Chapter 31: The Plan Begins
Professor Banner was typing on his computer. Aside from his computer screen, there weren't any lights in the room. His cat, Pharaoh was sleeping to the side. "As expected. Not medical or school records of Scott Sheaffer either." Banner took a glance at some papers nearby his computer. The application forms of Damian, Ghassan, and Scott. 'None of their previous schools that are listed in their application forms even exist from what I searched up. How did administration make such a huge oversight? From this and the Blair incident, I should probably get a word in about being more thorough with the application process of students.'
Banner returned his gaze to his computer screen. "Let's see the records for Synchro and Xyz monsters..." Banner continued typing and clicking for almost half an hour. "None of these results date back further than September. Yet those three claim to have used those monsters all the time back in America."
Banner stood up and paced around his room. This was making less sense by the minute. It's not the biggest surprise that Banner couldn't find records on them. Scott, Damian, and Ghassan may very well be fake names if they're spies for a mysterious employer like they claimed. But why wouldn't they list schools that actually exist for their application? And of course, the Synchro and Xyz monsters. He didn't pay it too much attention initially since he assumed those three simply stole copies before they were available legally. But based off his research, those boys had those kinds of monsters before Industrial Illusions even known about.
And of course, the biggest question about those three. How they knew so much about what would happen at Duel Academy. Apparently, their employer is what led them to find out about Atticus, the Sacred Beasts and the Shadow Riders. But based off what he heard whenever he eavesdropped on Crowler, they also knew things such as Crowler initially intending to hire the Paradox Brothers to duel against Jaden and Syrus, to showing up at Jaden and Alexis' duel by the lake of the Obelisk Girls dorm. In fact, when Banner spied on Ghassan, Alexis, and her friends from the forest back in November, Ghassan seemed to be expecting the monkey's sudden escape.
"I am shocked and afraid." He wasn't the least bit surprised. But the girls were too busy with the escaped dueling monkey to notice. Nobody in Duel Academy was aware of it because that whole project was seperate from the school. Moreover, he seemed to predict that it would escape and attack the students based off how he was keeping his distance away from the bush the monkey popped out of.
"I already knew there was something strange about the boys, but this is beyond simply knowing my secrets. They can pedict random events that are only loosely conencted with the academy." Banner walked back to his desk, and opened up the drawer, taking out the tablet within it. "Jinzo. I suspect that those two boys will try and attack me to save Ghassan's soul. To prepare for that possibility, I have a task for you to do."
"What do you have in mind?"
Banner reached into his pockets and got out an eyepatch made out of yellow metal. In the center of it was an egyptian symbol that looked like an eye. "How would you like to temporarily have a body again?"
It was nearly midnight at Duel Academy, the clouds almost completely obscuring the night sky. Zane and Alexis were standing by the lighthouse, staring at the ocean. "Banner said he'll talk with you tomorrow, right?" Alexis asked.
Zane nodded. "Soon, we'll find out what happened to Atticus."
"I just can't believe it...Banner had info that could lead us to find out about the missing students, and he never mentioned it? Why would he do that?"
"One of the many questions I'm going to have to ask him. So, did you tell Jaden?"
Alexis shook her head. "I don't want him to be wrapped into this. He already got suspended last time he was involved with the case about the missing students. I don't want to risk him getting expelled just for my sake."
"Fair enough. Still, I noticed that you haven't been pursuing the ones who know about Atticus anymore. Damian and Ghassan. Probably Scott as well."
"Yeah. I know that they're hiding stuff from me, like how they even know about Atticus, let alone know that Banner had info about it. But after Ghassan saved Jasmine's life, and how Damian's so close with Jaden...I just feel uncomfortable trying to interrogate them you know?"
"Maybe they were aiming for you to feel that way." Zane suggested.
"You think so?"
"Hmph. Call it a hunch." Zane remembered his deal with Ghassan. Keep quiet about the boys intentionally setting up the tag duel, and he'd get info about Atticus. Of course, he could just tell Alexis now that he knows to talk to Banner, but he gave his word. Besides, Zane had nothing to gain from exposing the boys.
Some time passed before the Obelisks heard footsteps and panting. "Huff. Huff. There...there you are..."
The two turned around and saw who the voice belonged to. A panting, bleeding Adrian wearing a torn up Obelisk Blue trenchcoat. "What the...what happened to you?" Alexis asked in shock.
Adrian took several deep breaths. "Guy in a mask...he attacked me and another student at the beach..." Adrian fell onto one knee. "He challenged us to a duel but...it wasn't ordinary. He used these weird cards that functioned in a way I never seen, and the damage in the duel...it was real."
Alexis' eyes widened at this. "You're kidding!"
Adrian turned to Zane. "He beat the one with me, I think his name was Ghassan or something, and after the guy lost, his-his body...it disappeared. He only cancelled the duel and let me leave if I gave you a message for him."
"What message?"
Adrian let out a few more breaths. "To come to the beach alone...he says to find out the truth about Atticus you have...to duel...him..." Adrian collapsed onto the harbor.
Zane kneeled and tried to shake Adrian. "Wait! Wake up! Why does he want to duel me?! What cards did he use?!"
"Gyaaaahhhh..." Was Adrian's only response.
Zane gritted his teeth as he stood up. "I'm heading to the beach. Looks like I'll get answers there."
"I'm coming with you." Alexis said.
Zane shook his head. "This mystery duelist said to come alone. Besides, somebody needs to take Adrian to the infirmary."
"You can't expect me to stay back! This might be dangerous! And this mystery duelist knows about my older brother!"
"Alexis, if you come with me, he might refuse to duel me. Then we'll never find out the truth about Atticus."
Alexis gritted her teeth, but knew she couldn't combat Zane's logic. "Just...be safe." Zane nodded before running off towards the beach. Alexis kneeled down, and slowly hoisted Adrian's body on her back. "Ugh...gotta find Nurse Fontaine... She's probably at the Girls Dorm of Obelisk at this hour."
With all her might, Alexis started to head towards the Obelisk Blue Girls dorm. Adrian hid a smile while feigning unconsciousness. 'Phase one of the plan is complete. Didn't eveen need to have Gagagigo threaten Alexis.'
By the lighthouse, Giga Gagagigo's head slowly rose up from the water. "Now to inform that Damian boy that it's time for him to make his move."
Scott stood by the beach, staring at the ocean. He was wearing an iron mask, black hat, and large dark jacket. He was even wearing elevated metal shoes to appear taller. Titan's disguise. 'Can't believe Ghassan got himself captured. But on the plus side, if things go well, we're getting him back AND me and Damian are in the Shadow Riders.'
Scott let out a sigh. 'God...it was already bizarre to be transported to an anime world. Now I'm dueling to save somebody's life.'
"Come on, come on...YES! Darmanitan survived the Aqua Jet!" Ghassan shouted.
"Oh come on." Scott complained.
He and Scott were on their 3DS's playing Pokemon X and Y. Both were down to their last Pokemon. Scott's Empoleon and Ghassan's Darmanitan. 'Ghassan was almost as loud as Damian. And way more serious about winning or losing games.' "YEAH! I won that round Scott. Superpower for the win!"
"Rematch?"
"Bring it."
"Bullshit! How'd you get back up?! You should have died from that!" Ghassan yelled at Damian. The two of them along with Scott were playing Super Smash Bros on the Wii U on the standard Battlefield stage. Ghassan was playing as Yoshi while Damian played as Kirby. Scott, who was playing as Cloud, got knocked out a while ago, so he was just sitting back and watching.
"Barely missed the spike. And now..." Kirby inhaled Yoshi and fell off the stage. When near the bottom of the screen, Kiby spat Yoshi out, and delivered a flurry of downward diagonal kicks to knock him further down before floating upwards.
"Shit!" Ghassan tried to have Yoshi flutter jump back, but the distance was too great. "No no no no no-"
"GAME!" The announcer's voice on the screen yelled.
"Boom!" Damian cheered. "Now we're tied up on wins."
"Damnit...hey Damian, get me some juice."
"Why don't you? The game's over." Damian replied.
"Yeah, but I'm sitting down."
"So am...ugh. Whatever." Damian stood up and headed towards the fridge. 'He was kinda a lazy jackass, but that's what being a teenager's all about.'
Scitt clenched his fist. 'I'm not gonna let you die Ghassan.' Scott took a look at the deck he brought. 'The best way to beat Zane would be with a style of summoning he has no idea about. Synchro and Xyz monsters are already public knowledge to this world. That leaves one other option.'
Scott heard footsteps and turned around. Zane arrived. "Ah. So you've came." Scott said. He was talking much deeper and in a more dramatic tone to disguise his voice.
Zane stopped walking and got out his Duel Disk. "So, you're the one who called for me."
"Indeed. It's good to know that the student I spared delivered you the message."
"I have several questions for you about Atticus, but I take it you'll only answer if I duel you, correct?"
Scott nodded. "Glad to see you don't waste time. That said, I might as well give you a name. Call me Titan."
Zane put his Duel Disk on his arm. "Can I ask you why you have interest in me."
"A client of mine has deemed you a problem. So they decided it would be best for me to take care of you. You'll get more details about it if you beat me."
Zane's eyes widened. 'Wait a minute...if this guy knows about Atticus, and he was sent by somebody...could Banner have hired this man.'
Scott smiled. He could tell by Zane's expression that Zane had an idea about who the 'client' was supposed to be. 'Even if Zane beats me and I fail at becoming a Shadow Rider, at the very least I can try and steer Zane into taking out Banner for us.'
Zane quickly regained composure. "Fine then. Let's duel!"
(Zane 4000/'Titan' 4000)
"I'll let you take the first move." Scott said.
"I take it it's because you know about the effect of Cyber Dragon, right?" Zane asked. The masked man said nothing. "Hmph. It makes no difference to me." Zane drew from his deck. "I summon Cyber Dragon Zwei (1500/1000) in attack position!" A silver, serpent-like robot with glowing green light emitting from it's armor appeared. "I activate the effect of Zwei. By revealing a spell card from my hand, I can have it be treated as Cyber Dragon." Zane showed the spell 'Pot of Greed' from his hand. "Now that Zwei's name is treated as Cyber Dragon, I can special summon Cyber Dragon Vier (1100/1600) in defense mode!" Another serpent-like machine appeared, this one being segmented with a blue orb on each of it's body segments.
"I'm aware of that card. You can Special Summon it from your hand the turn you summon 'Cyber Dragon.' And since You used Zwei's effect to make it's name become Cyber Dragon, you get to special summon Vier."
Zane nodded. "Looks like you've done your research on me. Vier's other effect is that when it's on the field, each Cyber Dragon I control gains 500 attack and defense points. And Vier's name is treated as 'Cyber Dragon' while it's on the field as well." (Cyber Dragon Zwei 1500-2000/1000-1500) (Cyber Dragon Vier 1100-1600/1600-2100) "Now I activate Pot of Greed." Zane drew two cards from his deck. "I set two cards face down and end my turn."
"Very well. I'll make the next move now." Scott drew from his deck. 'God, I can't believe I have to put up this cheesy impersonation for the whole duel.' Scott took a look at his hand. 'It's time.'
Adrian raised an eyebrow. Two dragonic monstrosities with swords stuck through them were on both sides of Scott, floating upwards in blue rays of light, one a red dragon with scorpion claws and a scorpion tail, the other an orange dragon with hedgehog quills on it's back. While Damian watched from the bed, Adrian and Scott were currently doing a practice duel in Scott's dorm room to see if the Duel Disk could display the cards Scott and Damian were talking about. Evidently they could.
"So, I take it these were a type of monster in your world."
Scott nodded. The two monsters stopped ascending when they reached near the top, two numbers materializing underneath them. A 3 below the orange dragon, and a 5 below the red dragon. "Looks like the scales can be set."
"Now, to see if you can Pendulum Summon." Damian said.
"With my Scale 3 Amorphage Greed (0/1950) and my scale 5 Amorphage Gluttony (0/1850) I set the Pendulum Scale!"
"The what?" Zane asked in confusion.
Two shining blue rays of light appeared on both sides of Scott. From the bottom of both of them rose two monsters Zane never saw before. One was an orange dragon with hedgehog quills on it's back. Underneath it was the number 3. A sword was stuck through it's tail. The other was a grey dragon with bony white limbs and a fly growing out of it's back. A sword struck through the bottom of it's neck. Underneath it was the number 5. Both of the creatures looked like they were in constant pain. "With these two monsters in my Pendulum Scales, I can special summon any monster from my hand with a level of 4." The image of a giant pendulum appeared in the sky. It swayed back and forth in between the two monsters.
"This must be those mysterious cards Adrian was talking about!"
"I special summon Amorphage Pride (1750/0) in attack mode!" A pink vortex opened up in the sky before a trail of blue light came from it. From it, a green dragon with the head of an eagle growing from it's neck appeared. A sword stuck out of it's chest. "I take it you never saw a Pendulum Summon before."
"Admittedly no. I take it you have some sort of plan since your monster isn't strong enough to destroy either of mine."
"Correct. I activate my continuous spell card Amorphage Infection!" An aura glowed around the monster as the eagle portions of the Amorphage dissolved. Soon, it was just a green dragon with a sword sticking out of it. "Amorphage Infection increases the attack and defense of all Amorphage monsters by 100 points for each Amorphage card on the field. Since there are 4 Amorphage cards on the field, Amorphage Pride gains 400 attack and defense points!" (Amorphage Pride 1750-2150/0-400) "Battle Phase!"
Zane said nothing. 'Is Pendulum Summon simply special summoning monsters from the hand? Seems like more resources than it's worth. Then again, by having those other monsters in those Pendulum Zones or whatever they're called, it did make his monster stronger.' Zane took a look at Amorphage Pride. 'Still, why didn't he simply Normal Summon that Amorphage Pride of his if he's not going to Normal Summon any other monsters? Maybe he plans to Tribute Summon AFTER the battle phase?'
"Now, how about we get rid of that buffer of yours? Amorphage Pride, destroy Cyber Dragon Vier!"
The dragon flew into the air and looked at Cyber Dragon Vier from above. "I activate my tra-" Zane was interupted as the orange dragon floating in one of the rays shot out quills towards one of Zane's set cards. "What the-?"
"Hm hm hm. Let me tell you another thing that makes Pendulum Monsters stand out. They have effects while they're in the Pendulum Zone. And Amorphage Greed's effect is that as long as I control an Amorphage monster, neither of us can activate trap cards except for Amorphage Traps!"
"Tch." Zane reacted.
Amorphage Pride opened it's mouth and fired a blast of wind at Cyber Dragon Vier, destroying it. "And with Cyber Dragon Vier gone, your Zwei's attack and defense points return to their original state." (Cyber Dragon Zwei 2000-1500/1500-1000) "I'll set a card facedown and end my turn."
Zane drew a card from his deck. "I activate Graceful Charity to draw three cards, and discard two." Zane did exactly that and took a look at one of the cards he drew. Polymerization. "Once again, I activate the effect of Cyber Dragon Zwei! I reveal a spell card in my hand, and have it's name be treated as Cyber Dragon again!"
Scott chuckled. "No, I don't think you will." Before Zane revealed a spell card, the fly growing out of the grey dragon's back flew out of it's body. It then flew towards Cyber Dragon Zwei and covered it's face.
Zane widened his eyes in surprise before sighing. "Let me guess Titan. The effect of your other monster when it's in the Pendulum Zone?"
Scott nodded. "Indeed. While I control an Amorphage monster, Amorphage Gluttony prevents either of us from activating monster effects. With the exception of other Amorphage monsters that is. And that means you won't be able to make Zwei's name be treated as 'Cyber Dragon'."
'Well I still have two copies of Cyber Dragon. ' "Fine. I activate Polymerization to fuse the two Cyber Dragons in my hand together!" Scott smiled. A swirling blue and orange vortex materalized. Just as soon as it appeared, Amorphage Pride let out a breath of wind at the vortex, causing it to sputter out. "What the-?!"
"Hm hm hm hm. My sincerest apologies. But Amorphage Pride, along with all Amorphages when they're in the monster zone, have an ability that might hinder you quite a bit. When flipped face up or Pendulum Summoned, neither of us can special summon monsters from the Extra Deck except for Amorphage Monsters!"
Zane gritted his teeth. 'Did this masked man bring this Amorphage deck specifically to counter me?'
"Sorry that you can't bring out your strongest monsters."
"I wouldn't be where I am if I couldn't adapt. I sacrifice Zwei to summon Cyber Dragon (2100/1600) in attack mode." Replacing Zwei was Zane's iconic silver, erpentine robotic dragon. "Now I activate my other face down, Limiter Remover. This doubles the attack points of all Machine monsters I currently control, but all of those monsters are destroyed during the End Phase." Electricitiy formed around Cyber Dragon. (Cyber Dragon 2100-4200/1000) "Cyber Dragon, destroy Amorphage Pride! Evolution Burst!"
Cyber Dragon opened it's mouth before firing a green blast of energy at the Amorphage. Amorphage Pride exploded into dust, Scott protecting himself from the shockwaves. ('Titan' 4000-1950)"I activate the effect of my Amorphage Infection! When an Amorphage monster is destroyed or tributed, I can add an Amorphage card from my deck to my hand." Scott searched through his deck and got out a card depicting a red dragon with scorpion claws and a scorpion tail. A sword was sticking out of ithe bottom of it's neck. "I add Amorphage Lechery to my hand."
"Fine. Now that your Amorphage Pride is gone, I activate Polymerization to fuse the Cyber Dragon on my field with the Cyber Dragon in my hand to summon Cyber Twin Dragon (2800/2100) in attack mode!" The blue and orange vortex formed again before the two Cyber Dragons swirled into it. Emerging was a large, serpentine dragon-like robot with two heads. "I set a card face down and end my turn. And since Cyber Twin Dragon wasn't on the field when I activated Limiter Remover, it's safe from destruction." 'I was intending to summon Cyber Twin Dragon in the battle phase by having Zwei become the second Cyber Dragon, so I couldn't get as much damage this turn as I liked. Still, I at least have the upper hand right now.'
"Well before my turn begins, I activate my trap card Pendulum Reborn! Since I have no Amorphages in my monster zones, we can activate trap cards freely now. This trap card lets me special summon a Pendulum monster either from either my graveyard, or in this case, my Extra Deck. Revive Amorphage Pride!"
"Wait, from the Extra Deck?!" Zane asked in shock.
The green monstrosity returned to Scott's side of the field. "Yes. When Pendulum Monsters would be sent from the field to the graveyard, they instead are sent faceup to the Extra Deck. Now it's my move." Scott drew a card from his deck. "Luckily for you, my Amorphage monsters have a bit of a handicap. When an Amorphage is in a Pendulum Zone, during each of my Standby Phases, I must sacrifice a monster, or else it's destroyed."
"I see. So you revived Pride to keep one of them on the field."
"Well...partially. Anyway, to keep Amorphage Greed in my Pendulum Zone, I sacrifice Amorphage Pride!" Amorphage Pride disoolved into light, while Amorphage Gluttony shattered into pieces. "Since I tributed an Amorphage, I can add an Amorphage to my hand thanks to Amorphage Infection." Scott searched his deck before getting out a continuous spell. "I add a second copy of Amorphage Infection to my hand. And naturally, I activate it. And now, I activate Pot of Greed to draw two cards." Scott drew two cards from his deck. "Now, I set the Scale 5 Amorphage Lechery (1350/0) in my free Pendulum Zone!"
Replacing Amorphage Gluttony was the red scorpion-dragon hybrid the masked man added to his hand previously. "Now, here's another thing for you to learn about Pendulum Monsters. As I told you before, they go faceup into the Extra Deck when they eould be sent from the field to the graveyard. But in addition to that, if I have Pendulum Monsters faceup in my Extra Deck, I can special summon them with Pendulum Summon just like I can summon monsters from my hand!"
Zane clenched his fist. "This means you could easily get back monsters you tributed."
Scott nodded. "You're a fast learner. Unfortunately, with the current scales, I can only special summon level 4 monsters." The transparent image of a pendulum returned, swinging back and forth between the two Amorphages. "I special summon Amorphage Pride (1750/0) from my Extra Deck and Amorphage Wrath (1650/0) from my hand in attack mode!"
A portal in the sky opened up again before two rays of light shot down from it, revealing the familiar Amorphage Pride and a silver dragon with the top of a wolf growing from it's upper body. A sword was stuck through it's back. "And of course, due to my two Amorphage Infections, they'll be getting 200 attack and defense points for every Amorphage card on the field." An aura grew around the two monsters before the portions of other animals were absorbed into the dragon's skin completely. (Amorphage Pride 1750-2950/1200) (Amorphage Wrath 1650-2850/0-1200) "Now, Amorphage Pride! Destroy Cyber Twin Dragon!"
The Amorphage let out a screech before it flew towards the mechanical dragon. "I activate my quickplay spell-" Zane was interrupted as the scorpion tail of Amorphage Lechery extended in length and impaled the card Zane was about to activate. "You're kidding!"
"I'm afraid not. With Amorphage Lechery, as long as I control an Amorphage monster, neither of us can activate spell cards except for Amorphage spells."
Amorphage Pride bit into the neck of Cyber Twin Dragon, causing it to let out a scream of pain before exploding. Zane felt a slight yet sharp pain to his side as his monster was destroyed. (Zane 4000-3850) "The pain..." Zane held his side. "This must be what Adrian described to me."
"Indeed. And you'll be feeling a lot more of it. Amorphage Wrath, attack directly!" Amorphage Wrath flew towards Zane, and slashed him through the chest. "Gyaahhh!" A portion of Zane's uniform was slashed through, slash marks being left on Zane's chest. Zane fell to the ground, bleeding. (Zane 3850-1000)
"I end my turn. You're in quite the predicament, aren't you Zane?"
Zane stood up, his hand on his chest. "It's my move."
"You can't activate spells, you can't activate traps, and you can't summon any monsters from the Extra Deck. My pieces are set up Zane."
Zane took his hand of his chest and drew a card from his deck. "I'm well aware of my situation."
"Are you? Because quite frankly, you should be terrified. However, you still put on that calm face. Well, it doesn't matter. Whether or not you show terror, soon enough, I'll deliver your body to that Banner person."
Zane widened his eyes briefly before getting angry. "I knew it..."
Damian was running towards the Slifer Red dorm. 'Gotta get Ghassan's soul back from Banner. That way even if Scott loses to Zane, at least Ghassan will be safe.'
Giga Gagagigo suddenly materialized next to Damian, running alongside him. "There you are. So to double check, you'll be dueling that professor while I kill Jinzo, correct?"
"That's the plan, yeah. And if it's possible, you could retrieve Ghassan's soul as well."
The tewo ran in silence for a little while before Giga Gagaigigo decided to break it. "You know boy, I've been wondering. You were excited about the danger you were facing back when I dueled you."
"Yeah. And you keep threatening to kill me because of it."
"True. I was disgusted that you were making light out of the danger that I faced countless times throughout my life. And seeing as how I knew about how conflicted and guilty you feel about working for The Light of Destruction, I felt even angrier towards you."
Damian raised an eyebrow. "Why would you care about that?"
"Because initially, it made me think even further that you treated this as a mere game. Something to simply take pleasure in, but when you find out that real consequences are involved, you get cold feet. If you were a true lover of carnage and danger, I would merely be annoyed. But hearing those words come from a coward like you infuriated me. You acted little different from a child playing pretend."
Damian shrugged. He didn't feel like it was the right time to get into an argument with Gagagigo. "Yeah, you got me."
"But now that our goals are alligned, I'm concerned about whether or not you truly want to save your brother."
Damian almost tripped over himself in surprise, but he kept his balance. "What are you talking about?"
"If your brother dies, or at the very least, is a permanent hostage of Banner's, then it'll be harder for The Light to destroy this world. Then you won't have to actively harm this world, nor actively fight against us. You get to keep living in a world you fantasized about and live carefree."
Damian took a breath. "You're trying to bait me into attacking you, right? That way, you'll get an excuse to kill me without being declared a traitor."
Giga Gagagigo let out a chuckle. "Smart boy. Still, that doesn't mean there's no truth to my words, right?" Giga Gagagigo then vanished. He must have went into his spirit form.
"Asshole..." Damian muttered. But as much as he hated to admit it, there was the monster had a point. Damian felt too afraid to actively fight against The Light's plans despite how uncomfortable he was with them. He wondered how Scott and Ghassan could handle it so well. Then again, odds are they thought The Light of Destruction simply wanted to brainwash the world like in the 4kids Dub as opposed to wanting to destroy the whole universe.
Not too long afterwards, Damian reached the Slifer Red dorm. "Bingo." Damian put his back on the wall before cautiously turning the doorknob. It was unlocked. 'Here we go.'
Damian quickly opened the door and dashed inside. "Alright Banner, give me back my-" Damian stopped himself. "No way..."
On the floor with his back against a wall was a motionless Professor Banner, with a hand sized hole in the middle of his chest. Standing by his motionless body was a tall figure with green and yellow armor, a green mask, and a pink veiny head. On one of the mask's lenses was an eyepatch with similar designs to a Millenium Item. "Oh, I'm sorry. Banner is currently unavailable. Would you like me to take a message?" Jinzo asked. The monster then generated an orb of energy in it's hands. "Or alternatively, I could send you to where he is."
Something about this chapter that might cause some controversey is the inclusion of Pendulum Monsters. It was established that Scott and Damian had these monsters for a while now, but unlike with Synchro and Xyz monsters, it took a while for them to be busted out. I know that there are people who'd prefer the story to not have Synchro and Xyz monsters, let alone Pendulum monsters, and that's understandable. But with the protagonists trying to find any edge up that they can, especially when they're trying to deal with someone as skilled as Zane, I believed that now made the best opportunity to unleash these new types of monsters that the Duel Academy students wouldn't know how to prepare for.
That said, for anybody wondering if there'll be Link Monsters in the story, that's a very hard no. Part of it is because I myself hardly ever duel with Master Rules 4 (that introduced Link Monsters and the Extra Monster Zone) but another part of it is because, unlike with Synchro, Xyz, and Pendulum Summoning, the rules of Link Summoning is impossible to run concurrent with how the rules work in the world of GX. While a major theme in the story is how different the way the game is played between people in the real world and the anime world, I don't intend on the world of GX having their rules altered to THAT great an extent. So if anybody was looking forward to Jaden busting out Xtra Heroes or Chazz using Ojama Emperor, that's unfortunately not likely to happen.
Our protagonists have made their move. While things are going well on Scott's end, it seems that a Duel Spirit is ready to kill Damian and this time, without needing to duel him. Will Scott succeed in killing Zane? And will it even be possible to save Ghassan's soul at this point? Only time will tell.
