Anyway
I own what I own
Which apparently includes,
A Link that I have for some reason:
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Discord Link that I have for some reason:
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Twitter that I have for some reason:
mobile. / pandorajail
Shout out to Zeranion, Rairaku, pyro stick figure 76, WhataGreatNamelol and a special thanks to Sakuya and 13arabba who actually paid for , along with the people on the discord, absolute madlads.
Note that this work is also crossposted on Webnovel, AO3, and Space Battles, all because I hate myself lmao.
A commission by Merch22 who requested a scenario of aduel between Hiragi Shuzo and The Professor, using Fire Fist and Hazy Flames respectively and the developments that happens after and in between them.
Insert music that they told me to put in: /HSuHzXXu3jw?si= 9BKfVKBhFGlfTqNS
I am not going to be writing Fire Fist in another year, this archetype is tiring to write.
Passing on the Torch
"Yes… soon, soon my goal would be completed… The ARC-V." The man, The Professor, leader of the Fusion Dimension's very own Academia declared, spreading his hand wide as he watched his grand machine, the titular ARC-V, as the machine hummed ominously.
He ignored the cries of the girls that were locked inside their chambers, soon, soon they'll understand, soon they'll return to being one, and he'll have his daughter again. "Soon, you'll return to the world, as it should be." He spoke aloud, as the guards that he had assigned to the throne room stayed silent as they watched his work slowly complete, with only a part of him showing any sort of emotion on his face, that being amusement.
With all of his enemies and beaten or halted long enough for his plan to finish, there truly was nothing else that could be done to stop him. He had finally, after so many gruelling years, won.
Yet his celebration was cut short as the grand doors to his throne were wracked open, revealing someone that he had never expected to see.
"What…?" The words left his mouth as he watched the man slowly walk inside, with all of his guards immediately standing in front of him, barring their duel blades towards the man. "How are you here… Shuzo!?"
"Otou-san!" One of Ray's fragments shouted from her chamber, slamming the glass tube that held her inside his master work, and giving him a connection for the man to even appear here of all places.
"This stops here! Leo!" The man who used to be Yusho's junior shouted at the top of his lungs, clenching his fist in front of him. "You better let go of my daughter and everyone else, or I'll make you regret it!" He roared.
"You insolent-!"
"You dare talk to the Professor-!"
The indignities that his underlings aimed towards the man who, in a life far before, had used to be his friend, stopped as soon as he raised his hand. And with a glance, they all parted as he stepped down from his elevated throne, meeting Shuzo's grey eyes that burned with determination.
The man wasn't dressed like what he remembered he wore after he took on that decrepit dueling school that he and Yusho managed, no, he wore the clothes that he was more familiar with, a style of clothing that his senior shared.
A white buttoned shirt hidden under a black vest and red necktie, coupled with a long red coat with burning flames decorating on its ends with orange linings, along with form fitting red pants and gloves, finishing his attire with a black top hat where his goggles lay.
It was not dissimilar to the clothes that he had used to wear in his life before, before all of this mess, before his daughter was forced to take the role that he had supposed to take.
"Shuzo. I will ask you again." He said as he reached the last steps from his throne, staring at the man's determined gaze with his own. "How have you reached this place? No… you likely came with all the others didn't you?"
"Yeah. That I did." The man said, burning rage clear under his tone as he glared back. "And I have a few things that I want to say to you, Leo!"
"Hmph, such things are unimportant." He said, closing his eyes and turning his head towards his grand machine that hummed with power as they continued to speak. "You wish to stop me, do you not? Then you will meet your end all the same. Just as Yusho did."
Hearing his senior's name and his fate stoked the flames of the orange haired man's rage, as he clenched his fist and snarled. "Yeah… that's something that you did too didn't you… to your own friend…!"
"Yusho was no friend of mine, no more after he decided to oppose my goals." He spoke matter-of-factly, waving off the anger that Shuzo directed at him.
"... you've truly gone mad haven't you." Shuzo spoke quietly, all the anger that he had seemed to harbour seemingly disappearing in a blink as he stared at him with pity, waving his hand towards the entire throne room around them. "You're doing this, all of this, and you think that she'll accept that?"
"You know nothing! Shuzo Hiragi!" He roared back, rage and anger swallowing his composure the moment he mentioned her. "She would understand, she has too. I'm doing all of this for her sake. She would know that!"
"If you really think that, then you're even more delusion than I thought you were." The entertainment duelist muttered as he held his top hat down, masking his eyes from view.
And raised them again with flames of determination burning stronger than ever before. "Then I'll words won't stop you, then I'll stop you right here, right now, and free my daughter!" Shuzo shouted as he braced his left arm, activating his bright green duel blade from it.
"Hmph, then you will fail. Like everyone else did." He said as he activated his own. Shuzo was once his friend, a lifetime ago, and in his current incarnation had taken care of a fragment of Ray, he deserved this much respect.
Even if, all of his efforts this far, would end in vain.
"Then, let us begin."
""DUEL!""
"And with Guts Master Heat's effect, I will destroy Spirit Tech Force - Pendulum Governor! And since its effect is negated, it will be destroyed!"
Just as he said, the large warrior monster then rushed towards his Pendulum Monster with a war cry, charging and slamming its body towards the mechanical marvel, and shredding through it with pure muscle.
"Tch!" Leo clicked his tongue, holding both arms forwards as the force from his monster being destroyed was disadvantageous, but not something that he couldn't recover from by the looks of it.
He probably hadn't imagined that he could even lose, nonetheless against him of all people. Using his familiarity of Action Duel, along with cards like Spirit Barrier and the like to prevent him from taking damage, he kept using the effects of his monsters to slowly and surely dismantle his board.
The last Action Card, Detour, that negated his monster's effect and even dealt damage to Leo that he drew and activated during the Battle Phase, negating Spirit Tech Force - Pendulum Governor's effect was quite important as it allowed him to remove the card from the field, though he could simply summon it back.
"H-how could this be-!"
"T-the Professor's monster was-!"
"By a no name man-!"
"So that's what you've been using this whole time. I'm honestly disappointed." The top hat wearing duelist spoke from as he walked closer, looking down at Leo.
He then scoffed, reaching for something behind him and throwing it to him. He caught it on reflex, and turning it towards himself for him to see revealed it to be… a deck. "Get that over-engineered gimmick of a deck out of here Leo. You have no right to use Pendulums. Duel me with your real deck."
He saw Leo freeze as he heard the words leave his mouth, the man looking towards him with shock. "Shuzo… you-"
"If you're asking me when I started remembering, don't bother. I don't remember everything, just snippets." He said, glaring back towards him as he walked to the spot where he stood before, and glancing back towards him. "I took it from the LDS office, the one that you left, before going here. But that doesn't matter."
He shook his head to clear his thoughts again, and glared down at Leo once more. "Duel me, Leo. Properly this time."
"..." Leo could only stare at the man's back, and then down towards the deck that was in his hand. "Fine then." The bald man growled, clenching the deck of cards in his hand as he stood properly, his head held high and regal purple coat flowing as he stood.
"Yuri, take the guards away." The man commanded, much to the shock of everyone that worked under him.
"Wha-"
"But Professor-"
"Oh! Of course, of course, I'll be sure to take them away." The purple haired teen said with a sadistic smile as he bowed towards his leader, sending a glance towards all the other masked duelists that were in the room.
"Well then, as much as I would love to watch this duel unfold, it seems that we have our orders." He said with a plastered smile, casually walking past him and opening the throne room's grand double doors.
Then looked back towards all of his other compatriots. "Well then, you've heard our grand leader's orders. Do vacate the room and give him some privacy." And the smile that he held then turned more feral. "Or I will be forced to take you all away from the premises."
That was enough of a motivator for all of the other Academia duelists to leave the room, with some sending glances back to Leo, and glares down his way as they went pass through the only entrance of the room.
The purple eyes teen sent a glance towards him, and their eyes met with his. He knew, that this boy wasn't Yuya, he knew the boy as if he was his own son, and this teen who shared his face was nothing like Yusho's son.
Their locked gaze then broke as the teen, Yuri, turned towards Leo with his ever present smile. "Well then, I wish you luck for your endeavour, Professor." He said before going past the doors and bowing, the massive thing closing soon after he left.
The room's occupant now consists of him, Leo, and the four girls that included his daughter inside of that massive machinery that was behind the bald man that was the mastermind behind all of this mess.
"Then, let's begin." With the previous duel that they had done being counted as a draw, and all of the solid holograms disappearing with the outcome, he placed a hand over his duel disk, and manifested his duel blade once more.
"Properly, this time." Leo said with calm determination, raising his left hand and manifesting his own purple bladed duel blade from his duel disk. This was no longer a duel between Hiragi Shuzo against the Professor, but between Hiragi Shuzo and Akaba Leo.
And then their duel disk chimed, the notification that came from the start of an outdoor Action Duel.
"Field Spell, Cross Over."
Then the both of them roared as the duel then began once again, this time in earnest.
""DUEL!""
Hiragi Shuzo: 4000LP
Akaba Leo: 4000LP
"Alright then, I'll go first! My turn!" He shouted loudly as he took the first turn of the game, glancing at the familiar yet unfamiliar cards that were in his hand. He knew these cards, these were the ones that he had used to play, or at least he thought he did.
But he knew that he needed to use them to win, and after a quick skim at what they do, he decided on the move that he would play. "I will set a monster face-down." He declared, setting one of the cards that was in his hand face-down as the holographic projection appeared before him.
And did the same with another one. "And I'll set another card face-down. And I'll end my turn!" He said, setting a card on his backrow, then turning and ran, aiming to get one of the many Action Cards that were among the floating platforms that filled the room. Ending his turn with a T-set, and three cards left in his hand.
"Then it's my turn! I'll draw!" Leo shouted as he started his own turn, drawing a card for his turn and starting out with six cards in his hand, and with his more familiarity with the deck, immediately played one of them.
"I will activate the Continuous Spell, Hazy Pillar!" He shouted as he played the card, the projection of the Continuous Spell appearing in front of him, shining as its effect was activated.
"With Hazy Pillar on the field, I can normal summon 'Hazy Flame' monsters for one less tribute!" He quickly explained as he then took out another card and placed it on his duel disk's blade projection. "And I will normal summon Hazy Flame Cerberus for one less tribute!"
Through the continuous Spell's projection, a pillar of burning flames erupted, and from it came a flaming three headed monster, each head letting out a roar as they appeared, slamming its long tail on the ground behind it as it was summoned onto the field.
Hazy Flame Cerberus - Fire/Beast/Level 6/Effect: 2000/200
"Now battle!" The purple garbed man declared loudly as he waved his hand forward. "Hazy Flame Cerberus will attack your monster!" The three headed monster let out another synchronised roar, as it then pounced towards his face-down monster.
Hurriedly, he jumped from one platform to another, launching himself to grab the Action Card that was on top of them. "Here goes!" He shouted as he slammed his fist onto the sphere that held it in place, grabbing the card and seeing what it was-
Only to find that it would not help his monster survive the battle, and soon enough the face-down monster was then revealed as the battle progressed, revealing an armored man with a burning ram hovering protectively over him.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 800/200
Though its defence points were high, the three headed flaming cerberus easily ripped Ram to motes of light with its sharp maws, destroying his monster in battle. But at least, he gets something out of it.
"That deck…" Leo muttered as he realized that he had changed the deck that he was using, recognizing it as the deck that he had used in a life before. "Shuzo, you-"
But he shook his head from whatever shock he had, and continued. "Hmph, I will set one card of my own, and end my turn." Leo spoke as he set another card on his spell and trap zone, ending his turn with two cards on his backrow, and a singular monster on his side of the field.
He leapt off from the floating platform that he found himself on, and landed neatly on the ground, only to stand back up and see the face of his daughter behind a wall of glass. "Yuzu!" He shouted as he slammed his fists on the tube that contained her, not even cracking the glass surface.
"Otou-san!" She shouted back, hope, relief, worry, and fear mixed on her face as she watched him duel against the person that had locked her and the other girls here. "Why did you-"
"Don't worry, I'll get you and everyone else out of there. I promise." He said with uncharacteristic seriousness that she's never seen on him before, and she was struck speechless.
Then he glanced back towards the cards that he had in his hands. "I'll just need to actually understand what any of these cards do…" He muttered, loud enough for her and everyone else barring his opponent to hear.
"Wha-you-! Did you go and duel against someone like him and not even understand what your deck does!?" She shouted from her glass cage with a multitude of emotions, one that her father only responded with a heartful chuckle.
"Haha, well, sorry about that. But there's just something that a man has to do." He said, as his face hardened, as if imitating Gongenzaka of all people, and then turned to face his opponent again.
"But that's enough of that. It's my turn! I draw!" He shouted as he then drew a card for turn, getting back up to four cards in his hand. "Now how do you do this Synchro summoning thing again…"
"Ah! Suzhou-san!" One of the girls from the glass tubes next to Yuzu called his attention as she heard him mumbling, just like the others she had the same face as his daughter, though dressed differently and having orange eyes and green hair.
And a bracelet similar to Yuzu's own, that was shining brightly, even as everything else inside the tube she was in seemed to as well. "A Tuner monster! If you want to perform a Synchro summon, then you'll need one!" She spoke from behind the glass.
And as if a part of him he had forgotten had been returned to him by that one sentence, he instantly understood what she meant. "You're right! That's what I needed!" He shouted as he turned back to face Leo, and started to run off to the direction of another Action Card.
"I'll activate the the Continuous Spell card, Fire Formation - Tenki!" He shouted as he played one of the cards that was in his hand. "When this card is activated, I get to add one Level 4 or lower Beast-Warrior monster from my deck to my hand!"
And he took one straight from his deck as he climbed onto another floating action platform. "And I'll be adding the Tuner monster, "Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Spirit from my deck to my hand!" He shouted, as he revealed the monster to his opponent!"
"That's-!" Who looked at it with wide eyes, before they narrowed, and for the first time since the duel began, he moved to reach for an Action Card of his own, in order to either stop his plays or to protect himself.
Noting that, he went and played his turn as fast as he could. "And I'll summon him!" So he shouted as he played the card, and the burning spirit of fire appeared onto his field in all of its fiery glory.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Spirit - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Tuner/Level 3/Effect: 200/1800
"And with Tenki on the field, all of my Beast-Warriors gain an additional 100 attack!" He shouted as a red aura enveloped his newly summoned monster, granting it additional strength.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Spirit - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Tuner/Level 3/Effect: 300/1800
"Then I'll activate Spirit's effect!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, jumping into another floating platform that filled the throne room. "When this card is normal summoned, i can target one Level 3 Fire monster 200 or less defence in my graveyard, and special summon that monster in defence position!"
And he raised his fist up into the air. "Return! Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram!" And the fire spirit followed suit, summoning a wall of flames from which the shaman and his fiery spirit emerged from, returning onto the field with grace.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 800/200
And with Tenki on the field, Ram's strength was then boosted as soon as it hit the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 900/200
"But for the rest of the turn, monsters I control can't attack except Beast-Warriors." He continued, explaining the restriction that Spirit puts him under. "Then Ram's effect!" And then climbed up into another platform once more.
"If this card is special summoned by the effect of a 'Fire Fist' monster, I can set one 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap directly from my deck with a different name from the cards that's in my graveyard!"
"Tch, and since there are none you're free to put anything is that it?" The illustrious leader of the Academia scoffed as he nimbly jumped into a floating action platform himself. "I think not! I will activate the trap! Lost Wind!" He shouted, flipping up the card that he had set on his own turn.
"Lost Wind allows me to target one face-up special summoned monster on the field, negate its effect, and halve its original attack!" The purple garbed man shouted as he pushed his hands forwards, and from the Trap card's projection a strong gust of ominous wind struck his newly revived monster, making him and the spiritual flame animal beside him cry in pain as their original strength was sapped.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 500/200
"Annoying, but that won't stop me!" He shouted as he waved his hands out again. "Now I'll-" And stopped himself as his tongue was tied, not knowing what he needed to do next. He knew that a Synchro summon needed a Tuner, but how-
"Shuzou-san!" The same green haired girl shouted out his name once more, and he turned and saw her and the shining bracelet from behind the tube of glass once again.
Their eyes locked, and instantly he knew what he needed to do next.
""I will then Tune the Level 3 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram and the Level 3 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Spirit!"' The both of them called in unison, with the fiery spirit bursting into flames, turning into three shining green orbs.
"What-!? Shuzo-!? You're resonating with Ray's fragments!?" Leo stopped in his tracks and called out in alarm as he saw the three orbs of lights spun around the shaman and its fiery compatriot, turning into green shining rings that circled around them.
""Oh flaming souls! Ride onto the battlefield and slay your foes! Synchro Summon!"" And the fan wielding shaman then turned into three similar orbs, and was then engulfed into a pillar of light. ""Appear! Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Horse Prince!""
From the pillar of light came a completely different being entirely, riding on a flaming steed was a regal garbed warrior, one that stomped his way onto the field as the horse made of flames that he rode let out a strong neigh.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Horse Prince - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Synchro/Level 6/Effect: 2200/2200
And just like the materials that was used for its summon before, a fiery aura surrounded the newly summoned Synchro monster, the Continuous Spell that Shuzo had on his field granting it an additional 100 points of attack.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Horse Prince - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Synchro/Level 6/Effect: 2300/2200
"And since I Synchro Summoned Horse Prince, I can't special summon Level 5 or higher monsters for the rest of the turn." He spoke out the restriction that the monster put him under, one that added up to Spirit's own.
"A Synchro Summon! And this kind of reaction-" The Academia's leader cut himself off as he continued to move, showing unseen levels of athleticism as he jumped into a far off platform of solid hologram to grab the Action Card that it hosted.
The shining bracelet that the green haired girl wore, Rin, then dimmed as she slumped down to the glass tube that she was hosted in, and he continued with fervour, thanking her for her help in his heart. "Now Horse Prince's effect!" Shuzo declared.
"When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can special summon one Level 3 Fire monster from my deck!" And he knew exactly which one to summon with the monster's effect.
"Don't get cocky Shuzo! I will activate the effect of Lost Wind in my graveyard!" Shouted back his opponent, who glared at him from the other side of the room. "If a monster is special summoned from your Extra Deck while this card is in the graveyard, I can set this card again, but banish it when it leaves the field!"
The regally dressed leader of the Fusion Dimension's largest dueling school then did just so, setting back the Trap card that he had just used earlier, and setting it right next to his Continuous Spell card.
"That won't matter! I'll special summon the Level 3 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster straight from my deck in attack position!" And took the monster card from his deck, and placed it right onto his duel blade, the short blade wielding Beast-Warrior then appeared at the prince's call alongside his spiritual companion.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1500/100
Of course as he hit the field, the monster was engulfed by a shade of red as its attack was boosted by the Fire Formation on the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1600/100
"And then Rooster's effect activates too!" He continued out with his plays, going towards another Action Card while he was at it. "When this card is special summoned by the effect of a 'Fire Fist' monster, I can add one 'Fire Fist' monster from my deck to my hand!"
He still didn't really know what he was doing, but an instinct that he hadn't known he had guided his hand to choose, and he revealed his choice to his opponent. "And I'll add Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear to my hand!"
With the monster card added to his hand, he shuffled his four card hand as got to playing again, following his instincts as his mouth opened and he spoke. "I'll activate Rooster's other effect! I'll send one face-up 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap that I have to the grave, to set another one from my deck!"
And waved his hand towards the one that was right in front of him. "I'll be sending Tenki off, to set up Fire Formation - Tensu straight from my deck!" And with a wave of his blade and the crowing of the spiritual flaming rooster, the Continuous Spell that was on his field was removed, in exchange of setting a different one straight from his deck.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Horse Prince - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Synchro/Level 6/Effect: 2200/2200
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1500/100
"And I'll activate it!" He shouted again, flipping up the set Continuous Spell that he got, and shone brightly on the field. "And giving a 100 attack boost to all my monsters!" And boosted the attacks of all of his Beast-Warriors once more.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Horse Prince - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Synchro/Level 6/Effect: 2300/2200
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1600/100
"Tensu lets me do another normal summon for a Beast-Warrior on my Main Phase! And that's what I'm gonna do!" He shouted again as he leapt, making way to the other side of the field where he spotted another Action Card, one that Leo was gunning for from the looks of it.
"And I'll use it to summon Bear!" He shouted, placing the monster card on his duel blade, and the heavily armored Beast-Warrior responded to his command, his flaming spirit following behind him.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1600/1000
And like all the others, Bear too was enveloped by a surge of strength thanks to Tensu, boosting his attack points.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1700/1000
Not wasting any time, he leapt to the offensive. "Battle!" He shouted at the top of his lungs as he leapt right onto the back of his Synchro Monster's flaming steed, the horse neighing as it received another passenger. "I'll attack your Hazy Flame Cerberus with Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Horse Prince!"
The horse buckled as it then galloped all the way towards the flaming three headed monster on Leo's side of the field, and the man himself turned towards him and clicked his tongue. "Then I'll activate the Action Card! Miracle! It lets me target a monster I control and prevent it from being destroyed by battle! And halving any battle damage I take this turn!"
"Then I'll activate my own Action Card! No Action!" He shouted back, activating an Action Card of his own that he had gathered earlier. "This negates the activation of an Action Spell card, and destroys it!"
The projection of the Action Card on Leo's side of the field then turned grey as its activation was negated, and it then broke into pieces and turned into particles of light as it was destroyed, leaving nothing behind in its place.
"Kh! Not yet, Shuzo! I'll activate another Action Card!" Leo roared again, grabbing the Action Card right in front of him and playing it immediately. "Miracle Fire! Whose effect becomes the same as an Action Card that was played this turn! And I'll use Miracle once more!"
A glow then seem to surround the three headed monster, giving it protection from battle and halving any damage that its master would take for the rest of the turn. He clicked his tongue, but he still knew that there was something that he could do.
"Then I'll use the Continuous Trap! Fire Formation - Tensen!" He shouted as his instinct guided him again, flipping up the set card that he had set on his previous turn. "When its activated, I get to target a Beast-Warrior that I control, and have it gain 700 points of attack until the end of the turn!"
Still riding on the galloping flaming steed, he reached out towards his intended target. "I'll target Bear! And increase his attack by 700!" And the strength that the flaming beast warrior rose even further.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2400/1200
"But that's not all!" He continued on. "With Tensen on the field, all Beast-Warriors I have get another 300 points of attack!" He raised his hand, and a wave of energy surged through all of his monsters, giving them even more power.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Horse Prince - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Synchro/Level 6/Effect: 2600/2200
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1900/100
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2700/1200
"Now go! Horse Prince!" He shouted as he leapt from the flaming steed and its rider as they clashed against the burning cerberus, and though the Synchro monster was far stronger, the miraculous barrier protected the monster from being destroyed and halving any damage that it does.
But it was still damage nonetheless, and the resulting attack startled the bald man to a halt as he held up both hands to protect himself from the resulting clash of the two monsters. "Tch!"
Akaba Leo: 3700LP
"And then Bear! Do your thing!" He shouted again, sending his monster out to do battle once more, and though the burning cerberus wasn't destroyed, the brave katana wielding Beast-Warrior still dealt damage through the battle.
One that Leo could not ignore as he kept a grimace on his face as he was stopped in his tracks again from the damage that he received.
Akaba Leo: 3350LP
"And since I dealt battle damage with him, Bear's effect activates!" He shouted aloud, raising his fist as he ran. "If it deals battle damage to you, I get to set a 'Fire Formation' Spell straight from my deck!"
And guided by an unseen force once more, he chose once more. "I'll set another Fire Formation - Tenki straight from my deck!" He said, setting it face-down to his slowly filling Spell and Trap zone, knowing that he wouldn't be able to activate it this turn since he already did so earlier.
"Then I'll use Bear's second effect!" He declared as he moved past the Battle Phase.
"Once per turn, I can send a face-up 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap that I have to the grave, to target a monster on the field and destroy it!" And waved to the one that he had just activated moments earlier. "I'll be sending my already face-up Tenki, to destroy your monster!"
And with a swing of his blade, Bear sliced through his own Continuous Spell as flames then gathered on his katana. Preparing to strike down its target.
"Fool! My Hazy Flame Cerberus can't be targeted by your card effects, Shuzo!" Leo roared in laughter at the largest mistake that his opponent had made thus far in the duel. "Which means that you'll have to destroy your own monster with its effect!"
"Wha-! Crap!" He cursed under his breath as he had to quickly make the decision. "Darn it! I'll destroy Rooster then with Bear's effect." And much to his chagrin, the Fire Fist monster then used its flaming blade to cut down its own comrade, leaving him with one less monster on the field.
Along with losing the boost that came from Tenki, as his two remaining monsters attacks then fell slightly.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Horse Prince - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Synchro/Level 6/Effect: 2500/2200
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2600/1200
"I'll end my turn." He said with a deep scowl at his missplay, ending his turn with three cards in hand, not including the one Action Card that he had grabbed while he did his stunt riding atop of Horse Prince's titular steed, and two cards on his backrow, a Synchro Monster and an effect one on his field. "And then Tensen's effect on Bear ends."
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1900/1200
"Hmph! Then it's my turn! I will draw!" The man shouted as he drew a card for his turn, now having four in his hand to start off his turn. "If you could resonate with Ray's fragments this much, then it's clear that you are a threat to my plans Shuzo! So I will end you here and now!"
With that declaration, he then revealed a card from his hand. "With Hazy Pillar's effect, I will normal summon Hazy Flame Peryton without tributing!" And with that, the winged majestic monster appeared right next to his flaming cerberus, letting out a cry as it was summoned.
Hazy Flame Peryton - Fire/Beast/Level 6/Effect: 1600/1700
"And I will then activate Peryton's effect!" The man declared as he leapt to a platform next to him, no doubt intending to reach for another Action Card. Something that he too decided to do.
"I can send a Fire monster from my hand to the graveyard and tribute Peryton, to special summon two 'Hazy Flame' monsters from my deck!" And the man halted his pursuit of the Action Card as he took out two cards from his deck. "I will discard Laval Lancelord, to special summon Hazy Flame Hydra and Hazy Flame Sphynx from my deck!"
And with the two cards being set onto his duel disk's blade projection, they each then appeared with their own respective roars. The multiple headed dragon on the cerberus' right, and the sphinx on its left.
Hazy Flame Hydra - Fire/Dinosaur/Level 6/Effect: 2300/200
Hazy Flame Sphynx - Fire/Beast/Level 6/Effect: 1900/1900
"Darn it! Three monsters all with the same Level!?" He said through gritted teeth, a bad feeling urging him to get to another Action Card just in case faster. "That's definitely bad!"
"But I'm not done Shuzo!" Leo shouted as he waved his hand out again. "Because I'll activate the effect of Hazy Flame Sphynx on my field! I'll declare a card type, and send the top card of my deck to the graveyard! If it's the declared card type, I can special summon a Fire monster from my hand or graveyard!"
And then waved his hands out as he predicted the card type that he would mill. "I will call monster! And send the top card of my deck!" They all waited with bated breath as the man sent the top card of his deck, waiting to see if he had insect called it correctly.
And sure enough, the card that he sent from the top of his deck was a monster.
"Kuhaha! And I'll special summon the Manticore of Darkness that I had just sent with Sphynx's effect in attack position!" Leo said with a grin as he summoned the monster, the winged monster then spread its jet black wings as it arrived onto the field.
Manticore of Darkness - Fire/Beast/Level 6/Effect: 2300/1000
"Crap four whole monsters!? That's bad!" He grit his teeth as he stopped right in front of the Action Card, waiting to use it so he could take the new one.
"And now, I will take all of my monsters, and overlay all of them!" Leo shouted as he spread both of his arms wide, all four of his monsters shining and turning into red pillars of power as he declared so.
Then in front of him appeared a large vortex of black and gold, a vortex that all four pillars of lights entered. "I will take all of these monsters, and use them to construct an overlay network! XYZ Summon!"
The galactical vortex then exploded with blinding light, and from it a new monster emerged. "Appear! Blazing wings of mythology! Hazy Flame Basiltrice!" And with a screech that resounded throughout the throne room, Leo's newest monster spread its flaming wings wide, all four of its overlay materials orbiting around the monster.
And behind one of the glass tubes of their spectators, the bracelet of the girl with raven hair shone.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 4
"That's… an XYZ Summon!?" He gulped as he saw the ferocious monster that Leo had put all of his resources into, and braced himself for what was to come.
"And now Hydra's effect!" The man declared. "An XYZ Monster that was summoned using this card as an XYZ Material gains the effect to target a 'Hazy Flame' monster in my graveyard, and attach it to this card as an XYZ Material!"
"Guh!? You're going to get even more on it!?"
"Of course I will Shuzo! I will attach Hazy Flame Peryton in my graveyard to Basiltrice as its fifth material!" And with a screech, the monster that was in his graveyard was absorbed an taken as another material that floated around the XYZ Monster.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 5
"But that's not all! With 3 or more material, Hazy Flame Basiltrice gains 200 attack and defence for each XYZ Material that it has!" Leo shouted as he waved his hand towards his monster, whose attack raised highly with its effect.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 3500/2800 OV: 5
"3500 attack!" He hissed, seeing the high attack the monster had gained a whopping 1000 attack.
"Now, battle!" The purple garbed duelist declared with a grin. "I will attack Brotherhood of the Fire First - Horse Prince, with Hazy Flame Basiltrice! Mythological Fire!" The winged monster spread its flaming wings, arching its head back as flames gathered on its beak.
"Then I'll activate the Action Card! Single Destruction!" He declared, activating the Action Card that he had been holding on to. "If you control exactly one monster, I can target that monster, and destroy it!"
"It's useless, Shuzo!" Leo roared again with laughter, a grin stuck on his face as he leapt to another platform with an Action Card. "While Hazy Flame Basiltrice has 4 or more materials, it can't be targeted by your card effects! And while it has 5, it can't be destroyed by card effects at all!"
"Wha-!" The Action Spell that he had activated then essentially resolved without effect. "Darn it-!" And he turned to the Action Card behind him to take it-
Only for Basiltrice's attack to land right on his monster, the resulting explosion launching him from the platform that he was on. "Guaaagh!" He shouted as he was thrown off, and landing harshly on the ground below.
"Otou-san!" ""Suzho-san!"" He heard Yuzu and the other girls call for him through their glass prison, and he groaned as he heard his duel disk's ding as his Life Points was lowered from the attack.
Hiragi Shuzo: 3000LP
"But that's not all, Shuzo!" Leo roared from above, and he lifted himself to see the man standing on a platform high above him, holding out a card in his hand, slowly realising that it was the Action Card that he had tried to get earlier.
"Because I will activate the Action Card! Wonder Chance! That lets me target one face-up monster I control, and let it attack once again!" He said with a grin, as the monster behind him screeched.
With gritted teeth, he took point and ran again, heading for the Action Card that was right ahead of him, right at the seat of the throne that Leo had left. All while his opponent raised his hand and declared another attack.
"Now I will once again attack your Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear with my Hazy Flame Basiltrice! Go! Mythological Fire!" And again, the Pyro XYZ Monster spreads its wings as it gathered flames on its beak, focusing them and shooting balls of flames towards his one remaining monster.
He grit his teeth as he leapt towards the throne and the card that floated above it, the armoured monster that remained on his field giving him a boost before he and his spirit companion turned to face the wall of flames before them, being engulfed by them.
A surge of flames engulfed them, creating an explosion of smoke that obscured the duelists and the spectators of Shuzo's fate.
They waited with trepidation as the smoke slowly faded, and revealed a still standing yet marred Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear, along with its summoner slumped on the ground behind him.
Right in front of them, a holographic projection of a Spell Card shone.
"Action… Card… Miracle…" He huffed as he slowly stood up and catching his breath, stumbling slightly as he took his fallen top hat back with his right hand. "I'll prevent Bear from being destroyed… and halve… the battle damage."
But he still took the battle damage, even if his monster had survived to tell the tale. Halving the 1600 battle damage that he was meant to take to 800.
Hiragi Shuzo: 2200LP
"Hmph, but it won't be staying long." The Academia's leader proclaimed, as he waved his hand to his XYZ Monster. "I will use the effect of Basiltrice! Once per turn, I can detach an XYZ Material from this card, to target a monster you control or in your graveyard, and banish that target!"
And the inventor of solid vision of the new world then pointed towards the target for his monster's effect. "I will target Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear, and banish him! Hazy Flames!" He declared, as one of the many materials from his XYZ Monster was used, lowering its stats while it does so.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 3300/2600 OV: 4
The Pyro monster spread its wings, and within a beat, the Beast-Warrior was engulfed in a pillar of hazy flames, banishing him from the field and sending him to the banishment. "Bear!"
"Then I will set a card, and end my turn." So Leo said, as he ended his turn after setting another card, with one card left in his hand and two set backrow next to his Hazy Pillar, and an untargetable XYZ Monster on his side of the field.
"Kuh-! I'll draw!" He shouted as he drew the fourth card of his hand, his mind whirling on ways to defeat the monster that Leo had managed to put on his field. "It still can't be targeted, but it can at least be destroyed by card effects now though." He muttered, as he assessed his situation.
"That's an unknown set card, and the other one is… the Lost Wind that he got back yeah?" He said, remembering the cards that his opponent had, all while running off towards another Action Card, in hopes that maybe this one could help in his situation.
But for starters, he needed to get some monsters onto the field. "I'll start by using my normal summon on Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon!" And placing the card on his duel blade, the armored warrior appeared wielding his burning spear, with many heads of spiritual flaming dragons enveloping him.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1800/400
"And with Tensu and Tensen on the field, Dragon's attack is raised!" He shouted as the monster was enveloped in a red glow, increasing his strength.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2200/400
"And then I'll flip up and activate the Continuous Spell, Fire Formation - Tenki!" He shouted aloud, activating the second copy of the card. "And with its effect, I'll add Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Snake from my deck to my hand!" He said as he added said monster to his hand, returning to having four cards in hand.
Of course, the monster's attack was then boosted as Tenki was activated on the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2300/400
"But that's not all! I'll activate Dragon's effect!" With a wave of his hand, he slid to a stop as he gestured to his monster. "Once per turn, if I activate a 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap card, I get to set one 'Fire Formation' Trap straight from my deck!" He declared, and took out one of the remaining targets that he had in his deck.
"I'll get Fire Formation - Tenken set to my field!" And slowly but surely, the cards on his Spell and Trap zone was being filled, with him only having two more left. And well, his Pendulum Zones are there too, but since he doesn't use those they're kind of useless.
"I'm not done yet though! I'll be using Tensu's effect to normal summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Snake!" And he then summoned the monster he had just added with the Continuous Spell's additional normal summon, and the Beast-Warrior who was accompanied by his flaming reptile companion appeared before him.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Snake - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1800/600
And with two Continuous Spells on his field, and a Continuous Trap one, they boosted the monster's attack just like it did with Dragon.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Snake - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2500/600
He heard one of the girls gasp as from the corner of his eyes he saw one of their bracelet shone brighter, but he ignored it for now as he continued on. "I'll then go and activate Dragon's other effect!" He declared.
And proceeded to recite the effect as if he hadn't just used the deck for the first time in his life. "Once per turn, I can send two face-up 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap I have to the graveyard, to target a 'Fire Fist' monster in my graveyard, except Dragon, and summon it!"
And gestured to the two cards that he could send for the cost of his monsters effect. "I'll send both Tensu and Tenki, to special summon back Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram!" And with a wave of his blade, the dragon carrying Beast-Warrior sent the two face-up Continuous Spells to the grave to revive his ally from the graveyard.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 800/200
With the two cards gone however, the amount of boost that both monsters once had decreased.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2100/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Snake - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2100/600
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1100/200
"Then I'll activate the effect of Ram! And the effect of Snake too!" He shouted, activating both the monster's effects in sequence, what with Ram's effect being what it is.
"Tch, then I will activate Lost Wind! Once more targeting Ram!" Leo responded as he stopped in his tracks, grabbing an Action Card and flipping up the known Trap card that he had set back from the graveyard.
Without enough time to grab an Action Card that could possibly help him in this situation, the chain of effects resolved. And just like before Lost Wind resolved and negated the effect of Ram, halving its attack as well.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 700/200
But the effect of Snake still managed to resolve.
"If a 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap card is sent to the graveyard, I can set a 'Fire Formation' Trap card directly from my deck!" And then proceeded to set one of the remaining Traps that he could actually use the effect on. "I'll set Fire Formation - Kaiyo from my deck!"
Then of course was the effect of Ram, but thanks to the Lost Wind that Leo flipped up, its effect was not only negated, but its attack was halved, no matter how low it was already.
ANd for a moment, right after the chain of effects was done, he stopped in his tracks. Looking at the cards that he had in his hand and on his field and just, failing to compute on what to do next, not even knowing what he could possibly do to defeat the monster that Leo had summoned.
"S-Shuzo-san! Your monsters!" He heard one of the four girls, the long raven haired girl with his daughter's face, shout from inside the glass cage that they were captured in. "Your monsters, two of them have the same Levels! You can overlay Dragon and Snake!"
And just like before, he understood what the girl meant. "I got it!" He shouted back as he gave her a thumbs up, and something swelled inside him as he raised his hand. And both of them shouted at the same time.
""I will take the Level 4 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon and the Level 4 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Snake, and overlay them!"' The both of them called in unison, and the two monsters turning into bright pillars of red light.
"Shuzo-!? You're resonating with Ray's fragments again!?" Leo hissed once more, standing guard right beside the tubes where the girls were held in, and saw how the raven haired girl's bracelet shone. "This is-"
""I will take these two monsters, and construct an overlay network!"" They called, as the two pillars of light entered the galactical vortex in front of them, and created an explosion of light,
""Oh flaming souls! Lead your soldiers and command them to victory! XYZ Summon!"" And the monster then slowly took form as the explosion of light receded, and they finished the summoning chant. ""Appear! Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King!""
The gold and red armoured Beast-Warrior XYZ Monster then appeared, wielding its flaming weapon within his hand, a gigantic spiritual flaming tiger hovering behind him as it let out a roar to announce their arrival.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2200/1800 OV: 2
And with Tensen face-up, Tiger King's attack was boosted.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 2
"And then Tiger King's effect!" He called out as soon as they finished the summoned, and Ruri's bracelet dimmed. "When Tiger King is XYZ Summoned, I can set a 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap directly from my deck!"
Only for another girl to immediately shine after. "Shuzo! Set Fire Formation - Ingen!" Shouted the purple haired girl with a ponytail as she banged her fist on the glass cage. "Hurry and do it!"
"O-oh, a-alright then. I'll set Fire Formation - Ingen from my deck!" He said, slightly startled as he did what the girl told, setting the Continuous Spell from his deck onto his field, filling his Spell and Trap zone once more.
"And then activate it!" She called out again, and he followed her lead.
"And I'll activate it!" He shouted, flipping up the card that Tiger King had set directly onto his field, and it shone in front of him. And something on his head clicked once more, and he opened his mouth to speak, and so did the girl.
""When Ingen is activated, I can Fusion Summon one Beast-Warrior Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck, using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion material!"" Both he and the purple haired girl, Serena, shouted in unison.
As if guided by and unseen hand, he took out one of the monster cards that he still had, and showed it to his opponent. ""I will fuse the Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Gorilla in my hand, and the Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram on my field!""
The titular polearm wielder briefly appeared next to his fam wielding ally, as they floated slowly as a vortex of orange and purple seemed to consume them, and he raised both of his hands.
""Oh flaming souls! Combine your strength and take flight to eradicate your foes!"" Then he clasped his hands together, and brought them down. ""Fusion Summon! Appear! Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Swan!""
And the monster that appeared from the combination of the two monsters was a regally armored spear wielder, with a flaming ashen spiritual swan flying majestically behind him, spreading its wings wide as it perched on the warrior's shoulder.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Swan - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Level 8/Effect: 2600/2200
Whose attack points was immediately boosted as soon as it his the field. Letting out a roar as he swung his spear upwards.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Swan - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Level 8/Effect: 2900/2200
"I-it can't be!" Leo shouted, taken aback as he saw him not only perform an XYZ Summon, but also a Fusion Summon all in one turn. "Shuzo-how are you-how did you manage to resonate with three of her fragments!? How are you capable of doing this!?"
"Well I don't know anything about it myself!" He roared back as he raised his fist. "But if there's anything that I have that you don't, it's my love for my daughter! If Swan is special summoned, I can inflict 200 damage to you for each 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap that I have! I'll lower your Life Points by 400!"
The spear wielding monster flicked its weapon, sending flakes of flames towards the balding man, who clicked his tongue. "Hmph! Then I will activate the Action Magic, Acceleration! When a card or effect is activated that would inflict damage to me, I can make that effect damage to you 0!"
And a bright flash of light appeared before him, protecting Leo from the flares of fire that Swan threw his way. Only for him to take another Action Card that he had already positioned himself on, making a move to get another one.
"Then I'll activate Tiger King's effect! Once per turn, I can detach one material from this card, to negate the effects of all face-up effect monsters on the field except Beast-Warriors, until the end of your turn!"
With his order, the burning fan wielding XYZ Monster raised his weapon of choice, and waving it down to send a wave of purple flames over to Leo's side of the field, and the man could only watched as the effect of his monster was negated, lowering its attack and defence in doing so.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 4
"Now battle!" He shouted, pumping his fist as the girls behind him cheered him on. "I'll attack your Basiltrice with Swan!" And the spear wielding Fusion Monster leapt into the sky, helped by the flap of the mythical swan's wings, intending to bisect the flaming beast in half.
"Not so fast, Shuzo! I will activate the Action Card, Extreme Sword! Which allows me to target one monster on the field and grant it 1000 attack during the Battle Phase only!" The purple garbed leader declared, activating the Action Card that he had grabbed in the nick of time.
A red shine shone from the XYZ Monster, its attack increasing ever so slightly thanks to the effect of the Action Card, and it carried the comical sword on its beak.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 3500/1800 OV: 4
"Shuzo! Use Swan!" Serena shouted.
"Oh! And I've got you now, Leo! Since we're not even in the Damage Step yet, I can activate the effect of Swan!" He shouted back with a grin, waving towards his Fusion Monster as he leapt down to the ground below and ran to an Action Card that he saw hidden behind a pillar.
"During the Battle Phase, as a Quick Effect, I can send a face-up 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap card that I have to the grave, to target a card you have and destroy it! I'll send Ingen, to destroy Basiltrice!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"And since Basiltrice's effect is negated thanks to Tiger King, it loses its targeting protection!" Ruri said, and the flaming ashen swan then flew directly towards the winged Pyro monster, going right through it and slicing it in half.
"B-Basiltrice!" Leo shouted in alarm as he was thrown back from his monster's destruction, disorienting him for a brief moment.
"Oh but that's not all! If Ingen is sent to the grave from my side of the field while it's face-up, I get to target a 'Fire Fist' monster and add it back to hand!" And took out one from his grave to add back. "I'll add back Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram!" So he said, adding back the monster back to his hand.
"And this is the end, Leo! I'll attack directly with both of my monsters!" And both beast-Warriors let out a war cry as they leapt towards the Academia's leader, who stared with wide eyes as he scrambled over behind one of the pillars of his throne room as well.
Only to emerge from the otherside with an Action Card in hand, and he played it immediately. "I will activate the Action Card, Big Escape! And immediately end the Battle Phase!"
The two monsters that he sent to attack halted their assault, and both leapt back to his side as he grit his teeth. "Then I'll end my turn." He ended his turn with two Extra Deck monsters, an almost filled backrow, and two cards left in his hand.
"Then it is my turn!" The purple garbed leader of the Academia shouted, placing his hand over his duel disk's deck case, "I will draw!" And drew for his turn, getting a second card onto his hand.
He glanced towards the card and then chose one to play to start his turn. "I will activate the Spell, Celestial Observatory!" He spoke as he activated the spell card from his hand. "This card will allow me to place one Level 6 monster from my hand or face-up field on the bottom of my deck, to draw two cards!" He said, and revealed the last card that he had.
"I will return Hazy Flame Hyppogrif to the bottom of my deck, to draw two cards!" And did just so, sending the monster card that he revealed to the bottom of his deck to draw two additional cards.
Both of which he sent glances to, before then continuing with his turn. "I will activate my set card, the Continuous Trap, Hazy Glory!" He said, flipping up the set card that he had set on his previous turn.
"Hazy Glory allows me to normal a Hazy Flame monster without tributing just like Hazy Pillar, but I can send this face-up card, to target a 'Hazy' card in my graveyard, and add it to my hand!" He declared, and chose his target.
"I will add back Hazy Flame Sphynx to my hand, and summon it!" And with the effect of his still face-up Continuous Spell on his field, he normal summoned the mythological creature onto the field without a tribute.
Hazy Flame Sphynx - Fire/Beast/Level 6/Effect: 1900/1900
"And I will activate its effect! I will declare monster!" He said, not bothering to explain the monster's effect again and then sent the top card of his deck for its effect. Only for him to send not a monster card, but a spell card, a second copy of Hazy Pillar to his graveyard.
"Heh! Looks like you aren't so lucky this time Leo!" He said with a grin, taking enjoyment at seeing his opponent's misfortune.
"Hpmh, it does not matter!" The leader of the largest force of the dimension spat back, and took one of the two cards that he had drawn. "I will activate the Spell, Rekindling!" He shouted, as the Spell card's projection shone.
"Rekindling allows me to special summon from my graveyard as many Fire monsters as possible with 200 defence points, but they are banished during the End Phase of this turn!" He said, explaining the card's effect.
"Wha-as many as possible?!" He shouted back in disbelief, and watched Leo took out three whole cards from his graveyard.
"I will special summon back Hazy Flame Cerberus, Hazy Flame Hydra and Laval Lancelord from my graveyard!" And all three monsters was summoned back onto the field, with the lance wielding warrior preparing for the first time.
Hazy Flame Cerberus - Fire/Beast/Level 6/Effect: 2000/200
Hazy Flame Hydra - Fire/Dinosaur/Level 6/Effect: 2300/200
Laval Lancelord - Fire/Warrior/Level 6/Effect: 2100/200
"Four whole monsters with the same Level!" Yuzu shouted with wide eyes from inside of her glowing glass prison.
"No, with Hydra's effect then the amount of XYZ Material would be…" The raven haired girl next to her commented, noting the effect of one of the monsters that the man had summoned back onto the field.
"Then-"
"And as you control a monster, and all the monsters that I have on my field and graveyard are Fire, I can special summon Hazy Flame Griffin from my hand." And playing the last card in his hand, he summoned another monster and filled his whole field with monsters with the gryphon's arrival.
Hazy Flame Griffin - Fire/Winged Beast/Level 6/Effect: 200/2100
"And once more, I will take all of my monsters, and overlay all of them!" Leo shouted as he spread both of his arms wide, all of his monsters shining and turning into red pillars of power as he declared so.
Then in front of him appeared a large vortex of black and gold, a vortex that all five pillars of lights entered. "I will take all of these monsters, and use them to construct an overlay network! XYZ Summon!"
The galactical vortex then exploded with blinding light, and from it a new monster emerged. "Appear! Blazing wings of mythology! Hazy Flame Basiltrice!" And with a screech that resounded throughout the throne room, Leo's second copy of his XYZ Monster spread its flaming wings wide, all five of its overlay materials orbiting around the monster.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 5
"Five whole materials already…" He grit his teeth as he watched the monster appear, and saw Leo continue on.
"And with Hydra effect, I will attach Hazy Flame Manticore from my graveyard!" And with a wave of his hand, another material then was attached to the monster, giving it another XYZ Material.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 6
Which then turned and raised the XYZ Monster's strength, as its attack and defence was raised by 1200 points.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 3700/3000 OV: 6
"And I shall activate its effect! Detaching one material to target your Fusion Monster and banish it! Hazy Flames!" And the XYZ Monster absorbed one of its overlay material to use its ability, intending to banish Swan off of the field.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 3500/2800 OV: 5
He clicked his tongue as he saw Leo activate his monster's effect, and slid to a stop just shy from reaching the Action Card as he responded. "Then i'll activate The Continuous Trap, Fire Formation - Tenken!"
And flipped up one of the two set cards that he had set, the card's art shining as it was activated. "I can only activate it during Main Phase One, and when it is activated, I can target one Beast-Warrior-Type monster I have, and during this phase, its effects are negated and its unaffected by the effect of cards other than this card!"
Then waved to the one target that he intended to save. "I'll target Swan! And make him immune for this Phase!" And with green flames surrounding him, the spear wielding Fusion Monster was unaffected by the hazy flames that surrounded him, protecting him from its effects.
"And with Tenken on the field, all Beast-Warrior I have get a 300 boost!" He shouted, and the two monsters had their attacks boosted.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 2
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Swan - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Level 8/Effect: 2900/2200
"Hmph! But it is useless! Battle!" Leo declared, moving on from the Main Phase and onto the Battle Phase. "I will attack Tiger King with Basiltrice! Mythological Fire!" And the flaming winged Pyro shot out balls of fire, incinerating the fan wielding XYZ Monster from the field, and he leapt to get an Action Card in hopes of saving his monster.
And the Action Card that he grabbed could do nothing with the situation that he was in, and he was thrown off again as he received the residual battle damage from the attack. "Guaaaagh!"
Hiragi Shuzo: 1500LP
As he slowly stood up however, his eyes went wide. "Wha-Tiger King effect doesn't activate if its destroyed by battle!" He hissed as Tiger King's graveyard effect sadly misses timing, and he could only stare at the looming XYZ Monster on Leo's field.
He saw his opponent himself had positioned himself atop of another floating platform high above him, and getting another Action Card into his hand, and yet not playing it, either not being able to or he was saving it for something else.
"And I will end my turn." Then he proceeded to end his turn then and there, finishing his turn with an untargetable indestructible XYZ Monster with over 3000 attack, and a face-up Continuous and a singular Action Card in his hand.
"Tch! I'll-!" He grunted as he tried to push himself up, only for his muscles to fail him as he fell onto the ground.
"Otou-san!" ""Shuzo-san!"" "Shuzo!" The four girls cried in alarm, and he grit his teeth as he pushed on, rising to his full height as he fixed his tophat into place, and took a deep breath as he glared towards his opponent.
"My turn! I draw!" He shouted as he drew a card for his turn,starting out this turn with four whole cards in his hand. All of which he… didn't know how to use, in the context of defeating the monster that Leo had put all of his resources into.
"Y-you can do it! Otou-san!" He heard Yuzu call out to him, the bracelet that was in her hand shining. "Please… please win!" She shouted, and soon was followed suit by the other girls as well.
"Please do your best Shuzo-san!"
"You better win Shuzo!"
"Go! Shuzo-san!"
Hearing all of them cheering for him despite their predicament, how could he not smile. "Heh, I guess it can't be helped then." He said with a chuckle, staring down Leo with a beaming grin, and throwing a fist his way. "You better get ready Leo! Because I'm definitely going to win now!"
"Hmph, and what exactly can you do against my Basiltrice?" The leader of the Academia taunted with a huff, standing on his high platform, as the monster in question screeched a horrifying screech. "Without that XYZ Monster of yours, there is nothing you can do to defeat my monster."
"We'll just see about that!" He shouted with false bravado, for he himself did not know how he could even possibly defeat the monster before him.
But with everyone supporting him, there is only one outcome that would be acceptable. Victory.
"Wh-what the-" Only for his gaze to immediately snap to his daughter, as he saw her and the other girls' chambers slowly fill with light. "Otou-sa-"And then his daughter disappeared, leaving nothing behind in her now empty glass tube.
"Yuzu!" He shouted in alarm, running towards them and was stopped by the large form of Basiltrice.
"It looks like the ARC-V has begun, faster than even I have imagined." His opponents said calmly, his head turned towards the glass tubes as they saw another girl, Ruri, disappeared just like his daughter, much to the horror of everyone else.
"Leo! You-!"
"I would have to thank you, Shuzo." The man said as he turned towards him, genuine gratitude could be felt from the low whisper that left him as he closed his eyes. "If it wasn't for this duel, with these cards that originated from the original dimension, then we perhaps wouldn't have enough duel energy to speed up ARC-V's process."
"W-what…" He said, his brain short circuiting with shock as he could only stare at his opponent with wide eyes. Not being able to do anything as the third girl, Rin, slowly disappear right before his eyes as well.
"Of course, did you truly think that I hadn't had a reason to accept this duel of yours? The only thing that could rival the energy created by life energy, was a clash of Pendulums, and cards from the original dimensions."
"N-no… I…" He stumbled back,
"Shuzo! D-don't give up yet!" The last girl shouted from her glass cage, Serena, as she slammed her fists on the tube, her own body slowly disappearing as she shouted. "Whatever happens… just make sure that the Professor-that Akaba Leo doesn't win!"
And with those last words, she too, disappeared, the large machine that loomed over him looking ever larger, whirling with power.
"Hmph, how annoying." Leo said with a scoff. "After all of that effort that I had put towards her to keep her sated, that fragment of Ray was the most troublesome of them all to collect. And for her last words to be such a useless thing like that. She acted so much just like her, it was quite grating."
"..." He stayed silent as he closed his eyes, the rim of his top hat shadowing his eyes. "I'll normal summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram." He said as he played the card, and the fan wielding shaman reappeared onto the board.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 800/200
Which was then boosted by the presence of Tensen and Tenken.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1400/200
"I will activate his effect. When this card is normal summoned, I can discard a card, to target one 'Fire Formation' spell or trap that I control, and set a different one directly from my deck."
And he showed the card that he would discard from his hand to his opponent. "I will discard Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Buffalo, target my Fire Formation - Tenken, and set Fire Formation - Tensu from my deck." And proceeded to set the second copy of Tensu.
"And I will activate it." Then with Tensu also face-up on the field, his monster had its attack boosted as well, strengthening it even further.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1500/200
"Then I will activate the effect of Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda in my hand." He continued on, revealing the monster in his hand. "If I activate a 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap, I can special summon this card." And summoned the blade wielding giant Beast-Warrior, who let out his war cry as he was summoned onto the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 2100/400
Who was then boosted by the continuous cards on his side of the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 2800/400
"Then I can special summon a 'Fire Fist' monster from my graveyard except Panda, and I can't special summon except 'Fire Fist' monsters for the rest of my turn." He continued to explain, and showed the monster that he would summon back.
"I'll summon back Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster." And placed the monster card on his duel blade, the blade wielding warrior returned onto the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1500/100
And his attack was boosted as well by the effect of the Continuous cards on his side of the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 2200/400
"And I will activate Rooster's effect as it s special summoned, to add Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon from my deck to my hand." And revealed the monster card from his deck to show to his opponent, adding to his now two card hand.
"I will use Tensu's effect to normal summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant." And with Tensu's extra normal summoning effect, he proceeded to summon the last unknown card that he had on hand, summoning the warrior with the burning elephant spirit who hovered behind him.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1000/1800
Whose attack was immediately boosted as soon as they hit the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1700/1800
"And now Elephant's effect. If this card is normal or specal summoned, I can send a face-up 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap card that I have, and special a 'Fire Fist' monster from my hand!" He finished out with a woar, holding his head high as he sent a burning glare down Leo's way.
"I will send Fire Formation - Tensu, and special summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon from my hand!" And sending the Continuous Spell whose effects he had just used, he summoned the recently added second copy of the monster, filling his field full with monsters in the process.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1800/400
And with Tensu being sent from the field, all of his monsters attack lowers by 100.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1400/200
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 2700/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 2100/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1600/1800
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2400/400
"A full board of monsters… And yet you still don't have a way to defeat my Basiltrice do you, Shuzo!" Leo roared out as he looked down towards him, all but grinning while doing so. "No With that XYZ Monster of yours gone, there is no way that you can defeat my Basiltrice!" The monster's horrific screech filled the room, drowning the machine's humming as if to prove his point.
But even through all that, he wasn't deterred. "I'll activate the Continuous Trap, Fire Formation - Kaiyo, to give all of my monsters piercing, and boost their attack even further by 300 points."
And his entire field was enveloped by a red glow, as all of his monsters attack was strengthened even further.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1700/200
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 3000/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 2400/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1900/1800
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2700/400
"Now I will activate Elephant's second effect." He declared, waving towards the monster. "I can target a 'Fire Formation' Spell or Trap card in my graveyard, shuffle it into the deck, then add one Level 5 or higher 'Fire Fist' monster from my deck to my hand!"
And then proceeded to show the card that he intended to return to his deck. "I'll shuffle back Fire Formation - Ingen, and add a second copy of Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda to my hand!"
So he did, shuffling back the Continuous Spell as a cost as he then added the high Level monster to his hand, with no field space left to summon him.
"And then Rooster's second effect. I will send Fire Formation - Tenken, and set Fire Formation - Ingen directly from my deck!" With a wave of his blade, the flaming rooster burnt the used Fire Formation card, setting the one that he had just shuffled back into his deck directly onto the field, lowering all of their attack points in the process of doing so.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1400/200
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 2700/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 2100/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1600/1800
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2400/400
And with the knowledge that he had gained throughout this duel, he raised his right hand up and shouted aloud. "I will take the Level 3 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Ram and the Level 3 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Rooster, and overlay them!"
And the two monsters that he had called then turned into bright pillars of red light, and he continued with the summoning chant. "I will take these two monsters, and construct an overlay network!" The two pillars of light entered the galactical vortex, and made an explosion of light.
"Oh flaming souls! Command your soldiers and bring them glory! XYZ Summon!" And the monster then slowly took form as the explosion of light receded, and they finished the summoning chant. "Appear! Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor!"
Then before him was a whole new monster, one garbed in imperial garb and carrying with him a pair of pristine blades, protecting him was a pair of spiritual flaming lions, ready to attack his foes.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2200/200 OV: 2
"Another XYZ Monster!?" And much to the self named Professor's shock at seeing him summon yet another XYZ Monster, the expression was changed to glee as he saw how the ARC-V responded. Absorbing the energy that the summon created and using it to quicken whatever process it was doing.
And as he hit the field, Lion Emperor then was surrounded by a wave of red, his attack rising as the continuous effect of his backrow strengthened the XYZ Monster.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2800/200 OV: 2
But he wasn't done. He knew what he needed to do to win, what he needed to do to stop this mad man's plans. "I'll flip up and activate Ingen, then use Dragon's effect to send Ingen and Tensen, to special summon back Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear!"
With a wave of his weapon and the roar of his spiritual companion, Dragon summoned forth a blaze of fire, from which the blade wielding Beast-Warrior emerged, prepared to face the battlefield once more.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1600/1200
And with Tensen gone, the attack boost that all of his monsters gained lowered down once again.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 2400/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1300/1800
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2100/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2500/200 OV: 2
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1900/1200
"Hmph, and what exactly is the purpose of all of this that you are doing, Shuzo?" His opponent asked with a gruff as he scrutinised him. "No matter what you do, there is no way that your monsters could ever defeat my Basiltrice. Not now that your precious XYZ Monster is gone."
"But that's not it, Leo." He said back, much to his surprise as he glared back with burning determination, spreading his hands out as he roared. "No! I'm just getting started! I'll activate Ingen's effect, and add back a 'Fire Fist' monster from my graveyard to my hand!"
Then proceeded to take out the monster who was the main purpose of him going through this whole line of combo, which he was sure could have been done faster, but was the only one way that he saw it played. "And add back Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King, back to my Extra Deck!"
"Wha-!" And he quite enjoyed seeing Leo's eyes go wide as dinner plates as he saw his stumble back, no doubt finally figuring out just why he had done his moves from the beginning. "Don't tell me-"
"Now I'll take the Level 4 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon and the Level 4 Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear, and overlay them!" He shouted at the top of his lungs as he raised his fist one last time, and both monsters let out a war cry as they morphed.
"I will take these two monsters, and construct an overlay network!" He called, as the two pillars of light entered the galactical vortex in front of them, and created a grand explosion of light,
"Oh flaming souls! Lead your soldiers and command them to victory! XYZ Summon!" And the monster then once more took form as the explosion of light receded, and he finished the monster's summoning chant for the second time of the duel. "Appear once more! Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King!"
And the gold and red armored XYZ Monster returned onto the field, with two glowing material orbiting him as he was once more summoned from the Extra Deck.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2200/1800 OV: 2
And once more the giant machinery hummed even louder, shining with particles that slowly but surely filled the room, responding to the Action Duel that was taking place.
All while Tiger King was then boosted by the singular card that remained in his Spell and Trap zone.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 2
"And then Tiger King's effect! I'll set the last Fire Formation - Tenki to my field!" And with Tiger King's on summon effect, he sets the last copy of Tenki onto the field.
But the reason that he went through all of those hoops wasn't just to get Tenki onto the field, but for the monster's second effect on the field, one that would give him a chance to win the game.
"I'll activate Tiger King's effect! I'll detach one material, to negate the effect of all face-up monsters on the field except Beast-Warriors!" And with a swing of his fan, as purple wisps of flames was spread all around the field.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 1
Something that Leo could not respond to, as the Action Card that he had does not help him with the situation, with him clicking his tongue as he ran to search for another one that might be useful should the first one be used as the effect of his monster was then negated.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice - Fire/Pyro/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 5
"And I'll activate Fire Formation - Tenki too! I'll add another Dragon to my hand!" So he said as he activated Tenki, not only adding the third and last copy of the monster from his deck to his hand, but also adding another 100 attack points to his monsters.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Panda - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 2500/400
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant - Fire/Beast-Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1400/1800
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Lion Emperor - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2600/200 OV: 2
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2600/1800 OV: 1
Now with his monsters having attack higher than Basiltrice as it was no longer boosted, he waved his hand out and shouted. "Now go! Battle! I'll attack Basiltrice with Tiger King!" And his deck's key XYZ Monster prepared itself to strike, the Beast-Warrior and its flaming companion rushing towards the winged Pyro monster.
"Fool! I'll activate the Action Card, Twinkle Comet! Which allows me to target a monster on the field, lower its attack by 1000 points until the End Phase, and inflict 500 points of damage to you!" Leo declared as he leapt, slamming the card to his duel blade and manifesting a red meteor that headed towards Tiger King.
And as he was running to an Action Card of his own, he couldn't do anything against it as his monster's attack was lowered from the hit, and the resulting explosion chipped his Life Points even further. "Kuh!"
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 1600/1800 OV: 1
Hiragi Shuzo: 1000LP
But even so, he managed to grabbed onto the Action Card, sliding into a stop as he activated it as soon as he got it. "Then I'll use an Action Magic of my own! High Dive! That lets me target a face-up monster on the field, and give it an additional 1000 attack until the end of this turn!"
With that card, a golden glow surrounded his monsters as its attack was boosted back, returning it to be over that of Basiltrice.
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King - Fire/Beast-Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2600/1800 OV: 1
"How persistent!" Leo growls as he leapt up right to his throne, where another Action Card had appeared over the course of the duel, and took it for himself. "Then I will activate another Action Card! Big Escape!"
"What!?" He shouted with wide eyes. "Out of all the cards-!"
"Which lets me End the Battle Phase!" Leo explained, all while he scrambled to find yet another Action Card, and he knew that the only one that could save him from this position was none other than No Action.
Because if not, then there was a possibility that Leo could simply come back and defeat him right on the next turn.
As the effect of Big Escape started to activate, beginning to end the Battle Phase, he saw a card right on the corner of his eyes, and launched himself to grab it-
And came out short, missing by only just an inch.
As dread overcame him, at failure on defeating Leo, at the failure of saving his daughter, at disappointing everyone and more than that himself, the gigantic machine shine blinded the room.
"Wha-!"
"The ARC-V has-! Yes-YES! Finally! It is complete! Ray will return!" The mad man screamed at the top of his lungs as he was engulfed in light.
Yet as he was engulfed in that ominous yet warm light, he felt something hold his hand, guiding it and reaching the card that he couldn't, and guiding him to activate it.
As soon as the light from the machine dimmed, and whatever it having did finally done with, he could properly open his eyes, seeing that a card had found its way onto his duel blade, with it shining right in front of him.
And beside him, holding his hand was the person that guided him, a girl with the same face as his daughter, but taller, her hair was long, maroon and dark hair tied with hair clips, and dressed in a form fitting dress.
"Oh, ooooh! Ray! You've returned! The Revival Zero is a success!" The mad man from the other side of the field said with an ecstatic grin as he spread his arms wide at the girls appearance, and gave him the answer on who the girl was.
Yet as he stared at the steel grey eyes that she shared with her so called father, he could see the pain that was reflected in it, the regret, the love.
She nodded her head, and he understood what he needed to do. What they needed to do. She's been the one that has been guiding him so far, who's been helping him to get this far, right from the start, it's been her.
Even when she wasn't herself, when she was 'fragmented' in what Leo called her, she's been helping him all along the way.
So he closed his eyes, and opened it again after taking a deep breath. Nodding his head and giving her a smile, and the both of them turned towards Leo.
""Action Card, No Action!"" The both of them shouted as they declared the card that they had activated, one that Leo had ignored for the reincarnation of the girl that he had dedicated years to. ""And with its effect, we will negate the effect of your Big Escape, and destroy it!""
"Wha-" The man said with pure shock on his face, stumbling back as the only chance that he had on victory was negated, and then destroyed. "R-Ray… W-why-I-I'm your father!"
And the girl beside him simply closed her eyes as she answered back. "The father that I know… was a kind man who would dare to sacrifice his life to save others." She said in a whisper. "And that man is long gone."
With that last declaration, the attack finally connected, with Tiger King defeating the burning XYZ Monster once and for all with a swing of its weapon. Yet Leo was too shocked to even properly respond to the residual battle damage that was dealt from the clash of XYZ Monsters.
Akaba Leo: 3250LP
""And we'll finish it with this! Go! My monsters!"" They shouted in unison, and the rest of their monsters then went on to attack the now defenceless Leo, with him standing frozen in shock to even run and try to get another Action Card to possibly save himself.
"No-NOOOOOOOOO!" He shouted as he was thrown from the force of the combine strikes of his monsters, sending him right onto the throne that he had spent years creating, and they simply watched as he slumped onto it, the chime of his duel disk marking the end of the duel.
Akaba Leo: 0LP
With that the duel ended, and the holographic projections that stood beside him along with the floating platforms that littered the room due to the Action Duel, and left him and Ray.
They immediately locked eyes, and even though the girl wasn't his daughter, not truly, he did something that he would have still done.
He gave her a hug.
And returned it in kind.
Despite everything that has happened, despite everything that was happening outside in the world, and despite everything that will happen after this, there was one thing that Hiragi Shuzo knew in this moment.
Things might not be perfect, but everything will be fine.
He will make sure of it.