Greetings, community. Dvdryms here with Chapter 53. First, in response to your questions.
—To Dounia: That was Zarc who had temporarily manifested and briefly taken control of Yuya, hence the overly violent behavior.
—To EXECZ: Supreme King Dragon Z-Arc might have one or two additional effects, but it won't be a Ritual Monster as well.
—To Guest (1): Thanks for pointing out my mistake.
—To Guest (2): The Parasite mini arc will be featured in the second chapter after this one, but it will probably last only for that chapter.
—To Guest 1.0: For the answer to your first question check the above comment. Sanders' corrosion was indeed more severe due to the fact that he hadn't won a match before confronting Shun in order to offset the damage. That, plus summoning all three Wicked Gods and their evolved form in one Duel caused his body to rapidly deteriorate. Serena and Ruri will use the Parasite-enhanced Decks, while Yuzu and Rin will use their own Decks + Parasite Fusioner. As for Duelists like Barrett and Ryo, they'll be kept busy through various methods so that they can't interfere with Zarc's resurrection.
And now, on with the story!
Chapter 53 – Radiant Supergalaxy and Unrelenting Darkness
The sounds of footsteps echoed across the corridor as Yugo dashed forward with all the strength he could muster, his eyes darting around as he surveyed every nook and cranny of the area around him. Despite having come across several classrooms, some storage rooms, a couple of training halls and several soldiers that he had promptly taken care of, there was still no sign of Rin. There was also a time a while back where he blacked out for a bit, but he quickly brushed it off. Rin was his top priority right now.
"Damn…" Yugo wheezed out after he stopped to catch his breath. "Nothing so far… Where the Hell are you, Rin? Are you safe…?"
[Worried about your friend? How foolish. You should be more concerned about yourself, child.]
"Who's there!?" Yugo shouted as he quickly scanned his surroundings for the source of this voice. "Show yourself and fight me like a man! No matter who you are, I'll beat you to a pulp!"
[I'm afraid a researcher such as myself cannot stoop to your level, so I'll have to decline. Instead, I'll have you participate in one of my experiments. My Parasite Monsters need a bit more of fine tuning in order to become the perfect instruments of control.]
"What are you babbling about, you bastard?" Yugo growled. "What experiment? I don't have time to waste on stupid things like that! Tell me where Rin is!"
[Rin? Oh, I suppose you're talking about one of the girls that my Parasite Fusioners is currently controlling. I'm taking really good care of her, so there's no reason to be concerned about her. She and her companions are very valuable to the Professor after all.]
"So you're the sleazebag who twisted Rin's mind!?" Yugo's expression was filled with anger. "Wherever you are, you'd better sit tight and wait for me because I'm coming to kick your ass! You'll pay for what you did to her!"
[Such an uncivilized brat. Even if the Professor hadn't designated you as a priority target for some reason, I would still destroy you for this insolence alone. Now then, since you're so eager to fight, shall we begin the experiment?]
Following the Doktor's words, a section of the wall ahead of Yugo opened, with the familiar silhouette of Roget emerging from it and staring at Yugo with vacant, lifeless expression.
"You're…the former Director of Security, Roget?" Yugo frowned. "What the Hell are you doing at this place? Yuzu said you had been sucked by a wormhole last time she saw you."
[I'm afraid he cannot respond to anything you say right now since he's completely under my control. He failed to apprehend some of the intruders he previously fought, so this is a test to see if his combat proficiency will increase by using a Deck he's more familiar with instead of his last one.]
"I don't understand any of your nonsense, but if you're looking for a fight, bring it on!" Yugo declared as he activated his Duel Disk. "I'll crush this guy, and then I'm coming for you, you twisted bug freak!"
[That's a good attitude.] The Doktor chuckled as Roget activated his Duel Disk. [I'm looking forward to the results of this experiment.]
[Duel!]
Both Yugo and Roget shouted together.
Yugo – LP: 4000
Roget – LP: 4000
"I'll take the first turn." Roget stated. "I activate the Spell Card Fusion, sending two copies of Antique Gear (Earth/Machine/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 800/LV: 2) from my hand to the Graveyard in order to Fusion Summon."
As his two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Roget chanted.
"Mechanical beings which have inherited the ancient soul, form an allegiance and become a new power. Fusion Summon. Come forth, Level 8. Mechanical being of malevolence, Antique Gear Devil (Earth/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1800/LV: 8) in defense mode."
A winged, mechanical Monster with two large gears that had three cannons extending from them attached to its hands appeared on Roget's field.
"I activate the Equip Spell Card Antique Gear Magic Shield, equipping it to Antique Gear Devil." Roget continued as a large shield that conjured an energy barrier appeared before his Monster. "Thanks to its effect, Antique Gear Devil's defense increases by 1200 (Devil DEF: 1800→3000) and it cannot be destroyed by battle. In addition, when Antique Gear Devil is equipped with an Equip Card, it's unaffected by my opponent's card effects. Next, I activate Antique Gear Devil's effect. Once per turn, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to my opponent for every Spell Card on my field. Since there is only one such card on my field, you'll receive 1000 points of damage."
The cannons attached to Antique Gear Devil targeted Yugo, unleashing a barrage of blasts that bombarded his body and caused him to grunt in pain.
Yugo – LP: 4000→3000
"I place a card face-down and end my turn." Roget said.
"My turn!" Yugo exclaimed. "Draw! You've got a pretty solid defense there, former Director. However, I will tear it to pieces and you along with it! You were responsible for the harsh conditions we Commons had to endure, and you made quite a mess of my homeland. I've been looking forward for a chance to beat you up, although it's a shame you're not conscious to experience it firsthand. Now then, let's go! Since I control no Monsters, I can Special Summon this card from my hand. Come, Speedroid Beigomax (ATK: 1200/DEF: 600/LV: 3)!"
The Monster resembling several tops attached together appeared on Yugo's field.
"Then, since I control a Wind-attribute Monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand." Yugo continued. "Appear, Speedroid Taketonborg (ATK: 600/DEF: 1200/LV: 3)!"
A small robot appeared on Yugo's field next to Beigomax.
"Next, I summon the Tuner Monster Speedroid Master Spinner (ATK: 200/DEF: 400/LV: 1)!"
Master Spinner appeared on the field next to Yugo's two Monsters.
"I tune the Level 3 Beigomax and the Level 3 Taketonborg with the Level 1 Master Spinner!" As Beigomax and Taketonborg turned into three stars each while Master Spinner turned into a single ring surrounding them, Yugo chanted. "Awakened soul of speed! Seize fate in your hands and smash through our enemies! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 7! Highspeedroid Bakuchi Formula (Wind/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2600/DEF: 1200/LV: 7)!"
A Monster resembling a viridian Formula One car with gold lines and a spear-shaped front, which had an ornate dice attached to the cockpit, appeared on Yugo's field.
"Battle!" Yugo exclaimed. "Bakuchi Formula, attack Antique Gear Devil! Dead Heat Strike!"
Yugo's Monster dashed forward, striking the shield and generating a shockwave that sent Yugo skidding backwards.
Yugo – LP: 3000→2600
[What was that just now?] The Doktor's voice was suddenly heard. [Don't tell you're actually so daft that you thought a frontal assault like that would work?]
"No, everything is going as planned." Yugo smirked. "Bakuchi Formula's effect activates! When this card battles, after damage calculation, I can target and destroy a Spell or Trap Card on the field! Of course, I will destroy Antique Gear Magic Shield!"
A bolt of lightning erupted from Bakuchi Formula's front following Yugo's words, destroying Roget's Spell Card.
(Devil DEF: 3000→1800)
"At this moment, Bakuchi Formula's second effect activates!" Yugo declared. "If it successfully destroyed an opponent's Spell or Trap Card, I can roll a dice, and if the result is 1, 3 or 5, my Monster can attack once again! If not, I will receive damage equal to the dice result multiplied by 200! Go, dice roll of destiny!"
The large dice shot out of Bakuchi Formula's cockpit and landed on the ground, spinning briefly before landing on 3.
"Yosh, it's a perfect result!" Yugo cheered. "As such, Bakuchi Formula can attack once again! Destroy his Monster! Dead Heat Strike!"
Bakuchi Formula was surrounded by streams of energy as it dashed forward, piercing through Antique Gear Devil and destroying it.
"I activate the Trap Card Antique Gear Bargain." Roget stated. "Since an "Antique Gear" Fusion Monster I controlled was destroyed, I can draw two cards from my Deck. And since I had no cards in my hand the moment I activated this effect, I can draw two more cards from my Deck."
"You may have refilled your hand, but at least I got rid of your irritating Monster." Yugo remarked. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."
"My turn." Roget announced. "Draw. I activate the Field Spell Card Geartown. Then, I activate the Spell Card Antique Gear Catapult, whose effect allows me to target a face-up card I control, destroy it and Special Summon an "Antique Gear" Monster from my Deck by ignoring its summoning conditions. I choose Antique Gear Golem – Ultimate Pound (Earth/Machine/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 3000/LV: 8)."
An imposing mechanical giant appeared on Roget's field following his words.
"Since Geartown was destroyed, its effect activates, allowing me to Special Summon an "Antique Gear" Monster from my hand, Deck or Graveyard." Roget stated. "I choose to Special Summon Antique Gear Proto Golem from my Deck (Earth/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1500/LV: 4)."
A Monster resembling a smaller and simplified version of Antique Gear Golem appeared on Roget's field.
"I activate Antique Gear Proto Golem's effect, releasing it in order to Special Summon this card from my hand." Roget continued. "Come, Antique Gear Golem (Earth/Machine/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 3000/LV: 8)."
A mechanical giant almost identical to Ultimate Pound appeared on Roget's field.
"Battle." Roget declared. "Antique Gear Golem – Ultimate Pound, destroy Bakuchi Formula."
Roget's Monster threw a mighty punch that obliterated Yugo's Monster and caused him to wince due to the ensuing shockwave.
Yugo – LP: 2600→2200
"At this moment, Antique Gear Golem – Ultimate Pound's effect activates." Roget said. "Since it destroyed an opponent's Monster, I can send Antique Gear Wyvern from my hand to the Graveyard to allow it to attack once again. Attack him directly and finish him off."
"I won't let you!" Yugo shouted. "When my opponent's Monster declares a direct attack, I can Special Summon this card from my hand in attack mode and switch all Monsters you control to defense mode! Come, Speedroid Menkoat (Wind/Machine/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 2000/LV: 4)!"
A mechanical card with boosters attached on its ends appeared on Yugo's field, unleashing an energy pulse that forced Roget's Monsters to defense mode.
"The attack was interrupted." Roget remarked with an almost robotic tone. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."
"It's my turn!" Yugo announced. "Draw! First, I activate the Spell Card Pot of Greed, which allows me to draw two cards from my Deck. I activate the Spell Card Extraspeed Synchro, whose effect allows me to target a "Speedroid" Tuner Monster and a "Speedroid" Synchro Monster in my Graveyard, Special Summon them and use them as materials for a Synchro Summon. I choose Master Spinner and Bakuchi Formula!"
A large portal appeared on the ground, with Yugo's two Monsters emerging from it. As Bakuchi Formula turned into seven stars and Master Spinner into a single ring surrounding them, Yugo chanted.
"With these massive fists of steel, smash apart our enemies and pave the road to victory! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 8! Highspeedroid Gattai Robo Dracyon (ATK: 2800/DEF: 1700/LV: 8)!"
The Monster resembling a large, blue-colored toy robot with several white armor parts placed on it and a pulsating core on its chest appeared on Yugo's field.
"Gattai Robo Dracyon's effect activates!" Yugo declared. "When this card is Synchro Summoned by using by using a Level 5 or higher Monster as a Synchro Material, I can destroy two cards on my opponent's field! I choose to destroy your two Antique Gear Golems! Double Recoil Burst!"
The large robot's fists were detached from its arms and flew forward, piercing through Roget's Monsters and destroying them.
"Since "Antique Gear" Monsters on my field were destroyed, I can activate the Trap Card Scrap Barricade." Roget stated. "Through its effect, all damage I receive for this turn is reduced to half. In addition, since it was destroyed, Antique Gear Golem – Ultimate Pound's effect activates. Through it, I can add a "Fusion" card from my Deck to my hand and an "Antique Gear" Monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I choose to add Welding Fusion and Antique Gear Wyvern to my hand."
"Battle!" Yugo exclaimed. "Highspeedroid Gattai Robo Dracyon, attack him directly! Spin Storm!"
An energy twister erupted from Gattai Robo Dracyon's chest, enveloping Roget's body and sending him skidding backwards. However, Roget's expression remained impassive despite the damage he sustained.
Roget – LP: 4000→2600
"Not even a single twitch, huh…?" Yugo let out a half-hearted snort. "This is seriously creepy. It feels like I'm fighting a robot or something… In any case, I switch Speedroid Menkoat to defense position, place a card face-down and end my turn with that."
"My turn." Roget announced. "Draw. I summon Antique Gear Wyvern (Earth/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1700/DEF: 1200/LV: 4)."
A small, mechanical dragon appeared on Roget's field.
"Antique Gear Wyvern's effect activates, allowing me to add an "Antique Gear" Monster from my Deck to my hand." Roget continued. "I choose Antique Gear Box (Earth/Machine/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 2000/LV: 4). Since Antique Gear Box was added to my hand through a card effect, its effect activates, allowing me to add Antique Gear Gadget (Earth/Machine/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 2000/LV: 4) from my Deck to my hand. Then, I will send Antique Gear Box from my hand to the Graveyard in order to activate the Spell Card Welding Fusion, which allows me to perform a Fusion Summon by banishing "Antique Gear" Monsters from my field and/or Graveyard. I chose to banish Antique Gears Golem, Ultimate Pound and Wyvern in order to Fusion Summon."
As his two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Roget chanted.
"Ancient giant. Dragon raised in the sky. Vicious ancient giant. Become one now and awaken the war machine of terror. Fusion Summon. Appear now, Level 9. Antique Gear Megaton Golem (Earth/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3300/DEF: 3300/LV: 9)."
A towering mechanical giant with three sets of arms and three sets of legs appeared on Roget's field.
"I activate the Spell Card Antique Gear Union, whose effect allows me to target an "Antique Gear" Fusion Monster in my Graveyard and equip it to an "Antique Gear" Monster I control." Roget stated. "Moreover, the equipped Monster gains attack equal to the attack of that Fusion Monster. I choose the 1000 attack Antique Gear Devil."
Following Roget's words, Antique Gear Devil emerged from a portal on the ground and attached itself to Megaton Golem's body.
(Megaton Golem ATK: 3300→4300)
"Battle." Roget declared. "Antique Gear Megaton Golem, destroy Highspeedroid Gattai Robo Dracyon. Megaton Pound."
"I activate Gattai Robo Dracyon's effect!" Yugo exclaimed. "When this card battles, I can send a "Speedroid" Monster from my hand or field to the Graveyard in order to increase its attack by an amount equal to that Monster's original attack until the End Phase! I choose to send the 1200 attack Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke form my hand to the Graveyard in order to increase Dracyon's attack (Dracyon ATK: 2800→4000)!"
Following Yugo's words, Megaton Golem struck his Monsters with its six fists, pulverizing it and generating a shockwave that caused Yugo to grunt in pain.
Yugo – LP: 2200→1900
"Due to its effect, Megaton Golem can attack twice per Battle Phase since it used two "Ancient Gear Golem" Monsters as materials for its Fusion Summon." Roget stated. "As such, Megaton Golem will attack Speedroid Menkoat. Megaton Pound."
Menkoat was struck by Megaton Golem's enormous fists, vanishing in an instant.
"Good thing I brought this out earlier, or I'd be in serious trouble now…" Yugo said as he wiped his brow. "Since the Battle Phase ended, I can activate the Trap Card Speedroid Roll Out. Through its effect, I can Special Summon a number of "Speedroid" Monsters from my Deck equal to the number of "Speedroid" Monsters that were destroyed during that Battle Phase, but their combined Level must be lower than the combined Level of the destroyed Monsters. Come forth, Speedroid Karuta (ATK: 300/DEF: 500/LV: 2) and Speedroid 5-6-Plane (ATK: 1800/DEF: 0/LV: 5)!"
A small, mechanical plane and an ornate, mechanical card appeared on Yugo's field.
"5-6-Plane's effect activates." Yugo stated. "When this card is Special Summoned, I can target one Monster on the field and have it lose 600 attack. I choose your Megaton Golem."
5-6-Plane unleashed a hail of bullets following Yugo's words, striking Megaton Golem's body.
(Megaton Golem ATK: 4300→3700)
"I end my turn with this." Roget said.
"My turn!" Yugo announced. "Draw! Now then, time for the main star to take the stage! I tune the Level 5 Speedroid 5-6-Plane with the Level 2 Speedroid Karuta!"
As 5-6-Plane turned into five stars and Karuta turned into two rings surrounding them, Yugo chanted.
"Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
The white dragon with transparent wings appeared on Yugo's field, letting out a resonant howl.
"Since Karuta was used as a Synchro Material, I can draw one card from my Deck thanks to its effect." Yugo stated. "Next, I activate the Trap Card Trigger Switch. Thanks to its effect, I can target a Monster my opponent controls, grant it an effect that destroys one of my Monsters on the field and force it to activate it. However, since a Level 5 or higher Monster activated its effect, Clear Wing's effect activates, allowing me to destroy that Monster and add its attack to its own attack until the End Phase. Dichroic Mirror!"
A stream of light erupted from Clear Wing's wings, enveloping Megaton Golem and destroying it.
(Clear Wing ATK: 2500→6200)
"At this moment, Megaton Golem's effect activates." Roget stated. "Since it was destroyed by an opponent's card effect, I can Special Summon this card from my Extra Deck by ignoring its summoning conditions. Come, Antique Gear Ultimate Golem (Earth/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 4400/DEF: 3400/LV: 10) in defense mode."
A giant, mechanical Monster with four legs and a large claw attached to its left arm appeared on Roget's field.
"Moreover, I activate Welding Fusion's effect in my Graveyard." Roget continued. "By banishing both it and Megaton Golem, I can place the Fusion Materials that were used for its summon from the banish zone to the Graveyard."
"Another defense, huh?" Yugo grimaced. "In that case, I'll go with this. I activate the Equip Spell Card Tempest Sigil, equipping it to Clear Wing. Now, let's battle! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, destroy Antique Gear Ultimate Golem! Helldive Slasher of Whirlwind!
Clear Wing was surrounded by raging gusts of wind as it charged forward, piercing through Ultimate Golem's body.
"At this moment, the equipped Tempest Sigil's effect activates!" Yugo exclaimed. "Since the equipped Monster destroyed an opponent's Monster with a higher Level than it through battle, I can inflict damage to them equal to the difference in Levels multiplied by 500! Since that difference is 3, you'll receive 1500 points of damage! Take this, you bastard!"
Several spots of lightning erupted from Clear Wing's wings, striking Roget and sending him tumbling backwards, although the former Academia agent quickly stood up, looking none the worse for wear.
Roget – LP: 2600→1100
"Since Ultimate Golem was destroyed, its effect activates, allowing me to target Antique Gear Golem in my Graveyard and Special Summon it by ignoring its summoning conditions." Roget stated. "Revive, Antique Gear Golem."
A portal appeared on the ground, with Antique Gear Golem emerging from it and landing on the field.
"That annoying thing is back again…" Yugo muttered. "I place a card face-down and end my turn, with Clear Wing's attack returning to normal (Clear Wing ATK: 6200→2500)."
"My turn." Roget announced. "Draw. I activate the Spell Card Antique Gear Fusion. Through its effect, I can Fusion Summon an "Antique Gear" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck. And since I control Antique Gear Golem, I can use Monsters from my Deck as Fusion Materials. I will fuse Antique Gear Golem on my field along with Antique Gear Golem – Ultimate Pound, Antique Gear Reactor Dragon and Antique Gear Gadjildragon from my Deck."
As his four Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Roget chanted.
"Mechanized weapons of war which have inherited the ancient soul, become one now in the vortex of chaos and transform into a herald of annihilation. Fusion Summon. Appear, Level 12. Antique Gear Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon (Earth/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 4800/DEF: 4000/LV: 12)."
An imposing mechanical dragon with an exposed reactor that pulsating attached to its torso, several gears with energy orbs jutting from various parts of its body, mechanical wings with cannons attached to them and crimson energy lines running through its body appeared on Roget's field, letting out a loud screech.
"I will send Antique Gear Gadget from my hand to the Graveyard in order to activate Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon's effect." Roget stated. "Through it, I can destroy all cards on my opponent's field and inflict 300 points of damage to them. And since my Monster is unaffected by my opponent's card effects, while also being able to negate the effects of the Monster it battles, Clear Wing's effect is useless here."
"Even so, you won't destroy my Monster that easily!" Yugo shouted. "Due to the equipped Tempest Sigil's effect, if Clear Wing would be destroyed by a card effect, I can destroy this card instead!"
Following Yugo's words, the cannons on Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon's wings aimed forward, unleashing a barrage of blasts that destroyed Yugo's face-down card and struck his body, causing him to grimace in pain.
Yugo – LP: 1900→1600
"Through its effect, Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon gains attack equal to the discarded Monster's attack until the End Phase (Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon ATK: 4800→5300)." Roget declared. "Now, let's battle. Antique Gear Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon, destroy Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. Nuclear Fission Torrent."
"I won't let it end so easily!" Yugo exclaimed. "Due to the final effect of the now destroyed Tempest Sigil, Clear Wing cannot be destroyed by battle until the end of this turn and all damage I receive from battles involving it is halved!"
Following Yugo's words, Clear Wing was struck by a powerful blast that erupted from Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon's chest, but was shielded by a semi-transparent barrier that appeared around it. However, the ensuing shockwave and deflected energy bolts ravaged the corridor, with Yugo being sent tumbling backwards due to the impact.
Yugo – LP: 1600→200
"I end my turn with this." Roget said. "At this moment, Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon's effect expires, returning its attack to normal (Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon ATK: 5300→4800)."
[Perfect.] The Doktor remarked amidst his cackling. [It looks like this experiment is shaping up to be a resounding success. The brash youth is almost finished, and the data I've gathered is more than sufficient to further enhance my Parasite Fusioners. As for the next step, I—]
"Oi…don't act like you've already won the Duel…you bastard…" Yugo wheezed out as he slowly stood up. "I'm still…very much in the game…"
[Oh, please. You're clearly at the end of your rope here. Your dragon is no much for my puppet's strongest Monster and your hand is empty. The chances of you reversing this situation and emerging victorious are rather abysmal. You'd be better off surrendering.]
"Even so, as long as there's even a one percent chance, I will definitely not give up!" Yugo declared. "My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card Synchro Remodeling. Through its effect, I can reduce the effect of a Synchro Monster on my field by one, in this case Clear Wing, in order to Special Summon a Tuner Monster from my Graveyard with the same attribute as it. Revive, Speedroid Karuta!"
A portal appeared on the ground, with Speedroid Karuta emerging from it and landing on Yugo's field.
(Clear Wing LV: 7→6)
"I tune the now Level 6 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and the Level 2 Speedroid Karuta!" As Clear Wing turned into six stars and Karuta turned into two rings surrounding them, Yugo chanted. "Spread those wings shining with sacred light and strike down your enemies with your radiance! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon (ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500/LV: 8)!"
The dragon whose wings and part of its armor were made out of crystal appeared on Yugo's field, letting out a resounding roar.
"Karuta's effect activates since it was used a Synchro Material." Yugo continued. "Thanks to it, I can draw a card from my Deck."
Yugo turned to his Duel Disk, an anxious look on his face as his hand hovered above his Deck.
This is it. My last chance to turn this around. Despite its strength, Crystal Wing is useless against his Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon. But if I can draw the card I need now, I can defeat this guy. For Rin's sake, I absolutely cannot lose here! Don't let me down here now, my luck!
"Let's do this!" Yugo shouted. "Draw!"
Yugo drew his card with a sharp motion, a large grin appearing on his face upon seeing what he had drawn.
"Jackpot." Yugo chuckled. "Now then, let's end this! Battle! Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, attack his Antique Gear Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon! Crystallos Edge of Gale!"
[You're attacking even though your Monster's attack is lower?] The Doktor sounds somewhat confused, but then his voice became serious. [Don't tell me…]
"Since a Synchro Monster on the field is attacking, I can activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Synchro Breakdown from my hand!" Yugo exclaimed. "Through its effect, I can destroy the attacking Monster and inflict damage equal to its attack to its controller, with them drawing one card from their Deck for every 600 points of damage! I will destroy Crystal Wing and receive its attack as damage!"
Following Yugo's words, Crystal Wing's body was filled with cracks and was destroyed shortly afterwards, with a wave of light heading towards Yugo.
[You're trying to self-destruct? No, that can't be it. What the Hell are you plotting, you street rat?]
"This!" Yugo shouted. "I banish the Trap Card Speedroid Emergency Break along with Speedroid Menkoat from my Graveyard in order to activate its effect! Thanks to it, if I'm about to receive effect damage, I can reduce it to 0 and inflict half the amount of damage I would have received to my opponent! Therefore, take 1500 points of damage and disappear!"
The wave that was heading towards Yugo abruptly changed direction, striking Roget instead and sending him crashing to the ground, where he lay there unmoving.
Roget – LP: 1100→0
Yugo: WIN
"Hell yeah!" Yugo cheered. "I won! That would have been more satisfying if he had full control of himself, but I'll settle for this. Now, it's time for you to tell me where Rin is, you deranged psychopath!"
[I'm afraid that since we had made no deal about information regarding your friend's whereabouts, I cannot fulfil your demand. However, since I'm a benevolent soul, you will be allowed to reunite with her—as one of my pawns that is!]
Registering movement out of the corner of his eyes, Yugo sharply turned on his heels, swiftly grasping a microscopic object that was heading towards him with almost inhuman reflexes. Upon studying the captured object, Yugo noticed that it was some sort of bug squirming in his fingers.
"That thing…" Yugo narrowed his eyes at it. "Is this disgusting insect what's controlling Rin? And you were trying to control me as well with that? Sorry, but I have no intention of being a puppet in your sick game!"
Following those words, Yugo crushed the bug with his fingers and watched it as it turned into particles of light that quickly dispersed. He then turned his gaze towards the ceiling, glaring at it with obvious hostility.
"I don't exactly know who you are or why you're doing all this, but mark my words; should I come across you, you won't get off as easy as that bug did! No-one hurts Rin without answering to me, got it!?"
Yugo's declaration was only met with silence, prompting him to sigh.
"I guess he's too irritated and too sore about his loss to respond… Now then, since I don't think I'll be getting anything out of Roget any time soon, I'd better move along. Eventually, I'm bound to run into someone who knows something about Rin, whether that's an ally or an enemy."
Upon saying that, Yugo took off once again, leaving the unconscious Roget behind him.
Meanwhile, in another section of Academia…
"I wonder if Shun and Ruri are alright. I shouldn't have listened to Shun when he asked me to go on ahead and leave Ruri to him. Even though he's not going to be taken down so easily, I still have a bad feeling about this…"
Kaito murmured so as he walked forward, wary of any concealed traps or ambushes. After nearly falling into a pitfall and getting assaulted by several Obelisk Force members a few minutes after that incident, he had decided to be a lot more prudent.
"Tch, this place is like a large maze…" Kaito clicked his tongue in irritation. "And of course, the trackers in our Duel Disks are being jammed here. As if Academia would make things easy for us. At this point, I can only hope to get lucky and run into one of the others, or perhaps come across some control center or something…"
Kaito interrupted his monologue as he took notice of a large, ornate door to his left. While he was wary of another ambush, there was a chance something important was behind that door. So, after taking a deep breath in order to calm down, he cautiously opened the door, only to find—
"…A chapel?"
It was a truly unexpected sight for Kaito as he stepped inside, taking a quick look around. The chapel was quite spacious and tidy, with a large, circular window made out of stained glass placed on the top of the wall opposite from Kaito, serving as the only source of illumination. Several wooden chairs were also neatly arranged around the hall, while a crimson carpet covered the floor. All in all, the place exuded a sense of harmony and calm. However, Kaito instantly tensed upon seeing a dark shadow kneeling in front of the altar.
"An enemy!?" Kaito shouted. "Identify yourself!"
The figure was silent for a few seconds, but eventually spoke.
"How rude. Interrupting someone when he's in the midst of paying his respects is the height of poor manners. For shame, Tenjo Kaito."
The figure stood up and turned around, allowing Kaito to identify him as the infamous Nightshroud, one of Academia's fiercest Duelists.
"So it's you, huh…" Kaito said. "That's honestly the last place I expected to find a person like you. From what I've heard about you, I expected you to be dwelling in some sort of secluded cave."
"And judging from the rumors surrounding you, I thought you would be more like a starving beast thirsting for blood, yet you seem remarkably in control of yourself." Nightshroud retorted. "I guess you shouldn't judge people from what you hear about them, eh, Tenjo Kaito?"
"Perhaps." Kaito responded. "So what are you doing here? Praying for forgiveness for all the sins you and Academia have committed over the course of this war? I think it's a little late for regrets at this stage, but if it helps you live with yourself…"
"Please." Nightshroud scoffed at Kaito's words. "Forgiveness? I've long since made peace with the fact that I'll never be forgiven for what I've committed in Academia's name. My sins are too many and too heavy for that. But if the world is saved because of that, I'm fine with being sentenced to eternal damnation."
"I'll praise that determination of yours at least." Kaito said, but then his expression became more severe. "However, I'm not that interested in hearing about whatever internal turmoil you might have. Since I came across you, this is a good opportunity. Your sister, Asuka, confronted you a while back. Where is she? What did you do to her?"
"Why do you ask questions when you already know the answers?" Nightshroud asked. "There is only one fate awaiting those who dare defy Academia as you should be well aware."
"You sick bastard…" Kaito clenched his fists hard while glaring at Nightshroud with undisguised hatred. "You turned your own little sister into a card!? Are there no depths to which you bastards aren't willing to sink to!? Older brothers…older brothers are born first in order to protect the siblings that come after them! And yet you…! You dared to trample over that bond! Unforgivable! Even if God forgives you, I definitely won't ever forgive you for this, Nightshroud!"
"Now there's the Tenjo Kaito I had heard so much about." Nightshroud remarked with a smirk. "However, I don't ever remember asking for your forgiveness, so spare me the outburst. If you hate me, if you wish to destroy me, then do so through a Duel. After all, taking down troublesome opponents like you is my mission."
"Then I'll do just that!" Kaito declared. "I'll definitely make you repent for this crime! Let's do this, Nightshroud!"
[Duel!]
Both Duelists shouted together as they activated their Duel Disks.
Kaito – LP: 4000
Nightshroud – LP: 4000
"I'll take the first turn!" Kaito announced. "Since I control no Monsters, I can activate the Spell Card Cipher Access, whose effects allows me to perform an Xyz Summon by using "Cipher" Monsters from my hand. In exchange, I cannot summon any other Monsters during this turn. I Overlay the Level 4 Cipher Rotor (ATK: 1000/DEF: 500/LV: 4) and Cipher Monolith (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 1900/LV: 4)!"
As his two Monsters turned into streams of energy and were absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Kaito chanted.
"Proud ruler resting within the unfathomable light! Descend now and grace us with your brilliance! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Cipher Spectral Baron (Light/Machine/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 2200/DEF: 1400/R: 4/OU: 2)!"
A mechanical Monster clad in dark blue armor with white energy lines running through it, which held a lance-shaped scepter in its hands and had a glowing cape strapped to its left shoulder, appeared on Kaito's field.
"I place one card face-down and end my turn." Kaito said. "Now, come at me, Nightshroud."
"It's my turn." Nightshroud announced. "Draw. I summon Red-Eyes Wyvern (Wind/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1600/LV: 4)."
A black dragon with no arms and wings extending from its back appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"I activate the Spell Card Red-Eyes Overgrowth, whose effect allows me to release a Level 4 or lower "Red-Eyes" Monster in order to Special Summon this card from my Deck." Nightshroud continued. "Moreover, the summoned Monster can inflict piercing damage this turn. Come forth, the embodiment of potential, Red-Eyes Black Dragon (ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
Following Nightshroud's words, Red-Eyes Wyvern was absorbed by a black magic circle that appeared beneath it, with Red-Eyes Black Dragon emerging from it immediately afterwards.
"Since I control a "Red-Eyes" Monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand." Nightshroud stated. "Appear, Red-Eyes Axe Raider (Dark/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 1700/DEF: 1600/LV: 4)!"
A warrior with red eyes clad in black armor and holding an obsidian axe whose blade was shaped like a dragon appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"Battle!" Nightshroud exclaimed. "Red-Eyes Black Dragon, destroy Cipher Spectral Baron! Dark Flame Shot!"
"I activate Cipher Spectral Baron's effect!" Kaito declared. "Once per turn, when this card is targeted for an attack or by a card effect, I can detach an Overlay Unit in order to Special Summon a Spectral Token with the same Attribute, Type, attack and defense as it, and have it become the target instead! Moreover, that Token's name becomes the same as Cipher Spectral Baron's name, but it cannot declare an attack! Appear, Spectral Token (Light/Machine/ATK: 2200/DEF: 1400/LV: 1)!"
A Monster resembling Spectral Baron, only colored light blue, appeared on Kaito's field.
"In addition, I activate the Continuous Trap Card Cipher Shield!" Kaito continued. "Through its effect, if I control two or more "Cipher" Monsters, those Monsters cannot be destroyed by battle! Furthermore, any effect damage is reduced to 0 as long as this card remains face-up on the field!"
Following Kaito's words, Red-Eyes Black Dragon opened its mouth wide and unleashed a large fireball, striking the token and failing to destroy it, with Kaito wincing from due to the ensuing shockwave.
Kaito – LP: 4000→3800
"Not bad." Nightshroud remarked. "But since a "Red-Eyes" Monster inflicted damage to you, Red-Eyes Axe Raider's effect activates, increasing the attack of all "Red-Eyes" Monsters I control by an amount equal to the amount of damage you received (Red-Eyes Black Dragon ATK: 2400→2600, Axe Raider ATK: 1700→1900). I place one card face-down and end my turn."
"My turn!" Kaito announced. "Draw! I summon Cipher Twin Raptor (ATK: 1600/DEF: 800/LV: 4)!"
A medium-sized dinosaur with wings made out of light appeared on Kaito's field.
"Cipher Twin Raptor can be treated as two Monsters for the Xyz Summon of a "Cipher" Monster." Kaito stated. "As such, I Overlay the Level 4 Cipher Twin Raptor!"
As his Monster and a ghostly image of it turned into streams of energy and were absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Kaito chanted.
"Holder of the ancient secrets! Walk the path illuminated by the unyielding light and open the door of truth hidden at its end! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Cipher Code Keeper (ATK: 2500/DEF: 1600/R: 4/OU: 1)!"
The Monster clad in a robe that seemed to be woven out of light with wings extending from its back, which held an ornate staff with streams of energy swirling around it, appeared on Kaito's field.
"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card Cipher Interfere." Kaito declared. "Now, let's battle! Cipher Spectral Baron, attack Red-Eyes Black Dragon! At this moment, the effect of Cipher Interfere activates! Since I control two "Cipher" Monsters with the same name, I can double the attack of one of them during damage calculation only, in this case Cipher Spectral Baron (Spectral Baron ATK: 2200→4400)! Do it, my Monster! Recode Hacking!"
"I activate my Trap Card, Dark Haze!" Nightshroud exclaimed. "Thanks to its effect, for the rest of this turn, the damage I receive from battles involving Dark-attribute Monsters is halved! In addition, my opponent's Monsters cannot activate their effects during this turn!"
Following Nightshroud's words, Spectral Baron charged forward and pierced Red-Eyes Black Dragon's body, destroying it and sending Nightshroud skidding backwards due to the ensuing shockwave.
Nightshroud – LP: 4000→3100
"I activate the effect of Red-Eyes Tracer Dragon in my hand!" Nightshroud shouted. "Since a Level 7 or lower "Red-Eyes" Monster on my field was destroyed, I can Special Summon this card in defense position! Come, Red-Eyes Tracer Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 1700/DEF: 1600/LV: 4)!"
A dragon resembling Red-Eyes Black Dragon, only with crimson lines running through its body and two gears attached to its legs appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"Since Tracer Dragon was Special Summoned successfully, I can activate its effect!" Nightshroud continued. "Thanks to it, I can Special Summon the destroyed Red-Eyes Black Dragon in the same battle position it was when it was destroyed! Resurrect, my almighty beast!"
A metal cabinet-like structure with a clock on top of it appeared on Nightshroud's field, with Red-Eyes Black Dragon emerging from it and returning to the field.
"Since you've brought your dragon back, I'll simply destroy it once again!" Kaito stated. "Go, Cipher Code Keeper! Destroy Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Arc Flash Hazard!"
"I banish Dark Haze from my Graveyard in order to activate its second effect!" Nightshroud declared. "Thanks to it, when an opponent's Monster targets a Dark-attribute Monster I control for an attack, I can switch the target of that attack to another Dark-attribute Monster I control, in this case Red-Eyes Tracer Dragon!"
The energy wave that was shot out of Code Keeper's staff abruptly changed direction, striking Red-Eyes Tracer Dragon and destroying it.
"My token cannot attack, so that's all I can do for now…" Kaito muttered with evident chagrin. "I will switch my token to defense mode and end my turn with this."
"It's my turn." Nightshroud announced. "Draw. I activate the Spell Card Red-Eyes Fusion, using its effect to perform a Fusion Summon by using Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon, Red-Eyes Metal Knight Gearfried and Red-Eyes Black Flame Swordsman as materials from my Deck."
As his three Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Nightshroud chanted.
"Dragon of darkness bearing the raging inferno! Iron-encased knight with the burning gaze! Swordsman of the phantom flame! Join together as one now and become a one-hit kill strike of lightning! Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 9! Red-Eyes Gilford the Pitch-Black Lightning (Dark/Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3400/DEF: 1900/LV: 9)!"
A red-eyed warrior with crimson and black armor that held a longsword surrounded by black lightning appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"I activate Red-Eyes Gilford's effect." Nightshroud declared. "Once per turn, I can destroy a number of cards on my opponent's field equal to the number of "Red-Eyes" Monsters on my field. Since there are three such Monster on my field, I can destroy three of your cards, Tenjo Kaito. I choose to destroy Cipher Shield, Cipher Interfere and Cipher Code Keeper. Do it, my Monster!"
Red-Eyes Gilford raised its blade high, calling down three bolts of lightning that destroyed the designated cards.
"Battle!" Nightshroud declared. "Red-Eyes Black Dragon, attack Cipher Spectral Baron! Dark Flame Shot!"
"I detach Spectral Baron's final Overlay Unit to activate its effect!" Kaito shouted. "Thanks to it, I can Special Summon a Spectral Token and redirect your attack to it! Appear, Spectral Token in defense mode!"
An Overlay Unit disappeared from Spectral Baron, with a Spectral Token appearing on Kaito's field and receiving Red-Eyes' attack, which resulted in its destruction.
"Next, Red-Eyes Gilford will destroy Cipher Spectral Baron!" Nightshroud continued. "Abyss Lightning Slash!"
"Due to Cipher Spectral Baron's effect, the damage I receive from battles involving it is halved!"
Following Kaito's words, Red-Eyes Gilford charged forward and swung its lightning-clad sword at Spectral Baron, cleanly bisecting it and causing Kaito to grunt in pain from the stray lightning bolts that struck him.
Kaito – LP: 3800→3200
"Due to Red-Eyes Axe Raider's effect, my Monsters' attack increases by an amount equal to the damage you received (Red-Eyes Gilford ATK: 3400→4000. Red-Eyes Black Dragon ATK: 2400→3000, Red-Eyes Axe Raider ATK: 1900→2500)." Nightshroud reminded Kaito. "Finally, Red-Eyes Axe Raider will attack your defense position Spectral Token! Dark Air Rave!"
Red-Eyes Axe Raider swung its weapon, unleashing a dark-colored gust of wind that bisected Kaito's remaining Monster and destroyed it.
"This will do for now." Nightshroud said. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."
"My turn!" Kaito announced. "Draw! Heh, you truly are as formidable as the rumors say. However, I absolutely won't lose to you here! I activate the Spell Card Cipher Restart. Since I control no Monsters, I can banish two "Cipher" Xyz Monsters with the same Rank from my Graveyard in order to draw cards from my Deck until I have six in my hand. I choose to banish Code Keeper and Spectral Baron. Then, I summon Cipher Wing (ATK: 1400/DEF: 1200/LV: 4)!"
The Monster comprised of a cubic core with four wings of light extending from its back appeared on Kaito's field.
"Since I control Cipher Wing, I can Special Summon a second copy of it from my hand through its effect." Kaito stated. "Come, the second Cipher Wing!"
A second Cipher Wing appeared next to the first one on Kaito's field.
"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card Double Exposure." Kaito continued. "Through its effect, I can two Level 6 or lower Monsters on the field with the same name and make their Levels equal to double their current Levels. I choose my two Cipher Wings as the target for that effect (Cipher Wing x 2 LV: 4→8). Then, I Overlay the now Level 8 Cipher Wings!"
As his two Monsters turned into streams of energy and were absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Kaito chanted.
"Galaxy shining in the darkness! Embody the demon of revenge and become my very servant! Xyz Summon! Descend, Rank 8! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon (ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500/R: 8/OU: 2)!"
The dragon with a glowing body and wings made of light appeared on the field, letting out a furious howl.
"Hoh, so this is the Hunter's infamous trump card, Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon." Nightshroud commented. "Such a majestic Monster. It's almost a shame that I'll have to destroy it."
"Don't be too sure about that." Kaito warned him. "I activate Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit from it, I can take control of a Monster you control until the End Phase while also making its name and attack equal to Cipher Dragon's! I choose your Red-Eyes Gilford as the target for this effect! Cipher Projection!"
Streams of light were released from Cipher Dragon's wings, enveloping Red-Eyes Gilford. Immediately afterwards, Nightshroud's Monster disappeared and reappeared in Kaito's field, turning into a glowing copy of Cipher Dragon.
"And I'm far from finished." Kaito declared. "I activate the Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Transmigration. Thanks to its effect, I can target a "Cipher" Monster I control and use it as material in order to Xyz Summon a "Cipher" Xyz Monster whose Level is equal to its Rank from my Extra Deck since I control a "Cipher" Xyz Monster. I will use your Red-Eyes Gilford, which is treated as Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, as material in order to construct the Overlay Network!"
As the glowing copy of Cipher Dragon turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Kaito chanted once again.
"Galaxy shining in the darkness! Transform yourself into a vengeful blade of unmatched radiance and tear through our assembled enemies! Xyz Summon! Descend, Rank 9! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon (ATK: 3200/DEF: 2800/R: 9/OU: 1)!"
Cipher Blade Dragon appeared on the field next to Cipher Dragon, letting out a furious cry.
"I activate Cipher Blade Dragon's effect." Kaito said. "Once per turn, I can detach an Overlay Unit from it in order to destroy one card on your field. I choose to destroy your face-down card. Cipher Scraper!"
"I activate my face-down card, the Trap Card Emerging Darkness." Nightshroud stated. "Thanks to its effect, I can send Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my field to the Graveyard in order to Special Summon this Monster from my Deck. Come, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon (ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000/LV: 9)!"
The dragon resembling an evolved form of Red-Eyes Black Dragon with red lines engraved on its body and crimson gems attached to it appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"Due to its effect, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon gains 300 attack for every Dragon-type Monster in my Graveyard." Nightshroud continued. "Since there are four such Monsters, it gains 1200 attack (Darkness Dragon ATK: 2400→3600). In addition, since I activated Emerging Darkness during my opponent's turn, I can draw one card from my Deck."
"Then, let's battle!" Kaito exclaimed. "Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon, attack Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon! At this moment, I activate the effect of Cipher Monolith in my Graveyard! When a "Cipher" Monster attacks an opponent's Monster, I can banish this card from my Graveyard in order to increase that Monster's attack by 600 until the End Phase (Cipher Blade Dragon ATK: 3200→3800)! Do it, Cipher Blade Dragon! Cipher Stream of Ruin!"
A massive wave of energy erupted from Cipher Blade Dragon's maw, piercing through Darkness Dragon and destroying it, with Nightshroud being sent skidding backwards from the force of the explosion.
Nightshroud – LP: 3100→2900
"Finally, Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon will destroy your Red-Eyes Axe Raider!" Kaito shouted. "Cipher Stream of Eradication!"
Cipher Dragon opened its maw wide, unleashing a powerful energy wave that enveloped Red-Eyes Axe Raider and vaporized it, causing Nightshroud to grimace due to the ensuing shockwave.
Nightshroud – LP: 2900→2400
"I place one card face-down and end my turn." Kaito said. "At this moment, Cipher Monolith's effect ends, returning Cipher Blade Dragon's attack to normal (Cipher Blade Dragon ATK: 3800→3200)."
"It's my turn." Nightshroud announced. "Draw. First, I activate the effect of Emerging Darkness in my Graveyard, banishing both it and Darkness Dragon from my Graveyard in order to draw two cards from my Deck. Then, since my opponent controls a Monster while I don't, I can Special Summon this card from my hand. Come, Red-Eyes Goblin Sorcerer Force (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1800/LV: 4)!"
A trio of red-eyed goblins that was clad in black robes and held ornate staffs in their hands appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"Since a "Red-Eyes" Monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon this card from my Graveyard." Nightshroud continued. "Revive, Red-Eyes Black Flame Swordsman (ATK: 1800/DEF: 1600/LV: 4)!"
The warrior with red eyes clad in a black battle outfit, which held a crimson blade with black flames surrounding it, appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"I activate Goblin Sorcerer Force's effect, releasing it in order to add a "Fusion" card to my hand." Nightshroud stated. "I choose the Spell Card Crimson Awakening – Infernal Fusion and activate it. Through its effect, I will return Red-Eyes Tracer Dragon and Goblin Sorcerer Force from my Graveyard back to my Deck in order to Fusion Summon!"
As his two Monsters swirled inside a vortex of crimson-colored flames, Nightshroud chanted.
"Dragon of darkness leaping across time! Demons which have mastered the arcane arts! Let those blazing eyes of yours become the catalyst that will awaken the defiler of grace dwelling in the depths of Hell! Fusion Summon! Come forth now, Level 3! Crimson-Eyes Calcabrina Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 200/LV: 3)!"
A dark brown-colored dragon with crimson eyes and clawed bone appendages extending from its back, whose bottom half resembled that of a centipede's and was dripping with poison, appeared on Nightshroud's field, letting out a loud screech.
"What…is that Monster…?" Kaito muttered. "I've never heard of a "Crimson-Eyes" archetype before. And that nasty feeling I'm getting from it… It's certainly something dangerous."
"An astute and accurate observation." Nightshroud remarked. "Now then, prepare to have a taste of the power these envoys of Hell hold. I activate Calcabrina Dragon's effect. Once during either player's turn, I can target a "Red-Eyes" or "Crimson-Eyes" Monster on the field and have all Monsters my opponent controls lose attack equal to that Monster's current attack until the End Phase. Since both Black Flame Swordsman and Calcabrina Dragon have equal attack, I'll target one of them and have all your Monsters lose 1800 attack (Cipher Blade Dragon ATK: 3200→1400, Cipher Dragon ATK: 3000→1200). Now, let's battle! Red-Eyes Black Flame Swordsman, destroy Cipher Blade Dragon! Phantom Flame Blade!"
Black Flame Swordsman's blade was clad in black flames as it dashed forward, beheading Cipher Blade Dragon with a swift stroke and destroying it, with the ensuing explosion sending Kaito tumbling backwards.
Kaito – LP: 3200→2800
"Since a "Red-Eyes" Monster destroyed an opponent's Monster by battle, Black Flame Swordsman's effect activates, allowing me to draw one card from my Deck." Nightshroud stated. "Next, Crimson-Eyes Calcabrina Dragon, destroy Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! Decaying Resin Wave!"
Calcabrina Dragon shot out a poisonous substance that enveloped Cipher Dragon, causing its body to start corroding and eventually melting, with some of its remains washing onto Kaito's body and causing him to grunt in pain.
Kaito – LP: 2800→2200
"Since a "Cipher" Monster with Xyz Materials on it was destroyed, I can activate the Trap Card Cipher Spectrum!" Kaito shouted. "Through its effect, I can Special Summon that Monster from my Graveyard, and then Special Summon an Xyz Monster with the same name as it from my Extra Deck by ignoring its summoning conditions! Come to my side once again, my Cipher Dragons!"
A large portal appeared on the field, with the two Cipher Dragon emerging from it and landing on Kaito's field.
"So those Monsters returned once again…" Nightshroud muttered. "Then I'll just have to destroy them once again. I place one card face-down and end my turn."
"My turn!" Kaito announced. "Draw! Now, let's battle! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, destroy Crimson-Eyes Calcabrina Dragon! Cipher Stream of Eradication!"
"Fool." Nightshroud sneered. "Did you already forget about Calcabrina Dragon's effect? Once during either player's turn, I can reduce the attack of all Monsters you control by an amount equal to the attack of "Red-Eyes" or "Crimson-Eyes" Monster on the field (Cipher Dragon ATK x 2 ATK: 3000→1200). Counterattack and destroy his Monster, Calcabrina Dragon!"
"That won't happen!" Kaito exclaimed. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Cipher Bond! Thanks to its effect, if I control two "Cipher" Monsters with the same name, I can increase their attack by an amount equal to the attack of the Monster with the highest attack among them until the end of my turn! Since their attack is equal, they both gain 1200 attack (Cipher Dragon x 2 ATK: 1200→2400)! Continue your attack, my dragon!"
Cipher Dragon unleashed an energy blast that pierced through Calcabrina Dragon's body and destroyed it.
"Calcabrina Dragon's effect activates." Nightshroud declared. "Thanks to it, if it's destroyed by battle, I receive no damage from that battle. Moreover, all battle damage I receive for the rest of this turn is reduced to 0 as well."
"Then, my second Cipher Dragon will destroy your Black Flame Swordsman!" Kaito exclaimed. "Cipher Stream of Eradication!"
The previous scene was repeated once again as Black Flame Swordsman was obliterated, with Nightshroud being sent skidding backwards due to the ensuing shockwave.
"Since a "Red-Eyes" Monster on my field was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can activate the Trap Card Red-Eyes Succession." Nightshroud stated. "Through its effect, I can add a "Red-Eyes" Monster from my Deck and one from my Graveyard to my hand. I choose to add Red-Eyes Lightning Lord – Evil Daemon and Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my Deck and Graveyard respectively to my hand. Furthermore, since I controlled no Monsters when this card was activated, I can add a "Fusion" Spell Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I choose to add Infernal Fusion from my Graveyard to my hand."
"So you're all set to Fusion Summon during your next turn, huh…?" Kaito remarked. "During the Battle Phase's end, the second effect of Cipher Bond activates, allowing me to draw one card from my Deck for every Monster my opponent controlled that was destroyed by Monsters affected by this card's effect. Since two Monsters were destroyed, I will draw two cards. Finally, I'll place two cards face-down and end my turn, with my two Cipher Dragons' attack returning to normal during the End Phase (Cipher Dragon x 2 ATK: 2400→3000)."
"It's my turn." Nightshroud announced. "Draw. I activate the Spell Card Divergent Element. Through its effect, if I Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster on this turn and if I can use its materials and the card used for the Fusion Summon to Fusion Summon a different Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, I can Special Summon that Monster through this card's effect by ignoring its summoning conditions. Then, I activate the Spell Card Crimson Awakening – Infernal Fusion, using its effect to fuse Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Evil Daemon in my hand!"
As his two Monsters swirled inside a vortex of crimson-colored flames, Nightshroud chanted.
"Dragon of darkness embodying infinite potential! Lightning-clad demon! Let those blazing eyes of yours become the catalyst that will awaken the savage beast of carnage dwelling in the depths of Hell! Fusion Summon! Come forth now, Level 8! Crimson-Eyes Gatolhog Dragon (ATK: 2800/DEF: 2500/LV: 8)!"
The dark green-colored dragon with a thick, muscular body and two massive tusks extending from the sides of its mouth, which had four arms with long claws and tattered wings extending from its torso along with armor pieces attached to its body, appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"Through Divergent Element's effect, I can Special Summon a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by using the materials I used for Gatolhog Dragon's summon." Nightshroud continued. "Descend now, Crimson-Eyes Farfarel Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3100/DEF: 2700/LV: 9)!"
A reddish brown-colored dragon with crimson eyes and a demonic appearance, which had two sets of wings extending from its back and several serpents extending from its body, appeared on Nightshroud's field, letting out a furious howl.
"Battle!" Nightshroud exclaimed. "At this moment, I activate Farfarel Dragon's effect! Once per turn, during the Battle Phase, I can target a Monster my opponent controls, make its attack equal to Farfarel Dragon's until the End Phase and have it attack another Monster my opponent controls!"
"I won't let you!" Kaito declared. "Since I control a "Cipher" Xyz Monster, I can activate the Counter Trap Card Cipher Decode from my hand! Through its effect, I can negate the activation of your Monster's effect, destroy it and draw one card from my Deck!"
"Useless!" Nightshroud shouted. "Gatolhog Dragon's effect activates! Once during either player's Battle Phase, I can negate the activation of an opponent's Spell or Trap Card and destroy it! As such, Farfarel Dragon's effect will resume! I choose one of your Cipher Dragons (Cipher Dragon ATK: 3000→3100) and have it attack your second Cipher Dragon!"
"In that case, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Shock!" Kaito stated. "Due to its effect, I can target a battling "Cipher" Xyz Monster and prevent its destruction from that battle, while also negating the effects of all Monsters on the field until the end of this turn!"
Following Kaito's words, his first Cipher Dragon opened its maw wide and unleashed a powerful blast, striking the second Cipher Dragon but failing to destroy it, with Kaito wincing due to the ensuing shockwave.
Kaito – LP: 2200→2100
"Since the targeted Monster battled, Cipher Shock's effect ends the Battle Phase." Kaito continued. "Then, I can use that Monster as Xyz Material in order to Xyz Summon a "Cipher" Xyz Monster which is one Rank higher than it from my Extra Deck! I use Cipher Dragon to reconstruct the Overlay Network!"
As Cipher Dragon turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Kaito chanted.
"Galaxy shining in the darkness! Release the forever unchanging light and become the beacon that illuminates the future! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Descend now, Rank 9! Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon (ATK: 4500/DEF: 3000/R: 9/OU: 1)!"
The dragon somewhat resembling Cipher Dragon, which had two additional heads attached to its shoulders and larger wings than its predecessor, appeared on Kaito's field.
"This might be somewhat troublesome…" Nightshroud muttered. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."
"My turn!" Kaito exclaimed. "Draw! I will detach an Overlay Unit from Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon in order to activate its effect, allowing me to take control of all Monsters on your field, have their names and attack become the same as this card's and negate their effects! In exchange, those Monsters cannot attack on this turn's Battle Phase! Cipher Super Projection!"
"Farfarel Dragon's effect activates." Nightshroud declared. "Once during either player's turn, when an effect that would affect "Red-Eyes" or "Crimson-Eyes" Monsters on my field is activated, I can negate that effect."
"You may have escaped from my Monster's effect, but let's see how you'll handle this." Kaito stated. "I activate the Spell Card Cipher Diffusion. Through its effect, I can change the attack of a "Cipher" Monster with 3000 or more attack to 0. Then, I can target another "Cipher" Monster I control and have it make three attacks during this turn's Battle Phase. I'll reduce Cipher Dragon's attack to 0 in order to allow my Neo Galaxy-Eyes to attack three times during this Battle Phase. Now, let's battle! Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, destroy Crimson-Eyes Farfarel Dragon! Cipher Stream of Horror!"
"I activate the Continuous Trap Card Crimson Hell Gate!" Nightshroud exclaimed. "Through its effect, every time a "Red-Eyes" Monster or a Monster that was summoned by using a "Red-Eyes" Monster as material is destroyed, I can reduce the battle damage to 0!"
Following Nightshroud's words, Neo Galaxy-Eyes unleashed three energy blasts from its mouths that pierced through Farfarel Dragon's body and destroyed it.
"Crimson Hell Gate's second effect activates." Nightshroud stated. "Thanks to it, I can place a Sin Counter on it each time a Monster I control is destroyed (Sin Counter: 0→1) And since Farfarel Dragon was destroyed, its effect activates, allowing me to draw two cards from my Deck."
"Here comes the second attack!" Kaito shouted. "Destroy his Gatolhog Dragon, Neo Galaxy-Eyes! Cipher Stream of Horror!"
The previous scene was repeated once again as Neo Galaxy-Eyes' blast destroyed Gatolhog Dragon.
"Due to Crimson Hell Gate's effect, the damage is reduced to 0 and I can place one Sin Counter on it since my Monster was destroyed (Sin Counter: 1→2)." Nightshroud reminded Kaito. "In addition, Gatolhog Dragon's effect activates! If this card is destroyed by battle, I can destroy the Monster that destroyed it and inflict damage to my opponent equal to half the attack of one of its Fusion Materials!"
"I activate the effect of Cipher Transmigration in my Graveyard!" Kaito stated. "When a "Cipher" Xyz Monster that was summoned through a Rank-Up-Magic card's effect is about to leave the field, I can banish this card to prevent it from leaving the field! As such, Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon is free to make the final and decisive attack! Go, Neo Galaxy-Eyes! Attack him directly and end this! Cipher Stream of Horror!"
"I'm afraid I can't let you settle things so easily." Nightshroud smirked. "Crimson Hell Gate's final effect activates! If I'm about to receive battle damage from a direct attack, I can destroy this card to reduce that damage to 0 and end the Battle Phase!"
"Persistent bastard…" Kaito cursed. "However, I won't be deterred by that much. I'll definitely make you pay for what you did to your own sister of all people. I place a card face-down, switch Cipher Dragon to defense mode and end my turn."
"It's my turn." Nightshroud announced. "Draw. During my Standby Phase, the final effect of the destroyed Crimson Hell Gate activates. Thanks to it, I can Special Summon a "Crimson-Eyes" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck whose Level is equal to or less than the number of Sin Counters on this card when it was destroyed. Join us on this stage, undead apostle of purgatory! Level 2, Crimson-Eyes Arbariccia Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 2) in defense mode!"
An ash grey-colored dragon with crimson eyes and wings reminiscent of an angel extending from its back emerged from the ruined gate and landed on Nightshroud's field.
"Another "Crimson-Eyes" Monster, huh…?" Kaito muttered. "However, if it has 0 attack and defense, it must have a powerful effect…"
"It's nothing too extraordinary to be honest." Nightshroud stated. "Arbariccia Dragon merely cannot be destroyed by battle, while any damage I receive from battles involving it becomes 0. It serves as a powerful shield, but nothing more than that. Of course, that doesn't matter much since I have several other powerful beasts ready to obliterate you. Now, let's continue. First, I summon Black of Legend (ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1)."
A black stone with several red-colored cracks on it appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"Next, I will banish Black of Legend in order to Special Summon this card from my hand." Nightshroud continued. "Come forth, Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400/LV: 10)!"
A Monster resembling Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, only encased in metal armor, appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"I activate Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon's effect." Nightshroud stated. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Dragon-type Monster from my hand or Graveyard. Revive from my Graveyard, Crimson-Eyes Gatolhog Dragon!"
A dark-colored portal appeared on the ground, with Gatolhog Dragon emerging from it and landing on Nightshroud's field.
"Battle!" Nightshroud exclaimed. "Crimson-Eyes Gatolhog Dragon, attack Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! At this moment, Gatolhog Dragon's effect activates, allowing it to increase its attack by an amount equal to the total original attack sum of all other "Red-Eyes" and "Crimson-Eyes" Monsters on the field until the End Phase (Gatolhog Dragon ATK: 2800→5600)! Do it, my Monster! Rending Ferocity Fang!"
Gatolhog Dragon's tusks were surrounded by boiling magma as it charged forward, piercing through Neo Galaxy-Eyes' body and destroying it, with the ensuing shockwave sending Kaito tumbling backwards.
Kaito – LP: 2100→1000
"Finally, Darkness Metal Dragon will destroy your Cipher Dragon!" Nightshroud pointed at Kaito's remaining Monster. "Darkness Metal Flare!"
"I activate my Trap Card, Twin Resonance!" Kaito shouted. "Through its effect, if a Monster I control is about to be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish a Monster with the same name as it from my Graveyard in order to prevent its destruction and make it unable to be destroyed for the rest of this turn! I choose to banish the Cipher Dragon in my Graveyard in order to protect the Cipher Dragon on my field!"
Following Kaito's words, a semi-transparent barrier appeared around Cipher Dragon, shielding it from Darkness Metal Dragon's blast.
"I guess this is as far as I can go for this turn." Nightshroud said. "I place one card face-down and end my turn, with Gatolhog Dragon's attack returning to normal (Gatolhog Dragon ATK: 5600→2800)."
"My turn!" Kaito announced. "Draw! I activate the Spell Card Treasure Cards from the Heavens, whose effect allows both of us to draw cards until we have six in our hands. Then, using Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon as the Xyz Material, I will reconstruct the Overlay Network!"
As Cipher Dragon turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Kaito chanted.
"O eternal light travelling across the Milky Way! Be reborn into a new scion of divinity and fill the world with your transcendental power! Xyz Summon! Come forth now, Rank 8! Galaxy-Eyes Full Burst Cipher Dragon (ATK: 4000/DEF: 3500/R: 8/OU: 1)!"
The dragon resembling Cipher Dragon, only with black armor plates attached to its body, six wings of light growing from its back and cannons protruding from its hips, forearms and shoulders, appeared on Kaito's field.
"Next, I summon Cipher Engineer (ATK: 1000/DEF: 1300/LV: 4)."
Cipher Engineer appeared on Kaito's field next to his dragon.
"I detach an Overlay Unit to activate Galaxy-Eyes Full Burst Cipher Dragon's effect." Kaito declared. "Once per turn, I can target a "Cipher" Monster on the field and change the names of all face-up cards on the field apart from Full Burst Cipher Dragon into that Monster's name. I choose Cipher Engineer as the target. Persona Overwrite!"
Full Burst Cipher Dragon rose up in the air and unleashed waves of light from its wings that enveloped all cards on the field.
"Moving on, I activate Galaxy-Eyes Full Burst Cipher Dragon's second effect." Kaito continued. "Once per turn, I can target a card on the field and destroy it along with all other cards with the same name as it on the field. I choose to destroy Cipher Engineer, meaning all cards that share the same name as it are destroyed. Do it, Full Burst Cipher Dragon! Cipher Full Barrage!"
The cannons attached on Full Burst Cipher Dragon's body swung upwards and aimed at the various cards around the field, unleashing a bombardment which destroyed Nightshroud's Monsters, Cipher Engineer and Double Exposure.
"Due to its effect, my dragon gains attack equal to the combined original attack of all Monsters that were sent to the Graveyard through this effect until the End Phase." Kaito stated. "As such, Cipher Engineer, Gatolhog Dragon and Darkness Metal Dragon's attack will be added to my Monster's attack (Full Burst Cipher Dragon ATK: 4000→10600). Now, let's battle! Galaxy-Eyes Full Burst Cipher Dragon, attack him directly and end this! Cipher Stream of Extinction!"
"Not yet!" Nightshroud exclaimed. "I activate the Trap Card Red-Eyes Spirits, whose effect allows me to Special Summon a "Red-Eyes" Monster from my Graveyard! Revive, Red-Eyes Black Dragon in defense mode!"
Following Nightshroud's words, a portal appeared on the ground, with Red-Eyes Black Dragon emerging from it. Immediately afterwards, it received Full Burst Cipher Dragon's energy blast head-on and was vaporized.
"Like Hell it would be that easy…" Kaito sighed. "I place three cards face-down and end my turn, with Full Burst Cipher Dragon's attack returning to normal (Full Burst Cipher Dragon ATK: 10600→4000)."
"My turn." Nightshroud announced. "Draw. I summon Red-Eyes Baby Dragon (ATK: 1200/DEF: 700/LV: 3)."
A small, black dragon with red eyes appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"Since a "Red-Eyes" Monster is on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand." Nightshroud continued. "Come forth, Red-Eyes Time Wizard (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 400/LV: 2)."
A Monster resembling a black and red clock-shaped robot with red optics appeared on Nightshroud's field.
"I activate Red-Eyes Time Wizard's effect." Nightshroud declared. "Once per turn, I can banish a "Red-Eyes" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck in order to banish a Monster from your field and inflict half its attack as damage to you. I'll banish Red-Eyes Slash Dragon from my Extra Deck in order to banish your Full Burst Cipher Dragon and inflict 2000 points of damage to you! Dark Timestorm!"
Red-Eyes Time Wizard raised its staff up high, unleashing a black vortex that consumed Full Burst Cipher Dragon and headed straight for Kaito. However—
"I activate the Counter Trap Card Cipher Counterstrike!" Kaito shouted. "Through this card's effect, if I'm about to receive damage through battle or card effect, I can banish a "Cipher" Monster from my Graveyard in order to reduce that damage to 0 and inflict half the amount of negated damage into you! I will banish Cipher Engineer in order to inflict 1000 points of damage to you!"
Following Kaito's words, the dark vortex struck a semi-transparent barrier that appeared around him and changed its course, striking Nightshroud and sending him tumbling backwards.
Nightshroud – LP: 2400→1400
"In addition, Cipher Counterstrike's second effect activates." Kaito continued. "Thanks to it, I can Special Summon a "Cipher" Xyz Monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Revive, Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
A portal appeared on the ground, with Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon emerging from it and landing on Kaito's field.
"Well played." Nightshroud praised Kaito. "However, I'm not finished yet. Since Red-Eyes Time Wizard used its effect while Red-Eyes Baby Dragon is on the field, I can send both cards to the Graveyard in order to Special Summon this card from my Extra Deck. Appear now, Red-Eyes Thousand Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000/LV: 7)!"
Both Red-Eyes Baby Dragon and Red-Eyes Time Wizard were consumed by a vortex that appeared above them, with a large, red-eyed dragon with several spikes extending from its body, elongated nostrils and two wings growing from its back emerging from it and landing on the field.
"I activate Red-Eyes Thousand Dragon's effect." Nightshroud declared. "Once per turn, I can destroy a Monster on the field whose original attack is higher than his card's and inflict its attack as damage to my opponent. I will destroy your Cipher Dragon. Take this!"
"I activate the Trap Card Cipher Bit!" Kaito exclaimed. "Thanks to it, I can prevent the destruction of my Monster and attach this card to it as an Overlay Unit (Cipher Blade OU: 0→1)!"
"In that case, I equip Black Metal Dragon (ATK: 600/DEF: 600/LV: 1) from my hand to Thousand Dragon through its effect, increasing its attack by 600 (Thousand Dragon ATK: 2400→3000)." Nightshroud said. "In addition, I activate the Equip Spell Card Red-Eyes Soul Armor, equipping it to Thousand Dragon. Through its effect, once per turn, I can banish a "Red-Eyes" Monster from my Graveyard in order to add its attack to the equipped Monster's attack. I choose the 2800 attack Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon (Thousand Dragon ATK: 3000→5800). Now, let's battle! Red-Eyes Thousand Dragon, destroy Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon and finish this! Thousand Darkness Explosion!"
"I activate my Trap Card, Solid Cipher!" Kaito stated. "Through its effect, I can detach all Xyz Materials from a "Cipher" Xyz Monster I control in order to prevent its destruction by battle or card effects, and also reduce all damage from battles involving it to 0 for the rest of this turn!"
Following Kaito's words, Red-Eyes Thousand Dragon unleashed a torrent of black and crimson flames from its nostrils, which however were blocked by a semi-transparent wall that appeared in front of Cipher Dragon.
"All my tactics and attacks were perfectly sealed, huh?" Nightshroud smirked. "As expected of the infamous Hunter, you're quite the tenacious and skilled Duelist. Were it any other situation, I would enjoy this Duel with you to the fullest. However, as things stand, you're a persistent pest that must be eliminated before you cause trouble for the Professor and his Arc Area Project."
"The only one who will be eliminated here is you, Nightshroud." Kaito glared at the masked Duelist. "I'm willing to cast aside my hatred for Academia, but you… You are the only person I will absolutely never forgive. I…despite my best efforts, I failed to protect my little brother. And you heartless monster tossed aside your sister like she was nothing. For that alone, you deserve to disappear from the face of the Earth!"
"So that's where all the hatred is coming from." Nightshroud snorted. "Projecting your own incompetence into me. How pitiful. Well, if you insist on throwing this childish temper tantrum, then do your best to overcome me if you can. However, I must warn you that the prospects of you doing so are rather slim as things stand. I place two cards face-down and end my turn."
"Then, as you wish, I'll settle things in this turn!" Kaito declared. "My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Transcendence! Through its effect, I can target a "Cipher" Xyz Monster I control and use it as material to Xyz Summon a "Cipher" Xyz Monster which is two Ranks higher than it! I will use Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon as material in order to reconstruct the Overlay Network!"
As Cipher Dragon turned into a stream of energy and was absorbed by the galaxy-like portal, Kaito chanted.
"Origin of the galaxy! Follow the trail of everlasting light, and unveil the secrets of creation locked in the edge of space-time! Rank-Up Xyz Evolution! Descend now, Rank 10! Galaxy-Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon (Light/Dragon/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/R: 10/OU: 1)!"
An imposing dragon with a body made out of gold energy that had light blue and crimson armor pieces attached to it, two sets of wings extending from its back and three tails with spearheads attached to their ends protruding from its lower back appeared on Kaito's field, letting out a sonorous roar.
"Due to its effect, Prime Cipher Dragon gains attack equal to the attack of the Overlay Units attached to it (Prime Cipher Dragon ATK: 0→3000)." Kaito stated. "Next, I activate Prime Cipher Dragon's effect. Once per turn, I can target a "Cipher" Monster on the field or in my Graveyard and attach it as an Overlay Unit to it. I choose Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, with my Monster's attack increasing once again (Prime Cipher Dragon ATK: 3000→7500)."
"It's surpassed Thousand Dragon's attack…" Nightshroud muttered. "Not bad…"
"Battle!" Kaito exclaimed. "Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon, destroy Red-Eyes Thousand Dragon!"
"I will send a second copy of Red-Eyes Wyvern from my Deck to the Graveyard in order to activate the Continuous Trap Card Pitch-Black Fortress!" Nightshroud bellowed. "Thanks to its effect—"
"Prime Cipher Dragon's effect activates!" Kaito interrupted Nightshroud. "If my opponent activates a Spell or Trap Card when this card declares an attack, I can negate its activation and banish all cards in their Spell/Trap Card Zone! Cipher Crack!"
Several energy blasts were shot out of Prime Cipher Dragon's wings, striking Nightshroud's cards and causing them to disappear.
"Impossible!" Nightshroud cried out in shock. "Such a savage effect…!"
"Since the cards that were equipped to it are gone, your Monster's attack returns to normal (Thousand Dragon ATK: 5800→2400)!" Kaito stated. "Now, are you ready to repent!? Finish this, Prime Cipher Dragon! Cipher Stream of Origin!"
Prime Cipher Dragon opened its maw wide, unleashing a blast of gold-colored energy that pierced through Thousand Dragon's body and destroyed it, sending Nightshroud crashing into the altar behind him due to the force of the ensuing explosion.
Nightshroud – LP: 1400→0
"It's done." Kaito said as he looked upon the fallen form of Nightshroud. "I wasn't able to stop you from going after him then, but I was at least able to avenge you, Tenjoin Asuka. With this, I—"
"Don't think you're being a little premature here? The Duel isn't over yet."
Kaito's eyes opened wide in shock as Nightshroud was suddenly pulled upright by an unseen force, looking like a puppet manipulated by an unseen puppeteer.
"What's the meaning of this!?" Kaito asked with evident agitation. "Your Life Points are at 0! The Duel should be settled with that!"
"I'm afraid it isn't so simple." Nightshroud chuckled. "The effect of Crimson-Eyes Arbariccia Dragon in my Graveyard activates! When my Life Points hit 0, I can Special Summon this card from my Graveyard and prevent myself from losing this Duel as long as it remains on my field! Death Subjugation!"
Following Nightshroud's words, Arbariccia Dragon abruptly emerged from a portal that appeared above him, spreading its wings wide and letting ash grey feathers scatter across the chapel. If one looked closer, crimson strings that extended from its body were wrapped around Nightshroud's limbs and torso.
"An effect that prevents loss…?" Kaito seemed shocked. "Damn you. To think that you could use such a cheat-like method to remain alive…"
"Come now, it's not such a big deal." Nightshroud stated. "Even though Arbariccia Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle, you can remove it from my field through a card effect and potentially win. Unfortunately, I'm not so nice that I'll give you the chance to try."
"Big words, but I still have my 7500 attack Prime Cipher Dragon on my field, while you only have your 0 attack lifeline." Kaito said. "I'd say I still have the advantage. I end my turn with this."
"It's my turn!" Nightshroud announced. "Draw! Now then, let's finally draw the curtain on this Duel, my very persistent opponent. I activate the Spell Card Crimson Awakening – Infernal Fusion, using its effect to shuffle Red-Eyes Gilford and Gatolhog Dragon from my Graveyard back to the Extra Deck in order to Fusion Summon!"
As his two Monsters swirled inside a vortex of crimson-colored flames, Nightshroud chanted.
"Dragon of Hell with eyes of disaster! Warrior of the black lightning! Let those blazing eyes of yours become the catalyst that will awaken the sinister trickster of despair dwelling in the depths of Hell! Fusion Summon! Come forth now, Level 11! Crimson-Eyes Scarmiglione Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3700/DEF: 3150/LV: 11)!"
A crimson-eyed dragon clad in violet armor with deep blue energy lines running through it, which had enormous blade-shaped claws extending from its hands and feet, a blade extending from its tail and six sets of wings protruding from its back appeared on Nightshroud's field, letting out a resonant howl that shook the walls of the chapel and shattered the stained glass window behind the masked Duelist.
"I activate Scarmiglione Dragon's effect." Nightshroud continued. "Once per turn, I can equip a Dragon-type Monster from my hand, field or Graveyard to it as an Equip Card and increase its attack by an amount equal to that card's attack. I will equip the 3100 attack Farfarel Dragon (Scarmiglione Dragon ATK: 3700→6800). And since I equipped a Fusion Monster to it, Scarmiglione Dragon's second effect activates, allowing me to equip yet another Monster to it. I choose the 2400 attack Red-Eyes Thousand Dragon (Scarmiglione Dragon ATK: 6800→9200)."
"An attack of 9200…" Kaito muttered with evident concern. "It has surpassed Prime Cipher Dragon's attack…"
"Battle!" Nightshroud exclaimed. "Crimson-Eyes Scarmiglione Dragon, destroy Galaxy-Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon! Nightmare Torment Reave!"
"Prime Cipher Dragon's effect activates!" Kaito shouted. "If this card would be destroyed by battle, I can detach an Overlay Unit from it in order to prevent its destruction and reduce the damage to 0! I choose to detach Cipher Dragon (Prime Cipher Dragon ATK: 7500→4500)!"
A ghostly image of Cipher Dragon appeared in front of Prime Cipher Dragon, shielding it from the dragon's attack.
"Futile resistance!" Nightshroud declared. "Scarmiglione Dragon's effect activates! When this card successfully attacked an opponent's Monster, I can send one of the Monsters equipped to it to the Graveyard in order to allow it to attack once again! I choose to send Red-Eyes Thousand Dragon to the Graveyard (Scarmiglione Dragon ATK: 9200→6800)! Attack his dragon, Scarmiglione Dragon!"
"In that case, I will activate Prime Cipher Dragon's effect once again!" Kaito stated. "By detaching its last Overlay Unit (Prime Cipher Dragon ATK: 4500→0), I can prevent its destruction and reduce the damage to 0!"
The previous scene was repeated once again as Scarmiglione Dragon's attack was blocked by a ghostly image of Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon that shielded Prime Cipher Dragon.
"However, with this, all Overlay Units attached to your Monster are gone." Nightshroud pointed out. "Furthermore, Scarmiglione Dragon can also use its effect consecutive times. Therefore, I will send the equipped Farfarel Dragon to the Graveyard (Scarmiglione Dragon ATK: 6800→3700) in order to allow Scarmiglione Dragon to attack once again! Finish him off, my ferocious dragon! Nightmare Torment Reave!"
Scarmiglione Dragon's blade-shaped claws were surrounded by torrents of black energy as it surged forward, piercing through Cipher Prime Dragon and destroying it, with the ensuing explosion consuming Kaito and sending him flying backwards.
Kaito – LP: 1000→0
Nightshroud: WIN
"Damn it all…" Kaito wheezed out as he lay on the ground, gasping for air. "Even though…this was a Duel I absolutely had to win…"
"Unfortunately, in terms of conviction, it seems I was ahead of you by miles." Nightshroud remarked as he approached Kaito. "Now then, time for you to abide by the outcome of this Duel and disappear from this battlefield. Rest assured that once you're freed, both you and your family will experience a world free from fear and suffering."
"Of that…I have no doubt…" Kaito smirked. "After all…my comrades will definitely take you people down…and end your senseless war…"
Nightshroud remained silent as he pointed his Duel Disk at Kaito. One flash of violet light later, Kaito was sealed into a card, with Nightshroud picking it up. After studying it for a few seconds, he placed on his Duel Disk, causing it to vanish.
"Ah, you made quite a mess here, teacher. We're going to get tons of complaints from the clean-up crew again."
Nightshroud turned around, coming face-to-face with a teenager that was dressed in an outfit similar to his, only missing the mask.
"Yusuke, huh?" Nightshroud said as the two of them exited the chapel. "Have you received any reports about how the battle is going so far?"
"Unfortunately, communications are still scrambled." Yusuke responded. "Whatever Amon did to our systems caused quite the mess. I almost regret that I let him go so easily by merely turning him into a card. But I'd say things are pretty evenly matched for now from the sporadic reports I'm getting."
"I see." Nightshroud said. "Even so, we must—"
Nightshroud abruptly stopped talking as he noticed a group of three people approaching them, consisting of two men and a young child. The Academia agent came to a halt, with Yusuke doing the same, upon recognizing the familiar faces of Akaba Reiji, Akaba Reira and Sakaki Yusho.
"Well…" Nightshroud muttered. "That's certainly an unexpected encounter."
"Yes, although unfortunate would describe this better." Reiji remarked as he straightened his glasses. "After all, I doubt you gentlemen are inclined to let us pass through here peacefully, no?"
"That's right." Nightshroud said. "While the Professor wishes to speak to you, I'm afraid this is the one instance where I'll have to disobey his orders. You and your little group shall fall here and now."
"I see." Reiji said. "In that case, this simplifies things. If you won't let us pass, we'll simply have to go through you."
The tension permeating the area was palpable as both groups exhibited their fighting spirit, ready to engage in combat. Next to Nightshroud, Yusuke smirked.
"Oh, this is going to be fun…"
Card Corner
Highspeedroid Bakuchi Formula
ATK: 2600, DEF: 1200, LV: 7
Wind/Machine/Synchro/Effect
1 Tuner Monster + 1 or more non-Tuner Monsters
Monster Effect: When this card battles, you can target and destroy a Spell or Trap Card on the field after damage calculation. If you successfully activated this effect, you can roll a dice, and if the result is 1, 3 or 5, this card can declare a second attack on this turn's Battle Phase. If not, take damage equal to the dice result x 200.
Antique Gear Proto Golem
ATK: 1500, DEF: 1500, LV: 4
Earth/Machine/Effect
Monster Effect: You can tribute this card to Special Summon an "Antique Gear Golem" Monster from your hand by ignoring its summoning conditions.
Antique Gear Catastrophe Meltdown Dragon
ATK: 4800, DEF: 4000, LV: 12
Earth/Machine/Fusion/Effect
4 Level 8 or higher "Antique Gear" Monsters
Monster Effect: This card must be Fusion Summoned and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. This card is unaffected by your opponent's card effects, also negate the effects of the opponent's Monsters this card battles with. Once per turn, you can send an "Antique Gear" Monster from your hand to the Graveyard in order to destroy all cards on your opponent's field and inflict 300 points of damage to them, then increase this card's ATK by an amount equal to the discarded Monster's ATK. If this card is destroyed, you can Special Summon one of its Fusion Materials from your Graveyard by ignoring its summoning conditions.
Cipher Monolith
ATK: 0, DEF: 1900, LV: 4
Light/Machine/Effect
Monster Effect: If this card on the field is destroyed, you can target another "Cipher" Monster you control; double its Level. If a "Cipher" Xyz Monster declares an attack while this card is in your Graveyard, you can banish it in order to have that Monster gain 600 ATK until the End Phase.
Cipher Spectral Baron
ATK: 2200, DEF: 1400, R: 4
Light/Machine/Xyz/Effect
2 Level 4 "Cipher" Monsters
Monster Effect: Once during either player's turn, when this card is targeted for an attack or by a card effect, you can detach an Xyz Material from it; Special Summon a Spectral Token (LV: 1) with the same Attribute, Type, attack and defense as it, and have it become the target instead. That Token cannot declare an attack and its name becomes the same as this card's as long as it remains on the field. If this card is destroyed by battle, halve the damage you receive from that battle.
Red-Eyes Axe Raider
ATK: 1700, DEF: 1600, LV: 4
Dark/Warrior/Effect
Monster Effect: If you control a "Red-Eyes" Monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. Once during either player's turn, when your opponent receives damage from a battle involving a "Red-Eyes" Monster you control, increase the ATK of all "Red-Eyes" Monsters on your field by an amount equal to the damage they received.
Red-Eyes Gilford the Pitch-Black Lightning
ATK: 3400, DEF: 1900, LV: 9
Dark/Warrior/Fusion/Effect
3 "Red-Eyes" Monsters
Monster Effect: Once per turn, you can target and destroy a number of cards on your opponent's field equal to the number of "Red-Eyes" Monsters you control. If this card is destroyed, you can Special Summon a "Red-Eyes" Monster from your Deck or Graveyard with a lower Level than this card and have your opponent receive damage equal to half its ATK.
Red-Eyes Goblin Sorcerer Force
ATK: 1500, DEF: 1800, LV: 4
Dark/Fiend/Effect
Monster Effect: If you don't control any Monsters while your opponent does, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. You can tribute this card; add a "Fusion" Spell Card from your Deck to your hand.
Crimson-Eyes Calcabrina Dragon
ATK: 1800, DEF: 200, LV: 3
Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect
1 Level 4 or lower "Red-Eyes" Monster + 1 Level 4 or lower Fiend-type Monster
Monster Effect: Once during either player's turn, you can target a "Red-Eyes" or "Crimson-Eyes" Monster on the field; all Monsters your opponent controls lose ATK equal to that Monster's current ATK until the End Phase. If this card is destroyed by battle, you take no damage from that battle, and all battle damage you receive for the rest of this turn is reduced to 0.
Crimson-Eyes Farfarel Dragon
ATK: 3100, DEF: 2700, LV: 9
Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect
1 Level 7 or higher "Red-Eyes" Monster + 1 Level 5 or higher Fiend-type Monster
Monster Effect: This card can only be Fusion Summoned through the effect of "Crimson Awakening – Infernal Fusion". This Monster is also always treated as a Fiend-type Monster. Once per turn, during your Battle Phase, you can target a Monster your opponent controls, make its ATK equal to Farfarel Dragon's until the End Phase and have it attack another Monster your opponent controls. Once during either player's turn, when an effect that would affect "Red-Eyes" or "Crimson-Eyes" Monsters on your field is activated, you can negate that effect. If this card is destroyed, draw two cards from your Deck.
Crimson-Eyes Arbariccia Dragon
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 2
Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect
1 Level 4 or lower "Red-Eyes" Monster + 1 Level 4 or lower Fiend-type Monster
Monster Effect: This card can only be Fusion Summoned through the effect of "Crimson Awakening – Infernal Fusion". This Monster is also always treated as a Fiend-type Monster. This card cannot be destroyed by battle, and all damage you receive from battles involving it is reduced to 0. If your Life Points hit 0 while this card is in your Graveyard, you can Special Summon it and prevent yourself from losing the Duel as long as it remains face-up on the field.
Red-Eyes Time Wizard
ATK: 500, DEF: 400, LV: 2
Dark/Spellcaster/Effect
Monster Effect: If you control a "Red-Eyes" Monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, you can banish a "Red-Eyes" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck in order to banish a Monster from your opponent's field and inflict half its ATK as damage to them.
Red-Eyes Thousand Dragon
ATK: 2400, DEF: 2000, LV: 7
Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect
Monster Effect: If a "Red-Eyes Time Wizard" on your field activated its effect successfully while you controlled "Red-Eyes Baby Dragon", you can send both Monsters to the Graveyard in order to Special Summon this card from your Extra Deck. Once per turn, you can destroy a Monster on the field whose original ATK is higher than his card's and inflict its ATK as damage to your opponent.
Galaxy-Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon
ATK: 0, DEF: 0, R: 10
Light/Dragon/Xyz/Effect
3 Level 10 "Cipher" Monsters
Monster Effect: This card's ATK is equal to the sum of the ATK of the Monsters used as its Xyz Materials. Once per turn, you can target a "Cipher" Monster on the field or in your Graveyard and attach it as an Overlay Unit to it. If your opponent activates a Spell or Trap Card when this card declares an attack, you can negate its activation and banish all cards in their Spell/Trap Card Zone. If this card would be destroyed by battle, you can detach an Xyz Material from it to prevent its destruction and reduce the battle damage to 0. If this card is destroyed, you can banish a "Cipher" Xyz Monster from your Extra Deck and Special Summon it during your next Standby Phase with its effects negated and its ATK equal to the banished Monster's ATK, but banish it if it leaves the field.
Crimson-Eyes Scarmiglione Dragon
ATK: 3700, DEF: 3150, LV: 11
Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect
1 Level 8 or higher "Red-Eyes" Fusion Monster + 1 Level 8 or higher Fiend-type Monster
Monster Effect: This card can only be Fusion Summoned through the effect of "Crimson Awakening – Infernal Fusion". This Monster is also always treated as a Fiend-type Monster. When this card attacks a defense position Monster, inflict piercing damage to them. Once per turn, you can equip a Dragon-type Monster from your hand, field or Graveyard to this card as an Equip Card and increase its ATK by an amount equal to that card's ATK. If you equipped a Fusion Monster to this card through that effect, you can target and equip a second Monster to it as well. When this card successfully attacks an opponent's Monster, you can send one of the Monsters equipped to it to the Graveyard in order to allow it to attack once again. If this card destroys an opponent's Monster as a result of battle, inflict damage to them equal to half its ATK. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can equip it to a Monster you control and make it unable to be destroyed by battle or card effects, but banish it if it leaves the field.
Welding Fusion
Normal Spell Card
Fusion Summon an "Antique Gear" Fusion Monster by banishing "Antique Gear" Monsters from your field and/or Graveyard. If the Fusion Monster summoned by this card's effect is destroyed, you can banish this card and that Monster from your Graveyard in order to return its materials from your banish zone back to the Graveyard.
Antique Gear Union
Equip Spell Card
Target an "Antique Gear" Fusion Monster in your Graveyard; equip it to an "Antique Gear" Monster you control and increase the equipped Monster's ATK by an amount equal to that Fusion Monster's ATK.
Tempest Sigil
Equip Spell Card
Equip this card to a WIND Synchro Monster you control. If it destroys an opponent's Monster with a higher Level than it through battle, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the difference between the two Monsters' Levels x 500. If the equipped Monster would be destroyed, you can send this card to the Graveyard to prevent its destruction. In addition, that Monster cannot be destroyed for the rest of this turn and all battle damage from battles involving it is halved.
Synchro Remodeling
Normal Spell Card
Reduce the Level of a Synchro Monster on your field by 1, then Special Summon a Tuner Monster from your Graveyard with the same attribute as that Monster.
Synchro Breakdown
Quick-Play Spell Card
When a Synchro Monster on the field declares an attack, destroy that Monster and inflict damage equal to its ATK to its controller, with them drawing one card from their Deck for every 600 points of damage they received.
Cipher Access
Normal Spell Card
Activate this card if you control no Monsters. You can Xyz Summon a "Cipher" Xyz Monster by using Monsters from your hand as materials. You cannot summon any other Monsters during the turn you activated this card.
Red-Eyes Overgrowth
Normal Spell Card
Tribute a Level 4 or lower "Red-Eyes" Monster on your field; Special Summon a "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" from your Deck. For the rest of this turn, when that Monster attacks an opponent's defense position Monster, inflict piercing damage to them.
Cipher Restart
Normal Spell Card
If you control no Monsters, you can banish two "Cipher" Xyz Monsters with the same Rank from your Graveyard in order to draw cards from your Deck until you have six in your hand.
Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Transmigration
Normal Spell Card
If you control a "Cipher" Xyz Monster, you can Xyz Summon a "Cipher" Xyz Monster by using a "Cipher" Monster whose Level is the same as its Rank as Xyz Material. When a "Cipher" Xyz Monster that was summoned through a Rank-Up-Magic card's effect is about to leave the field, you can banish this card from your Graveyard to prevent it from leaving the field.
Cipher Bond
Quick-Play Spell Card
If you control two "Cipher" Monsters with the same name, increase their ATK by an amount equal to the ATK of the Monster with the highest ATK among them until the end of your turn. During the Battle Phase's end, draw one card from your Deck for every Monster your opponent controlled that was destroyed by Monsters affected by this card's effect.
Red-Eyes Soul Armor
Equip Spell Card
Equip this card to a "Red-Eyes" Monster you control. Once per turn, you can banish a "Red-Eyes" Monster from your Graveyard and add its ATK to the equipped Monster's ATK. If this card is destroyed because the equipped Monster was destroyed, gain Life Points equal to that Monster's original ATK.
Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Transcendence
Normal Spell Card
Target a "Cipher" Xyz Monster on your field; Special Summon a "Cipher" Xyz Monster which is two Ranks higher than it by using that Monster as Xyz Material (this Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon).
Antique Gear Bargain
Normal Trap Card
If an "Antique Gear" Fusion Monster you control is destroyed, draw two cards from your Deck. If you had no cards on your hand when you activated this card, draw two more cards from your Deck.
Scrap Barricade
Normal Trap Card
If "Antique Gear" Monsters on your field were destroyed, you can activate this effect; halve all damage you receive for the remainder of this turn.
Speedroid Roll Out
Normal Trap Card
If "Speedroid" Monsters were destroyed during your Battle Phase, you can activate this effect during the Battle Phase's end; Special Summon a number of "Speedroid" Monsters from your Deck equal to the number of destroyed Monsters, but their combined Level must be lower than the combined Level of these Monsters.
Trigger Switch
Normal Trap Card
Target a Monster your opponent controls; grant it an effect to destroy a Monster on your field and force it to activate it (you choose the target for that effect). This effect lasts until the End Phase.
Speedroid Emergency Break
Normal Trap Card
When an opponent's Monster declares an attack, you can send a "Speedroid" Monster from your hand to the Graveyard in order to negate that attack and draw one card from your Deck. If this card is n your Graveyard when you're about to receive effect damage, you can banish it along with a "Speedroid" Monster from your Graveyard in order to reduce that damage to 0 and inflict half the amount of damage you would have received to your opponent.
Dark Haze
Normal Trap Card
For the rest of this turn, the damage you receive from battles involving DARK Monsters is halved and your opponent's Monsters cannot activate their effects. When an opponent's Monster targets a DARK Monster you control for an attack, you can banish this card from your Graveyard to switch the target of the attack to another DARK Monster you control.
Red-Eyes Succession
Normal Trap Card
If a "Red-Eyes" Monster you control is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can activate this effect; add one "Red-Eyes" Monster from your Graveyard and one from your Deck to your hand. If you controlled no Monsters when you activated this card, you can also add a "Fusion" Spell Card from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.
Twin Resonance
Normal Trap Card
If a Monster you control is about to be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish a Monster with the same name as it from your Graveyard in order to prevent its destruction and make it unable to be destroyed for the rest of this turn.
Cipher Counterstrike
Counter Trap Card
When you're about to receive damage through battle or from a card effect, you can banish a "Cipher" Monster from your Graveyard to negate that damage and inflict half the damage you would have received to your opponent. Then, you can Special Summon a "Cipher" Xyz Monster from your Graveyard with its effects negated.
Solid Cipher
Normal Trap Card
When a "Cipher" Xyz Monster on your field would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can detach all Overlay Units from it (min. 1) to prevent its destruction and reduce all damage from battles involving it to 0. Moreover, that Monster cannot be destroyed for the rest of this turn.
And that concludes Chapter 53. The first Duel was a match between Yugo and the Parasite-controlled Roget, which is honestly pretty much a filler. However, it's been quite some time ever since the last time Yugo had a Duel, so I wanted him to score a win before his match with Yuri. As a resident of the Synchro Dimension, he's also someone who's got a grudge against Roget, so I thought it would be nice to have him vent a bit.
The second Duel of the chapter, which had Kaito confront Nightshroud, was the main focus here of course. Kaito certainly pulled out all the stops in an attempt to defeat Nightshroud and avenge Asuka, but was ultimately no match for him and was defeated in the end.
Well, that's all for now. As always, please read, review, favorite and follow.
See you all next time!
