One possessed teacher down, one other to go! Can Yuri and Masumi take down and bring Chronos back to himself? Let us see! Also, my deep apologies for the late update. Work has been keeping me busier than usual. But I hope this chapter was worth the delay!
Yugioh: The Hope of Six
Chapter 36: Kaiser Arc – Part 8
The moment Emi was struck by Gloria's Monster, she felt a brief moment of shock and disbelief before hitting the floor. After that… total confusion. She blinked a few times before sitting up and looked around. None of her surroundings looked familiar at all. "Where… am I?"
"Emi?" The nurse turned to see Gloria approaching her. Emi gasped.
"Gloria? What's going on? Where are we?"
"You don't remember?" Gloria asked, showing her own confusion.
"Remember what?" Emi asked, clearly not remembering a thing. "I don't understand. The last thing I recall was losing to Chronos in a Duel. What's happened since?"
'Chronos?!' Gloria thought as she quickly looked back at the other teacher, who frowned from Emi's defeat. 'He was already possessed when Emi was taken? Then… who turned him?' She wondered.
"What is up with Miss Ayukawa?" Masumi questioned.
"The Light's influence on Emi has been broken. She is back to her true self." Misawa explained.
"She's back to normal? How? I thought only you could do that?" Serena asked Judai, who chuckled a little.
"Well… I may have given Gloria a bit of help in that department." He said vaguely. Yuri understood.
'Judai gave a bit of his power to Gloria. That's what that tiny glow was.' Although he was impressed by this, he still felt scared of the nature of that power…
Before anyone could say anything else, a burst of energy erupted from Emi's Deck. It immediately took on the form of The Suppression Pluto, which then grabbed her by the neck with both clawed hands. "Emi!" Samejima cried out!
"What is that thing doing to her?!" Grace yelled, sounding frantic.
"It is forcing her to pay the price for losing in the Domain of Destruction." Amon calmly informed her, to the shock of everyone.
"No! Emi!" Asuka screamed in horror.
Gloria tried to help Emi, but the dark white energy surrounding the Monster forced her back.
Emi was struggling to free herself, to no avail. She felt weaker by the second, literally feeling the life being drained out of her. All the while, she still had no clue what was going on, and why this was happening to her. And then, she too started to glow, eventually too bright to be seen in a bright flash. Once everyone was able to see again, they saw that both Emi Ayukawa and the Legendary Planet she used… were both gone.
"Whelp, there goes one of ours." David Rabb remarked without a trace of sadness or concern. Reggie said nothing, but definitely felt great sympathy toward everyone on the other side. She wished things had not come to this, that there had to be another way. But, there was none and all she could do was wait until it was her time to step into the arena.
"Emi…" Gloria said in a very shaky voice. For a moment, she just stood there, unable to believe her mentor and friend was gone forever. As she walked back to rejoin her group, feeling nothing but loss from her victory.
Judai and Yusuke looked at one another before facing the dimension command console. Zweinstein and Misawa followed their gaze to looking down at the controls… and noticed a strange sight on one of the screens. It was a red and black eyeball of some sort, and it winked up at them before giving a message on the screen below: "She is fine. Plan in effect. Pretend otherwise."
Even though neither scientist knew what the hell was going on, they had to assume Emi was somehow alive and well. Without missing a beat, Misawa gave what he hoped was a convincing performance. "No… Miss Emi. How could this… possibly be?"
"Such a… meaningless tragedy." Zweinstein murmured, his voice full of pity while shaking his head. The eyeball seemed to "smile" at them, approving of their little act.
Grace held her sister as she came back to them. "It's okay sis. Remember what Judai said. Everything's going to be okay." She whispered in her ear. Gloria said nothing but hugged her back.
"Man, this really sucks." Manjome said.
"No kidding." Kenzan added.
"Poor Miss Emi." Rei said, sounding as sad as she could.
After giving Judai's group a moment to mourn, Amon cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "I truly feel sorry for your loss. You all have my pity. But now, we must move on."
"Bastard!" Edo shouted.
Amon ignored him as he turned to his group. "Who wants to go next?" Chronos immediately stepped forward.
"I will have the next go around." He said in a pompous manner as he made his way onto the arena.
"Guess that means it's our turn." Yuri said to Masumi, who nodded at him.
"Yeah." She said.
"Don't underestimate Chronos. He likes to talk, but his dueling skills are not to be taken lightly." Judai warned the pair. "Trust me, I'm speaking from experience."
"Plus, like with Emi, he may have buffed up his Deck after getting brainwashed… especially if he has his own Legendary Planet." Edo added.
"Thanks for the tips." Masumi said before she and Yuri stepped into the arena as well. As they walked, the girl glanced over at Yuri briefly. He didn't show his usual, confident smile. Also, he was acting much more subdued. 'Yuri must still be rattled by what he saw Judai did. But why would he be scared of him at all? He has to know he's our friend.' She hoped that whatever Yuri's issues were that it wouldn't throw off his focus.
When the two teens got into position, Chronos already had his Duel Disk activated. "Welcome, Signore Yuri and Signora Masumi. As your former teacher, I shall impart my final lesson on you two: Learn to embrace the Light and accept the inevitable fate of destruction!" Masumi both scowled at him.
"I don't agree, Professor Medici! Yuri and I will win this!" Masumi declared while activating her Disk.
"Of course we will." Yuri replied, trying to sound tough as he got his Disk working too. Chronos merely smirked as the next match began.
"DUEL!"
(Yuri: 4000) (Masumi: 4000) (Chronos: 4000)
"I'll make the first move here! My turn! Draw!" Yuri said loudly, going first. After he drew his card, his hand was shaking a little. He grimaced from this and prayed no one else noticed. 'Damn. I can't afford to show any weakness, not now. I better not mess around if Masumi and I are going to get out of here alive.' Yuri thought before making his play. "I Summon Predator Plants Ophrys Scorpio!" (DARK; Level 3; ATK: 1200; DEF: 800) A green, plant-like scorpion creature showed itself on the Field. "Ophrys Scorpio's Monster Effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can send a "Predator Plants" Monster from hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon a Level 3 or lower "Predator Plants" Monster from my Deck! I discard Predator Plants Spino Dionaea to Special Summon the Level 3 Predator Plants Darling Cobra from my Deck!" (DARK; Level 3; ATK: 1000; DEF; 1500) Yuri's second plant Monster resembled a dark green cobra but with two black and purples heads that liked like poisonous flowers.
"He's preparing for something big." Johan observed. He was right in that regard.
"When Darling Cobra is Special Summoned, I can add a "Polymerization" card from my Deck to my hand!" Yuri said before adding said card to his hand. "Next I play a Continuous Magic card, Predator Planter! Once per turn, it allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Predator Plants" Monster from my hand or Graveyard but with it's effects negated! From my Graveyard, I revive my Predator Plants Spino Dionaea!" (DARK; Level 4; ATK: 1800; DEF: 0) Another plant creature emerged, this time it was a dinosaur with a the mouth of a huge Venus Fly Trap on it's back. "And now, my big move! I activate Polymerization to Fuse all three of my Monsters! The almighty three headed golden predator! Arise and devour all before you! None shall escape your ravenous hunger! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 9! Predator Plants Triphyovertum!" The 3000 Attack Point Ace he used against Masumi materialized before it's master.
"Going all out already, are we?" Chronos said.
"I don't plan on losing to you, brainwashed or not! I Set one card facedown and end my turn." Yuri declared as he finally finished his turn.
"Yuri is not holding back for this." Edo remarked.
Serena and the others agreed. However, the indigo haired girl did see something that caused her to feel concerned for Yuri. 'His attitude has changed. Yuri isn't taunting or even trying to mess with Chronos' head. Why isn't he acting like himself?'
Masumi was thinking the same thing, especially after seeing Yuri's hand shaking. 'He's trying not to show it, but Yuri is definitely unsettled. I have to help him however I can.' She thought determinedly. "It's my move now! My turn! Draw!" She smirked from she got. "I activate Gem-Knight Fusion! This let's me Fusion Summon a "Gem-Knight" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters in my hand or on my Field as Fusion Materials! I Fuse Gem-Knight Alexand and Gem-Knight Roumaline in my hand! Gem tinged with lightning! Gem with facets of day and night! Swirl your elements together to forge a new radiant power! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 7! Gem-Knight Prismaura!" (EARTH; Level 7; ATK: 2450; DEF: 1400) A glistening armored warrior holding a spear and shield emerged for combat. It had prism like crystals sprouting from it's shoulders and had a long, flowing red cape. "I then Set one card facedown and end my turn."
"Gem-Knight?" Johan muttered, surprised by Masumi's cards. 'Her Deck is similar to mine!' Even the Duel Spirits from his one Deck shared his astonishment.
Chronos grunted as he smirked. "My, you two seem to think you got things covered, like tomato sauce on Chicken Parmesan. But I shall prove I am your superior! My turn! Draw! First I play Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two more cards!" The smug teacher smiled at his hand. "Now I shall play my own Continuous Magic card, Antique Gear Castle! You shall see what this does in due time, my delusional pupils."
"Antique Gear?!" Shouted everyone who wasn't from this world.
"Is his Deck like that of the Obelisk Force?" Serena asked herself in worry.
"Now I shall play another Continuous card, Dark Gear! This card will permit me to Normal Summon "Antique Gear Golem from my hand without Sacrifices, but in exchange I cannot attack with it this turn! Not that that matters, since I can't attack anyway. Anywho, I Normal Summon Antique Gear Golem in Defense Mode!" (EARTH; Level 8; ATK: 3000; DEF: 3000) A pale bronze robot mostly made up of gears appeared in a kneeling position.
This surprised Judai. He never recalled Chronos ever having that card, Dark Gear, in his Deck. He figured it had to have been a recent addition like with Emi.
'Why would he Summon such a strong Monster in Defense Mode?' Masumi thought, confused by this move.
"Now for the Effect of Antique Gear Castle! Whenever a Monster is Normal or Special Summoned or Set, I can place a counter on this card!
"What are those for?" Grace asked.
"Probably nothing good." Gloria guessed.
"That's not all! My Castle also provides 300 extra Attack Points for all "Antique Gear" Monsters!" Chronos said as his Monster's power grew.
(Antique Gear Golem's ATK: 3000 + 300 = 3300)
"That will do you nothing if it's in Defense Mode!" Masumi pointed out. Chronos just smiled.
"Well, we shall in due course. Next I activate Antique Gear Bomb! This inflicts damage to my opponent equal to half the original Attack Points of an "Antique Gear" Monster I control! My Golem's original Attack Power was 3000, and half of that is 1500! Now the honor of taking that damage is you, young Yuri!" Chronos declared as he pointed at boy.
"What?!" Yuri yelled before he was hit by a big explosion.
"Yuri!" Masumi and Serena shouted as he ended up on his back.
(3000 / 2 = 1500)
(Yuri: 4000 - 1500 = 2500)
"Talk about ruthless." Amon said, with Rabb chuckling nearby.
"With that done, I Equip Antique Gear Tank to my Golem! This gives my Monster 600 more Attack Points!" The automaton bellowed as it grew more powerful.
(Antique Gear Golem's ATK: 3300 + 600 = 3900)
"He's still increasing it's Attack Points even though it's in Defense Mode?" Serena said incredulously.
"I'm sure Chronos has a reason." Ryo said to her.
"I do not doubt that." Samejima added, still peeved that someone had the nerve to mess with his staff.
Yuri's body was aching and slightly singed. That blast felt as if a real bomb had gone off in front of his face. It reminded him of the real damage Academia Duel Disks could deliver, except this felt worse. He was trained to handle such abuse in the past. As he struggled to get up, Yuri wondered if he had started to grow soft in the past month. "That was… a hell of a… cheap shot." Yuri commented after he was back on his feet.
Chronos smirked. "A teacher is supposed to punish a student for misconduct, is it not so?"
"Misconduct?" Yuri asked, not getting what the pompous man was saying.
"That's right. Accepting the challenge of a top instructor such as myself was an embarrassing mistake on your part. I promise, you will punished even more before you see the Light." Chronos said.
"Not if we beat you first!" Masumi declared. Chronos still smiled as he faced her.
"I doubt that very much, little girl. And I haven't forgotten about you! I pay 1000 of my Life Points to play Confiscation! This handy Magic card allows me to look at my opponent's hand and send one of their cards to the Graveyard! Now show me what you have, little Masumi!"
(Chronos: 4000 - 1000 = 3000)
"Dammit." Masumi cursed before she was forced to reveal her remaining two cards.
"Not much to look at, I see." Chronos said. "Very well, I'm ordering you to discard your Gem-Knight Lapis!" Masumi reluctantly discarded the chosen card. "Good girl. Now I Set my last card facedown and end my turn."
Yuri felt himself hesitating. His hand didn't seem to want to draw his next card. 'Come on! I need to finish this now! Let me…!' "My turn! Draw!" He declared, finally able to draw.
Once again, his actions were observed closely by Masumi and Serena. Both girls grew more concerned for him by the minute.
On his end, Yuri was pleased with his drawn card. 'That's more like it!' He hoped this would work. "During my Standby Phase, I either have to pay 800 Life Points to keep Predator Planter in play or destroy it. I'm going with the latter, so my Magic card is gone!" His card then disintegrated. "Now I play Predator Plast! For each "Predator" card I reveal in my hand, I can attach a Predator Counter to a face-up Monster my opponent controls! I reveal Predator Prime Fusion to attach a Predator Counter to your Antique Gear Golem!" A little green head with sharp teeth fixed itself on Chronos' Monster.
"What disgusting thing is this?" Chronos complained. Yuri smiled.
"That "disgusting thing" is about to help me big time! The Level 2 or higher Monster with a Predator Counter attached has it's Level reduced to 1!"
"That changes nothing. My Monster is still more than a match for yours." Chronos retorted calmly.
"Not for long! Now that your ancient robot has a Predator Counter, the Effect of Predator Plants Triphyovertum activates! It gains the original Attack Points of all Monsters on the Field with Predator Counters on them!" Yuri's Monster grew in size along with it's power.
(Predator Plants Triphyovertum's ATK: 3000 + 3000 + 6000)
"Yuri's got the edge now." Johan commentated.
"With my big bad plant beast, I've got no worries about your old rust bucket!" Yuri said confidently. "I'm clearing away your Field now, Professor! Battle…!"
"Afraid not, for I activate my Gravity Release Trap card!" Chronos countered. "This switches the battle positions of all Monsters on the Field! Which means both your Monster and Masumi's are now in Defense Mode, while mine is in Attack Mode!"
"Dammit!" Yuri cursed loudly, gritting his teeth. He had counted on his Monster to get the job done, but clearly that wasn't meant to be. 'His Trap wasn't supposed to stop my attack!' Yuri berated himself for making such an assumption. Chronos chuckled.
"I'd give you an "A" for effort, Signore Yuri, but an "F" for execution. Got anything else to try to hit me with?"
Yuri growled. "I… Set one card facedown and end my turn."
"I thought not." Chronos scoffed.
Masumi could see Yuri struggling. He was definitely not himself and it was really worrying her. She had to do something to help him out. "Yuri, don't get discouraged! Judai warned us how tough Professor Medici is, but that doesn't mean we should let our setbacks go to our heads!" Yuri turned to her and nodded, but said nothing.
"Indeed. What should go to your heads is that you two have no chance of defeating me!" Chronos taunted with a snicker. Masumi glared.
"I'll never accept that! My turn! Draw!" She knew what to do next. "I activate my facedown Scatter Fusion! This Continuous Magic card allows me to Fusion Summon a non-Rock "Gem-Knight" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters from my Deck as Fusion Materials! Also, for the rest of the turn, I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck except "Gem-Knight" Monsters!"
"Another Fusion?" Reggie said in surprise.
"From my Deck, I am Fusing Gem-Knight Emeral and Gem-Knight Quartz! Brilliant emerald of good fortune! Shining quartz of light! Combine yourselves to make a dazzling new form! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 8! Gem-Knight Lady Rose Dia!" (EARTH; Level 8; ATK: 2700; DEF: 2400) Standing next to Prismaura was a female, diamond armored warrior wearing a blue cape and holding a sword with a blue rose at the hilt.
"That one's pretty." Rei noted, with Asuka nodding in agreement.
"Due to being sent to the Graveyard as a Fusion Material, Gem-Knight Quartz's Effect allows me to take a "Gem-Knight" Monster from my Graveyard, except for itself, and add it to my hand! I'm choosing to take back my Gem-Knight Lapis!" Masumi said, retrieving the card that Chronos made her discard. She weighed her options, which weren't many. 'Antique Gear Golem is too strong to attack, so switching my Prismaura back in Attack Mode would be a bad idea. Good thing my Monster can do something else…'
"What good would that do you?" Chronos asked.
"Enough good for this!" Masumi told him. "Now I activate the Effect of Gem-Knight Prismaura! Once per turn, I can send a "Gem-Knight" card from my hand to the Graveyard to target and destroy one face-up card the Field! I send my Lapis back to the Graveyard to blow apart your Antique Gear Golem!"
"I don't think so! If an "Antique Gear" Monster Summoned by Dark Gear is about to be destroyed by a card effect, I can switch that target to another card on my Field! I'm electing my Antique Gear Tank to take the fall instead!" Chronos said smugly. Masumi cursed under her breath as her opponent's Equip card got destroyed instead. "While my Golem's Attack Power goes back down to 3300 as a result, you destroying my Equip card actually benefits me more!"
"How?" Masumi asked.
"When Antique Gear Tank is destroyed and goes to the Graveyard, you take 600 Points of damage!"
Masumi barely registered her shock before she too was hit by an explosive blast, knocking her down too.
(Masumi: 4000 - 600 = 3400)
"Masumi!" Serena called out.
"Now both of you are having a blast, is it not so?" Chronos said to his opponents with a laugh.
"You alright?" Yuri asked as Masumi got up again.
"Yeah, it's not bad." She told him, cursing herself for screwing up like that. "I'm not giving up. I Set one card facedown and end my turn."
"Tenacious youngsters. Well, I think it's time I break that confidence of yours and strike you both down hard! My turn! Draw! I activate my Dark Gear once more to Normal Summon another Antique Gear Golem without a Sacrifice!" Chronos said, bringing out a second copy of his Monster. "And with that Summon, my Antique Gear Castle gets one more Counter and also gets 300 more Attack Points! After that, I banish Dark Gear to draw three more cards cards!" He smiled widely. 'At last! This will certainly do!'
"I don't like that smile on Chronos' face right now." Judai said, sounding nervous.
"Me neither." Edo replied. Masumi had a very bad feeling about what was coming.
"Stay sharp Yuri! I think he's about to Summon one of the Legendary Planets!"
"Got it." Yuri said. Chronos smirked.
"Is that what you think? Then allow me to prove you wrong! I now play Double Summon, which will let me Normal Summon again this turn! Then, since it now has two counters, I Sacrifice my Antique Gear Castle to Normal Summon my third Antique Gear Golem from my hand!" With the Castle gone, all three Golems lose their 300 point boost and their respective Attack Points are back to normal.
"He has three of those things now!" Grace said.
"What is he going to do?" Ryo wondered.
Judai then realized what Chronos was planning… for he experienced it himself.
"I now activate another new addition to me Deck: White Gear Fusion! With this, I can Fuse all three of my Golems together! Fusion Summon! Arise! Antique Gear Ultimate Golem!" (EARTH; Level 10; ATK: 4400; DEF: 3400) Chronos' Fusion Monster was a huge centaur version of his previous Monsters that had a gloved claw in it's left hand. It was also covered by a dark white glow. "And with my Golems goes that pesky Predator Counter! Doesn't matter since it is not in Attack Mode anyway!" Chronos declared as Yuri's Fusion Monster's Attack Points went back down to 3000.
'Knew it.' Judai thought while gritting his teeth.
"That's a big problem." Sho said upon seeing the big automaton.
"Not too shabby." Chosaku said from the other side, sounding impressed.
"Wait a second! Where is your Legendary Planet?" Masumi demanded. Chronos still smiled.
"Me? I don't have one. Out of Amon's little group, he and I are the only Duelists without a Legendary Planet."
"Say what?!" Judai asked in shock while staring at Amon, who gave him a knowing glare but said nothing.
"Why is that?" Yuri asked curiously.
"Amon has something else to play with in his Deck. As for myself…" Chronos had spread his arms out. "I do not need one! My Deck is perfectly capable of getting the job without such things! However, my new Gear cards are much more welcome additions. I accepted them without complaint."
"Accepted them from whom?" Samejima asked. Chronos waved a finger at him.
"Uh-uh, no spoilers. Now, I believe it is time to come down hard on you two!"
"Hold it!" Yuri interjected. "By Special Summoning a Monster from your Extra Deck, you triggered my Fusion Summoned Triphyovertum's Monster Effect! I can negate your Monster's Summon and destroy it! Your Ultimate Golem…!"
"Is staying right where it is!" Chronos interrupted. "The "Antique Gear" Fusion Monster Summoned by White Gear Fusion cannot be destroyed by card effects!"
"Dammit!" Yuri cursed loudly. He had counted on that Effect, but once again the Obelisk Blue supervisor threw a curve ball at him.
"Still not good enough. You certainly would never have advanced to Obelisk Blue with your current level. As for you, Signora Masumi, I am about to give you the same curtesy that your partner tried to use on me!" Chronos said as he pointed at Masumi. "When a Fusion Monster is Summoned by White Gear Fusion, I can destroy one opposing Monster on the Field! Say farewell to your Gem-Knight Lady Rose Dia!" A stream of white energy came out of Ultimate Golem and headed for Masumi's Monster.
"Wrong, thanks to Lady Rose Dia's Effect! The first time a "Gem-Knight" Monster I control would be destroyed by a card effect during my opponent's turn, it isn't!" With one swipe of it's blade, Masumi's warrior dissipated the beam that tried to eliminate it.
"That's one tough gem to crack!" Johan exclaimed. Chronos scoffed.
"No matter." He then turned back to Yuri. "I prefer the direct approach anyway. Battle! Antique Gear Ultimate Golem, attack Predator Plants Triphyovertum! Ultimate Smash!" The mechanical brute reared it's gauntlet arm back, preparing to strike.
"I won't let you!" Yuri shouted. "Trap card open…!"
"That will not help! When my Ultimate Golem attacks, my opponent cannot use Magic or Trap cards until the end of the Damage Step!" Chronos countered.
Yuri scowled. 'Crap! That means I can't use Predator Plast's Graveyard Effect either!'
"And another thing about my Fusion Monster!" Chronos added. "When it attacks a Monster in Defense Mode whose Defense Points is lower than my Monster's Attack Points, the difference is dealt to you as damage!" The moment Ultimate Golem slammed it's weapon on Triphyovertum, the resulting explosion sent Yuri spiraling to the ground again, this time laying on his stomach.
(4400 - 3000 = 1400)
(Yuri: 2500 - 1400 = 1100)
"No! Yuri!" Masumi yelled. She saw that he definitely looked worse than earlier and worried for him even more.
"Don't fret my dear. You shall share in his pain and humiliation! White Gear Fusion has bestowed one more effect to my Monster! If it was successful in destroying a Monster in battle, it can attack another Monster in the same Battle Phase!"
"What?!" Masumi said in shock.
"Indeed! Now, which one shall I eliminate next? Hmm. I could crush your Lady Rose Dia to pieces, but your other Monster's Defense Points are so much lower…"
"Oh no." Edo muttered. Masumi braced herself.
"Antique Gear Ultimate Golem, attack and destroy Gem-Knight Prismaura!" Once more, Chronos' Monster crushed it's intended target and struck heavy damage to it's controller. Masumi skidded on the ground a few feet before stopping beside Yuri.
(4400 - 1400 = 3000)
(Masumi: 3400 - 3000 = 400)
"They both don't look so good!" Rei said in distress.
"Get back up!" Serena urged
"Hang in there you two!" Judai added.
Chronos laughed. "Looks to me like both of you won't survive much longer, is it not so? The Light is very unforgiving to those who oppose it. But it will end soon. Until then, I end my turn."
Masumi managed to sit up and looked over at Yuri, who was still down. "Yuri… are you okay?" She asked. Yuri didn't answer her. "Yuri?" She asked again. The boy closed his eyes before responding.
"Masumi… I can't."
"Can't what?" Masumi said, not understanding.
"I can't go on. Face it, I'm off my game." Masumi stared at him in shock.
"What are you talking about?" Yuri opened his eyes but did not look at her.
"When I confronted Judai back in my world on the Professor's orders, he used his Supreme King power to knock me out. As he did, he scared the living crap out of me. That Monster of his, Yubel, made things worse. Ever since, I've been struggling to not feel that fear again. Seeing Judai through Yuya made that bad memory resurface, though I thought I hid it well enough. And then, this past month while Judai was away, I've been struggling again to put that behind me. I thought I had. But today, he used that power again… and I saw those scary ass golden eyes. All that dread and terror I thought I buried… came flooding back."
"Yuri…" Judai said, remembering that day very well.
"He's been afraid of Judai all this time?" Serena asked in stunned disbelief.
Masumi stared at her partner, stunned. "But Yuri… that was in the past. You and Judai are not enemies anymore. You shouldn't be afraid of him now." Yuri then looked over at her, undisguised fear on his fear.
"You don't understand. Before I encountered Judai, I had never been afraid of anyone or anything. It was everyone else that feared me. I had no reason to be scared myself… until that day. It was the very first time I have ever been scared. All this time, I kept telling myself to just get over it and move on. But… turns out that I really can't." Yuri then shut his eyes again. "That fear has kept me from dueling at my best. I was trying to finish this as quickly as I could… only that didn't work."
"Yuri… I had no idea you've been dealing with this." Masumi said with sad eyes. She couldn't believe Yuri was in such turmoil. And he wasn't done.
"That's not all. On top of all that crap, I don't have Starve Venom anymore. I really don't think I can win this without my dragon."
"You defeated me without it." Masumi reminded him.
"This is different. People's lives are on the line, including ours. Starve Venom Fusion Dragon is… was a part of me." Yuri sighed deeply. "I still don't regret my decision to give my dragon to Yuya, but what about me? How can I be at my best when that piece of me is gone and I'm too freaking scared to fight back?"
Yuri didn't mention this, but when he looked through his Extra Deck after getting his body back, he saw that another of his cards was gone. His dragon's upgraded form, Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon, had also disappeared. He had no explanation for it, for he knew he didn't give that card to Yuya as well. Yuri compensated both losses with a few new Fusions, including Dragostapelia and Triphyovertum. But despite that, he couldn't get the upper hand against Chronos, even with Masumi helping him out.
Masumi herself never saw this side of Yuri before. It really bothered her. 'Poor Yuri. He seems so… vulnerable. So depressed. How can I snap him out of this?' She took a deep breath before she spoke again. "Listen to me, Yuri. I know how it feels to be scared. It's not a great feeling, especially if you don't know if you're going to live to see tomorrow. But you can't give in to that, not when we're all counting on you. So please Yuri… get back up and fight! We need you! I need you!" She said that last sentence with more emotion than she intended.
Yuri looked up at her again, surprised by the force in her voice. Her face was red again, like it did whenever Yuri "flirted" with her. But Yuri saw something else. Masumi's eyes were as a hard and bright as the gemstones that covered her Monsters. He felt moved by her words… but he could not bring himself to comply. Yuri closed his eyes and held his face in his hand. He was still too scared. He just couldn't see how to win without Starve Venom…
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Don't be afraid Yuri."
Yuri snapped his eyes open to find himself standing in a blank space. "What the hell?" He looked up to see someone standing in front of him. It was a man wearing a silver cloak. The man's face couldn't be seen, but his eyes shone through like beacons of light. Yuri gasped in shock. The eyes that stared back at him were the same dark gold eyes Judai possessed from his Supreme King side. "Judai?"
The mystery man shook his head. "No Yuri. I am not Judai Yuki, but I am on your side."
"Then who are you?" Yuri asked.
"That's not important right now. Listen Yuri, you mustn't give up. Your friends are counting on you to help them. You must not let your fear blind you from your purpose." Yuri looked away.
"How can I?" He questioned, his discouragement evident.
"By remembering that there is a feeling stronger than fear… love." Said the smiling stranger. "Let the fear flow out of you, and replace it with the love your friends have given you."
"Love?" Yuri thought back to his recent experiences, ever since arriving at Duel Academy. He thought mostly about the days he spent with Serena and Masumi… particularly with Masumi. Although he really felt like a fish out of water when he started out, the girls helped him adjust. It wasn't long after that he started to truly be happy for the first time in his life. He no longer had to fear of being shunned or avoided by others. He actually did make some more friends as time went by. Slowly, Yuri smiled and his eyes got a little watery.
The cloaked man nodded, knowing he got through. "That's the ticket."
Yuri blinked away the wetness before he got to sappy. However, he frowned again. One other thing still bothered him. "But… I still don't think I can win without my dragon."
"You mean this dragon?" The man asked as he pointed above him, revealing none other than Starve Venom Fusion Dragon. Yuri's mouth fell open.
"Starve Venom! You're… still here?" The dragon roared, and Yuri somehow understood what it was saying. He smiled again, feeling even warmer inside. "I see. You and I are still connected, even though we're not together. That's really good to know." At that moment, a glowing purple card appeared in Yuri's hand. "What…?"
"Looks like your old friend wanted to give a piece of itself to you. With that "piece" now in your hand, I think you have everything you need to win the Duel. Time for you to go back. Good luck Yuri."
Mist began to fill the area around Yuri, obscuring Starve Venom and the cloaked man from view. "Wait! Tell me who you are!" He demanded again. The man laughed again before he couldn't be seen at all anymore.
"Well, if you must know… I am the reason you are living your new life!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Yuri then found himself back in the Domain with Masumi by his side. He shook his head. "Yuri? What is it?" Masumi asked, still sounding worried.
"I'm… I'm okay Masumi." He told her. He couldn't believe what just happened. 'That guy… seeing my dragon again… it all felt so real. Was it real? It sure felt like it did. Just who the hell was that?' Even though he had no clue who the unknown figure was, Yuri had a strange feeling that he somehow knew him…
At the same time Yuri had his out of body experience, Judai's eyes turned golden once more, but he did not call on the power himself. He felt normal again once Yuri came back to himself. Judai wondered what had caused his Supreme King powers to briefly awaken…
"Oi! Feeling like surrendering now, Yuri?" Chronos called from the other end of the arena. Yuri looked back at the possessed teacher and, to the latter's surprise, smiled as he finally got on his feet at last. Masumi knew that smile all too well. It was the smile Yuri wore when he knew he was confident he could win. Yuri also chuckled, which somehow unsettled his opponent.
"Me? Surrender? When I haven't even had my fun yet? A whole month and you still don't me! You've messed with me long enough, Professor Medici! Now it's time for some venomous payback! My turn! DRAW!" He was very pleased with the card he drew. It was sure to make Masumi happy. "Trap card open, Predator Plants Reborn! This will let me Special Summon a "Predator Plants" Monster from my Graveyard! I'm bringing back Predator Plants Spino Dionaea!" The plant dinosaur Yuri sacrificed earlier came back to serve it's master once more. "And now for Spino Dionaea's Effect! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can attach a Predator Counter to an opponent's face-up Monster! Also, with that Counter in place, that Monster's Level becomes 1 if it is Level 2 or higher, which your Ultimate Golem is!" Spino Dionaea spat out the little green critter that fastened itself onto the machine's chest.
"Una schifezza! Not that eyesore again!" Chronos complained.
"Trust me, it will be the least of your worries! Now that your Monster has a Predator Counter, I can Special Summon Predator Plants Triphyovertum from my Graveyard in Defense Mode!" Yuri's powerful Fusion Monster has also made it's comeback. "Don't forget it's other Effect! It gets more Attack Points thanks your Monster's new accessory!" Triphyovertum became more powerful once again.
(Predator Plants Triphyovertum's ATK: 3000 + 4400 = 7400)
"I haven't forgotten! But bringing your top Monster back in Defense Mode was a pretty poor move on your part!" Chronos said condescendingly. Yuri chuckled again.
"Let's agree to disagree on that. Next, I Normal Summon Crystal Rose!" (LIGHT; Level 2; ATK: 500; DEF: 500) A red, rock like rose appeared next to Triphyovertum.
"Huh? That doesn't look like a card Yuri would have in his Deck." Judai observed.
"Yeah, that card is way too pretty for a Deck like that." Grace added.
"I wonder where he got that from?" Asuka wondered as she eyed Yuri's dueling partner.
While everyone else was confused, Masumi wasn't. On the contrary, she was stunned and elated at the same time. 'I don't believe it! Yuri's Summoned my Monster!'
About a week ago, Yuri took a stroll on the beach and found a glittering rock that happened to have washed up on shore. It was still a bit muddy, so he took it back to his dorm room and cleaned it up. He was pleased with the result. It's true form was a shiny, clear purple stone… aka amethyst. He immediately decided to give it to Masumi when he had a chance. He knew she would love it, being a fan of gemstones herself and all. And so he did the next day.
When Yuri gave the stone to Masumi, she was astounded. She told Yuri she loved it and would keep it always. To Yuri's surprise, she decided to give him something in return. She took out a card from her Deck, Crystal Rose, and handed it to him. "Why would you give me this? Won't you need it in your Deck?" Yuri had asked her. Masumi shook her head.
"It's fine. My Deck is still strong even without it. Besides, I think it might come in handy for you." She told him. Yuri thanked her and promised to take good care of it. The two smiled warmly at one another from the exchange.
Now was the time to put Masumi's gift to good use. "I activate the Effect of Crystal Rose! While this little beauty is face-up on the Field, it can be used as a substitute for any one Fusion Material listed on a Fusion Monster Card! For today's choice, I'm having it take the place of another Fusion Monster, Predator Plants Dragostapelia!" A shiny version of Yuri's weaker Fusion Monster now formed in Crystal Rose's place.
'Is he planning another Fusion Summon? Whatever it is, I'm sure my Monster can flatten it into nothing.' Chronos believed. He would soon see how pointless that belief was.
"And now for my last card: Predator Prime Fusion! If a "Predator Plants" Monster or Monsters is on the Field, I can Fusion Summon a DARK Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters from either Field as Material, which includes two or more DARK Monsters I control! Fortunately I have both requirements on my Field! I am Fusing my Crystal Rose imitating Predator Plants Dragostapelia with my Predator Plants Triphyovertum!"
"What is he Summoning now?" Gloria asked, not having any idea what it could be. She, like everyone else, was under the impression Triphyovertum was the best Yuri had. He was about to prove all of them wrong as the two Monsters swirled together.
"The great predator dragon! Open your poisonous wings! Take flight and feast to satisfy your endless hunger! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 10! STARVE VENOM PREDATOR FUSION DRAGON!" (DARK; Level 10; ATK: 3600; DEF: 2500) The new beast bore a strong resemblance to Yuri's former Ace Monster. The major differences were it had green and yellow on the majority of it's body, along with a much longer yellow tail. Bright yellow orbs were embedded in it's knees, shoulders, it's claw-like hands, and a lot of other places. Lastly, it's horns stretched way behind it's head.
"Holy Crap!" Manjome exclaimed.
"Yuri's got a new version of Starve Venom now?!" Judai said in total astonishment.
"Since when?!" Serena said.
Pretty much everyone was surprised to see the new Monster. Masumi was speechless from the sight before her. 'Yuri… you're always full of surprises aren't you?'
Chronos wasn't so intimidated. "Hardly what I would call a "comeback"! Antique Gear Ultimate Golem is still more than your new dragon can handle!" Yuri still smiled like a little devil.
"Actually, it won't have to! Trap card open, Predator Germination! This will allow me to Special Summon three Predator Plants Tokens to my Field… if I allowed it that is!"
"Meaning what?" Chronos asked.
"I activate the Effect of Starve Venom Predator! Once per turn, when a card or effect is activated, I can Sacrifice a Monster on either Field that has a Predator Counter to negate that activation! I think you know where I'm going with this!" At once, Chronos' smug face turned pale.
"W-Wait! Don't tell me…!" Yuri laughed.
"Exactly! By Sacrificing your Antique Gear Ultimate Golem, I will negate my Trap card! And since Sacrificing a Monster isn't the same as destroying it, White Gear Fusion's Effect can't protect yours! Deadly Devouring!"
"NO!" Chronos screamed in terror. He watched helplessly as Yuri's dragon grabbed Ultimate Golem with it's tail, expanded it's drooling jaws very wide, and swallowed the machine in one gulp.
"Wow, and I thought the original Starve Venom was a nasty customer." Grace said, looking slightly sick from watching Chronos' Monster being eaten.
"Now you are wide open! One attack and this Duel is done!" Yuri proudly declared.
"Not quite! I banish White Gear Fusion from my Graveyard to gain 3000 Life Points! Now you can't finish me off this turn, even if both your Monsters attacked!" Yuri gritted his teeth from Chronos' last effort to save himself.
(Chronos: 3000 + 3000 = 6000)
"And he's got no more cards to use, so he can't do anything about it." Makoto observed.
"Not by him at least." Echo said to herself, eyeing Masumi's remaining facedown card.
Now it was Masumi's turn to smile. "Yuri might not be able to do it on his own, but you forgot about his partner! Trap card open, Gem-Knight Aid! Until the end of the turn, I can increase the Attack Points of a non-"Gem-Knight" Monster on the Field by the Attack Points of a "Gem-Knight" I control! I'm giving Lady Rose Dia's power to Starve Venom Predator Fusion Dragon!"
"MAMMA MIA!" Chronos spattered in comical fashion. Yuri's Monster gave a mighty roar and glowed like a rainbow from the increase in it's power.
(Starve Venom Predator Fusion Dragon's ATK: 3600 + 2700 = 6300)
"Looks like he's done for now." Rabb said, sounding bored.
"Alright!" Judai exclaimed.
"Nice move Masumi!" Johan cheered.
"They can win now!" Serena said.
Yuri looked glanced over at his partner. "Thanks Masumi!" Masumi nodded at him.
"No problem. Finish it Yuri and snap him back to himself!" She advised.
"You bet!" Yuri said before focusing his attention on Chronos. "Look, I'm not holding anything against you since you're being brainwashed and all. So don't take this personally and I hope you get your head back on straight after this! Battle! Starve Venom Predator Fusion Dragon… DIRECT ATTACK! PREDATOR EXTERMINATION!" A dark golden energy beam erupted from the dragon's mouth and stuck down the Obelisk Blue supervisor in a burned up heap.
(Chronos: 0)
"They won!" Kenzan shouted.
"Yeah, but did they free him from the Light's control?" Asuka wondered.
Yuri and Masumi waited with baited breath. After a moment, Chronos slowly managed to sit up, looked up at the teens who bested him, and...
"Um... could someone please tell me what the devil is going on here? I am so confused." He asked, appearing totally confused. This was proof enough.
"Chronos is back to his old self!" Ryo said.
"Just like with Emi!" Gloria added.
'Then both of them should be fine now.' Samejima thought, pleased that both members of his staff were free.
Yuri chuckled. "Well, that's sort of complicated, Professor Medici. You were..." Before Yuri could explain the situation, a monstrous sight appeared above everyone. It's shape was too indiscernible to make it exactly what it was, but the thing was dark and sprouted a couple of tentacles.
"Now what?! What is that?!" Edo asked, afraid of what he was seeing.
The unknown beast then used it's appendages to capture Chronos.
"Chronos!" Judai yelled.
Just like before with Emi, Chronos was bring squeezed tight and seemed to be in the process of being drained of all his life.
"Time for another sacrifice." Amon said softly, showing little pity. 'And with this, I am one step closer to reviving Shido.'
Flame, on the other hand, had a different idea. 'I don't know what that creature is, but I'm not letting it take anyone! Not on my watch!' Working within the dimensional control console, the Fire Ignis locked on to the transporting energies surrounding Chronos and initiated the return command. A few seconds after he was done, Chronos was covered in light and disappeared in a flash. The thing that ensnared him retreated into the darkness from wince it came.
"What the hell was it? Another Legendary Planet like the one that went after Emi?" Asuka asked. Edo shook his head.
"I doubt it. I know what each of the Legendary Planets looked like... and whatever that thing was, it wasn't one of them.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Chronos thought he would die by the mysterious being's hand. But instead, he found himself back in Duel Academy. He was in what remained of the main dueling arena, and he saw that he wasn't alone. "Emi?"
Emi was shocked and now angry to see her colleague again. "Chronos?! You have some nerve to show your face to me again after what you did!"
"What in the world are you talking about?!" He responded, frightened by Emi's reaction from seeing him.
"Last night, you asked me to come with you and led me into a cavern beneath the school! Then you dueled me on the spot! All that time you kept blathering about how "You would make me see the Light."! That's when I realized you ended up like those "Society of Light" students from years ago! When you defeated me, I couldn't remember anything until just a minute ago before I came back here from who knows where!"
"Emi, I swear I don't remember all that!" Chronos told her while waving his arms around wildly. "You have to believe me!"
Emi scrutinized him for several seconds. Then she was convinced he was telling the truth. "Alright. I guess this means someone beat you too if you're back to normal. Like with me. So what was the last thing you do remember before ending up here?"
Relieved that Emi believed him, Chronos thought for a moment to recall what had occurred. "I remember retiring for the day when I received a text from Principal Samejima asking me to meet him in the cave where the Spirit Gates alter was."
"The Seven Gates? Where the Three Phantom Demon cards are sealed?" Emi asked in surprise.
"The very same. When I arrived, the Principal was not there. Instead, it was some stranger wearing a dark cloak. He told me he needed me to see the Light and immediately challenged me to a Duel. Of course I couldn't refuse. I thought I had the upper hand, only I was thoroughly humiliated as I lost. After that, the next thing I saw was Yuri and Masumi standing before me in some outer space like realm. And then I was nearly chocked to death by some otherworldly creature. It wouldn't let me go. There was a bright flash of light after that, and then...
"You found yourself back here." Emi finished. Her fellow teacher nodded. 'Same as me.' Emi thought. "Chronos, just who was this guy that dueled you? And why in the Seven Gates?" Chronos shook his head.
"I don't have the faintest idea. I never got a good look at him, nor did the cards he used looked familiar. But I do know this: The Monster he used to defeat me was the same one that tried to suck my life away."
To be continued.