Yu-Gi-Oh/RWBY Season 2 Chapter 8

Stronger

"What?" Weiss couldn't believe what she was hearing. "There's no record of Roman's arrest?" "No." Ruby answered. "In fact, according to every record Blake and I could find, he was found innocent, given a pardon by Neo Politan." "But that's insane!" Whitley protested. "He was found guilty. We all remember that day! He kidnapped me and Weiss, he was raising an army!" "I know!" Ruby said. "But it gets weirder. I asked the other students of Arcadia about Lester, they didn't remember him. Even Pyrrha had never heard of that name!" Weiss had to sit down. This was getting to be a little much for her. "How can they do all of this? Wiping people's memory, getting people out of jail, attempting theft? Who are they?" Blake sighed. "I wish I knew."

...

Yang wasn't with them at that time. She was visiting Hazel Reinhardt in his village. "You said over the phone that you wanted to talk. Why not talk with your sister or the other signers?" He asked. Yang hung her head as they walked around the village's border. "You'd laugh if I told you." "Try me." Yang sighed, gathering her courage. "I don't want to admit it, but I'm scared. The threats we're facing, they're unlike anything we've seen before, and I don't know if there even is a way to beat them." Hazel smiled. "I get why you'd want to keep that a secret. This place still gets a lot of danger from greedy people, and I have to fight to keep them out. Often, that fear gets to me; the fear that one day, I'll fail, and people will be free to hurt everyone here as they wish. But I don't let that fear show, so the kids who depend on me won't be scared either, but happy, as they deserve to be."

Yang chuckled. "Yeah, that's how I feel as well. Like I have to shoulder everything so they don't have to." "But then, why did you come here? We don't know each other all that much." "During the Fortune Cup, you mentioned that your people knew about the prophecy of the Crimson Dragon. I was hoping that there might have been something that could help us. It's a long shot I know, but-" "Actually, I think there is something." Hazel pointed to a particular mountain. "Hidden deep in that mountain is a temple with a secret card, that apparently only the strongest signer will be able to wield. It might be a long shot, but it's all I can give you." Yang thanked him for the advice and headed that way. Once she was out of sight, something flew out of Hazel, and he couldn't remember what he was doing out here or who he was talking to.

...

The others had left and Ruby was busying herself with paperwork, trying to keep herself distracted from the growing anxiety in her heart. What didn't help was hearing some commotion in the hallway. After several minutes, Pyrrha peeked in. "Hey, Ruby. We may need your help over here." Ruby gently slammed her head on her desk before getting up to see what all the fuss was about.

"Where is she? I have an appointment!" "Please, ma'am, just calm down-" "Don't you tell me to calm down, sonny. I've face more world-ending events than you've lost baby teeth!" Ruby found a bit of solace in the amusement of seeing the staff trying and failing to keep an old woman at bay. "She's demanding to see you." Pyrrha explained. "Says her name is Maria Calavera, and that you two were old acquaintances." Ruby looked Maria over, but shook her head. "Never seen her before." "Well, could you talk to her all the same? She's causing a panic."

If Ruby knew that restarting Arcadia meant that she'd have to negotiate with senile old grannies, well, she'd still do it, but she would have appreciated the warning. Regardless, she walked over to address the scene. "Hey there, Maria is it?" Maria immediately stopped her tirade, looked over at Ruby, and smiled. "Ah, there you are. These incompetents have been insisting that I can't meet you, my old friend." "Right. Why don't we talk about that somewhere else?" Ruby hoped to death that she said yes. "Of course. We need to start our duel, after all." Maria chuckled. "I may not be in my prime, but I still have a few things I can teach you, especially about your new enemies, the Three Nobles I think you called them?" That got Ruby's attention, and she followed Maria to the practice room.

...

It took Yang several hours of climbing, but she finally managed to find the temple Hazel mentioned. She had to admit, it looked way spookier than she was expecting, but considering that only the strongest signer would be worthy, it made sense for it to be intimidating. She went in, finding it to be pitch-black, not helped by the entrance sealing itself behind her. At first, Yang joked to herself that the trial to get the card would be to find her way through the dark, but the torches lighting themselves showed that this was not the case.

The inside had a stone floor with several stone columns, each bearing a torch. Opposite the entrance was an image of Quetzalcoatl, who Yang remembered Cinder once mentioned to be a possible incarnation or name of the Crimson Dragon. Just below the statue was a small red being, like a flame from a candle had assumed a vaguely human shape. "Welcome, signer. You've fallen into my trap most perfectly!" The spirit cackled maniacally.

"What are you talking about?" Yang demanded. "What's going on?" "You fool!" The spirit scoffed. "I possessed that failure of a dark signer to lure you here, to the prison of the mighty Crimson Devil!" "Crimson Devil?" "Yes, an Earthbound Immortal stronger than the others, so powerful that it took all five of the signer dragons just to take down, and the dark signers didn't dare release, out of fear. But now, with your sacrifice, he shall be unleashed, and destroy the Earth!" The spirit laughed again, but Yang readied her duel disk. "I won't let that happen. I can easily crush you!" This caused the spirit to laugh even harder. "Good. Your arrogance will make your demise all the sweeter."

...

"I didn't even know we still had one of these things." Ruby pondered as she entered the duel arena. "As one of this school's sponsors, I made certain that one was installed, so a frail little old lady like me could still duel into her elder years." Maria explained. "Wait, if you're a sponsor, why didn't you just say that earlier?" Ruby asked, which earned her head a good whacking from Maria's cane. "Because I shouldn't have to explain myself, that's why!" Maria shouted. "Now, why don't we start, shall we? You'll get the first turn."

Ruby drew, hoping that once this was all over, this cranky old woman would just go away. "I summon Thorn Lancer!" (Level 4/1700) "I set a card face-down and end my turn." "Oh, come on. Show me that cool-looking synchro monster you used, what was it? Crescent Rose, I think it was?" Ruby rolled her eyes. "Just make your move, old woman."

"Hey!" Maria snapped as she drew. "Who are you calling old? I mean, it's true, but you don't have to say it. Guess I have to make you take this duel seriously. I play the field spell Skele-HERO Cemetery!" Around the entire room, not just the duel arena, the scenery shifted to show what Ruby assumed was a pretty good guess of what Hell looked like. Gigantic bones acted as support beams, and several strange creatures hid in every corner of the new arena, looking on and giggling. "Did you think your little friend was the only one who could talk to spirits? No, Ruby Rose, this duel is just getting started!"

...

"I'll go first. I draw!" The Spirit announces as 5 stone tablets fall from the ceiling, with another coming down as he speaks. "I summon Abyss Kid in defense mode." One of the tablets turns over to show the monster card. A chubby ghoul wielding a giant fork and knife appears. (Level 1/0) "I set a card to end my turn." Another tablet moves itself so that it is facing the ground instead of the floor.

"I draw!" Yang declares. "I summon Alexandrite Dragon!" A dragon covered in beautiful gems, crystals, and rubies appears. (Level 4/2000) "Alexandrite Dragon, attack Abyss Kid!" The dragon lets loose a wave of rainbow energy, destroying the ghoul. "When Abyss Kid is destroyed, you take 800 damage." the Spirit taunts as a black ball of energy hits Yang. (Yang 4000-3200) "I set one card and end my turn."

"I draw!" The Spirit states. "I summon Abyss Boat Watchman!" A ghoul riding a boat, reminiscent of Charon, rides in. (Level 1/0) "Oh wait. I forgot!" The Spirit said in fake shock. "As long as Abyss Kid is in my graveyard, all my monsters are destroyed!" Abyss Kid rises from the graveyard, stabbing Abyss Boat Watchman with its knife. "But since Boat Watchman was destroyed, I can deal another 800 damage." Another black ball hits Yang. (Yang 3200-2400) "I then activate my Spirit Wave Barrier!" A wall of mirrors appears around the Spirit. "For the next 3 turns, when your monster attacks me directly, its attack will be negated and it will be destroyed. I end my turn."

Yang scoffs. "You think your little tricks scare me? I'll flatten you under my monsters. I draw! I summon Burning Muscle!" (Level 4/2000) "When Burning Muscle attacks, I can pay 300 life points," (Yang 2400-2100) "to destroy a spell or trap on your field!" Burning Muscle's fist lights on fire as it destroys the wall of mirrors. The Spirit retains its confidence. "I activate the effect of my Abyss Boat Watchman! When you declare a direct attack while it's in my graveyard, I can special summon another Abyss monster from my graveyard. Return, Abyss Kid!" (Level 1/0)

Yang thinks for a minute, but decides against caution. "Burning Muscle, destroy Abyss Kid!" The boxer pummels the ghoul, destroying it. "You're not very bright, are you? When Abyss Kid is destroyed, you take 800 damage!" (Yang 2100-1300) "But you can only use your effect once per turn. Alexandrite Dragon, attack directly!" The dragon fires a beam of rainbow energy.

"Guidance to the Abyss, activate!" The Spirit replies. "When you declare an attack while I have two or more Abyss monsters in my graveyard, I can summon another from my deck. I choose Abyss Guardian!" A ghoul carrying an axe appears. (Level 1/0) "Of course, my Abyss Kid will destroy it." The ghoul does as the Spirit predicts. "And Abyss Guardian's effect applies, dealing you 800 damage and ending the battle phase." (Yang 1300-500) "Hehe, looks like you're almost out of life points, you simplistic brute. I'll destroy you soon enough, and my master will be pleased."

...

Ruby starts to sweat, as the duel wasn't exactly going her way, which suited Maria just fine. "I bet you thought I was just some crazy old hag. But I'm the strongest crazy old hag you'll ever face! I banish Skele-HERO Reaper and Calaca Dancer from my graveyard! Contact Fusion! Appear, Skele-HERO Calaca Isabella!" A withered maiden appeared in a red dress, graceful and beautiful. (Level 8/2500) Ruby groaned as things would not be easy.

...

The spirit chuckles at Yang's misfortune. "You poor thing. Another mistake like that and you're done for. You're nothing like the duelist who sealed up Master. Now he was a real threat. He had the power of Burning Soul to help him seal the Crimson Devil in this temple. Compared to him, you're just a mindless brute playing hero. Tell you what, I'll pass my turn. Let's see you fail again!" Yang was about ready to throttle this annoying spirit, but she knew she had to tread carefully, as she was almost gone. "I draw! I summon Synchro Cannon!" A golem appears, carrying a giant gun. (Level 4/1000) "I tune my level 4 Alexandrite Dragon with my level 4 Synchro Cannon! As life inches ever closer to death, the heart beats stronger and stronger. Synchro summon! Celica Burst Dragon!" (Level 8/3000-6500)

"Oh, yes. Your signer dragon. A wonderful sacrifice." the Spirit remarked. "Such a pity. All that strength and yet, you can't use it." "Wanna bet?" Yang retorts. "Since Synchro Cannon was used for a synchro summon, it grants Celica its effect. Whenever it attacks, I can discard a tuner to deal 500 damage to you. Celica, attack directly with Heartbeat Burst!" A cannon appears in Celica's claw, which it fires, sending Mischief Ember hurtling towards the Spirit. (Spirit 4000-3500)

The Spirit wipes the damage off its shoulder. "How cute. You scratched me. I hope that's a good enough consolation as you are sent to Hell! Abyss Boat Watchman summons Abyss Guardian!" (Level 1/0) "Abyss Kid destroys Abyss Guardian!" The ghoul is skewered. "And Abyss Guardian deals 800 damage to you. So long, signer!" A ball of black energy hurtles towards Yang, who does not care.

"I activate my face-down, Tuner Shield! By sending a tuner from my deck to the graveyard, I can reduce the damage by that monster's attack points." The image of Dread Dragon appears as it blocks the damage. "I then activate my face-down, Nightmare Archfiends! By tributing a monster, I can summon 3 Nightmare Archfiend tokens to your side of the field." Burning Knuckle fades away as 3 malevolent silhouettes appear next to the Spirit. (Level 6/2000)

"But then, they won't be there long, will they?" Yang taunts as Abyss Kid destroys the three tokens. "And when a Nightmare Archfiend is destroyed, you take 800 damage for each one. (Spirit 3500-1100) The Spirit's smile fades. "You think you've won. You're nothing! A stepping stone for my master's return!" Yang chuckled. It was satisfying getting under this thing's skin.

"I draw!" The Spirit sees what it draws, and laughs. "Playtime is over. It's time to send you to the underworld! By banishing 3 Abyss monsters from my graveyard, I can summon Abyss Ruler Mictlancoatl from my hand!" A mighty red dragon with a long tail appears. (Level 10/3800) As the dragon appears, the temple starts to shake, and parts of the ceiling fall off. "What's happening?" Yang asks. "The master is almost here! It's time to sacrifice you. Once per turn, Abyss Ruler Mictlancoatl can destroy one card on the field and deal 600 damage to you. It's over!" The dragon fires a red blast from its mouth, wiping out Celica Burst Dragon. (Yang 500-0)

...

"Crescent Rose Dragon, destroy her Skele-HERO Calaca Isabella! Red Rose Flare!" The dragon fires through the dancer, wiping out the rest of Maria's life points. "Well, Miss Rose. This has been rather fun. Thank you for the wonderful game." The two shake hands, Ruby feeling transformed by the experience. "Thank you, Miss Calavera. I hope to face you again." "Oh, don't worry. I know for a fact that you will soon. Very soon." Ruby is left puzzled by that as Maria walks off, confident that the future is in good hands.

...

Yang lies on the floor, shaken by what has happened. She just lost. But she couldn't give up, not now, when everyone was counting on her. She got up, barely hanging on. "Oh, I admire your tenacity. Maybe you'll be possessed instead of killed, so you can have the pleasure of betraying your fellow signers." Several red tentacles burst through the walls. "You've failed, signer. It's time for you to die!" The tentacles all lurch towards her, ready to drag her into the underworld. Yang hears the cry of the Crimson Dragon as she is suddenly engulfed in a crimson flame, her signer mark glowing brighter than ever before. The tentacles are destroyed as they approach.

"What is this?" The Spirit cries. "Answer me!" Yang opens her now blazing eyes. "This is my Burning Soul! When my life points reach 0, I can synchro summon this card by banishing the materials from my field or graveyard! Crimson Devil, you tried to take me to use for your own power. It's time for a taste of your own medicine!" The remaining red energy in the room is pulled towards Yang, despite the Spirit's protests. "But your life points hit zero! This can't be happening!"

"I double tune my Celica Burst Dragon with my level 2 Dread Dragon and level 2 Mischief Ember!" All three monsters appear from the graveyard, the latter two bursting into rings of fire as they surround Celica Burst Dragon. "The approach of death only brings Life to its apex! Burn away the pain and proclaim your dominance! Synchro Summon! Appear, Celica Nova Dragon!" Celica's skin sheds, revealing raw flesh underneath, and it grows an extra pair of wings and claws. (Level 12/4000)

"The power of Burning Soul…" The spirit comments in fear and awe. "While Celica Nova Dragon is out, I can't lose the duel, and it gains Celica Burst Dragon's attack! Burning Survival!" (Celica Nova Dragon 4000-7000) "I draw!" As Yang drew, a wave of fire shot out from her, knocking the familiar off his feet. "Celica Nova Dragon, attack Abyss Ruler Mictlancoatl with Life-force Explosion!" Celica grabs Abyss Ruler and charges up red energy, releasing a great explosion that wipes out the Spirit. (Spirit 1100-0) The force of the explosion sends the temple crashing down on Yang.

...

Ruby was still thinking about her encounter with Maria as Yang entered the room, covered in bruises. "Yang! Are you okay?" She says as she runs to her sister. "I'm better than okay. In fact," Yang shows her new dragon. "We have a new way to beat those bastards." Ruby smiles as she hugs Yang, who returns the hug.