So sorry if the duel in this chapter feels lacking in some way. I hope you guys still enjoy this Battle Royal chapter all the same. Happy reading~
*OPENING*
(Instrumental)
(Pendulum Summon Process began as five different colored lights shot out of it. A portrait of Yuya, Timegazer Magician, Timegazer Magician and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon appeared. Portrait changed to Yuzu with her 'Melodious' monsters by her side. Portrait then changed to Bella with her Pirates and Utopia behind her. Portrait then changed to Seth on a black and purple dragon. Portrait then changed to Qing with her six ace monsters around her)
YO HO - let loose, of the rudder hard to port
(Title appeared on the screen with the stadium as the background)
YO HO- helter skelter, the best kind of life
(Shuzo, Yoko and the kids cheered for the teens of You Show as they waved to the audience)
(Instrumental)
(Many Duel Schools and their students were shown)
When the sun goes down, we'll have a farewell bash
(Camera zoomed in on Shun's serious face, Azuma looked at him worried and tried to reach out to him. Scene changed as Bella took Azuma's place and was playing keep away with her brother, their friends watching)
Don't be sad
(Yuto watched them fool around from a distance)
If we make it
(Reiji was in the control room, watching everything happening in Maiami City)
We'll meet again someday
(Yuya activated his Duel Disk and got into his dueling pose)
We'll set off straight through the headwind
(Yuya was dueling against Sora, Odd-Eyes Rebellion vs Frightfur Sabre-Tooth)
Tears... Tears... Until none are left, a man's gotta be strong
(Yuzu and Serena are seen back-to-back, as they spun and wore each other's clothes. Scene changed to Shun with his Raid Raptors as he took down his opponents.)
Friends... Friends... Someday we will laugh
(Qing is seen running through the woods away from the cloaked duelist, as the latter's monsters unleashed their attacks at her)
As if we have to make sure these bonds are firm and now, we all take hold
(Qing threw a card on her duel disk, summoning a monster and rode on it, saving her from the attacks. Scene changed to display Gongenzaka, Seth, Bella, Azuma, and a few others of the thirty-two duelists facing off against the Obelisk Force)
Of the map to the future, which begins to shine
(A boy who looks just like Yuya but in white drove into the stadium, glaring at a shadow figure on the other side of the stadium as he drove closer to him)
(Instrumental)
(The You Show group looked up at the camera from the stadium within)
After the Battle Royal had started, all thirty-two of the contestants had rushed out the stadium to search around one of the four areas of the Action Field for a Pendulum card, as per the requirement to duel in this round. Some split up in groups, others flew solo.
"Kurosaki and Azuma never showed up, did they?" Yuzu spoke, searching in a bush for a Pendulum Card. With her were the rest of the You Show group.
"No. They're two of the thirty-two competitors. Those two will definitely come," Yuya said.
"How are you so sure?" Seth asked, looking in a trash bin for a Pendulum Card.
"Call it a feeling. But in any case... Qing! Why didn't you tell us that they finished the city-wide Action Field?!" Yuya asked the multi-deck duelist of the group.
Qing jumped slightly at the shout, hitting her head on the bench she was looking under for a card. Rubbing her head to soothe the pain, she answered, "Well, I wanted it to be left a surprise. Kind of wanted to see the look on your faces when you guys find out about it, is all."
'Though I say that, I didn't know Reiji actually spoke the truth that day about spreading Action Duel all over the city,' she mentally added.
"Well, you sure surprised us," Bella said. "Then was that story about being with Reira a coverup for this surprise? At least, Yuzu told us you told her you were with the kid."
"That- uh... Yeah, so to speak," Qing half-lied.
"Well, we can't get anything done if we keep hanging around like this, especially if we're all grouped up together like so. What do you guys say we split up from here?" Seth suggested.
"Sounds like a good idea," Yuzu agreed. "Let's meet up when we can."
The You Show teens nodded in agreement and split up from each other, wishing each other luck. Almost as soon as they split from each other, the city changed, as Wonder Quartet had officially been activated.
Qing ended up in what seemed to be a jungle, which was quite ironic, considering her last name. She looked around and saw no one near her. Once she was sure she was all alone in the jungle area, Qing brought her duel disk up and typed a message to a certain someone.
Meanwhile, in the LDS Corp's control room, Reiji had just arrived and was informed of Yuya's upcoming duel against two of Ryozanpaku School's duelists. Just as he and Nakajima were about to watch the duel begin, a beep was heard from within the room.
"President! We've received a message from Qing Jungle of You Show!" one of the workers informed.
Reiji had a pretty good idea of what it was about and ordered, "Play it."
At his order, the worker played the message that was sent. "Hi, Reiji. It's Qing Jungle. I'm sending this message to ask you why you didn't tell me of this Battle Royal portion of the round. Did another duelist hack into your system and change this round? I doubt it's Angel and her Heaven Duel School, if that was the case."
"Ah. Now that I think about it, we never did inform her, did we?" Nakajima asked.
Rather than answering the question, Reiji gave another order. "Send this response to her message."
Back to Qing in the Jungle Area, she managed to find her second Pendulum card, hiding in the bush. With the requirements met for a duel, she kept her guard up and looked around in case if there was a duelist hiding somewhere, awaiting a chance to ambush her for whatever reason.
"You there. You're a You Show Duelist, aren't you?" came a voice.
Qing turned to the source and saw a male teen her age with black hair and blue eyes in a knightly armor.
Recognizing the armor as one similar to the ones worn by the duelists of Knight of Duels, she answered, "And if I am?"
The boy didn't answer, as he simply raised his duel disk up and a card. "First let's duel. I go by the name of Junes. I assume you have your second Pendulum Card?"
Qing nodded at the question and held up the card she just picked up. "Then without further notice..."
"DUEL!"
Qing: 4000 LP
Junes: 4000 LP
"As a gentleman and a knight, it is only right to let a lady go first," Junes insisted.
"Then don't mind if I do," Qing said. "From my hand, I set a monster face-down. I then set one card face-down and end my turn." As soon as she ended her turn, Qing took off in search for an Action Card.
"Looking for an Action Card, are you? Not that it matters," Junes said. "My turn. Draw." He drew his sixth card. "I activate the effect of a monster I just drew, Discover Chronicle Knight! If I drew this card, by revealing another 'Chronicle Knight' monster from my hand, I can Special Summon it."
"Already a Special Summon on the Draw Phase?!" Qing gasped. She knew there were cards that can enable such a thing to happen during that phase, but for it to occur on the very first turn from the hand is an entirely different story.
Appearing on Junes' field now was a young boy in light armor, similar to that of a squire. One thing she noticed about this squire, however, was that his armor had some gears etched into them.
Discover Chronicle Knight: Level 3/LIGHT/Warrior/1000 ATK/1200 DEF
(Discover Chronicle Knight: Effect Monster: If you drew this card, you can reveal one other 'Chronicle Knight' monster in your hand and Special Summon this card.)
While Qing knew the monster's ATK is not high enough to destroy her set monster, she also knew that her opponent can use the monster for another summon. Either that or equip a Spell Card from his hand to the monster to raise its power. Looking ahead, she was relieved to see an Action card on a tree ahead and snatched it.
Unfortunately, that was what her opponent wanted. "When my opponent adds a card to her hand outside of a Draw Phase, I activate Thief Chronicle Knight's effect!" Qing widened her eyes in shock at those words. "By revealing one other 'Chronicle' card from my hand, not only does the added card go to my hand instead, I can also Special Summon him in Defense Mode."
Mentally cursing herself for giving him what he wanted, Qing tossed the card to Junes, who caught the card as another monster appeared on his field. This one, unlike the other monster, didn't seem anything like a knight, but a bandit, as it wore a white vest, brown pants, and had daggers in his hands. Like Discover Chronicle Knight, however, it had some gears and logos of them on his clothes and weapon.
Thief Chronicle Knight: Level 5/LIGHT/Warrior/2000 ATK/800 DEF
(Thief Chronicle Knight: Effect Monster: When your opponent adds a card to their hand outside a Draw Phase, you may reveal 1 'Chronicle' card from your hand; add that card to your hand and Special Summon this card in Defense Mode.)
"For a knight, you sure are a sneaky one," Qing stated.
"This is only for fair play. You don't see me running around for an Action Card," he reasoned. "And now, I activate the Continuous Magic, Chronicle Reinforced Boost! With this card's effect, each time a 'Chronicle Knight' monster is summoned using 'Chronicle Knight' monsters, the summoned monster gains 300 ATK and DEF per monster used and can attack a number of times equal to the number of monsters used for its summon."
(Chronicle Reinforced Boost: Continuous Magic: Each time a 'Chronicle Knight' monster is summoned using other 'Chronicle Knight' monsters, draw one card from your deck and the summoned monster gains 300 ATK and DEF for each monster used for its summon and can attack a number of times equal to the number of monsters used.)
'As I thought, he's going to summon something big,' Qing grimaced.
"And now, I activate the Ritual Magic, Chronicular Ritual! By releasing monsters on my field or in my hand, I can Ritual Summon a 'Chronicle Knight' Ritual Monster whose Level is equal to or less than the total levels released! I release Discover Chronicle Knight and Thief Chronicle Knight!" As he said that, the area around them turned dark, as both his monsters burst into flames.
Qing looked ahead and saw what seemed like a flowerbed blooming in front of her. Coming to a stop, she watched as the pair of flames struck the flowerbed. Rather than burning the flowers, it helped them bloom significantly, as the flames and floral then rose into the air as a fire tornado mixed with petals. "Honorable knight of justice. Correct the broken times and descend now! RITUAL SUMMON! Level 8, Holy Queen of Chronicle Knight!" Cutting through and dispersing the tornado of fire and petals, a feminine knight in shiny silver armor emerged. In her hand was a sword that seemed to be made of gears and parts of a clock, but still look just as intimidating as a real blade.
Holy Queen of Chronicle Knight: Level 8/LIGHT/Warrior/2800 ATK/2400 DEF
(Chronicular Ritual: Ritual Magic: This card is always treated as a 'Chronicle' card. This card can be used to Ritual Summon any 'Chronicle Knight' Ritual Monster. You must also tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon.)
(Holy Queen of Chronicle Knight: Ritual Monster: You can Ritual Summon this card with any 'Chronicle' Ritual Spell Card. Must be Ritual Summoned and cannot be Special Summoned by any other way. This card gains the following effects based on the number of 'Chronicle Knight' monsters used for its Ritual Summon:
- 1 or more: This card can inflict piercing damage to your opponent if it battles a Defense Position monster.
- 2 or more: If this card battles an opponent's monster, your opponent cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards or their effects until the end of the damage calculation
When this card declares an attack, all 'Chronicle Knight' monsters you control gain ATK equal to the difference between this card's current ATK and original ATK until the end of the Battle Phase.)
"With Chronicle Reinforced Boost's effect, I draw one card for Holy Queen of Chronicle Knight's summon and she gains 300 ATK and DEF for each 'Chronicle Monster' used for her summon! Two monsters were used, so that's 600 boost!"
Holy Queen of Chronicle Knight: 2800 + 600 = 3400 ATK/2400 + 600 = 3000 DEF
"That's not good!" Qing exclaimed, making a dash deeper in the woods.
"You're not escaping. Battle! I attack your face-down monster with Holy Queen! Queen's Luminous!" Junes declared. On his command, his monster rushed at her target, with her blade glowing. "And at this time, her effect activates! When she attacks, all 'Chronicle Knight' monsters I control gain the ATK gain she got. In other words, she gain an extra 600 ATK! Queen's Aegis!"
Holy Queen of Chronicle Knight: 3400 + 600 = 4000 ATK
Qing widened her eyes in shock at the boost and looked around. To her joy, she spotted an Action card in a bush and snatched it up. "Action Ma-"
"And as Holy Queen attacks my opponent's monster, since two 'Chronicle Knight' monsters were used for her summon, my opponent cannot activate Magic or Trap Cards or effects until the end of the battle!" Junes added.
"What was that?!" Qing gasped in shock at the effect, as Junes's monster closed in on her face-down.
"Oh, and when she battle's a monster in Defense Mode, since at least one 'Chronicle Knight' monster was used for her summon, she can inflict piercing damage!"
Qing could only look on with a puzzled expression on her face. Her set monster flipped face-up and revealed to be Naturu Cliff. And with its low DEF, unfortunately, one swing of the Ritual Monster's sword was all it took to destroy the Rock-type monster. The shockwave from the destruction was also strong enough to blow Qing away, right off a cliff, with the girl screaming in surprise and slight fright.
Naturu Cliff: Level 4/EARTH/Rock/1500 ATK/1000 DEF
Qing: 1000 LP
Junes: 4000 LP
"When Naturu Cliff leaves the field, I Special Summon a 'Naturu' monster from my deck! Save me, Butterfly!"
Naturu Butterfly: Level 3/EARTH/Insect/Tuner/500 ATK/1200 DEF
As soon as she summoned out her selected monster, it grabbed her by the helm of her jacket and slowed her descent, safely landing her on the ground. Breathing out a sigh in relief, Qing turned to her monster. "Thanks for the save."
"I wouldn't calm down just yet," came Junes's voice. Qing looked up and saw Holy Queen coming down with her duelist. "Because of my Continuous Magic, Chronicle Reinforced Boost, since two 'Chronicle Knight' monsters were used for Holy Queen's summon, she can attack again! It's the end! Queen's Luminous!"
Not wanting to get crushed or cut by the monster, Qing thought fast and moved away, as did her monster. "Naturu Butterfly's effect! Once per turn, when an attack is declared by my opponent's monster, I can send the top card of my deck to the Graveyard and negate it! Whirlwind!" As she sent the top card of her deck to the grave, Naturu Butterfly flapped her wings as hard as she could, causing a gust of wind to form and forcibly cease Holy Queen's assault.
"So you saved yourself. In that case I'll end my turn with two cards face-down. And at this time, Holy Queen's ATK gain from her own effect ends," Junes ended.
Holy Queen of Chronicle Knight: 4000 - 600 = 3400 ATK
"Then it's my turn. Draw." Qing drew her next card. Rather than looking at it, she couldn't help but tense up and keep her eyes on her opponent and his monster.
Of what she could see, the guy wasn't making any move for an Action Card. Even though he already has one in his hand, any duelist would at least move around to find another one, with some exceptions like Gongenzaka. However, to her it could be possible that, like with Thief Chronicle Knight, this guy had set a trap that would force her to get rid of her Action Card somehow. Likewise, same could be said if she were to add a card from her deck to her hand. With how things were now, she'd have to take extra caution in dueling.
"I summon out Naturu Marron!" she began, as a fuzzy, brown, Plant-type monster appeared on the field.
Naturu Marron: Level 3/EARTH/Plant/1200 ATK/700 DEF
"When Naturu Marron is Normal Summoned, I can send 1 'Naturu' monster from my deck to the Graveyard! And next, I activate its other effect! Once per turn, I can return two 'Naturu' monsters in my Graveyard to my deck and draw 1 card! The two monsters I'll return are Cliff and Ragweed! The latter who was sent to the Grave from Butterfly's effect!" As Qing placed another card from her deck to the Graveyard, she then grabbed the pair of declared cards from the slot into her deck, having it shuffle itself. "And then, draw!" Her eyes brighten up slightly as she saw the card she drew. "Okay, let's go! I, using the Scale 3 Naturu Deer and Scale 7 Naturu Worm, set the Pendulum Scale!" She placed the two cards down, summoning both her deer and her worm by her side, with their scale numbers under them. "With this, I can simultaneously summon monsters from Levels 4 to 6! Peaceful creature of the woods, everlasting dweller! Create a portal for all our friends to cross over! PENDULUM SUMMON! Appear by my side, my precious allies!" A portal opened between her two Pendulum monsters, and a pair of lights shot out of them. "Naturu Strawberry and Naturu White Oak!" From the lights were a strawberry monster and a tree monster with a friendly, smiling face on it.
Naturu Strawberry: Level 4/EARTH/Plant/1600 ATK/1200 DEF
Naturu White Oak: Level 4/EARTH/Plant/1800 ATK/1400 DEF
"Continuous Trap, Chronicle Erasure!" Junes called out, activating his one face-down. "This card can be activated if my opponent Special Summons a monster outside of a card effect while I control a 'Chronicle Knight' Ritual Monster. The summon is negated and, while this card is on the field, neither player is able to summon monsters using that method again!"
"What?! So that means... I can't Pendulum Summon again!" Qing gasped in shock, as a book appeared in Holy Queen's hand. The Ritual Monster opened the book and faced the blank pages towards Qing's field. A powerful wind was then blown, pushing the female duelist's newly summoned monsters in, as well as the numbered scales on her Pendulum cards. Once they were in the book, Holy Queen shut it close.
"I'll be honest. I didn't think about using this card for Pendulum Summon. They say LDS is the best Duel School, after all. Especially since it teaches all three summon methods. But for it to work on Pendulum Summons as well," Junes said.
Whether he was honest about it or mocking her, Qing didn't know, but she was certain he was a really strong duelist.
"Even if you blocked out my Pendulum Summon, you forget I'm not like most duelists. I tune my Level 3 Naturu Butterfly with my Level 3 Naturu Marron!" As she said this, her two monsters got in position for her deck's signature summon method. "Become the great roaring nature! One that repels all traps! SYNCHRO SUMMON! Appear, Level 6, Naturu Parkion!" Appearing onto the field now from the two monsters was her Naturu Dragon Synchro.
Naturu Parkion: Level 6/EARTH/Dragon/2500 ATK/1800 DEF
"And from my Graveyard, I activate Naturu Ladybug's effect, whom was sent to the graveyard from Marron's effect! When I Synchro Summon a 'Naturu' Synchro Monster, I can Special Summon this card from my Graveyard!" A portal opened up by Parkion's side, and a big ladybug emerged out of it.
Naturu Ladybug: Level 1/EARTH/Insect/100 ATK/100 DEF
"I hope you realize it's pointless to put up any more Defense," Junes reminded. "Don't forget, Holy Queen can just pierce through them all."
"Of course I didn't forget! I may not be able to Pendulum Summon, but I can still use Pendulum effects! Naturu Worm's Pendulum effect allows me to draw a card when a 'Naturu' monster is Special Summoned from my Graveyard!" Qing drew a new card as she said that and glanced at it. "And now I activate Naturu Hydrangea's effect from my hand! If the effect of a 'Naturu' monster I control was activated, I can Special Summon it!" Now blooming onto her field was a hydrangea monster, eyes hidden under the flowers.
Naturia Hydrangea: Level 5/EARTH/Plant/1900 ATK/2000 DEF
"And now, I activate the Continuous Trap, Naturu Holy Tree!" Qing's lone face-down was flipped face-up. "This card has three effects. I'll activate the second effect. Once per turn, by releasing an EARTH Insect-type monster, I can Special Summon an EARTH Plant-type monster in its place! Ladybug, switch please!" As she said that, her one Insect-type monster started to glow white and change shape. "Now standing in its place will be Naturu Rosewhip!" The light from the glow dispersed, now revealing an rose yet to bloom with a smirking face and thorny vines as whips.
Naturia Rosewhip: Level 3/EARTH/Plant/Tuner/400 ATK/1700 DEF
"I'll end my turn here!" As soon as Qing declared the end of her turn, she took off deeper into the woods again.
"Searching for an Action Card? It's hopeless! My turn!" Junes drew his next card.
"Continuous Trap, Naturu Holy Tree's effect!" Qing interrupted. "I now use its third effect! Once per turn, by releasing an EARTH Plant-type monster, I can Special Summon an EARTH Insect-type monster! Hydrangea, switch!" This time, it was Hydrangea that was glowing and changing shape. "In her place, I Special Summon Naturu Stinkbug!" The glow dispersed, and in the place of the hydrangea plant was a big stinkbug.
Naturu Stinkbug: Level 3/EARTH/Insect/Tuner/200 ATK/500 DEF
"I don't know what you're planning, switching one of your strong monsters for a weaker one, but it's not going to work. Holy Queen! Attack that dragon! Queen's Luminous!" At Junes's command, his one Ritual Monster charged at Parkion with her glowing blade.
"Holy Queen may be able to stop Magic and Trap Cards, but what about Monster effects?! I activate Naturia Stinkbug's effect! When a face-up 'Naturu' monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can release this card to negate the attack and end the Battle Phase!" Qing countered.
"That's what you think. Continuous Trap, Chronicle Records! Once per turn, if my opponent activates a card effect during my turn while I control a 'Chronicle Knight' Ritual Monster, I can negate that effect and destroy it!"
(Chronicle Records: Continuous Trap: Once per turn, if your opponent activates a card effect during your turn while you control a 'Chronicle Knight' Ritual Monster, you may negate that effect and destroy it. During the End Phase, if you do not control a 'Chronicle Knight' Ritual Monster, destroy this card.)
"Naturu Parkion's effect! When a Trap Card is activated, by banishing two cards in my Graveyard, I can negate the activation and destroy it! Bark Blast!" In response to the activation of Junes's card, Qing's Synchro Monster unleashed its roar at its target, at the cost of his own Synchro Materials, of course.
"It's pointless. Action Magic, Flytrap Snap! If my opponent activates a monster effect, I can negate and destroy that monster!" As Junes activated the Action card he took from Qing earlier, a large flytrap emerged from the ground, facing Parkion. It let out a sweet smelling scent, causing Parkion to cease its roar and look at it. He seemed quite entranced by the smell, and inched closer to the plant. "Once that monster of yours' is gone, it's the end for you! Now prepare your-"
Junes was interrupted by a pair of thorny vines wrapping themselves around the summoned flytrap, forcing its 'mouth' shut. The vines then pulled it out of the ground and shook it wildly. Next anyone knew, the vines released the flytrap, revealing it to have changed into a bouquet.
"What?! What just happened?!" Junes gasped.
"Naturu Rosewhip's effect!" Qing answered. "While she's on the field, my opponent can only activate one Magic or Trap card per turn! You already activated your trap card this turn, so that Action Magic in your hand stays!" As she said that, she grabbed another Action Card from a tree. "And now, Action Magic, Action Crush! An Action Magic in my opponent's hand is destroyed! And for the rest of this turn, any Action Card added to our hand is also destroyed!"
Junes gasped in shock, as Flytrap Snap glowed and was reduced to sparkling dust. Not only that, but because its effect was negated, Parkion's focus was back at the guy's Trap Card, as he let out a roar to destroy it for good. In exchange, once Holy Queen got close enough, Stinkbug flew between her and the Synchro Monster and exploded into smoke. No... Not just any smoke.
"OH MY GOD! That stinks!" Junes cried out, covering his nose, as did his monster.
He wasn't the only one who succumbed to the odorous smell; Qing covered her own nose and mouth with her scarf, face pale as she felt the need to hurl. 'I know... I know it's a stinkbug. Heck, it is right there in its name. But still... WHY DOES IT HAVE TO SMELL SO BAD?!' she wondered. The only ones in the area not bothered by the smell were the 'Naturu' monsters. Maybe because they're of the same archetype?
"Well... if my Battle Phase is forced to end... I'll set one card face-down and end my turn..." Junes ended. As he said that, the horrible odor had finally gone away, much to the duelists' relief. "Oh... I can breathe again..."
"I admit... That's too strong a smell even for me, the person using this deck..." Qing said. "But in any case, it's my turn!" Qing placed her hand on her deck, praying and hoping for something good that would get her out of her situation in any way, something that could either weaken Junes's monster or strengthen her own, anything at all that can help. "Draw!" She drew her next card and looked at her draw. "I activate the Magic Card, Nature's Blessing! When I have two or less cards in my hand, by releasing a Level 4 or lower 'Naturu' monster on my field, I can draw cards equal to twice its level!"
"You're going to release the only monster that's limiting my moves?" the knightly duelist asked.
"Don't you know who I am? I am a You Show Duelist! I release Rosewhip! With her level of 3, I draw six cards!" Rosewhip leapt into the air and spun about, spreading her red petals everywhere on the field, as her duelist drew her new hand.
"With your monster gone, I am free to activate any number of Magic card on any turn now! That being said..." Junes then took off running, searching for an Action Card. He may not needed to rely on them before, and his lone monster may be much stronger than Qing's, but there was no telling what she drew from the card. And he only had one set card to back up Holy Queen, which may not be enough. He had to find an Action Card.
Qing noticed the action and also ran to find an Action Card. She glanced at her hand and saw the cards she needed that could help her. "I now summon Naturu Dragonfly!" As she slapped one of the cards down on her duel disk, her dragonfly monster appeared by her side.
Naturu Dragonfly: Level 4/EARTH/Insect/1200 ATK/400 DEF
"For each 'Naturu' monster in my Graveyard, he gains 200 ATK! In my Graveyard are Strawberry, White Oak, Ladybug, Butterfly, Rosewhip, and Stinkbug! That's six monsters, and a boost of 1200!" Qing added, as her newly summoned monster grew big from the boost.
Naturu Dragonfly: 1200 + 1200 = 2400 ATK
"And what point is there if your monster can't even lay a single leg on my queen?" Junes questioned. Up ahead, he then saw an Action card on a vine and leapt up for it. He got the card and subsequently activated it. "Action Magic, Jungle Fever! This destroys a monster on my opponent's field with the highest ATK! Too bad for your dragon!"
As he said that, a swarm of bugs appeared from the jungle and assaulted Qing's Synchro Monster, causing it to be destroyed. At the same time, though, Dragonfly grew bigger, as there was another 'Naturu' monster added in Qing's Graveyard.
(Jungle Fever: Action Magic: Destroy one monster on your opponent's field with the highest ATK. Your choice if tied.)
Naturu Dragonfly: 2400 + 200 = 2600 ATK
"And with that monster gone, I can freely activate my Trap Card with ease. And as for you, this is the end of the line for you!"
"Says who? I activate the Magic Card, Parallel Twister!" Qing continued. "At the cost of sending one other Magic or Trap Card I control to the Graveyard, I can destroy one card on the field!"
"Say what?!" Junes gasped, skidding to a stop in shock at the card's effect. A strong wind then blew, and surrounded Qing's Naturu Deer in the Pendulum Zone.
"Pendulum Cards are treated as Magic cards while in the Pendulum Zone. I send Naturu Deer to the Graveyard as per the requirement for using Parallel Twister."
"I'm not letting you destroy my monster! Trap Card, Chronicle Re-Wind! This turn, 'Chronicle Knight' monsters I control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect! And any monster that battles 'Chronicle Knight' monster this turn will get banished during the End Phase!" Junes exclaimed, as a sort of counter wind was put up around Holy Queen, protecting her.
(Chronicle Re-Wind: Normal Trap: This turn, 'Chronicle Knight' monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect. Any monster that battles a 'Chronicle Knight' monster this turn will be banished during the End Phase. If a 'Chronicle Knight' monster you control is to be destroyed by battle or card effect while this card is in your Graveyard, you may banish this card from your Graveyard instead.)
"I never said I was targeting her. The card I will destroy is Naturu Worm, also in my Pendulum Scale!" Much to the knight duelist's confusion, a twister came and struck Qing's other Pendulum card, sending it away from the field.
Naturu Dragonfly: 2600 + 200 = 2800 ATK
"Why do that? Even if you give your monster a small boost, it won't be enough to even harm my queen."
Rather than giving a straight answer, Qing resumed her move. "Now with the scales cleared up, I, using the Scale 4 Naturu Weed and the Scale 5 Naturu Firefly, set the Pendulum Scale!" As she said this, she slapped two more cards on her disk, calling out a marijuana-looking monster with eyes and leafy arms and her firefly pendulum monster.
(Naturu Weed: Pendulum Effect Monster: (Pendulum) During your turn, when a card or an effect is activated, you may send one card from your deck to the Graveyard. Each time a card is sent from deck to Graveyard this way, increase or decrease this card's scale until the End Phase. (Monster) Once per turn, if your opponent targets a monster you control by card effect, change the target to a monster your opponent controls instead.)
"Naturu Weed's effect! During my turn, when a card or effect is activated, I send one card from my deck to the Graveyard! And each time a card is sent from the deck to the Graveyard this way, I increase or decrease its scale! Since Firefly was activated after it, the condition is met! I send Naturu Stag Beetle to the Graveyard! Not only does Weed's scale decrease to 3 by her own effect, but Dragonfly gains more power!"
Naturu Weed: Scale 4 - 1 = 3
Naturu Dragonfly: 2800 + 200 = 3000 ATK
Junes felt a bit nerved at how fast the girl's monster's ATK was catching up to his own monster's. Thankfully, though, his Life Points were still full, and unless if Qing had other ways of sending more 'Naturu' cards to her Graveyard, her monster was still weaker. Not only that...
"You forget. Even if you changed your scales, they mean nothing since you can't Pendulum Summon this duel," he reminded.
"I haven't forgotten that. But you don't seem to realize that I can still use their effects! I activate Naturu Firefly's Pendulum Effect! Once per turn, I can Xyz Summon an EARTH Xyz Monster using 'Naturu' monsters in my Graveyard!"
Hearing that shocked Junes to no end. He saw from her duels that she was able to conduct different summon methods for different decks, with some Pendulum mixed in it, but for her to be able to conduct multiple summon methods in one?!
"Through Firefly's Pendulum Effect, I overlay the Level 6 Naturu Parkion and Stag Beetle in my Graveyard! And from them, I conduct the Overlay Network!" As Qing said that, Firefly's light lit up brightly, creating a small portal before it. From the portal, Parkion and Stag Beetle flew out and turned into brown lights of energy, flying straight into a familiar starry portal before their duelist. "Formed by nature's crisis! Descend now and protect those remaining! XYZ SUMMON! Rank 6, Naturu Mother Eagle!" Emerging from the portal was the Xyz Monster that appeared from her duel against Reiji.
Naturu Mother Eagle: Rank 6/EARTH/Winged-Beast/2800 ATK/2500 DEF
"Because I used two 'Naturu' monsters in my Graveyard for Mother Eagle's summon, Dragonfly's ATK is reduced. However, with Mother Eagle's effect, since a Synchro Monster is being used as its Overlay Unit, all 'Naturu' monsters on my field gain 500 ATK and DEF! And furthermore, because I summoned her using a card effect, Weed's Pendulum Effect activates! Allowing me to send another card to my Graveyard! The card I'll send this time is Naturu Antjaw, thus boosting Dragonfly's ATK by 200 again!" Pollen had spread out from the eagle Xyz Monster's chest, granting itself and Dragonfly more boost in power.
Naturu Mother Eagle: 2800 + 500 = 3300 ATK/2500 + 500 = 3000 DEF
Naturu Dragonfly: 3000 + 300 = 3300 ATK/400 + 500 = 900 DEF
Naturu Weed: Scale 3 - 1 = 2
"Two monsters with 3300 ATK?!" Junes gasped in shock and awe. "But even so, Holy Queen is still stronger! And even if you do boost your monsters up any more, all you will be doing is dealing but a bit of damage to me; Holy Queen can't be destroyed this turn!"
"Who said they're both going to attack? Magic card, Nature's Gift! With this card's effect, I target two 'Naturu' monsters on my field! The first one loses all their ATK points while the second gains the ATK lost! And because I'm activating a card, Weed's Pendulum effect activates again! This time I'll send Naturu Sunflower!" The effect shocked Junes, as he witnessed a green aura surrounding Mother Eagle and Dragonfly. The aura from the Insect-type monster stretched over to the former, signifying the transfer in power.
Naturu Mother Eagle: 3300 - 3300 = 0 ATK
Naturu Dragonfly: 3300 + 200 + 3300 = 6800 ATK
Naturu Weed: Scale 2 - 1 = 1
(Nature's Gift: Normal Magic: Target two 'Naturu' monsters on your field. Reduce the first target's ATK to 0 and raise the second target by the exact amount.)
The 'Chronicle Knight' duelist widened his eyes at the great boost in power and looked back at the field for an Action Card. Relief overcame him, as he saw one on a tree branch and leapt up to it.
"Battle! Naturu Dragonfly! Attack Holy Queen of the Chronicle Knight!" At her order, the dragonfly flew towards Holy Queen at breakneck speed.
Though his Ritual Monster cannot be destroyed this turn, that didn't mean Junes was willing to take the load of damage from this one attack. "Action Magic, Selection of Miracle! I can choose between negating my monster's destruction through battle or taking half the damage from the battle! Of course, I'll choose the second effect!" As he said this, Holy Queen brought her blade up to block the attack. She took the hit head on, all while protecting her duelist from half of the damage.
Qing: 1000 LP
Junes: 2300 LP
"Also, since you attacked my monster, at the End Phase, it will be banished! And next turn is your doom!"
"I wonder about that. Naturu Holy Tree's effect! I now switch Naturu Dragonfly for an EARTH Plant-type monster! Appear now, Naturu Beans!" As she said this, Dragonfly's color began to change green and its form changed shape again.
Naturu Beans: Level 2/EARTH/Plant/100 + 500 = 600 ATK/1200 + 500 = 1700 DEF
"I set one card face-down and end my turn!"
Junes stopped in his track upon seeing the weak end of Qing's turn. "That's all you got? I kind of expected more. Guess you're really nothing but talk. My turn! Draw!" He drew his next card. "Time to end this! Holy Queen! Attack Mother Eagle! Queen's Luminous!" At Junes's order, the Ritual Monster's sword glowed as she charged towards her opponent once more. "And at this time, Holy Queen's effect allows her to gain extra ATK boost, as well as prevent the activation of Magic and Trap card this turn!"
"No she won't. There's a reason why I kept Mother Eagle out. I activate her effect! When my opponent activates a monster effect, by detaching one of its Overlay Units, the effect is negated! Furthermore, if the effect was from a monster on the field, that monster's ATK is halved! Grand Down!" Mother Eagle took in one of its units in its mouth and let out a loud cry, summoning roots and vines to restrain Holy Queen, leaving only her sword arm free.
Holy Queen of Chronicle Knight: 3400 / 2 = 1700 ATK
"But that doesn't stop the attack!" Junes pointed out, his monster closing in on her target.
"Never intended on it. Holy Tree's effect! Beans! Switch!" The pair of pea monsters leapt into the pod where the third pea was and zipped up the pouch, changing into something else.
"That won't help you!" Holy Queen brought her sword down on Mother Queen, resulting in its destruction. Not only that, but for some reason...
Qing: 1000 LP
Junes: 600 LP
"What?! What the hell happened?! Why did my Life Points decrease?!" Junes gasped.
"You probably should've waited a bit, Mr. Knight," Qing said. "The monster I summoned from Holy Tree's effect was Naturu Mosquito. And thanks to him, any battle damage I was to take involving other 'Naturu' monsters is inflicted on my opponent instead. And with the battle over, I activate the Trap Card, Monster Rebloom! If a Plant-type or 'Naturu' monster is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon that monster back in the same position it was in when it was destroyed! Be reborn, Naturu Mother Eagle!" Upon the activation of the card she had set, Qing's Xyz Monster returned to the field.
Naturu Mosquito: Level 1/EARTH/Insect/200 ATK/300 DEF
(Monster Rebloom: Normal Trap: When a Plant-type or 'Naturu' monster is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon that monster back on the same field it was on in the same position it was in when it was destroyed.)
"And while I have another 'Naturu' monster on the field, Mosquito cannot be targeted for an attack!"
"Then I'll just get rid of it again! From my hand I activate the Instant Magic, Chronicle Story! If a monster is Special Summoned during the Battle Phase, the summon is negated and destroyed!" As the 'Chronicle Knight' duelist say this, a powerful wind blew in the area.
(Chronicle Story: Instant Magic: If a monster is Special Summoned during the Battle Phase while you control a 'Chronicle Knight' monster, negate the summon and destroy it.)
Qing spotted an Action card up a tree on a bird's nest and leapt up to reach it. However, the card she got wasn't one that could help her monster, as she watched it be destroyed once more.
"You said 'other' 'Naturu' monsters will force me to take damage. In other words, Mosquito's effect can't save himself, nor you from this attack! With Holy Queen, I atta-"
"Action Magic, Wild Call! By banishing a card in my Graveyard, I can activate its effect! In the case of a monster, if I control a monster on my field, the effect is added to the monster I control! I banish Butterfly from my Graveyard and pass her effect to Mosquito!" As the You Show Duelist activated her recently obtained card, the spirit of Naturu Butterfly appeared by Mosquito's side and merged with it.
(Wild Call: Action Magic: Banish one card in your Graveyard. If the card banished is a Spell or Trap card, you may activate its effect. If the card is a monster, target one monster you control; this turn, that monster gains the effect of the banished monster.)
Junes knew he would just be wasting his breath if he were to order an attack, for Holy Queen cannot stop the activation of a monster effect. And the last card in his hand was a high level monster that he couldn't summon out, so there was nothing else he could do. "I end my turn."
"Then it's my turn!" Qing placed her hand on her deck. If she could draw out a 'Naturu' monster card, she could win the duel. However, in the event that she drew anything else, she would definitely lose. "Draw!" She drew her next card at last and glanced at it. A smirk formed on her face upon seeing the card she drew. "All right! I summon Naturu Cherry!" Now on her field next to her Mosquito was her cherry Tuner monster.
Naturu Cherry: Level 1/EARTH/Plant/Tuner/200 ATK/200 DEF
"Now to finish this! I attack Holy Queen with Naturu Cherry!" Upon Qing's order, her newly summoned monster charged at the Ritual Monster.
Junes looked around and saw no sign of an Action Card anywhere. And there was nothing on his field or Graveyard that could stop the attack. Left with very little option, as an honorable knight, he stood and met his fate.
Qing: 1000 LP
Junes: 000 LP
WINNER: QING!
With the duel finally over, Qing took a breather, as her monsters and Junes's faded away. "Whew. That was a close one..." she sighed.
Junes approached Qing, a card in hand. "Gotta say. I didn't expect you to be that lucky in that duel," he said.
"Me? What about you? I thought Ritual Summon wasn't a thing here. Heck, I don't think I've seen anyone do it in LDS," Qing stated, accepting the card she won in the ante-duel.
"Doesn't mean no one use them these days. I prefer the classics, really. Besides, cards shouldn't be forgotten for any reason. And the 'Chronicle Knights'? It's just the sort of deck for me."
Hearing out his reason for using his selected deck brought a faint smile on Qing's face. As he said, no card deserve to be forgotten in favor for new and powerful cards. Back home, she rarely saw her friends perform the summon as well. When a certain couple do use them, though, they were quite the force to be reckoned with then. She didn't want to admit it much, but she missed facing up against a strong Ritual-user.
"By the way, you asked earlier if I was a You Show duelist. Why ask that?" Qing recalled.
Junes blushed at the question asked and looked away, lightly scratching his cheek. "Well... It's... Nothing."
Qing raised a brow at the response. There was no way he asked such a question for no reason. Before she could ask any further, Junes turned and walked. "Tournament is still going on. See you around, I guess."
Just as Qing wanted to question him, she heard her Duel Disk beep. She looked down and saw a message from Reiji. She opened it and read the contents, which explained the true intention behind the Battle Royale. Turns out, it was to act as a sort of cover for when duelists from the Academia attack, as well as to scout out potential duelists to fight against the enemy. Allies he called Lancers. Adding on to that, he asked her to help in the scout, as Shun and Azuma were doing, thus explaining their absence. Assisting in their battle against the Academia duelists would be the top 8 duelists of the Youth Championship, whom would be candidates of the Lancers and were already filled in on the information of the other dimensions.
"I hope he knows there's a thing called 'giving a heads up'," Qing muttered, as she finished reading the message. "Still, at least it explains the Battle Royale. If he wants me to find potential members to help, I can already think of a few who can. As for the others... I'll have to see for myself."