[A/N]
A much shorter chapter.
Also, I've come to make an announcement:
I'm getting an Ao3 account soon, and will be cross-posting this story there. It'll let me add links to the cards used in the game and even music, too. It'll make it easier to correct the duels.
I don't have any more preamble. Let's open the game.
Duel 11
Xyz Encore
Ruby let out a sigh as she finally managed to set her feet against the floor of the nurses office. She stretched for a few moments before she nodded to herself. While she still felt sore in certain areas, most of her energy had returned to her. At the very least, she won't have to worry about not having the strength to support a Duel Disk on her arm.
Beside her, Yang was also on her feet. "Oh, finally! We've been trapped in here for soooo long!" She exclaimed. Ruby snickered and lightly slapped her shoulder.
"Oh, please! It's only been a few days at most!" Ruby said with a roll of her eyes. The sister chuckled lightly as a sense of relief washed over them. "And, that means we can go to classes again!" Ruby said excitedly.
"Pfft. Nerd." Yang grabbed Ruby's hood and pulled it down over her eyes.
"Hey!"
As the girls started to bicker, the door to the room opened up with a creak. Yang and Ruby paused as Ozpin stepped in and examined the scene. "Well, it seems you've both recovered well. I'm glad to see you're both on your feet," he said with a smile.
Quickly, the girls detached from each other. Yang coughed into her fist and said, "Well, if it weren't for Ruby, one of us might be standing here right now." Yang smiled and wrapped her arm around Ruby's neck. Ruby squawked as Yang held her in a light chokehold.
"Yeah… it was gonna be me who won, not you!" Ruby said as she nudged Yang's ribs. The older girl laughed; the blow wasn't painful, but she let go of Ruby anyways.
"Oh, as if!" Yang ruffled Ruby's hair.
Ozpin smiled at them. "Well, now that you're both healthy, it's time to return to classes. You've missed much in your time here, so that's why…" Yang and Ruby watched Ozpin as he reached into his coat and pulled out two stacks of papers stapled together. "I've managed to procure you some make-up packets that will help with your grades."
Yang let out a groan as Ozpin presented them with the packets. "Thanks, Professor…" Yang grumbled as she took the papers from him.
"I also have something else for you, regarding the Numbers," Ozpin added. Both girls perked up as he produced five cards for them, all Quick-Play Spells. Yang took one and inspected it.
"Xyz Encore…?" She read the name aloud. Ruby took another copy as well.
"It's a very powerful spell. Read the effect," Ozpin told them. Ruby mumbled to herself as she did, her eyes widened.
"Wait… this is a perfect counter to the Numbers!" She exclaimed in shock. "It removes the Overlay Units, and then returns monsters to the Extra Deck!"
"Hey, you're right! Professor, can you make more of these?" Yang asked excitedly, though her enthusiasm faded as Ozpin shook his head.
"Unfortunately not. These cards aren't something you can find in a booster pack. For one, we don't want other Number Hunters gaining access to powerful cards like these to take your Numbers," Ozpin began.
"Yeah, them getting this card would be pretty bad for us," Ruby said with a nod as she examined the card's artwork. She wondered who took the time to draw something only meant for them.
"And second, this card was not manufactured normally. To make this, I drew energy from my own Numbers, and implanted them into these cards. It's the reason why it's Spell Speed 4," Ozpin added. Ruby read the last line of text on the card, which was 'Cards and effects cannot be activated in response to this card's activation'."
"...Spell Speed 4?" Yang murmured.
"It means it's unreactable," Ruby sighed. "How do you not know this? You're literally in the year above me!"
"Quiet, you!" Yang grumbled. Ruby squawked as her older sister placed a hand on her face and shoved her away. Ozpin chuckled at the sight and handed Ruby the other three copies.
"Here. There's one you, Yang and Weiss, but for Blake. We managed to create an extra copy for her, she does not have a Number of her own." Ruby nodded and took the cards from him, and handed the last two to Yang.
"I have my next class with Weiss. I'll give it to her then," Ruby said.
"Guess I'm handing Blake's hers then," Yang said as she swiped the cards from Ruby. "Is that all?" She asked Ozpin.
"Yes, that's everything," He confirmed. "Stay safe. If you're ever in danger, be sure to call on your allies, understand?" The sisters nodded. "Good. Now, go on to classes. You can't miss any more of them."
"Right. Thanks, Professor!" Ruby said. Ruby skipped out of the nurse's office with Yang on her heels. As they walked out, Yang shivered when she felt someone's on the back of her neck. The sensation didn't go away until she closed the door.
"So, you're off to class then?" Yang asked as they left the room. Ruby spun her heel and nodded excitedly.
"Yup! I'll work on those packets once the day's over! Because right now, my most important class of the day is starting soon! Duel Skirmishes!" Ruby exclaimed excitedly. Her silver eyes are practically glowing with excitement. "It's an entire period of one-on-one Duels against our classmates! I get to see their strategies and cards, learn from them, and improve my own skills to climb the class ranks until I eventually become King of Games…! In that class only!"
Yang let out a snicker as Ruby looked away and began to scratch the back of her head. "Did you miss that class because I was about to beat you?" She taunted lightly, and in response Ruby pouted and weakly pounded her fists against Yang's arm.
"Don't try to rewrite history! I was going to win, obviously!" Ruby hissed weakly. "But yeah, I was supposed to go on Tuesday. Didn't plan on getting admitted to the nurse that day."
"In that case, you should get to class right now," Yang said. Ruby paused, so Yang pushed her forwards with a smile. "C'mon, you don't want to miss your second official Duel in school, do you?"
"Oh, right!" Ruby slipped the card Ozpin gave and waved at Yang. "I'll see you at lunch!" Ruby spun on her heel and ran down the halls, eager to reach her room to collect her Duel Disk and a notepad for her class.
—
Ruby went to class a few minutes later than expected, since she couldn't find her deck box. Somehow, she misplaced it and found it underneath her bed. She's not even sure how that happened, as she's pretty sure that she is in her Duel Disk, which was on her night stand.
Once she was ready, Ruby raced down the halls of the school as fast as she could. She literally kicked in the doors, startled the students that were seated closest to exit.
"I'm here! Present!" Ruby shouted at the top of her lungs. And once she did, her face turned bright red. Everybody stared at her, and the teacher on the Arena levelled a dangerous glare in her direction.
"Some things must be hereditary…" Glynda Goodwitch exhaled. "Ruby Rose. I see you've been discharged from the nurse's office."
"Y-yup!" Ruby nodded and made her down the steps of the lecture hall. "I'm feeling a lot better now! I can Duel today!" Glynda watched the exuberant girl move down steps and sit down on an empty chair in the middle of one of the front rows.
"Is that so?" Ruby nodded eagerly at Glynda's question. The speed at which she did made her seatmates lean back. "Very well. I suppose since you weren't present on the first day, it's only fair you get a Duel, then. Come onto the field, then."
"Yes!" Ruby stood back and slapped her Duel Disk. Once she placed herself on the left side of the arena, she bounced up and down excitedly, barely able to contain her excitement. "So, who will I be going against?"
Wordlessly, Glynda raised her riding crop and pointed it at the opposite side of the field. Ruby looked at where she pointed, and gasped as she saw a pale white figure walk out of the locker rooms.
"W-weiss…?" Ruby gasped. The heiress of the SDC smirked and placed a hand on her hip.
"Surprised?" Weiss smugly asked her. "So was I. I didn't expect to be the first person to Duel today… nor did I expect my opponent to be you." Ruby frowned at Weiss' haughty words and demeanor. "Then again, I don't really mind. Now, I guess we'll finally know who was going to win that day."
Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, I guess," she groaned. While she didn't exactly want her first Duel to be against Weiss, she knew she was going to go against her eventually. Both their egos wouldn't allow for DNF to be their only result against each other.
"Are you two ready to begin?" Ruby activated her Duel Disk, and smirked as the blades connected in front of her. Weiss simply raised her arm, and the bracelet around her wrist glowed, and metal pieces that like ice jutted out and formed a Duel Disk.
"I'm ready, Professor!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Likewise," Weiss agreed.
"Very well…" Glynda sighed. She tapped a few buttons on the tablet she carried. The room darkened, and spotlights fell on the two girls. Behind them, a large screen which showcased the screen flickered to life.
"We'll be using official tournament rules," Glynda announced to Weiss and Ruby. "Public Knowledge is active. Best of one. 15 minutes to play. If time is up, the one with more LP remaining wins."
"Understood!" Both girls said.
"Wait, this isn't Final Destination!" Glynda turned her head to the seats. A red head who wore pink over her uniforms slowly sunk into the seats.
With the rules explained, a coin appeared between Weiss and Ruby. it automatically flew into the air, and landed with a crash. A snowflake symbol pointed to the roof.
Weiss Schnee (4000 LP) VS Ruby Rose (4000 LP)
DUEL!
Weiss, with a cocky, airy giggle, slid a card into the Spell/Trap Zone. "Now, let me show you why I'll never lose to the likes of you. I activate 'Set Rotation'! This card allows me to set two differently named Field Spells from my deck onto both our fields." Weiss explained. The spotlights became colorful and spun around the girls as the heiress searched her deck.
"That's concerningly kind of you," Ruby said. Weiss scoffed.
"I should also mention that so long as one of these Field Spells remain set, we both can't activate any other Field Spells," Weiss added, though frowned when Ruby didn't seem to be displeased by this. "I'll set 'Star Seraph Sanctum' for me, while you get 'Gateway to Chaos'!" As Weiss took out two cards, a hard-light construct for Ruby's Field Spell automatically appeared in her Field Spell Zone.
"Now, I activate 'Star Seraph Sanctum'!" Weiss exclaimed. The arena became an opulent building sustained by marble pillars, while the floor was made of gold and silver. Ruby now stood on a velvet carpet that led to a large stained glass pane behind Weiss, which depicted a golden halo.
"I'll also Normal Summon 'Star Seraph Scout'!" After a screech, a black construct with pale purple wings and yellow lines of energy that flowed through it appeared on the field (Lv 4 / 1200 ATK).
"When 'Scout' is summoned, I can summon another 'Star Seraph' from my hand. Also, my 'Sanctum's' effect activates, which lets me return 'Scout' to my hand to search for a 'Star Seraph' monster!" The sanctum rumbled; glass chandeliers floated down from the ceiling. Ruby swore she heard a prayer as the 'Scout' disappeared. "I add 'Star Seraph Sovereignty' to my hand, then summon 'Star Seraph Scale' from my hand!" Another metal construct appeared; this was made of gold, and had two scales which hung from outstretched silver arms (LV 4 / 1500 ATK).
"And now, 'Scale's' and 'Sovereignty's' effects activate! Since 'Scale' was summoned, it will let me summon a 'Star Seraph' from my hand, and then, since a 'Star Seraph' monster was summoned, 'Sovereignty' will summon itself, and allow me to draw a card!" First, a chair made of bright gold appeared next to the scales (2000 DEF), and began to glow. Weiss drew her card and smirked.
"Appear, 'Star Seraph Scepter'!" Next to the chair, a staff made of gold and cobalt appeared (1700 ATK). "And now, 'Scale' will summon back 'Star Seraph Scout'!" The bird-like construct appeared again and let out a chirp (1200 ATK).
"And now, I will Overlay my 3 Level 4 'Star Seraph Scout', 'Scepter', and 'Scale'!" Ruby gritted her teeth as those monsters disappeared into a Network made from gold stars. "I Xyz Summon Number 102! Holy Lightning - Glorious Halo!" Like before, a halo and needle appeared from the smoke, and quickly morphed into a shining bowman.
[Number 102: Holy Lightning - Glorious Halo]
[Light / Fairy / Xyz / Effect]
[2500 ATK / 2000 DEF]
(AKA Number 102: Star Seraph Sentry)
(LIGHT & DIVINE)
"Now, since Halo was summoned with 'Scepter' as material, it can destroy a card on the field, and let me draw! The card I choose… is my 'Sanctum'!" Ruby raised an eyebrow as the Number pulled back on its bow and fired an arrow of heavenly light at the glass pane behind Weiss. It, and the rest of the field, shattered, which returned them to the darkly lit school arena.
"And now, 'Sanctum's' other effect activates!" Weiss said as she drew her card. "Since it left the field, until the end of your turn, every monster you control loses 100 ATK for every 'Star Seraph' monster I summoned this turn!"
"Let's see… she summoned 'Scout' twice, then 'Scale', 'Scepter', 'Sovereignty', and Halo, so that's…" Ruby murmured to herself. She hissed. "600 Points…!"
"That's right!" Weiss said as she propped her chin up with the back of her hand. "With my Halo on the field, every one of your monsters is effectively useless!" Weiss turned her head to the side and started to laugh; the sound was not only high-pitched, but also irritated Ruby's ears.
"Wow, she really is a princess…" Ruby grumbled as the laugh ended.
"I'll end my turn here! But don't worry, I'll finish you off soon enough!" Weiss said. Ruby nodded and drew.
"Alright, it's my turn!" Ruby looked at her own hand, and then at Weiss' field. "This isn't good…" She whispered to herself.
With 'Sanctum's' effect in play, everything she summons is effectively a vanilla monster. And, she doesn't have anything that can Special Summon itself, so she can't rely on Extra Deck summon either. Maybe she can–
"...wait a minute." Ruby tapped a button on her Duel Disk. Since Public Knowledge was on, she was able to navigate through a few screens in order to look at Weiss' GY and read through 'Sanctum's' effect carefully. Once she did, her eyes widened.
"Oh my gods…" She breathed out. This board… also sucked. It was better than undoubtedly better than the Quick Effect destruction Weiss had in their first Duel, and could potentially shut down some decks that didn't draw them out, however, Glorious Halo was the only thing it had. The Number was effectively that one Jenga piece that supported the entire tower. But even then, a weak gust of wind would knock it down.
And Ruby had the bust weak gust in her hand.
"I set one card…" Ruby said as a face-down monster appeared in front of her, "and end my turn."
Weiss blinked. "Eh?"
"I end my turn," Ruby said.
"No, but… th-that's it?" Weiss asked her opponent. "Y-you're not going to try and break my board? Summon a few Extra Deck monsters, or I dunno, maybe set some backrow!?" The heiress looked flustered, panicked even, which provided Ruby the relief she needed.
"No. I end my turn," Ruby said with a smirk. Weiss took a step back and swallowed.
"Oh, ugh… I-I see!" She placed her hands on her hip and nodded. "It seems my skills were so spectacular that you can't think clearly because of how intimidated you are! Yes, obviously!" Ruby gave Weiss a deadpan stare.
"I end my turn," She repeated.
"I heard you for the first time!" Weiss hissed. She groaned and gestured to the field. "Now… 'Sanctum's' effect wears off. I draw!" She looked at her hand, and choked on air.
Yeah, her hand sucked, Everyone in the room thought. Even Glynda shook her head in disappointment. Weiss hissed through her teeth.
"You…! I activate 'Celestial Transformation'!" Weiss quickly said. "I use it to Special Summon my second 'Sovereignty' from my hand!" A flash of light appeared next to the first golden chair, which left behind another copy (2000 DEF). "And now, since I summoned a monster from my hand, the ability granted to Halo by 'Scale' activates, which lets me draw!" Weiss dragged the card out of the slot, and she lifted it up to her eyes, she choked again.
Ruby snickered underneath her fist. When Weiss glared at her, she covered up the sound with a cough.
"Well… whatever! I activate 'Cestus of Dagla', and equip it onto my Halo!" The golden bow disappeared, and was replaced by two curved blades that went around the Number's hands (2500 ATK to 3000 ATK). "Now, whenever my Halo deals you damage, my LP increases by the same amount!"
Weiss grunted and swept her arm forward. "Battle! Glorious Halo attacks your face-down! Lightning BUSTER!"
The Number raised one fist, which caused lightning to seep into the blade. With a quick and fierce lunge, the electrified fist slammed into the back of the face-down, which made the card bend. 'Flamvell Guard' howled as the attack deatomized it.
As Number 102 returned to its spot on the field, Weiss growled and clenched her fist. "During the End Phase, the monster summoned by 'Celestial Transformation' is destroyed." The second 'Sovereignty' exploded without fanfare. "I end my turn."
"Right." With the effects of the Field no longer an issue, she now has to Duel with Weiss' Number. Now, she just has to hope Weiss still doesn't understand the Damage Step. "I draw!"
"I activate 'Primite Roar'!" Behind Ruby, a collection of crystal rock formations formed behind her. "First, I pay 2000 LP, and then declare the name 'Clavykis, the Magikey Skyblaster'." Ruby hissed lightly as her Duel Disk sparked (4000 LP to 2000 LP). "By doing so, not only are 'Clavykis' and my other 'Primite' monsters immune to battle destruction, since I control no monster, I can summon 'Clavykis' straight from my deck!" Weiss stepped back as the crystals shattered and the blonde, gun-wielding youth jumped out from the remains (LV 4 / 1900 ATK).
"Now, I summon 'Rescue Rabbit'!" Next to the boy, a white and gray rabbit stepped out and sat on 'Clavykis'' boots (LV 4 / 300 ATK). "'Rescue Rabbit's' effect activates! It'll banish itself, and then summon two Level 4 or lower Normal Monsters from my Deck! I summon two 'Alexandrite Dragons'! The bunny blew on its whistle and hopped away. As it hid away, two large dragons with expensive jewels as scales flew down from the sky ((LV 4 / 2000 ATK) x2).
"I overlay my two Level 4 'Alexandrite Dragons'!" Ruby said as she pointed to the ceiling with her finger. "I Xyz Summon Rank 4! Number 39! King of Wishes - Hope!"
Weiss hissed when Ruby's two dragons fell into the Network. The class began to whisper as well; Ruby had a Number as well? How many of these things are there? Weiss didn't take notice, as she was more concerned about the white and gold warrior that let out a loud cry of 'HOPE!' as it appeared.
[Number 39: King of Wishes - Hope]
[LIGHT / Warrior / Xyz / Effect]
[2500 ATK / 2000 DEF]
(AKA Number 39: Utopia)
(LIGHT & DIVINE)
Both Ruby and Weiss winced as their respective Numbers glared at each other. Without any orders, Hope unsheathed one its curved blades, while Halo raised its fists over its face. Ancient anger simmered beneath both their golden armors.
"Battle!" Ruby shouted. Hope bent its knees and lunged. "Number 39 attacks Number 102!"
Weiss was tempted to activate her Numbers' effect, but she hesitated. Ruby's fingers started to twitch. Hope raised its sword over its head. "I activate Hope's effect! By detaching an overlay unit, it can negate its own attack!" Ruby then exclaimed (2 OU to 1 OU). Weiss still hesitated.
The unit slammed into Hope's blade, which caused it to fizzle out. "Now, I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Double or Nothing'!" Ruby said as she slammed the card with enough force to make the Duel Disk emit sparks. "Since Hope's attack was negated, its ATK is doubled, and it can attack again!" Weiss still hesitated.
"Hope! Attack Halo!" Ruby shouted again. Number 39 pulled out a second sword, which surged with power as a large slot machine appeared behind it (2500 ATK to 5000 ATK). Weiss hissed through her teeth.
"Argh…! I activate Glorious Halo's effect!" Weiss eventually relented. The cesti disappeared, and were replaced by Number 102's glowing bow. Ruby looked down to see if she could still react. And once she did, she sighed.
"Hope's effect activates! That effect is negated!" Ruby shouted (1 OU to 0 OU). Weiss' eyes widened as one of the knight's wings extended to block the lightning arrow.
During the Damage Step, one of the few effects that can activate are effects that alter a monster's battle stats. Weiss activated Halo's effect at attack declaration; had she done it before damage calculation, Ruby would not have been able to react to it, and would've lost Hope.
"You little bi–!" Weiss' voice was cut off as Hope's supercharged blade sliced through Halo's body. The light in the Number's body flickered out as the top half became separated from the bottom half, and slowly slid down. Glorious Halo exploded shortly after (4000 LP to 2000 LP).
"Damn it…!" Weiss hissed to herself. At the very least, 'Clavykis' couldn't beat over 'Sovereignty'.
"I enter my Main Phase 2. I set a card, and end my turn," Ruby then said. Weiss' face flushed with anger.
"Fine… I draw!" Weiss growled. She examined her hand to formulate a plan that would at least get their Duel to a standstill. "I activate 'Monster Reborn'!" An ankh appeared in front of her, which opened a dark portal. "Return, Glorious Halo!" A pillar of light shot out, and her ace monster returned, an arrow already drawn as it glared at Number 39. Once the summon was successful, Weiss smirked.
"Now, there are 4 Fairies in my Graveyard," Weiss said cockily, with her head held high. "'Sovereignty', 'Scepter', 'Scale', and 'Scout'." Ruby's eyes widened Weiss held up for slender fingers. "That means, I can summon 'Archlord Kristya' from my hand!"
"Oh…" Ruby gasped. Light shattered next to Number 102, which formed a hole in reality. The crack was pulled apart by silver hands. A divine figure in white armor and bright orange wings floated out. It raised one fist into the air and shouted, which covered the entire field in a blinding sheen of light (2800 ATK / LV 8).
"As I'm sure you're aware, 'Kristya' prevents both of us from Special Summoning," Weiss said with a self-assured smile. "And since it was Special Summoned with its own effect, I'll add my 'Scepter' back to my hand." As she slid the card back between her fingers, Weiss narrowed her eyes.
"Battle! 'Kristya' attacks Number 39!" The orange wings flared out, and 'Kristya' leapt into the air. It suddenly flew back down and kicked Hope's core, which caused cracks to appear all over the Number's body. Without the Overlay Units to grant Hope its divinity, 'Kristya' kicked through it, and the shrapnel of the resulting explosion phased through Ruby's body (2000 LP to 1700 LP).
"And, Number 102 attacks 'Clavykis'!" Glorious Halo released the drawn arrow, and in an instant it pierced through the monster's body, which made it explode as well. Ruby hissed in annoyance as her LP trickled down even lower (1700 LP to 1100 LP).
"Oh, you've gotta be kidding me…" Ruby grumbled to herself as the smoke faded away. She went through all that trouble to defeat Number 102, only for not just one, but two floodgates to stare down at her. And she could've done something about; her set card was 'Magikey Locking'; she could've used it to Xyz Summon 'Vepartu'. It wouldn't have won her the game, but at the very least, she could've used it to stall out for a turn.
"I end my turn…" Weiss said. Ruby nodded.
"Okay, think…" Ruby whispered to herself. What can she do to get out of this situation? She has 'Faustian Bargain' in her deck, but due to the 'and if you do' clause in its text, 'Kristya' prevents her from activating it. Her deck also has 'Primite Drillbeam', but with 'Dragoons of Draconia' being the only Normal in her hand, even if she negates either monsters' effect, it can't beat over them.
'Primite Imperial Dragon' can do the trick. It Normal Summons itself as a Quick Effect on Weiss' field, and with 'Alexandrite Dragon' in her graveyard, it will also banish 102 and 'Kristya'. The only problem is that Ruby has to hard draw into it, and not die on Weiss' turn.
"I draw!" Ruby exclaimed. She brought the card to her eyes; 'White Elephant's Gift'. This could work… it could also backfire in her face. "I summon 'Dragoons of Draconia'!" Ruby pressed onwards either way. She can't surrender to Weiss.
A green-skinned lizard man appeared while mounted on a two legged raptor dragon. The lizard man snarled as it loaded the muskets in both its arms (LV 4 / 1800 ATK / Scale 2) "I activate 'White Elephant's Gift'! By tributing 'Dragoon', I draw two cards!" Ruby shuddered as she sucked in air through her teeth, and slowly grabbed the cards from her deck.
"Ah, fine…! I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale 7 'Dragonox, the Empowered Warrior'!" Ruby slid the card into the right-most Spell/Trap Zone. A red gem appeared on the field, with a stylized 7 fading underneath. The blue beam burst out from the ground with a blue man in black draconic armor contained inside.
"Then… I activate 'Heart of the Underdog'!" A large gust of wind suddenly burst to life and wrapped itself around Ruby's body. "...I end my turn."
"That's it? That's your last line of defense?" Weiss scoffed. She glanced at the Pendulum Monster Ruby controlled. "I can easily take it out with any form of backrow removal, and win the game."
"I can say the same about literally any of your boards up," Ruby shot back. "So, hurry up and draw."
"Fine!" Weiss once her turn started. "Now, I'll–!" But like before, she choked. "Oh, come on…!" She shook her head at the disappointing draw. "Whatever, I've won anyways. Battle! Glorious Halo attacks!"
"I activate 'Dragonox's' effect! It will destroy itself to end the Battle Phase!" At her command, the warrior let out a shout and exploded. The force created by the blast knocked Halo's arrow off course, and grazed Ruby's ear. The heiress seethed before taking a breath to calm herself down.
"It doesn't matter anyway. I end my turn…" Weiss growled.
Ruby nodded. "Fine…" She looked at her deck. "Well, here goes nothing." The wind around her intensified as she placed her hand on the top card of her deck.
"I draw!" Ruby snapped out, and slowly, she brought the card to her eyes. "'Robotic Knight', a Normal Monster. I draw again!" The wind veil became stronger as she drew again. "...'Gagagigo', I draw again!"
Weiss bit her lip as the wind became stronger. "'Sea Dragoons of Draconia'! I draw again!" Ruby tensed up a little; had she not drawn 'Heart of the Underdog' she would've been so screwed. "'Leotron'! It's another Normal, so I draw again!"
Ruby grabbed the fifth card. "Alright…! One more time! I draw!" She brought out her card, and…
"I summon 'Robotic Knight'!" Ruby said in a calm, collected voice. "I end my turn." A black knight with plating designed to look like a red suit marched onto the field next to her, with a sword in hand and a minigun attached to the other (LV 4 / 1600 ATK).
Weiss was slightly unnerved by the sudden change in demeanor. Ruby didn't look anxious or nervous anymore. Her face was impassive, almost like she was watching a comedy show that was hilariously unfunny.
"...Then it's time I end this…!" Weiss slowly started as she drew her card. She didn't even bother to look at it before she swept her hand forwards "Ba–!"
"I activate 'Primite Imperial Dragon's' effect!" Ruby shouted. "I can tribute summon it!" 'Robotnik Knight' became encased in a thick wall of ore, which began to crack after a second. Light streamed from the holes, and with a loud roar, the cocoon exploded, which created a large dragon made entirely of brown rock, and which had a long clubbed tail (LV 6 / 2600 ATK).
"When 'Imperial Dragon' is summoned, its effects activate! First, It will negate the effects of your monsters…!" 'Imperial Dragon' let out a gravelly roar. Stalactites fell down from the sky and pierced through Weiss' monster, which forced both onto their knees. "And then, it will banish every monster with the same Attribute as 'Alexandrite Dragon'!"
Weiss gasped. 'Alexandrite' was LIGHT. All her monsters were LIGHT.
'Imperial Dragon' clenched its fist and thrust it into the sky. Glorious Halo and 'Kristya' and the remaining 'Sovereignty' were impaled by stalagmites that shot out from the ground. Slowly, they turned to stone and eroded away by the winds of Ruby's 'Heart of the Underdog'.
"I…" Weiss breathed out. She reached out, and managed to grasp some of the sand that Glorious Halo had become, but it quickly slipped between her fingers. She looked at the cards in her hand. "Argh…! I activate the Continuous Spell 'Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen'!" Marble pillars appeared, and Weiss now stood in front of a white throne.
"Now, since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Fairy Monster from my hand! Like 'Star Seraph Scepter'!" She snarled. The staff from earlier reappeared, though its body glowed a little brighter (LV 4 / 1800 ATK).
"Now, 'Scepter' will search 'Scriptures', which I normal summon!" As the staff glowed, and next to a glowing book with a golden spine appeared (LV 4 / 1600 ATK). When it opened and the pages started to flutter, Ruby's eyes glowed silver.
"I activate the effect of 'Primite Roar' from my GY!" She shouted, which shocked Weiss. "Since you normal summoned a monster, I can banish 'Roar', and then target my 'Alexandrite Dragon' in my GY!" Another cocoon of rock appeared. Ghostly flames burned inside, and the spirit of the dragon flew out. "Since 'Scriptures' has less ATK than my 'Dragon', it's banished!"
Weiss' arms fell to her side as the cocoon floated into the air and fell on top of the holy book. It exploded, and took 'Scriptures' with it.
"...I end my turn." Weiss whispered quietly.
Ruby nodded, and drew her card. "I summon 'Gagagigo'!" A blue-skinned humanoid lizard jumped out of a pool of water and hissed quietly as it stood up (LV 4 / 1850 ATK). "Battle! 'Gagagigo' attacks 'Scepter'!" The lizard man lunged and scratched Weiss' staff with its claws, shredding it to pieces. Weiss barely reacted as it exploded (2000 LP to 1950 LP).
"'Imperial Dragon'!" Ruby's monster whirled around and struck Weiss with its clubbed tail. (1950 LP to 0 LP)
GAME!
"Game set, and match," Glynda said. The crowd of students politely cheered for the two girls as Ruby's monsters faded away. The applause was short lived, however, as Glynda raised her hand to silence her students.
"Now, Weiss…" Glynda began. The girl in white didn't even let her speak. She just whirled around and walked off stage. Ruby raised an eyebrow as she walked off. "As I said before, expand on the 'Star Seraph' portion of your deck. It has little synergy otherwise. Also, you cannot have just Number 102 as your only point of interaction with your opponent. There are simply too many workarounds."
Weiss didn't say anything as she opened the door to exit the arena and left. Glynda sighed and shook her head in disappointment. "And Ruby?"
She straightened immediately as Glynda turned to her. "You should remove some of those vanilla monsters. I know your strategies revolve around them, but if you draw to many, you've lost. At least consider only having one per Attribute."
"Yes ma'am! I'll take that into consideration!" Ruby said stiffly. Glynda nodded at her and then looked at her tablet.
"Alright. Let's start another game. The next Duelists will be…" As she continued, Ruby walked back to her seat. As she did, she giggled to herself excitedly, and even kicked her feet a little underneath her desk.
She did it! She finally has a win under belt! And there's more to come as she improves her deck!
Ruby hums silently as she watches the next Duel unfold. As she takes notes on the strategies and cards used, she remembered about Xyz Encore. "Right, I have to give this to her…" Ruby mumbled as she took the two copies she had out.
"...Hmph! Maybe I'll give it to her when she learns to not be so rude!" Ruby huffed. She slid both cards into her Deck Box and continued to watch the Duel unfold.
[Star Seraph Sanctum]
Field Spell
Once per turn: if you Summon a "Star Seraph" monster; you can return that monster to the hand, and if you do, add 1 "Star Seraph" monster from your deck to your hand. If this card leaves the field: you can activate this effect; until the end of your opponent's next turn, all monsters they control lose 100 ATK for each "Star Seraph" monster you summoned this turn.
[A/N]
Finally, after so long… Ruby gets a dub! After eleven chapters! Woooooo! And it's a win against Weiss! Woooooo! So far, that's one DNF, one loss, one draw, and one win, in that order.
But why did it take so long? Well, like Yuma, I don't want Ruby to be, nor is she supposed to be, "The Strongest" like most other Yu-Gi-Oh! protagonists are. She's a normal girl with normal knees as she would put it, so it's natural for her to struggle and work for those dubs. And she's going to struggle a lot.
There's also the fact that Weiss' deck kinda still sucks. And to showcase that, I have developed Capitalism - The Card.
'Sanctum' on field effect is simply a lot better than its floating effect. Its short term gains are incredible in that it could probably win the game on the spot if you don't have a proper answer to 102.
However, as shown with Ruby earlier, it's only a short term gain. Its floating effect can't support Weiss in the long term, since it only lasts one turn. And because of Weiss heavy reliance on 102, her getting rid of it will only harm her game plan significantly.
(also, while I was reading this, I just noticed that 'Sovereignty' is still the 'Star Seraph' that can special summon itself. I'll have to make a retrain of 'Scout' to fix it.)
K bye.