Transformation Summon!

Alex laid down on the small wooden bench in one of the waiting rooms of the duel arena, giving out a big sigh. Many different eyes glanced at him before dismissing his existence.

"You know, I think you're good now. You should have everything you want in your deck." Dan stated, leaning against the wall next to Alex.

"I hope it's enough." Alex groaned, "I've been getting hand cramps from all the dueling I've been doing."

"Well, at least you're winning, so it's definitely worth it." Dan chuckled.

"I should stop here and go home. Or I could go to the card shop and see if there's any other card I want…" Alex pondered over what he wanted to do.

"I'm thinking of buying a few card packs, so you can join me if you want?" Dan offered, standing up straight.

"Card shop it is!" Alex got up from the bench and followed Dan out the door.

"The card shop outside works the same way as the ones inside, it's just bigger and has more machines. Buying from here, you get an extra pack for every 10 you buy." Dan explained, while looking for a vacant card vendor.

"Yeah I know, you've already told me this like 4 times now." Alex grumbled, walking a step behind Dan.

"You forget things way too easily, friend. Ah, there's one!" Dan jogged up to a card vending machine.

Just before he was able to reach, a large figure bounced him out of the way. Dan fell to the floor, giving a small, "Ow." as he landed.

"You two-" the large figure approached Alex and Dan. For whatever reason, a shiver went down both their spines.

"Grab on, buddy" a different voice spoke, cutting off the large figure. A man offered his hand to Dan and helped him on his feet, giving him a friend smile, "You two would be Alex and Dan, yeah?"

The old man had white hair and a scruffy white beard. He wore black rain jacket with a white tank top underneath, along with dark green camo pants. A giant pair of grey waterproof boots made everyone else's feet look miniscule. On his back, a long fishing rod had its place. Dan gave it a bit of a stare before he gave the old man a thank you.

"I've heard much about you two. I was actually going to as you if-" the old man started.

"Now hold on there, Jerald! I was just in the middle of talking to these two first!" the large figure stepped forward. A middle aged woman wearing a simple blue dress and her greying hair was tied back in a bun.

"In the middle? You barely even started! Besides, you pushed the poor boy over!" Jerald, the old man, scolded.

"I was just on my way to help him up before you rudely interrupted!" the old lady argued.

"If anyone's interrupting here, it's you, Beatrice!"

"Do you even understand what interruption means? I swear, your age is really starting to affect you."

"You should ask yourself your own question! And don't bring my age into this before looking at the grey in your hair!"

"The grey in my hair? Look in the mirror, you geezer!"

The two continued to argue, bringing in a crowd.

"Yep, I'm going home. Bye Dan." Alex quickly turned around, not wanting to be associated with the two arguing folk.

"Me too." Dan followed suit.

"Now hold on just a second!" Jerald and Beatrice both turned and yelled to stop them.

"Ugh, so close." Dan groaned.

"I wanted to invite you to my guild-: Beatrice began.

"My guild! We're one of the few top guilds where-" Jerald interrupted.

"Where I can give you a safe place to-"

"No, I can give you a safe-"

"Stop interrupting me!"

"You stop interrupting me!"

Alex tapped Dan's back.

"Hm?" Dan turned around to face him, "What's up?"

"What's a guild?" Alex asked, unable to withstand the old folks badgering.

"Well, from what I was told, it's just a really large group of people under one name. Each guild gets a personal dueling room, with two dueling rings. You get a small amount of DP everyday, which gets bigger the more people you have in the guild. The only thing is that all your duels are broadcasted and are on a fairly strict schedule, though that depends on the guild master. You could just have a guild that doesn't have any of those rules. I guess they want us to be a part of their guild so they can promote themselves during the tournament." Dan explained.

"Thank god no one interrupted you." Alex gave Dan's shoulder a pat, "But really, you just get points everyday for a strict dueling schedule? That sounds pretty awful."

"Maybe. Remember, you can exchange DP for real money, so the guilds are essentially some people's meals for the day."

"Still… there's a sort of freedom with duels, you know?"

The old couple suddenly got very close to Alex and Dan.

"Now, will you join my guild?" they both shouted at them, "Perhaps a match with me to show how strong I am?"

Jerald and Beatrice went back to arguing with each other, telling the other to stop copying them.

"Thanks, but no thanks, my hand kinda hurts and I was heading home so…" Alex made another attempt to leave.

"Yeah, what he said." Dan mimicked, "Besides, I don't want to get caught up in two different duels, or a tag duel for that matter. It'll take forever."

"Wait. Tag duels?" Alex asked Dan, a shimmer of light in his eyes.

"Y-Yeah…?"

"Tag dueling is a thing here? We can do that?"

"'Well… Yes. If you have 4 people but-"

"Alright we gotta tag duel! We both will take you on! In a tag duel!" Alex challenged the two still-arguing folk with pure excitement in his eyes.

"Tag duel?" Jerald and Beatrice both said out loud, and gave each other a quick look, "Fine."

"Yes! Let's go Dan!" Alex gave him a look of excitement one would see in a child.

"I thought you wanted to go home!" Dan accused him.

"It's tag dueling! I've always wanted to tag duel but there's barely anyone who wants to team up with me to do that normally. Doing it here, it's like dueling for the first time.

"That's… kind of sad. But no way, you can't drag me into your shenanigans!"

"I can't believe you dragged me into your shenanigans." Dan grumbled, preparing his duel disk.

"Ah come on, it'll be fun!" Alex assured, excitement still on his face.

"Let's just finish this and go home, man."

Beatrice and Jerald stood on the opposite side of the ring. They both giggled at the crowd forming above them behind the large window overlooking the dueling arena.

"Alright, you two. If we win this, you must join one of our guilds." Beatrice announced.

"And you can't both join the same guild! We get one each this way." Jerald added, powering his duel disk on.

"What? I thought you were giving us a choice?" Dan questioned them.

"That was before you made me have to team up with her. That's the price you have to pay." Jerald huffed.

"I have to agree with him for once. I don't like working with him at all." Beatrice sighed.

"Ah well, we made it this far anyway, might as well keep going." Alex said nonchalantly, his mind still occupied by tag dueling.

"You can't be serious! You were just talking about the freedom of dueling!" Dan yelled.

DUEL START

Beatrice & Jerald: 8000

Dan & Alex: 8000

"Woah, 8000! We're really sharing life points." Alex looked at their lifepoints on his duel disk with amazement shining in his eyes.

"Ugh, we already started? We didn't even say what we wanted if we won!" Dan yelled out with his annoyance only growing.

"Figure it out after. For now, ladies first! I draw!" Beatrice started her turn, elegantly drawing one from her blue disk, "Heh. I'll activate the field spell, B.E.F Zelos! When this card is activated, I can add the spell card Boss Rush from my deck to my hand! On top of that, all my B.E.S monsters gain 500 attack and defense and they cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects! Now I activate the continuous spell card, Boss Rush! I can no longer normal summon or set, but whenever a B.E.S or Big Core monster is destroyed, I can special summon a B.E.S or Big Core monster from my deck! My field spell's other effect allows me to special summon a B.E.S monster, once per turn, and place a counter on it! I special summon B.E.S Big Core MK-2 (ATK: 2400)! When MK-2 is special summoned, it gains 3 counters, as well as the one from my field spell! And don't forget about the attack boost as well!"

With the activation of the field spell, the surroundings disappeared. The group found themselves in an impossibly large chamber of sorts, with futuristic corridors meant to be for traversal by flying machines. Then, appearing from one of the white force fields around them, a giant silver and red coloured spaceship flew overhead. B.E.S Big Core MK-2 attack increased from the field spell. Its lights seemed to glow a bit brighter as it now had an attack of 2900.

"That… was a lot of words." Dan said, amazed.

Alex stared at the large battleship above him, "We can't destroy it, it'll only bring out more."

"Yeah, yeah, we need to take out the spells. Luckily, that's easily achievable."

TURN 2

Beatrice & Jerald: 8000

Dan & Alex: 8000

"Alright, my turn! I draw!" Dan drew another card to his hand,"I summon Breaker the Magical Warrior (ATK: 1600)! When it's summoned, I can place a spell counter on it. I can also remove a spell counter off of it and destroy a spell or trap on the field. I'll take one off and destroy Boss Rush!"

A warrior adorned in red and gold armor rose from the ground and stepped onto the field. It held a similar coloured shield and a sharp sword. He held his sword to the air and it hummed with magical energy as green energy swirled around it and shot into the air where it fell and destroyed Beatrice's continuous spell on the field.

"Hmph! I've still got my monster regardless!" Beatrice scoffed, turning her head.

"I'm not done yet, I activate my spell card, Emergency Teleport! I can special summon a level 3 or lower Psychic monster from my deck! I'm bringing out Krebons (DEF: 400)!" A purple clothed jester materialized on the field, juggling tetris blocks with a smile," Now, from my hand, I activate the effect of Ret-time Reviver Emit-ter (ATK:800)!"

"What?"

"That's what it's called. Ret-time Reviver Emit-ter. Just like that. I can special summon this card by flipping a monster on both of our fields to face down, so Krebons and your Big Core are now in defense position!"

Krebons let out a small "Wah!" as it went into facedown position along with B.E.S Big Core MK-2. A heavenly light appeared from above as Ret-time Reviver Emit-ter gracefully floated down to the field wearing a flowy white dress and holding a broom with a pink ribbon strapped around the base.

"Now, I'll synchro summon! With (LV 2) Ret-time Reviver Emit-ter and (LV 4) Breaker the Magical Warrior, I'm bringing out (LV 6) HTS Psyhemuth (ATK:2400)!" Dan synchro summoned a beast that landed on all fours, letting out a growl as it stared down at its opponent. The beast had crystals protruding from its back and pink coloured horns that rotated along with a large tail that seemed to have a tube in it. Dan then activated, "The spell card, Shield Crush! I destroy your face down monster."

A mighty blow slammed down on the face down monster, shattering it into pieces. Beatrice's field was practically empty.

"To think you'd destroy my monster like that. Have some more tact! At least with a battle!" Beatrice raged, raising her fist.

"I attack you directly with HTS Psyhemuth! That's 2400 damage!" Dan called out, victory in his tone.

TURN 3

Beatrice & Jerald: 5600

Dan & Alex: 8000

"I thought you'd be a little better than this, Beatrice. I haven't even gotten to my turn and we've still taken damage." Jerald chuckled, mocking her.

"You! Why don't you just join their team if you're going to make fun of me!" Beatrice huffed.

"Ha! I don't side with people who're about to lose. I'll summon Gundari (ATK: 1000)!"

A buff spirit monster appeared on the field with blazing hair. Its multiple arms carried multiple weapons.

"Now I attack your HTS Psyhemuth with him!" Gundari charged towards the psychic monster, raising its weapons, "When Gundari attacks a synchro monster, both monsters are returned to their owners hand. Gundari returns to mine, but your monster goes back to the extra deck."

"It does what?" Dan gasped, surprised.

The old fisherman continued,"Then, by discarding a card, I can special summon this monster, Berlineth the Firestorm Vassal (DEF: 1000)! Until the end of my turn, I can't summon any monsters from the extra deck however, but that won't be a problem. I'll set two cards to end my turn here."

TURN 4

Beatrice & Jerald: 5600

Dan & Alex: 8000

"He didn't even try to attack my face down Krebons… you're going to have to take out that monster, I don't know what he's trying to do with it." Dan advised, glancing at Alex.

"Gotcha." Alex nodded, drawing a card,"First off, I'll summon Elemental HERO Solid Soldier (ATK: 1300)! Solid Soldier's effect allows me to special summon a level 4 HERO monster from my hand, and I'll summon Elemental HERO Shadow Mist (ATK: 1000)!"

A silver armoured soldier appeared on the field, with two gauntlet-like shields on both arms and legs. Besides him appeared a thin lady shrouded in a dark mist, covered in black armour from head to toe, other than her striking blue hair flowing from her helm.

"When Shadow Mist is special summoned, it adds a change spell card to my hand. I add the quick-play spell card, Mask Change! Now, I'll attack-"

"Hold it, right there! Starting the battle phase so quickly? I activate my trap card, Threatening Roar! You can't declare attacks this turn!" Jerald interjected, a cool smile on his face.

"Damn. I'll just set two cards and pass." Alex had to end his turn.

TURN 5

Beatrice & Jerald: 5600

Dan & Alex: 8000

"Finally! My turn. I draw!" Beatrice loudly announced, becoming the center of attention.

"Beatrice, you know what you have to do, right? Check what I left you." Jerald nudged her.

"Ugh, I cannot believe we agreed to do this. I flip over my face down spell, Polymerization. I fuse the Pyro monster on the field, Berlineth the Firestorm Vassal and the Machine monster in my hand, B.E.S Big Core to summon Blaze Fenix, the Burning Bombardment Bird (ATK: 2800)!"

With the two mentioned cards turning into purple fusion materials, a large light of purple enveloped one of the monster zones and flying out of it was a blazing bird wearing dark armour, giving out a large screech.

"Now, Blaze Fenix attacks your Solid Soldier." Beatrice pointed at the silver hero, "Melt it's armour!"

The burning monster raised it's flaming claw, preparing to strike it down.

"I activate my facedown quick-play spell card, Mask Change! With it, I can send a HERO monster to grave to summon a Masked HERO from my Extra deck who shares its attribute! I send Solid Soldier to summon Masked HERO Dian (ATK: 2800)! They've got the same attack points so you can't destroy it!" Alex called out a new hero.

With the activation of the spell card, a mask appeared in front of Solid Soldier. He grabbed it and put it on, and with a flash of violet light the Masked HERO Dian stood where the soldier once was. With glowing silver armour, a long blue cape and large sword, the monster readied its stance.

"Matters not, I'll attack the lady instead. Burn her to a crisp, Fenix!"

The bird slashed down at Shadow Mist, showering her in hot flames. The hero screamed, then shattered into pieces. Alex and Dan took a blow to their life points.

"When Shadow Mist is sent to the graveyard, I can add a HERO monster from the deck to my hand. I'll add Elemental HERO Stratos." Alex quickly collected his hero, a determined look on his face.

"Then, I'll set two cards to end my turn. Make good use of it, Jerald." Beatrice yawned, only to make it look like she wasn't putting much effort into the duel.

TURN 6

Beatrice & Jerald: 5600

Dan & Alex: 6200

"Thanks for saving Krebons for me, cause now I can destroy that bird for sure. I draw! Perfect! I activate the field spell, Magical Citadel of Endymion! Now every time I activate a spell card, it gains a counter!" Dan started his turn changing the field. A large citadel erupted from the ground, magical circles glowing around it.

"With that card on the field, I can activate Monster Reborn Reborn! No, I didn't say it twice, that's the name of the card. This spell card has me choose 3 monsters in my graveyard. I've got Breaker the Magical Warrior, Elemental HERO Solid Soldier, and Elemental HERO Shadow Mist. You have to choose one, and I get to summon it to my field!"

"Nice! They're all level 4, so it's a win no matter what she chooses." Alex gave Dan a thumbs up.

"I'll choose Shadow Mist, because I'm sure you don't have any HEROs in your deck." Beatrice declared her answer, looking a little displeased.

"Alright. The other two get banished, and Shadow Mist comes back to the field. That's a spell resolved, so I get a spell counter on my field spell." Dan pointed out, "I flip over, Krebons! Then I activate the spell, Star Adjuster! I can increase or decrease a monster's level by 1. I increase my Krebon's level by 1, making it a level 3 monster instead! Another counter on the field spell as well!"

Krebon, who was juggling tetris blocks, threw a spherical ball resembling a level in the air and started juggling it as well.

"Now I synchro summon with (LV 3) Krebons and (LV 4) Elemental HERO Shadow Mist to create (LV 7) PSY-Framelord Zeta (ATK: 2500)!" Krebons threw three green hoops, tuning itself with Shadow Mist and beckoning Zeta, a monster wearing dark silver armour with two spikes coming out from both sides of its helmet, two spikes coming out from both its shoulder pads and two additional spikes coming out from the pads on its hips. Crackling with psychic electricity, it slammed its fists together and looked up at the large blazing bird in front of it.

"Zeta's got a really good effect, cause it banishes itself along with a face-up attack position special summoned monster on your field. Don't worry though, they'll come back in our next standby phase. Take that fiery bird to the sky, Zeta!"

The psychic monster took a running jump and landed on the blazing bird. With a fwip they both teleported away.

"You're wide open now!" Dan called out to them.

"My trap card will see to that! I activate Necro Fusion!" Beatrice announced.

Thunder erupted around them as the wails of the monsters in the graveyards could be heard.

"I can fusion summon by banishing the materials from the graveyard. B.E.S Big Core and Berlineth the Firestorm Vassal will fuse again to make Ignition Beast Volcannon (ATK: 2300)! It won't be here for long since when it's fusion summoned, I can target your Masked Hero Dian and destroy it along with Volcannon to deal Dian's attack as damage to you!"

Lightning crashed into the ground and from it came a metallic beast with two red rockets protruding from its sides. The monster exploded launching the two rockets in the air, each launching three smaller rockets, four of which exploded as they crashed into the Masked HERO and two of which exploded at Dan and Alex's feet, dealing a big chunk of damage to them.

"Seriously? Sorry Alex,I've no cards and left us wide open." Dan apologized, a fearful look on his face.

"No worries, you did get rid of that bird like you said. It's my fault we got into this duel in the first place." Alex replied, feeling apologetic himself.

"I can only end my turn. Come on Alex, next turn, it's all you. Turn this thing around next turn, like you always do."

Alex nodded, readying himself for what might be their last turn in the duel.

TURN 7

Beatrice & Jerald: 5600

Dan & Alex: 3400

"My turn! I'll draw!" Jerald called, "First, I'll summon Laval Archer (ATK: 1000)! Its effect lets me normal summon a laval monster in addition to my regular normal summon. I'll normal summon Laval Lakeside Lady (ATK: 200)."

A monster of molten rock built itself together, holding up a white hot rock contraption, that would be a bow, with an arrow made of fire waiting to be shot. It held it's bow high and shot up an arrow. The sparks of flames flew down and gracefully another laval monster flared onto the field, this time with lava-like skin wearing a dress of obsidian.

"I'll set my last card and synchro summon using both of them! (LV 4) Laval Archer and (LV 3) Laval Lakeside Lady tune together to bring forth, (LV 7) Lavalval Salamander (ATK: 2600)!"

The lakeside lady tuned with the archer, with a flash of silver light and from the flames appeared a large dragon made of molten rock, red scales and fire. It let out a loud roar, instantly heating up the room.

"When Salamander is synchro summoned, I get to draw two cards, and if I draw a fire attribute monster, I send 2 cards to my deck including a fire attribute monster." Jerald explained, pointing to his dragon, with let out a breath of fire, "I drew the FIRE card, Kayenn, the Master Magma Blacksmith! I send him along with Laval Phlogis to my graveyard. Laval Phlogiss effect! When it's sent to the graveyard, I increase my monsters attack on the field by 300! Kayenn's effect! I can banish it to increase my monsters attack on the field by 400! With that, my Salamander's attack is now 3300. Lucky, you both are, Salamander's attack is just 100 away from winning."

"Tch. If you hadn't destroyed my Boss Rush, I'd have already won this." Beatrice added, scoffing.

"Now, I'll attack you directly! Scorch them to ash, Salamander!"

The large rock dragon let out a large breath of flame, spewing it across the field and damaging Dan and Alex immensely.

"Damn old man, you're a fisherman using a pyro deck, that's completely out of character for you." Dan coughed, waving away the smoke.

"Can't help it, I love Pyro types. Lavals are one of my favourite archetypes, you know?" Jerald chuckled, "It's been a relatively short duel, but I'm positive that you'll lose on our next turn."

"We'll see about that, right Alex?"

TURN 8

Beatrice & Jerald: 5600

Dan & Alex: 100

"Course we'll win! I've got everything I need!" Alex confirmed, nodding and grinning at Dan while drawing his card.

"At this instant on the standby phase, PSY-Framelord Zeta and that firebird with the really long name come back to the field." Dan reminded everyone.

Lightning coursed and the psychic monster and the bird flashed back onto the field. Blaze Fenix, the Burning Bombardment Bird let out a loud screech, as if angry being away for two turns.

"In that case, I activate PSY-Framelord Zeta's effect to banish itself with another monster! Let's take that bird out for another ride!" Alex called out to the psychic monster. The monster was ready to leap back onto the bird.

"That won't be happening! My last card that I set facedown, Flash Fusion! I can fuse two monster on the field instantly!" Jerald revealed his facedown card," Blaze Fenix, the Burning Bombardment Bird and Lavalval Salamander, combine the powers of machinery and the strength of dragons to call out a monstrosity! Appear, Panzer Dragon (DEF:2600)!"

A quick pink flash disappeared the two monsters and summoned out a gold and silver mechanical dragon, that's lower body was of a tank. Its mouth had a large gun pointing out of it.

"No monster will be getting banished anymore. PSY-Framelord's effect is wasted, and it doesn't have the attack points to surmount the defence of our Panzer Dragon." Beatrice laughed mockingly.

"That's fine. I've still got my cards!" Alex paid no mind to her laugh, as annoying as it was.

"The old man and I, we don't have any cards in our hands. However, Alex and Beatrice essentially have the same cards in their hands. The duel is up to them now. I've placed my faith in Alex, and the old man in his partner. Even if we do get another turn, it'll have to be a card I can use to support Alex!" Dan surveyed the situation in mind, knowing that the fisherman Jerald was likely thinking the same thing.

Alex looked down at one of the cards he set his last turn. It was still here as a last resort.

"Alright, let's smash that dragon to pieces. I summon Elemental HERO Stratos!"

A mechanically winged monster flew onto the field, wearing blue and silver.

"When Stratos is summoned, I get to add any Elemental HERO to my hand! I choose to add Elemental HERO Blazeman to my hand. Now I activate Mask Change! By sending Stratos to the graveyard, I summon an even stronger monster! Let's go, Masked HERO Divine Wind (ATK: 2700!" Alex called out a HERO.

A mask appeared in front of Stratos, who grabbed it and threw it into the air. He flew into the mask face first, emitting a green light. Emerging from it, a green Masked HERO levitated in the air. Its green armour vibrated with electricity and its white cape fluttered with the wind it produced around it.

"Let's blow that dragon away! Masked HERO Divine Wind attacks your Panzer Dragon!"

The HERO flew towards the dragon, raising its arms. A green tornado suddenly spun around the dragon, tearing it into pieces. Parts of the destroyed monsters flew across the room, shattering into particles as they hit the wall.

"Ha! When Panzer Dragon is destroyed, it destroys a monster along with it! That annoying PSY-Framelord is sent to the graveyard!" Jerald announced, pointing his finger at the monster.

The head of the Panzer Dragon flew across the room out of the tornado, lighting its red eyes one final time and shooting out a beam from its cannon mouth, hitting PSY-Framelord Zeta in the back and destroying it.

"Damn it. Well, whenever Divine Wind destroys a monster, I get to draw another card." Alex worriedly drew another card, "Then… I'll set two cards face down to end my turn."

"Alright Beatrice, it's time to finish them." Jerald cheered.

"I don't need you to tell me that, you cardless fool." Beatrice sighed.

TURN 9

Beatrice & Jerald: 5600

Dan & Alex: 100

"My turn!" Beatrice drew a card, "Ha! This is perfect! I activate my field spell's effect! Once per turn, I can special summon a B.E.S monster from my hand! Dive from above, B.E.S Covered Core (ATK: 2500)!"

A UFO shaped monster whizzed around the field, before hovering by Beatrice's monster zone. It had 6 triangular sides, of which three were apart from each other and not covered my metal like the others. On them were weapons.

"Now I normal summon Influence Dragon (ATK: 300)! Once per turn, it can treat a monster on my field as dragon-type! I choose to make Covered Core a Dragon!"

The machine's metal morphed into scales and grew two large wings that now flapped to keep it afloat.

"Now I'll synchro summon! (LV3) Influence Dragon tunes with my (LV7) B.E.S Covered Core! Shake the earth with your arrival, (LV10) Trident Dragion (ATK:3000)!" Beatrice raised her hands in the air to call out a powerful monster.

Influence Dragon flew around the wings of newly dragon-typed B.E.S Covered Core. The both roared, despite Covered Core's lack of a mouth, and a green pillar of light spiraled out of them. The arena shook as a large three-headed dragon slammed onto the field, each head spewing out fire. Its red body and wings stretched as they gave a loud roar, vibrating everything in the vicinity.

"To think with all her machine types, she could call out a dragon like this." Dan commented once the roar died down.

"That's the idea! Summoning high level monsters to synchro out even higher level monsters. Speaking of, Trident Dragon's effect! It destroys two cards on your field, and gains an additional attack for each destroyed, not that it'll need it. I destroy your monster and… the card on the far left!" Beatrice boasted her monster's power while laughed maniacally.

"In that case, I flip over the quick-play spell you're aiming to destroy and activate its effect! Form Change! I send a fusion monster back to my Extra Deck to call out a different monster! I send Masked HERO Divine Wind back to summon out Masked HERO Koga (ATK: 2500)!" Alex responded to her dragon's effect.

A golden light enveloped Divine Wind's body. Bits and pieces of armour materialized and sprang themselves onto the newly forming HERO as it became Masked HERO Koga. It stood tall with golden armour covering most of its body and two sharp blades attached to its forearms.

"Nice one!" Dan cheered.

"Regardless, your spell card was destroyed, so Trident Dragon can attack twice." Beatrice frowned, clearly displeased with how tenacious Alex was being.

"Doesn't matter. Koga gains 500 attack for each monster you control. Trident Dragion and Koga have the same attack!" Alex replied, smirking.

"Tch, how annoying. I activate the equip spell card, Silver Wing! I can equip this to any level 8 or higher Dragon-type Synchro Monster. Up to twice per turn, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle! Battle! Now I'll attack your annoying Masked HERO!"

Silver wings and feathers were bestowed upon Trident Dragion. Despite gaining beautiful wings, the dragon remained as fearsome as ever.

"In that case, I'll activate Koga's effect! Just like PSY-Framelord Zeta, it can activate its effect during either player's turn! Once per turn, I can banish a HERO monster from my graveyard to have your monster lose attack equal to it! I banish Elemental HERO Stratos to make Trident Dragion lose 1800 attack!"

Koga's arm-blades shot out from its arms and stabbed into two of the dragon's heads, pinning them into the ground. One of them missed its mark slightly, so the dragon head was still able to spew a little fire. The dragon now had 1200 attack.

"Damn you, that's seriously annoying me!" Beatrice shouted at Alex.

"I'm not done yet, because I activate the continuous trap Battle Route! I can only activate this during your battle phase. If I control a monster, all your monsters have to attack it!" Alex continued to make her more angry, "You're forced to attack Koga! Since you have silver wing equipped and an additional attack, you'll have to attack twice!"

"Tch… I have to, he says." Beatrice reluctantly attacks with Trident Dragion.

A single head of the dragon let out a large blast of flame at Koga, with a little help from one of the heads stuck to the ground. Koga braved the flames and jumped to the dragon, slashing at each of its heads. Golden energy exploded at Beatrice and Jerald's feet.

Beatrice & Jerald: 3800

Trident Dragion's silver wings gave out a glitter as it prevented destruction.

"Once more! Once more!" Dan cheered.

Beatrice & Jerald: 2000

A few of the feathers fell out, spreading more glitter across the air as it prevented Trident Dragion's destruction another time.

"You really blew it, huh?" Jerald sighed with disappointment.

"Shut up, you cardless annoyance!" Beatrice snapped at him.

"You don't have any cards either. Really, you could've ended this duel with Sparks, the spell card."

"As if I would keep such an awful card in my deck! Wouldn't surprise me if you had one tucked away somewhere."

"Really now, that's surprising since you do about enough damage to your opponents as Sparks!"

"My turn!" Dan shouted at the arguing partners.

TURN 9

Beatrice & Jerald: 2000

Dan & Alex: 100

"I draw! This duel has gone on way too long." Dan looked at the single card he drew.

Trident Dragion finally raised all three of its heads as Koga's effect wore off and gave it back its few attack points.

"This… is perfect. Looks like I'll be leaving it to you Alex. I'll set a card face down. I would end my turn, but not before activating Masked HERO Koga's effect! I banish Elemental HERO Shadow Mist from our graveyard to lower Trident Dragon's attack by 1000!"

Koga shot out another two golden blades from its arms. One of the dragon's heads was pinned to the ground while another head's eye was pierced through. It roared in anger and agony as it's attack was now 1700.

"Battle! Koga attacks Trident Dragon!" Dan attacked.

Once more, Koga sprung into action, slicing the dragon's heads. Another puff of glitter scattered around the field preventing Trident Dragon's destruction. However, Beatrice and Jerald still took damage.

Beatrice & Jerald: 1000

"Looks like this duel is going to come to an end soon." Dan ended his turn.

"I've still got my turn, brat!"

TURN 10

Beatrice & Jerald: 1000

Dan & Alex: 100

"I'll draw!" Jerald started his turn, "Hmm… I'll summon this monster! Flamvell Baby (ATK: 800)! Now I'll synchro summon with (LV 1) Flamvell Baby and (LV 10) Trident Dragion!"

"What! That's insane! What even is there to summon that level 11?" Dan questioned, very alarmed.

"Journeying throughout the universe, come down to the battlefield. Spread your name as the one who devours even stars! Show them your strength, (LV 11) Star Eater (ATK: 3200)!"

A powerful rumble and light spread across the field. The fiery cries of the Flamvell Baby turned into the howl of a dragon. A vicious crimson winged dragon soared above them, emanating heat. It spread its wings and showed everyone on the field how small they were compared to it. Asserting dominance, it flew in circles around Alex and Dan before levitating on Jerald's side of the field.

"Now I'll start the battle phase." Jerald stated.

"I-I'll activate Koga's effect! I banish Masked HERO Dian to reduce Star Eater's attack by 2800!" Dan quickly acted.

Koga shot out multiple golden blades, pinning Star Eater to the ground. It roared in intense anger, so much so that Alex and Dan felt a pit in their stomach from it.

"Figures. But you don't have any more HEROs left in the graveyard. There won't be any reduced attacks now."

"I hate to say it… but that was a pretty decent move Jerald." Beatrice complimented him.

TURN 11

Beatrice & Jerald: 1000

Dan & Alex: 100

"I draw to start my turn!" Alex added a card to his hand, "The card you set down is… woah. Wait, this is amazing! I activate the continuous spell, Endymion's Forbidden Spell! Every time a monster is banished, this card gains 1 Spell counter. I can remove this card with 6 Spell counters to draw 2 cards."

"And I bet no one has been keeping track of my field spell, Magical Citadel of Endymion. It's had 5 spell counters on it for a while, and with the spell that just resolved? 6 counters." Dan finished Alex's sentence.

"I activate Endymion's Forbidden Spell! Using Magical Citadel of Endymion, I can use its counters instead. I'll banish my continuous spell card and draw 2 new cards!"

Alex confidently drew another 2 cards.

"Now then, I've got everything I need! I'll start off with summoning Elemental HERO Blazeman (ATK: 1200)! When he's summoned I get to add Polymerization to my hand!"

A hero with blazing hair erupted onto the field, wearing red-hot armour.

"Next I'll activate polymerization and fusion summon! I'll send Elemental HERO Blazeman and Elemental HERO Sparkman to the grave to summon out Vision HERO Adoration!"

Fire and electricity combined to flash a violet light and brought out a new hero. Adoration rose from the ground and crossed its arms, staring right at the massive Star Eater. It wore black armour, though only a few bits of it. Long strips of cloth flew out from his robes and its purple eyes glowed with power.

"Vision HERO Adoration's effect! I can reduce Star Eater's attack by the attack of a HERO monster on my field that isn't Adoration. Which means Star Eater loses attack equal to Masked HERO Koga's attack! A whole 3000!" Alex revealed.

"3000!" Beatrice exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise.

Adoration let out a purple beam that caused Star Eater to fall to the ground. It let out a small shriek as it hit the floor.

"I'll keep going! Koga's effect! I'll banish Elemental HERO Sparkman to lower Star Eater's attack even more!"

Koga pinned Star Eater's wings and head to the ground. The dragon let out a defeated growl.

"Let's finish it! Koga, eat up that Star Eater!" Alex issued the battle command.

Koga leapt forward and with a single swift strike, it shattered the humiliated Star Eater, striking 3000 points of damage and ending the duel.

Beatrice & Jerald: 0

Dan & Alex: 100

DUEL END

"Alright!" Alex cheered.

"Finally." Dan sighed.

"Ah, this is all your fault, you old geezer!" Beatrice complained, unaccepting of her defeat.

"Yeah, yeah, like you did much of anything." Jerald scoffed, turning away from her.

They both continued to argue, until Dan interrupted them.

"You guys sure argue a lot." he commented.

Alex elbowed Dan, "Hey, don't be rude. What he meant to say was, it was a good match."

"Well… it was a pretty fun one in the end. What do you think, Beatrice?" Jerald agreed.

"I don't like losing. All in all, it only proves more that we want you two for either of our guilds. You both can still join, whenever you want." Beatrice added, giving another offer.

"Wait, yeah, conditions! You owe us! We were supposed to say them before the duel!" Dan remembered.

"Right, right. If you want something, say it. We can only do so much though, so nothing impossible." Beatrice bargained.

"Well there is something I wanted to ask. I could use your help with it… but I guess I'll save it for a different day. I'm starving and tag duels take forever." Alex said, feeling the hunger commanding him to eat.

"Seconded. Wanna grab a bite? I know a pretty cheap kabab place near here." Dan chimed.

"Sure."

They both walked out of the room, heading out.

"I had figured losing for the first time, he'd have a sort of weakness, but all those wins he racked up weren't for show." Jerald spoke as he headed out as well.

"Indeed. Perhaps he'll be fine without a guild like ours." Beatrice smiled, "In the end… It was a fun duel.

Raine walked out of yet another victory.

"God, this just becomes too easy. And this trap card I got from Alex. It's good!" he said out loud, "Dueling has almost gotten boring with the cards I've created. I haven't had a good duel since… hmm. I suppose maybe I'll win a tournament or two. I really need to fight a strong opponent so 'm sure defeating one of the top 5 will give me the satisfaction I want. Until then, that Alex better make it up the ranks to face me. Maybe I'll take another card from him next time!"

Raine laughed into the night sky, his head filled with power. It was only a few more days until the New Beginnings Tournament.