Winter break eventually came to an end. Somewhere between snowball fights and lazy afternoons, Celina and Rio had grown into genuine friends. Yumi, meanwhile, had spent the break buried in research on the mysterious gates leading to the Spirit World.
He even stopped by Midori-sensei's office to mention the other Legendary Planets card he'd found. Giving her the hint that she should pay attention to them.
If his memory served, the GX manga's final boss, Tragoedia, a massive black lobster, needed all ten Legendary Planets cards plus Winged Kuriboh to reclaim its heart.
Besides Yumi, who could print cards, literally, there is only one set of Legendary Planets cards. So if he simply took one or two pieces, the seal would never be undone, and Tragoedia wouldn't be free.
Of course, he could just swipe Rio's Mercury, but he has no use for it, and placing it in his deck felt more like a brick than anything.
Asking around, he learned about her twin brother, Reginald Kastle, better known as Shark, another promising Obelisk Blue duelist. And more importantly, he owned The Tyrant Neptune.
An extremely powerful card that got banned in the real world.
Its effect lets it gain the original ATK and DEF of the monsters used for its Tribute Summon, then it can gain one of those Tributes' names and effect. It could also be summoned using only one tribute, too.
With his deck being a mix between Sky Striker and HERO, The Tyrant Neptune worked perfectly for his deck.
If he held a single piece of the original Legendary Planets set, then, unless a few bosses show up to gang up on him, he is pretty confident that he could take any one of them on, one by one.
His original plan was to collect all the Legendary Planets cards, but then he remembered the GX anime. Everyone had worked together to keep the Three Sacred Beasts sealed, Jaden carrying all of the weight, the rest fell faster than Yumi could print cards.
Then the useless Chazz, in an attempt to gain Alexis's heart, suddenly took all of the keys for the seal, put on a show, then lost it to the hidden boss, and the Three Sacred Beasts were unsealed, leaving Jaden to carry again.
Damn, Jaden worked so hard to carry everyone through the event, only for his teammate to pull a big brain move, gather up the keys, then have them all stolen at the same time. Leaving the final boss for him to take on alone.
Seriously, no wonder Jaden had depression by Seasons 3 and 4. His teammates were so bad he had to carry everything, and they still managed to fumble.
"Should I just summon it and kill that big lobster myself?" Yumi muttered, half-serious. With teammates like those, it was only a matter of time before the thing revived anyway.
"YOU BASTARD!!!"
The furious shout made Yumi glance over. Striding toward him, jaw clenched and eyes blazing, was Reginald Kastle. Aside from swapping his signature purple jacket for the Obelisk Blue uniform, he looked exactly like Shark from Zexal.
"Did you take my sister's card?" Reginald demanded, glaring like he could set Yumi on fire with sheer willpower.
"You mean this?" Yumi smirked, casually pulling The Tripper Mercury from his pocket.
"Bastard!" Reginald roared again, lunging with a punch-
Bonk!
Like usual, before anyone could touch him. Raye would bonk them on the head using her sword.
Reginald staggered back, rubbing the sore spot, rage practically steaming off him.
Yumi simply smile.
"How about this... I heard you have a card like this one. Let's make a bet. If you beat me in a duel, I'll give this back. But if you lose, I take one of your cards. How's that sound?"
In the world of Yu-Gi-Oh, only one brother had the guts to be cold to his younger sibling, Zane Truesdale. And even he had some twisted "teach you a lesson" reason for it… Though his method was basically: ignore Syrus for years and just say, You're not worthy. And hope for the best.
Even Seto Kaiba, who went on a full-on Mokuba rescue arc, never iced his little brother like that.
Yumi knew Reginald wasn't that type, he'd do anything to protect Rio. Which made the next part easy.
"If I win," Reginald roared, activating his duel disk, "you give the card back and stay away from my sister!"
"Deal," Yumi said with a grin, his own duel disk flaring to life.
"DUEL!!" x2
[Yumi, LP 4000]
[Reginald, LP 4000]
"I'll go first! Draw!"
Reginald swiped his first card, his eyes locked on Yumi. "Spell Card, Polymerization! I fuse Double Shark and Double Fin Shark from my hand!"
Two enormous sharks materialized behind him, one a deep navy, the other a vivid magenta, before merging in a swirl of blue energy.
"The Fusion requirement is two Fish monsters! I Fusion Summon, Submersible Carrier Aero Shark!"
A massive machine emerged, its twin sharks bound to a sleek device bristling with torpedo launchers.
[Submersible Carrier Aero Shark, 1900 ATK]
"Interesting…" Yumi murmured, watching an Xyz monster concept turned into a Fusion. The crossover chaos in this world was getting ridiculous… but as long as nobody brought their end-of-the-world events with them, he could live with it.
"Now, Aero Shark's effect!" Reginald declared. "Once per turn, I can deal 400 damage for each card in my hand! I have three, so take 1200 points of damage!"
The rockets on Aero Shark's sides fired streams of high-pressure water, striking Yumi with a pair of deafening explosions.
[Yumi, LP 4000 -> 2800]
Reginald didn't give him a chance to breathe. "Next, I equip Sharkify to Aero Shark, raising its ATK by 400!"
[Submersible Carrier Aero Shark, 1900 -> 2300 ATK]
"And since I control a WATER monster, I can Normal Summon Cyber Shark from my hand without Tribute!"
A colossal blue shark with a cybernetic helmet burst onto the field, letting out a metallic roar.
[Cyber Shark, 2100 ATK]
"I set one card face-down," Reginald finished, a holographic panel flashing behind his monsters.
He crossed his arms, his glare like ice. "Turn end."
"Onii-san! Please stop!" Rio shouted, running over with Celina just in time to see Reginald and Yumi already locked in a duel.
"Silence!" Reginald barked, his voice dripping with rage. "I have failed you once… stood by while you were pushed around by those girls. But I will not stand by and watch you get picked on by this Slifer scum!"
Rio opened her mouth to argue, but Yumi cut in first.
"Draw!" Yumi snapped, drawing his card. "Good… get ready to be humiliated in front of your little sister."
A sinister smile spread across his face before he broke into mocking laughter.
"YOU BASTARD!" Reginald roared, nearly charging in to punch him, only to stop himself, remembering the last time he tried, and got hurt.
Rio: "..."
Celina: "..."
The two girls suddenly understood that Yumi was probably bored and was looking for someone to pick a fight, so they didn't try to stop him.
"I'll Normal Summon Elemental HERO Bubbleman!"
Bubbles erupted from the ground as the blue-armored HERO leapt into battle.
[Elemental HERO Bubbleman, 800 ATK]
"Bubbleman's effect, when this card is summoned, and I control no other card. I get to draw two cards!"
Two cards slid into Yumi's hand without hesitation.
"I activate Vision HERO Faris's effect from my hand! I send Elemental HERO Necroshade from my hand to my grave to Special Summon Faris!"
[Vision HERO Faris, 1600 ATK]
Yumi sends his card to his grave, and the armored Faris appeared beside Bubbleman.
"Faris's effect, when this card is summoned, places a Vision HERO monster from my deck to my Spell and Trap zone!"
He searched his deck, placing the chosen card with precision. Behind his heroes, the phantom form of another warrior shimmered.
"Vision HERO Increase's effect! I tribute Bubbleman to Special Summon this card to the field!"
[Vision HERO Increase, 900 ATK]
"Increase's effect, when this card is Special Summoned, I get to Special Summon a HERO monster from my deck!"
Another card slammed onto the Duel Disk. A purple obsidian-armored warrior appeared with a sharp metallic clang.
[Vision HERO Vyon, 1000 ATK]
"Vision HERO…" Reginald muttered, then froze, his eyes widening in realization. "You… you're Slifer?"
"Hello, Shark," Yumi said with a wicked grin. Reginald's face went pale.
The strongest Slifer Red, Slifer. Known for his Sky Striker Ace - Raye and his HERO deck with the ability to OTK most opponent.
At first, Reginald assumed he was just facing some Elemental HERO user, maybe even Jaden Yuki himself.
"Vyon's effect, when this card is summoned, I send Shadow Mist from my deck to my grave!"
Another card slid into the graveyard.
"Shadow Mist's effect activated. When this card is sent to the grave, I can add a HERO monster from my deck to my hand!"
Yumi held the newly added card high with a smirk. "I'll add Sky Striker HERO - Yumi."
"Vyon's effect, I banish Shadow Mist from my grave. To add a Polymerization from my deck to my hand." He removed Shadow Mist, tucked it away, and immediately activated his spell.
"Spell card, Polymerization! I'll fuse my three Vision HERO! Show yourself! The Ultimate Vision HERO! Vision HERO Trinity!"
The three Vision HEROes merged into one. And a crimson-armored giant descended from above, landing with a thunderous impact. His armor ignited, and his gaze locked straight onto Reginald.
[Vision HERO Trinity, 2500 ATK]
Reginald swallowed hard.
"Vision HERO Trinity, upon fusion summon, his ATK is doubled!"
[Vision HERO Trinity, 2500 -> 5000 ATK]
"And since the material I use is all Vision HERO, this ATK boost stays permanent." He said with a smile before sliding a card from his hand into his Spell and Trap zone.
"I'll activate the effect of Sky Striker HERO - Yumi from my hand. This card can be equipped to either a Sky Striker or a HERO monster, and the equipped monster gains a 1000 ATK and DEF boost!"
Another Yumi appeared behind the hero, fingers dancing across glowing holographic keyboards.
[Vision HERO Trinity, 5000 -> 6000 ATK]
"Battle," Yumi said calmly. "Go Trinity, attack Aero Shark!"
Hearing his command, the crimson warrior charged, fist raised, his engine-like core thundering.
"Trinity Crush!"
Trinity's fist smashed into Aero Shark, tearing it apart in a violent explosion.
"GAHHH!" Reginald's body was blasted back, the shockwave hurling him across the ground.
[Reginald, LP 4000 -> 300]
"Finish this! Trinity Crush!"
"Trap card, open!" Reginald slammed a button on his Duel Disk, and his last face-down flipped up. "Hide and Shark!"
"When your monster declares an attack while my Life Points are 2000 or lower, I can pay half my Life Points, banish a Shark monster I control, and end the Battle Phase!" he declared, forcing himself up from the ground.
[Reginald, LP 300 -> 150]
The massive Cyber Shark instantly dove away, vanishing as if it feared the crimson-armored HERO's incoming punch.
"Then, return the banished monster, and it gains ATK equal to the Life Points I paid!"
Cyber Shark burst back onto the field, but against Trinity's hulking presence, it looked far less menacing.
[Cyber Shark, 2100 -> 2250 ATK]
"Not bad," Yumi remarked with a faint smirk. "You actually lasted more than one turn."
He casually plucked a card from his hand. "Quick-Play Spell, Quick Summon! This lets me Normal Summon or Set one monster from my hand."
This was an anime-only card shown in the GX anime. Its effect is basically an advanced version of the normal spell Double Summon, which lets the player perform another Normal Summon during their turn.
What makes Quick Summon the better version is that it is a quickplay spell, meaning it could be used during the opponent's turn to Normal Summon a monster from your hand. And upon activation, you get to Normal Summon or set a monster card in your hand.
"Show yourself, my ace! Sky Striker Ace - Raye!"
Streams of blue data swirled and converged, forming into the slender, beautiful, yet powerful frame of his signature monster.
[Sky Striker Ace - Raye, 1500 ATK]
"I'll activate Raye's effect! By tributing herself, I can Special Summon a Sky Striker Ace from my Extra Deck!"
Raye's body shone with radiant light, reshaping into a suit of deep crimson and red armor. A white diamond crest glimmered on her belly, energy wings unfurled in vivid red and crimson hues, and a long, segmented tail-like appendage extended from the back of her neck.
Two horn-like hairpins jutted from her head, angled backward like a predator ready to strike.
"Henshin! Sky Striker Ace - Masquerade!"
[Sky Striker Ace - Masquerade, 2300 ATK]
Another custom vest designed by Yumi himself, at this point, he was starting to rival President Kaiba with how many new outfits his "White Bride" kept getting. Masquerade's armor design drew clear inspiration from a certain Fusion monster veterans of the game might recognize.
"I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn."
Two holographic cards materialized behind his monsters, locking into position.
"I won't accept this… There's still a chance for victory… DRAW!"
Reginald ripped the top card from his deck, the motion carving a white arc through the air. Determination hardened his features.
He had already failed his younger sister once, powerless to stop what those girls did to her. And now, watching her being picked on again, her card stolen… No. Not this time.
He had failed her once. He refused to fail again.
"I'll activate the Spell Card, Card of Adversity! When my opponent control a Special Summoned monster, I get to draw 2 cards!"
Reginald roared, the words carrying more fury than desperation as he prepared to replenish his hand.
"Masquerade's effect," Yumi interjected, calm as still water. "While this card remains on the field, you can only activate cards or effects by paying 600 Life Points."
Reginald's eye twitched violently. For a moment, he nearly keeled over.
"Bastard…" he growled, his voice dropping low, almost feral.
[Reginald, LP 150]
What kind of sadistic fuck agrees that this toxic card should get printed!?
His eyes darted to the field.
[Cyber Shark, 2250 ATK]
[Sky Striker Ace - Masquerade, 2300 ATK]
Just 50 ATK short… damn it.
Even if Cyber Shark somehow matched her at 2300 ATK, it wouldn't matter. Trinity couldn't attack directly, sure, but the moment Masquerade left the field, Raye would instantly return.
And even if he managed to boost his shark to 2400 ATK and keep it alive, Trinity could still crush it during his opponent's turn.
The bitter truth hit him like ice. Even if he didn't draw his two cards and refused to pay the tax of 600 LP, the outcome wouldn't change.
There was no path to victory left.
So instead of dragging it out, instead of surrendering outright, he drew the two cards, bracing himself for the sting.
[Reginald, LP 150 -> 0]
"Gotcha! That was a fun duel." Yumi smiled, casually pointing two fingers at the defeated boy.
Reginald only growled in response.
"As for our bet..." Yumi strolled over, his tone as relaxed as if they'd just finished a game of cards at the kitchen table. "Hand me The Tyrant Neptune."
Reginald glared, but eventually yanked his deck out, slid the card free, and tossed it at him.
Yumi caught it neatly between two fingers, grinning. "Pleasure doing business with you."
"Onii-san! Haven't I told you to stop it? Yumi doesn't mean me any harm." Rio hurried over to help her brother to his feet. Reginald couldn't even look at her, ashamed, heavy with the sting of failure. He had already failed her once… and now, again.
"Here."
To Reginald's surprise, Yumi turned and held out a card, not to him, but to Rio.
It wasn't Neptune.
It was The Tripper Mercury.
"Yumi, you don't have to-" Rio began, but he cut her off with a small shrug.
"Sorry, but Mercury's more of a brick to me than anything." Without hesitation, he took her hand and pressed the card into her palm.
Rio's cheeks flushed faintly. "If you say so…" she murmured, turning her head to hide it.
"Oi! And what's that reaction supposed to mean?" Celina barked, clearly annoyed at the sudden change in her friend's expression.
If she remembered right, this was the same guy who had beaten Rio in a duel, dragged her to their room, and taken her card. So why was her friend suddenly acting like a shoujo heroine? Was this… the first sign of Stockholm Syndrome?
"It's just a bit hot, that's all!" Rio blurted, flapping her hands in front of her face in a desperate attempt to play it off.
A different environment, a different life… and Rio's personality had shifted just enough to be noticeable.
Reginald: "…"
He had come here to play the hero, to protect his little sister... Only to find out he was actually the clown.