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.)

71. Transcience

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! This chapter had the most messy writing process ever. Dear god. Still, it's the best it's going to get, and I just want to chill and write the next chapter now, so here you go! 90% of the chapter is the duel, because with this character, there are much less interesting story beats to cover until we reach the final parts of the arc. :)

---

Chapter 71: Transcience

The truth is, I've known this entire time.

There is a rot in this city that is older than me.

Jack Atlas stared at the man in front of him.

This was not the only criminal in the city. Not by a long shot. But there was something about this man's existence that was like a contagion. It encouraged madness, it encouraged violence. Those who suffered the violence of men like Sergey Volkov could either shatter or become monstrous. What other choice did they have? To say that victims should respond in a certain way was unfair to them. It would be asking them to right a wrong that had been committed against them.

Jack wanted to take this man down. He wanted to remove this man from his city, no matter what.

But because it was so personal to him…

He exchanged a look with Arisu Kirijo. In a strange way, the situation was far more personal to them than anyone else here—

"You." A voice said quietly. Jack turned his head.

Miharu Kogami stood there. Next to her, Yuno Sugisaki was looking at her, seeming surprised. The girl's green eyes were fixed on the man in front of her.

"You're the one that hurt Reira so terribly," Miharu said. "Aren't you?"

A sickly smirk. "You're the one that he wanted to punish, aren't you? What was it?" He pinched his lips, speaking up with a high-pitched tone, mocking her. ""You disgust me. Just kill me instead, if you can." Isn't that what you said to him? That's why he got so mad, you know."

Jack blinked in surprise.

This quiet girl had said that?

"Jack Atlas." Miharu's tone was quiet and deferential. "I know that this is someone who you want to defeat. But you've already done our duty for us—you drove Academia away from your city. So, I apologise. It's selfish, but I want to defeat him."

… Jack couldn't shake off the feeling that he owed this girl something—owed Yuno Sugisaki, too. And at the same time, talking to her now felt like talking to Aki back then—

"Become King, Jack. But this is my battle—I have to try to talk him down myself. Otherwise, I can't atone for anything."

"... alright, Aki. We'll do it your way."

"Alright, Miharu Kogami. We'll do it your way." Jack raised his head imperially. "... show me exactly what you can do, as one of the few in this city who still has the right to challenge me for my throne."

"... I'm not interested in thrones," Miharu said.

---

"Miharu," Yuno said. "What exactly happened before we…"

For Miharu to say something so terrible about herself. Just kill me instead. That sent shivers down his spine.

"... it doesn't matter," Miharu said. "All that matters is what happened afterwards. I'm sorry, Yuno. The reason that I gave up on the chance to defeat him was because I didn't want to be separated from you. But if he's here, I have to take the chance. Is that okay?"

And in her eyes, those eyes that had seemed a little off the whole day…

There was something determined. Her focus was back.

Yuno didn't know what he felt about the fact that her focus had returned through anger. Was it even anger, or was it something else? He had never seen Miharu get angry.

"Then I'll—"

"No," Miharu said. She squeezed his hand—and then let go of him. "This isn't what you should be doing. As long as you're here, Yuno, it's okay. You have your own battle to fight, and I have mine."

It was like back then again… back when they existed in two different worlds again.

But just like back then, despite his real feelings, he nodded towards her.

"Do your best then," he said softly. "I'll always cheer you on."

Miharu nodded. "Thank you," she said. Her voice was odd… seemingly distracted. "Let's do that then." She breathed out slowly. "... but give me a moment."

She looked at Sergey. There was something cold to her gaze.

"I promised my brother that I would never do something like this on my own again. To consider everything as a whole—to consider if what I do would fit into what we would do." She tapped her duel disk. Her VRAINS avatar formed around her—the long crimson hair, the veil, white kimono and flower crown.

Yuno had seen her with this avatar before, naturally, though the others around them still seemed surprised.

"From the files that Carly-san found, I know what you are," Miharu said. "I know exactly what Roget made you. So… I have to eliminate you. Our duty is to the future of mankind, to manage technology and ensure that it never grows to be used for unforgivable purposes." Those words in a different intonation, as though she was repeating the words of someone else. "We find order in the eye of the storm, we do not allow unjust violence in this world, and we clear away the haze to find the truth. You are an abomination born of a man who has used technology for the worst ends."

For a moment, Yuno raised a hand to his head—the memory of the electric shocks returning to him.

"As such, this is not just as myself. I will erase everything related to Roget's projects—copies, the originals, every single terrible thing that he has developed, because that is my duty. In the name of the Knights of Hanoi, I will annihilate you!"

In the name of the Knights of Hanoi?... Yuno felt like he might be missing some important context, but at the same time, he understood… a little.

So that was why.

For someone like Miharu, who felt such a strong sense of responsibility when it came to the programs that she invented, to see technology abused like this—to intrude on the existence of people—was an insult to her sense of justice—to say nothing about her personal feelings.

… what did Miharu mean by 'again'?

"Let's begin," Miharu said—her voice once again collected, the peaceful surface of a lake.

Sergey smiled again. "Pretty," he crooned. "Shall I rip you from the ground, little flower?"

"If you can, go right on ahead. Rip my head from my shoulders and shatter my bones." The coldness of the statement seemed to genuinely surprise Sergey. "But it's not going to be that easy for you."

[DUEL!]

Sergey Volkov: 4000LP

Dazzling Spring: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Sergey] [H:5]

Miharu's duel disk name had automatically shifted to her avatar name, since her VRAINS AR program was now active.

"Start." Sergey put down a card immediately. "Normal Summon Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper." The black beast with a long, skeletal tail appeared, purple lines glowing around its body.

[Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper (1*/300/300/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"Ground Keeper's effect. Special Summon Level 5 or lower "Earthbound" monster from deck. Come—Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper!" The strange, aquatic beast appeared, eyes shut. Bright green lines ran along its body as well.

[Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper (5*/1600/1600/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"Tuning Level 1 Ground Keeper to Level 5 Stone Sweeper!" Sergey laughed maniacally. "Spirit bound to the earth, shake all of creation with your mystic power. Synchro Summon. Come forth. Level 6. Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin." The large minotaur creature appeared, letting out a loud, gruff sound. Its tails cast dark, demonic shadows over the body. Shackles and chains hung from its limbs. The light blue lines on its body cast a cold aura across the field.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin (6*/2000/1000/DARK/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)]

"Set one card. End turn."

[Turn 2: Dazzling Spring] [H:6]

"Draw."

Yuno watched her.

Miharu… am I finally going to see how you duel when you truly feel hostile towards someone?

"I'll Normal Summon Sunseed Genius Loci." The small, golden chalice with a brown seed on the top of it appeared.

[Sunseed Genius Loci (1*/0/600/EARTH/Plant)]

"Open, the future circuit that lights up my path. Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are one Level 4 or lower Plant monster. I will set Sunseed Genius Loci in the Link Markers. Appear now, young tree beginning to bear fruit. Circuit Combine. Link Summon. Link 1—Sunavalon Dryas." The smallest tree in Miharu's deck—though it was still rather tall—appeared behind her.

[Sunavalon Dryas (L1/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↓)]

"Since Sunavalon Dryas was Link Summoned using Sunseed Genius Loci, I can add a "Sunvine" Spell to my hand." Miharu flipped over the card. "Spell Card, Sunvine Sowing. I'll Special Summon a "Sunseed" monster from my deck. If I don't control a "Sunavalon" monster, I can only Special Summon Sunseed Genius Loci, but that's not a problem here. Come—Sunseed Twin." The pink and blue fairies reappeared on the field.

[Sunseed Twin (2*/0/800/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]

"I'll then take 1000 damage." The vine shot up, hitting Miharu, though she was clearly unbothered by it.

… or was she?

It was one thing to read Miharu's movements—Yuno still thought that he could understand her best, compared to anyone else. But there was a strange coldness to the avatar of Dazzling Spring, graceful as she was, that made it difficult to read her.

Even so…

There was no way that Miharu, exhausted as she was, hadn't felt pain from that.

Dazzling Spring: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP

"You hurt yourself too, little flower?" Sergey said—it might have been a taunt.

"There is no wound that I can't recover from," Miharu said. "I'll activate the effect of Sunavalon Dryas. Since I took damage, I can gain life points equal to the damage I took, and Special Summon a "Sunvine" monster from my Extra Deck. Come—Sunvine Healer." The pink flower woman appeared right behind Dryas, and Miharu's life points shot up.

[Sunvine Healer (L1/600/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↑)]

Dazzling Spring: 3000 + 1000 = 4000LP

"Then, Sunseed Twin's effect resolves. Return to the field—Sunseed Genius Loci." The small seed in the chalice appeared on the field as well—giving her four monsters on the field. "Now that the chain has resolved, I can activate the effect of Sunvine Healer. I will gain 300 life points times the Link Rating of a "Sunavalon" Link Monster I control. I will choose Sunavalon Dryas." Her life points shot up by the small amount, naturally.

Dazzling Spring: 4000 + 300 = 4300LP

"Open again, circuit. The conditions are two or more Plant monsters, including a Link Monster. I will set Sunvine Healer, Sunseed Genius Loci and Sunseed Twin in the Link Markers! Appear now, beautiful woman of the ash tree! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Sunavalon Melias!" The beautiful, slender woman that resembled a tree appeared on the field.

[Sunavalon Melias (L3/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/←, ↑, →)]

"Melias's effect," Miharu said. "Return to the field, Sunseed Genius Loci." The small seed reappeared on the field.

"Boring," Sergey said. "Weak monsters."

"I burned," Miharu murmured, "every moment of that duel into my memory. I know your monster's effects. Geo Gremlin can target a monster and force me to destroy it or give you life points equal to its attack points. But practically none of my monsters have any significant amount of attack points. So activate your effect if you want. I'll give you the life points if you want them so badly. But you can't torment me. For Reira, because it was all my fault… I know Reiji Akaba has already done what he thinks is right. But I can't settle."

I can't settle.

Yuno felt his heart ache slightly.

"Open, circuit. Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are one Plant Normal Monster. I'll set Sunseed Genius Loci in the Link Markers. Circuit Combine. Link Summon—Link 1, Sunvine Healer." Another copy of the pink flower woman reappeared on her field. "I will target Sunavalon Melias and gain life points equal to its Link Rating times 300." Her life points shot up immediately.

Dazzling Spring: 4300 + 300 x 3 = 5200LP

"Open again, my future circuit. Sow the seeds that lead me to the future!" The familiar circuit shot up above Miharu. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two or more Link Monsters! I will set the Link 3 Sunavalon Melias and the Link 1 Sunavalon Dryas in the Link Markers! Bloom, springtime's loveliest tree, the loveliest memory with the traces of malice! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4! Lovely flowers scattered in the wind—Sunavalon Dryatrentiay!" The beautiful cherry blossom tree—one of Miharu's three Link 4 monsters—appeared in her Extra Monster Zone.

[Sunavalon Dryatrentiay (L4/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↙, ↑, ↓. ↘)]

It was strange, but now, all of Miharu's cards were truly on the table. She had always been a girl far more concerned with others than herself. As such, other than the obligatory Synchro Monsters, it was unlikely that she'd made any more cards for herself.

Every card that she had was already a known quantity.

Come to think of it, she might even prefer it that way.

"When Sunavalon Dryatrentiay is Link Summoned, I can add a "Sunavalon" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. Sunavalon Dryatrentiay's effect," Miharu continued. "I will tribute a Link Monster I control to destroy cards you control, up to the Link Rating of the tributed monster. I will tribute Sunvine Healer." The pink flower woman dissolved into bright petals that swirled around her. "I will destroy Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin. Dazzling Spring Blossoms!" The petals swarmed the strange, dark creature, leaving the scent of cherry blossom petals in their wake.

Sergey smiled unpleasantly as his monster was destroyed—something cold and slimy.

Now, Miharu only had Dryatrentiay on the field—but she still had five cards in her hand.

"I will set the Scale 0 Sunvine Sprout and the Scale 4 Sunvine Pithos in the Pendulum Scales!" The two pillars of light shot up on both sides of her. "Sunvine Pithos's Pendulum Scale increases by 1 for every Plant monster I control."

[Sunvine Pithos: PS:4 + 1 = PS:5]

"Therefore, with this Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters from Level 1 to Level 4. Swing, pendulum. Manifest the shining road to the future! Pendulum Summon! Aromage Jasmine! Angel Trumpeter!" The two monsters appeared, one of them being the white-haired girl with purple eyes, while the other was a fairy that resembled the brugmansia, bright orange and white.

[Aromage Jasmine (2*/100/1900/LIGHT/Plant/Effect)]

[Angel Trumpeter (4*/1900/1600/EARTH/Plant/Tuner)]

"Since a Plant monster was Special Summoned, Sunvine Sprout's Pendulum Effect activates," Miharu said. "I will gain 1000 life points." Her life points shot up again, a soft glow surrounding her.

Dazzling Spring: 5200 + 1000 = 6200LP

"Since I gained life points, Aromage Jasmine's effect activates. I can draw a card." Miharu picked up a card, glancing at it. "I'll tune the Level 4 Angel Trumpeter to the Level 2 Aromage Jasmine."

Link to Pendulum and then to Synchro?

Did you duel like that against me, Miharu, when we were both caught in that fog?

"Beautiful mage surrounded by the heavenly sunlight. Let the petals flicker, unfurl, fade in your presence. Invisible, sweet scents that dance in the fleeting wind, be collected in the dark leaves, the gentle white flower. Synchro Summon. Level 6—Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram!" The woman with dark hair appeared, her bright fairy-like wings spreading out like those of a butterfly. Like the hairpin that Yuno was still holding onto—he hadn't slipped it back to her yet, and he didn't know where to begin. The mage swung her staff through the air, warm-coloured cloak sweeping behind her as well, casting a fleeting shadow on the ground. White flowers bloomed along her arms and staff.

[Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram (6*/2200/2000/LIGHT/Plant/Synchro/Effect)]

"Since Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram was Synchro Summoned, I can add one of the three winds of the Aroma archetype to my hand," Miharu said. She picked up another card from her deck. "I'll set two cards facedown. Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram attacks directly." The woman raised her staff, summoning forth flowers that shot towards Sergey, leaving petals across the ground.

Sergey: 4000 - 2200 = 1800LP

Huh? Sergey hadn't defended against that? Knowing Miharu, she had probably been afraid of overextending, which was why she hadn't summoned any more monsters. She could have used the Pendulum Effect of Sunvine Pithos to destroy Sergey's set card, but it would require her to get rid of one of her Pendulum Monsters. So she had avoided it.

Even so…

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

There was no way that Sergey Volkov would lose so easily, even to Miharu, right?

---

Miharu… was fine.

She was just thinking about too many things right now.

There were three reasons why she needed to don her avatar right now.

One. She did not want to be seen through, and Yuno knew her far too well. And it was a good thing in most cases, but in this specific case, she was not yet capable of hiding the feelings that were shaking her. If she showed that she was still physically in pain from everything, it would cause problems for the morale of the rest of the Lancers. Especially Yuno, who she could not hold back. Yuno could read her normal body language, but with the additional layering of an avatar, it might stop him from seeing through her so easily.

Two. She had said that reason herself, hadn't she? In a sense, this kind of inhuman technology was exactly what the Knights of Hanoi wanted to punish and destroy. In a sense, it wasn't just her own duty—it was the same duty that she had promised herself to when she had first insisted on joining her brother in the Knights of Hanoi.

Three. She was hurt.

She was hurt, and she was in pain, and she was not angry but she needed to prove to herself that she was not brittle and breakable. The fact that she had needed someone else to help her stand up again. The fact that she had been trembling all on her own. She needed to be something other than a victim, and maybe a part of her was glad for this chance. She did not fear physical pain, she was not afraid of being hurt by this man. There was no monster in this world that could terrify her. But she would rather duel him all alone than risk anyone else dueling him and being broken by him.

It was self-centred. She would be the first to admit that. Someone would look at this and think that she was simply searching for glory, that she would have teamed up with someone else otherwise. They would say that she did not have the right.

… Miharu thought that they would be right. But she couldn't help it.

But she could not allow others to see that truth. The fact that she was dueling him because she was damaged—because even now, after a whole decade, her mind was still struggling so much that she could unravel so easily under the reminder that her strength could be used so easily against those that didn't deserve to be hurt.

So, in a way, it was to help herself and to hide herself. To subject herself to duty, so that her emotions would not cloud her mind.

[Turn 3: Sergey] [H:4]

"Draw," Sergey said. "Field Spell, Earthbound Prison. Target monster, negate effects. Target Sunavalon Dryatrentiay."

"While my life points are higher than yours, Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram stops my monsters from being targeted by card effects," Miharu replied. Sweet Marjoram raised her staff, forming a barrier that shielded her monsters.

"Normal Summoning Earthbound Servant Line Walker." The black golem with long yellow lines running over its body appeared in front of him.

[Earthbound Servant Line Walker (3*/800/1100/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"Line Walker's effect. Add Harmonic Synchro Fusion from deck to hand. Then, Special Summoning Earthbound Prisoner Tomb Sweeper from hand since control Tuner." The reptilian creature with orange lines on its body appeared next to Line Walker.

[Earthbound Prisoner Tomb Sweeper (5*/1500/1500/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"Spell Card, Harmonic Synchro Fusion!" Sergey grinned. "Send Tomb Sweeper and Line Walker to graveyard, Special Summon one Fusion Monster and one Synchro Monster from the Extra Deck that use those two as materials, but can't Special Summon monsters from Extra Deck this turn, except Fusion or Synchro Monsters!" The two monsters shot up.

"A simultaneous Fusion and Synchro Summon, without actually properly summoning them…" Miharu murmured.

"Revive from the depths of the earth. Gigantic beast with wings of punishment. Synchro Summon. Come forth. Level 8. Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon." The avian beast appeared, letting out a shriek.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon (8*/2500/1500/DARK/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)]

"Prisoner that crawls across the earth. Become one with the prisoner fated to drown in grief eternally, and become a gigantic beast that delivers out punishment. Fusion Summon. Come forth. Level 8. Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken." The large giant squid appeared, its purple-streaked tentacles lashing out towards Reiji.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken (8*/2800/1200/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"Geo Kraken's effect. Add Field Spell from deck to hand. Geo Gryphon effect. Return—Geo Gremlin." The chained fiend from before reappeared with a loud shriek. "Battle Phase. Geo Kraken attacks Sweet Marjoram! Rip her apart!"

"Continuous Trap, Blessed Winds," Miharu countered. "By shuffling a Plant monster in my graveyard into the deck, like Angel Trumpeter, I will gain 500 life points." A glow surrounded her again.

Dazzling Spring: 6200 + 500 = 6700LP

"Since I gained life points, Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram's effect activates," she continued. "I will target a card the opponent controls and destroy it. I will target and destroy your set card." Sergey's one set card blew up.

"... hah. Not scared of… attacks?" Sergey gestured forward. "Destroy her!"

Miharu braced herself. The long tentacle slashed through the air, hitting her and slamming her in the air, even as it shredded Sweet Marjoram. She was thrown back through the air, hitting the wall—much to the clear alarm of the Lancers.

Dazzling Spring: 6700 - 600 = 6100LP

"Miharu!" Yuzu cried out. Yuya took a step forward as well, and Gongenzaka was glaring at Sergey in disgust. Yuno, meanwhile, had already run over to her.

"It's fine," Miharu said, pushing herself up to her feet. "It was just a small amount."

"I wish you'd take better care of yourself," Yuno said softly. "I can tell that it hurt, you know."

Yeah. But the point was that with the avatar on, she couldn't see any injuries. Even if she was likely bruising from the Solid Vision strike, she wouldn't worry about it for now.

Sergey laughed—sounding drunk. "Geo Gryphon attacks Sunavalon Dryatrentiay!"

"Sunavalon Dryatrentiay cannot be targeted for an attack," Miharu said, raising a hand and gesturing outwards with it. "It does not stop the opponent from targeting me directly for an attack."

"Miharu!" Yuno exclaimed. Miharu, however, got up and moved away from him. She didn't want him to get caught in the crossfire.

"Then I'll grant your wish, self-destructive girl," Sergey said, seeming extremely pleased. "Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon attacks directly!"

The winds burst out, even more violent than before, swirling around her and catching her in the vortex. The force was so strong that she fell onto the ground—the wind tangling up her hair. It felt like some kind of shredding force on her body.

Dazzling Spring: 6100 - 2500 = 3600LP

"Continuous Trap, Sunavalon Glorious Growth!" Miharu flipped over her other set card. Her avatar was still showing some wear and tear, even if it didn't show physical injury—the fabric of her veil had been shredded. "I'll—"

"Since control Level 8 or higher DARK monster, banish Earthbound Requisition from graveyard." Sergey revealed the card that Miharu had just destroyed. "Negate activation of Spell or Trap, destroy."

Sunavalon Glorious Growth exploded—it would have been a very easy way to win, but unfortunately, it seemed that it had been expected.

"Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin attacks directly!" The fist slammed down, hitting her and tossing her back again. Miharu forced herself not to make any sound.

Dazzling Spring: 3600 - 2000 = 1600LP

"Geo Gremlin's effect. Banish Tomb Sweeper and Ground Keeper from graveyard to Fusion Summon. Spirit bound to the earth, stealthily snare the souls of foolish humans, and devour any that stand before you. Drag them into the depths of the oceans and the earth, as fierce winds blow around you! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 6! Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade!" The dark spirit with white lines running along its body appeared—besital and inhuman, its shark-like body snapping its jaw, teeth grinding against each other.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade (6*/2400/500/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

This monster…

This was a representation of that terrorised daughter of his, wasn't it? Miharu pushed herself to her feet.

"Geo Isonade's effect. Target and destroy Sunavalon Dryatrentiay!"

"Special Summoning Sunvine Maiden from my hand," Miharu said. "I'll negate the effect." The pink-haired girl appeared on her field in Defense Position.

[Sunvine Maiden (1*/0/0/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]

"Geo Isonade attacks Sunvine Maiden!" The waves shot forward, destroying her monster. However, Miharu was protected from the attack.

"Set card, end turn," Sergey said, grinning.

[Turn 4: Dazzling Spring] [H:2]

"Draw," Miharu said. Her voice was slightly hoarse from the pain.

"I can't watch," Yuno said. "You can't expect me to watch—"

"But I should watch you get hurt?" Miharu said. It was a simple question—one that Yuno didn't seem to know how to reply to. "These two-on-one matches—they're because we're all tired, and fighting alone will destroy us. But I'm not alone right now, I'm alright. This man isn't like the rest—he duels to cause pain, and I—and if he attacks… I'm not afraid…"

These monsters dealt more damage than usual.

I'm not afraid of being hurt. I'm afraid that others will get hurt, if I am not good enough to defeat this man.

She gestured forward. "Spell Card, Graceful Charity. I will draw three cards and discard two. Blessed Winds' effect. I will pay 1000 life points and Special Summon a "Aroma" monster from the graveyard! Return to the field, Aromage Jasmine!" The white-haired young mage reappeared, instead of the Synchro Monster. The vine hit her stomach and she winced.

Dazzling Spring: 1600 - 1000 = 600LP

"Since I Special Summoned a Plant monster, Sunvine Sprout's Pendulum Effect allows me to gain 1000 life points." She began the arduous process of healing herself back up again.

Dazzling Spring: 600 + 1000 = 1600LP

"I'll activate the Spell Card, Aroma Garden," Miharu declared, the Spell revealing itself on the field. "Since I control an "Aroma" monster, I can gain 500 life points, and all monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points until the end of my opponent's next turn!"

Dazzling Spring: 1600 + 500 = 2100LP

"Since I gained life points, Aromage Jasmine lets me draw a card." She picked up the card carefully. "With Aromage Jasmine's effect, I can perform an additional Normal Summon of a Plant monster each turn. I will use this effect to Normal Summon Evil Thorn." The dark sapling appeared on her field.

[Evil Thorn (1*/100/300/DARK/Plant/Effect)]

"I will tribute Evil Thorn to inflict 300 damage to you and Special Summon two copies of it from the deck." The two small saplings appeared on her field.

Sergey: 1800 - 300 = 1500LP

"Open again, circuit! Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two Plant monsters. I will set both copies of Evil Thorn in the Link Markers. Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Lush green leaves of the laurel tree—Sunavalon Daphne!" The woman with a white body that resembled bark appeared, green leaves and branches coiling around her body.

[Sunavalon Daphne (L2/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/←, →)]

Sergey grinned widely. "Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken's effect," he crooned. "When opponent Special Summons monster from Extra Deck, destroy as many monsters opponent controls as possible, and inflict 800 damage for each!" The kraken raised its tentacle in the air again. "Destroy Sunavalon Daphne and Aromage Jasmine! Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!"

… father. I sometimes think that what I hate the most is what I don't understand.

And what I understand the least is madness.

The tentacle slammed down twice, destroying both of her monsters, along with swiping her along the side.

Dazzling Spring: 2100 - 800 x 2 = 500LP

"I know that very well," Miharu said. She stared at Sergey—no, it might have been emotional enough to be a glare. "And you wasted it."

Sergey blinked.

"When an…" Miharu coughed. "An "Aroma" monster is destroyed and sent to the graveyard while I control Aroma Garden, I can gain 1000 life points." Like a seesaw, her life points shot up again.

Dazzling Spring: 500 + 1000 = 1500LP

"Normal Summoning Sunseed Carving." The wooden carving appeared on her field—an idol.

[Sunseed Carving (1*/0/0/EARTH/Plant/Tuner/Effect)]

"Open, future circuit that lights up my path. Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are one Plant Normal Monster. I will set Sunseed Carving, which is treated as a Normal Monster on the field and in the graveyard, in the Link Markers. Sweet-smelling calm adored by death. Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1—lover of death, Sunavalon Minthe!" The slender pale plant woman appeared, a crown of bones resting on her head. She was in the Main Monster Zone directly behind the left Extra Monster Zone—or directly behind Dryatrentiay.

[Sunavalon Minthe (L1/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↓)]

"When Sunavalon Minthe is Link Summoned, I gain 300 life points for each Plant monster on the field. I control Minthe and Dryatrentiay."

Dazzling Spring: 1500 + 300 x 2 = 2100LP

"Furthermore, since Sunseed Carving was sent to the graveyard, I can add a "Sunseed" or "Sunavalon" card from my deck to my hand." She picked up the card. "Swing, pendulum. Pendulum Summoning Sunseed Genius Loci." The small chalice appeared in front of her. "Using Sunseed Genius Loci to Link Summon the Link 1 Sunvine Gardna." The small wooden golden appeared in front of her, holding up its shield-like arms.

[Sunvine Gardna (L1/600/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↑)]

"Then, open again, circuit. Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two Plant monsters, including a "Sunvine" Link Monster. I will set Sunvine Gardna and Sunavalon Minthe in the Link Markers. Beautiful purple flower that longs for the sun. Circuit Combine. Link Summon. Link 2, Sunavalon Clytia!" The beautiful woman with purple petals forming her body appeared.

[Sunavalon Clytia (L2/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↑, →)]

"Sunavalon Clytia's effect. I will shuffle a Plant monster, like Aromage Laurel, from my graveyard into the deck. Then, I can draw one card." She picked up another card from her deck. "I'll banish Sunseed Shadow from the graveyard. I will target Sunavalon Clytia to Special Summon a copy of it from my Extra Deck, but its effects are negated, and I can only Special Summon Plant monsters this turn." Another copy of Clytia appeared on the field.

"Then, Sunavalon Dryatrentiay's effect. I will tribute the Sunavalon Clytia I just Special Summoned." Her monster dissolved into the same purple petals—mixing with the pink of cherry blossoms. "I will destroy Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon and Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin! Dazzling Spring Blossoms!"

Because if she destroyed only one of them first, Geo Gryphon could bring it back. Thus, logically, this was the only way.

The two fiends were destroyed by the storm of petals.

"Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade's effect. When other "Earthbound" monster destroyed, once per turn, draw one card. When Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon is destroyed, destroy one card on field, inflict 300 damage to opponent for each "Earthbound" monster with different name on field and in graveyard." Sergey, who seemed extraordinarily pleased, gestured forward, winds stirring up. "Destroy Sunavalon Dryatrentiay!"

… well. That was hardly unexpected. It wasn't a targeting effect, which was unfortunate. Even so, winds struck at the tree, tearing its branches down.

"Six monsters," Sergey crowed, and the winds closed in.

Dazzling Spring: 2100 - 300 x 6 = 300LP

… what kind of weakness was this?

How could she do this to her comrades? If she lost here, she would be subjecting the others to this. She couldn't. She could not—

It was fine. She still had Clytia on the field. She had a card in her hand.

She just had to rethink everything. As it stood, Sergey still had a set card, along with Geo Isonade and Geo Kraken on the field.

Step by step…

Wasn't that how things worked with her, anyway?

"Setting one card facedown," she said. "Ending my turn."

Sergey grinned from ear-to-ear.

[Turn 5: Sergey] [H:3]

"Draw," Sergey said. "Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken attacks!"

A direct attack, naturally—Clytia couldn't be targeted by an attack.

Even so…

"Trap Card, Quaking Mirror Force," Miharu countered. The card flipped over. "All monsters in Attack Position that you control are changed to facedown Defense Position, and they cannot change battle positions!" Both Geo Isonade and Geo Kraken were flipped facedown—neutralising both of them instantly. Miharu heard Yuno let out a sigh of relief.

Sergey gestured forward. "Main Phase 2," he said. "Tribute Geo Isonade and Geo Kraken." The two Fusion Monsters turned into streaks of light. "Come forth! Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua!"

An enormous whale appeared in front of Sergey, floating eerily—its body could crush an entire block of buildings. There was lines of light shining on its body.

[Earthbound Immortal Chacu Challhua (10*/2900/2400/DARK/Fish/Effect)]

Around her, everyone was shivering. Miharu noticed that quickly. Perhaps only Jack seemed mostly unaffected.

Was there something going on with this monster?

"You…" Sergey pursed his lips, and now there was something livid to his expression. "Feel nothing? How?"

Feel…

Miharu quickly took stock of her own feelings. Naturally, there was a very easy way to check that.

… her vision had faded slightly.

Naturally, if she hadn't let on to her own comrades about how her crippling her mental state was, she wouldn't tell her opponent about it.

"You—" A twisted, furious expression. "Ugly! Feel nothing!"

Miharu gathered up all her strength, shaped an emotionless look on her face, and met his gaze directly. "I'll take that as a compliment," she said. "So?"

"Activate Chacu Challhua's effect! Inflict damage to you equal to half its defense points!"

Ah. 1200 damage.

"Banishing Breakthrough Skill from the graveyard," Miharu countered. "I'll negate your monster's effects until the End Phase." The waves that the whale was summoning up dissipated harmlessly. "... are we done with that?"

Sergey growled. "End turn. Crush you!"

"You can try," Miharu repeated. "... but worse men than you have tried, and I'm still alive."

She wasn't sure what she felt about those words. Happiness? I survived what they did to me. Sadness? Why is it that even when I'm still alive, I can't get over it? Defiance? I'll live through that too.

"Blessed Winds' effect," she continued—mindful, as always to make full use of her healing effects. "I'll shuffle Sunavalon Dryas from my graveyard into the Extra Deck to gain 500 life points."

Dazzling Spring: 300 + 500 = 800LP

"I'll take my turn."

[Turn 6: Dazzling Spring] [H:1]

"Draw," she said. "Sunavalon Clytia's effect. I'll shuffle Sunavalon Daphne into my Extra Deck to draw another card." Prepared, she revealed a card in her hand. "I'll send Aromaseraphy Angelica from my hand to the graveyard. I'll target Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram and gain life points equal to her attack points."

Her life points shot up immediately.

Dazzling Spring: 800 + 2200 = 3000LP

"I'll pay one thousand life points with the effect of Blessed Winds," Miharu continued. "I'll Special Summon Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram from my graveyard." The Synchro Monster reappeared on her field.

Dazzling Spring: 3000 - 1000 = 2000LP

"Then, since I control a "Aroma" monster and my life points are higher than yours, I can Special Summon Aromaseraphy Angelica from my graveyard." The small fairy reappeared, hovering next to Sweet Marjoram.

[Aromaseraphy Angelica (1*/0/0/LIGHT/Plant/Tuner/Effect)]

"However, she is banished when she leaves the field." Miharu slowly breathed out. "... the Pendulum Effect of Sunvine Sprout. I will gain one thousand life points."

Dazzling Spring: 2000 + 1000 = 3000LP

"I gained life points, so Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram's effect activates." Miharu pointed at Chacu Challhua, who exploded into dark energy. "... I'll Special Summon Aromage Laurel from my hand." The blond mage reappeared on the field. "I'll overlay the Level 1 Aromage Laurel and the Level 1 Aromaseraphy Angelica." The two monsters turned into sparkling streaks, flying into the ground. "Strength struck still. A silvery white bud blooms. Petals unfurl. Sleeping maiden struck dead by the ugliness of conflict, rise again and sing a song of unfair death. Xyz Summon—Rank 1. Sunavalon Myrsine." The white-haired woman appeared, her dress of leaves spreading out around her, headdress shining in her hair.

[Sunavalon Myrsine (R1/0/0/EARTH/Plant/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

"Sunavalon Myrsine's effect. When she's Xyz Summoned, I can add a "Sunseed" or "Sunvine" card from my graveyard to my hand." Miharu picked up a card. "I will activate the effect of Aroma Garden. Since I control an "Aroma" monster, I can gain 500 life points, and all monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points until your next End Phase."

Dazzling Spring: 3000 + 500 = 3500LP

[Sunavalon Myrsine: 0 + 500 = 500ATK/DEF]

[Sunavalon Clytia: 0 + 500 = 500ATK]

[Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram: 2200 + 500 = 2700ATK; 2000 + 500 = 2500DEF]

"Sunavalon Myrsine's effect. By detaching an Overlay Unit, I will send a Plant monster from my deck to the graveyard, and gain 200 life points times its Level. I will send the Level 6 Aromage Bergamot to the graveyard." Her life points shot up again—now to a level that she was more comfortable working with.

[Sunavalon Myrsine: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1]

Dazzling Spring: 3500 + 200 x 6 = 4700LP

"When Aromage Laurel is sent to the graveyard, I can gain 500 life points."

Dazzling Spring: 4700 + 500 = 5200LP

"Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram attacks you directly."

"Trap Card," Sergey snarled. "Call of the Haunted. Return to the field, Earthbound Immortal Geo Gremlin." The Synchro Monster reappeared on his field. "Geo Gremlin's effect. Banish Geo Gryphon and Geo Kraken from graveyard to Fusion Summon. Demon that rules over the earth! Demon that clings to the land! Become one and rise from the depths of the underground! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha!" The black, demonic creature with two large wings appeared, letting out a loud roar.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha (10*/3000/1800/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

Geo Gremlin in Defense Position, Geo Grasha in Attack Position. He had managed to defend himself against danger.

"Sweet Marjoram attacks Geo Gremlin!" She struck down the Synchro Monster properly, but that still left Geo Grasha on the field. "I'll end my turn."

[Turn 7: Sergey] [H:3]

"Draw," Sergey said. There was still something dark in his eyes. "Activate Field Spell, Earthbound Geoglyph. Then, activate Continuous Spell, Earthbound Revival. Special Summon Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon from graveyard ignoring summoning conditions!" The flying creature reappeared on his field. "Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon's effect. Special Summon Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade from graveyard." The water creature reappeared, fangs bared.

"You can't use Geo Isonade's effect," Miharu said. He couldn't target her monsters, since her life points were higher than his and she had Sweet Marjoram on the field.

"Tribute Geo Gryphon. Geoglyph's effect. Treat as two tributes. Come—Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu!" An enormous golem appeared, blue lines running over its body and glowing brightly.

[Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu (10*/3000/2500/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"Ccapac Apu can attack directly. Attack!"

… of course.

The attack hit, and it was fine—she was fine.

Dazzling Spring: 5200 - 3000 = 2200LP

"Since I took damage, I can activate the effect of Sunavalon Clytia," Miharu said. "I'll target Sweet Marjoram and grant her controller—me—life points equal to her attack points." Her life points shot up again.

Dazzling Spring: 2200 + 2700 = 4900LP

"Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha's effect. Attack Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram!"

"Blessed Winds' effect," Miharu said. "I'll shuffle Sunseed Genius Loci from my graveyard into the deck to gain 500 life points."

Dazzling Spring: 4900 + 500 = 5400LP

"Since I gained life points, Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram's effect activates! I can destroy a card you control! I'll target Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha!"

She could not allow a single one of her monsters to fall while Geo Grasha was on the field.

Sergey's ace exploded before he got the chance to use it.

In dueling, Miharu had always been pragmatic.

"Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha's effect." Sergey pursed his lips, as though he might throw a fit. "Special Summon "Earthbound" monster from deck or Extra Deck. Come—Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina!"

A black, shackled beast surrounded by yellow glowing lines appeared, chains and shackles wrapped tightly around its body. A single, grey horn rose up and curved over its head, resembling a cornucopia. The yellow light emanating from within its shadow-like body reflected brightly off the bronze metal around it.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina (6*/2000/1000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"Geo Isonade's effect. "Earthbound" monster destroyed—draw one card. Geo Gremina Special Summoned—add "Earthbound" monster from deck to hand."

Sweet Marjoram's attack points were still higher than either Geo Gremlina or Geo Isonade, thanks to Aroma Garden. So… it seemed that she was safe for now.

"Geo Gremlin's effect. Banish Geo Grasha from graveyard and Geo Gremlin itself from field to Fusion Summon."

He had another Fusion Monster?

"Rise from the depths of the underworld, demonic riddler!" Sergey bellowed. "Fusion Summon! Level 10! Earthbound Servant Geo Marbas!"

An enormous lion pulled itself out of the shadows with a loud growl. Its fur seemed a mix of corporeal and incorporeal, and yellow lines ran across it. It had no face—instead, golden metal formed a mask-like structure of chains across its face, with a single lock in the middle of it. Its mane carried dark dust that scattered around it. As its tail whipped through the air, glowing dark runes floated around it. Shackles surrounded its claws as it pawed at the ground—barely contained in the Extra Monster Zone.

[Earthbound Servant Geo Marbas (10*/2500/3000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"When Earthbound Servant Geo Marbas is Fusion Summoned—negate effects of all monsters opponent controls!"

Myrsine, Sweet Marjoram and Clytia all cringed away as the lion let out a loud roar.

If her monsters no longer had their effects, then that meant that Myrsine and Clytia could be attacked—and if it negated those effects permanently…

"Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade attacks Sunavalon Clytia!"

The shark-like creature dove forward—its tail lashed out, and water shot across the field, hitting both Miharu and her monster at the same time.

Dazzling Spring: 5400 - 1900 = 3500LP

"Earthbound Servant Geo Marbas attacks Sunavalon Myrsine!"

The lion leapt forward—and then, long wings unfurled from its back. The wings batted down, unleashing a sharp force that ripped Myrsine to shreds. Miharu herself fell to the ground, her breath torn from her throat.

Dazzling Spring: 3500 - 2500 = 1000LP

"Set card. End turn," Sergey said curtly.

Marbas, Isonade, Gremlina, Ccapac Apu, and he still had two set cards.

Miharu picked herself back up.

"I—"

She coughed.

She coughed again—something sharp and exhausted, a bubbling feeling in the back of her throat.

"I will—" She was cut off again by the coughing, and then, someone gently caught onto her arm, supporting her before she could fall again.

"Hey, Miharu," Yuno said. His voice was soft, the kind of comfort that she wanted to reject. "Why are you doing this?"

Why are you doing this?

It was such a simple question—but that was the problem, wasn't it? Yuno Sugisaki was the kryptonite that she could not reject—he made her struggle between selflessness and selfishness constantly. He was the only person who could earn answers from her that she would never dream to tell another person—and that was what made her so confused about him.

Was this confusing feeling what it was like to be saved?

"It's because I…" Miharu breathed out. "Everyone suffered so much to fight. Back in Standard, and here too. And I… even with my strength, I've been sidelined, allowed to rest when everyone suffers. And that's just not fair to any of you."

"... what do you mean by that?" A soft laugh in her ear, like music. "You've always been fighting, Miharu. We all know that. You were basically tortured by Roget through m-me—"

The stutter didn't go unnoticed by either of them. Yuno continued anyway.

"And yet you freed yourself and came back with Yugo—and your first thought was to help, to fight." Yuno reached forward, gently squeezing her wrist. "I don't believe that you don't know how good you are."

Oh, Miharu thought. As usual, it was hardest to protect others when Yuno was around. He made her consider herself, despite her best attempts at effacement. When he was around…

It made her attempts at selflessness waver.

So concerned with her—always so concerned with her.

"I know," Miharu said. "But…" She closed her eyes for a brief moment. "What I decided earlier was that this time, I alone would take all the punishment. The same way that Reira did. Isn't that… fine?"

"No!"

The one who spoke up then wasn't Yuno at all.

"That's just wrong, and I won't…" Yuzu took a step forward. "I won't let you choose to do something like that just to protect us!"

Miharu blinked. "... Yuzu?"

"Back when we first got here," Yuzu said. "It was because of you that Yugo and I didn't get in trouble immediately—you did your best to take care of us. And then, even as I moped and didn't do anything, you were the one who searched and searched for everyone else so that we could find them again. You did so much, while I couldn't do anything to help you! And you… always looked so tired…"

Miharu shook her head. "I was fine—"

"You ran yourself ragged!" Yuzu protested. "You would barely even eat because you thought that it was a waste of time. And I respected that, Miharu, but I can't agree with you if you're just deciding to be the only one hurt—to take the pain on yourself so that no one else has to suffer!"

She raised her duel disk.

"... don't, Yuzu."

"I'm sorry, Miharu," Yuzu said determinedly. "But I don't want to see you suffer either. My feelings might not be the same as…" She glanced at Yuno, and it was very obvious what she meant. "But you're my friend."

You're my friend.

"So… I won't get hurt." Yuzu clenched a fist. "Please let me fight with you! If you want Yuno to be able to fight his own battles, that's fine, and Yuya can support him—but I'll support you. Because out of all the Lancers, all my new comrades, the one that supported me the most when I wanted to grow to be someone stronger was you!"

Miharu looked at Sergey, still there, still such a terrible threat.

She wanted to insist that she could still do this on her own—

But at the same time, what kind of example would she be setting for the other Lancers, if she acted like this? If she wanted to be relied on in the future, if she wanted others to be willing to accept her help…

Then, in this case…

"I'm scared that you'll get hurt," Miharu said.

"That's my choice," Yuzu replied. "You can't be the only brave one." There was something lighter to it, in this terrible moment.

Yuno gently squeezed her wrist—reassuring. Still there.

"... alright," Miharu said, lowering her head. "Fine. I still want to defeat him. I still need to make sure that what's allowed him to terrorise the city for so long can't be reproduced again. But we're comrades. So we share the same goals… right?"

Yuzu nodded confidently.

"Then… go ahead."

Yuzu turned towards Sergey, who looked… displeased.

"I don't really care about the big things either," Yuzu said. "I just don't want my friends to be in pain anymore."

[INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000LP]

Yuzu Hiiragi: 4000 - 2000 = 2000LP

[Turn 8: Yuzu] [H:5]

"Spell Card, Ostinato!" Yuzu declared. "I'll perform a Fusion Summon of a "Melodious" monster using two monsters from my deck! I'll fuse Laureate Francois the Melodious Maestra and Solo the Melodious Songstress! Noble resonance! Low-rising harmony! By the guidance of the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon! Now debut on stage! Sing the song of victory! Bloom Diva the Melodious Floral Saint!" One of her first Fusion Monsters appeared on the field.

[Bloom Diva the Melodious Floral Saint (6*/1000/2000/LIGHT/Fairy/Fusion/Effect)]

"Then, I'll Normal Summon Fairall the Melodious Illusion Maiden!" Miharu blinked in surprise—she had never heard Yuzu mention that card. In front of her, a red-haired woman appeared, wearing a stunning red cocktail dress. Her pastel yellow skin, surprisingly, didn't clash with the dress. Even so…

Was that a Pendulum Monster?

[Fairall the Melodious Illusion Maiden (4*/S9/1500/700/LIGHT/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect)]

"Once per turn, since Fairall was Normal or Special Summoned this turn, I can Special Summon a "Melodious" monster from my hand!" Yuzu declared. "Come—Natural Energy Spirit - Reflowering Angel!"

Natural… Energy Spirit?

As the angel with a body made of flowers appeared, holding onto a violin's bow in her hands…

Miharu was struck with a feeling of painful familiarity.

[Natural Energy Spirit - Reflowering Angel (7*/S4/2500/2000/LIGHT/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect)]

Her gaze, for some reason, drifted to Yuzu's arm. She didn't know what she was looking for—though after a moment, she figured it out.

"Where did your bracelet…"

"We'll talk about it later," Yuzu said, sounding a little sheepish.

They were interrupted by sharp cackling.

"Trap Card, Earthbound Release," Sergey said. "Tribute Level 10 "Earthbound" monster, destroy monsters opponent controls, inflict damage to them equal to total original attack points of monsters!" He was grinning now. Ccapac Apu dissolved into shadows. "Sink!"

"Absolutely not!" Yuzu declared. "Quickplay Spell, Mottotheme!" She placed down one of the two remaining cards in her hand. "Since I control a "Melodious" monster, I can target a card on the field and negate its effects! I'll negate the effects of Earthbound Release!" The Trap fizzled out.

If Miharu had triggered that Trap, it would hardly have been a big deal, since her life points would have been enough to survive it. It was Yuzu's monsters that would have posed a threat due to actually having decent attack points. Still, it was good that Yuzu had been able to handle it.

"Battle Phase! Bloom Diva the Melodious Floral Saint will attack Earthbound Servant Geo Marbas! And with Bloom Diva's effect, she will not be destroyed by the battle, and I can destroy your monster instead! Then, you take all the damage that I would have taken from the battle! Reflect Shout!"

Sergey's other set card flipped over. "Trap Card, Earthbound Sacrifice. Banish Marbas until End Phase, negate attack. Then, Special Summon Level 10 "Earthbound" monster from deck, ignoring summoning conditions! Come! Earthbound Immortal Aslla Piscu!" The black bird monster appeared on the field with a deafening screech.

[Earthbound Immortal Aslla Piscu (10*/2500/2500/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

… ah. This was the one that had frightened Reira to that extent.

"Reflowering Angel will attack Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade—"

"Geo Isonade cannot be attacked while I control other "Earthbound" monster!"

"Oh." Yuzu turned her gaze. "Attack Geo Gremlina!"

Reflowering Angel flew forward, slicing towards Geo Gremlina with the wooden rapier-like blade.

"Banish Earthbound Terraforming," Sergey said. "Protect Geo Gremlina." The attack hit, but his monster wasn't destroyed.

Sergey: 1500 - 500 = 1000LP

"What?" Yuzu blurted out. "Then, you…"

Miharu glanced at her.

"Reflowering Angel deals effect damage when it destroys a monster by battle," Yuzu explained. "But I only just got her today… how did he know?"

Sergey grinned. His mechanical eye shifted slowly.

"It's probably something similar to how VRAINS works," Miharu said, before she stopped—she'd been far too careless to say that aloud. For a moment, Yuno looked at her questioningly. "... sorry, company secrets. But from what I could tell from Carly-san's files, about seventy percent of Sergey's brain tissue has been replaced with robotic wiring. It's honestly questionable that Roget never—"

She stopped again, because she had to be really tired if she was just going to blurt out tried to suppress his ability to think to make him easier to control, rather than risk him somehow retaining his memories and personality even when most of his brain is missing.

It was immoral, yes, but unfortunately, it was also logical, which made her confused about why Roget hadn't taken that final step.

"Regardless, it's likely that Roget uploaded all the data from the duels that have been happening in the city to the chip installed in his head. So if we've used a card in a duel before, he likely knows the effects that we've revealed about it.

"Then…" Yuzu shook her head. Miharu understood. With the knowledge that two of Yuzu's monsters on the field used burn damage effects, it became obvious that Yuzu had been trying to end the duel before Miharu had to do anything again. Touching, but unnecessary. A good play too, if not for…

"It's fine," Miharu said. "I'll end the duel—with your help. Do you have the confidence to defend me until I make the final move?"

'Do you have the confidence to', rather than 'Can you'. To Miharu, it wasn't a question of Yuzu's ability at all. It was a question of resolution—of whether Yuzu really could commit completely to this duel.

Yuzu's expression hardened, and she nodded. "I'll set a card facedown," she said. "I'll end my turn. Keep going, Miharu!"

"I'll use your End Phase," Miharu said. "By shuffling another copy of Sunseed Genius Loci into the deck, I'll gain 500 life points."

Dazzling Spring: 1000 + 500 = 1500LP

Sweet Marjoram's effect was negated though, so it couldn't trigger. Marbas reappeared on Sergey's field.

[Turn 9: Dazzling Spring] [H:2]

"Draw," Miharu said. She glanced at her field. Myrsine, Clytia and Sweet Marjoram, all with their effects permanently negated. "I will activate the effect of Blessed Winds. By paying one thousand life points, I will Special Summon an "Aroma" monster from the graveyard."

Aromage Jasmine reappeared on the field.

Dazzling Spring: 1500 - 1000 = 500LP

"Open, circuit that sows the seeds to the future. Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two Plant monsters! I will set Sunavalon Myrsine and Aromaseraphy Sweet Marjoram in the Link Markers. Healer with the capacity for love, appear now as my blade! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Aromaseraphy Jasmine!" The evolution of Jasmine appeared, as cheerful as ever.

[Aromaseraphy Jasmine (L2/1800/LIGHT/Plant/Link/Effect/↙,↘)]

"I will activate the Pendulum Effect of Sunvine Sprout," she said, still abusing her monster's effect. "I will gain 1000 life points, since I Special Summoned a Plant monster."

Dazzling Spring: 500 + 1000 = 1500LP

"Since I gained life points, Aromage Jasmine allows me to draw a card. Aromaseraphy Jasmine also allows me to add a Plant monster from my deck to my hand." She picked up the two cards, before putting them back in her hand and lifting the card that she had previously searched out with Myrsine's effect. "I'll Normal Summon Sunseed Twin with the effect of Aromage Jasmine, since my life points are higher than yours." The blue and pink fairies appeared in front of her.

Trust her. Put your full faith in her that she can do what she said that she can.

… how long has it been since I had to trust someone else like this, in a situation like this?

In most cases, I work alone.

"Sunseed Twin's effect. I will Special Summon Sunseed Genius Loci from the graveyard." Her circuit appeared above her again. "Open, circuit that sows the seeds to the future! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two or more Effect Monsters! I will set the Link 2 Sunavalon Clytia, along with Sunseed Twin and Aromage Jasmine in the Link Markers!"

The three monsters shot up in the air, flying into the familiar four arrows.

"Sleeping flower drifting through the emptiness of the closed world. You who do not know what it means to live, die and be reborn over and over again. For all of eternity, refuse to ever despair and perish. Reject the starlight that illuminates the darkness. Steal that light from the world that has abandoned you... and bloom into judgement, arbiter, luck and justice, in a single, noble, self-sacrificial form. Circuit Combine. Link Summon!" If she exclaimed the last part of the summoning chant, she would attribute that to determination rather than any kind of energy. "Link 4! Topological Penrose Aitvaras!"

Her ace emerged, the tri-coloured triangles spinning around it as its monochrome wings swept through the air—dark, powerful, regal.

[Topologic Penrose Aitvaras (L4/3000/DARK/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↖, ←, →, ↗)]

Right now, he has Geoglyph, Marbas, Aslla Piscu, Geo Gremlina, Geo Isonade, Earthbound Revival and a set card. That's seven.

There is an easy way to do this, but it requires to put my safety completely in Yuzu's hands.

… if it was Yuno, I could never do it.

If it was Yuno, I would never be able to step out of the supporting role. Every part of me rebels against that—I never wanted this. To be relied on as the main attacking force… and more importantly, for him…

What exactly is he to me? I've never quite found the answer for that.

I do not understand this tendency of myself. I can rarely find it in myself to fight when I am alongside others. It's why I prefer working alone, or in the background.

Am I afraid?

I don't think so.

That moment when I saw that monster—green and black, drifting in the water like all of Yuno's monsters, nothing but a predator—that was fear. I understand that easily. I know my emotions better than anything else—how to categorise, prioritise and excise as necessary.

Miharu breathed out.

This was, she supposed, trust on an "equal" level.

Just this once…

She would try.

"I'll Normal Summon World Carrotweight Champion." The strange warrior made entirely of carrots appeared on the field.

[World Carrotweight Champion (4*/1900/0/DARK/Plant/Effect)]

She glanced at Sergey.

This man was… already a spent force, wasn't he?

He was cruel, yes, and disgustingly dangerous in his own way. But any intimidation that he might have had beforehand had been eroded—through his insanity, and through the fact that they knew he could be beaten. Reiji Akaba had already done it, after all.

This man was not the real threat. In the end, despite the fact that he was the one that they had to come face to face with…

The real danger had always been Roget.

"Open, circuit. Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two Plant monsters. I will set World Carrotweight Champion and Sunseed Genius Loci in the Link Markers. Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Lush green leaves of the laurel tree—Sunavalon Daphne!" The green and white woman appeared, leaves curling around her pale body. "Then, World Carrotweight Champion's effect. I will send a Plant monster from my hand to the graveyard to revive it."

She still had a single card in her hand, but it was unnecessary.

"When you banished Marbas until the End Phase," Miharu said, "you vacated your Extra Monster Zone."

Sergey's eyes blinked rapidly.

"Manifest, circuit that leads to the future! Arrowhead confirmed. The conditions are two or more Plant monsters. I will set World Carrotweight Champion and the Link 2 Sunavalon Daphne in the Link Markers! Let the shadow beneath the tranquil tree begin to take its own form. Circuit Combine. Link 3. Sunavalon Dryanome!" The large tree shot up in the right Extra Monster Zone—completing the Extra Link with just three monsters.

[Sunavalon Dryanome (L3/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↙, ↓, ↘)]

"When a monster is Special Summoned to a zone that a Link Monster points to, Topologic Penrose Aitvaras's effect activates," Miharu said. "It'll gain 300 attack points for every Link Monster on the field and in the graveyard. There are eleven. Stardust Extermination Sacrifice!" Around her, flowers bloomed—and to her surprise, they bloomed around Yuzu as well. There was a moment as their eyes locked—something that seemed to resonate between them for a moment.

It was only when Topologic Penrose Aitvaras let out a soft sound that Miharu turned to look back at the duel.

[Topologic Penrose Aitvaras: 3000 + 300 x 11 = 6300ATK]

"Furthermore, since Penrose Aitvaras is Extra Linked and you control more cards than me, I can activate its second effect. You must send cards you control to the graveyard, up to the number of co-linked monsters on the field! I control Penrose Aitvaras itself, Dryanome and Jasmine. Send three cards you control to the graveyard! Artificial Light-Devouring Blizzard!" The triangles shot up around Aitvaras, mixing in and illuminating strange dark petals that swarmed Sergey's field.

Sergey smiled cruelly. "Gladly," he crooned. "Send Aslla Piscu, Geoglyph, Earthbound Revival to graveyard." The three cards faded from his field. "If Earthbound Immortal Aslla Piscu leaves field—destroy as many monsters opponent controls as possible, inflict 800 damage to them for each!"

"That won't work!" Yuzu exclaimed. "I'll send Fairall the Melodious Illusion Maiden from my field to the graveyard to negate a monster effect!" The fiery red and yellow woman vanished from the field as she sang, shutting down the whirlwinds that had begun to stir on Sergey's field.

Sergey's smile slipped.

"Thank you," Miharu said. Because… that was something that she would have had difficulty defending against while putting in her full strength. Negation effects, huh? Interesting for a Pendulum, and useful for Yuzu's deck in particular… "Battle Phase. Topologic Penrose Aitvaras attacks Earthbound Servant Geo Marbas!"

"Trap Card, Magic Cylinder!" Sergey shouted. "Target monster, negate attack, inflict damage equal to attack points! You're done! You—die! Die!"

Miharu raised an eyebrow.

… tell me, Sergey Volkov. What is that agitation? Is a monster like you even capable of fear?

There are greater monsters than you, but perhaps not ones so obvious.

She reached into her graveyard, but before she could use Carving's effect, Yuzu determinedly flipped over her set card.

"I said that I was going to defend her!" Yuzu called. "And that's exactly what I'm going to do! Counter Trap, Melodious Inspiration! When my opponent activates a Spell or Trap card, or a monster effect during the Battle Phase, I can Tribute a "Melodious" monster I control to negate that card or effect! I'll tribute Bloom Diva!" Bloom Diva flew up, singing loudly, before she sent down a bright ray of light that disintegrated Sergey's Trap Card.

Tributing Bloom Diva so easily…

Was that a sign of how much she trusted Miharu to finish things this turn?

Miharu pretended that she hadn't been about to use an effect. She drew a hand through the red hair of her VRAINS avatar.

Ryoken. I'm tired and stressed…

But I feel strangely happy.

Sergey was absolutely losing it now—ripping at his hair, letting out a loud shriek that was violently shifting in pitch.

"Finish it, Penrose Aitvaras," Miharu said with a nod to Yuzu. "Antimatter Spring Annihilation."

Her dragon-like monster flew forward, and the dark petals swallowed her opponent whole.

Sergey: 1000 - 3800 = 0LP

Winner: Dazzling Spring & Yuzu Hiiragi!

Miharu raised her hand to her VRAINS, disabling it. She breathed out.

"You!"

Sergey charged at them—the look on his face would stay with her for a long time. Before he could hit either her, Yuzu or Yuno, Jack stepped in front of them, punching him directly in the face. Sergey slammed his knee directly into Jack's gut, but despite the heaviness of the metal, Jack did not yield. Raising his arm, he laid into Sergey. He didn't seem to care about the fact that Sergey's body seemed to be more metal than skin. The two men exchanged blows over and over—Jack wasn't holding back, but neither was Sergey.

"How many chances," Jack said, "have you been given?" A fiery rage, sharpened to a point. "A normal criminal might repent after their first offence, or after they are punished. But you feel no remorse, do you? You escaped prison once and simply did the same thing again, even more open with your crimes than before. After Roget took you out of the Facility, he did something to your mind, but you overcame it. When you hurt that child, it was through your own action, and when you fight now, it is for your own sick obsession! You are a man that has been given chance after chance and has continued to choose evil over and over!" He kicked Sergey in the chest, knocking him to the ground, and then flung himself at him, continuing to rain down blows on him.

"... wow," Yuya murmured. There was admiration in his eyes.

"Men," Arisu muttered. "So messy."

"... Kirijo-san…"

"Just stay back for now," Arisu said. She casually raised a hand, dark metal peeking between her fingertips. "What's the point of punching metal? King!"

Jack whirled around—there was a blue welt beneath his eye, swelling. Arisu tossed the taser in her hand to him, and Jack slammed it straight into Sergey's skull, a loud cracking sound echoing through the street. Yuzu and Yuya both winced at the sound. Yuno's grip tightened around Miharu—as though ready to pull her away to safety. Jack slammed the taser down over and over again, until Sergey finally collapsed on the ground. Circuitry could be seen sparking—exposed now. Jack's face was in a terrible state.

"I could have just done that from the start," the King of the City said, narrowing his eyes. The corner of his lip was torn slightly, lending something hostile to his expression, for all that it wasn't directed at them.

"I gave you the taser to tase him," Arisu said exasperatedly. "Not to use as a blunt force weapon. I thought that was obvious, but apparently not."

Jack tossed the taser back to her.

"And you broke it too," Arisu murmured. "Figures."

"You wanted me to tase a man who, according to her, is mostly machinery?" Jack said, sounding unimpressed. "That's akin to murder, Elite Officer Arisu Kirijo."

Arisu clearly hadn't thought of that. Her gaze drifted to Miharu. Miharu nodded. For a moment, her gaze turned to Sergey.

She took a step back.

"Where's the key?" Yuno asked, and alright, the world was freezing over if Yuno Sugisaki was the one being practical in this moment. "Uh, where would he keep it… do we really have to search him?" He seemed reluctant to touch the man, for obvious reasons—it was perhaps the closest to disgust that Miharu had ever seen from him.

"That won't be necessary," Arisu said. "He doesn't have one."

"... what?" Jack said, staring daggers at her.

Arisu shrugged. She raised her hand—two pieces of metal between her fingers.

"The boss asked me to distribute the keys to the rest," she said. "I never gave one to Volkov." The gaze that she cast at Sergey was something cold. "I didn't trust him to keep his word, unlike the rest. You'll get his too when you beat me."

"... so that duel was pointless," Yuno said. "You let Miharu go through that for nothing?"

"... she wanted to go through it," Arisu said. Her gaze met Miharu's. For a moment, Miharu felt seen through. "I thought that stopping her was particularly cruel. Isn't that right, Miharu Kogami?"

Miharu made sure not to let her expression change. It seemed to give the older woman an answer anyway.

Arisu's fingers twitched over the taser as she looked at Sergey again.

"The city," Jack said, taking a step forward, "will deal with him." It did not escape Miharu's notice that he was standing between Sergey and Arisu—not to protect Sergey, but to stop Arisu from doing something that she would most likely regret.

Arisu looked at him. "... well, if it's you," she said, "I can probably rest easier." Her grip loosened, and she kept it away. There was something tense in the air. "Shall we get going then?"

Yuno looked at her. Miharu nodded. He slowly let go of her, though his gaze didn't leave her until she sat down on the ground, properly allowing her bruised body to rest. (She did not want to imagine what she currently looked like.)

(And, if she managed to collect and copy certain data on her own while the rest were distracted, that would be between her and SOL when she got home.)

---

OC Cards:

Sunvine Sprout

(1*/S0/0/200/EARTH/Plant/Pendulum/Effect)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, if a Plant monster(s) is Special Summoned: Gain 1000LP.

If this card is Special Summoned while your LP is higher than your opponent's LP: You can Tribute this card; excavate the top 3 cards of your Deck, and if you do, add 1 Spell/Trap card from among them to your hand. If this card is destroyed while in the Pendulum Scale: You can Special Summon 1 Level 6 or lower Plant monster from your Deck.

Sunvine Pithos

(1*/S4/0/0/EARTH/Plant/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect)

Pendulum Effect: This card's Pendulum Scale increases by 1 for every Plant monster you control. On the turn that you activate this card, if your LP is higher than your opponent's: You can destroy 2 Spell/Trap cards on the field, and if you do, take 1000 damage.

This card cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card battles a monster with 1000 or higher DEF while you have higher LP than your opponent: At the end of the Damage Step, destroy that monster.

Earthbound Prisoner Tomb Sweeper

(5*/1500/1500/DARK/Fiend/Effect)

If you control a DARK Tuner monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position. You can discard this card; send 1 "Earthbound" card from your Deck to the GY. A DARK Fiend Synchro Monster that was Summoned using this card as Synchro Material cannot be destroyed by battle. A DARK Fiend Fusion Monster that was Summoned using this card as Fusion Material cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Earthbound Requisition

(Trap)

You can target 1 DARK Tuner monster in your GY: Special Summon that monster in Defense Position. If your opponent activates a Spell/Trap while you control a Level 8 or higher DARK monster: You can banish this card from your GY; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card.

Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade

(6*/2400/500/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Tuner/Effect)

2 "Earthbound" monsters

While you control this card, Field Spells you control cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects. This card cannot be targeted for attacks while you control another "Earthbound" monster. If this card is Special Summoned while you control a Field Spell: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; all monsters your opponent controls have their ATK halved until the End Phase, also, you can destroy the targeted monster, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half the destroyed monster's original ATK. If a "Earthbound" monster you control is destroyed while you control this face-up card: You can draw 1 card. You can only activate each effect of "Earthbound Servant Geo Isonade" once per turn.

Sunseed Carving

(1*/0/0/EARTH/Plant/Tuner/Effect)

This card is treated as a Normal Monster on the field and in the GY. If this card is sent to the GY: You can add 1 "Sunseed" or "Sunavalon" card from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate this effect of "Sunseed Carving" once per turn. If a card you control is targeted by your opponent's card or effect, while this card is in your GY: You can banish this card from the GY; negate that effect, and if you do, destroy that card.

Sunavalon Minthe

(L1/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↓)

1 Plant Normal Monster

This card cannot be targeted for attacks, but does not prevent your opponent from attacking you directly. If this card is Link Summoned: Gain 300 LP for every Plant monster on the field. You can only Link Summon "Sunavalon Minthe" once per turn. All "Sunavalon" monsters you control cannot be targeted or banished by card effects, except "Sunavalon Minthe".

Sunavalon Clytia

(L2/0/EARTH/Plant/Link/Effect/↑, →)

2 Plant monsters, including a "Sunvine" Link Monster

This card cannot be targeted for attacks, but does not prevent your opponent from attacking you directly. If you take battle or effect damage: You can target 1 monster on the field; its controller gains LP equal to its ATK. You can return 1 Plant monster from your GY to the Deck or Extra Deck; draw 1 card. You can only activate this effect of "Sunavalon Clytia" once per turn.

Sunavalon Myrsine

(R1/0/0/EARTH/Plant/Xyz/Effect)

2 Level 1 Plant monsters

This card cannot be targeted for attacks, but does not prevent your opponent from attacking you directly. If this card is Xyz Summoned: You can add 1 "Sunvine" or "Sunseed" card from your GY or banished cards to your hand. While this card is face-up on the field, it can be treated as a "Sunavalon" Link Monster for the activation requirements of cards and/or effects, and it is treated as having a Link Rating equal to its Rank. Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; send 1 Plant monster from your Deck to the GY, and if you do, gain LP equal to its Level x 200.

Earthbound Terraforming

(Spell)

Destroy 1 face-up Field Spell on the field; draw 2 cards. If a "Earthbound" monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect while this card is in your GY, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only activate 1 "Earthbound Terraforming" per turn.

Earthbound Revival

(Spell/Continuous)

Once per turn, if you control a Level 8 or higher "Earthbound" monster: You can Special Summon 1 "Earthbound" monster from the GY in Defense Position, ignoring summoning conditions. If this card is destroyed by an opponent's card or effect: You can target 1 "Earthbound" card in the GY; add it to your hand.

Earthbound Servant Geo Marbas

(10*/2500/3000/DARK/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

2 "Earthbound" monsters, including a Fusion Monster

If this card is Fusion Summoned: Negate the effects of all monsters your opponent controls, and if you do, your opponent cannot use monsters they control that were affected by this effect as material for a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Ritual or Link Summon until the End Phase. "Earthbound" monsters you control cannot be targeted for attacks, except this card. If this card is destroyed: Destroy all cards your opponent controls. While this card is in face-up Attack Position, it cannot be destroyed by battle. You can only activate each effect of "Earthbound Servant Geo Marbas" once per turn.

Trivia: Named after Marbas from the Ars Goetia, who takes on the form of a lion that can become a man—as a result, his design takes inspiration both from a lion and a sphinx. As for the line colour, I chose yellow because lions. That's really it. :)

Fairall the Melodious Illusion Maiden

(4*/S9/1500/800/LIGHT/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, if you control a Fairy monster: You can negate the effects of 1 face-up card on the field.

Once per turn, if this card was Normal or Special Summoned this turn: You can Special Summon 1 "Melodious" monster from your hand. If your opponent activates a monster effect: You can send this card from the hand or field to the GY; negate that effect. You can only activate this effect of "Fairall the Melodious Illusion Maiden" once per turn.

Natural Energy Spirit - Reflowering Angel

(7*/S4/2500/2000/LIGHT/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can Tribute 1 Pendulum Monster you control; negate the effect of all Pendulum Monsters your opponent controls until the End Phase.

(This card is always treated as a "Melodious" monster.) If you have 2 cards in your Pendulum Zones, you can Special Summon this card from your hand, and if you do, it cannot be targeted by card effects until the End Phase. (This is treated as a Pendulum Summon.) You cannot Pendulum Summon other monsters on the turn that you activate this effect. This card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. Once per turn, if this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to the number of Special Summoned monsters they control x 500, and if you do, draw 1 card. You can only control 1 "Natural Energy Spirit - Reflowering Angel".

Mottotheme

(Spell/Quickplay)

If you control a "Melodious" monster(s): Target 1 face-up card on the field; negate its effects until the End Phase. You can banish this card from the GY; Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from your hand or GY with a different name from cards on your field, but its ATK/DEF becomes 0. You can only activate 1 "Mottotheme" per turn.

Earthbound Sacrifice

(Trap)

If your opponent's monster attacks a DARK monster you control: You can banish that monster you control until the End Phase; negate that attack, and if you do, you can Special Summon 1 Level 10 or lower "Earthbound" monster from your Deck ignoring Summoning conditions.

Topologic Penrose Aitvaras

(L4/3000/DARK/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↖, ←, →, ↗)

2+ Effect Monsters

(This card is always treated as a Plant monster.)

If another monster is Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, while this monster is on the field: You can negate the effects of all other monsters on the field that were Special Summoned from the Extra Deck until your next End Phase, and if you do, this card gains 300 ATK for every Link Monster on the field and in the GY. During the Main Phase, if this card is Extra Linked and your opponent controls more cards than you do: You can make your opponent send as many cards as possible from their field to the GY, up to the number of co-linked monsters on the field during the activation of this effect, then, if they have no more cards on their field, inflict 3000 damage to them. You can only use each effect of "Topologic Penrose Aitvaras" once per turn.

Melodious Inspiration

(Trap/Counter)

If your opponent activates a monster effect or a Spell/Trap card during the Battle Phase: You can Tribute 1 "Melodious" monster; negate that card or effect. During the End Phase of the turn you activated this card, if you control a "Melodious" monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck: You can Set this card to your field, but banish it when it leaves the field.

---

Different Card Effects from TCG:

Sunavalon Glorious Growth - Anime-only card.

Sunavalon Cursed Reborn - Anime-only card.

Bloom Diva the Melodious Floral Saint - Anime effect. There's an issue where Bloom Diva is treated as inflicting effect damage at some times, and battle damage at some times with its effect. This fic treats it as effect damage, since the TCG version inflicts effect damage.

---

End Notes:

I really wish Sergey was a far more emotionally interesting character, because unlike the other villains, you don't really care about emotional beats with him—you just want to see him get his ass handed to him, which happens twice in this chapter! (Jack beating the shit out of him was cathartic for me to write after this guy singlehandedly delayed this chapter by like five days.)

I really wanted to tell people the twist beforehand, but all the foreshadowing for Miharu pulling this was far less obvious, and it would be giving the game away. Miharu holds nothing against Arisu—she wants to see Yuno win against Arisu, but she doesn't actually care about dueling Arisu. But if you look at Chapter 67, the one that she has been holding a grudge against the entire time? The one who she viewed as the consequences of her own actions? :) If you think it's out of character… remember that this is not the first time that Miharu has gone off on her own to achieve a personal goal in this fic. She's protective of and deeply cares for Yuno, yes, but her goals are not dependent on him. It is very in character for her to try to do everything all on her own, to avoid burdening someone else. And when presented with the chance to make up for the incident with Reira, who she feels so guilty over… she is still capable of acting for herself.

And at the same time, Miharu is still a sixteen-year-old girl, for as strong as she is. Yes, strength-wise, she's at a slightly higher level than most of the Lancers (though still below Reiji), but mentally, she is dealing with stuff way above what she as a person can handle. And because even Reiji struggled a bit with defeating Sergey, Miharu is almost outclassed, and she is not delusional enough to not recognise that. The fact that this duel is the only one that doesn't start out as a 2v1 is intentional, because Miharu is one of the only members of the Lancers who genuinely has problems with relying on others, as opposed to protecting them. And that's why Miharu has never had to team up with anyone in this story except Yuno, when they dueled Reiji. :) For the rest, it's about figuring out how to work together while fighting to their own best, but for her, it's about working together without focusing on only being a support player (a la Chapter 11). Being the main attacking force that someone else supports isn't something she's used to.

And as for Yuzu being a part of the duel… that part is both to set up future proceedings, and as a bit of revenge against canon. :) She doesn't get a 1v1 because that doesn't work with the power curve, but I did want her to contribute to the duel. So yes, she gets to pull off some support moves here, and she'll get more in the next arc. The actual duel next chapter, I will confirm now, is Yuno and Yuya vs Arisu.

"In the name of the Knights of Hanoi, I will destroy/kill you." This is actually a canon line from Revolver, and I'm not sorry that I adapted it here. There's a certain reference there that exists when you compare Sergey to the person that Revolver said that line to. :D

Summoning the Earthbound Immortals in this universe causes unnatural feelings of fear and despair—but to someone who is already used to compartmentalising, they're surprisingly good at ignoring it, huh?

And Miharu most certainly does not know that Academia has Roget's data. After all, Ryo got it without anyone watching—Yugo and Miharu had already left, and Kaname left right after them. So that'll be… interesting.

Review responses! I probably will hold the Q&A once the arc actually does end, whenever that is :)

To TheRealD3lph0xL0v3r, I meant really any characters in the fic, but I do get the vibe that you're going for! I've never confirmed arc order, since I don't know if it should be treated as a spoiler or not. I'm glad that you're enjoying the fic now that you're caught up!

To Kuroto, yup, the fact that they're both Duel Terminal archetypes definitely played a part in it as well. Originally, all the Elite Officers were going to use Duel Terminal archetypes, but I decided that I would rather forgo that symbolism for more competent decks, haha. I will say that as someone of unconventional gender/orientation myself, I do enjoy including non-heterosexual couples in the fic. As for Arisu and Chino… hmm, you'll have to wait and see on that front :)

To the Guest asking me about Duel Links, I don't really play it myself, but I think it's pretty cool that they're giving Rush Duels more focus.

To Erathios, glad you enjoyed! Thanks for pointing out the phrasing error :)

To Thunder, trust me, I'm very aware of how strong Branded is. :D

To Bryz0n, yeah, I do love Yang Zings too! Experimented with them a bit back in the day. Ruri will get Rank Ups in the future—I don't think that's even a spoiler, since it seems pretty obvious :) I honestly wanted to give her one of them now, but I felt like it would feel slightly undeserved since Ruri had only just come back to the fic. You'll see them in the future! She is Shun's sister, after all.

To naminexriku2468, haha, thanks for the enthusiasm! I'll probably make that happen then, once we get closer to that point.

To NightWingBOI, I used to be a bit more nervous about making OC cards for canon archetypes, but nowadays I'm just determined to make monsters that are both plot-relevant upgrades and actually provide some utility to the archetypes. And yeah, I've really started to enjoy meta jokes like that because they're really fun to just have some fun at my own expense. I do really like Cursed Javelin too, but it's taken me a while to try and figure out how to make a PK card that would work well even outside of the context of Cursed Javelin. And yup, I'm probably going to do the Q&A! Need to buy myself time to rest between arcs when it comes to writing :)

To AccurateGap1, I tend to differ to the wiki on naming schemes unless it's really inconsistent, so I use an adjective that is typically linked to wear and tear/decay/broken, along with any weapon/armour piece. So, Blackened Bayonet comes to mind off the top of my head. Now that you mention Chiaki and earthbending, I'm thinking about Chiaki and Toph meeting, lmao. And I really like your picks! The Q&A will probably be open to all characters who have shown up directly in the fic so far, from what I'm planning right now :)

To cardfan135, now you've given me brainworms, lmao. I wrote an entire ficlet of an Avatar AU based on that now :D Glad that you're enjoying it!

QOTC: What characters are you looking forward to seeing more of in future arcs? What are future character arcs that you think will happen, etc?

See you guys next time!