A/N: Had to rewrite this chapter's Featured Duel due to time constraints.
-Disigma Drei, Ketos, and Kerykeion-
The four Ojamajos flew quickly through the air. Pop and Doremi were using the yellow and blue rods, respectively, in an attempt to find Aiko and Momoko. The rod's direction turned abruptly and into opposite directions.
"Onpu-chan? Pop began, "Didn't you say Ai-chan and Momo-chan were together?"
"They were!" Onpu stuttered, "I swear!"
"Onpu-chan's right," Doremi said, looking around, "Because there they are now!"
The foursome looked at what Doremi saw and quickly gasped in shock. They took a sharp dive and just narrowly avoided two beams of magic: One blue and one yellow. Both were cracking with black lightning. The girls then looked up and saw the origins of those beams: Aiko and Momoko.
"You shouldn't have dodged that," Aiko warned, "That just means…"
"…we have to use more force to subdue you!" Momoko finished.
The four Ojamajos quickly flew to the ground and landed. The two corrupted Ojamajos followed just as fast and confronted them there. The two groups eyed one another.
"I suppose we will have to fix your damaged loyalty, you three," Aiko surmised.
"But you, Doremi!" Momoko continued, "You're not even damaged! Why are you against Her will?!"
Doremi shook her head. "I don't know why I've been able to fight it off," she replied, "But I promised to free every one of you from the Verz's control!"
"Forget it, Doremi," Aiko spat, "You defied Her will without being damaged!"
"And must be destroyed!" Momoko added, "We didn't want to come to this…"
The two of them readied their porons and prepared to fight. Doremi looked at her fellow Ojamajos with worry. She then looked back at the two corrupted Ojamajos.
"Chotto matte!" Doremi called. Neither Aiko nor Momoko lowered their porons. "I have proposition: If you're going to kill me, then I would like to have one last duel…."
The twosome seemed to think about it for a bit. They then lowered their porons.
"We can kill during the game," Aiko pointed out.
"Me and Ai-chan will team up!" Momoko said.
"She won't fight you alone!" Pop shouted, rushing up to the conversation, "We'll fight you both!"
"Pop-chan! Arigatou!" Doremi replied.
"Ganbare, Mama! Pop-chan!" Hana cheered.
All four girls inserted their porons into their bracelets, transforming them into Duel Disks. They then inserted their decks into the proper slots as their combined Life Point meters raced to 8000.
"Duel!" Aiko, Momoko, Doremi, and Pop shouted. They each drew their opening hands.
"I will take the first move! Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Momoko shouted. She smirked at her hand. "First, I activate Madolche Ticket! And then I will summon Madolche Majoliene!" Immediately, a puzzle piece appeared before the corrupted yellow Ojamajo. Moments later, a witch using a giant fork as her broomstick flew in and hovered over the piece (1400/1200). "Majoliene no kouka hatsudou! When she's normal summoned, I can add any Madolche monster to my hand!"
Majoliene wove her sugary magic together and, snapping her fingers, released a signal that called another of the dessert-themed characters to approach. A reversed card appeared behind her puzzle piece.
"I set one card. Turn end!"
Doremi and Pop exchanged glances. "Onee-chan?" Pop asked. Doremi nodded. "Hai! Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Pop drew her card and gave it a hard look. "I summon Flamvell Helldog!" At once, a burst of fire appeared before the red Ojamajo. It took form, quickly becoming a massive canine seemingly made of magma emerged (1900/200). "Helldog! Attack Magoliene!"
The beast from the Flamvell tribe charge forward, flames erupting all over its body. The sweet witch retaliated with a beam of sugary magic, but it did nothing. The Helldog struck hard, knocking her down and reducing Aiko and Momoko to 7500 Life Points.
"And whenever Helldog destroys a monster and sends it to the graveyard, I can special summon any FIRE monster from my deck whose DEF is 200 or less!" Pop explained. The remaining flames from Helldog's attack flared up. Moments later, an even bigger, three-headed fire dog emerged. The intense heat around it seemed to distort its image (2000/200). "Meet Haze Beast Cerberus!"
Suddenly, Majoleine got back up from Helldog's attack. She gave a teasing wink before vanishing. No sooner than she did so, the Ticket began glowing.
"Madolches have an ability unique to them," Momoko explained, "When you destroy them…"
"…they return to the deck," Aiko continued, "And if any card effect returns a Madolche to the deck, then…"
"…we get to add one to our hand!" Momoko finished. She took her card from her deck and shuffled it.
"No loss in card advantage," Onpu mused, "But only one of them can be used per turn."
"But Momo-chan only had one Madolche!" Hana warned.
"But now you're defenseless!" Pop shouted, "Cerberus! Attack them directly!" Cerberus drew back all three of its heads before loosing three streams of fire at the two corrupted Ojamajos. The flames singed them, but they were going to live easily. Their Life Points fell to 5500 regardless. "How's that?"
Momoko and Aiko got back up. "You only delayed the inevitable, Pop," Aiko said.
"Even if you two defeat us," Momoko continued, "Hazuki-chan will continue on into Ningen Kai."
"Then I guess we're just gonna have to beat you quickly then! I set two cards!" Pop declared. Two reversed cards appeared behind her monsters. "Turn end!"
"Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Aiko shouted. She smirked at her hand. "I activate the spell card Black Hole! This will wipe out everything on your field!" At once, a dark vortex formed in the middle of the battle field. Helldog and Cerberus tried to hang on, to no avail. Both were sucked into the void and crushed into nothingness. "I will follow by-!"
"Haze Beast Cerberus no kouka hatsudou!" Pop shouted, "When he's destroyed for any reason and sent to the graveyard, I can add any Haze card to my hand!"
A burst of flame appeared before Pop. It contained the last vestiges of Cerberus as it made way for a new card for Pop. She added her new card to her hand.
"No matter! I activate the spell Night Shot!" A crosshair appeared over one of Pop's reversed cards. "I target one set spell or trap you control…"
"…and destroy it instantly!" Momoko continued, "And you cannot activate the target in response either!"
A beam struck the set card, spearing and vaporizing it. It was revealed as Breakthrough Skill, making the two corrupted Ojamajos wince.
Aiko shook her head. "That doesn't matter! I summon Rescue Rabbit!" Aiko's new monster appeared. It was a small rabbit wearing safety equipment (300/100). It then vanished into a portal to the unknown. "And by banishing Rescue Rabbit, I can special summon two Normal Monsters from my deck with the same name! So come on, Sabersaurus!" And with that, two dinosaurs appeared. Both wielded blades on their tails and resembled a triceratops (1900/500). "Now attack them directly!"
Both dinosaurs roared in anger as they tore their way over to Doremi and Pop. The two girls screamed as they were run over. They lived but their Life Points fell to 4200.
"So much for that lead…" Pop muttered.
"Don't worry, Pop-chan," Doremi replied, "We'll pull through!"
"Doubt it," Aiko retorted. Both of her massive dinosaurs transformed into orange orbs of energy and spiraled upward. "With these two Lv4 Dinosaur-type monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Appear now, Evolkaiser Laggia!" Both monsters entered the red vortex. Emerging from it was a green, six-winged dragon enveloped in fire (2400/2000). Two cards appeared behind it. "I set two cards. Turn end!"
"This is it," Doremi said, "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" She looked at her new card and compared it with the cards she had in her hand. "First, I will banish Breakthrough Skill form our graveyard! With it, I can negate the effects of any Face-up monster you control!" Pop took the card out of her slot and pocketed it. Immediately, a wall appeared around Laggia. Come on, Ai-chan! If you're really under the Verz's control, you won't fall for it!
"Not bad, Doremi-chan," Onpu said with approval.
"Nani nani?" Hana asked, "How?"
"Doremi-chan is using Breakthrough Skill to lock out Laggia's ability. Even if Ai-chan negates it with Laggia, Doremi-chan can still get her plays off!"
"Oh! Sugoi!"
"I won't let that happen!" Aiko spat, "I activate Laggia's ability! By detaching both Overlays…"
"…Laggia can negate any spell, trap, normal summon, or special summon you try!" Momoko continued.
Laggia consumed both of the red lights that orbited it. It then expressed its authority and completely destroyed the wall suppressing its power.
Yes! Doremi thought, "Now I activate Pop-chan's set card: Night Shot!" Pop nodded and revealed her face-down card. A crosshair appeared on one of Aiko's cards. Moments later, a dark beam pierced through and destroyed it, revealing it as Starlight Road. "I must be the luckiest pretty girl in the whole world…!"
Aiko and Momoko hissed at the pink Ojamajo. That card was obviously their only real defense against mass destruction…and Doremi had just taken it away.
The red-haired girl shook her head. "Since I control no monsters, I can special summon Solar Wind Jammer from my hand!" At once, a ship with masts and sails both above and below its hull flew in (800-400/2400-1200). "Next, I will summon Astell Drawn!" And just like that, the all-too familiar artist appeared (1600/1000). Both the ship and artist transformed into energy and spiraled upward. "And with these two Lv5 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"
Both monsters entered a galaxy-like vortex. And after the rainbow explosion, the form of the floating city descended (2400/1500).
"Awareru, Number 33: OOPArts Super Weapon – Machu Mach!" Then and there, the visage of Astell Drawn appeared on the Number. "And since Astell Drawn was used as an Xyz material, I can draw one card!"
Doremi drew her card and added it to her hand. She then looked at Pop, who nodded.
"What are you planning to do, Onee-chan?" Pop asked, "Both monsters have the same ATK!"
"I know," Doremi replied, "But I have to get rid of it here and now!" Machu Mach made a sound like stone grinding against stone; it sounded disapproving. "Machu Mach! Attack Evolkaiser Laggia! Fire of Vril!"
Machu Mach quickly gathered energy at the tip of its uppermost spire and launched its signature beam of blue plasma. Laggia retaliated with a burst of fire of its own, but the two attacks collided and neither seemed to give or gain an inch.
Aiko snickered. "Reverse card, open! Forbidden Holy Spear, hatsudou!" she shouted. Suddenly, a spear shot forth, attaching itself to Machu Mach's spire and suppressing its power (2400-1600/1500). "A monster hit with this Spear loses 800 ATK but gains an immunity to spells and traps…not that it'll do any good anyway!"
With the weakening of its power, Machu Mach's beam was pushed back by Laggia's fire and split apart. The dragon's attack hit its target, tearing apart the floating city and sending it plummeting to the ground below. Doremi and Pop scrambled for safety as debris rained down. They didn't know how, but they had dodged the remains of Doremi's monster. Unfortunately, their Life Points fell to 3400.
"Mama!" Hana called.
Doremi and Pop recovered from the turmoil but were shaken nonetheless. "Daijoubu, Hana-chan," Doremi replied, "Pop-chan and I will think of something." Two reversed cards appeared before the twosome. "I set two cards. Turn end!"
"Doremi-chan!" Onpu called, "You can't run into any more traps like that! You must meep a close eye on your opponent's field from now on!"
Doremi and Pop nodded at Onpu's statement.
"If you're done talking," Aiko said.
"Prepare yourselves," Momoko continued, "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Momoko gave a psychotic smirk at the card she drew. "First, I summon another Majoliene! And her ability lets me add another Madolche monster to my hand!" At once, the witch from earlier appeared, as did her puzzle piece. She snapped her fingers and got her magic working, allowing Momoko to add her monster. Then, the reversed card flipped over. "I now activate…the continuous trap card, Compensation of Blood!"
Doremi, Pop, and Hana gasped in shock. Onpu grit her teeth, knowing just what was in store for the pink and red Ojamajos. Already, they could see blood coming out of a cut on Momoko's arm. Their Life Points fell to 5000.
"By paying 500 Life Points," Momoko began.
"We can get another normal summon or set!" Aiko finished.
"So now I summon another Majoliene!" At once, the blood Momoko lost seemed to evaporate, forming a path for which the sweet witch to follow. She didn't seem too thrilled to see her mistress use this kind of magic but used her magic regardless to give Momoko another monster. More blood flowed out as their Life Points fell to 4500. "Here it comes again!"
The four Ojamajos watched in horror and despair as Momoko summoned her third Majoliene and used her magic to bring another Madolche to her hand.
"I thinkI know what you're planning to do with those Lv4 monsters," Doremi stated, "So I discard Increasing 'G'! This should make you think twice about swarming the field!"
At once, many small eyes appeared by Doremi's feet.
"Except Pop won't be able to use them when her turn comes," Momoko retorted. Two of the Majolienes transformed into orbs of energy and spiraled upward. "So with these two Lv4 Madolche monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Both monsters entered the vortex…which was colored like a dessert. An aroma of sweets wafted through the air instead of the characteristic explosion as a regal queen emerged (2200/2100). She had her own puzzle piece. "Awareru, Queen Madolche Tiaramisu!"
The small eyes around Doremi increased in number, letting her draw a card. And then, once again, a cut appeared on Momoko's arm, dropping her to 4000 Life Points and allowing a small cat-like doll appear (500/300). It too was on a puzzle piece.
"So kawaii…" Hana remarked. She then turned her head away, not wanting to see how it was able to come by.
"Madolche Mewfeuille no koua hatsudou! When its normal summoned," Momoko began.
"Momo-chan can special summon a Madolche from her hand!" Aiko continued.
"So here he comes, Madolche Messengelato!" Mewfeuille let out a "Meow" and called someone over. Another puzzle piece appeared, this one with a mailbox, before the messenger arrived (1600/1000). They eyes near Doremi increased yet again, however. "And when Messengelato is special summoned while I have a Beast-type monster, I can add any Madolche spell or trap to my hand! And I think I will activate it!"
Momoko inserted a card into a specific slot. Moments later, a chateau seemingly made from various sweets, from cookies to cakes and ice cream, materialized and took over Momoko's side of the field. Tiaramisu, Majoliene, Mewfeuille, and Messengelato seemed right at home in this place (Tiaramisu: 2200-2700/2100-2600) (Majoliene: 1400-1900/1200-1700) (Mewfeuille: 500-1000/300-800) (Messengelato: 1600-2100/1000-1500).
"When activated, all Madolche monsters in my graveyard are returned to my deck," Momoko explained, "In addition, all Madolche monsters on the field gain 500 ATK and DEF!"
Doremi grit her teeth as the last Majoleine and the Messengelato transformed into orbs of energy and spiraled into another vortex.
"And with these two Lv4 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Momoko shouted. Both monsters spiraled into another vortex, this one clearly galaxy-like. After the rainbow explosion, a sealed form resembling a either a jewel or a gauntlet emerged. It unfolded itself, sprouting wings and several hooves limbs. Once finished, it looked a lot like a semi-mechanical Pegasus (1800/1600). "Awareru, Number 44: White Sky Horse – Sky Pegasus!"
More blood dripped from a new cut on Momoko's arm and formed a pathway. Her Life Points fell to 3500 as an owl-like doll flew in and landed on its own puzzle piece (1500-2000/1100-1600). Tiaramisu and Sky Pegasus seemed to worry about their mistress.
"I will pay 500 more Life Points to normal summon Madolche Hootcake!" Momoko shouted.
"Momo-chan, stop this!" Doremi pleaded, "You never needed to use your own blood for that card's effect!" Tears began streaming down her face. "Look at what your monsters think of it! They worry for you too! Please, Momo-chan!"
Onpu clenched her fist. She knew what Doremi was saying as true, but Momoko was unable to listen due to her corruption.
Pop glared at Aiko for not caring as much about Momoko as she normally would have. They were in a relationship, right?
Hana finally managed to turn back to the duel at hand, even being on time to witness Doremi's plea. She wanted this madness to stop. She really did.
Momoko simply snickered. "It is Her will that I do this, Doremi," the corrupted yellow Ojamajo replied, "I cannot disobey Her commands!"
Both Hootcake and Mewfeuille transformed into more orbs of energy and spiraled into another galaxy-like vortex.
"With these three Lv3 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Momoko declared. The monsters entered the vortex, causing another rainbow explosion to erupt from within. A sealed form resembling a twisted tangle of draconic scales and limbs emerged. It quickly unfolded itself, revealing the massive dragon that lay dormant within (2000/0). "Awareru, Number 17: Leveiss Dragon!"
Doremi and Pop now stared down four very powerful monsters. The former looked at her hand with uncertainty, hoping that it would allow her to do something. The latter was had no idea what Doremi had available, but she knew there had to be something.
Momoko stared at Doremi's set cards. "Those two don't matter, so I'll have Tiaramisu attack you directly!" Tiaramisu once again looked at Momoko in worry. She shook her head and continued the attack, channeling a burst of light at Doremi and Pop. They were both struck hard and knocked to the ground, their Life Points falling to 700. "And now, Laggia! Finish them- Nani yo?!"
The dust cleared from around Doremi, revealing a huge and menacing creature. It was clearly made of darkness but its form was definitely one of malevolence (?/?).
"When Pop-chan and I took damage…" Doremi panted, "I was…able to special summon Tragoedia. He gains 600 ATK for each card in my hand!"
Tragoedia glared at the two corrupted Ojamajos (3000/3000).
"Yosha!" Onpu shouted, "With that monster out, Momo-chan and Ai-chan can't get to their Life Points this turn!"
"Go for it, Mama! Pop-chan!" Hana called.
"There's more than one way to get rid of something like that, Doremi," Momoko muttered.
"We didn't think we would've needed it," Aiko added, "But now…"
"I activate Leveiss Dragon's ability! By detaching one Overlay, Leveiss Dragon gains 500 ATK!" Momoko raised her bloodied hand into the air. Leveiss Dragon devoured one of the lights orbiting it, causing it to glow a brilliant blue (2000-2500/0). "I will follow by activating Tiaramisu's ability! By detaching one Overlay, I can target and return up to two Madolche cards in my graveyard to my deck…including the card I just detached! And for each card returned, one card form your field also returns to the deck!" One of the orbiting lights flew into Tiaramisu's scepter. But just before she could work her magic, a small winged being appeared above her (0/0) and suppressed her powers. "Nani yo?!"
"Effect Veiler," Doremi explained, "Our cards are staying!" Tragoedia shook his head in slight disapproval (3000-2400/3000-2400). "Gomen ne, Tragoedia…"
"I can still destroy your monster with Sky Pegasus's ability!" Momoko pointed right at Tragoedia. One of the lights orbiting Sky Pegasus vanished into one of its wings. Seconds later, several blades emerged from it, but the beast itself seemed to be waiting for something. "You can stop him from killing Tragoedia, Doremi."
"Eh?" Doremi replied.
"If you give up 1000 Life Points, Sky Pegasus will spare Tragoedia!" Aiko explained.
"But we only have 700 left!" Pop shouted.
"Then Sky Pegasus will show no restraint!" Momoko replied.
The blades protruding from Sky Pegasus's wings detached themselves and orbited for a few seconds. Tragoedia glared at the Pegasus for a few moments…right before being impaled multiple times when the blades rushed toward it. The demonic monster couldn't withstand the attack this time and dissolved into nothingness.
Another reversed card appeared behind the gang of monsters.
"Turn end!" Momoko shouted.
"Things just keep getting worse and worse," Onpu muttered, "That was Doremi-chan and Pp-chan's last defense."
"They still have another turn!" Hana said, encouragingly, "And that one turn might just mean the difference!"
Onpu looked over at the duel. "I hope so, Hana-chan…"
Pop and Doremi exchanged glances. It was now or never. Just them, Pop's hand, her next draw, and everything Doremi set in her previous turn.
"No DESTINY DRAW this time," Pop said, "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" She took the new card from her deck and took a look at it. The Pillar of flame behind her glowed brightly. "I use Haze Pillar to summon Haze Beast Peryton!"
Immediately, the fiery winged deer flew in (1600/1700). It landed by Pop's side and eyed the opposition…with a level of apprehension when he saw just what he was up against.
Stay strong, Peryton, Pop thought, "I activate Peryton's ability! By tributing him and sending any FIRE monster in my hand to the graveyard, I can special summon any two Haze Beasts from my deck!" Peryton nodded at Pop and quickly transformed into flame. Another Haze Beast followed Peryton's lead and joined in. And just as quickly as it began, two new Haze Beasts emerged. The first one was a winged lion was a scorpion's tail (2200/300) while the second was a Sphynx (1900/1900). "And now-!"
"Reverse card, open!" Momoko shouted, maniacally, "Pitfall of Hell hatsudou!" Momoko's concealed card flipped over. Moments later, a massive hole opened up underneath both Spinx and Mecocleos, swallowing them up and then sealing shut behind them. "Pitfall of Hell can destroy multiple monsters so long as they were summoned at the same time. And it isn't even a targeting effect!"
Pop looked on in abject horror and dismay. "That…Those two monsters…they were our only hope…!" she said, tearing up. She looked at Doremi in light anguish. "Gomennasai…Onee-chan…"
Doremi shook her head. "Pop-chan! My face-down card!" she shouted, pointing at the still face-down card, "Use it!"
"Demo ne…!"
"I was afraid that Ai-chan would use Macro Cosmos, so I put that card in! It'll help!"
Pop looked back at the set card. "Okay…Reverse card, open! Trap hatsudou!" The set card revealed itself: Return from the Different Dimension. Pop gasped in shock…and felt her confidence return in a torrent. "By paying half of our Life Points, I can special summon as many of mine and Onee-chan's banished monsters as possible! So come on back Mecocleos and Spinx!"
Doremi and Pop each winced as their Life Points fell to 350. Then and there, a vortex opened in the sky. Spinx and Mecocleos both descended, albeit on a tether that now threatened to pull them back in.
"They will be banished again during the End Phase," Momoko pointed out.
"So what do you plan on doing?" Aiko asked.
Pop looked at Doremi and smiled. "I activate Spinx's ability!" the red Ojamajo declared, "I can call monster, spell, or trap and then mill one card. I call spell!" Spinx spread her wings as Pop took the top card of her deck and looked at it. It was Cyclone, a quick-play spell. Spinx smiled and became wreathed in flames as Pop sent her sell to the graveyard. "Alright! I choose to bring back Flamvell Helldog!"
The flames on Spinx left her body and took the shape of a portal. The powerful beast emerged again, roaring as it came into view. Then, the last of Doremi's set cards revealed itself.
"I activate Onee-chan's last card! Heavy Storm!" At once, a massive storm kicked up. The monsters weathered it without too much trouble, but the all spells and traps, including the Chateau, was torn down (Tiaramisu: 2700-2200/2600-2100). And right after it died down, Mantikor and Spinx transformed into orbs of energy and spiraled upward. "And with these two Lv6 monsters, I build the Overlay Newtwork!"
"And do you think Basilicock will win you the game?" Aiko inquired.
"No…I don't," Pop replied, "But the card I'm about to summon can!"
Both monsters spiraled into a galaxy-like vortex. And once again, a massive rainbow-colored explosion erupted from within. Descending from it was a sealed form that looked like a floating volcano with a ring around its base. Soon, it began growing, the ring splitting in two, followed by limbs extending from underneath and above it. The Volcano part shifted slightly, becoming more like a shoulder-guard while the other arm increased in size. When it finished, the resulting monster towered over just about everything nearby (2600/3000).
"Awareru, Number 6: OOPArts Atlantal!"
"Oh my god…!" Hana gasped.
"You do realize that you're taking Momo-chan's phrase, right?" Onpu warned.
"Hana-chan's just filling in." The white Ojamajo sweat-dropped. "But it's still a good monster, right?"
"Well…"
"When Atlantal is Xyz summoned," Pop began, "I can take any Number monster from our graveyard and equip it on to Atlantal!"
"And there happens to be one!" Doremi added, "Pop-chan! Take it!"
Pop nodded. "Atlantal! Take Number 33: OOPArts Super Weapon – Machu Mach!"
Atlantal did as commanded and revived Machu Mach. The floating city sunk into Atlantal's chest and was absorbed. Moments later, it reappeared on the belt-like lower ring (2600-3800/3000).
"Atlantal gains half of the equipped monster's ATK," Doremi explained.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Aiko shouted.
"Atlantal! Attack Tiaramisu! Divine Punishment!" Pop commanded. The volcano on its left shoulder erupted, sending a stream of magma into the sky. Then, a whirlwind descended, striking Tiaramisu. She let out one final scream before being utterly destroyed. The rest of the attack made it through, catching Aiko and Momoko and reducing them to 1900 Life Points. "I'm not through yet! Helldog! Take out Sky Pegasus!"
Helldog did as commanded, charging forward while wreathed in flames. Sky Pegasus tried to counter, and even managed to slice with its wings, but it was all for naught. The beast of the Flamvell tribe overpowered the Pegasus, burning it to death. A few embers managed to get thrown at the two corrupted Ojamajos, reducing them further to 1800 Life Points.
"Tch!" Momoko sneered.
"Hmph!" Aiko snorted.
"And that's not all she's doing!" Doremi said.
Pop nodded. "Un! And whenever Helldog destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the graveyard, I can special summon any FIRE monster with 200 or less DEF from my deck!" she explained, "I think I'll go with…Flamvell Magical!" Helldog seemed to drain the last vestiges of Sky Pegasus and consumed it. The flames it was wreathed in formed into a portal, through which the Flamvell spellcaster emerged (1400/200). "I now tune Lv4 Helldog with Lv4 Magical!"
Magical and Helldog leapt high into the air, with the former transforming into four green rings that the latter passed through.
"Dragon of the scrapyard! Hear my call and take your form! Emerge from the wrecked metal and share your might! Synchro Summon!" Pop chanted, "Awareru! Scrap Dragon!"
And with that, the powerful dragon descended. It sported lasers along its shoulders and was very easily made from scrap metal. It looked down on the field, desiring to make it much like its home (2800/2000). It was floating lower to the ground than normal and its wings were folded inward, defending.
"I activate Scrap Dragon's ability!" Pop declared, "I can target two cards: One of mine and one of yours. Then, they are destroyed!" Scrap Dragon took aim. "The cards I target…are my own Haze Pillar and your Laggia!"
Haze Pillar was drawn into a generator that opened up underneath the dragon. Then, it shot a massive fire ball, one that seemed like a pillar of flame, right at Laggia. The powerful and evolved dragon didn't stand a chance and was immolated y the blast. A reversed card then appeared before Pop.
"I will set one card. Turn end!"
"Just one more monster to destroy," Onpu stated, "Just one more!"
Aiko and Momoko glared angrily at Pop. They had lost most of their powerful monsters in a single turn along with a chunk of their Life Points. And to top it off, Aiko didn't have Black Hole anymore since she had used it earlier that turn; as a result, no amount of DESTINY DRAWing could get her a viable-enough card to use.
Aiko sighed. "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" She took her card and looked closely at it. "First, I will activate Leveiss Dragon's ability again!" Leveiss Dragon devoured its last orbiting light and glowed with the absorbed energy (2500-3000/0). "Now Leveiss Dragon! Attack Scrap dragon! Vice Stream!"
Leveiss Dragon drew back its head and let loose its breath weapon. Scrap Dragon attempted to ward off the attack, but to no avail. The attack tore through its metal hide and completely shredded it, making Pop and Doremi wince. A reversed card then appeared behind the dragon.
"I will set a card myself. Turn end!"
Doremi looked at her deck and then at her still-corrupted friends. She knew that killing the Verz card was a means of freeing them, but the two of them had yet to summon any such thing. She knew the cards were in their decks, and was even sure they were in their respective hands, but they were protecting them…keeping them safe.
At the same time, Doremi had no idea if simply winning the duel outright would set them free. But with each moment wasted, the only one left, Hazuki, got closer to returning to Ningen Kai and spreading the Verz there. It was a lose-lose situation: Either they wait until they have no choice but to summon their Verz cards or defeat them here and now and risk them remaining under the Verz's control.
"Atashi…Atashi no Turn. Draw," Doremi said reluctantly. She looked at the card she drew, but wasn't sure if it could work out. "I…I will pa-…"
"Doremi-chan!" Onpu called, "Hazuki-chan is still out there! If we drag this duel out any longer, then we may not have enough time to stop her!"
"Demo ne-?"
"Mama! Onegai shimasu!" Hana called, "If you win, then we can at least try removing the Verz cards!"
"They're right, Onee-chan," Pop added solemnly, "There are times where we have to do questionable things in order to win. I don't like doing this either, but we have no other choice. You have to win this duel this turn!"
"You're…You're right!" Doremi said, "If it at least means we can stop Hazuki-chan sooner, then we must win right her and now!"
"Even though the two of you can go after her yourselves?" Aiko replied, referring to Hana and Onpu.
"Doremi-chan needed our support," Onpu replied.
"I don't think I would've been able to help Onee-chan through this y myself," Pop said, "We're grateful Hana-chan and Onpu-chan stuck by us all this time!"
"And I will not let you win!" Doremi firmly declared, "I summon Goblindbergh!" At once, three planes appeared, carrying a metal crate (1400/0). "His ability lets me special summon Summon Priest from my hand!" The crate fell to the ground and opened, revealing the Priest (800/1600). "And Priest's ability allows me to special summon any Lv4 monster from my deck as long as I discard a card!"
Summon Priest gathered his magic together and added the energy of a discarded spell to the mix. He quickly summoned an artist to the field (1600/1000). Then, all three newly-summoned monsters transformed into orbs of energy and spiraled upward.
"And with these three Lv4 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Doremi shouted. All three monsters entered a vortex that a light was coming from. It exploded with a distinctive darkness not unlike the Verz, despite the monster coming out of it not being from the archetype (2500/2100). "Awareru…Vylon Disigma!"
Doremi felt the familiar feeling of the Verz again. And just like the last time, it felt…complacent, calm, even appreciative. It was strange, coming from a force that was, at one time, trying to take control of her. She then noticed the fearful looks Hana and Onpu were shooting at her. Even Pop seemed afraid while Aiko and Momoko were thoroughly angered.
"Doremi-chan…" Onpu said, gulping, "that…That aura…!"
"I know," Doremi replied, "I'll explain later. For now, I have to deal with this!" The pink Ojamajo looked up at Atlantal. "Atlantal! Attack Leveiss Dragon! Fire of Vril!" Atlantal gathered energy into his larger fist in much the same way Machu Mach gathered energy at its uppermost spire. And upon getting to full power, the behemoth Number fired a familiar beam of blue plasma. "This…will do it!"
Aiko grit her teeth. "Reverse card, open! Forbidden Holy Spear hatsudou!" she shouted. At once, a Spear shot forth, landing in Atlantal's other hand and seeming to weigh him down, despite the considerable size difference (3800-3000/3000). The Spear even threw off his aim slightly. "If Leveiss Dragon is going down…then he's taking Atlantal down with him! Go! Vice Stream!"
At once, Leveiss Dragon fired its own breath weapon. It struck the Fire of Vril by its side and seemed to deflect it. The attack ultimately struck the dragon regardless, but not before the Vice Stream burst through Atlantal's chest. Leveiss Dragon was vaporized while the fatal wound it inflicted toppled the earthen giant.
"Atlantal…!" Doremi gasped sadly. She shook her head. "It doesn't matter…Vylon Disigma! Attack them directly!"
Aiko and Momoko's eyes widened in shock. Vylon Disigma gathered its energy and quickly loosed it as a bolt of lightning. Suddenly, the corrupted Ojamajos developed a much thicker dark aura. It acted as a shield and, even though their Life Points fell to 0, they were relatively undamaged.
Doremi and Pop are the winners!
"This isn't over!" Aiko shouted.
"We will be-!" Momoko continued, but was interrupted.
"Pororin Pyuarin HanaHana Pii!" Hana quickly chanted, "Shoot the Angel Wrap at Ai-chan and Momo-chan!"
Hana's spell did the trick. Suddenly, several familiar pink ribbons shot out and quickly bound the two corrupted Ojamajos. Tiny flowers sprouted on them, though it was more for effect than anything else.
"NO!" Aiko and Momoko shouted, "LET US GO!"
"Pururun Purun Famifami Faa!" Onpu chanted, "Reveal the Verz cards!" Onpu's spell also did the trick. A spiral of magic rocked toward Aiko and Momoko and forced two cards into view: Verz Kaitos and Verz Kerykeion, respectively. "Now's your chance, Doremi-chan!"
Doremi nodded. She dismissed her Duel Disk and rushed forward, Number 33: OOPArts Super Weapon – Machu Mach in hand. Once she made it to them, she grabbed the two cards…and with Machu Mach glowing, she was able to take them, practically tearing off the dark auras with them.
No sooner were the cards removed, the two stopped struggling. Aiko and Momoko looked up at Doremi and then at the two cards she now also held. Tears started appearing in their eyes.
"Doremi-chan…?" Aiko said. Her tone was that of fear and heartbreak.
"Minna-san…?" Momoko added. Her tone was no different.
"It's okay you two," Doremi said comfortingly. Hana dismissed her spell, freeing them. "You're free of the Verz now."
"But what about Hazuki-chan?" Onpu pointed out, "She's still at large!"
The Ojamajos nodded in agreement. At once, all six of them mounted their brooms and took off. Aiko and Momoko needed some encouragement, but they went too. But for now, Hazuki was their next and final target. To that end, Doremi took out the orange rod and let her guide them.
The corrupted orange Ojamajo could be seen in the distance…and the girls shuddered at what she was close to…
Featured Duel: Doremi and Pop vs. Verz Momoko and Verz Aiko.
Players on both teams will share an 8000 LP. They will share a field, graveyard, and banish pile; any cards returned to the hand/deck/etc. will be returned to the controller's deck, even if they're not the owner.
Doremi and Pop LP (8000) – Verz Momoko and Verz Aiko LP (8000)
Verz Momoko's turn:
Verz Momoko has Evilswarm Kerykeion, Madolche Ticket, Madolche Mewfeuille, Madolche Majiliene, and Ultimate Offering as her opening hand. She draws Madolche Puddingcess.
Verz Momoko activates Madolche Ticket. She then normal summons Madolche Majileine and uses her effect to add any Madolche monster to her hand; she chooses Madolche Messengelato. She sets Ultimate Offering and ends.
Pop's turn:
Pop has Hazy Flame Sphynx, Mirror Force, Breakthrough Skill, Night Beam, and Hazy Flame Peryton. She draws Flamvell Firedog.
Pop summons Flamvell Firedog.
Pop attacks Majiliene with Firedog, destroying and sending her to the graveyard; Pop special summons Hazy Flame Cerbereus from her deck with Firedog's effect. Majileine returns to Verz Momoko's deck since; Ticket allows her to add any Madolche to her hand; she chooses Majiliene. Pop attacks Verz Momoko and Verz Aiko directly with Hazy Flame Cerbereus.
Pop sets Breakthrough Skill and Night Beam and ends.
Doremi and Pop LP (8000) – Verz Momoko and Verz Aiko LP (5500)
Verz Aiko's turn:
Verz Aiko has Evilswarm Ketos, Dark Hole, Night Beam, Rescue Rabbit, and Forbidden Lance. She draws Starlight Road.
Verz Aiko activates Dark Hole, destroying all monsters on the field. Since Cerbereus was destroyed and sent to the graveyard, Pop can add Hazy Pillar to her hand. Verz Aiko then activates Night Beam, targeting and destroying Pop's set Breakthrough Skill. She follows by summoning Rescue Rabbit and uses its effect, banishing it to special summon two Sabersauruses.
Verz Aiko attacks Pop directly with both Sabersauruses.
Verz Aiko overlays both Sabersauruses to Xyz summon Evolzar Kaggia. She sets Starlight Road and Forbidden Lance and ends.
Doremi's turn:
Doremi has Solar Wind Jammer, Summoner Monk, Maxx "C", Heavy Storm, and Star Drawing as her opening hand. She draws Effect Veiler.
Doremi banishes Breakthrough Skill from her graveyard and targets Laggia. Verz Aiko uses Laggia's effect, detaching both materials to negate Breakthrough Skill. Doremi then activates Pop's set Night Beam, targeting and destroying Verz Aiko's set Starlight road. Doremi special summons Solar Wind Jammer. She then normal summons Star Drawing. She follows by overlaying Jammer and Drawing to Xyz summon Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech; Star Drawing lets her draw into Return from the Different Dimension.
Doremi rams Machu Mech into Laggia. During the Damage Step, Verz Aiko activates Forbidden Lance, targeting Machu Mech and making it lose 800 ATK. Machu Mech is destroyed.
Doremi sets Heavy Storm and Return from the Different Dimension and ends.
Doremi and Pop LP (3400) – Verz Momoko and Verz Aiko LP (5500)
Verz Momoko's turn:
Verz Momoko draws Bottomless Trap Hole.
Verz Momoko normal summons Madolche Majileine and uses her effect to add another Majiliene to her hand. She then activates Ultimate Offering and uses its effect, paying 500 LP to normal summon another Majiliene; she adds the third to her hand with her effect. She repeats, summoning the third Majiliene and adding Madolche Hootcake to her hand. Doremi discards Maxx "C" in response.
Verz Momoko overlays two Majilienes to Xyz summon Madolche Queen Tiaramisu; Doremi draws Gagagarevenge. She uses Ultimate Offering again to normal summon Mewfeuille and uses its effect to special summon Messengelato; Messengelato's effect lets Verz Momoko add Madolche Chateau to her hand; Doremi draws Tragoedia. She activates it, returning all Madolche monsters in her graveyard to her deck. She then overlays the third Majileine with Messengelato to Xyz summon Number 44: Sky Pegasus; Doremi draws Magic Cylinder. She follows by using Ultimate Offering's effect to normal summon Hootcake. She follows by overlaying Hootcake and Mewfeuille to Xyz summon Number 17: Leviathan Dragon; Doremi draws Gagaga Magician.
Verz Momoko attacks Doremi and Pop directly with Tiaramisu. Doremi special summons Tragoedia since she took damage; Doremi has five cards in her hand at the time.
Verz Momoko activates Sky Pegasus's effect, detaching Messengelato and targeting Tragoedia; Doremi cannot pay the cost to negate, so Tragoedia is destroyed. She follows by detaching Mewfeuille to raise Levathan Dragon's ATK by 500. She then activates Tiaramisu's effect, detaching Majoliene; Doremi chains by discarding Effect Veiler, targeting and negating Tiaramisu's effects.
Verz Momoko sets Bottomless Trap Hole and ends.
Pop's turn:
Pop draws Flamvell Firedog.
Pop activates Hazy Pillar and uses it to normal summon Peryton. She activates Peryton's effect, tributing it and sending Sphynx from her hand to the graveyard to special summon a Mantikor and Sphynx from her deck. Verz Momoko activates Bottomless Trap Hole, destroying and banishing both. Pop activates Doremi's set Return from the Different Dimension, paying half of their LP to return them to the field.
Pop activates Sphynx's effect, calling spell; the card she mills it Mystical Space Typhoon, so Pop can revive Flamvell Firedog. She then activates Doremi's set Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field. She overlays Mantikor and Sphynx to Xyz summon Number 6: Chronomaly Atlandis; she equips it with the Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech in hers and Doremi's graveyard, giving it and extra 1200 ATK.
Pop attacks Tiaramisu with Atlandis, destroying her. She then attacks Sky Pegasus with Firedog, destroying it; she special summons a Flamvell Magician as per its effect.
Pop tunes Lv4 Firedog with Lv4 Magician to Synchro Summon Scrap Dragon in Defense Position. She activates its effect, targeting and destroying Hazy Pillar and Laggia.
Pop sets Mirror Force and ends.
Doremi and Pop LP (350) – Verz Momoko and Verz Aiko LP (1800)
Verz Aiko's turn:
Verz Aiko draws Forbidden Lance.
Verz Aiko activates Leviathan Dragon's effect again, detaching Hootcake to raise it to 3000 ATK.
Verz Aiko attacks Scrap Dragon with Leviathan Dragon, destroying it. She sets Forbidden Lance and ends.
Doremi's turn:
Doremi draws Goblindbergh.
Doremi normal summons Goblindbergh and uses his effect to special summon Summoner Monk. She activates his effect, discarding Gagagarevenge to special summon Star Drawing from her deck. She overlays Drawing, Monk, and Goblindbergh to Xyz summon Vylon Disigma; she draws Pot of Duality via Drawing's effect.
Doremi attacks Leviathan Dragon with Atlandis. During the Damage Step, Verz Aiko activates Forbidden Lance, targeting Atlandis and reducing its ATK by 800. Both have the same ATK and are thus destroyed. Doremi attacks directly with Vylon Disigma.
Doremi and Pop LP (150) – Verz Momoko and Verz Aiko LP (0)
Doremi and Pop are the winners!
We've finally done it. Between me and Pop-chan, we've freed the others from the Verz! But now we only have one to go. And with the Verz influencing her like this, she will be far more dangerous and brutal. And she's already crushing me with her strategy…
!lla ot eceulfni ruo daerps nac ew rehtegot dna ,em nioJ
Disigma Vier and Hraesvelg have begun their approach…
A/N: Can you try figuring out why Disigma is being mentioned despite Doremi clearly being on the heroes' side? Each name always is referring to an enemy duelist for that chapter and Disigma clearly represents Doremi. I would like to challenge your minds with that question…