Aurasoul: Hello everyone and welcome to Vrains! I give a shout out to 0713MM for helping me type this story along with letting me use his OC Glacies and I don't own Vrains just my OCs.
Flare: I am never going through that again.
Aurasoul: Oh my dear there are no promises with that its Vrains after all!
Ai groaned: We're doomed!
Chapter 23
"Don't think you'll win Sparks. I'll make sure to snap you out of it." Soulburner smirked.
"Hmph. Such naivety." Sparks slightly smiled, before growing serious. "Let us begin."
"DUEL!"
"I'll go first." Sparks spoke. "I activate my Field Spell, Thunder Spiral Tower. Form, electric tower of the Ideal Dragon." Blue electricity sparked before roaring in a spiral tower. "Ahh! Not again!" Ai yelped.
"Thunder Spiral Tower gives Thunder Ideal monsters an extra 500 ATK. And when a Thunder Ideal monster is Summoned or Tributed, I can add a Thunder Ideal card from my deck to my hand." Sparks spoke. "Next, I Normal Summon Thunder Ideal Swordsman." The Swordsman appeared on his field wielding his sword. (Thunder Ideal Swordsman Level: 4 ATK/DEF: 2500 (originally: 2000)/500)
"Thunder Spiral Tower's effect now lets me add a Thunder Ideal card from my deck to my hand." Sparks said, adding a card to his hand. "If I have a Thunder Ideal monster on my field, I can Special Summon Thunder Ideal Huntress from my hand." And the huntress appeared on the field next to the swordsman. (Thunder Ideal Huntress Level: 3 ATK/DEF: 1900 (Originally: 1400)/1000)
"He's going for it." Flare frowned.
"Come circuit of electrifying ideals!" Sparks called, launching his blue electricity to form the circuit. "Summoning conditions are two Thunder Ideal monsters. I set Thunder Ideal Swordsman and Huntress into the Link Markers!" Swordsman and Huntress became electric blue cyclones going in the arrowheads. "Circuit combine! Appear Link 2 Thunder Ideal Dragon Shaman!" And appearing from the Circuit was a black haired man with red dragon like eyes, black dragon scales on his cheeks, wearing black and lightning blue shamanic robes, and wielding a lightning blue sword. (Thunder Ideal Dragon Shaman Link: 2 ATK: 2300 (Originally: 1800) Link Arrows: Down, Bottom left)
"Not bad." Soulburner noted.
"He's not done yet." Revolver frowned.
"Dragon Shaman's effect. Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Thunder Ideal monster from the graveyard to one of his arrows. Return, Thunder Ideal Huntress." Sparks spoke, as the Huntress reappeared on the field next to Dragon Shaman's bottom arrow. "And with my field spell I add another Thunder Ideal card to my hand. Now come once again circuit of electrifying ideals!" Once again his lighting sparked to form the circuit. "Summoning conditions are at least 2 Effect Monsters. I set Link 2 Dragon Shaman and Huntress into the Link Markers." Sparks spoke, as Dragon Shaman became two lightning blue cyclones and Huntress became one once again as they went into the Link Markers. "Circuit combine! The Yang dragon of Ideals electrify the wrong! Link Summon! Volt up, Link 3 Thunder Ideal Dragon Hero, Zekro!" In a crash of blue lightning Zekro appeared from out of the circuit next to Sparks raising his spear. (Thunder Ideal Dragon Hero, Zekro Link: 3 ATK: 2900 (Originally: 2400) Link Arrows: Up, down, bottom left)
"He managed to Summon his ace." Flame remarked.
"Perhaps. But that won't stop me." Soulburner grinned.
"He doesn't know, does he?" Revolver frowned. "How ruthless Sparks can truly be."
"Yeah. He can make you seem like a tame puppy." Flare sighed.
"Zekro's effect allows me to Special Summon a level 4 or lower Thunder Ideal monster next to his link. Forming Ideal!" Sparks called, as Zekro's spear glowed. "Now come Swordsman." Swordsman reappeared once more on the field as Sparks took another card from his deck. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn." He finished. Soulburner placed his right on top of his Deck. (Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 5 cards.)
"Interesting start there Sparks." Soulburner told him. "But me and Flame will burn our way through and have our voices reach you. Even it costs having my own body hurt; both here and in the real world."
"Heh, that's what I like about you Soulburner." Sparks remarked with a light chuckle. "You reach out, having the ideal of wanting to help those closest to you. I always respected that about you." Sparks then frowned. "But you should know that there will come a time where you will have to make a choice to break that ideal for the sake of something more important. Ideals can be easily broken, unless sacrifices are made." Sparks glanced at Revolver. "I dare say Revolver knows that best." Revolver tsked at that, but said nothing in response. Sparks gave a sad smile as he went on. "So that's why I rely on Lightning-sama. For he could truly bring the true ideal world to us." Soulburner frowned at that last part.
"You're wrong Sparks." Soulburner remarked. "You think the "perfect ideal world" is one where Lightning controls the entire Human Race? If so, then Lightning has fed you false information. Nothing, and I mean nothing good can come out of such a world." He put his right hand to his chest. "Where there's peace, there will be war."
"Agree to disagree as they say. If you think Lightning-sama's ideal is false, then prove as such prove that your ideal is stronger than his." Sparks told him.
"You know, you can hardly tell he's controlled by Lightning and Windy when he talks like that." Ai remarked.
"Yeah. In a way, it shows he is still there." Playmaker nodded.
"Soulburner, make sure you do not let your guard down. Sparks will no doubt go all out on us." Flame warned his partner.
"And I will go out all too." Soulburner remarked. "Because if I don't, then some may view that as me taking pity on them."
"And you know how much they hate that." Flame chuckled lowly.
"Yeah." Soulburner nodded. He lowered his right hand and placed it ontop of his deck. "My turn; draw!" (Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 6 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) Once Soulburner drew his card, he observed his 6 card hand. He smiled at what his hand contained.
"This hand will work." Soulburner spoke as he grabbed a card from his hand. "I'll start by Normal Summoning Salamangreat Foxy to my field." A blue cyberse fox appeared onto Soulburner's field. (Salamangreat Foxy, Level 3 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1000/1200. Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 5 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) "Foxy's effect upon being Normal Summoned! I can look at the top 3 cards of my Deck. If any of the 3 cards are Salamangreat cards, I can add 1 of them to my hand. The rest are shuffled back into my Deck."
Sparks has Zekro, Swordsman, and 2 facedowns. If Soulburner activates a Spell or Trap, Sparks can use Zekro's effect to negate it. Not only that, but with those face-downs, Soulburner has to be careful. Flare thought with a frown. Soulburner drew the top 3 cards of his Deck and looked at them.
Which one should I pick? Soulburner thought. He pressed one of the cards; thus adding it to his hand.
"I choose Fusion of Fire." Soulburner spoke as he added said card to his hand. "And now that I have, the other 2 cards go back into my Deck." (Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 6 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Yes! With that he can use Zekro as fusion material!" Ai grinned.
"And having it leave Sparks's field as well." Playmaker added.
"But since Zekro points to a monster, he can't do that yet." Revolver frowned. "Because if Soulburner tries now, Sparks will just negate Fusion of Fire's activation by Tributing a monster Zekro points to."
"And that's if he can get a monster on the field..." Flare muttered.
"Soulburner…" Playmaker spoke softly. Soulburner then raised his right arm upward.
"Appear! The circuit that changes the future!" Soulburner called out as the dark blue link circuit appeared. "Arrowhead confirmed. The Summoning Condition is 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster. I set Salamangreat Foxy into the Link Marker. Link Summon! Come out! Link 1! Salamangreat Babelynx!" Out of the circuit came forth a small flaming baby lynx. (Salamangreat Babelynx, Link 1 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, Link Arrow(s): B, ATK: 500. Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 6 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Babelynx. And with it, you can add your field spell." Sparks hummed.
"That I can." Soulburner confirmed. "But before I do, I have 1 monster to Special Summon from my hand. Since a Salamangreat monster(s) was sent from my field to the GY, I can Special Summon Salamangreat Gazelle from my hand!" Charging onto the field was a flaming, yet small, gazelle. (Salamangreat Gazelle, Level 3 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1500/1000. Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 6 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) After that, Soulburner added Salamangreat Sanctuary and sent Salamangreat Spinny from his Deck to his GY via Gazelle's 2nd effect.
And with Spinny in the GY, he can Special Summon it. Sparks thought. Going for broke.
"Appear for the 2nd time! The circuit that changes the future!" The circuit appeared once more. "Arrowheads confirmed. The Summoning Conditions are at least 2 FIRE Effect Monsters! I set the Link 1 Salamangreat Babelynx and Salamangreat Gazelle into the Link Markers. Link Summon! Come forth! Link 2! Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf!" This time out of the circuit came forth a wolf. (Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf, Link 2 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, Link Arrows: T/B, ATK: 1800. Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 6 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Soulburner is going all out." Ai noted. "Is that a good idea though? Sparks's set cards can be activated at any time and disrupt Soulburner's turn."
"That may be." Playmaker added, but frowned. "But Soulburner wants to end this duel as quickly as possible. The longer it goes on, the more likely that Windy and Lightning will be able to form a counterattack against us."
"But Sparks won't make it that easy." Revolver frowned.
"Maybe not." Playmaker agreed. "However, Soulburner still has 6 cards in his hand. 2 of which are his Fusion of Fire and Salamangreat Sanctuary Spells."
Ever since I can remember, strategizing has always been Sparks's forte. Especially when it comes to dueling. Flare thought with a frown, clutching her head. Is that why… I'm feeling anxious?
"Salamangreat Fowl's effect in my hand!" Soulburner revealed. "Since I Normal or Special Summoned a Salamangreat monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" A flaming fowl appeared in the Zone that Sunlight Wolf pointed to. (Salamangreat Fowl, Level 4 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1800/200. Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 5 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"And because of Wolf's effect, you can now add a FIRE attribute monster from your GY to your hand." Sparks remarked.
"Should I choose to." Soulburner added. "Which I will. I'll bring back Salamangreat Gazelle to my hand."
"Now Soulburner has a Link 2 and another monster." Ai grinned.
"Salamangreat Heatleo is next." Playmaker added with a grin of his own.
"That's right, Playmaker." Soulburner confirmed as he raised his right arm upward for the 3rd time. "Appear for the 3rd time! The circuit that-"
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid that won't happen." Sparks spoke. "Your circuit that would lead to your future will not appear." Suddenly the circuit cracked before suddenly shattering much to their shock.
"What?!" Flame gasped.
"Soulburner's circuit!" Ai yelped. Soulburner looked shocked before looking and gasped to see a card face-up on Sparks's field. "Trap card. Link Discord. For 3 turns neither one of us can Link Summon." Sparks spoke, his red eyes gleaming. "Soulburner, Flame your future is locked." Soulburner and Flame gasped in shock while the others looked shocked.
"So Soulburner can't Link Summon now?!" Ai yelped.
"He won't even be able to Reincarnation Link Summon either." Flare winced. Soulburner tched in frustration.
"You could have played that earlier." Soulburner pointed out. "So why wait? Was it to give me a false sense of hope?"
"No. It's to show that not everything goes your way unless you're willing to sacrifice everything." Sparks replied lightly. "It is obvious that your strong points are your Link Summon. And more specifically, your Reincarnation Link Summon. For they symbolize your future. Yet you don't realize that you rely too heavily on it. Which makes it easy for your opponent to bind you. Such as what I just did."
Leave it to Sparks to pinpoint an opponent's tactics so easily. Flare thought with a strained look.
"So you've figured out my main strategy." Soulburner admitted begrudgingly.
"Heh. You're easy to read." Sparks remarked with a light smile. "You're more expressive and outgoing. Which means your tactics are upfront and more of an attacker than a defender. You go all out in order to beatdown the opponent. So it's only logical to tie you down."
"That's harsh, yet so true!" Ai panicked.
"And you thought Revolver was bad." Flare sighed.
"Well he is!" Ai protested.
"Shut it Dark Ignis." Revolver snapped. "No one cares what you have to say." Flare whacked Revolver's shoulder.
"The fact is Sparks is way worse than this guy." She sighed as Revolver rubbed his shoulder.
"So now what will you do? Will you be locked away, or break the binds?" Sparks wondered, amused.
"...You should know the answer to that question, Sparks." Soulburner spoke lowly as shadows covered his eyes for a brief moment before it vanished. Sparks smiled, beckoning forward.
"Then come and try." He challenged.
"Soulburner we have to tread carefully. It seems we're facing a more challenging opponent than we first thought." Flame warned.
"Yeah, I know." Soulburner nodded.
"Even if Soulburner uses Fusion of Fire, Sparks will only negate it with Zekro's effect." Playmaker frowned.
"And since he can't Link Summon, his hands are tied." Ai spoke, worried.
"We shall see." Revolver added. "And considering Soulburner was one of 6 children from the Lost Incident, and has a Cyberse Deck, the chances of him losing are pretty low." Chuckles. "Though he did lose to Ice Queen. But that's his own fault for not paying attention to the duel."
"Ok 1. Leave the poor boy alone." Flare scowled. "And 2. Can you really talk when it's the same for you?"
"What?" Revolver frowned, pretending he doesn't know what Flare is talking about. "What are you talking about Flare? How is it the same for me?"
"She knows you get distracted by her when you duel her Revolver." Sparks smiled. "Why? Because I told her."
"Oi!" Revolver groaned. "That has nothing to do with Soulburner and his duel against you. So shut it."
"Sparks. The Duel." Shard spoke robotically.
"Yes, yes. I haven't forgotten. After all, it's still my opponent's turn." Sparks said with a light smile. "Continue Soulburner."
"Right." Soulburner nodded.
I can't do much for this turn. Soulburner thought. So….. He grabbed 2 cards from his hand and set them.
"I end my turn with 2 set cards." (Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"I see. Then it is my turn. Draw." Sparks spoke. (Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) Sparks looked at the card and gave a light smile.
"I Normal Summon Thunder Ideal Spearman." The spearman appeared on the field spinning his spear before standing next to Swordsman as Sparks's field spell allowed him to add a card to his hand. (Thunder Ideal Spearman, Attribute: LIGHT, Level: 4, Type: Warrior/Effect, ATK/DEF: 2300 (Originally:1800)/800. Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Aaah! This is bad! With those 3 monsters, Soulburner is in trouble!" Ai panicked.
"3 maybe. But not the ones you think." Sparks suddenly smirked.
"Eh?" Ai yelped.
"2 Level 4 monsters." Revolver frowned.
"It's coming." Flare frowned.
"Eh?!" Ai shrieked. "What's coming?!"
"I overlay my Level 4 Thunder Ideal Swordsman and Spearman." Sparks voiced. "And with these 2 monsters I build the Overlay Network!" Lightning blue light shined from Sparks's duel disk before he lifted it as the light shot up from above as the lights sparked like thunder raining down before the Overlay Network formed behind him. His 2 monsters become lightning blue lights before going within it. "Xyz Summon! Yang dragon of Ideal be reborn in your storm to destroy the wicked ideals! Shock them! Rank 4! Thunder Ideal Dragon Paladin, Zekro!" From within a storm another version of Zekro appeared onto the field wearing padded black armor wielding an electric blue spear, his wings tipped in blue, and a black spirit like dragon swirled around him as 2 Overlay Units circled around him. (Thunder Ideal Dragon Paladin, Zekro, Attribute: LIGHT, Rank: 4, Type: Dragon/Xyz/Effect, ATK/DEF: 3500 (Originally: 3000)/2600. Sparks's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"Xyz?!" Soulburner gasped.
"Sparks uses Xyz?!" Ai gaped, shocked.
"It shouldn't come as a surprise. Considering I use Synchro." Flare frowned.
"Since I Special Summoned a Thunder Ideal monster, my tower allows me to draw 1 card then Dragon Paladin Zekro's effect. By using one Xyz Material, I can Special Summon 1 Thunder Ideal monster from my GY." Sparks said, as he drew his card. "Return my Huntress." And Huntress reappeared once more unto the field as Sparks drew another card. (Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)
"And that's not all of Paladin's abilities." Sparks continued. "Once per turn, I can cut in half 1 of my opponent's monster's ATK and increase his ATK by the difference."
"He can do what?!" Ai gaped.
"Not happening!" Soulburner revealed as he gestured to 1 of his set cards. "Counter Trap activate! Salamangreat Roar! When you activate a Spell/Trap, or a monster's effect while I control a Salamangreat Link monster, its activation is negated and then destroyed!" The Paladin cried out as he was destroyed from the field.
"Unfortunately for you Sparks, your Zekro can't negate a Counter Trap." Soulburner pointed out. "That's Zekro's main flaw." Soulburner frowned.
He didn't counter with his own set card. Is he waiting to use it? Soulburner thought.
"Yes. That is the flaw of a person's ideal." Sparks remarked. "When one is able to counter the other, it's possible to stand above." But Sparks then smirked. "But that doesn't mean we don't show our fangs when it happens." He added.
"What?" Soulburner grew wide eyed.
"Trap activate! Terror of Ideals! When a Thunder Ideal monster is destroyed, my opponent takes damage equal to the destroyed monster's ATK." Sparks smirked.
"What?!" Ai yelled.
"Paladin Zekro's ATK was 3000. Which means!" Flame gasped.
"3000 points of damage." Shard finished robotically. Blue lightning then sparked before crashing down from above onto Soulburner. Soulburner suppressed the urge to howl in pain. Instead, he gnashed his teeth until he bit his bottom lip of his avatar too hard and red data trickled down from his bottom lip. (Soulburner's LP: 4000 - 3000 = 1000. Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 1000.)
"Soulburner!" Playmaker yelled.
"Flame!" Ai gasped.
"Sparks knew Soulburner would have a counter trap to negate his Paladin's effect. He saw it coming." Flare winced.
"And used the destruction of his monster to his advantage." Revolver frowned. "Then again, all 4 of us do take advantage of situations like that one."
"Yeah. But Sparks is more sadistic about it." Flare frowned.
"I guess." Revolver shrugged before turning his attention back to the duel. "If Soulburner wants to win, he'll need to find a way to get Zekro's negation out of the way." He chuckled. "And without Link Summoning at his disposal, the chances of him winning are pretty low. Oh well." Once again Flare whacked his shoulder with a sigh. "Oi! You know what I say is true! If Soulburner loses, I could care less."
"Do you wanna get whacked again?" Flare scowled.
"Something tells me that Revolver doesn't care if you whack him repeatedly." Playmaker sweatdropped. "So he'll keep speaking his mind."
"Huntress attack Gazelle!" Sparks yelled. Huntress raised her bow before shooting a lightning arrow piercing Gazelle, causing it to cry out before being destroyed. (Soulburner's LP: 1000 - 300 = 700. Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 700.)
"One more attack and it's over." Playmaker frowned deeply. Sparks's red eyes glowed darkly as he raised his hand. "Now Zekro, end this duel. Attack Sunlight Wolf! Storm Bolt!" He yelled. Zekro flew with blue electricity, ready to strike.
"I activate the effect of Salamangreat Raccoon in my hand!" Soulburner revealed. "By discarding him, I can target both of our monsters. After that, I gain LPs equal to your monster's ATK. In addition! My Sunlight Wolf cannot be destroyed by battle this turn!"
Sparks grew wide eyed as Zekro slashed at Sunlight Wolf, who howled in pain yet wasn't destroyed as he chuckled.
"Clever. But you still take damage." He countered.
"I know." Soulburner retorted as his avatar fizzled blue. (Soulburner's LP: 700 + 2900 - 1100 = 2500. Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 2 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"Not bad. I place a card face-down and end my turn." Sparks finished. (Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 2 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"My turn! Draw!" Soulburner declared. (Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"Soulburner managed to survive, but if he doesn't find a way to get rid of Sparks's trap." Flare frowned. Sparks looked at Soulburner, giving a light smile as he rubbed his left shoulder.
"Your will is impressive. Most Impressive. Most who take a harsh hit from my trap would pass out by it." He remarked.
"Well I'm not most." Soulburner retorted. Sparks chuckled, moving his shoulder.
"Indeed you are not." He agreed, pointing to his lip. "Although you might want to get that checked, it might've hurt in real life too."
"I'm fine." Soulburner remarked coolly.
"So you say. But Ice Queen will worry regardless." Sparks chuckled.
"What does that mean?" Soulburner demanded.
"Oh nothing~" Sparks hummed with a cackle. "Only you're just as obvious as Revolver. Another thing you have in common with him."
"I have nothing in common with that monster!" Soulburner growled. "Don't compare me to him!"
"Monster? Hmm. A pain in the rear, reckless, and a blind fool yes. But Revolver is no monster." Sparks hummed.
"Yet you're being brainwashed by Lightning and Windy, so…." Soulburner sweatdropped. "I'll just call him a monster anyway. Fits Revolver's description way better to me."
"I don't know if I should be happy that Sparks said all those things, or be mad that Soulburner is referring to me as a monster." Revolver sweatdropped with a humph and an arm crossing. "Whatever floats his boat I suppose."
"I guess." Playmaker admitted. Soulburner looked at his hand, then back at Sparks.
"This duel so far has reminded me of a previous duel I partaken in out of anger." Soulbuner began. "And your tactics so far, Sparks, have reminded me of that duel. You should know, you were there." At Soulburner's words, Revolver's face went into a state of confusion.
"What the hell is he talking about?" Revolver wondered aloud.
"Yeah I'm a little lost here too." Flare blinked. Playmaker's facial expression went grim as he glanced at Revolver and Flare.
"You 2 aren't going to like what comes next." Playmaker warned. "I was there too. I know what he's talking about."
"A duelist who could think, no, not think, see moves from both sides before they actually happen." Soulburner continued. "Your tactics are like that. But then again, all 3 of you are like that. It didn't click for me until now."
"Soulburner…" Playmaker spoke softly, knowing what was coming next.
"Oh?" Sparks questioned, amused.
"Your tactics are like….Mrs. Kogami's." Soulburner finally said. "Except hers were much more refined." Upon hearing "Mrs. Kogami", Revolver instantly knew who Soulburner was talking about.
"Mother…!" Revolver growled as he clenched his fists. "When I find her….I'll end her myself! For leaving us at a crucial moment in our lives….! AND FOR WHAT?!" Flare covered her mouth in shock, swiftly turning to Playmaker and Ai.
"You guys found Aunt Juliette and didn't tell me?!" She demanded.
"Please don't burn us to ashes!" Ai yelled. "We couldn't tell you! We knew if we did, you'd tell Revolver!"
"Too late for that!" Revolver roared as he grabbed Playmaker by the collar. "Where is she?!"
"She's gone." Sparks spoke up, making the 2 look up at him. "Had to go somewhere with the Earth Ignis."
"The Earth Ignis? She was with him?" Flare questioned.
"Yeah." Playmaker nodded. "The 2 formed a-"
"Connection?! Fuck that!" Revolver snarled as he let go of Playmaker. "When I find her….both her and the Earth Ignis will be no more!"
"I believe we're getting off track." Sparks spoke, clapping his hands to have them look at him. "But you are right, Soulburner. Out of the 3 of us, or should I say 4, my dueling is the most similar to Aunt Juliette on tactics. Yet given her experience, I am not quite at her level."
"You will be on her level once she's gone!" Revolver snapped. "Gone by my hand!" Soulburner waved his hands awkwardly at Revolver's anger.
"Eheh. Now I feel stupid for even bringing it up." Soulburner spoke awkwardly. "I didn't think that Revolver would have such hatred for his Mom."
"You have no idea." Sparks whistled.
"Just stop talking and continue dueling already!" Revolver roared. "Stop talking about that disgrace of a mother!"
"Revolver, enough!" Flare hissed. Revolver turned his attention to Flare, his face still red with anger, his avatar body shaking almost uncontrollably. He was about to retort angrily, but stopped himself.
"...Fine…." Revolver relented. "But…..I do plan to end "Mother" once I find her…" Flare only frowned with a sigh while Sparks whistled.
"Best we continue, Soulburner." He spoke.
"Right." Soulburner nodded as he looked at his hand again.
What to do… Soulburner thought to himself. He glanced at his last face-down. That'll work.
"I activate my Set Salamangreat Circle!" Soulburner revealed. "Upon activation, I can add 1 Salamangreat card from my Deck to my hand."
"Interesting. Which card will it be, I wonder." Sparks hummed.
"Salamangreat Beat Bison." Soulburner retorted as he added said card to his hand. "Now that's out of the way, I'll activate my Field Spell, Salamangreat Sanctuary!"
"Eh? But why do that when he can't Link Summon?" Ai wondered, confused.
"Soulburner's got this." Revolver grinned. "It's true that he can't Link Summon due to Sparks's Link Discord Continuous Trap for the next 2 turns, but he's trying to bait out the negate from Sparks's Zekro. Sparks will have to negate a Spell/Trap at some point. If he doesn't, then he'll lose control of the duel."
"But this is Sparks. It would have to be something even he can't ignore." Flare pointed out.
"Which would be Fusion of Fire." Playmaker frowned.
"But then that would mean." Ai voiced.
"Soulburner." Flame looked at his partner, worried.
"It's fine Flame." Soulburner grinned. "I activate Salamangreat Foxy's effect in my GY! By discarding Gazelle, I can Special Summon it from my GY!" The blue fox returned to the field. (Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 2 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"Now the conditions are met for me to win." Soulburner smiled. "I Tribute my Foxy and Sunlight Wolf to Summon Salamangreat Beat Bison!" The flaming cyberse bison appeared on Soulburner's field. (Salamangreat Beat Bison, Level 8 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 2800/1000. Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"You've lost, Sparks." Soulburner told the ideologist duelist. "You were so focused on me playing Fusion of Fire that you completely forgot about my set card. Which turned out to be Salamangreat Circle." He shrugged. "Then again, either way you'd lose. So what am I talking about?"
"Now he's lost me." Ai sweatdropped.
"You really are slow, Dark Ignis." Revolver rolled his eyes. "It's as I said, Soulburner was planning to bait Sparks's Zekro negation. Since Sparks did not do it when he had the chance, his defeat is certain. Even more certain than before had he chosen to negate Salamangreat Circle."
"Salamangreat Beat Bison!" Soulburner revealed. "Once per turn, I can return any number of Salamangreat Link monsters to my Extra Deck. Then I can negate the effects of face-up cards you control equal to the number of returned Link monsters until the End Phase! So I'll be returning Sunlight Wolf and Babelynx to my Extra Deck in order to negate the effects of Link Discord and your Zekro!"
"Which means he can Link Summon now. And Sparks can't negate his effects." Playmaker smiled.
"Told you Soulburner had it." Revolver grinned.
"I activate Fusion of Fire!" Soulburner announced. "I shall fuse your Zekro with my Beat Bison!" Zekro became blue flames, while Beat Bison became red. The 2 flames swirled before they clashed to become purple. "Appear! The origin of a crazy soul! The magical beast whose flesh gathers the weapons of evil beasts! Fusion Summon! Level 8! Salamangreat Violet Chimera!" Out of the Fusion Portal came forth the purple auraed, flaming cyberse chimera. (Salamangreat Violet Chimera, Level 8 FIRE Cyberse-type Fusion monster, ATK: 5400 (originally 2800)/2000. Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"Very impressive. You seem to have managed to out maneuver me." Sparks smirked.
"I would have out maneuvered you regardless of what you did." Soulburner retorted, a smirk of his own lips.
"Maybe. But there's still the matter of my face-down. With it, I could stop you." Sparks pointed out. "Think you could take that chance?"
"Of course I can." Soulburner retorted.
"Good answer." Sparks smirked. "Then come and try. Show me your future."
"I will!" Soulburner shot back.
"He could be bluffing." Flame frowned.
"But he may also not be bluffing." Soulburner spoke with a frown. "Still, even if he is or not, Violet Chimera doesn't have enough ATK to defeat him this turn. He'll be at 400 LP left if this attack goes through." Then a light bulb appeared above his head. "Oh yeah! I can win this turn! Since I control a Salamangreat monster, I can Special Summon Salamangreat Spinny from my GY. But it's then banished if it leaves the field." The flaming armadillo appeared on Soulburner's field. (Salamangreat Spinny, Level 3 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1000/1500. Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Sparks's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"Battle!" Soulburner declared as he thrusted his right hand forward. "Salamangreat Violet Chimera, attack Thunder Ideal Huntress!" Chimera pierced Huntress causing her to cry out with a shriek before she was destroyed. (Sparks's LP: 4000 - 3600 = 400. Sparks's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Sparks's LP: 400. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"Time to end this! Salamangreat Spinny, direct attack!" Soulburner continued.
"Trap activate! Thunder Gathering! When a Thunder Ideal monster is destroyed in battle, I can Special Summon a Thunder Ideal monster from my hand or Deck that is the same Level as the destroyed monster!" Sparks called. "Huntress was Level 3. So I Special Summon the Level 3 Thunder Ideal Spark Edge!" The electric armored man appeared on the field. (Thunder Ideal Spark Edge, Attribute: LIGHT, Level: 3, Type: Warrior/Effect, ATK/DEF: 1300/500. Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Sparks's LP: 400. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"I'll stop my attack." Soulburner frowned. "That's fine. Because since a Salamangreat monster destroyed your monster in battle, I can add Salamangreat Racoon from my GY to my hand. With that, I end my turn." (Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Sparks's LP: 400. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"Ah! He couldn't finish him!" Ai panicked.
"And with Salamangreat Racoon as Soulburner's only defense, the duel is as good as over for him." Revolver frowned before chuckling. "Oh well. 1 less Ignis for me to deal with in the long run."
"I swear…" Flare muttered lowly.
"Have fun dealing with him." Playmaker laughed lightly.
"What do you even see in him?" Ai questioned.
"Ai don't you start." Flare scowled.
"I'm just saying!" Ai put his hands up.
"My turn draw!" Sparks voiced. (Sparks's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Sparks's LP: 400. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"I have to say Soulburner, it was impressive to be able to corner me the way you did." Sparks hummed.
"But you also cornered yourself." Soulburner pointed out. "Due to your own Link Discord Trap, you cannot Link Summon until the end of my next turn."
"Yes I cannot Link Summon. But," Sparks smirked, revealing a card. "I can Special Summon. I activate the Spell card, Monster Reborn!"
"Bringing back your Link 3 Zekro I take it?" Soulburner asked. "Or your Xyz monster for the 3000 ATK?"
"Return to me! Dragon Paladin Zekro!" Sparks called, as his Paladin reappeared once more. (Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Sparks's LP: 400. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
Even though I know this boy bested me in this duel. Sparks thought, looking at Soulburner. He's rough around the edges, yet has so much potential for his future. Can it surpass Lightning-sama's own ideal?
Sparks smirked. Now that's something I'd like to see. He thought.
"I end my turn." Soulburner's mouth fell open at that. (Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Sparks's LP: 400. Soulburner's LP: 2500.)
"What?! You're not attacking?!"
"I end my turn, Soulburner." Sparks replied.
"Don't mess with me!" Soulburner snapped. "You could have attacked and dealt damage! But no! Alright, fine! I draw!" (Sparks's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's hand: 2 cards. Sparks's LP: 400. Soulburner's LP: 2500.) Soulburner looked at the card he drew.
This is...! He thought in surprise.
"What did Soulburner draw?" Ai wondered aloud.
"We might find out." Flare said.
"I activate the Spell card, Reincarnation Fusion!" Soulburner announced as the card appeared. Its art depicted Violet Chimera and several other Salamangreat monsters surrounding the Fusion Portal. "With this card, by destroying Salamangreat Violet Chimera on my field and sending 1 Link monster from my Extra Deck to the GY, I can Fusion Summon!"
"A Reincarnation Fusion Summon?!" Ai gaped.
"No way!" Flare gaped.
"Go Soulburner! Break free into our future!" Flame yelled.
"Yeah!" Soulburner agreed. "Rise again! Salamangreat Violet Chimera!" The violet chimera appeared once again.
"Battle!" Soulburner declared. "Salamangreat Violet Chimera, attack Paladin Zekro!"
"But why? Violet Chimera is weaker." Ai pointed out. Revolver facepalmed.
"Idiot." Revolver groaned. "Salamangreat Violet Chimera, like Soulburner's other Reincarnation Summons, gains an effect if a monster with the same name is used as Material. In Salamangreat Violet Chimera's case, when it battles an opponent's monster, the opponent's monster's ATK becomes 0. And because it does, it can then double its ATK."
"That means 10,700 ATK." Playmaker added. "That is, assuming he used Salamangreat Heatleo as the Link monster Fusion Material."
"Which he no doubt did." Flare grinned.
"Even if he didn't, Sparks has lost either way." Revolver remarked. Sparks watched the attack coming, his eyes glowing by the flames.
Well done Soulburner… He thought. Violet Chimera stabbed Zekro as he cried out before destroying in a flaming explosion sending Sparks flying and crashing onto a pillar. (Sparks's LP: 400 - 10,700 = 0.)
"Sparks!" Soulburner yelled, as they ran over to him.
"Oh man! You sure did a number on him!" Ai yelped.
"Did I go overboard?!" Soulburner spoke, worried.
"Soulburner." Flare began.
"Well ouch." They all quickly look to see Sparks sitting up with a wince, rubbing his head.
"Sparks!" Soulburner gasped with relief.
"Do you remember what happened?" Flare voiced. Sparks pinched the bridge of his nose before blinking.
"Ah yeah I remember now." He nodded, looking at Soulburner and smirked, ruffling his hair. "You did good Soulburner. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Soulburner smiled. "Kinda got inspiration from witnessing Ice Queen not be affected by Lightning and Windy's mind control tactics."
"Well glad it paid off." Sparks smiled.
"Failure of capture." They gasped, looking up to see Shard as cold winds blew around her. "Flare and Sparks reprogramming have been compromised. Must capture them and take them to Lightning-sama for renewal of reprogramming and retrieve the Dark and Fire Ignis." She said robotically.
"Oh shit. We're screwed." Flare frowned.
"Lightning just had to make her into a hollow doll." Sparks scowled.
"Hollow doll?!" Ai questioned, worried.
"It's a term we use with her." Flare swallowed. "When she's like this, she becomes emotionless and detached. Like an emotionless doll. And goddammit! Lightning knew that too! Is there anything he doesn't know?!"
"Retrieval of Flare and Sparks shall be commenced first." Shard spoke. Cold winds blew from her, causing them to gasp.
"So cold!" Ai yelled. Ice began forming in front of Shard as she sent them toward the two.
"Shard stop!" The ice stopped before hitting Flare and Sparks, making them gasp surprised. Shard blinked to look at Playmaker, who had spoken up.
"Playmaker. Partner to the Dark Ignis, Ai." She spoke robotically. "Capture of the Dark Ignis for Lightning-sama is a top priority."
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Playmaker shot back.
"Resistance is futile." Shard spoke robotically.
"Oh yeah?" Ai retorted. He glanced up at Playmaker before continuing. "Let's go, Playmaker-sama!"
"Right." Playmaker agreed before activating his duel disk. "You want Ai, Shard? Then you have to defeat me in a duel first!"
Aurasoul: And thats that!
Shard: Now its me vs Playmaker?!
Aurasoul: Heck yeah! So until then everyone please read and review!
