Greetings, community! Dvdryms here with chapter 52. First, in response to your questions.

—To Guest (1): Thanks for pointing out the error in chapter 46.

—To Guest (2): Yes, all the Planet Series cards, including The Supremacy Nova, were locked away for good.

And now, on with the story!


Chapter 52 – Judgment from the Dark

The sound of footsteps echoed across the wide corridors as Yuya run forward with all his might, following after the Academia student that had offered to guide him after the Survival Duel against Battle Beast and Sanders. Although they had been running for quite some time, the Doktor's lab was nowhere to be seen yet.

"This fortress is certainly very large…" Yuya muttered. "I just hope Yuzu and the others are alright. If this Doktor and the Professor have done anything to them, I swear I'll…"

"I understand how you feel, but now is not the time for anger." Yuto, who appeared next to Yuya, advised him. "We need to keep a clear head for the battles ahead. Speaking of which…it's somewhat strange that we haven't run into any enemy Duelists so far. It's almost as if…"

"As if we're being led into some sort of trap, huh?" Yuya narrowed his eyes and called out at the Academia student in front of him. "Hey, you! Are we getting closer to the Doktor's lab?"

The student running in front of Yuya didn't answer, coming to an abrupt stop. Yuya stopped as well, feeling that something was amiss. Then, the student collapsed abruptly, startling both Yuya and Yuto.

"Oi, what's wrong!?" Yuya rushed to the unconscious boy. "Are you alright!?"

"There's nothing to worry about. This puppet's strings have merely being cut."

Yuya tensed upon hearing this eerily familiar voice coming from behind him. Slowly turning his head around, Yuya came face-to-face with an imposing, muscular man clad in a full-body riding suit with green and purple parts, who was letting out a wide, crazed smile.

"You are… the Duelist Crusher, Sergey Volkov!" Yuya exclaimed as he shot upwards, glaring daggers at the man. "What's Roget's attack dog doing here!? You were supposed to be destroyed after your Duel with Jack!"

"It was a close call for sure." Sergey responded with a wild grin. "However, some agents from Academia that had remained in Synchro picked me up before retreating and brought me here. Thanks to the good Doktor's assistance, I was brought back to full working order. No, I'm even better and stronger than before. While I was looking forward to crushing Jack Atlas first, my new boss's orders were quite clear; you're of a much higher priority, so I'll be destroying you first. Either way, I was itching for a fight, so my opponent doesn't really matter much in this stage."

"We've been had…" Yuya spoke through gritted teeth. "That student was probably mind-controlled by the Doktor and led us astray. Damn…"

"Oh no, you're actually pretty close to the Doktor's lab." Sergey said as he activated his Duel Disk. "However, I'm afraid your journey ends here, Sakaki Yuya. You shall be the first victim of this revived and improved me!"

"I don't think so!" Yuya declared as he activated his Duel Disk as well. "You're the sadistic bastard who hurt Gongenzaka…and Yuzu as well! You're the one person I cannot forgive, the one person I will absolutely defeat no matter what! Let's do this, Duelist Crusher! Action Field, on!"

[Field Spell, Cross Over, activated.]

Following that announcement from the mechanical voice coming from Yuya's Duel Disk, the glowing platforms comprising the rudimentary Action Field appeared around the area.

[Duel!]

Both Duelists shouted together as the Action Cards spread in every direction of the corridor.

Yuya – LP: 4000

Sergey – LP: 4000

"I'll take the first turn!" Sergey announced. "I activate the Field Spell Card Earthbound Pit. Then, I summon Earthbound Prisoner Savage Warden (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1800/LV: 4)!"

A black-colored winged Monster with red lines running through its body, blue flames dancing at the tip of its wings and a shackle around its throat appeared on Sergey's field.

"Savage Warden's effect activates." Sergey continued. "When this card is Normal Summoned while there is a Field Spell Card on my field, I can Special Summon an "Earthbound Prisoner" Tuner Monster from my Deck. Come, Earthbound Prisoner Bound Convict (Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 400/DEF: 700/LV: 3)!"

A black-colored lizard with green lines running through its body and shackles binding its legs appeared on Sergey's field.

"I tune the Level 4 Savage Warden with the Level 3 Bound Convict!" As Savage Warden turned into four stars and Bound Convict turned into three rings surrounding them, Sergey chanted. "Demon of the evil eye! Rise from the depths of the earth and gaze upon the world's end! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 7! Earthbound Servant Geo Balor (Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2400/DEF: 2200/LV: 7)!"

A towering, black-colored giant with a single eye embedded on its forehead and violet lines running through its body appeared on Sergey's field.

"At this moment, Earthbound Pit's effect activates." Sergey declared. "When I perform a Synchro Summon of an "Earthbound Servant" Monster, I can use the materials that were utilized for that Monster's summon in order to perform a Fusion Summon as well and vice versa. As such, I will fuse Bound Convict and Savage Warden!"

As the ghostly images of his two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Sergey chanted once again.

"He who is bound by chains! He who rules over the barren earth! Become one together and transformed into the multi-headed beast of judgment! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 7! Earthbound Servant Geo Scylla (Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2400/DEF: 2600/LV: 7)!"

A black, multi-headed Monster with blue lines running through its body appeared on Sergey's field.

"Using the same Monsters for both Synchro and Fusion Summoning…" Yuya muttered. "I guess his hybrid tactics haven't changed on that regard…"

"I activate Geo Scylla's effect!" Sergey exclaimed. "Once per turn, I can inflict 400 points of damage to you for every "Earthbound" Monster on my field! And thanks to Geo Balor's effect, whenever my opponent receives damage either from battle or from the effect of an "Earthbound" Monster, that damage is doubled! I control two Monsters, meaning you'll receive 1600 points of damage!"

Following Sergey's words, Geo Scylla opened its mouths, unleashing a stream of flames that enveloped Yuya and caused him to scream in pain as he fell to his knees.

Yuya – LP: 4000→2400

"Yuya!" Yuto shouted. "Are you alright!?"

"I'm fine…" Yuya said as he slowly stood up. "This much…is nothing…"

"What a magnificent expression of pain." Sergey let out a malicious smile. "And we're just getting started. Let me savor your agony and suffering to the fullest! I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Yuya announced. "Draw! Using the Scale 2 Entermate Drumming Kong (ATK: 1600/DEF: 900/LV: 5/SC: 2) and the Scale 8 Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Pendulum/ATK: 2700/DEF: 2000/LV: 7/SC: 8), I Set the Pendulum Scale!"

Two columns of light appeared on Yuya's sides, with his two Monsters rising to their top.

"Now I can simultaneously summon Monsters with Levels 3 through 7!" Yuya declared. "Swing, Pendulum of my soul! Draw an arc of light across the ether! Pendulum Summon! Appear, Entermate Whim Witch (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 800/DEF: 800/LV: 3/SC: 4), Timesword Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1400/DEF: 0/LV: 3/SC: 2) and the wondrous dragon with dual-colored eyes, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7/SC: 4)!"

Three beams of light erupted from the Pendulum portal, solidifying into Monsters upon landing on the field.

"Next, I summon Entermate Odd-Eyes Synchron (ATK: 200/DEF: 600/LV: 2/SC: 6)." Yuya said as Odd-Eyes Synchron appeared on the field next to his other Monsters. "Then, I tune the Level 3 Whim Witch and Level 3 Timesword Magician with the Level 2 Odd-Eyes Synchron!"

As Whim Witch and Timesword Magician turned into three stars each and Odd-Eyes Synchron turned into two rings surrounding them, Yuya chanted.

"Hero's blade that sets forth unyielding light! Awaken here and now along with a flash! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! Magical Swordsman of Awakening, Enlightenment Paladin (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 8)!"

The spellcaster clad in white robes and armor, which held two large blades on its hands, appeared on Yuya's field.

"Battle!" Yuya exclaimed. "Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, destroy Geo Scylla! At this moment, I activate Drumming Kong's effect, which allows me to increase Odd-Eyes' attack by 600 until the Battle Phase's end (Odd-Eyes ATK: 2500→3100)! Do it, Odd-Eyes! Spiral Strike Burst!"

"I activate my Trap Card, Earthbound Howl!" Sergey shouted. "Through its effect, I can reduce an instance of battle damage I receive from a battle involving an "Earthbound" Monster to 0!"

Following Sergey's words, Odd-Eyes opened its maw wide, unleashing a crimson-colored blast that drilled through Geo Scylla's heads and destroyed it.

"Tch, so you dodged that…" Yuya clicked his tongue in irritation. "Then, how about this!? Enlightenment Paladin, destroy Geo Balor! Idea Liberation!"

Enlightenment Paladin charged forward while brandishing its blades, slashing at Geo Balor and destroying it, with Sergey bring sent skidding backwards due to the ensuing shockwave.

Sergey – LP: 4000→3900

"At this moment, Enlightenment Paladin's effect activates!" Yuya declared. "Since it destroyed an opponent's Monster, I can inflict damage to you equal to that Monster's attack! Take this!"

Enlightenment Paladin crossed its swords before it, unleashing a wave of energy that struck Sergey and caused him to grunt in pain.

Sergey – LP: 3900→1500

"Good…" Sergey let out a beatific smile. "That's very good, Sakaki Yuya! Not only are you able to receive pain, but also inflict it with surprising ferocity! This Duel is shaping up to be a spectacular one! Now, let's hurry up and destroy each other even more! This is art at its finest, the ultimate expression of beauty!"

"You disgusting freak…" Yuya spat out with undisguised hatred. "To think that you're actually enjoying this, it only makes me want to put an end to you even more… In any case, with the Battle Phase's end, Odd-Eyes' attack returns to normal (Odd-Eyes ATK: 3100→2500). I end my turn with that."

"At this moment, Earthbound Pit's second effect activates." Sergey announced. "If "Earthbound" Monsters on my field were destroyed during this turn, I can draw one card from my Deck for every destroyed Monster, in this case two. Now, it's my turn! Draw! Since there is a Field Spell Card on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand! Come, Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1600/LV: 5)!"

A Monster resembling a black-colored fish with blue lines running through its body and a shackle around its tail appeared on Sergey's field.

"Next, I summon the Tuner Monster Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper (Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 300/DEF: 300/LV: 1)!"

A black-colored humanoid Monster with purple lines running through its body, whose bottom half resembled a chariot, appeared on Sergey's field.

"I tune the Level 5 Stone Sweeper with the Level 1 Ground Keeper!" As Stone Sweeper turned into five stars and Ground Keeper turned into a single ring surrounding them, Sergey chanted. "Spirit bound to the earth! Shake all of creation with your mystic power! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 6! Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin (Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1000/LV: 6)!"

A demonic-looking Monster with blue lines running through its body and shackles binding it appeared on Sergey's field.

"I activate Earthbound Pit's effect, which allows me to perform a Fusion Summon as well by using Stone Sweeper and Ground Keeper as materials!" As the ghostly forms of his two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Sergey chanted. "He who is bound by stone! Become one with he who is bound by the earth and grasp the land! Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 6! Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina (Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1000/LV: 6)!"

A demonic-looking four-legged Monster with yellow lines running through its body and several shackles binding its body appeared on Sergey's field.

"I target your Enlightenment Paladin in order to activate Geo Gremlin's effect." Sergey declared. "Since there is a card on my Field Spell Zone and this card was Special Summoned during this turn, you can either destroy the targeted Monster, forcing me to skip my Battle Phase, or not destroy it, in which case I'll gain Life Points equal to its attack. Now, what will your choice be?"

"Do you really think I'll fall for such an obvious ploy?" Yuya snorted. "Geo Gremlina's effect allows you to destroy all Monsters you control and inflict damage to me equal to their total attack if a Monster on my field is destroyed by a card effect. As such, I choose not to destroy Enlightenment Paladin and have you recover Life Points."

Following Yuya's words, Sergey was surrounded by a bluish aura as Geo Gremlin pointed at him.

Sergey – LP: 1500→4000

"Good choice." Sergey smirked. "After all, it would have been dull if the Duel ended so easily. Moving on, I activate the Spell Card Earthbound Mark, which increases the attack of all "Earthbound" Monsters I control by 800 (Geo Gremlin ATK: 2000→2800, Geo Gremlina ATK: 2000→2800). In addition, for the duration of this turn, the attack of my opponent's Monsters cannot be modified, meaning you cannot use Drumming Kong's effect. Now, let's battle! Geo Gremlin, destroy Enlightenment Paladin!"

Geo Gremlin struck Enlightenment Paladin with a mighty blow, destroying it and causing Yuya to wince due to the ensuing shockwave.

Yuya – LP: 2400→2100

"And we're not done yet!" Sergey exclaimed. "Go, Geo Gremlina! Destroy Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

Two beams of energy erupted from Geo Gremlina's eyes, destroying Yuya's dragon and sending him tumbling backwards.

Yuya – LP: 2100→1800

"However, since an "Odd-Eyes" Monster on my field was destroyed, Arc Pendulum Dragon's effect activates!" Yuya declared. "Thanks to it, I can Special Summon an "Odd-Eyes" Monster from my hand, Deck or Graveyard! I choose to Special Summon a Monster from my Deck! Come forth, dazzling light of salvation that shines in the darkness of despair! Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon (Light/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"

An armored Odd-Eyes with several blades extending from its back appeared on Yuya's field.

"How interesting." Sergey chuckled. "I look forward to see how you'll entertain me during your turn. I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Yuya announced. "Draw! First, using my already Set Pendulum Scale, I will Pendulum Summon once again! Revive from my Extra Deck, Timesword Magician, Whim Witch and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

Three beams of light erupted from the Pendulum portal, solidifying into the forms of Monsters upon landing on the field.

"Battle!" Yuya exclaimed. "Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon, attack Geo Gremlina! At this moment, I activate Drumming Kong's Pendulum Effect, increasing Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon's attack by 600 (Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon ATK: 2800→3400)! Do it, Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon! Spiral Saber Break!"

The swords extending from Odd-Eyes' back lit up, unleashing crescent-shaped waves of energy that pierced through Geo Gremlina's body and destroyed it, with the ensuing explosion sending Sergey skidding backwards.

Sergey – LP: 4000→3400

"Since it destroyed a Monster as a result of battle, Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon's effect activates!" Yuya declared. "Through it, I can destroy a Monster on your field! Of course, I will get rid of Geo Gremlin!"

Following Yuya's words, Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon unleashed a multi-colored blast from its maw, vaporizing Geo Gremlin with ease.

"Now you're wide open!" Yuya shouted. "Go, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Attack him directly!"

"Not yet!" Sergey bellowed. "I activate my Trap Card, Earthbound Crack! Thanks to its effect, when an opponent's Monster declares a direct attack while an "Earthbound" Monster on my field has been destroyed during that turn, I can negate that attack and prevent my opponent's Monsters from declaring direct attacks for this turn! That means your attacks are now sealed!"

"In that case, I'll use this!" Yuya responded. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Burning Gaze! Thanks to its effect, if the attack of an "Odd-Eyes" Monster on my field was negated, I can revive an opponent's Monster that was destroyed during this turn from their Graveyard on their field and have my Monster battle it! I will revive Geo Gremlina!"

A portal appeared on Sergey's field with Geo Gremlina emerging from it.

"Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, destroy Geo Gremlina once again!" Yuya stated as Odd-Eyes unleashed a crimson-colored stream of energy from its maw. "And thanks to its effect, when Odd-Eyes battles a Level 5 or higher Monster, the battle damage from that battle is doubled! Reaction Force!"

The stream of energy doubled in volume and intensity as it struck Geo Gremlina head-on, destroying it and generating a large explosion that engulfed Sergey.

Sergey – LP: 3400→2400

"Ahahahahaha!" Sergey's maniacal laughter suddenly echoed across the chamber. "Yes, that's what I'm talking about, Sakaki Yuya! Rage even more, become even more violent! Just like me, your true nature is that of a destroyer! Don't even try to pretend otherwise and enjoy this beautiful battle to the death alongside me!"

"I don't give a damn what you think about me or your twisted sense of pleasure." Yuya growled as his pupils briefly shone. "However, if you crave destruction that much, then I'll destroy you to the point where you won't be able to come back ever again!"

"Calm down, Yuya!" Yuto advised him with an urgent tone. "What's wrong with you? This isn't how you usually Duel. You really look ready to tear that guy to pieces."

"I told you, Yuto." Yuya said. "That guy is someone I absolutely cannot forgive for what he did to my friends. He'll pay for that, one way or another. Now shut up and let me fight! I don't have time for a lecture!"

"Yuya…" Yuto muttered in shock. "Has that Sergey fellow affected you that much? Or maybe…?

"Due to Burning Gaze's second effect, I can draw a card from my Deck since my opponent's Monster was successfully destroyed." Yuya continued without paying heed to Yuto's words. "Next, I activate the Spell Card Pendulum Trade-Off, whose effect allows me to send any number of Pendulum Monsters from my Monster Zone to the Graveyard in order to draw an equal number of cards from my Deck. I will send Whim Witch and Timesword Magician to the Graveyard in order to draw two cards from my Deck. Finally, I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"At this moment, Earthbound Pit's effect activates, allowing me to draw two cards from my Deck since two "Earthbound" Monsters were destroyed." Sergey stated. "Now, it's my turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card Earthbound Parole, which allows me to Special Summon an "Earthbound" Monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated if I have a Field Spell Card active. Revive, Stone Sweeper!"

A portal appeared on the ground, out of which emerged Stone Sweeper and landed on Sergey's field.

"Next, I summon the Tuner Monster Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker (Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 800/DEF: 1100/LV: 3)!"

A black-colored humanoid Monster with orange lines running through its body and shackles binding its arms appeared on Sergey's field.

"Another Tuner Monster…" Yuya murmured. "And of course, what follows next is…"

"I tune the Level 5 Stone Sweeper with the Level 3 Line Walker!" As Stone Sweeper turned into five stars and Line Walker turned into three rings surrounding them, Sergey chanted. "Raging spirit bound by the earth! Spread the wings of calamity and usher in eternal damnation! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 8! Earthbound Servant Geo Simurgh (Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2500/LV: 8)!"

A large, black-colored falcon with a peacock's tail, which had white lines engraved on its body and shackles binding its neck and legs, appeared on Sergey's field.

"Through Earthbound Pit's effect, I will use Stone Sweeper and Line Walker as materials for a Fusion Summon as well!" As the ghostly images of his two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Sergey chanted once again. "Prisoner that crawls across the earth! Become one with the prisoner that walks the path of execution and drag everything into the depths of darkness! Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Earthbound Servant Geo Coinchenn (Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2900/DEF: 1500/LV: 8)!"

A large, dark-colored creature resembling a monstrous whale with several spear-like protrusions extending from its head and indigo lines engraved on its body appeared on Sergey's field.

"I activate Geo Simurgh's effect." Sergey declared. "Once per turn, I can banish a number of Spell and Trap Cards from my opponent's field equal to the number of "Earthbound" Monsters I control. Moreover, cards and effects cannot be activated in response to this effect. I will banish your face-down card and Drumming Kong."

Following Sergey's words, Geo Simurgh flapped its wings, generating a blast of wind that destroyed both of Yuya's cards.

"Battle!" Sergey exclaimed. "Geo Coinchenn, destroy Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon!"

"I won't let you!" Yuya shouted as he activated his rollerblades, dashing forward and grabbing an Action Card embedded on a nearby pillar. "Alright, that's a good catch! I activate—"

"Too bad, Sakaki Yuya!" Sergey shouted. "Due to Earthbound Pit's final effect, when a player adds an Action Card to their hand, that card is immediately destroyed! As such, you cannot interrupt or defend against my attack with them!"

"What!?" Yuya cried out in shock. "That Field Spell Card can also counter Action Cards!?"

Following Yuya's words, Geo Coinchenn opened its mouth wide and swallowed Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon, shredding it to pieces with its numerous sharp teeth.

Yuya – LP: 1800→1700

"At this moment, Geo Coinchenn's effect activates!" Sergey declared. "Whenever it destroys an opponent's Special Summoned Monster, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to my opponent! Take this!"

The spear-like protrusions on the Monster's head shot forward, striking Yuya's body and opening several deep gashes on it as the youth screamed in pain.

Yuya – LP: 1700→700

"And our fun time is far from finished!" Sergey let out a malicious smile. "Geo Simurgh, destroy Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

Geo Simurgh flapped its wings once again, generating a twister that blew both Odd-Eyes and Yuya away, sending the latter crashing into a wall.

Yuya – LP: 700→600

"Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon's…Pendulum Effect activates…" Yuya wheezed out as he unsteadily stood up. "Since an "Odd-Eyes" Monster was destroyed…I can Special Summon an "Odd-Eyes" Monster from my Deck… Come, Entermate Odd-Eyes Minotaur (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1200/DEF: 1600/LV: 4/SC: 6) in defense mode."

A humanoid bull with dichromatic eyes that held a small axe in its left hand appeared on Yuya's field.

"I place one card face-down and end my turn." Sergey smirked. "Now, keep on struggling with all your might, and entertain me even further. Only then will this masterpiece of destruction be complete."

"Sorry, but I have no desire to entertain your twisted aesthetics." Yuya said. "It's time to go all out. My turn! Draw! First, I place the Scale 6 Entermate Guitartle (Water/Aqua/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 300/DEF: 400/LV: 1/SC: 6) on my currently empty Pendulum Zone."

The right column of light appeared once again on Yuya's field, with Guitartle rising to its top.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card Pendulum Liberation, which allows me to destroy all Pendulum cards on my field and Pendulum Zones in order to draw an equal number of cards from my Deck, in this case three." Yuya continued. "Then, I activate the Spell Card Performance Reboot, whose effect allows me to draw five cards from my Deck since I control no Monsters and my opponent does while I have an "Entermate" Monster in my Graveyard. And now, I will use the Scale 3 Destruction Magician (ATK: 2500/DEF: 500/LV: 7/SC: 3) and the Scale 8 Entermate Card Gardna (ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000/LV: 3/SC: 8) in order to reset the Pendulum Scale!"

The two columns of light reappeared on Yuya's sides, with his two Monsters rising to their top.

"Now I can simultaneously summon Monsters with Levels 4 through 7!" Yuya declared. "Pendulum Summon! Revive from the Extra Deck, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon! And from my hand, come, Entermate Star Juggler (ATK: 1000/DEF: 1400/LV: 4) in defense mode and Dragoncaller Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000/LV: 7/SC: 2)!"

Four beams of light erupted from the Pendulum portal, solidifying into the forms of Monsters upon landing on the field.

"I activate Star Juggler's effect, targeting the Level 7 Odd-Eyes in order to make all Monsters you control Level 7." Yuya stated. "Next, I Overlay the Level 7 Dragoncaller Magician and Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon!"

As his two Monsters turned into streams of energy and were absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Yuya chanted.

"With the speed of lightning, descend on this battlefield and dazzle the world with your brilliance! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 7! Odd-Eyes Thunderbolt Dragon (ATK: 2800/DEF: 2500/R: 7/OU: 2)!"

The gold-colored dragon with dichromatic eyes surrounded by lightning, which had four protrusions with glass spheres containing electricity within them, appeared on Yuya's field.

"I activate Destruction Magician's Pendulum Effect, granting Thunderbolt Dragon a Level equal to its Rank." Yuya said. "Then, I Overlay the now Level 7 Thunderbolt Dragon with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

As his two Monsters turned into streams of energy and were absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Yuya chanted for a second time.

"Dragon with the dual-colored eyes! Unleash that black scale of wrath and eradicate all opposing enemies! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 7! Dragon with eyes of rage, Supreme King Black Dragon – Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon (ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500/R: 7/OU: 2)!"

The dragon resembling a fusion between Yuya and Yuto's ace Monsters appeared on the field, letting out a furious howl.

"Rebellion Dragon…" Yuto muttered. "As expected, you intend to settle things as quickly as possible, Yuya. However, is this really how you wish to fight…?"

"Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon's effect activates!" Yuya exclaimed. "When this card is Xyz Summoned by using an Xyz Monster as material, I can destroy as many Level 7 or lower Monsters my opponent controls and inflict damage to them equal to the sum of their attack! Overlord Howling!"

"I banish Earthbound Howl from my Graveyard in order to activate its final effect!" Sergey bellowed as two bolts of lightning descended from the sky and obliterated his Monsters. "Thanks to it, I can reduce an instance of effect damage to 0 since a Field Spell Card is active! Then, since "Earthbound" Monsters that were Special Summoned from the Extra Deck were destroyed while I control a Field Spell Card, I can activate the Trap Card Earthbound Legion! Thanks to its effect, I can Special Summon two "Earthbound" Monsters from my Extra Deck with their effects negated by ignoring their summoning conditions! Come forth, Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken (Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 1200/LV: 8) and Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon (Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1500/LV: 8) in defense mode!"

A giant dark-colored squid with purple lines engraved on its body and a large, dark-colored winged best with yellow lines engraved on it landed on Sergey's field after emerging from a portal that opened above him.

"I detach an Overlay Unit to activate Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon's second effect, allowing it to attack a number of times equal to the number of Monsters destroyed by its effect during this turn's Battle Phase." Yuya stated. "Now, let's battle! Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon, destroy Geo Kraken and Geo Gryphon! Imperial Wrath Revolt – Strike Disobey!"

Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon grinded the ground with its tusks as it charged towards Sergey's Monsters, shredding them to pieces and destroying them.

"You managed to escape from me again…" Yuya spat out with undisguised hatred. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Due to Earthbound Pit's effect, I will draw four cards from my Deck since four Monsters were destroyed." Sergey said. "Now then, it's my turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card Earthbound Melding. Thanks to its effect, I can Fusion Summon an "Earthbound" Fusion Monster by banishing Monsters from my field or Graveyard. I will banish Geo Gremlin and Geo Gremlina in order to Fusion Summon!"

As the ghostly images of his two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Sergey chanted.

"Demon that rules over the earth! Demon that clings to the land! Become one and rise from the depths of the underground! Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 10! Earthbound Servant Geo Glasya-Labolas (Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 1800/LV: 10)!"

A black-colored, winged Monster with demonic features that had orange lines engraved on its body appeared on Sergey's field.

"I activate the Equip Spell Card Earthbound Fury, equipping it to Geo Glasya-Labolas." Sergey continued. "Next, I activate the effect of Earthbound Prisoner Pit Worker (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 1200/LV: 3) in my hand, sending it to the Graveyard in order to target a Monster on your field and change its summoning type. I choose to make your Rebellion Dragon a Fusion Monster, Sakaki Yuya."

"Changing my Monster's summoning type…" Yuya narrowed his eyes at this. "I see, you want to use the effect of Geo Glasya-Labolas, huh? The one that reduces the attack of the Monster it's battling to 0 if it's a Fusion or Synchro Monster."

"That's right!" Sergey exclaimed. "Battle! Geo Glasya-Labolas, attack Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon! At this moment, my Monster's effect activates, reducing your Monster's attack to 0 since it's a Fusion Monster now (Rebellion Dragon ATK: 3000→0)! Finish this, Geo Glasya-Labolas! Darkness Miasma!"

"Unfortunately for you, I expected this!" Yuya shouted. "I activate my Trap Card, Entermate Safe Point! Thanks to its effect, I can banish two "Entermate" Monsters from my Extra Deck and/or Graveyard in order to reduce an instance of damage to 0! I choose to banish Guitartle from my Extra Deck and Whim Witch from my Graveyard!"

Following Yuya's words, a wave of miasma erupted from Geo Glasya-Labolas' mouth, obliterating Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon.

"Since an "Odd-Eyes" Monster on my field was destroyed, I can activate the Trap Card Odd-Eyes Legacy." Yuya continued. "Through its effect, I can Special Summon an "Odd-Eyes" Monster from my Extra Deck or Graveyard, with the summoned Monster being unable to be destroyed by battle and me not receiving any damage from battles involving it for this turn. Revive, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

A fissure appeared on the ground, with Odd-Eyes emerging from it and landing on the field.

"You brought back your ace Monster, huh?" Sergey smirked. "Good, that's very good. It wouldn't be fun if you weren't fighting your hardest. Now then, due to the equipped Earthbound Fury's effect, Geo Glasya-Labolas can attack all Monsters my opponent controls once each. Destroy Star Juggler, Geo Glasya-Labolas! Darkness Miasma!"

A wave of darkness erupted from Geo Glasya-Labolas' mouth once again, vaporizing Star Juggler.

"While it's regrettable that I wasn't able to create even more beautiful art during this turn, there's always the next one." Sergey let out a crazed smile. "You'll be my greatest masterpiece, even better that your little girlfriend ever was. Hiiragi Yuzu, was it? That's right, unlike her, I'll make sure to thoroughly break you!"

"Shut up!" Yuya shouted in outrage as his irises blazed with a red color. "Don't you dare speak Yuzu's name with your filthy mouth, you piece of scrap!"

"Oh, such a fierce killing intent!" Sergey laughed. "I can feel it overflowing from your body! If you hate me so much, then throw everything you have at me and show me true agony! I place a card face-down and end my turn! Now, come at me, Sakaki Yuya!"

"My turn!" Yuya bellowed. "Draw! Using my already set Pendulum Scale, I will Pendulum Summon once again! Come from my hand, Entermate Starve Venom Ringmaster (ATK: 1000/DEF: 2600/LV: 7/SC: 2)!"

A single beam of light erupted from the Pendulum portal, solidifying into the form of a pale-skinned Monster dressed in a green and violet ringmaster's uniform and holding a whip resembling a carnivorous plant on its right hand upon landing on Yuya's field.

"I activate Starve Venom Ringmaster's effect, which allows me to Special Summon an "Entermate" Monster from my Extra Deck or Graveyard! I will Special Summon Odd-Eyes Minotaur from my Extra Deck!" Yuya continued as Odd-Eyes Minotaur appeared on his field. "Then, I activate Starve Venom Ringmaster's second effect, which allows me to use this card and a Monster from my field as materials for a Fusion Summon! I will fuse Starve Venom Ringmaster and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

As his two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Yuya chanted.

"Dragon with the dual-colored eyes! Become one with the taint of darkness and satiate your bottomless thirst for carnage with your enemies' corpses! Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 10! The sinister dragon hungering endlessly, Supreme King Devourer Dragon – Odd-Eyes Voracious Dragon (ATK: 3300/DEF: 2500/LV: 10/SC: 1)!"

The dragon with dual-colored eyes resembling a fusion between Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Starve Venom Fusion Dragon appeared on Yuya's field, letting out a resonant howl.

"Due to Starve Venom Ringmaster's effect, I can draw one card from my Deck by banishing this card." Yuya stated. "Next, I activate Odd-Eyes Voracious Dragon's effect! By lowering my Life Points by any amount I wish, I can increase my dragon's attack by an equal amount and decrease the attack of one of your Monsters by the same amount until the End Phase! I will pay 500 Life Points to increase my dragon's attack and reduce your Monster's attack! Feast of Madness!"

Two protrusions on the dragon's back opened, with two mouths with razor sharp teeth extending from them. One of them attached itself to Yuya, while the other bit Geo Glasya-Labolas' body.

Yuya – LP: 600→100

(Odd-Eyes Voracious Dragon ATK: 3300→3800, Geo Glasya-Labolas ATK: 3000→2500)

"Battle!" Yuya exclaimed. "Odd-Eyes Voracious Dragon, attack Geo Glasya-Labolas!"

"Have you lost it, Sakaki Yuya!?" Sergey sneered. "The effect of Geo Glasya-Labolas—"

"—is completely useless here!" Yuya completed Sergey's sentence. "During the turn it was summoned, Odd-Eyes Voracious Dragon cannot be affected by card effects! Destroy that abominable creature, Odd-Eyes Voracious Dragon! Corruption Bombardment!"

All six protrusions on Voracious Dragon's back opened up, with a mouth emerging from each of them. After that, seven blast of dark violet energy erupted from the dragon's mouths, piercing through Geo Glasya-Labolas and destroying it, with the ensuing explosion damaging Sergey's body in various places as he was sent tumbling backwards.

Sergey – LP: 2400→1100

"Amazing!" Sergey let out a boisterous laugh as he stood up, sparks flying out of his body. "This pain! This suffering! It's the best sensation I've had in years! And you even mutilated yourself in order to damage me further! I want to experience more of it…but I can't let you take me down so easily! I send a card from my hand to the Graveyard in order to activate my Trap Card, Earthbound Remnant! Thanks to its effect, if an "Earthbound" Monster on my field was destroyed, I can Special Summon an "Earthbound" Monster from my Graveyard! Revive, Geo Gryphon in defense mode!"

A portal appeared on Sergey's field, with Geo Gryphon emerging from it.

"Annoying bastard…" Yuya growled with a low voice. "I end my turn with my Monster's attack returning to normal (Odd-Eyes Voracious Dragon ATK: 3800→3300)."

"Thanks to Earthbound Pit's effect, I will draw a card from my Deck." Sergey stated. "Furthermore, the effect of the destroyed Earthbound Fury activates. Thanks to it, if the equipped Monster was destroyed while being equipped by this card, I can bring it back with its attack and defense at 0 and its effect negated during the End Phase. Revive, Geo Glasya-Labolas!"

A pillar of violet flames erupted from the ground, with Geo Glasya-Labolas emerging from it and landing on the field.

"My turn!" Sergey announced. "Draw! Now then, while I'd love to prolong this, all good things must come to an end unfortunately. It seems I'll have to find another toy to play with. I activate the Spell Card Earthbound Fusion, using it to fuse Geo Glasya-Labolas and Geo Gryphon!"

As his two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Sergey chanted.

"Demonic beast ruling the underground! Become one with the wings of punishment and scorch Heaven and Earth with the flames of purgatory! Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 12! Earthbound Servant Geo Ifreet (Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 4200/DEF: 2600/LV: 12)!"

A towering black-colored Monster with demonic features, long horns extending from its head, four pairs of wings protruding from its back, silver lines engraved on its body and violet flames dancing around it appeared on Sergey's field.

"I activate Geo Ifreet's effect!" Sergey declared. "Once per turn, I can banish all Monsters my opponent controls! Moreover, Geo Ifreet can attack a number of times equal to the number of Monsters it banished through its effect! Do it, Geo Ifreet!"

Geo Ifreet swung its arm, unleashing a wave of purple flames that incinerated Yuya's Monsters, leaving his field empty.

"This is the end!" Sergey exclaimed. "Farewell, Sakaki Yuya! Geo Ifreet, attack him directly and destroy him! Hallowed Inferno Stream!"

"Not yet!" Yuya shouted. "I send Entermate Life Liner from my hand to the Graveyard in order to activate its effect, reducing the battle damage from all battles to 0 for this turn!"

Following Yuya's words, a semi-transparent barrier appeared around him, shielding him from the raging violet flames.

"Not bad, Sakaki Yuya." Sergey let out a malicious smirk. "The more you desperately cling to life, the more chances I have to refine my masterpiece of torment. I end my turn with that. Now, show me even more of your unsightly struggle before I finish you off!"

"I've tolerated this insolence long enough." Yuya's voice suddenly changed somewhat as a dark aura started enveloping his body. "A mere glorified doll like you dares to speak to me in such a condescending manner? That sin—is punishable by death!"

"Hoh, what's this?" Sergey's brow furrowed. "Somehow, you're giving off a different feeling than before. Do you intend to attempt to settle things? Interesting. Then, try it if you can!"

"My turn!" Yuya announced. "Draw! Using my already set Pendulum Scale, I will Pendulum Summon once again! Revive from the Extra Deck once again, my servant, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

A single beam of light erupted from the Pendulum portal, solidifying into the form of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.

"Next, I summon the Tuner Monster Entermate Clear Wing Wizard (ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1/SC: 8)!"

Following Yuya's words, the magician dressed in pale robes and holding a small staff with a white crystal on its tip, which had two transparent wings protruding from its back, appeared on the field.

"I activate Clear Wing Wizard's effect!" Yuya declared. "Once per turn, I can change the attribute of one Monster on the field! I choose to change Clear Wing Wizard's attribute from Wind to Dark! Then, I tune the Level 7 Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon with the Level 1 Entermate Clear Wing Wizard!"

As Odd-Eyes turned into seven stars and Clear Wing Wizard turned into a single ring surrounding them, Yuya and Yuto chanted together as their eyes blazed once again, causing Yugo, Yuri and Yukio, who were in different sections of Academia, to stop moving and double over as their eyes also shone.

"Dragon with the dichromatic eyes! Renounce the illusion of existence and liberate the world from the chains of free will! Synchro Summon! Descend now, Level 8! The distorted dragon rejected by creation, Supreme King Nothingness Dragon – Odd-Eyes Hollow Dragon (ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500/LV: 8/SC: 10)!"

The dragon with dual-colored eyes, four transparent wings that seemed to absorb the light around them and bleached white armor with traces of red appeared on Yuya's field.

"Battle!" Yuya exclaimed. "Odd-Eyes Hollow Dragon, take down Geo Ifreet!"

"I don't know what you're thinking, but it won't work!" Sergey bellowed. "Geo Ifreet's effect activates! When this card battles an opponent's Monster, that Monster is destroyed and I gain Life Points equal to half its attack, while my opponent receives half its attack as damage! It's your loss, Sakaki Yuya!"

"Naïve!" Yuya shouted. "Due to its effect, Odd-Eyes Hollow Dragon is unaffected by the effects of Monsters which have the same attribute as it! As such, Geo Ifreet's effect won't apply! Furthermore, when this card battles an opponent's Special Summoned Monster, I can destroy that Monster before damage calculation and add half its original attack to Odd-Eyes Hollow Dragon's until your End Phase! Distortion Mirror!"

A pale light was generated from Hollow Dragon's wings, enveloping Geo Ifreet and destroying it.

(Odd-Eyes Hollow Dragon ATK: 3000→5100)

"Finally, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Odd-Eyes Rush!" Yuya declared. "Through its effect, if an "Odd-Eyes" Monster on my field declared an attack, I can banish an "Odd-Eyes" Monster from my hand, Extra Deck, field or Graveyard in order to allow it to attack once again! I will banish Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon in order to have Odd-Eyes Hollow Dragon attack you directly! Send that filthy degenerate straight to Hell, my servant! Transient Oblivion Shower!"

Several spheres of energy appeared around Hollow Dragon, unleashing a volley of blasts towards Sergey that struck his body in several spots, destroying his lower half, obliterating his right hand and piercing his torso in various spots as he was sent flying backwards, laughing madly all the while.

Sergey – LP: 1100→0

Yuya: WIN

"How…beautiful…" Sergey chuckled weakly with a beatific smile as his cybernetics started shutting down due to the catastrophic damage he had received. "This lust for destruction…is truly beautiful… You are going…to be magnificent… Shame I…won't get to…see it… And…"

At that moment, Yuya, who was still clad in a dark aura, stepped on Sergey's mechanical head and smashed it with a powerful stomp, interrupting the deranged Duelist's monologue and ending him for good.

"You talk too much." Yuya said with a cold tone. "I'm not interested in hearing babble from a piece of scrap like you."

Suddenly, the darkness that enveloped Yuya abruptly receded as his eyes returning to their normal color, causing him to look around in bewilderment and confusion until he spotted the remains of Sergey.

"This is…" Yuya opened his eyes wide. "I… Did I do this…? How…?"

"It seems that way." Yuto appeared next to Yuya. "But if you ask me how, I'm afraid I cannot answer that. I lost any sort of awareness towards the final stages of the Duel, so I have no idea what went down here. However…it's safe to assume that you lost control of yourself again."

"Hatred…" Yuya clutched his chest. "Did my rage cause whatever was inside me to awaken…and do this to Sergey?"

"That might be the case." Yuto replied. "Therefore, I suggest we deal with the Doktor as fast as possible in order to save the captured girls, and then we should find the Professor and press him for some answers about all this."

"That's right…" Yuya said as he glanced at the wreck that was once Sergey. "Let's go, Yuto."

"Right."

Yuya took off and rushed forward, anxiety gripping his heart as he recalled the single word he had heard coming from within before losing himself.

"Soon…"


Meanwhile, in another section of Academia…

"Ugh… In retrospect, rushing to Academia before being back to full health…maybe wasn't such a good idea…"

Shun muttered so while struggling to remain standing as he walked through the corridors of Academia. Not too long ago, he was forced to Duel his sister, Ruri, who had been placed under Academia's control through some method involving a parasite Monster. After a grueling Duel, he had succeeded in defeating Ruri, removing Academia's brainwashing. However, while the two of them were making their way to the rest of their comrades, Shun had collapsed due to his lingering injuries from Heartland acting up again. The concerned Ruri had run ahead to find help despite his protests, leaving Shun alone. Driven by a bad premonition and a feeling that something was off, Shun had forced himself to move and search for Ruri.

"Where could she have gone…?" Shun wondered. "Damn, I knew I shouldn't have let her out of my sight in the middle of enemy territory."

"There you are, Lancer scum. It's just like she said."

Shun abruptly stopped as he came face-to-face with a middle-aged man clad in a black military outfit standing a few meters away from him. What surprised Shun however was his pale complexion, which looked like that of a terminally ill patient. However, the fire smoldering in his eyes and his overflowing killing intent indicated that he wouldn't be an easy opponent despite his appearance.

"My name is Sanders, Academia's top instructor." Sanders introduced himself. "And you are Kurosaki Shun, one of the most wanted Resistance members and a constant thorn in our side. Perfect timing. Defeating you here will be a major step towards redeeming myself in the Professor's eyes for my failure."

"More importantly, did you just say 'she'?" Shun narrowed his eyes at that. "Don't tell me…"

"Unfortunately, it's probably as you've guessed." Sanders let out a sinister smile. "It was your own sister that told me of your location and asked me to eliminate you. You probably thought that you had removed her brainwashing, but I'm afraid it's not that simple. Until the Queen Parasite Fusioner that is inside the Doktor's brain and controls the other Parasite Fusioners is destroyed, you won't be able to free those controlled by the Parasite Fusioners unless he wills it. At best, you can only temporarily suspend the Parasite Fusioner's functions by defeating the controlled Duelist."

"In that case, I'll get past you first, and then I'll destroy the bastard that dared to steal my sister's free will!" Shun declared as he activated his Duel Disk. "Action Field, on!"

[Field Spell, Cross Over, activated.]

The glowing platforms that comprised the rudimentary Action Field appeared around the area following the announcement from Shun's Duel Disk.

"It seems you're ready for battle." Sanders remarked as he activated his Duel Disk. "In that case, let's begin! Glory on the Academia!"

[Duel!]

Both Duelists shouted together as the Action Cards spread across the field.

Shun – LP: 4000

Sanders – LP: 4000

"I'll take the first turn!" Sanders announced. "I summon Fallen Acolyte (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 600/DEF: 1200/LV: 3)!"

A demonic creature clad in priest robes appeared on Sanders's field.

"I place one card face-down and end my turn." Sanders said. "Now, hit me with your best shot, Resistance lowlife."

"With pleasure!" Shun shouted. "My turn! Draw! I summon Raid Raptors – Vanishing Lanius (ATK: 1300/DEF: 1600/LV: 4)!"

The mechanical bird clad in blue and green armor appeared on Shun's field.

"Since I control Vanishing Lanius, I can Special Summon this card from my hand." Shun continued. "Come, Raid Raptors – Fuzzy Lanius (ATK: 500/DEF: 1500/LV: 4)!"

A small, mechanical bird clad in black and blue armor appeared on Shun's field.

"I Overlay the Level 4 Vanishing Lanius and Fuzzy Lanius!" As his two Monsters turned into streams of energy and were absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Shun chanted. "Avian hunter of the afterlife! Seek the truth with your dark eyes and grasp glory with your sharp talons! Xyz Summon! Take flight, Rank 4! Raid Raptors – Force Strix (ATK: 100/DEF: 2000/R: 4/OU: 2)!"

A small, mechanical owl appeared on Kurosaki's field.

"I activate Force Strix's effect, detaching an Overlay Unit to add a Level 4 or lower Dark Winged Beast-type Monster from my Deck to my hand." Shun stated. "I choose Raid Raptors – Singing Lanius. And since there's an Xyz Monster on my field, I can Special Summon it! Come, Singing Lanius (Dark/Winged Beast/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 100/LV: 4)!"

A small, mechanical bird clad in yellow armor appeared on Shun's field.

"Next, I activate the effect of Raid Raptors – Pain Lanius in my hand." Shun declared. "Thanks to its effect, I can target a "Raid Raptors" Monster on my field that has a Level, take damage equal to its attack or its defense and Special Summon this card from my hand. I choose the 100 attack Singing Lanius. Come, Pain Lanius (Dark/Winged Beast/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 100/LV: 1)!"

Pain Lanius appeared on the field next to Shun's other Monsters.

"Due to its effect, Pain Lanius's Level becomes equal to that of the targeted Monster (Pain Lanius LV: 1→4)." Shun stated. "As such, I Overlay the now Level 4 Pain Lanius and Singing Lanius! Xyz Summon! Appear, the second copy of Force Strix!"

A second Force Strix appeared next to the first one, letting out a loud screech.

"Force Strix gains 500 attack and defense for every Winged Beast Monster on the field apart from itself (Force Strix x 2 ATK: 100→600/DEF: 2000→2500)." Shun said. "Then, I activate the Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Mirage Force. Thanks to its effect, I can target a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster I control and Special Summon from my Extra Deck a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster which is one Rank higher than the target by using this card as an Xyz Material. I choose Force Strix as the target for that effect and use Mirage Force which is treated as Force Strix to reconstruct the Overlay Network!"

As a ghostly copy of Force Strix turned into energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Shun chanted once more.

"Unseen bold falcon! Reveal your wings' unknown power here and now! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Come forth, Rank 5! Raid Raptors – Étranger Falcon (ATK: 2000/DEF: 2000/R: 5/OU: 1)!"

A mechanical falcon with pulsating energy lines throughout its armor and oversized wings appeared on Shun's field.

"Force Strix's attack and defense increases even further due to the new Winged Beast Monster on my field (Force Strix x 2 ATK: 500→1100/DEF: 2500→3000)." Shun announced. "Now, I activate Étranger Falcon's effect! Once per turn, I can detach an Overlay Unit from this card in order to destroy a Monster my opponent controls and inflict damage to them equal to its original attack! I will destroy Fallen Acolyte! Insurgency Impact!"

A large, violet energy beam erupted from Étranger Falcon's core, piercing through Fallen Acolyte's body and obliterating it, with Sanders wincing due to the ensuing shockwave.

Sanders – LP: 4000→3400

"Fallen Acolyte's effect activates!" Sanders exclaimed. "When this card is destroyed, I can Special Summon a number of Fallen Tokens to my field equal to the number of Monsters my opponent controls, in this case three! Come, Fallen Tokens (Dark/Fiend/ATK: 0/DEF: 0 /LV: 1)!"

Three small imps appeared on Sanders's field following his words.

"In addition, I activate the Trap Card Threatening Roar!" Sanders continued. "Through its effect, you cannot declare an attack during this turn! As such, I'm afraid your one-turn kill strategy won't work anymore!"

"I didn't really think I would be able to settle things so soon, but it was worth a try." Shun remarked. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" Sanders announced. "Draw! Now, prepare to experience a cursed power that exceeds your wildest imaginations. First, I activate the Field Spell Card Mound of the Bound God. Then, I release my three Tokens in order to Advance Summon! Descend now, the first of the Wicked Gods that govern darkness, Wicked God Dreadroot (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 4000/DEF: 4000/LV: 10)!"

A massive winged demon with armor parts made of bones attached to its body appeared on Sanders's field, releasing a dark miasma that covered the entire field.

"Wicked God…?" Shun wondered. "What sort of Monster is that? And that terrifying sensation… Is it similar to the Planet Series and Sacred Beasts I was told about?"

"That's right." Sanders responded. "This Deck that contains the Wicked God cards is one of Academia's forbidden weapons due to the Monsters draining the user's life force. However, if I can defeat you with that and restore my honor, then my life is a small price to pay."

"Are you insane?" Shun had an incredulous expression on his face. "You would go as far as throwing your life away for a madman's delusions of building a utopia?"

"A lowlife like you has no business questioning my loyalty and resolve." Sanders declared. "Now, let's continue. Thanks to Wicked God Dreadroot's effect, as long as it remains face-up on the field, the attack and defense of all Monsters on the field apart from it is halved (Force Strix x 2 ATK: 1100→550/DEF: 3000→1500, Étranger Falcon ATK: 2000→1000/DEF: 2000→1000)."

"Halving the attack and defense of all Monsters?" Shun narrowed his eyes. "As expected of a Wicked God, its effect is rather nasty…"

"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card Forge of the Wicked Gods." Sanders stated. "Through its effect, I can send a "Wicked Arms" Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard once per turn. I choose to send Wicked Arms – Blast Saber (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1000/DEF: 0/LV: 3) from my Deck to my Graveyard and activate its effect. If there is a "Wicked God" Monster on my field, I can target it and apply Blast Saber's effects to it as if it were equipped to it on the field."

"Using Equip Monsters from the Graveyard, huh?" Shun remarked as an oversized cleaver with a sinister design rose from the ground, with Dreadroot grabbing it. "It looks like he's full of tricks…"

"Battle!" Sanders exclaimed. "Wicked God Dreadroot, attack Étranger Falcon! And thanks to the effect of Blast Saber, Dreadroot gains 1000 attack when it declares an attack (Dreadroot ATK: 4000→5000)! Destroy his Monster, Dreadroot! Fear's Knockdown!"

"I activate my Trap Card, Adversity!" Shun shouted. "Since a Monster I control is attacked by a Monster with a higher attack than it, I can negate that attack and increase my Monster's attack by 1000 (Étranger Falcon ATK: 1000→2000)!"

"As expected from a renowned outlaw, you won't fall that easily." Sanders commented. "However, I won't let you escape unscathed! I activate the second effect of Blast Saber! Since the equipped Monster's attack is higher than its original attack, I can return its attack to normal (Dreadroot ATK: 5000→4000) and inflict half the difference in attack as damage to you!"

Dreadroot swung its oversized blade, generating an air blast that sent Shun flying backwards, where he crashed on the ground hard, letting out a cry of pain.

Shun – LP: 3900→3400

"It looks like we're even in terms of Life Points for now." Sanders remarked. "However, that will soon change. I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Shun declared. "Draw! I activate the Spell Card Xyz Treasure, whose effect allows me to draw cards from my Deck equal to the number of Xyz Monsters on the field, in this case three. Then, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Raid Force, using its effect on my first Force Strix in order to rebuild the Overlay Network with it and Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster one Rank higher than it!"

As Force Strix turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed into a galaxy-like portal, Shun chanted.

"Ferocious falcon! Break through this fierce battle and spread your wings! Destroy our gathering foes! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 5! Raid Raptors – Blaze Falcon (ATK: 1000→500/DEF: 2000→1000/R: 5/OU: 2)!"

The mechanical falcon with red-colored armor appeared on Shun's field.

"Now, let's battle!" Shun exclaimed. "Due to its effect, Blaze Falcon can attack my opponent directly if it has Overlay Units attached to it! Go, Blaze Falcon! Raptor's Break of Thunderclap!"

Blaze Falcon was surrounded by lightning as it charged forwards, striking Sanders with its talons and causing him to wince.

Sanders – LP: 3400→2900

"At this moment, Blaze Falcon's effect activates!" Shun declared. "Since it inflicted battle damage to my opponent, I can target a Monster on my opponent's field and destroy it! I choose Wicked God Dreadroot!"

"Useless!" Sanders shouted. "Due to the effect of the Field Spell Card Mound of the Bound God, Level 10 or higher Monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects! Therefore, Dreadroot is unaffected by your Monster's effect!"

"Tch, to think that Field Spell would offer such protection…" Shun clicked his tongue in irritation. "Then, I switch Force Strix and Étranger Falcon in defense mode, and I activate Force Strix's effect, detaching an Overlay Unit in order to add Raid Raptors – Rapid Vulture from my Deck to my hand. And since this card was added to my hand through a card effect, I can Special Summon it. Come, Rapid Vulture (Dark/Winged Beast/Effect/ATK: 1100→550/DEF: 1500→750/LV: 4) in defense mode!"

A mechanical vulture with white and gold armor that had small boosters attached to its legs appeared on Shun's field.

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn." Shun said.

"My turn!" Sanders announced. "Draw! I activate the Continuous Spell Card Chalice of the Wicked Gods, which allows me to draw two cards from my Deck. In addition, if I control a "Wicked God" Monster during my Draw Phase, I can draw two cards from my Deck instead of one. Then, I activate the effect of Forge of the Wicked Gods, sending Wicked Arms – Surge Greaves (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1300/DEF: 600/LV: 3) to the Graveyard. And due to the effect of Surge Greaves, I can target Dreadroot and have it gain its effects as if Surge Greaves was equipped to my Wicked God on the field."

Following Sanders's words, two gauntlets surrounded by raging flames attached themselves to Dreadroot's hands.

"Now, it's time for battle!" Sanders exclaimed. "Wicked God Dreadroot, attack Blaze Falcon! And due to the effect of Blast Saber, my Monster's attack increases by 1000 (Dreadroot ATK: 4000→5000), while Surge Greaves' effect will allow me to inflict the original attack of the destroyed Monster as damage! Do it, Dreadroot! Fear's Knockdown!"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Devotion Force!" Shun abruptly declared. "Thanks to its effect, when an opponent's Monster declares an attack, I can target an Xyz Monster I control and Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster which is one Rank higher than it by using it as the Xyz Material! Then, your Monster's attack will be redirected to it! I choose to use Étranger Falcon as material in order to reconstruct the Overlay Network!"

As Étranger Falcon turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Shun chanted.

"Proud falcon! Spread your wings dyed in the blood of heroes and advance through the path of revolution! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear now, Rank 6! Raid Raptors – Revolution Falcon (ATK: 2000→1000/DEF: 3000→1500/R: 6/OU: 1)!"

The black-armored, mechanical falcon appeared on Shun's field next to his other Monsters.

"You summoned your Monster in attack position even though you'll lose should my attack go through?" Sanders raised an eyebrow at this. "What are you planning, you damn rebel!?"

"This!" Shun stated. "I activate my Trap Card, Raptor's Grit! Due to its effect, when a "Raid Raptors" Monster battles an opponent's Monster, I can increase its attack by an amount equal to the original attack of all "Raid Raptors" Monsters on my field, including itself, until the battle's end (Revolution Falcon ATK: 1000→5200)! Crush that Wicked God, Revolution Falcon!"

"I won't let you!" Sanders bellowed. "I activate the Trap Card Everlasting Wickedness, whose effect allows me to prevent the destruction of a "Wicked God" Monster!"

"However, you'll still take the damage!" Shun pointed out. "Go, Revolution Falcon! Revolutional Air Raid!"

The bays on Revolution Falcon's tail unit opened, unleashing its bomb payload on Wicked God Dreadroot. Although they failed to destroy the Monster, some of them struck Sanders, causing him to let out a cry of pain.

Sanders – LP: 2900→2700

"However, at this moment, Surge Greaves' second effect activates!" Sanders stated. "Thanks to it, I can destroy the Monster on my opponent's field with the lowest attack after damage calculation! So say farewell to Force Strix!"

A pillar of flames erupted from underneath Force Strix, vaporizing it with ease.

"You're even more persistent than the reports suggested." Sanders' expression contorted with rage. "No matter. Soon enough, even you will fall before the Wicked Gods' strength. I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Shun announced. "Draw! I activate the Spell Card Xyz Tribute, whose effect allows me to release a Rank 5 or higher Xyz Monster on my field in order to draw two cards from my Deck. I choose to release Blaze Falcon. Then, I summon Raid Raptors –Retrofit Lanius (ATK: 800/DEF: 1200/LV: 4)!"

Retrofit Lanius appeared on the field next to Shun's other two Monsters.

"I Overlay the Level 4 Rapid Vulture and Retrofit Lanius, which can be treated as two Xyz Materials!" As his two Monsters turned into streams of energy and were absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Shun chanted. "Nimble falcon! Become one with the wind, and soar across the skies of freedom! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Raid Raptors – Overboost Falcon (Dark/Winged Beast/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 1000→500/R: 4/OU: 2)!"

A dark-colored mechanical falcon with oversized boosters attached to its wings, rear and legs appeared on Shun's field.

"I activate Overboost Falcon's effect, detaching all Overlay Units from it in order to attach it to Revolution Falcon as an Equip Spell Card." Shun declared as Overboost Falcon docked with Revolution Falcon. "Now, let's battle! Revolution Falcon, attack Wicked God Dreadroot! And at this moment, since the equipped Monster declared an attack, the effect of the equipped Overboost Falcon activates, doubling Revolution Falcon's attack a number of times equal to the numbers of Monsters needed to Xyz Summon it, in this case three (Revolution Falcon ATK: 1000→2000→4000→8000), until the Battle Phase's end! In exchange, you receive no damage from this battle! Go, Revolution Falcon! Revolutional Air Charge!"

The thrusters on Revolution Falcon ignited, with the Monster charging forward at high speeds and piercing through Wicked God Dreadroot's body and destroying it.

"Since Dreadroot was destroyed, the "Wicked Arms" Monsters that had targeted it with their effects are banished." Sanders stated. "Then, I activate my Trap Card, Awakening from the Depths, whose effect allows me to Special Summon a destroyed "Wicked God" Monster from my Graveyard by ignoring its summoning conditions with its attack and defense at 0 and its effect negated. Furthermore, that Monster cannot be destroyed for the rest of this turn. Revive, Wicked God Dreadroot!"

A portal appeared on the field, with Wicked God Dreadroot emerging from it and landing on Sanders's field.

"With the Battle Phase's end, Revolution Falcon's attack returns to normal (Revolution Falcon ATK: 8000→2000)." Shun said. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Sanders announced. "Through the effect of Chalice of the Wicked Gods, I will draw two cards from my Deck. I then activate the Spell Card Pot of Greed in order to draw two more cards from my Deck. And since I control a Fiend-type Monster, I can activate the Spell Card Devil's Gateway, which allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Dark-attribute Monster from my Deck. However, that Monster cannot attack or activate its effects. Come, Double Coston (ATK: 1700/DEF: 1650/LV: 4)!"

A Monster resembling a demonic creature dividing in half appeared on Sanders's field.

"Due to its effect, Double Coston can be treated as two tributes for the Advance Summon of a Dark-attribute Monster." Sanders continued. "I release Wicked God Dreadroot and Double Coston in order to Advance Summon! Descend now, the second of the Wicked Gods that govern darkness, Wicked God Avatar (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: ?/DEF: ?/LV: 10)!"

An oversized dark sphere with no noticeable features appeared on Sanders's field, giving off an extremely malicious aura. At the same time, Sanders's breath became even more labored as he clutched his chest.

"Damn…the curse is starting to consume my body…" Sanders muttered, but then straightened himself. "However…for Academia's sake…I cannot afford to be defeated here! My pride as an Instructor and a Duelist are on the line here! I'll definitely defeat you even if it's the last thing I do!"

"If we're talking about determination, then mine absolutely won't lose to yours." Shun declared with a steely gaze. "I will definitely rescue my sister from your vile clutches even if that means I have to crush the Gods themselves!"

"That's a good resolve, but can you actually do it?" Sanders smirked. "After all, the terror of the Wicked Gods has only just begun. Due to its effect, Wicked God Avatar's attack and defense is 100 points higher than the attack of the Monster with the highest attack on the field, which is your Revolution Falcon (Avatar ATK: ?→2100/DEF: ?→2100). In addition, you cannot activate Spell or Trap Cards until the end of your second turn after this card was summoned. Next, I activate the effect of Forge of the Wicked Gods, sending Wicked Arms – Void Lance (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1100/DEF: 300/LV: 3) from my Deck to the Graveyard. Then, I activate Void Lance's effect, targeting Wicked God Avatar in order to grant it its effects. Now, let's battle! Wicked God Avatar, destroy Revolution Falcon! And due to the effect of Void Lance, the damage from this battle will be doubled! Darkness Air Raid!"

Wicked Avatar, which had taken the form of Revolution Falcon, opened its bay doors, unleashing an energy blast bombardment that destroyed Revolution Falcon and sent Shun skidding backwards.

Shun – LP: 3400→3200

"Since a Level 10 or higher Monster on my field destroyed an opponent's Monster, the second effect of Mound of the Bound God activates!" Sanders exclaimed. "Thanks to it, you'll receive 400 points of damage!"

A lightning bolt descended from the ceiling following Sanders's words, striking Shun and causing him to let out a cry of pain as he fell to his knees.

Shun – LP: 3200→2800

"That defeated posture suits a lowlife like you perfectly." Sanders sneered upon seeing Shun struggling to stand up. "Since there are no other Monsters on the field, Wicked God Avatar's attack and defense return to normal (Avatar ATK: 2100→?/DEF: 2100→?). I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Shun announced. "Draw!"

"Let's see…" Shun thought. "I can't use Spell or Trap Cards, and whatever Monster I summon will always end up being weaker than Avatar due to its effect. As much as it pains me to admit it, I can only do this for now."

"I place one Monster in face-down defense position." Shun said. "I end my turn with that."

"Is that really the best you could come up with, Lancer scum?" Sanders snorted. "Don't tell me that you've actually run out of tricks before I even got the chance to bring out my third Wicked God? That would be incredibly disappointing. Either way though, as long as I get to defeat you, it doesn't really matter. Now then, it's my turn! Of course, I will draw two cards from my Deck once again. Next, I activate the effect of Torch Golem in my hand, Special Summoning two Torch Tokens (Dark/Fiend/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1) in attack position on my field in order to Special Summon it to your field (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 300/LV: 8)!"

A mechanical golem with a wheel saw for a head appeared on Shun's field, while two smaller versions of it appeared on Sanders's field.

"Due to its effect, Wicked God Avatar's attack and defense become equal to Torch Golem's attack plus 100 (Avatar ATK: ?→3100/DEF: ?→3100)." Sanders stated as Avatar took the form of Torch Golem. "Then, I activate the effect of Forge of the Wicked Gods to send Wicked Arms – Distorted Crown (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1) from my Deck to the Graveyard. And of course, Distorted Crown's effect activates, granting Wicked God Avatar its effects. Thanks to them, Wicked God Avatar retains any attack increases, and its attack cannot be lowered by my opponent's card effects."

"This is bad…" Shun muttered. "Avatar's effect has become even more formidable now…"

"Battle!" Sanders exclaimed. "Wicked God Avatar, destroy Torch Golem! And thanks to Void Lance's effect, the damage will be doubled! Darkness Grinder Crush!"

Wicked God Avatar charged forward, grabbing Torch Golem with its claws and smashing it to pieces, with Shun wincing due to the ensuing shockwave.

Shun – LP: 2800→2600

"At this moment, Void Lance's second effect activates, allowing me to destroy your face-down Monster since Avatar destroyed one of your Monsters!" Sanders declared as a beam of black light vaporized Shun's face-down Monster, which was revealed to be Raid Raptors – Rudder Strix (Dark/Winged Beast/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 1600/LV: 4). "Furthermore, due to Mound of the Bound God's effect, you'll receive 400 points of damage!"

Shun was struck once again by a bolt of lightning, causing him to grunt in pain.

Shun – LP: 2600→2200

"Finally, I activate the Spell Card Wicked God Sacrifice." Sanders stated. "Thanks to its effect, I can destroy all Monsters on my field apart from "Wicked God" Monsters in order to gain 500 Life Points and draw one card for each. As such, I will destroy my two Torch Tokens in order to draw two cards from my Deck and gain 1000 Life Points!"

Following Sanders's words, the two Torch Tokens on his field were destroyed, with Sanders being surrounded by a violet aura.

Sanders – LP: 2700→3700

"I place a card face-down and end my turn." Sanders said.

"My turn!" Shun announced. "Draw! Since I can activate Spell and Trap Cards now, I'll go ahead and activate my face-down card, the Trap Card Xyz Reborn, whose effect allows me to Special Summon an Xyz Monster from my Graveyard and attach this card to it as an Overlay Unit. Revive, Revolution Falcon!"

A portal appeared on the ground, with Revolution Falcon emerging from it and landing on Shun's field.

(Revolution Falcon OU: 0→1)

"I activate the Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Skip Force, using Revolution Falcon as material in order to Xyz Summon a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster which is two Ranks higher than it through its effect!" As Revolution Falcon turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Shun chanted. "Dauntless falcon! Ignite the flames of wrath and become an earth-scorching flash of light! Xyz Summon! Take flight, Rank 8! Raid Raptors – Satellite Cannon Falcon (ATK: 3000/DEF: 2000/R: 8/OU: 2)!"

The mechanical falcon with oversized wings, whose body was covered by white armor, appeared on Shun's field.

"That's an impressive Monster there, but what can you hope to accomplish against Wicked God Avatar?" Sanders asked. "That Monster may have an effect that reduces a Monster's attack, but it's completely useless against Avatar due to Distorted Crown's effect."

"Is that so?" Shun smirked. "Then, let's test that theory, shall we? Battle! Satellite Cannon Falcon, attack Wicked God Avatar!"

"What!?" Sanders cried out in shock. "You're attacking even though your Monster's attack is lower!?"

"I activate Overboost Falcon's effect in my Graveyard by banishing it!" Shun exclaimed. "Thanks to it, if a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster is battling an opponent's Monster with a higher attack, the opponent's Monster is destroyed by that battle and the damage is inflicted to my opponent! Do it, Satellite Cannon Falcon! Eternal Avenge!"

All cannons on Satellite Cannon Falcon's unfolded, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts that struck Avatar's body, obliterating and sending Sanders skidding backwards.

Sanders – LP: 3700→3600

"Moreover, I activate Rapid Vulture's effect in my Graveyard!" Shun continued. "Since a "Raid Raptors" Monster I control destroyed an opponent's Monster, I can banish this card to have that Monster attack again! Go, Satellite Cannon Falcon! Attack him directly! Eternal Avenge!"

"I activate the effect of Wicked Adept (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 1300/LV: 2) in my hand!" Sanders bellowed. "Since I'm about to receive damage, I can send this card to the Graveyard to halve the damage!"

Following his words, Sanders was assaulted by a barrage of blasts from Satellite Cannon Falcon and was thrown backwards from the force of the blasts.

Sanders – LP: 3600→2100

"Due to the second effect of Wicked Adept, I can add a "Wicked God" Monster from my Deck to my hand while you draw a card from your Deck." Sanders stated as he stood up. "I will add Wicked God Eraser to my hand. And since Wicked God Avatar was destroyed, Void Lance and Distorted Crown will be banished from my Graveyard. Also, since a "Wicked God" Monster on my field was destroyed, I can activate the Trap Card Wicked Facsimile. Through its effect, I can Special Summon three Facsimile Tokens on each side of the field in defense mode. Come, Facsimile Tokens (Dark/Fiend/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1)!"

Three demonic-looking statues appeared on Sanders's field, while three more appeared on Shun's field.

"So he's already completed the preparations to summon his third Wicked God, eh…?" Shun murmured. "In that case, I place a card face-down and end my turn. Now, let's see what your final member of those Wicked Gods can do."

"As you wish." Sanders smirked. "My turn! Draw! I release the three Facsimile Tokens in order to Advance Summon! Descend now, the third of the Wicked Gods that govern darkness, Wicked God Eraser (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: ?/DEF: ?/LV: 10)!"

A winged, armored dragon with a serpentine body and two black wings extending from its back appeared on Sanders's field, letting out a loud howl. Meanwhile, Sanders grimaced as blood started trickling from his mouth, while his face seemed to become even paler.

"…Due to its effect, Wicked God Eraser's attack and defense is equal to the number of cards on my opponent's field multiplied by 1000." Sanders stated while wiping the blood from his mouth. "Since there are five cards on your field, my Monster's attack and defense become 5000 (Eraser ATK: ?→5000/DEF: ?→5000). Next, I activate the effect of Forge of the Wicked Gods, sending Wicked Arms – Nightmare Cannon (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 300/DEF: 100/LV: 1) to my Graveyard, with its effects being granted to Wicked God Eraser through its effect. Then, I activate the effect Eraser gained from Nightmare Cannon, allowing me to target a face-down card in your Spell/Trap Zone and prevent you from activating it as long as it remains on the field. Of course, I will target your only face-down card!"

Following Sanders's words, Wicked God Eraser pointed its tail at Shun's face-down card, discharging a stream of lightning that enveloped the card.

"Now, it's time for judgment!" Sanders exclaimed. "Battle! Wicked God Eraser, destroy Satellite Cannon Falcon! Digestive Blaze!"

"I won't let you!" Shun exclaimed. "I activate the effect of Raid Raptors – Guard Lanius (Dark/Winged Beast/Effect/ATK: 200/DEF: 1900/LV: 4) in my hand, sending it to the Graveyard in order to prevent the destruction of Satellite Cannon Falcon and halve the damage from the battle!"

Following Shun's words, Wicked God Eraser unleashed a wave of violet flames from its mouth, enveloping Satellite Cannon Falcon, but failing to destroy it. However, several stray embers struck Shun's body, causing him to cry out in pain.

Shun – LP: 2200→1100

"You damned bastard…!" Sanders cursed. "Just stop struggling and die already! You're merely prolonging the inevitable! No-one can defy Academia within its own home ground and walk out of here alive!"

"Unfortunately, me and my comrades don't know the meaning of words such as 'retreat' or 'giving up'." Shun smirked. "If you want to make me yield, you have to do this the hard way."

"So be it then." Sanders said. "I end my turn with this. But don't entertain any notions that you can take down Wicked God Eraser with your Monster. Nightmare Cannon's second effect prevents my Monster from being targeted by the opponent's card effects."

"In that case, I'll go with something different." Shun stated. "My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card Life-Shaving Treasure Cards, whose effect allows me to draw five cards from my Deck. In exchange, I have to discard my entire hand during the fifth Standby Phase following this card's activation. Moving on, I activate the Spell Card Overlay Gate, whose effect allows me to target a Monster that is attached as Xyz Material to an Xyz Monster I control, in this case Satellite Cannon Falcon, and Special Summon it. Return to my side, Revolution Falcon!"

One of Satellite Cannon Falcon's Overlay Units was detached from it and transformed back into Revolution Falcon.

"Since there is an additional card on your field, Wicked God Eraser's attack increases (Eraser ATK: 5000→6000)." Sanders said. "Are you really trying to defeat it here?"

"Patience, Academia dog." Shun stated. "The real deal starts from here. I activate a second copy of the Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Skip Force, using Satellite Cannon Falcon as material in order to Xyz Summon a Monster which is two Ranks higher than it from my Extra Deck!"

As Satellite Cannon Falcon turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Shun chanted.

"Falcon of ultimate creation! Carry on the wishes of your fallen comrades and fly off to the sky of victory! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 10! Raid Raptors – Ultimate Falcon (ATK: 3500/DEF: 2000/R: 10/OU: 2)!"

The mechanical falcon clad in golden armor with several wings protruding from its back appeared on Shun's field.

"I activate Ultimate Falcon's effect, detaching an Overlay Unit from it in order to reduce the attack of all your Monsters by 1000 and negate the effects of all face-up cards you control until the End Phase." Shun declared. "Take this! Tyrant Downfall!"

Ultimate Falcon shot a barrage of beams from its body, striking Wicked God Eraser and Sanders's face-up Spell and Trap Cards.

(Eraser ATK: 6000→5000)

"Even with that, Wicked God Eraser's attack is higher." Sanders pointed out. "Your Monsters still cannot beat it."

"You are just begging for me to prove you wrong, aren't you?" Shun smirked. "I activate the Spell Card Raid Raptors – Dual Assault. Through its effect, I can increase the attack of a "Raid Raptors" Monster by an amount equal to the attack of another "Raid Raptors" Monster on my field until the End Phase. In exchange, the second Monster cannot declare an attack during this turn. I choose to increase Ultimate Falcon's effect by an amount equal to Revolution Falcon's attack (Ultimate Falcon ATK: 3500→5500). Now, let's battle! Ultimate Falcon destroy Wicked God Eraser! Final Glorious Bright!"

A large sphere of dark energy was formed in front of Ultimate Falcon, which it launched at Wicked God Eraser, destroying it in a spectacular explosion and sending Sanders tumbling backwards.

Sanders – LP: 2100→1600

"At this moment, Wicked God Eraser's effect activates!" Sanders declared. "When this card is destroyed, I can destroy all cards on the field!"

"That won't happen!" Shun shouted. "Due to Dual Assault's second effect, if the Monster affected by its effect destroys an opponent's Monster, any of its effects that activate in response to its destruction cannot be activated!"

"Damn you, filthy cur…" Sanders growled in frustration. "To think that you were able to counter my moves to that extent…"

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn." Shun said. "Moreover, the effect of Dual Assault ends, returning Ultimate Falcon's attack to normal (Ultimate Falcon ATK: 5500→3500). However, at this moment, Ultimate Falcon's effect activates. During the End Phase, if my opponent controls no Monsters, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to them. Take this!"

Ultimate Falcon spread its mechanical wings, unleashing yet another barrage of lasers that struck Sanders's body, causing him to let out a cry of pain.

Sanders – LP: 1600→600

"Not bad, Lancer scum." Sanders remarked as he stood up. "Taking down all three Wicked Gods is no small feat. I wish the fools I had trained were at least half as resolute and skilled as you people. As expected, even intense practice courses are no match for the grueling school that is the battlefield… However, don't get too comfortable just yet. I still have one more ace up my sleeve, and it's quite the frightening one."

"Then hurry up and bring out." Shun spoke in a dismissive manner. "I already told you that I have no time to waste on you. No matter what you have in store me, I will overcome it and move on. Ruri's safety depends on it."

"Brave words for sure, but let's see if you can back them up." Sanders smirked. "My turn! Draw! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Wicked Trinity Union, banishing Wicked Gods Dreadroot, Eraser and Avatar from my Graveyard through its effect in order to perform a Fusion Summon!"

As his three Monsters swirled inside a dark-colored vortex, Sanders chanted.

"Absolute Fear! Formless Chaos! Gluttonous Oblivion! Cross the pathways of darkness, and merge as one at the origin of annihilation! Fusion Summon! Be born, Level 12! Supreme Wicked God Sin Paragon (Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 6000/DEF: 4800/LV: 12)!"

A towering Monster which had Dreadroot's body, only with four arms extending from its torso, six wings that resembled those of Eraser extending from its back, a blade that resembled Eraser's body and six black spheres resembling Avatar's form hovering around it appeared on Sanders's field.

"Behold, the personification of absolute despair, and also the final sight you'll ever see!" Sanders exclaimed with a half-crazed smile as small cracks appeared on his face and hands. "This is the end, you filthy Resistance crow! Battle! Supreme Wicked God Sin Paragon, destroy Ultimate Falcon! Seventh Damnation!"

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card Raid Raptors – Eternal!" Shun shouted. "Thanks to its effect, all battle damage I receive from battles involving "Raid Raptors" Monsters I control is reduced to 0!"

Following Shun's words, Sin Paragon swung its blade forward, cleanly bisecting Ultimate Falcon and destroying it.

"Due to its effect, if Sin Paragon destroys an attack position Monster, it gains attack equal to its original attack (Sin Paragon ATK: 6000→9500)." Sanders spoke with evident glee. "And due to its second effect, Sin Paragon can attack all Monsters you control once each. As such, Sin Paragon will destroy your Revolution Falcon next! Seventh Damnation!"

The previous scene was repeated once more, with Sin Paragon destroying Revolution Falcon with its sword.

(Sin Paragon ATK: 9500→11500)

"Since an Xyz Monster on my field was destroyed, I can activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Death Double Force!" Shun abruptly declared. "Through its effect, I can target the destroyed Monster and Special Summon an Xyz Monster that has twice the Rank of that Monster by using it as an Xyz Material! I will use Revolution Falcon to reconstruct the Overlay Network!"

As the revived Revolution Falcon turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Shun chanted.

"Victorious falcon! Scatter the clouds of despair with the wings that carry unwavering resolve, and open the path to a world of everlasting freedom! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Descend now, Rank 12! Raid Raptors – Glorious Triumph Falcon (Dark/Winged Beast/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 4500/DEF: 3500/R: 12/OU: 1)!"

An imposing, mechanical falcon covered in indigo and gold-colored armor, which had four wings protruding from its back, oversized boosters extending from its legs and a pulsating core attached to its chest, appeared on Shun's field.

"So this is your strongest Monster, huh?" Sanders remarked. "However, it's still way too weak to stand up to Sin Paragon. Your last move was a waste of effort. Now, put him out of his misery once and for all, Sin Paragon! Destroy Glorious Triumph Falcon! Seventh Damnation!"

"Fool." Shun scoffed at Sanders's words. "You really think I would bring it out if you could destroy it so easily? Due to its effect, Glorious Triumph Falcon cannot be destroyed by battle and is unaffected by my opponent's card effects as long as it has Overlay Units attached to it! And thanks to Raid Raptors – Eternal's effect, the damage from the battle is reduced to 0!"

True enough, Sin Paragon swung its blade at Shun's Monster, but failed to inflict any damage on it as the sword bounced harmlessly off the mechanical falcon's armor.

"Curse you…" Sanders growled. "In that case, Sin Paragon will destroy the three Facsimile Tokens on your field! And when Sin Paragon destroys a defense position Monster, my opponent's Life Points are halved! Take this!"

The black orbs hovering around Sin Paragon launched a barrage of bolts that destroyed the three tokens and struck Shun's body, with him struggling to remain standing as he let out pained gasps.

Shun – LP: 1100→550→275→138

"Why won't you fall, damn you!?" Sanders screamed at the sight of Shun straightening himself up while staring at him with a defiant glare. "You should be dead already! Why must you damn Lancers always ridicule me!? I've put my everything on the line, and yet I still can't exceed you!? This is beyond preposterous!"

"I won't fall." Shun declared. "I will never fall until I've fulfilled my oath to save Ruri and put an end to Academia's reign of terror. And if you want to stop me, you'll have to bring out something much better than mere Gods."

"You…"

"It's not too late." Shun continued speaking, ignoring Sanders's furious look. "We can still put an end to this before the Wicked Gods completely destroy your body. There's no need for you to die here."

"You dare insult me by offering me mercy?" Sanders sneered. "Don't joke with me, Resistance scum. Until I draw my last breath, I'll keep fighting you with everything I have. And even if my victory ends up killing me, I'll die satisfied knowing I have dragged you to the grave alongside me. I end my turn. Now then, if you think you can beat me, come at me!"

"That's unfortunate." Shun shook his head. "Having to die for a worthless cause like Academia's false utopia is truly regrettable. However, you've made your choice. In that case, I will put an end to this! My turn! Draw! I activate Glorious Triumph Falcon's effect, detaching an Overlay Unit in order to banish all "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monsters from my Graveyard and add their attack to Glorious Triumph Falcon's attack until the End Phase."

Following Shun's words, the ghostly images of his destroyed Raid Raptors appeared around Glorious Triumph Falcon before being absorbed into its body.

(Glorious Triumph Falcon ATK: 4500→16200)

"Your Monster's attack…has surpassed mine…?" Sanders muttered in shock. "That can't be…"

"Battle!" Shun exclaimed. "Glorious Triumph Falcon, destroy Supreme Wicked God Sin Paragon! End of Dominion!"

Glorious Triumph Falcon opened its wings wide as the core on its chest began charging. Shortly afterwards, a powerful energy blast erupted from the core, piercing through Sin Paragon and destroying it, with Sanders being thrown backwards from the force of the ensuing explosion.

Sanders – LP: 600→0

Shun: WIN

"It's over." Shun remarked as he approached Sanders's fallen form, which immediately turned to dust when he touched the deceased Academia agent. "It's a shame that things had to end like that, but you brought this upon yourself. Now then, let's see if there's any data I can use at his Duel Disk…"

Shun connected a cable from his Duel Disk to Sanders's Duel Disk and let Byron's custom-made program do its work as it analyzed the contents of the Duel Disk.

"The automatic data purge seems to have destroyed most of the files stored in here…" Shun muttered, but then narrowed his eyes at several files that were somehow intact. "It looks like some partial schematics of Academia escaped deletion, with the location of the Doktor's lab being included there. Talk about a stroke of good fortune…"

Shun swiftly disconnected the cable and stood up, his expression filled with evident determination.

"Wait for me, Ruri. This time…this time, I'll definitely save you without fail."

Ignore the stabs of pain throughout his body, Shun dashed forward with all the speed he could muster, determined to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

Card Corner


Earthbound Prisoner Savage Warden

ATK: 1400, DEF: 1800, LV: 4

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: If this card is Normal Summoned while there is a Field Spell Card on your field, you can Special Summon an "Earthbound Prisoner" Tuner Monster from your Deck.

Earthbound Prisoner Bound Convict

ATK: 400, DEF: 700, LV: 3

Dark/Fiend/Tuner/Effect

Monster Effect: If there is a Field Spell Card on the field, this card cannot be destroyed by battle.

Earthbound Servant Geo Balor

ATK: 2400, DEF: 2200, LV: 7

Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect

1 "Earthbound" Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner "Earthbound" Monsters

Monster Effect: If your opponent receives damage from a battle involving an "Earthbound" Monster you control or from the effect of an "Earthbound" Monster, that damage is doubled. Once during either player's turn, you can negate an instance of effect damage.

Earthbound Servant Geo Scylla

ATK: 2400, DEF: 2600, LV: 7

Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect

2 "Earthbound" Monsters

Monster Effect: Once per turn, you can inflict 400 points of damage to your opponent for every "Earthbound" Monster you control. If this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent, gain Life Points equal to half that damage.

Earthbound Servant Geo Simurgh

ATK: 2600, DEF: 2500, LV: 8

Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Effect

1 "Earthbound" Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner "Earthbound" Monsters

Monster Effect: Once per turn, you can banish a number of Spell/Trap Cards from your opponent's field equal to the number of "Earthbound" Monsters you control. Cards and effects cannot be activated in response to this effect.

Earthbound Servant Geo Coinchenn

ATK: 2900, DEF: 1500, LV: 8

Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect

2 "Earthbound" Monsters

Monster Effect: This card cannot be destroyed by battle. Whenever this card destroys an opponent's Special Summoned Monster, inflict 1000 points of damage to your opponent.

Earthbound Prisoner Pit Worker

ATK: 500, DEF: 1200, LV: 3

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: If there is a Field Spell Card on your field, you can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard and target a Monster your opponent controls; change its summoning type to whichever one you wish.

Earthbound Servant Geo Ifreet

ATK: 4200, DEF: 2600, LV: 12

Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect

"Earthbound Servant Geo Glasya-Labolas" + 1 "Earthbound" Synchro Monster

Monster Effect: Once per turn, you can banish all Monsters your opponent controls, and then this card can attack a number of times equal to the number of Monsters it banished through its effect during this Battle Phase. When this card battles an opponent's Monster, that Monster is destroyed and you gain Life Points equal to half its ATK, while your opponent receives half its ATK as damage.

Fallen Acolyte

ATK: 600, DEF: 1200, LV: 3

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: If this attack position Monster is destroyed, you can Special Summon a number of Fallen Tokens (Dark/Fiend/ATK: 0/DEF: 0 /LV: 1) equal to the number of Monsters your opponent controls.

Wicked Arms – Blast Saber

ATK: 1000, DEF: 0, LV: 3

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: You can equip this card from your hand or field to a "Wicked God" Monster you control. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can target a "Wicked God" Monster you control and apply this card's effect as if it were equipped to that Monster from the field, but banish it if the targeted Monster is destroyed. Each time the equipped Monster declares an attack, increase its ATK by 1000. Once per turn, if the equipped Monster's ATK is higher than its original value, you can return its ATK to its normal value and inflict half the difference as damage to your opponent's Life Points.

Raid Raptors – Rapid Vulture

ATK: 1100, DEF: 1500, LV: 4

Dark/Winged Beast/Effect

Monster Effect: If this card is added to your hand through a card effect, you can Special Summon it. If a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster on your field destroyed an opponent's Monster, you can banish this card from your Graveyard to allow it to attack once again.

Wicked Arms – Surge Greaves

ATK: 1300, DEF: 600, LV: 3

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: You can equip this card from your hand or field to a "Wicked God" Monster you control. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can target a "Wicked God" Monster you control and apply this card's effect as if it were equipped to that Monster from the field, but banish it if the targeted Monster is destroyed. If the equipped Monster destroys an opponent's Monster by battle, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its original ATK. When the equipped Monster battles an opponent's Monster, after damage calculation, you can destroy the opponent's Monster with the lowest ATK.

Raid Raptors – Overboost Falcon

ATK: 0, DEF: 1000, R: 4

Dark/Winged Beast/Xyz/Effect

3 Level 4 "Raid Raptors" Monsters

Monster Effect: You can detach all Xyz Materials (min. 1) from this card to equip it to a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster you control. When the equipped Monster declares an attack, double its ATK a number of times equal to the number of materials required for its Xyz Summon until the Battle Phase's end, but your opponent receives no damage from this battle. If a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster is battling an opponent's Monster with a higher ATK than it while this card is in your Graveyard, you can banish it to have the opponent's Monster be destroyed by that battle and have your opponent receive the damage from that battle.

Wicked Arms – Void Lance

ATK: 1100, DEF: 300, LV: 3

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: You can equip this card from your hand or field to a "Wicked God" Monster you control. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can target a "Wicked God" Monster you control and apply this card's effect as if it were equipped to that Monster from the field, but banish it if the targeted Monster is destroyed. If the equipped Monster inflicts battle damage to your opponent, that damage is doubled. When the equipped Monster destroys an opponent's Monster by battle, you can target and destroy another Monster on the field.

Wicked Arms – Distorted Crown

ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 1

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: You can equip this card from your hand or field to a "Wicked God" Monster you control. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can target a "Wicked God" Monster you control and apply this card's effect as if it were equipped to that Monster from the field, but banish it if the targeted Monster is destroyed. The equipped Monster retains any ATK increases, and its ATK cannot be lowered by your opponent's card effects.

Wicked Adept

ATK: 500, DEF: 1300, LV: 2

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: If you would receive damage, you can send this card to the Graveyard to halve that damage. Then, you can add a "Wicked God" Monster from your Deck to your hand, while your opponent draws one card from their Deck.

Wicked Arms – Nightmare Cannon

ATK: 300/DEF: 100/LV: 1

Dark/Fiend/Effect

Monster Effect: You can equip this card from your hand or field to a "Wicked God" Monster you control. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can target a "Wicked God" Monster you control and apply this card's effect as if it were equipped to that Monster from the field, but banish it if the targeted Monster is destroyed. The equipped Monster cannot be targeted by card effects. Once per turn, if this card is equipped to a Monster, you can target a face-down Spell/Trap card your opponent controls and prevent it from activating as long as it remains face-up on the field.

Raid Raptors – Guard Lanius

ATK: 200, DEF: 1900, LV: 4

Dark/Winged Beast/Effect

Monster Effect: If a "Raid Raptors" Monster on your field would be destroyed, you can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard to prevent its destruction and halve the battle damage.

Supreme Wicked God Sin Paragon

ATK: 6000, DEF: 4800, LV: 12

Dark/Fiend/Fusion/Effect

"Wicked God Dreadroot" + "Wicked God Eraser" + "Wicked God Avatar"

Monster Effect: This card must be Fusion Summoned and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. This card cannot be affected by card effects and can attack all Monsters your opponent controls once each. If this card destroys an opponent's attack position Monster, increase this card's ATK by an amount equal to the destroyed Monster's original ATK. If this card destroys an opponent's defense position Monster, halve your opponent's Life Points. If this card is destroyed, you can Special Summon a "Wicked God" Monster from your Graveyard or banish zone by ignoring its summoning conditions.

Raid Raptors – Glorious Triumph Falcon

ATK: 4500, DEF: 3500, R: 12

Dark/Winged Beast/Xyz/Effect

4 Level 12 "Raid Raptors" Monsters

Monster Effect: As long as this card has Xyz Materials attached to it, it cannot be destroyed by battle and is unaffected by your opponent's card effects. All other "Raid Raptors" Monsters on your field gain 800 ATK. Once per turn, you can detach an Xyz Material to activate one of the following effects.

-Banish all "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monsters from your Graveyard; add their ATK to this card's ATK until the End Phase.

-Special Summon a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster from your Graveyard and attach the detached Xyz Material to it as an Xyz Material.

-Target a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster on your field; Special Summon a "Raid Raptors" Xyz Monster which is one Rank higher than it from your Extra Deck by using it as the Xyz Material (this Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon).

If this card is destroyed, you can shuffle all cards on both players' fields and Graveyards back to their Decks.

Earthbound Pit

Field Spell Card

When a player adds an Action Card to their hand, it's immediately destroyed. If you Synchro Summon an "Earthbound" Synchro Monster, you can use the same Monsters as materials in order to Fusion Summon an "Earthbound" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck and vice versa (in which case, one of the Fusion Materials must be a Tuner). During either player's turn, if "Earthbound" Monsters on your field were destroyed, you can draw one card from your Deck for every destroyed Monster during the End Phase.

Earthbound Mark

Normal Spell Card

Increase the ATK of all "Earthbound" Monsters you control by 800. For the duration of the turn you activated this card, the ATK of your opponent's Monsters cannot be modified.

Burning Gaze

Quick-Play Spell Card

If the attack of an "Odd-Eyes" Monster on you field was negated, you can Special Summon an opponent's Monster that was destroyed during this turn from their Graveyard on their field and have your Monster battle it. If the opponent's Monster is successfully destroyed by that battle, draw one card from your Deck.

Pendulum Trade-Off

Normal Spell Card

Send any number of Pendulum Monsters from your Monster Zone to the Graveyard; draw one card from your Deck for every sent Monster.

Earthbound Parole

Normal Spell Card

If there is a Field Spell Card on your field, you can Special Summon an "Earthbound" Monster from your Graveyard with its effects negated.

Pendulum Liberation

Normal Spell Card

Destroy all Pendulum cards on your field; draw one card from your Deck for every destroyed card.

Earthbound Melding

Normal Spell Card

Fusion Summon an "Earthbound" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck by banishing the necessary Monsters from your field and/or Graveyard.

Earthbound Fury

Equip Spell Card

Equip this card to an "Earthbound" Monster you control. The equipped Monster can attack all Monsters your opponent controls once each. Other Monsters you control cannot attack. If a Monster equipped with this card is destroyed, you can Special Summon it during the End Phase with its effects negated and its ATK and DEF being 0.

Odd-Eyes Rush

Quick-Play Spell Card

If an "Odd-Eyes" Monster on your field declared an attack, you can banish an "Odd-Eyes" Monster from your hand, Extra Deck, field or Graveyard in order to allow it to attack once again on this turn's Battle Phase.

Forge of the Wicked Gods

Continuous Spell Card

Once per turn, if you control a "Wicked God" Monster, you can send a "Wicked Arms" Monster from your Deck to your Graveyard.

Chalice of the Wicked Gods

Continuous Spell Card

Draw two cards from your Deck if you control a "Wicked God" Monster. During your Draw Phase, if you control a "Wicked God" Monster, draw two cards from your Deck instead of one.

Xyz Tribute

Normal Spell Card

Send a Rank 5 or higher Xyz Monster you control to the Graveyard; draw two cards from your Deck.

Devil's Gateway

Normal Spell Card

If you control a Fiend-type Monster, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Dark-attribute Monster from your Deck. That Monster cannot attack or activate its effects.

Wicked God Sacrifice

Normal Spell Card

If you control a "Wicked God" Monster, you can destroy all other Monsters on your field apart from it in order to gains 500 Life Points and draw one card from your Deck for each Monster.

Raid Raptors – Dual Assault

Normal Spell Card

Increase the ATK of a "Raid Raptors" Monster on your field by an amount equal to the ATK of another "Raid Raptors" Monster on your field until the End Phase. In exchange, the second Monster cannot declare an attack during this turn's Battle Phase. If the Monster affected by this effect destroys an opponent's Monster, any effects that activate in response to that Monster's destruction are negated.

Wicked Trinity Union

Quick-Play Spell Card

Banish three "Wicked God" Monsters from your field or Graveyard; Special Summon a "Supreme Wicked God" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.

Earthbound Howl

Normal Trap Card

If you would receive damage from a battle involving an "Earthbound" Monster, you can reduce that damage to 0. If you would take effect damage while a Field Spell Card is active, you can banish this card from your Graveyard to reduce that damage to 0.

Earthbound Crack

Normal Trap Card

When an opponent's Monster declares a direct attack while an "Earthbound" Monster on your field has been destroyed during this turn, you can negate that attack and prevent your opponent's Monsters from declaring direct attacks for the rest of this turn.

Earthbound Legion

Normal Trap Card

Activate this card if "Earthbound" Monsters (min. 1) on your field were destroyed while there is a Field Spell Card active; Special Summon two "Earthbound" Monsters from your Extra Deck with their effects negated by ignoring their summoning conditions.

Entermate Safe Point

Normal Trap Card

If you are about to receive damage, you can banish two "Entermate" Monsters from your Extra Deck and/or Graveyard; reduce that damage to 0.

Earthbound Remnant

Normal Trap Card

If an "Earthbound" Monster on your field was destroyed, you can send a card from your hand to the Graveyard in order to Special Summon an "Earthbound" Monster from your Graveyard.

Raptor's Grit

Normal Trap Card

When a "Raid Raptors" Monster you control battles an opponent's Monster, you can increase its ATK by an amount equal to the original ATK of all "Raid Raptors" Monsters on your field, including itself, until the battle's end.

Everlasting Wickedness

Normal Trap Card

If a "Wicked God" Monster on your field would be destroyed, you can activate this card to prevent its destruction, and also prevent it from being destroyed by battle or card effects for the rest of this turn.

Awakening from the Depths

Continuous Trap Card

If a "Wicked God" Monster on your field was destroyed, you can Special Summon it from the Graveyard by ignoring its summoning conditions, equip this card to it, make its ATK and DEF 0, negate its effects and prevent it from being destroyed by battle or card effects for the rest of this turn. If this card is destroyed, banish the equipped Monster. If the equipped Monster is destroyed, send this card to the Graveyard.

Wicked Facsimile

Normal Trap Card

If a "Wicked God" Monster on your field is destroyed, you can Special Summon three Facsimile Tokens (Dark/Fiend/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1) on each of the field in defense mode. Those tokens cannot be destroyed by battle on the turn they were summoned.

And that concludes Chapter 52. The first Duel featured a surprising return in the form of Sergey, Roget's enforcer. His return (albeit short-lived) was teased in Chapter 27 during the Academia meeting, but he finally showed up here. I was a bit torn over whether I should have Yuya or Yugo (who was supposed to face him at the Friendship Cup's semifinals) Duel him, but I settled for Yuya. He had a score to settle with him after his previous defeat, and he was the person who hurt Yuzu and Gongenzaka, so it made more sense for me to have Yuya confront him. In addition, it was a good opportunity to begin Yuya's descent into darkness as he faced an opponent he absolutely loathed, providing the impetus for the beginning of Zarc's awakening.

As for the second Duel, Shun, who had been out of commission for quite some time, finally had his chance to shine here by facing Sanders. The Academia instructor's forbidden Deck contained, as some of you guessed, the Wicked Gods that were used in the Yu-Gi-Oh R manga. Despite their strength, they were outmatched by the Raid Raptors and Shun's new Glorious Triumph Falcon. That Monster is essentially a replacement for Final Fortress Falcon since I felt it was somewhat underwhelming as the Raid Raptors' Rank 12 Monster. However, Final Fortress Falcon might show up in a Duel as well.

Well, that's all for now. As always, please read, review, favorite and follow.

See you all next time!