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.

58. Aftermath: Alternate Ending

Greetings, community! Donkeybo100 is here with an alternate version of Chapter 57. And now, on with the story!

At Den City's Central Plaza, early in the morning…

"Where the heck are those two!? How long do they intend to keep us waiting!?"

Ena shouted. Currently, she, Yuji, Kolter and Jin were seated at a small table outside the Cafe Nom food truck, waiting for Yuya and Zuzu.

"Come on, cut them some slack," Jin said while dipping his fries in ketchup and wolfing them down. "They've had a lot on the plate, you know, dealing with the Arbiters, Roget and the recent tournament. Plus, Yuya's not typically a morning person."

"But we informed them about this meeting last night!" Ena complained as she sipped her soda. "The least Yuya could do is be on time for it!"

"We're not in any hurry," Yuji said as he took a bite from his hot dog. "Besides, they're going back home tomorrow."

"That's true, but couldn't we have met a bit later?" Kolter asked while stifling a yawn. "It's five-thirty in the morning."

"This time, when there aren't many people out and about, is the best."

The one who had spoken was none other than Zuzu. Behind her was Yuya, with a tired expression on his face.

"The two main guests have finally arrived," Ena said with an exasperated sigh. "What took you so long, Yuya?"

"To tell you the truth, Ena, I'm the reason why we're late," Zuzu said as she rubbed the back of her head, embarrassed. "I forgot to set my alarm clock last night. Sorry for my terrible memory."

"That's okay," Ena said. "Everyone makes mistakes. Sorry for accusing you, Yuya."

"It's okay," Yuya said. "Don't sweat it."

"So, the reason you called us here…don't tell me it's regarding another unknown foe?"

"No," Yuji responded to Zuzu's question. "It's about the SOL Grand Prix last week."

"What about it?" Yuya asked. "You want another chance against the reigning champion? The reigning champion being me, of course."

"I'd love that, but I'll have my revenge down the line," Yuji said.

"The truth is I was wondering if the two of us could duel the two of you?" Ena asked.

"Huh? Duel us? But why?"

"After watching your duels, Yuji and I have been nothing but pumped up this past week because of them," Ena replied.

"Interesting…" Yuya remarked, a glint in his eyes. "Truth be told, I also want to test my strength against yours, Ena. Plus, a Tag Duel would make things more exciting. If you want a Tag Duel, we'll be happy to oblige. But I have an additional suggestion."

"Oh?" Ena raised his eyebrow. "Let's hear it then."

"If you don't mind, could we have our duel in LINK VRAINS?" Yuya asked. "You two don't have a problem with that, do you?"

"Not really," Yuji smirked. "I've been wanting to test Zuzu's skills for myself?"

"The same goes for me," Zuzu added. "I've been itching to go against Yuji."

"Then it's decided," Yuya said. "So, since that's settled, does anyone have any ideas where we should do this?"

"Actually…" Kolter said. "I think I have a good place in mind."

Several minutes later, in LINK VRAINS…

"Celebrity Castle…" Ringmaster murmured as he and the others stood on the castle's roof. "How nostalgic. It feels like a lifetime ago when Maestra and I first met the two of you here."

"I guess that's why I thought it would be fitting since it's our starting point," Storm Rider remarked with a grin. "Plus, this harbor area is mostly deserted at this time, so no one should bother us."

The four duelists had taken their positions, facing each other with matching, determined expressions on their faces.

"How should we do this?" Maestra asked. "Action Duel, or a regular one?"

"Let's go with regular," Sanctum replied. "Not to be disrespectful, but Cross Over is a dreadfully bland and boring area to have an Action Duel in."

"No arguments there," Ringmaster said as he and Maestra activated their Duel Disks.

"Ready?" Maestra asked.

"Always," Storm Rider said as he and Sanctum activated their Duel Disks.

"Then, let's do this!" Sanctum exclaimed.

"Duel!" they shouted.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 4000 LP

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 4000 LP

"I'll go first," Sanctum declared. Ringmaster gasped as Maestras eyes narrowed. "I activate the Spell Card: Trade-In! This card lets me discard a Level 8 monster to draw two cards. I discard Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse."

Sanctum drew her cards, then played one. "I activate the Spell Card: Unexpected Dai. This card lets me Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my Deck if I control no monsters on my field!" A card popped out of Sanctum's Deck. "Appear, Mekk-Knight Avram!"

A young blonde man in gold armor carrying two curved swords emerged on her field.

Mekk-Knight Avram ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"I set two cards," Sanctum said. "I end my turn."

Maestra turned to her partner. "Ringmaster, allow me to take the first turn." he nodded. "My turn! I draw! I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Melodious Appropriation!" The card depicted the image of Serenade and Tamtam, each performing in a pillar of light on stage, with the former using a gong and the latter singing. "Once per turn, I discard a card in my hand to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from my Deck! Appear, Soprano the Melodious Songstress!"

After discarding her card, a redheaded green-skinned woman in a blue, orange and white dress appeared.

Soprano the Melodious Songstress ATK 1400 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"And since I summoned a "Melodious" monster this turn, I can Special Summon this card from my hand. Join us, Mendelsa the Melodious Maestra!"

An adult, dark-haired female monster clad in a dark blue dress with white around the collar, white music notes inscribed, flowing to the bottom and red scarves wrapped around her wrists and light yellow skin, who wore white flowers on top of her head that had her short hair and dark brown eyes and a silver necklace around her neck, appeared on Maestra's field with a baton in hand and the scarves moving like a wind breezing through them.

She gestured to her field. "I activate Mendelsa's effect! When Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from my Deck with its effects negated! I Special Summon Chora the Melodious Diva!"

Mendelsa waved her arm to the field, projecting a portal that brought a young, teenage, brown-skinned female. She had blonde wavy hair as she bowed and wore a white cheongsam dress with a blue jabot in the front.

Chora the Melodious Diva ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4 PS: 2

"Finally, I activate Soprano's effect, using it, Mendelsa and Chora as materials to Fusion Summon!"

The monsters broke apart into particles that swirled into a vortex before spiraling up as twisters that merged to form a violet tornado as Maestra chanted.

"Now listen as these three harmonize and fuse into one, as their powers merge and transform into something even more melodic! I Fusion Summon! Behold, the showstopping songstress whose voice will blow you away, Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir!"

A pale blue-haired girl in a yellow dress with two flowers on her shoulders emerged in Attack Position.

Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir ATK 1900 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"When Bloom Prima is Fusion Summoned," Maestra continued, "she gains 300 attack points for each of its Fusion Materials. I fused three monsters, so she gains 900 attack points!"

Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir ATK 1900→2800

"Then, Mendelsa's second effect activates! Since this card was sent to the Graveyard as a Fusion Material, I can Special Summon it from my Graveyard and increase its attack points by 500!"

Mendelsa appeared next to Bloom Prima as she glowed.

Mendelsa the Melodious Maestra ATK 1900→2400

"Now, let's battle!" Maestra exclaimed. "Mendelsa, attack Mekk-Knight Avram!"

Mendelsa did a twirl before rushing over and stabbing Avram with her baton, destroying it and making Sanctum wince in pain.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 4000→3600 LP

"Next, Bloom Prima will attack you directly! Verdant Phoneme!"

The flowers released waves of energy at Sanctum.

Sanctum smirked as she gestured to her field. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: World Legacy's Secret! This card lets me Special Summon a Level 5 or higher monster from my Graveyard!" Astro narrowed his eyes, remembering his opponent's opening move. "Resurrect, Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall!"

A mechanical warrior carrying a spear and wearing a purple cape appeared in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Following that up, I activate the Trap Card: Celebration of Creation! Through its effect, whenever a monster's been Special Summoned through a Spell or Trap effect, the turn automatically ends!"

"You've got to be kidding me," Maestra said. "Guess my turn's over then."

"Meaning I'm up," Storm Rider said. "My turn! I draw! Since you control a monster and I don't, I can Special Summon Cycode Recon from my hand!"

A human-sized robot appeared, wielding a marksman rifle and wearing light military gear.

Cycode Recon ATK 1200 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Since Recon was Special Summoned by its effect, I can add one "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand," Storm Rider said. "I add Cycode Masterframe to my hand. Now I'll create my circuit!"

Storm Rider raised his hand as it glowed blue and shot a lightning bolt, creating a Link Portal.

"Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one "Cycode" monster! I set Cycode Recon in the Link Arrow!"

Recon entered the tight arrow, turning it red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cycode Apprentice!"

A young mage in digital orange and gray hooded magician robes, wielding a small wand lit in flames, emerged from the portal, summoned to Extra Monster Zone. Storm Rider watched as his Continuous Spell gained another Cyberse Counter.

Cycode Apprentice ATK 1000 LINK-1 →

"Since I used Recon as Link Material for the summoning of a "Cycode" Link Monster, I'm allowed to add a "Cycode" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand."

A card ejected from his Deck as he grabbed it and placed it in his hand. "I add Broken Cycode to my hand. Next, I summon Cycode Masterframe!"

A hacker-like human with dark brown hair, a dark orange hoodie outfit and a pair of dark orange goggles that glow with white circuit lining across the lenses. He wore a heavy right gauntlet glove and hover boots.

Cycode Masterframe ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"When Masterframe is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one "Cycode" monster from my hand. Come on out, Cycode Strider!"

A medium-sized robot with semi-bulky armor wielding a futuristic rifle appeared on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Strider ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Strider's effect activates!" Storm Rider continued. "When Special Summoned, I get to check the top card of my Deck, and if it's a monster, I get to summon it. So let's see if luck is on my side. I draw!"

He drew and looked at his card, causing him to smile.

"I drew Cycode Assassin, which means I can summon it!"

A one-eyed tall slim black, metal skeletal robot with six arms, each holding a red blade energy dagger, appeared next to Strider.

Cycode Assassin ATK 1500 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I'll now build my circuit once again!"

The Link Portal appeared once again above Storm Rider.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two "Cycode" monsters. I set Cycode Apprentice and Assassin in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy before entering the left and bottom arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Cycode Administrator!"

A large blue mechanical humanoid emerged from the portal, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone Apprentice had vacated.

Cycode Administrator ATK 1200 LINK-2 →↙

"Cycode Administrator's effect! All "Cycode" Link Monsters I control gain 800 attack points!"

"I'll create my circuit once again! The summoning conditions are two Level 2 or higher "Cycode" monsters. I set Masterframe and Strider in the Link Arrows!"

The monsters entered the top and left arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cycode Jammer!"

A blue-haired young man wearing a white overcoat and a blue and green jumpsuit, along with gauntlets, boots, and a mask, emerged from the porta, summoned to Administrator's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Cycode Jammer ATK 2000→2800 LINK-2 ←↑

"Battle!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "Cycode Jammer attacks Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir! And at this moment, its effect activates! When a "Cycode" monster battles, all other effects on the field besides "Cycode" cards are negated, and your monsters' attack and defense points return to their original attack and defense points!"

Cycode Jammer pressed a button on a small tablet.

Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir ATK 2800→1900

Mendelsa the Melodious Maestra ATK 2400→1900

"Go, Cycode Jammer!"

A radar dish extended from Jammer's backpack and released blue waves of energy at Bloom Prima, destroying it and making Maestra wince.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 4000→3100 LP

"Cycode Jammer's additional effect!" Storm Rider continued. "When it destroys your monster in battle, you take 1000 points of damage while I gain 500 Life Points!"

Cycode Jammer released more blue waves at Maestra and Ringmaster. But the latter remained calm as he took a card from his hand.

"When we're about to take effect damage, I can send Performapal Rain Goat from my hand to negate that damage!"

A silhouette of a monster shaped like a goat with a blue raincoat covering all of its body, plus it was wearing a top hat and a polka-dotted bowtie. The monster then used its coat to shield Ringmaster from the waves before disappearing. At the same time, Storm Rider's body glowed.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 3600→4100 LP

"Cycode Jammer's effect ends, meaning your monster regains its attack boost."

Mendelsa the Melodious Maestra ATK 1900→2400

"But it won't have it for long because Cycode Administrator attacks Mendelsa, which triggers Jammer's effect!" Storm Rider declared as Jammer pushed a button on its tablet.

Mendelsa the Melodious Maestra ATK 2400→1900

Cycode Administrator created an orb of blue energy and flung it at Mendelsa, striking and destroying it.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 3100→3000 LP

"Next, Purple Nightfall attacks you directly!"

Purple Nightfall raised its spear and charged toward Maestra.

"Dream on!" Ringmaster exclaimed. "I activate the effect of Life Magician in my hand! Since we're about to take battle damage, I can Special Summon it and make the damage 0!"

A small magician with a cross at the tip of its staff appeared on Ringmaster's field, erecting a protective barrier around him.

"Furthermore, due to Life Magician's effect, we gain as many Life Points as the damage we would have taken," Ringmaster stated. "In this case, I gain 2500 Life Points."

Ringmaster & Maestra: 3000→5500 LP

"In that case, I place a card face-down and end my turn," Storm Rider concluded.

"It's my turn!" Ringmaster announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Pendulum Exchange! By sending one Pendulum Monster from my hand to the Extra Deck, I draw cards equal to the monster's Pendulum Scale," He explained. "I send Scale 4 Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to my Extra Deck so that I can draw four cards."

He placed Odd-Eyes face-up in his Extra Deck, then drew. His smile got wider. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Magical Pendulum Box! This Spell lets me draw two cards; if those cards are Pendulum Monsters, they are added to my hand. If not, then they are sent to the Graveyard."

Ringmaster drew again and smiled. "I drew Scale 2 Performapal Camelump and Scale 8 Performapal Card Gardna. Both are Pendulum Monsters, so both are added to my hand, but they won't be staying for long because I'm using them to set the Pendulum Scale. I'm taking control of this duel starting now!"

The two columns of light appeared next to Ringmaster's side, with a yellow camel wearing a bowtie and a tall bowler hat, and had stars painted on its cheeks and a card with arms and legs and a happy face on the design of it; it also had a star on the "forehead" of the card design.

Performapal Camelump Scale: 2

Performapal Card Gardna Scale: 8

"With my Pendulum Scale, I can simultaneously summon Levels 3 to 7 monsters!" A giant version of a pendant appeared and swung like a pendulum between the pillars. "Swing far, Pendulum! Carve the arc of victory! My monsters are ready to swing into action!"

A portal opened between the two pillars, and two lights appeared. The lights hit the field and then dissipated, revealing two monsters.

"Raise the stakes, Performapal Trump Sorceress!"

"Turn up the heat, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

A female monster clad in a witch's outfit, which held a staff with a large pentagram at its tip and a red bipedal dragon with differently colored eyes and two horn-like protrusions emerging from its back, appeared.

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

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

"But I don't plan on stopping there! I activate Trump Sorceress's effect to perform a Fusion Summon using monsters from my hand or field apart from itself without using a Fusion Spell Card! The ones I will fuse are Life Magician and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

Ringmaster's monsters broke apart into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. Two colored tornados shot upward before merging into a violet twister.

"This is it! With the earth-shattering power of this monster, victory's in my sights! I Fusion Summon! Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

A dragon that looked similar to Odd-Eyes, with some key differences. It had a small, golden ring around its head and jaw while having a large one on its back. His right eye had an eyepatch with a rune on it, and his neck also had some yellow armor around it.

Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Next, I summon Tuning Magician!"

A pink-haired girl in white and green robes appeared on Ringmaster's field. She giggled and posed cutely as a tuning fork as big as herself appeared next to her.

Tuning Magician ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Tuning Magician's effect activates! When she is Normal or Special Summoned, we take 400 points of damage, and you gain 400 Life Points!"

Ringmaster and Maestra winced while their opponents glowed.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 5500→5100 LP

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 4100→4500 LP

Sanctum narrowed her eyes. "You sure that was a smart move, Ringmaster? Why would you summon a monster who gives us Life Points?"

"This is why. I tune the Level 1 Tuning Magician with Level 6 Performapal Trump Sorceress!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Ringmaster as the world greyed out, and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one purple and one white appeared before turning blue and merging. Blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "1 + 6" in front of them. The screen changed to "7" as light surged through the rings.

"Dragon with the dichromatic eyes! Take the strength of the meteor within your body and smash through our opponents! I Synchro Summon! Be born, Level 7! The dragon who personifies the raging inferno, Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon!"

A dragon with dichromatic eyes and four flame-shaped protrusions extending from its back clad in crimson armor appeared on the field, letting out a thunderous roar.

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

"Battle!" Ringmaster exclaimed. "Meteorburst Dragon attacks Cycode Administrator! Meteor Crash!"

Meteorburst Dragon unleashed a sphere of fire from its maw, generating a large explosion that vaporized Administrator and sent Storm Rider skidding backwards.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 4500→4000 LP

"Since Cycode Administrator left the field," Storm Rider said. "Cycode Jammer's attack points return to normal."

Cycode Jammer ATK 2800→2000

"Next, Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks Cycode Jammer! And since I used a Level 4 or lower monster to Fusion Summon Rune-Eyes, it can attack twice! Go, Spiral Sky Shot!"

"In that case, I activate the Trap Card: Broken Cycode! When my "Cycode" monster battles your monster, Broken Cycode increases our Life Points by your monster's attack points!"

"What?!" Ringmaster gasped.

"Rune-Eyes has 3000 attack points, so we gain 3000 Life Points!"

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 4000→7000 LP

"Even if you survive the turn, your monster won't!"

The dragon's large ring became locked in three orbs of light, creating a triangle of electrostatic energy. The dragon fired a beam of blue energy at Jammer, destroying it and making Storm Rider grunt in pain.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 7000→6000 LP

"Don't forget that Rune-Eyes has an attack left. Rune-Eyes attacks Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall!"

The previous scene was repeated once again, with Rune-Eyes destroying Purple Nightfall.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 6000→5500 LP

"At the end of the Battle Phase, Broken Cycode's effect activates!" Storm Rider stated. "I get to draw two cards since I control no monster!"

Storm Rider drew, looked at his cards, then added them to his hand. "Do you have anything else for me, Ringmaster?"

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

"My turn!" Sanctum announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Teleport! Since you control monsters and I do not, I pay 800 Life Points and Special Summon Mekk-Knight Blue Sky from my hand!"

An armored warrior wielding two curved swords appeared, summoned in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Blue Sky ATK 2000 DEF 2500 LVL: 5

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 5500→4700 LP

"Blue Sky's effect activates! When this card is Summoned from my hand, I can add "Mekk-Knight" monsters from my Deck to my hand, equal to the number of your cards in Blue Sky's column. You have two cards, so I'll add Mekk-Knight Black Hole and Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal to my hand." Sanctum added her cards and played another card from her hand. "As Storm Rider's Set card and Meteorburst Dragon are in the same column, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal from my hand to their column!"

An aquamarine and silver machine brandishing a trident of the same color appeared in Attack Position in the same column Blue Sky had vacated.

Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal ATK 3100 DEF 2700 LVL: 10

"Aquamarine Tidal's effect activates!" Sanctum continued. "As long as this card is on the field, all your monsters lose 1000 attack points!"

"What!?" Ringmaster gasped as his monsters became weaker.

Odd-Eyes Meterorburst Dragon ATK 2500→1500

Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK 3000→2000

"And since I control a "Mekk-Knight" monster, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Black Hole from my hand!"

A silver humanoid with a black lining design, a thin waist and a bulky chest with a black crystal-like orb swirling like a black hole, wielding round-bladed weapons with black linings and a torn-up black cape with some white outline, appeared in Defense Position.

Mekk-Knight Black Hole ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I activate Black Hole's effect! I can destroy one card in its column by moving Blue Sky to another Monster Zone. I move Blue Sky to the column to its left to destroy Rune-Eyes!"

The orb in Black Hole's chest started to glow before releasing a beam of dark energy at Rune-Eyes, destroying it.

"Battle!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Aquamarine Tidal, attack Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon!"

Aquamarine let out a battle cry as it charged Meteorburst Dragon, piercing it with its trident, destroying it and knocking Ringmaster backwards, but Maestra caught him before he fell.

"Are you alright? Ringmaster?" Maestra asked worriedly.

"…Yeah, I'm fine," Ringmaster said, wincing softly as Morningstar helped him stand up straight.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 5100→3500 LP

"Next, I'll have Blue Sky attack you directly!"

Blue Sky roared as it raised its swords and charged Ringmaster. Ringmaster remained calm and gestured to his field.

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Performapal Pinch Helper! Through its effect, when I'm about to receive a direct attack, I can negate that attack!"

Blue Sky was blocked by an invisible force that prevented it from attacking Ringmaster. The blue mechanical warrior then stopped and returned to Sanctum's side.

"And then, I get to Special Summon a "Performapal" monster with 800 attack points or less from my Deck with its effects negated. Come, Performapal Teeter Totter Hopper!"

A circus-themed grasshopper appeared on Ringmaster's field in Defense Position.

Performapal Teeter Totter Hopper ATK 100 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"You think that's enough to stop me?" Sanctum snorted. "If so, you're underestimating me. I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge, which lets me draw four cards through its effect since my hand is empty. Finally, I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Maestra exclaimed. "I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed!" Maestra drew her two cards. "Next, I place Scale 8 Unisono the Melodious Diva in my Pendulum Zone!"

A column of light appeared on her left, with a monster clad in a flowery dress with notes engraved on it rising to the top.

Unisono the Melodious Diva Scale: 8

"Then, I activate Unisono's Pendulum Effect, which allows me to perform a Fusion Summon by using Monsters from my hand or field as materials. I will use Shopina the Melodious Maestra and Ode the Melodious Diva that are in my hand to Fusion Summon! And thanks to Ode's effect, it counts as two monsters!"

A female monster clad in a dress with a violet flower motif and holding a small microphone and a purple-skinned woman with solid red eyes with mint green hair, wearing a pouf dress of varying shades of purple, appeared on Maestra's field before breaking apart into red and blue that swirled into a vortex. Two whirlwinds of energy shot upwards from the vortex before merging into a violet tornado.

"Nature spirits embodying the divine melody! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! I Fusion Summon! Now dominate the stage, Rossinia the Melodious Maestra!"

A female monster clad in a russet-colored dress with six butterfly-like wings extending from its back, a mask concealing most of its face, and a small sword in its right hand appeared on Maestra's field.

Rossinia the Melodious Maestra ATK 3300→2300 DEF 2500 LVL: 9

"I activate Rossinia's effect," Maestra stated. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon a "Melodious" monster from my Graveyard and add half its attack to all other "Melodious" monsters I control until the End Phase. I choose to Special Summon Bloom Prima."

Rossinia struck the ground with its sword, generating a crack out of which Bloom Prima emerged and landed on Maestra's field. Immediately afterward, a golden radiance enveloped Rossinia.

Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir ATK 1900→900 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

Rossinia the Melodious Maestra ATK 2300→3250

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Fusion Fortune!" Maestra continued. "This lets me draw cards equal to the number of Fusion Monsters I control, but I cannot add cards from my Deck to my hand for the rest of the turn. Since I control two Fusion Monsters, I draw two cards." She drew and smirked. "Finally, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Sword of Dagla, equipping it to Bloom Prima," Maestra said as two D-shaped blades emerged from her Spell Card, with Bloom Prima grabbing them. "Due to its effect, Bloom Prima's attack points increase by 500!"

Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir ATK 9400→1400

"Now, let's battle!" Maestra exclaimed. Rossinia attacks Aquamarine Tidal! Prodigy Strike!"

Rossinia stabbed Tidal in numerous places all over its body, destroying it and causing Sanctum to wince in pain.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 4700→4550 LP

"Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal has left the field," Sanctum stated. "And with it gone, your monsters' attack points return to normal!"

Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir ATK 1400→2400

Rossinia the Melodious Maestra ATK 3250→4250

"Next, Bloom Prima attacks Blue Sky! And thanks to the effect of the equipped Sword of Dagla, whenever the equipped Monster inflicts damage to my opponent, I gain an equal amount of Life Points! Go, Bloom Prima! Verdant Phoneme!"

Two powerful soundwaves were generated from Bloom Prima's flowers, vaporizing Blue Sky and sending Sanctum skidding backwards. At the same time, Maestra was enveloped by a golden aura.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 4550→4150 LP

Ringmaster & Maestra: 3500→3900 LP

"Thanks to its effect, Bloom Prima can attack twice per Battle Phase," Maestra stated. "Attack Mekk-Knight Black Hole next, Bloom Prima! Verdant Phoneme!"

The previous scene was repeated as Bloom Prima's soundwaves obliterated Black Hole.

"I place a card face-down and end my turn with my monsters' attack points returning to normal."

Rossinia the Melodious Maestra ATK 4250→3300

"My turn! I draw! Since I control no monsters," Storm Rider said. "I can Special Summon Cycode Swordsman from my hand!"

A man in cybernetic blue armor carrying futuristic swords appeared.

Cycode Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Since Swordsman was Special Summoned by its effect, I can add one "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand," Storm Rider continued. "I add Cycode Engineer to my hand." He did so, then said, "And since I control a "Cycode" monster, I can Special Summon Cycode Valkyrie from my hand!"

A mechanical female in white armor gilded with silver appeared in Attack Position.

Cycode Valkyrie ATK 2100 DEF 400 LVL: 5

"Lastly, I summon Cycode Engineer!"

A monster in workman's clothes and a hard hat carrying a power drill in one hand and a calculator in the other appeared.

Cycode Engineer ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 3

"I now create my circuit!"

The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider once again.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters, including one "Cycode" monster. I set Cycode Assassin, Swordsman and Engineer in the Link Arrows!"

Storm Rider's monsters became whirlwinds of energy as they entered the left, bottom, and right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cycode Gaia Charger!"

A new monster charged out of the Link portal. It resembled Gaia the Fierce Knight, but its body merged with a horse. He wore blue armor with dark brown colors and digital-like lancers. The horse had the same color design but with robotic, digital wings. The monster let out a battle cry as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cycode Gaia Charger ATK 2600 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Engineer's effect activates!" Storm Rider continued. "When it is used to Link Summon a "Cycode" Link Monster, I can destroy one set card in your Spell & Trap Zone!" Storm Rider pointed at one of Talon's face-down cards. "I'll destroy the card on the right!"

A ghost of Engineer appeared as he charged towards the face-down with his drill ready.

"I won't let you settle this so quickly!" Maestra shouted. "I activate the Trap Card: Harmony of Heaven! Thanks to its effect, all damage I receive from battles involving "Melodious" monsters is reduced to 0 for this turn!"

"You may have escaped Engineer's effect, but you won't escape Gaia," Storm Rider stated. "When Gaia Charger is successfully Link Summoned, all you monsters lose half their attack points. Go, Jamming Javelin!"

Gaia Charger aimed its spear at Rossinia and Bloom Prima as it released a wave of electricity at the two Melodious monsters, draining their power.

Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir ATK 2400→1200

Rossinia the Melodious Maestra ATK 3300→1650

"Battle! Gaia Charger attacks Bloom Prima! Linkage Spiral!"

Gaia Charger charged Bloom. Its lance pierced its chest, destroying it.

Storm Rider smirked. "Gaia Charger's additional effect! It can make two attacks during each Battle Phase!" Maestra's eyes widened in shock. "Go, Linkage Spiral!"

The previous scene was repeated as Gaia Charge struck Rossinia with its lance, destroying it.

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Storm Rider concluded.

"My turn! I draw!" Ringmaster looked at his card and smiled. "I summon Gifting Magician!"

A male magician in a white robe with golden streams around the edges of the design appeared in Attack Position. He wore a gray suit, brown boots, and gloves.

Gifting Magician ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I activate Gifting Magician's effect!" Ringmaster continued. "By Tributing it, I get to draw a card. And if it happens to be a Pendulum Monster, I can reveal it to draw again."

Gifting Magician exploded into particles as Ringmaster drew a card to look at it and revealed it. "Must be my lucky day because I drew Power Magician, which is a Pendulum Monster, meaning I get to draw once more." He then drew another card from his Deck. "Now, with my Pendulum Scale, I can summon monsters between Level 3 through 7 all at the same time. I Pendulum Summon!"

A portal opened between the two pillars, and a single light appeared. The light hit the field and then dissipated, revealing one monster.

"Power through, Power Magician!"

Emerging from the portal was a magician with spiky, fiery red hair and hazel eyes, wearing a brown coat and black arm guards, wielding a short wooden staff in his right hand.

Power Magician ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 3 PS: 2

"And I'm far from finished," Ringmaster stated. "Power Magician's effect activates! When it's summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Magician" monster from my Extra Deck or Graveyard. I Special Summon Gifting Magician from my Graveyard!"

Following his words, Gifting Magician reappeared on Ringmaster's field.

Gifting Magician ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I tune the Level 4 Performapal Teeter Totter Hopper and the Level 1 Gifting Magician with the Level 3 Power Magician!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Ringmaster as the world turned to gray. A wave of energy swept his field and disintegrated Ringmaster's monsters, turning them into blue particles. Those particles turned into three circles – one green and two yellow, with the latter two composed of four and one concentric circle – stacked above each other. The circles turned blue and then merged. Numerous blue-green rectangles appeared and formed a circle, while eight blue rings formed in the middle and arranged themselves in a tower. A screen appeared above the tower and showed the numbers "3 + 4 + 1" before shifting to "8". A beam of light shot through the rings.

"Hero's blade that sets forth unyielding light!" Ringmaster chanted. "Here and now, awaken with a flash! I Synchro Summon! Welcome to the battlefield, Enlightenment Paladin!"

A man with red eyes and brown hair appeared on Ringmaster's field in Attack Position. He wore white, black, and golden armor on his robes. Two white and red capes extended from his shoulders and waist, and two curved blades rested in each of his hands. A white mask covered his mouth and nose, and he wore a black, white, and gold hat atop his hair.

Enlightenment Paladin ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LV: 8

"Enlightenment Paladin's effect activates!" Ringmaster continued. "When it is Synchro Summoned using a "Magician" monster as material, I can add a Spell Card from my Graveyard to my hand!"

The Synchro attached its blades as they gave off a golden glow.

"I add Magical Pendulum Box back to my hand. It's time to battle! Enlightenment Paladin attacks Cycode Gaia Charger! Chronos Configuration!"

Enlightenment Paladin charged forward, intent on destroying the Link Monster.

Ringmaster gestured to his field. "Since Power Magician was used as Synchro Material, Enlightenment Paladin gains 1000 attack points during the Battle Phase!"

A silhouette of Power Magician appeared behind the Synchro Monster momentarily, giving him more power in a fiery, red aura.

Enlightenment Paladin ATK 2500→3500

"I activate the Trap Card: Link Showdown!" Storm Rider suddenly said. The card showed Decode Talker clashing with Gouki the Great Ogre in an arena. "When a Link Monster I control battles a monster with higher attack points, it gains attack points equal to its Link Rating times 500! Since Gaia Charger's Link Rating is 3, it gains 1500 attack points!"

"I wouldn't be so sure. At this moment, I activate the Counter Trap Card: Anti-Magic Spear Gae Dearg from my hand!" Ringmaster abruptly stated. "I can activate this card from my hand if I control a Spellcaster-Type monster! As for its effect, it allows me to negate the activation of a Spell or Trap Card you control and destroy it! As such, Final Battle is destroyed!"

A crimson spear suddenly appeared on the field, piercing through Zaizen's Trap and destroying it.

"Without your Trap, my monster overpowers yours! Go, Chronos Configuration!"

The swordsman combined the handles of its two blades, creating one double-edged weapon. He flew towards Gaia Charger while spinning his weapon to slash the Cyberse monster down the middle, destroying it and making Storm Rider wince.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 4150→3250 LP

"At this moment, Enlightenment Paladin's effect activates!" Ringmaster continued. "Since it destroyed an opponent's monster in battle, I can inflict damage to you equal to that monster's attack points! Take this! Enlightened Spirit!"

Enlightenment Paladin crossed its swords before it, unleashing a wave of energy toward Storm Rider.

"Not happening! I activate the Counter Trap Card: Damage Rebound!" Sanctum declared. "When we're about to receive damage from a card effect, I can negate the damage!"

The blast hit a barrier and rebounded.

"Damage Rebound also forces you to return a face-up card on your field to your Deck. And if the return card is a monster, you take damage equal to its attack points!"

"In that case, I return Performapal Pinch Helper," Ringmaster said as his Continuous Trap burst into particles. "Moving on, I place a card face-down and end my turn."

Storm Rider turned to his partner. "Thanks for the save, Sanctum."

"Don't mention it," Sanctum said. "You would do the same for me. My turn! I draw!" Sanctum looked at her card and played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Bubble Burst! With this, I can destroy one face-up Spell or Trap I control, like my Teleport, to draw two extra cards."

The Continuous Spell exploded into particles as Sanctum drew.

"Next, since my Life Points are lower than yours and you're the only one with a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can activate the Spell Card: Final Offguard! This card lets me draw two cards! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card World Legacy's Memory! This card lets me Special Summon a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my hand or Deck in Defense Position. From my Deck, I Special Summon Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset!"

A silver, black, and orange warrior with two shields appeared on Sanctum's field.

Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset ATK 800 DEF 3000 LVL: 6

Sanctum gestured to the sky as his hand glowed blue. "Appear! The circuit of illumination!" The Link Portal appeared above her. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Mekk-Knight" monsters. But if a Psychic monster I control would be used as a Link Material for a "Mekk-Knight" monster, I can use Mekk-Knight Chartreuse Vent and Mekk-Knight Sepia Core in my hand as Link Materials!"

A light gray, chartreuse-colored glowing armored machine with a small feminine body wearing a wing-like cape wielding a bow-like weapon with sharp bladed ends and a light gray, sepia-colored glowing armored machine with a bulky male-like body wearing a cape of the same color wielding bladed wrist gauntlets appeared on Sanctum's field.

"I set Sepia Core, Chartreuse Vent, and Orange Sunset in the Arrows!"

Her three monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, causing them to turn red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Emerge and display the colors of the rainbow! Link-3! Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme!"

A monster that appeared to be an amalgamation of all the Mekk-Knight weapons emerged from the portal, summoned to the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme ATK 3000 LINK 3 ↙↓↘

"It's here! Sanctum's ace monster!" Maestra shouted.

"The effects of Chartreuse Vent and Sepia Core activate!" Sanctum continued. "When Chartreuse is sent from the hand or field to the Graveyard as Link Material, I can target one "Mekk-Knight" monster on my field and return a card in the same column as it to the Deck. And thanks to Sepia Core's effect, I can target a "Mekk-Knight" monster on my field and banish a card in the same column. I target Spectrum Supreme as the target for both Vent and Core's effects to banish Enlightenment Paladin and return Ringmaster's face-down!"

Following Sanctum's words, Paladin disappeared from the field, and Ringmaster's Set card vanished.

"Battle! Spectrum Supreme attacks you directly! Rainbow Fall!"

"This is gonna sting," Ringmaster muttered under his breath as Spectrum Supreme fired several rainbow blasts of energy at him and Maestra, causing them to protect themselves with their arms.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 3900→900 LP

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn." Sanctum concluded.

"My turn! I draw!" Maestra announced. I'm going need more cards if I'm to survive this turn, she thought. " I activate the Spell Card: Foresight Draw. Through its effect, I will send all cards in my hand to the Graveyard first. Then, I will guess what type of card is on the top of my Deck. If I guess correctly, I can draw five cards from my Deck; otherwise, I will have to send the five top cards of my Deck to the Graveyard and skip my next Draw Phase. I guess that my top card is a Trap Card. Now, draw!"

Maestra checked her top card and revealed it with a smirk on his face.

"It looks like I was correct, so I draw five cards. I activate the effect of Melodious Appropriation! I discard a card to Special Summon Solo the Melodious Songstress from my Deck!"

A woman with pink skin, a red dress, and a yellow crown-like object on her head appeared.

Solo the Melodious Songstress ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Next," Maestra continued. "Since I control a "Melodious" monster, I can Special Summon Canon the Melodious Diva from my hand!"

A blue-skinned woman with blue hair and purple, wearing a blue and black dress, appeared next to Solo.

Canon the Melodious Diva ATK 1400 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"Finally, I summon Pastorale the Melodious Songstress!"

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

Pastorale the Melodious Songstress ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

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

A pink-skinned girl with pink hair wearing a yellow, red, and orange dress appeared in Attack Position.

Serenade the Melodious Diva ATK 400 DEF 1900 LVL: 4

"Serenade's effect activates! During the turn she is Special Summoned, I can Normal Summon a "Melodious" monster. But before that, I tune Level 3 Pastorale the Melodious Songstress to Level 4 Serenade the Melodious Diva!"

A bolt of green lightning struck the ground, disintegrating Maestra's two monsters. They reformed into two rings made of three and four concentric circles. The rings merged and then turned into seven blue rings in a tower. A "3 + 4" screen appeared, then changed to "7". A surge of light went through the rings.

"Insightful Master, through the dark silence, find the hidden music and compose a masterpiece with the strength of your baton! I Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Beethovina the Melodious Maestra!"

Maestra's new monster flew beside her on a pair of fairy wings rimmed with translucent piano keys. She had long snow-white hair with a few curly strands on the sides bouncing down against her shoulders. She wore a large ball-gown dress, hers being white and green. The musical fairy wielded a baton like a magic wand in her hand.

Beethovina the Melodious Maestra ATK 2800 DEF 2200 LVL: 7

"Since Beethovina was Synchro Summoned, her effect activates, allowing me to add a "Melodious" monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Opera the Melodious Diva, which I'll summon thanks to Serenade's effect!"

Following her words, Opera reappeared between Beethovina and Canon.

Opera the Melodious Diva ATK 2300 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"There are three Level 4 monsters on her field," Storm Ridder remarked. "It's obvious what she's about to do next."

Maestra gestured to her field. "I overlay the Level 4 Opera, Canon and Solo!"

Maestra raised her Duel Disk and shot a bolt of pink energy that created the Xyz cross. "With these three monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Her monsters disintegrated into data and entered the red bolts. The ends of the cross fired multiple beams that created a galaxy, which exploded with energy.

"Hot-blooded melody of combat! Light up the flame of courage in the hearts of men and resound forever! I Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Hathor the Melodious Goddess!"

A beautiful female monster clad in a regal reddish-brown dress with notes engraved on it, which had a pair of large, blue-colored wings extending from its back, a crown resembling a disk with two horns extending from it placed on its head and held a sistrum in its hands, appeared on Maestra's field.

Hathor the Melodious Goddess ATK 2800 DEF 2500 RNK: 4 OU: 3

"I activate Hathor's effect!" Maesta declared. "When this card is Xyz Summoned successfully, I can destroy a card on the field. I choose to destroy Spectrum Supreme!"

"Afraid not," Sanctum sneered. "Have you forgotten about Spectrum Supreme's effect? As long as there are no other cards in its column. Therefore, your Hathor's effect won't apply!"

"In that case, I'll activate the Equip Spell Card: Melodious Crescendo and equip it to Beethoviana, increasing its attack points by 500!"

Beethoviana the Melodious Maestra ATK 2800→3300

"Now, let's battle!" Maestra exclaimed. "Beethoviana attacks Spectrum Supreme!"

Beethoviana swung its baton, generating a shockwave that struck Sovereign, destroying it and making Sanctum wince.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 3250→2950 LP

"The effect of Melodious Crescendo activates! When the equipped monster destroys your monster in battle, I can destroy a Spell or Trap Card you control!" Sanctum's eyes widened. "I destroy your set card!"

Beethoviana released a wave of energy, shattering Sanctum's set card.

"Next, Hathor the Melodious Goddess attacks you directly! Divine Resonance!"

Hathor brandished its sistrum as its expression became feral and shook it, generating a clear soundwave of energy.

"I activate the Trap Card: Cycode Half-Guard! By discarding one "Cycode" monster from my hand, all battle damage I take is halved! I discard Cycode Supporter!"

The soundwave hit Storm Rider and Sanctum, making him stumble, but it wasn't as powerful as it could have been.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 2950→1550 LP

"And since the Battle Phase ended, Half-Guard's additional effect activates!" Storm Rider declared. "I draw one card for each of your monsters that battled this turn. Two of your monsters battled, so I draw two cards!"

"Looks like that's it for now," Maestra remarked. "I end my turn with a face-down.

"My turn!" Storm Rider announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Gift!" he shouted. "By discarding a "Cycode" card, I can draw two cards!" He discarded his card and then drew. Looking at his new cards, he smiled. "I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn! This card lets me Special Summon a monster from the Graveyard. Resurrect, Cycode Strider!"

The medium-sized robot wielding a rifle reappeared on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Strider ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Strider's effect activates!" Storm Rider continued. "When Special Summoned, I get to check the top card of my Deck, and if it's a monster, I get to summon it. So let's see if luck is on my side. I draw!"

He drew his card and showed it to Astro.

"I drew Cycode Skywalker, which means I can summon it!"

A digitized warrior in golden armor with blue circuits running across it with a crown-shaped visor obscuring the upper half of his face. He wielded twin swords with a glowing blue line in the middle.

Cycode Skywalker ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"I activate the effect of Cycode Alchemist in my Graveyard!" Storm Rider continued. "By banishing it, I can add Cycode Fusion from my Deck to my hand."

"What?!" Maestra gasped. "Fusion?!"

"He must've sent it to the Graveyard through Cycode Gift," Ringmaster deduced.

"With this card, I send monsters from my hand or field to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon a "Cycode" Fusion Monster!" Storm declared. "And when you control a monster summoned from the Extra Deck, I can also use monsters in my Deck as Fusion Material!"

"Fusion Summoning from... your Deck?" Maestra said, now worried about what was coming next.

"I fuse the Cycode Skywalker and Cycode Strider on my field with Cycode Swordsurge and Cycode Knight from my Deck!"

Soon, a light blue armored humanoid with a white lining across its body, wearing an energy-like trench coat and wielding a bladeless sword and a robotic knight in white armor, appeared alongside Skywalker and Strider. After doing so, the three monsters disintegrated into red, blue, green and orange particles that swirled into a vortex before shooting upwards as tornados. The three tornados merged to form a single violet twister.

"The supreme blade that cleaves the wind! Bring forth the new legend!" Storm Rider chanted as he gestured to his field, the lines on his suit glowing a soft purple. "I Fusion Summon! Come out! Cycode Lordwalker!"

A golden greatsword split the whirlwind, revealing an evolved version of Cycode Skywalker in kinglike armor. It unsheathed its sword and let out a battle cry in Attack Position.

Cycode Lordwalker ATK 2600 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"I activate Cycode Lordwalker's effect!" Storm Rider continued. "Once per turn, I can target a card on the field and destroy it. I choose to destroy Hator!"

Lordwalker swung his arms, sending a beam of blue light at Maestra's Xyz Monster, destroying it.

"Battle! Cycode Lordwalker attacks Beethoviana!" The Fusion Monster charged the Synchro Monster Monster. "Lordwalker's effect activates! When it attacks, its attack points are doubled!"

Cycode Lordwalker ATK 2600→5200

"Go, Termination Slash!"

"I don't think so, Storm Rider! I activate the Trap Card: Draining Shield!" Maestra countered. "Not only does this card negate your monster's attack, but we also gain Life Points equal to your monster's attack points!"

A translucent green barrier appeared around Maestra and Ringmaster as Lordwalker proceeded to slash through it in a fury, protecting the two from his attack. Then a translucent green aura surrounded them.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 900→6100 LP

Cycode Lordwalker ATK 5200→2600

At least I got rid of Maestra's face-down card, Storm thought. I wouldn't expect the duel to end by this point after all, especially with the tricks they have left at their disposal.

"Cycode Lordwalker's second effect," Storm Rider continued. "If I used more than two monsters to Fusion Summon it, it gains an additional attack for every additional monster. I used four monsters, meaning Lordwalker can attack two more times! The second attack! Cycode Lordwalker attacks you directly! And thanks to its effect, Lordwalker's attack points are doubled!"

Cycode Lordwalker ATK 2600→5200

"Go, Termination Slash!"

Lordwalker slashed Beethoviana with its sword, making it explode and sending Ringmaster tumbling backwards.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 6100→4200 LP

Maestra grit her teeth. "It doesn't end here! The destroyed Beethoviana's effect activates! If she is sent to the Graveyard by my opponent's card, I can Special Summon a different "Melodious" monster from my Graveyard so long as its effects are negated. Resurrect, Canon!"

The blue-haired young woman in a pink, blue, and purple dress reappeared in Defense Position.

Canon the Melodious Diva ATK 1400 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

Cycode Lordwalker ATK 5200→2600

"Don't forget Lordwalker still has one attack left. Attack Canon with Termination Slash! And thanks to its effect, Lordwalker's attack points are doubled!"

Cycode Lordwalker ATK 2600→5200

The sword struck Canon, making the monster explode.

Cycode Lordwalker ATK 5200→2600

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Storm Rider concluded.

"My turn!" Ringmaster announced. "I draw! 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!"

He looked at the cards he drew and smiled.

"You need some help?" Yuri asked.

"Yuri?" Yuya said before nodding. "Yeah."

"Then, by all means, Starving Venom is always hungry for battle," Yuri smirked.

"Thanks," Yuya said to his Fusion counterpart before turning to his opponent. "Get ready, Storm Rider and Sanctum. Because you haven't seen anything yet!"

"So he's finally getting serious..." Storm Rider uttered.

"But first, I activate the Spell Card: Pendulum Pot! When this card is activated, I can draw cards from my Deck equal to the number of cards in my Pendulum Zones. Since I have two cards in my Pendulum Zones, I can draw two cards!"

After drawing his cards, Ringmaster took another card from his hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Magical Pendulum Box! Through its effect, I draw two cards and reveal them. If they're Pendulum Monsters, I get to add them to my hand. If not, I must discard them.

Ringmaster places his hand on his Deck."I draw!"

Ringmaster checked his drawn cards—and let out a satisfied smile.

"The monsters I drew are Performapal U Go Golem and Performapal Silver Claw, so I get to add them to my hand. Then, with my Pendulum Scale already set, I Pendulum Summon!"

A portal opened between the pillars and two beams of light shot out.

"Get going, Performapal U Go Golem!"

"And scratch your way to victory, Performapal Silver Claw!"

The lights dispersed as a stone golem-like being wearing a stone top hat and a silver wolf with a polka-dotted bowtie, chains, and sharp claws appeared.

Performapal U Go Golem ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4 PS: 1

Performapal Silver Claw ATK 1800 DEF 700 LVL: 4 PS: 5

"Next, I activate Performapal U Go Golem's effect to perform a Fusion Summon! I fuse Golem with Silver Claw!"

"Another Fusion...!" Storm Rider said.

The two Performapals shattered into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex before shooting upwards as tornados. The two tornados merged into a single violet twister.

"Watch as these two monsters merge and create the most diabolical botanical ever seen! I Fusion Summon! The vicious, voracious, and venomous Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!"

The dragon that emerged from the portal had a green body covered in purple armor with numerous red and yellow orbs across its body. It had green eyes and a set of yellow horns curved downwards on the sides of its head. The dragon roared as it appeared on Ringmaster's field in Attack Position.

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon ATK 2800 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Time for Starving Venom to sick its fangs on its prey," Yuri said with a satisfied smile.

"Starve Venom Fusion Dragon's effect activates! When this card is Fusion Summoned using monsters on the field as Fusion Materials, this card gains attack points equal to the combined attack points of all Special Summoned monsters on your field!" Ringmaster exclaimed.

Starving Venom's shoulders and knees opened, revealing fang-filled mouths. The dragon glowed violet as pink energy was emitted from the mouth, creating its wings.

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon ATK 2800→5400

Storm Rider gestured to his field. "I activate the Trap Card: Cyberse Shatter! Since you activated an effect that would change the attack points of exactly one monster while I control a Cyberse monster, that effect is negated, and I draw one card."

Cyberse Shatter fired a wave of energy at Starving Venom, causing it to lose its attack boost as Storm Rider drew.

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon ATK 5400→2800

"As expected of you, Storm Rider," Ringmaster praised. "But my monster's still stronger. And not only that, but I activate Starving Venom's effect!" he stated. "Once per turn, I can target a Level 5 or higher monster my opponent controls, negate its effects and have my dragon gain its effects until the end of this turn. Of course, my target is your Cycode Lordwalker. Do it, Starving Venom! Essence Leech!"

The protrusions on Starve Venom's back opened, unleashing two fanged mouths that shot forward and attached themselves to Lordwalker's body, draining its power.

"Battle!" Ringmaster exclaimed. "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, attack Cycode Lordwalker and end this! Venom Conduit!"

The mouths attached to Starving Venom's back opened to release crimson electricity, tying the Cycode Fusion Monster and not letting it escape. Moments later, a green beam erupted from the orbs generated by the electricity.

"At this moment, the effect Starving Venom stole from your monster activates!" Ringmaster declared. "Its attack points are doubled!"

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon ATK 2800→5600

"I activate the Trap Card: Dimension Wall!" Storm Rider shouted. "Through its effect, all battle damage I would receive from this battle is instead inflicted on you!"

The beam of green energy struck Cycode Lordwalker and a semi-transparent wall. The wall glowed bright light before firing a blast back at Ringmaster, striking him and making him cry in pain.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 4200→1200 LP

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon ATK 5600→2800

"Well played." Ringmaster praised his opponent. "You got out of this pinch scot-free while also damaging me. I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Sanctum declared as she drew her card. "First, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: World Legacy Recovery! Once pet turn, by banishing a "Mekk-Knight" or "World Legacy" from my hand or my Graveyard, like my Blue Sky, I get to draw two cards from my Deck." Sanctum drew her cards and said, "Then, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: World Legacy Key! This card lets me add one banished "Mekk-Knight" monster or "World Legacy" card to my hand. I return the banished Blue Sky to my hand. And since Starving Venom and Recovery are in the same column, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Blue Sky to that column!"

Blue Sky reappeared in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Blue Sky ATK 2000 DEF 2500 LVL: 5

"I activate Blue Sky's effect!" Sanctum continued. "Through it, I add Mekk-Knight Emerald Jay. And since I control a "Mekk-Knight" monster, I can Special Summon this card!"

A thin armored mechanical humanoid with bright emerald glowing lines and gem-like parts across its armor figure appeared in Attack Position. It had two winged heads, wielded a pair of thin dagger-like blades, and wore a split-half emerald-colored cape.

Mekk-Knight Emerald Jay ATK 800 DEF 600 LVL: 2

Ringmaster narrowed his eyes. "A Tuner…."

"I activate Emerald Jay's second effect!" Sanctum declared. "Through it, I can target up to two "Mekk-Knight" monsters on my field and either increase or decrease their Levels by 1. I target Blue Sky and increase its Level!"

Mekk-Knight Blue Sky LVL: 5→6

Everyone watching blinked and gasped. "A Level 6 and Level 2 monster?" Maestra said in surprise.

"That means-." Ringmaster started.

Storm Rider smirked. "So she's bringing that out."

"Level 2 Mekk-Knight Emerald Jay tunes Level 6 Mekk-Knight Blue Sky!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Ena. Two rings appeared before turning blue and merging. Eight blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "5 + 3" in front of them. The screen changed to "8" as light surged through the rings.

"Shine, knight of the bright star of life!" Ena chanted. "Let your righteous steel body destroy those who will disturb the peace across the cosmos with your blade of reflecting light! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! Mekk-Knight Prism Sun!"

The light and the rings faded to reveal a golden and silver armored mechanical humanoid with bright prism rainbow-colored glowing lines across its armor figure. It had a prismatic-shaped head with halo-like wings and wielded a rainbow-colored, golden battle ax with a gem in its center. It wore a white cape with a rainbow-colored aura as it appeared in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Prism Sun ATK 3000 DEF 3000 LVL: 8

"The Synchro Summoned Prism Sun's effect! Since it was Synchro Summoned to a Monster Zone with two more cards in its column, it's unaffected by your card effects!"

"That means it'll be tougher to get rid of it," Maestrea noted.

"If you think that scares me, think again!" Ringmaster said, drawing Sanctum's attention. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Supreme King's Armor!" Several black armor pieces with green energy lines on them attached themselves to Starving Venom's body. "Due to its effect, Starving Venom cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects!"

"I wouldn't be so sure. I activate Prism Sun's second effect!" Sanctum continued. "Once per turn, I can target a card on the field and negate its effects."

"What?"

"I choose to negate Supreme King Armor's effects! Prism Flash!"

Prism Sun held its ax as it released a prism light that struck the Continuous Trap, causing it to lose color.

"Now, let's battle! Mekk-Knight Prism Sun, attack Starving Venom Fusion Dragon! Sun Blade Crash!"

Prism Sun swung its ax, creating a massive wave of flames that engulfed Starving Venom and destroyed it, with Ringmaster wincing in pain.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 1200→1000 LP

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Sanctum concluded.

"It's my turn!" Maestra announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge, which lets me draw four cards since my hand is empty!"

Maestra drew and smiled at her cards. Yes! "I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Melodic Ritual, whose effect lets me Tribute "Melodious" monsters in my hand or on my field, or return "Melodious" monsters from my Graveyard back to the Deck to Ritual Summon. I shuffle Canon, Solo and Soprano from my Graveyard to Ritual Summon!"

An ornate altar surrounded by a large pipe organ appeared on Maestra's field. With Canon's spectral forms, Solo and Soprano became particles and were absorbed by the pipe organ, which started playing a beautiful tune. As a towering pillar of light erupted from the altar, Maestra chanted.

"Exalted diva of the heavens! May your healing song echo across the world and signal the coming of a new utopia! I Ritual Summon! Now, come to the stage, Level 10! The divine songstress, Gabriela the Melodious Maestra!"

An alluring female monster clad in a gold and white dress with glowing musical notes engraved on it had six golden wings protruding from its back and held an ornate crimson horn in its right hand on Maestra's field.

Gabriela the Melodious Maestra ATK 3200 DEF 2300 LVL: 10

"Gabriela's effect activates!" Maestra declared. "When this card is Ritual Summoned successfully, I can negate the effects of all face-up cards my opponent controls until the end of the turn! In addition, I activate Meisterin Gabriela's second effect, which allows me to Special Summon "Melodious" monsters from my Graveyard equal to the number of Special Summoned Monsters my opponent controls! However, the summoned Monsters cannot attack, their effects are negated, and they must return to my Deck during the End Phase! I choose to bring back Rossinia the Melodious Maestra! Refrain Rewind!"

A magic circle appeared on Gabriela's outstretched wings, which emerged Rossinia.

Rossinia the Melodious Maestra ATK 3300 DEF 2500 LVL: 9

"Then, I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn! to Special Summon Opera the Melodious Diva from my Graveyard!"

Opera the Melodious Diva ATK 2300 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Now, it's time for the climax of this performance!" Maestra exclaimed. "Battle! Gabriela, attack Prism Sun! And at this moment, Gabriela's final effect activates! When this card battles an opponent's monster, its attack points increase equal to half the combined attack of all "Melodious" Special Summoned monsters on my side of the field! Since Rossinia and Opera were all Special Summoned, half of their attack points get added to Gabriela's attack points!"

Gabriela the Melodious Maestra ATK 3200→6000

"Go, Gabriela!" Maestra ordered her monster. "Finish this! Horn of Jericho!"

"Hold on a sec!" Sanctum exclaimed. "I activate the Trap Card: Mirror Shade! I take no battle damage this turn by paying half my Life Points!"

The attack continued and destroyed Spectrum Supreme, but Sanctum didn't feel the force of the attack.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 1400→700 LP

"Looks like you still have a long way to go before taking me down, Maestra."

"We'll see," Maestra remarked. "With the Battle Phase over, Gabriela's attack points return to normal."

Gabriela the Melodious Maestra ATK 6000→3200

"I place one card face-down and end my turn. As it's the End Phase, Gabriela's effect ends, meaning Rossinia returns to my Extra Deck."

Following Maestra's words, Rossinia burst into particles.

"It's my turn!" Storm Rider announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Cyberse Call! It lets me add one Level 4 or below Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cycode Resonator to my hand, which I'll summon!"

A legless dwarf alien appeared on Storm Rider's field. It wore tattered black robes with a dark blue centerpiece decorated with a silver eight-pointed star. A pair of metallic silver wings sprouted from its back, and its head was gray, with pink membranes spread outwards. A single red eye glowed in its right eye socket as it wielded a tuning fork and mallet in its hands.

Cycode Resonator ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"Resonator's effect activates!" Storm Rider continued. "When it is Normal Summoned, I Special Summon a "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated and change its Level to between 1 and 4. I resurrect Cycode Swordsman as a Level 4 monster!"

The warrior with two swords reappeared, with its Level changed.

Cycode Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3→4

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Core! I can Special Summon a "Cycode" monster with a Level from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated. Return, Cycode Dancer!"

The robot in a tutu reappeared.

Cycode Dancer ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Level 4 and two Level 2s," Maestra muttered.

"Level 2 Cycode Resonator tunes Level 4 Cycode Swordsman and Level 2 Cycode Stealth Shadow!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Storm Rider as the world grayed out. His three monsters disintegrated into particles of green data that reformed into three circles, one being green and composed of two concentric rings, while the other two were silver and composed of two and four concentric rings. The circles turned blue before merging, forming eight blue rings stacked in a tower, circled by blue-green rectangles. A screen displayed "2 + 4 + 2" appeared before changing to "8." A light surged through the rings as Storm Rider raised his hand above his head.

"Flash of lightning! The unknown power transforms into a soaring dragon!" He brought his hand down and gestured to his field. "I Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Cycode Vortex Drake!"

A white digital dragonic avian with blue water-like energy rings surrounding its body emerged from the light. It had four metal energy wings with green lining and a long spiral-like tail.

Cycode Vortex Drake ATK 2800 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"Vortex Drake's effect activates!" Storm Rider shouted. "When this card is summoned successfully, I can reduce the attack point of all monsters my opponent controls to 0 until the end of this turn." Abyssio gasped at Storm Rider's words. "Draining Vortex!"

Vortex Drake's wings generated a massive wave of blue wind and engulfed the Melodious Ritual Monster.

Gabriela the Melodious Maestra ATK 3200→0

"I activate the Trap Card: Shine Guard!" Maestra announced as she revealed a trap showing a white-robed angel shining a blinding light with her wings, "By switching a Light monster's Battle Position on my field, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects once this turn! I switch Gabriela to Defense Position!"

"I'm far from done!" Storm Rider said. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Cycode Multiplier and equip it to Vortex Drake!" Cycode Vortex glowed green."Thanks to Multiplier, Vortex Drake can attack twice during the Battle Phase."

"That's not good…." Ringmaster muttered.

"Battle! Vortex Drake attacks Gabriela!"

Vortex Drake soared upwards.

"Go, Turbine Takedown!"

The Synchro Monster's wings glowed with light as it roared. They spun around, creating a powerful whirlwind as it drilled through Gabriela, who survived the attack.

"Here comes the second one," Storm Rider said. "Go, Vortex Drake! Turbine Takedown!"

The Synchro Monster gathered bright green energy in its mouth and then launched it at Gabriela in a beam, destroying it.

"I place a card face-down and end my turn," Storm Rider said. "What else do you two have for us?"

"Oh, trust me when I say that we have plenty in store," Ringmaster said with a smile. "My turn! I draw! With my already Set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon again!"

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

"Time to go, Timebreaker Magician!"

"And bring the momentum, Performapal Momentum Draco!"

On Ringmaster's field, a boy in brown robes armed with a sword and an emerald-colored dragon with a serpentine body surrounded by several rainbow-colored energy rings appeared.

Timebreaker Magician ATK 1400 DEF 0 LVL: 3 PS: 2

Performapal Momentum Draco ATK 1300 DEF 800 LVL: 3 PS: 4

"I activate Momentum Draco's effect! Once per turn, I can either increase or decrease the Level of a "Performapal" monster I control by one," Ringmaster explained. I choose to increase Draco's Level."

Performapal Momentum Draco LVL: 3→4

Ringmaster closed his eyes, "…Are you there, Yugo?"

Following his whispered words, Yugo appeared next to Yuya.

"I'm right here," Yugo responded. "And to answer your question, yes!" Yugo shouted as he raised his fist in excitement. "It's our turn to counterattack! Let's do it!"

"I tune Level 4 Performapal Momentum Draco with the Level 3 Timebreaker Magician!"

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

"Beat your wings to whip up a whirlwind of destruction! I Synchro Summon! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

A large white dragon with blue gems on its head, chest, and forearms, green gems on its lower body, and green wings shaped like crystals emerged from the light and roared in Attack Position.

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"Oh yeah! Time for Clear Wing to bring the pain!" Yugo cheered.

"Momentum Draco's effect activates! Since it was used as Synchro Material for the Synchro Summon of a Dragon-type or Spellcaster-type Monster while my opponent controls an equal or greater amount of monsters than I do, I can banish it from my Extra Deck to draw a card from my Deck for every Synchro Material used in that monster's Synchro Summon. As such, I will draw three cards."

He drew his cards and smiled. "I'm far from finished!" Ringmaster stated. "Since you control a Special Summoned monster, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand. Come, Performapal Radish Horse!"

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

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

"Radish Horse's effect activates! As it was Special Summoned, I can target a monster I control and a monster you control with 2500 or more attack points. My monster then gains attack points equal to Radish Horse's while your monster loses the same amount of attack points!" Storm Rider gasped. "I target Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Cycode Vortex Drake!"

Radish Horse's horn popped off and struck Vortex Drake, making it groan.

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 2500→3000

Cycode Vortex Drake ATK 2800→2300

"Battle! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Cycode Vortex Drake!" The dragon rose high into the sky before roaring and diving. "Spinstorm Sky Strike!"

Green winds whipped around Clear Wing as it divebombed towards the Link Monster.

"I activate my Trap Card!" Storm Rider declared. "Cycode Battle Barrier! Since I have a "Cycode" monster either on my field or in my Graveyard, the battle damage is reduced to 0!"

The attack destroyed Cycode Vortex Drake, but a barrier formed around Storm Rider, preventing him from taking damage.

"Since you destroyed Vortex Drake, its effect activates!" Storm Rider announced. "I can add a Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cycode Restoration to my hand."

Ringmaster noted the card but decided it didn't matter at the moment. "I place a card face-down and end my turn. As it's the End Phase, Clear Wing's attack points return to normal."

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 3000→2500

"My turn!" Sanctum announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Spellbook from Inside the Pot, whose effect allows me allows all of us to draw three cards. Then, since my face-down and your face-down are in the same column, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Green Horizon from my hand!"

At Sanctum's command, A green armored monster wielding a staff appeared on Sanctum's field in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Green Horizon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 6

"Next, I'll activate the Trap Card: World Legacy Backup!" Sanctum continued. "It lets me Special Summon a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Deck! Aid me, Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset!"

A silver, black, and orange warrior with two shields appeared on Sanctum's field in Defense Position.

Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset ATK 800 DEF 3000 LVL: 6

Everyone watching blinked and gasped. "Two Level 6s?" Maestra said in surprise.

Sanctum smirked. "I overlay my Level 6 Green Horizon and Orange Sunset!"

Sanctum raised her Duel Disk and released a burst of golden energy that struck the sky. From where the bolt struck, the field changed into outer space, streams of golden energy floating in the air.

"With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"

Green Horizon and Orange Sunset broke apart and entered the dots. The ends of the cross lit up and fired beams, creating a miniature galaxy. The galaxy exploded with energy as a new monster formed within.

"Darken knight of the shadowy star of darkness!" Sanctum chanted. "With pure stars of the same life and devouring them, transform into the vengeful knight that consumes all enemies into the blackness of its blade! I Xyz Summon! Rank 0! Mekk-Knight Eclipse Supreme!"

A feminine warrior in shiny black armor with bladed bat-like wings resembling a dim, dark-like rainbow aura appeared on Sanctum's field in Attack Position. Two yellow lights circled it.

Mekk-Knight Eclipse Supreme ATK 3000 DEF 2500 RNK: 0 OU: 2

"Battle!" Ena exclaimed. "Mekk-Knight Eclipse Supreme attacks Clear Wing Synchro Dragon! Eclipse Blade Break!"

The knight swung its sword, creating a blade of dark energy that struck Clear Wing, splitting it in half. The two halves exploded, sending Ringmaster skidding backwards.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 1000→500 LP

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Then it's my turn! I draw!" Maestra said. She looked at her card, then gestured to her field. "I activate the effect of Melodious Appropriation! I discard Beat the Melodious Diva to Special Summon Baila the Melodious Diva from my Deck!"

A young female with red hair, wearing a purple dress, white angel wings on her back, red high heels, and a necklace.

Baila the Melodious Diva ATK 1700 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

"Since Baila was Special Summoned, I get to add a "Melodious" card from my Deck to my hand," She took a card from her Deck, then pointed upward. "I activate Unisono's Pendulum Effect to fuse Baila on my field with Ode the Melodious Diva in my hand, whose effect treats itself as two materials for a Fusion Summon!"

A silhouette of a female clad in a dress with a violet flower motif and holding a small microphone appeared on Maestra's field alongside Baila as the two monsters disintegrated into particles and formed a violet tornado.

"Nature spirits embodying the divine melody! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! I Fusion Summon! Now, come to the stage! The song of wonder, Bloom Muse the Melodious Choir!"

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

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

"I activate Bloom Muse's effect." Maestra declared. "When this card is Fusion Summoned, I can destroy all monsters on my opponent's side of the field! Rose Hurricane!"

A hurricane of rose petals erupted on the field following Maestra's words, heading towards Eclipse Supreme.

"Too bad. But I'm one step ahead of you!" Sanctum stated. "I activate Eclipse Supreme's effect! I can detach one Overlay Unit to negate the effect of a card on the field! I negate Performapal Ballad's effects! Absolute Eclipse!"

One of the circling lights hit Eclipse Supreme's raised sword, manifesting a miniature eclipse over Bloom Muse, causing it to grey out.

Mekk-Knight Eclipse Supreme OU: 2→1

"In that case, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Fortissimo! Through its effect, I can target one "Melodious" monster I control and increase its attack by 800 until my next Standby Phase. I choose Bloom Muse!"

Bloom Muse's dress started shining and glittering as her attack points increased.

Bloom Muse the Melodious Choir ATK 3000→3800

"Now, let's battle!" Maestra exclaimed. "Bloom Muse, attack Eclipse Supreme! Tifaret Symphony!"

The nine orbs surrounding Bloom Muse unleashed a barrage of blasts at the Mekk-Knight Xyz Monster.

"I activate the Trap Card: Defense Draw!" Sanctum declared. "This card negates all battle damage from an attack and allows me to draw a card!"

A hazy sphere appeared around Sanctum, shielding her from Bloom Muse's attack.

"When it's destroyed, I can Special Summon a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Extra Deck. Descend now! Mekk-Knight Arc Emperor!"

The monster that emerged resembled a humanoid Spectrum Supreme with the body of Avram. It had two additional funnel wings that each released different colors of energy. Its armored body looked holy and kingly as it wielded a massive greatsword with rainbow-like energy coursing through the blade and outside of it.

Mekk-Knight Arc Emperor ATK 3500 DEF 3000 LVL: 9

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Maestra concluded.

"My turn! I draw!" Storm Rider looked at his card and played it. "I summon Cycode Archer!"

A cyborg wearing a patchwork of animal skins appeared. It wielded a silver longbow in its left hand and had a quiver of arrows strapped to its back.

Cycode Archer ATK 1500 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"And since a "Cycode" monster was Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon Cycode Dual Beast from my hand in Attack Position!"

A blue cybernetic lion with a yellow mane and white lining resembling circuit boards with a small crown over its head appeared next to Knight.

Cycode Dual Beast ATK 1200 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Two Level 4 monsters…." Ringmaster muttered. "That can only mean one thing."

"I use Level 4 Cycode Archer and Cycode Dual Beast to build the Overlay Network!"

Storm Rider raised his Duel Disk. A bolt of blue lightning shot out of it, turning the world around them into a void. The Xyz cross appeared beneath the two monsters, turning them into data as they entered the circles on the cross. The ends of the cross shot beams of light upward, creating a spiraling galaxy that exploded with power.

"The creature who guards the sacred lands! Ascend to this battle and strike down our enemies! I Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 4! Cycode Master Beast!"

A strand of blue DNA formed before breaking apart and forming a sphere. The sphere then reformed itself into an evolved version of Cycode Dual Beast, with its body being more humanoid and matured with sharp energy manes and a large king-like wearing a fur-like cape.

Cycode Master Beast ATK 2400 DEF 2200 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Cycode Master Beast's effect activates!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "When it's successfully Xyz Summoned, it gains 200 attack points for every card on the field. Nine cards are currently on the field, so it gains 800 attack points!"

Cycode Master Beat ATK 2400→4200

Storm Rider gestured to his monster. "I activate Master Beast's second effect! By detaching one Overlay Unit, I can Special Summon a Link Monster from my Graveyard! In exchange, I can't summon any other Link Monsters this turn!" One of the two lights disappeared. "Resurrect, Cycode Gaia Charger!"

Cycode Master Beast OU: 2→1

"Battle!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "Master Beast attacks Bloom Muse! And at this moment, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Forbidden Chalice! I can target one face-up monster on the field and increase its attack points by 400 until the end of this turn. In exchange, until the End Phase, its effects are negated. I target Bloom Muse!"

Bloom Muse was surrounded by a white veil for a few moments, increasing her strength before changing color to red and draining her effects.

Bloom Muse the Melodious Choir ATK 3000→3400

"With Bloom Muse's effects negated, it can't use its attack-boosting effect," Storm Rider said. "Go, Master Beast!"

"Our show isn't over just yet! I activate the Trap Card: Rhythm Cure!" The card showed Score the Melodious Diva and Tamtam the Melodious Diva sprinkling a golden shower of flowers over Mozarta the Melodious Maestra. "It allows us to gain Life Points equal to two "Melodious" monsters I banish from my Graveyard! I banish Gabriela and Rossinia to gain 6500 Life Points!"

Silhouettes of both monsters appeared before they vanished, and Ringmaster and Maestra gained Life Points before Master Beast's attack struck Bloom Muse, destroying it, with the backlash causing Maestra to wince in pain.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 500→7000→6200 LP

"Even so, Bloom Muse's effect activates!" Maestra said. "When it's destroyed, I can Special Summon one of its Fusion Materials. Revive, Baila the Melodious Songstress!"

A rift in space appeared above Maestra, with Baila emerging and landing on her field.

Baila the Melodious Diva ATK 1700 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

"Since Baila was Special Summoned, I get to add a "Melodious" card from my Deck to my hand. I add Minuet the Melodious Diva to my hand!"

"You might have strengthened your defense, but it won't save you," Storm Rider said. "Thanks to its effect, Gaia Charger can attack twice. Go, Gaia Charger! Attack Radish Horse and Baila! Linkage Spiral!"

Gaia Charger charged the Performapal and Melodious monster. Its lance struck both, destroying them and making Ringmaster and Maestra grunt in pain.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 6200→4300 LP

"Finally, Mekk-Knight Arc Emperor attacks you directly! Emperor Slash!"

"If you think I'll let you attack us so easily, you're sorely mistaken!" Maestra stated. "By sending Minuet the Melodious Diva from my hand to the Graveyard, I can halve the battle damage!"

Arc Emperor swung its sword, creating a shockwave that sent Ringmaster and Maestra tumbling backwards.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 4300→2550 LP

"You may have prevented me from inflicting massive damage, but your field is once again empty." Storm Rider remarked. "I consider this a win. I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" I draw!" Ringmaster announced. "With my Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon!"

Three beams of light erupted from the portal, solidifying into the forms of monsters upon landing on Ringmaster's field.

"Sting your way to victory, Performapal Kaleidoscorp!"

"Stare to it, Performapal Nightmare Knight!"

"And ring his defeat, Performapal Longphone Bull!"

A scorpion with shields for pincers wearing a top hat and a kaleidoscope as a tail, a small knight clad in black armor and a blue bull with a red shirt, white pants, polka-dotted bowtie, and a telephone on its head appeared on Ringmaster's field.

Performapal Kaleidoscorp ATK 100 DEF 2300 LVL: 6 PS: 4

Performapal Nightmare Knight ATK 1700 DEF 0 LVL: 4

Performapal Longphone Bull ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Looks like Ringmaster's starting to make his comeback," Sanctum said.

"Longphone Bull's effect activates! When I Special Summon this card, I can add a non-Pendulum "Performapal" monster from my Deck to my hand," He explained as he added the card. "Yuto!"

"I understand! Let's go, Yuya!" Yuto encouragingly shouted as he appeared.

"Thanks. The real deal starts from now on! 'I overlay the Level 4 Performapal Nightmare Knight and Performapal Longgphone Bull!''

Yuya swung his Duel Disk around and sent a bolt of blue lightning to the sky behind him. It struck, creating the Xyz cross.

''With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!''

His monsters disintegrated into purple data and entered two of the dots. A blue circle formed behind the cross. The ends of the cross then shot lasers and created a swirling galaxy in front of Yuya. The galaxy exploded with energy as he chanted.

"Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous dragons! I Xyz Summon! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"

A black and purple dragon appeared on the field with long blades on its arms, slightly above its hands. It had large wings and a sharp spike on its chin.

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Time for Dark Rebellion to show its wrath," Yuto said with a satisfied smile.

"I activate Dark Rebellion's effect!" Ringmaster continued. "I detach an Overlay Unit, and one Level 5 or higher monster you control has its attack points halved. Treason Discharge!" One of the dragon's orbs hit its fangs, then the orbs in its wings released tendrils of pink lightning that ensnared Arc Emperor.

Mekk-Knight Arc Emperor ATK 3500→1750

"Dark Rebellion then gains the same amount of attack points!"

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon ATK 2500→4250

Ringmaster gestured to his field. "I activate Performapal Kaleidoscorp's effect! Kaleidolight!"

Kaleidoscorp unleashed a beam of light from its tail, hitting Master Beast, Gaia Charger and Arc Emperor while producing beautiful patterns around the area.

"Since you have monsters on your field that were Special Summoned, one monster on my field can now attack each of them once," Ringmaster explained. "I select Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"

Ringmaster turned to Dark Rebellion and touched its hand, causing him to glow yellow.

"Battle! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, attack all their monsters! Mauling Mandible Charge!"

Storm Rider gritted his teeth and gestured to his field. "I activate the Trap Card: Cycode Restoration!" The card's image was Counselor Lily, placing a thermometer in Fortress Golem's mouth. "By Tributing a "Cycode" Link Monster, we gain Life Points equal to its Link Rating times 800. I Tribute Gaia Charger!"

Gaia Charger disintegrated as Storm Rider and Sanctum's bodies glowed.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 700→3100 LP

Dark Rebellion's attack continued as its fangs pierced through Master Beast and Arc Emperor, making them explode. Storm Rider and Sanctum grunted as the shockwave pushed him back.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 3100→550 LP

"Time to close the curtain. I activate the effect of Nightmare Knight in my Graveyard!" Ringmaster declared. "By banishing this card, every player who received damage this turn will receive 1000 points of effect damage! Take this!"

An orb of darkness appeared on the field and headed straight for Storm Rider.

"Don't count me out just yet. I activate the Trap Card: Life Regeneration!" Storm Rider exclaimed as he revealed his face-down card. "When an effect that would deal effect damage is activated, we gain Life Points equal to that damage instead!"

"What?" Ringmaster gasped.

The orb of darkness struck a golden barrier that formed around Storm Rider and Sanctum's field. When the blast had made contact, its color turned into pink sparkles that rained down on the two.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 550→1550 LP

"I set one card," Ringmaster said. "I end my turn. During the End Phase, Dark Rebellion's attack points return to normal."

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon ATK 4250→2500

"It's my turn!" Sanctum announced. "I draw! "I activate the Spell Card: Card of Burial Magic! It lets me draw two cards by banishing three Spell Cards from my Graveyard! I banish Unexpected Dai, World Legacy Recovery, and Teleport!" She proceeded to draw two more cards. "Then, I activate the effect of Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine from my hand! Since there are two or more cards in the same column, I can Special Summon this card to that same column!"

Soon, a silver, marigold-colored machine with a feminine body appeared. It had sharp shoulders and a long marigold energy-like ribbon on top of its head, resembling a ponytail. It wielded a rapier-like weapon with a flower-like guard.

Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine ATK 2300 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

"Marigold Shine's second effect!" Sanctum continued. "When this card is summoned, we gain 500 Life Points for every other card in its column. There are three cards, so I gain 1500 Life Points!"

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 1550→3050 LP

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Link Unit and equip it to Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine! If Marigold Shine is used to Link Summon, it counts as two materials!"

Ringmaster narrowed his eyes. "So she's planning on Link Summoning next," he muttered.

"Appear! The circuit of illumination!" The Link Portal appeared above her. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Mekk-Knight" monsters. And since a Psychic monster I control would be used as a Link Material for a "Mekk-Knight" monster, I can use Mekk-Knight Pink Cloud and Brown Mirage in my hand as Link Material!"

A feminine silver, pink glowing armored/mecha-like humanoid with a bright pink lining design across its body, wearing a coattail-like open skirt wielding a double-bladed staff with and a silver, brown glowing armored/mecha-like humanoid that oddly feels to be not there like a mirage with bright brown lining, mirage-like bladed wings that vibrate and a twin wrist armored shielded, bladed arms appeared on Sanctum's field.

"I set Marigold Shine, Pink Cloud, and Brown Mirage in the Arrows!"

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

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-4! Mekk-Knight Crescent King!"

A more divine version of Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme but with armored pieces and a torn-up cape. Its wings are rainbow-colored, but its body shines like the lunar moon. Its helmet is similar to Blue Sky's, and it wielded a greatsword and shield as it emerged from the portal into the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Mekk-Knight Crescent King ATK 3400 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

"The effects of Pink Cloud and Brown Mirage activate! If Pink Cloud is sent from the hand or field to the Graveyard as Link Material, I can target one "Mekk-Knight" or "World Legacy" card from my Graveyard and set it face-down in a column that has a card. I set World Legacy's Backup from my Graveyard." Se took the card from her Graveyard and placed it on her field, then said, "And since Brown Mirage was sent to the Graveyard as Link Material, I can Special Summon a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Spectrum Supreme!"

The Link-3 Mekk-Knight reappeared on Sanctum's field.

Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme ATK 3000 LINK 3 ↙↓↘

"Battle! Crescent King attacks Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! Rainbow Flare Stream!"

Crescent King started to glow as it unleashed a multi-colored energy blast at Dark Rebellion, destroying it and making Ringmaster wince in pain.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 2550→1650 LP

"This is the end! Spectrum Supreme attacks you directly! Rainbow Fall!"

Spectrum Supreme fired several rainbow blasts of energy at Ringmaster and Maestra. The Dueltainer remained calm as he took a card from his hand.

"I activate the effect of Performapal Inflater Tapir in my hand!" Ringmaster exclaimed. "By sending this card to the Graveyard, I can reduce the battle damage I would take from this attack to 0!"

An elephant-shaped balloon appeared in front of Ringmaster, receiving Master Beast's attack and bursting apart.

"Should've known you had a trick up your sleeve. In that case, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Spell Shattering Arrow! This card destroys all face-up Spell Cards on your field and deals 500 points of damage for each one!"

Two bright red arrows shot from the spell card and pierced through Camelump, Card Gardna, Melodious Appropriation, Fortissimo and Unisono, shattering them into pixels as they rained toward Ringmaster and Maestra.

"I activate the Trap Card: Deflect Draw!" Ringmaster shouted. "It reduces the damage to 0, and I can also draw a card."

A barrier formed Ringmaster, shielding him from the blast as he drew a card in the process.

"Impressive move there. But how long can you keep it up," Sanctum said. "I end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" Maestra announced. "I draw!" She looked at her card and smiled.

"I activate the Spell Card: Ostinato! As I control no monsters, I can Fusion Summon a "Melodious" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by using monsters from my hand or Deck as Fusion Material!"

Sanctum's eyes widened. "You're fusing monsters in the Deck?!"

"From my Deck, I fuse Aria the Melodious Diva, Elegy the Melodious Diva, Tamtam the Melodious Diva, and Mozarta the Melodious Maestra.

A pink-skinned woman in a peach-colored sarong with a single harp-shaped wing on her back, a green-skinned woman with green hair, indigo robes over a blue and orange vest, a little girl with pink skin, purple hair, a red and green dress, and carrying a red wand and a woman with porcelain skin wearing a red dress appeared before breaking into particles. The particles swirled together into a vortex before shooting upwards as twisters that merged, forming a single violet tornado.

"The flutter of angel wings! Vivacious melody! Flowing melody! Angel's song! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! I Fusion Summon! Grace the stage with your majesty! The song of sacred grace, Bloom Dryad the Melodious Choir!"

A female monster with elfish features clad in a majestic formal dress made out of golden leaves with glowing notes engraved on it, which had oversized leaf-shaped wings growing from its back, appeared on Maestra's field from within a shower of petals.

Bloom Dryad the Melodious Choir ATK 3400 DEF 2100 LVL: 10

"I'm far from done! I activate the Equip Spell Card: Discord Trumpet! I equip it onto Bloom Dryad!"

A silver trumpet with loudspeakers attached to the side of the instrument appeared in Dryad's hands, looking ready to play the instrument.

"Moving on, I activate the effect of Bloom Dryad. Once per turn, I can increase the attack points of all "Melodious" monsters on my field by 600 for every "Melodious" monster I control. However, the affected monsters cannot activate their effects until the end of my turn. Since I only control Bloom Dryad, it gains 600 attack points!"

Bloom Dryad the Melodious Spirt ATK 3400→4000

Maestra narrowed her eyes. "Let's battle! Bloom Dryad, attack Mekk-Knight Crescent King! Tranquility Phoneme!"

Following her words, Bloom Dryad flapped its wings, generating golden soundwaves that struck Crescent King and destroyed it, with Sanctum being blown backwards due to the ensuing shockwave.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 3050→2450 LP

"Due to Discord Trumpet's effect, if my monster destroys a monster by battle, all monsters on your field with attack points less than or equal to Bloom Dryad's attack points are destroyed!"

Dryad played its trumpet which caused a loud sonic wave that made Spectrum cry in agony over the noise before the trumpet unleashed a boom of music that destroyed it.

"I think that's enough for now. I end my turn. Since it's now the End Phase, Bloom Dryad's attack points return to normal since its effect ends now."

Bloom Dryad the Melodious Spirt ATK 4000→3400

"Then, it's my turn!" Storm Rider announced. "I draw! I summon Cycode Sorceress!"

A mechanical female humanoid wielding a metal staff appeared.

Cycode Sorceress ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Sorceress's effect activates! When she's Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position. Return to me, Cycode Strider!"

Strider reappeared on Storm Rider's field next to Sorceress.

Cycode Strider ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"And since I Special Summoned Strider, I get to check the top card of my Deck to see if it's a monster. I draw!"

He drew and looked at his card, causing him to smile. "I drew Cycode Acrobat, which means I can summon it!"

A female-like android in a light blue leotard, leg warmers, and arm sleeves with a silver hoop in its right hand appeared next to Strider in Attack Position.

Cycode Acrobat ATK 1700 DEF 1400 LVL: 5

"Acrobat's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned by a "Cycode" card's effect, I can add a "Cycode" card from my Deck to my hand." A card slid out from his Deck, which he then showed to his opponent. "I Special Summon Cycode Serpent!"

A robotic snake appeared in Attack Position.

Cycode Serpent ATK 400 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I can Special Summon Serpent if it is added to my hand outside my Draw Phase," Storm Rider continued. "Now, I'll create the ultimate circuit!"

Storm Rider raised his hand as it glowed blue and shot a lightning bolt, creating a Link Portal.

"The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set Cycode Sorceress, Strider, Acrobat and Serpent in the Link Arrows!"

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

"The new wind that flows throughout this world gives the mighty creature that connects the past and future! I Link Summon! Appear, Link-4! Cyber Tech Link Dragon!"

The dragon that emerged from the portal had a blue body, white and yellow lining, and silver claws. It also had a spiral-like tail and jet-like energy wings with white and blue-lining eyes like a circuit board. Two large horns on its head faced forward, with a smaller horn placed on the back of its head. Three small spikes that resembled claws were placed on the "elbow" of the wings. The dragon's red eyes glowed as it released a powerful roar.

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"I activate the Spell Card: One-Time Passcode!" Storm Rider continued. "This card lets me Special Summon a Security Token in Defense Position!"

A small black and gray machine with a single blue orb in its center appeared, summoned to Cyber Tech's bottom Link Arrow.

Security Token ATK 2000 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"I activate Cyber Tech's effect! Once per turn, I Tribute a monster it points to target one Special Summoned monster on your field that's in Attack Position, and until the end of this turn, I can take control of it and place that monster in a zone Cyber Tech points to! I Tribute my Security Token to take control of Bloom Dryad. Go, Cryptic Corruption!"

Following Storm Rider's words, Security Token disintegrated into energy and traveled to the electronic circuits on Cyber Tech's wings, which lit up with swirling blue energy. The orbs released tendrils of said energy, which fired at the Odd-Eyes Link Monster, snaring it up and placing it underneath Cyber Tech's bottom Link Arrow.

"Furthermore, Cyber Tech gains attack points equal to the monster I just took control of."

Cyber Tech's eyes glowed blue while the same colored aura formed around its body, increasing its strength.

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 2500→5900

"Battle!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "Cyber Tech Link Dragon attacks you directly! Digitized Burst Stream!"

Cyber Tech's orbs glowed with energy before releasing a blue-colored energy stream.

"I activate the effect of Dolce the Melodious Diva from my hand!" Maestra exclaimed. "By discarding this card, I can reduce all damage I receive from direct attacks to 0 for this turn!"

Following Maestra's words, a flower-shaped barrier appeared, shielding Maestra and Ringmaster from Cyber Tech's energy blast, which dispersed harmlessly upon striking the shield.

"In that case, I activate the Spell Card: Offerings to a Higher Power!" The card showed a group of subjects offering farm animals to several soldiers who had come to collect tribute from them. "By sending one monster on my field to my Graveyard, I can draw two cards. I send Bloom Dryad from my field to my Graveyard and draw!" After Battle Fader turned into particles, Storm Rider drew and looked at his cards.

"Since Bloom Dryad left the field, Cyber Tech's attack points return to normal," Storm Rider said.

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 5900→2500

"From there, I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Let go! My turn! I draw!" Ringmaster shouted as he drew. I activate the Spell Card: Performance Reboot! Thanks to it, I can draw five cards from my Deck since I control no monsters, and my opponent does while I have at least one "Performapal" monster in my Graveyard."

Ringmaster drew his cards and grinned as his eyes narrowed. Perfect. With these cards, he could win.

"I activate my Trap Card!" Storm Rider declared. "Parallel Port Armor! This card equips itself to Cycode Talker!" A light briefly shone around the Link Monster. "While Parallel Port Armor is equipped, Cycode Talker cannot be destroyed by battle or targeted by your card effects."

"That's not enough to stop me. Since I don't have any monsters on my field, I can Special Summon Performapal Copy Chameleon from my hand!"

A large green chameleon with a yellow ring coiled around its tail, wearing a purple polka-dotted bowtie and a black steampunk hat with goggles, appeared on Ringmaster's field.

Performapal Copy Chameleon ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

"Next, I summon Performpal Uni!"

A female performer with a white horn and blonde appeared next to Copy Chameleon.

Performapal Uni ATK 800 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Performpal Uni's effect activates! When Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower "Performpal" monster from my hand. I Special Summon Performapal Corn!"

Another female performer in a purple jacket with a horn and blue hair appeared next to Uni.

Performapal Corn ATK 600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Time for my two lovely assistants to continue with our show today," Ringmaster stated as he began using his Dueltainer persona. "I activate Performapal Corn's effect! By switching her and Uni to Defense Position, I can add one Pendulum monster from my Deck to my hand."

Uni and Corn took a defensive stance as a card popped out of Ringmaster's Deck.

"I add Fruit Magician. Now it's time for me to entertain my circuit!"

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

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

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions require two "Performapal" monsters. I'm setting Peformapal Copy Chameleon and Corn in the Link Arrows!"

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

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

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

Performapal Linkipede ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Since Linkipede was successfully Link Summoned, its effect lets me choose a "Performapal" in my Deck and add it to my Extra Deck," Ringmaster explained as a card slipped out of his Deck. "I select Performapal Odd-Eyes Scribe. "And since I control a "Performapal" monster, I can Special Summon Fruit Magician from my hand!".

A female with long platinum blonde hair and white skin wearing an eclectic mix of strawberry red and blueberry blue clothing with hints of lavender appeared.

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

"When Fruit Magician is Special Summoned by its effect, I get to draw a card." He explained as he drew. "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 4 Performapal Uni to Special Summon the Level 4 Performapal Bot-Eyes Lizard!"

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

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

Bot-Eyes' form changed to Ringmaster's ace monster.

He raised his right hand as it glowed with blue light. ''Appear, the circuit that creates smiles!''

A burst of electricity taking the shape of smiles flies up to the sky, and they swirl together, becoming a Link Portal.

'Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect monsters! I set the Link-2 Performapal Linkipede, Fruit Magician and Bot-Eyes Lizard in the Link Arrows!''

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

"Warrior with wondrous and beautiful dichromatic eyes. Arm yourself with the dragon's pride, and silence the battle cries of our foes! I Link Summon! Appear, Link-4! Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer!"

A cybernetic humanoid warrior with fair skin, a purple left eye and a yellow right eye, the latter having its pupil slit, thus giving it a dragonic appearance and short, spiky crimson hair. He wore a black jumpsuit with glowing light blue highlights under armor that had a similar design to Decode Talker but featured purple crystalline spikes on his shoulders, elbows, and knees and was colored red with golden accents. It also had a crimson orb inlaid in its left forearm, a green orb in its right thigh, and a helmet with large horns reminiscent of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's emerging from its sides. He wielded a crystalline lance in each of its hands, one light blue and one red, both with a pendulum of the opposite color hanging from its handle, summoned to the Left Extra Monster Zone.

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer ATK 2800 LINK-4 ←↙↗→

Ringmaster gestured to his monster. "Since I used a "Performapal", "Odd-Eyes", or "Magician" Link Monster as material to summon Supreme King Cylancer, I can target cards on your field equal to its Link Rating and negate their effects. I select Parallel Port Armor! Go, Cryptic Overwrite!"

Cylancer clangs its lances together, causing the pendulums attached to their handles to wave and glow, releasing a wave of static energy surrounding the Continuous Trap, making it gray out.

"Then, for each card negated, I get to place a Pendulum Counter on Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer!"

The crimson and green orbs on Cylancer's glowed brightly.

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer: 0 PC→1 PC

"Lastly, I set the Scale 8 Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon in my Pendulum Zone!"

Following his words, a monster that resembles Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, except its red scales are now black with small purple crystals across its body, and its sharp shoulder wingless wings are now curly blue crystals going to the back appeared in the pillar of light.

Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon Scale: 8

Ringmaster gestured to his field. "Battle! Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer, attack Cyber Tech Link Dragon!"

Cylancer leaped up high into the air.

"Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer's additional effect activates! When it attacks a monster, I can target a Pendulum Card it points to and have it gain attack points equal to half of the targeted card's attack points. Since Cylancer's bottom-left Link Arrow points to Arc Pendulum Dragon, it gains 1350 attack points!"

The crimson and green glow from the orbs on the warrior's body began to spread to the entirety of its lances.

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer ATK 2800→4150

"And since Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon was in the Pendulum Zone, I can remove a Pendulum Counter from Cylancer to double its attack points!"

"What?" Both Sanctum and Storm Rider said, surprised.

"Go, Linkship Amalgamation!"

The spikes attached to its armor and golden accents glowed brightly as the monster unleashed an inhuman roar.

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer ATK 4150→8300

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer: 1 PC→0 PC

Ringmaster gestured to his Link Monster. "Go, Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer! Cybernetic Oscillation!"

Both of Cylancer's lances glowed as he spun them in his hands before leaping forward, bringing them down in unison towards Firewall Dragon, but Playmaker made his move before the attack connected.

"I activate the Trap Card: Half or Nothing!" Playmaker shouted. "Through its effect, you must either end your Battle Phase or halve the attack of all monsters on your field! Now, what do you choose!?"

"Tch." Storm Rider said, gritting his teeth. "I didn't expect you to play that card." He then smirked. "But it won't stop me from attacking. I'll choose the second effect, which cuts the attack points of my monsters in half for the duration of this Battle Phase."

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer ATK 8300→4150

"You may have weakened my monster, but that doesn't mean you're safe. I activate the effect of Odd-Eyes Scribe in my Extra Deck!" Ringmaster exclaimed. "When an "Odd-Eyes" monster battles, I can banish this card to double the damage from that battle!"

"WHAT!?"

The gems on Cylancer's body shone as it released a blue torrent of energy doubled in size and power towards Darklord Morningstar, consuming it. The blast exploded on impact, shaking the entire arena. Everyone braced themselves from the powerful aftershock of the attack.

''Storm Rider!'' Sanctum yelled out in terror. Ringmaster and Maestra watched as the smoke cloud slowly vanished. It cleared up, and Ringmaster's eyes widened as he saw Storm Rider still standing, smiling.

''How?'' Maestra questioned. ''How did you survive?

"By banishing the Cycode Battle Barrier in my Graveyard," Storm Rider explained. "I take no damage from that battle, and the Battle Phase ends. And since I control no monsters, I draw cards equal to the number of monsters you control. You control one monster, so I draw one card!"

"I can't believe it…." Ringmaster said with a smirk. "I thought I had you there for a second. Impressive. I place two cards face-down and end my turn, meaning Cylancer's attack points return to normal."

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer ATK 4150→2800

"My turn! I draw!" Sanctum declared as she drew. Upon looking at her card, she smirked. "I have to say, you guys. Even though only one of us can walk away the winner, this has been a fun duel."

"I agree," Ringmaster said.

"Now, time to put an end to this duel. I activate the effect of Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse from my hand! Since there are two or more cards in the same column, I can Special Summon this card to that same column!"

Soon, a silver machine with a circle around its body and blue crystals embedded in its armor appeared in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse ATK 2400 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"Indigo Eclipse's second effect!" Sanctum continued. "Once per turn, I can move one "Mekk-Knight" monster I control to another Main Monster Zone. I move Indigo Eclipse to the column on its right!"

Indigo Eclipse shifted to the Main Monster Zone on its right, leaving room for another monster.

"And now I Special Summon Mekk-Knight Yellow Star via its effect to the column Indigo Eclipse previously vacated!"

A machine with silver and yellow mechanical wings appeared in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Yellow Star ATK 2200 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"Appear, the circuit of illumination!"

Sanctum's hand shot a lightning bolt into the air, creating a Link Portal.

"Link Arrows authorized!" Sanctum chanted. "The summoning conditions are two monsters, including at least one "Mekk-Knight" monster. I set Yellow Star, who's now treated as two monsters in the Link Arrows!"

Yellow Star split into two before turning into yellow energy and entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star!"

A large new bipedal machine appeared on Sanctum's field. Its armor was grey, with blue lines running across its skin. Instead of hands, it had two electrodes, one of which created a blade of yellow fire. Morning Star roared from the Left Extra Monster Zone despite having no mouth.

Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Mekk-Knight Battle! Whenever I have a "Mekk-Knight" monster on my field or in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon as many "Mekk-Knight" monsters from your hand, GY or banished zone at the cost of negating their effects, halving all damage you take for the remainder of the turn and limiting me to only summoning one monster from the Extra Deck. Return to me, my loyal knights!"

Following her words, Arc Emperor, Prism Sun, and Eclipse Supreme reappeared on Sanctum's field in a pillar of light.

Mekk-Knight Arc Emperor ATK 3500 DEF 3000 LVL: 9

Mekk-Knight Prism Sun ATK 3000 DEF 3000 LVL: 8

Mekk-Knight Eclipse Supreme ATK 3000 DEF 2500 RNK: 0

"Sanctum now has four Mekk-Knight monsters out," Ringmaster realized.

"That can only mean one thing," Maestra said.

Sanctum closed her eyes, took a deep breath, opened them again, then raised her right hand. "Appear, the circuit of infinite light!" Her hand shone a blinding golden light as the Link portal appeared on the field. But unlike the previous portals, this one filled out the entire field. Storm Rider's eyes widened as he took in the size of the open portal.

"Link Arrows authorized!" Sanctum chanted. "The summoning conditions are three or more "Mekk-Knight" monsters, including one Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Monster! I set Link-2 Morning Star, Arc Emperor, Prism Sun and Eclipse Supreme in the Link Arrows!"

All of her monsters leaped into the sky, where they turned into golden energy. The energy shot down towards the Link Portal, impacting the arrows. Top. Left. Right. Bottom-Left. Bottom-Right, turning them red and creating a pillar of golden energy that shot upwards.

The light from the circuit finally dimmed enough for Storm Rider to look around the field. The pillar had contracted to the Extra Monster Zone while light orbs floated in the air around them. On the other side of the field, Sanctum stood, seemingly unaffected by the light show in front of him.

"Beyond the colorful skies, descend with the knights' light and become the one true lord! Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Transcend, Link 5! Mekk-Knight Aurora Overlord!"

Four bladed wings erupted from the pillar. Like the other Mekk–Knight Link Monsters, they were made of metal but were colored instead of silver. On the right side of the pillar, a large mechanical arm shot out, carrying a large greatsword. The light then dissipated, revealing the rest of the monster.

The monster that emerged from the light was twice the size of Spectrum Supreme with a large gem in its chest, glowing white and dark with a rainbow aura outline. Its body was colored silver with golden and black trimmed and lining, as well as an aurora-colored halo. It had four-bladed large wings, with each wing having blade feathers, and each feather was a different color. It also wields a giant greatsword with different weapons attached or part of its blade, glowing like a rainbow with a white and black outline. It spread its wings, which shone with radiant light, as it settled in the Extra Monster Zone.

Mekk-Knight Aurora Overlord ATK 3500 LINK-5 ←↙↑↘→

"Battle! Aurora Overload attacks Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer! And at this moment, Aurora Overload's effect activates! During the Battle Phase, I choose one of three effects to activate. I activate its second effect, which reduces Cylancer's attack points to 0! Go! Aurora Adaption!"

Aurora Overlord's body glowed in a rainbow-like outline of energy as it spread over Odd-Eyes Cylancer, causing it to groan.

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer ATK 2800→0

"This is the end!" Sanctum shouted. "Go, Mekk-Knight Aurora Overlord! Overlord Supreme Slash!"

"It's not over yet! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card:Pendulum Omniforce!" Ringmaster exclaimed. "Through its effect, I can increase the attack points of all monsters on my field by an amount equal to the Scale Value sum of the monsters in my Pendulum Zone multiplied by 300 until the End Phase. However, Pendulum Summoned monsters affected by this effect cannot declare an attack. Since the Scale Value sum is 8, my monsters gain 2400 attack points!"

Following Ringmaster's words, Cylancer was surrounded by a multi-colored aura.

Supreme King Odd-Eyes Cylancer ATK 0→2400

Aurora Overlord holds up its greatsword as swirls of energy resembling a rainbow wrapped around the blade of its weapon before swinging it downward, unleashing a massive wave of rainbow-colored energy hurtling through Cyber Tech. The dragon was bisected in a massive explosion. The shockwave sent Ringmaster skidding backwards.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 1650→550 LP

"Good job enduring my attack." Sanctum praised her opponents. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"Then it's my turn!" Maestra announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Timbre Fusion! Its effect allows me to shuffle "Melodious" monsters from my hand, field and Graveyard back to my Deck and then Special Summon a "Melodious" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck that can be Fusion Summoned by using the shuffled monsters as materials, with this Special Summon being treated as a Fusion Summon. I choose to shuffle Bloom Prima, Bloom Dryad and Bloom Muse in my Graveyard back to my Extra Deck to Fusion Summon!"

Silhouettes of Prima, Dryad, and Muse appeared on Maestra's field. The monsters burst into red, blue and green particles and swirled into a vortex afterward. Three tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"As three passionate voices join together, the slumbering melody of the Earth will echo throughout the far reaches of creation! Gather your supreme talent under the guidance of the baton and give birth to a new life! I Fusion Summon! Manifest now! The song of genesis, Bloom Gaia the Melodious Progenitor!"

A towering female monster with flowing silver hair and elfish features clad in a regal dress made out of viridian and crimson flowers with gold ends, which had several tree branches growing from its back and had a massive white broadsword with several musical notes engraved on it floating next to it, appeared on Maestra's field.

Bloom Gaia the Melodious Progenitor ATK 4000 DEF 3800 LVL: 12

"Battle!" Maestra exclaimed. "Bloom Gaia, attack Aurora Overlord! At this moment, Bloom Gaia's effect activates! When it attacks an opponent's monster, it gains attack points equal to the combined Levels of all "Melodious" monsters on my field multiplied by 400 until the End Phase!"

Bloom Gaia the Melodious Progenitor ATK 4000→8800

"Furthermore, Bloom Gaia is unaffected by my opponent's card effects, so it's no use trying to pull any tricks here! Go, Bloom Gaia! Transcendent Nature Symphony!"

"We won't lose here!" Sanctum shouted. "I activate Aurora Overlord's first effect to double its attack points!"

Mekk-Knight Aurora Overlord ATK 3500→7000

The broadsword floating next to Bloom Gaia shot forward while surrounded by a storm of petals and musical notes and tore through Aurora Overlord's body, destroying it. Sanctum braced herself against the attack but was sent flying due to the ensuing shockwave.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 2450→650 LP

"Well played, Sanctum," Maestra said with a smile. "To think you would endure Bloom Gaia's attack under such circumstances… However, it will all be useless if you can't turn this situation around. I end my turn with Bloom Gaia's attack-increasing effect ending."

Bloom Gaia the Melodious Progenitor ATK 8800→4000

"My turn!" Storm Rider announced. "I draw! First, I activate Cycode Knight's effect from my Graveyard! By banishing it and shuffling Cycode Recon, Valkyrie, Assassin, Swordsman, and Masterframe back into my Deck, I get to draw two cards."

On seeing what he drew, he smiled.

"Huh?" Ringmaster raised an eyebrow. "Did you get a good card?"

"You could say that, but that's not the main reason." Storm Rider said with a grin. "No, I'm enjoying myself so much that I couldn't help but laugh. Hey, Ringmaster, dueling is amazing, isn't it?"

"Yes, it truly is!" Ringmaster matched Storm Rider's grin with one of his own. "The joy you feel when you and your opponent go against each other with everything you've got is incomparable. That's why I will make sure to spread the wonders of dueling as wide as I can until the day I see. To make everyone understand how Dueltaining can connect our souls like an arc of light."

"That dream of yours is still going strong," Storm Rider remarked. "Because of dueling, I was able to meet all of you. I was able to further my skills as a duelist to a level I didn't even know was possible. And…I want to thank you for that."

Ringmaster was silent for a few seconds before speaking with a wide smile plastered on his face.

"That's the spirit, Storm Rider!" Ringmaster smiled. "However, you're still in the middle of a duel! Give it everything you've got!"

"That's the plan," Storm Rider responded with a sly smirk. "First, I activate the Spell Card: Foolish Burial! With this, I send a monster from my Deck to the Graveyard." Storm Rider took Cycode Warlock from his Deck, then placed it in his Graveyard. "Next, I activate Graceful Charity!" He said. "Now I draw three cards, then discard two." He drew, then said, "Finally, since I control no monsters in the Main Monster Zone, I can Special Summon this card from my hand. Appear, Cyspace Magus!"

A digital blue cloaked figure whose main body resembles cyberspace with a golden circuit pattern lining. He wielded a digital, metal cybernetic staff with each end having a USB port with swirls of energy leaking out of each side.

Cyspace Magus ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7 PS: 0

"A Cyberse Pendulum Monster," Sanctum said in awe.

"When did Storm Rider get that card?" Maestra asked.

"Not sure," Ringmaster replied.

"If you think this is amazing, just wait for what I'm about to do next," Storm Rider stated. "I activate the effect of Cyspace Magus! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a monster from my Extra Deck by banishing Cyber Tech Link Dragon and a "Cycode" Fusion, Xyz, Synchro and Ritual Monster face-up from my field, Deck, Extra Deck and/or Graveyard! I will banish Cyber Tech Link Dragon from my Graveyard, Cycode Warlock, Lordwalker, Vortex Drake and Master Beast to perform an Integration Summon!"

Following his words, the five monsters appeared as Magus swung its staff and opened a large Link Portal in the center of Storm Rider's field. As the portal absorbed the monsters, Storm Rider chanted.

"God of Cyberspace awakened through the connection of five guardians. Arise once more from your slumber and enter the world in glorious supremacy. With your true power, human and monster souls becoming one, let us protect our dimension and rewrite the darkness into a brighter, new tomorrow! Integration Summon! Come forth, our last hope! Cyber Tech God Matrix Dragon!

The portal opened into a kaleidoscope-like space, from which a humanoid version of Cyber Tech Link Dragon in golden armor appeared. It had six blue digital, golden armored wings and six cybernetic, blue-white glowing drones that floated between each wing. Its tail was massive with a spiral, satellite-like design on the tip of the tail, and its claws were sharper and golden. It had a cyberspace-like colored hexagon orb with a golden circuit board lining coated across its body with blue circuit board lining eyes. It had crown-like horns on the top of its head and a small gem that courses the same cyberspace-like energy on its chest.

Cyber Tech God Matrix Dragon ATK 5000 LINK-6 ↖↙↑↓↘↗ PS: 13

"Way to go, Storm Rider!" Sanctum cheered. "I knew you wouldn't fall behind here! Go forward and win this for us!"

"That guy…" Maestra grinned. "He never fails to amaze!"

"Another Integration Monster…" Ringmaster had an ecstatic expression on his face. "I've never felt so glad to be here in the Link Dimension!"

"Let's do this!" Storm Rider declared. "God Matrix Dragon's effect activates! When Special Summoned, I can declare Monster, Spell, or Trap Cards. And all cards on your field and in your Graveyard of the declared type are banished!"

"What!?" Playmaker gasped.

"I choose Monster Cards. God Reboot!"

Cyber Tech released a golden, rainbow-colored aura from its wings and enveloped Ringmaster and Maestra's field.

Both duelists frowned as the monsters in their Graveyard were banished. "Thanks to its effect, you won't be able to use Uni's effect to negate the battle damage," he said. "And if you think that face-down of yours will save you, don't bother," Storm Rider said. "God Matrix Dragon's effect prevents you from activating any cards or effects when it attacks."

"Thanks for the heads up. I activate the Trap Card: Trap Reborn!" Ringmaster declared. "By paying half our Life Points, I can target a Normal Trap Card in your Graveyard, banish it and apply its effects to this card!"

Ringmaster winced as his Life Points decreased.

Ringmaster & Maestra: 550→275 LP

"I choose to banish Mirror Shade from your Graveyard and use its effect to prevent all battle damage this turn by halving our Life Points!"

Ringmaster & Maestra: 275→138 LP

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes as he was now out of options for this turn. "In that case, I set two cards and end my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Ringmaster drew and stared at his card.

"You feel it too, don't you?"

Ringmaster looked up at Storm Rider, whose expression had turned melancholic. "This will be the duel's last turn, won't it?"

"…Yes," Ringmaster said. With the cards in his hand, he could end this duel this turn. And yet…

Storm Rider smiled. "This was a good duel, wasn't it?"

"…Yeah," Ringmaster said, smiling. "This duel… Like my duel with Ringmaster, I've enjoyed every second of it. It's a shame it has to end."

"…Yeah. It is." Storm Rider raised his Duel Disk. "Then come at me, Ringmaster!"

"With pleasure!" Ringmaster took and revealed the card he had drawn. "I activate the effect of Divinity Sorcerer from my hand!" Ringmaster declared. "It allows me to bring out a special monster from my Deck by banishing Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon along with Dragon-type Fusion, Xyz, Synchro and Link Monster face-up from my field, Extra Deck and Graveyard alongside this card. I banish Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, Dark Rebellion Dragon and Odd-Eyes Link Dragon to perform an Integration Summon!"

"What did you say!?" Playmaker cried out in shock. "An Integration Summon!?"

A tall man with pale skin covered in glowing golden tattoos, slitted yellow eyes, and short, silver hair appeared. He wore a yellow robe over silver armor covering his torso, waist, and legs, while his feet were encased in light blue orbs that granted him the ability to fly. He also wore gauntlets decorated with red and green gems and wielded a staff made of golden energy, opening a massive rift in space above him, with his five monsters emerging from it at the same time as Divinity Sorcerer vanished. As the other four turned into energy streams that entered Odd-Eyes, Ringmaster chanted.

"Divinity Sorcerer who governs the energy flowing in our world! With your holy power, overlay our wishes! Surpassing the Five Heavenly Dragons, the ultimate dragon who leads us to a new future! Integration Summon! Soar through eternity, Level 12! The almighty dragon of creation, Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

A massive dragon with Clear Wing's body structure, crimson scales and violet skin decorated with red and green gems like Odd-Eyes, and crystals attached to its waist like Clear Wing. A blade was attached to the end of its tail like Starving Venom, and it had wings similar to Dark Rebellion while they were closed, but once they opened, they gained energy blades like Cyber Tech. It appeared on Ringmaster's field, letting out a sonorous howl.

Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK 4000 DEF 4000 LINK-5 ←↙↑↘→ PS: 12

Ringmaster jumped on his dragon's back. "Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's effect activates! When Special Summoned, all other cards on the field are shuffled back into the Deck!"

"Sorry, but thanks to Matrix Dragon's effect, it's unaffected by your card effects, Storm Rider pointed out."

"But that doesn't apply to your other cards. Go, Divine Translocation!"

Divinity-Eyes gave a shrieking cry, creating a powerful shockwave. Storm Rider and Sanctum braced themselves as their cards disintegrated.

"Then, Divinity-Eyes gains one Integration Counter for every card shuffled!"

Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon: 0 IC→4 IC

"Now, let's battle! Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, attack Cyber Tech God Matrix Dragon!"

"What?" Sanctum gasped. "But Divinity-Eyes is weaker!"

"For now," Ringmaster stated. "I activate Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's second effect!" When it battles a monster with higher attack points, I can either halve that monster's attack points or double Divinity-Eyes' attack points. I choose the latter!"

Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK 4000→8000

"Finish this, Divinity-Eyes! Supreme Spiral Burst"

Divinity-Eyes' gems glow with golden energy, releasing a spiraling burst of the same energy from its wings and mouth. Before it hit-.

"At this point, I activate the effect of Trap Re-Arm from my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Set a Trap Card from my Deck!" A face-down appeared on Storm Rider's field. "I activate the Trap Card: Causality Reversal!" The card showed Rabid Horseman wielding a powerful battleax, draining its life as it swung its ax through a sea serpent-like fiend. "Through its effect, when a monster I control battles a monster with higher attack points, I make my monster's attack points equal to that monster's attack points plus 1000! In exchange, I'll receive damage equal to the difference between my monster's original and current attack points during the Battle Phase's end!"

"I don't think so!" Ringmaster said as his eyes were filled with a determined expression. "Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's third effect activates! Once during either player's turn, when you activate a card or effect, Divinity-Eyes can remove one counter from itself to negate the activation of that card or effect and destroy it! Reaction Subjugation!"

Divinity-Eyes' eyes flash with purple energy, causing Storm Rider's Trap to burst into particles that surround the other card, causing it to gray out and break apart like glass.

Divinity-Eyes Pendulum Dragon: 4 IC→3 IC

"Wow, Ringmaster, you sure an amazing duelist!" Storm Rider praised with a grin.

"Thanks, Storm Rider," Ringmaster said evenly. "After Maestra and I leave, you and Sanctum will probably take our spots in the Top 10. Promise us the two will do your best."

Storm Rider's smile widened, "We'll give it my all, Ringmaster, and I'll start right here 'cause this duel's not over yet!"

Ringmaster's eyes widened. "Huh?"

"That's right, I still have one trick up my sleeve, and here it comes!" Storm Rider gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Transaction Rollback in the Graveyard!" he declared. "By paying half my Life Points and banishing it, I can target a Normal Trap Card in either of our Graveyards and activate its effect! I choose to activate the Trap Card: Final Link from our Graveyard!"

Storm Rider winced as his Life Points decreased.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 650→325 LP

Maestra's eyes widened. "He must've sent those cards to the Graveyard through Graceful Charity," she noted.

The card showed Firewall Dragon Darkfluid clashing against The Arrival Cyberse Ignister as a Data Storm surrounded the two.

"When a Link Monster attacks another Link Monster, the attack is negated, and both of us take damage to our Life Points equal to our monsters' combined attack points! You know what that means...," Storm Rider trailed off.

Ringmaster nodded, smiling. "Sure do!"

Everyone watched as both Divinity-Eyes and God Matrix glowed bright, making everyone watch in awe moments before a tremendous explosion rocked the room, a huge cloud of smoke covering the field.

Storm Rider & Sanctum: 325→0 LP

Ringmaster & Maestra: 138→0 LP

"It ended in a draw?" Maestra gasped.

"Storm Rider!" Sanctum yelled as she and the others ran and kneeled next to Storm Rider.

"Are you alright?" Ringmaster asked.

Storm Rider paused in his heavy breathing to smile reassuringly at his friends. "Yes, I'm fine. Tired, but fine." He looked up at his opponents."How are you guys feeling?"

"A little winded, but we're okay," Maestra assured him as she and Ringmaster stood up. "Thanks for the duel, you two. I had a lot of fun."

"I'm glad you did. And I'm glad we got to meet you guys." Sanctum responded.

"I hear you, there. It's funny." Ringmaster looked up to the sky. "All the people we've met and faced have helped us become better people and duelists. And the ones who've helped us the most were the two of you."

Storm Rider smiled. "We feel the same way. You guys motivated us to become stronger than we ever dreamed, and we want to say thank you."

"Thanks, Storm Rider."

"That was an amazing duel, you guys!" a sudden voice interrupted the conversation, catching Storm Rider and Sanctum off guard, considering no one else was in the vicinity. Yugo's spirit materialized beside Ringmaster, followed by his fellow counterparts behind their respective Standard alter egos. "Man, it got my blood pumping!"

"Don't appear so out of the blue, Yugo." Rin sighed in exasperation, although she was sporting a smile. "Yuji and Ena aren't accustomed to us yet."

"So easily excited, just like a child," Yuri whispered in a way to make sure he was heard by everyone present.

"What was that!?" Yugo glared at him.

Yuto sighed as he appeared. "Won't those two ever get along?"

"Wait...huh? There are...huh!?" Sanctum's confused muttering drew all attention to her. She was pointing at them with wide eyes. "There are...three others that share our faces!? Yuya and Yuzu weren't the only ones, you say!? And why are they ghosts!?"

"Ah, right." Storm Rider snapped his fingers, suddenly recalling something. "I haven't filled you in yet about this."

"What do you mean, "ah, right!?" Sanctum exclaimed while mimicking his impassive tone and expression. "This is a serious matter, and you just forgot to tell me!?"

"Oh my..." Lulu brought a hand to her mouth while Celina just sighed.

"I-I guess an explanation is in order..." Maestra sweatdropped, quickly stopping Sanctum before she could continue shouting at Storm Rider.

A few minutes later...

"I can't believe this. We have more counterparts besides the two of you?" Sanctum asked.

"Afraid so," Maestra answered. "Sorry. We should've told you earlier."

"I'm the one who should be apologizing," Storm Rider said. "I mean, I did meet the rest of my counterparts first, and I should've told you about that the moment we were revived. Sorry, Ena."

"I guess it's okay," Sanctum said before turning to her and Storm Rider's counterparts. "Nice to meet all of you. I'm Sanctum."

"Nice to meet you too," Celina said. "I'm Celina. And these girls right here are Rin and Lulu."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," the two girls said.

"Glad the cat's out of the bag," Yuto said. "I'm Yuto. And these guys next to me are Yugo and Yuri.

"Nice to meet you!" Yugo said excitedly. "Hope we can duel sometime."

"You moron," Yuri said. "How can you possibly duel her when you don't have a physical body?"

Come on you two, don't start another fight," Ringmaster said. "Anyway, it's getting late, so we should call it a night."

"Sounds good to me," Everyone else said as they and Ringmaster logged out.

The next day, later in the evening….

Declan was dialing buttons on his Duel Disk outside the dog truck with the Lancers, about to activate the portal between dimensions.

''Do you guys have to leave?'' Jin asked.

''Best we check how our world is doing in case Zarc may have done something or survived again,'' Shay answered.

''That's smart,'' Ena said. ''Wish we could've hanged out more.''

''Don't worry,'' Zuzu said. ''After we check on things back home, we're sure to visit you guys.''

''And that's a promise!'' Yuya added.

''Well, you better keep it,'' Yuji said.

''Got time for one more goodbye.''

A nearby voice said, belonging to a young, tall, thin man with green eyes and dark blue hair spiked outwards in the back with light blue bangs with pink accents.

''Sorry, but do we know you,'' Sylvio said.

''Seriously? How can you guys not recognize Playmaker?'' Kolter asked, causing everyone's eyes except Jin's to widen.

''You mean the friend who distanced himself from everyone is Playmaker?'' Yuya asked.

''In the flesh,'' Yusaku said as he approached Yuya. The two duelists eyed each other, having worked together against a common enemy and dueling each other to inspire a lesson.''Thank you for everything.''

Yuya raised an eyebrow but smirked. ''Don't sweat it. I would have done it anyway. So you're not leaving again, right?''

''… Best I move forward, as my friend would want it,'' Yusaku responded, accepting that even with Ai gone, he still has close friends. He grabbed his Deck, pulled out a card, and offered him to Yuya. ''Here.''

Yuya blinks, not expecting that from this guy but gladly accepts it. He eyes the card and startles as if it was a Cyberse monster, muttering it out. ''Decode Talker Extended?''

''Keep it as a memento,'' Yusaku said.

''Next time, I'm beating you with this card!'' Yuya declared.

''If that's what you want, I won't lose next time.''

''Time to go,'' Declan announced as the portal opened up. The Lancers approached the gate and entered the portal, saying their goodbyes.

''HEY!'' Yuya shouted towards Yusaku. Yusaku looks at him as Yuya tells him with a soft smile. ''Even though we belong in different worlds, our dueling connects us!''

''What also connects us are three words: We are duelists.'' Yusaku proclaims, taking his words as something he won't forget. Yuya smiles as he finally shouts, entering his portal back to his dimension. ''Till we meet again!''

With that, the portal closes up as if it never existed. Yusaku and his small group stare at where they once stood, not certain they will meet them again but hopeful that the future may allow them to meet again. But one thing is true; Yusaku won't forget this day for as long as he lives.

This chapter is considered an alternative ending for not just fans who wanted me to do a Tag Duel between Yuya/Zuzu & Yuji/Ena.

I decided to have the duel in a draw like Storm Rider and Playmaker's duel. Hope all of you guys are okay with the ending. Please leave a review to let me know what you guys thought of the alternate chapter.

Well, that's all, folks! Stay safe and be well! See you all next time (hopefully)!

OC Card Memo:

Mendelsa the Melodious Maestra

(LV: 7, Fairy, LIGHT, ATK: 1900, DEF: 2700)

Monster Effect: If you Summoned a "Melodious" monster this turn, you can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position. If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from your Deck with its effects negated. If this card is sent to the Graveyard as Fusion Material for a Fusion Summon: You can Special Summon it, and if you do, it gains 500 ATK, but banish it when it leaves the field. You can only use each effect of "Mendelsa the Melodious Maestra" once per turn.

Chora the Melodious Diva

(LV: 4, Fairy, LIGHT, ATK: 1400, DEF: 1200, PS: 2)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, if you Pendulum Summon a "Melodious" Monster to your field: You can add 1 Ritual Magic or 1 LIGHT Ritual Monster from your Deck to your hand.

Monster Effect: If this card is used as Material for the summon of a LIGHT Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz Monster or if this card is used as a Tribute for the Ritual Summon of a LIGHT Ritual Monster: that monster gains 600 ATK. If an opponent's card effect destroys this card in the Monster Zone: You can target 1 "Melodious" monster in your Pendulum Zone; destroy that target, and if you do, place this card in your Pendulum Zone.

Minuet the Melodious Diva

(LV: 5, LIGHT, Fairy, ATK: 2100, DEF: 800, PS: 2)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; it loses 300 ATK for each "Melodious" monster you control until the End Phase.

Monster Effect: Once per turn: You can inflict 200 damage to your opponent for each "Melodious" monster you control. If you would take damage: You can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard; the damage you take is halved.

Discord Trumpet (Equip Magic) - Equip only to a "Melodious" monster you control. Once per turn, when the equipped monster destroys a monster by battle: Destroy all of your opponent's monsters that have equal or less ATK than the equipped monster's ATK. If the equipped monster is destroyed by battle, the monster that destroyed it loses 600 ATK until the next turn's End Phase.

Melodious Appropriation (Continuous Magic) - Once per turn: You can discard a card; Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Melodious" monster from your hand or Deck.

Shine Guard (Trap Card) - Target 1 LIGHT monster you control; switch its battle position, and if you do, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects once this turn.

Rhythm Cure (Trap Card) - Banish up to 2 "Melodious" monsters in your Graveyard; gain LP equal to their combined ATK.

Cycode Linker

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1700 DEF 800 Level: 4

If you control a "Cycode" monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only Special Summon "Cycode Linker" once per turn this way. Card effects cannot destroy Link Monsters linked to this card.

Cyspace Magus Level 7, ATK: 2500, DEF: 2000, ATT: LIGHT, Type: Cyberse/Pendulum/Effect

Pendulum Scale: 0

Pendulum Effect: During your Main Phase: You can destroy this card, and if you do, take 1 "Cycode" or "Cyber Tech" Monster from your hand or Deck, and either place it in your Pendulum Zone or Special Summon it. You can only use this effect of "Cyberse Sorcerer" once per turn.

Monster Effect: If you control no cards in your Main Monster Zones: You can Special Summon this card from your hand. You can banish this card you control, "Cyber Tech Link Dragon" and 1 each of a "Cycode" Ritual, Fusion, Synchro and Xyz monsters from your field, and Graveyard; Special Summon 1 "Cyber Tech Matrix God Dragon" from your Extra Deck. (This is treated as a Link Summon.) You can only use each effect of 'Cyberse Sorcerer' once per turn.

Cyber Tech God Matrix DragonLINK-6, ATK: 5000, ATT: LIGHT, Type: Cyberse/Link/Pendulum/Effect, Arrows: Top-Left, Top, Top-Right, Bottom-Left, Bottom, Bottom-Right

Pendulum Scale: 13

Effect: (Cannot be Link Summon except by the effect of "Cyberse Sorcerer")

Pendulum Effect: While this card is in your Pendulum zone, monsters on your field are unaffected by your opponent's card effects. If you control no cards and this card is in your Pendulum Zone: You can banish this card; Special Summon 1 'Cyber Tech Link Dragon' from your GY, Extra Deck, or banished zone.

Monster Effect: If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of 'Cyberse Sorcerer': You can declare 1 type of card; banish all cards your opponent controls and in their GY of the declared type. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation. Only this monster can attack the turn this effect is activated. If a monster is Special Summoned to a Main Monster zone this card points to (Quick Effect): You can draw 1 card. Then, if the card drawn is a Cyberse monster, you can have this card gain ATK equal to that monster's ATK until the End Phase. If this card battles, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the damage step. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can roll a die, and if you do, apply the following effect based on the result until the End Phase:

1 or 2: This card is unaffected by other card effects and cannot be tributed.

3 or 4: Your opponent cannot attack you directly.

5 or 6: Any damage you take is halved.

Cycode Restoration Normal Trap Card

Tribute 1 "Cycode" Link Monster on your side of the field; gain LP equal to its Link Rating x 800. The turn you activate this effect, your opponent takes no effect damage. You can only activate "Cycode Restoration" once per turn.

Link Showdown (Normal Trap card)

Effect: When a Link Monster battles a monster your opponent controls with higher ATK, it gains ATK equal to its Link Rating x 500 until the End Phase. If a Link Monster you control attacks a monster your opponent controls: You can banish this card from your GY; it gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn.

Offerings to a Higher Power (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Tribute 1 monster you control; draw 2 cards from the top of your deck. You can only activate 1 'Offerings to a Higher Power' per turn.

Final Link: Normal Trap Card

During either player's Battle Step, when a Link Monster you control battles an opponent's Link Monster: Target both those Link Monsters; negate the attack, and if you do, each player takes damage equal to the combined ATK of both those Link Monsters. You can activate this card from your hand if both Link Monsters are not co-linked.

Supreme King's Armor

Continuous Trap Card

Target one Level 7 or higher Dragon-type Monster that was Special Summoned to your field; that Monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects as long as this card remains face-up on the field. If this card is destroyed, banish the targeted Monster.