Last chapter I'm uploading for this fic, it doesn't work on this site so I'm just not going to upload it here.
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 017: First Contact with the Enemy
A few minutes after Yuuji left, Yuya arrived back to the group. The rest were surprised, expecting to see him come back with Yuuji. They weren't expecting Yuya to be alone.
"Hey, Yuya? Have you seen Yuuji?" Yuzu asked.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Yuya raised an eyebrow.
"Yuuji-senpai said he was going to go talk to you about something in private," Ayu answered.
"I didn't see him at all," Yuya said.
"Could he have gotten lost?" Tatsuya wondered aloud.
"Maybe. Though it's not like I want to talk to that jerk anyway," Yuya said before taking a seat.
"..." Yuzu frowned at him.
"What?" Yuya asked when he noticed her look.
"It's nothing…" Yuzu said.
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Meanwhile, with Yuuji…
"I don't plan on staying idle while you make your moves, Academia," Reiji declared to the newcomers.
"So, you know of us. As expected from the Professor's blood," Barrett remarked as he discarded his cloak.
"Professor's blood?" Serena wondered aloud, but she decided to not think too much about it."
"Academia?" Yuuji's eyes widened upon recognizing the name.
Reiji seemed to pick up on this, addressing Yuuji.
"I assume you're aware of the current situation, right Haruki?"
"Somewhat," Yuuji replied. "While I don't know the full story, I know for a fact that these guys can't be left to do as they please."
"So, you're willing to fight them?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Good," Reiji smiled as he activated his own duel disk. "We'll take them on together then."
Barrett stepped in front of Serena, activating his duel disk before digging into his pocket and tossing a card on the ground in front of them. Yuuji went to pick it up, his face turning blue in horror as he noticed who was on the card.
"This is…Hokuto!" Yuuji shouted.
"So, you do happen to know that weakling. He barely managed to even put up a fight, and after he lost, he snitched on you to save his own skin," Serena scoffed. "This fate is fitting for a dishonorable duelist like him."
Yuuji was silent, staring at the card for a few moments before glaring at the two of them. A dark aura begins to seep out of him as his rage began growing. However, before he is taken over by his anger, Reiji pats him on the shoulder.
"Calm yourself. It'll do us no good if you go into this duel blinded by anger," Reiji stated. "Save that anger for after we defeat them."
The dark aura emanating from Yuuji died down as he calmed down.
"You're right," Yuuji nodded. "I'll…try and keep that in mind."
Serena stared at Barrett's activated duel disk, frowning as she addressed him.
"I can fight them alone, you know."
"You and I both know that fighting them both at the same time is not a good idea," Barrett replied. "I'll take the first turn to establish a presence. From there, I'll just do what I can to support you as you wipe out their Life Points."
"Hmph. It's the least you can do for butting in."
Barrett then turned to Reiji and Yuuji.
"We'll be following Tag Duel rules for this duel. Both teams share 4000 Life Points, as well as share a field and graveyard."
"That's fine with us," Reiji replied.
"Good, then let us get started then."
All four of them drew their first five cards.
[DUEL!] They shouted in unison as the duel began.
Yuuji & Reiji — LP: 4000
Serena & Barrett — LP: 4000
[Turn 1: Barett] [H: 5]
"I'll take the initiative!" Barrett announced. "I activate Pot of Greed to draw 2 cards! I then use Polymerization, fusing Panther Warrior and Dark Sentinel in my hand!"
A humanoid purple panther holding a sword and a green drone appeared briefly on Barrett's field before rising into the air and fusing.
"Oh ferocious black panther, merge together with the watchman of the holy darkness and raise a new war cry!" Barrett chanted, clasping his hands together with an intense expression. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth and appear, Level 6! Beastborg Panther Predator (Dark/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 2000/LV: 6)!"
A humanoid purple panther cyborg with green metal armor surrounding most of its body and holding a sword in its hand appeared.
"A Fusion Summon right off the bat. Makes sense for an Academia agent," Yuuji commented.
"This is only the beginning," Barrett declared. "Beastborg Panther Predator's effect activates! Once per turn, it can deal damage to my opponents equal to half of its ATK points!"
Panther Predator roars as a beam of red energy is shot out from the core on its chest, exploding in front of Yuuji and Reiji; the two of them wincing a bit as their Life Points drop.
Yuuji & Reiji — LP: 4000 → 3200
"I set three cards and end my turn," Barrett concluded.
"I'll take the next turn, Draw—!" Yuuji declared before being interrupted.
"Allow me to take the next turn," Reiji stepped in front of Yuuji.
"Huh? Why?" Yuuji asked.
"Your deck is designed to deal the finishing blow," Reiji pointed out. "If you're unable to finish them off on this turn, which is likely due to them having three set cards, it'll be difficult for us to outlast their assault."
"So, you want to soften them up for me. Is that right?"
"Correct," Reiji nodded.
"Knock yourself out then," Yuuji said.
"Perfect," Reiji smiled. "My turn! Draw!"
Reiji drew a card as he began his turn.
[Turn 2: Reiji] [H: 6]
"On the start of your turn, I flip over my two Continuous Traps, Beastborg Medal of the Crimson Chain and Beastborg Medal of the Shield!" Barrett declared. However, he chose to withhold their effects for now.
Reiji was right. I definitely wouldn't be able to break through his field with my current hand. Yuuji thought as he looked at the cards in his hand. Judging from the fact that he was so quick to get them activated, whatever effect those traps may have would not bode well for the two of us.
Reiji, seemingly unphased by this play, just continued his turn like normal.
"I activate Dark Contract with the Gate!" Reiji announced. "Once per turn, I get to add 1 'D/D' Monster from my deck to my hand thanks to its effect. However, during each Standby Phase, we take 1000 points of damage."
"Paying Life Points for a useless effect. How pointless," Serena scoffed.
"Is that so? Let's see if you're right then," Reiji replied as he added a card to his hand. "I use Dark Contract of the Gate's effect to add D/D Proud Chevalier to my hand!"
Reiji then reveals two cards in his hand.
"I set the Pendulum Scale with the Scale 2 D/D Brownie and the Scale 6 D/D Savant Thomas!" Reiji announced as he placed the two cards on opposite ends of his duel blade, the word [PENDULUM] appearing between in rainbow font as a mutated fiend with black wings sticking out from its arms and a golden machine statue rose into each of his Pendulum Scales.
"Pendulum?" Serena's eyes widened in surprise.
"With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I can summon monsters Levels 3 through 5 simultaneously!" Reiji declared before chanting. "Grand power that shakes my very soul, arise within me and become a new light that rends the darkness! I Pendulum Summon! Appear from my hand, D/D Nighthowl (Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 300/DEF: 600/LV: 3)!"
A portal appeared above with a single beam of energy shooting out from it. Appearing from the beam onto Reiji's field was a floating mouth with razor sharp teeth.
"Next, I activate a second Dark Contract, Dark Contract with the Singing Waves!" Reiji continued. "Just like its predecessor, we take 1000 points of damage during each of our Standby Phases. This card allows me to Special Summon 1 'D/D' Monster from my hand, and make its Level match that of another monster on my field! With this effect, I summon D/D Proud Chevalier (Dark/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 700/LV: 5 → 3/SC: 6)!"
A knight covered in silver armor, wearing a red cape that was draped over its back appeared.
"Now Reiji has two Level 3 Monsters. That means…" Yuuji muttered.
"I overlay my Level 3 Nighthowl and Proud Chevalier together!" Reiji declared as the aforementioned monsters were absorbed into a galaxy vortex that appeared in front of him as he began chanting. "Impregnable invincible king. Surpass eternity and descend! I Xyz Summon! Be born, Rank 3! D/D/D Stone King Darius (Earth/Fiend/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 1900/DEF: 1000/R: 3/OU: 2)!"
A machine golem with dark red armor and a massive staff in its hand appeared on Reiji's field. Suddenly, a floating stone with crimson chains wrapped around it appeared from one of Barrett's Continuous Traps. The crimson chains shoot out from the stone, constricting Reiji's Xyz Monster along with both his and Yuuji's duel disks.
"What the?" Yuuji asked aloud as he tried to rip out the chains to no avail. "I can't take them off."
"You just triggered Beastborg Medal of the Crimson Chain's effect," Barrett stated. "When my opponent Special Summons a monster from their Extra Deck, the monster summoned cannot attack, change battle positions, or be destroyed by battle. Furthermore, as long as you control D/D/D Stone King Darius and I have 'Beastborg' Monsters, you cannot summon monsters, nor can you activate Spell/Trap Cards."
"So, we can't do anything anymore?" Yuuji inquired.
"Precisely," Barrett nodded. "No opponent of mine has ever managed to win once this effect has been resolved. So you two should save us some time and give up while you still can. Maybe, Serena-sama will spare you."
"Spare who? Them?" Serena frowned. "If I manage to bring them back to the Professor, he'll have no reason to keep me on the sidelines any longer."
Barrett sighed, "You heard her. Your fate is sealed. Resisting any longer will only bring you more pain."
"I activate the effect of Stone King Darius," Reiji declared, unphased by their words. "By using one Overlay Unit, I tribute Dark Contract with the Singing Waves on my field to draw 1 card."
(D/D/D Stone King Darius — OU: 2 → 1)
Stone King Darius absorbs one of its Overlay Units as the Continuous Spell was destroyed and Reiji draws a card. A facedown card then appears in front of him.
"I set one card and end my turn," Reiji concluded.
Yuuji was a little surprised by this.
"You're not giving up?"
Reiji raised an eyebrow at him.
"You want me to?"
"Not really. I was just a bit surprised since our situation is looking hopeless right now."
"On the surface, yes. But I'm sure you can see a way out like I can, right?"
"Yeah," Yuuji smiled and nodded. "We might need a bit of luck though."
"I assume you two won't be giving up even after what I said," Barrett smiled slightly. "How admirable, fighting to the very end even when the situation is hopeless."
"Hopeless? This is anything but hopeless," Yuuji smirked. "As long as we have Life Points left, you can't count us out of the game."
"What nonsense. You guys can't even fight back," Serena scoffed. "But fine, we'll do things your way. I'll be happy to land the final blow on you guys. My turn! Draw!"
Serena drew a card as she began her turn.
[Turn 3: Serena] [H: 6]
"I activate Panther Predator's effect!" Barrett declared immediately after Serena's turn began. "Dealing another 800 points of damage!"
The cyborg panther shoots another red energy beam at Yuuji and Reiji which explodes upon contact with the ground in front of them; the two of them wincing from the shockwaves of the attack.
Yuuji & Reiji — LP: 3200 → 2400
Shortly after that, Serena began to make her move.
"I activate Polymerization, fusing Lunalight Blue Cat with Lunalight Black Sheep from my hand!"
A humanoid blue feline and a humanoid monster dressed in black with orange horns sticking out from its shoulders appeared on Serena's field briefly before rising into the air and fusing.
"The beast lurking in jet-black darkness! Fuse together with the azure feline under the vortex of the moon's gravity and be reborn as a new power!" Serena chanted as she clasped her hands together. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 7! Lunalight Cat Dancer (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
A feminine monster with purple skin and feline-ish features, wearing clothing seen on some traditional dancers appeared.
"When Lunalight Black Sheep is sent to the graveyard as Fusion Material, I can add it back to my hand."
Serena added a card from her graveyard to her hand.
"Next I activate Lunalight Perfume, Special Summoning Lunalight Blue Cat (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1200/LV: 4) to my field from my graveyard!" The humanoid feline monster reappeared on Serena's field. "Lunalight Blue Cat's effect then activates, doubling the attack of Lunalight Cat Dancer when it is Special Summoned!"
(Lunalight Cat Dancer — ATK: 2400 → 4800)
"She managed to get such a powerful monster on the field that easily, might need to take some notes," Yuuji was impressed.
"This is no time to be impressed, Xyz," Serena stated. "Lunalight Cat Dancer's effect activates! By tributing Lunalight Blue Cat from my field, she can attack all monsters my opponents control twice during the Battle Phase!"
"She intends on wiping out our Life Points in one move," Reiji commented. "Quite the full proof plan with the support of her partner, since we can't activate Trap Cards to protect ourselves."
Serena seemed a little pissed at how casual her opponents were about the play she was about to play, deciding this was the perfect moment to give them a piece of her mind.
"Battle!" Serena moved into her Battle Phase. "Cat Dancer, attack Stone King Darius and finish them off! Full Moon Mayhem!"
The dancer spins around at insane speed, surrounding herself in a cyclone of wind as she shoots towards the armored golem.
"I activate the effect of Antique Kuriblock in my hand!" Yuuji declared. "By sending it from my hand to the graveyard, all battle damage is negated for the rest of this turn!"
Yuuji discards a card as a small creature with a body made up of colorful blocks appeared in front of them, creating a barrier that protected them from Cat Dancer's attack. At the same time, Stone King Darius absorbs another Overlay Unit.
(D/D/D Stone King Darius — OU: 1 → 0)
"Stone King Darius' battle effect activates!" Reiji declared. "By using one Overlay Unit, it cannot be destroyed by battle. Furthermore, the monster that it battles is destroyed, and you take 500 points of damage!"
Stone King Darius leaps forward, swinging its staff at Lunalight Cat Dancer. The monster bursts into particles from the attack, the shockwaves being sent towards Serena and Barrett who wince as they take the damage.
Serena & Barrett — LP: 4000 → 3500
Reiji turned to Yuuji.
"Nice play, we would've lost there if you hadn't done that," Reiji said.
"I might have forgotten that I could do that if you didn't use Stone King Darius' effect earlier," Yuuji admitted. "I can't believe that I didn't catch that we were still allowed to use monster effects."
Barrett turned to his own partner while the two of them chatted.
"It looks like your plan of taking them out in one turn has blown up in our face, Serena-sama," Barrett commented.
"Can you not remind me…" Serena muttered with a sour look as she rolled her eyes. "I set one monster facedown along with one card set in my Spell/Trap Zone, and end my turn."
Two facedown cards, one with a blue caged creature on top of it, appeared in front of her. She put a hand on her hip as addressed her opponents.
"You may have found a way to save yourself this turn, but as long as our Continuous Trap stays on the field, you two are nothing but sitting ducks," Serena scoffed.
"Wow, way to point the obvious," Yuuji scoffed.
"Just start your turn, Xyz," Serena demanded. "This duel has already gone on way longer than it should've. It's clear to anybody watching that we're going to win this duel."
"Didn't you hear me earlier, we still have Life Points, you still haven't won this duel yet," Yuuji said.
"So what? You can't summon monsters, you can't use Spell or Trap Cards, and you can't even attack with or change the battle position of the sole monster on your field. You…can't…win. This should be obvious."
"Then we'll see," Yuuji smiled as he placed his hand on the top of his deck. "I have faith that my deck won't let me down. My turn! Draw!"
Yuuji drew a card as his turn began.
[Turn 4: Yuuji] [H: 5]
"During each of our Standby Phases, we take 1000 points of damage due to Dark Contract's effect," Reiji stated.
The two of them clutch their chests in pain as a dark energy spews out from it for a few moments.
Yuuji & Reiji — LP: 2400 → 1400
Once the contract was paid, Yuuji looked at the card he drew, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw what it was.
"Just what I needed," Yuuji smiled as he revealed the card he drew. "I activate the effect of Antique Wonder Dice! By sending it to the graveyard, I get to roll a six-sided dice to activate a random effect!"
"Leaving it up to chance, huh? I like the sound of that," Reiji smiled.
"A random effect, but that's so unreliable," Serena's jaw dropped in exasperation.
"Normally, you would be right. But thanks to Beastborg Medal of the Crimson Chain's conditions, fate is in my favor," Yuuji declared as a wooden dice appeared in his hand. "If I roll a 1 or 2, I get to destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field. If I roll a 3 or 4, I get to destroy 1 Monster on the field. And if I roll a 5 or 6, we take damage equal to the difference between our Life Points and our opponent's!"
"You're willing to risk losing on the spot all for the sake of victory. You deserve a medal for your perseverance in the face of certain defeat," Barrett commented.
Yuuji tossed the wooden dice in the air. The dice grew to more than twice its size as it rolled on the ground, eventually coming to a stop at the number two.
"Would you look at that, now I get to destroy a Trap Card on your field!" Yuuji announced before pointing towards Barrett. "Of course, I choose to destroy your Continuous Trap, Beastborg Medal of Crimson Chain!"
Barrett's Trap Card bursts into particles. At the same time, the crimson chains that were wrapped around D/D/D Stone King Darius and the two duelist's duel disks burst into particles as well.
"Good job, Haruki," Reiji said. "I activate the effect of Dark Contract with the Gate, adding D/D Lilith to my hand!"
Reiji added a card to his hand.
"Now it's time for the counterattack!" Yuuji declared. "With the currently set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon!"
A portal appeared above Yuuji as two beams of energy shoot out from it.
"Appear from my hand, Antique Wishing Lamp (Light/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 5/SC: 3) and Antique Reverend Architect (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 600/DEF: 1500/LV: 3/SC: 4)!"
A golden genie lamp and a mage in an all-purple cloak holding a stone scepter appeared on Yuuji's field.
"Upon its summon, Reverend Architect allows me to add an 'Antique' Spell/Trap Card to my hand. I choose to add Runaway Antiques!" Yuuji announced as he added a card to his hand. "Next I activate Antique Possession! With its effect, I get to change the Level of up to two monsters on my field to match that of another monster on my field! I choose to make Stone King Darius and Reverend Architect's Levels equal to that of Antique Wishing Lamp!"
"What? But isn't Stone King Darius an Xyz Monster?" Barrett asked.
"Antique Possession changes an Xyz Monster's Rank to its Level equivalent when this effect is used on it," Yuuji explained.
(Antique Wishing Lamp — LV: 5)
(D/D/D Stone King Darius — R: 3 → LV: 3 → 5)
(Antique Maker - Reverend Architect — LV: 3 → 5)
If I hadn't seen it earlier during Sakaki Yuya and Ibarahana Yuga's duel, I would've thought such a thing was impossible too. Reiji thought. Though the fact that Haruki Yuuji of all people can do it too cannot be a coincidence.
"I overlay the Level 5 Antique Wishing Lamp, Reverend Architect, and Stone King Darius!" Yuuji declared as the mentioned monsters were absorbed into a galaxy vortex in front of him. "The will of the oppressed who die on the battlefield burns bright. They wait for the one who guides the will of the fallen to victory! I Xyz Summon! Rise up, Rank 5! The courageous leader who fans the flames of rebellion, Antique Maker - Revolution Commander (Fire/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/R: 5/OU: 3)!"
A tall man cloaked in black, with bright red hair and a black mask covering his face, leaving only his golden eagle-like eyes visible, appeared on Yuuji's field surrounded by three red Overlay Units.
"Using an Xyz Monster to summon another Xyz Monster, it's just like what I heard from those who fought in the Xyz Dimension. You must be one of the remnants I was looking for!" Serena pointed at him.
Yuuji just looked at her with a dumbfounded expression.
She wasn't even completely confident that I was one before? I mean I know I'm not, since that would mean that I was from Yuto's homeworld, which I'm not. But still, what the hell is wrong with her? Yuuji wondered. If it wasn't obvious already, she's definitely the act first, think later type of gal.
"I don't know where you got the idea from, but I'm not the one you're looking for," Yuuji stated. "Normally, I'd look the other way and say this isn't my business, but…"
Yuuji paused to stare at the card still in his hand, the carded form of Hokuto. He closed his eyes as he continued speaking.
"...I would never forgive myself if I didn't at least try to avenge Hokuto, even if it is futile." Yuuji reopened his eyes, a determined look being etched onto it. "That's why I'll take you guys down, here and now!"
Revolution Commander then absorbs one of its Overlay Units.
(Revolution Commander — OU: 3 → 2)
"I now activate Revolution Commander's effect!" Yuuji announced. "I detached an Overlay Unit from it to Special Summon Antique Dawning Blaze (Light/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 5/SC: 7) from my deck! I also use Antique Dawning Blaze's effect to equip it to Revolution Commander!"
A fiery blade with a golden hilt appeared on Yuuji's field. Revolution Commander grabs onto the hilt of the sword, the flames of it burning bright.
"A monster equipped with Antique Dawning Blazes gains 500 ATK for every other monster on the field," Yuuji explained. "You have two monsters in your monster zone, so Revolution Commander gains 1000 ATK!"
(Revolution Commander — ATK: 2500 → 3500)
Yuuji points at Beastborg Panther Predator as Revolution Commander leaps forward.
"Battle!" Yuuji declared. "Revolution Commander attacks Panther Predator! Blazing Revolution!"
"Trap Card, Open!" Barrett shouted as his remaining set card was activated. "Beastborg Medal of Honor! When a 'Beastborg' Monster is targeted for an attack, this card destroys a 'Beastborg' Fusion Monster that I control and Special Summons the materials used for its summon onto my field. Then, my opponent takes damage equal to the combined ATK of my monster! I've been impressed by your tenacity, but this is the end!"
"The end? You don't get to decide that!" Yuuji declared as he played a card. "I activate my Quick-Play-Spell, Runaway Antiques! When my opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card during the Damage Step, I can banish three 'Antique' Monsters from my deck to negate and destroy that card! "
Yuuji picks out three cards from his deck, sending them to his banished zone.
"I banished Antique Light Bulb, Antique Crescent Breeze and Antique Twilight Shield," Yuuji stated.
Barrett's Trap Card bursts into particles.
"Now Revolution Commander's attack continues unimpeded!" Yuuji shouted as Revolution Commander swung its fiery blade down on the cyborg panther, slicing through it and creating an explosion that caused both Serena and Barrett to wince.
Serena & Barrett — LP: 3500 → 2550
"Unfortunately, when Runaway Antiques is activated, all battle damage you receive is halved for the rest of this turn," Yuuji revealed.
"Beastborg Panther Predator's effect activates!" Barrett announced. "When this monster is destroyed by battle, I can still Special Summon all of the materials used for its summon back onto my field! Return for battle, Panther Warrior (Earth/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1600/LV: 4) and Dark Sentinel (Dark/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1800/LV: 4), both in defense mode!"
Barrett's two monsters return back to his field with a faint blue aura surrounding them.
"See, it's pointless," Serena shrugged and shook her head. "Even with your miracle, you still haven't managed to do anything meaningful."
"That's where you're wrong!" Yuuji declared. "When Revolution Commander is equipped with Antique Dawning Blaze, it can make a second attack during the Battle Phase! Revolution Commander, attack their facedown monster! Blazing Revolution!"
The facedown monster flips face-up, revealing itself to be Lunalight Black Sheep (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 600/LV: 2).
"And what does that do for you exactly?" Serena frowned. "It's not exactly a big reveal when you can't even harm our Life Points—"
"—I'm not done yet!" Yuuji interrupted. "Revolution Commander's third effect applies at this time!"
Revolution Commander absorbs another one of its Overlay Units.
(Revolution Commander — OU: 2 → 1)
"When it battles a monster in defense position, it can detach an Overlay Unit from itself to deal piercing damage!" Yuuji declared.
"What!?" Serena cried out in shock.
Revolution Commander slashes its fiery blade down on the Lunalight Black Sheep, the monster bursting into particles as powerful shock waves are sent towards Serena and Barrett as they lose life points.
Serena & Barrett — LP: 2550 → 1100
Shortly after Revolution Commander's attacks, a shield appeared behind Barrett, with twenty-four medals suddenly materializing on it.
"Beastborg Medal of Shield's effect activates. For every 100 points of damage we take, 1 'Medal Counter' is placed on it," Barrett revealed.
(Metal Counters — 0 → 24)
A facedown card appeared in front of Yuuji.
"I set one card and end my turn," Yuuji concluded.
"Solid turn," Reiji praised Yuuji. "You managed to bring us back from quite the hopeless situation."
"Thanks." Yuuji accepted the compliment. "I'm a bit surprised that I managed to turn things back in our favor like this,"
"However, we still can't afford to get complacent," Reiji stated. "We still barely know anything about what they're planning with that Continuous Trap."
"Right," Yuuji nodded.
"He was actually able to turn this duel around," Serena was stunned.
"It appears that we'll need to take them more seriously from now on," Barrett stated as he placed his arm over the top of his deck. "My turn! Draw!"
Barrett drew a card and began his turn.
[Turn 5: Barrett] [H: 1]
"I activate Continuous Spell, Beastborg Fusioner!" Barrett announced. "Once per turn, I can Fusion Summon a 'Beastborg' Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using cards from my hand or field as Fusion Material. I refuse Panther Warrior and Dark Sentinel!"
The two aforementioned monsters rise into the air, fusing together as Barrett begins chanting.
"Oh ferocious black panther, merge together with the watchman of the holy darkness once again and raise a new war cry!" Barrett chanted as he clasped his hands together. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 7! Beastborg Panther Driver (Dark/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1900/LV: 7)!"
A humanoid purple panther covered in green armor, with a blood red drill as a right arm and a red core on its chest appeared on Barrett's field.
"When Panther Driver is Fusion Summoned, I can draw 1 card!" Barrett drew a card from his deck. "Then, I tribute Beastborg Medal of Shield to activate its effect! I can grant 1 'Beastborg' Monster I control 100 ATK for each Medal Counter on this card!"
(Medal Counter: 24 → 0)
(Beastborg Panther Driver — ATK: 2000 → 4400)
"At this time, I activate Beastborg Panther Driver's effect!" Barrett continued. "Once per turn, we gain Life Points equal to half of Panther Driver's ATK!"
A green aura surrounded Barrett and Serena as their Life Points were replenished.
Serena & Barrett — LP: 1100 → 3300
"So not only did he bring out a powerful monster, but it also gives them passive healing as well," Yuuji frowned. "Things just keep getting more annoying."
"Battle!" Barrett moved into his Battle Phase. "Panther Driver attacks Revolution Commander! Crimson Piercer!"
Panther Driver's drill grows in size, spinning rapidly as the machine monster leaps towards Revolution Commander. At the same time, Yuuji's set card is flipped face-up.
"I activate the Trap Card, Mirror Barrier!" Yuuji declared. "When my opponent's monster declares an attack, I can negate that attack!"
A barrier formed around Revolution Commander, protecting it from Panther Driver's attack.
"So, you had an out to that too," Barrett closed his eyes as he set a card on his duel blade. "I set one card and end my turn."
"Okay, I did my part. It's up to you now, Akaba," Yuuji said.
"Got it," Reiji nodded as he drew a card for his turn. "My turn!"
[Turn 6: Reiji] [H: 3]
"Dark Contract with the Gate's cost occurs at this time, decreasing our Life Points by another 1000 points," Reiji stated as he and Yuuji clutch their chests in pain.
Yuuji & Reiji — LP: 1400 → 400
"I then use Dark Contract with the Gate's effect to add D/D Savant Galilei to my hand!"
Reiji added a card to his hand. Reiji then glanced at Yuuji to ask him something.
"You don't mind if I destroy your monster to activate my card effects, right?" Reiji inquired.
"I used yours earlier to summon mine, knock yourself out," Yuuji replied.
"Good," Reiji smiled as the card he set a while back was activated. "I activate my Trap Card, D/D Redraw! By destroying all other cards on the field, I get to draw 5 cards from my deck!"
Revolution Commander along with Reiji's Pendulum Scales were destroyed as he drew five cards. After he does so, he picks out two cards from his hand, revealing them as he plays them on his duel disk.
"I reset my Pendulum Scale with the Scale 1 D/D Savant Galilei and the Scale 10 D/D Savant Kepler!" Reiji announced as two machine constructs rose into the Pendulum Zones behind him. "Next, I summon D/D Lilith (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 2100/LV: 4)!"
A small humanoid rose-like monster with the bottom half of its body being made of green vines appeared on Reiji's field.
"When D/D Lilith is summoned, I can add a 'D/D' Monster from my graveyard to my hand. I choose to add D/D Proud Chevalier with this effect!"
Reiji takes out a card from his graveyard, sorting it into his hand.
"Now, with my currently set Pendulum Scale, I can summon monsters Levels 2 through 9 simultaneously!" Reiji declared. "Grand power that shakes my very soul, arise within me and become a new light that rends the darkness! I Pendulum Summon!"
A portal appeared above Reiji, with four beams of energy shooting out from it.
"Return from my Extra Deck, D/D Brownie (Dark/Fiend/Pendulum/Tuner/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 3/SC: 2)!" The same mutated fiend with black wings that was in Reiji's Pendulum Scale prior appeared on his field. "And from my hand, D/D/D Doom King Armageddon (Dark/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 1000/LV: 8/SC: 4), and D/D/D Oblivion King Abyss Ragnarok (Dark/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2200/DEF: 3000/LV: 8/SC: 5)!"
A massive machine monster with a golden face and a body in the shape of a large crystal, and a massive armored individual sitting on a large throne swarmed onto Reiji's field.
"He summoned three monsters at once?" Serena's eyes widened in shock.
"Ragnarok's summoning effect activates, allowing me to Special Summon D/D/D Stone King Darius (ATK: 1900/DEF: 1000/R: 3) from my graveyard!"
The man on a throne sets wire-like constructs into a portal that appears in front of it. Emerging from the portal was the same machine golem with dark red armor from earlier.
"The Level 3 D/D Brownie now tunes the Level 4 D/D Lilith!" Reiji continued as the aforementioned monsters transformed into green rings and orbs, lining up together as he began chanting. "Howls that tear through the night. Gain the swiftness of a gale and become the cries of a newborn king! I Synchro Summon! Be born, Level 7! D/D/D Gust King Alexander (Wind/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
An armored warrior with a large blade and a long green cape appeared.
"Next, I activate Ragnarok's other effect!" Reiji continued. "By tributing the recently summoned Stone King Darius from my field, I can banish your Beastborg Panther Driver!"
The man on the throne shoots those same wire-like constructs, this time aiming for Barrett's Fusion Monster.
"As expected from the Professor's blood," Barrett smiled. "However, I won't let you take out my monster that easily! I activated my Trap Card, Beastborg Rampage! I can target 1 'Beastborg' Monster on my field and prevent it from being destroyed or banished for the rest of this turn. Furthermore, that monster gains ATK equal to half its current ATK, and we gain Life Points equal to half the ATK it gains from this effect!"
Panther Driver blocks the wire-like constructs from grabbing it by using its drill, its movements growing more erratic as it goes berserk.
(Beastborg Panther Driver — ATK: 4400 → 6600)
Serena & Barrett — LP: 3300 → 4400
"When a 'D/D' Monster is destroyed by card effect, Doom King Armageddon gains ATK equal to the destroyed monster's original attack (D/D/D Doom King Armageddon — ATK: 3000 → 4900)," Reiji stated.
"Now what? We can't break through his defense due to how high Panther Driver's ATK is," Yuuji asked. "And even if we could match its ATK, we can't destroy it this turn, nor can we make much of a dent to their Life Points."
"My turn isn't over yet, Haruki," Reiji said with a calm look as he revealed a card in his hand. "D/D Swirl Slime's effect activates at this time! While this card is in my hand, I can use it to Fusion Summon 1 'D/D/D' Monster from my Extra Deck, along with monsters from both my hand and field as materials! I fuse D/D Swirl Slime and D/D Proud Chevalier in my hand, along with D/D/D Doom King Armageddon and D/D/D Oblivion King Abyss Ragnarok on my field!"
The four monsters rose into the air, fusing together and Reiji began chanting.
"Arcane swirl that takes in all forms! Bring forth the ultimate king with the power to pierce through fate!" Reiji chanted. "I Fusion Summon! Be born, Level 10! D/D/D Revolution Kaiser Robespierre (Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 10)!"
A large warrior clad in pitch black armor appeared on Reiji's field. It wore a marbled mask, with a long tri-colored cape (red, white, and blue) flowing from its back. In its hand was a fencing sabre with glowing white rings surrounding the blade.
"Additionally, since I Special Summoned a 'D/D' Monster, Gust King Alexander's effect allows me to Special Summon D/D Lilith (ATK: 100/DEF: 2100/LV: 4) from my graveyard in defense mode!"
The rose-like monster appeared from a portal, a faint blue aura surrounding it.
"That's an impressive Fusion Monster and all, but what will you do with a monster with no ATK or DEF?" Serena looked unconvinced.
"D/D/D Revolution Kaiser Robespierre effect grants it ATK depending on the Fusion Materials used for its summon," Reiji explained. "It gains 500 ATK for each 'D/D' Monster used for its summon, and 1000 for each 'D/D/D' Monster used. Since I used two 'D/D' Monsters and two 'D/D/D' Monsters to summon it, Robespierre gains 3000 ATK!"
(Revolution Kaiser Robespierre — ATK: 0 → 3000)
"I don't see where you're going with this, Professor's blood. Your monster is still far too weak to defeat my monster, even if it could be destroyed by battle this turn," Barrett commented.
"Your monster isn't what I'm aiming for," Reiji stated while adjusting his glasses. "The thing I'm aiming for…" Reiji pointed a finger towards the two Academia duelists. "...are your Life Points!"
Barrett and Serena were stunned by his declaration. At the same time, a dark red aura begins seeping out from Robespierre's body.
"Revolution Kaise Robespierre has a second effect!" Reiji announced. "When it declares an attack, it can attack my opponent directly!"
[What!?] Serena and Barrett cried out in unison.
"Battle!" Reiji moved into his Battle Phase. "D/D/D Revolution Kaiser Robespierre attacks the two of you directly! Pierce of Revolution!"
Robespierre jabs its sabre forward with quick speeds, creating a shockwave that shoots towards the two duelists; blowing them back.
Serena & Barrett — LP: 4400 → 1400
"Nice! A direct hit!" Yuuji pumped his fists.
"Still barely changes the situation," Reiji stated.
"True...since they can just regain all the Life Points they lost next turn," Yuuji frowned. "Though at least you managed to stop them from gaining too many."
"..." Three set cards appeared in front of Reiji. "I set three cards and conclude my turn."
(Beastborg Panther Driver — ATK: 6600 → 4400)
Serena struggles back onto her feet, Barrett doing the same. She began clenching her fists as she glared at the two of them.
"Okay, I've had enough of this. Your interference made this matter far more difficult than it had to be." Serena said before smiling. "But it's fine, because I'll be sure to finish you off next turn and prove that all this struggling of yours was worthless in the end! My turn! Draw!"
Serena drew a card from her deck, which glowed in response.
[Turn 7: Serena] [H: 2]
"Panther Driver's effect activates, granting the two of us Life Points equal to half of its ATK!" Barrett announced as a green aura surrounded the two of them once again.
Serena & Barrett — LP: 1400 → 3600
"I activate Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two cards!" Serena declared as she drew two cards. She briefly glanced at the cards she drew before continuing her turn. "I summon Lunalight White Rabbit (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK: 800/DEF: 800/LV: 2)!"
A feminine monster with long, white rabbit-like hair and holding a white hammer in its hand appeared.
"Once per turn, Lunalight White Rabbit allows me to send 1 'Spell/Trap' Card you control back to your hand!" Serena revealed. "I choose to send the Trap Card you set in the middle back into your hand!"
Lunalight White Rabbit leaps forward, slamming its hammer down on one of Reiji's set card; sending it back to his hand.
"Next, I activate Monster Reborn!" Serena announced. "With it, I Special Summon Lunalight Cat Dancer (ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000/LV: 7) from my graveyard!"
Serena's signature monster reappears from a portal onto her field.
"I now activate Fusion Armament!" Serena declared. "With it, I can Fusion Summon a monster from my Extra Deck using monsters on my field and in my hand as Materials! I fuse Lunalight Cat Dancer and Lunalight White Rabbit!"
The two aforementioned monsters rise into the air, fusing as Serena begins chanting.
"The beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! The lively white rabbit illuminated by moonlight! Swarm in the vortex of the moon's gravity and become a new power!" Serena clasped her hands together. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Elegant beast dancing in the moonlit wilderness! Lunalight Panther Dancer (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2500/LV: 8)!"
A dark-skinned feminine dancer with panther-like features scattered around parts of its body appeared.
"When a monster is summoned by Fusion Armament, it gains 300 ATK!" Serena states as Lunalight Panther Dancer powered up.
(Lunalight Panther Dancer — ATK: 2800 → 3100)
"Battle!" Serena moved into her Battle Phase. "Lunalight Panther Dancer's effect allows it to attack each monster you control twice per turn! Go and attack D/D Lilith first, Panther Dancer!"
Panther Dancer leaps forward, landing a blow on D/D Lilith which doesn't destroy it at first. The feline monster then jumps into the air, before diving back down on D/D Lilith and destroying it with a devastating kick. The shockwaves of the attack caused the two of them to wince a little.
"Panther Dancer has an additional effect," Serena reveals. "Whenever it destroys a monster that my opponent controls, it gains 200 ATK until the End Phase!"
(Lunalight Panther Dancer — ATK: 3100 → 3300)
Reiji has to do something, and fast. Yuuji thought. We'll lose once it attacks again.
"It's time to end this! Panther Dancer attacks Gust King Alexander!" Serena continued.
"I activate my Continuous Trap Card, Forbidden Fallacy. In order to activate this card, I tribute the two monsters in my Pendulum Zone as sacrifice," Reiji stated, adjusting his glasses as his two Pendulum Zones were destroyed."By paying half my Life Points, all damage I would take in battles involving 'D/D' Monsters is negated!"
Their duel disks begin to shock them a little as they pay the activation price.
Yuuji & Reiji — LP: 400 → 200
Both of the Pendulum Zones behind Reiji and Yuuji disappeared as D/D Savant Galilei and D/D Savant Kepler burst into particles. A barrier formed around Reiji and Yuuji, protecting them from the shockwaves as Panther Dancer destroys both Gust King Alexander and Revolution Kaiser Robespierre, growing stronger with each monster defeated.
(Lunalight Panther Dancer — ATK: 3300 → 3500)
(Lunalight Panther Dancer — ATK: 3500 → 3700)
"The two of you are wide open now!" Barrett declared as Beastborg Panther Driver leapt towards them. "Panther Driver now attacks the two of you directly!"
"Forbidden Fallacy's second effect activates!" Reiji declared. "I tribute the card to negate one instance of an attack!"
A similar barrier to the one that appeared a few moments ago appeared around them, protecting them from Panther Driver's drill.
"Tch, I end my turn," Serena clicked her tongue. "When will you guys just give up? Can't you see that no matter what you do, you can't win this duel."
"You said that before, yet we're still alive and kicking," Yuuji responded.
"You just got lucky back then," Serena scoffed. "But now it should be obvious that you can't win. Neither of you have any cards in your hands, and your only hope of victory is the single Trap Card that your partner set on his turn."
"You've been talking a lot of shit for somebody who's been completely carried by her teammate the whole duel," Yuuji retorted. "You keep telling us to give up, yet you haven't even managed to dent our Life Points with any of your attacks."
"He does have a point there, Serena—!"
"Shut up! I don't need to hear the same thing from you as well!" Serena cut Barrett off.
"It seems like you've managed to get in her head," Reiji commented.
"Yeah, but it's not like doing so matters when her turn is already over," Yuuji sighed.
She does have a point though. The difference between our Life Points is too great. Even with the two of us working together, we've still been put at a severe disadvantage thanks to her partner. Yuuji assessed the situation. Even if I were to get lucky, it might not even be enough for us to win this.
Yuuji placed his hand over the top of his deck and took a deep breath. He glanced over at Reiji briefly before continuing.
Though, I've faced worse.
"My turn! Draw!" Yuuji drew a card.
[Turn 8: Yuuji] [H: 1]
Yuuji's eyes widened when he saw the card that he drew.
Wait, we can actually win with this. Yuuji realized. Just have to be smart with this.
"I activate Pendulum Acceleration!" Yuuji announced. "This Spell Card allows me to Special Summon a Pendulum Monster face-up in my Extra Deck! Return to my field, Antique Maker - Reverend Architect (ATK: 600/DEF: 1500/LV: 3)!"
The magician clad in purple from earlier reappeared from a portal in front of Yuuji.
"Reverend Architect allows me to add an 'Antique' Spell/Trap Card from my deck when it is summoned," Yuuji stated. "I add Antique Shop to my hand with this effect, which I'll be activating now!"
A portal appeared in the sky, with a beam of energy shooting out from it.
"Using Antique Shop's effect, I Special Summon Antique Amethyst Lasso (Light/Fairy/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 5) from my deck!"
A floating lasso made of amethyst appeared.
"The Level 3 Antique Maker - Reverend Architect tunes the Level 5 Antique Amethyst Lasso!" Yuuji declared as the two monsters turned into green rings and orbs, lining up together as Yuuji began chanting. "Sonic gale winds that move at the speed of sound. Ride the speeding current as you pave a path to victory! I Synchro Summon! Accelerate, Level 8! Antique Maker - Freedom Rider (Wind/Spellcaster/Synchro/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1500/LV: 8/SC: 1)!"
A man riding a grey and green colored Duel Runner appeared on Yuuji's field.
"Freedom Rider's effect allows me to destroy cards you control equal to the number of 'Antique' Monsters used for its summon," Yuuji declared. "I used two for its summon, so I'll use its effect to destroy both of your monsters! Freedom Gale!"
A green vortex erupts from Freedom Rider, threatening to suck in both of their monsters. Beastborg Panther Driver is pulled into the vortex, bursting into particles as it is destroyed; its Fusion Materials returning back to their field with faint blue auras surrounding them. Lunalight Panther Dancer on the other hand stands its ground, completely unaffected by Freedom Rider's effect.
[Panther Warrior (ATK: 2000/DEF: 1600/LV: 4)]
[Dark Sentinel (ATK: 1500/DEF: 1800/LV: 4)]
"What?" Yuuji's eyes widened in shock.
"Just like Beastborg Panther Predator, Panther Driver summons its Fusion Materials back to the field," Barrett stated.
"And Lunalight Panther Dancer can't be destroyed by card effects, so my monster is safe!" Serena declared.
"..." Reiji silently observed Yuuji's reaction to this reveal.
"Damn…" Yuuji cursed. "That ruins everything."
He was betting on one all-out attack, using Freedom Rider and the effect it would copy from Antique Amethyst Lasso to summon back one of the monsters that were destroyed by its effect this turn.
I should've assumed that Beastborg Panther Driver had a similar effect to Panther Predator, but I had no way of knowing Lunalight Panther Dancer's effect. Yuuji clenched his fists. Now what?
He can't destroy Lunalight Panther Dancer even if he makes use of the ATK gain from Freedom Rider's effect. Due to it being in attack mode, if it stays on the field past this turn, Panther Dancer could attack it and wipe out the rest of their Life Points.
"I…activate Freedom Rider's second effect," Yuuji continued anyway. "By banishing Antique Amethyst Lasso from my graveyard, it can copy its effect, as well as gain 1000 ATK until the End Phase of this turn!"
(Freedom Rider — ATK: 2000 → 3000)
"I activate Freedom Rider's copied effect!" Yuuji declared. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon 1 monster that was sent to the graveyard this turn. Arise, Beastborg Panther Driver (ATK: 2000/DEF: 1900/LV: 7)!"
A portal appeared on Serena and Barrett's field. Freedom Rider materializes an amethyst lasso, tossing it into the portal. Soon after, it pulls out Panther Driver from the graveyard, dragging it onto Yuuji and Reiji's field.
"Battle!" Yuuji declared. "Antique Maker - Freedom Rider and Beastborg Panther Driver attack Panther Warrior and Dark Sentinel!"
Both of Yuuji's monsters attack, the two monsters in defense position bursting into particles when they're destroyed.
Serena began laughing, "All of that just to do nothing in the end. I was a bit worried when you summoned that Synchro Monster, but I guess there was nothing to worry about."
"..." Yuuji was silent.
"Nothing to say?" Serena shook her head. "Just end your turn already, Xyz. You've already wasted too much of my time anyway."
"I—" Yuuji began speaking.
"—Don't end your turn," Reiji interrupted Yuuji, surprising him. "There's still a way we can win."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Yuuji asked. "I can't make another attack, I have no card effects to use either."
"Is that right? As far as I can see, there's still one more card that can be played," Reiji stated. "Activate my set Trap Card."
"Your set Trap?" Yuuji raised an eyebrow as he pressed a button on his duel disk, flipping over the Trap, D/D Rise.
"D/D Rise's effect is as follows," Reiji began explaining. "By banishing 1 Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz 'D/D/D' Monster from our field or graveyard, you can Special Summon 1 monster from your Extra Deck while ignoring its summoning conditions and grant it 1000 extra ATK."
"..." Yuuji was stunned while reading the effect of the card, an idea appearing in his mind.
"You have a monster that benefits from such an effect, right?" Reiji asked.
"Yeah, I have one," Yuuji nodded before turning serious. "Using the effect of D/D Rise, I banish D/D/D Stone King Darius, D/D/D Revolution Kaiser Robespierre, and D/D/D Gust King Alexander to Special Summon Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3000 → 4000/DEF: 2500/LV: 8) with an additional 1000 ATK!"
A massive, purple-scaled dragon with a body covered in crystal armor and a large, amber-colored orb on its chest that matched the color of its eyes appeared, letting out a triumphant roar.
Yuuji immediately pumped his fist forward, "Now for the climax! Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon attacks Panther Dancer! Crystal Breath!"
"The climax?" Serena scoffed. "You're only doing, what, 900 points of damage? That changes nothing about your situation."
"No, it's over," Yuuji stated as Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon's flames engulfed Panther Dancer. The crystals on its body beginning to glow. "When Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon destroys a monster in battle, you take additional damage from battle equal to the ATK of the destroyed monster!"
"What!?" Serena cried out in shock.
"Finish this, Crystal-Eyes! Crystal Burst!" Yuuji commanded as Phantom Dragon's flames burst, creating an explosion that sent heavy shockwaves towards the two of them.
"So, they managed to win in the end. Impressive," Barrett commented as he closed his eyes, the shockwaves of the explosion sending both him and Serena flying as their Life Points dropped to zero.
Serena & Barrett — LP: 3600 → 0
Winner/s: Yuuji & Reiji
Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon dematerialized as the duel ends.
"Impressive finish as always, Haruki," Reiji praised him.
"I was only able to do that because of you," Yuuji smiled at him. "I'd say we make a pretty good team."
"Indeed, we do," Reiji replied back with a small smile before returning to his usual stoic expression, turning to where Serena and Barrett were.
Serena struggled back onto her feet, beginning to slowly walk towards the two of them.
"I'm…not done! Give me…a rematch!" Serena shouted.
"Give up, Serena-sama. We lost," Barrett said from the ground. It looked like he was the one who took most of the force from the attack. "Let's just return back to Academia. I can cover for you when we have to explain what happened to the Professor."
"No, I'm not going home until I beat them!" Serena declared while her body began trembling. "I…was just caught off guard. Next time…will be different."
"..." Barrett stared at her for a few moments before sighing, pressing a few buttons on his duel disk. "If that is what you choose, I won't stop you. However, I will be reporting your whereabouts."
"Fine with me," Serena looked at Barrett unphased. "By the time they come, I'll already be done with my business here."
Barrett's duel disk began to glow as he suddenly disappeared from the area.
"He…disappeared?" Yuuji looked stunned for a moment before snapping out of his daze and turning to Reiji. "Wait…is it okay to let him go like that?"
"It's not like we could go after him," Reiji replied before stepping forward. "Besides, the main person I want to speak with is her."
"With…me?" Serena glared at him with suspicion. "What do I have to talk about with you?"
"Quite a few things actually," Reiji adjusted his glasses. "Mainly about your purpose here…Akaba Serena."
Serena tensed up as he called her that. Yuuji looked a bit surprised at the mention of her surname as well.
"As your escort had been alluding to, I am the son of Akaba Leo, your adoptive father," Reiji revealed. "You might not remember, but this isn't our first meeting."
He's met her before. Yuuji was surprised. Wait…doesn't this also mean that Reiji has some ties to Academia!?
"...Now that I think about it, I do remember," Serena frowned. "It was around three years ago. You traveled through dimensions and came to our world."
"Back then, you were trying to escape Academia if I recall correctly," Reiji said. "I helped you out when you were cornered and the two of us ran to the harbor where we were found by my father."
"You were lucky, you were just sent back here," Serena bitterly said. "While you got to do whatever the hell you wanted, he just restricted me even more. For the past three years, I've had eyes on me wherever I went. This is actually the first time in my life that I had ever left that place."
I would actually feel a little bad…if she didn't turn another human being into a card. Yuuji thought. I could care less about how bad someone's past is, there are some lines that just cannot be crossed.
"You wanted to know the reason I came here, right? I wanted to prove myself," Serena answered Reiji's previous question. "If I can prove myself by catching a few Xyz and Ritual refugees, maybe he'll finally send me to the frontlines instead of keeping me coddled up back home."
Serena then glanced at Yuuji for a moment before turning back to Reiji.
"But I guess I just wasted my time, since he isn't even an Xyz or a Ritual Refugee," Serena frowned. "Just like how I would never make use of the enemy's summoning method, they would never make use of a Fusion Monster."
[A/N: She's referring to Crystal-Eyes Phantom Dragon, since duelists can see the attributes of monsters summoned onto their opponent's field, but not their effects (since that would make explaining them pointless.)]
"At least you realized now," Yuuji rolled his eyes.
"..." Serena rolled her eyes back at him.
"My father has definitely wronged you, like many in the past. For that, I apologize on his behalf," Reiji bowed for a moment. "Ever since that day, I've been making preparations for the past three years to stop Akaba Leo's ambitions. That's also the reason why I took his place as the President of the Leo Corporation. I've discovered countless talented duelists and worked hard to train them for this very purpose. Every action I make is to protect this city, to protect our home from his tyrannical conquest."
"Academia's purpose isn't tyrannical. We strive to fulfill the Professor's ambition to unite the five worlds as one," Serena retorted. "Even if I don't support how he keeps me trapped in Academia like I'm some princess that needs to be protected, I'll still fight to fulfill this noble goal of his."
"Are you even aware of what his plans entail?" Reiji broke his stoic expression, a frown forming on his face. "To unite the five worlds as one means to destroy each one of them. Each dimension has its own people, cultures, cities, and summoning method. To forcefully combine each of them, you'd have to tear these established worlds apart."
"That's a worthy price to pay for salvation," Serena smiled. "Once the worlds are united, peace will be the only constant. That is what the Professor promised us if we follow through, and I'll do anything to reach that paradise."
Okay, maybe I do feel a little bad for her. Yuuji changed his mind. This sounds like a classic case of propaganda brainwashing. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse.
"You know a lot of things, so tell me…" Serena looked at him seriously. "...where are they? The Xyz remnants that I've heard about. I know that you have an idea of where they are. There's no way they would've avoided your eyes, given that you were able to trace our tracks down."
"...I have no idea what you're talking about," Reiji adjusted his glasses once again, before returning a serious look back. "And even if I did, I refuse to support whatever my father's planning, even if it kills me in the end."
"Then we're done here," Serena turned around. "I'll just continue looking for the Xyz remnants myself."
She began walking away.
"Hey wait! Where are you going!? You can't just leave!" Yuuji shouted at her.
Serena paused briefly, glancing back at Yuuji.
"I have no business talking to the two of you any longer. And don't bother me about your friend. I can't change him back even if I wanted to."
With that, she continued walking, disappearing into the distance.
"So, we're just letting her get away. Just like that?" Yuuji frowned.
"All members of Academia including her are trained warriors, both in terms of dueling and physically," Reiji explained. "Even if we tried to keep her here until backup arrives, she could just easily slip away from us. There's no point in wasting the effort."
"Still, not keeping a tracker on her seems kind of stupid. What if she goes on a rampage and turns more people into cards?"
"I'm confident that she won't," Reiji answered. "And don't think for a second that I would actually let her go without a plan. I have people trailing her as we speak. I'll always know of her location."
Reiji placed a hand on Yuuji's shoulder.
"I ask for you to forget about what happened today. I'll deal with it."
"I don't think I'll ever be able to forget to," Yuuji responded as he looked at the carded form of Hokuto.
"..." Reiji silently looked at Yuuji for a moment before extending a hand towards him. "Give it to me."
"Huh? Why?"
"I've been looking into a way to reverse the effects of being sealed into a card after the events with Kurosaki Shun," Reiji explained. "While I haven't made any breakthroughs yet, as soon as I do, I'll be able to bring everybody turned into a card back to normal."
Well…it's way better than me keeping it. At least in Reiji's hand, there's a chance that something would change.
Yuuji places the card in Reiji's hand. Reiji pockets the card before beginning to take his leave.
"Rest up, Haruki. You'll need the energy for the third round in a few days," Reiji said before disappearing into the distance.
"..." Yuuji just silently stared in the direction that Reiji went in, deep in thought before walking in the opposite direction.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Custom/Altered Cards:
Monster Card/s -
Antique Wonder Dice
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 5
Light/Fairy/Effect
Monster Effect: (Quick Effect): During your turn, you can discard this card, then roll a six-sided die.
—1 or 2: Target 1 Spell/Trap on the field; destroy it.
—3 or 4: Target 1 monster on the field; destroy it.
—5 or 6: Banish this card from your GY, and if you do, take damage equal to the difference between your LP and your opponent's.
Beastborg Panther Driver
ATK: 2000, DEF: 1900, LV: 7
Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect
2 DARK Monsters or 1 DARK Monster + 1 EARTH Monster
Monster Effect: When this monster is Fusion Summoned, draw 1 card. Once per turn, gain Life Points equal to half this card's ATK. If this card is destroyed by battle, and all the Fusion Materials that were used for its Fusion Summon are in your GY: You can Special Summon all of them.
D/D/D Revolution Kaiser Robespierre
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 10
Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect
2+ "D/D" Monsters
Monster Effect: This card can attack directly if it has 3 or more materials. This card gains 500 ATK for each "D/D" monster used for its Fusion Summon, and 1000 ATK for each "D/D/D" monster used for its Fusion Summon.
Antique Amethyst Lasso
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 5
Light/Fairy/Effect
Monster Effect: Once per turn: You can target 1 monster that was sent to the Graveyard this turn; Special Summon it to your field, but also banish it when it leaves the field.
Spell/Trap Card/s -
Antique Possession
Normal Spell
Target 1 "Antique" monster you control, then target up to 2 other face-up monsters on the field; change their Levels to match the Level of the first target. If any of the targeted monsters is an Xyz Monster, treat its Rank as its Level for this effect.
Beastborg Medal of Honor
Normal Trap
When a "Beastborg" Fusion Monster you control is targeted for an attack: Target that monster; destroy it, and if you do, if all the Fusion Materials that were used for its Fusion Summon are in your Graveyard, Special Summon all of them, then inflict damage to your opponent equal to the total ATK of the monsters Special Summoned by this effect.
Runaway Antiques
Quick-Play-Spell
When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card during the Damage Step, while an "Antique" monster you control is battling: You can banish 3 "Antique" monsters from your Deck; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card. Battle damage dealt to your opponent is halved for the rest of the turn.
Beastborg Rampage
Normal Trap
Target 1 "Beastborg" Fusion Monster you control; until the End Phase, it cannot be destroyed by battle or targeted by card effects that would destroy it. Then, it gains ATK equal to half its current ATK until the End Phase, and you gain Life Points equal to half the amount of ATK it gained by this effect.
Fusion Armament
Fusion Spell
Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material. A monster Fusion Summoned by this effect gains 300 ATK. You can only activate 1 "Fusion Armament" per turn.
Pendulum Acceleration
Normal Spell
Target 1 face-up Pendulum Monster from your Extra Deck; Special Summon it.
Antique Shop
Normal Spell
Special Summon 1 "Antique" Monster from your deck.
D/D Rise
Normal Trap
If your opponent has more Life Points than you do: You can banish 1 each of a "D/D" Fusion Monster, "D/D" Synchro Monster, and "D/D" Xyz Monster from your field or GY; Special Summon 1 monster from your Extra Deck, ignoring its Summoning conditions. (This is treated as a proper Summon.) You can only activate 1 "D/D Rise" per turn.