A/N: This chapter, as well as most of the following chapters, will be much the same as chapters 11-15.
-O'Lantern Zwei-
Pop looked at her Shadow in apprehension. She had already proven herself a powerful opponent once, and she was more than willing to do so again. That time, she had teamed up with Shadow Hana to flatten her and Hana. Now…it was solo.
"I will take the first move," Shadow Pop stated, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" She took her card and eyed it. She smiled. "First, I summon Burning Knuckler Headgear!" At once, the fiery and properly protected boxer appeared (1000/1800). "Heasgear no kouka hatsudou! When normal summoned, I can send any Burning Knuckler from my deck to my graveyard!" She took a card from her deck and tossed it into the graveyard. "And since I control a Burning Knuckler monster, I can special summon Burning Knuckler Spar from my hand…so long as I skip my Battle Phase."
At once, the quick and not-as-well defended boxer appeared (1200/1400). Both then turned into orbs of fiery energy and spiraled upward.
"And with these two Lv4 Burning Knuckler monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"
"Here it comes…" Pop muttered, "That monster."
Both monsters entered the vortex, which then burst with flames. A massive boxer wearing a restrictive yoke emerged from within, letting out a growl as he did so (2200/2000).
"Awareru, Burning Knuckler – Leadblow the Bound Barbarian!" A reversed card appeared behind the powerful boxer. "I set one card. Turn end!"
Pop looked up at the powerful monster. She disdained having to fight such a thing on the first turn as she had no cards to really take it out with. Plus, there was the possibility her trap card was an out to even her powerful Xyz monsters.
"Atashi no Turn! Draw!" Pop shouted. She drew her card and gave it a hard look. "First, I activate Haze Pillar!" At once, a thick pillar of flame appeared behind her. "And I will use its power to summon Haze Beast Mecoleos!" At once, the Pillar behind the red Ojamajo glowed brightly. Then, the fiery, bat-winged lion with a scorpion's tail emerged and landed before Pop (2200/300). A reversed card appeared behind it. "I set one card. Turn end!"
"Do you really believe that placing a 2200 ATK monster on your field will protect you from Leadblow?" Shadow Pop asked, mockingly, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" The red Shadow grinned malevolently at the card she just drew. "I activate the spell Night Shot! And I will use it on your set card!" A crosshair appeared over Pop's hidden card. Then, a beam pierced through and disintegrated it, revealing it as Warning of God. "Well that would've wrecked my day…"
Shadow Pop placed another card on the field.
"I summon another Headgear!" she declared. At once, another protected boxer appeared. "And I will use his ability to send Burning Knuckler Glassjaw to my graveyard!" At once, a giant green boxer appeared, but only for a fleeting moment. "And when Glassjaw is sent to the graveyard by a card effect, I can bring a fallen Burning Knuckler to my hand!" A burst of fire erupted around the red Shadow as she took a card from her graveyard and added it to her hand. "And now…Leadblow! Attack Mecoleos!"
Leadblow let out a battle cry and rushed his opponent. Mecoleos countered by brandishing its claws and stinger, but the two were equally matched. The Bound Barbarian guarded carefully, using its own restraining yoke to deflect attacks while the burning manticore swiped with its claws.
"Leadblow no kouka hatsudou!" Shadow Pop called, "If a Burning Knuckler would be destroyed, I can detach an Overlay instead!" One of the lights orbiting Leadblow vanished into one side of the yoke, fracturing it. And with that, he dealt Meceleos a fatal blow. "And whenever Leadblow detaches an Overlay, he gains 800 ATK!" Leadblow gave a mighty cry and shattered the fractured part of his yoke (2200-3000/2000). "Next, I think I'll have Headgear attack you directly!"
Headgear obeyed instructions. He rushed right up to Pop and slugged her right in the stomach, sending her skidding into the floor and dropping her to 7000 Life Points.
"Turn end."
Pop struggled to her feet. She may not have been down that many Life Points, but the blow she took was brutal and painful. She felt all over herself, trying to tell if anything was broken. When she couldn't detect anything, she glared at her Shadow.
"Atashi…no Turn! Draw!" Pop shouted. She took her new card and placed it in her hand. Then, the Pillar behind her glowed brilliantly yet again. "Thanks to Haze Pillar, I'm able to summon Haze Beast Spinx without tributes!" At once, the haze-enshrouded Sphynx descended (1900/1900). "I activate Spinx's effect! I can call either spell, trap, or monster and send one card from the top of my deck to my graveyard…and if it's the card I called, Spinx will bring a FIRE monster back! I call trap!"
Spinx spread her now-fiery wings as she gave her riddle. Pop took the card form the top of her deck and looked at it.
It was Black Hole, a spell card.
Pop sighed with defeat as the flames on Spinx's wings died out. Regardless, she put the card into her graveyard. She hated to lose such a powerful card…but it was a small price to pay right now. She would have to win without ever being able to draw it.
She looked over her opponent's field carefully. Should I attack her? Pop mentally asked, Or should I hold off for this turn… She closed her eyes in thought. So far, Shadow Pop hadn't activated her reversed card, so she had to be saving it for something…either that or it was useless at the time. However, most of her monsters were impervious to targeting effects, so there was that possibility. "Spinx! Attack Headgear!"
Spinx's wings flared up once again. This time, she sent a storm of fiery needles right at Headgear. The boxer raised his guard, but several needles bypassed him and struck Shadow Pop, burning her and dropping her to 7100 Life Points. Headgear's helmet cracked from the damage he took, but he was otherwise fine.
"Once per turn," Shadow Pop explained, "Headgear cannot be destroyed by battle so long as he's in Attack Position!"
Pop grit her teeth. "Turn end."
Shadow Pop grinned. "Next turn…Next turn, Light Pop…" she muttered venomously, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" The red Shadow snickered at her newly drawn card. "I…believe I can hold it off for my next turn. For now, I'll summon Death Guide Departing the Demon World Bound for the Living World!" At once, a bus -which looked like it had been made by demons- rove in. Its driver stepped out and winked at Pop (1000/600). She was followed by another one of her, though this one seemed younger. "Death Guide lets me special summon any Lv3 Fiend-type monster from my deck!"
Suddenly, both Death Guides transformed into orbs of purple energy. And in no time at all, they spiraled upward and into a vortex.
"And with these two Lv3 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Both monsters entered the vortex, which exploded with red energy. Emerging from it was a black being dressed in a semi-formal garb. He held a fiendish-looking megaphone in one hand and a cane slung over his shoulder. His grin spoke clearly of just how sleazy he was (0/1300). He was kneeling down, defending himself. "Awareru, Burning Knuckler Cheat Commissioner!"
Pop shot a disgusted look at the Commissioner. She didn't like what it was one bit. And she was certain it wanted her for…other purposes.
Shaking off the grotesque feeling, Pop continued observing what her Shadow was going to do.
"Now, Leadblow!" Shadow Pop called, "Attack Spinx!" Leadblow charged forward, free arm swing back and forth. Spinx flew into the air and retaliated with more embers, but the Bound Barbarian shrugged them and leapt. He was quick, striking the flaming sphinx with a well-placed fist to her jaw. She tumbled to the ground, bursting into flames as Pop's Life Points fell to 5900. "I'm not finished yet! Headgear! Get her!"
Headgear nodded, still angry about being attacked earlier. He rushed forward, striking Pop once again in the gut and sending her into the floor. All of this as her Life Points fell to 4900.
"Turn end."
Pop stumbled to her feet. It was much harder now due to the injuries she had endured. And this time, she really had broken something.
Ata…shi no…Turn! Draw!" Pop stammered. She struggled hard just to get her next card. She looked at it, wanting to do something about the situation she's in. However, she had seen Cheat Commissioner used once and even saw it take spells from its controller's opponent once. Haze Pillar glowed once again. "I…use Haze Pillar…to normal summon Haze Beast Cerberus!" At once, the flaming, three-headed dog emerged from the Pillar (2000/200). Two reversed cards appeared behind it. "I set two cards. Turn en-!"
She was interrupted by Cheat Commissioner blowing into his megaphone. He waved his finger in a "tsk tsk" manner and immediately walked to the center of the field. He pointed at Cerberus, who couldn't make heads or tails of what was going on.
"Explain, Shadow Pop!" Pop ordered, "What's going on?!"
Shadow Pop snickered. "While Cheat Commissioner is out," she began, "All monsters you control have to attack, if able. Your Cerberus is able, so it has to fight!"
Pop grit her teeth. "Then how about I wipe your Commissioner's smirk right of his face?!" she shouted angrily, "Cerberus! Attack that cheating Commissioner!" Cerberus was all too willing to oblige. He charged at Cheat Commissioner…only for him to leap behind Leadblow and Headgear, smirking all the way and waving his finger in a "tsk tsk" manner. Cerberus found his assault stopped by the two Burning Knucklers. "What now?!"
"Cheat Commissioner cannot be attacked while I control another Burning Knuckler," Shadow Pop explained, smirking, "He isn't called 'Cheat Commissioner' for nothing!"
Pop looked at Cheat Commissioner with utter disdain. When I get out of this, she thought, No one, absolutely NO ONE is going to mention Cheat Commissioner around me and get away with it! The red Ojamajo fumed. She hated Cheat Commissioner, not due to his effects, but because of his attitude. But he lounging safely behind enemy lines, leaving only two options left. At least one of them was worth attacking… "Cerberus! Attack Headgear!"
Cerberus grumbled over not giving a piece of his mind to Cheat Commissioner, but listened to Pop's orders regardless. He rushed at Headgear, who raised his dukes in response. Suddenly, Cheat Commissioner came in between the two monsters, blowing a whistle as he did so. Both lights orbigin him vanished into the whistle, making it louder.
"WHAT NOW?!" Pop shouted.
"Cheat Commissioner no kouka hatsudou!" Shadow Pop retorted, "When a battle is declared involving another Burning Knuckler, I can detach both Overlays from this card…and then I can look at your hand!"
"Eh?!"
Cheat Commissioner grinned in his trademark sleazy manner and held up a document. Reluctantly, Pop showed her hand: Flamvell Helldog. The Commissioner's grin faded into a sultry expression. Dejected, he walked back behind his stronger allies and cued the battle to resume.
Cerberus growled angrily at the latest interruption. Nonetheless, he followed through with his attack, biting down hard with his flaming teeth. Headgear effortlessly withstood the blow, aside from getting his helmet damaged again. Still, the residual fire got past him and singed Shadow Pop, reducing her to 6100 Life Points. Cheat Commissioner shouted something into his megaphone…and sounded very miffed about it.
"Turn end."
"Gee, Light Pop," Shadow Pop deadpanned, "I didn't think you would come to hate a card this toroughly. Watashi no Turn! Draw!" The red Shadow gave a deadpan look at her newest card. "Reversed card, open! Xing Zhen Hu Replica Hatsudou!" At once, a small box tied to the top of a dull red jar appeared. Then, its ropes untied themselves and absorbed one of Pop's reversed cards. "This trap card seals one of your set cards. And it cannot be chained to either."
Pop winced. Kuso!
"Next, I summon Burning Knuckler Switchhitter!" At once, a hooded boxer appeared (1500/1400). He threw a fist…one that seemed to punch a hole right through to the netherworld. "And when he's normal summoned, I can bring back any Burning Knuckler from my graveyard! So return, Glassjaw!" And just like that, the massive green boxer from earlier stepped through the portal. He made his presence known by flexing his muscles (2000/0). Then, Headgear, Glassjaw, and Switchhitter transfored into orbs of fire and spiraled into a galazy-like vortex. "And with these three Lv4 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"
All three monsters entered the vortex. Once they had all vanished inside, a rainbow-colored explosion erupted forth. Then, a shape like an edged infinity symbol emerged from it. At once, limbs and armor began extending from it, taking a more humanoid form. Once finished, it was another boxer…one that was easily the star of a team (2500/1600).
"Awareru! Number 105: Burning Knuckler – Cestus the Meteor!" Shadow Pop shouted.
Not this guy again! Pop thought, bitterly. She looked at the Xing Zhen Hu Replica. If only that weren't there!
"Now Leadblow. Attack Cerberus!" Shadow Pop commanded. Leadblow charged forward, bringing his fist to one of Cerberus' heads. The Haze Beast retaliated, but his three bites had little effect on the Bound Barbarian. A well placed blow to its chest later, and Cerberus was down for the count; its rapidly-burning-out corpse was thrown right into Pop. To her fortune, it had turned to ash, but she was still burned by the residual heat, dropping her to 3900 Life Points. "You're up next, Cestus! Take her down!"
The ace boxer rocketed toward the red Ojamajo just as she was getting back up. She had only a moment to stare at the powerful Over-Hundred Number before it threw a flaming punch right into her face. She was sent skidding across the floor, stopped only by the Duel Anchor. Her Life Points fell to 1400.
"Cerberus…no…kouka…hatsudou!" Pop stuttered, "When destroyed and sent…to the graveyard…I can add an-ny Haze card…tomyhand!" Cerberus' burning spirit returned to the red Ojamajo's side and guided her to another Haze card. "Arigatou…Cerberus…"
"Whatever! Turn end."
Pop stumbled to her knees, her breathing labored. She could not get up fully, leaving her at the mercy of anyone who would come in unexpected. She was all but certain that something was broken. But she had no choice but to duel in this position.
"Atashi no Turn…Draw…!" Pop stammered. She panted heavily, as simply getting her card was tiring now too tiring. It was one of the few times when she wished she were her older sister. Nonetheless, she managed to get her card to her hand. "Since…all of the monsters in my graveyard are FIRE monsters…and you have monsters," she began, "I can special summon Haze Beast Gryps!"
Then and there, a gryphon sheathed in fire flew in rapidly. It gave a loud screech as it landed (200/2100). Then, the fiery Pillar began glowing brightly.
"I now use Pillar to normal summon Cerberus' friend…Haze Beast Peryton!" Immediately, the fiery winged deer emerged from the Pillar and landed by its mistress's side (1600/1700). "And now I use his special ability! By -Agh!- tributing him and ending a FIRE monster from my hand to my graveyard…I can special summon two more Haze Beasts from my deck! So come on!" Peryton's flames extended all over itself. Seconds later, the fires of a second FIRE monster joined in before merging to form a portal. Two more beasts of fire emerged from it: Mecoleos and Spinx. "I…follow with Spinx's ability! And I call…monster!"
Spinx spread her wings again as she began her riddle. Pop took the top card of her deck and looked at what it was.
It was Flamvell Magical.
Spinx smiled , knowing that she was able to bring back one of her mistress's monsters. Pop sent her monster to the graveyard and let the fiery sphinx do her thing. A wreath of fire formed from her magic, enabling Cerberus to return. Then, Spinx, Mecoleos, Gryps, and Cerberus transformed into orbs of fiery energy and spiraled upward.
"With these four Lv6 monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Pop shouted, straining herself. Her four monsters all spiraled into the now-fiery vortex, which expunged a thick burst of fire. Immediately, a flaming creature, part snake, part chicken, emerged. It screeched as it drew power from the red lights that now orbited it (2500-3300/1800). "Awareru, Haze Beast Basilicock!"
Shadow Pop grit her teeth. She had nothing to deal with this monster right now…and she knew it. She was certain that the other set card was an out that had been placed for a specific time. But why it hadn't been sprung yet, she had no idea. And she aimed to keep it from springing.
Pop looked at her opposition's field. She had three monsters to worry about.
Cheat Commissioner forced her monsters to attack if they could do so. He had already used his Overlays for his ability, but the threat of a forced attack remained.
Leadblow could be struck easily enough, but he would just withstand the attack and get stronger as a result.
Cestus was the last one to worry about. Aside from its ability to become invincible and shut down opposing abilities, it was largely none too powerful. But its Chaos form was something to worry about…provided Shadow Pop could get her Rank-Up Magic card.
"I activate Basilicock's ability! By detaching one Overlay, I can banish any monster from your field or graveyard! And I target…Leadblow!" The flaming basilisk consumed on of the lights orbiting it, losing power as a result (3300-3100/1800). Moments later, it glared at Leadblow. The half-Bound Barbarian's eyes widened in shock…just before he turned to flaming stone and burst apart. Cheat Commissioner shot a death glare at Basilicock before calling a battle between it and Cestus. "I'm going to be glad when I get that guy…" Pop shook her head. Gomen ne, Basilicock.
Basilicock was trapped in a battle against an ace boxer. It did not like the idea, given that it knew what Cestus was capable of, but the Commissioner lounging behind him left no other choice. At once, the two began battling, with the basilisk breathing a stream of fire right at Cestus.
"Cestus no kouka hatsudou!" Shadow Pop shouted, "By detaching an Overlay, I can make Cestus invincible, negate Basilicock's abilities, and force you to tale all battle damage from this battle!"
"What damage?" Pop deadpanned, "You're already taking my ace monster, you little-!"
Cestus interrupted the red Ojamajo's rant when his power kicked in. He absorbed one of the lights orbiting him, empowering his fist. Basilicock lost a lot of its nerve upon feeling that power (3100-2500/1800). Still, the basilisk pressed its assault, but Cestus' powerful fist blew through the stream of fire and impacted with the fiery beast, blowing it to smithereens. Fortunately, the entire attack was taken up by the assault, leaving Pop clear of damage.
Pop clutched her arm. She had felt Basilicock's pain from the brutal strike it received. She now had a good idea of what Doremi felt when Number 33: OOPArts Super Weapon – Machu Mach was horribly torn to shreds by Shadow Hazuki's Number 9: Canopy Star – Dyson Sphere.
It was saddening. Terrible.
"Turn…end…" Pop muttered.
"Perhaps you should give up then?" Shadow Pop mocked, "She calls, Light Pop. You need to fall back under Her will. You will regret nothing from doing so!" Pop didn't reply. "Then I shall decide for you. Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Her eyes widened…and her expression morphed into a sadistic grin. "Now you lose! I activate Rank-Up Magic – Barian's Force! With this, I can rank-up my Number and grant it the power of Chaos!"
The Barian emblem appeared underneath Cestus. He then transformed into an orb of magenta energy and spiraled upward.
"With this rank 4 Number, I rebuild the Overlay Network! Come forth and be born from chaos! Destroy all that lay before you!" Cestus spiraled into a dark vortex, which then exploded with a dark rainbow of energy. A gate sealed with the Barian Emblem appeared within the vortex, breaking open as the being from within emerged. Its sealed form unfolded quickly, transforming it into a much more imposing version of Cestus. He stood before Pop, ready to ensure her demise (2800/2000). Awareru, Chaos Number 105: Caestus the Comet!"
"Reverse card…open! Cyclone hatsudou!" Pop called, "And I will…destroy Xing Zhen Hu Replica!" At once, a whirlwind kicked up, spiraling toward the box and jar and tearing it to pieces. Pop's trapped card returned to her field as a result. "My card…is free!"
"It doesn't matter, Light Pop," Shadow Pop smugly replied, "My monster is still going to win me this battle! Attack her directly! Comet Explosion!"
Caestus leapt forward, fist sheathed in magenta flames.
"Reverse card, open! Holy Barrier -Mirror Force- hatsudou!" Pop shouted. Immediately, a barrier appeared around the injured red Ojamajo. Caestus ran headlong into it, hitting the barrier hard…only for it to turn his own power against him, immolating him with his own Barian-fueled fire. Once the flames died down, there was nothing left of the powerful boxer. "I'm not…out…yet!"
Shadow Pop grit her teeth in anger. "I set one monster," she said, indignantly. A reversed monster appeared right beside a now-paranoid Cheat Commissioner. At the same time, the dark aura surrounding Shadow Pop seemed to intensify, if only slightly. "Turn end."
She's on the run now, Pop thought, Now…is the time to start striking back! The top of her deck began glowing a bright red…DESTINY DRAW. "The time is nigh! My foe is on the defensive! Now I msut keep the pressure on! Atashi no Turn!" Pop took the glowing card and added it to her hand. "I activate the spell Pot of Avarice! With this, I return five monsters from my graveyard to my deck…and then I can draw two cards!"
The red Ojamajo took five monsters: Basilicock, Peryton, Spinx, Flamvell Helldog, and Flamvell Magical. She placed them back in her deck, shuffled, and drew two new cards. She smiled at the two of them.
"I summon Flamvell Helldog!" Pop declared. At once, a large dog made from magma appeared. It growled angrily at Cheat Commissioner (1900/200). "Time to take out that slimy, cheating…guy! Helldog! Show him what your bite can do!"
Helldog was more than happy to oblige…likely due to it having learned of Cheat Commissioner form the other monsters. He charged forward, flamed licking out of its mouth and bursting from its body. It leapt right onto the sleazy Commissioner, tearing it burning fangs into his throat before burning him to death.
"And when Helldog destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the graveyard, I can special summon any FIRE monster from my deck…so long as it has 200 DEF." Helldog let out a howl. At once, another fiery monster answered…and it was Cerberus. "Cerberus! Take out Shadow Pop's hidden monster!"
Cerberus wasted no time in breathing three jest of flame at the defending monster. But what revealed itself was anything but another Burning Knuckler. It seemed to have been a creature of fire at one point, but was now something else entirely. It had what seemed to be a cannon for a left arm and had blue skin (1650/1250). In any case, it stood no chance against Cerberus' onslaught, being immolated in seconds.
Pop hadn't noticed it until after the Verz monster's destruction, but her Shadow's dark aura had truly intensified upon Verz O'Lanta's reveal. And when it fell to the Haze Beast, that dark aura was blown clean off, even snapping the Duel Anchor. Shadow Pop was thrown into the wall, impacting it with severe force. She tried getting back up after that…but it was a repeat of what happened with Shadow Aiko.
Shadow Pop fell unconscious.
Pop is the winner!
"I got lucky there," Pop muttered, "If…If it had continued from there…I don't think I would've lasted…much longer…"
A cloud of darkness coalesced in between the two girls. It tightened itself up, collapsing and taking shape. When it finished, it had formed into a door.
"Come!" A voice commanded.
Pop was apprehensive. Plus, she was still on her knees, unable to get up. Suddenly, she felt a wave of magic wash over her…and the pain just vanished, as did any injuries -real or imagined- she may have had.
At once, Pop knew who this voice belonged to…and had a good idea of who "She" was now…
In any case, she got to her feet and walked through the door, uncertain of what lay beyond…
Featured Duel: Pop vs. Verz Shadow Pop
Pop LP (8000) – Verz Shadow Pop (8000)
Verz Shadow Pop's turn:
Verz Shadow Pop has Evilswarm O'Lantern, Battlin' Boxer Sparrer, Battlin Boxer Headgeared, Battlin' Boxer Counterpunch, and Xing Zhen Hu Replica. She draws Battlin' Boxer Headgeared.
Verz Shadow Pop normal summons Headgeared and uses his effect to send Battlin' Boxer Switchitter from her deck to her graveyard. Since she controls a Battlin' Boxer, she can special summon Sparrer so long as she loses her Battle Phase. She then overlays Headgeared with Sparrer to Xyz summon Battlin' Boxer Lead Yoke. She sets Xing Zhen Hu Replica and ends.
Pop's turn:
Pop has Hazy Pillar, Hazy Flame Cerberus, Hazy Flame Mantikor, Flamvell Firedog, and Mirror Force as her opening hand. She draws Solemn Warning.
Pop activates Hazy Pillar. She then uses it to normal summon Hazy Flame Mantikor without tributing. She sets Solemn Warning and ends.
Pop LP (8000) – Verz Shadow Pop (8000)
Verz Shadow Pop's turn:
Verz Shadow Pop draws Night Beam.
Verz Shadow Pop activates Night Beam, targeting and destroying Pop's set Solemn Warning. She then normal summons Headgeared and uses his effect to send a Glassjaw from her deck to her graveyard; since Glassjaw was sent to the graveyard by a card effect, she can return another Battlin' Boxer from her graveyard to her hand; she chooses Switchitter.
Verz Shadow Pop attacks Mantikor with Lead Yoke. They have the same ATK, so both should be destroyed; Verz Shadow Pop detaches Sparrer to prevent Lead Yoke's destruction and causing it to gain 800 ATK. She then attacks Pop directly with Headgeared.
She ends.
Pop's turn:
Pop draws Hazy Flame Sphynx.
Pop uses Hazy Pillar to normal summon Sphynx without tributing. She then activates her effect and calls trap; the card she mills is Dark Hole, so she cannot revive anything.
Pop attacks Headgeared with Sphynx. Even though her ATK is higher, Headgeared cannot be destroyed by battle once per turn as long as he's in Attack Position.
She ends.
Pop LP (7000) – Verz Shadow Pop (7100)
Verz Shadow Pop's turn:
Verz Shadow Pop draws Tour Guide from the Underworld.
Verz Shadow Pop normal summons Tour Guide and uses her effect to special summon another from her deck. She then overlays both Tour guides to Xyz summon Battlin' Boxer Cheat Commissioner in Defense Position.
Verz Shadow Pop attacks Sphynx with Lead Yoke, destroying her. She then attacks directly with Headgeared.
Verz Shadow Pop ends.
Pop's turn:
Pop draws Mystical Space Typhoon.
Pop uses Pillar to normal summon Cerberus without tributing. She then sets Mirror Force and Mystical Space Typhoon. Since Cheat Commissioner is on the field, Pop has to attack.
Pop attacks Headgeared with Cerberus. Verz Shadow Pop activates Cheat Commissioner's effect, detaching both materials and letting Verz Shadow Pop look at her hand; there are no spells or traps to set, so the effect fizzles. The attack goes through normally but Headgeared remains undestroyed.
Pop ends.
Pop LP (4900) – Verz Shadow Pop LP (6100)
Verz Shadow Pop's turn:
Verz Shadow Pop draws Heavy Storm.
Verz Shadow Pop activates Xing Zhen Hu Replica, targeting Pop's set Mirror Force. She then normal summons Switchitter and uses his effect to revive Glassjaw. She overlays Headgeared, Switchitter, and Glassjaw to Xyz summon Number 105: Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus.
Verz Shadow Pop attacks Cerberus with Lead Yoke, destroying it. Since Cerberus was destroyed and sent to the graveyard, Pop can add any Hazy card to her hand; she chooses Hazy Flame Peryton. Verz Shadow Pop then attacks Pop directly with Star Cestus.
Verz Shadow Pop ends.
Pop's turn:
Pop uses draws Hazy Flame Griffin.
Since all the monsters in her graveyard are FIRE monsters, Pop can special summon Griffin. She then uses Pillar to normal summon Peryton without tributing. She follows by activating Peryton's effect, tributing it and sending the Firedog in her hand to the graveyard to special summon a Manitkor and Sphynx from her deck. She then activates Sphynx's effect, calling monster; the card she milled was Flamvell Magician, so she is able to revive Cerberus. She then overlays Griffin, Cerberus, Sphynx, and Mantikor to Xyz summon Hazy Flame Basiltrice. Since it has 4 materials, it cannot be targeted by card effects and gains 200 ATK per material. Pop activates Basiltrice's effect, detaching Griffin and banishing Lead Yoke.
Pop has to attack, and Cheat Commissioner cannot be attacked, so she goes after Star Cestus. Verz Shadow Pop activates Star Cestus' effect, detaching Glassjaw and negating Basiltrice's effects, making Star Cestus invulnerable, and forcing Pop to take all Battle Damage. Both monsters have the same ATK, so only Basiltrice is destroyed.
Pop ends.
Pop LP (1400) – Verz Shadow Pop (6100)
Verz Shadow Pop's turn:
Verz Shadow Pop draws Rank-Up Magic Barian's Force.
Verz Shadow Pop activates Rank-Up Magic Barian's Force, targeting and using Star Cestus as Xyz material to Xyz summon Number C105: Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus. Pop activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Xing Zhen Hu Replica.
Verz Shadow Pop attacks Pop directly with Comet Cestus. Pop activates Mirror Force, destroying Comet Cestus.
Verz Shadow Pop sets Evilswarm O'Lantern and ends.
Pop's turn:
Pop uses DESTINY DRAW to get Pot of Avarice.
Pop activates Pot of Avarice, returning Basiltrice, Peryton, Sphynx, Flamvell Firedog, and Flamvell Magician to her deck and drawing Peryton and Flamvell Firedog.
Pop normal summons Flamvell Firedog.
Since there are no other Battlin' Boxer monsters out, Pop can attack Cheat Commissioner; she does so with Firedog, destroying it. And since Firedog destroyed a monster by battle and sent it to the graveyard, Pop can special summon any FIRE monster with 200 DEF from her deck; she chooses Cerberus. Pop attacks Verz Shadow Pop's set monster with Cerberus; Evilswarm O'Lantern is destroyed, freeing Shadow Pop from the Verz's control.
Shadow Pop is unable to continue at this point.
Pop LP (1400) – Shadow Pop (6100)
Pop is the winner!
This is it. The day when I have to face my Shadow head on…again. I know I was mostly out when that duel happened, but I still remember enough of it to know how it went. I feel bad for Doremi-chan. She tried her best, but it just wasn't enough to defeat her. I've noticed that we've all had Verz cards in our decks…and many of them do not have any synergy at all. It may be my key to winning…
!zreV eht fo rewop eht raeF
Thunderbird Zwei has begun its approach…
A/N: I apologize for the abrupt cop-out end to the duel, but I felt that it was going to drag on too long.