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.)

74. Winds Faster Than Speed

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! This chapter ended up shorter than I expected (though it's still as long as a typical chapter of this fic, lmao.) We'll talk more later—enjoy!

---

Chapter 74: Winds Faster Than Speed

The thing about going to wait at the High Council's building early was that Rin and Yugo had a lot of time to think and wait. From here, they could see the slums below—the place that they had grown up.

Rin looked up at the building. She imagined a group of old men and women on the top floor of that building.

The Commons had to look so, so small from up there.

Rin took a deep breath. It wouldn't do to get furious at the dead, not when there was still an enemy to face.

"What are you thinking about, Rin?"

"Kicking Roget's ass," Rin said bluntly. Yugo laughed, nodding. Despite clearly finding it funny, there was also determination in his eyes—he likely felt the same way. "After all, he got me kidnapped, right? Got to repay him for that."

"Yeah!" Yugo grinned. "I haven't dueled side by side with you in a long time! This is going to be great!"

"Maybe he'll be enough of an idiot to let us share fields," Rin said. Yugo was one of the only people in the world that she would be willing to share a field with, since the restrictions of their cards were pretty much identical. "If he does, we're going to win."

"We'd win no matter what!" Yugo shook his head. "I can't imagine losing, if it's the two of us… and besides, I can't let everyone down."

Everyone had believed in them to bring this to its proper ending, right?

Rin didn't know the Lancers that well, but…

Well. It was nice to be trusted.

She couldn't imagine having to fight Yugo—not in the way that Academia had wanted to force her to. She would never. (Because it would have been Yugo, right? The first person to get to her would have been Yugo, no matter what.)

The first ones back were the girl with the same face as her—Serena—and the boy with the blue hair. Sora, right? Rin had overheard that conversation during the duel between the Lancers and that strange girl from the Fusion Dimension. And the tall one, Tsukikage.

Serena walked towards her, holding out the first piece of the key.

Rin took it.

A quiet moment passed.

"I heard you're the aggressive type," Serena said. "And an effect damage specialist."

Rin tilted her head upwards in challenge. "I am," she said in a matter-of-fact voice. "And you're a battle specialist, right?"

"We should duel," Serena said determinedly, and it was so simple that Rin couldn't help but smile.

"I'd like to," Rin said, her smile slightly more friendly. "We can do that after this. I think I have a lot of catching up to do."

Sora glanced at the door. "Are you two sure you want to face Roget?" He said. "I don't actually know him personally, I think. I think he was an ex-employee at KaibaCorp, and he got recruited for Academia's staff, before the Professor sent him here—I didn't even really know his name, just that there was a spy in Synchro."

"We have to," Rin said. "It's only right."

"Yup!" Yugo was far more simple about it. "We have to!" He blinked. "But Sora… what deck does he play?"

"Genuinely don't know." Sora shrugged. "By the time I started studying in Academia properly, he was already deployed here. Probably not Antique Gears? All the adults had their own decks."

Hmm…

Rin really wanted to know, but she supposed that she would find out when she actually dueled him.

"Figures that Roget's been sitting on his ass for so long that no one knows what his deck is," Rin said, rolling her eyes. "Really… he's had it too easy."

"Agreed."

That was a new voice. Rin turned her head to see three of the Lancers there. The girl with the black braid handed the key card over to Yugo, who was glancing around.

"You went to duel Kaname, right?" He said. "Where—where is she? You won, right?"

A hand tapped Yugo's shoulder and he shrieked in surprise.

Rin choked on her own laughter. Kaname had the most bemused look in her eyes, despite the fact that most of her face was still covered, hiding her expression.

Yugo recovered—

And he flung his hands around her, completely unfazed by the presence of anyone else.

Kaname's hand rose awkwardly—as though to pat his shoulder, before she stopped.

"Join the Lancers, onee-san," Yugo declared unabashedly. "Then we can go together—and we can fight on the same side for once!"

Kaname shrugged, not committing to anything.

She locked eyes with Rin, who was staring at them. Rin sighed. She was worried about Yugo, obviously—she was worried that with how kind he was, he would keep on trusting people and getting betrayed. This girl in front of them had abandoned him once already.

Out of Yugo's field of vision, Rin raised her hands, signing out words—she was rusty, since she had no use for sign language in Academia, but she knew enough. 'Done. Work. Security?' Are you finally done working for Security?

Kaname nodded.

Good. Rin would have gotten mad if that was the case. But then, Kaname raised her other hand slightly—also out of Yugo's sight, and signed a response. 'Not. Father.'

So she was done with Security, but not with Roget…

Rin grimaced.

For a moment, Rin thought about blood and gore, about Kaname fleeing the room while her eye was bleeding, about Yugo seeming completely out of it on the ground. About Kaname coldly asking everyone not to tell Yugo, no matter what.

This girl might forgive all the hurt in the world for a single moment of kindness.

'Not. Stop. You.' I will not stop you.

Rin nodded sharply.

Good.

That was all that she asked—that Kaname wouldn't get in their way anymore. Everything else could be resolved later.

"We'll talk later," Yugo promised. He was smiling far more brightly now though, and he shot her a fond smile that made Rin's heart do a strange jolt. "Isn't this great, Rin?"

Rin nodded. "Don't get too happy yet," she chided. "We haven't won yet. Save the celebrations for afterwards."

"Yeah, yeah. You always have the best priorities, Rin."

They were interrupted by another group.

"Yuto, Shun, Ruri," the dark-haired girl greeted. "So you won? Good job."

"Naturally," the tall young man with dark green hair said. "Yuto and Ruri took her on together—I didn't even have to step in."

"You must have been disappointed. I know how you like to compete."

The man who was probably 'Shun' by matter of elimination shrugged. "It was an impressive sight to watch."

The other boy there, who had to be Ruri's Yuto, handed the key card to Yugo. "I'm sure you'll follow through," he said reassuringly. "Good luck. Let's win." The two boys exchanged high-fives.

Three out of five now…

They waited, and they waited—it was taking an awfully long time.

And yet, no one spoke up to doubt the other Lancers, or to question if they should send someone after them.

Rin looked at them.

Was that… blind faith in each other?

Eventually, the other group approached them. A group of six.

Having so many boys with Yugo's face in the same place was a struggle. Then again, there were also four other girls with her face here, so maybe Rin was focusing on the wrong thing.

"Two for one," the orange-haired boy said cheerfully, waving two cards through the air. "You can thank us later, Yugo!"

"Hell yeah!" Yugo grabbed the two cards. "Five out of five. Great!"

… hah. Nice.

Maybe having so many comrades to depend on would be nice.

---

Yugo held onto the five keycards.

"I suppose you don't need a pep talk," Nue said with a shrug. "But do you want one?"

"You know when heroes always get a motivational speech from their friends?" Yugo said cheerfully. "Can we do that?" She was right, he didn't need it, but it was… nice to have comrades now.

After all, it had just been them from the start—just the orphanage kids. Yugo wasn't used to having so many friends—and they were friends, weren't they?

"Sure." Yuno grinned, just as enthusiastic as ever. "I haven't managed to repay you for helping me save Miharu. I'll buy you a few meals once we're done with this!"

"... yes. Thanks for your help." Miharu nodded, as stoic as ever, but there was a certain warmth to her voice. "You deserve to get your justice, so go ahead."

"And the Friendship Cup still continues after this," Yuya said. "I still want to have a fun duel with you, Yugo—and I want us to be comrades in the future too."

"Exactly." Yuzu shrugged. "After you talked my ear off so many times about the Friendship Cup, you can't just abandon it halfway."

"I just want to get Academia properly out of your city," Serena said firmly. "That's all, really. Beat up Roget, so that Kurosaki and I dragging your unconscious bodies out of the stadium doesn't go to waste."

"Defeat Academia," both Sora and Yuto said at the same time. They exchanged a look of surprise, before smiling at each other.

"You had better," Nue added with a shrug. "We've put in too much effort for this, really."

"Y-yeah! Um, not that I mind the effort…"

Mion put a hand on Kyorin's shoulder, calming the other girl. "Take care," she said. "Roget's a brutal man, but considering that he's had to win everything in this world with those brutal tricks, he can hardly be a tough foe for someone like you."

"Myojin's right." Shun glanced at Yugo and Rin. "Hurry up and win. We have more worlds to liberate than just yours."

"It is through our belief in your abilities that everyone has gathered here, Yugo-dono," Tsukikage said. "Naturally, we know you will honour that."

"You beat me, the great Sawatari, so you had better take responsibility!" Sawatari gestured forward. "I still need to grow stronger than you!"

"Win," Gongenzaka said with his rumbling voice. "For yourself and for this city!"

Yugo looked at them.

The rest were people that Yugo didn't know so well, but even so, they were all one team, weren't they?

Yugo pumped a fist in the air. "Let's do this!" He declared. "I promise I'll win!"

No matter what, he had to honour the hopes of everyone.

Especially the person standing beside him, who had always meant so much to him.

---

They walked into the room. Immediately, it was far more ornate than any of them might have expected. The cards that they had seen strewn across the ground were gone—someone had cleaned them up.

Sitting inside, his arms crossed on the table, was Roget.

The man looked at them.

"Come to gloat?" He asked—spite lacing every part of his voice.

"No," Yugo said. He and Rin exchanged a look, and then they spoke at the same time. "We came to win."

"Win." Roget shook his head. "A bunch of brats like you… the Lancers are putting their hopes on you?" He stood up. "Very well. I'd rather die before I ever let go of this city."

"Then we'll pull each of your fingers off it until your grip loosens," Rin said. "Come on! I still have to pay you back for what you did to me."

Roget stayed where he was. There was enough space for a duel in the room—he was looking down on them imperially—still looking down on them despite his miserable state. Did he just not know when to give up?

Well, Yugo would make him give up.

For everything up until now…

He would stop Roget!

[DUEL!]

Yugo & Rin: 8000LP

Jean Michel Roget: 8000LP

"Alternating turns, shared field, shared life points…" Rin shook his head. "... this guy really wants to die."

"Take the first turn, Rin," Yugo offered, and Rin nodded. "Let's do this!"

[Turn 1: Rin] [H:5]

"Since I control no monsters," Rin declared, "I'll Special Summon Wind Witch - Ice Bell from my hand!" The girl with long, dark blue hair appeared, a purple witch's hat perched on the top of her head.

[Wind Witch - Ice Bell (3*/1000/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"Then, I can Special Summon a "Wind Witch" monster from my deck! Come—Wind Witch - Glass Bell!" Ice Bell into Glass Bell—Rin's most common combo in that deck. The girl with light cyan hair appeared next to Ice Bell.

[Wind Witch - Glass Bell (4*/1500/1500/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]

"And I'll activate the effects of Ice Bell and Glass Bell! I'll inflict 500 damage to you, and then, I'll add a "Wind Witch" monster from my deck to my hand, but I can't Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except WIND monsters." Ice Bell swung her 'broom' through the air, sending a gust of cold wind towards Roget.

Roget: 8000 - 500 = 7500LP

"I'll tune the Level 4 Glass Bell to the Level 3 Ice Bell! Midwinter wind. Make ice and snow my power and blow through! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 7! Wind Witch - Winter Bell!" The sapphire bell woman appeared, winter wind swirling around her.

Yugo looked at her and couldn't help but grin.

[Wind Witch - Winter Bell (7*/2400/2000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)]

"Wind Witch - Winter Bell's effect. I will target a "Wind Witch" monster in my graveyard and inflict 200 damage to you times that monster's Level! I'll target the Level 4 Glass Bell! Hypothermic Subzero!" Another blast of cold wind hit Roget. The entire room was remarkably chilly now—a sign that Rin wasn't holding back her psychic powers, at the very least.

Roget: 7500 - 200 x 4 = 6700LP

"I'll then set two cards and end my turn."

[Turn 2: Roget] [H:6]

"Draw." Roget's voice was… not cocky, but rather vicious. He immediately played one of the cards in his hand. "I will activate the Spell Card, Incinerativating Purgatory. By revealing an "Infernoid" monster or a "Purgatory" Spell or Trap in my hand, I can discard my entire hand and draw cards equal to the amount that I discarded."

"He's discarding his whole hand?" Yugo exclaimed.

"Infernoids…" Rin shook her head. "If he uses demons, that's very fitting for him, at least."

Roget sneered. "These monsters are power," he said. "All humans search for the most power they can have. You cannot tell me that you don't do the same."

Rin shook her head. "Of course we all look for power," she said. She glared at him. "But I meant that it's fitting that you're using demons. You make deals, use people as your pawns and drag them into hell."

"You can hardly claim that this is all my fault," Roget said with a smirk. "You remember a time before me—and that time was just as bad as it is now, was it not?"

Yugo and Rin both grimaced.

"I'll then banish three "Infernoid" monsters from the graveyard to Special Summon Infernoid Lilith from my hand!" In front of him, a long, serpent-like monster appeared—its body was covered in elaborate, almost skeletal patterns. There was a purple sheen to it, and as it slid around, its thin wings opened up like the expectant petals of a flower. It let out a soft, elusive hiss, and it towered over them.

[Infernoid Lilith (9*/2900/2900/FIRE/Fiend/Effect)]

"... well. That's big." Yugo blinked.

"When Infernoid Lilith is Special Summoned," Roget continued, "I can destroy all Spells and Traps on the field!"

"I'll activate the Trap Cards, Magicians' Defense and Icy Breeze Refrain!" Rin declared. "Icy Breeze Refrain's effect! I'll Special Summon a "Wind Witch" monster from my graveyard. Return to the field in Defense Position, Wind Witch - Glass Bell!" Glass Bell reappeared on her field. "Glass Bell's effect. I'll add a "Wind Witch" monster from my deck to my hand!" Both cards were then destroyed. "When Magicians' Defense is sent from the field to the graveyard, I can Special Summon another Spellcaster monster from my graveyard! Return—Wind Witch - Ice Bell!"

Ice Bell reappeared, already grinning.

"When Wind Witch - Ice Bell is Normal or Special Summoned, I can inflict 500 damage to you!" Ice Bell spun around, firing off another gust of wind towards Roget.

Yugo sighed.

Rin really was just so… cool.

Roget: 6500 - 500 = 6000LP

"Continuous Spell, Final Barrier of Purgatory!" Roget placed down the card. "Once per turn, when all monsters I control are Fiend monsters, I can add a banished "Infernoid" monster to my hand." He scoffed at her. "Don't think that you're a big deal just because you've dealt a bit of damage to me. Burn duelists are always susceptible to battle. I will Normal Summon Infernoid Decatron." A strange, colourful and glowing mechanical head appeared, floating on the field.

[Infernoid Decatron (1*/500/200/FIRE/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"When Infernoid Decatron is Normal or Special Summoned, I can send a "Infernoid" monster from my deck to the graveyard." Roget cast a card into the graveyard, glaring the entire time. "Decatron's Level increases by that monster's Level, and Decatron copies that monster's name and effects! I'll send the Level 3 Infernoid Lucifugus from my deck to the graveyard."

[Infernoid Decatron: 1* + 3* = 4*]

"I'll activate the effect that Infernoid Decatron copied from Infernoid Lucifugus! Once per turn, I can target a monster on the field and destroy it, but Decatron cannot attack this turn!" A fireball shot out, incinerating Winter Bell. Rin seemed rather unaffected by the sight. "I will activate the Continuous Spell, Void Dream of Purgatory. Now, all "Infernoid" monsters I control with an original Level that is 2 or higher have their Levels become 1, but you take halved damage from battles involving those monsters."

Huh? Lowering the Levels of his monsters and their damage output? Why?

[Infernoid Lilith: 9* → 1*]

"I will banish two "Infernoid" monsters from my graveyard to Special Summon Infernoid Adramelech from my hand." A large, blue regal-looking creature appeared, resembling a dragon of sorts—orange light glowed from within the dragon's body, and it let out a loud roar.

[Infernoid Adramelech (8*/2800/0/FIRE/Fiend/Effect)]

[Infernoid Adramelech: 8* → 1*]

"Furthermore, while I control Final Barrier of Purgatory, all "Infernoid" monsters gain 100 attack points for each banished "Infernoid" monsters. I have four."

[Infernoid Adramelech: 2800 + 100 x 4 = 3200ATK]

[Infernoid Lilith: 2900 + 100 x 4 = 3300ATK]

[Infernoid Decatron: 500 + 100 x 4 = 900ATK]

"Battle Phase. Infernoid Adramelech attacks Wind Witch - Ice Bell!" The cheerful witch was crushed by the fiery demon. "And when Infernoid Adramelech destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the graveyard, it can perform a second attack! Destroy Glass Bell!"

Thus, both of the shields that Rin had set up shattered underneath that single monster's attacks.

"Infernoid Lilith attacks directly!"

The damage that Lilith dealt to them was halved—but even so, the flames from the destructive monster burned around the entire field, erasing the cold atmosphere that Rin had set up.

Yugo & Rin: 8000 - 3300 / 2 = 6350LP

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

"My turn!" Yugo declared. He studied Roget.

… there really wasn't as much mocking as Yugo had expected. Was this really the last person they had to face?

Why wasn't Roget acting arrogant? Why did it feel like…

… why did it feel like he was desperate?

[Turn 3: Yugo] [H:6]

"Draw!" He declared, dismissing the thoughts. "I'll Special Summon Speedroid Terrortop from my hand, since I control no monsters!" Terrortop appeared on the field, the spiked tops spinning around swiftly.

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

"Terrortop's effect. I'll add a "Speedroid" monster from my deck to my hand!" He picked up the card. "I'll Normal Summon Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper!" The pale doll appeared, its white body appearing like clay, tipping its bright green hat.

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

"Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper's effect. I'll excavate cards from the top of my deck equal to the number of other WIND monsters I control, and add one of them to my hand—so essentially, since I only control one other WIND monster, I'm drawing a card!" He picked up the card immediately. "I'll tune the Level 4 Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper to the Level 3 Speedroid Terrortop! 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 bright blue and white dragon appeared on the field, letting out a loud roar as its wings spread out, gleaming with green light.

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

"Of course you're bringing out Clear Wing immediately," Rin said with a sigh.

"I'll set a card facedown!" Yugo gestured forward. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Infernoid Decatron! Helldive Whirlwind Slasher!"

"Testing the waters?" Roget said mockingly. "Take Decatron, it's no big deal."

… huh.

Clear Wing's attack blew away Decatron, much to Yugo's own confusion.

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

He didn't expect Roget to put his hand on the table—and to draw out another duel disk, drawing five cards from it.

"Hold on!" Rin objected. "What—what are you doing?"

"This is a Tag Duel, isn't it?" Roget raised an eyebrow. "Therefore, I should be treated as two people. Don't worry, I won't mix the hands from each deck." He smirked. "Consider this a second version of me."

Yugo's eyes widened. So—from the start, Roget had already registered two duel disks as being part of the duel? No wonder—by playing both turns himself, he could coordinate with himself very easily.

… of course Roget wouldn't play fair. Why had they ever thought that he would?

[Turn 4: Roget 2] [H:6]

"Draw." Roget said, playing using the other duel disk now. "Spell Card, Graceful Charity. I'll draw three cards and discard two cards. Trap Card, Mad Feast of Purgatory. By sending a "Purgatory" Spell or Trap from my hand to the graveyard, I can Special Summon three "Infernoid" monsters from my deck with a total Level of 8, ignoring summoning conditions!"

So there were summoning conditions to those monsters?

Maybe Roget's summoning of them through banishing monsters wasn't just an alternative summoning condition, but the only way that they could be summoned.

"Come! Infernoid Asmodai! Infernoid Beelzebul! Infernoid Shaitan!"

Infernoid Asmodai, the first to appear, was a black demon with curved horns, holding onto a long, pointed staff in its hands, red lights glowing around its body. Beelzebul was a strange, insect-like creature, six clawed limbs writhing in the air, its transparent wings, separated into segments, buzzing faster than the eye could see. Finally, Shaitan was a mechanical grey creature, slightly tinted purple, a white light gleaming on its back. Bird-like wings fluttered in the air.

[Infernoid Asmodai (5*/2200/0/FIRE/Fiend/Effect)]

[Infernoid Beelzebul (2*/0/2000/FIRE/Fiend/Effect)]

[Infernoid Shaitan (1*/0/0/FIRE/Fiend/Effect)]

"Beelzebul's effect. Once per turn, I can target a face-up card you control and return it to the hand! I will target Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

"I'll activate Clear Wing's effect! Since a Level 5 or higher monster I control was targeted by a monster's effect, I can target that monster, negate its effects and destroy it! Dichroic Mirror!" He wouldn't gain any attack points, but he really wanted to keep Clear Wing on the field.

"Infernoid Lilith's effect," Roget countered, smiling sharply. "By tributing another monster, I can negate the activation of another monster's effect and banish it. Infernal Blasphemy. I will tribute Infernoid Shaitan."

He wasn't just going to destroy Clear Wing? He was going to banish it?

"Trap Card, Breakthrough Skill!" Yugo flipped it over immediately. "I'll target and negate Infernoid Lilith's effects until the End Phase!"

The chain of effects resolved. Lilith's effect was negated, so while Shaitan was tributed, nothing happened. Clear Wing's effect also destroyed Beelzebul, negating its effect.

"I will activate the Field Spell, Purgatory Flood. I'll set a card facedown. And I will send Void Dream of Purgatory from my field to the graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon. And when the opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck while I do not, I can send 6 monsters from my deck to the graveyard, in addition to materials from my hand and field!"

"Oh," Yugo said. Had Roget been hoping that he would be able to keep Clear Wing on the field? "That's such a gamble—" Yugo would admit that he hadn't expected Roget to actually be able to make good moves in dueling, because why else would he need to depend on others to defend him?

"Hardly a gamble." Roget raised a hand. "I'd call it a gambit. There is no advantageous position that can be achieved without sacrifice. To give up a useless pawn to win a better offensive advantage—that is far better. I will fuse six "Infernoid" monsters from my deck—I'm sure you do not care to hear me list them out—with Infernoid Asmodai and Infernoid Adramelech on my field, and Infernoid Nehemoth and Infernoid Astaroth in my hand."

A… ten card Fusion Summon?

"Sleeping demon below the surface of the earth. Let the miscalculation of the ancients give birth to a new monster, and every rising hope be turned to despair! Scorch it all! Fusion Summon! Level 11! Infernoid Tierra!"

The strange, demonic serpent that appeared was… odd. Almost humanoid. It had a black body laced with golden stripes over it, all the way down to the ground, where its body split into two different tails that were just as long as its current body. Two large glass-like purple wings appeared, stretching out and gleaming, each split into four segments. Finally, from its head, bright orange fibres slowly drifted around it, spreading out and looking almost like long hair, making the draconian creature seem almost feminine.

[Infernoid Tierra (11*/3400/3600/FIRE/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"When Infernoid Tierra is Fusion Summoned, it activates several effects depending on the number of materials with different names used for its Fusion Summon," Roget said. "I will first chain the Spell Card, Death Apostle of Purgatory! Tierra is unaffected by your card effects this turn. Then, I can resolve Tierra's effects. Since I used three or more cards—each player sends three cards from their Extra Deck to the graveyard."

Since they had shared fields, Rin didn't currently need to do anything—this effect was entirely targeted towards Yugo. Even as Roget pitched three cards from his Extra Deck into the graveyard, Yugo carefully chose three monsters—his Orient Dragon, Hi-Speedroid Puzzle and Hi-Speedroid Hagoita. He apologised to them internally as he sent them to the graveyard, grimacing.

"Since I used five or more different monsters, we must both send three cards from the top of our decks to the graveyard!" Another three cards fell into the graveyard. "Since I used eight or more monsters with different names, we can each return three banished cards to the graveyard now—you have none, but I will return three of my monsters to the graveyard. And finally—"

He raised his head, smirking coldly.

"Keeping all your cards in your hand will cost you, street rat. When I use ten or more monsters as material, both of us must send our entire hand to the graveyard!"

What?

All of Yugo's cards fell to the graveyard. Roget had pretty much drained his entire hand before summoning Tierra, and now Yugo knew why.

"Infernoid Tierra attacks Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

If Tierra was unaffected by card effects, then his current set card wouldn't do anything.

Yugo grimaced.

Sorry, Clear Wing.

His dragon was crushed by the Fusion Monster.

Yugo & Rin: 6350 - 900 = 5450LP

"And Infernoid Lilith attacks you directly!"

"Trap Card, Speedroid Dupligate!" Yugo countered. "I'll banish a WIND monster from my graveyard and target a monster you control—and then, I can return that card to the hand! I'll target Lilith!"

Roget smirked. "You can't do that," he said. "While I control my Field Spell, you cannot target "Infernoid" monsters I control for attacks or effects, except the "Infernoid" monster I control with the highest Level!"

Yugo gritted his teeth. He had already activated the card, so… "I will banish a WIND monster and target Infernoid Tierra," he said, grimacing. Obviously, the effect did nothing. Lilith's attack hit—this time for the full amount, considering that Void Dream of Purgatory was gone.

Yugo & Rin: 5450 - 2900 = 2550LP

"That is all," Roget said. "Make your move."

"... that was close," Rin said, folding her arms. "That has to be his ace monster, I think."

"My bad," Yugo said. "I—"

"It's not like I'm blaming you." Rin shrugged. "Who would be prepared for that? You're an idiot, Yugo, but it's not your fault that this guy apparently had a nuke that's this difficult to deal with. Let me handle this turn. You can figure out what to do—after all, a lot of your cards do banish themselves from the graveyard, don't they?"

… yeah.

Rin was always reliable.

[Turn 5: Rin] [H:5]

"Draw. I'm going to Special Summon another copy of Ice Bell from my hand with her own effect." Naturally, she had added Ice Bell to her hand with Glass Bell's effect on the previous turn. "And also, come from the deck, Wind Witch - Tear Bell!"

"What makes you think I'm not going to negate that effect?" Roget sneered.

"Because the only monsters you can tribute are Lilith itself and Tierra, and you may be an asshole, but you're not an idiot who's going to waste his negates like this." Yugo nearly laughed. Rin's bluntness was fun when it wasn't directed at him!

The white-haired witch appeared, her green hat slightly oversized for her head. Her braids drifted through the air.

[Wind Witch - Tear Bell (3*/900/900/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]

"Ice Bell's effect!" Once again, her monster peppered Roget with damage.

Roget: 6000 - 500 = 5500LP

"I'll tune the Level 3 Wind Witch - Tear Bell to the Level 3 Wind Witch - Ice Bell! The ice, the snow, absorb everything into the chilling wind! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Wind Witch - Chill Bell!" The bell woman with a body of clear ice appeared, pale blue swirls around most of her body. Her purple-tinted wings swept through the air.

[Wind Witch - Chill Bell (6*/1400/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)]

Her attack points were low, but that was par for the cost with Rin anyway—her deck was good at burn damage, so if it could also win against others in battle, it would be too much.

"When Wind Witch - Chill Bell is Synchro Summoned while I control only WIND monsters, I can add a "Wind Witch" monster from my deck to my hand! Unless you want to negate it?"

"I do," Roget said—very concise, for once. Lilith dissolved into flames that shot forward, incinerating Rin's monster and banishing it.

"That doesn't matter to me," Rin shot back. "Since I control no monsters, I can Normal Summon Wind Witch - Blizzard Bell without tributing a monster!" A bright white bell lined by gold appeared, a small angel-like figure on top of it—a snow angel, Yugo thought, laughing internally at his own pun.

[Wind Witch - Blizzard Bell (5*/1800/1800/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]

"Then, since all monsters I control are "Windwitch" monsters, I can Special Summon Wind Witch - Freeze Bell from my hand!" The girl with light purple hair appeared, a placid look on her face.

[Wind Witch - Freeze Bell (3*/1200/1200/WIND/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"Five plus three is eight." Yugo turned to her. "... you don't have a Level 8 Synchro Monster, Rin."

"You're right," Rin said. "Not now… maybe in the future. But it doesn't matter for now. I'll Special Summon Wind Witch - Snow Bell from my hand, since I control at least two WIND monsters and no non-WIND monsters!" A small bell appeared on the field, light blue in colour.

[Wind Witch - Snow Bell (1*/100/100/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)]

"I'll tune the Level 1 Wind Witch - Snow Bell to the Level 3 Wind Witch - Freeze Bell!"

Yugo watched her, a little surprised.

This went beyond what he'd expected of her. Rin was strong, yes, and she was responsible and down-to-earth and knew when to be serious—all the things that Yugo struggled with. Even so, there was a certain aggression to her right now that was not what he remembered.

Rin. You really want to be stronger, huh?

You became this strong for yourself, and no one else…

"Let the midwinter wind shake mountains and trees, returning the snow to the natural state of drifting! Synchro Summon! Level 4! Wind Witch - Fall Bell!"

Fabric floated through the air—ribbons, tied to a small bell-like figure that resembled the rest of Rin's Synchro Monsters. It carried a youthfulness to it—tinted pink. Its ribbons cast snowflakes through the air like a veil.

[Wind Witch - Fall Bell (4*/1700/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

"When Wind Witch - Fall Bell is Synchro Summoned, I can target a "Wind Witch" monster in my graveyard and banish it! Then, I can Special Summon a "Wind Witch" monster with the same Level from my deck in Defense Position! I will banish a copy of Wind Witch - Ice Bell from the graveyard and Special Summon another copy of Wind Witch - Freeze Bell from my deck! Snowdrift!"

So, she'd essentially gotten a free monster…

"With the other effect of Wind Witch - Fall Bell, once per turn, I can target a "Wind Witch" monster I control, and I can either increase or decrease its Level by 1! I will decrease Freeze Bell's Level by 1!"

[Wind Witch - Freeze Bell: 3* - 1* = 2*]

"And I'll tune the Level 5 Wind Witch - Blizzard Bell to the Level 2 Wind Witch - Freeze Bell!"

Level 7 Synchro Monsters were by far the easiest for Rin's deck to bring out, so Yugo wasn't really surprised by that.

"Light glints off the surface of the ice. Quiet, unseen sprite of the winter ice, come forth now! Synchro Summon! Level 7! Wind Witch - Sheen Bell!" The pretty silver bell appeared, letting out a sharp, ringing sound.

[Wind Witch - Sheen Bell (7*/1000/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)]

"Sheen Bell's effect. I will banish Freeze Bell, Blizzard Bell and Tear Bell from the graveyard to draw a card." She revealed the card. "Since it was a "Wind Witch" monster, I can inflict 400 damage to you!"

Roget: 5500 - 400 = 5100LP

"I'll set one card facedown and end my turn." That left her with just one card in her hand.

"Can you really not defeat Tierra at all?" Roget asked, raising an eyebrow. "Interesting."

[Turn 6: Roget 1] [H:1]

"During the Standby Phase, Purgatory Flood's effect activates. I can Special Summon a Infernoid Token to the field." A strange glass capsule appeared, shimmering with a rainbow-like light.

[Infernoid Token (1*/0/0/FIRE/Fiend)]

"The effect of the Continuous Spell, Final Barrier of Purgatory. I can add a banished "Infernoid" monster to my hand." Roget retrieved the card. "I will Normal Summon Infernoid Decatron." The Fiend monster appeared on the field. "I'll send the Level 8 Infernoid Adramelech from the deck to the graveyard."

[Infernoid Decatron: 1* + 8* = 9*]

"I will tune the Level 9 Infernoid Decatron to the Level 1 Infernoid Token!"

"That card's a Tuner?" Yugo exclaimed.

"Starve within the flames of purgatory. Crush the helpless souls that struggle to crawl out, and suppress the holy order. Synchro Summon—Level 10, Infernoid Famine!" An enormous creature of golden fire appeared. Tentacles lashed through the air. On the top of the demon's head, there were long, curved horns that pointed towards the back of the creature's neck. It let out a bellow, like that of a bull.

[Infernoid Famine (10*/3000/3000/FIRE/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)]

"I'll activate the effect of Infernoid Famine," Roget continued. "By banishing two "Infernoid" monsters from my graveyard, I can Special Summon an "Infernoid" monster from my graveyard, ignoring its summoning conditions. Return, Infernoid Ba'al!" A strange creature of red and silver metal appeared, green light shining from all over it.

[Infernoid Ba'al (7*/2600/0/FIRE/Fiend/Effect)]

"Battle Phase," he continued. "Ba'al attacks Wind Witch - Sheen Bell!"

"Sheen Bell can't be targeted for an attack while I control another "Wind Witch" Synchro Monster!" Rin countered.

"Then, it attacks Wind Witch - Fall Bell!"

Ba'al, Tierra and Famine—those were the three monsters Roget currently controlled that could attack. As such…

Rin let the attack pass. After all…

The flames didn't do anything to Fall Bell.

"Any WIND Synchro Monster that used Freeze Bell as Synchro Material cannot be destroyed by battle," she announced. "Both Fall Bell and Sheen Bell were Synchro Summoned using Freeze Bell as material—so neither of them can be destroyed by battle!"

Roget narrowed his eyes. "I didn't mention it before now because it was irrelevant," he said, "but my Final Barrier of Purgatory does still grant 100 attack points to my "Infernoid" monsters for each of my banished "Infernoid" monsters."

[Infernoid Famine: 3000 + 100 x 2 = 3200ATK]

[Infernoid Tierra: 3400 + 100 x 2 = 3600ATK]

[Infernoid Ba'al: 2600 + 100 x 2 = 2800ATK]

"If it's true that neither of your monsters can be destroyed by battle, that is perfectly fine with me. I will end my Battle Phase. During the end of the Battle Phase, if Ba'al battled, I can banish a card on the field. I will banish Wind Witch - Sheen Bell!" One of Rin's Synchro Monsters was swallowed up by flames. "I'll end my turn."

[Turn 7: Yugo] [H:1]

"Draw!" Yugo glanced at the card. "I'll banish Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke from the graveyard to Special Summon a "Speedroid" Tuner monster from my graveyard. Come back—Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper." The green-themed doll reappeared on the field. "I'll activate the effect of Fuki-Modoshi Piper. I'll excavate the top card of my deck and add it to my hand."

He picked up the top card of his deck.

"I'll Normal Summon Speedroid Double Yoyo!" A pair of spinning green yoyos surrounded by bright sparks of electricity appeared.

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

"I'll activate the effect of Double Yoyo to Special Summon a Level 3 or lower "Speedroid" monster from the graveyard. Come back, Speedroid Terrortop!" Yugo grinned. "I'll use Speedroid Terrortop's effect to add a "Speedroid" monster from my hand. I'll then tune the Level 4 Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper to the Level 4 Speedroid Double Yoyo!"

It took me so much to get here.

I need to defeat this guy, no matter what.

"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!" The dark blue metal dragon appeared, bright green wings glowing in the air as it roared loudly.

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

"Kitedrake…" Roget repeated.

"With Kitedrake, I'll remove every danger on your field!" Yugo declared. "With Kitedrake's effect, I will permanently negate the effects of all cards you control! Leisure Hurricane!"

The winds shot forward. Roget let out a growl as all of his monsters seemed to be weakened at the same time.

Yugo grinned. "That's perfect," he said. He didn't use Fall Bell—Rin might still need it for something later. "Your set card, Rin?"

"Use it if you want," Rin agreed.

"Alright! Then we're in business." He grinned. "Spell Card, Shadow Stepper! By targeting a monster you control, I can Special Summon a monster from my graveyard with a lower Level, as long as the monster I'm targeting was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck! However, it comes back with its effects negated! Come back—Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

His ace reappeared on the field.

"And then, I'll activate Rin's second copy of Icy Breeze Refrain! Come back to the field—Wind Witch - Snow Bell!" The small bell appeared on his field. "And I'll tune the Level 1 Wind Witch - Snow Bell to the Level 7 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon! 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's evolution appeared on his field next to Kitedrake, letting out a loud roar.

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

"Battle Phase!" He declared. "Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Infernoid Tierra! Crystallos Edge of Gale! And all your monsters have their attack points return to their original values, since I negated all your cards' effects! And when Crystal Wing battles a Level 5 or higher monster, it gains attack points equal to the current attack points of the monster it is battling until the end of damage calculation!"

[Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon: 3000 + 3400 = 6400ATK]

"Your monster is only able to negate monster effects," Roget pointed out. "Trap Card, Draining Shield! I'll negate the attack and gain life points equal to your monster's attack points!"

Roget: 5100 + 6400 = 11500LP

Yugo didn't let it discourage him. "Kitedrake attacks Infernoid Ba'al! Howl of the Drifting Dragon!"

The winds swept up, destroying the demon.

Roget: 11500 - 400 = 11100LP

"I'll end my turn!"

[Turn 8: Roget 2] [H:1]

"Draw." Roget raised the card to his own eye level. "Spell Card, Pot of Avarice. By shuffling five monsters from my graveyard into the deck, I will draw two cards. And I'll activate the Spell Card, Instant Fusion. By paying 1000 life points, I can Special Summon a Level 5 or lower Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck, but it cannot attack, and it's destroyed during the End Phase! This is treated as a Fusion Summon!"

Roget: 11100 - 1000 = 10100LP

"Special Summoning a Fusion Monster so easily…"

Roget scoffed at Yugo's words. "To be honest, I always thought that Synchro was so limited," he said. "To require all your materials to be on the field, to require their Levels to specifically add up to a certain amount… if I didn't have to fit in, I would never have made Famine. But yes, Fusion is significantly more versatile, nowadays. Come, malice that slumbers within the infernal flames—Infernoid Evil!" A small, wyvern-like creature wreathed in blue hellfire appeared on Roget's field, this one in his Extra Monster Zone.

[Infernoid Evil (1*/1100/1100/FIRE/Fiend/Fusion/Effect)]

"Since Infernoid Evil was Special Summoned, I can banish an "Infernoid" monster from the graveyard and send "Infernoid" monsters with different names from my deck to the graveyard, equal to the Level of the banished monster. I will banish the Level 9 Infernoid Lilith."

So he was pretty much pitching his monsters into the graveyard as fuel for his effects, huh?

"I will then activate the Spell Card, Burning Birth of Purgatory. I can banish up to three "Infernoid" monsters from my graveyard and Special Summon Infernoid Tokens to my field, up to the number of monsters I banished for the cost of this effect. I will banish three of them!" Three more of the strange capsules from earlier reappeared on the field.

"Are you doing another Synchro Summon?"

Roget sneered. "Hardly. Open, circuit of the infernal flames!"

Roget made a Link Monster for himself too?

"Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two or more monsters, including an "Infernoid" monster. I will set my three Infernoid Tokens and Infernoid Evil in the Link Markers! Now, the heavens themselves quake with fury. Bring forth the flood of flames from purgatory, and swallow every inch of earth on this world! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4! Infernoid Flood!"

A strange, bright blue monster with flames swirling around it appeared, carrying a regal and yet destructive air with the golden metal lining most of its body. Its claws sharply struck through the air—golden, something close to hands but still distinctly inhuman. Gears spun around behind it like clockwork. A snake-like tail slid through the air. Its face was made of several metallic mandibles that slowly drifted apart like some kind of alien creature.

[Infernoid Flood (L4/3000/FIRE/Fiend/Link/Effect/↙, ↑, ↓, ↘)]

"When Infernoid Evil is sent to the graveyard, once per turn, I can add a "Purgatory" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand." Roget picked up the card. "I will then banish Burning Birth of Purgatory from the graveyard to add an "Infernoid" monster from my graveyard to my hand." He smirked. "Your Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon. Aren't you going to use its effect?"

Yugo had been waiting to trigger the effect in response to Flood, actually—purely because dealing with high attack points was very much a hassle.

"I'll banish three "Infernoid" monsters from my graveyard. Come—Infernoid Nehemoth!" A strange, large creature—crisscrossing lines and metal, black cutting over red and purple flesh. No part of its body seemed to fit together—it was flesh and machine and skeletal structures that wove together into a creature that was more segments than a cohesive whole. It towered over them—larger than Crystal Wing, larger than Kitedrake, maybe larger than both combined. A strange, shrieking sound left its throat—nothing like any sound that a human might make.

[Infernoid Nehemoth (10*/3000/3000/FIRE/Fiend/Effect)]

"I will activate the effect of Infernoid Nehemoth. Since it was Special Summoned, I can destroy all other monsters on the field."

"Monsters Synchro Summoned using Snow Bell as Synchro Material can't be destroyed by card effects!" Yugo countered. "So Fall Bell and Crystal Wing are safe!"

"I'll activate the effect of Infernoid Flood as well," Roget said. "Since a card was banished from the graveyard, I can banish a card on the field." He sneered. "I'll banish that Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon that you're so proud of!"

"I'll activate Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon's effect! I'll negate your monster's effect and destroy it!"

"I'll banish Breakthrough Skill from the graveyard and negate your monster's effect."

Then—

"I'll banish Breakthrough Skill from our graveyard to negate your monster's effect!" Yugo shouted defiantly—the exact same card, the exact same use.

The effects all resolved. Infernoid Flood and Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon both had their effects negated for the rest of the turn. Nehemoth's effect resolved, destroying Kitedrake and Terrortop—but to Yugo's surprise, while most of Roget's monsters were destroyed, Tierra remained on the field.

"By banishing Death Apostle of Purgatory from the graveyard, I can negate the destruction of one of my "Infernoid" monsters," Roget said. "And when Infernoid Flood is destroyed, I can Special Summon an "Infernoid" monster from my deck, ignoring summoning conditions! Come! Another copy of Infernoid Lilith!"

The long, strange and serpentine demon from earlier reappeared.

"When Kitedrake is sent to the graveyard by an opponent's card, I can add a "Speedroid" monster from my deck to my hand!" Yugo quickly picked up a card before Roget activated his next effect.

"Infernoid Lilith's effect! I will destroy all Spells and Traps on the field!" His Field Spell and Continuous Spells—the ones that had already had their effects negated—were torn apart by Lilith's thrashing. "Battle Phase! Infernoid Tierra attacks Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!"

Why? Crystal Wing's effect would—

Crystal Wing's effect. As in, the effect that had just been negated.

Roget smirked. "Have you seen it then? Your dragon is troublesome, but only to those who don't know its most glaring weakness. An idiot like you who relies on the same tricks is just data to be studied!"

And well, Yugo had been playing with limited resources from the start. So he was forced to watch as Crystal Wing was cut down by his opponent's attack.

Yugo & Rin: 2550 - 400 = 2150LP

"I'll end my turn!"

Yugo grimaced. All they had left was Fall Bell.

"... you know," Rin said, "you have no right to call Yugo an idiot."

Roget frowned.

"Firstly, only I get to do that." Rin gestured forward. "And who asked you to act like you're better when you're clearly not? I'm assuming from the pattern so far that your Infernoid Nehemoth is a pair with your Infernoid Lilith—one destroys monsters and the other destroys Spells and Traps. So, since Lilith negates monster effects, Nehemoth probably negates Spell and Trap effects, right? This is just a sign of you being a control freak! If you'd brought out Ba'al instead, you could've banished Fall Bell, and it would have been nearly impossible for us to recover from an empty field like that."

She placed a hand over her deck.

"I hate control freaks—after all, I grew up in this city! So you don't get to rule over this field anymore—I'll freeze you solid, for the sake of my younger self, who grew up under your suppression! Even if it wasn't all because of you, much of it was still your fault, and you can't escape that!"

[Turn 9: Rin] [H:2]

"Draw!" Rin glanced at her hand.

"This is one of those things, isn't it?" Yugo said—without really thinking about it.

"Huh?"

"It's so obvious why we want to defeat him," Yugo said. "To him and to us—even if we don't say it aloud, everyone knows." He nodded. "I believe in you, Rin. No matter what, I believe in you!"

---

Rin looked at him. She smiled.

Yeah.

It was very clear why they hated him. There was no need for realisations, or anything like that.

Just their determination.

Wasn't that how they survived in this city, after all? Determination and dreams?

She turned to Roget.

"Feel free to tell me when you want to negate anything," she snarked. "Spell Card, Bell Chime of the Wind Witch! I can target Fall Bell and Special Summon a "Wind Witch" monster with a different name from my deck."

"I will activate the effect of Infernoid Nehemoth. I will tribute Nehemoth itself to negate your card and banish it!"

So Rin had guessed it right, after all?

She didn't respond to it. She gestured to the graveyard. "I'll banish Speed Recovery from the graveyard to add a "Speedroid" monster from our graveyard to my hand! I'll add Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper to my hand! And I'll now Normal Summon it!" The doll with a green hat appeared on her field. "I will activate Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper's effect! I will excavate the top card of my deck and add it to my hand."

"I've seen what you can do with a single card," Roget said. He gestured forward. Lilith dissolved into flames, shooting forward and consuming the Tuner monster.

"... that's fine," Rin said. She smiled confidently. "It means that you can't do anything against what you're about to face! I'll activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn! Return to the field, Wind Witch - Winter Bell!" The beautiful sapphire bell reappeared on the field. "Winter Bell's effect. I'll target the Level 4 Wind Witch - Glass Bell in the graveyard and inflict 200 damage to you times its Level! Hypothermic Subzero!"

More of the same cold winds swept through the field.

Roget: 10100 - 200 x 4 = 9300LP

"Pinpricks," Roget spat.

"We wear things down to break them," Rin returned. "I'll activate the effect of Wind Witch - Fall Bell. I will target Fall Bell itself and lower its Level by 1!"

[Wind Witch - Fall Bell: 4* - 1* = 3*]

"What's the point of lowering the Level of that monster?"

"This is the point!" Rin declared. "I'll tune the Level 3 Wind Witch - Fell Bell to the Level 7 Wind Witch - Winter Bell!"

"A Synchro Summon with only Synchro Monsters as material?" Yugo exclaimed.

Right. She hadn't gotten the chance to show this to Yugo yet, right?

She had only learned it before she'd been kidnapped, after all. And she hadn't used it back then—not used to it, unable to bring herself to take a risk.

But she would not lose.

She'd learned it from Aki Izayoi, who didn't use it for her own monsters right now, but had learned from someone who was no longer here.

"Beautiful white sharpness that cuts through the cold wasteland. Let the toll of your echoing bell signal the coming of a brand new ice age! Freeze to absolute zero! Accel Synchro Summon! Level 10! Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell!"

A beautiful, sleek icy blue bell woman appeared, clouds of mist swirling around her. Sky blue patterns could be seen in fractals across her body. A crown of purple-tinted ice crystals could be seen on her 'head', like a headdress. Her wings shone brightly, a rainbow sheen cast across the ground. There was a cloak behind it, translucent fabrics that drifted in the air in layers. A queenly, beautiful figure. The sound of a bell echoed through the air, lingering softly.

[Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell (10*/3000/2500/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)]

"Oh my god," Yugo said, eyes wide.

"I'll be borrowing your monster, Yugo."

"Feel free!" Yugo looked like he was still in awe—Rin pretended that she wasn't pleased by that.

"I'll banish Speedroid CarTurbo and Speedroid Double Yoyo from the graveyard to increase the attack points of all WIND monsters I control by 800 for the rest of this turn!"

[Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell: 3000 + 800 = 3800ATK]

"Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell attacks Infernoid Tierra! Apocalyptic Chill!"

Winterfell Bell struck straight through the large monster, finally destroying it.

Roget: 9300 - 400 = 8900LP

"When Winterfell Bell inflicts battle damage to the opponent, I can Special Summon a Level 9 or lower "Wind Witch" monster from the graveyard or banished cards!" Rin declared. "Return to the field—Wind Witch - Chill Bell! Wintry Updraft!" The beautiful bell woman appeared in Defense Position. "I'll move to my Main Phase 2! I'll banish a "Wind Witch" monster from my graveyard and inflict 200 damage to you times its Level! I'll banish the Level 7 Wind Witch - Winter Bell from my graveyard!" Another sharp ringing of the bell—and then Chill Bell sent another gust of wind across the field.

Roget: 8900 - 200 x 7 = 7500LP

"I'll end my turn," Rin said. She couldn't help but smile.

Whatever Roget was going to do next…

She had a feeling that Roget was going to dig his own grave trying to win against them right now.

[Turn 10: Roget 1] [H:2]

"Draw." Roget said, glaring at her. "I'll activate the Spell Card, Fire Recovery. By sending a card from my hand to the graveyard, I can Special Summon a FIRE monster from the graveyard. Return to the field, Infernoid Famine." The Synchro Monster from earlier reappeared on the field. "Infernoid Famine's effect. I will banish two "Infernoid" monsters from the graveyard to Special Summon a "Infernoid" monster from the graveyard!"

"Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell's effect! Once per Chain and twice per turn, I can negate the effect of a monster on the field, and inflict damage to my opponent equal to half the attack points of that monster! Then, I can destroy that monster! Famine's attack points are 3000, so you'll take 1500 damage! Soul-Shrivelling Hurricane!" The winds shot forward, swirling around Roget.

The man actually shivered.

Roget: 7500 - 3000 / 2 = 6000LP

She just had to burn the rest of his life points down.

"Infernoid Famine cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects!"

So the only reason that Famine could be destroyed earlier was because they had already negated its effects with Kitedrake… but her negation had worked because it didn't target that monster.

"Since Infernoid Evil was banished from the graveyard, I can add a "Purgatory" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. I will banish Fire Recovery from my graveyard and return three banished FIRE monsters to the deck to draw a card." Roget picked up a card. "Spell Card, Graceful Charity. I will draw three cards and discard two. Your monster negates monster effects—meaning that it's susceptible to the same things as your boyfriend's dragon!"

"He's not my boyfriend!" Rin retorted.

(Behind her, Yugo glanced away and whistled to himself.)

"Spell Card, Raigeki!" Roget declared. "I'll destroy all monsters you control!"

"I'll banish Fall Bell from the graveyard to protect my monsters from destruction by card effects!" Rin declared. The lightning shot over her field, but she managed to keep her monsters on the field.

"Field Spell, Molten Destruction!" Roget called. Another Field Spell appeared on the field. "All FIRE monsters gain 500 attack points, but they lose 400 defense points!"

[Infernoid Famine: 3000 + 500 = 3500ATK; 3000 - 400 = 2600DEF]

"Infernoid Famine attacks your monster!" Roget's monster sent forth a blast of flames, incinerating Winterfell Bell.

That was fine.

That was absolutely fine.

Yugo & Rin: 2150 - 500 = 1650LP

"Winterfell Bell's effect," Rin said. "I can add a "Wind Witch" monster from my graveyard to my hand!"

"Since Famine destroyed a monster by battle, I can Special Summon two Infernoid Tokens to the field!" Two more capsules appeared on his field in Defense Position, shielding him again. "I'll end my turn."

Rin turned to Yugo. "I'll do my best to bring it back if it comes to my turn," she said. "But it's over to you now."

---

He couldn't fall behind Rin.

He absolutely couldn't fall behind Rin. Not when she had been kidnapped, and not now that she had come back, all through her own strength.

If he was weaker than her, he could never protect her.

Right now, if they shared the same weakness…

Then it was Yugo's responsibility to patch it up.

He had to think, and think, and—

Oh my god. Shut up already.

---

Yugo blinked.

For a moment, the world around him seemed to have stopped. Both Rin and Roget were uncannily still, and there was a strange tint to all of it. Green, green, green…

"I'm right behind you."

Yugo spun around.

For a moment, he didn't know what he was looking at. A mirror, perhaps—himself, but oddly distorted, as though he was looking through mist, blurry at the edges? And then, behind the figure, green light that seemed to shimmer, in the shape of wings.

And the eyes…

Eyes glowing bright green.

And the smile on the boy's face was… arrogant. Uncanny. Nothing like Yugo himself… right?

"You're sure in a pickle, aren't you? Don't want to look weak in front of your Rin-Rin?" The strange version of himself mocked. "You and I both know that you don't have to evolve to win right now. 3500 attack points is not something that you can't defeat yourself. So why do you want to evolve?"

Winds blew around them, messing up Yugo's hair. This was probably one of the most surreal experiences he'd ever had.

"Scared that you can't match up to her?"

"I just need to protect her," Yugo argued. "If I'm not strong enough—"

"But you are." The mirror self said. "You're strong enough to win. So is it a matter of pride? You just can't be weaker than her?"

And yes—

Yes, Yugo knew that he could win right now, but…

This 'other self' was right. He just didn't like the idea of not being able to catch up to Rin. He didn't like the idea of being surpassed by her—of being left behind by her.

He didn't want to be left behind.

"Hah. How pathetic. You don't even want to evolve out of necessity. It's just pride and greed. A selfish, careless desire. You're carefree, aren't you?" The strange 'other' shook his head. "Well, that's fine. I can't stand losing out to her of all people. So I'll give you a shortcut to the power that she tried so hard for. We'll call it collaboration."

Yugo got hit by a sudden headache.

"I've already used up all that I have for a while," the voice, so eerily like his, said. "So this is just a trickle. Don't lose now—it'd just be embarrassing for us."

---

Yugo jolted back to the present.

"Yugo? Are you okay?" Rin had her hand on his shoulder in concern. For a moment, Yugo felt the unfamiliar urge to shake her off. However, he nodded.

"I'm good," he said. "I'm… very good." He grinned at her. "Together, Rin—let's win!"

"Spare me your speeches of friendship and solidarity," Roget spat out.

Yugo raised his head. He thought about his sister who had stayed faithfully by this man for so long—protecting him, longing to have the chance to stay loyal to him, fighting to the end to give him a chance despite the fact that he had abandoned her to so many different dangers. He thought about all the chances that this man had to make some kind of genuine changes in the three years that he'd been here.

He blurted out his first thoughts. "How sad is it that you have no allies except yourself?"

Roget's face turned ugly—twisted. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that…" Yugo took a deep breath. "Who do you really have to help you now? You're alone. When you can't help but betray and hurt everyone that ever comes near you, then you live and die alone!" He ended up shouting in the end—unable to contain his anger. "You could have helped this city if you were a better person. You could have helped her if you were a better person!" He was just as angry about the city as he was about that more personal part of his life. "You were in a position of power that could have changed things! Don't use excuses! Don't act like you're innocent! When a person can do something to change things and chooses not to, they're guilty in their own way! No one could have punished you—you were the strongest man in the city! The only thing stopping you from changing things was the fact that you're such a rotten, horrible person!"

"Yugo…" Rin said. She looked shocked. Why? Hadn't they already established how terrible Roget was?

"You could have changed things and genuinely earned the loyalty of those around you. If you stood up for Arisu—" Yugo's breath hitched in his throat. "If you actually stood up for her and helped her escape, she would have helped you in any legitimate way that she could—Arisu's always been so loyal to everyone—"

He raised a hand to his eyes for a moment, before lowering it.

"It's because you always use such cheap means. It's because you've never thought to view another person on an equal level to yourself. That's why you're alone! That's why at the end of the day, you're standing here in an empty building—because you make enemies with everyone by insisting on acting like you matter more than anyone else!"

"But that's true!" Roget snarled. "People are born unequal—that is one of the truths of life! What's unnatural is your dream of levelling society—making people all equal to each other, no differences? That is a delusion that you Commons live in—there is no such thing as true equality!"

"It's because no one in power is trying!" Yugo shouted back. "If you don't try, how can you just accept that?"

"Oh, and can your hope change the nature of things?" Roget said with a sneer. "Some people are born taller, and some are born shorter. Some people are born stronger, and some are born weaker. They have advantages in different parts of life. If those with advantages end up in advantageous positions, are you going to insist that we cut them down?"

"... I don't deny that some people have talents that are unique to them," Yugo said. He wasn't as logical as some other people, and he knew that much. "But there's a difference between a meritocracy and purposely making it so that people can't escape. It's not a delusion at all…"

He glared at Roget.

"We're not the ones with unclear eyes! That's you! You can't see anything clearly at all!"

[Turn 11: Yugo] [H:3]

"Draw," he said. He still had Chill Bell on the field—a gift from Rin. He glanced at it. "Spell Card, Monster Reborn!"

Was it a coincidence that he'd drawn the card right after Rin? Who knew.

"Return to the field again—Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

Rather than freeze this world solid, I would much rather free its people to soar in the air.

"I'll activate the effect of Speedroid Ultra Hound in my graveyard! I will banish it from my graveyard and shuffle Terrortop from my graveyard into the deck to Special Summon a "Speedroid" Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck with the same Level but a different name, and negate its effects!"

"You… don't have a Level 3 Synchro Monster…"

"I do," Yugo said firmly. I do now. "Come from the Extra Deck! Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter!" A strange, silver gun appeared on the field, brown cork bullets floating around it and connected to it by cords of green energy.

[Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter (3*/500/1000/WIND/Machine/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

"A Synchro Tuner," Rin said, realisation in her eyes. "Yugo… since when?"

Right now, when I saw how you had moved in front of me. So that I couldd follow you. Yugo didn't say it, because it was too embarrassing, but that was the truth.

He would watch Rin do it, and do it himself—

And he didn't care about what he had to do to catch up with her, right now.

To become stronger than anyone he was facing, without a trace of a doubt.

"I'll tune the Level 3 Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter to the Level 7 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon! Crystalline wings glimmer with dispersed light! Dragon as fast as the speed of light, strike our foes down with the boldness of your prismatic glare, and silence evil by taking control of the storm! Accel Synchro Summon! Level 10! Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

And the new dragon appeared.

It certainly resembled Clear Wing more than Crystal Wing—at the same time, bright green crystals appeared, growing along its body, shimmering—some of the white parts of its body had been replaced with the same green crystal. Its tail was long and covered in stripes, silver crossing over aquamarine. The air around it seemed to thrum—as though the crystals were releasing some kind of invisible energy.

Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon…

[Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (10*/3000/2500/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

Yugo raised a fist in the air. The dragon roared back at him.

(The strange encounter from earlier slipped from his mind.)

"You look like you could be a Crystron," he teased his own monster. "Defecting from me for Arisu already?"

His dragon let out an annoyed growl—the equivalent of rolling its eyes.

"Yes, yes." He grinned. "Let's win. Since I control only WIND monsters, I can Special Summon Speedroid Taketomborg from my hand!" The blue and gold monster appeared on his field.

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

"Spell Card, Winds Over the Forsaken City!"

The winds began to blow all around them again.

"Since I control only WIND monsters, I can Special Summon WIND monsters from the graveyard with a total Level equal to or less than the total Level of all WIND monsters I control! Taketomborg is Level 3, Chill Bell is Level 6 and Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon is Level 10! Their total Level is 19! So return from the graveyard! Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell! Wind Witch - Winter Bell!"

Selfishly, he brought back both of Rin's monsters—because he wanted to show them off.

As though to shout it out to the world that they existed, that they could stand on the same field.

Both he and Rin's newest monsters stood side by side, and it felt right.

"I'll tribute Speedroid Taketomborg to Special Summon a "Speedroid" Tuner from my deck! Come—Speedroid CarTurbo!" Another copy of the Tuner appeared on his field.

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

"I'll tune the Level 3 Speedroid CarTurbo to the Level 6 Wind Witch - Chill Bell!" He declared. "Let the winds fuel your trek, and take the form of the beast that travels faster than light! Synchro Summon! Level 9! Stellar Wind Wolfrayet!" The large, beautiful blue and red wolf appeared on the field with a mighty roar.

[Stellar Wind Wolfrayet (9*/2500/0/WIND/Beast/Synchro/Effect)]

"First, I'll banish CarTurbo and Taketomborg from the graveyard," Yugo declared. "All WIND monsters I control will gain 800 attack points! And when another monster's effect is activated while its attack points are less than 4000, Stellar Wind Wolfrayet gains 300 attack points!"

[Stellar Wind Wolfrayet: 2500 + 300 + 800 = 3600ATK]

[Wind Witch - Winter Bell: 2400 + 800 = 3200ATK]

[Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell: 3000 + 800 = 3800ATK]

[Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon: 3000 + 800 = 3800ATK]

"Winter Bell's effect," he declared. "I'll target the Level 4 Wind Witch - Glass Bell in the graveyard and inflict 200 damage to you times its Level! Hypothermic Subzero!"

A part of him took secret glee in the ability to use Rin's monster too.

Roget: 6000 - 200 x 4 = 5200LP

[Stellar Wind Wolfrayet: 3600 + 300 = 3900ATK]

"Battle Phase! Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell attacks Infernoid Famine! Apocalyptic Chill!"

The strange demon was torn apart by the furious winds.

Roget: 5200 - 300 = 4900LP

"When Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell inflicts battle damage to you, I can revive a Level 9 or lower "Wind Witch" monster! Come back—Wind Witch - Chill Bell!"

Chill Bell returned, and Wolfrayet's attack points shot up.

[Stellar Wind Wolfrayet: 3900 + 300 = 4200ATK]

"... no."

It was quiet, but Yugo could hear the disbelief—the seething rage in the words.

"Chill Bell and Winter Bell attack your Tokens!"

Rin's two Synchro Monsters sent forth fast bursts of wind. Both capsules were torn apart.

"Stellar Wind Wolfrayet attacks directly!" The wolf roared and leapt forward. Yugo took some joy in it.

Winterfell Bell, for Rin. Wolfrayet, for Kaname.

Roget: 4900 - 4200 = 700LP

And one more, for himself.

"This isn't possible…"

"It's very possible," Yugo countered. "This is the truth—crystal clear, this is the world that I've always believed we could reach! Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks you directly!"

"No. No. No no no—"

"Heavensgate Gale Strike!"

Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon flew up in the air, and winds gathered around its wings. Green stalactites shot out at Roget—carried forth by the great force of a gale.

And then, it was over.

Roget: 700 - 3800 = 0LP

Winner: Yugo & Rin!

Yugo turned to Rin. For a moment, he had another headache, but then, he raised his hand with a grin.

Rin raised her hand and smacked it against his, a high five.

Behind them, their monsters faded into light, like shadows cast on the wall.

"You—you—"

Yugo turned to look at Roget. The man had thrown one of the duel disks on the ground. He was now gripping onto his hair—as though he was going to rip it out. He let out a loud shriek.

"That's it, Roget," Yugo said. "Stop what you're doing to this city—to Security, already. We'll…"

He thought about everyone outside, waiting for them. He thought about Jack Atlas, telling him that he believed in him. His heart felt like it was burning on its own—a fervour, a protective passion.

"We'll fix what you ruined," he vowed.

Roget looked at them.

"It's over, Roget," Yugo said. "We won't card you—" He still didn't quite understand the technology, other than the fact that it was horrific. He wouldn't subject someone else to it. "But we've won. So honour this, and we'll keep you out of Academia's hands."

"... I don't need your charity," Roget spat out. He tossed his tablet through the air, and Yugo barely caught it. "Do it yourself."

Yugo looked down at the screen. Rin peered over his shoulder, reminding him of something.

"Why were you so shocked earlier?" He asked.

"... I've never seen you so angry," Rin admitted. "I don't know if I like it."

"I don't like being angry either." He wanted to be free of worries, after all—to fly like his dragon, never having to worry about anything. "Sorry if I scared you."

"As if I could be scared by you." Rin shook her head. "Just worried. But it's fine, if you're fine."

They found the program and managed to turn it off. However, when they raised their heads again…

"That guy's really good at running away," Yugo muttered, seeing the open door at the back of the room.

"Let's go after him," Rin said immediately. Both of them headed towards the door.

---

The secret passage in the High Council's room was something that not even the High Council themselves had known about, because none of them had ever been as paranoid as Roget.

Roget had already started fleeing through the passage by the time that the two children (that was all they were, children, how had they won against him?) had first taken their eyes off him to look at the tablet.

Run. Run. Live and survive another day.

The passage took him all the way back to the Security building. It was silent as Roget ran up to his office.

He needed to figure out a way to survive right now—

He stepped into his office.

"You know," a voice said softly, "we all knew you'd fail."

That voice…

"Gitsune," Roget growled out, turning. There was an audio file on the computer—triggered to play once the room was unlocked.

"Since Tsutsuji-sensei asked Ryo-san to get the data for her, I happened to drop a little virus in the thumbdrive that he used—just so I could send you a message without them knowing." Shino sounded amused. "If you're back here, you did fail, didn't you? Dear uncle?"

And that made Roget's eyes widen.

Come to think of it, those green eyes… and Sora Shiun'in's eyes, too…

But the last name wasn't right! The reason why he hadn't known…

"Ah, right, you didn't know that." Something taunting could be heard in her voice. The thing was, this was a recording—so she had already predicted his shock? "That makes sense. You were always the type to ignore anything that wasn't useful to you. The last time we saw each other was when I was seven, after all. I've grown up quite a bit since then. To be honest, I was shocked when someone told me that you were a father in this world—my irresponsible uncle, trying to be a father to someone? Hah. No way that'd ever work out. But regardless, I'll remind you of one thing. If you don't submit yourself to the justice of that city, I'll come back to your city just to deal with you. There's nowhere that you can hide from me, in any of the six dimensions. Do what's best for you, uncle."

The audio file stopped there.

To be predicted to this extent…

Roget remembered the girl now. He'd had two older siblings—a rather large age gap between them and Roget, all things considered. In the end, he'd struck out on his own long before his hometown had been bombed in the war between the Outer Islands. He'd never regretted a thing about that. He had already been rather estranged from his family, even then—to the point that he didn't even remember his niece or nephew's names, to the point where simply changing their last names had hidden them from him.

He had assumed that they were all dead, once he'd heard about the bombing. He had not found any trace of them, at any rate.

But…

Not just the name. Roget had changed his name too, and clearly, his niece had still recognised him. Everything about this girl was different.

His sister had gotten married and had her daughter when Roget was still thirteen. He'd not been particularly capable or mature at the time, but he remembered that during family reunions, his niece would quietly follow behind her mother—sometimes falling asleep in a prim and proper posture on the chair, but mostly silent. He remembered thinking that she was boring and far too obedient—a girl that would not talk to anyone without her mother's permission first.

That girl was far too different from the Empress of Dragons that had confronted him today. Practically unrecognisable.

But… if things were really intended to end up this way…

Roget collapsed in his chair.

That was it, in the end.

That was all he could do. Struggling anymore was… pointless.

'Because I do think that you've—we've done something terrible here. I do think that you deserve to be punished. But you will also live.'

… boiling anger filled him.

As if he would give up here.

How ridiculous. He didn't deserve to be punished for anything. He was in the right.

Even as Yugo and Rin showed up, even as Arisu Kirijo (that traitorous bitch) and Jack Atlas showed up as well, having locked Sergey in his original room, Roget sat there.

No. He would not fall here.

He would survive…

And then he would crush every last one of these people.

"We'll be taking you into custody," Jack Atlas said, and Roget glared at him.

"Sure, King," he said coldly. He held up his wrists.

This wasn't over.

---

OC Cards:

Wind Witch – Tear Bell

(3*/900/900/WIND/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect)

If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Wind Witch" monster: For the rest of this turn, this card you control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. If a "Wind Witch" monster is targeted for an attack while this card is in face-up Defense Position: Your opponent takes 200 damage. This effect can be activated once per turn for every "Wind Witch" monster you control.

Wind Witch - Chill Bell

(6*/1400/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)

1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters

If this card is Synchro Summoned while you control no non-WIND monsters: You can add 1 "Wind Witch" monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate this effect of "Wind Witch - Chill Bell" once per turn. Once per turn: You can banish 1 "Wind Witch" monster from your GY; inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's Level x 200. You can only activate this effect of "Wind Witch - Chill Bell" once per Duel.

Wind Witch - Fall Bell

(4*/1700/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)

1 "Wind Witch" Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters

If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can target 1 "Windwitch" monster in your GY; banish it, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Wind Witch" monster with the same Level as that monster from your Deck in face-up Defense Position. Once per turn: You can target 1 "Wind Witch" monster on the field; increase or decrease its Level by 1. If a "Wind Witch" card(s) you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only Synchro Summon "Wind Witch - Fall Bell" once per turn.

Wind Witch - Sheen Bell

(7*/1000/1000/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)

1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters

If this card is Synchro Summoned while you control the monster with the highest ATK on the field: Destroy this card, and if you do, take 2000 damage. While you control another "Wind Witch" Synchro Monster, this card cannot be targeted for attacks. Once per turn: You can banish 3 "Wind Witch" monsters from your GY; draw 1 card, and if that card is a "Wind Witch" monster, you can reveal it, and if you do, inflict 400 damage to your opponent. You can only activate this effect of "Wind Witch - Sheen Bell" once per turn.

Infernoid Famine

(10*/3000/3000/FIRE/Fiend/Synchro/Effect)

1 FIRE Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner FIRE monsters

Once per turn: You can banish 2 "Infernoid" monsters from your GY; Special Summon 1 "Infernoid" monster from your GY, ignoring summoning conditions. This card cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects. Once per turn, if this card destroys a monster by battle: You can Special Summon 2 "Infernoid Tokens" (Fiend-Type/FIRE/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0). You can only activate each effect of "Infernoid Famine" once per turn.

Trivia: The naming scheme takes after the Extra Deck monsters that aren't Tierra, aka things that destroy humanity (Evil/Flood). I won't go too in depth here.

Burning Birth of Purgatory

(Spell)

You can banish up to 3 "Infernoid" monsters from your GY; Special Summon "Infernoid Tokens" (Fiend-Type/FIRE/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) to the field equal to the number of monsters banished by this effect. You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Infernoid" monster in your GY to your hand. You can only activate each effect of "Burning Birth of Purgatory" once per turn.

Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell

(10*/3000/2500/WIND/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect)

1 Tuner Synchro Monster + 1 non-Tuner WIND Synchro Monster

Once per Chain, if your opponent activates the effect of a monster on the field: You can negate that effect, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster's ATK on the field, and if you do that, destroy that card. You can only activate this effect of "Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell" twice per turn. Once per turn, if this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: You can Special Summon 1 Level 9 or lower "Wind Witch" monster from the GY or banished cards. If this Synchro Summoned card you control is sent to your GY by an opponent's card: You can add 1 WIND monster from your GY to your hand. You can only control 1 "Wind Witch - Winterfell Bell".

Trivia: I have never watched Game of Thrones. But the joke with the name was too good to let go of when I realised what I had named Rin's Synchro Tuner. It's the counterpart to Yugo's Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, naturally. It's absolutely busted.

Winds Over the Forsaken City

(Spell)

(This card is always treated as a "Speedroid" and "Wind Witch" card.)

If you control only WIND monsters: Special Summon WIND monsters from the GY with a total Level equal to or less than the total Levels of all monsters you control, also you cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except WIND monsters. You can only activate "Winds Over the Forsaken City" once per Duel.

---

Different Card Effects from TCG:

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon - Anime effect.

Shadow Stepper - Anime-only card.

Shining Rebirth - Anime-only card.

---

End Notes:

I don't have much to say about this chapter—it's just Yugo and Rin vs Roget. :) Next chapter will probably have way longer notes that also reference this chapter.

Yugo and Rin's decks work together the best out of the Yu-boy/Nature Girl pairs, and they're kind of insanely overpowered in this—Snow Bell for Crystal Wing was a nightmare for me to figure out how to get rid of when I was figuring out the duel.

If you think that Roget's not as overwhelming as the rest of the antagonists… you are correct. :) That's the point. He's good, but he's obviously not going to be as good as Kisara or Ryo, or even the people that he recruited to help him. It was a difficult thing to balance though. So yeah, he could have probably managed Rin or Yugo individually… maybe? :D But not together.

I went between two versions of the first part of this chapter. I think getting Rin's perspective as an external point of view on the Lancers was pretty fun.

Roget's deck was always going to be Infernoids. Some people did guess that, which I'm honestly surprised by. Nice job, guys! Someone did mention my original plan for the EOs, aka that they were going to use Dragunity/Naturia/Gusto/Ice Barrier, and thus that the final boss was going to be Duel Terminal-related. Plus, I thought they matched nicely with Sergey's Earthbound cards. So, thanks to Konami for releasing new support for Infernoids a month ago! :D Which I did use. I ended up using the OCG names purely because the new cards haven't been translated yet—I don't really have a strong preference either way.

Also, a deck that keeps banishing shit from the field, and graveyard? A FIRE deck? It fits well in the context of Kaname as well. The fact that they made Infernoid Decatron and then never bothered to make a Synchro is… so dumb to me :) So I fixed that.

I will never allow you to bask in amazement about upgrades without making you remember that this all goes back to someone. :)

I remember when the OCs were still in early development and I decided to make Roget Shino and Sora's uncle, purely because they all had the same green eyes. However, at that exact point, I also remembered that Kaname was Roget's adopted daughter in this 'verse, and I was like "I can do such a fucked up dynamic with this." So yes, I did the familial relation between them on a whim very early on, and eventually extracted like 10000 parallels and lore from it for other things. Shoutout to AccurateGap1, who actually managed to predict that Roget and Shino had some kind of connection. To clarify, Roget has two unnamed older siblings, with a rather large age gap. His oldest sibling, his sister, was Shino's mother. His older brother was Sora's dad. There was a huge age gap between them, so while Roget was a teenager, Shino was already born. :D Because Roget was so self-absorbed, he'd already left home to do his own thing, so he didn't get caught up in the event Shino mentioned in Chapter 20. We'll talk more about that the next time that we see Shino in person.

There's probably something that you were expecting to happen at the end of this chapter. *cough* Roget's canon fate. *cough* Yeah. Don't worry about that. Roget has totally been defeated. :) Nothing's going to happen.

Review responses!

To MochiYoshi, hi! Glad that you've been enjoying the fic and the OCs so far :) Honestly, the Swordsoul lore is so cool. I do love it, but unfortunately, I couldn't justify it at this point—Chengying and Longyuan would sweep Rin and Yugo here quite easily, and they would never be able to bring out Crystal Wing, let alone the Accel Synchros.

To Ben23ten, I heard that in the TAS voice, haha. You were right about the Fusion thing. As for Roget… hmm. :D

To Bryz0n, glad you enjoyed! I mean, I'm not secretive about Mion/Reiji definitely being endgame for both characters, but yeah, I don't like letting things be simple :) And honestly, I did think about having Mion take Kaname on in a rematch, but… it just didn't feel in character for her, haha.

To phantomdragons, well done on the guess! You got it :) I'll give you a freebie—until you see anything from the point of view of the character involved, or until that person is talking to someone who they genuinely trust and confide in, it's best not to believe a single thing that a character in this story says. There's a reason that Shino and Roget's talk beforehand was from Roget's perspective. :) And yup, all of Mion's interactions with people in the story read pretty differently after you know the context of that backstory.

To kikuruhime, haha, they really are minibosses, aren't they? I made the joke to a friend that if this was a video game, the early parts of the arc are just scripted losses.

To AccurateGap1, I do love Yuya as a character, yeah. The thing is, the path I'm choosing to have him follow for character development is very different from canon. His relationship with Yusho is very important, especially in the endgame of the fic. You have a pretty good theory there about the Xyz Dimension!... that I can't comment on. I will say that in this fic, there is nothing specific that created the Ritual and Link Dimensions—they just were created alongside the four dimensions, and they're all pretty much the same—not more special than the canon four. Also, idk how you even guessed that there was some kind of connection between Shino and Ryo, but nice job!

To TheRealD3lph0xL0v3r, for now, my policy for this fic is that I won't make completely original decks unless absolutely necessary—there are too many archetypes that I want to show off already, haha. :D

To cardfan135, Speedroids and Windwitches are great together, aren't they? I was thinking about Timelords in very early conceptual stages, but I didn't want to just mimic 5Ds' final ending. Plus making OC Fusions for Timelords (+ I would have to make a Tuner to bring out Vorpgate).

To Kuroto, haha, I'm glad you like their dynamic. And yes, you are correct about Misty dueling both Mion and Kaname for that exact reason! I didn't want to make a completely OC archetype. :)

To Erathios, I did already cameo Graydles earlier in the story, but they would be a good guess, haha.

QOTC: Who is your favourite of the Security Quartet? (We don't count Sergey and Roget.)

Next chapter is interesting. I've rearranged the outline quite a bit, so there's a chance that it doesn't even have a duel. It's the immediate aftermath of all of this—and believe me, there's a lot of stuff to deal with. That's the reason why this chapter ended up shorter than I thought—for structural reasons, the entire aftermath was pushed into the next chapter. I wanted to end on that final scene where Roget gets properly arrested.

… I'm going to have fun with the next chapter, haha.

See you guys then!