Boom! Surprise chapter right on Christmas Eve. It's the shortest chapter so far by a tiny margin (only being 6k words excluding all the extra stuff), but I think that's fine since there's only one thing going on in this chapter, which is the duel between Yuuji and Yuya.
And honestly, I think this will be the average chapter length if I don't decide to go overboard every time like I did with the last chapter. It's enough to progress the story and to feature a good length duel, so I like it.
Now time to reply to some questions and reviews.
To Truong18 - I already sent you a PM, but I'll repeat it here for those who may have the same thoughts. If Yuuji came off as a little rude and sassy, that's sort of the point. He's definitely a lot more selfish than your typical MC, but it's not like he'll put others down just for his own success. You can see more of his nicer side after his duel against Gongenzaka in the last chapter, where the too made up after Yuuji apologized for his previous actions.
I'll try and make him a little nicer this chapter (that rude interaction was more of a one of thing that won't happen often).
To Romadrox8975 - Something similar to that is probably my best option. Might be a little hard for me since if I introduce too many characters, not all of them may get the spotlight they deserve. That was a problem with the original Arc-V too; there were too many characters, and it cost the development of many of the main cast members. Though we'll see.
To Guest - I like that idea to be honest. Probably not Masumi since I don't really resonate with her character much, but the other two could be cool potential options that I'll keep in mind.
Be sure to drop some reviews. I see all of them so feel free to speak out your mind and drop some suggestions or comments about the story. Criticism is also welcome (as long as it isn't brainless flaming of the story).
Here's a prompt if you have no idea on what you'd like to write a review about. It's still the same as the last chapter.
Question of the day: What are some things that you would like to see in an Arc-V fanfic?
Without any further ado, enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: Minor spelling, grammar, and other mistakes may be present.
(A/N: Since I'm Bored, here's the anime opening for the Standard Dimension Arc. Minor Spoilers ahead, though a lot of it is more faint hints at what is to come, and may or may not be true.)
(A/N II: Characters you the reader would already know from the series or mentioned prior to this chapter will be referred to by their name.)
Standard Arc Opening Theme (Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Opening 1: BELIEVE X BELIEVE):
Birību × Birību biri-biri-biri Badīzu!
(A screen is split into two sides, one half red and one-half green. Yuuji is shown on the green side with a serious expression, while Yuya is shown on the red side with a smile. The screen then splits into six, with four other pictures of Yuya appearing. The colors for each extra Yuya are yellow, pink, blue, and purple. The logo for the series then appears on top of them during the instrumental.)
Yū! Kachi make janai saikyō no Kādo
(Yuuji is seen with a confident smirk on his face, spinning around as he activates his duel disk.)
Yū! Supīdo zenkai harahara On za gēmu
(He then places two cards on his duel blade, with spawn the word [PENDULUM] in rainbow font between them as two Pendulum Zone appear behind him.)
Dan-Dan-Dan-Dan Dan! Dan! Dan! Dan! Dan-Dan-Dan-Dan Dan! Dan! Dan! Dan!
(The scene shifts rapidly. One screen showing Shizuka and Yuga, who are sitting together at a cafe. Another shows Yuzu, who slams her paper fan into Shuzo's head. The next screen that shows up is Gongenzaka carrying the younger You Show Students on his back as they try to reach a cat that was stuck under a tree. Then the screen shifts to Yuto walking in one direction before splitting to show Shun walking the opposite way.)
Yureru ma ma ma Maindo Tamashī no pendyuramu kyūkyoku no konfyūjon
(The next scene splits into two, as Yuuji and Yuya both simultaneously Pendulum Summoning.)
Shōdō ga Gotto itto gotto itto
(A tall man with long, dark green hair is seen smirking, revealing his teeth which were all sharp and pointy.)
Shōbu wa gachi gachi honki reboryūshon
(Sora is seen smiling for a moment. Then seen shifts to an abandoned harbor, with Yuuji standing in front of the tall, dark green-haired man mention earlier.)
(Jasuto burēkin' za wōru... x2)
(Yuuji and the man both activate their duel disk, as they look at each other with serious expressions on their faces.)
Raido on nau!
(The two draw their cards as their duel begins.)
Birību × Birību Eburibadi gōin' kabe wo tsukiyabure!
(Yuuji summons Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon and Revolution Commander, who clash with a massive machine Gundam. The clash creates a giant explosion that obscures the screen.)
Yua gona bīto itto bīto! Mugendai no fyūchā mayoi wa buttobase!
(The scene shifts to a duel between Yuya and Yuuji. With Yuya having a spotlight over him as he speaks which causes Yuuji to sweat drop.)
Meiku itto Meiku itto yūki dashite (Bureiku itto nau)
(The scene shifts to an alleyway at night, with Reiji and Shun standing face to face. Shun having a serious, hateful expression while Reiji's was more of a calculated calm.)
Steppu aheddo! Fumidase yo (Du itto nau)
(The scene shifts to another part of the city, where a girl with spikey dark blue hair with lighter bangs is seen walking through the dazzling streets of a city, a resolved expression on her face.)
Otanoshimi wa kore kara da!
(The scene shifts to Yuuji and Yuya, who happily eat food on a bench. In the background, Yuto could be seen leaning on a tree, while Yuga sat on the ground eating cotton candy.)
So daremo ga Birībā!
(The screen filters to grey as an image of a younger Yuuji sitting on a Duel Runner, with a taller woman with grey hair smiling behind him.)
Birību × Birību biri-biri-biri Badīzu!
(In a dark void, the camera zooms in on Yuuji, who has a serious expression on his face. But when he noticed the camera looking at him, he smiles, as the screen cuts to black.)
Scale 03: When Pendulums Clash
The next day…
Following his promise that he made yesterday, Yuuji found himself at the You Show Duel School arena with Yuya. The two had their duel disks activated.
"You sure I'll be able to do it?" Yuya asked, a little unsure of himself.
"We won't know until we try," Yuuji replied. "Besides, it isn't that hard to understand once you know the mechanics. The only thing you need to remember is how to set up a Pendulum Scale and when you're allowed to Pendulum Summon."
"Uhh…you place the Pendulum Cards on opposite…ends of the Pendulum Scale. Then…on your turn you can summon monsters whose levels are…between the Pendulum Scales? It's kind of hard to remember after hearing it once."
Yuuji made a thumbs up pose, "That's the gist of it. Don't forget that when Pendulum Monsters are destroyed, they are sent to the Extra Deck face-up as well, and that you can summon them from there if your Pendulum Scale allows it."
"Got it," Yuya nodded. "Think I'm ready now."
Yuuji then turned up to Shuzo, who was managing the Real Solid Vision, "Yo, Principal! We're ready down here when you are!"
"Right!" Shuzo nodded as he began fiddling with the machine. "Action Field On! Crystal Mirrorland!"
The Real Solid Vision Machine began whirring as the arena around the boys was transformed into a void world, with multiple floating islands of various sizes made of mirrors. Giant crystals protruded from the ground throughout the main island, where the two were standing.
What a nice place… Yuuji thought as he admired his surroundings. I feel right at home here.
"Good luck, Yuya!" Yuzu cheered for her friend from the spectator booth.
"Yeah, you got this Yuya-oniichan!" Ayu cheered.
The rest of the You Show youths and Gongenzaka cheered for Yuya as well.
"Thank you, guys!" Yuya smiled as he waved back at his friends.
"Okay, let's do this," Yuuji said before he began chanting. "Duelist locked in battle!"
"Kicking the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters!" Yuya chanted.
"They storm through this field!" Yuuji chanted.
"Behold!" Yuya chanted. "This is the newest and greatest evolution of Dueling!"
[Action—!] The three You Show youths shouted.
[Duel!] Everyone present shouted as the duel began.
Yuuji — LP: 4000
Yuya — LP: 4000
"You can have the first turn," Yuuji offered as he drew his first five cards. "I want to see what you can do."
"Got it," Yuya nodded as he drew his five cards.
[Turn 1: Yuya] [H: 5]
Yuya smiled when he saw the cards he drew.
"Let's do this, partners," Yuya said. "I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale 1 Stargazer Magician and Scale 8 Timegazer Magician!"
Yuya placed the two cards on opposite ends of his duel blade, the word [PENDULUM] appearing in rainbow font as two magicians, one in black and one in white, rose into each of his Pendulum Zones. A giant swinging Pendulum swung right above him.
"Now I can summon monsters Levels 2 through 7 all at the same time!" Yuya announced. "Swing, Pendulum of Souls! Draw an arc of light across the ether, and give way to a path full of fun and smiles! Pendulum Summon! Come out, my monsters!"
The giant Pendulum in the sky draws a portal, with two beams of energy shooting out of it.
"Whip to it, Performapal Whip Snake (Earth/Reptile/Effect/ATK: 1700/DEF: 900/LV: 4)!" A purple cobra with a top hat appeared.
"Come out, the star of the show! Wondrous and beautiful dichromatic eyes! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7/SC: 4)!"
A giant, bipedal red dragon with dual-colored eyes, with many pretty orbs scattered around its giant, pale colored horns appeared.
"He did it, Yuya Pendulum Summoned!" Tatsuya exclaimed.
"What a shiver-tastic duel!" Futoshi did a little dance.
"Good job, Yuya!" Yuzu cheered for her friend.
"See, it wasn't that hard right?" Yuuji smiled. "Good job."
"Thanks," Yuya smiled from the praise. "I set a card and end my turn."
[Turn 2: Yuuji] [H: 6]
"Now the time has come, the first battle between Pendulum Users! My turn! Draw!" Yuuji announced as he drew a card. "I summon Antique Resonance Mirror (Light/Fairy/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 2)!"
A pristine looking mirror appeared on Yuuji's field.
"Antique Resonance Mirror's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned onto my field, I can Special Summon an Antique Monster from my deck to my field. Appear now, Antique Maker - Mira (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 100/LV: 5/SC: 8)!"
A maiden dress in all black, holding a mirror in her hand appeared.
"Now Antique Maker - Mira's effect activates, allowing me to add an Antique Monster from my deck to my hand!" Yuuji added a card to his hand. "Now, I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale 3 Antique Journal and Scale 6 Antique Compass!"
Yuuji placed the two cards on opposite ends of his duel blade. The word [PENDULUM] appears in between in rainbow font as his two monsters rise into each of his Pendulum Zones. A giant, silver Pendulum swings around above him.
"Now I can summon monsters Levels 4 and 5 all at the same time!" Yuuji announced. "Shine, Pendulum of Destiny! Draw an arc across the ether, and reflect onto a path to victory! Pendulum Summon!"
The giant pendulum draws a portal, with two pillars of energy falling out of it.
"From my hand, Antique Maker - Edison (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1300/DEF: 1200/LV: 5/SC: 2) and Antique Forgotten Mask (Light/Fairy/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 5)!"
A well-dressed man holding a light bulb in his hand and a floating spirit wearing a weeping mask appeared on Yuuji's field.
"Antique Maker - Edison's effect activates, when he is summoned, I can target 1 monster on your field and destroy it! Say goodbye to your Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"
Yuya quickly began running, hopping from crystal to crystal to an Action Card that he had spotted earlier—picking it up.
"I activate the Action Spell Rapid Reflection!" Yuya announced. "When this spell is activated, I can negate an effect that targets a monster I control and bounce that effect back to you!"
"What!?" Yuuji exclaimed.
"I choose to destroy your Antique Maker - Mira!" Yuya announced as he was free falling, landing on his feet as Yuuji's monster was destroyed.
"Damn," Yuuji cursed. "I forgot that Action Cards existed for a moment."
Well, next time he won't let that stop him.
"Battle!" Yuuji moved into his Battle Phase. "Antique Forgotten Mask attacks Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"
"What? But it has zero ATK?" Ayu tilted her head confused. "Why would he do that?"
"He must have a plan," Gongezaka stated. "From what I, the man Gongenzaka, can tell about him from our duel yesterday, Yuuji isn't the type of guy to make reckless moves without one."
"At this time, Forgotten Mask's effect activates!" Yuuji declared. "When it battles, the ATK of both of our monsters are swapped temporarily until the End Phase!"
"Huh!?" Yuya cried out.
(Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon — ATK: 2500 → 0)
(Antique Forgotten Mask — ATK: 0 → 2500)
"I can't let that go through…" Yuya muttered. "I activate my set Trap Card, Wall of Disruption! For the rest of this turn, if a monster my opponent controls battles, it loses 800 ATK for each monster they currently control!"
"I control three, so that means my monsters lose 2400 ATK…" Yuuji frowned.
(Antique Forgotten Mask — ATK: 2500 → 100)
(Antique Maker - Edison — ATK: 1300 → 0)
"It still doesn't protect your Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!" Yuuji declared. "Go and destroy him, Forgotten Mask!"
The spirit wraps its body around Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, creating an explosion that destroys it. Yuya winces from the shockwaves as his Life Points are hit.
Yuya — LP: 4000 → 3900
"I set two cards and end my turn," Yuuji concluded with two face-downs.
(Antique Forgotten Mask — ATK: 100 → 0)
(Antique Maker - Edison — ATK: 0 → 1300)
[Turn 3: Yuya] [H: 1]
"Then it's my turn! Draw!" Yuya drew a card. "With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon!"
A portal appeared above him, with a beam of energy shooting out of it.
"Return from my Extra Deck and dazzle the crowd, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
The red dragon with dual-colored eyes appeared once again.
Yuya then began running, hopping from island to island to search for an Action Card. Yuuji does the same. The two find Action Cards at the same time, before Yuya continues his turn.
"Battle!" Yuya shouted. "Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks Antique Forgotten Mask!"
"Did you forget about Forgotten Mask's effect?" Yuuji frowned. "It swaps ATK points with your attacking monster!"
(Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon — ATK: 2500 → 0)
(Antique Forgotten Mask — ATK: 0 → 2500)
"I didn't," Yuya smiled. "I activate Action Spell, Reversion! During the damage step, I can swap the ATK points of two monsters on the field until the End Phase. I choose to swap Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Antique Forgotten Mask's ATK back!"
"Naive!" Yuuji shouted as he played his Action Spell. "I activate the Action Spell, No Action! With it, I can negate the activation of your Action Spell!"
"Stargazer Magician's Pendulum Effect activates!" Yuya announced. "Once per turn, when my opponent activates a Spell Card when a Pendulum Monster battles, I can negate the activation and set that card face-down on your field!"
"Tch." Yuuji clicked his tongue as he's forced to set his Action Spell.
(Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon — ATK: 0 → 2500)
(Antique Forgotten Mask — ATK: 2500 → 0)
"Now go, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, attack Forgotten Mask! Spiral Flame Strike!"
Yuya dragon shoots a breath of spiral flame at the spirit.
"Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's effect activates! When it battles a Level 5 or higher monster, it deals double the damage! Reaction Force!"
"Double!?" Yuuji's jaw dropped. "That'll wipe out all of my Life Points."
"Doesn't that mean Yuya just wins?" Yuzu wondered. "From what I remember from his duel against Ishijima, Timegazer Magician can negate the activation of a Trap Card."
"We'll have to wait and see," Gongenzaka replied.
"Like hell I'll lose when the duel has only just begun…" Yuuji muttered. "I activate my Counter Trap, Emergency Antique Reinforcements! With it, I can prevent the destruction of Antique Monsters I can control, as well as reduce all damage I receive in battles involving Antique Monsters to zero!"
"Timegazer Magician's effect activates! Once per turn, when my opponent activates a Trap Card when a Pendulum Monster battles, I can negate the activation of that Trap Card, and set it back down face-down!"
The trap card is flipped back face-down again. However, at the same time, another Trap Card is flipped face up.
"I activate my Continuous Trap, Halve Attack!" Yuuji announced. "While this card remains on my field, all battle damage I receive is halved!"
Forgotten Mask is engulfed by the dragon's attack, creating an explosion that sends Yuuji flying.
Yuuji — LP: 4000 → 1500
"Performapal Whip Snake attacks Antique Resonance Mirror!" Yuya shouts as his snake wraps around the floating mirror, squeezing down and shattering it.
Yuuji — LP: 1500 → 650
"I end my turn," Yuya concluded.
"Ouch, you really didn't hold back," Yuuji commented as he rubbed his head. "I almost got one-turn killed there."
"But I fell short before I could finish the job…" Yuya bitterly smiled.
"Don't be sad about that, it happens," Yuuji replied. "You just have to keep pushing forward and come up with the next plan."
Yuuji then put his hand over the top of his deck as he resolutely looked at Yuya
"The best duelist in the world wouldn't give up from something as trivial as that!" Yuuji declared. "If you want to become stronger, you need to keep pushing forward even when the going gets tough. My turn! Draw!"
Yuuji's deck glowed as he drew a card.
[Turn 4: Yuuji] [H: 1]
Yuuji smiled when he saw what he drew.
"Let's do this partner," Yuuji nodded to the card as he continued his turn. "I activate Antique Compass' Pendulum Effect. Once per turn, I can Special Summon an Antique Monster from my hand or graveyard! Return to my field, Antique Forgotten Mask (ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 5)!"
The spirit with the weeping mask appeared on the field once again.
"With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon!" Yuuji announced as a portal appeared above him, with a beam of energy shooting out from it. "Return from my Extra Deck, Antique Maker - Mira (ATK: 2000/DEF: 100/LV: 5)!"
A maiden in all black holding a mirror in her hand appeared.
"Antique Maker - Mira's effect activates upon her summon, allowing me to add an Antique Monster to my hand!" Yuuji added a card to his hand. "Now, I overlay my Level 5 Antique Maker - Edison, Antique Maker - Mira, and Antique Forgotten Mask!"
A galaxy vortex appeared in front of Yuuji, with his three declared monsters turning into energies that were then absorbed into the vortex. A large pillar of light shot out from the vortex's center as he began chanting.
"The will of the oppressed who die on the battlefield burns bright." Yuuji chanted. "They wait for the one who guides the will of the fallen to victory! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 5! Rise up, courageous leader who fans the flames of rebellion, Antique Maker - Revolution Commander (Fire/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/R: 5/SC: 5/OU: 3)!"
A tall, red-haired man with eagle eyes in a black cloak with a black mask over his mouth appeared.
"There it is, the Xyz Monster he used to defeat Gongenzaka…" Yuya muttered.
"Antique Journal's Pendulum Effect activates, allowing me to Special Summon it onto my field in defense mode (Light/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 4/SC: 3)!" An old floating journal appeared. "Then, I set the Scale 4 Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon into my Pendulum Scale!"
A purple dragon with bone armor rose into the empty Pendulum Zone.
"Antique Journal's other effect activates, allowing me to Special Summon a monster from one of my Pendulum Zone with its effects negated!" Yuuji announced as the old book begins to grow in size, a portal forming on its pages and under Phantom Dragon. "Come forth, the dragon born in the heart of phantoms, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7/SC: 4)!"
The purple dragon emerges from the portal onto Yuuji's field.
[Gah!] The two lookalike youths clutch their chest for a moment upon the arrival of Yuuji's dragon. Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Phantom Dragon begin roaring, as if they were calling out for each other.
What the hell…is this feeling? Yuuji wondered. It's as if the two dragons are calling out for each other.
It didn't feel that bad, it only felt a little off. He just chalked it up to some weird shenanigans with these new cards that he has.
"Revolution Commander's effect activates!" Yuuji announced. "By detaching one overlay unit, I can Special Summon Antique Dawning Blaze (Light/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 5/SC: 7)!"
A fire blade with a golden hilt appeared.
"I equip Dawning Blaze to Revolution Commander, increasing its ATK by 500 for each Monster on both of our fields!" Yuuji shouts. "Since there are 4 monsters total, Revolution Commander gains 2000 ATK!"
Revolution Commander grabs the fiery sword, whose flame begins glowing blue as it powered up Revolution Commander.
(Revolution Commander — ATK: 2500 → 4500)
"Now let's do this, Yuya!" Yuuji shouts. "Battle! Revolution Commander attacks Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Blazing Revolution!"
The warrior leaps forward, slashing down its blade towards Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.
"Not so fast!" Yuya shouted. "Performapal Hyper Emu effect activates! When a Pendulum Monster is targeted by an attack, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand in defense mode!"
A colorful emu with stars all throughout its body, wearing a colorful suit and tie appeared.
[Performapal Hyper Emu (Wind/Winged-Beast/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 300/DEF: 2200/LV: 6/SC: 3)]
"How does that help?" Tatsuya wondered. "Revolution Commander can attack twice thanks to its effect, and Yuuji can just choose to attack Yuya's other monsters."
"Hyper Emu has a very special effect!" Yuya announced. "I can tribute it in order to take control of one of my opponent's monsters! I'll be taking your Revolution Commander if you don't mind, Yuuji."
"Say what!?" Yuuji's jaw dropped as Revolution Commander stops its attack, before moving to Yuya's field.
"Nice going, Yuya!" Gongenzaka pumped his fist.
"Oh well," Yuuji sighed. "Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon attacks Performapal Whip Snake! Phantom Spiral Breath!"
Phantom Dragon shoots a breath of purple fire at Yuya monster, which shrieks in surprise before being destroyed. Yuya winces a bit from the shockwaves.
Yuya — LP: 3900 → 3100
There's not really much I can do. Yuuji frowned. I'm going to need to find an Action Card.
Yuuji hopped onto Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon.
"I end my turn," Yuuji concluded before turning to his dragon. "Let's go Phantom Dragon."
Phantom Dragon roars as it begins running forward. At the same time, Yuya hops onto Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.
"Two can play that game!" Yuya shouted. "My turn! Draw!"
Yuya and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon began searching for Action Cards as he began his turn.
[Turn 5: Yuya] [H: 1]
"With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon! Welcome back to the stage, Performapal Hyper Emu (ATK: 300/DEF: 2200/LV: 6)! And from my hand, Performapal Silver Claw (Dark/Beast/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 700/LV: 4/SC: 5)!"
The colorful emu and a grey wolf with a blue collar appeared on Yuya's field.
"I activate Hyper Emu's effect! By tributing it, I can take control of a monster on your field. Welcome to my field, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon!"
"Damn…" Yuuji cursed before he leaps off Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon before it moves to Yuya's field. He quickly hops across a few platforms to snag an Action Spell on a lone island.
"I activate the Action Spell Punishing Grip!" Yuuji announced. "With it, I can negate the effects of a card on my opponent's field! I choose to negate the effects of Timegazer Magician!"
"Timegazer?" Yuzu was confused. "Why wouldn't he negate the effects of Revolution Commander instead? Doesn't it inflict piercing damage? He'll lose."
"He definitely has a plan," Gongenzaka stated. "We'll have to wait and see."
The area suddenly turned dark, as a spotlight suddenly appeared pointing at Yuya.
How the hell is he doing that? Yuuji wondered.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Yuya outstretched his arms. "The climax of this duel is finally upon us! Battle! Antique Maker - Revolution Commander attacks Antique Journal! And at this time, Revolution Commander's effect activates! By detaching an overlay unit from it, it can inflict piercing damage! Blazing Revolution!"
The warrior leaps forward, the blue flames around it burning brighter as it swung its sword down on Antique Journal. Yuuji smirked.
"Don't count me out just yet, Yuya! I'm the one who'll decide when this duel ends!" Yuuji declared. "I activate my Counter Trap, Emergency Antique Reinforcements! With it, I can prevent the destruction of Antique Monsters I can control, as well as reduce all damage I receive in battles involving Antique Monsters to zero!"
"What!?" Yuya cried out.
"I forgot about that," Tatsuya's eyes widened. "Timegazer and Stargazer Magician's effect set the Spell/Trap cards they negated back onto the field, meaning that they can be activated again later on. And since Timegazer Magician has its effects negated, Yuya can't stop Yuuji from activating his Trap Card this time!"
A barrier formed around Yuuji's monster, protecting both it and Yuuji from harm's way.
"So, you had an out to that too," Yuya smiled. "I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!" Yuuji drew a card.
[Turn 6: Yuuji] [H: 1]
Why do I keep getting myself into situations like these where the odds are stacked against me? Yuuji sighed. Now I have to deal with Yuya without my most powerful monsters.
Yuuji took a look at the card that he drew. It was a Quick-Play Spell.
I have Antique Maker - Mira and Antique Forgotten Mask in my graveyard. Though, I doubt that Forgotten Mask will be able to do anything, since Yuya can still use Stargazer Magician's Pendulum Effect in tandem with an Action Card to lock me out of doing anything.
Quite the foolproof plan, taking his strongest monsters and locking him from using his Spell/Trap Cards. Yuya took his advice and went the extra mile with it.
Just like I wanted. Yuuji smirked. Now I can really push through my limits here.
Right here, without any weird power bailing him out. He'll win this!
[Current Theme Playing: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Sound Duel 1 OST 14 - A Battle That Cannot be Lost]
"I activate Antique Compass' effect!" Yuuji announced. "With it, I can Special Summon an Antique Monster from my hand or graveyard. Return to my field, Antique Maker - Mira (ATK: 2000/DEF: 100/LV: 5)!"
A maiden in all black holding a mirror in her hand appeared.
"Mira's effect activates, upon its summon I can add an Antique Monster from my deck to my hand!" Yuuji added a card to his hand. "Now, I summon Antique Swinging Soul (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 2000/LV: 3/SC: 1)!"
A white magician holding a swinging pendulum in its hands appeared.
"Swinging Soul's effect activates!" Yuuji announced. "Once per turn, I can swap the ATK and DEF of a monster on my opponent's field. I choose to target Performapal Silver Claw with this effect!"
(Performapal Silver Claw — ATK: 1800 → 700, DEF: 700 → 1800)
"Next, I activate Antique Journal's effect, allowing me to Special Summon Antique Compass (Light/Fairy/Tuner/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 3/SC: 6) to my field!"
The pristine compass emerges from a portal that formed on the pages of Antique Journal.
"Now, I tune the Level 3 Antique Compass to the Level 4 Antique Journal!" Yuuji announced as his monsters transformed into green rings and orbs respectively, lining up in a line as he began chanting. "Item of old lost through time. Bring about your legacy! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! The forbidden wand of calamity! Antique Burdened Staff (Light/Fairy/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 7)!"
An old, floating, used up wand appeared on Yuuji's field.
"A Synchro Summon!?" Yuzu exclaimed.
"But why is it so weak? It has no ATK." Ayu wondered.
"It must have an effect that can help him here," Tatsuya guessed.
"Burdened staff's effect activates!" Yuuji declared. "I can equip it to a monster my opponent controls and take control of it. However, during the End Phase, this card is destroyed, and that monster returns to my opponent's field. I choose to take back control of Antique Maker - Revolution Commander!"
"No way," Yuya was shocked as the withered staff began to glow purple, shooting energy at Revolution Commander that wraps around it and drags it back to Yuuji's field.
"Now for the climax! Battle!" Yuuji pumped his fist forward. "Revolution Commander attacks Performapal Silver Claw! Blazing Revolution!"
"Not so fast! I activate the Action Spell, Evasion! With it, I can negate the attack of your monster!"
"I activate my set Action Spell, No Action to negate that effect!" Yuuji counters.
"Stargazer Magician Pendulum Effect negates that effect!" Yuya countered back.
Stargazer Magician uses its power to set Yuuji's Action Card down on hsi field once again, allowing Silver Claw to dodge Revolution Commander's attack.
"I hope you didn't forget that Revolution Commander can attack twice, right?" Yuuji stated. "Revolution Commander attacks Performapal Silver Claw once again!
"Of course not," Yuya smiled back. Yuya hops on Silver Claw, using it to reach an Action Card quickly. "I activate the Action Spell, Mirror Match! When my opponent declares an attack on my monster, I can make our monster's ATK points match temporarily!"
(Performapal Silver Claw — ATK: 700 → 4500)
(Revolution Commander — ATK: 4500)
"This is it, once Revolution Commander is destroyed, Yuya will be able to win on his next turn!" Ayu cheered.
"Sorry, but this is where this duel ends!" Yuuji declared. "I activate my Quick-Play-Spell, Damage Launch! By tributing a monster I can control, I can deal damage to my opponent equal to the total ATK points of that monster! I choose to tribute Revolution Commander!"
"Revolution Commander has 4500 ATK…" Yuya's eyes widened. "That means…"
"That's right, you take 4500 points of damage!" Yuuji announced as a mystery box appeared in front of him, with Revolution Commander hopping inside of it. The box begins to shake for a moment before a blast of energy is sent towards Yuya, which hits him directly and reduces his Life Points to zero.
Yuya — LP: 3100 → 0
Winner: Yuuji
[BGM (Background Music) Ends Here.]
The Action Field disperses, returning the two boys back into the arena.
"Dammit, I lost," Yuya sighed while sitting on the ground. "I really thought I had it in the bag."
"You almost did," Yuuji replied. "You surpassed my expectations and then some."
"But I still fell short in the end…" Yuya melancholically said.
"..." Yuuji frowned for a moment before realizing something. "You may be more like me than I thought before."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You hate losing, right?" Yuuji asked. "Me too. It's the thing I hate the most, yet it happens to me more than winning does."
Yuya was in disbelief, "I couldn't even imagine you losing. You're way too good at dueling to be losing that much."
"Thanks for the compliment, but I'm pretty sure my win rate is even worse than yours," Yuuji replied. "Before I received these Pendulum Cards, it was typical for me to lose at least three duels in a row before I could even get a single win."
Yuya was shocked by this.
"I've always received comments from people, telling me to give up and that with a deck like mine, I would never be able to achieve my naive goal of becoming the strongest," Yuuji continued. "But I never gave up. I kept throwing myself at my opponents, learning everything I can about dueling, from different summoning methods to other smaller intricacies."
Yuuji then sighed.
"But, even with a good understanding of dueling, when you don't have a good deck, you will lose. A lot."
"Then why didn't you use a stronger deck?" Yuzu asked as the rest of the group entered the room.
"My father gave me this deck," Yuuji answered. "A bit before he passed. I promised him that I would become the greatest duelist there is with it. That's why I push through even when I keep getting knocked back down."
"I, the man Gongenzaka, whole-heartedly agree," Gongenzaka smiled as pumped his fist. "A real man pushes through adversity, even when the going gets tough."
Yuuji smiled at that before turning back to Yuya, extending his hand out to him, "Anyway, what I was trying to say is that you shouldn't let a loss get you down. It's only a steppingstone towards your goal of becoming someone who can entertain the crowd just like your father."
"You're right," Yuya nodded with a smile as he accepted Yuuji's hand, standing back up. "Next time, I'll show you a dazzling duel that you'll never forget."
"Looking forward to it," Yuuji nodded.
"Yuya! Yuuji! That was an amazingly hot-blooded duel!" Shuzo shouted as he jumped to hug the two of them, however fell face first onto the ground as the two of them moved out of the way. Shuzo just got right back up, turning his attention to Yuuji. "You should really join our school as a student…no, as a teacher!"
"No thanks," Yuuji declined. "While I do support Yuya in his goal, I don't really vibe with the whole entertaining crowd business. I just duel for my own enjoyment."
"Aw, come on. You would fit right in here!" Shuzo pleaded. "Everyone would be happy to have you here."
"Mhm," Yuzu nodded. "I thought you were just some mean jerk in the beginning, but I can see that you're just a big softy at heart."
"A-A softy?" Yuuji blushed with embarrassment. "I'm not soft at all!"
"Oh really~." Yuzu teased. "Why did you help Yuya then?"
"That was just because I wanted a rival who could use Pendulum Summoning," Yuuji crossed his arms and looked away. "I would've done that with anyone if they had the cards instead of Yuya."
"Liar," Yuzu bluntly said, surprising Yuuji. "You can't just say that after lore dropping about your past like that to cheer Yuya up. Some selfish jerk wouldn't do that."
"..." Yuuji was silent for a moment before replying. "Okay, sure. I may be a little nice. But that still doesn't mean that I'll join your school."
"Please," Ayu pleaded. "You're really cool, mister."
"Yeah, I want to learn how to duel just like you!" Futoshi said. "Just thinking about it gives me the shivers."
"You could really help us out a lot if you're here," Tatsuya added.
"Yeah," Yuzu agreed. "You could teach us a lot more than this clingy father of mine."
"Hey!" Shuzo shouted.
"U-Um…" Yuuji struggled to say something.
[Please!] The four moved closer.
This isn't fair, it's like four against one! Yuuji thought
"...F-Fine, but give me some personal space first," Yuuji finally agreed.
"Wahoo! Thank you, Yuuji!" Futoshi cheered.
"Alright!" Shuzo exclaimed as his eyes lit on fire. "Now that we have two Pendulum Users at our school. The You Show Duel School will be unstoppable!"
A few days later…
That was how it started. Somehow, his trip to Maiami City resulted in him becoming a Student/Teacher on his third day there. Though he had to admit that it wasn't that bad.
"It's a nice change of pace," Yuuji said as he walked at a moderate pace toward. "How long has it been since I last joined a school? Five years, right?"
There wasn't much a low-funded school like You Show could teach him, but that was fine with him. He wasn't there to learn, he was there to help out his new acquaintances, no, he could probably call them friends at this point. It's been a few days. While he wasn't really a fan of entertainment dueling, it wouldn't hurt to at least try it right?
Yuuji walked past an alleyway, though stopped in his tracks when he felt a presence watching him. It was a tall youth, around his age with long dark green, rough-looking hair.
The two make eye contact.
"What are you looking at?" The youth scoffed. "I got no time for a lowlife like you?"
"Lowlife?" A tick mark formed on Yuuji's head. "Says the shady bastard spending his day staring at people from the darkness of an alleyway."
"Oh? So you got a mouth on you, huh?" The youth sneered, revealing his sharp teeth. "You must be looking for a fight?"
"What a baseless assumption," Yuuji rolled his eyes before noticing a duel disk on the left arm of the duelist. He was surprised when he noticed that it was a different shade from the norm. "You a duelist?"
The tall youth seemed to come to a similar conclusion.
"Yeah," The youth nodded before smirking. "Don't tell me you plan on dueling me? You stand a better chance fighting me with your fists than your deck."
"I probably do," Yuuji replied. "But I'd rather duel you. I wouldn't want to put somebody in the hospital during my first week here."
"Fine with me," The youth said. "Where do you want to take this."
"There's an abandoned harbor nearby. We can take it there," Yuuji suggested.
"Nice and quiet, just the way I like it," The youth stuck his tongue out. "The perfect place to hide a body."
The two make their way to the harbor, with each of them taking post on opposite sides.
"May I know the name of my opponent?" Yuuji inquired.
"You can call me Ryouga," Ryouga introduced himself. "You better remember it, since it's the last thing you'll be hearing."
"A threat, I'm so scared~." Yuuji mocked before pointing at Ryouga. "I'm Haruki Yuuji. You're going to remember it, since I'm going to give you a good beating that you'll never forget."
The two activate their duel disks simultaneously. Nearby, a lavender-haired youth wearing punk-styled clothes and a mask sat on top of a warehouse building, watching the events unfold.
[Duel!] The two shout in unison.
Custom/Altered Cards:
Monster Cards -
Timegazer Magician
ATK: 1200, DEF: 600, LV: 3, SC: 8
Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, during either player's Battle Step in which a Pendulum Monster you control battles, when a Trap Card is activated: You can negate the activation, then Set that card face-down instead of sending it to the Graveyard, and if you do, it cannot be activated for the rest of this turn.
Monster Effect: Once per turn, during either player's turn, when a Spell/Trap effect that targets a card(s) in the Pendulum Zone is activated: You can negate that effect.
Performapal Hyper Emu
ATK: 300, DEF: 2200, LV: 6, SC: 3
Wind/Winged-Beast/Pendulum/Effect
Pendulum Effect: (Quick Effect): You can tribute both monsters in your Pendulum Zones, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; take control of it.
Monster Effect: (Quick Effect): If a Pendulum Monster you control is targeted for an attack, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. (Quick Effect): You can tribute this card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; take control of it. You can only activate each effect of "Performapal Hyper Emu" once per turn.
Antique Burdened Staff
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 7
Light/Fairy/Synchro/Effect
1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner Monsters
Monster Effect: You can equip this card to a monster on your opponent's field; take control of it. During the End Phase, destroy this card, then; return the monster this card was equipped to back to their field.
Spell/Trap Cards -
Rapid Reflection
Action Spell
When an effect that targets a monster you control is activated: Negate that effect, then apply the same effect, targeting 1 card your opponent controls instead.
Reversion
Action Spell
During the Damage Step: Swap the ATK of both battling monsters until the End Phase.
Punishing Grip
Action Spell
Target 1 card on your opponent's field; negate its effects.
Emergency Antique Reinforcements
Counter Trap
Can be activated when a "Antique" Monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect. For the rest of this turn, "Antique" Monsters cannot be destroyed, and all damage you take in battles involving "Antique" Monsters is reduced to zero.
Mirror Match
Action Spell
When your opponent declares an attack on a monster you control: During the Damage Step, make your monster's ATK equal to the attacking monster's ATK.
Damage Launch
Quick-Play-Spell
Tribute 1 monster you control; inflict damage to your opponent equal to the Tributed monster's current ATK.
EDIT #1: Went back and fixed some of the weird bits like the description to Yuuji's Synchro Monster and the reactions to it. I also changed its Level from 12 to 7. Might come back and edit more since this chapter is a bit unpolished overall (I made it in one day after all).
EDIT #2: Changed the opening theme and scenes. I've been listening to the theme and honestly believe it's good for this first season. And I think it's honestly better if I just go in order since they work better that way. It might be a bit worse than the original, but I think it's better to save it for later.
And that makes three! I knew I would be able to work fast thanks to it being winter break, but jeez. A whole chapter in only a day when it took me a week (of procrastinating) to post the second one when I had school. I'll try and get a nice catalog of chapters up before winter break ends (the goal is five), but no promises as always.
This chapter was definitely a more Yuuji centric chapter, like the other two chapters (don't worry, that won't last too long). A bit more of Yuuji's personality has been unveiled. Also, we finally have an anime opening!
...
I was super bored.
As always, be sure to drop some reviews, I like seeing that number go up.
If the next chapter is out, go read that, else; have a fantastic day, and thanks for reading.