History Fanfic / CardsOfRemnant

* TheUnchosenOne: Contrasted with her fellow Dimension Dragons, Clear Wing did ''not'' willingly choose to partner with [[spoiler:Yang]], rather she was convinced into picking them by the other three for the sake of convenience than anything else, the other three saying Clear Wing was being too "picky". [[spoiler:So when Yang does try to summon Clear Wing during her duel with Banesaw, Clear Wing rejects Yang ''completely'', causing a backlash that induces a lot of pain and undoes the summon attempt.]]

** In "Dark Threads - Part 2", we learn from [[spoiler:Lil' Miss Malachite's]] thoughts what her ultimate goal is.

** In "I Burn, Part 2" Ruby encounters [[spoiler:Lil' Miss Malachite]] for the first time, who lets slip this:

** From ''[[Anime/YuGiOhGX GX]]'': The Academies use the same student ranking system as Duel Academia, and [[spoiler:the Signer Dragons are heavily implied to be related to the Light of Destruction.]]

** Ruby has Black Rose Dragon, her go-to ace monster even before she learns that it's her Signer Dragon. Her battle position manipulating spells and traps like Zero Gravity, No Entry, and Book of Moon have also been called out as her signature cards by Pyrrha and others, [[spoiler: which gets her in trouble when she duels Penny, who uses Link Monsters that aren't affect by such cards]].

** In "I Burn, Part 2" Ruby encounters [[spoiler:Lil' Miss]] for the first time, who lets slip this:

--> '''[[spoiler: Lil' Miss]]:''' I'm what you might call... [[spoiler:a Dark Signer]].

--> [[spoiler: Lil' Miss]]: [[spoiler: I'm what you might call... a Dark Signer]].

** In "I Burn, Part 2" Ruby encounters [[spoiler: Lil' Miss]] for the first time, who lets slip this:

** One of the things Ozpin ''and'' Salem share a fear of are the "Emperors", those that have forged Over One Hundred Numbers. Ozpin considers them to have been "infected", likely referring to how they were created by Don Thousand to infect the would-be Barian Emperors with Chaos energy and make sure they ended up in Barian World when they died, both considering them too dangerous to live. Ozpin feeling Pyrrha and [[spoiler:Ilia's]] Over One Hundred Numbers clashing nearly prompts him to tell Qrow to drop ''everything'' he's doing, including his hunt for who attacked Amber, so he can hunt down the two users, before deciding to do it himself, openly calling it DirtyBusiness, while Cinder noticing Hermos reacting to it causes her to hope Salem didn't notice, knowing that if she did, she'll force them to juggle both the Vale mission ''and'' exterminating the "Emperors". Taiyang likewise notes that Rhodes had been one of Ozpin's inner circle, but had been forced to go into hiding as a result of Ozpin, Glynda, and Qrow after he obtained his own Over One Hundred Number, demonstrating that prior personal ties wouldn't stop Ozpin from wanting "Emperor" ''dead''.

** One of the things Ozpin ''and'' Salem share a fear of are the "Emperors", those that have forged Over One Hundred Numbers. Ozpin considers them to have been "infected", likely referring to how they were created by Don Thousand to infect the would-be Barian Emperors with Chaos energy and make sure they ended up in Barian World when they died, both consider them too dangerous to live. Ozpin feeling Pyrrha and [[spoiler:Ilia's]] Over One Hundred Numbers clashing nearly prompts him to tell Qrow to drop ''everything'' he's doing, including his hunt for who attacked Amber, so he can hunt down the two users, before deciding to do it himself, openly calling it DirtyBusiness, while Cinder noticing Hermos reacting to it causes her to hope Salem didn't notice, knowing that if she did, she'll force them to juggle both the Vale mission ''and'' exterminating the "Emperors". Taiyang likewise notes that Rhodes had been one of Ozpin's inner circle, but had been forced to go into hiding as a result of Ozpin, Glynda, and Qrow after he obtained his own Over One Hundred Number, demonstrating that prior personal ties wouldn't stop Ozpin from wanting "Emperor" ''dead''.

*** May Marigold was a part of the "friend" group Ilia was in, not having transitioned yet and still occasionally referred to by her deadname "Martin", and being the only one to ''not'' laugh at the deaths of the Faunus or join the rioters upon learning Ilia was a Faunus. She likewise became familiar with her brother Henry.

* CallForward: May Marigold is shown to have been part of the "friend" group Ilia was in while in Atlas. Unlike the others like Giselle or Ellie, she was the only one to ''not'' demonstrate FantasticRacism towards the Faunus, and the only one to show concern for Ilia when her skin color started changing compared to everyone else forming a mob. She was also shown to be referred to by her deadname "Martin Marigold", even by her brother Henri, and is referred to more as the child of the Marigold family than her own merits. All of this is a nod to how she ended up becoming a DefectorFromDecadence, developing an estranged relationship with her family for their behavior and treatment of her identity, and became a member of the Mantle group "The Happy Huntresses" under Robyn Hill, having a more progressive mindset and no issue working with Faunus like fellow member Fiona Thyme.

*** May Marigold was apart of the "friend" group Ilia was in, not having transitioned yet and still occasionally referred to by her deadname "Martin", and being the only one to ''not'' laugh at the deaths of the Faunus or join the rioters upon learning Ilia was a Faunus. She likewise became familiar with her brother Henry.

** Ilia's backstory from when she was in school at Mantle is connected to several characters she has no connection to in canon. While she initially admired some of them, she considered them some of the people who suffered BystanderSyndrome regarding the plight of the Faunus, as while they never partook in FantasticRacism, she never saw them doing anything to stop it.

** While in canon he was an entirely unrelated character whose only significance was to Cinder's backstory, Rhodes is tied to Ozpin's group in this fic. Or at least, he ''was'', as Taiyang laments that, were Ozpin, Glynda, or Qrow to learn Pyrrha forged an over one hundred Number card, they'd go after her, and she'd need to go into hiding like Rhodes did.

** The story also plays up the contrast between Pyrrha and Ilia, with WordOfGod noting their canon selves have several parallels as well. Mainly, in that both were forced to wear a mask and play a role that others wanted from them, Pyrrha the Invincible Girl and Ilia a hardened terrorist, and their respective fates ended in tragedy and redemption owing to their decision to keep or discard the burdens such roles gave them. In the story itself, both are highly skilled duelists who favour offensive oriented decks, and act as the heavy hitters for their respective groups. Ilia initially tried to pass herself off as a human girl before deciding she couldn't stand by and joined the White Fang despite her distaste for many of the morally questionable things they've begun to do, and [[TookALevelInJerkass growing more aggressive as a result]]. Pyrrha entered the story jaded and wanting to be normal to escape the isolation her prowess brought her, and [[TookALevelInCheerfulness starts to open up with her new friends at Beacon]]. Pyrrha is a pro at Xyz Summoning, having several powerful monsters and support combos while Ilia capable of multiple Extra Deck methods like Pendulum, Xyz [[spoiler:and Fusion]]. Even the way they approach dueling is in contrast, with Pyrrha viewing it like a sport that she has started to enjoy again, where Ilia treats it as a means to an end, unable to see how someone can ''enjoy'' going all out on an opponent without outright bullying them.

* FreudianExcuse: Mercury sees Duel Monsters as a means to an end, and barely puts in any enthusiasm when he plays. This is in large part due to being taught by [[AbusiveParents his alcoholic and abusive father]], and his main example of people who 'enjoy' the game being ''[[AxCrazy Tyrian]]'' and other members of Salem's faction.

* IJustWantToBeSpecial: Although she doesn't like it, Yang admits a part of her is jealous of Ruby's Black Rose Dragon. She'd spent years trying to recreate Summer Rose's Stardust Dragon card and Taiyang's Red Dragon Archfiend, only to fail because those are unique cards, and the Duel Spirits were unwilling to bond with her. Ruby, however, managed to bond with a Signer Dragon without even realizing it ''was'' a Signer Dragon, and Yang isn't entirely happy with that rejection.

** From ''[[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL ZEXAL]]'': The Number cards exist in Remnant, with Pyrrha possessing Number 86 ''and'' [[spoiler:forging Number 101.]] Jaune meanwhile is a fan of the "Onomatopoeia Gang", based on Yuma's monsters, and [[spoiler:takes on Yuma's role by partnering with Astral.]]

** PlayedForLaughs with Penny, who Weiss dubs "The Queen of Note Taking". [[spoiler:And played straighter later on where Sun reveals she is dubbed "the second coming of the Kaiserin", i.e., Winter]].

** During the promotional exams, Ren inflicted an offscreen one on Russel, having managed to do so quick enough to come and watch most of Nora's match with Coco. The matter-of-fact young man even mentions his opponent wasn't very creative, which speaks volumes of the skill gap.

* DoWrongRight: Goodwitch all but states the teachers are perfectly aware of RWBY's intentions to go after the White Fang in there second semester, and uses this to chastise Blake for [[spoiler:her reluctance to use her Fusion cards]], noting that if she's going to put herself and her team in dangerous situations, she could at least have the decency to duel to her full capability.

** The duel between Jaune and Mercury highlights the many contrasts between the two students. Whereas Jaune is at the bottom of the rung in terms of skills, struggles with self-confidence issues despite loving the game and desperately wants to improve for both his team and his own sake, Mercury is already a highly skilled duelist, yet has a level of interest that borders between apathy and loathing, and only puts in as little effort as he does on Cinder's orders. Jaune comes from a loving family with lots of siblings that nevertheless discouraged his dream and unintentionally undermined his confidence while Mercury is an only child that was [[TrainingFromHell brutally trained]] against his will by his [[AbusiveParents asshole father]] that led to his current LackOfEmpathy despite his confidence in his abilities.

* InstantExpert: Justified. Pyrrha recalls that she was able to easily summon [[spoiler:Number 101: Silent Honour Ark]] even ''before'' she mastered Xyz Summoning, [[spoiler:likely due to the mystical nature of the card.]]

** Before her promotional duel, Ruby sings part of the dub theme for ''Anime/YuGiOhGX''
** Likewise, while staking out the White Fang rally for Blake, she hums part of the ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds''.

** Weiss' sister Winter apparently had the nickname of "Kaiserin" during her time at Atlas Academy.

* StatingTheSimpleSolution: When Blake talks to Yatsuhashi about her regret [[spoiler:over mistreating her Fusion Monsters]] and that she is unsure how to fix the issue, he advises her to simply apologise. While he agrees that it won't be enough to fix things, it will at least be a start and she can work on making amends from there, sharing his own experience with how failing to do so led to unnecessary drama between him and Velvet.

* MasterOfAll: Penny in a nutshell. [[spoiler:In addition to ''creating'' Link Monsters, she is the first character shown the use '''every Extra Deck Summoning Method''' thus far, giving her absurd versatility and firepower in a duel.]]

** Pyrrha's "Number 86: Heroic Champion - Rhongomyniad" has numerous effects that make it stronger depending on how many Overlay Units is has, but it loses one at the end of each of her opponents turns, reflecting how her own reputation as "The Invincible Girl" gradually wore down her spirit. Her use of a spell to prevent it from losing any further Overlay Units (essentially making ''it'' borderline invincible) reflects her difficulty in putting down said mantle as well.

** Blake is usually one of the most stoic members of Team RWBY but [[spoiler:upon seeing Ilia riding her old duel runner becomes more [[SkewedPriorities incensed at her old friend taking her bike than the fact that she is being several White Fang members]].]]

** The story also plays up the contrast between Pyrrha and Ilia, with WordOfGod noting their canon selves have several parallels as well. Mainly, in that both were forced to wear a mask and play a role that others wanted from them, Pyrrha the Invincible Girl and Ilia a hardened terrorist, and their respective fates ended in tragedy and redemption owing to their decision to keep or discard the burdens such roles gave them. In the story itself, both are highly skilled duelists who favour offensive oriented decks, and act as the heavy hitters for their respective groups. Ilia initially tried to pass herself off as a human girl before deciding she couldn't stand by and joined the White Fang despite her distaste for many of the morally questionable things they've begun to do, and [[TookALevelInJerkass growing more aggressive as a result]]. Pyrrha entered the story jaded and wanting to be normal to escape the isolation her prowess brought her, and [[TookALevelInCheerfulness starts to open up with her new friends at Beacon]]. Pyrrha is a pro at Xyz Summoning, having several powerful monsters and support combos while Ilia capable of multiple Extra Deck methods like Pendulum, Xyz [[spoiler:and Fusion]]. Even the way they approach dueling is in contrast, with Pyrrha viewing it like a sport that she has started to enjoy again, where Ilia treats it as a means to an ended, unable to see how someone can ''enjoy'' going all out on an opponent without outright bullying them.

** Yang mentions she tried to create a duplicate of Summers Stardust Dragon, having the same level, type, and attribute. On top of Weiss wielding Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and [[spoiler:Blake having Odd Eyes Pendulum Dragon]], many readers guessed what this means. [[spoiler:Confirmed when it crystallizes to form Clear Wing Synchro Dragon]].
** Ren manages to hear [[spoiler:Astral]] just like Pyrrha, indicating a connection to [[spoiler:the over 100 Numbers]]. Likewise, after Nora's promotional duel [[spoiler:she mentions he has a certain card he's kept secret for a while, further reinforcing the idea]].

* {{Foil}}: The duel between Jaune and Mercury highlights the many contrasts between the two students. Whereas Jaune is at the bottom of the rung in terms of skills, struggles with self-confidence issues despite loving the game and desperately wants to improve for both his team and his own sake, Mercury is already a highly skilled duelist, yet has a level of interest that borders between apathy and loathing, and only puts in as little effort as he does on Cinder's orders. Jaune comes from a loving family with lots of siblings that nevertheless discouraged his dream and unintentionally undermined his confidence while Mercury is an only child that was [[TrainingFromHell brutally trained]] against his will by his [[AbusiveParents asshole father]] that led to his current LackOfEmpathy despite his confidence in his abilities.

* GracefulLoser: [[spoiler:Nora]] takes their loss in their promotional duel quite well, content that they gave as good as they could and coming very close to winning. It helps that their opponent was a good sport about the whole thing.

* NotSoAboveItAll: Despite presenting herself as the most mature member of her team, Weiss gets more excited watching [[ShowWithinAShow The Onomatopoeia Gang]] during marathon nights than anyone on RWBY or JNPR, which is mentioned to be targeted at young children.