ATTENTION! PLEASE READ!
Hey guys, as I already stated, the QnA is open, so please feel free to ask as many questions as you like! Also, at the start of the next few chapters, I'll be asking you guys some questions that I'd love to get the answers to, and the results will be tallied up by me and revealed during the QnA special. Answering these questions helps provide me insight on what aspects of the stories that you enjoy, so I appreciate every vote.
Today's questions:
Who is your favorite character from the Fusion Dimension?
Who is your favorite character from the Synchro Dimension?
Who is your favorite character from the Xyz Dimension?
Who is your favorite character from the Standard Dimension?
Thanks you for your future answers and thank you to everyone who is already participating in the QnA. Please keep asking your questions to the Lancers (as well as Yuri)!
"Serena...I have this really bad feeling that I can't shake..."
"In that case...you should double back and make sure Tsukikage is fine. I'll go on ahead to where Yuzu and Rin is."
"Are you sure? Why don't you come back with me?"
"Like Tsukikage was saying, we don't have time. Don't worry, I can take care of myself. I've already beaten Roget's current strongest ally on my own, so I should be fine. Tsukikage has always been the type to sacrifice himself for others...we can't let him throw his life away..."
"...Right. I'll definitely bring Tsukikage back with me."
The words Sora had exchanged with Serena played in his mind on a loop, reminding him of his failure to save the ninja and driving him insane.
Now, the boy was facing Tsukikage's killer, grinning like a mad man.
"You're a creepy little kid, you know that?" Frost said before his lips also spread into a grin. "But you won't be grinning long, I promise you that."
"...Tsukikage wasn't suppose to die here...he was suppose to go on to help defeat Academia...you took that honor away from him...so I won't rest until your life is taken away from you!"
"Big words coming from a tiny kid. But can you back it up?"
"...I'm going to enjoy tearing you to pieces."
OP 1 V2: No Pain No Game by Nano
The Ending Of This story
A diagonal image of Yuya amidst a Pendulum background with a bright smile.
I Will Hold It Close As I Wonder So Aimlessly
Below the image of Yuya is Yuto, standing in front of a Xyz portal with a stern yet warm look.
Into this New World
Above the two is Yugo, who stands before a Synchro backdrop with a goofy grin.
The Game Has Only Just Begun
The three hold up their aces, Odd Eyes, Dark Rebellion, and Clear Wing, as they close their eyes...
I Can See It In Your Eyes!
...the three open their eyes in sync with their iris' glowing red, indigo, and cyan respectively as their ace dragons shine, engulfing the screen.
(This Is Where Tomorrow Brings a New Game)
Yuya stands atop a hill overlooking Miami City, his jacket blowing in the wind as a Leo Corporation jet flies past LDS. Yuto is shown in front of the Duel Sanctuary, gazing at the ruined Heartland.
(It's Time To Learn That Pain Is Gain)
Yugo is riding his D-Wheel down a Duel Lane at night, the neon signs and billboards of City aglow with life as he passes by. Out on a boat in the sea, Yuri faces Academia, arms visibly crossed.
READY FIGHT!
Yuya appears riding atop of Odd-Eyes, who fills the screen with its signature Spiral Strike Burst!
(Instrumental)
Odd-Eyes' attack fades, revealing the Four Dimensions. The "Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V" logo appears, the words "Altered Destiny" beneath it. Yuya's Pendulum appears in the background, swinging back and forth before the logo fades. Zoom in on the Standard Dimension to see Yuya walking to You Show Duel School.
I Gotta Crush and Paint Away
The Lancers appear standing in front of the LDS logo. From left to right; Hokuto, Masumi, Yaiba , and Roy stand back-to-back, ready for battle, Yaiba holding his signature wooden katana over his shoulder.
The Anguish Of My Past For Sake Of My Future
Sawatari stands self-assure with a proud grin on his face. Yugo leans on his D-Wheel, sporting a big friendly grin. Rin was on the opposite side of the D-Wheel, sternly staring at the boy for not taking things seriously. Serena holds herself ready for battle with the faintest hint of longingness on her face.
Until My Life Comes To An End
Yuya and Yuzu stand close to each other, ready to face the coming battles together. Gongenzaka stands behind of the Standard Pair, arms folded with a steadfast gaze. Next to them is Crow, who has a battle-ready smirk on his face.
I'm Gonna Fight To Tear Apart That Destiny
Yuto, Ruri, and Shun stand side by side with battle-hardened expressions. But unbeknownst to Shun, Yuto and Ruri's hands were interlocked.
(Ahh-Ahh)
Tsukkikage kneels in front of the Akabas, holding an arm out in front of them in a declaration of protection. Reira hides behind Reiji.
Break Out And Start A Revolution
Rightmost is Sora, who is consumed by the shadow and looking away from the group. But two hands reach out to him, causing him to turn around towards the light. Sora smiles, taking the hands of Yuya and Yuzu before leaping out of the shadows with a childish grin.
Until You Find The Answer
Cut to the Standard, Xyz and Synchro counterparts together on a grassy hill, gazing at the starry night sky. Yuzu and Ruri rest their heads on Yuya and Yuto's shoulders respectively, who in turn drape an arm around them. Rin does the same with Yugo, who blushes redder than Yuya's hair. It is a touching scene….
You're Looking For!
… the screen falls to reveal the Fusion Counterparts falling into darkness. Yuri grins wickedly as his eyes are whited out by a violet glow. Behind him is the shadow of an older boy, face obscured with a monstruous, inhuman smile on his face. Above him, Serena holds out her hand, desperately trying to reach her former friend. The gem on her bracelet shines like a star, cutting through the miasma that surrounds them. Behind her is the golden spirit of an older girl, trying to reach out to the figure behind Yuri as tears flow. The older teens vanish as the Fusion Counterparts' silhouettes turn to black and a large, sinister pair of draconic eyes open wide behind them.
I'll Challenge All My Limits
Crow, Kiryu, the Black Rose Witch, and Jack race in a line on the highway and call forth their dragons; Black-Feather, Infernity Void, Black Rose, and Red Daemon's.
Knowing This Could Be My Only Chance Now
Yuzu and Serena stand together striking their signature Fusion Summon poses. From behind the two, Prodigy Mozart and Cat Dancer swirl into the fusion vortex and become Moonlight Serenade.
To Overcome This Fate That's Come Over Me
Ruri and Rin stand side by side with Assembly Nightingale and Winter Bell in front of them, looking ready for battle. But behind them are the looming shadow of their respective Fusion monsters; Independent Nightingale and Crystal Bell.
The Ending Of This Story
Yuto stands alone on a battle field with explosions occurring in the background. Yuto lets out a primal scream as Dark Rebellion Apocalypse Dragon roars, causing the field to erupt in flames.
I Will Hold It Close As I Wonder So Aimlessly
Yuya and Yugo closely race next to each other on the highway as Odd Eyes and Clear Wing clash in the sky. Yuya and Yugo scream in unison as their dragons evolve into Odd Eyes Wing and Crystal Clear Wing before continuing their arial battle. As the Accel Synchro monster begins to gain an advantage, Enlightenment Paladin descends from the sky while enveloped in a brilliant light. As Odd Eyes Wing is briefly knocked away, the evolved blue and gold paladin strikes Crystal Clear Wing's head with it's majestic blade, while Yuya and Yugo can't help but grin in excitement.
Into This New World
The scene changes to Yuya standing beneath a blue landscape. A pendulum swings above him, draw arcs of light across the sky. Yusho's face is shown over the center of the arcs, smiling down at his son with pride.
The Game Has Only Just Begun
Yuya reaches his hand out as the image of his father fades. He is shown to have a look of surprise on his face...
I Can See It In Your Eyes!
…which quickly turns into a triumphant smile!
(Instrumental)
The screen flashes to a beaten Crow standing across from a strange looking Jack Atlas, which clearly wasn't the real one, who had a variant of Red Daemon's on his field. The scene shifts to Yuto standing against Kiryu's Chaos Void Dragon with Vengeful Paladin on his field, who readied it's sword for battle. The scene changes to Yuzu and Rin struggling against the berserk Black Rose Witch who wore a cracked mask. Darkness Rose Death Dragon let out a violent screech as Prodigy Mozart and Winter Bell protectively flew in front of the two girls. The scene switches to Yuya and Yugo teaming up against the mastermind himself, Roget. A large machine-like titan which was shrouded in darkness towered over Odd Eyes and Clear Wing. At the two counterparts' command, the dragons charged forward before combining into Odd Eyes Wing Dragon while the titan lunged it's fist forward. As the two collided, a white flash engulfs the screen. The song ends with the Lancers on the highway (now including Crow, Ruri, Rin, and Sora) in the Synchro Dimension, looking up at the screen with the three Yu-boys in the center, with each of their eyes flashing a red, indigo, and cyan glow respectively.
Determined as ever, Serena raced through the halls of the Roget's base.
'Yuzu...I'll make it up to you by saving you, I promise. Rin...I won't let your freedom be taken away from you again...'
"Stop right there!"
From up ahead, three officers formed a blockade, preventing Serena from going any further.
"Look, it's one of the targets!"
"Let's capture her for Director Roget!"
"...Prepare yourself..." Serena coldly uttered while glaring at the officers. "...I'll cut you down for standing in my way!"
Serena declaration echoed throughout the tunnel, causing the three officers to shutter.
"O-Oh wait, she's the one who defeated the Black Rose Witch!"
"Can we even win?"
"Get yourselves together, men! There's three of us! No matter what, we have the advantage!"
"Let's test that theory." Serena challenged, activating her duel disk.
"B-Bring it on!"
"DUEL!"
SORA: 4000 LP vs FROST: 4000 LP
"No Action Field? I guess that makes sense since you were allied with Academia until literally a day or two ago. Anyways, I'll start!" Frost declared before grabbing a card in his hand. "From my hand, I summon the Tuner monster, Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier!"
A long black-haired sorcerer in blue and gold robes appeared.
Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier (1000/400) LVL:2
"While I control another Ice Barrier monster, I can special summon the Tuner monster, Georgius, Swordsman of the Ice Barrier!"
A feathery swordsman with white wings appeared on the battlefield.
Georgius, Swordsman of the Ice Barrier (2000/1200) LVL:6
"Mirror Magic Master's effect activates! By releasing Georgius, Swordsman of the Ice Barrier, I can special summon up to three Ice Barrier Tokens! I'll choose to summon two!"
Ice Barrier Tokens x2 (0/0) LVL:1
"And then Georgious' level is added to Mirror Magic Master's level!"
Mirror Magic Master LVL:2-8
"I tune the Level 8 Mirror Magic Master to my two Level 1 Ice Barrier Tokens! Crimson champion that watches over the frozen horizon! Appear now and protect your kingdom! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain!"
A towering red dragon with ice-like armor appeared on the battlefield with a powerful roar.
Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain (3300/2700) LVL:10
"Mirror Magic Master's effect allows me to add an Ice Barrier card from my deck to my hand. I'll then set two cards face down and end my turn. Let's see if you prove to be more fun than your dead friend!" Frost jeered.
"...Bastard...!" Sora grumbled under his breath, his fist trembling at his side. "...My turn! I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed! I draw two! I activate the Continuous Spell, Toy Pot! By discarding a card, I can draw a card and reveal it. If it's a Level 4 or lower monster, I can special summon it!"
Sora drew his card before showing it to his opponent.
"Alright, it's the Level 3 Edge Imp Scissors, so I get to summon it to the field!" Sora shouted as the blades with glowing red eyes appeared.
Edge Imp Scissors (1200/800) LVL:3
"I'll now activate my Continuous Trap, Reinforcement of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as his trap flipped open. "You'll see what it does later. Go on and continue your turn."
"...Next, I activate the Spell Card, Double Fusion! By paying 500 life points...
SORA: 4000-3500 LP
"...I can Fusion Summon twice this turn! I fuse Furnimal Dolphin and Edge Imp Mace! Demonic spikes! Become one with the playful beast and show us your new form and power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 9! Ultimate predator that rules the ocean! Death-Toy Cruel Whale!" Sora yelled as a demonic plushy whale with blades ripping out of it's body appeared. A pair of glowing red eyes could he seen from the whale's mouth.
Death-Toy Cruel Whale (2600/2400) LVL:9
"Edge Imp Mace's effect activates! After being used as Fusion material, I can draw a card for every Death-Toy on my field plus one! I draw two! Next, Cruel Whale's effect activates! When Fusion Summoned, a card on each of our fields are destroyed! I'll destroy Toy Pot and Lancea!"
"I'll respond with Lancea's effect! Twice per turn, when the opponent special summons a monster, I can special summon an Ice Barrier monster from my hand, deck, graveyard, or Extra Deck!"
"What?!"
"Come, from my deck, General Raiho of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as the long-haired man with blue armor appeared.
General Raiho of the Ice Barrier (2100/2300) LVL:6
"And that's not all! Now, your monster is switched to defense position!"
Cruel Whale (2600/2400)-(2600/2400)
"Tch..." Sora clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Raiho's effect comes into play whenever an activated effect of a monster on your field resolves. Unless you discard a card, that effect becomes negated." Frost explained with a devious grin. "So, will you discard a card to allow your effect to go through and destroy my monster?"
"Of course I will." Sora grunted, sending a card from his hand to the grave.
"Too bad, then! Reinforcement of the Ice Barrier effect prevents WATER monsters from being destroyed by card effects, meaning you just got rid of one of your cards for nothing!" Frost taunted.
"Damn it...I'm not done yet! Through Double Fusion's effect, I now fuse Edge Imp Scissors on my field with Furnimal Rabbit and Furnimal Penguin in my hand! Demonic claws! Cute playmates! Become one in the mystic vortex and show us a new form and power! Fusion Summon! Show yourself! Level 6! Mystical jungle beast that rips everything to shreds! Death-Toy Scissors Tiger!" Sora yelled as a cyan colored demonic plushy tiger with red eyes glowing from its mouth appeared. The tiger had a giant pair of scissors attached to its torso.
Death-Toy Scissors Tiger (1900/1200) LVL:6
"Due to Furnimal Penguin's effect, I get to draw two cards and discard one since it was sent to the graveyard. And due to Furnimal Rabbit's effect, I add Edge Imp Scissors back to my hand. Also, through Scissors Tiger's effect, my monsters gain 300 ATK for each Death-Toy on the field."
Scissors Tiger (1900/1200)-(2500/1200)
Cruel Whale (2600/2400)-(3200/2400)
"Scissors Tiger's effect activates. When this card is Fusion Summoned, card on your field are detroyed up to the number of fusion materials that were used. Your Raiho and Lancea are protected from card effects, but your Continuous Trap isn't!"
"I'll respond with Lancea's effect! From my hand, I special summon Warlock of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as the purple and orange magician holding a snow flake wand appeared.
Warlock of the Ice Barrier (400/1000) LVL:3
"And then your monster is switched to defense mode!"
Scissors Tiger (2500/1200)-(2500/1200)
As the effects resolved, Sora was forced to discard another card. The scissors protruding from the tiger's torso extending outwards and slashed through the Continuous Trap.
"Reinforcement of the Ice Barrier's effect activates upon being destroyed! Now, I can special summon an Ice Barrier monster from my deck! Come, General Wayne of the Ice Barrier!"
A muscular warrior in crystal blue armor appeared, holding a small blade in his hand.
General Wayne of the Ice Barrier (2100/400) LVL:5
"Wayne's effect! I can add an Ice Barrier Spell or Trap to my hand." Frost explained while a card popped out of his deck. "Also, while this card is on the field, any Spell or Trap that'd be sent to your graveyard is banished instead."
"You're really annoying, you know that?" Sora irritatedly asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "You may have stopped two of my monsters from attacking this turn, but can you stop a third? I activate the Spell Card, Death-Toy Fusion-"
The boy went to insert the card into his duel disk, but an error screen showed up.
"Not so fast! Due to Warlock's effect, both players must set Spell Cards before activating them. Also, Spells can't be activated during the turn their set!"
"No way...this field is...!" Sora's eyes widened as the realization hit him like a brick.
Lancea switches all his monsters to defense mode.
General Raiho forces him to discard his hand which limits his resources.
Warlock prevents him from using Spell Cards right away.
General Wayne banishes his Spells and Traps after usage, preventing him from recycling them.
"A perfect counter for a Fusion user. That's what you're thinking, right?" Frost grinned like a mad man.
"...I set a card facedown, turn end." Sora concluded.
"I don't know what my boss was so worried about, you Academia guys aren't a threat at all! My turn!" Frost shouted as he drew. "I'll now flip over my set card! The Continuous Spell, Crystal Wall of the Ice Barrier! When activated, I can special summon a Level 4 or lower Ice Barrier monster from my graveyard! Revive, the Tuner monster, Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier!"
Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier (1000/400) LVL:2
"...So you set that card last turn to get around Warlock's effect."
"Precisely! Mirror Magic Master's effect activates! By releasing General Raiho, I can special summon three Ice Barrier Tokens and this card gains its level!"
Ice Barrier Tokens x3 (0/0) LVL:1
Mirror Magic Master LVL:2-8
"Here we go! I tune the Level 8 Mirror Magic Master to my three Level 1 Ice Barrier Tokens! Dragonic soul frozen in oblivion! Break through the ice that binds you and reawaken as the ultimate blizzard! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 11! Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as his evolved ace appeared, which looked similar to its original form but with red energy coursing through it.
Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2700/2000) LVL: 11
"Mirror Magic Master lets me add another Ice Barrier card to my hand. Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier's effect activates! When this card is Synchro Summoned, three cards on your field are banished! Oblivion Avalanche!" Frost shouted as his monster summoned a powerful storm of ice shards with its roar.
"Ghh..." Sora grunted in pain as several shards pierced his skin while his monsters and set card were all shredded apart before exploding.
"With nothing on your field, it's over for you. Battle! Lancea, direct attack! Crimson Snowstorm!"
The dragon furiously roared, summoning a wave of snow and red ice shards that barreled towards Sora.
"...Edge Imp Spike Shield's effect activate in my graveyard! By banishing this card, an instance of damage is reduced to 0!" Sora explained as the black spiky shield with red eyes blocked the attack.
"I still have enough to finish you off! Trishula, direct attack! Subzero Impact!" Frost commanded as his dragon fired a blue and red blast at Sora.
"Furnimal Turtle's effect activates in my graveyard! By banishing this card when I'm attacked directly, that attack is negated!" Sora shouted as a stuffed turtle briefly appeared blocking the attack. "Then, I can add a Level 4 or lower Furnimal or Edge Imp to my hand from the deck."
"Guess I can't finish you off now...but I can still deal you damage! General Wayne, direct attack!" Frost shouted, pointing at Sora. The muscular warrior raced forward and slashed down at the boy, causing him to cry out in pain.
SORA: 3500-1400 LP
"Thanks to Crystal Wall's effect, my Ice Barrier monster are unaffected by the effects of your Extra Deck monsters since I control three or more of them. I set a card facedown, turn end." Frost concluded.
"My turn!" Sora shouted as he drew. "From my hand, I summon Edge Imp Switchblade!"
A steel switch blade with red eyes appeared on the field.
Edge Imp Switchblade (1600/600) LVL:3
"Switchblade's effect allows me to normal summon an additional time, but the summoned monster must be a Furnimal or Edge Imp monster! Come, Furnimal Dog!"
A brown and white dog with tiny white wings appeared.
Furnimal Dog (1700/1000) LVL:4
"When this card is summoned, I can add an Edge Imp or Furnimal monster from my deck to my hand." Sora explained as a card popped out his deck. "Battle! Edge Imp Switchblade, attack Warlock of the Ice Barrier!"
The demonic blade spun through the air, as if someone threw it, before slicing through the Magician-type.
"Now you can't stop me from using Spell Cards." Sora smirked.
"But now you've left yourself open to large damage next turn." Frost pointed out.
"No, I haven't. Switchblade's effect! After this card battles, I can perform a Fusion Summon using this card and other Furnimal or Edge Imp monsters from the hand or field. I fuse Edge Imp Switchblade, Furnimal Dog, and Furnimal Monkey! Corrupted play things made in hell! Claw of the demon! Coalesce in the darkness of the abyss and slaughter those that oppose you! FUSION SUMMON! Show yourself! Level 10! Demonic ruler that terrifies all! Dangerous Death-Toy Nightmary!" Sora roared as his terrifying monster appeared. It was a large possessed doll-like monster with long golden hair and a white outfit. The monster's skin was green and its face looked horrifying.
Dangerous Death-Toy Nightmary (2000/3000) LVL:10
"Furnimal Monkey lets me draw a card for each monster that was used as fusion material. I draw three cards! Nightmary gains 300 ATK for each Fairy-type and Fiend-type in my graveyard. Currently, there are currently six, so my monster gains 1800 ATK!"
Nightmary (2000/3000)-(3800/3000)
"Lancea's effect activates!" Frost shouted.
"Now that Warlock is no longer on the field, I can use this! Quick Play Spell, Death-Toy Polishing, activate! By targeting a Death-Toy that was Fusion Summoned this turn, it's unaffected by other monster effects during this turn! I target Nightmary!" Sora countered with a smirk. "And if that monster is Level 8 or higher, I can draw a card!"
"Tch...I'll special summon General Raiho from the graveyard!"
General Raiho of the Ice Barrier (2100/2300) LVL:6
"Since Nightmary is unaffected by monster effects, you can't switch it to defense mode through Lancea's effect! Battle! Nightmary, attack Lancea, Dragonic Ancestor of the Ice Spirit Mountain! Hellish Ghoul Chaos!" Sora exclaimed at the top of his lungs. The six spirits of the fallen flew in front of the monster and combined into a shinning orb of dark energy. The orb fired a black and purple blast of dark energy at the icy dragon.
FROST: 4000-3500 LP
"Nightmary's effect activates! Since it destroyed a monster by battle, I can send Death-Toy, Furnimal, or Edge Imp cards from my deck to the graveyard equal to the destroyed monsters level. Also, since this card is unaffected by monster effects during this turn, Raiho can't negate its effect, so I don't have to discard." Sora explained as a small stack of ten cards was sent to the graveyard. "And through my monster's other effect, it now gains 3000 ATK!"
Nightmary (3800/3000)-(6800/3000)
"How's that? You still having fun?!" Sora madly grinned as if he was still a member of Academia.
"...Why wouldn't I be?! I couldn't have asked for anything more! Lancea's effect activates! When this card is destroyed, I can special summon an Ice Barrier Synchro Monster and treat the summon as a Synchro Summon!" Frost explained as a card popped out of his Extra Deck slot. "Dragon frozen in the deep depths of the arctic, break free from your glacier prison and bring forth the most powerful blizzard! Come forth! Level 9! Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"
The white and blue dragon with three heads appeared.
Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2700/2000) LVL:9
"Trishula's effect activates! When Synchro Summoned, I can banish a card from your hand, field, and graveyard! I can't banish your monster since it's protected by your Quick Play Spell, but I can banish a card from your hand and Furnimal Monkey in your graveyard!"
The three-headed dragon let out a roar, summoning a chilling wind that froze a card in Sora's hand. Furnimal Monkey also popped out of his deck and became ice. Then, both cards shattered simultaneously.
"I set three cards facedown, turn end!" Sora concluded.
"My turn! I activate the Spell Card, Medallion of the Ice Barrier! Through its effect, I add an Ice Barrier monster from my deck to my hand. I add the Tuner monster, Frost Spirit of the Ice Barrier and then I'll summon it!" Frost shouted as the blue and yellow spirit appeared.
Frost Spirit of the Ice Barrier (400/200) LVL:1
"Frost Spirit's effect! By sending the Level 2 Prior of the Ice Barrier from my deck to the grave, Frost Spirit becomes the same level as that monster!"
Frost Spirit (400/200) LVL:1-2
"Now, I tune the Level 2 Frost Spirit to the Level 5 General Wayne! Ruby of the aurora, shine your red light across the field and appear in a blinding storm! Synchro Summon! Level 7! Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as a red and blue dragon appeared that was made from crystals.
Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2500/1700) LVL:7
"Gungnir's effect activates! By discarding two cards, your monster and your set card on the left is destroyed!" Frost shouted as his dragon fired shards of blue and red crystals from its wings.
"Looks like I don't have a choice...Trap Activate! Furnimal Mania! By releasing Dangerous Death-Toy Nightmary, I can special summon a Furnimal Token for every two levels Nightmary has!" Sora shouted as his left set card was flipped open. His monster became pure light and split into five small stuffed bears.
Furnimal Token x5 (0/0) LVL:1
"Nice counter!" Frost shouted before thrusting his fist through the air. "Battle! Go, my monsters! Attack his tokens!"
General Raiho fired a blast of ice from his hand while Gungnir, Trishula, and the evolved Trishula fired powerful blasts from their mouths.
In an instant, Sora was left with only one token on his field.
"With that, I end my turn!" Frost concluded.
"I'm...going to make you grovel before me!" Sora shouted in anger before grinning the top of his deck. "My turn! Continuous Trap, Death-Toy Pot, activate! This card lets me discard one card to draw a card from my deck! And if it is an Edge Imp monster, I can destroy a card on your field! Draw!"
Sora glanced at the card he drew before revealing it to his opponent.
"Alright! I drew Edge Imp Multitool! Meaning, I choose to destroy Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" Sora shouted as a black capsule shot out of the hellish vending machine and shot through the dragon.
"Oh..." Frost muttered in surprise.
"And we're just getting warmed up! From my hand, I summon Furnimal Mouse!"
Furnimal Mouse (100/100) LVL: 1
"When this card is face up on the field in Attack Position, I can special summon two more copies of this card from my deck!" Sora explained as his monster's eyes glowed bright red while two more copies appeared.
Furnimal Mouse x2 (100/100) LVL: 1
"I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse my three copies of Furnimal Mouse, my Furnimal Token, and Edge Imp Multitool. And by the way, Edge Imp Multitool can be treated as any Edge Imp monster when used as Fusion material, so I'll treat it as Edge Imp Scissors! Claws of the demon! Sharp fangs! Fluffy toy! Become one and reveal a new form and power! Fusion Summon! Level 6! Death-Toy Scissor Wolf!"
Out of the fusion vortex a blue demonic plushy wolf appeared. It had scissors on its body that were used to connect its limbs and a pair of red eyes that were shrouded in darkness within the wolf's mouth.
Death-Toy Scissor Wolf (2000/1500) LVL:6
"I activate the Quick Play Spell, Cyclone!"
"So, will you destroy my facedown, or my Continuous Spell that protects my monsters from your Monster Effects?" Frost questioned.
"Neither! I'm destroying Death-Toy Pot! And through its effect, all monsters on the opponent's field have their ATKs halved upon destruction!"
General Raiho (2100/2300)-(1050/2300)
Gungnir (2500/1700)-(1250/1700)
Trishula (2700/2000)-(1350/2000)
"Wow...didn't expect that..." Frost said with a nervous smile on his face, causing his opponent to confidently smirk.
"Thanks to Scissor Wolf's effect, it can attack up to the amount of Fusion materials it had! That's five attacks!" Sora yelled, causing his opponent's eyes to widen. "Here we go! Battle! Scissor Wolf, attack all of his monsters! Wild Shadow Claw!"
The plushy wolf slashed through the three monsters with its glowing claws, causing a massive explosion that sent Frost flying backwards.
FROST: 3500-2550-1800-1150 LP
"And I still have two more attacks! End this, Scissor Wolf! Direct attack! Tear him to shreds!" Sora shouted in anger as his monster lunged at the blue-haired officer like a savage predator.
"I won't bail out just yet! Trap Activate! Counterattack on the Ice Barrier! The direct attack is negated!" Frost shouted as a barrier of ice blocked the attack. "Then, for every 1000 ATK that monster had, I can special summon an Ice Barrier monster that was destroyed by battle this turn! However, the summoned monsters have their effects negated and they have to stay in defense mode! Come, Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier! Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"
Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2500/1700) LVL:7
Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2700/2000) LVL:9
"One more attack...take down Trishula!"
The wolf leaped forward and sliced through the dragon once more.
"...I set a card facedown, turn end." Sora concluded.
"Haha, that was a nice turn! But unfortunately, that'll be your last! My turn!" Frost shouted as he drew. "Next, I summon Sagess of the Ice Barrier!"
Sagess of the Ice Barrier (1400/1000) LVL:4
"Her effect activates! By releasing her and by discarding a card in my hand, I can bring back another Ice Barrier from the graveyard but with its effects negated! Revive, Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"
Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2700/2000) LVL:9
"I activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn! Come back, Gungir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"
Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2500/1700) LVL:7
"It's time to end this! By banishing 3 monsters with different names on my field, I can perform a Contact Fusion!"
"...Huh...?"
"Ruby of the aurora! Three-headed dragon guardian! Three-headed dragon that brings forth ragnarok! Merge into one and become the raging blizzard that engulfs the world in ice! CONTACT FUSION! Come forth! Level 9! Trishula, the Dragon of Icy Imprisonment!" Frost yelled at the top of his ice lungs. In a bright flash of shinning blue light, a dragon similar to Trishula emerged. The dragon had much sharper white and blue armor and had four large wings light blue wings.
Trishula, the Dragon of Icy Imprisonment (2700/2000) LVL:9
"A normal Fusion Summon is one thing...but how do you know Contact Fusion?"
"Oh, that's simple, really. Director Roget taught me everything I know!" Frost explained as he began to reminisce. "A few years back, I enlisted into the Security Corps. I graduated at the top of my class, using those shitty cards they forced us to use. But god, it was so boring. Ganging up on broke Commons who couldn't even afford good cards and being forced to use the same deck as my comrades wasn't fun at all!"
As Sora heard the boy's words, he began to think back to his time in Standard. He remembered how he sadistically grinned at Shun during both of their duels, enjoying hunting the Xyz remnant with every fiber in his being.
"Because of my superior capabilities, Director Roget approached me directly and offered to give me a new deck. He allowed me to duel how I wanted and even let me go on solo missions! God, those were the days..." Frost smiled before continuing. "Not long ago, the Director gathered his strongest soldiers and told us all the truth about where he came from and his future plans. Once we showed him our loyalty, he supplied us all with Fusion cards. And because he knew how much I liked a challenge, he personally taught me an advanced form of Fusion."
"You...only care about the thrill of the hunt. You don't care about your comrades or your enemies, you only care your own sense of twisted fun, right?"
"...At one point, yes. But after Director let me in on his plans and gave me what I needed to have fun, I became loyal to his cause. For what he's done for me, I'll make sure his plans succeed. As long as he's in power, I can continue to enjoy this thrill. Even if I hurt people along the way, it was bound to happen. I'm just a soldier after all. If I wasn't the one doing Roget's dirty work, it'd be someone else. Might as well reap the benefits and enjoy myself!"
Sora remained silent, simply staring at the boy with anger in his eyes.
"Anyways, enough talk! Let's continue! Trishula's effect activates! When this card is summoned with Dragon-type monsters as Fusion Materials, by banishing a card in my deck, a card in your Extra Deck and the top card of your deck is banished!" Frost exclaimed as the monster released a frosty wave that consumed Sora.
The top card of his deck turned to ice and shattered. Then, Death-Toy Mad Chimera flew out of Sora's Extra Deck before freezing and shattering.
"Mad Chimera...damn it..." Sora grumbled under his breath.
"Trishula's other effect activates! This card gains 500 ATK for every Ice Barrier Synchro monster used as Fusion materials!" Frost yelled as his dragon was enveloped in a shinning blue aura.
Trishula (2700/2000)-(4200/2000)
"Battle! Trishula, attack Scissor Wolf! AVALANCHE IMPACT!" Frost exclaimed as the dragon charged an extremely powerful ball of blue energy. The dragon then shot it forward towards the opposing wolf.
"...Trap Activate! Death-Toy Energy! By banishing a Death-Toy in my graveyard with an ATK that's equal or less than a Death-Toy monster on my field, that monster's ATK is added to the ATK of the one on my field! I banish the 2000 ATK Dangerous Death-Toy Nightmary!"
Scissor Wolf (2000/1500)-(4000/1500)
Trishula's spherical attack collided with the wolf, sending Sora skidding across the floor.
SORA: 1400-1200 LP
"Oh man, you just barely made it out alive that time. I set a card facedown, turn end!"
"Now that I think about it, I can see the similarities between you and I." Sora said, lowering his head. "Only caring about satisfying your desires. Labeling yourself as a soldier of war as a way of justifying all of the lives you've ruined. You're like the me from back then..."
"Oh, I'm glad you see the resemblance-"
"That's why I'm going to enjoy what comes next." Sora looked up with a sadistic grin, startling his opponent.
"S-Sounds like you hate yourself!" Frost stammered.
"Maybe I do..."
Sora winced as he thought about facing off against Yuya during the Battle Royale and walking away from Tsukikage without saying what he truly wanted to say.
"...but one thing I won't hate myself for is turning you into a card! MY TURN!" Sora shouted as he violently drew. "I activate the Spell Card, Instant Fusion! By paying 1000 life points..."
SORA: 1200-200 LP
"I can special summon a Level 5 or lower Fusion Monster!" Sora shouted as a card popped out of his duel disk. "Come forth! Level 5! Chain-bound vermin swarming over everything! Death-Toy Chain Rat!"
The demonic rat plushie appeared in front of Sora. It looked like it had been ripped apart and stitched back together with chains falling out of the seams. It had a demonic pair of red eyes peaking out from its mouth.
Death-Toy Chain Rat (1800/1500) LVL: 5
"This summon is treated as a Fusion Summon and Chain Rat cannot attack during this turn. Now, Chain Rat's effect activates! After being Fusion Summoned, I can set another copy of Toy Pot from the deck!" Sora explained as the card popped out of his deck before he set it facedown. "Now, I activate the Continuous Spell, Toy Pot!"
"But with no cards in your hand, you won't be able to use its effect." Frost pointed out.
"You're right, but using this card isn't my real aim. At this moment, Furnimal Wing's effect in my graveyard activates! By banishing this card and two other copies of it, as well as sending Toy Pot to the graveyard, I can draw three cards!" The boy shouted as he drew while the vending machine dissolved.
"Clever..." Frost nervously grinned.
Sora scanned the cards in his hand before grinning once again.
"Like all of my friends say at You Show...the fun has just begun!"
Frost instinctively took a step back, hiding his fearful look with his smiling persona.
"I activate the Spell Card, Death-Toy Repairing! I special summon a Death-Toy monster from the graveyard with its effects to negated! Come, Death-Toy Scissors Tiger!"
Death-Toy Scissors Tiger (1900/1200) LVL:6
"I banish Furnimal Horse in my graveyard to actuates its effect! Now, I add Fusion from my deck to my hand and then I'll activate it! I fuse Edge Imp Saw and Death-Toy Scissors Tiger! Steel blades possessed by demons! Become one with the mystical jungle beast and show off your terrifying new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Wild ghost-cave beast that bares fangs at all! Death-Toy Sabre Tiger!" Sora shouted as a demonic indigo plushy tiger appeared. The tiger had red blades protruding out of its mouth and body and glowing red eyes in its mouth.
Death-Toy Sabre Tiger (2400/2000) LVL: 8
"Sabre Tiger's effect activates! Upon being Fusion Summoned, I can special summon a Fusion monster from my graveyard! Revive, Death-Toy Scissors Tiger!"
Death-Toy Scissors Tiger (1900/1200) LVL:6
"Due to Scissors Tiger's effect, all Death-Toy monster's gains 300 ATK for each Death-Toy and Furnimal monster on the field! And due to Sabre Tiger's effect, all Death Toy monsters gain 400 ATK for each Death- Toy and Furnimal monster on my field! That means Sabre Tiger, Chain Rat, and Scissors Tiger gain 2100 ATK!"
Scissors Tiger (1900/1200)-(4000/1200)
Chain Rat (1800/1500)-(3900/1500)
Sabre Tiger (2400/2000)-(4500/2000)
"Talk about firepower..." Frost mumbled.
"This is the end! BATTLE! Sabre Tiger, attack Trishula, the Dragon of Icy Imprisonment! TEAR IT TO SHREDS!" Sora roared with a sinister grin as his indigo tiger leapt forward and chomped into the dragon, causing it to explode into particles.
FROST: 1150-950 LP
"Just one more attack..." Sora
"...So this is...the strength of Academia." Frost uttered before grinning. "Amazing...but it's not enough to defeat the strongest officer of Security and apprentice of Jean-Michel Roget! Trap Activate! Avalanche of the Ice Barrier!"
Suddenly, an storm of icy rocks and snow fell from the sky, destroying all three of Sora's Fusions.
"What the hell?!" Sora gasped.
"Avalanche of the Ice Barrier destroys all monsters on the field whose levels are equal to or lower than my Level 9 WATER Synchro Monster that was destroyed! I told you that it wasn't enough to beat me!"
"...Quick Play Spell, Emergency Vending, activate!" Sora shouted, as a vending machine similar to Toy Pot appeared behind him. "This card lets me target a Fusion Monster in my grave that was destroyed this turn. Then, I draw cards from the top of my deck equal to the amount of Fusion materials it had! If one of the cards I draw is a monster, I can special summon it. If not, the cards are sent to the graveyard. I target my Sabre Tiger, meaning I get two chances!"
"Leaving it all up to chance, huh? Doesn't seem like the style of an Academia duelist." Frost jeered.
"It's not...it's the style of You Show Duel School...my home!" Sora declared, surprising his opponent. "The first!"
Sora drew the card and revealed it.
"The Spell Card, Fusion Substitute..." Sora grumbled before sending the card to the graveyard.
"Hahaha!" Frost laughed with confidence.
"The second..." Sora briefly closed his eyes, as Yuya tended to when he needed a miracle. "DRAW!"
As Sora glanced at the card, his lips curled up into a grin, causing his opponent's cocky persona to shatter.
Sora placed the card onto his duel disk, causing a new monster to appear on the empty battlefield.
"H-How do y-you have that card?!" Frost stuttered in fear.
"What's wrong, you look like you've seen a ghost?"
The blue ninja, or better yet, the ace monster of the Lancer that Frost had slain, was now staring down the officer.
Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu (1500/100) LVL:4
"I-Impossible! That card should be long gone after I took care of its owner!" Frost growled.
"Fortunately, it was spared from sharing the same fate as its owner. After I found it on the ground, I decided to give it a chance to get revenge. And good thing I did, because who knows what I've would've drawn instead. Now...it's time for some...repentance..." Sora maliciously grinned.
"This...can't be...happening-" Frost uttered as he tried to back away.
"Go, avenge him."
The ninja turned around and looked at the blue-haired boy. Sora's eyes widened as instead of seeing the ninja gave the boy a reassuring nod before drawing its sword and dashing forward.
"N-NO! PLEA-"
The ninja appeared above the older teen in an instant, like a vengeful spirit, and slashed down at the boy with all of its might.
FROST: 950-0 LP
WINNER: SORA!
As the duel ended, the ninja lingered on the field for a moment.
Sora clenched his fist like he did back then, before Tsukikage stayed behind.
He knew Tsukikage was gone, but...
"I...I'm sorry for everything! I deserve to die for what I did to your brother, for what I did to everyone...I know words aren't enough...so I'll prove it you by becoming a soldier in your place and carrying on the mission!"
Tears fell from Sora's face as the boy dropped to his knees in front of Tsukikage's ace.
'How lame...I'm apologizing to his monster because I was too scared of talking to him directly...'
What Sora didn't expect was the ninja to extend its hand out to the boy.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination or not, but when Sora looked up, he didn't see Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu.
He saw the spirit of Tsukikage in his ace monster's place.
Sora was too shocked to speak. All he could do was take the ninja's hand and stand up.
Once he was standing, the ninja lightly tapped Sora's chest with its fist, causing the boy's to audibly gasp.
"T-Thank you...Tsukikage..."
Once the ninja disappeared, the only thing in Sora's line of vision was Frost.
In a matter of seconds, Sora's expression shifted to anger.
"Haha...if your going to card me, just-"
The boy's words were cut off by a kick to the gut, followed by a punch to the face.
"Shut up! You don't get to talk! Not after what you did!"
Another punch.
Another kick.
Another punch.
"I'm going to do it! I'm going to do what you did to Tsukikage!"
Another punch.
Another punch.
"I'll send you straight to hell!"
Sora grabbed the bloody and bruised boy by the collar and hoisted him up in the air, before throwing him into the nearby wall.
Sora raised his duel disk and hovered his finger over the button.
"NOW YOU DIE-"
"That's why...I believe in Sora!"
For some reason, the memory of Yuzu standing between himself and Shun played in his mind.
"You have to make your own decisions! You have to carve out your own path in life!"
Then, he saw the memory of himself and Yuya dueling in the tunnel.
"...Yuzu...Yuya..." Sora trailed off, lowering his duel disk. "...They wouldn't want me to do this..."
"...I knew...you...were weak..."
Sora closed his eyes as he hovered over the officer.
"...Yeah, I am weak." Sora paused before opening his menacing green eyes. "I'm not strong enough to stop myself from doing this..."
Sora raised his duel disk and pressed the button.
A purple light engulfed Tsukikage's killer and his body disappeared, before a card fell to the ground.
Sora picked up the card and looked at, before taking Tsukikage's card out of his pocket.
"Sorry, Yuya...Yuzu...but I'm still a monster...and that's fine. No matter what it takes, even if I have to become a devil and card all of Academia myself...I'll keep you both safe."
Current Field:
OFFICER #1, #2, #3: 4000 LP
Goyou Guardian x3 (2800/2000) LVL:6
SERENA: 4000 LP
"My turn! From my hand, I summon Moonlight Kaleido Chick!"
The yellow humanoid chick appeared on the field.
Moonlight Kaleido Chick (1400/800) LVL:4
"Kaleido Chick's effect! By sending Moonlight Cat Dancer from my Extra to the graveyard, this card is treated as that monster! Then, I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Moonlight Kaleido Chick treated as Moonlight Cat Dancer with Moonlight Blue Cat in my hand! Blue Cat that prowls in the darkness! The beautiful wild beast that dances under the moonlight! Spiral in the vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Elegant beast dancing on the moonlit wilderness! Moonlight Panther Dancer!" Serena shouted as the evolved form of her ace appeared. She had purple and pink clothing and had short dark hair that covered her eyes. She also had red blades attached to her hands.
Moonlight Panther Dancer (2800/2000) LVL:8
"I activate the Spell Card, Moonlight Perfume! This card lets me special summon a Moonlight monster from my graveyard! Rise, Moonlight Blue Cat!"
Moonlight Blue Cat (1600/1200) LVL:4
"Blue Cat's effect! When this card is special summon, I can target a Moonlight monster on my field and its ATK is doubled! I target Panther Dancer!"
Panther Dancer (2800/2000)-(5600/2000)
"Panther Dancer can attack all monster the opponent controls twice, with the battling monster not being destroyed from the first attack! And every time she destroys a monster, she gains 200 ATK, but that doesn't matter since she has more than enough ATK right now!"
"Y-You're joking!"
"You never even stood a chance. Go, Panther Dancer! Full Moon Burst!"
The humanoid panther lobbed several orbs of dark energy at the three monsters, causing an explosion that sent the three men flying through the air.
OFFICER #1: 4000-0 LP
OFFICER #2: 4000-0 LP
OFFICER #3: 4000-0 LP
WINNER: SERENA!
"Too easy..." Serena said as she stood over the three men.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
On high alert, Serena whipped her head around to see the origin of the applause.
As a figure approached from down the hall, Serena's entire body stiffened up to the point where she could barely breathe.
"My, my, I guess you haven't completely abandoned your brute style after all."
No.
Not right now.
"What's with the long face? This is only the second time we've met up in how long? You should be thrilled!"
She wasn't ready to face him yet.
She needed more time to prepare herself.
"And this time, none of your new friends are here to interfere. It's just you and me, your good pal, Yuri."
The pink and purple-haired boy grinned at the indigo-haired girl, causing her to awkwardly take a step back.
"H-How...are you here...?"
"Huh? Oh, are you talking about when that pink-haired nuisance sent me away in a flash of light? It's funny, really. It seems like her bracelet still isn't strong enough to teleport between dimensions because of our last encounter. All she managed to do was teleport me to the other side of the city. Unfortunately, you had all managed to catch up with the rest of your comrades before I made it back to you, so I waited until you all split up to make my move. And...I think that pretty much summarizes things. Now, my turn for a question?"
Yuri smiled before extending his hand out to the girl, causing her eyes to widen.
"Why don't we quit this game of cat and mouse and go home? He misses you, you know."
"...I don't care about that. He can suffer for all he's done to the people of the Xyz Dimension. He can suffer for putting Rin and Ruri through hell. And he can suffer for locking me away and lying to me for years!"
"Oh Serena, that's no way to talk about your dear old da-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Yuri." Serena angrily growled.
"Oh, there it is! I'm glad you're not acting like you're afraid anymore, because that really bores me." Yuri playfully said.
The Academia duelist slowly raised his arm up before activating his duel disk, causing Serena to sweat.
"Since you don't want to do things the easy way, we'll just have to do things the fun way! I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity, you know."
"Have you?" Serena couldn't help but ask, her voice gaining some form of anger.
"Aww, is someone mad because I gave them the cold shoulder?" Yuri jeeringly asked, as if he talking to a child. His expression then shifted to that of a stone cold killer. "Well, if you wanted us to stay close, you wouldn't have tried to leave me."
Serena flinched, seeing the boy's playful shift into something darker.
But unfortunately for the purple-haired boy, Serena was tired of feeling guilty.
"...Yuri...what was I suppose to do?!" Serena frustratedly asked, surprising the boy. "You were so hellbent on following that man that you never would have left! Not for me, not for anyone!"
"And how do you know that, Serena? Did you even try to ask me about how I felt?" Yuri retorted with a hateful glare. "No, you didn't. You were always so bad at reading people's emotions, so don't act like you actually knew what I was thinking back then."
"...Are you saying you would have came with me?"
"I can't answer that...after all, I'm not that same person anymore."
"...Neither am I."
Serena steeled herself before being the first to activate her duel disk while looking into the eyes of her childhood friend.
"For the first time ever..." Yuri coldly uttered before his serious expression shifted into a psychotic grin. "...your actually making me excited to duel you, Serena!"
The girl gulped as Yuri's crazed eyes, with shrunken pink pupils, stared Serena down.
"Ever since I left Academia...I've had reality check after reality check. My duels with Yuto, Andre, and the Black Rose Witch showed me that my style of dueling...the repetitive style that Academia taught us...kept me from reaching my true potential. If I wanted to become stronger, I had to change."
Serena's hand bundled into a fist, which she placed on her chest before closing her eyes.
"While I was in Academia, you were always the obstacle that I fought to overcome. Yet, I never could because I only tried to improve my set in stone strategy instead of trying out other methods. That's why..." Serena opened her eyes up and thrusted her fist through the air in the direction of Yuri. "...I'll show the results of my new power by defeating the one person I could never beat!"
"...Hahaha! Interesting! Let's see how strong you've gotten!"
FIELD SPELL: CROSSOVER
"DUEL!"
SERENA: 4000 LP vs YURI: 4000 LP
Serena looked at the boy with some feeling of confidence. Yuri had always been stronger than most, ever since he was young. That's why it was challenging for the boy to not stagnate, since he already started at such a high level.
Although Yuri's strategies were tricky, she felt like that she was prepared for them.
"...You're not the only one who's changed, Serena. Looks like I've been blessed with these new cards right off the bat."
In that moment, Serena's confidence began to fade.
"It looks like all your talk about changing and finding new power has taken influence over my cards! I guess there's no better time than to test them out!" Yuri grinned, grabbing two cards from his hand. "With the Scale 0 Predator Plants Bufolicula, and the Scale 8 Predator Plants Triantis, I set the Pendulum Scale!"
Serena's eyes widened as Yuri his two new cards onto the boarders of his duel disk, causing the colorful word "PENDULUM" to appear on the blade.
The two Plant-type monsters rose into the blue columns. The higher scale monster was a large green and white mantis while the lower scale monster was a plant-like frog.
Bufolicula 0 - 8 Triantis
"How did you...?"
"Oh, your new best friend Yuya Sakaki didn't tell you?" Yuri playfully asked, with a hint of jealousy in his voice that Serena didn't quite pick up on. "We had ourselves a little exchange...well, that's a lie since it was pretty one-sided."
"You...stole his power..." Serena realized while her fist tightened.
"Bingo! Now, where were we? Oh, right! Ladies and gentleman! It's time for my very own Pendulum debut!" Yuri cheerfully mimicked Yuya, which added to his opponent's anger. "With this, I can simultaneously summon monsters with levels 1 through 7! Swing, pendulum of malevolence! Unleash the chaos that entwines with the thorns of despair and take root! Pendulum Summon! Bloom, my beautiful servants! Predator Plants Spider Orchid! Predator Plants Byblisp!"
Two lights shot out of the portal in the sky, revealing a green and blue spider-like flower and a green and yellow bee with the features of a plant.
Predator Plants Spider Orchid (0/0) LVL:1 PS:8
Predator Plants Byblisp (0/1900) LVL:1
"Predator Plants Bufolicula's Pendulum Effect activates! I can use monsters from my hand or field to Fusion Summon a DARK monster! I fuse Spider Orchid and Byblisp! Two beautiful plants with a insect alluring fragrance! Now become one and bring forth the plant of pure horror! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Predator Plants Chimeraflessia!" Yuri shouted with a grin as a large and menacing plant monster appeared beside him.
Predator Plants Chimeraflessia (2500/2000) LVL:7
"And since Spider Orchid is a Pendulum monster, I now send it to the Extra Deck instead of the graveyard, right?" Yuri childishly spoke as he placed his card in the open Extra Deck slot. "I end my turn with that. At this moment, both effects of Spider Orchid and Byblisp activate. During the End Phase of the turn that Spider Orchid was summoned, I can discard a Plant-type monster to add a Level 4 or lower Plant-type to my hand from the deck. And during the end of the turn that Byblisp was sent to the graveyard, I can add a Predator Plants monster from my deck to my hand." Yuri explained as he discarded the remaining card in his hand before adding two new ones. "From the looks of it, you've come across some form of "awakening", right? By all means, show me that new power!"
"..."
The coldness of her Serena's silence didn't quite match the fiery aura that she normally exuded. She was royally pissed at the moment, more so than Yuri had ever witnessed.
"Aww, what gives? We haven't dueled in ages, and this is how you act?" Yuri questioned.
"...For so long, I wanted you to listen to what I had to say...to let me explain to you why I tried to leave...but you ignored me and avoided me for years. And now you're hellbent on torturing people that I call my friends..." Serena angrily spoke with her eyes closed while her fist trembled at her side. "...I don't understand what could have changed you so much...but somehow...I'll make you see that you're wrong..."
"Wow...looks like someone truly is living in their own fantasies." Yuri blurted out, but his words didn't break Serena's concentration.
Serena opened her eyes, which were full of determination, as she gripped the top card of her deck.
"My turn! From my hand, I summon Moonlight Tiger!" Serena shouted as her black and yellow striped monster appeared.
Moonlight Tiger (1200/800) LVL:3 PS:5
"I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Moonlight Tiger and Moonlight Black Sheep! Beast lurking in jet-black darkness! Striped beast that hunts in the night! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Level 7! Lone beast dancing under the moonless sky! Moonlight Wildcat Dancer!"
The pendulum version of Cat Dancer appeared that wore an indigo colored dress with red highlights and carried two whips.
Moonlight Wildcat Dancer (2400/2000) LVL:7 PS:4
"So this is your Fusion-Pendulum hybrid!" Yuri enthusiastically admired while Serena placed Moonlight Tiger into her Extra Deck.
"Black Sheep's effect activates! I add it back to my hand since it was used as fusion material. I activate the Spell Card, Moonlight Gift! By targeting Wildcat Dancer, I can draw two cards since two Fusion materials were used for her Fusion Summon. Next, I summon Moonlight Purple Butterfly!"
Moonlight Purple Butterfly (1000/1000) LVL:3
"Purple Butterfly's effect! By releasing it, Wildcat Dancer gains 1000 ATK!"
Wildcat Dancer (2400/2000)-(3400/2000)
"It's not over! I activate the Spell Card, Moonlight Perfume! I can special summon a Moonlight monster from the graveyard! Come back, Moonlight Purple Butterfly!"
Moonlight Purple Butterfly (1000/1000) LVL:3
"Moonlight Wild Cat Dancer's effect activates! By releasing a Moonlight monster on my field, this card can attack all monsters on my opponent field twice and the first time this card attacks a monster, it isn't destroyed! Also, when this card attacks a monster, it's ATK and DEF are halved! I release Purple Butterfly!" Serena shouted as her humanoid butterfly bursted into particles that flew into her pendulum ace.
"So this is your new strength..."
"BATTLE! Go, Wildcat Dancer! Attack Predator Plants Chimeraflessia! At this moment, Wildcat Dancer's effect activates! Your monster's ATK is halved!"
"At this moment, Chimeraflessia's effect activates! When an attack is declared involving this card, the opposing monster loses 1000 ATK while this monster gains 1000 ATK!" Yuri shouted as one of his monster's sentient vines latched its fangs into the warrior.
Wildcat Dancer (3400/2000)-(2400/2000)
Chimeraflessia (2500/2000)-(3500/2000)
"Wildcat Dancer's effect now resolves!" Serena yelled as the warrior swung one of her whips through the air which wrapped around the plant. As the whip began to glow, the plant growled in pain.
Chimeraflessia (3500/2000)-(1750/2000)
"Battle! Wildcat Dancer, first attack!"
The hybrid monster then struck the monstrous plant with its second whip, causing a shockwave that made Yuri flinch.
YURI: 4000-3350 LP
"Second attack! New Moon Cresta!" Serena shouted as the warrior waved her other whip in a circular motion in the air, causing a cyan colored circle to appear sky. The shinning moon-like circle fired a large cyan blast at the Fusion monster, erasing it from the field and sending Yuri skidding backwards.
YURI: 3350-2700 LP
"I set a card facedown, turn end." Serena concluded.
"Your evolved Cat Dancer is really interesting, you know that? I guess the whole "power of friendship" thing you unlocked after becoming a Lancer has yielded some benefits. But I can tell...that it's made you soft, Serena."
Soft.
That was one word no one had ever called her.
Serena knew better than to give the boy the reaction he was looking for, so she simply kept her eyes locked on her opponent without saying a word.
"...You used to be more fun to toy with." Yuri sighed before placing his hand on his deck with a cocky smile. "My turn! At this moment, Chimeraflessia's effect activates. During the next Standby Phase after this card leaves the field, I can add a Fusion Spell to my hand. Now, with the set scale, Pendulum Summon! From the Extra Deck, Predator Plants Spider Orchid! And from my hand, Predator Plants Squid Drosera! Predator Plants Easter Lily Lizard!"
Predator Plants Spider Orchid (0/0) LVL:1 PS:8
Predator Plants Squid Drosera (800/400) LVL:2
Predator Plants Easter Lily Lizard (1200/1200) LVL:3
"Predator Plants Bufolicula's Pendulum Effect activates! I fuse Squid Drosera and Spider Orchid!" Yuri explained with a smirk.
"Starve Venom...!" Serena said in a worried tone.
"No, you'll have to wait a bit longer to reunite with him. Two beautiful plants with an insect alluring fragrance! Now become one, and rise from the soil as an ancient beast! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 5! Predator Plants Ambulomelides!" Yuri shouted as a green prehistoric creature appeared with plants sprouting from its back.
Predator Plants Ambulomelides (1000/2500) LVL:5
"Ambulomelides' effect activates! After being Fusion Summoned, I can add a Predator Plants Monster, or a Predator Spell or Trap from my hand. Then, Squid Drosera's effect activates! After leaving the field, I can place a Predator Counter on every monster on your field!"
Wildcat Dancer's Predator Counters: 0-1
Serena grimaced as she looked at Yuri's sly expression. She always found it so annoying how Yuri's deck flowed.
"I'll now use Ambulomelides' effect! I can target a monster the opponent controls with a Predator Counter on it. Then, I can release the target to special summon a Predator Plants monster from my deck! I target Moonlight Wildcat!" Yuri explained with a smirk.
"I won't let you get what you want. Trap Activate! Brilliant Moonlight! By releasing a Moonlight Fusion monster, all monsters on the opponent's field with equal or lower level than the released monster have their effects negated for the rest of the turn. Also, those monsters cannot attack. This applies to any monsters you summon during this turn." Serena countered as her monster exploded into a bright light that made Yuri's monsters flinch.
"...That wasn't half bad. But all I have to do is summon a Level 8 or higher monster, right? I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Ambumelides and Easter Lily Lizard! Two beautiful plants with an insect alluring fragrance, become one and take the form of a hellish beast that devours it's prey! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Predator Plants Dragostapelia!" Yuri shouted as a large green dragon-like plant monster appeared with a ferocious roar.
Predator Plants Dragostapelia (2700/1900) LVL:8
"Let's see how you handle this! Battle! Dragostapelia, attack her directly! Acidic Fang!" Yuri commanded as his monster flew forward with its mouth open.
"Tch...Moonlight Turquoise Turtle's effect activates in my hand! When my opponent declares a direct attack, I can negate the attack and special summon this card!" Serena shouted as a turquoise humanoid turtle appeared on her field and blocked the attack with a turquoise barrier.
Moonlight Turquoise Turtle (900/1800) LVL:3
"You're just ready for anything, aren't you? I guess you've changed a bit after all. I set a card facedown, turn end." Yuri concluded.
"My turn! I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed! I draw two cards! Next, I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Moonlight Turquiose Turtle, Amethyst Bat, and Black Sheep! The turquoise beast trotting through the forest! Beast that flies through the midnight sky! Beast lurking in jet-black darkness! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 6! Swift huntress dashing across the moonlit fields! Moonlight Cheetah Dancer!" Serena shouted as a yellow skinned women with black spots on her body appeared. The women wore a blue and amethyst colored titi dress. She had a blue crescent moon mask on her right eye and and wielded two sickles as weapons.
Moonlight Cheetah Dancer (2100/1600) LVL:6
"Wow, I've never seen that one before! So you really did abandon your boring brute force tactics, eh?"
"Black Sheep's effect!" Serena continued, ignoring her opponent's comments. "I add it from my graveyard to my hand! Amethyst Bat's effect! Once per turn, when used to Fusion Summon a Moonlight Fusion monster, I can draw a card for every Moonlight monster that was used a Fusion material! I draw three cards!" Serena refilled her hand, earning a raised eyebrow from Yuri. "Next, I activate the Spell Card, New Moon Fusion! By banishing monsters from my deck, I can Fusion Summon a Moonlight Fusion Monster! I banish Moonlight Yellow Marten, Brown Bear, and White Rabbit!"
The three creatures briefly appeared on the field before swirling into the fusion vortex.
"Yellow beasts that shines through the darkness! Hungry beast that hunts in the night! White rabbit that's illuminated by the moonlight! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 9! Moonlight Sabre Dancer!" Serena shouted as a lady with purple skin that had yellow and pink clothing and yellow hair appeared. She had an orange crescent moon mask on her right eye and carried two sabers.
Moonlight Sabre Dancer (3000/2600) LVL:9
"New Moon Fusion prevents me from special summoning monster for the rest of the turn. Sabre Dancer gains 200 ATK for each Moonlight monster that's banished and in my graveyard. There are currently three in my graveyard and three that are banished, so Sabre Dancer gains 1200 ATK."
Sabre Dancer (3000/2600)-(4200/2600)
"I activate the Spell Card, Fusion Treasure! Since there are three Fusion Monsters on the field, I can draw three cards! And now, I summon Moonlight Pink Mouse!" Serena shouted as a female humanoid pink mouse that was dressed in white appeared.
Moonlight Pink Mouse (300/1100) LVL: 3
"Cheetah Dancer's effect activates! By releasing a Moonlight monster on my field, I can target another Moonlight monster and it can attack directly this turn! I release Pink Mouse to allow Sabre Dancer to make a direct attack-"
"Dragostapelia's effect activates! Once per either player's turn, I can target one of your monsters and place a Predator Counter on it. I target Cheetah Dancer! Not only that, Dragostapelia negates the activates effects of all monsters with Predator Counters!"
"And because of that, Cheetah Dancer's effects won't go through, so I won't allow that! Quick Play Spell, Moonlight Evasive Dance! When a Moonlight monster is targeted by a card effect, that effect is negated, meaning my monster's effect will go through!" Serena shouted as her monster gracefully dodged the fangs of the plant projectile.
"No, it won't. Trap Activate! Predator Planning! By sending Predator Plants Drosophyllum Hydra from the deck to the graveyard, all monsters on the field gain a Predator Counter!"
Cheetah Dancer's Predator Counters: 0-1
Sabre Dancer's Predator Counters: 0-1
Dragostapelia's Predator Counters: 0-1
"Also, any of those monsters that are Level 2 or higher become Level 1!"
Cheetah Dancer LVL:6-1
Sabre Dancer LVL:9-1
Dragostapelia LVL:8-1
"And because of Dragostapelia's effect, Cheetah Dancer's activated effect is negated, so your monster won't be able to attack directly." Yuri smirked, effectively shutting down Serena's plays through his successive counters.
"Of course you searched out that card when you brought out Ambulomelides..." Serena grunted before shaking her head and refocusing her thoughts. "You may have countered my strategy, but I can still fight you directly! Since another Moonlight Pink Mouse was sent to the graveyard, Sabre Dancer gains 200 ATK! And this effect is continuous, so Dragostapelia's effect won't negate it."
Sabre Dancer (4200/2600)-(4400/2600)
"Battle! Sabre Dancer, attack Predator Plants Dragostapelia! Eclipse Slash!" Serena shouted as her monster slashed through dragonic plant, causing an explosion that sent Yuri flying.
YURI: 2700-1000 LP
However, the boy gracefully landed a flip before grinning at his opponent. Serena didn't make eye contact and instead scanned what was in front of the boy, or better yet, the lack of what was there.
Looking at Yuri's field, she saw no monsters or set cards.
This was her chance.
"Cheetah Dancer, direct attack!" Serena shouted without hesitation as her monster charged forward.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself! Predator Plants Sarraceniant's effect activates in my hand! When I'm attacked directly, I can special summon it from my hand!" Yuri shouted as the green and pink ant appeared with large weeds protruding from its back.
Predator Plants Sarraceniant (100/600) LVL:1
"A card effect from the hand..." Serena uttered in disappointment before refocusing. "Destroy that weed! Waning Hunter's Dance!"
The humanoid cheetah monster elegantly sped towards the plant as she connected her sickles to form a doubled edged weapon. In the blink of an eye, the plant was shredded apart, causing poison to spill on the woman.
"Sarraceniant's effect activates! If this card battled a monster, that monster is destroyed!" Yuri shouted as the poison on the female cheetah began to shine, causing her to burst into particles. "Then, I get to add a Predator card from my deck to my hand!"
"Damn it..." Serena grunted in frustration.
"You got a little too hasty, Serena. It'll take more than that to defeat me." Yuri smirked.
"...Because another Moonlight monster was sent to the graveyard, Sabre Dancer gains 200 ATK..."
Sabre Dancer (4400/2600)-(4600/2600)
"...I set two cards facedown, turn end." Serena concluded.
"Wow, I'm already down to 1000 life points while I haven't dealt any damage to you at all. You've put on a pretty good show so far, but I guess I was having a little too much fun trying out my new strategies involving my Pendulums. Plus, I've given you enough of a head start." Yuri said as he cracked his knuckles with a sadistic grin. "It's time to start taking things seriously. My turn! Pendulum Summon! From my Extra Deck, Predator Plants Spider Orchid!"
Predator Plants Spider Orchid (0/0) LVL:1 PS:8
"Predator Plants Bufolicula's Pendulum Effect activates! I can perform another Fusion Summon! But wait, there's more! Predator Plants Triantis' Pendulum Effect allows me to use cards in the Pendulum Zones as fusion material for DARK Fusion Monster!" Yuri explained with a grin as his two monsters flew out of the blue columns.
"What?!"
"I fuse Predator Plants Bufolicula, Triantis, and Spider Orchid! Three beautiful plants with an insect alluring fragrance! Now become one, bloom into the mightiest abomination! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 9! Predator Plants Triphyovertum!" Yuri shouted while clapping his hands together.
A monstrous bipedal dragon with three heads appeared on Yuri's field. The plant-like creature was covered in green scales and had large wings that had two red flowers on top of them.
Predator Plants Triphyovertum (3000/3000) LVL:9
Serena gulped at the sight of the imposing creature while Yuri smiled at her displeasure.
"I guess you've never seen this one before. That look in your eyes...you've found the beauty in my monster, that's for sure. Anyways, Bufolicula's effect activates after being used as Fusion material, which lets me add Predator Plants Triantis back to my hand. Now, let's get rid of your defense! Predator Planning's effect in the graveyard activates! By banishing this card after Fusion Summoning a DARK monster, I can destroy a card on the field. Say goodbye to your left set card!" Yuri shouted as Serena's card exploded.
"Tch..." Serena clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Triphyovertum's effect lets it gain the ATKs of monsters with Predator Counters!" Yuri explained as his dragon's six eyes glowed.
Triphyovertum (3000/3000)-(7600/3000)
"Playtime's over! Battle! Triphyovertum, attack Moonlight Sabre Dancer! Triple Gargantua Devastation!" Yuri shouted as his monster fired a powerful purple blast from its three mouths.
"Pink Mouse's effect activates in my graveyard! By banishing this card, Sabre Dancer is switched to defense mode! Meaning, I don't take damage!" Serena shouted as her monster took a defensive stance before getting hit by the colossal blast.
Sabre Dancer (4600/2600)-(4600/2600)
Triphyovertum (7600/3000)-(3000/3000)
"Trap Activate! Moonlight Reincarnation Dance! Since you destroyed Sabre Dancer, I can add two Moonlight monsters from my deck to my hand."
"Dragostapelia, direct attack!" Yuri shouted as his dragon flew forward and drove its tail into Serena's torso, knocking her into the wall.
SERENA: 4000-1300 LP
"You survived...thank god. I was getting worried that our fun might've prematurely came to an end." Yuri sighed in relief before grabbing a card from his hand. "I set a card facedown and end my turn. Tell me, why didn't you go for one of those Action Cards you Lancers so famously use?"
"Using them in a duel like this...doesn't feel right to me. I want to beat you with my power alone." Serena honestly answered.
"...I'd expect nothing less from you. Now, come!" Yuri challenged with a smile.
"My turn! I activate the Spell Card, Fusion Recovery! I add Moonlight Amethyst Bat and Fusion back to my hand! Next, I summon Moonlight Emerald Bird!" Serena shouted as the green humanoid bird appeared.
Moonlight Emerald Bird (1200/1000) LVL:4
"Emerald Bird's effect activates! When this card is summoned, I can revive a level 4 or lower Moonlight monster that is banished or in my graveyard with its effects negated! Revive, Moonlight Blue Cat!"
Moonlight Blue Cat (1600/1200) LVL:4
Then, I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Amethyst Bat, Black Sheep, and Emerald Bird! Beast that flies through the midnight sky! Beast lurking in jet-black darkness! Emerald wings that shine in the moonlight!Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Sleek predator stalking the moonlit savannah! Moonlight Leopard Dancer!" Serena shouted a tan-skinned woman with dark spots on it's body appeared. The woman wore a red crescent moon mask over her right eye and wore a short red and cyan dress. She also carried a golden spear with silver blade.
Moonlight Leopard Dancer (2400/1800) LVL:7
"Black Sheep's effect lets me add it back to the hand. Then, Amethyst Bat lets me draw three! Moonlight Leopard Dancer's effect-"
"Let me guess, that monster has a way to clear the field?" Yuri asked, causing Serena to flinch. "Thought so. In that case, Dragostapelia's effect! I place a Predator Counter on your monster! Then, it's Level becomes 1 and its effects are negated!"
Leopard Dancer's Predator Counter's 0-1 LV: 7-1
"And then Triphyovetum gains its ATK!"
Triphyovertum (3000/3000)-(5400/3000)
Serena clenched her fist. Yuri was seeing through her moves so easily. Even though her style of dueling evolved, was she still too predictable?
"I...am not done yet." Serena resolutely stated before grabbing two cards from her hand. "With the Scale 1 Moonlight Wolf, and the Scale 8 Moonlight Jackal, I set the Pendulum Scale!"
The humanoid purple wolf and black jackal rose up into the blue columns.
Wolf 1 - 8 Jackal
"With this, I can simultaneously summon monsters with levels 2 through 7! Swing Pendulum in the moonlight! Draw an arc across the night sky and dance across the battle field! Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my monsters! From my Extra Deck, Moonlight Wildcat Dancer! Moonlight Tiger!"
Moonlight Tiger (1200/800) LVL:3 PS:5
Moonlight Wildcat Dancer (2400/2000) LVL:7 PS:4
"Wildcat Dancer could be troubling. In that case, allow me to introduce you to Triphyovertum's effect! Once per turn, when the opponent special summons a monster or monsters from the Extra Deck while this Fusion Summoned card is on the field, I can negate the summon and destroy those monsters! Malicious Blight!"
As the dragon roared, multiple vines shot out of the ground and pierced the two monsters, causing them to burst.
"Y-You can't be serious..." Serena grunted.
"Sorry, Serena. Looks like you're still no match for me, just like back then." Yuri sighed.
"No...I've changed since back then...I'm a better duelist and person...so losing to you here would just show that me changing myself was meaningless." Serena's fist trembled as she spoke. "That's why...I won't give up! Moonlight Wolf's Pendulum Effect! I can banish monsters on my field and graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon! I banish Leopard Dancer and Blue Cat on my field along with Black Sheep in my hand!"
Black Sheep appeared on the field briefly and flew into the fusion vortex with Blue Cat and Leopard Dancer.
"Sleek predator stalking the moonlit savannah! Beast lurking in jet-black darkness! Blue cat that prowls through the darkness! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 9! Mighty huntress who rules over the moonlit jungle! Moonlight Jaguar Dancer!" Serena shouted while bringing her hands together.
A shinning new monster danced through the air while twirling a battle axe before landing in front of Serena. Jaguar Dancer had a light orange skin color and wore a form-fitting black body suit, with a sleek yellow skirt overtop, which was decorated with black crescent shapes. She had long flowing black hair which covered her eyes, as well as a large golden crescent-shaped hair piece.
Moonlight Jaguar Dancer (3200/2800) LVL:9
"It looks like my deck responded to my feelings again..." Serena uttered before looking up at her new monster. "Thanks for choosing to fight with me."
"Another new monster? Interesting!" Yuri cheered in excitement.
"Since Moonlight Leopard Dancer left the field, your monster loses its ATK boost."
Triphyovertum (5400/3000)-(3000/3000)
"Moonlight Jackal's effect activates! Once per turn, after I Fusion Summon a Moonlight Fusion monster, I can draw a card."
Serena took a deep breath before scanning Yuri's field. She then looked at Jaguar Dancer.
This could work.
"Now, I'll banish Sabre Dancer to activate its effect! Jaguar Dancer gains 3000 ATK!"
Jaguar Dancer (3200/2800)-(6200/2800)
"Battle! Jaguar Dancer, attack Dragostapelia! At this moment, Jaguar Dancer's effect activates! By sending a Moonlight card on my field or in my hand to the graveyard, I can banish a card on your field facedown! I'll send Moonlight Jackal to banish Triphyovertum! Moonlit Cleave!" Serena shouted as her black jackal dispersed. Her monster swung her battle axe in the direction of the gigantic monster, creating a blade of energy that cut through the air and split the creature in half.
"How destructive...!" Yuri grinned.
"Since Jackal's a Pendulum Monster, it was sent to the Extra Deck instead. Now attack, Jaguar Dancer! TWILIGHT SAVAGERY!"
In an instant, the dancer appeared above the large plant monster. With a flurry of swings, the humanoid jaguar used her weapon to quickly slash the plant into small pieces, which exploded in a flash of brilliant light.
"That won't be enough! Trap Activate! Predator Injection! When a Predator Plants monster is attacked, any damage I'd take is reduced to 0! Also, I gain life points equal to my monster's DEF!"
YURI: 1000-2900 LP
"That was close!" Yuri wiped the sweat off of his forehead.
"I couldn't win...but I managed to cripple his field...that'll have to do for now. I end my turn."
Jaguar Dancer (6200/2800)-(3200/2800)
"I know, I know. I can feel your eagerness." Yuri playfully spoke, leaving Serena confused.
"Who are you talking to?" Serena asked.
"You're about to find out. My turn! I activate the Equip Spell, Predator Graft! With this, I can special summon a Predator Plants monster from my graveyard and this card becomes equipped to it!"
'Dragostapelia...or Chimeraflessia...which one will it be?' Serena nervously thought. Both had troubling effects which could be problematic for her.
"Come back, Predator Plants Easter Lily Lizard!"
Predator Plants Easter Lily Lizard (1200/1200) LVL:3
"...Oh." Serena let out, causing Yuri to chuckle.
"C'mon, I'm not as predictable as you. Where would the fun be in beating you down with a monster I already used earlier? Anyways, Easter Lily Lizard's effect allows me to draw a card since it was summoned from the graveyard. Next, I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Predator Plants Easter Lily Lizard with the Predator Plants Triantis in my hand!"
"Starve Venom...?" Serena uttered in confusion. It didn't make sense for Yuri to bring that card out by not using fusion materials that were both on the field. Without its effect to gain ATK, it had no other way of overpowering Jaguar Dancer.
"Close, but not quite." Yuri grinned before continuing. "Carnivorous mantis that slashes through its prey! Sweet smelling flower that invites the abyss! Now become one, and indulge in whatever pleases you! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon!"
A purple and white dragon appeared with red horns and large red and yellow orbs with smaller blue orbs on it's body. The dragon ferociously roared, causing venom to drip from its mouth and burn through the ground.
Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon (3300/2500) LVL:10
"This is your dragon's evolution...?" Serena questioned as she looked on at the terrifying creature. "But you summoned it without using Starve Venom..."
"That's because I only need to use a Level 8 or higher DARK monster as material, which Predator Plants Triantis fulfilled." Yuri explained, earning a growl from his evolved ace. The boy then sighed before turning to his dragon. "I know that you don't like me bringing out your evolved form without using your original form, but this is a special occasion!"
The dragon softly growled before whipping its head around and roaring at Serena.
"What the hell...?" Serena trailed off. Had Yuri really lost it?
"That's the spirit, partner! Greedy Venom's effect activates! Once per turn, I can target a monster on the field and its ATK becomes 0! Also, it's effects are negated! I target Moonlight Jaguar Dancer! Essence Consumption!" Yuri shouted as multiple vines shot out of the purple and white dragon. The vines attached to the warrior, draining her off all its energy by infecting it with purple venom.
Jaguar Dancer (3200/2800)-(0/2800)
Serena instinctively took a step back at the sight of the monstrous dragon using its effect.
"Don't be scared, Serena. Greedy Venom is a big softy at heart." Yuri grinned as the dragon let out another ferocious roar. "Go on and show her some love! Battle! Greedy Venom, attack Jaguar Dancer! Drowning Venom Stream!" Yuri shouted as his evolved ace fired a massive blast of venom at the dancer.
"I'm not done fighting! Moonlight Turquiose Turtle's effect activates in my graveyard! By banishing this card when a Moonlight Fusion Monster is attacked, the damage I'd take from that battle is reduced to 0!" Serena shouted a shell-like barrier formed around her while her monster was decimated.
"Look at you! I didn't even dare to bring this monster out against any of your counterparts and I still managed to win easily! Yet here you are, pushing me to use my strongest monster and still managing to fend it off! You're not boring anymore, Serena!"
Although his demeanor was definitely twisted, something felt sincere inside Yuri's words.
During their childhood, Yuri had always chastised Serena for her lack of strategy and boring style, while she usually called him out for not using his full strength.
But unfortunately for Serena, she was never able to push Yuri, who easily countered her relentless attacks that most duelists struggled with.
But here they were now, standing on equal footing. Serena was giving it her all while Yuri was doing the same.
For one split second, Serena forgot they were fighting for opposite sides of an inter dimensional war.
"Let's see if you can keep entertaining me~. I set a card facedown, turn end." Yuri concluded.
"I...know a part of the person I once knew is still in there. That's why I won't give up on you, no matter what anyone else says." Serena declared as she placed her hand over her deck. "My turn! With the Scale 6 Moonlight Puma, I reset the Pendulum Scale!"
Wolf 1 - 6 Puma
"With this, I can simultaneously summon monsters with levels 2 through 5! Pendulum Summon! Swing Pendulum in the moonlight! Draw an arc across the night sky and dance across the battle field! From my Extra Deck, Moonlight Tiger! And from my hand, Moonlight Scarlet Phoenix! Moonlight Kaleido Chick!"
Moonlight Tiger (1200/800) LVL:3 PS:5
Moonlight Kaleido Chick (1400/800) LVL:4
Moonlight Scarlet Phoenix (2000/1000) LVL: 5
"Tiger's effect activates! When this card is summoned, I can add Fusion from my graveyard to my hand." Serena explained as the card popped out of her graveyard slot. "Scarlet Phoenix's effect activates! When this card is summoned to my field, I can special summon a Moonlight monster from my graveyard with its effects negated and in defense mode! Rise, Moonlight Jaguar Dancer!"
Moonlight Jaguar Dancer (3200/2800) LVL:9
"I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Moonlight Tiger, Jaguar Dancer, and Scarlet Phoenix! Striped beast that hunts in the night! Fiery phoenix with burning wings! Mighty huntress who rules over the moonlit jungle! Clash against each other under the crimson moonlight, and revive with a new power! FUSION SUMMON! Come to me, Level 10! Ruthless huntress dancing atop the blood moon's zenith! Moonlight Tigress Dancer!"
The monster was a female humanoid tiger. She had orange skin with black stripes, golden eyes, and black hair tied in a bun. She wore a scarlet and orange indian dancer's outfit with bronze embroidery. She had a red moon spot on her forehead and moon-shaped jewelry. She had golden ring on her tail and carried a double-sided halberd with scarlet curved edges.
Moonlight Tigress Dancer (3500/3000) LVL: 10
"Then, Kaleido Chick's effect activates! By sending Moonlight Panther Dancer from my Extra Deck to the graveyard, Kaleido Chick can be treated as that monster. Now, I activate the Spell Card, Pendulum Fusion! This lets me use cards in my Pendulum Zones along with monsters on my field for a Fusion Summon! I fuse Moonlight Puma, Wolf, and Kaleido Chick, which is treated as Panther Dancer!"
The two humanoid animals floated out of the blue columns in the sky while Kaleido Chick leapt up in the air and took the form of Panther Dancer. The three monsters then swirled into the fusion vortex.
"Elegant beast dancing on the moonlit wilderness! Beast that runs in the moonlight! Beast that dances in unison with its pack! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! FUSION SUMMON! Come forth! Level 10! The king of beasts dancing atop the summit of the moonlight wilderness! Moonlight Lio Dancer!"
Serena's original strongest monster appeared. She had dark blue skin and had light blue hair. The Fusion Monster had red and golden clothing and carried a large sword that had a golden handle.
Moonlight Lio Dancer (3500/3000) LVL: 10
"...Since Kaleido Chick was sent to the graveyard through a card effect, I can add Fusion back to my hand from the graveyard. And since Puma was used as fusion material, I can draw a card."
"Wow...bringing out two Level 10 Fusion Monsters at once..." Yuri uttered in awe before his lips curled up into a grin. "...This is exactly what I've been waiting for, Serena!"
While Yuri acted like a child, Serena silently looked at the field before looking down at her own two hands, which were trembling.
A sense of exhilaration filled her heart. Serena had never felt such a strong feeling while dueling, causing her to almost become overwhelmed.
This was the result of her dueling freely and breaking away from Academia's teachings.
This was the extent of her potential.
This was her drive to bring Yuri back to her.
Serena's lips formed a slight smile
"Oh, someone's feeling quite the rush!" Yuri teased, but Serena didn't care.
"You're right...I'm feeling great right now. I'm at my best...dueling the person I could never beat...the person who was my first friend...the person I swore to save from Academia's corruption...the person I..."
Serena trailed off as she met Yuri's gaze with a look of determination. She didn't need to say those words verbally.
"With this power, I can defeat even you, Yuri! The fun has just begun! BATTLE!" Serena declared, clenching her fist that previously trembled with excitement. "Tigress Dancer, attack Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon! Crimson Moonlight Slash!"
The beast-warrior leaped forward as she spun her halberd before slashing the dragon in half.
YURI: 2900-2700 LP
"...It won't be that easy! Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon's effect! Greedy Venom's effect activates! When this monster is destroyed, all monsters on the field are destroyed and the owners take damage equal to the combined ATK of the destroyed monsters!" Yuri screamed as a wave of venom formed where the dragon once stood.
"Both of my monsters are unaffected by card effects!" Serena shouted as her monsters used their weapons to slash through the wave.
"Really?! I knew Lio Dancer had that effect, but Tigress Dancer too?!" Yuri over dramatically gasped.
"Tigress Dancer's effect activates! After this card's first attack, all Spells and Traps on the opponent's field are destroyed! Go, Blood Moon Dance!" Serena commanded as her monster began to graceful spin, releasing a red energy slash that sliced Yuri's set card in half.
"Interesting...but Greedy Venom's other effect activates! After being destroyed, by banishing one of it's fusion materials, I can special summon it back to the field! I banish Predator Plants Triantis! Resurrect, Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon!" Yuri shouted as his evolved ace returned in defense mode.
Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon (3300/2500) LVL:10
"Tigress Dancer can also attack twice! Attack Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon once again! Crimson Moonlight Slash!" Serena shouted as the scarlet warrior slashed through the dragon once again.
"Greedy Venom's effect activates! I banish Predator Plants Easter Lily Lizard! Revive, Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon!"
Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon (3300/2500) LVL:10
"I still have two more attacks! Lio Dancer, attack Greedy Venom! Lunar Sword Slash!"
Lio Dancer immediately jumped forward and used its golden blade to slice through Greedy Venom for the final time.
"Now my field is open...and my set card is gone..." Yuri realized with an excited look on his face. "Wow, I've never thought you of all people would have bested me like this! Not in a million years!"
"Don't break down yet, Yuri! I still have one more attack!" Serena shouted, now fully grinning. "Lio Dancer, direct attack! LUNAR SWORD SLASH!"
The blade in Lio Dancer's hand gained a golden glow as she jumped above Yuri.
"Wow...I guess it's really-"
Yuri's words were cut off by the swift strike that followed, knocking him through the air.
Serena's eyes widened as the purple-haired boy's body hit the ground.
It was over...
YURI: 2700-950 LP
...or so she thought.
"Oh, silly me..." Yuri got off the ground with the same grin he had plastered on his face from before the attack. "...did I forget to mention that I activated Predator Plants Drosophyllum Hydra? Once per turn, when I would take battle damage while this card is in the graveyard, I banish a Predator Plants monster in my graveyard to return a banished Predator Plants monster to my graveyard. And by doing this, the battle damage I would take is halved. So, I banished Predator Plants Sarraceniant and returned Predator Plants Triantis to my graveyard in order to only take 1750 damage."
"...I see." Serena nodded, strangely not being as distraught as Yuri would have hoped. "I set a card facedown, turn end."
"Wow...I thought you'd be a little more pissed that I survived your big climatic attack." Yuri sighed.
"...There's no point in dwelling on things that are out of my control. I'll put my focus into stopping your next attack. And after that, I'll defeat you!" Serena declared.
"...I guess your dueling isn't the only thing that's changed. You know, I can tell you've been inspired by that one guy...Yuya Sakaki."
Hearing Yuri say her friend's name sent a chill down Serena's spine for some strange reason.
"...I look up to him. His adaptability inspired me to embrace my own style of dueling instead of relying on what Academia taught me. He was also...there for me during our time in this dimension. After finding out that you were the person I wanted to save, he encouraged me to try and save you despite everything you've done."
Yuri recognized a certain glint in Serena's eyes as she talked about the boy, making him somewhat grimace.
"So, you've fallen in love with this guy with the same face and almost same voice as me?"
"...I've never been to good with this kind of stuff, you know." Serena reminded her childhood friend.
"Oh, I'm well aware. After all, you completely disregarded my feelings when you tried to run away without me." Yuri growled before shaking his head and getting back into character. "But that doesn't matter right now. I guess the answer to my question is a yes, right?"
"...I don't think I share Yuzu's feelings towards Yuya...but I care about him more than almost anyone. Ever since I've met Yuya, I couldn't help but see glimpses of you. From the way he smiled, to the way he enjoyed dueling with all of his heart, he's served as a constant reminder of the friend that I lost..." Serena said with a small smile. "As we talked and got to know each other, I realized that he's the person you could have became...or at least...the person I think you would've been if it wasn't for Academia..."
"...Or better yet, the person you wish I grew up to be, right?" Yuri lowly asked.
Silence filled the room for a brief moment, before Yuri erupted into a spiral of demonic laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard! I didn't know you were a comedian, Serena!"
"Yuri..."
"Thanks for the laugh! I'll reward you by granting you a glorious defeat! My turn, draw! I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed! I draw two cards! Next, I activate the Spell Card, Predator Sprouting! While I have control no monsters while there are two or more monsters on your fields, I can special summon two Predator Tokens to my field!"
Predator Tokens x2 (0/0) LVL: 1
"I activate the Spell Card, Fusion Recovery! I add Predator Plants Squid Drosera and Fusion back to my hand. It's finally time for your grand entrance! I'll activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse my two Predator Tokens together!" Yuri shouted as his two tokens swirled into the fusion vortex.
"It's here...!" Serena uttered.
"Two beautiful plants with a insect alluring fragrance! Now become one, and from the hell beneath your petals, give birth to a new terror! Fusion Summon! Come Forth! Level 8! Starve Venom Fusion Dragon!" Yuri shouted as a purple dragon appeared with a large green tail that extended from its lower body and multiple yellow and red orbs on its body.
Starve Venom Fusion Dragon (2800/2000) LVL:8
"Sorry for delaying your entrance, partner. I wanted this duel to last long enough for me to enjoy it, but I've had enough fun. Let's end this." Yuri grinned while his dragon demonically growled at the girl. "Starve Venom's effect activates! Since my dragon was Fusion Summoned using only fusion materials on the field, it gains ATK equal to the combined ATKs of all your special summoned monsters!" Yuri shouted as the two mouths on his dragon's back opened up while its body was surrounded by pink energy.
"Your dragon's strength is stealing the power of others...so I'll get rid of some of its strength by doing this! Trap Activate! Moonlight Path! By releasing a Moonlight Fusion Monster on my field, I gain life points equal to Tigress Dancer's level times 200!"
SERENA: 1300-3300 LP
"Now, Starve Venom will only gain Lio Dancer's ATK." Serena pointed out.
Starve Venom (2800/2000)-(6300/2000)
"Clever girl..." Yuri grinned while scratching his chin. "I can't use Starve Venom's effect to steal Lio Dancer's effect, so I'll just jump straight into the...BATTLE! Starve Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Lio Dancer! Venomous Root Burst!"
The dragon extended its roots and vines outwards as the red and yellow orbs on its body glowed. The dragon roared before firing a powerful green blast that obliterated the warrior and sent Serena flying.
SERENA: 3300-500 LP
Serena hit the ground hard, almost losing consciousness as a result. When she went to get up, she noticed that Starve Venom was hovering over her body, waiting for the command to finish Serena off.
"Settle down, partner. If you attack her again, I'll lose by default for cheating. And if that happens, I'll never hear the end of it from the Professor." Yuri scoffed, causing the dragon to return to his side.
Serena then let out a sigh, which turned into a brief laugh.
"Eh? What's so funny?" Yuri questioned.
"I...survived your attack. And now I'm going to win." Serena declared.
"Is that so? Let's see it then! I end my turn!" Yuri excitedly concluded.
"With this draw...I'll bring you back, Yuri! MY TURN!" Serena determinedly shouted as she drew. Her eyes widened at the sight of the card, before she placed it in her hand and grabbed another. "From my hand, I summon Moonlight Silver Swan!"
Moonlight Silver Swan (1100/1700) LVL:4
"Silver Swan's effect activates! I can check the top five cards of my deck and add a Moonlight monster to my hand. I add Moonlight Indigo Ox to my hand! Next, I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Indigo Ox and Silver Swan! Ox that rushes through its enemies! Swan the flies through the night sky! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Level 7! Beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Moonlight Cat Dancer!" Serena chanted as her ace monster appeared that had pink hair and two different masks covering her eyes. She carried two long daggers and was wearing light blue clothing.
Moonlight Cat Dancer (2400/2000) LVL:7
"Look at this! Both of us saved our aces for our final stand!" Yuri commented.
"Battle! Moonlight Cat Dancer, attack Starve Venom Fusion Dragon!" Serena shouted while grabbing a card from her hand. "At this moment, I activate the Quick Play Spell, Battle Fusion!"
"Battle Fusion?! That card-"
"With this card's effect, Cat Dancer gains the opposing monster's ATK!" Serena shouted as a bright aura gathered around her ace.
Cat Dancer (2400/2000)-(5200/2000)
"I'll save you, Yuri!" Serena shouted as her monster created an energy projection of the moon with her hands. "FULL MOON CRESTA!"
"Even if I half the damage with Drosophyllum Hydra, that'll still be 1200 damage. You're full of surprises...aren't you...?"
A cyan stream of energy fired out of the moon and collided with the dragon, causing a powerful explosion.
"Luckily...so am I!" Yuri shouted from the field of smoke. "I activated the effect of Predator Plants Utriculiara Snake in my hand! When I would take battle or effect damage, I can summon this card instead!"
Predator Plants Utriculiara Snake (800/200) LVL:3
Cat Dancer (5200/2000)-(2400/2000)
"...So close..." Serena grimaced.
"And now, the finisher! Stave Venom's effect activates!" Yuri shouted, while Serena looked down to realize the puddle there had become a geyser of venom. "When this card is destroyed, all special summoned monsters on your fields are destroyed and you take damage equal to the destroyed monster's ATKs! Say goodbye to your ace and your life points!"
"I've been prepared for that effect for a while now. Moonlight Amethyst Bat's effect in the graveyard activates! When a Moonlight monster would destroyed by a card effect, I can banish this card instead and draw a card!" Serena countered as she drew.
"Unbelievable..." Yuri grinned in excitement.
Serena looked at the card she had drawn before taking a deep breath.
"I set a card facedown, turn end." Serena simply concluded.
"To think you'd come this far, Serena. Dealing with my Predator Plant Fusion Monsters was already impressive, but both of my dragons as well? You surely could be classified as an elite." Yuri said while giving the girl an applause.
"I've never would've become this strong if I had stayed with Academia." Serena spoke.
"It appears so. But it appears you've made one fatal mistake, Serena." Yuri's grin dropped to a serious expression, causing Serena's eyes to twitch.
"...And what's that?" Serena asked, not backing down from Yuri's menacing expression.
"...Your overconfidence let you believe that we were on the same level...and that you could actually beat me." Yuri glared at girl with the eyes of a predator that was hunting its prey.
"W-What?" Serena uncharacteristically
"It appears have indulged myself for a little too long. Allow me to show you the true difference between us. My turn!" Yuri grinned as he drew. "Perfect. I activate the Spell Card, Dowsing Fusion!"
"That card...I've never seen that before..."
"That's because it's a card born from the connection of myself and your new boyfriend! This card lets me banish Pendulum Monsters in my Extra Deck to Fusion Summon! I banish Bufolicula and Spider Orchid!" Yuri explained as his two monsters briefly appeared before swirling into the fusion vortex. "Two beautiful flowers with an alluring fragrance! Now, become one and and give birth to a dangerous predator! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Starve Venemy Dragon!"
In a flash of blinding purple light, the image of a new dragon appeared on the battlefield with a powerful roar. The dragon was very similar to Starve Venom in which it's body was primarily purple and green and looked to be made from vines. The bottom half of the dragon was a swarm of purple vines that implanted into the ground, like a carnivorous plant. The dragon had red and yellow orbs along its head and upper body. It had large armor-like vines protruding from it's shoulders that were blue and green along with blue claws. The dragon also had a large circular shaped vine protruding from its back.
Starve Venemy Dragon (2500/2000) LVL:7
"It's weaker than your other dragons..." Serena noted.
"Allow me to show you its effect! Do it, Starve Venemy!" Yuri shouted as the dragon roared. The purple vines from its lower body shot out of the ground towards Serena's field. "Once per turn, a monster on your field has its effects negated and Starve Venemy gains them for itself! Also, the monster loses 500 ATK and you take 500 damage!"
Serena's eyes widened as she came to terms with the situation.
Normally, Yuri would try to deal a large amount of damage in a single instance, which Serena was prepared for.
But having to deal with two instances of damage that could take her out...
Yuri had outplayed her, it was as simple as that.
"Toxic Infection!"
The vines wrapped around Cat Dancer, injecting her with toxins that made her scream out.
Cat Dancer (2400/2000)-(1900/2000)
Some vines continued to tear through the air, heading directly for Serena.
"...Trap Activate! Moonlight Deflection! While I have a Moonlight monster on my field, an instance of damage is reduced to 0!"
A moon-like barrier prevented the vines from approaching any further.
But with that, Serena was out of options.
"So you activated your Trap Card despite knowing that you'd still lose once I attack? Does that mean you're not done fighting?" Yuri excitedly asked before covering his eyes with his hands. "I got an idea! I'll give count to five before declaring an attack while you look for an Action Card. That way, we can-"
"Do it already." Serena cut the boy off with a dry tone in her voice.
Yuri didn't quite understand the situation. Serena didn't seem as upset as someone should be after losing a battle with so much at stake.
"I don't get it...you know what it means to lose here, right? Why aren't you desperate? Why aren't you trying to survive?" Yuri couldn't help but ask.
"I fought my hardest and dueled as best as I could, and yet, I still lost. I couldn't have dueled any better than I did...and it wasn't enough." Serena looked down at the ground and clenched her fist. "And...I'm tired of running. I'm tired of people getting hurt protecting me."
Yuri looked on at the girl, his eyes somewhat softening as he remembered the little girl from back then.
"Yuri, don't come to see me if it gets you in trouble! I don't want Dad to reprimand you because of me!"
Yuri's eyes twitched as a thought formed in his mind.
'Her dueling may have changed...but she's still that same girl...'
"If this is my last duel...that's fine. At least I got to have one last duel with you."
"...Don't sweet talk me, Serena Akaba." Yuri coldly spoke, dropping his smiley persona in an instant. "Battle. Starve Venemy Dragon, attack Moonlight Cat Dancer."
The vines wrapped around the Beast-Warrior tightened while the dragon's orbs shined.
"Virulent Savagery!"
The dragon fired a purple and red blast that decimated the opposing monster in an instant and collided with Serena.
The girl hit the ground with a loud thud.
SERENA: 500-0 LP
WINNER: YURI!
Yuri looked at the barely conscious girl with a feeling of distaste.
He should feel happy. He finally got revenge on the girl who broke him. He was finally going to bring her back home, the place where she belonged.
But that's the thing...did she belong there?
"...What...are you waiting for...?" Serena managed to utter.
Before the boy could respond, Yuri's duel disk began to make a sound. When he looked down to see who it was, his eyes widened.
Serena had a similar reaction. Only one person in this world could make Yuri react like that.
Yuri and Serena shared one last look before the boy answered the call.
"Yuri, status report."
There it was.
The sound of the man who raised her.
"No greeting, Professor?" Yuri playfully asked, jumping straight back into character.
"I'm not in the mood for games. You're lucky I didn't use the emergency teleport system after you disobeyed direct orders to stay away from your counterparts."
"Come on now, no need to be so harsh with me. I dealt with them, after all. And I appreciate your trust~. Anyways, about my status..." Yuri trailed off for a brief moment before continuing. "...I'm currently outside that traitor Roget's base of operations."
As the words left Yuri's lips, his gaze met a visibly confused Serena, causing the boy to look away.
"I can confirm that he does have possession of two of the girls, so the trade he offered isn't a hoax. However, it's unwise for me to proceed any further. Those three boys that share the same face as me...they're all currently within the base. Do you wish for me to go in and risk encountering them?"
"...No, I don't. Permission granted to retreat. I appreciate you learning your lesson and following my orders. Be prepared for debriefing upon your return."
"Oh, sounds fun! Seeya soon~!"
After the call ended, Yuri let out a deep sigh, while Serena was in shock.
"...Y-You lied about not being here...?"
"Oh, worried for me or something? Well, don't be. The Professor won't check my memories like he does for lower soldiers, if that's what you're wondering. He actually has some trust in me."
"But...why did you lie...?"
Yuri paused, as if he didn't know the answer himself. Serena looked at the boy, her eyes softening.
Could it be that-
A figure appeared behind Yuri in an instant, a purple duel disk blade fully materialized and held above the Fusion user. As quickly as he approached, the person swung his arm through the air in a sidewards motion.
Seeing the look of shock on Serena's face, Yuri instinctively jumped forward, causing the duel disk to graze the back of his neck.
As Yuri landed in front of Serena and turned around, the boy couldn't help but grin while sweat dripped from his face.
"...Y-Yuto...!" Serena stuttered in disbelief as the boy stood before her and Yuri, coldly looking at the Fusion counterparts with his grey eyes.
"...Wow! I'm impressed. You really went for the jugular...literally! I knew you had it in you!" Yuri excitedly yelled, feeling the cut on the back of his neck and getting blood on his hand.
Yuto went to take a step forward, but Yuri raised his duel disk and hovered his finger over the screen.
"Take another step and I'll hit this teleportation button here, sending both me and Serena back to our dear old homeland!" Yuri grinned.
"...Serena..." Yuto stared past Yuri and looked into Serena's eyes. "...What the hell is going on here...?"
Serena gulped.
She knew Yuto wasn't an idiot. He had already lost faith in the girl for her unspoken connection with Ruri's kidnapper. And the current situation of Yuri lying, for what she assumed was for her sake, made things even more complicated.
"...Oh, it's simple, really. Just two childhood friends having our long overdo reunion. And we sure had fun, didn't we? She did even better than you did against me." Yuri turned to the hurt Serena and smiled.
Despite the conflicted feelings he felt towards Serena at the moment, Yuto couldn't help but grimace as he noticed the girl's condition.
"Ah, I see the tomato-haired one isn't my only counterpart that cares about you." Yuri continued to grin before turning back to Yuto. "I can tell you've changed a bit since we met in the subway, you know. Back then, I wasn't really impressed with your dueling, but I really admired how you crushed your bonds with your friends! That was brilliant!"
Yuri began to applaud Yuto, causing the boy's eyes to twitch.
"But looking at you now...something's different, isn't it? You look like you've been through something serious. You're a lot less rage-filled and a lot more cold-blooded than our last few encounters. Hell, you almost took my head off without a second thought."
"...I'm not the same person I was back when we first met. That's why...I won't let my rage control my actions...and I won't hesitate to do what I have to." Yuto glared at Yuri, causing the boy to somewhat shutter.
"Wow! I literally have chills! Your new attitude is really sparking something in me! Maybe after I'm done settling things with our Pendulum counterpart, I'll give you a chance for revenge. But for now, Serena and I are going somewhere a bit more private."
"Yuto!"
Running up from behind the boy, Shun and Ruri stopped beside Yuto with opposite expressions on their faces.
"Oh, Ruri! It's been so long!" Yuri playfully waved at the girl.
"Y-Yuri...!" Ruri gasped in fear, her heart beating fast.
"...It's you...YOU BASTARD!" Shun angrily roared, only for Yuto to put his arm in front of his best friend.
"Shun, we can't get close or he'll run with Serena." Yuto informed his friend.
"Get away from her, you scum of the earth!" Shun demanded.
"...No one deserves to have their freedom taken away from them...please don't do this!" Ruri pleadingly cried.
"Kurosaki...Ruri...!" Serena uttered in shock.
How ironic. Xyz remnants, which she was once obsessed with hunting, were the people trying to save her.
"Hey, I won our duel, so I get to decide what happens next. That's how the world works."
"Then how about we duel right now? I'll burn you to ash for the shit you've put us through!" Shun growled, activating his duel disk.
"Shun, was it? I would love to duel you, but the Professor is expecting me. We can duel next time though, when I come to kidnap your sister!" Yuri devilishly spoke.
"Why you-"
Using the trio of Xyz remnants to hide his approach, a blue blur stealthy sprinted through the hallway.
When the blur ran past the members of the Resistance, he was already at maximum speed, leaving Yuri with no time to react.
Before Serena even knew it, Yuri had been tackled and sent flying past her.
"Sora!" Shun gasped.
Yuto paused in disbelief as he watched the boy, whom he told Ruri not to trust, tackle Yuri through the air.
Not wasting a second, Ruri immediately ran towards Serena as Sora and Yuri landed on the ground.
"P-Partner! I didn't think we'd meet in a place like this~"
"Shut up, Yuri!" Sora crazily shouted, his green pupils shrunken.
"A traitor protecting another traitor, how fitting. To think your objective was once to capture Serena." Yuri pointed out, but Sora paid no mind to the boy's words as he restrained Yuri. "Woah, your state of mind isn't looking so great. You look like you're exhausted...and a little insane! Why are all of you Lancers acting so crazy these days?"
"You hunted Yuzu...one of my only friends...like she was a damn animal...and you hurt Serena...who I have to protect...I can't forgive you for that!" Sora yelled.
"Weren't both of those things your fault? You betrayed her friend and left her high and dry in Standard. And last I checked, you weren't here when I encountered Serena, so you were doing a shitty job of protecting her!"
Yuri head butted the boy, causing him to stumble a bit. Using this chance, Yuri managed to kick the boy off of him.
To Yuto's surprise, Shun caught the boy before he hit the ground.
Yuri dusted himself off as he got up with a sigh.
"Jeez...you guys are really putting a lot of effort into this rescue. As much as I'd love to card you all where you stand, I really should be getting back now."
Yuri then looked at Serena, making eye contact with the girl for a moment before speaking.
"...Serena...I'll see you soon. Don't become boring again."
Yuto launched himself forward, diving towards Yuri.
With a smirk on his face, Yuri waved before hitting the button on his duel disk, causing him to vanish in a flash of light before Yuto made it.
As Yuri vanished, Sora sighed in and closed his eyes.
'I did it...Tsukikage...I kept Serena away from Academia...' Sora thought to himself with a small smile on his face.
"Serena, are you ok? Can you walk?" Ruri worryingly asked.
"Yeah...I think so, I'm just a little worn down, that's all." Serena told her counterpart, who became seemingly overcome by emotion.
"Thank god..." Ruri said before hugging the girl. "..I'll never forget how you saved me from Academia, Serena. Next time, let's fight together to make sure Academia never again takes away anyone else's freedom."
"Yeah..." Serena nodded with a surprised look on her face. Because of how things were with her and Yuzu at the moment, it was nice to have encouragement from another one of her counterparts.
"Sora, what happened to you?" Shun asked the boy.
"...Tsukikage stayed behind to allow us to escape...I got a bad feeling so I went back for him...but I was too late..."
"...Too late...?" Yuto's eyes widened before he approached Sora, getting close to the blue-haired boy. "...Where's Tsukikage...?"
Sora looked down, a shadow casting over his face.
"...Tsukikage honorably gave his life for the mission he believed in. I avenged his death and promised to fight in his place."
Sora revealed the two cards in his pocket that displayed images of Tsukikage and Frost, causing several reactions among the Lancers.
Shun hung his head for a moment. He had lost many comrades in the past, but that didn't mean he was immune to the pain.
"...I chose to leave him behind...it's my fault..." Serena said in guilt while Ruri embraced her.
Yuto remained silent as he processed the news. Like Shun, he too had lost many comrades, but he always took it harder than most. But because he hadn't already experienced any casualties involving his Lancer comrades, this death's unexpectedness hit him much differently.
He couldn't help but think about the words Kiryu had spoken during their duel.
"...It's already begun..." Yuto quietly said, gaining the attention of his best friend.
"...What's begun?" Shun asked, a hint of worry for his friend in his voice.
"...The death and destruction that we're bound to experience because of this path that we've chosen..." Yuto answered with an uncharacteristically terrified look on his face.
Hey everyone, it's feels good to get finally get this chapter out. I've been waiting for the Yuri and Serena match up for a while now and I'm glad you all finally get to see it! I hope Yuri appearing on the scene this chapter surprised you guys! Also, I really wanted to take the oppurtunity to have the Xyz trio interact with Yuri, namely Shun. I thought that would have been a fun interaction that I wish happened in the anime but never did.
Sora got to do revenge, so good for him. And using Tsukikage's ace was the icing on the cake for Frost. Speaking of which, I really didn't want to kill him off only because I like writing Ice Barriers, but alas, Sora had to commit to being the devil of the Lancers by finishing the jobs. I really like the direction Sora's character is going, since I feel like it'd be kinda boring if he just becomes a goody goody like Yuya and Yuzu. During the duel with Shun and Sora in Standard, those were his true colors. It's a shame we never got to see that side of him again. So, it'd much more fun for Sora to still have the crazy predatorial persona, just with his target redirected towards Academia. In simpler terms, he's like a a chaotic neutral who's only focused on fulfilling his own goal of keeping his friends safe, making him sort of a chaotic good at the moment. Maybe like a less crazy version of Mikasa from Attack on Titan, like how she was ready to kill members of the military when they wanted to Eren and how she was almost killed Levi when he didn't want to save Armin.
We also got some more dialogue between Yuri and Serena's , which I've been very eager to write. Since these two had no relationship whatsoever in cannon, it was really nice having the freedom to flesh out their relationship. Serena got to show off all the development she's gone through and put up the fight of her life. Unfortunately, it's still a little too soon for Yuri to be defeated, but it was a great duel for her nonetheless. Also, the words shared between the two also adds fuel to the fire when it comes to the brewing rivalry between Yuya and Yuri. We also got some more hints towards Serena's actual backstory prior to her attempting to leave Academia, with her last name being revealed. I always thought it was a missed opportunity for Serena to not have been actually adopted by Leo, using her as a coping mechanism for the absence of Ray. We'll get to see some more of that backstory in the next arc.
All in all, it was a very fun Fusion-filled chapter!
Serena's new monster, Moonlight Jaguar Dancer, was created by BladeWriter3, so thanks for the awesome monster!
Reviews:
Belzemon1449: Crow's certainly gone far during this arc with all of his major wins. Just like how there were a bunch of legacies in this arc, they'll be plenty in the next one as well, so there's a lot to look forward to!
Kaiser Younes: Sora certainty put Tsukikage through hell. Or better yet, he sent him there!
charly12: Welp, you certainly got your wish! Devil Sora is here!
T.V. 2000: Yeah, Yusei not being there to stop Kiryu from going far made things turn out even worse than cannon. And Sora definitely got the chance to resort to his old ways, which I feel like make his character more interesting.
Neptunian Unicorn: RIP best ninja.
Caballero Lector Rojo: Well, maybe some form of development for Yuri? Not necessarily him becoming a better person, but maybe him realizing he still cares about a certain someone.
DestinyZX: Yugo might not be as serious as Yusei, but the beliefs he's gained as well as his dueling abilities are definitely a direct nod to the former protag.
Preview: Determined to end Roget's plans once and for all, Reiji faces off against the Director's strongest weapon. Meanwhile, Jack and Reira are trapped in an infinite loop of despair. Will the trio manage to break free from Roget's twisted games? Find out next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: Altered Destiny! The fun has just begun!
Thanks for all the support guys! See you guys soon!