A dark green pulse rippled across the table's surface, revealing a grid pattern. In a few seconds, a new environment etched itself onto the table's surface. The arena was ringed by a chain of asteroids and various other planetary debris, creating a boundary of rock and ice. The fighting ground itself was a dead, decayed chunk of an old terrestrial planet, long since gone black from a lack of life. It would have been an impressive battlefield, if not for the occasional shaking and blinking of the holograms- not frequent, but enough to ruin total immersion.
"Guess that prototype they demoed really spoiled us, huh?" Lucas thought aloud.
Sean nodded. "Glad I'm not the only one who thought so."
"I ride," stated Samson. A strange portal opened on the planetary surface, spitting out a mechanical being. It possessed the appearance of an old brass toy, complete with a pair of wind-up keys. It carried a twisted staff of iron in it's thin, spindly hands, topped with what looked like a crude astrolabe. The thin figure was cloaked in a loose-fitting navy cape, matching nicely with a metallic sorcerer's cap. "Windup Wizard."
Windup Wizard- Grade 0/6000 Power/10000 Shield
"My turn," smirked Buzz. "I ride Loyalty Collapse Dracokid, Suban-Esod." A crimson miasma creeped its way from the black earth, allowing a terrifying figure to scramble to the surface. Tall and gangly for a dracoling, it was practically a skeleton- thin, gaunt, and made of hardened chalk-white scales. It sported a single, sunken, cyclopean eye, as well as a scorpion-like tail and a pair of tentacle-like arms. It's appearance was completed with a trio of spiked horns. It snarled- or at least attempted to, as it's lack of a bottom jaw made it more of a garbled screech.
Suban-Esod- Grade 0/5000 Power/10000 Shield
"Punk's using a Link Joker deck," observed Lucas. "This could get hairy."
"I'm guessing they're powerful, then?" Sean asked.
"In the right circumstances, yes," Shu nodded. "They can really limit your options."
"I draw," Samson said. "I ride Time Roller Dracokid." Clicking and twitching, the bronze construct thrusted its free hand forward, opening a portal beneath it. It was swallowed slowly, allowing a new figure to spring from the same opening. A magenta dracoling, it was lanky but well-built, wearing leather pads on its knees, elbows, and abdomen. The titular roller skates were welded to a pair of brass boots, which allowed the creature to whip around the arena before settling into a readied stance.
Time Roller Dracokid- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"I draw with Wizard's effect. Next, I use Quantum Lightning Thunderbird's skill from my hand. By revealing and discarding it, I can search my deck for one Chronofeather Phoenix and add it to my hand." Despite the size of his hands, Samson managed to commit to his actions smoothly and expertly. "With that, I end my turn."
End of Turn 1
Hand Count- Samson 6, Buzz 5
Damage Count- Samson 0, Buzz 0
"Fine by me. I draw for turn," Buzz began. "I ride Sustenance Collapse Dragon, Obik-Utomas." With another chilling shriek, Suban-Esod's form dissipated into a blood-red mist. It warped and shifted in a pulsating mass before taking a new bizarre but terrifying form. Serpentine in construction, it's ivory-scaled body was covered in spikes and wire-like tendrils. It's wings were grafted to its body with little more than rotting cartilage, and the wings themselves were practically fleshless. A single orange eyeball stood where it's head should've been, and it's arms sported draconic heads instead of hands, both with ravenous mouths constantly drooling and snapping at it's would-be prey.
Obik-Utomas- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"When Suban-Esod is rode on, I can draw a card. And since your vanguard is grade 1, I can call him from soul to an open RC like so." Crackling mist seeped from Okib-Utomas, swirling and twisting until it formed the silhouette of the previous dragon. The smoke soon scattered, marking the return of the previous dragon.
"Weird names, freaky appearances," Sean thought aloud. "Those guys are aliens, alright."
"No sense going all-in yet, giving all the spinning your deck can do," Buzz said. "Just have to get going with what I have. With a boost from Suban-Esod, Obik-Utomas attacks." The dragonic horrors let out a collective blood-curdling screech to signal their intentions.
Strength- 13000
"I don't guard," Samson responded, nonplussed.
"Drive check...no trigger." Obik-Utomas stretched his heads above his singular eye, letting out a haunting warcry as he fired two streams of black flames. Each jet wrapped around Time Roller like a deadly ribbon, causing the dracoling to yelp in pain.
"Damage check...no trigger."
"That's it for my turn."
End of Turn 2
Hand Count- Samson 6, Buzz 7
Damage Count- Samson 1, Buzz 0
"Stand and draw," Samson began. His fingers glided to the far end of his hand. "I ride Space Strider Dragon." Time Roller once again began to whip around the arena, soon diving into a freshly opened portal. Seconds later, a rip in space opened up, allowing a much larger dragon to enter the scene. Slim but athletic, it looked like it wore a light suit of bronze armor, accented with metallic wings on the helm and ankles. It skirted around the arena on a pair of golden wheels before returning to its position in a runner's mark. Only then could Sean see it's violet scales, black goggles, and narrow wings.
Space Strider Dragon- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield
"When Space Strider Dragon is placed, by binding the top two cards of my deck, I can return one of your rearguards to the bottom of your deck." A mysterious hole opened under Suban-Esod, sucking it inwards like a miniature black hole. The dragon wailed and attempted to grab onto something, but to no avail- it vanished completely into spacetime. "And since Space Strider Dragon was placed on my vanguard circle, I can counter blast one after that to draw a card."
Buzz shrugged. "You got rid of my starter before I could use him. Too bad I can easily get him back."
Samson nodded. "I am well aware of Collapse's capabilities. If I can limit them, I will maintain my advantage. I call Steam Wrangler, Dumuzid." A new figure emerged from yet another portal. Humanoid with piercing orange eyes, he dressed in black leather garb, and carried a complex-looking, double-ended crook in his hands. His cap had bronze ram horns protruding from it, which shone uncannily in the starlight.
Dumuzid- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield
"When Dumuzid is placed, I can soul blast one and bind one card from hand to call a grade 1 gear beast type unit from my deck. I superior call Roving Chrome Hound." Dumuzid spun his crook before slamming one end against the ground, summoning one more portal. Speeding out was a shining, overly-polished white mechanical canine. With treads in place of its legs, it rolled up behind it's summoner, robotically adjusting its head and fixing its cameras on the horrific dragon.
Roving Chrome Hound- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"When Chrome Hound is placed by a card effect. I can soul blast one to look at the top seven cards of my deck for an Order card." Samson leafed through the top seven in one continuous motion before revealing one. "I'm adding Modern Cornucopia, Perpetual Generator to my hand. Next, since I bound a card from hand, Wizard's skill from the soul activates. I can move it to my drop zone and replace it with a card from my hand in the soul to check the top five, add two to hand, one to soul, and the rest at the bottom."
Buzz smirked. "You're burning through your deck, old man. Careful not to deck out before I can finish things."
"Now, I call Sixshot Falco and Time Roller Dracokid." Two more portals, two more figures. One was the familiar magenta dracoling, the other was a crescent shaped mechanical bird- a raptor with welded wings and a pair of giant revolvers fused to it, making it look like a steampunk fighter jet.
Sixshot Falco- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"By binding two cards from my drop zone, I can draw two cards, then place a card from my hand at the bottom of my deck."
"Man, what did I just tell you? Keep drawing cards, and soon you won't have a deck left."
"I'd worry more about how much filtering he's doing," Nasim mumbled.
"Like that's a problem."
"Finally, I call Spacetime Twister Basilisk," stated Samson. With yet another portal, a new mechanical monster slithered its way onto the battlefield. Made of rusted bronze, the crested serpent let out a creaking growl, warping the air around it.
Spacetime Twister Basilisk- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield
"Guy managed to get a full field without digging into his hand too much," Shu observed. "Not bad, for a supposed hobo?"
"Supposed?" Sean wondered.
"Think about it. What kind of homeless person would spend so much time and money just cardfighting?"
"Hm." Sean admitted to himself that he hadn't given it that much thought.
"Chrome Hound boosts Dumuzid," Samson said, "on an attack on your vanguard." Dumuzid tore off towards the dragon, using his crook to vault himself into enemy airspace.
Strength- 18000
Buzz scoffed. "I guard with Bravery Collapse Drone, Yobuk." As Dumuzid began to bring his tool downward in a powerful swing, a new demonic alien burst from the aether. A tangled mass of tendrils attached to a skull-like head, it let out a cacophonous hiss as it unfurled it's tentacles and arched it's spinal body. It was crushed into comet dust by the crook, but when Dumuzid landed to continue the assault, Obik-Utomas's heads began to snap at him. Dumuzid managed to block the bites with his tool, but without the momentum to drive forward, he had to retreat to avoid being devoured.
Yobuk- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 23000
"Very well. Time Roller boosts Space Strider for the next attack. By binding the top two cards of my deck, Time Roller adds 4000 Power to this attack." Space Strider's wheels began to screech against the planetary surface, as the dragon readied itself to ram it's opponent.
Strength- 22000
"I don't guard."
"My drive check...no trigger." Space Strider took off, making it all the way towards Obik-Utomas before vanishing. As the opposing dragon puzzled, a portal opened behind it, with Space Strider roaring out of it. It slammed into Obi-Utomas, muscling past it to make its way back to its formation.
"Damage check...nothing."
"Since Space Strider's attack hit, I can bind a card from my hand to return a different card from my bind zone to my hand, then give a 5000 Power bonus to one of my rearguards. Steam Brawler, Mashda is added, and Basilisk receives the increase. For the final attack this turn, Sixhot Falco will lend his strength to Basilisk." The mechanical monster clicked to life, slowly reargin back and bearing it's dagger-sized fangs.
Strength- 23000
Buzz looked at his hand, then shrugged. "Yeah, I can take another point of damage. I don't guard." Basilisk slithered towards Obik-Utomas at blistering speed, kicking up debris as it traveled, before delivering a full and devastating bite to the dragon. "Damage check...no trigger this time, either."
"My turn is over."
End of Turn 3
Hand Count- Samson 6, Buzz 6
Damage Count- Samson 1, Buzz 2
"Finally, my turn. I stand and draw." Buzz smirked. "Well, this is a no-brainer. I ride Strategy Collapse Dragon, Kuyas-Nakor." Obik-Utomas's decaying body foamed into a crackling red smoke, sinking into the ground in a chilling sight. A geyser of similar mist erupted from the ground paving way for a new cosmic horror. It's body and limbs were much thicker, but maintained the same pale-white complexion, and was still coated with spikes and tendrils, the latter of which ran down its spine like a grotesque mane. It sported three heads, none of which had eyes- it's one eye was situated uncomfortably in what should have been it's abdomen. Somehow, it let out an ear-splitting shriek, causing some of the nearby rocks to shatter.
Kuyas-Nakor- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield
"When I ride a Collapse unit on Obik-Utomas, I can move a card from my soul to add up to two different Collapse units from my deck to my hand." Buzz picked up his deck. "Lesse, I'll need Suban-Esod back, and I'll also add...Leadership Collapse Abomination, Nanom-Asish." He shuffled his deck. "Since I added to, I have to discard."
"So he got rid of two cards he didn't want for two cards he did," observed Sean. "That's pretty good."
"Still a neg one," shrugged Lucas. "He had to spend a card on the ride to pull off the search."
"Pretty sure we didn't ask for the commentary, crew cut," Trish sighed.
"Oh, Zombie and his flunkies are going to want to see this," Buzz grinned. "Take a look at what I pitched- Energy Collapse Invader, Senmash-Monin."
"Great, this strat," Shu mumbled.
"His effect states that if he's sent to the drop zone from hand as a cost, I can call him straight into battle!" As Buzz called his new unit, the planetary surface splintered and was pushed aside to unleash a tangle of decrepit roots and teeth. From it budded a dryad-like alien, with an appearance of serious rot and decay. It's various roots and vines formed an impressive nest from it to observe the battlefield with it's multitude of eyes.
Senmash-Monin- Grade 1/7000 Power/10000 Shield
So it's not really going minus since that discard turned into a call. That's some good effect synergy…
"I call Suban-Esod, and then activate his skill. I counter blast one and move him to my soul to drain your upper right RC." The diminutive dragon left as soon as it came, but the true shock came later. Without warning, an entire portion of Samson's field suddenly faded to gray. Dumuzid seemed to have noticed, but as he tried to escape, he collapsed, barely having strength to continue breathing, let alone move. "Any unit on a drained circle can't use their skills. Doesn't matter if you replace him- until the end of your next turn, that circle is useless."
"That's insane," Sean murmured. "He's just totally crippled a major part of his opponent's formation."
"And he's just getting started," Shu added.
"When I drain one of my opponent's circles, I can retire Senmash-Monin to draw a card and counter charge one," Buzz continued, "meaning that little skill didn't cost me anything."
Samson nodded again. "You seem to possess great familiarity with the Collapse. You wield them with great skill."
"Who talks like that?" mumbled Nasim incredulously.
"I know, right?" snicked Buzz. "Trying so hard to be cool, it's cringy."
"Look who's talking," Lucas mumbled.
"Kuyas-Nakor has a skill just like Suban-Esod. With one counter blast and one soul blast, I can drain another circle. This time, I'm choosing your upper-left." Another swathe of Samson's field was grayed and dulled, with the basilisk inhabiting it slowly grinding to a halt. Sean could even see rust slowly creeping up the machine's features.
"Welp, no more front row for mister Hobo," Lucas observed. "Next turn should be interesting."
"Next up, I call- Hope Collapse Invader, Antik-Obzet; Will Collapse Invader, Ikun-Isok; and Vigilance Collapse Horror, Rakem-Ijis." A triad of billowing smoke trails crashed into the battlefield, marking the arrival of three new aliens. The first was almost completely skeletal; a long spinal column connected an arachnid bottom to what looked like a broad, opened ribcage topped with a cyclopean skull. The second was bulky and gluttonously saturated, with a rapacious mouth stretching across it's obese belly; it raised a pair of thick but lenghty arms, unfurling flail-like fingers to reveal a pair of piercing serpentine eyes. The final figure was closer to a headless corpse than anything else, bulging with multiple mouths and eyes from various disturbing protrusions.
Antik-Obzet- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield
Ikun-Isok- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield
Rakem-Ijis- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"Let's get this party started. Ikun-Isok attacks first. When he attacks, he gets an extra 3k Power for each drained circle." Ikun-Isok opened it's abdominal mouth, launching a multitude of tentacle-like tongues towards the enemy dragon.
Strength- 15000
"I guard with Mashda," replied Samson. On cue, a steampunk brawler leapt down from another otherworldly portal. Using his enhanced arms, he grabbed the oncoming appendages in both hands, and after a bit of a struggle, yanked them forward to throw the alien off-balance. Stumbling forward unceremoniously, Ikun-Isok reeled his tongues back in, humiliated by a mere mortal.
Mashda- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 25000
"Kinda overkill for a quick defense, but whatever. Next up, Rakem-Ijis boosts my Kuyas-Nakor for an attack on Space Strider. Since you have two drained circles, that an extra 2k tacked on to Rakem's boost." Kuyas-Nakor let out another inexplicable roar, the tendrils on its back twisting and morphing into a pair of fleshy wings. With its newfound appendages, it took flight straight towards its opposing counterpart. "Just letting you know you have two on-hit skills to worry about, but I'm sure you know about that, being an expert on the Collapse and all."
Strength- 20000
Samson examined his hand. "Despite your warning, I will not guard."
"Fine by me. Drive check...kickass, I got Strength Collapse Drone, Enjak-Iez! Since he's a critical trigger, I add 10k Power to Antik-Obzet, and tack on an extra point of damage onto this attack."
"Good timing," Nasim smiled. "That should put him on the backfoot." Kuyas-Nakor delivered a trio of powerful bites onto Space Strider's body- two to the arms, and one to the neck. The blows weren't fatal, but nonetheless painful enough to cause Space Strider to fall on his back, writhing and convulsing.
"Damage checks," began Samson, unfazed. "First...no trigger. Second...Event Horizon Dracokid, a draw trigger. I give 10000 Power to my vanguard, and draw a card." The wounds on Space Strider congealed instantly, and he found his footing quickly.
Buzz didn't seem too concerned about Samson's lucky draw. "I activate Kuyas-Nakor's on-hit- I can choose one of your rearguards on a drained circle, and bind it. Goodbye, Dumuzid, you will not be missed." A geyser of red mist consumed the warrior, who was too weak to even let out a yelp of pain or any sound of agony. In seconds, any trace of Dumuzid ever existing faded from the battlefield.
Trish sighed. "Yeah, bind away. It's not like Gears use the bind zone like a second hand."
"Listen to your minions, Buck," Lucas called.
"Shut your damn mouth, crew cut."
Sean elbowed Lucas, reminding him to stay civil. Lucas, in kind, kept it to an eyeroll.
"Next," continued Buzz, "when Rakem-Ijis boosts a successful attack, I can move him to my soul to bind another rearguard on a drained circle. Bye-bye, Basilisk." He chuckled as the rusted gear beast disappeared in another geyser of crimson smoke. "And just like that, no more front row. To cap things off, I'm having Antik-Obzet deliver the third strike. His skill grants 3k Power for each drained circle." The alien scuttled towards the enemy vanguard, it's ribs unfurling from its body.
Strength- 26000
Samson examined his hand again. "I don't guard."
"Really?" Sean wondered aloud. "With a damage trigger in play, that attack should be easy to block."
"I doubt he's declaring no guard for funsies," Shu observed. "He must have a plan in mind."
Antik-Obzet's now extended ribs encircled and planted themselves around Space Strider like the universe's oddest birdcage. With an incomprehensible hiss, the alien discharged a torrent of otherworldly energy between the bones, frying the dragon within. "Damage check," rumbled Samson. "No trigger."
"I pass my turn over to you," chided Buzz. "Let's see if you can catch up from that."
End of Turn 4
Hand Count- Samson 6, Buzz 5
Damage Count- Samson 4, Buzz 2
"Very well. I stand and draw." Samson plucked a card from his hand and brought it to his forehead. "Restorer of spacetime, be born again from the ashes of calamity. Manifest the future you desire." He firmly placed his new card down on his vanguard circle. "I ride Chronofeather Phoenix." A battered Space Strider ascending, glowing fiercely, before his figures twisted and bent into the familiar shape of the mechanical phoenix. Sean couldn't tell, but it seemed to glow unnaturally and heroically.
Chronofeather Phoenix- Grade 3/13000 Power/0 Shield/Force Marker
Buzz's smirk remained despite the subdued theatrics. "A whole lot of fanfare for such an old unit. Come on, it'd take a lot more than that to even scratch me."
Nasim, meanwhile, seemed a bit more worried. "If he's running that, then it's also likely he's about to bring out the newest ace…"
"Big deal. How tough could it be?"
"Let me show you," Samson began. "First, I gain a Force II gift for my vanguard circle. Now, with Phoenix's skill, I can discard cards whose total grade is 3 or more to ride a grade 4 from my deck." He reveleada a black-bordered card. "Cornucopia can be discarded as a grade 3, and allows me to draw a card to replace it." After drawing a fresh card, he picked up his diminished deck, and riffled through it. He paused before picking a card from among them. "Remake the universe from the cinders of your quantum flames. The future is yours to sculpt as you see fit. I superior ride Interdimensional Beast, Chronophoenix Emblazoned."
Samson's vanguard let out a metallic warcry, shining like a supernova before being consumed in a great cosmic flame. The flames spiraled around the gear beast in a dramatic fashion before scattering into stardust. In its place stood a heavily augmented version of the same creature, near perfect and idealized. The construction was thicker, imposing, and shining chrome. The pair of wings was replaced with a set of six expansive ones, circling the beast like the ring of Uranus. It's extensive tail feathers were now tipped with fearsome flame jets, and it's hands were now adorned with heavy weaponry- in its left, a double gatling gun, and in its right, an energy cannon. Head to toe, it was a walking weapon.
Chronophoenix Emblazoned- Grade 4/15000 Power/0 Shield
Nasim adjusted his glasses. "I was afraid of this. Careful, Buzz."
Buzz scoffed. "Oh no, a bigger bird, what a threat. Seriously?"
"When Chronofeather is rode upon," Samson continued undaunted, "I can counter blast one and bind the top two cards of my deck to choose two cards from my bind zone with different grades, call them to rearguard, and give them 3000 Power each. Basilisk is called back, alongside Quantum Lightning Thunderbird." A pair of mechanical beasts appeared upon the dulled spaces in Samson's formation. One was the familiar Basilisk, who once again began to rust under the oppressive atmosphere. The other was an enormous eagle with broad wings, tesla coils on each shoulder, a pitch-black paint job, and rail cannons for talons. It too, however, began to lose its color in the graying space.
Quantum Lightning Thunderbird- Grade 3/13000 Power/0 Shield/Force Marker
"Now for Emblazoned's ultimate skill- with two soul blasts and by binding two cards in my drop zone face down, as long as my damage zone has four or more cards, I can gain two additional Force gifts."
"Two more gifts in the same turn?" awed Sean. "Just like that?"
Buzz's smirk faded almost completely. "Ah. That's why Nasim was freaking out."
"I wasn't 'freaking out,'" Nasim mumbled.
"That's one gift for each of my rearguard circles," Samson continued. "You may have weakened my rearguard, but you couldn't stop each from attacking with an extra critical each."
"Looking good, Cardsquatch," Shu nodded. "He may not be able to win it this turn, but he'll definitely put Buzz in a bad spot. He'll need to block two of these three attacks or he's lost."
"You better not drop the ball after all that trash-talking," Trish said.
"I'm working on it," Buzz growled, shifting between his hand and damage zone.
"With a boost from Falco," Samson began, "Basilisk attacks." The gear beast shook off it's rust before making for a hasty slither towards the enemy dragon.
Strength- 21000/2 Critical
Buzz rifled through his hand. "Other rearguard's not that much stronger, and I can take a hit," he thought aloud. "I...don't guard." The basilisk coiled its body around Kuyas-Nakor, delivering a series of brutal bites before slithering off again. A number of pained wails could be heard from the dragon as it writhed unnaturally. "Damage checks...nothing for the first...and nothing for the second either."
"With one attack, the game is tied. Your early aggression has yielded nothing. I boost Chronophoenix with Time Roller. When Time Roller boosts, I can bind the top two cards of my deck to add 4000 Power to this attack. As well, because Chronofeather is in my soul, Chronophoenix gains 15000 Power and an additional critical." The perfected gear beast began to charge each of its weapons, from it's tail jets to its cannons and guns. "Behold the power of Chronophoenix's Cleansing Supernova."
Strength- 41000/3 Critical
Buzz exhaled through his nose. "Of course it's triple critical now," he grumbled. "Don't really have a choice here. I guard with Enjak-Iez, and intercept with Ikun-Isok. Since you have two drained circles, that's 10k more shield on the intercept." A new alien accompanied Ikun-Isok on the defensive- what could have passed for an armored corpse on a cross if not for the arms sprouting from the back. "I was gonna save these guys for later, but with three damage coming my way, I need them."
Enjak-Iez- Grade 0/5000 Power/30000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 55000
"Can he really hold off that attack with just two cards?" Sean wondered.
"Well, right now it's two to pass," Shu observed. "It's a gamble, sure, but he's safe unless Cardsquatch draws two triggers."
"And he'll have just enough left over to hold off the other attack," Lucas added. "It's a better move than it looks."
Samson paused. "I check my twin drive. First check...Steam Healer, Kubaba, a heal trigger."
Trish groaned. "You dumbass, you're going to lose after all that?"
"Shut up," growled Buzz. "It ain't over yet."
Samson paused again. "I recover one damage, and give the Power to Thunderbird."
"Huh?"
"The odds of pulling a second trigger are too small to count on. And with four damage, the two Thunderbird can deal will push you over the edge. Now, for the second check...no trigger." Emblazoned fired a series of volleys from each of its weapons, sending a solar storm of projectiles towards the enemy aliens. The defenders threw up a shield wall of circular green barriers, and while the barrage of clashes managed to momentarily blind most of the formation, their vanguard would be safe. The guardians literally deflated and crumpled into moondust before fading away completely.
Buzz stared, then chuckled. "Well, that was weak. I activate Ikun-Isok's defense skill- when he's retired from the guardian circle, I can soul blast one and bind him face down to draw a card."
"For my final assault, Chrome Hound boosts Thunderbird." The tesla coils on the great metallic bast began to crackle as its railgun began to charge.
Strength- 31000/2 Critical
"Gotta stop you right there. I guard with Stamina Collapse Drone, Tesh-Rak and Wealth Collapse Drone, Nokhi." Thunderbird fired it's massive gun, sending a surging wave of weaponized energy towards the beleaguered enemy. A wall of red mist emerged from in front of Kuyas-Nakor, summoning two mindless defenders- one resembling a skeletal mosquito with multiple serrated noses, the other a rust-colored ball of flesh with multiple mouths. Both were instantly vaporized by the incoming fire, but they served their purpose- Kuyas Nakor would live to see another fight.
Tesh-Rak- Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Power/Heal Trigger
Nokhi- Grade 0/5000 Power/5000 Shield/Draw Trigger
Defense- 35000
Samson nodded yet again. "I see. Your defense has been admirable. Because it is the end of my turn, Emblazoned must be retired, and I remove the two Force markers from its skill from the game. Chronofeather is rode at rest, allowing me to gain another Force II marker. Since Thunderbird and Basilisk were called by its effect, they are bound. My turn is over." As Samson finished his upkeep, the color on his field was fully restored, the time around them beginning to return.
End of Turn 5
Hand Count- Samson 8, Buzz 3
Damage Count- Samson 3, Buzz 4
"I stand and draw," Buzz began. He shuffled the few cards he had in hand. A smile slowly crept across his lips.
"What's he so happy about?" Lucas wondered. "He's probably burnt through his defensive cards, and has three damage to deal. If he doesn't clench it here, he's toast."
"He must be holding onto a killer grade 3, then," Sean thought aloud.
"You have no idea," sighed Shu.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, mister Hobo," Buzz began, "but that lucky heal isn't going to do jack. You're about to see the ultimate avatar of destruction, the signal of the inevitable decay and demise. I ride Planetary Collapse Dragon, Sekwan-Hak."
Kuyas-Nakor let out one final incomprehensible screech before being consumed in a giant geyser of crackling red plasma. Slowly, a truly gargantuan figure began to emerge from the smoke and lightning. Surrounded by the floating skulls and helms of its vanquished foes, the monstrous dragon was so gaunt and chalk-white that it looked like a grotesque skeleton. Attached to its two lengthy arms were a pair of massive, spindly hands with seven thin, serrated fingers and no thumbs, which completely matched it's enormous but fleshless wings. Below it's waist was a labyrinthine coil of a bony tail that ran all over the battlefield. Finally opening its single eye, which must have been the size of an asteroid, it flared it's back spines, which spiked upwards, holding a gray and decaying planet. The entire battlefield seemed to grow cold- not a regular winter cold, but rather a biting frost that only comes after a lengthy death.
Sekwan-Hak- Grade 3/13000 Power/0 Shield/Force Marker
"Jesus, that's a scary looking boss," awed Sean.
"It'll get a lot worse soon enough," Shu nodded grimly.
"I get a Force II Gift for my rearguard," Buzz continued. "And activate Sekwan-Hak's once-per-turn skill. With one counter blast, I drain your upper-left RC." The mortifying dragon flicked one of it's hands, clattering its fingers as color once again drained from Samson's field. "And since you have a drained circle, I call call this guy- Leadership Collapse Abomination, Nanom-Asish." Another geyser of red plasma erupted on the battlefield, revealing another towering horror. With a tangle of tentacles at below its waist, it's rot-green body was muscular and covered in signs of decay, with a maw filled with tendrils and rows of teeth. It roared as it opened its eight arachnid-eyes and revealed its extra pair of arms on its back.
Nanom-Asish- Grade 3/33000 Power/0 Shield
"Using his on-place skill, I bind two cards from my drop zone face-down to draw two new cards." Buzz did so, then smirked. "Just what I needed. I call Obik-Utomas. Using his skill, I counter blast one and retire him to drain your upper-right RC. Next, I call City Collapse Horror, Rezuuk-Kiket." Yet another geyser of plasma erupted on the battlefield, revealing a heavily armored demonic entity, scutting on it's crab-like legs. Clusters of flail-like tentacles oozed from its arm sockets, as it's head was crowned on a rotting swan neck. It opened it's maw, revealing a spiral of jagged, glassy teeth.
Rezuuk-Kiket- Grade 3/13000 Power/0 Shield/Force Marker
"With one soul blast, I activate his skill. Your middle back row RC is drained." Chronofeather was surrounded on all sides by colorless, lifeless space. Nonetheless, it remained unflapped. "Last up, I call Rakem-Ijis." Buzz grinned. "You're toast."
"You've still got three damage to deal against a guy with an eight-card hand," Trish shrugged. "I doubt you won't get through a hit, but finishing it now?"
"Tall order," finished Nasim.
"Just watch. With a boost from Rakem-Ijis, Rezuuk-Kiket attacks. Rakem-Ijis's passive gives him a 3k buff, and when Rezuuk-Kiket attacks, I can bind a rearguard on a drained circle. I'm getting rid of that annoying Time Roller." Rezuuk-Kiket reared back, one set of tentacles reaching around to impale the dracoling in a storm of spearheads, the other surging forward to slash against Chronofeather.
Strength- 24000
"I guard," Samson rumbled, "with Rise-and-Shine Worker and Space Strider Dragon." A pair of portals spat out a pair of defenders, including a literal tin soldier with shoulder pads like alarm bells. Each was almost immediately perforated by tentacles, tearing them to pieces of stardust, but none of them made it to Chronofeather. The gear beast remained stoic, defiant.
Rise-and-Shine Worker- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
Defense- 28000
"Yeah? Well, let's see you deal with Sekwan-Hak. This bad boy gets a buff based on the number of drained circles you got. With one, he gets 15k Power; two, an extra crit and drive; with three or more, I can soul blast two cards to remove a gift from the game." Sekwan-Hak let out a spacerending roar, storms of swirling plasma beginning to gather its palms.
Strength- 28000/2 Critical/3 Drive
"That's a huge swing," Sean observed.
"No kidding," Lucas nodded. "With three drive checks, we're looking at a potential 58k attack. Unless his opponent has a PG, I think Buck might've already won."
"This is my favorite attack," Buzz grinned. "Extinction Symphony!" Sekwan-Hak now held massive spheres of crackling energy in both its hands. Squeezing these orbs within his numerous fingers, they burst into a flurry of energy spears, dozens in numbers, and all arching their way towards the few remaining enemies.
Samson, after a bit of hesitation, plucked three cards from his hand. "I guard with Kubaba, as well as two Photon Thruster Rabbits."
Kubaba- Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Shield/Heal Trigger
Photon Thruster Rabbit- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 63000
Trish groaned. "After all that, you're still getting shut down? Dude, come on."
Buzz's smirk faded. "I still have a triple drive to check."
"Okay, genius, but even if you get three triggers-"
"Shut up. Triple drive, first card...nothing. Second card...Enjak-Iez, a critical trigger! All effects to Nanom-Asish! Third...Nokhi, a draw trigger! That's one more card for me and another Power boost for Nanom-Asish!" The storm of spears smashed into Chornofeather's formation, kicking up torrents of dust and debris. When the carnage settled, however, the gear beast remained in one piece, completely unscathed and unmoved.
Buzz grimaced. "You're just wasting time, old man. My super boosted Nanom-Asish attacks- thanks to its Force II gift, he's coming in for three damage." Nanom-Asish roared, it's tendrils violently rippling as it flexed all four of its arms.
Strength- 53000/3 Critical
Lucas shook his head. "Welp, this game's over."
"Yeah," sighed Shu. "Unless Cardsquatch is holding onto some sort of super secret defensive card, he's done."
Samson gazed through his hand. "It seems you have cornered me, young one, and after sacrificing such a lead. I don't guard." With a mighty trample, Nanom-Asish tore across the cratered battlefield, creating a path of mindless carnage through the battered turf. Upon reaching the unflinching gear beast, it began its brutal, mindless assault. First, a downward hammer swing using his upper set of arms, knocking Chronofeather to the ground. Then came the real beatdown- one after the after, Nanom-Asish's fists slammed and smashed into the gear beast with piston-like frequency and ferocity of a pride of lions. Each blow caused the ground to crater further, and by the time the alien exhausted itself, it stood in a pit as deep as a small pond. "My damage triggers- first...no trigger. Second...no trigger. Third...Event Horizon Dracokid. I have lost."
End of Turn 6
Hand Count- Samson 3, Buzz 5
Damage Count- Samson 6, Buzz 4
Buzz Wins
Just like that, the machine began to slowly clear the cluttered field. Like with the fight before, a scoreboard soon plastered itself on the console. Both numbers, to Sean's mild surprise, were massive, and neither seemed to have budged in terms of value, despite the slugfest that had ensued.
Buzz didn't seem to mind. A proud smile had spread across his face. "Well, how about that, old man? Gotcha good, didn't I? Told you I was the best fighter in the shop."
Nasim picked at his mustache. "I wouldn't be too proud of that, Buzz. That critical trigger basically saved you."
"Like I said, a win is a win." He turned to Samson, who was silently gathering his cards. "What's the matter, big guy? Hope I didn't burst your bubble or anything. I bet you have enough on your plate without losing to someone half your age."
"Low blow," grumbled Trish.
Samson just nodded as he gathered his cards. "You are indeed a skilled fighter. Perhaps if you learned to control your tongue and respect your opponents, you'd become even greater."
Buzz's smile was replaced with a snarling sneer. "I don't owe shit to my opponent's, bum. Not until they beat me. I think you should get off your high horse, unless you want another beating."
"Uh, bad idea," Nasim objected. "Guy's a foot or so taller than you."
Samson got up as Buzz shot his portly pal a glare. "Thank you for the opportunity. I'm afraid I must take my leave." Like before, he glacelessly glided to the store entrance and clomped out, leaving a stunned (or annoying) group behind him.
A silence hung in the air for several dragging seconds before Buzz growled. "What a waste of time. You, crew cut," he pointed to Lucas, "you still wanna go? Hopefully you're worth a damn."
It was Sean's turn to step in. If Buzz talked as much trash as he did with Samson, Lucas might try to solve this with a fistfight rather than a cardfight. "Well, we just came to check out the tables. I think we should get going, right, Shu?"
Shu caught on quickly. "Yeah, we're running late for...something more worth our time, I'm sure."
Lucas blinked. "Aw, come one, really?"
It was Sean's time to shine. "We don't even have those membership cards, yeah? No cards mean no fancy fight table, and no points for our friends here."
"We aren't 'friends,' you puss," objected Buzz.
"He's got a point, though," Trish said. "You're grinding for points before the prelims, aren't you? These guys aren't members, so…"
Buzz drummed his fingers. "Yeah, whatever. Get lost, Zombie. Take your boyfriends with you."
"Will do, Becker," Shu shot back. "Let's go, guys." Sean and Shu both flanked Lucas, turning him around before he could scrounge up a comeback. The trio beat a hasty retreat as a wave of murmurs washed over the crowd.
"Come again," Peter called, as they left. His farewell seemed far more bewildered than welcoming.
As soon as they got outside, Shu exhaled. "Okay, recon over. Got an idea of what you're up against?"
Lucas looked back at the storefront before responding. "Yeah, I guess so."
"You sound worried," Sean said. "And you don't worry easily. What's going on?"
Lucas continued to stare at the storefront. "Shu, you said that Card Shark basically stole customers from your old place and bought them up later, right?"
Shu nodded. "More or less."
Lucas inhaled. "Well, if Meeple Village can't get itself back on its feet, this is where we're headed."
A chill ran up Sean's spine. Great, that's a thought that'll linger…
A/N: Collapse was my attempt at making a pseudo-lock archetype, and their aesthetics are heavily based in Lofecraftian horror tropes. They were fun to design; certainly more fun than writing Buzz and company. I'm generally not a fan of "irredeemable" bad guys, much less writing them. Hope you enjoyed nonetheless.