Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-Vrains: The Circuit Of Smiles

by donkeyboy100

A year after the Dimensional War and the revival of Zarc, and everything in Paradise City had seemed to die down. Until one day a mysterious group called the Arbiters came and invaded the Pendulum Dimension to capture Declan Akaba and Yuya Sakaki. It's now up to Yuya and his friends to travel to this unknown dimension in search for the answers to their questions.

20. Arbiter Assault Part 2

Last time in Dragon Ball Z…. I mean, Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-VRAINS The Circuit Of Smiles! The Arbiters planned and unleashed their Assault on LINK VRAINS again, causing the entire Top 10 to fight back and protect everyone. While Roselyn, Chevalier, and Charmcaster handle the ones in the Coliseum, and Blue Maiden and Soulburner handle the ones outside, Storm Rider and Ena had to deal with Nyx and Drakon after Gore, Ringmaster, and Maestra got trapped and needed the two keys to rescue them. Will they be able to rescue their allies? Find out now!

In LINK VRAINS...

Storm Rider and Sanctum orbited the sphere on their D-Boards.

"Just great," Kolter said through the comms. "To think that the Arbiters would use tricks like that. However, I can say that I'm not surprised.

"We can't pout about it now, Kolter." Storm Rider told him. "Our priority is rescuing Gore, Ringmaster, and Maestra from wherever this trap is keeping them."

"And thanks to the keys Storm Rider and I obtained from winning our duels against Nyx and Drakon, we can," Sanctum added.

"Well, what are you guys waiting for?" Jin asked. "Use the keys!"

"On it!" Storm Rider and Sanctum said.

The two of them pressed a few buttons on their Duel Disks, and both Code Keys emerged from them as they floated towards the front of the sphere and glowed, causing it to transform back into a gate.

"Awesome!" They both shouted.

"Nice job on opening the gate back up, you two," Jin said.

"Now head on in there and rescue everyone, pronto!" Kolter stated."

"Right!" The duo replied as they entered the gate before disappearing out of sight.

"You think they'll be okay if there Kolter?" Jin asked.

"Who knows?" Kolter replied. "All I know is that I hope whatever or whoever is behind this, that they're strong enough to handle him, her, or them."

Elsewhere, inside the Sphere...

Gore lay unconscious in a sea of darkness before waking up.

"Where am I? What the heck is this place?" Gore whispered. He looked up at several purple orbs. But before he could see more than some still images, the orbs all shattered. That said, Gore did recognize the pictures. One had been him and Playmaker dueling. Another had been him dueling Varis and another dueling Soulburner. One had his recent duel against Ringmaster. But the last one he saw was against an opponent he dueled long ago that he hadn't seen since then.

"Those were my memories. But how was I able to see them?"

"That was thanks to me."

Gore turned around in the direction of the voice he heard and saw a tan-skinned man with a built and bulky body, crimson eyes, long and unkempt greenish-brown hair. He wore an unbuttoned, dark blue jacket, leaving his muscular torso bare, a pair of dark blue ragged trousers, brown shoes, a crimson piece of cloth wrapped around his waist, and black gloves. His face and chest were decorated with black, tribal tattoos, further emphasizing his barbarian appearance.

"Wait. It can't be. Is it you?" Gore asked.

"Why yes, Gore. It's me, Brawler. But I prefer to be called Asura now," Asura replied.

"So it was you who altered the gate that originally was supposed to lead my comrades and me to the Coliseum but instead trapping us?"

"Correct. But to be fair, it was me and my allies who were responsible, not just me. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that I'll finally have my revenge on you, George Gore!"

"Revenge?" Gore said, confused. "Look, Brawler, I don't know why you're working with the Arbiters, let alone what you revenge for, but what I do know is that you better tell me where Ringmaster and Maestra are and let us free immediately!"

"Whoa. Before you go and pop a vain, what don't we settle this in a duel?" Asura suggested.

"A duel?"

"Yes. If you win, I'll give you the coordinates of your friend's location, but shall you lose, which you will, you'll be implanted with a virus that'll put you in a never-ending coma."

"What?" Gore gasped.

"By the tone of your voice, you're afraid of accepting my challenge with the stakes being high," Asura said.

"Please. The Gore isn't afraid of anything. I was just a bit stunned by what the consequences were. But if a duel is what it takes to find and save Ringmaster and Maestra, then so be it!" Gore stated.

"I'm very glad you accepted my challenge. But why don't we have a little change of scenery?"

Asura snapped his fingers, causing the darkness around them to glow a bright light as they were now back in LINK VRAINS, but in a massive stadium.

"Hold on. I remember this place. It's where the Invitational Tournament was held, and I rose back to being the No.1 Duelist in LINK VRAINS before Soulburner challenged me, and I lost to him," Gore said.

"That's right. And this is also the same place where you faced me in the Finals, and I lost," Asura reminded him as he then activated his Duel Disk. "But things are going to be different today because I'll be walking away as the winner, and you'll stay here forever as the loser!"

"We'll see about that!" Gore retorted as he activated his Duel Disk in response.

"DUEL!" Both shouted in unison.

Gore: 4000 LP

Asura: 4000 LP

The Duel Field appeared briefly and then disappeared. "I'll go first," Asura said, looking at his cards. "I'll start by activating the Spell Card: Fossil Dig, which lets me add one Level 6 or lower Dinosaur monster from my Deck to my hand."

A card popped out of Asura's Deck, which he added to his hand. "From there, I set a monster in face-down defense position. I also set two cards face-down and end my turn." Gore narrowed his eyes at his opponent's field. "Time to see what you got, Gore."

"My turn! I draw!" Gore said, drawing the top card of his Deck.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Hand Destruction!" Asura interrupted, gesturing to his field. "Each of us must discard two cards from our hands before drawing two new cards from our Decks!"

Both duelists discarded two cards before drawing two cards from the top of their respective Decks.

Brawler didn't play like this before, Gore thought, looking at Asura's field again. In our last duel, he used a "Tenyi" Deck, which focused on two things. First, they can Special Summon themselves from the hand if the player controls no Effect Monsters. The second effect requires the player to control a non-Effect Monster to be activated. By banishing themselves from the hand or Graveyard, these effects range from effect negation to retrieval of banished Wyrms/destroyed non-Effect monsters or searching for a "Tenyi" monster. But he used Fossil Dig, which searches for a Dinosaur monster, not a Wyrm monster. Is this a new strategy he's using?

"What's wrong, Gore? Are you going to make a move or not?"

"You want me to make a move? I'll make one then. "I summon Gouki Suprex!"

A blue ogre appeared and roared.

Gouki Suprex ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Suprex's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Gouki" monster from my hand. Come, Twistcobra!"

A green ogre with snakes attached to its head appeared in Attack Position.

Gouki Twistcobra ATK 1600 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Time to mash up my circuit!" The Link portal appeared above Gore. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two "Gouki" monsters. I set Suprex and Twistcobra in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters turned into whirlwinds and entered the left and bottom arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Gouki Jet Ogre!"

A dark blue ogre with a jetpack on its back and a sword in its right hand emerged from the portal, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Gouki Jet Ogre A.T.K. 2000 LINK-2 ←↓

"Suprex's and Twistcobra's effects activate! As they were sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add two new "Gouki" cards from my Deck to my hand." Gore took two cards, then played one of them. "I activate the Spell Card: Gouki Re-Match! It lets me Special Summon two "Gouki" monsters from my Graveyard with different Levels in Defense Position, Resurrect, Suprex and Twistcobra!"

The two ogres reappeared.

Gouki Suprex ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

Gouki Twistcobra ATK 1600 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Appear again, my circuit! Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Gouki" monsters. I set Suprex and Link-2 Jet Ogre in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-3! Gouki Thunder Ogre!"

A large ogre in a red and blue costume with electrical blasters on its wrists emerged from the portal and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Gouki Thunder Ogre ATK 2200 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"Jet Ogre's effect activates! When it is sent from the field to the Graveyard, all my "Gouki" monsters gain 500 attack points until the end of the turn."

Gouki Thunder Ogre ATK 2200→2700

Gouki Twistcobra ATK 1600→2100

"I activate Thunder Ogre's effect! Once per turn, the turn player can Normal Summon a monster from their hand to Thunder Ogre's Link Arrow. I summon a second Suprex!"

Another blue ogre appeared at Thunder Ogre's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Gouki Suprex ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Suprex's effect activates! I Special Summon Gouki Riscorpio!"

A red-and-black ogre with a scorpion tail and claws appeared in Attack Position.

Gouki Riscorpio ATK 2300 DEF 0 LVL: 5

"I now activate Twistcobra's effect! Once per turn, I can Tribute a "Gouki" monster to increase the attack points of another "Gouki" monster I control by the Tributed monster's attack points. I Tribute Riscorpio and give its attack points to Thunder Ogre!"

Gouki Thunder Ogre ATK 2700→5000

"5000 attack points?" Asura said in surprise.

"Riscorpio's effect activates! Since it was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a new "Gouki" card from my Deck to my hand. Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Gouki Spirit!" The card showed Jet Ogre, kneeling with its saber planted, with a yellow aura around it. "I Special Summon a "Gouki" monster that went to the Graveyard this turn in Attack Position! Resurrect, Riscorpio!"

The red and black ogre reappeared at Thunder Ogre's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Gouki Riscorpio ATK 2300 DEF 0 LVL: 5

Gore gestured to his field. "It's time to battle! Gouki Riscorpio attacks your set monster!"

Riscorpio charged forward, intent on destroying the Asura's face-down monster.

"The set monster you're attacking is Dinowrestler Capaptera," Asura explained as the card flipped up to reveal a humanoid pterodactyl wearing orange robes.

Dinowrestler Capaptera ATK 1600 DEF 0 LV: 3

"Dinowrestler!?" Gore said in shock.

"And if you think both your monsters attacking will win you the duel, you're wrong! I activate the effect of Dinowrestler Martial Anga from my hand! When you attack my "Dinowrestler" monster, I can send this card to prevent it from being destroyed by battle!"

A barrier appeared around Capaptera as Gouki Riscorpio's claws struck it, forcing him to retreat to Gore's side of the field.

"Martial Anga's effect ends the Battle Phase as well." Asura continued, causing Gore to scowl in annoyance.

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Gore concluded. "During the End Phase, Jet Ogre's and Twistcobra's effects end, so Thunder Ogre's and Twistcobra's attack points return to normal."

Gouki Thunder Ogre ATK 5000→2200

Gouki Twistcobra ATK 2100→1600

"At the end of your turn, Martial Anga's third effect activates!" Asura added. "Since you control more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon him from my Graveyard to my field in attack position!"

A humanoid dinosaur wearing a pink vest appeared on Asura's field in attack position.

Dinowrestler Martial Anga ATK 1600 DEF 0 LV: 5

"Explain yourself, Brawler!" Gore demanded. "Why did you abandon your "Tenyi" Deck and adopt my old "Dinowrestler" Deck? Your old Deck represented teamwork and overcoming impossible odds, just like my Goukis."

"You want to know why I abandoned the "Tenyi" Deck? It's because I wanted to sever all ties with my former self!" Asura shouted.

Flashback: Four to Five months ago, in LINK VRAINS…

"Oh right! One step for victory, another step closer to the Champion title!" Asura, formerly known as Brawler, cheered.

"And that's a victory for Brawler! What an impressive victory! At this rate, he is the most likely candidate to face The Gore, who I heard from rumors that he's returning to LINK VRAINS to reclaim his title as the No. 1 Celebrity Duelist!" The MC announced as the crowds cheered.

Flashback: Present Day...

"It was around the time where you dropped down from being a Celebrity Duelist and decided to become a bounty hunter instead. I was at the top of my game. I went through preliminary, and my reputation as a Celebrity Duelist grew and grew through my victory. However, I was just to aim to be a famous champion, but I was also doing it for a…special someone during that time."

"Special someone?" Gore wondered.

Flashback: Six months ago, in Den City…

Asura, formerly a.k.a Brawler, a.k.a in real life Ken Adams, now dressed in a light blue jacket, white shirt, and pair of matching blue trousers, walked with a woman with long pink hair purple eye in a wheelchair.

Flashback: Present Day...

"Right before you announced your return, I met the most beautiful and kindest woman in the world. Her name was Amy, and she cared for me, and I loved her very much. I promised her that if I become the champion, I will win the prize money and use that prize money to pay for her upcoming surgery."

"Surgery?" Gore repeated.

"That's right. The surgery would've helped Amy to walk once again, but then…. the championship match came!"

Flashback: Four to Five months ago, in LINK VRAINS…

"Aaaaaaaahh!" Brawler screamed as he fell over his back, defeated in the duel.

Flashback: Present Day...

"I lost the duel!"

Flashback: Four to Five months ago, in LINK VRAINS…

Brawler tried to get up until The Gore approached him.

"So I heard people say that you're the promising, strong Celebrity Duelist," past Gore said. "Hmph! You are not strong. You're weak! You didn't even make me sweat at all! Go and train, and come back later!"

Flashback End: Present Day…

"I lost to you in the most important duel of my life and Amy…she…. I couldn't even pay her medical bill to cover her surgery! I felt so much ashamed, depressed, and…angry! Angry toward you, George Gore, for you to take away my dream to become the strongest duelist in the world and my life with Amy!" Asura pointed at Gore. "But luckily, someone who understands my pain offer to help pay Amy's medical bills as well as having my revenge against you. And what better way to do that is by beating you with the Deck you used when you gave up your past self."

"Brawler…I… I didn't know about that, but that isn't my fault that you lost in that duel!" Gore tried to defend himself.

"Shut up! You were nothing but selfish! You only cared about yourself and your return to being the best! I watched you from the shadows, seeing you being praised by your fans that it makes me sick! You don't even know that some of us Celebrity Duelists have reasons for dueling other than ourselves!" Asura argued.

"But, I…" Gore wanted to say more, but he was interrupted.

"My turn! I draw!" Asura drew the top card of his Deck. "I activate the Spell Card: Dino Tag-Team!" The card showed Dinowrestler Iguanodraka and Dinowrestler Pankratops entering the inside of World Dino Wrestling as the crowd cheered for them, ready to throw down against M-Warrior 1 and 2. "This card lets me target two "Dinowrestler" monsters in my Graveyard with different names and Special Summon them to my field in defense position. I target Dinowrestler Rambrachio and Dinowrestler Systegosaur from my Graveyard!"

Two monsters then appeared on Asura's field in defense position.

The first monster was a blue-skinned, big-bellied, humanoid dinosaur with orange stripes on his legs, tail, and belly. He wore a dark-yellow vest, along with dark-yellow guards on his shins and forearms. Dinosaur bones were attached to his upper arms, with a long bone around his neck. Lastly, Rambrachio wore a dark-yellow mask with orange stripes and a small piece of pink fur at the back.

The second monster was a green humanoid dinosaur with spines on his back and a spiked tail. He also wore a black vest and green pants as well.

Dinowrestler Rambrachio ATK 1600 DEF 0 LV: 5

Dinowrestler Systegosaur ATK 1900 DEF 0 LV: 4

"Systegosaur's effect activates! When he's Special Summoned, I can add a "Dinowrestler" monster or World Dino Wrestling from my Deck to my hand. I think I'll add the latter to my hand."

A card popped out of Asura's Deck, which he took and added to his hand.

"And now I'll create my circuit." A Link Portal appeared above Asura. "The summoning conditions are two "Dinowrestler" monsters. I'll set Martial Anga and Rambrachio into the Link Arrows!"

Martial Anga went into the left arrowhead, while Rambrachio went into the top arrowhead, turning red.

"I Link Summon! Link-2! Dinowrestler Terra Parkourio!"

A grey-skinned dinosaur wearing red armor with blue and grey outlines on his chest, waist, shoulders, and head appeared on Asura's field in the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Dinowrestler Terra Parkourio ATK 1000 LINK-2 ←↑

Why would Brawler Link Summon a monster that gives me a Main Monster Zone to Special Summon a monster from the Extra Deck? Gore wondered, carefully analyzing his opponent's moves. So far, seeing it with my own two eyes, the "Dinowrestler" Deck is somewhat similar to that of my "Gouki" Deck in terms of swarming and hand traps. Perhaps there's more to it than meets the eye.

"I activate the Field Spell Card: World Dino Wrestling!" Asura continued. "While I control a "Dinowrestler" monster, only one monster can attack during each Battle Phase. Terra Parkourio's effect activates! Since I activated World Dino Wrestling, I'm allowed to add a "Dinowrestler" monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Martial Anga to my hand."

Asura pointed upwards again. "I'll once again create my circuit! The summoning conditions are two or more "Dinowrestler" monsters. I set Capaptera and Link-2 Terra Parkourio in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Link-3! Dinowrestler King T Wrextle!"

A massive humanoid dinosaur with purple and red skin and dinosaur bones attached to its shoulders appeared and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"The effects of Terra Parkourio and Capaptera now activate," Asura declared. "First, since Terra Parkourio was used to Link Summon, I can Special Summon a "Dinowrestler" monster in defense position from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Return, Rambrachio!"

At Asura's command, Rambrachio reappeared on his field in defense position.

Dinowrestler Rambrachio ATK 1600 DEF 0 LV: 5

"Second, since Capaptera was used to Link Summon, King T Wrextle gains 1000 attack points until the end of the turn!"

King T Wrextle roared as his attack points increased.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000→4000

"Last but not least, I activate my Trap Card: Survival of the Fittest!" Asura added, gesturing to his face-down card. "I can target one Dinosaur monster I control and equip this card to it. By doing so, that monster gains 1000 attack points. If the targeted monster also destroys a monster by battle, that monster can make a second attack on a monster in a row. I target King T-Wrextle!"

A fiery aura surrounded King T-Wrextle as his strength increased once again.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4000→5000

"Battle! Dinowrestler King T-Wrextle attacks Gouki Thunder Ogre!"

King T-Wrextle charged forward, intent on destroying Thunder Ogre.

"Sorry, I won't let that happen, Brawler!" Gore said. "I activate-!"

"Useless!" Go interrupted. "Guess you forgot that when King T-Wrextle battles, you cannot activate Spell or Trap Cards until the end of the damage step!" Gore's eyes widened upon hearing this information and remembering it. "In addition, World Dino Wrestling's effect activates! When my "Dinowrestler" monster attacks, it gains 200 attack points during damage calculation."

For a third time, King T-Wrextle's strength increased as he continued to charge forward.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 5000→5200

"Go, Jurassic Howl!"

Suddenly, King T-Wrextle jumped and howled at Thunder Ogre, stunning him before King T-Wrextle fell forward, intent on elbow slamming Thunder Ogre.

"I may not be able to activate my face-down card, but it doesn't mean I can't activate monster effects!" Gore pointed out. "I activate the effect of Twistcobra to Tribute Riscorpio to give its attack points to Thunder Ogre!"

Gouki Thunder Ogre ATK 2200→4500

"Riscorpio's effect lets me now add a "Gouki" card to my hand. I choose Gouki Bearhug."

"Even so, my monster's still stronger," Asura pointed out. "Continue your attack, T-Wrextle!"

King T Wrextle roared, producing shockwaves that blasted Gouki Thunder Ogre and disintegrated it. Gore grunted from the damage.

Gore: 4000→3300 LP

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle 5200→5000

"Since King T-Wrextle successfully destroyed your monster, Survival of the Fittest's effect activates. "Attack once more! And once again, World Dino Wrestling's effect activates!"

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle 5000→5200

"Go! Jurassic Howl!" King T Wrextle roared again, destroying Twistcobra.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle 5200→5000

"Twistcobra's effect activates!" Gore declared. "Since it was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I add a new "Gouki" card from my Deck to my hand."

"It doesn't matter what you add. You'll still lose in the end!" Asura shouted. "I set one card face-down and end my turn. With that, Capaptera's effect ends as well."

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 5000→4000

" You better put in a little more effort, Gore, because if you don't, then you'll never see your friends or your fans again."

"I assure you that you'll be the one who won't be seeing anyone after I win," Gore retorted.

Elsewhere, outside the arena…

A portal opened up, and emerging out from it was Storm Rider and Sanctum. They descended from their D-Boards and landed on the ground safely as they viewed their surroundings.

"Where are we?" Sanctum asked.

"Not sure," Storm Rider answered. "It looks like we're back inside LINK VRAINS, but something tells me it's all an illusion."

"Could be. But where do we start?"

Suddenly, an explosion from the arena occurred, catching Storm Rider's and Sanctum's attention.

"You heard that too, right?" Sanctum asked.

"Yep," Storm Rider replied. "Let's check it out."

The two of them entered the arena and saw Gore in a duel.

"It's Gore!" Sanctum said.

"One down, two more to go," Storm Rider said. "Looks like he's dueling one of Nyx and Drakon's allies."

"Yeah, and it looks like he's in the lead while Gore's behind."

"That may be true at the moment, but if I know Gore, he'll find a way to make a comeback."

Back at duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Gore looked at his card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: The Warrior Returning Alive! It lets me add one Warrior monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Suprex to my hand and then summon it!"

The blue ogre reappeared.

Gouki Suprex ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Suprex's effect activates! I Special Summon Gouki Bearhug!" A gray ogre wearing a bearskin appeared in Attack Position.

Gouki Bearhug ATK 2400 DEF 0 LVL: 6

"Bearhug's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gouki" card, one of your monsters' attack points becomes equal to half its original attack points! I target your King T-Wrextle!"

Asura gritted his teeth. "You may halve its attack points, but T-Wrextle retains Survival of the Fittest's boost!"

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4000→2500

"I activate the Spell Card: Gouki Face Turn! It lets me destroy one "Gouki" card I control and Special Summon a "Gouki" monster from my Graveyard. I destroy Suprex to Special Summon Thunder Ogre!"

The blue ogre disappeared, and the larger ogre with blasters on its wrists reappeared.

Gouki Thunder Ogre ATK 2200 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"Suprex's effect activates! As it was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a new "Gouki" card from my Deck to my hand." Gore pointed upwards as his hand glowed blue. "I'll now mash up my circuit! Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Gouki" monsters. I set Bearhug and Link-3 Thunder Ogre in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters turned into whirlwinds and entered the top, bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-4! Gouki The Master Ogre!"

A large ogre in a red and blue suit-wearing golden armor appeared. His cape swung behind him, and he wielded a massive ax from the Extra Monster Zone.

Gouki The Master Ogre ATK 2800 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

"Oh! There it is!" Sanctum commentated. "Gore's true ace monster!"

"Looks like he's finally getting serious," Storm Rider noted.

"Not bad. But will it be enough to help you win?" Asura asked.

"It will. But before then, Bearhug's effect activates! When sent to the Graveyard, I add a new "Gouki" card from my Deck to my hand. Next, I activate the Spell Card Gouki Re-Match! With this, I Special Summon two "Gouki" monsters from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Resurrect, Twistcobra and Riscorpio!"

The green and red ogres reappeared at The Master Ogre's bottom-left and bottom Link Arrows, respectively.

Gouki Twistcobra ATK 1600 DEF 0 LVL: 3

Gouki Riscorpio ATK 2300 DEF 0 LVL: 5

"Twistcobra's effect activates! I Tribute Riscorpio to increase The Master Ogre's attack points by Riscorpio's attack points!"

The red ogre disintegrated as the Link Monster glowed.

Gouki The Master Ogre ATK 2800→5100

"Riscorpio's effect activates! As it was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a new "Gouki" card from my Deck to my hand," Gore said as he took a card from his Deck and added it to his hand before gesturing to his field. "The Master Ogre's effect activates! Once per turn, I can return any number of "Gouki" monsters at its Link Arrows to my hand. Then, the same number of your cards have their effects negated!"

"If that's the case, I activate the Trap Card: Dino Camouflage!" Asura countered, gesturing to his face-down card. The card showed a forest where Systegosaur blended in with the wildlife. More specifically, behind the bushes on four legs. As a result, the hunters moved past him successfully. "By returning one "Dinowrestler" monster on my field to my hand, I can target one other "Dinowrestler" monster on my field and prevent it from being targeted by your card effects until the end of your turn! I return Rambrachio to my hand and target King T-Wrextle!"

As Rambrachio turned into yellow particles, a translucent barrier surrounded King T-Wrextle.

"Very well. I return Twistcobra to my hand to negate the effects of Survival of the Fittest!"

The green ogre disappeared as a gray aura enveloped Asura's Trap.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 2500→1500

"Battle! The Master Ogre attacks King T-Wrextle!"

The Master Ogre charged the large demon and brought its ax down at the Dinowrestler.

"You, of all people, should know that I won't go down that easily!" Asura reminded Gore. "Once again, I activate Martial Anga's effect from my hand. When you attack my "Dinowrestler" monster, I can send this card to prevent it from being destroyed by battle!"

"But you'll still take the damage!" Gore pointed out.

A second barrier appeared around King T-Wrextle as the ax hit it, making Asura stagger a bit. The barrier then dissipated, revealing an unharmed King T-Wrextle.

Asura: 4000→400 LP

"Martial Anga's effect ends the Battle Phase as well," Asura added.

"I set two cards face-down and end my turn. And during the End Phase, Twistcobra's, Bearhug's, and The Master Ogre's effects end," Gore concluded.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 1500→3000→4000

Gouki The Master Ogre ATK 5100→2800

"My turn! I draw!" Asura said, drawing his card and immediately playing it. "I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two cards." Asura picked up two more cards and smiled after seeing one of them. "You should feel privileged, Gore. You'll be the first to witness how I evolved since our previous duel against one another and how I mastered the Dinowrestler Deck better than you. First, you will see, then you will lose!"

Gore widened his eyes at that statement before narrowing them at Asura.

"I'm not sure what you have planned, but I'll ensure you won't execute it!" Gore replied. "I activate the Trap Card: Gouki Near-Fall!" The card showed Gouki The Great Ogre pinning Battlin' Boxer Headgeared to the floor of a wrestling arena. "This card equips itself to a "Gouki" monster I control, and the first time that monster would be destroyed by battle or card effects each turn, it is not destroyed! I equip Near-Fall to The Master Ogre!"

"I see. Well, before I execute my plan, I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Emergency Provisions! By sending the Field Spell Card: World Dino Wrestling to the Graveyard, I gain 1000 Life Points!"

Asura: 400→1400 LP

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Pre-Preparation of Rites! Not only does this card lets me add a Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand, but I can also add a Ritual monster from my Deck or Graveyard whose name is listed on that Ritual Spell."

Two cards popped out of Asura's Deck, which he added to his hand.

"What!? You learned how to Ritual Summon!?" Gore said with shock.

"Yes. And it's time to put all that hard work to use," Asura said with a smirk. "I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Dino Champion's Ritual!" The card showed Systegosaur and Capoeiraptor roaring in respect in front of a statue of Dinowrestler King T Wrextle, which held a fiery champion's belt in his hands. Several people watching the event were also paying respect to the King T Wrextle statue as well. "This card lets me tribute "Dinowrestler" monsters on my field or hand whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the "Dinowrestler" Ritual monster I'm about to Ritual Summon. However, if I control King T-Wrextle, I can shuffle "Dinowrestler" monsters from my field or Graveyard into my Deck instead!"

"A Ritual Spell card can do that?!" Gore exclaimed, now concerned for himself. "I've seen crazy cards in my duels, but this one takes the cake."

"It should, especially once you witness his appearance," Asura told him. "I shuffle Capaptera and Martial Anga from my Graveyard into my Deck!"

A green circle with a champion's belt covering it burned eight red flames, which materialized in front of Asura. Capaptera and Martial Anga appeared well before they disintegrated into light and entered the circle's center, emitting a bright light pillar.

"The contract has been made!" Asura chanted. "A new challenger approaches, ready to throw down against his enemies! I Ritual Summon! Enter the ring, Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus!"

A silver-gray humanoid dinosaur with a long neck and tail, as well as massive feet, appeared on Asura's field in one of the Main Monster Zones King T-Wrextle pointed to. He wore a white Taekwondo Gi with silver stripes, along with a black belt.

Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus ATK 2800 DEF 0 LV: 8

"I activate Rising Taeklodocus's effect! Once per turn, I can tribute one "Dinowrestler" monster on my field and increase Rising Taeklodocus's attack points by the tributed "Dinowrestler" monster's attack points until the end of my turn! I tribute Systegosaur!" Systegosaur turned into yellow particles, which went into Rising Taeklodocus as his strength increased.

Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus ATK 2800→4700

"Gore better be careful!" Sanctum, afraid for what will happen next.

"I'm sure he's prepared and ready to counter," Storm Rider told her.

"Battle!" Go declared. "Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus attacks Gouki The Master Ogre! Roundhouse Slam Kick!"

Rising Taeklodocus jumped high in the air, ready to roundhouse kick the Gouki Link Monster.

"As that'll work," Gore interjected. "I activate-!"

"You'll do no such thing!" Asura retorted. "Once per turn, when Rising Taeklodocus battles and you activate a card effect while I control a "Dinowrestler" Link Monster, that effect is negated and destroyed!"

"I negate and destroy your face-down card. Drill Kick!"

Rising Taeklodocus bound his legs together and spun like a drill that pierced the face-down card completely, revealing it to be Battle Rush as he landed back on the ground, Battle Rush turning into particles in the process. Rising Taeklodocus then Master Ogre with two roundhouse kicks to the face using each leg.

"You may have gotten rid of my trap, but thanks to Gouki Near-Fall, Master Ogre can't be destroyed once per turn!" Gore reminded Asura while at the same time, Master Ogre received a roundhouse kick to the face, causing a shockwave making Gore skid backwards a bit.

Gore: 3300→1400 LP

"Your monster may have survived the first attack, but this next one will be different," Asura assured. Dinowrestler King T-Wrextle attacks Enlightenment Paladin! Jurassic Howl!"

King T-Wrextle charged forward before jumping into the air. He howled at Master Ogre, stunning him before King T-Wrextle fell forward and elbow slammed Master Ogre, causing a massive explosion that sent Gore flying off his feet before landing on the ground.

Gore: 1400→200 LP

"I activate Rambrachio's effect from my hand! Since a "Dinowrestler" Link Monster inflicted battle damage, I can Special Summon this card to my field in defense position!"

For a third time, Rambrachio appeared on Gore's field in defense position.

Dinowrestler Rambrachio ATK 1600 DEF 0 LV: 5

"Since King T-Wrextle successfully destroyed your monster, Survival of the Fittest's effect activates. "Attack once more!"

King T-Wrextle charged forward once more, this time to strike Gore.

"Don't count me out just yet! I activate the effect of Gouki Clothesfly in my hand!" Gore declared. "If you attack me directly, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand and redirect your attack towards it!"

A black ogre with a gray torso, gray gloves and feet, a crimson visor covering its eyes, and insect-like wings sprouting from its back appeared, taking a defensive stance.

Gouki Clothesfly ATK 100 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Not only that, but T-Wrextle's attack won't destroy Clothesfly.

A blue barrier formed around Clothesfly as it shielded it from T-Wrextle's fist

"I now activate Clothesfly's second effect," Gore continued. "After damage calculation, when a "Gouki" monster battled, I can Tribute Clothesfly to banish the monster it battled. So say goodbye to King T-Wrextle!"

Clothesfly burst into particles before floating over to T-Wrextle, engulfing its entire body as it disappeared.

"Since Clothesfly left the field, I can use its effect to add a "Gouki" card from my Deck to my hand."

"I guess I'll end my turn with a face-down, which means Rising Taeklodocus's effect ends," Asura concluded, as Rising Taeklodocus's attack points returned to normal."

Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus ATK 4700→2800

"Not only that, Rambrachio's effect prevents you from targeting other "Dinowrestler" monsters on my field with card effects," Asura explained. "You put up a good fight, Gore. But even you must realize it's futile to defeat me. So you might as well surrender."

"Surrender?" Gore got up on his feet. "I don't think so, Gore. The show must go on, no matter how dire the situation. A Celebrity Duelist must live a life more vivid than any other and be someone for all to admire! A Celebrity Duelist is the one who collects the envy of their followers and stands as their guide! Therefore, a Celebrity Duelist is never alone! For their will equals that of all their followers combined!"

"That's the Celebrity Duelist's oath..." Storm Rider and Sanctum muttered, recognizing those words.

"Back then, that oath meant more to me than mere words," Asura admitted to Gore. "Along with my goal of keeping the children safe, that oath was what kept me going against impossible odds. However, after what happened, I threw them away so I could reclaim what is rightfully mine!"

"I'll remind you of who you once were, Brawler," Gore promised him. "And I'll show you by winning on this turn! My turn! I draw!"

"This is Gore's last chance to turn things around," Sanctum said.

"If he's known for anything, it's for turning things around," Storm Rider stated.

"I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn! With this, I'll Special Summon a monster from either of our Graveyards. Return to me, Gouki The Master Ogre!"

At Gore's command, The ogre wearing golden armor and a cape while wielding a giant battle ax reappeared and roared at Asura.

Gouki The Master Ogre ATK 2800 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

"Next, I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Gouki Fusion!"

"Gouki Fusion!?" Asura gasped.

"This card lets me Fusion Summon a "Gouki" Fusion Monsters by using monsters in my hand or on my field as Fusion Materials. Using the effect of Gouki Fusion, I fuse Gouki The Master Ogre with Gouki Twistcobra in my hand!"

Twistcobra appeared on the field next to Master Ogre before the two ogres broke into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex before shooting upwards as tornados. The two tornados merged into a single violet twister.

"I Fusion Summon! Gouki Beatdown Ogre!"

A draconic ogre with red hair and two horns facing forward wore dark-blue armor all over his body with yellow outlines. He wore a cape that blazed with fire as he roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Gouki Beatdown Ogre ATK 2900 DEF 0 LVL: 8

"Since I successfully Fusion Summoned Beatdown Ogre, it gains half the attack points of the Link Monster used to summon it. Master Ogre had 2800 attack points, so Beatdown Ogre gains 1400 attack points!"

Gouki Beatdown Ogre ATK 2900→4300

"In addition, for the remainder of this turn, the monster I summoned through Gouki Fusion will be unaffected by all your card effects."

Sanctum smirked after hearing Gore. "Now Gore's monster is safe from anything Asura tries to throw at him."

"Not only that, but his monster also had more than enough attack points to defeat Asura," Storm Rider added. "Gore's got this duel in the bag."

"Battle!" Gore declared. "Gouki Beatdown Ogre attacks Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus!"

Following Gore's words, Beatdown Ogre charged forward to attack Taeklodocus.

Asura narrowed his eyes. Gore, even though you claim you're not the same person from before, and you're trying to help me be my old self again. I must… No, I will win this duel! "I activate the Trap Card: Fiery Fervor!"

Gore gasped. "A Trap?"

"Fiery Fervor equips itself to Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus!" Asura continued. "And as you control a monster whose current attack points are higher than its original attack points, King T Wrextle's attack points become double its original attack points during the Damage Step!"

"WHAT?!"

A fiery aura surrounded Taeklodocus as he loudly roared.

Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus ATK 2800→5600

"Counterattack, Rising Taeklodocus!"

The monster roared a powerful sonic blast towards Beatdown Ogre.

It's the end for you, Gore!" Asura declared.

"I don't think so!" Gore declared. I activate the Trap Card: Gouki Alliance!" The card showed Master Ogre and The Great Ogre standing tall in the ring, with their hands raised. "This card increases Beatdown Ogre's attack points by 200 times the total number of "Gouki" cards in my Graveyard. There are fourteen cards, so it gains 2800 attack points!"

Gouki Beatdown Ogre ATK 4300→7100

"7100 attack points!?" Asura said in shock.

"Now Gore's monster is once again stronger than Asura's," Sanctum noted.

"And it's strong enough to deal him enough damage to win," Storm Rider added.

"Counterattack his counterattack, Beatdown Ogre!"

Following Gore's words, Beatdown Ogre released a flurry of punches at Rising Taeklodocus, hammering it hard, destroying it, and causing a massive explosion that made Asura scream as he was sent flying off the ground, landing back on it moments later.

Asura: 1400→0 LP.

The arena surrounding Gore, Asura, Storm Rider, and Sanctum soon disappeared. Gore and walked over to Asura, who was still stunned by the explosion.

"Braw-, Asura… I'm sorry to mock you in the past. I only said it because it was only part of the show. I didn't mean it, and I didn't know about the whole thing with Amy. I'm sorry. I truly am," Gore said.

"…." Asura said nothing as he stood back up. "Apologize all you want, Gore. It still doesn't change the fact that Amy will get the help she needs," Asura said. My anger and hatred for you will continue to grow until the day I can finally settle things and defeat you !"

Just as he finished his last word, a portal emerged as he turned into data completely and was absorbed by the portal.

"Asura...For you, the children, and the good people of LINK VRAINS, I will find the person responsible for clouding your mind and judgment with lies and avenge you!" Gore said, determined.

"That's very admirable of you, Gore?"

Gore turned around to see the comment came from none other than Storm Rider.

"Storm Rider? Sanctum? How did you two get here?" Gore asked

"Simple, Storm Rider and I dueled Asura's comrades Nyx and Drakon and won the keys needed to enter here," Sanctum answered.

"Wait. You guys also watched my duel?"

"Yes, we did," Storm Rider answered. "And from what I overhear, this Asura guy doesn't seem to like you very much."

"Yeah. Asura, or to my knowledge, formerly known as Brawler and was an opponent in the finals of the very first tournament I entered when I returned to LINK VRAINS after retiring from being a bounty hunter, and he suffered more than a loss. He didn't win the prize money needed to help with his fiance's medical bills," Gore explained.

"Seriously?" Storm Rider and Sanctum gasped.

"Ever since, he developed a hatred towards me and was offered by the person behind all of this to help his fiance's health."

"Something tells me that things got a bit more interesting, and not in a good way," Storm Rider said.

"Whether interesting or not, we need to focus on stopping them," Sanctum pointed out. "But first, we need to find Ringmaster and Maestra."

"I agree with you there, but where do we look first?" Gore asked.

Suddenly, a portal appeared out of nowhere in front of the trio.

"A portal?" Sanctum questioned.

"It must've unlocked after I defeated Asura," Gore assumed.

"Well, there's no time to lose. Let's go find Ringmaster and Maestra!" Storm Rider declared.

"Right!" Gore and Sanctum responded as they and Storm Rider entered the portal.

Elsewhere, inside the Sphere…

"Uhhh." Well, that experience was very unpleasant."

Maestra groaned as she cracked her eyes open slowly and regained consciousness.

"The last thing I remember is that fake portal sucked in Yuya, Gore, and me, and the three of us became trapped in her," Maestra said. "Hope they're okay."

Se quickly leaped to her feet and looked around to get a good view of his surroundings but saw nothing but darkness everywhere.

"Judging by the looks of this place, I can say that there's no place for me to start looking for them."

RUMBLE

Maestra gasped as her surroundings changed. Instead of a purple landscape, Maestra now stood in a jungle-like field. It also had several green plains and ridges throughout the landscape. Mandrills were swinging through the trees, with some of them observing Maestra.

"Wait a minute, Isn't this…?"

"The same field where I suffered a humiliating loss from you."

Maestra turned around to see her question was answered by none other than her old opponent, Zekt.

"Zekt?" Maestra gasped.

"Hello, Maestra," Zekt said. "We meet again."

"Were you the one responsible for trapping my friends and me?"

"You could say that. But how about instead of focusing on what happened back then and focusing more on what's about to happen now?"

"And what would that be?" Maestra asked.

"This!" Zekt answered by activating his Duel Disk.

"A duel?"

"Correct. I want payback for losing to you in the Master's Tournament and want a better way to get your attention and lure you into LINK VRAINS to help all those innocent people was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

Maestra narrowed her eyes that were filled with anger at Zekt. Risking the lives of all those people just for a rematch? How can you be so heartless!?"

"I don't think you want me to answer that. Anyway, are you going to duel or not? Cause if you don't, you'll never see your friends again!"

"Fine. I'll duel you. Not because I want to like you, but to find my friends, help save people of LINK VRAINS!" Maestra declared as she activated her Duel Disk.

"Time to duel!" Maestra and Zekt said in unison.

Maestra: 4000 LP

Zekt: 4000 LP

"Since I won in our last duel, I'll go first," Maestra said, taking a card from her hand. "I summon Ode the Melodious Diva!"

A female monster clad in a dress with a violet flower motif and holding a small microphone appeared on Maestra's field.

Ode the Melodious Diva ATK 1000 DEF 1100 LVL: 3

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization." Maestra continued. "Through its effect, I will use Ode, which as treated as two materials for the Fusion Summon of a "Melodious" monster while she's on the field, as material to Fusion Summon!"

As Ode swirled inside a multi-colored vortex alongside a ghostly copy of itself, Maestra chanted.

"Composer of epic tales! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! I Fusion Summon! Now come to the stage, Chopina the Melodious Maestra!"

A female monster clad in a dress resembling a camellia flower with musical notes inscribed on it and holding a golden book in its hands appeared on Maestra's field in the Left Extra Monster Zone in Defense Position.

Chopina the Melodious Maestra ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 6

"I activate Chopina's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a "Melodious" monster from my Deck with a lower Level. Appear, Elegy the Melodious Diva!"

Chopin opened its book, with Elegy emerging from it alongside a stream of notes.

Elegy the Melodious Diva ATK 2000 DEF 1200 LVL: 5

"Since Elegy was Special Summoned, all "Melodious" monsters I control gain 300 attack points!"

Elegy the Melodious Diva ATK 2000→2300

Chopina the Melodious Maestra ATK 1000→1300

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

"Then, it's my turn!" Zekt announced. "I draw! I summon Beetrooper Thousand Crawler!"

A small humanoid monster completely clad in gray armor with crimson highlights, it had four arms wielding a bow and arrow riding a dark a giant dark red centipede with a crimson underside and legs, yellow eyes, and gray armor with light blue highlights and spikes covering its body appeared on Zekt's field.

Beetrooper Thousand Crawler ATK 1300 DEF 700 LVL: 2

"Beetroopers?" Maestra said, surprised.

"Right after my loss to you, my master was originally going to delete me for failing my mission but decided to give me another chance to redeem myself and gave me the "Beetrooper" Deck," Zekt explained.

"Well, new Deck or not, this duel is going to end in your loss and my victory!" Maestra stated.

"We'll see about that. I activate Thousand Crawler's effect!" Zekt continued. "When it's Normal Summoned, I'm allowed to a "Beetrooper" monster from your Deck to your hand. I add Beetrooper Wiggly Soldier, and I use its effect to Special Summon itself since I control a "Beetrooper" monster!"

A small, four-armed humanoid monster clad from head to toe in silver armor with black highlights and held a flag in two of its hands, riding an ant wearing the same type of armor on its head, back, and legs.

Beetrooper Wiggly Soldier ATK 400 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"Time to web up my circuit!" Zekt declared as a Link Portal appeared above him. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Insect monsters. I set Beetrooper Thousand Crawler and Wiggly Soldier in the Link Arrows!"

Both of Zekt's monsters became whirlwinds of energy as they entered the top and bottom arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Beetrooper Armor Horn!"

A small four-armed, silver armored bug-like creature with some green and dark brown lining. It rode on top of a giant armored beetle of the same colored design as its rider with sharp claws on the tips of its horn and three large golden sharp lances and two more on each side.

Beetrooper Armor Horn ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Since I used Wiggly Soldier to Link Summon, I can add a "Beetrooper" monster from my Graveyard to my hand, and I choose Thousand Crawler," Zekt stated. "Next, I activate Beetrooper Armor Horn's effect! I'm allowed to Normal Summon an additional Insect monster. So come back to the field, Beetrooper Thousand Crawler!"

The armored humanoid riding an armored centipede reappeared next to Armor Horn's bottom arrow.

Beetrooper Thousand Crawler ATK 1300 DEF 700 LVL: 2

"While you did an amazing job summoning a lot of monsters on your first turn, I'm afraid to say that they aren't strong enough to destroy mine," Maestra pointed out.

"How about I change that? I activate the Equip Spell Cards: Insect Armor with Laser Cannon and Level 2 Power Boost!" Zekt declared. "I equip Laser Cannon on Thousand Crawler to increase its ATK by 700 and Power Boost onto Armor Horn, increasing its attack points by 1200!"

A large light began to rain down on both the Beetroopes. Thousand Crawler grew larger and gaudy, forming a much more dangerous-looking insect with red, blue, and silver battle armor covering its body. Armor Horn had a large cannon mounted on its back and two turbines that made it screech out loudly.

Beetrooper Thousand Crawler ATK 1300→2000

Beetrooper Armor Horn ATK 1000→2200

"You might have made your monsters stronger, but they're only strong enough to destroy my Chopina and not my Elegy," Maestra stated.

"That's why following up that move by activating the Continuous Spell Card: Solidarity! Since I have only Insect monsters in my Graveyard, all Insect monsters I control gain 800 attack points!"

Beetrooper Thousand Crawler ATK 2000→2800

Beetrooper Armor Horn ATK 2200→3000

"Now both his monsters are strong enough to take out mine," Maestra muttered.

"Battle!" Zekt exclaimed. "Thousand Crawler, destroy Chopina the Melodious Maestra!"

"I activate my Trap Card: Tempo Shift!" Maestra abruptly stated. "Through its effect, I can target a "Melodious" monster I control, shuffle it back into my Deck, and Special Summon a "Melodious" monster with a lower Level than it from my Deck! Come, Canon the Melodious Diva in defense mode!"

Following Maestra's words, Elegy disappeared and was replaced by Canon.

Canon the Melodious Diva ATK 1400 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"In addition, the summoned monster cannot be destroyed by battle during this turn, and you cannot target Monsters apart from it for attacks!"

Thousand Crawler aimed its bow and arrow at Canon before releasing it at her but deflected easily.

"Futile resistance…" Zekt growled. "In that case, I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" Maestra announced. "I draw! First, I switch Canon to Attack Position. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Pentagram Draw!" The card depicted Opera the Melodious Diva and Solo the Melodious writing sheet music together for an upcoming concert. "Since I control a "Melodious" monster while my opponent controls an equal amount or more monsters than me, I can draw two cards from my deck. Then, I activate Chopina's effect to Special Summon Elegy from my Deck once again."

Elegy appeared once more on Maestra's field from Chopina's book.

Elegy the Melodious Diva ATK 2000 DEF 1200 LVL: 5

"Due to Elegy's effect, my monsters' attack increases once again," Maestra continued.

Canon the Melodious Diva ATK 1400→1700

Elegy the Melodious Diva ATK 2000→2300

Chopina the Melodious Maestra ATK 1000→1300

"Next, I summon Hymn the Melodious Songstress!"

A monster clad in an amethyst-colored dress and wearing an opera mask on its face appeared on Maestra's field.

Hymn the Melodious Songstress ATK 1500 DEF 1700 LVL: 4

"I activate Hymn's effect, banishing it along with Chopina from my field to perform a Fusion Summon!"

As her two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Maestra chanted.

"Supreme prodigy! Harmonious virtuoso! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! I Fusion Summon! Now, come here to the stage, The song of victory, Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir!"

Bloom Diva appeared on Maestra's field amidst a petal shower that suddenly enveloped the field as she filled the Extra Monster Zone that Chopina vacated earlier.

Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir ATK 1000→1300 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

"Battle!" Maestra exclaimed. "Bloom Diva, attack Beetrooper Armor Horn!"

The girl's mouth opened, and green waves shot towards the Link Monster.

"Your monster only has 1300 attack points!" Zekt stated. "Are you trying to self-destruct?"

"At this point, Bloom Diva's effect activates! When she battles your Special Summoned monster, Bloom Diva isn't destroyed, but your monster is, and you take the battle damage I would have taken! Reflect Shout!"

The girl opened her mouth again and blasted Armor Horn with green waves. The insect cried out as it exploded. Zekt followed soon after as the shockwave hit him.

Zekt: 4000→2300 LP

"Next, I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon and use it to destroy Solidarity!"

Zekt frowned as his card shattered and his monster grew weaker.

Beetrooper Thousand Crawler ATK 2800→2000

"I'll have Elegy attack your Thousand Crawler!" Maestra exclaimed as Elegy glided forward and kicked the monster, destroying it and making Zekt wince.

Zekt: 2300→2000 LP.

"Finally, Canon attacks you directly!"

Canon opened her mouth and sang a note, blasting it at Zekt.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Dark Wall of Wind!" Zekt declared. "Through its effect, I take no battle damage from direct attacks for this turn!"

Following his words, Zekt was encased into a sphere of wind, preventing Canon's attack from reaching it.

"It looks like you're quite persistent yourself," Maestra remarked. "I use Canon's effect to switch her to Defense Position. Finally, I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Zekt announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Gap Draw!" The card showed Goblin Attack Force standing on one side of a canyon and Marauding Captain on the other. Since you control more monsters than me, I can draw one card equal to the difference, but if I control no monsters, then I can draw twice that many cards! However, during the End Phase, I must discard all cards in my hand!"

Upon drawing his six cards and checking them out, Zekt let out a small smile.

"I summon Beetrooper Dragon Fighter!"

A small, four-armed humanoid monster clad from head to toe in silver armor with light brown highlights, riding a dragon-like insect wearing the same type of armor on its head, back, and claws appeared on Zekt's field.

Beetrooper Dragon Fighter ATK 1900 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

"When Dragon Fighter is successfully Normal Summoned, I'm allowed to Special Summon a "Beetrooper" monster from my hand. Appear, Beetrooper Scout ANT!"

Two small, four-armed humanoid Monsters clad from head to toe in silver armor with crimson highlights, one holding a sword and the other a pair of binoculars and carrying a backpack, riding a single fire ant wearing the same type of armor on its head, back, and antennas.

Beetrooper Scout ANT ATK 500 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"When Beetrooper Scout ANT is summoned, I can add the Spell Card: Multiplication of Ants from my Deck to my hand, which I'll then use to tribute my Scout ANT to Special Summon two Army Ant Tokens to my field!"

Scout ANT vanished as two green ants appeared, taking the Beetrooper's place.

Army Ant Token ATK 500 DEF 1200 LVL: 4 x 2

"But why stop there? Watch me web up circuit once again!"

A Link Portal appeared above Zekt.

"The summoning condition is one Insect monster. I set one Army Ant Token in the Link Arrow!"

The Token became a green whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom-right Link arrow, turning it red.

"I Link Summon! Link-1! Beetrooper Ant Searcher!"

A small, four-armed humanoid monster clad from head to toe in silver armor with black highlights and held a flag in two of its hands, riding an ant wearing the same type of armor on its head, back, and legs appeared in the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Beetrooper Ant Searcher ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↘

"Ant Searcher's effect activates!" Zekt continued. "When it's Link Summoned, I can add a "Beetrooper" monster from my Deck to my hand. I select Beetrooper Scale Bomber. "Next, by banishing Scout ANT from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Beetrooper Assault Roller from my hand!"

A red-silver armored ant-like monster with yellow ear horns and six back-legged arms carrying a massive bug armored shell of the same color schemes appeared next to Ant Searcher's bottom-right arrow.

Beetrooper Assault Roller ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"And whenever I Normal or Special Summon an Insect monster, Scale Bomber's effect activates from my hand, Special Summoning itself!"

Next to Assault Roller appeared a large four-arm, silver armored bug-like monster with purple lining and a face-like mask with small wings over the eyelids. It also carries a large stick with a rock lit in flames on the tip and rode a large armored butterfly with the main body being red and purple with its massive wings being different shades of red-yellow and blue-purple. The rider tossed sticks of fire below him like a bomb thrower.

Beetrooper Scale Bomber ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"Also, thanks to Assault Roller's effect, it gains 200 attack points for every Insect monster I control, in this case, five, so it gains 1000 ATK!"

Beetrooper Assault Roller ATK 1600→2600

He's swarming his field with monsters again, Maestra thought. Is he planning on Link Summoning again?

"I'll web up my circuit for a second time!" Zekt declared as a second Link Portal appeared above him.

"The summoning conditions are two or more Insect monsters. I set my Army Ant Token, Assault Roller, and Ant Searcher in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters entered the left, bottom-left, and bottom-right Link Arrows, turning them red.

"I Link Summon! Link-3! Beetrooper Hercules Knight!"

A bulky, four-armed humanoid monster clad from head to toe in silver armor with crimson highlights and holding a sword in one of its hands, riding a Hercules beetle that was wearing the same type of armor on its head, back, and wings appeared in the Extra Monster Zone Ant Searcher had vacated earlier.

Beetrooper Hercules Knight ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↙↘

"Why would you use Assault Roller as Link Material and not Scale Bomber, given that Roller has more attack points?" Maestra asked.

"I have my reasons," Zekt replied as he took a card from his hand and played it. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Beetrooper Stinging Lance and equip it onto Dragon Fighter!" The card showed Javelin Beetle equipped with a heavy lance with a cone-shaped body and a round handle. It was made of gold, its handle of silver, decorated with blue and light green highlights. "This increases Dragon Fighter's ATK by 1000 and grants him the ability to deal piercing damage!"

"What?" Maestra gasped.

Beetrooper Dragon Fighter ATK 1900→2900

"Battle! Hercules Knight attacks Bloom Diva!"

The insectoid knight charged towards the Melodious monster with its sword ready.

"At this point, Hercules Knight's effect activates! When he declares an attack, all my "Beetrooper" monsters gain 1000 attack points!"

Beetrooper Scale Bomber ATK 1200→2200

Beetrooper Dragon Fighter ATK 2900→3900

Beetrooper Hercules Knight ATK 2500→3500

"Increase their attack all you like because thanks to Bloom Diva's effect, your monster is destroyed, and you take the damage instead of me!"

"I beg to differ. Whenever you activate a monster effect, by Tributing Scale Bomber's, I can activate its effect to destroy your Bloom Diva!"

Maestra widened her eyes as Scale Bomber flew over towards Bloom Diva and exploded, destroying both of them.

"A replay occurs, and Hercules Knight attacks Elegy, triggering its effect once again!"

Beetrooper Dragon Fighter ATK 3900→4900

Beetrooper Hercules Knight ATK 3500→4500

"Go, Hercules Knight! Destroy Elegy the Melodious Diva!"

Hercules Knight raised its sword and brought it down towards Elegy, destroying it and causing an explosion that sent Maestra skidding backwards.

Maestra: 4000→1800 LP

"Since Elegy left the field, all my "Melodious" monsters lose 300 attack points," Maestra stated.

Canon the Melodious Diva ATK 1700→1400

"Next, Dragon Fighter attacks Canon the Melodious Diva, and thanks to my Equip Spell, he'll deal piercing damage, but you'll take double the damage since Dragon Fighter's a "Beetrooper" monster!"

"No, I won't!" Maestra abruptly stated. "I activate the Trap Card: Defense Draw, which will reduce the damage to 0 and allow me to draw a card!"

Dragon Fighter used its lance to pierce through Canon's body, destroying it, but a transparent barrier formed around Maestra, shielding her from damage as she drew a card.

"So you managed to last another turn," Zekt remarked. "No matter. Your actions are only delaying the inevitable. I place two cards face-down and end my turn. Since it's the End Phase, Hercules Knight's effect now ends and discard Insect Costume being the only card in my hand to the Graveyard due to Gap Draw's effect."

Beetrooper Dragon Fighter ATK 4900→2900

Beetrooper Hercules Knight ATK 4500→2500

Right before Maestra was about to take her turn, a flash of light appeared behind her, causing her to turn to see a portal, and emerging out from it were Gore, Storm Rider, and Sanctum.

"Gore! Storm Rider! Sanctum!" Maestra exclaimed in joy.

"Looks like we finally found you," Gore said.

"And it also looks like you're safe," Sanctum added.

"But it doesn't look like you're doing so well in this duel," Storm Rider noted as Maestra'f field was empty, and her Life Points were lower than her opponent's.

"How sweet, Maestra. Your friends showed up in the nick of time to watch you lose," Zekt commented.

"Sanctum beat you once, and she'll do it again!" Sanctum stated.

"That's right!" Gore agreed. "If anything, we came to watch you lose!"

"Thanks for the support, you guys," Maestra said. "I promise to make sure I wipe the floor with this bug. My turn! I draw! "I activate the Equip Spell Card: DDR – Different Dimension Reincarnation! By discarding one card from my hand, I can target one of my banished monsters, and Special Summon it to my field in Attack Position before equipping it with this card. Return, Chopina!"

At Maestra's command, Chopina reappeared on her field.

Chopina the Melodious Maestra ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LV: 6

"Since I discarded Card of Compensation from my hand to the Graveyard, I can draw two cards," Maestra continued. "Now, I activate the effect of Chopina once again to Special Summon Rondo the Melodious Songstress from my Deck!"

After emerging from Chopin's book, a female monster clad in a vermillion dress reminiscent of a flower with a single wing extending from its back appeared on Maestra's field.

Rondo the Melodious Songstress ATK 700 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Since Rondo was Special Summoned, its effect activates, allowing me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from my Deck. Come to the stage, Soprano the Melodious Songstress!"

A redheaded green-skinned woman in a blue, orange, and white dress appeared next to Maestra's other two monsters.

Soprano the Melodious Songstress ATK 1400 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I activate Soprano's effect to perform a Fusion Summon by using it, Chopin and Rondo as Fusion Materials!"

As her three Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Maestra chanted.

"Angel's song! Harmonious virtuoso! Vivacious melody! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! I Fusion Summon! Now, come to the stage, The song of wonder, Bloom Muse the Melodious Choir!"

The female monster with long, blond hair clad in a white and black bodysuit, which had a pink cape with a leaf design and musical notes inscribed on it extending from its shoulders, was surrounded by nine glowing orbs and held a baton-shaped branch in its right arm, appeared on Maestra's field.

Bloom Muse the Melodious Choir ATK 3000 DEF 2100 LVL: 8

"Since Rondo was used as material for a Fusion Summon, I can draw cards from my Deck equal to the number of other Fusion Materials used for that Fusion Summon, in this case, two." Maestra declared. "And now, Bloom Muse's effect activates! When this card is Fusion Summoned, I can destroy all Monsters my opponent controls! Roses Hurricane!"

"What!?" Zekt cried out in shock. "Even so, you won't get rid of all of them! By banishing Thousand Crawler and Ant Searcher from my Graveyard, I can protect both my monsters from being destroyed!"

"You may have saved your monsters, but that doesn't mean I'm done," Maestra stated. "I activate the Spell Card: Zone Spacing!" The card showed Mekk-Knight Morning Star moving from the Extra Monster Zone to one of the Main Monster Zones. "Thanks to its effect, I can move an Extra Deck Monster from the Extra Monster Zone to the Main Monster Zone, but when it leaves the field, the Zone it vacated can't be used for the remainder of the duel. I move Bloom Mose to the Main Monster Zone below it."

Following Maestra's words, Bloom Muse moved from the Extra Monster Zone to the Main Monster Zone.

Maestra then took another card from her hand. "Moving on, I activate the Spell Card: Harmonic Fusion!' The card showed Canon, Aria, and Opera all harmonizing with one another in a Fusion Vortex. "Using its effect to fuse Sonata the Melodious Diva and Opera the Melodious Diva in my hand!"

As her two Monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex, Maestra chanted once again.

"Flowing Melody! Timeless artist! With the guidance of the baton, assemble your power! Fusion Summon! Come to the stage, Ravela the Melodious Maestra!"

A monster clad in a peach-colored dress reminiscent of a flower with two wings made out of orange-colored leaves extending from its back, which held a rapier-shaped baton in its right hand, appeared on Maestra's field.

Ravela the Melodious Maestra ATK 2300 DEF 1600 LVL: 7

"Due to Harmonic Fusion's effect, Ravela gains 200 attack points for every monster used to Fusion Summon it," Maestra said.

Ravela the Melodious Melodious ATK 2300→2700

"Now, let's battle! Ravela, attack Hercules Knight! Symphony of Passion!"

Flaming notes surrounded ravel's sword as he thrust it forward, piercing Hercules's body and destroying it.

Zekt: 2000→1800 LP

"At this moment, Ravela's effect activates!" Maestra declared. "When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from my Deck and inflict half its attack as damage to you! I choose the 1600 attack Solo the Melodious Songstress, meaning you'll receive 800 points of damage!"

Following Maestra's words, a pink-skinned girl in a red and orange dress appeared in Attack Position from a portal Ravela created and unleashed a soundwave from its mouth that struck Zekt and sent him skidding backwards.

Zekt: 1800→1000 LP

"Next, Bloom Muse will attack Dragon Fighter!" Maestra exclaimed. "At this moment, Bloom Muse's effect activates, increasing its attack by 200 for every "Melodious" monster in my Graveyard if it battles an opponent's Special Summoned monster during that battle only! There are currently nine such monsters in my Graveyard, meaning Bloom Muse's attack increases by 1800!"

Bloom Muse the Melodious Choir ATK 3000→4800

Finish this, Bloom Muse! Tifaret Symphony!"

"It won't be so easy!" Serena shouted. "I activate my Trap Card: Defense Draw! Thanks to its effect, I take no damage, and I get to draw a card from my Deck!"

A transparent barrier appeared around Zekt, shielding him from the damage. At the same time, the nine orbs surrounding Bloom Muse unleashed a barrage of energy blasts that pierced through Dragon Fighter's body and destroyed it as Zekt drew a card afterward.

"Since Bloom Muse finished attacking, her effect ends, returning her attack points to normal," Maestra stated.

Bloom Muse the Melodious Choir ATK 4800→3000

"Finally, Solo will attack you directly!" Maestra pointed at Zekt. "Singing Strike!"

Solo unleashed yet another soundwave from its mouth at Zekt.

"Not so fast! I play the Trap Card: Spider Egg!" Zekt summoned a large white-grey egg that took Solo's attack. Three orbs of light exploded from it and turned into ant-like spiders. "Not only does this negate the attack, but it also allows me to Special Summon three Spider Tokens to my field." He explained snidely.

"Fine then. I activate the Spell Card: Aurora Draw. Since I have no other cards in my hand, I get to draw two cards," Maestra said as she drew. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn. Even though I intended to finish things off during this turn, as expected, you're quite resilient, Zekt."

"Of course," Zekt replied. "I won't stop until I've fulfilled my mission. I will defeat you bring you back to my master as per my orders."

"Why…why are you doing this, Zekt?" Maestra spoke with a sad expression on her face. "I don't understand at all."

"None of that matters," Zekt stated. "Accomplishing my objective is the only thing I seek right now. And to that end, I will defeat you and drag you back to my master if necessary. My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise, which lets me draw until I have five cards in my hand. Next, since I control a "Beetrooper" monster, I can activate my banished Scout ANT's effect to Special Summon itself!"

Scout ANT reappeared next to the Spider Tokens in Defense Position.

Beetrooper Scout ANT ATK 500 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Next by banishing Wiggly Soldier, Scale Bomber, and Dragon Fighter, I'm allowed to Special Summon Beetrooper Hercules Knight from my Graveyard. Return, Hercules Knight!"

Following Zekt's words, Hercules Knight reappeared.

Beetrooper Hercules Knight ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↙↘

"I activate the Spell Card: Earthquake, forcing all monsters on the field into defense mode!"

Suddenly, the ground shook with everyone trying to stay standing as all of Maestra's monsters kneeled.

"And then I'll web up my circuit!" Zekt declared as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more Insect monsters. I set Beetrooper Scout ANT and Beetrooper Hercules Knight in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with Hercules Knight splitting into three, and entered the top, bottom, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"I Link Summon! Link-4! Giant Beetrooper Invincible Atlas!"

A massive six-legged, silver-black colored armored beetle creature with blue lining and golden bug eyes. It has three sharp horns, one large horn on the front and two slightly smaller ones over its head, and each one has blue energy coursing through its tips. It also has a large war-battle fortress on its back with a pair of sharp lances on each side.

Giant Beetrooper Invincible Atlas ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

Maestra, Gore, Sanctum, and Storm Rider all braced themselves as Invincible Atlas roared loudly at its summoning.

"Looks like Zekt finally decided to bring out his ace monster!" Gore said, covering his face with his arms.

"And a big one to boot!" Maestra gritted her teeth. This was bad.

A smirk then appeared on Zekt's face. "Fine then. Let me show you my new power!" Zekt took one of the four cards in his hand and played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Beetrooper Landing to Fusion Summon an Insect-Type Fusion Monster!"

"What!?" Maestra gasped as well as Gore, Sanctum, and Storm Rider.

"How does he have that!?" Gore wondered

"Using Beetrooper Landing's effect, I fuse two of my three Spider Tokens!"

The Fusion Vortex appeared behind Zekt before his two Spider Tokens swirled together as he chanted.

"Watch as these two monsters merge and create the most beautiful and savage sovereign! I Fusion Summon! Beetrooper Night Watcher!"

A small, four-armed, humanoid female monster clad from head to toe in silver armor with lime highlights and holding a slingshot in one of its hands while rocks in the other three, riding a firefly that was wearing the same type of armor on its head as she was summoned next to Invincible Atlas's bottom Link Arrow.

Beetrooper Night Watcher ATK 2600 DEF 2200 LVL: 8

"T-This is a surprise!" Sanctum commentated.

"Zekt has performed a Fusion Summon!" Storm Rider stated.

Maestra's eyes narrowed. "Where did you learn how to do this?"

Zekt sneered. "Wouldn't you like to know? All you need to know is that Night Watcher will be the one to defeat you! But before that, I'll activate Night Watcher's effect! When she's successfully Fusion Summoned, all monsters you control in Defense Position are changed to Attack Position, and then they lose 500 attack points for each monster affected.

"What!?"

Following Zekt's words, Night Watcher let out a loud shriek, forcing all of Maestra's monsters to stand.

"Since three monsters were affected, all your monsters lose 1500 attack points! Pollen Pollution!"

Night Watcher flapped its wings hard, causing a gust of poisonous pollen to fly over to Maestra's field, draining her monsters of their power.

Bloom Muse the Melodious Choir ATK 3000→1500

Ravela the Melodious Maestra ATK 2700→1200

Solo the Melodious Songstress ATK 1600→100

"This is bad," Gore noted. "If either one of Zekt's monsters attack and successfully destroys either Solo or Ravela, Maestra will lose."

"Well, I believe in Maestra, and I know she'll find a way out of this predicament," Sanctum stated.

"I hope you're right," Storm Rider said.

"I now activate Invincible Atlas's effect to tribute my remaining Spider Token to have it gain 2000 attack points!"

Zekt's last Spider Token burst into particles as they then surrounded Atlas, increasing its strength.

Giant Beetrooper Invincible Atlas ATK 3000→5000

"5000 attack points!?" Maestra cried out in shock.

"Battle!" Zekt declared. "Giant Beetrooper Invincible Atlas attacks Solo!"

The giant armored bug aimed its lances at Solo as it then released them at her.

Maestra gestured to her field. "I activate my Trap Cards: Baton of the Hero and Rallentando!"

"What?" Zekt said, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Thanks to Baton of the Hero's effect, I decide your attack targets, and by Tributing my Ravela, I can reduce the battle damage that I take this turn by her original ATK," Maestra explained as Ravela disintegrated. "I'll use Baton of the Hero's effect to redirect your attack from Solo to Bloom Muse!"

Maestra's trap flashed, making Invincible Atlas switch its target from Solo to Bloom Muse, destroying it in the process and making Maestra wince.

Maestra: 1800→600 LP

Zekt sneered. "Your turn, Night Watcher! Attack Solo the Melodious Songstress!"

The female Beetrooper flapped her wings that blew a windstorm with scales towards the Melodious monster.

"At this moment, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Beetrooper Attack Strike!" The card depicted Hercules Knight breaking through a stone bolder and rushing at the viewer, seemingly in a fit of rage. "By targeting Night Watcher, not only can't she be destroyed until the end of this turn, but her ATK becomes 3000!"

Beetrooper Night Watcher ATK 2600→3000

"The difference between Solo's and Night Watcher's attack points is 2900," Storm Rider noted. "Rallentando reduces the damage by 2300, but that still leaves 600 points of damage, which is all the Life Points Maestra has."

"Maestra!" Sanctum cried out in worry.

"This is my victory, Maestra!" Zekt declared. "Finish this, Night Watcher!'

The windstorm with scales made contact and struck Solo, making her explode and covering Maestra's field in smoke. For a few heartbeats, everyone watched in bated silence. Until the smoke finally cleared, and Maestra stood unharmed. At which point, her allies cheered in relief.

"Maestra's okay! She's still in the duel!" Gore stated.

"What?" Zekt gasped. "How did you survive?"

"By banishing Rallentando and Sonata from my Graveyard," Maestra explained. "I reduced the battle damage to 0."

"Tch." Zekt grimaced and then smirked. "Even though you survived, you have no cards on the field or in your hand. And only 600 Life Points left. On the next turn, I'll emerge the victor of this duel! I set two cards and end my turn. Now since my turn is over, Attack Striker's effect wears off, returning Night Watcher's ATK to normal."

Beetrooper Night Watcher ATK 3000→2600

"Maestra is in a pinch! Hang in there, Maestra!" Gore urged.

"Maestra," Sanctum muttered worryingly.

"Zekt inflicted heavy damage this turn! Maestra is hanging on by barely a thread! How will this duel come to a close?" Storm Rider wondered.

"The result of this duel is obvious," Zekt said dismissively. "I'll defeat you, and then I'll be one step closer to having closure!"

"…Do you expect me to care?"

Zekt blinked at Maestra's indifferent question. "You talk on and on about how you're going to rise, about how you're going to get revenge on me for your previous loss. Why should I care about any of that?"

Zekt growled. "Watch your mouth, young lady. You have no idea what I've been forced to deal with. What I've lost on the road here."

"No, I don't," Maestra agreed. "But you don't know what close friends of mine or I lost. And what I do know is that many in the world suffer daily and rarely get the help they need. You go on and on about how you've been mistreated and how you'll get revenge, but how is what you've been through worse than what is happening to the innocent people of LINK VRAINS?"

"They don't matter," Zekt sneered. "They deserve it being weak and insignificant duelists. But I am strong. I know I deserve better!"

Maestra's eyes narrowed in disgust. "I see. You are truly blind. You claim you lost everything just because you lost one duel, but you're taking your pain out on people who have nothing to do with you. You are someone who cares only for yourself."

"Wow. Such bold words from Maestra," Gore commentated.

"She sounds pissed off at Zekt," Sanctum said.

"Which can only mean trouble for him," Storm Rider added.

"If you insist on looking back at the past and being unable to look towards the future, then perhaps you need someone like me to give you a kick in the teeth!" Maestra declared, placing her hand on her Deck. His Life Points are higher than, and he has two powerful monsters as well as two face-downs. There's only one monster in my Deck with enough firepower to defeat him. But for that, I'll need-!

"My turn! I draw!" Maestra drew, then turned his card over and looked at it. A satisfied smile spread across his face. Perfect.

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Final Attack Orders!" Zekt declared. "This card changes all face-up monsters to Attack Position and prevents their battle positions from being changed!"

"That's going to make it hard for Maestra to defend," Gore mentioned.

And knowing how you like to use your monster's effects to your advantage, Zekt thought, my Lair Wire Trap Card will destroy your monster at the cost of banishing an Insect from my Graveyard. It doesn't matter what you play this turn. You'll lose!

"This situation looks bad," Storm Rider commented.

"You sure you can win?" Sanctum asked.

Maestra smiled at her. "Now that I have this, I am." Maestra immediately played the card she drew. "I activate the Spell Card: Card of Reversal! Since I have no other cards on the field or in my hand, I can draw a card for each card you own on the field, Zekt! That's four!"

Maestra then drew out her four-card hand.

"So, did you get the cards you wanted?" Zekt asked with a snark look.

"Indeed I did, and they'll be the key to my victory," she answered. "I summon Pastorale the Melodious Songstress!"

A girl with mint-green skin appeared on Maestra's field and a knee-length white gown with sheer sleeves. Golden tattoos of musical notes trailed down her right arm while dark green hair was piled high on her head in a bun, held in place by two needles.

Pastorale the Melodious Songstress ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"Pastorale's effect activates! When she is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from my hand. Come, Aria the Melodious Diva!"

In a peach-colored sarong, a pink-skinned woman with a single harp-shaped wing on her back appeared in Attack Position, singing a graceful melody.

Aria the Melodious Diva ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Celestial Transformation and use its effect to Special Summon Serenade the Melodious Diva from my hand by halving its attack points."

Serenade the Melodious Diva ATK 400 DEF 1900 LVL: 4

"Those three monsters aren't strong to take down any of mine," Zekt pointed out. "Are you planning them to Fusion Summon?"

"I do plan on using them for a summon, but not a Fusion Summon," Maestra said, confusing Zekt and else.

"What does she mean by that?" Sanctum asked.

"I think we're about to find out," Storm Rider replied.

Maestra raised her right hand as it glowed with blue light. "Watch as I harmonize my circuit!"

A bolt of blue lightning shot out of his hand and hit the sky, creating the Link Portal.

Gore gasped. "Wha-?!"

Zekt's eyes widened. "That's-!"

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning condition is two or more Fairy monsters. I set Aria, Serenade, and Pastorale in the Link Arrows!"

The three monsters turned into whirlwinds of energy as they entered the bottom-left, bottom-right, and top Link Arrows, turning them red.

"Link the Circuit! The glorious composer who harmonizes the world! Enchant the enemies with your harmonizing music to vanquish them all! I Link Summon! Link-3! Beethoven the Melodious Composer!"

A woman with pale red skin, green eyes, short and curly silver hair, and a green music note hair clip. She had cyan fairy wings with golden trims extending from her back, wore a yellow ball gown decorated with green music notes, red petals, and yellow high-heels. She held a stylized baton in her right hand, which emitted a trail of colorful music notes.

Beethoven the Melodious Composer ATK 2000 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"M-Maestra Link Summoned!" Gore said, shocked.

Zekt gasped in surprise.

"Maestra has a Link Monster?!" Sanctum exclaimed in surprise. "How and when does he have one?!"

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes. "A Link Monster? This is piquing my interest."

"A Link Monster?" Zekt growled. "Well, that's perfect…, for me because I activate the Trap Card: Lair Wire! By banishing one Insect monster from my Graveyard, like my Assault Roller, to destroy your Beethoven. It's over for you, Maestra!"

The spirit of Assault Roller appeared and shot out a razor-thin web of wire towards the Melodious Link Monster.

"Sorry, Zekt, but since I used Pastorale to Link Summon Beethoven, she cannot be destroyed by card effects!"

A pink barrier surrounded Beethoven as the webs hit it instead.

"Yes! She was able to save her monster!" Sanctum exclaimed.

"But even so, her monster is still weaker than Zekt's," Gore pointed out.

"That may be true, but something tells me that Maestra has something up her sleeve," Storm Rider said.

"Congrats on protecting your monsters, but I'm afraid it was all for nothing if you can't destroy my monsters, and thanks to Final Attack Orders, you're forced to attack, which will win me the duel, and you and your friends will be trapped here forever!" Zekt exclaimed.

"I beg to differ," Maestra rebutted. "Let me show you why. Battle! Beethoven the Melodious Composer attacks Giant Beetrooper Invincible Atlas!"

Beethoven flew high up into the air, readying its attack.

"What's the point of attack-? Unless it has an effect."

"That's right! When Beethoven or a monster next to its Link battles, I can either have it inflict double the damage or swap its attack points with the battling monster. I'll think I'll choose the latter.

A pink aura surrounded both Beethoven and Invincible Atlas before turning gold, swapping their strength.

Beethoven the Melodious Composer ATK 2000→3000

Giant Beetrooper Invincible Atlas ATK 3000→2000

Zekt's breath hitched in his throat. "The difference in their attack is 1000! I can't survive that!"

"Go, Beethoven! Melodic Mayhem!"

Beethoven opened her mouth and released a purple soundwave from her throat directly at Invincible Atlas. The soundwave hit the Insect monster, which cried out in pain as it disintegrated. The beam went on to strike Zekt, who screamed in equal parts pain and disbelief as the world whited out.

BOOM!

A massive explosion of smoke filled the air. And when the smoke cleared, Zekt was lying on the ground, covered in bruises and groaning in pain,

Zekt: 1000→0 LP

"No," Zekt groaned. "I… can't lose… Not… again…"

Maestra proceeded to walk over to the injured Zekt.

"Tell me who's responsible for this entire assault on LINK VRAINS and why they want Ringmaster and me," Maestra demanded from him.

"You're wasting your time, kid. Because I'm not talking," Zekt replied.

"Tell us now, or we'll force you to tell us!" Gore said as he cracked his knuckles

"Okay, stop. The person responsible and in charge of all of this. His name is-." But that was all tZekt could say before he screamed and turned into black data, dissolving until there weren't any remains of him left.

"Darn it! And we were so close too!" Sanctum said, snapping her fingers.

"Not exactly," Storm Rider said, standing up. "For if there's anything we learned just now, the person who's responsible for this whole mess is a 'He.'"

"And how does that help, exactly?" Gore asked, crossing his arms as he turned to face Storm Rider.

"It narrows our search of suspects," Maestra explained. "But in the meantime, we should continue our search for Ringmaster."

Following Maestra's words, a flash of light appeared before dispersing and revealing a portal in front of them.

"I'm guessing that leads us to where Ringmaster is," Sanctum noted.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's roll out!" Gore stated as the quartet entered the portal.

And that's Chapter 20. Bold cards are OCs. Credit to Divadx of Obscured Truth for letting me use his Dinowrestler cards. Credit to SakushiRyu and DragonKnight15 for creating Beetrooper cards and designs. Reply to Guest, I don't think I'll make Yusaku and Skye a couple, but that may change in the end. Reply to Fernando87 a duel between Yuya and Playmaker will occur near the chapter's end. As you all know, the next duel will be between Yuya and the final bounty hunter. As always, follow, favorite, review, and don't be afraid to send me a PM. See you guys next week.

OC Card Memo:

Gouki Near-Fall Normal Trap Card

Target 1 face-up "Gouki" monster you control; equip this card to that target. The first time the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect each turn, it is not destroyed. Card effects cannot change the ATK of "Gouki" monsters you control.

Gouki Spirit Quick-Play Spell Card

Activate this card by targeting 1 "Gouki" monster in your GY sent there this turn; Special Summon it in Attack Position. You can only use 1 "Gouki Spirit" per turn.

Gouki Alliance Normal Trap Card

Target 1 "Gouki" Link Monster you control; until the end of the turn, it gains ATK equal to the total number of "Gouki" cards in your GY x 200. If the targeted monster is sent to the GY by an opponent's card, the turn you activate this effect, you can Special Summon 1 "Gouki" Link Monster with a lower Link Rating from your GY with its effects negated.

Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus (LV: 8/Dinosaur/Ritual/Earth/ATK: 2800/DEF: 0)

Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card using 'Dino Champion's Ritual.' You can tribute 1 'Dinowrestler' monster on your field with a different name, and if you do, this card gains ATK equal to the tributed monster's ATK until the end of your turn. If this card battles a monster your opponent controls, and your opponent activates a card effect while you control a 'Dinowrestler' Link Monster (Quick Effect): You can negate that effect, and if you do, destroy it. You can only use each effect of 'Dinowrestler Rising Taeklodocus' once per turn.

Dino Champion's Ritual (Ritual Spell card)

Effect: This card can be used to Ritual Summon any 'Dinowrestler' Ritual Monster. You must also tribute 'Dinowrestler' monsters from your field or hand whose total Levels equal or exceed the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon level. If you control 'Dinowrestler King T-Wrextle': You can shuffle 'Dinowrestler' monsters from your field or GY into your Deck instead.

Dino Tag-Team (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Target 2 'Dinowrestler' monsters in your GY with different names; Special Summon them to your field in Defense Position. You can only activate 1 'Dino Tag-Team' per turn.

Dino Camouflage (Normal Trap card)

Effect: When this card is activated, you can return 1 'Dinowrestler' monster to your hand, then target 1 'Dinowrestler' monster on your field with a different name; your opponent's card effects cannot target that monster until the end of the turn. You can only use this effect of 'Dino Camouflage' once per turn.

Hymn the Melodious Songstress

ATK: 1500, DEF: 1700, LV: 4

Light/Fairy/Effect

Monster Effect: Once per turn, this card cannot be destroyed by battle. You can banish this card along with "Melodious" Monsters from your field or Graveyard to Fusion Summon a "Melodious" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck. The summoned monster is unaffected by card effects during the turn it was Fusion Summoned.

Pentagram Draw

Normal Spell Card

If you control only "Melodious" Monsters while your opponent controls equal or more Monsters than you, draw two cards.

Pastorale the Melodious Songstress

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Fairy/Tuner/Effect] ATK 1000 DEF 1200 Level: 3

When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from your hand in Attack Position. A "Melodious" monster that was Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Summoned using this card on the field as material gains this effect.

-Card effects cannot destroy this card

.Gap Draw

Normal Spell Card

If your opponent controls more monsters than you, draw cards from your Deck equal to the difference. If you control no Monsters, draw twice that many cards. During the End Phase, discard all cards in your hand to the Graveyard.

Ode the Melodious Diva

ATK: 1000, DEF: 1100, LV: 3

Light/Fairy/Effect

Monster Effect: This card on the field can be treated as two materials for the Fusion Summon of a "Melodious" Monster. If you take battle damage from a battle involving a "Melodious" monster you control, you can banish this card from your Graveyard to reduce that damage to 500 and gain Life Points equal to the original amount of damage you would have taken.

Chopina the Melodious Maestra

ATK: 1000, DEF: 1800, LV: 6

Light/Fairy/Fusion/Effect

2 "Melodious" Monsters

Monster Effect: Once per turn, you can Special Summon a "Melodious" monster from your Deck with a lower Level than this card's Level. If another "Melodious" Monster on your field is destroyed, this card cannot be destroyed by battle for the rest of that turn.

Rondo the Melodious Songstress

ATK: 700, DEF: 1800, LV: 4

Light/Fairy/Effect

Monster Effect: If this card is Special Summoned, you can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from your Deck. If this card is used as material for the Fusion Summon of a "Melodious" Fusion Monster, you can draw cards from your Deck equal to the number of other Fusion Materials used for that Fusion Summon.

Ravela the Melodious Maestra

ATK: 2300, DEF: 1600, LV: 7

Light/Fairy/Fusion/Effect

1 "Melodious Diva or Songstress" Monster + 1 "Melodious" Monster

Monster Effect: When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from your Deck and inflict damage to your opponent equal to half its ATK. If this card is destroyed, draw one card from your Deck.

Beethoven the Melodious Composer (Light/Fairy/Effect/ATK: 2000/Link 3: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, Top)

2+ LIGHT Fairy monsters

If you control this Special Summoned card, all monsters your opponent controls are treated as being Special Summoned, and the effects of your "Melodious" monsters cannot be negated. If a "Melodious" monster you control battles an opponent's monster (Quick Effect): You can apply 1 of these effects:

- Switch the ATK of the battling monsters during damage calculation only.

- All battle damage a player would take involving that battle is doubled.

You can only use this effect of "Beethoven the Melodious Composer" once per turn.

Harmonic Fusion

Normal Spell Card

Fusion Summon a "Melodious" Fusion Monster by using Monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials. The summoned monster gains 200 ATK for every material used to Fusion Summon it.

Beetrooper Thousand Crawler (Earth/Insect/Effect/A.T.K.: 1300/D.E.F.: 700/LV: 2)

If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Beetrooper" monster from your Deck to your hand, except "Beetrooper Thousand Crawler." If an Insect monster(s) you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only use each effect of "Beetrooper Thousand Crawler" once per turn.

Beetrooper Dragon Fighter- Lvl 4, ATK: 1900, DEF: 1300, ATT: FIRE, Type: Insect/Effect

Effect: When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 ''Beetrooper'' monster from your hand. During the start of your Battle Phase, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects on their field if you control another ''Beetrooper'' monster.

Beetrooper Wiggly Soldier- Lvl 1, ATK: 100, DEF: 400, ATT: WIND, Type: Insect/Effect

Effect: If you control a ''Beetrooper'' monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). If this card is used as Material for a Link Monster: Add 1 ''Beetrooper'' card from your GY to your hand. You can only use both effects of ''Beetrooper Wiggly Soldier'' once per turn.

Beetrooper Scout ANT.

lv 4 EARTH

Insect/Effect

You cannot Special Summon monsters, except Insect monsters. You can only use the following effects of "Beetrooper Scout ANT" once per turn.

* If you control a "Beetrooper" monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand or from among your banished cards.)

* If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Add 1 "Multiplication of Ants" from your Deck or GY to your hand. Also, you cannot Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck except Insect monsters for the rest of this turn.

A.T.K./500 DEF/1200

Beetrooper Night Watcher

lv 8 DARK

Insect/Fusion/Effect

2 Insect monsters

If this card is Fusion Summoned: Change all Defense Position monsters your opponent controls to Attack Position (Flip effects do not activate during this time). All monsters your opponent controls lose 500 ATK and DEF for each monster whose battle position was changed this way. If an opponents card destroys this card: you can banish 1 "Beetrooper" monster from your Deck, then Special Summon 1 "Beetrooper Token" (Insect/EARTH/Level 3/ATK 1000/DEF 1000) for each 1000 ATK the banished monster had, also, until your next End Phase, you cannot Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck except Insect monsters. You can only use this effect of "Beetrooper Night Watcher" once per turn.

A.T.K./2600 DEF/2200

Effect: If you control a ''Beetrooper'' monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). If this card is used as Material for a Link Monster: Add 1 ''Beetrooper'' card from your GY to your hand. You can only use both effects of ''Beetrooper Wiggly Soldier'' once per turn.

Beetrooper Ant Searcher- Link-1, ATK: 200, ATT: EARTH, Type: Insect/Link/Effect, Arrows: Bottom-Right

Effect: 1 Insect Monster

If this card is Link Summoned, add 1 ''Beetrooper'' monster from your Deck to your hand. You can Tribute this card on your field: Special Summon 1 ''Beetrooper'' monster from your hand or GY. If an Insect monster(s) is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can banish this card instead.

Beetrooper Hercules Knight- Link-3, A.T.K.: 2500, ATT: EARTH, Type: Insect/Link/Effect, Arrows: Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right

Effect: 2+ Insect Monsters

Your opponent cannot target other Insect monsters you control, except this card. When this card declares an attack, all Insect monsters you control gain 1000 ATK until the end of this turn. If this card is in your GY: You can banish three other Insect monsters from your GY or hand; Special Summon this card but banish it when it leaves the field. You can only use this effect of ''Beetrooper Hercules Knight'' once per turn.

Beetrooper Attack Strike- Type: Quick-Play Spell Card

Effect: Target 1 ''Beetrooper'' monster you control. Until the end of this turn, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect, and its ATK becomes 3000. If a ''Beetrooper'' Link Monster leaves the field while this card is in your GY, add this card to your hand. You can only use this effect of Beetrooper Attack Strike'' once per turn.

Beetrooper Stinging Lance- Type: Equip Spell Card

Equip to an Insect monster. The equipped monster gains 1000 ATK. If the equipped monster attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage. Also, if the equipped monster is a "Beetrooper" monster, inflict doubled piercing battle damage instead."

Zone Spacing- Type: Normal Spell Card

Target one monster in your Extra Monster Zone. Move it to an unoccupied Main Monster Zone. When the monster leaves the field, you cannot use the zone the monster was in for the remainder of the duel.