Turn 4 – Emi
Back in the spectator area, a noticeable shift in atmosphere swept across the room. The tension coiled tighter than ever before as Ryuki, Aichi, and the other Cray champions watched the battlefield below.
"This is where things get serious," Ryuki said, his tone calm but firm. "Now we'll see how Ruri and Rin handle Emi's rhythm."
Aichi caught the glint in Ryuki's eyes. There was something softer there, warm and proud—especially when he glanced down at Emi. A quiet smile formed on Aichi's lips. So that's how it is, he mused.
Down below, Emi adjusted her bracelet and narrowed her eyes on the field. "So, you've shown your aces... Allow me to reveal mine." Her voice sharpened, but there was a teasing lightness in her tone. "Atashi no turn—draw!"
The moment she said it, both Ruri and Rin flinched.
"A-Atashi no turn?" Ruri blinked in confusion.
"That's..." Rin trailed off.
Ryuki's.
Emi chuckled, brushing her bangs aside. "Yeah, that's his phrase. I kinda picked it up. He doesn't mind."
She glanced at the card she just drew. Her expression lit up. "Let's begin. I summon Novel Dress, Akari!"
With a swirl of pink bubbles, a cheerful mermaid burst from a pool behind Emi. She wore a frilly pink dress and had vibrant orange hair. Her fish tail shimmered with stripes like a clownfish.
Novel Dress, Akari
Level 3 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1300 / DEF: 600
"When Akari is summoned, I can add one 'Harmony' Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand."
GIRS activated instantly. A cascade of glowing spell and trap cards flowed into the air in front of Emi. She plucked one from the lineup.
"I add the Trap Card—Sudden Harmony—to my hand."
The rest of the cards reorganized and shuffled seamlessly. Emi looked toward her field, her gaze confident.
"It's time. Let your voices echo through the seven seas. Grace us with your beautiful song! Harmony!"
Akari and Shizuku turned toward one another, their mouths opening as soft, melodic singing poured into the air. A gentle ocean-blue aura enveloped them, harmonizing perfectly.
"No way," Rin whispered. "She's doing it."
"Harmony..." Ruri murmured. "A keyword effect?"
"Exactly," Emi confirmed. "Harmony is exclusive to my Bermuda Triangle deck. It activates when two or more of my mermaids are standing side by side. And guess what—it lasts until the end of the turn."
She smirked. "And while in Harmony, they're all treated as Tuner Monsters."
That revelation exploded in the spectator area.
"She can Synchro Summon without a real Tuner?!" Yuya shouted, stunned.
"Unbelievable!" Gongenzaka slammed his fists together. "This Harmony mechanic is formidable indeed!"
Emi raised her hand. "Let me introduce my partner to you. I tune my Level 3 Akari, treated as a Tuner, with my Level 4 Shizuku!"
Akari gave a wink before bursting into three shimmering ocean-blue Synchro rings. Shizuku leapt into the air, her silhouette passing through the rings and transforming into a streak of radiance.
"From the waves that cradle song and starlight, arise the idol who unites all voices into one! Let your melody shine beyond the horizon—
Synchro Summon! Shine forth, Level 7! Planet Idol, Pacifica!"
A tall spire of water burst upward behind Emi. From it, a stunning mermaid soared into view, twirling through the air. She had long blond hair tied into twin tails, wore a yellow magical-girl style dress, and carried a shimmering wand tipped with a star. Beside her, two tiny penguin mascots—one dark blue, the other magenta—cheered and danced.
Planet Idol, Pacifica
Level 7 / WATER / Mermaid / Synchro / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000
Rin was briefly speechless. "I... okay, yeah. That is adorable."
"I told you it's cute," Emi replied with a grin. "But Pacifica's not just for show—her skills are fierce."
"When she's Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Harmony' monster from my deck—and that monster gains 500 ATK!"
She raised her hand, and the pool behind her rippled again. A new version of Shizuku leapt from the water—this time, wearing a sparkling idol outfit covered in glittering lights and accessories.
"Come to me, Full Bright Wish, Shizuku!"
Full Bright Wish, Shizuku
Level 5 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 2200 → 2700 / DEF: 1500
Ayu's eyes lit up. "She's an idol mermaid too?! I love her!"
"Since both Shizuku and Pacifica are beside each other... Harmony!"
The two mermaids began to sing in unison, their voices intertwining like a professional idol duet. Their auras shimmered even brighter, the field practically glowing from their synchronized presence.
"Oh, right," Emi said playfully, "I almost forgot. My Field Spell—Lyrical Monasterio—gets a Lyrical Counter whenever I Synchro Summon."
Lyrical Monasterio
Lyrical Counter: 0 → 1
"And now that I have a Synchro monster on the field, this card's second effect kicks in: each Synchro monster with 'Harmony' gains 300 ATK or DEF per non-Synchro monster it's in Harmony with!"
She pointed dramatically at her field. "Pacifica is in Harmony with Shizuku, so she gains 300 ATK!"
Planet Idol, Pacifica:
ATK: 2500 → 2800
"Now I activate Shizuku's skill! When she's Summoned, I add a 'Harmony' monster from my deck to my hand. I choose Brilliant Ocean, Elly!"
Emi snatched the glowing card from the center of her deck. "But I'm not done yet! Pacifica's skill—once per turn, I reveal the top three cards of my deck. If I find a 'Harmony' monster among them, I can Special Summon it."
Three cards floated up beside her. She selected one and returned the other two.
"I Special Summon—Artless Charmy, Wakana!"
A young mermaid materialized with long teal hair tied in a playful ponytail. She wore a black bikini top, matching skirt, and a loose, unbuttoned cardigan.
Artless Charmy, Wakana
Level 4 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1000
"Wakana's skill activates! I draw one card and return one card from my hand to the top of my deck."
Emi performed the draw and placed a card back atop her deck. Then she extended her hand.
"Wakana—Harmony!"
Now in position beside Pacifica, Wakana joined the chorus, her voice blending beautifully with the others. The result was a dazzling visual: each mermaid glowing in an ocean-blue aura, the energy swirling like a whirlpool of light.
"Wakana gains 300 ATK and DEF for being in Harmony."
Artless Charmy, Wakana:
ATK: 1600 → 1900 / DEF: 1000 → 1300
"And with another Harmony member on the field, Pacifica gains an additional 300 ATK!"
Planet Idol, Pacifica
ATK: 2800 → 3100
"Shizuku's Harmony skill activates too! She gains 400 ATK!"
Full Bright Wish, Shizuku
ATK: 2700 → 3100
The field now shimmered with energy. All three mermaids were standing tall, their presence overwhelming.
"Battle!" Emi declared. "Pacifica—attack Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas!"
Ruri's eyes widened. "Wait—we can't respond?!"
"Exactly!" Emi said. "While Shizuku is in Harmony, you can't activate card effects during the Battle Phase!"
"And now for Pacifica's most dazzling performance—Harmony! When she attacks while in Harmony, she gains 200 ATK for each Level of all Harmony monsters she's linked to. Shizuku is Level 5. Wakana is Level 4. That's 9 total. Pacifica gains 1800 ATK!"
Planet Idol, Pacifica:
ATK: 3100 → 4900
Pacifica raised her wand high. A radiant, star-shaped energy orb formed and launched in a golden beam toward Thavas. The sea commander was engulfed in the blast, vanishing in a surge of light.
Ruri: 8000 → 5600
"Next—Shizuku, attack Blue Sky Knight, Altmile!"
Shizuku inhaled, then unleashed a powerful sonic scream laced with magic. Altmile braced himself but was ultimately shattered by the melodic onslaught.
Rin: 8000 → 7400
"Wakana, finish the round—direct attack!"
Wakana snapped her fingers. A swirling school of rainbow-colored fish materialized and rushed Rin in a tidal wave.
Rin: 7400 → 5500
The impact left both Ruri and Rin staggering. The sheer ferocity of Emi's offensive had rocked them.
Emi smiled sweetly, but her voice carried strength. "With that, I end my turn."
As the wave of battle faded, the field returned to calm. The mermaids' glow dimmed as two of them dematerialized.
"At the end phase, any monster I summoned using Pacifica's skill returns to my hand. That means Wakana and Shizuku goes back to my hand."
Both waved goodbye and returned as light particles to Emi's hand.
Planet Idol, Pacifica
ATK: 4900 → 2500
Emi: 16000 | Hand: 5
Ruri: 5600 | Hand: 2
Rin: 5500 | Hand: 2
The audience sat in awe.
Yuya slowly exhaled. "That was..."
"Textbook control," Chris said.
"Concert-level perfection," added Kenji.
Ryuki smirked, arms crossed. "That's Emi for you. To think she got this good in just a year since we've seen each other."
Aichi nodded, proud. "They're going to need a miracle to break her tempo now."
Turn 5 – Ruri
The battlefield crackled with tension. Ruri and Rin still reeled from Emi's previous turn, the overwhelming power of her Harmony mechanics and her perfectly orchestrated assault echoing in their minds.
"She's... strong," both girls thought simultaneously, shaken yet more determined. They had underestimated her once. They would not do so again.
Ruri narrowed her eyes. No more holding back.
"My turn! Draw!"
She swiftly pulled her next card and immediately played the one already in her back row. "Trap card, open—Xyz Reborn! I Special Summon one Xyz monster from my Graveyard and attach this card to it as an Overlay Unit! Return to me—Thavas!"
A tidal surge erupted before Ruri, crashing upward as the commander of the Aqua Force returned. Thavas emerged, drenched in glory, and the card Xyz Reborn transformed into a pulsing overlay unit orbiting around him.
Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas
Rank 4 / WATER / Aquaroid / Xyz / Effect / Wave 1-3
ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 | OU: 1
From the stands, Emi smiled. "You brought back your ace. I take it you're getting serious now."
Ruri nodded, the calm in her eyes replaced by something more resolved. "After what you just pulled? We can't afford to slip again. This is war now."
She revealed the next card from her hand, her voice rising above the battlefield. "I activate Rank-Up-Magic: Tidal Ascension!"
Immediately, the waters of the Lyrical Monasterio rippled violently. The serene floating city trembled, and even the great white whale beneath it let out a low, reverberating cry. The field spell seemed to react instinctively, as though acknowledging the rising tide of Ruri's resolve.
"With this spell, I use my Rank 4 Thavas to Xyz Summon a monster from my Extra Deck with the same Type and two Ranks higher! I rebuild the overlay network!"
Thavas raised his sword high before transforming into a stream of light, spiraling upward as a dark Xyz vortex tore open the sky.
"Mighty seas, rise and roar!
The storm answers only to its commander—
With tides unbroken and current unyielding, ride the waves towards victory!
Rank-Up Xyz Change!
Trample the battlefield with surging fury...
Rank 6! Storm Dominator, Commander Thavas!!"
From within a towering geyser, a new version of Thavas descended. His armor glinted with added plating, and his blade now surged with the full power of the sea. Now he rides a chariot with two Kelpie in front of him had grown larger and more heavily armored, befitting a true aquatic conqueror.
Storm Dominator, Commander Thavas
Rank 6 / WATER / Aquaroid / Xyz / Effect / Wave 2-3
ATK: 3200 / DEF: 2600 | OU: 2
"Thavas... evolved?" Yuzu's eyes widened as she gripped her seat.
"I, the man Gongenzaka, can feel the power of Ruri's storm from here," he said gravely, arms crossed.
Chris smiled. "Now we'll see how she commands the waves."
"When Commander Thavas is Xyz Summoned using 'Rank-Up Magic: Tidal Ascension', I draw 2 cards."
"Next, when Commander Thavas is Xyz Summoned using 'Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas' as material, I can Special Summon one WATER monster from my deck or Graveyard, and it gains 500 ATK!"
She held up her card. "I Special Summon—Blue Storm Battle Princess, Lynpia, from my deck!"
From a spiral of water emerged a warrior princess. Her twin daggers resembled mini-torpedoes, hovering in formation beside her as she stepped forward.
Blue Storm Battle Princess, Lynpia
Level 6 / WATER / Aquaroid / Effect / Wave 1
ATK: 2400 → 2900 / DEF: 1900
Ruri didn't let up.
"Next, I activate Commander Thavas' effect! By detaching one Overlay Unit, I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard! Come back—Battle Siren, Melania!"
Thavas raised his sword, and another torrent exploded skyward. From within, Melania emerged, spear gleaming, her eyes sharp with battle fury.
Battle Siren, Melania
Level 4 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Wave 1
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1000
Emi's gaze sharpened. She's building up a formation...
"Battle!" Ruri declared. "Melania attacks Pacifica! When Melania is the first Wave attacker, she gains 1000 ATK!"
Battle Siren, Melania:
ATK: 1600 → 2600
The mermaid warrior dashed forward in a stream of water, her spear aimed straight for Emi's ace. The tension spiked—until Emi's response interrupted the strike.
"Trap open—Encore Curtain!"
A shimmer of stage lights lit up Emi's field as the trap flipped up.
"When an opponent's monster declares an attack on one of mine, I negate that attack. And since I control a Synchro Monster, I bounce your attacker back to your hand!"
A dazzling spotlight struck Melania, interrupting her charge mid-leap. She was engulfed in a burst of pink light and faded from the field, returning to Ruri's hand like a performer exiting the stage.
"Tch... then let's go—Lynpia! Attack Pacifica!"
The Battle Princess's torpedo blades shot forward with violent precision. Pacifica tried to stand her ground, but the impact shattered her in an explosion of seafoam and glitter.
Emi: 16000 → 15600
Commander Thavas raised his sword high, the waters responding to his command.
"And now, Commander Thavas—direct attack!"
With a roar, Thavas channeled oceanic energy into his blade and slashed forward. A wave-shaped crescent of energy carved toward Emi like a cutting tide.
Emi: 15600 → 12400
The hit was strong enough to make Emi stagger slightly. She grit her teeth and steadied herself. Then, without missing a beat, she flipped her next card.
"Trap open—Cascade Symphony! When I take damage from a direct attack, I draw 1 card for every 1000 points of damage I took. Since I took 3200, I draw 3!"
Emi drew swiftly—one, two, three—and scanned her new hand with narrowed eyes. Then she activated her final set card.
"I activate another Trap—Echoes of Emptiness! If I control no other cards on the field aside from this one, I can set any number of Spells and Traps from my hand, and then draw the same number I set!"
Emi set two cards to her back row. They shimmered into place with a ripple of pink-blue light.
"And now I draw two more."
As the cards slipped into her hand, a subtle breeze passed by Emi's shoulder. Her lips curved upward.
"She's recovering just like that?" Yuya muttered.
Aichi, watching from the spectator area, nodded solemnly. "That's how Emi fights. She doesn't panic. She's just enjoying the duel."
Ruri lowered her arm. "I'll end it there. I set one card face-down."
The field settled once again, but now the tides had turned—literally. Ruri stood beside her fully evolved ace, a revived offensive force, and her determination had solidified.
But across from her, Emi smiled.
And that smile made it clear—this duel was far from over.
Emi: 12400 | Hand: 6
Ruri: 5600 | Hand: 4
Rin: 5500 | Hand: 2
Turn 6 – Rin
"Sorry that I only got her down to 12,400. I was hoping to shave it to 10,000," Ruri muttered, frustrated by her inability to push harder.
"No worries," Rin replied with a grin and a confident wink. "I'll take care of this."
Ruri, however, cast a wary glance toward the face-down cards on Emi's field. "What worries me is her backrow. One of them's Sudden Harmony. The other might be worse."
"Yeah. I'll tread carefully. I've only got two cards in hand, so my options are tight," Rin admitted, gripping her cards. But the look in her eyes made it clear—she wasn't backing down.
Ruri nodded firmly. "I trust you. Drop her LP as much as you can—we'll figure out the rest."
Rin gave a playful salute. "Leave it to me. My turn! Draw!"
As Rin snapped the top card from her deck and added it to her hand, her eyes gleamed. "Bingo."
"I activate the Spell Card—Card of Demise! I draw until I have five cards in my hand. But after five turns, I'll have to discard my entire hand. No worries—I won't need that long."
Rin drew three more cards, swelling her hand to five. She didn't stop there.
"I activate Knight's Banner of Resurgence! I shuffle two 'Brave' monsters from my Graveyard back into the deck—I return Alectos and Ornas—and draw one card!"
With a flourish, Rin returned the chosen cards and drew once more. "That's not all. Because Alectos and Ornas have different Levels, I can Special Summon a 'Brave' monster from my hand! And he gains 600 ATK!"
She slapped a card on her Duel Disk. "Come on out—Knight of Battle Preparation, Porrex!"
With a swirl of light and a burst of wind, Porrex emerged, spear in hand and cape fluttering.
Knight of Battle Preparation, Porrex
Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Brave
ATK: 1600 → 2200 / DEF: 1000
"And now... one of my favorites. Since this card was added to my hand outside the Draw Phase, I can reveal it and Special Summon it—Headwind Knight, Selim! And if summoned this way, his effect is doubled!"
Selim descended with a gust, brandishing twin blades and taking a ready stance.
Headwind Knight, Selim
Level 2 → 4 / LIGHT / Warrior / Tuner / Effect / Brave
ATK: 600 / DEF: 1200
But Rin's momentum was suddenly cut off.
"Trap open—Sudden Harmony!" Emi declared. "When you Special Summon a monster, I can revive two 'Harmony' monsters from my Graveyard. I revive Dreaming Step, Shizuku and Novel Dress, Akari in defense position!"
Two waves burst from the field, revealing the mermaids as they returned to Emi's side in graceful defensive stances.
Dreaming Step, Shizuku
Level 4 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
DEF: 1400
Novel Dress, Akari
Level 3 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
DEF: 600
Rin clicked her tongue. "Well, that's just genius. Now I've got to plow through them first."
She glanced at her hand. "No choice. I activate Monster Reborn! Come back, Blue Sky Knight, Altmile!"
The portal to the Graveyard opened, and from within, Altmile soared out once more, standing proudly in front of Rin, swords at the ready.
Blue Sky Knight, Altmile
Level 7 / LIGHT / Warrior / Synchro / Effect / Brave
ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000
"Now, Porrex's effect activates. When summoned, I can add a Level 4 or lower 'Brave' monster from my deck to my hand. I choose Scouting Owl—and I summon it!"
With a flutter of wings, a tiny white owl with a monocle and metallic tail feathers perched on Rin's shoulder.
Scouting Owl
Level 1 / LIGHT / Winged-Beast / Tuner / Effect / Brave
ATK: 0 / DEF: 0
"Alright! Let's go! I double tune my Level 1 Scouting Owl and Level 4 Headwind Knight, Selim with my Level 7 Blue Sky Knight, Altmile!"
The two smaller monsters leapt into the air, transforming into five radiant Synchro Rings. Altmile dashed toward them, swords raised.
"With every challenge I overcome, I rise higher still! Through bonds of valor and wings of fate—take flight and soar towards the future!!
Synchro Summon! Awaken, Level 12—Transcending the Heavens, Altmile!!"
A blinding column of wind and light surged into the sky. When it parted, Altmile emerged anew, clad in upgraded armor, wielding two gleaming swords—the very image of resolve forged into might.
Transcending the Heavens, Altmile
Level 12 / LIGHT / Warrior / Synchro / Effect / Brave
ATK: 3500 / DEF: 3000
"When Altmile is Synchro Summoned, he gains 500 ATK for every Tuner in my Graveyard! With two resting, he gains 1000!"
Transcending the Heavens, Altmile
ATK: 3500 → 4500
She wasn't done yet.
"I activate Altmile's effect! I reveal the top 7 cards of my deck and Special Summon any number of 'Brave' monsters among them. They each gain 800 ATK!"
Rin spread the cards before her. Three sparkled in her hand.
"I Special Summon—Knight of Pulsation, Starius, Knight of Ambuscade, Redon, and Knight of Favorable Odds, Ascanius!"
The trio appeared in a formation beside Altmile, each assuming their stances.
Knight of Favorable Odds, Ascanius
Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Brave
ATK: 1500 → 2300 / DEF: 1200
Knight of Pulsation, Starius
Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Brave
ATK: 1700 → 2500 / DEF: 1000
Knight of Ambuscade, Redon
Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Brave
ATK: 1400 → 2200 / DEF: 800
"And now the fun begins. Redon's effect! He gains 500 ATK until the End Phase!"
Knight of Ambuscade, Redon
ATK: 2200 → 2700
"Starius' Brave kicks in. Since I've got fewer than 3 cards in hand, he gains 400 ATK!"
Knight of Pulsation, Starius
ATK: 2500 → 2900
"Next—Ascanius' Brave! If I control an Altmile Synchro Monster, you take 200 damage for each 'Brave' monster I control. That's five!"
Ascanius raised his hand, conjuring five flaming arrows and launching them toward Emi.
Emi: 12400 → 11400
"But Ascanius can't attack after using this skill. Then I equip Sword of Light's Oath to Altmile, giving him another 500 ATK!"
Transcending the Heavens, Altmile
ATK: 4500 → 5000
"And lastly, Altmile's Brave! For every Altmile in the Graveyard, he gains one additional attack! I have one—so he can attack twice!"
At the spectators' area, the tension was electric.
"If all her attacks go through, that's game!" Tatsuya shouted.
The numbers didn't lie—if Shizuku and Akari were destroyed by Redon and Starius, Altmile's two attacks plus Porrex's follow-up would reduce Emi's LP to zero.
But Ryuki narrowed his eyes. "The real threat is Emi's set card."
"Battle!" Rin roared. "Redon, attack Dreaming Step, Shizuku! Spear Dive Slash!"
But Emi sprang her trap.
"Trap open—Harmonics of Water! When I control two or more WATER monsters, all your monsters' ATK are reset to their base values the moment I activate this card!"
A shimmering aquatic wave passed over Rin's field, draining the power boosts from her forces.
Knight of Battle Preparations, Porrex
ATK: 2200 → 1600
Knight of Ambuscade, Redon
ATK: 2700 → 1400
Knight of Pulsation, Starius
ATK: 2900 → 1700
Knight of Favorable Odds, Ascanius
ATK: 2300 → 1500
Transcending the Heavens, Altmile
ATK: 5000 → 3500
Redon still succeeded in destroying Shizuku, and Starius followed up by stabbing through Akari.
"Altmile! Direct attack—Twin Cyclone Cleave!"
Altmile dashed forward with twin blades swirling in arcs of energy and slashed through Emi's defenses.
Emi: 11400 → 4400
"Porrex, your turn! Porrex's Brave!—He gains 500 ATK when he attacks!"
Knight of Battle Preparation, Porrex
ATK: 1600 → 2100
Porrex hurled his spear with pinpoint accuracy.
Emi: 4400 → 2300
In the crowd, everyone sat in stunned silence. Rin had done everything right—but still, Emi stood.
"Looks like Lady Luck smiled on Emi," Aichi said, smiling faintly at his sister's resilience.
Ryuki, however, shook his head. "That wasn't luck. Emi hasn't needed luck yet."
Back on the field, Rin stared at her depleted hand and field.
"I... end my turn," she said quietly.
As the battle phase ended, Emi raised her hand gently.
"At the end of the Battle Phase, the ATK of all your monsters affected by Harmonics of Water return to their enhanced values."
Transcending the Heavens, Altmile
ATK: 3500 → 5000
And now, all eyes turned to Emi.
The stage was hers.
Emi: 2300 | Hand: 6
Ruri: 5600 | Hand: 4
Rin: 5500 | Hand: 1
Turn 7 - Emi
The field was engulfed in a heavy silence—thick with tension, anticipation, and disbelief.
Ruri and Rin stood at the ready, their monsters lined up like a final defensive wall. They had cut Emi's Life Points down to 2300. Every strategy they had used was executed with precision. And now, Emi had nothing left on the field. No monsters. No Spells. No Traps.
For many duelists, this would be the end.
But Emi... smiled.
Her lips curved with serene resolve. Her body relaxed like she had no fear in the world. As the wind brushed her hair gently to the side, she lifted her hand over her deck.
"Atashi no turn. Draw."
The words were soft, but they echoed across the arena like a war cry.
A faint ripple of energy pulsed from her as she held the drawn card close, her eyes closing for a moment.
"I understand now," Emi whispered, loud enough for Ruri and Rin to hear.
They tensed.
"I felt it... when Thavas and Altmile landed their blows. Your emotions for Ryuki-kun—how deep they run." She opened her eyes, her tone still gentle, but her gaze sharpened like a blade. "Even though you've known him for only a short while, your bonds with him have grown strong."
Then she smiled again. Not with kindness, but with certainty.
"But compared to you two—my love for Ryuki-kun is stronger."
Her tone dropped like thunder, shaking Ruri and Rin with its weight.
"I've been with him for three years. I've walked with him through light and storm. And now, I'll prove that... right here, right now."
A powerful aura erupted around Emi as her eyes glowed deep blue—the unmistakable gleam of PSYQualia.
"No way...!" Ruri gasped.
"Emi has PSYQualia too?!" Rin clenched her fists.
From the spectator's section, Ryuki's expression shifted in stunned disbelief. "That light... no doubt about it."
Aichi nodded slowly. "She's awakened it too. Looks like she's reached her moment."
Emi raised her hand and called forth her play.
"From my hand, I activate the Spell Card—Synchronized Encore! I Special Summon two 'Harmony' monsters from my hand or Graveyard with their effects negated, and reduce their Levels by 3. Return to me—Dreaming Step, Shizuku and Artless Charmy, Wakana!"
Two pillars of water shot upward behind Emi, and from them emerged Shizuku and Wakana, kneeling with their arms folded in a defensive posture.
Dreaming Step, Shizuku
Level 4 → 1 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1400
Artless Charmy, Wakana
Level 4 → 1 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1000
"She weakened them?" Ayu blinked in confusion. "Why would she bring them back like that?"
"She's setting up," Ryuki murmured, PSYQualia shimmering in his own gaze. "This isn't a defense—this is the beginning of the end."
"She's going for it," Aichi added. "Right here, right now."
Emi's gaze softened again. "Let's go further."
She raised her next card.
"I activate Monster Reborn. Return to me—Planet Idol, Pacifica!"
The graveyard portal burst open as the idol mermaid shot out in a radiant display of golden bubbles. She landed behind Emi, microphone in hand and two penguins at her side.
Planet Idol, Pacifica
Level 7 / WATER / Mermaid / Synchro / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000
"Now then... Harmony!"
At her command, all three mermaids—Pacifica, Shizuku, and Wakana—began to sing. Their voices overlapped like a flowing chorus, the melody perfectly synchronized. The Harmony aura surrounded them like a glowing ocean tide, waves of aquamarine energy pulsing outward.
"I activate Pacifica's skill! Once per turn, I can check the top 3 cards of my deck, and if there's a 'Harmony' monster among them, I can Special Summon it."
Three cards lifted from her deck and floated beside her.
She selected one.
"I Special Summon—Seedling Voice, Lauris!"
A new mermaid swam forward—youthful and vibrant. She wore a bright yellow frilled dress with an orange fish tail, and her orange hair gleamed like sunshine underwater.
Seedling Voice, Lauris
Level 2 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 600 / DEF: 200
"Harmony!"
With that, Lauris raised her voice and joined the others in song. A bright aura enveloped her, and the four mermaids now sang in perfect unison, their melodies weaving together like starlight on the surface of the sea.
"Lauris's Harmony activates," Emi announced. "When she's used as a Tuner, her Level becomes 3."
Seedling Voice, Lauris
Level 2 → 3
Ruri's breath caught.
She extended her arm toward her monsters.
"I Triple Tune my Level 1 Dreaming Step, Shizuku, my Level 1 Artless Charmy Wakana, and my Level 3 Seedling Voice, Lauris, with my Level 7 Planet Idol, Pacifica!"
"Don't tell me... no way..."
"Triple Tuning?!" Rin shouted, taking a step back.
The entire crowd gasped.
"TRIPLE TUNING?!" echoed Yuya's voice across the stands. "That's a thing?!"
Ryuki's brow furrowed. "This is the first time I've seen a Triple Tuning—not even I have any of those."
Rin and Ruri stared in wide-eyed silence. For Emi to perform a summoning even Ryuki hadn't used...
Wakana, Shizuku, and Lauris turned into five radiant Synchro rings that spiraled upward into the sky. Pacifica leaped high into the air and entered the rings. The moment she passed through, a dazzling explosion of multicolored light filled the field.
A chorus echoed from beyond the veil.
Emi closed her eyes and raised her hand.
"Twinkle, sparkle, shine—The ocean's joy takes form as a brilliant star!
With the voices of all, the spotlight is yours!
Synchro Summon!
Take the stage, Level 12—Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica!!"
From the maelstrom of light emerged a breathtaking figure.
Pacifica's dress had changed entirely—her idol outfit replaced by a pure white gown laced with rainbow trim. Golden wings sprouted from her back, and a shining tiara glimmered atop her head. Her penguins had changed too, now adorned with angelic wings as they floated beside her.
She radiated divine joy and serene strength.
Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica
Level 12 / WATER / Mermaid / Synchro / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 4000 / DEF: 4000
A loud thump snapped everyone's attention to the audience.
"Ayu-chan!" Yuzu cried out, running over.
Ayu had fainted from sheer overload of idol-mermaid-cuteness.
Tatsuya and Futoshi panicked beside her while waving their hands to wake her.
"She really passed out?!"
Meanwhile, Ruri and Rin could only stare—speechless, breathless—as the radiant new Pacifica hovered in the air before them. She was no longer just an idol.
She was a goddess.
"She's..." Rin whispered.
"...beautiful," Ruri finished, almost in awe.
To them, Pacifica was no longer a monster.
She was the embodiment of Emi's soul—of her love, her will, her belief in Ryuki.
And she was just getting started.
"When Pacifica is summoned, I Special Summon four 'Harmony' monsters from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard—and they all gain 1000 ATK! However, Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica loses 1000 ATK in the process."
She raised her arm, and the ocean behind her shimmered in colors of pink, gold, and sapphire as her allies began to respond.
"First up—welcome back, Full Bright Wish, Shizuku!"
A radiant splash of water burst upward as Shizuku descended in a fully idolized outfit, striking a pose mid-air before landing beside Emi.
Full Bright Wish, Shizuku
Level 5 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 2200 → 3200 / DEF: 1500
Ruri and Rin instinctively stepped back. They knew what this Shizuku can do and it is going to hurt them one way or another.
"Next! Answer the call—Prestige, Cetia!"
A serene figure with flowing black hair emerged, cloaked in a pristine white-and-blue dress.
Prestige, Cetia
Level 4 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1600 → 2600 / DEF: 1200
"Now for the third! Answer your friend's call—Wholehearted Dream, Meruru!"
This time, a younger-looking mermaid with long blonde hair and a bashful smile arrived, her elegant one-piece outfit glowing faintly.
Wholehearted Dream, Meruru
Level 2 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 500 → 1500 / DEF: 500
"And finally... return to my side—Planet Idol, Pacifica!"
From the same portal she once ascended, the original Pacifica swirled back into view with grace and elegance.
Planet Idol, Pacifica
Level 7 / WATER / Mermaid / Synchro / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 2500 → 3500 / DEF: 2000
Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica
ATK: 4000 → 3000
Back in the spectators' area, jaws dropped. Emi had filled her field in a single effect, and not with just any monsters—but with her dream ensemble of idol mermaids.
Ayu, barely recovered from her earlier excitement, now had both hands over her mouth in complete awe.
"I activate Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica's skill!" Emi declared, her eyes glowing once more with the azure hue of PSYQualia.
"Once per turn, I return one card each from my field, hand, and Graveyard to the deck. Then, I Special Summon a 'Pacifica' Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck, and it gains 1000 ATK!"
She gestured confidently. "I return Novel Dress, Akari from the Graveyard... Brilliant Ocean, Elly from my hand... and Planet Idol, Pacifica from my field!"
As each card dissolved into shimmering mist, Emi's Extra Deck opened once more.
"Take center stage—Top Idol, Pacifica!"
A new Pacifica emerged, spinning mid-air with a bright pink wand in one hand and a gentle tiara resting atop her golden curls. Her outfit had shifted to a soft pink, resembling a magical girl's gown.
Top Idol, Pacifica
Level 10 / WATER / Mermaid / Synchro / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 3000 → 4000 / DEF: 2500
"With all five of them assembled—Harmony!"
The stage was set. Twinkle Happiness☆, Shizuku, Cetia, Meruru, and Top Idol Pacifica began to sing in a chorus that resonated not only across the battlefield—but throughout the entire city of Lyrical Monasterio.
Even the great whale carrying the island let out a joyous cry, moved by their voices.
"With Lyrical Monasterio on the field, all my Synchro Monsters gain 300 ATK for every non-Synchro monster in Harmony! I also gain another Lyrical Counter!"
Lyrical Monasterio
Lyrical Counters: 1 → 2
Top Idol, Pacifica
ATK: 4000 → 4900
Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica
ATK: 3000 → 3900
Emi's voice rose above them all as she declared the string of power-ups in succession:
"Meruru's skill! All of my monsters in Harmony gains 300 ATK!"
Prestige, Cetia
ATK: 2600 → 2900
Full Bright Wish, Shizuku
ATK: 3200 → 3500
Wholehearted Dream, Meruru
ATK: 1500 → 1800
Top Idol, Pacifica
ATK: 4900 → 5200
Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica
ATK: 3900 → 4200
"Cetia's Harmony! She gains 500 ATK until the End Phase!"
Prestige, Cetia
ATK: 2900 → 3400
"Cetia's skill! When she's in Harmony, my Synchro Monsters gain 300 ATK!"
Top Idol, Pacifica
ATK: 5200 → 5500
Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica
ATK: 4200 → 4500
"Shizuku's Harmony! She gains 400 ATK until the End Phase!"
Full Bright Wish, Shizuku
ATK: 3500 → 3900
"Top Idol, Pacifica's skill! If she's in Harmony beside a 'Pacifica' Synchro Monster, both Pacifica's gain 1000 ATK!"
Top Idol, Pacifica
ATK: 5500 → 6500
Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica
ATK: 4500 → 5500
The spectators were frozen. Ayu was practically vibrating in place, her eyes shimmering with stars. Aichi, Ryuki, and the other champions from Cray were equally stunned—more so now that Emi was wielding PSYQualia with such elegant command.
Ryuki narrowed his eyes. "She's not relying on luck anymore... this is pure resolve."
Emi looked at Ruri and Rin with compassion—but not pity.
"I think it's time to end this."
Her eyes flashed, and she pointed forward.
"Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica! Attack Transcending the Heavens, Altmile!"
The battlefield froze. Everyone's breath caught.
"At this time... Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica's Harmony activates! When she attacks and is in Harmony with another Pacifica Synchro Monster... her ATK doubles!"
Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica
ATK: 5500 → 11,000
A tsunami of pressure swept over the field. The wind, the light, and even the atmosphere were warping under the weight of her power.
Kenji, watching from above, could only smirk. "Guess Dimension Police isn't the only one doing five digits now."
But Emi wasn't done.
"I activate Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica's last skill! When she attacks, I reveal the top 7 cards of my Deck. For every 'Harmony' monster with a different name among them—she gains one additional attack!"
Seven cards flew out and hovered mid-air.
"First check!" The first card flipped and it was a spell card.
"Second check!" The second card flipped and it was a monster card. First Lesson, Akari.
"Third check!" The third card flipped and its another monster card. Tidal Art, Marie.
"Fourth check!" The fourth card flipped and it was a trap card.
"Fifth check!" The fifth card flipped and it was another monster. Gift of Effort, Shandee.
"Sixth check!" The sixth card flipped and it was another spell card
"Final check!" The last card flipped and it was a monster card. Little Princess, Himari.
"That's four additional attacks!" Yuya cried out, stunned.
The duel was over. Everyone could feel it.
Ruri and Rin slowly lowered their Duel Disks, knowing they had done all they could.
"You win." Rin said, smiling softly.
Ruri nodded. "It was beautiful."
Emi smiled—grateful, emotional. But she still had one more thing to say.
"Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica! Oceanic Operetta!"
The golden idol raised her hands into the sky. A swirling sphere of glittering, enchanted water formed above her as her backup singers harmonized beside her.
Then—
BOOM!
The sphere burst into millions of magical droplets that showered the battlefield like falling stars. Each droplet struck with a melody, a note of power.
One by one, Rin and Ruri's monsters vanished in a wave of radiant sound and ocean light.
Ruri: 5600 → 0
Rin: 5500 → 0
WINNER: Sendou Emi
-----
As the battlefield faded and the last traces of radiant energy disappeared, the field slowly dispersed into shimmering motes of light. Emi stood quietly, watching the lingering glimmers fade. Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica—the very heart of her triumph—turned to her with a wink before she and the rest of her mermaids gently dissolved into the breeze like scattered stardust.
Emi exhaled softly, her shoulders loosening as the adrenaline passed. With a graceful step, she made her way across the stage toward Ruri and Rin, who were still on the floor, their breathing steady but clearly winded. Emi knelt beside them, her voice gentle. "Are you two alright?"
Ruri offered a small nod, brushing hair out of her eyes. "Yeah... we're okay."
"That was..." Rin exhaled, then chuckled to herself. "Our first time losing with our new decks. And it stings a little."
A sincere, warm smile played on Emi's lips. "You two are incredible duelists. Even with PSYQualia, you're still learning your decks. You've only had a few months to bond with them. Me?" She placed a hand on her chest. "I've spent five years with Bermuda Triangle. Every heartbeat of mine echoes with them."
Ruri and Rin looked at her with newfound clarity. In that moment, the defeat didn't feel bitter—it felt enlightening.
"I get it now..." Ruri muttered. "It was experience."
Rin nodded slowly. "That and... she really does love him."
Emi extended her hands to them, helping the girls up. As soon as they stood, she pulled both into a sudden embrace. Their eyes widened in surprise, but when they saw the quiet joy shining in Emi's eyes, they relaxed. Slowly, but surely, they wrapped their arms around her as well. It wasn't just a moment of mutual respect—it was a moment of shared understanding.
Up in the spectator area, the duel's aftermath echoed in another form: thunderous applause. Everyone was cheering, not just for the winner—but for the incredible spectacle of heart, power, and passion that had just unfolded.
Among the noise, Ayu was practically vibrating with energy. "RYUKI-SENSEI!! Please! Let Emi-nee-chan be my teacher!! Please please please!"
Ryuki gave a sheepish smile but didn't respond. Before he could be swarmed by the crowd or the curious duelists, he felt a hand tap his shoulder. He turned to find Aichi standing there, his expression unusually serious.
"Can we talk?" Aichi asked quietly.
Ryuki's smile faded. He nodded. "Let's go."
He turned to Yuya and the others. "We'll be in one of the private rooms. If Emi or the others come looking for me, let them know."
Once inside the vacant room, Aichi closed the door behind them. The quiet was deafening.
"I need to ask," Aichi said. "What are your true feelings about my sister?"
Ryuki blinked. "What brought this on?"
"She was going to confess to you, you know?" Aichi said, cutting to the point. "Before you left. You didn't know because I stopped her, and that was when you were called by Ray. She'd been preparing for it for weeks... But now, after everything, she has another chance." He looked Ryuki straight in the eyes. "So as her older brother, I need to hear your answer."
Ryuki stared for a moment, reading the intensity behind Aichi's usual calm. This wasn't just protective sibling behavior—it was heartfelt concern.
"...I like Emi," Ryuki finally admitted. "No—more than that. I've loved her for a long time. At first, it was gradual... a quiet presence that made everything easier. She was always there, even when things got hard for me. And I thought... maybe... it could be more."
He reached into his bag, unzipping a concealed compartment. He didn't speak—he simply pulled out a small velvet box and opened it.
Aichi's eyes widened. His breath caught.
Inside was an engagement ring. A pristine aquamarine diamond glimmered beneath the light—flawless, elegant, and unmistakably chosen with care.
"I bought this when I was at London," Ryuki said softly. "I was going to propose. Until Ray took me here."
Aichi stood there, stunned silent. Ryuki looked at him with a cautious gaze. "But now... I've got Ruri and Rin. I don't know if Emi would still want me."
Aichi's silence broke as he let out a choked laugh. Then, without warning, he walked up and pulled Ryuki into a firm hug.
"You idiot," Aichi muttered, eyes watering. "Of course she does. I've never seen her this happy. If you're serious—then go make her even happier."
Ryuki closed his eyes and returned the hug. "I promise I will."
But just as they pulled apart, the door swung open and crashed to the side—
—and three girls tumbled in.
"EH?!" Ryuki stepped back in shock.
On the floor, tangled in each other, were Ruri, Rin, and Emi.
"...What are you three doing here?" Aichi deadpanned.
"We... we asked Yuya where you went," Rin said as she untangled herself, blushing. "We overheard everything from the other side."
Ryuki blinked. "You heard—?"
Emi got up as she stepped forward. Her eyes were wide, her lips trembling. "Is it true? You were really going to propose to me...?"
Ryuki didn't hesitate. "Yes."
He stepped closer, holding the ring box in his hand. His tone was calm—but full of unwavering emotion. "Ever since we met, you've been by my side. You never asked for anything back. You supported me when no one else could. You were always there at my side during my time as Clan Master. I don't know what my future looks like—but I know I want you in it."
He knelt down, holding out the ring. "Sendou Emi... Will you marry me?"
Tears welled in Emi's eyes almost instantly. Her hands flew to her mouth as her whole body trembled.
"Yes!" she cried. "Yes! Yes!! A thousand times yes!"
She dropped to her knees, throwing her arms around him. Ryuki wrapped her into his embrace as the room filled with warmth and the sound of quiet joy. Their eyes met—and then their lips.
A moment passed where no words were needed. Only emotion remained.
Aichi, off to the side, wiped away a tear. "Finally."
He turned to Ruri and Rin, expecting jealousy or disappointment—but was surprised to find smiles on both their faces.
"You're... okay with this?" Aichi asked.
Ruri nodded. "This was her moment. We felt it during the duel. Her feelings... they eclipsed ours."
Rin added, "And honestly? Emi might be the one person who can rein Ryuki in."
Aichi blinked. "What do you mean?"
Rin smirked. "He overworks himself. He does too many duel simulations. Micromanages everything. I've had to drag him out of training more than once. Last time, I had to make him stop and force him to go to bed while he was making a lesson plan."
Aichi sighed. "Yup. That's the guy I saw buried in paperwork the first day he got transferred in Japan. Me and Kai-kun had to drag him out of his office one time. Even Misaki-san had to scold him."
Ruri added with a smile, "But Emi balances him. She doesn't overpower him—she softens him."
Then Rin chuckled. "A dragon and a mermaid. Fire and sea. And somehow, they make the perfect pair."
Ruri, Rin, and Aichi shared a laugh while Ryuki and Emi stayed lost in their world, holding one another close.
-----
After the proposal, as emotions slowly settled, Aichi turned to Emi with a gentle yet firm decision in his voice. "You can live with Ryuki-kun, if that's what you want."
Ryuki blinked, surprised by how quickly Aichi reached that conclusion. "Are you sure?" he asked. "This is your sister we're talking about."
Aichi nodded without hesitation. "I trust her. And I trust you."
Ruri and Rin, standing beside them, exchanged smiles before stepping forward.
"She's already part of the family," Ruri said warmly.
"Welcome home, Emi," Rin added, her voice lighthearted but sincere.
With that, the five of them—Ryuki, Emi, Aichi, Ruri, and Rin—left You Show together, walking into the city under a sky streaked with warm golden hues. Word had already spread, and outside the building stood Chris, Kenji, Kazuma, Kazumi, and Satoru, all waiting with cheerful grins.
"Well, it's about time," Chris teased Ryuki with a smirk. "We were starting to think you'd never pop the question."
Kenji nudged him. "This calls for a party. At your place."
Ryuki raised an eyebrow. "Wait—what?"
"You heard the man," Kazuma said with a chuckle. "Come on, don't fight it. You're the star of the show today."
With Emi beside him and everyone hyping the idea, Ryuki sighed, then smiled in surrender. "Fine. But if we're doing this, we need food."
"I'll grab the shopping cart," Kenji grinned.
Fortunately, Ryuki had no concerns about expenses. Thanks to the lucrative Underground Duel Raids he'd done alongside Shun, Yuto, and the ninja brothers, his account was stacked. He had more than enough to pay rent for ten years—and still have plenty left for living in luxury.
After stocking up on supplies from the supermarket, Ryuki spoke to his landlord to ask if they could use the rooftop for a barbecue party. The landlord, surprised but pleased, agreed immediately—and in return, Ryuki promised to share the food.
By late afternoon, the rooftop was alive with sizzling grills, laughter, and music. The city skyline shimmered under the twilight sky, and the scent of grilled meat and fresh vegetables filled the air.
Then, as if summoned by the energy of celebration, twelve glowing figures shimmered into view—each one representing a different time beast. The crowd hushed in awe as the Zodiac Time Beasts appeared in full.
"All twelve...?" someone gasped.
Ryuki raised a hand and smiled. "Chrono sent them. He said they'd be helpful."
Satoru stood silently, staring at the Zodiacs with mixed emotions. Their presence stirred memories he couldn't shake—memories of when he had aided Myoujin Ryuzu in trapping the Zodiacs during the Stride Gate incident. Even though the Zodiacs had long forgiven him, the guilt lingered.
He turned away slightly, discomfort visible in his eyes.
"You're still blaming yourself?" Aichi asked gently, stepping beside him.
"I was weak back then..." Satoru murmured. "I didn't question what I was doing. Even now..."
Ryuki approached and placed a firm hand on Satoru's shoulder. "Then learn from it. Grow stronger—not just in cards, but in spirit."
Aichi nodded. "You're not the person you were back then. Let that truth lead you forward."
Satoru looked up at the two, his expression slowly shifting. "...Thank you."
Meanwhile, Ruri and Rin had temporarily left to deliver food down to the landlord, honoring their earlier promise. In their absence, the party continued with laughter and games—until Kenji's competitive side kicked in.
"Ryuki," Kenji said, eyes glinting. "Still got your Kagero deck?"
"Always," Ryuki replied with a smirk.
"Then let's see if the old fire still burns."
With mutual excitement, both duelists activated their FICA systems, and a holographic Vanguard table flickered into view. The others gathered, drinks and snacks in hand, as the ambient rooftop party now became a battlefield of passion.
Just as Ruri and Rin returned, they caught sight of the setup.
"What's this?" Rin asked.
"They're going to have a Vanguard match," Emi explained, eyes sparkling.
Ruri and Rin joined the circle of onlookers, eager to finally witness the game from Ryuki's world.
The players drew their opening hands, and with firm conviction, both slammed down their starters.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" Kenji declared.
"Stand up, thy Vanguard." Ryuki answered, his tone as noble as his flame-fueled deck.
But as the party soared high into the stars above... darkness was stirring elsewhere.
Fusion Dimension – Outskirts of Academia
Deep in a dense forest cloaked in twilight, a black portal rippled open. From its maw emerged a figure whose very presence distorted the air. Cloaked in dark navy and adorned with glowing eyes and cords tipped with crystal, the being carried an aura of dread that sent shivers through the realm.
His pale white skin, four hands, and mask that hid the upper half of his face made him monstrous—but unmistakable.
Gastille. The Evil God Bishop. Gyze's Apostle.
Once Gyze's most loyal servant, he had escaped punishment after his master's defeat and had been hunted as the Dark Zone's most dangerous fugitive. With nowhere left to hide, Gastille had done the unthinkable—he fled Cray entirely.
"This world... unfamiliar. But filled with... life," he hissed.
As he surveyed his new surroundings, Gastille's sharp gaze settled on a solitary figure strolling through the forest—a young man in casual attire, seemingly without a care in the world.
Gerard.
Gastille's lip curled in delight. "Perfect."
With no hesitation, Gastille surged forward, shadow stretching and engulfing Gerard. The man stumbled, tried to fight back—but the darkness was overwhelming. The demonic force forced itself into his very core.
"G-Gahh!! No—!"
The struggle lasted seconds. Then silence.
When Gerard looked up, his eyes glowed with abyssal energy. The emblem of the Dark Irregulars flared crimson on the back of his right hand.
Gastille had fully Diffridden Gerard.
"Haha... HAHAHAHA!!" Gastille—now using Gerard's body—let out a crazed, triumphant laugh. "This world... shall be silenced!"
But he had not gone unnoticed.
Perched atop a tree nearby, two hidden observers had watched everything unfold—and recorded it.
One was a young girl with dark blue hair tied back, clad in an orange shirt, red vest, black shorts, and knee-high black socks under red boots.
Saotome Rei.
Beside her stood a teenage boy with teal hair and a blue longcoat uniform—calm, observant, but clearly disturbed.
Marufuji Sho.
Both were key members of the Rebels, a group actively opposing Academia's tyranny. Their original mission had been to scout routes and sabotage the dimensional transporters—but the sight of Gastille's possession of Gerard was far too important to ignore.
Without exchanging a single word, they ended their recordings and leapt down into the shadows.
They had to return.
They had to warn headquarters.
To Be Continued...
Cards used in the Duel:
Lyrical Monasterio (Field Spell)
Everytime a 'Harmony' Synchro Monster is summoned, add 1 Lyrical Counter to this card.
Once per turn: Remove a Lyrical Counter and Special Summon a 'Harmony' Monster from your deck, hand or GY and that monster gains 500 ATK. At the End Phase, that card returns to your hand.
All Harmony Synchro Monsters gain 300 ATK/DEF for each monster in Harmony you control.
As long as this card is in the field, all monsters in your field are in Harmony at all times.
Dreaming Step, Shizuku
Level 4 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1400
When this card is Summoned: Add 1 Level 4 Harmony monster from your Deck to your hand.
If this card is in Harmony, this card gains 500 ATK.
Harmony: When this card is in Harmony and used as a Tuner, the Synchro Monster summoned cannot be affected by spells/traps once per turn.
Call of the Blue Depths (Normal Spell)
Search the top 4 cards of your Deck, and Special Summon 1 WATER monster among them to the field, and shuffle the rest back into the Deck.
Battle Siren, Cloris
Level 4 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Wave 1
ATK: 1500 / DEF: 800
You can Special Summon this card from your hand if you Summon a "Battle Siren" Monster; if you do, its ATK/DEF become 0 and draw 1 card.
Wave 1: This effect can be activated from the hand. Discard this card; target 1 monster you control, it cannot be destroyed by battle this turn.
Novel Dress, Akari
Level 3 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1300 / DEF: 600
When this card is Summoned: You can add 1 Harmony Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand.
If this card is in Harmony, your opponent cannot target your Harmony monsters with card effects.
Harmony: When this card is in Harmony and is used as a non-Tuner monster, draw 1 card.
Planet Idol, Pacifica
Level 7 / WATER / Mermaid / Synchro / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000
1 Mermaid-Type Tuner + 1+ WATER Monsters
When this card is Synchro Summoned, Special Summon 1 'Harmony' Monster from your deck and that card and this card gains 500 ATK. At the End Phase, return that card to your hand.
Once per turn: Check the top 3 cards in your deck, and if one of them is a 'Harmony' Monster, Special Summon 1 to the field and the rest returns to the deck and shuffled, the summoned monster returns to your hand at the End Phase.
Harmony: When this card attacks and is in 'Harmony', this card gains 200 ATK equal to the level of the monsters this card is in 'Harmony' with.
Full Bright Wish, Shizuku
Level 5 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 2200 / DEF: 1500
When this card is Summoned: You can add 1 Harmony monster from your Deck to your hand.
If this card is in Harmony, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects during the Battle Phase.
Harmony: This card gains 400 ATK when in Harmony.
Artless Charmy, Wakana
Level 4 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1000
When this card is Summoned: You can draw 1 card, then place 1 card from your hand on top of your Deck.
If this card is in Harmony, once per turn: you can return 1 WATER monster from your field to the hand; Special Summon 1 WATER monster from your hand.
Harmony: This card gains 300 ATK and DEF when in Harmony.
Rank Up Magic: Tidal Ascension (Normal Spell)
Target 1 face-up WATER Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck 1 WATER Xyz Monster that is 1 or 2 Ranks higher than that target, by using it as material (this is treated as an Xyz Summon; transfer its materials to the summoned monster).
If the summoned monster is destroyed: You can add 1 "Rank-Up-Magic" Spell from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate 1 "Rank-Up-Magic: Tidal Ascension" per turn.
Storm Dominator, Commander Thavas
Rank 6 / WATER / Aquaroid / Xyz / Effect / Wave 2-3
ATK: 3200 / DEF: 2600
3 Level 6 Monsters
This card can be summoned as well by using the "RUM: Tidal Ascension" spell card on "Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas." If this card is summoned this way, draw 2 cards.
When this card is Xyz Summoned using 'Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas' as its material, Special Summon 1 WATER Monster from your deck or GY and that card gains 500 ATK and that card will switch to defense position after it attacked.
If this card has "Supreme Ruler of the Storm, Thavas" as its overlay unit, this card is unaffected by card effects.
Once per turn: Detach one overlay unit and special summon 1 monster from your graveyard, and their "Wave" will turn to "Wave 1". If it is an Xyz Monster, they get 1 overlay unit.
Wave 2: This card can attack directly, but you have to discard 2 cards from your hand. If not, this card's ATK is halved if this card used this effect.
Wave 3: When a monster in your field attacks, choose three cards on your opponent's field. And each card will be going to the GY, the bottom of the deck or banished.
Encore Curtain (Normal Trap)
When your opponent declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate the attack, and if you control a Synchro Monster, return that attacking monster to the hand.
Cascade Symphony (Normal Trap)
When you take damage from a direct attack, draw 1 card for every 1000 damage inflicted to you throughout your opponent's Battle Phase.
Echoes of Emptiness (Normal Trap)
This card can be activated if this is the only card in your field. Set any number of Spells/Traps in your hand and draw the same number of cards equal to the cards you set.
Knight's Banner of Resurgence (Normal Spell)
Return 2 "Brave" monsters from your GY to your Deck; draw 1 card.
Then, if both returned monsters had different Levels, you can Special Summon 1 LIGHT monster from your hand.
If it is a "Brave" monster, it gains 600 ATK.
Sword of Light's Oath (Equip Spell)
Equip only to a LIGHT Warrior monster.
It gains 500 ATK, and your opponent cannot target it with effects while you control 2 or more monsters.
If the equipped monster is used as Synchro Material: The summoned monster gains this effect:
Once per turn: It cannot be destroyed by battle.
Sudden Harmony (Normal Trap)
If your opponent Special Summons a monster: Special Summon up to 2 Harmony monsters from your hand or GY.
Harmonics of Water (Normal Trap)
When you have 2 WATER Monsters in your field, all of your opponent's monsters ATK will return to their base value.
Synchronized Encore (Normal Spell)
Target up to 2 Harmony monsters in your hand or GY; Special Summon them, but negate their effects, reduce their levels by 3, and return them to the hand during the End Phase.
Seedling Voice, Lauris
Level 2 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 600 / DEF: 200
When this card is Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower Harmony monster from your hand.
If this card is in Harmony, Synchro Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle this turn.
Harmony: When this card is in Harmony, you can treat this card's Level as a Level 3 Tuner.
Twinkle Happiness☆, Pacifica
Level 12 / WATER / Mermaid / Synchro / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 4000 / DEF: 4000
3 'Harmony' Tuners + 1+ Mermaid-Type Monsters
When this card is Synchro Summoned and this is the only card in the field, Special Summon 4 'Harmony' Monsters from your hand, deck or GY, and those cards gain 1000 ATK and this card loses 1000 ATK after using this effect.
Once per turn: Return 1 card from your hand, GY and field to the deck and Special Summon a 'Pacifica' Synchro Monster from the GY or Extra Deck, ignoring its Summoning Conditions, and that card gains 1000 ATK.
When this card attacks, reveal the top 7 cards in your deck and for every 'Harmony' Monster with different names, this card gains an additional attack.
Harmony: If this card is in 'Harmony' with a 'Pacifica' Synchro Monster, this card's ATK is doubled, and your opponent cannot activate card effects.
Wholehearted Dream, Meruru
Level 2 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 500 / DEF: 500
If this card is in Harmony, all Harmony monsters gain 300 ATK.
Once per turn: You can return 1 Harmony monster from your field to your hand; draw 1 card.
Harmony: When this card is in Harmony, it can be treated as a Level 3 Tuner.
Prestige, Cetia
Level 4 / WATER / Mermaid / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1200
When this card is Summoned: You can return 1 card from your GY to the Deck; draw 1 card.
If this card is in Harmony, Synchro Monsters you control gain 300 ATK.
Harmony: This card gains 500 ATK while in Harmony.
Top Idol, Pacifica
Level 10 / WATER / Mermaid / Synchro / Effect / Harmony
ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500
1 Mermaid-Type Tuner + 1+ WATER Monsters
If this card is Synchro Summoned using a 'Pacifica' Monster, Special Summon 1 'Pacifica' Synchro Monster in the GY.
Once per turn: If this card is in 'Harmony' with a 'Pacifica' Synchro Monster, both monsters gain 1000 ATK. If there are at least 3 Monsters in your field that are in 'Harmony', when your opponent activates an effect, they must discard a card from their hand.
Harmony: When this card attacks and this card is in 'Harmony', when this card destroys a monster, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the ATK of the monster destroyed.