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

by BlaiseCandell

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

27. Otherworldly Might

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! This chapter is the longest so far, I believe. Why? Because while Chapters 24 and 25 suffered from a problem with needing a narrative break, this chapter was supposed to have a narrative break (aka be two chapters) but flowed way better as a single chapter. That's why this chapter took far more time than usual as well—I had to figure out where exactly I should stop. There are three duels in this chapter, and two of the three are pretty complicated by necessity of the decks involved, but I hope you enjoy them regardless! I don't intend to make a chapter this long again for a long, long time. This is also very OC-saturated accidentally, if only because when I was planning the outline, the canon characters happened to mostly be in the next chapter… whoops? *shrugs* Enjoy!

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OP: Guren no Yumiya

(As the choir sings in the background, a swirling light begins to form, switching between multiple different-coloured lights.)

Are you the food?

No, we are the hunters!

(A motorcycle bursts out of the spiral, the background changing to Neo Domino City as the rider rides on. The rider is wearing a helmet, and the shot pans away from them, picturing both the Commons and Tops areas, showing the stark contrast between them, one dark and the other bright.)

Crimson bow and arrow

(wir sind der Jäger!)

(There is a long instrumental at this portion. The background changes to the Friendship Cup stadium in the day, with each of the Lancers showing up one by one to form a complete picture. At the end of the instrumental, before the next verse, the screen fades to bright red.)

Not knowing the name of the trampled flower

The fallen bird yearns for the wind to come

(Sitting in a garden, Aki's hair is blown through the wind. She glances up, seeing a flash of Rin's face, before it's revealed that there's no one there. She drops a rose, seeming somewhat distraught. Behind her, Miharu watches, holding onto a rose of her own and glancing towards the horizon.)

No matter how much you pray, nothing will change

What changes this moment is the determination to fight

(In the Commons, Shinji, Crow and other Commons are discussing something furiously. Sitting outside the orphanage, Yugo and Yuzu are filling out forms to participate in the Friendship Cup as well. Yuzu looks determined, even as she seems bothered by the sight of some violet flowers curling around the orphanage's stairs.)

You pigs that sneer at the resolve to climb over corpses and advance

Have peace as livestock, live in false prosperity, and be as free as starved wolves!

(Nue, Kurosaki, Serena, Yuto, Hitoda and Yuno all show up one by one, summoning their ace monsters, which seem to be flying over a city that is being destroyed—buildings are falling, explosions are everywhere, and as these Lancers run through the Tops, the previously beautiful city looks like ruins.)

The humiliation of entrapment is our cue to counterattack

(Shun raises a hand, determinedly ordering Rise Falcon forward. Dennis, on the other side of the street, orders Trapeze Magician forward as well. The two monsters both fly forward, though they're not flying directly at each other. They touch for a brief second.)

Beyond the castle walls lies a hunter killing his prey

(There is a sharp cut to Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon roaring loudly, breathing a blast of fire, even as its eyes glow and the shadows of five different dragons flash all around it. Its shadow rises up, before surrounding it, causing it to turn bright white.)

With a surging killer impulse scorching his body

He pierces the dusk scarlet with a crimson arrow

(The camera cuts to Yuya, standing in the same position as Odd-Eyes. The pendulum around his neck swings, shadows overpowering the light within it, and Yuya's eyes glow red. A silver and red light pierces the centre of the screen.)

(Long instrumental)

(As this long instrumental plays, Yuno walks through a changing background of Commons, Tops and then, onto the track of the stadium itself. A translucent image of Boundless Sea can be seen behind him for a moment, before it fades. He raises a fist into the air. The screen splits into six, with five other fists raised into the air, clearly from the other Yu Boys. Yuto's is in the Underground, Yugo's is in front of a poster of Jack, Yuya's is towards the sky, Yuri's is towards the Commons and Yuji's is towards the Tops. The camera cuts back to Yuno, who smiles confidently.)

Draw the bow and chase it, don't let the enemy escape

Fire the arrow and corner it, never let the enemy escape

(The camera cuts to Roget watching a few screens with images of the Lancers. He smirks, and he scrolls across a few screens, looking at the Facility, before pulling up a list of Security Officers' names. He turns to a chessboard behind him, taking out a queen, castle, knight and bishop.)

The bowstring pulled until it is about to snap

Endless volleys continued, until the target drops dead

(The four black chess pieces seem to fade into the shape of people who are standing together outside the headquarters. Makoto is flipping a coin, a cigarette between his lips, puffing smoke into the air. Chino is patting a rabbit next to him, with Kaname and Arisu standing in the background, clearly arguing with each other. There is a strange filter over the image of thin white lines—almost like puppet strings—covering the screen.)

What truly kills a prey are not your tools nor your skills at using them

(Cut to Yuji, who is glancing at the cards in his hand—the two people he carded during the Battle Royale. Meanwhile, Chiaki glances at a deck that is on the table, seeming hesitant about it.)

But your own sharp killing intent

(Serena and Yuri come face to face with each other in an alleyway, and even as Yuri grins, Serena aims a punch directly for his face.)

We are the hunter! Passionate as flames!

(Yuya and Yuzu both ride along the track, reaching out towards the crowd, as though to appeal to them, fireworks exploding around them.)

We are the hunter! Cold as ice!

(Yugo summons Clear Wing, who charges through the sky towards Jack. For a moment, he imagines that Rin is on the seat behind him, with Winter Bell's translucent spirit floating around Clear Wing, ice and wind tearing through the sky.)

We are the hunter! Draw yourself into your arrow!

(Yuto raises a fist once again, rallying up a crowd of people who look rather dishevelled, with a determined look in his eyes. Meanwhile, Ruri pushes herself against the locked door that is trapping her, watching birds in the sky.)

We are the hunter! Go forth and pierce through everything!

(Yuno watches five flames die out (violet, white, blue, black and red) and glances away. There is a cut to Miharu, who is standing in the shadow of the Security HQ, her duel disk raised as she calmly reads something on the screen. A lightning bolt strikes through the sky, as the Security building falls in the distance. )

(Long instrumental)

(As the building falls, shadows fly across the sky. Pan down to Reira, who is watching everything with a look of horror in her eyes. She searches around frantically, before she finds Serena, clinging onto her. Serena's bracelet is flashing. Serena looks at it in confusion. Above her, the moon seems to be glowing. Flowers are blooming in the shadows of building as Yuzu races around, looking for Yuya. Her bracelet is blinking too. Across in the park, cherry blossoms are blooming, even though it's winter, with Miharu standing under a tree. Then, there is a sudden burst of wind around a building, and a single autumn leaf floats through, while a bird chirps loudly.)

Attack on the Titans.

The boy from back then will soon take up the sword.

(Cuts back to Yuya, who is looking at his deck in a destroyed version of the City. There are no battles currently going on. He takes a deep breath, before he glances at his deck, which is glowing. He glances up at Jack, who is standing on top of a building, and Roget, who is standing on another.)

He who only laments his powerlessness won't be able to change anything.

The boy from back then will soon take up the black sword.

(Yuya thinks about the other Dragon Boys, before he charges forward at both Roget and Jack, duel disk raised, the shadow of an unknown dragon behind him.)

Hate and rage are a double-edged blade.

Soon, one day, he will bare his fangs against fate.

(Yuto is charging forward as well, only to be pulled back by Sawatari and Kyorin, who both look concerned about him. A bird lands on his shoulder, and he looks at it, calming down.)

Ones that could hope to change anything

(A large blast of hellfire hits the ground, and Yuto glances up to see Yuji facing against Yugo, who is glaring at him.)

Are ones who could bear to abandon anything

(Yuji clenches his fist, Empty Abyss rising up behind him. Yugo shouts at him, and wind sweeps through both of their hair. Raindrops begin falling onto all of them.)

Without bearing any risk at all, how could you hope to attain anything?

(From another building, Yuri and Yuno are looking at each other. Yuno reaches out a hand and Yuri scoffs. Both of them glance down at Yuya for a moment.)

Foolish indecisiveness, nothing more than an illusion.

(Everything on the screen is wiped away. A tournament bracket appears on the screen, though there are no names labelled, and it runs all the way through to the final two, before cracking in half.)

What even now maybe fearless bravery

(A crown falls from the sky. Crow picks it up, glancing to the left, where Jack is looking at him. On the other side, Shinji is gesturing for him to come over. They are standing in between the Commons and the Tops.)

The pawn of liberty, the charge of the assault

(Crow grits his teeth. Before he makes a decision, the screen cuts to Ryo Marufuji striding in. All three of them tense up.)

Victory to the slave that runs!

(Cut to Yugo summoning Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, and riding his dragon through the sky. He raises a fist, staring towards a falling shooting star in the sky.)

The absurdity in life is the beginning of the onslaught

(Antique Gear Chaos Giants get knocked from the sky by the Lancers' monsters. Abyss Actor - Superstar and Mythical Beast Master Cerberus knock down one, with Mion and Sawatari high-fiving. Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei and Familiar-Possessed - Hiita take down another Chaos Giant, with Hitoda and Gongenzaka nodding at each other.)

The stolen lands, the world itself as he desires

(The camera moves outwards, showing the whole City, before showing all six dimensions within orbs, zooming out until they're just tiny dots.)

As unstoppable rage penetrates him,

To the dusk he brings violet skies

(A large dragon of shadow stares at the six worlds. A human made of light floats on the opposite side of it.)

The bow and arrow of hell

(Stars scatter around them, and nothing else moves. The world fades into darkness.)

---

Chapter 27: Otherworldly Might

Throughout her entire life, Serena had always had one wish. She would lie about it over and over again, and pretend that her only wish was to be the strongest, but she knew that it was a lie.

Her wish was to find people that would accept her. Friends or family. She had grown up alone, after all. She had found a best friend, only to be locked up in an ivory tower by a man that she had thought she loved.

Alone again.

And she had been alone until she made her way to Standard, and she had made friends. Maybe even comrades.

One of those comrades was on the ground in pain right now.

Protectively, she positioned herself in front of Kurosaki.

I won't fail you…

I won't fail the one that taught me that I still had a way to become stronger!

I won't fail you! No matter what!

"Let's go, Mackfield!" She shouted. Dennis, who wasn't nearly as fired up as her, still raised his duel disk—after all, it wasn't like they had any other way out of this. Their duel disks linked to their opponents' duel disks.

"Separate fields, separate life points, the usual Battle Royale rules," the dark-haired man declared. He snapped his fingers. "But if a person is targeted for an attack or effect, their partner can respond as though they were the ones targeted for that effect. Understood?"

"Deal!"

"Guess it's me and you then, Serena," Dennis said, winking.

At the same time, all four duelists shouted.

[DUEL!]

Serena Akaba: 4000LP

Dennis Mackfield: 4000LP

Makoto Toyama: 4000LP

Chino Otobashi: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Chino] [H:5]

The woman with dark orange hair fanned out her cards. "I will Normal Summon Naturia Camellia," she said calmly. A beautiful, brilliant red flower with a bright gold centre appeared, pollen drifting through the air. It floated in front of her.

[Naturia Camellia (4*/1400/700/EARTH/Plant/Tuner/Effect)]

"Naturia Camellia's effect," Chino said. "Since I Normal or Special Summoned her, I can send a "Naturia" card from my deck to the graveyard. Next, I will activate the Quickplay Spell Card, Naturia Blessing. I will Special Summon a "Naturia" monster from my hand or graveyard. Return to my field—Naturia Mole Cricket."

A small red and yellow insect appeared, transparent wings fluttering nervously. It had strange handlike appendages, and it floated next to Camellia.

[Naturia Mole Cricket (1*/0/0/EARTH/Insect/Effect)]

"I will use Mole Cricket's effect. During the Main Phase, I can tribute it to Special Summon a "Naturia" monster from my deck. However, with Camellia's effect, I can substitute the cost. Instead of tributing Mole Cricket, I can send the top two cards of my deck to the graveyard." She dropped the top two cards of her deck into the graveyard, before plucking out a card from her deck. "Come—Naturia Butterfly!" A bright pink butterfly with pastel pink wings appeared, fluttering next to Mole Cricket.

[Naturia Butterfly (3*/500/1200/EARTH/Insect/Tuner/Effect)]

"I'll tune the Level 4 Naturia Camellia to the Level 1 Mole Cricket!" The flower dissolved into four rings that floated around the cricket. The cricket turned into light. "Leaves fall. The forest's silent protector walks through the trees. Appear now, sacred guardian of the Naturia Forest! Synchro Summon! Level 5! Naturia Beast!" A green tiger with bark covering most of its body appeared, red eyes glaring at them. Dark stripes could be seen across its large body. It sat down in the Extra Monster Zone.

[Naturia Beast (5*/2200/1700/EARTH/Beast/Synchro/Effect)]

"Mole Cricket's effect. I will Special Summon it from the graveyard in Defense Position, since a "Naturia" Synchro Monster was Special Summoned." The small cricket appeared in Defense Position. "I will set a card and end my turn."

[Turn 2: Serena] [H:5]

"Draw!" Serena pulled up a card from her deck, glaring at their opponents. "I will discard Moonlight Black Sheep from my hand to add Polymerization from my deck to my hand!" She placed down the card immediately. "Spell Card, Polymerization! I can perform a Fusion Summon using monsters in my hand and on my field!"

"Fusion Summon?" Makoto commented. "That wasn't in the video that he showed us…"

"But since it's Spell-based, it's no concern." Chino gestured to Naturia Beast. "If a Spell Card is activated, I can send two cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard to negate that Spell and destroy it." Polymerization was destroyed.

"... negation like this…" Serena grimaced. "Is it once per turn?"

"Do I have to tell you that?" Chino said. She was perfectly placid—as though nothing mattered at all to her.

Serena gritted her teeth. She would just have to trust that the effect activated more than once per turn. "I'll Normal Summon Moonlight White Rabbit!" She declared. The dancer in a white hood appeared, bunny ears flicking through the air.

[Moonlight White Rabbit (2*/800/800/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Effect)]

"And with White Rabbit's effect," Serena declared, "I can revive a "Moonlight" monster! Return—Moonlight Black Sheep!" A green-skinned dancer in a black suit appeared in front of her.

[Moonlight Black Sheep (2*/100/600/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Effect)]

"I will use White Rabbit's effect!" Serena called. "I will return your set card to your hand!" White Rabbit leapt forward, the set card shattering and bouncing back to Chino's hand.

Dennis watched with a frown. Serena's deck was incredibly Spell-dependent. Even if the stubborn indigo-haired girl was pretending that it didn't matter, she had essentially been locked down.

"I will send Moonlight Purple Butterfly from my hand to the graveyard to give White Rabbit 1000 attack points!" Serena declared.

[Moonlight White Rabbit: 800 + 1000 = 1800ATK]

"I will tribute Mole Cricket," Chino replied. "I can Special Summon a "Naturia" monster from my deck."

That was a Quick Effect?

"Come—Naturia Rosewhip." A green sapling with a beautiful red rose blooming from the top of its head appeared, grinning widely. The monster rested in Defense Position.

[Naturia Rosewhip (3*/400/1700/EARTH/Plant/Tuner/Effect)]

Serena gritted her teeth. "That monster's still weak!" She shouted. "Attack Rosewhip, White Rabbit!"

"I will activate Naturia Butterfly's effect," Chino said, sounding rather unphased. "Once per turn, I can send a card from the top of my deck to the graveyard to negate an attack."

Dennis blinked. So her set card hadn't been important at all—her defence was a monster on the field too.

What an awful lockdown strategy.

"I'll set a card facedown," Serena muttered. "Over to you."

Makoto smirked. "Awful, isn't it?" He said. "Can't use your other summoning methods if we won't let you."

[Turn 3: Makoto] [H:5]

"I will activate the Field Spell, Dragon Ravine," Makoto said. Winds swept around them. "I will discard a card from my hand and choose one of two effects. I will choose to send a Dragon monster from my deck to the graveyard." He revealed the card in his hand. "I will Normal Summon Dragunity Dux." A avian man appeared, wearing a black bird mask over the top of his head. He was also wearing white and golden armour, that blended in with the white and black wings at the back of his armour.

[Dragunity Dux (4*/1500/1000/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

"Dux's effect," Makoto continued. "I will equip a Level 3 or lower "Dragunity" Dragon monster from my graveyard to it."

Equip a monster?

"I will equip Dragunity Couse from my graveyard to my monster," Makoto continued. "And Couse can Special Summon itself if it's equipped to a monster." A purple and blue-scaled dragon with a gigantic blade on the top of its head appeared.

[Dragunity Couse (2*/1000/200/WIND/Dragon/Tuner/Effect)]

"Couse can be treated as a Level 4 monster for a Synchro Summon." Makoto reached out, snapping his fingers. "Tuning the Level 4 Couse to the Level 4 Dux! Emerald, shining scales! Glide onto the field now, and let these fallen souls be your fuel! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Dragunity Knight - Barcha!"

A bright green dragon appeared, with a purple underside to its wings. It had a slightly more monstrous look, unlike what its name might imply—more of a dragon than a knight, really.

[Dragunity Knight - Barcha (8*/2000/1200/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

"With Barcha's effect, I will equip any number of Dragon "Dragunity" monsters in the graveyard to it, and it gains 300 attack points for each monster equipped to it! I will equip Dragunity Couse and Dragunity Brandistock!" A pair of differently coloured armour pieces appeared on Barcha, one blue and one light purple.

[Dragunity Knight - Barcha: 2000 + 300 + 300 = 2600ATK]

"Since a monster was Special Summoned from my opponent's Extra Deck," Chino called, "I will revive Mole Cricket." The small insect reappeared on her field. "And I will tribute it. Since my opponent controls a monster with the highest attack points on the field, I can Special Summon two monsters instead of one."

She plucked two cards from her deck. Dennis grimaced.

"Come. Naturia Mantis. Naturia Beans." A cute green praying mantis with big blue eyes appeared, pink flowers at the top of long green stem-like antennae. Next to it was a rather aggressive-looking set of three bright green beans. This one was in Defense Position rather than Attack Position.

[Naturia Mantis (4*/1700/1500/EARTH/Insect/Effect)]

[Naturia Beans (2*/1000/100/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]

"And let's not forget that it's still my turn. The monster equipped with Brandistock can declare two attacks per turn," Makoto said. "Barcha attacks your White Rabbit!" The green dragon charged forward, crushing White Rabbit, who was in Attack Position.

Serena: 4000 - 1800 = 2200LP

"And now, attack—"

"Activating my set card! Moonlight Reincarnation Dance!" Serena called. "I'll add two "Moonlight" monsters from my deck to my hand!"

Makoto smirked. "Attack Black Sheep!" The green dragon charged forward, destroying Serena's other monster and emptying her field. "I'll end my turn."

Dennis grimaced.

I have to try and regain some control over this field…

I have to start with those lockdown monsters.

[Turn 4: Dennis] [H:5]

"It's my turn to perform!" Dennis declared. "I'll set the Scale 4 Performage Plushfire and the Scale—"

His duel disk buzzed.

"While Naturia Rosewhip is face-up on the field," Chino said resolutely, "you cannot activate more than one Spell or Trap per turn."

Dennis paled.

"And I will activate the effect of Naturia Beast," Chino said. "I'll send two cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard." Plushfire exploded in his Pendulum Scale, leaving his field empty. And he had already activated the one Spell he was allowed to activate this turn.

He had forgotten that Pendulum Cards counted as Spells, for a brief moment.

But…

It seemed that there were advantages to being undercover. Namely, that his deck had structured itself more around Xyz rather than Fusion. And thus, he wasn't as locked down as Serena was. He just had to focus on opening up the field for Serena to be able to fight.

"Since Performage Plushfire was destroyed, I can Special Summon a "Performage" monster from my hand or deck. Come from the deck—Performage Ball Balancer!" The clown balancing on top of a large ball appeared, red hat balancing precariously on the top of its round pink head.

[Performage Ball Balancer (4*/S3/1000/1800/EARTH/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

Dennis waited with bated breath for a moment. Chino didn't respond, and he cheered internally. So she couldn't counter Special Summons right now, huh? That was a good sign.

"And since a "Performage" monster was Normal or Special Summoned this turn, I can Special Summon Performage Flimsy Slimmer from my hand!" A clown with a body that looked like a roll of frames for an animated movie appeared—a body made of long and flat, transparent tape, with black edges.

[Performage Flimsy Slimmer (4*/S3/100/1200/EARTH/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

"I'll overlay the Level 4 Flimsy Slimmer and Ball Balancer! Show must go on! Artisan of the air, swing across the stage with grace! Xyz Summon! Appear now! Rank 4! Performage Trapeze Magician!" The magician in the bright pink cape appeared, gliding through the air, its blue hat standing out against the dark walls.

[Performage Trapeze Magician (R4/2500/2000/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

"Xyz Summon," Chino said. "Like that boy in the video we saw…" She gestured to her field, and Mole Cricket revived itself again.

Dennis frowned, but he carried on anyway. "Trapeze Magician's effect! I'll detach an Overlay Unit from him to give him two attacks this turn! Encore Flare!" Trapeze Magician glowed brightly for a moment.

[Performage Trapeze Magician: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1]

"Attack Naturia Beast!" That was his main goal right now—to rid Cbino of her lockdowns and card advantage.

"... if I use Naturia Butterfly's effect here, you can just attack again," Chino muttered. She didn't respond, and Trapeze Magician slammed down its wand on the top of the green tiger's head, destroying it.

Chino: 4000 - 300 = 3700LP

"Trapeze Magician's other attack! I will target Naturia Mole Cricket!"

Not that it mattered…

Sure enough, Chino gestured to the butterfly on her field. "I will send a card from the top of my deck to the graveyard to negate your attack."

Dennis grimaced. Even so…

For a brief moment, their Spells weren't locked off from them.

Even so, with Rosewhip still on the field, Dennis still couldn't use any Spells or Traps, since he had technically already activated one. "I'll set a card and end my turn."

[Turn 5: Chino] [H:4]

"Draw," Chino said. She didn't waste any time—after all, she had five monsters on her field right now. "I will tune the Level 3 Rosewhip to the Level 2 Beans and the Level 1 Mole Cricket. Flowers bloom around the slumbering dragon in the woods. Appear now, noble dragon that safeguards the Naturia Forest. Guide my path. Synchro Summon. Level 6. Naturia Barkion."

A dragon with a grey-green body appeared. Its back and mane seemed to be made of bark and faded bamboo shoots, and it was also rather cute. It sneezed, flowers blooming in front of it, even as it sat down passively in the Extra Monster Zone.

[Naturia Barkion (6*/2500/1800/EARTH/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

"I will activate Mole Cricket. I will revive it." The small cricket reappeared. Serena gnashed her teeth, clearly annoyed by this loop that they were stuck in. That cricket. "I will then tribute it. And since Makoto still controls the strongest monster on the field—"

"You're welcome," Makoto said with a smirk.

"I can Special Summon two more "Naturia" monsters from my deck." Butterfly and Mantis floated away from each other, leaving some space between them for the new monsters to appear. "Naturia Marron. Naturia Horneedle." A large chestnut with big eyes appeared, floating in front of her. Meanwhile, next to her, a bee with a long sting and long green leaf-like wings unfurling.

[Naturia Marron (3*/1200/700/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]

[Naturia Horneedle (4*/1800/100/EARTH/Insect/Effect)]

"I will activate Marron's effect. I will return two "Naturia" monsters from my graveyard to my deck, and I'll draw a card."

Chino glanced across the field. "Naturia Barkion attacks you directly," she said to Serena.

"Hold up!" Dennis called dramatically. "Show must go on! I'll activate my set card, the Counter Trap, Negate Attack!" He winked. "Your monster seems to be the counterpart to the previous one, so I'm guessing that it negates Traps. But a monster effect can never be chained to a Counter Trap!"

"... the effect passes," Chino said, still sounding somewhat bored. "So my attack is negated, and I will end my turn."

She didn't seem too bothered… what did the monsters on her field do, if that was the case?

Serena, however, wasn't as wary as Dennis.

[Turn 6: Serena] [H:4]

"Draw!" She declared. "Now that my Spells aren't cut off, there's nothing stopping me from defeating you!" It was a tacit acknowledgement of the fact that Dennis had helped her. Dennis couldn't help but smile for a moment, though he was somewhat sad about it.

If only you had stayed in Academia… if only I had met you there, on the same side of this war.

"I'll Normal Summon another copy of White Rabbit! And I'll activate its effect to revive Black Sheep!" The dancer reappeared on the field. However, Chino then sent a card from her hand to the graveyard.

"When a monster is Normal Summoned, I can use Mantis's effect," she said. "By sending a "Naturia" monster from my hand to the graveyard, I can destroy that monster."

White Rabbit exploded. Serena grimaced.

"Black Sheep still returns to my field!" The dark dancer appeared. Makoto, however, barked out a laugh.

"Fool," he said.

Chino spoke up at the same time. "Naturia Horneedle's effect," she said. "By tributing a "Naturia" monster I control, like Marron, I can destroy the monster that was just Special Summoned." Black Sheep was sent back to the graveyard.

"... then I'll just break through this barricade that you've created in front of me," Serena vowed. "I will set the Scale 1 Moonlight Wolf in the Pendulum Scale!" A purple-skinned dancer appeared in the middle of a pillar of light, with wild green hair that looked like a wolf's fur and tail. "And with her effect, I can perform a Fusion Summon by banishing monsters from my graveyard! I will fuse Moonlight White Rabbit and Moonlight Black Sheep!"

She closed her eyes.

This was one of her other Fusion Monsters—the monsters that she had neglected for the sake of a more direct playstyle with Cat Dancer, Panther Dancer and Lio Dancer. She had thought that she was infallible if she just clung to that strength.

But there was more strength that she herself hadn't been using either.

"The lively white rabbit illuminated by the moonlight! The beast lurking in jet-black darkness! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Beautiful beast that leaps towards the future! Moonlight Rabbit Dancer!"

In front of her, a dancer wearing the same white hood as White Rabbit appeared—she was taller, of course, and she had the same ribbons trailing around her that Cat Dancer did. There was something more calm to her, however—unlike the other dancers, who had seemed ready for battle, Rabbit Dancer was more tranquil, twirling around in blue and green skirts.

[Moonlight Rabbit Dancer (5*/2000/1000/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect)

"I will tribute Mantis to destroy your monster," Chino said. "Mole Cricket revives itself."

"Your monster doesn't negate the Special Summon, and thus, my monster's effects apply," Serena said. "Rabbit Dancer cannot be destroyed by card effects if it was Fusion Summoned." The dancer swatted away Horneedle, stopping itself from being destroyed. "You've stopped me from defeating you completely this turn, but I will still ensure that Mackfield has his next turn! Lend me your power!" She glanced at Dennis, who nodded.

"I will detach Trapeze Magician's other Overlay Unit, targeting Rabbit Dancer!" He called. "Encore Flare!" Trapeze Magician floated over to Rabbit Dancer's side, offering his hand to her. Rabbit Dancer took it, and the two of them danced for a short while, before taking a bow.

[Performage Trapeze Magician: OU:1 - 1 = OU:0]

"And Rabbit Dancer will attack you directly!" She declared, pointing to Makoto, who raised an eyebrow.

"Me?"

"Rabbit Dancer can attack directly, but the damage she inflicts is halved!" The pale dancer kicked Makoto in the chest, shoving him back.

Makoto: 4000 - 2000 / 2 = 3000LP

"I will then use Rabbit Dancer's other effect! Since she inflicted damage to you by a direct attack, I can send a monster you control with higher attack points than her to the graveyard! Backstage Kickoff!" Rabbit Dancer seemed to vanish, before she appeared behind Barcha, flipping the dragon over and destroying it.

Serena wasn't satisfied with wiping just one monster off the field though.

"Attack her directly with your second attack!" Rabbit Dancer jumped forward, kicking Chino as well.

Chino: 3700 - 2000 / 2 = 2700LP

"And I'll send Horneedle to the graveyard!" Serena continued. The small bee vanished. "So now, you can't negate our Special Summons!"

"... you seem to have forgotten something crucial," Chino said. Serena blinked in confusion. "Do you end your Battle Phase?"

"Yes…?"

"I will activate Naturia Mole Cricket's effect," Chino said, snapping her fingers. "Come from the deck, Naturia Horneedle. Naturia Camellia." The same red flower from the first turn appeared, with the bee zipping around next to it. "Camellia's effect. I will send a "Naturia" monster from my deck to the graveyard."

Serena grimaced.

"Hey!" She glanced over at Dennis. "Look, she'd have done that anyway. As far as I'm concerned, you did the best that you could."

Yes, but she wanted her best to be enough…

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

"About time," Makoto said, drawing a card. "You two are pretty resilient. But if Chino alone is locking you down this much, I barely need to do anything at this point."

[Turn 7: Makoto] [H:3]

"I will use Dragon Ravine's effect to discard a card and add a Level 4 or lower "Dragunity" monster from my deck to my hand," Makoto said after a moment. "Since only my opponents control a monster, I will activate Dragunity Whirlwind. I can Special Summon a "Dragunity" Tuner and a "Dragunity" Winged Beast monster from my deck, but their effects are negated. Come—Dragunity Miltium! Dragunity Phalanx!" A white-haired bird warrior with a green avian-themed helmet appeared, white and green wings starkly standing out. Next to him, a dark blue dragon with hard metal around its body appeared as well, letting out a growl.

[Dragunity Miltium (4*/1700/1200/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

[Dragunity Phalanx (2*/500/1100/WIND/Dragon/Tuner/Effect)]

"Then, I can immediately perform a Synchro Summon with them, since you control a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. I will tune the Level 2 Phalanx to the Level 4 Miltium! Dark dragon appearing from the bloody world of war! Pierce everything with your cruel spear and leave nothing behind to rot! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Dragunity Knight - Gae Dearg!"

A black scaled dragon appeared on the field, red armour plating along its scales and culminating in an almost skeletal mask on its head, its wings sharp like a vampire bat's. A warrior in dark armour was on its back as well, staring down with a fierce glare.

[Dragunity Knight - Gae Dearg (6*/2400/800/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

"Gae Dearg's effect," Makoto said. "I'll add a Level 4 or lower Dragon or Winged Beast monster from my deck to my hand, and then I can discard a Dragon or Winged Beast monster." He cycled out a card in his hand. "I will activate the Continuous Spell, Dragunity Draft. I can add Dragunity Couse from my graveyard to my hand and Normal Summon it." The blue and purple dragon appeared in front of him. "I will treat Couse as a Level 4 monster and tune it to the Level 6 Gae Dearg! Fire, form the explosive star that floats over the chasm of the world beyond us! Be seen by the ice and the wind and bury the world in your light! Synchro Summon! Level 10! Dragunity Knight - Ascalon!"

A large orange dragon appeared, light radiating off its scales as it glowed brightly, letting out a loud roar that shook the entire field. Gold wings spread out, like shards of sunlight in the dark corridor.

[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon (10*/3300/3200/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

As Dennis and Serena stared at the large dragon with surprise—a Level 10 Synchro Summon?—Chino cleared her throat. "I'll revive Mole Cricket," she said quietly.

"Once per turn, I can use Ascalon's effect," Makoto said. "There's a reason that this card's my strongest monster. I can banish a "Dragunity" monster from my graveyard, and I'll target and banish a monster my opponent controls. I'll banish Dux from my graveyard and banish Performage Trapeze Magician from the field! Ascending Sunblaze!" Trapeze Magician vanished from the field with an agonised shriek, sunlight swallowing him. Dennis felt a real sense of heat coming off the flames—was that Real Solid Vision? How?

"And the Equip Spell, Dragunity Divine Lance. I will give Ascalon 100 attack points times its Level."

[Dragunity Knight - Ascalon: 3300 + 100 x 10 = 4300ATK]

"And during my Main Phase, I can equip a Dragon "Dragunity" Tuner monster from my deck to Ascalon. I will equip Dragunity Brandistock."

Brandistock—

Makoto grinned.

"The monster equipped with Dragunity Brandistock can declare two attacks per turn," he said. "First attack. Take out that redhead!"

Dennis took a step back. "I will activate—"

Makoto snapped his fingers, still smiling menacingly. "I knew there was something I was forgetting," he said. "Dragunity Draft's secondary effect. If a Level 5 or higher "Dragunity" monster battles, it is unaffected by your card effects until the End Phase."

"It's not an effect that affects your monster specifically, so it still works," Dennis said. "Since you're declaring a direct attack, I can Special Summon Performage Ball Balancer from my graveyard!" The clown on a large circus ball appeared.

"Of course I know," Makoto replied, snapping his fingers.

Chino cleared her throat. "Don't forget about me," she said. "I will activate Horneedle's effect to destroy the monster that was Special Summoned. I will use Camellia's effect to substitute the cost and send two cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard." Ball Balancer exploded.

Makoto nodded to her. "Replay," he said. "He's given us a run around, Ascalon, so don't be afraid to knock him around a bit. Cremation Veneration!" Golden flames shot forth, blasting Dennis back.

Dennis: 4000 - 4300 = 0LP

"Dennis!" Serena shouted, actually rather concerned.

"Worry about yourself first," Makoto replied. "Attack Rabbit Dancer, Ascalon!"

Serena was thrown back as well, her life points drained.

Serena: 2200 - 2300 = 0LP

Winner: Chino Otobashi and Makoto Toyama!

Kurosaki reached out a hand, despite how he was still suffering from the strong effects of an electric shock. Clearly, he wanted to protect Serena from whatever was going to happen.

Makoto lifted the cigarette to his lips, letting out a puff of smoke. "Let's get them out to the truck," he said after a moment. "Do you reckon that Kaname and Arisu are having the same luck as us?"

"... your method of tracking was 'let's stop by the circuit so that I can gamble before we go'," Chino pointed out. "Arisu's very good at searching for people. She'll have them tracked down easily."

Makoto nodded. Then, he glanced at Kurosaki. "That guy's still conscious. I'm surprised—isn't the taser supposed to knock a person out immediately?"

"It is, but we all know that it depends on a person's physical resilience." For a moment, Chino's gaze showed traces of compassion as she looked at Kurosaki. "... he is an invader, but he must have suffered too."

Makoto clicked his tongue. "It doesn't matter what he's gone through. If he's our opponent, he's still going down. It's not like we can deny our majestic leader." He waved a hand. "Let's hurry up and go."

---

Meanwhile, another group of Lancers was having far better luck than them. Yuto, Yuya, Kyorin and Sawatari, who had been dropped off at someone's house, had been invited in by the orange-haired man who seemed to be one of the leaders of the group. He had asked about them, and Yuto had answered very honestly, despite Yuya being worried about how unbelievable their tale was.

However, their host, who had introduced himself as Crow, seemed to believe it.

"So you're from another world?"

Yuya had no clue how Yuto had managed to make the idea of them being from another world sound so reasonable—if he wasn't here, it might have been much harder to convince the people that they had met about the truth. As it stood, Crow looked baffled, but he seemed to be buying what they were saying, at the very least. Sawatari nodded enthusiastically.

"We sure are!" He said. "Thanks for rescuing us—we were sure in a pickle back there!"

Crow blinked, and then he chuckled. The orange-haired man gestured to the couch. "Well, we don't have much here, but if you're from another dimension, you definitely have less than us. Feel free to stay here while you do… whatever you're here to do."

"You're being surprisingly nice to people that you don't know," Kyorin said shyly.

Crow shrugged. "Well, I'm relatively well off compared to most other Commons…" He smirked. "And besides, the two of you have familiar faces. They remind me of someone I met once."

Yuto and Yuya glanced at each other, before Yuto looked back. "... Yugo?"

"Oh? You've met him? Must be an odd experience…" Crow nodded. "Yeah. Tanner and Amanda—uh, those are two of the kids that I took in, they aren't here now though—bumped into him when someone stole from them, and he helped them to get the stuff back from the thief." He chuckled. "I met him a while after that—he was just this overly excited boy dreaming about building a D-Wheel from scratch, and he was determined to do it too—every week, I would see him digging in the trash for scrap parts that he could try to put together. I gave him a few tips. He reminded me of myself as a kid." He waved a hand. "He's a good kid. If you know him, should I try to get you in contact with him?"

"That sounds good. Thanks, Crow."

"It's no bother. Help yourselves—I'm going to check on the kids." Crow headed out, and feeling relieved, Yuya collapsed on the couch.

Yuto raised his hand, shaking it for a moment. Yuya frowned, leaning over and glancing at his wrist.

"Did you hurt yourself while we were running here?" He asked in concern. Yuto shook his head.

"The wrist brace is fine," he said reassuringly. After all, Reiji Akaba had made a duel disk that would work with his current injury—he could wear his duel disk on his right arm without affecting his injured wrist, and he only needed minimal movements to duel, which certainly helped a lot. "I'm not injured… I was just considering what we might have to do to find the others."

"If you're sure you're alright," Kyorin said, also looking concerned. Sawatari leaned over the couch.

Yuto smiled. So did Yuya.

In this moment, it truly felt like they were comrades. If there were a few people that were more confrontational here, then perhaps they would have gotten into an argument. However, they had narrowly avoided that.

And as such, they would remain safe for a while longer.

---

Across the Commons slums, the trio of Lancers—Yuno, Mion and Reira—had been far less lucky, and yet far more lucky at the same time. They hadn't bumped into any Security Officers, but they hadn't bumped into any helpful Commons either—they were just carefully making their way around the Commons.

And so, walking around the Commons—

"My apologies—stop right there."

Yuno and Mion both froze up. Mion immediately took a defensive position in front of Reira as a young woman with purple hair stepped in front of them, blocking off the street.

Mion immediately turned around, ready to run in the opposite direction—after all, they knew nothing about this dimension, or what might be a threat to them. Yuno was about to follow them, but—

All of a sudden, he felt a sharp killing intent focused on himself. He reached out a hand, grabbing Mion's shoulder and pulling her back—just as a duel disk slashed through the air in front of them. They both flinched back—Reira let out a loud squeak. In front of them, there was suddenly a white-haired figure, blocking off their exit path.

"You know, they say that those with guilty consciences are the ones that run without saying anything," the purple-haired woman called from behind them.

"Who says that?" Mion replied tensely.

"... well, no one, but I was trying to sound more dramatic." The woman folded her arms. "You're not the one with the black or red hair. But you all look the same as him… it's like that day at the orphanage again…"

Black or red hair… the people in this dimension had encountered Yuya and Yuto then?

"Look the same… you know Yugo?" Yuno guessed. To his surprise, the sentence seemed to turn both women further against them. The purple-haired woman seemed slightly more defensive—there was something protective in her eyes, and with that protectiveness, she seemed to be turned against them. Meanwhile, despite her lack of presence, the impassive, silent ghost of a woman behind them seemed to let off a stronger sense of killing intent.

"Yugo said that he went to other worlds. I thought that it was a joke, but… in that case, you're actually invaders from another world then. That explains the fact that you showed up out of nowhere" The purple-haired woman sighed. "What trouble…"

"We're not!" Yuno tried to argue. "We're here to try to seek an alliance. I met Yugo—if you ask him, he can vouch for me—"

And that seemed to make both women far more hostile, once again.

"My younger brother is very smart in terms of his technological and dueling knowledge," the purple-haired woman said—earning a surprised sound from both Mion and Yuno. Reira was just trying to hide behind them. "But he's often very easy to trick or lie to, because he believes in the best in other people. So you'll forgive me for not taking 'Yugo trusts you' as the best reassurance, because that makes it sound like you're using him."

She took a deep breath.

"... sorry. I guess that it could be the case that you're good. But in either case, you've been deemed a suspicious threat by Security." She reached out a hand. "Surrender, come with us peacefully, and I promise on my position in Security that we'll question you fairly."

Yuno didn't even think twice. He and Mion spoke up at the same time, and their answer was the same. "No."

Arisu seemed surprised.

"We have people that we need to find," Yuno said. "I trust in your good intentions, but I need to find them and make sure that they're safe." Miharu, Yuya, Hitoda… "So I can't go with you."

And if they went with them, then Reira might be separated from his brother for even longer…

"Very well," the officer said. "Then we'll let the duel decide if, as always." She nodded to the woman behind them. "Kaname, who would you rather—"

"Reira stays out of this," Mion said determinedly. "He's just a child."

"… true." The woman nodded. "I don't like children being involved in politics, or treated like they have to carry the weight of their own existence… though I think it might be crueller to leave him out here all on his own, without anyone to take care of him. Kaname? Which opponent—"

The pale figure raised a hand, pointing to Mion.

"Guess that it's been decided," Yuno's newly decided opponent said with a shrug. "You're with me then, orange hair." Yuno looked somewhat uncertain—clearly, he would prefer for them to fight together, but they didn't exactly make the rules here.

"… Reira," Mion said. "Stay with him." She gently gestured for Reira to stay by Yuno's side, before she turned and walked forward to face her opponent, providing some space for both duels.

After all…

"I'm Mion Myojin," she said. "And you?"

The woman's fingers swiftly typed across a keyboard. "Kaname Mizuchi," a robotic voice said, coming from her duel disk.

… this is the more dangerous opponent.

---

Yuno faced off against the woman.

"Do I get the name of my opponent?"

"Yuno Sugisaki," Yuno said, because he was still somewhat polite.

"Yuno, huh? Even your names are similar… I'm Elite Officer Arisu Kirijo." Arisu tilted her head. "Let's go."

[DUEL!]

Yuno Sugisaki: 4000LP

Arisu Kirijo: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Arisu] [H:5]

Both Arisu and Yuno drew the top five cards of their decks.

"I will Normal Summon Crystron Thystvern," Arisu said immediately. A purple, bestial creature with bright crystals for wings appeared.

[Crystron Thystvern (3*/1500/1500/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

"I will use Thystvern's effect. I will destroy Thystvern itself and Special Summon a "Crystron" Tuner Monster from my deck." Thystvern explodes into bright amethyst crystals. "I'll Special Summon Crystron Citree." A cute feminine humanoid made of black metal and yellow crystals appeared, floating where Thystvern had been.

[Crystron Citree (2*/500/500/WATER/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"I'll set a card facedown," Arisu said. "Over to you."

Just a single Tuner and passing? That was odd…

Still though, Yuno would take her down.

[Turn 2: Yuno] [H:6]

"Draw," Yuno said. "I'll Normal Summon Marincess Blue Tang!" The girl with dark blue hair and a frilly white skirt appeared.

[Marincess Blue Tang (4*/1500/1200/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"Oh? You use WATER monsters too?"

"Yes." Yuno said. "I'll use Blue Tang's effect. I'll send a "Marincess" card from my deck to the graveyard. And then, I'll open the circuit of the limitless ocean! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are a Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster! I will set Marincess Blue Tang in the Link Markers! Shine, beautiful water creature that dwells in the depths! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Blue Slug!" He brought out Blue Slug immediately, and Arisu peered at them with slight confusion.

[Marincess Blue Slug (L1/1500/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↓)]

"Link Summon…"

"It's a summoning method from my homeland," Yuno explained.

"So each of those summoning methods is from a different world?"

"Yes. We Lancers were from all five of the other worlds. Fusion, Ritual, Xyz, Link and Standard." Yuno smiled. "We came together to try to protect every world." He gestured to his field. "Blue Tang's effect. I'll excavate the top three cards of my deck and add a "Marincess" card from my deck to my hand. I'll then use Blue Slug's effect to add Blue Tang from my graveyard back to my hand." He smiled widely. "I'll Special Summon Marincess Sea Horse from my hand to Blue Slug's Link Marker!"

[Marincess Sea Horse (3*/1400/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"I'll then open my circuit again! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are one Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster. I will set Marincess Sea Horse in the Link Markers! Beautiful angel floating through the ocean, ascend now! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Sea Angel!" The pale, white-haired girl appeared.

[Marincess Sea Angel (L1/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←)]

"Sea Angel will let me add the Field Spell, Marincess Battle Ocean to my hand!"

"Interesting. All of your cards seem to grant you another card once you play them." Arisu folded her arms. "... a remarkably consistent deck."

"... thanks? I'll activate Marincess Battle Ocean!" Yuno nodded to both of his monsters. "I will open the circuit of the limitless ocean again! The conditions are two WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Sea Angel and Marincess Blue Slug in the Link Markers! Appear now, colourful idol of the reef! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Marincess Coral Anemone!" The orange-haired Link Monster appeared in his Extra Monster Zone.

[Marincess Coral Anemone (L2/2000/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←, ↓)]

"Coral Anemone's effect. I will revive Marincess Blue Slug to her Link Marker. And I won't waste your time—I will open the circuit for the last time this turn! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are at least two WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Coral Anemone and Marincess Blue Slug in the Link Markers! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Lovely sea idol arriving for the finale of the performance! Marincess Marbled Rock!" He summoned his stronger Link 3 monster to the Extra Monster Zone.

[Marincess Marbled Rock (L3/2500/WATER/Cyberse/Link/←, ↓, →)]

"I will use Battle Ocean's effect! I will equip Sea Angel, Blue Slug and Coral Anemone to her, and give her 600 attack points for each, plus an additional 200 since she's a "Marincess" monster!"

[Marincess Marbled Rock: 2500 + 600 x 3 + 200 = 4500ATK]

"Then, Coral Anemone's effect activates. I can add a "Marincess" card from my graveyard to my hand. I will add Marincess Sea Horse from my graveyard to my hand." He swiped up another card from his graveyard. Arisu gave him the side-eye. Hmm. Maybe she had a point about his deck being obsessed with adding cards to his hand.

"I have a question," Arisu said. "Your monsters. They have no defense points…"

"Link Monsters can only exist in Attack Position," Yuno said. "They cannot be changed to Defense Position, if that's what you're wondering about."

"What a different summoning mechanic…" Arisu shook her head. "Thanks for clearing that up. So, are you attacking?"

"Marincess Marbled Rock attacks your Citree!" Obviously, Yuno didn't actually think that he would win that easily—this woman's presence was far too strong for that. True to his thoughts, Arisu gestured to her field.

"Citree's effect," she said. "I'll Special Summon Thystvern from my graveyard and immediately Synchro Summon a Machine Synchro Monster by banishing Citree and Thystvern." The two monsters dissolved into a stream of glittering crystal. "I was going to bring out a different monster, but… I guess if you've brought out something that can't be manipulated in my usual ways, I'll have to get creative. Mechanical justice, be formed from the water born in the crystalline mountains and strike down our foes! Synchro Summon! Level 5! Ally of Justice Catastor!"

A strange white and golden robot appeared, appearing almost like some kind of insect that was scuttling across the ground on long, too-thin metal legs. There was a red gem in the middle of its body, glowing brightly, and it slowly steadied itself, though the sound of its legs scraping against the ground was still rather disturbing to the ears.

[Ally of Justice Catastor (5*/2200/1200/DARK/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

The monster was just… sitting there in Attack Position.

Yuno glanced at Arisu, who looked completely calm, even though her monster was weaker.

(Also, Catastor? Wasn't that the name of one of Kyorin's Ritual Monsters? It was an interesting coincidence.)

"I will take the replay and have Marbled Rock attack your monster. And I'll activate the Trap Card, Marincess Wave from my hand since I control a Link 3 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster," he said, choosing to play it safe. "I will negate your monster's effects, and until the end of the turn, Marbled Rock is unaffected by your card effects."

Arisu cracked a smile. "Interesting," she said. "That's a rather powerful deck." Catastor was destroyed, though she didn't lift a finger to try to counter the effect.

Arisu: 4000 - 2300 = 1700LP

"I'll end my turn," Yuno said. Then, he paused. He could've added Wave back to his hand with Marbled Rock's effect, but it seemed that he was somewhat shaken—he hadn't even thought of it. He needed to get it back next turn—it was his most powerful Trap, after all.

Even so…

Arisu immediately drew a card.

[Turn 3: Arisu] [H:4]

"I will activate my set card, Crystron Impact," Arisu declared, revealing the Trap. "I'll Special Summon a banished "Crystron" monster, like Citree." The cute feminine monster appeared on her field. "Usually, it would also change the defense points of all monsters you control to 0, but unfortunately, it seems that your deck is a hard counter to my normal strategies. I'll have to get creative." She placed down another card. "I will activate the Spell Card, Heavy Storm. All Spells and Traps on the field are destroyed—and that includes all of the cards that you have equipped to your monster." All of Yuno's backrow cards were swept away—and so was Battle Ocean.

[Marincess Marbled Rock: 4500 → 2500ATK]

"Thought so. The boost isn't permanent."

"You got it," Yuno said, still finding some humour in the situation.

Arisu chuckled. "You're amusing," she said. "Just as invested in the duel as Yugo, but a bit calmer…" She placed down another card. "I'll discard a "Crystron" card and Special Summon Crystron Sulfefnir from my hand." A yellow beast surrounded by green crystals appeared, letting out a soft growl.

[Crystron Sulfefnir (5*/2000/1500/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

"And then, I must destroy a card I control. I will choose Sulfefnir himself." Sulfefnir exploded. "I will use Sulfefnir's effect to Special Summon a "Crystron" monster from my deck. I will Special Summon Crystron Thystvern." Another copy of the purple beast appeared on her field. "And I'll tune the Level 2 Citree to the Level 3 Thystvern. Green crystal! Dissolve into the sands of time and be reborn with a new spark! Now, clash with our foes and strike down anyone in our path! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 5, Crystron Borahydra!"

The beautiful dark blue-green hydra appeared in front of her.

[Crystron Borahydra (5*/1500/2500/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"I really would like to use Ametrix more," Arisu said wistfully. "But recently, I've met too many opponents that use monsters that can't be countered with her. I will use Borahydra's effect. I can destroy a Machine monster on the field and Special Summon it to my field in Attack Position." She snapped her fingers. "Borahydra itself. Boracite Crash!"

The hydra bit at its own neck, destroying itself in a rather savage manner, before another head regrew.

"And when a Synchro Summoned Borahydra is destroyed, I can target a monster in either player's graveyard with attack points equal to or lower than Borahydra's defense points, and I will Special Summon it to my field in Attack Position. Come, Ally of Justice Catastor!" The machine was revived to her field. "And Borahydra gains 200 attack and defense points for each "Crystron" monster that is banished or in the graveyard."

[Crystron Borahydra: 1500 + 200 x 5 = 2500ATK; 2500 + 200 x 5 = 3500DEF]

"I will banish Thystvern from my graveyard to add a "Crystron" monster from my deck to my hand." Arisu gestured forward. "Ally of Justice Catastor will attack your Marbled Rock!"

"I will discard a "Marincess" card from my hand!" Yuno declared. "For this battle, neither monster can be destroyed by battle, and I take no battle damage!"

"You're assuming that Catastor's effect lets it gain attack points," Arisu said. She cracked a smile. "I am sorry for you, if that's the case. Catastor's effect. If it battles a monster that isn't a DARK monster, that monster is automatically destroyed at the start of the Damage Step."

Oh—

"I will activate the Trap Card, Marincess Circulation from my hand!" Yuno called. "I'll return Marbled Rock to the Extra Deck and Special Summon a "Marincess" Link Monster with the same Link Rating as her from the Extra Deck!" Marbled Rock dissolved into bubbles. "Beautiful aqua blue beneath the sea! With the cooling aura of the coral reef, submerge this world beneath the waves! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Marincess Coral Triangle!" The graceful green-haired woman appeared in front of him.

[Marincess Coral Triangle (L3/1500/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↙, ↑, ↘)]

"And since I chained that to the activation of your effect during the Damage Step, you don't get a second attack."

"True." Arisu pointed to Coral Triangle. "Destroy it, Crystron Borahydra." The hydra roared, sending out a gigantic beam. However, Coral Triangle wasn't destroyed, even as Yuno took damage.

Yuno: 4000 - 2000 = 2000LP

Arisu frowned. "Why isn't your monster destroyed?"

"The monster summoned by Circulation can't be destroyed by battle this turn," Yuno explained.

Arisu chuckled. "Well, it doesn't matter. Borahydra can make an attack for every Machine monster that's on the field at the start of the Battle Phase. Attack his monster again, Borahydra!"

If he took this attack—

"I will send a "Marincess" monster from my hand to the graveyard to Special Summon Marincess Crown Tail from my hand!" A woman with a red skirt appeared, fin-like ribbons on her ears and shoulders. "And the damage that I take from this battle is halved!"

[Marincess Crown Tail (5*/600/2300/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

He shielded himself, even as the second attack hit.

Yuno: 2000 - 2000 / 2 = 1000LP

"So you survived?" Arisu chuckled. "I'll set a card facedown. Over to you."

[Turn 4: Yuno] [H:3]

"Draw," Yuno said. "I'll send a WATER monster from my hand to the graveyard to add a "Marincess" Trap from my deck to my hand with Coral Triangle's effect." He gestured to the graveyard. "I will use the effect of Marincess Mandarin. I will revive her to Coral Triangle's bottom-left Link Marker." The orange-themed girl appeared, with coral pink hair.

[Marincess Mandarin (1*/100/100/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"I will open the circuit of the limitless ocean!" Yuno declared. He would have to bring out his ace—and for once, he wasn't dueling someone who he couldn't use that effect against. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are three monsters with different names, including a Link Monster! I will set Marincess Coral Triangle, Marincess Mandarin and Marincess Crown Tail in the Link Markers! Cybernetic dragon that crosses into reality! Now, infuse yourself with the ocean waves that crash against the shore, and pull the world into your magnetic field! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Magnetic Current Link Dragon!"

Yuno's favourite monster appeared, purple and blue scales seeming to gleam with the water that was covering its body. Droplets of water sprinkled through the air.

[Magnetic Current Link Dragon (L3/2500/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↓, →)]

"I will activate Magnetic Current Link Dragon's effect," Yuno said. "I will negate the effects of a Level 5 or higher monster on the field, take control of it and then grant you life points equal to its original attack points—and I get to keep that monster until your next End Phase! I will choose Borahydra. Magnetism Drive!" Electric wires grabbed onto the hydra, which roared, before it was dragged over to his side of the field.

Arisu: 1700 + 1500 = 3200LP

"Interesting," Arisu said. "But you can't destroy Catastor with it."

"True. Your Catastor is too powerful against my deck." Yuno closed his eyes. "But that's fine. I wanted your Borahydra because it was a WATER monster. I will activate the Spell Card, Marincess Dive. Since I don't control Battle Ocean, its effect only allows me to Special Summon a "Marincess" non-Link monster from my graveyard. Return now—Marincess Blue Tang!" The girl with dark blue hair reappeared. "I will use Blue Tang's effect to send a "Marincess" monster from my deck to the graveyard. And then, I will open the circuit once again!"

"Your Link Summon seems to be far more generic than our Synchros," Arisu said. She seemed rather interested in what he was doing.

"I guess it kind of is? We don't have to look at the Levels of our monsters, after all." Yuno reached out. "Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two WATER monsters. I will set Marincess Blue Tang and Crystron Borahydra in the Link Markers! Float through the water, away from the dangerous predators that seek our trail! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Marincess Sea Butterfly!" The purple, spirit-like woman appeared, carefully bowing as water swirled around her.

[Marincess Sea Butterfly (L2/1800/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↑, →)]

"Since I Link Summoned Sea Butterfly while I control no monsters other than WATER monsters, I can Special Summon a Link 1 "Marincess" Link Monster from my Extra Deck. Cloying Wave! Come—Marincess Sea Angel!" He had another copy of Sea Angel now—Reiji had helpfully assisted in giving him some more consistency for his deck by giving him another copy of his Link Monsters. "And with Blue Tang's effect, I will excavate the top three cards of my deck and add a "Marincess" card to my hand." He gestured to Sea Angel. "With Sea Angel's effect, I will add another copy of Marincess Battle Ocean to my hand and activate it. And all my "Marincess" monsters gain 200 attack points!"

[Marincess Sea Angel: 1000 + 200 = 1200ATK]

[Marincess Sea Butterfly: 1800 + 200 = 2000ATK]

"And now, Magnetic Current will attack your monster!"

"Catastor's effect activates," Arisu said. She looked rather curious.

"While I control Marincess Sea Butterfly, co-linked WATER monsters I control can't be destroyed by card effects!" Sea Butterfly tugged at the veil-like fabrics around her, a slightly smug look on her face.

"... co-linked?"

"If two Link Monsters have Link Arrows that point to each other, they are co-linked," Yuno explained. "Magnetic Current and Sea Butterfly have a top-down co-link, and Sea Butterfly and Sea Angel have a left-right co-link. You can't destroy any of them with card effects! Do it, Magnetic Current! Circuit Breaker!" The electrified water destroyed the machine, short-circuiting it. Arisu sighed, her life points falling slightly.

Arisu: 3200 - 300 = 2900LP

"Sea Butterfly will attack you directly!"

"I almost want to let you win, just because you've worked so hard," Arisu said. "I will activate the Trap Card, Crystron Entry. I will Special Summon a "Crystron" Tuner from my hand and one other "Crystron" Tuner from my graveyard. I will Special Summon Citree from my graveyard and Crystron Rion from my hand." Citree reappeared, with a small silver humanoid made out cuboids appearing next to her.

[Crystron Rion (3*/500/500/WATER/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"Citree's effect," Arisu continued. "I will revive Crystron Smiger from my graveyard, who I sent there with Sulfefnir's effect." A yellow tiger appeared on her field, orange, jagged crystals sticking out of the tiger.

[Crystron Smiger (3*/1000/1800/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

"And then, I will perform a Synchro Summon immediately by tuning the Level 2 Citree to the Level 3 Smiger. Beautiful amethyst, fuse with the bright citrine, and with the power of the eastern sun, rise up! Synchro Summon! Level 5! Lady of ametrine—Crystron Ametrix!"

A woman made entirely of purple crystals appeared, leaning back on a large yellow crystal. She looked rather graceful, and she had a short draconian tail as well.

[Crystron Ametrix (5*/2500/1500/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"Both Smiger and Citree are banished once again since they were used for a Synchro Summon with Citree's effect. When Ametrix is Synchro Summoned, she changes all monsters you control to Defense Position. That doesn't apply to your monsters, since they don't conform to any logic."

Yuno snorted.

"But in Attack Position, Ametrix can't be touched by any of your monsters."

"… and Rion is in Defense Position…"

"Yes," Arisu said. "So?"

"Attack Crystron Rion, Sea Butterfly!"

Arisu shrugged. Her monster was destroyed without her lifting a finger.

"I end my turn with a set card," Yuno said, mindful that he didn't currently control a Link 3 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster, so he couldn't use his Traps from hand.

Arisu swiped up a card from her deck.

[Turn 5: Arisu] [H:1]

She barely glanced at the single card that she had drawn before placing it down.

"Normal Summoning Crystron Prasiortle." The green turtle appeared on her field.

[Crystron Prasiortle (2*/500/1000/WATER/Machine/Effect)]

"Next, I will activate the effect of Crystron Entry in my graveyard. I will banish it, send Crystron Rosenix from my deck to the graveyard, and make Prasiortle the same Level as Rosenix—that is, four."

[Crystron Prasiortle: 2* → 4*]

"It doesn't matter though. I'll activate Prasiortle's effect. By destroying itself, I can Special Summon a Tuner monster from my deck. I will Special Summon another copy of Crystron Rion." Prasiortle exploded into bright green shards, before the shards changed colour and formed Rion again. "I will then banish Rosenix from the graveyard to use its effect. I will Special Summon a "Crystron Token" to my field." A clear crystal appeared on the field, floating in a tranquil manner next to Rion.

[Crystron Token (1*/0/0/WATER/Machine)]

"I will tune the Level 3 Rion to the Level 1 Token. Water will form a new path in the mechanical crystal! Rise up, pure white evolution! Synchro Summon! Level 4! The Synchro Tuner, Crystron Quandax!" A knight-like monster with a white mechanical body appeared, orange crystal glowing all around its body.

[Crystron Quandax (4*/1800/2000/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

"A Synchro Tuner…"

"I will finally tune the Level 4 Quandax to the Level 5 Ametrix," Arisu said. The two Synchro monsters flew upwards, before Quandax turned into four pure white rings of light. Ametrix flew through them. "Liquid fire that flows under the earth's crust. Expand and crystallise—and then, take the form of the eternal red gemstone! Accel Synchro Summon! Level 9! Crystron Phoenix!" A tall red warrior appeared on her field, translucent wings of crystal casting a red hue across the ground. Chains of red crystal whipped around it. There was a sudden flash of heat, and then the monster slammed its feet onto the ground.

[Crystron Phoenix (9*/2800/2000/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"Since Phoenix was Synchro Summoned, I can banish every Spell and Trap that you control or in your graveyard! Razing Crystalline Blaze!" Yuno's Traps all vanished from his graveyard, and his set card vanished as well. "Attack Sea Angel and finish him off!"

He didn't have his set card, but…

"I will banish Marincess Crown Tail from my graveyard," he said. "Since the total Link Rating of all "Marincess" Link Monsters in the graveyard is 7, I don't take damage that is less than 7000." Sea Angel was still destroyed, but thankfully, Yuno managed to live the turn.

"Over to you," Arisu said amusedly. "Can you pull it off?"

[Turn 6: Yuno] [H:3]

"Draw!" Yuno gestured to his field. "I will activate Magnetic Current's effect to take control of Crystron Phoenix!"

"I will activate the effect of Crystron Impact in my graveyard. By banishing it, I will negate your effect."

… alright then.

"I will open the circuit of the limitless ocean," Yuno called. "Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two or more WATER monsters. I'll set the Link 3 Magnetic Current Link Dragon in the Link Markers, treating it as three monsters, along with Marincess Sea Butterfly. Light splits forth through the invitation of the great reef," Yuno chanted. "Unimaginable colours, split-second reflections, all which exist within a second of time! Now, lady of the shimmering waters! Shine forth! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4! Marincess Great Bubble Reef!"

The strongest monster that Yuno currently had appeared on his field, aquamarine hair flowing over her shoulders. Arisu cocked an eyebrow.

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef (L4/2600/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←, ↙, ↓, →)]

"I will then activate the effect of Battle Ocean!" He declared. "I will equip Marincess Coral Triangle, Marincess Sea Butterfly and Marincess Sea Angel to Great Bubble Reef, and you know the drill!"

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 2600 + 600 x 3 + 200 = 4600ATK]

"Attack and destroy that monster!"

Great Bubble Reef leapt forward. Much to Yuno's relief, Arisu didn't do anything, her monster being destroyed immediately.

Arisu: 2900 - 1800 = 1100LP

"When Phoenix is destroyed, I can revive another monster from the graveyard. Any monster." Arisu raised a finger. "Let this be my answer to your attempt. Revive—Ally of Justice Catastor." The large white and gold monster reappeared on her field.

Yuno grimaced. "Great Bubble Reef's effect. I will send a WATER monster from my hand to the graveyard and Special Summon a banished monster. Elegant Ocean Illusion! I will Special Summon Marincess Crown Tail in Defense Position. I'll then end my turn."

"Oh, making sure that you can get it back later." Arisu chuckled. "Not bad. I'll have to destroy it to attack you directly. That's what you're thinking, right?"

[Turn 7: Arisu] [H:1]

"Draw."

"I will banish Marincess Blue Slug from the graveyard to draw one card with Great Bubble Reef's effect," Yuno said. "And Great Bubble Reef gains 600 attack points each time a monster is banished face-up!"

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 2600 + 600 = 3200ATK]

"Oh? And draw power too. Interesting." Arisu chuckled. "But that's the end of you, I think. I will activate Burial from a Different Dimension. I will return three banished monsters to the graveyard. I will choose Thystvern, Smiger and Rosenix." She sighed. "... I guess I'll be giving your monster a lot of attack points here. I will banish Thystvern to add a "Crystron" monster from my deck to my hand, and I'll also banish Smiger to add a "Crystron" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. Then, by discarding a "Crystron" card, I can revive Sulfefnir to my field." The yellow beast monster appeared on her field. "And with Sulfefnir's effect, I must destroy a card I control. I will choose Sulfefnir itself."

The crystalline beast was destroyed.

"And I will Special Summon a "Crystron" monster from my deck. I will Special Summon Crystron Rion. And I will Normal Summon Crystron Quan." Yuno recognised Rion. Quan, the new monster, was a small humanoid with light blue crystals for armour around its dark metal body.

[Crystron Quan (1*/500/500/WATER/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"I'll tune the Level 1 Quan and the Level 3 Rion to the Level 5 Catastor!"

Two Tuners?

"These two are different kinds of Synchro Summons," Arisu explained. "Accel Synchro and Double Tuning. Double Tuning is the specialty of the King of the City here, but I did pick it up after struggling for a while with learning it. And Accel Synchro… well, that took a long time too. I am a lot more experienced than you, after all. No shame."

Yuno bit his lip.

"Crystalline, perfect gem that speeds through time! Golden perfection feeding into the evolution of the crystals of the water! Now, emerge, golden lord! Double Tuning! Synchro Summon! Level 9! Crystron Quariongandrax!" A warrior wearing shining golden armour appeared in front of her, a shockwave bursting through the area. Blue gems were glowing under the golden armour. Bright, gleaming yellow crystal wings burst out behind it. It gave off a strong aura.

[Crystron Quariongandrax (9*/3000/3000/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)]

"For each of Quariongandrax's materials, I can target and banish a monster on your field or in your graveyard," Arisu explained. "I will banish Marincess Great Bubble Reef and Marincess Crown Tail from your field, and Marincess Blue Tang from your graveyard. Golden Vaporisation!" As Great Bubble Reef was banished, the three equipped monsters also all exploded.

Yuno grimaced.

"Attack directly, Quariongandrax!" The golden warrior struck at him directly.

Yuno closed his eyes.

… damn it.

I thought that I could defeat anyone in my path, but… I still have far to go. What exactly am I lacking?

The attack hit, and he was tossed back into a wall.

Yuno: 1000 - 3000 = 0LP

Winner: Arisu Kirijo!

He let out a pained groan. He heard a scared squeak, and he glanced up.

Reira, who had been so silent that they had all forgotten that he was there, was backed up against the wall.

"Reira, run," Yuno said, grimacing.

"I already told your friend that we won't arrest the child," Arisu said. "But you are under arrest, Yuno Sugisaki." She reached over, lifting him up—she was surprisingly strong. Yuno glanced at Reira—

And then, he saw a shadow jumping across the rooftops.

… Tsukikage.

Reira would be safe then.

Yuno was about to struggle—

Zzztt—

He seized up, and Arisu let out a sigh, clicking her taser back onto her side. "I don't like doing this," she said. "But I do need to get you to the truck, and you did lose. Forgive me."

Having no choice, in pain and barely able to move, Yuno finally let his eyes close.

---

Twenty minutes ago:

"Let's go," Mion said, and Kaname nodded, facing her. There was no visible emotion on her face—though to be fair, most of her face was hidden by various different things anyway. Was she scared of being looked at?

What a strange woman…

[DUEL!]

Kaname Mizuchi: 4000LP

Mion Myojin: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Kaname] [H:5]

Kaname placed down a card. Her duel disk, clearly pre-programmed with phrases for each card, spoke up. "The player Normal Summons Beautunaful Princess." A beige-coloured fish appeared, with rather wide lips, and pink coral on both sides of its head.

[Beautunaful Princess (1*/0/0/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"Beautunaful Princess's effect activates. By banishing it, the player can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Fish monster from their deck." Kaname swiped a card from her deck, placing it down. "Paces, Light of the Ghoti is Special Summoned to the field." A small dumbo octopus appeared, with swirling galaxies all around its translucent body. There was a sheen to it that looked like the surface of water that had been polluted with oil. Stars were scattered all around it, and it seems… almost sinister.

[Paces, Light of the Ghoti (2*/0/0/WATER/Fish/Tuner/Effect)]

"When a Fish monster is banished, Ixeep, Omen of the Ghoti can be Special Summoned from the hand." A translucent guppy with white streaks all around its body in a net-like structure. Its fins and tail seemed to hypnotically float through the air. Two large fin-like structures were floating through the air as well. Red dots could be seen all around the fish's body.

[Ixeep, Omen of the Ghoti (4*/1500/0/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"Tuning the Level 2 Paces to the Level 4 Ixeep. Slumbering, glowing moray sliding through the darkness of the distant, deepest abyss. Now, as the world falls into your grasp, bare your fangs and show off your luminous glow. Synchro Summon. Level 6. Arionpos, Serpent of the Ghoti." There was no passion to the computer's voice—it was unbearable for Mion to listen to, since she was so used to dueling people with actual passion for the duel itself.

Arionpos appeared. It was a glowing, glittering, beautiful sea serpent (even though it was technically a Fish) with a luminous spark throughout its entire body—glowing blue and purple and even a little green. Its eyes were bright, reflective pearls. Its body was so long and wrapped around itself that it was impossible to tell how long it truly was—to think about it felt like a kind of infinite abyss.

[Arionpos, Serpent of the Ghoti (6*/2100/0/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"The effect of Arionpos triggers. When Synchro Summoned, the player can banish a Level 6 or lower Fish monster from their deck. And then, the Field Spell, The Most Distant, Deepest Depths is activated." Around them, dark streams of water with stars floating through them appeared. "Through its effect, by banishing a Fish monster from the graveyard, The Most Distant, Deepest Depths allows the player to add a "Ghoti" monster from the deck to the hand. The player chooses to banish Paces, Light of the Ghoti." Kaname picked up another card. "Setting two cards facedown and passing."

[Turn 2: Mion] [H:6]

"Draw," Mion said. Kaname raised a hand. Her duel disk spoke up again.

"Paces, Light of the Ghoti was banished last turn. Thus, during your Standby Phase, it Special Summons itself to my field." The small octopus reappeared on her field.

So her opponent's deck focused on banishing her own monsters, huh? And Fish monsters… it was an odd strategy. "I will set the Scale 2 Servant of Endymion in the Pendulum Scale, and then activate the Field Spell, Magical Citadel of Endymion!" She set up her own Field Spell as well. "I will then set the Scale 4 Mythical Beast Bashilisk in the Pendulum Scale, completing my Pendulum Scale." The two pillars of light rose up behind her. Despite the obscuring mask and eyepatch, Mion saw Kaname's left eye widen briefly.

Yeah, the first time Mion had seen Pendulums, it was quite surprising to her too.

"I will then activate the Continuous Spell, Mythical Institution. And now, Servant has three Spell Counters."

[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 3]

[Magical Citadel of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 2]

"I will remove three Spell Counters from Servant of Endymion to Special Summon her from the Pendulum Scale, along with a monster with at least 1000 attack points from the deck that can have a Spell Counter placed on it. I will Special Summon Reflection of Endymion." The beautiful blonde woman dressed in white robes appeared, holding onto a golden chalice and staff. A runic circle spun behind her. "And a Spell Counter is placed on both of them."

[Servant of Endymion (3*/S2/900/1500/WIND/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Reflection of Endymion (7*/S2/1850/2700/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]

[Reflection of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]

"I will then use the effect of Reflection of Endymion. By returning a card on the field with a Spell Counter to my hand, I will target and return a card you control to your hand. I will target Arionpos. Mystical Mirror!"

Kaname swiftly typed. "Is the target decided upon declaration?"

"Yes?"

"The player chooses to chain Paces's effect. A Synchro Summon of a Fish Synchro Monster can be performed by using monsters on their field. Tuning the Level 2 Paces to the Level 6 Arionpos. Beautiful flying fish floating in the reaches of the extraterrestrial oceans, crush the universe beneath your beautiful, pale power. Synchro Summon. Level 8. Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti." A beautiful, alien-looking white fish appeared. Its body was slender and long, almost draconic. It had two horns that go from grey to white. Twin wings, almost like bird wings, stretched out behind Askaan. Its fins were translucent as well.

[Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti (8*/2700/0/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"Arionpos's effect triggers when it is used as Synchro Material. The player can banish a Fish monster from their graveyard and add a Fish monster of an equal or lower Level from their deck to their hand. The player chooses Arionpos itself, adding a Level 6 or lower Fish monster from the Deck to their hand." Kaname pointed forward. "When Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti is Synchro Summoned, the player targets a Fish monster they control and a card their opponent controls, banishing both of them. The player has chosen to target Askaan itself and the Magical Citadel of Endymion."

The Field Spell was banished, since it could only protect itself from destruction.

Servant was still returned to Mion's hand, allowing Reflection of Endymion to gain another Spell Counter.

[Reflection of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 2]

"Once per turn, when Askaan is banished, the player can banish a Fish monster from their graveyard to return it to their field." The large, pale fish reappeared on her opponent's field.

"I will use Mythical Institution's effect," Mion said. "I will remove as many Spell Counters as I want from the field and add a monster with an equal Level to the number of Spell Counters removed from my deck to my hand. However, it has to be a monster that a Spell Counter can be placed on. I will remove a Spell Counter from Reflection, and then add Mythical Beast Jackal to my hand and Normal Summon him." The smoky blue-grey beast appeared in front of her.

[Mythical Beast Jackal (1*/S4/0/1400/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Reflection of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]

Kaname didn't respond to the move in the slightest.

Mion narrowed her eyes. "Open, circuit of the glittering citadel!" She declared—because of course she knew how to Link Summon at this point. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two Spellcaster monsters. I will set Mythical Beast Jackal and Reflection of Endymion in the Link Markers. Dawn shines over the infallible citadel. Enforcer of the magic-destroying will, crush those who defy the wish of the master of sorcery. Circuit Combine! Link 2! Day-Breaker the Shining Magical Warrior!"

A knight in white and gold armour appeared, with a pointy white hat in the place of a helmet. He was wearing a red cape, with a sword and shield in his hands.

[Day-Breaker the Shining Magical Warrior (L2/1600/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]

"When Day-Breaker is Link Summoned, it gains a Spell Counter. And then, I will activate the effect of Mythical Beast Bashilisk in my Pendulum Scale. Since there are no monsters in my other Pendulum Scale, I can destroy it, and shuffle Mythical Beast Jackal into the deck from face-up in my Extra Deck. Then, I can draw a card." Mion swiped up a card from her deck. "And since a "Mythical Beast" monster was destroyed, I can place 2 Spell Counters on my Mythical Institution."

[Day-Breaker the Shining Magical Warrior: Spell Counter(s): 1]

[Mythical Institution: Spell Counter(s): 2]

"I will set the Scale 2 Servant of Endymion back in the Pendulum Scale, and I'll then activate the Spell Card, Spell Power Grasp. I will place an additional Spell Counter on Day-Breaker, and add another copy of Spell Power Grasp from my deck to my hand." She cycled out the card in her hand. "I will then remove both Spell Counters from Day-Breaker to use his effect. I can target and destroy a card on the field. I will choose Askaan!"

[Day-Breaker the Shining Magical Warrior: Spell Counter(s): 0]

[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]

"Activating the Continuous Trap Card, Ghoti Fury. Once per turn, the player can banish a Fish monster they control and a monster you control until their next Standby Phase. The player declares the targets of Askaan and Day-Breaker." The two monsters vanished from the field. Mion frowned. Day-Breaker would come back to the Main Monster Zone next turn, if that was the case. Even so… Kaname had left herself completely open for that move, other than a single set card. (Fury was also there, to be fair, but she didn't know what that did either.)

"I will set the Scale 8 Magister of Endymion in the other Pendulum Scale. With this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 3 to Level 7. Swing, pendulum! Pendulum Summon! Return from the Extra Deck, Reflection of Endymion! Mythical Beast Bashilisk! And from my hand, Mythical Beast Medusa!" A creature with a dark head and purple tentacles appeared in front of her, next to a blue and dark green chimeric creature, and the graceful Reflection of Endymion.

[Mythical Beast Bashilisk (4*/S4/1800/500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Mythical Beast Medusa (4*/S4/1500/1500/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 2]

"Bashilisk will attack you directly."

After all, if all three attacks hit, she would win immediately.

Kaname, however, clearly expected it. "On the opponent's turn, the effect of Lasec, Sacrifice of the Ghoti can be activated. Lasec is Special Summoned to the field." A thin electric eel appeared, made of translucent membranes, streaks of stars and comets flying through its body, looking like electric shocks.

[Lasec, Sacrifice of the Ghoti (2*/0/0/WATER/Fish/Tuner/Effect)]

"And then, the Trap Card, Ghoti Chain. By banishing Lasec from the field again, the player can Special Summon a "Ghoti" monster from their deck, graveyard, hand or banished cards, but that monster is banished when it leaves the field. The player chooses to Special Summon Eanoc, Sentry of the Ghoti from the deck." A dark blue manta ray with a large light blue orb floating within it, glowing brightly. Its long tail slowly drifted through the air, at odds with all else. "And with Eanoc's effect—the player can Special Summon a banished Level 4 or lower Fish monster in Defense Position with its effects negated. The player chooses Lasec." The other monster reappeared in Defense Position.

[Eanoc, Sentry of the Ghoti (6*/2100/0/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

Mion was reluctantly impressed. That was clearly to minimise damage, considering that Mion did not currently have a monster that could deal piercing damage. By placing Eanoc in Attack Position, none of her current monsters could destroy it. Therefore, she had entirely protected herself from damage.

At least, that was probably what she was thinking.

"Bashilisk destroys Lasec." The electric eel was destroyed "And by removing two Spell Counters from the field—from Institution—I will use Medusa's effect. I will halve Eanoc's attack and defense points until the End Phase."

[Mythical Institution: Spell Counter(s): 0]

[Eanoc, Sentry of the Ghoti: 2100 / 2 = 1050ATK]

"Attack, Reflection!" The female spellcaster in a white and gold robe lunged forward, destroying Eanoc.

Kaname: 4000 - 800 = 3200LP

"Attack directly, Mythical Beast Medusa!" The monster with long tendrils smacked Kaname across the side.

Kaname: 3200 - 1500 = 1700LP

"Main Phase 2," Mion said. "You're good… I'll overlay the Level 4 Mythical Beast Bashilisk and the Level 4 Medusa! Sleepy, tired scientist working in the dead of night, appear now and cast the envious shadow of genius on us! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Downerd Magician!" A short young woman with blue hair and goggles on the top of her hair appeared, holding onto a vial of pink potion.

[Downerd Magician (R4/2100/200/DARK/Spellcaster/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

"Downerd Magician gains 200 attack points for each Overlay Unit."

[Downerd Magician: 2100 + 200 + 200 = 2500ATK]

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

[Turn 3: Kaname] [H:3]

"Drawing a card. With the effect of Paces, Light of the Ghoti, it will Special Summon itself to the player's field. Ghoti Fury's effect ends, and both characters regain their monsters." Day-Breaker reappeared in Mion's Main Monster Zone, while Askaan reappeared on Kaname's field.

Kaname glanced at the cards in her hand.

"Banishing Lasec, Sacrifice of the Ghoti from the graveyard to add a "Ghoti" monster from the deck to the hand with the effect of The Most Distant, Deepest Depths." Kaname held out another card. "Banishing two Fish monsters from the graveyard to Special Summon Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti. Banishing Eanoc and Ixeep from the graveyard."

A large, glowing blue octopus appeared, floating on the field, seeming almost entrancing with the golden dots dancing on its membranes.

[Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti (6*/2100/0/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"Then, with Snopios's effect, the player targets a card on the field, and it is banished when it next leaves the field. The player targets Downerd Magician. Then, the player tunes the Level 2 Paces to the Level 6 Snopios. Spinning around, descend now with high velocity and rend this field like the waves you create. Synchro Summon. Level 8. White Aura Whale."

A gigantic fish nearly the size of the whole field appeared in front of her, guarding her with a swish of its tail, white fins overlaying over each other and beautifully floating back and forth in the air.

[White Aura Whale (8*/2800/2000/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"If White Aura Whale is Synchro Summoned, all monsters the opponent controls in Attack Position are destroyed."

What?

Waves burst across the field, destroying all three of her monsters. Mion bit her lip. Downerd Magician was banished as it left the field.

"White Aura Whale will declare an attack on the opponent."

… no time to think.

Mion plucked out a card from her deck.

She hadn't used this card before in front of LDS. Even she herself wasn't sure about why.

… wait.

Since when was this card a Pendulum?

… she didn't know, but she wasn't going to think too hard about it.

"Once per Duel, I can discard a Spell to Special Summon The Watcher - Mythical Vestige Priestess from my deck!" She placed down the card.

In front of her, a tall woman with cherry blossom pink hair appeared, green and red leaves throughout her hair. She was holding onto a gold staff, with a red jewel at the top of the staff, in the middle of a large sun symbol. Her hands were translucent, looking almost like a spirit. Magical runes were floating around her, and there was a halo floating at the top of her head. She was also wearing a long white and red kimono. She had heterochromatic eyes, her left eye red and her right eye green. Behind her, there were two 'wings' that weren't really solid—instead, they were made of hundreds of—if not thousands—purple eye symbols, forming the shape of wings.

[The Watcher - Mythical Vestige Priestess (8*/S9/3000/2000/WIND/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

"Then, I take 1000 damage and place two Spell Counters on a face-up card," Mion concluded. "I will choose Mythical Institution."

Mion: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP

Kaname actually flinched from the sight of the card that Mion had brought out.

"You can't beat my monster in raw attack points." Mion said.

Kaname raised a hand, snapping her fingers. "Activating the effect of Ghoti Fury. Banishing Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti from the player's field and The Watcher - Mythical Vestige Priestess from the opponent's field until the player's next Standby Phase." Both monsters vanished. "Activating Askaan's effect. Banishing Snopios from the graveyard to return it to the field."

Mion practically breathed a sigh of relief. It didn't make sense—Mythical Vestige Priestess was a very powerful card, but at the same time, she was reluctant to even use the card.

"When Mythical Vestige Priestess is banished, I can Special Summon a Pendulum Monster from face-up in my Extra Deck! Come! Reflection of Endymion!" The monster reappeared in Defense Position. Askaan also reappeared on Kaname's field.

"Since Snopios was banished, its effect triggers. By banishing a Fish monster from the graveyard, the player can add it back to their hand. The player chooses to banish Paces from the graveyard."

"Using Reflection's effect," Mion called. "I'll return a card I control with a Spell Counter from my field to my hand, and return a card you control to the hand! I will choose Mythical Institution and Askaan! Mystic Mirror!"

Askaan returned back to Kaname's Extra Deck, and Mythical Institution returned to Mion's hand. Two Spell Counters appeared on Reflection of Endymion.

[Reflection of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 2]

"White Aura Whale will attack Reflection of Endymion. And White Aura Whale deals piercing damage."

It was only 100 damage, but it was still damage.

Mion: 3000 - 100 = 2900LP

"Since Reflection of Endymion was destroyed by battle while it had a Spell Counter, I can add an "Endymion" card from my deck to my hand!"

"Setting a card facedown. Turn end."

[Turn 4: Mion] [H:3]

"Draw!" Mion called. "I'll activate the Magical Citadel of Endymion!" She played another copy of her Field Spell, which she had added to her hand the previous turn. "And I will activate the effect of Servant of Endymion in the Pendulum Scale. I will remove all three of her Spell Counters and Special Summon her and another monster from my deck which fits the conditions I told you earlier. So come—my faithful partner, Mythical Beast Master Cerberus!" The bipedal magical beast appeared, standing next to Servant of Endymion.

[Mythical Beast Master Cerberus (8*/S4/2800/2800/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Mythical Beast Master Cerberus: Spell Counter(s): 1]

[Servant of Endymion: Spell Counter(s): 1]

"I will then set the Scale 3 Magical Abductor in the Pendulum Scale! And then, I will activate the Continuous Spell, Mythical Institution! And by removing three Spell Counters from Magister, I'll Special Summon Magister from my Pendulum Scale and Reflection of Endymion from my Extra Deck, while placing a Spell Counter on both of them." Two more monsters appeared on her field. "And I will use Reflection's effect. And by returning Servant to my hand, I will return White Aura Whale to your hand!"

"Activating the effect of Ghoti Fury," Kaname's duel disk said. "Banishing White Aura Whale and Mythical Beast Master Cerberus." The two monsters were banished from the field until the next Standby Phase, dodging the effect again.

"I will Normal Summon Servant of Endymion," Mion continued. "And I will open the circuit again. Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are at least two monsters, including a Spellcaster monster! Moonlight shines down on the citadel lit to the brim with magic. Beautiful empress, crush those that would ruin your peaceful empire! Circuit Combine! Link 3! Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians!" A blonde woman appeared, her long hair trailing down past her waist. She was wearing a nice white dress, with a golden bow in her hands.

[Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians (L3/1850/LIGHT/Spellcaster/Link/Effect/↙, ↓, ↘)]

"And Selene gains a Spell Counter for every Spell on the field and in the graveyard," Mion said. "So that includes your card too. Six!"

[Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians: Spell Counter(s): 6]

"I will use the effect of Mythical Institution," Mion said. "I'll remove all six Spell Counters to add Mythical Beast Jackal King from my deck to my hand. And then, by removing the other three Spell Counters on my field—two from Citadel and one from Abductor—I will use Selene's effect and Special Summon Mythical Beast Jackal King from my hand." Another one of her stronger monsters appeared on her field.

[Mythical Beast Jackal King (6*/S4/2400/1400/DARK/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)]

"Activating the effect of Snopios in the hand." Kaname placed down the card. "By banishing Ixeep and Eanoc, this card can Special Summon itself during the Main Phase." The octopus reappeared.

"Attack her monster, Jackal King!"

"Lasec, Sacrifice of the Ghoti Special Summons itself in Defense Position to the player's field." The electric eel reappeared on Kaname's field.

Mion froze.

Was this what her opponents felt when facing the loops that she created?

"Lasec's effect allows for a Synchro Summon on the opponent's turn. Thus, the player tunes the Level 2 Lasec to the Level 6 Snopios. Return to the field, Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti." The large ghastly fish appeared.

Mion blinked.

"Askaan's effect triggers. Banishing itself and Mythical Beast Jackal King." The two monsters were banished from the field. "Banishing Snopios from the graveyard to return Askaan to the field, and banishing Lasec to return Snopios to the player's hand."

Mion bit her lip.

"Ending my turn," she said. She had no options left. All she could do was hope…

[Turn 5: Kaname] [H:4]

"During the Standby Phase, several monsters are returned to the field. The opponent's Master Cerberus and Mythical Vestige Priestess return to their field. Ixeep sets Ghoti Chain from the player's graveyard to their field on the turn after it is banished. Paces and White Aura Whale return to the field as well." The small octopus reappeared on the field.

But Mion's monsters still had higher attack points—

"Ghoti Fury's effect triggers. Since a Fish was Special Summoned, the player can banish Fury from the field or graveyard. And then, for each banished card, all Fish monsters I control gain 100 attack points. The player has six. The opponent has three."

[Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti: 2700 + 100 x 9 = 3600ATK]

[Paces, Light of the Ghoti: 0 + 100 x 9 = 900ATK]

[White Aura Whale: 2800 + 100 x 9 = 3700ATK]

Mion paled.

"White Aura Whale can declare two attacks per turn." Kaname pointed forward. "White Aura Whale will attack Selene."

"While I control an "Endymion" card, Selene can't be targeted for an attack!"

Kaname slashed a hand through the air. Her set card flipped up. "Breakthrough Skill," her Duel Disk announced. "The effect of Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians is negated."

The attack hit.

Mion: 2900 - 1850 = 1050LP

"Attack Master Cerberus."

The second attack hit, destroying the tall magical beast.

Mion: 1050 - 900 = 150LP

"Askaan will attack Mythical Vestige Princess."

And with that last attack, Mion was thrown back onto the ground with a pained sound.

Mion: 150 - 600 = 0LP

Winner: Kaname Mizuchi!

Kaname walked over. There was no remorse to the way that she moved at all.

And in her confusion, Mion felt a sense of deep recognition.

Before she could say anything though, Kaname firmly slammed her duel disk straight into her head, knocking her out. It was a frankly unneeded amount of force.

Kaname stood back up.

Then, she slashed a hand out. A copy of Ixeep appeared, swimming through the air and hitting a figure that had been about to approach. She looked directly at the ninja that had been hiding nearby in challenge.

Do not look. Do not perceive. Do not approach.

She was strong. Do you think that you're stronger than her? If not, what's the point?

There was a child with the ninja. The child looked distressed at the sight of the girl on the ground.

Kaname looked at the two of them—the ninja and the shivering child—and she raised a finger, pointing it at them, before curving it through the air. The message was clear.

Leave.

After a moment, the ninja took the child and fled.

Kaname remained still.

… only by being near nobody, can I ever be safe.

---

From nearby the truck, as both Mion and Yuno were tossed into the back of it, a single figure watched from a nearby rooftop.

… well, that wasn't good.

Miharu spun around. She couldn't take all of these people on at once, as much as she wanted to—it would be far too reckless.

She'd have to figure out where they were going, and work from there.

Don't worry, Yuno. I'll come save you.

---

"... so Sugisaki and Mion were both taken in?" Reiji pushed up his glasses at Tsukikage's report. "That is unfortunate. They are among our strongest—it seems that the police force of this dimension, at the very least, is rather competent."

"What should we do, Reiji-dono?"

Originally, Reiji would probably have said that they should stay in wait until they had gathered more information, without exposing themselves for the sake of people that had already been caught. To make sure that he was in control of everything that had happened. However…

"But you're going to keep doing this anyway. Hiding your intentions, hiding things from others, making sure that you're the only one with a complete plan. Don't lie to me about it."

"You said that you picked up traces of some of the other lancers," Reiji said. Reira looked at him with a surprised look on her face. "Where are they?"

"I heard some people speaking about 'cosplayers' who showed up out of nowhere," Tsukikage said, his brow furrowing for a moment. "The description seems to fit Gongenzaka-dono very well."

Reiji nodded. "Let us find them first," he said. "And then, we will go directly to the Council of this city to get our comrades freed."

He saw respect in Tsukikage's eyes as the dark-haired ninja nodded.

"Yes, Reiji-dono."

Reiji nodded. He glanced down at Reira, who was clinging to him. "Will you be alright, Reira?"

"... if I'm by your side, onii-san," Reira said, "I can do anything." She sounded determined. "And Yuno was kind to me… and Mion has always been nice to me. I want to save them."

Reiji couldn't help but smile. His heart was burning with pride—just hearing Reira say that she wanted something was already more progress that she had made in her own growth.

"Yes," he said. "We will rescue them. Let's go."

Together, the three of them headed off towards the Tops.

---

Duel 1 Summary: Dennis Mackfield & Serena Akaba vs Makoto Toyama & Chino Otobashi

Duel Format: Battle Royale

Turn 1: Chino Otobashi

Chino Normal Summons Naturia Camellia (4*/1400/700) from her hand. With her effect, she sends a "Naturia" card from her Deck to the GY. Then, she activates Naturia Blessing, to revive Naturia Mole Cricket (1*/0/0) She activates Mole Cricket's effect, substituting the cost with Camellia's effect. She sends 2 cards from the top of her Deck to the GY to Special Summon Naturia Butterfly (3*/500/1200) from her Deck. She tunes the Level 4 Camellia to the Level 1 Mole Cricket to Synchro Summon Naturia Beast (5*/2200/1700) in Attack Position. With Mole Cricket's effect, she revives it. She sets 1 card facedown and ends her turn.

Turn 2: Serena Akaba

Serena discards Moonlight Black Sheep (2*/100/600) to add Polymerization from her Deck to her hand. She activates Polymerization. Chino sends 2 cards from the top of her Deck to the GY to negate the Spell and destroy it. She Normal Summons Moonlight White Rabbit (2*/800/800) and revives Black Sheep in Defense Position. Using White Rabbit's effect, she returns Chino's set card to her hand. She sends Purple Butterfly from her hand to the GY, increasing White Rabbit's ATK by 1000. (MWR: 800 + 1000 = 1800ATK) Chino tributes Mole Cricket to Special Summon Naturia Rosewhip (3*/400/1700) from her Deck in Defense Position. White Rabbit attacks Rosewhip. Chino uses Butterfly's effect, sending 1 card from the top of her Deck to the GY to negate the attack. Serena sets 1 card and ends his turn.

Turn 3: Makoto Toyama

Makoto activates Dragon Ravine. He discards Dragunity Brandistock to send Dragunity Couse (2*/1000/200) from his Deck to the GY. He then Normal Summons Dragunity Dux. (4*/1500/1000) With Dux's effect, Couse is equipped to Dux from the GY. Couse Special Summons itself since it's equipped to a monster. Treating it as a Level 4 monster, Makoto tunes it to Dux and Synchro Summons Dragunity Knight - Barcha. (8*/2000/1200) Barcha equips Brandistock and Couse from the GY to itself, gaining 300ATK for each one. (DKB: 2000 + 300 x 2 = 2600ATK) Since a monster was Special Summoned from a monster's Extra Deck, Chino revives Mole Cricket from the GY. She then uses Mole Cricket's effect, tributing it to Special Summon Naturia Mantis (4*/1700/1500) and Naturia Beans (2*/1000/100) from her Deck. Barcha can attack twice since it's equipped with Brandistock. Barcha attacks and destroys White Sheep. [SA: 4000 - 1800 = 2200LP] Serena activates Moonlight Reincarnation Dance, adding 2 "Moonlight" monsters from her Deck to her hand. Barcha also destroys Black Sheep. Makoto ends his turn.

Turn 4: Dennis Mackfield

Dennis sets the Scale 4 Performapal Plushfire in the Pendulum Scale. Chino activates Beast's effect, sending 2 cards from the top of her Deck to the GY to negate and destroy Plushfire. With Rosewhip on the field, no player can use more than one Spell/Trap per turn. Since Plushfire was destroyed, Dennis Special Summons Performage Ball Balancer (4*/S3/1000/1800) from his Deck. He Special Summons Performage Flimsy Slimmer (4*/S3/100/1200) from his hand since he summoned a "Performage" monster. He uses Flimsy Slimmer and Ball Balancer to Xyz Summon Performage Trapeze Magician. (R4/2500/2000/OU:2) Chino revives Naturia Mole Cricket. Trapeze Magician uses its effect to grant itself two attacks. (PTM: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1) Trapeze Magician attacks and destroys Naturia Beast. [CO: 4000 - 300 = 3700LP] Trapeze Magician attacks Mole Cricket. Chino sends 1 card from the top of her Deck to the GY to negate the attack. Dennis sets 1 card and ends his turn.

Turn 5: Chino Otobashi

Chino draws. She tunes the Level 3 Rosewhip to the Level 2 Beans and the Level 1 Mole Cricket to Synchro Summon Naturia Barkion. (6*/2500/1800) She revives Mole Cricket with its own effect. She tributes Mole Cricket, and since Makoto controls a monster with the highest ATK on the field, she can Special Summon 2 "Naturia" monsters from her Deck. She Special Summons Naturia Marron (3*/1200/700) and Naturia Horneedle (4*/1800/100) from her Deck. She uses Marron's effect to return 2 "Naturia" monsters from her GY to the Deck to draw 1 card. Barkion attacks Serena directly. Dennis activates Negate Attack, ending the Battle Phase. Chino ends her turn.

Turn 6: Serena Akaba

Serena draws. She Normal Summons White Rabbit, and revives Black Sheep. Chino uses Mantis's effect, sending a "Naturia" monster from her hand to the GY to destroy White Rabbit. She uses Horneedle's effect, tributing Marron to destroy Black Sheep as well. Serena sets the Scale 1 Moonlight Wolf in the Pendulum Scale. She uses its effect to fuse White Rabbit and Black Sheep in the graveyard by banishing them, Fusion Summoning Moonlight Rabbit Dancer. (5*/2000/1000) Chino revives Mole Cricket, and uses Horneedle's effect to tribute Mantis and destroy Rabbit Dancer. However, Rabbit Dancer cannot be destroyed by card effects since it was Fusion Summoned. Dennis uses Trapeze Magician's effect, granting Rabbit Dancer two attacks this turn. (PTM: OU:1 - 1 = OU:0) Rabbit Dancer attacks Makoto directly, though it deals half the damage. [MT: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP] Then, with Rabbit Dancer's effect, she sends Barcha to the graveyard. She then has Rabbit Dancer attack Chino directly. [CO: 3700 - 1000 = 2700LP] She sends Horneedle from the field to the GY. During Serena's Main Phase 2, Chino tributes Mole Cricket, Special Summoning Naturia Horneedle and Naturia Camellia from her Deck. Camellia sends a "Naturia" card from her Deck to the GY. Serena ends her turn.

Turn 7: Makoto Toyama

Makoto draws. He uses Dragon Ravine's effect to discard 1 card and send a Level 4 or lower "Dragunity" monster from her Deck to her hand. Since only his opponent controls a monster, he activates Dragunity Whirlwind, Special Summoning 1 "Dragunity" Tuner and 1 "Dragunity" Winged Beast from her Deck. He Special Summons Dragunity Miltium (4*/1700/1200) and Dragunity Phalanx (2*/500/1100) with their effects negated. He uses them to Synchro Summon Dragunity Knight - Gae Dearg (6*/2400/800) in Attack Position. With Gae Dearg's effect, he adds a Level 4 or lower Dragon or Winged Beast monster from his Deck to his hand, and then discards a Dragon or Winged Beast monster. He then uses the Continuous Spell, Dragunity Draft, adding Couse from his GY to his hand and Normal Summoning it. He tunes Couse, treated as a Level 4 monster, to the Level 6 Gae Dearg, Synchro Summoning Dragunity Knight - Ascalon (10*/3300/3200) in Attack Position. Chino revives Mole Cricket. Makoto uses Ascalon's effect, banishing Dux from the GY and banishing Trapeze Magician. Makoto activates Dragunity Divine Lance, granting Ascalon 100ATK x its ATK, and equipping Brandistock from the Deck to Ascalon. (DKA: 3300 + 100 x 10 = 4300ATK) Dennis activates the effect of Ball Balancer in the GY, Special Summoning it to the field. Chino destroys it with Horneedle's effect, substituting the cost with Camellia's effect and sending two cards from the top of her Deck to the GY. Ascalon attacks Dennis directly and attacks Rabbit Dancer. [DM: 4000 - 4300 = 0LP] [SA: 2200 - 2300 = 0LP] Chino and Makoto win!

---

Duel 2 Summary: Arisu Kirijo vs Yuno Sugisaki

Duel Format: Normal Duel

Turn 1: Arisu Kirijo

Arisu Normal Summons Crystron Thystvern (3*/1500/1500) from her hand. She uses Thystvern's effect to destroy itself and Special Summon Crystron Citree (2*/500/500) from the Deck. She sets 1 card facedown and ends her turn.

Turn 2: Yuno Sugisaki

Yuno draws. He Normal Summons Marincess Blue Tang (4*/1500/1200) from his hand. With Blue Tang's effect, he sends 1 "Marincess" card from his Deck to the GY. He uses Blue Tang to Link Summon Marincess Blue Slug. (L1/1500/↓) Blue Tang excavates the top three cards of the deck and adds a "Marincess" card from among them to his hand. With Blue Slug's effect, Yuno adds Blue Tang from his GY to his hand. He Special Summons Marincess Sea Horse (3*/1400/1000) from his hand to Blue Slug's Link Marker. He uses Sea Horse to Link Summon Marincess Sea Angel (L1/1000/←) to the zone behind Blue Slug. Sea Angel lets him add Marincess Battle Ocean from his Deck to his hand. He activates Battle Ocean and then uses Blue Slug and Sea Angel to Link Summon Marincess Coral Anemone (L2/2000/←, ↓) to his Extra Monster Zone. Using Coral Anemone's effect, he revives Blue Slug to the zone behind Coral Anemone. Using Coral Anemone and Blue Slug, he Link Summons Marincess Marbled Rock (L3/2500/←, ↓, →) to the Extra Monster Zone. Battle Ocean equips Sea Angel, Blue Slug and Coral Anemone to Marbled Rock, granting it 600ATK for each and 200ATK for being a "Marincess" monster. (MMR: 2500 + 2000 = 4500ATK) He uses Coral Anemone's effect to add Sea Horse back to his hand. Marbled Rock attacks Citree. Arisu uses Citree's effect, reviving Thystvern and banishing both Citree and Thystvern to Synchro Summon Ally of Justice Catastor (5*/2200/1200) in Attack Position. Marbled Rock attacks Catastor. Yuno activates Marincess Wave from his hand, negating Catastor's effects. [AK: 4000 - 2300 = 1700LP] Yuno ends his turn.

Turn 3: Arisu Kirijo

Arisu draws. She activates Crystron Impact, Special Summoning Crystron Citree from her banished cards. She activates Heavy Storm, destroying all Spells and Traps on the field. (MMR: 4500 → 2500ATK) She discards 1 "Crystron" card and Special Summons Crystron Sulfefnir (5*/2000/1500) from her hand. Then, with Sulfefnir's effect, she destroys Sulfefnir itself. With Sulfefnir's other effect, she Special Summons another copy of Crystron Thystvern from her Deck. She tunes the Level 2 Citree to the Level 3 Thystvern to Synchro Summon Crystron Borahydra. (5*/1500/2500) Borahydra destroys itself with its effect and Special Summons itself in Attack Position. Borahydra revives Ally of Justice Catastor in Attack Position. Borahydra gains 200ATK/DEF for each banished "Crystron" monster or in the GY. (CB: 1500 + 200 x 5 = 2500ATK; 2500 + 200 x 5 = 3500DEF) Arisu banishes Thystvern from the GY to add a "Crystron" monster from her Deck to her hand.

Catastor attacks Marbled Rock. Yuno discards a "Marincess" card to negate battle destruction and damage. Catastor's effect triggers to destroy Marbled Rock. Yuno activates Marincess Circulation, returning Marbled Rock to the Extra Deck to Special Summon Marincess Coral Triangle (L3/1500/↙, ↑, ↘) in the Extra Monster Zone. Borahydra attacks Coral Triangle, but since Coral Triangle was Special Summoned using Circulation, it can't be destroyed by battle. [YS: 4000 - 2000 = 1000LP] Borahydra attacks again. Yuno sends a "Marincess" card from his hand to the GY and Special Summons Marincess Crown Tail (5*/600/2300) from his hand, halving the battle damage. [YS: 2000 - 1000 = 1000LP] Arisu sets 1 card and ends her turn.

Turn 4: Yuno Sugisaki

Yuno draws. He sends a WATER monster from his hand to the GY to add a "Marincess" Trap from his deck to his hand with Coral Triangle's effect. He then uses the effect of Marincess Mandarin, (1*/100/100) reviving it to Coral Triangle's bottom-left Link Marker. He uses Mandarin, Crown Tail and Coral Triangle to Link Summon Magnetic Current Link Dragon. (L3/2500/←, ↓, →) He takes control of Borahydra, granting Arisu LP equal to Borahydra's original ATK. [AK: 1700 + 1500 = 3200LP] He activates Marincess Dive, reviving Blue Tang. He sends a "Marincess" card from his Deck to the graveyard. He uses Blue Tang and Borahydra to Link Summon Marincess Sea Butterfly (L2/1800/↑, →) to the zone behind Marincess Current Link Dragon. With Sea Butterfly's effect, he Special Summons Marincess Sea Angel from his Extra Deck to the right of Sea Butterfly, treating it as a Link Summon. So he adds Marincess Battle Ocean from his Deck to his hand and activates it. (MSA: 1000 + 200 = 1200ATK) (MSB: 1800 + 200 = 2000ATK) He uses Blue Tang's effect to excavate the top 3 cards of his deck and add a "Marincess" card to his hand. He has Magnetic Current attack Catastor. Sea Butterfly protects Magnetic Current from effect destruction since they're co-linked. Magnetic Current destroys Catastor. [AK: 3200 - 300 = 2900LP] Sea Butterfly attacks directly. Arisu activates Crystron Entry, Special Summoning Crystron Rion (3*/500/500) from the hand and Citree from the graveyard. Citree revives Crystron Smiger (3*/1000/1800) from the GY, tuning the Level 2 Citree to the Level 3 Smiger. She Synchro Summons Crystron Ametrix (5*/2500/1500) to the field. She banishes Citree and Smiger from the field for the Synchro Summon. Sea Butterfly attacks Rion and destroys it. Yuno sets 1 card and ends his turn.

Turn 5: Arisu Kirijo

Arisu draws. She Normal Summons Crystron Prasiortle (2*/500/1000) from her hand. She banishes Crystron Entry from the graveyard to send Crystron Rosenix from the Deck to the GY and changes Prasiortle's Level to Rosenix's. (CP: 2* → 4*) She uses Prasiortle's effect to destroy itself and Special Summon Crystron Rion from the Deck. She banishes Crystron Rosenix from the GY and Special Summons a Crystron Token (1*/0/0) She tunes the Level 3 Rion to the Level 1 Token and Synchro Summons Crystron Quandax. (4*/1800/2000) She tunes the Level 4 Quandax to the Level 5 Ametrix and Synchro Summons Crystron Phoenix. (9*/2800/2000) Phoenix banishes every Spell/Trap on Yuno's field and in the GY. Phoenix attacks Sea Angel. Yuno banishes Crown Tail from the GY to negate all damage less than 7000 this turn. Arisu ends her turn.

Turn 6: Yuno Sugisaki

Yuno draws. He uses Magnetic Current's effect to take control of Phoenix. Arisu banishes Crystron Impact from the GY to negate the effect. Yuno uses Magnetic Current Link Dragon and Marincess Sea Butterfly to Link Summon Marincess Great Bubble Reef (L4/2600/←, ↙, ↓, →) to the Extra Monster Zone. He equips Coral Triangle, Sea Butterfly and Sea Angel to Great Bubble Reef with Battle Ocean's effect. (MGBR: 2600 + 2000 = 4600ATK) Great Bubble Reef attacks and destroys Phoenix. [AK: 2900 - 1800 = 1100LP] Phoenix revives Ally of Justice Catastor to Arisu's field. Yuno uses Great Bubble Reef's effect to discard a WATER monster and Special Summon the banished Marincess Crown Tail to his field. He ends his turn.

Turn 7: Arisu Kirijo

Arisu draws. Yuno banishes Marincess Blue Slug from the GY to draw 1 card with Great Bubble Reef's effect. (MGBR: 2600 + 600 = 3200ATK) Arisu activates Burial from a Different Dimension, returning 3 banished monsters to the GY. She returns Thystvern, Smiger and Rosenix to the GY. She banished Thystvern and Smiger and adds a "Crystron" monster and a "Crystron" Spell/Trap from her Deck to her hand. She then discards a "Crystron" card to Special Summon Crystron Sulfefnir from the GY. Sulfefnir destroys itself and Special Summons Crystron Rion from the Deck. Arisu Normal Summons Crystron Quan. (1*/500/500) She tunes Quan and Rion to Catastor to Synchro Summon Crystron Quariongandrax (9*/3000/3000) in Attack Position. Using Quariongandrax's effect, she banishes Marincess Great Bubble Reef and Crown Tail from the field, along with Marincess Blue Tang from the GY. Quariongandrax attacks directly. [YS: 1000 - 3000 = 0LP] Arisu wins!

---

Duel 3 Summary: Kaname Mizuchi vs Mion Myojin

Format: Normal Duel

Turn 1: Kaname Mizuchi

Kaname Normal Summons Beautunaful Princess. (1*/0/0) She banishes it to Special Summon Paces, Light of the Ghoti (2*/0/0) from her Deck. She Special Summons Ixeep, Omen of the Ghoti (4*/1500/0) from her hand since a Fish monster was banished. She tunes the Level 2 Paces to the Level 4 Ixeep to Synchro Summon Arionpos, Serpent of the Ghoti. (6*/2100/0) With Arionpos's effect, she banishes Lasec, Sacrifice of the Ghoti (2*/0/0) from the Deck. She activates the Field Spell, The Most Distant, Deepest Depths. She banishes Paces from the GY to add a "Ghoti" monster to the hand. She sets 2 cards and ends her turn.

Turn 2: Mion Myojin

Mion draws. Kaname activates Paces's effect during the Standby Phase, Special Summoning it to her field. Mion sets the Scale 2 Servant of Endymion in the Pendulum Scale, the Field Spell, Magical Citadel of Endymion, and then the Scale 4 Mythical Beast Bashilisk in the other Pendulum Scale. She activates the Continuous Spell, Mythical Institution. She removes 3 Spell Counters from Servant (3*/S2/900/1500) to Special Summon it from the Pendulum Scale and Reflection of Endymion (7*/S2/1850/2700) from the Deck. Using Reflection's effect, she targets Servant and Arionpos to return them to the hand.

Kaname uses Paces's effect, tuning it to Arionpos and Synchro Summoning Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti. (8*/2700/0) Arionpos lets her banish Arionpos itself from the GY to add a Level 6 or lower Fish monster from her Deck to her hand. Using Askaan's effect, she banishes Askaan and Magical Citadel of Endymion from the field. Then, by banishing Paces from the GY, she returns Askaan to the field.

Mion's effect resolves, returning Servant to the hand and granting a Spell Counter to Reflection. She removes a Spell Counter from Reflection with Mythical Institution's effect to add Mythical Beast Jackal from her Deck to her hand and Normal Summon it. Then, using Reflection and Jackal, she Link Summons Day-Breaker the Shining Magical Warrior. (L2/1600/↙, ↘)] She uses Day-Breaker's effect to place a Spell Counter on it. Since she has no other card in her Pendulum Scales, she destroys Bashilisk with its own effect to shuffle Jackal into the Main Deck and draw 1 card. Mythical Institution gains 2 Spell Counters when a "Mythical Beast" card is destroyed. She sets the Scale 2 Servant of Endymion in the Pendulum Scale, and then she activates Spell Power Grasp, granting Day-Breaker another Spell Counter, while adding another copy of Spell Power Grasp from her Deck to her hand. She removes 2 Spell Counters from Day-Breaker to destroy Askaan.

Kaname activates the Continuous Trap, Ghoti Fury, banishing Askaan and Day-Breaker from the field until Kaname's next Standby Phase.

Mion sets the Scale 8 Magister of Endymion in the Pendulum Scale, Pendulum Summoning Reflection of Endymion and Mythical Beast Bashilisk (4*/S4/1800/500) from the Extra Deck, while Pendulum Summoning Mythical Beast Medusa (4*/S4/1500/1500) from her hand. Bashilisk attacks directly.

Kaname Special Summons Lasec from her banished cards in Defense Position. She then activates the Trap Card, Ghoti Chain, banishing Lasec from the field to Special Summon Eanoc, Sentry of the Ghoti (6*/2100/0) from the Deck. Eanoc Special Summons Lasec back to the field in Defense Position. Bashilisk destroys Lasec with the replay, and with Medusa's effect, she removes 2 Spell Counters from Mythical Institution to halve Eanoc's ATK/DEF. (ESOTG: 2100 / 2 = 1050ATK) Reflection destroys Eanoc, and Medusa attacks directly. [KM: 4000 - 800 - 1500 = 1700LP]

Mion enters her Main Phase 2 and overlays the Level 4 Bashilisk and Medusa to Xyz Summon Downerd Magician (R4/2100/200/OU:2) to the field in Attack Position. She ends her turn.

(Note: This one turn took me an entire day to properly work out. It's probably the most realistic a turn in this fic has ever been, other than someone getting wrecked by Traptrix.)

Turn 3: Kaname Mizuchi

Kaname draws a card. Paces and Askaan come back to Kaname's field, while Mion gets Day-Breaker back. Kaname banishes Lasec from the GY for her Field Spell's effect, adding another "Ghoti" monster from her Deck to her hand. She banishes Eanoc and Ixeep from the GY to Special Summon Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti (6*/2100/0) from her hand. She then targets Downerd to banish it when it leaves the field. She tunes the Level 2 Paces to the Level 6 Snopios, Synchro Summoning White Aura Whale (8*/2800/2000) in Attack Position. White Aura Whale's effect destroys all Attack Position monsters Mion controls. Then, it attacks directly.

Mion discards a Spell to Special Summon The Watcher - Mythical Vestige Priestess (8*/S9/3000/2000) from her Deck to her field. She then takes 1000 damage. [MM: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP] She places 2 Spell Counters on Mythical Institution.

Kaname activates the effect of Ghoti Fury, banishing Mythical Vestige Priestess and Askaan from the field until her next Standby Phase. Kaname uses Askaan's effect to Special Summon itself back to the field by banishing Snopios from the GY. Then, by banishing Paces from the GY, Kaname adds Snopios back to her hand.

Mion uses Priestess's effect to Special Summon Reflection of Endymion from her Extra Deck. Reflection of Endymion bounces Institution and Askaan from the field to the hand/Extra Deck. White Aura Whale attacks and destroys Reflection of Endymion. [MM: 3000 - 100 = 2900LP] Mion uses Reflection of Endymion's effect to add a "Endymion" card to her hand. Kaname sets 1 card and ends her turn.

Turn 4: Mion Myojin

Mion draws. She activates the Magical Citadel of Endymion, before activating the effect of Servant of Endymion in the Pendulum Scale, Special Summoning it from the Pendulum Scale and Mythical Beast Master Cerberus (8*/S4/2800/2800) from the Deck, while placing a Spell Counter on both of them. She then sets the Scale 3 Magical Abductor in the Pendulum Scale, before activating Mythical Institution again, Then, by removing 3 Spell Counters from Magister, she Special Summons Magister from the Pendulum Scale and Reflection from the Extra Deck. She uses Reflection's effect to bounce both White Aura Whale and Servant. Kaname uses Ghoti Fury's effect to banish both White Aura Whale and Master Cerberus until the next Standby Phase. Mion Normal Summons Servant of Endymion, before using Servant, Magister and Reflection to Link Summon Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians. (L3/1850/↙, ↓, ↘) Selene gains a Spell Counter for every Spell on the field and in the GY, so she gains 6 Spell Counters. She removes all 6 Spell Counters from Selene to add Mythical Beast Jackal King (6*/S4/2400/1400) to her hand. She then removes the last 3 Spell Counters from her field to Special Summon Jackal King with Selene's effect.

She banishes Ixeep and Eanoc from the GY to Special Summon Snopios from her hand. Jackal King attacks directly. Kaname uses Lasec's effect to Special Summon it. She tunes Lasec to Snopios to Synchro Summon Askaan again. Askaan's effect banishes Jackal King and itself. By banishing Snopios from the GY, Kaname Special Summons Askaan back to her field, and banishes Lasec to add Snopios back to her hand. Mion ends her turn.

Turn 5: Kaname Mizuchi

Kaname draws. Priestess and Master Cerberus return to Mion's field, while Paces returns to Kaname's field. Ixeep sets Ghoti Chain back to Kaname's field. Kaname sends Ghoti Fury to the GY to increase all her Fish monsters' ATK by 100 for each banished card. (ATBG: 2700 + 100 x 9 = 3600ATK) (PLOTG: 0 + 100 x 9 = 900ATK) (WAW: 2800 + 100 x 9 = 3700ATK) Kaname uses Breakthrough Skill on Selene. White Aura Whale attacks Selene and Master Cerberus, and Askaan attacks Priestess. [Mion: 2900 - 1850 - 900 - 600 = 0LP] Kaname wins!

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OC Cards:

Moonlight Rabbit Dancer

(5*/2000/1000/DARK/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect)

2 "Moonlight" monsters

This Fusion Summoned card cannot be destroyed by card effects while it is face-up on the field. This card can attack your opponent directly, but the damage it inflicts to your opponent is halved. If this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent by a direct attack: You can target 1 monster they control with higher ATK than this card; send it to the GY.

Trivia: Based on the rabbit. Since Serena is a bit less aggressive now, I wanted to symbolise that with her using a Fusion based on a herbivorous animal instead of a predator. The effect reflects this, with rabbits obviously not being confrontational animals—and thus preferring not to battle.

Crystron Borahydra

(5*/1500/2500/WATER/Machine/Synchro/Effect)

1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters

If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can target 1 Machine monster on the field; destroy it, and if you do, Special Summon it to your field in Attack Position. This card can declare an attack once for each Machine monster on the field at the start of the Battle Phase, and it gains 200 ATK/DEF for each banished "Crystron" monster and each "Crystron" monster in your GY. If this Synchro Summoned monster on the field is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can target 1 monster in either player's GY with ATK equal to or lower than this card's DEF; Special Summon it to your field in Attack Position.

Magnetic Current Link Dragon

(L3/2500/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↓, →)

3 monsters with different names, including a Link Monster

Once per turn: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher monster your opponent controls; negate its effects, then, place that opponent's monster in a Main Monster Zone this card points to and take control of it until your opponent's next End Phase, and if you do, your opponent gains LP equal to the original ATK of the targeted monster. If this card is sent to the GY: You can Set 1 Trap from your GY to your field. It can be activated this turn.

Marincess Sea Butterfly

(L2/1800/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↑, →)

2 WATER monsters

If this card is Link Summoned and you control only WATER monsters: You can Special Summon 1 Link-1 "Marincess" Link Monster from your Extra Deck. (This is treated as a Link Summon.) You can only use this effect of "Marincess Sea Butterfly" once per turn. While you control this face-up card in the Monster Zone or Spell/Trap Zone, co-linked WATER monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Trivia: Literally based on the Sea Butterfly. It's obviously meant to be used in conjunction with Sea Angel, if the Link Arrows and Sea Angel needing to be Link Summoned weren't obvious enough, reflecting the relationship between sea angels and sea butterflies irl.

Lasec, Sacrifice of the Ghoti

(2*/0/0/WATER/Fish/Tuner/Effect)

During your opponent's turn, if this card is among your banished monsters (Quick Effect): You can Special Summon this card in Defense Position. During your opponent's turn, if this card was Special Summoned this turn, you can (Quick Effect): Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Fish Synchro Monster using this card you control. If a Fish monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish this card from the GY instead. You can only activate each effect of "Lasec, Sacrifice of the Ghoti" once per turn.

Trivia: Its name is an anagram of 'scale'. It is based on the electric eel, and it was made because I, um, messed up one card's effect very severely during the duel writing, but the idea of rewriting the whole duel has me mildly dying.

The Watcher - Mythical Vestige Priestess

(8*/S9/3000/2000/WIND/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: You can discard 1 Spell; draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "The Watcher - Mythical Vestige Priestess" once per turn.

If a Special Summoned monster your opponent controls declares an attack: You can discard 1 Spell; Special Summon this card from your Deck or face-up in your Extra Deck, and if you do, take 1000 damage, and if possible, you can place 2 Spell Counters on a card on the field that a Spell Counter can be placed on. During the Standby Phase: You can banish 1 Pendulum Monster from your GY; excavate the top 3 cards of your Deck, and add up to 1 Pendulum Monster or Spell from among them to your hand, and then shuffle the other cards back into the Deck. If this card leaves the field: You can target 1 Pendulum Monster face-up in either player's Extra Deck; Special Summon it. You can only activate each effect of "The Watcher - Mythical Vestige Priestess" once per turn.

Trivia: No comment. :) It's an interesting card, isn't it?

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Different Card Effects from TCG:

Performage Ball Balancer - Anime-only card

Performage Flimsy Slimmer - Anime-only card

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End Notes:

Yeah. Ooh, how many people are going to get mad at the main characters losing? *presses hands together* It's necessary for growth. Don't hold it against me. Characters are going to have to lose once in a while. And better against actual Elite Officers instead of mooks, right? :) I am going to point out that this is Yuno's first loss so far in the story. Quite frankly, I hate overpowered MCs, and well, no character in this fic will have a perfect dueling record. That's just ridiculous. Remember, Arisu is twenty-one, five years older than the main characters. And honestly, if I want to establish a credible threat, I have to do it early. It's all for character development, in the end.

Here, we see several Synchro decks. We'll start with Dragunity and Naturia. Naturia was the first deck that I built myself, so I have a soft spot for it, but Dragunity is a deck that my brother used to teach me the concept of combos (aka not just Normal Summoning and ending my turn.) Either way, they're both very fun archetypes. Finally, Ghoti. Frankly, I love Fish monsters. I love WATER monsters more. I had a very hard internal dilemma on whether to keep Kaname as a Fish Synchro user when Icejades came out, because I also love Icejades, but in the end, I stuck to my guns.

I am aware that there might be mistakes in this chapter that I didn't find—it honestly taxed me a bit to write it, because of how many cards I have to keep track of. However, I figured out a new way to keep track of cards properly, so while I refuse to stare at Chino's Naturia combo ever again, I promise that there is a far lower chance of duel mistakes from now on. (I'm not revising the duels in this chapter. I'll cry.) The reason for previous mistakes is that I literally wrote all of the Duel outlines from memory. :) Now, I don't have to do that! I would say that Kaname vs Mion is the most painful duel I've ever had to write, but then I remember Mion and Nue vs Shino.

Also now, I can explain a bit. Kaname is the oldest OC in this entire fic in terms of when I created her. For an old 'from real life' OC fic that I wrote part of and never posted online, she was an OC that was inserted into Synchro, and thus didn't get involved in the Standard plot. Regardless, the facial dysmorphia, social anxiety and high-functioning autism are things that I directly lifted from myself, similar to how a lot of the struggles that other OCs in this story have are experiences from friends of mine, though their personalities are very different. There are no effect names right now, purely because while I can justify her text-to-speech being used for summon chants, having both summon chants and effect names might be taking it a step too far.

Review responses!

To HunterHQ, I do intend to give Reiji more screentime next chapter. My reasoning behind why Reiji's teleport function didn't work properly was that it was reverse-engineered from Yuto's duel disk, and thus is the knock-off of a knock-off of Academia's dimensional tech, causing it to glitch out sometimes. I am a manga fan, for the most part—I've read all of the mangas in the series at this point. If your question is referring to manga cards, then it's debatable if the characters will get them. It really just depends on whether or not they would be weirdly clunky in the anime decks. Hypothetically, if I wanted to give Yuri Lethal Dose Dragon, I'd have to change its effect slightly just to get it to fit, since its effect is horridly situational and doesn't mesh with Predaplants themselves. Hell, Lethal Dose Dragon is a better card in Albaz Dragons than Predaplants themselves. So stuff like that. Whether I use anything from the manga depends on whether it would make sense in the anime.

To Combo Enthusiast, I cannot comment on the presence of the manga cards in this story, or the new evolutions, for a very simple reason each—the manga cards are something that I'm still on the fence with, since they don't necessarily fit into their own archetypes that well, in the TCG at least. Don't crucify me if you're a manga fan! It's just that until the release of the new pack with the Pendulum Predaplants, Starving Venemy was impossible to get out consistently. Odd-Eyes could get out Starving Venemy more consistently. Clear Wing Fast Dragon was better by a long shot, but also not generic, which admittedly annoyed me a bit since the point of the Dimensional Dragons is to be generic. Dark Anthelion Dragon is just bad in the TCG, but in the context of a 4000LP format, it's probably far better. Phantom Dragon also doesn't compare to Pendulum Dragon at all. I'll leave it up to interpretation for now, but if I add the manga dragons, they might have slightly altered effects.

Meanwhile, for new card evolutions… eh. Most of them weren't around when I was planning the story. I don't think that Fast Dragon is necessary to use Clear Wing Rider irl, since there are other cards like Wind Pegasus that can technically also be used with it. For now, I will say that Dark Requiem will continue to be the 'normal evolution' of Dark Rebellion. Whether or not Arc Rebellion will show up isn't something that I'll comment on for now. I will point out though there is a chance that Clear Wing and Starving Venom might get Arc evolutions in the TCG (not this fic yet I haven't thought about it) since Odd-Eyes has one. Regardless, I don't think that there's a need to answer whether Clear Wing Rider or Predapower Fusion Dragon will show up right now, because if they did, it wouldn't be in this arc—they're too overpowered for that. :) Thank you for your review.

To naminexriku2468, yes, I definitely want to treat Yuto's character well. Disclaimer—it may not seem that way at first, but I promise that by the end of the Synchro Arc, it'll be obvious what I was going for with his character. Uh, Serena is with Shun and Dennis, but I get what you're going for. I did enjoy coming up with different groups to interact with. There is no Psychic Duelist among the Yu Boys. I already explained Predapower above, but for Verte Anaconda, that's obviously showing up, so I won't even bother to hide it. No comment on the rest though. Thanks for your excitement over this though!

To LHOCIN, we all know about the Yuri Dark Rebellion thing lmao, it's probably one of the biggest unintentional epic fails in Arc V. Hope you enjoyed this chapter—there's a lot of action, arguably, but I still think that there's a lot of content to enjoy between those duels!

To T.V.2000, I understand the confusion. Yuto is still injured, and will likely be recovering throughout the entire story, since healing doesn't take place that fast. However, he's using a brace for it so that it heals properly, and Reiji Akaba helped to make a duel disk that doesn't require as much movement for him, so he's still able to duel. Thanks for commenting on the Black Rose Dragon—it's one of my favourite monsters of all time, so I'm glad to use it here! :)

To phantomdragons, I understand the confusion. I was going to use the name 'Hunter Pace' before I connected the dots in my head and went "wait, they really made Mukuro Enjo's dub name Hunter Pace, wtf". I agree—I really wanted to explore Dennis's character, because he had so much wasted potential to his character. Dennis could have had an actual convincing redemption arc on screen, since the viewer knew that he was antagonistic. Dennis has Sora's character arc but completely done wrong. And you nailed what I was going for with Roget's character!

To DSpaceZ, I actually disagree with the idea that Dennis is one of the weaker Lancers, because Arc-V really did him dirty with the opponents that he had to face in canon. Arguably though, the Standard Lancers other than Reiji, Reira and Yuya (Tsukikage, Sawatari, Gongenzaka) are far weaker than the rest. I'd say that Yuya, Serena and Dennis are the next tier, and then Shun, Reiji and Reira are top tier. Also, I understand your opinion on OCs, but quite frankly, I already have most of the legacy characters that I want in the story, they're just showing up later. :) I understand that decks can be changed—I'm actually doing that with some of the legacy characters in later arcs. But I simply didn't think that certain characters would fit a good role for the story I'm trying to tell.

And actually, the reason that I left your review for last is because it's a good segue, though obviously, I enjoyed your review. *clears throat* The next part is going to be very nerdy, so people who want to click off now can do that. Feel free to drop a review, favourite or follow.

This concerns the portrayal of OCs in the fandom. Namely, the fact that there has always been a bit of a stigma around OCs in most fandoms, as inherently 'cringe' or self-indulgent. And perhaps it is the second, because most fanfiction is self-indulgent anyway. It's something that I see in certain fics in this fandom as well—and this isn't to criticise any of them, obviously! I love all of the fics that I'm about to mention. But fic writers seem to feel a pressure to not make any OCs, or as few OCs as possible, because they want the character that they use to be immediately likeable and familiar to the audience in some manner. As such, they force in legacy characters to fill in story roles that might have been better with an OC. For example—and I stress, this is not an insult—in mpena's Arc-V Remake, one of the antagonistic parties is Mikage Sagiri, who bears very little resemblance to her canon self, and is essentially an OC wearing a character's name and skin—if she was replaced with an OC, nothing would change other than her being a 'new character', and thus requiring more work to establish as a person. And that's fine, to be clear. I don't see this as a bad thing. What I want to bring forth is that there is no inherent difference between a legacy character and an OC in Arc V, because they're both non-canon characters that are brought into the story by the author to fulfill a role, except that usually, the legacy character is brought in for far more superficial reasons, rather than because they fit the plot. That's also fine. However, a fault of certain stories is that they bring in too many legacy characters as well out of nostalgia and for the sake of fanservice, and can't bear to let them go after their role in the plot is fulfilled. I'll point everyone to Arc-VOC, which does a lot of things right but admittedly has some flaws.

So, in general, when I add OCs into a plot, it's because I think that they provide something interesting that legacy characters cannot provide. I think that both legacy characters and OCs can add to the story in different ways. When it comes to fic writers that I think balance both OCs and legacy characters in a good way, without oversaturating one or the other, that's definitely Trading Game and Presage of Malevolence, which both do a good job with the characters they use. So I will never say that a fic is bad simply because it uses OCs either. This isn't really directed at anyone, I just happened to muse over this for a bit and my brain insisted on writing an essay, lmao.

In the end though, in this story, I will always try to keep the focus on the characters that matter most. Thanks for reading! Chapter 28 will take a while because unlike most other decks so far, I don't have all the effects already memorised. Plus, 29 is a killer chapter for my brain cells. See you all next time. Thanks for helping me reach 200 reviews.:)