[A/N]
This duel in particular has left me a little exhausted.
Without spoiling too much, this chapter features a Yummy/Melffy deck. I know the Yummys haven't been released yet, but dammit, these guys are adorable, and I wanted to write about them. And I kinda regret it, lol.
The problem is that these guys in particular just… shit out material and disrupt like there's no tomorrow. And the Yummy cards just do a lot. The constant stat manipulation was also a drain, too. Normally, I try to write duels so that every card mentioned has their effects activated at least once, but with Melffy/Yummy, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I was dragging my feet to the finish line.
[and its also kinda demoralizing when I see an email saying there was a comment or a PM, only for me to find out its a shitty art scammer.]
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed writing this Duel, if I didn't, I would have stuck to pure Melffys, or pure Yummy. There were just too many things to keep track of for me, personally.
Now, onto the story proper.
Let's open the owo
Duel 19
Where Arf Thou?
Blake's ears twitched when she heard footsteps. She didn't allow herself the luxury to breathe just yet, as making any sort of sound could give away their position. She stood completely still, eyes narrowed, tail straight, ears swiveling.
She kept watch for the entire night. Behind her, 'Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders' remained tense at her sight. Any slight movement, and she would command it to attack.
The Number 76 flickered on and off on the shell of her right ear, glowing brighter as the night continued.
Hours later, Blake felt like she was about to collapse. 'Redox's' physical form struggled to manifest. The rock dragon pushed its snout against her hip, urging Blake to rest, even for a moment. But, Number 76 flickered.
Eventually, sunlight streamed into the room, through the blinds. Blake's entire body faltered from exhaustion. She stumbled forwards, and took a knee to support herself. "Argh… shiiit…"
There's noise coming from another section of the hideout. Glacially, she managed to turn her head and watch as Tuksun stumbled out from the other room. He has a hand on his head; the left side of his face was covered in bandages, including the eye. Blood was also seeping through it.
"You look terrible," He commented. Blake barely registered his words.
"...you… were shot in… shot in the head…" She murmured sleepily. She nearly collapsed, but she landed with a thud on the floor if it weren't for 'Redox' cushioning her fall. As much as a pile of rocks could, anyways.
"I didn't spend hours vigilantly watching for any intruders," The older wildcat faunus said. "I was knocked out and resting. You should rest too."
"I… won't… danger…" Blake gasped. Tukson sighed.
Behind her, 'Redox' raised its club tail. Tukson shared a look with a dragon, and wagged his finger at it. 'Redox' lowered its tail and released a grunt.
"C'mon," Tukson said with a gruff. He gently shook her by the shoulder. "You're already half-asleep."
"...no," Blake managed to say before she fell asleep. 'Redox' clinked its jaw as it disappeared without Blake's aura to support its physical body.
Tukson sighed and gently lifted Blake's half-asleep body, and carried her to the mattress in the back room. Once he placed her on it. He walked out to buy food for the both of them.
Blake slumbered. But, only for a few minutes. Her eyes shot open, glowing amber. The Number 76 pulsed hotly on her right ear., enough for her to hiss in pain.
"Wh-what…!?" She whispered quietly, raising her hands to her head. "What do you want…? Get out of my–!" Blake yowled, and her body stiffened.
Her arms went slack, and fell to her side. A few moments later, Blake robotically sat up on the mattress. Her amber eyes shimmered with multiple colors.
Blake gasped deeply for air, as she had been underwater for hours. The Number 76 solidified. When she opened her eyes, they were already slitted.
Weiss stumbled her way back to her dorm, feeling mentally exhausted. Her latest Duel felt like it took weeks off her life for the sheer effort it took to find lethal. "Maybe I shouldn't be complaining… I play a trap deck," She sighed.
"Well, at least I actually let my opponent play the damn game…" Weiss then huffed. She fumbled for the doorknob of her room, and found that it was locked. "Huh. Since did Ruby lock the door?"
Weiss took out her keys and unlocked it. She opened the door, and found a dark-furred demon dog looking down at her. "Huh…" Weiss murmured. It took a moment for her synapses to connect. 'Anyalabolas' leaned forward and sniffed her curiously.
"...AH! What the FUCK–!?" Weiss cursed. Ruby popped out from underneath 'Anyalabolas', grabbed her by the collar, and dragged her inside the room.
"Ruby!" Weiss shouted, once they were inside. She had to awkwardly sit in front of her, as there was barely enough space to sit anywhere that wasn't already occupied by 'Anyalabolas'. "Why is there a giant hell-spawn demon dog in our room!?"
"Well, I wanted a way to practice using my Aura without being in a mildly dangerous or life or death situation," Ruby said. She looked mighty pleased with herself, as she hugged the side of 'Anyalabolas'' neck and petted the red, rough-skinned part of its snout. The monster barked, and Weiss cringed when she heard the wails of the damned.
"Couldn't you have chosen any other monster then?" Weiss huffed at her, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Well, none of them are really… uh, house-friendly, I guess?" Ruby shrugged.
"And this thing is?" Weiss said, pointing to 'Anyalabolas'. The dog whined, and placed its chin on the floor. For a moment, Weiss was covered in dark purple fur, before it shifted awkwardly to not smoother either girl.
"I mean, sort of? I didn't want to go with any of the more humanoid monsters, because if you walked that would be embarrassing for the both of us," Ruby tried to argue, but Weiss rolled her eyes.
"Oh, please."
"Be honest, what would be your reaction if you say 'Clavkiys' or 'Mafteal' in the room," Ruby asked in her deadpan voice.
Weiss thought for a moment. "Well in that case, just say that you're not sexually attracted to men. Problem solved, I wouldn't suspect a thing," She said like it was obvious.
"Would you believe me?" Ruby asked her. "I mean, it's a guy and girl in a room. Alone. One that I can summon and command, might I add."
"And?" Weiss asked with an equally deadpan voice, which made Ruby blink. "If anything, the way this conversation is headed has only made me more suspicious that you goon to your own cards."
"Only Yang does that," Ruby said defensively. "Anyways, we're getting way, way off topic."
Weiss nodded. "Yes, you're right. I need you to un-summon that dog."
"How else am I supposed to practice using more Aura?" Ruby asked.
"Preferably somewhere else, where I can do my homework in peace having a demon dog slobbering all over me!" Weiss said. 'Anyalabolas' started to sniff her hair, which made Weiss shiver.
"Fiiiine…" Ruby sighed. She removed her Duel Force Duel Disk from her arm. 'Ansalabolas' yipped (and as always, screams and wails accompanied the sound) as the Fusion Tuner monster disappeared from the room. Everything looked a little flattened, though. "At least he didn't leave behind any fur."
"Mh hmm…" Weiss said. She stood back up, now that there was enough space to do so. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have stuff to do."
Yang kicked the door open. "Hey, look what I got!" She said, carrying with her a large cardboard box. It was blocking her view, so she lowered it to see Ruby and Weiss' excited expression. Only, they didn't have faces of shock and awe. In fact, both looked fairly frightened, with eyes widened, faces pale, and bodies shivering. Also, Weiss jumped onto Ruby's lap, and had her arm around her neck and Ruby clung to Weiss' waist.
"Huh, this doesn't look very 'Slow Burn'," Yang hummed. "Then again, they are roommates…"
Slowly, Ruby's face went from fightful pale to a deep shade of embarrassed red. She tossed Weiss off her lap, making the girl squawk in surprise. "What the heck!?"
"What did you want to show us?" Ruby asked quickly, ignoring Weiss' offended pout.
"Dad sent us something in the mail!" Yang said, lifting the box in her arms. Weiss and Ruby shimmied closer to her.
"Oh, really?" Ruby asked excitedly. "What is it?"
Yang shrugged. "I dunno. I thought we could open it together!" She tilted the box backwards, and shook the contents out. A pile of gray cans dropped to the ground with loud clanks. Weiss, raised an eyebrow and plucked one of the cans.
"Dog food?" She said in a confused voice. Ruby and Yang blinked, and they began to smile. Yang kept shaking the box, until a black ball of fluff was shaken out and landed on the cans. Weiss took a step back, and watched as the ball uncurled and took the form a small black and white dog.
"Arf!"
"Zwei!" Ruby cheered as the dog began to run around and yipped happily while chasing her. Weiss had a dumbfounded expression on her face.
"I'm sorry, your dad sent you a dog? In the mail!?" Weiss asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, he does that sometimes," Yang said nonchalantly. That only made Weiss more confused. "Oh, there's a note here!" She reached inside the box one last night, and pulled out a piee of lined paper. "'Dear girls, I'm leaving Patch for a while, so I'm leaving so I'm sending Zwei to you to take care of while I'm away. I also sent about two weeks worth of food. Love you both, Dad.'"
"Aww, he said he loves us!" Ruby cooed as she carried Zwei in her arms.
"He does that everyday," Yang said. Weiss pursed her lips. She had to admit, the dog was very, very cute.
"I'm pretty sure we're not allowed to have pets on campus," Weiss grumbled. Though, she had trouble keeping her lips curled into a frown, since Ruby looked happy, and Zwei was adorable.
"Ah, I don't think Ozpin would kick us out. We have Numbers," Yang pointed out. Weiss still looked unconvinced. "If you want, you two could keep him until he needs to go back?" She suggested with a cheeky grin.
"Can we?" Ruby and Weiss asked simultaneously.
"Sure. I wouldn't want to get in trouble with my roommate," Yang with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.
"Wow, thanks Yang!" Ruby said excitedly. She turned her head to Zwei and nuzzled her nose against his. "Hear that, boy? We're going to be staying together!" Zwei barked happily.
"...Fine. As long as he doesn't get in the way of our work," Weiss sighed. It was this point the primal urge to touch the cutie-pie overrode her meticulous nature. She walked over Zwei and reached out to pet him.
"Gwagh!?" However, Zwei didn't appreciate that. He turned around and started to snarl, snapping his jaws at her when she got close. "Is he normally this aggressive?"
"Maybe he's jittery from the flight over?" Ruby said with a shrug. She didn't look too concerned. "I know I get anxious and jumpy if I get motion sickness."
"Well, I'll leave you two to it!" Yang said. She tucked the cardboard box under her arm and waved at her two juniors. "Stay safe." And with that, Yang left the room.
"Bye!" Ruby waved at her. "Say bye, Zwei!" Ruby giggled as she took the mutt's paw and waggled it in Yang.
Weiss waved politely. "There. Now you can cuddle with a dog without it making a mess in our room," She said.
"That's right! And you can play with him, too!" Ruby said, presenting Zwei to the heiress. Zwei looked… significantly less animated than before.
"I bet I can…" Weiss murmured. She felt an itchy sensation coming from the back of her neck. She turned around to begin work…
…and missed the Number 105 on Zwei's chest that appeared for a brief moment.
(Un)Surprisingly, the next few hours of Weiss' life was actual hell. Her personal Satan was Zwei. The dog was cute, yes, but that cuteness was veneer that hid sheer hatred and contempt.
Zwei kept barking. The dorm rooms were soundproof, thankfully, so nobody outside could hear them. But Weiss could swear her ears were starting to bleed from the sheer sound of the barking. At every little thing, too.
Bird?
"RUFF! RUFF! RUFF! RUFF! RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF! RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!" Weiss flinched on her desk with each sound.
Squirrel?
"RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF! RUFF! RUFF! RUFF!RUFF!" Weiss put on ear muffles to block out the sound. It didn't work.
Weiss' pencil scratching against her paper because she needs to write a five paragraph essay on how the Damage Step works?
"RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!RUFF!"
Weiss' ballpoint pen snapped in her grip. "Ruby!" She yelled, but that was drowned out by Zwei's incessant barking.
She tried playing with him later. Maybe he was so loud because he was scared?
"Zwei? You want the ball?" Weiss asked, raising a tennis ball to his face. Zwei was so still she might've mistaken him for a cute stone gargoyle. That didn't stop Weiss from trying. She tossed the ball forwards. Zwei refused to chase.
"Maybe you're not throwing it right?" Ruby suggested. "Try throwing it like this!" She tossed the ball gently in Zwei's direction with an underhand throw, and the small dog barked excitedly and chased after it. It deposited the ball in front of Ruby's knees.
"Okay…" Weiss took the ball and threw it the exact same way as Ruby. Zwei did not even flinch. Weiss' lips curled into a frown.
"Uh… huh…" Ruby murmured. "I guess he's tired?" Weiss frowned harder.
In the middle of the day, Weiss rummaged around her side of the room for a textbook she had misplaced. She and Ruby don't share the classes, so she couldn't have accidentally taken it, Weiss thought to herself as she lifted her mattress from the bed frame to look underneath it.
Weiss huffed and let it drop back down when she didn't. "Urgh…" And then, behind her, she heard Zwei scratching something. Something that sounded like paper.
She whirled around, and breathed deeply through her nose as Zwei scratched the pages of her textbook, ripping them and letting them fly off behind him. Zwei walked in a circle and laid down on it.
"Crime has never felt so… tempting before," Weiss whispered to herself.
The straw that broke the camel back happened during sunset.
Weiss was curled up on her bed, scrolling through her social media which, due to Yang's influence, was filled with brainrot. Ruby was petting Zwei, who was nestled in her arms and panting. Ruby's head lolled around her shoulder as she began to nod off, a full day of school work having exhausted her. For a brief moment, her eyes closed for more than a second.
And Satan struck.
"Ruby…!" The girl blinked. And slowly turned her head, and cringed. To her horror, she could smell it before she could see it.
Zwei was sitting on Weiss' bag. And he dropped one inside it.
Slowly, Weiss raised her pencil, and turned in her fingers so that the sharpened point was aimed right at Zwei's head.
"No," Ruby said.
"Get that dog out of my sight, then," Weiss growled in a quiet voice. It only made her seem more intimidating. "I have never seen such an ill-mannered, temperamental, destructive bitch in my life."
"H-he's not normally this… problematic!" Ruby tried to defend herself, and her dog, but Weiss' sneer only made her flinch.
"Well, then I guess your home must be a pigsty with how much you let him ruin this room!" Weiss said, stomping on the ground. "I'm going to Yang's room so I can take a shower there. I will return in exactly thirty minutes. If the smell of fecal matter is still in the air, I'm going to skin Zwei."
"You're… hypothetically, you're gonna kill first, right?" Ruby asked in a semi-hopefully voice. Weiss did not respond. "You're gonna kill him first, right?"
Weiss simply grabbed her towel, a change of clothes, and walked towards the exit. "Thirty. Minutes." Weiss reminded her. She slammed the door shut.
Ruby wilted lightly. She turned around to look at Zwei, who slowly walked towards her. The dog sat down in front of her, and leaned forward to sniff her leg.
"Zwei, no," Ruby sighed, shuffling away from him. "Sit. Honestly, what is up with you today…?"
Zwei let out a whine, and his ears dropped lightly. Ruby at first felt slightly guilty from how quickly his expression changed from happiness to depression. "Zwei…"
She didn't expect him to run out of the room. "Zwei!?" The small dog somehow pushed the door open and ran down the empty hallway. "Zwei, get back here!" Ruby chased after him, running through the halls before someone else found him.
Ruby chased Zwei all the back into the main campus. The little dog kept skidding across the form to make sharp turns that Ruby could barely make. She tried her best to reach him, but each time she came into arms reach, she lunged and he jumped over her arms.
This kept repeating until Zwei looked into the hallways for the Duel Arenas. Somehow, the door opened automatically for Arena 1, and Zwei leaped inside. Ruby followed him inside. She leaped onto the Arena floor, panting, while Zwei sat on the side opposite of her. He was panting, but otherwise looked pleased with himself.
"Zwei…" Ruby gasped. "That's enough. We're done playing."
Zwei licked his chops, but otherwise, didn't react.
"Stand ready for my arrival, worm!"
Ruby blinked as an ancient, distorted voice yet one distinctly male rang in her head. Ruby's silver eyes shimmered, as a dark purple aura covered Zwei's body. Her jaw opened in shock as his body morphed, turning into a black sludge that rose and took on a humanoid form.
It solidified, and the "Zwei" that once stood before her now looked like a tanned teenager with green eyes. He wore a red button-up shirt with a high color, white pants and shoes, and had brown hair that covered his right eye.
"What the…?" Ruby took a step back. The boy smirked, and lifted the bangs over his eye. The Number 105 burned where it should've been.
"We finally meet face-to-face, Ruby Rose…" Cestus the Meteor spoke to her. His mouth didn't move, but Ruby could hear him. It was cocky, it was confident, and it was filled with something that Ruby could only register as hate.
"You're that guy's Number…!" Ruby said. She bit her lip anxiously, and put on the most intimidating scowl she could muster. "What did you do to Zwei!? What did you do to my dad?" She demanded to know.
"The man is fine. He hasn't even noticed the dog missing. As for the mutt, I'm just borrowing his body for a while to do my business," Cestus told her. "Once I'm done, I'll whisk him away back to the wooden dump you call a home."
Ruby snarled angrily. "I swear if you do anything to him, I'll–!"
"Worry about yourself, first," Cestus interrupted her, silencing her immediately. He leanded forward, his sole green eye gazing deeply into Ruby's silver eyes. "Yeah… you're definitely her spawn. No wonder looking at you makes my skin crawl with anger!"
"'Her… spawn…?'" Ruby whispered quietly. Her mind drew a blank when the words registered in her mind. A cold fury completely blew away her fear. "What the fuck did you to my mom?" She asked in a cold, quiet voice. Cestus smirked.
"That's not important right now," The Number scoffed.
"What the FUCK DID YOU TO MY MOM!" Ruby ran towards Cestus without a second thought. She jumped up and tried to punch him, but Cestus snatched her out of the air by the neck. Ruby gasped as he squeezed, punctuated by the sound of a very audible crack and even drawing blood from her mouth.
"You disgusting animal. How dare you think you can run up to me and touch me?" Cestus tossed Ruby back to her side of the arena. "I should kill where you stand! But that won't be satisfying for me."
Ruby groaned and coughed as she slowly picked herself up. Cestus stretched out his left arm. It burst into flame, and formed into a red gauntlet that covered his entire arm with the Deck already inserted into a slot above his wrist.
"Your progenitor was a talented Duelist, I admit. Before I defeat you, I want to know just how far you measure up to her," Cestus said. His new armored claws clenched into a tight fist as he smiled excitedly at her.
Ruby stood back up, and placed her own Academia Duel Disk on her arm. "Not if I kill you first," She growled. Cestus frowned at her.
"Oh, please… I am akin to a god. Even if you defeat me, you'll never kill me," Cestus said in a cocky voice. His eye turned red, and they both drew their starting hands. "Even if I wasn't, you'd still stand no chance!"
Ruby Rose (4000 LP) VS Cestus the Meteor (4000 LP)
DUEL!
"The first turn is mine! I activate the Spell Card 'Obedience Schooled'!" Almost immediately, Ruby's earlier intensity waned as she was met with a comically named card with a comical artwork. "From my deck, I summon 3 Level 2 or Lower Beast monsters with their effects negated! I'm also only allowed to summon Beast monster for the rest of the turn!" Ruby wondered what happened to the boxers.
"Appear, my monsters! 'Tri-Brigade Kitt', 'Melffy Pinny', and 'Cupsie Yummy'!"
Ruby blinked. The first monster was a young faunus girl with pink hair, wearing an orange tube top and baggy pants. She also had a comically large wrench strapped to her back, and two large triangular ears on her head (LV 2 / 1000 DEF). In addition to all that, she also had a :3 smile on her lips.
The second monster was a small, plush-sized seal that looked like it was drawn with pastel watercolors. There was also a heart-shaped mark on its chest (LV 2 Tuner / 100 DEF).
And the last one was absolutely adorable. 'Cupsie Yummy' was a small black cat with wide yellow-eyes that stared into the abyss. Its body was stuck inside a parfait cup with yogurt and jed jam, while its ears were cut strawberries (LV 1 / 1600 DEF).
What happened to the robot boxers?
"Now, I Overlay Level 2 'Kitt' and 'Pinny'!" Cestus continued, not even taking notice of Ruby's sheer confusion. "I Xyz Summon Rank 2 'Melffy of the Forest'!" The two monster floated up into the air, and fell into the red Overlay Network in the sky.
Instead of a monster falling from the sky, a tree stump fell down. 'Melffy Rabby' popped out from behind, and jumped onto the center. It was soon joined by 'Pony', 'Puppy', 'Catty', 'Wally', and 'Fenny', and a few unnamed 'Melffy' that consisted of a panda, a racoon and a llama. The small critters all lounged and played together by stump, looking cute as heck as they did so (RK 2 / 2000 DEF / 2 OU).
"I have… several questions," Ruby admitted. Cestus frowned at her.
"I activate 'Melffy's' effect! I detach one Overlay Unit, to add a 'Melffy' monster from my deck to my hand'!" From the group, 'Melffy Wally' perked up, and hopped over to Cestus. "Then, since 'Kitt' was sent to the grave, I can send 'Tri-Brigade Nervall' from my deck to my grave!" A small, humanoid figure with wings and wearing long green robes with a similarly colored gas mask appeared over him.
"And since 'Nervall' was sent to the grave, I can add 'Tri-Brigade Kerass' to my hand!" 'Nervall' dropped a smoke bomb in front of Cestus, which exploded and revealed a large and imposing ox man. "Now, by discarding 'Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest', I can summon 'Kerass' from my hand!" The ox man from earlier reappears, now wielding a gun that easily matched his own size. 'Kerass' grunts with power as it is carried onto the field by a small white hedgehog with green quills (LV 2 / 1500 DEF).
"Now, since 'Cupsie Yummy' is a LIGHT Beast monster, I can set it into the Link Arrow!" Cestus smirked as he raised his armored hand to the sky. A large circuit board appeared over him, and 'Cupsie Yummy' slowly floated up into the bottom arrow. "I Link Summon! Appear, Link-1 'Yummy Snatchy'!"
Ruby raised her arms to block out the light as the summon was successfully. She grunted, and wondered what horrible monster awaited her once she lowered them. Slowly, she brought them down.
The monster in the left EMZ radiated total 'scamp' energy. It was another cat, this time dressed in a white space-suit with large white paws, perfect for grabbing. A permanent :3 expression was plastered on its face as it clenched and unclenched its large hands. And behind it was a UFO with oval eyes and crab pincers.
The new space monsters shuffled from side to side, and then raised its arms with a prideful, cute meow of intimidation.
[Yummy Snatchy]
[LIGHT / Beast / Link / Effect]
[600 ATK / LINK-1]
"When 'Yummy Snatchy' is summoned, I can immediately activate the Field Spell 'Yummsyment Minion' from my deck!" The crab UFO behind it scuttled forwards, and raised its claws. "Once per turn, my 'Minion' can summon 'Yummy' monster from my graveyard! Return, 'Cupsie Yummy'!" The crab's dome head popped open, and 'Cupsie Yummy' was thrown out, and landed on its back with a thud (LV 1 / 1600 DEF). It stared blankly at the sky.
"And, when 'Yummy' is summoned, I can add another 'Yummy' card from my deck to my hand!" 'Cupsie Yummy' stood back up. It reached behind it, and pulled another monster; this one a spherical black cat wearing a cookie sweater. "Since I control a 'Yummy' Link monster, I can summon 'Cooky Yummy'!" That monster jumped off of 'Cupsie's hand, and stood next it (LV 1 / 1000 ATK).
"Now, I'll tune my LINK-1 'Yummy Snatchy' to my Level 1 'Cupsie Yummy'!" 'Snatchy' smirked even harder as it yoinked the parfait cat off the ground, and turned both into a set of blue digital rings.
"Wait, you're using a Link Monster to Synchro Summon?" Ruby gasped.
"That's right! Now emerge! I Synchro Summon the Level 2 Synchro Tuner, 'Cupsie Yummy Way'!" Snatchy began to float in the air, and 'Cupsie' flailed its small furry limbs in the air in a panic (LV 2 Tuner / 2200 DEF). "When 'Yummy Way' is summoned, I can add 'Yummy Redemption', and 'Lollipo Yummy' to my hand, and I must discard a card afterwards!" 'Cupsie' flailed more and yowled, which made 'Snatchy' fumble in the air and drop the cards in question. "I then discard 'Lollipo'!" Cestus said, binning the monster he just added.
"Now, I use 'Cooky' and 'Kerass' to Link Summon again! I summon Link-2 'Tri-Brigade Ferrijit the Barron Blossom'!" Cestus shouted. The large ox man lifted the cookie cat onto his shoulder, and they both turned into data that morphed into a tall faunus lady with an hourglass figure that looked like an older version of 'Kitt'. She cocked her sniper rifle and gave a sultry smirk to Ruby, as well as a demure wave.
Despite herself, she blushed.
"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell 'Melffy Hide-And-Seek'! This card not only protects each of my monsters from effect destruction once per turn, but it also lets me shuffle back three Beast monsters from my deck, and draw a card! I return 'Rescue Cat', 'Kerass', and 'Kitt' back into my deck, and draw!" Cestus placed the cards back into his gauntlet, which shuffled automatically and ejected one card. "I set two cards. During my End Phase, 'Melffy Wally' summons itself to the field!" The last monster to appear was a small with a heart-shaped pouch. Two smaller heads poked out from it (LV 2 / 400 ATK). "That ends my turn! Show me what you can do, Ruby Rose!"
Ruby scowled at Cestus' seemingly excited grin. "Fine. I draw!" She looked at her hand, and grinned. Her Silver Eyes shimmered.
"I activate 'Instant Fusion'!" She said. "By paying 1000 LP, I can properly summon any Level 5 or lower Fusion monster from my Extra Deck!" Ruby hissed a wave of electricity, shocked but, but otherwise didn't vocalize her pain. "I Fusion Summon the Level 4 Tuner Monster 'Magikey Beast - Ansyalabolas'!"
A large cup of instant ramen appeared in front of her, the large demon dog leaped out from it, howling angrily into the sky as it stomped on the floor (LV 4 Tuner / 2200 ATK).
"Before I forget, I'll use 'Magnificent Magikey Mafteal's' effect right now, which lets me normal summon a 'Magikey' monster this turn," Ruby said, making a small pistol appear in front of her. "I also activate 'Painful Decision'! By sending 'Megalosmasher X' from my deck to the grave, I can add a second copy to my hand!" With her hand ready and organized, Ruby narrowed her eyes.
"I summon 'Megalosmasher X'!" Ruby said. In front of her, a pool of water seeped out of the ground, and a large megalodon jumped out and roared (LV 4 / 2000 ATK).
"I activate the Spell Card, 'Vessel for the Dragon Cycle'! With it, I send 'Tenyi Spirit - Vishuda' from my deck to the grave. Then, since I control a non-Effect Monster, I add 'Tenyi Spirit - Suruya' to my hand! And, since I control a non-Effect monster, I can summon Suruya from my hand!"
Another dragon appeared, though this one looked like it was made by multiple brush strokes by a master artist. The six-eyed, pale dragon was accompanied by a young woman who carried two long fans, and had flowing xiapei with blue, green, and red orbs (LV 4 Tuner / 1600 ATK).
"I normal summon 'Magnficent Magikey Mafteal'!" Ruby continued. The gun from earlier floated onto the field (LV 4 Tuner / 1600 ATK). "When 'Mafteal' is summoned, it revives the second 'Megalosmasher X' from my grave!"
"I tune Level 4 'Suruya' to Level 4 'Megalosmasher X'!" Ruby said with a snarl. The green pillar that rose from behind her brought a smirk to Cestus' lips. "I Synchro Summon Level 8 'Tenyi Spirit - Mula Adhara'!"
The green light turned into a pillar of fire, and took the form of a large, snake-like dragon. The flames parted, and allowed a tall, shirtless, and muscular young man with a draconic glowing right hand, and horns sprouting from his forehead to walk out (LV 8 / 3000 ATK).
"Since 'Adhara' was summoned, and there's two Wyrm monsters in my grave, it can add a Field Spell from my deck to my hand!" Ruby then said. 'Mula Adhara' raised its draconic hand to the sky. "And, since 'Suruya' was used to Synchro Summon a Wyrm monster, I can summon a 'Tenyi' Link Monster from my Extra Deck, which can't be used as Link Material!"
"Hmph! 'Melffy Wally' effect chains to 'Suruya's'! Since you activated a monster effect, it returns to my hand, and then two new 'Melffys' from my deck are summoned in its place! Now, come forth, 'Melffy Fenny' and 'Melffy Pony'!" 'Wally' began to hop away from the field, but before it could disappear, it tugged on its pouch. "In addition, since a card was returned to my hand, 'Melffy of the Forest's' effect activates, which lets me target and negate the effects of a monster you control while it's on the field!"
"If you want to target 'Mula Adhara', you can't. Since I control 'Megalosmasher', a non-Effect monster, it can't be targeted or destroyed by card effects," Ruby told the Number. Cestus snarled.
"Fine. For the rest of this turn, 'Ansyalabolas'' effect is negated!" Cestus had to declare. 'Melffy Rabby' hopped down from its stump, and brought a peach to the much larger. Gently, 'Asyalabolas' leaned down and took the peach into its mouth.
Then, from the gathering of 'Melffys', a small fennec fox, and reddish-pink pony moved away from the festivities and moved onto the field (LV 2 / 300 ATK), (LV 2 / 0 DEF).
With them summoned, Ruby reached into her Extra Deck. "I summon 'Monk of the Tenyi'!" She said. An orange dragon emerged, which was closely followed by a younger, smaller version of 'Mula Adhara' (LINK-1 / 1000 ATK). "And, since its a LINK-1, I lose 1000 LP," Ruby hissed as she shocked (3000 LP to 2000 LP).
"I add 'Magikey World' and activate it!" Ruby continued. The crab machine blinked in surprise and looked around a massive marble hall formed around it and the two duelists. Multiple doors lined the walls of the newly created, each one with glowing crystal in the center. "When activated, 'World' lets me add a 'Magikey' card from my deck. I choose 'Magikey Mechmortar - Gareglasser'!"
At the same time, Cestus narrowed his eyes. "In response, I activate 'Cupsie Yummy Way's' effect, as well 'Fenny's' and 'Pony's' effect, all in sequence! 'Pony' and 'Fenny' return themselves to my hand," Cestus explained. "First, 'Pony' will add a Level 2 Beast monster from my grave to my hand, and then 'Fenny' lets me special summon Level 2 Beast monster. 'Kalantosa' fits both those requirements!"
Cestus laughs as those two monsters are replaced by a small hedgehog-like creature with white fur and small green shrubs instead of quills (LV 2 / 1400 DEF). "And then, 'Yummy Way' returns to my deck, to summon back 'Snatchy' and 'Cooky'!" 'Yummy Way' yowled, and took 'Cupsie' with it into the sky. After a few moments, 'Snatchy' returns, with the same :3 look as before, and this time it was accompanied by the small black cat wearing a cookie sweater (LINK-1 / 600 ATK), (LV 1 / 1000 ATK).
Ruby added her card to her hand, and Cestus continued with his machinations. "'Cooky' and 'Snatchy's' effects activate at this moment! 'Cooky' was summoned by the effect of Synchro Monster, so it can target a monster you control and destroy! Meanwhile 'Snatchy' will swap out 'Minion' for 'Yummysment Acrokie'!" The crab UFO scuttled away, and where it once stood a large egg-shaped gachapon machine landed on the ground with a thud.
"Now, the card I choose to destroy with 'Cooky's' effect is 'Ansyalabolas'!" Cestus exclaimed as he pointed to Ruby's demon dog. She gasped as it exploded next to her.
"I activate 'Magikey World's' second effect. I add 'Magikey Maftea' to my hand, and shuffle another card back into my deck," Ruby said. "Then, I activate 'Tenyi Spirit - Vishuda's' effect from my grave. Since I have a non-Effect monster, I can banish it to return a monster you control back to the hand! I choose 'Snatchy'!" A dark portal opened in the ground, and a large serpentine dragon made from red mist roared and lunged at the now panicking space cat.
Cestus snarled. "Once per Chain, 'Snatchy' lets me Synchro Summon by paying 100 LP!" He said in response (4000 LP to 3900 LP). Immediately, 'Snatchy', in a panic, ran towards 'Cooky' and began to levitate. The cat only looked mildly surprised as it was lifted off the ground. "I give you 'Cooky Yummy Way'!" The cat continued to flail about (LV 2 Tuner / 0 DEF).
"Since I Synchro Summoned a LIGHT Beast, 'Acrokie' will let me target and destroy a card, and when 'Cooky Yummy Way' is summoned, it can target up to two monsters you control, and flip them face-down!"
"Neither of those will be able to get rid of 'Mula Adhara'," Ruby pointed.
"Not at the moment, anyways," Cestus smirked. "I flip 'Maftea' and 'Megalosmasher' face-down, and destroy 'Monk of the Tenyi'!" Ruby blinked in surprise as the watery dinosaur and djinn were forced into defensive stances and became cards, and as her 'Monk' was blown up as well.
Without any non-Effect monsters on her field, 'Mula Adhara' let out a grunt as the energy of its arm and dragon waned slightly. "Gah…!" She hissed softly. "And, I activate 'Magikey Maftea'! I tribute my face-down 'Mafteal' and 'Megalosmasher' to Ritual Summon!"
Both cards were face flipped up, with 'Megalosmasher' giving out a powerful roar, while 'Mafteal' crossed its arms and laughed cockily. The djinn reverted back into its gun form and sucked 'Megalosmasher' back into its chamber. The hammer on the gun slammed down, with a loud bang, the gun ignited in bright blue flames.
Metallic pieces flew away from the main gun, the flames causing the pieces to become brighter and larger. Metal flew out, forming into a large turntable with supports shaped like clawed feet, and a base that looked like a bottom jaw filled with sharp teeth. The main cannon of the monster was shaped like a snout, much like 'Maftea', and on the end of the gun were two large red eyes.
'Clavkiys' hopped out one door from the 'Magikey World' and landed on the tank's hatch. He gripped the controls tightly, and smirked. 'Maftea's' eyes brightened as it lifted the turret-mouth, and roared.
[Magikey Mechmortar - Gareglasser]
[EARTH / Ritual / Machine / Effect]
[2000 ATK / 2800 DEF]
Ruby let out a breath she didn't know she was holding as 'Gareglasser' landed on the ground with a heavy thud. While 'Maftea' could do much, 'Clavkiys' did look over his shoulder and gave her a thumbs up. Ruby blinked, and nodded with a smirk on her face.
"'Gareglasser' gains 300 ATK for every attribute in my grave! Right now, there's LIGHT, DARK, WATER, and EARTH! That's 1200 extra ATK!" 'Matea's' eyes glowed brighter, and the muzzle of its cannon surged with power (2000 ATK to 3200 ATK). "Battle!" She declared, causing both of her monsters to tense.
"I activate 'Yummy Redemption'!" Cestus yelled in response. "With this card, for every LIGHT Beast Monster in my grave and field, your monster loses 200 ATK." Ruby winced; Cestus has the three main 'Yummy's', 'Snatchy', and the 'Yummy Way' on his field. That's a 1000 ATK loss. Ruby felt that the wind was taken out of her sails as the debuff hit her monsters (Mula Adhara: 3000 ATK to 2000 ATK, Gareglasser: 3200 ATK to 2200 ATK).
"'Gareglasser' attacks 'Ferrijit'!" Ruby declared. To her embarrassment, the faunus pouted at her. That didn't stop her newly formed turret from aiming its large cannon at the woman. Red energy began to leak out from the muzzle, and when 'Clavkiys' slammed his hand on the console. 'Garelgasser' fired a beam from its snout, which completely decimated the faunus. Cestus batted the beam away as it continued to fly towards him (3900 LP to 3300 LP).
"When Ferrijit is sent to the grave, I can draw, and then shuffle one card back into my deck," Cestus said with a smirk, slamming his returned card into his gauntlet.
Ruby grit her teeth. "'Mula Adhara' attacks 'Kalantosa'!" The warrior knelt down and lunged, its dragon moving alongside it.
"As if! The effect of 'Melffy Pinny' activates from my hand!" Cestus suddenly interrupted. "I can summon it, and then Synchro Summon using it, and monsters in my hand or field as material!" Ruby grit her teeth as a tiny baby seal appeared in front of her (LV 2 Tuner / 300 ATK), and waddled over to 'Kantalosa' to hug it. "I Synchro Summon Level 4 'Merry Melffys'!" The two cuddled, and soon more 'Meffly' joined them; notably 'Rabby', 'Puppy' and 'Catty', but a few penguins and a polar bear appeared as well (LV 4 / 1500 ATK).
"When 'Merry Melffys' is summoned, I can bounce any card on the field back to the hand! Say goodbye to your 'Gareglasser'!" Ruby hissed and slammed a card into her Spell/Trap Zone, leaving her with only one more in her hand.
"The Quick-Play Spell, 'Magikey Battle', shuffles a card from my grave back into my deck, and since I activated it in response to your card's effect, 'Gareglasser' is unaffected by it!" She said to defend herself.
"That means I can activate 'Cooky Yummy Way's' effect!" 'Snatchy' flew into the sky, a sound accompanied by 'Cooky's' panicked yowling. "I return to the Extra Deck, in order to summon two 'Yummy' monsters from my grave!"
"Not so fast!" Ruby exclaimed, her Silver Eyes flashing. "'Yummy Way's' shares an attribute with a monster in my grave! That means 'Gareglasser' can negate it!" Cestus' eyes marginally widened when 'Clavkiys' pulled up on the controls, aiming 'Mafteal's' snout at the fleeing cat. With a press of a button, 'Mafteal' fired an orb of light energy, which smacked into 'Yummy Way' and launched 'Snatchy' and 'Cooky' into the stratosphere, both of yowling as smash through the rook of the 'World'.
"I return 'Mafteal' to my deck," Ruby then said. "With it gone, my monsters gain 200 ATK," she also reminded Cestus, which made him snarl as her monster grew in strength (Mula Adhara: 2000 ATK to 2200 ATK, Gareglasser: 2200 ATK to 2400 ATK). "Now, 'Mula Adhara' changes its attack target to 'Merry Melffy'!" The hardened warrior lunged again, and the 'Melffy' scattered in a panic as the dragon swooped through their cuddle rock (3300 LP to 2700 LP).
Ruby hissed in annoyance. "I set one card, and move onto the End Phase," She said in annoyance. Cestus frowned at her, clearly unimpressed by her lackluster turn.
"This is all the Silver-Eyed warrior can do?" Cestus asked hotly, its lips curled into a deep scowl. "I came here expecting a challenge! A glorious battle! Yet all I see before me is a sniveling girl who can barely hold her own."
Ruby grinded her teeth together. "I lasted this long against you, didn't I!?" She said hotly to the demi-god. "You kept throwing disruption after disruption at me, and yet I haven't surrendered, and I have strong monsters on my field."
"You believe surviving constitutes skill? That is a laughable excuse," Cestus glanced at her with disappointed eyes. "A true display of skill, especially in combat, is more than just dodging attacks, narrowly avoiding strikes. It's aggression! It's force, the will to make your opponent stumble and buckle under your weight! Allow me to demonstrate!" Cestus lifted his hand, and revealed the three 'Melffy's' in his hand.
"During the End Phase, 'Pony', 'Fenny', and 'Wally' summon themselves to the field!" He shouted, slamming the monster cards onto his gauntlet. Ruby's breath hitched as the cuddly horse (LV 2 / 400 ATK), fennec fox (LV 2 / 100 ATK), and wallaby (LV 2 / 400 DEF) reappeared on the field. "In addition, 'Pinny' attaches itself to 'Melffy of the Forest' from my grave!" The baby seal swam out and hugged the 'Rabby' that was on the stump (1 OU to 2 OU).
"I activate 'Yummy Surprise' in order to summon 'Lollipo Yummy' from my grave!" Ruby nearly gagged once she realized how much Cestus could still do, even during the End Phase. A new cat appeared, this one wore a green rain coat, had a wrapper over its head, and had a lollipop in its left hand. It was also the only to have an expression, it W as it happily licked its candy (LV 1 / 600 ATK).
"When 'Lollipo Yummy' is summoned, I can shuffle a card from your grave back into the deck. I chose to get rid of the 'Suruya', which removes an additional 300 ATK from 'Gareglasser'," Cestus taunted. Ruby hissed as the ATK of her monster dropped (2200 ATK to 1900 ATK). That also meant she can't negate the effects of LIGHT monsters anymore.
"...I end my turn," Ruby growled in frustration. Cestus smirked.
"Very well. Time to end this!" Cestus said with growl as he drew his card. He looked at the new one, and smiled. "'Melffy of the Forest's' effect activates! I detach an Overlay Unit, to add 'Melffy Staring Contest' to my hand!" Ruby grit her teeth anxiously. "Then, I activate this Spell Card!"
Ruby's eyes flared with pain as Cestus raised a Spell Card into the air. "Rank-Up-Magic Limited Barian's Force!" The girl clutched her head as the 'Melffys' began to look around, becoming anxious as a cloud of black smoke appeared on the roof of the room. "With this card, I target one Rank 4 or Lower Xyz Monster, and use it to rebuild the Overlay Network!" The 'Melffys of the Forest' all began to whimper as they were lifted in the air, and were flung into the portal.
"Chaos Xyz Evolution!" Cestus shouted, raising his hand to the sky.
In a faraway continent with dark skies and blackened land, there was a massive door with a symbol of Barian's Force carved into it, and chains wrapped around it
The red gem in the center glowed, and the chains shattered. Streams of light pushed the door open.
Grimm power, born of chaos, visit your judgement on this world of filth!
Cestus smiled wildly as a dark red beam of energy landed behind him. Ruby's eyes burned in her skull as the monster appeared and took shape. "I Xyz Summon! Appear! 'CXyz Melffy of the Grimm Forest!" Ruby's eyes widened as large gangly trees sprouted the impact zone. Black mist coiled around the forest, and red eyes peered out from the darkness.
Ruby, stricken by fear, fell to the ground. She hyperventilated and scrambled backwards as growls and wood snapped from footsteps. Eventually, the gas parted, and Ruby had a scream lodged in her throat…
Only to be met with the sight of cuddly looking Beowulf. It yipped, and Ruby raised an eyebrow. Even Cestus looked confused. "What…?"
More Grimm came out of the woodworks, none of them looking menacing or even aggressive. They even had the same proportions as the 'Melffys' prior. A Nevermore looked more like a baby bird, an Ursa looked more chonky and snacked on a jar honey, a King Taijutu was off to the side with two heads cuddling together, and perhaps most undamning off all, a Death Stalker had four big puppy-eyes and blunt claws that weren't even attached to arms.
The Grimm yipped playfully, and looked ready to hug rather than kill.
[CXyz Melffy of the Grimm Forest]
[EARTH / Beast / Xyz / Effect]
[2200 ATK / 1500 DEF / 2 OU]
"Uh… scary," Ruby deadpanned. Cestus glared at her, and she shut up instantly.
"When 'Grimm Forest' is summoned, I can Special Summon a Level, Link, or Rank 2 or lower Beast monster from my grave! Return to me, 'Yummy Snatchy'!" Cestus shouted. Ruby bit her lip as the monster reappeared once more (LINK-1 / 500 ATK).
Currently, the Cestus' field was arranged like so:
'Melffy of the Forest' was once in the Main Monster Zone, but has since moved to Extra Monster Zone when it had evolved into it's 'CXyz' form. 'Lollipo', 'Fenny', 'Pony', 'Wally' were all in the Main Monster Zone, and 'Snatchy' was resummoned to the Main Monster Zone. Ruby assumes that Cestus has no intention of summoning any more Link Monsters, which no more 'Snatchys'.
"Now, when 'Snatchy' is summoned, I can swap out 'Acrokie' with a second 'Minion' from my deck!" Cestus continued. "And, 'Minion' gives all my Yummy monsters a 500 ATK boost for every LIGHT Beast on my field!" Ruby took a step back; with two 'Yummys', 'Lollipo' and 'Snatchy' both gained 1000 ATK (600 ATK to 1600 ATK, 600 ATK to 1600 ATK).
"Now, I Overlay my Level 2 'Melffys Pony', 'Fenny', and 'Wally'! I Xyz Summon Rank 2 'Joyous Melffys'!" Another set of happy plush-like animals appeared, only this time, there were multiple fruits on the stump the animals usually sat on (RK 2 / 2000 ATK). "Now, by detaching one Material, all my 'Melffy's' are allowed to attack you directily this turn!"
Ruby hissed. The 'Grimm' and 'Joyous' are more than enough to take out her LP. "I activate 'Gareglasser's' effect!" Ruby said. "'Monk of the Tenyi' is also a EARTH, so it's effect can negate its effects!" 'Clavkiys' aimed the cannon, and dark brown sphere of energy was launched 'Melffys' who scattered before they could be hit.
Cestus smirked. "Fine, then! I tune LINK-1 Snatchy to Level 1 'Lollipo'! I Synchro Summon Level 2 'Cooky Yummy Way'!" Ruby took a step back, her breath hitching as the cookie cat alien thief returned with a mischievious smirk (LV 2 Tuner / 1600 ATK to 2100 ATK). "And now, it will set both your monsters face-down!" 'Snatchy' yowled, and the sound made Ruby's two monsters flinch and drop into a defensive position.
"Now then, I activate the 'Grimm Forest's' effect!" Cestus exclaimed, his smirk growing wider as he removed said card. "For every Material I detach from it, I can add 1 Level, Link, or Rank 2 or Lower Beast monster to my hand! So by detaching two, I can add 'Wally' and 'Pony' back to my hand." The 'Grimm' monsters chirped, and their playful sounds attracted the monster back into Cestus' hand.
"That's not all I have. I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Yummy Surprise', which will revive 'Snatchy'!" Ruby swallowed thickly as the damned crane-game cat appeared again (LINK-1 / 600 ATK to 1600 ATK, 2100 ATK to 2600 ATK). "And, since I control 'Snatchy', 'Minion' can revive 'Cupsie Yummy' from my grave!" The blank-staring parfait cat reappeared, which only raised the power of his monsters even more (LV 1 / 0 ATK to 1500 ATK, 1600 ATK to 2100 ATK, 2600 ATK to 3100 ATK).
"And to secure your face, I activate 'Melffy Staring Contest'!" Even then, Ruby doesn't activate her last card.
And yet, despite his field, Cestus still looked displeased. "Hmm… For the first time, a Silver-Eyed Warrior has disappointed me." Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Your death will be pathetic. Battle!" Ruby took a steep back, and hovered her hand over the button for her Set/Spell. Despite the fear she felt, she forced herself to bring her arm away.
"Now, 'Yummy Way' attacks the face-down Gareglasser!" Ruby shrieked as her 'Cooky' was thrown in her direction, the cat barreling through the metal of the gun.
"Since your card was flipped face-down, 'Gareglasser' forgot that it was Ritual Summoned," Cestus taunted Ruby.
"That means I don't get the search, I know what my cards do," Ruby hissed at it.
"That means you know your fate is sealed! 'Cupsie' attacks the face-down 'Mula Adhara'!" Ruby shrieked as the warrior monk and dragon spirit were eliminated, which left her field empty.
"Now, 'Melffy of the Grimm Forest'! Attack Ruby directly!" Ruby's eyes widened as the Grimm began to shriek and snarl, becoming their uncartoony forms in an instant. The beowulf howled and lunged at her, claws outstretched to rip her apart.
Ruby's Silver Eyes flashed. "I activate 'Halfway to Forever'!" She yelled just as the claws reached her eyes. Cestus gasped, and the Grimm were flung away as an Overlay Network appeared in front of. 'Anslayabolas' and 'Megalosmasher X' appeared from the graveyard, and roared protectively as both fell into the Network.
"With it, I can summon two monsters from my grave, and use them to Xyz Summon!" Cestus smiled, and looked up as white and gold key appeared from the collapsing network, and began to unfold.
"Yes!" It shouted, laughing as a large knight appeared in front of Ruby. it unsheathed its sword, and raised it over its shoulder, standing over its master protectively as it stared down at the Over-Hundred Number.
[Number 39: King of Wishes - Hope]
[LIGHT / Warrior / Xyz / Effect]
[2500 ATK / 2000 DEF / 2 OU]
(AKA "Number 39: Utopia")
(LIGHT & DIVINE)
"Finally! There it is!" Cestus laughed as the Number appeared. Hope narrowed its gleaming eyes at the opposing Number. "I was wondering when you would summon your Number. It's unfortunate that I can't have a genuine battle with it, though. As you remember, because 'Redemption' is in play, and I have the three main 'Yummys', 'Snatchy', and 'Yummy Way' on my field and grave, it loses 1000 ATK!"
Hope groaned as the three cats on the field yowled in unison, making its body tremble and for the large monster to take on a knee and support itself with its blade (2500 ATK to 1500 ATK).
"A replay occurs, now. 'Grimm Forest' attacks Hope!" Ruby grit her teeth and let the attack land. Hope grunts as the grimm slam into its chest and knock it onto the floor. The shockwaves jumbles Ruby's innards, making her sick (2000 LP to 1300 LP). "Now, 'Snatchy' will end this!"
"Hope detaches a Unit to negate the attack!" Ruby managed to say before the fist of the crane-cat could smack her head off (2 OU to 1 OU). Hope jumps out, and its wing into a large shield. 'Snatchy' yowls in pain and shakes its fist in pain as it collided with the Moon Barrier.
"Hm. Now the realy battle will begin here, eh? During the End Phase, 'Melffy Catty' will summon itself to my hand." The plush cat appeared, and meowed sleepily (LV 2 / 200 ATK). "I end my turn here," Cestus smirked as, choosing not to summon the 'Melffy's' in its hands. Ruby. "Do you think you can fight back?"
"I know I can…" Ruby grumbled. "I draw!" Her eyes flashed, and her card was briefly covered in a metallic sheen as it was slid out of the deck slot. "I activate 'Xyz Treasure'! I draw one card for every Xyz Monster on the field," She explained, which made Cestus huff.
"I draw!" She drew two more cards, and scanned them briefly. "I summon 'ZS - Vanish Sage'!" A white armored figure appeared on the field next to her and Hope, with gold-feather like plating on its legs and helmet, and large sharpened wings on its back (LV 1 / 500 ATK to 0 ATK). "Since Hope is on the field, 'Vanish Sage' lets me draw a card!" Ruby drew again, and smirk crossed her lips as she examined it.
"I activate 'Zexal Catapult'! I summon 'ZS - Armed Sage' from my hand!" A warrior in purple red armor and multiple weapons strapped to its back, and wielding a gold staff in its arms (LV 4 / 900 ATK to 0 ATK). "And, since Hope is on the field, I can make 'Vanish Sage' Level 4!" The monster raised its battle axe into the air, and it and 'Armed Sage' brought their weapons together (LV 1 to LV 4).
"I Overlay Level 4 'Vanish Sage' and 'Armed Sage'!" Ruby exclaimed, which made a silver Overlay Network. "I Xyz Summon Rank 4 'ZS - Utopic Sage'!"
This new monster is covered in entirely gold armor an wearing a black body suit. Its wings and pauldrons are reminiscent of the real hope, and its clawed hands grip tightly onto a distinctly shaped staff (RK 4 / 2500 DEF / 2 OU). "'Armed Sage' was used to summon it, so I can add a 'ZW' monster to my hand!"
Ruby bit her lip as she added yet another card to her hand. "I also activate 'Utopic Sage's' effect, which lets me summon another 'ZW' monster from my deck! I summon 'ZW - Pegasus Twin Saber'!" 'Utopic Sage' raised its staff. The red gem on it drew in the overlay overlay units, which caused a portal to open (2 OU to 0 OU). A mechanical, equine monster with wings flew out, and neighed (LV 5 / 2100 DEF).
"Then, I activate the effect of 'ZW - Tornado Bringer' from my hand! It also equips to Hope, and gives it 1300 ATK!" Ruby continued.
"I can't have that, now can I? I activate 'Yummy Way's', in addition to 'Catty's' effect! I return it to the Extra Deck, and summon two 'Yummy' monsters from my grave, meanwhile 'Catty' will add 'Pinny' to my hand." Cestus smirked as the effect wasn't reacted to. "Return, 'Lollipo' and 'Cooky'!" The two cats appeared again, and with 'Yummy Way', Hope regained some of its power (2500 ATK to 2700 ATK, LV 1 / 1000 ATK, LV 1 / 600 ATK). And soon, a red mechanical dragon appeared in the sky, roaring and turning bright red katana (2700 ATK to 3000 ATK).
And, with four more 'Yummys' on the field, they all surged with power (1000 ATK to 3000 ATK, 600 ATK to 2600 ATK, 1500 ATK to 2000 ATK, 2100 ATK to 2600 ATK). "Now, when 'Cooky' is summoned, I can target Hope and decrease its ATK!"
"One problem with that, though," Ruby said, which made Cestus' smile dropped. You can't target it with effects." Cestus, at first, looked shocked, but then he began to laugh.
"Yes! Yes, this is the Duel I was hoping for!" Cestus cheered. "In that case, I'll target 'Utopic Sage'!" The golden monster exploded as 'Cooky' yowls at it.
"'Twin Sabers' effect activates! It equips itself onto Hope as an Equip Card that gives it 1000 ATK!" Cestus raised an eyebrow as the 'Pegasus' reared up on its hind legs and began to transform. Its wings became larger and sharper while the rest of its body straightened, becoming the handle to a double-sided, single-edged sword. Hope gripped the middle of the blade, and twirled it in its hands as its power surged (3000 ATK to 4000 ATK).
"Not for long, it won't! I activate 'Snatchy's' effect, once that chain resolves, by paying 100 LP!" The gauntlet sparks as the LP are paid, and the effect resolves (2700 LP to 2600 LP). However, just as Cestus was about to reach into his Extra Deck, Hope twirled 'Twin Saber' in its hand.
"When 'Snatchy's' effect resolves, 'Twin Saber' can negate it!" Ruby exclaimed. Cestus' eye widened as Hope swing the blade and launched a sword beam at 'Snatchy', making the cat yowl as it was destroyed.
"A card that destroys upon resolution…? Interesting!" Cestus smirked, not even looking a little concerned that his monster that the effect was negated.
Ruby chewed on her lip. "Battle!" She declared, which made Cestus laugh.
"Entering the Battle Phase triggers 'Melffy Staring Contest's' effect! I reveal the 'Pony', 'Fenny', 'Catty', and 'Pinny'! Now, all your monsters lose ATK equal to the combined statline of my 'Melffy's'!"
"All the Melffy's have a statline of 400," Ruby realized, "so Hope loses 1200 ATK!" She winced as 'Rabby' suddenly appeared in front of her and looked at her with its adorable pink eyes (4000 ATK to 2800 ATK).
"Hope attacks 'Yummy Snatchy'!" The large monster let out a yell of 'HOPE!' as it through 'Twin Saber' at the parfait cat. It barely reacted as the sword whizzed over its head, and the wind made 'Cupsie' fall over. Still with a blank stare on its face and stiff as a board, 'Cupsie' rolled away (2600 LP to 2400 LP).
Cestus laughed and stumbled backwards from the shockwaves. With 'Snatchy' gone, the other 'Yummy's' grew weaker, which made them all sad; even 'Lollipo's' W turned into a M, even though it was still licking its favorite candy. (3000 ATK to 2500 ATK, 2000 ATK to 1500 ATK, 2600 ATK to 2100 ATK). Ruby, meanwhile, breathed heavily. She could barely keep up with Cestus.
"Is something wrong? Are you losing steam, little girl?" Cestus taunted her, making Ruby shiver as her breathing became more haggard. "Are you certain of my victory yet?"
For some reason, that sudden surge of dread ran through Ruby's body. Could she win this? "Here's a hint," Cestus suddenly spoke up, which made Ruby's heart drop. "S:P. Accesscode."
And, immediately, Ruby envisioned her loss. The 'Melffys' and 'Yummys' simply churn out too many materials for her to keep track of. Too much material for her to stop. And she only has one negate on her. Two, technically, but it only works with targeted negation. And she can't even use the third effect; it would leave her defenseless, and with less LP.
She was utterly, thoroughly, completely…
Fucked.
Ruby fell to her knees.
"Hm…" Cestus hummed, examining Ruby's despair filled expression closely. "There really is no… Hope for you–!" He staggered backwards as Hope threw 'Twin Saber' right between its legs. "Woah, woah! Still no sense of humor on you, huh?" Hope glared at Cestus.
"I admit, my curiosity has sated," Cestus admitted with a shrug, crossing its arms. Ruby looked up blankly as the gauntlet disappeared from its hands. The 'Yummy's' waved goodbye, while the Grimm in the 'Forest' looked at her. Only Hope remained.
GAME!
Opponent Surrendered Out of Pity
"You might not be as powerful as your progenitor, however, the potential is there." Cestus marched forward, but before he could advance further Hope stomped in front of 105, shielding Ruby from its view by hiding her behind its calf.
Cestus glared up at 39 before shrugging. "Now, I should stop that potential growth right here," It drawled, which made Ruby shiver like a leaf. "But, I had too much fun earlier! For a moment, anyways..."
Ruby's gaze remained on the floor. Each word Cestus spoke only filled her with more dread. "I'll start pestering my own host even more to train. When I face you again, I want you to be at your strongest, and to show me a match we'll both never forget!"
Cestus took a step back, and its body began to shift. It began a black puddle of the sludge that slowly seeped into the ground. "So long, Ruby Rose. Next time, we Duel until the end." Cestus melted away completely, leaving only a curled up sleeping Zwei.
Ruby could only stare forward in disbelief as Cestus' laughter echoed in the halls of the arena. Her throat felt incredibly dry. She stayed on the floor for what felt like hours, with only Hope standing over her.
Eventually, the door opened. Ruby flinched, and shakily turned her head. Her hair had somehow become messy, with black and red bangs creating tangled curtains over her Silver Eyes that blocked the rising run from her eyes, which now glowed dimly.
"Ruby!" Weiss stormed inside the arena, wearing a tank-top and cyan dolphin shorts. Her hair was also loose. "I've been looking for you all night. It's Thursday now! And why is there still a steaming pile of dog shit in the back…? R-Ruby…?" Her voice lowered tenfold when she noticed the fearful, almost broken expression on Ruby's face. "Ruby? Is something wrong?"
Only then did Hope fade out of existence. Weiss climbed onto the stage and jogged her way to the shaken girl, who was now biting her lip anxiously.
"...What happened?" Weiss asked. Ruby opened her mouth, but the most that came out was choked gasp. She tried her damndest to keep her tears from spilling out.
So, instead she wrapped her arms and Weiss and held her tight. The heiress flinched. Her cyan eyes looked down in confusion as Ruby buried her face in her (distinct lack of) chest. She wasn't crying, but she was trembling now.
Weiss, stiffly and awkwardly, raised her arm and rubbed Ruby's back. "It's okay, Ruby."
"I'm here."
[Rank-Up-Magic Limited Barian's Force]
Spell Card
Target 1 Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon, from your Extra Deck, 1 "Number C" or "CXyz" monster with the same Type and Attribute, but 1 Rank higher, than that monster by using it as Xyz Material (this is treated as an Xyz Summon. Material attached to the target also become Xyz Material on the summoned monster).
[CXyz Melffy of the Grimm Forest]
[EARTH / Rank 3]
[Beast / Xyz / Effect]
[2200 ATK / 1500 ATK]
3 Level 3 Monsters
If this card is Special Summoned: you can Special Summon 1 Level/Rank 2 or Link-2 or Lower monster from your Graveyard. Once per turn: you can detach 1 or more Material from this card; add 1 Level 2 or Lower Beast monster from your deck or GY to your hand. If this card has "Melffy of the Forest" as Xyz Material, it gains the following effect:
*If a card you control is returned to the hand or deck to activate its effect: you can target 1 card your opponent controls; negate its effects until the end of the turn, and if you do, shuffle it into the deck.
[A/N]
Yeah, let's kick Ruby's ego in the balls! This Duel is supposed to act as a mirror to Kite/Kaito vs. Yuma from the 13th Episode of Zexal. Considering that this comes after tag duel with Yang, I feel like this defeat is even more damaging to her, it comes after a friendship speech with Yang. Even with her support, Ruby herself wasn't enough to stop the enemy.
And Weiss came too late to help her.
Cestus temporarily plays Yummy/Melffy, but why not the Battlin' Boxers? He's literally part of the archetype. For one: I think dichotomy is funny. Second, since Cestus isn't with Mercury, 105 can't use his Battlin' Boxer deck, though, Cestus does have a copy of himself in his Extra Deck, since it's literally him. And third, this shows the difference in power between Ruby and what's left of Salem's forces. It establishes that she has a long way to go before she can be a fully fledged HERO. …a Destiny HERO, if you will.
That's all I got for now.
K bye.