Yza:
Hand: 8
Damage: 3
XXX
XXX

Ryuusei:
Hand: 6
Damage: 4
Drop: 10
OXX
OXX

Yza felt a drop of rain fall on him.

"...ah. It reminds of the day I picked up this deck. So much has changed since then."

"Quit blabbering to yourself."

Ryuusei leaned in, threatening Yza with his bloodthirsty eyes.

"Let go of me..."

"The view from up here is so exquisite, I don't think I will."

"Your loss."

A burst of fiery blue energy exploded from Yza, kicking Ryuusei back to his side of the field. Gracefully landing behind the table, Ryuusei snarled at Yza, who stood up with rainbow coloured eyes.

"Did I make it in time?!"

"Just about... Myo-kurenai."

Ryuusei put a card from the drop zone to the bottom of the deck.

"You really let that bastard into your head, huh?! Ubume's skill, the cost of Stride can be paid with botdecking a card! Generation Zone, release!"

"I don't care what happens to me anymore! Yza, give me this chance to save Ubume! I want to apologise to her for everything! For putting her through all that hell against her will! And I can't do that... if she's dead!"

"I hear you loud and clear. Let's beat this loser and save her!"

"You won't be saving anyone when you're up against another one of the three evil yokai! Kitsune Queen Star Demon Series, Tamamo no Mae!" Ryuusei's vanguard circle expanded black.

Yza's face twisted lecherously.

"Oh damn, ain't she a milf! I wanna fondle those huge jugs soooooo badly! Aaaaah, why am I stuck with the old smelly dragons?! I want hot girls in my deck too!"

As he complained, the Julia on his board twitched with irritation, while Ryuusei glared at Yza with fiery eyes.

"You're up against the second strongest evil yokai, yet all you want to do is fuck her...?! How the hell can you be so cavalier in this situation, you dumbass! Tamamo no Mae will rip you pieces!"

"I'll happily let her! Step on me, Tamamo no Mae! Take my innocence! Take my virginity! I'm all yours!"

Yza cheered, his imagination going wild with what Ryuusei's Stride could do to him.

"You fucking clown..."

"Hey man, I'm not the one getting pissed over a guy being a pervert. Maybe you should get your priorities straight. What do you wanna trade for her, by the way?"

"The same goes for you! And no, she's not up for "trade" you reta— argh, why am I letting myself get involved in your childish nonsense?! You're absolutely infuriating! Ubume's stride skill! I soulblast and retire Kyonshi to draw a card and return four cards from my drop zone to my deck! Stellar 4 is online! I use Bakeneko's skill to bind him face up and call from my deck Kyonshi with a new skill! I also call Genbu and Suzaku to rear-guard! Kyonshi's stellar 3, she gets +15k and a crit! (9000 > 24000/1★ > 2★) Genbu's stellar 1, he gets +10k! (9000 > 19000) Suzaku's stellar 2, he gets +10k! (7000 > 17000) Byakko's stellar 3, he gets +10k! (5000 > 15000) Tamamo no Mae's Generation Break 4 Stellar 4! My front row gets +10k and she gets critical +1 and drive +1! Dead Heat Hell! (19000 > 29000) (26000 > 36000/1★ > 2★/3d > 4d) (24000 > 34000/2★) Boosted by Byakko, Tamamo no Mae attacks! (36000 > 51000/2★/4d) Star Demon Series Special Function: Seductive Dance — Inviting Inferno!"

"Generation Guard! Starscutum of Impulse Dust! (26000) His skill, he gets +10k for each face up copy of him and sentinels in the drop zone! (26000 > 46000) My heal trigger's skill, I bind two copies of them face up and countercharge! Then, I add Starlight Angel to guard! (46000 > 61000)"

"Two to pass... quadruple drive! (Twin-tail Star Demon Series, Nekomata, Flame Wheel Star Demon Series, Wanyudo) Critical trigger! All effects to Genbu! (29000 > 34000/1★ > 2★) (Black Tortoise Star Demon Series, Genbu, Shape-shifting Star Demon Series, Bakeneko)" Ryuusei's eyes flashed blood red. "Tamamo no Mae's skill! I soulblast, G Blast, and place two cards from my hand to the bottom of my deck! I restand the vanguard with drive -1! (36000/2★/4d > 3d) Byakko's skill! End of battle, I put him to soul, draw a card, and since my vanguard has "Ubume" in its name, my vanguard gets +10k and +1 critical! (36000 > 46000/2★ > 3★) Once again, burn everything to ash! Tamamo no Mae attacks! (46000/3★) Star Demon Series Special Function: Seductive Dance — Repeat Inferno!"

"Genius Brother, Eric, perfect guard! However, his cost isn't discarding a card - I put a card from my hand to my soul!"

"Triple drive! (Vermillion Star Demon Series, Suzaku, Paving Star Demon Series, Shidaidaka, Tidal Star Demon Series, Mouryou) Critical trigger! All effects to Genbu! (34000 > 44000/2★ > 3★) Kyonshi attacks! (34000/2★)"

"No guard! (Prism Balance Breaker, Shooting Star Dragon, Twinkick Startactician) Critical trigger! All to vanguard! (11000 > 16000)"

"Bakeneko's skill! I return Kyonshi and two cards from drop to the deck and recall to rear-guard! Boosted by Suzaku, Genbu attacks! His skill, he gets +6k and battledore! (44000 > 50000 > 67000/3★)"

"Iko's skill! When my vanguard is attacked, I can put him into soul to nullify it!"

"So your starter doubles as a perfect guard, huh? Tricks like that won't last for long. Suzaku's skill, I put him into soul to draw a card and return two cards from my drop zone to my deck! Genbu's skill, I put him into soul to draw a card and countercharge! Now I'm down to no face down damage, what will you do? You don't stand a chance! Turn end!"

"I'll turn it around... just watch me!"

Yza:
Hand: 4
Damage: 5
XXX
XOX

Ryuusei:
Hand: 14
Damage: 4
Drop: 4
OXO
OOX

"Stand and draw! Shooting Star's GB2 skill, at the start of my turn, you can call one card from your hand to rear-guard! If you don't, you have to counterblast 1!"

"That's an easy choice to make. I call, Kappa!"

"Time to ride."

"I'm ready... to spread my new wings!"

"Bearing your feathered wings, ignite a cosmic flare to light up the night sky, and warrant nothing but ten gold stars to shine on the chivalrous reason why I'll become the person I want to be! Gather in my palms... LAST STARDUST. I RIDE za VANGUARD — Prism Star Demon, Shooting Star Myo-kurenai!"

The Eagle Staff of Vega and Komodo Blade of Orion materialised in Yza's hands. Crossing them together, an explosion of stardust rained down on the field, igniting his mind with blue fire.

"So what? It's just an upgrade, nothing changes the fact Myo-kurenai did all those horrible things to Ubume."

"It doesn't... but at the very least, by lending him my strength, I can help him atone for what he did to her! I'm not saving Ubume just for Yozora's sake anymore... I'm saving her for his sake too! Myo-kurenai becomes enforced! His skill, when he's placed, you have to counterblast 1!"

"A forced counterblast, big deal. Try something more powerful, why don't you?"

"If that's what you want, I'll give it to you! Since he's enforced, I can counterblast, draw a card, and call Enemy Starmecha, Infinifire from my hand to rear-guard! Then, Myo gives my units skills equal to the number of face down damage! Since there's five, I'll give them all to my rear-guards!"

"Still not impressed."

"Generation Zone, unleash! Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. GENERATION STRIDE!! Shooting Star of Cosmic Infinity, Celestial Fox!" Yza's vanguard circle expanded a bright rainbow colour.

"Celestial Fox...?! How did you get it?! When did it awaken?! It's impossible to rear it into card form! It's simply too powerful!"

"That's right... normally, the God of Stardust Knight wouldn't be contained so simply inside a card. However, Ryuusei, you forget one thing."

Ryuusei staggered back as Yza walked forward, the silhouette of God behind him.

"You're nothing but a fake. When against the real deal, there are some things you won't ever be able to replicate. That includes... my bond to this clan!"

An explosion of stardust fired behind Yza, and a howl of a fox echoed loudly.

Ryuusei screeched, covering his ears and curling up as the howl rang in his ears.

"Let's dissipate the darkness together... O God, Celestial Fox. Myo-kurenai's stride skill! You counterblast again! Then, since he's enforced, I counterblast to draw a card and give all my units the skill once again!"

"YZA..... YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!!!"

"Celestial Fox's enforce would normally be 6, but it's reduced by 1 for each of my rear-guards. Since I have five rear-guards, it's enforce becomes 1! Enforce 7 - all of my units become enforced! Starstriker's skill, he gets +5k for every two face down damage! (10000 > 25000) Julia's skill, she gets +2k for each face down damage! (10000 > 24000) Starkatana's skill, he gives my front row +5k! (10000 > 15000) (26000 > 31000) (24000 > 29000) Myo-kurenai's skill given to them! All my units get 3k for each face down damage! Since my rear-guards got this effect twice, it'll double! (15000 > 36000 > 47000) (31000 > 52000) (29000 > 50000 > 71000) (24000 > 45000 > 66000) (7000 > 28000 > 39000) (8000 > 29000 > 50000) Boosted by Starstriker, Velocity attacks! (47000 > 113000)"

"It broke 100k...?!"

"And it'll keep going higher and higher!"

"Grr... I guard with Invisible Star Demon Series, Nurikabe! Since I have an Ubume vanguard, I soulblast to perfect guard!"

"Boosted by Starkatana, Julia attacks! (71000 > 121000)"

"Again... damn it, Nurikabe, perfect guard!"

"Boosted by Infinifire, Celestial Fox attacks! (52000 > 91000) Fox's Generation Break 3 skill! I soulblast and G Blast! I put the top card of my deck into my damage zone, face down!"

Yza slammed a card into his damage zone from his deck. Ryuusei's eyes widened as he bursted out into wild cackling.

"KA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! I WIN! YOU'VE REACHED SIX DAMAGE! YOU KILLED YOURSELF YOU DUMBASS! HOLY SHIT, YOU ARE THE FUCKING WORST AT THIS GAME! FU HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

"That's what you'd like to think. The card I turned face up... was another copy of Fox. Fox's skill in the G Zone! While face up, the cards in damage zone needed for me to lose the game... is increased by one."

Ryuusei shut up.

"...what?"

He was trembling.

"In other words... I haven't lost yet. You still need to deal me an extra damage to win."

He slumped his shoulders.

"You counterblast and Fox gets +10k! (91000 > 101000) And since it's enforced, I can stand up to five of my rear-guards! I'll stand Velocity, Julia, Starstriker and Starkatana!"

His fingers twitched.

"They all get another new skill, which gives them 4k for each face down damage — Enforce 9! Plus, Myo's skill also gives them an extra 3k for each new face down damage! Starstriker gets another +5k and Julia gets another +4k! (47000 > 83000 > 95000) (101000 > 107000) (71000 > 107000 > 119000 > 123000) (66000 > 102000 > 114000 > 119000) (39000 > 51000) (50000 > 86000 > 98000) (107000 > 119000)"

His eyebrows furrowed.

"On top of that, all my enforced units go critical! (95000/1★ > 2★) (119000/1★ > 2★) (123000/1★ > 2★) (119000/1★ > 2★) (51000/1★ > 2★) (98000/1★ > 2★)"

A surge of purple miasma clouded around him.

"Myriad Star Sacred Gear: Golden Quasar — Dreaming Ouroboros!!! (119000/2★)"

"YZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!"

Ryuusei slammed another Nurikabe on the guardian circle to perfect guard.

"Triple Drive!!! (Velocity Dust Dragon, Fearless Sister, Julia, Starkatana Shooter) Boosted by Starstriker, Velocity Dust attacks! (95000 > 214000/2★)"

"I hate every part of you...! Your heroic front... your refusal to use the power given to you... everything you do makes me so mad! NO GUARD!!!"

"And that's game!"

Yza gallantly shot his hand forward as two cards landed into Ryuusei's damage zone.

"YOU THINK I'D LET IT END HERE?! BASTARD! (Curing Star Demon Series, Amabie, Unrequited Star Demon Series, Kiyohime) HEAL TRIGGER! ALL EFFECTS TO VANGUARD AND HEALING A DAMAGE! (11000 > 16000)"

Ryuusei cackled into the abyss as his eyes flashed a mix of blood red and smoky purple.

"Since I healed a face down damage, that column loses 8k from Fox's skill, 12k from Myo's skill, and 2k from Julia's skill!"

"It doesn't matter... (123000 > 111000) (98000 > 88000) Because this one will still clinch it! Boosted by Starkatana, Julia attacks! (111000 > 199000/2★)"

"NO GUARD! (Unrequited Star Demon Series, Kiyohime) HEAL TRIGGER! ALL EFFECTS TO VANGUARD AND HEALING A DAMAGE! (16000 > 21000) (Unrequited Star Demon Series, Kiyohime) HEAL TRIGGER! ALL EFFECTS TO VANGUARD AND HEALING A DAMAGE! (21000 > 26000) KU HA HA HA HA HA HA! WITH PSYQUALIA, I CAN'T LOSE!"

Ryuusei drunkly laughed with the power leaking from his eyes.

"Turn end! Celestial Fox's skill, I countercharge. Infinifire's skill, since he's enforced, I can return him to hand and draw a card."

Yza:
Hand: 10
Damage: 6
XXX
XOX

Ryuusei:
Hand: 10
Damage: 5
Drop: 13
XXO
OOX

"FOR THAT LAST TURN, YOU SHALL PAY! STAND AND DRAW! I ride Ubume and use her skill! The cost for stride is paid by botdecking one!"

Yza choked as he felt an evil energy poison the air around him.

"Generation Zone, release! Tengu Emperor Star Demon Series, Sutoku Tennou!" Ryuusei's vanguard circle expanded black.

Grabbing his heaving chest in agony, Yza suffocated on the toxic atmosphere.

"Sutoku... Tennou... the most evil yokai..."

"Ubume's stride skill, soulblast, retire Kappa, and return 4 cards from my drop zone to my deck! Stellar 5 is active! I call Bakeneko, and use both of their skills to bind them face up and superior call two Suzaku to rear-guard! I call Genbu, Kappa and Shidaidaka too! SUTOKU'S SKILL! I DISCARD TWO GRADE 1 OR LESS CARDS FROM MY HAND AND G BLAST! I HEAL A DAMAGE AND DEAL YOU A DAMAGE WITH TRIGGER EFFECTS NULLIFIED!!!"

At that moment, Yza realised he was breathless from Sutoku's presence.

"D-damn it... damage... check..."

"...however."

The evil energy Ryuusei radiated from Sutoku Tennou suddenly died down.

"I'll have to show you mercy. Sutoku Tennou only deals damage if you have four or less damage. So, you're safe from the damage ping."

"...why spare me like that?"

Ryuusei broke into a wild laughter.

"NEXT TURN, I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING TRULY AWFUL! THE IDEA OF SEEING YOUR FACE TWIST INTO DESPAIR AS YOU BREAK DOWN INTO DEATH PLEASES ME! JUST LIKE I PROMISED, I WILL OBLITERATE YOU NEXT TURN WITH A POWER THAT ONLY I HAVE!!!"

A spark of realisation flashed on Yza's face.

"...Kirin! You want to use Kirin!"

Ryuusei sneered, grinning at Yza with glimmering red eyes.

"Sure... Kirin."

Yza gulped, feeling uneasy by Ryuusei's calm response.

"Is he hiding something?"

"Stellar 5! Genbu's stellar 1, he gets +10k! (9000 > 19000) Both Suzaku's stellar 2, they get +10k! (7000 > 17000) (7000 > 17000) Shidaidaka's stellar 5, he gets +15k! (7000 > 22000) Sutoku Tennou's Generation Break 5 Stellar 4! YOU CANNOT CALL G GUARDIANS OR SENTINELS TO GUARD! EVILEST REVOLUTION!!!"

Ryuusei's smokescreen of purple grew larger, encompassing the entire field. Soon, the only thing Yza could see were two blood red dots, blinking like lights at a railroad.

Yza's body twitched, his heart rate hastened. His instincts were telling him to run, but his feet were paralysed, stuck to the floor. His breathing became rough as the darkness obscured his vision.

The cards in hands faded into simple shadows. The cards on the board danced with no owner. Yza had entered a nightmare.

"And this... isn't all of his power...!"

"Boosted by Suzaku, Kappa attacks! (9000 > 26000) Kappa's stellar 4, I counterblast and discard a card! He gets drive +1 (1d > 2d) and can drive check for this battle!"

"Damn it... Starkatana, guard! His skill, since I have a Shooting Star or enforce vanguard, he gets +10k shield! (11000 > 16000 > 26000) Blasting Starcat, guard! (26000 > 36000)"

"Two to pass... twin drive!! (Flame Wheel Star Demon Series, Wanyudo) Critical trigger, all effects to vanguard! (26000 > 31000/1★ > 2★) (Flame Wheel Star Demon Series, Wanyudo) Another one, all effects to Genbu! (19000 > 24000/1★ > 2★)"

"He did that on purpose...!"

"Suzaku's skill! I put him into soul, draw a card, and return 2 cards from my drop zone to my deck! Then, skill given by Bakeneko, I recall him to rear-guard and return another 2 cards! Boosted by Shidaidaka, Sutoku Tennou attacks! (31000 > 53000/2★) Star Demon Series Special Function: Vengeance of the Slit Tongue — Satan's Verse!"

"This is... just like last time..."

"I can't guard..." Yza staggered back a bit, looking at his one card hand against the attack that was approaching him.

"Except... instead of a one card hand, I've got a hand that can't be called."

Yza took a deep breath and grit his teeth.

"Use the blessing of the legendary weapons, Yza!"

"I sacrifice my Eagle Staff of Vega and Komodo Blade of Orion!" The sword and staff shattered into stardust, before forming the Chameleon Shield of Bellatrix in front Yza, who's eyes were softly glimmering a rainbow colour. "That attack... is nullified!"

"Another cheap trick... once again, something out of my control always saves you from the brink of death! Triple drive! (Curing Star Demon Series, Amabie, Invisible Star Demon Series, Nurikabe, Invisible Star Demon Series, Nurikabe) Boosted by Suzaku, Genbu attacks! His skill, +6k and battledore! (24000 > 30000 > 47000/2★)"

"Two Starlight Angel and a Twinkick Startactician guards! (11000 > 26000 > 41000 > 51000)"

"Suzaku's skill, to soul, draw, and return 2! Genbu's skill, to soul, draw, and countercharge! Skill given by Bakeneko, return 2 and recall him! Boosted by Bakeneko, Bakeneko attacks! (7000 > 14000)"

"No guard! (Rushing Starstriker)"

"Turn end."

Yza:
Hand: 5
Damage: 7
XXX
XOX

Ryuusei:
Hand: 11
Damage: 4
Drop: 4
OXX
OXX

OST: Believer

"Myo-kurenai's Generation Break 2 skill at the start of my turn! Since I have six or more damage, I can put a face down card from my damage zone to the bottom of my deck to Stride for free this turn!"

"What?! You can also heal damage too?!"

"Damn right I can. Stand and draw! Bearing your feathered wings, ignite a cosmic flare to light up the night sky, and warrant nothing but ten gold stars to shine on the chivalrous reason why I'll become the person I want to be! Gather in my palms... MEMORIES OF LAST STARDUST. I PERSONA RIDE THE VANGUARD — PRISM STAR DEMON, SHOOTING STAR MYO-KURENAI!"

An image of Yozora overlapped Myo-kurenai. Ryuusei stepped back and shuddered.

"Why... why am I scared...? I have nothing to fear against him or his personalities! I'll eat them all!"

Crossing the revived staff and sword together, Yza pointed the Komodo Blade at Ryuusei.

"Myo-kurenai's on ride skill! You counterblast 1! And since I have six or more damage, the cost for his skill while enforced is free! However, I'll still pay the counterblast cost this time to draw and call Infinifire to rear-guard! Infinifire's skill, I counterblast, check top 7 to add a Shooting Star to my hand, and whiff to get 6k! (7000 > 13000) And since there's 6 face down damage, my whole field gets the +3k skill from Myo-kurenai!"

Yza closed his eyes and opened them, revealing an iridescent shine inside.

"UNLEASHING THE ALWAYS EVOLVING GENERATION ZONE!"

Drawing a card from the G zone, it shone a bright rainbow colour.

"I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: you have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."

Yza slammed it down on the vanguard circle, making it expand a rainbow colour.

"GENERATION STRIDE!! SHOOTING STAR OF COSMIC INFINITY, CELESTIAL FOX!!!"

An image of Yza overlapped Celestial Fox. Ryuusei was blinded by the starlight projected from Yza's astral body.

"Stride skill! You counterblast, and I'll use Myo-kurenai's enforced skill for free to draw and give my board the +3k skill again! Enforce 8! Starstriker gets +5k for every two face down, Julia gets +2k for each face down, and Starkatana gives my front row +5k! (10000 > 30000 > 35000) (10000 > 26000 > 31000) (10000 > 15000) Myo-kurenai's skill, twice for my rear-guards, once for my vanguard! (15000 > 63000) (26000 > 50000) (31000 > 79000) (35000 > 83000) (13000 > 61000) (8000 > 56000)"

Yza closed his eyes.

"I'm not alone anymore."

The shattered memories turned into stardust.

"Those miserable days are in the past."

The stardust gathered into a ball.

"I can move forward now."

Yza caught it.

"Together, with my friends."

He absorbed the orb.

An image of Kristy overlapped Yza's mind.

His mind became clear.

"This one's for you... big bro!"

"Boosted by Zeon, Rukia attacks! (79000 > 135000)"

An image of Rukia overlapped Julia, and an image of Zeon overlapped Starkatana.

"We might not have always gotten along... but I want to apologise to you. If you want the truth... I'm jealous. You're cooler than I'll ever be. Drawing my katana on you back then was a mistake... so instead, for one last time, I'll lend you it's strength. Let's go, Rukia!"

Zeon drew his katana, the Ishima Moon Fang, and brandished it while following Rukia's lead.

"Yza, I love you! I love you, forever and ever! Nothing will ever break us apart anymore! If it's for you... I'd do anything. With this hand... I'll reach you. With this hand... I'll defeat the enemies in your way! From the very first day I met you... I knew you were the one for me. We're unstoppable... together. Support me, Zeon!"

Rukia drew her rapier, the Lightning Pure Heart, and thrusted it forward rapidly.

"Annoying..."

Ryuusei huffed, black smoke pouring out of his mouth.

"YOUR BONDS... YOUR FRIENDSHIPS... IT'S SO ANNOYING!!!"

Rukia pierced through Ryuusei, leaving a diagonal scar in his hollow chest. Zeon followed suit, slashing horizontally through his empty stomach.

"DAMAGE CHECK! (Tidal Star Demon Series, Mouryou) CRITICAL! ALL TO VANGUARD! (11000 > 21000)"

Blood didn't pour out.

Only the Void did.

"Boosted by Shika, Ayaza attacks! (63000 > 83000)"

An image of Ayaza overlapped Velocity Dust, and an image of Shika overlapped Starstriker.

"Yo, bestie! Sorry to keep you waiting, but the calvary's finally here! I'll smash through, break their line of defence, and jukem, just like I always do! I'm glad that you never gave up on me, even though I gave up on you before. When things got rough... you were my shoulder to cry on. Yza, you're a true bro. Now let's give this guy hell owo!"

Shika rushed forward, carrying Ayaza over his shoulder with a huge grin.

"It's fitting, isn't it? That I'm the dragon again. I dunno if you heard, but it turns out I was the Tyrant of Dragon Empire. Would you believe that? I'm completely unworthy for such a title. Though, it makes sense now... why I never fit in with everyone else at school. But if I wasn't an outcast back then... then there's no way I would've become friends with you. And if I never met you, then... I wouldn't ever know who I really am. I've done a lot of bad things since then... since the day you disappeared... but if this is the last time I'll ever reach you... thank you."

Ayaza was launched towards Ryuusei by Shika, spreading his wings and burning with black flames.

"NURIKABE, PERFECT GUARD!"

Ryuusei put his hand forward and created an invisible wall between him and Ayaza's deadly black flames.

"AYAZA WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A STUPID PAWN FOR ME TO USE... WHAT MAKES YOU THINK SOMEONE AS WORTHLESS AS HIM COULD PUT A SCRATCH ON ME?!"

"Boosted by Backlion... I attack! (50000 > 111000)"

An image of Backlion overlapped Infinifire.

"To be fighting beside you... is an honour I don't deserve. I was your enemy this entire time... I was the one who made life hell for you... I killed your friends... I hurt your family... I ran away at the last moment when things got too heavy... but despite all that, you're still extending your hand and asking for my help. Honestly... you're way too nice sometimes. How could I say no to that request? I'd love to fight by your side, Yza! I want revenge against the Void for making me ruin so many people! For giving me this chance, I'll give you everything I have! Spectral Duke and Claret Sword! One last time, lend me your strength! War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. WEAKNESS IS A SIN! MIGHT IS RIGHT!"

Yza combined the Eagle Staff, Komodo Blade, Diablo Scythe and Claret Sword into one weapon bound by stardust.

The Lion Omniarch of Regulus.

It spun in his hands like clock handles moving forward.

Red scales began to grow on Yza's arm as the mixed Stardust Knight-Shadow Paladin weapon reached its critical point.

An image of Kinjuzo overlapped with Yza's dragon arm.

"I know better than anyone else in the world... that no matter the cost, you'll save anyone and everyone, regardless of who they are. That's the kind of person you've become... Yza."

Yza burst forward, a trail of cosmic stardust following him.

"Fox's skill! I soulblast, G Blast, and put the top card of my deck into my damage zone face down! You counterblast and Fox gets +10k! (111000 > 121000) And since it's enforced, I can stand up to five of my rear-guards! Stand, Rukia, Shika, Ayaza, and Zeon! They all get a new skill, which gives them +4k for each face down damage! They also power up through Myo-kurenai's skill and their own skills! Enforce 10! (63000 > 103000 > 115000) (121000 > 127000) (79000 > 119000 > 131000 > 135000) (83000 > 123000 > 135000 > 140000) (50000 > 62000) (56000 > 96000 > 108000) (127000 > 139000) And finally, all of my enforced units go critical! (115000/1★ > 2★) (139000/1★ > 2★) (135000/1★ > 2★) (140000/1★ > 2★) (62000/1★ > 2★) (108000/1★ > 2★)"

Shooting the Omniarch, Yza swung his arm down in one clean motion.

"MYRIAD STAR SACRED GEAR: GOLDEN QUASAR — DREAMING OUROBOROS!!!! (139000/2★)"

Ryuusei cackled and wheezed manically as the otherworldly light closed in around him.

"YZAAAAAAAAAAAA BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADE!"

Throwing his hand towards the light, an invisible barrier partitioned Ryuusei from the attack.

"PERFECT GUARD!!!"

"Triple drive!!! (Genius Brother, Eric, Starkatana Shooter, Genius Brother, Eric) No triggers."

"BA HA HA HA! YOUR BIG MIGHTY VANGUARD ATTACK HAS BEEN NULLIFIED BY MY HANDS! EVEN IF YOU BORROW THE POWER OF A GOD, AGAINST AN ACTUAL GOD, IT'S WORTH NOTHING! YOUR POWER CANNOT STOP ME! FU HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

"Boosted by Zeon, Rukia attacks again! (135000 > 243000/2★) Takanori-Ishima Style: Triangular Shadow of Lambent Light!"

"Leave this to me!"

Zeon dashed forward from rest, encircling Ryuusei with diagonal movements while dragging his katana into the ground to create a triangular prison around him. Jumping back, he tapped his katana with a pricked finger, converting his blood into a wall of shadows that trapped Ryuusei.

"Rukia, now!"

Hearing her partner's signal, Rukia leapt into the air above Ryuusei, and precisely thrusted her rapier with lightning speed, piercing holes through his body like a machine gun. However, while he was being skewered, Ryuusei smiled as more smog escaped the increasing gaps in his body.

"Grr... what's up with this freak?! Why is he smirking like that?! Take this!"

Just as Rukia drove her final thrust at his heart, Ryuusei grabbed her rapier and crushed it, sending shards of iron flying like sparks between their faces. Leaning forward, Ryuusei grabbed Rukia's face and began to squeeze it, laughing maniacally.

"YOU IDIOT! DIDN'T YOU REALISE I PERFECT GUARDED?! YOUR ATTACK DOESN'T HURT ME ONE BIT!"

Ryuusei turned towards Yza, holding Rukia up like a trophy.

"COME ON YZA! I'VE GOTTEN AHOLD OF YOUR PRECIOUS GIRLFRIEND! COME SAVE HER! FU HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

"RYUUSEI!"

Yza frantically glanced at Ayaza, who raised a thumbs up.

"I got you. I'll rescue her."

Ayaza's expression cracked.

"From that two-faced piece of shit Void."

"Boosted by Shika, Ayaza attacks again! (115000 > 255000/2★) Destroyer of the Eternal Gate!"

"IMPOSSIBLE! IT BROKE 250K?!" Ryuusei screamed.

"Shika, give me some lift!"

Shika grabbed Ayaza and threw him over his shoulder, sending him flying towards Ryuusei.

"Jukem, bro."

Propelled into the air with a push from Shika, Ayaza took to the skies by summoning two wings made out of black fire.

"I'll never forgive the fact... that you manipulated me!"

With fiery eyes, Ayaza roared draconically, and a tornado of black flames surged around him. As the flames cleared, Ayaza lunged towards Ryuusei as the most powerful dragon and king of the empire: Dragonic Overlord "The Black".

"UBUME'S SKILL! WHEN SHE'S ATTACKED, I PUT A CARD FROM MY HAND TO MY SOUL TO LOOK AT THE TOP FIVE CARDS OF MY DECK AND CALL UP TO TWO TO GUARDIAN CIRCLE! I CALL NURIKABE TO PERFECT GUARD!"

As The Black's flame-ridden claws slashed through Ryuusei, the corroding flames of despair didn't reach him. Instead, The Black changed his target to Rukia, using his massive claws to swiftly snatch her back to safety.

"Thank you... Ayaza..."

"It's the least I could do."

The Black put Rukia down and reverted back to his human form, Ayaza. Him, along with Rukia, Shika, Zeon, and Backlion, looked back at Yza with encouraging faces, and behind them, very faintly, were the fading silhouettes of Kinjuzo, Kristy, and Yozora.

"You can win!"

Yza's eyes widened as the people around him faded away into stars that illuminated the night sky above them. Reaching his hand out to touch the sky, he caught a single fragment.

Opening his palm, the fragment dropped down to reveal a pendant with a shiny prism. He held it tightly, close to his heart.

"Thank you for giving me this courage..."

Ryuusei, despite being riddled with holes and scars, continued to scream with laughter.

"END YOUR PATHETIC TURN THIS INSTANCE! I'LL CLAIM THE NEXT ONE TO BE OUR VERY LAST!"

Yza took a deep breath and put the pendant around his neck. Brandishing the Omniarch, he thinly smiled.

"Turn end! Fox's skill, I countercharge, and Infinifire's skill, I return him to hand and draw a card."

Yza:
Hand: 11
Damage: 7
XXX
XOX

Ryuusei:
Hand: 7
Damage: 5
Drop: 12
OXX
OXX