Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V: The Six Dimensions

by BlaiseCandell

Before the invasion of the Xyz Dimension, scans done by the Fusion Dimension reveal two more dimensions. The Ritual Dimension, and the Link Dimension. Within those two dimensions, Chiaki, Yuji, Miharu and Yuno have their lives turned upside down, and are tossed into a vicious war. Also, why are there five people with the same faces as them? (M for discussions of trauma.)

110. Howling in the Wind

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! It's been a while, but I'm glad that this chapter didn't take that long. It has quite a fun duel in it though-so I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Let's get to it!

---

Chapter 110: Howling in the Wind

Sixteen years ago:

The smell of fresh food filled the room—the gold-haired girl on the ground raised her head, eyes widening. She could see the tall woman busying herself on the other side of the apartment. The woman moved with sheer confidence , even within the apartment itself, in a way that suggested she was somehow still on a battlefield. It was the same way that she had moved when she had rescued them.

The gold-haired girl pulled at one of her sleeves—ragged, like the rest of her clothing. She looked at her sister, who had already dozed off on the floor, seemingly unsuspecting of this… supposed kind stranger.

Carefully, the girl drew the blanket that the stranger had given them over her sister. She stood up, and walked over to the kitchen. She could smell the dough sizzling on the pan.

The tall woman looked down at her. She'd told them to just call her Tania, hadn't she? It felt too informal for someone so much older than them. "Dinner's not ready yet, my dear," she said softly. "What's wrong?"

"... what food are you cooking?" The girl asked cautiously.

"Ah, are you curious?" The woman gestured for her to come closer. She approached, staring up at the pan—there was some kind of pastry on it. "This is laz boregi. It's a pretty common dish on Traupik, but I guess… there isn't really a lot of time for cooking when you're on the run."

The girl winced. The woman gently patted her shoulder again.

"It's a pastry filled with traditionally prepared milk pudding," she said, continuing with her explanation. "My mother used to make it for me and my sisters back when we lived together. It's our family's special recipe."

"... there's also fish." She was referring to the plate at the side. "What's that for?"

"Pilav," the woman said, in a matter-of-fact tone. "If you think the laz boregi smells nice, you'll like this even more. Stay right here while I finish cooking."

So the girl stood there and watched as the woman began to pour spices into a separate pan—butter and garlic and ginger she recognised, and she could guess that the green and red vegetables were those really spicy things that her sister had eaten on accident once… a few leaves went in as well, and in response to her question, the woman responded that they were 'curry leaves', though she had no clue what curry was. Then, the fish went in and—

The smell of it hit her nose hard—it smelled good .

Her stomach grumbled. The woman shot her a knowing look.

Then, they both heard shifting from behind them. The girl whipped her head around—her sister had gotten up, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"Food?" She said sleepily. "... ah! You're that lady that helped us!"

"I am," the woman said, smiling serenely. "Come, sit down. The food's almost done."

"Okie!"

The girl looked at the food. Was it… really okay for them to eat this? So many spices… it had to be really expensive, right? How rich was this woman? What was her plan?

And yet…

She was hungry .

So she cautiously took a bite of the pastry first, the cheaper option—

And before she knew it, she had finished the entire thing.

When she looked up, the woman—Tania was smiling. "Was it good?" She asked.

"... yeah," the girl muttered. "It was really good. Thanks."

"No problem! So, what's your name?"

She hesitated, but her sister spoke up. "Grace and Gloria!" She said cheerfully.

"Grace!"

"She's nice! Otherwise we'd still be running from those mean men…"

Gloria sighed. She didn't want to admit that—to let her guard down—

Tania watched them, before she shook her head and smiled.

"... you both haven't touched the fish and rice yet," she said.

Grace cheerfully took a spoonful and ate it—before freezing.

And then—

Gloria watched her eyes widen as tears began to gather in them. "Grace?" She exclaimed.

Her sister put the spoon down, before she let out a wail and buried her head in Gloria's chest. "It tastes," she said between sobs, "like what mum used to make!"

… oh.

Gloria patted Grace's back. Curiously, she took a spoonful of the food as well with her other hand—

Oh.

This mix of spices…

They'd never seen their mother cook before, but this exact taste was what she remembered from all the times her mother had cooked rice, though not with fish. It was… perfect.

She found herself swallowing back tears too. She hadn't expected to be reminded of her mother here—not like this. She hugged Grace tightly—and after a moment, she felt Tania's arms wrap around both of them.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," she said softly, clearly having figured out what had sent them on the run in the first place. "Your mother would be proud of you for surviving." After a moment, Gloria buried her head in Tania's hair too, and finally let herself cry.

She finally felt safe.

---

Five years ago:

"Teacher! Did you see, did you see—"

Tania laughed as Grace tackled her in a hug—as usual, she was warm but always composed. "Of course I saw. What kind of teacher would I be if I didn't watch all of my students' most important duels?"

"I kicked his ass! Right, sister?"

"Language," Gloria said, though she was smiling too. Tania shot her an approving nod. "And yes, he never stood a chance. As expected from you, Grace. We'll be Obelisk Blues in no time—maybe while we're still first-years."

"Yeah!" Grace turned to Tania, still smiling brightly. "Teacher! Can we cook to celebrate me getting to Ra Yellow?"

"… of course." Tania patted the top of her head. "Come. And Gloria, your duel's next week, right? We should prepare for that too."

Gloria nodded. "I'd like to try the recipe again," she said. "Is that okay, teacher?"

"I'll show you again then." When Tania smiled, it made Gloria perk up too. "Let's go."

Mm.

If there was anyone that Gloria trusted in this school, it would be her sister and her teacher. She was just… happy to be with them.

… and she just wanted to be as strong as Tania, so she could protect them!

She didn't ever want to lose them.

---

In the present:

About four duels in, Kyorin and Kaname had started to take their battles separately—while they still stayed in roughly the same place to keep an eye on each other, it was easier for them to just handle three people on their own. As such, they were now standing somewhat apart—though Kyorin was still close enough to see Kaname's Ayakashi wiping out yet another field.

Geez. She was kind of glad that she wasn't on the other end of that now…

Still, she had a job to be doing!

[DUEL!]

Kyorin Rinsoka: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Red: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Green: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Kyorin] [H:5]

Oh! She got randomly assigned the first turn? Thank goodness…

"Um, I'll discard Nekroz of Areadbhair from my hand!" She dropped her ace into the graveyard, before revealing two cards in her hand. "I can tribute up to two "Nekroz" monsters in my hand and send the same number of "Nekroz" cards from my deck to the graveyard! I'll tribute Great Sorcerer of the Nekroz and Ariel, Priestess of the Nekroz in my hand!" She dropped the four cards into the graveyard. "Then, I will activate the effect of both my tributed monsters. I can add two "Nekroz" monsters from my deck to my hand—one being a Spellcaster Ritual Monster, and the other not being a Ritual Monster."

She picked up the two cards, though her fingers still trembled for a moment.

"Since I control no monsters, I can banish Ariel and Nekroz Mirror from the graveyard to use Mirror's effect. I'll add another "Nekroz" Spell to my hand!"

I have to order this correctly…

"I'll use the effect of Nekroz of Unicore in my hand! By discarding him, I can add Areadbhair back to my hand! Then, I'll activate the Ritual Spell, Nekroz Cycle! By tributing monsters from my hand or field, I can Ritual Summon a "Nekroz" Ritual Monster from my hand or graveyard! I'll tribute Shurit, Strategist of the Nekroz in my hand—and with his effect, even though his Level doesn't match, he can serve as the full tribute by himself!"

Alright.

"Fabled unicorn who cuts the strings of fate. Be channelled into the mirror formed from ice, and bless the ancient sorcerer! Ritual Summon! Level 4—Nekroz of Unicore!" In front of her, the graceful warrior appeared, briefly raising his hand to touch the horn on his helmet. In his other hand, he gripped onto an enormous spear.

[Nekroz of Unicore (4*/2300/1000/WATER/Spellcaster/Ritual/Effect)]

"While Nekroz of Unicore is face-up on the field," Kyorin said with a nod to her monster, "u-um, all monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck have their effects fully negated! Silent Decree!"

"What?" One of her opponents said, eyes widening. "Then… those cards! She's the girl that the Commander-in-Chief wanted us to capture!"

… what?

Um. Um!

Kyorin did not want to process that! She was fine!

(She was not going to be captured like Yuji and Chiaki, and she was not going to be a reason why the friends that she'd made would be in pain!)

"Shurit's effect! I'll add a "Nekroz" Warrior Ritual Monster from my deck to my hand—like Nekroz of Brionac! Then, I'll discard Brionac, add Clausolas—and by discarding Clausolas, add another copy of Nekroz Mirror to my hand and activate it!" She sped through her effects, still very nervous. "I'll banish Shurit from the graveyard, and he serves as the full tribute again! Dragon whose wings carry the weight of the stormclouds! Be channelled into the mirror formed from ice, and bless the young warrior!"

Come and protect me! Protect everyone!

"Ritual Summon! Level 10! Dance, stormy skies—and freeze beneath the holy light! Nekroz of Areadbhair!" Her ace appeared, the warrior in blue dragon-like armour, raising a blazing lance in the air—bright and fiery, fierce, and yet unrelenting—the ice around its body did not melt. He stood in front of her—his gaze filled with stoic determination.

[Nekroz of Areadbhair (10*/3300/3200/WATER/Warrior/Effect)]

"I'll set a card and end my turn," Kyorin said, holding onto the last card in her hand. "Um… over to you."

[Turn 2: Obelisk Force Red] [H:5]

"If the Commander-in-Chief has declared that you're our target, then you don't have a say in the matter!" The boy drew a card, before he stared at his hand.

Kyorin gulped, before she spoke up. "... aren't you the ones that don't have a choice in the matter?" She said timidly.

"Huh?"

"I know there are a lot of people that can be strong without their Extra Deck." She remembered dueling against Kaname and how the other girl had managed to dispose of Unicore before it caused too much disruption to her plans; she remembered dueling against Yuya and how the raw stats of his monsters had managed to take down Unicore.

But…

"I won't lose," Kyorin said determinedly. I can't.

Something about her determination seemed to shake the boy—he was quieter as he placed down a card. "I'll Normal Summon Antique Gear Hound Dog." The rusty green dog appeared on the field, letting out a bark.

[Antique Gear Hound Dog (3*/1000/1000/EARTH/Machine/Effect)]

"Hound Dog's effect isn't negated by your monster! I'll activate it and inflict 600 damage to you—Hound Flare!"

There!

"Nekroz of Areadbhair's effect!" Kyorin declared in return—her monster raised its lance, flames flowing through the air. "When my opponent activates a monster effect, I can tribute a monster from my hand or field, like the other Ariel in my hand! Then, that effect is negated, and that monster is banished !"

"No!" The dog vanished from the field. Kyorin took a deep breath.

"Ariel's effect! I'll add Dance Princess of the Nekroz to my hand, since she was tributed!"

Kyorin took a deep breath.

I won't be a load to anyone. I don't know why Edo Phoenix wants to capture me—

Because even if Academia gets me, Academia won't get what they want!

Her next opponent started his turn, but she tributed Dance Princess and cut off his attempt to do the same thing that his comrade had done—and with Dance Princess's effect, she added the Ariel she had banished last turn to her hand.

I'm the daughter of the funniest man in the world and a woman who can look at anything broken and think it's worth putting back together.

"I'll activate the Spell Card, Antique Gear Fusion!" Her last opponent cried out, having drawn the one card that might be able to get his Fusion Monster out. "I'll fuse Antique Gear Soldier, Antique Gear Hound Dog and Antique Gear Golem—"

I'm the daughter of a king with a noble heart and a queen who only ever seeks the best for the people she loves.

I know they won't sacrifice all of that just for me!

I'm the friend of two of the strongest people I know, and they're so exhausted!

"Trap Card!" Kyorin flipped up the card with vigor —still nervous, but something that most people who knew her wouldn't expect.

I'm tired too…

I've said it before. I don't intend to be weak anymore. If everyone is capable of doing this, then…

Then I should be capable of holding my own too, without anyone trying to protect me or hold my hand.

It's okay now, Kyorin. It's okay.

I'm okay.

"Dimensional Barrier! I'll declare Fusion Monsters—and for the rest of the turn, none of us can summon Fusion Monsters or use their effects! So since you can't Fusion Summon, your card resolves without effect!"

And there she was, standing on a static battlefield. Three other turns had gone by, and yet nothing was on the field except her cards.

… I've frozen the field perfectly in place. They can't do anything to me.

Kyorin raised a shaking hand.

This…

This is something that the 'me' back home would never have been capable of doing. But…

It's everything that I've learned and figured out and allowed myself to use.

Alright.

She should try to end the duel!

[Turn 5: Kyorin] [H:2]

"Draw!" She glanced at her hand. "I'll activate the Spell Card, Preparation of Rites! I'll add a Level 7 or lower Ritual Monster, like Nekroz of Brionac, from my deck to my hand! Then, I'll add Nekroz Mirror from my graveyard to my hand!"

She… wasn't sure if she could win the duel this turn, but she'd at least whittle them down some more!

"I'll discard Brionac to add Nekroz of Decisive Armor from my deck to my hand. Then, the Spell Card, Nekroz Mirror! I'll banish Great Sorcerer of the Nekroz from my graveyard, along with Brionac! Come forth, dragon cloaked in the armour of the mighty warrior of the galaxy! Ritual Summon—Level 10! Nekroz of Decisive Armor!" Her other strongest Ritual Monster landed on the field, spreading out its cannon-like wings.

[Nekroz of Decisive Armor (10*/3300/2300/WATER/Dragon/Ritual/Effect)]

"Great Sorcerer's effect! When he's banished, I can send another "Nekroz" monster from my deck to the graveyard! And then, I'll Normal Summon Ariel, Priestess of the Nekroz!" The purple-haired girl appeared on the field, holding up her staff.

[Ariel, Priestess of the Nekroz (4*/1000/1800/WATER/Psychic/Effect)]

"Ariel and Decisive Armor will attack you directly… um, and…"

And well, she didn't exactly manage to clear them all out on that turn. However, she had enough power to take down two of them, and the last one couldn't make it through Areadbhair and Unicore, so…

In the end, with her opponent's boards spotless, Kyorin cleared the battle with no struggle at all.

Obelisk Force Red: 4000 - 3300 - 1000 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Green: 4000 - 3300 - 2000 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 - 3300 - 3300 = 0LP

Winner: Kyorin Rinsoka!

Yes!

Kyorin turned her head, ready to check on her partner—

… huh.

Where had Kaname gone off to…?

---

Meanwhile, further east, Yugo and Rin prepared to face the opponents that had suddenly ambushed them.

"Shared fields, shared life points," Gloria said. "That's fine with you two, right?"

"That's the format that we took Roget down in, so if that's what you want, you have a deal!" Yugo grinned. "Bring it!"

"How arrogant," Grace cooed, before her tone shifted to something more serious. "You actually think you're going to win… look at this guy, sister."

"Don't let your guard down, Grace." Gloria narrowed her eyes, staring at Yugo. "... after all, he's one of those boys with the same face as that person."

"Pfft, we all know that one's been defanged by darling Shino."

"Still…" Gloria turned back to them. "Those are rather boastful words from you, Yugo Kirijo. I suppose my sister and I should take our time with the two of you then—"

And then, she flashed a malevolent smile at them.

"We don't like breaking our opponents that easily, after all."

[TAG DUEL!]

Grace Tyler & Gloria Tyler: 8000LP

Yugo Kirijo & Rin Izayoi: 8000LP

[Turn 1: Grace] [H:5]

"I'll start!" Grace said cheerfully. "I'll activate the Quickplay Spell, Amazoness Call! I'll add an "Amazoness" card from my deck to my hand—like my Amazoness War Chief! And then, with her effect…" She winked, rather cheerful for someone so cruel. "I'll Special Summon her from my hand, since I control no "Amazoness" monsters! Come! War Chief!" In front of her, a muscular, orange-haired woman with a fierce expression emerged on the field, letting out a battle cry as she swung her shining spear through the air.

[Amazoness War Chief (5*/1900/0/EARTH/Warrior/Effect)]

"War Chief's effect. I'll set an "Amazoness" Spell or Trap, or Polymerization, from my deck to my field! I'll set Amazoness Hot Spring to my field!" The single, facedown card appeared on the field. "Then, I'll Normal Summon Amazoness Princess!" A white-haired girl with tanned skin appeared, bright tribal markings drawn across her body—she smiled confidently, stepping forward.

[Amazoness Princess (3*/1200/900/EARTH/Warrior/Effect)]

"Princess's effect! It's pretty similar to War Chief's effect—except I add that card to my hand instead! I'll add the Continuous Spell, Amazoness Magic Mirror to my hand and activate it! Finally, I'll set another card facedown—your move!"

Huh?

She hadn't Fusion Summoned… instead, she'd left herself with only two cards left in her hand? Why? Yugo couldn't understand it…

But still, her having three whole cards in her back row was… bad. Neither Yugo nor Rin were really good at dealing with Spells or Traps—well, Yugo's evolved dragon could somewhat handle it, but it would take a lot of effort to get there in the first place…

He wouldn't worry about it for now.

After all, it was Rin's turn! She'd do what she did best!

[Turn 2: Rin] [H:6]

"Draw!" Rin glanced through her hand, before settling on a single card—her trusty playmaker. "I'll activate the effect of Wind Witch - Ice Bell in my hand! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon her from my hand, along with another "Wind Witch" monster from my deck! Come! Wind Witch - Ice Bell! Wind Witch - Glass Bell!"

In front of her, two of her signature monsters appeared—first, Ice Bell, with her dark blue hair and a cheerful smile. She sat sideways on her broom, made of azure ice. She swung a wand through the air with a determined expression. Second, Glass Bell appeared too—she did a loop-the-loop in the air with a bright laugh, tipping her green hat as she finally landed in the Main Monster Zone that Rin had chosen.

[Wind Witch - Ice Bell (3*/1000/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Effect)]

[Wind Witch - Glass Bell (4*/1500/1500/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]

"I'll activate Ice Bell and Glass Bell's effects, in that order! Glass Bell's effect resolves first—I'll add a "Wind Witch" monster from my deck to my hand!" She picked up the card as Glass Bell laughed again, before she turned to Ice Bell, who nodded at her, her purple-blue eyes twinkling. "Then, Ice Bell's effect! I'll inflict 500 damage to you!"

Grace's grin widened. "Is that so?"

"Huh?"

The white-haired woman raised a finger, tapping her cheek. On her field, one of the cards in the back row glowed—Amazoness Magic Mirror. "I just think you underestimate Academia's best! I'll activate Amazoness Magic Mirror's effect! If we would take effect damage, I can make you take that damage instead!"

Rin's eyes widened—Ice Bell's winds swirled around their opponents, before being absorbed into the mirror. Smugly, Grace gestured forward—and the wind shot out of the mirror, hitting Rin and Yugo instead.

Yugo & Rin: 8000 - 500 = 7500LP

"It's not once per turn," Rin muttered. "Then, I…"

Yugo frowned. If the mirror could just reflect any and all effect damage that Rin tried to deal to them, then she pretty much couldn't do anything against their opponents until the card was gone, right? But Rin didn't run any Spell and Trap removal…

Rin clearly knew that too—she tugged at one of her light green bangs, clearly thinking for a moment, before she nodded.

… that nod… she looked determined. Did she have a way to get rid of that card right now?

"I'll tune the Level 4 Wind Witch - Glass Bell to the Level 3 Wind Witch - Ice Bell!" Rin immediately launched into a summoning chant—one that Yugo recognised immediately.

"Let the winds gather above us in the lovely air of autumn! She who scatters the leaves, make yourself known now!"

Of course he recognised it. After all, the first and only time he'd heard it so far was in that duel they'd had in the Friendship Cup.

"It locks both of us off from the future."

"But you're hurting your own field too, Rin!"

"To share the wind in harmony right now, and build up our fields to match the speed of this duel…" Rin turned to him, determination in her eyes. "That doesn't suit us, Yugo! That doesn't suit the Friendship Cup! That doesn't suit this city! Even if it becomes fair, we were still a city built on competition—and as Commons, we started from the bottom-up! So let's turn this field to something that's far less suited to both of us—so that we can adapt and overcome!"

But now, she wasn't using it as a way to force the duel to change, to change both of them.

She was using it to fight for both of them at once.

"Synchro Summon! Level 7! Maple Maiden!"

The brown-haired girl appeared on the field, holding onto a large pair of scissors. Spinning it around, she stabbed it into the ground, as bright, warm-coloured leaves swirled around her, caught on an invisible breeze.

[Maple Maiden (7*/2100/2600/WIND/Fairy/Synchro/Effect)]

"Maple Maiden's effect!" Rin continued. "When she's Special Summoned, I can declare an Attribute, and all monsters on the field become that Attribute while she's still face-up on the field! I'll declare WIND!" Around them, the breeze picked up, tugging at their hair—Rin's psychic abilities asserting themselves subtly. "Assimilating Aura!" The green aura that formed surrounded both of Grace's monsters—in fact, since Maple Maiden was already a WIND monster, those two monsters were the only ones that were affected by the effect.

But, the reason that Rin had brought it out…

"Then, Maple Maiden's other effect! I can target a monster in your Main Monster Zone—and then, you have to send a card that is adjacent to it to the graveyard! I'll choose Amazoness Princess! Sideswept Mistcurl!"

Grace glanced down at her duel disk. "Then…"

"You summoned War Chief to your middle Main Monster Zone and Princess to your leftmost one," Rin said. "So you can't send War Chief for this. The only card adjacent to your Amazoness Princess is…"

"... Amazoness Magic Mirror, because I added it to my hand and immediately activated it in the same column," Grace said thoughtfully. "I never thought that'd come back to bite me…" She dropped the card into her graveyard. Yugo grinned, shooting Rin a thumbs up—she nodded at him, before continuing with her turn.

"Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'll Normal Summon Wind Witch - Hail Bell from my hand!" The girl with dusty grey hair appeared on the field, briefly frowning before settling down next to Maple Maiden.

[Wind Witch - Hail Bell (4*/1300/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]

"Hail Bell's effect! I'll target a monster on the field and inflict 100 damage to you times its Level—and then, if I targeted your monster, I can inflict 400 more damage to you! I'll target War Chief!"

Smart! Even if War Chief's Level was lower than Maple Maiden's, the second part of the effect would compensate for it. Small hailstones flew through the air, pelting the ground around the two sisters.

Grace & Gloria: 8000 - 100 x 5 - 400 = 7100LP

"Then, I'll activate the Spell Card, Bell Chime of the Wind Witch! I'll target my Hail Bell and Special Summon a "Wind Witch" monster with a different name from my deck in Defense Position! Come from the deck! Wind Witch - Freeze Bell!" Another pale-haired witch appeared on the field, snowflakes floating around her as she smiled calmly.

[Wind Witch - Freeze Bell (3*/1200/1200/WIND/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"I'll tune the Level 4 Wind Witch - Hail Bell to the Level 3 Wind Witch - Freeze Bell!" Rin raised her hand, snapping her fingers. "Midwinter wind. Make ice and snow my power and blow through! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 7! Wind Witch - Winter Bell!" Her signature monster appeared on the field, the brilliant sapphire of its body reflecting the world around them—around it, the entire world seemed to become colder, the very temperature of the air falling lower and lower.

[Wind Witch - Winter Bell (7*/2400/2000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)]

"Winter Bell's effect!" Rin continued. "I can target a "Wind Witch" monster in my graveyard and inflict 200 damage to you times that monster's Level! I'll choose Glass Bell. So that's 800 damage! Hypothermic Subzero!" The sharp, cold gale blasted straight towards Grace and Gloria—Yugo grinned as he saw one of the two women actually flinch from the cold.

Not so smug now that Rin had gotten rid of that mirror of theirs, huh?

Grace & Gloria: 7100 - 200 x 4 = 6300LP

And of course, Rin wasn't done, right? This was a Tag Duel, not a Battle Royale! So she could already attack.

"Battle Phase!" Rin declared, just as Yugo was thinking about it. "I'll have Wind Witch - Winter Bell attack Amazoness War Chief!" The bell woman floated forward, staring right at Grace and Gloria's side of the field. She summoned up a gale that glittered as small ice crystals floated within it—

"Hope you know how to play without that monster!" Grace suddenly declared, a smile on her face again. "Continuous Traps, Amazoness Hot Spring and Amazoness Onslaught!" Both of her set cards shot up, one after the other. "Amazoness Hot Spring's effect! I can take an "Amazoness" monster from my deck and either add it to my hand or set it in my Pendulum Zone! I'll set Amazoness Golden Whip Master in the Pendulum Zone!"

The bright blue pillar of light rose up from the ground, illuminating the area to the right of Grace. Within it, a blonde-haired woman with the mask of a golden beast over the top half of her face appeared, a purple cape sweeping around her body. She swung two whips through the air, holding them by curved handles, sharply hitting the edges of the pillar of light—never leaving it, but brutal and sharp with her movements.

"Golden Whip Master's Pendulum Effect!" Grace continued, her expression still that slightly ditzy smile, despite how dangerous she clearly was. "While she's face-up on the field, all "Amazoness" monsters I control gain 100 attack points times their Level!"

[Amazoness War Chief: 1900 + 100 x 5 = 2400ATK]

[Amazoness Princess: 1200 + 100 x 3 = 1500ATK]

"That ties your monster in attack points! And since I didn't bring another monster onto the field, there's no replay for you!"

"... that doesn't matter!" Rin retorted. "The WIND Synchro Monster Synchro Summoned using Freeze Bell as Synchro Material cannot be destroyed by battle!"

Grace laughed. "Then War Chief goes down! I don't care~!" The two monsters clashed, and War Chief fell to her knees, pale. "But it doesn't matter if your monster can't be destroyed by battle, you know! If there's one thing our Amazonesses can do, it's win in battle regardless. After damage calculation, Amazoness Onslaught banishes any monster that battles an "Amazoness" monster!"

Rin's eyes widened—and then, Winter Bell vanished from the field.

"So?" Gloria spoke up, folding her arms. "What are you going to do?" On their field, Amazoness Princess stared up shyly.

"... I'll set a card and end my turn," Rin said, choosing not to attack with Maple Maiden—just to protect their only current monster on the field.

"It's fine, Rin-Rin!" Yugo shot him a smile. "I'll handle that on my next turn!"

"I would like to see how you think you'll handle that," Gloria scoffed. "If you think this is tough already, you haven't seen anything yet."

"That's right!" Grace giggled again. "All you've faced so far are my tricks… now, my sister will run you down with raw power!"

[Turn 3: Gloria] [H:6]

"Draw." Gloria picked up the top card of her deck, before revealing it. "I will activate the effect of Amazoness Spiritualist in my hand. By returning Princess from the field to my hand, I will Special Summon her!" In front of her, a young woman with dark hair appeared, confidently raising a glowing golden staff in the air. She was not nearly as diminutive in stature as Princess. At the same time, there was something undeniably mystical and regal to her figure—she looked as much like a leader as the Amazoness War Chief that had lost the fight against Rin's monster.

[Amazoness Spiritualist (2*/800/1800/EARTH/Warrior/Effect)]

"Your monsters are still treated as WIND monsters, since I have Maple Maiden!"

Gloria glanced at Rin. "I'm aware—but it doesn't matter to me."

Rin frowned.

"We don't need our monsters to be their original Attributes, little girl!" Grace giggled.

"In fact," Gloria continued, "it's a very interesting move to make, when you have no clue what our cards do. We know a little about all of you, you know—the priority targets of Academia? We know what your decks' main strategies are—why do you think my sister searched out Magic Mirror so quickly?"

"I still managed to get rid of it, didn't I?" Rin retorted.

"But you played your hand too early," Gloria said sternly, putting a hand on her hip. "Impulsive, impulsive… that's your only form of removal, isn't it? So once Onslaught gets rid of your monster, you can't do anything anymore."

"Hey!" Yugo exclaimed. "Don't forget that I'm right here! Rin's done her best already, we'll just work together and beat the two of you!"

"And that's true strength? For her to rely on you and be protected by you, and have you fix her mistakes?" Gloria shook her head. "... naive."

"Don't call him that," Rin said, rising to his defence too.

"Why not?" Gloria looked at the two of them. "It's what you are. Look at your field—it's nothing. I'll dismantle it and let my sister tear your friend to pieces afterwards. Spiritualist's effect!" The monster that had just entered the field held up her glowing staff. "I'll add the Spell Card, Polymerization to my hand!"

Polymerization… so she was about to pull off a Fusion Summon, unlike her sister…

"I'll Normal Summon Amazoness Princess," Gloria continued, the girl reappearing on the field. "And with her effect, I'll also add the Quickplay Spell, Amazoness Secret Arts to my hand!" She slipped the card between two others. "Now, I will activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I will fuse Amazoness Spiritualist on the field with Amazoness Princess, whose name is treated as "Amazoness Queen" on the field!"

The two monsters floated into the vortex behind her—and all of a sudden, the wind seemed to disperse, blowing back towards Yugo and Rin as the Fusion Summon took place.

"Queen of the jungle. Receive the power of the spiritual leader, and build an empire that rules over everything! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Amazoness Empress!" In front of her, a truly regal figure emerged—sweeping back her white hair into a headdress carved entirely from the bones of beasts, Amazoness Empress glared directly at them and raised her enormous blade—surprisingly intimidating, even from all the way across the field.

[Amazoness Empress (8*/2800/2400/EARTH/Warrior/Fusion/Effect)]

"Then, I will enter the Battle Phase and activate the effect of my sister's Amazoness Onslaught! Once per turn, I can Special Summon an "Amazoness" monster from my hand, and she gains 500 attack points for the rest of the turn! Come—Amazoness Sage!" A blue-haired woman appeared on the field, adjusting the orange spiky frills at the top of her tunic as her beige cloak spread out behind her.

[Amazoness Sage (4*/1400/700/EARTH/Warrior/Effect)]

[Amazoness Sage: 1400 + 500 = 1900ATK]

"Also…" Gloria gestured to the pillar of light next to her. "Don't forget my sister's Golden Whip Master! All "Amazoness" monsters we control gain 100 attack points times their Levels!"

[Amazoness Empress: 2800 + 100 x 8 = 3600ATK]

[Amazoness Sage: 1900 + 100 x 4 = 2300ATK]

"Battle! Amazoness Sage attacks—"

Rin flipped up her set card. "Continuous Trap Card, Scrubbed Raid! During the Battle Phase, I can send another card I control to the graveyard to end the Battle Phase! I'll choose Maple Maiden!"

"... hmm. Interesting. So you used it at the start of the Battle Phase… our card won't trigger then." Gloria shrugged. "... well. A card like that can only stall for so long. I'll end my turn."

"Just like that?" Yugo said incredulously. "Not even setting a card?"

"... I don't think I'll need much more for a brash boy like you." Gloria smirked. "Feel free to squirm and prove me wrong though. Little boy ."

[Turn 4: Yugo] [H:6]

"I don't need to prove you wrong—I just need to win against you! Draw!" Yugo looked up at her, shooting her a cocky smile. "That's your raw power? That's supposed to match up? Then I'm gonna go full throttle and make you see that Rin and I aren't to be messed with!"

There were two reasons why Rin had activated Scrubbed Raid, right? The first was just to buy them a turn—after all, they still didn't know what Hot Springs did, other than add a card to their opponent's hand. And the second had been to stop Maple Maiden from being banished, in case Yugo needed it in order to get rid of their opponent's Traps.

Heh.

Smart of her to do that!

"Spell Card, Graceful Charity! I'll draw three cards and discard two—then, I'll activate another Spell Card! Speedroid Scratch!" Yugo declared. "I'll send another "Speedroid" card from my hand to the graveyard, and then, I can add a "Speedroid" monster from my deck to my hand! I'll add my Speedroid Terrortop to my hand—and since I control no monsters, it can bring itself out! Come, Terrortop!" The three spinning tops appeared on the field.

[Speedroid Terrortop (3*/1200/600/WIND/Machine/Effect)]

"Terrortop's effect! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add a "Speedroid" monster from my deck to my hand! I'll add Speedroid Taketomborg to my hand. Then, since I control only WIND monsters, I can Special Summon him too! Come!" The spinning blue and yellow machine with paper-like body parts appeared next to Taketomborg a moment later, letting out a buzzing noise.

[Speedroid Taketomborg (3*/600/1200/WIND/Machine/Effect)]

"Then, I'll Normal Summon Speedroid Double Yoyo!" The pair of spinning green yoyos connected by bolts of lightning appeared, spinning on the field too.

[Speedroid Double Yoyo (4*/1400/1400/WIND/Machine/Effect)]

"Double Yoyo's effect lets me revive a Level 3 or lower "Speedroid" monster when it's Normal Summoned!" Yugo lifted the card that he'd discarded for Speedroid Scratch. "So come back! Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice!" The spinning six-sided dice appeared on the field, its golden body seeming almost dull and tarnished as it reflected the grey environment around them.

[Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice (1*/100/100/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"That's a Tuner… so you're going to Synchro Summon too then. As expected."

"Please, that's the most predictable thing in the universe!" Yugo quipped. "But we still have further to go! Red-Eyed Dice's effect! I'll target another "Speedroid" monster I control and change its Level to any Level from 1 to 6! I'll make Terrortop Level 4!" The dice spun around a bit, before landing on the side with four dots—Terrortop's spinning halted for a moment, as its Level was updated.

[Speedroid Terrortop: 3* → 4*]

"Then, Taketomborg's effect! By tributing it, I can Special Summon a "Speedroid" Tuner from my deck, but for the rest of this turn, I can only Special Summon WIND monsters!" On the field, the monster burst to dust. "To the field! Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper!" The white clay doll with a green hat appeared on the field, replacing Taketomborg as the fourth monster on their field.

[Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper (4*/1000/1000/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"Two Tuners, huh…"

"We're going full throttle!" Yugo said, smirking triumphantly. "Fuki-Modoshi Piper's effect! I'll excavate cards from my deck, up to the number of other WIND monsters I control—so that's three! Then, I can add one of the cards among them to my hand!" He picked up a card, before shuffling his deck and turning back to the field. "I'll tune the Level 1 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice to the Level 4 Speedroid Terrortop! Dual wings nurturing shining body. With those wings, leap into the sky! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 5! Hi-Speedroid Hagoita!" The Synchro Monster appeared on the field as Terrortop dove through the single shining ring, reappearing as a green and red paddle with orange shuttlecocks spinning around it.

[Hi-Speedroid Hagoita (5*/2000/1000/WIND/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

Okay, and before the second Synchro Summon, there was something else he had to do…

"Spell Card, Magic Planter," he said. "I'll send Rin's Scrubbed Raid to the graveyard and draw two cards."

"Really? Getting rid of her hard work?" Gloria said with a scoff.

Yugo glanced at Rin, who nodded—she knew what he was planning on doing, and wasn't mad then…

Good! He hated when Rin was mad.

"Then, I'll tune the Level 4 Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper to the Level 4 Speedroid Double Yoyo!" The other two monsters flew up, four rings forming in the air. "Metal dragon with the power of the shining, free winds, take flight with the ideals of those who wish to rise! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake!" One of his favourite Synchro Monsters landed on the field with a loud roar, its blue steel body sweeping through the air and gathering winds that blew all around them—the bright green of its wings illuminated the ground around them, eye-catching and bright.

[Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake (8*/3000/2800/WIND/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"And now… you're going to lose everything! Kitedrake's effect! When Synchro Summoned, I can destroy all other cards on the field!"

"... no wonder you destroyed your girlfriend's Scrubbed Raid yourself," Gloria said, rolling her eyes. "And you're wasting a whole other Synchro Monster too."

… hmph. Yugo hadn't wanted to do it—he had just wanted to use Kitedrake's second effect and permanently negate the effects of all their cards instead. However, Gloria's Spiritualist had shown that they were perfectly capable of bouncing those guys back to hand, so if they just returned the Traps and set them again, then he and Rin would be back in the same spot…

So they had to take a risk or two to move forward!

"Blow it all off the field, Kitedrake!" Yugo declared. "Leisure Hurricane!"

Kitedrake drew its head back, and then roared again—blowing outwards. The hurricane blasted every single card off the field—

Or at least, it… should have?

Instead, the only card that shattered on their opponent's side of the field was Amazoness Empress.

"What a shame," Grace commented, looking like the cat that had gotten the canary. "If only you knew not to waste your time…"

"H-huh?"

"While we control Amazoness Empress," Gloria said with a shrug, "you can't destroy any other "Amazoness" cards we control at all. So the rest of my cards were shielded from your dragon's effect."

… really? Damn it…

"But that's not all, is it, sister?" Grace said, clearly just taunting them.

"No. Once Amazoness Empress is destroyed, I can Special Summon one specific "Amazoness" monster from my deck." Gloria revealed the card. "Come to the field, Amazoness Queen!" A blue-haired woman appeared on the field, a cold expression on her face—she held onto a large sword that was two thirds of her height. However, she took on a more neutral stance, settling down in Defense Position.

[Amazoness Queen (6*/2400/1800/EARTH/Warrior/Effect)]

Then… Amazoness Onslaught was still on the field, when they really needed to get rid of it. Maybe he should have negated their effects anyway, but how could he have known? Damn it…

Well…

Yugo grinned.

Looks like I can't hold any cards back for next turn, then!

"Spell Card, Shock Surprise!" He declared. "I'll banish both Taketomborg and Double Yoyo from the graveyard—and then, I can target and destroy two cards on the field! I'll destroy—"

He had to choose right… ugh! He wasn't good at thinking so much. Onslaught definitely had to go… that was the main one, but then, should he be targeting Amazoness Queen, or should he be going after the other backrow card? Rin pretty much didn't have any removal at all, so if he let it get to her turn without getting rid of stuff, it might not be possible…

Monsters were always easier to get rid of though!

"I'll choose Amazoness Onslaught and Amazoness Golden Whip Master!" He decided. The two cards shattered. Gloria raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?" Gloria waved a hand. "Onslaught's effect! When destroyed, I can Special Summon an "Amazoness" monster from my graveyard. I'll Special Summon my Amazoness Empress again." The white-haired woman appeared on the field. "See? There's nothing you can do to us, little boy—"

Yugo grinned, holding up the four cards in his hand. "Are you so sure about that?"

"... huh?"

"Spell Card, Monster Reborn!" He played the powerful Spell with a grin. "Come back to the field now! Maple Maiden!" Rin's monster reappeared on the field. "I'll declare the Attribute WIND with her effect, obviously! And then, with her effect, I'll target the monster, Amazoness Queen! And the only card adjacent to her is—"

"Amazoness Empress." Gloria rolled her eyes. "Do you think you're clever?"

"He seems pretty clever to me," Rin snarked. "Compared to you guys! You watched your sister walk right into Maple Maiden's effect and managed to do the exact same thing while trying to act like you're oh so smart and better! If you could even think a bit, you'd have put Empress one more zone to the right!"

"Don't say that stuff about my sister!" Grace frowned. "You meanie!"

Yugo rolled his eyes. "... whatever! Anyway, you still gotta choose! So?"

Gloria shook her head. Her Amazoness Empress disappeared from the field. "Don't go getting cocky, brat."

"You're not even that much older than me!" Yugo shot back. "Whatever! Since I control a WIND monster, I will Special Summon Speedroid CarTurbo from my hand!" The bright blue, red and white battery-like monster appeared on the field, small bolts of electricity flying out around it.

[Speedroid CarTurbo (3*/800/1200/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"And since I control a "Speedroid" Tuner monster, I can revive my Hi-Speedroid Hagoita, but I can't summon anything this turn, other than WIND monsters—though I was already locked to those earlier!" The mechanical paddle reappeared on the field. "Then, I'll tune the Level 3 Speedroid CarTurbo to the Level 5 Hi-Speedroid Hagoita!"

He'd just skip right through. He couldn't leave Rin with nothing to use… so he needed to keep something on the field…

"Shine the wings that store the holy light, and strike down your enemies with its radiance! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8, Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!" The bright white dragon emerged, its wings shimmering like glass—Yugo's evolved ace, taking to the field immediately. They couldn't waste time, not now.

So they just had to hammer these two down as fast as they could!

[Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon (8*/3000/2500/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

"... if their Hot Spring reduces battle damage, we're in trouble…" Rin muttered. "If only we had a way to learn about their effects now…"

"It's totally fine, Rin!" Yugo narrowed his eyes. "... we will win!" I can't lose, not with you here. No one's taking you back to Academia! Never again! "I'll banish CarTurbo from my graveyard, along with another "Speedroid" monster, like my Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice! All WIND monsters I control gain 800 attack points for the rest of this turn! So Crystal Wing, Maple Maiden and Kitedrake are all getting a power up now!"

All three of his monsters turned to him, and he grinned at them.

"Yeah! Let's go, guys!" Kitedrake let out a whirring noise in return, while Crystal Wing let out a snort and her wings shimmered as she rolled her shoulders, turning back towards their foes. Maple Maiden just shot him a firm nod.

[Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon: 3000 + 800 = 3800ATK]

[Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake: 3000 + 800 = 3800ATK]

[Maple Maiden: 2100 + 800 = 2900ATK]

Without Onslaught, there was no risk to attacking! "Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Amazoness Sage! Crystallos Edge of Gale!" Crystal Wing wouldn't gain attack points since Sage was only Level 4, but it would still deal some damage.

"While we control Amazoness Queen, all "Amazoness" monsters can't be destroyed by battle!" Gloria said. She braced herself as Crystal Wing's winds swept over her and her sister.

Grace & Gloria: 6300 - 2400 = 3900LP

"Then, Hot Spring's effect! Once per turn, when we take battle damage while we control a "Amazoness" Monster Card, we can gain life points equal to the damage we took!"

So Rin was right… well, at least they knew about it now! Yugo would rather get rid of Onslaught anyway, since they could at least just keep attacking to get through this!

Grace & Gloria: 3900 + 2400 = 6300LP

"In that case, Maple Maiden will attack the monster protecting the others! Attack—"

"Yugo!" Rin called out—it was almost chiding, if not for how alarmed she sounded. "She said 'all' this time, not 'other'! It protects itself too!"

… shoot. She was right. And if Queen was in Defense Position, there was no point attacking it. "Attack Sage!" Rin's monster raised a hand, winds shooting forward and hitting Sage—while the blue-haired woman wasn't destroyed, she still looked rather worse for wear, having been hit by two attacks now.

Grace & Gloria: 6300 - 1500 = 4800LP

"And finally, Kitedrake!" The final shot hit their opponents—and satisfyingly, Yugo saw them flinch again.

Grace & Gloria: 4800 - 2400 = 2400LP

That'd teach them! He and Rin were absolutely not to be messed with!

"I'll end my turn," Yugo said with a grin.

Gloria looked at them. She didn't say anything—but Grace spoke up instead, looking at Rin. "... heh! You're interesting."

"Huh?" Rin narrowed her eyes.

"So fun! He'd have lost out on dealing us that much damage without you, y'know! Can't tell if I think you're better than that girl with the red hair though. So you gotta make this more fun for us, alright?" Grace smiled, putting a finger to her lips. "Otherwise, it won't be worth winning against you! Gotta have someone make things less boring for us here!"

"... you're crazy," Rin muttered. "... Yugo. Don't let her get her way."

"Of course not!" He said, shooting her a reassuring smile. "I'll keep us safe until your turn!"

"Oh, do you need him to keep you safe?" Gloria said snidely. "I must have mistook you for a girl with actual strength…"

[Turn 5: Grace] [H:3]

"Draw!" Grace declared, cutting off the brewing argument. "I'll activate the effect of my sister's Amazoness Spiritualist in the graveyard! We can only summon "Amazoness" monsters this turn, but I can Special Summon her from the graveyard by bouncing Hot Spring to my hand!" She picked up the Continuous Trap as the woman in a green robe appeared, eyeing the field with narrowed eyes. "Then, Spiritualist's effect! I'll add the Spell Card, Polymerization, from my deck to my hand!"

She revealed the card, winking.

"And if you think you've seen the last of any of this, you're wrong! After all, my sister is the one that attacks, but I'm the one who keeps our prey where they should be—under our feet! Spell Card, Earthquake! All monsters on the field change to Defense Position—including yours!" There was a slight tremble, and then the entire field shifted, all of Yugo's monsters being forced down into Defense Position.

Yugo winced.

"Then, I'll activate everyone's favourite card—Polymerization! I'll fuse the Amazoness Sage on our field with the Amazoness Baby Tiger in my hand! Dark beast that leaps through the jungle, come to heel at my feet and serve me! Fusion Summon! Level 6! Amazoness Pet Jaguar!" A beast with dark fur appeared on the field, the lush dark fur being covered up by ornate golden armour. Its claws glittered bright gold as well, each of them long and sharp enough to tear apart any creature. Its eyes were amber in colour. As they stared at Yugo, he took a deep breath—he felt a little hunted.

(Though Yugo didn't know it, he'd certainly observed more about his opponent's cards than their last opponents.)

[Amazoness Pet Jaguar (6*/2000/1800/EARTH/Beast/Fusion/Effect)]

"I'll activate the effects of Amazoness Baby Tiger and Amazoness Pet Jaguar! First, Pet Jaguar's effect! I can target an "Amazoness" monster in my graveyard, banish it and Special Summon an "Amazoness" monster with a different name from my graveyard! I'll target Sage and—"

"Sorry, you're not getting Empress back!" Yugo retorted. "Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon's effect! When my opponent activates a monster effect, I can negate it and destroy that monster! Then, Clear Wing can gain attack points equal to that monster's attack points, if he destroyed a monster with this effect!" He paused. Something seemed wrong with that… uh. Whoops. "Uh. I mean Crystal Wing will gain attack points!" Seriously, was he still messing up the name of his dragon here…? Maybe just because he was a bit stressed out… "So I'll destroy Pet Jaguar! Dichroic Refraction!"

Crystal Wing's wings glowed, and then without any hesitation, his dragon struck down the Fusion Monster.

[Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon: 3000 + 2000 = 5000ATK]

"In that case, if the effect is negated, Sage isn't banished…" Grace was still smiling. "Aww… I guess that's bad! But I can still resolve Baby Tiger's effect, right? Since an "Amazoness" monster was Normal or Special Summoned, it Special Summons itself from the graveyard!" A small red-orange tiger cub with azure eyes appeared—while it was kinda cute, the fact that its eyes had no sclera also made it a bit creepy…

[Amazoness Baby Tiger (2*/500/500/EARTH/Beast/Effect)]

"Then, Amazoness Pet Jaguar's other effect! When destroyed by battle or a card effect, I can shuffle Jaguar back into my Extra Deck to take an "Amazoness" Continuous Spell or Trap from my deck and put it face-up in my Spell and Trap Zone!"

Not another one of those…

"I'll set the Continuous Trap, Amazoness Hall!" Another one of those cards materialised on the field. "Then, the Spell Card, Amazoness Secret Arts! I'll fuse Amazoness Baby Tiger with Amazoness Queen on the field!"

Another Fusion Summon…

"Roar with the ferocity of the jungle and intimidate any that dare approach with your fearsome roar! Fusion Summon! Level 9! King of the jungle—Amazoness Pet Liger King!" In front of her, a beast with matted yellow fur appeared, letting out a loud roar. Black fabric was wrapped around its neck like a collar, and red armour covered its shoulders. Dark stripes covered its body like scars. As it raised its head, bright red eyes stared directly at Yugo, a hungry look in them. The beast grinned—almost playfully, as it leaned against the ground, ready to pounce.

[Amazoness Pet Liger King (9*/2900/2800/EARTH/Beast/Fusion/Effect)]

"Pet Liger King…" Yugo muttered. "Wait a minute…"

A light bulb went off in his head.

"Oh! Is the Amazoness Queen married to that big guy or something?"

… the three girls there stared at him in complete, silent judgement.

"What?" Yugo said. "Amazoness Queen… Liger King… makes sense!"

"No it doesn't!" Rin said, sounding slightly exasperated.

"Amazonesses take no husbands," Gloria said, sounding as though she couldn't believe that she had to explain this. "But the beasts are the king of the jungle—they are partners in battle and in ruling over the jungle."

"Anyway," Grace said, though she sounded like she wanted to smack Yugo across the head, "I'll use Pet Liger King's effect! I can target an "Amazoness" card I control and an "Amazoness" monster in the graveyard—and then, I can destroy that card on the field and Special Summon that monster from the graveyard! So I'll destroy Spiritualist and bring back my sister's Amazoness Empress!"

… oh, come on… the white-haired woman reappeared on the field, facing towards them. This meant that Gloria and Grace now had Empress and Pet Liger King on the field, against Rin and Yugo's three Synchro Monsters. Still, they'd changed Yugo's monsters to Defense Position, so…

"So, are we not getting Empress back?" Grace said with a laugh, mocking Yugo's earlier words. "Well, I'm not sorry for taking her back! I'll banish Amazoness Call from my graveyard, and this turn, Amazoness Empress can attack all monsters you control, but my other monsters can't attack. Not that it matters!"

Attack all his monsters…? But… "You don't have enough attack points to defeat Kitedrake!"

"... oh, I know," Grace said. "But that monster's just a nuke. It can't do anything to us while you have it on the field. As for the other two… you can say goodbye to them! Amazoness Empress attacks your Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon! And with her effect, all our "Amazoness" monsters deal piercing damage!"

So that was why…! And in Defense Position, Crystal Wing's effects didn't matter at all…

The attack hit, and Yugo braced himself as the shockwave burst through the air.

Yugo & Rin: 7500 - 300 = 7200LP

"Then, attack Maple Maiden!" Rin's Synchro Monster shattered as well a moment later.

Yugo & Rin: 7200 - 200 = 7000LP

"I'll set a card and end my turn."

That was Hot Spring, then…

"Don't worry, Yugo," Rin said. She shot him a smile, clearly trying to look confident—but there was a hint of nervousness to her . "... I'll handle this turn!"

[Turn 6: Rin] [H:4]

"Draw!" Rin glanced at her hand. "... I'll activate the Field Spell, Harmonious Church of the Wind Witch! With its effect, when it is activated, I can Special Summon a "Wind Witch" monster from my graveyard!"

Oh… but Winter Bell was already banished, not in the graveyard, thanks to their Amazoness Onslaught. So…

"I'll bring back Wind Witch - Glass Bell!" The green-haired girl appeared on the field again, next to Kitedrake, the lone monster on the field. "Glass Bell's effect! I'll add another "Wind Witch" monster from my deck to my hand, but I can only Special Summon WIND monsters this turn!"

She picked up the card, glancing at the field again.

"Since I control two or more WIND monsters, and no non-WIND monsters, I can Special Summon Wind Witch - Snow Bell from my hand!" The small, tinkling white bell appeared, non-humanoid—very unlike the rest of her Main Deck monsters.

[Wind Witch - Snow Bell (1*/100/100/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]

"I'll then Normal Summon Wind Witch - Glaze Bell!" On the field, another one of her witches appeared, with dark grey hair—she was wearing a large, icy blue top hat that was twice the size of her head, levitating by some kind of magic. She waved a wand through the air carelessly.

[Wind Witch - Glaze Bell (4*/1100/1100/WIND/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"Glaze Bell's effect! I'll inflict 200 damage to you for each WIND monster I control!" Rin clenched a fist. "Yugo's Kitedrake, Glaze Bell, Snow Bell and Glass Bell. So, four monsters—that means 800 damage!" The snow blew around them, assaulting their foes and lowering their life points even more.

Grace & Gloria: 2400 - 200 x 4 = 1600LP

"Then, Glaze Bell's other effect! I can target up to three monsters I control and lower their Levels by 1! I'll target herself, Glass Bell and Kitedrake!" The rather fancy-looking witch winked, four stars appearing above her head before one of them disappeared immediately afterwards. The same thing happened to Glass Bell, as well as Yugo's monster.

[Wind Witch - Glaze Bell: 4* - 1* = 3]

[Wind Witch - Glass Bell: 4* - 1* = 3]

[Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake: 8* - 1* = 7]

"I'll tune the Level 1 Wind Witch - Snow Bell to the Level 3 Wind Witch - Glaze Bell!" Rin finally declared.

So she was going for that monster then…

"Let the midwinter wind shake mountains and trees, returning the snow to the natural state of drifting! Synchro Summon! Level 4! Wind Witch - Fall Bell!" Rin's Synchro Tuner appeared on the field, her pink ribbons drifting in the breeze, cute and yet elegant.

[Wind Witch - Fall Bell (4*/1700/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

"Fall Bell's effect! I'll banish the Level 3 Wind Witch - Freeze Bell from the graveyard. Come from my deck! Wind Witch - Ice Bell!" Another copy of Ice Bell appeared on the field, with her signature bright smile. "Ice Bell's effect! I'll inflict 500 damage to you!" Another shot of cold wind flew towards their opponents.

Grace & Gloria: 1600 - 500 = 1100LP

Did she just intend to burn down the rest of their opponents' life points on her own?

Jeez. That was just like Rin! Finishing her own fights if she could.

"I'll use Fall Bell's other effect and reduce her own Level by 1!" Fall Bell flew through the air as she adjusted her own Level.

[Wind Witch - Fall Bell: 4* - 1* = 3]

"And now!" Rin did not ask for permission—she just took a step forward. "I'll tune my Level 3 Synchro Tuner, Wind Witch - Fall Bell, to Yugo's Level 7 Synchro Monster, Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake! Beautiful white sharpness that cuts through the cold wasteland. Let the toll of your echoing bell signal the coming of a brand new ice age! Freeze to absolute zero! Accel Synchro Summon! Level 10! Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell!" Once again, Rin's strongest monster emerged on the field, bringing nothing but the cold with her, shining her iridescent light on the area all around them. Some people might have gotten bored of it by now, or said that the fact that Rin could bring it out so constantly meant that she was stagnating.

But Yugo didn't think so.

The fact that Rin could bring out this powerful boss monster so easily now was a sign of the opposite. It was a sign of how hard Rin had worked to get this far.

He'd never get bored of watching her work so hard to do her best! Because that was one of the most amazing parts about Rin—how hard she tried, how much she never stopped trying.

Especially when they were in such a difficult situation.

[Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell (10*/3000/2500/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)]

"I—"

"Once per turn, when our opponent Special Summons a monster, Amazoness Hall's effect activates!" Grace cut her off swiftly. "We gain life points equal to the attack points of that monster!"

Rin winced, as did Yugo. Winterfell Bell could only negate monster effects… a glow surrounded their opponents, healing them by a ridiculous amount.

Grace & Gloria: 1100 + 3000 = 4100LP

Yugo hastily spoke up. "It's okay, Rin! I—"

"I know it's okay." Rin cut him off. "But… thanks for trying to comfort me anyway." She looked back at the field. "I'll finally tune the Level 3 Wind Witch - Glass Bell to the Level 3 Wind Witch - Ice Bell!" The monster whose Level had been modified floated upwards, turning into three rings that Ice Bell flew through. "The ice, the snow, absorb everything into the chilling wind! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Wind Witch - Chill Bell!" The pale blue and purple bell woman appeared on the field, swirls all around the ice that formed her body.

[Wind Witch - Chill Bell (6*/1400/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)]

Chill Bell settled down in Defense Position.

"When Chill Bell is Synchro Summoned, if I control only WIND monsters, I can add a "Wind Witch" monster from my deck to my hand!" She narrowed her eyes. "... then, Chill Bell's effect! Once per duel, by banishing Glass Bell from the graveyard, I'll inflict 200 damage to you times its Level!" Four shots of cold wind blew towards Grace and Gloria again.

Grace & Gloria: 4100 - 200 x 4 = 3300LP

"Then, I'll use my Field Spell's effect! Yugo and I will pay 500 life points, and then all non-WIND monsters you control lose 1000 attack points for the rest of the turn!" The winds swept over Empress and Pet Liger King, weakening both of them, even as Rin's monsters were completely unaffected.

Yugo & Rin: 7000 - 500 = 6500LP

[Amazoness Empress: 2800 - 1000 = 1800ATK]

[Amazoness Pet Liger King: 2900 - 1000 = 1900ATK]

"Battle Phase! Winterfell Bell attacks Empress!"

"While I control Amazoness Pet Liger King," Grace retorted, "you cannot attack any monsters, except him!"

"That's fine! Attack Pet Liger King! Apocalyptic Chill!"

Grace grinned. "Are you dumb? Empress stops him from being destroyed!"

Grace & Gloria: 3300 - 1100 = 2200LP

"I'll activate the Continuous Trap, Amazoness Hot Spring again! I'll add a "Amazoness" monster from my deck to my hand. Then, Hot Spring's effect. We'll gain life points equal to the damage you dealt to us!"

Grace & Gloria: 2200 + 1100 = 3300LP

"So it's like you didn't actually get anything done."

"So? Is that what you think?" Rin said, arching an eyebrow. "Because I'm not done! Once per turn, when Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell deals battle damage to my opponent, I can Special Summon a Level 9 or lower "Wind Witch" monster from my graveyard or banished cards!"

"Banished cards…?"

"Come back to me now!" Rin clenched a fist. "I'll target Wind Witch - Winter Bell! Wintry Updraft!"

Her ace appeared on the field, her sapphire body gleaming brightly.

"Wind Witch - Winter Bell's effect," Rin continued. "During the Battle Phase, I can target a "Wind Witch" monster I control, and then Special Summon a "Wind Witch" monster from my hand with a Level equal to or less than that monster's Level! Come from my hand! Wind Witch - Muffler Bell!" The dark blue bell with a green scarf wrapped around it appeared on the field, letting out a tinkling sound. It hid behind Winterfell Bell, settling down in Defense Position—the fourth monster on their field.

[Wind Witch - Muffler Bell (1*/0/0/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]

"Muffler Bell's effect! When Normal or Special Summoned, I can target a monster on the field and negate its effects! I'll target Amazoness Pet Liger King!"

"Huh? Empress?"

"... it doesn't matter, after all. They're both going down eventually. Winter Bell attacks Amazoness Empress!" Her ace swung forward, winds blowing around her, before she struck down the warrior woman—who was now no longer protected by their other monster.

Grace & Gloria: 3300 - 600 = 2700LP

"Main Phase 2! I'll activate Winter Bell's effect! By targeting Glaze Bell in my graveyard, I'll inflict 200 damage to you times its Level! Hypothermic Subzero!" Again (who knew how many times Rin had already used her burn effects this duel?), the cold winds burst across the field.

Yugo liked the feeling.

Grace & Gloria: 2700 - 200 x 4 = 1900LP

"I'll end my turn," Rin said.

"... somewhat impressive," Gloria said. "I see how you beat Roget—you have more chemistry than our last pair of opponents from your group, anyway. But… choosing to destroy my Empress over Pet Liger King? You're right, it doesn't matter—but not for the reasons you think."

[Turn 7: Gloria] [H:6]

"Draw!" Gloria smirked. "For the third time. Amazoness Spiritualist's effect. I will return Amazoness Hall to my hand and Special Summon her from the graveyard!"

What a broken card… the woman dressed in red and green reappeared on the field.

"Then, Amazoness Baby Tiger brings himself back too." The red beast appeared on the field. "I'll add another copy of Polymerization from my deck to my hand. Then, I'll Normal Summon Amazoness Princess again!" The cheerful-looking girl landed on the field, waving a spear through the air. "With her effect, I'll add the Continuous Trap, Amazoness Willpower from my deck to my hand! Then, I will activate the Spell Card, Polymerization. I will fuse Amazoness Queen in my hand with Amazoness Pet Liger King on the field!"

Huh? She was fusing away her sister's ace?

"This monster takes any two "Amazoness" monsters as material, as long as one of them is a Fusion Monster," Gloria explained with a shrug. "Empress that stands at the peak of all battle! Now, crush our foes with the fiery might of your supremacy! Fusion Summon! The one, the only Amazoness Augusta!" A tall, imperious-looking woman appeared on the field—immediately, there was something regal yet bestial to her, considering just how many animal parts were part of her clothing—animal fur and pelts made up the vast majority of the fabric. From several parts of her clothing, such as her shoulders and the headdress that she was wearing, long bestial fangs and bones jutted out, giving her a wild, savage appearance.

[Amazoness Augusta (10*/3200/2800/EARTH/Warrior/Fusion/Effect)]

"Amazoness Augusta's effect," Gloria continued. "I can Special Summon an "Amazoness" monster from my deck when she is Fusion Summoned. Come—"

"Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell's effect!" Rin countered. "Twice per turn and once per Chain, when my opponent activates the effect of a monster on the field, I can negate that effect, destroy that monster and inflict damage to them equal to half its attack points! Soul-Shrivelling Hurricane!"

Gloria smirked. "Got you," she said—and there was genuine glee to her tone, for all that she seemed to be the calmer of the two. "You ended up saving it for the stronger monster to try and kill us this turn, didn't you? Quickplay Spell, Forbidden Chalice. Your monster's effects are negated, even though she gains 400 attack points!"

Rin winced.

[Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell: 3000 + 400 = 3400ATK]

"So Augusta's effect resolves. Come—Amazoness Swords Woman!" A woman with spiky brown and orange hair appeared on the field, glaring at them.

[Amazoness Swords Woman (4*/1500/1600/EARTH/Warrior/Effect)]

"Now, Spell Card, Amazoness Secret Arts! I'll perform a second Fusion Summon—I'll fuse the Amazoness Silver Sword Master in my hand with the Amazoness Baby Tiger on my field!" She dropped another two cards in her hand into the graveyard, leaving her with just three cards in hand.

… just. Huh.

… this was making Yugo a bit too aware of how many cards they had been drawing this whole time.

"Sword and shield, dance in the hands of the loyal protector! Fusion Summon! Level 6! Amazoness Queensguard!" A dark-haired woman appeared on the field, adjusting the half-mask on her face with one hand and holding up a shield with another.

[Amazoness Queensguard (6*/2200/1500/EARTH/Warrior/Fusion/Effect)]

"Silver Sword Master was sent to the graveyard since she was used as Fusion Material in the hand, so I'll use her other effect! Since an "Amazoness" monster was Special Summoned while she's in the graveyard, I can set her in the Pendulum Scale!" A pillar of light rose up again, and another Pendulum Monster took to the field. "Now, Amazoness Silver Sword Master's Pendulum Effect and Queensguard's effect work in tandem. Silver Sword Master gives all "Amazoness" monsters 100 attack points times their Levels. And Queensguard gives 400 attack points to all of my "Amazoness" monsters!" All of her monsters glowed, though Spiritualist was still in Defense Position.

[Amazoness Queensguard: 2200 + 400 + 100 x 6 = 3200ATK]

[Amazoness Augusta: 3200 + 400 + 100 x 10 = 4600ATK]

[Amazoness Swords Woman: 1500 + 400 + 100 x 4 = 2300ATK]

[Amazoness Princess: 1200 + 400 + 100 x 3 = 1900ATK]

[Amazoness Spiritualist: 800 + 400 + 100 x 2 = 1400ATK]

"This isn't good," Rin murmured. "Yugo… she's probably going to be able to take out all our monsters this turn. I don't know if I can leave anything for you again…"

"All your monsters?" Gloria interrupted. "You still don't get it, don't you?"

She sounded entirely too smug. As though… they'd won already…?

"What I'm after this turn isn't your monsters. It's not to give my sister a chance, or any rubbish like that—she doesn't expect it, anyway, she spent her last turn setting things up for me. I have only one goal in mind, only one reason why I've committed five cards and I'm about to commit a sixth . I'm here to win , Rin Izayoi. I'm here for your lives! Because that's the kind of people we are! I'll activate the effect of Amazoness Queensguard! Since I control Amazoness Queen, who Amazoness Princess is currently using the name of, I'll discard a card and change your Winterfell Bell to facedown Defense Position!" She cast out a card, and Winterfell Bell let out a pained sound, before she vanished from the field.

"Winterfell Bell…" Rin said, sounding… somewhat worried.

"You don't have time to be anxious for a hologram," Gloria said, still smirking. "On the turn that I use Queensguard's effect, all "Amazoness" monsters deal piercing damage!"

Rin's eyes widened—she looked down at her field, where Muffler Bell and Chill Bell were sitting in Defense Position, as well as Winterfell Bell's facedown card. "Then…"

"You reserved some of your cards to defend the two of you," Gloria said. "But caution is exactly what held you back every turn, isn't it, Izayoi? Then now, reap the consequences of that choice! Amazoness Augusta attacks Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell! And Silver Sword Master's other Pendulum Effect! When an attack is declared involving an "Amazoness" monster, once per turn, I can add a "Amazoness" Spell or Trap from my graveyard to my hand!"

With a malevolent smile, she revealed it.

"The Continuous Trap, Amazoness Onslaught," she said.

"I'll banish Fall Bell from the graveyard to protect her!" Rin countered—but at the same time, she still winced from the damage.

Yugo & Rin: 6500 - 2100 = 4400LP

"... foolish," Gloria said. "When Amazoness Queen or Amazoness Empress is used as material for Augusta's Fusion Summon, she can attack twice per turn. Attack Winterfell Bell again!"

This time, the bell monster was crushed—their life points fell again.

Yugo & Rin: 4400 - 2100 = 2300LP

"When Winterfell Bell is sent to the graveyard by you after I Synchro Summoned it… I can add a WIND monster from my graveyard to my hand."

"There's nothing you add that can save you! Finish them off! Amazoness Swords Woman attacks Wind Witch - Muffler Bell!"

"... that's wrong," Rin said. "Yugo's tried so hard to protect me, too…" She revealed a card. "I'll activate the effect of Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice in our graveyard! By banishing it, I will negate your attack!"

Gloria narrowed her attack. "... you really think that you can survive, huh. Let's see it! Amazoness Queensguard attacks Wind Witch - Winter Bell! So, what monster are you going to call off its effect to prolong this duel?"

"... that's not what I'm thinking about at all," Rin said. "Because… if you just kept attacking Muffler Bell, I'd have lost here."

"Huh?"

"But you were scared of me," Rin continued, "scared that I actually had a way to protect us! And because of that, because you overestimated me…"

She breathed out slowly.

"... we're fine. We're taking the damage."

Yugo & Rin: 2300 - 900 = 1400LP

"And since we took battle damage, I'll use the card that I added back from my graveyard with Winterfell Bell's effect!" She revealed it. "Speedroid Gum Prize!"

Yugo's eyes widened.

"That card…" Gloria turned to Yugo, frowning. "You discarded it with Graceful Charity."

"When we take battle or effect damage, I can Special Summon Gum Prize from my hand!" The white toy robot appeared on the field in front of them.

[Speedroid Gum Prize (1*/0/800/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"Then, I can perform a Synchro Summon using monsters I control! I'll tune the Level 1 Speedroid Gum Prize to the Level 6 Wind Witch - Chill Bell!" The two monsters shot up. "Spread those wondrous and beautiful winds!"

… oh. This one. The last of the Wind Witch Synchro Monsters that Rin had started with (the others being Chill Bell, Winter Bell and Sheen Bell.) This one…

It had been a while since Yugo had seen it.

After all, its entire summoning chant (and maybe even its design) were based on his ace.

"And at the speed of light, release the clearest snow into the world! Synchro Summon! Level 7! Wind Witch - Clear Bell!" On the field, a beautiful shimmering, rainbow-coloured bell appeared, its iridescent body shimmering as it landed—its wings spread out, the same shade of green as Clear Wing's wings.

[Wind Witch - Clear Bell (7*/2000/2400/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)]

"How does that change anything?" Gloria snapped. "Muffler Bell's still on the field."

"... well," Rin said, shrugging, "you can't attack any "Wind Witch" monsters other than Clear Bell while she's on the field."

Gloria went silent.

"... it's okay, sister," Grace said. She shot Rin a sweet smile. "You did well! She's just barely wiggled out of death—they've got nothing left. We'll be fine."

"... yes," Gloria finally said. "I suppose you're right, sister." She glanced at the field again. "... I will set two cards and end my turn."

"One of those cards is Onslaught," Rin said, turning to Yugo. "I don't…" She didn't finish the sentence, but Yugo knew what she was too worried to say.

I don't have any cards left to use . Every single one of her Synchro Monsters had already been used—her Extra Deck was empty. She had put in everything to get them to this turn.

If Yugo didn't win, if he let it get back to Rin's turn, there was nothing that Rin could do. She'd barely be able to stall, because she had almost no hand cards left either. They'd lose.

They'd… lose?

"Okay," Yugo said, feeling the weight of the duel on his shoulders. "I'll do it, Rin. Just… count on me!"

[Turn 8: Yugo] [H:4]

"Draw!" Yugo drew the card, looking at the field. Crystal Wing was gone. So was Kitedrake. He needed to get rid of Onslaught and whatever the other card was, and then he just needed to attack one of the weaker monsters. The other card was probably the Hot Spring that she'd bounced to her hand.

So…

He was working with Rin's leftover Clear Bell, Muffler Bell and Field Spell.

… Rin's Muffler Bell… had she left it for him on purpose?

"I'll Normal Summon Speedroid Marble Machine!" The spinning blue marble appeared on the field, its red cape rippling around it.

[Speedroid Marble Machine (2*/S1/200/100/WIND/Machine/Pendulum/Effect)]

"Marble Machine's effect! When Normal Summoned, I can add another "Speedroid" monster from my deck to my hand! Then, I'll tune the Level 1 Wind Witch - Muffler Bell to the Level 2 Speedroid Marble Machine! Fire off bullets at fast velocity, and lend me a hand in launching a fierce offensive! Synchro Summon! Level 3! Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter!" His own Synchro Tuner took to the field, its cannon-like body glowing as dark cork bullets spun around it. Electric sparks shot out, connecting to the bullets.

[Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter (3*/500/1000/WIND/Machine/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

"Cork Shooter's effect! When Synchro Summoned, I can add a "Speedroid" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand!"

He wanted to just use Rin's monster, but… he needed specifically a Clear Wing monster to summon that Accel Synchro of his. So he couldn't get out of using his own dragon.

Just a few extra steps!

"I'll add Speedroid Wheel to my hand and activate it! By discarding one card, I can roll a dice and Special Summon up to two "Speedroid" monsters from my deck with an equal Level to the total, but their effects are negated! If I don't summon a monster, we lose life points equal to the roll times 500!"

"Risking it all on a die roll?"

"There's no risk!" Yugo declared brashly. "Whatever the result is, I'll accept it and roll with it! And there's no way I'll fail anyway—not when there's any number of ways to make up the number! Spin that wheel of fate!" The holographic dice fell on the field, spinning and spinning…

Until it landed on a 5.

"... perfect," Yugo said with a grin. "I guess in the end, luck's still on my side! Come! Speedroid Dominobutterfly! Speedroid Ultra Hound!"

The two monsters appeared on the field simultaneously—Dominobutterfly's flat, rectangle-shaped wings fluttered as the mechanical insect floated to Clear Bell's side, while Ultra Hound's long, interconnected and stretchy body landed on the ground with clicking noises.

[Speedroid Dominobutterfly (2*/S8/100/300/WIND/Machine/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect)]

[Speedroid Ultra Hound (3*/800/800/WIND/Machine/Effect)]

"Why is that perfect?" Grace laughed.

"Because of this." Yugo lifted up a card from his graveyard. "Hi-Speedroid Hagoita's effect! I'll revive him again, since I control a "Speedroid" Tuner monster!" The green paddle monster appeared on the field as well. "And the Level's just right! I'll tune the Level 2 Speedroid Dominobutterfly to the Level 5 Hi-Speedroid Hagoita! Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

And finally, at the most important time in the duel, Clear Wing showed up, roaring loudly.

[Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (7*/2500/2000/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

"Yugo…"

"We promised Martha we'd protect each other," Yugo said, turning to look at her determinedly. "And we promised everyone, and just… I don't wanna lose in front of you anymore! Crystalline wings glimmer with dispersed light! Dragon as fast as the speed of light, strike our foes down with the boldness of your prismatic glare, and silence evil by taking control of the storm! Accel Synchro Summon! Level 10! Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Clear Wing's next evolution appeared, its blue and white body glowing as it elegantly landed on the field.

Yugo's strongest monster and last resort.

[Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (10*/3000/2500/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

Alright. He now had his way to deal with Onslaught. But…

"Amazoness Hall's effect. I'll gain life points equal to—"

But Amazoness Onslaught doesn't matter, if I just have to win this turn! If losing my monsters won't matter anyway—

1900—I have to keep them there.

"Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect!" Yugo declared in response. "When my opponent activates a Spell or Trap card or effect, I can negate that activation and destroy that card! Dichroic Scattering Mirror!" The card shattered on the spot.

I just have to gain enough attack points to take them down in one hit so that Hot Spring doesn't have the chance to heal them. I don't have to destroy their monsters, I don't have to do anything, we just have to deal damage!

1900 damage. Obviously, he would be attacking one of the weaker monsters. Assuming he attacked Princess or Swords Woman… he'd need a minimum of 3800 attack points, to do it in one hit and avoid Hot Spring.

But if Hot Spring triggered, he'd need to deal that damage twice…

Alright.

No choice. He'd have to tough it through!

"I'll activate the effect of Speed Recovery in my graveyard. By banishing it from my graveyard, I'll add a "Speedroid" monster from my graveyard to my hand. I'll add back Speedroid Taketomborg from my graveyard!" The same Taketomborg that he had discarded for the effect of his Speedroid Wheel. "I'll Special Summon Taketomborg from my hand, since I only control WIND monsters." The blue and yellow machine landed on the field.

He could think of a few ways. But this one… was the best way to make sure.

"Taketomborg's effect! I'll tribute it to Special Summon a "Speedroid" Tuner monster from my deck—come! Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke!" The white doll wearing a thick hat appeared on the field, tilting his head very slightly. He paced around the field, before swinging his staff through the air and letting out a sigh.

[Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke (3*/1000/1000/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"Then, I'll banish Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper from the graveyard! I can decrease the Level of a Level 3 or higher WIND monster I control by 2!" Yugo gestured to Den-Den Daiko Duke, which glowed slightly.

[Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke: 3* - 2* = 1]

"I'll tune the Level 1 Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke to the Level 3 Speedroid Ultra Hound!" He took a step forward. Just one more monster, just one more Synchro Summon. "Thousand-face possessing shadow of the labyrinth. With that sharp blade, render chaotic darkness! Synchro Summon!"

The monster that gave him the best odds right now…

"Level 4! Hi-Speedroid Puzzle!" The dual-wielding mechanical warrior appeared on the field, its dark body gliding through the air.

[Hi-Speedroid Puzzle (4*/1300/1600/WIND/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"Spell Card, Hi-Speed Re-Level!"

Any monster could benefit from this card, but… Yugo wanted to make sure there was absolutely no way that they would survive this.

"I can banish any "Speedroid" monster from my graveyard and change the Level of a Synchro Monster on the field to that monster's Level. Then, that monster gains 500 attack points times the banished monster's Level!" Yugo retrieved a card, holding it out.

Kaname. Sorry I have to keep drawing on your help.

"I'll banish Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake! So Puzzle gains 4000 attack points!"

[Hi-Speedroid Puzzle: 4* → 8*; 1300 + 500 x 8 = 5300ATK]

He couldn't let them have the slimmest chance of surviving.

"Battle Phase!" Yugo flung his hand forward. "Finish them off now! Hi-Speedroid Puzzle attacks Amazoness Princess!"

And just like that—

Yugo's thoughts were interrupted as Grace laughed .

"What an amusing struggle," she cooed condescendingly. "Trying so hard… but of course, we knew you had it in you!"

"We certainly knew." Gloria said. She reached out—her fingers flipped over the set card. "Though… it's over."

The card on the field flipped over, its hologram revealing itself—

And the card that was revealed was not Amazoness Onslaught or Amazoness Hot Spring.

"What?" Yugo exclaimed.

"Were you expecting something else?" Gloria waved a hand. "Of course, I expected her to lose last turn, but… in that situation? Obviously, I discarded Hot Spring for Queensguard's effect."

Her eyes were sharp.

"I trusted that you were strong enough to kill us in one blow, Yugo Kirijo, and so I did not waste my time on a card that wouldn't help me."

Still… a risk like that! Was someone this cold capable of it?

… or maybe… maybe she wanted to see that he would beat the challenge she'd set forth.

Still… there was nothing he could do. He'd already used his one negate on Amazoness Hall…

"Trap Card, Shift," Gloria said. "I change the target of your attack to a different monster I control."

So she could just send it to Augusta and survive it—

"I choose Amazoness Swords Woman."

What?

Rin was the one who spoke up. "But that still…"

"Amazoness Swords Woman's effect. For the record, before you say anything, this isn't an activated effect, so your cards can't do anything about it." Gloria glanced at the field dismissively as Puzzle shot towards her field—Swords Woman raised her sword, ready to fight back. "You take all battle damage from battles involving her."

You take all battle damage.

… we take all battle damage?

No.

No, no, no—

"... you fought well enough," Gloria said with a shrug. "And you were entertaining."

"So entertaining when you struggled!" Grace giggled. "Sayonara!"

The two warriors made contact, and—

The backlash of his own attack hit both him and Rin, and sent both of them flying backwards, hitting the ground.

Yugo & Rin: 1400 - 3000 = 0LP

Winner: Grace Tyler & Gloria Tyler!

They'd lost.

They'd lost…

I thought I was supposed to be strong enough to fight anyone now. I thought Rin and I were supposed to be the strongest together—

So why did we lose like this?

He saw the Tyler Sisters approaching in the corner of his eye.

No. No, I can't let them take Rin back. I absolutely can't—

A figure darted between Rin and the two sisters, standing there imposingly. Nearby, another figure approached, brushing back his fringe.

Gloria raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Back for Round 2, are you?"

Chiaki Katsuya stared back at them. "I never let fights go," she said. "Don't you know?" She glanced back at Rin, before she turned back to Grace and Gloria. "We started a duel before already, and you two ran away. So what? Are you going to try and grab Rin and leave, like the cowards you are?"

"... you're trying to aggravate us," Grace said sweetly. "To protect your friend. How cute!" She waved a hand. "You could just say that you want to duel, you know. It's not like we'd ever be scared of you. And we might as well get a two for one on priority targets!"

Gloria, on the other hand, looked somewhat wary. "And you, White Inferno?" She said, looking at the other figure.

Yuji Fujita shrugged. "I don't care," he said, sounding way too blunt for a statement like that. "But things are unsettled between…" He glanced at Yugo. "... us. And Chiaki wants it."

"Hah. Did you forget that you were the one to kidnap her in the first place? If anything, we're making up for the way you screwed up." Grace grinned. "Still, can't say I don't think this will be fun…! Bring it!"

Yugo did his best to stagger up, but his body was sore.

Yuji glanced back at him.

"... you'd better not lose," Yugo muttered. He hated the idea of relying on this guy, but it didn't seem that he'd been given an option.

"... in this format?" He was clearly referring to the Tag Duel and shared fields. "... my monsters explode the moment Chiaki takes a turn."

… oh, this xenophobic—

"... but I have no plans," Yuji continued quietly, "... of losing."

Yugo watched him.

"Prove it," he said, with the bitterness of someone that had already failed. "Else, if you let Rin get taken again, I'll hate you forever."

… I'm already mad at myself.

---

OC Cards:

Wind Witch - Hail Bell

(4*/1300/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)

If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can target 1 monster on the field; inflict damage to your opponent equal to the target's Level x 100, then, if you targeted an opponent's monster, inflict 400 damage to them. You can only activate this effect of "Wind Witch - Hail Bell" once per turn. A WIND Synchro Monster that used this card as Synchro Material gains the following effect.

● If this card destroys a monster by battle: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent.

Amazoness Pet Jaguar

(6*/2000/1800/EARTH/Beast/Fusion/Effect)

2 "Amazoness" monsters, including a Beast monster

If this card is Fusion Summoned: You can target 1 "Amazoness" monster in your GY; banish it, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Amazoness" monster with a different name from your GY. The monster Summoned by this effect cannot declare an attack on the turn it is Summoned. If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can shuffle this card into the Extra Deck, and if you do, you can place 1 "Amazoness" Continuous Spell/Trap from your Deck face-up in your Spell & Trap Zone. You can only activate each effect of "Amazoness Pet Jaguar" once per turn.

Harmonious Church of the Wind Witch

(Spell/Field)

If this card is activated: You can target 1 "Wind Witch" monster in your GY; Special Summon it. You can pay 500 LP; all non-WIND monsters your opponent controls lose 1000 ATK until the End Phase. If this card is destroyed and sent to the GY: You can add 1 "Wind Witch" monster from your Deck to your hand, with a different name from cards you control. You can only activate each effect of "Harmonious Church of the Wind Witch" once per turn.

Wind Witch - Glaze Bell

(4*/1100/1100/WIND/Spellcaster/Effect)

If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can inflict 200 damage to your opponent for each WIND monster you control. You can target up to 3 monsters you control; decrease their Levels by 1, and if you do, this turn, if you would use a "Wind Witch" monster(s) as Synchro Material, you can treat it as a non-Tuner monster(s). You can only activate each effect of "Wind Witch - Glaze Bell" once per turn.

Wind Witch - Fall Bell

(4*/1700/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)

1 "Wind Witch" Tuner + 1 non-Tuner monsters

If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can target 1 "Windwitch" monster in your GY; banish it, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Wind Witch" monster with the same Level as that monster from your Deck in face-up Defense Position. Once per turn: You can target 1 "Wind Witch" monster on the field; increase or decrease its Level by 1. If a "Wind Witch" card(s) you control would be destroyed by battle or a card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only Synchro Summon "Wind Witch - Fall Bell" once per turn.

Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell

(10*/3000/2500/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)

1 Tuner Synchro Monster + 1 non-Tuner WIND Synchro Monster

Once per Chain, if your opponent activates the effect of a monster on the field: You can negate that effect, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster's ATK on the field, and if you do that, destroy that card. You can only activate this effect of "Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell" twice per turn. Once per turn, if this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: You can Special Summon 1 Level 9 or lower "Wind Witch" monster from the GY or banished cards. If this Synchro Summoned card you control is sent to your GY by an opponent's card: You can add 1 WIND monster from your GY to your hand. You can only control 1 "Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell".

Wind Witch - Muffler Bell

(1*/0/0/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)

If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can target 1 monster on the field; negate its effects. If this card is destroyed by battle: You can Special Summon 1 "Wind Witch" monster from your Deck. You can only activate each effect of "Wind Witch - Muffler Bell" once per turn.

Amazoness Queensguard

(6*/2200/1500/EARTH/Warrior/Fusion/Effect)

2 "Amazoness" monsters, including a Warrior monster

All "Amazoness" monsters you control gain 400 ATK. If you control "Amazoness Queen": You can discard 1 card; target 1 monster your opponent controls; change it to facedown Defense Position, and if you do, if an "Amazoness" monster(s) you control attacks a monster in Defense Position this turn, inflict piercing damage to your opponent. You can only activate this effect of "Amazoness Queensguard" once per turn.

Wind Witch - Clear Bell

(7*/2000/2400/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)

1 Tuner + 1 non-Tuner monsters

If a Level 5 or higher monster activates its effect: Inflict 200 damage to your opponent. While you control this Synchro Summoned card, your opponent cannot target other "Wind Witch" monsters you control for attacks. If this card battles: It gains 200 ATK for each WIND monster on the field. If this card is sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 Level 6 or lower WIND monster from your GY. You can only control 1 "Wind Witch - Clear Bell".

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Different Card Effects from TCG:

Amazoness Magic Mirror - Anime-only card.

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon - Anime effect.

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End Notes:

Some quick worldbuilding notes—Traupik Island is based on the mythical land of the Amazons in Greek mythology. This area is specifically not in Greece itself, but rather, on its outskirts, with the closest possibility being the current-day Black Sea Region of Turkey. So while this is a small detail, that's what the 'setting' of the flashback is based on.

I've mentioned before that I don't particularly think the Tyler Sisters are good characters, whether as villains or 'redeemed' characters. Still, this fic does insist on giving most characters a fair shake! So obviously, I reviewed the episodes they appeared in and decided what kind of backstory I wanted to work with for them. (Also sneaking in my Tania agenda :)) The Grace-Gloria flashback is also meant to make you expect that the two of them, Yugo and Rin are going to have some kind of emotional moment, but… nope! That's not the kind of duel this is, and why would two women in their early twenties stoop to emotional vulnerability with two teenagers they don't even see as people?

This fic headcanons that Gloria was named after the gloriosa lily and Grace was named after the rosa grace (a species of English rose). The gloriosa lily represents affection and majesty, while the rosa grace represents fascination and love at first sight :3

I'm hyped for the new Nekroz cards (which I already bought irl heh), but I do love that Konami insists on introducing new support every time I push a character slightly forward in the power curve. I will eventually give her Avance and Emilia though :) I originally wrote out Kyorin's duel, but lowkey I rewrote it because it ended up being better because Kyorin basically summarises it—our girl is getting better and better at controlling the field! If you're wondering what happened in the summarised turn afterwards, the third guy just set a Hound Dog and a set card facedown and then got overrun by Unicore, Decisive Armor and Areadbhair.

As always, Grace and Gloria using different Amazoness cards and only overlapping slightly is intentional. I split all the cards in half and kept a few basic cards as overlap. The main overlapping cards are Baby Tiger (Grace), Princess (Gloria) and War Chief (Tania) :3 Grace has most of the Traps and defensive options, while Gloria has most of the Warriors and the battle-based monsters. Baby Tiger-Spiritualist is one of the dirtiest things I've ever seen though.

That being said—Yugo and Rin were always going to lose this duel. They're hard-countered by pretty much every Amazoness card the sisters use, and well. Both of them still struggle with Spells and Traps, even if Yugo's card mitigates it. :3 Still, they got a bailout! How lucky…

Small duel notes for Rin and Yugo vs the Tyler Sisters! It's worth pointing out that Scrubbed Raid is Yusei's card. :) So Rin getting it is just a fun reference. I drafted a whole duel including Yugo's new SUDA cards, but ultimately decided that there's a different place where he can more organically get them, and I didn't feel like introducing his new cards in a duel that he's intended to lose. It's so interesting to me that Rin and Yugo are the only characters with actual negates in this duel, but they're the ones that aren't allowed to do anything. This duel is also just really fun. Props to Yugo—he's one of my favourite characters to write duels for, hands down. Sorry he's gotta lose so badly, but hey! Doesn't seem to be in mortal danger.

Also yes, 'less we forget, Chiaki and Rin are friends :D

Review responses!

To TornadoXz825, haha, imagine if I just made them drop that in the middle of the duel. Would have made it a non-issue. Still, it was a fun duel to write for a lot of reasons!

To maryyassa523, that's how finales in this fic normally go! :3 it's going to get wild.

To Infernal Enby, yes, that's definitely the intended contrast between Yuji and Chiaki! Our boy's finally starting to slowly crawl out of stasis, I'm so happy about it.

To TheRealD3lph0xL0v3r, thank you for the review and the excitement! :)

To Bryz0n, always gotta make sure to set up before firing! :D

To Oresama, ah, welcome back... yeah, Yuji's development was always intended to be slow, especially because I have that time. Making someone like him develop quickly and drastically... just isn't in character.

Alright, that's all. Feel free to review, favourite and follow! See you next time :D And in case I don't update before then, Merry Christmas!