"It seems using Yugo, Kaito, and Marufuji as bait was a good idea after all." Ryoga mused to his companions, Rio and O'Brien as they made their way through one of the secret entrances of the Underground Dueling building, hearing and feeling the explosions of the Monster's attacks rumbling above, shaking the ground they were within.
"Of course it was. It was my idea, after all, Ryoga." Rio glanced back at her older brother, giving a sly smile that the boy hadn't seen from her in a long time. "Putting a hot headed idiot, a traitor, and the man who's been such an annoyance to Academia out as a distraction was sure to attract a lot of attention."
Why do I immediately know who was assigned each of those titles…? O'Brien quietly thought to himself with a deadpan expression.
But now was not the time for such thoughts.
Eventually, the three Duelists came across four hallways that split off from each other.
"I suppose this is where we split up." O'Brien spoke aloud, glancing at his comrades for their input.
"I guess it is." Ryoga replied. After all, they had planned to split up so they could keep the Duelists inside the fortress from helping each other by keeping them confined to one area.
"Be careful, you guys." Rio spoke with a motherly like tone…one specifically pointed at her older brother.
"It's not me you have to be worried about." O'Brien quipped with a rare smile.
"The hell is that supposed to mean?!" Ryoga twitched with an annoyed expression as O'Brien merely walked off in response.
"Hehe…" Rio giggled, covering her mouth and turning away from her brother.
Ryoga crossed his arms in a miserable attempt to look cool. "Hmph! Who does he think he is…trying to sneak a jab at me like that?!"
"Come on, Ryoga, don't try to hide it. I know you like him a lot." Rio said, regaining her composure as she also began to walk off on her own path.
"The hell I do…" Ryoga muttered in denial. "Hey, Rio!"
"Yeah?" Rio turned on her heel, facing her brother.
His annoyed face softened, giving his baby sister a tender smile. "Stay safe, okay?"
"You too!" She exclaimed as she continued to run down the corridor, determined to find her friends.
Now left by himself, Ryoga glanced down the path that O'Brien had taken. He glanced at the two open paths, ones that neither Rio or O'Brien had taken. Like the other two, he walked down one of the corridors, determined to find his friends.
You stay safe as well, O'Brien. I better see you and Rio fine and well along with the others after this battle!
Meanwhile - In Another Section of the Fortress
Ruri and Serena walked in deafening silence as they navigated through the secret corridor, neither of them even uttering a word. Had it not been for their footsteps echoing throughout the underground tunnel, it would have been like no one was in there at all.
Serena gave an uncomfortable glance towards her counterpart, seeing clear distress evident on her face. She couldn't blame her of course, after all three of her best friends and her brother was currently captured.
"Don't worry. We'll save all of them." She spoke, earning her a glance. "Yuto and the others, I mean…"
"I know, it's just…" Ruri paused, her lip quivering, turning her face away so Serena wouldn't have to see any tears. "I don't want to lose them again…"
"Again?" Serena questioned.
"The last time I was captured." Ruri clarified. "Before I permanently settled back into Heartland, I was often separated from my brother, and I missed him dearly. But…getting captured in the middle of an interdimensional war…it's made me more afraid of losing what I care about more than ever before."
Serena gave a small hum of understanding. She remained quiet, hesitating, before speaking her mind, "...I never really had something to care about. There was someone, but…" Serena shook her head. She could not think about that right now. "...I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't understand losing something and having your loved ones taken away from you…I'm not going to even pretend like I do. However, I promise you, we will rescue Kurosaki, Allen, Sayaka, your boyfriend, and the other two as well."
As soon as the word boyfriend left her lips, Ruri's sadness was immediately overcome with embarrassment. She blushed madly, her face looking like the red of Yuya's hair.
"Please don't say a word to my brother!" She exclaimed, a drop of sweat rolling down her face.
"What? You mean Kurosaki doesn't know? How come?" Serena asked cluelessly.
And that was the extent to her social skills.
"Well, uhh…you know how my brother is…" Ruri trailed off, hoping that Serena could finish the thought to herself.
"Hmm?" Serena wondered aloud. Truthfully, she didn't really know Kurosaki that much of a person…at least not much outside of the Duelist that really cared about his sister.
"Umm, never mind." Ruri waved the topic off, realizing that it would be difficult to explain it to Serena, who had practically been raised in Academia and as such had never been taught any proper social skills. Deciding that this was not going anywhere, Ruri decided to change the topic. "So, Serena, who is it that you care about? There has to be someone right?"
Serena shook her head. "No one. I've never needed anyone in my life!" She closed her eyes, huffing proudly.
Ruri frowned, shaking her head. "No, I don't believe that. I believe that everyone in this world needs someone to care for, even the most vile of people. Plus…you did just told me there was someone you cared about.
Shit. Serena thought to herself. She slipped up very badly.
This was going to be very awkward…
She sighed, "Yes, I did, but not anymore. That someone has changed…a lot." Her thoughts returned to the violet-haired boy. Him and his seemingly meek and quiet, yet fun-loving manner…but now he was gone, replaced by a sick, insane, sadistic maniac. The same one who was responsible for kidnapping Ruri in the first place.
"Serena."
Just how was she going to explain to the girl that Yuri was the person she once cared about? She's only seen him as the horrible person he is today, not for the boy Serena herself remembered three years ago.
"Serena."
If I hadn't just left him…would he have…?
"Serena!" Ruri rose her voice, trying to keep it low as to not attract attention.
The sudden call of her name snapped Serena out of her trance. She looked to her Xyz counterpart with confusion. The latter sighed out of resignation in response.
"It seems you're uncomfortable talking about it. Forgive me." Ruri apologized, giving a small nod of respect towards Serena.
The other girl blinked, surprised at how polite the girl was. "Don't worry about it. Normally, I would not have a problem telling you…but you wouldn't like this person. They're not exactly the best human being."
"I'm sure that's not true!" Ruri exclaimed wistfully, giving her counterpart a smile. "If it's someone who had managed to gain your trust and respect, Serena, then I'm sure that they aren't that bad of a person!"
If only you knew…Serena thought to herself darkly, knowing that Ruri's words would be completely different had she known whom she was talking about.
"Maybe after the war ends, you can go back to your friend and make amends with them." Ruri suggested with a kind smile.
Serena's eyebrows raised. She had never thought about doing something like that before. It would be nice if she would be able to return her relationship with Yuri back to normal, but it seemed so out of reach right now.
"I…"
"Well, well, well! Look what we have here…" A voice spoke up as Ruri and Serena entered what seemed to be an arena uses for Underground Duels. Ruri and Serena's instincts immediately switched up. Both girls took defensive stances as they looked to the source of the voice, seeing Gloria Tyler standing in their way. "...two girls with the same face!"
"One of the Tyler Twins!" Serena exclaimed, holding up her Duel Disk, ready to fight.
"But where is the other one?" Ruri wondered aloud.
"My sister? Oh, you won't have to worry about her. She's somewhere else in the building." Gloria said, stretching her fingers. "Normally, I don't like being away from my sister for too long, but this is a good opportunity to wipe the dust off of my one-on-one Dueling skills."
"A chance to take on one of the Tyler Twins in a one-on-one match?" Serena mused, a grin sprouting on her face. The Duelist in her just could not resist. "This is an opportunity I can't pass up. I never did like you two anyway!"
"Likewise, Serena!" Gloria returned with a glare, her Duel Disk switching on, the blade extending out with a bright hue.
"Go on ahead, Ruri." Serena said. "Save our comrades!"
"What?!" Ruri cried out in shock. "There's no way I'm just leaving you here!"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Serena assured her counterpart with a smile. "After all, if Gloria accepted any help from anyone else, it would just prove that she's too weak to fight on her own like a true Duelist!"
"You brat!" Gloria snapped, feeling a hot fire burning within her gut at the insult. "I'll show you just who is too weak to fight on her own, Osiris Red!"
Serena remained steadfast, not fazed at the insult whatsoever. After all, she knew fully well that Akaba Leo had purposely kept her from being promoted from the lowest rank. He kept her there on purpose, and it had nothing to do with her skills as a Duelist.
She activated her own Duel Disk, drawing five Cards. "If you have energy to talk, you have energy to Duel!" As Gloria drew her own Cards, Serena once again turned her attention to Ruri. "I've got things handled here! I'll see you when we get out of here."
After a long pause of hesitation, Ruri sighed. "Okay. Be careful, Serena!"
"Don't worry about me." Serena reiterated as she saw Ruri run past Gloria down the hallway, in search of their captured comrades.
It couldn't be helped. Serena had made up her mind, and although Ruri hasn't known her for that long, she got the feeling that her counterpart was of the type that whenever they set their mind on something, nothing can deter them.
Especially when one's pride as a Duelist is on the line. As a Duelist herself, she could understand the feeling somewhat.
Seeing that Ruri had relented and finally left the area, Serena returned her gaze to her waiting opponent. Green eyes locked with a pinkish-red, both sets shooting determined glares at each other.
They both had their own reasons for fighting. And for that reason, they vowed to not lose.
But there could only be one victor…
"DUEL!"
Meanwhile
"Damn it! How big is this place?" O'Brien mused to himself, running through the fortress in search of his friends, but to no avail. The sheer size of the area made sure of that, and the fact that he wasn't searching at full efficiency due to the issue of being cautious enough to not get caught didn't help matters either.
It was a good thing we split up…O'Brien thought to himself. Had we not, who knows how long it would take for us to find the others…
Especially considering how they didn't exactly have the most amount of time in the world.
The Fusion Dimension resident turned a corner, exiting the corridor and entering a larger room. It was an expansive room with large cages barring up parts of the room. There were white lines and squares marking the ground in the cages, as if they were marking some sort of a mirrored field with two rows of 5 zones.
The bleak realization hit O'Brien. So, this is where it all happened…
The amount of people that must have suffered here…both before and during Academia's invasion. It seemed that Heartland City still had its own problems even without Academia existing, just like the Synchro Dimension did.
Slowing to a walk, his brown eyes darting around the room for any potential threats or signs of his teammates, O'Brien's thoughts drifted back to Rio and Ryoga's thoughts on the place. He remembered how they described it as their own personal hell, moreso for Ryoga than Rio, as the former was much more active than his sister.
Ryoga…my friend, once this is all over, I'll help you bring the injustices of this Hell to light. No one will have to suffer here like you and your sister did ever again!
"Aha! Finally, an enemy!" A voice cried out with glee.
Alarms went off in O'Brien's head as his body's survival instincts kicked. With this foot skidding across the ground, O'Brien abruptly turned to the source, his Duel Disk activated and ready. His brown eyes narrowed with recognition at the sight of a fair-skinned woman with green eyes and white hair.
One of the Tyler Twins. He had seen her before at one of Academia's annual conventions, where all five branches of Academia–North, South, West, East, and Central–all convene to one place and battle each other to see which school is the strongest. Grave Tyler, being one of Academia's strongest Duelists, was one of the representatives of Central Academia, the one where Akaba Leo resides.
Of course, the only reason the Central Academia attended these conventions was probably just to keep up appearances. That's the conclusion that O'Brien had come to after a long time.
It seemed he had been recognized too, as Grace Tyler's eyes lit upon seeing O'Brien.
"You're one of Cobra's students." She noted, a smile appearing from cheek to cheek on her face. "You are high up in Academia's Threat List. Below only the likes of Akaba Reiji, Tenjo Kaito, Kurosaki Shun as well as Ohanaka Yuto." Her face darkened as she recited the last two names, recalling her loss with Gloria against them.
Although it has been more than a day since that Duel, the defeat was still fresh in her mind. And she was sure that it was so in her sister's mind as well. Fortunately, this guy would be able to provide some sort of stress relief for her.
"Let's cut the chitchat and get on with the Duel, shall we?" Grace said, activating her Duel Disk, her green eyes locking with O'Brien's brown.
O'Brien glared at her. "Very well, I'll settle this quickly and save my comrades!"
Field Magic: Cross Over!
"DUEL!" Both Duelists cried out in unison, beginning their bout.
As the Duel began, Action Cards scattered around the dome-shaped room, which was now riddled with light blue platforms.
An Action Duel, huh? Grace noted immediately, her eyes raising with a startled expression before it was quickly wiped away. It should not be surprising. He is a member of the Lancers after all…
"I'm first!" O'Brien declared. Grace winced in response, he had been much quicker than she was. Immediately, O'Brien revealed a Card in his Hand to Grace. The Card depicted two Volcanic Monsters being fired out of a cannon. "I activate the Continuous Magic Card, Blaze Cannon!" As the Card was inserted, the cannon depicted in the Card's picture appeared in front of O'Brien. "And then, I Summon Volcanic Edge!" Slamming a Card onto his Duel Disk, a golden-plated dinosaur appeared in front of O'Brien's cannon.
Volcanic Edge: Level 4, 1800 Atk, 1200 Def
A ball of fire formed within the confines of Edge's mouth in accordance with a hand motion made towards it from O'Brien. "Once per turn, at the cost of it attacking this turn, Volcanic Edge can deal 500 points of direct damage!"
The ball bursted out of Edge's mouth at full speed, crashing into Grace's abdomen. The girl grimaced as she took the first damage of the Duel.
Grace: 4000-3500 LP
"Such a cheap shot…" She mumbled under her breath, sending O'Brien a quick glare. "I'll pay you back for this…tenfold!"
"That's if you get the chance." O'Brien retorted, holding up a Magic Card that Grace knew all too well. The boy slid the Card into his Duel Disk, activating it. "Now, I will use the Magic Card, Fusion! With it, I fuse together the Volcanic Edge on my Field with the Volcanic Bullet in my Hand!" The two figures of the Monster swirled in a vortex formation, both converging into a single form as O'Brien recited the chant. "Two sparks of fire burn brightly, now merge into one burst of flames that can never be put out! Fusion Summon! Show yourself! Level 7! Volcanic Avenger!"
Bringing his hands down, an explosion of fire erupted in front of him as a tri-horned behemoth standing on two legs with black armor covering its limbs appeared to the Field, eliciting an ear-piercing screech upon arrival.
Volcanic Avenger: Level 7, 2600 Atk, 2300 Def
"Next up," O'Brien continued as a Card ejected itself from his Deck, "I use the effect of Volcanic Bullet. By paying 500 Life Points…kgh…" He grunted as an orange aura surrounded him, his Life Points also deteriorating. "I get to add another copy of the Card from my Deck to my Hand." Holding the Card within two fingers, O'Brien flipped it briefly around so Grace could see it before turning it back towards him so he could continue.
O'Brien: 4000-3500 LP
"My turn's not done just yet!" O'Brien exclaimed, thrusting a hand at his Fusion Monster. "Volcanic Avenger's effect! Once per turn, I can inflict damage to you equal to the Level of a Volcanic Monster in my Graveyard times 200. My target will be Volcanic Edge, who has a Level of 4!"
On cue, both of Volcanic Avenger's hands ignited with a burning fire. The flames streamed off the Monster's fingertips, enveloping Grace who could do nothing but scream as the heat ate away at her body. As the flames dissipated, Grace let out a moan, her body steaming as she nearly stumbled to the ground from the pain. Volcanic Edge is a Level 4 Monster, so Grace took 800 points of damage as a result.
Grace: 3500-2700 LP
"I set a Card and end my turn." O'Brien stated, a Card appearing in front of him as his turn concluded.
"Ahh!" Grace cried out of frustration, making a pouting expression. "I hate going up against Burn Decks! All of it is just throwing out damage without rhyme or reason. There is no skill or intelligence required!"
"Perhaps," O'Brien started with an unfazed stare, "but what does that say about the person who loses to this unskillful and unintelligent Deck?"
Realizing the hidden jab in O'Brien's words, Grace's face immediately flashed with anger.
"You bastard! I'll teach you not to underestimate me! My turn!" Grace yelled. She glanced at the Card she drew, a grin briefly flashing across her face before playing the Card. "Magic Card, Fusion, activate! With this, I fuse Amazoness-"
"Not so fast!" O'Brien interjected, opening the Card he had set, displaying a metallic ball of fire combustion underneath some poor soul's feet. "Reverse Card, open! Volcanic Mine! As per its effect, I Special Summon as many Pyro Fire-Type Bomb Tokens to your side of the Field as possible. You have five open spaces, so five Bomb Tokens are Summoned!" Five balls of fire erupted from the Trap, occupying each Zone on Grace's Field and hardening into balls of rocky magma, much to her frustration.
Bomb Token(s): Level 1, 1000 Atk, 1000 Def
This was good. Now Grace couldn't do anything else, and once her turn ended, her Field would be completely wide open, giving O'Brien the opportunity to end the Duel next turn.
"For your sake, I hope that you have a Fusion Monster that allows my Tokens as Materials…" O'Brien trailed off with a knowing smirk, his side of the chain ending. "But don't worry, the Bomb Tokens will destroy themselves at the End Phase."
Grace seethed with venom as the effect of Volcanic Mine resolved. As she has a full Field of Tokens, and the fact that none of them could be used for the Fusion Summon of a Monster in her Extra Deck, Grace could not Fusion Summon. As a result, the effect of Fusion simply fizzled out without any Fusion Summon being conducted.
This brat! Grace inwardly cursed, glaring at her opponent, yet at the same time silently praising him for his ingenuity, as frustrating as was. By filling up an empty Field with useless Tokens, he disabled my ability to Fusion Summon…He practically made her waste the Fusion Card, her strongest weapon!
And she didn't have another one currently in her Hand…
"So," O'Brien spoke up, narrowing his eyes at his opponent, "What now? You can't Fusion Summon anything!"
"Perhaps," Grace said, her scowl fading as she showed O'Brien another Card in her Hand, "but I still have things that aren't Fusion Summoning! After all, being such a one-trick pony is so not cool! I release one of your Bomb Tokens in order to Advance Summon Amazoness Queen!"
With that, one of the mines on Grace's Field disappeared, being replaced by a dark-skinned woman with indigo colored hair that reached down to her shoulders. a red cape flushed down her back, practically the only cloth that she was wearing as she wore nothing else but two rags as a skirt and a bra along with gauntlets on her arms.
Queen: Level 6, 2400 Atk, 1800 Def
"Next," Grace said, inserting a Card depicting Amazoness Fighter taking a battle stance into her Duel Disk, "I activate the Continuous Magic Amazoness Fighting Spirit! Now, battle! Amazoness Queen, attack Volcanic Avenger!"
Releasing a battle cry, a yellow aura appeared around Amazoness Queen as she leaped into the air, brandishing her blade towards Volcanic Avenger.
A smirk appeared on Grace's face. "The effect of Amazoness Fighting Spirit will now activate! When an Amazoness Monster attacks a Monster with a higher Attack, the attacking Monster will gain 1000 Attack during Damage Calculation!"
Queen: 2400-3400 Atk
"Now, finish off Volcanic Avenger!" Grace said, her Monster viciously digging her blade into Volcanic Avenger's snout, swiping to the left and cutting the Monster in two. The resounding shockwave crashed into O'Brien's body, causing the boy to shudder in place.
O'Brien: 3500-2700 LP
Quickly recovering, O'Brien held out the Card of the destroyed Monster. "Whenever Volcanic Avenger is destroyed, I can target one other Fire Monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it. Return to my side, on Defense Position, Volcanic Edge!"
As he spoke, the golden-plated Monster from earlier appeared to the Field, leaning forward and kneeling in a defensive manner.
Then, as the battle had finished and Damage Calculation was now over, the Attack of Amazoness Queen returned to normal.
Queen: 3400-2400 Atk
"I set two Cards and end it there." Grace stated, her two Cards appearing facedown in front of her momentarily. "Your move."
"Hold on just a second!" O'Brien called out, much to Grace's annoyance. He motioned towards her Field, she glanced at her other Monster Zones to see them empty now. "At the End Phase, the Bomb Tokens are destroyed."
"Tch! Good riddance…"
"Now, it's my turn!" O'Brien announced, drawing his Card. He grunted, glancing at the Card he drew before holding out the only other Card in his Hand. "I activate the effect of my Continuous Magic Blaze Cannon! Once per turn, I can send a Pyro-Type Monster with 500 or less Attack to the Graveyard to target and destroy a Monster you control at the cost of not being able to attack this turn. I send Volcanic Bullet to the Grave with your Amazoness Queen as the cannon's target!"
As O'Brien placed his Monster Card in the Graveyard, the gun on his Field ignited with a bright fire, poised straight at Amazoness Queen.
"Now, fire!" O'Brien demanded. In an instant a burst of flames erupted from his cannon, enveloping Amazoness Queen.
"I activate the Trap Card Dramatic Rescue!" Grace exclaimed, her Card revealing itself, followed by Amazoness Queen disappearing. "This Card only activates when an Amazoness Monster I control is targeted by a Card effect! I return the targeted Monster, Amazoness Queen, and return it to my Hand. In it's place, I'm allowed to Special Summon one other Amazoness Monster from my Hand. Come forth, Amazoness Shaman!"
A red-cloaked woman baring a green dress attached to a bra-like armor exposing her midriff appeared to the Field. The purple-haired girl held a golden-colored staff with a ghostly like energy emitting off the top. She grabbed the staff with both hands, holding it in front of her in an defensive manner.
Shaman: Level 2, 800 Atk, 1800 Def
"When Amazoness Shaman is Special Summoned, I can activate her effect!" Grace declared as her Monster held up her staff. The ghostly substance converging into a single energy. The energy became a beam of light that lit up a Card in Grace's Deck, which was now sticking out. Grace removed the Card, letting her Duel Disk shuffle the Deck as she showed the Card to O'Brien, one that he knew all too well. "Fusion is now added to my Hand!"
Damn…O'Brien thought to himself. He couldn't attack at all now. No matter what happened, Grace was going to be able to Fusion next turn, and he would not be able to stop it like last turn. In that case…
O'Brien motioned towards his Graveyard, which glowed with a light yellow hue. "Like last time, I'll use the effect of Volcanic Bullet! I pay 500 Life Points…" O'Brien grunted, his Life Points draining, "...to add my third and final copy to my Hand!"
O'Brien: 2700-2200 LP
He then directed his attention towards his lone Monster. "Now, I use the effect of Volcanic Edge once again! Take 500 points of damage!" The boy cried out as his Monster let out an animalistic roar, releasing another ball of fire at Grace, hitting her in the leg, causing her to crumple onto a knee with a groan.
Grace: 2700-2200 LP
"I end my turn."
"My turn, I draw!" Grace glanced at her drawn Card, grimacing at it upon eye contact. "I activate Fusion, and using it I will fuse the Amazoness Shaman on my Field with the Amazoness Queen in my Hand!" Grace exclaimed as the two Monsters appeared, their forms constricting together. "Queen of the jungle. Receive the power of the mystic sorcerer, and build an empire that rules over everything! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Amazoness Empress!"
A Monster bearing a resemblance to Amazoness Queen, this time with red paint markings on her body appeared to the Field, brandishing her blade and bringing it down as a challenge to her foes.
Empress: Level 8, 2800 Atk, 2400 Def
"And now," Grace paused, clicking a button on her Duel Disk, "At this moment, I activate my set Card, Amazoness Hall!" Grace exclaimed as her Trap was revealed. She let out a malicious grin, "Now, whenever you Special Summon a Monster, I can gain Life Points equal to its Attack!"
"Tch! How annoying."
"Oh please! Don't come at me with that. You are the one using a Burn Damage Deck, after all." Grace chided with a playful smile. "Getting rid of Life Points should be a cinch for you! Now, let's fight! Amazoness Empress will attack your Volcanic Edge in Defense Position!"
The empress brought up her blade. She let out a fierce cry as she threw it down, sending a wave of energy towards Volcanic Edge.
"Oh," Grace chimed playfully with a grin, "by the way, when an Amazoness Monster attacks while Empress is on the Field, piercing damage is inflicted!"
"What?!" O'Brien's eyes widened as his Monster was cleaved in half. "GAH!" He screamed as he was thrown back from the residual shockwaves.
O'Brien: 2200-600 LP
"Just one more hit and this is all over. Turn end." Grace concluded. "Admit it, Lancer. You and your comrades are finding a losing battle. There is no way you can save your captured friends, much less defeat me."
O'Brien stirred, coughing from his place on the ground. He groaned, planting a foot on the floor.
"You're…right about one thing."
The Duelist rose to his feet, a burning fire in his eyes. He had to do this. He could not just let his comrades do all the work!
"We have been fighting a losing battle. First, it was your sneak attack on the citizens of Heartland. Academia attacked them in the light of day without any warning." O'Brien monologued, placing his fingers on the top Card. "And us Lancers…have had shit situation after shit situation thrown in our faces. And yet…we still persevered! Yuto, Shun, Ryoga, Reiji, Yuya, Yuzu, Ruri, and so many more have poured their heart and souls into this fight. So, in light of all that…"
SSSHHHK!
The top Card was sweeped off the Deck. O'Brien glanced at it, giving a genuine smile upon the sight. His expression became serious once again as he returned his gaze to Grace.
"I cannot just roll over and let their efforts go to waste!"
On cue, a wall of flames shot up from the ground in front of O'Brien, who was now holding up the Card he had just drawn. A dark silhouette boomed throughout the flames.
"This next Monster can be Special Summoned by banishing three Pyro or a Blaze Cannon Card from my face-up Field or Graveyard. I banish Volcanic Edge and the two copies of Volcanic Bullet!"
In front of O'Brien, three flames erupted from the ground. All of them coalesced into a single spark.
"O mighty overlord of volcanic disasters. Accept these three subjects as your sacrifice and bring oblivion to my enemies! Come forth!"
Suddenly from the other wall of fire in front of O'Brien, a hand thrust itself out from amongst the flames, extinguishing the other fire with a mere swing of its arm. From out of the flames came a red-eyed black armored with green skin and orange lines of lava flowing down its body. The beast let out an animalistic roar, fire spurting out from its teeth.
"Level 8! Volcanic Emperor!"
Volcanic Emperor: Level 8, 3100 Atk, 2400 Def
"Where there's an empress, there just has to be an emperor…" Grace groaned with an annoyed expression.
"I activate the effect of Volcanic Emperor upon its Summoned!" O'Brien announced
The smile on Grace's face quickly returned as her Trap glowed with a mocking white hue. "...but don't forget, since your Monster was Special Summoned, Amazoness Hall's effect is now triggered! I gain Life Points equal to the Attack of Volcanic Emperor!"
A green aura appeared around Grace, a line connecting her and O'Brien's Monster.
Grace: 2200-5300 LP
And now that the effect of her Trap had resolved…
"Volcanic Emperor's effect continues!" O'Brien said. "I can now inflict 500 damage to you for each Pyro Monster currently banished!"
He had three vanished Volcanic Monster, meaning that Grace would take 1500 points of damage.
One of Volcanic Emperor's fists became wrapped in fire. The Monster thrust out its arm, unleashing a torrent towards Grace.
"Take this! Combustion Surge!" O'Brien yelled as the attack hit Grace.
The girl let out a cry of pain, the embers of the fire eating away at her skin as her body and clothes became charred in black in numerous places.
Grace: 5300-3800 LP
"We're not done just yet. The next part of Volcanic Emperor's effect," O'Brien spoke up, "allows me to set a Volcanic Magic or Trap Card from my Deck to the Field! I set the Continuous Magic Card Volcanic Blaze Cannon!"
"Another Blaze Cannon?" Grace said with a raised eyebrow.
"That's right. And this one is better than the last! By sending a Blaze Cannon from my Hand, Deck, or face-up on the Field, I can activate this Card! I send the Blaze Cannon currently on my Field to activate Volcanic Blaze Cannon!" As O'Brien's effect went through, the cannon on his Field disappeared, being replaced by a yellow cannon that bore an eerie resemblance to his own Duel Disk. "And like I said, this one is better than the last. Now, when I use it, I'll still be able to attack this turn. Furthermore, once per turn, I can target a face-up Monster you control, send a Pyro-Type Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard and destroy your Monster!"
"From the Deck?!" Grace cried out.
"Now, to load the cannon, I send Volcanic Buckshot to the Graveyard! And…fire!" O'Brien shouted as his cannon bursted with the energy of Buckshot, the fire connected with Amazoness Empress, causing a large explosion to envelop Grace's view.
She smirked, "Amazoness Empress makes it so Amazoness Monsters on the Field cannot be destroyed by battle or Card effects. Nice try, but it still wasn't enough!"
"Maybe, but this next bit will. First, the effect of Volcanic Buckshot activates, and then I will chain the other effect of Volcanic Blaze Cannon! If the Monster this Card targeted was not destroyed, then I can negate its effects!"
"Huh?!" Grace gasped as she glanced at her Empress, only to see her entire body now grayed out, her effect being nullified. "No! But that means…"
"That your Monster can now be destroyed!" O'Brien finished as he held up the Card of Volcanic Buckshot. "And now for the effect of Buckshot! When this Card is sent to the Graveyard, you are dealt 500 points of damage!"
A burst of fire ignited below Grace's feet. The girl erupted into a massive scream as she was once again burnt to a crisp by the flames.
Grace: 3800-3300 LP
"It's not over yet! Volcanic Buckshot has an additional effect when sent to the Graveyard! I can select two other Volcanic Buckshots in my Hand or Deck and send them to the Graveyard as well! And then, all Monsters on your Field are destroyed!"
"This can't be happening!" Grace's eyes bulged widely as two more springs of fire appeared, incinerating her Amazoness Empress brutally. "NO!"
The Academia Duelist then gasped as she came to a realization.
"Now, the Volcanic Buckshots just sent to the Graveyard now deal you 500 points of damage each!*
The flames that had toasted her Monster now set their sights on Grace herself. The girl whimpered, letting out a loud wail as the flames hacked at her body.
Grace: 3300-2300 LP
"Kuhaa!" Grace gasped, spittle thrown out of her mouth as she found herself suddenly winded.
O'Brien's fingers pointed at her in a gun like motion, and the girl froze up like a statute.
"It ends here! Volcanic Emperor, attack her directly and finish this! Volcanic Burst!" O'Brien shouted with vigor, his Monster igniting his fists aflame.
Volcanic Emperor's jumped towards Grace, its hands crashing into her body. Grace let out one final cry of pain as she found herself thrown off her feet and her back hitting the hard ground behind her.
Her head smacked hard against the ground, leaving the Amazoness user defeated and unconscious.
Grace: 2300-0 LP
Volcanic Emperor and Volcanic Blaze Cannon disappeared from the Field. The Action Field disappeared, to which it fully occured to O'Brien that neither he nor Grace actually utilized the Action Cards whatsoever.
"Whatever. It's nothing to think about." O'Brien dismissed the thought as he turned to look at the corridor Grace's unconscious body was in front of. "It seems like that's the only way to go."
O'Brien glanced down at the two Cards in his hand, Volcanic Emperor and Volcanic Blaze Cannon.
They were the last two Cards he had received from his father before he was Carded by Cobra.
Even now, you're still…
O'Brien shook his head. Now was not the time to be thinking about the past and his own mistakes. He had comrades to free.
"Don't worry, guys. We're coming to rescue you!"
And with that, O'Brien set off into a run through the corridor, continuing the search for his captured friends.
Meanwhile - With Serena and Gloria
"DUEL!" Both Duelists exclaimed.
Action Cards scattered around the room, landing in inconspicuous areas.
"I'll let you have the first move." Serena stated, motioning towards her opponent.
"Very well, you'll regret that! My turn!" Gloria announced, looking at her Hand and making her first move. "From my Hand, I Summon Amazoness Swordswoman!"
A flash of light gleamed in front of Gloria as a warrior in an indigo two-piece and striking red flowing hair appeared, brandishing her large sword in front of her with a fearsome cry.
Swordswoman: Level 4, 1500 Atk, 1600 Def
"I set two facedowns. Turn end."
"My turn!" Serena yelled, extracting a Card from her Deck. A smirk found it's way to her face as she began. Going second was all part of her plan. "I activate the Magic Card Fusion! With it, I fuse together Moonlight Purple Butterfly and Moonlight White Rabbit! Butterfly with violet poison! The lively white rabbit illuminated by moonlight! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Moonlight Cat Dancer!"
As if drawn together by gravity, the two Monsters in Serena's hand merged. Appearing to the Field was a humanoid cat with black stockings, a green dress, red trimmings, purple fan-like hair adorned with a shoulder-length pink and two blades in hand.
The woman, whom wore a mask in the shape of a crescent moon, smiled, and aimed her blades at her enemy.
Cat Dancer: Level 7, 2400 Atk, 2000 Def
Serena narrowed her eyes, glaring at Gloria's Monster. Amazoness Swordsman makes it so I take any damage that she would take. Honestly, what a cheap effect! Good thing there's a way around it…
"From the Hand, I Summon Moonlight Red Dog!" Serena's eyes glowed with a white hue as her new Monster took form.
The result was a female dog-themed woman with droopy ears, brown skin, black tights and a red suit as well as the trademark crescent moon shaped mask that covered her face.
Red Dog: Level 4, 800 Atk, 1000 Def
"Next up is the effect of Moonlight Cat Dancer!" Serena called out as Red Dog disappeared from the Field. "By releasing a Moonlight Monster I control, Cat Dancer gains the ability to attack all Monsters you control twice! But, before that, I use the effect of Moonlight Red Dog! When sent to the Graveyard by Card effect, I can negate the effects of one face-up Card you control!"
Gloria looked to her Monster, now seeing a gray color overlining her entire body, showing that her effect was now negated.
"Battle! Cat Dancer, attack Amazoness Swordswoman! Full Moon Cresta!" Upon the declaration of the attack, Cat Dancer let out a fierce cry, tossing her two blades at Amazoness Swordswoman with blinding speed, the knives looking as if they were yellow balls of energy. The balls smashed into the opposing Monster's stomach, knocking the wind out of the woman as the shockwaves emitted from the impact rebounded and crashed down on Gloria's body, who grit her teeth as she stood her ground.
Gloria: 4000-3100 LP
Gloria looked back up, shocked to see that her Monster was still on the Field. "What the hell?"
Serena smirked. "Seems I forgot to mention, the Monster Cat Dancer battles cannot be destroyed in battle the first time! But like I said, Cat Dancer has two attacks. Don't let up! Full Moon Cresta!" The Moonlight user yelled as this time, her ace, with her two blades in hand, releasing a torrent of yellow energy towards Swordswoman. The Amazoness was enveloped by the attack.
Gloria cried out in pain, the attack hitting her Monster going through and enveloping her as well, sending her back crashing to the ground.
Gloria: 3100-2200 LP
"Tch!" Gloria grunted, rising to her feet and opening one of her set Cards. "Since an Amazoness Monster was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can do this! Trap activate, Pride of One Tribe! Now, I can Special Summon an Amazoness from my Deck to the Field! Arise, Amazoness Warrior Chief!"
Appearing in the place of Amazoness Swordswoman, a muscular, masculine-built woman with lush, wild orange hair appeared, donned in a red skirt, bikini armor, and metallic shorts. The warrior brandished her golden-rimmed spear, letting out a warrior cry as she brought it down, facing her enemy.
Warrior Chief: Level 5, 1900 Atk, 0 Def
"Now, for the effect of Amazoness Warrior Chief!" Gloria called out. On cue, Warrior Chief lifted up her spear and let out a melodic battle cry, causing a light tint to glow within Gloria's Deck, a Card popping out. "If this Card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can set an Amazoness Magic or Trap Card or Fusion directly from my Deck! I set Fusion!" Gloria removed the Card, now revealed to be Fusion. Her Deck shuffled itself as she placed the Card into her Magic and Trap Card Zone, setting the chosen Card facedown. Briefly, it flipped over, making its identity known to Serena before concealing itself once again.
"It seems you forgot. Through Cat Dancer's effect, I can now attack all Monsters you control twice!" Serena chimed in with a smile. She jabbed her fist towards Gloria, declaring her attack. "Go, Full Moon Cresta!"
"I did know. And that's what I was counting on," Gloria quipped, opening the other Card she had set on the previous turn, "Trap, activate! Amazoness Archery Squad! When you declare an attack while I control an Amazoness Monster, I can activate this Card! All Monsters you control are changed to face-up Attack Position, and they all lose 600 Attack!"
In front of her Trap, a squad of five female archers appeared. They pulled the bowstring back tightly, each thread making a creaking sound. They all released, launching five arrows that lodged themselves into Cat Dancer's body. The woman broke out into a scream. A red aura appeared around her, the arrows sucking out her Attack. Serena grit her teeth at the very sight of it.
Cat Dancer: 2400-1800 Atk
The attack continued, and Cat Dancer's blades attempted to shred through Warrior Chief. The blades shattered, and Warrior Chief counterattacked, driving her spear through Cat Dancer. The Monster exploded onto Serena, who winced as the strong winds knocked her back a step.
Serena: 4000-3900 LP
"I set a Card and end my turn." Serena concluded, a single Card appearing in front of her. "You may have taken down my Cat Dancer, but that doesn't mean you've won! Don't think that for even a second!"
Gloria smirked in response, drawing a Card from her Deck, beginning her turn. "From my Hand, I Summon Amazoness Scout!" Two young ladies appeared to the Field, a red-haired gal clad in yellow carrying a sword, and a blue-haired girl in blue with a bow and arrow.
Scout: Level 2, 500 Atk, 1100 Def
"Now, I activate the set Card, Fusion! I fuse the Amazoness Warrior Chief on my Field with the Amazoness Trainee in my Hand! Chief of countless soldiers! Trainer of the new soldiers! Merge your powers together and bear your ferocious might!" Gloria chanted as her two Monsters fused together, their forms converging into that of a four-legged beast. "Fusion Summon! Appear before us, Amazoness Pet King Liger!"
A larger version of Pet Liger appeared, its mane flowing down its back with a light glow.
King Liger: Level 9, 2900 Atk, 2800 Def
"I activate a Trap!" Serena called out, revealing one of her set Cards, depicting a green demonic being falling in a bottomless hole surrounded by the wisps of the souls of former victims. "Pitfall of Naraka! When you Summon a Monster or Monsters with 1500 Attack or more, that Monster is destroyed, and if it is, then it is banished!"
As soon as King Liger's feet touched the ground, a bottomless hole with a red demonic hue shining out of it opened up beneath its legs. The Monster got sucked in, screaming as it did.
"I use the effect of Amazoness Scout! By releasing this Card during either player's turn, Amazoness Monsters I currently control cannot be targeted by Monster effects nor ⁹destroyed by Card effects until the end of the turn!" Gloria declared, tributing her other Monster. Just then, a loud rumbling came from the trap hole, and then out came the entire body of King Liger. The ground beneath King Liger closed, allowing it to remain on the Field.
"Tch! My plan failed…" Serena mumbled to herself. She glanced around the room. In that case…
Serena broke off into a run, pressing her feet on the ground and lifting off, rocketing towards a blue platform. Thanks to her training at Academia, she was quite athletic. She pulled herself up quickly, leaping to another platform with ease.
"Oh no you don't!" Gloria exclaimed as she too began to run. She knew all about the Lancers' Action Cards. She was not going to let Serena get such an advantage over her. "Battle! Amazoness Pet King Liger, attack her directly!"
Serena grabbed an Action Card from a platform, landing back on thr ground as she glanced at it. She winced out of frustration. It would help, but she would still be taking a lot of damage.
Pet Liger pounced on her, ferociously clawing at Serena's body.
"AHHH!" Serena shrieked, a searing pain now rushing through her body.
Serena: 3900-1000 LP
Recovering, Serena inserted the Card she now had. "Action Magic, Damage Draw, activate! When I take 2000 points or more worth in battle damage, I draw two Cards! Draw!" Serena tore off the top two Cards, looking at them briefly before waiting for Gloria to make her next move.
"The fun isn't over just yet! After all, I now have my own Action Card!" Gloria revealed with a grin, showing the Card she had gotten while Serena was searching for hers, and activating it. "Action Magic, Fire Crystal! You'll be taking 600 points of damage!"
Appearing in front of Gloria was the Magic Card she had activated. A ball of fire burst out of the Card, sailing over to Serena and nailing her right in the solar plexus.
"Kuha!" Serena choked out, suddenly feeling the wind being punched out of her lungs as she curled over slightly, placing a hand on the impacted area.
Serena: 1000-400 LP
"I end my turn. Now then," Gloria trailed off as she once again took off into a run, "Where is another Action Card?"
"S-Shit!" Serena coughing, spitting on the ground before beginning to search for an Action Card as well. As she ran, she tore a Card off her Deck before swiping a hand across her Duel Disk. "My turn!" Serena watched ahead of her, jumping onto a nearby platform and quickly inserting a Card into her Duel Disk. "I use the Magic Card, Moonlight Perfume! With this, I target a Moonlight in my Graveyard and Special Summon it! I revive Cat Dancer! Come to me!"
A portal opened in front of her, and as if she never disappeared, Cat Dancer jumped out, brandishing her blades. Serena nodded at her Monster, glad to see her back on the Field.
"I now activate the Magic Card, Moonlight Fusion!"
"Moonlight Fusion?" Gloria glanced at her opponent, raising an eyebrow.
"This Card allows me to Fusion Summon a Moonlight Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters from my Hand or Field!"
"So?" Gloria questioned, now narrowing her eyes out of confusion. "It has the same effect as any ordinary Fusion Card!"
"Not quite, Moonlight Fusion has an added bonus!" Serena said with a confident smile, reaching into her Extra Deck compartment and pulling out a single Monster. "If you control a Monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, then I can also use one Moonlight Monster from either my Deck or Extra Deck! I fuse from my Extra Deck, Moonlight Panther Dancer, on my Field Moonlight Cat Dancer, and from the Hand Moonlight Wolf! Elegant beast dancing on the moonlit wilderness! The beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! Wolf prowliny in the shadows! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! The king of beasts dancing atop the summit of the moonlight wilderness! Moonlight Lio Dancer!"
While running, Serena Summoned one of her strongest Monsters. Emerging from her vortex of Monsters was a white-haired purple lion feline clad in a long-pink skirt wearing an armor bra with a flower design covering her chest. The warrior unveiled it's gleaming sword, holding her left arm which had a golden blade attached to her wrist like a Duel Disk.
Lio Dancer: Level 10, 3500 Atk, 3000 Def
"Sorry to break it to you, but that Monster won't be doing anything!" Gloria yelled, grabbing an Action Card and immediately using it. A lit up lantern appeared on the Field "Action Magic, Illusion Dance! Now, all Attack Position Monsters on the Field are switched to Defense!"
A catchy tune began to play in the background as Gloria's Monster began dancing to it. As the music stopped, so did the Monster, ending in a defensive stances. To Gloria's surprise however, Moonlight Lio Dancer had not moved an inch.
"But how?!"
"I hate to break it you," Serena chimed in with a knowing smirk, "But Moonlight Lio Dancer is unaffected by your Card effects! And she can't be targeted by them either. Therefore, Lio Dancer remains in Attack Position!"
"Damn it!" Gloria cursed under her breath as she began searching for another Action Card. "That was completely useless!"
"It ends now!" Serena proclaimed as she revealed one of Lio Dancer's effects. "Lio Dancer can make a second attack during each Battle Phase! Battle! Moonlight Lio Dancer, attack!"
Lio Dancer pounced towards her enemy, twirling around and thrusting her sword right through the Monster, destroying it.
"Now, Lio Dancer, attack the opposing player directly!" Serena declared as her Monster jumped into the air, holding her sword high above her head as she prepared to bring it down on Gloria.
Said girl dove for a platform, snatching an Action Card and utilizing it. "Action Magic, Damage Banish! If I would take battle damage, it gets reduced to 0!"
"Tch! How annoying…I end my turn." Serena concluded.
"Then it's my turn! Draw!" Gloria yelled, tearing a Card from her Deck. She glanced at the Card, her eyes widening before creasing at the sight. "I'm going to end this now! I activate the Magic Card Monster Reborn! With this, I can Special Summon a Monster in either of our Graveyards! Return to me, Amazoness Pet King Liger!" The beast returned to the Field, glaring at Serena and her Monster with a vengeance.
"That annoying Monster again…" Serena mumbled to herself. No matter, reviving it or not would have no impact on the result of the Duel.
"Now," Gloria held up the Card she drew, the last Card in her Hand, "I activate the Continuous Magic Amazoness Fighting Spirit! Now, battle!"
Serena's body jerked out of surprise. She's attacking when her Attack is lower. That Continuous Magic Card she just played…
"Amazoness Pet King Liger, attack Moonligbt Lio Dancer!"
Gloria's Monster immediately left into the air, it's claws primed for Serena's Monster.
Serena didn't even spend another second hesitating, she immediately made her way to another platform. She jumped onto another, skipped to another, jumped up and kicked her foot off yet another. Her hand slammed onto the platform she was on as she used the momentum from that to carry herself to the final platform. As she went by, her hand reached out and grabbed the Action Card she had seen.
"I use the effect of Amazoness Fighting Spirit! When an Amazoness Monster I control attacks a Monster with higher Attack, the attacking Monster gains 1000 Attack during Damage Calculation!" Gloria explained with a grin as the Attack of her Monster grew.
Pet King Liger: 2900-3900 Atk
"HAHAHA!" Gloria cackled, a seemingly deranged expression flashing across her face. "See, it doesn't matter how much the Professor pampers you, you'll never be as strong as someone like me!"
"It's not over just yet! Action Magic, Energy Biscuits!" Serena declared, inserting the Action Card she got. She rose her hand to the sky as the activated Card appeared in front of her with a light glow. "This Card gives me 500 Life Points!"
A green glow surrounded Serena as her Life Points increased further away from its current critical level.
Serena: 400-900 LP
"That won't stop your Monster's destruction! Keep going, Liger!" Gloria bellowed, her Monster pouncing on Lio Dancer and ripped f the Monster to shreds.
The shockwaves of her Monster's destruction blew Serena back, her body tumbling along the ground until coming to a stop face-up. Serena coughed in agony, feeling an ache starting to emerge throughout her body.
It couldn't be helped. All of the ruthless training from Academia along with everything that has happened in the past couple of days…maybe even weeks, had left Serena running on fumes. She hadn't had a good rest in a very long time. Even in the Friendship Cup, she remained highly on guard as she always stayed distrustful of the residents there.
It seemed as if her fatigue was finally catching up to her…
Serena: 900-100 LP
Pet King Liger: 3900-2900 Atk
"Unh…" Serena groaned out of pain, scrambling to her feet.
How tired she was didn't matter now. What Gloria had said just now really set her off.
"Pampered, you say?"
"Hmm?"
"The Professor did anything but pamper me!" Serena growled, furious at the notion that her time at Academia had been a total blast. Her interactions with her comrades had all but proven that otherwise. "He held me back! Trapped me! Watched every single move! I had to beg him for every single little ounce of privilege and privacy because I was never granted such! Thanks to him, I missed out on so much of the world outside of Academia! I don't know how to act around people, I don't know how to truly enjoy myself! And the small things that I did have, he took away from me!"
As she spoke, the image of her former friend appeared in her mind. That seemingly kind and innocent boy from three years ago was now replaced by a vicious demonic entity. And this spawn of the devil was manufactured by the hands of none other than the Professor himself.
Akaba Leo…Serena thought to herself, clenching a fist, placing a hand on the top of her Deck as her ears picked up the voice of Gloria was finishing her turn. For stealing so many opportunities from me, I will never forgive you. For all of the suffering you've caused my dear friends, I will never let you get off of it for free! I will make you pay for everything tenfold!
But do that, there was one thing she had to do first.
Win!
"My turn, draw!" Serena yelled either vigor, a line of light cascading off of her hand as she drew her Card.
Her eyes darted to the drawn Card, lighting up as they made contact.
It's here!
"The path to Akaba Leo starts here!" Serena cried out, holding up her drawn Card and inserting it into her Duel Disk. A Magic Card appeared in front of her, depicting a full Moon being reflected off a clear pond with Moonlight Cat Dancer looking into it, with the image of Moonlight Panther Dancer looking back. The ripples in the water swirled together like a vortex. "I activate the Magic Card Moonlight Miracle!"
"Moonlight…Miracle?" Gloria repeated, her eyes furrowing.
"Moonlight Miracle allows me to Fusion Summon a Moonlight Monster using Monsters in my Hand or on the Field! However," Serena added with a smirk, "If there is a Moonlight Fusion Monster currently in my Graveyard, then I can also banish a Moonlight Fusion Monster in my Graveyard to use it as Fusion Material! I fuse Moonlight Blue Cat and Moonlight Purple Butterfly in my Hand with the Moonlight Panther Dancer in my Graveyard!"
"Three Monsters?!" Gloria gaped. Just what Monster was Serena bringing out.
"Elegant beast dancing on the moonlit wilderness! Blue Cat that prowls through the darkness! Butterfly with violet poison! Swarm in the vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power!" Serena chanted, clapping her hands together and bringing them down. "Fusion Summon! Come forth! Elegant and skillful Swordsman! Moonlight Sabre Dancer!"
A purple-skinned Monster with a crescent mask, blonde hair, gold armor and a pink lower dress appeared. She clashed her two swords and scrapes them together. Sparks flew off the blades as the woman released a ferocious cry.
Sabre Dancer: Level 9, 3000 Atk, 2600 Def
Sabre Dancer became surrounded in a red aura as Serena spoke upon her Summon.
"For every Moonlight Monster that is either banished or in the Graveyards, Sabre Dancer gains 200 Attack!"
"What?!" Gloria gasped as she witnessed the Monster growing stronger, widening the power gap.
Cumulatively, there were nine Monsters. As a result, Sabre Dancer's Attack increases by 1800.
Sabre Dancer: 3000-4800 Atk
"4800 Attack?!" Gloria widened her eyes. The next thing she knew, her legs had started moving, her body instinctively searching for a way out.
"Battle!" Serena called out as she too began running. "Moonlight Sabre Dancer, attack! Full Saber Cresta!"
Sabre Dancer jumped into the air, readying her blades up into an overhead slash.
Both Serena and Gloria darted their sights around the room in search of an Action Card, their sights stopping on a single platform in the air. Both Duelists had a clear path to it, it was just a matter of who was faster.
Serena and Gloria pumped more energy through their legs. They made use of their great acrobatic ability to jump from platform to platform. They leaped forward, reaching a hand out to the Action Card lying in the middle of the platform. They both whizzed past and landed back on the ground, both turning around to each other, wearing two differing expressions.
A look of horror…
And a look of triumph…
"Action Magic, Nanana!" Serena called out proudly, a smile on her face knowing that she had prevailed. "My Sabre Dancer now gains 700 Attack! It ends now, Gloria Tyler!"
Sabre Dancer: 4800-5500 Atk
Sabre Dancer roared, her blades slashing through Pet King Liger's skin and arms. The Monster's arms were chopped off, data particles spewing out of the areas where his limbs used to be. The beast let out a wail of pain before exploding. Gloria, who had been near her destroyed Monster, was also taken out by the attack. She let out a cry of pain as she flew in the air, her body smashing against the ground, rendering her unconscious.
Gloria: 2200-0 LP
"Alright!" Serena sighed, wiping drops of sweat off her head. She looked up to her victorious Monster. She exchanged with her a look of gratitude, to which the Monster returned briefly before disappearing along with the Action Field and platforms.
She turned around, facing the exit to the room, which Gloria had been blocking earlier. Just barely, she could make out a turn in the corridor that led to a staircase heading down.
If I were holding my enemies prisoner in a building, I would choose the floors that are the hardest to get out of in a possible escape. Serena thought to herself. In this case, it would be lower down, as even right now the floor she was on was underground.
Being underground massively cuts off their exit points. However, once they rescue their comrades, all of them together would be more than enough to get out, especially with how well Yugo, Ryo, and Kaito were doing taking out the guards outside.
Serena smiled to herself. With comrades like these, I have nothing to worry about…
With that final passing thought, Serena ran into the corridor, making the turn and running down the stairs in hopes of finding her captured comrades…
Card Catalog
Volcanic Emperor: Adjusted part of the effect so that you can now set a Volcanic Magic Card as well as Traps.
Moonlight Red Dog: Level 4, 800 Atk, 1000 Def, Dark, Beast-Warrior: When this Card is sent to the Graveyard by a Card effect, you can target one face-up Card your opponent controls, negate its effects.
Moonlight Miracle: You can Fusion Summon a Moonlight Monster using Monsters in your Hand and on your Field. If there is a Moonlight Fusion Monster in your Graveyard, then you can also banish a Moonlight Fusion Monster in your Graveyard as Material. During your Main Phase, except during the turn this Card was sent to the Graveyard, you can banish this Card from your Graveyard. Target a Moonlight Fusion Monster that is either in your Graveyard, or banished. Special Summon the Monster with its effects negated.
Another chapter done and in the book!
Nothing much in this chapter, just some of the Lancers fulfilling their part of the operation. It's been a while since Serena and O'Brien have had a full Duel, so this was a good opportunity to rectify that.
Unfortunately, there ain't reviews to respond to. :(
But that's okay! We'll keep on going, it is my fault for being inactive after all.
Also, just a heads up, the chapter format may change up a little bit since I'm going to start reworking the chapters on ao3, which once that is done will be replaced here.
I am going to overwrite the first chapter very soon, its done and on ao3, I just haven't replaced it on FFN yet.
Now for the chapter preview…
The operation to save the Lancers continues. Serena and O'Brien have had success so far. Meanwhile, Ryoga encounters the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Noro. In Another area, Ruri finds a conflicted Dennis…
Take care, goodbye!
