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.)

39. Slipstream

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! We're taking this a lot more slowly than last chapter—just two duels this time. This chapter is normal length. Hope you enjoy!

---

Chapter 39: Slipstream

"... so you're saying that Dennis is a spy," Yuto said slowly. "That he caused Ruri's kidnapping."

"I know it sounds ridiculous, but he is. He was sent to retrieve Serena." Sora sounded anxious. "He's undercover right now."

Yuto watched him. "... I'm too trusting," he muttered to himself, rubbing his forehead. "You. Stay here. We'll go and find Shun once this next match is over, or when there's less prying eyes."

Sora grimaced. "I don't know if Kurosaki will—"

"He'll judge you more fairly than I will." Yuto snapped—having no energy to be kind right now.

If it was true…

If it was all true, then Ruri's kidnapping had been orchestrated by someone that they were now co-existing with.

If it was all true, then there was finally a face that they could put to this crime, something insidious and cruel.

---

"Oh! You must be my opponent!" Yugo grinned widely. "Nice to meet you! You look like a dramatic one. Oh, oh, are you an Entertainment Duelist like Yuya?"

Sawatari reflected that there did, in fact, exist a person more dramatic than him. "I'm the Great Shingo Sawatari," he boasted. "I'm from Standard, yes! And don't compare me to Yuya—he's my rival, but I'm going to show off a performance far better than his!"

"Nice!" Yugo grinned widely, not intimidated at all. "I'll take you up on that then!"

"... yeah." Sawatari got on his D-Wheel. "Now, you better not hold back on me!"

"I'd never!" Yugo laughed—a statement of challenge. "Now, let's go!" He rode forward, and Sawatari followed behind, amazed by how good the other boy was at riding. Or perhaps he shouldn't be—this was a Synchro Dimension resident, after all.

Outside, the crowd was loud. Sawatari caught up to Yugo at the starting line—but even he couldn't delude himself into thinking that he was going to beat the blue and yellow-haired boy to the first corner. As the blonde announcer above called for the duel to begin, both of them fired up the engines of the D-Wheel again, and they drove forward. Yugo overtook Sawatari immediately, and he eventually crossed the corner first. It wasn't even a close match, and so, Yugo took the first turn.

Sawatari gritted his teeth. Somehow, losing to this person who looked so much like Yuya Sakaki, even in such a small thing, infuriated him. At the same time, it felt… expected, for him to lose, and he didn't like that.

Be confident in yourself! You're Shingo Sawatari! You're the greatest!

[DUEL!]

Yugo: 4000LP

Shingo Sawatari: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Yugo] [H:5]

"I'll start!" Yugo shouted. "I'll Normal Summon Speedroid Horse Stilts!" In front of him, a white rocking horse with a green mane appeared, made of metal rods, blue exhaust smoke billowing out behind it.

[Speedroid Horse Stilts (4*/1100/1100/WIND/Machine/Effect)]

"I will then use Horse Stilts's effect! I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Speedroid" monster from my hand! Come—Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice!" A purple pyramid dice appeared, three metal balls surrounded by electricity spinning around it.

[Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice (3*/300/1500/WIND/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"I will tune the Level 3 Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice to the Level 4 Speedroid Horse Stilts! Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Yugo's ace appeared in front of him, a beautiful blue and white dragon, and Sawatari looked at it for a moment.

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

"... it's so similar to those guys' dragons," Sawatari muttered, thinking about Dark Rebellion and Odd-Eyes. And just as intimidating up close.

"I'll end my turn with that!" Yugo said with a grin. "Over to you!"

[Turn 2: Sawatari] [H:6]

"Draw! I will Normal Summon Abyss Actor - Wild Hope!" A cowboy in a skintight blue suit appeared.

[Abyss Actor - Wild Hope (4*/S2/1600/1200/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

"And I will open the circuit of dark shining stars!" Sawatari called.

"Oh, that's Link Summoning, isn't it? Miharu showed me!"

Sawatari barely held back from sulking. Learning Link Summoning in a very dramatic way was supposed to be his thing, but with Yuzu and that Gongenzaka learning it too, it now seemed far less cool than it had before. He had swallowed his pride just to ask Mion for lessons, and yet he had still ended up behind everyone else anyway—

"That's cool!"

Sawatari blinked.

"Both Pendulum and Link together?" Yugo shook his head enthusiastically, like a duckling scattering water from its feathers. "That's really cool!"

Sawatari perked up. "Exactly!" He exclaimed proudly, regaining his confidence. "And I, the super cool Sawatari, am going to show you that now! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are one "Abyss Actor" Pendulum Monster! I will set Abyss Actor - Wild Hope in the Link Markers! Come forth now and streamline the path forward! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Abyss Actor - Hyper Director!" A blue-skinned man with a striped suit appeared, covering one eye with a hand. His other hand was holding onto a white scroll that he was running his fingers across, one that resembled a script.

[Abyss Actor - Hyper Director (L1/800/DARK/Fiend/Link/Effect/↓)]

"I will then set the Scale 3 Abyss Actor - Superstar in the Pendulum Scale," Sawatari called. "And with the effect of Hyper Director, once per turn, I can Special Summon a monster from my Pendulum Zone, and place a "Abyss Actor" monster with a different name from my deck into my Pendulum Zone! But I can't Normal or Special Summon monsters, except "Abyss Actor" monsters! Come—Superstar!" A pink-haired man in a black studded leather jacket appeared, gazing at Yugo in a haughty manner.

[Abyss Actor - Superstar (7*/S3/2500/1800/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

"I will then place the Scale 2 Abyss Actor - Leading Lady in the Pendulum Scale." A green-haired girl with a purple witch hat appeared in the pillar of light to Sawatari's left. "With Superstar's effect, I will add an "Abyss Script" Spell from my deck to my hand, but it is sent to the graveyard at the end of this turn!"

"Since a Level 5 or higher monster activated an effect, I can activate Clear Wing's effect!" Yugo replied. "I can negate that effect and destroy that monster, and Clear Wing gains attack points equal to the destroyed monster's attack points! Dichroic Mirror!" Clear Wing's wings glowed, and a gale swept up, destroying Superstar.

[Clear Wing Synchro Dragon: 2500 + 2500 = 5000ATK]

"I will complete the Pendulum Scale with my Scale 9 Abyss Actor - Twinkle Little Star!" Sawatari grinned. "With my Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 3 to 8! Pendulum Summon! Come, my monsters! First—Abyss Actor - Superstar!" The pink-haired man reappeared on the field. "Second! Abyss Actor - Wild Hope! Third—Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist!" The cowboy-like monster appeared, and next to it, a green-haired woman in a red dress appeared, casually stuffing her hands in her pockets.

[Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist (4*/S8/1500/1500/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

"And I will use Superstar's effect again!"

"Superstar's effect isn't once per turn?" Yugo called in surprise.

"Oh, it is! But it's a 'soft' once per turn, so since you destroyed it and I summoned it again, I get to use its effect once again! I'll add an "Abyss Script" Spell from my deck to my hand, but it is sent to the graveyard during the End Phase! I will activate the Spell Card, Abyss Script - Opening Ceremony! I will gain 500 life points for each "Abyss Actor" monster I control! I control four—so I gain 2000 life points!"

Sawatari: 4000 + 500 x 4 = 6000LP

"I will then open my circuit again!"

"Oh, a second one?"

"You're a very receptive audience member," Sawatari praised. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two monsters, including a Fiend monster! I will set Abyss Actor - Hyper Director and Abyss Actor - Wild Hope in the Link Markers! Smug and organised, all the props and actors bend before your will! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Abyss Actor - Super Producer!" A smug-looking man with red-orange hair and dusty purple skin appeared, green bat-like wings that were too small for him to fly emerging from his shoulders.

[Abyss Actor - Super Producer (L2/1600/DARK/Fiend/Link/Effect/↙, ↘)]

From above, Yuno grinned in approval. "Not bad!" He said.

"Nice!" Yugo said appreciatively.

"I will use the effect of Super Producer! I will destroy a card I control to use one of two effects! I will destroy Twinkle Little Star in my Pendulum Scale to place Abyss Playhouse - Fantastic Theater in the Field Zone!" He retrieved a Field Spell from his deck, placing it on his field. Fancy lights and lasers showed up all around them, scattered around the field. "And I'll set a card and end my turn there!" He couldn't do anything while Clear Wing was still powered up—he'd have to wait until the next turn.

"I see." Yugo grinned. "Not bad! Let's go!"

[Turn 3: Yugo] [H:4]

"Draw!" Yugo glanced at the card. "I'll Normal Summon Speedroid Terrortop!" A series of three tops appeared, spinning around her.

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

"I'll use Terrortop's effect to add a "Speedroid" monster from my deck to my hand!"

"While I control Playhouse, the first monster effect you activate every turn becomes 'destroying a Set card I control' instead!" Sawatari countered. His set card shattered. "And that's a copy of Opening Ceremony as well! When Opening Ceremony is destroyed by an opponent's card effect while I have a face-up "Abyss Actor" Pendulum Monster in my Extra Deck, I can draw until I have five cards in hand!" Since he only had one card in hand, he drew four cards. "And with Super Producer's effect, during the Main Phase, I can destroy a card I control, and then place a card from my deck in the Pendulum Scale! I will destroy Leading Lady in my Pendulum Scale and place the Scale 2 Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie there instead!"

"Oh," Yugo said. "Interesting! No one's ever replaced my effects before… well, life goes on! Since I control a WIND monster, I will Special Summon Speedroid Taketomborg from my hand!" A small blue and gold robot appeared, spinning around next to Terrortop.

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

"I'll then use Taketomborg's effect, tributing it to Special Summon a "Speedroid" Tuner monster from my deck!" Taketomborg dissolved into green energy. "Come—Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice!" A golden dice with eyes on it appeared, spinning around the field.

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

"I'll use Red-Eyed Dice's effect to change Terrortop's Level to Level 4!"

[Speedroid Terrortop: 3* → 4*]

"And I'll tune the Level 1 Red-Eyed Dice to the Level 4 Speedroid Terrortop!" The two monsters shot up, the golden dice turning to a bright ring of light that the set of tops flew through. "Lively soul of swordplay. Synchro Summon! Come, Level 5! Hi-Speedroid Chanbara!" A red and green sword appeared on Yugo's field, with a golden hilt that seemed to have a figure sitting on it. It was sideways, resembling a D-Wheel in a way.

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

"Hi-Speedroid Chanbara will attack Abyss Actor - Super Producer! And with Chanbara's effect, it gains 200 attack points when it declares an attack!" The sword slashed forward, destroying the smarmy-looking producer.

[Hi-Speedroid Chanbara: 2000 + 200 = 2200ATK]

Sawatari: 6000 - 600 = 5400LP

"And Hi-Speedroid Chanbara can declare two attacks per turn!"

"You've got to be kidding me," Sawatari muttered.

Yugo grinned. "Hey, look alive! Chanbara's going to come straight for your Liberty Dramatist now! And his effect certainly isn't once per turn!"

[Hi-Speedroid Chanbara: 2200 + 200 = 2400ATK]

Sawatari: 5400 - 900 = 4500LP

"With Liberty Dramatist's effect, I'll shuffle an "Abyss Script" card from my graveyard into my deck when she's destroyed!" Sawatari immediately recycled Opening Ceremony.

"I'll end my turn!" Yugo grinned widely. "Over to you!"

[Turn 4: Sawatari] [H:6]

"Draw!" Sawatari glanced at his field. "I will activate the Spell Card, Abyss Actors' Dress Rehearsal! I can only use this card at the start of my Main Phase 1, and I can only Pendulum Summon "Abyss Actor" monsters this turn! With its effect, I'll add a "Abyss Actor" monster and a "Abyss Script" card from my deck to my hand! I'll then use the effect of Abyss Actor - Superstar! I will add an "Abyss Script" card from my deck to my hand!"

"It's the same result!" Yugo commented. "Clear Wing's effect activates! Dichroic Mirror!"

Sawatari grinned confidently. "In that case, if it's the same result for you, I'll be the one to innovate! You're the one that's forgotten—the first monster effect you activate per turn becomes 'destroy a set card that your opponent controls'! Thus, Clear Wing's effect misfires! Superstar's effect goes through!"

He swiped up a card from his deck.

"I'll then use the effect of Abyss Playhouse to reveal an "Abyss Script" Spell and "Abyss Actor" in my hand, and add a "Abyss Script" card with a different name from the one that I revealed from my deck to my hand!" He now had nine cards in his hand. "I'll complete my Pendulum Scale with the Scale 8 Abyss Actor - Comic Relief! Then, with this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 3 to Level 7! Pendulum Summon! Come from the Extra Deck! Abyss Actor - Leading Lady! Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist! Abyss Actor - Twinkle Little Star! Abyss Actor - Wild Hope! And from my hand, Abyss Actor - Curtain Raiser!"

His field was completely filled—Twinkle Little Star occupied his Extra Monster Zone, while his five Main Monster Zones were completely filled up as well.

[Abyss Actor - Twinkle Little Star (4*/S9/1000/1000/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Abyss Actor - Superstar (7*/S3/2500/1800/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Abyss Actor - Wild Hope (4*/S2/1600/1200/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Abyss Actor - Leading Lady (4*/S2/1500/1000/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Abyss Actor - Curtain Raiser (4*/S7/1100/1000/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

[Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist (4*/S8/1500/1500/DARK/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect)]

"Six monsters?" Yugo exclaimed.

Yeah, it was pretty impressive, wasn't it?

"Extreme amounts of card draw and swarming through the usage of Spells," Yuno murmured from above. "... it seems that when Reiji Akaba made that archetype for him, he was also thinking about someone else."

"... simp," Nue muttered, rolling her eyes, having had the same realisation.

"I will activate Opening Ceremony again!" Sawatari called. His life points shot up by an ungodly amount.

Sawatari: 4500 + 500 x 6 = 7500LP

Yugo let out a sound that was half-groan, half-laugh. "Oh, come on! I'm never going to burst through that!"

There was a moment when Sawatari just eyed him.

… yeah, you're the only one that buys that. In fact, I'm pretty sure that no one actually believes that I'm going to win against you.

"I will then activate Abyss Script - Rise of the Abyss King!" Sawatari declared. "I will target face-up cards you control, up to the number of face-up "Abyss Actor" monsters in Attack Position that I control, and destroy them!"

"What?" Yugo exclaimed. "And you control six…"

"I will destroy Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Hi-Speedroid Chanbara!" Alright, it was very much overkill, but better overkill than not wiping Yugo's field at all. Yugo's two monsters shattered. "Attack directly, Superstar!"

"Not yet!" Yugo called back defiantly. "When you declare a direct attack, I can Special Summon Speedroid Menko from my hand! And all your monsters are changed to Defense Position!" A spinning disc-like object appeared in front of him, before a shockwave hit the entire field, forcing all of Sawatari's actors down, unable to move forward.

[Speedroid Menko (4*/100/2000/WIND/Machine/Effect)]

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

"Yes!" Yugo cheered. "Well, it's my turn then!"

[Turn 5: Yugo] [H:2]

"... well, after you presented me with such a powerful field, and destroyed mine…" Yugo grinned. "I know what to do in return! I'll introduce you to the strongest of my Speedroids!"

Can you not? Sawatari internally said. I'm already struggling with one.

"I'll banish Speedroid Horse Stilts from my graveyard to send a WIND monster from my deck to the graveyard!" Yugo explained. "Of course, with your Field Spell's effect, that effect becomes one that destroys a set card you control! So?"

… so he was playing around Sawatari's Field Spell? That was surprisingly smart for such a seemingly reckless person.

"The card you destroyed was Abyss Script - Dramatic Story," Sawatari said. "When destroyed, I can return up to two cards from the field to the hand. I will return Twinkle Little Star and Curtain Raiser from my field to my hand!" His two weaker monsters returned to his hand—purely by reflex. Hopefully, he wouldn't need them to defend himself, but something was telling him that he should probably keep some of his cards to himself.

"Oh, good thing that I destroyed that early then!" Yugo beamed—ok, honestly, could nothing get this guy down? "Alright! Let's welcome Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper!" The green-haired doll-like toy appeared on the field.

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

"I will use Fuki-Modoshi Piper's effect. I will excavate cards from the top of my deck, up to the number of other WIND monsters I control, and add one to my hand. However, since I only control Menko, I'm essentially just drawing a card!" Yugo gestured to his field. "Alright! Witness this! I'll tune the Level 4 Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper to the Level 4 Speedroid Menko! Metal dragon with the power of the shining, free winds, take flight with the ideals of those who wish to rise! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake!" A large, metallic blue-grey dragon appeared, its long, bright neon green wings flashing brightly like a streak of lightning through the air.

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

What an intimidating monster…

"So that's your strongest monster?"

"My strongest Speedroid," Yugo agreed. "It's actually a more recent addition to my deck, compared to a lot of my other Synchro Monsters!"

"You're a Common, right? Wouldn't that be a rare card then? How'd you get it?"

"O-oh!" Yugo's grin didn't falter, but there was something pensive to his eyes. "Present from a year or so ago. Come to think of it, not that recent anymore… certainly feels like it hasn't been long since that day though. From my sister."

"Your sister…" Sawatari blinked. "Oi, oi, is she the one that arrested my comrades?" My sister, he specifically wanted to say, but the idea of saying the words still bothered him like a rash—as though even saying it would make it burn more.

Yugo blinked, and then he laughed. "That applies to both of them, I think. Which one?" He said, sounding surprisingly proud despite, you know, his sisters literally dragging two of the Lancers to prison.

Sawatari scowled for a brief moment. "Doesn't it bother you?" He asked. "Them being stronger than you and lording over you from above?"

"Huh?" Yugo looked genuinely confused. "They've never done that?"

"... what?"

"Like, I know that Kaname and Arisu are stronger than me," Yugo said, sounding completely relaxed—no resentment in his voice at all, just simple acceptance. He almost sounded proud of that fact, which was ridiculous. How could anyone ever be proud of their own weakness? Sawatari himself felt like he was going to die every time he even got close to that thought. "And that's fine. They taught me to duel, didn't they? Of course they're stronger. It just means that I have a goal to aspire to!"

And Sawatari blinked. A goal to aspire to…

He'd had quite enough of those already. His very dueling style was built on the people that he admired—even if he would rather fall into a large hole and perish than ever admit it to their faces. Yuya Sakaki's Pendulums, Reiji Akaba's Fiends, Mion's multiple Spells, the performance and the drama of every Action Duelist that he had ever met. He had assimilated it all into his playstyle.

And why? Because he thought that copying the strong would make him stronger? But was that really the way to grow stronger?

Yugo cleared his throat obliviously. "You seem to be going through some huge introspective monologue," he interrupted. "But uh, we're still in a duel. Kitedrake's effect triggers! I will destroy all other cards on the field! Leisure Hurricane!"

"All other cards?" Sawatari yelped. He reached outwards. "I will use the Pendulum Effect of Sassy Rookie! I will destroy it to negate the destruction of all my "Abyss Actor" monsters!" His Theater was blown up, along with his Pendulum Scales, but everything else was left unscathed.

"Whoa! You had a large-scale protection effect like that?" Yugo grinned. Kitedrake roared. "Nice! I guess it wouldn't be fun otherwise—and your monsters keep on coming back anyway. I will Normal Summon Speedroid Double Yoyo!" A pair of green, spinning discs with sharp silver blades around the sides appeared.

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

"I will then use Double Yoyo's effect to revive a Level 3 or lower Machine monster from my graveyard. Come back—Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice!" The golden dice reappeared. "And Red-Eyed Dice will change Double Yoyo's Level to 3!"

[Speedroid Double Yoyo: 4* → 3*]

"I will then tune the Level 1 Red-Eyed Dice to the Level 3 Double Yoyo! Thousand-face possessing shadow of the labyrinth. With that sharp blade, render chaotic darkness! Synchro Summon! Level 4! Hi-Speedroid Puzzle!" A humanoid figure in a black and green suit appeared.

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

"Now, I can't win against you this turn, since you negated your cards' destruction," Yugo continued. "Attack Leading Lady, Puzzle, and attack Superstar, Kitedrake!" The two monsters were destroyed by two swirls of wind. "I'll set a card and end my turn!"

[Turn 6: Sawatari] [H:7]

"Draw," Sawatari said. Against these two monsters… he certainly had options, but…

Damn it. Now he was wondering about himself a little. And his opponent, blithe as ever, was definitely not helping with his current existential crisis. "So you learned from admiring them, but not directly copying them? Is that what I'm supposed to do? Keep on watching them and trying to figure out how to grow on my own, instead of just trying to take what's theirs and use it myself without understanding?"

"Um." Yugo tilted his head. "You seem to be taking a lot more from this than me."

However, Sawatari was already moving on with his monologue. "I see now! That's why this feels so wrong! I feel like I'm going to lose to you—and I'm sure that everyone feels that way too! And I feel—what, like losing to you is natural? Because at least I learn something from it, I can take something to better myself? I'm not believing enough in myself!"

Yugo was blinking slowly. His mouth was slowly hanging open like a goldfish.

"Thanks, Yugo! I never would have learned that without you! From this day forth, you're friends with the Great Shingo Sawatari!"

"... alright," Yugo said. "Uh. Your turn?"

Right, right. He still controlled Wild Hope and Liberty Dramatist. And he had Twinkle Little Star and Curtain Raiser still in his hand. "I will set the Scale 1 Abyss Actor - Evil Heel and the Scale 9 Abyss Actor - Twinkle Little Star in the Pendulum Scales! With this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 2 to 8! Pendulum Summon! Come from my Extra Deck—Abyss Actor - Superstar! Abyss Actor - Leading Lady! Abyss Actor - Comic Relief! Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie!" The four monsters appeared on his field. "Let's go! I'll start by using Superstar's effect!" He added yet another "Abyss Script" Spell from his deck to his hand. "Evil Heel's Pendulum Effect! I will tribute Comic Relief to make your monster lose attack points equal to Comic Relief's! I will choose Kitedrake!"

Yugo's eyes widened as his monster was weakened by dark energy.

[Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake: 3000 - 1000 = 2000ATK]

"And Wild Hope's effect triggers! It gains 100 attack points for each "Abyss Actor" monster I control with a different name!"

[Abyss Actor - Wild Hope: 1600 + 100 x 6 = 2200ATK]

"Abyss Actor - Superstar attacks Kitedrake!" He could use Twinkle Little Star's Pendulum Effect, but that would reduce him to only two attacks this turn instead of five.

"I'll banish Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice from my graveyard and negate the attack!" A barrier formed in front of Kitedrake, protecting it from the attack.

… well…

"Wild Hope!"

Kitedrake was destroyed by the attack, and Yugo shielded himself from the small amount of damage.

Yugo: 4000 - 200 = 3800LP

"Kitedrake…" Yugo murmured, before he recovered. "I'll use Kitedrake's effect! When destroyed, I can add a "Speedroid" monster from my deck to my hand!"

"Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie will attack your Puzzle!"

"When Puzzle battles a Special Summoned monster, its attack points double!" Yugo said cheerfully.

[Hi-Speedroid Puzzle: 1300 x 2 = 2600ATK]

"What?" Sawatari gaped. "... the first time that Sassy Rookie would be destroyed each turn, it is not!" However, he still took damage.

Sawatari: 7500 - 900 = 6600LP

"Do your Puzzle's attack points remain the same?"

"Nah, they change back at the end of the Damage Step."

In that case, using Leading Lady's effect wouldn't help. It would trigger first, and the end result would be leaving that monster with higher attack points. What an effect…

"I'll end my turn," Sawatari muttered.

[Turn 7: Yugo] [H:2]

"Draw!" Yugo placed a card down. "I will activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn!" No prizes for guessing which monster that he chose to bring back—Clear Wing Synchro Dragon reappeared, letting out a loud roar. "And next, I will Special Summon Speedroid CarTurbo from my hand!" That was the card that he had searched out with Kitedrake's effect—a blue and red card-like monster, resembling a battery.

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

"I'll banish Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper from my graveyard to decrease CarTurbo's Level by 2!"

[Speedroid CarTurbo: 3* - 2* = 1*]

"I'll tune the Level 1 Speedroid CarTurbo to the Level 4 Hi-Speedroid Puzzle! Dual wings nurturing shining body. With those wings, leap into the sky! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 5! Hi-Speedroid Hagoita!" A red and green paddle-like object appeared, red shuttlecocks spinning around it with electric shocks connecting them together.

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

"And I'll banish CarTurbo and another "Speedroid" monster from my graveyard to give 800 attack points to all my WIND monsters until the End Phase."

[Hi-Speedroid Hagoita: 2000 + 800 = 2800ATK]

[Clear Wing Synchro Dragon: 2500 + 800 = 3300ATK]

"Attack Abyss Actor - Wild Hope, Hagoita!"

The paddle lifted up, smacking one of the shuttlecocks towards the cowboy actor.

Sawatari: 6600 - 1200 = 5400LP

"Since I took battle damage, I will use Leading Lady's effect to target Clear Wing and lower its attack points by the damage I took!"

Yugo laughed—crystal clear. "Clear Wing's effect," he said, reminding Sawatari of that very important fact that he had forgotten during his monologuing. "Dichroic Mirror!"

Leading Lady shattered, and Clear Wing's life points shot up.

[Clear Wing Synchro Dragon: 3300 + 1600 = 4900ATK]

"Attack Abyss Actor - Superstar, Clear Wing! Helldive Whirlwind Slasher!"

Yugo's ace dashed forward, and the winds shredded Superstar again.

Sawatari: 5400 - 2400 = 3000LP

Now, Sawatari was left with just Sassy Rookie and Liberty Dramatist.

"I'll activate my set card, Dragon's Bind," Yugo called. The Continuous Trap flipped up. "You cannot Special Summon monsters with attack points equal to or lower than Clear Wing's original attack points!"

What?

So the reason why he targeted Sawatari's stronger monsters… he had just sealed off Sawatari's Pendulum Summon completely. Sawatari had only a single monster that exceeded Clear Wing's attack points naturally, and that monster was currently stuck in his Pendulum Zone.

"I'll end my turn," Yugo said. "During my End Phase, Hi-Speedroid Puzzle lets me add a "Speedroid" monster from my graveyard to my hand!"

[Turn 8: Sawatari] [H:7]

"Draw!" Sawatari called. "I will…" How could he even win this without his Pendulum Summon? "I will activate Evil Heel's Pendulum Effect! I will tribute Liberty Dramatist and decrease your Clear Wing's attack points by her attack points!"

Since its Pendulum Effect was treated as a Spell effect rather than a monster effect, it did affect Clear Wing.

[Clear Wing Synchro Dragon: 2500 - 1500 = 1000ATK]

But since Dragon's Bind affected monsters with lower attack points than Clear Wing's original attack points, it didn't stop the lock that Yugo had on his monsters.

So he would have to defeat Clear Wing. Then, he could Pendulum Summon all of his monsters back.

"Sassy Rookie attacks Clear Wing!" He declared.

Yet again, Clear Wing was destroyed. Yugo's life points fell again.

Yugo: 3800 - 700 = 3100LP

Dragon's Bind was destroyed immediately after.

Sawatari held out his hand. "Pendulum Summon!" He called, entering his Main Phase 2. "Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist, Abyss Actor - Superstar, Abyss Actor - Leading Lady, Abyss Actor - Wild Hope, Abyss Actor - Comic Relief!" The five monsters reappeared on his field, joining Sassy Rookie.

"Six monsters on the field at once," Yugo muttered. "At least I stopped them from attacking me though."

"I'll set two cards facedown and end my turn!"

[Turn 8: Yugo] [H:1]

"Draw!" Yugo called. "I'll activate the Spell Card, Pot of Avarice! I will shuffle Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, Hi-Speedroid Chanbara, Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake, Hi-Speedroid Puzzle and Speedroid Taketomborg into the deck to draw two cards!"

… oh, he had Synchro Summoned that many times this game?

Yugo drew his two cards. "I will activate the Spell Card, Speed Recovery," he said. "I will revive a "Speedroid" monster from my graveyard. Return to the field, Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice!" Once again, the golden dice reappeared on the field. "I'll use Red-Eyed Dice's effect and change Hagoita's Level to 6!"

[Hi-Speedroid Hagoita: 5* → 6*]

Sawatari grimaced. A total Level of 7. That made it obvious enough what Yugo was going to do.

Oh my god, is this what it's like to face a main character? How many times am I going to face that dragon?

"I'll tune the Level 1 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice to the Level 6 Hi-Speedroid Hagoita! Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" The sleek dragon appeared, surrounded by winds once again.

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

"Anyway, your field's really solid!" Yugo said. "You brought out everything in Defense Position, so the only monster that I can battle for damage is your Sassy Rookie. He held up another card. "I'll show you something really special then, since I'm having so much fun dueling you!"

Fun…

"I'll Normal Summon Speedroid Gum Prize!" A white robot with red and blue stripes and lines around it appeared, very small compared to the rest of Yugo's monsters.

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

"And since I control a "Speedroid" Tuner, I can revive Hi-Speedroid Hagoita!" The paddle-like monster reappeared on Yugo's field. "I'll tune the Level 1 Gum Prize to the Level 7 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

"What?" Sawatari exclaimed. "Are you bringing out Kitedrake again?"

"Your Sassy Rookie would survive its effect, so I wouldn't win," Yugo pointed out. "So no. This is something completely different! Shine the wings that store the holy light, and strike down your enemies with its radiance! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8, Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!" Clear Wing reappeared from a burst of light, bright blue-white glass forming most of its body, covering blue scales. Every part of it had become beautifully crystalline, light shining through it. It looked almost like hope—impressively bright.

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

"An evolution?"

"An evolution," Yugo agreed cheerfully. "Well, I forgot how. It just happened one day!"

… getting power-ups just randomly one day? What?

… maybe this guy was a little too oblivious.

From above, Yuto blinked, before he took out Dark Requiem from his duel disk. Was it just his imagination, or was his card… glowing slightly? In his own room, Yuno looked at Hydrostatic Current as well.

And then—

There was a jolt, as though the world had shifted.

---

That makes three of six.

Interesting.

A strength that I personally did not attain while they were in my hands. Perhaps because I stood by all of them, while each of the pieces now only stands by one.

Let it click in place, then.

---

Yugo blinked, recovering—he had nearly doubled over for some reason. "Since Gum Prize was used as Synchro Material for Crystal Wing's Synchro Summon, I can send the top card of my deck to the graveyard, and if it's a "Speedroid" monster, Crystal Wing gains 1000 attack points!" He swiped up the top card of his deck. "... it's a "Speedroid" monster!"

Crystal Wing glowed white for a moment, the spirit of Gum Prize appearing behind it briefly.

[Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon: 3000 + 1000 = 4000ATK]

"I'll then tribute Hagoita to increase the Levels of all monsters on the field by 1!" Hagoita dissolved into light as Sawatari blinked in confusion.

[Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie: 4* + 1* = 5*]

[Abyss Actor - Superstar: 7* + 1* = 8*]

[Abyss Actor - Leading Lady: 4* + 1* = 5*]

[Abyss Actor - Wild Hope: 4* + 1* = 5*]

[Abyss Actor - Comic Relief: 3* + 1* = 4*]

[Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist: 4* + 1* = 5*]

[Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon: 8* + 1* = 9*]

"Why would you do that? It's one less attack for you!"

"All will be explained now!" Yugo raised a fist in the air. "Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie! And when Crystal Wing battles a Level 5 or higher monster, it gains attack points equal to that monster's attack points during damage calculation! Dichroic Refraction!"

"So that's why you increased the Levels of my monsters!" Sawatari exclaimed. His set cards were Abyss Actors Back Stage and Abyss Actors' Curtain Call, both of which wouldn't actually do anything in this situation. Neither would his Pendulum Scales, or any monsters on his field—

Oh, this was the end, wasn't it?

[Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon: 4000 + 1700 = 5700ATK]

"Thank you for the duel," Yugo said boldly. "But it's over now. Crystallos Edge of Gale!"

Crystal Wing charged forward, and with a single attack, it sliced down Sawatari's remaining life points.

Sawatari: 3000 - 4000 = 0LP

Winner: Yugo!

Sawatari came to a stop, feeling at once disappointed and—like it was inevitable.

Mion dueled that boy with the Machines, and she won, right? Why couldn't I do the same?

"Hey! Don't look so down!" Yugo got off his D-Wheel, walking over immediately and holding out a fist for a fistbump. "That was great. Six monsters at once? Bringing out a full field every turn? I had my hands full with that! Still feel like at any point, I might have lost!"

"... as if," Sawatari muttered.

Yugo furrowed his eyebrows. "Huh? What's going on with you?"

"You're all so overpowering," Sawatari said, and for a moment, he wasn't talking to Yugo. He was talking to everyone that had ever defeated him, and the shadows that they had left over his own self-confidence. "How is anyone supposed to catch up?"

Yugo shrugged. "I don't know why you're so worried," he said. "Just because others are stronger doesn't mean that you're not strong. As long as you're strong enough to respect yourself, that's all that counts!"

"... you're so simple," Sawatari said. "It's—not that easy."

"Well, it should be," Yugo pressed his fist to his chest, before he pressed it to Sawatari's as well. "That was fun. You were a good opponent. That's from me to you—no pity, no lies, yeah? I'm bad at both of those."

Such openly offered confidence…

"Next time," Sawatari said, "I'll win. No matter what. Even if everyone expects me to lose."

Yugo's eyes seemed to light up. "Well, I don't want to lose either!" He said enthusiastically. "But sure, let's go again after all of this, you and me!"

Sawatari finally returned the fistbump with a smile.

From above, Mion watched. While there was some worry in her expression, she was also somewhat pleased by the fact that Sawatari had actually been civil to someone for once, and made a friend.

My brother's learning social skills. What a marvel. It only took a completely different world to help him with that.

---

Yugo hummed as he headed from the garage towards the living area. Hopefully that made him feel better about himself… I don't actually know what he was thinking about, but leaving him like that just felt wrong.

He walked through the corridor—

Then, he felt that familiar presence again. Some others might be able to miss it, but not him—not when he had been so used to it for most of his childhood. He stopped in the corridor for a moment, his eyes scanning the area from the ceiling to the ground. He didn't see anything, but that didn't mean that there was no one there. He already knew, after all.

And yet, he was still unprepared when a hand softly touched the top of his head, ruffling his hair.

Yugo spun around, his voice catching in his throat. He let out a strangled sound of shock—not rejection, but surprise. She still had no presence at all. A single amber eye watched him over a white face mask, the taller figure tilting her head slightly.

… three years of missing her hadn't prepared him for this moment at all.

"... hey, Kaname," he said, his voice much more high-pitched than usual from shock.

Kaname tilted her head slightly more. She patted the top of his head again. Quite obviously, she did not say anything, nor could Yugo see her face. However, there was a feeling of amusement to the action. She withdrew her hand—

And then she turned around, about to head towards the garage.

That was it?

That was all that she had to 'say' to him, after so long?

If she had wanted to, she could easily have carried on walking to the garage without ever making him aware of her. She was the one that had stopped him there, and yet she wasn't going to do anything?

Yugo spun around, and he caught up to her, reaching out and grabbing her arm. For a moment, he felt like a child again, clinging to his older sister. He shook off the thought though. Kaname didn't try to shake him off, which was at least a good sign.

At a loss for words, Yugo just said the first thing that came to mind. "... Arisu gave me Kitedrake. She said it was from you."

Kaname inclined her head very slowly and slightly.

"I—thanks, but—I'd have liked—" Yugo swallowed. "I'd have liked for you to give it to me in person instead? Not that I would ever mind Arisu, but I—I—" He let go of Kaname's arm. "Yeah. I'd have liked if you were—"

Kaname pressed a hand firmly to his shoulder for a moment.

"... why did you go?" Yugo said, finally asking the question that was three years in the making.

Kaname looked at him. Her fingers carefully formed two words. 'Safety. Yours.'

"My safety?" Yugo repeated. "For my safety—what do you mean?"

A half-hearted shrug, a slight wave and flick of the wrist. A few more signed words. 'You. Worry. Me?' Are you worried about me?

"Obviously! You're still my sister, no matter what! I—I'm worried that you're in danger."

A soft, audible breath. 'Me. Not. Danger.' I'm not in danger. Then, with the quickness of someone amused, she continued. 'Me. Dangerous.'

"You're dangerous?"

And Yugo took a moment to look at her properly.

… not really.

"You look like the same person you've always been," Yugo said, honest and blithe.

And—

A soft sound, a hand raised over her face, something almost like a snort but close to silent. There were no words spoken, but Yugo could understand what that single moment of almost unnoticeable emotion meant. You're an idiot.

"... I don't remember when you started wearing that eyepatch," Yugo said after a moment. "Was it… no, it was before Roget adopted you, right?"

Kaname patted his shoulder one more time, before gesturing behind him—a sign for him to go back to his room.

Yugo frowned. "Did you miss me?" He said, before covering his mouth—he sounded so childish right now—

Kaname leaned down, quick as a bird, pressing her lips to his forehead, in the same way that she used to tuck him into bed when they were kids. (As a kid, he had always insisted that she be the one to do that, before it got too embarrassing to ask when he was older.) She physically turned Yugo around and pushed him forward, and by the time that Yugo whirled around to look at her, she was already gone.

Yugo glanced down, finding that his fists were clenched.

… damn it.

---

"Shun."

"Yuto." Shun looked up—he had just been considering how likely it would be for him to face either Nue or Yuto at this point, and the black and purple-haired boy had showed up just in time to distract him. "Hello. What—"

Then, his gaze fell on Sora, who was uncomfortably standing next to Yuto, and he jolted up immediately.

"Wait, Shun," Yuto said with a sigh. "... you might want to hear him out."

Shun gritted his teeth. He didn't have to hear this dangerous monster out—

Sora looked at him. There was something there that hadn't been there every time that Shun had met him before, and it gave him pause.

There was remorse.

"... sit down," Shun muttered, glaring at Sora. "And make your explanation good. Otherwise, I'm going to throw you out of the window."

---

"Oh. So you must be the legendary Security Overseer. My, my, this is the first time that we're meeting in person."

Kaname raised her head slightly from where she was seated on her D-Wheel. Her opponent had not yet gotten on her D-Wheel yet, the dark-haired woman holding the helmet at her side, a cunning smile on her face. Misty Lola took a step closer to her, looking over her slowly. Kaname glanced away. She hated anyone looking at her directly—especially for so long. It felt like someone was peeling the skin from her body, her face, every part of her that eyes lingered on for too long.

"... hmm. You really can control every part of your body language yourself, huh? I thought it was an over-exaggeration, but even I can't read anything from you at all." Misty reached out a hand towards Kaname's face, but Kaname immediately jerked away from her. "Oh?"

Kaname gestured to Misty's D-Wheel swiftly.

"I'd like to see you without that mask," Misty said. "I'm sure that I could read some fascinating things from that face of yours, if I could just look at it clearly…"

Kaname kept herself completely still and neutral.

No, that was not happening. She was not going to show her full face to the woman who could read a life from a smile. She had too many things to hide.

"Oh well. How about a wager between the two of us?" Misty raised a finger to her lips, almost as though asking her to keep a secret. "For the fun of it, of course."

Kaname waved a hand through the air. Not interested. There was no point in trying to sign anything when the other person didn't know sign language.

"Oh, but I'll make it worth your while!" Misty leaned back on her D-Wheel, still with that pleasant smile on her face. "Let's see. If you win, I'll hand over any and all evidence I have of Roget's corruption, and I'll owe you a favour."

Kaname tilted her head towards Misty, and she raised an eyebrow by a miniscule amount. True to her reputation, Misty immediately clued in on her slight curiosity.

"Oh? I see that the offer's intrigued you! If I win—" Misty sat down properly on her D-Wheel. "You do the same."

So, expose anything about Security that she knew.

Kaname shook her head very slightly.

It wasn't nearly worth it. She knew far too many things that no one else did.

"... how unfortunate," Misty said, her tone no less charming, but carrying an edge to it. "But so telling at the same time. Very few know Security's cruelty better than I do, Mizuchi-san. And yet, I want to see more."

Kaname tapped the side of her D-Wheel.

"Ah, yes, I suppose that we shouldn't keep the hyenas in the crowd waiting." Misty carried on smiling. She drove out, and Kaname took a moment to compose herself.

First Yugo, and then that woman…

She would be lying if she said that her heart was not beating slightly more quickly now.

She was not intimidated—had never been intimidated. What she was, and had always been, was anxious—a bubbling disease of nervousness that irrationally ate into her no matter what she did. But when she was doing her duty…

Well, it was easy to dismiss that when no one was looking at her so closely.

Even easier to dismiss it when she dueled.

So she rode out, and despite the loud sounds of the crowd, she simply carried on.

Her mission was to win.

So she would complete it.

---

"And this is our Security Overseer, the daughter of our very own Director of Security!" Melissa Claire clapped her hands together. "Let's welcome her, and wish her the best—Kaname Mizuchi-san!"

The Tops let out cheers, but they weren't exactly loud—after all, Kaname's heritage as a Common made her a slightly controversial figure, all things considered, compared to Arisu, whose origins were very well-known, or Makoto and Chino, whose origins were completely hidden. At the same time, the Commons all booed her or stayed silent—after all, she was very widely regarded as a traitor.

Mion watched her with some trepidation. At the same time, Yuno frowned.

Reiji adjusted his glasses as he watched the screen. … so she defeated Mion. Interesting, for such an unassuming figure.

Serena folded her arms. Security Overseer… so she's even stronger than the ones that beat me and Dennis, huh?

Kaname and Misty met at the starting line again.

"Oh, they all despise you," Misty murmured. "That makes me even more curious about you. How can you serve them knowing how little they care about you?"

Kaname didn't respond. She simply waited until the announcement for them to start was delivered, and then she took off. Misty followed her, but it was no competition in the end—Kaname took the first corner, drawing the top five cards of her deck without any hesitation.

[DUEL!]

Kaname Mizuchi: 4000LP

Misty Lola: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Kaname] [H:5]

Kaname glanced at the cards in her hand, and she immediately played a card. Her duel disk automatically spoke out her move for her. "The player Normal Summons Paces, Light of the Ghoti." The swirling white dumbo octopus with two black and hollow circles as its eyes appeared in front of her.

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

"The player chooses to activate Paces's effect. The player can banish it from the field to Special Summon a Fish monster from the player's hand." The octopus dissolved into bubbles and starlight. "The player Special Summons Beautunaful Princess." A beige-coloured fish appeared, floating around with rather thick lips.

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

"The player uses Beautunaful Princess's effect. The player banishes Beautunaful Princess from the field to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Fish monster from their deck. The player Special Summons Ixeep, Omen of the Ghoti from their deck." The beautiful blue gurnard with red dots within it appeared in front of her.

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

"The player ends their turn."

Mion frowned. This was far less set-up than what she had seen in her duel with the white-haired woman. Interesting. The crowd had burst into gossip too—some people suggesting that The Ghost had only gotten her position through nepotism, even though Mion knew that had to be false.

Misty laughed. "Interesting! What a graceful monster. Fitting for you." She drew a card. "My turn."

[Turn 2: Misty] [H:6]

"Draw," Misty said.

"Paces, Light of the Ghoti Special Summons itself back to the player's field during the Standby Phase, since it was banished during the previous turn." The octopus appeared in Defense Position.

"Oh? Interesting tactics." Misty raised a card to her face, smiling from behind it. "Cards that banish themselves and constantly bring themselves back to the field. I wonder what that says about you. A person constantly hovering on the brink, perhaps?"

Kaname blinked once. She did not respond.

Hurry up with your turn. I did not come here to be analysed by someone else.

"I will Normal Summon Reptilianne Scylla!" A red-haired woman with the bottom half of a monstrous, multi-mouthed white beast appeared, letting out a screech.

[Reptilianne Scylla (4*/1800/1200/DARK/Reptile/Effect)]

"I will then Special Summon Reptilianne Coatl from my hand with her own effect!" A woman with vibrant fire red hair appeared, her bottom half that of a long black serpent with a yellow underbelly.

[Reptilianne Coatl (4*/1400/1000/DARK/Reptile/Tuner/Effect)]

"And since you control a monster with 0 attack points—and would you look at that, I didn't even have to touch your monsters' attack points for that to be the case—I can Special Summon another "Reptilianne" monster from my hand. Come in Defense Position—Reptilianne Gardna!" A green turtle with a worn, faded yellow shell appeared next to Coatl.

[Reptilianne Gardna (4*/0/2000/WATER/Reptile/Effect)]

"And I will tune the Level 4 Reptilianne Coatl to the Level 4 Reptilianne Scylla," Misty said cheerfully. "Beautiful siren from within the tranquil serpentine swamp! Now, rise up with the dark promise in your eyes and drag our foes to hell with your song! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Reptilianne Melusine!" A snake woman with skin tinted with purple and grey appeared, elaborate patterns all over her skin. She had long, demonic wings behind her, almost like she was a slightly more colourful gargoyle.

[Reptilianne Melusine (8*/2500/2000/DARK/Reptile/Synchro/Effect)]

Kaname tilted her head, holding out a hand. Paces turned into two blue rings. "The player uses the effect of Paces, Light of the Ghoti. The player can perform a Synchro Summon using monsters they control. The player tunes the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 4 Ixeep, Omen of the Ghoti."

"Performing a Synchro Summon on my turn?" Misty chuckled. "Oh, you're something else."

"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." The glowing, luminescent blue and purple serpent appeared on the field, its bright white eyes clear and reflective. Its body slowly slithered around itself, impossibly long.

[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. The player banishes Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti from their deck. And when Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti is banished on the opponent's turn, the player can Special Summon it to their field." A beautiful fish appeared, milky white, with red fins swirling through the air, golden dots in lines across the fins.

[Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti (2*/0/1000/WATER/Fish/Tuner/Effect)]

"When Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti is Special Summoned, the player can immediately perform a Synchro Summon using cards that they control. The player tunes the Level 2 Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti to the Level 6 Arionpos, Serpent of the Ghoti. "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." The alien-looking white fish appeared, draconian body swirling around in the air in front of her. Its almost feather-like wings slowly rippled in the air. And its horns, as long as a human's body, glinted menacingly in the air.

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

From above, Mion narrowed her eyes. It was that monster—the one that had caused her so much trouble.

"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. Then, 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 opposing Reptilianne Melusine."

Misty's eyes widened. "Melusine can't be destroyed by battle or card effects, since all her materials were Reptile monsters," she murmured. "But banishing it, that's…" Then, as both monsters vanished into columns of bubbles, she laughed. "And I can't even use Melusine's effect, because even if I do, you've wiped yourself to a clean slate. It's too perfect. You know my deck, Security Overseer Kaname Mizuchi."

Kaname didn't acknowledge her words. "Once per turn, when Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti is banished, the player can banish a Fish monster from their graveyard to return it to their field. The player banishes Paces, Light of the Ghoti from their graveyard." The beautiful white fish reappeared on her field.

"I'll set a card facedown," Misty said. "Over to you, Mizuchi-san. Do show me more."

[Turn 3: Kaname] [H:5]

Kaname drew. The crowds had gone slightly quieter—any mocking words about her summoning a monster and passing having fallen apart the moment that she had begun performing Synchro Summons on her opponent's turn.

"Paces, Light of the Ghoti Special Summons itself to the player's field on the Standby Phase after it was banished." The dumbo octopus reappeared on her field. "The player Normal Summons White Stingray." A silky white stingray appeared, floating in the air next to Paces, glowing slightly.

[White Stingray (4*/1400/1000/WATER/Fish/Effect)]

"The player tunes the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 4 White Stingray. From the water, emerge with your true strength and make the world bow down before your regality. Synchro Summon. Level 6. Coral Dragon."

A beautiful dragon swam out, mainly orange, but with its body carrying a spectrum of colours that were close enough to orange but not quite. Pinks, reds, purples that faded into dark blues, making it look colourful and bright, gleaming with reflected light from the swirling whirlpool below it. It had a long tail, longer than its entire body, curled up beneath it, and it had two long claws, ready for the attack.

[Coral Dragon (6*/2400/500/WATER/Dragon/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

"Coral Dragon," Misty repeated. "That's far more colour than the rest of your monsters…"

From above, Yugo grinned. "That's her ace," he muttered. "Not quite Askaan, and not quite Guoglim either—while she uses those two more, she definitely likes this one best."

"She has good taste in monsters," Yuno said with a bright smile. "... of course, she's still just as intimidating."

"The player activates the effect of Coral Dragon. By discarding a card, the player can target and destroy a card on the field. The player targets Reptilianne Gardna." The green turtle exploded under a blast of water.

"Since Reptilianne Gardna was destroyed, I can add a "Reptilianne" monster from my deck to my hand!" Misty declared. "And I'll activate my set card, Snake Whistle! Since a Reptile monster I control was destroyed, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Reptile monster from my deck. Come in Defense Position, Reptilianne Naga!" The honey blonde-haired snake girl appeared.

[Reptilianne Naga (1*/0/0/DARK/Reptile/Effect)]

Kaname tilted her head. Her set card flipped up. "The player activates the Continuous Trap, Ghoti Fury. Once per turn, the player can target a Fish monster they control and a monster their opponent controls. The player then banishes both of them until the player's next Standby Phase. The player chooses to banish Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti and Reptilianne Naga."

"My monster can't be destroyed by battle, so you're just removing it from the field," Misty murmured. Naga and Askaan vanished from the field.

"Since Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti was banished, the player can banish a Fish monster from their graveyard to return it to the field. The player chooses to banish Paces, Light of the Ghoti." Askaan reappeared on her field.

"During the Main Phase, since I have a Reptile monster in my graveyard, I can discard Reptilianne Nyami from my hand to reduce the attack points of a monster you control to 0," Misty called. A dark glow surrounded Askaan.

[Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti: 2700 → 0ATK]

"Coral Dragon attacks directly."

The dragon dove forward, striking at Misty with its claws.

Misty: 4000 - 2400 = 1600LP

"The player ends their turn."

[Turn 4: Misty] [H:3]

"Draw." Misty chuckled. "It's my Standby Phase."

Kaname nodded. Paces reappeared on her field.

"So you can perform a Synchro Summon with that card, potentially disrupting my field more," Misty said, "And you have that Continuous Trap that can remove my monsters from the field without any detriment to yourself… what a cruel way of dueling. I will activate the Spell Card, Reptilianne Ramifications. I can choose two of its effects to trigger. I'll send a card from my hand to the graveyard to add a "Reptilianne" monster from my deck to my hand—and change the attack points of a monster on the field to 0." Coral Dragon was surrounded by dark energy as well.

[Coral Dragon: 2400 → 0ATK]

Kaname didn't do anything in response.

And Misty giggled.

"You're so careful," she said. "But I'll tear your field to shreds now. By tributing two monsters on either side of the field with 0 attack points, I can Special Summon Reptilianne Vaskii from my hand! And this is a Special Summoning condition, not an effect. Therefore, it does not start a Chain until she is summoned, and you cannot activate Ghoti Fury's effect yet. I will tribute Askaan and Paces!"

The two monsters dissolved into dust, and a pale-skinned woman with red hair appeared, wearing an elegant headdress. She had a striped black and brown snake body as her bottom half.

[Reptilianne Vaskii (8*/2600/0/DARK/Reptile/Effect)]

"And you no longer have Fish monsters," Misty pointed out. "So you can't use the effect of Ghoti Fury."

Kaname glanced at her, eye narrowing very slightly, before she revealed a card in her hand. "The player activates the effect of Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti," her duel disk said. "By banishing two Fish monsters from the graveyard—Paces and Askaan—the player can Special Summon it from their hand as a Quick Effect during either player's Main Phase." The large octopus appeared on her field.

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

"And since Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti, was banished, the player can banish a Fish monster from their graveyard—Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti—to Special Summon it to the field." Askaan swam up from a large portal that appeared in the air next to her. "Snopios's effect will be used by the player to target itself, causing it to be banished when it leaves the field. Since Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti was banished on the opponent's turn, the player can Special Summon it to the field." The glowing red lionfish appeared. "The player can immediately perform a Synchro Summon using monsters on the field. The player tunes the Level 2 Zep to the Level 6 Snopios. Most powerful creature of the deepest, most distant depths of the ocean. Bear your heart on your sleeve, your merciless weapons as your limbs, every part of you crashing into opponents that you can swat aside. Synchro Summon. Level 8. Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti."

A large translucent man o' war appeared, every limb of the aquatic creature covered in spikes, pale, ghastly white turning to bright red and then to ash grey at the ends of the spikes, like claws. Bright red light was gleaming from within its partially see-through body. White turned to grey to blue all over its body, colours constantly changing. A deadly, unhinged jaw-like structure slowly slid open, spike-like teeth grinding against each other.

[Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti (8*/2700/0/WATER/Fish/Synchro/Effect)]

"Another Synchro Summon on my turn…"

"Since Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti was banished, the player can banish a Fish monster from their graveyard to add it back to their hand. The player chooses to banish Ixeep, Omen of the Ghoti." Kaname narrowed her eyes. "The player uses the effect of Ghoti Fury. They will banish both Paces from the field and Reptilianne Vaskii from the field until their next Standby Phase."

"... how ridiculous." Misty grinned. "I'll commend you on that much. Since you control a monster with 0 attack points, I can revive Reptilianne Nyami." The blue-haired girl with a blue snake lower body appeared.

[Reptilianne Nyami (2*/200/0/DARK/Reptile/Effect)]

"I will then Normal Summon Ipiria." A silver lizard with light grey fur appeared.

[Ipiria (2*/500/500/EARTH/Reptile/Effect)]

"Since Ipiria was summoned, I can draw a card." Misty smiled. "I'll activate the Spell Card, Reptilianne Inducer. I'll banish a Reptile monster from my graveyard to Special Summon a "Reptilianne" monster from my deck and send a Reptile monster from my deck to the graveyard. Reptilianne Lamia!" A black-haired girl with a green and red snake-like lower body appeared, wearing a peach-coloured dress.

[Reptilianne Lamia (2*/0/0/DARK/Reptile/Tuner/Effect)]

"I will tune the Level 2 Reptilianne Lamia to the Level 2 Reptilianne Nyami and the Level 2 Ipiria," Misty concluded. "Beautiful, impossible hydra up in her tower! Now, strike out with your many heads, and crush us below your fangs! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Reptilianne Hydra!" The snake woman with multiple dark heads appeared, letting out a sharp hiss.

[Reptilianne Hydra (6*/2100/1500/DARK/Reptile/Synchro/Effect)]

"Lamia's effect. Since it was sent to the graveyard as Synchro Material, I can change the attack points of two monsters on the field to 0." Both Guoglim and Askaan were surrounded by a dark aura.

[Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti: 2700 → 0ATK]

[Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti: 2700 → 0ATK]

"And Hydra's effect triggers," Misty continued. "I destroy all monsters with 0 attack points that you control and draw a card for each! Shatterpoint Glare!" All three of Kaname's monsters exploded, and Misty drew three cards from the effect.

"... since Coral Dragon was sent to the graveyard, the player can draw a card."

"And of course, Hydra will attack you directly!"

… sure. Why not.

Kaname: 4000 - 2100 = 1900LP

"I'll set two cards and end my turn," Misty said cheerfully.

[Turn 5: Kaname] [H:5]

"Draw. During the Standby Phase, the monsters banished by Ghoti Fury's effect return to the field." Vaskii and Naga reappeared on Misty's field, while Paces reappeared on the field, floating in front of her. "The player will banish Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti and Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti from the graveyard to Special Summon Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti from their hand." She raised a hand."Snopios's effect banishes itself when it leaves the field. By banishing Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti from the graveyard, the player Special Summons Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti back to the field."

Misty sighed. "... I'm getting tired of that monster," she muttered.

From above, Mion nodded in agreement. Still though… the overwhelming way that Kaname was currently dueling—and it wasn't like Misty was weak either—made it even clearer that there was a gap between them.

Paces and Snopios flew up. "Tuning the Level 2 Paces, Light of the Ghoti to the Level 6 Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti. Spinning around, descend now with high velocity and rend this field like the waves you create. Synchro Summon. Level 8. White Aura Whale." The gigantic white fish with translucent fins appeared, casting a shadow across the entire field.

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

"When White Aura Whale is Synchro Summoned, all monsters the opponent controls in face-up Attack Position are destroyed."

"Oh," Misty said. "Trap Card, Offering to the Snake Deity. I will target a card I control and two cards you control. I will target Hydra on my field, along with White Aura Whale and Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti! And I can destroy all three cards!"

All three monsters exploded.

"... the player activates the effect of Snopios. Since it was banished by its own effect, a Fish monster can be banished from the graveyard to add it back to the hand. The player chooses to banish Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti. The player then uses the effect of White Aura Whale. By banishing a Fish monster from the graveyard, it is revived to the field." She banished Paces from the graveyard once again. The large white fish reappeared with a large wave of water that splashed across the field.

Kaname lifted her head, breathed in the smell of seawater and ocean breeze, and slowly exhaled.

"Well," Misty said, "I'll activate my other set card. The Trap Card, Ghost of a Grudge! If my opponent has eight or more cards in their graveyard—"

Kaname raised a hand—all fingers up except the thumb. Four.

Misty's eyes widened. "... you've been banishing cards from your graveyard this entire time," she said with some surprise. "But you were Synchro Summoning so much that I didn't think—you have four cards in your graveyard after all of that? Does that mean that most of your monsters are banished?"

Kaname nodded.

"Well, that's unfortunate." Misty revealed the last card in her hand. "Reptilianne Nyami. I will reduce White Aura Whale's attack points to 0."

Kaname flipped over another card in her hand. "Activating the Spell Card, Called by the Grave. The player banishes a monster from your graveyard, and its effects are negated." The answer was obvious, and Nyami slipped out of the graveyard.

"How overpowering," Misty said with a smirk. "Well then, I suppose I have been bested."

A shrug. Kaname pointed forward. White Aura Whale finished her opponent off.

Misty: 1600 - 2800 = 0LP

Winner: Kaname Mizuchi!

Kaname got off her D-Wheel at the starting line, as people came over to take it back to the garage. She turned to head towards the garage too—

A hand reached for her face out of the corner of her eye—

Fingers on her ear—

I remember what happened to me the last time someone touched my face.

Her ears were ringing.

What had happened?

She—

Her mask was still on. Her left hand hurt. She looked down.

Misty picked herself off the ground. There were some red marks on her face—the marks of nails.

Kaname glanced at her own hands. She had blacked out for a moment there.

"For the quickest moment there," Misty said with a weaker laugh, "I saw your face."

Kaname stared at her.

"And that was genuine," Misty continued. "You were so, so afraid. It's not just that the mask is hiding something, isn't it? It's not just facial dysmorphia either. For a moment, there was genuine fear in your eyes. That was trauma. Something has happened to you, and having your face be exposed brings back that trauma. And yet… who are you?" She touched her cheek, where Kaname had clearly slapped her in the face. "I read nothing from that glimpse other than fear. You… are empty."

Kaname shook her head. She walked off.

She did not want to deal with this.

Just a little more, and I fulfil my mission.

Then, it'll all properly be over.

This is the only way that I know to keep him safe. And her, too.

---

… I don't want to believe it. But if I don't, it might put him in danger. And her, too.

Shun Kurosaki raised his head, putting on his helmet as he studied his opponent.

"You look too serious, Kurosaki!" Dennis Mackfield grinned widely. "Why don't you relax a little? It's just a little friendly duel, after all—no large stakes."

Shun looked directly at him.

"Ask him something that he would mess up, something that he could not have known unless he was in the Xyz Dimension on that day."

"Just thinking about Academia," he said, his voice coming out more roughly than intended. … I'm actually fond of him. Of the Lancers. I do not want him to be a traitor, but I—

Dennis laughed nervously. "Even now? I'm trying not to think about it, actually."

"Yeah?"

… just ask it.

You'll always think and think about it otherwise. Better to know for sure.

"I'm thinking about what it felt like to watch them destroy my home," Shun said. "I've never stopped thinking about it. About those monsters, raining chaos everywhere…"

"Those giants, right?" Dennis said, putting on his helmet. "... you have to learn to let loose a little, Kurosaki. It was a tragedy what happened to you, but… well, I don't really know what to say, or if what I'd say would even help you! So I won't." He gestured towards the door of the garage, and he drove out first.

Leaving Shun watching after him.

In shock? No. In resignation, perhaps.

After all…

Dennis had never had the opportunity to see Antique Gear Chaos Giant. It had not been used in the invasion of Standard, only in the invasion of the Xyz Dimension, which Dennis had never seen.

He closed his eyes. Then, he opened them firmly.

Fine. Fine. He already knew the truth.

All that was left was how to face it.

---

Duel 1 Summary: Yugo vs Shingo Sawatari

Duel Format: Normal Duel

Note: I am well aware that there may be some inefficiency in how Sawatari plays. This is because Sawatari's Turn 2 had a major error at the end of it, and I had to move some stuff around to fix it. Just enjoy the ride. :)

Turn 1: Yugo

Yugo Normal Summons Speedroid Horse Stilts. (4*/1100/1100) With Horse Stilts's effect, he Special Summons Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice (3*/300/1500) from his hand. He tunes the Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice to the Level 4 Horse Stilts, Synchro Summoning Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (7*/2500/2000) in Attack Position. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Shingo Sawatari

Sawatari draws. He Normal Summons Abyss Actor - Wild Hope (4*/S2/1600/1200) from his hand. He uses Wild Hope as material to Link Summon Abyss Actor - Hyper Director (L1/800/↓) He sets the Scale 3 Abyss Actor - Superstar (7*/S3/2500/1800) in the Pendulum Scale. He uses Hyper Director's effect to Special Summon Superstar from his Pendulum Zone in Attack Position and to set the Scale 2 Abyss Actor - Leading Lady from the Deck in the Pendulum Zone. He uses Superstar's effect. With Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect, Yugo negates the effect, destroys Superstar, and Clear Wing gains ATK equal to Superstar's ATK. (CWSD: 2500 + 2500 = 5000ATK) Sawatari completes the Pendulum Scale with the Scale 9 Abyss Actor - Twinkle Little Star. He Pendulum Summons Superstar and Wild Hope from the Extra Deck, and Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist (4*/S8/1500/1500) Sawatari uses Superstar's effect to add a "Abyss Script" Spell from his Deck to his hand. He activates Abyss Script - Opening Ceremony, gaining 500 LP for each "Abyss Actor" monster he controls. [SS: 4000 + 500 x 4 = 6000LP] He uses Hyper Director and Wild Hope as material to Link Summon Abyss Actor - Super Producer (L2/1600/↙, ↘) in the Extra Monster Zone. Using Super Producer's effect, Sawatari destroys Twinkle Little Star in the Pendulum Scale to place Abyss Playhouse - Fantastic Theater from the Deck in the Field Zone. Sawatari sets a card and ends his turn.

Turn 3: Yugo

Yugo Normal Summons Speedroid Terrortop. (3*/1200/600) He activates Terrortop's effect. With Abyss Playhouse's effect, Yugo is forced to destroy a set card instead. The set card that he destroyed was Opening Ceremony, allowing Sawatari to draw until he had five cards in hand. Sawatari uses Super Producer's effect to destroy Leading Lady in the Pendulum Scale and palace the Scale 2 Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie from the Deck in the Pendulum Scale. Yugo Special Summons Speedroid Taketomborg (3*/600/1200) from his hand since he controls a WIND monster. He tributes Taketomborg to Special Summon Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice (1*/100/100) from the Deck. Using Red-Eyed Dice's effect, he changes Terrortop's Level to 4. (ST: 3* → 4*) He tunes the Level 1 Red-Eyed Dice to the Level 4 Speedroid Terrortop, Synchro Summoning Hi-Speedroid Chanbara (5*/2000/1000) in Attack Position. Chanbara attacks Super Producer, gaining 200 ATK with its effect. (HSC: 2000 + 200 = 2200ATK) [SS: 6000 - 600 = 5400LP] Chanbara attacks Liberty Dramatist. (HSC: 2200 + 200 = 2400ATK) [SS: 5400 - 900 = 4500LP] Since Liberty Dramatist was destroyed, Sawatari shuffles Opening Ceremony from his graveyard to the deck. Yugo ends his turn.

Turn 4: Shingo Sawatari

Sawatari draws. He activates the Spell Card, Abyss Actors' Dress Rehearsal, adding a "Abyss Actor" and "Abyss Script" card from his Deck to his hand. He uses Superstar's effect to add an "Abyss Script" card from his deck to his hand. Yugo activates Clear Wing's effect, but it is replaced with Abyss Playhouse's effect, and thus Clear Wing's effect misfires. Sawatari reveals an "Abyss Script" card and "Abyss Actor" card in his hand to use Playhouse's effect and add another "Abyss Script" card from his Deck to his hand. He completes his Pendulum Scale with the Scale 8 Abyss Actor - Comic Relief. He Pendulum Summons Abyss Actor - Leading Lady (4*/S2/1500/1000), Abyss Actor - Superstar, Abyss Actor - Twinkle Little Star (4*/S9/1000/1000), Abyss Actor - Wild Hope (4*/S2/1600/1200), Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist (4*/S8/1500/1500) from his Extra Deck, and Abyss Actor - Curtain Raiser (4*/S7/1100/1000) from his hand. Sawatari activates the Spell Card, Abyss Actor - Opening Ceremony, gaining 500 LP for each "Abyss Actor" monster he controls. [SS: 4500 + 500 x 6 = 7500LP] Sawatari activates the Spell Card, Abyss Script - Rise of the Abyss King, destroying Clear Wing and Chanbara. Superstar attacks Yugo directly. Yugo Special Summons Speedroid Menko (4*/100/2000) from his hand and changes all of Sawatari's monsters to Defense Position. Sawatari sets a card and ends his turn.

Turn 5: Yugo

Yugo draws. He activates the effect of Speedroid Horse Stilts in the graveyard, which is replaced with Abyss Playhouse's effect, destroying Sawatari's set card. Sawatari activates the effect of Abyss Script - Dramatic Story, returning Twinkle Little Star and Curtain Raiser from his field to his hand. Yugo Normal Summons Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper (4*/1000/1000) from his hand. He uses Fuki-Modoshi Piper's effect. Since he controls one other WIND monster, he can excavate one card from the top of his deck and add it to his hand. He tunes the Level 4 Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper to the Level 4 Speedroid Menko, Synchro Summoning Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake. (8*/3000/2800) With Kitedrake's effect, he destroys all other cards on the field. Sawatari destroys Sassy Rookie to negate the destruction of his monsters, but his other cards are destroyed. Yugo Normal Summons Speedroid Double Yoyo. (4*/1400/1400) He uses its effect, reviving Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice from the graveyard. Red-Eyed Dice changes Double Yoyo's Level to 3. (SDY: 4* → 3*) He tunes the Level 1 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice to the Level 3 Speedroid Double Yoyo, Synchro Summoning Hi-Speedroid Puzzle. (4*/1300/1600) Puzzle attacks Leading Lady and Kitedrake attacks Superstar, destroying both of them. Yugo sets 1 card and ends his turn.

Turn 6: Shingo Sawatari

Sawatari draws. He sets the Scale 1 Abyss Actor - Evil Heel and the Scale 9 Abyss Actor - Twinkle Little Star in the Pendulum Scales, Pendulum Summoning Abyss Actor - Superstar, Abyss Actor - Leading Lady and Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie and Abyss Actor - Comic Relief from his Extra Deck. He uses Superstar's effect to add a "Abyss Script" Spell from his Deck to his hand. He uses Evil Heel's effect, tributing Comic Relief to lower Kitedrake's ATK by the tributed monster's ATK. (HSK: 3000 - 1000 = 2000ATK) Wild Hope gains 100 ATK for each "Abyss Actor" monster he controls with a different name. (AAWH: 1600 + 100 x 6 = 2200ATK) Superstar attacks Kitedrake. Yugo banishes Tri-Eyed Dice from the graveyard to negate the attack. Wild Hope destroys Kitedrake. [Y: 4000 - 200 = 3800LP] Since Kitedrake was destroyed, he adds a "Speedroid" monster from his Deck to his hand. Sassy Rookie attacks Puzzle. Hi-Speedroid Puzzle's ATK doubles when it battles a Special Summoned monster. (HSP: 1300 x 2 = 2600ATK) [SS: 7700 - 900 = 6800LP] Sawatari ends his turn.

Turn 7: Yugo

Yugo activates the Spell Card, Monster Reborn, Special Summoning Clear Wing Synchro Dragon from his GY. He Special Summons Speedroid CarTurbo (3*/800/1200) from his hand, since he controls a WIND monster. He banishes Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper to lower CarTurbo's Level by 2. (SC: 3* - 2* = 1*) He tunes the Level 1 CarTurbo to the Level 4 Hi-Speedroid Puzzle, Synchro Summoning Hi-Speedroid Hagoita. (5*/2000/1000) He banishes CarTurbo and Menko from the GY to give his WIND monsters 800 ATK. (HSH: 2000 + 800 = 2800ATK) (CWSD: 2500 + 800 = 3300ATK) Hagoita attacks Wild Hope. [SS: 6800 - 1200 = 5600LP] Sawatari uses Leading Lady's effect, targeting Clear Wing. Clear Wing uses its effect to negate Leading Lady's effect and destroy it. (CWSD: 3300 + 1600 = 4900ATK) Clear Wing attacks Superstar. [SS: 5600 - 2400 = 3200LP] Yugo activates the Continuous Trap, Dragon's Bind, targeting Clear Wing and stopping Sawatari from Special Summoning monsters with an equal or lower ATK to Clear Wing. He ends his turn. He uses Puzzle's effect to add a "Speedroid" monster from his GY to his hand.

Turn 8: Shingo Sawatari

Sawatari draws. He tributes Liberty Dramatist with Evil Heel's Pendulum Effect, lowering Clear Wing's attack points. (CWSD: 2500 - 1500 = 1000ATK) Sassy Rookie attacks Clear Wing. [Y: 3800 - 700 = 3100LP] Dragon's Bind is destroyed. Sawatari enters his Main Phase 2 and Pendulum Summons Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist, Abyss Actor - Superstar, Abyss Actor - Leading Lady, Abyss Actor - Wild Hope and Abyss Actor - Comic Relief from the Extra Deck in Defense Position. Sawatari sets 2 cards and ends his turn.

Turn 8: Yugo

Yugo draws. He activates Pot of Avarice, shuffling Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, Chanbara, Kitedrake, Puzzle and Taketomborg into the Deck/Extra Deck to draw 2 cards. He activates the Spell Card, Speed Recovery, reviving Red-Eyed Dice. He uses Red-Eyed Dice's effect to change Hagoita's Level to 6. (HSH: 5* → 6*) He tunes the Level 1 Red-Eyed Dice to the Level 6 Hagoita, Synchro Summoning Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. He Normal Summons Speedroid Gum Prize (1*/0/800) from his hand. Since he controls a "Speedroid" Tuner monster, he can revive Hagoita. He tunes the Level 1 Speedroid Gum Prize to the Level 7 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, Synchro Summoning Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon. (8*/3000/2500/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect) With Gum Prize's effect, Yugo sends the top card of his Deck to the GY. Since it's a "Speedroid" card, Crystal Wing gains 1000 ATK. (CWSD: 3000 + 1000 = 4000ATK) Yugo tributes Hagoita to increase the Levels of all monsters on the field by 1. (AASR: 4* + 1* = 5*) (AAS: 7* + 1* = 8*) (AALL: 4* + 1* = 5*) (AAWH: 4* + 1* = 5*) (AACR: 3* + 1* = 4*) (AALD: 4* + 1* = 5*) (CWSD: 8* + 1* = 9*) Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie, and gains ATK equal to Sassy Rookie's ATK. (CWSD: 4000 + 1700 = 5700ATK) [SS: 3000 - 4000 = 0LP] Yugo wins!

---

Duel 2 Summary: Kaname Mizuchi vs Misty Lola

Duel Format: Normal Duel

Turn 1: Kaname Mizuchi

Kaname Normal Summons Paces, Light of the Ghoti. (2*/0/0) She banishes it from the field to Special Summon Beautunaful Princess (1*/0/0) from her hand. She banishes Beautunaful Princess from the field to Special Summon Ixeep, Omen of the Ghoti (4*/1500/0) from her Deck. She ends her turn.

Turn 2: Misty Lola

Misty draws. During the Standby Phase, Paces Special Summons itself back to the field. Misty Normal Summons Reptilianne Scylla (4*/1800/1200) from her hand. She then Special Summons Reptilianne Coatl (4*/1400/1000) and Reptilianne Gardna (4*/0/2000) from her hand with Coatl's effect. She tunes the Level 4 Coatl to the Level 4 Gardna. She Synchro Summons Reptilianne Melusine (8*/2500/2000)

Kaname uses Paces's effect. She performs a Synchro Summon on her opponent's turn by tuning the Level 2 Paces to the Level 4 Ixeep, Synchro Summoning Arionpos, Serpent of the Ghoti (6*/2100/0) in Attack Position. She uses Arionpos's effect to banish Zep, Ruby of the Ghoti (2*/0/1000) from her Deck. With Zep's effect, it Special Summons herself to her field. She tunes the Level 2 Zep to the Level 6 Arionpos, Synchro Summoning Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti (8*/2700/0) in Attack Position. With Arionpos's effect, she banishes a Fish monster from her graveyard to add a Fish monster of an equal or lower Level from her Deck to her hand. She uses Askaan's effect, banishing itself from the field along with Melusine from Misty's. Misty sets a card and ends her turn.

Turn 3: Kaname Mizuchi

Kaname draws. Paces Special Summons itself to her field. Kaname Normal Summons White Stingray (4*/1400/1000) from her hand. She tunes the Level 2 Paces to the Level 4 White Stingray, Synchro Summoning Coral Dragon (6*/2400/500) in Attack Position. She discards a card from her hand to use Coral Dragon's effect, destroying Reptilianne Gardna. With Gardna's effect, Misty adds a "Reptilianne" monster from her Deck to her hand. She then activates her Set card, the Trap Card, Snake Whistle. She Special Summons Reptilianne Naga (1*/0/0) from her Deck in Defense Position. Kaname activates the Continuous Trap, Ghoti Fury. She banishes Askaan from her own field and Naga from Misty's field until her next Standby Phase. By banishing Paces from her graveyard, Kaname brings Askaan back to the field. Misty discards Nyami to change Askaan's ATK to 0. (ATBG: 2700 → 0ATK) Coral Dragon attacks Misty directly. [ML: 4000 - 2400 = 1600LP] Kaname ends her turn.

Turn 4: Misty Lola

Misty draws. Paces is Special Summoned to Kaname's field. Misty activates the Spell Card, Reptilianne Ramifications, sending a card from her hand to the graveyard and adding a "Reptilianne" monster from her Deck to her hand. She also changes Coral Dragon's ATK to 0. (CD: 2400 → 0ATK) Misty uses the effect of Reptilianne Vaskii (8*/2600/0) and tributes Askaan and Paces to Special Summon it to her field in Attack Position. Kaname activates the effect of Snopios, Shade of the Ghoti, (6*/2100/0) banishing Paces and Askaan from her graveyard to Special Summon it in Attack Position. She banishes Zep from the graveyard to Special Summon Askaan back to the field. Snopios targets itself with its own effect to banish itself when leaving the field. She Special Summons Zep with its own effect. She tunes the Level 2 Zep to the Level 6 Snopios to Synchro Summon Guoglim, Spear of the Ghoti (8*/2700/0) in Attack Position. Since Snopios was banished, she banishes Ixeep from the GY to add Snopios back to her hand. She uses Ghoti Fury's effect to banish Paces and Vaskii from the field.

Misty revives Reptilianne Nyami with its own effect. She Normal Summons Ipiria (2*/500/500), allowing herself to draw a card. She activates the Spell Card, Reptilianne Inducer, banishing a Reptile monster from her GY to Special Summon a "Reptilianne" monster from her Deck and send a Reptile monster from her Deck to the GY. She Special Summons Reptilianne Lamia. (2*/0/0/) She tunes the Level 2 Reptilianne Lamia to the Level 2 Nyami and Ipiria, Synchro Summoning Reptilianne Hydra (6*/2100/1500) in Attack Position. She uses Lamia's effect to change Guoglim and Askaan's ATK to 0. (GSOTG: 2700 → 0ATK) (ASOTG: 2700 → 0ATK) She uses Hydra's effect to destroy all three of Kaname's monsters and draw a card for each. With Coral Dragon's effect, Kaname draws 1 card. Hydra attacks Kaname directly. [KM: 4000 - 2100 = 1900LP] Misty sets 2 cards and ends her turn.

Note: I never realised how much Ghoti played on the opponent's turn until I had to put it in words.

Turn 5: Kaname Mizuchi

Kaname draws. The monsters banished by Ghoti Fury's effect—Paces, Vaskii and Naga—return to the field. Kaname banishes Askaan and Guoglim from the GY to Special Summon Snopios from her hand. She uses Snopios's effect to target herself. By banishing Zep from the GY, she Special Summons Askaan back to the field. Kaname tunes the Level 2 Paces to the Level 6 Snopios, Synchro Summoning White Aura Whale. (8*/2800/2000) She uses White Aura Whale's effect to destroy Misty's Attack Position monsters. Misty activates the Trap Card, Offering to the Snake Deity, targeting Hydra on her field, along with White Aura Whale and Askaan on Kaname's field. She destroys all three. Kaname uses Snopios's effect, banishing Askaan from the graveyard to add it back to her hand. With White Aura Whale's effect, she banishes Paces from the GY, Special Summoning White Aura Whale back to her field. Misty discards Nyami. Kaname uses the Spell Card, Called by the Grave, banishing Nyami from the GY to negate its effects. White Aura Whale attacks directly. [ML: 1600 - 2800 = 0LP]

---

OC Cards:

Reptilianne Inducer

(Spell)

If there is a monster with 0 ATK on the field: You can banish 1 Reptile monster from your GY; Special Summon 1 "Reptilianne" monster from your Deck, and if you do, send 1 Reptile monster from your Deck to the GY. You can only activate 1 "Reptilianne Inducer" per turn.

---

Different Card Effects from TCG:

Abyss Actor - Wild Hope - I messed up the description last time. The Pendulum Effect is the anime effect, the Monster Effect is its TCG effect.

Abyss Actor - Superstar - Anime effect

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon - Anime effect

Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon - Anime effect

---

End Notes:

I would give a shoutout to the people who guessed correctly, but I'm pretty sure no one actually thought that I was going to change Yugo vs Sawatari, lmao. And no one thought I was going to change Shun vs Dennis either. And you're right. Those two duels were too pivotal—I never thought about changing them in the first place.

... I am unreasonably proud of this chapter's name.

Mion vs Rua was always chosen to contrast Sawatari vs Yugo. I don't think I ever decided on an opponent for Yugo in this round that wasn't Sawatari. Sawatari says it pretty clearly himself in the chapter, so I won't go on. Mist describes Sawatari's arc in this story as the 'funny side character that realises he's not the main character, and has to cope with that'.

Sawatari vs Yugo in canon was actually a lot shorter than what I remember. It kinda sucks because I don't know anything about Abyss Actors, so I just had to read through all their effects, come up with some basic turns and struggle with the whole duel. I tried to make it longer, but it was pretty much impossible to give the duel any tension when Yugo was part of it, considering that we've all seen this before—we all know that Yugo wins from the start. So instead, I decided to go a little more meta and introspective on it—we all know that Yugo wins, including Sawatari. The only person who doesn't already know that Yugo is going to win is Yugo himself. The audience knows, his opponent knows, the readers know. So how does Sawatari cope with that knowledge that no one thinks he has a chance? Well, he ends up still trying. And the fact that the only thing that can even touch Clear Wing/Crystal Wing is specifically Spells and Traps also does give Sawatari a slight chance.

(Also, the small irony of Mion losing to Kaname, and Sawatari losing to Yugo, was pointed out to me by Mist. Not intentional but interesting.)

Also, the duel itself was just less interesting for me to write because Yugo doesn't learn anything from it at all. I did find some amusement in the fact that Sawatari is just monologuing to himself and having all these realisations while Yugo is just cheerfully going along with it while having no idea what's going on, but yeah, Yugo's character moment in this chapter is what comes after the duel, not what happens during it, where he reassures Sawatari despite not knowing what's going on. I love how because Yugo is so oblivious, Sawatari has to be the straight man in this scene.

Anyway, yes, Crystal Wing debuts here, in a much more relaxed manner than Dark Requiem or Hydrostatic Current. Why didn't it show up in a super dramatic moment?... Yugo's too simple. And I don't mean that in a bad way! I mean that Yugo has no need for epiphanies, unlike his counterparts. It would feel unnatural to, at any point, have Crystal Wing show up because of some transformation, especially because Yugo clearly has Crystal Wing pre-Synchro Arc. He's perfectly content to just duel and have fun right now, and he's gotten Crystal Wing prior to this duel already, just by having fun. Honestly, the ending is the only part of this duel that I genuinely enjoyed, but it was a fun ending!

… also, I would like to point out that the evolution of Clear Wing is Crystal Wing, and Arisu's deck is the Crystrons. Alright, done, moving on—(*is dragged out of the room while foaming at the mouth about how Yugo's evolution mirrors his sister's cards, in the same way that Sawatari grows from losing to Yuya, etc.*)

Meanwhile, I showed Mist the scene before Kaname and Misty dueled, and she said, "either you're going to write the curb-stomping of the century or Kaname's not going to put in any effort whatsoever but still counter everything, and I can't tell what's going to be funnier to watch". And honestly, both options were on the table, but considering how I treated Misty the last time I wrote a duel for her, I decided to let her at least fight back somewhat this time. Misty's dueling is very much about sending a message, more than anything else. Thus, I did choose the second option, because it was fairer than curbstomping her. Still though, while Echidna and Melusine are both good cards, Ghoti absolutely trashes Reptilianne. Ghoti duels are so difficult to keep track of, but so fun to write. Also, giving Kaname CBTG was entirely a moment of self-awareness and Master Duel trauma.

I adore both Speedroids and Ghotis a lot. I think it's very obvious.

Review responses! Note to Guest reviewers, do try and review with a pseudonym, because it helps me figure out if you're the same person. There were a few that I think were from the same person, but I'm not 100% sure.

To LHOCIN, the duel that gave me the most trouble was Shinji vs Ruka, but to be honest, that whole chapter was a painful struggle to get through. Glad that you enjoyed the chapter though.

To phantomdragons, I'm glad that the duel lived up to what you expected, at the very least. I'm glad that you enjoy Kaname. A lot of how I write her body language and stuff comes from experience. I won't go into detail here, because there's another review which would be a better answer, but… yeah! Also yes, Hitoda is the queen of BMing others. One of the only people in the story with a deck that's made to BM others and who's genuinely mean enough to go through with it. Thanks for reading.

To DSpaceZ, as always, glad to see you. Yeah, a big obstacle I've seen in writing duels for Reptilianne, Scrap, etc is that while I've actually played those decks, I played them after the Link Monsters were released. I've been told that I'm an odd specimen in that I basically started playing with Master Rule 4, so my duel writing is definitely influenced by that. I do agree that more summoning methods should be granted, but eh, I have plenty of time to give them that. I'd might as well give them their canon cards first.

To Lara Croft, yes, probably. There's going to be a very long Aki duel soon, so I'll have to pull out all the stops for that.

To cardfan135, definitely think that Arc V missed a chance to have Ruri duel Dennis when she was brainwashed. It would have been fascinating, to have a brainwashed Ruri on Academia's side duel a redeemed Dennis on the Lancers' side and win against him, to give her at least one win before she dueled Kaito/Shun. But yeah, you guessed right on that final match-up. Nice idea on the Tag Duels! I won't confirm anything, but it's all good speculation.

To naminexriku2468, it wasn't something that I was personally thinking about, but you're actually right! Aki does give off that vibe, and she uses Plants too, haha.

To kikuruhime, yes, no one here can escape the sibling vibes. All shall be adopted. Ok, but yeah, found family is one of my favourite tropes, and considering that Arc-V's characters mostly had no family members at all, I have taken it upon myself to make them all each other's found family. Uh, a character that hasn't been wrapped into a family dynamic… *blue screens*. Maybe Gongenzaka? Haha. But I get what you mean. And as for your comment that you want to see the world burn (well you didn't literally say that but I got that vibe), trust me, you'll get more than what's necessary of angst. This entire story is running on an hourglass of sand, and the less there is, the more sad it gets.

To the Guest that was talking about Yuji, thanks for the compliment on power levels. I will say that Yuji is one of the main characters—and he will have a lot more to do, that's pretty self-explanatory. No comment on any plot developments. However, I will make two things clear, though I mean no offence—I'm just making sure that no one has the wrong expectations. I will not sacrifice one character's character development for another character to seem cooler. Nor am I remotely intending to follow or copy Fifth Circuit's plot—just because Fifth Circuit or Fifth Factor did something doesn't mean that every Arc V fic will be doing it from now on.

To T.V. 2000, I'm very glad that you enjoyed Crow and Shinji. Congrats on getting those duels right!

To the Guest asking for personal recommendations, I will admit that I get put off very easily by a lack of proper character grounding and/or excessive self-indulgence. If it's Yu-Gi-Oh fics in general, SPRGMR27's VRAINS: Compendium may be abandoned, but it's one of my favourite fics in the fandom of all time. Trading Game by PandoraJail is, as always, a cut above the rest—self-indulgent but very self-aware of itself. All of Kim Chang-Ra's character work is great, and (ae)donai is always a good reread. I don't think anyone will argue that Miracle Force Magic is not fucking incredible. Beyond the Pendulum by bladeWriter3 was one of the first fics I ever read, so I have a soft spot for it. Those are what come to mind immediately, of course.

To Dave, while I can't comment on plot, I will agree that the Yu counterparts are some of my favourite characters to write.

To the Guest asking about SI traits, I guess what you're actually asking is if I based any parts of the OCs that I made on myself. In which case—I would say that a lot of traits that my characters have are linked directly to myself and the experiences of the people that I know in real life, but that the personalities of all the characters are different—none of them are SIs of myself, but for stuff like selective mutism or certain disabilities, it does help that I know people with those traits. I think I mentioned this in a different chapter, but I suffer from the same anxiety/selective mutism as Kaname, so in a sense, I do base some of her communication struggles on myself.

To the Guest asking about voice actors, I'm not changing something that I decided on before the story because of a show I don't know anything about. Also voice actors do work for multiple shows, so I obviously chose those voice actors because they worked in a show I actually watched and I thought a character sounded similar enough to what I wanted for them.

… the next chapter will be very focused on the Xyz characters, for obvious reasons. It is the finale of Round 1, after all. I'll see you next time.