* @Yuya is standing up on top of the roof of the main Duel Academy building, looking out over the ocean. In his hand, he's holding the key to the airship. Master Key Beetle.
* AlexandraGrant appears of out slowed time behind Yuya, silently glaring at his back.
* AlexandraGrant approaches him, her feet moving quietly on the stone behind him, before she reaches out to grab him and put him in a chokehold.
* @Yuya did not even sense Alex's approach and isn't even aware of her being there until she manages to grab him into the chokehold. Shocked, Yuya, just like with Yuma, instinctively tries to squirm in a feebale attempt to get out of the hold.
<AlexandraGrant> Shhh.
<AlexandraGrant> Just go to sleep, Yuya.
* AlexandraGrant tightens the hold.
<AlexandraGrant> Just go to sleep.
<@Yuya> A-Alex...!
* @Yuya tries his best to struggle more in desperation, but it's very obvious that he's losing the fight to stay concious. Then, suddenly, there is a force of pressure that suddenly hits Alex, knocking her away!
<AlexandraGrant> Ghf--!
* AlexandraGrant is knocked back, losing her grip on Yuya and landing on her back a short distance away.
* @Yuya falls to the floor the moment Alex loses her grip on him, gasping a little from the hold and the shock of her attack. When she looks back up at him, she will see a familiar figure stood behind Yuya.
* @Yuya It's Hope.
<AlexandraGrant> ...Hope...
<AlexandraGrant> So that's why you weren't with Yuma, huh...
<@Yuya> <Hope> Yuma felt that it was better if I stayed with Yuya in order to protect him and the key to the airship. It seems that he was correct to think that.
* AlexandraGrant narrows her eyes.
<AlexandraGrant> Then you know what I'm here for.
<AlexandraGrant> Get out of my way and let me have it.
<@Yuya> <Hope> We know why you want it and we can't let you have it.
<AlexandraGrant> Why are you standing in my way!?
<AlexandraGrant> Are you doing this out of some messed up sense of loyalty?! The Astrals betrayed you too!
<@Yuya> <Hope> They did, but retaliation will not solve anything.
* @Yuya stands back to his feet and looks over at Alex.
<@Yuya> He's right, Alex! Reataliation will only complicate matters further! Please, don't attack them!
* AlexandraGrant glowers at Yuya. She flips off her sunglasses, revealing her eyes. The whites of her eyes have turned black.
<AlexandraGrant> No.
<AlexandraGrant> Give me the key or I'll take it.
* @Yuya is a little taken back when he sees her eyes. Although a looking a little tense, he slips Master Key Beetle into his trouser pocket.
<@Yuya> I promised Yuma I'd protect this card. I'm not going to give it to you.
* AlexandraGrant activates her hard light disk.
<AlexandraGrant> ....then I'm taking it.
<AlexandraGrant> Don't blame me if you wind up getting hurt.
* @Yuya clenches his teeth a little. It doesn't look like there is a way to avoid having to fight her... but maybe... just maybe... he could use his entertainment dueling to get through to her.
* @Yuya takes out his duel disk and places it on his arm. Activating it.
<@Yuya> <Hope> Are you sure about this, Yuya?
<@Yuya> I don't think there is another way right now. I'm going to try and get through to her.
<AlexandraGrant> There's no way for you to get through to me! You'd better focus on defending yourself!
<AlexandraGrant> DUEL! (8000 LP)
<@Yuya> DUEL! (8000 LP)
<AlexandraGrant> It's my turn! I discard Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from my hand! Special Summon Galaxy Soldier in defense position! (2000/0)
<AlexandraGrant> Galaxy Soldier's effect! I add Galaxy Knight to my hand!
* AlexandraGrant 's disk ejects a card.
<AlexandraGrant> Turn end.
<@Yuya> My turn! Draw!
* @Yuya draws and then looks at the cards he's holding. He takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he does. He needs to find a way to get through to her and to calm down her vengeful heart.
* @Yuya then looks up at Alex with a huge smile on his face!
<@Yuya> Well, even though we don't really have an audience up here, there's no reason to not have a bit of fun with this right~?
<AlexandraGrant> ...what're you doing?
<@Yuya> I'm an entertainment duelist, remember? I'm doing what I always do. Entertain! And it seems you're both my audience and opponent for this today!
<@Yuya> So I'm going to give you the best show I can!
<@Yuya> And I'm going to start with these two cards!
* @Yuya holds up two cards.
<@Yuya> With the scale 1 Entermate Monkeyboard and the scale 4 Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, I set the Pendulum Scale!
* @Yuya places the two cards onto the pendulum scale as the board lights up with 'PENDULUM' in rainbow lettering. The two pendulum monsters rise in columns on either side of Yuya
<@Yuya> But because the card in the other Pendulum Zone isn't an Entermate, Monekyboards scale changes to 4!
<AlexandraGrant> Both of your pendulums are scale 4!
<AlexandraGrant> You can't even conduct a Pendulum Summon now!
<@Yuya> Maybe not, but Pendulums can do more than summon monsters! I activate Monkeyboard's Pendulum Effect!
<@Yuya> Since it was activated this turn, I can add 1 level 4 or lower Entermate monster from my deck to my hand! And I choooose....~
* @Yuya holds up the card he chose. "Entermate Whip Viper!"
<@Yuya> Now! I normal summon Entermate Skullcrobat Joker to the field!
* @Yuya 's Skullcrobat Joker appears before Yuya, almost prancing onto the field, giggling to itself. (1800 ATK)
<@Yuya> I activate Skullcrobat Joker's effect! When normal summoned, it can add one Entermate, Magician or Odd-Eyes monster from my deck to my hand! Skullcrobat Joker, if you please...~!
* @Yuya Still giggling, Skullcrobat Joker takes it's hat off and reaches into it, pulling out a card.
<@Yuya> I choose to add Dragonpit Magician!
<@Yuya> Now, Skullcrobat Joker! Attack Galaxy Soldier!
* @Yuya 's Skullcrobat Joker bounces over to Galaxy Soldier then... holds out five cards to it. All of them have question marks on the back.
* @Yuya It seems to want Galaxy Soldier to choose one!
<AlexandraGrant> ...?
* AlexandraGrant Galaxy Soldier reaches a hand out and puts it one card, then pulls its hand back. Then puts it on another card...then another....then another...
<AlexandraGrant> ....oh, for god's sake!
* AlexandraGrant walks up and rips one of the cards out of Skullcrobat Joker's hands.
* @Yuya the one you chose seems to have an illustration of a little cartoon bomb on it... only the fuse actually seems to start animating.
* @Yuya *Fizzle, fizzle, fizzle* WHAT DO YOU DO ALEX?!
<AlexandraGrant> .......
* AlexandraGrant tosses the card back to Galaxy Soldier.
* AlexandraGrant Galaxy Soldier catches it. And looks at it.
* @Yuya *KABOOM* The card explodes into black smoke! As it does, Skullcrobat Joker giggles and bounces back over to Yuya.
<@Yuya> Ahh~ Looks like you got the explosion card!
* AlexandraGrant Galaxy Soldier's face is covered in black smoke. It falls over like a cartoon character.
* AlexandraGrant just growls.
<@Yuya> I end my turn! BUT I'm not quite finished yet~
<AlexandraGrant> Are you not taking me seriously?!
<@Yuya> Hm? Maybe it's you who's not taking me seriously? Who knows! *smiles and shrugs* I just like putting on a show! Things are much more fun that way, don't you agree~?
<@Yuya> Anyway, at my end phase, I activate Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's pendulum effect! I can destroy Odd-Eyes in order to add one pendulum monster with 1500 or less attack from my deck to my hand!
<AlexandraGrant> ...
* AlexandraGrant 'He's gathering cards....he's setting up a combo.'
<AlexandraGrant> It's my turn! Draw!
<AlexandraGrant> I summon Dawn Knight! (1400/1200) And activate Instant Fusion! (7000 LP)
<AlexandraGrant> This lets me summon a level 4 fusion monster from my extra deck! Come, Galaxy Crane! (1600 ATK)
<AlexandraGrant> I'm overlaying Dawn Knight and Galaxy Crane! XYZ SUMMON!
<AlexandraGrant> RANK 4! STARLIEGE PALADYNAMO! (2000/1000)
* AlexandraGrant points at Skullcrobat Joker. "I detach both of Paladynamo's overlay units! Skullcrobat Joker's ATK is reduced to 0!"
* AlexandraGrant an aura of light surrounds Joker, sapping its strength.
* @Yuya 's Joker slumps to the ground comically.
<AlexandraGrant> Paladynamo attacks Skullcrobat Joker!
* AlexandraGrant Paladynamo lunges forward, slashing Joker in half with its sword.
* @Yuya 's Joker is cut clean in half before it explodes into pieces. "Joker!!" (6000 LP)
* @Yuya places Joker into his extra deck.
<AlexandraGrant> Enough tricks, Yuya! This isn't one of you Action Duels! Take this seriously or you're gonna get hurt!
<AlexandraGrant> Turn end!
<@Yuya> You're a pretty tough audience to please! I guess I need to really do something impressive, hm?
<@Yuya> My turn! DRAW!
* @Yuya is very obviously not backing down
<@Yuya> And it looks like I may be able to do just that!
<@Yuya> I set the pendulum scale with my scale 8 Entermate Odd-Eyes Unicorn!
<@Yuya> Because there is now another Entermate in this Pendulum Zone, Monkeyboard's scale returns to normal <PS<>1>
<@Yuya> Now, let's welcome a bunch more performer's to the stage!
<AlexandraGrant> !!!
* AlexandraGrant 'He made the scales 1 to 8!'
<@Yuya> Swing, pendulum of souls! Draw an arc of light across the ether!
<@Yuya> Pendulum Summon!!
<@Yuya> Appear now! My monsters!!
* @Yuya reaches upwards dramatically as five beams of light shoot out from the vortex above him.
<@Yuya> Firstly, making their encore apperance! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (2500 ATK) and Entermate Skullcrobat Joker (1800 ATK)
<@Yuya> Next, please welcome the new performer's to the stage! Dragonpit Magician (900 ATK), Entermate Whip Viper (1700 ATK) and Entermate Sword Fish! (600 ATK)
<@Yuya> Now let's begin this new performance shall we~?
<@Yuya> Up first is Entermate Whip Viper and it's mysterious hypnotist act!
<@Yuya> Once per turn, it can hypnotize a monster and switch it's defense and attack!
* @Yuya 's Whip Viper holds up it's tail and swings it from side to side~
* AlexandraGrant Paladynamo starts swaying, dropping its sword (1000 ATK)
<@Yuya> Next up is Entermate Sword Fish who can cut down the attack and defense of all your monsters by 600!
* @Yuya 's Sword Fish launches itself at Paladynamo to cut down it's attack and defense with it's sharp hair
* AlexandraGrant Paladynamo's armor is cut and dinged up (400 ATK).
<@Yuya> Now it's time for the next part of the performance!
<@Yuya> Level 7, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Dragonpit Magician... OVERLAY!!
<AlexandraGrant> Overlay?!
* @Yuya 's two monsters turn into light and shoot into the swirling vortex before him
<@Yuya> Dragon forged from ice-strong bonds! Become the biting breeze of hope and determination!!
<@Yuya> XYZ SUMMON!
<@Yuya> Come forth! Rank 7! Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon!! (2800 ATK)
<AlexandraGrant> ...
* AlexandraGrant grimaces.
* AlexandraGrant 'The dragon he summoned against Yuma...'
<@Yuya> Absolute Dragon represents the bond between Yuma and I... and I know for sure he'd want to help me out here with this performance for you!
<@Yuya> Ooop! But it seems we have another performer to introduce!
<@Yuya> I normal summon Entermate Cheermole! (1000 ATK)
* @Yuya 's Cheermole is hiding shyly behind her pompoms.
<@Yuya> Next I play the field spell card, Entermate Dramatic Theater!
* @Yuya the area around them turns into a stage!
<@Yuya> Monsters I control gain 200 ATK for each monster I control that has a different type!
<@Yuya> And our performers are; Dragon! Spellcaster! Reptile! Fish! and finally, Beast!
* @Yuya each one of the monsters has a spotlight appear on them as their type is called. They take a bow as they do. Yes, even Absolute.
* AlexandraGrant 'he has 5 different types...!'
<@Yuya> That means each of them gain 1000 ATK each!
* @Yuya they all go up 1000 ATK. The highest of which is, of course, Absolute, which is now at 3800 ATK
* @Yuya OH and with the attack boost it gained a tux and top hat. Don't ask. It's ~ENTAME~
<@Yuya> Now it's time for Cheermole's performance!
<@Yuya> She's a little shy, but I'm sure she'll give us a great performace!
<@Yuya> Since Absolute Dragon's attack is different to it's original attack, as it's been raised, she can raise it's attack a further 1000!
* @Yuya 's Cheermole starts bouncing up and down, throwing her pompoms in the air in a cheer performance!
* @Yuya 's Cheermole's cheering makes Absolute want to do it's best with it's performance. It fills Absolute with DETERMINATION. (4800 ATK)
<AlexandraGrant> Tch....
* AlexandraGrant 'It's a 4400 ATK difference now...'
<@Yuya> But we're not done yet!
<@Yuya> Next I play the equip spell card, XYZ Unit, and equip it to Absolute! With this, it gains attack equal to it's rank x 200!
* @Yuya 's Absolute's attack rises to 6200!
<@Yuya> Alright! The fun has just begun~~! Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon! Attack Paladynamo!
<@Yuya> Ahhh~ But wait, I have one more trick up my sleeve!
<@Yuya> I activate the Pendulum effect of Odd-Eyes Unicorn!
<@Yuya> When an Odd-Eyes monster I control delcares an attack, I can target one Entermate monster I control, and the attacking monster gains attack equal to the original attack of the targeted monster, until the end of the battle phase!
<@Yuya> I target Skullcrobat Joker!!
<AlexandraGrant> What?!
* AlexandraGrant 'but if it gains another 1800 ATK...!'
* @Yuya there is a drumroll as Absolute's attack rises to 8000!
<@Yuya> Now! Absolute! Continue your attack!! Blizzard Burst!!
* AlexandraGrant 's eyes widen. 'This is an OTK....'
* @Yuya 's Absolute begins to whip up a Blizzard around itself, readying the attack. It actually looks super pretty.
* AlexandraGrant watches the attack. She remembers the last time Yuya summoned Absolute Dragon against Yuma.
* AlexandraGrant ... "You're one of my best friends, Yuma! And I'm going to show you just how strong our bond of friendship is!" ...
<AlexandraGrant> Yuya....
* AlexandraGrant 's eyes waver for a second. Her eyes...go back to normal.
* @Yuya notices and his smile grows. "This is mine and Yuma's performance finale for you, Alex!"
<AlexandraGrant> ...I...
* AlexandraGrant holds her hand up for a sec...then she shuts her eyes and grabs a card from her hand.
<AlexandraGrant> I activate the effect of a monster in my hand!
<AlexandraGrant> HONEST!
* AlexandraGrant discards Honest from her hand. Two wings come up from Paladynamo's back and power surges into it (8600 ATK).
<@Yuya> EH?! HONEST??
<AlexandraGrant> Paladynamo's ATK is above Absolute Dragon's now!
* @Yuya 's smile turns to a look of pure shock
<@Yuya> I- I detach one Overlay unit!!
* @Yuya One of Absolutes overlay units disappears.
<@Yuya> With this I negate Absolute's attack!!
* @Yuya 's Absolute's blizzard very quickly fizzles out as the attack is negated.
* AlexandraGrant takes in a deep breath. When she looks at Yuya, her eyes have darkened again.
* @Yuya is left looking rather taken back by this turn of events, and the smile he once wore is gone when he sees her eyes have gone dark once more. "W-Why...?"
<AlexandraGrant> ....your attack didn't work.
<AlexandraGrant> Your turn's done.
<AlexandraGrant> It's my turn, DRAW!
<@Yuya> A-Alex...!
<AlexandraGrant> Absolute Dragon's ATK has returned back to normal! (2800 ATK)
<@Yuya> Why are you doing this?! I don't understand!
<@Yuya> I thought I'd gotten through to you!
<AlexandraGrant> Yuya...I told you, there's no way for you to get through to me!
<AlexandraGrant> I reconstruct the overlay network with Paladynamo! XYZ SUMMON! Neo Starliege Reaperion! (2500/1800)
<AlexandraGrant> Then I reconstruct the overlay network with Reaperion! XYZ SUMMON! RANK 7, Gaia Dragon the Thunder Charger! (2600/2100)
<AlexandraGrant> I banish Galaxy Soldier from my graveyard to Special Summon Black Dragon Collapserpent (1800/1700).
<AlexandraGrant> Next....I activate Dragonic Tactics from my hand! I release two Dragons to summon a level 8 Dragon-type monster from my deck! I rrelease Collapserpent and Thunder Charger...
<AlexandraGrant> Descent, the embodiment of light! GALAXY-EYES PHOTON DRAGON!
* AlexandraGrant Galaxy-Eyes appears. The normally bright galaxies spinning in its eyes have darkened. Galaxy-Eyes lets out a loud, animalistic roar.
<AlexandraGrant> Next, I normal summon Galaxy Knight (2800 ATK) and its effect summons the Galaxy-Eyes slumbering in my graveyard!
* AlexandraGrant a second Galaxy-Eyes appears on Alex's field (3000/2500)
<@Yuya> Two Galaxy-Eyes...
<AlexandraGrant> Using these three level 8 monsters...I CONSTRUCT THE OVERLAY NETWORK!
* AlexandraGrant the three monsters sink into a yellow vortex that explodes with red light.
<AlexandraGrant> Radiant Galaxy, here and now become the striking light and show your true form!
<AlexandraGrant> XYZ SUMMON! DESCEND NOW, MY VERY SOUL!
* AlexandraGrant inside the vortex, red flames explode to life, coalescing back into solid form - a giant draconic beast with three-heads and in each of its eyes, a spiraling, burning galaxy.
<AlexandraGrant> RANK 8! NEO GALAXY-EYES PHOTON DRAGON! (4500/3000)
<@Yuya> ...no way...
<AlexandraGrant> Neo Galaxy-Eyes' effect.
<AlexandraGrant> Photon Howling.
* AlexandraGrant Neo Galaxy-Eyes roars negating all of Yuya's effects.
<AlexandraGrant> Next.
* AlexandraGrant Neo Galaxy-Eyes detaches one of its overlay units. The remaining overlay units on Absolute Dragon float over to Neo Galaxy-Eyes. Neo Galaxy-Eyes devours the units, its power increasing.
* @Yuya 's eyes go wide as he steps back a little. This does not look good.
<AlexandraGrant> All I care about is getting revenge, Yuya! You can't get through to me with your dueling, no matter how much you try! Because there's nothing THERE anymore!
* AlexandraGrant points at Yuya's field.
<AlexandraGrant> ULTIMATE PHOTON STREAM!
* AlexandraGrant Neo Galaxy-Eyes' three heads release a torrent of flame that engulfs Yuya's field and his monsters.
* @Yuya watches as his field is engulfed with flames and both Absolute and Cheermole explode, the force throwing Yuya backwards almost like a ragdoll, landing some feet away from where he originally was. (0 LP)
* AlexandraGrant moves quickly and is standng before Yuya before he can get up. She grabs him and lifts him up, grabbing his neck.
<@Yuya> U-urk!
<AlexandraGrant> Do yourself a favor.
* AlexandraGrant lifts Yuya up over her shoulders and chokeslams him, SLAMMING him back into the ground on his back.
<AlexandraGrant> Stay down.
* @Yuya lets out a pretty pained yell at that as he hits the floor.
* AlexandraGrant bends down and reaches into his pocket, looking for the Master Key Beetle.
* @Yuya the card is definitley in the pocket he placed it into.
* AlexandraGrant pulls the card out and looks it over. She lets out an exhausted breath. With this, she can use Yuma's ship...but...
* AlexandraGrant slowly stands up and half-turns her head back.
<AlexandraGrant> ....was wondering when I'd see you.
* @Juudai walks out from behind one of the pillars.
<@Juudai> I guess you noticed my arrival here.
<AlexandraGrant> Yeah.
<AlexandraGrant> 'Cept you're a little late.
* AlexandraGrant waves the Master Key Beetle card.
<AlexandraGrant> I already got this.
<@Juudai> You know that I'd not going to let you use that, Alex.
<AlexandraGrant> And you know you can't stop me.
* AlexandraGrant cracks her neck.
<AlexandraGrant> Whatever. You wanna go?
<AlexandraGrant> I've been wanting to do this for months, but you just keep ducking me.
<AlexandraGrant> And letting guys like Yuya and Yuma and Onni go with me instead.
<@Juudai> Looks like I have no choice but to take you on. I definitley won't let you use that airship to reach the Astrals, Alex.
<AlexandraGrant> Fine.
* AlexandraGrant walks towards the edge of the building, towards the forest.
<AlexandraGrant> Come get me, then.
* AlexandraGrant jumps off of the building into the forest.
* @Juudai watches Alex jump into the forest and gives out a sigh, before turning around and walking slowly over to Yuya.
* @Juudai Once there, he kneels down beside him to check him over, before trying to shake him gently to wake him up.
<@Juudai> Yuya! Yuya!
* @Juudai It doesn't take long before Yuya responds and his eyes open. Once he comes to his senses, he bolts upright. "Alex! Where...?!"
<@Juudai> She's gone... and she's taken the key with her.
* @Juudai Yuya's eyes shoot wide open at that, then trail to the floor.
<@Juudai> <Yuya> I'm sorry. I tried, but...
<@Juudai> It's fine, Yuya. I know you would of done your best to get through to her. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get here in time to help you.
<@Juudai> I'm going to go duel her myself. I won't let her take the airship and I won't let her harm the Astrals. You should go and find Yuma and rest, okay?
* @Juudai stands up and is about to leave when...
<@Juudai> <Yuya> Wait!
* @Juudai Yuya stumbles to his feet, before taking a card out and holding it out to Juudai.
<@Juudai> <Yuya> Yuma gave me this to help protect me, but, I think it's better this goes with you for now.
* @Juudai takes the card and looks at it. It's Hope. "Heh. It's been a while, huh, Hope."
* @Juudai looks over at Yuya and smiles at him with a nod. "Thank you, Yuya."
<@Juudai> <Yuya> Please! Even though she says there's nothing there to get through to anymore, I'm sure there is! I saw it! Just for a second, but I saw it! You need to help her!
* @Juudai looks at Yuya in silence for a moment. Even after all she's done to them, they still want to help her as her friends. He wasn't sure if he could get through to her, when both Yuma and Yuya couldn't, but still...
* @Juudai places a hand on Yuya's shoulder.
<@Juudai> I'll try my best, but no matter what, I need to stop what she's doing.
* @Juudai Yuya nods in response. Juudai gives him a small nod back, before heading off to the edge of the building and disappearing off into the forest in the same direction Alex went.
* AlexandraGrant is waiting for him when he gets there.
<AlexandraGrant> Let's finish this, Juudai!
<AlexandraGrant> DUEL! (8000 LP)
<@Juudai> DUEL! (8000 LP)
* AlexandraGrant and, to be continued.