Starting Notes:

Welcome back! This chapter took me a while… well, everything except the main duel was written in like a day, but the main duel was really troublesome. Still though, got there in the end! We all already know what the main event is—let's get into it!


Chapter 63: Silver Metal, White Scars

"... hmm. It's raining." Makoto raised a hand in the air. Arisu watched him, looking rather tired. Chino had wandered off by herself—ostensibly to check out something that she'd seen in the distance. "Looks like things are only going to get worse, visibility-wise." For a moment, his fingers pressed to his side—feeling the ache of a certain scar acting up. "Do you know where the boss dispatched Kaname to?"

"I'll never understand that tradition that the two of you have," Arisu remarked. She was still understandably annoyed with them, but even so, her gaze had softened when he'd mentioned the rain. "The two of you always spend the whole day together when it's raining."

"It's a secret," Makoto said dryly. The rain was coming down in a light drizzle, though it seemed like it was going to get worse. He tugged at his jacket, zipping it up. "Ask your sister. I'm sure she'll explain it to you."

Arisu shot him an unimpressed look. And alright, maybe that joke had been slightly uncalled for, but Kaname never seemed to mind when he made them.

"With a sharp tongue like yours, I'm surprised that my delicate sister even likes you in the first place."

"Delicate? Have you met your sister?"

Arisu shrugged. "More delicate than any of us, anyway." She hesitated on her next words. "My father told me once that quiet kids like her usually come with a lot of baggage that they can't let go of. In a sense, the reason I became so close with her, initially, was that I wanted to help her. Is that the same for you?"

"Nope." Makoto stuck his hands in his pockets. "... I never had the intention of helping her. The only one who can help us is ourselves."

"... that," Arisu murmured, glancing away from him, "is a thought that you only have because no one ever reached out a hand to you."

And that was straying too close to certain things that he did not want to talk about.

"Then," Arisu said, changing the topic, "why do you like her?"

Makoto's head jolted up.

"You do like her, don't you? My sister? You literally hold her hand sometimes—I'm not that oblivious."

It was just so that he wouldn't lose her in a crowd, considering her lack of presence. Or at least, that was his usual excuse.

"... hard pass on that question."

"Why are you guarding this hospital then?"

Right. The two of them were currently near a district with the main city hospital there. Most of the doctors and nurses had holed themselves up in it as well—they clearly didn't want to go out and help others, if they would be put in danger themselves.

And fine. Medical personnel was important.

If this city was going to recover from all of… this

(A laser shot past overhead.)

They would need people that could treat the injuries of those who had fought.

Even so…

Would these bastards even be willing to treat them?

… he was getting distracted again.

"My sister's in this hospital," he finally said.

"Your sister…" Arisu blinked. "Isn't she a Commons—"

"Yes." The word came out with such sharp vehemence that Arisu took a step away from him. Makoto grimaced. "... sorry. It's a sensitive subject."

"No. It's fine. I'm sorry too."

And the atmosphere might have gotten more awkward, if three of those large mechanical giants hadn't shown up at that exact moment.

"... at this point, it's just boring." Makoto raised his duel disk. "Come up. We'll knock them down, and then you'll stare at me disapprovingly and stop me from getting rid of them. It's a tradition at this point, Miss Stick-In-The-Mud."

Arisu sighed. She didn't seem annoyed though—and she raised her duel disk in tandem with him. "That's how it should go. And you aren't going to change my mind."

[INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000LP]

Makoto Toyama: 4000 - 2000 = 2000LP

Arisu Kirijo: 4000 - 2000 = 2000LP

Obelisk Force Red: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Green: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000LP

[Turn 4: Arisu] [H:5]

"Shall we run through the usual?" Makoto said.

"It seems like the best play. We've already fought these ones—immune to Spells and Traps, and stops monster effects from activating during the Battle Phase."

Makoto put it aptly. "Hilarious." Bad matchup for Chino's Naturias, but even she had answers to them. It would just take a lot of Mole Cricket and Fruitfly spam. However…

Those effects did pretty much nothing to either him or Arisu.

After all…

"Normal Summoning Crystron Citree," Arisu declared. The small, feminine creature shaped like a girl appeared, its body made of bright yellow-orange crystal. Black checkers and patterns decorated the girl's body.

[Crystron Citree (2*/500/500/WATER/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"I'll then activate the Spell Card, Machine Duplication!" Arisu continued. "I can target a Machine monster I control with 500 or less attack points and Special Summon up to two monsters from the deck with the same name as that monster!" Two copies of Crystron Citree appeared on the field. "Then, I'll activate the Field Spell, Crystolic Potential. And by discarding a card, I will Special Summon Crystron Sulfefnir." The yellow and green beast appeared on the field—Arisu's main playmaker.

[Crystron Sulfefnir (5*/2000/1500/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

"When Sulfefnir is Special Summoned, I must destroy a card I control," Arisu said. "I will destroy one of my Citrees. And then, I'll tune the two Level 2 Citrees to the Level 5 Sulfefnir."

The three monsters shot up.

"A Synchro Summon with two Tuners?" One of their opponents exclaimed. Makoto snorted. He didn't have any clue where Arisu had picked that up either, considering that the only other person who he'd found out could use Double Tuning was Jack Atlas, and he was pretty sure that Arisu had no connection to the Duel King whatsoever.

Arisu's purple hair whipped up in an invisible breeze as she snapped her fingers.

"Crystalline, perfect gem that speeds through time! Golden perfection feeding into the evolution of the crystals of the water! Now, emerge, golden lord! Double Tuning! Synchro Summon! Level 9! Crystron Quariongandrax!" One of her two strongest monsters appeared on the field, blue gems glowing under its golden armour. Its black and yellow wings spread out behind it, each larger than the size of a person.

[Crystron Quariongandrax (9*/3000/3000/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"When Quariongandrax is Synchro Summoned, for each of its Synchro Materials, I can target a monster that my opponent controls or in their graveyard, and banish them," Arisu said.

"What?"

"I will target each and every one of your Antique Gear Chaos Giants! Golden Vaporisation!"

Just like that, Quariongandrax struck—and all three of their opponent's powerful monsters were swept off the field by the blast.

Arisu glanced over at him.

Makoto nodded.

The two of them didn't work together much, on account of Arisu's partner (on paper) technically being Chino. At the same time, they did know each other's strengths well enough.

The field had been cleared. He'd have to be the one to output the rest of the damage.

"With Crystolic Potential, all "Crystron" monsters I control gain 300 attack and defense points."

[Crystron Quariongandrax: 3000 + 300 = 3300ATK/DEF]

"I will then banish Crystron Thystvern from my graveyard to add a "Crystron" monster from my deck to my hand." She picked up the card. "I'll Normal Summon Crystron Rosenix." The soft, rose red phoenix appeared, letting out a trilling sound, chains of crystals swinging through the air.

[Crystron Rosenix (4*/1800/1000/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

[Crystron Rosenix: 1800 + 300 = 2100ATK; 1000 + 300 = 1300DEF]

"I'll have Rosenix attack the one with the red jewel, and Quariongandrax attack the one with the green jewel." The two monsters shot forward, lowering the life points of two of the soldiers in front of them.

(Soldiers? Makoto wanted to snort. All he saw was children playing dress-up.)

Obelisk Force Red: 4000 - 2100 = 1900LP

Obelisk Force Green: 4000 - 3300 = 700LP

"I'll end my turn. Since I Synchro Summoned one "Crystron" Synchro Monster this turn, I can draw a card with my Field Spell's effect." She turned towards him. "Well, Makoto?"

"Please. If there's one thing I'm good at doing, it's dealing damage." Makoto reached for a card in his hand immediately. "One at full health, one in the yellow and one in the red? If I couldn't take them all out, I'd have to retire."

[Turn 5: Makoto] [H:5]

"Quickplay Spell, Dragunity Whirlwind! Since only my opponent controls a monster, I can Special Summon a "Dragunity" Tuner and a "Dragunity" Winged Beast monster from my deck, but their effects are negated. Arisu counts as my opponent, so this effect works. Come—Dragunity Couse, Dragunity Miltium!" The two monsters emerged from his deck—a blue dragon with a grey blade attached to its head. Dark grey armour surrounded other parts of its body as well.

[Dragunity Couse (2*/1000/200/WIND/Dragon/Tuner/Effect)]

[Dragunity Miltium (4*/1700/1200/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

"Then, since my opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can immediately perform a Synchro Summon of a Dragon Synchro Monster using only "Dragunity" monsters I control. I will tune the Level 2 Dragunity Couse to the Level 4 Dragunity Miltium! Amethyst courage lying within the heart of the sturdy warrior! Riding atop the brave dragon of the mountaintops, let your glory shine across valleys! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Dragunity Knight - Luin!" The bright purple dragon with a softer, blue underbelly appeared, red eyes glaring out from within its head, glowing slightly. A sharp, dark blade could be seen peeking out from the top of its head, slashing through the air. It seemed like a natural fit in the rain.

[Dragunity Knight - Luin (6*/1200/2900/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

"However, for the rest of the turn after I use Dragunity Whirlwind, I can't Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except for Dragon monsters." Makoto clicked his tongue. "Luin's effect. When it's Special Summoned, I can equip a "Dragunity" monster from the graveyard to it. I'll equip Dragunity Couse to it. And with Couse's effect, if it is currently equipped to a monster, I can Special Summon it." The tiny blue dragon reappeared.

He glanced at the life points of his opponents again.

… got it.

"I will activate the Continuous Spell, Dragunity Draft. With its effect, when activated, I can add a Level 4 or lower "Dragunity" monster from my graveyard to my hand." He revealed the card. "I'll Normal Summon Dragunity Miltium." Miltium reappeared. "And I'll tune the Level 6 Dragunity Knight - Luin to the Level 4 Dragunity Miltium."

Maybe he was getting a little lazy, but…

If there was one thing that he had learned very quickly when he had first begun learning to duel (right around the time when he had joined Security, actually, and every time that he thought about people calling him a prodigy, he wanted to punch something), it was that when in doubt, the answer was always Ascalon.

"Fire, form the explosive star that floats over the chasm of the world beyond us! Be seen by the ice and the wind and bury the world in your light! Synchro Summon! Level 10! Dragunity Knight - Ascalon!" The dragon with sunrise-coloured scales appeared, its golden flames bursting forth around it.

[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon (10*/3300/3200/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

"Luin equips itself to Ascalon and gives it 1000 attack and defense points," Makoto explained.

[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon: 3300 + 1000 = 4300ATK; 3200 + 1000 = 4200DEF]

"But you only have two monsters now!"

"Oh no, whatever shall I do? You're correct!" Makoto's sarcasm seemed to actually get through to the three opponents, who shot him confused looks. "Equip Spell, Dragunity Divine Lance. I will equip this to Ascalon, and I can equip a Dragon "Dragunity" monster from my deck to my monster. I'll choose Dragunity Brandistock. Oh, and Ascalon also gains 100 attack points times its Level."

[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon: 4300 + 100 x 10 = 5300ATK]

"And the monster equipped with Brandistock can attack twice." Makoto gestured forward. "Ascalon attacks you, yellow, and you, red. And Couse finishes off green." He swept the rest of their opponents' life points away.

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 - 5300 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Red: 1900 - 5300 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Green: 700 - 1000 = 0LP

Winner: Arisu Kirijo & Makoto Toyama!

Makoto's fingers trailed over the carding button.

… but Arisu was right there, and the thought of her disappointment stayed his hand for a moment.

(That was the difference, of course. Chino was his best friend, and the two of them arguably enabled the worst in each other, both personality and dueling-wise. But the fact that he cared about the opinion of Arisu always held him back a little.)

So he took a step back and watched as the three of them teleported away.

"You know, every time I see you duel," Arisu said, "I wonder how much good you could do if you didn't work for Roget."

"Not everyone wants to be altruistic like you. And I'm not a gentle person." Their radios beeped at the same time. "Hmm? The boss is calling us now? Why?"


Waking up was, as usual, difficult.

It felt like swimming to the surface of a pool after floating beneath it for a long time. Heavy. Tiring.

Miharu Kogami opened her eyes. She was lying in a cot—one of those movable beds that one might find in hospitals. The entire room stank of medicine and disinfectant. Her limbs felt… tired. Disconnected. She slowly got up—sweat was clinging to her body. Her forehead and the back of her neck, her hands and her legs—her skin felt clammy. Had she been running a fever?

… right.

(The night had moved on, but she had been asleep. Thus, to her, it was like no time had passed at all since that terrible moment.)

Alright.

Fact one. She was clearly in a locked room. There was no one else here—meaning that this was intended to imprison her.

Fact two. The time was… just before five in the morning, according to her duel disk. Meaning that roughly ten hours or so had passed.

Fact three. Yuno was not here. Meaning that something had happened to stop him, and he was in danger.

Yuno was in danger.

Miharu stared at the grey walls around her, and then, at the dull sleeves of her jacket.

Oh.

It had happened again.

This had been happening as long as she could remember—but not like this in a very long time.

When she was nine, her father had been taken aback by her admission that there were some moments when she couldn't stand to see anyone—those moments when it felt like she couldn't care about anything else at all, like she just wanted to sit in a corner somewhere until she stopped feeling so empty. He had taken her to a psychiatrist. Miharu had acted as normally as she could, but in the end, the doctor had still said that those 'grey' moments were a symptom of something else. That there was a chance that they could worsen and last longer, if she ended up suffering from an episode.

Miharu had searched up 'depression' once she had gotten home from that appointment, and she had looked at those long passages. There had been some parts where she had stopped and thought oh. That explains things. It had been an uncomfortable experience, and she had quietly boxed those feelings and that knowledge up in the back of her mind, so that she could ignore them for the rest of her life.

When she had her particularly bad moments with this… condition of hers, everything would go blurry around the edges. It would be hard to tell the difference between colours at all—and so, that was why everything would lose its colour. At first, things would just be a little blurry, and similar colours would blend together—but the worse that she felt, the worse it would get.

And right now, she could barely see the details on anything around her—just blurry grey textures.

Miharu closed her eyes.

No. Focus.

Yes. Right now, she couldn't possibly be in a worse mental state. However…

She had possibly the least information of anyone in the Lancers right now, depending on how everything was playing out outside. The only thing that she knew for sure was that Roget was an enemy, and that if she was here, it was likely that something had befallen her comrades. Something terrible.

I need to make myself useful, even in this state.

She tried to think about what had happened before she had fallen unconscious—and it hit her with such sharp emotional turmoil that she immediately cut herself off.

Alright. Thinking about that will only cripple my ability to act.

First. I need to get out of here. Either that, or if I fail to, I need to make contact with the outside. Even if I cannot physically leave, I can still try to provide valuable intel for my team, or establish communications.

In a situation like this, the one thing that I cannot do is be a fool and let my emotions get the better of me… otherwise, others will suffer for me.

Breathe.

She slowly managed to move her legs, which was progress. She glanced down at the floor, her vision spinning slightly.

Her bag had been tossed on the ground. However—and this was possibly the most illogical thing that Miharu had ever witnessed—her belongings hadn't been confiscated. She checked her laptop, and found in relief that no one had managed to crack her passwords. The corner of the screen was chipped, but that could easily be replaced.

Alright.

She turned on the screen.

… her head was spinning on the inside—in different directions.

Have to get out of here get out open digital lock—

Call Lancers ask them about things check if they're alive—

Find Yuno—

The moment that she even thought of his name again, her vision went dark for a brief second, and she had to take a moment before her hands would stop shaking. Knowing that trying to blink the shadows away wouldn't work, she just took deep breaths until she could at least see her fingers again—albeit, they were still blurry in her vision.

Focus.

Focus.

If you break down now…

You just have to keep going on.

Yu—

Reira, and everyone, and everything that has happened—

No one can rescue you except for yourself.

It was no use. And that was what made her bury her head in her knees in frustration and shame.

No matter how strong she became, no matter how much she honed her skills…

What was the use of it, if her mind still trapped her like this?


Yugo would like to state, for the record, that he had at least tried to convince his sister to let him be the one to duel. Of course, he had failed miserably, but he'd definitely tried.

(Kaname had just shot him a look of such disappointment that his protests had all shrivelled up in his throat.)

(She had signed for a while, and Yugo had watched with a strange feeling burning his eyes.)

(I've known for a long time that to defend you is to betray father… and to defend father is to betray you. I've been stuck feeling like this—like I'm betraying someone no matter what I do, for a long time. But this man is the enemy of all of us. He wants to kill father, and he wants to kill you. So, for the first time in three years, I don't have to betray either of you. I can protect both of you at once. Please give me this chance.)

(How was he supposed to argue with that?)

So there he was, seated against the wall, as his sister turned towards Ryo Marufuji.

"So, it's you? The one working for Roget?"

Kaname responded with a sharp shrug.

"You seem less worn out than your brother. It's a good decision on your part to take the lead—though I sense that it's not entirely based on logic." Ryo raised his duel disk. "Very well then—this suits my purposes. When I win, you will hand over the keycard in your possession. If I lose, you may take my life. Shall those be our stakes?"

She lifted her right hand, making an 'okay' sign.

"Very well. If those terms are agreeable—shall we begin?"

[DUEL!]

Ryo Marufuji: 4000LP

Kaname Mizuchi: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Kaname] [H:5]

"The player Normal Summons Lifeless Leaffish." The pale white fish with blue flames forming its eyes appeared in front of her.

[Lifeless Leaffish (4*/1500/1600/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"When Lifeless Leaffish is Summoned, the player can send a Fish monster from their deck to the graveyard. Then, the player activates the Field Spell, The Most Distant, Deepest Depths. With its effect, by banishing a Fish monster from the graveyard, the player can add a "Ghoti" monster from their deck to their hand." She glanced at Ryo. "The player activates the Spell Card, Graceful Charity. They draw three cards and discard two cards. Afterwards, the player sets one card facedown and ends their turn."

"... just like that? A single Normal Summon and pass?" Ryo tilted his head. "No, your monsters work off being banished, correct? So there's likely more to this."

Yes, but…

Yugo grimaced.

Even so, that turn wasn't nearly as good as Kaname's turns usually were. She could have activated the Field Spell first and banished Lifeless Leaffish from her hand to add one of the Fish monsters that could Special Summon themselves to her hand… but she hadn't. What was the meaning of that?

Wait…

She couldn't possibly be choosing to hold back. In that case…

Had she bricked in a duel against the most dangerous person Yugo had ever seen?

[Turn 2: Ryo] [H:6]

"Draw." Ryo glanced through his hand, picking out a card from his deck swiftly.

"During the Standby Phase after Paces, Light of the Ghoti was banished, the player can Special Summon it back to the field." The small white octopus appeared on the field, floating slightly.

[Paces, Light of the Ghoti (2*/0/0/WATER/Fish/Tuner/Effect)]

"Hmm… I see. I will Normal Summon Cyber Dragon Core." A thin grey, mechanical serpent-like monster appeared, slinking on the ground.

[Cyber Dragon Core (2*/400/1500/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)]

"And when Cyber Dragon Core is Normal Summoned, I can add a "Cyber" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. Next, I'll activate the Spell Card, Power Bond. I can perform a Fusion Summon of a Machine Fusion Monster using cards in my hand and on my field. I will fuse Cyber Dragon Core on the field with Cyber Dragon Herz in my hand." The two monsters glowed and vanished. "Appear, chimeric paradox! With the destruction that runs through your body, bring me victory! Fusion Summon! Level 5! Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!"

A strange amalgamation of parts appeared, with two heads sticking out of a large black, metallic solid. Red lines ran through it, looking rather sinister. Green and red light could be seen reflecting on the shining metal of the two dragon heads. Twisting in on itself, the dragon let out a loud, mangled roar.

[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon (5*/2100/1600/DARK/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"Cyber Dragon Herz's effect will let me add Cyber Dragon from my deck to my hand." He added yet another card to his hand. "When Chimeratech Rampage Dragon is Fusion Summoned, I can target Spells and Traps on the field, up to the number of materials used for its Fusion Summon, and destroy them! I will target and destroy your set card and your Field Spell!"

"The player will activate the effect of Paces, Light of the Ghoti. The player will chain the Trap Card, Ghoti Chain as well. By banishing a Fish monster they control, they can Special Summon a "Ghoti" monster from the hand, deck, graveyard or banished cards with a different name from that monster, but the summoned monster is banished when it leaves the field. The player will banish Lifeless Leaffish and Special Summon Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti from the deck." The large squid appeared on the field in place of the white seadragon, wiggling about.

[Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti (6*/2100/0/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"Paces's effect resolves. The player can perform a Synchro Summon immediately using monsters they control, including Paces itself. The player will tune the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 6 Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti. Beautiful flying fish floating in the reaches of the extraterrestrial oceans, crush the universe beneath your beautiful, pale power. Synchro Summon. Level 8. Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti." The long, thin fish appeared, its horns gleaming bright white.

[Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti (8*/2700/0/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"But Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's effect now resolves!"

"The Most Distant, Deepest Depths cannot be destroyed while the player controls a Fish Synchro Monster."

Ghoti Chain was still destroyed, since it didn't leave the field until the chain was resolved. However, her Field Spell remained on the field, as difficult to deal with as ever.

"The effects of Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti and Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti activate. The player will banish Paces, Light of the Ghoti from the graveyard to add Snopios, which was banished by the effect of Ghoti Chain, to their hand. Then, Askaan's effect activates. The player banishes Askaan from the field, and Chimeratech Rampage Dragon from the opponent's field."

"... hmm. I see. An intention to make yourself appear fragile, and then strike at me the moment that I attempt to exploit it." Ryo nodded. "Your field looked immensely fragile when I first observed it, but everything was calculated for this exact move. Well done."

After a moment longer, Yugo understood. Kaname had definitely bricked, but… the play that she had made was entirely intended to capitalise on the typical aggressive playstyle that Academia followed—a single strong attacker. She had planned to remove it from the field, and with it, reduce Ryo's control over the field.

However, unlike most of Academia, Ryo had not lost much hand advantage with that move.

The blue-haired man continued talking. "However, I am hardly one to be felled by such trickery. Quickplay Spell, Forbidden Chalice! I will target your monster and negate its effects!"

Askaan let out a sharp hissing sound, but as its effects were negated—neither of the monsters left the field.

"Your monster does gain 400 attack points though."

[Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti: 2700 + 400 = 3100ATK]

Yugo grimaced. Kaname didn't seem fazed, despite her ploy failing.

Ryo glanced through the four cards in his hand, before he gestured forward.

"The monster Special Summoned with Power Bond gains attack points equal to its original attack points," Ryo explained.

[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon: 2100 + 2100 = 4200ATK]

Yugo's eyes widened.

"Then, with the effect of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, I will send up to two LIGHT Machine monsters from my deck to the graveyard, and for each monster I send to the graveyard, Rampage Dragon gains an additional attack during the Battle Phase."

"Wait, that means…" Yugo gasped.

"I will send two of my monsters from my deck to the graveyard." Chimeratech Rampage Dragon roared loudly. "And thus, my monster can attack three times this turn!"

"Three attacks with 4200 attack points…"

"No set cards left," Ryo said. "It seems that even such a simple move is enough for you. Chimeratech Rampage Dragon attacks Askaan!" The dragon's head struck forward, glimmering with red light.

"When the opponent attacks a Fish, Aqua or Sea Serpent monster that the player controls, the player banishes Friller Rabca from the graveyard to negate the attack." A small yellow fish shot up, defending Askaan. "Then, the attacking monster loses 500 attack points until the next End Phase."

[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon: 4200 - 500 = 3700ATK]

"I see," Ryo said. "But it doesn't change things. The second attack!"

Kaname's gaze flickered up, and Yugo felt his panic dissipate.

There was no fear in that look on her face.

A simple hand gesture. Freeze.

"The player banishes the Trap Card, Ice Barrier, from the graveyard."

Ryo narrowed his eyes. "I see… then, the two cards that you sent to the graveyard with Graceful Charity… they were likely clogging up your hand because they were no use in an offensive capacity, or in a way that could build up your field. However, they're the kinds of cards that can… keep you alive."

"The player can send a Level 5 or higher WATER monster from the deck to the graveyard. Then, the player can add a WATER monster from their graveyard to their hand, but they cannot Special Summon monsters until the End Phase of their next turn after this effect resolves, except WATER monsters."

"But you have no WATER monsters in your graveyard other than the monster that you are sending to the graveyard," Ryo pointed out. "If you're planning on adding a card to your hand as a handtrap, it will miss the timing."

Kaname shook her head—a very small movement. She flipped over the card that she had just sent to the graveyard and added to her hand.

"Since Brinegir was sent to the graveyard, the player can target a WATER monster they control, and that monster gains 1000 attack points until the end of the turn."

1000 attack points?...

[Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti: 3100 + 1000 = 4100ATK]

"You managed to boost your monster to overcome my monster's attack points?" Ryo said, his eyes widening.

Askaan let out a sharp roar, counterattacking and taking down Chimeratech Rampage Dragon.

Yugo breathed out a sigh of relief.

Ryo: 4000 - 400 = 3600LP

"To manipulate my monster so finely… and to have invested just enough to overcome it." Ryo looked somewhat surprised—and then, he smirked. "I see. You've certainly played me like a fool, Kaname Mizuchi—the first round goes to you. It seems that Roget always intended for you to become his weapon against me."

Played him like a… fool? What was he saying?

"I was wondering why so many of your officers happened to be in my path on the way here," Ryo said—he was looking directly at Yugo, which was a little odd. "Now I understand. You were not simply wasting manpower—your father, Jean Michel Roget, sent all those men to die, simply to get more data on the way that I dueled. Am I wrong?"

So Roget had sent people to duel this man, knowing that they would lose, just to see his strength?

That was… so rotten.

"Could you have enough honour to give me an answer? I do not understand sign language, but a nod will do, if I am correct."

A sharp nod.

"And so you watched all those duels of me cutting your subordinates down, and you still had the courage to duel me?" Ryo shook his head. "Without feeling… anything for the people who Roget sacrificed?"

And, at that…

There was something achingly sad to Kaname's face—something that even her usual stoicism could not hide. For a moment, she lowered her head, turning away. However, she shook her head harshly—asserting that she didn't feel anything at all.

But that just… wasn't true.

"And thus, you watched those duels and you set up your first turn as a complete trap for my specific playstyle. But of course—I will not be felled by Roget's dirty tactics so easily. And you, who have carried them out… you won't earn such an easy victory against me either."

He gestured forward.

"I will naturally move to my second Main Phase. I will first activate the Spell Card, One Day of Peace. We both draw a card."

Both of them swiped up a card from their decks.

"Then, neither player takes damage until the end of your next turn. Thus, Power Bond's effect, which I'm sure you're aware of, does not inflict any damage to me in the slightest."

After he glanced at the new card in his hand, he carried on.

"Since you control a monster and I do not, I will Special Summon Cyber Dragon from my hand." The large white mechanical dragon appeared in front of him.

[Cyber Dragon (5*/2100/1600/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)]

"I will then activate the Continuous Spell, Cyberdark Realm!" Strange, bright portals appeared all around them.

"Cyberdark?" Yugo muttered.

"Those are the two sides of my deck," Ryo said. "The Cyber Dragons, the noble machines of light that fight head-on… and the Cyberdark monsters, darker creatures that work from the shadows. They reflect the duality of measures that are necessary for victory. I will add a "Cyberdark" monster from my deck to my hand with the effect of Cyberdark Realm."

He flipped over a card in his hand.

"I will discard Cyberdark Cannon from my hand to add a "Cyberdark" monster from my deck to my hand. I'll then use the effect of Cyberdark Realm. I can perform an additional Normal Summon of a "Cyberdark" monster from my hand. I will Normal Summon Cyberdark Chimera." A dark purple and green, serpentine machine appeared, dark silver blades slicing the air around it as it let out a screech.

[Cyberdark Chimera (4*/800/2100/DARK/Machine/Effect)]

"With Cyberdark Chimera's effect, I will discard a Spell or Trap and add another copy of Power Bond from my deck to my hand. Furthermore, if I Fusion Summon this turn, I can also banish monsters from my graveyard. I will activate the Spell Card, Power Bond! I will fuse Cyber Dragon and Cyberdark Chimera on the field, and I will banish Cyber Dragon Core from the graveyard as well." The three monsters shot up.

He was Fusion Summoning another monster?

"Infinity, golden ouroboros swirling in the air. Destiny, burning through the light of the modern world. Now, form the beautiful dragon and descend! Fusion Summon! Level 10! Cyber Eternity Dragon!" A long silver dragon appeared, letting out a roar as its glowing blue eyes stared forward. Golden patterns covered the dragon's scales, hexagons in a pattern. Crystal-like spikes could be seen sticking out from all around the dragon's body.

[Cyber Eternity Dragon (10*/2800/4000/LIGHT/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"With Power Bond's effect, it gains attack points equal to its original attack points."

[Cyber Eternity Dragon: 2800 + 2800 = 5600ATK]

"Since Cyberdark Chimera was sent to the graveyard, I will send a "Cyberdark" monster from my deck to the graveyard, as long as it has a different name from the cards I have in my graveyard." Ryo gestured forward. "Thanks to One Day of Peace, I do not take damage from either copy of Power Bond. It's your turn."

[Turn 3: Kaname] [H:7]

"Draw." Paces reappeared on Kaname's field.

Currently, Ryo had Cyber Eternity Dragon on his field, along with Cyberdark Realm. Meanwhile, Kaname still had Askaan and The Most Distant, Deepest Depths on her field. In appearance, the field looked remarkably even, but just looking at the number of cards in both players' hands revealed an obvious truth.

Ryo Marufuji had one card in his hand. Kaname had seven.

It should be obvious who had the advantage right now, so… why did Yugo feel so wary? It was just a single monster—even with high attack points, Kaname could clear that without any problem, right?

Even so, with One Day of Peace active, she could not deal damage either.

"The player activates the Spell Card, Fish and Swaps. The player will discard a card to add two banished Fish, Aqua or Sea Serpent monsters to their hand. The player adds Lifeless Leaffish and Friller Rabca from their banished cards to their hand. Then, the player will discard a WATER monster from their hand to Special Summon White Stingray from their hand." The small, pale stingray appeared in front of her.

[White Stingray (4*/1400/1000/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"The player tunes the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 4 White Stingray."

Going for a Level 6 Synchro Summon right now instead of a Level 10 Synchro Summon… Yugo nodded. Kaname was just trying to keep her current card advantage, right? So she was trying not to overextend. And she was using what she viewed as the simplest solution to a monster with high attack points.

"The player tunes the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 4 White Stingray. Appear in a burst of adrenaline and rend all with your hellish waves. Synchro Summon. Level 6. White Aura Dolphin." The pale white dolphin reappeared on the field, spinning around.

[White Aura Dolphin (6*/2400/1000/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"White Aura Dolphin?" Ryo repeated. "An interesting choice…"

"Once per turn, the player can use the effect of White Aura Dolphin. They can target a monster the opponent controls and change its attack points to half of its original attack points."

"Ah, I see." Ryo sounded perfectly cordial. "So that's your way of getting around Power Bond—it wouldn't just halve my monster's attack points, it would reduce them to a quarter of their current state. But it's a pity. While I have another Machine Fusion Monster in my graveyard, my Cyber Eternity Dragon cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects."

Kaname widened her eyes for a brief moment.

"If you want to defeat my monster, you will have to face it directly," Ryo said.

Well, Yugo reflected, that wasn't strictly true. There was one monster Kaname had which could still do the job.

Kaname clearly knew it too. "The player Normal Summons Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti." The small sea angel appeared, floating in front of her, glowing with a faint light.

[Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti (2*/0/500/WATER/Fish/Tuner/Effect)]

"The player tunes the Level 2 Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti to the Level 6 White Aura Dolphin. Most powerful creature of the deepest, most distant depths of the ocean. Bear your heart on your sleeve, your merciless weapons as your limbs, every part of you crashing into opponents that you can swat aside. Synchro Summon. Level 8. Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti." Kaname's signature man o' war appeared—possibly one of her most annoying monsters for anyone to deal with, especially people who liked to deal with things through battle. Its spikes glowed red and white, and its sharp teeth were glinting with the same abnormal light.

[Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti (8*/2700/0/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

With Guoglim's non-targeting effect, that monster was as good as gone!

"Battle Phase," Kaname's duel disk announced.

"I will banish Electromagnetic Turtle from my graveyard," Ryo responded. "I will end your Battle Phase."

Yugo's eyes widened. What?

"After all, you're not the only one who sent cards from your deck to the graveyard to prepare for the next turn," Ryo continued. Kaname's Battle Phase was immediately skipped. "It may seem like a waste to you, considering that I would not take damage, regardless… but your deck's specialty is banishing cards. For you to go into your Battle Phase so confidently means that there exists a way for you to remove my monster."

Yugo grimaced. Damn it…

Kaname, however, simply accepted it and moved on. "The player will banish Paces and Shif from the graveyard to Special Summon Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti from their hand." Once again, that troublesome monster appeared on the field. "With Snopios's effect, the player will target Snopios itself—it is banished when it leaves the field. Then, the player ends their turn."

"Just like that?" Ryo said. The effect of One Day of Peace faded from the field. "Interesting."

[Turn 4: Ryo] [H:2]

"Draw," Ryo said.

"Paces, Light of the Ghoti and Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti Special Summon themselves back to the field after they are banished." The two small fish appeared on the field again.

"How truly troublesome." Ryo said. "And those monsters allow you to continue to interfere with me. Very well. I will Normal Summon Cyber Valley!" A thin blue serpent with hollow black circles for its eyes appeared, red orbs embedded in the pale serpent's body.

[Cyber Valley (1*/0/0/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)]

"I will then activate the Spell Card, Machine Duplication. I will target a Machine monster I control with 500 or less attack points and Special Summon two monsters with the same name from the deck."

Yugo blinked. That card…

Arisu had that card too.

In front of Ryo, two more copies of Cyber Valley appeared.

"I will activate the effect of Cyber Valley. I will target itself and another monster I control—one of the other two Cyber Valleys—and banish both of them. That will allow me to draw two cards."

So essentially, he had gained a free card… and all that he had lost from that was his Normal Summon.

"I will then activate the Spell Card, Cyber Revsystem. I will Special Summon a "Cyber Dragon" from my graveyard. And all my Cyber Dragon monsters, such as Core or Herz, are treated as the original Cyber Dragon while they're in the graveyard. So return to the field—Cyber Dragon Nachster!" A thin silver serpent appeared, with black streaks along its body. Blue light could be seen gleaming around it, forming a large circle.

[Cyber Dragon Nachster (1*/200/200/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)]

"When Cyber Dragon Nachster is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a Machine monster with 2100 attack or defense points from the graveyard. However, I cannot Special Summon monsters this turn, except Machine monsters."

2100 attack points…

"Return to my field," Ryo said. "Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!"

The large dragon reappeared on the field, its writhing red and green body letting out sharp creaks.

That monster was back? No…

"I will then activate the effect of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon. I will send two more LIGHT Machine monsters from my deck to the graveyard."

Damn it… so he could just keep on milling cards as he saw fit?

Still though, he couldn't get rid of Guoglim that easily! So, if he wasn't careful…

Huh? Why was Kaname tensed up like that?

"Spell Card, Evolution Burst." Ryo called. "Since I control Cyber Dragon, which my Cyber Dragon Nachster counts as, I can target and destroy a card you control. I will target Guoglim, since it seems to be what you're resting your hopes on."

Kaname wordlessly raised a hand. Paces and Guoglim shot up.

"I see. So allowing your own monster to escape through a Synchro Summon is your choice?" Ryo commented. "Very well then."

"The player tunes the Level 2 Paces to the Level 8 Guoglim. Arise now, sealed demon that rules over the holy creatures of the sea with an iron will. Synchro Summon. Level 10. White Aura Bihamut." The twin-headed dragon appeared, letting out a ferocious roar, its claws digging into the ground and leaving long and rough holes in it.

Yugo's eyes widened.

[White Aura Bihamut (10*/3300/3000/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"So this is the power of a Psychic Duelist. It's essentially Real Solid Vision, but without the need for technology…" Ryo seemed rather interested. "Your monster didn't seem to have this strength when you were dueling your brother though. What happened?"

Kaname, obviously, did not answer. "Since White Aura Bihamut was Synchro Summoned, the player can Special Summon a Divine Dragon Token to their field in Defense Position."

[Divine Dragon Token (10*/3300/3000/WATER/Fish)]

"... hmm. Very well. I will respond to that in kind then."

And then, a circuit appeared above him.

"No way!" Yugo blurted out.

"Open, circuit of cybernetic honour! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two Machine monsters, including "Cyber Dragon". I will set Cyber Dragon Nachster and Cyber Valley in the Link Markers. Now, powerful mechanical dragon, present us with the power to push every advancement forward! Let your genius design empower us to reach higher for victory! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Cyber Dragon Sieger!"

A silver-white dragon with dark blue patterns covering its body appeared on the field, but that was less confusing than the fact that Ryo had just used Link Summoning in the first place.

[Cyber Dragon Sieger (L2/2100/LIGHT/Machine/Link/Effect/↓, ←)]

"Aren't you all, like… violently racist against other summoning methods?" Yugo asked. His talks with Yuto had at least mentioned that fact.

"Do you know what Sieger's name means?" Ryo returned. "Victory. Winning. There is nothing more important than that, in Academia. We duel with what is the most efficient and powerful method. Of course… some may disagree, but that is my own personal belief. While I have not experimented with the other summoning methods as of now… I am considering doing so in the future, considering that Sieger has already expanded my damage-dealing potential quite well. You are likely thinking that your field—five monsters—will manage to last. Shall we see if that's true?"

He gestured forward.

"You Synchro Summoned Bihamut in Defense Position, and for that, I credit you. You're a cautious one. Cyber Eternity Dragon attacks Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti! Infinite Roaring Burst!"

The attack hit Askaan—and the explosion hit the whole room. Yugo could feel the force even from where he was sitting.

Kaname: 4000 - 2800 = 1200LP

When the explosions parted, Kaname had been forced to one knee—she got up, briefly flinching in pain.

"And next," Ryo continued, "Chimeratech Rampage Dragon can attack thrice this turn, thanks to its own effect. But you're likely thinking that it's not possible for it to destroy Bihamut or your Divine Dragon Token. However, it'll work with a little help. Cyber Dragon Sieger's effect! In exchange for Sieger's own attack not dealing damage this turn, the player can increase the attack and defense points of a Machine monster they control by 2100 this turn—as long as the monster that they targeted had 2100 or more attack points on its own!"

But that was… essentially Power Bond…

[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon: 2100 + 2100 = 4200ATK; 1600 + 2100 = 3700DEF]

"Three attacks," Ryo reminded. "Chimeratech Rampage Dragon will attack White Aura Bihamut, your Divine Dragon Token and Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti. Destructive Clash Screech!" The dragon roared at Kaname, a destructive blast leaving its maw. All three of her monsters were obliterated in the blast, one by one. Now, she just had Shif left on the field.

And Kaname looked… weary.

"Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti will banish itself with its own effect. Then, with the effect of Snopios, the player will banish Paces, Light of the Ghoti from the graveyard to add it to the hand."

"Cyber Dragon Sieger may not be able to deal you damage, but it can still destroy your last remaining monster," Ryo said. "Finish it off, Sieger."

Another sharp blast—and that was Kaname's entire field, cleared away in an instant.

But still…

Why didn't she bring out White Aura Whale, before Ryo had moved to his second Main Phase?

What exactly was going on with her right now?

[Turn 5: Kaname] [H:5]

"Draw." Once again, Paces floated back to her field. "The player will activate the effect of their Field Spell, The Most Distant, Deepest Depths. They will banish Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti from the graveyard to add a "Ghoti" monster from their deck to their hand. Then, with the effect of Askaan, by banishing Shif from the graveyard, the player can Special Summon Askaan back to the field."

The thin white fish reappeared on her field.

"Next, the player Normal Summons Lifeless Leaffish." The white, thin seadragon reappeared on the field. "With the effect of Lifeless Leaffish, the player sends a Fish monster from the deck to the graveyard. And the player tunes the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 4 Lifeless Leaffish. From the water, emerge with your true strength and make the world bow down before your regality. Synchro Summon. Level 6. Coral Dragon." Her ace appeared on the field, as colourful as ever—and as glaringly bright among the other white fish as usual.

[Coral Dragon (6*/2400/500/WATER/Dragon/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

"With the effect of Coral Dragon, by discarding a card, the player will destroy a card on the field. The player chooses Cyber Dragon Sieger."

Huh? Why Sieger? Rampage Dragon was the big problem, right?

"Good choice," Ryo said as his monster was destroyed.

Ok, was Yugo just completely out of the loop?

Kaname tilted her head towards him, signing a single word. 'Both'.

That boosting effect for attack points worked on both turns?

"But can you go all the way?" Ryo continued. "There are still two threats that you have yet to defeat."

"Spell Card, White Mirror. The player Special Summons a Level 4 or lower Fish monster from the graveyard, and adds a copy of that monster from their deck to their hand. The player will Special Summon Beautunaful Princess." The beige-coloured fish—likely the card that she had sent to the graveyard with Lifeless Leaffish's effect—surfaced from a pool of water.

[Beautunaful Princess (1*/0/0/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"The player tunes the Level 6 Coral Dragon to the Level 1 Beautunaful Princess. Pale ghostly fish with the eyes of the devil. Summon forth a spiral of destructive water and slide gracefully through the wind and the waves. Synchro Summon. Level 7. White Aura Monoceros." The thin white fish appeared on her field as well… and come to think of it, Kaname seemed to be burning through her Synchros at a faster rate. That was odd.

[White Aura Monoceros (7*/2500/1500/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"When Coral Dragon is sent to the graveyard after being Synchro Summoned, the player can draw a card. Then, when White Aura Monoceros is Synchro Summoned, the player can Special Summon a Fish monster from their graveyard, but the summoned monster cannot attack this turn. Return to the field—Paces, Light of the Ghoti."

A Level 2 Tuner, a Level 7 Synchro Monster…

"The player tunes the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 7 White Aura Monoceros. Snow. Ice. Cyan creature swimming under the arctic waters. Now, emerge and form the power that I can follow. Synchro Summon! Level 9! Ravenous Crocodragon Archethys!" The half-reptilian, half-fish monster appeared, its cyan body strangely bright as well. Streams of water flowed around it, and it let out a sharp growl.

[Ravenous Crocodragon Archethys (9*/1000/1000/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"When Archethys is Synchro Summoned, the player can draw a card for each non-Tuner used in its Synchro Summon. Thus, the player draws one card."

With that flurry of three Synchro Summons in a chain, Kaname now had six cards in her hand. Still though, that… wasn't enough to take care of Cyber Eternity Dragon, right?

"The player banishes Lifeless Leaffish from the graveyard to use its effect. By shuffling White Aura Dolphin, White Aura Monoceros and Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti from the graveyard into the deck, the player can draw a card."

Wait…

Was all of this just a really convoluted method of getting Guoglim back into the Extra Deck?

"The player will banish Paces, Light of the Ghoti and White Stingray from the graveyard to Special Summon Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti from their hand." Kaname's next move confirmed Yugo's suspicions—after all, Archethys benefitted from cards in the hand. Its removal effect wouldn't work on Eternity Dragon, so Yugo had assumed that she was bringing it out to have it attack Eternity Dragon…

But that wouldn't make sense. Cyber Eternity Dragon had 5800 attack points. Kaname would need 10 cards in her hand to surpass it—and that would be next to impossible to accomplish in a single turn.

So…

"Snopios's effect. It will target itself. It is banished when it leaves the field."

That was the typical loop with Snopios…

"The player will activate the Spell Card, Moray of Greed. They will shuffle two WATER monsters from their hand into the deck and draw three cards." Kaname nodded at a certain card that she picked up. "Spell Card, Surface. The player can target a Level 3 Fish, Aqua or Sea Serpent monster in the graveyard and Special Summon it in Defense Position. Return—Beautunaful Princess." The small fish reappeared. "With Beautunaful Princess's effect, by banishing her, the player can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Fish monster from the deck. Come. Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti." The glowing red fish appeared, zooming around her field.

[Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti (2*/0/1000/WATER/Fish/Tuner/Effect)]

"The player will tune the Level 2 Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti to the Level 6 Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti."

So that was… her fourth Synchro Summon of the turn?

"Most powerful creature of the deepest, most distant depths of the ocean. Bear your heart on your sleeve, your merciless weapons as your limbs, every part of you crashing into opponents that you can swat aside. Synchro Summon. Level 8. Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti." The dangerous, spiky aquatic monster reappeared on her field, its limbs frantically hitting the wall and ground around it.

"So you brought it back," Ryo said. "I thought so. Even if I don't have the knowledge of exactly what that monster does… it seems that it's your key to breaking my field."

"Since Snopios was banished by its own effect, the player can banish Bihamut from the graveyard to return it to the hand."

… then, did she think that there was no longer a need to use Bihamut?

"Battle Phase." Kaname gestured forward. "Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti attacks Cyber Eternity Dragon. At the start of the Damage Step, if Guoglim battles a monster, that monster is automatically banished."

"A non-targeting effect. I see. However—" Ryo revealed a card from his graveyard. "I assumed that was the case. At the start of the Damage Step, when a LIGHT Machine monster I control battles an opponent's monster, I can Special Summon Cyber Alruba from my graveyard." A small, silver mechanical camel appeared on the field, eyes made of bright green lights as it stared forward, resting in Defense Position.

[Cyber Alruba (1*/0/0/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)]

"Neither player takes damage from that attack—and that attacking monster's effects are negated until the End Phase." Ryo gestured forward. "I suppose that this is simply a taste of your own medicine. Counterattack, Cyber Eternity Dragon!"

Cyber Eternity Dragon roared—and destroyed Guoglim, smashing its body straight on top of the other monster. Kaname took a step back as the shockwave hit—even though it didn't deal her any more damage, it still clearly hurt.

Still though, without Guoglim, Cyber Eternity Dragon was untouchable this turn…

"Ravenous Crocodragon Archethys gains 500 attack and defense points for each card in the player's hand."

[Ravenous Crocodragon Archethys: 1000 + 500 x 6 = 4000ATK/DEF]

"Ravenous Crocodragon Archethys attacks Chimeratech Rampage Dragon." The two monsters clashed, before Archethys obliterated the other monster with a blast of water that surged forth—pushing Ryo back as well. For a moment, Yugo saw a flash of pain on the dark-haired man's face.

Ryo: 3600 - 1900 = 1700LP

"Since a Fusion Monster I control was destroyed by battle, I can banish Cyber Pharos from the graveyard to add my third copy of Power Bond from my deck to my hand."

"Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti attacks Cyber Alruba." The white fish's fins flicked against the mechanical camel.

"Cyber Alruba cannot be destroyed by battle." The attack hit, but there was no effect at all. "And… I knew you would do that, in the end."

"... Main Phase 2."

"At the end of the Battle Phase, since Cyber Alruba battled, I can banish it from the field to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher LIGHT Machine monster from my deck," Ryo explained. "Come from the deck—Cyber Alrakis."

Then, a large mechanical creature appeared—it was surrounded by long and elegant-looking pieces of metal that spun around it like ribbons around a dancer. Its main body was that of a water serpent, and it soared up, its blue eyes staring forward coldly. Around its head, a large headpiece of silver metal that formed a crown could be seen.

[Cyber Alrakis (10*/3000/2000/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)]

Kaname looked at him, before looking back at her hand.

"The player sets one card and ends their turn."

"I see," Ryo replied. "... it appears that it's time then."

[Turn 6: Ryo] [H:2]

"Draw," Ryo said. Paces and Shif reappeared on Kaname's field. "I will activate the Spell Card, Pot of Extravagance. I will banish six random cards from my Extra Deck facedown—and draw two cards. However, I cannot draw cards by card effects after this effect resolves."

He picked up two cards from his deck.

"I do believe that any further deliberation on my part is unnecessary—until I see your plans. I will move to my Battle Phase."

"The player activates the effect of Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti. Then, the player will chain the Trap Card, Ghoti Cosmos." Kaname revealed her set card. "Since the player controls four banished Fish monsters, Fish monsters they control cannot be destroyed by battle for the rest of the turn, and the activation and effects of Fish monsters activated on the field cannot be negated for the rest of the turn as well."

"Stopping me from negating effects…" Ryo nodded. "It seems that you do have something left to face my monster with."

"The player will tune the Level 2 Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti to the Level 8 Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti." Kaname was tensed up—in clear defiance. "Glistening light sleeping in the depths below. Mythical creature with galaxies and emptiness within your frame. With those eyes that see and comprehend the start and the end, rule over the deepest, most distant depths with the power of the Big Freeze of the universe, where all is silent. Synchro Summon. Level 10—Ghoti of the Deep Beyond."

And the luminous, large serpent emerged in front of her.

[Ghoti of the Deep Beyond (10*/?/0/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

Yugo gulped. That monster… it was her only response to Cyber Eternity Dragon other than Guoglim. However… she could also only use that powerful effect when it was Synchro Summoned.

If she was bringing it out now, it meant that she had no choice.

"When Ghoti of the Deep Beyond is Synchro Summoned, all cards on the field are banished."

The wave crashed down—completely wiping away both of their fields.

"... hmm. I see." Ryo shrugged. "I believe that I am allowed to continue my Main Phase 1 instead of moving to the Battle Phase. I will activate the Spell Card, Evolution End Burst. I can add a certain Spell Card from my deck to my hand—Overload Fusion. However, I cannot Special Summon monsters this turn, except by Spell effects. I will activate the Spell Card, Overload Fusion, and fuse by banishing monsters from my field or graveyard. From my graveyard, I will banish Cyber Dragon Herz, Cyberdark Chimera, Cyberdark Keel, Cyber Dragon, Cyber Dragon Nachster and Cyber Valley."

The six monsters shot up—a six card Fusion Summon?

"I don't often bring out this monster against too many others. But it seems necessary now."

"Mechanical monstrosity, devour all and crash to the earth! Become my power to strike down everything in my way! Fusion Summon! Level 9! Chimeratech Overdragon!" A large, dark orb appeared behind him, before it exploded—several large silver heads shoved themselves out of the darkness, writhing around. Each of its heads reared up, each letting out whirring noises and shrieks. Lightning crackled around it, dark red and destructive.

[Chimeratech Overdragon (9*/?/?/DARK/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"Usually, if Chimeratech Overdragon is Fusion Summoned, I must send all other cards I control to the graveyard. However, you already cleared my field. Chimeratech Overdragon tolerates no others in its presence, because its power comes from eating away at others. Its original attack and defense points are equal to the number of materials used for its Fusion Summon times 800!"

Wait, so that meant—

[Chimeratech Overdragon: ? 800 x 6 = 4800ATK/DEF]

"And with the effect of Evolution End Burst, my monster can attack once for each of its materials during this Battle Phase," Ryo said. "Strong as you are, you have doomed yourself alone with it. Battle Phase—"

Abruptly, Kaname interrupted him. She placed a card down on her duel disk, and in front of her, Snopios appeared again, coiling inwards in Defense Position.

"By banishing Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti and Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti from the graveyard, the player can Special Summon Snopios from their hand."

"... I see," Ryo said. "So you're planning on using it as a shield. That… was the secondary reason why you used Ghoti Cosmos earlier. You predicted that I would recover from you."

A sharp shake of her head. The robotic voice answered immediately. "I will defend this place with my life. From the start, I decided this. Knowing that… I will exhaust myself, so that I can live and defeat you."

Ah.

The reason that she was dueling like this…

That was the difference. Yugo had never seen her duel so seriously. The strange tricks, the planning, down to the details, backup plans that predicted her own failure…

This was someone who was terrified of failure, and its consequences.

And at the same time, a person who so desperately wanted to live.

"... hah. You're truly exceptional. If our soldiers in Academia were more like you, or more like your brother over there, this war might have been over far quicker." Ryo shrugged.

"... when Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti is banished during the opponent's turn, the player can Special Summon it back to the field and perform a Synchro Summon using it and other monsters they control."

"Yet another Synchro Summon?"

Kaname shrugged.

And then, instead of simply defending herself, she struck at him.

"Spinning around, descend now with high velocity and rend this field like the waves you create. Synchro Summon. Level 8. White Aura Whale."

And as the large whale appeared, Yugo's jaw dropped.

[White Aura Whale (8*/2800/2000/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"When White Aura Whale is Synchro Summoned, all monsters the opponent controls in Attack Position are destroyed!"

And with a single, swift move—

She destroyed the monster that had seemed so terrifying just a moment ago.

"Hah. I suppose that much is to be expected." Ryo revealed another card in his hand. "I'll Normal Summon Cyber Dragon Core." Another copy of the small dragon appeared on his field. "I'll add a "Cyber" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. And I will set that card facedown. I will then end my turn. You have reduced my attacks to nothing… now, let's see if you can truly strike back with the same force."

"... jeez."

Ryo turned towards Yugo.

"One thing that you should know," Yugo said, "is that the people in this city… we don't give up that easily! We started from nothing, so we're used to nothing! Right?"

Kaname glanced at him—and there was something assuring—something confident to her gaze.

After all, there was no need for her to make another move—

She already had the winning piece.

[Turn 7: Kaname] [H:5]

"I also just noticed this, but… why do you still have your Field Spell on the field?"

"While the player controls a Fish Synchro Monster, The Most Distant, Deepest Depths cannot be destroyed or banished by card effects." And at the time, Kaname had two—Archethys and her field nuke. So her Field Spell had remained there, ever a nuisance. "During the Standby Phase—Paces, Light of the Ghoti, Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti… and Ghoti of the Deep Beyond return to the field."

The three monsters appeared—Paces and Shif looked miniscule in comparison to the large serpent that coiled around her.

"Ghoti of the Deep Beyond gains 500 attack and defense points for each of our banished monsters."

"... both of our banished monsters combined?" Ryo said. "And, with my Overload Fusion…"

"According to duel disk information, the banished monsters are—Lifeless Leaffish. White Stingray. Beautunaful Princess. White Aura Bihamut. Ravenous Crocodragon Archethys. Cyber Dragon Core. Electromagnetic Turtle. Three copies of Cyber Valley. Cyber Alruba. Cyber Eternity Dragon. Cyber Alrakis. Cyber Dragon Herz. Cyberdark Chimera. Cyber Dragon. Cyberdark Keel. Cyber Pharos. And Cyber Dragon Nachster."

"That's…" The numbers clicked together in Yugo's head. "Nineteen monsters!"

[Ghoti of the Deep Beyond: ? 500 x 19 = 9500ATK/DEF]

"I see. Our monsters are not… very different from each other after all."

Kaname gestured forward. "Ghoti of the Deep Beyond attacks Cyber Dragon Core."

"And if I negate it, you can still try to finish me off with White Aura Whale," Ryo said. "... hmm. Very well. This is my answer." He flipped over his set card. "Quickplay Spell, Cyberload Fusion. I can immediately perform a Fusion Summon of a Fusion Monster that lists a "Cyber Dragon" monster as material, by shuffling cards from my field or banished cards into the deck."

"Banished cards?" Yugo exclaimed.

"Watch as I strip your monster of the power that it has gained from me," Ryo said. "I will fuse Cyber Dragon Core on my field with my banished Cyber Dragon Core, Electromagnetic Turtle, my three copies of Cyber Valley, Cyber Alruba, Cyber Eternity Dragon, Cyber Alrakis, Herz, Cyberdark Chimera, Cyber Dragon, Cyber Pharos, Cyberdark Keel and Cyber Dragon Nachster!"

The monsters were all shuffled into the deck. Kaname flinched away for a moment—her arms crossed around herself defensively.

"Mechanical dragon with the power of the future, descend now, reborn and bathed in starlight," Ryo declared. "With your three heads that roar in judgement, overcome chaos and instill order! Fusion Summon! Level 10! The beginning and end of evolution—Cyber Asterism Dragon!"

A dragon made of dark grey metal appeared. It was large and three-headed—matching up to Kaname's monster in size. Its body seemed to glitter—white stars dotted its body, creating the shape of a constellation, though Yugo couldn't tell what constellation it was. Its wings spread out—casting layered shadows on the ground.

And on its centre head was a splendid silver circlet, red gems glittering in chains as they swung through the air along with the dragon's head itself. The gems matched in colour with the red of the dragon's eyes.

[Cyber Asterism Dragon (10*/4000/2800/LIGHT/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"... since there are now less banished monsters, your monster is weakened," Ryo said. "... not that it matters."

[Ghoti of the Deep Beyond: 9000 - 500 x 14 = 2500ATK/DEF]

"Cyber Asterism Dragon gains a few effects depending on the number of materials I used for it. I used fifteen materials—the fourteen banished monsters, and Cyber Dragon Core itself. Thus, all of its effects are active. First, it gains 1000 attack and defense points for each other Machine monster on the field. That will have to wait, along with the rest…" Ryo gestured forward. "It's still your turn."

This… was probably that guy's ace.

But still, Kaname could just banish more cards from her graveyard and power her monster up more, right? Why was he so sure that she couldn't still overwhelm him? Yes, the Battle Phase was—

Wait.

Yes, the Battle Phase was the exact part of Kaname's turn where she could influence the field the least, since her Tuners usually allowed her to step all over others during the Main Phase.

Was that why Ryo had waited until the Battle Phase to bring out that monster?

"Main Phase 2. The player activates the Spell Card, Moray of Avarice. The player can banish a Fish monster they control to draw two cards. The player banishes Paces, Light of the Ghoti. Then, the player tributes Shif, Fairy of the Ghoti to Tribute Summon Eanoc, Sentry of the Ghoti." A large, dark blue manta ray appeared on the field.

[Eanoc, Sentry of the Ghoti (6*/2100/0/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"With Eanoc's effect, the player can Special Summon a banished Level 4 or lower Fish monster with its effects negated. The player Special Summons Paces, Light of the Ghoti." The bright white fish appeared. "The player uses Eanoc's effect. By banishing Eanoc itself from the field, the player can add a "Ghoti" Trap from the deck to the hand. The player then Special Summons Minairuka from their hand, since a WATER monster's effect was activated." The blue dolphin appeared, looking rather obliviously excited and glancing all around itself at the field, before shyly hiding behind Paces as it spotted Ryo's monster.

[Minairuka (4*/1500/500/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"The player tunes the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 4 Minairuka. Water forms ice that turns to a wilful blizzard. Crystalline elegance, send your foes spiralling back in fear. Synchro Summon. Level 6—Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier." A bright blue dragon appeared, looking like a sculpture that had been delicately crafted from ice.

[Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (6*/2300/1400/WATER/Sea Serpent/Synchro/Effect)]

"With Brionac's effect—"

An error message showed up on the screen.

"Does your effect require targeting?" Ryo asked. "Because if that's the case—while I have a DARK Machine Fusion Monster in my graveyard, Cyber Asterism Dragon cannot be targeted by card effects."

Then, Brionac's effect was useless. Ryo controlled nothing else—so she couldn't even activate the effect, since targeting was a part of the cost. At least she had Synchro Summoned it in Defense Position, but…

"Now, what will you do?"

Kaname pressed down a card to her duel disk. "Spell Card, Miracle Synchro Fusion."

And that sent a sharp shock through Yugo's system.

In some way, he had prepared himself to see this—and yet, the confirmation that his sister was in some way affiliated with Academia—the ones who had destroyed Yuto's home, the ones who had attacked Yuya and Yuzu's homeland and tried to kidnap Yuzu, the ones who had kidnapped Rin…

"Miracle Synchro Fusion?" Ryo narrowed his eyes. "A card that joins Fusion and Synchro… it seems that Roget has been up to some interesting research. I can see part of why she's so interested in retrieving it. Regardless… whatever that is, I would prefer not to have to deal with it."

Cyber Asterism Dragon roared.

… did that dragon have more effects?

"I will activate the effect of Cyber Asterism Dragon. Since it was Fusion Summoned using at least five monsters as material, once per turn, when my opponent activates a card or effect, I can negate that effect and destroy that card. I will choose to negate Miracle Synchro Fusion. Draconic Cyber Eruption!" Her card exploded.

Was there really… nothing she could do? She had already used all three of her Level 8 Synchro Monsters, along with both of her Level 10 Synchro Monsters. Did she have any way that she could protect herself on the next turn?

Kaname herself let go of the Fusion card, seeming almost disappointed. She glanced back through her cards.

"The player will banish Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti from the graveyard to use the effect of The Most Distant, Deepest Depths. They will add a "Ghoti" monster from the deck to their hand. Then, by banishing Guoglim from the graveyard, the player will add Snopios back to their hand. They will then banish Shif and Paces from the graveyard to Special Summon Snopios from their hand. The player sets two cards facedown and ends their turn."

Unable to even attack him?

That was…

Was Kaname actually being suppressed right now?

Right now, Kaname had Ghoti of the Deep Beyond with 3500 attack and defense points, White Aura Whale, Snopios and Brionac on her field, along with two set cards. Meanwhile, Ryo had Cyber Asterism Dragon—a powerful, individualistic force—bearing down on the field.

[Turn 8: Ryo] [H:2]

Shif and Paces reappeared on Kaname's field as Ryo reached for the top of his deck. "Draw. Your White monsters Special Summon themselves from the graveyard when they're destroyed, right? That's an interesting mechanic—monsters that refuse to die. Regardless…"

He placed down a card.

"I will Normal Summon Cyber Dragon Herz." The thin serpent with blue hexagons covering it appeared on the field.

[Cyber Dragon Herz (1*/100/100/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)]

"I will then perform a Fusion Summon using Cyber Dragon Herz and White Aura Whale!"

"What?" Yugo exclaimed. "But that's Kaname's monster!"

"This monster can be Fusion Summoned using materials from either field, and its materials are a monster in either Extra Monster Zone, as well as a "Cyber Dragon" monster." The two monsters turned into streaks, flying up. "It was something that I prepared to face someone else that I heard about in the data, due to how important the Extra Monster Zone is to that summoning method… but regardless, it works to ensure that your monster cannot return to the field. Now, emerge to the future, cybernetic dragon with the power of the infinite arsenal! Contact Fusion! Level 10! Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon!" A large purple dragon appeared, its body made of sharp edges, the metallic plates of its wings attached to white fabric that spread out like sails. Blue energy was building up all around its body, and it let out a sharp, hideous, high-pitched roar.

[Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon (10*/0/0/LIGHT/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon's original attack points become the number of materials used for its Fusion Summon times 1200!"

[Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon: 0 + 1200 x 2 = 2400ATK]

"Furthermore, Cyber Dragon Herz lets me add another "Cyber Dragon" from my deck or graveyard to my hand. Next, I will start the Battle Phase!" Ryo declared—and yet, Kaname didn't do anything. Ghoti of the Deep Beyond was in Attack Position. Brionac, Shif, Paces and Snopios were in Defense Position. "Let's see your plan. Cyber Asterism Dragon attacks your Ghoti of the Deep Beyond! And don't forget—since I control another Machine monster, Asterism gains 1000 attack and defense points!"

[Cyber Asterism Dragon: 4000 + 1000 = 5000ATK; 2800 + 1000 = 3800DEF]

[Ghoti of the Deep Beyond: 2500 + 500 x 2 = 3500ATK/DEF]

"So this is most definitely enough to finish you!"

A monster that couldn't be targeted by card effects, currently attacking her…

No, no—

"Trap Card, Ghoti Chain. By banishing a Fish monster the player controls, like Snopios, the player can Special Summon a "Ghoti" monster that is banished, or one that is in the hand, graveyard or deck, but the summoned monster is banished when it leaves the field."

Snopios vanished from the field.

"I will use the effect of Cyber Asterism Dragon to negate that card's effects—and destroy it. Draconic Cyber Eruption!" The dragon breathed down white light and flames, vaporising the card.

Kaname let out a soft huff. It took Yugo a moment to understand that she wasn't upset—it was a half-laugh.

"Snopios is banished as the cost for the effect of Ghoti Chain. When Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti is banished, the player can banish a Fish monster from the graveyard to add it back to their hand." Kaname lifted up a card from her graveyard. "The player banishes Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti."

… oh. Askaan.

"With the effect of Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti, the player will banish another Fish monster from the graveyard and Special Summon it back to the field. The player banishes Minairuka." Askaan reappeared in Attack Position.

But how was that going to stop the attack? All she was doing was forcing a replay… right?

"My attack target will not change," Ryo said. "So… what is your plan?"

"Trap Card, Torrential Tribute." Kaname's other card flipped up. "When a monster is summoned—all monsters on the field are destroyed."

"Ah. I see. You wanted to force me into the Battle Phase first, and then nuke the field by comboing your own cards and their effects, so that you could guarantee that I couldn't attack you this turn. Because you… learned from your mistakes before." Ryo shook his head. "But unfortunately for you… that paranoid and tactical mind of yours has finally failed you."

He raised a finger, nodding to his dragon.

"Since ten or more monsters were used as its Fusion Materials… Cyber Asterism Dragon is unaffected by the effects of Spells and Traps during the Battle Phase."

And the ice shot up. It exploded across the field—taking most of the monsters on the field away with it. Ryo leapt back as some of the ice spikes went directly for him—as though they were spears, attacking him directly.

Wait—

Yugo whipped his head over.

Kaname's hand was flung out—her arm directly parallel to the spikes of ice. He saw beads of sweat at the side of her head—a sign of overexertion of her powers.

Had she actually been trying to…

"That was close," Ryo said nonchalantly, as though—as though she hadn't just—

Kaname's face didn't change at all.

"If you had activated it during the Main Phase, you would have cleared my field. I would be forced to start defending myself again. However—you remembered." Ryo shook his head. "You remembered the feeling of destroying my field once. I, however, simply brought out a stronger monster right afterwards. Thus, learning from before, you decided to wait this time. And yet, waiting cost you your opportunity… how ironic, to falter because of the same quality that makes you as talented as you are. You were willing to sacrifice everything to halt my offensive, and you failed—this is my victory."

"Are you done?" The AI voice said emotionlessly. "The deaf would be more affected by your preaching."

The ice was still everywhere in the room, so it was hard to see—but then, Askaan floated up next to her, followed by Ghoti of the Deep Beyond. Brionac, Paces, Snopios and Shif all revealed themselves.

Her whole field was completely fine.

"The player banished Fury of Kairyu-Shin from their graveyard to negate the destruction of WATER monsters that they controlled." It was a simple statement.

Huh? When had that ended up in her graveyard? Yugo tried to go over the duel in his head.

Ryo, infuriatingly, got there before him. "That is the card that you discarded with the effect of Coral Dragon," he said. "Impressive."

Wait, but Fury of Kairyu-Shin searched out Torrential Tribute. So the only reason why Kaname hadn't activated it to search out that card was because she had already drawn Torrential Tribute before that.

So the reason she hadn't set it before now…

Was it because she had been saving it for this specific move?

"Since there is now one more banished monster, Ghoti of the Deep Beyond gains 500 attack and defense points."

[Ghoti of the Deep Beyond: 3500 + 500 = 4000ATK/DEF]

"Since there is one less Machine monster on the field, Cyber Asterism Dragon loses 1000 attack and defense points."

[Cyber Asterism Dragon: 5000 - 1000 = 4000ATK; 3800 - 1000 = 2800DEF]

what.

And then, in a surprising display of sass, Kaname actually typed out another full sentence. "So? 'My attack target will not change'?"

"... I will admit that you've made me eat my words," Ryo said. "But… unless you have yet another card that's been buried this entire time, it does not change the situation. I will take my replay now. Cyber Asterism Dragon attacks Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti."

Kaname seemed to relax for a brief moment—

"You were a worthy opponent, Kaname Mizuchi," Ryo said. "I haven't had such an even fight against an opponent in a long time, and for that… I am glad. But there is a fact that you're not yet aware of."

Despite that calm expression, there was a razor sharp focus to his gaze.

"When Cyber Asterism Dragon is Fusion Summoned using at least three materials—it deals piercing battle damage when it battles a monster in Defense Position."

No—

Yugo was about to run forward—screw the fact that he was worn out, screw all of that, he couldn't just let this happen—

Kaname turned to him, and sharply shook her head.

Yugo's feet froze to the ground.

Kaname turned back towards Ryo. She nodded.

"... I understand," Ryo said. "So you do respect the outcome of this duel as well. Fall with grace. Do it, Cyber Asterism Dragon. Evolving Stellar Burst!"

The white light and flames shot down at her—

And she was flung back in the blast.

Kaname: 1200 - 4000 = 0LP

Winner: Ryo Marufuji!

What a cruel conclusion.

And yet, when the dust and light from the holograms finally cleared up, he was witness to an even more horrible sight.

"... I thought so," Ryo murmured. "And yet, assuming it still felt too cruel."

The force of the blast had torn off her face mask, and—

Long, dark marks cut across the bottom half of her face—layered, uneven and broken skin that didn't quite know how to join together. For a person who usually wanted to be so unnoticeable—those scars were a mark of something darker that had never faded. Something that would force her into the position where she had no choice to be seen.

She had been wearing that mask around him all their lives. So that meant…

All this time, had Yugo never seen them? Had she been hiding them this entire time?

Kaname reached up towards her mask wearily.

"Then, nee-san—your eyepatch—"

A small twist of her lips. Then, as she secured the other strap of the mask around her ear again, she nodded.

"You lost your eye," Yugo breathed out. "And I didn't even know about it—I just assumed that you were trying to hide. I—why didn't you tell me?"

Kaname didn't look at him. She slowly got up—though it seemed to pain her to do so. She walked forward, and then she held out her keycard towards Ryo.

Ryo nodded, reaching out and taking hold of the keycard—

But Kaname did not let go of it.

"Yes?" Ryo asked.

She jerked her head towards Yugo.

"... I see." Ryo turned towards Yugo as well. "I won't be carding your sister right now. And as it stands, negotiations are taking place. Go."

Yugo glanced between them. Kaname turned to him—and subtly gestured towards the stairwell that headed up. Not to Roget's office, but to the labs.

Why?

He still had so many questions. He was still so confused. And yet, she was sending him away again?

And then, that stoic gaze—

Trust me, Yugo.

Once more, trust me.

Yugo was still clutching onto the book that she had shoved into his hands, and his knuckles were tightening around it with the pressure. He turned to Ryo. "If you end up carding her," he said, "I'll hunt you down. I don't care how long it takes. You hear me?"

Then he turned around—

And trusting her, he went further up into Security.


"Interesting choice on his part," Ryo said, turning back to her. "Can we talk plainly now?"

Kaname let go of the keycard, letting him take it.

"Despite the fact that you lost," Ryo said, "with that final attempt—we both know what you were planning to do, with those powers of yours… with that final strike, you showed me your conviction to protect at any cost. Someone like you is completely wasted on Roget."

There was a coldness to her—a relentless strength to push through everything.

Ryo had been very wrong about that. She was very different from Shino. They couldn't be any more different from each other.

So why did this girl still make him think of her?

… he was still a little soft for her. It was certainly something that held him back emotionally—perhaps why he had said so easily that he would not take this girl's life.

How difficult.

"Your brother is not here any longer. What did you want to say to me?"

Kaname took a deep breath. She squeezed her own wrist tightly. For a moment, she seemed like she was about to sign something—but clearly, he wouldn't understand, so she stopped.

When she spoke the first time, she was so quiet that he couldn't make it out. She seemed to realise it too—and she gave up. She pressed the keys on her duel disk, and it spoke up.

"Withdraw."

"Why?" Ryo asked.

Kaname gestured to his chest.

"Yes, you cracked a rib with that violent attack from your… Archethys, was it?" The girl's brother had seemed blissfully unaware the entire time, but Kaname Mizuchi had been aiming to stop him from continuing forward at any cost necessary. "My mission from Academia is to succeed in this invasion. I have not lost yet—nor have I been forced to withdraw. And for my own honour—I must dispose of Jean Michel Roget before I leave."

"Only two are standing."

"From Academia? We dispatched many here—I do not think it likely that the Obelisk Force have been completely defeated."

Kaname looked at him. She blinked slowly, before typing her reply. "Of consequence."

… ah. Still though…

"The Lancers defeated two of those three?" He murmured, thinking about Yuri, Shino and Kisara. "That's… surprising, and concerning. But I do not see how that should make me retreat."

Another pause. "Others in the city will fight you to the death. You face two enemies. And you… will not last."

"... so that was your true purpose behind injuring me physically," Ryo said. "To force me to retreat for my own health. I still won—and I can still card you, if I wish."

A soft exhale. "The player…" She said, before she shook her head. "I…" Her voice was still broken, but she had clearly defrosted slightly. It had started in her match against her brother, but… clearly, there was a part of her that was struggling against her own fears now, to try and break through her own emotionless appearance.

Ryo found himself satisfied by that.

He had reawakened this girl's strength, from beneath her fear. She was trying to speak now—a choice on her part to fight through whatever had silenced her when she had no other path to salvation.

And there was emotion in that voice—a thousand emotions that only a human voice could convey.

This person has been hiding for too long.

"I should… already be dead," she said, each word a mix of a stutter and an attempt to enunciate. "You cannot… threaten me with my… life."

The only words that someone like her could speak in an actual sentence like that were words that she had thought over and over again. That was something that almost made him pity her.

"... hmm."

He nodded.

"And if I refuse… will you fight me to the death here?"

And then…

Kaname Mizuchi turned away, but not before he saw a flash of annoyance in her gaze. Her fingers moved back to her duel disk—an admission that despite her current efforts, she still couldn't do it, in the end. She couldn't bring herself to carry on speaking to him directly. "No point. You can't stay long."

And she was right. Academia didn't want to extend too many resources into an invasion, because prolonged conflict would be disadvantageous to them, considering that they were still fighting in Ritual and Xyz.

But…

"I can still deal with Roget easily, since he's just upstairs. And I have your keycard too. It won't take me long."

Kaname walked past him, not replying. (Later, he would realise that she had carried a distinct air of amusement to her, despite her loss.)

She was clearly limping. To an outsider, it might have looked like a normal duel, but…

They had both been aiming to injure the other and make sure that they wouldn't be able to carry on for much longer—no matter the result of the duel.

War was brutal in that way.

Ryo headed to the stairs, beginning to climb up. The maps of the layouts around the building implied that this was the correct route.

He made his way to the top. There was a rather fancy-looking doorway there—marking Roget's office.

Ryo walked up to the door, pressing the keycard to the scanner there.

The door opened.

And inside…

There was no one inside. The screens were all off. The air was sterile—as though no one had—

As though no one had been in here for a while.

… ah.

Ryo leaned back, feeling his wounds acting up, and sighed.

Now, he finally understood.

He was wrong.

There was no honour in that match at all. No acceptance of the result.

Because no matter what, the outcome had been rigged against him from the start.

Perhaps he was still too idealistic.


Outside, the helicopter finally landed at the High Council's building.

Roget got out. He nodded to the two that were already there. "I see that you made your way here immediately?"

"If you don't mind, make it quick, boss." Makoto stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Standing here makes my skin crawl."

"Seconded," Arisu muttered, clearly doing her best to distance herself from the building.

"And yet you still found time to commit a massacre in the middle of an invasion?"

"You promised me that," Makoto said. "I saw the chance."

"Hah. And you call me the monstrous one." Roget shook his head. "Standing here. For the two of you in particular… doesn't it remind you of what you hate the most about this city?" He turned to them. "We're in the endgame now. By the end of this, this city will either revert back to peace, or it will be suppressed into submission."

"Depending on which of the other two sides win," Arisu replied, her gaze sharp.

"Correct. Regardless—it is the opportunity that I have been waiting for all this time. The Kaiser will be forced to withdraw—he may be loyal to Academia, but he will also recognise that he cannot just carry on like a fool."

"Won't he just come after you?"

"After my next plans? Of course not. He'll judge it as more trouble than it's worth." Roget shook his head. "Regardless—for just one more step, I require your obedience."

"I have no reason to stay loyal to you, boss," Makoto said idly. "I already got what I wanted."

"Is that your decision, then?"

"… eh. I'll stick around a bit longer."

"Makoto!" Arisu exclaimed, her brow furrowed. "Why…"

"Excellent," Roget said. "Then—what about you, Kirijo? What is your decision? Remember—you still owe me."

And it is that moral compass of yours that has held you captive all these years.

"… this is the last time," Arisu said, clenching her fists. "After this—the score is settled. I won't owe anything to you, or this city."

What easy agreement. In that case, she was likely expecting—no, hoping to be defeated in the line of duty. Still though, just her agreement was enough—even a pawn that did not care to fight was still a pawn.

"Very well. I will only need you one last time." Roget smirked. "Tell me—have you heard of the phrase "watch the fires burn across the river"?"

"Sorry, I'm uneducated," Makoto snarked.

"… you mean, to watch all other parties exhaust themselves before joining the battle," Arisu concluded.

"Correct." Roget raised his head. "The mess in the stadium, our scattered foes… so focused on Academia and only Academia. Thus—we will wait for them to destroy themselves against each other, and take down the remnants."

And he cast his gaze across towards the distance.

Everything was still secured.

Hopefully though, that girl would eliminate more of the Lancers before she exhausted herself. That was the only way in which he would gain anything from her rampage.

If this three way war was to have any victory, it would be his.

When the world was stuck in a stalemate for so long, the only way out was 'armageddon'.


OC Cards:

Cyber Alruba

(1*/0/0/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)

During either player's turn, at the start of the Damage Step, if a LIGHT Machine monster you control battles while this card is in the GY: You can Special Summon this card from the GY; neither player takes damage from that battle, and if you do, negate the effects of the opposing monster while this card is face-up on the field. This card cannot be destroyed by battle. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: You can banish this card; Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher LIGHT Machine monster from your Deck, ignoring Summoning conditions. You can only activate each effect of "Cyber Alruba" once per turn.

Trivia: Alruba means 'the foal', and it's the name of the star HD 161693 in the Draco constellation. It is the star in the centre of the Mother Camels asterism, which will be elaborated on in the next card section. Regardless, Alruba is often referred to as the 'young foal' that is protected by the other stars, and thus, its effect supports specifically those five stars.

Cyber Alrakis

(10*/3000/2000/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)

If you control a LIGHT Machine monster: You can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position, and if you do, you can make its Level become 5. If you control a DARK Machine monster: You can Special Summon this card from your GY in Defense Position. You can only Summon "Cyber Alrakis" once per turn. If this card is banished by a Spell effect, or by the effect of a LIGHT Machine monster: You can target 1 Machine monster you control; for the rest of the turn, it cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects.

Trivia: Named after the star Mu Draconis, also known as 'Alrakis'. Alrakis is a special star because it is a binary star/multiple star system, in which two stars orbit each other. Thus, the two Special Summoning effects represent that—Alrakis always returns because of another monster. The final effect references Cyber Eltanin. This is because Eltanin is named after Gamma Draconis, which is, along with Mu Draconis (Alrakis), Nu Draconis (Kuma), Beta Draconis (Rastaban) and Xi Draconis (Grumium), grouped as the Mother Camels, or 'Quinque Dromedarii'. Thus, I thought that referencing Eltanin, which is clearly a boss monster, would be fitting. 'Arrakis', which the name is derived from, means 'The Dancer'—thus, the references to elegance. Of course, this card doesn't play a large part in this duel, but… just from the effect, isn't it clear what it's going to eventually be used as material for?

Cyber Asterism Dragon

(10*/4000/2800/LIGHT/Machine/Fusion/Effect)

1 "Cyber Dragon" monster + 2+ Machine monster(s)

While you have a DARK Machine Fusion Monster in the GY, this card cannot be targeted by card effects. While you have a LIGHT Machine Fusion Monster in the GY, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects. While you have a Machine Fusion Monster in your GY, this card gains the following effects depending on the number of Fusion Materials used for its Fusion Summon:

● 3+: If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage.

● 5+: During either player's turn, if your opponent activates a card or effect (Quick Effect): You can negate that effect, and if you do, destroy it.

● 7+: This card gains 1000ATK/DEF for each other Machine monster on the field.

● 10+: This card is unaffected by Spell/Trap effects during the Battle Phase.

You can only activate each effect of "Cyber Asterism Dragon" once per turn.

Trivia: And this card was born for three reasons. One—Cyber End Dragon is painfully outdated, as is Cyberdark Dragon. But while Cyberdark Dragon at least got a pseudo-upgrade/retrain, Cyber End Dragon hasn't really gotten one. No, Cyberdark End Dragon is a hybrid, not a retrain. Two—it really didn't sit right with me that Cyberload Fusion, supposedly for the Cyber Dragon archetype, only has either Cyber End Dragon or Cyber Twin Dragon to call upon, along with the Chimeratechs. And while I love the Chimeratechs, it feels like a missed opportunity not to give the Cyber Dragons themselves a monster that can be summoned with more materials. Three… it's Arc-V. Retrains are the most fun part of it. Thus, this card was born. The word 'Asterism' references manga Ryo's monsters all being themed after stars, which as an astrology nerd, is something I'm going to be taking advantage of. The effects are basically the stuff that Cyber Dragons are kinda lacking. Other than Eternity Dragon and Infinity (which I can't currently use), the boss monsters have no protection (as is very clearly shown in this duel). Thus, I gave Asterism Eternity Dragon's protection effect, though more stringent. I gave it an effect that benefits from Cyberload Fusion. Unaffected by Spell/Trap cards during the Battle Phase? That's a reference to Ancient Gears, since he's still a part of Academia. The constellation mentioned in its appearance, naturally, is Draco. The fact that it's black instead of white… well, for all that Ryo's personality is closer to his Season 1 incarnation, he's not exactly on the right side.


Different Card Effects from TCG:

White Aura Bihamut - I realised like seven months after that I wrote the wrong summoning requirements, and changing them now forces me to rewrite two duels, so its summoning requirement is now "1 Tuner monster + 1+ non-Tuner monsters".


End Notes:

I finished writing this whole chapter halfway through last week, looked at it and scrapped the whole thing, before rewriting the duel. And now, I do not want to even think about writing any of the older sister characters' duels for another month—

*sees the next chapter and facepalms in exasperation*

Could I have cut the first duel? Yes. Was it entirely self-indulgent? Yes. :D What is fic writing for, if not self-indulgence?

Fun fact—Quariongandrax accepts any number of Tuners, not just two. However, Double Tuning is already weird (and trust me, we'll get to that a while later, when we get Jack POV again) and so, I decided against canon Triple Tuning for now. Did I have a lot of fun realising that Chaos Giant can technically be wrecked by every Synchro character in this story with a single card? Yes.

We get the Dragunity-Crystron sweep for the appetiser, and of course, Ghoti vs Cyber Dragons for the main course. Some people predicted that it would be Ryo vs Kaname and Yugo, but practically speaking, uh… that's not possible. :) The problem is that Cyber Dragons are hyperoffensive, but they still lose out to Ghoti/Speedroids individually, let alone together. For the sake of not making a ton of OC monster effect negating cards and possibly destroying the difficulty curve in one duel, I had to make some compromise. Plus, making Yugo lose twice in a row in two chapters didn't sit right with me. He's already lost one—and when I weighed the character development (read: trauma) that I could give him from losing to Ryo vs watching Ryo defeat his sister in a duel, essentially pseudo-defeating him, I decided that I liked this more. One thing to note is that Kaname's life was never at stake in the duel—what she bet was the keycard, and nothing more. :)

There's a good reason that 90% of the duel is from Yugo's perspective—he's essentially the audience surrogate. This duel is a lot more about mindgames and moves that have their true purpose hidden behind something else. Poor Yugo is thinking in checkers while 4D chess is happening in front of him.

Learning that One Day of Peace negates Power Bond was definitely a 'moment' for me, as I frantically searched up ways to avoid Ryo absolutely decimating his own life points on Turn 2.

Did you know that 90% of Ryo's manga cards never had any effects? I really wanted to use them because their names are so good, but considering my track record, the moment I try to give them effects, Konami will print them with different effects, so I just used their naming scheme—aka, stars in the Draco constellation.

Small and quick duel notes: Friller Rabca could not be used to negate Asterism's attack, because Asterism cannot be targeted. That's why it ends up not being used.

All the stuff that Miharu says about going colourblind because of depression is true. I won't explain everything here because it's really long, but in general, it has to do with 'contrast', aka, the ability to tell the difference between two colours/objects, etc, in your vision. So the reason that everything looks grey is because she's struggling to see the difference between colours—everything just looks a lot more blended to her. If you use any photo app and decrease the contrast, you can see that 'blurriness'. Coupled with the general effects that depression has on a person's mentality, when a person is going through a depressive episode, everything can look grey because they're also paying less attention, in a way. A lot of that comes from my own personal experience as well. This isn't actually the first case of this happening—Chapter 42 and 51 have references to this too.

It is 100% a cop out to have Ryo duel a Psychic Duelist so that he's injured and forced to withdraw. But having him lose in such an early match would be worse. I weighed the outcomes and decided that having him take the win from one of the characters with a spotless win record would be enough.

I do write Ryo as someone who seeks the thrill of a good duel, but he's more mature than most of the current cast. As a result, he's also a little kinder than most incarnations of him that I see in fics. It's my own personal preference, anyway. And anyway, he is more honourable than most of Academia, but that does bite him in the ass here—Roget noped his way out of the building the moment that he showed up, and Kaname stalled him there until she was sure that it would be too difficult for him to catch up.

The usage of 'armageddon' is a pun that I made to a friend over a call—and it stuck. While I'm sure you're all aware of armageddon in terms of 'the end', it is also a designation in chess for a final tiebreaker, if other methods to break the tie fail. Both interpretations work for Roget's final line.

As for if you have anything to complain about with regards to the Security Quartet, do me a favour and wait a few more chapters. :)

Review responses!

To Bryz0n, in universe, Ryo is stronger than Kaname, but out of universe, Cyber Dragons (without Infinity) can be easily managed by Ghoti. I do really love Vylons—I'm hoping that they get legacy support at some point. And yeah, after the Academia invasion ends, we're going to be proceeding straight into more Security Quartet antagonist content. :) I always felt that it was a waste that the only antagonistic character in Synchro itself was Sergey, when Synchro as a setting lends itself so well to making antagonists that aren't affiliated with Academia.

To phantomdragons, trust me, every time I finish writing a chapter, proofreading it is an agonising process. And I'm glad that you like Kaname and Yugo. Writing both of them on screen together is fun for me too.

To Mr. Owl, I would say that Kaname is painfully naive in her own way—though if we wait a few chapters, that'll be even more obvious, haha.

To cardfan135, mm, I feel like no matter which of the two of them won, it would still have been unexpected in its own way—and that's really nice. And a fun part of writing duels is putting symbolism into them in that way—otherwise, writing it just feels a little too boring. :D Good analysis on that particular bit!

To kikuruhime, for a bit of behind the scenes knowledge, there was a point in time when I considered giving Gusto to Kaname, and then to Makoto. I only really settled on the exact decks for the Security Quartet during the break between Standard and Synchro, because there were so many interesting decks that I wanted to use in a major capacity. We'll see how it goes! :)

To PhilJS89, haha, Yugo's big anime moment isn't quite this chapter, but it's definitely coming up in the next part of the arc. After all, Yugo has much less reason to be upset with Academia than he does the City itself. Cyber Dragons are really great. And I'm glad that the Kaname moment did speak to you! :) (Pun fully intended.)

To Unlucky-Fausto, sure! Once I find the time, I'll probably put together the Tumblr blog with all of the 'background' stuff that I have for this story. And yeah, honestly, the 'invasion' part of the arc is probably the part that I was looking forward to writing the most, because the Friendship Cup part does suffer a bit from awkward moments that feel like filler, purely by necessity of being a tournament arc. I think that the fact that I'm enjoying writing it also plays a big role in quality—somehow, chapters I like more always end up better, because my perfectionist nature forces me to check the chapter more. I'm glad that you've liked it so much :) As for the sign language part, don't worry, I'm not offended! In general, while Yugo can read, he's never really seen the point of learning anything beyond the very basics, since skills like math or street smarts are more important. However, before Kaname got access to text-to-speech, the only way to communicate with her was to learn to read or to learn sign language. While Yugo's speech is perfectly fine, and he can usually understand spoken words, reading still gives him trouble. And yup, I'm about to resolve that other cliffhanger from Chapter 61 soon :)

QOTC: How do you feel about the use of legacy characters in this story thus far? Out of all the legacy characters that have shown up, who has your favourite portrayal in this story?

That's it! Like I said, updates are going to be slower since life's gotten difficult and busy again, especially because I'm in the part of the arc where every duel is between two important characters, so they all take a while to plan as well. Promise that I'm still working on it though! Also, thanks to everyone that has supported this story so far! Things are… about to get better for our heroes, starting from here. :)