Windmills: With Yuma and Hart
Yuma, with Astral floating by his side, followed Hart up some stairs to the top of a red platform. The Syllable duelist looked at what Tori had given him. Two caramels. Given what he learned, he could safely assume she had given them to him for Hart.
He just wondered why Hart was leading him to the top of this platform and had decided to hold off on giving them to the boy for the time being. There was also the fact that he was worried for all his friends who were out there fighting.
"Brothers." Hat stated.
Yuma looked up the stairs and took a deep breath. "So, I guess Kite and Shay are up there."
Astral looked at him. "Yuma, are you ready for what might happen?"
Yuma nodded as he continued to follow Hart up.
Top
Hart ran on out and frantically looked around. "Where… Where is it?"
"Hart, what are you looking for?" Yuma questioned even though he pretty much knew by now. "Astral and I could help you find it?"
"It's a small, sweet square." Hart stated. "Without it, my brothers won't gain their strength back."
Yuma pulled out the two caramels and held them out. "Are these it?" Hart turned to him. "These caramels?"
Hart walked up to Yuma. "My brothers…" He took the two pieces. "They've been so tired because of Lulu and me. I had to come up here to find them some caramels. These will give them strength.
Astral looked around. "This place must be significant to the past of these four siblings."
Just then, they were cast in light from an aircraft which landed. Quinton walked out.
"If you want to bring it…" Yuma began only to be confused as he didn't know who Quinton was. "Who are you?"
Quinton replied. "I'm Hart's friend. I'm here to help." His crest activated. "Isn't that right Hart?"
Yuma covered his eyes from the bright crest, but Hart was placed under its effects. He walked over to Quinton.
"Hey, hold on!" Yuma shouted.
"Hart will be safe with me." Quinton turned. "I assure you."
"Hart, wait!" Yuma shouted. "I thought we were becoming friends?"
Hart looked back at him. "Why would we ever be friends when I'm on a mission to destroy Astral World?" This news shocked Astral and Yuma. "I will not fail my mission."
He then boarded the craft with Quinton.
Bottom
Yuma and Astral walked out.
"That was a weird goodbye." Yuma stated. "Hart did seem to know the guy, so I guess it'll all be okay."
Kite then appeared and dropped from Orbital to land in front of Yuma.
Orbital joined him. "Nice landing sir."
Kite approached Yuma. "Alright, tell me where Hart is. Is my brother okay?"
Yuma and Astral looked at each other before he looked at Kite. "That guy you sent in a chopper picked your brother up."
"Shay nor I sent anyone to pick him up." Kite stated.
Yuma was shocked. "So that guy wasn't your friend?" He put his hand on his head and his eyes opened wide. "Come to think of it, he was wearing medieval style clothing like Quatro and Trey."
"Medieval clothing?" Kite questioned. "Yuma, this guy… what did he look like?"
"Young and tall." Yuma rubbed his chin in thought. "Long hair and blue eyes."
Orbital moved around. "Stop lying. We weren't manufactured yesterday you know?"
"Quiet Orbital." Kite turned away from Yuma. "We're leaving."
"Master Kite…" Orbital began.
"I don't think he's lying." Kite stated. "If that's the case, we got to get looking."
Yuma said, "Wait Kite!" Kite stopped and looked back at him. "It's my fault Hart was taken. Lulu entrusted him to me, so I shouldn't have let anyone take him." He pointed to himself. "Please, let me help find your brother."
Kite studied Yuma before turning to face forward. "Orbital, give him the contact code."
"Affirmative." He shot a red laser into Yuma's duel gazer. "If you find him, air head, this is how you contact us."
Kite took off into the sky leaving Astral and Yuma to stare after him.
Tori then caught their attention. "Yuma!"
Yuma turned to see her. "Harts missing and I don't know the statuses of anyone Lance sent out to duel or those that the medieval clothed people were after." He shook his head and ran to Tori. "Together, we'll just have to find that."
With Kite
As they flew, Kite looked back at Orbital. "Contact Shay and inform him of what happened."
Orbital replied. "Yes, Master Kite."
Movie Theater
Jaden and Zack walked out of the theater with Zack noticing just how late it'd gotten. "I knew I shouldn't have let you talk me into coming to this horror movie marathon."
Jaden yawned. "You can't deny it was fun. Totally worth the naps we'll have to take tomorrow."
"I can't deny that." Zack stated. "Just don't go inviting me out before the finals of the WDC. I'd like to be there to see my family compete."
"You think I'd do that?" Jaden questioned with a smirk. "Judging by all the craziness you've filled me in on, I'd prefer to see this with my own eyes. Maybe having some seasoned duelist on standby won't be a bad idea either."
Just then, Winged Kuriboh and Dark Magician Girl appeared. The little, flying puffball was flying around Jaden's head and frantically making his usual noises.
"Hey what's got you worked up buddy?" Jaden asked.
Zack looked at Dark Magician Girl. "What's the matter?"
DMG was staring off in the direction of the harbor. "The Cyber Dragons… Zane's Cyber dragons are in the city. Winged Kuriboh and I can feel them at the dock."
Both old men were shocked.
Jaden looked at Zack. "Think Chazz put them on tour?"
Zack frowned. "If he did, he didn't give me any indication." He pulled out his own duel gazer. "Come to think of it, it's been months since I heard from him."
At that moment, Anna rode in on her hover craft exasperated. "There you are grandpa! Geez, I've been looking all over the city for you."
Jaden smiled. "Sorry Anna, but you do realize you could have gone back to the hotel. I'd have eventually shown up. Your old man's tougher than you think."
Anna deadpanned. "Grandpa, you broke your hip just last week."
"I'm already out and about." Jaden chuckled.
Anna sighed. "You know full well the doctor said you should be getting rest; not staying out late attending movies."
Jaden waved his hand. "Come on, you're only as young as you feel. That doctor didn't know what he was talking about."
Zack inserted himself into the conversation. "Jaden, if they're here, then we could have a big problem."
"They haven't moved from the harbor." DMG informed them.
Anna looked at the two, old men. "What's going on?"
"Zane's Cyber Dragons have appeared in the city, but something seems fishy." Jaden looked at her hovercraft. "Say, with this you're much faster than two old men. Mind going on ahead to the harbor and scoping things out?"
"Sure, Grandpa." Anna flew off. "I'll meet you there!"
Zack sighed. "Guess we better start looking for a cab… at this time of night."
Harbor: Shark vs Zane(Robot)
Trey had gotten to his feet and was now staring at Shark and Zane.
"You're not quite Zane, but you're close enough." Shark stated. "Question is why are you invested in the Arclights capturing me?"
"That's fair considering I'm forcing your hand." Zane stated. "Declan Akaba, leader of the Lancers, is out to help Vetrix capture many tonight. Vetrix wants theirs, and your, power. Having that power in one place will make destroying it that much easier."
Shark looked at him. "Who are their targets?"
"Nelson Andrews, Hart Tenjo, Lulu Obsidian, Organization, Shark Kastle, and Rio Kastle." Zane informed.
Shark's eyes went wide. "Rio…" He grits his teeth and clenched is fist. "Alright, that's enough talk. Let's get down to business."
Zane nodded. "As you wish."
"If he's on our side for now, then I'll take the help." Trey thought.
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Shark 4000/Zane 4000)
"I will start." Zane declared. "I first activate Pot of Greed to draw two cards. One of those I drew was my Graceful Charity allowing me to draw three cards, but I must discard two. The cards I discarded were Cyber Dragon Hertz and Cyber Dragon Core.
When Hertz is sent to the grave, I can add a Cyber dragon from my deck or grave to the hand. I'll bring one from the deck to my hand. I can also banish Core from my grave to special summon a Cyber Dragon(LV 5/2100/600) from my deck. I'll then set one card."
"Quite the combo of plays?" Shark looked at his hand. "I'll need to play at my best to beat him." He drew "I expected nothing less of a legend, but don't think I'm admitting defeat."
"Naturally." Zane stated. "Show me what you got."
"I activate Edict of Atlantis." Shark declared. "For this turn, every time a Water monster is summoned, I can increase the level of any water monster by two. So, let's get started. I summon Reese the Ice Mistress(LV 2/800/800)." A woman in light blue and gold clothing appeared.
"She is a water monster, so I can increase her own level by two. Since I control a Water monster, I can special summon Silent Angler(LV 4/800/1400) and Edict of Atlantis can make him a level 6."
A brown and white angler fish appeared. "Now I use my level 4 Reese to give my Level 6 Angler a tune up and synchro for 10. Synchro summon White Aura Bihamut(LV 10/3300/3000)."
A huge, glowing, white sea creature with two heads appeared. "On the turn this card is Synchro summoned, I can special summon a Divine Dragon Token(LV 10/3300/3000) in defense mode. Bihumut will attack your Cyber Dragon."
"I counter with my face down Cyber Revolution. All I must do is tribute a Cyber Dragon, and I can special summon a Fusion monster than list it as a material. Catch is it can't attack directly and is destroyed during the end phase of the next turn." Zane explained.
Shark grit his teeth. "Damn it…"
"I tribute Cyber Dragon to summon Cyber Eternity Dragon(LV 10/2800/4000)." A long, silver and green machine dragon appeared in attack mode. "What's your move now?"
"He put it in attack mode, so he obviously wants me to attack it." Shark contemplated. "Wants it destroyed. Perhaps it has a powerful ability? Either way, I think keeping that on the field is far more dangerous than destroying it." He looked at the monster. "Bihumut will destroy Eternity."
(Shark 4000/Zane 3500).
"When this card is sent to the grave by an opponent's card, I can special summon a Cyber Dragon from my deck, hand, or grave. I'll return Cyber Dragon(2100/600) back to the field."
"I set two cards." Shark declared.
With Anna
Anna had arrived at the harbor and hovered above it.
She was shocked to see Zane. "Great Uncle Zane!? That's impossible! He died when I was young and shouldn't look anywhere near the age from those photos grandpa showed me." She observed the duel field. "Who is he dueling, and who is he standing in front of?"
Duel
Zane drew. "I activate the effect of Galaxy Soldier(LV 5/2000/0) in my hand." A white and tall warrior appeared before Zane. "By discarding a light monster, I can special summon this monster in defense mode and add another Galaxy Soldier to from my deck to hand.
I'll do that twice more and summon them both via the same method as the first Galaxy Soldier. Now I'll overlay two of them to Xyz summon Cyber Dragon Nova(R 5/O 2/2100/1600)." A powerful black, silver, and red machine dragon appeared.
"I can use Nova to rebuild the overlay network and Xyz summon Cyber Dragon Infinity(R 6/O 3/2700/1600 effect)." A stronger version of Nova appeared. "I then activate Overload Fusion. By removing monsters from play, I can fusion summon a machine type monster.
So, I will remove the Cyber Dragon on the field along with the two Cyber Dragons in my grave, sent by Galaxy Soldier's effect, to Fusion summon Cyber End Dragon(LV 10/4000/2800)." A huge, three headed machine dragons appeared.
Shark grit his teeth. "An Xyz Cyber Dragon and the original fusion. This guy really isn't playing around, but I should be fine given my back row and monsters."
With Anna
Anna looked form the dragons to Shark. "Cyber End Dragon, and what did he call it? Cyber Infinity Dragon? What in the world is happening? What do I do? Grandpa told me to scope things out, but what if Zane is in trouble? That other duelist? The person behind Zane?"
She brought out her duel gazer and called her grandpa. Once he picked up, she immediately showed him the harbor below.
"Hello A…" Jaden stopped. "Zack, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"Zane!?" Zack shouted before reigning himself in. "Zane's opponent is Shark and the person he is standing in front of is part of a group my son has encountered before. I have no idea why Zane's defending him, but I don't like this one bit. Anna, continue to observe the field and only step in on Shark's side if you are needed. At that point, you'll need to buy time until we arrive."
Anna replied. "Got it Mr. Henderson."
"Be careful Anna." Jaden stated. "I've told you before, but Zane isn't a duelist to be underestimated. I have no idea how he's alive and young, but he's still not to be underestimated."
"Right, I'll be careful." Anna stated.
Duel
"Now I activate one of the effects of my dragon. Once per turn, I can target an attack position monster on my opponent's field and attach it to my dragon." Zane declared. "I choose your Bihamut granting my monster 4 units and making him 200 ATK stronger."
Cyber Infinity Dragon(R 6/O 4/2900/1600 effect)
"He just bested my Synchro like it was nothing, and I can't even bring him back because he's not in the grave." Shark thought.
"Now my Cyber End Dragon will attack your Divine Dragon Token." Zane declared.
"I activate my first face down Deep Current to negate that attack and end your battle phase." Shark declared.
"I counter with my Infinity's second effect." Zane declared. "Once per turn, by detaching one overlay unit, my monster can negate and destroy any card that uses an effect." Cyber Dragon Infinity(R 6/O 3/2700/1600 effect). "Your Deep Current is destroyed and my attack proceeds."
"I wasn't expecting that, but I did plan for another attack eventually." Shark pointed to his second face down. "I activate Zeus' Breath. This not only negates that attack but deals you 800 damage since my token is a face up Water monster (Shark 4000/Zane 2700)."
"I end my turn." Zane declared
Shark drew and looked at his two cards causing an idea to form. It was incredibly risky, but at this point it was all he had.
Shark began his play. "I summon Shocktopus(1600/800)." A shark, octopus combo appeared on the field. "I then switch my token to attack mode. Now Shocktopus will attack Cyber End Dragon (Shark 1600/Zane 2700)."
"What good did that do?" Zane asked.
"When my Shocktopus is destroyed, it's effect activates." Shark replied. "I can equip it to my opponent's monster, 0 out their ATK, and they can no longer change battle positions."
"I activate Cyber Dragon Infinity(R 6/O 2/2500/1600 effect) to negate that effect." Zane countered.
Shark smirked. "I activate the Quick-play spell, Underwater Snow Prison. With this, I can banish a monster on your field and only take 1000 damage if it is a Water monster. You're Cyber End Dragon isn't, and my token will destroy Cyber Infinity Dragon (Shark 1600/Zane 1900)."
"Very impressive, but nowhere near unbeatable." Zane drew. "This duel is over. I activate Cyberload Fusion. Now all I must do is shuffle any number of Cyber Dragons into my deck from my field or face up in my banish zone.
I then get to fusion summon a monster from my extra deck that list those as materials. I take two Cyber Dragons from my banished zone and shuffle them back into my deck. This, in turn, allows me to fusion summon Cyber Twin Dragon(LV 8/2800/2100)."
A two headed, machine dragon appeared.
"That doesn't have enough ATK to defeat my token." Shark stated.
Zane nodded. "You'd be right unless I were to activate Limiter Removal doubling my dragon's attack." Cyber Twin Dragon(LV 8/5600/2100 effect) Shark went wide eyed. "Cyber Twin Dragon end this by destroying his token (Shark 0/Zane 1900/Anna 2000(Intrusion Penalty))
Shark was blasted onto his back by a massive explosion, but the duel wasn't over.
Zane looked at the life points. "Anna?"
"Who is that?" Trey asked.
Anna flew down on her hover craft with her duel disk at the ready and duel gazer over her eye. "It's me, and since I joined the duel, it's not officially over."
"No, but it is still my turn." Zane declared. "My dragon's effect allows him to attack twice, and you are defenseless given how you entered this duel. Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Anna directly
(Anna 0/Zane 1900)!"
Before Anna could even process everything that, she was blasted by Cyber Twin Dragon.
Trey was in shock. "He defeated Shark and even had an extra attack in his back pocket." He stared wide eyed at Zane. "I'm not even sure if Dos or Quinton could match him."
Zane walked past Trey. "I'd capture Shark before he fully recovers."
Trey nodded and activated his crest binding Shark in chains. "Let me go!"
Shark attempted to struggle free as Trey ran over and teleported the two of them out of the harbor
Anna got to her feet looking at where Trey and Shark had been in shock before her gaze shifted to Zane. "What just happened?"
Jaden and Zack ran onto the scene before he could answer. "Zane!"
Zane turned to them as he inserted a spell into his duel disk. "It is a pleasant surprise to see the two of you; however, it is unfortunate we can't catch up, for I must be going."
Anna flew her hover craft at Zane only for him to vanish into blue particles which caused the girl to slam into a wall. Fortunately, she was used to this.
Jaden was used to seeing this, so he turned to Zack. "What do you think is going on?"
Zack looked up at the night sky as he sensed all the magic and power. "Something big is going down tonight. I've felt it ever since we left the movie theater. Whatever it is, my family is involved. They'll have answers." He sighed. "For now, we should return home."
"What!?" Anna shouted having recovered. "Shouldn't we find them if they're in trouble?"
"Anna, what Zack says makes sense. At this point, those fighting must be tired. The difference is they can look out for themselves while us showing up wouldn't do them any favors. In fact, we could be taken hostage."
"I guess that's fair." Anna stated.
Zack nodded. "Don't worry too much about anyone Anna. My family is as tough as they come, and each of them can take care of themselves. The best thing we can do is to hunker down and remain safe."
So, the three of them left the harbor.
Aircraft: With Nistro, Dextra, Kala, and Lulu
Nistro has crossed his arms. "I can't believe Shay didn't even acknowledge I was there."
"Stop pouting Nistro." Dextra stated. "There are more important things to worry about than your supposed rivalries."
Kala nodded. "Lulu is still unconscious, and Hart is still missing."
"He could have asked me to at least do something." Nistro retorted. "It's not like an unconscious girl needs three people to see her back to the tower."
"You are right about that Nistro." Declan stated. "Then again, maybe extra security is a good idea."
The three of them looked back to find Declan, wearing his brown cloak and mask, with his hands on the wheelchair.
"I thought you left." Nistro stated.
Declan inserted a spell into his duel disk. "I did, but it was always my intention to return."
"Stop him!" Kala shouted as she lunged at Declan.
She only hit the wall of the aircraft as Declan and Lulu vanished into blue particles.
Nistro looked at his partners and sighed. "I'll tell Kite and Shay."
Domino Academy: Lloyd vs Vector/Barian
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Lloyd 4000/Barian 4000)
"Whatever you are, I don't care." Lloyd declared as he stared down the being before him. "All I care about is getting my brother back, so prepare to lose Barian!"
Vector drew his starting hand. "I am sorry for what is happening, but it must be done for the protection of earth."
Lloyd stared him down. "The protection of earth? That's what you're using to justify what you've done? Helping those people kidnap middle schoolers? Stopping me from rescuing my brother? The ends justify the means, huh?"
"Declan will ensure the safe return of your brother." Vector retorted.
Lloyd clenched his teeth. "I don't believe you. Now, take your turn because I want to end this in one go."
"His anger is beginning to blind him." Vector looked at his hand. "In that case, let's use that to end this quickly." He looked at his opponent. "Very well, I begin by activating Card Destruction.
We now both send our current hands to the grave and draw equal to the number of cards we lost. I'll then set one card before activating Exchange. We both get a look at each other's hands and get to take one card from each other." He saw Lloyd's hand. "I'll take your Xyz Effect."
Lloyd looked at the two remaining cards in Vector's hand. "Bujingi Wolf or Barian Battle Buster. Either card is useless to my deck, but likely works wonders for his. It comes down to which card I don't want him to have." He held out his hand. "I'll take Barian Battle Buster."
Vector nodded. "I'll set another card and end my turn." Lloyd drew. "Now I activate my first face down Barian Explosion. I get to look at my opponent's hand. If they hold a Barian Card, they lose every card in their hand and 1000 life points."
Lloyd went wide eyed. "He wanted me to pick the Barian card."
"In your hand, you hold my Barian Battle Buster. Your hand is sent to the grave, and you take the damage (Barian 4000/Lloyd 3000)." Lloyd was thrown back into the sphere and was shocked causing him to scream out in pain while Vector drew.
"Since you got nothing, it goes to my turn. Thanks to Card Destruction, I can banish Bujin Yamato to Special Summon the monster I drew, Bujin Hirume(LV 4/2000/1000)." A light monster in light purple armor appeared. "Hirume will attack you directly (Barian 4000/Lloyd 1000)."
Lloyd slammed into the sphere and screamed out in pain before hitting the ground. "I have nothing else, so it's your move." Lloyd slowly began to rise while clearly in pain. "Damn it, he's not only dealt most of my life points, but I got nothing.
That means I need to rely on this next draw heavily. What's worse, it's my own fault this happened. I let getting Nelson back distract me from the duel at hand. I failed to consider what Barian had or might have had face down."
He now stood and clenched his fist. "Even so, I can't afford to lose or give up. Nelson, I'm coming to save you." He drew and smiled. "Looks like this duel isn't over yet. Get ready Barian because with this card you're about to see the latest summoning method I've learned.
I summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist-Spirit(LV 3/500/200)." A blue, flame spirit in silver armor appeared. "When he's normal summoned, I can special summon a Fire monster with 200 or less Def from my grave.
Thanks to your two destruction cards, I got the perfect one. Come on out Brotherhood of the Fire Fist-Leopard(LV 3/0/200)." A gray skinned man in brown, light armor with fire red lines appeared.
"Now my level 3 Spirit is going to give my level 3 Leopard a tune up to Synchro for 6. Synchro summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist-Horse Prince(LV 6/2200/2200)." A man in silver and fire red armor atop a horse made of green fire appeared.
"When he's Synchro summoned, I can special summon a level 3 Fire monster from my deck. Downside, I can't special summon any monsters who are level 5 or higher for this turn. That doesn't matter when I have Brotherhood of the Fire Fist-Rooster(LV 3/1500/100)."
A man in blue and fire red armor appeared. "When he's normal or special summoned, I can add a Brotherhood of the Fire Fist monster from my deck to my hand. Now, my Horse Prince will destroy Hirume.
"While that may be true, I simply can't take the life points you'd deal to me not knowing what I will draw next." Vector declared. "That's why I activate Bujingi Fox from my grave. By banishing him and sending a monster from my hand to the grave, I take no damage this turn."
Lloyd closed his eyes. "I end my turn."
Vector drew. "Seems as though I have just the cards I need to end this. I activate Card of Demise. I now draw until I have five cards in my hand, but on the 5th Standby Phase, after activation, I'll have to discard every card in my hand."
He drew five cards. "I don't think that will be a problem. I summon Bujin Arasuda(LV 4/1600/1900)." A light monster in gold and light purple armor appeared. "By sending Bujingi Ophidian from my hand to the grave, my Arasuda can attack you directly this turn."
Lloyd was shocked. "What!?"
"You heard me." Vector declared. "Now Arasuda, finish this duel with a direct attack (Barian 4000/Lloyd 0)."
Lloyd was slammed into the barrier and shocked once more. "No!" He fell to the ground losing consciousness. "I'm sorry Nelson. Some Obelisk, some brother, I am when I'm not strong enough to save you. Please save him Lance."
The sphere dissipated into particles as the now unconscious Lloyd hit the ground and Vector returned to normal. He turned away from the unconscious Obelisk only to look back at him sadly before leaving.
Park: Lance & Rio vs Vetrix & James
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Rio & Lance 8000/Vetrix & James 8000)
Lance had drawn his starting hand and immediately noticed three cards that were out of place. "Crossed Fusion, Rank-Up-Magic Brilliant Chaos, and Astral Rebirth? What are these cards? Astral? Is it named after Astral himself or Astral World?
Whatever, I can worry about my cards later." He looked at his extra deck. "For now, these cards seem useful." He grabbed his extra deck and looked through it noticing cards that hadn't been there before. "Alright, I know what to do." He drew. "I set one card and end my turn."
Vetrix smirked. "Oh, notice something good in your extra deck?"
Lance put his cards away. "You could say I have the perfect cards to end this duel." He stared Vetrix down before looking back at James. "Trust me when I say you two aren't going to win."
"We will see Lance Hogan." Vetrix drew. "Alright, Rio Kastle prepare to see some special card you weren't capable of seeing before. I summon Time Thief Regulator(LV 4/600/200)." A machine dog appeared.
"I can tribute this card to special summon two Time Thief monsters, with different names, from my deck in defense position. I will summon Time Thief Bezel Ship(LV 4/1000/2000) and Time Thief Winder(LV 4/1800/1300)."
Golden gears attached to a black ship with red trim appeared followed by a man with silver hair, goggles, and dark purple clothing. "When Winder is summoned, I can add a Time Thief from my deck to my hand.
Now, I will overlay my two level 4 monsters to Xyz summon Time Thief Redoer(R 4/O 2/2400/2000)." A man with white hair, in light purple and black clothing, and a cape, appeared. "I will then set two cards."
Rio looked at the opponent in front of her, James, and back to Vetrix before focusing on Lance. He stood there as an impassible wall. No fear. No nerves. He just stood there ready to duel.
Rio took a deep breath, steadied her own nerves, and drew. "I have no idea how to use these cards." She heard a roar coming from her extra deck. "That said, it almost seems like some of them are calling out to me."
She stood firm. "Alright, here goes nothing. Fortunately, my partner hasn't summoned a monster which mean our opponent controls a monster while we control none. That allows me to special summon Vice Dragon(LV 5/1000/1200 effect) but it's ATK/DEF are halfed."
A purple dragon with green wings appeared.
Vetrix was surprised. "What is this? I was under the impression her deck was Blackwings."
Lance looked back at her. "Rio, what's going on?"
Rio nodded. "It seems that light display from earlier changed my deck but trust me. I got this."
"I always trust you Rio." Lance nodded. "Show them what you got."
Rio nodded back before grabbing another card from her hand. "Since I still have my normal summon, I'll use it to bring out Dark Resonator(LV 3/1300/800)." A fiend in clothing with red eyes appeared.
"I'll use my Resonator to give Vice Dragon a tune up and Synchro for 8. Synchro summon Red Dragon Archfiend(LV 8/3000/2000)." A mighty black and red dragon appeared on the field and roared out into the night.
Lance stared at the dragon. "Whoa! That dragon has as much ATK, and almost as much DEF, as Kite's Galaxy-Eyes Dragon."
"Now I activate Red Dragon Vase allowing me to draw two cards since I control a Red Dragon Archfiend. I'll follow that up with Red Dragon Security allowing me to destroy all my opponents' spells and traps since I control a Red Dragon Archfiend." Rio declared.
"Since that won't negate any effects, I can at least activate one of my face downs." Vetrix declared. "I activate Phoenix Wing Wind Blast. By discarding one card, I can return your Red Dragon Archfiend back to your extra deck."
"I will set one card." Rio declared.
"Alright, I am sorry it has come to this, but I cannot disappoint my master." James drew. "That is why I must defeat you both. I summon Ancient Gear Hunting Hound(LV 3/1000/1000)." An ancient, green machine hound appeared.
"Ancient Gears… Yuma and the others said his deck seemed like a Level/Rank 7 deck." Lance thought. "This could be trouble."
"When Hunting Hound is summoned, my opponent takes 600 life points of damage (Lance & Rio 7400)." James continued. "That's not all as my monster can act like a fusion card allowing me to use any monster in my hand or on the field to summon an Ancient Gear monster.
So, I will combine Ancient Gears Hunting Hound and Gear Golem to fusion summon Ancient Gear Howitzer(LV 1000/1500)." A red and blue machine monster appeared with guns for hands. "On my main phase, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to my opponent."
(Lance & Rio 6400). "I then activate Overload Fusion. By banishing the materials, for a Machine Fusion monster, from my field or grave, I can special summon a Fusion monster. I banish Howitzer, Golem, and Hunting Hound.
Fusion Summon Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem(LV 10/4400/3400). A monstrous Ancient Gear Golem appeared on the field. "I'll then activate Ancient Gear Explosive. With this, I can destroy my golem and deal you damage equal to half its original attack (Lance & Rio 4400)."
"His first turn, yet, without even attacking, he's got us down to half our life points." Rio stated shocked.
Lance nodded. "That is true, but we're not finished yet."
"I'll then set one card." James declared.
(Lance & Rio 4400/Vetrix & James 8000)
"I think it's time I show you what one of my decks are capable of." Lance drew. "I activate Crossed Fusion. This is another fusion card, but it only uses monsters that come from the extra deck unless my opponent controls at least one monster from the Extra Deck.
In this case, since you do, I can get the materials I need straight from my extra deck. I choose Heroic Champion Excalibur and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Fusion summon Dark Rebellion Excalibur(LV 8/4800/0 effect)."
A warrior decked out in black and dark purple armor, with a helmet molded into the face of a fierce dragon, appeared. "When he's summoned, his ATK become double the ATK of my opponent's strongest monster. On my turn, he can negate every effect on my opponent's field."
"What a strong monster." Vetrix stated. "It made Redoer unable to save itself."
"That renders my trap completely useless." James thought.
"Don't think I'm stopping there because our own effects aren't negated." Lance declared. "I activate Astral Rebirth. With this, I can revive a monster from the grave. If it's an Xyz monster, then this card becomes a material for it.
I'll choose to bring back Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 1/2000/2000)." A mighty warrior decked out in red armor and with a huge blade appeared. "Time to crank it up a notch with Rank-Up-Magic Brilliant Chaos.
This allows me to use Excalibur and rebuild the overlay network." The red clad warrior went into the overly network. "Xyz summon CXyz Heroic Champion-Forbidden Excalibur(R 5/O 2/2500/2500)."
He came back out as a warrior with long, blond hair and silver and crimson red armor. "Now Forbidden Excalibur will destroy Time Thief Redoer (Vetrix & James 7900)." Rebellion Excalibur will attack you directly (Vetrix & James 3100). I end my turn."
"Quite impressive Lance Hogan, but you've only provided the perfect monster for your own defeat." Vetrix drew. "I activate Heraldry Reborn to bring the monster I discarded for Phoenix Wing Wind Blast to the field.
Come out Heraldic Beast Eale(LV 4/1000/1800)." A blue and gray eale appeared. "I'll then normal summon Heraldic Beast Berners Falcon(LV 4/1000/1600)." A large, light blue falcon appeared.
"Now, I will overlay my two level four monsters to Xyz summon Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage(R 4/O 2/2400/1800)." A colorful monster appeared. "I can detach one overlay unit to make my monster the same name and attack as a face up monster on your field.
The monster targeted has its effects negated and it's ATK become 0. I choose Dark Rebellion Excalibur(LV 8/0/0 effect)." Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage(R 4/O 1/4800/1800 effect). "Now Genom destroy his Rebellion Excalibur and end this duel!"
"Not so fast." Lance declared. "I activate Astral Rebirth's graveyard effect. By banishing it, we gain 2000 life points (Lance & Rio 1600)." Dark Rebellion Excalibur was still standing. "What's more, you targeted the wrong monster. If Forbidden Excalibur has overlay units, Warrior type monsters I control cannot be destroyed by battle."
"Looks like I did target the wrong monster." Vetrix stated. "In that case, I will activate the equip spell Heraldic Curse and place it on Numeber 8. Now, once per turn, I can deal 300 damage x the number of face up monsters on the field to both duelists.
Three monsters mean 900 damage (Lance & Rio 700/Vetrix & James 2200). I'll then activate Xyz Switch allowing me to tribute Number 8 and special summon another monster from my extra deck with the same Type, Attribute, and Rank, but a different name.
Xyz shift even becomes an overlay unit for it. Only thing is, the summoned monster is destroyed at the end of the turn. So I tribute Number 8 to summon Number 69: Heraldry Crest(R 4/O 1/2600/1400)." A floating, black monster with large horns appeared."
"You can't use that monster to attack, so I'm assuming you've got some plans for it instead." Lance declared.
Vetrix smirked. "How right you are. See, by detaching one overlay unit, I can destroy any monster my opponent controls. I choose Dark Rebellion Excalibur. Since this is not a battle, your Forbidden Excalibur can't stop it.
I'll then set two cards ending my turn." Rio drew. "With that, I'll activate my two face downs. Pinpoint Guard and Heraldry Burst. With Pinpoint Guard, I can special summon a level 4 or lower monster from my grave. It can't be destroyed by battle or card effect this turn.
Heraldry Burst returns all spell/traps on the field back to their respective hands. My opponent then takes 500 life points, per card returned, at the end of the turn. With Rio and James both having one, that will be 1000 life points at the end of Rio's turn.
In other words, you two have lost!" Vetrix laughed. "I special summon Time Thief Winder(LV 4/1800/1300) in defense mode. Now take your last turn Rio Kastle and watch as this duel turns out like the last."
Rio held her head down.
Lance looked back at her. "Rio…" He clenched his fist. "Damn it… I wasn't…"
Rio looked up and smiled. "Don't worry Lance because they've lost." She looked back at him. "All I need is your permission to use Forbidden Excalibur."
Lance nodded. "Do what you need to Rio."
Rio nodded. "I summon Red Resonator(LV 2/600/200)." A fiery fiend appeared. "When I normal summon a Resonator monster, I can special summon Red Warg(LV 6/700/2200 effect) from my hand, but his ATK is halved."
A fierce, bipedal red wolf with flames coming off its body appeared. "A loss of ATK doesn't matter when I use Red Resonator to give Red Warg a tune up and Synchro for 8. Synchro summon Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend(LV 8/3000/3000/2500)."
A red and black dragon appeared. "Her effect allows me to destroy as many special summoned monsters on the field as possible with ATK less than or equal to hers; however, she is excluded. For every monster destroyed, my opponent takes 500 points of damage."
"That won't work because Vetrix's monster can't be destroyed this turn due to Pinpoint Guard." James declared.
"I'm aware, but Forbidden Excalibur is more than susceptible to such an effect meaning you take 500 life points (Vetrix & James 1700)." Rio declared.
Vetrix laughed. "What was that, you're last gasp? You still can't touch my life points with that monster."
"You're wrong Vetrix. I equip Scarlight with Fairy Meteor Crunch allowing her to deal piercing battle damage. By my calculations, this next attack will be just enough." Rio declared. "Thanks to you, I don't have to fear James' face down."
"Impossible!" Vetrix shouted.
James grit his teeth. "Damn it!"
"Now Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend will attack Time Thief Winder (Lance & Rio 700/Vetrix & James 0)."
"Both opponents were blown away by the attacks as the red whips vanished.
Lance immediately acted jumping into the crater, grabbing the boy, and running out. "Let's get out of here!"
He ran off with Rio following close behind. Both James and Vetrix were already starting to climb to their feet as the two students ran into a tunnel leaving the area.
"They got away." James stated.
Vetrix laughed as his crest glowed. "They certainly did." He grinned. "That said, I'm coming out the ultimate winner." Images of Shark, Organization, Nelson, Hart, and Lulu all appeared. "More than enough power will be gathered."
James looked at him. "Declan will stop you."
Vetrix chuckled. "Oh, how foolish. Do you really think your group, whatever you are, will be able to stop me once I gain so much power? For helping me, I will spare your group only if you stay out of the way of my revenge."
He then teleported away.
James closed his eyes before opening them and looking at the sky. "Master Reiji will defeat you."
He then inserted a spell into his duel disk and vanished into blue particles.
Streets of Heartland
A young man with black hair swept upwards and to the right with purple hair in the front was walking along the streets staring at his completed Heart Container. He had purple eyes and wore casual clothing; a black shirt under a cream-colored jacket, black jeans, and a necklace.
"It's hard to believe that Heartland City has changed so much since I left." The young man though as he pocketed the container. "Even harder to believe I couldn't find Shay or Lulu anywhere. I was certain they'd have…"
He'd just turned a corner only to immediately stop and slip behind the wall of the nearby building. He peaked out and watched as Declan, still wearing his brown cloak and mask, wheeled none other than Lulu, who was unconscious, out from a street down the road.
"Lulu… She's in a wheelchair?" The young man thought immediately concerned. "Whatever's going on, that cloaked guy doesn't seem to friendly, but I shouldn't act rashly since I have no idea what's going on."
So, the young man began to follow them from a distance.
Abandoned Parking Lot: With Lance and Rio
Lance and Rio were catching their breath and had been on guard in case Vetrix or James followed them. Only once they determined things were safe did they sit on the ground. Just as they were about to figure out what to do next, three things happened at the same time.
Lance's pendant began to glow showing him his captured, and mostly unconscious friends, his duel gazer went off as he got a call from Yuma, and the boy they'd saved opened his eyes looking up at Lance.
Before Lance could do anything, the boy stopped him in his tracks with a single word. "Dad…"