POV 1 Yukari
I see my next opponents, I am on the way towards the chemic duo. It's obvious who to call here. I teleport Naoki towards me. I swear it isn't to get a rematch. If we're both suspected to be creators and I know that I am clearly not one, so I should check whether we're both good guys here. Dueling with Mayoi would make us predictable to SOL or Hanoi, Yusaku has only reported a single win to me while dueling with Kusanagi and I don't want to put him in a duel where he doubts his partner. Yuya is weird and complicated. And while dueling alongside Naoki, Kusanagi lost, so there's grounds for suspicion.
"Huh, wait, who is it that I gotta duel?", he asks.
I point.
"Oh, rematch time! Maybe I should've kept playing Lucky Flora & Fauna.", he says.
"NO!", I shut him down.
"Oh, it's you two again.", Alchemic says.
"I could be anybody. My name isn't Green Jackpot.", Naoki says.
"Nah, you totally just realized how garbage your deck was and will probably play a different one. Maybe Gambling Dragons.", Chemic says.
"*sigh*, let's just start. Same mode as last time", Naoki says.
Field: on
Crossover Accel
Lonely Brave and Crystal Princess (8000lp) vs TheSimpleChemic and TheSimpleAlChemic (8000lp)
Uhm, should I have protested? I mean, he can't turn on me as long as we share life points, but I can't tell if he is a traitor now. But Yusaku wouldn't believe either of us and if we got the idea of attacking each other, that... would be very bad.
"We didn't Speed or Action Duel last time, but whatever.", Chemic says, "And you certainly are playing a better deck right now. But how about we take the same turn order?"
"We, aren't dueling for fun, but that would be Lonely Brave, me, Crystal Princess and then you.", Alchemic adds.
"Yeah, let's do that.", I want to see more of his Gambling Dragons while I have the chance.
"I begin with Gourmet Fusion, I pay twice as much LP as I do for Instant Fusion (Lonely/Princess LP: 8000-6000) to summon the upper half of levels! From my Lifeblood, the gunslinger king dragon! FUSION SUMMON! Come forth, Sheriff Gatling Dragon! (ATK: 2800) I set three cards."
Naoki sends Sherrif after them, trying to drive them away with his bullets. But since Link VRAINS isn't build for Action Duels or Solid Vision, I hope out-of-battle monster Action have less potential to cause harm, however both dodge easily, but it clearly was just a distraction to get himself an Action Card.
"Rather expensive for a search you'll get only in the End Phase.. I assume you have a card to revive him immediately.", Alchemic notes, he then makes his move to get an Action Card. Instead of pulling some crazy dodging stunts, he runs towards Sheriff Gatling Dragon, this upgraded retrain still has these Gun Arms and it looks hesitant to gun itself.
"Standing with my back on a-", Naoki makes Sherrif Gatling leave, as he ends his turn and add Gatlings Dragon to his hand,"-I wasn't leaning so that's no issue. Oh, hey an Action Card!", he picks one up, "I use my skill Magnum Opus, banishing Avoid from my hand to generate Alchemic Kettle Chaos Distill on my field. I use Philosopher Burst, since I control Kettle, I draw a card and then for the rest of the turn all Alchemy Beasts gain their normal effects. I activate the Spell Cave-In. I discard Ouroboros the Bronze and mill Ekenas, Aretos, Leon and Moonface. I use Yellow Process Kitolenics (how to fix this)to revive three Alchemic Beasts, I revive Aretos, Ekenas and Leon. (All Beasts ATK: 500-2000)"
„I swear this won't OTK us.", Naoki says.
„Well, with your Action Card I hope it won't."
„He'll have to rely on that because I activate Localized Trunade to bounce your face-down cards back to your hand."
„One of them is back to the front, so I can revive Sheriff Gatling Dragon. (DEF: 2200)
Also, I have Reverse Trap, which reverses the boosts gained by Aretos. (ATK: 2000-0)"
And the remaining card is Triangle Reborn, which he can't use without thee monsters of the same in his GY and the opponent needs to normal summon. So this card turned out to be useless.
„Ekenas also allows me to draw 2 cards. Then I choose for Leon the Lead to copy Moonface's ability to reverse battle outcomes! I enter the Battle Phase!"
"I use the effect of Sherrif Gatling Dragon! Coins, appear and fall!", Naoki announces.
The Result is tails, head, head.
"Yes, I now destroy Leon the Lead and Kettle! What are you gonna do now, huh?", Naoki boasts.
"I still have YOUR Action Cards!", Chemic counters, he sends out Aretos, to annoy Naoki by pecking at his helmet, while the weird fish-thingie that is Ekenas, tries to cut me with its strange sharp horn. Seriously, they have no idea how to treat a lady.
Since we know nothing about how to deal with these nuisances, he gets his card.
"I use Semi-Guard on Gatling! His DEF is halved! (DEF: 2200-1100) I attack with Aretos and use Angel of Earth to halve your ATK and give it to Aretos! (Sherrif ATK: 2800-1400, Aretos ATK: 0-1400)
"And while you two were distracted with these flunkies, I got a card too! Spear does as you would expect from the name and inflicts piercing damage!", Chemic adds.
Since he talked so long, I can pick up up a card from the sidelines.
"How gracious of you, as there are so many misnomers in Duel Monsters. Also, I use No Action, so no damage.", I say.
"Well, there is Impenetrable Attack, Ultimate Obedient Fiend, Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth, Fake Trap.", Alch starts listing.
"I was being sarcastic.", I say.
"If my brother can list 4 examples, then maybe it's your sarcasm that's bad.", Chemic says bluntly.
"Before this ends in a huge discussion, since Sheriff Gatling was destroyed, I add Arcana Force XIV - Temperance to my hand, since it has a coin tossing effect. But I'll wait a little on summoning Desperado.", Naoki says.
"Really, it's more my backrow you should be worried about.", I say.
"It will get on the field soon enough, just trust me.", Naoki insists.
Okay, I assume Naoki's hypothetical betrayal if he really is a traitor wouldn't involve an intentional loss, so I assume he is really afraid of an Action Card that counters summoning outside of your turn. They might exist, we weren't shown the whole Database yet. Damnit, now I am afraid of such a card.
"I guess you are really afraid of an Action Card that would punish this. Though I wonder what that would be.", Alch notes, "Well, I leave it to you for now."
way to have Zosimus and Crystal Beast, at same time
"Draw. I summon Shungite Urchin. I use it to summon Lodestone Lich right away. I use Crystallize Link to put Urchin back in the backrow! I then use Crystal Promise to summon Shungite right away! Then I use Shungite and Lodestone to summon Opal Centaur. Then I activate Crystal Blessing to put Opal's materials into the backrow! And now it's time for a Link 4! Dark Gem from the sky, form into the tri-headed legendary serpent! LINK SUMMON! Crystal Beast Musgravite Hydra! (ATK: 3500 Markers: Up, Bottom-left, Down, Bottom-right)"
"You forgot the summoning conditions!", Naoki complains.
"Shut up! This is still a serious duel. I used 2 cards from my backrow to summon Musgravite, so I get to place 2 Crystal Beasts from my GY in my backrow again! I choose Shungite and Opal. Here for another technicality, I use Opal's backrow effect to bounce back Shungite, and now I re-summon it! Then I use another Promise on Opal Centaur!
Open yourself, shining circuit! Arrowheads Confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Crystal Beast Monsters! I set the Link Markers with Opal Centaur and Shungite Urchin! Unusual Fiery Gem, bring forth the amalgamation of all beasts! LINK SUMMON! Come forth, Crystal Beast Red Beryl Chimaera! (ATK: 3000 Markers: Up, Left, Right)"
"Not an Extra Link, but these are actually a bit MORE threatening than either of your two Extra Links. The Extra Link just had good Link Markers.", Chemic says.
"Then how I about I demonstrate how threatening they can be? Since Opal and Shungite are in my backrow again, I bounce back your remaining backrow!", I say.
"I use up Last Escape so I can get another Action Card this turn.", Chemic counters.
"And I use my face-down Nexus Xyz, this card summons a monster that requires Alchemy Beasts, but they stay where they are. Afterwards Nexus Xyz attaches itself to that monster, but Nexus Xyz cannot be detached as overlay unit this turn! Founders of the Philosopher's Stone, let one of you grace our presence! XYZ SUMMON! Enter the field, Rank 3,Alchemy Beast's Scribe Zosimus! First, he gains 500 ATK for every currently banished monster! (ATK: 2500-6000) Then everything in the GY is gone!"
"We really have to prevent them from getting out their big guys to have any chance of winning this.", Naoki notes, "And geez, that trap is as OP as you expected from a card exclusive to Charisma Duelists."
"I use Rare Value-"
"I discard Ash Blossom and Joyous Spring to negate that. Both Crystal Beasts stay in your backrow and you draw nothing new.", Alchemic counters.
I mumble a curse.
"Turn's not over yet", I snarl.
Musgravite has a scuffle with Zosimus to keep him occupied. I quickly and gracefully grasp one of the oncoming cards.
"I activate Otherworld Encore, this may give me a statless token, but whenever the token battles, I can reuse an Action Spell from the GY and then that card cannot be used for the rest of the duel, not only that, it cannot even be obtained."
"Sorry, but you both missed a card.", Chemic says.
"Again!?", Naoki gasps.
"Yep, it's Encore and I use No-Action.", Chemic says.
"It seems like you aren't all that experienced with it. Maybe Playmaker was a bit to excited unveiling this.", Alch says.
Ok good, seems like they didn't deduce anythign major, though Yusaku probably indeed was too excited to unveil Action Duels.
"Do you really think so? I activate the Action Spell Retry, I bounce Crystal Princess' Action Card back to my hand, but it can only be re-used after this turn.", Naoki counters.
"Then I'll keep looking.", I say.
Though by that I mean, I turn around and spread my arms, hoping they hit a card bubble. Looks silly, but I can see what they are doing.
"Yeah, that proves you are newbies.", Chemic says.
"Goddamit, why did you rat us out like that?", Naoki complains.
Instead of responding I see a card pass me by, I am slower at going against the stream than the card, so I would have to hop of the D-board, but Musgravite is too far away and If I would make him go back, then-
"I activate Purple Crystal, this would inflict damage to me.", Alch says.
"But I negate the damage with Acceleration.", Chemic says.
So much for observing them. How can Yuya deal with this? But fine, I'll let myself be suprised by their Action Cards. I turn around togo forward, I hear something that sounds like Zosimus got past Musgravite.
"Lonely, block that thing!", I yell.
"WHY ME!?", he complains, but does anyway.
I get Semi-Guard, which halves DEF. Good, I can toss it away as soon as I want new cards, so his monster's DEF values don't matter.
"Now my turn is over.", I say.
"My turn, draw. Localized Trunade and Kitolenics are banished, but reusing them now, wouldn't be that beneficial. I activate Set Rotation, I place Catalyst on my Field and Seal or Orichalcos on your field. Until we open them, we cannot use a new field spell."
"You have a collector's card like that? And wouldn't it fit better with Alch's deck?", Naoki wonders.
"We are dueling to defend Link VRAINS, we can afford to tweak our themes a little bit.", Alchemic says.
"Oh, so you do remember that this is a serious duel.", I say, "Wait, only a little?"
"Things are complicated.", Chemic says, "I flip up Catalyst Field. And change the Beasts into Defense Position. I normal summon Oxy Ox and use my second normal summon to grant Ox the effect to special summon a gemini from my hand and grant its level to all gemini I control. I pick Chemicritter Antimony Ant and make Oxy Ox Level 3.
I construct the overlay network! I Ant and Ox! Essence of Aqua, create new life! Come forth, Moly-Chemicritter Di-Seahydrorse! At the marker of Musgravite of course. (ATK: 2100) Since I can't beat any of your monsters ATK-wise, I detach one of Hydrorse's materials to summon any Gemini from my deck. Could I beat your monster, I would only be able to bring out Chemicritters."
"Phoenix Gearfried isn't it?", Naoki say, "But you can only summon 1 Gemini now. Would be pretty stupid if you didn't have Tossed Test Tube."
"I still Choose Phoenix Gearfried. (ATK: 2800) Go on, use Otherworld Encore right now, if you feel that bold, then I will summon Antimony Ant from the GY."
"M-maybe later.", Naoki says meekly.
"Then I use a spell for myself. Xyz Treasure lets me draw one card for Zosimus and one for Hydrorse. And I will look for some Action Cards now. All you have to be afraid from using an Action Card at the moment is just one Antimony Ant that won't even gain its effects right away. What could happen?", Chemic taunts.
"Considerung these can be a Deux ex Machina, we probably shouldn't be worried unless he has a full GY.", I say.
"Yeah, that psychology trick won't work! I will-", Naoki begins.
"Nope, don't use my Otherworld Encore, I will look for fuel first! I use Semi-Guard on Hydrorse.", I say. (DEF: 800-400)
I order Musgravite and Beryl to fire at random, forcing them to focus on dodging the blast first. I just have to look for a bubble and quickly find one. It's Tenacity, which I cannot use while controlling 2 monsters. So much for Deus Ex Machinas.
"Should I use it since-", Naoki asks.
"Not yet.", I answer. Maybe they won't be able to find the right cards either. Unfortunately my monsters don't fire "randomly enough", so both of them quickly learn how to dodge and get an Action Card for themselves.
"I attack Red Beryl Chimaera with Phoenix Gearfired, then I use Attack Force! He gains 600 ATK! (ATK: 2800-3400)" (Lonely Princess LP: 6000-5600)
"Of course I put her in my backrow.", I say.
"I attack Musgravite with Zosimus.", Chemic declares.
"Now I only have one monster and can save Musgravite with Tenacity.", I say.
"And here I will discard Temperance, so we take no damage. Haha, fear our graceful teamwork!", Naoki boasts.
"Then show me some more of it. Your turn.", Chemic says.
I wonder, did Naoki really foresee the situation with Tenacity?
"I draw and start of using Light Metal Factory to add BM4 Bomb-Spider. Will you summon your Ant?"
"Yes."
"I summon Spider and self-destruct it to destroy Phoenix Gearfried. Now I bring forth Desperado Barrel Dragon. I set my backrow again. I enter the Battle Phase and instead of tossing the coins, I will attack Hydrorse!"
"I received the Action Card Take Flight, which will boost Hydrorse. (ATK: 2100-2700)"
"But you still take damage! And Destruction! (Al/Chemic LP: 8000-7900) Then I use my partner's Musgravite to attack your Defense Position Ant. Was Phoenix Gearfried really THAT useful!?"
"I can use this card without losing a high-ATK monster. Gemini Spark lets me tribute Antimony Ant to destroy your Hydra!"
But he only lost Phoenix Gearfried to battle as opposed to a tribute cost.
"Unlike most Crystal Beasts, Musgravite puts itself into the Extra Deck instead of going to the backrow!"
"I also use Back to the front to bring back Oxy Ox! Then with my face-down Burnout, Oxy Ox is banished for 2 new gemini! I choose Ammoniargus and Auro Clorgon."
"That's it, time for Otherworld Encore! Huh, we haven't gotten rid of Zosimus yet."
"Oh really?", Chemic deadpanns.
"Gotta do that later. I attack Aretos and reuse Attack Force! With 600 ATK, Aretos is destroyed! Time to gather some more Action Cards to then maybe ban you from using!"
"This can't be a good idea.", I mutter, but what choice do I have?
Zosimus sends out several magic blasts, with Desperado being only be able to counter a few of them with its bullet. Both of them get Ahead of us.
I have an idea. I send Naoki a message to let us fall back as far as is currently possible.
"What, have you gotten cold feet now?", Chemic asks.
An Action Card passes by both of them. I say nothing.
"Uhm, what was the point of that?", Naoki says.
You thought this far ahead with not summoning Desperado Barrel at the first chance, but don't get this plan, which is significantly less reliant on luck?
Zosimus gets one card with his blast. It does not burst. Whether that is because of Link VRAINS or if the same thing would happen with Crossover Accel in the outside world.
I catch the surviving one.
"I use Wonder Chance to give our token another attack!"
"I attack another defensive beast, and in exchange for 500 LP, (Lonely Princess LP: 5600-5100) I use another Otherworld Encore. Now you two cannot get it. I sacrifice another 500 LP via my second token to reuse Take Flight. (Lonely Princess LP: 5100-4600)"
"Be careful or you might get too greedy with that 'custom banlist'.", Chemic says.
"Although that was a very interesting feint.", Alch says.
"And look, you missed another one!", I say, getting the Action Card Counter Damage.
Then Alchemic gains one from the stream. At least I saw him getting it this time.
"I use Destruction, destroying Desperado Barrel Dragon."
Dammit, if Naoki had used his Crush Action a second earlier!
"I search another Temperance.", Naoki shrugs, "But I'll end my turn here."
"You've definetly proven a suspicion that many people had about Playmaker's recent allies, though they didn't know about Lonely Brave yet."
"Ah, well, if you tell anyone who we are, we are going to rally all of Link VRAINS to become Playmaker's allies, so you're better not gonna do that!", I say, remembering a message Mayoi sent me.
"And yes, we are all noobs about Action Dueling.", Naoki admits, "But after you draw I use Crush Action, so that Otherworld Encore is the only source of Action Cards now!"
"The suspicion my brother had was that you all joined Playmaker right before your first appearance.", Chemic says.
"I think you've skipped a few steps in reasoning there, maybe at least, but I kinda confirmed it in my previous sentence, didn't I?", I stumble over my words.
"If I am correct then, what is your reason to fight? To join this from one day after another?", Chemic says.
"You're enemies, why would we tell you? Also, I totally wouldn't hesitate getting my siblings to the fight!", Naoki says.
"Do you search vengence on Hanoi? Or on SOL?", Chemic asks.
"Hey, don't ignore me!", Naoki complains.
"Neither, really.", I answer.
It's because that's what Maoyi does and she did it because-? I know her parents died in a car accidents after falling asleep while driving, but I don't think she's gonna get revenge for SOL overworking them, or did she? Dammit, that crazy story about Yuya, Yuri, Yuto and Yugo and then Izuku fried my brain!
I take a deep breath. "I'm doing this for a dear friend.", I say.
"Who may or may not want revenge on one or both of the two. What about the buffoon?", Chemic asks.
"I just want the revenge and some awesome duels.", Naoki says.
Since we can't backstab each other except by losing on purpose, I will not question this one.
"I will continue the duel now. I activate Double Summon to give both of our monsters their effects! I can negate a spell per turn and in the next turn one normal summon and destroy that monster!", Alch says.
And that makes Triangle Reborn useless once again.
"Then I use Magical Mallet to get a whole new hand! I activate Raigeki and your tokens are gone!", Alch adds.
"That afraid of our auto-banlist? Or do you really, really want to use Crush Action?", Naoki says.
"It's a good card, so definetly yes.", Chemic says bluntly.
I get an Action Card and destroy the card Draw. Too bad that the token is gone.
"I attack you directly with Zosimus!", Alch says.
"Temperance!", Naoki interjects.
"Our other ones can still attack.", Chemic reminds us. (Lonely Princess LP: 4600-550)
"I end my turn with that.", Alch says.
"My turn again. I try to use Red Beryl's effect to summon a Crystal Beast from my hand. Will that be allowed?", I ask.
"No, you will have to normal summon this.", Alch says.
"I use Aurora Draw. Crystal Beast Hibonite Hermit Crab can put itself into the backrow from my hand. Now I have 4 cards in my backrow. Show yourself, circuit of the shining gems! Arrowheads confirmed! The Summoning conditions are 3 or more Crystal Beasts! LINK SUMMON! Come forth, once more, Crystal Beast Musgravite Hydra! Now I can add 2 cards that are Crystal Beasts or which mention them to my hand. I choose Rainbow Dragon and Crystal Bond! Also, I use Crystallized Link a final time, to make this particular summon a free one!"
Just to be sure, we should get an Action Card here. But maybe I should get another monster to make the gathering easier first.
"I use Crystal Bond, adding Shungite to my hand and placing Selenite Shark in my backrow! I tribute Musgravite to summon Diamond Snake from my hand. I shuffle Musgravite into my deck!"
"Let's hope you have somethign against that clogged backrow.", Chemic says.
"Also, I obviously negate this one!", Alch counters.
"While your thing blasted our snake, I got one!", Naoki says, holding up an Action Card. Then I see Alchemic about to get another Action Card.
"ISUMMONRAINBOWDRAGONATTACKCHLORGONTURNEND.", I say. (Al/Chemic LP: 7900-5450)
"No! You could have summoned Musgravite again!", Naoki complains.
"I thought he would get another good Action Card again!", I justify myself.
"Yes, you definetly are not the most familiar, though there was no need to confirm it again.", Alch says.
I thought it was his brother's job to be the jerk.
"Y-you made me nervous earlier when you didn't immediately summon Desperado Barrel Dragon!", I argue.
"B-but so many searches you just threw out the window!", Naoki complains.
"Hey, at least Alch's deck is going to be significantly weaker with the smaller deck here. 10 cards is a huge difference.", I say.
"My turn, draw.", Chemic interrupts our squabble, "I use the Regular Encore Action Spell, which quickly gets rid of Rainbow Dragon."
"I counter with Rainbow Dragon's effect. All Crystal Beasts in my GY are banished and everything is shuffled into our deck! Also, I get to summon Shungite Urchin in Defense Mode, since Beasts in the backrow left the field! At least that is something, right?", I say.
"I normal summon Carbo Crab-", Chemic says.
"Zero Penalty on that thing.", Naoki interrupts.
"I enter the Battle Phase anyway. I activate my skill Countertwin, I summon Auro Chlorgon with an effect in Defense Mode and end the Battle Phase. Back to you.", he says.
"Probably should have used that one earlier.", Naoki says, "My turn, I activate Roll of Fate! I mill and then draw equal to the dice roll!"
He rolls a 1.
"Well one IS a Temperance. I set a card and end my turn.", Naoki says.
We all scatter (as far as you can on this lane anyways) to gain new Action Cards.
"Unfortunately, Lonely Brave is correct. I have to normal summon Ouroboros the Bronze."
"Hah, I activate Triangle Reborn now! I shuffle all of the Temperances into my deck, since each is a fairy and then- uhm, what to I do revive-"
He slams Alchemic out of the way and snatches an Action Card he just got right out of the hand.
"I use Anti-Exile to bring Sherrif Gatling back into the GY. And then he becomes my target! I summon him in attack position!"
"Dammit, you're not the wimp I thought you'd be.", Chemic grimaces.
And While he's busy grimacing, I catch a bubble from the oncoming stream.
"I use the Action Card Partner Potion! We share LP, but technically Lonely Brave IS a different player! (Lonely Princess LP: 550-1550)"
"It's a primitive tactic, but if it's the way ton win.", he mutters, "I will equip Ouroboros with Moon Mirror Shield and change Chlorgon to attack position and Carbo Crab into Defense Position! I enter the Battle Phase! Ouroboros, attack Sheriff Gatling!"
Naoki does not use his skill and fails all of the coin tosses. (Lonely Princess LP: 1550-1450)
"I destroy Shungite Urchin with Auro Chlorgon.", Alch declares.
"And I put it back to the backrow. Looks like you saved up that negation for too long here?", I taunt.
"And also, I searched another Temperance.", Naoki says.
"I have to admit, we are not immune to the fear of an unknown and overpowered Action Card either.", Alch grimaces.
"My turn, draw. Maybe you should fear this! My own Raigeki!"
"It would make no sense to save the negation up here, so I use Chlorgons power.", he counters.
"I'll go simple and summon Amethyst Cat. (ATK: 1200) I attack you by halving her ATK and I also get to summon the Zenith Crystal Beast!"
"I can't negate this attack, but I can banish Burnout to bring back Oxy Ox with his effect."(Al/Chemic LP: 5450-4850)
"Zenith then attacks Auro Chlorgon! (Al/Chemic LP: 5450-4500) I end my turn!"
"My turn, draw! I use Oxy Ox' effect to summon Dioxogre from my hand and make all of my Gemini level 8! I overlay them to summon Methydraco, who upon being summoned revives Auro Chlorgon in attack position! I normal summon Carbo Crab. I mill one Hydron Hawk and add another to my hand. Ouroboros, attack Zenith!"
Naoki once more rams one of them out of the way. He missed the Action Card they would've gotten, but I get it instead. It's No Action. Another Action card flies towards us and Naoki grabs that one. Then Zenith is hit by Ouroboros' attack. (Lonely Princess LP: 1450-1350)
"Methydraco attacks Amethyst Cat!"
"Time for my skill! I use Roulette Spider. I declare tails!", Naoki says.
He gets Tails. YES!
"Now from its card version, I choose for Methydraco to attack Auro Chlorgon!" (Al/Chemic LP: 4500-3550)
"I activate the Action Card Stop!, I'll negate the continous Effect of Amethyst Cat! I may saved up this particular Action Card for too long as well, but now we're free to gather new Action Cards!", Alch says.
Naoki tries the ramming trick again and this time he dodges. Should I maybe have tossed out No Action? I can only stop Action Cards with it, but that's what Alchemic is trying to gain right now. Naoki catches a new bubble, but a second one flies by, which Alchemic immediately gets.
"I use Fire Crystal!", he declares.
"And I use Acceleration! No damage here!", Naoki counters. Okay, him using Acceleration does make more sense than me using No Action as neither of them really uses a whole lot of burn damage.
Alchemic gets another card from the stream. "I end my turn here."
"My turn, draw! I summon Lasso Twin Barrel Dragon! (ATK: 1700) I change Amethyst Cat to defense position. I enter the Battle Phase! I attack Carbo Crab before you get any new searches!"
"I'm going to use Underworld Avoid, summoning our own 0/0 token.", Alch says.
"Dammit, guess we have to try our luck with Action Cards again.", Naoki says.
"Don't lean into this too much...", I mutter.
"Well, it's not like I misplayed or took out good cards from my deck under the assumption that I would always or often enough get the good ones.", Naoki argues.
"Although none of us has really been too troubled by getting bad ones. I don't think any card stayed in its owners hand for longer than one turn.", Alch notes.
While this discussion takes place everyone tries to ram each other like we're bumper cars at a funfair, in the pursuit of being the first to get an Action Card. Naoki is the first one with that honor.
"I use quick summon, so I can tribute Lasso Twin Barrel Dragon and summon Temperance! Please get lucky again this time!"
He gets heads. I dodge Chemic and get the Action Card Bi-Attack.
"I use Bi-Attack on Temperance! (ATK: 2400-4800)", I say.
"Temperance, attack Methydraco!", Naoki orders. (Al/Chemic LP: 3550-1750)
I manage to dodge another strike, but it's another double-bubble, so both I and Chemic get another card.
"I use Takeover Action to steal your card right away!", I say.
"It was Thief Lock, I negate your stealing effect and inflict 500 damage! Temperance only halves Battle Damage! (Lonely Princess LP: 1350-850)"
Now Naoki gets one of his own.
"My turn ends here.", he says.
"I turn the token to defense position. Let's try our luck again.", Alchemic says.
He sends his ring-shaped token to put itself around me like a hoop, presumably because Naoki's armour is too bulky to do so. Let's hope for a big series in bubbles.
Why is that not the weirdest sentence I have said today? Even among sentences containing the word bubbles. I slightly move sideways in preparation. This time Alchemic blocks Naoki's way and Chemic gets a card.
"I set a monster, I activate the Action Spell Fliparound to change Temperance into face-down defense position and to turn Gren Maju da Eiza into face-up attack position."
An Action Card flies below the token ring and I catch it.
"I use Encore to reuse Destruction, so don't even bother with the ATK calculations.", I say.
"*sigh*, imagine having to deal with that thing.", Naoki says.
"We just now faced an even stronger monster with a similar effect. Remember Hyacrosea? Seems he's got a power-up -and also changed his name to D.D. diver-, that allows his monsters to gain 900 ATK for every currently banished thing. For every Water monster he has at the start of the turn he gets one negation. And since this is still a 2 card combo, he gets at least two. Also you can pretty much only use Lava Golem and Kaijus to get rid of them and they reflect battle damage. We won, but it was thanks to this weird card-creating power and then he escaped the stun-virus like a coward by decking himself out.", Chemic says.
"While you mull over this, I use Spear to give Ouroboros the ability to deal piercing damage. I attack your face-down monster. Being flipped face-down causes your monster to loose its coin flip effects.", Alch says. (Lonely Princess LP: 850-750)
"And that ends my turn.", He says.
"Clearly you had someone else's help.", Naoki says, "I can see you're not able to use CCE. After all, expecially Alchemic's deck is very vulnerable to Speed Duelings's decreased deck size."
"10 cards, if I go to the maximum deck size, which I did, don't make a difference here.", Alch insists.
"Clearly you're powerful cards didn't amount to much here, did they?", Naoki asks.
"So anyway, I'll continue the duel for now. I put my Cat back into attack position and equip her with Crystal Release! This gives her 800 ATK! (ATK: 1200-2000)
I use her ability to attack directly!" (Al/Chemic LP: 1750-750)
"I use the Action Card, Damage Follow-up! You take half the previous damage again!"
"Actually, we have the Action Card Midworld Acceleration. It gives us a risky token again, but this damage is negated.", Alch says.
Dammit, keeping track of whent they get these is difficult. Am I used up from my last (2) Action Duels?
"Not so risky if I have to end my turn now because I have nothing else to attack.", I grumble, "though no, let's take the 50th leap of faith in this duel."
Amethyst tries to cuddle around Chemic, which leaves the jerk of this duo very confused. Should have gotten this idea earlier. Why weren't we this creative previously?
I find Avoid. Naoki also gets one. And as you expected this is an 1-AC-for-everyone scenario.
"I activate Action Row. We got 5 Action Cards and for every 2nd card I get one. That makes 2.", Chemic says.
"I really end my turn this time.", I say.
"My turn, draw. I activate the Spell Dimer Synthesis, adding Catalyst Field to my hand. I activate it. I tribute our tokens to summon Hydro Chlorybdean and give it its effect via the second normal summon. I halve its stats to revive Dioxogre with its effects granted. I banish Oxy Ox for Dioxogre's effect to destroy Amethyst Cat."
"I put it in my backrow.", I say, "Crystal Release's effect then allows me to put Diamond Snake into my backrow."
"I activate the spell Xyz Shortcut, this allows me to Xyz summon Sulfurious Acidaemon with one material less, with the last one being Shortcut itself. If we don't detach Shortcut until the end of the turn, our lifepoints are halved. We normal summoned 2 Gemini monsters this turn, so I draw 2 cards for Acidaemon's effect. I set 2 cards and attack directly with Daemon!"
"I use Avoid!", I counter.
"I attack with Ouroboros!"
"I have Miracle, we take halve the damage." (Lonely Princess LP: 750-500)
"We end our turn here. Acidaemon can only detach overlay units to repeat his drawing effect in the turn after he is summoned, so our Life Points are halved. (Al/Chemic LP: 750-375)"
"I think it's time we end this now, as fun as it was.", Naoki says in an eerily calm voice, "I activate the Spell Extra Fusion, I mill 2 regular Gatling Dragons to summon another Sheriff Gatling Dragon.
Entering the Battle Phase, I use some of the card creating power you mentioned. Though It can be used for other stuff, for example, this!"
Naoki gets three heads.
"I destroy Acidaemon, Ouroboros and 2 of your backrow cards. Too bad Moon Mirror Shield won't force to do defeat yourself with the LP cost for putting it back to the top of the deck. Oh, but since I had a perfect toss, I get to summon Desperado Barrel Dragon now. I attack directly!"
"I activate my trap card! Rank-Up Magic Over-Reaction Force! I use Methydraco and Acidaemon to Xyz Summon a rank 9 monster! Come forth, Chemicritter Cordio-Titan! (ATK: 4500) I can detach and overlay unit to give him the effect of any Chemicritter in my GY for a turn! I use Chlorgon's negation to prevent Desperado Barrel from using his effect!"
"I never planned on doing that. Somebody got scared here. Come here Action Card!", the Card bubbles flies into his hand.
"I got Destroy. Your Titan is gone. Finish him, Desperado!" (Al/Chemic LP: 375-2800=0)
WINNER: Lonely Brave and Crystal Princess
Their movement is restrained.
"They defeated some super-OP monster, but in the end that took too much of a toll on them.", Naoki smirks.
"Yeah, that's it.", I am convinced that Naoki is on the enemy team. That smirk and how eerie he seemed before going for the finisher, then again, mayb Yusaku infected me with his paranoia.
"Let's split up again and call each other when we need someone again.", Naoki says.
"Agreed.", I say.
But how do I tell them my suspicions when I am one of the suspects?
POV 2 Tadakawa Yukawa
"So we said nothing. Nothing of importance.", I say to my brother as we leave Link VRAINS.
"So what, would Playmaker have offered us to join?", brother asks.
"Clearly not. Would it have been a wise choice?", I ask.
"Maybe we shouldn't be fine with those things that SOL did, but I can't bring myself to quit dueling.", my brother says.
"We'd only have to quit doing so in Link VRAINS. Though that's not much of a consolation.", I say.
"Let's hope there is a third way somehow.", Brother says, "though it will not be up to us to find it."
POV 3 Kirito
"I think I know who Lonely Brave really is.", I say.
"Do you mean his real-life name or his identity among Hanoi? Because he definetly isn't among the faction of Deku, MaLady or McBurn.", Numen says.
"You didn't mention Machinarex and D.D. diver.", I note.
"Those weaklings fell from their achievement of defeating Playmaker so quickly, it's barely worth a mention.", Numen insists.
He is of course, completely right about that.
"It is one of those who has currently lost a duel, I will say this much.", I say.
I decided to retcon Horrible Sudden Fusion, so it does not banish after the Battle Phase, when I saw that error in most of its other appearances. Let's hope I don't find similar errors with Ill Fusion's drawback.
Different topic, why do I have this many Crystal Beast OC cards that are aquatic animals? Kind of a funny coincidence.
And as you just saw, I'm willing to use Rush Duel Cards, though Triangle Reborn was a bit buffed here. Rush Duel Format restrictions will not matter in
Arc-VRAINS. I made this before that new Chemicritter Spell was announced, so I replaced an OC card that was a GY version of Terraforming with it, since this might be the last duel of the Chemic duo, but we'll see what happens.
I hope nobody minds that I just HAD to go for this rematch opportunity.
The next 2 chapters will also only have one duel as well, so I will reveal both, since the 2nd doesn't feature anyone from the first.
Chapter 35: GO vs Yukari
Chapter 36: Zephyrine and Izuku vs Roget and Chihiro
Also, I almost forgot to tell you how long this chapter took: It was 33 days and this is the 3rd chapter of this year.
OC cards:
Gourmet Fusion
Normal Spell
Effect: Pay 2000 LP, Special Summon a level 6 or higher Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck and treat this as a Fusion Summon.
Cave-In
Normal Spell
Effect: Discard one card, send 5 rock-type monsters with different names from your deck to the GY.
Semi-Guard
Action Spell
Effect: Choose one monster on the field, halve its DEF.
Spear
Action Spell
Effect: Choose one monster you control, it inflicts piercing damage this turn.
Crystal Beast Musgravite Hydra
Link 4, DARK, Reptile, Link, Effect
ATK: 3500
Markers: Up, Down, Bottom-left, Bottom-right
Material: 3+ "Crystal Beast" monsters or those those treated as continous spells
Effect: This card gains one of the following effectd depending on how many continous spells were used as Link Material:
-1: When this card is Link Summoned, Special Summon 1 "Crystal Beast" treated as a continous trap in your spell/trap zone
-2: When this card is Link Summoned, place up to 2 "Crystal Beast" monsters from your GY into your spell/trap zone
-3: Once per turn, you can place a "Crystal Beast" monster in your GY and treat it as a continous trap, then special summon one "Crystal Beast" monster from your deck.
-4: Add 2 cards that are "Crystal Beast" monsters or mention "Crystal Beasts" in their text from your deck or GY to your hand. You can only use this effect once per turn.
If this card leaves the field , while you control a "Crystal Beast" card in your spell/trap zone you can return it to your Extra Deck.
Crystal Beast Red Beryl Chimaera
Link 3, Fire, Beast, Link, Effect
ATK: 3000
Markers: Up, Left, Right
Material: 2+ "Crystal Beast" monsters or those treated as continous spells
Effect: Oncer per turn if this card points to a "Crystal Beast" Monster, you can choose cards on your opponent's field up to the number of "Crystal Beast" monsters treated as continous spells you control, return them to their owners hand. If this card would be destroyed in battle, you can place this card in your spell/trap zone instead. While this card is in your spell trap zone, you can special summon Once "Crystal Beast" monster from your hand. You can only use this effect once per turn.
Chemicritter Antimony Ant
Level 3, Fire, Insect, Effect
ATK: 1000
DEF: 800
Effect: (Standard gemini text) Oncer per turn (quick effect) You can double the ATK of one "Chemicritter" monster you control
Moly Chemicritter Di-Sea-Hydrorse
Rank 3, WATER, Sea-Serpent, Xyt, Effect
ATK: 2100
DEF: 800
Material: 2 Level 3 Gemini mosnters
Effect: Once per turn if, you can detach one Xyz Material from this card, special summon a "Chemicritter" monster from your deck, if no monster you control has higher ATK than a monster your opponent controls, you can Special Summon any Gemini Monster and treat it as an effect monster.
Crystal Beast Hibonite Hermit Crab
Level 3, EARTH, Fish, Effect
ATK: 800
DEF: 1700
Effect: If this card would be destroyed, you can place this card as a continous spell in your spell/trap zone. While this card is in your hand, you can place it as a continous spell in your spell/trap zone.
Summon Plus
Action Spell
Effect: Immediately after this resolves, normal summon 1 monster.
Xyz Shortcut
Normal Spell
Effect: Xyz Summon one monster with a material less, then attach this card to that Xyz Monster. If this card is still attachted to that monster at the end of this turn, halve your Life Points.
Rank-Up Magic Over-Reaction Force
Quick-play Spell
Effect: If a "Chemicritter" Xyz Monster monster left the field during the Battle Phase, uset that Xyz Monster and any number of Xyz Monsters with the same name to summon 1 "Chemicritter" Xyz Monster with one rank higher.
Chemicritter Cordio Titan
Level 9, FIRE, Fiend, Effect
ATK: 4500
DEF: 3800
Material: 2 level 9 gemini monsters.
Effect: Once per turn, you can detach one Xyz Material from a "Chemicritter" monster you control and choose 1 "Chemicritter" gemini monster you control, in your GY or your banished cards, the XYZ monster gains that monsters effects from being normal summoned.
Philosopher Burst
Normal Spell
Effect: If you control "Alchemic Kettle -Chaos Distill", draw one card and all "Alchemy Beasts" you control gain their effects as if they were summoned with the correct spell card.
Nexus Xyz
Normal Trap
Effect: Special Summon one monster that requires "Alchemy Beasts" you control and attach this card as an overlay unit. This card cannot be detachted until the end of this turn.
Alternate Effect:
Gemini Spark
Can tribute any level of gemini to activate
Triangle Reborn
Can revive any level of monsters and you can use it while having a monster in attack position.
Roll of Fate
Sends to the GY instead of banishing.
Extra Fusion
Can send all kinds of ED monsters.