Chapter 34: Fighting From Within

When the smoke had cleared, everyone found the lab to be in ruins. Machinery was sparking, test tubes lay smashed on the ground, and the dueling arena was littered with craters. Standing in the remains of the tank stood Gigobyte...or at least, what they assumed to be him. He was bigger and stronger, and only barely resembled his former self. Eria approached cautiously.

"Gigobyte? Are...are you okay?"

Gigobyte looked around frantically, mind racing.

"Who am I? Where am I? Who are you?"

"Gigobyte, its okay. We're your friends!"

"Stay back! I don't know you, just leave me alone!"

Gigobyte tried to flee, but Eria persisted.

"Perhaps a duel will jog your memory. If you win, you're free to go. But if I win, you let us explain!"

"Fine!"

GAME ON!

Eria: 8000

Giga Gagagigo: 8000

"I'll take the first move. To start, I summon Mother Grizzly (1400/1000) in attack mode. Next, I set two cards face down and end my turn."

"My turn, draw! I activate Reinforcements from the Army, letting me add Marauding Captain from my deck to my hand. Next, I summon him, and with his effect I special summon Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke (1800/1000) in attack mode. Sasuke, attack her bear!"

The ninja disappeared from view, only to reappear behind the monster to strike it in the back with a dagger, destroying it.

Eria: 7600

"Since she was destroyed by battle, my Grizzly lets me summon a water monster with 1500 or less attack, like my Star Boy (550/500)! And he gives all water monsters 500 extra attack (550-1050)!"

"Fine. Marauding Captain, attack her star fish!"

"I activate my Raigeki Break! By discarding one card, I can destroy your Marauding Captain!"

"Humph. I set one card face down and end my turn."

"I'll make you remember if its the last thing I do! I activate Call of the Haunted to bring back my Grizzly (1400-1900), and next I'll summon Granadora (1900-2400/700)."

Eria: 8600

"Mad lobster, attack his Ninja!"

The mutated crustacean launched itself forward, snapping the ninja in half with its claw.

Giga Gagaigo: 7600

"Now my monsters, attack him directly!"

Giga Gagaigo braced himself, the two monsters pushing him back slightly and making him frustrated.

Giga Gagaigo: 4650

"I end my turn. Do you remember anything?"

"Only that you're a pest! I activate my own Call of the Haunted to bring back my Captain, but I'll tribute him to summon myself, Giga Gagaigo (2450-2950/1500)! Now I'll attack your Granadora!"

The cybernetic reptile leapt up and smashed its opponent to bits, dealing Eria a lot of damage from both the battle and her monster's effect.

Eria: 8600- 8150- 6150

"I end my turn there."

Eria groaned, hoping to draw something that could help her. Unfortunately, her draw yielded no results.

"I summon Submarineroid in attack mode. Attack him directly!"

Giga Gagagigo: 3850

"I'll switch all of my monsters into defense mode and end my turn."

"Pathetic. I activate The Warrior Returning Alive to bring back my Marauding Captain. Next, I'll summon him, and with his effect summon D.D. Assailant in attack mode. Next, I activate The A. Forces to give my Warriors 400 extra attack (1200-1400) (1700-2100). Lastly, I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Call of the Haunted! Now, Marauding Captain and Assailant, Attack her monsters!"

Eria cringed slightly as her monsters disappeared into a storm of pixels.

"Now my doppelganger will attack you directly!"

Eria could barely brace herself before the monster smashed its fists down on her, sending her to the ground.

Eria: 3700

"I set one card face down and end my turn."

Eria was in so much pain she could barely move, only just being able to find the strength to draw her next card. When she saw what it was, she couldn't help but smile slightly.

"I set one monster face down and end my turn."

"Pathetic. I activate Emergency Evacuation Device to return your monster to your hand."

"No!"

"Now my monsters will attack you directly!"

Eria sighed wearily, not even putting up a defense as the warriors bombarded her with attacks, ending the duel in her defeat.

Eria: 0000

Giga Gagagigo wins!

"Eria!"

As Eria's friends helped her to her feet, Giga Gagagigo made his leave. Kozaky, meanwhile, was completely distraught.

"My life work! Ruined! Oh, the humanity!"

"Eria, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, but Gigobyte..."

"We'll find him, don't worry. He's confused, but we can help him."

"Come on, we'd better go find him!"

Kozaky rose to his feet, fire in his eyes.

"You're not going anywhere! Its your fault this happened! You need to pay-"

His rant was cut short by a pipe being smashed into his head, knocking him out cold. Chazz tossed the pipe away before rejoining his companions.

"Found this weird tracker on his desk. Seems to be indicating a large energy source nearby, it may be our ticket it out of here."

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Everyone followed Chazz out the door, Eria bringing up the rear. As she left, she glanced back at the ruined laboratory sadly.

"Don't worry, Gigobyte. I'll save you..."