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.

25. Lock & Loaded

Last time in Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-VRAINS The Circuit Of Smiles, Yuya, a.k.a. Ringmaster, suddenly appeared in LINK VRAINS to challenge Sylvio, a.k.a. Abyssio, to a duel. Having accepted, they're about to begin their duel before being interrupted by both Maestra and Benmaru, a.k.a. Gong, who wanted to duel as well, making it a Battle Royale.

They pulled off amazing moves left to right with any duelist not giving an inch. Abyssio has shown how to Synchro Summon, and Benmaru knows how to Fusion Summon with Ringmaster and Maestra playing some new cards that make their Decks even more broken than before.

Being pushed into a corner, Ringmaster bounces back by performing an Overscale Pendulum Summon and finally showing everyone his new dragon, Arc-Eyes, giving him the lead again.

Before starting his turn, Abyssio and the duel were suddenly interrupted when Varis arrived and trapping the latter along with Maestra and Benmary, as well as logging everyone out of LINK VRAINS and blocking everyone from logging back in or seeing his duel against Ringmaster.

Thinking Varis might be the leader of the Arbiters and wanting to save his friends, Ringmaster accepts his challenge. Can Ringmaster defeat Varis not only to free his friends but also to seek the answers he's been searching for? Find out now!

Ringmaster LP: 4000

Varis LP: 4000

"I'll take the first turn!" Ringmaster declared. "Using the Scale 1 Stargazer Magician and the Scale 8 Timegazer Magician, I set the Pendulum Scale!"

Two columns of light appeared on Ringmaster's sides, with both his magicians rising to their top.

Stargazer Magician Scale: 1

Timegazer Magician Scale: 8

"With this, I can simultaneously summon Levels 2 to 7 monsters! "Swing far, pendulum! Carve the arc of victory!" Ringmaster chanted. "My monsters are ready to swing into action!"

Soon, a portal opened between the two pillars, out of which two lights appeared. The lights hit the field and then dissipated, revealing two monsters.

"Chime on in, Performapal Le Bellman!"

"And fire away Performapal Boost Cannonball!"

A colorful cannon with a child-like figure sitting on its muzzle and a monster with an oversized bell on its head appeared on Ringmaster's field.

Performapal Boost Cannonball ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2 PS: 3

Performapal Le Bellman ATK 100 DEF 2600 LVL: 6 PS: 1

"I activate Boost Cannonball's effect." Ringmaster continued. "Once per turn, I can send the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard. If that card is a "Performapal" monster, my opponent receives damage equal to its Level multiplied by 200. If it's any other card, I'll receive 1000 points of damage. Let's see if luck will favor me."

Ringmaster drew the top card from his Deck and showed it to everyone.

"My card is the Level 4 Performapal Silver Claw," Ringmaster said. "Therefore, you'll receive 800 points of damage, Varis!"

The ghostly image of Silver Claw appeared on Ringmaster's field and turned into a sphere of energy that entered Boost Cannonball. Immediately afterward, a silver-colored cannonball erupted from it, striking Varis head-on and causing him to grimace.

Varis: 4000→3200 LP

"I place a card face-down and end my turn," Ringmaster stated. "At this moment, Boost Cannonball's effect activates. If I only inflicted damage to my opponent using its effect during my turn, I can draw two cards from my Deck."

"A strong start," Benmaru said, nodding in approval.

"It is," Maestra agreed. "But something tells me that this "Varis" guy will be a bigger challenge than everyone else Ringmaster has dueled."

Varis smirked. "Very impressive, Ringmaster. For you to damage me on your very first turn tells that you're determined to win." He closed his eyes. "But just because you gained a slight advantage doesn't mean you'll win." He opened his eyes and placed his hand on his Deck. "My turn! I draw!"

Varis looked at his card, then chose a different one. "First, I summon Gateway Dragon from my hand!"

A bronze six-sided gate appeared on Varis's field. The gate then opened as a three-armed bronze dragon emerged in Attack Position.

Gateway Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I activate Gateway Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand. I bring out Triggering Wurm!"

Gateway Dragon's gate opened up again, and out came a small worm-like dragon with large, orange spikes on its back.

Triggering Wurm ATK 600 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"Next, I activate the effect of Defrag Dragon in my hand! By discarding Background Dragon, I can Special Summon Defrag Dragon!"

A black and red dragon with green holographic wings appeared in Attack Position.

Defrag Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

Varis then gestured to the sky. "I now manifest my circuit!" His hand glowed blue as the Link Portal appeared above him. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Level 4 or lower non-Token Dragon monsters. I set Gateway Dragon and Defrag Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom and right arrows, turning red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Twin Triangle Dragon!"

A maroon and gold metal dragon emerged from the Link Portal in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Twin Triangle Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓→

"Twin Triangle Dragon's effect activates! When Link Summoned, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher monster from my Graveyard to its Link Arrow. Resurrect, Background Dragon!"

A large dragon covered in orange and black armor appeared at Twin Triangle Dragon's bottom Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Varis: 3200→2700 LP

Background Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

"The monster Special Summoned by Twin Triangle Dragon's effect cannot attack, and its effects are negated," Varis continued. "I manifest my circuit for a second time!" The Link Portal appeared above Varis again as his hand glowed blue. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters. I set Background Dragon, Triggering Wurm, and the Link-2 Twin Triangle Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with Twin Triangle Dragon splitting into two, and entered the top, bottom, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Topologic Bomber Dragon!"

A massive metal orange dragon with green lines running over its body emerged from the portal and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Topologic Bomber Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

Ringmaster, Benmaru, Maestra, and Abyssio all braced themselves as Topologic Bomber Dragon released waves of wind at its summoning.

"This isn't good!" Benmaru said, covering his face with his arms.

"That must be one of his aces!" Abyssio deduced.

Ringmaster gritted his teeth as he gazed at the Link Monster. "A Cyberse Monster…".

"Triggering Wurm's effect activates!" Varis declared. "If it is sent to the Graveyard for the Link Summon of a Dark Link Monster, I can Special Summon it to that monster's Link Arrow!"

Triggering Wurm reappeared at Topologic Bomber Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Triggering Wurm ATK 600 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"At this moment, the effect of Topologic Bomber Dragon activates!" Varis said as he clenched his fists. "If another Monster is Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, all Monsters in the Main Monster Zones are destroyed!"

"What?!" Ringmaster gasped as his friends' eyes widened.

"Go, Decimation Destruction!"

Topologic Bomber Dragon grew large green holographic wings that gathered and released a powerful energy surge. Ringmaster and the others braced themselves again as Boost Cannonball, Le Bellman, and Triggering Wurm exploded.

"When a Link Monster's effect destroys Triggering Wurm, I can draw one card." Varis drew his card and immediately played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Back-Up Rider! This card gives 1500 extra attack points to Topologic Bomber Dragon until the end of the turn!"

Bomber Dragon let out a roar as its power grew.

Topologic Bomber Dragon ATK 3000→4500

"It has over 4000 ATK!" Abyssio exclaimed.

"If his attack is successful, Ringmaster will lose," Benmaru noted.

"Ringmaster..." Maestra whispered.

"Battle! Topologic Bomber Dragon, attack Ringmaster directly! Malicious Mayhem!"

Topologic Bomber Dragon gathered red energy and blasted Ringmaster with it. Before it hit-.

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Performapal Pinch Helper!" Ringmaster declared. "Once per turn, when my opponent attacks me directly, that attack is negated!"

Bomber Dragon was blocked by an invisible force that prevented it from attacking Ringmaster. It then stopped and returned to Varis's side.

"And then, I get to Special Summon a "Performapal" monster from my Deck with its effects negated!" Ringmaster then took out his deck to choose a monster before grabbing one of them, "I Special Summon Performapal Sellshell Crab!"

A hermit crab with a green shell and blue claws, showing amber eyes and a gray mustache underneath, appeared on Ringmaster's field in Defense Position.

Performapal Sellshell Crab ATK 500 DEF 2500 LVL: 5 PS: 2

Varis smiled at this turn of events. "Impressive, Ringmaster However, I expected this from you. I end my turn, meaning Back-Up Rider's effect ends."

Topologic Bomber Dragon ATK 4500→3000

"So, come at me, Ringmaster! Show me what you got!"

"No problem!" Ringmaster said, placing his hand on his Deck. "My turn! I draw!" Looking at his card, Ringmaster smiled and turned his gaze to the field. Topologic Bomber Dragon's effect activates whenever a monster is Special Summoned to any monster's Link Arrow, he thought to himself. That means I have limited options on how to defeat it.

"As impressive as always," Specter commented as he and the Knights of Hanoi watched the duel. "Even if Ringmaster avoided taking damage, he still lost Life Points. And Ryoken still has five cards in his hand."

"His reputation as the leader of the Hanoi is well-earned," Faust admitted.

"You got that right," Genome agreed.

Baira didn't say anything as she was thinking to herself. Topologic Bomber Dragon has 3000 attack points. Since the set of Master Rules returned to normal when Varis interrupted his duel against the others, he can now only Pendulum Summon one monster from his Extra Deck. How are you going to get out of this, Ringmaster?

"With the Pendulum Scale already set, I Pendulum Summon!" Ringmaster declared as two monsters appeared from the portal.

"Lend a helping hand, Performapal Partnaga!"

"And turn up the heat, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

Appearing on his field was a yellow and red patterned cobra that had a hand on the tip of its tail and was also wearing a polka-dotted bowtie and a top hat and a red and yellow dragon with dichromatic eyes.

Performapal Partnaga ATK 500 DEF 2100 LVL: 5 PS: 3

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7 PS: 4

Ringmaster pointed at Partnaga, "I activate Performapal Partnaga's effect! Once per turn, I can target one monster I control and have it gain 300 ATK for every "Performapal" monster I control! I select Odd-Eyes Pendulum, and since there are two Performapals on my field, it gains 600 ATK!"

Performapal Odd-Eyes Dragon ATK 2500→3100

Ringmaster smiled. "Let's get the show underway! Battle! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks Topologic Bomber Dragon! Spiral Flame Strike!"

The dragon blasted the dancer the orange dragon with red fire, destroying it and making Varis wince.

Varis: 2700→2600 LP

"I end my turn," Ringmaster said as Odd-Eyes returned to his field.

Varis smiled. "Not bad, Ringmaster. You managed to destroy Topologic Bomber Dragon. But…" His eyes narrowed. "The real duel begins now. My turn! I draw!" Varis smirked on seeing what he drew, but he played a different card instead. "I activate the Spell Card: Final Offguard! As my Life Points are lower than yours and you're the only one with a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can draw two cards."

Varis drew and smiled at his cards. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Boot Sector Launch! With this card, all "Rokket" monsters on my field gain 300 attack and defense points!"

The ground shook as a massive red gun barrel with green lines appeared on Varis's right side. It had a red and black frame that ran from the top to the bottom that covered two of the six holes.

"Boot Sector Launch's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon up to two "Rokket" monsters from my hand in Defense Position. Come on out, Shelrokket Dragon and Anesthrokket Dragon!"

Two of the holes in Boot Sector Launch glowed as it turned two times, releasing one dragon each before stopping.

The first dragon that came out of Boot Sector Launch was a green-and-yellow dragon with a hypodermic needle attached to its head and the second was a yellow, black, and green dragon with a bullet casing attached to its head, appeared on the field.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK 0→300 DEF 2200→2500 LVL: 1

Shelrokket Dragon ATK 1100→1400 DEF 2000→2300 LVL: 2

"I now activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge! Normally, it lets me draw two cards, but I can draw four when my hand is empty. Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Quick Launch! This card lets me Special Summon a "Rokket" monster from my deck, but it can't attack and is destroyed during my End Phase. Come, Autorokket Dragon!"

A light brown metal dragon with a rocket attached to its head appeared on Varis's field.

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300

"As a Dark Dragon monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon Noctovision Dragon from my hand!"

A large gray-green mechanical dragon with green holographic wings and four red eyes appeared in Defense Position.

Noctovision Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"Finally, I summon Magnarokket Dragon!"

A blue and red mechanical dragon with green holographic wings appeared in Attack Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

"I now manifest my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared in the sky above Varis. "The summoning conditions are two "Rokket" monsters! I'll set Anesthrokket Dragon and Autorokket Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

The two monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Booster Dragon!"

A dark blue metal dragon with a gun barrel for a head and green holographic wings emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Booster Dragon ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↙↘

"I activate Booster Dragon's effect!" Varis continued. "Once per turn, I can target one monster on my field and increase its attack and defense points by 500. In addition, you cannot activate cards or effects in response. I target Shelrokket Dragon!" He then gestured to Shelrokket Dragon. "At this point, Shelrokket Dragon's effect activates. If a Link monster's effect targets it, I can destroy Shelrokket Dragon and the monster this card was in. Also, I can destroy monsters in that card's adjacent zones!"

Ringmaster narrowed his eyes. He could see what Varis planned to do. By destroying all three of his monsters at once.

Varis smirked. "You only have yourself to blame for showing us your Pendulum Summoning technique." He turned to Booster Dragon. "Fire!"

Shelrokket Dragon's entire body transformed into a large bullet that entered the barrel on Booster Dragon's head. It then fired a massive blast of energy at Odd-Eyes in the middle, destroying both it and the adjacent Performapals.

"INow Ringmaster's field is empty," Benmaru said, looking at what happened.

"This guy's giving Ringmaster a run for his money," Abyssio commented.

"Even so, Ringmaster will still have Life Points left if he's attacked directly," Maestra stated.

"I wouldn't be so sure, Maestra," Varis informed her. "I manifest my circuit for a second time!" Soon a second Link Portal appeared. The summoning conditions are at least two Dragon monsters! I set Noctovision Dragon and Booster Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters with Booster splitting into two became whirlwinds of energy that entered the top-left, top, and top-right arrows, turning them red.

"Link the Circuit! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Flash Charge Dragon!"

A large purple and white dragon appeared on Varis's field, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone. It had two massive cannons attached to its sides, one on its head and wheels on its feet.

Flash Charge Dragon ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↖↑↗

Ringmaster narrowed his eyes. "It only points to my field? Why would he summon a monster like that?"

"Since Noctovision Dragon was used as Link Material, I can draw a card!" Varis drew. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Harpie's Feather Duster! It destroys all your Spell and Trap Cards."

A massive wing appeared as it created a gust of wind that destroyed Performapal Pinch Helper and Stargazer and Timegazer Magician.

"No… My Pendulum Scale," Ringmaster muttered.

"Battle! Magnarokket Dragon attacks you directly!"

The mechanical dragon fired a beam from the attachment on its head, striking Ringmaster and making him grunt as he was pushed back a few inches.

Ringmaster: 4000→1900 LP

"Time to finish this. Flash Charge Dragon, attack Ringmaster and end this duel!"

The three cannons on Flash Charge's body began charging before firing three energy beams at Ringmaster.

"Ringmaster!" The others yelled on seeing Ringmaster was about to lose.

"I activate Performapal Inflater Tapir's effect from my hand! By sending this card to the Graveyard, I can reduce the battle damage I would take from this battle to 0!"

A spectral purple monster shaped like a balloon with a large nose appeared and sucked up the damage from the explosion.

"I think that's enough. I set one card and end my turn. During the End Phase, the destroyed Shelrokket Dragon's effect activates, and I Special Summon Autorokket Dragon from my Deck."

Another bronze dragon appeared in Attack Position.

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 3

Ringmaster grit his teeth. "You are strong. Far stronger than I anticipated. But that just makes things even more fun. I will defeat you, free my friends and get the answers I'm looking for! My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Space-Time Revision." The card showed several Monster Cards glowing in a duelist's hand. Through its effect, if Stargazer and Timegazer Magician are in my hand, on my field or in my Extra Deck, I can send them to the Graveyard to draw six cards from my Deck."

After taking Stargazer and Timegazer from his Extra Deck and placing them in the Graveyard, Ringmaster drew his six cards and smiled after seeing them.

"Hey guys, I might need a little help with my next couple moves."

"Say no more, Yuya, we got you," Yuto replied as he appeared along with Yugo and Yuri, who nodded in response.

"Use our power to defeat this guy!" Yugo stated.

"And if it's alright with you guys. I'd like Fusion to go first," Yuri said.

"I'm fine with that. So let's get in on!" Yuya exclaimed as his counterparts disappeared, and he returned his focus to the duel.

''With Scale 1 Performapal Odd-Eyes Seer and the Scale 8 Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon, I set the Pendulum Scale! I'm taking control of this Duel starting now!"

The two columns of light appeared once again on Ringmaster's field, with a robotic monster clad in a priest's robe and a monster that resembles Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon except its red scales are now black with small purple crystals across its body, its sharp shoulder wingless wings are now curly blue crystals going to the back, its orb chest is more crystal and light blue with silver armored on it, its claws are golden, it has sharp twin horns (two going up on each side and two going down on each side) of its face with silver horns over the head as well as a blue crystal over the head with the same silver armored attached, purple crystals sticking out from its knees wrapped in silver armored and has a massive purple crystal sticking out from its back.

Performapal Odd-Eyes Seer Scale: 1

Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon Scale: 8

"Now I can summon monsters with Levels 4 through 7 at the same time! I Pendulum Summon!"

Two light beams erupted from the portal and landed on Ringmaster's field.

"Seeing is believing, Performapal Bot-Eyes Lizard!"

"And raise the stakes, Performapal Trump Sorceress!"

The lights dispersed, revealing both a purple humanoid lizard with an orange vest and a red umbrella and a female monster clad in a witch's outfit, which held a staff with a large pentagram.

Performapal Bot-Eyes Lizard ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

Performapal Trump Sorceress ATK 100 DEF 2300 LVL: 6 PS: 1

"Bot Eyes Lizard's effect activates! Since he was summoned, I can declare the name of an "Odd-Eyes" monster and treat him as that monster! I declare Odd-Eyes Dragon!" Ringmaster shouted as his lizard's form changed to that of his original ace monster.

"Odd-Eyes Dragon...Ringmaster's old dragon..." Maestra smiled, feeling a rush of nostalgia.

"Then, I activate Trump Sorceress's effect to perform a Fusion Summon using monsters from my hand or field without the use of a Fusion Spell Card! The ones I will fuse are Trump Sorceress, and Bot-Eyes Lizard treated as Odd-Eyes Dragon!"

As his two monsters swirled inside a multi-colored vortex formed by Trump Sorceress, Ringmaster chanted.

"Arcane sorceress of fusions, become one with the dragon with dual-colored eyes to call forth a new power! I Fusion Summon! Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon!"

From a sandstorm conjured in the open, a dragon appeared similar to Odd-Eyes, except it had green armor with gold outlined on it, covering most of its dark blue skin. It had four white wings that were used to fly in the air, almost structured in the way of a turbine as lightning formed around the dragon's body while the winds were raging around the surrounding area.

Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 3000 LVL: 7

Ringmaster's allies were in awe from seeing the new monster as Maestra muttered, "A new Odd-Eyes Fusion…."

From Kolter's van, both Sora and Dennis awed in shock at Yuya's new Fusion Monster.

"Hoh, so this is one of Yuya's new Fusion Monsters?" Sora commented with a smirk. "Not half-bad if I say so myself."

"Indeed," Dennis agreed. "Hopefully, it can help turn things around for him."

Ringmaster smiled as he looked up at the field, "Since I performed a Fusion Summon successfully through its effect, Trump Sorceress allows me to draw one card from my Deck. Now Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon's effect activates! When this card is Special Summoned, I can target a face-up Attack Position monster my opponent controls and return it to the hand! I choose your Flash Charge Dragon! Return Hurricane!"

At its master's command, the dragon's wings on its back began to spin around, generating a powerful gust of wind towards the Link Monster.

"You won't get rid of my monster that easily," Varis stated. "I activate Flash Charge Dragon's effect! When an effect targets it, I can Tribute another monster on my field to negate the activation and destroy the card that targeted it. I Tribute my Autorokket Dragon!"

Autorokket burst into particles as they then entered Flash Charge's turrets and fired at Vortex Dragon.

"That's not going to work!" Ringmaster replied before smiling. "I activate Vortex Dragon's other effect! Once per turn, when a Spell, Trap or Monster Effect is activated, I can shuffle a face-up Pendulum Monster from my Extra Deck into the Deck like my Sellshell Crab to negate and destroy the card! Thunder Burst!"

After shuffling the Performapal Pendulum Monster shuffled Sellshell Crab back into his deck. Vortex Dragon roared before lightning crashed onto Flash Charge Dragon and destroyed it.

"So it didn't matter if I used my dragon's effect or not because you had a counter ready for it," Varis noted.

"Exactly," Ringmaster said before taking a card from his hand. " I equip Vortex Dragon with the Equip Spell Card: United We Stand!"

A fiery aura surrounded Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon.

"Now Rebellion Dragon gains 800 attack and defense points for every monster I control."

Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon ATK 2500→3300 DEF 3000→3800

"Now his dragon's attack points are higher to do more damage!" Abyssio stated.

"Battle! Go, Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon, attack Magnarokket Dragon! Gale Storm Strike!"

Wind formed in Vortex's mouth before the dragon unleashed a tornado that enveloped and destroyed Magnarokket Dragon and made Varis wince.

Varis: 2600→1400 LP

"I set one card face-down and end my turn," Ringmaster concluded.

"And during the End Phase, as Magnarokket Dragon is in the Graveyard because it was destroyed and sent there, its effect activates!" Varis declared. "I Special Summon a new 'Rokket' monster from my Deck. Come, Silverrokket Dragon!"

A bright silver mechanical dragon with violet holographic wings appeared in Attack Position.

Silverrokket Dragon ATK 1900→2200 DEF 100→400 LVL: 4

"My turn! I draw!" Varis looked at his card and smirked. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Squib Draw. I destroy my "Rokket" monster to draw two cards. I destroy Silverrokket Dragon!" The dragon shattered, and Varis drew. "I activate Boot Sector Launch's effect! Once per turn, if you control more monsters than me, I can Special Summon different "Rokket" monsters from my Graveyard up to the difference. You control one, and I control none, so I Special Summon Magnarokket Dragon!"

The blue metal dragon reappeared in Defense Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

"I activate the Spell Card: Spellbook Inside the Pot, which lets the both of us have to draw three cards!"

Varis and Ringmaster both drew their cards and added them to their hands.

Varis looked at his current cards and grabbed one of them, "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Living Fossil, whose effect allows me to Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated and its attack reduced by 1000. Resurrect, Gateway Dragon!"

A wide crack appeared on the ground following Varis's words, which emerged Gateway Dragon.

Gateway Dragon ATK 1600→600

"Next, I summon Sniffer Dragon!"

The red dragon with black attachments on its legs, arms, and chest emerged in Attack Position.

Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"Sniffer Dragon's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add another Sniffer Dragon from my Deck to my hand." Taking his card, Varis added it to his hand and chose a different one. "Next, since I control a Dragon-Type monster, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand! Come forth, Hammer Dragon!"

A dragon, the same size as Sniffing Dragon, appeared on Varis's field. Its scales were black, wearing dark-blue armor, and having a hammer-shaped object attached to its head and the end of its tail, reminding a viewer of a firearm's hammer.

Hammer Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Link Unit and equip it to Hammer Dragon! Now, if Hammer Dragon is used to Link Summon, it counts as two materials!"

Ringmaster narrowed his eyes. "So he's planning on summoning another Link Monster," he muttered.

"Manifest, my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared in the sky above Varis. "The summoning conditions are three or more effect monsters! I'll set Hammer Dragon, which is now treated as two materials, Sniffer Dragon and Gateway Dragon, into the Link Arrows!"

Hammer Dragon split into two tornadoes of energy and entered the left and right arrows. Sniffer Dragon entered the bottom-left arrow, and Gateway Dragon entered the bottom-right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! My new wind pierces through the closed world! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Borreload Dragon!"

A massive red mechanical dragon emerged from the portal. It had red and silver spines that projected green holographic wings, green lines across its body, and a gun cylinder in its chest. It roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Borreload Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

"That must be that Varis's true ace monster," Abyssio said, narrowing his eyes.

"And even though Ringmaster's monster's still stronger, something tells me his opponent has a plan to counter that," Benmaru added.

"I activate Borreload Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can reduce the attack and defense points of one monster on the field by 500, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. I target Magnarokket Dragon for this effect!"

"What?" Ringmaster blinked. "Why would you target your own monster?"

" Because now Magnarokket Dragon's effect activates!" Varis explained. "When a Link Monster's effect targets it, I can destroy Magnarokket Dragon and then send a monster on the field to the Graveyard. I send your Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon to the Graveyard!"

"Eh?!"

Magnarokket Dragon disintegrated, and then its particles traveled into the gun barrel in Borreload Dragon's chest. The barrel rotated, and then Borreload Dragon fired a blast at Vortex Dragon, disintegrating it.

"I set one card," Varis said before gesturing to the field. "Battle! Borreload Dragon, attack Ringmaster directly!" The cylinder in Borreload Dragon's chest started spinning as purple electricity sparked across it. "Charging energy! Borrel mode change!" Borreload Dragon opened its mouth and produced a massive gun barrel. "Target, locked on! Final safety removed!" The spines of Borreload Dragon's wings folded down, causing them to disappear. "This is the end! Thunder Borrel Cannon!" Borreload Dragon fired a massive orange bullet at Ringmaster. It impacted, causing a massive explosion and making everyone but Varis cry out.

"Ringmaster!" Maestra cried out as Benmaru and Abyssio stayed silent.

"I warned you that I was quite the challenge, but you didn't listen," Varis said.

"And I told you that I was going to win and free my friends, didn't I?"

Varis narrowed his eyes at Ringmaster's field, and as the smoke cleared, he and everyone else saw that Ringmaster was still standing.

Ringmaster: 800 LP

"You…survived my attack? How?" Varis asked.

"Just before your attack connected, I activated my face-down. The Quick-Play Spell Card: Hyper Refresh," Ringmaster explained. "It's a powerful card if you use it right. Since I had no monsters on my side of the field thanks to your last move and the combined attack points of your monsters were greater than my Life Points, my Life Points were doubled. Bringing them from 1900 to 3800 minus the 3000 points of damage I took from your dragon's attack leaving me with 800 left."

Varis smiled. "It is good you are not letting yourself get depressed; If you were to falter from a single attack, I would question your resolve." Ringmaster grit his teeth at the comment. "I end my turn. And since both Silverrokket Dragon and Magnarokket Dragon were destroyed this turn and sent to the Graveyard, I Special Summon Anesthrokket Dragon an Autorokket Dragon from my Deck!"

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK 0→300 DEF 2200→2500 LVL: 1

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 3

Ringmaster narrowed his eyes at Varis before looking at his hand. While the cards he had were good, they weren't enough to take down Borreload Dragon, especially with its effect to lower attack points. Everything depended on what he drew next.

"My turn! I draw!" Looking at his card, Ringmaster smiled. This will work! he thought. "With my Pendulum Scale already set, I Pendulum Summon!"

"Drop on in, Performapal Drop Gallop!"

"Dial up his defeat, Performapal Longphone Bull!"

A pink bipedal horse carrying candy in its arms and a blue bull with a red shirt, white pants, polka-dotted bowtie, and had a telephone on its head appeared on Ringmaster's field.

Performapal Drop Gallop ATK 800 DEF 1200 LVL: 5

Performapal Longphone Bull ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Looks like Ringmaster's starting to make his comeback," Maestra stated.

"Drop Gallop's effect activate! Since Drop Gallop was Pendulum Summoned, I can draw cards equal to the amount of "Performapal" monsters that were Pendulum Summoned, in this case, two!" Ringmaster exclaimed as he drew his cards. "Now, Longphone Bull's effect activates! When I Special Summon this card, I can add a non-Pendulum "Performapal" monster from my Deck to my hand! I choose Performapal Security Jackal!"

"Is that all to your move?" Varis asked.

"Not even close," Ringmaster replied. "I now summon Performapal Uni!"

A female performer with blonde hair and a white horn appeared between Longphone Bull and Drop Gallop.

Performapal Uni ATK 800 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Now it's time for me to entertain my circuit!"

Ringmaster pointed upwards as his hand glowed blue as the Link Portal appeared above him.

"So he's going to Link Summon this time?" Varis said.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions require two "Performapal" monsters. I'm setting Peformapal Uni and Longphone Bull in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became energy streams as they entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Performapal Linkipede!"

The large-sized purple polka-dotted centipede with a blue bowtie and a white top hat appeared in the Left Extra Monster Zone.

Performapal Linkipede ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Since Linkipede was successfully Link Summoned, its effect lets me choose a "Performapal" in my Deck and add it to my Extra Deck," Ringmaster explained as a card slips out of his Deck. "I select Performapal Odd-Eyes Tiger. Now then, since I control a "Performapal" monster on my field, I can Special Summon Performapal Security Jackal from my hand!"

A monster that resembled a jackal was wearing a police outfit and face paint over its eyes. It was standing on its four legs, also wearing a hat with a flashing red and blue police siren on top appeared next to Linkipede's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Performapal Security Jackal ATK 1500 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"Next, I activate Drop Gallop's second effect to change its Level from 5 to 4!"

Performapal Drop Gallop LVL: 5→4

"I tune the Level 3 Security Jackal with the Level 4 Drop Gallop!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Ringmaster as the world greyed out, and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two red and one pink rings appeared before turning blue and merging. Blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "3 + 4" in front of them. The screen changed to "7" as light surged through the rings.

"Born from the flames of meteor showers, the red dragon with heterochromia eyes of red and blue! Fall to the earth and blow away all of my enemies! I Synchro Summon! Rain down, Level 7! Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon!"

A large flaming meteor appeared out of nowhere and fell right onto the field, creating a small explosion. The crowd could only look on as the smoke disappeared, and from within appeared another dragon monster. This Odd-Eyes beast was covered in fiery red armor, the design enhanced by the sparkles of light created when the explosion destroyed the ice clusters. Its right eye was red, and its left was blue, surrounded by a golden mask like a plate with a red flame-like spike appearing over the blue one.

Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"Another Odd-Eyes Monster?" Abyssio remarked as he saw Ringmaster's new monster.

"And it's the Synchro variant this time," Benmaru added.

"If you believe that merely using other forms of your ace monster will throw me off my game, then you're a fool," Varis stated.

"Believe what you want, but I assure you that I'll walk away as the victor of this duel with my friends!" Ringmaster exclaimed. "From my hand, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Mage Power and equip it onto Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon! Meteorburst Dragon now gains 500 attack and defense points for every Spell and Trap card I control. Since I control two Pendulum Monsters in the Pendulum Zones and this card itself, my dragon gains 1500 points for both stats!"

The Synchro variant of Odd-Eyes gained a fiery aura around it as it grew stronger.

Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon ATK 2500→4000 DEF 2000→3500

The Knights looked at the dragon, surprised, "4000 attack points?!"

Ringmaster smiled at Borreload Dragon, thinking he could end this right now, "By destroying Borreload with Meteorburst, I can then attack directly with Linkipede. I can end this right now."

With resolve, Ringmaster pointed at Borreload Dragon, "And now, I…."

However, he was interrupted as Varis gestured his hand towards his field. "I activate the Trap Card: Borrel Cooling!" Varis countered. "By tributing Anesthrokket, I equip this card onto Borreload," he said as Anesthrokket disappeared.

"Borreload can now select one monster on the field, and that monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects!" he said, "I target Borreload Dragon!"

"Now Borreload can't be destroyed this turn," Dennis said as he and Sora continued watching the duel.

"But at least Yuya can still inflict damage to him," Sora pointed out.

Battle! Meteorburst Dragon attacks Borreload Dragon! Solar Flare Crush"

"I activate Borreload Dragon's effect!" Varis announced. "Once per turn, I can target a monster and reduce its attack and defense points by 500, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. Go, Enemy Negation!"

However, his Duel Disk popped up with an error message, prompting him to look at it in confusion.

"Eh? What's going on? Why isn't the effect activating?"

"That's because of Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon's effect." Ringmaster explained. "As long as this card is face-up on the field, you can't activate monster effects during the Battle Phase! And since it's a passive effect, Borrload cant put a stop to it!"

"That can't be!" Varis cried out in shock. "To think that you managed to overcome my invincible!"

"I not sure if you'd just complimented me, but I won't let it affect my focus on this duel," Ringmaster stated. "Now, Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon, attack Borreload Dragon! Solar Flare Crush!"

Following its master's command, Meteorburst Dragon unleashed a sphere of fire from its maw, striking Borreload and generating a large explosion that sent Varis skidding backwards.

Varis: 1900→900 LP

"I two cards face-down and end my turn, meaning Meteorburst gains 1000 more attack and defense points."

Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon ATK 4000→5000 DEF 3500→4500

"Before your turn comes to a complete end, I'll activate Borreload's effect to reduce both your dragon's attack and defense points by 500!"

Opening its mouth wide, a cannon emerged from the dragon's neck. Borreload Dragon fired a giant bullet from it, striking Meteorburst Dragon and sending it back a bit.

Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon ATK 5000→4500 DEF 4500→4000

"My turn! I draw!" Varis drew and viewed his card before playing it. "I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity! It allows me to draw three cards, at the cost of discarding two."

She drew her three cards, then discarded Card of Compensation and Vulnerability Dragon.

"Card of Compensation's effect activates! As I sent it from my hand to the Graveyard, I get to draw two cards." Varis drew his two cards, then said, "I activate the Spell Card: Link Back! This card moves Borreload Dragon from the Extra Monster Zone to the Main Monster Zone at its Link Marker." Borreload Dragon moved to Varis's leftmost Main Monster Zone. "Then, I send cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard equal to Borreload Dragon's Link Rating."

Varis narrowed his eyes on seeing he discarded Overflow Dragon, Link Protection, Mind Crush, and Spin-Headed Behemoth. "Since I control a "Rokket" monster, I can Special Summon Absorouter Dragon!"

A black metal dragon covered in blue lines with six spines for wings appeared in Attack Position.

Absorouter Dragon ATK 1200 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"I now manifest my circuit! The summoning conditions are two DARK Dragon monsters! I set Autorokket and Absorouter Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

Both dragons became dark whirlwinds of energy as they entered the top and bottom arrows.

"I Link Summon! Link-2! Dillingerous Dragon!"

Emerging from the Link Portal and appearing in the Right Extra Monster Zone was a purple and green-scaled dragon in blue metallic armor.

Dillingerous Dragon ATK 1600 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Then, since Absorouter Dragon was sent to the Graveyard, its effect activated and lets me add a "Rokket" monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Rokket Synchron to my hand. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Arrow Charge! Since there are two Link Monsters with the same Link Rating in the Extra Monster Zones, I can draw and reveal two cards." Varis drew, and Ringmaster frowned as his screen revealed the two drawn cards. "But if those cards are still in my hand during the End Phase, they're banished. I activate the Spell Card: Link Burst! This card targets my Link Monster and your monster and destroys them. I target Dillingerous Dragon and Performapal Linkipede!"

Both Link Monsters on each player's field exploded.

"Since Link Burst's effect was successful, I now draw a card." He drew, then took another card from his hand, "I summon Rokket Synchron!"

A small blue mechanical dragon with green holographic wings appeared.

Rokket Synchron ATK 300→600 DEF 0→300 LVL: 1

"Rokket Synchron's effect activates! As it was Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Dark Dragon monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated. Come, Noctovision Dragon!"

The thin dark green mechanical dragon reappeared.

Noctovision Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"However, because of Synchron's effect, Noctovision Dragon is destroyed at the end of this turn. But that won't matter. Level 1 Rokket Synchron tunes Level 7 Noctovision Dragon!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Varis and made the world gray out. The two monsters disintegrated into data and reformed into two rings, one of which was composed of seven concentric circles. The rings turned blue and merged before reforming into a tower of eight blue rings. A screen appeared before the tower and displayed "1 + 7" before changing to "8." A surge of light burst through the rings.

"The fuel of the cosmos mixes with the boundaries of speed to transcend the beyond!" Varis chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Borreload Savage Dragon!"

A large dragon with a gun cylinder in its chest emerged from the light. This one was covered in white armor, with numerous green holographic wings and glowing green lines all over its body. The dragon roared from Borreload Dragon's bottom-right Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Borreload Savage Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Specter's face lit up with a smile. "It's here."

"Master Varis's Synchro Monster," The Knights of Hanoi said in unison.

"No one told us that this guy could Synchro Summon!" Abyssio gasped.

"What did you expect, Abyssio? You thought he was going to share his dueling skills with us?" Benmaru rhetorically asked.

"Either way, that monster is bound to give Ringmaster some trouble," Maestra stated.

"Borreload Savage Dragon's effect activates!" Varis declared. "When it is Synchro Summoned, I can equip a Link Monster from my Graveyard to it, increase its attack points by half of that monster's attack points, and place Borrel Counters on it for each of that monster's Link Markers. I equip Link-4 Topologic Bomber Dragon to Borreload Savage Dragon!"

Four golden orbs were loaded in Savage Dragon's chest cylinder as it rotated.

Borreload Savage Dragon: 0 BC→4 BC ATK 3000→4500

"This isn't good," Ringmaster said, his eyes narrowing. "Varis can use Borreload's effect o weaken Meteorburst so his Savage Dragon can destroy it. But that doesn't mean I can't defend myself."

"Battle!" Varis declared. Borreload Savage Dragon attacks Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon!"

A gun barrel extended from Savage Dragon's mouth.

"At this moment, I activate my Trap Card: Performapal Daring Escape!" Ringmaster declared as the card showed Hip Hippo in a straight jacket trying to escape from a cage full of water and encased in chains. "Thanks to its effect, I can banish a "Performapal" Pendulum Monster from my Extra Deck to reduce all damage to 0 for this turn! I choose to banish Performapal Le Bellman!"

"You can't," Varisdismissed. "Savage Dragon's effect activates! I remove a Borrel Counter to negate the activation of your trap's effect!"

"What?!" Ringmaster gaped as his trap greyed out and burst into particles. Borreload Savage Dragon's chest plate opened up to let out a yellow orb.

Borreload Savage Dragon: 4 BC→3 BC

"Then, I activate Borreload Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can target a monster and reduce its attack and defense points by 500, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. Go, Enemy Negation!"

Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon ATK 4500→4000 DEF 4000→3500

"Plus, your dragon loses an additional 500 attack and defense points since you lost a trap card," Varis pointed out.

Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon ATK 4000→3500 DEF 3500→3000

"Go! Thunderclap Borrel Cannon!"

A golden sphere formed above Savage Dragon's mouth. It then launched the energy in a stream that tore through Meteorburst Dragon. Ringmaster cried out as he was knocked off his feet and collided with the altar, creating a cloud of dust.

"I activate the effect of Performapal Uni in my Graveyard!" Ringmaster declared. "By banishing it along with Inflater Tapir in my Graveyard, I can reduce the damage from this attack to 0!"

The spirits of the two Performapals appeared shielding Ringmaster from taking damage.

"Plus, since you destroyed an "Odd-Eyes" monster I controlled, Arc Pendulum Dragon's effect activates!" Ringmaster declared. "Thanks to it, I can Special Summon an "Odd-Eyes" monster from my hand, Deck or Graveyard! I choose to Special Summon a monster from my Deck! Come forth, dazzling light of salvation that shines in the darkness of despair! Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon!"

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

Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon ATK 2800 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"How interesting." Varis chuckled. "I look forward to seeing how you'll entertain me during your turn, but too bad you won't because I'm ending this right now. Borreload Dragon attacks Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon!"

A gun barrel shot out of Borreload Dragon's mouth and fired a large bullet at Saber Dragon. "Borreload Dragon's effect activates! Strange Trigger!" The bullet hit Odd-Eyes, but instead of being destroyed, the bullet burst open and sprayed an orange paste over the monster.

"What?" Ringmaster gasped, watching as his monster glitched out. "What's happening?" Odd-Eyes then disappeared but then reappeared at Borreload Dragon's left Link Arrow. "You took control of my monster?!"

"That's right," Ryoken confirmed. "If Borreload Dragon attacks your monster, I can place that monster at Borreload Dragon's Link Arrow and take control of it. And at the end of your next turn, that monster is sent to the Graveyard." Varis's eyes narrowed. "Now, face your loss at your own monster's hands! Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon attacks you directly!"

The swords extending from Odd-Eyes' back lit up, unleashing crescent-shaped waves of energy at Ringmaster.

"It will never be that easy, Varis!" Ringmaster declared. "I activate the Trap Card: Performapal Signal!" A train signal in the shape of a bowtie appeared. "This card allows me to draw one card, and if the card is a monster, I can send it to the Graveyard to negate your attack!"

Ringmaster drew and smiled in relief. "The card I drew is Performapal Bowhopper!" Showing it to Seraph, he then discarded it. "I send it to the Graveyard to negate Saber Dragon's attack!"

The train signal flashed red, and a barrier appeared around Ringmaster, blocking the armored Odd-Eyes's attack.

"Not bad. You survived…. For now," Varis said. "I activate the Spell Card: Borrel Cooldown!" The card showed an immense hangar with Borrelsword Dragon standing in one of the slots. Numerous tubes were shooting out fire extinguishing foam all over the dragon. "Since I control a "Borrel" monster, I can Tribute a monster I control to gain Life Points equal to its attack or defense points, whichever one is higher. I Tribute your Saber Dragon to gain Life Points equal to its attack points!"

Varis: 900→3700 LP

"I place one card face-down end my turn. As it's the End Phase, I'll discard Sniffer Dragon from my hand to avoid taking 3000 points of damage from Card of Variation."

Just in case Ringmaster manages to bring out a stronger monster, I have my Magic Cylinder Trap Card, which will negate his monster's attack as well as inflict damage equal to its ATK. This duel is as good as mine.

"Damn, this guy's good," Abyssio said softly. "I hate to say it, but I don't think Ringmaster has a chance at winning this duel."

"Don't say that!" Maestra yelled.

"She's right," Benmaru agreed. "Even when things seem bleak, we must continue cheering them on and believing in them."

"You're right. Come on, Ringmaster! I won't tolerate defeat! The only person who's worthy of beating you is me!" Abyssio exclaimed.

"They're right. If I can't overcome Varis, then all I've done since coming here to find Leo will be for nothing. I have to win this and move forward! My turn! I draw! "I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge! With its effect, I can draw two cards.

"You won't!" Varis interrupted. "Borreload Savage Dragon's effect activates! I remove a Borrel Counter to negate your effect!"

Ringmaster smirked. "I was hoping you'd do that." Varis's eyes widened. "I activate the effect of Performapal Block Spider in my hand to send it to my Graveyard and negate your Savage Dragon's effects!"

A spectral form of Block Spider appeared as it let out a stream of webs at the Borreload Synchro Monster, tying it up as a grey aura surrounded it.

"He used his monster's effect before Varis could use Savage's effect to negate his Spell and prevent him from getting any extra cards," Maestra noted.

"Now I free to use any effects I want, and since now my hand is empty, I can draw four cards instead of two. Ringmaster drew and then said, "With my Pendulum Scale already set, I Pendulum Summon!"

A portal appeared above Ringmaster as three beams of light emerged from it.

"Work your magic, Precision Magician!"

"Reveal the truth, Performapal Miracle Mirrorabbit!"

"And return to the stage and turn up the heat, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

Emerging from the portal was Odd-Eyes, along with a young blue-haired male magician dressed in a dark robe with a collar around the neck carrying a wooden staff and a small white rabbit wearing a suit, holding a carrot with a mirror around its face.

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7 PS: 4

Precision Magician ATK 1500 DEF 1800 LVL: 4 PS: 6

Performapal Miracle Mirrorabbit ATK 1200 DEF 1200 LVL: 4 PS: 5

Ringmaster held out his hand. "Precision Magician's effect activates! When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add a "Magician" Pendulum Monster from my Deck to my hand, but since it was Pendulum Summoned, I can add two for the price of one.

"Seriously?" Varis said.

"I add Fruit Magician and Initiate Magician to my hand!" Ringmaster stated as two cards popped out of his Duel Disk before adding them to his hand. "But Fruit Magician won't be in my hand for long because I can Special Summon it from my hand since I control a "Performapal" monster."

The female magician with long platinum blonde hair and white skin, wearing an eclectic mix of strawberry red and blueberry blue clothing with hints of lavender, appeared next to Miracle Mirrrabbit.

Fruit Magician ATK 1800 DEF 2000 LVL: 7 PS: 6

"When Fruit Magician is Special Summoned by this effect, I can draw one card." He explained as he drew his card.

Varis narrowed his eyes at them, "Two Level 7 monsters...Don't tell me…."

Ringmaster smiled and pointed at his monsters, "I now overlay my Level 7 Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Fruit Magician!" ''With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!''

Ringmaster waved his arms before a spark of blue electricity shot out of his duel disk and into the air. The spark exploded and turned into a blue X in the sky. The two monsters turned into blue particles that flew into the X, causing it to glow vibrantly. The blue X shot beams of light from each of its four corners, causing a blue cybernetic overlay network to appear. The particles of the two monsters inside the overlay network merged, causing a monster to manifest.

"Dragon with the dichromatic eyes! Unleash the relentless blizzard and entomb our enemies within an eternal prison of ice! Xyz Summon! Arise now, Rank 7! The frigid dragon which heralds the endless winter's arrival, Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon!"

A new dragon clad in armor made of ice with four crystals protruding from its back appeared on Ringmaster's field, letting loose a thunderous roar.

Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon ATK 2800 DEF 2500 RNK: 7 OU: 2

"Now it's an Xyz Monster?" Varis remarked with interest. "Not bad, Ringmaster. I have no data on you using an Xyz Monster. Perhaps you'll even prove to be a more challenging opponent ."

"If you want a challenge, here's more than you can handle!" Ringmaster declared. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Spell Textbook!" Ringmaster exclaimed. "By getting rid of all the cards in my hand, Spell Textbook lets me draw one from my Deck, and if it's a Spell Card, I get to activate it immediately!"

"That's a risky move you're making. You sure what to gamble the whole duel on one draw?" Varis asked.

"One of the many factors that make Duels so exhilarating. Plus—you should know that those who are strong enough determine their luck, Varis! Let's do this! I draw!"

Upon checking out his drawn card—Ringmaster smirked and showed it to Varis

"It looks like my gamble paid off. I drew the Spell Card: Gift of the Martyr, which means I can Tribute one monster I control and increase the attack points of another monster I control by the Tributed monster. I Tribute Revenue Magician to grant its attack points to Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon!"

Revenue Magician disintegrated as Absolute Dragon gained a golden aura, increasing its strength.

Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon ATK 2800→4300

"Not only that but since I discarded Card of Compensation and Initiate Magician through Spell Textbook's effect, I'm allowed to draw to two cards and add Life Magician to my hand. Battle! Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon, attack Borreload Dragon! "Subzero Demise!"

"While this duel has been fun, I believe it's time to end it," Varis said as he narrowed his eyes at Ringmaster. "I activate the Trap Card: Magic Cylin-!"

"Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon's effect activates!" Ringmaster announced. "By detaching one Overlay Unit, it can negate the attack of an opponent's Monster once per turn! Flash Freeze!"

Upon consuming one Overlay Unit, Absolute Dragon conjured a blizzard around it, stopping itself in its tracks.

"Why would you stop your own monster's attack?" Varis asked, curious.

"Because Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon's second effect activates!" Ringmaster continued speaking. "I can Special Summon one "Odd-Eyes" monster from my Graveyard once its first effect resumes. Revive, Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon in defense mode!"

The green-colored armored dragon reappeared on Ringmaster's field next to Absolute Dragon.

Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon: 2 OU→1 OU

"And since because Vortex Dragon was Special Summoned, one monster on your field returns to your hand. I choose Borreload Savage Dragon!"

At its master's command, the dragon generated a powerful gust that engulfedSavage Dragon, causing it to vanish from the field.

"I'll now activate Mirrorabbit's effect to give up its attack to allow Absolute Dragon to attack again! Go, Subzero Demise!"

"I activate Borreload Dragon's effect to reduce your monster's attack and defense points by 500 and prevent you from activating cards or effects in response to this effect. Go, Enemy Negation!"

Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon ATK 4300→3800 DEF 2500→2000

Absolute Dragon fired another beam of freezing light right at Borreload Dragon, who countered it with its own, but shortly was overpowered and destroyed, making Varis wince from the shockwave.

Varis: 3700→2900 LP

After recovering from the attack, Varisgestured to his field, "Since my "Borrel" monster left the field, I activate the effect of Borrel Cooldown in my Graveyard!" he declared. "I banish it and draw a card!"

Now Varis drew as Ringmaster gestured to his field. "The second attack! Vortex Dragon attacks you directly! Gale Storm Strike!"

Wind formed in Vortex's mouth before the dragon unleashed a tornado at Varis, sending him flying as he crashed into the ground.

Varis: 2900→400 LP

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Ringmaster said. "And since it's now the End Phase, Gift of the Martyr ends, and Absolute Dragon's ATK returns to normal."

Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon ATK 3800→2300

"My turn! I draw!" Varis declared. "Boot Sector Launch's effect activates! Since you control more monsters than me, I can Special Summon two "Rokket" monsters from my Graveyard."

"No, you won't!" Ringmaster abruptly stated. "I shuffle Boost Cannonball from my Extra Deck back into my Deck to negate the effect of your Field Spell and destroy it!"

Small twisters were generated at the tips of Vortex Dragon's wing panels and shot towards the Field Spell, destroying it.

"I knew you would do that," Varis said as he smirked.

"You did?" Ringmaster asked.

"Yes. Since you can only use that effect once per turn, I'm now free to use my other cards such as this one. I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise, which lets me draw until I have five cards in my hand. But during my fifth Standby Phase after activating this card, I must send my entire hand to the Graveyard."

Ringmaster narrowed his eyes. "What an annoying card."

Varis drew four cards, looked at them, then took one. I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reincarnation, which lets me add a monster from my Graveyard to my hand by discarding a card. I discard Lag Dragon to return Sniffer Dragon to my hand. And since I sent Lag Dragon to the Graveyard through a card effect, its effect resurrects itself!"

A long, serpentine dragon with sharp green eyes without any pupils. It had two blue cables for its whiskers. Its body was blue and gold-plated fins on the back. It had two clawed arms.

Lag Dragon ATK 0 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Next, I summon Sniffer Dragon!"

Another copy of the red humanoid dragon appeared.

Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"Sniffer Dragon's effect activates! I add my third Sniffer Dragon from my Deck to my hand. Now I'll manifest my circuit once again! The summoning conditions are two Dark Dragon monsters. I set Lag Dragon and Sniffer Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

His two monsters entered the bottom and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Synthborrel Dragon!"

The metallic dragon that emerged from the portal had dark orange skin with light red armor covering its legs, tail, and neck. Its tail ended in two prongs, and a gun cylinder sat in its chest. Violet holographic wings shout out of its back, and a single dark red gun barrel was attached to the top of the dragon's head. Said dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Synthborrel Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓↘

"I've never seen that card in Master Varis's Decks," Baira said.

"It may have low attack points, but it probably has powerful effects," Faust noted.

"Ringmaster better be prepared," Genome added.

"Yes, he should," Specter agreed.

"That card isn't in Revolver's records," Cypher warned. "It may have low attack points, but it probably has powerful effects. Be careful, partner."

"I activate Synthborrel Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I Special Summon a "Rokket" monster from my Graveyard to its Link Arrow with its effects negated. But I will be unable to Special Summon other monsters for the rest of the turn, except for Dragon monsters. Resurrect, Autorokket Dragon!"

The light brown metal dragon reappeared at Synthborrel Dragon's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position.

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Synthborrel Dragon's additional effect activates! By using monsters on the field as material, I can Fusion Summon a Dragon Fusion Monster!"

Ringmaster, Abyssio, Benmaru, and Maestraall gasped. "What?!"

Back in Den City...

"Fusion Summon?!" Dennis repeated.

"That's his goal?!" Cypher shouted.

"I fuse Autorokket Dragon and Synthborrel Dragon!" The monsters broke into red and blue data and swirled into a vortex. Two twisters shot upward and merged into a violet tornado.

"When the roar and anger merge, they coalesce into the source of all rage! I Fusion Summon! Borreload Furious Dragon!"

A new red and gray mechanical dragon emerged from the whirlwind. This one had violet armor parts on its legs, arms, chest barrel, and violet horns. Purple holographic wings spread out from its back. The dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Borreload Furious Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

"Varis Fusion Summoned?!" The Knights said in surprise.

"I remember hearing him talking about Fusion Summoning," Specter shared. "To think he made one…."

"Varis has a Fusion Monster?" Abyssio wondered in surprise.

"He had possession of that the entire time?" Benmaru asked.

Maestra's eyes narrowed as she looked at the dumbfounded Ringmaster. "Ringmaster…"

"Well… I didn't see that coming," Ringmaster admitted. "Still, I can use Absolute's effect to stop your monster if it attacks."

"Indeed it can," Varis agreed. "For now. I activate the Equip Spell Card: Borrel Regenerator! I Special Summon a "Rokket" monster to the field and equip it with Borrel Regenerator. Come, Anesthrokket Dragon!"

The green and yellow dragon reappeared in Defense Position.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2200 LVL: 1

"Borreload Furious Dragon's effect activates! I can target one monster I control and one card you control and destroy them both!" Ringmaster's eyes widened. "I destroy Anesthrokket Dragon and Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon! Null Borrel Fire!"

Anesthrokket Dragon reformed into an orb of light and entered Furious Dragon's chest cavity. The dragon opened its mouth and revealed a gun barrel. It fired a beam of violet energy at Ringmaster's Xyz Monster, destroying it.

"Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon's effect activates!" Ringmaster announced. "When Absolute Dragon is Xyz Summoned and is destroyed, I can Special Summon one Odd-Eyes monster from my Extra Deck!" She throws her hand over as the winds stop blowing at her face and make a small tornado. It is like she's controlling the currents. "I Special Summon Performapal Odd-Eyes Metal Claw!"

The wolf/dragon hybrid monster in armor similar to Odd-Eyes with red scales and white with sharp silver claws appeared on Ringmaster's field in the Extra Monster Zone.

Specter gritted his teeth after seeing the Fusion Monster. "I remember that monster. He used it in our duel and is probably planning on using it to defeat Master Varis, but sadly he won't."

"Since Borrel Regenerator left the field, Anesthrokket Dragon is banished," Varis said. "And since Borrel Regenerator was sent to the Graveyard because Anesthrokket Dragon was destroyed, I can draw a card!" Revolver drew and smirked. "Ringmaster! I drew the card I needed!"

The Dueltainer narrowed his eyes. "Well, that's not ominous," he said sarcastically.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Bayonet Punisher! It lets me apply a number of effects in sequence depending on the card types of "Borrel" monsters on my field and in my Graveyard. And since I control a monster with at least 3000 attack points, you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card." Varis held up a finger. "The first effect! Since I control a 'Borrel' Fusion Monster, one monster you control is banished!"

Ringmaster's eyes widened. "I banish your Metal Claw!" The Fusion Monster warped away at Varis's words.

Varis raised a finger. "The second effect! Since there is a "Borrel" Synchro Monster in my Graveyard, I can banish three random cards from your Extra Deck!" Ringmaster gasped as three of his cards disintegrated. While they were random, Ringmaster could still check his Extra Deck to see which monsters he had left. And…

His eyes widened again. "Oh no."

Varis smirked. "Judging from that reaction, it seems I was successful."

Ringmaster glared at his opponent. Three monsters had been banished. Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon… and Dark Rebellion. His Dimensional Dragons were gone.

Varis raised a third finger. "The third effect! Since there is a "Borrel" Link Monster in my Graveyard, I can banish up to three cards from your Graveyard. I banish Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Stargazer Magician, and Timegazer Magician!" Ringmaster grimaced as the cards were removed.

"Dang it," Ringmaster whined. "Not only did I lose my dragons, but now I lost the chance to Overscale Pendulum Summon too!" The onlookers' eyes all widened on hearing that Ringmaster had lost access to his strongest monster.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Altar of Restoration! By banishing the top two cards of my Deck, I'm allowed to add any card I want from my grave back to my hand. The card I choose to return is Harpie's Feather Duster, which I'll immediately activate to destroy your Spells and Traps," Varis said as a huge gust of wind headed straight towards his field.

''I activate the set Quick-Play Spell Card: Pendulum Surprise!" Ringmaster declared as the card showed an image of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon emerging from the Pendulum Zone with a powerful aura. "With this, I can Special Summon a Pendulum Monster from my Pendulum Zone! ''Join the stage, Performapal Odd-Eyes Seer!''

Emerging from the Pendulum Zone in Defense Position was the robotic priest.

Performapal Odd-Eyes Seer ATK 100 DEF 1800 LVL: 6 PS:

"You may have saved him, but your other cards are a different story," Varis stated as Harpie's Feather Duster destroyed Arc Pendulum Dragon and Ringmaster's remaining set card.

"Since a Spell Card destroyed my set card, which was Dummy Maker, I'm allowed to draw two cards," Ringmaster explained.

Varis narrowed his eyes. "Battle! Furious Dragon attacks Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon! Ferocity Borrel Cannon!"

The dragon fired a beam of energy at the Fusion Monster and made it explode. But when the smoke cleared, Ringmaster was unharmed.

"Impossible! Why didn't your Life Points change?" Varis asked.

"I activated the effect of Life Magician in my hand," Ringmaster informed him. "Whenever I take damage, I can Special Summon this card and reduce that damage to 0. Come, Life Magician in defense mode!"

A child-like magician dressed in white robes and holding a staff with a large cross on its tip appeared on the field.

Life Magician ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 3 PS: 4

"That was the card you added to your hand through Initiate Magician's effect," Varis remembered. "Well, play, Ringmaster."

"Furthermore, thanks to Life Magician's effect, my Life Points increase by the same amount of damage I would have taken," Ringmaster stated. As such, I gain 500 Life Points. Savior Radiance!"

Life Magician's staff shined a brilliant light that enveloped Ringmaster's body, giving him a sacred appearance for a moment.

"Plus, since you destroyed an "Odd-Eyes" monster I controlled, I can Tribute two other monsters to Special Summon this card." Ringmaster said before taking a card from his hand. Miracle Mirrorabbit and Initiate Magician then disappeared in a flash of light. "Come forth! The reliable attack of all your might that crushes the walls of dilemma! Odd-Eyes Lancer Dragon!"

Emerging forward is Odd-Eyes covered in a dark golden armor on its legs, arms and now having wings with three green orbs on the left side with three red orbs on the right side, each wing having bright orange floating feather bladed wings. It has some armor bits through its neck, golden armored around its blue orbs, and its forehead with a sharp-bladed nose and some on its knees surrounded by sharp-bladed ends. It also has sharp wrist blades and groin blades sticking out and the tip of its tail surrounded in the same dark golden armor.

Odd-Eyes Lancer Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Odd-Eyes Lancer Dragon's effect activates! When this card is Special Summoned, I can send an "Odd-Eyes" monster from my Deck to the Graveyard to target one of your monsters and negate its effects. I send my Performapal Odd-Eyes Light Phoenix to the Graveyard to negate Borreload Furious Dragon's effects."

Following Ringmaster's words, Furious Dragon greyed out, much to Varis's dismay.

"Don't get ahead of yourself! You survived the turn, but there's only so much you can do before your luck runs out! Before I end my turn, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Emergency Provisions! By sending my set card to the Graveyard, I gain 1000 Life Points!"

Varis: 400→1400 LP

"With that, I end my turn," Varis concluded.

"My turn! I draw!" Ringmaster shouted as he drew. "I activate the Spell Card: Pendulum Halt! Since I have at least Pendulum Monsters face-up in my Extra Deck, I can draw two cards, but in exchange, I can't add any more cards from my Deck to my hand for the rest of the turn!"

Ringmaster drew as he looked at both cards and smiled before turning to Varis. "Since you control a Special Summoned monster, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand. Come, Performapal Radish Horse!"

A bright red horse with radish leaves for a mane and tail appeared in Defense Position.

Performapal Radish Horse ATK 500 DEF 2000 LVL: 4 PS: 3

"Radish Horse's effect activates! As it was Special Summoned, I can target a monster I control and a monster you control with 2500 or more attack points. My monster then gains attack points equal to Radish Horse's while your monster loses the same amount of attack points!" Go gasped. "I target Odd-Eyes Lancer Dragon and Borreload Furious Dragon!"

Radish Horse's horn popped off and struck Furious Dragon, making it groan.

Odd-Eyes Lancer Dragon ATK 3000→3500

Borreload Furious Dragon ATK 3000→2500

"Battle! Odd-Eyes Lancer attacks Borreload Furious Dragon!"

Following its command, Lancer Dragon charged forward and quickly slashed through Furious Dragon, destroying it with a slash of its blade and sending Varis skidding backwards.

Varis: 1400→400 LP

"He's almost down. Ringmaster is close to winning," Benmaru said.

"He would've won this turn if he had summoned Radish Horse in Attack Position," Abyssio pointed out.

"Even so, seeing how skilled a duelist Varis is, it's safe to play defense a bit," Maestra stated. "So let's just put our trust in him and hope he wins in the end."

Ringmaster two the last two cards in his hand. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

Varis narrowed his eyes at Ringmaster. "I have to say, Ringmaster. When I first saw you duel and introduced Pendulum Summoning, I knew right at the very moment I had to duel you."

"Thanks... I guess," Ringmaster said,

But…" He smirked. "That doesn't mean I wanted to duel you just for fun but to get to know who you are as both a duelist and individual. And now is the time to see whether you're a friend or foe. My turn! I draw!" Varis shouted with a determined tone as he drew. "I activate the Spell Card: Spell Rewind! By banishing one Normal Spell Card from my Graveyard, I can add a different Normal Spell Card to my hand. I banish Emergency Recharge and add Card of Demise to my hand, which I'll now activate to draw until I'm holding five cards in my hand!"

After drawing four more cards, Varis gestured to his field. "I activate Background Dragon's effect from the Graveyard! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Background Dragon and one Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand in Defense Position. Come, Background Dragon and Sniffer Dragon!"

Another copy of Sniffer Dragon appeared alongside a large dragon in orange and yellow armor.

Background Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"Next, I summon Hibernation Dragon!"

A bizarre-looking mechanical dragon with blue-colored energy wings appeared in Attack Position.

Hibernation Dragon ATK 600 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Hibernation Dragon's effect activates upon Normal or Special Summon, letting me return a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my Graveyard to my hand," Varis explained. "I return Hammer Dragon to my hand, which I'll then use its effect to Special Summon itself since I control a Dragon-Type monster!"

The bipedal dragon with black scales, wearing dark-blue armor, and having a hammer-shaped object attached to its head and the end of its tail, appeared with a roar.

Hammer Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"Manifest, my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared in the sky above Varis. "The summoning conditions are two or more effect monsters! I'll set Background Dragon, Hibernation Dragon, Hammer Dragon, and Sniffer Dragon into the Link Arrows!"

Varis's monsters entered the top-left, top-right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows.

"The evolution of the universe transforms nothing into the infinite! I Link Summon! Link-4 Topologic Zeroboros!"

Varis called forth a white metal dragon-like creature with light blue lining, orbs and spikes across its trefoil knot tail. The armor has some pink and golden cords and claws and horns. It has thin black armored for the arms and most of the chest. The chest has a light blue diamond crystal and a faceless light blue orb eye with sharp fangs.

Topologic Zeroboros ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↖↙↗↘

"Come on! Another Topologic?!" Abyssio called at seeing Zeroboros, who took the Right Extra Monster Zone.

"It has 3000 ATK Points". Benmaru stated with narrowed eyes, pointing out its high ATK Points.

"Here it comes''. Maestra muttered as she prayed for Ringmaster to be prepared for what was about to come.

Varis then gestured towards Zeroboros. "Thanks to Topologic Zeroboros's effect, it gains 200 attack points for every banished card. Since there's thirteen, that's 2600 ATK Points!"

Topologic Zeroboros ATK 3000→5600

"Over 5000 ATK?!" Ringmaster gasped.

"Topologic Zeroboros, attack Odd-Eyes Lancer Dragon! Malicious Destruction!"

Zeroboros roared as it fired orange beams from its wings at Lancer Dragon.

"I activate the Trap Card: Wall of Disruption!" Ringmaster declared. "All monsters you control in Attack Position lose 800 attack points for each monster you control. As you only control one, Zeroboros loses 800 attack points!"

Topologic Zeroboros ATK 5600→4800

"My monster's still strong enough to destroy your monster and rid the rest of your Life Points!" Varis exclaimed.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Emergency Provisions! By sending Wall of Disruption while its effect is still active to the Graveyard, I gain 1000 Life Points!"

Ringmaster: 1100→2100 LP

"You might have saved yourself from losing, but not your monster from being destroyed!"

Zeroboros's attack connected with Lancer Dragon, destroying it and causing an explosion. Ringmaster cried out as he was hit by a powerful shockwave, knocking him back as he crashed into a nearby building. Abyssio, Benmaru, and Maestra all cried out as well as the shockwave rolled throughout the area, shattering a few windows. Ringmaster groaned from his position when the shockwave subsided as he freed himself from the debris.

Ringmaster: 2100→300 LP

"All hail the mighty Ringmaster, now reduced to a shell of his former self!"

Everyone turned to see the comment came from Specter as he and his fellow Knights jeered upon seeing Ringmaster's state.

"How the mighty have fallen. Looks like Master Varis has finally knocked the bravado out of him? If that's the case, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed," Genome said.

"Oh, don't be too harsh on him now, Genome." Faust let out a mocking smile. "After all, he made a mistake by accepting Varis's challenge."

"Indeed," Baira smirked. "But hey, there's a silver lining to all this. After Master Varis wins on his next turn, we'll get all the answers and information we need from him, including the others over there."

"I don't think so!"

Everyone gasped as they narrowed their eyes at Ringmaster.

Ringmaster braced his hands against the ground and pushed himself up, his head swimming. I can't lose now, he thought. I came to this dimension to find and rescue Declan's father. If I lose now, then it would be all for nothing. I managed to surpass my limits and become a better duelist, and I know that I can do it again and win this duel to get the answers I've been looking for!

As the dueltainer shakily got to his feet, Varis looked disappointed. "So you still desire to fight," he said. "It's pointless. In your situation, all you can do is lose."

"No!" Ringmaster said, glaring at Varis as he finally stood up straight. "I won't lose! I made a promise. A promise that I must not break." He narrowed his eyes. "I promised to rescue someone beloved to a close friend of mine. I won't forgive myself if I lose to you after working so hard!"

"Well, let's see if your resole is strong enough to help you win. "I activate the effect of Defrag Dragon in the Graveyard!" Varis continued. "By banishing three monsters with the same name from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Defrag Dragon. I banish three Sniffer Dragons!"

The red-and-black dragon reappeared at Zeroboros's bottom-left Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Defrag Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

''With that, I'm set," Varis said, causing Ringmaster to raise an eyebrow. He now reveals firmly. ''I activate Zeroboros's effect! When a monster is Special Summoned to a Zone a Link Monster points to, all cards on the field are banished.''

''What?!'' Ringmaster and his friends yelled out.

Immediately an orange light forms underneath all three fields, becoming a large circle symbol with a primary diagram in the middle. Varis then smirked as he commands his monster to use its effect by clinching his right fist. ''Field Eradication!''

The symbol glows rapidly underneath them, and all cards begin to banish themselves. Soon the symbol vanishes altogether.

"All the cards on the field…. Are gone," Ringmaster muttered.

"I set two cards face-down and activate the Continuous Spell Card: Prohibition, and I select Arc-Eyes Pendulum Dragon as my target," Varis stated as a sign appeared on Ringmaster's side reading "Arc-Eyes Pendulum Dragon" across it. "Now, as long as this card remains on the field, you can't play Arc-Eyes Pendulum Dragon."

Ringmaster's eyes widened. "No."

"I end my turn," Varis concluded.

Go ahead and take your turn, Ringmaster, Varis thought. My face-down Trap Card is Mirror Force, which will destroy all your Attack Position monsters when you declare an attack. And just in case you manage to destroy my back row, my other set card; Reverse Engineering can banish itself to reset Mirror Force back on my field and let me activate it. There's no way you can win.

"You have no field! How do you plan to turn it around?''

"By believing in myself and my Deck," Ringmaster replied as he placed his fingers on the top of his Deck. "The fun has just begun!" Ringmaster announced. "It's my turn! I draw!"

As he drew his card, Ringmaster's Pendulum shone briefly. Much to his surprise, the obscure figure of a dragon appeared before him, let out a resonant howl before vanishing. Upon checking his drawn card, Ringmaster smiled.

''I activate the effect of Topologic Zeroboros!'' Varis announces, catching Ringmaster's attention. ''During the Standby Phase, when it used its effect to banish itself, I can Special Summon it back to my field. ''Revive from nothingness, Topologic Zeroboros!''

Emerging from thin air is Zeroboros, letting out a screeching roar.

Topologic Zeroboros ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↖↙↗↘

The part that most surprised Ringmaster was the zone Zeroboros was in, the middle of the Main Monster Zone. He grits his teeth. ''I can't believe it… you….''

Varis, scoffing, is impressed he saw through that and tells him. ''I've prevented you from using your Extra Monster Zone. In addition, Zeroboros gains 200 for each banished card.''

"How many cards are currently banished?" Abyssio asked.

"I'm not too sure," Benmaru answered.

"Well, there were thirteen cards banished when Zeroboros was summoned, plus the five that were banished equals eighteen, meaning it gains 3600 attack points," Maestra concluded.

Topologic Zeroboros ATK 3000→6600

''You can't win,'' Varis told the dueltainer firmly, but Ringmaster smiled as he held out both his arms.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" he exclaimed. "As you can see, once again, I'm one direct attack away from defeat. I'm also facing Varis, who may or may not be the leader of the Arbiters. However, don't despair just yet! The time for a reversal and victory is here!"

"Yuya just announced his intent to claim victory in this turn," Dennis noted with evident excitement amidst the audience's cheers.

"How exciting. Let's see how he intends to pull this off."

"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! That's four!"

Ringmaster then drew four new cards and smiled after seeing them.

"So, did you get the cards you wanted?" Varis asked with a smirk.

"Indeed I did, and they'll be the key to my victory," he answered. "I activate the effect of Performapal Browser Hippo in my hand! When it's added to my hand through an effect, I can Special Summon it!"

A digital cybernetic version of Hip Hippo appeared on Ringmaster's field in Attack Position.

Performapal Browser Hippo: ATK 800 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Next, I summon Performapal Friendonkey!"

A blue gray-skinned donkey with boxes decorated with a star on its saddle and a green and pink bowtie appeared next to Browser Hippo.

Performapal Friendonkey ATK 1600 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"And now that Friendonkey has joined the show, he's allowed to bring along another Performapal friend from either my hand or Graveyard!" Ringmaster continued as a card exited out from his Graveyard slot, and he laid it on his Duel Disk, "So making a comeback is Performapal Bot-Eyes Lizard!"

The purple-skinned lizard reappeared next to Friendonkey.

Performapal Bot-Eyes Lizard ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Bot Eyes Lizard's effect activates! Since he was summoned, I can declare the name of an "Odd-Eyes" monster and treat him as that monster! I declare Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

Just like before, Bot-Eyes's form changed to that of his Ringmaster's ace monster.

"Then, I activate the effect of Performapal Odd-Eyes Bonding Trapeze in my hand! If a "Performapal", "Odd-Eyes", or "Magician" monster I control would be used as material for the Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Summon Summon of a monster, I can also use this card from my hand as Link Material as well!"

Everyone else gasped as a monster that resembled a young Performage Trapeze Magician but with a white outfit with a yellow star design, green puffy wrist bands, a choker and a red crimson cape. He wielded a dual-colored staff that resembles an orb to that of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon as it appeared on Ringmaster's field as a Link Portal appeared above him.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more monsters, including a "Pendulum Dragon" monster. I set Friendonkey, Browser Hippo, Bonding Trapeze and Bot-Eyes who's treated as Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

Ringmaster's monsters became whirlwinds of energy as they entered the left, top, bottom, and right arrows, turning them red.

"Dragon with wondrous dual-colored eyes, evolve to the next generation and possibilities! Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Odd-Eyes Link Dragon!"

Shattering through the Link Portal is Odd-Eyes, its body changed to resemble the colors of the Link Board. It's cybernetic blue with white lining across its body, its body more fit and cybernetic like a jet plane. Odd-Eyes gains a pair of energy engine wings and jet rocket dragon feet, and the orb on its chest is more fit with a Pendulum Shard behind it glowing like a light beacon. Its claws are sharper and its fangs while the rest of Odd-Eyes like its head and orbs across its body.

Odd-Eyes Link Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↑↓→ PS: 0

Varis stared at the majestic monster. "What… what is this? This feeling… I've never felt anything like this before…." Unlike his former rival, Playmaker, he didn't have a Link Sense. But even he could feel the power and authority that Odd-Eyes Link Dragon radiated.

"…Holy cow," Abyssio breathed, staring at the monster, his and Benmaru's mouths both wide open in shock. "I… I didn't know Ringmaster had a monster like this."

"A Link Pendulum Monster…I didn't even think such a monster could exist," Maestra muttered. Being in its presence, Odd-Eyes Link Dragon made her feel many things. Awe at its majesty, shock at its beauty, intimidated by its power.

Similar thoughts went through Varis's mind as he took a few steps back from the Link-4monster. Ringmaster was likewise awed by his monster, but he was standing still, processing what he had done.

"…Amazing," Varis finally said. "Simply amazing, Ringmaster. Until now, I have never seen, nor have I even heard of, a Link Pendulum Monster monster. If nothing else, you have made dueling history. But Zeroboros's effect activates! Since you foolishly summoned a monster next to a Link Monster's Link Arrow, all cards on the field are banished! Field Eradication!" Varis called out as Zeroboros began to gather energy.

"No, they won't! I activate Performapal LadyBUG's effect from my hand!" Ringmaster declared. "When you activate a monster effect, I can Special Summon this card and negate the effects of all your monsters!"

A humanoid ladybug monster in a dark red dress, wearing a pink bow and a green hat with two antennas on top, appeared on Ringmaster's field next to Odd-Eyes' bottom Link Arrow as Zeroboros was covered in a white aura, causing it to lose the energy it had gathered.

Performapal LadyBUG: ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 4

Topologic Zeroboros ATK 6600→3000

"Battle! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, attack Spiral Flame Link Strike!"

"Following Ringmaster's command, Odd-Eyes' spread its wings, the orbs around its body produced white electrical circles that starting to form white spiraling energy sphere.

"I activate Odd-Eyes Link Dragon's effect!" Ringmaster bellowed. "During the Battle Phase, at the cost of halving any battle damage you take this turn, I can double the attack points of all monsters next to Odd-Eyes Link Dragons Link Arrows! Link Reaction Force!"

The orbs or Odd-Eyes' body began to glow blue before it turned around a fired a beam at LadyBUG as it glowed, increasing its strength.

Performapal LadyBUG ATK 1200→2400

"Then Odd-Eyes gains attack points equal to half of LadyBUG's current attack points!"

Odd-Eyes Link Dragon ATK 3000→4200

"Yes!" Abyssio cheered. "Now Odd-Eyes is stronger than Zeroboros!"

"Varis only has 400 Life Points left," Benmaru said. "Even if the damage is cut in half, it's still enough to beat him."

"It doesn't matter what he does," Maestra said. "Ringmaster wins."

"This can't be!" The Knights said in unison

"Go, Spiral Link Flame Strike!"

Odd-Eyes' dichromatic eyes glinted as it aimed the white energy sphere it charged up earlier at Zeroboros before absorbing it into its body as it then opened its maw and released a stream of blue flames at the Topologic Link Monster.

Varis smirked. "This duel is over, Ringmaster!" he said. "I activate the Trap Card: Mirror Force!"

"Oh no!" Maestra, Benmaru, Abyssio shrieked along with Dennis and Sora in the real world.

"Since you declared an attack, this card destroys all your Attack Position monsters!" Varis said. "Say goodbye to all your monsters!"

A blast of powerful energy shot from the card, right at Odd-Eyes Link Dragon. The blast hit Odd-Eyes's hands, pushing it back. But to almost everyone's surprise, it wasn't destroyed.

"What?" Varis said in surprise. "What's happening?"

"Odd-Eyes Link Dragon's additional effect," Ringmaster revealed. "The turn it's Link Summoned, it and the monsters it points to can't be destroyed or targeted by your card effects.."

"What?" Varis said again, his eyes widening. The blue flames suddenly increased in power, pushing the energy from Mirror Force back before blasting straight through Zertoboros.

Varis stared at his monster's destruction before narrowing his eyes at Ringmaster. He then smiled. "Well done, Ringmaster."

Shockwaves from the attack lashed out, throwing lots of debris around. A piece of rock came up and struck Varis's visor, cracking it again. The crack spread, tearing apart the glass. The blue blast broke through Zeroboros's body and consumed it as the attack continued to the monster's master as he closed his eyes.

Varis: 400→0 LP

"Amazing," Benmaru breathed.

Abyssio smiled. "He won. Ringmaster won!"

A small smile crossed Maestra's face. "Yes. He did."

The trio was then free from the orbs encasing them before running up to Ringmaster, who struggled to stand up. "Ringmaster," Maestra whispers, taking his right side. She frowns on seeing his hand but says nothing and takes his right arm. Benmaru takes the left arm. As gently as possible, they help him to his feet.

"I…" "I'm… I'm okay." Ringmaster said

He lightly frees his arms from his friends and takes a step forward. He stumbles, and Maestra and Benmaru reach out, but he holds up one hand to stop them. He takes another unsteady step forward and then another before stopping and leaning over, placing his hands on his knees.

"That… That was intense," Ringmaster said.

"You said it, man," Abyssio said. "Still… you won."

"Yes. You did."

The four humans turned to see Varis, and the Knights approached them. His avatar is as tattered as Ringmaster is, the glass in his visor completely shattered. Only the band itself remains.

"…I fought with everything I had," he said. "ut you won fair and square. I haven't had a duel that ever since my last one with Playmaker."

"Wait, you dueled Playmaker?" Ringmaster asked, surprised.

"Of course you. You know him?"

"I've heard of him," Ringmaster answered. "I heard he was the strongest duelist in LINK VRAINS, but just suddenly left one day. If he ever does return, I would the honor of dueling him myself, wanting to see his skills in action."

"Well, I can assure you he's quite the opponent," Varis said. "You may have beaten me, but I don't think it's possible you can beat him."

"We'll see about that."

"Guess we will. But I do have one question to ask though."

"What is it?"

Varis' eyes narrowed as he frowned. "After our duel, was it enough to motivate you to better yourself?"

"…Yes," Ringmaster answered softly. "Every time I've been in a tough situation during a duel, I've always managed to pull through by bringing out a brand new monster, and it helped me achieve victory in the seen."

"…I see," Varis said. "The Arbiter's leader strength is unknown. But I bet he holds a power that no one else holds.

"No doubt," Ringmaster said. "So what happens now between you and me?"

"Well, first, I would like to know more about you, where you came from, and how did you obtain Pendulum Summoning?" Varis replied.

"…I suppose you deserve an answer," Ringmaster admitted. "In case my allies and I fail to rescue Leo, we might have to rely on you to finish the job if you're willing to help us."

"We're happy to help any way we can," Varis replied.

"Good. Now listen very carefully. Cause what I'm about to tell is both complicated and complex," Ringmaster said as he began telling Varis and the Knights about his and his friends' origins.

And that's Chapter 25. Hope you guys enjoyed the Ringmaster and Varis duel. Thanks to DragonKnight15 for creating Bonding Trapeze and Odd-Eyes Link Dragon and SakushiRyu for letting me use some of his OC cards for Varis. I finished this two days ago but wanted to post it today because it's my 21st birthday. Next week, Varis wants to test Yuya's allies' strength, so he'll have Specter and Pandor duel two of the Lancers. Let me know which of the Lancers you want to see the duel. As always, follow, favorite, review, and don't be afraid to send me a PM. See you guys next week. Let me know what you guys thought of the duel in the reviews.

OC Card Memo:

Initiate Magician

ATK: 1000, DEF: 600, LV: 2

Dark/Spellcaster/Effect

Monster Effect: If this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can add 1 "Magician" Pendulum Monster from your Deck to your hand.

Life Magician

ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 3, SC: 4

Dark/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect

Pendulum Effect: You can destroy this card in your Pendulum Zone; gain 400 Life Points for each face-up Pendulum Monster in your Extra Deck.

Monster Effect: If you take damage, you can special summon this card from your hand, then reduce the damage to 0 and gain an equal amount of Life Points.

Precision Magician

(LV: 4, Spellcaster, LIGHT, ATK: 1500, DEF: 1800, PS: 6)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, if your Pendulum Monster leaves the field: Draw a card.

Monster Effect: Once per turn, if this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Magician" Pendulum Monster from your Deck to your hand. If this card is Pendulum Summoned: add two instead.

Performapal Security Jackal

(LV: 3, Beast, DARK, Tuner, ATK: 1500, DEF: 600)

Monster Effect: If you control a "Performapal", "Odd-Eyes", or "Magician" monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand or Graveyard. When this card is summoned from the Graveyard using this effect, banish it when it leaves the field. Once per turn, if this card is attacked, you can change the attacking monster into a defense position.

Performapal Browser Hippo

ATK: 800, DEF: 800, LV: 3

Earth/Cyberse/Effect

Monster Effect: If this card is added to your hand, except by drawing it: You can Special Summon it from your hand. You can only use this effect of "Performapal Browser Hippo" once per turn. A Cyberse Link Monster that was Link Summoned using this card as a material cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Performapal Boost Cannonball

ATK: 0, DEF: 1000, LV: 2, SC: 5

Dark/Warrior/Pendulum/Effect

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, you can send a Pendulum card in your other Pendulum Zone to the Graveyard; inflict damage to your opponent equal to that card's Scale Value x 200. You cannot Pendulum Summon on the turn you activated this effect.

Monster Effect: Once per turn, you can send the top card of your Deck to the Graveyard. If that card is a "Performapal" monster, your opponent receives damage equal to its Level x 200. If it's any other card, take 1000 points of damage. During the End Phase, you can draw two cards from your Deck if you inflicted damage to your opponent by using this card's effect. You can only use this effect once per Duel.

Performapal LadyBUG

ATK: 1200, DEF: 800, LV: 4, SC: 8

Earth/Cyberse/Pendulum/Effect

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: You can negate the effects of 1 other face-up card on the field, then destroy this card.

Monster Effect: When your opponent activates a monster effect (Quick Effect): You can negate the effects of all face-up monsters your opponent currently controls, then Special Summon this card from your hand. You can only use this effect of "Performapal LadyBUG" once per turn.

Performapal Odd-Eyes Tiger

ATK: 1700, DEF: 800, LV: 4, SC: 2

Dark/Beast/Pendulum/Effect

Pendulum Effect: When an "Odd-Eyes" monster you control declares an attack, you can destroy the card in your other Pendulum Zone; increase the attacking Monster's ATK by an amount equal to the destroyed Monster's ATK until the End Phase.

Monster Effect: You can banish this card from your field, Extra Deck or Graveyard; increase the ATK of an "Odd-Eyes" monster on your field by 300 for every "Odd-Eyes" card on the field and have it gain the following effect.

• Once per turn, when it battles an opponent's Monster, you can release another "Odd-Eyes" Monster on your field; add its ATK to this card's ATK for that battle only.

Performapal Odd-Eyes Bonding Trapeze- Level 4, ATK: 1200, DEF: 1000, ATT: LIGHT, Type: Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect, PS: 1/1

Pendulum Effect: You take no damage if the amount is more than or equal to the highest ATK Pendulum Monster you control. Once per turn: target one monster you control, and it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase this turn. Destroy this card during the End Phase.

Effect: If a "Performapal" or "Odd-Eyes" monster, and/or a "Magician" Pendulum Monster(s) you control would be used as material for a Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Summon: this card in your hand can be used as material. If this card is sent to the GY as material for a Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Summon of a "Performapal" or "Odd-Eyes" monster and/or a "Magician" Pendulum Monster; your opponent cannot response to the summoned of that monster and then place this card in your Pendulum Zone. You can only use each effect of "Performapal Odd-Eyes Bonding Trapeze" once per turn.

Odd-Eyes Link Dragon- LINK-4, ATK: 3000, ATT: DARK, Type: Dragon/Link/Pendulum/Effect, PS: 0/0, Arrows: Top, Bottom-Left, Bottom, Bottom-Right

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: You can declare a number between 1 to 10; change this card's Pendulum Scale by that number until the end of this turn. If a Dragon Pendulum Monster would leave the field by a card effect, destroy this card instead. You can only use each "Odd-Eyes Link Dragon" effect once per turn.

Effect: 2+ Monsters, including a Pendulum Dragon Monster

If this card is Link Summoned: You can conduct 1 Pendulum Summon of a monster(s) in addition to your Pendulum Summon. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.) This card and monsters you control that this card points to can't be destroyed or targeted by your opponent's card effects. During the Battle Phase (Quick Effect): Double the ATK of all other monsters you control that this card points to, and this card gains half of the total ATK of all monsters this card points to. Your opponent only takes half the damage the turn you use this effect. If this card in the Monster Zone is destroyed: You can place this card in your Pendulum Zone.

Space-Time Revision

Normal Spell Card

If "Stargazer Magician" and "Timegazer Magician" are in your hand, on your field or in your Extra Deck, you can send them to the Graveyard to draw six cards from your Deck.

*Pendulum Surprise- Type: Quick-Play Spell Card

Effect: Target 1 card in either player's Pendulum Zones; Special Summon it to your field, but it is destroyed during the End Phase. You can only activate each effect of ''Pendulum Surprise'' once per turn.

Performapal Daring Escape

Normal Trap Card

Banish a face-up "Performapal" Pendulum Monster from your Extra Deck. For the rest of this turn, all damage you receive is reduced to 0.

- Hammer Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 1000/DEF: 600/LV: 3)

If you control a Dragon Monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). During your Standby Phase, if you control a Dragon Link Monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your GY) but banish it the next time it is sent to the GY. You can only use each "Hammer Dragon" effect once per turn.

- Lag Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 1200/LV: 4)

When this card is sent to the graveyard by a card effect, Special Summon it. You can only use this effect once per turn.

Synthborrel Dragon

Attribute: DARK Type: [Dragon/Link/Effect] ATK 1200 LINK-2 Link Markers: Bottom, Bottom-Right

You can target 1 "Rokket" monster in your GY; Special Summon it to your zone this card points to with its effects negated, also you cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except Dragon monsters. During your Main Phase: You can Fusion Summon 1 Dragon Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your field as Fusion Material. You can only use each "Synthborrel Dragon" effect once per turn. If your Fusion Monster is destroyed, you can banish this card from your GY instead.

Borrel Cooldown Normal Spell Card

If you control a "Borrel" monster: Tribute 1 monster you control; gain LP equal to its ATK or DEF, whichever is higher. If your "Borrel" monster leaves the field (Quick Effect): You can banish this card from your GY; draw one card. You can only use one effect of "Borrel Cooldown" per turn and only once that turn.

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