"Oh yeah!! Master Diamond Dispersion is here!"
Gloria excitedly jumped onto a desk, cheering and waving her hands.
Grace shook her head beside her with an amused smile.
The Tyler sisters both genuinely loved the Master Diamond Dispersion card. On one hand, it had been used in their duel against Hikaru. On the other, it was the card that had opened their understanding of "Fusion." The two of them had been studying how to Fuse using Extra Deck monsters ever since, so seeing this monster immediately had them cheering for Hikaru.
"Watch out, Jesse! That's Captain Crystal's strongest form!" Jaden cheered for Jesse from below.
Jesse took a deep breath, acknowledging the warning, but stayed in character. "Wrong! I am Artorigus, the King of Knights!"
Jaden sheepishly pulled his hand back.
"Gem-Knight Aquamarine's effect: when this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, target one card on the opponent's field. That card returns to their hand."
Hikaru looked over the opponent's field.
"The left set card!"
Jesse's mouth twitched. He reluctantly picked up the card and returned it to his hand.
He glanced at it.
Mirror Force. Of course it wouldn't be that easy to use a card like this.
Jesse's Deck had actually gone through several revisions.
In the Synchro Dimension, without Rainbow Dragon, he had lost to Yusei. Later, with Pegasus's support, he finally obtained Rainbow Dragon. But while Rainbow Dragon was powerful, the Crystal Beasts were far too weak compared to modern monsters and the Synchro and Xyz monsters from other dimensions. So Jesse gradually shifted his strategy.
He would never abandon his "family," so to make dueling smoother, he leaned toward filling his Deck with Trap Cards and playing a war of attrition.
But this wasn't a major problem.
He looked at his other card.
With Crystal Brilliance in play, Pegasus's ATK would rise to 3000. That was already quite high.
2900 ATK seemed manageable.
"Gem-Knight Master Diamond Dispersion's ATK increases by 100 for each Gem-Knight monster in the Graveyard. I currently have four Gem-Knight monsters in my Graveyard, so its ATK rises by 400."
Master Diamond Dispersion, ATK: 2900 → 3300.
3300...
Jesse frowned slightly.
"I'm not done. Activate Continuous Spell: Scatter Fusion!"
"When the opponent controls a monster, I can activate its effect: send the Fusion Materials listed on a non-Rock-Type Gem-Knight Fusion Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard and Fusion Summon it!
I send Topaz and Crystal to the Graveyard and Fuse!"
"Come forth!"
"The true knight, absolute justice: Gem-Knight Prismaura!"
"Ah! It's Prismaura!"
"Here it comes! The Chief's favorite Gem-Knight!"
BOOM!
Another bolt of purple lightning struck down. A knight spinning a lance with dazzling flourishes made a brilliant entrance.
Gem-Knight Prismaura. Level 7, EARTH Attribute, Thunder-Type. ATK 2450.
Master Diamond Dispersion, ATK: 3300 → 3500.
"Gem-Knight Fusion's effect in the Graveyard: banish Topaz from the Graveyard and return Gem-Knight Fusion to my hand." A Spell Card automatically ejected from Hikaru's Graveyard, its artwork depicting a Knight King descending before a maiden, silhouetted against radiant light.
Master Diamond Dispersion, ATK: 3500 → 3400.
"Prismaura's effect: once per turn, discard one Gem-Knight card from my hand, and target one face-up card on your field. Destroy that card!"
Hikaru revealed Gem-Knight Fusion and sent it to the Graveyard, pointing at Pegasus.
"Oh no!"
"If Sapphire Pegasus is destroyed, Jesse's field will be wide open!"
"Artorigus is completely outmatched by Lancelot!"
"Lore-accurate, everyone."
Prismaura raised its shield. Purple lightning struck down, refracted through the shield, and shot toward Pegasus.
BOOM!
"At this moment, activate Trap Card: Crystal Brilliance!" Jesse took a deep breath and shouted.
A Trap Card slowly flipped open.
Crystal Brilliance.
BOOM!
Lightning crashed down. Sapphire Pegasus folded its wings, curled up, and transformed into a blue gemstone floating before Jesse.
"When a Crystal Beast on the field is destroyed, instead of going to the Graveyard, it can be placed in my Spell and Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell."
"Then, at this moment, I activate the effect of a Trap Card in my Graveyard!"
"Huh?"
"An effect from the Graveyard?"
"He can still activate other cards in a situation like this?"
Everyone watched Jesse's plays with amazement.
"A true knight, even in dire straits, need not fear, because my family, my knights, naturally have the power to protect me! The effect of Crystal Miracle in the Graveyard!
While this card is in the Graveyard, when a Crystal Beast card is placed in my Spell and Trap Zone, I can banish this card to activate it.
Select one Crystal Beast from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard and place it as a Continuous Spell on my field!"
"Come, Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise!"
A clear, translucent, beautiful emerald slowly descended from the sky onto Jesse's field.
Hikaru frowned, scanning the monster with furrowed brows.
A card that brought back unpleasant memories.
"How beautiful." A student couldn't help speaking up.
Whether influenced by something or sensing something, as the duel progressed, watching the shimmering gems and crystals on the field, they couldn't help feeling moved from the bottom of their heart.
And it was precisely this feeling that snapped them back to attention, prompting a decision: they wanted to use Gem-Knights!
They were just too beautiful!
At the same time, Hikaru noticed that on the projection screen, both players' supporter counts were growing simultaneously. No, wait. It had never been about "numbers." It was about "power"!
"At this moment," Jesse wasn't finished, "Crystal Brilliance's effect!"
"When a Crystal Beast card is placed in my Spell and Trap Zone, I can send this card to the Graveyard to activate it. Special Summon one Crystal Beast from my hand or Graveyard. This turn, all damage I take is halved!"
He slowly raised his right hand, revealing a card. "The one I'm Special Summoning is... Ruby!"
"Mrow!"
A peculiar little creature, resembling a mascot from a magical girl anime, bounced onto the field.
Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle. Level 3, LIGHT Attribute, Fairy-Type. DEF 300.
"Now Artorigus has guards again!"
"Brilliant!"
Jesse's lips curved slightly. "I'm not done yet. Ruby's effect: when this card is Special Summoned, Special Summon all Crystal Beasts in my Spell and Trap Zone!"
"Return, Sapphire, Emerald!"
BOOM! BOOM!
Two monsters shimmered with gemstone light and took up defensive positions on Jesse's field once more.
"You haven't forgotten Sapphire's effect, have you?"
Hikaru nodded.
Jesse laughed and placed another Crystal Beast from his Deck onto his field. "I place Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle as a Continuous Spell on my field."
"Amazing!"
"He Special Summoned three monsters during the opponent's turn?"
"And searched for a sixth Crystal Beast!"
"I heard there are only seven Crystal Beasts total. That's incredible."
Students murmured among themselves.
"Well, Lancelot?"
"Impressive swarming. As expected of you, using Crystal Beasts so effortlessly." This was genuinely heartfelt praise.
If Hikaru tried to pilot Jesse's Crystal Beast Deck himself, he'd probably get a headache.
"But in doing so, you've also made a mistake!"
A mistake?
Jesse was puzzled.
Hikaru slowly raised his hand, pointing at Captain Crystal. "Master Diamond Dispersion is the king among Gem-Knights, the strongest Gem-Knight. It can freely deploy any Gem-Knight's ability and use it at will!"
What?
"I banish Gem-Knight Ruby from the Graveyard to activate Gem-Knight Master Diamond Dispersion's effect. Until the end of the turn, it copies Ruby's name and effect!"
Master Diamond Dispersion, ATK: 3400 → 3300.
Master Diamond Dispersion slowly raised its great sword. The blade glowed in its hands, a red gemstone shining upon it.
"Your Ruby can Special Summon monsters without restriction, but it's quite weak itself. My Ruby, however, is the Ruby of offense!"
Hikaru pointed at Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle. "Battle! Master Diamond Dispersion attacks Ruby Carbuncle!"
The great sword swung. Ruby Carbuncle bristled all over, transforming into a spiny dragon form, but still couldn't withstand the gale from Crystal's swing. In a panic, the winds blew it into the Spell and Trap Zone.
"Ruby's effect: inflict piercing damage!"
"This turn, all damage I take is halved!"
"That's still 1500 points!"
The gale struck Jesse, forcing him to retreat.
Artorigus Jesse, LP: 4000 → 2500.
Jesse was forced back several steps. It was during those steps that he noticed his support had dropped considerably.
What was happening?
Jesse felt the strain, but instinctively asked, "Ruby, are you okay?"
A sound came from within the red gemstone. It sounded surprisingly spirited.
Unlike the two duelists, Crystal was a genuine knight. He wouldn't bully the weak. Knocking Ruby into the back row was good enough.
Jesse breathed a sigh of relief.
"Prismaura attacks Emerald Tortoise." Hikaru pointed at the tortoise next.
This time, Crystal had no reason to hold back. Emerald Tortoise may have looked elderly and frail, but its strength was nothing to scoff at. Crystal exchanged a couple of blows before finally defeating it.
"Lastly, once more: Gem-Knight Fusion's effect in the Graveyard. Banish Gem-Knight Lapis from the Graveyard and add Gem-Knight Fusion to my hand."
Hikaru thought for a moment, then picked up the card and showed it.
Master Diamond Dispersion, ATK: 3300 → 3200.
"Turn end. Your move, Artorigus. Show me what you've got as a Holy Knight."
Jesse stepped forward a couple of paces, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is so fun! I knew it, dueling you is amazing, Hikaru! You're really incredible..."
"Ahem, ahem."
Hikaru coughed twice.
?
Jesse didn't understand.
Hikaru shook his head slightly, gesturing for Jesse to look to the side. Only then did Jesse notice the projection screen, where his "support" had started dropping.
What was happening?!
Oh no.
Jesse snapped back to reality.
He had gotten too excited.
He quickly readjusted himself and spoke. "As expected of the strongest knight, Lancelot. Not to be underestimated. But if you think this is enough to defeat me, that's nothing but a pipe dream!"
Since he was improvising on the spot, his delivery was a bit rough.
Anyway, draw quickly!
"My turn! Draw!"
He drew swiftly.
He glanced down, then his eyes went wide.
This was bad!
He had felt some pressure earlier. When Hikaru's turn ended, something seemed to be obstructing him. When drawing, he had also vaguely sensed resistance.
He hadn't paid much attention before. Seeing the card he drew, he finally understood.
This was bad.
He hadn't drawn Amber Mammoth!
"Sorry Jesse, I don't know why, but I couldn't make it..." The Mammoth apologized from within the Deck.
"It's fine. This is my fault."
Only now did he finally realize that this "roleplay duel" wasn't just for fun.
The acting was critically important!
Hikaru was fully committed to his villain persona, while Jesse's act had broken character, causing his score to plummet. As a result, his draws were affected!
Although both he and Hikaru had high spirit power, compared to "the entire school's students and faculty," it was still far too little.
He looked at his other cards.
Mirror Force and Rainbow Dragon... Did he have to give one up?
No.
It was fine!
He suddenly snapped to attention.
"It seems my hand doesn't support defeating you right now, Knight."
"Oh? Then, Artorigus, will you surrender to me?"
"Never! A true knight never surrenders! So I shall join with my guards and carve open new possibilities! Quick-Play Spell: Hand Destruction! Both players discard two cards and draw two!"
"Ohhh!!"
"A draw that bets everything on possibility?"
"Go for it, Artorigus!!!" Jaden cheered for Jesse with all his might. Even he was getting into character now.
Seeing his score hold steady, Jesse felt relieved. Then he sent Mirror Force and another card to the Graveyard and drew alongside Hikaru.
Hikaru glanced at his cards.
Hmm...
Hikaru's eyes narrowed.
"Beautiful!" Jesse cheered. "Lancelot, your gems are indeed powerful. But what's about to appear before you is the most sacred dragon in the world!"
So he had drawn his final card?
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
"Normal Summon: Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth!"
"BWOOOOH!!" The elephant trumpeted.
Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth. Level 4, EARTH Attribute, Beast-Type. ATK 1700.
"With this, I have all seven different Crystal Beasts on my field and in my Graveyard!" Jesse took a deep breath. "Witness the most sacred, the most magnificent Crystal Dragon!"
With Jesse's voice, Pegasus, Tiger, Mammoth, Cat, Carbuncle, Eagle, and Tortoise, seven monsters rose from his field. Then, bathed in light, they transformed into a rainbow, shimmering across the sky.
Sacred light descended from above. Jesse's fallen support began to climb once more.
"Witness the awakening of the Crystal God!"
"This card can be Special Summoned when I have seven different Crystal Beasts on my field and in my Graveyard!
Rainbow Dragon!"
Light descended. The purple lightning was dispelled. The towering knight couldn't help tightening its grip on its sword, facing head-on the great dragon that commanded "rainbow-colored gems" just as it did!
Rainbow Dragon. Level 10, LIGHT Attribute, Dragon-Type. ATK 4000.