, you'll meet someone who can understand you and you'll be able to talk to them about all those things that you're afraid that others will judge you for—because you know that they'll never judge you."
"I wanted to wish Reira good luck."
"Wish Reira good luck—" Mion took a moment to look at the blonde girl again, who seemed so quietly withdrawn. "Oh! Reira's finally made a friend? That's amazing!"
Mion watched as Reiji turned to Reira. "Why do you like her so much?"
"... I have to steal the light of others, because I don't have any light of my own. But her… she has so much light, but she doesn't want it for herself. She'd give it all away without hesitation. She's… comforting. Almost familiar."
Mion gave them a moment to think about it. She didn't interrupt yet. But for a moment, she did consider those words.
A person who would give Reira their light…
"I will return Mythical Beast Jackal King to my hand," Mion said. "And negate your Spell's effect. The four Spell Counters still on Jackal King are placed on Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic. Soulless Imperial Decree!"
[Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic: Spell Counter(s): 7]
"Endymion attacks you directly."
Reira: 4000 - 2800 = 1200LP
Up in the High Council, Reiji quietly sighed.
"I'll end my turn," Mion murmured.
"... why?" Reira wasn't the kind for dramatics, but he did look forward at her, searching for a reason.
"... you know, Reira," Mion said after a moment, "I was always worried about you. Reiji and I always tried our best to make you feel comfortable, but I could tell. You were afraid to fight, you were afraid to let your strength show. But when I came back… I was different, but so were you." She smiled. "You can take up a challenge now. And it's because you found her, correct? She's the one that could understand you. She's the one that you were looking for."
"But what does that have to do with this duel?"
"I'm certain in my choice," Mion said bluntly. "Carry on, Reira."
[Turn 6: Reira] [H:4]
"Draw," Reira said. "Spell Card, Camera Capture. I will shuffle Shadow Sword and Shadow Halberd into the deck to draw three cards. Then, I will activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn. I will revive C/C One-Eyed Past Eye." Mion couldn't negate the card, since Servant and Abductor had no Spell Counters on them until the card resolved. "I will then activate the Spell Card, Past Tuning."
"I will return Magical Abductor to my hand with Endymion's effect and negate your card. Soulless Imperial Decree."
[Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic: Spell Counter(s): 8]
"I understand." Reira revealed another card in his hand. "I will then activate the Spell Card, Past Overlay. By targeting Mythical Beast Jackal King, I will take a photograph of it as a Level 6 monster. Then, I will overlay the Level 6 picture of Mythical Beast Jackal King with C/C One-Eyed Past Eye, which is also treated as a Level 6 monster. Solemn tyrant lurking in the darkness. Reside in this eye and give me your power! Xyz Summon! Appear now! The ultimate armament that repels all! Rank 6! C/C/C Shadow Armor the Embodiment of Overlaid Armors!" Yet another one of Reira's strange, abstract weapons appeared on their field.
A black set of armour appeared, the same mist that surrounded Shadow Halberd floating around it.
[C/C/C Shadow Armor the Embodiment of Overlaid Armors (R6/2500/2000/DARK/Fiend/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]
"Shadow Armor is destroyed during the End Phase." Reira said. "Shadow Armor attacks Jackal King. At the start of the Damage Step, Jackal King's effects are negated." The beast was cut down once again.
Mion: 1600 - 100 = 1500LP
"I will then activate the Quickplay Spell, Still Frame. I will Special Summon C/C One-Eyed Past Eye from my graveyard." Reira revealed another copy of Past Overlay in their hand. "I will take a photo of Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic, treat that photo as a Level 8 monster along with One-Eyed Past Eye, and overlay them. Empty shadows that take on the solid form! Reside in this eye and give me power! Xyz Summon! Appear now! The ultimate protection that repels all judgement! Rank 8! C/C/C Shadow Chainmail the Embodiment of Overlaid Armors!" The dark set of armour surrounded by chains appeared.
[C/C/C Shadow Chainmail the Embodiment of Overlaid Armors (R8/3200/2700/DARK/Fiend/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]
"Shadow Chainmail attacks your Mighty Master of Magic." Shadow Chainmail slashed forward, crushing her monster.
Mion: 1500 - 400 = 1100LP
"When Endymion is destroyed by battle, I can add a Normal Spell from my deck to my hand."
Reira looked at her. "Shadow Chainmail can attack again after it defeats a DARK monster by battle," he said. "Shadow Chainmail attacks directly."
The attack hit.
Mion didn't regret a thing.
Mion: 1100 - 3200 = 0LP
Winner: Reira Akaba!
"I still don't understand," Reira said. "Big brother said that I would be fine, so why didn't you just win?"
Mion chuckled. They came to a stop. She tugged at her orange headphones. She had gotten these overseas, and she had brought them with her everywhere ever since. It was one of the few things that had changed about her appearance on the way back, anyway. She had cut her long hair short, she had gotten another ear piercing—but all of those were physical changes.
Deep down, she had still remained the same person, and she had yearned to go home each step of the way.
"You know, Reira," she said, "when I believe in things, I believe in them very strongly. If the whole world told me something was right if I believed that it was wrong, I—well, obviously after educating myself on what's going on, and having enough information to judge for myself—would do what I believed was right. And I'm sorry, but what feels right to me is not to snuff out your fire."
"My… fire?"
"You have it now, Reira. The strength to fight. And I want to see you have the chance to show how far you can go." Mion waved a hand through the air. "I don't need to protect my pride or anything—I'm not that self-centred."
She lowered her voice a moment later.
"... and I need to check on Shingo, too."
And that finally sparked some understanding in Reira's eyes.
"I just have the feeling that he's in danger," Mion continued. "And you're safe the entire way through, so just take care of yourself, alright? I'll see you when it's all done."
"... ok, Mion." Reira looked away, seeming somewhat quieter. "See you."
… I suppose I should have expected it to end up this way.
Reiji watched the aftermath of the match, before he sighed.
Relentless, but not merciless.
Kind, and thus, unable to strike others down or face them seriously even when it would benefit you.
You are the strongest in an environment where every duel is a performance, and there are low stakes, Mion Myojin.
I apologise for dragging you into war alongside me.
Once again proving that she did not care about the rules that had been set up at all, Miharu made her way to Reira's room, knocking on the door. The third match was currently being arranged, but considering that she hadn't yet been called, it was a safe assumption that she wasn't taking part in it.
After a moment, she opened the door.
Reira was inside. The grey-haired child looked up at her.
"... did I do the right thing today, Miharu?"
… what a loaded question to ask. And especially to ask her about, considering that Miharu still couldn't tell the difference between right and wrong that clearly.
Still though, Reira had asked. Miharu was obligated to give her an answer.
"Which part?" Miharu asked.
"... winning against her. It doesn't feel like a win."
"A win is a win," Miharu said automatically. "It doesn't matter the circumstances."
"... really?"
"She intended to lose. You intended to win. That's why that duel turned out how it did." Miharu glanced away. "... by that metric, I don't think you could be considered as wrong."
"Is that how you see it?"
"Yes."
Reira nodded. Her face did not betray her emotions.
An hour ago, right after Yuzu's match:
What Yuzu didn't expect when she was sent down to the Underground was that she was immediately attacked. She ran between several shipping containers that were lined up around her, each of them several metres tall, a claustrophobic feeling growing in her gut.
"By the laws of the Security Hunt," the man behind her called, "stop and face judgement!"
Yuzu gritted her teeth.
And what the hell am I so afraid of?
If I'm going to be hunted, I'm going to stand up and fight on my own two feet, and I'll make them regret hunting me!
She spun around.
"Finally ready to duel?" The man called. He was dressed in the typical Security uniform.
"What is this for?" Yuzu said. "What am I supposed to do down here?"
"... you must be an outsider to the City, then!" The man snorted. "Welcome to the Underground. You Commons fodder may not be able to actually make any difference in another way, but down here, you have the chance to become stepping stones for us to become something greater."
He gestured to the screen above—which, to Yuzu's surprise, was displaying Yuto's face. However, seconds later, it flickered, changing to Gongenzaka's face. It seemed to be cycling through the faces of the eliminated Friendship Cup participants. And above the pictures, were two large words in red.
'Surviving Targets'.
"For each of you that we defeat, we get a higher chance of earning a promotion to a higher rank of Security this year. That's the Security Hunt—and that's what decides who rises and who falls down here!"
… that was awful. To crush other people—innocent people—underfoot to try and earn more money for themselves…
"And what happens to the people you defeat?" Yuzu said.
The man shrugged. "We take them to holding cells, and we never see them again," he said. "Who cares?"
"... fine then," Yuzu said. "I don't know who you've defeated so far—but I will take revenge for them!"
[DUEL!]
Yuzu Hiiragi: 4000LP
Kyuzo Tengan: 4000LP
[Turn 1: Yuzu] [H:5]
"Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Solo the Melodious Songstress from my hand in Defense Position!" The pink-haired songstress appeared, twirling around in a red dress.
[Solo the Melodious Songstress (4*/1600/1000/LIGHT/Fairy/Effect)]
With Solo's effect, Yuzu would then be able to Special Summon Prodigy Mozart from her deck when her monster was destroyed by battle.
"I'll then set a card facedown. Over to you!"
[Turn 2: Kyuzo] [H:6]
"Draw! I'll activate the Field Spell, Wattcastle!" The man declared. Around them, lightning bolts shot around everywhere. "I will activate the Continuous Spell, Wattcine! And now, I will Normal Summon Wattcobra!" A blue and red snake appeared on his field, slithering forward with yellow lightning patterns on its scales.
[Wattcobra (4*/1000/500/LIGHT/Thunder/Effect)]
"Wattcobra can attack directly," the man said, and the snake slithered forward. Yuzu's eyes widened in surprise. The attack hit, and her life points shot down.
Yuzu: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP
"With Wattcine's effect, I will gain life points equal to the damage that was dealt to you."
Kyuzo: 4000 + 1000 = 5000LP
"And with Wattcobra's effect, I will add a "Watt" monster from my deck to my hand!" The man confidently pulled out a card from his deck, as though he had done it plenty of times before. "I will set a card facedown. Over to you."
[Turn 3: Yuzu] [H:4]
"Draw!" Yuzu called. Her plan had failed, but that didn't mean that it was a bad thing. She could work with this. If he wasn't going to take the fight to her properly, she would just crush his monsters. "I will activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I will fuse Solo the Melodious Songstress on the field with Elegy the Melodious Diva in my hand! Quiet resonance. Noble resonance. By the guidance of the baton, assemble your power. Fusion Summon! Now on stage, the song of passion! Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint!" Her new strongest Fusion Monster reappeared on her field.
[Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint (7*/1900/2000/LIGHT/Fairy/Fusion/Effect)]
"Bloom Prima gains 300 attack points for each material used for her Fusion Summon!" Yuzu declared, and Bloom Prima glowed, blue and yellow petals floating around her hair.
[Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint: 1900 + 300 x 2 = 2500ATK]
"Attack Wattcobra! Falling Petal Serenade!" The snake was destroyed by the combination of bright-coloured music notes and flower petals. Her opponent didn't even bat an eye.
Kyuzo: 5000 - 1500 = 3500LP
"And Bloom Prima can attack twice per turn—"
"Not so fast, missy," Kyuzo said with a smirk. "While Wattcastle is face-up on the field, any monster that battles a "Watt" monster loses 1000 attack points permanently after damage calculation." Lightning shocked Bloom Prima, knocking her out of the air.
[Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint: 2500 - 1000 = 1500ATK]
"But Bloom Prima can still attack you directly!" The fairy recovered, determinedly rushing forward. "Falling Petal Serenade!"
Kyuzo: 3500 - 1500 = 2000LP
"I'll end my turn," Yuzu said. "Over to you!"
[Turn 4: Kyuzo] [H:4]
"Draw!" Kyuzo declared. "Normal Summoning Wattberyx." A small orange fish with golden yellow eyes appeared, swimming lazily in front of him.
[Wattberyx (3*/300/0/LIGHT/Thunder/Tuner/Effect)]
"I will activate the Trap Card, Wattkeeper," Kyuzo continued. "I can revive a Level 4 or lower "Watt" monster from my graveyard, but it is destroyed during the End Phase. Come back, Wattcobra!" The red and blue snake appeared with a loud hiss. "And Wattcobra will attack you directly again!"
Yuzu gritted her teeth. The snake struck at her, electric shocks running across her skin. Seconds later, Wattcine's effect triggered as well.
Yuzu: 3000 - 1000 = 2000LP
Kyuzo: 2000 + 1000 = 3000LP
"I will add another "Watt" monster from my deck to my hand," Kyuzo explained. "And now, I will enter my second Main Phase. I will activate the Spell Card, Wattrain. I will add "Watt" cards from my deck to my hand, up to the number of Thunder monsters with different names that I control. I control two." He swiped up the two cards. "I will tune the Level 3 Wattberyx to the Level 4 Wattcobra! Appear now, king of electricity! Synchro Summon! Level 7! Watthydra!" A strange draconian creature with at least seven heads—Yuzu couldn't tell, they were all moving too fast—appeared, letting out growls at several different pitches.
[Watthydra (7*/1500/1500/LIGHT/Thunder/Synchro/Effect)]
A Synchro Monster… but it only had 1500 attack points?
"I will set a card facedown," Kyuzo continued. "Once again, it's your turn."
Odd…
[Turn 5: Yuzu] [H:3]
"Draw!" She nodded at the card that she saw—Bloom Prima might have been weakened, but this was yet another option that she had. "I will activate the Continuous Spell, Fortissimo! With its effect, I can grant 800 attack points to a "Melodious" monster I control until my next Standby Phase, even if Fortissimo itself leaves the field! I will choose Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint!" Golden notes flew around Bloom Prima, and she looked somewhat more confident as she stood up.
[Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint: 1500 + 800 = 2300ATK]
"And I'll then activate the Spell Card, Photon Lead! I will Special Summon a Level 4 or lower LIGHT monster from my hand in Attack Position! Come—Soprano the Melodious Songstress!" The red and blue-haired woman appeared next to Bloom Prima.
[Soprano the Melodious Songstress (4*/1400/1400/LIGHT/Fairy/Effect)]
"With Soprano's effect, I will add a "Melodious" monster from my graveyard to my hand, since she was Special Summoned!"
She was originally going to just attack with both monsters, but a thought occurred to her—her opponent still had a set card facedown, after all.
If she could counter it…
"I'll Normal Summon Solo the Melodious Songstress!" The first idol appeared on the field again. "And I'll open the circuit of rising harmonies! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two Fairy monsters! I'll set Solo the Melodious Songstress and Soprano the Melodious Songstress in the Link Markers! Beautiful genius with the perfect voice! With your hands that channel the power of music, bring every melody together in wondrous harmony! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Bloom Harmonist the Melodious Floral Virtuoso!"
Once again, her Link Monster appeared in her Extra Monster Zone.
[Bloom Harmonist the Melodious Floral Virtuoso (L2/1000/LIGHT/Fairy/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]
"Trap Card, Wattcancel!" Her opponent said, interrupting her. "When my opponent would Normal or Special Summon a monster, I can discard a "Watt" monster to negate the summon and destroy the monster."
Bloom Harmonist was immediately blown up.
Oh.
If Yuzu had attacked… no, that might not have changed much. Even so, it was infuriating.
"Bloom Prima attacks Watthydra! Falling Petal Serenade!"
The Synchro Monster was still destroyed by Bloom Prima. However, Wattcastle promptly weakened Bloom Prima again.
Kyuzo: 3000 - 800 = 2200LP
[Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint: 2300 - 1000 = 1300ATK]
"Bloom Prima can attack twice per turn," Yuzu continued—it wasn't enough, but an attack was an attack. Bloom Prima hit her opponent again.
Kyuzo: 2200 - 1300 = 800LP
"I'll end my turn."
[Turn 6: Kyuzo] [H:4]
"Draw." Kyuzo smirked. "I'll activate Monster Reborn! Return to the field, Watthydra!" The multi-headed creature from before reappeared. "I'll Normal Summon Wattgiraffe!" A long-necked yellow giraffe with rather wide and bulbous eyes appeared.
[Wattgiraffe (4*/1200/100/LIGHT/Thunder/Effect)]
"Wattgiraffe and Watthydra can both attack the opponent directly," Kyuzo said.
Oh—
A dueling style that focused on direct attacks and ignored any threats the opponent set up… Yuzu could see why this man had been put up for promotion, despite his immoral nature.
"Wattgiraffe attacks directly!"
Well, there was no better time…
"Trap Card, Lumenize!" Yuzu called. "I'll negate your attack, and Bloom Prima gains attack points equal to the monster whose attack was negated until my next End Phase!" The giraffe was stopped by a bright barrier of light.
[Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint: 1300 + 1200 = 2500ATK]
"... Watthydra can still attack you directly." Lightning bolts rained down all around Yuzu. Wattcine glowed again.
Yuzu: 2000 - 1500 = 500LP
Kyuzo: 800 + 1500 = 2300LP
"And I'll use Watthydra's effect and banish a card from my deck. I get it back during my second Standby Phase after I activated this effect."
Yuzu narrowed her eyes.
She wouldn't be giving him that many turns left.
"I'll end my turn with—let's spice it up—two set cards. Over to you."
[Turn 7: Yuzu] [H:2]
"Draw!" Yuzu glanced at his field. Her opponent couldn't use another Wattcancel, since he no longer had any cards left in hand. Any monsters that she summoned would probably be safe.
Bloom Prima lost her boost from Fortissimo as Yuzu was thinking about something else.
[Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint: 2500 - 800 = 1700ATK]
Two attacks from Bloom Prima would be exactly enough if she gave it Fortissimo's boost, but it didn't seem likely that it'd go through, considering everything thus far.
It felt like she was caught in a frustrating loop.
"I will activate the effect of Fortissimo!" She called.
"I will activate my two set cards," Ryuzo replied. "First, the Continuous Trap, Wattcannon. Once per turn, when a Level 4 or lower Thunder monster is Normal or Special Summoned to the field, I can deal 600 damage to you. And then, the Trap Card, Wattkeeper. Revive to the field in Defense Position—Wattcobra!"
If that went through—
"Quickplay Spell Card, Mottotheme!" Yuzu called. Green music notes emerged around her. "Since I control a "Melodious" monster, I can target a face-up card on the field and negate its effects until the End Phase! I will negate the effects of Wattcannon!"
So while Wattcobra appeared on the field, the green notes flew over to Wattkeeper and blocked off its effect, stopping Yuzu from losing immediately. Fortissimo's effect resolved right afterwards.
[Bloom Prima the Floral Melodious Saint: 1700 + 800 = 2500ATK]
And since she now knew her opponent's set cards…
"Attack both monsters, Bloom Prima!" She declared. "For the last time—Falling Petal Serenade!"
Bloom Prima danced forward, striking down both Watthydra and Wattgiraffe—securing her the win.
Kyuzo: 2300 - 1000 - 1300 = 0LP
Winner: Yuzu Hiiragi!
"Damn it," the man cursed. Before he could say anything though, Yuzu noticed the strange metal bracelets that he was wearing light up, before he was hit by a strong electric shock, knocking him to the ground. Above, the screens showed the man's face, with the word 'Disqualified' above the picture. The man was clearly knocked out.
For a moment, Yuzu just stood there in shock.
"Yuzu!"
She turned around. Yuto was there, having climbed over one of the shorter storage containers. Relief washed over Yuzu like a wave. She walked over to Yuto. "What's going on, Yuto?" She asked. "They said something about a hunt—I don't know—"
"Calm down," Yuto said. "I'll explain to you when we're in a less exposed spot." Yuzu nodded, and she followed Yuto.
Hopefully, everyone else was safe down here…
Yuto guided her to a spot behind a few tall boxes, which seemed to sufficiently hide them from sight.
"We all got separated," he explained. "From what we learned, the participants of the Underground are forced to participate in something called the Security Hunt. Several Security Officers have been offered a promotion, and so they're sent to duel down here, with the one that defeats the most participants by the end of the Friendship Cup being the one who gets the promotion and the money associated with it. The people who are defeated are taken to holding cells. I haven't seen the rest in a while, but I don't want to go near the holding cells to check either—there's a lot of guards there."
Yuzu nodded. "So we're being hunted?"
"Essentially, yes. They seem to have it out for the Lancers in particular though." Yuto rubbed the back of his neck. "Earlier, I bumped into someone who was originally chasing after those two kids—the Sagiri ones, Rua and Ruka—and when they saw me, they just went for me immediately. Something about earning a bigger bonus if they defeated us or something."
"So, Security is against us?"
Yuto shrugged, seeming somewhat resigned, if a little angry. "Hasn't it been that way since we stepped into this dimension? It's us against the entire world."
Yuzu didn't like the look on his face.
"Well," she said determinedly, "if it's us against the world, then at least we still have us, right? We Lancers, and the Resistance, and the friends we make along the way—we're enough!"
"... so hopeful," Yuto said. He was smiling softly. "Yeah. Let's find the others—we're not going to be dying down here." He massaged his wrist, seeming to steel himself as he checked the brace. "I'm just glad that I was there to find you. Any others might not be that lucky…"
Yuzu could imagine that. "Should we wait around for the others here then?"
"No." Yuto gestured to the place where the participants were sent down. "They—you know video games? They're essentially spawn camping the area—that's why you got jumped by that guy basically the moment that you came down. It's a bad idea—we'd get surrounded easily."
"Alright then, I trust you. Let's go."
And hopefully, anyone sent down after her would be capable of handling themselves…
However, before they could leave the area that they were currently in, a man with dark brown hair appeared. He wasn't wearing the Security uniform, but he looked somewhat uncouth—he had a rather wild expression of glee when he saw them.
"Oh, you're the priority targets! Excellent. If I defeat you, Roget might finally let me out of this hellhole…"
Yuto held out a hand protectively in front of Yuzu. "Who are you?" He asked.
"Oh. You don't know me? You really must be from outside the City…" The man grinned widely. "I'm Lotten, the hero of the Commons! The one that will eventually overthrow Security and put us Commons on top!"
Yuto grimaced. Why did this guy sound so much like Shinji?... and even thinking about that comparison made his skin crawl.
"But to do that, the best way is by defeating one of you Lancers!"
"... did Roget offer the other prisoners down here rewards for defeating us?" Yuto muttered. "So he's completely against us after all. I can't say that I'm surprised."
"Well? Are you going to duel me or run away like a coward?"
"Who's a coward?" Yuzu retorted, too brave for her own good. "Come on, Yuto, let's take him on together—"
"You just finished a duel. Rest for a bit." Yuto turned to the dark-haired man. "You have your opponent, so don't bother her. I'll take you out and move on."
"Hah! You're rather cocky, aren't you? Fine then, brat!"
[DUEL!]
Yuto Kamisoka: 4000LP
Lotten: 4000LP
[Turn 1: Lotten] [H:5]
"Draw!" Lotten said. "I will Normal Summon Gatling Ogre!" A strange robot made of red-tinted metal appeared in front of him.
[Gatling Ogre (3*/800/800/FIRE/Fiend/Effect)]
"I'll set four cards facedown," he said. "I will then use Gatling Ogre's effect. By sending two of my set cards from the field to the graveyard, I will inflict 800 damage to you for each." Two large cannon shots flew towards Yuto, bombarding him. Yuto stayed standing, despite the explosions.
Yuto: 4000 - 800 - 800 = 2400LP
"I'll end my turn there."
Emptying out his entire hand and burning out a large part of Yuto's life points immediately… an interesting play to make so early on.
[Turn 2: Yuto] [H:6]
"Draw," Yuto said. With this hand… he should be able to take his opponent out fairly easily in a single turn. "I will Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm." The silver helmet wearing a red scarf appeared, blue flames burning from within the slightly rusty metal.
[The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm (4*/1500/500/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]
"Since I control a "Phantom Knights" monster, I can Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my hand." The blue spirit surrounded by worn leather sewn together by pale thread appeared.
[The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots (3*/200/1200/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]
"And since I Special Summoned a "The Phantom Knights" monster, I can also Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves from my hand." The full set of rusty iron armour appeared, floating next to Silent Boots, holding onto two long swords. Blue flames surrounded the swords, also billowing out from the top of the helmet like feathers.
[The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves (3*/1200/600/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]
"I will overlay the Level 3 The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves and the Level 3 The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots. Souls of knights who fell on the battlefield. Revive here and now, and become the light that breaks the darkness! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 3! The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!" One of his most commonly used Xyz Monsters appeared on the field, even as Lotten let out a surprised sound, gaping at the sight.
[The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R3/2000/1000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]
"What the hell is that?"
"Good question," Yuto said, not even bothering to answer said question. "I will activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Break Sword. By detaching an Overlay Unit from him, I will destroy a card I control and a card you control."
"I will banish Breakthrough Skill from the graveyard and negate your monster's effect!"
… well. Hardly a setback.
"Since a "Phantom Knights" card was sent to the graveyard, once per turn, Cloven Helm gains 500 attack points," Yuto continued.
[The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm: 1500 + 500 = 2000ATK]
"By banishing The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves from the graveyard, I can Special Summon a "The Phantom Knights" monster from my hand," Yuto declared. "I will Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor from my hand!" The black armour with green fabric around it appeared, glowing bright blue as well.
[The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor (4*/1000/2000/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]
Yuzu blinked from behind him. "What's with this aggressive style?" She murmured, though Yuto heard her.
Trying new things out, I suppose. I just have the feeling that dragging things out with an opponent like this won't end well.
"Fragile Armor attacks Gatling Ogre."
"Trap Card, Negate Attack. I will negate the attack and end the Battle Phase."
Fine.
"I will set a card and end my turn," Yuto said calmly.
[Turn 3: Lotten] [H:1]
"Draw," Lotten said. "I'll set another card facedown. And I'll activate the Trap Card, Reckless Greed, drawing two cards in exchange for skipping my next two Draw Phases. I'll set two more cards facedown!"
So he was planning to defeat Yuto immediately with his monster's effect?
"I will use Gatling Ogre's effect!"
Yuto: 2400 - 800 = 1600LP
"And again!"
Yuto: 1600 - 800 = 800LP
Before he could activate it the third time, Yuto flipped up his set card.
He had wanted his opponent to waste his other set cards first, to leave him with no options left.
"Trap Card, Phantom Knights' Fog Blade. I'll negate your monster's effects. It cannot attack, and it cannot be selected as an attack target." Fog surrounded Gatling Ogre, stopping it from using its effect again.
"You—"
"If you're done with your turn, you have no legal moves left, I believe." Yuto reached out for the top of his deck. "My turn."
[Turn 4: Yuto] [H:2]
He had said that he would take this opponent out and move on, after all. And he couldn't not be a man of his word.
"Draw."
There was still a single set card left, but it was hardly a problem.
"I'll detach an Overlay Unit from Break Sword and destroy Fog Blade and your set card." The two cards exploded. "Since Fog Blade was destroyed, Gatling Ogre is a valid attack target once again. And since it was sent to the graveyard, Cloven Helm gains 500 attack points again."
[The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm: 1500 + 500 = 2000ATK]
"Break Sword."
The ogre was cut down by his Xyz Monster.
Lotten: 4000 - 1200 = 2800LP
I don't even need Dark Rebellion for you.
"Cloven Helm. Fragile Armor."
Lotten: 2800 - 1000 - 2000 = 0LP
Winner: Yuto Kamisoka!
Yuto had already seen how the shock bracelets worked, so it was less surprising, if still jarring, when Lotten was struck down by an electric shock.
"Come on, Yuzu," he said.
As the two of them moved further into the Underground, Yuzu spoke up. "That was a lot more… aggressive than I've ever seen you."
Yuto closed his eyes for a brief moment. "I haven't abandoned my normal style," he said. "I just judged that my normal style was not going to fit the situation."
"Is this about losing to Nue-san?"
"Maybe," Yuto said. "I'm trying to understand how I duel a little better than I did before. The next time I duel her… I won't lose."
"... let's improve together then," Yuzu said determinedly. "Because I'm not satisfied either!"
OC Cards:
Phonograph Magician
(4*/0/0/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Effect)
You can Tribute this card: Add 2 "C/C" monsters with different Attributes from your Deck to your hand, but this turn, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck or hand, except "C/C" monsters.
Trivia: Phonographs were used in the making of films initially and the recording of sound.
C/C/C Shadow Mimicry the Embodiment of Balance
(6*/S2/1500/1000/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)
Pendulum Effect: You cannot Pendulum Summon while you control a monster. Once per turn, if you control a "C/C/C" monster: You can add 1 "Montage", "Shutter" or "Past" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand.
If this card is Pendulum Summoned: All DARK monsters on the field lose 1000 ATK.
Trivia: Originally, films were black and white. Thus, the Pendulums are DARK and LIGHT for now. The effects are always consistent across Levels for Reira's monsters, so to give them different Pendulum Effects but still fit the theme, I chose to use different Levels.
C/C/C Shining Pillar the Embodiment of Balance
(8*/S9/2500/2000/LIGHT/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)
Pendulum Effect: You cannot Pendulum Summon while you control a monster. Once per turn, if you control a "C/C/C" monster: You can target 1 monster on the field with the same Attribute as a "C/C/C" monster(s) you control; negate its effects until your next Standby Phase.
If this card is Pendulum Summoned: You can negate the effects of all LIGHT monsters on the field, except this card, until the End Phase.
C/C/C Shadow Sword the Embodiment of Fused Arms
(6*/2400/0/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)
"C/C One-Eyed Past Eye" 1 Level 5 or 6 DARK monster
When this card declares an attack: You can have this card gain ATK equal to the total ATK of all DARK monsters currently on the field (other than this card).
Film Processor
(Trap)
If you control no monsters: Declare 1 Attribute; your opponent cannot activate Spell/Trap effects that would Special Summon monster(s) with that Attribute, and the effects of monsters with that Attribute are negated while they are face-up on the field. These effects last until the End Phase. You can banish this card from the GY; Special Summon 1 "C/C/C" monster from your Extra Deck ignoring summoning conditions, but it is destroyed during the End Phase.
C/C/C Shadow Halberd the Embodiment of Fused Arms
(8*/3000/0/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)
"C/C One-Eyed Past Eye" + 1 Level 7 or higher DARK monster
This card can make a second attack during each Battle Phase, and if your opponent controls a DARK monster, it can also make a third. If this card is Special Summoned: You can activate this effect; this turn, this card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects.
Trivia: The phrasing of anime cards is always really bad, but I'll clarify that the first effect applies at the start of the Battle Phase. Thus, if the opponent no longer has a DARK monster because it was destroyed during the Battle Phase, Shadow Halberd still has a third attack.
Snap Shutter
(Spell/Quickplay)
Target 1 "C/C/C" monster you control; this turn, it cannot be destroyed by battle, and if it attacks a monster, it gains 1000 ATK during the Damage Step. You can banish this card from the GY and target 1 "Shutter", "Past" or "Montage" Spell/Trap in your GY; Special Summon 1 "C/C One-Eyed Past Eye" from your GY and apply that card's effect when activated.
Camera Capture
(Spell)
Target 2 "C/C/C" monsters in your GY; shuffle them into the Deck or Extra Deck, and if you do, draw 3 cards.
Still Frame
(Spell/Quickplay)
Special Summon 1 "C/C One-Eyed Past Eye" from your GY or hand. During the End Phase, if you control a "C/C/C" monster: You can add this card from your GY to your hand.
C/C/C Shadow Armor the Embodiment of Overlaid Armors
(R6/2500/2000/DARK/Fiend/Xyz/Effect)
2 Level 6 monsters
During either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; this card gains ATK equal to half the total DEF of all DARK monsters currently on the field. If this card battles a DARK monster, negate that monster's effects.
Trivia: A direct copy of Rock Armor's effect. Its effect when battling triggers at the start of the Damage Step.
C/C/C Shadow Chainmail the Embodiment of Overlaid Armors
(R8/3200/2700/DARK/Fiend/Xyz/Effect)
2 Level 8 monsters
During either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; this card gains ATK equal to the total DEF of all DARK monsters on the field other than itself. If this card destroys a DARK monster by battle: It can declare a second attack in a row.
Meisterin Brahms the Melodious Lament Saint
(8*/2500/2300/LIGHT/Fairy/Fusion/Effect)
1 "Melodious Maestra" monster + 1+ "Melodious" monsters
If this card is Fusion Summoned: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each monster used as Fusion Material for this card's Fusion Summon. This card cannot be targeted by card effects while your opponent controls a Special Summoned monster(s). This card gains 300 ATK for each "Melodious" monster on the field. If this card is sent to the GY: You can Special Summon a "Melodious" monster from your GY, other than "Meisterin Brahms the Melodious Lament Saint".
Mottotheme
(Spell/Quickplay)
If you control a "Melodious" monster(s): Target 1 face-up card on the field; negate its effects until the End Phase. You can banish this card from the GY; Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from your hand or GY with a different name from cards on your field, but its ATK/DEF becomes 0. You can only activate 1 "Mottotheme" per turn.
Trivia: Quite literally named after the motto-theme, which is the transformation of a theme in music as it goes on. This card is quite literally an adaptation and change of 1st Movement Solo, thus the name.
Different Card Effects from TCG:
Reira's cards in general - Anime-only cards.
Bloom Prima the Melodious Floral Saint - Anime summoning requirements, TCG effect.
Gatling Ogre - Anime-only card.
End Notes:
So, a couple things! First, I do promise that Mion will get a chance to actually duel with her full strength at some point. That's the whole point of her character arc—she is a perfectly capable person whose compassion hinders her from going all out on others in serious situations. It'll take a while, but we'll get there. I can say that out of the Lancers, the only ones that would go through with actually defeating Reira (knowing the consequences) are Nue and Hitoda. The rest would all not want to subject Reira to the Underground.
Also, I have to constantly remember who is already aware of Reira's gender. I tend to favour 'they' even from the perspective of those that don't know. But for clarity, only Reiji knows for sure that Reira is a girl. Miharu has guessed and is just going along with it by referring to her as 'she' in her mind but using neutral pronouns aloud.
As for the scene where Miharu reassures Reira? Disclaimer if needed, but that is absolutely dogshit horrible advice that would only sound logical to specifically people who are bad with emotions, like Miharu and Reira. It works, of course, but it's definitely intended to conflict with Mion's own words to Reira.
I also decided to give the Lancers in the Underground something to do—essentially, they're evading the Security Hunt, which has been mentioned several times by the characters before this. The nature of the Hunt is still mainly unrevealed, but one thing's clear—that the officers want to get a promotion by winning, and that the Lancers are in danger.
Does this sound like an excuse for me to stuff in more cameos from Synchro decks? Absolutely. Is it actually an excuse? Absolutely. But at least it gives some of the characters that already lost a chance to pick up some wins, right? ;3 Plus, I didn't want to just consign the characters that lost to doing nothing for the rest of the arc until the end. So yeah, we'll be doing some cutting between scenes. The officers here are named because I could literally toss in a random Japanese name generator and get names out of there, and it felt too unnatural to just name them generic officers when supposedly, they're good candidates aiming to get a promotion. However, quite plainly, they will not be that important.
(Also, Watts are a deck that realistically would only threaten Gongenzaka and Yuzu, the rest of the Lancers would trash it in like two seconds, which is why it was used so early. I love Thunder monsters, and all the Watt monsters are so fun in their gimmick, so I let them cameo here.)
Lotten's deck is stupidly outdated, but not bad in a 4000 LP format. Even so, Yuto wastes him completely, because I honestly feel bad that I haven't given Yuto any individual duels that show off a level of skill, other than obviously Yuto vs Kiryu. So yay, curb-stomps.
The Security Hunt is an 'event' that takes place side by side with the Friendship Cup. Security Officers who are seen as having the potential to become Elite Officers are sent to duel participants in the Underground. Participants who lose are taken to holding cells. Officers who lose are withdrawn from the Hunt. The one with the highest number of wins at the end earns a cash prize and has a chance of being promoted. :D
I will also admit that I actually ship Yuto/Yuzu more than Yuya/Yuzu or Yuto/Ruri. Of course, this story remains Bracelet Girls X Yu-boys, but it's just my personal opinion. Also, I remember that when I was writing my old fic, since discontinued, that the thing I enjoyed writing the most was interactions between counterparts, but not romantic ones. That remains true now, and I just want to give both Yuto and Yuzu more friends. Also, shoutout to the Arc-V writers (/sarcastic) for missing the chance to have Yuzu duel all four Yu-boys on screen despite very obvious opportunities to have her do so.
Also, I was just not feeling this chapter when I had to actually write it. It's the same feeling as Chapter 20 again—plot relevant, but at the same time, I really didn't want to have to write it. On the other hand, Chapter 45 is basically half done already, because I was so fucking hyped to write it that when I got stuck on this chapter for like the fifth time, I decided to skip ahead for a moment. It has three of the Friendship Cup Round 2 duels in it—and all three are actual bangers, not just emotionally (because let's be real, Mion vs Reira is entirely based on emotion and not on how decks interact, and I'll admit that the duel isn't my best work) but also in terms of the decks involved.
Review responses!
To phantomdragons, thank you for the review. Honestly, that duel is setting up for a bit of different character development for both Yuya and Yuzu, because following canon sounds like an absolutely terrible idea. :)
To cardfan135, haha, yeah! I wanted to take the chance to have some quick duels without Zarc-Ray shenanigans earlier on, though there'll certainly be plenty of those.
To LHOCIN, really good guesses all around! I enjoyed reading through them. To be honest, I debated really hard on having Nue vs Mion or Mion vs Reira, but the alternative opponent for Reira was not as appealing of a choice, so I went with this instead. It displeased me that the anime kind of didn't build up Jack's opinion of Yuya over time, as opposed to just having it change over a single duel. When it comes to the counterparts dueling each other seriously… haha, I can't comment yet, but I'm certainly excited to write that when it happens! Thank you for the review. :D
To kikuruhime, that's a very valid concern! Personally, I'm also constantly worried about that myself. I have an outline where details are all written down, but sometimes in the process of writing, I just forget to put stuff in and it becomes awkward to try and write it in later. For example, I intended to have an interview scene similar to Fifth Factor/Fifth Circuit before the start of the Round of 16, but uh, I thought that I already wrote it when I hadn't, so that's a loss on my part. Maybe I'll just make it an omake, since it doesn't really fit the tone… but back to your review, yeah, Yuzu is going to learn slowly. She'll get there.
To King, it's a good idea, really. The idea of moments of friendship between Yuri and Yuji is intriguing, and I did consider some scenes like that, but in the end, it's absolutely on purpose that I'm not letting them become actual friends. :D I can't remember who, but there was a reviewer that once said that Yuri and Yuji weren't friends yet and that they didn't count for the QOTC about friendship. Unfortunately, I need to leave things between the two of them complicated for now.
To the Guest talking about Kiryu, yeah, I noticed that. I like Infernity and Fleur quite a lot, and with Baronne existing, I couldn't exactly relegate them to a minor role.
To the Guest mentioning Yuri, I'm not going to comment on other fics, but I will say that I know what fic you're talking about. Glad that you like the arc! I honestly thought that it would be more unpopular with readers than it was, considering that everyone loves creepy Yuri.
To blueeyeslord, I think I mentioned this very early on, but Ghost Girl is planned to appear in the fic at some point, but she probably won't play a major role. For Monarchs, Battlin' Boxer and Volcanics, I'm declining to comment for now. Any tips for writing a YGO fic? Uh, off the top of my head, pick a deck that you like to write for your main character. Don't choose overcomplicated decks that are difficult to describe. Have a clear idea of what the duel's ending is before you write it so that you know what the conditions for the final move are, and you don't have to invent a 'draw 6 cards' card in order to make it happen, because that will feel very contrived. Don't make characters based on just personality traits. I mentioned this before, but be clear on what your characters want to achieve, and why. And most importantly, break all of the above rules if you have a good reason to do so. It's your fic. :)
To T.V. 2000, no problem! Yeah, I was mildly annoyed that Yuya and Yuzu never got another duel between them in canon, despite there being like ten different opportunities that were all unique and interesting. Glad you enjoyed. :)
QOTC: What are some other shows that you watch? It can be anime, cartoons, dramas, live-action or so on. I don't watch a lot of shows—I'm definitely a reader over a television viewer. I'd definitely like some anime recommendations, haha.
Thank you for reading, once again. Feel free to drop me a review with your thoughts. :) It always makes my day!