A while later…
Yuuji made his way into the stand, using his hoodie to blend into the crowd. He eventually arrived at the spot where the rest were gathered. Yuuji casually greeted them.
"Yo, am I late?" Yuuji asked.
"Nope, you're right on time," Tatsuya replied. "Their match is just about to start."
"Nice," Yuuji said as he turned his attention to the arena.
"Welcome back everyone! After plenty of dazzling, awe inspiring matches, we have a very special match!" Nico Smiley announced as he pointed to the right entrance to the arena. "In the right corner, the Founder of Pendulum hailing from the You Show Duel School, Sakaki…Yuya!"
The crowd roared as Yuya appeared from the hallway, checking in with the security briefly before making his way to the arena.
"Why does he have his goggles on?" Yuuji wondered.
"He sometimes wears it when he needs to focus, but usually he wears it whenever he's feeling down in the feels," Yuzu answered.
"..." Yuuji was silent for a moment before frowning. "So, he still hasn't gotten over what happened earlier."
"Yeah, it seems so," Yuzu frowned as well.
"What happened earlier?" Gongenzaka raised an eyebrow. "Did something happen?"
"The two of us just had a little…argument, that's all. Nothing to worry about," Yuuji simply stated, though his facial expression gave off a different message.
"..." Yoko briefly glanced at both Yuuji and Yuzu, frowning as he turned to look out to her son.
"And in the left corner, the masked duelist hailing from LDS who managed to defeat his previous opponent without summoning a single monster! The Hollow Rose, Ibarahana…Yuga!" Nico Smiley exclaimed.
The roars of the crowd were deafening as Yuga appeared from the left corner.
"The Hollow Rose? I kind of like it," Yuga smiled under his mask as he reached the security checkpoint.
However, he didn't waste any time, jumping past security and right onto the arena. One of the security personnel tried to chase after him, but they were stopped by a second personnel, who just shook their head and told them to stand down. The young man took a moment to make sure his mask fit on the right way before walking up to Yuya. He extended his hand out to greet his opponent.
"After all this time, I finally get to meet you in person, Sakaki Yuya," Yuga greeted him. "I'm looking forward to our upcoming match."
"...Oh?" Yuya was a bit startled by Yuga suddenly speaking to him. "L-Likewise."
"Hey, are you feeling okay?" Yuga frowned beneath his mask. "You had a lot more energy during your first-round match. Did something happen? I'd hate for it to get in the way of our match."
"...It's nothing, I'm fine," Yuya insisted while rubbing his left arm with his other.
"Not buying it," Yuga sighed. "But, since the crowd is probably getting a little impatient, I'll just take your word for it."
He took a few steps back, activating his duel disk.
"Whatever is on your mind, sort it out while you can," Yuga started. "I've been waiting for this match for a while, so I won't be holding anything back, you hear me?"
Yuya took a few steps back as well. He took a deep breath.
"Loud and clear," Yuya responded in a calm manner as he too activated his duel disk. "Let's do this."
"It looks like our two duelists are ready for their bout!" Nico Smiley announced. "Now comes the time to determine the Action Field that these two powerful duelists will duke it out in!"
The giant Field Spell card spun around a few times before coming to a stop; Nico Smiley announced the results.
"Action Field, on! Field Magic, Gladiator Arena!"
The Real Solid Vision Machine in the sky began whirring as the area around the two transformed. The ground shook as a giant, stone arena floated in the middle of nothing but clouds, countless structures and mini islands floating around the arena.
"Let's get right into this. Duelists locked in battle!" Yuga began the chant.
"Kicking the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters!" Yuya continued the chant
"They storm through this field!"
"Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of Dueling!"
[Action—!] The crowd shouted in unison.
[Duel!] The two shout in unison as their duel begins
Yuya — LP: 4000
Yuga — LP: 4000
[Turn 1: Yuga] [H: 5]
"I'll start and set the tempo!" Yuga announced. "I summon Gravekeepers - Skeleton Guard (Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 3)!"
A skeleton warrior with a rusty helmet and sword appeared.
"When this monster is summoned, I can discard one card from my hand. I choose to send the Trap Card, Pot of Secrets to my graveyard," Yuga sent the card to his graveyard. "Pot of Secrets' effect now activates! When it is sent to the graveyard by card effect, I can draw two cards!"
Yuga drew two cards from his deck. Shortly after he did that, Skeleton Guard burst into particles.
"I now tribute Skeleton Guard to activate its second effect!" Yuga declared. "Thanks to it, I can add 1 'Gravekeepers' Card from my deck to my hand!"
Yuga added a card to his hand.
"The card I chose is Gravekeeper's Ritual," Yuga revealed. "A card that I'll be activating right now!"
Yuga played the card. As he did, a shrine appeared behind him. Countless unlit candles surrounded the altar at the center.
"Ritual?" Yuya was surprised.
"Gravekeeper's Ritual allows me to Ritual Summon a 'Gravekeepers' Monster as long as I provide the appropriate tributes," Yuga stated. "I sacrifice the Level 7 Tri-Headed Warlock in order to Ritual Summon a Level 1 Monster!"
A massive humanoid monster with three heads and a staff appeared briefly before transforming into blue flames; the flames igniting all of the candles on the shrine. The shrine began to glow an eerie blue color as Yuga began chanting.
"Ancient scribe of knowledge. Break free from your tattered chains and ascend!" Yuga chanted. "I Ritual Summon! Come forth, Level 1! Gravekeepers - Ancient Scribe (Dark/Fiend/Ritual/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1) in defense mode!"
A chained up skeleton wearing a red cloak and holding a worn out scroll in its hand appeared. A faint blue aura surrounded the monster.
"I now activate Ancient Scribe's effect!" Yuga continued. "Once per turn, I can add 1 'Ancient Scroll' Card from my deck to my hand!" Yuga took a card out from his deck and revealed it. "The card I choose to add is Ancient Scroll of Self Destruction!"
Three set cards then appeared in front of him.
"I set three cards and end my turn."
"Player Ibarahana seems to be going for the same move that won him the first round!" Nico Smiley exclaimed. "How will Sakaki Yuya respond to such a play!?"
"..." Yuya was silent, placing a hand over his deck and drawing for his turn. "Draw!"
[Turn 2: Yuya] [H: 6]
He paused for a moment, looking at Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon which was glowing brightly in his hand. Without skipping a beat, Yuya revealed two cards in his hand in a serious manner.
"I set the Pendulum Scale with the Scale 1 Performapal Trump Witch and the Scale 8 Timegazer Magician! I'm taking control of this duel starting now!" Yuya declared as he placed the cards on opposite ends of his duel disk. The word [PENDULUM] appearing in rainbow font between them as a playful blonde witch and a tall man in black, with parts of a golden gear as accessories for its body, rose into each of his Pendulum Zones. A giant, blue pendulum swung above it all.
"With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I can summon monsters Levels 2 through 7 all at the same time!" Yuya announced. "Swing, Pendulum of Souls! Draw an arc of light across the ether! I Pendulum Summon! Come out, my monsters!"
Three beams of energy shoot out from the portal drawn by the massive pendulum above him.
"Come out, Stargazer Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1200/DEF: 2400/LV: 5/SC: 1) and Performapal Frizzle Grizzly (Dark/Beast/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1300/DEF: 1800/LV: 5/SC: 6) in defense mode!" A magician in white holding a staff with a large circular shape around the helm and a large bear with heavy fur which covered its eyes and colorful clothing appeared. "And finally, wondrous and beautiful dichromatic eyes! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7/SC: 4)!"
A giant, bipedal red dragon with dual-colored eyes, with countless colorful orbs scattered around its giant, pale colored horns appeared. The massive dragon lets out a deafening roar.
—Badump!
Yuga and Yuya suddenly clutch their chests as a sharp pain coursed through their bodies.
"Gah!" Yuya hissed in pain.
"N-Not again!" Yuga grit his teeth.
In the stands, Yuuji wasn't faring much better. He was panting heavily as he clutched his beating heart.
"Hey, Yuuji. Are you okay?" Ayu asked with a worried look.
"I-I'm fine, Ayu-chan. Nothing to worry about," Yuuji reassured her.
Back in the arena, Yuya decided to continue his turn, pushing through the pain.
"I-I activate Performapal Trump Witch's Pendulum Effect!" Yuya declared. "I can target monsters on my field and Fusion Summon 1 Monster from my Extra Deck using those targeted monsters as materials! I fuse Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon together with Stargazer Magician!"
Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon rising into the air along with Stargazer Magician. The two monsters fused as Yuya began chanting.
"Wielder of mysterious powers, become the bright light and dwell in the eyes of the dragon!" Yuya extended his arms outward as he chanted. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Arcane dragon wielder of ancient magic! Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2000/LV: 8)!"
A massive, red-scaled dragon with a large golden ring that stuck out from its back; a blue orb encased in armor around its stomach; appeared.
"Performapal Frizzle Grizzly's effect now activates!" Yuya continued. "When a Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned to my field using Pendulum Monsters as materials, I can immediately Fusion Summon using this card and a face-up Pendulum Monster from my Extra Deck! This time, I will fuse Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon together with Performapal Frizzle Grizzly!"
Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon appeared on his field once again, before rising into the air along with the thick furred bear, the two monsters fusing together as he began chanting.
"Timid bear. Become one with the arcane dragon to create a new power!" Yuya extended his arms outward once again. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 8! The ferocious dragon with luminous feral eyes! Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (Earth/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2000/LV: 8!"
Another massive, red-scaled dragon, this time with its body mostly covered in bone-colored armor and bolstering a more feral appearance, appeared.
Weirdly enough, once Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon had left the field, the pain in Yuya, Yuga, and Yuuji's chests died down a bit.
"Player Sakaki has just Fusion Summoned two times in a row!" Nico Smiley exclaimed. "It looks like our two duelists are pulling out their best cards for this duel!"
"Battle!" Yuya declared. "Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks—!"
"—I activate my two set Continuous Traps!" Yuga cut in as his two set cards flipped face-up. "Ancient Scroll of Fury and Ancient Scroll of Self Sacrifice—!"
"—I won't let you!" Yuya cut him off back. "Timegazer Magician's Pendulum Effect activates! Once during the damage step, it can negate the activation of a Trap Card on my opponent's field and set it back face down! I choose to negate Ancient Scroll of Self Sacrifice's activation!"
Yuga's duel disk rejects the activation of Self Sacrifice, forcing it to be set face down.
"Normally, by using your two Trap Cards together, you would force me to attack you directly and send that damage back to me," Yuya stated. "But now since only Ancient Scroll of Fury is on the field, I get to make use of its effect to attack you directly!"
"So you knew of my card's effects ahead of time," Yuga smiled beneath his mask. "Good, it would've been boring if I took you out with such a simple combo."
"No, I'm ending this now!" Yuya declared. "Thanks to Ancient Scroll of Fury, Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks you directly! Furthermore, due to it having the Level 5 Stargazer Magician as a Fusion Material, Rune-Eyes gets to attack three times during the Battle Phase! Shiny Burst!"
Rune-Eyes roars as it leaps into the air, three glowing orbs appearing on each inside edge of the golden ring on its back as it shoots out a beam of light from one of them.
Yuya isn't dueling like he normally does. Yuuji thought. The goggles already confirmed it, but now I know for sure that what happened earlier is still bothering him. He's fighting extremely recklessly.
Sadly, there wasn't anything he could do to change that right now. He could only hope that Yuya wouldn't end up losing because of this change.
"Taking advantage of my own card, how cruel," Yuga said. "Unfortunately for you, I'm not naive enough to duel without a contingency plan."
Yuga's third set Trap is flipped face-up.
"I activate Lurking Sacrifice!" Yuga declared. "By tributing 1 other card I control, I can prevent 1 monster on your field from attacking until the end of this turn! I tribute Ancient Scroll of Fury to prevent Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon from attacking!"
Yuga's face-up Continuous Trap is destroyed. At the same time, a cloud of darkness spewed out from his Trap, flooding the area around him in a dark smoke. Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's attack hits the cloud of smoke, but instead of doing any damage, the attack is absorbed instead.
"Tch," Yuya clicked his tongue. "Then what about this! Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks Gravekeepers - Ancient Scribe! Hell Dive Burst!"
Beast-Eyes roars as it shoots a breath of hot flames at the skeleton scribe, threatening to incinerate it. However, much to Yuya's surprise, a barrier appeared around it, protecting the monster from Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's attack.
"What?" Yuya's eyes widened in surprise.
"Gravekeepers - Ancient Scribe can't be destroyed by battle while it is in defense position," Yuga revealed. "Meaning that I'm completely safe from your attacks as long as it remains on my field."
"Damn…" Yuya frowned. A face down card appeared on his field shortly after that. "I set one card and end my turn."
"Aw. Yuya-oniichan wasn't able to win," Ayu frowned.
"It's fine, he still has a major advantage over his opponent with his two Fusion Monsters on his field. He'll definitely win this," Tatsuya reassured.
"You can't count out his opponent yet, you guys," Shuzo stated. "While Yuya is likely safe from his opponent's attacks, his opponent is also safe from his own as long as that Ritual Monster remains on the field."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Tatsuya replied with a bit of embarrassment.
"It's back to me once again," Yuga said as he fixed his mask a bit. "My turn! Draw!"
Yuga drew a card as he began his turn.
[Turn 3: Yuga] [H: 2]
"I activate the Field Spell, Dark Domain!" Yuga played a card. The surrounding sky suddenly turned dark. "While this card is active, DARK Monsters on my field gain 500 ATK for each DARK Monster currently on my field!"
(Gravekeepers - Ancient Scribe — ATK: 0 → 500)
"Next, I activate Ancient Scibe's effect!" Yuga continued. "I add Ancient Scroll of Greed to my hand, which I immediately activate! Ancient Scroll of Greed allows me to copy and immediately use the effect of a Spell/Trap Card in my graveyard! I choose to copy Pot of Secret's effect! However, because its effect would technically already be activated, I get to draw two cards from my deck without needing to fulfill its original condition!"
"You can do that?" Yuzu's jaw dropped.
"I remember dealing with a similar interaction a while ago," Yuuji explained. "If you copy and immediately use the effect of a card with a certain condition for activation, unless it says that you can only use its effect through its specific requirement, you can just ignore the condition altogether and use the effect."
[A/N: I'm pretty sure this is how it works. If not…yeah, that's just how it'll work in this fic from now on.]
"That sounds incredibly complicated," Yuzu commented.
"That's because it is," Yuuji stated. "The fact that this guy knows how this interaction works means that he has an absurd amount of dueling knowledge."
Yuga draws two cards from his deck before continuing his turn.
"From my graveyard, I activate Tri-Headed Warlock's effect!" Yuga declared. "By tributing a DARK Monster from my field, I can Special Summon this card from my graveyard! I release Gravekeepers - Ancient Scribe to summon Tri-Headed Warlock (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK: 2500 → 3000/DEF: 0/LV: 7) to my field!"
The skeleton scribe bursts into particles as a magician with three heads holding a staff in his hand appeared in its place.
He tributed his Ritual Monster? But why? Yuya was surprised. He just made it easier for me to defeat him now.
"Tri-Headed Warlock allows me to destroy 1 monster on your field when it is Special Summoned," Yuga stated. "I choose to destroy Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Sinister Curse!"
The warlock waves its staff around, a dark mist oozing out of it and enveloping Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, destroying it.
"Next, I summon Gravekeepers - Hound Servant (Dark/Beast/Effect/ATK: 1700 → 2700/DEF: 1300/LV: 4)!"
A large, skeleton dog with a collar made of dark wisps appeared on Yuga's field.
[Tri-Headed Warlock — ATK: 3000 → 3500)
"Hound Servant allows me to add 1 'Gravekeepers' Card from my deck when it is summoned. I add Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales to my hand!" Yuga added a card to his hand from his deck. "Next, I activate Card Recycling, allowing me to add Gravekeepers Ritual from my graveyard back to my hand!"
Yuga took a card out of his graveyard.
"I now activate Gravekeepers Ritual once again!" Yuga declared. "I tribute Gravekeepers - Hound Servant to Ritual Summon a Level 7 Monster!"
"But Hound Servant is a Level 4 monster, you can't do that, right?" Yuya inquired.
"Gravekeepers - Hound Servant can be treated as the full tribute when it is used to Ritual Summon a 'Gravekeepers' Monster," Yuga explained.
A shrine appeared behind Yuga once again. Hound Servant transforms into blue flames, which ignites all of the candles on the shrine. The shrine began to glow as Yuga began chanting.
"The forgotten records, buried deep within the eternal stream of memories, shall now awaken!" Yuga chanted, a dark aura rising from him as his voice grew louder. "Ritual Summon! Be reborn, the teller of these ancient texts, Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales (Dark/Fiend/Ritual/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 100/LV: 7)!"
A massive skeleton figure in a black cloak appeared behind Yuga. In its hand as a massive, ancient book.
"Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales gains 500 ATK for each DARK Monster in my graveyard. With there being three currently in my graveyard, Solemn Tales gains 1500 ATK (Solemn Tales — ATK: 100 → 1600)!" Yuga declared. "Furthermore, due to there being two DARK Monsters on my field, Dark Domain increases Solemn Tales' ATK by an additional 1000 (Solemn Tales — ATK: 1600 → 2600)!"
Yuga then pointed at Yuya.
"Time for my counterattack," Yuga said. "Battle! Tri-Headed Warlock attacks Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"
Shoot. I need to find an Action Card! Yuya thought.
Yuya runs off, jumping from floating structure to floating structure as he tries to find an Action Card. He manages to find one, picking it up and checking to see what it is. However…
"A-An Action Trap!?" Yuya cried out in shock as a boxing glove shot out from the card, smacking him in the face and sending him tumbling down to the ground.
"Oooh, that's gotta hurt," Yuuji hissed as if he was the one who was punched.
"Oh my, it looks like Player Sakaki was unlucky enough to find the Action Trap, Unwanted Surprise!" Nico Smiley announced. "That card deals 500 points of damage to whoever picks it up!"
Yuya — LP: 4000 → 3500
Yuya finally stopped tumbling down, his goggles falling off his face and resting around his neck. He stood back on his feet as Tri-Headed Warlock's attack closed in on Beast-Eyes. His set card is then flipped face-up.
"I activate Last Minute Cancel!" Yuya declared. "All attack position monsters on my field are switched into defense positions!"
A faint blue aura appeared around Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon as it took a defensive stance. It is then struck by Tri-Headed Warlock's attack, bursting into particles and causing Yuya to wince from the shockwaves of the attack.
"Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales attacks you directly, Yuya!" Yuga continued. "Knowledge of the Forsaken!"
Solemn Tales opens its book, pointing it towards Yuya. A few seconds later, a beam of energy is shot out of the book directly towards Yuya who tries to jump out of the blast radius.
—BOOOOOM!
The attack collides with the ground nearby Yuya, creating an explosion that sends Yuya flying away as his Life Points dropped greatly.
Yuya — LP: 3500 → 900
[Yuya!] Yuzu, Yuuji, and Gongenzaka cried out for their friend in unison.
Yuya skid across the ground for a few seconds before coming to a stop.
"I hope this isn't all you've got, Yuya," Yuga then sighed. "If it is, I'm deeply disappointed. I end my turn."
<><><><><><><><><><>
In the V.I.P Booth…
"That guy…" Shizuka facepalmed. "He always gets too carried away when he's having fun."
"..." Reiji remained silent, smiling slightly as he observed how the duel would proceed.
<><><><><><><><><><>
"G-Guh!" Yuya grunted as he struggled to push himself off the ground. It took him a few tries until he eventually got back onto his feet. However, right when he did, a sharp pain rang through his head. Suddenly, his consciousness was transferred into a dark void. The area felt cold, completely empty and devoid of life.
Where…am I?
To make things worse for Yuya, that same sharp pain was still ringing through his head. It was so unbearable to the point where he felt like he might lose his mind.
Shortly after, Yuto suddenly materialized in front of him. The two of them were staring at each other. After what felt like hours, the two of them unconsciously walked towards each other, extending their hands outward. When their hands made contact, a bright red glow suddenly filled the area, which not only completely blinded Yuya, but also made him feel dizzy.
"What's…happening…to me…?" Yuya muttered before he suddenly blacked out completely.
<><><><><><><><><><>
[Current Theme Playing: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Sound Duel 1 - A Nerve Wrecking Duel]
Yuya was still, his body unmoving for a moment as he just stared up to the darkened sky. His pendulum necklace could be seen glowing brightly.
—Badump!
He clutched his chest in pain, letting out an agonizing scream as a dark aura suddenly burst out from his body which caused his hair to flow all over the place, his eyes beginning to glow an eerie red. The sudden change in the youth surprised everybody watching.
"Hey, are you good—?" Yuga tried to ask.
"My turn! DRAW!" An awakened Yuya declared as he drew a card. The force of the draw creates a shockwave.
[Turn 4: Yuya] [H: 1]
"I activate the Spell Card, An Actor's Facade," Yuya stated. "Targeting 1 Spell/Trap Card in either player's graveyard, this card copies that card's effect and immediately uses it. I choose to copy the effect of Pot of Secrets in my opponent's graveyard, allowing me to draw two cards."
Yuya drew two cards.
"Next up, Pendulum Exchange," Yuya continued. "I shuffle both Performapal Trump Witch and Timegazer Magician into my deck to add two Pendulum Monsters from my deck to replace them." Yuya took the two monsters set in his Pendulum Scale, shuffling them back into his deck before he added two cards to his hand, revealing them. "I added the Scale 1 Performapal Monkeyboard and the Scale 8 Xiangsheng Magician to my hand, using them to reset my Pendulum Scale."
Yuya placed the two cards on opposite ends of his duel blade, the word [PENDULUM] appearing between in rainbow font as a monkey with teeth similar to that of a piano keyboard and a magician in wearing a cloak with pink ribbons scattered around, holding a pink bow in her hands, rose into each of his Pendulum Scale.
"Something's not right," Gongenzaka said. "His demeanor completely changed."
"You're right," Yuzu said with a worried look, noticing her bracelet beginning to pulse. "It's almost like he's been possessed."
"Scary…" Ayu commented.
"This is giving me that bad kind of shivers…" Futoshi said as he hugged himself.
Yuuji clutched his head as he felt a familiar pain well up.
This…is just like what happened back then. Yuuji's eyes widened upon realising. This is bad.
"I activate Performapal Monkeyboard's Pendulum Effect, using its effect to add the Level 4 Performapal Phantom Performer to my hand."
Yuya added a card to his hand, revealing it briefly before extending his arm into the air.
"With my currently set Pendulum Scale, I can summon monsters Levels 2 through 7 simultaneously," Yuya stated. "Swing, Pendulum of Souls! Draw an arc across the ether! Carve the arc of victory! I Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my monster servants!"
The giant pendulum above him draws a portal in the sky, four beams of energy shooting out from it.
"Return from my Extra Deck, Stargazer Magician (ATK: 1200/DEF: 2400/LV: 5/SC: 1), Performapal Frizzle Grizzly (ATK: 1300/DEF: 1800/LV: 5/SC: 6), and the Supreme King Courageous Dragon — Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7/SC: 4! And from my hand, Performapal Phantom Performer (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1300/DEF: 800/LV: 4/SC: 3)!"
Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Stargazer Magician, Performapal Frizzle Grizzly, and a humanoid monster wearing a black and violet cloak with a similar colored jester hat on his head appeared on Yuya's field simultaneously.
[Gah!] Yuga and Yuuji both simultaneously clutch their chests upon the reappearance of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. The sole card in Yuga's hand was glowing brightly, as if it was reacting to the dragon.
"Performapal Phantom Performer can destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on my opponent's field when it is Pendulum Summon," Yuya stated. "Performapal Phantom Performer destroys your set Ancient Scroll of Self Sacrifice!"
Yuga's Trap Card bursts into particles.
Yuya then points his arm to the sky once again.
"Xiangsheng Magician's Pendulum Effect activates!" Yuya declared, the darkness surrounding him flaring up even more. "I can change the Level of two monsters on the field to match each other! I choose to change Performapal Frizzle Grizzly's Level to match that of Performapal Phantom Performer!"
Xiangsheng Magician aimed her bow, nocking an arrow onto her bow and shooting it towards the aforementioned monsters. A pink dome surrounded them, as the magician's effect went into effect.
(Performapal Phantom Performer — LV: 4)
(Performapal Frizzle Grizzly — LV: 5 → 4)
"I overlay the now Level 4 Performapal Frizzle Grizzly together with the Level 4 Performapal Phantom Performer!"
A galaxy vortex appeared in front of Yuya as his two monsters transformed into energies that were then absorbed into it. A massive pillar of light shot out from the portal's center, the arena trembling as Yuya began chanting.
"Formed from pitch-black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs!" Yuya chanted. "I Xyz Summon! Now descend, Rank 4! The Supreme King Vengeance Dragon — Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/R: 4/OU: 2)!"
A menacing dragon with dark purple scales, silver spikes, and sharp wings, with a red core at its center plated in armor appeared on Yuya's field. As it did, the pain in all three of their chests doubled, their bodies reacting to the appearance of a second dragon.
Yuga let out an agonizing scream as a similar dark aura suddenly shot out from his body. In the crowd, Yuuji wasn't faring much better, the sharp pain in his mind tripling as he struggled to stifle back his screams, his eyes changing coloring into an eerie green.
"Yuuji! Are you okay?" Yuzu asked.
"Y-Yeah…I'm fine—ACK!" The pain in his mind spiked again, almost causing him to collapse.
"I got you," Gongenzaka said as he caught him.
"T-Thanks…"
Yuuji then turned to the ongoing dueling, locking his attention on Yuya.
I-I need to stop…this somehow. Yuuji thought. B-But, it just…hurts…so…much. I can't…do anything.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the crowd….
"That dragon. That's…" Shun's eyes widened in shock. "...Yuto's!"
What happened? Why does he have it? Where's Yuto? Did he steal it from him?
Questions like that flooded Shun's mind. He wished he could go down there and beat the answer out of him as soon as possible, but he knew that Akaba Reiji would be against such a rash action, so he decided against it. Instead, he would wait until he had a moment alone with the duelist to force the answer out of him.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon let out a deafening roar, causing Yuya to clutch his chest in pain. However, he persevered through the pain, continuing his turn.
"I activate Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's effect!" Yuya declared. "By detaching one Overlay Unit, it can halve the ATK of a Level 5 or higher monster on my opponent's field and take that lost ATK for itself! I first target Tri-Headed Warlock with this effect! Treason Discharge!"
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — OU: 2 → 1)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon absorbs one of its Overlay Units, its wings expanding as it sends a wave of purple electricity at the three-headed monster, sapping away its strength and using it to bolster its own.
(Tri-Headed Warlock — ATK: 3500 → 1750)
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — ATK: 2500 → 4250)
"I activate Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's effect again!" Yuya continues as Dark Rebellion absorbs its final Overlay Unit (Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — OU: 1 → 0). "This time targeting Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales! Treason Discharge!"
Electricity shoots out from Dark Rebellion's wings once again, wrapping around the massive skeleton monster and sapping away its strength.
(Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales — ATK: 2500 → 1250)
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — ATK: 4250 → 5500)
Yuga began manuevering across floating structures to look for an Action Card. Noticing his opponent's goal, Yuya extended his hand forward.
"Battle!" Yuya declared. "Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, attack Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales and leave nothing left of him! Lightning Disobey of Rebellion!"
Dark Rebellion's tusk began to glow as it flew towards the massive, cloaked skeleton. At the same time, Yuga managed to find an Action Card, playing it almost immediately.
"I activate the Action Spell, Evasion! Negating Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's attack!"
Solemn Tales moves to the side, avoiding Dark Rebellion's attack.
"Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks Tri-Headed Warlock! Spiral Flame Strike!" Yuya commanded his ace dragon, who shot a breath of flames towards the three-headed monster with its mouth. "Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon deals double the battle damage when it battles a Level 5 or higher monster! Turn him to ash, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Reaction Force!"
The flames of the attack grew larger and more violent as the attack engulfed Tri-Headed Warlock, creating a massive explosion that sent Yuga tumbling back.
Yuga — LP: 4000 → 2500
(Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales — ATK: 1250 → 750)
As that was happening, Yuya quickly found an Action Card before continuing his attack.
"I activate the Action Spell, Over Sword! Increasing Stargazer Magician's ATK by 500 during the Battle Phase only (Stargazer Magician — ATK: 1200 → 1700)!" Yuya declared. "Stargazer Magician attacks Gravekeepers - Solemn Tales!"
Stargazer Magician flies forward, its staff glowing as it increases in size. The white-robed magician slashes the giant skeleton monster with its staff, slicing the monster in half and causing it to burst into particles. The shockwaves of the attack, along with the damage caused by Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's attack, caused Yuga's mask to crack—parts of his face now visible.
Yuga — LP: 2500 → 1550
(Stargazer Magician — ATK: 1700 → 1200)
"I set one card and end my turn," Yuya concluded his turn. "During the End Phase, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's effect ends, returning its ATK to normal."
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — ATK: 5500 → 2500)
[BGM (Background Music) Ends Here.]
Yuga casually brushed off dust that had accumulated on his body before grabbing his mostly cracked mask, taking it off his face and discarding it. Everyone spectating the duel was shocked to see his face.
"W-What a surprising turn of events!" Nico Smiley tried to continue his commentary as if the duel hadn't taken a darker turn. "Player Ibarahana's mask has slipped off, revealing that he has a similar face to Player Sakaki! Is this some sort of family reunion or what!?"
The crowd remained silent, still stunned by the complete change in Yuya's behavior. It didn't make things better that Yuga had also seemed to have changed.
"My turn. DRAW!" Yuga drew a card from his deck, a shockwave of darkness being produced from the action—his deck glowing in response.
[Turn 5: Yuga] [H: 2]
Yuga glanced at the glowing monster in his hand briefly, the dark aura that was slowly seeping out of him bursting out all at once before he began making his move.
"I activate the Ritual Spell, Between the Crest of Twilight!" Yuga declared. "By banishing tributes from my hand, field, or graveyard as materials, I can Ritual Summon a LIGHT Ritual Dragon from my hand! I banish the Level 7 Tri-Headed Warlock and the Level 1 Gravekeepers - Ancient Scribe to Ritual Summon a Level 8 Monster!"
<><><><><><><><><><>
"No, not that monster!" Shizuka shouted suddenly, surprising Reiji briefly from her outburst. One could notice that her bracelet, which was already pulsing periodically, began pulsing at a much faster rate.
"That monster?" Reiji inquired.
"You could call it his ace monster, since it's been with him for as long as he could remember," Shizuka explained. "But recently, whenever he makes use of that dragon, he completely loses control over himself. That's also why we decided to ban him from using it."
"Interesting…" Reiji commented with intrigue as he turned back to the ongoing duel.
<><><><><><><><><><>
—RUMBLE!
The ground of the floating arena began to shake as a massive shrine appeared behind Yuga. At the center of it all was an altar, featuring a massive dragon surrounded by countless stone candles. His aforementioned monsters briefly appeared on his field, before transforming into pink flames that ignited each of the stone candles. The shrine began to glow with a bright pink light as Yuga began chanting.
"Luminescent dragon of dark twilight. Spread your burning wings as you annihilate all who dare to stand in your path!" Yuga chanted. "I Ritual Summon! Arise, Level 8! The Supreme King Executioner Dragon — Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon (Light/Dragon/Ritual/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2000/LV: 8)!"
The shrine crumbled as a massive dragon with glowing dark pink eyes shot out from it towards the sky. The dragon's body was made up of countless blue scales, with a glowing crest on its stomach in the shape of a crescent moon. The three sets of wings on its back, which were empty and dull at first, began to ignite with glowing pink flames, illuminating the sky itself with its intense presence.
Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon all began calling out for each other.
—Badump!
"Ack!" Yuuji doubled over as the pain intensified an unbearable amount. "We…will…become one."
"Huh? What are you talking about, Yuuji?" Gongenzaka asked, though he couldn't get as much of an answer as Yuuji began screaming out in pain.
Yuya clutched his head, shuffling around in pain as he spoke, "B-Become one…we must…become one!"
"Become one…" Yuga muttered. "We must become one!"
Yuga's eyes began to glow a dark pink similar to that of his dragon as he continued his turn.
"Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon's effect activates!" Yuga announced. "It can target 1 Level 5 or higher monster on my opponent's field, copy its effects, and increase its ATK and DEF by the ATK and DEF of that monster! Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon targets Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon with this effect! Twilight's Reflection!"
A bright pink aura burst out from the dragon's body as it used its effect. The dragon letting out a deafening roar as it does so.
(Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon — ATK: 2800 → 5300, DEF: 2000 → 4000)
"Battle!" Yuga moved into his Battle Phase, his dragon soaring back into the air as he did. "Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon attacks Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Leave nothing left of him! Final Crest Incineration!"
Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon channels its surplus of energy into the crest on its stomach. The crest on the dragon's stomach bursts open like a third eye, a spiraling black and pink beam being shot out from the opening towards Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. As it closes in on the dragon, Yuya's set Trap is flipped face-up.
"Trap Card, open!" Yuya declared while extending his arm forward. "Curtain Call! I pay half my Life Points to negate both battle damage and the destruction of a monster I control for one instance of an attack!"
Yuya's duel disk shocks him, however he remains unphased by it.
Yuya — LP: 900 → 450
A magic curtain appeared all around Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, blocking it out from sight. The curtain opened shortly after that, revealing that Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon was nowhere to be found. Twilight Crest's attack hits the ground, creating a massive explosion that sends debris towards Yuya. Yuya runs towards the flying debris, using one large rock as a boost to jump over the rest of the debris.
"I end my turn," Yuga concluded when he had no other play to make. His dragon's ATK and DEF returned to normal.
(Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon — ATK: 5300 → 2800, DEF: 4000 → 2000)
"..." Yuya placed his hand over the top of his deck, which glowed in response as he drew for his turn. "Draw!"
[Turn 6: Yuya] [H: 1]
Immediately after Yuya starts his turn, Yuga activates Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon's effect.
"I activate Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon's effect once again!" Yuga announced. "Targeting Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon once again to copy its effects and add its ATK and DEF to Twilight Crest! Twilight's Reflection!"
Twilight Crest lets out a deafening roar as a bright pink aura appears around the massive dragon for a second time due to its effect.
(Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon — ATK: 2800 → 5300, DEF: 2000 → 4000)
The awakened Yuya takes a moment to glance at the card in his hand before continuing.
"I activate Performapal Monkeyboard's Pendulum Effect, adding the Level 4 Performapal Darkness Skewer to my hand!" Yuya declared as he drew a card. "I then summon this monster to my field!"
A figure cloaked in black, holding a silver fencing sabre appeared on Yuya's field.
[Performapal Darkness Skewer (Dark/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 0/LV: 4/SC: 4)]
The darkness surrounding Yuya reached its peak, even spreading to his two dragon monsters. The two dragon's call out to Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon, who call out to them back with a deafening roar.
"We…will become one!" Yuya shouted as he extended his arm forward. "Performapal Darkness Skewer's effect activates—!"
"Yuya! Snap out of it! Please!" Yuzu shouted from the crowd, clasping her hands together in a sort of prayer as her bracelet pulsed rapidly. Yuya pauses upon hearing her. "I don't know what made you like this, but you can't keep going on like this! This isn't your type of dueling at all!"
"M-My type of…dueling?" Yuya muttered before clutching his head in pain.
"She's right, Yuya!" Gongenzaka chimed in this time. "Remember why you duel in the first place! You wanted to bring smiles through your dueling, not bring fear!"
"Bringing smiles through my dueling…" The dark aura surrounding Yuya disappeared for a moment as he remembered what Yuto had said to him that day.
"Make people smile with your dueling. It's what I and Dark Rebellion would've wanted."
[Current Theme Playing: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Sound Duel 1 - Swing! Pendulum of Souls]
"G-GAH!" Yuya clutched his head, wailing around in pain when he felt the darkness within resurface. While he was able to suppress some of it, he failed to get rid of all of it. Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon begin roaring in unison as he let out an agonizing scream.
"Yuya!" Yuzu cried out to her friend with worry.
"I activate the Spell Card, Forged Between the Pendulum!" Yuya declared. "By tributing 1 monster on my field along with 1 monster in my Pendulum Zone, I can draw 1 card from my deck! However, I can't Pendulum Summon from my Extra Deck the turn I activate this card! I tribute Stargazer Magician along with Performapal Monkeyboard in my Pendulum Zone! DRAW!"
The two aforementioned monsters burst into particles as Yuya drew a card with all his might, his deck glowing in response as he did. He then revealed the card as he continued his turn.
"I rebuild my Pendulum Scale with the Scale 3 Xiangke Magician and the Scale 8 Xiangsheng Magician!" Yuya declared as a man wearing green and gold armor, holding a circular, chakram-like weapon in his left hand, rose into an empty Pendulum Zone. "Magician of Destruction, who watches over contrast! Untie the stars under your sharp judgement! I activate Xiangke Magician's effect! Targeting Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, its effect changes the Rank of 1 Xyz Monster on the field to its Level equivalent!"
Using its power, Xiangke Magician draws a glowing symbol in front of it, which shoots out beams of energy to Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon who absorbs them.
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — R: 4 → LV: 4)
"I can't believe my eyes!" Nico Smiley announced. "Player Sakaki has just given an Xyz Monster a Level!?"
"Magician of Creation who watched over harmony! Fill the heavens with stars using your arcane power!" Yuya continued. "Xiangsheng Magician uses its Pendulum Effect to make Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's Level equal to that of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"
Xiangsheng Magician cocks her bow back, shooting an arrow in front of the two dragons which creates a pink dome around them. Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's Level changes due to the dome's power.
(Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon — LV: 7)
(Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon — LV: 4 → 7)
"Now he has…" Gongenzaka's eyes widened in shock.
"...two Level 7 monsters." Yuzu said with similar awe.
"I overlay my Level 7 Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"
The two dragons roar as they transform into energies, being absorbed into a galaxy vortex that appeared in front of Yuya. A massive pillar of light shot out from the vortex, causing the ground of the arena to tremble as Yuya began chanting.
"Dragon of dual-colored eyes. Eradicate all enemies who oppose you with your scale of wrath!" Yuya chanted. "Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 7! Dragon with eyes of rage! The Supreme King Black Dragon — Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Xyz/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500/R: 7/OU: 2)!"
An intimidating dragon with dual red and green-colored eyes and a body covered by black and silver armor appeared on Yuya's field. Its head had many sharp features, similar to that of Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Red glowing highlights could be found across its armored arms and legs. Sticking out from its back were massive mechanical wings. The dragon exuded a chaotic, menacing purple-ish aura.
"Odd-Eyes…Rebellion Dragon?" Yuuji, who had managed to recover slightly after the Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon left the field, muttered in awe.
"Performapal Darkness Skewer's effect activates!" Yuya declared. "By tributing itself from my field, I reduce Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon's ATK to 0!"
The cloaked monster leaps forward, its sabre glowing and increasing in size as it pierces the massive dragon. Twilight Crest wails in pain from the action.
(Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon — ATK: 5300 → 0)
"This is the end! Battle!" Yuya declared as compartments on Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon's wings opened up, revealing multiple sets of glowing purple wings, its two tusks glowing purple as it flew towards Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon. "Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon attacks Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon! Rebellious Wrath - Strike Disobey!"
Twilight Crest responds by shooting a beam of black and pink energy from its chest at the Xyz Dragon. Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon's tusks collide with the blast, the two monsters staying in a standstill for a moment before Rebellion Dragon begins overpowering the blast, shooting up towards Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon and shooting through it. A massive explosion is created by the attack, creating heavy shockwaves that cause Yuga to be swept away by it—the rest of his Life Points being reduced to zero as a result.
Yuga — LP: 1550 → 0
Winner: Yuya
[BGM (Background Music) Ends Here.]
Yuya's monsters, along with the Action Field around them, disappear, returning them back to the arena. The darkness that was surrounding the two duelists dissipated: their glowing eyes returning back to normal.
"T-The winner of this match is Sakaki Yuya!" Nico Smiley announced.
"..."
The crowd was completely silent, unsure of how to process what had just happened.
Yuya stared at his hand silently, deep in thought.
That same feeling from before, it came even stronger than before. Yuya thought. And I still don't know what caused it in the first place.
To make things worse, he remembers nothing of what happened during the duel. The last thing he did remember was the beginning of the duel. After a certain point, he completely blacked out, waking up back in the arena while being declared the winner of the duel.
Maybe I should just apologize to Yuuji. He seems to understand things like this better than me.
"If you want to discuss more about the Sora matter, discard your naive preconceptions. Otherwise, we have nothing more to discuss."
…
Why would I apologize to a jerk who doesn't give his friends the benefit of the doubt? Yuya frowned.
"Ah, my head!" Yuga hissed in pain, kicking Yuya out of his thoughts. He rubbed his forehead before realizing something. "Wait, my mask! Where is it?"
That face! Yuya's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Yuga's face.
Yuga looked around for a few moments, finding his broken mask discarded on the ground about a dozen meters away.
"Huh, it's broken? But how?" Yuga wondered. "Wait…why don't I remember anything from that duel?"
"You also can't remember anything?" Yuya asked.
"You can't either?" Yuga was surprised.
"Yeah, from after your second turn and onwards, I blacked out completely," Yuya explained.
"At least you remembered something, I can't recall anything that happened after the duel began," Yuga said. "Damn…I was really looking forward to this duel too, and I just forgot everything that happened. And apparently, I lost the duel too. These past few days have not been good to me at all."
"Same here, I was just in a coma for three days and then this happened," Yuya said. "So many confusing things have happened recently, I can't really keep up with them all."
"I definitely get that. Things haven't been normal for me either."
"Speaking of one of the confusing things, how do you also have the same face as me?" Yuya asked. "That makes five people including myself who have the same face as me."
"Five?" Yuga was surprised. "I've only counted four so far. You, Haruki Yuuji, this Yuto guy I've heard about from some uptight guy, and I."
"Yugo is another person who looks like us. He rides a…Duel Runner is what I think it's called?"
"A Duel Runner?"
"It's basically just a motorcycle with a Duel Disk."
"So, he gets to play the card game while on a cool motorcycle, that's actually kind of cool," Yuga commented.
"Yeah, it is."
Yuga then glanced towards the V.I.P Booth, noticing that Reiji was nowhere to be seen. He noticed that Shizuka was still there, locking eyes with her while she was looking at him with a worried look. Yuga frowned slightly before beginning to walk off.
"Well, we can continue our little chat at a different time," Yuga said. "There are still a few more matches of the second round that need to happen, so we shouldn't stay in the arena long."
"Oh yeah. I almost forgot about that," Yuya realized before walking off in the opposite direction towards the hallway that he had entered from. He took a moment to glance at the crowd, noticing his friends looking at him with concerned expressions before he entered the hallway.
"..."
The group was silent, unsure of how to digest the recent match. Disliking the atmosphere, Yuuji decided to say something.
"I'll go talk to Yuya and ask him about what happened down there."
"Wait, I'll come with you," Yuzu suggested. "I want to make sure he's doing okay after all of that."
"No need. I want to talk to Yuya alone," Yuuji turned her down.
Understanding what he meant by this, Yuzu sat back down.
"Okay. Just try not to make things between you guys worse."
"No promises," Yuuji said as he walked off.
"Don't make things worse? What's that about?" Gongenzaka asked.
"...They—"
"—The two of them had a dispute yesterday," Yoko answered for Yuzu.
"A dispute? Between those two? That can't be good," Shuzo was surprised.
"Yeah, it wasn't," Yoko nodded. "I wasn't there to hear what they were arguing about, but I could tell that Yuya had not been the same after it."
"So that's why Yuya had been acting off today," Gongenzaka nodded in understanding. "I, the man Gongenzaka, am guessing that Yuuji plans to talk to Yuya about what had happened yesterday."
"That's what I'm thinking too," Yuzu said. "Though we won't know for sure until the two get back."
<><><><><><><><><><>
Yuuji was walking through the stadium hallways, his hands deep in his pockets as he made his way to where he thought Yuya would be. However, he stops where he notices two hooded figures step out from a hallway in front of him, standing in his way.
"Can I do something for you?" Yuuji asked.
"Are you Haruki Yuuji?" The shorter hooded figure with a feminine voice inquired.
"And if I am?" Yuuji raised an eyebrow.
The figure took off her hoodie, revealing her face. Before Yuuji could comment on it, the young woman activates her duel disk.
"Perfect. Duel me!" Serena challenged him. "I'll take you down and use you as proof to the Professor that I'm worthy of being on the front lines!"
Yuuji facepalmed, "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
It's just one thing after another, and he was getting sick of it.
"Fine," Yuuji's expression turned serious as he activated his duel disk. "I'm already in a bad mood and you've just made it worse. You want a piece of me? Come and do your worst!"
Just as the two of them were about to begin their duel, a voice interrupted them.
"Wait!"
They turned to see the source of the voice. Yuuji's eyes widened when he noticed a tall, silver-haired man with red glasses and a similarly colored scarf that swayed in the air as he walked appeared.
"Akaba…Reiji!?" Yuuji cried out in shock.
"I don't plan on staying idle while you make your moves, Academia," Reiji declared.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Duel Explanation:
This is a new section that I came up with to explain some reasons why certain duels end the way they do. I won't do this for every single duel from now on, only for important ones with unexpected or interesting endings.
The one in this chapter is dedicated to Yuya and Yuga's duel.
It's a bit of a yap, but if you're curious, you might as well read it since it contains info that'll be good to keep in mind going forward.
So, I'm sure some of you might be wondering, why didn't Yuga get absorbed by Yuya after the duel. The answer to that is quite simple.
From what I interpreted from the show are these three conditions for their absorption process to take place. If this isn't exactly how it goes in the show, it's fine since these are the conditions for it to happen here in this story.
1) They both have to be in their berserk/awakened state.
2) One of the dimension dragons has to be destroyed by another dimensional dragon.
3) After step two, one of the owners of the dragons has to be defeated by a dimension dragon dealing the finishing blow.
Yuya could've done this during the duel in this chapter, if he just used Performapal Phantom Skewer's effect earlier to lower Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon's ATK to 0, before attacking with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. Thanks to Odd-Eyes' effect as we know, double damage is dealt in a battle with a Level 5 or higher monster, so Yuga would've taken 5000 points of damage there.
However, as we know, he didn't. He summoned Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon, which wasn't technically a dimensional dragon, so defeating Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon didn't fulfill step 2.
As for the reason why he summoned Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon, it was due to Yuzu and Gongenzaka's words. Due to them bringing Yuya back from his awakened state temporarily, it also happened to weaken it which allowed Yuya to have more control. Another factor was that Yuya and Yuto both had an unconscious will to prevent Zarc from reawakening (the reason why being a spoiler for later on), which caused them to sync together in that moment, which in turn birthed Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon.
That's enough of an explanation from me. Anymore would just reach spoiler territory, so I won't be disclosing it here. Feel free to ask questions of your curious about other things.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Custom/Altered Card/s:
Monster Card/s—
Gravekeepers - Ancient Scribe
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 1
Dark/Fiend/Ritual/Effect
Monster Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with any Ritual Spell. This card cannot be destroyed by battle while it is in defense position. Once per turn, add 1 "Ancient Scroll" Spell/Trap Card to your hand.
Performapal Frizzle Grizzly
ATK: 1300, DEF: 1800, LV: 5, SC: 6
Dark/Beast/Pendulum/Effect
Pendulum Effect: If you Fusion Summon a monster using only Pendulum Monsters as materials; draw 1 card.
Monster Effect: If a Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned to your field using Pendulum Monsters as material: You can Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using this card and 1 face-up Pendulum Monster in your Extra Deck as Fusion Materials.
Tri-Headed Warlock
ATK: 2500, DEF: 0, LV: 7
Dark/Spellcaster/Effect
Monster Effect: You can Special Summon this card from your hand or Graveyard by tributing 1 DARK monster you control. If this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it. You can only use each effect of "Tri-Headed Warlock" once per turn.
Gravekeepers - Hound Servant
ATK: 1700, DEF: 1300, LV: 4
Dark/Beast/Effect
Monster Effect: If this card is used for the Ritual Summon of a "Gravekeeper's" monster, it can be treated as the entire Tribute. If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Gravekeeper's" card from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Gravekeepers - Hound Servant" once per turn.
Performapal Phantom Performer
ATK: 1300, DEF: 800, LV: 4. SC: 3
Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect
Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: You can target 1 face-down Spell/Trap your opponent controls; reveal it. If it is a Trap, destroy it.
Monster Effect: If this card was Pendulum Summoned this turn: You can target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy it.
Twilight Crest Ritual Dragon
ATK: 2800, DEF: 2000, LV: 8
Light/Dragon/Ritual/Effect
Monster Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card using "Between the Crest of Twilight." (Quick Effect): Once per turn, if your opponent controls a Level 5 or higher monster, you can choose 1 monster your opponent controls; until the end of this turn, this card's name becomes that monster's, and it gains that monster's original ATK, DEF, and effects.
Performapal Darkness Skewer
ATK: 1800, DEF: 0, LV: 4, SC: 4
Dark/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect
Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: If a monster your opponent controls would gain ATK, you can negate that gain, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent.
Monster Effect: (Quick Effect): You can Tribute this card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes 0 until the End Phase.
Spell/Trap Card/s—
Odd-Eyes Phantom Barrage
Normal Trap
When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Special Summon 1 "Odd-Eyes" monster from your hand, Deck, or GY in Defense Position, then negate that attack. You can banish this card from your GY, except the turn it was sent there; add 1 "Odd-Eyes" card from your GY to your hand.
Final Frontier
Action Spell
Draw 1 card. If it is a Level 5 or lower monster, you can Special Summon it. Otherwise, discard it, then take 500 damage for each card on the field.
Pendulum Exchange
Normal Spell
Tribute up to 2 Pendulum Monsters from your Pendulum Zones; place 1 face-up Pendulum Monster from your Extra Deck into one of your Pendulum Zones, then draw 1 card. You can only activate 1 "Pendulum Exchange" per turn.
Pendulum Fusion
Quick-Play-Spell (Fusion Spell)
Target 2 Pendulum Monsters in your Pendulum Zones; Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck using those monsters as Fusion Materials. (This is treated as a Fusion Summon). You can only activate 1 "Pendulum Fusion" per turn.
Power Shield
Equip Spell
A monster equipped with this card is unaffected by card effects.
Stance Change
Action Spell
Target 1 monster on your field and change its battle position.
Stellar Booster
Action Spell
Target 1 monster on the field; increase its ATK by 1000 until the End Phase.
Pot of Secrets
Normal Trap
If this card is sent to the graveyard, draw 2 cards.
Ancient Scroll of Fury
Continuous Trap
While this face-up card remains on the field, change all monsters your opponent controls into Attack Position. All attack position monsters that your opponent controls must attack during the Battle Phase. Monsters your opponent control attack directed when affected.
Ancient Scroll of Self Destruction
Continuous Trap
While this face-up card remains on the field, all battle damage you would take is reduced to 0, the; deal damage to your opponent equal to the damage you would've taken.
Lurking Sacrifice
Normal Trap
Tribute 1 other card you control; target 1 monster your opponent controls—until the end of this turn, that monster cannot declare an attack. You can only activate 1 "Lurking Sacrifice" per turn.
Dark Domain
Field Spell
While this card remains active on your field, DARK Monsters you control gain 500 ATK for each DARK Monster currently on your field.
Ancient Scroll of Greed
Normal Spell
Target 1 Spell/Trap Card in your GY; apply that card's effect as this card's effect.
Card Recycling
Normal Spell
Target 1 card in your graveyard, add it to your hand.
Unwanted Surprise
Action Trap
Deal 500 points of damage.
An Actor's Facade
Normal Spell
Target 1 Spell/Trap Card in your opponent's GY; apply that card's effect as this card's effect.
Pendulum Shuffling
Normal Spell
Send up to 2 Pendulum Monsters from your Pendulum Zones to the Deck, then add an equal number of Pendulum Monsters from your Deck to your hand, except cards with the same name as those sent. You can only activate 1 "Pendulum Shuffling" per turn.
Between the Crest of Twilight
Ritual Spell Card
This card can be used to Ritual Summon any Dragon Ritual Monster from your hand or GY. You must also banish monsters from your hand, field, or graveyard whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon.
Curtain Call
Counter Trap
When a Pendulum Monster you control is targeted for an attack: You can pay half your Life Points; that monster cannot be destroyed by battle this turn, and you take no battle damage from that attack.
Forged Between the Pendulum
Normal Spell
Tribute 1 monster you control and 1 Pendulum Monster in your Pendulum Zone; draw 1 card. During the turn you activate this card, you cannot Pendulum Summon monsters from your Extra Deck.