Yuto, Shun, and the others…I'll be there soon! Ruri thought to herself as she ran through the fortress, having just left Serena behind to fight one of the Tyler Twins, Gloria.
She didn't like the idea of leaving a comrade behind, especially when that person not only has the same face as her, but is in just as much danger as she was.
She entered into another large room, not dissimilar to the one she had just left Serena in. She kept her guard up, the other Tyler Twins could be hiding around here. Her, or any other member of Academia.
"It's showtime!"
"...what?" She mumbled with a confused expression as the room lit, causing Ruri to flinch from the sudden rush of light. "Who is it?! Show yourself!"
Her eyes darted around the room as she picked up the sound of fingers snapping together with a resounding crack. Despite how much she looked, she couldn't find anything or anyone. How was it that despite the room was fully lit up, she still couldn't find her opponent.
And then…
HAHAHAHAHA!
Her skin stood up end, a chill being sent through her spine as she recognized the jolly laugh of the Monster. She looked up to see Trapeze Magician swinging a person onto the Field.
It's…
The figure landed on the ground, giving a dramatic bow before waving his hand and causing Trapeze Magician to disappear.
"It's time for our finishing act, Kurosaki Ruri." He said. Though his tricks were still flashy, they lacked the charm that they usually do, and the glow that was always in his eyes was now dormant. "I don't want to hurt you, so please come along with me quietly, and we will let the others go."
"Dennis…"
She hadn't seen the traitor ever since Shun had beaten him in the Friendship Cup. He must have recuperated from his injuries since then.
"Just what are you doing here?" She questioned, feeling a fire burning within her chest at the sight of whom she thought was a friend. This was the very person who greenlighted the entire invasion after all.
Dennis frowned, "What does it look like? I'm here to fulfill my mission."
"Please, Dennis…" Ruri mumbled tiredly. Despite the overwhelming anger she felt for the Duelist, she had felt some sort of genuine joy of the Dueling he displayed back then. The smile on his face, the look in his eyes when entertaining the crowd…
That was not something that could just be faked. Especially since he was doing it without a clue of where her position was until he saw her.
"Forgive me, Ruri." Dennis stated, closing his eyes, his voice quivering before strengthening once again with resolution. "But I must fulfill my duty to the Professor. And now that you are here, that duty is to bring you back!"
Without warning, Dennis's Duel Disk activated. With a sigh, Rur reluctantlyi activated her own.
She did not want this fight. She truly wished for all of the fighting to stop. But, they were just two enemies on different sides. No matter how they felt, the fighting was just going to continue one way or another.
Field Magic: Crossover!
Ruri's body shook with concern.
That's right, the main weapon of the Lancers were Action Cards. And Dennis was given direct access to them!
In that case, then why had their main weapon not been given to Academia? Why had their ace in the hole not been given away?
As far as she was concerned, Academia had not developed any countermeasures against Action Cards. Either they also saw it as an advantage, or they didn't even know they had such a weapon under their possession in the first place.
But how could this be? After all, surely Dennis would have told them about the Action Fields and how he has the software for them uploaded into his Duel Disk…
Unless…
Ruri's eyes briefly widened out of realization. Dennis himself didn't even realize it either. Deep down, he too…
She shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking about this. She could have all of that time after her comrades were safe.
"Let's do this, Dennis!"
Meanwhile
Rio…O'Brien…Ryoga thought with concern.
He did not feel good about leaving the two of them alone in an Academia base as well as Serena and Ruri considering that the latter two were prime targets.
Despite his feelings, it was the best move. After all, not only could they cover more ground, but such a small group splitting up was a very unexpected move, as well as leaving two targets alone with each other.
He simply just had to hope that once this operation was over everyone would be safe and sound. Perhaps that was just wishful thinking, but one could hope.
Hope, huh? Ryoga smirked to himself as he entered a new room.
Inside, he saw a middle-aged brown,haired man clad in a formal uniform. If it weren't for the Academia Duel Disk on his wrist, Ryoga would have actually felt concerned for the man considering the absolute anxiety that was currently on his face.
"Too much time has passed! Too much time has passed!" Ryoga heard the man mumbling to himself, seeing him frantically caress an open pocket watch. "The captured Lancers should have been terminated already. I do not know what the Commander-in-Chief is thinking!"
This guy is…Ryoga thought to himself, taking in the man's features.
The man looked at him, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.
"S-Shit! The enemy is already here!" The man frantically cried, raising his arm shaking lying and activating his Duel Disk.
"The Deputy Commander-in-Chief…" Ryoga muttered, identifying the man. He has heard of Academia soldiers about a middle-aged man who always rambled about being on schedule.
If I'm able to defeat and capture him, that would be a massive blow to Academia…Ryoga resolved, the blade on his Duel Disk appearing.
"Kamishiro Ryoga…" Noro said, his nervousness disappearing as a grin replaced his frown. "You have been quite the thorn to Academia. If I were to take you out, I would surely secure myself a promotion!"
"I guess you'll have to be waiting on that promotion," Ryoga started, "Because you aren't beating me!"
"DUEL!" The two Duelists exclaimed, beginning their battle, drawing five Cards from their Decks.
"I'll go first!" Noro exclaimed, wasting no time at all and beginning his turn. "From my Hand, I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card Chronodiver Start-Up, which allows me to Special Summon a Chronodriver Monster from my Hand! With it, I Summon Chronodiver Time Recorder!" With an elegant place on his Duel Disk, Noro Summoned his Monster, a bird-shaped ship with cipher wings protruding out of it.
Time Recorder: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 1000 Def
Chronodiver? Ryoga thought to himself, his eyes nearly bulging from shock. But that Deck was…
It couldn't be…
"Now," Noro continued, holding out another Monster in his hand, "I Normal Summon Chronodiver Adjuster!"
Appearing in front of Noro was a brunette draped a pink shirt and white lab coat. Her pair was tied up by a pink tie, and she had blue eyes. She seemed to be tinkering with a broken glove of some kind. She just seemed to be a normal girl, a scientist of sorts.
Adjuster: Level 4, 1200 Atk, 1800 Def
"And now, I will use the effect of Chronodiver Adjuster upon Summon! I am now allowed to send a Chronodiver Card except itself from my Deck to the Graveyard." A Card was ejected from Noro's Deck, he removed it and briefly revealed it to Ryoga, before sliding it into his Graveyard compartment, his Deck reshuffling as he did so. "I send Chronodiver Regulator to the Grave."
"Two Level 4 Monsters…" Ryoga mumbled to himself. "Don't tell me-"
"I overlay the Level 4 Chronodiver Adjuster and Chronodiver Time Recorder!" Noro declared, opening a portal in front of him.
"Academia…" Ryoga whispered to himself with awe. "...using Xyz Summoning?"
The two wisps entered the portal, imploding with a pillar of light. "Through the fabrics of time, brandishing your weapons and let out a blaze! Xyz Summon! Show yourself! Rank 4! Chronodiver Doublebarrel!"
Two men clad in purple clothing appeared to the Field. One wearing blue goggles and a white scarf while the other wore a sorcerer-like cape.
Doublebarrel: Rank 4, 2200 Atk, 2200 Def
"I set two Cards. Turn end." Noro concluded, the newly placed Cards appearing in front of him before disappearing. "Now, make your move! You are wasting my precious time!"
"Answer my questions, first." Ryoga spoke up, narrowing his eyes at his opponent, raging fire in his pupils. "Why are you using Xyz Summoning?! After everything your people has done, why are you using our Summoning Method?! It's not bad enough you destroy our home, but you take what is our as well?!"
"Please!" Noro scoffed in response. "You people of the Xyz Dimension do not own Xyz Summoning, just as we of Fusion do not own Fusion Summoning. I simply decided to steer away from Academia's usual methods, and diversify myself with new ones! You'll find a couple of other Academia members feel the same way."
Ryoga paused, processing what Noro had just said. His own reaction was irrational. In truth, he knew as well that no one owned a Summoning Method. Akaba Reiji, Yuto, and Sakaki Yuya were prime examples of this. They all utilized multiple Summoning Methods. Sakaki Yuya once had a problem with believing he owned a Summoning Method in the form of Pendulum, and Ryoga himself berated the boy for it deep down. Now, here he was doing the same for Xyz Summoning.
Hmph. What a hypocrite I am…Ryoga thought to himself with a smirk. That said…
"Just because you can use Xyz Summoning, doesn't mean you have mastered it like us! My turn, draw!" Ryoga declared, ripping off a Card from his Deck. He held out a Card briefly, then placed it on his Duel Disk. "I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card, Cyclone! With it, I can destroy a Magic or Trap on the Field. I destroy that Card!" Ryoga jabbed a finger at the Card on his.
A smirk found its way to Noro's face as he revealed the targeted Card, activating it. "Sorry to say, but that was a waste of a Magic Card! Counter Trap, Chronodiver Retrograde, activate! When a Magic or Trap Card is activated while I control a Chronodiver Xyz Monster, I can negate the activation!"
As he spoke, a gray hue enveloped Ryoga's Card, much to the boy's frustration. Meanwhile, Noro's maniacal smile only grew bigger to the point where all Ryoga wanted to do was beat it off of him.
"That's not the end of my Card!" Noro exclaimed as to his opponent's shock, his Cyclone Card turned into a yellow orbit resembling that of an overlay unit. "If I negated the activation of the Card, then I can attach it to Chronodiver Xyz Monster I control as an overlay unit!"
"What?!" Ryoga cried out as the yellow orbit was drawn in by Noro's Monster, beginning to orbit it like it was the sun.
How annoying…Ryoga thought to himself with a sharp glare at his opponent. Ryoga glanced down at his Hand. Even still, that won't stop me!
"Very well! Next," Ryoga continued, placing a Monster onto his Duel Disk, "I Summon Starfish!" Appearing in front of Ryoga was a red metallic starfish.
Starfish: Level 3, 300 Atk, 300 Def
"Next, when I control a Water Monster, I can Special Summon this Monster from my Hand." Ryoga said, slamming the Card onto his Duel Disk. "Come, Silent Angler!"
A red-necked angler with a light emitting out of its head. A red fin sprouted out of its back.
Angler: Level 4, 800 Atk, 1400 Def
"I activate the effect of Starfish!" Ryoga motioned towards his Monster. "Once per turn, I can either increase or decrease the Level of this Card by 1. I increase Starfish's Level by 1!"
"Hold on!" Noro cried, pointing at his Monster. "When you activate a Card or effect, I can detach up to three different types of Material from my Monster! I detach a Monster and a Magic Card to activate two of Doublebarrel's effects! The first, Doublebarrel will gain 400 Attack! Second, I get to take control of a Monster you control until the end of the turn!" The detached Cards were Chronodiver Adjuster and Cyclone.
"I won't let you!" Ryoga said, holding out another Card from his Hand. "Quick-Play, Forbidden Chalice! A targeted Monster on the Field gains 400 Attack but has its effects negated! I negate the effects of Doublebarrel! And now, Starfish's effect will go through uninterrupted!"
A gray color enveloped Noro's Monster, signyfing the negation of its effect.
Doublebarrel: 2200-2600 Atk
Starfish: Level 3-4
"Now, I overlay the Level 4 Silent Angler and Starfish!" Ryoga announced, his two marine Monsters entering the vortex that opened in front of him. "With these two Monsters, I construct the overlay network! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Bahamut Shark!" A four-winged shark with four-clawed limbs, white skins with purple lines adorning its body and a blue outer shell lining its back.
Bahamut Shark: Rank 4, 2600 Atk, 2100 Def
Without missing a beat, Ryoga detached an overlay unit from his newly Summoned Monster. "I activate the effect of Bahamut Shark by detaching an overlay unit! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Rank 3 or lower Water Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck at the cost of Bahamut not being able to attack for the rest of the turn. God Soul! Come on out, Subermisible Carrier Aero Shark!"
Bahamut Shark let out a feral roar, particles formed beside him, and forming from it were two sharks connected by an orange turret designed specifically for underwater combat.
Aero Shark: Rank 3, 1900 Atk, 1000 Def
"I activate the Magic Card Xyz Treasure!" Ryoga exclaimed, inserting the Card into his Duel and placing a hand on his Deck. "I am allowed to draw a Card for each face-up Xyz Monster on the Field! There are three! As such, I draw three Cards! DRAW!"
Noro grumbled out of frustration. He did not like the fact that his opponent was benefiting off of his own Monsters.
As Ryoga drew his three Cards, a smirk found it's way to his face before playing yet another Magic Card. "I activate Rank-Up-Magic High Tide Force! Using this Card and Aero Shark as Material, I get to Xyz Summon a Monster whose Rank is 1 higher than Aero Shark! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, unappeased soul of the past that dwells aboard the ARK! Rise from the abyss where there is only darkness, and no light can reach it! Rank 4, Silent Honor ARK!"
A flash of light filled the room as the purple spaceship-like submarine appeared in place of Aero Shark, two overlay units now orbiting it.
ARK: Rank 4, 2100 Atk, 1000 Def
"I will now activate the effect of Silent Honor ARK! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can target a Card on the Field and attach to this Card as an overlay unit! If the attached Card is a Monster, Silent Honor will gain the Attack of the absorbed Monster! Eternal Soul Asylum!" A chain shot out from Silent Honor, its sights set on Doublebarrel.
"I won't let you do that!" Noro exclaimed, revealing his second set Card, a Trap depicting Chronodiver Doublebarrel looking in a shattered mirror to see fragments of himself in each of them. "Since I control a Chronodiver Xyz Monster, I can activate my Trap, Chronodiver Mirage! For the rest of the turn, all Chronodiver Monsters I control are unaffected by your Monster's effects and they cannot be destroyed by battle either!"
A barrier formed in front of Doublebarrel. The chain smashed against, trying to curl itself around Doublebarrel, only to bounce off and retract back into Silent Honor.
Ryoga's eyes widened, seeing that Doublebarrel now had two overlay units orbiting it.
"What?!"
"Furthermore," Noro continued, ignoring his opponent's reaction, "After the Card's resolution, I can attach this Card to a Chronodiver Monster I control as an overlay unit!"
Ryoga grinded his teeth together, visibly frustrated. He glanced down at his Hand, seeing what options he could take.
I could use Aqua Jet to surpass the Attack of his Monster, but the damage that'll do won't be worth using it like this…Giving a slight nod to himself, he held up all three Cards in his Hand, placing them in his Duel Disk.
"In that case, I set all three Cards left in my Hand and end my turn." Ryoga said as the backs of said Cards appeared at the bottom of his view.
As it was the end of the turn, Forbidden Chalice's effect ends, and the Attack of Doublebarrel returns to normal along with its effect.
Doublebarrel: 2600-2200 Atk
"Then it is back to me!" Noro exclaimed with a grin, drawing his Card. He looked at his Card, his smile growing even more if it were even possible. He flipped the Card over, shoeing the front to Ryoga. "I activate the Magic Card, Angel's Charity! Now, I draw three Cards, and discard two!" Ryoga did so, sending Chronodiver Bezel Ship as well as Chronodiver Hack to the Graveyard. "Now, I activate the Magic Card Chronodiver Return! With this, I can Special Summon two Chronodiver Monsters in my Graveyard with their effects negated! Come, Chronodiver Bezel Ship and Chronodiver Adjuster!"
In a grand burst of light, a cylindrical-shaped ship with a pointed edge appeared to the Field, sitting on the other side of Doublebarrel, opposite to the newly revived Adjuster.
Bezel Ship: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 2000 Def
"Now, I must conduct an Xyz Summon using the two Summoned Monsters! I overlay the Level 4 Bezel Ship and Adjuster! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Chronodiver Redone!" A white-haired man in purple clothes with a black cape drifting behind him appeared.
Redone: Rank 4, 2400 Atk, 2000 Def
"It's not over yet!" Noro chimed in as he held up his activated Magic Card. "Chronodiver Return has one more effect! If the Xyz Summon of a Chronodiver Monster is successful, then I can attach this Card to that Monster as an overlay unit!"
The image of Noro's Magic Card burned with a bright yellow, turning into an overlay unit. This orb was immediately pulled to Chronodiver Redone.
"I will now activate the effect of Chronodiver Redone! I can detach up to three overlay units with different types and activate effects based on the detached Materials! I detach one overlay unit, my recently attached Chronodiver Return! According to Redone's effect, I am permitted to draw a Card!" Noro yelled, swiping a Card off his Deck and looking at it. A drop of sweat rolled down his face. "I'm already late! I must finish this off quickly before we get even more off-schedule! I activate the Magic Card Chronodiver Fuel! With this, all Chronodiver Xyz Monsters I control gain Attack equal to the amount of overlay units they currently have times 500 until the end of the turn!"
Doublebarrel had two overlay units. On the other hand, Redone had three. As a result, they would gain 1000 and 1500 Attack respectively.
Doublebarrel: 2200-3200 Atk
Redone: 2400-3900 Atk
"Time to battle! Chronodiver Redone, attack Bahamut Shark! Rewind Burst!" A clock pattern appeared within Redone's hands. It moved its arms back in a counter-clockwise fashion, poised straight at Bahamut Shark.
"I won't let you! I activate the Trap Card, Escape Lure! When a Monster you control declares an attack, I can switch the attack target to another Monster I control. Furthermore, any battle damage taken by either of us during this battle is halved!"
"Tch! With no other Monsters on the Field, the only possible attack target is…"
"That's right!" Ryoga finished, cutting off Noro's mumbling. "The attack target is now Silent Honor ARK!"
Redone turned to Silent Honor, once again winding its hands in a circular motion.
"Now, I will activate the effect of Silent Honor ARK! If this Monster would be destroyed, I can detach an overlay unit from it instead!" Ryoga called out, as an overlay unit cracked into millions of little particles.
"Since you've activated a Card or effect, I can detach up to three types of overlay units to activate Doublebarrel's effects! I detach a Monster and a Trap!" Noro said, detaching the Monster Card Chronodiver Time Recorder and the Trap Chronodiver Mirage. "Now, Doublebarrel will first gain 400 Attack! And then, until the end of the turn, I can negate the effects of one effect Monster face-up on the Field!"
Doublebarrel gained a yellow aura, its strength increased. On the other hand, a yellow binding substance shackled Silent Honor ARK like a slave. The Monster was enveloped in a shade of gray, its effect now negated.
Doublebarrel: 3200-3600 Atk
"The attack now continues! Chronodiver Redone! Rewind Burst!" Redone continued winding its hands back, and eventually, Silent Honor's body withered away from the Field.
Fortunately, due to Escape Lure, Ryoga would only be taking half the damage.
Ryoga: 4000-3100 LP
"Chronodiver Doublebarrel, attack Bahamut Shark!" Noro shouted as Doublebarrel unveiled two guns, each person holding two. Bullets of energy burst out of the barrels, soaring towards Bahamut Shark.
The bullets carved holes into the shark's chest, ripping into its body and blowing it up from the inside. The Monster turned into many mini particles, disappearing without a trace. The ensuing shockwaves crash down on Ryoga, earning a cry of paint to escape his lips.
Ryoga: 3100-2100 LP
"Kuh!" Ryoga grunted, quickly recovering and revealing one of his last two set Cards. "I activate the Trap Card, Shark Revenge Splash! When a Shark Monster I control is destroyed, I can target that Monster and Special Summon it to the Field!" A portal opened up in front of Ryoga, and as if the Monster had never been destroyed, Bahamut Shark had returned in all its glory. A small smile found its way to Ryoga's face as he continued to explain, "Unfortunately, the Summoned Monster loses 1000 Attack."
Bahamut Shark: 2600-1600 Atk
A ball of energy formed above Ryoga's Trap Card, emitting a bright color. The same color surrounded Bahamut Shark.
"But now, you'll take damage equal to Bahamut Shark's current Attack!" Ryoga explained, thrusting his fist forward as the ball of energy shot towards Noro. "Take 1600 points of damage, Academia scum!"
The ball connected with Noro's stomach. The strike left the middle-aged man winded, his breath short and ragged as he coughed out air, his Life Points dropping nearly to Ryoga's level.
Noro: 4000-2400 LP
"Tch!" Noro spat, regaining his posture. "As expected of a member of the Resistance. You all may be weak, but your cheap little methods can prove to be quite fruitful…"
"I wouldn't be calling me cheap considering you stole that Deck from one of our own!" Ryoga spat with venom, anger entering his eyes. Now, he was really angry. Academia really had pulled the last straw now. They already trampled their home, Carded their people, starved them, beat them, tortured them, but this was like spitting on their beaten bodies.
This transgression…Ryoga thought to himself, feeling a hot fire burning within his gut. His eyes now saw a different scene, a narrow winding pathway leading to an enormous gate, chained clearly not to keep something out, but something in.
Off the path were fires burning as brightly as those found only in the deepest depths of Hell. And the energy he felt radiating from the other side of the gates radiated with that burning passion.
Yes…Ryoga thought to himself. I know, you want to come out now, don't you?
Ryoga's thoughts halted as he heard Noro continue.
"I end my turn. At this moment, the Attack boost given by Chronodiver Fuel wears off. But now, they will gain Attack equal to the amount of overlay units they have individually used times 500!"
The aura surrounding Noro's Monsters disappeared, signifying the loss in Attack.
Doublebarrel: 3600-2600 Atk
Redone: 3900-2400 Atk
However, then, the auras reappeared as Doublebarrel's Attack returned to what it was with Redone's being raised to a lower Attack due to only using one overlay unit this turn.
Doublebarrel: 2600-3600 Atk
Redone: 2400-2900 Atk
How annoying…Ryoga thought to himself. The bullshit just never seemed to end with Academia.
"I end my turn." Noro concluded.
The gate in Ryoga's view burst open, an ocean's amount of water flushing into the helly underworld. The silhouette of a tall Monster appeared in the darkness of the depths.
Let me grant your wish then…Silent Honor…
"My turn, draw!"
Ryoga ripped off the top Card of his Deck, glancing at it with vigor. He let out a reverent grin, his vision picturing a light glow around the drawn Card. He usually didn't bring out this Monster.
Even back in Heartland's peaceful days, he always hated the feeling he would get when using this Card.
The feeling of pitch-black unadulterated rage!
Throwing his hand back, Ryoga shoved the lone Card in his Hand into his Duel Disk. The Card depicted a shining blood-red light emitting off of an emblem. The blue fleur-de-lis on the Card appeared in front of Ryoga and Bahamut Shark. The red diamond-shaped gem on the emblem glowed with a bright red gleam, the light enveloping Bahamut Shark.
"Targeting Bahamut Shark, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Chaos Force!" Ryoga shouted as Bahamut Shark turned into a purple overlay unit descending into a portal that opened in front of it. "With this Card and the targeted Monster, I can Xyz Summon a Monster whose Attribute is the same and whose Rank is 1 higher than the targeted Monster! Using Chaos Force and Bahamut Shark as Materials, I Xyz Summon!"
"Rank-Up-Magic…" Noro whispered with wide eyes.
A pillar of energy erupted in front of Ryoga, a shadow appearing in the light as the form of the new Monster took root.
"Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear! Guardian of souls that have yet to mature, become the dark knight and crush the light! Silent Honor DARK!" Ryoga chanted, his new Monster appearing in front of him.
It was a two-legged black armor warrior. Underneath, its skin was that of a turquoise shade. An energy-filled substance vibrating throughout the lines of its lined armor. The warrior let out a ferocious metallic cry, brandishing his spear.
DARK: Rank 5, 2800 Atk, 1500 Def
"Your ace Monster…another evolution?!" Noro gaped.
"Silent Honor DARK now gains the following effect since Chaos Form was used as Material for its Summon: I can target an Xyz Monster you control and steal all of its overlay units! Then, your Monster will lose 300 Attack for each overlay unit lost!"
The symbol on Ryoga's Card appeared above Silent Honor DARK. The overlay units orbiting Chronodiver Redone were sucked away, now revolving around Silent Honor DARK. The Monster now had four overlay units, and since Chronodiver Redone lost two overlay units, it will lose 600 Attack.
Redone: 2900-2300 Atk
"Now, I activate the effect of Silent Honor DARK!" Ryoga declared with a scowl. "Once per turn, I can target a Card you control and attach it to this Card as an overlay unit! Dark Soul Robber!" Silent Honor DARK glowed with a bright purple as the warrior twirled its spear in the air, pointing it forward as a flux of pink energy enveloped Doublebarrel.
A frown found it's way to Ryoga's face. Unfortunately, DARK is not at full power. If it used Silent Honor ARK as Material to Xyz Summon itself, then it gains effects, such as gaining Attack in the event of a captured Monster…
Noro cried out in panic as his Monster was taken, another overlay unit now orbiting Ryoga's warrior.
My Monster! My promotion! Noro thought to himself frantically. He looked at the remainder of the Field a ghost of a smile returning to his face.
"Th-That still doesn't matter!" Noro blurted out with a stutter, a desperate expression on his face as he glanced around Ryoga's Field. "Your Monster has less Attack than mine! You have no other Monsters, no Cards in your Hand, and no set Magic or Traps!"
"I don't know about that last part." Ryoga replied with a smirk. Fear fled into Noro's eyes as Silent Honor DARK moved to the side, showing his opponent one final set Card that he had not used yet.
"No…" Noro whispered.
This can't be! How could someone lose him miss that?!
"Next," Ryoga continued, revealing his last set Card, "I activate the Magic Card, Aqua Jet! Now, a Water Monster I control gains 1000 Attsck until the end of the turn!"
A blue aura surrounded Silent Honor DARK, its Attack increasing by 1000.
DARK: 2800-3800 Atk
"Silent Honor DARK, attack Chronodiver Redone!" Ryoga commanded. "Dark Phantom Flood!"
Silent Honor DARK thrusted it's spear at the ground, the same purple energy bursting out of the tip. The energy collided with the ground, causing Chronodiver Redone to explode. The shockwaves from the explosion threw Noro flying back, landing on his back with a thud.
Noro: 2400-900 LP
"It's time to end this!" Ryoga added ruthlessly, not even allowing his opponent to get up from the ground. "I activate another one of Silent Honor DARK's effects! When this Monster destroys one of your Monsters, I can detach an overlay unit! You will now take damage equal to the difference between Silent Honor's current Attack and original Attack!"
"What?!" Noro cried out, having only getting on to hid knees.
"The difference is 1000 Attack! Now, take 1000 points of damage and perish!" Ryoga shouted. "Dark Phantom Blast!"
Silent Honor DARK lifted up its spear. A beam of energy flew out of the top of the staff, smashing into Noro.
The Deputy Commander-in-Chief released a deafening cry of pain, once again falling to the ground, his head hitting the hard surface, causing him to lose consciousness.
Noro: 900-0 LP
Silent Honor DARK disappeared from the Field, a sign of Ryoga's victory.
"Thank you…Silent Honor DARK. Forgive me for neglecting you for so long…" Ryoga whispered, glancing down at the Card of the Monster with a thoughtful gaze. He directed his sights to the now unconscious Mamoru Noro.
He stood there for a couple of seconds, pondering. He glanced to the exit of the room and then back to the body.
"It would be great to capture you considering your status." Ryoga remarked to himself, a somber look in his eyes. "And yet, due to the circumstances, I'm not even allowed to give the Resistance such an advantage."
He highly doubted that they could use him against Academia though. After all, none of them seemed to give the slightest amount of shits for their comrades. And even then, he didn't think that Noro would give up Academia's secrets so easily. Not as long as he was on Academia's side. Seeing as Noro was one of the higher ranked Duelists in Academia, they could most definitely get some good information from him.
Unfortunately, there was no way that he was going to carry his body and execute the rest of the rescue operation.
Don't worry, guys. I'm on my way!
And with that, Ryoga left Noro's unconscious body, going through the exit in a run in search of his captured comrades.
Meanwhile - With Ruri and Dennis
"I'll let you have the first turn, Ruri." Dennis said, waving his hand off at the girl as a gesture to male her move.
And though she didn't show it, Ruri was frustrated that Dennis gave up the first turn to her. After all, some of her strategies functioned best when she went second. Fortunately, they weren't the only strategies that she had.
"Don't underestimate me!" Ruri exclaimed, gently holding out a Card in her Hand. "You may have won last time, but you won't this time. From my Hand, I activate the Magic Lyrical Luscinia - Bird Call!"
In front of Ruri was now a Card depicting Cobalt Sparrow, Sapphire Swallow, and a Lyrical Luscinia Monster Dennis had never seen before. Lines of musical notes circled around the three Monsters, all of whom seemed to be enjoying themselves to the sound of the melody.
"This Card allows me to take a Lyrical Luscinia Monster from my Deck and either add to my Hand or send it to the Graveyard! I'll take Lyrical Luscinia - Turquoise Warbler and send it to the Graveyard!" Ruri ejected said Card from her Deck, placing it in the Graveyard. Then, she held out another Card in her Hand, this time a Monster depicting a golden-winged gal with gold feathers. "Using the effect of the Lyrical Luscinia - Beryl Canary in my Hand, I can target a Lyrical Luscinia Monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon both that and this Monster! Flock to my side, Beryl Canary and Turquoise Warbler!"
Ruri threw her arm to the side, and as she did her Field was filled with the two Monsters.
Beryl Canary: Level 1, 0 Atk, 200 Drf
Turquoise Warbler: Level 1, 100 Atk, 100 Def
"Turquoise Warbler's effect! When Special Summoned, I can Special Summon another Lyrical Luscinia Monster from my Hand. Show yourself, Lyrical Luscinia - Celeste Wagtail!" Ruri exclaimed, slamming said Card onto her Duel Disk.
With a shine of light, a girl in dark-gray, white and black bird suit appeared to the Field. Her yellow blue-nailed claws hitting the ground.
Celeste Wagtail: Level 1, 200 Atk, 0 Def
Her body emitted a white light, and as an immediate reaction, a single Card in Ruri's Deck glowed with a light as well. The Card ejected itself out of Ruri's Deck. The girl grasped it with two fingers, removing it cautiously as her Deck reshuffled itself. She revealed the Card, explaining her Monster's effect.
"When Celeste Wagtail is Special Summoned, I can add one Lyrical Luscinia Magic or Trap Card from my Deck to my Hand. I add Lyrical Luscinia - Flight!" Taking another Card from her Hand, she placed yet another Monster onto her Duel Disk. "I Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Black Canary!"
A girl wearing a black bird suit with gray wings wearing a black face mask appeared on the Field. The youth descended, taking her place next to fellow companions.
Black Canary: Level 1, 0 Atk, 200 Def
"I overlay the Level 1 Beryl Canary, Turquoise Warbler, Celeste Wagtail, and Black Canary!" Ruri declared, her Monster's flying intot he air before coming back down into the portal that opened in front of her. Light filled her eyes as her Xyz Monster's figure took shape. "Birds with beautiful wings! Flock together and sing a brilliant song heard by all! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia - Ensemblue Robin!"
A bird with similar colored hair to Ruri herself appeared to the Field. Her blue hair flowed through the winds of the portal. She wore black leggings and a yellow and blue colored dress to contrast with her purple skin.
Ensemblue Robin: Rank 1, 0 Atk, 0 Def
Upon Summon, Ensemblue glowed with a brilliant white light. Her overlay units shone with a purple hue…
"Ensemblue Robin gains 500 Attack for every overlay unit that she has!"
Ensemblue Robin had four overlay units. As a result, she would gain 2000 Attack.
Ensemblue Robin: 0-2000 Atk
"The effect of Lyrical Luscinia - Black Canary activates when used as an overlay unit! You take 500 points of damage!"
The phantasmal image of Black Canary appeared above Ensemblue Robin. The Monster opened her jaw, releasing an ear-piercing screech towards Dennis.
"From my Hand," Dennis chimed, revealing a Card in his Hand, "I activate the effect of Entermage Flame Eater! When a Card or effect that would inflict damage to me is activated, I can bring this guy out and make the damage 0! Come to the stage, Flame Eater!"
A black ball with an oddly shaped mouth, a small green magicians hat, a red cape, and two largely uneven eyes appeared to the Field.
Flame Eater: Level 4, 1200 Atk, 1600 Def
"Now, Flame Eater, absorb the damage!" Dennis exclaimed with a smile.
A flame appeared in front of Flame Eater. The flame absorbed the waves emitted from Black Canary's screech. As the girl stopped, Flame Eater's mouth completely ensnared the flame, much akin to his name. The Monster swallowed, blowing out a puff of smoke.
Ruri creased her brow, gazing at the newly Summoned Monster. She could use the effect of her own Monster to bounce Flame Eater back to Dennis' Hand, but then her Monster would become weaker. Seeing as Dennis was still using Entermage, it would stand to reason that his goal was to use either Trapeze Magician or that Fusion Monster he used against Shun.
She couldn't have either of those Monsters being Summoned, especially since Dennis had the ability to Pendulum Summon.
Having made her decision, Ruri waited for the Summon of Flame Eater to resolve before making her next move.
"A Wind Xyz Monster Summoned using Beryl Canary gains 200 Attack!" Ruri said as her Monster gained more power.
Ensemblue Robin: 2000-2200 Atk
"I set two Cards. Turn end." Ruri concluded, the two Cards appearing in front of her.
"Unlike our previous Duel, I won't be pulling my punches." Dennis grumbled, putting his fingers around the top of his Deck, "It's my turn, draw!"
Dennis gave a sharp glance to his drawn Card. Forgive me, Ruri, but I will have to be bringing you back to Academia…
"To start, I activate the Magic Card, Magical Pendulum Box! With this Card, I draw two Cards and reveal them! If they are Pendulum Monsters, I add them to my Hand. If hot, they are sent to the Graveyard. Now then, let's see what we're working with, shall we, Kurosaki Ruri?" Dennis asked with a smile, placing his hand on his Deck. "DRAW!"
Dennis' hand swept off the top two Cards. He glanced at them, his gaze sharpening with a light entering his eyes.
The Cards were Entermage Filmsy Slimmer and Entermage Wind Sucker, both Pendulum Monsters. With a mirthful glance towards Ruri, Dennis added the Cards to his Hand. He continued, removing a different Card from his Hand, inserting it into his Magic and Trap Zone.
"I activate the Magic Card, Entermage Hurricane!" Dennis bellowed, a green Card appearing in front of him depicting a green hurricane ensnaring three Entermage Monsters. "If I control an Entermage Monster, all Magic and Trap Cards are returned to the Hand!"
A gust of wind filled the area. Ruri let out a cry of pain as the wind threw itself st her and her Field. Her two set Cards disappeared, returning to her Hand. Dennis smirked, glad that his play was successful before picking out another Card from his Hand.
"Then, I, using the Sc-" Dennis started, before cutting himself off, much to Ruri's confusion.
Come on! Ruri thought to herself. Pendulum Summon! That way, I can use Ensemblue!
Dennis remained silent, giving a long gaze at Ruri's Monster. He placed the two Cards he was about to reveal back into his Hand. Instead, he took another Card and simply placed it onto his Monster Zone.
"I Normal Summon Entermage Trick Clown!"
Ruri widened her eyes. A Normal Summon?!
A familiar laugh filled Ruri's ears as a clown with yellow trousers, a purple cape, holding a question mark shaped staff and balancing on a ball appeared on Dennis' Field.
Trick Clown: Level 4, 1600 Atk, 1200 Def
Ruri remembered this Monster. It was because of this Monster that she lost her last Duel against Dennis. Previously, Dennis used a Magic Card called Performance Support, adding Trick Clown's Attack to Trapeze Magician, allowing it to finish all of her Life Points with one direct attack.
Then there was its revival effect…
"Now, I activate the effect of this Monster in my Hand!"
"What?!" Ruri blinked, Dennis' voice breaking her out of her thoughts.
She looked to see Dennis holding out a Monster Card. This Card depicted a film-like entity holding a film staff, wearing a red top jacket adorned with stars as well a red hat with slimsy film popping out of the top.
"If an Entermage Monster was Normal or Special Summoned this turn, I can Special Summon Entermage Filmsy Slimmer!"
Filmsy Slimmer: Level 4, 100 Atk, 1200 Def
"Now then, I overlay the Level 4 Entermage Filmsy Slimmer and Entermage Trick Clown! Using these two Monsters, I construct the overlay network!" Dennis yelled, his two Monsters flying into the portal in front of him, a bright light enveloping his eyes. "Show must go on! Artisan of the air, swing across the stage with grace! Xyz Summon! Appear now! Rank 4! Entermage Trapeze Magician!"
The jolly performer appeared to the Field, hanging off of a trapeze.
Trapeze Magician: Rank 4, 2500 Atk, 2000 Def
"I don't think so!" Ruri interjected, lifting a finger at her own Xyz Monster, "I activate the effect of Ensemblue Robin! When you Special Summon Monsters, I can detach an overlay unit, target one of the Special Summoned Monsters and return it to the Hand! Say goodbye to your Trapeze Magician!"
Upon her declaration, Ensemblue flapped her wings. A strong gust of wind crashed at Trapeze Magician, who was carried up by the breeze and returned to the Hand, or in this case, the Extra Deck.
As Ensemblue Robin now had only three overlay units, her Attack would drop from 2000 to 1500.
Ensemblue Robin: 2200-1700 Atk
As I thought…Ensemblue Robin has such an annoying effect…Dennis analyzed, narrowing his eyes. Leave it to her Lyrical Luscinia Monsters to have such annoying effects. In that case…
Dennis shot his hand forward, "I activate the effect of the Entermage Trick Clown now in my Graveyard! Once per turn, when this Card is sent to the Graveyard, I can pay 1000 Life Points to bring this Monster back! Return from the Grave, my Monster!"
Bouncing on his ball, Trick Clown balanced himself.
"Since Trick Clown was Special Summoned this way, its Attack and Defense now become 0!"
Dennis: 4000-3000 LP
Trick Clown: 1600-0 Atk, 1200-0 Def
"Now, I will overlay the Level 4 Trick Clown and Flame Eater to once again Xyz Summon Entermage Trapeze Magician!"
The jolly laughter of Dennis' signature Xyz Monster resounded throughout the room. The trapeze that the Monster hung upon appeared, followed by the reappearance of the magician himself.
"It won't work!" Ruri chimed in once again, pointing her hand at her Monster, "Once again, I activate Ensemblue Robin's effect by detaching an overlay unit! Your Trapeze Magician will return to the Extra Deck again!"
Like last time, an overlay unit orbiting Ensemblue disappeared. Almost immediately, Trapeze Magician had been wiped from the Field, as if never Summoned at all. As Ensemblue had lost another overlay unit, another 500 Attack Points were deducted.
Ensemblue Robin: 1700-1200 Atk
Ruri let out a small smirk. This was great. It seemed like Dennis got a Hand full of nothing but Monsters. If she kept draining his resources like this, then victory was sure to be hers soon enough.
I cannot let him perform Pendulum, Fusion. Or Xyz…She thought to herself with resolution. If she could just prevent him from doing that, he was helpless.
"A minor setback." Dennis eventually stated after a noticeable silence. The Entermage user then started blinking, confusion in his eyes. "But say, shouldn't Ensemblue Robin have two overlay units?"
"What?" Ruri questioned with a glare as she looked at her Field. At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, until…
She saw one overlay unit orbiting her Xyz Monster. And with the absence of an overlay unit that she knew Ensemblue should have had…
Ensemblue Robin: 1200-700 Atk
"But how?! I know Ensemblue had two overlay units just a second ago!"
It was then Ruri realized that the missing overlay unit was now on Dennis' side of the Field. Somehow, he had managed to transfer it from her Monster to his side of the Field.
How is that possible…?
Her answer was given in the form of a cup-like hat ensnaring the overlay unit, never to be seen again. A horned-creature wearing two hats, placed the third on top of its head, a gleeful smile on its face, aware of what it had just done.
Ruri immediately recognized the Monster from Dennis' Duel against her brother.
"Well, look at that!" Dennis announced, with eerily almost as much excitement and glee as he had in said match, before he revealed his true colors. "It seems Entermage Cup Tricker has taken one of your overlay units and Special Summoned itself!"
Cup Tricker: Level 5, 1200 Atk, 1400 Def
"There's more to Cup Tricker's effect!" Dennis revealed, much to Ruri's frustration. "If I am able to Special Summon this Card, the Xyz Monster that lost an overlay unit loses 600 Attack!"
And either that, the remainder of Ensemblue Robin's Attack was drained, dropping the total down to a mere 0.
Ensemblue Robin: 700-100 Atk
"Battle!" Dennis declared, his mask of entertainment fading into obscurity. With battle-filled rigor, he shot his hand out. "Entermage Cup Tricker, take out Lyrical Luscinia - Ensemblue Robin!"
Cup Tricker removed its hat, tossing it at Ensemblue Robin. The cup spun at inhuman speeds, cutting right through Ensemblue Robin, splitting the Monster in half and destroying it. The cup continued, striking Ruri in the gut.
"Guh!" Ruri croaked, doubling over to clutch the hit area. A drop of sweat rolled down her face, struggling to maintain composure in presence of the pain.
Ruri: 4000-2900 LP
Though a sharp residual pain persisted in her belly, Ruri recovered, picking up the Card of her now destroyed Monster. "When sent to the Graveyard by one of your Cards, I can activate the effect of Ensemblue Robin to target another Lyrical Luscinia Monster in my Graveyard and add it to my Hand! The Card I will be adding is Lyrical Luscinia - Beryl Canary!"
Dennis clicked his tongue out of annoyance. He glanced at the Cards left in his Hand. Eventually, he set down his hands. "I end my turn."
"My turn, draw!" Ruri drew with force, a smile spreading as she saw the drawn Card. Keeping the drawn Card in her Hand, Ruri picked the recently returned Beryl Canary and revealed it. "Once again, I use the effect of Beryl Canary, Special Summoning it alongside Turquoise Warbler from the Graveyard! Return to me, my birds!"
Two glows of white light appeared in front of Ruri, and the two Lyrical Luscinia Monsters from her last turn returned to the Field in glorious fashion.
They were not going to be staying for much longer though…
Ruri held out her hand toward Turquoise Warbler, "I use Warbler's effect again when it's Special Summoned! I Special the Monster I just drew, Lyrical Luscinia - Cobalt Sparrow!"
Turquoise Warbler let out a harmonious hum. Soon after her melody played, a girl in a cobalt bird suit appeared alongside Ruri's other two Monsters.
Cobalt Sparrow: Level 1, 0 Atk, 100 Def
Wasting no time at all, Ruri gestured toward the newest arrival, "If Cobalt Sparrow is Special Summoned, I can add another copy from my Deck to my Hand!" Removing another copy from her Deck, Ruri showed it to Dennis, before placing the Card on her Duel Disk. "Now, I will Summon the second copy!"
One flash of light later and there was now an identical look alike to Cobalt Sparrow on the Field.
As expected of you, Ruri…Dennis thought with a scowl. You managed to get four Monsters out on the Field so easily…and all the same Level too…
As if on cue with his thought process, Ruri swung her arm to the side, "I overlay Lyrical Luscinia - Turquoise Warbler, Beryl Canary, and two Cobalt Sparrows!" The four Monsters rose into the air, soaring into the galaxy-like portal that had opened in front of her. An explosion shot up from the portal, prompting Ruri to begin her chant. "Birds with beautiful wings! Gather on the battlefield and take brilliant flight! Xyz Summon! Dance in the sky! Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale!"
Ruri's ace Monster, a majestic human-like bird with yellow wings, blue and green skin, two large rings adorning her shoulders appeared to the Field.
Assembly Nightingale: Rank 1, 0 Atk, 0 Def
Ruri smiled as her ace descended in front of her. With a determined nod, she continued, "As you know, Assembly Nightingale gains 100 Attack for each overlay unit attached. Nightingale has four overlay units, so she will gain 400 Attack!"
Assembly Nightingale: 0-400 Atk
Dennis' frown grew, "And your Monster can attack directly for each overlay unit as well…"
"So you do remember something from our time together!" Ruri exclaimed bitterly before punching her arm forward with a Card in hand, "I activate the Magic Card, Lyrical Luscinia - Flight! Now, for the rest of this turn, Winged-Beast Monsters I control have their Attacks doubled!"
Assembly Nightingale: 400-800 Atk
"Battle!" Ruri declared, breaking off into a run, her eyes darting around the room.
Dennis widened his eyes, realizing what Ruri was doing, and so also broke off into a jog, though in the opposite direction.
Seeing that Dennis now had the same idea as her, Ruri decided to rush her plan a little. She swiped her hand to the side, "Assembly Nightingale, attack Dennis directly!"
Assembly Nightingale jumped into the air, utilizing her wings to soar down towards her victim.
Dennis' eyes caught an Action Card. He dove, trying to reach for the Card. Unfortunately for him, Assembly Nightingale was too fast.
Dennis let out a cry of pain, his face smashing on the ground after having a gruesome kick to his back courtesy of Assembly Nightingale. The boy groaned, rubbing his now aching back as his Life Points dropped.
Dennis: 3000-2200 LP
Just as his Life Points hit the current amount, Ruri managed to pick up her own Action Card, snatching it from the ground. She gave the Card a quick glance before sliding it into her Duel Disk.
"Action Magic, Victory Topping! A face-up Monster I target on the Field gains 600 Attack until the end of the turn! Assembly Nightingale will now gain 600 Attack!"
Assembly Nightingale: 800-1400 Atk
"Now then, Assembly Nightingale, attack again!" Ruri yelled, her Monster jumping back into the air, once again setting her sights on Dennis, who recovered and grabbed the Action Card he was aiming for.
"Action Magic, Flame Chain, activate!" Dennis exclaimed as a fiery chain ensnared the body of Ruri's Monster. "I can decrease the Attack of a Monster you control by 400!"
Assembly Nightingale grimaced under the tight grip of the chains, feeling her strength leave her slightly.
Assembly Nightingale: 1400-1000 Atk
The attack continued, and once again, Assembly Nightingale pounced on Dennis. The Entermage Duelist let out a cry, a sharp pain burning in his jaw from the hard kick Nightingale had hit him with.
Dennis: 2200-1200 LP
"Kuh!" Ruri grunted, a frustrated expression adorning her delicate features. Now, she wasn't going to be able to finish Dennis off this turn.
Regardless, she could still come close…
Ruri pointed at Dennis once more. "The third attack!"
Dennis found himself wheezing as a leg found itself digging into his stomach, blood and spittle shooting out of his mouth. He fell to his knees, still coughing as his Life Points went down even more.
Dennis: 1200-200 LP
"The last attack, now!" Ruri bellowed, her Monster once again rushing towards Dennis with her leg primed to kick him.
This time, however, Dennis was prepared. He unveiled one of the last two Cards in his Hand, showing it to Ruri.
"When one of your Monsters declare a direct attack, I can Special Summon this Card from my Hand and change the target to itself! Come, Entermage String Figure!"
Appearing in front of Nightingale to intercept the kick was a clown in cyan and purple pants, a blue coat with yellow stars over a sheet of orange on the inside. To end it off, the clown had two sprouts of green hair coming out of its pink hat. The string Clown was standing upright in an offensive position.
String Figure: Level 1, 0 Atk, 0 Def
Assembly Nightingale continued her kick, nailing Entermage String Figure in the side. To Ruri's surprise, not only was the Monster not destroyed, but Dennis' Life Points remained untouched.
"What?!" She cried out with wide eyes.
"This Card cannot be destroyed by that battle and I take no battle damage from it either…" Dennis trailed off, a smile on his face.
Ruri let out a frustrated sigh, setting a Card down in front of her.
"I end my turn. At this moment," Ruri mumbled, "Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale's Attack returns to normal."
Assembly Nightingale: 1000-400 Atk
"Now, it's my turn!" Dennis said, removing a Card from his Deck. "Draw! I Normal Summon Entermage Water Dancer!"
A Monster with two baton-like sticks dressed in a blue and yellow jester's outfit appeared alongside String Figure and Cup Tricker.
Water Dancer: Level 4, 1200 Atk, 1400 Def
"Next, from my Hand, I activate the Equip Magic, Wonder Wand! I'll equip it to Entermage Water Dancer, giving it 500 Attack!"
Water Dancer: 1200-1700 Atk
Seems like I'll have to gamble once again. I can never truly get away from you, Yusho-sensei…Dennis thought briefly to himself.
The traitor to the Lancers held up the Magic Card he had just placed down. "I activate the effect of Wonder Wand, sending both it and the equipped Monster to the Graveyard in order to draw two Cards!"
Entermage Water Dancer disappeared from the Field, and so did Wonder Wand. Placing his hand on his Deck, Dennis felt a chill running down his spine. Perhaps it was the ghost of his performing persona, still trying to speak to him.
Whatever it was, he didn't care. He had to try and finish this to get Ruri back to Academia.
"Draw!" Dennis shouted, the top two Cards leaving his Deck.
Dennis' eyes darted to the drawn Cards. They widened with alarm. These were precisely the Cards that he needed!
"Now then, I use the effect of Entermage String Figure!" Dennis exclaimed as it and Cup Tricker began to swirl together in a vortex formation. "With this Card, I can Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters I control as Materials, including this Card! I fuse Entermage String Figure and Entermage Cup Tricker! Trickster that freely manipulates even the pain! Merge with the infinitely form-changing strings that connect people, and become a new witch that spurs the sky! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 7! Entermage Trapeze Force Witch!"
Dennis brought his hands down as a silhouette appeared behind him.
A maniacal laugh resounded throughout the Field, sending shivers down Ruri's body. It sounded similar to that of Trapeze Magician, but this laugh was much more sinister.
A witch in a purple hat with yellow stars, purple shoes, blue and red leggings, white gloves, and purple suit hung appeared, hanging off with one hand gripping on a trapeze, much like its male counterpart.
Force Witch: Level 7, 2600 Atk, 1800 Def
"We're not finished just yet." Dennis continued, inserting another Card into his Duel Disk. "I activate the Magic Card, Fusion! Using it, I fuse the Entermage Overlay Juggler in my Hand with the Entermage Trapeze Force Witch on my Field!"
"What?!" Ruri questioned with shock. "You're giving up Force Witch?!"
"Indeed." Dennis replied with a grin, "For this will allow me to bring out a Monster even stronger! Witch that spurs the sky! Merge together with the juggler of mysticism and bring forth a new power! Fusion Summon!"
A bright light enveloped Dennis' back. The laugh of Trapeze Force Witch could be heard, but this time it was somehow filled with even more malice than before.
"Appear, Level 8! Entermage Trapeze High Force Witch!"
Rising from the light was a Monster that a striking resemblance to Trapeze Force Witch. However, this witch was not holding onto the trapeze at all, and the attire she wore was much more flashy and colorful than that of the regular Trapeze Force Witch.
High Force Witch: Level 8, 2800 Atk, 2200 Def
"Trapeze…High Force Witch…" Ruri mumbled with awe at the appearance of the new Monster.
"If you think the original Force Witch was bad, wait till you see what this one can do!" Dennis proclaimed, an uncharacteristically cocktail smile making its way to his face. "Battle! Go, Entermage Trapeze High Force Witch, attack Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale!"
"Not going to happen!" Ruri reacted quickly, "I activate the effect of Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale! By detaching an overlay unit when it would be destroyed by battle or Card effect, I can negate the destruction and take no battle damage as well!'
Dennis smirked.
"The effect of Entermage Trapeze High Force Witch now activates!" He revealed as the Monster glowed with a bright light, blinding Assemblt Nightingale and Ruri. "When an Entermage Monster attacks, all of your face-up Cards have their effects negated until the end of the battle!"
"What?!" Ruri gasped as her gaze shot over to Assembly Nightingale, who consumed one overlay unit, only for nothing to happen. Not only that, but as the effect was negated, Assembly Nightingale lost the Attack boost as well.
Assembly Nightingale: 400-0 Atk
"High Force Burst!" Dennis shouted as Trapeze High Force Witch Summoned a ball of energy within her hands. The ball shot towards Assembly Nightingale, connecting with the Monster and causing her to explode upon impact.
"GAH!" Ruri screamed out in pain, shielding her body as the shockwaves of the explosion rattled against it.
Ruri: 2900-100 LP
Dennis released a sigh now that the battle was over. "I believe that's enough for this act. I end my turn."
Ruri shuddered, an ache running through her body.
He's much more ruthless than the last time we fought, that's for sure. But, I still can't help but feel that…Ruri looked into Dennis' eyes, trying to find any trace of how he was feeling, but all she saw was a mask blocking her view. A mask purposefully placed there so that no one could know what was behind it.
Recovering from her damage, Ruri clicked a button on her Duel Disk, revealing her one and only set Card.
"I'm not finished yet, Dennis. I activate Rank-Up-Magic Lyrical Force!" Ruri exclaimed as a portal opened up in front of her. "Now that a Lyrical Luscinia Xyz Monster I control has been destroyed, I can activate this Card! I can Special Summon the destroyed Monster back to the Field and use it and this Card as Materials for the Xyz Summon of a Monster whose Rank is 1 higher!"
"Rank-Up-Magic? You didn't use that in our last Duel…" Dennis stated, mostly to himself.
Though it seemed that Ruri had heard him, based on what she said next.
"You're right, I didn't. Things were different back then. Now, I cannot afford to lose, so I'm going to fight with everything I have!" Ruri's Monster and Magic Card turned into purple wisps of energy, converging into a single point in front of her. "Bird with wonderous and beautiful wings! Evolve into a new bird and go on the path to victory! Rank-Up-Xyz Change! Fly onto the Field before us, Lyrilusc-Evolved Nightingale!"
Evolved Nightingale: Rank 2, 0 Atk, 100 Def
"Evolved Nightingale gains 200 Attack for each overlay unit she has! She had two, so Evolved Nightingale gains 400 Attack!"
Evolved Nightingale: 0-400 Atk
"I end my turn." Dennis concluded, looking at Ruri with a sneer. "Now then, how will you proceed?"
Ruri took a deep breath, composing herself and drawing a Card from her Deck. She silently made a plea for the right Card. She looked down at her drawn Card, her gaze not changing as she looked back at her opponent.
"Dennis…please…leave Academia behind."
"..." Dennis remained silent, his eyes widening slightly, completely at a loss for words.
After everything that had happened? After greenlighting the war that laid carnage to hundreds, no, thousands!? After all of that she was still willing to reach out to him?!
Dennis fought back the urge to laugh. He mostly succeeded, but he ended up releasing a chuckle…more of a scoff, actually.
"You are such a fool, Ruri…" He said with closed eyes, his voice having a hint of sadness in it.
"Dennis, I know that you don't want to keep doing these things!" Ruri pleaded, trying to reach out to the boy that she had Dueled that day. "I remember how you when I first met you! That look in your eyes as you entertained the crowd, even before you noticed me…even before you noticed me your eyes held this spark! You can't tell me you didn't enjoy making people happy! You can't say that everything was all an act! Even now, I can tell that the teachings of Yusho-sensei are still there, buried within you. It's not just in your Duels either, but the way you act! Like it or not, Dennis, but you are an Entertainment Duelist, not a soldier!"
Dennis remained silent, opening his eyes, clearly lost in thought. His lip quivered, as if he had wanted to say something, something that had been weighing down on his shoulders. Eventually, however, his body stilled. Like Ruri, Dennis took in a deep pocket of air, feeling it fill his nostrils.
He exhaled, letting out some of the stress that was eating away at his body.
"I have made my decision a long time ago, and I am going to stay with it." He said coldly.
Ruri looked at the former Lancer in awe. She shut her eyes quickly, feeling a tear start to form in her left eye. She shook her head, sending the tear away and shaking all of the doubts away.
She tried…she really tried, but it seems he had made his choice.
"Very well, then, Dennis." She said, inserting a Card into her Duel Disk, "From my Hand, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Sprouted Winged Force! Using this, I use a Winged-Beast Xyz Monster I control as Material in order to Xyz Summon a Monster whose Rank is 1 higher!"
"Another Rank-Up?" Dennis mumbled out of annoyance.
"Bird of evolved beauty! Pierce your claws into the path of destiny and unfold your wings! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Lyrical Luscinia - Prime Nightingale!" Ruri chanted, her Monster touching the Field right in front of her.
Prime Nightingale: Rank 3, 300 Atk, 300 Def
"I'm ending it this turn, Dennis! Battle!" Ruri declared as she motioned for her Monster to attack. "Prime Nightingale, attack Dennis directly!"
"That's not happening!" Dennis countered, gesturing to his Monster. "As long as Trapeze High Force Witch is on the Field, Monsters with lower Attack cannot battle with any other Monsters except itself."
Damn it! Ruri cursed internally. I don't have a Monster in my Deck who can even come close to that! In that case…
Ruri once again began to run, in search of an Action Card that could hopefully help her win the game.
Seeing this action, Dennis ran off to find his own Action Card to counter Ruri.
Fortunately, Ruri's quick action had come out in the end, and the girl ended up grabbing an Action Card first. With a smile, she inserted the Card into her Duel Disk.
"Action Magic, Single Distraction!" She called, reading aloud its effect. "I can use this Card when there is a single Monster on your side of the Field. With this Card, that Monster gets destroyed!"
A lightning bolt shot out of the Card hologram that appeared in front of Ruri. The bolt jolted towards Force Witch, electrocuting it.
"So sorry to disappoint, but Entermage Trapeze High Force Witch makes it so Entermage Monsters on the Field cannot be destroyed by Card effects!" Dennis explained the sparks around his Monster dissipated, showing an unscathed Trapeze High Force Witch.
"Of course it does…" Ruri muttered out of frustration. She looked around, not seeing an Action Card in the immediate vicinity. "I end my turn."
"My turn, draw!" Dennis yelled, drawing a Card. He glanced at it, shaking his head at the sight of it. He jabbed his hand forward, "Battle! Entermage Trapeze High Force Witch, attack Lyrical Luscinia - Prime Nightingale!"
Another ball of energy formed in between Prime Nightingale's hands. The Monster launched it toward High Force Witch.
Dennis smiled, "And remember, the effect of all face-up Cards on the Field are now negated!"
"Maybe on the Field, but in the Graveyard!" Ruri exclaimed, removing a Card from her Graveyard compartment. "I activate the other effect of Winged Sprout Force! By banishing this Card and detaching an overlay unit from the Monster targeted for an attack, I can negate the attack!"
The ball of energy reached Prime Nightingale, but as soon as it did, it was extinguished.
"Tch!" Dennis seethed. "How annoying…I end my turn."
"Then it's my turn! Draw!" Ruri cried out, removing the top Card and setting her eyes on it, her expression brightening upon seeing it. She turned serious, holding out a Magic Card, "This is the end, Dennis! I wish things could have been different, but you are going down here and now!"
"Is that so?" Dennis questioned with a doubtful gaze.
Ruri gave no response. Instead, she let her actions speak for her.
"From my Hand, I activate the Magic Card, Lyrical Luscinia - Bird Strike! If I control a Lyrical Luscinia Monster, the effects of all Monsters you control are negated!"
A golden heart-shaped emblem appeared on the Field. An invisible force pushed out against Dennis' Monster, negating it's effects.
"This is the end!" Ruri declared, "Prime Nightingale, attack Dennis directly!"
Prime Nightingale leaped into the air, performing a flip in the air. Dennis widened his eyes in horror as Ruri's Monster unleashed a harsh kick to his jaw.
Dennis made no sound as the attack instantly made him lose consciousness, even before his feet left the ground. He flew back for a long second before crashing on the ground.
Dennis: 200-0 LP
Ruri was declared the winner of the Duel. As a result, both Prime Nightingale and Trapeze High Force Witch disappeared from the Field alongside the Action Field.
Ruri walked over to Dennis' unmoving body.
She frowned.
Dennis…
She closed her eyes. This was not what she wanted to happen. She had secretly hoping that Dennis would see the error of Academia's ways and potentially join the Lancers for real as a way to make amends.
After all, there was no denying it, Dennis had good in him. He was just misguided.
Conflicted…
Sakaki Yusho's teachings were still somewhere in his heart.
She let out a gasp of shock as a light blue glow surrounded Dennis' body. She backed away, quickly realizing that the force return program had been activated. As she retreated, Dennis' body disappeared, leaving no signs of Dennis' presence.
Ruri's eyebrows creased.
Back to that prison…
She turned to the exit of the room, which Dennis had been guarding.
I have no time to dwell on this. The others need me!
With that last thought, Ruri broke off into a sprint.
Card Catalog
Chronodiver Mirage, Trap: For the rest of the turn, all Chronodiver Monsters you control are unaffected by Monster effects and they cannot be destroyed in battle either. After this Card resolves, you can attach this Trap Card to a Chronodiver Xyz Monster you control.
Chronodiver Return, Magic: Special Summon two Chronodiver Monsters in your Graveyard with their effects negated. Then, if you do, conduct an Xyz Summon using those two Monsters as Materials. If you successfully Xyz Summon, attach this Card to your Monster as Material. You can only activate each effect of Chronodiver Return once per turn.
Chronodiver Fuel, Magic: All Chronodiver Xyz Monsters gain Attack equal to the amount of overlay units they currently have times 500 until the end of the turn. After, all Chronodiver Xyz Monsters gain Attack equal to the amount of overlay units they have individually detached times 500.
Rank-Up-Magic Chaos Force, Magic: Target one Xyz Monster you control. Using this Card and that Monster as Materials, Xyz Summon a Monster from the Extra Deck whose Rank is 1 higher. Immediately after the Monster is Summoned using this Card as Material, it gains this effect: When this Card is Xyz Summoned, target one Xyz Monster your opponent controls that has overlay units. Detach all of them and attach it to the Summoned Monster as overlay units. If you do, that target loses 300 Attack for each overlay unit taken.
Silent Honor DARK, Water, Aqua, Xyz, Rank 5, 2800 Atk, 1500 Def: Once per turn, you can target a Card your opponent controls and attach it to this Card as an overlay unit, and if you attach a Monster while this Card has Silent Honor ARK as Material, Silent Honor DARK gains Attack equal to the Attack of the attached Monster. When this Card destroys a Monster by battle, you can detach an overlay unit, your opponent will take damage equal to the difference between this Card's current Attack and original Attack. If this Card would be destroyed while this Card has Silent Honor ARK as Material, you can detach an overlay unit from this Card instead. Once per Duel, if this Card is sent to the Graveyard while it has no Material, you can Special Summon this Card and gain Life Points equal to the original Attack of this Card. This effect can only be used if Silent Honor ARK is in your Graveyard.
Entermage Trapeze High Force Witch, Spellcaster, Dark Level 8, 2800 Atk, 2200 Def: Materials - "Entermage Trapeze Force Witch" + 1 "Entermage" Monster: Entermage Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by Card effects. Monsters your opponent control with Attack less than or equal to this Card can only attack this Monster. If an Entermage Monster you control attacks, negate the effects of all face-up Cards your opponent controls until the end of the battle. If this Card leaves the Field, you can Special Summon Entermage Trapeze Force Witch from your Graveyard.
And another chapter bites the dust!
Once again, a Dueling focused chapter. In this chapter, we see Ruri and Ryoga get a solid win each. Ruri getting her get-back against Dennis, and Ryoga against the Deputy. I know Noro doesn't Duel in the anime, but he is the Deputy, so I decided to give him a Deck and some skill, even if he probably got his rank by kissing a lot of asses. Considering he has a tendency to worry about time and being on schedule, I decided to give him the Chronodiver Deck, otherwise known as Time Thief.
The unique thing about this Deck is that it has no Fusion Monsters. I decided to make it so Noro got his Deck from a defeated Heartland Duelist.
It's been a while since this story has gotten a review. If you are reading, I would appreciate one. It makes me more motivated to update faster even amongst a busy schedule. :)
Once again, it's my fault so I can't exactly complain.
Now for the chapter preview…
While Ruri and Dennis defeat their opponents, Rio manages to enter the room where Yuto and the others are being held. Unfortunately, before she can free them, a shock collar is attached to her arm. Titan appears. The two initiate a Duel, with Rio getting shocked everything she takes damage…
Take care, goodbye!
