Big thanks to Jason, Ulrich362, tsukikami02, Elbarto4000, Big duels, NeoFGD, Playerhood18, dvdryms, Hunter13hawkie, Unknowedz, VioletStarVN, Yuka Kuroshiro, GamingGuy84 for reviewing the previous chapter!

Hopefully you'll enjoy reading this chapter.


ENTRANCE – TEMPLE OF CALAMITY – FOREST – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION

"Oh? So this is the Temple of Calamity? Its appearance lives up to its name."

Yuri was staring at the so-called Temple of Calamity right in front of its entrance. The temple was a large structure made of stone. A long staircase led to the one major opening—a doorway flanked by pillars and topped with an overbearing stone sculpture of an avian creature. Several other full-sized statues of similar looking creatures adorned it. Not only the design, the atmosphere around the temple and the aura it gave off was clearly what would you say 'evil', in every way. It was clearly a temple to conduct a ritual that would bring calamity to the world. The fanatical followers, all wearing eerie black robes, were on standby in front of the temple to protect it.

"We part ways here. We'll call you once our job over here is over." Tsukasa told Kamui, Shiki, and Ryo who have been tasked to go to the West Temple while Tsukasa, together with Achille and Geist, will stay to guard temple until Kurt and their master were done with Yuri and Celica.

"Yes. We will also call if we arrive earlier at the West Temple." Kamui replied back, gesturing Ryo and Shiki to follow him back to the airship.

Yuri and Ryo made a brief eye contact for one last time before looking away from each other as Ryo left following Kamui and Shiki who were ahead of him.

"Come on. His Excellency won't wait forever. Get inside." Tsukasa pushed both Yuri and Celica. Just in case they were trying to escape, they had the two of them handcuffed their hands on their back.

When Geist and Achille were ready to go inside as well, their Duel Disks let out beeping sound. It was their alarm. They turned towards the forest. It looked as though there was nothing at all in there, but a brief signal from their Duel Disks were enough to confirm their suspicion.

"Looks like we're going to have guests." Geist said with an excited smirk.

"Please rest assured, Lord Geist. We shall not let anyone pass this door. We will guard it with our lives." A male devotee said to the Parasite user, vowing to protect the temple at all cost, even if it means their death. They have prepared for this since the moment they have sworn to serve Apophis.

"Do not let us down. You know the consequence if you were to fail, I presume?" Achille reminded them. The warning was crystal clear.

All the devotees kneeled before the two Apophis offspring, swearing not to let them down. They couldn't careless with being punished with death. As long as their god achieved his goal, then they would willingly give him everything.

EVOLUTION – FOREST – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION

Once they arrived at their destination, Reiji did a briefing about their plan once more and also the new rule programmed into the Lancers Duel Disk that has been adjusted with both Link Summon and Action Duel. The Extra Monster Zone has been changed into Link Monster Zone, which means that Zone was only available for Link Monsters. Monsters that are summoned from Extra Deck, other than Link Monsters, can now be summoned in the Main Zone that used to be only available for monsters summoned from hand, Main Deck, or Graveyard, or pointed by Link Monster's arrows. However, Link Monster can still be summoned in the Main Zone as long as a Link Monster on the zone points it. And then, Action Field has been programmed into it, which means the new Action Duel rule was also applied when the Duel commence.

"Have you understood the new program in our Duel Disks?" Reiji asked once he finished briefing the whole thing. Receiving a nod as his reply, that means everything has been settled.

"This is just a gut feeling, but I think the enemies have realized we are here, nearby the temple." Sora said while looking outside the window towards the path that would lead to the said temple.

"That means they have developed the same radar as ours to pick up signal of camouflage system." Yukiya deduced. Sara mentioned that they closed the portal that summoned dozens of Servants and Duel Viruses back during the Duel in LINK VRAINS to exterminate the virus. They used camouflage program to hide themselves from the enemies and closed the portal unnoticed. The enemies most likely have learned from that and developed the counter program.

"Calm down. The enemies may have realized we are nearby, but they don't know our exact location yet. We can still go through with the plan." Reiji told them, quieting the whole room.

"It's too late to turn back anyway." Sawatari shrugged. Regardless the enemies have found out about them or not, they have no intention to back out in the first place.

Everyone did a double check to make sure they have everything they needed for the battle. While everyone was busy, Yuya ushered Reiji to the corner. They haven't finished their last conversation. Reiji made a quick exit and Yuya didn't get a chance to speak with him again as each of them were busy preparing things before departure.

"Reiji, about what you said before...are you serious? You're more capable than me when it comes to leadership! I-I'm just not cut out for this!" Yuya insisted. For most of his life, he never led anybody let alone a group in anything, especially in a war. A slightest bit mistake may prove fatal, and he would be the one to shoulder that responsibilities. He wasn't sure he was ready for this role.

Reiji placed both of his hands on Yuya's shoulders, making the Pendulum user flinched and focused on the Leo Corporation President.

"You have what it takes to be a leader. All you need to develop it is through practical learning. What you did yesterday was the first step. You'll never grow if you only keep watching. You have to use what you learn in action to achieve it." Reiji told Yuya. He truly believed so. Yuya has the quality of a leader. He just hasn't gotten used of it. He must experience it himself. Of course, with a supervision from him.

"But..." Yuya was still unsure. This was all too sudden for him.

"I'll assist you. Don't worry so much. I know you can do it." Reiji gave a pat on the back. He would make sure to draw out Yuya's potential as a leader in this war.

Once the preparation was done, the first and second group, as planned, will be the ones to ambush the temple. The third group will stay and guard the ship in case of enemies attacking, and the fourth group was already in LINK VRAINS, observing any suspicious activity within the vicinity.

"We leave the ship to you guys. Protect it until we come back!" Yuya told Gongenzaka and the others who were in charge of the airship.

"Yeah! You can count on us! We'll protect it with our lives!" Gongenzaka said with firm resolve. The rest in the third group also promised the same. They won't let anyone touch their airship.

Yuya turned to the rest of the group whom he will be going with. They were all waiting for him to give the word. Yuya inwardly sighed. He was already a leader in their eyes. And looking at their faces, he couldn't deny the position now. But maybe Reiji was right. This would be good for him too in the future.

"Let's go!"

ENTRANCE – TEMPLE OF CALAMITY – FOREST – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION

From behind the bushes and trees, the second group that consisted of Yugo, Rin, Sawatari, Sora, Gloria, Grace, Kachidoki, Battle Beast, and Kiryu, were watching the enemies, assessing their surroundings first. They climbed up the trees and used monocle to watch them from afar. There were 10 devotees in total who were guarding in front of the temple. All lined up while keeping their eyes sharp. There was no backdoor or entrance, so there was no one guarding the back.

Yugo, Rin, and Kiryu looked at each other, giving their signal. Jumping down from the trees, they deactivated the camouflage program coating their D-Wheels. The three Riding Duelists then ride on their respective motorcycles. Yugo and Rin felt good to touch their D-Wheels, as it has been a month since they left them. They were so happy and grateful to Reiji for his consideration bringing their D-Wheels for them to use. They spent hours tuning their D-Wheels before departing. While Action Duel and Speed Duel were fun, Speed Duel was still the best for them.

"Let's rock'n roll!" Yugo declared as he turned on the engine and took off, followed by Rin and Kiryu.

Yugo, Rin, and Kiryu drove their D-Wheels, making a high jump as they emerged from the forest, startling the devotees who were on guard. The Synchro users charged in the midst of the devotees' formation, riding their D-Wheels that forced the fanatical followers to scatter to prevent being hit or flattened by the motorcycles.

"Their formation is broken! Commence the attack now!" Sora declared to the rest as the devotees were in shambles. He and the others made their presence known, making their entrance by rushing out from the forest; Duel Disks activated in their wrists and faced the scattered enemies.

Sawatari made a stop when a Duelist got in his way. She was wearing a pale female Roman clothes and instantly recognized her as one of the former Academia Duelists who defected to Apophis' side after the prisonbreak. Ruri has also told everyone about her as she had fought before in the last war. Furthermore, she was in charge of guarding the West Tower where Ruri was being held captive at that time.

"You're Diana, right? Another former Academia Duelist." Sawatari addressed the woman in front of him.

"Yes. You have heard of me. Just as I was ordered to guard the West Tower before, this time I will guard the temple! I won't let you get in the way of our god!" Diana stated, activating her Duel Disk.

"Your god? Sheesh, that Apophis sure gets into your head pretty quick. I don't know what kind of weird things he planted into your head, but if you're gonna stand in my way then I'm gonna beat you!" Sawatari activated the Action Field.

{FIELD SPELL: DEMON'S DEN PANDEMONIUM}

Sawatari and Diana were enveloped in a dome. Their surroundings within the dome changed. Following the new Action Field system, neither of them could get out from the dome until the Duel is finished and neither could get into the sphere-like dome. Action Cards were scattered everywhere. As the new Action Duel rule has stated, each player can only obtain one Action Card per Turn.

[ACTION DUEL!]

"I'll start things off. From my hand, I activate the Magic Card: Fusion! I'm fusing Guardian Baou and Penumbral Soldier Lady from my hand! When the full moon's brilliance is reflected on the evil-crushing flamberge, the two warriors shall become one! Fusion Summon! Moon Protector (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7), descend!" Diana summoned her ace monster in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

While Diana summoned her Fusion Monster, Sawatari jumped to one of the floating ground, snatching the Action Card.

"Then, I activate Moon Protector's Monster Effect! I can Special Summon one Protector's Shield Token (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1). As long as this Token is around, Moon Protector cannot be targeted for an attack." Diana summoned one Token in Defense Position in the Main Zone.

"I set one card facedown and end my turn." Diana concluded.

"Be honored that you're going to see Shingo Sawatari-sama's marvelous entertainment show! My Turn! Using the Scale 1 Abyss Actor - Devil Heel and the Scale 8 Abyss Actor - Funky Comedian, I set the Pendulum Scales! With this, I can simultaneously summon Monsters between Level 2 and 7! Pendulum Summon! Come forth!" Sawatari summoned three Monsters to his Field that consisted of Abyss Actor – Big Star, (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 7 / PS: 3) Sassy Rookie (ATK: 1700 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4 / PS: 2), and finally, Pretty Heroine (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4 / PS: 2). All of them were summoned in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"This is just the beginning! Now, I will summon the main actor of today's show! Come forth! My circuit!" Sawatari opened the Link Summoning Circuit.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is at least 1 Abyss Actor Monster! I set Big Star, Sassy Rookie, and Pretty Heroine on the Link Markers! Circuit combined!" Sawatari set Big Star on the Top-Arrow, Sassy Rookie on the Left-Arrow, and Pretty Heroine on the Bottom-Left Arrow.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Abyss Actor – Cool Hero (ATK: 2300 / LINK: 3 / LM: Top, Left, Bottom-Left)!" Sawatari summoned a monster with green skin like Pretty Heroine cladded in silver armor with black cape decorated by bat-shaped patterns. It carried black claymore as its weapon. Noticing an Action Card above, Cool Hero picked it and gave the card to Sawatari.

"I activate Continuous Trap: Protector Adoration! It negates the Monster Effect of Abyss Actor – Cool Hero, and Special Summon two Protector's Shield Tokens to my Field!" Diana summoned two more copies of the Token in Defense Position. Cool Hero was showered by blue light that sealed its power.

"Your monster can attack all the Protector's Shield Tokens. However, if you don't attack, your monster will be destroyed. Now then, which one you will choose?" Diana warned Sawatari.

"I don't even have to think about it! I attack Protector's Shield Token with Abyss Actor – Cool Hero!" Sawatari attacked without hesitation. Cool Hero slashed the first Token into two, destroying it.

"At this moment, Moon Protector's Monster Effect activates! The ATK of the monster that destroyed a Protector's Shield Token will be reduced by 800 points! I will also gain 800 Life!" Diana revealed as Cool Hero once again was showered by the same light, weakening its ATK to 1500 while increasing Diana's LP.

DIANA LP: 4000 = 4800

"Fufufu. As you keep destroying my Tokens, your monster's ATK will be reduced, and my Life will be increased. Even so, are you going to keep attacking, I wonder?" Diana mockingly challenged the Abyss Actor user. Even if Sawatari destroyed all the Tokens, by the time all of them were destroyed, Sawatari's monster's ATK was already far lower than her Moon Protector. Even if he managed to increase its ATK, she has advantage in LP.

"No matter what trick you're going to pull, I'm going to take that one course of action!" Sawatari stated determinedly.

"Battle! I attack the second and then the third Protector's Shield Token with Abyss Actor – Cool Hero!" Sawatari continued his attack again. Repeating the same effect, Moon Protector lowered Cool Hero's ATK until it only has 700 ATK and Diana's LP was increased by 1600.

DIANA LP: 4800 = 6400

"Ahaha! Even though I gained Life Point, your ace monster still remains, huh? But its ATK is merely 700. Is there even a point in keeping it around? It won't stand a chance against my Moon Protector." Diana snickered, sneering at Sawatari and his weakened monster.

"I'm gonna wipe out both your monster and your LP this Turn!" Sawatari exclaimed, confusing Diana.

"With this, Moon Protector has lost all of its shields! I activate Action Magic: Trap Eraser! I destroy your Protector Adoration!" Sawatari activated his first Action Card, destroying the Continuous Trap. This confused Diana. If he has that kind of card, then why didn't he activate it from the very beginning? If he had, her LP won't be increased and his monster won't lose so many ATKs.

"At this moment, I activate Cool Hero's effect! When its ATK changed, I can lower one of the opponent's monsters' ATK and inflict damage equal to the amount of ATK changed!" Sawatari revealed as Cool Hero thrust its sword repeatedly against Moon Protector, reducing its ATK zero.

DIANA LP: 6400 = 4000

"Tsk. Even if you lowered Moon Protector's ATK, you can't attack anymore! And even if you attack, my LP will still remain!" Diana reminded as Sawatari has finished attacking all of the Tokens and Cool Hero's ATK was only 2300 while her LP was still full.

"I already thought about that! I activate Cool Hero's second effect! When this card points to a monster, it can make a second attack!" Sawatari revealed. As Cool Hero's Top Arrow pointed to Diana's Moon Protector, Cool Hero can attack again.

"Next, Action Magic: Wonder Chance! My Monster can attack one more time! Which means, I can attack two more times!" Sawatari activated his second Action Card.

Diana took a step back. Her face paled. Moon Protector's ATK has been reduced to nothing, so she would receive the full brunt of Cool Hero's ATK. And once Moon Protector was destroyed, she has nothing that could protect her.

"Battle! I attack Moon Protector with Cool Hero!" Sawatari declared. Cool Hero slashed down the Fusion Monster into two, exploding it and pushed back Diana. Now her Field was wide open.

DIANA LP: 4000 = 1700

"This is the finale, Cool Hero! Attack directly!" Sawatari declared the last Battle Phase. Cool Hero raised its sword and swung it down, unleashing a purple sword energy wave that threw Diana several feet back as she screamed.

DIANA LP: 1700 = 0

"Alright! My first win with my first Link Monster!" Sawatari cheered for his victory, jumping happily. He thanked Reiji for developing a Link Monster befitting for him.

His victory cheers were short-lived as he noticed another group of enemies approaching him. However, this didn't scare him in the slightest. Sawatari cockily faced the devotees who were confronting him, making a challenging gesture.

"Bring it on!"

At the other side of the area near the river, Sora was facing against a tall big man wearing Romanian-style red robes with white sleeve tied from the left side. He also wore shoulder orange-colored paddlers, bracers decorated with golden trims, and helmet completed with sun-themed golden necklace.

"If I remember it right, you're Apollo. The one who was supposed to guard the East Tower before being appointed to the front line and replaced by Chronos." Sora recognized the man. He was supposed to guard the tower where Rin was being held. The Professor deemed his skill necessary in the front-line battles, so his position as tower keeper was replaced by Chronos who was defeated by Sawatari.

"Yes. Just as you know me, I also know you, Sora Shiun'in. I have nothing against you, but now I have sworn my loyalty for His Excellency who has opened my eyes of this world's folly! I shall obliterate you here and now!" Apollo activated his Duel Disk, beginning the Duel.

"If you think you can, then try! You're no match for me!" Sora replied, activating the Action Field. Both he and Apollo soon were trapped within a dome as new environment formed around them within the dome. Until the Duel is over, no one can into nor get out from the sphere-like Field.

{FIELD SPELL: OLYMPUS PEAK}

Their surrounding changed into that of a round coliseum-like arena with volcanic rocks throughout the audience seats and magma beneath them. Action Cards were spread around the Field. Following the newest rule of Action Duel, only one Action Card can be obtained per Turn.

[ACTION DUEL!]

"I'll start things off. From my hand, I activate the Magic Card: Fusion! I'm fusing Guardian Tryce and Luminous Soldier from my hand! When the radiant twin blades are bathed in the sun's brilliance, the two warriors shall become one! Fusion Summon! Sun Protector (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 2100 / LV: 7), descend!" Apollo summoned his ace monster in Attack Position.

While Apollo performed his Fusion Summon, Sora picked the first Action Card.

"I activate Sun Protector's Monster Effect! I can Special Summon one Protector's Shield Token (ATK: 0 /DEF: 0 / LV: 1). As long as this Token is around, Sun Protector cannot be targeted for an attack." Apollo summoned one Token in Defense Position in the Main Zone.

"I set one card facedown and end my turn." Apollo concluded.

"My Turn! With Scale 1 Death-Toy Claw Pirate and Scale 8 Death-Toy Bone Diver, I set the Pendulum Scale! With this I can simultaneously summon Level 2 to 7 monsters! Pendulum Summon! Appear, my monsters!" Sora summoned Patchwork Furnimal (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1) and Furnimal Sheep (ATK: 400 / DEF: 800 / LV: 2) in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"Appear! The circuit of the amalgamations of haunted toys!" Sora opened the Link Summoning Circuit.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is two Furnimal or Edge Imp monsters! I set Patchwork Furnimal and Furnimal Sheep on the Link Markers! Circuit combined!" Sora set Patchwork Furnimal in the Top-Arrow and Furnimal Sheep in Bottom-Arrow.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Death-Toy Chainsaw Jaguar (ATK: 2100 / LINK: 3 / LM: Bottom, Top)!" Sora summoned a monster resembling stuffed jaguar with demonic eyes on its sewed mouth with chainsaws around its stomach ad arms in the Link Monster Zone.

"I activate Continuous Trap: Protector Adoration! It negates the Monster Effect of Death-Toy Chainsaw Jaguar, and Special Summon two Protector's Shield Tokens to my Field!" Apollo opened his Reverse Card, showering Death-Toy Chainsaw Jaguar with red light that sealed its power.

"Your monster can attack all the Protector's Shield Tokens. However, if you don't attack, your monster will be destroyed." Apollo warned Sora, sneering at the blue-haired boy. "Now then, what will you do? Are you going to attack my Protector's Shield Tokens? Or… Are you going to not attack and lose your ace monster?

"Do you really need to ask that? Battle! I attack Protector's Shield Token with Chainsaw Jaguar!" Sora declared attack using his new Link Monster. The chainsaws around Chainsaw Jaguar's arms activated and the Death-Toy Monster leaped, launching against the Fusion Monster.

"At this moment, Sun Protector's Monster Effect activates! The ATK of the monster that destroyed a Protector's Shield Token will be reduced by 800 points! The opposing player also takes 800 damage!" Apollo declared. Just as Sora's Chainsaw Jaguar's arms strikes down the first Token, the same light showering Chainsaw Jaguar showered Sora and his Link Monster, lowering his LP by 800 and decreased Chainsaw Jaguar's ATK to 1200.

SORA LP: 4000 = 3200

"As you keep destroying my Tokens, your monster's ATK will be reduced, and your Life will be cut down. Even so, are you going to keep attacking?" Apollo questioned mockingly. He was confident he has this Duel in the palm of his hand.

"So that's how it'll be, huh?" Sora sighed without making any particular reaction.

"If you don't like seeing your Life gets cut down, you can end your turn now. But in exchange, you will lose Death-Toy Chainsaw Jaguar." Apollo reminded. If Sora ended his Turn, he could attack the boy directly. Even if Sora didn't choose to do so, his LP will be reduced and even though his Monster survived, only 800 ATK would remain by the time the next Turn start.

"There's no way I'll allow that! Battle! I attack the second and then the third Protector's Shield Token with Death-Toy Chainsaw Jaguar!"

Sora continued his attack against the remaining two tokens. Apollo retaliated by repeating the same move; lowering Chainsaw Jaguar's ATK by 800 and inflicts the same amount of damage to the Death-Toy user, repeating it twice. Chainsaw Jaguar destroyed all of the remaining tokens, leaving its ATK at only 400 while inflicting 1600 damage in total to Sora.

SORA LP: 3200 = 1600

"Even though your Life Point is cut down, your monster still remains. But its ATK is merely 400. Is there even a point in keeping it around?" Apollo questioned in condescending tone.

"There is! With this, Sun Protector has lost all of its shields!" Sora pointed out at Apollo's Field that only has Sun Protector left standing.

"I activate Quick-Play Spell: Chimeric Fusion! I pay 1000 LP and tribute a Death-Toy Monster I control to Special Summon a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck! However, that monster cannot attack and it will be destroyed at the end of Turn!" Sora released Chainsaw Jaguar and lowered 1000 of his LP to perform Fusion Summon.

SORA LP: 1600 = 600

"Show yourself! Wild ghost-cave beast that bares fangs at all! Death-Toy Sabre Tiger (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8)!" Sora summoned Sabre Tiger in Attack Position in the Main Zone. Since Protector Adoration has lost its targeted monster, it was destroyed.

"To think that he can summon a higher-level ace monster in this situation… But you cannot defeat me with just that!" Apollo warned.

"What are you saying? My turn isn't over yet! When Death-Toy Saber Tiger is Fusion Summoned, I can Special Summon 1 Death-Toy Monster from my Graveyard ignoring its summoning condition! Revive, Chainsaw Jaguar!" Sora revived Chainsaw Jaguar in Attack Position in the Main Zone beside Saber Tiger.

"I activate Chainsaw Jaguar's effect! Once per Turn it gains 400 ATK for each Furnimal Monsters and Edge Imp Monsters in the Graveyard!" Sora increased Chainsaw Jaguar's ATK to 2500.

"Next I activate Sabre Tiger's effect! All Death-Toy Monsters gains 400 ATK for each Death-Toy Monsters on the Field!" Sora increased both Sabre Tiger and Chainsaw Jaguar's ATK to 3200 and 3300 respectively.

"Battle! I attack Sun Protector with Death-Toy Chainsaw Jaguar!" Sora declared his attack. Chainsaw Jaguar rushed forward. Its menacing eyes focused solely on the opposing Fusion Monster.

"Sun Protector might be destroyed, but on the next turn–"

"That's not all! I activate Action Magic: Bi-Attack! I double the ATK of Chainsaw Jaguar!" Sora activated his Action Card, doubling Chainsaw Jaguar's ATK to 6600. Apollo paled. That was enough to take him down in one attack. He has no chance to win.

Chainsaw Jaguar strikes down the opposing Fusion Monster with its wheeled saw arms, shredding Sun Protector's body into pieces until nothing of its remain. The backlash threw back Apollo with a cry, rendering him unconscious.

APOLLO LP: 4000 = 0

"Hmm…as I thought. I'm still not too good with this Link Monster. I have to think up a new combo and strategy." Sora mumbled while staring at his Link Monster in his hand. The Link Monster itself was not bad. He just hasn't got used to it.

Sora placed back his Link Monster into his Extra Deck as another enemy confronted him, thirsting for his blood. The Death-Toy user took out a lollipop and eat it, narrowing his eyes at his enemy.

"Maybe the next Duel will help me figure this out."

Near the entrance of the temple, Gloria and Grace were greeted by two devotees; one man and one woman, standing protectively in front of the entrance. The two sisters secretly glanced at the first group that consisted of Yuya, Reiji, Yukiya, Serena, and Dennis hiding on the side, waiting for the opportunity to enter the temple.

"Since there are the four of us, let's do a Tag Duel, shall we? It's our specialty anyway." Gloria proposed to the two devotees, making sure their attentions were directed to her.

"Fine by us. Tag Duel is our specialty too." The male devotee stated.

"Then let's use this opportunity to figure out who is the stronger duo." Grace dared the two devotees as she and her sister activated their Duel Disks. Following the activation of their Duel Disks, they also activated the Action Field.

{FIELD SPELL: CALM MEADOW}

The four Tag Duelists were trapped inside the dome. Their surrounding changed into that of a plain meadow in the evening. Action Cards were scattered above or beneath hidden by the grass. The two devotees activated their Duel Disks in respond, beginning the Duel.

[TAG DUEL!]

"I'll take the first Turn! From my hand, I summon Phantom Butterfly Assassin Swallowtail (ATK: 1800 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4)!" The female devotee summoned Swallowtail in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"When I Normal Summoned a Warrior-Type Monster, I can Special Summon Phantom Butterfly Assassin Ulysses (ATK: 0 / DEF: 1700 / LV: 4)!" She summoned Ulyssess in Attack Position beside Swallowtail.

"I overlay Swallowtail and Ulysses! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Photon Butterfly Assassin (ATK: 2100 / DEF: 1800 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 2)!" She summoned Butterfly Assassin in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"I set 2 cards and end my Turn!" She finished the first Turn.

"My turn! When there are Amazoness cards in my hand, I can Special Summon Amazoness Spy (ATK: 800 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 3)!" Gloria summoned Amazoness Spy in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"Then, I summon Amazoness Trainee (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1300 / LV: 4)!" Gloria summoned Amazoness Trainee in Attack Position beside Amazoness Spy.

"Now it's time to put this new Summoning into use in real battle! Appear! The Circuit of the amazons!" Gloria opened the Link Summoning Circuit above her.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is two Amazoness monsters! I set Amazoness Spy and Amazoness Trainee on the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" Gloria set Spy on the Right-Arrow and Trainee on the Borrom-Right Arrow.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Amazoness Smyrna (ATK: 2000 / LINK: 2 / LM: Right, Bottom-Right)!" Gloria summoned Smyrna in Attack Position in the Link Zone.

"I activate Amazoness Smyrna's effect! Once during either player's Turn I can banish an Amazoness monster in my Graveyard to add its ATK to Smyrna and until the end of this Turn Amazoness monsters cannot be destroyed!" Gloria increased Smyrna's ATK to 2800.

"Battle! I attack Photon Butterfly Assassin with Amazoness Smyrna!" Amazoness Smyrna whirled its chained blade before throwing it straight towards the Xyz Monster. The female devotee chose at that moment to activate her first Reverse Card.

"Trap Card: Cocoon Explosion! When a Butterfly Monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can increase its ATK by 1000! However, in exchange, at the End Phase, it loses 2000 ATK!" She raised Butterfly Assassin's ATK to 3100, overpowering Gloria's Smyrna.

"Due to Amazoness Smyrna's effect, it cannot be destroyed until the end of this Turn!" Gloria reminded as Smyrna's chain was deflected by Butterfly Assassin, reflecting the attack back to the Link Monster who managed to endure the pierce of its own chained blade.

TYLER SISTERS LP: 4000 = 3700

"And I also open Trap Card: Butterfly Berserker! When a Butterfly monster I control inflicts damage during opponent's Turn, that Butterfly monster can make an attack and the damage inflicted is doubled!" She revealed, prompting Butterfly Assassin to flew forward and strikes the Amazoness Link Monster, throwing back with a doubled force.

TYLER SISTERS LP: 3700 = 3100

"Not bad. I set a card and end my Turn." Gloria concluded, wiping the dust from her cheek.

"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Bouncer's Might! I can Special Summon Level 5 or higher Effect Monster from my hand!" The male devotee summoned Hammer-Rush Bouncer (ATK: 2300 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 6) in Attack Position in the Main Zone. Gloria chose that moment to activate her Reverse Card in retaliation of the previous Trap.

"Continuous Trap: Amazoness Fortress! When my opponent special summoned a monster, I can activate this card. Once per Turn, I can special summon Level 4 or lower Amazoness Monster from my hand and then inflict damage to my opponent equal to its ATK!" Gloria summoned Amazoness Fighting Warrior (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1300 / LV: 4) in Attack Position in the Main Zone and then inflicted 1500 damage to the two devotees.

APOPHIS DEVOTEES LP: 4000 = 2500

"I tribute Photon Butterfly Assassin to Advance Summon Phantom Bouncer (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 6)!" The male devotee continued, releasing his partner's Xyz Monster to summon Phantom Bouncer in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"I overlay Hammer-Rush Bouncer and Phantom Bouncer! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 6! Photon Streak Bouncer (ATK: 2700 / DEF: 2000 / RNK: 6 / ORU: 2)!" He summoned Streak Bouncer in Attack Position in the Main Zone, replacing the two Bouncer monsters.

"I activate Amazoness Smyrna's effect! I banish Amazoness Trainee to increase Amazoness Smyrna's ATK!" Gloria banished Trainee from the Graveyard, increasing Smyrna's ATK to 3500.

"I activate Photon Streak Bouncer's effect! When a monster effect is activated on my opponent's Field, I can detach an Overlay Unit to negate the effect and inflict 1000 damage to my opponent!" He detached an Overlay Unit, negating Smyrna's effect, which not only reverted its ATK back to 2000 but also inflicting 1000 damage to the sisters. The shockwave nearly caused the sisters to lose their footing.

TYLER SISTERS LP: 3700 = 2700

"Battle! I attack Amazoness Fighting Warrior with Photon Streak Bouncer!" The male devotee pointed at the weaker Amazoness monster. Streak Bouncer sent barrack of sonic fists against Fighting Warrior who had crossed its arms to block and endure the punches.

"I activate Amazoness Smyrna's effect! When this card points to a monster, all Amazoness Monsters I control cannot be destroyed by Battle!" Gloria stated as Fighting Warrior continued to endure and remain standing on the Field.

"I activate Photon Streak Bouncer's effect to negate and inflict 1000 damage to you!" He detached the last Overlay Unit, inflicting 1000 damage to the sisters while also allowing Streak Bouncer to strike through Fighting Warrior's abdomen, destroying it.

TYLER SISTERS LP: 2700 = 1700

Gloria smiled calmly. "Too bad, but we take no battle damage from attacks involving Amazoness Fighting Warrior." She revealed. They still received damage from Streak Bouncer's effect, but they were saved from the finishing blow through the battle.

"I end my Turn." He concluded.

"My Turn! I summon Amazoness Blowgun Soldier (ATK: 800 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 3)!" Grace summoned Blowgun Soldier in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"When an Amazoness Monster is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger (ATK: 500 / DEF: 500 / LV: 2)!" Grace summoned Pet Baby Tiger in Attack Position in the Main Zone beside Blowgun Soldier.

"You made a huge mistake by not targeting Amazoness Smyrna." Grace told the male devotee.

"What?" He said in question.

"Now it's my Turn to summon my Link Monster! Appear! Circuit of the amazons!" Grace opened the Link Summoning Circuit which was similar to her sisters'.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is at least 2 Amazoness Monsters! I set Amazoness Smyrna, Amazoness Blowgun Soldier, and Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger on the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" She set Smyrna on the Left-Arrow, Blowgun Soldier on the Top-Arrow, and Pet Baby Tiget on the Bottom and Right-Arrows.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 4! Amazoness Pantariste (ATK: 3000 / LINK: 4 / LM: Left, Top, Bottom, Right)!" Grace summoned Pantariste in Attack Position in the Link Zone replacing Smyrna.

"I activate Amazoness Pantariste's effect! When this card is summoned using an Amazoness Link Monster as material, it gains that monster's ATK!" Grace added Smyrna's 2000 ATK, increasing Pantarise's ATK to 5000.

"I won't let you have your next Turn! I activate Amazoness Fortress' effect! I can special summon Level 4 or lower Amazoness Monster from my hand and inflict damage to my opponent equal to its ATK!" Grace summoned another copy of Amazoness Spy in Attack Position on the Main Zone, inflicting 800 damage to the devotees.

APOPHIS DEVOTEES LP: 2500 = 1700

"This is the end for the both of you! Battle! I attack Photon Streak Bouncer with Amazoness Pantarise!" Grace declared attack. Pantarise first threw its shield like a boomerang, striking the Xyz Monster on the front and its back. The Link Monster then leaped forward, delivering the finishing blow with a single stab on the Xyz Monster's chest, right at where the hear normally was, creating enough explosion to blew away and knock out the two devotees.

APOPHIS DEVOTEES LP: 1700 = 0

"Fufufufu, these Link Monsters are great, aren't they, Sis?" Grace squealed as she gave her Link card a peck, adoring it.

"You're right. Our Decks are stronger than before after we added them." Gloria agreed while looking at her Deck. Learning other Summoning Methods was not a bad idea after all.

The two sisters turned to the spot where Yuya and the others were last seen. They were not there anymore, meaning they have entered the temple. Good. Now all they need to do was to do a cleanup. Gloria and Grace turned to the remaining devotees who were going to intrude Kiryu's Duel. That won't happen.

"Now then, let's play with our next prey." Grace stated.

Across the sisters, Kachidoki and Battle Beast activated the Action Field, trapping themselves and their two opponents, two male devotees, inside a dome. Their surroundings changed into a middle of a wood with Action Cards scattered around the Field.

"BB, I know it's late asking this, but are you sure you're okay participating in this war?" Kachidoki asked. They have been hanging around together, almost inseparable, ever since the last war, so he thought that Battle Beast went with him because he felt indebted. But with Sanders' appearance, Kachidoki wasn't sure it would be good for Battle Beast to join.

"Yeah. I have to settle things with Sanders. I don't want to run away anymore. I will severe our ties for good this time." Battle Beast answered determinedly. In order for him be completely freed, he must face and defeat Sanders himself.

"Is this the time to talk amongst yourselves? Let's get this over with!" The devotee yelled as he and his partner activated their Duel Disks.

{FIELD SPELL: WILD WOOD}

[TAG DUEL!]

"I'm going first! I summon Gladial Beast Laqueri (ATK: 1800 / DEF: 400 / LV: 4) from my hand!" Battle Beast summoned Laqueri in Atttack Position in the Main Zone. He jumped to a tree, picking the Action Card at the edge of a branch.

"I set three cards facedown and end my turn!" Battle Beast concluded.

"My Turn! When I control no monster while my opponent does, I can special summon Frozen Knight (ATK: 1300 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4)!" The first devotee summoned Frozen Knight in Attack Position in the Main Zone. Meanwhile, Kachidoki snatched this Turn's Action Card.

"When Frozen Knight is special summoned through its effect, I can special summon a Water-Type Monster from my hand!" He summoned Ice Knight (ATK: 1300 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4) in Attack Position in the Main Zone beside Frozen Knight.

"Ice Knight gains 400 ATK for each Water-Type Monster on the Field!" He increased Ice Knight's ATK to 2100.

"I release Frozen Knight to Advance Summon Mobius the Ice Monarch (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 6)!" He summoned Mobius in Attack Position beside Frozen Knight in the Main Zone, replacing Frozen Knight.

"When Mobius is Advance Summoned, I can target 2 Spell or Trap Cards on the Field and destroy it!" He pointed at Battle Beast's three facedown cards. He destroyed the one on the left and the center, leaving Battle Beast with only one left.

"Battle! I attack Gladial Beast Lagueri with Mobius!" The devotee declared attack. Mobius unleashed storm of ice, slowly freezing Laqueri's body.

"Continuous Trap: Medallion of Gladial Beast! Gladial Beast Monster cannot be destroyed, but in exchange, the damage is doubled!" Battle Beast opened his Reverse Card, preventing Laqueri from being destroyed but in exchange he and Kachidoki received stronger damage. The ice freezing Laqueri's feet broke as Laqueri forcefully moved its feet.

KACHIDOKI & BB LP: 4000 = 2800

"As Laquari battled, I activate its effect, returning it to the Deck to Special Summon a Gladial Beast monster with a different name from my Deck!" Battle Beast Special Summoned Gladiator Beast Secutor (ATK: 400 / DEF: 300 / LV: 4) in Defense Position in the Main Zone.

"Next I attack Gladial Beast Secutor with Ice Knight!" The devotee continued his second attack. Ice Knight repeatedly thrust its swords against Secutor.

"Action Magic: Attack Force! When a monster I control battles an opponent's monster with higher ATK, my monster gains 600 ATK during damage calculation!" Battle Beast activated his Action Card, increasing Secutor's ATK to 1000, lessening the damage that he and Kachidoki would have taken.

KACHIDOKI LP & BB LP: 2800 = 600

"As Secutor battled, I activate its effect to Special Summon two Gladial Beast monsters from my Deck, except Secutor!" Battle Beast Special Summoned Gladial Beast Augustus (ATK: 2600 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 8) and Gladial Beast Murmillo (ATK: 800 / DEF: 400 / LV: 3) in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"As Agustus was Special Summoned by the effect of a Gladial Beast monster, I activate its effect, letting me Special Summon a Gladial Beast monster from my hand in Defense Position, but it will be returned to the Deck at the End Phase!" Battle Beast Special Summoned another copy of Murmillo in Defense Position in the Main Zone.

"As both copies of Murmillo were Special Summoned by the effects of Gladial Beast monsters, their effects activate, allowing me to destroy a face-up monster on the field!" Battle Beast used his two Murmillo's effects to destroy both Mobius and Ice Knight, leaving the devotees without any monster on their Field.

"I set a card and end my Turn." The devotee clicked his tongue as he reluctantly ended his Turn.

"My Turn! When I control a WIND Monster, I can special summon Kazane the Wind Soaring Star (ATK: 2000 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 5)!" Kachidoki summoned Kazane in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"Appear! The Circuit of the stars!" Kachidoki opened the Link Summoning Circuit.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is 1 WIND Monster! I set Kazane the Wind Soaring Star, Gladial Beast Secutor, and Gladial Beast Murmillo on the Link Markers! Circuit combined!" Kachidoki set Kazane on the Bottom-Right Arrow, Secutor on the Left Arrow, and Murmillo on the Top Arrow.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Vayu the Storm Conqueror Star (ATK: 2300 / LINK: 3 / LM: Bottom-Right, Left, Top)!" Kachidoki summoned Vayu in Attack Position in the Link Zone.

"I activate Vayu's effect! Once per Turn, I can recover LP equal to the ATK of a monster pointed by its Link Arrow!" Kachidoki revealed. As Vayu's bottom-right arrow pointed to Battle Beast's Augustus, Kachidoki and Battle Beast acquired LP equal to its ATK.

KACHIDOKI & BB LP: 600 = 3200

"Battle! I attack directly with Vayu the Storm Conqueror Star!" Kachidoki declared attack, pointing at the two defenseless devotees. Vayu twirled its spear, creating a twister that blew away the devotees to the trees and bushes.

APOPHIS DEVOTEES LP: 4000 = 1700

"I set a card and end my Turn." Kachidoki concluded.

"My Turn! When I control no monster while my opponent does, I can special summon Lightning Knight (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1300 / LV: 4)!" The devotee summoned Lightning Knight in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"I tribute Lightning Knight to Advance Summon Zaborg the Thunder Monarch (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 5)!" He summoned Zaborg in Attack Position in the Main Zone replacing Lightning Knight.

"I activate Zaborg's effect! When this card is Advance Summoned, I can destroy 1 monster on the Field!" He chose Battle Beast's Augustus, destroying the Gladial Beast Monster. As there were no longer any Gladial Beast Monster, Medallion of Gladial Beast was destroyed and Kachidoki and Battle Beast can't recover their LP anymore through Vayu's effect.

"I activate Magic Card: Energy Drain! I select 1 face-up monster my opponent controls to reduce its ATK to 0 and then draw 1 card!" The devotee targeted Kachidoki's Vayu, reducing its ATK to 0 and then drew a single card.

"Battle! I attack Vayu with Zaborg!" He declared attack. Zaborg sent a lightning strike towards the Link Monster, electrocuting Vayu until it exploded. Some of the lightning sparks also hit Kachidoki and Battle Beast, paralyzing them for a moment.

KACHIDOKI & BB LP: 3200 = 800

"Not yet! I activate Quick-Play Spell: Thunderous Strike! When a Thunder-Type Monster I control inflicted damage, I can make a second attack!" The devotee continued, attacking for the second time. Zaborg was ready with unleashing another lightning strike.

"Action Magic: Evasion! I negate the attack!" Kachidoki activated his Action Card. However, the other devotee has picked the Action Card this Turn and activated it.

"Action Magic: No Action! I negate the activation of Action Card!" The partner declared, negating Kachidoki's Evasion.

Just as the lightning has been charged and ready to strike, Battle Beast activated his second Action Card.

"Action Magic: Encore! I activate the Action Card in my Graveyard!" Battle Beast activated Kachidoki's Evasion, allowing him and Kachidoki to avoid the lightning strike by jumping to the opposite side.

"I end my Turn." The devotee concluded.

"I leave this to you, BB. Finish them this Turn." Kachidoki told his partner who only nodded in return.

"My Turn! From my hand, I summon Gladial Beast Bestrouli (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 800 / LV: 4)!" Battle Beast summoned Bestrouli in Attack Position in the Main Zone.

"I activate Magic Card: Resurrection of the Dead! I special summon a monster from my Graveyard!" Battle Beast summoned Augustus in Attack Position in the Main Zone from the Graveyard.

"Appear! Circuit of the gladiators!" Battle Beast opened the Link Summoning Circuit.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is two Gladial Beast Monsters! I set Gladial Beast Bestrouli and Gladial Beast Augustus on the Link Markers! Circuit Combined!" Battle Beast set Bestrouli on the Bottom-Left arrow and Augustus on the Bottom-Right arrow.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Gladial Beast Dragacius (ATK: 2000 / LINK: 2 / LM: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right)!" Battle Beast summoned Bestrouli in Attack Position in the Link Zone.

Battle Beast jumped from one tree to another, until he snatched the Action Card this Turn. Seeing the card, he immediately activated it.

"Action Magic: Bi-Attack! I double Dragacius' ATK!" Battle Beast doubled Dragacius' ATK to 4000, overpowering the devotee's Zaborg.

"Battle! I attack Zaborg the Thunder Monarch with Dragacius!" Battle Beast declared attack. Dragacius howled before, flying up before dashing down towards the Lightning Monster.

"Not going to happen! Trap Card: Freezing Curse! When a monster I control is targeted for attack while I have WATER Monster in my Graveyard, I can reduce the opposing monster's ATK to 0!" The first devotee activated his Reverse Card, creating pillars of ice from the ground that going up to pierce the Gladial Beast Monster.

"Dragacius' effect! If Gladial Beast Monster attacks, it cannot be destroyed by that Battle and my opponent's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step!" Battle Beast revealed. Dragacius break through the ice pillar, continuing its descend against Zaborg with increased speed.

"What?!" The devotees exclaimed in shock as the Link Monster was closing in.

"That's not all! I activate Trap Card: Warrior's Blood! When a monster I control battles, I can discard a Warrior-Type Monster from my hand to add its ATK to that monster until the end of Battle Phase!" Kachidoki opened his Reverse card, discarding Yama the Punisher Star from his hand to increase Dragacius' ATK to 7500.

Dragacius grasped Zaborg by its head and crushed its entire body to the ground, creating cracks and shook the ground like an earthquake has happened. The impact of the fall blew away the devotees just as their monster was destroyed.

APOPHIS DEVOTEES LP: 1700 = 0

Kachidoki and Battle Beast took a deep breath and then let it out in relieved. They looked at their surroundings. Most of the enemies guarding the entrance have been defeated. Group 1 was nowhere to be seen. They must have succeeded in getting into the temple without notice.

"The next one is coming, BB." Kachidoki said, narrowing his eyes at a devotee who was fiddling his Duel Disk. He was calling for reinforcement.

"I know. I'm ready. All of us are." Battle Beast stated.

SECOND FLOOR – TEMPLE OF CALAMITY – FOREST – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION

"The battle has started outside."

Tsukasa stated as he and the others made a brief stop. His hand was still holding Yuri's arm to stop him from making any ruckus, though he doubted the boy could do that. Achille was only looking absentmindedly downstairs where the sound came from. Geist whistled while rubbing his chin. Yuri and Celica tried their best not to show any reaction.

"Aren't you happy that your friends have come all the way here to save you." Geist turned to Yuri and Celica standing behind between the two of them with his hands on their shoulders. If their hands were free, Yuri and Celica would have slug him.

"Unfortunately, the both of you won't get the chance to see them for the last time. As long as we're here, we won't let them reach to either of you." Geist whispered to the two, tightening his grip on Celica and separated her from Yuri.

"Keep an eye on her here. His Excellency has asked for him first. We need a strong Duel Monster." Tsukasa told Geist and Achille who now were holding Celica between them.

Celica made an eye contact with Yuri. Their stern gazes said everything. They mustn't make a scene. It wasn't like they could escape anyway.

"That's your plan? You're going to turn me into Duel Monster?" Yuri questioned Tsukasa as they walked upstairs.

"But of course. At the moment, the fastest way for His Excellency to regain his power at least until we get the dragons, is by feeding off energies from a strong Duel Monster. You are unfortunately the best candidate we have. Just accept your fate to become His Excellency's new Duel Monster servant." Tsukasa told Yuri, emphasizing what he meant by tightening his grip on Yuri's arm, strong enough to make Yuri wince and close one eye from the pain.

Celica looked at Yuri's back with worry that she tried to conceal from her two captors. She clenched her fists behind her as her worry grew. She gazed her surroundings, trying to find the familiar small Duel Monster that she and Yuri have tasked to help them.

"Please hurry, Winged Kuriboh!"


NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:

Familiar Irises – Yuya, Yukiya, Reiji, Serena, and Dennis managed to enter the temple, but got caught in Achille's trap. Dennis, however, avoids it at the last second. To free the others, Dennis challenge Achille to a Duel. Sensing something wrong, Sara decided to send one of her comrades to assist the Lancers at the temple.


Yugo, Rin, and Kiryu already have enough duels before, so this chapter is dedicated for the Lancers who had only dueled once when they were still back at ARC-V. I hope you like their Link Monsters! And I know some of you dislike Action Cards, but in my opinion, Action Duel is still an important element of ARC-V so I can't just ignore it. The next chapter will feature Dennis vs. Achille, and the appearance of one of the people in blue robes! Stay tune if you want to know!

Sorry that there are no descriptions for Smyrna, Pantariste, and Vayu. I'm having difficulty describing their designs, so please wait patiently along with the Fanfic Original Card Memo.

Please don't forget to review this chapter!