Chapter 41: Fateful Duel Pt. 2


Where We Left Off: Yuya, Yuto, Yugo and Yuri have been confronted by Ren, who is possessed by Z-ARC and were forced to duel him. Currently, each of them has taken one turn, with Ren/Z-ARC taking the alternating turns.

Yuya, Yuto, Yuri, Yugo: All four still have 4000 LP, and they control Stargazer and Dragonpit Magicians in the Pendulum Zones (Scale 1 and Scale 8), and they also control Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon and Performapal Coin Dragon alongside four face-downs, the first two monsters they control with their attack and effects affected by Ren's Orcustrion. Yugo has the most cards left in his hand at 5, whereas Yuri only has 2 and Yuto has 1. Yuya doesn't have any cards left in his hand.

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon: Level 7, 0 ATK (Effects Negated)

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: Rank 4, 0 ATK, 0 ORU (Effects Negated)

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon: Level 7, 3000 ATK

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: Level 8, 3300 ATK

Performapal Coin Dragon: Level 4, 1800 ATK

Ren/Z-ARC: He only has 250 LP left, and he controls Orcustrion in his Extra Monster Zone, Galatea the Orcust Automaton, Girsu the Orcust Mekk-Knight and Orcust Cymbal Skeleton. He also controls the Field Spell Orcustrated Babel and the Continuous Spell Orcustrated Einsatz. Ren's hand is currently empty.

Orcustrion: LINK-4, 3000 ATK, Top, Top-Right, Bottom and Bottom-Left Arrows.

Galatea the Orcust Automaton: LINK-2, 1800 ATK, Top-Right and Bottom-Left Arrows

Girsu the Orcust Mekk-Knight: Level 4, 0 DEF

Orcust Cymbal Skeleton: Level 2, 1500 DEF

It is currently Ren/Z-ARC's turn.


At the Same Time as the Last Scene of Last Chapter

Izumi ran through the same-looking halls of the Academy, desperately looking for Ren. Ever since he'd escaped upon their infiltration, Izumi had been very concerned. She had known that recent events had vastly destabilised her friend, the 'episodes' as she called them becoming far more frequent. She knew that he was suffering, but she didn't know how to help. Suddenly, after rounding yet another corner that looked identical to all the others, she heard several deep roars echo through the halls. One of the cards in her duel disk them sent out its own roar, although only she could hear it. "You don't think that's them, do you?" She asked it, receiving a series of growls in response, "Ah, so your siblings are involved? Yeah, that does complicate matters. You don't think we'd be able to intervene? Not successfully? Well, that sucks." Izumi let out a slight groan, thinking for a moment. "We do need to get there. We don't know what we'll achieve if we don't try!" And she took off towards the sound of the roars.


The Duel

Yuya, Yuto, Yuri, Yugo: 4000 LP (x4)

Ren/Z-ARC: 250 LP

Turn 9: Ren/Z-ARC

"Oh, that was nice indeed. It is good to see you all giving me some semblance of a challenge. I draw! Hmm. It seems I've been playing a bit too nice. It's a shame, really. I was just starting to have some fun! I now build the overlay network using Galatea!" Z-ARC declared,

"An Xyz Summon with a Link monster?" The four boys simultaneously asked,

"This card can be summoned by using a single 'Orcust' Link monster instead! Ningirsu, take on the final form of Babel and claim victory against the foolish opposition preventing your final success! I Xyz Summon! Behold the Ascent of Rank 8, Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star!" Z-ARC chanted as the Xyz Portal exploded with power, a massive, centaur-like creature emerged, wielding a lance that made the World Lance card he'd summoned earlier look tiny.

Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star: Rank 8, 2600 ATK, 1 ORU

"Dingirsu's effect now activates. When it is special summoned, I can immediately send any card you control to the graveyard! I send your Coin Dragon, so say goodbye to your monster's protection!" Z-ARC laughed as the smallest of the five dragons disappeared, much to the boy's chagrin, "Next, I play a spell! Orcustrated Nightmare! You may control your dragons, but one of you still has mine! I can now look at every Extra Deck in the duel and add one card to mine own! I add Corrupting Tail Link Dragon! Furthermore, I can banish this card to summon one monster from my graveyard, so return, "World Lance"! The only condition is that its attack and defence become zero, and its effects are negated. But that isn't an issue! I now open the circuit of my soul! The summoning conditions are two or more monsters, so I set Orcustrion, Girsu, Cymbal Skeleton and the "World Lance" in the Link Arrows! Born from the chaos of the data of this world, be humbled by the presence of this majestic beast! Behold! The melody of my soul! LINK-4, Corrupting Tail Link Dragon!" Z-ARC chanted once more as the dragon appeared, roaring and causing the four boys opposing him to have a slightly more intense headache.

With Izumi

Izumi was getting closer to where she believed the roar to have come from when yet another rang out, this one immediately recognisable, "Corrupting Tail… Rgh, well, that's yet another reason to get there as fast as possible!" Starting to run again she headed ever closer.

The Duel

"Now, let's battle! Corrupting Tail attacks Clear Wing! Now I activate Corrupting Tail's effect. This allows me to give it half Dingirsu's attack points since it is battling a monster next to its link! Corruption Overload!" A stream of data emerged from the dragon as it took Dingirsu's lance, brandishing the weapon in its mouth, it charged at Clear Wing, destroying the dragon.

Yugo: 4000 LP - 2700 LP

"How DARE you!" the four boys exclaimed as Yugo's life points dropped, their eyes fading back to normal,

"And that's not all! Dingirsu attacks Dark Rebellion with Orchestral Finale!" Catching the lance that was tossed back to it, the centaur-like creature charged at Yuto's dragon, the eyes of the boys going wide as it hit, evaporating the Dark Dragon,

Yuto: 4000 LP - 1400 LP

"And I'm still not done! I activate the effect of Corrupting Tail! I can destroy a monster next to its link to destroy a monster you control! I destroy Starving Venom Fusion Dragon as well as Dingirsu." As the dragon roared, Yuri let out a laugh,

"You've spelt your own doom, you know? When Starving Venom is destroyed, I can destroy every monster you control and deal you damage equal to their attack points!"

"That would be if they were indeed destroyed. I use Dingirsu's effect. I detach one overlay unit to prevent any 'Orcust' monsters, or Link monsters pointing to it, from being destroyed by a method of my choosing this turn. And that method is card effect!" Z-ARC laughed,

"NO!" Yuri cried as Starving Venom wilted before being destroyed.

Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star: 1 ORU - 0 ORU

"And with that, I end my turn." Z-ARC smirked.

Turn 10: Yuya

"I draw!" Yuya declared, his eyes narrow, "Now, swing far Pendulum, carve the arc of victory! I Pendulum Summon! Dragonpulse Magician, appear!" Yuya summoned the counterpart of one of the magicians in his Pendulum Scale, the monster taking on a defensive position, "Now I change Odd-Eyes to defence mode and end my turn."

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon: 0 ATK - 2000 DEF

Dragonpulse Magician: Level 4, 900 DEF

Turn 11: Ren/Z-ARC

"You are just delaying the inevitable. I draw. I now banish Cymbal Skeleton from my graveyard to use its effect. This allows me to revive Girsu, the Orcust Mekk-Knight. Then I can send a copy of Orcust Knightmare to my graveyard. I now banish Knightmare, targeting Dingirsu. This allows me to send a copy of the "World Wand" to the grave and gives Dingirsu an extra 800 attack points. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that Girsu is treated as a tuner since there are two other cards in his column?" Z-ARC taunted,

"A tuner? Why?" Yuya asked,

"You'll see! I now banish a copy of "World Wand" to revive Cymbal Skeleton, then I normal summon Brass Bombard! Level four Girsu tunes level one Brass Bombard! Created from the rebirth of hope itself, be reborn into this world of strife! I Synchro Summon! Level 5, Ib, the World Chalice Justiciar! And now with her ability, I add the "World Shield" to my hand. Now, let's battle! Corrupting Tail Link Dragon! Attack Odd-Eyes! Corrupting Demise!" The dragon unleashed a ferocious blast and Yuya was sent flying.

"Now, finish Yuto off, Ib! Justice is Served!" Z-ARC laughed as Yuto quickly activated two of his face downs,

"I activate The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring and The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace! This negates Ib's attack, reduces Dingirsu's attack by 600 points and summons them as monsters, Magnetring in attack mode and Vambrace in defence. Oh yeah, you also can't destroy them this turn!"

"I can still finish you off! Dingirsu! Attack Magnetring and end Yuto's duel!"

"I activate my face down! Super Polymerisation! I discard a card, and in return, I can Fusion Summon using any monsters on the field! I fuse Magnetring with Lost Vambrace and Corrupting Tail!" Yuri declared,

"WHAT?" Z-ARC growled,

"Predator dragon, rise up and poison the source of all evil! I Fusion Summon! Predaplant Triphyoverutum!" Yuri chanted, a yellow, three-headed dragon appearing in the place of their monsters.

"You little! It doesn't matter! I'll still take you all down! I end my turn."

Turn 12: Yuto

"We will defeat you, Z-ARC. That's just the way things are, aren't they? I set a monster then, I banish Silent Boots to add a copy of Phantom Knights Fog Blade to my hand, and Ancient Cloak for a copy of Phantom Knights Wing. I set two cards and end my turn!"

Turn 13: Ren/Z-ARC

A weak turn befitting a weak fragment! I banish Cymbal Skeleton to activate its effect! I now summon back Orcustrion! Go, Orcustrion! Attack Triphyoverutum!"

"Going for mutual destruction are we?" Yuri inquired,

"Well too bad he won't get it! I activate Phantom Knights Wing! This trap gives Yuri's monster an extra five-hundred attack points."

"NO! I discard Dark Honest to use its effect! Your monster loses attack points equal to its own!"

"Wing prevents the destruction, and it will still gain the five-hundred as Dark Honest is Chain Link 2!"

"But that never has prevented damage, has it?"

"Yes it hasn't." Yuto sadly admitted as Yuri braced against the impact.

Yuri: 4000 LP - 1500 LP

"Now finish Yuri off, Dingirsu!"

"Phantom Knights Fog Blade activates! This prevents Dingirsu from using its effects, furthermore, it cannot attack nor change its battle position, but we cannot attack it." Yuto declared,

"Then in my second main phase, I banish the "World Wand" to use its effect. This summons Cymbal Skeleton back, and now I open the circuit of my resurrection! The summoning conditions are at least two effect monsters, one of which being an 'Orcust', so I use all three of my monsters! Music that packs a powerful explosion with every strike, make even more symphonies with your fellows! I LINK Summon! Arise, LINK-3, Osamu, the Great Orcust Explosive Child! And this monster packs a powerful punch! When it is summoned, I can immediately destroy the monster on the field with the highest attack points, and guess which one that is?" Z-ARC leered,

"No!" Yuri cried as the young child that had appeared on Z-ARC's field pulled out an explosive larger than its own head and flung it at the dragon, slaying it instantly,

"Now I end my turn!" Z-ARC laughed, the four losing a bit of their hope.

Osamu, the Great Orcust Explosive Child: LINK-3, 2900 ATK, Right, Bottom and Top arrows

Turn 14: Yuri

"There is still a chance!" Yuri exclaimed, starting his turn, "I shall set this monster, and let you go again, as much as it pains me."

Turn 15: Ren/Z-ARC

"Is that seriously all you have? I activate the effect of Cymbal Skeleton to resurrect my Orcustrion once again! Now, Osamu, attack Yuri's face-down!" The monster was destroyed, revealing a monster that was red and yellow, "And Orcustrion? Destroy that other meddling monster! I now end my turn!"

The four looked on in slight shock at how dominant Z-ARC was being in the duel. He'd constantly been dismantling their fields with only the slightest bit of effort, and while his life points were on their last dregs, it was looking more and more unlikely that they'd win.

Turn 16: Yugo

"It's my turn! And I'll use the pendulum scale set by Yuya! I Pendulum Summon! Arise! Speedroids Taketomborg, Skull Marbles, CarTurbo and Double Yoyo! I now Normal Summon Red-Eyed Dice, who's ability changes Skull Marbles' level to two! Now, level 1 Red-Eyed Dice tunes level 2 Skull Marbles. I Synchro Summon! Level 3, Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter! Cork Shooter then can summon back all its material! This then allows me to use Red-Eyed Dice's effect again, changing Skull Marbles to a level 5! Red-Eyed Dice tunes the level 5 Skull Marbles! Level 6, Hi-Speedroid Kendama, say hello! Next, Level 3 Cork Shooter tunes Level 6 Kendama! Clear Wing is reborn in a new form you see? Say hello to level 9 Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Figure!"

"I activate Orcustrated Einsatz upon your summon! This sends Harp Horror to the grave." Z-ARC announced,

"Now, I activate Clear Wing's effect! This allows me to roll a die and destroy a number of cards equal to the result!" As the die tumbled on the field, Z-ARC felt himself tense. Why am I afraid? Z-ARC realised, No, I have no reason to! The fool would need only a two or higher!"Aww… It's only a one, but that's fine!" Yugo declared, seeing the result, "Say goodbye to Orcustrion!" The organ exploded as Yugo cheered himself,

"Now, let's battle!"

"I activate Harp Horror's effect! I banish it to summon a Brass Bombard from my deck next to Osamu's link!"

"And what good will that do you? Clear Wing can still defeat you! Using her ability, she doubles her attack points! End this with Chromatic Destruction!"

"HAHAHA!" Z-ARC laughed, "Osamu's effect activates. It currently points to an 'Orcust' monster, so once per turn, should it be attacked, your monster is destroyed, and you take damage equal to its attack points! Explosion of the Ages!"

"YUGO!" Yuya screamed, as Yuri and Yuto both let out a 'No!' and Yugo's eyes went wide as a large bomb was thrown at his monster, destroying it and the shrapnel hit him, causing him to be thrown back, hitting the floor as the life point counter hit zero and all the cards he'd placed on the field were destroyed.

Yugo: 2700 LP - 0 LP

Strangely, when Yugo hit the floor, he started to glow the same green/white that his eyes did when enraged and he disappeared, Z-ARC howling with laughter.

"One down, three to go."

Turn 17: Ren/Z-ARC

"I hope the rest of you are ready! I draw! Heheh. Yuuutoooo~, you're next! Osamu! End Yuto!"

"NO!" Yuto cried as the bomb hit him and he also disappeared.

Yuto: 1400 LP - 0 LP

"And Yuri? I think that you'll find you're next! I end my turn." Z-ARC smirked, his expression dark.

Turn 18: Yuri

"I draw! I now activate the effect of the Predaplant Cordeceps that was sent to the graveyard a few turns back. During my standby phase I can banish it to summon Darlingtonia and Ophrys Scorpio. Darlingtonia then adds a copy of Polymerisation to my hand, which I now activate! I fuse my two monsters! I Fusion Summon! Predaplant Chimerafflesia! Then, I play a second Polymerisation! This allows me to fuse Chimerafflesia with the Bylisp in my hand! Predator dragon be born from the ashes of your fallen fellows! I Fusion Summon! Predaplant Dragostapellia! Dragonsapellia then uses its effect, giving Osamu a Predator Counter, which negates its effect!"

"Good work. A shame though. I will simply finish you just as easily on my next turn."

"You don't know that! I end my turn!" Yuri shouted, his eyes blazing with determination,

Turn 19: Ren/Z-ARC

"And this is where the greats all fall! Open, the circuit of my true resurrection! The summoning conditions are a simple two monsters, including an 'Orcust', so say goodbye to Osamu and Brass Bombard! The beautiful sound of this swordsman's blade shall leave you in awe! I Link Summon, LINK-4, Rhythm, the Orcust Flute Blade!" Emerging from the portal was a majestic monster who had a light smirk as its blade gleamed in the light.

Rhythm, the Orcust Flute Blade: LINK-4, 3500 ATK, Up, Down, Left, Right arrows

"Rhythm's effect now activates. Since it was Link Summoned, I can destroy Dragostapellia!"

"Dragostapellia's effect is a quick effect, so I chain it!" Yuri declared,

"Good! Now go, attack with Blade of the Winds!" Z-ARC demanded of his monster who gave a nod and swiped at the dragon, slaying it.

Yuri: 1500 LP - 800 LP

"Next, Brass Bombard's effect, which is a quick effect thanks to my Babel. I banish it to summon a copy of Girsu from my hand! Now attack Yuri directly and bring me one step away from completion!"

"WHAT?! No! This can't be!" Yuri pleaded as the lance of the monster hit him, defeating him.

Yuri: 800 LP - 0 LP

As Yuri disappeared, tears started to spill from Yuya's eyes, "Why?! Why would you!? They've done nothing!"

"They may have. But they are still part of me, are they not? And it is my purpose to take them back."

"They aren't just you! They're their own people. People who are loved. People who love. But I suppose your revenge is too important to consider that, isn't it?" Yuya asked bitterly,

"They are mere facsimiles of myself. Why would I? But go ahead. The last turn awaits you."

Turn 20: Yuya

"Very well! I draw!" Yuya saw he card he'd drawn, and his eyes went wide, "I activate my face-down, Pendulum Reborn. This allows me to resurrect Coin Dragon from my graveyard! Next, I Pendulum Summon! Return from the Extra Deck, Odd-Eyes!" The dragon reappeared next to the Link of Z-ARC's monster, causing him to smirk,

"I activate Rhythm's effect! Since there is an 'Orcust' monster next to its Link, as well as a monster you control, take 1500 damage!"

"WHAT?!" Yuya exclaimed as a buffet of wind hit him.

Yuya: 4000 LP - 2500 LP

"I activate the spell card Performance Duplication! I can now summon a second copy of any 'Performapal' on my field! Kaching and do your thing, Performapal Coin Dragon! Now, I overlay my Coin Dragons!" Strangely, the overlay network didn't appear, much to Yuya's confusion, "What? Why can't I summon Dark Rebellion?"

"You forget. I have reclaimed the Dragon. As such, its authority belongs to me alone now!"

"Rgh." Yuya grunted. He'd summoned all his monsters in defence mode as he hadn't been expecting an opportunity to attack. His eyes suddenly widened upon a realisation, "I… lose." He muttered, Z-ARC hearing,

"Why yes you do. I assume you figured out what I can do, so go ahead. End. Your. Turn."

"I… end my turn." Yuya sighed.

Turn 21: Ren/Z-ARC

"I activate Rhythm's effect." Z-ARC smirked,

Yuya: 2500 LP - 1000 LP

"Now, I end my turn."

Turn 22: Yuya

"Before you finish me, what is it you plan to do, exactly? I mean, why? In every world you ended up with Ray's fragment in one way or another! I know both Yuto and Yugo had a thing for 'their' ones, and I guess I do like Zuzu in that way as well, so why must you get in the way of the happiness you once had?" Yuya asked,

"Ah, you're mistaken. It was the weak, selfish old me that cared for Ray. I don't at all. She could very well appear before me and proclaim her love for me, but that wouldn't change a thing. Now, are you done with your useless prattling?" Z-ARC leered,

"Just… Finish me off." Yuya said, closing his eyes,

"Very well. Rhythm! Make me whole once more!" As the winds rang out, the sound of frantic footfalls could be heard, and as Yuya faded away, he saw Izumi appear, her eyes wide.

Yuya: 1000 LP - 0 LP

Ren/Z-ARC WINS

"Ren! What just happened?!" Izumi exclaimed,

"Speak of the devil and it seems she appears." Z-ARC growled, his eyes now flashing the different colours of the dimensions, "I'm afraid you're too late. I have become whole again! And you can't stop me." He declared, holding out his duel disk,

"NO!" Izumi shouted, pulling a card from her deck,

"Astrograph Magician, return and fulfil my demand!" The Magician loyally appeared, bowing before Z-ARC, "Unify myself and my dragon right this moment. Bring the four worlds back together!"

"Yes, My Lord." The Magician spoke before raising its staff and Izumi watched as her duel disk deactivated a moment before she could place the card on the blade, and 5 cards flew from Z-ARC's deck.

"Master of Space, combine us into our true form! Cast aside this useless body and ascend to a new plane of existence!" Z-ARC chanted before being turned into golden energy, as well as the Magician and they swirled in the staff for a few moments, the cards as well, before it exploded with energy, and Izumi heard only a deep, fear inspiring roar rip across the dimensions.


Throne Room

Hearing the roar, Leo's eyes widened, the ARC-V reactor strangely activating, "We're too late." He simply stated, and Declan gained a frown before getting up,

"I am going to rally my men. I suggest you do the same." He said, sweeping out of the room,

"I think you may be a bit over your head, my son." Leo whispered as he started a quick diagnostic of the reactor.


Next Chapter Preview: Despair; For the Supreme King has returned.


Custom Cards

Orcustrated Nightmare

Normal Spell Card

Look at one opponent's Extra Deck and target one card; Add that target to your own Extra Deck. You can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon one 'World Legacy' or 'Orcust' monster from your GY to your field, but reduce its ATK and DEF to 0 and negate its effects. You can only use each effect of 'Orcustrated Nightmare' once per turn.

Performance Duplication

Normal Spell Card

Target one level 4 or lower 'Performapal' monster you control; Special Summon one monster with the same name from your Deck or face-up from your Extra Deck. A Pendulum monster summoned by this effect is sent to the GY when it leaves the field.

The following two monsters were created by the lovely Aqua!

Osamu, the Great Orcust Explosive Child

DARK

LINK-3

Machine, Link, Effect

Up, Down, Right arrows

2+ Effect monsters, including an 'Orcust' monster

If this card is Link Summoned: Destroy the monster your opponent controls with the highest ATK (Your choice if tied). If an opponent's monster attacks this card while it points to an 'Orcust' monster: You can destroy that monster, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the ATK of that destroyed monster. You can only activate each effect of 'Osamu, the Great Orcust Explosive Child' once per turn.

2900 ATK

Rhythm, the Orcust Flute Blade

DARK

LINK-4

Machine, Link, Effect

Up, Down, Left, Right arrows

2+ Effect monsters, including an 'Orcust' monster.

If this card is Summoned (Quick Effect): You can destroy the monster your opponent controls with the highest level, rank, or LINK rating (Your choice if tied). If this card points to both an 'Orcust' monster you control and a monster your opponent controls: You can deal 1500 damage to your opponent. You can only activate each effect of 'Rhythm, the Orcust Flute Blade' once per turn.

3500 ATK


Hey all! Thank you for reading this chapter! *Quickly looks at the A/N from last chapter* Oh. This one is quite late, but I assure you that I really didn't mean it. Homework was just swamping me down, and as a result this chapter ended up nearly a week late. I am so sorry!

Anyways, to answer reviews from last chapter:

Yuzu Kurosaki: Thank you for your review! I also wholeheartedly agree! I could understand the Link hate before the Master Rule revision, as it did basically kill any non-Link focused deck, but in the current metagame, I really don't understand the hate as well.

Mateo Arias: Thank you for your review as well! Yeah, chapter length does vary wildly, as it does depend on what I was feeling like when I was writing the chapters, like for example, the four Original Dimension chapters total to around 14k words excluding A/Ns, but the previous four are a full 4k shorter. But yeah, I guess you'll have to wait and see for the second one. I do hope that the secondary characters do end up doing something more, but even I'll have to wait and see.

naminexriku: Firstly, welcome back to the review section! It's been a hot minute since I've had one of your reviews to answer, so let's get into it! Now, I think you may be misinterpreting what Leo is saying, but he's just saying that he doesn't perceive any cost as being too high as he knows well what Zarc is capable of. You do need to remember that the world had practically been destroyed when Zarc was defeated, so he does have good reason to seemingly overreact to the threat that Zarc poses. But regardless, I hope you've enjoyed and it is great to see you reviewing again!

Aqua: Sorry to do that, but a writer has to create tension somehow, don't they? Anyway, I hope the rest of the duel was as enjoyable, and I hope you're looking forward to what's to come! I do also hope you're feeling better now.

No update tomorrow (when there would usually be an update) but expect the first part of the finale next week! How many chapters will it be? Like I'd tell lol. But do look forward to the Battle of Supremacy, coming relatively soon to a FanFic hosting site near you! – NightWingBOI

P.S. Oh yeah, forgot to mention it, but relatively recently we surpassed the word count of the freaking Hobbit! According to Google, it has ~95-96k words, but this fic has a whopping 108k words as of the publication of this chapter! Also, the fic currently has ~20.3k views, so thank you all so much for your continued support, and I'll see you all next time!