Chapter 13! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Minor spelling, grammar, and other mistakes may be present.
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[Maiami Championship Arc Opening Theme (Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Opening 2: Burn)]
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Scale 013: Crystalline Evolution
"Ow, ow, ow!" Yuya whined as Yuzu dragged him by the ear.
"You made us look around all over for you," Yuzu said in a stern tone. "We could've been late because of you."
"I get it! I get it! Can you let go of my ear now?"
"No."
"Please."
"No."
Yuuji just watched the two of them from the sidelines, an exasperated expression present on his face.
"Remind me to not get on her bad side…" Yuuji muttered.
"Mhm," Sora nodded in agreement.
They arrived at Maiami Stadium almost an hour ago to be early. As soon as they arrived, they realized one person in the group was missing.
Yuya.
This led them to look around all over the place for the tomato-haired youth, only stopping their search once Yuya eventually arrived only a minute ago.
Leading to what was happening right now.
"Yuzu, I promise that the next time we go shopping together, I'll carry all the luggage this time," Yuya said as a last resort.
"You promise? If you go back on your word, I'll—"
"-Yeah, I promise! Just…let me go!"
"...Fine."
Yuzu let go of Yuya's ear suddenly, causing him to fall on his face.
—Thud!
"Finally…" Yuya muttered on the ground while he rubbed his pained face.
As he did that, a tall and muscular youth stopped right near them.
"Long time no see, wimp."
When Yuya looked up to see the source of the voice, his eyes widened in surprise.
"You're…Ankokuji."
"Since this is an important tournament, I thought you would've run away just like your old man," Ankokuji commented. "Guess you've decided to grow a pair this time."
"What?" Yuya frowned.
"Still, I won't accept that someone like you defeated Strong Ishijima," Ankokuji continued. "A wimp like you could never defeat a pro."
"Who's that?" Sora wondered.
"No idea," Yuuji shrugged.
"Hey, I have an idea," Ankokuji stepped closer, pointing at Yuya's face. "Want me to crush you here and now to prove that you're a coward just like a father?"
Yuya was about to say something in response when someone suddenly put a hand on Ankokuji's shoulder.
"That's enough, Ankokuji Gen," A familiar voice said.
Yuya's eyes widened in surprise upon recognizing the figure.
"Gongenzaka!"
"Tch…" Ankokuji brushed off Gongenzaka's hand. "You're not showing respect to your senior teammate. You must think you're some big shot, huh Gongenzaka?"
"You're no longer my senior teammate," Gongenzaka stated.
"Oh…" Ankokuji said in a challenging manner. "Look at how you've grown. Standing up to your elders now."
Ankokuji turned to face Gongenzaka, the two of them staring daggers at each other for one long, stretching moment.
—KRRCH!
"You will be entering soon," A voice on the loudspeaker stated. "All duelists please form a line behind your team's placard."
"Heh…" Ankokuji smiled. "You better survive until I can crush you."
Ankokuji let them be with that. After Ankokuji walked far enough away, Gongenzaka spoke up.
"I didn't think I would meet him here after all this time."
"Me neither…" Yuya replied before turning to his friend. "On a different note, Gongenzaka. You being here right now means…"
"Yeah," Gongenzaka nodded with a smile. "I, the man Gongenzaka, barely managed to achieve a 60% win rate right before the tournament."
"I see! That's great!" Yuya said with joy.
The two of them then fistbump each other.
"Good to see you here, big guy," Yuuji greeted Gongenzaka. "It didn't seem right to go into this tournament without you being able to participate."
"It's good to see you too, Yuuji," Gongenzaka greeted back. "I heard that you were having a difficult time finding duels to help fulfill your qualifications."
"Don't remind me…" Memories of the long hours Yuuji spent trying to find people to duel flashed through his mind. "I never want to go through that experience again."
"At least we're all here now," Yuzu said.
"Yeah, that's true," Yuuji nodded before pumping his fist into the air. "And I'm ready to take down anyone who stands in my way to the trophy!"
"That makes us rivals then," Yuya stated before smiling. "I don't plan on sitting by while you gun for the top."
"Me neither," Sora chimed in. "I'm going straight for the top!"
"I'd like to see you guys try," Yuuji smiled.
"Let's save the energy for after the tournament starts," Yuzu suggested. "We have to go line up."
"Oh yeah, you're right," Yuuji remembered. "Let's go—"
Yuuji stopped in his tracks when he noticed someone in the distance wearing a nice white suit. The person in question was surrounded by a flock of girls, all swooning over him. When Yuuji squinted to get a better look at who it was, he froze.
"No…fucking…way…"
"Language!" Yuzu shouted. "We have children here."
"Sorry…" Yuuji apologized.
The person in question was none other than Shouma, who also seemed to notice him.
"I think that's enough for now ladies. You lot should make your way to the stands now," Shouma said in a smooth tone. "We can continue this later."
[Okay!] The crowd of girls replied before dispersing from the area.
Shouma dusted off his suit a bit before walking away to Yuuji, a charming look on his face.
"It's good to see you again, Yuuji," Shouma greeted with a smile.
"Cut the act already, Shouma. You and I both know how much we despise each other," Yuuji stated. "What the hell are you even doing?"
"Was I that obvious," Shouma's smile dropped instantly. "A shame, I thought my acting skills have improved at least a little."
"We're at a dueling tournament, not a modeling gig," Yuuji said. "What's with the get-up?"
"I was just reflecting on our short conversation yesterday. You mentioned that my clothing style before would act like a chick repellant, so I decided to change styles to see if you were right," Shouma replied. "Sure enough, it was at least partially true. Though I think that's more thanks to my good looks and charisma rather than what kind of clothes I was wearing."
"How humble of you…" Yuuji rolled his eyes.
"I know, very humble of me indeed. Taking advice from someone on a much lower level than me, both in dueling and romance," Shouma commented. "Be grateful that you were given this chance to put that tiny brain of yours to good use."
"Um, Yuuji? Who is this guy?" Yuzu asked.
"He's just some loudmouthed lowlife. Don't worry about him," Yuuji replied.
"How cold," Shouma acted hurt. "To think that you would call your old friend a lowlife, in front of such a pretty young lady as well. It pains my heart."
"Can you please shut up about that," Yuuji sighed. "And why the hell are you speaking so formally? You and I are literally from the same slums."
"I just know how to speak appropriately in a public setting. Unlike somebody I know," Shouma scoffed.
"He's got you there, Yuuji," Sora commented.
"Don't agree with him!" Yuuji shouted.
Sora just shrugged in response.
Shouma took a look at his watch for a moment before speaking.
"Would you look at the time," Shouma stated. "If you guys don't get going soon, you'll miss your introduction."
"He's right," Yuzu said. "We have to go now."
"Tch," Yuuji clicked his tongue. "Fine…"
"Are you coming, Gongenzaka?" Yuya asked when he noticed his best friend wasn't moving from his spot.
"People from schools with only one member in the tournament along with people who are unaffiliated to any dueling school are called last," Gongenzaka replied. "I'll meet you guys out there."
"Right," Yuya nodded. "See you later."
The rest of the You Show students made their way into the hallway, with Yuuji trailing slightly behind them. He glanced at Shouma, who had a sly grin on his face, for a moment before following the rest of his friends down the hallway.
"Next is the entertainment dueling school that's been grabbing the headlines - You Show Duel School!" A female announcer introduced them.
The seven of them walk outside upon their introduction.
"Yuya, have fun!" Sakaki Yoko, Yuya's mother, shouted to her son.
"You Show! Fight, fight, fight!" Shuzo cheered with tears streaming down his eyes.
"Thanks, Mom! Shuzo!" Yuya waved back at them.
"That guy…" Yuzu sighed at her father's antics.
Yuuji chuckled a bit at that.
"You Show Duel School's very own Sakaki Yuya has made news headlines for using a new summoning method known as Pendulum Summoning." The announcer continued. "He's one to focus on in this tournament."
Actually, now that I think of it. Aside from a select few people, nobody knows that I have access to Pendulum Summoning. Yuuji thought.
And not only him, but Sawatari Shingo as well, who he was sure was in this tournament as well.
Damn, that means that I won't be able to avoid the spotlight for much longer then. Yuuji sighed. They'll be on my ass, grilling me for answers like they've been grilling into Yuya.
Out of all the things to be excited about in this tournament, that was probably the thing he was the least excited for.
Oh well, it was bound to happen eventually anyway. I might as well deal with it now.
They all stop around where the crowd of participants stood, right around the podium at the center of the arena. It was there that Yuuji noticed a few familiar faces from LDS.
Hokuto, Masumi, Yaiba, Sawatari and…Kurosaki Shun!?
Yuya and Yuzu seemed to have noticed him as well, wearing similarly shocked expressions on their faces while looking in the Xyz Duelist's direction.
What's he doing here? Isn't LDS his enemy? Yuuji wondered. Why would he end up joining them?
Aside from Shun, there was one other person from LDS that caught his eye. It was a pink-haired youth who wore a black skull mask on his face.
That actually looks kind of sick.
Soon after, a man stepped up to the podium, giving a short debrief of their purpose here at the tournament. After that, Nico Smiley announced that there would be a player's oath, given by none other than Yuya himself.
"Huh? Me!?" Yuya's jaw dropped. "No one told me about this."
"Have fun," Yuuji said with a smile as he pushed his friend towards the stage. He quickly retreated after that, before Yuya could say anything in response.
And now we watch. Yuuji thought. If he wants to be an entertainer, he needs to be able to speak to the crowd without being nervous.
And that was also the main reason why Yuuji would never want to become an entertainer. Dealing with large crowds of people was exhausting for someone like him.
Yuya's speech started off awkward, with his nervousness being blatantly obvious to everybody present. However, after some encouragement from his friends along with reminders of how far he had come, he managed to pull himself together. Delivering a heartfelt speech about his journey to get here, along with declaring to everyone present that he would become a pro duelist just like his father, Sakaki Yusho, who can make everyone smile and love dueling just as much as he did.
—Clap. Clap. Clap!
The sounds of clapping started off soft before becoming a crescendo of sound, and everyone present began applauding Yuya's speech.
Yup, I could never. Yuuji thought while he clapped.
Soon after Yuya's speech, it became time for the first-round matchups to be announced.
Yuuji pulled out his registration card from his pocket and inserted it into his duel disk.
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Maiami Championships Round 1:
Junior Youth Match 4:
Haruki Yuuji vs Kurogane Shouma
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A smile formed on Yuuji's face upon seeing the matchup.
The lord above has really blessed me here. Yuuji thought. I can finally knock that loudmouthed bastard down a few pegs.
"My opponent is…Sawatari!?" Yuya shouted in shock.
"Mine is…Masumi?" Yuzu said in surprise.
"When are your matches?" Yuuji asked.
"Mine is tomorrow," Yuya replied.
"My match is this afternoon," Yuzu answered.
"Mine's also this afternoon," Yuuji stated.
"My match is tomorrow," Gongenzaka revealed as he approached the group.
"Gongenzaka, who's your opponent?" Yuya wondered.
Gongenzaka showed the result on his screen, revealing that his Round 1 opponent was none other than Ankokuji Gen.
"It looks like we all are facing destined opponents," Yuuji said as he revealed his screen.
"Isn't that the guy from earlier with the white suit?" Yuzu asked.
"Yup," Yuuji answered. "You don't get how long I've been waiting for this moment."
"My match is right after the ceremony," Futoshi said.
"And mine is right after his," Ayu revealed.
"Then it's settled," Yuya said. "We'll be cheering for Futoshi, Ayu, Yuzu, and Yuuji today then."
"What about you, Sora?" Tatsuya asked the cyan-haired youth, who was still staring at his duel disk.
"Mine's tomorrow. Against somebody from LDS," Sora answered casually.
"LDS? Who is it?" Yuya wondered.
"Hmm…" Sora looked for the name. "...It's Kurosaki Shun. Though, his expression in his picture is a little too serious for my tastes."
"That guy!?" "Shun!?" "Kurosaki!?"
Yuya, Yuzu, and Yuuji all exclaim in shock before turning to each other confused.
"Wait, how do you guys know about him?" Yuuji wondered.
"That's what we were going to ask you," Yuzu said. "How do you know him? We never told you about him."
"I dueled against him like a few days ago," Yuuji answered. "Granted, I lost and had to be bailed out at the last second, but I still dueled him. How do you guys know about him?"
"I first saw him when I was being chased by some LDS Members ordered by Sawatari," Yuya revealed. "He summoned a powerful Xyz Monster and used it to decimate all of the LDS members. I'm not really sure what happened to them all after I was knocked out, but they all ended up disappearing."
They were probably turned into cards. Yuuji grimaced. But there's no point in telling them that. It would only make them more worried for no reason.
"I only saw him briefly as well before he just up and disappeared suddenly," Yuzu loosely explained the events that transpired that day.
"That does sound like him alright," Yuuji nodded before turning to Sora. "You should be careful, Sora. Kurosaki Shun isn't someone we should take lightly."
"I'll be fine, I'm strong," Sora brushed him off. "You should be more worried about your match anyway."
"I'm being serious, Sora," Yuuji stated. "That guy is dangerous."
"Sure he is," Sora rolled his eyes. "I can handle it."
Yuuji's face twitched in annoyance, but he composed himself.
"Fine then, suit yourself."
Afterwards they chatted for a bit longer, with Yuzu going over to confront Masumi about the reason why Shun was a part of LDS. However, weirdly enough, Masumi revealed that Shun had always been a part of LDS.
Which made no sense since Shun had been targeting LDS Staff and students specifically.
Why would someone attack their own school like that?
With them being unable to get any more info out of Masumi, they decided to shift their attention to the upcoming matches, making their way to watch Futoshi's match (which he manages to win easily without much trouble).
Ayu's match on the other hand was a completely different story.
She was going against another young girl her age with lavender-colored hair named Reira. Contrary to her timid appearance and demeanor, Reira showed excellent skill and finesse in her dueling, easily managing to defeat Ayu after Fusion Summoning C/C/C Water Sword of Battle.
She's good. Yuuji assessed. Whoever taught her must have been a talented duelist.
The third match involving You Show was between Yuzu and Masumi. Even with Yuzu's access to Fusion Summoning, Masumi took the lead early on, showing her experience and putting Yuzu on the backfoot for the bulk of the duel. However, towards the latter half of the duel, Yuzu managed to regain her footing, Fusion Summoning Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir to make a surprising comeback in the end—coming out victorious.
Yuuji didn't stay for long to celebrate with the rest of the group, since he needed to make his way down to the arena next.
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Yuuji walked down the hallway towards the stadium, his heart rate accelerating as he made his way to the light of the outside.
It's finally here, the moment I've been waiting for.
Right here on the big stage, he would prove to the world just how much he's grown as a duelist.
He exited the hallway, walking up to the security personnel who stood right at the entrance of the arena. After receiving approval, they allowed Yuuji to enter the arena.
"Entering from the right corner, another Entertainment Duelist hailing from the You Show Duel School, Haruki Yuuji!" Nico Smiley announced.
"I'm not an Entertainment Duelist though…" Yuuji muttered as he waved to the crowd.
"You got this, Yuuji!" Yuya cheered for his friend.
"Do your best!" Yuzu cheered.
"Burn bright, Yuuji! For You Show!" Shuzo shouted with a fire burning in his eyes.
"R-Right…" Yuuji nodded.
"Entering from the left corner, a talented duelist who has managed to enter the tournament with an incredible 90% win rate, Kurogane Shouma!" Nico Smiley announced.
[Shouma, good luck!] His group of fangirls cheered from the stands.
"Thank you for the support," Shouma waved to them with a smile.
"That Action Field these two duelists will be dueling in will be…" A massive Action Card floating at the center of the arena began spinning before revealing an arena. "...Deserted Slums!"
The Real Solid Vision Machine began whirring as their surroundings transformed into that of the slums. The buildings surrounding them were old and worn down. The streets beneath their feet were messy and unkempt.
"How fitting…" Yuuji thought as he closed his eyes to reminisce. "We're right at home. The perfect place for our rematch."
"Couldn't they have chosen a cleaner arena, my new suit will get all dirty," Shouma sighed.
"That's what you get for being a dumbass," Yuuji stated. "Who brings a luxury suit into an Action Duel anyway?"
"I don't need a lecture from an inferior duelist," Shouma scoffed. "I'll finish you off quickly so I don't get this suit too dirty."
"Fine with me, let's start," Yuuji said before he began chanting. "Duelist locked in battle!"
"Kicking the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters!" Shouma continued the chant.
"They storm through this field!"
"Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of Dueling!"
"Action—!"
[DUEL!] The two shout in unison. At the same time, Action Cards were dispersed around the arena.
[Turn 1: Yuuji] [H: 5]
"I'll take the first turn!" Yuuji announced and he drew his first five cards. "I'll start by activating Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw 2 more cards!"
Yuuji drew two cards from his deck.
Antique Maker - Swinging Soul and Antique Maker - Mira. Yuuji's eyes widened when he saw what he drew. I guess I don't have a choice but to reveal these cards then.
"Okay, let's do this," Yuuji took a deep breath before revealing two cards in his hand. "Using the Scale 1 Antique Maker - Swinging Soul and the Scale 8 Antique Maker - Mira, I set the Pendulum Scale!"
Yuuji placed the two cards on opposite ends of his duel disk, the word [PENDULUM] appearing between them in rainbow font. Behind him, a magician in white holding a pendulum necklace and a woman in all black holding a pristine mirror in her hand rose into the two Pendulum Zones behind Yuuji. The numbers 1 and 8 appear on the zones in a strange golden font as above it all, a giant silver pendulum swung back and forth.
"Woah!" Nico Smiley exclaimed. "Just like his classmate Sakaki Yuya, Haruki Yuuji also has access to Pendulum Cards!"
"Another person actually has access to Pendulum Cards," A girl in the audience said in awe. "The rumors were actually true?"
"See, I told you so!" Another girl said to her friend.
Countless murmurs could be heard from the crowd as they discussed the recent reveal. Yuuji tried to not let it bother him, continuing his turn like normal.
"With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I can summon monsters Levels 2 through 7 all at the same time!" Yuuji announced. "Shine, Pendulum of Destiny! Draw an arc across the ether, and reflect onto me a path to victory! I Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my monster!"
The pendulum in the sky drew a portal, as one beam of light shot out from it.
"Appear, phantom dragon bearing my very soul. Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7/SC: 4)!"
Yuuji's purple dragon with bone-like armor which had dozens of pretty orbs scattered around it appeared.
"Of course, you would use that cheat of yours," Shouma mocked. "You can't do anything without it."
"Well duh, my deck is literally built around it," Yuuji rolled his eyes. "How about you stop complaining and do something about it. I set one card and end my turn."
A facedown card appeared on Yuuji's field.
"You asked for it, not me," Shouma replied. "My turn! Draw!"
[Turn 2: Shouma] [H: 6]
"I'll start by moving into my Battle Phase," Shouma stated.
"Battle Phase? But you have no monsters?" Yuuji raised an eyebrow.
"End of Battle Phase," Shouma continued.
Why would he move into his Battle Phase and just immediately end it? Yuuji wondered. He must be planning something.
"When I control no cards during the end of my Battle Phase, I can activate the effect of the Trap Card, Evenly Matched from my hand!" Shouma announced.
A Trap Card effect from the hand!? Yuuji's eyes widened in shock.
"When Evenly Matched is activated, my opponent must banish cards on their field until their total number of cards equals mine," Shouma stated. "I only have one card on my field right now, meaning you must banish cards until you only have one remaining!"
"So that's what you were planning," Yuuji grimaced. "You wanted to wipe out my field completely."
"Pendulum Monsters return to the Extra Deck when they're destroyed, so they're able to just be summoned back again as long as you have an appropriate Pendulum Scale," Shouma explained before smiling. "But it's a different story when they're banished."
"Damn…" Yuuji cursed under his breath. "Which card should I keep?"
Antique Maker - Mira was an extremely valuable card that he couldn't afford to lose since it could help him search for other cards in his deck, but…
It won't do much when it's in my Pendulum Scale. Yuuji thought. If I don't find a way to get it onto my field, I won't be able to make use of that effect anyway.
So if that's the case…
"...the card I choose to keep on my field is Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon," Yuuji stated as he was forced to send every other card he controlled into his Banish Zone.
"And with just a single card, Kurogane Shouma has managed to neutralize Yuuji's Pendulum Summoning!" Nico Smiley exclaimed. "This is shaping up to be quite the match-up!"
How did Shouma even know about that property of Pendulum Monsters? Yuuji wondered. The only people who would know that are my friends, the LDS trio, Sawatari, a few of Yuya's opponents, and…
Yuuji glanced up, noticing Reiji looking directly at him from his V.I.P. booth—a small smile present on his face.
You've got to be kidding me. Yuuji's jaw dropped.
"Main Phase 2," Shouma continued his turn. "I summon the Tuner Monster, Umbrahex Spectre (Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 900/DEF: 500/LV: 2)!"
A dark, ghastly purple spirit with red eyes appeared.
Umbrahex? Yuuji was surprised. But the last time I dueled him, he made use of a different archetype.
Granted, it has been a good year since they last dueled, but to change your whole deck completely is odd, especially when it was working well for him.
"When Umbrahex Spectre is summoned, I can Special Summon another 'Umbrahex' Monster from my hand!" Shouma announced. "Appear, Umbrahex Vineyard (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1500/LV: 5)!"
A ghastly spirit monster with a body surrounded by vines appeared.
"I'm sure you know what comes next, Yuuji," Shouma smirked. "My Level 2 Umbrahex Spectre tunes my Level 5 Umbrahex Vineyard!"
The two aforementioned monsters transformed into green rings and orbs respectively, lining up as a pillar of light shot through its center.
"Fiendish warrior brandishing the crescent moon. Tear through your enemies!" Shouma chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! Umbrahex Darkscythe (Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
A skeleton with a body made of black bones, brandishing an ethereal scythe appeared on Shouma's field.
"What a fantastic Synchro Summoning from player Kurogane!" Nico Smiley exclaimed.
"Darkscythe's effect activates!" Shouma declared. "When this monster is Synchro Summoned, I can target 1 monster on your field, destroy it, and deal damage to you equal to half that monster's ATK!"
The skeleton fiend's ethereal scythe grows in size, as it then uses it to slash through Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon. The sheer force of the attack sent Yuuji tumbling back.
Yuuji — LP: 4000 → 2750
"Tch," Yuuji clicked his tongue as he stood back up.
"Furthermore, when a Fiend-type monster is Synchro Summoned with Umbrahex Spectre as material, I get to draw 1 card!"
Shouma drew a card.
"Next, I activate Umbrahex Vineyard's effect from the graveyard!" Shouma continued. "When it is in my graveyard, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon it back to my field. Return, Umbrahex Vineyard (ATK: 1800/DEF: 1500/LV: 5) in defense mode!"
The spirit surrounded by vines appeared once again, this time with a faint blue aura around it. Shouma grits his teeth as he felt his duel disk shock him.
Shouma — LP: 4000 → 3500
"I set two cards and end my turn," Shouma concludes his turn with two facedown cards. "Even with that cheat of yours, you still can't change the difference between us in terms of dueling skill."
"Save that for after you wipe out my Life Points," Yuuji rolled his eyes before beginning his turn. "I draw!"
[Turn 3: Yuuji] [H: 3]
"Just what I needed," Yuuji smiled as he looked at what he drew. "I set the Scale 8 Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon into my Pendulum Zone!"
A small dragon with bright yellow scales and horns shaped like a thunderbolt perched on its head rose into one of Yuuji's empty Pendulum Zones.
"Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon's Pendulum Effect activates," Yuuji stated. "Once per turn, I can add 1 "Odd-Eyes" Card from my deck to my hand. The card I choose to add is the Pendulum Monster, Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon."
Yuuji added a card to his hand and revealed it.
"Now, I rebuild my Pendulum Scale with the Scale 1 Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon and the Scale 8 Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon already in my Pendulum Zone!"
Yuuji placed the card on the opposite end of his duel disk, the word [PENDULUM] appearing once again in rainbow font as a small blue-scaled dragon with a set of blue wings made of water rose into Yuuji's other empty Pendulum Scale.
"Alright!" Ayu cheered from the stands. "Yuuji-senpai has managed to rebuild his Pendulum Scale! He can win this!"
"It's still too early to say that," Sora stated. "The duel is only in its beginning stages right now."
Back in the arena, Yuuji's pendulum necklace begins to glow as a portal appeared in the sky. A singular beam of light shoots out from it.
"I Pendulum Summon! Return from my Extra Deck, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
The purple dragon with bone-like armor reappeared on Yuuji's field.
"Furthermore, Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon's Pendulum Effect activates!" Yuuji continued. "Whenever I Pendulum Summon an 'Odd-Eyes' Monster, I get to draw 1 card!"
Yuuji drew a card.
"So what if you managed to rebuild that Pendulum Scale of yours?" Shouma scoffed. "You're monster is still too weak to do anything."
"For now," Yuuji said as he hopped on Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon. "Let's go, partner."
Phantom Dragon roars as it begins running through the streets of the ruined slums.
"Going for an Action Card, huh?" Shouma frowned. "As if I would let you do that. Stop him, Umbrahex Darkscythe!"
The skeleton fiend leaps in the air, closing the distance between itself, Yuuji and Phantom Dragon. However, before it gets to close, Yuuji leaps off Phantom Dragon to grab an Action Card that stuck out from the roof of one of the buildings. He slid to a stop along with Phantom Dragon—the two of them turning their attention to Umbrahex Darkscythe.
"I activate the Action Card, Damage Breaker!" Yuuji announced. "I can target 1 monster on my field and increase its ATK by 500!"
A red aura surrounded Phantom Dragon as it powered up.
(Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon — ATK: 2500 → 3000)
"Furthermore, I equip the Equip Spell, Power Reboot to Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon!" Yuuji continued. "When a monster is equipped with Power Reboot, it can make a second attack during the Battle Phase!"
Blue circuits began forming across Phantom Dragon's body.
"Battle!" Yuuji moved into his Battle Phase. "Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon attacks Umbrahex Darkscythe! Phantom Spiral Breath!"
Phantom Dragon shoots a breath of purple flames towards Shouma's incoming monster.
"Naive!" Shouma declares as one of his set cards is flipped face up. "I activate the Counter Trap, Tricky Situation! By discarding 1 card from my hand, I can negate your first attack and reduce your monster's ATK by 500!"
Umbrahex Darkscythe uses its ethereal scythe to slash through the flames—the two attacks canceling each other out.
(Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon — ATK: 3000 → 2500)
"Then what about this! Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon attacks Umbrahex Vineyard!"
Phantom Dragon shoots a breath of purple flames at the spirit surrounded by vines, incinerating the monster.
"Upon its destruction Umbrahex Vineyard's effect activates again, allowing me to Special Summon it back to my field by paying a cost of 500 Life Points," Shouma stated as Umbrahex Vineyard returned to his field once again.
Shouma grit his teeth as he felt his duel disk shock him again.
Shouma — LP: 3500 → 3000
"Even after Player Haruki managed to bounce back with another Pendulum Summon, Player Kurogane has managed to maintain his lead by staving off the Pendulum User's devastating assault!" Nico Smiley announced.
"Even after he managed to rebuild his field, that guy just shut him down," Yuzu frowned.
"See what I mean," Sora shrugged. "It's going to take a lot more than something as simple as that for Yuuji to win."
"I, the man Gongenzaka, agree," Gongenzaka nodded. "Yuuji's plays so far have been way too predictable. He's going to have to ramp up his plays."
"Yuuji will find a way," Yuya said. "He has to."
"And just like that, you've done absolutely nothing," Shouma commented before he shrugged. "Tough luck."
"..." Yuuji was silent. "I end my turn."
"No comeback this time, huh?" Shouma smirked. "Fine with me, you're more tolerable when you keep your mouth shut."
Yuuji rolled his eyes at the comment.
It's not like I've made no progress. His Life Points are still being lowered by his monster's effect. Yuuji thought.
"I'll stop stalling now. My turn! Draw!"
Shouma drew a card as he began his turn.
[Turn 4: Shouma] [H: 2]
Shouma's other set card is flipped face up.
"I activate my Continuous Trap, Umbrahex Spectral Chains!" Shouma announced. "However, you'll have to wait to see its effects."
That's definitely something that'll be annoying. Yuuji grimaced.
"Next, from my hand I summon the Tuner Monster, Umbrahex Typhon (Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1)!" A black-winged hawk appeared. "Next, I activate its effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon an 'Umbrahex' Monster in my graveyard! Arise, Umbrahex Darkhound (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 100/LV: 4)!"
A three-headed cerberus with dark fur appeared.
"Umbrahex Darkhound's effect now activates!" Shouma declared. "When this card is summoned, you must banish the top three cards from your deck!"
Yuuji drew three cards, sending them to his Banish Zone.
"Now the Level 1 Umbrahex Typhon tunes the Level 4 Umbrahex Darkhound!" Shouma declared as the aforementioned monster transformed into green orbs and rings respectively, lining up as he began chanting. "King of the forest, announce your presence! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 5! Umbrahex Leobane (Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 1000/LV: 5)!"
A lion with dark fur and a mane that glowed an ethereal blue color appeared.
"Player Kurogane has performed another perfect Synchro Summon!" Nico Smiley announced. "Player Haruki is in trouble now!"
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious…" Yuuji muttered.
"Umbrahex Leobane gains 300 ATK for each banish card from either of our fields," Shouma stated. "You currently have six in your Banish Zone, so Leobane gains 1800 ATK!"
(Umbrahex Leobane — ATK: 100 → 1900)
"I activate Umbrahex Leobane's other effect!" Shouma declared. "Once per turn, I can make you banish another five cards from your deck!"
"Tch…" Yuuji clicked his tongue as he drew five cards, sending each of them into the graveyard. At the same time, Leobane began powering up.
(Umbrahex Leobane — ATK: 1900 → 3400)
"Battle!" Shouma shouted as his monsters rushed towards Yuuji. "Umbrahex Darkscythe attacks Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon!"
The skeleton fiend raises its ethereal scythe towards Phantom Dragon, attempting to slice right through the dragon.
"Not this time!" Yuuji shouted. "I activate the effect of Antique Kuriblock from my hand! For the rest of this turn, all battle damage is negated, and Pendulum Monsters on my field can't be destroyed!"
A small creature with a body made out of colorful blocks appeared in front of Yuuji's monster. Shortly after, a barrier formed around itself and Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, shielding it from Shouma's attack.
"That damn resilience of yours. Even after so long, you still have it." Shouma frowned.
"Persevering is all I've ever known," Yuuji replied. "Both in real life and in a duel."
"Well stop that, you should stay down when you're down," Shouma sneered. "I end my turn."
"Then it's my turn! Draw!" Yuuji began his turn.
[Turn 5: Yuuji] [H: 2]
"First, I activate Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon's Pendulum Effect once again!" Yuuji declared. "Thanks to its effect, I can add another "Odd-Eyes" card to my hand!"
Yuuji added a card to his hand.
"Next, I summon the Tuner Monster, Antique Resonance Mirror (Light/Fairy/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 2)!" Yuuji announced that a floating, pristine mirror appeared on his field. "When this monster is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon 1 'Antique' Monster from my deck to my field—!"
"Naive!" Shouma shouted as chains suddenly appeared around Yuuji's monster. "Umbrahex Spectral Chain's effect activates! While it is on the field, the effects of all Non-DARK Monsters are negated!"
"Ehhh!?" Yuuji cried out in shock.
"That locks Yuuji out of half of his deck," Yuzu gasped.
"He also can't use the effects of any of his boss monsters since none of them are DARK Monsters," Sora added.
"And Yuuji-senpai also now has a 0 ATK Monster out on the field," Tatsuya pointed out. "If his opponent decides to attack it with any of his Synchro Monsters, he'll lose."
[Ehhh!?] Futoshi and Ayu cried out in unison.
"Yuuji, you have to get it off your field somehow…" Yuya muttered.
"That's annoying…" Yuuji muttered. "I was planning on summoning Antique Burdened staff to take control of one of Shouma's monsters, but it seems like I'll have to scrap that plan for now…"
"What's wrong, Yuuji?" Shouma inquired. "Did that ruin all of your plans?"
"I'm not done," Yuuji stated. "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card Pendulum Trade! I can tribute up to both of my monsters set in my Pendulum Scale, and draw an equal number of cards. I choose to tribute both of my scales!"
Yuuji's Pendulum Scale is destroyed as a result.
"Trading away your crux for some cards, how pointless," Shouma scoffed.
"We'll see if it's pointless," Yuuji stated as he placed his hand over his deck. "I draw!"
Yuuji drew two cards. When he noticed one of the cards he drew, he smiled.
This'll work. Yuuji thought.
"I set the Scale 8 Antique Golden Carol into my Pendulum Scale!" Yuuji announced as a golden bell rose into one of his empty Pendulum Zones. "I then Antique Golden Carol's Pendulum Effect, allowing me to place another 'Antique' Monster into my other Pendulum Zone!"
Yuuji added a card to his hand.
"Wait, how did you activate its effect?" Shouma was confused. "Isn't it also a LIGHT Monster like the rest of your 'Antique' Monsters?"
"Your effect only applies to non-DARK Monsters on the field," Yuuji clarified. "When a Pendulum Monster is placed in a Pendulum Zone, it's treated as a Spell Card, not a monster card."
"What?"
Yuuji revealed the card he added to his hand.
"I rebuild my Pendulum Scale with the Scale 1 Antique Maker - Lilac Magician in my hand and the Scale 8 Antique Golden Carol already set into my Pendulum Scale!"
Yuuji announced as he placed the card on the opposite end of his duel disk, the word [PENDULUM] appearing in between once again as a female magician in a purple robe, holding a similarly colored scepter rose into his other Pendulum Zone.
"With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I can summon monsters Levels 2 through 7 all at the same time!" Yuuji announced. "Shine, Pendulum of Destiny! Draw an arc across the ether, and reflect onto me a path to victory! Come out, my monster companions!"
A portal appeared above, with two beams of light shooting out from it.
"Return from my Extra Deck, Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1000/LV: 4/SC: 8)! And Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2100/LV: 5/SC: 1) in defense mode!"
Yuuji's two dragon monsters return to his field. Surrounding the blue-scaled dragon was a faint blue aura.
"Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon's effect now activates!" Yuuji announced. "When it is summoned, I can add 1 'Odd-Eyes' Spell/Trap from my deck to my hand!"
Yuuji added a card to his hand.
"Next, the Level 2 Antique Resonance Mirror now tunes the Level 5 Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon!" Yuuji announced as the aforementioned monsters transform into green rings and orbs, lining up as a pillar of light shot through its center. "Item of old lost through time. Bring about your legacy! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! The forbidden wand of calamity, Antique Burdened Staff (Light/Fairy/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 7) in defense mode!"
An old, floating, used-up wand appeared on Yuuji's field. Shortly after it appeared, chains appeared around it—locking it in place.
"Incredible! Player Haruki has managed to follow up his Pendulum Summoning with an impressive Synchro Summon!" Nico Smiley announced.
However, contrasting Nico Smiley's enthusiastic comment, Yuuji just frowned.
I can't do anything in this situation. Yuuji thought. Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon's ATK is way too low, so the only monster it can destroy is Umbrahex Vineyard, which Shouma could always just bring back.
"Well, whatever…" Yuuji sighed. "Battle! Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon attacks Umbrahex Vineyard! Phantom Spiral Breath!"
Phantom Dragon shoots a breath of purple flames at the vine monster, incinerating it once again. However, surprisingly, Shouma doesn't immediately activate Vineyard's effect.
He didn't activate it? Yuuji was shocked. He must be worried about me attacking it with Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon.
There was only one thing he could do in this situation.
"I set two cards and end my turn," Yuuji concluded with two facedowns.
"Huh? That's it?" Futoshi was confused. "I thought he would do more."
"It's not like he could do much when his monsters are just weaker than his opponents," Gongenzaka stated. "The only thing he can do right now is bide his time until he finds a solution."
"The real question is whether or not Yuuji could hold out that long," Sora said as he opened another lollipop. "His opponent definitely won't make it easy."
"My turn! Draw!" Shouma began his turn.
[Turn 6: Shouma] [H: 2]
Shouma looked at the card he drew and smiled.
"The lords above are looking down on me right now," Shouma said. "But first, I activate Umbrahex Vineyard's effect once again, Special Summoning it back onto my field (ATK: 1800/DEF: 1500/LV: 5)!"
A spirit monster surrounded by vines appeared once again.
Shouma — LP: 3000 → 2500
"Next, I activate Umbrahex Summoning Ritual from my hand!" Shouma announced. "By tributing 1 'Umbrahex' Monster on my field along with 1 monster from your field, I can Special Summon an 'Umbrahex' Monster directly from my Extra Deck, ignoring all of its summoning conditions!"
"What?" Yuuji's eyes widened.
"I tribute Umbrahex Vineyard along with your Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon!" Shouma declared, the aforementioned monsters being destroyed as a result. "Arise, Level 8! Umbrahex Crimson Dread (Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2000/LV: 8)!"
A portal appeared on the ground in front of Shouma. Rising from within was a giant red ogre holding a giant, ethereal red mace in its hand.
"Once per turn, when an 'Umbrahex' Spell that targets a monster you control is activated while I control a Fiend-type Synchro Monster, I can target 1 face-up card Spell/Trap Card on your field and banish it thanks to Umbrahex Spectral Chains! I choose to remove Antique Golden Carol from play!"
A dark portal appeared right under Antique Golden Carol as chains shot out from it, wrapping around the golden ball and dragging it down into the portal. Yuuji takes Antique Golden Carol out of his Pendulum Scale and discards it to his Banish Zone.
(Umbrahex Leobane — 3400 → 3700)
"Umbrahex Crimson Dread's effect then activates upon its summoning, dealing 1000 points of damage to you!" Shouma announced as his monster let out a deafening roar, forcing Yuuji to cover his ears as his Life Points dropped.
Yuuji — LP: 2750 → 1750
"Furthermore, Crimson Dread's second effect now activates!" Shouma declared. "Once per turn, I can target 1 monster on your field, destroy it, and deal damage 500 points of damage to you. I choose to destroy your Synchro Monster!"
Crimson Dread swings its massive mace towards the wooden staff, crushing it, and sending Yuuji flying thanks to the shockwaves of the attack.
Yuuji — LP: 1750 → 1250
"He's not giving Yuuji a single moment to breath," Yuzu frowned.
"Next, I activate Umbrahex Leobane's effect once again, forcing you to banish the top five cards from your deck!" Shouma continued as Yuuji drew five cards and discarded them into his Banish Zone.
At the same time, Leobane's ATK increases.
(Umbrahex Leobane — ATK: 3700 → 5200)
"Finally, I activate Umbrahex Control!" Shouma announced. "Thanks to this card, I can take control of one of your monsters until the End Phase! I choose to take control of your Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon!"
Chains were shot out from the card, wrapping around the yellow-scaled dragon and dragging it onto Shouma's field.
"Player Kurogane has managed to completely wipe out player Haruki's field!" Nico Smiley announced. "Could this be the end!?"
"Battle!" Shouma moved into his Battle Phase, but before he made any commands, he revealed a final card in his hand. "I activate an Action Card I picked up earlier, Shatter Trap! I can target 1 set card on your field and destroy it!"
A spear materialized in the air, shooting down and piercing one of Yuuji's set Traps, destroying it.
"Now, I'll end you with your own monster, Yuuji! Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon attacks you directly!" Shouma shouted as Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon shot a blast of flames at Yuuji.
"I activate my Trap Card, Endurance!" Yuuji countered with his other set card. "By reducing my Life Points to 1, all sources of damage are negated until the end of my next Standby Phase!"
Yuuji — LP: 1250 → 1
Yuuji braced himself, slashing away the fireball with his duel blade.
"Phew," Ayu sighed a breath of relief. "He managed to survive this turn."
"Barely. He only has a single Life Point now," Tatsuya pointed out. "Any effect that deals damage will easily take him out on his next turn."
However, much to Yuuji's surprise, Shouma began laughing.
"Oh Yuuji, how naive," Shouma said as a crazed smile formed on his face. "You think being protected from damage will stop me?"
"Huh?" Yuuji said with a perplexed expression.
"Umbrahex Darkscythe now attacks you directly!" Shouma commanded his monster.
"What? But it won't be doing any damage," Yuuji was shocked.
"I could care less about depleting your Life Points," Shouma sneered. "I just want to put you down for good."
Yuuji could barely react as Shouma's monster closed the distance between them, aiming to slash right through Yuuji's with its ethereal scythe. Yuuji narrowly avoided its attack by ducking under the blade, but was caught by surprise when the skeleton fiend kicked him right in the stomach, sending him tumbling back.
"That was just the appetizer!" Shouma shouted. "Umbrahex Leobane now attacks you directly!"
The lion with black fur and an ethereal blue mane lunged towards Yuuji, trying to bite down on him. However, Yuuji manages to roll away before the attack connects. He then notices an Action Card nearby, quickly picks it up, and attempts to play it. Shouma does something similar, picking up his own Action Card and playing it.
"I activate the Action Spell, Evasion!" Yuuji announced. "Negating your monster's attack—!"
However, before he could play it, his Action Spell was suddenly destroyed.
"What—?"
—Thud!
Leobane lands nearby him. Before he could react, he was whacked by the tail of the monster, slamming right into a building nearby.
"Gah!" Yuuji gasped as he felt the air escape his lungs from the blow—his consciousness beginning to wane.
"Yuuji!" Yuya cried out for his friend.
"Why aren't they stopping him?" Yuzu wondered. "He's not allowed to do that…right?"
"He technically isn't breaking any rules, unfortunately," Shuzo stated. "You've all signed contracts to become Action Duelists. And on the contract, it states that there is a risk of major injury when participating. As long as Kurogane doesn't permanently disable or kill his opponent, everything else is fair game."
"So, they can't do anything about this?" Yuzu frowned.
"I'm afraid so," Shuzo replied.
"Now for my final attack, Umbrahex Crimson Dread now attacks you directly!" Shouma shouted as the ogre began running towards Yuuji, who was still in shock from the last hit.
I-I can't dodge this!
Crimson Dread winds its mace back, before swinging it right into Yuuji at full force.
—SNAP!
Yuuji could feel something on his side crack from the sheer power of the blow, the attack sending Yuuji flying away with enough force to send him through two buildings.
—Crumble!
The buildings themselves, unable to withstand the pressure, began to collapse, with Yuuji himself being buried in the rubble.
"..."
Everyone was silent at the violent display.
"U-Um…" Nico Smiley began speaking in an unsure tone. "If Player Haruki doesn't make a move in the next minute, he'll automatically be disqualified."
Ten seconds passed. Twenty. Thirty. But there was no sign.
"It can't be…" Yuzu covered her mouth.
"C-Could Y-Yuuji b-be…" Futoshi began stuttering.
Yuya and Gongenzaka clenched their fists, rage beginning to well up within them.
Forty. Fifty.
Sixty—
—Rumble!
A few bits of debris began to shake as a hand stuck out from it, beginning to push away the blocks of concrete. Yuuji emerges from the rubble, his body mostly covered in dust. He could be seen clutching his left bicep with his other hand while blood was streaming down from his mouth.
"Player Haruki has managed to get back up!" Nico Smiley announced.
"He's okay!" Ayu cheered.
"Okay is an overstatement," Sora said. "He looks like he could fall over at any moment."
"Hah…hah…hah…" Yuuji panted heavily.
"Damn…you really don't know when to stay down," Shouma frowned. "Oh well, I'll put you down for good on my next turn. I end my turn. And with the end of my turn, Umbrahex Control's effect banishes Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon during the End Phase."
The yellow-scaled dragon is dragged into a dark portal beneath it—removing it from play.
(Umbrahex Leobane — ATK: 5200 → 5500)
"M-My turn…" Yuuji said as his body began shaking. "Draw!"
Yuuji drew a card as he began his turn.
[Turn 7: Yuuji] [H: 2]
Yuuji looked at the card he drew and frowned.
Antique Maker - Tuning Witch? I can't summon this.
Thanks to her effect, he takes 100 points of damage for each Pendulum Card on his field. He still has Antique Maker - Lilac Magician in his Pendulum Zone, so he would just take 100 points of damage and lose the duel immediately after that.
"I activate Odd-Eyes Pendulum Rebirth!" Yuuji played the Spell Card he had added to his hand a while back thanks to Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon's summoning effect. "Thanks to its effect…I can Special Summon up to two 'Odd-Eyes' Monsters from either my graveyard or face-up in my Extra Deck! Return to my field, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7) and Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon (ATK: 1000/DEF: 2100/LV: 5) both in defense mode!"
Yuuji's dragons appear on his field once again, this time with a faint blue aura surrounding the two of them.
"Summoning them in defense mode. Have you finally given up?" Shouma sneered.
"..." Yuuji couldn't even find a response.
What else can I even do? Yuuji thought with a hopeless expression on his face. Lilac Magician's Pendulum Effect allows me to Fusion Summon a monster from my Extra Deck, but I can't make use of Antique Golden Kaiju's effect thanks to Shouma's Continuous Trap. I can't summon Tuning Witch either, and even if I could, I can't use Antique Maker - Freedom Rider for the same reason.
He was stuck. There was literally nothing he could do. On Shouma's next turn, he could just activate Crimson Dread's effect to destroy one of Yuuji's monsters and wipe out the rest of his Life Points.
I haven't felt this hopeless since my match against Ryouga. Yuuji clenched his right fist. And to this bastard of all people, in the biggest tournament of the year. My one chance to prove my dueling skills to the world like my father did so many years ago.
"ROOOOAAARRR!" Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon let out a deafening roar, drawing Yuuji's attention.
"Huh? What are you calling me a dumbass for?" Yuuji asked his dragon.
"Grah!" Phantom Dragon growled.
"For giving up?" Yuuji's eyes widened. "But can you blame me? We can't do anything in this situation. I have to win on this turn, but I can't. It's…hopeless."
—Thud!
"Grah!" Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon stomped on the ground, before turning towards Lilac Magician that was in Yuuji's Pendulum Scale.
Yuuji looked in the same direction before turning back to Odd-Eyes.
"Lilac Magician? You want me to use her effect?"
Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon nodded, its amber-colored eyes more vibrant than ever before.
"So, you haven't given up…" Yuuji muttered
...
"Haha...ahahahahaha," Yuuji began laughing.
"Has he gone insane?"
"Who is he talking to?"
"Why is he laughing?"
His reaction puzzled many in the crowd.
"Fine," Yuuji smiled. "We'll do things your way. If you haven't given up yet, neither will I!"
Just as he declared that, the image of a new dragon appeared in his mind.
[Current Theme Playing: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Sound Duel 1 - Swing! Pendulum of Souls]
"Are you talking to your dragon?" Shouma wondered before he burst out laughing. "It's hilarious! All of that blood loss has made you go crazy."
"Let's see if you keep laughing after this," Yuuji stated as he pointed his right arm into the sky. "I activate Antique Maker - Lilac Magician's Pendulum Effect! Once per turn, I can perform a Fusion Summon using monsters on my field or in my hand, without the need for Polymerization!"
"What?" Shouma's eyes widened. "A Fusion Summon without Polymerization?"
"Oh..." Reiji muttered with intrigue from his seat in his V.I.P Booth.
"I'll surpass my limits, here and now! I fuse Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon together with the Antique Maker - Tuning Witch in my hand!"
Yuuji declared as the aforementioned monsters rose into the air and began fusing.
"Shining witch! Become one with the phantom dragon and give birth to a new power!" Yuuji chanted before clasping his hands together. "I Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! The crystalline dragon with amber-colored eyes, Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500/LV: 8)!"
A large dragon with purple-colored scales, crystal armor that surrounds most of its body, and an amber-colored orb on its chest that matched the color of its eyes appeared on Yuuji's field.
"Player Haruki has managed to Fusion Summon without a Fusion Spell!" Nico Smiley announced. "Could this be the monster that'll bring the climax of this duel!?"
"Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon's effect activates upon its summon!" Yuuji declared. "The effects of all face-up cards on your field are negated until the End Phase! Crystal Suppression!"
Crystal-Eyes lets out a deafening roar as its power suppresses all of the effects of Shouma's cards.
(Umbrahex Leobane — ATK: 5500 → 1000)
"No way…" Shouma began sweating slightly for the first time in this duel.
"Battle!" Yuuji moved into his Battle Phase. "Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon attacks Umbrahex Leobane! Crystal Breath!"
"Like hell I'll let you!" Shouma jumps to grab an Action Card sticking out from a nearby window. "I activate the Action Spell, Redirection! When my opponent declares an attack, I can change the target of the attack to a different monster I control! I change Crystal Eyes Phantom Dragon's target to Umbrahex Crimson Dread!"
(Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon — ATK: 3000)
(Umbrahex Crimson Dread — ATK: 3000)
"Our monsters have similar attack points, so they'll both be destroyed by this battle…" Shouma stated before a crazed smile formed on his face. "And with it, your chances of victory will follow suit! I win, Yuuji!"
"You win?"
Yuuji closed his eyes for a moment before they shoot open again.
"Naive!" Yuuji shouted. "Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon's effect activates!"
"What?" Shouma's eyes widened in shock.
"By tributing it from my field, one 'Odd-Eyes' Monster on my field gains 1000 ATK!" Yuuji declared.
"But Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon isn't an 'Odd-Eyes' Monster! Your effect is useless!" Shouma sneered.
"Useless? As if I would make a mistake like that," Yuuji scoffed. "Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon is also treated as 'Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon', so it's a suitable target for Surge Dragon's effect!"
Surge Dragon bursts into blue particles which then surround Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon, powering it up.
(Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon — ATK: 3000 → 4000)
"Now here comes the climax!" Yuuji announced as he pumped his fist forward. "Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon attacks Umbrahex Crimson Dread! Crystal Breath!"
Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon shoots a breath of shiny, violet flames, engulfing the red ogre completely.
"Who cares if you destroy my monster, on my next turn I'll wipe out the rest of your Life Points with my other monsters—!" Shouma shouted in defiance.
"—Next turn?" Yuuji interrupted, a dark expression present on his face. "There will be no next turn!"
"What—?"
"Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon's third and final effect!" Yuuji declared as the crystal armor that covered Phantom Dragon's body began to glow. "When it destroys a monster via battle, you take damage equal to the destroyed monster's ATK! So, on top of the 1000 points of damage you'll take from the battle, you'll take an additional 3000 points of damage!"
"I-Impossible! I can't lose to you!" Shouma looked distraught.
"With this attack, I'll break free from my past self! Crystal Burst!"
The violet flames exploded, destroying Shouma's red ogre. The shockwaves of the attack engulfed Shouma and sent him flying right into a building, making him gasp for air as his Life Points dropped to 0.
Shouma — LP: 2500 → 0
Winner: Yuuji
[BGM (Background Music) Ends Here.]
Crystal-Eyes lets out one last deafening roar before it along with the Action Field disappears, returning Yuuji to the arena.
"Incredible!" Nico Smiley announced as the crowd began cheering. "In a dramatic climax, Player Haruki has managed to find a way to victory with a dazzling Fusion Summon!"
"He did it," Yuzu let out a breath of relief.
"I was getting worried there, but he managed to pull through in the end," Sora said.
Unlike the rest of his friends, Yuya wasn't as excited. In fact, he didn't even see the climax of the duel, as his eyes were locked onto the Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon in his hand that was glowing for some reason.
"..." Yuuji silently watched Shouma struggle to get up as he was still gasping for air for a moment before turning around and beginning to walk away when…
"W-Wait…" Shouma said. "This isn't over…"
"And you said I didn't know when to give up," Yuuji scoffed. "It's over, Shouma. You lost."
"You cheated didn't you?" Shouma accused him. "There's no way I would lose to you otherwise!"
"Think what you want," Yuuji shrugged before beginning to walk away. "I could care less about what you do or think now."
<><><><><><><><><><>
Custom/Altered Cards:
Monster Card/s -
Umbrahex Spectre
ATK: 900, DEF: 500, LV: 2
Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect
Monster Effect: If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Umbrahex" monster from your hand. When a Fiend-type Synchro Monster is Synchro Summoned using this card as a material: You can draw 1 card.
Umbrahex Vineyard
ATK: 1800, DEF: 1500, LV: 5
Dark/Fiend/Effect
Monster Effect: Once per turn, if this card is sent to the graveyard, pay 500 Life Points; then Special Summon this card to your field.
Umbrahex Typhon
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 1
Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect
Monster Effect: Once per turn: Target 1 "Umbrahex" Monster in your graveyard, Special Summon it to your field.
Umbrahex Darkhound
ATK: 2000, DEF: 100, LV: 4
Dark/Fiend/Effect
Monster Effect: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, banish the top three cards of your opponent's Deck. Once per turn, you can target 1 Fiend-type monster you control; it gains 1000 ATK until the End Phase.
Umbrahex Darkscythe
ATK: 2800, DEF: 2000, LV: 7
Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect
1 Fiend-type Tuner Monster + 1+ Non-Tuner Monsters
Monster Effect: When this card is Synchro Summoned: Target 1 monster on your opponent's field; destroy it, then inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster's ATK. Once per turn, when a Fiend-type monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can pay 500 Life Points to negate that monster's destruction.
Umbrahex Leobane
ATK: 100, DEF: 1000, LV: 5
Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect
1 Fiend-type Tuner Monster + 1+ Non-Tuner Monsters
Monster Effect: This card gains 300 ATK for each card in either player's Banished Zone. Once per turn, you can banish the top five cards of your opponent's deck, face-down.
Umbrahex Crimson Dread
ATK: 3000, DEF: 2000, LV: 8
Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect
1 Fiend-type Tuner Monster + 1+ Non-Tuner Monsters
Monster Effect: Non-Dark monsters cannot activate their effects while they are face-up on the field. When this card is Synchro Summoned, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. Once per turn, you can target 1 monster on your opponent's field; destroy it, then inflict 500 damage to your opponent.
Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon
ATK: 1800, DEF: 1000, LV: 4, SC: 8
Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect
Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: You can add 1 "Odd-Eyes" card from your Deck to your hand.
Monster Effect: If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can set 1 "Odd-Eyes" Spell/Trap directly from your Deck. You can only use this effect of "Odd-Eyes Sparking Dragon" once per turn.
Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon
ATK: 1000, DEF: 2100, LV: 5, SC: 1
Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect
Pendulum Effect: "Odd-Eyes" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects. When an "Odd-Eyes" Monster is Pendulum Summoned; draw 1 card.
Monster Effect: (Quick Effect): You can Tribute this card, then target 1 "Odd-Eyes" monster you control; it gains 1000 ATK until the End Phase. You can only use this effect of "Odd-Eyes Surge Dragon" once per turn.
Antique Kuriblock
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 2, SC: 6
Light/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect
Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, if you would take damage, you can negate that damage. If a Pendulum Monster you control would be destroyed by battle, you can discard 1 card instead.
Monster Effect: (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; this turn, you take no battle damage, and Pendulum Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle.
Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon
ATK: 3000, DEF: 2500, LV: 8
Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect
1 Dragon Monster + 1 Spellcaster Monster
Monster Effect: This card is treated as "Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon". This card must be Fusion Summoned. When this card is Fusion Summoned, negate the effects of all other face-up cards on your opponent's field until the End Phase. If this card destroys a monster by battle, inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's current ATK.
Spell/Trap Card/s -
Tricky Situation
Counter Trap
When a Fiend-type monster you control is targeted for an attack: You can discard 1 card; negate the attack, and the attacking monster's ATK is reduced by 500 until the end of the turn.
Umbrahex Spectral Chains
Continuous Trap
While this card is on the field, all face-up non-DARK monsters have their effects negated. If you activate an "Umbrahex" Spell/Trap Card, you can target 1 face-up Spell/Trap your opponent controls; banish it.
Umbrahex Control
Normal Spell
Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; take control of it until the End Phase, then banish it. If you control an "Umbrahex" Synchro Monster, you can activate this card during your opponent's turn.
Pendulum Draw
Normal Spell
Tribute up to 2 cards in your Pendulum Zones; draw an equal number of cards.
Odd-Eyes Pendulum Rebirth
Normal Spell
Target up to 2 "Odd-Eyes" monsters in your GY or face-up in your Extra Deck; Special Summon them, but they cannot be used as Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz Material this turn, except for a Dragon monster.
Damage Breaker
Action Spell
Target 1 monster on your field, increase its ATK by 500.
Shatter Trap
Action Spell
Target 1 set Spell/Trap card on your opponent's field and destroy it.
Redirection
Action Spell
When your opponent declares an attack, target 1 monster you control; change the target of the attack to that monster.