"Damn! All of this searching and we still can't find Sayaka!" Shun cursed under his breath as he and Yuto ran throughout the ruins of their home.
"Don't worry, Shun. We will find her!" Yuto assured his friend with a nod as he looked at the wrecked buildings for any hint of Sayaka should she be hiding from any soldiers.
"I know, but…" Shun trailed off with a drop of sweat falling down his face. "I cannot help but feel responsible for Sayaka's rash actions."
"Huh?" Yuto glanced at his friend with brief confusion before it hit him. "Oh…"
"Sayaka is probably still feeling guilty for Ruri's capture." Shun said with a look of regret. "She feels responsible for nearly everything bad that happens, even when it isn't her fault."
"That's just how kind of a person she is." Yuto stated with a resolute tone. "Shun, you can't blame yourself for what Sayaka did. If anything, you're not the only one who is at fault. We also failed to protect Ruri, and we all were too caught up with Kaito's situation to see how Sayaka was suffering. We should have been there for our friend. It's what the Resistance does! If we never left home, then we could have defended it when Academia came back. Maybe Kaito's family would have…"
The two of them ran in silence as Yuto trailed off. He didn't need to finish the thought. The two of them have been thinking about it for a while now, ever since they saw Kaito's state.
"I…" Yuto whispered with determined eyes. "...will find a way to get everyone back! There just has to be a way to turn them back! I'll save the smiles that we lost that day. I'll bring them back!"
"Yuto…" Shun murmured as he looked at his friend with a skeptical expression. "You've really taken Yuya and his father's beliefs to heart."
"I heard Ruri saying those words some time before she got kidnapped." Yuto said with sad eyes as he reminisced on the time. "Dueling was meant for bringing smiles, not taking them. She said that. Yuya reminded me of that goal."
"But even still," Shun spoke up, sensing the conflict buried within his friend. "You, at your core, want to destroy-"
BOOM!
Before he could finish, Shun and Yuto heard a loud explosion coming from somewhere to their left. Immediately forgetting about their current conversation, the two Xyz Duelists quickened their pace. That could have been Sayaka, or anyone who went out looking for her…or even Kaito…
Turning the corner of a tattered building, they saw Allen and Sayaka nearly unconscious on the ground, beaten and dirty. Moments later, Sawatari and Gongenzaka's bodies crashed to the ground next to them. Slowly, two female Duelists walked up to their bodies, one of them holding up their Duel Disks in a position that they were all too familiar with.
No! Like hell he was letting this happen!
"HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE!" Yuto bellowed at the top of his lungs, gaining the attention of the two female Duelists. Gongenzaka, Sawatari, Allen, and Sayaka slowly turned their heads to see Yuto and Shun running to their rescue.
The female Duelists jumped backwards as to distance themselves from the new threat, looks of anticipation on both of their faces.
"Yuto…Kurosaki…" Gongenzaka groaned as the two ran in front of their bodies.
"Look at this, new challengers, Grace." Gloria Tyler said aloud to her partner.
"I hope they give us what we're looking for." Grace replied.
Yuto and Shun glanced behind them as they heard a small yet distinct sound of speech. Allen, still on the ground, had his head raised up slightly so that he could properly communicate with his friends.
"A-Amazoness…" Allen croaked weakly, his head dropping to the ground once again.
"Tyler…Sisters…" Sayaka's voice followed as loud as she could, but it only amounted to a whisper, though her words still caught their ear.
Yuto and Kurosaki both looked forward to their two opponents with concerned eyes. They had already been informed about the fate of the Spade Branch at the hands of the Tyler Sisters. They were fully aware of the fate that many of their remaining comrades had suffered because of these two Duelists alone.
Quickly, Shun regained his composure, his gaze hardening with an ironclad stare. It's them…
At that moment, any trace of surprised was erased from Yuto and Shun's face. Rather, the only emotion that could be found on their face was pure, unadulterated, rage towards their enemies.
"Oh?" Grace voiced with a smile. Her lips curled back so far that they couldn't go any further. The excitement boiled inside of her as she awaited the challenge. She stretched out her arms to the sides, seemingly basking in some sort of self-supplied glory. Her insides were enriched with satisfaction as she took in the looks on the newcomers' faces. "Look at that, Sis. Unlike the other two, these people seem to know us."
A grin appeared on Gloria's face in response. A grin that made Shun immediately want to walk up to her and wipe it right off.
"Seems like these two are Resistance members who were too scared to fight us and fled."
Shun opened his mouth to speak, but before he could even utter a word, he heard Yuto's voice seething with anger.
"Shut up!" Taking a step forward, Yuto raised his angry voice, feeling veins pumping out of his forehead as the blood set his insides on fire. "At that time, we were acting on our own. If we were there, you wouldn't have Carded even close to the amount of our comrades that you did!"
"You must think very highly of yourself if you think you could have saved them." Grace said, the smile from her face not fading.
"You overestimate yourself." Gloria stated. Her grin grew, "If you're anything like your comrades, then I'm sorry to say that you would not have made a difference at all."
"Why you!" Yuto shouted, his heartbeat resounding in his ears as he felt a sharp, quick pain in his chest. He completely shoved the pain to the side as he felt a rush of adrenaline pulsing through his veins. Unbeknownst to him, his eyes flickered a ferocious blue for a brief before disappearing without a trace.
Shun would have told his friend to calm down, but he had no right to say anything whatsoever. After all, he felt the exact same way at the moment.
"The others may have failed…" Shun started, a vibrant blue blade extending out from his Duel Disk. "...but we will not!"
"That's right!" Yuto declared in agreement, choosing to focus his rage for the moment. He had to do his best to remember the consequences of letting his anger out of control. He did not want what happened in the Synchro Dimension to happen again. "We will avenge our comrades!"
With that, Yuto's Duel Disk switched on, a purple blade protruding out of his Duel Disk and splitting. Accepting their challenge, Grace and Gloria followed suit, activating their Academia-issued Duel Disks.
Just then, the Lancers Field Magic activates, appearing on the Duel Disk of all four Duelists as a robotic voice spoke aloud.
Field Magic: Crossover!
Yellow particles enveloped the area around them, changing the environment to a blue hue as light blue platforms appeared scattered throughout the arena. A jumble of Cards appeared in the middle, which caused Gloria to surmise that the recent change was an Action Field. These two…were Lancers like the last two people that they faced.
"A Tag Duel is fine, right? The Field, Life, and Graveyard are shared between two players." Grace announced.
Shared Graveyard…Yuto noted. From Yuya's memories, he recalled that Gongenzaka's Deck revolved around having no Magic or Trap Cards in the Graveyard. A Tag Duel with those rules…It's a complete disadvantage!
He glanced at Shun, a recent memory popping into his head. He reached into his one of the Deck compartments on his belt. Lightly prying it open, Yuto reached inside and retrieved its contents, the words exchanged between him and Yuya at that moment still ever present in his head.
"It was the last batch of Phantom Knights Cards released before Academia attacked."
"Shun." Yuto said, gaining his friend's attention as he spread out the Cards within his Hand for Shun to see. The Raidraptors user's momentarily widened.
"You…managed to get those Cards?" He mumbled. An amused sound escaped his lips. "Very well, then. I suppose I'll take the Cards I wanted." Grabbing the desired Cards, Shun inserted the new Cards into his Deck, which automatically shuffled itself as a result.
"Support for both Raid Raptors and Phantom Knights?"
"Let's do this, Yuto!"
"That was my exact reaction."
"Yeah!" Yuto exclaimed resolutely as he and Shun stared down the Tyler Twins.
For the sake of their fallen comrades…for the sake of Allen, Sayaka, Gongenzaka, Sawatari, and the rest of their comrades that were still alive…
They were not going to lose.
"DUEL!"
In Another Area of Heartland
"Any sign of Allen or Sayaka?" Yuya asked his companion, Serena, as they met up after splitting up to cover a little more ground.
"No." Serena stated flatly, refusing to look at Yuya in the eyes, turning away with a frustrated expression on her face.
Yuya frowned seeing the look on her face. Perhaps it was because she bore such a similar resemblance to Yuzu, who he was dearly missing at the moment. Despite being in the same group for a while now, he hasn't really interacted with Serena at all.
Even still, whenever Yuzu wore a face like that along with trying to remain distant from him, it usually meant that he did something, or didn't do something, that disappointed her. Now, just because they had the same face didn't mean they acted the same. That was far from the truth.
But the mannerism along with the look on her face, Yuya couldn't help but say something.
"What did I do?" Yuya questioned with a pointed gaze.
Serena blinked, confused. "Huh?"
"Don't give me that." Yuya said with a raised eyebrow. "Your personalities may be different, but you and Yuzu show your emotions in similar ways. You're upset with me for some reason and I'm asking why. What did I do?"
Serena turned to him, her face wearing confusion, anger, and sheer annoyance. "It's not what you did. It's what you didn't do."
"What are you talking about?" Yuya asked with confusion. A flash of what seemed to be frustration or exasperation appeared in Serena's eyes.
With a sigh, the former Academia Duelist clarified. "Before Allen ran off! He insulted both you and your father and you just stood there and did nothing!"
Yuya's eyes furrowed out of annoyance. He really did not want to do this right now with Serena of all people. "And what about it?"
"What about it?!" Serena repeated through gritted teeth. She sighed, lowering her anger and speaking more quietly. "Are you not going to defend yourself? Look, I don't know your father, and frankly, I don't really care. But, if you can't get along with even one person, then there's just that more of a chance Academia could beat us! They wouldn't even need to beat us if we're fighting ourselves!"
Yuya grimaced, remaining silent. He couldn't exactly argue with that logic.
"Plus, I owe it to these people."
"What?" Yuya spoke with confusion at the sudden statement.
"Before I came to Standard…before I met Yuzu…I was just like of all the other soldiers that terrorized this place. I didn't care about how other people suffered. I didn't even think about it." Serena said with a face full of regret. "I used to believe in Academia. I thought that what we were doing was for the greater good. After meeting Yuzu and talking to Kurosaki, I realized I was wrong. And now, we're here…"
She had tried pushing those thoughts ever since they had arrived at the Resistance base, but these feelings kept eating away at her. Seeing the damaged and tortured people living the way they were. Some of their eyes were void of all life, as if they were already gone. Others weren't gone, but they had been nearly empty of hope as well. Men, women, even children…no one was safe from Academia's tyranny.
"I will not let these people suffer any longer." Serena resolved, looking Yuya in the eyes with a determined gaze as they stepped into a destroyed building, walking as they argued. "This place is worth fighting for!"
Yuya widened his eyes as an image of Yuzu superimposed itself over Serena's figure for what was a brief moment. She may seem like an ass on the outside, but deep down Serena was a good person. Maybe that's what Yuzu saw in her…maybe that's why she helped her.
A part of Yuya had always resented Serena from the moment he realized in Standard that she had essentially replaced Yuzu. He always thought that had it not been for her selfishness and impulsive nature, then Yuzu would still be with them. He wouldn't have had to go hunting for her in a whole other dimension, worrying his ass off about whether or not she had been Carded. But…
Perhaps now he could see why Yuzu did what she did for Serena. She was by no means a bad person, just misguided by the teachings of Academia. And she has proved that by fighting alongside them in the Synchro Dimension against her former comrades.
"Stop moping around and stand up for yourself! Do not tell me that this is the person that Yuzu thinks so highly of!" Serena exclaimed, not relenting in her verbal assault even one bit as her and Yuya stepped out of a wrecked building, approaching a mini circular plaza-like area. "Look, I met you not that long ago. I don't really know what kind of person you are, but I know for a fact that Yuzu would not think of you the way she does if you were a coward."
You are definitely not a coward. Serena thought to herself as her interaction with Yuzu back in the Synchro Dimension during the Friendship Cup came to mind. After all, she…
Her thoughts were cut off by a sudden explosion, coming from the plaza itself. Yuya and Serena broke off into a run down the stairs. As they entered the area, they saw three bodies crashing to the ground.
Obelisk Force…They both identified immediately. Turning to the left, they saw who had been the cause of their defeat.
Tenjo Kaito with his ever ferocious Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon towering above him. In that moment, the Monster disappeared as Kaito began to walk toward the unmoving bodies. He raised his arm, causing Yuya to widen his eyes.
"Stop!" He found his lips moving. The boy paused, acknowledging his presence but refusing to turn to face him. "You don't have to do this, Kaito!"
"How many times do I have to say it for it to get through to you people?!" Kaito seethed with pure, feral anger. His eyes were wide and tinted with red. The boy had not been sleeping, and whatever he had been thinking about recently certainly seemed to be taking its toll on him. "I want nothing to do with any of you people! Keep getting in my way and I will not hesitate to turn you into a Card!"
"Actually, I would like to talk about that!" Serena exclaimed, anger flooding her eyes. "You were truly going to Card Ryoga, weren't you? Your comrade, your friend! And you were going to cast him off like he was an Academia soldier! Just how screwed up are you?!"
"I do not want to hear that from a former member of Academia!" Kaito shouted, his eyes fixating on the Duel Disk on Serena's wrist. "As far as I am concerned, you are just as bad as them!"
"At least I would never turn one of my own comrades into a Card!"
"You bastard!" Kaito hissed. "I don't have to explain myself to someone like you! You know nothing of my pain. I have told those idiots numerous times to stay out of my way, yet they keep persisting! They've made their choice, and so have I."
Yuya watched the exchange with a forlorn expression. He was truly in awe at just how gone Kaito was. Without even thinking, he spoke what was on his mind. "My father would be utterly disgusted with you. He taught you to bring smiles with Dueling, not to destroy people!"
Kaito's eyes faltered momentarily. For what seemed like a split second, Yuya could have sworn that be gotten through to him. "Ahh, yes. Your father is Sakaki Yusho…" He trailed off, remembering being told Yuya's last name during his Duel with his lookalike.
Sensei…Kaito thought to himself as he held up his hand, looking directly at his palm. His hand was riddled with dirt and scratches. As his fingers brushed across his skin, he could only feel roughness. The softness his skin once had was completely gone.
As if to add one final knife to the coffin, Serena said something that completely shattered Kaito.
"Your family would be ashamed of they saw who you are now…a mindless beast…"
Kaito gasped, his eyes widening as he glanced to a nearby shard of glass to which he could somewhat make out his reflection.
No…
It wasn't his reflection.
Who…is this? Kaito thought to himself as he took in the monster's features. The hair was the same, but it was unneat and unkempt, resembling that of a desolate forest. His eyes looked bloodshot, an ever present furrow in his brows as his gaze screamed with vengeance.
And the look his former comrades gave him, now that he thought about it. It was like they didn't even know it was him. Even Yuto and Ruri, perhaps the two who could see the most good in people, looked at him with horrified expressions as he attempted to take down Shun without hesitation in his heart.
Why am I…thinking about these things now? Kaito trembled as he glanced back to the three fallen soldiers in an attempt to reinvigorate his rage and quell any doubts. He let out a terrified cry as in place of the three soldiers he saw three cold, dark images of his father, mother, and brother.
"Such a sad child." The shadow of his mother spat vindictively. The once loving tone in her voice had been completely replaced with one oozing of resentment…towards him…
Mother…
"You are a disgrace to our family. As far as I'm concerned, you are no son of mine." Said the image of Faker, his father.
Father, please! Hold on…
"You're not Kaito. You can't be! My brother could never be as vile as you." What felt like a knife thrusted itself into Kaito's gut. He spasmed as his younger brother's words hit home.
They weren't real, he tried telling himself. But he knew deep down, that these were figments created by how he truly felt towards himself. He knew his family, and he knew this is exactly how they would feel if they saw him right now.
With a sharp blink, Kaito's family was gone, replaced by the fallen enemies he had taken down. Never had he been so relieved to not see his family.
"It's not too late to make the right choice, Kaito." Yuya said, feeling sad for the lost Duelist as he took in the horrified expression that briefly appeared on his face. There was no doubt, their words were working. They were definitely getting through to Kaito in some way. "You can still follow my father's teachings. That is, if you still respect him…" Yuya glanced off to the side as he remembered the absence of his father.
"Of course I do." Kaito muttered suddenly, earning a look of surprise from the Entermate Duelist and the Moonlight user. Refusing to look at them, his voice broke into a soft yet still audie whisper, "I never stopped respecting him."
He still…thinks highly of my father! Yuya thought with surprise on his face. Even though it looked as if he had completely abandoned them in their time of need, Kaito never stopped respecting his father.
"Kaito…"
"Stop right where you are, Sakaki Yusho's son!" A voice suddenly shouted with venom, cutting Yuya out of his thoughts.
Yuya, Kaito and Serena's eyes quickly darted to the area surrounding them, immediately realizing that they had just sprung a nasty trap. Yuya instantly recognized the owner of the voice to be Edo Phoenix, the man who had lost to Ryo not that long ago. Serena also recognized the man, seeing his face around Academia as he patrolled the grounds.
Damn, to be in such a situation now of all times…Serena grumbled internally, seething as she took in the reinforcements that Edo had in tow. Two trios of Obelisk Force members. One of them was now speaking inaudibly, mostly signaling more reinforcements. She, Kaito, and Yuya could easily handle a trio of Obelisk Force on their own, the issue was the existence of the Commander-in-Chief.
She normally didn't like saying stuff like this. However, given the situation, she thought it was a good idea.
"Yuya, in order to make it out of this one, you and I are gonna have to-"
All of a sudden, a yellow lashed out onto Yuya's wrist, abruptly activating his Duel Disk. A sudden tug was all it took and Yuya was off stumbling against his will as he and Edo began walking away.
"H-Hey! What the…hell is this?!" Yuya shouted as he was helplessly pulled alongside his adversary. At the same time, Kaito growled out of newfound hate as his Duel Disk also became bonded, this time by a trio of Obelisk Force, who led him far away from Yuya and Serena away from the plaza to prevent any possible interventions.
"Yuya!" Serena called out to her comrade as she tried to pursue, only for three sudden forces to grip itself on her wrist as well, activating her Duel Disk. She grunted out of frustration. She knew immediately what was going on.
Duel Anchors. Now Yuya has no choice but to Duel Edo Phoenix, and I have to Duel these idiots! They separated us purposefully so the Commander-in-Chief could Duel Yuya all on his own! Serena thought to herself. Damn, I have to take these guys out quickly then!
She turned back to face the three Academia soldiers grinning down maliciously on her, their Duel Disks primed and ready.
"I'll take you pawns out without a sweat!"
Meanwhile, Yuya and Edo had stopped after walking a considerable distance away from Serena and Kaito. They had exited the plaza area, and while Serena wasn't too far, Yuya was not able to keep checking up on her due to the distance between them.
"I had a feeling from the reports that you were related to that man. And seeing the Deck you used a while ago, I knew it was you. Entermate…you are the son of Sakaki Yusho, Sakaki Yuya!" Edo Phoenix announced as Yuya returned his glare with a confused expression.
"I am his son. So? What does that mean?"
"It means everything!" Edo responded cryptically, drawing five Cards from his Deck, putting the conversation to a close, prompting Yuya to do the same.
"DUEL!"
With Yuto and Shun
"I'll take the first move if you don't mind." Gloria started with a smile, beginning her turn by inserting a Card into her Magic and Trap Card Zone. "When I control no Monsters, I can activate the Continuous Magic Card Slow Life! Now, no player can Special Summon the turn they Normal Summon."
"The reverse also applies." Grace supplied with a smile.
Relishing the slightly startled reaction from Yuto, Gloria inserted a Card into her Duel Disk and raised her hand holding two Cards. "Now, I activate Fusion, fusing the Amazoness Shaman and Amazoness Warrior Chief in my Hand! Leader of warriors, Garner the support of the faithful sorcerer and bring forth the power of a new king! Fusion Summon! Descend, Level 9! Amazoness King Liger!" In a flash of light, an older looking tiger appeared to the Field, looking down on its prey with visible hunger.
King Liger: Level 9, 2900 Atk, 2800 Def
"I set a Card and end my turn." Gloria concluded, a facedown Card appearing and disappearing in front of her and Grace.
On his Duel Disk, Yuto clicked on the Continuous Magic Card Gloria had activated, analyzing the effect carefully. They're giving us a choice on whether we can Normal or Special Summon? That shuts down some of Shun's Deck, considering he regularly uses both. However, with our shared Fields, then…
"Having to make that choice is meaningless! The choice is obvious!" Yuto exclaimed, drawing a Card from his Deck. Eying his current Hand, he removed two Cards and showed them to his opponents. "I, using the Scale 1 Phantom Knights Scavenged Armor and the Scale 7 Phantom Knights Splinted Spaulders, set the Pendulum Scale!" The Cards were swiped across Yuto's Duel Disk, the word Pendulum displayed in vibrant rainbow colors. "With this I can simultaneously Summon Monsters from Levels 2 to 6!"
Gongenzaka croaked, looking up slightly to his comrades in combat. Yuto and Shun's Deck were much more compatible for Tag Duels than him and Sawatari. It would be a hard fight, no doubt, but it was still possible.
How disgraceful! I'm letting my comrades fight the battles I've shamefully lost. How humiliating this is!
"Swing! Pendulum of my soul! Carve an arc of hope across the ether! Pendulum Summon! From the Hand, Phantom Knights Fragile Armor and Phantom Knights Dusty Robe!" As the Pendulum swayed above Yuto, a portal opened. Two beans of light flushed out, sprouting into the Field with each Monster taking a defensive position.
Fragile Armor: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 2000 Def
Dusty Robe: Level 3, 800 Atk, 1000 Def
"I'm not letting you off that easily." Gloria hummed as her set Card revealed itself. "Continuous Trap, Amazoness Hall! When you Special Summon Monsters, we will gain Life equal to the total Attack of all Summoned Monsters."
"What?!" Shun grit his teeth. An effect like this was not good for them at all.
"The total Attack…?" Yuto whispered with awe as he and Shun watched the Life Points of their opponents rise.
Gloria and Grace: 4000-5800 LP
"The Professor sent us with specific orders to deal with the Lancers." Gloria announced.
Whipping her hair back behind her ear, Grace spoke. "Did you honestly think that we wouldn't have some sort of counter for your Pendulum Summoning?"
"A personal order from the Professor himself?" Shun murmured as a hint of a grin appeared on his face. "Good. In that case, it will make beating you two even more satisfying."
"Mere bluffs won't take you the whole way." Grace returned. The smile on her face disappeared as she jabbed a finger towards the opposing side. "Now, end your turn!"
Yuto grunted out of frustration. There was truly nothing that he could do with the current situation. The best he could do was provide support for Shun on his turn. Yuto inserted two Cards into his Duel Disk. "I set two Cards facedown. I end my turn."
"Unfortunately, I'm not really expecting much from this Duel. My turn, draw!" Grace exclaimed, immediately using a Magic Card. "I activate the Magic Card Double Fusion!"
"Double Fusion!?" Yuto and Shun repeated with shock.
Amused by their reactions, Grace continued. "By paying 500 Life Points, I can Fusion Summon twice this turn."
A red aura appeared around the two Duelists, draining their Life Points.
Gloria and Grace: 5800-5300 LP
"First, I fuse Amazoness Tiger and Amazoness Spy!" Grace shouted, lifting her hands up as the two Monsters swirled together into a vortex while the Amazoness changed. "Wild beast of the jungle with vicious fangs. Obtain the eyes of the warrior who hunts down her prey, become a new savage beast and appear! Fusion Summon! Come before us! Level 7! Amazoness Pet Liger!" Grace brought her hands together as soon as her Monsters combined, emitting a bright light as her Monster released a ferocious roar.
The armorclad tiger prowled the Field, awaiting it's next order as although it was closed, it's left eye was watching everything.
Pet Liger: Level 7, 2500 Atk, 2400 Def
"And now, I'll use the effect of Double Fusion a second time!" Grace announced, fusing Amazoness Queen and Amazoness Archer. A woman in revealing armor with a big sword sitting on a large throne and a girl in a tunic and a fur top that revealed her midriff appeared to the Field. As if attracted by some unknown force, they swirled together in the shape of a vortex, merging their power. "Queen of the jungle. Receive the power of the archer, and build an empire that rules over everything! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Amazoness Empress!"
Yuto and Shun covered their eyes as a bright purple filled their vision. Out of the light, Amazoness Empress appeared.
Empress: Level 8, 2800 Atk, 2400 Def
"Three Fusion Monsters…" Allen whispered with wide eyes.
"No way." Sayaka said weakly, lifting her grime-covered face up from the dirt.
"Battle!" Grace motioned, her finger pointing towards Phantom Knights Fragile Armor. "Amazoness Empress, attack Fragile Armor!" As Empress held up her sword, Grace continued. "Now, when an Amazoness Monster attacks a Defense Position Monster you control while Amazoness Empress is on the Field, piercing damage is inflicted!"
Amazoness Empress thrusted her sword down on Fragile Armor, splitting the ghost in half. The sword crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves rupturing through the ground. Yuto and Shun grimaced, tripping over their feet as their Life was depleted.
Yuto and Shun: 4000-3200 LP
Recovering, Yuto raised his hand. "I activate the Pendulum effect of Phantom Knights Splinted Spaulders! Once per turn, during the Battle Phase, as long as I have a Phantom Knights Monster in my Graveyard and the Scale is greater than 1, I can negate any oncoming attack and end the Battle Phase at the cost of lowering this Card's Pendulum Scale by 2 each time this effect is used!" His Pendulum Monster glowed, forming a protective barrier between them and the Tyler Twins, preventing any more attacks from being launched.
The downside however, was that on Yuto's left, the number on the Pendulum Scale dropped from 7 to 5. Fortunately for Shun, that was all he needed.
An annoyed expression found it's way into Grace's face. With an ever present scowl, she inserted her final Card into her Duel Disk, ending her turn right there as a set Card materialized in front of her.
"Ok, then. I admit, you may be a tad above the average Resistance Duelist. Though, to be fair, that isn't saying much."
"Why, you-!"
"Calm down, Shun!" Yuto bellowed, cutting off his friend's outburst as he glared at Grace. "Can't you see she's just taunting you? I want to make them pay for what they've done just as much as you do, but we cannot let our anger cloud our judgment!"
Sure, he wasn't one to talk as right before the Duel he was fuming in anger. And truth be told, he was still pissed off as hell. However, he thought back to what happened in Synchro. He had completely lost himself in despair and anger. It was…suffocating. No matter how much he tried to crawl out he wouldn't move an inch out of the darkness.
And he lost to that man from Academia all because of it.
Darkness…The word and name resonated throughout Yuto's brain. The man disappeared after their Duel. Hopefully, he wasn't in the Xyz Dimension right now, otherwise they could be done for. The only who could probably defeat him was Akaba Reiji as much as he hated to ponder the thought.
No. They could worry about Darkness late. As of now, the Tyler Twins were a much larger threat.
Yuto came back to reality, glancing to his right to see Shun drawing his Card, only for him to freeze up upon hearing Gongenzaka's voice.
"Kurosaki, be careful! Your Rise Falcon will do no good here! Pet Liger and King Liger both make it so you can't attack other Amazoness Monsters. Put those two on the Field and you have an impenetrable wall!"
"There's more, Shun!" Allen spoke up with a wince, pain shooting through his aching body. "Amazoness Empress makes it so any Amazoness Monster they control can't be destroyed by battle or effects!"
Gloria clicked her tongue out of annoyance. "Pests! I wish we Carded you when we had the chance."
Grace shrugged, a disappointed look on her face. "Yea! Now they're just taking all the fun out of seeing their faces."
Shun twitched. Just like the others this was all some sort of game to them. Well, Rise Falcon or not, he would make them pay!
He glanced back to the prone Steadfast Duelist and the Xyz Duelist. With a subtle nod of acknowledgement that stunned them both, he turned his attention back to the Duel, eyeing the Pendulum Scales Yuto had put up. He looked back down to his Hand.
Good. I wasn't going to be able to bring out Rise Falcon anyway. He thought to himself, removing two Cards from his Hand.
"Using the already set Scales, I Pendulum Summon! Come to me!" As Shun thrusted his fist upwards, a portal opened above him. Like with Yuto, two beams of light flushed out of the portal, landing on the Field next to Dusty Robe, revealing two bird. One was a gold-plated bird with white linings in its wings. The other bird with piercing red eyes, and cyan platings over its body. "First is Raid Raptors - Booster Strix, followed by Raid Raptors - Singing Lanius!"
Booster Strix: Level 4, 100 Atk, 1700 Def
Singing Lanius: Level 4, 100 Atk, 1800 Def
The same as what happened on Yuto's turn, the Tyler Twins' Trap activated once again. The total Attack of the Special Summoned Monsters was 200. So, the Tyler Twins gained 200 Life Points.
White particles rained down on the sisters as they basked gracefully in the light.
Gloria and Grace: 5800-6000 LP
"Tch! Such casual smiles…I'll make sure to wipe those looks right off your faces!" Shun seethed, glancing back at his comrades. "And I'll make sure to avenge my fallen comrades! When we're cornered, that is when we become the most fierce!"
"Oh?" Gloria hummed with an amused smile. "Now, I don't know if that's all true. I mean, you should have seen the looks on your comrades' faces as they were Carded by our comrades, begging to be spared."
Yuto and Shun gave no response to that, but the infuriated stares that they sent their way was more than enough to show that what Gloria had got to them.
"Then, on their behalf, I will eradicate all of you, and restore their honor." Shun spoke as his two Monsters lit up with a purple glow. "Now, using the Level 4 Booster Strix and Singing Lanius, I overlay!" The two Monsters flew into the air as a large portal opened in front of Shun. His Monsters flew inside, causing a pillar of light to burst out as he recited a chant. "Surviving knight, remnant of the rebellion, push through the bodies of your fallen comrades and eradicate your enemy! Xyz Summon! Descend! Rank 4! Raider's Knight!"
A black armored warrior and black armored stallion appeared to the Field. Their eyes and bodies pumping with an ominous light blue haze, fueled by Yuto and Shun's grief.
Raider's Knight: Rank 4, 2000 Atk, 0 Def
As a result of the Tyler Twins' Trap Cards they gained even more Life from the Summon of the new Monster.
Gloria and Grace: 6000-8000 LP
Allen blinked, believing initially that he had seen Phantom Knights Break Sword. After numerous blinks, he found that the Monster Shun had Summoned wasn't a bird at all. It more resembled a Monster Yuto would use.
"Shun…what the hell is that?" Allen questioned with awe, an expression mirrored by Sayaka, who also had never seen Shun use a Monster like this before.
Shun didn't give him a response. He would let his actions do the talking. He thrusted his hand toward the Monster. The horse released a battle ready cry as one of the overlay units orbiting crumbled upon the tip of the knight's spear.
"I activate Raider's Knight's effect! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit from this Monster, I can Special Summon from my Extra Deck a Phantom Knights, Raid Raptors, or any Dark Xyz Monster who is 1 Rank higher or lower than this Card using this Monster as Material." Shun explained as his Monster converted itself into an Xyz Material, taking flight into the air.
"That Monster works with both of their Decks…?" Sayaka whispered with shock. She had remembered shortly before the war that Shun and Yuto had planned on using new Cards during a potential Tag Duel. They were both surprised to find that the new Cards supported both of their Decks. Now, after all of this time, they were finally going to be able to put the Cards into action.
Memories of a better time filled her head as she remembered the day Yuto ecstatically told Shun about the new support…
And now…
"I reconstruct the overlay network using Raider's Knight!" Shun shouted as the Monster entered the galaxy-like portal which opened once again.
If attacking other Monsters and Card effects won't work then…
"Ferocious falcon. Break through this fierce battle and spread your wings! Destroy our gathering foes! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear! Rank 5! Raid Raptors - Blaze Falcon!"
The red falcon descended upon the Field, letting out a cry that echoed throughout the murky skies of Heartland.
Blaze Falcon: Rank 5, 1000 Atk, 2000 Def
Unfortunately, this was another Special Summon, resulting in Amazoness Hall granting the Tyler Twins even more Life Points, something which they made painfully aware to Shun by gloating about it and insulting his intelligence.
Gloria and Grace: 8000-9000 LP
Grace chuckled with amusement. "Come on, even your other comrades were smarter than to just keep feeding us Life Points!"
"You'll need as many Life Points as you can get." Shun retorted with a glare. "Besides, how many you have won't matter when you're lying beaten at my feet!"
"And how are you going to do that? Like your friend said, you can't attack any of our Monsters! Furthermore, you can't destroy any of them by Card effects!" Gloria boasted with a sneer.
A small smirk broke out onto Shun's face. "I don't have to try and attack any Monsters."
"What?" Gloria's eyes narrowed.
"To start," Shun began as Dusty Robe switched into an offensive stance. "I switch Phantom Knights Dusty Robe to Attack Position. Then, I activate Dusty Robe's effect! Once per turn, by switching this Monster to Defense Position, I can increase the Attack of a Dark Monster I control until the end of the turn." The Phantom Knights Monster returned to a defensive position as a dark aura formed around Raid Raptors - Blaze Falcon.
Blaze Falcon: 1000-1800 Atk
"Now, for one of Blaze Falcon's effects! This Monster can bypass all of your Monsters and attack directly!"
"Kuh!" Gloria grunted as Blaze Falcon charged.
"Blaze Falcon, attack our enemies directly! Blaze Shot!" Shun commanded as Blaze Falcon flew upwards and over the Tyler Twins' Monsters. With a fearsome cry, the Monster ejected a fireball from its mouth. The ball of flames combusted on the ground. The ensuing waves forced the Tyler Twins to anchor their feet to the ground as to not get blown away. Though the flame was extinguished on impact, the resounding waves were still scorching, and that was made all too clear by Grace and Gloria's groans of pain.
Gloria and Grace: 9000-7200 LP
"Unfortunately," Shun started as his Monster returned to his side. "A Monster Summoned through the effect of Raider's Knight will be destroyed at the end of the next turn. Although, I suppose it doesn't really matter. I set two Cards and end my turn!" Shun placed the two Cards, occupying two of the empty spaces of their Magic and Trap Zones. At that moment, the effect of Dusty Robe ended. As such, Blaze Falcon lost the Attack that it had gained.
Blaze Falcon: 1800-1000 Atk
"Continuous Trap, activate!" Grace interjected just as Shun finished, earning a frustrated glare.
What could possibly be happening now?!
"Amazoness Hot Spring! Once per turn, with this Trap, we are allowed to regain Life Points lost to a single instance of battle damage this turn!" Grace explained, a wide grin forming on her face seeing the aggravated look on Shun as the fruits of his efforts were made undone right before his eyes.
Gloria and Grace: 7200-9000 LP
"Damn!" Yuto cursed through grit teeth. "The damage that Shun had inflicted…was just nullified so easily!"
"And? So what?" Shun asked with a battle ready gaze. "It doesn't matter in the end. We're still going to destroy them!"
"Shun…" Yuto whispered with concern, seeing his friend's feral eyes. He was regressing back to how he was back in Standard. His concern was quickly pushed off to the side as Gloria began to speak again.
"It's funny, most of your other comrades said that before we pummeled them!"
Yuto's entire demeanor darkened. Throughout the entire Duel she had been mocking their fallen comrades. She was not going to get away with this. He would make sure of it.
"While you may be better than the others, you'll just end up like the rest of them! My turn, draw!" After briefly glancing at the drawn Card, she threw her hand forward, entering the Battle Phase. "Now, Amazoness Pet Liger, attack Raid Raptors - Blaze Falcon!" Her Monster leaped into the air, her claws readied at Blaze Falcon's neck. Gloria pointed a finger at the attacking Monster as it glowed with a purple hue. "The effect of Pet Liger will now activate! When it attacks, it will gain 500 Attack until the end of Damage Calculation!"
"Shun!" Yuto called out, realizing the major damage that they were about to take should they let this go through.
"On it!" The Raid Raptors user responded, revealing one of the two set Cards Yuto had placed down. "Counter Trap, Raid Raptors - Phantom Claw! When a Monster effect is activated, I can detach an overlay unit from a Dark Xyz Monster I control and negate the activation. Then, destroy the negated Monster!"
"Fool!" Grace blurted with a laugh. "Even with your friend's information, you still make a mistake like that!" An overlay unit, which was Raider's Knight, orbiting Blaze Falcon disappeared. Just then, a blue ghostly image of a claw erupted from behind Blaze Falcon, sweeping right through Per Liger's body, only to have no sort of effect at all except disrupt the purple aura. "As long as we have our Amazoness Empress on the Field, you can't destroy Amazoness Monsters we control by battle or Card effects!"
Shun's sharp gaze faltered, realizing his blunder. "Shit!"
How could he have made such a stupid mistake?!
The attack continued, and while Pet Liger was weaker due to the negation of it's effect, Blaze Falcon still stood no chance. The bird squealed out in pain as it was clawed to shreds by the savage tiger. The animal, having finished devouring its prey, threw its body away with great force towards Yuto and Shun, who both jumped out of the way before the carcass of their Monster crashed into them.
Yuto and Shun: 3200-1700 LP
"And now, Amazoness King Liger, attack Phantom Knights Dusty Robe and end this Duel!" Gloria shouted as her Monster descended upon Dusty Robe, preparing to inflict piercing damage due to the effect of Amazoness Empress.
Damn! I wanted to try and not use the effect at all, but it seems I have no choice. Sorry, Yuto. Shun internally apologized as he motioned towards one of Yuto's Pendulum Monsters.
"I activate the Pendulum effect of Phantom Knights Splinted Spaulders! Once a turn during the Battle Phase, by decreasing the Scale by 2 while there is a Phantom Knights Monster in the Graveyard, I can end the Battle Phase and negate any oncoming attack!" Shun explained as Dusty Robe's figure became completely transparent. King Liger's attack simply passed through the Monster, retreating back to its owners after the battle.
Splinted Spaulders: Scale 5-3
"You idiot." Gloria spat with amusement. "If you could have used that the entire time, how come you waited until the only Monster that could have even touched was destroyed? I end my turn."
"That's because…" Shun spoke, opening one of the three remaining set Cards. "I wanted you to! Quick-Play, Rank-Up-Magic Death Double Force, activate! First, I target an Xyz Monster in my Graveyard that was destroyed by battle or Card effect this turn, and Special Summon it! Return from the ashes, Raid Raptors - Blaze Falcon!" The purple icon of Death Double Force briefly appeared on the Field as rising up from an open portal on the ground was the burning Blaze Falcon.
Unfortunately, Blaze Falcon's revival meant another thing as well.
Gloria's Trap glowed with a white hue as she cockily reminded Shun of its effect. "When a Monster is Special Summoned, Amazoness Hall gives up Life Points equal to the Attack of the Summoned Monster!"
Gloria and Grace: 9000-10000 LP
"It's not over!" Shun said as Blaze Falcon was enveloped in flames once again. "The Summoned Monster is then used as Material for the Xyz Summon of a Raid Raptors Monster whose Rank is twice that of the revived Monster! Supreme falcon. Carry on the wishes of your fallen friends, and fly off to the sky of victory! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 10! Raid Raptors - Ultimate Falcon!"
The enormous yellow-winged falcon appeared to the Field, towering over everything else on the Field.
Ultimate Falcon: Rank 10, 3500 Atk, 2000 Def
Once again, the effect of Amazoness Hall activated, granting the Tyler Twins even more Life Points.
Gloria and Grace: 10000-13500 LP
"It doesn't matter what big Monster you Summon! All it leads to is more Life Points for us! We'll keep whittling you guys down bit by bit until there is nothing left!" Gloria roared with sheer determination in her eyes. "What can either of you even do at this point?!"
"You're stalling, and it's all meaningless. Why not just give up?" Grace added.
"Give up?" Shun repeated, his voice suddenly curt and low, gaining the attention of everyone in the area. His gaze became like that of an eagle hunting for its prey. Sharp, predator like, and fierce. "Like hell we will! We of the Resistance do not know the meaning of giving up! We will keep fighting until our last breath, grabbing at the miniscule hope of restoring our homeland to its former glory! Until I have avenged my fallen comrades…until I have assured my sister's safety…until I have exterminated Academia…I will not give up!"
"That's right!" Yuto chimed in with a light shining through his eyes. "From the moment we were attacked, we taught ourselves to fight! Because in a world filled with this many cruel people, you have to fight to survive! I will definitely bring back the smiles of Heartland. And the only way for me to do that…IS TO FIGHT!"
"Now, at the end of your turn," Shun began, raising a hand to his newly Summoned Monster. "Ultimate Falcon's effect activated! If this Card was Xyz Summoned this turn using a Raid Raptors Xyz Monster while you control at least one Monster, then all Monsters on your side of the Field lose 1000 Attack!"
Gloria and Grace's faces instantly showed shock as they witnessed all three of their Monsters getting weakened.
Pet Liger: 2500-1500 Atk
Empress: 2800-1800 Atk
King Liger: 2900-1900 Atk
"Now, it's my turn, I draw!" Yuto roared with the thrust of his hand.
"Smiles…give everyone smiles…"
I'm sorry, Yuya…Yuto thought to himself as the numerous memories resonated throughout his brain. But I…
"...give everyone smiles…"
I…
"Smiles…"
I just…
"I can't do this anymore!"
What?! Yuto widened his eyes, finding words that he had never heard before play in his head. Whose words…were those?!
"Ray, I'm sorry. Truly…"
The owner of the unknown voice sounded like he was in a lot of pain. As if he was going through some sort of crisis.
"The way that I do things now! I can't bring smiles this way!"
"To bring smiles to people, to the audience, I'll just have to…"
I'll just have to…
"Draw!" Yuto roared with a sudden rush of anger, ripping off the top Card of his Deck. He didn't know what was causing this sudden adrenaline, maybe it was the fact that the enemy was progressively making him more angry. No, it wasn't that. He knew deep down that it had to do with the vision he saw. But he could dwell on it right now. All he needed to focus on…
Was winning!
A blue glow appeared from his Extra Deck. A tingling sensation rushed through every nerve of his body like a feather running across his skin. For a brief second, he saw a Monster. A…dragon…
That's right. You will evolve with me. You'll move forward with me. Right, Dark Rebellion? Yuto thought to himself, feeling a light pang in his chest as a response.
"You've underestimated the strength of the Resistance and the Lancers, Tyler Twins! And now, you will pay for it." Yuto proclaimed with narrowed eyes, earning a chuckle from the pair of female Duelists.
"Oh, please! Based on your performance in this Duel, I'd say we overestimated you!" Gloria said with a grin in an attempt to anger her opponents. While this did get a reaction out of Shun, Yuto remained steadfast as he revealed the Card he drew, inserting it into his Duel Disk.
"Quick-Play, activate, Cyclone! I destroy a Magic or Trap Card on the Field!" Yuto explained as a torrent of thundering winds burst out of the Magic Card, enveloping a Trap Card on the Tyler Twins' side of the Field. "I choose to destroy Amazoness Hall!" The cyclone disappeared, and with it, the fragments of their Trap Card crumbled to the ground.
Gloria grit her teeth, seething with anger.
"Hell yeah!" Sawatari cheered, his energy slowly returning at seeing his comrades succeed. "With this, they can't gain Life Points when they Special Summon a Monster!"
"Yeah, but they still have 13500 Life Points to get rid of!" Gongenzaka added grimly.
As if to reassure his worries, Yuto revealed the last of the two set Cards Shun had placed during his turn.
"Trap Card, activate, Xyz Reborn! With this Card, I can Special Summon an Xyz Monster in my Graveyard and attach this Card to it as an overlay unit!" Yuto exclaimed as a coffin appeared to the Field. "Return to my side, Raider's Knight!"
The black knight reappeared to the Field in front of Yuto and Shun, their Trap turning into an overlay unit which gravitated towards the warrior, who then turned into an overlay unit as Yuto activated their last set Card, which he had previously set down.
"Rank-Up-Magic Phantom Knights Launch, activate!" Yuto called as the Card itself turned into an overlay unit along with Raider's Knight.
"Launch allows him to use the targeted Monster and the Magic Card itself as Xyz Material for the Xyz Summon of a Monster whose Rank is 1 higher when used on a Phantom Knights Monster!" Shun supplied for his friend as the two overlay units took to the air, entering through a portal in front of him and Yuto.
"A Rank 5?" Sayaka mumbled with confusion.
"Just what is Yuto Summoning in this situation?" Allen wondered aloud as he, like Sayaka, didn't usually see their friend doing something like this.
An explosion occurred as a pillar of light shot out of the portal while Yuto conducted his chant.
"Dragon with eyes filled with vengeance, carve a new arc of rebellion with those treacherous fangs! Rank-Up Xyz Change!" Yuto called to the skies as the pillar of light disappeared, and descending down from the skies was an armored dragon bearing a heavy resemblance to Dark Rebellion with large metallic wings pulsating with blue fire. "Descend! Rank 5! Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"
The large body of the dragon crashed into the ground, rupturing the earth around him. The dragon stretched out its wings, letting out a fearsome howl to the sky.
Arc Rebellion: Rank 5, 3000 Atk, 2500 Def
"Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon…" Gongenzaka whispered as he took in the dragon that bore such a striking resemblance to Yuto's face.
"I've…never seen that Monster in Yuto's Deck before…" Sayaka mumbled with a hint of concern, yet her eyes carried a semblance of hope.
"Let's hope that this new dragon has what it takes to give them the win." Allen said with a doubtful expression. In each of their Duels, the Tyler Twins have had an answer for every play they made.
Gloria analyzed the current Field. They had only two Monsters on their side of the Field. And even then, neither of them could even lay a finger on any of the Monsters on their Field. The wall that they had set up with their Amazoness Fusion Monsters was still impenetrable.
And even if they could bypass the Monsters like Shun had, they could simply recover the Life Points using their Card. Losing Amazoness Hall was a minor setback, one that would not affect the outcome of this Duel at all.
She couldn't help but find a somewhat mad grin appear on her face. "Impressive that you managed to bust out such a strong Monster! Commendable, but still futile. Both of your Monsters can't do anything against ours!"
Yuto closed his eyes calmly. "Ironic. You have beaten so many of our comrades mercilessly, yet you still have no knowledge of our strength."
Shun stepped forward with a hawk-like stare. "An Xyz Monster's true power lies not in their Attack Points, but in their overlay units which they use to annihilate their enemies!"
"We will have you bear witness to their power!" Yuto exclaimed as he gave Shun a nod.
Seeing the signal, Shun motioned towards his Monster. "We use the effect of Raid Raptors - Ultimate Falcon! By detaching an overlay unit from this Monster, the effects of all face-up Cards you control are negated until the end of the turn, and all Monsters you guys control lose 1000 Attack as well."
The news hit the Twins like a truck.
"What?!" Gloria gasped.
"Such a powerful effect…" Grace commented as she witnessed every Card on their Field turn gray, with their Monsters withering in pain.
Pet Liger: 1500-500 Atk
Empress: 1800-800 Atk
King Liger: 1900-900 Atk
"We're still not done here!" Yuto declared as Gloria was about to retort, raising his fist towards his new Monster. "I'll activate the effect of Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, this Card gains the original Attack of every other Special Summoned Monster on the Field!"
"Every other Monster!" Gloria's eyes widened out of disbelief.
"The original Attack…" Grace repeated as she did the math.
Ultimate Falcon has 3500 Attack, and the original Attack of Pet Liger, Empress, and King Liger was 2500, 2800, and 2900 respectively. This meant that Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon would gain an insurmountable Attack of 14700.
"Arc Charge!" Yuto shouted as blue electricity poured out of Arc Rebellion's wings, circling around every other Monster on the Field and leading back to himself. The dragon roared, his power growing evermore with each shock.
Arc Rebellion: 3000-14700 Atk
"Holy shit!" Allen curses with bulged eyes.
"It can't be…14700 Attack?" Gloria whispered, a sense of dread flashing through her eyes with no sense of bravado to hide it.
"And now, the effects of all other face-up Monsters on the Field are negated!" Yuto said with the hint of a smirk as Ultimate Falcon's figure grayed out.
"It's over!" Shun yelled as Yuto thrusted his fist forward.
"Battle! Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon, attack Amazoness Pet Liger and end this Duel!" Yuto commanded as his Monster flew high into the air. His wings expanded once again, a blue fire igniting all of his wings. "You may try to use Liger's effect, but it won't work! Go, with your fangs, rend through our enemy! Rebellious Arc Disobey!"
With blue electricity coursing through his fangs, Arc Rebellion pierced Pet Liger, mutilating the Monster and causing a catastrophic explosion that resounded throughout Heartland.
The Tyler Twins cried out in pain as they were thrown off their feet and onto the ground meters away. Sliding across the ground, the two nearly lost consciousness from the sheer force of the attack. Yet, they were now too dazed to make any drastic actions.
They were now at the mercy of their enemies.
Gloria and Grace: 13500-0 LP
Earlier - In Another Area in Heartland
"I'll go first!" Yuya declared, removing two Cards from his Hand. "I, using the Scale 3 Entermate Big Bite Turtle and the Scale 6 Entermate Guiturtle, set the Pendulum Scale!" Swiping his two Monsters onto the board, two pillars of light containing his Monsters erupted from the ground, rising up into the air beside him. "With this, I can Special Summon Monsters whose Levels are 4 and 5. But first, the Pendulum effect of Entermate Guiturtle activates! When a Card is activated in my other Pendulum Zone, I can draw a Card!" Yuya explained, removing a Card from his Deck.
So this…is Pendulum…Edo Phoenix thought to himself as a blue pendulum reminiscent to the one hanging around Yuya's neck appeared above him, swinging back and forth.
"Swing! Pendulum of my soul! Carve an arc of light across the aether! Pendulum Summon! Appear, my Monsters!" Yuya called out, throwing his hand into the air, a blue portal opening as two Monsters flew out. "First up, Entermate Dag Daggerman! Next, Entermate Silver Claw!" Yuya exclaimed as a Monster in a star-ridden tophat and a wolf appeared to the Field.
Dag Daggerman: Level 5, 2000 Atk, 600 Def
Silver Claw: Level 4, 1800 Atk, 700 Def
Two Monsters brought to the Field just like that? And one of them is a Level 5! Edo had heard about the rumors of Pendulum Summoning, but to see it personally was something else.
"Now, I activate the effect of Entermate Dag Daggerman! During the turn this Monster is Pendulum Summoned, I can send an Entermate Monster from my Hand to the Graveyard and draw a Card!" Yuya inserted Entermate Thunderhino into his Graveyard, proceeding to draw another Card from his Deck. Glancing briefly at the Card, Yuya took it and the final Card in his Hand and inserted them into his Duel Disk. "I set two Cards. I end my turn."
"No crap about putting a smile on my face through this Duel?" Edo taunted as he drew a Card from his Deck. He will prove the Professor's teachings as the right way. He devoted too much of himself for it to be any other way. "From my Hand, I activate the Magic Card Fusion! I fuse both Destiny HERO - Diabolicguy and Destiny HERO Diskguy! Hero of malice, hero who commands disks. Now become one and reign in the pitch-black future! Fusion Summon! Come on! Destiny HERO - Dystopiaguy!"
A purple light glowed in the area as a blue clothed yellow-skinned Monster descended to the Field, grunting as he threw his fist out, striking a heroic pose.
Dystopiaguy: Level 8, 2800 Atk, 2400 Def
"If Dystopiaguy is Fusion Summoned, I can activate his effect!" Edo exclaimed as next to Dystopia an image of Destiny HERO - Diabolicguy appeared. The image converged into a single ball of energy which Dystopia grasped. "I can inflict damage to you equal to the Attack of one of Dystopiaguy's Fusion Materials! Squeeze Palm!" Dystopia thrusted his palm forward, with shockwaves rupturing from his hand as they blew Yuya back, his feet skidding across the ground as he attempted to maintain balance.
Yuya: 4000-3200 LP
"It's time we battled!" Edo declared, revealing a Card in his Hand. "But first, during the Battle Phase, I activate the effect of Destiny HERO - Daggerguy! During either of our Battle Phases, I can discard this Monster and have all Destiny HERO Monsters on my Field gain 800 Attack until the end of the turn!" A purple glow enveloped Dystopiaguy at the Monster powered up.
Dystopiaguy: 2800-3600 Atk
A small smirk found it's way into Edo's face. "Now, have some of Dystopiaguy's effect! When Dystopiaguy's Attack changes, I can destroy a Monster you control! I choose to destroy Entermate Dag Daggerman! Noble Justice!"
Yuya gasped with shock as his Monster was sucked into the center of Dystopiaguy's palm, being destroyed immediately upon contact. He watched with worry as Edo motioned at his Monster, commanding it to go on the offensive. "Dystopiaguy, attack Entermate Silver Claw! Dystopia Blow!" Dystopiaguy leapt into the air, bringing his elbow down upon Yuya's Monster.
"I activate the Trap Entertainment Flash! If I control an Entermate Monster," Yuya began as Dystopia froze, retreating to Edo, being forced to throw his arms in front of himself. "I can switch all face-up Attack Position Monsters you control to Defense! Furthermore, you won't be able to change their Battle Position until the end of your next turn!"
"Always the coward, just like your old man!" Edo exclaimed, causing Yuya to twitch, a flash of anger crossing his face.
"Shut the hell up!" Yuya shouted. "My father is not a-" He stopped mid sentence. For some reason, a part of him couldn't help but feel Edo was right.
"He left you. Abandoned you. And he did the same to the people of Heartland." A voice spoke through Yuya's head. He shook off the voice. "Only cowards will leave when it matters most."
No! I will not listen! Yuya thought to himself, returning his thoughts to the Duel.
"I set two Cards and end my turn." Edo finished as two Cards materialized in front of him.
As it was the end of the turn, the Attack bonus given to Dystopiaguy wears off, and his Attack returns to normal.
Dystopiaguy: 3600-2800 Atk
"Now, come on! While he was a coward, Sakaki Yusho put up a lot more of a fight than this!"
"My turn!" Yuya grunted, drawing a Card from his Deck to begin his turn, his gaze fixating on Edo. "If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll get! After all, you're not the only one who can Fusion Summon!"
"What?!" Edo mumbled with shock, watching as Yuya raised his hand into the air.
"I activate the Pendulum effect of Entermate Big Bite Turtle!" The Pendulum Monster glowed with a blue hue as Yuya revealed the Card he just drew, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. "Once per turn, I can reveal a Monster in my Hand and reduce its Level by 1 until the end of the turn. Odd-Eyes' Level will now go down by 1!"
Odd-Eyes: Level 7-6
"Humph!" Edo smirked arrogantly. "What good will that do you? Like you said, with that current Scale you can only Special Summon Monsters with Levels 4 or 5!"
*Who said anything about Pendulum Summoning Odd-Eyes?" Yuya questioned with a tight gaze, removing Silver Claw from the Field. "Now that Odd-Eyes is a Level 6, I only need one tribute! I release Entermate Silver Claw! Advance Summon! Appear! Wondrous and beautiful dichromatic eyes! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"
The dichromatic dragon appeared to the Field, releasing a ferocious roar, flailing his tail around fiercely.
Odd-Eyes: Level 6, 2500 Atk, 2000 Def
"Now, using my set Scale, I Pendulum Summon!" Yuya raised his hand, two bright colors flushed out of the portal. His two Monsters that previously left the Field appeared in front of him, Entermate Silver Claw and Entermate Dag Daggerman.
"Tch! Reviving the Monsters that had just left the Field…Pendulum Summoning is very annoying." Edo mumbled under his breath. He was at a crossroads now, if he didn't finish Yuya off in a full assault, then he was just going to replenish his forces through Pendulum Summoning.
Yuya's fingers tapped on the screen of his Duel Disk, revealing his set Card. "Reverse Card, open! Magical Sky Mirror! I target a Normal Magic Card in your Graveyard that you used on your last turn! Then, I follow the effects of that Card as if I used it!" Yuya said as he searched Edo's Graveyard. With a small smile, he picked his target. Overwriting Magical Sky Mirror, Fusion appeared on the Field. "I'll use your Fusion Card!"
"Using my own Cards against me…" Edo growled with anger. It was only a play that a Sakaki would do. What with them and their parlor tricks.
"I fuse the Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Entermate Silver Claw on my Field! Prideful silver wolf. Become one with the arcane dragon to create a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! The ferocious dragon with luminous feral eyes! Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!" A dragon with dichromatic eyes, a red body with blue hair and brownish armor adorned on his body appeared to the Field, eliciting a resounding roar.
Beast-Eyes: Level 8, 3000 Atk, 2000 Def
As his dragon calmed, Yuya broke out into a run. It was an Action Duel, after all. He was going to use that to his advantage as much as he could. He dived to the ground, snatching a Card, and pushing off the surface, landing on his feet and activating the Card.
"Action Magic, Wonder Chance! I target Beast-Eyes! Now, Beast-Eyes can attack twice this turn. Battle! Go, Beast-Eyes, attack Destiny HERO - Dystopiaguy! Hell Dive Burst!" Yuya declared as his Monster released a spiraling torrent of flames at Dystopiaguy…
Only for the Monster to split apart at the last moment.
"What?!" Yuya cried out in shock.
Just then, a Magic Card appeared in front of Edo. "I activated one of my set Cards, the Quick-Play Magic Card De-Fusion! I split Dystopiaguy into his two Materials, Diabolicguy and Diskguy!" Edo shouted as a dark-skinned hero with wings appeared in front of him alongside a gray-skinned Monster with blue armor and saws as wings, both in Defense Position.
Diabolicguy: Level 6, 800 Atk, 800 Def
Diskguy: Level 1, 300 Atk, 300 Def
"And now that Destiny HERO - Diskguy has returned from the Graveyard, I can draw two Cards!" Edo chimed in, removing two Cards from the top of his Deck.
"Very well, then I will attack Diabolicguy! Hell Dive Burst!" Beast-Eyes' attack was redirected to one of Edo's new Monsters. The attack eviscerated the Monster, leaving the Monster Zone empty without a trace. Yuya smirked as Beast-Eyes glowed with a light glow. "And don't think you're safe just yet! If Beast-Eyes destroys a Monster in battle, then you are inflicted damage equal to the Beast-Type Monster used as Fusion Material for this Card!"
Floating above Beast-Eyes was a ghostly image of Entermate Silver Claw. The image turned into a ball of energy. It was flung toward Edo, smashing into his stomach. He grimaced, falling to a knee as his Life Points depleted.
Silver Claw's Attack was 1800. Therefore, Edo took 1800 points of damage.
Edo: 4000-2200 LP
"And now, attack Destiny HERO - Diskguy!" Yuya declared as Beast-Eyes easily decimated Edo's hero. Once again, Beast-Eyes' effect was activated.
A ball of energy was released from Beast-Eyes, enveloping Edo as a painful scream was elicited from his mouth.
Edo: 2200-400 LP
Almost immediately, Edo revealed his last set Card. "Destiny Signal, activate! When a Monster I control is destroyed, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Monster with Destiny HERO in its name from my Deck!" Appearing out of a cluster of light was a warrior in military-grade armor with two large weapons filled to the brim with artillery in Defense. "Come forth, Destiny HERO - Doomguy!"
Doomguy: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 1000 Def
"Another Monster on the Field is just another Monster to defeat! Entermate Dag Daggerman, attack and destroy Doomguy!"
Dag Daggerman released his daggers from between his fingers, impaling between the grooves in Doomguy's armor and destroying the Monster.
"I end my turn." Yuya concluded.
"Then it's my turn!" Edo announced, removing a Card from his Deck. "Now, on my Standby Phase I activate the effect of Destiny HERO - Doomguy! If this Monster is in my Graveyard because it was destroyed by battle, then I can target a Destiny HERO Monster other than itself and Special Summon it! Come back to my side, Destiny HERO - Diskguy!"
The Destiny HERO Monster destroyed last turn returned in Defense Position. Upon its Summon, Edo placed his hand on the top of his Deck.
"Just like last time, Diskguy's effect activated, allowing me to draw another two Cards!" Edo removed the top Cards of his Deck.
Just like that he managed to get five Cards back into his Hand?! Yuya clenched his fist with frustration. This was bad. It's like he was taking his first turn now!
"If you think we're done there, you are sorely mistaken!" Edo retorted as a Card slid out of his Graveyard. "I'll now activate the effect of the Destiny HERO - Diabolicguy in my Graveyard! I banish this Card, and in exchange, I can Special Summon another copy straight from my Deck!" At Edo's feet, a portal opened, and the dark-winged hero appeared once again.
Now he has two Monsters back just like that?! Yuya thought with worry, looking on in dread as Edo continued his turn.
"If you think that's the end of it all, you're more naive than I thought!" Edo proclaimed, slamming another Monster onto his Duel Disk. "I Summon Destiny HERO - Diamondguy!" In front of Edo, a gray-haired man in a dark blue bodysuit with diamond crystals protruding out of his body appeared to the Field. "Now, for Diamondguy's effect! Once per turn, I can reveal the top Card of my Deck. If it's a Magic Card, I can send it to the Graveyard and have it activate during the Main Phase of my next turn if the conditions are still met. If it's not a Magic Card, I send the Card to the bottom of my Deck!"
The diamonds on Diamondguy's body glowed with a light blue. Following that, Edo revealed the top Card of his Deck. Upon seeing the green tint of the Card, he smiled, revealing the identity of the Card to Yuya.
"The Card is Angel's Charity! Now that Card will activate on my next Main Phase! But first…" He trailed off, placing the Card into the Grave. Three flashes of light enveloped his Monsters as he proceeded to place those three Cards into the Graveyard as well. "I release Diskguy, Diabolicguy, and Diamondguy! With these three as sacrifices, I Summon one of the strongest heroes! Appear, Destiny HERO - Bloo-D!" A devilish looking Monster with dark red wings, three talons protruding out of his back and a large mouth-shaped right hand descended to the Field.
Upon its Summon, Yuya winced as he felt a cold, sinister malice fill the air. Whatever this Monster was, it's chilling presence was unlike any of the other Monsters he has seen thus far.
Bloo-D: Level 8, 1900 Atk, 600 Def
"First off, while this Monster is face-up on the Field, the effects of all Monsters you control are negated!" Edo exclaimed as his Monster let out a roar, causing Yuya's Monsters to shudder as they were overshadowed with a gray outline. "Next, I will activate Bloo-D's effect! Once per turn, I can target a Monster you control and equip it to this Card! I choose your Beast-Eyes! Gravity Blood!" Edo shouted as Yuya's dragon was consumed by the terrifying arm on Bloo-D.
"Beast-Eyes, no!" Yuya called out wide eyes as he could not help but watch his Monster get consumed. Bloo-D released another roar as a red aura surrounded him.
"Now, Bloo-D gains half the Attack of the equipped Monster!" Edo added with a smile.
Beast-Eyes had 3000 Attack. Therefore, Bloo-D would be gaining 1500 Attack.
Bloo-D: 1900-3400 Atk
"Shit!" Yuya cursed, looking around for a brief moment before breaking off into a sprint in the wrecked Heartland, searching desperately.
"Trying to get an Action Card, huh? I won't let you!" Edo shouted as he too began to run, towards an Action Card. "Bloo-D, attack! Bloody Fears!" The demonic D HERO opened up his wings as thousands of blood red needles bursted out of his wings with blinding speed. As the needles flew in the air, Edo grabbed a Card from the ground, activating it. "Action Magic, High Dive! I target Bloo-D and give 1000 Attack until the end of the turn!"
Bloo-D: 3400-4400 Atk
The needles punctured Dag Daggerman in every one of his pressure points, causing him to explode. The resounding shock knocked Yuya off of his feet with a scream as he rolled around on the ground, landing on his back with a cough.
Yuya: 3200-800 LP
"Feel the power of the Destiny HEROES! The most powerful heroes to ever exist!" Edo proclaimed with a fist raised. "Academia's sharpest swords! The swords of destiny! And destiny foretells you lying beaten at my feet!"
Yuya rose to his feet, inserting a Card into his Duel Disk. "I won't let such a thing happen! I'll make my own destiny. Action Magic, Damage Draw! When I take 2000 or more points of damage in battle, I get to draw two Cards!" Yuya explained with a yell as he drew his two Cards.
As the smoke cleared, Edo's eyes widened when he saw that Dag Daggerman was still on the Field.
"What?!" Edo exploded with confusion. "But how?"
"I activated the effect of the Entermate Thunderhino in my Graveyard. I can banish this Card to stop the destruction of an Entermate Card I control!"
"Tch! Such an annoying effect." Edo muttered, placing down two facedown Cards before ending his turn.
Yuya's hand gripped the top of his Deck. "I will definitely win! I need to get back to Yuzu! My turn! From my Hand, I activate the Magic Card Scale Up, and using it I target a Card in my Pendulum Zone and increase it's Scale by 2 until the end of the turn." Yuya motioned towards Entermate Guiturtle. The number below Guiturtle increased by two as per the effect of Scale Up.
Guiturtle: Scale 6-8
"With this, I can now Summon Monsters whose Levels are from 4 to 7!" Yuya announced the new Scale, much to the annoyance of Academia's Commander-in-Chief. "Pendulum Summon! Appear, my Monsters!"
Spitting out of the portal that appeared above Yuya came four beams of light. Each of them filled up the remaining Monster Zones Yuya had in his possession. Filling the place of light was Entermate Silver Claw, Entermate Radish Horse, Entermate Partnaga, and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.
Silver Claw and Odd-Eyes we're in Attack Position, while the other two were Summoned in Defense.
Radish Horse: Level 4, 500 Atk, 2000 Def
Partnaga: Level 5, 500 Atk, 2100 Def
"Entermate Partnaga's effect!" Yuya announced as the snake let out a hiss, his scaly body glowing yellow. "When this Card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can target a Monster I control; that Monster gains 300 Attack for each Entermate Monster I currently control! I choose to give this boost to Entermate Radish Horse!"
Edo's eyes bulged with realization. He has four Entermate Monsters on the Field right now, meaning…
"Radish Horse will now gain 1200 Attack!" As Yuya finished his explanation, Radish Horse glowed with the same yellow hue around Partnaga.
Radish Horse: 500-1700 Atk
Edo's eyes narrowed with confusion. "Why increase the Attack of one of your weakest Monsters rather than Odd-Eyes? Have you really been that messed up by your father?"
"Not quite!" Yuya replied sternly as he let Radish Horse do his thing. Radish Horse's horn popped off his head. The radish horn combusted in the air into many tiny particles that rained down on the Field.
The next thing Edo knew, the Attack of his Monster had gone down. Furthermore, much to his dismay, the Attack of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon had increased by the same amount.
"Just what is this?!" He demanded out of irritation.
Despite the grim situation, Yuya couldn't help but find a grin coming to his face. With satisfaction in his voice, he clarified, "Once per turn, if Radish Horse was Special Summoned, I can target a Monster I control and a Monster you control with 2500 or more Attack! My Monster gains Attack equal to Radish Horse's Attack, while yours loses Points by that amount, both until the end of the turn!"
Odd-Eyes: 2500-4200 Atk
Bloo-D: 3400-1700 Atk
"4-4200 Attack?!" Edo gasped, quivering as Odd-Eyes stared him down with his dual-colored eyes.
"This is the end!" Yuya shouted as fire began to gather in Odd-Eyes' mouth. "Odd-Eyes, with those dual-colored eyes of yours, lay waste to everything you see! Spiral Strike Burst!"
Odd-Eyes leapt into the air, a torrent of flames bursting out of his mouth and heading straight for Bloo-D.
"When Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks a Level 5 or higher Monster, the resulting damage is doubled!"
"Like hell it will! Reverse Card," Edo slammed his finger on his Duel Disk, revealing one of his set Cards. "Blood Discharger! This Card can only be activated during your Battle Phase! Now, I destroy an Equip Card that I control!"
Bloo-D spread his devilish wings. The distorted head of Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon poked out of its left wing. From within the HERO, the dragon let out an audible cry of pain. Yuya could only watch in horror as his Monster was completely disintegrated within Edo's Monster. The next thing he knew, the flames from Odd-Eyes' attack had been extinguished.
As Bloo-D's Equip Card has been destroyed, Bloo-D loses the Attack gained from it.
Bloo-D: 1700-200 Atk
"Damn it! I end my turn." Yuya concluded with a distraught expression.
As per the effects of Yuya's Cards, the Scale of Entermate Guiturtle and the Attack of both Odd-Eyes and Bloo-D returned to normal.
Guiturtle: Scale 8-6
Odd-Eyes: 4200-2500 Atk
Bloo-D: 200-1900 Atk
"As I expected, the garbage Sakaki Yusho taught you is nothing to the teachings of the Professor. Look where Entertainment Dueling has gotten you!" Edo preached as he threw out his hands as the vast destruction of Heartland settled in Yuya's mind.
A part of Yuya wanted nothing more than to lash out at Edo for what he said. However, a part of him didn't at the same time. After all, he already told himself he gave up on Entertainment Dueling. At the very least, he gave up on trying to spread it to Academia. People like him, who wasn't even swayed by his father of all people, cannot be changed.
That's what he thought, so why did Edo's words bother him so much?
"The Professor's teachings are absolute!" Edo declared with a hard draw. "My turn!"
As Edo's Main Phase arrived, the ghostly image of Angel's Charity appeared in front of him. It was the next Main Phase now, and as per Diamondguy's effect, Edo could use the Magic Card.
"Angel's Charity," Edo started as he drew three Cards from his Deck and removed two in his Hand. "Allows me to draw three Cards and send two to the Graveyard!"
The Cards that Edo had sent to the Graveyard were Destiny HERO - Dreamguy and D - Fortune.
Looking at his current Hand, Edo smirked. This was perfect.
"I admit, you are strong, Sakaki Yuya. But, the will of Academia is stronger!" Edo said, inserting a Card into his Duel Disk. "I activate the Magic Card, Doctor D! First, I must banish a Destiny HERO Monster in my Graveyard. I will be banishing Dreamguy!"
As Edo spokez a portal opened in front of him. A man in a green suit and yellow armor briefly appeared before vanishing without a trace.
"In exchange for the banished Monster, I am allowed to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Destiny HERO Monster from my Graveyard. Return to my side, Destiny HERO - Diskguy!"
For the third time in the Duel, Diskguy rose from the Graveyard, and just like the other two times, his effect activated, allowing Edo to draw two Cards.
"Crap!" Yuya muttered as he began to run. He had no Cards left in his Hand or any Magic or Traps to protect him. He had to find an Action Card now!
"It's no use! This Duel is over no matter what you get!" Edo declared as he slapped another Card onto his Duel Disk. "Remember Destiny HERO - Diabolicguy? Well, turns out I have a third one in my Deck! So, I banish the one currently lying in my Graveyard in order to bring him out. Come on, Destiny HERO - Diabolicguy!"
One flash of light later and Edo had his third copy of Diabolicguy standing on his Field in Defense Position.
Once again, Edo inserted another Card into his Duel Disk. "And now, I Summon Destiny HERO - Decisionguy!"
A Monster with red vein-like ears, clad in a bodysuit with green, gray, and yellow appeared to the Field.
Decisionguy: Level 4, 1600 Atk, 1000 Def
"I'm not done just yet!" Edo called out as Yuya cursed to himself, still unable to find an Action Card.
A large shining white light enveloped Edo's eyes as his three recently Summoned Monsters all disappeared from the Field. Electricity crackled around Edo's body as he put down the Card in his hand.
"I release Decisionguy, Diskguy, and Diabolicguy in order to Special Summon Destiny HERO - Dogmaguy!" Edo shouted at the top of his lungs as his Monster rose from the ground.
Dogmaguy was a demonic Monster with bat-shaped wings sticking out of his back and horns on the top of his head. The dark Monster released a roar as he wagged his tail furiously, brandishing the blade on his right gauntlet with an agonizingly slow pace.
Dogmaguy: Level 8, 3400 Atk, 2400 Def
"Found one!" Yuya's face brightened as he leaned down while running, snatching a Card from the ground. Planting his foot in the ground, he turned on his heel back towards Edo, quickly thrusting the Card into his Duel Disk and activating it. "Action Magic, Modulation! With this Card, I can target a single Monster I control to be affected. Then, I declare a Level from 1 to 12! The targeted Monster's Level then becomes that of the number I declared! The Monster I choose is Entermate Partnaga, and the Level I choose for him to get is 12!"
Partnaga slithered next to Yuya, eliciting a hiss as he stood protectively in front of his owner.
Partnaga: Level 5-12
Hmm? Why did he…?
Edo's question was answered as Yuya said, "Entermate Partnaga's additional effect! Your Monsters now cannot attack as long as they have a Level lower than or equal to Partnaga himself!"
"Another annoying effect." Edo muttered under his breath. "It doesn't matter! You are not escaping this. Trap Card, activate! D-Fusion! Using Monsters I control as Material, I can Fusion Summon a Monster from my Extra Deck! Also, the Summoned Monster can't be destroyed by battle or Card effects this turn. On my Field, I fuse both Destiny HERO - Bloo-D and Destiny HERO - Dogmaguy! Fusion Summon! Show yourself! Level 10! Dragoon D-End!"
A Monster with the figure of Dogmaguy, the head of Bloo-D on his chest along with Bloo-D's wings appeared on the Field. A dark aura emanated around his body, one that all but paralyzed Yuya in his tracks.
What…is this feeling?! Yuya thought to himself with wide eyes. It feels like I've…been completely pinned down! I…I can't move!
D-End: Level 10, 3000 Atk, 3000 Def
Recovering from his shock, Yuya spoke with his composure returned.
"Even with that new Monster, you still can't attack!" He retorted. "Until the end of this turn, you won't be able to lay a single finger on any of my Monsters!"
"I wonder about that."
"Huh?!"
With a snarky smirk, Edo motioned towards his Monster. "I activate Dragoon D-End's effect! Once per turn, I can target a Monster you control and destroy it! Invincible D! Then, I inflict damage to you equal to the Attack of the destroyed Monster!"
"What?!" Yuya gasped as D-End began to charge his attack. Looking around he once again began to run. "Gotta find an Action Card!"
"It ends here, son of Sakaki Yusho! Invincible D!" Edo shouted, holding his finger out at Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.
"Yes!" Yuya cheered, catching sight of an Action Card.
"I don't think so!"
A beam of green light shot from D-End's blade. The beam connected with the ground, exploding upon impact, Yuya lost his balance and found himself tripping on the ground.
"End this, Dragoon D-End!"
Upon Edo's command, another beam of light shot out from D-End's weapon. The attack crashed into Odd-Eyes' body, causing the dragon to wail from the pain. After an agonizing five seconds, the dragon blew up.
The ensuing shockwaves sent Yuya off of his feet. He cried out in pain as his body scraped across the hard ground, rolling around as he crashed into a nearby wall with a loud thud, losing consciousness as his body stilled.
Yuzu…Yuto…Mom…Dad…everyone… Yuya found his final thoughts pass by as he saw darkness fill his eyes.
Yuya: 800-0 LP
As Yuya's Life Points hit 0, all Cards on the Field began to fade away. With his eyes closed, Edo began to walk towards Yuya with a confident stride.
"Hmph. It's like I said before, Academia's ideals are absolute, runt."
He stopped right before Yuya's body, holding out his Duel Disk, ready to finish the job. His finger floated over the button that would Card him. However, he simply remained still. After moments of agonizing silence, he lowered his Duel Disk.
He released an annoyed sigh. Despite getting victory over his opponent and proving his ideals to be superior, he still doesn't feel any satisfaction.
No…
Not like this. This wasn't how he was going to feel satisfaction. To truly showcase that Academia's teachings were true and just, he would have to show it to the person who is causing him this grief in the first place.
Sakaki Yusho…He thought to himself with a growl.
Yes. That's how he would get satisfaction. Crouching down, he wrapped his hands around Yuya's body. He exerted with a grunt, bringing the boy on top of his shoulder. He exhaled, taking a step back, gaining his balance.
He began to walk back to Academia's base in Heartland. And just like before, he reaffirmed himself with what has been instilled upon him.
Academia's teachings are just…
Meanwhile
"They did it!" Sayaka exclaimed with a smile as she saw the Tyler Twins hit the ground, their Life Points dropping to 0.
"As expected of Yuto and Kurosaki!" Allen praised.
"Hell yeah! That's the power of the Lancers! Never forget it!" Sawatari cheered.
Shun glanced at his best friend, stunned at the new strength he had displayed. A new dragon. An evolution of Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, one that he had never seen before.
Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon…
He shook his head, snapping himself out of those thoughts. Now was not the time to be thinking of such things. They had more pressing matters.
"Let's bring them into the Resistance. They might be able to tell us something useful." Yuto spoke.
"Maybe, but there is the possibility that Academia is tracking them. We'd have to take precautions to make sure we don't get followed." Shun replied as they walked over to their comrades.
"Are you guys alright?" Yuto questioned with concern, helping Sawatari and Allen off the ground.
"Thanks to you!" Allen remarked.
"Shun…I…" Sayaka started, but she looked away in shame, unable to find the right words. "I'm so…"
She gasped as she found herself in a tight embrace. Her eyes wide, she realized that it was Shun who had pulled her in.
"Don't you ever do something like that again." Shun said calmly. Pulling out of the hug, he looked Sayaka straight in the eyes. "Listen to me, Sayaka. I do not blame you for Ruri getting captured. Besides, she is here with us now. What I cannot forgive you for is recklessly putting yourself in danger like that!"
"Shun…" Sayaka whispered. She had thought for sure that Shun would be furious at her. And, he was…but not for the reason she thought. Tears sprouted in her eyes, a grateful smile growing in her face. "Thank you!"
A rare smile made its way to Shun's face. "Come on, let's get these bastards and head back to the base. Ruri and everyone else was worried sick about you."
"Ruri is…" Sayaka mumbled under her breath.
"Of course she is." Yuto spoke up with a reassuring smile. "You're like a sister to Ruri. It's a given that she'll be worried about you."
Any traces of doubt in Sayaka's eyes were wiped away. Joy filled them as she removed her glasses, rubbing her tears away as she nodded.
"Yeah!"
"Now then, let's go." Shun said once again. He and Yuto turned back to get the Tyler Twins. However, when they did…
"Stop right there!" A voice yelled out.
Yuto, Shun, and the others all widened their eyes, looking at the surrounding area as suddenly hoards of Academia students appeared. An obscene amount. Along with that, the Tyler Twins had regained consciousness and were now back on their feet.
"Academia reinforcements!" Gongenzaka cried out.
Yuto turned to the source of the voice. A man with stress marks, brown hair, and formal clothing was standing, sweat pouring down his face.
"Since the Commander-in-Chief is so late, I am going to take action!" The man exclaimed.
"Oh! Deputy Commander Noro! Nice to see you again!" The now consciousness Grace greeted cheerfully with a wave.
"Don't act so childish in front of the enemy!" Gloria chided with a serious expression. "To think that we lost…"
"Damn it…" Shun cursed under his breath. There was practically nothing they could do. All six of them were not ready to go into straight matches with all of these soldiers, especially the Tyler Twins.
We're all surrounded. And the numbers are not in our favor. Yuto thought to himself, looking around frantically for a wait out. His heart sank lower and lower as the realization continued to dawn on him that there was no escape.
"Do not Card any of them!" Noro commanded. "We must capture them all! At least one of them will cough up vital information about the Resistance, and then we can finally be rid of those timewasters once and for all!"
Academia…had successfully captured them…
Meanwhile
"Moonlight Panther Dancer, direct attack!" Serena yelled at her Monster pounced on her victim.
"Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, attack! Cipher Stream of Eradication!" Kaito roared as his Monster released a stream of light, enveloping his poor enemy.
Serena and Kaito's Monsters disappeared as they looked around for any signs of new enemies.
They were all beaten…
I have to get back to Yuya! Serena thought in urgency as she took off into a run in the direction she saw Yuya and Edo going.
After a moment or two of hesitation, Kaito followed suit.
The two ran for minutes, but they could find or see any sign of Yuya or Edo. Panicked thoughts races through Serena's brain as she hurriedly looked around for her comrade.
Was the Duel over? They couldn't have gone that far. Did Yuya lose? If so, was he captured, or worse…
After what seemed like a good three minutes of searching…
"Get down!" Kaito spoke abruptly, grabbing Serena and forcing her down to take cover behind a piece of rubble from a wrecked building.
They waited moments in awkward silence. Or, not so awkward silence. The sounds of walking could be heard through the desolate city. With a city this dead, any sound could be picked up on rather easily, especially for the trained ear. And from the sounds of it, there were a lot of people walking.
Academia. Both Serena and Kaito thought to themselves. There was no doubt about it.
As if they were in sync, Serena and Kaito raised their heads above the block of rubble obscuring them. They looked to see a large group of Academia students walking with many of them adorning large grins on their faces.
Kaito's blood immediately began to boil. All of the destruction was done to his home by them and they were smiling about it.
His hatred quickly subsided, instead being replaced by the sight that he saw next. And though he couldn't see her faces he knew that Serena had the same look of shock and fear.
The Commander-in-Chief, Edo Phoenix, was walking in front of the group with Noro and the Tyler Twins in tow. However, that was not what was what froze them in their tracks.
It was the sight of Yuya, Yuto, Shun, Sawatari, Gongenzaka, Allen, and Sayaka all being taken away…
Card Catalog
Phantom Knights Splinted Spaulders: Level 4, 1200 Atk, 500 Def, Dark, Warrior, Scale 7: Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, during the Battle Phase, when a Monster you control is attacked while you have a Phantom Knights Monster in the Graveyard, negate the attack and end the Battle Phase. Then, reduce the Scale of this Card by 2 (min 1). Monster Effect: Once per turn, during the Battle Phase, if a Monster you control is attacked while you have another Phantom Knights Monster on the Field, you can make that Monster unable to be destroyed by battle that time. Also, negate any battle damage you may have taken. Then, reduce the Level of this Monster by 1 (min 1). If this Card is in your Graveyard and an opponent's Monster declares an attack, you can banish this Card from the Graveyard. Then, negate the attack and end the Battle Phase.
Raider's Knight: Changed the effect slightly so that it includes Dark Xyz Monsters instead of Xyz Dragon.
Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon: Made it so that the Attack-increasing effect only works on Special Summoned Monsters. I still want Dark Requiem to be a viable option so I may add another nerf in the future.
Modulation, Action Magic: Target a Monster you control. Declare a Level from 1-12. Until the end of the turn, the Level of the targeted Monster becomes that of the Level you declared.
D-Fusion: I changed the anime effect slightly so that you can now activate it on either player's turn rather than just the opponent's turn.
Now then, it's certainly been a while hasn't it. Sorry I took half a year to update, I have just been busy with school and other stuff.
On that note, Happy New Year everyone. If you are reading this, I hope 2023 will be a much better year for you than 2022.
And as a joke, my New Year's Resolution is to update this story more often. It probably won't happen, but I'm gonna try it.
Next chapter may or may not have a Duel in it. Considering the cliffhanger I left this chapter on, I want next chapter to be a little bit based on the aftermath.
I will report that my six month break has not been completely useless. For a while, I have actually been planning out how the rest of this arc and the Fusion Dimension Arc will play out. I have been brainstorming and moving a lot of parts around, and messing around with scenarios in my head. I hope you guys like the outcome when we inevitably get there.
So, in this chapter, Yuto and Shun Dueled the Tyler Twins and won, which I think many of you would have expected. I decided to add Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon for Yuto because it is such a cool dragon. I nerfed it slightly because it's kinda broken. I also had Shun use Ultimate Falcon here with the assist since it was never used to get Shun a victory.
Now, I don't know if you guys were expecting the outcome of the Yuya and Edo Duel. At least I hope you weren't. I didn't like making Yuya lose, but I wanted Edo to get a win considering his first Duel in this fic was him losing to Ryo.
Next chapter…
After the battles with the Tyler Twins and Edo, Yuya, Yuto, Sawatari, Gongenzaka, Allen and Sayaka are captured by Academia. They are taken to a secret prison where they are interrogated on the Resistance's wearabouts. They are slated for Carding, and it is announced to all of Heartland in order to draw out their comrades. Meanwhile, the remaining Lancers and Resistance members plot a rescue mission…
Apple Bloom: I appreciate it. Sorry for the long wait.
Ghost Obelisk: You'll have to wait and see…
Kirbstagoon: Thank you. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
That's all for now guys. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Take care, goodbye!
