[A/N]
Here we are, the first full Duel of the story!
Unlike the previous two chapters, I don't have as much to say before we begin. I do have things I want to say about Blake, but I'm going to save those thoughts for a different chapter, since she's effectively just a 'monster of the week' in this chapter.
Also, regarding her deck… I'm gonna keep the inspiration and reasoning to myself until she becomes the focal point of a few chapters down the line. I think, even with the limited information I've given, it should be fairly easy to come to a conclusion about what Blake's Deck is supposed to represent.
And, I decided to add an effect to all Number Monsters; just like how they're immune to basically all forms of removal (aside from each other), they are also all treated as Divine Attribute, and can also be removed by Divine monsters as well. Like their protection, this is only applicable if they have Overlay Units. I should also point out that cards that can alter attributes cannot, under any circumstance, change cards to Divine.
With that said, let's open the game.
Duel 3
What I'm Made Of
Ruby Rose (4000 LP) VS Blake Belladonna (4000 LP)
Show Her What You're Made Of!
DUEL!
I activate the Continuous Spell 'Piercing the Darkness'!" Ruby began. "I then activate 'Fiendsmith's Tract'!" Ruby exclaimed, and that immediately got Blake's attention.
"'F-Fiendsmith'...?" Blake murmured. "But I didn't open any hand traps…!"
"I add my 'Magnificent Magikey Mafteal', a LIGHT Fiend monster, from my deck to my hand, and then, I discard my 'Shiny Black "C" Squadder' from my hand!" Ruby exclaimed. Blake let out a sigh of relief once the effect resolved.
"I summon my 'Mafteal'!" Ruby continued, unaware of Blake's minor heart attack. The gun djinn proudly floated towards the field, and flexed its muscles as a show of dominance (LV 4 Tuner / 1500 ATK). "When 'Mafteal' is summoned, I can Special Summon the '"C" Squadder' I just discarded!" With a laugh, the monster opened a portal to the graveyard. Blake had to squint in order to just barely catch a glimpse of the miniscule Sentai-inspired cockroach that now stood on 'Mafteal's' nose (LV 4 / 0 DEF).
"Because I summoned a non-Token Normal Monster, 'Piercing the Darkness' lets me draw one card!" Ruby exclaimed. Her eyes sparkled brightly as she looked at the card she obtained. "Yes! I activate 'Magikey Maftea'! With this card, I can Ritual Summon or Fusion Summon a Magikey monster, and since I control a Normal Monster, I can use Normal Monsters from my Main Deck as Material! So, I send 'Clavykis, the Magikey Skyblaster' from my deck to the Grave in order to Ritual Summon 'Magikey Mechmusket - Batosbuster!'"
A holographic, see-through 'Clavykis' appeared, which burst into bright purple flames. The 'Maftea' in its hands glowed and then grew, becoming a massive gatling gun. 'Clavykis' solidified, and fell to the ground with a powerful thud.(LV 4 Tuner / 2200 DEF).
"Since 'Batosbuster' was summoned, I get to add a 'Magikey' card from my deck to my hand! I choose 'Magikey World' which I then activate!" An extra slot on the leftmost Main Monster Zone pops out, which Ruby slides her Field Spell inside of. The projectors on her Disk begin to hum loudly, shifting the empty, darkened arena to a glowing white hall with multiple floors, each with many doors surrounding the perimeter.
"When 'Magikey World' is activated, I can add a 'Magikey' Monster from my deck to my hand! I choose my second 'Magikey Mafteal'! 'Mafteal's' effect activates from my hand! Since I control another 'Magikey' Monster, I can Normal Summon another 'Magikey' monster this turn!" Above Ruby, a ghostly apparition of the monster appeared in front of her and laughed.
"I activate 'Magikey World's' second effect! With it, I can add a second 'Magikey Maftea' from my deck to my hand, and then place the 'Mafteal' in my hand to the bottom of the deck!" The apparition above Ruby changed as 'Mafteal' reverted back into its gun form.
"Now, I overlay my Level 4 'Mafteal' and 'Squadder'!" The monsters transformed into twin orbs of light and dark, flying into the air and slamming into one of the many doors around them. It opened, and from it, the older, dual-wielding warrior leapt out from the other side (Rk 4 / 2000 ATK / 2 OU).
"'Vepartu's effect activates! When it's Xyz Summoned, I can detach 'Mafteal' to add 'Clavykis, the Magikey Skyblaster' from my Deck to my hand!" The warrior reloaded his weapon, and then pointed it to the ground (2 OU to 1 OU). "I Normal Summon 'Clavykis'!" Ruby shouted; 'Vepartu' fired, causing its younger version to appear next to it.
"Now, I activate 'Magikey Maftea' once more! This time, I fuse my 'Clavykis' and the 'Phantom Griffin' in my Deck in order to Fusion Summon 'Magikey Beast - Ansyalabolas'!"
With one card remaining in Ruby's hand, the gun fired with a loud bang turned around and fired at a door with a purple gem in the center. It shattered, which allowed a large, demonic wolf to jump out. It was covered in black fur, while its legs and a crest on its head was made from thick red skin. Two beady yellow eyes on its head, and multiple green eyes on its limbs and shoulder opened up. It howled, nearly throwing 'Clavykis' off its back, but the young man managed to hold on tightly to it (LV 4 Tuner / 2200 ATK).
"Urgh…" Blake groaned, the hairs on the back of neck as the large, dog-like demon snarled at her.
Ruby smiled as her large dog appeared. "Isn't he adorable? I like to call him Zwei!" Blake blinked and looked up at the beast. It snarled, the deep guttural sound mixed with hundreds of wails and screams of butchered souls and the damned. "He wouldn't hurt a fly if he weren't in a duel!" Blake's pretty sure she can see hellfire in its beady eyes.
"Yes… he's very… cute…" Blake bemoaned.
"Anyways, when 'Ansyalabolas' is summoned, 'Magikey Maftea' returns to my hand, not that I need it right now," Ruby said with a shrug.
Ruby let out a sigh as she examined her field. Her three 'Magikey' monsters, each one depicting 'Clavykis' at a different stage of its life, all stood protectively in front of her. 'Ansyalabolas' snarled, 'Batosbuster' shifted its weight onto its other leg, and 'Vepartu' narrowed its eyes.
"I set one card, and end my turn!" Ruby declared. Blake nodded.
"Impressive board, I must say," Blake comments, eyeing Ruby's monsters carefully. "Fusion, Xyz, and Ritual… I imagine you also have Links and Synchros, hiding in your Extra Deck."
"Yep! 'Magikey's' are one of the few decks with access to every single Extra Deck summon… except Pendulum, and they don't have their own Link Monster," Ruby said with a small laugh. "But! There's no xeno-locks either, so I'm free to summon whatever monster I can!"
"Impressive. But of course, the amount of monsters on the board is only one part of the equation," Blake remarked as she drew her card once priority passed to her. "What matters, above all else, is how you respond to your opponent's actions. I wonder if you'll crumble under the weight of my willpower."
"I sure hope I don't…" Ruby mutters, adopting a defensive stance as Blake's eyes became slits once more.
"I activate the Spell Card 'One for One'," Blake continued. "By discarding a card from my hand, I can summon a Level 1 monster from my deck; I discard 'Rose Lover' to summon 'Ruddy Rose Witch'!" A small girl with red hair appeared in the center of Blake's field, one with big blue eyes wielding a staff of vines and thorns tipped with a red gem (LV 1 Tuner / 800 ATK).
"I then activate my 'Witch's' effect. By tributing it, I can add one 'Witch of the Black Rose' to my hand, place a Level 3 or Lower Plant monster on top of my deck, and then Normal Summon my 'Witch'!" Blake explained. As the monster waved her wand and disappeared.
She was replaced by another girl with long purple hair, a black and white dress, and a staff tipped with a blue gem (LV 4 Tuner / 1700 ATK). "When 'Black Witch' is summoned, I can draw a card, however, if that card is not a monster, I send it to the grave and destroy my 'Witch'."
"And you stacked your deck with 'Ruddy Rose's' effect, that means there's no threat of you losing your monster," Ruby realized with a frown.
"You can catch on quick. Maybe there's hope for you yet," Blake snarked, which made Ruby frown deeper. "The card I drew is 'Lonefire Blossom', so 'Black Rose' remains on the field." Blake then grabbed a card from her graveyard. "Next, I activate 'Rose Lover's' effect from my graveyard. By banishing it, I can summon 'Rose Princess' from my hand." A red rose blossomed in front of her, allowing a slender woman in a red dress and flower petals on her head to appear (LV 3 / 1200 ATK).
And then, Blake's pupils turned into cat-like slits. She thrust her hand forward, pointing to 'Black Rose'. "The stage has been set; I tune my Level 4 'Witch of the Black Rose' to my Level 3 'Rose Princess'!"
The Spellcaster in question hummed, and waved her wand in the air. Her body disappeared, leaving behind four green rings. 'Rose Princess' dissolved as well, leaving behind three green stars that flew between the gleaming rings.
"I Synchro Summon Level 7! 'Black Rose Dragon'!" Blake shouted. A beam tore through the middle, causing the foundations of Ruby's 'Magikey World' to shake. As the beam disappeared, what was left was a slender dragon with black and scales, its body covered and wings made of bright red rose petals, and a tail adorned with sharp thorns (LV 7 / 2400 ATK).
"As a Plant monster has been sent to the grave, I can summon 'Rose Girl' from my hand," Blake continued; a petite girl in a rose themed skirt, carrying a rose bigger than it, appeared (LV 3 Tuner / 800 ATK). "Then, with my 'Rose Girl' and 'Black Rose Dragon', I'll Synchro Summon again!"
"A-Again!?" Ruby exclaimed, her eyes widened as another set of rings appeared from 'Rose Girl'. As 'Black Rose Dragon' dissolved, it disappeared in a shower of red petals, leaving behind glowing red stars.
"I Synchro Summon 'Ruddy Rose Dragon'!" A much larger version of 'Black Rose' appeared; its thorns were sharper, its eyes gleaming bright red. The petals almost looked like they were made of a shiny crystal. The monster howled as it appeared, its vines shooting out and stabbing into the walls of Ruby's field spell (LV 10 / 3200 ATK).
"'Ruddy Rose' then banishes all cards from both our graveyards," Blake added, almost as an afterthought. It was so sudden it made Ruby blink.
"W-wait, what!?" Ruby yelled.
"There's more; as 'Black Rose Dragon' was used as Synchro Material, 'Ruddy Rose' will nuke both our fields afterwards," Blake continued. Ruby's eyes widened.
"I-I activate 'Magikey Battle!" Ruby quickly exclaimed. "I can shuffle 'Mafteal' from my grave back into the deck! And, since I used this card in response to your effect's activation, my Magikey monsters are safe!"
"So you were prepared for this, then? Good. However, 'Battle' will not save your Spells from destruction!" Blake pointed to the sky and shouted. "Red Rose Rage!" 'Ruddy Rose' opened its jaw and breathed a large column of flames into the air. It reached the ceiling, and fiery hell began to rain down. The monster doused everything in flames, causing her field spell to crumble, and for her graveyard to be reduced to a pile of ash. At the very least, her monsters survived.
"As I have yet to use my Normal Summon, I will do so now; I summon 'Lonefire Blossom'!" A stem made of dark brown and yellow material sprouted on the floor, and the tip bloomed something that looked like a pale bomb (LV 3 / 500 ATK). "By tributing 'Lonefire Blossom', I can summon a Plant Monster from my deck: 'Spore'."
A white ball of fluff appeared next to the large dragon; it had big blue and a curly smile that made it look like an owo face (LV 1 Tuner / 100 ATK). "As I summoned a Tuner Monster, I can summon this card from my hand: 'Dark Rose Fairy'!" Next to the fuzz, a short girl in a black dress carrying a lantern appeared. (LV 2 / 800 ATK).
Then, a circuit board appeared in front of her. "Now, by sending my 'Dark Rose Fairy' and my 'Spore' from my field to the graveyard–two monsters with different Types–I can Link Summon 'Crossrose Dragon'!" A dragon as colorful as a bouquet appeared, with purple scales, hooved feet, and many flowers blooming from its chest (LINK-2 / 800 ATK).
"I then activate 'Spore's' effect from my graveyard. By banishing 'Lonefire Blossom' I can summon 'Spore' back, and increase its Level by 'Blossom's'," Blake explained. A small blast appeared in the zone that 'Crossrose's' bottom arrow pointed, and suddenly 'Spore' was on the field, still smiling, but looking a little singed (LV 1 to LV 4 Tuner / 100 ATK).
"I use 'Crossrose Dragon's' effect. I'll tribute it and my 'Spore' in order to summon 'Black Rose Moonlight Dragon' from my Extra Deck!" The draconic bouquet trilled, transforming into pixelated circles that 'Spore' happily jumped into. Like it was a natural Synchro Summon, light beamed through the circle, and eventually created another black dragon made of roses; this one looked almost identical to the original 'Black Rose', but it looked shinier (LV 7 / 2400 ATK, 'Black Rose Moonlight Dragon' to Black Rose Dragon').
"As 'Moonlight Dragon' was Summoned, it can send your 'Batosbuster' back to your hand!" Ruby blinked in surprise.
"Oh nooo…" There goes her negate. The crystal-like petals of the dragon began to shine brightly. With a powerful thrust of its wings, beams of light spiraled into the and then crashed into 'Batosbuster', knocking it down and making the monster disappear.
"Battle!" Blake shouted. "'Ruddy Rose Dragon' attacks 'Vepartu'!" Blake's monster opened its jaw, revealing multiple rows of sharp teeth and a mouthful of flames. With a shrill cry, 'Ruddy Rose' blasted Ruby's Xyz with fire, making the monster grunt in pain before exploding. Ruby raised her arms over her head and hissed through her teeth as the flames doused her as well (4000 LP to 2800 LP).
"'Black Rose Moonlight Dragon' attacks 'Ansyalabolas'!" The wings on 'Moonlight Dragon' began to shine again, and it opened its mouth to breathe out a beam of light. The laser went straight through the monster, destroying it (2800 LP to 2600 LP).
"I set one card. That ends my turn." Blake finally concluded, allowing Ruby a moment to breathe.
"Phew… that's a relief," Ruby mumbled. She looked at her hand; only 'Maftea' and 'Batosbuster'. That certainly is not a good hand, not by a long shot. "Alright, it's my turn…! I draw!"
Ruby hesitated for a moment. Her hand remained outstretched for a second or two before she found the courage to bring to her eyes. "Oh, thank the lords of RNG!" Ruby exclaimed when she did. It made Blake snort.
"I can see you managed to draw an excellent card," Blake commented, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Yep! With this, I can definitely break through your board!" Ruby exclaimed. She was about to play it, but before she did, Blake raised a finger.
"One second," Blake said. Ruby blinked in confusion.
"What's up?" She's not going to try and shark her, is she.
"Why do you think you drew that card?" Blake asked.
"I… don't follow?" Ruby said, tilting her head.
"I suppose that question was rather vague…" Blake commented. She placed a hand over her mouth as tried to think of a way to rephrase the question. "I'm not sure why, but, many people, when they top a certain card, always find something to thank or praise," Blake said wistfully, staring at her own Deck.
"Some thank destiny, fate, perhaps even the cards themselves." Blake raised her arm vertically, so that the Duel Disk's Blade covered half of her face. "Personally, I don't believe in such… fairy tales, but, what about you?"
Ruby frowned. "No, not at all," She said. The silver glitter in her eyes dimmed. "Even if fate did exist… it doesn't favor me."
When she blinked, the glow returned. "I summon 'Rescue Rabbit'!" A pile of bushed appeared in front of her, and from, a small white and gray bunny hopped with a hard hat over it's head and a walkie-talkie around its neck hopped onto the field (LV 4 / 300 ATK).
"'Rescue Rabbit's' effect activates! By banishing it, I can Summon two Normal Monsters with the same name from my deck! I summon two 'Megalosmasher Xs'!" 'Rescue Rabbit' turned on its walkie-talkie and threw it into the air. The feedback from the device caused the ground to ripple like water, and from it two dinosaurs flew it from the ground, each one snapping its jaws closed around it ((LV 4 / 2000 ATK) x2).
"Now, I activate the effect of my 'Magikey Maftea' from my hand!" Ruby continued, sliding the card into her Disk and allowing the gun to form above her. "With this, I can fuse 'Batosbuster' in my hand with the 'Gunkan Suship Shari' in my Deck! I Fusion Summon 'Magikey Beast - Ansyalabolas'!"
Again, the demonic dog appeared. As it landed on the ground, it glared at the opposing dragons on the opposite side of the field and howled loudly (LV 4 Tuner / 2200 ATK). "When my 'Beast' is summoned, 'Magikey Maftea' returns to my hand. Then, I activate my 'Beasts' effect! Once per turn, I can target your 'Ruddy Rose', a FIRE Monster: since I have my 'Suship', a FIRE Monster; your Dragon is switched to Defense Mode and it loses 1000 ATK!"
'Ansyalabolas' reared back on its legs and then surged forwards, letting out an ear shattering howl. Blake flinched, her flattening on top of head as the sound waves stung her and crippled her dragon (3200 ATK to 1400 DEF).
"Next, I activate 'Maftea' again!" Ruby exclaimed. "I'll Fusion Summon again, using my 'Ansyalabolas' on my field, and the 'Alexandrite Dragon' on my deck!" The beast began to morph, growling as it's back began to bulge out. "I Fusion Summon 'Magikey Dragon - Andrabime'!"
'Clavykis' leapt from his steeds back, which then exploded from the inside out. Instead of a mess of gore and blood, a green dragon nearly twice the size of the monster it burst from appeared. 'Clavykis' latched onto the monster's horn, and it roared loudly (LV 8 / 2800 ATK).
"Fine then. I activate 'Moonlight Dragon's'–!" Black began, but the dragon flapped its wings, generating a large gust of wind that temporarily knocked 'Moonlight' off balance.
"Funny thing about this card; you can't react to this monster's Fusion Summon!" Ruby smiled. She then snapped her fingers. "Next, I Overlay my 2 Level 4 'Megalosmasher Xs'!" The two aquatic dinosaurs roared as they flew into the sky, their bodies dissolving into spheres of water energy.
"I Xyz Summon 'Evolzar Dolkka'!" The Overlay Network exploded in a large blaze of fire; from the flames, a humanoid white dragon covered in blue markings glowing white blue eyes, and a terrifyingly wide grin filled with sharp teeth roared. (Rk 4 / 2400 ATK / 2 OU).
"Now, I activate 'Andrabime's' effect! Once per turn, I can target a Normal Monster in my grave, and every monster on your field with that monster's attribute gets blown up! The monster I target is 'Alexandrite Dragon'!"
"That's a cute trick, but it won't save you! I activate 'Ruddy Rose Dragon's' effect!" Blake interrupted. The monster snarled, and began to cover itself in fire. "'Ruddy Rose' will negate that effect by tributing itself, and afterwards, I can summon 'Black Rose Dragon' from my deck!"
"Oh really! Sweet! That means I don't have to beat over 'Ruddy Rose' anymore!" Ruby exclaimed, making Blake's breath hitch. "I activate 'Evolzar Dolkka's' effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, 'Ruddy Rose's' effect is negated!" The white dragon whipped its neck around and ate one of its Units (2 OU to 1 OU).
The chain resolves. 'Dolkka' roars and breathes a column of its own flames into the fireball created by 'Ruddy Rose', making it disappear. With 'Ruddy Rose's' effect fizzling out, 'Andrabime' was free to breathe its own fire at 'Moonlight Dragon' causing it to explode. "And then, since a monster you control was destroyed, and since it shares an attribute with Normal Monster in my grave, I get to draw a card!"
Ruby doesn't bother to look at the card before entering her Battle Phase. "'Andrabime'! 'Dolkka'! Attack Blake directly!" At her command, both her dragons reared back their long necks and unleashed a column of flames. The fire spiraled around each other as they rapidly approached Blake.
She tapped a button on her Duel Disk. "I activate 'Basal Rose Shoot'." Blake said calmly. "With this card, I can Special Summon a 'Rose Dragon' monster from my deck. Return, 'Black Rose Moonlight Dragon'!" Ruby gasped as a flurry of rose petals appeared in front Blake; the whirlwind condescended, forming into the shining black dragon (LV 7 / 2400 ATK, 'Black Rose Moonlight Dragon' to 'Black Rose Dragon').
"'Moonlight Dragon's' name changes to match the name of the original 'Black Rose' whenever it's on the field or in the GY," Blake clarified before Ruby could ask why it was summoned. "In addition, as this card was summoned, I can return a monster you control back to your hand!" Again, beams of light flew out from its wings and crashed into the larger dragon, making it disappear.
"Sh-shoot…!" Ruby placed her boss monster back into her Extra Deck, and frowned. 'Dolkka' and 'Moonlight' both have the same ATK. Theoretically, she could crash into it and hope for the best, but that would leave her without a negate, which was arguably more important.
Ruby glanced at her hand. With 'Andrabime's' effect, she drew 'Ringowurm', but without any Normal Monsters on the field, it was a garnet.
"I end my turn," Ruby said, only somewhat disappointed.
"Very well. I draw," Blake said. She glanced at her card, and her lips curled into a smile.
"I summon 'Roxrose Dragon'." A six-legged dragon appeared, with curved pink claws at the ends of its feet, a neck made of pink leaves, and a back with beautiful pink roses sprouting from it. "When 'Roxrose Dragon' is summoned, I can add any card to my hand from my deck that mentions 'Black Rose Dragon'."
"In that case, I activate 'Dolkka's' effect!" Ruby exclaimed (1 OU to 0 OU). 'Roxrose' was blasted with fire, turning the monster to ashes.
"Ah, I see. You're far too trigger happy," Blake commented, making Ruby blink in surprise.
"Wh-what do you mean?" She asked, feeling far less confident.
"You may have altered the combo line I was going to use, but make no mistake, I can still play," Blake said. Her pupils then became slits. "Upon 'Roxrose's' destruction, 'Crossrose Dragon's' effect activates! I can banish this card, and then summon back 'Roxrose'!"
A pixelated rose appeared over the zone 'Roxrose' was just on; the pixels burst, and the pink monster appeared once more, flapping its leaf-like wings in agitation.
"Now, I tune my Level 3 'Roxrose Dragon' to my Level 7 'Black Rose Moonlight Dragon'!"
"I Synchro Summon Level 10! 'Bystial Dis Pater'!"
Ruby's eyes widened as Blake's new monster appeared. It was a massive departure from her earlier cards; it wasn't elegant or beautiful, it was a disgusting, eldritch abomination of knotted flesh with four long and lanky arms, and large fleshy wings tipped with sharp talons; there was a jaw filled with teeth at the base of neck, and it's main head had multiple dark purple, slimy tongues. Multiple diamond shaped portals leading to a purple void opened and closed at random behind it, each producing tentacles with multiple yellow eyes.
The thing craned its neck down. Ruby took a step back as the red eyes on the main head glowed brightly. Both the mouths on the head and neck opened, and released an ear piercing howl (LV 10 / 3500 ATK).
"Impressive, isn't it…" Blake muttered. She looked up at the distorted dragon with an… odd look. "I activate 'Dis Pater's' first effect. I'm allowed to special summon a banished DARK or LIGHT monster… from either of our banishments."
"Wait, either!?" Ruby cried out. Blake nodded.
"I summon 'Clavykis, the Magikey Skyblaster'!" 'Dis Pater' growled, creating a diamond shaped portal next to it. Instead of a tentacle with eyeballs, Ruby's primary monster floated out, its eyes glassy and floating off the floor like a puppet on strings.
"Battle. 'Bystial Dis Pater' attacks 'Evolzar Dolkka'." Ruby looked up, arms falling to her side as one mangled claw was raised into the air, and then slammed into the ground, crushing her own dragon (2800 LP to 1100 LP).
"'Clayvkis' attacks you directly." With unnatural twitches and audible cracks, 'Dis Pater' managed to make the possessed monster raise its gun and aim it at Ruby's head. It pulled the trigger, and Ruby staggered backwards as the bullet phased through her head. (1100 LP to 0 LP)
GAME!
Ruby groaned in annoyance as holograms began to turn off. "Oh, man…" Her head hung low, feeling dejected that her first complete Duel ended in an overwhelming loss. "Good game…" She said either way.
"Likewise," Blake said. She looked up, a frown on her face even as 'Dis Pater' disappeared. "You played well. Have you entered a major Duel Monsters tournament before?" She asked.
Ruby shook her head 'no'. "Most of what I learned was from my sister. Did I do good?" Ruby's eyes brightened.
"Better than I had anticipated. Like I said earlier, it's hard to come back from when your graveyard is banished," Blake complimented, a rare smile forming on her lips. "However, like I said earlier, you are a bit trigger happy with your responses…"
"A by-product of how my deck runs, I guess?" Ruby muttered with a nervous shrug and matching smile. "The only Quick Effect negate I have on theme is 'Batousbuster', but that only triggers during Battle Phase, ha ha…"
"I see…" Blake nodded, placing a hand on her chin. "Then, I'm assuming you must have plenty of going second cards in your Side Deck?"
"Yeah. If my 'Magikey's' can't get the job done, then I know they can!" Ruby said with a playful wink.
"Hm…" After a moment, Blake nodded. She can see the family resemblance now.
"So, uh, what now?" Ruby asked.
"Go to the amphitheater. You can sit anywhere you'd like. Most of the Placements Tests should have finished by now," Blake instructed the new student, taking out her scroll and looking at the instructions provided for her. "There, the closing ceremony will begin shortly. You should make it in time. As long as you don't run into any distractions."
Ruby froze up slightly at Blake's snarky comment. "Uh, yeah! Don't worry about that, I've never been distracted by anything!"
"So you say…" Blake comments wryly. "Once the closing ceremony concludes, you go to your assigned dorm room, and you'll find your new uniform there."
"R-Right," Ruby nodded with an awkward smile. "I guess I'll be off, then."
Ruby bowed stiffly at the waist, a sight which Blake smirked at. The girl spun on her heel and walked down from the arena. Once she reached the door, she slowly turned around and sheepishly glanced up at Blake. "D-do you think we could Duel again sometime?" She asked sheepishly.
Blake tilted her head at the question. "Sure. I'd like that."
"Great!" Ruby said excitedly, and then blushed slightly at her outburst. "I'll, uh, see you then?" With a little wave, Ruby walked out of the arena.
…
Blake reached into her Duel Disk and pulled out 'Bystial Dis Pater'.
"...You'd think she'd play some Level 8 Synchros, but maybe I'm lucky that she doesn't have 'Dragite' in her Extra… or 'Chaos Archfiend'."
Beacon's amphitheater was huge, Ruby realized as soon as she walked.
In the center was probably the largest arena she's ever seen. At a glance, it was unimpressive, being only a 2 kilometer floor of hardened glass. But, that's not the full story; underneath the amphitheater, and all others like it all over the world was an ARC Hologram System. Essentially, it's a massive, more powerful version of the Solid Vision projectors in the Duel Force's Duel Disks, capable of granting every card, not just the monsters, physical mass and form.
There were also a large number of seats available. She's heard that Beacon's amphitheater could possibly hold up to a couple hundred thousand people in it, but seeing the rows and rows and rows of seats was intimidating, almost overwhelming. She can't imagine Dueling in here, with thousands upon thousands eyes looking down at her.
Ruby shook her head. She's not Dueling here today. She shouldn't be nervous!
Ruby walked down the steps, looking for someone she knew. Maybe someone from her old school, or Velvet. Velvet was nice.
It shouldn't be hard to look for a pair of brown bunny ears, but most of the people had dark hair. The ears probably blended in easily with the large crowd.
"Oh, Ruby?" Or Ruby had entered first and Velvet was right behind her.
"Velvet!" Ruby said excitedly. She whirled, and greeted the faunus with a smile. "How did you do in your Duel?" She asked.
"Uh, well, fine, I guess?" Velvet shrugged nervously. "It was a hard fought battle. But, I did manage to prolong the Duel until Turn 7!"
"Really? That's impressive!" Ruby exclaimed. "Who did you face off against?"
"A 'Paleozoic' user," Velvet answered, making her new companion shiver.
"'Paleos'? Oh, those cards are creepy… and so slimy! Could you imagine what they'd feel like with Solid Vision?"
"Like real sea creatures?" Velvet commented, with a light smirk on her face. "Most of them are slimy and creepy in real life too, you know."
"Yeah, but those real, not slimy abominations made in the minds of someone at Industrial Illusions!" Ruby pouted. "Also, some sea creatures actually look cute!"
"Ah ha, if you say so!" Velvet said in a teasing voice. "What about you? How did your test go?"
"Resounding loss!" Ruby exclaimed dejectedly. "Honestly, I don't think I could've won that Duel… Pretty sure the person I Dueled against just had a better hand than me!"
"The woes of playing too many 'Garnets' gets you too, huh?" Velvet asked.
"Undoubtedly so…" Ruby nodded sagely. "A third of my starting hand were Normal Monsters! I love 'em, the art goes hard, but I wished they stayed in the Deck more often."
"Same… Anyways, we should find somewhere to sit, shouldn't we?" The bunny faunus said, pointing to the slow march of students slowly filing into the amphitheater.
"Oh, right! We should go to the front, we'll get a better view!" Ruby said. Velvet blinked in surprise.
"A better view? A better view for what?" Ruby didn't answer; instead she gently grabbed Velvet's wrists and pulled her down the steps. As she scoured the front row for good seats, she noticed a head of hair with a distinct shade of white. With a frown, she turned the other way.
"Over here seems good!" Ruby says, pointing to a pair of seats next to a boy with blonde hair and a black hoodie. "'Scuse me, is anyone sitting here?"
"Huh?" The blonde boy looked up from his cards, of which Ruby could barely get a glimpse of a DARK Level 9 monster. Based on the artwork, it looked like some sort of Spellcaster. "Oh, no, it's fine." He said, quickly stuffing his Deck back into its box.
"Great, thank you!" Ruby said. She sat next to him, while Velvet was to her right.
"What's going to happen?" Velvet asked in a hushed tone. The lights inside the amphitheater started to dim, and all the chattering behind them turned into hushed whispers. "Isn't this just going to be another speech?"
"Not entirely! You'll see soon enough, Yang told me all about it…!" Ruby said excitedly, but that only left Velvet more confused.
"I see…"
Soon, the lights and whispers stopped completely. There was a humming sound as the ARC Hologram System began to power, creating streams of light to beams of light to come out the hard glass floor.
They light shot out in unnatural directions, creating outlines of crumbled walls, destroyed fortresses, and a burnt ground; a war zone. As the Hard Light holograms began to solidify and color themselves correctly, multiple Grimm, ranging from the simple Beowulves to large Goliath's formed as well.
They were about to lunge, but they were blasted by beams of light. In the sky, 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' roared with all three of its heads as its powerful wingbeats kept it above the charred battleground. "Attention, Duelists from around the world!" Kaiba's voice shouted from the sound systems. A spotlight shined on top of 'Neo Blue-Eyes' middle head, revealing the man standing on top of it.
"Students of all ages," Ozpin's calm, more cool voice said. He was revealed to be on the ground, his hands resting on his cane. Ruby could feel her eye itch slightly as he walked closer to the edge.
"84 years ago, the Great War began its final confrontation. A confrontation that would decide the fate of all living beings that live in Remnant. One that would bring peace and unity…" He said, raising his right hand, which formed a simple blank card, "...or pain and division," he finished.
"This confrontation was unlike anything the world has seen before!" Kaiba carried on, his dragon lowering its head so he could walk on its head. "Instead of a battle between savages and false strength, of dishonor and cowards, this was a battle between great minds, a conversation of wills, ideals, and wits!"
He raised his personal Duel Disk into the air, and from its core a bright blue glow emerged from it. Two new monsters, 'Dragon Master Magia' and 'Divine Serpent Geh', brust from the ground, both howling as they fired beams of energy at one another.
"It was here that the first use of Duel Monsters, as well as the first Duel, was ever recorded," Ozpin spoke, his words somehow emphasized by the loud explosions both battling monsters produced from their attacks. "That knowledge they first developed has since become a beacon of Hope for the world, fighting back against the Despair that plagues us daily."
"You wish to use the knowledge… Either to defend the world, or to enrich your own lives! That, Duelists, is the ethos of Duel Monsters!" Kaiba shouted; behind him, 'Divine Serpent Geh' was thrown backwards by a fierce slam delivered by 'Dragon Master Magia'. "It's no mere game; it's a debate, to prove not your worth, not your strength, but your conviction!"
"To this end, we will provide you with the necessary tools and accommodations for you to succeed in your endeavors, whether they be selfless or selfish," Ozpin said, bringing their speech to the end.
"However, whether you succeed or you buckle underneath the weight of another's conviction, is up to you," Kaiba said, his one finality. Behind him, 'Dragon Master Magia' opened its mouth and blasted 'Divine Sepent Geh' with all its might, completely deatomizing both it and the structure.
"Now, we shall give you a taste of the conviction you will face," Ozpin said. The area in which they stood began to shift. The ARC system generated what looked to be a massive library, with books the size of buildings on golden shelves, and subtle green glow enveloping the area.
Ruby's silver eyes glittered as she read the strange text on the rims of the sides of the shelves. If she were a bit closer, maybe she could read it…
"I give you the ambassador of peace! Representing the King of Vale: Pyrrha Nikkos!" Ozpin announced. The crowd erupted in cheers as one column was lifted into the air, carrying a cloaked figure on its surface. They then threw off the cloak, revealing the Invincible Girl, dressed in an outfit that resembled a spartan warrior; the pride and joy of Mistral.
"Behold, the dark king of subjugation! Acting as the leader of Mantle: Yang Xiao Long!" Kaiba shouted. Another round of raucous applause erupted in the amphitheater as another column was raised. This time, Yang had already removed her own cloak long before the spotlight was aimed at her. Unlike Pyrrha, who seemed disinterested in the audience, Yang was actively waving and blowing kisses towards them.
"Wait… that's your sister, isn't it!?" Velvet asked in surprise. She even got the blonde boy's attention, as his head swiveled around on his shoulder.
"Really? She's participating in the Ceremonial Duel?" He said excitedly.
"Yeah! We got the letter last summer because she had the second best win-rate in the entire school last year!" Ruby said excitedly.
"I guess that means she has the best win-rate, huh?" He asked, staring up at the champion on the opposite side.
"...Of course she does, she's Pyrrha," Velvet said slowly, eyeing the blonde kid curiously.
"Oh, okay…" He muttered. There was no familiarity in his eyes. Ruby and Velvet both shared a look, and glanced back at the blonde boy.
"Does… does he know?" Velvet whispered.
Ruby shrugged in response.
Atop the pair of cylindrical shelves, Yang and Pyrrha stood across from one another. While Yang's eyes were excited; Pyrrha, meanwhile, seemed distracted. She looked straight ahead, but looked past Yang, not at her.
As Kaiba and Ozpin continued with their speech, Yang crossed her arms under her chest. "Hey."
The third-year student blinked, her gaze finally focusing on Yang. "Sorry, did you say something?"
"No," Yang shook her head. "Nervous?"
Pyrrha shrugged. "Not particularly. It's just another Duel." She turned her head to look at the crowd, anxiously waiting for the duel to begin. "Once it begins, they will disappear and we'll be the only ones left."
"Well, that's good, isn't it?" Pyrrha turns back to Yang, who now has a wide grin on her face. "That means our cards will do all the talking! And that's great! It's our first Duel together, and I want to prove to everyone just how strong I am!"
For a moment, Pyrrha said nothing in response, only smiling at Yang. The blonde girl then pounds her fist into an open palm, her eyes flashing bright red for a brief moment. "But, that means I want you to take me on with the same energy! How can it be a 'battle of ideals' if I'm the only one talking?"
"You want me to go all out…?" Pyrrha asked with a tilt of her head. Yang nodded fervently.
"Heck yeah, I do!"
The Invincible Girl pursed her lips, awkwardly shifting her weight from leg to leg. Going all out meant that she wouldn't be able to let Yang play. That's the odd thing about Duel Monsters as a game; you show your knowledge of the game mechanics and rulings by preventing others from playing it themselves.
"Hey." Pyrrha snaps her head up. Yang offers her a reassuring smile. "I'm asking for it, aren't I? If I get slammed, so be it. It gives the crowd a show, doesn't it?"
Pyrrha nods. "Okay… but just as a reminder…" She blinks, and it looks like her green eyes are starting to glow.
On the back of her left shoulder, the Number 80 begins to glow.
"You're the one who wanted this…"
[Black Rose Moonlight Dragon]
[LIGHT / Level 7]
[Dragon / Synchro / Effect]
[2400 ATK / 1800 DEF]
If this card is Special Summoned, or if a Level 5 or higher monster was Special Summoned to your opponent's side of the field; Target 1 Special Summoned monster on your opponent controls' return that target to the hand. You can only use this effect of 'Black Rose Moonlight Dragon' once per turn. This card's name becomes 'Black Rose Dragon' while on field or in the GY.
[A/N]
And so, we have finished our ever Duel. Hopefully, I didn't mess up any rulings. How did you guys think I did, good? At the very least, was the Duel easy to follow?
Anyways, Yang vs Pyrrha? In front of the school? Playing a card game? Now, where have I seen that before…? (Yes, this is a very deliberate homage.)
So, Blake plays Rose Dragons, but also a lot of Plant cards. She has all of the main deck Rose Dragons and Black Rose Dragon support cards. She does not play Rikka, Sunvine, or Aroma support; just a mostly generic plant engine. In addition, she also has Redox, which is the only Dragon Ruler she has, and two Bystials, which are yet to be revealed.
For her ED, she has both Rose Garden synchros, and all Rose Dragon monsters. She has Black Rose as her Ace, and Dis Pater and Ruddy Rose as her major boss monsters. Dis Pater will appear less frequently. She also has a modified Moonlight Dragon so that it can synergize more with her Rose Dragon support, as it's not a Rose Dragon.
Just as a warning for Pyrrha, similarly to Weiss, she's not going to be playing a deck that represents her, at first. She's supposed to be the best student in Beacon. As such, I made her the only major Third-Year character, and also she's playing a completely Meta Deck. Definitely Tier 1, and if I'm feeling a bit evil, Tier 0. I don't want her to be too powerful since… well, I need the other characters to actually play the game, and also I need a handful of Salem's group to seem powerful without their Numbers.
I'm also going to talk about Pyrrha and Jaune at a later date. Especially Jaune. I have some thoughts about him specifically, but I want to save those thoughts for later so that my [A/N] aren't as long as the chapter.
K bye.