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.

36. Changing Teams

Thank you, everyone, for reading and reviewing Chapter 35. At the end of this chapter, I'll be doing a poll on who you want to duel for the next chapter. With that out of the way, enjoy Chapter 36.

In LINK VRAINS…

Playmaker and Ringmaster watched as the winds surrounding them started to fade, making them take notice of a purple sky that occasionally glitched and had several diamond-shaped constructs floating around instead of clouds. They also acted as platforms, mainly housing four biomes of different sizes: a deserted canyon, an overgrown forest, a flaming wasteland with boiling lava, and a frozen canyon. Each platform was connected by a futuristic highway, leading to a large platform with a villa on top of it.

"That must be where Roget is," Ringmaster noted.

"No doubt about it," Playmaker said. "I was a little afraid that when you activated your Trap Card to end the duel in a draw, it would be the end for both of us up. But instead of our consciousness data being absorbed like Gore, we were sparred."

"Guess Roget didn't take into account that we might end our duels in a draw if necessary," Ringmaster said. "Hopefully, the others don't have to resort to that option."

"Even if they do, it will at least prevent them from being erased," Playmaker pointed out. "We just have to defeat Roget first and rescue your friend's father as well."

"True. But before we do that, we should find the others and regroup."

"Good idea. But where do we start? There are multiple different biomes, and how do we know they're in the one we go to?

"The only option we have is to try and hope for the best," Ringmaster replied.

"Very well."

The duo then ran and jumped off the edge, summoned their D-Boards, and rode down towards the grassland biome.

Elsewhere…

The sound of a fist punching a table resounded in a room, followed by the grinding of teeth together, to the point one would grow concerned their owner's about to crack them. The person in question, Roget, glared at the monitors in front of him as a bead of sweat ran down his cheek.

"Why... why!?" he abruptly screamed in frustration, his eyes focusing on Playmaker and Ringmaster running towards a forest biome. "How did he break free from my control!? Why wasn't Yuya Sakaki defeated!? Why!?"

He lowered his head a little, now staring at the feed with a concerned look. "Someone from the outside must've helped him." he thought. "That kid has no hacking experience to boast about, which applies to his comrades as well. Playmaker WAS the hacker, to begin with! That's right, an accomplice of Playmaker must've helped him...!"

His eyes narrowed as he noticed Maestra, who was also running towards the forest. "There's no time to waste," he muttered to himself and regained his composure. Indeed, there's no time to worry about the details; he must continue looking forward and playing his pieces correctly. "We mustn't let them regroup and regain hope."

"Sir, if I may." someone behind him suddenly spoke up, stepping forward and crouching down on one knee. He was a young man in complete thick armor covering his entire body. It was colored red and silver, with grey horns on the sides of the helm, like a bull. Said helm ends up concealing his identity as well.

"What is it, Mordred?" Roget turned around, crossing his arms behind his back.

The knight nodded, "Sir, allow me to be of use to you." he raised his head slightly, glaring at the feed showing Ringmaster. "Now that I've seen their battle tactics, I can counter them. I'll take care of Playmaker and the friend of that damned Abyssio, and make them realize their own impotence."

"He lost to Sylvio if I recall correctly. He's deeply motivated by that." Roget thought. He smiled; yes, this could work. "Very well. Maestra is also headed that way, so Mordred... make sure to stay true to your words."

"I vow it on my name, sir!" the knight nodded.

"Good. Ah, but make sure to take them down one at a time." Roget pointed out. "For that end, I'll seal you and your opponent into a dome so no one will interfere."

"Thank you, sir." Mordred nodded again and teleported away.

Roget narrowed his eyes back towards the screen. "That's right. Keep believing you have a chance. Because in the end, I will emerge the victor," Roget said as he watched Playmaker and Ringmaster riding towards one of the biomes. "But don't worry, my good friends, I'll spare the two of you for now since I have other matters to attend to. Such as those two troublesome pests who gave Ringmaster the program to free Playmaker."

Roget pressed a button as he a screen pulled up Varis and Spectre. "If I recall, the one with the helmet is named Varis, who is the leader of the Knights of Hanoi, and the one next to him is Spectre. He's also known as his right-hand man. If something happened to him, it would anger Varis tenfold. Luckily, I have just the idea to make that happen."

Meanwhile, in the volcanic bio…

"After today, I don't want to see another virtual volcano or lava pit for as long as I live," Darius said, frustrated.

"That's weird coming from you. Since your entire Deck is based on creatures of the underworld, your favorite Action Field had volcanoes and lava pits," Zero pointed out.

"Potato, Potahto," Darius rebutted. "So, what do you plan on doing to Roget after we beat him?"

"Simple. I plan on having me and my father lock him away in a special cell, where they'll be no way of escaping," Zero answered. "That way, he's prevented from invading and conquering any dimensions."

"Sounds like something you would do. It also fits well Roget very well. Having others do his dirty work while he hides way, all scared."

"An interesting theory, Darius," Roget said with an amused look. "But as usual, you're wrong. And for being wrong, you deserve a punishment. After all, knowing your past, it's how you would've punished your so-called comrade for beating you all those years ago."

Roget pressed a button on his control panel

Back in the volcanic biome…

"Zero, look!" Darius pointed to a door in the middle of the path. "Probably leads to one of the other biomes." He ran to it.

Zero narrowed his eyes. This seems too good to be true, he thought. It must be a trap.

"Darius, wait!" Zero called back but was too late as Darius had already opened the door and was blinded by a flash of light.

When his eyes finally re-focused, he saw that the door had disappeared and Darius was no longer there. He gritted his teeth then said, "Roget… what are you planning to do with Darius?"

In the unknown area...

"Uggghh," was all Darius could say as he opened his eyes. He noticed he was in a dark room with glowings lines on the wall.

"About time you woke up."

Darius knew that voice. When he looked across from where he was, he found, reading a book.

"I was hoping to get Zero as well so he can see you suffer, but this will suffice," Roget commented as he closed his book.

"So it was you who made that door appear?" Darius said. "And what exactly do you mean to see me suffer?"

"You'll understand soon," Roget said. "However, I'd like to do things the easy way first. So here's the deal, I would like for you and me to work together to crush the Lancers as well as the Knights of Hanoi. What do I say?"

"What do I say? I say heck no!" Darius retorted. "Why would I ever work with a madman like you!?"

"Simple. We both despised Zero, or should I say Declan Akaba?" Roget replied. "If the two of us work together, we'd both have our revenge on him."

Darius smirked. "You're right about me having my revenge against Declan for beating me when we were kids, but I rather win against him fair and square, instead of taking the easy and sneaky way like you," he stated, "So once again, I'm going to have to decline your offer?"

Roget frowned as he narrowed his eyes at Darius. I see. Guess I'll have to do things the hard way then. Tell you what, the two of us will duel and if you win, not only will I set you and everyone else free, but I'll happily return Leo and Gore as well."

"How do I know you won't go against your word?" Darius asked.

"If there's one thing I am, it's a man of my word," Roget replied.

"Uh-huh. And what should happen if I lose?"

"Oh, you'll see. Do you accept my challenge?"

"Fine!" Darius said, looking at Roget. "I accept your challenge!" He then raised a purple and black Duel Disk.

"That's a good attitude," Roget chuckled as he activated a green and violet Duel Disk with a purple blade.

"Duel!" Roget and Darius declared.

Roget: 4000 LP

Darius: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," Roget stated. "I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization, sending two copies of Ancient Gear from my hand to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon."

Two small monsters whose upper bodies wear made of a large gear combined with smaller ones, with two small metal arms, appeared on Roget's field before disintegrating into red and blue particles and swirled into a vortex before shooting upwards as tornados. The two tornados merged into a single violet twister.

"Utilizing my vast combat experience along with my superior tactical intellect, I will reconfigure my pair of mechanized warriors into a devastating war machine! I Fusion Summon! Ancient Gear Howitzer!"

A winged, mechanical monster with two large gears with three cannons extending from them attached to its hands appeared on Roget's field in the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Ancient Gear Howitzer ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 8

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Ancient Gear Magic Shield, equipping it to Antique Gear Devil." Roget continued as a large shield that conjured an energy barrier appeared before his monster. "Thanks to its effect, Howitzer's defense points increase by 1200, and it cannot be destroyed by battle."

Ancient Gear Howitzer DEF 1800→3000

"In addition, when Antique Gear Howitzer is equipped with an Equip Card, it's unaffected by my opponent's card effects. Next, I activate Ancient Gear Howitzer's effect. Once per turn, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to my opponent for every Spell Card on my field. Since there is only one such card on my field, you'll receive 1000 points of damage."

The cannons attached to Howitzer targeted Darius, unleashing a barrage of blasts that bombarded his body and caused him to grunt in pain.

Darius: 4000→3000 LP

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

"My turn!" Darius exclaimed. "I draw! You've got a pretty solid defense there, former Director. However, I will tear it to pieces and you along with it! I heard that you were responsible for the harsh conditions the Commons had to endure, and you made quite a mess of the Synchro Dimension. For that, my demons will surely punish you. I activate the Spell Card: Pre-Preparation of Rites!" Persephone declared. "This card lets me add one Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. Then, I can add a Ritual Monster listed on that Ritual Spell Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. From my Deck, I add Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss and Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss to my hand."

Roget raised an eyebrow. "Ritual…" he muttered. "I didn't know he excelled in that summoning method as well…."

"Next, I summon Tour Guide From the Underworld!"

A red-haired woman wearing a blue suit and carrying a black purse with skull-and-crossbones appeared.

Tour Guide From the Underworld ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"Tour Guide's effect activated! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 3 Fiend monster from my hand or Deck with its effects negated. From my Deck, I summon Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

A winged fiend with no arms and long white hair appeared in Attack Position.

Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1900 LVL: 3

"Normally, "Burning Abyss" monsters destroy themselves if I control a monster that is not a "Burning Abyss" monster," Darius said. "But because Farfa's effects are negated, it won't be destroyed." He pointed upwards. "Appear! The circuit of the underworld!" The Link Portal appeared above him. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Level 3 monsters. I set Farfa and Tour Guide in the Link Arrows!"

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

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss!"

A dark armored monster emerged from the portal. It had the head of an ox, the head of a lion, and the head of a redheaded woman on its chest and had wings both on its back and crossed over its chest. It wielded a red curving sword in its left hand, which lit on fire as it settled into the Left Extra Monster Zone.

Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 500 LINK-2 ↙↘

"You Link Summoned a monster with 500 attack points?" Roget said in surprise.

"I did," Darius confirmed. "I also sent a Farfa to the Graveyard, whose effect would allow me to banish a monster until the End Phase, but since your monster is unaffected by effects, I'll have to get rid of it the old fashioned way." He then gestured to his field. "I activate Cherubini's effect! By sending a Level 3 monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, a "Burning Abyss" monster I control gains attack and defense points equal to that of the sent monster until the end of the turn. I send Djinn Releaser of Rituals to the Graveyard and grant its 1200 attack points to Cherubini!"

Cherubini Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 500→1700

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Good and Evil in the Burning Abyss! This card lets me tribute monsters from my hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed that of the stated Ritual Monster, and then summon it from my hand." Darius explained as he smiled."But I activate the effect of Djinn Releaser of Rituals from my Graveyard! Since I'm performing a Ritual Summon, I can banish Djinn Releaser of Rituals as one of the required monsters."

"What?" Roget said in surprise. "Ritual Summoning by banishing a monster from the Graveyard?"

"I banish the Level 3 Djinn Releaser of Rituals from my Graveyard and Tribute the Level 3 Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my hand!" Darius declared. A dark blue magic circle with six flames appeared on her field, along with a fat purple monster wielding a staff and a draconic fiend with wings. They disintegrated in light and entered the circle's center, which emitted a pillar of dark blue light.

"The contract has been made," Darius chanted, his Duel Disk's screen and its black sections glowing blue. "The demon that guards the fifth circle inherits these two souls. I Ritual Summon! Rise, Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!"

The pillar's light faded, revealing a red-skinned demon in blue armor. It wielded two swords, one blue and one red, with dark blue wings and a tail ending in a dragon's head. The demon roared as it was Ritual Summoned in Attack Position.

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK 2700 DEF 2200LVL: 6

"This must be one of his ace monsters…." Roget muttered.

"Since I used Djinn Releaser to Ritual Summon, you cannot Special Summon while Malacoda is face-up on the field," Darius said, surprising the former Director. "But more importantly, since I sent Graff to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a "Burning Abyss" monster from my Deck. Come, the Tuner Monster, Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

A pink-skinned demon with horns, wings, and a wooden staff appeared in Attack Position.

Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 100 DEF 2100 LVL: 3

"Tuner Monster?" Roget repeated in shock.

"As I control no Spell or Trap Cards, I can Special Summon Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

A demonic centaur with wings appeared in Attack Position.

Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1400 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Level 3 Rubic tunes Level 3 Calcab!" Darius declared. A bolt of purple lightning struck him as the world grayed out and his monsters disintegrated into particles. Two rings, one green the other purple, appeared before turning blue and merging. Six blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "3 + 3" in front of them. The screen changed to "6" as light surged through the rings.

"The poet's guide to hell and purgatory!" Darius chanted. "Ascend to the earth and perform once more! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss!"

A man in a white tunic, brown vest, and large hat emerged from the light. He carried a large golden guitar with flames spouting from the ends in his hands. The man strung a chord as he was summoned to Cherubini's bottom-left Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss ATK 2500 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"Since I Special Summoned Calcab through its effect, I can't activate its effect," Darius said.

Roget smirked. "It doesn't matter how many monsters you summon," he said. "They mean nothing if they can't destroy my Howitzer."

"Indeed, they can't," Darius agreed. "But I don't need them to. I activate Virgil's effect! By discarding a "Burning Abyss" card, one card on your field or in your Graveyard is shuffled back into your Deck!"

"What?" Roget said in surprise.

"I discard Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to return Ancient Gear Magic Shield! Purgatio Symphony!"

Virgil strummed more chords and blasted the Spell Card with blue fire, disintegrating it.

"Finally, since I sent Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard, its effect activates, and I can Special Summon a "Burning Abyss" monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Calcab!"

The demonic centaur reappeared.

Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1400 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Time to end this Battle!" Darius declared. "Virgil attacks Ancient Gear Howitzer! Purgatio Rhapsody!"

Virgil strummed his guitar and blasted blue fire at the Ancient Gear Fusion Monster, destroying it.

"Now, Malacoda attacks you directly! Abyssal Slash!"

The demon's swords lit on fire as it charged Roget, who gestured to his field.

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Direct Border!" Roget declared. "Through its effect, monsters with 1000 or more attack points cannot attack directly!"

"Kuh, so you dodged this, huh…?" Darius gritted his teeth in barely concealed fury. " I set one card face-down and end my turn," he concluded. "During the End Phase, Cherubini's effects end, so its attack points return to normal."

Cherubini Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 1700→500

"You may survive for another turn, but you and I both know that there isn't anything you can do," Darius stated. "Your standing against four monsters, and thanks to Djinn Releaser's effect, you're prevented from Special Summoning."

"I'm well aware of that," Roget replied.

" You do, huh? So tell me, how do you plan to get out of this predicament?"

"How about instead of telling you, I show you? My turn! I draw! 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."

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

Roget drew his five cards, looked at them, then took one. "I activate the Spell Card: Fusion Shuffle!" The card showed a stream of light, with Elemental Hero Flame Wingman amid it, headed towards a white Duel Disk. "This card returns a Fusion Monster that is either banished or in the Graveyard to the owner's Extra Deck. Then I draw cards depending on that monster's Level. I shuffle the Level 8 Ancient Gear Howitzer back into my Extra Deck to draw two cards."

"I see," Darius mused as Roget drew. "A card that allows you to take advantage of the opponent's defeated Fusion Monsters. I must say that's rather clever of you."

Roget ignored the praise. "I summon Ancient Gear Wyvern!"

A green-and-gray mechanical dragon appeared and roared.

Ancient Gear Wyvern ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Wyvern's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add an "Ancient Gear" card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Ancient Gear Box to my hand. And since I added Ancient Gear Box from my Deck to my hand, I can now add an Earth Machine monster with 500 attack and/or defense points from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Ancient Gear Gadget to my hand."

Roget took another card. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Trap Booster! By discarding Ancient Gear Box, I can activate a Trap Card from my hand. I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Ultimate Offering! This card lets me-"

"I know what that card does," Darius interrupted. "It lets you Normal Summon again by paying 500 Life Points."

Roget growled. "Then you should know what I have planned next. I activate Ultimate Offering's effect!"

Roget: 4000→3500 LP

"I summon Ancient Gear Gadget!" A bronze mechanical humanoid with a gear stuck to its back appeared.

Ancient Gear Gadget ATK 500 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"Gadget's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can declare a card type, and if my monster attacks this turn, you cannot activate cards or effects of that type. I declare Monsters. Gadget's additional effect! Once per turn, I can change Ancient Gear Gadget's name to a "Gadget" monster's name until the End Phase. I declare Gold Gadget!"

A golden glow enveloped the monster.

Darius raised an eyebrow. "Why would he use an effect to change the name of his monster? My gut tells me something bad's coming."

"I activate Ultimate Offering's effect once more!"

Roget: 3500→3000 LP

"I Tribute Gadget and Wyvern to Tribute Summon Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon!"

The two monsters disappeared and were replaced by a large green mechanical dragon with three eyes and ragged wings.

Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 3000 LVL: 9

"You should be trembling in fear now!" Roget said as he looked at his newly summoned dragon. "Reactor Dragon gains different effects based on the monsters I tributed for its summon: since I used a "Gadget" monster, Reactor Dragon can now attack twice during the Battle Phase! Since I used an "Ancient Gear", my dragon can now inflict piercing damage! But this guy's third effect is my favorite. Do you want to know why? When Reactor Dragon attacks, you can't activate Spell, Trap AND Monster Effects!"

"That is of little importance to me," Ryx stated as he closed his eyes. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Fiendish Chain! One monster on the field has its effects negated and cannot attack!"

Following Darius's words, numerous chains appeared and bounded Reactor Dragon.

Roget adopted a crooked smirk, then said, "So you think just because you prevented Reactor Dragon from attacking or using its effects, you've won? Hate to break it to, but I'm sad to say that this will be the last turn."

"And what makes you say that?" Darius asked.

"This! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Forbidden Lance!" Roget declared, surprising Darius. "I target one monster on the field, and until the End Phase, it loses 800 attack points. In exchange, it becomes unaffected by the effects of other Spells and Traps. I target Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon!"

Forbidden Lance glowed, causing Reactor Dragon to lose some strength.

Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon ATK 3000→2200

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Ancient Gear Blaster! And equip it to Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon!" A double-barreled cannon attached itself to Reactor Dragon's back. "Once per turn, Ancient Gear Blaster can inflict damage to you equal to the equipped monster's Level times 100!" Darius's eyes widened. "Go! Ancient Gear Blaster!"

The blasters charged and fired two beams of red light at Darius, who grunted as he was pushed back.

Darius: 3000→2100 LP

Roget's sneer widened. "As I told you, I'm ending this duel this turn! Battle! Reactor Dragon attacks Cherubini Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss!"

The mechanical dragon blasted Cherubini with purple fire, consuming as it screamed and exploded. The backlash pushed Darius back as he grunted in pain.

Darius: 2100→400 LP

Roget narrowed his eyes. "Remember, Reactor Dragon can attack twice! Reactor Dragon attacks Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

The dragon blasted purple flames, destroying the demonic centaur. Darius cried out in pain as he was sent flying backwards.

Darius: 400→0 LP

"As I said before, it was too early for you to challenge someone of my caliber," Roget said as he approached the fallen Darius, who was struggling to get up. "You were good, but not good enough."

"They'll win," he declared. "Ringmaster and Zero; they'll defeat you and save Leo."

"…Perhaps," Roget allowed. "But let's be honest, the hero has to lose at one point." He raised his right hand. "As we agreed, the consequence you'll face is becoming one of my Eliminators." His hand glowed red, as did Darius, before turning into data that gathered into his hand.

"Now, time to put Phase 2 of my plan into action."

Meanwhile, in the forest biome…

Spectre grimaced as he and Varis climbed over a large rock. This was getting irritating. Ever since they'd fallen into this ditch, he'd been walking in the hopes of the two of them finding a way out. Except his hopes of such an exit had proven to be for naught.

"We need to find a way out," Varis said. Especially if we're dueling next." Even though Ringmaster managed for him and Playmaker to not become data by ending their duel in a draw, they might not be so lucky the next time that happens to them or the others.

The two kept walking down the trail for a few minutes before finding something other than rock faces: a cave. Varis's eyes narrowed. "This is most likely a I don't have a choice now, do I?"

"I'm afraid not, sir," Spectre said as he and Varis headed into the cave.

After a few minutes of navigating through the darkness with the light from their Duel Disks, the duo entered a large cavern. Stalactites and stalagmites hung all around them, and a band of water circled the cavern. Or perhaps there was simply an island in the center of an underground lake connected by a few bridges. And in the center of the cavern was…

Varis's eyes narrowed. "Darius."

The armored man was standing in the center, his arms crossed. "It took you long enough," he said dismissively.

"My my. Aren't you impatient?" Spectre teased. "If I recall, you and Zero fell together when Roget split us up. If you're here, then that must mean the two of you must have got separated. Well, once the three of us get out of this cave, we can-."

Spectre stopped talking as Varis put his arm out in front of him. "Master Varis?"

"Something's not right here," he muttered with a frown. "You were right earlier when you said that Darius and Zero fell in that hole together, but I doubt Roget would send the two of him to different locations. And his demeanor."

"What do you mean?" Spectre asked.

"I mean that even though we haven't been around or known Darius for very long, I can tell that he isn't the type of person just to sit around and wait for others to find him."

"You're right," Spectre whispered back. "Something's wrong. You don't think he's-."

"Being controlled?"

The two Knights gasped as a golden light appeared behind Darius before spreading around them.

"Master Varis, look out!" Spectre yelled as he pushed Varis out of the way as the golden light encircled him and Darius before forming a dome of light.

Varis gritted his teeth as he pressed a button on his Duel Disk. "Darn it. Looks like the cage is preventing me from hacking into its code and freeing you."

Specter frowned. "And I think I know who's the person responsible for this."

"That's right."

A screen popped up nearby, showing Roget.

Varis's eyes narrowed. "Looks like I was right. You're the one behind all this, right Roget?"

"Yes. And you must be Varis. The leader of the Knights of Hanoi and the one who created the program to free Playmaker from my mind control. And…" Roget tilted his head to the side as he looked at the other person present. "Who are you again?"

Specter smirked after hearing Roget's comment. "You think you're funny, don't you? I'm Specter," he replied. "A member of the Knights of Hanoi and Varis's second-in-command. So making that stupid joke to make me mad was all for naught! Now, let's get back to the topic at hand. What is this, and what did you do to Darius?"

"Before I answer, how about we let everyone else get a little sneak peek?"

Sanctumlooked up as the pink sphere reappeared. Her eyes widened. "That's-!"

"Darius," Storm Rider muttered.

"As well as Varis and Specter," Maestra added.

"So they manage to run into him," Zero noted. His eyes narrowed. "However, knowing Roget, he must have some reason on why he would send Darius to the same place where Varis and Specter are. It must be part of his scheme."

Playmaker and Ringmaster were floating above the grassland biome as they saw the sphere above them.

"You don't think Darius is under Roget's control, do you?" Ringmaster asked.

"I may not know Roget as much as you do, but I have to say it's a possibility," Playmaker answered.

Varis walked into the cavern proper and narrowed his eyes at Roget with a scowl. "I'll ask you once again. What have you done with Darius?."

"This…" The screen turned so that Jester was looking at Darius. "This is an experiment."

"An experiment?" Varis repeated.

"Right now, Darius is under my control. He's had her free will stripped away. Now he's completely obedient to me."

Zero glared at the sphere above. "You monster…"

"But that's where the two of you come in," Jester said. "I'd like to know how strong he is under the program compared to beforehand. I was planning on the two of you dueling him together, but this works also. So you'll be dueling her, Specter."

"And why would I do that?" Specter asked.

"For starters, the barrier program that's in place will dissipate if Darius loses. And you'll not only get his but Gore's consciousness data back. Of course, if you lose, we'll take yours."

Varis narrowed his eyes then turned to face Roget. "You are a coward for letting someone else do your dirty work for you," he muttered. Leave Specter out of this. I'm the one you want, so I'll duel instead!"

"Master Varis," Specter muttered, glancing at him sympathetically. "Thank you for worrying about my safety, but I assure you I can handle this. Not only will I win this duel and free Darius, but most importantly, I'll prove to Mr. Know-it-all not to underestimate me."

"I see. If that's what you want, then so it be. I'll let you duel." Varis said.

Roget narrowed his eyes at Specter. "You truly are arrogant. I saw your duel with Talon; I know your Deck focused on stalling by regaining Life Points and countering your opponent's moves. You are strong. But I will say this in advance. Darius is far stronger now than the two of you ever since his upgrade. His victory is not a probability; it is a certainty. Surrender now and save both him and me the time of dealing with this."

Specter glared at him. "Sorry, but that's not happening. I refuse to surrender. I will win this duel! And even if I fall, I know Master Varis will avenge me by defeating both Darius and you!"

"Don't make me laugh," Darius said, shocking the two as he raised his Duel Disk. "If you will not surrender, then further talk is pointless. Let us get this farce over with."

Specter narrowed his attitude as he activated his Duel Disk.

"Wonderful," Roget said. "I suggest you don't hold back; Darius certainly won't. Oh, and in the spirit of fairness, I made a few additions to his Deck."

A few additions? Varis thought. Well, we'll see soon enough what he means.

The screen disappeared as Specter stepped forward, standing opposite Darius. "Lately, the Knights of Hanoi have been making a new name for themselves by keeping an eye on LINK VRAINS and protecting it from any threats. Even though we failed to stop the Arbiters on our own and had to rely on the help of others to fix our mistake, I won't let everything we've done so far to change people's view of us go to waste by losing here!"

"Duel!"

Specter: 4000 LP

Darius: 4000 LP

"I'll go first! My turn!" Specter said, sweeping his hand in front of him to reveal his cards. "I summon Sunseed Genius Augusti!"

Appearing beside Specter was an ornate-looking statue of a miniature tree, with its branches holding up a brown and spiky seed in the air. Leaves decorated those branches, giving the monster mixed greenery and gold design.

Sunseed Genius Augusti ATK 600 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear! The future circuit that lights up our path!" Specter raised his hand as a massive Link Portal appeared on the ground behind him. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are one Plant Normal Monster!" Specter stated. "Since Gemini Monsters are treated as Normal Monsters on the field and in the Graveyard, I can set Sunseed Genius Augusti in the Link Arrow!"

Genius Augusti turned into an orange whirlwind and entered the bottom Link Arrow behind Specter.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Sunavalon Dryas!"

Soon, the ground broke apart before something rose out of it. The monster that emerged in the Right Extra Monster Zone was a giant tree with a few bulbs hanging from the branches and what appeared to be a face in the center.

Sunavalon Dryas ATK 0 LINK-1 ↓

"I set two cards face-down and end my turn," Specter concluded. "So, have you realized who you're up against yet?"

"It is you who should realize who you're up against!" Darius declared. "My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Pre-Preparation of Rites! Not only does this card let me add a Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand, but I can also add a Ritual Monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand whose name is listed on that Ritual Spell. Using Pre-Preparation of Rites, Infearno added Good and Evil in the Burning Abyss and Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss.

Ritual Summoning? Specter thought. He hadn't faced an opponent who had a Ritual Monster or knew Ritual Summoning. Should Darius attack with Malacoda, his face-down card will protect him.

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Good and Evil in the Burning Abyss! This card lets me Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose combined levels equal or exceed that of the stated Ritual Monster, and then summon it from my hand." Darius explained as he smiled. "I'll Tribute the Level 3 Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and the Level 3 Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my hand!"

A dark red magic circle with six flames appeared on his field and two demonic monsters. One was a draconic fiend with wings and claws, while the other was a muscular demon with grey-blue skin and broken blue horns.

Both demons disintegrated into light and entered the center of the circle, which emitted a pillar of dark red light.

"The contract has been made," Darius chanted, his Duel Disk's screen and its black sections glowing blue. "The demon that guards the fifth circle inherits these two souls. I Ritual Summon! Rise, Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!"

The pillar's light faded, revealing a red-skinned demon in blue armor. It wielded two swords, one blue and one red, with dark blue wings and a tail ending in a dragon's head. The demon roared as it was Ritual Summoned in Attack Position.

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK 2700 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

"I will dispose of anyone who dares oppose my master!" Malacoda snarled at Raguel.

"Patience, Malacoda," Darius said to the demon. "You'll have your chance soon. At this point, the effects of your brethren, Graff and Cir, both activate! When Graff is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a "'Burning Abyss" monster from my Deck! Serve me, Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

A winged humanoid demon with white hair and a blindfold appeared in Attack Position.

Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1200 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Cir's effect! As it was sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a "Burning Abyss" monster from my Graveyard. Return, Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

The draconian demon with black-and-red skin reappeared on Darius's field.

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

Sanctum narrowed her eyes. "He was able to bring out two monsters in one move."

"A Link Summon is coming," Storm Rider muttered.

"Ah, Alich Good to see you again, old friend," Graff said. "Doesn't that human over there look tasty?"

"It sure is!" Alich replied, now eager to battle.

"Okay, how and why are your monsters talking?" Specter asked, now curious.

"Is it due to their program?" Varis asked.

"Correct," Darius replied. "But we can worry about that later." Continuing his turn, he thrust his right hand into the sky and said, "Appear! The circuit of the underworld!" He fired a red lightning bolt into the sky, creating a Link Portal. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Level 3 monsters. I set Alich and Graff in the Link Arrows!"

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

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss!"

A dark armored monster emerged from the portal. It had the head of an ox, the head of a lion, and the head of a redheaded woman on its chest and had wings both on its back and crossed over its chest. It wielded a red curving sword in its left hand, which lit on fire as it settled into the Left Extra Monster Zone.

Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 500 LINK-2 ↙↘

"A Burning Abyss Link Monster!?" Playmaker exclaimed in surprise.

"Either Zero made that for him, or Roget did," Ringmaster muttered.

"Since Alich was sent to the Graveyard, the effects of one face-up monster are negated until the end of the turn. I negate Sunavalon Dryas's effects!"

"With Sunavalon Dryas's effects negated, Specter won't be able to recover his Life Points," Varis noted. "But knowing him, he won't let that happen."

Following Darius's words, a spectral version of Alich reappeared a fired a blast of red energy that hit Dryas, greying it out.

"Since Graff's effect already activated, I can't use it again," Darius continued. "Cherubini's effect activates! Once per turn, I can send a Level 3 monster from my Deck to the Graveyard to increase a "Burning Abyss" monster's attack and defense points by that monster's attack and defense points. I send Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and target Malacoda for Cherubini's effect!"

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK 2700→4100

"Calcab's effect activates! When sent to the Graveyard, I can return a Set Spell or Trap Card to the owner's hand. I'll return your face-down on the left to your hand!"

"How about I get rid of it for you? I activate my Trap Card: Absolute End!" Specter exclaimed. "Thanks to it, all your attacks become direct attacks!"

"Fine by me. Battle!" Darius shouted. "Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss, attack Specter directly! Abyssal Slash!"

"As you command, master," Malacoda said as the blue-armored demon's swords lit on fire. It then charged at Specter's field, only for the man to nonchalantly gesture to his field.

"I activate my Trap Card!" Specter declared. "Sunbloom Shielding!" The card showed Sunvine Garda protecting Sunavalon Dryas from Molten Flame Emperor. "If I'm attacked directly, that attack is negated, and the Battle Phase ends!"

Out of the blue, flowers started blooming from Sunavalon Dryas' branches before falling off and positioning themselves in front of Specter, shielding him from Malcoda's sword. The beautiful petals were burnt away by the attack's heat, and Darius frowned.

"Tch, you and your little tricks... I set two cards face-down and end my turn!" Darius concluded. "With my turn now over, Cherubini's effect ends."

Malacoda, Netherlord Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 4100→2700

"Then we're back to me. My turn! I draw!" Specter announced. "I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed which lets me draw two cards. Next, I discard one card to activate the Continuous Spell Card: Sunvine Shrine!"

"Oh no, you don't!" Darius shouted. "I know that card is important to summon back your Plant Normal Monsters from the Graveyard and evolve the "Sunavalon" Link Monsters! I won't let you do that! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon! This card lets me destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field! I'll destroy your Sunvine Shrine!"

"I see," Specter said with a grin. "But what an effortless and useless plan. From my Graveyard, I activate the effect of Sunavalon Grace!"

"That's the card you just discarded with Shrine..." Darius muttered.

Said card appeared and depicted an image of Sunvine Healer shining down a ray of light over Sunseed Genius Loci. "By banishing this card, I negate a card or effect which targets a "Sunvine or Sunavalon" card I control and destroy it," Specter stated. "That means Shrine is allowed to stay. Now, I activate its effect, letting me Special Summon Sunseed Genius Augusti from my Graveyard! Bloom once again, my plant!"

His Plant monster returned in Attack Position.

Sunseed Genius Augusti ATK 600 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Lastly, I summon Sunvine Cleric from my hand!"

An elderly-looking male monster with elf ears, green-colored skin, a long beard, wearing clothes made of vines, and holding a walking stick in his hand appeared with a sigh, standing beside Genius Augusti.

"Appear, the future circuit that lights up our path!" The Link Portal appeared beneath Sunavalon Dryas. "The summoning conditions are two or more Plant monsters. I set Genius Augusti, Cleric, and Sunavalon Dryas in the Link Arrows!"

The first two monsters and Dryas's vines entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Sunavalon Dryanome!"

The tree grew to a massive size in the Extra Monster Zone, with the face being replaced by a long-haired woman and numerous bulbs emerging on the branches.

Sunavalon Dryanome ATK 0 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"From Link 1, he jumped straight to Link 3?" Darius gritted his teeth.

"I activate the effect of Sunvine Cleric, which was used as Link Material to summon a "Sunavalon" Monster, enabling me to draw cards equal to that Monster's Link Rating," Specter explained. "Dryanome is Link 3. Thus I draw three new cards. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Swing of Memories, whose effect allows me to Special Summon a Normal Monster from my Graveyard." Specter announced. "However, the summoned monster is destroyed during the End Phase. Be revived, Sunseed Genius Augusti!"

Genius August reappeared on Specter's field for the second time.

Sunseed Genius Augusti ATK 600 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear again, the future circuit that lights up our path! The summoning condition is one Plant Normal Monster. I set Genius Augusti in the Link Arrow!"

The miniature tree entered the bottom arrow.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Sunvine Thrasher!"

A blue warrior carrying a massive sword emerged from the portal at Sunavalon Dryanome's bottom Link Marker.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 800 LINK-1 ↓

"Thrasher's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, it gains 800 attack points for each Link Marker of a linked 'Sunavalon' monster. Dryanome is Link-3, so Sunvine Thrasher gains 2400 attack points!"

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 800→3200

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure Ticket and target Sunavalon Dryanome with its effect! I now draw cards equal to Sunavalon Dryanome's Link Rating and then send an equal number of cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. Dryanome is Link-3, so I draw three cards and send three cards to the Graveyard."

Specter drew then sent his cards to the Graveyard before continuing.

"Last but not least, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Sunavalon Malice and equip it to Thrasher." The card showed Sunvine Thrasher glowing with a dark aura. "When the equipped monster destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, I can target one "Sunavalon" Link Monster I control and inflict damage equal to its Link Rating times 800!"

"I'll stop your efforts before they bear fruit!" Darius exclaimed. "I activate Malacoda's effect! By sending a "Burning Abyss" monster from my hand to the Graveyard, one monster you control loses attack and defense points equal to the sent monsters until the End Phase! I'll send Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, from my hand to the Graveyard to lower Sunvine Thrasher's attack points by 1700!"

"Burn away!" Malacoda screeched as it released fire from its two swords towards Thrasher. But...

"I activate Sunvine Maiden's effect from my hand!" Specter suddenly said. "When you activate a card effect that targets one Plant monster I control, I can Special Summon this card from my hand, and by doing so, I can negate the activation!"

A little elven girl with bright blue eyes, long purple hair, and a dress created from vines appeared on Specter's field in Defense Position. She raised her hands and created a barrier to protect Dryanome from Malacoda's flames.

Sunvine Maiden ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Now, where were we?" Specter wondered. "Oh yeah. Battle! Sunvine Thrasher attacks Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss!"

Thrasher charged at Cherubi. Darius grit his teeth as he gestured to his field.

"I activate my Trap Card!" Darius declared. "Ground Capture! When you declare an attack, I can halve any battle damage from that attack!"

Soon, a giant stone hand erupted from the ground and shielded him temporarily from Sunvine Thrasher's attack. Despite this, the attack eventually destroyed both the giant stone hand and Cherubini, causing him to wince from the backlash of the attack.

Darius: 4000→2650 LP

"Also, if I take 1000 or more damage from that battle, I get to draw one card from my Deck."

Varis narrowed his eyes. "So he had a card like that ready in case Specter tried ending the duel in one turn."

"You may have lowered the damage, but since Thrasher destroyed your monster, I can target Dryades using Malice's effect! As Dryades is a Link 3 monster, you take 2400 points of damage!"

A blast of energy came out of Sunavalon Malice and went straight towards Darius, striking him and knocking him back several feet.

Darius: 2650→250 LP

Spectre laughed and shook his head. "I can't watch this. Your useless last stand?" He shrugged. "Do whatever you want. I place one card face-down and my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Darius said.

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Sunavalon Force!" Specter declared. "As long as I have this card, you cannot target "'Sunavalon" monsters with card effects."

Darius grit his teeth. Now, he couldn't attack Specter's monsters or target them with card effects. But there were other strategies available to him.

"I activate the Spell Card: Roll of Fate! This card lets me roll a six-sided die, and depending on the number it lands on, I draw cards equal to the result. Afterwards, I must banish cards from the top of my Deck equal to that same result. Go, Dice Roll!" A dice flew out of Roll of Fate and landed on the ground. After it stopped rolling, it eventually stopped at a five. "Oh yeah! A five! That means I can draw four cards!"

Darius drew five cards and then took the top five cards of his Deck and removed them from play.

"Next, I summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

A masked winged fiend with long hair and nails appeared in Attack Position.

Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 800 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"And since I control no Spell or Trap Cards, I can Special Summon both the Tuner Monster, Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

A pink winged demon with horns and a wooden staff appeared alongside Graff in Attack Position.

Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 100 DEF 2100 LVL: 3

"A Tuner monster?" Raguel said. "That means-!"

"Level 3 Rubic tunes Level 3 Scarm!" Darius declared as he smiled upon what was about to happen. A bolt of orange lightning struck him as the world greyed out, and his two monsters disintegrated into particles. Two rings, one white and the other purple, appeared before turning blue and merging. Six blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "3 + 3" in front of them. The screen changed to "6" as light surged through the rings.

"The poet's guide to hell and purgatory!" Darius chanted. "Ascend to the earth and perform once more! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss!"

A man in a white tunic, brown vest, and large hat emerged from the light. He carried a large golden guitar with flames spouting from the ends in his hands. The man strung a chord as he was summoned to the Right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss ATK: 2500 DEF: 1000 LVL: 6.

"A Synchro Monster," Specter breathed.

"I activate Virgil's effect!" Darius continued. "By discarding a "Burning Abyss" card, I can target one card on your field or in your Graveyard and shuffle it back into your deck! Since I can't target your monsters due to your Sunavalon Force, I'll discard Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, to return your Sunavalon Force to your Deck!"

Virgil strummed several chords and blasted the Continuous Trap with blue fire, disintegrating it completely.

"Darn it..." Specter muttered.

"There goes one of Specter's cards." Playmaker lamented.

"Draghig's effect activates!" Darius added. "As it was sent to the Graveyard, I can place one "Burning Abyss" card in my Deck on top of my Deck. I'll place Calcab, Malebranche of the Abyss, on top of my Deck." He then gestured to his field. "I now activate Malacoda's effect! Once per turn, by sending a "Burning Abyss" monster from my hand to the Graveyard, one of your monsters loses attack and defense points equal to that monster's attack and defense points until the end of the turn. I send another Barbar to the Graveyard to weaken Sunvine Thrasher!"

Malacoda swung its blades, sending red and blue fire at Sunvine Thrasher, causing it to groan as its power was drained.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 3200→1500

"As Barbar was sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates!" Darius continued. "I can banish up to three "Burning Abyss" cards from my Graveyard and inflict 300 points of damage for each one. I banish Libic, Graff, and Cherubini to inflict 900 points of damage!"

Specter winced as a red glow briefly appeared around him.

Specter: 4000→3100 LP

Roget chuckled. "I told you guys not to underestimate Darius."

"As unexpected as that was, it was a clever move," Maestra said. "Both of Darius's monsters are now stronger than Sunvine Thrasher, but they aren't strong enough to wipe out all of Specter's Life Points in one blow."

Spectre gestured to his field. "When I take battle or effect damage, Dryanome's effect activates! Up to three times during either turn, I can Special Summon a "Sunvine" Link Monster next to Dryanome's Link Arrow!"

"Useless," Darius said. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Effect Shut! It negates the activation of Sunavalon Dryanome's effect and destroys it!"

Specter gasped as Dryanome was suddenly trapped inside a steel cage and vanished into a bright light.

"Since Dryatrentiay is destroyed, your cards' effects destroy themselves!" As he pointed at Specter's field, Force and Shrine both disintegrated.

Roget smirked. "He… he destroyed all of Specter's cards…" he said in wonderment. And he also damaged him in the process…

"How dare you!" Specter shouted, a demented expression on his face. "My sacred mother tree!"

Darius ignored him and gestured to his field. "Since Sunavalon Dryanome is no longer on your field, Thrasher's attack points drop to zero."

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 1500→0

"Battle!" Darius declared. "Malacoda attacks Sunvine Thrasher! Abyssal Slash!"

Malacoda's swords lit on fire. It charged and bisected Sunvine, sending Specter tumbling backwards as it exploded.

Specter: 3100→400 LP

"Virgil attacks Sunvine Maiden! Purgatio Rhapsody!"

Virgil strummed his guitar and blasted blue fire at Sunvine Maiden, destroying it.

"Specter!" Varis cried out in worry.

"I… I'm fine, Master Varis," the man assured him as he caught his breath. That… hadn't been pleasant.

"I place a card face-down and end my turn. But I still have another effect of activating! During the End Phase, Scarm was sent to the Graveyard this turn, I can add a Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss that I placed on the top of my Deck earlier to my hand."

"He used a lot of effects there," Ringmaster said, sweatdropping.

"Hismonsters' effects activate whenever they are sent to the Graveyard," Playmaker said. "As does his Ritual and Synchro Monster."

"Hmm. Then I suppose it would be best to remove them from the field by ways other than destroying them?"

Playmaker smirked. "Exactly."

"I'll make you pay for what you did! My turn! I draw!" Specter shouted with anger as he drew. "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."

Specter drew and smiled at his cards. "I activate the Spell Card: Cards of Adversity! When you control a Special Summoned monster, and I don't control any, I can draw two cards. Next, 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 points reduced by 1000. Resurrect, Sunavalaon Dryanome!"

A portal opened on the ground, from which Dryanome, which lost all of its leaves and fruits and had the elf woman inside its trunk seeming lifeless, emerged.

Sunavalon Dryanome ATK 0 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"What can that wither old tree do to help you?" Darius rhetorically asked.

"You'll see," Specter said with a malicious grin on his face. "The time has come! By using a Link 3 or higher "Sunavalon" Link Monster I control that was Special Summoned from the Graveyard as material, I can Link Summon this Link Monster from my Extra Deck!"

"What!?"

Much to Darius's, Roget's, Storm Rider's and tSanctum's shock, the lifeless Dryanome's body was surrounded by a green light as a Link Portal materialized underneath it. However, this portal wasn't the usual type because brown roots replaced its square with mosses and leaves covering them.

Dryanome's roots suddenly shot forward, connecting themselves to the Link Portal. Like magic, the dead tree seemed to come back to life as it regained its colors and flowers bloomed on its branches.

"Burn my mother's new and pious form into your eyes!" Specter exclaimed. "Samsara Link Summon! Appear now, Link Unknown! Sunflora Yggdrasil!"

Standing behind Specter and in the Extra Monster Zone was a tree towering over Malacoda and Virgil. Its trunk, roots, and branches were colored a dull brown, while water seemed to flow upwards instead of downwards across Yggdrasil's trunk, giving water to every part of the giant tree. There were glowing crystals and small puddles of water at the tree's base that glowed with sacred light, reflecting the crystals' beautiful colors, and had lotuses and water lettuces floating on them. Its tree branches were covered in green leaves with many different flower species decorating them, and under the leaves, purple fruits were hanging down and seemed ready to be eaten. Finally, emerging from the tree's trunk was the elf woman. Her skin color was more like a human's, her hands united over her chest in a praying manner, and her body was covered in clothes made of vines and leaves. Her long, black hair had flowers in them, and her crimson eyes glowed with kindness and love.

Sunflora Yggdrasil ATK 0 LINK-?

"What... is... that...!?" Playmaker's said as he stared at Specter's new Link Monster in awe.

"Samsara Link…" Sanctum said.

"Link Unknown…" Storm Rider said.

"Sunflora instead of Sunavalon..." Roget said

"This is my power," Specter replied. "Samsara Link Monsters are a subcategory of Link Monsters, who can be only Link Summoned by using a specific Link Monster with a specific Link Rating that was Special Summoned from a specific location as material. These monsters have Unknown Link Arrows, which the Link Monster's Link Rating determines, and they gain those Link Arrows positions. Dryanome was Link 3. Therefore, Yggdrasil gains its 3 Link Arrows."

Sunflora Yggdrasil Link ?→3 ↙↓↘

"I activate the Spell Card: World Legacy Succession! This card Special Summons a monster from my Graveyard to my Link Monster's Link Arrow. Resurrect, Sunseed Genius Augusti!"

The ornate-looking statue reappeared again at Yggdrasil's bottom-left Link Arrow in Defense Position.

Sunseed Genius Augusti ATK 600 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"With its effect, I Gemini Summon Augusti!" Specter stated as Augusti became an Effect Monster. "Now that it gained its effect, I activate Genius Augusti's effect! By Tributing this monster, I can Special Summon up to two "Sunflora" Link 1 Monsters from my Extra Deck to a zone a "Sunfora" Link Monster points to. Give birth to Yggdrasil's proud warriors, my plant!"

The seed burst into particles of light, which surrounded two of Yggdrasil's fruits, making them glow as well. The fruits split open seconds later, letting two new beings take the stage.

"The first! Link-1! Sunflora Slasher!"

A monster that bared a lot of resemblance to Sunvine Slasher appeared. He was a tall, slim, humanoid elf with pale skin wearing a black jumpsuit under wooden armor that covered his shoulders, hips, and chest, decorated with green leaves and spikes. A helmet was attached to his head, like Sunvine Slasher but with a crimson visor. The knight brandished his two swords and stood in front of Yggdrasil as her royal guardian.

Sunflora Slasher ATK 800 LINK-1 ↑

"The second! Link-1! Sunflora Healer!"

Another humanoid elf appeared, this one bearing a resemblance to Sunvine Healer. She had greenish-white skin wearing a long dress made entirely of white rose petals held together by green vines. Her pink eyes glowed with happiness as she gave a little twirl, letting her short blond hair fly about, being pleased to fight by Yggdrasil's and her user's side.

Sunflora Healer ATK 800 LINK-1 ↓

"I activate my new monsters' effect!" Specter declared. "If Slasher is Special Summoned, I can target one "Sunflora" Link Monster that points to it, and Slasher gains 800 attack points for every Link Arrow it has, moreover, if Slasher was summoned by the effect of a "Sunseed" or "Sunflora" Monster, it gains an additional 800 attack points!"

Yggdrasil's branches started shaking, releasing yellow spores, which enveloped Slasher, making it gain a sacred aura.

Sunflora Slasher ATK 800→4000

"Next, Healer's effect!" Specter continued. "If Healer is Special Summoned, I can target one "Sunflora" Link Monster that points to it and gain 400 Life Points for each Link Arrow it has, moreover, if Healer was summoned by the effect of a "Sunseed" or "Sunflora" Monster, I gain 400 Life Points as a bonus! Yggdrasil's Grace!"

The young elf started dancing and singing, causing Specter to be surrounded by a green aura.

Specter: 400→2000 LP

"And I'm far from being done!" Specter said with a huge grin. "I activate Yggdrasil's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one "Sunflora" Link 1 Monster from my Extra Deck to a zone it points to! Saint Parturition! Appear, the second Sunflora Slasher!"

A second warrior appeared on the field, filling Yggdrasil's 3 Links. With his descent, the new Slasher's effect activated as well.

Sunflora Slasher ATK 800→4000

"Darius, this will be the last turn," Specter said. "Battle! Slasher number one, attack Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss! Yggdrasil's Ire!"

At Specter's command, Thrasher brought its sword down and sliced Malacoda in half, causing a massive explosion.

Specter waited for the smoke to clear. When it did, Malacoda was gone, but Darius's Life Points hadn't changed.

"Sorry to spoil your fun," Darius said. "But I activated the Trap Card: Impenetrable Attack. This card allows me to either prevent a monster's destruction by battle or negate all battle damage I would take. I chose the latter."

Varis growled. "Darn it. He was so close."

Lilith narrowed her eyes but continued her turn. "The effect of Slasher activates!" Spectre declared. "Slasher allows me to Special Summon the monster it destroyed to my side of the field!"

"Not so fast!" Darius abruptly stated. "As Malacoda was sent to the Graveyard, I can send a card on the field to the Graveyard. I'll send your second Thrasher to the Graveyard." Said monster disintegrated into light.

"Even so, my first Thrasher's effect continues," Specter reminded him

The defeated demon reappeared on Specter's field next to his other monsters.

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK 2700 DEF 2200LVL: 6

"Battle! Malacoda attacks Virgil, Rock Star of Burning Abyss! Abyssal Slash!"

Malacoda's swords lit on fire. It swung them, sending a cross of fire at Virgil, destroying it.

"Since Virgil was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can draw a card!" Darius explained.

Specter frowned. Darius sure was tenacious. "I end my turn with two face-downs."

"My turn! I draw!" Darius declared as he drew.

"I activate the Continuous Trap Cards: Spirit Barrier and Imperial!" Specter declared. "Thanks to Spirit Barrier, so long as I control a monster, I take no battle damage. And thanks Imperial Custom, all my Continuous Trap Cards can't be destroyed by card effects. With this sturdy wall protecting me, I'll easily win the duel on my next turn."

"You're wrong. There is no next turn for you," Darius said.

"What?" Spectre said, surprised.

"I activate the Spell Card: Dark Eruption! It lets me add a Dark monster with 1500 or less attack points from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Tour Guide From the Underworld to my hand and then summon it."

The red-haired woman wearing a blue suit and carrying a black purse reappeared.

Tour Guide From the Underworld ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"Tour Guide's effect activated! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 3 Fiend monster from my hand or Deck with its effects negated. From my Deck, I summon Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

The winged fiend with no arms and long white hair appeared in Attack Position.

Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1900 LVL: 3

Next, I activate the Spell Card: Release Change! By Tributing one monster on my field, I can Special Summon one monster with the same Level from my Deck! I Tribute the Level 3 Tour Guide to Special Summon the Level 3 Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

Tour Guide burst into particles as a masked winged fiend with long hair and nails appeared in Defense Position.

Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 800 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"As I control no Spell or Trap Cards, I can Special Summon Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"

A demonic centaur with wings appeared in Attack Position.

Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1400 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit of the underworld!" A Link Portal appeared above Darius. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Burning Abyss" monsters! I'll set Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss into the Link Arrows!"

Scarm went into the bottom arrow, Calcab went into the bottom-left arrow, and Farfa went into the bottom-right arrow.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! O Guardian of the Underworld, grant me the power to punish my enemies and burn them all to the ground! Link-3! Phlegyas, Guardian of the Burning Abyss!"

Standing eight feet in height, a demonic giant emerged from the Link Portal to Darius's field in the Right Extra Monster Zone. He had massive feet with small spikes on his thighs, along with muscular arms. Over his magma-hardened body were more spikes, along with cracks around his head that were glowing. On top of his head was a large crown, and at the sides were two curved horns. Phlegyas' eyes glowed bright orange as he roared at Specter.

Phlegyas, Guardian of the Burning Abyss ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"When Phlegyas is Link Summoned," Darius explained, "I can destroy cards you control equal to the number of "Burning Abyss" monsters I used as Link Material! Since I used three "Burning Abyss" monsters, I can destroy three cards. Therefore, I'll destroy your Sunflora Yggdrasil, Healer and Thrasher! Infernal Firaga!"

"What?!" Specter exclaimed in shock as Phlegyas fired three fireballs from his hands, which burned Yggdrasil, Healer, and Thrasher.

"Specter's monsters are gone, just like that!" Varis exclaimed.

"Farfa's effect activated!" Darius continued. "When it is sent to the Graveyard, one monster is banished until the End Phase!"

"What!?" Specter's eyes went wider as Malacoda disappeared, leaving him defenseless.

"But without that card..." Ringmaster began.

"Specter's defenseless." Playmaker finished for him.

"B-But how?" Specter said, his eyes wide with shock. "How… where did I go wrong!?"

"Simple. When you foolishly decided to duel me. Battle!" Darius declared. "Phlegyas, Guardian of the Burning Abyss, attacks you directly, Specter! Infernal Fury!"

Phlegyas' hands glowed as he raised them high in the air, causing the ground underneath Specter to heat up. The next thing he knew, he was engulfed by the erupted inferno, causing him to scream in a lot of pain for several seconds before it dissipated. Soon after, Specter fell to the ground in a state of pain.

Specter: 2000→0 LP

Darius's monster disappeared as he walked up to the fallen Specter. He looked down on him with a dispassionate gaze.

"Dueling you wasn't worth the time it took," he said. Then he raised his right hand as it crackled with red lightning.

Suddenly Specter turned red and started to break apart. His legs and arms disappeared. His expression, posture, and gaze… none of them changed as he met Darius's eyes unflinchingly. Not until his eyes themselves disintegrated, and all that was left was a crimson sphere in Darius's fist.

Roget tilted his head. "Victory as expected."

Varis grit his teeth as the barrier and Darius disappeared sphere cut out. "Specter lost," he said. "And it's all because of him."

Zero watched as the sphere disappeared. "Darius, how could you?" he muttered.

Ringmaster and Playmaker continued down to the forest biome. "I can't believe Darius is now working with Roget," Ringmaster said.

"Well, remember that no matter who comes after us… we can't afford to lose." Playmaker said.

And that's Chapter 36. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Credit to Divadx for letting me use his Burning Abyss cards. Make sure to go check out his fanfic Obscured Truth. As I mentioned above, I'll be polling for who gets to the duel next in Chapter 37. The choices are Maestra. Ringmaster, Playmaker, Zero, Varis, Storm Rider and Sanctum. Whoever is requested the most will be the winner. With all of that said, see you guys next time and don't be afraid to leave a review or send me a PM.

OC Card Memo:

Sunbloom Shield

Normal Trap

If your opponent declares a direct attack: Negate that attack, then end the Battle Phase. If this card is in your GY and you would take 1 instance of damage (Quick Effect): You can banish this card; negate that damage, then draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Sunbloom Shield" once per turn.

Sunavalon Grace

Continuous Spell

If you control no "Sunavalon" monsters, destroy this card. There can only be 1 "Sunavalon Grace" on the field. Your opponent cannot target or destroy other "Sunvine or Sunavalon" cards or face-down cards in your Spell & Trap Zones. If a card or effect which would target a "Sunvine or Sunavalon" card you control is activated: You can banish this card from your GY, then negate that activation, and if you do, destroy that card.

Sunvine Cleric (Earth/Plant/Effect/ATK: 200/DEF: 1400/LV: 3)

If this card is used as Link Material to summon a "Sunavalon" Link Monster: You can draw cards equal to that monster's Link Rating or return cards from your Banish Zone to your GY equal to that monster's Link Rating.

Sunavalon Malice (Equip Spell Card)

Effect: Equip only to a 'Sunvine' or 'Sunavalon' Link Monster you control. When the equipped monster destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can target 1 'Sunavalon' Link Monster you control; inflict damage to your opponent equal to its Link Rating x 800.

Phlegyas, Guardian of the Burning Abyss (LR: 3/Fiend/Dark/ATK: 3000/↙️⬇️↘️)

Effect: 2 or more 'Burning Abyss' monsters. When this card is Link Summoned: You can destroy cards your opponent controls equal to the number of 'Burning Abyss' monsters used as Link Material. Once per turn: You can tribute 1 'Burning Abyss' monster this card points to; this card gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the tributed monster until the End Phase.