* @[Reira] one of the nights, during the SJL meetings, a very special duel has been arranged: Sakaki Yuya vs Akaba Reira. No one in the audience really knows why this duel is special-- all they know is that everyone in the SJL other than them were asked to join the stands with the spectators until further notice, giving the two full clear range.
* @[Reira] well-- everyone but a select few.
* @[Reira] the duelists have already been called out with the usual fanfare reserved for bigger duels, though Reira is expectedly... reserved, even as they stand there in the spotlight on the field. it's really clear that Reira does not want to be here, and they're refusing to even look directly at Yuya from across the way.
* @Yuya notices Reira avoiding even looking at him and takes a deep breath. Helping Reira was all down to him. He needed to be ready for this.
* @[Reira] meanwhile, from the booth above, the Real Solid Vision system is activated, as the Field Card flips around through multiple choices, before finally settling on: Acrobatic Circus! The spotlights become colorful, as the field spreads out around them, with wheels and diving boards and balloons all around forming.
* @Yuya smiles as the field forms around them. This is the type of field he works best on, after all! Now it was time to put his best foot forward as an entertainer.
* @[Reira] now the question is: Will you do the chant, Yuya? the answer should always be yes.
* @Yuya of course~ But the question is, will Reira join him?
<@Yuya> Duelists locked in battle!
<@[Reira]> *Reira really doesn't want to. But they look around-- at the crowd expecting and watching the duel, and who may be watching as well...* ... kicking... the earth, and dancing in the air... alongside their monsters.
* @[Reira] ... bit quiet, but they're trying.
<@Yuya> They storm through this field!
<@[Reira]> Behold... This is... the newest and greatest evolution of... dueling. *faster they get the chant done, faster the duel can start. just keep that in mind, Reira.*
<@Yuya> ACTION... DUEL!
<@[Reira]> Duel. (8000 LP)
<@Yuya> (8000 LP)
* @[Reira] the Action Cards above rotate and explode outwards, the first "spawn" settling
* @Yuya draws his opening hand and looks at them.
* @[Reira] drawing their cards as well. They're still not looking at you, Yuya. But at least they went along with the chant so-- progress already! technically.
* @Yuya feels at least any response out of him so far is good!
<@Yuya> I'll take the first turn~
<@Yuya> From my hand, I normal summon Dragonpulse Magician!
* @Yuya A magician holding a double blade with some kind of chain attached appears in front of Yuya (1800 ATK)
<@Yuya> I then set two cards! Turn end!
<@[Reira]> Draw.
* @[Reira] draws a card, and almost automatically moves, activating a card.
<@[Reira]> I activate Twin Twisters. Discarding C/C Minimal Catch to destroy your two set cards. *two tornadoes appear, eating up your cards, Yuya!*
* @Yuya 's two set cards, Mirror Force and Magic Cylinder are both eaten up by the tornadoes. "Ahh! I should of expected you would of been ready for something like that!"
<@[Reira]> I activate the field spell. C/C Development Room. *slides in the card into the slot, as large film reels appear all over, stretches of film now making an almost bridge-like structure between the beams.* Normal Summon C/C Null Catch (? > 200 > 300 ATK) *a black and white being bound together by film appears, with a broken mechanical eye lens*
<@[Reira]> Tribute it to Special Summon from my deck... C/C Critical Catch. (1500 > 1700 ATK) *the being's binding explode out, before snapping together, forming a larger monster with a working eye that focuses on Dragonpulse Magician ominously*
<@[Reira]> I banish Null Catch from my grave to Special Summon the Minimal Catch I discarded earlier. (0/0 DEF) And then... Tuning.
<@Yuya> ...!
<@[Reira]> Minimal Catch (1) with Critical Catch (4). *Minimal Catch turns into rings, as Critical Catch jumps through, turning into stars* Synchro Summon... C/C/C Tool Frame. (1500 > 1700 ATK) *a strange... yellow and grey frame that looks like it's made from gears and wires appears. It has a sketched out picture of Power Tool Dragon in it's frame, or at least what looks like it.*
<@[Reira]> I use Tool Frame's effect... Attach from my deck as an equip card. C/C Copy Catch. (1700 > 2500 ATK)
<@[Reira]> Attack Dragonpulse Magician. *Tool Frame's picture POPS right out, becoming three-dimensional, as it uses it's screwdriver hand to drive into the Magician*
* @Yuya 's Dragonpulse Magican is instantly destroyed (7300 LP)
<@[Reira]> ... Set one card. End turn.
<@Yuya> Draw!
<@Yuya> I guess you were ready for all my tricks straight away, huh, Reira!
<@Yuya> But I have some tricks of my own!
* @[Reira] not answering, but they're glancing slightly-- just to see what you do at least.
* @Yuya does a backflip onto a low platform.
<@Yuya> First I set a card, then I play this from my hand...!
<@Yuya> The continuous spell, Burden of the Mighty!
<@Yuya> All your monsters lose 100 attack x its own level!
* @[Reira] something seems to weigh down the picture frame, as though a piece of lead just dropped onto it. (2500 > 2000 ATK)
<@Yuya> Turn end!
* @Yuya doesn't have any monsters on his field, but he still seems pretty happy and confident.
<@[Reira]> ... draw.
* @[Reira] even if he's confident, it doesn't mean he really has anything, right? it might be a bluff. ... focus should be on building up the grave so that Burden won't matter, anyway.
<@[Reira]> I summon C/C Minimal Catch. Tuning.
<@[Reira]> C/C Minimal Catch (1) with C/C/C Tool Frame (5). Synchro Summon... C/C/C Rose Frame. (2400 > 2900 > 2300 ATK) *now a plant frame appears with red and black blossoms on it. A sketchy picture of Black Rose Dragon in it.*
<@[Reira]> Rose Frame attacks directly. *the sketchy Black Rose Dragon pops out, vines rushing to grab you, Yuya!*
<@Yuya> Trap card open! Performapal Call!!
* @Yuya quickly jumps from the platform he's on, to a higher one, avoiding the vines.
<@Yuya> I target Rose Frame and negate its attack!
* @[Reira] the vines miss Yuya by a wide margin, before the dragon retreats back into the frame
<@Yuya> Then I can add up to 2 Perfomapal monsters from my deck to my hand, whose total defense is less or equal to Rose Frame's attack!
* @Yuya quickly picks out two monsters from his deck.
<@Yuya> I choose Performapal Skullcrobat Joker and Odd-Eyes Unicorn!
<@[Reira]> ... I end my turn.
<@Yuya> Draw!
<@Yuya> I normal summon Perfomapal Skullcrobat Joker!
* @Yuya A Mischievous joker with wild yellow hair and black and purple clothes appears on Yuya's field, giving out a little giggle (1800 ATK)
<@Yuya> Skullcrobat Joker's effect activates! When normal summoned, I can add one Magician, Odd-Eyes or Performapal monster from my deck to my hand!
<@Yuya> Work your magic, Skullcrobat Joker!!
* @Yuya 's Joker takes off his hat and reaches into it! He searches for a moment, like he's REALLY looking for something, before pulling out a card! He bounces up to Yuya, passing the card onto him.
<@Yuya> I add Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to my hand!
* @[Reira] making a conflicting expression at hearing that.
<@Yuya> Now for my next trick~
<@Yuya> I set the Pendulum Scale, with the scale 2 Performapal Parrotrio and the scale 8 Perfomapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn!
* @Yuya 's pendulum scale begins to set as the cute trio of parrots and the cute unicorn appear in blue columns of energy that appear either side of Yuya, a pendulum swinging between them!
<@Yuya> Swing, Pendulum of souls! Draw and arc of light across the ether!
<@Yuya> PENDULUM SUMMON!
<@Yuya> Appear now, my monster!
<@Yuya> Let's welcome the star of the show! The dragon with the dual coloured eyes! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!! (2500 ATK)
* @Yuya 's Dragon appears and lets out a roar
* @[Reira] hears that roar, and you can see them just... tense up, covering their mouth with one hand, as though stopping something. You vaguely remember, in the back of your head-- like you've seen Reira react negatively to Odd-Eyes before. But when...?
* @Yuya is taken back by Reira's reaction... as well as his own sense of Deja vu. He looks a little confused for a moment, but eventually shakes the feeling off. He has to continue with his move.
* @Yuya jumps down from the platform he is on, landing on Odd-Eyes back.
<@Yuya> Odd-Eyes attacks Rose Frame and as it does, I activate the pendulum effect of Odd-Eyes Unicorn!
<@Yuya> With it, I target Skullcrobat Joker and Odd-Eyes gains it's attack until the end of the battle phase!
* @Yuya 's Odd-Eyes charges towards Rose Frame with Yuya on it's back, glowing as it's attack rises (2500 ATK --> 4300 ATK)
<@Yuya> Spiral Strike Burst!!
* @Yuya 's Odd-Eyes shoots a spiraling flame towards Rose Frame!
* @[Reira] ?! they didn't expect that much strength from Odd-Eyes, as Rose Frame is obliterated-- and then Odd-Eyes' doubling effect kicks in, knocking Reira back for the moment. (4000 LP)
<@Yuya> Skullcrobat Joker attacks directly! MAGIC MAYHEM!
* @Yuya 's Skullcrobat Joker targets a magic attack directly at Reira!
* @[Reira] hit with the magic attack. (2200 LP) ... it'd be so easy to just let Yuya finish this... it'd be easy to just pass the next turn, but...
<@Yuya> Turn end!
<@Yuya> Show me what you've got, Reira!
<@[Reira]> *... lowering their hand from their mouth so they can continue* D... draw.
<@[Reira]> Since you control a monster... Special Summon... C/C Film Catch. (2000 > 1500 > 2100 ATK) *a different bound up creature appears-- this one has a film projector for a head, and film strips coming out* I banish C/C Copy Catch to Special Summon Minimal Catch from the grave. (0 > 300 ATK)
<@[Reira]> Next... activate set card. C/C Focus Eye. *a camera lens appears on the flipped up card, and at first it focuses on Odd-Eyes. ... ... ... but then it switches to Skullcrobat Joker, taking on it's shape and form. (4, 1800 ATK)*
<@[Reira]> Activate the spell card... C/C Photographic Fusion.
<@Yuya> !!
<@[Reira]> I fuse together... Minimal Catch. Film Catch. And the Skullcrobat Joker Focus Eye... To Fusion Summon. *the three monsters swirl together behind Reira, as they put their hands together, slowly* Come out. C/C/C Destiny Film. (2000 ATK) *a monster made up of film strips appears-- it seems to have taken on the shape of a dark hero of sorts with leathery wings*
<@[Reira]> Destiny Film's effect allows me to absorb one of your monsters as an equip card... and add it's ATK to it's own...
<@Yuya> What?!
* @[Reira] you'd expect that Reira would go for Odd-Eyes. It's only sensible. But even as Destiny Film heads for the monster, Reira shakes their head frantically-- Destiny Film changes course, grabbing Skullcrobat Joker and absorbing it into itself. (3800 ATK)
* @Yuya looks surprised he didn't go for Odd-Eyes. It seems like he's just... avoiding it?
<@[Reira]> Attack... Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. *even saying the name seems like a struggle, as Destiny Film moves in, using the sharp teeth on it's one hand to tear through.*
* @[Reira] it feels off. even as Odd-Eyes is destroyed, you feel a memory in the back of your head scratching. You sorta remember moments when your brothers' dragons were on the field too, and an overwhelming sense of you and them losing control...
* @Yuya flies off Odd-Eyes as it's destroyed, landing on his feet and skidding backwards. He holds his head for a moment as the vague memories circle in his mind. What was all of this...? Was he... remembering the things Reiji told him about?
* @Yuya 6000 LP
* @[Reira] it feels sorta right, but at the same time you can't grasp why you or them would lose control over anything.
<@[Reira]> End turn...
* @Yuya gets up and shakes his head, once again just trying to clear his head of these thoughts and feelings.
<@Yuya> ... draw!
<@Yuya> I pendulum summon Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon back to the field, but in defense!
* @Yuya 's Odd-Eyes returns, but it's head is lowered (2000 DEF)
<@Yuya> And I set a card.
<@Yuya> Turn end.
* Reira seems to sigh slightly-- shakily, as they see Odd-Eyes again. Again, and again... every time... They draw their card, however.
<Reira> Activate... C/C Photo Finder. I add C/C Copy Catch from my deck to my hand, and then mill the top card of my deck. *adds the card, as the deck shuffles. They draw that top card and send it to the GY: C/C Development room. (3800 > 4000 ATK)*
<Reira> Normal Summon Copy Catch. (1000 > 700 > 1700 ATK) *a cat-like film-bound being appears, it's camera lens eye focusing on Yuya as it readies to pounce* Destiny Film... attacks Odd-Eyes.
* Reira as though responding to Reira's discomfort, Destiny Film makes /very/ quick work of Odd-Eyes. You've almost got no time to react before Copy Catch ends up jumping at you, Yuya.
<@Yuya> Wha...!
* @Yuya is hit by Copy Catch's attack before he can even do anything (4300 LP)
<@Yuya> Haaa, you're not messing around, huh!
<Reira> *... looks away.* I just... want this over with...
* Reira ends their turn
* @Yuya frowns a little bit at first. Reira really wasn't having fun with this... but... he just had to keep trying to reach out!
<@Yuya> Draw!
* @Yuya looks at his drawn card... it was like his deck was telling him to keep pushing. To keep reaching out. To just keep trying as an Entertainment duelist and as Reira's friend.
<@Yuya> Well... it looks like I've got a treat for everyone!
<@Yuya> Swing~ Pendulum of Souls! Draw an arc of light across the ether!
<@Yuya> PENDULUM SUMMON!
<@Yuya> Give a big round of applause for the return of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon from my extra deck! But he's not alone...!
* Reira oh, no.
* @Yuya two lights shoot out from the pendulum vortex and... wait... there's TWO Odd-Eyes' on the field? (2500 ATK x2)
* Reira this is the worst nightmare for them. they step back slightly, seeing them. hearing them...
<Reira> ... why do you keep bringing it back...?
<@Yuya> Because it's my ace monster and trusty partner!
<@Yuya> And I've got a little trick I want to preform with the two of them!
* @Yuya holds up another card and flips it around to show... Odd-Eyes Fusion!
<@Yuya> I activate Odd-Eyes Fusion from my hand!
* @Yuya 's two Odd-Eyes' turn into light and swirl together
<@Yuya> O one with dual-coloured eyes, become endless momentum within the mystical dragon!
* @Yuya raises his arms up dramatically
<@Yuya> FUSION SUMMON!
<@Yuya> Come forth! Level 7! The electrifying dragon of unbreakable bonds! Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon!
* @Yuya 's Vortex Dragon appears onto the field with a roar (2500 ATK)
<@Yuya> Now another little trick!
* Reira covering their ears again as Vortex Dragon roars out, and-- you remember something. this one's a bit stronger, but you remember being in a strange... school? something tells you it's a school, but that's not important. what's important is that you remember Yuzu collapsing. the feeling of fear when she was barely breathing, the rage building up as you knew who caused it--
* @Yuya kind of stops for a moment as these memories began to hit him. Clutching at his head, his eyes open wide in the fear and rage he was feeling... what... was this? When was this?
* @Yuya quickly looks up at the seats in the arena, where he knew Yuzu was sat. She was there. She was fine. So why...?
* Reira Yuzu in the audience... also seems to be looking confused. is she getting these weird memories too?
* Reira it feels like it's something that happened... in the spring? the summer? what were you even doing, during that time?
* @Yuya honestly... doesn't remember. The more he thought on trying to place these memories, the more he began to wonder what he really did and didn't remember... but he had to keep pushing...
<@Yuya> I... Odd-Eyes Vortex... when special summoned, returns one face-up monster from your field back to your hand. Electro Bounce!
* @Yuya 's Vortex shoots out electricity towards Destiny Film
* Reira was so busy covering their ears from Vortex Dragon's roaring that they don't realize what's happening-- until Destiny Film is electrocuted, causing a minor surge to occur, forcing it back into the Extra Deck
<@Yuya> Odd-Eyes Vortex attacks Copy Catch! Voltaic Burst!
* @Yuya 's Vortex starts powering up an electric attack...!
<Reira> *o-oh, I should respond* I activate Copy Catch's effect--
<@Yuya> Not so fast!
<@Yuya> I shuffle Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon from the extra deck to my deck, in order to negate the effect and destroy it!
* Reira their eyes widen slightly as Copy Catch is shocked and shattered, leaving their field open.
<@Yuya> Vortex's attack continues!
* @Yuya WELL that's an electric attack shooting right at you, Reira!
* Reira ... maybe this is better... if this attack hits, then the duel... it'd be over, right? that's what I wanted anyway, right? ... and yet, something in the back of their head-- fear of disappointment? the desire to not lose? the desire to not be hit by Vortex's attack? it makes their feet move, as they head for the closest Action Card to them, swiping it up and activating it.
* Reira ... which is sure a good thing they have okay luck, cause it ended up being Evasion
* @Yuya 's Vortex misses Reira. You'd think Yuya would be disappointed in the attack missing, but, he looks over at Reira and smiles.
<@Yuya> Looks like you got one up on me there! Turn end!
* Reira ... letting out a breath, which they were holding unconsciously. they had put it up to chance-- the pride they held deep down wouldn't have let them just take the hit without trying, and the card let them survive. ... it wasn't what they wanted, but it looks like they'd have to keep going...
<Reira> Draw.
<Reira> I banish Photo Finder from my grave to add Copy Catch to my hand. And then I banish... C/C Development Room in my grave to special summon C/C Minimal Catch. (0 > 600 ATK) *the tiny camera figure reappears once more*
<Reira> Summon C/C Copy Catch... and then... tuning. *Minimal Catch turns into rings, as Copy Catch pounces through!* Synchro Summon... C/C/C Fairy Frame. (2600 > 3500 DEF) *a rather... fanciful and fairy tale-like picture frame appears, with a sketch of Ancient Fairy Dragon within it. and that's a lot of DEF.*
<Reira> Set one card... end turn.
<@Yuya> Draw!
<@Yuya> I play Mystical Space Typhoon from my hand!
* @Yuya a typhoon whips up in the middle of the field.
<@Yuya> And I use it to destroy C/C Development Room!
* Reira brings up their arms to protect from the winds whipping at them, as the typhoon destroys all of the camera film hanging around. (2600 DEF)
<@Yuya> Turn end!
<Reira> ... draw.
<Reira> ... I activate Fairy Frame's effect. *Fairy Frame's picture "pops" out for a moment, the paper dragon letting off a tranquil air as it magics up a card* I banish C/C Development Room from my grave to add another copy of it from my deck to my hand.
* Reira the paper dragon hands it over to Reira.
<Reira> I activate Development Room once more. *the film reappears. You couldn't stop it, Yuya!*
<Reira> Then I summon... C/C Critical Catch. (1500 > 1100 > 2000 ATK)
<Reira> Now... construct the Overlay Network.
<@Yuya> ...!
* Reira the swirling network appears before Reira. The third summoning method...!?
<Reira> I overlay both Fairy Frame and Critical Catch, to Xyz Summon the Rank 4... C/C/C Montage Knight. *as the two monsters dissolve into the network, a bright light shines from the network itself, as what emerges is absolutely Yuma's card and partner, Hope-- only made up of visible film strips that seem to be constantly moving. (2500 > 3400 ATK)
<Reira> *
* Reira which-- it reminds you. You and Yuma went to different places, for a while... but where, again?
<@Yuya> ... that's...
* @Yuya looks confused again as more memories come to him. He and Yuma going places... for something... important. Very important. But... what?
<Reira> ... my cards... are nothing but copies... but they're copies that nii-sama gave to me... I can't just give up, even if I want to... *glances at their set card, as you ponder what was so important to be leaving for, but then they look back at Vortex Dragon. no. not yet.*
<Reira> Montage Knight attacks Vortex Dragon. *Montage Knight forms a sword made of light, jumping up into the air and then slashing down at the dragon right through the middle*
* @Yuya 's Vortex gives out a shrill cry before it explodes, making Yuya raise his arm to protect him from the backlash (3400 LP)
* Reira winces at the cry. you're definitely recalling many small things at once-- you remember being in strange places not Domino City. You remember clashing with your brothers, too. you remember doing Riding Duels, you remember helping Kurosaki in a ruined city... they're just small flashes, some more unclear than others, but... is this all because of how Reira's been reacting?
* @Yuya holds his head as the memories flash by... he then looks up at Reira. Was clashing with them and that... Zarc... bringing these memories back to him? Is this why Reira's been reacting weird to him and Odd-Eyes?
* Reira given Yuzu's confused look in the audience, you might not be the only one who's experiencing this.
<Reira> ... turn end.
* @Yuya glances up at Yuzu again and sees the look on her face. She must be remembering things too...
* @Yuya takes a moment to collect himself. No matter these memories, he had to keep pushing. If anything... if these were his true memories, he needed to know them. He needed to know what happened. Maybe then he could better understand Reira... and Zarc.
<@Yuya> Draw!
<@Yuya> PENDULUM SUMMON!
<@Yuya> I summon back to the field, from the Extra Deck... Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! (2500 ATK)
* @Yuya then quickly runs and jumps rather athletically up some of the platforms, quickly grabbing a card.
* Reira ... again... and again...
<@Yuya> Action Magic... Double Attack!
<@Yuya> I target Odd-Eyes and it's attack doubles for the battle phase this turn!
<@Yuya> BATTLE!
<@Yuya> Odd-Eyes attacks Montage Knight! Spiral Strike Burst!
* @Yuya 's Odd-Eyes goes in for the attack (2500 ATK --> 5000 ATK)
<Reira> Montage Knight's effect... I remove the Critical Catch material (3500 ATK) to negate your attack.
* Reira Montage Knight blocks the Spiral Strike, deflecting it with the sword.
* Reira it. hits somewhere in the Real Solid Vision ceiling.
* @Yuya slaps a hand to his face. "Haaaa! I guess I should of expected an effect like Hope too!"
<@Yuya> Turn end!
<Reira> Draw.
<Reira> Montage Knight, attack... Odd-Eyes. *it still seems awkward for them to say it's name. Montage Knight slashes through it though. ... you do notice though that despite Reira's discomfort, they're actually looking at you directly now. they're not looking away.*
* @Yuya notices that as Odd-Eyes is destroyed. There seems to be progress. Pushing forward seems to be working. (2500 LP)
<Reira> End turn.
<@Yuya> Draw!
<@Yuya> Swing~ Pendulum of souls, draw an arc of light across the ether!
<@Yuya> PENDULUM SUMMON!
* @Yuya you probably feel you know what's coming by now, Reira!
* Reira I can sense it already.
<@Yuya> Back from the extra deck... Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (2500 ATK) and also, from my hand, some new performers to the field...!
* Reira grimace
<@Yuya> Entermate Silver Claw (700 DEF) and Entermate Partnaga from my hand! (2100 DEF)
<@Yuya> Partnaga's effect activates!
<@Yuya> I target Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! It gains 300 ATK for each Entermate I currently control!
* @Yuya 's Odd-Eyes roars as it's attack increases (2500 ATK ---> 3100 ATK)
<@Yuya> ... turn end!
<Reira> ... again... and again...
* Reira muttering that a little.
* @Yuya doesn't look like he's gonna quit summoning it anytime soon either
<Reira> ... why do you keep bringing it back... again and again...? Even though...
<@Yuya> Because...
<@Yuya> I believe it's the key, to answering what we need to know. To figuring out how to help you. For figuring out... Zarc.
<Reira> *...* Do you remember it?
<@Yuya> I'm... getting flashes. Of memories I didn't remember. But no matter how uncomfortable or even painful they are. No matter what happened. I think it's something I need to remember.
<Reira> ... no one remembered after it... no one knew what happened... but maybe it was better they didn't... they didn't know what dad did... *"dad"? Wait... Leo Akaba? that reminds you, back to the memory of Yuzu collapsing... it was definitely him that did it. and it wasn't just Yuzu either. It was Serena. It was Kurosaki's sister, Ruri. It was Yugo's closest friend, Rin...*
* @Yuya eyes widen as he remembers that. "Leo Akaba... I... remember."
* Reira ... covering their mouth.
<@Yuya> But... No matter what... I want to remember, Reira! I need to know what happened so I can understand what you're going through. And so I can understand Zarc.
<@Yuya> Zarc... was a part of me, right? Me and my brothers?
<Reira> ... *uncovering their mouth, just slightly* It used to be.
<@Yuya> And now they're... a part of you?
* Reira ... nods slightly.
<@Yuya> But... we can't just keep pretending like whatever happened... didn't happen!
<@Yuya> Reira, you're carrying a huge burden you shouldn't have to bare and I want to understand and help you
<@Yuya> So... I'll keep dueling until I do!
<Reira> ... it's not your responsibility anymore... you... all of you were dragged into this because of dad, when you had your own lives... *grimaces as their disk beeps at them to start their turn, as they draw* So why do you want to help...?
<@Yuya> Because you're my friend, Reira! And you shouldn't have to carry this all on your own. You aren't responsible for what Leo Akaba did!
<Reira> ... no... it's because... he couldn't let Ray go... he couldn't let her go... so... *Ray. you... kinda remember something from "Ray". you remember a formless energy in the shape of a girl, larger than any of the tallest buildings around, as it possessed an airship and started to tear at the world around her.*
<@Yuya> Ray...
* @Yuya seems to be remembering more as you talk
* @Yuya glances from Reira, back up at Yuzu. Was this talk giving her these same memories...?
* Reira Yuzu has her mouth covered with a rather shocked look at what was being talked about-- she's definitely remembering this, and it must not be a pretty memory.
<Reira> Because dad couldn't let Ray go... He tried to recreate her. And when that failed... you-- you and your brothers became Zarc... *you definitely remember that. You remember agreeing to it with Yuri, when it seemed like there was no other course of action. All to stop "Ray". But... you also remember how it felt, your consciousness getting muddied and buried as the desire to destroy everything took hold...*
* @Yuya 's expression becomes similar to Yuzu's as his memories come flooding back to him. About how he and his brothers became Zarc, how they did it to stop Ray... and save the girls... but how they also lost themselves...
* Reira ... but deep in there, you recall Reira stepping up. Yuzu was fine. Serena was fine. Rin and Ruri were all fine. And all of them had come together to stop you-- no, to stop Zarc. to try to quell his anger. to reach out to you and your brothers. but after that...
* Reira it felt like everything had collapsed together in a moment.
<@Yuya> I remember... I remember you... and the girls trying to stop Zarc. To calm him. To reach out to us.
<Reira> ... it worked... but Zarc... his anger... it had to go somewhere... it couldn't go back to you...
* Reira shaking their head
<Reira> ... Montage Knight.
* Reira the monster seems to perk up
<Reira> Attack... Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.
* Reira guess they delayed their move long enough! Montage Knight leaps up into the air to bring down the sword again...!
* @Yuya quickly runs and dives for an action card--!
<@Yuya> Action Magic! Extreme Sword! I increase Odd-Eyes' attack by 1000! (3100 ATK --- > 4100 ATK)
<Reira> *...!* Remove... material from Montage Knight. To negate it's own attack.
* Reira Montage Knight loses the material to stop... but then it's forced down to the ground in a defensive position. (0 DEF)
<@Yuya> ...!
<Reira> ... when Montage Knight loses both of it's materials... it's forced to defend, and loses all strength.
<Reira> ... main phase 2. I banish Film Catch from my grave to add C/C Photographic Fusion to my hand. *the card slips out of the GY, as Reira takes it.* I then activate my set card... C/C Focus Eye, copying Partnaga. *the monster appears, as the camera shutter *clicks*, turning into a copy of Partnaga*
* @Yuya 's Partnaga seems offended at the copy!
<Reira> Activate C/C Photographic Fusion. I fuse the Partnaga Focus Eye with C/C/C Montage Knight. *the two monsters swirl together, as Reira brings together their hands, carefully.* Fusion Summon... C/C/C Spatial Film. (2500 > 1800 > 3000 ATK)
* Reira Juudai would be pretty surprised if he saw this, since it looks like Elemental HERO Neos was just summoned!
* @Yuya recognizes it though. It is Neos and Juudai's ace monster after all!
<Reira> ... I end my turn...
<@Yuya> Draw!
<Reira> ... even with remembering everything, do you really... not regret knowing it?
* @Yuya takes a deep breath, then looks over at Reira.
* @Yuya then shakes his head. "I don't."
<@Yuya> I mean, I... I feel a lot of things and it's gonna take some processing and time but... I'm glad I remember the truth.
<@Yuya> Zarc. He held a lot of anger, but he also was like me. He just wanted to entertain people and I think I can speak out to the part of Zarc that you hold now, so maybe you don't have to carry around that anger either.
<@Yuya> By showing my best entertainment!
<Reira> Your best... entertainment?
* @Yuya gives Reira a smile and a nod. He then holds up his arms.
<@Yuya> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN~!
<@Yuya> We've had an interesting back-and-forth with this duel, but I wonder, how will I take on Spatial Film?
<@Yuya> Hmmm~ Maybe what I hold in my hand is the key~?
* Reira the audience murmurs and mutters. an action card? does he have another monster up his sleeve? wait, it's a card in his hand?
<@Yuya> I activate an equip card from my hand, United We Stand~!
<@Yuya> With this, the equipped monster gains 800 ATK/DEF for each face up monster I control.
<@Yuya> Which is currently... 3!
<@Yuya> I equip it to Odd-Eyes!
* @Yuya 's Odd-Eyes' attack rises (3100 ATK ---> 5500 ATK)
* Reira that's... a lot of power. that's far more than Spatial Film would have, even if the effect was used...
* @Yuya then quickly jumps on Odd-Eyes' back
<@Yuya> Odd-Eyes attacks Spatial Film! Spiral Strike Burst!!
* @Yuya 's Odd-Eyes begins charging at Spatial Film, powering up it's attack!
* Reira using the effect won't work. if I take this attack without trying, it'd be meaningless. they look around frantically, spotting a card just above one of the platforms, just out of reach. they start running, heading for one of the jumping spots to give themselves a boost up.
* @Yuya 's Odd-Eyes quickly fires a spiraling flame at Spatial Film!
* Reira they reach the spot, and jump up, with a trampoline-like effect, reaching up for the card. ... and come back down, their fingers barely touching the card. they land with an "oof" sound, as Spatial Film is overwhelmed by the flame, before entirely vanishing as a result. [0000 LP --- LOSE]
* Reira at first, there's silence as the duel end sound goes off. but soon, someone starts clapping in the audience, and others follow up. it was a bit of a confusing duel for a lot of them-- but it was a pretty intense back and forth effort!
* @Yuya looks up at the crowd and smiles and waves, before looking over at Reira.
* Reira they're just sorta staying there on the ground, even as the Action Field gradually vanishes. after some moments though, they push themselves up into a sitting position.
* @Yuya slowly walks over to him and offers him a hand to help him up.
<@Yuya> That was a great duel, Reira.
* Reira looks at the hand. ... you think for a moment they'll reject it, but... slowly, they take it. and as you pull them up, you notice, just a little bit... but they're smiling. ... ... kinda tearing up too, but it's not bad tears.
* @Yuya sees the look on Reira's face and he felt happy. Despite his mind racing with everything, all those memories he remembered... he felt happy at this moment.
* Reira yeah, though... you gotta wonder how the others are feeling too. Yuzu was obviously remembering things, but what about your brothers?
* @Yuya 's thoughts do run to them, as he looks up at the stands. After this, he'll need to see how they are and how they were dealing with the memories.