Chapter 10

"Superbia's effect," I told her. "Because it was Dark Synchro Summoned using a 'Superbia' monster as Material, it is unaffected by your card effects until the end of this turn. Then, I'll chain Luxuria's effect. When it's sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Pandora – Mistress of Black Magic to my field!"

A black portal opened up, and Pandora giggled wickedly as she flew out of a portal, her black claws glistening darkly in the purple flames. "I'll teach you to get too close to my master, bitch!"

"It's time to battle," I declared. "Superbia attacks Botanical Lion!"

Superbia let out a screech as ethereal peacock feathers appeared before surging at Akiza's monster.

"Continuous Trap, activate!" She didn't hesitate. "Rose of Hope! I equip this card to a face-up Plant-Type monster I control and, when that monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon that monster to my field in Defence Position by destroying this card!"

Roses bloomed to life around Botanical Lion, making it roar before the feathers slammed into its, tearing it apart.

Akiza LP – 4000 > 3300

"Because Botanical Lion was destroyed, I gain a Flower Counter on The World Tree!"

A large red rose bloomed to life at the base of the tree.

The World Tree FC: 0 > 1

"Then, Rose of Hope is destroyed, to Special Summon Botanical Lion!"

The Roses that had once surrounded the lion scattered and kicked up a whirlwind, causing Akiza's monster to appear on the field in Defence Position.

"In that case, Pandora attacks Botanical Lion!" I declared, Pandora grinning as she charged in, her claws flashing.

"Rose of Hope's second effect! I can banish this card from my Graveyard to prevent the destruction of a Plant monster or a Dragon Synchro Monster I control! I will banish it in order to protect Botanical Lion!"

Roses returned in full force, forming a wall that stopped Pandora's attack. She jumped back, gritting her teeth in annoyance.

"I set two cards face-down and end my turn," I declared.

Yuno Hand: 1

"My turn," Akiza pulled a card from her deck and looked at her hand. "I summon the Tuner Monster, Naturia Rosewhip!"

A small creature appeared, a Rose not yet in bloom with a grinning face and two little thorn whips attached to either side of its body.

Naturia Rosewhip

3 Star – EARTH – Plant/Tuner

400/1700

"Level 7…" I smirked in amusement.

"I tune my Level 3 Naturia Rosewhip to my Level 4 Botanical Lion!" She declared.

The little rose turned into three green rings that the lion jumped into its, its body vanishing as it left behind glowing stars that coalesced above her.

3 + 4 = 7!

"A cold flame envelops the world! Black Flower – Set into Bloom!"

Purple light shot down behind her, a wind kicking up as black rose petals soared through the air.

"Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Black Rose Moonlight Dragon!"

With a mighty roar, the card that had once been mine manifested on the field… It looked incredibly vicious in Akiza's hands, corrupted by the energy of the Underworld.

[Black Rose Moonlight Dragon – 7 Star – LIGHT – Dragon/Synchro/Effect – 2400/1800]

"Moonlight's effect," she declared. "When it is Synchro Summoned, I can target a Special Summoned monster you control and return it to your hand. Superbia, get lost!"

Moonlight roared, unleashing a stream of wind at Superbia.

"I activate my Continuous Trap," I flipped over the card. "Sin's Trickery! Once per turn, when you target a Sin or Pandora monster with a card effect, I can instead send the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard to negate that effect!"

I grabbed the top card of my deck and slipped it into the Graveyard, causing an illusionary Black Snake to hiss and block the wind.

I smirked. "Invidia's effect. Since it was sent to my Graveyard, I will also send Ira from my Deck to the Graveyard," I told her, sending the angry Lion to the Grave.

"I Equip Black Rose Moonlight Dragon with Thorn of Malice," she declared, activating the spell. Black thorns rose around Moonlight, and thorns grew on its body as it took on a very vicious looking appearance, roaring in rage.

Black Rose Moonlight Dragon ATK: 2400 > 3000.

"I can only equip this card to a "Rose" Dragon type Synchro Monster, or a Plant type monster," she told me. "It gains 600 ATK, and it can no longer destroy monsters by battle. In exchange, Moonlight now inflicts piercing damage and, when she battles once of your monsters it loses 600 ATK and DEF."

My eyes narrowed… Suddenly, her monster just got quite a bit scarier.

"Then I activate my Continuous Trap," she told me, the card flipping over. "Rose of Rage. When a "Rose" monster attacks one of your monsters, you can choose to send the top card of your Deck to the Graveyard. If you refuse, then your monster will be destroyed at the end of the battle, and you take 500 points of damage."

Hm… Not a bad play, but it was a misplay if you asked me. She should be taking full advantage of Thorn of Malice… Oh well, her loss.

"Battle," she declared. "Black Rose Moonlight Dragon attacks Sin of Pride – Superbia! Thorn of Malice!"

Her Dragon roared as its black thorns lashed out at Superbia, ready to tear him apart.

"I activate my Trap," I told her. "Damage Trick! I tribute Pandora!"

Pandora pouted and was about to flip Akiza the bird before she vanished into the shadows.

"And now, I take no damage- battle or effect- for the rest of this turn!"

The shadows wrapped around my body like a protective shield as the thorns lashed out and slashed at Superbia, who groaned in pain as his feathers were ripped from his body.

Superbia ATK: 2600 – 2000.

"Rose of Rage's effect," she declared. "Make your choice."

"I choose not to send a card," I told her.

"Rose of Rage's effect activates," she told me. "Superbia is destroyed!" Blood red roses unleashes from the card and slammed into Superbia, the Peacock roaring as it was torn apart and exploded.

"Superbia's effect!" I declared. "When it is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can banish a 'Superbia' in my Graveyard," I pulled out my 4 Star Superbia and put it away. "And Special Summon him back to the field! Return, Superbia!"

Wings spread, the Dark Synchro Monster returned to the field with a defiant roar, glaring at Moonlight Dragon hatefully.

"Hmph… Futile," she told me. "I set one card face-down and end my turn," she told me. "You have one turn left… Make it count."

Akiza Hand: 0

I drew a card from my deck without a word, looking down at my hand.

"I activate the Field Spell – Sanctuary of Sin!" I declared, dark pillars appearing around us. "Through its effect, I add Accidia to my hand," I revealed the card to her and slipped it into my hand. "Then I set one card face-down and end my turn!"

Yuno Hand: 1

"That was it?" She shook her head derisively. "And what do you plan to accomplish with that?"

"While Sanctuary of Sin is on the field, my DARK monsters cannot be destroyed by your Spell and Trap cards."

"That is just a trivial thing… I will end this Duel now!" She drew a card from her Deck and looked at her hand. "I'll start by activating my Trap Card – Limit Reverse!" The card flipped over. "I can Special Summon a monster with 1000 ATK or less from my Graveyard in Attack Mode! And I Special Summon Naturia Thornwhip!"

The monster appeared, giggling evilly once again.

I felt my jaguar mark throb. 'It's coming then…'

"I tune my Level 3 Naturia Thornwhip with my Level 7 Black Rose Moonlight Dragon!" She declared, Thornwhip changing into rings as red as blood that surrounded Moonlight, who soared up into the sky and soon turned into red stars.

3 + 7 = 10

"Black Rose in bloom! Become stained in the blood of your foes and tear this world asunder!"

Blood red light shot down behind her, illuminating the area as a mighty roar echoed, bloody rose petals flooding the area. The already greatly damaged clearing was torn apart by the sheer force of the summoning!

"Synchro Summon! Rise Up! Level 10! Blood Rose Dragon!"

The red light faded, unveiling the beast I had given Akiza. It looked like Black Rose Dragon, but with four wings, and even bigger with long, black thorny whips all around its body. A creature made for destruction.

Blood Rose Dragon

Level 10 – FIRE – Dragon/Synchro/Effect

3200/2400

"Blood Rose Dragon's effect activates," she declared. "When it is Synchro Summoned, it banishes every card in our Graveyards. However, if it was Synchro Summoned using a "Black Rose" Dragon Synchro Monster as material, then it also destroys every card on the field except itself! Go, Blood Rose Storm!"

A massive wind picked up, and this time my powers couldn't protect me as the blood roses began to tear at my clothes, cracking the foundations of the pillars around us as cards flew out of my Graveyard, caught up in the vicious storm that was destroying everything.

"I activate my Trap, Sin of Lies!" I declared, even as all my other cards were destroyed. "I can activate this card when you use an effect that would destroy one or more cards I control! I can discard any number of cards from my hand, and target that many cards- they cannot be destroyed by card effect this turn! In exchange for this, you can attack me directly this turn! I discard Accidia from my hand to protect my Sanctuary of Sin!"

Accidia was sent to the Graveyard and then caught up in the storm as he was immediately banished as the chain reached Blood Rose Dragon, everything being torn apart in its wake… When the wind finally stopped, I had scratches all over my body, my uniform torn up.

"Ah…~" Akiza's eyes lit up. "You look so much better all torn up with blood…!"

I could see it… The Darkness had finally taken hold of Akiza. Blood Rose Dragon had absorbed Moonlight's Negative Energy during its summoning, corrupting Akiza even further. Her Sclera turned black, and her pupils turned red as she was fully immersed in the energies of the Underworld… Only a contract with an Earthbound God away from truly becoming a Dark Signer.

"This Duel has taught me something, Yuno!" She declared. "I like you! I really like you! That's why…" She grinned wickedly. "I'll make sure to tear you apart so that you can never defy me!"

"So… This is your confession then, Akiza?" I asked her. "Your answer through duelling?"

"That's right!" She grinned. "I'd prepare yourself because not only will this hurt, but once I win this duel, I'm going to take my time staining you to my heart's desire!"

"Oh, I know it will… But… Who said you were going to win?"

"What?"

I shakily lifted my hand, pointing it to the sky.

Akiza looked up slowly, and her eyes widened at the sight of Superbia curled up in the sky, purple eyes glowing as his wings were wrapped around something, hiding it from view.

"Superbia's effect," I told her. "When Superbia is revived through his own effect, he is banished when he is destroyed…" I smirked. "However, when Superbia is banished… I can Special Summon a certain monster from my Deck!"

A card slipped out of my Deck, and I pulled it free, lifting it up to the sky.

"O' Great God sealed for your glorious power!" I chanted as Superbia spread his wings and vanished, revealing a giant, pulsating stone fist with golden lines in the air. "Absorb the darkness within the hearts of man and break free of the shackles binding you! Shine the Black Sun on these lands once more!"

The fist glowed brightly as shadows wrapped around it, slowly forming a giant figure that- if not for the fog around us- would be easily spotted… It was humanoid, with sharp claws and a long tail, golden lines running along its body, with fur around his neck and the head of a Jaguar.

"Descend," I crooned out. "Earthbound God, Tezcatlipoca!!"

Tilting his head back, Tezcatlipoca let out a vicious, powerful roar and glared down at Blood Rose Dragon, who glared right black.

Earthbound God Tezcatlipoca

10 Star – DARK – Beast/Effect

3000/2500

Akiza stepped back. "What… Is that thing?"

"This is my true Ace," I told Akiza. "Tezcatlipoca cannot be targeted for attacks," I told Akiza. "However, due to Sin of Lies, you can attack me directly."

"Then that is what I'll do!" She declared. "Battle! Blood Rose Dragon attacks you directly. Blood Rose Flare!"

A stream of crimson energy surged towards me, crashing into me and making me scream in pain as I was torn up harshly, flying backwards and crashing into the wall of flames.

Yuno LP: 4000 > 800

I shakily got up, breathing hard as I stared at Akiza who had a smirk on her face.

"I end my turn," she declared.

Akiza Hand: 1

Tezcatlipoca suddenly began to tremble as cracks spread along his body.

"Superbia's effect… During the End Phase, the monster I summoned through his effect is destroyed," I told Akiza as Tezcatlipoca shattered into nothingness.

"Hmph…" She smirked. "So, it was just there for intimidation? How amusing… Draw your last pathetic card so I can get to dying you in my colours, Yuno…"

I just chuckled. "Intimidation…?" I slowly tilted my head back and began to laugh, despite the pain I was in.

Her smirk slowly faded. "What's so funny? Tell me!"

"The Sun must always Rise," I told Akiza. "During the End Phase, if Tezcatlipoca was sent to the Graveyard or Banished while on the field, I Special Summon him!"

Her eyes widened. "What!?"

A large hand clawed out of the earth… And then another joined it, pressing down as Tezcatlipoca rose from the earth. His golden eyes glowed as he rose to his full height, shining darkly… Like a Black Sun in the night sky.

"My turn!" I declared. "I draw!" I pulled my card free and looked at my hand. "I activate the Spell – Earthbound Rage! An Earthbound God monster I controls gains ATK equal to its DEF until the end of this turn!"

Earthbound God Tezcatlipoca ATK: 3000 > 5500

"F… Five-thousand five hundred!?" Akiza gasped in shock as she stared at Tez with fear, his body glowing intensely. "It's too powerful!"

"It's over!" I declared. "Tezcatlipoca can attack you directly! Battle! Earthbound God Tezcatlipoca attacks you directly! Black Sun Xibalba!"

Black flames bloomed to life around Tezcatlipoca's hand before he roared and threw it straight down at Akiza, who lifted her arms and yelled as the shockwave of the attack sent her crashing through the purple flame barrier, landing outside of it and leaving her laying on the ground… Defeated.

Akiza LP: 3300 > 0

Winner: YUNO FUJI!

I took a deep breath as Tez slowly disappeared, along with Blood Rose Dragon, the fog, and the purple flame barrier… However, my Signer Mark didn't disappear as I made my way over to Akiza slowly, who was laying on the ground.

Akiza was staring up, her sclera still black as she took deep breaths. "Why… Can't… I beat you…?" She croaked out, finally having experienced the pain of duelling herself for the first time. "Are you… Rejecting me?"

"Not at all," I told her. "I'm just… Establishing dominance…" I stared down at her. "It's not me who is going to be yours… It's you who is going to be mine…" I showed her my Dark Signer Mark. "As long… As you give in."

Akiza glanced at the mark as black rose petals slowly fell down around us…

'Be Reborn.'

"What was…?" Akiza breathed out.

'Embrace the Darkness… It is not you who is wrong… It is the world… So, embrace the Darkness… And be reborn… And rule as a God!'

Akiza's eyes widened as the Rose petals fell on her forehead… And I smirked as I saw the Mark of a Flower Birthmark appear on her other arm, glowing bright purple to match in intensity to that of the Crimson Dragon's Mark.

Both of them in balance.

Akiza looked up at me, the information of what she now was filling her mind. "I'm… A Dark Signer…"

"That's right…" I knelt down and opened my arms to her. "You're free now, Akiza…"

She stared at me before she leapt into my arms, burying her face into me and crying with joy as she clung to me as though her life depended on it.

The Rose found its place under the light of the Black Sun.

***************

Rose of Hope

Continuous Trap

Equip this card to a face-up "Rose" Dragon Type Synchro Monster or Plant type monster you control. When that monster is destroyed, you may destroy this card and Special Summon that monster from your Graveyard in Defence Position. When a face-up "Rose" Dragon Type Synchro Monster or a Plant Type monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you may banish this card from your Graveyard instead.

Sin's Trickery

Continuous Trap

When your opponent targets a face-up "Sin" or "Pandora" monster you control with a card effect, you may send the top card of your Deck to the Graveyard to negate that effet. You may only use this effect of "Sin's Trickery" once per turn.

Rose of Rage

Continuous Trap

When your "Black Rose" Synchro Monster battles your opponents monster, they may send the top card of their Deck to the Graveyard. If they do not, then the battled monster is destroyed, and inflict 500 damage to your opponent.

Damage Trick

Trap

Tribute 1 Face-Up monster you control; until the end phase if this turn, you take no damage.

Sin of Lies

Trap

Activate when your opponent would activate a card or effect that would destroy one or more cards you control. You may discard as many cards from your hand; target as many cards as you discarded: the targetted cards cannot be destroyed by card effects this turn. During the turn you activate this card, your opponent may attack you directly.

Earthbound God Tezcatlipoca

10 Star – DARK – Beast/Effect

While this card is face-up on the field, 'Earthbound God' monsters cannot be summoned. If there is no face-up Field Spell card on the field, the following effects are negated, and this card is destroyed during the End Phase:

• This card can attack your opponent directly.

• This card cannot be attacked by your opponent's monsters.

• This card is unaffected by your opponent's Spell/Trap Cards.

• During the End Phase, if this card was sent to the Graveyard or banished while on the field: Special Summon this card.

3000/2500

Earthbound Rage

Spell

Target 1 "Earthbound God" monster you control; it gains ATK equal to its DEF until the end of this turn. Destroy the targetted monster during the End Phase.

All Cards specifically mentioning 'Black Rose Dragon' in its text have been changed to either.

"Rose" Dragon-Type Synchro Monster

Or

"Black Rose" Dragon-Type Synchro Monster.

This is why Blood Rose Dragon's effect triggered with Moonlight, and why Akiza could use Thorn of Malice on Moonlight.