Chapter 25: Seasonal Blessings

The two duelists walked to their ends of the duel field, and activated their duel disks

"Let's Duel!" They declared, starting the duel.

Yugo: 4000 LP

Izumi: 4000 LP

Turn 1: Izumi

"Now, I'm sure you're a gentleman, so I'll take the first turn!" Izumi teased, starting her turn, "I summon my lovely Four Seasons – Stone Lynx in attack position! Unfortunately for me, since I don't control another specific monster, my Lynx's attack points are halved!" A grey lynx appeared on her field, shaking off some loose stones from its spine.

Four Seasons – Stone Lynx: Level 3, 1050 ATK

"Unfortunately, I cannot activate my monster's effect, but I set 2 cards face down and end my turn!" Izumi practically threw the cards into her duel disk, her tone of voice somewhat sing-song.

Turn 2: Yugo

"Very well! I draw! Since I don't control a monster, my Speedroid Terrortop is my perfect move! Then, I call upon Speedroid Taketomborg via its effect! Furthermore, I activate Terrortop's effect, adding my Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice from my deck to my hand, which I then summon!" Yugo quickly swarmed his field, a new 'Dice' monster among them.

Speedroid Taketomborg: Level 3, 1200 DEF

Speedroid Terrortop: Level 3, 1200 ATK

Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice: Level 3, Tuner, 300 ATK

"Now, could you tell me what my next move is?" He playfully asked,

"What? Tune your Die to your other monsters?" Izumi answered, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world,

"HA! You got it wrong! I tribute Taketomborg to add Speedroid CarTurbo who I can then special summon!" Yugo laughed as a new monster appeared on his field,

Speedroid CarTurbo: Level 3, Tuner, 1200 DEF

"NOW I tune some monsters together! I tune CarTurbo with Terrortop! Ride to victory! I Synchro Summon! Level 6, Hi-Speedroid Kendama!" A blue spike-like monster appeared, flying through the air.

Hi-Speedroid Kendama: Level 6, 2200 ATK

"Now I tune Tri-Eyed Dice and Kendama together! Brilliant light, come together and make some action! I Synchro Summon! Level 9, Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Figure!" A large action figure resembling Clear Wing Synchro Dragon emerged, although it was in a more humanoid form, which was certainly feminine,

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Figure: Level 9, 3000 ATK

"Now, Clear Wing Figure's effect activates! I can roll a die, then I can destroy that many cards on the field! So here's hoping for 2!" The die fell, landing not on the two that Yugo wanted, but a three, "Oh well, guess I can't show off Clear Wing's battle effect yet! I destroy all your cards!" As Izumi's card's exploded, she only smirked,

"Well, thank you! You triggered the effect of Four Seasons' Renewal. This trap card allows me to summon one monster from my extra deck, assuming it was destroyed by your card effect. The monster will be treated as summoned properly, but they must be a 'Four Seasons' monster. I call forth the mighty protector of animals who uses the earth to its strength! Come forth, Level 7, Four Seasons – Guardian Golem!" A mighty construct appeared on Izumi's field, pounding its fists against its chest.

Four Seasons – Guardian Golem: Level 7, 2400 ATK

"I then use its quick effect to add the Golden Armour equip spell to my hand."

"Dang, that's unexpected! Well, then I guess I CAN use the battle effect of my Clear Wing! ATTACK WITH CLEAR BLAST!" In a slight surprise, the arm of Yugo's monster unfurled into a cannon, and took aim at Guardian Golem.

"By banishing Protection of the Four Seasons from my graveyard, I can protect my monster!" Izumi declared,

"But you'll still take damage! Also, Clear Wing Figure's effect activates! Since she is battling a monster, I can double her attack points until the end of the battle phase, but in return, her original attack is halved! Cannon Augmentation!" Parts of Clear Wing moved around, reinforcing the cannon on her arm. When it hit, the blast engulfed Guardian Golem, but the monster didn't move. Izumi instinctually put her arms in a defensive 'x', forgetting for a moment that they weren't in a RSV duel.

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Figure: 3000 ATK - 6000 ATK - 1500 ATK

Izumi: 4000 LP - 400 LP

"You've really got me in a bind, huh?" Izumi teased,

"You think you can come back from this?" Yugo asked,

"Oh, I KNOW so!"

"Alright then, I end my turn!" Yugo declared.

Turn 3: Izumi

"Alright! Let the ritual begin! I activate the ritual spell Blessing of the Woods! This allows me to sacrifice Four Seasons – Winter Magician to ritual summon a level 7 monster! Mage that protects the forest alongside a dragon, show them the beauty of nature! I Ritual Summon! Level 7, Hanako, Mage of the Forest!" Izumi chanted as a copse of trees appeared, a female sorcerer appearing in the centre before turning into seven ghostly flames. The flames then moved to the edge of a ritual circle before combining into a different female, green and blue two major colours of her clothing, which was easy to move in, while also being defensive. A staff was held in her hand, which she twirled once before coming to a rest.

Four Seasons – Hanako, Mage of the Forest: Level 7, 2500 ATK

"Then, I activate Hanako's effect! By giving up my ability to attack for three turns, you cannot activate spells or traps, or their effects, unless you pay half your life points! Petal Lock!" A swarm of red and white petals swooped onto Yugo's field, occupying the spell and trap zones, along with the Pendulum Zones, "Then I use Golden Armour! By equipping it to Hanako, she gains 1000 attack points! And after that, I use her other effect to deal you damage equal to a quarter of all the attack and defence points on the field! Petal Burst!" Izumi smirked,

"WHAT?!" Yugo yelled as a swarm of golden petals was flung at him, while a set of gleaming armour appeared on the mage.

Hanako, Mage of the Forest: 2500 ATK - 3500 ATK

Yugo: 4000 LP - 250 LP

"WHAT WAS THAT!" Yugo shouted,

"Only a taste!" Izumi laughed; everyone's eyes wide, "I now end my turn, since I cannot attack."

Turn 4: Yugo

"A- All right then! I draw!" He declared,

"I activate Hanako's effect. It's a quick effect, after all, and since she has an equip spell equipped to her, I can use this effect twice per duel!" Izumi smiled,

"NO!" Yugo shouted but it was too late.

Yugo: 250 LP - 0 LP

Izumi Wins!

As the holograms disappeared, all of the other boys, bar Ren and Declan, had eyes that were practically popping out of their heads with the shock of how powerful Izumi's ritual monster had been, Declan and Lulu being impressed, and Ren indifferent.

"Congratulations," Declan said, breaking the silence, "That is a rather rare summoning method you used. Not many would, considering the material cost, and can I assume that you have other ritual monsters?"

"Yes, although I don't think I'll be using them for now." Izumi replied, sitting down on a flat piece of rubble,

"That was really impressive!" Lulu exclaimed, wandering over to Izumi, "My deck can deal serious damage, but I don't think I've seen anything like yours!"

"Thank you. This deck also holds a bit of sentimental value as well. Afterall, Ren and I built it the day before he became like he is." Izumi's hand unconsciously drifted to her wrist, rubbing the gem that sat on her bracelet,

"Oh." The mood was brought down slightly, but soon, it was brought up again, when Yugo, while doing some sprints for whatever reason when he tripped over a stone and caught himself at the last second, eliciting a few chuckles, which the Turbo Duelist took in stride.

What no one noticed, however, was how the bound Ren had stopped struggling against his bonds, and he seemed to be asleep again.

Approximately 3 minutes earlier (when Izumi summoned Hanako)

Behind a set of fuchsia eyes, something awoke. What? It thought, Where am I? Suddenly, its memories came rushing back, although everything in the most recent half-decade seemed like it was through a filter. The last thing it, no he, clearly remembered was a girl's warning voice, a small smile on her face, but now it was like he was no longer underwater, so-to-speak. Searching his mind, he found a second, much more intense presence. When he attempted to interact with it, he was violently rejected, and he realised he had little, if any control over his own body. He could find a single weakness, however, which was triggered when a girl, likely the one in his memories, activated an effect, and the hold weakened, and he slipped through. WHAT?! The second presence announced, HOW ARE YOU HERE? He couldn't answer. Finding a cognitive weak spot, conveniently where the metaphysical 'controls' of the mind were, he took back control, but knew it wouldn't last.

Izumi, please, wait for me. The symphony of my soul isn't over yet. I'll be back soon! And then he fell into unconsciousness again.

Fusion Dimension – Professor's Throne Room

Shaking the two cards in his hand to make the images clear, Leo called the Doktor to him. "Get rid of these two. They failed me, so their life energy isn't necessary." The Doktor gleefully took the cards from the Professor's hand, and swiftly tore them into shreds.

"A shame. Apollo and Diana were the proof that my parasites worked, if only in a capacity that guaranteed obedience. A further shame that we couldn't get one into the Synchro and Xyz girls yet." The Doktor admonished,

"Agreed. Then we may just have been able to succeed in Revival Zero without any interruptions. Could you fetch me the Kaiser? I have a mission for him. Also get Belladonna in here." Leo said, slightly disinterested,

"Very well, sire." The Doktor left, and fifteen minutes later, a man in a black, leather, longcoat, teal hair running down his back, roughly to the mid-point of it, and a girl, probably around 10 years of age, black hair reaching her shoulders. They both wore stoic expressions, and they respectfully took a knee when they approached the Professor.

"Zane 'Hell Kaiser' Truesdale and Carly Belladonna. I have a mission for the two of you. Some resistance in the Xyz Dimension are being rather, well, resilient, and, as such, two duelists of your calibres must be sent to take care of it. We are currently under the impression that seven active duelists reside in the hideout. One is known to use all the summoning methods, even Link, but not Ritual, one is theorised to be a Ritual duelist, one is an active Target, the Xyz one, and we have confirmation that a traitor is there as well. There are duelists skilled in every summoning method known, with many having two methods they can employ at least. Take the utmost care around the first two, as they are the biggest risk. One, as he is my son, the other because they are an unknown. Take care, as you are two of the strongest duelists we have left, following the Tyler Sisters and the Guardian's dismissals."

"It will be done, Professor. To confirm, eliminate everyone but the Target, whom we capture?" Truesdale asked, malicious glee in his yellow eyes.

"Yes. Be as swift as the defeats you will undoubtedly bring. Dismissed." Leo announced, letting the two go on to the Xyz Dimension to wreak havoc. "I will have you back, Ray." He said to no one in particular.

Next Chapter Preview: Leo has sent more hunters after the Lancers, and Izumi's dueling prowess was just revealed. Meanwhile, Rin learns all about the Cross-Dimensional plans of Leo Akaba. How will this play out?

Custom Cards (Oh boy!)

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Figure

WIND

Level 9

Warrior/Synchro/Effect

1 WIND Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner WIND Synchro monster(s)

If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can roll a six-sided die: Destroy cards on the field equal to its result. If this card battles, you can double this card's ATK until the end of the Battle Phase, but when this effect ends, half this card's original ATK.

3000 ATK/2500 DEF

Four Seasons - Stone Lynx

EARTH

Level 3

Beast, Effect

This card's original ATK and DEF are halved if you do not control a 'Four Seasons – [Monster not revealed]'. This card cannot attack directly while you control a 'Four Seasons – [Monster not revealed]'. These effects cannot be negated. If this card is summoned: You can Special Summon one 'Four Seasons - Stone Lynx' or a 'Four Seasons – [Monster not revealed]' from your GY. Once per turn: If this card attacks an opponent's monster: Double any battle damage taken.

2100 ATK/1500 DEF

Four Seasons - Guardian Golem

WIND

Level 7

Fiend, Synchro, Effect

1 'Four Seasons' Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner 'Four Seasons' monster(s)

Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can add an equip spell from your deck to your hand. Once per turn: You can reduce the ATK and DEF of all monsters your opponent controls to 0, until the end phase, but they take no battle damage this turn.

2400 ATK/2400 DEF

Four Seasons - Hanako, Mage of the Forest

LIGHT

Level 7

Spellcaster, Ritual, Effect

You can Ritual Summon this card with 'Blessing of the Woods'. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to a quarter of the combined ATK and DEF of all monsters on the field. You can activate this effect once per duel, but you can activate it twice if this card is equipped with an equip card. If this card is Ritual Summoned: You can make your opponent unable to activate Spell/Trap cards and their effects for three turns. You cannot attack while this effect is active.

2500 ATK/2700 DEF

Four Seasons - Winter Magician

WATER

Level 7

Spellcaster, Effect

Effect to be revealed.

ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000

Golden Armour

Equip Spell Card

The equipped monster gains 1000 ATK. This card cannot be targeted by card effects if it is equipped to a 'Four Seasons' monster.

Blessing of the Woods

Ritual Spell Card

This card can be used to ritual summon '!)*%$* : ():.%*" )*$;. ')." ' or any 'Four Seasons' Ritual monster. You must tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total levels equal to the summoned monster's. If the monster Ritual summoned by this effect you control is destroyed by battle or card effect while this card is in your GY: You can shuffle this card into your deck: Special Summon that destroyed monster, but banish it when it leaves the field.

Four Seasons' Renewal

Normal Trap Card

If this card is destroyed by an opponent's card effect and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon one 'Four Seasons' monster from your extra deck. You cannot summon monsters, nor activate spells/traps, except 'Four Seasons' cards. (This summon is treated as a proper summon).

Protection of the Four Seasons

Counter Trap Card

When your opponent activates a card or effect while you control a Spellcaster-type 'Four Seasons' monster: Negate that activation, and if you do, destroy that card. If a 'Four Seasons' monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect: You can banish this card instead. You can only use one effect of 'Protection of the Four Seasons' per turn.

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening or good night, depending on where you are from/when you are reading this! (I know that was too long, but sue me. Actually, on second thought, please don't, lol.). I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and we got to see Izumi duel against Yugo, who debuted a whole new Synchro monster! All of Izumi's monsters, as well as the spells used in this duel were developed by my lovely reader Aquatic Dragon (whom I shall now be referring to as 'Aqua' for brevity), while the traps are made by me. Regarding Izumi's deck, all the monsters are made by Aqua, and most of the spells/traps will be made by me. And before anyone asks, yeah, the deck, like Ren's, is rather strong and has good OTK potential. Anyways, onwards to reviews! (NOTE: Chapters will be specified when review was on any chapter except the previous one)

Paradox99 (Reviewed on Chapter 1) – Funnily enough, even before you reviewed with these suggestions, I already have plans for most of the duels, with Zuzu and Celina getting a redux at some point, as I am unhappy with the duel they already have. Also, I think your post-script was answered in the last segment, soooo.

naminexriku2468 (Reviewed on Chapter 23) – Hey, thanks for reviewing again! To answer your question, think of it like this: When the dimensions were created, the Original Dimension and all its people were annihilated. When the dimensions formed, people similar to the residents were created, but Zarc and Ray, and any DNA of theirs (Excluding Leo who's a special case) was prevented from fully reforming, which is part of the reason Ren and Izumi share names with, well, Ren and Izumi. Hope this helps!

Aqua – I just want to say that I hope that you liked my characterisation of Izumi in a duel. That gift is also very spicy and will certainly be interesting. Also, as much as I appreciate you looking out for my mental health, I welcome reviews like Paradox's. I know exactly where you are coming from, and for that I am grateful, but, well, yeah.

Anyways, thank you all for reading, and I'd like to close off on a small announcement. As of this week, Saturdays, AEDT (And later AEST) will become the standard update day. To my readers who celebrate it, Happy Thanksgiving, and to those who don't, happy 1-month-until-the-holiday-season I guess? See you all next week - NightWingBOI