Starting Notes:
Welcome back! It's a short chapter :) That's because this was originally in the same chapter as the next chapter, but I split the next chapter to give it more impact. :) Next chapter is very interesting. *aggressively smiles*
(Btw, I edited this chapter at 2am. There might be some mistakes in the Duel Summary as a result. Have mercy on me, Chapter 18 is bullying me.)
Chapter 17: The Fusion Dimension Duelists
Reiji watched the screens as Shun Kurosaki and Yuya Sakaki took on the Academia agents together. Shun and Sora were dueling inside the ruins themselves, while Yuya was taking on the three members of Academia in a helmet.
He took special notice when Yuya Sakaki's eyes began to glow, and he shouted at the three members of Academia.
"Dueling is not meant for war! Dueling is meant to bring smiles to people!"
"Yuto?" Hitoda said uncertainly from behind him. Reiji turned back to look at Yuto, whose eyes were glowing as well. His lips were moving at the exact same time as Yuya's.
"We will show you the strength of our dueling—the dueling that doesn't wish to bring pain to another person!"
Yuya Sakaki Xyz Summoned Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon to his field, and then…
"Dragon of dual colored eyes! Unleash your black scale of wrath, and eradicate all opposing enemies! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 7! Dragon whose eyes glow with rage! The Supreme King Black Dragon - Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon!"
Despite the sinister summoning chant, Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon didn't hurt the Obelisk Force members, even if it did defeat them. Afterwards, Yuya's eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed to the ground. The same thing happened to Yuto, who was barely caught by Hitoda, who helped him into a chair.
What was that?
Reiji was so focused on the screen that he didn't see the wary look that Hitoda shot at Yuto. There was visible hesitation before the green-haired girl let go, walking over to him.
"What happened to them?"
"It seems that his friends are getting him away," Reiji said. "I… hope that it's nothing wrong. Or at least, that it's a power that can be harnessed."
"You live up to your reputation, Reiji Akaba," Hitoda said after a moment.
"Hmm?"
"You're a calculative man. Far too calculative." Hitoda tilted her head. "And the fact that you can talk so openly and callously about hoping that someone can be used for your gain… I'm almost amused. Or I'd be more amused, if you weren't trying to make use of two people I like."
"... you are a friend of Yuno Sugisaki," Reiji said. He thought about the conclusions that he had made about Yuno's dueling. "What do you know about him?"
"Not much," Hitoda said. "Other than the person that he simply is—he's very honest about what kind of person he is." She smirked. "I envied him, honestly—he charmed anyone and everyone the moment that they met him, even without lying about himself at all. If I could have the ability to do that, I'd have been a lot better off."
She tapped her fingers on the wall.
"But, if you want an ally… I don't think you'll find a better one than him."
"And you, Hitoda Makishima?" Reiji returned. "You volunteered to duel You Show Duel School, and to duel your own friend. You've done basically nothing since you came to this dimension, even as your friends have gone out to meet more people. You've barely even talked to any of the other people at LDS, and you spend all your time with Rinsoka and no one else. Why did you come to our dimension? From what Sugisaki and Kogami-san said, you were not at risk in the same way that they were. Why throw yourself into this war?"
"... wow, personal attack there much?" Hitoda smiled, ever the glib and charming face. Reiji could see how she could become a duel idol in the way that Yuno and Miharu had described. "Well, I won't deny it. Sometimes, I just can't be bothered to do things. I've lacked that thing that we call a 'purpose' my entire life—I do not want anything, or wish to do anything."
What that girl was saying right now…
"I came to the Standard Dimension because I was bored," Hitoda admitted. "And honestly, throwing myself into the unknown with Miharu and Yuno sounded more interesting than continuing there. It felt stagnant. I did all sorts of things, and they all felt boring to me—effortless, in a sense. I was hoping that coming here, or fighting alongside them, would make me feel something. I was looking for a purpose, something that would make me feel anything. Kyorin Rinsoka asked me if I wanted to protect them, and… I suppose that's accurate in its own way. The two of them are amusing. Interesting."
"So you're bored," Reiji summarised. "You left your world, went to a place that you don't even know, and are now agreeing to fight in a war because you are bored."
"You're making me sound unreasonable," Hitoda said. "Think about it in video games. You finish the game, so you restart it and make new choices."
"Except that life is a game to you." Reiji looked at that smile on the girl's face—still flawless and genuine, and yet hiding a horribly twisted soul, from what had just been revealed to him. "You don't feel anything at all then, Hitoda Makishima?"
"... when I was in an Action Duel for the first time, my heart began to beat faster," Hitoda said. "But no, I don't feel anything in the slightest." She clenched a fist. "You don't need to think of me as a villain. I suppose I might be a monster to some people, since my heart apparently just doesn't work right. But I didn't do this with malicious intentions—I can't even really feel malice with this heart of mine. I just wanted to find a purpose. A reason that will make me truly want to act."
"I see." Reiji stared at her, and then he leaned back. "And that is the reason why you didn't bother going into the tournament. You already know how an Action Duel feels like, so it won't make you feel anything anymore. Why did you admit this?"
"Because for someone as intelligent as you, you would have noticed something wrong eventually." Hitoda leaned back. "And because I was curious on how you would react. I've never admitted this to another person."
So, she just wanted to experiment with something new.
"And to say this." Hitoda raised a hand casually. "I'm strong. You know this. So is it possible for me to make a request? I haven't asked for cards, or for anything else." She hummed. "Figure out what's wrong with me. I want to be able to understand how people feel."
"Well, I think what you are is very clear, Hitoda Makishima," Reiji said. "And that is something I cannot help you with."
"What I am?"
"A sociopath," Reiji clarified. "Or more accurately, someone that suffers from antisocial personality disorder. You do not feel empathy for others, and you view most other people in terms of how they are useful to you. You hold a certain level of contempt for others. You make impulsive decisions, such as literally admitting your sociopathy to me for no reason other than curiosity. Charming, easily convincing others to do things."
"Oh," Hitoda said, and then she laughed. It was a rather lovely laugh. "You're wrong."
"Oh? Enlighten me then."
"Sociopathy implies a lack of empathy—other emotions are still intact." Hitoda was speaking with the air of someone who had already read up on this plenty of times. "People with sociopathy feel negative emotions more commonly than positive emotions. However, my lack of empathy exists because I don't feel anything. The root of my lack of capability to connect with others is that lack of emotion. There is something else that is fundamentally wrong with me, but it's not that I'm manipulative."
Hitoda leaned back.
"So you're wrong. And I'm very glad to be able to tell that to you of all people, Reiji Akaba." She tapped the table. "I was waiting until no one else was around to say this—but Miharu and Yuno amuse me. More than anyone else other than Aoi, they bring me some level of emotion. So I will be very upset if this scheme of yours—"
She gestured to the screen.
"Costs me the two of them."
"I do not intend for the two of them to be hurt," Reiji said stiffly. "They are strong enough."
"I hope so."
Hitoda turned away.
Reiji glanced at her for a moment.
For a moment, I sensed some kind of actual concern in your voice, even if you are still self-serving in nature.
Regardless, I cannot deny that you are interesting, Hitoda Makishima. In a less obvious way than the others, but still interesting.
"Oh, look," Hitoda gestured to a screen. "The Fusion one has met Yuzu Hiiragi."
Serena was currently challenging Dennis to a duel, and Dennis looked confused and mildly panicked. However, before any kind of conflict occurred, Yuno interceded, stopping them from fighting each other. Tsukikage and Hikage showed up, managing to mediate. Yuzu and Serena ended up changing clothes, Yuzu heading towards the Iceberg Area and Serena heading towards the Ruins Area, while Yuno headed back towards the Jungle Area to warn people about Academia, which was a rather kind thing to do. Tsukikage and Hikage continued watching after the participants in the tournament, trying to ensure that no harm would come to them.
"Send in the Youth Lancers," Reiji ordered, and the eight first generation Lancers were sent out to duel Academia.
He heard a quiet laugh.
The supposedly emotionless girl was staring at the screen, right next to him.
"What's so funny?"
"I'm just curious. I wonder how I'll feel when they perish," Hitoda said. There was nothing malicious in her voice. Just curiosity.
"You don't think they'll succeed?"
"Didn't their leader lose to Miharu really badly?" Hitoda shrugged. "If there's one thing I think you'd know, it's that things don't always go according to your expectations."
"You're here." Dennis said cheerfully. The camera footage here was scrambled, luckily, so no one would notice anything amiss. Yuri stepped through, his white-hooded partner standing next to him. "Yuzu Hiiragi is in the Iceberg Area by herself. Serena is heading to the Ruins, but considering that Sora Shiun'in is there, she'll either get caught by Obelisk Force or get driven back to the Volcano Area."
"And the third target, Miharu Kogami?" Yuri asked.
"... she's complicated," Dennis said with a frown. "I haven't seen her around at all. She separated from Yuno Sugisaki and went off on her own, and considering that he went to the Jungle Area first, she's likely in one of the other areas."
"What I'm hearing," Yuji said after a moment, sounding somewhat reluctant, "is that she's either in Volcano or Iceberg, where she'll be found along with another one of them, or she's in Ruins, where she'll be caught by Shiun'in."
"Sounds like it." Yuri patted Yuji's shoulder, smirking widely. "Well, I don't want to deal with Serena's anger, so I guess you're going to the Volcano Area, Yuji-kun! I'll take Iceberg! Serena's the strongest one of the bunch anyway, so have fun—"
Yuji's arm jerked upwards, as though he was about to punch Yuri in the face, before he thought better of it. Tugging at his hood, he turned around and stalked off, though Yuri noted with some gratification that he was actually heading for the Volcano Area. Great. Yuri really hoped that Miharu Kogami was with Yuzu Hiiragi. Otherwise, against a Standard Dimension duelist, he might bore himself to tears.
(He had genuinely meant it, when he told Yuji to have fun. He was giving him the better job, at the very least.)
"I see that you've found a new favourite toy in my absence, Yuri," Dennis teased. Yuri rolled his eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous." He gestured outwards. "Go and make yourself useful." He stalked off.
Hopefully, he would actually find something fun here…
Hopefully, Yuzu Hiiragi would be as strong as Ruri and Chiaki.
Just a little more. Just a little more. That chant had been going through Yuji's mind for the last few months, and it would not stop. He just ignored it and kept going forward, gnashing his teeth the whole way.
"Hold up there!"
Yuji tilted his head. There were five people there. His first thought was that this group of five duelists looked very much like a boy band—like seriously, did Standard's duelists spend ten hours in front of the mirror before leaving the house?
"You're not a participant in the tournament," one of the boys said. Yuji simply glanced away. He was not interested in any of this.
"Maybe I'm not," he said, considering his words very carefully. "But you don't want to get in my way."
"You think you can take on five of us?"
"Five? Oh, no, the duel would take forever to finish," a female voice said. Yuji turned back, recognising the voice. Shino rolled over, winking at him. "What about three on one and two on one? You guys get the number advantage, of course."
The five boys looked at each other, before they split into two groups.
"Gitsune-san," Yuji said, slightly annoyed to see her.
Shino giggled. "Come on, Yuji-kun. I'm here to be a distraction. How'd you gain so much aggro so quickly?"
"This is not my fault."
"You're right. Clearly, it's the fault of the people who were peacefully walking through the Action Field."
"Shut up." Yuji raised his duel disk, facing against the group of two. "I don't want to be here. Just get me out of here already."
[ACTION DUEL!]
Yuji Fujita: 4000LP
Lancer 1: 4000LP
Lancer 2: 4000LP
[Turn 1: Yuji] [H:5]
Yuji swept up the top five cards of his deck, barely glancing at them. He grimaced. He still didn't enjoy dueling at all, but he couldn't even afford to throw the duel here—he really would have, but Shino was literally right there. Plus…
He knew very well what he had to do, to guarantee getting what he wanted.
Just a little more.
… at least, I suppose I can try out some of the new toys Academia gave me.
"I'll Normal Summon Tour Guide From the Underworld," Yuji said. A pink-haired woman in a blue suit appeared on the field.
[Tour Guide From the Underworld (3*/1000/600/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]
"And with the effect of Tour Guide From the Underworld, I will Special Summon a Level 3 Fiend monster from my deck with its effects negated." Yuji plucked out a card from his deck between two fingers, placing it onto his duel disk. "Come, Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss." The canine demon appeared next to Tour Guide, its dark wings spreading out, looking like carved rock.
[Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (3*/1000/1500/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]
Who should he bring out first?
"I'll activate the Spell Card, Pre-Preparation of Rites. I'll add a Ritual Spell and a monster mentioned in that Ritual Spell from my deck to my hand." Yuji narrowed his eyes. "I'll activate the Ritual Spell, Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss."
The 'Lancer' on the left flinched. "Oi, did he say 'Ritual'? Didn't Reiji Akaba say that our enemy was Fusion?"
"Your enemy is a lot of things," Yuji said. He closed his eyes. "... Fusion is the least of your worries. I will offer the Level 3 Graff and the Level 3 Tour Guide as tribute. For the providence that gave them the fifth pit to govern as the ministers of its will takes from their souls the power of leaving it! Appear now, leader of the Malebranche! Rule over this world with your heart of fire and brimstone! Ritual Summon! Level 6! Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!"
The demon wreathed in red and blue flames appeared on his field, letting out a loud roar.
[Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss (6*/2700/2200/DARK/Fiend/Ritual/Effect)]
"Since Graff was sent to the graveyard, I will activate its effect. I will Special Summon a "Burning Abyss" monster from my deck. Come—Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" The white-haired demon appeared, floating next to Malacoda.
[Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (3*/800/2000/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]
"And then, since I control no Spell or Trap cards," Yuji continued, "I will Special Summon Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my hand." A grey-haired, dark-winged demon appeared, with blue flames swirling around its right hand.
[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (3*/1200/0/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]
"I will then overlay the Level 3 Alich and Scarm." The two monsters turned into dark streaks.
"Xyz?"
It disgusts me to learn this method. A method that has been appropriated from those that have been killed by the people who have enslaved me.
"In the middle of the journey of our life, I found myself within a dark woods where the straight way was lost. Xyz Summon! Rank 3! Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss!"
On the field, a blue-haired man in a red tunic appeared, staring at Yuji's opponents dismissively. He was in Defense Position, providing a defence against the opponents.
[Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss (R3/1000/2500/LIGHT/Warrior/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]
"A cultured boy," Hitoda said with a light laugh. "That's Inferno, I do believe. If he's truly a fan of that dreary text, then he must be the most cynical person in the world. And his deck is very fitting."
"Ritual and Xyz," Reiji said. "An interesting soldier of Academia, if that's the case."
What bothers me is the hood. Not a single other member of Academia has bothered to hide their face so far.
Their face…
"I will end my turn there."
If you're strong enough, then defeat me. I won't settle for any less.
[Turn 2: Lancer 1] [H:5]
The first of his opponents placed a card down immediately. "I will discard another WATER monster, and Special Summon Mermail Abyssteus from my hand!" A green, reptilian creature wearing red and silver armour, with a red lance in its hands, appeared.
[Mermail Abyssteus (7*/1700/2400/WATER/Aqua/Effect)]
"And with Abyssteus's effect, I can add a Level 4 or lower "Mermail" monster to my hand!" He plucked out a card from his deck. "I'll discard Mermail Abyssnerei from my hand. And by destroying Mermail Abyssleed in my hand, I'll grant Abyssteus a boost in attack and defense points equal to the destroyed monster's attack and defense points."
[Mermail Abyssteus: 1700 + 2700 = 4400ATK; 2400 + 1000 = 3400DEF]
"Attack Malacoda!"
Yuji stared, slightly baffled.
That—
That was it?
"I will send a "Burning Abyss" monster from my hand to the graveyard, and decrease the attack and defense points of a monster you control by that monster's attack and defense points." He revealed the card. "Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. The attack and defense points debuff doesn't matter. Farfa's effect. When sent to the graveyard, I banish a monster from the field face-up." Abyssteus vanished from the field. Thus, his opponent had no way to attack him.
Shocked, the 'Lancer' ended his turn. Abyssteus returned to his field.
[Turn 3: Lancer 2] [H:5]
The second Lancer raised his Duel Disk. "I'll tribute Malacoda from your field to Special Summon Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju, to your field!" A gigantic sea monster took the place of Malacoda. Yuji blinked.
[Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju (8*/2200/3000/WATER/Aqua/Effect)]
Kaiju, huh? Invading monsters?
"Since Malacoda was sent to the graveyard, I can send a card on the field to the graveyard," Yuji said. "Retribution Flame. I will send Mermail Abyssteus to the graveyard."
Another move, another answer.
"I'll Special Summon Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju, since you control a "Kaiju" monster!" A large metallic creature made of black metal appeared, with orange light shining from within its metallic body.
[Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju (10*/3300/2600/LIGHT/Machine/Effect)]
"Attack Dante and destroy it!" The Defense Position monster was cut through by a dangerous claw.
Yuji shrugged. "If Dante is destroyed," he said, "I can add a "Burning Abyss" card from my graveyard to my hand. Generous Retrieval!" He picked up a card from his graveyard.
"I'll set a card and end my turn," the second one said.
Good.
Then, this would be the end of it.
[Turn 4: Yuji] [H:4]
"During your End Phase, Scarm allows me to add a Level 3 Fiend monster from my deck to my hand. Now, I'll draw," Yuji said calmly. What a troublesome monster he had to deal with now… and he didn't mean the monster on his opponent's field. He quietly revealed another card in his hand. "You've riddled my field with your trash… but I guess I'll have to use it in the best way I can." He checked the attack points of the monsters on the field. So he had to remove one monster. Hardly an obstacle.
That was a very Yuri-like thought, Yuji reflected. A bit too arrogant for himself.
Well, his first Xyz Monster hadn't gotten to use its effect. A pity, but it had at least eaten an attack for him, leaving him in perfect health.
Either way…
I can take them both out this turn, if I use you. It would be easy.
… I don't want it to be easy.
"I will Normal Summon Armageddon Knight," Yuji continued. The familiar knight appeared on the field.
[Armageddon Knight (4*/1400/1200/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]
"I can send a DARK monster from my deck to the graveyard." Yuji dropped the card into the graveyard. "That monster is Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Thus, with its effect, I can return your set card to your hand." The second Lancer's set card was sent back to his hand in a spiral of darkness. "I will then activate the Ritual Spell, Sins Cast into the Burning Abyss. I will tribute the Level 4 Armageddon Knight on the field, and the Level 3 Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss in my deck."
"Another Ritual Summon?"
"I am the way into the city of woe, I am the way into eternal pain, I am the way to go among the lost. Arrive now, the one who bridges the gap. Ritual Summon—Level 7. Charon, Ferry Boatman of the Burning Abyss!"
The skeletal demon in a black suit appeared in front of him, swinging his oar through the air.
[Charon, Ferry Boatman of the Burning Abyss (7*/2400/2600/DARK/Fiend/Ritual/Effect)]
"I will activate Farfa's effect. I can banish a monster on the field until the End Phase. I will choose your Star Kaiju." The bright monster vanished from the field, sucked into a void. "I will then activate Charon's effect. I can revive a "Burning Abyss" monster in Defense Position. I will revive Scarm. However, since I control a non-"Burning Abyss" monster, Scarm automatically destroys itself." The dark demon exploded again. "Now—Charon will attack you directly." He gestured to the Kaiju duelist. Charon began to let out a croaking song, depleting the Lancer's life points.
Lancer 2: 4000 - 2400 = 1600LP
"Gameciel." The kaiju took out its own owner, draining the last of its owner's life points and knocking the boy back onto the ground.
Lancer 2: 1600 - 2200 = 0LP
"I end my turn. Scarm's effect adds a Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from my Deck to my hand."
[Turn 5: Lancer 1] [H:3]
"Draw!" The Lancer looked flustered. "I will send 2 WATER monsters from my hand to the graveyard to Special Summon Mermail Abyssmegalo!" A large red megalodon appeared, wearing golden armour that resembled the spikes of a conch. "I will then use the effect of Mermail Abyssgunde, who I discarded! I'll revive Mermail Abyssleed!" The monster that he had destroyed for Abyssnerei's effect appeared on his field.
[Mermail Abyssleed (7*/2700/1000/WATER/Sea Serpent/Effect)]
[Mermail Abyssmegalo (7*/2400/1900/WATER/Sea Serpent/Effect)]
"Abyssmegalo will add an "Abyss-" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand! Now, Abyssleed will attack your Charon!"
"I will activate Charon's effect," Yuji said. "When he battles a Special Summoned monster, I can pay 500 life points to send both him and the monster he is battling to the graveyard. Death Sermon." Both monsters were removed from the field as Charon played a funeral dirge.
Yuji: 4000 - 500 = 3500LP
"And since Charon was sent to the graveyard, I can add a "Burning Abyss" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand."
"You—" The Lancer gestured to the Kaiju. "Destroy that, Abyssmegalo!"
The large sea creature struck, even as Yuji calmly shielded himself.
Yuji: 3500 - 200 = 3300LP
"I'll end my turn!"
[Turn 6: Yuji] [H:4]
"Draw." Yuji calmly revealed a card in his hand. "Terminus of the Burning Abyss. I can perform a Fusion Summon of a "Burning Abyss" monster. I will fuse Dante on the field with Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss in my hand!" The three monsters turned into dark streaks.
I hate this.
But I will not falter. I cannot falter.
I will fall down the darkest of paths if it means that I can protect her.
"Woe to you, depraved spirits! Hope not ever to see Heaven. I have come to lead you to the other shore; into eternal darkness; into fire and into ice. And thou, who are there alive, depart thee from these who are dead. Fusion Summon! Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss!" The far more fancy-looking version of Dante appeared on the field, holding up his staff.
[Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss (9*/2800/2500/LIGHT/Fairy/Fusion/Effect)]
"Farfa banishes your monster until the End Phase," Yuji said, removing his opponent's final defence again. "Dante adds a "Burning Abyss" card from my graveyard to my hand." He revealed the final card in his hand. "I will Normal Summon Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss."
Perfect.
"Attack directly!"
Both monsters attacked directly. His opponent seemed to be searching for something, but before they could find it, Yuji's monsters flung him back too, ending the duel swiftly.
Lancer 1: 4000 - 2800 - 1200 = 0LP
Winner: Yuji Fujita!
"You…" The boy in the middle of the three opponents Shino was facing frowned. "You're a Duel Soldier?..."
"How come you're all male?" Shino asked, innocently smiling. "Is Reiji Akaba recruiting a boy band or an army?"
[ACTION DUEL!]
Lancer 1: 4000LP
Lancer 2: 4000LP
Lancer 3: 4000LP
Shino Gitsune: 4000LP
[Turn 1: Lancer 1] [H:5]
"What—"
One of the other boys elbowed the one speaking, and that person began his turn. They all still seemed doubtful of Shino's skills though, which… alright, fine, was nice and caring but also condescendingly ableist in a way that Shino hadn't faced in a long time.
"I'll activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I'll fuse Giga-Tech Wolf and Flamvell Guard in my hand! Come on out now, Panzer Dragon!" A silver-gold dragon with glowing, mechanical red eyes appeared. The bottom half of the mechanical dragon was a giant tank. The monster rested down with a lot of clicking noises, staying in Defense Position.
[Panzer Dragon (5*/1000/2600/LIGHT/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]
"I'll end my turn!"
"Ok, ok, my turn!" Shino called, reaching out and drawing a card. "I have a date with a cute girl who uses Spellcasters, so I'm afraid that I'm going to have to clear you all away quickly!" Of course, said girl wasn't aware of this yet, but Shino already had her targets planned out.
[Turn 2: Shino] [H:5]
"You're dating someone in our dimension?" One of the Lancers said, sounding baffled.
"Wow, you're astonishingly literal." Shino shook her head. "Nah, I already have someone I like, and with my standards that high…" She thought about a dark coat, a calm laugh. "Well, let's just say that no one compares. I'll Normal Summon Fallen of Albaz!" A white-haired man in dark armour appeared, a tattered red cape drifting through the air behind him.
[Fallen of Albaz (4*/1800/0/DARK/Dragon/Effect)]
"I'll use the effect of Fallen of Albaz," Shino said, humming. "I'll send a card from my hand to the graveyard, and then perform a Fusion Summon with monsters on the field."
"But you only have one monster on your field!"
"Why, don't you realise?" Shino flicked out a hand, and Fallen of Albaz turned into a dark streak. Meanwhile, Panzer Dragon transformed into a streak of light as well. "Is that enough of an answer for you?"
"You're using my monster to Fusion Summon?"
"It does qualify as a monster on the field, doesn't it?" Shino winked, before she began her summoning chant in a solemn voice. "Red devil dragon born of the purified flames! Now, make the earth tremble with the power of the light and the darkness! Fusion Summon! Level 8! Albion the Branded Dragon!" A large, pure red dragon appeared, letting out a ferocious roar. Its mane resembled flickering flames. There were 'cracks' between its scales that resembled exposed magma.
[Albion the Branded Dragon (8*/2500/2000/DARK/Dragon/Fusion/Effect)]
"And since you fused it, it wasn't destroyed…"
"Oh, I'm not done," Shino said with a chuckle. "I'm not the kind of girl to just Fusion Summon a monster and pass, you know. I'll use the effect of Albion the Branded Dragon. I can banish materials from my hand, field or graveyard, and perform another Fusion Summon. I will banish Dramaturge of Despia and Albion the Shrouded Dragon from my graveyard to perform another Fusion Summon."
"Wait!" One of the Lancers exclaimed. "How is that monster there?"
"I literally discarded a card," Shino said cheerfully, though she was mildly irritated. "Keep your head in the game! Lawful dragon born of the stoic judgement of the land of cruel dogma! With your ruthlessness, reduce this world to ashes. Fusion Summon—Level 8, Titaniklad the Ash Dragon!"
A large, metallic dragon appeared in front of her, with the same flame-like light forming lines beneath the metallic skeleton of its wings.
[Titaniklad the Ash Dragon (8*/2500/2000/DARK/Dragon/Fusion/Effect)]
"Titaniklad's effect," Shino continued. "It gains 100 attack points times the total Levels of its Fusion Materials."
[Titaniklad the Ash Dragon: 2500 + 100 x 16 = 4100ATK]
"Since Dramaturge of Despia was banished for a Fusion Summon, I can Special Summon it to my field," Shino continued, just as confident. The pale white, faceless figure appeared, holding onto a large, spiked staff.
[Dramaturge of Despia (8*/3000/1500/DARK/Fairy/Effect)]
"She can take out two of us in the first turn!" One of her opponents said, sounding intimidated.
"Two?" Shino winked. "Interesting! Would you mind if I went for three, though?"
"H-huh?"
"Spell Card, Branded Fusion!" Shino played the card, and a vortex appeared behind her. "I can only Special Summon Fusion Monsters from the Extra Deck this turn. I can Fusion Summon a monster that requires "Fallen of Albaz" as material from my Extra Deck, using materials in my hand, field or deck."
"Fusion Summoning directly from the deck?"
"I will fuse Ad Libitum of Despia with Fallen of Albaz from my deck!" She took out two cards from her deck, placing them in the graveyard. "You who mock the light and deceive the darkness. With the power that you crave, turn into the beastly demon that melts even the firmest of glaciers! Fusion Summon! Level 8! Lubellion the Searing Dragon!" A large silver dragon with some black scales forming its underbelly appeared. Crimson membranes formed its wings, and flames formed, swirling all around it.
[Lubellion the Searing Dragon (8*/2500/3000/LIGHT/Dragon/Fusion/Effect)]
"I won't use Lubellion's effect. For the final step—I will activate the Spell Card, Branded Bond. I will revive Fallen of Albaz." The white-haired boy reappeared on Shino's field.
She hummed. "And that is sufficient. Lubellion and Albaz attack you, Number 1, Titaniklad attacks you, Number 2, and Albion and Dramaturge will finish you off, Number 3."
Her three dragons (and Dramaturge and Albaz, who were also there, but ruined the coolness of the image slightly) breathed down flames, or in Titaniklad's case, charged straight into the opponent, knocking him back.
Lancer 1: 4000 - 2500 - 1800 = 0LP
Lancer 2: 4000 - 4100 = 0LP
Lancer 3: 4000 - 2500 - 3000 = 0LP
Winner: Shino Gitsune!
Dispirited, Shino sighed. "What is this? Leader of the Lancers, you've messed up your recruiting methods quite a bit…"
It looked like she was right. The normal people in Standard simply couldn't keep up with other dimensions.
In that case, what about those that weren't normal?
… she'd have to card these guys first.
She rolled forward on the wheelchair to where the three boys lay on the ground, groaning.
"I'm sorry," she said, and her overly cheerful tone dropped. "You must be terrified, huh? Maybe I went overboard." She pressed a finger to her lips. "But don't worry. You'll be alright."
After all, I'm not exactly feeding you into the machine.
A flash of light, and then the three boys turned into cards.
I wonder how Yuji-kun's doing?
Yuji looked at the two people on the ground. His fingers were over the carding button.
Why am I hesitating?
… their lives have no value to me. Their existence does not change the quality of my life—and if I card them, I might earn more respect, which will help me with what I want to do. The choice is obvious.
And yet…
"Oh, I see."
A hand patted his shoulder. Shino looked at him, a gentle look on her face. Her usually smugly cheerful tone was absent.
"Shall I do it for you?" She asked. "No strings attached or anything, I won't even reveal anything. I simply don't want to see you kill someone against your own wishes." She glanced away. "… it's not an easy choice to make, after all. And no one will understand the reasons that you have to do this, Yuji-kun. They will look at you with that black and white view of theirs and deem you a villain without understanding you."
"And what's wrong with that?" Yuji said after a moment.
"You don't care what people think of you?" Shino asked innocently.
"Most people are worthless. Caring what they thought of me is what caused me to be in this situation in the first place. If we had simply avoided Asuka and Johan, all of this…" Yuji took a deep breath. "I am not hesitating for their lives… I am hesitating because I only care what she thinks of me. However, I will not be a coward and make you do it for me. That would just make me a bigger hypocrite."
He stepped forward, steeling himself.
The books have people talk about how killing is the worst act. Heroes should never kill anyone, from the pettiest of people to the worst villains.
Even so, I…
I will disobey the books, just this once.
"… at the very least, I will take responsibility for my bad decisions myself."
A flash of light consumed the two people on the ground a moment later.
If I'm going to make bad decisions, I will at least make them with no regrets.
"... if that's what you want," Shino said after a moment. "But I don't have any ill will towards you, Yuji-kun. I hope you're aware of that."
"So I have one ally in the entirety of Academia. Fantastic."
"Two," Shino muttered, though Yuji caught the comment. He had another ally? Who? He didn't even talk to anyone in Academia… "I'll be heading off now, Yuji-kun. I assume you're heading to the Volcano Area. Be careful not to be outnumbered."
"We're going to be outnumbered no matter what, I'm literally one person." Yuji glanced away. "... don't you dare get stuck here. You promised that you would get Chiaki out of there."
"Yes, yes." Shino smirked. "And I always keep my promises."
"Well, your squad got slaughtered," Hitoda said. On another screen, they had watched the last members of Reiji Akaba's current Lancers get defeated by the literal mooks of Academia, before their last member was saved by a boy with the same face as Yuno, but with blue and yellow hair instead. "... I'm assuming that's the intended outcome though. Trial by fire?"
"And the strongest survive," Reiji mused.
"... w-what happened?"
Both Reiji and Hitoda turned to look at Yuto, who was getting up. He reflexively put his arm on the desk to steady himself—before cursing, since he had clearly forgotten that arm was injured.
"Academia invaded," Hitoda said. Yuto's eyes widened, and then he got up, heading towards the door. "Hey, hold on! You're injured!"
"I'm not letting anyone get hurt by Academia," Yuto replied, clearly resolved to continue down his path.
Hitoda stared at him, before she sighed. She stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Well, I can't stop you. Reiji Akaba? Mind if I go with this guy?"
Reiji raised an eyebrow. Didn't we just have a whole conversation about how you are not motivated in the slightest for anything?
"He's just so earnest. I want to see how he does." Hitoda whistled. "And to get a good grip on our enemy's strength."
"Yuno!"
"Hey, Yuya," Yuno said, smiling brightly at the sight of his friend, whose hair was completely messed up. "Taking a nap in the middle of an invasion?"
"You know about the invasion?" Yuya exclaimed.
"It's a long story." Yuno folded his arms. "I'm looking for Miharu. I'll probably head along and continue searching—but I'll let you know about what's been happening first."
Yuzu shuddered as she walked through the Iceberg Area—and it wasn't just from the cold. Something felt very wrong.
She thought that she heard a voice in her head for a moment—her bracelet gleamed.
"So you're finally here, Z_…"
She blinked.
She couldn't afford to zone out.
What was going on?
Then, she was surrounded by three people in helmets. Anxious, she stepped back.
"Hey, hey, back the hell off."
Yuzu looked towards the voice. She flinched—she was getting less surprised every time she saw a person with the same face as Yuya. The boy tilted his head at her—she wondered if he was seeing someone else in her place as well.
"You must be Yuzu Hiiragi," the boy said. He smiled, an innocent and sweet smile. "I'm Yuri. Nice to meet you."
Duel 1 Summary: Yuji Fujita vs Lancer 1 & Lancer 2
Duel Format: Action Duel, Battle Royale
Turn 1: Yuji Fujita
Yuji Normal Summons Tour Guide From the Underworld. (3*/1000/600) With its effect, he Special Summon a Level 3 Fiend from his deck, namely, Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. (3*/1000/1500) Since Graff's effects are negated by Tour Guide, it does not destroy itself. Yuji activates Pre-Preparation of Rites, adding the Ritual Spell, Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss, and the Ritual Monster, Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss (6*/2700/2200) from his Deck to his hand. He activates Good & Evil and tributes Tour Guide and Graff on the field to Ritual Summon Malacoda in Attack Position. He uses Graff's effect to Special Summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (3*/800/2000) from the Deck. He then Special Summons Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (3*/1200/0) from his hand, since he controls no Spell/Traps. He overlays the Level 3 Alich and Scarm to Xyz Summon Dante, Traveller of the Burning Abyss (R3/1000/2500) in Defense Position. He ends his turn.
Turn 2: Lancer 1
He discards a WATER monster to Special Summon Mermail Abyssteus (7*/1700/2400) from his hand. Abyssteus lets him add Mermail Abyssnerei to his hand, and he discards Abyssnerei and destroys Abyssleed in hand to increase Abyssteus's ATK and DEF. (MA: 1700 + 2700 = 4400ATK; 2400 + 1000 = 3400DEF) Abyssteus attacks Malacoda. Yuji discards Farfa for Malacoda's effect. (MA: 4400 - 1000 = 3400ATK; 3400 - 1900 = 1500DEF) With Farfa's effect, he banishes Abyssteus until the End Phase. Lancer 1 ends his turn.
Turn 3: Lancer 2
Lancer 2 tributes Malacoda from Yuji's field to Special Summon Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju (8*/2200/3000) from his hand to Yuji's field. Yuji activates Malacoda's effect, sending Abyssteus from Lancer 1's field to the GY. Lancer 2 then Special Summons Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju (10*/3300/2600) to his own field. Jizukiru attacks and destroys Dante. With Dante's effect, Yuji adds Farfa back to his hand. Lancer 2 sets 1 card facedown and ends his turn. During the End Phase, Yuji activates Scarm's effect in the GY and adds a Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from his Deck to his hand.
Turn 4: Yuji Fujita
Yuji draws. He Normal Summons Armageddon Knight. (4*/1400/1200) He sends Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from the Deck to the GY. With Calcab's effect, he returns Lancer 2's set card to the hand. He activates the Ritual Spell, Sins Cast into the Burning Abyss. He tributes the Level 4 Armageddon Knight on his field and the Level 3 Farfa in his Deck. He Ritual Summons Charon, Ferry Boatman of the Burning Abyss (7*/2400/2600) from his hand in Attack Position. Charon revives Scarm, but Scarm destroys itself since Yuji controls a non-"Burning Abyss" monster. With Farfa's effect, he banishes Jizukiru until the End Phase. Charon and Gameciel attack Lancer 2 directly. [L2: 4000 - 2400 - 2200 = 0LP] He ends his turn. Scarm lets him add a Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from his Deck to his hand.
Turn 5: Lancer 1
Lancer 1 draws. He sends 2 WATER monsters from the hand ot the GY to Special Summon Mermail Abyssmegalo (7*/2400/1900) from his hand in Attack Position. With Abyssmegalo's effect, he adds a "Abyss-" Spell/Trap from his Deck to his hand. With the effect of the discarded Mermail Abyssgunde, Lancer 1 revives Mermail Abyssleed from the GY in Attack Position. Abyssleed attacks Charon. By paying 500LP, Yuji activates Charon's effect, sending both Charon and Abyssleed to the GY. [YF: 4000 - 500 = 3500LP] With Charon's effect, he adds a "Burning Abyss" Spell/Trap from his Deck to his hand. Abyssmegalo destroys Gameciel. [YF: 3500 - 200 = 3300LP]
Turn 6: Yuji Fujita
Yuji draws. He activates Terminus of the Burning Abyss, fusing Scarm and Farfa in his hand with Dante on the field to Fusion Summon Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss. (9*/2800/2500) Farfa banishes Abyssmegalo until the End Phase. Yuji Normal Summons Alich. Alich and Dante attack directly. [L1: 4000 - 2800 - 1200 = 0LP] Yuji wins.
Duel 2 Summary: Shino Gitsune vs Lancers 1, 2 & 3
Duel Format: Action Duel, Battle Royale
Turn 1: Lancer 1
Lancer 1 activates Polymerization, fusing Giga Tech Wolf and Flamvell Guard to Fusion Summon Panzer Dragon (5*/1000/2600) in Defense Position. He sets 1 card and ends his turn.
Turn 2: Shino Gitsune
Shino Normal Summons Fallen of Albaz (4*/1800/0) from her hand. By discarding a card, she fuses Fallen of Albaz with Panzer Dragon, Fusion Summoning Albion the Branded Dragon (8*/2500/2000) in Attack Position. Using Albion the Branded Dragon's effect, she banishes Albion the Shrouded Dragon and Dramaturge of Despia (8*/3000/1500) from the graveyard to Fusion Summon Titaniklad the Ash Dragon (8*/2500/2000) in Attack Position. Titaniklad gains 100ATK times the total Level of its Fusion Materials. (TTAD: 2500 + 100 x 16 = 4100ATK) Since Dramaturge was banished as Fusion Material, Shino Special Summons it back to her field. Shino activates Branded Fusion, fusing Ab Libitum of Despia and Fallen of Albaz in her Deck to Fusion Summon Lubellion the Searing Dragon. (8*/2500/2000) Shino activates Branded Bond, reviving Fallen of Albaz. Fallen of Albaz and Lubellion attack the first Lancer directly, Titaniklad attacks the second directly and Albion and Dramaturge attack the third directly. Shino wins.
OC Cards:
Sins Cast into the Burning Abyss
(Spell/Ritual)
This card can be used to Ritual Summon any DARK Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels exactly equal the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. If your opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, and the monster that you are Ritual Summoning with this card's effect is a "Burning Abyss" monster, you can also Tribute 1 "Burning Abyss" monster in your Deck. During the Main Phase, except the turn that this card was sent to the GY: You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from your GY to your hand.
Charon, Ferry Boatman of the Burning Abyss
(7*/2400/2600/DARK/Fiend/Ritual/Effect)
You can Ritual Summon this card with "Sins Cast into the Burning Abyss". If this card is Ritual Summoned: You can target 1 "Burning Abyss" monster in your GY; Special Summon it in Defense Position. If this card battles a Special Summoned monster, during the start of the Damage Step: You can pay 500LP; Send both this card and the monster it is battling to the GY. If this card is sent to the GY: You can add 1 "Burning Abyss" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand.
End Notes:
We have finally reached the cards that I mentioned ages ago! Yuya's only cards that will take the OCG name (and by extension, other Yu boys, if they end up using certain cards) are the Supreme King Dragon monsters.
Because Serena and Dennis don't duel, the stuff like changing clothes that happens in the Iceberg Area happens in the Volcano Area instead. A small change.
This is a very short and villain-based chapter, as you can tell. This chapter, duel-wise, was done immediately, but everything else made me check out of writing completely. I am very happy to be writing Burning Abyss duels yet again though. Welcome back, everyone's favourite edgy nerd, Yuji! (Who I am very surprised that people like as much as they do, to be honest, though I guess Yuji does fit the typical OC stereotype.) I'm going to be quite happy when I can bring Chiaki's duel style back too.
I also broke the fourth wall slightly when Shino said that a duel with 5 minor characters would take forever to finish—because that was the original intention, until I wrote Chapter 6 and realised that it would be awful. That's the reason why Shino even showed up here—to split the duel in two and make it more manageable. Originally it was going to be Yuji vs five people, and then I realised that would make him too overpowered compared to the rest.
I'll lightly point out that all six of Zarc's incarnations are currently in the Standard Dimension. I stand by what I originally said—there will be no fusions between any of their incarnations in Standard.
I apologise for any issues with grammar/terms, especially if I mess up the names of cards in the Duel Summary—I've found like 6 mistakes and corrected them and I'm still suffering. I edited this chapter at 2am after getting really frustrated with Chapter 18 and deciding to post this early. It's so short that it's not worth the long wait I'm giving all of you.
Sorry, you're still not getting Yuji's dragon yet. I'm doing what Arc-V did with Starving Venom. (Ok, not that extreme. You'll see his dragon in a few chapters.) I'm honestly hyped to introduce it soon. :)
Review responses!
To guest reviewer phantomdragons, I'm glad that you're enjoying the story so much. You made me smile quite a bit when I was reading your reviews, heh. For the guest reviewer asking about OC archetypes, I think there's only one proper OC archetype in the story, but it only shows up once near the end. I'd consider decks like Leo Akaba's and Zarc's to essentially have to be OC archetypes though, seeing how little of their cards were actually shown in the anime. So I'll probably have to make more OC cards for them. To the guest talking about Yuri/Serena, that is the fixed pairing for this fic. To naminexriku2468, I'm assuming that the list is stuff that you don't want to see, in which case, well, I do agree with you on all four of your points. I think that some writers execute it quite well though. I don't mind Serena being kidnapped as long as she's not brainwashed and gets a chance to continue being badass once she's freed.
Shoutout to DSpaceZ, who once again spotted a duel mistake in the last chapter. marcusns. mills asked about all 7 dragons coming out at once, which I assume refers to Zarc + the six Dimension Dragons in this fic. I'll just say that with the inclusion of the Extra Monster Zone/Link Monster Zone, there are six Monster Zones. And that's all I'll say about that.
LHOCIN, thanks for the kind review. Yuri is… certainly trying his best. Unfortunately, on the scale of 'most socially adjusted Yu boy', Yuji and Yuri both rank dead last, and Yuji certainly hasn't forgotten that Yuri kidnapped Chiaki. It will take a long time for them to get along, let alone be friends. I do love rewrites as well—my favourite Yu-Gi-Oh! fanfic is probably Fifth Circuit instead of Fifth Factor, though I do enjoy Diabolic Tracer's fics for their creativity.
Thank you very much for reading and reviewing—it means the world to me. Chapter 18 should come out in a week or so—I just need to take a break from it for a while.