-Disigma Vier and Hraesvelg-
The six Ojamajos were horrified. There she was, standing only a few yards in front of the door to the Maho-Dou. She seemed to be launching attacks at it…attacks that were being block by a barrier. But the barrier looked like it was about to collapse.
"Hazuki-chan!" Doremi called out, "Hazuki-chan! Stop this!"
Hazuki heard the pink Ojamajo's cries and turned to face her. "Oh? You're here?" she asked, "It really took you long enough!"
The girls landed before their corrupted friend. Her tone of voice was nothing like the shy and quiet girl they all knew and loved. It was all the more reason to free her from the Verz's control.
"Hazuki-mama?" Hana began, "Why are you trying to break in to the Maho-dou?"
Hazuki smirked. "Isn't it obvious? Her wish is to spread!" She eyed the Ojamajos…and her smirk vanished, replaced by an angered look. "YOU! You work against Her?!"
Doremi stepped forward. "Hai, Hazuki-chan!" the pink Ojamajo replied, "I'm also freeing the others from their corruption…and I will free you too!"
Hazuki grit her teeth. "But your aura…it's the same intensity as mine…yet you're not with us. Why?"
"I don't know why I've been able to fight it off for this long…but I won't let it take me over now!"
Hazuki growled as she inserted her poron into her bracelet, transforming it into her Duel Disk. "This is the best way to break you to our side, Doremi. Do not even try to fight it!"
Doremi inserted her poron into her bracelet as well, transforming it into her Duel Disk. "I can't let you into Ningen Kai, Hazuki-chan," Doremi muttered, "I will duel you here and now…and I will set you free!"
"Ganbatte, Mama!" Hana cheered.
"Please, Onee-chan!" Pop shouted, "Free her!"
Doremi and Hazuki inserted their decks into the proper slots and let them shuffle. They then drew their opening hands as their Life Point meters raced to 8000.
"Duel!" Both girls shouted.
"The first move is mine!" Hazuki shouted, "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" The orange corrupted Ojamajo smirked maliciously at her new card. "I activate the spell Reinforcements of Light! By milling three cards, I can add any Lv4 or lower Lightlord to my hand!" She took three cards from the top of her deck and sent them to the graveyard before adding her card. Two reversed cards, one of which was a monster, appeared before her. "I set one monster and one card. Turn end!"
"And I think I know exactly what that monster is," Onpu said.
"Nani?" Han asked.
"It's a common play," Pop explained, "The card Hazuki-chan added was obviously Raiko, a flip-effect monster. So it's safe to assume that that was the card she set."
"Oh!"
"But Hazuki-chan runs several more cards than just Raiko," Aiko warned, "It could also be one of the Gusta monsters she has too."
Doremi looked at both of her corrupted friend's cards with apprehension. I need to be careful, she thought, "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Doremi eyed her card thoroughly. She didn't know what Hazuki was hiding, but she couldn't take any chances. "I activate the spell Night Shot! With this, I can destroy your set card without activating it!"
At once, a crosshair appeared over Hazuki's set card. Then a dark beam was fired, spearing and destroying it. It was Miracle Synchro Fusion, much to Doremi's dismay.
"When Miracle Synchro Fusion is destroyed by your card effect while face-down," Hazuki explained, "I can draw a card!" Her destroyed spell's remains glowed brightly, allowing her to draw a card. "Anything else?"
Doremi grit her teeth. Walked right into that one, didn't you, Doremi? she thought bitterly, "I summon Gagaga Magician!" Then and there, the juvenile spellcaster appeared by her side (1500/1000). "Then I follow with Pot of Greed and Humility! With this, I can reveal the top three cards of my deck and add one of them to my hand…so long as I don't special summon this turn."
Doremi took the three cards on top of her deck. They were Solar Wind Jammer, Summon Priest, and Gagagarevenge. SAhe chose to add the Priest to her hand while putting the other two back into her deck and shuffling.
"Now, Gagaga Magician! Attack Hazuki-chan's set monster! Gagaga Magic!"
Gagaga Magician leapt up and pounded the set card. It flipped face-up, revealing it not as Raiko…but as Hope of Gusta, Kamui (200/1000). The juvenile Magician let the young man have it, knocking him to the ground. Kamui used the last of his strength to let out what sounded like a bird call.
"When Kamui is flipped face-up, I can special summon any Gusta tuner from my deck!" Hazuki said. A small bird answered Kamui's call and flew in to replace him (500/500). "This is Gusta Gulldo!"
Doremi looked at the unassuming and slightly armored bird. It didn't seem powerful, but she had no idea what it does…especially since she hasn't dueled Hazuki enough. As such, she inserted two cards into the slots.
"I set two cards," Doremi said, "Turn end."
"Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Hazuki shouted. She smirked at her new card. "I activate Cyclone! With this, I can destroy any spell or trap card you control!" At once, a whirlwind kicked up and spun directly into one of Doremi's set cards. It struck hard, destroying and revealing it as Holy Barrier -Mirror Force-. "I can win even if you use Magic Cylinder, Doremi!"
Then and there, a young girl with green hair appeared (1000/400). No sooner did she appear, Gulldo flew over to her.
"I summon Priestess of Gusta, Winda!" Hazuki declared. Winda and Gulldo nodded at one another. "I now tune Lv2 Winda with Lv3 Gulldo!" Gulldo flew up high into the sky. Winda leapt after him as he transformed into three green rings. The Priestess passed through them. "Priestess and natural bird, unite as one! Bring life back to the land and vanquish my foes! Synchro Summon!" Hazuki chanted, "Awareru, Daigusta Gulldos!"
Winda suddenly leapt out from within the rings as they glowed brightly. When the glow vanished, an even bigger version of Gulldo appeared in their place. The Priestess landed on its back as she guided it back down to the ground (2200/800).
"Sugoi…!" Hana remarked, staring up at the new monster in awe.
"Don't be too surprised, Hana-chan," Onpu warned, "Hazuki-chan has a very defensive playing style. If it's safe, then she will make a big play." The pruple Ojamajo looked at the corrupted orange Ojamajo's current field. "And I think she just did!"
Hazuki smiled. "When Gulldo is sent to the graveyard for any reason, I can special summon any Lv2 or below Gusta from my deck," she explained. At once, the massive bird screeched out a call. A small bird, which was even smaller than Gulldo was previously, answered the call and flew in (200/400). "And Gulldos has a special ability of its own. By returning any two Gusta monsters in my graveyard to my deck, I can instantly destroy any face-up monster you control!"
"Eh?!" Doremi gasped.
Hazuki smirked as she took her two monsters and returned them to her deck. No sooner did she do so, Kamui appeared followed by Winda leaping off of her avian steed. The latter swung with her staff, knocking Gagaga Magician off balance. The former…get even with the juvenile spellcaster, returning the fist he got earlier. Gagaga Magician was unable to hold up to the attack and was destroyed as Kamui hopped back into his mistress's deck and while Winda leapt back onto Gulldo.
"That's one way to get even," Pop lightly deadpanned.
"But it proves the Hazuki-chan might still be acting of her own accord," Aiko warned, "She allowed Kamui to get some payback for what Gagaga Magician did earlier."
Doremi looked up at Daigusta Gulldos in apprehension. She had only one card left and she wasn't sure if even that was going to save her in the long run.
"Now!" Hazukki shouted, "Daigusta Gulldos! Attack Doremi directly!" Gulldos flapped it wings to get some extra lift. Its efforts kicked up a strong gust. Winda gathered energy into her staff and added it to the mix, amplifying the attack and sending it right for Doremi. "This is only the-!"
"Reverse card, open! Magic Cylinder Hatsudou!" Doremi's remaining card revealed itself. At once, two cylinders appeared, one aimed at the blast and the other aimed at Hazuki. Gulldos' attack went into the former and then emerged out the latter, knocking the orange Ojamajo to the ground and dropping her to 5800 Life Points. "I won't let you do tis easily, Hazuki-chan!"
"Tch! I can still attack with Egul! Go!" Egul obeyed and rushed over to Doremi. It pecked her furiously, dropping her to 7800 Life Points before flying back to Hazuki's side. "I'm not done yet…I tune Lv5 Daigusta Gulldos with Lv1 Egul!" Both the small bird and the giant with a rider flew high into the air. The former transformed into a single green ring that the latter flew through. "Power of Vylon, descend from the heavens and grant the Sphere! Transform the power of reflection and reverse the might! Synchro Summon!" Hazuki chanted, "Awareru, Daigusta Sphered!"
At once, from a brilliant flash of light, a lone being descended. A slight whirlwind encircled her, aiding in her approach and seeing to it she wouldn't get hurt along the way. She landed gracefully, waving her staff as she did so (2000/1300).
"Daigusta Sphered no kouka hatsudou shimasu!" Hazuki called, "When she is Synchro Summoned, I can return any Gusta monster in my graveyard to my hand!" Sphered channeled some of her powers into a portal. Gulldo emerged from it and went back to Hazuki's hand. "Turn end."
It was very strange for the pink Ojamajo. Every single duel one of Hazuki's duels that she witnessed involved that single card. It was her ace card, so it was to be expected. But she never got to see it in action. It was true, she never actually dueled against Hazuki before now and no one had told her what to expect. Its ATK was below that of Daigusta Gulldos, yet she summoned it anyway. The question for her was why?
Doremi chose to shake it off and continue. "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" she shouted. She looked at the card she had drawn and smiled. "First, I summon Summon Priest!" At once, her monster appeared. He quickly knelt down into a defensive stance mere moments after appearing (800/1600). "And he has an ability too! By discarding one spell card, I can special summon any Lv4 monster from my deck!" The Priest gathered his magic together and, together with the energy from the sacrificed spell, managed to open a portal, through which the artist Astell Drawn emerged (1600/1000). Hazuki caught a glimpse at the card Doremi discarded and winced. "And that's not all! I activate Resurrection of the Dead! Ad I think I'll use it on an old friend."
The sacred ankh appeared overhead. It glowed brightly, opening a portal to the netherworld. Gagaga Magician took advantage of it and returned from the dead. Then, all he, as well as the Priest and Astell Drawn, transformed into orbs of energy and spiraled upwards.
"With these three Lv4 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Doremi declared. Her monster entered the vortex, after which a beam of light shot out…followed by a burst of darkness. Emerging from it was the very focus of Doremi's corruption (2500/2100), causing an intense dark aura to form around the pink Ojamajo. "Awareru, Vylon Disigma!" Astell Drawn's visage appeared over Disigma, waving his brush and sprinkling some paint on Doremi, who drew another card. "And when Astell Drawn is used as an Xyz material, I can draw one card!"
Pop stared at the monster and her sibling in dismay. "I'm never going to get used to that…" she muttered.
"Hana-chan too…" Hana cried.
Doremi heard every word. She knew using her own focus card like this wasn't in her best interests, but she had to. She had no means of getting her ace monster out and this card had served as a powerful card in its own right. That, and every time she used it, she felt the Verz in her becoming more complacent.
She shook her head, snapping herself out of her stupor. "Disigma! Attack Sphered!"
Disigma obeyed its mistress completely, channeling a bolt of lightning at the psychic warrior. It struck its target, but a sphere or psionic energy appeared around her, completely blocking the attack; some of the lightning clung to the barrier. Suddenly, she teleported, and reappeared right in front of Doremi. She shut off her shield, discharging the lightning and zapping the pink Ojamajo, reducing her to 7300 Life Points. Disigma turned around and seemed to eye Doremi in concern.
"E-Eh? Nani yo?" Doremi gasped.
Hazuki laughed maliciously. "Sphered can reflect any and all damage I take from battles involving Gusta monsters," she explained, "And force you to take it instead!"
Doremi grit her teeth. No wonder this is her ace monster… she thought. A reversed card appeared behind Disigma. "Turn end!"
The Ojamajos' earlier unnerving at the hands of Disigma had been dispelled by the monster's gesture. Now they were confused and bewildered.
"Did…did Disigma just-?" Aiko began.
"Maybe we were wrong about the Verz cards?" Pop asked.
"Seems like it," Onpu replied.
"Oh my God…!" Momoko remarked, "So Doremi-chan is, uh, taming her corruption?"
"I don't think that's how corruption really works…" Pop replied.
"It doesn't matter," Hazuki replied, "You will fall to Her will when I win! Atashi no Turn! Draw!" She took her card, and her lips pursed into a malevolent smirk. "I activate the spell Miracle Synchro Fusion!"
"Another one?!" Doremi shouted.
"Yes! This card allows me to banish any Synchro monster as well as any other monster that happens to be on a Fusion monster and lets me Fusion Summon it!" Daigusta Gulldos as well as Winda appeared. Finally, a vortex appeared behind them. Both monsters entered it…and a massive creature emerged. Lightning powered by its very mind arced around its body (2900/1700). "Awareru, Ultimate Psychicker!"
The Ojamajos watched the powerful monster appear in near-abject terror. It was easily one of Hazuki's most powerful monsters and could easily wipe out Doremi. But they knew the card wasn't without its faults…
"Now, I summon Gusta Gulldo!" Hazuki declared. Once again, the small and lightly armored bird appeared. "Now, Gulldo! Attack Disigma!"
"But that's suicide!" Momoko shouted.
"Not quite," Onpu warned, "Sphered is still on the field and her ability works with any Gusta monster!"
"Ohhh, this is not gonna end well…" Aiko muttered.
Gulldo charged right for Disigma, sheathing itself in a wind tunnel. The massive beast from the heavens retaliated with its lightning, effortlessly powering through Gulldo's attack and disintegrating the bird. The rest of the lightning headed right for Hazuki…only to be blocked by Sphered's barrier. And once again, she teleported with the clinging lightning over to Doremi, where she released the attack's damage and zapped the pink Ojamajo. She caoolpased to the ground as her Life Points dropped to 5300. Moments later, another Egul flew in, drawn there by Gulldo's death throes.
"You know what's next, Doremi…" Hazuki smirked.
Egul flew right for Disigma. And once again, the powerful monster shrugged the attack and electrocuted the small bird. The remaining lightning again headed right for the corrupted orange Ojamajo and was once again intercepted by Sphered. And just like last time, she teleported to Doremi and released the stolen lightning, reducing the pink Ojamajo to 3000 Life Points. Egul's death cry drew the attention of Kamui, who flew in and appeared stricken with a level of grief.
"You know what to do, Kamui," Hazuki said menacingly.
Kamui reluctantly blasted Disigma with a small gust of wind. Disigma again countered with a bolt of lightning, dispersing the gust and disintegrating the young man. It again made its way to Hazuki obly to be caught by Sphered's barrier. She teleported for the third time over to Doremi and zapped her with the electricity, dropping her to 700 Life Points.
"Mama!" Hana called desperately, "Please, Mama!"
At this point, Doremi could barely stand. To take this much damage in one turn was bad enough. But to have it ultimately come from her own monster was even worse. She could feel her focus wavering…and she fell to her hands for support.
"This duel is over," Hazuki declared nonchalantly, "Psychicker! Attack and destroy Disigma!"
Doremi found herself in a dark place. A window provided the only source of light available…and it showed the duel thus far.
"I…I can't do it…" Doremi muttered to herself, "I…never knew Hazuki-chan was this powerful…"
A familiar grinding caught her attention. Doremi turned to see its source and found Machu Mach floating nearby. It made the grinding sound again…and Doremi understood it.
"I know there is a way, Machu Mach…but Hazuki-chan is going to win this time…"
A slight screeching sound made its presence, drawing Doremi to turn back around. It was Vylon Disigma. It screeched again, and, just like with Machu Mach, Doremi understood it.
"You're…different from before…" Doremi looked at the powerful Vylon. "Why is it that I had to receive you? A monster that isn't part of the Verz archetype…why?"
Disigma screeched again. Machu Mach made another grinding noise.
"I was meant to…absorb the others if they ever failed?" Doremi mused, "But why? Why me?"
Disigma screeched yet again.
"This isn't right! Why are you telling me these things? Aren't you on their side?"
Disigma shook its head. Machu Mach made a grinding noise again, warning Doremi about the card. Disigma screeched again in protest.
"I understand." Doremi kept a wary eye on the Vylon. "But if what you're saying is true…then…wait. You were…? You…and the Verz! You were all-!"
Doremi's eyes shot open just in time to see Ultimate Psychicker make its attack on Vylon Disigma. She got to her feet in a second and glared daggers at the dangerous monster.
"Reversed card, open! Book of Moon hatsudou!" Doremi shouted. Her reversed card revealed itself…and moonlight shined down upon Psychicker. It seemed to have a suppressing effect on the monster, causing it to hide in the shadows and flip face-down. "That stopped it!"
Hazuki fumed at Doremi. "But it didn't stop your pain!" she spat, "Sphered! Attack Vylon Disigma!" Sphered leapt forward and sent a spiraling sphere of wind at Disigma. The powerful monster replied with another bolt of lightning, though it had a much harder time repelling its foe. Nonetheless, the attack couldn't get past and clung to the Gusta warrior's defenses. She quickly teleported and forced the lightning to zap Doremi again, reducing her to 200 Life Points. "That card you discarded to use Summon Priest's ability, Gagagarevenge was it? I would've had an assured victory if you used that card!"
"My Book of Moon says otherwise," Doremi confidently replied, "Though I think I should have used it from the get go when you started attacking…"
Hazuki sneered at the pink Ojamajo. "Turn end!"
Doremi looked at Disigma and gulped. It was the longest time it had remained on the field, yet she still didn't feel any different. Her dark aura hadn't intensified any more nor decreased, which was more or less a good sign. Other than that, it couldn't be helped.
I'm at that stage right now, Doremi thought, "The powers of Machu Mach and Disigma clash and meld as one!" The top of her deck glowed a very brilliant pink…DESTINY DRAW. She took the card and saw it, smiling. "First, I activate Disigma's ability! By detaching one Overlay, Disigma can absorb any face-up Attack Position effect monster you control!"
One of the lights orbiting Disigma vanished into its beak. Moments later, a clearly-visible tractor beam shot out from it, striking Daigusta Sphered and drawing her closer. She fought the beam's power, to no avail. She was turned into energy and assimilated into the powerful being.
"Disigma! Attack the concealed Psychicker!" Disigma obeyed the command and conjured a sphere of wind. It channeled the power within and struck hard at the concealed monster. Ultimate Psychicker's defenses weren't strong enough, costing him his life. A reversed card appeared behind Disigma. "I set one card. Turn end!"
Hazuki looked up at the Vylon in anger. "How dare you take my monster!" she shouted, "Atashi no turn! Draw!" The corrupted orange Ojamajo grit her teeth at her new card. A reversed monster appeared before her. "I set one monster. Turn end!"
"Hazuki-chan's in a corner now," Aiko stated, "And it's all because of Vylon Disigma."
"Don't' forget," Onpu warned, "It's possible that Hazuki-chan set a card she's had for a while now…"
Doremi eyed the reversed monster carefully. "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Doremi took her card…and her eyes widened in shock. "I activate the spell Apostle of Obliteration! This card lets me target and destroy any set monster on the field! And the monster destroyed is banished as well!" The knight shown on the card appeared before the pink Ojamajo and quickly rushed Hazuki's set monster. He sliced it with his sword and threw it into a portal, revealing it as Lightlord Hunter Raiko. "Raiko is a flip-effect monster. Therefore, we have to banish every copy of it from our decks."
Hazuki grit her teeth in anger. She pocketed her Raiko and then exposed her entire deck to Doremi. A second Raiko was present and thus had to be banished. Doremi revealed hers too; no Raikos were present.
"Gomen ne, Hazuki-chan," Doremi muttered, "Disigma! Attack Hazuki-chan directly!" Disigma drew back and conjured another sphere of wind. It threw it hard, striking Hazuki and knocking her to the ground. Her Life Points fell to 3300 in the process. "Turn end."
"That was…contrived," Pop deadpanned.
"It was like what Kotake-kun said," Momoko stated, "Doremi-chan's deck is a stack of random staple and random cards. She can sometimes have cards that are perfect for a given situation but useless elsewhere."
"Yeah, I know, but still!"
"Doremi-chan is just luckier than usual today," Hana replied, "Don't complain when the fate of the world is at stake!"
"I have to agree with Pop-chan," Onpu replied, "Doremi-chan shouldn't rely on that kind of luck all the time. It never works out in the end."
Doremi overheard what the others were saying. They're right. Pop-chan and Onpu-chan are both right, she thought, I can't rely on luck for all of my battles. The rest must come with skill!
"You think you're so good drawing a card like that at this time!?" Hazuki shouted angrily, "Well! Let's see what THIS can do! Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Doremi looked at Hazuki in worry. The Verz was pushing her too hard and she was clearly losing it. "I summon Junk Synchron! And I trust you remember is ability from when Black Queen used him?" The small warrior from the junkyard appeared (1300/500). Doremi felt a few bad memories of her duel against Black Queen resurface. Junk Synchron opened a portal, allowing Kamui to emerge and defend himself. "I now tune Lv2 Kamui with Lv3 junk Synchron!"
Junk Synchron leapt into the air with Kamui in hot pursuit. The former transformed into three green rings while the latter passed through them. A brilliant flash of light enveloped them both.
"Weapon of the Allies! Be created and bring about the destruction of the hordes! Synchro Summon!" Hazuki chanted, "Awareru, Ally of Justice – Catastor!" Descending from the light was a silver and gold machine. It stood on insect-like four legs and aimed at Doremi with its cannon (2200/1200). "Now Catastor! Attack Vylon Disigma!"
Catastor charged up its cannon and fired its special beam.
"Reverse card, open! Scrap-Iron Scarecrow hatsudou!" Doremi shouted. Moments later, her reversed card revealed itself, spawning a a scarecrow made from nothing but junk. It intercepted the attack and was blown to pieces. Then, its remains went back to the card and was flipped back face-down. "Scrap-Iron Scarecrow negates any single attack and goes back to being face-down when used. It can only go off once per turn unless you're cheating and using Temple of the Royal Family."
Hazuki grit her teeth in anger. "Turn end…!"
Doremi shook her head solemnly. "Atashi no turn. Draw!" Doremi hardly bothered to see her new card. "I activate Vylon Disigma's ability once again!" Disigma consumed yet another of the lights orbiting it and used the energy gained to once again launch its tractor beam. Catastor was hit and, while it struggled against its pulling force, was subdued and absorbed into the powerful Vylon. "Disigma! Attack Hazuki-chan directly!"
Disigma obeyed. But instead of conjuring another sphere of wind, it fired a special beam…the same beam that Catastor used on it just minutes ago. It struck Hazuki hard, knocking her down again and dropping her to 800 Life Points.
Hazuki began snickering. "This turn…will be mine! Atashi not turn! Draw!" Hazuki shouted. Her voice was clearly straining itself. "I…activate Pot of Avarice! With this, I return five monsters in my graveyard…to my deck so I can draw two cards!" Hazuki took five monsters: Kamui, Gulldo, Egul, junk Synchron, and Ultimate Psychicker. She shuffled them into her deck, the top of which began glowing…DESTINY DRAW. "All of my power…condense forward and bring myself closer!"
Hazuki took both cards from her deck. She smiled maliciously at the fist of them.
"I activate the spell Black Hole!" Hazuki shouted. At once, a massive dark vortex tore its way into existence. Vylon Disigma was caught in its grasp. It tried fighting it, but it was no use…and he was crushed into nothingness. "Vylon Disigma has been a thorn in my side for too long! But now…the end is near! I summon…Verz Hraes!"
Immediately, a massive bird flew into view. It looked just like the grown bird that Winda used as a steed. But something wasn't right about it; its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light and an aura of darkness and dread hung heavy around it (1150/1850). At the same time, Hazuki's dark aura intensified dramatically.
"So this is it…" Doremi muttered, "The focus of Hazuki-chan's corruption!"
"And the end for you! Hraes! Attack Doremi directly!"
Hraes seemed all too happy to oblige. It flapped its wings furiously, kicking up a powerful whirlwind that headed for Doremi. The image of the Verz as all over it…
"Reverse card, open!" Doremi shouted, "Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!"
Then and there, the Scarecrow appeared once again. It took the attack, stopping it in its tracks at the cost of being blown apart again. And once the attack was finished, the remains returned to the card as it returned to being face-down.
"Tch! Turn end!" Hazuki shouted, "But I will have game next turn!"
Doremi shook her head. "You're wrong, Hazuki-chan. On my turn, you will be free from the Verz. I promise you!" Doremi called, "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" She looked at her card and smiled. "Since I control no monsters, I can special summon Solar Wind Jammer!" Immediately, the large space galleon appeared, arriving on the field and landing by Doremi's side (800-400/2400-1200). "Next, I activate Gagagarevenge! With this card, I can bring back Gagaga Magician!" At once, a coffin inscribed with runes burst out of the ground. Its lid opened up, releasing the juvenile Magician from death's grip. "And I will use his ability to make him Lv5!"
Gagaga Magician glowed somewhat as his level rose. Then, he and the Jammer transformed into orbs of energy and spiraled upward.
"With these two Lv5 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Doremi shouted. Both monsters entered a galaxy-like vortex hanging in the sky. No sooner did they enter, the all too familiar explosion of rainbow energy erupted from within. Descending amid the residual light was the floating city itself (2400/1500). "Awareru, Number 33: OOPArts Super Weapon – Machu Mach!" At the same time, residual energy from the coffin flowed into the Number, empowering it (2400-2700/1500). "Now…Machu Mach! Attack Verz Hraes! Fire of Vril!"
Hazuki glared daggers at the Number as it began charging up its attack. Hraes looked up at it too and shut its eyes. The beam fired without delay, incinerating the corrupted bird and blasting Hazuki to the ground, reducing her to 0 Life Points.
Doremi is the winner!
"Hazuki-chan!" Doremi called. She rushed over to her friend as fast as she could. The others did the same. "Hazuki-chan! Daijoubu? Hazuki-chan!"
Hazuki stirred just as to girls made it to her. "Doremi-chan…?"
Dormei picked up and hugged her. "It's alright, Hazuki-chan! You're safe now!"
The barrier protecting the door dropped. Majo Rika entered Majo Kai through the door and went up to the girls. Ashe was about to say something, but decided against it for the time being.
"Bunyuu-chan!" Pop called, "Are you alright?"
Majo Rika frowned. So much for not ruining the moment, she mentally deadpanned, "I'm fine. Good thing you girls got here when you did though." She sighed. "Didn't know how much longer I could hold her back…"
Doremi, Machu Mach in hand, took Verz Hraes from Hazuki. The rest of the group then went over to Majo Rika.
"Minna-san…?" Hazuki began. Sh then burst into tears, "Gomennasai! I…I caused you all so much pain…!"
"It's okay, Hazuki-chan," Momoko comforted, "It's over now."
"I hope so," Aiko added.
Onpu looked at the Verz card Doremi still held in her hand. "We need to get these analyzed," she suggested, "Maybe they can provide more clues?"
The Ojamajo nodded in agreement. At once, they bade Majo Rika farewell and tasked her with guarding the shop. Once all was said and done, they took off, returning to the Magic Research Center.
"Good luck, Ojamajos…" Majo Rika said.
Featured Duel: Doremi vs. Verz Hazuki
Doremi LP (8000) – Verz Hazuki LP (8000)
Verz Hazuki's turn:
Verz Hazuki has Miracle Synchro Fusion, Evilswarm Hraesvelg, Kamui, Hope of Gusto, Charge of the Light Brigade, and Caam, Serenity of Gusto as her opening hand. She draws Junk Synchron.
Verz Hazuki activates Charge of the Light Brigade, milling Winda, Priestess of Gusto, Solemn Warning, and Book of Moon and adding Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter to her hand. She sets Kamui and Miracle Synchro Fusion and ends.
Doremi's turn:
Doremi has Pot of Duality, Gagaga Magician, Night Beam, Mirror Force, and Magic Cylinder as her opening hand. She draws Monster Reborn.
Doremi activates Night Beam, targeting and destroying Verz Hazuki's set Miracle Synchro Fusion; since it was destroyed by an opponent's card effect while face-down, Verz Hazuki can draw 1 card; she draws Winda, Priestess of Gusto. Doremi then activates Pot of Duality; she reveals Solar Wind Jammer, Summoner Monk, and Gagagarevenge; she adds Summoner Monk to her hand and shuffles the others into her deck. She then normal summons Gagaga Magician.
Doremi attacks Verz Hazuki's set monster. Kamui is destroyed, but its flip effect lets Verz Hazuki special summon any Gusto tuner monster from her deck; she chooses Gusto Gulldo.
Doremi sets Magic Cylinder and Mirror Force and then ends.
Doremi LP (8000) – Verz Hazuki (8000)
Verz Hazuki's turn:
Verz Hazuki draws Mystical Space Typhoon.
Verz Hazuki activates Mystical space Typhoon, targeting and destroying Doremi's set Mirror Force. She then normal summons Winda. She follows by tuning Lv2 Winda with Lv3 Gulldo to Synchro Summon Daigusto Gulldos. Since Gulldo was sent to the graveyard, Verz Hazuki can special summon any Lv2 or lower Gusto monster from her deck; she chooses Gusto Egul. She then activates her effect, returning Kamui and Winda to her deck and destroying Gagaga Magician.
Verz Hazuki attacks Doremi directly with Daigusto Gulldos. Doremi activates Magic Cylinder, negating the attack and sending it back at Verz Hazuki. Verz Hazuki then attacks Doremi directly with Egul.
Verz Hazuki tunes Lv5 Daigusto Gulldos with Lv1 Gusto Egul to Synchro Summon Daigusto Sphreez; since it was Synchro summoned, Verz Hazuki can take any Gusto card from her graveyard and add it to her hand; she chooses Gusto Gulldo. She ends.
Doremi's turn:
Doremi draws Gagagarevenge.
Doremi normal summons Summoner Monk; as per its effect, he switches to Defense Position. Doremi then activates his effect, discarding Gagagarevenge and special summoning Star Drawing from her deck. She then activates Monster Reborn to revive Gagaga Magician. Doremi overlays Monk, Drawing, and Magician to Xyz summon Vylon Disigma. Drawing's effect allows her to draw a card; she draws Book of Moon.
Doremi attacks Daigusto Sphreez with Vylon Disigma. Sphreez cannot be destroyed by battle and any battle damage from battles involving Gusto monsters that Verz Hazuki was to take would be dealt to Doremi instead.
Doremi sets Book of Moon and ends.
Doremi LP (7300) – Verz Hazuki LP (5800)
Verz Hazuki's turn:
Verz Hazuki draws Miracle Synchro Fusion.
Verz Hazuki activates Miracle Synchro Fusion, banishing Daigusto Gulldos and Winda from her graveyard and Fusion summoning Ultimate Axon Kicker. She then normal summons Gusto Gulldo.
Verz Hazuki attacks Vylon Disigma with Gulldo. Gulldo is destroyed, but Doremi takes the damage; Verz Hazuki special summons another Egul, which she again attacks Disigma with. It too is destroyed, and Verz Hazuki uses Egul's effect to special summon a Kamui from her deck. She attacks Disigma with it too, and once again Disigma wins. She then attacks Disigma with Ultimate Axon Kicker. Doremi activates Book of Moon, targeting Kicker and flipping it face-down. She then attacks Disigma with Sphreez; she's not destroyed, and Doremi takes even more damage.
Verz Hazuki ends.
Doremi's turn:
Doremi uses DESTINY DRAW to get Scrap-Iron Scarecrow.
Doremi activates Disigma's effect, detaching Star Drawing to target and equip Sphreez to Disigma.
Doremi attacks the set Ultimate Axon Kicker with Disigma, destroying it.
Doremi sets Scrap-Ion Scarecrow and ends.
Doremi LP (200) – Verz Hazuki (5800)
Verz Hazuki's turn:
Verz Hazuki draws Pot of Avarice.
Verz Hazuki sets Ryko and ends.
Doremi's turn:
Doremi draws Nobleman of Crossout.
Doremi activates Noblaman of Crossout, targeting and banishing Verz Hazuki's set Ryko; since it's a flip-effect monster, Doremi and Verz Hazuki have to banish all copies of Ryko from their decks; Doremi has none while Verz Hazuki has one more.
Doremi attacks Verz Hazuki directly with Vylon Disigma and ends.
Doremi LP (200) – Verz Hazuki LP (3300)
Verz Hazuki's turn:
Verz Hazuki draws Caam.
Verz Hazuki normal summons Junk Synchron and uses its effect to revive Kamui. She then tunes Lv2 Kamui with Lv3 Junk Synchron to Synchro Summon Ally of Justice Catastor.
Verz Hazuki attacks Vylon Disigma with Catastor. Doremi activates Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, negating the attack; it is set afterward.
Verz Hazuki ends.
Doremi's turn:
Doremi draws Solar Wind Jammer.
Doremi activates Disigma's effect, detaching Summoner Monk to do so; Catastor is equipped to Disigma.
Doremi attacks Verz Hazuki directly with Disigma and ends.
Doremi LP (200) – Verz Hazuki (800)
Verz Hazuki's turn:
Verz Hazuki draws Kamui.
Verz Hazuki activates Pot of Avarice, returning Kamui, Junk Synchron, Gulldo, Egul, and Ultimate Axon Kicker to her deck and using DESTINY DRAW to get Dark Hole and Winda, Priestess of Gusto. She activates Dark Hole, destroying all monsters on the field. She then summons Evilswarm Hraesvelg.
Verz Hazuki attacks Doremi directly with Hraesvelg, but Doremi again activates Scrap-Iron Scraecrow to negate the attack.
Verz Hazuki ends.
Doremi's turn:
Doremi draws Gagagarevenge.
Since Doremi controls no monsters, she can special summon Solar Wind Jammer. She then activates Gagagarevenge, reviving Gagaga Magician. She then activates Magician's effect and makes him Lv5. She follows by overlaying Jammer with Magician to Xyz summon Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech; it gains 300 ATK from Gagagarevenge.
Doremi attacks Evilswarm Hraesvelg with Machu Mech, destroying it.
Doremi LP (200) – Hazuki LP (0)
Doremi is the winner!
I never thought I would have to duel. But here I am now, having to face this psychopath before my very eyes! We all knew what this Witch has done in the past, but we had no choice but to force her to aid us. I have practiced some, but I don't have these powerful cards that everyone else uses. But my being busy in my work has brought success, so I can't complain about that habit. But for now, I'll have to stop this psychopath before she decides to use the Verz to take over all worlds.
It is fate that I will one day dominate Majo Kai. So who is this scientist to stand in my way? The Queen barely stopped me the first time we met, and it's just been downhill from there, hasn't it? But not this time! This crisis has given me the perfect tool to realize my lifelong dream! And no one will stop me!
Coppalia Ein has begun its approach…