Vile: *slides into frame* Evening, my ZEXAL fanbase! Yes, my current ZEXAL plotline isn't dead, as I managed to finally get to the next stop on the journey to the Master Keys!
Yuma: Man, you've kinda got yourself back in gear this October, haven't you?
Vile: Yeah, Yuma, I've had a burst of creative power go through me recently, and I think I know where it's coming from. On the same subject, though, I have a major announcement that I want to make to everyone at the end of this (longer than I anticipated) chapter, so please stick with me until the end. ...Or just skip to the end of the chapter if you're in a TL;DR mood, whatever floats your boat.
Shark: I don't think you want to give the audience ideas, dude.
Vile: My audience knows I'm joking. Some of them just have more extreme reactions than others. *coughForestfleetcough* Anyhoo, let's unlock the next door into the story! Enjoy!
Keys To The Solution
Chapter 4
A bustling section of a city went about its normal business, completely oblivious to the portal that opened up in a nearby alley, allowing Yuma, Kotori, and Keegan to leap out into unfamiliar territory without any eyebrows being raised, the portal closing afterward. "Now where are we?" Yuma asked. "I only saw that we ended up in Kansai."
Keegan was already pulling up the map on his D-Pad, showing that Kansai was indeed the region of Japan they were in. "It appears we're in Nara now." He said, finding a blinking yellow dot nearby them on the map. "The Master Key looks like it's nearby…" He began walking while using the map as a sort of compass, Yuma and Kotori following him as he moved through the back alleys. Eventually, Keegan started getting closer to the dot on the map, but his progress was stopped by something quite simple: His foot hit a solid obstruction, making it clear that he hit a wall. Looking up, he noted that it was a building. "According to the map, the Master Key's inside here."
"What even is this building?" Kotori wondered.
"Hey, there's a door over here!" Yuma noted, making them look to see that Yuma found an entrance. Pushing down the long bar-shaped handle, the door swung open before him. "It's unlocked, too! Come on!" With that, he entered the building with no hesitance. Sharing a worried glance, Kotori and Keegan decided to make sure Yuma would be fine and followed him inside. The door led to a flight of stairs going down to a basement level, so the trio slowly made their way down. Thankfully, the stairs were well-lit, so they didn't have to worry about vision problems. As they went further down into the basement levels, loud noises started becoming audience, sounding like voices. Eventually, the trio came to another door, and after looking to Kotori and Keegan for confirmation (which came in the form of a shaky nod), Yuma tried the door, which also opened slowly.
What greeted them on the other side of the door was not something they were expecting. A crowd of spectators, most of them looking like they came from shady parts of life, were cheering with utter bloodlust at the arena in the center of the room, surrounded by a cage. Within the cage, a Duel appeared to be going on, with each side having a monster on their field: One being a dragon that was decked out in knight's armor, complete with a sword and shield, while the other was a canine-styled mechanical creature with strange glowing crystals growing from its joints and horns on its head. The canine didn't look in very good shape, having eerie-looking shackles clamped around its entire body and most of the lights on its body being dimmed.
Dragonic Knight: Lv.7 FIRE Dragon ATK:2800/DEF:2300
HTS Psyhemuth: Lv.6 EARTH Psychic/Synchro ATK:100 (due to effect; normally 2400)/DEF:1800 (affected by Darkworld Shackles and Breakthrough Skill)
"You're done for!" Dragonic Knight's user roared viciously, tugging at the collar that was placed around his neck. "Dragonic Knight, end his career before it starts!" Roaring, Dragonic Knight flew forward and slashed Psyhemuth twice with its sword, only to glare right in its eyes as its mouth burst into flame, unleashing a point-blank flame breath that burned the creature to cinders. The opponent attempted to resist the attack's force, but a light flashed on his own collar, causing his eyes to shrink as electricity coursed through his body, prompting a shriek of pain.
"Nanda?!" Yuma, Kotori, and Keegan cried at the sight of this. The shock made him drop his guard, causing the force to finally sweep him off the ground and fling him away, slamming against the side of the cage with a loud CLANG.
Duelist 1 LP:2300
Duelist 2 LP:0 – LOSER
The buzzer blared as the loser slid off the metal bars and landed in a heap on the ground. His injury was largely ignored, however, as the crowd cheered and yelled for the winner, who let out another loud roar while beating his chest. "What in the world…?" Keegan wondered. "They're cheering for this brutality?"
Kotori looked over and saw a few people in much higher-class outfits counting out money, one of them handing the money to another. "Did they… bet on this Duel? This can't be legal!"
"How did you get in here?" A voice said, startling the trio and making them turn around. Standing before them were a group of five well-built men, all of them wearing dark clothing and shades, giving them all an intimidating appearance. "I thought we had a guard at that door. He must've been on a break. Regardless, what is your business here?"
Yuma, Kotori, and Keegan all gulped nervously. "Uh… We were looking for a card that's supposed to be here?" Yuma said despite that not actually being a question. In his racing mind, honesty seemed like the best idea.
One of the men rose an eyebrow from behind his shades. "What kind of card, exactly?" Still operating off of "honestly being best", Yuma nervously pulled out Master Key Beetle, Narwhal, and Heron, showing them to the men, the leader rubbing his chin in thought as he scrutinized them.
A redheaded guard then spoke up. "…That's like the boss's card."
"You're right." The lead guard mentioned, which did not sit right with the kids. "…You three will come with us. An arrangement will need to be made about this." He snapped his fingers, and the other four guards moved to surround the trio. Pulling out a walkie-talkie, the guard said something to the other end in a low enough tone that the others couldn't hear him. The other end said something back, and he gave a "Right." before putting the device away. "Don't rough them up unless necessary. Follow me, you three." The lead guard then moved toward another staircase with the kids following him, partly due to the other guards framing them and effectively making them move.
The guards brought them up a few flights of stairs and down a couple hallways before coming to a door, which the lead guard knocked on. "Come in." A voice on the other end said. The guard opened the door, all five leading Yuma, Kotori, and Keegan inside, the room having a desk, a chair with the back turned to them, and a few pictures and decorations on the walls and shelves. When they were all inside, the door was shut and locked, causing the chair to start turning around. Sitting in the chair was a man in a dark gray suit, his dark crimson hair having a noticeable widow's peak that, combined with its strange leafy style, made his front bangs resemble a palm tree. Despite the style, his dark green eyes gave off an imposing, yet not truly threatening vibe as he began speaking in a professional tone. "Hello, you three. I see you stumbled upon our little… activities downstairs." A nameplate on the desk gave the name "Isozaki", likely his last name.
"W-We didn't know about it, s-sir… We promise…" Keegan stuttered, clearly scared out of his wits.
"I know. It's unlikely that a trio of kids like yourselves would know where to find a Duel Arena and betting establishment on your own." Isozaki said, adjusting his yellow tie. "I can tell you're scared, so I will be truthful and say why I brought you here. My associate said you came here in search of a card. I believe this is the one you are looking for." As he said this, he opened a drawer in his desk, pulling out a card and holding it up: An Xyz Monster, Master Key Unicorn.
"That's it!" Yuma cried.
"Energetic, aren't you?" Isozaki mused, his lips going into a small smile. "Well, you must have a true reason for collecting these cards if you have three of them by this point. Are these cards valuable?"
"More than you know, sir." Kotori said with a bow. "There's only six of them in the world, and we need them for something incredibly important."
Isozaki eyed the girl, scrutinizing her. "…You definitely sound as if you're on an important mission. As a man of business, I know what it is to be on a mission of my own." He mentioned. "Therefore… I will give you this card." The kids' eyes lit up, but Isozaki noticed this, so he quickly held up a finger. "IF you do something for me."
"What do you mean?" Yuma asked.
"I guess you could consider this an addition to existing stakes, those being that I will actually let you go in exchange for keeping silent about our downstairs activities." The man told him, confirming their suspicions that what went on down there was illegal. "You see, as a man of business, I always try to be fair with the people that work under me. Plenty of them owe me payments, but I make sure to give them the right amount of time to make what they need. However, in recent times, one of my underlings has started slacking on their payments." He pointed at them. "I want one of you to see what is happening. Get the full story from them to see why they haven't paid me."
"So you're using us as debt collectors?!" Yuma cried.
"If you want to be crude about it." Isozaki replied. "I'm not asking you to shake them down on the spot. I'm simply asking for answers. We're all very busy, so I cannot spare any of my men, so I consider this a fair trade: You get the answers I need, and you may have this card. Do we have a deal?"
Yuma, Kotori, and Keegan looked at each other for a moment, unsure what to do. Eventually, Yuma came to a decision. "…All right. We'll do this job for you. You will give us that card if we succeed, right?"
"Consider this a verbal contract. I never go back on my contracts." Isozaki replied. Mustering his courage, Yuma walked toward the desk and held out a hand, which Isozaki immediately grabbed and shook. "Arigatou for your cooperation. Now then, which of you three will actually go and make contact?"
"Eh? Only one of us is going?" Yuma asked.
"It's another precaution of mine. It gives you an incentive to actually return." Isozaki said, scanning the group. Eventually, he pointed at Keegan. "You, with the pink hair. Come over here." Gulping, Keegan slowly approached the desk. "Daigo, the file."
"Hai, Isozaki-sama." One of the guards said before moving over to a filing cabinet. Opening one of the drawers, his finger skimmed down the files within until he plucked one out, handing it to Isozaki.
The boss opened the file and showed the contents to Keegan, which included a picture of a young girl about his age. "This is Harumi Yazawa, the person I was referring to. She runs a takoyaki stand at Toshodai-ji, which is due east from here. Keep that picture so you know what she looks like, and report back to me when you have her reason for not keeping up on her payments."
"Um… if you don't mind me asking…" Keegan tried to say, Isozaki raising an eyebrow. "…why exactly is she paying you?"
Isozaki was silent for a moment before speaking again. "…It would be better if you asked her directly. She would be able to explain it better than I can." Putting Master Key Unicorn back into its drawer, he pulled out a small slip of paper and a pen, scribbling something on it quickly before handing it to Keegan, at which point he saw it was a phone number. "Contact me via this number when you acquire the information."
"H-Hai." Keegan said with a shaky nod.
"Daigo will show you on your way." Isozaki said. "When you return to the front building, tell the person at the counter you are looking for Daigo, and he will know that you are associated with me." Keegan quickly nodded, and Daigo headed for the door, Keegan following behind.
When the door closed behind the two of them, Yuma spoke up. "So… what happens to us?"
Isozaki smiled. "You're my guests, of course." As if on cue, the door knocked once more. "Come in." The door opened, revealing a smiling young woman pushing a tray that had a small assortment of snacks on it, making Yuma and Kotori's eyes widen. "Since you two will be in my company for some time, I felt it appropriate to make a call for some refreshments." He moved his hand in a "go ahead" stance. "Please, help yourselves."
"A-Arigatou!" Kotori cried, quickly moving for the cart and grabbing an onigiri, biting into it. Yuma looked a little surprised at her sudden jolt as her eyes sparkled with delight. "Yum! Salmon flavor!"
Yuma blinked. "…Were you that hungry, Kotori?"
His question made the girl blush, gulping the bite in her mouth and look annoyed. "I sometimes need food when I'm stressed, Yuma! We were basically held captive by a bunch of yakuza guards! I'm surprised I didn't get fat from all the times you got yourself in danger!" She went for another bite of the onigiri.
Isozaki chuckled. "Quite an entertaining friend of yours, isn't she… Yuma, was it?" He asked.
Yuma smiled. "Girlfriend. It's part of why I fell in love with her."
*Meanwhile*
After exiting the front of the building that the obvious yakuza boss's office was in (an antique shop, of all things), Keegan made his way through the city, using his D-Gazer's map function to know where he was going. Eventually, he came across the place he was looking for: Toshodai-ji, the Buddhist temple. Entering through the main gate, the area had its expected groups of tourists exploring the different buildings and sections of the temple, snapping a few photos as mementos. As Keegan rounded the corner of Kōdō, he noticed a few people in line at a small stand set up near another building. "Is that the place?" He asked himself as he got closer.
The closer he got, the clearer it became that it was a stand selling takoyaki, much like what Isozaki said. However, his suspicions were confirmed when a girl, having the same dirty blonde hair and blue eyes as the girl in the picture, rose from under the stand to start serving up the recently finished batch to the customers. "Have a good day!" She chirped to the customers as they paid for their treats one by one, waving them off to continue their day.
"That's definitely her." Keegan said, approaching the stand. The girl began counting the money she received, placing it in a box on the stand as Keegan got to her. "Harumi Yazawa?"
Closing the box, the girl looked at him. "Yes, that's me. Can I interest you in some takoyaki today?" She asked with a smile.
"Um, no thank you. I'm actually here for another reason." Keegan replied, confusing Harumi. "Um… how do I put this…?" He wracked his brain for a way to put the situation without scaring her.
However, Harumi seemed to know exactly what he was trying to do, cutting off his train of thought. "Isozaki-san sent you, didn't he?" She asked, startling Keegan.
"H-How did you-"
"I could tell." The girl said, sighing. Turning off her takoyaki cooker (as it was currently empty), she came around to the front of the stand. "I knew Isozaki-san would send someone to me eventually. I would have sent him the proper payments, but recently… I started having a problem."
"Eh? What kind of problem?" Keegan asked.
Harumi looked up at the top of Kōdō, almost staring past it into the sky. "For the past two weeks now, my stand's been targeted by a thief." She explained. "Every day, just as I'm closing up shop, he grabs the money box using a chain rope and steals most of the funds I make, always leaving nothing but an amount I can use to actually help support my family. I don't know why he does this… or why he keeps coming after me."
Keegan's fist clenched at hearing this. "That's horrible! Why haven't you told Isozaki-san about this?"
"I don't have a D-Gazer, or any sort of phone. My family only makes enough to support ourselves." Harumi said dejectedly. "All I had to go on was my reliability in my payments to let Isozaki-san know I give him the money he needs. And on top of that money I give him, the rest of the money my family makes goes to-"
"WATCH OUT!" Keegan cried, pushing her out of the way and swiping the money box off the stand. Right as he got it off the counter, a chain slammed into the wood, coming to a limp hang off the edge.
"Nani?" Harumi gasped, seeing Keegan with the box and the chain on her stand. Looking up, Harumi saw a figure perched on the roof of Kōdō, glaring down at them with eyes that seemed to glow. "It's him!"
The figure yanked his hand back to retrieve his chain before leaping off the building to face them. Once on the ground, Keegan could see that his face was largely covered by a dark gray bandanna, leaving only his yellow eyes exposed. His hair was fully covered by a black ski cap, and his clothing was a black jacket over a red shirt, black pants with a chain for a belt, and dark brown boots. The chain he used as a snare was wrapped around his left arm. "Oi. Why are you interfering?" He asked.
"Link…" Harumi breathed.
Keegan glared at him. "Who do you think you are? Stealing the money this girl makes with her hard work?"
"She owes me. I take my share every day." Link said, not mincing any words. "That money's mine. Outta my way."
"Forget it." Keegan said, standing in front of Harumi. "You're not continuing your criminal acts while I'm around."
Link narrowed his eyes. "Moron. Learn your place."
"Perhaps I can help you with that." A familiar voice asked. Link turned around, seeing the face of the Number Distributor staring at him. His usual smile was gone, showing only seriousness.
"Number Distributor?" Keegan cried. "What are you doing here?"
"I've been trailing you this whole time, and I saw you leave that building alone." The Distributor explained. "I figured if I got you alone, I could pick you off more easily."
"What do you want?" Link asked, annoyed.
"I will give you power for this." The Distributor replied, pulling out a blank card. "Take this card, and you will have the power to utterly crush him through a Duel."
Link stared at the blank card for a moment. "…Fine. Cough it up."
"Don't do it!" Keegan cried, but the Distributor had already thrown the card, Link catching it out of the air.
The minute it touched his fingers, darkness spread from the card all over Link's body, causing him to grunt, but after a while, his eyes opened back up to show newfound darkness, but his voice hadn't changed: "Nice. I feel stronger." He turned back around to face Keegan. "Let's do this." Holding out his left arm, the chain wrapped around it began to glow before a chain made of energy shot out from it, wrapping around Keegan's arm tightly.
"Khh. A Duel Anchor." Keegan noted, the energy chain vanishing. He handed Harumi the money box. "Yazawa-chan, take this and get to safety. This is going to get dangerous."
"O-Okay!" Harumi cried, rushing to get behind a nearby building.
"I'll find her later." Link said, pulling out a dark gray D-Pad. "Let's go."
"Duel Disk, set!/set." Both players' Duel Disks were placed onto their arms, Link's being a dark gray model that he placed on his arm without any flair. "D-Gazer, set!/set." Keegan's tattoo D-Gazer activated as Link placed a basic D-Gazer with a red lens over his eye.
"AR VISION, LINK ESTABLISHED." The AR System said as the area morphed into the Augmented Reality.
"DUEL!"
"Duel."
Keegan LP:4000
Link LP:4000
"Ore no turn. Draw." Link took the first move, drawing his card. "Iron Chain Bandit, Shoukan." His monster emerged as a tall, lanky, gray-skinned humanoid with pure yellow eyes, a zigzagging mustache, stereotypical burglar clothes, and a bag slung over his shoulder. Chains dangled from broken handcuffs on his wrists, and a chain also kept his bag closed.
Iron Chain Bandit: Lv.4 EARTH Warrior ATK:1200/DEF:500
"Iron Chain Bandit no kouka hatsudo." Link said, pointing at Keegan's hand. "Middle-left card. Reveal it." Bandit knelt down to a pouncing stance with glowing eyes as Keegan took the card and flipped it over: OOPArts Totem Pole Titan. "Level 9 monster. Bandit now attacks your Deck. 1 card to the Graveyard for each monster Level." Letting out a sick, sneaky, laugh, Bandit quickly moved his bag to the ground and opened it, causing the chains to glow and release an energy chain that lanced right through Keegan's Deck. When the chain pulled back, 9 cards were pulled off the Deck and back toward Bandit, the cards being deposited in his bag, which held a purple portal to the Graveyard. After they were all placed within, Bandit closed the and hefted it back onto his shoulder.
"He's attacking my Deck directly… This isn't going to be easy." Keegan said to himself.
"Kaado ichi mai settei." A facedown appeared on Link's field. "Turn end."
Keegan quickly checked the cards he lost. "…At least it wasn't a total loss. Boku no turn! Draw!" He drew his card. "Since you control a monster and I don't, OOPArts Crystal Bone, Tokushu Shoukan!" His monster emerged as a complete crystalline blue skeleton… well, almost complete, as it was missing its head.
OOPArts Crystal Bone: Lv.3 LIGHT Rock ATK:1300/DEF:400
"Crystal Bone no kouka hatsudo!" Within the darkness of the Graveyard, one card began to return to the field. When I Special Summon Crystal Bone by its own effect, I can Special Summon OOPArts Crystal Skull from my Graveyard!" A purple portal opened up, revealing the missing part of the skeleton: A crystalline blue skull.
OOPArts Crystal Skull: Lv.3 LIGHT Rock ATK:900/DEF:600
"Xyz Summon incoming." Link noted.
Keegan nodded. "Boku wa Reberu San no OOPArts Crystal Skull to Crystal Bone de Obarei!" Both of his crystalline monsters turned fully yellow before shooting into the air. A red spiral portal opened up in the ground, and both monsters sailed inside. "Ni tai no monsuta de, Obarei Netwaaku kochiku! Ekushiizu Shoukan!" A blue crystal appeared and shined before it cracked and shattered. "Arawareyo, OOPArts Crystal Alien!" The crystal shards flew away to reveal a lanky creature with a purple crystal body, two solid wings, bulging yellow eyes, and a mirror in its chest. Two yellow Overlay Units orbited it.
OOPArts Crystal Alien: Rank 3 LIGHT Psychic/Xyz ATK:2100/DEF:1000 2 Overlay Units
"Ike! OOPArts Crystal Alien, attack Iron Chain Bandit!" Alien moved its outstretched arms to its mirror, causing it to start glowing. "Crystal Mirror Laser!" With a flash of light, a beam of light fired out of the mirror at the burglar.
Link didn't even flinch. "Trap, hatsudo. Barrier Chain." His facedown flipped up, sending out a barrage of energy chains. "Your attack is cancelled. Just gotta ditch 5 cards." He took 5 cards from his Deck and sent them to his Graveyard, and the energy chains wrapped around Bandit, causing the light beam to merely strike the chains and dissipate into nothing. "Now I get an Iron Chain from the Graveyard." The energy chains left Bandit's body and flew into a purple portal that opened. "Yomigaere, Iron Chain Repairman." The chains pulled out a fat, gray-skinned humanoid with a red doo-rag on his head, fully orange eyes, an antennae-like mustache, green overalls held by chains, and a massive hammer, which he placed in front of his body.
Iron Chain Repairman: Lv.4 EARTH Warrior ATK:1600/DEF:1200 (Defense Mode)
"Kuso…" Keegan groaned.
"This person's Deck is quite effective." The Distributor mused. "I made a good call in using him to defeat you."
"…Kaado ni mai settei!" Two facedowns formed on Keegan's field. "Turn end!"
Harumi watched from the backside of the building, worried for Keegan's safety. "Please be careful…"
"Ore no turn. Draw." Link drew his card. "Iron Chain Bat, Shoukan." His next monster was a strange bat whose body was actually cube-shaped and dominated by its large mouth. Chains dangled from its feet, but they did nothing to hinder its flight.
Iron Chain Bat: Lv.1 EARTH Winged Beast ATK:300/DEF:100
"Iron Chain Bat no kouka hatsudo. It increases its Level. I increase it by 3." Link pointed at Keegan. "You can stop it, though. Ditch 3 cards from your Deck. It's up to you."
Keegan snorted. "You can take your Levels. I don't want to lose any more cards." Iron Chain Bat let out a squeaky laugh as it grew in size.
Iron Chain Bat: Lv.4
"Thanks for the help." Link said, raising his hand. "Ore wa Reberu Yon no Iron Chain Bandit, Repairman to, Bat de Obarei." All three of his monsters turned fully orange and spiraled into the air. "San tai no monsuta de, Obarei Netwaaku kochiku." A galaxy portal opened up, and all three monsters sailed inside. "Ekushiizu Shoukan." A burst of light erupted from the portal as Link pulled out the blank card he was given, which filled in both its image and name. "Arawareyo, Nanbaazu Rokujuuroku (Number 66)."
The number "66" formed and flashed in silver, and the monster's sealed form emerged as a strange key with what looked like handcuffs dangling from its bottom. The handcuffs unhooked their locks, but when they did, chains erupted from the slots and began wrapping all around the cuffs and the key. As the chains covered the top of the key, which was the standard three-holed semi-circle, and caused it to sink into shadows, three green lights glowed within in the same orientation as the key's holes. "Tōgokuma (Imprisoned Demon) – Iron Chain Golem." The three lights were pushed out of the mass of chains, being attached to a large, malformed brown head, the three lights being its eyes. The creature had no mouth, but the silver "66" occupied the same spot it would normally be in. Three orange Overlay Units orbited this strange being.
Number 66: Imprisoned Demon – Iron Chain Golem: Rank 4 EARTH Fiend/Xyz ATK:0/DEF:2800 3 Overlay Units
"Numbers...?" Harumi wondered.
"0 Attack Points?" Keegan asked, just as confused as Harumi was.
"Not without reason." Link said. "Kaado ichi mai settei. Turn end."
The Distributor then held out his arm. "Snare him!" Golem let out a low groan as its chains started glowing, then numerous purple energy chains shot out from its body... going right past his monster. Keegan couldn't react in time to get away, allowing the chains to wrap around his torso, arms, and legs, albeit not in a way that would actually restrict his movement. "Now I've got you."
"What did you do to me?!" Keegan demanded to know.
"I want answers from you." The Distributor said, not an ounch of playfulness in his voice. "Where are Tsukumo and Mizuki? Once I'm done with you, I plan on getting rid of them as well."
This answer prompted a glare from the Arclight boy. "Like hell I'd ever tell you!"
"Fine..." The Distributor's eyes seemed to glow. "...Then you will be subject to my... interrogation method."
*Meanwhile*
Back at the building that Isozaki used, the boss himself was waiting for a call on his D-Gazer from Keegan. "What could be taking him so long?"
"Maybe Harumi's not there right now." Yuma, who was sitting right at Isozaki's desk, told him. "He might've had to wait for her to get back or something like that."
"Hmm... I suppose it's possible." Isozaki replied.
In the background, Kotori was currently engaged in a Duel with Daigo, using only a table rather than their D-Pads. Kotori had Zombie Vulture on the field and Daigo had two other monsters, but the tables were about to be turned. "Kamenleon, Shoukan. Ore wa Reberu Ni no Fox Fire to Reberu San no Duck Fighter ni Reberu Yon no Kamenleon o Tyuningu!" He removed his monsters from the field and grabbed a card from his Extra Deck. "Shinkuro Shoukan, Vermillion Dragon Mech."
Vermillion Dragon Mech: Lv.9 FIRE Machine/Synchro ATK:2700/DEF:1800
"Vermillion Dragon Mech no kouka hatsudo. I banish Kamenleon from the Graveyard to destroy Zombie Vulture."
"Eh?!" Kotori cried, reading Vermillion Dragon Mech's effect. "Banish 1 Tuner monster from your hand, field, or Graveyard... to destroy a card on the field." A puff of smoke came out of her nose as she sent Zombie Vulture to the Graveyard.
"And a direct attack will reduce your Life Points to zero." Daigo said, crossing his arms. "I win."
Kotori sighed before smiling again. "Yeah, you got me. Good game." She offered Daigo a handshake, which he took.
"Nice to see they're getting along." Yuma said with a smile. "You've got good people here, Isozaki-san."
"I try. We may technically be yakuza, but we at least try to be decent people." Isozaki replied.
*Back at the Duel*
"Boku no turn! Draw!" Keegan drew his card. "Magic Card, Palenque Sarcophagus, hatsudo! Since I have an OOPArts monster on my field, I can draw 2 more cards!" He drew his new cards. "There must be a reason he Summoned it in Attack Mode despite having no Attack Points. I probably shouldn't attack it."
"No choice there." Link spoke up. "Iron Chain Golem's effect. You have to attack it. Once per turn, at least." One of Golem's chains shot out from its body, wrapping around Crystal Alien's waist.
"Ngh... Fine then! OOPArts Crystal Alien, attack Iron Chain Golem!" The crystal being gathered more energy into its mirror before firing another beam of light at the chain-wrapped creature.
"Iron Chain Golem no kouka hatsudo." One of the orange Overlay Units was absorbed by Golem's center eye, causing its chains to glow before the beam struck its body, doing absolutely nothing. "Golem can't be destroyed by battle. Your monster has more Attack Points. This effect negates the damage." The glow of the chains caused the beam to instantly dissipate.
Link LP:4000
Iron Chain Golem: 2 Overlay Units
"Not again…" Keegan groaned.
"There's more." Link added. "That negation makes you mill your Deck. 1 card for every 200 damage." The glow of Golem's chains caused another energy chain to lash out and pierce Keegan's Deck. A large Graveyard portal opened up as the chain pulled back, removing 10 cards from the Deck before the chain flicked upwards while vanishing, sending all the cards into the void before it closed.
Keegan Deck Count: 22
"And thus your Deck has already been halfway depleted." The Distributor mused. "At this rate, you won't survive at all." He pointed forward with his hand, and Golem let out another low groan as the energy chains turned red. Then, the chains began to pull back toward its body, but when they did, Keegan felt sharp pain rip through his body, causing him to scream loudly as the chains tore parts of his clothing off, possibly even tearing his flesh in the process.
"Oh, god!" Harumi cried in horror.
Keegan staggered a bit from the pain, but managed to stay on his feet. "Wh… What did you…?"
"Those chains are made of Barian energy." The Distributor said, red energy covering his hand. "Every time your Deck is attacked, I will make those chains rend your very being. There's only two ways to escape: Either you win, causing them to vanish automatically, or you tell me where Tsukumo and Mizuki are, and I remove them myself. You decide."
"Shut up!" Keegan yelled. "There's no way I'll tell you where they are… and there's no way I'll lose to your puppet! Turn end!"
"Ore no turn. Draw." Link drew his card. "Continuous Trap, hatsudo. Resurrection Chain." When the card flipped up, green energy chains began to emerge from it. "A once per turn effect. I can Summon an Iron Chain from my Graveyard. Just need to ditch one card per Level." He took the top card from his Deck. "I send 1 card to the Graveyard. Yomigaere, Level 1 Iron Chain Bat." When his card hit the Graveyard, the green chains dove inside a purple portal, pulling the cube-shaped bat out and giving it the lift it needed to start flying again. "Iron Chain Blaster, Shoukan." The bat was joined by what looked like a strange mauve apparatus that actually appeared to be a sentient creature, chains all around its body and a large cannon barrel jutting out the front.
Iron Chain Blaster: Lv.2 EARTH Warrior ATK:1100/DEF:0
"Iron Chain Blaster no kouka hatsudo. I sent Bat to the Graveyard. You take 800 damage." Bat turned into energy that loaded itself into Blaster's barrel, which glowed purple. The right eye on Blaster's head glowed before the cannon fired a blast of purple energy, landing right near Keegan and causing an explosion.
Keegan LP:3200
"First blood." Link mused, adjusting his bandanna. "Turn end."
"You don't talk much, do you?" The Distributor asked.
"Not much to say." Link replied with a shrug. "Your move."
"Boku no turn! Draw!" Keegan drew his card, his eyes widening. "Yosh! OOPArts Cabrera's Catapult, Shoukan!" A strange metal apparatus emerged, sporting its new appearance with bright and polished metal instead of the usual dark and rusty metal, four arms instead of three, and blue arms with more natural-looking fingers instead of the grotesque red arms with claws.
OOPArts Cabrera Catapult: Lv.4 EARTH Rock ATK:0/DEF:1800
"0 Attack Points." Link noted. "Great. Golem won't do anything now."
"It was just the defense I needed." Keegan said with a smile. "Cabrera's Catapult, attack Iron Chain Golem!" The front-right arm merely fired off its hand as a small flail, doing nothing but bounce harmlessly off the chains before being retracted. "Now that that's out of the way, Crystal Alien, attack Iron Chain Blaster!" Gathering more light into its mirror, Crystal Alien fired another beam of light, which managed to finally hit its target, reducing Blaster to nothing but ashes.
Link LP:3000
"Finally got me." Link said simply.
Keegan was starting to get annoyed at Link's "commentary". "Turn end."
"Ore no turn. Draw." Link drew his card. "Magic Card, hatsudo. Monster Reborn. Yomigaere, Iron Chain Blaster." From a purple portal, the sentient cannon returned to the field. "Resurrection Chain, hatsudo. Yomigaere, Iron Chain Bat." He sent another card from his Deck to the Graveyard, and the green energy chains pulled the cube bat back onto the field. "Iron Chain Blaster no kouka hatsudo." Bat loaded itself into the barrel once more, and Blaster fired it off as a blast of energy, exploding near Keegan again.
Keegan LP:2400
"Kaado ichi mai settei. Turn end." Another facedown appeared on Link's field.
"Why didn't you attack him?" The Distributor asked.
"Two facedowns on his field." Link replied. "My Deck likes to wait. Waiting for the right time."
"Hmm… fine."
Keegan groaned. "Boku no turn! Draw!" He drew his card. "OOPArts Mud Golem Shakouki, Shoukan!" This monster was a humanoid rock statue with its head being devoid of facial features, but its pectoral muscles were designed like the eyes of a dogu. Each hand wielded a different sword, the one in the left hand having a ring-shaped blade.
OOPArts Mud Golem Shakouki: Lv.4 EARTH Rock ATK:1700/DEF:1100
"Catapult, get your attack out of the way!" Catapult attempted its half-effort punch again, intentionally doing absolutely nothing. "Crystal Alien, attack Iron Chain Blaster again!" Another beam of light shot out from the crystal being's mirror.
"Trap, hatsudo. Chain Retraction." Link's facedown flipped up. "You attacked my monster. I return it to my hand." A chain shot out from the Trap and grabbed Blaster, whisking it out of the line of fire and returning it to Link's hand. "Now I shuffle cards into my Deck. 1 card in my Graveyard for each Level." Iron Chain Bandit and Barrier Chain slid out of his Graveyard, letting him place them into his Deck and auto-shuffle.
"His defenses are almost too powerful…" Keegan breathed. "Turn end."
"Ore no turn. Draw." Link drew his card. "Resurrection Chain, hatsudo. Yomigaere, Iron Chain Bat." Another card went to his Graveyard, and the green chains pulled the cube-shaped bat out once more. "Iron Chain Bat no kouka hatsudo. I raise its Level by 2. Wanna mill 2 cards to stop it?" Keegan merely shook his head, and Bat grew to a larger size.
Iron Chain Bat: Lv.3
Link then picked another card from his hand. "Tuner monster, Iron Chain Coil, Shoukan." A new monster emerged, this one being a strange spherical machine with a very weird-looking face. Its lower body was a tightened coil with two feet, arms made of chains were attached to its "head", and a mess of copper wiring that resembled long, tangled hair coming out its back.
Iron Chain Coil: Lv.3 EARTH Machine/Tuner ATK:1100/DEF:1600
"A Tuner monster?" Keegan wondered.
"Ore wa Reberu San no Iron Chain Bat ni Reberu San no Iron Chain Coil o Tyuningu." Coil's spring unwound in an instant to spring it into the air before it morphed into three Level Stars. The stars become Synchro Rings that lined up, and Bat flew through the Rings, becoming an outline with three Level Stars visible. The stars lined up as the outline faded, and green light shot through the rings. "Shinkuro Shoukan." A loud roar was mixed with the rattling of chains as a serpentine blue form flew out of the light. "Ideyo, Iron Chain Dragon." The form brought itself into clear view, revealing itself as a serpentine blue dragon with massive wings, the rattling coming from large chains that were draped across its torso.
Iron Chain Dragon: Lv.6 EARTH Dragon/Synchro ATK:2500/DEF:1300
"The time is right now." Link said. "Now I'll attack. Iron Chain Dragon attacks OOPArts Crystal Alien." The chains on the dragon's body rattled loudly before it unleashed a jetstream of orange energy from its mouth.
"OOPArts Crystal Alien no kouka hatsudo!" Keegan cried as an Overlay Unit was absorbed into Alien's mirror. "By using an Overlay Unit, Crystal Alien can't be destroyed by battle, and any battle damage is sent back to you!" The mirror began to glow brightly as the jetstream struck it dead-on, Alien letting out a hollow noise as it tanked the attack like a champ. "Reflect Flash!" Its eyes glowed brightly, and Alien shot its arms to the side as the mirror completely absorbed the attack before firing it back toward Link, striking the ground near him and causing an explosion that made him hold his bandanna so it wouldn't fly off.
Link LP:2600
"So you were prepared." Link mused.
"Let's see you try that again." The Distributor said with a growl. "Link, backup plan."
"Right." Link took another card from his hand. "Continuous Magic, hatsudo. Revenge Chain. The Battle Phase ended. I took battle damage. Now you lose Deck cards. 1 card for every 200 damage. Only 1 batch a turn, though." Revenge Chain glowed before launching another purple chain that struck Keegan's Deck. The chain pulled back with 2 cards attached to it, and the red chains ripped across Keegan's body once more as the cards were thrown into the darkness, Keegan nearly losing his footage from the pain.
Keegan Deck Count: 18
"Had enough pain yet, Arclight?" The Distributor asked.
"Piss off…" Keegan groaned, panting from the pain. Harumi could only watch in horror.
"You'll break. It just takes time." Link said. "Turn end."
"Boku no… turn!" Keegan yelled, drawing his card. "OOPArts Colossal Head, Shoukan!" A new monster emerged, being a giant stone head with yellow eyes and a red forehead and chin.
OOPArts Colossal Head: Lv.4 EARTH Rock ATK:800/DEF:1600
"Continuous Magic, Newton Stone, hatsudo!" The Magic Card produced a tall stone slab with two unknown inscriptions on it. "Once per turn, if I have two or more OOPArts monsters on the field, I can discard 1 card to increase the Levels of all OOPArts monsters I control by 1!" Upon sending Totem Pole Titan to the Graveyard, the writings on Newton Stone glowed blue, which gave Colossal Head and Shakouki blue auras.
Colossal Head, Shakouki: Lv.5
Keegan felt his Crest activate as he clenched his fist. "Boku wa, Reberu Go no OOPArts Colossal Head to, Mud Golem Shakouki de Obarei!" Both of his monsters turned fully orange before shooting into the air. "Ni tai no monsuta de, Obarei Netwaaku kochiku!" A galaxy portal opened up in the ground, and both his monsters sailed inside. "Ekushiizu Shoukan!" A burst of light erupted from the portal.
The number "33" formed and flashed in purple, but no sealed form emerged: Only an imposing form made of yellow stone. "Arawareyo, Nanbaazu Sanjuusan (Number 33)!" Lights began to shine from a large ring in the center, a castle visible above it. "OOPArts Chōheiki (Super Weapon) – Machu Mach!" The 33 on the bottom glowed as ominously as the power core within the center of the structure, two yellow Overlay Units orbiting it.
Number 33: OOPArts Super Weapon – Machu Mach: Rank 5 LIGHT Machine/Xyz ATK:2400/DEF:1500 2 Overlay Units
"Another Number." Link noted. "No worries. Golem's still indestructible. Not even Numbers can beat it."
"Then I won't target Golem!" Keegan retorted, making him raise an eyebrow. "OOPArts Cabrera Catapult no kouka hatsudo!" Crystal Alien moved in front of Catapult, and its four arms began gently caressing the creature. "By releasing Crystal Alien, I can reduce Iron Chain Dragon's Attack Points to 0!" The catapult's touch compressed Alien into a golden orb, and with a wind-up, the front-left arm chucked the orb of energy like a grenade toward the dragon.
"Iron Chain Magician no kouka hatsudo." Link said as within the Graveyard, a card morphed into a gray-skinned female humanoid in a leotard, chains framing her breasts and pelvis, holding a warped staff. "Your monster used its effect. I can banish Magician from my Graveyard. That stops your effect cold." Twirling her staff, Magician fired chains of blue energy out of the Graveyard that grasped hold of the energy orb and ripped it into nothingness.
"Kuso!" Keegan cried.
"That's not all. You lose Deck cards. 1 card for each negated monster Level." One of the blue chains struck Keegan's Deck and ripped 5 cards from the top. Keegan screamed from the red chains ripping across him once more (and with enough clothing ripped from his body, he could see that it was actually slicing his body and drawing blood) as the blue chain pulled the cards into the Graveyard, Magician vanishing after that happened.
Keegan Deck Count: 12
"Bakana… How do you keep countering me?!" Keegan cried, losing his ability to focus from the pain.
"That's how I Duel." Link replied. "I don't need to attack. I just cut down your Deck. Eventually you can't draw. And then you lose. Easy."
Keegan was panting from the continued pain. "I have to find a way out of this… Turn end!"
"You have a way out. Tell me where they are." The Distributor growled. "If you don't, the pain will only get worse!"
"…Never! Turn end!"
"Ore no turn. Draw." Link drew his card. "Iron Chain Dragon, attack Cabrera Catapult." The dragon reared its head back before expelling another orange jetstream from its mouth.
"Trap Card, Thunder Pot, hatsudo!" Keegan flipped up a facedown. "This card negates your attack and ends the Battle Phase!" A blast of electricity erupted from the card, striking the jetstream and obliterating it.
"I'll get you next turn. Turn end."
Keegan went for his Deck. "I have a set-up ready… but I need the right card. Please give me what I need! Boku no TURN!" He drew his card and flipped it around… and smiled. "Yosh. OOPArts Mayan Machine, Shoukan!" A strange silver machine emerged on his field, which oddly resembled some kind of ancient vacuum cleaner.
OOPArts Mayan Machine: Lv.3 EARTH Machine ATK:1500/DEF:700
"Cabrera Catapult no kouka hatsudo! I release Mayan Machine to make Iron Chain Dragon's Attack Points 0!" Catapult grabbed hold of Mayan Machine and began working its magic, condensing it into an orb.
"That won't happen. Trap, hatsudo. Fiendish Chain." Link's facedown flipped up and shot out green chains that wrapped all around Catapult, restraining it. "No more attacks. No more effects. Your monster is sealed." The gold orb vanished from Catapult's hand.
"Perfect. Everything is in place now." The Distributor said. "This is your final chance. Tell me where they are! If you don't, you will truly suffer from here on in!"
Keegan went silent for a moment… then he chuckled. "Not this time, Distributor. All the pieces…" He looked straight ahead with a smile. "…are finally in place, for ME!"
"Nani?!"
"Continuous Trap, Poteau Runestone, hatsudo!" Despite the singular name, the card released a whole group of small stones, each of which had runes carved into it. "Once per turn, by discarding a card from my hand, an OOPArts monster on my field can't be destroyed by battle while it's face-up on the field." After sending his card to the Graveyard, the runes glowed pink, giving Catapult the same aura. "Next, since OOPArts Totem Pole Titan is in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon an OOPArts Totem Token!" A two-section totem pole appeared on the field, one section looking almost clownish with horns while the other had a more benevolent face.
OOPArts Totem Token: Lv.3 EARTH Rock ATK:1000/DEF:800
"Furthermore, my two stones have an extra effect. If Newton Stone and Poteau Runestone are both on the field, I can use them as the Materials for the Xyz Summon of an OOPArts monster!"
The Distributor and Link had their eyes widen. "Using Magic and Trap Cards to Xyz Summon... without treating them as monsters?" Harumi wondered, just as surprised as they were.
Keegan thrust a hand to the sky. "Boku wa Newton Stone to Poteau Runestone de Obarei!" The two Magic Cards turned fully yellow and shot into the air. "Ni tai no kaado de, Obarei Netwaaku kochiku!" Another red spiral portal opened up, and both cards sailed inside, causing a pillar of light to erupt from the portal. "Ekushiizu Shoukan! Arawareyo, OOPArts Temple Pyramid!" Slowly but surely, a large stone structure rose out of the ground from the portal, causing dust to blow everywhere. The structure finally rose to its full height, showing it to be a massive pyramid from the Mesoamerican region, almost appearing to be a combination of more than one of this pyramid. Two yellow Overlay Units orbited the entire structure.
OOPArts Temple Pyramid: Rank 5 LIGHT Rock/Xyz ATK:0/DEF:2600 2 Overlay Units (Defense Mode)
"More defenses?" Link wondered. "What's the point?"
"With this monster's power… I will revive the power I need to win this Duel!" Keegan replied. "OOPArts Temple Pyramid no kouka hatsudo!" One of the yellow units was absorbed into the peak of the pyramid, which fired a beam of light into the sky, entering a purple portal. "Once per turn, by using an Overlay Unit, I can add a Gods of the OOPArts Ritual Monster and an OOPArts Ritual Magic Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand!" Two cards descended from the portal through the beam, flying out of the light and into Keegan's hand.
Temple Pyramid: 1 Overlay Unit
The Distributor's eyes became frightening wide. "Ritual?!"
Keegan's smile became a smirk. "That's right. Many think that the OOPArts are hints to aliens and proof of time travel. However, I saw another side to them: The hints of being symbols of the gods. Let me introduce one to you." He took one of his newly acquired cards. "Ritual Magic, OOPArts no Kamigami ni Saidan (Altar to the Gods of the OOPArts), hatsudo!" The light that erupted from the top of the pyramid died down, revealing what looked like a ceremonial altar on the roof. "This card allows me to Ritual Summon any Gods of the OOPArts monster by releasing monsters whose Levels equal or surpass that monster's Level!" He took another card from his hand. "I release OOPArts Gordias Unite from my hand and Totem Token on my field!" The totem pole floated to the top of the pyramid and rested on a stone table, being joined by a strange object that resembled many stone cubes being tied together by odd adhesive. "Gishiki Shoukan!" Both monsters were incinerated by divine flames, merging into one that morphed into a mass of light. "Living riddle, one who flips normality on its head!" The light began changing shape, becoming a humanoid mass that appeared to be riding on an animal. "Teach the unknowing what lies past our vision!" A staff-like weapon appeared in the rider's hand as horns became visible in its hand. Finally, the light faded to reveal a white horse with a blue mane as the anime being ridden, the rider becoming visible. "OOPArts no Kamigami (God of the OOPArts)…" The rider's body was revealed as humanoid… and sitting on the horse backwards, as its back was facing Link, and its clothing actually appeared to be inside-out. "Heyoka Kōmyō (Heyoka Clever)!" Twirling its weapon, which was little more than a broom with a halberd blade attached to the other end, the rider turned its head to look back, showing a horned, yet rather amusing-looking face with almost clownish features, having yellow scleras with mere black eyes. The creature placed a hand on its hip without turning itself around as it smiled at its foe, a necklace dangling around its neck that appeared to be a smaller version of OOPArts Golden Shuttle.
Gods of the OOPArts – Heyoka Clever: Lv.5 EARTH Beast/Ritual ATK:1400/DEF:800
"Bakana… The Arclight boy can Ritual Summon!" The Distributor cried.
"Strange way to name it." Link mused. "It's a Level 5. Why so few Attack Points?"
"Heyoka is low in the pantheon, but his power is not insignificant." Keegan replied. "While I control Heyoka, all OOPArts monsters are unaffected by my opponent's Trap Cards, rendering your Fiendish Chain worthless."
"Nani…?" Link gasped. Closing his eyes with a smile, Heyoka twirled his broom blade before swinging the broom end to kick up a wave of dust. The dust covered the chains that restrained Catapult and rusted them in an instant, the chains rusting all the way back to the Trap they came from. A low growl came from the Distributor.
"With your Trap useless, Catapult can attack Iron Chain Golem without issue." Catapult fired off its hand once more, bouncing harmlessly off of the chains. "That takes care of that. Heyoka no kouka hatsudo." Heyoka started spinning his broom around, causing a magical aura to gather around it. "Once per turn, I can place a Trap Card directly from my Deck on the field, face-down." With a flick of his wrist, Heyoka sent the magic into Keegan's Deck, pulling a card out from it and placing it directly in his Disk, causing the facedown to materialize, but the magic remained on his Deck while also spreading to his hand. "But since I did so, I have to not only send the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard, but one card in my hand has to be placed on the bottom of my Deck." Heyoka shot Keegan a wink before the magic sent his top card to the Graveyard, trading it with a card from his hand on the bottom. "And before I forget, my Altar has another effect. If OOPArts Temple Pyramid is on the field after I use it, I can equip it to Pyramid instead of sending it to the Graveyard!" Green lines of light spread from the table atop the pyramid, moving down the sides and giving a final flash to symbolize its link.
"Yatta." Harumi said from her hiding place, smiling. "He can win this now!"
"Turn end."
"Ore no turn. Draw." Link drew his card. "Your god's just a poser. Iron Chain Dragon attacks Heyoka." The dragon unleashed another jetstream from its mouth, which managed to finally hit its target this time, striking both Heyoka and his horse and reducing them to nothing.
Keegan LP:1300
"Iron Chain Dragon no kouka hatsudo. It inflicted battle damage. I attack your Deck again. Send three cards to the Graveyard." The chains wrapped around the dragon's body detached from each other and merely hovered around it, glowing an ominous blue before sending an energy chain forward.
"Trap, hatsudo! OOPArts no Kamigami kara Gekido (Wrath from the Gods of the OOPArts), hatsudo!" Keegan flipped his facedown, and two of the torches atop the pyramid had their flames rage out of control. "Because you destroyed one of the OOPArts' gods, you have to pay the price! Not only are your monsters' effects negated, but you also take damage equal to the destroyed monster's Attack Points!" The flames shot down to ground level and charged toward Link's field, manifesting in the form of an angry serpent. The serpent unleashed a fire breath that raged across Iron Chain Dragon and Iron Chain Golem, turning their chains into little more than molten goop, and then it charged right through Link himself, causing him to grunt and hold his bandanna again.
Link LP:800
"This isn't good." Link mused. "Iron Chain Golem goes to Defense Mode." Golem's eyes slowly faded from green to red as it slouched down a bit. "Kaado ichi mai settei. Turn end."
"Boku no turn! Draw!" Keegan drew his card. "It's time to finish you off! OOPArts Totem Pole Titan no kouka hatsudo! I get another Totem Token!" Another two-section totem pole appeared, but this time, one section appeared to be an odd serpent's face, while the other one resembled a blood-splattered skull.
OOPArts Totem Token: Lv.3 EARTH Rock ATK:1000/DEF:800
"Furthermore, OOPArts no Kamigami ni Saidan no kouka hatsudo!" The green lines going up and down the pyramid's face began to glow, culminating in a potent glow at the table. "While this card is equipped to Temple Pyramid, I can use its effect each turn, allowing me to Ritual Summon any Gods of the OOPArts monster each turn! OOPArts Totem Token, release!" The totem pole floated to rest on the stone table before divine fire burst underneath it, incinerating it. "Gishiki Shoukan!" The flames became a new form of light, but it didn't grow nearly as large as the last one. "Bringer for fortune, carrier of goods!" A short, chunky body took shape as a hat formed on the head, the form appearing to actually be sitting down. "Come before us now and bless us with prosperity!" A bulge grew in each hand, each one taking a different form: A bag in one hand, a large chicken drumstick in the other. "OOPArts no Kamigami – Ekeko Kisōsha (Ekeko Giver)!" After the light fully faded, the hand holding the drumstick used it to lift its fedora, showing a benevolent, dark-skinned, mustached face that then took a bite out of the drumstick, a necklace resembling a miniature OOPArts Mayan Machine. The creature was wearing simple clothing, and attached to its back were several backpacks filled with foods, tools, and other odd objects, and its left hand shook its bag, resulting in the unmistakable jingle of coins.
Gods of the OOPArts – Ekeko Giver: Lv.3 EARTH Fairy/Ritual ATK:1100/DEF:0
"Ekeko no kouka hatsudo! Once per turn, I can release an OOPArts monster I control to increase my Life Points by its Attack or Defense Points, whichever is higher!" Ekeko waved its drumstick around a bit, generating green energy before sending it toward Machu Mach, causing the entire apparatus to transform into green energy. The energy flew back toward Ekeko and entered its now-open bag before the being closed and shook it for a moment, and when it re-opened the satchel, a shower of green coins burst out of the opening, showering over Keegan.
Keegan LP:3700
"Temple Pyramid no kouka hatsudo!" Keegan cried as the second Overlay Unit was absorbed by the altar atop the pyramid, sending another beam of light into the sky. "I add another Gods of the OOPArts monster and OOPArts Ritual Magic Card to my hand!" Two more cards descended from the sky, Keegan snatching them out of the air.
Temple Pyramid: 0 Overlay Units
"Ritual Magic, Kodaishin ni Tsūwa (Call to the Ancient Gods), hatsudo!" After he activated the card, a loud horn-like sound could be heard echoing through the air. "To Ritual Summon this next monster, I release OOPArts Cabrera Catapult!" Divine flames erupted from the ground underneath the catapult, consuming it and allowing the flames to take a new shape on their own. "Gishiki Shoukan!" All of a sudden, the flames split into two beings, the one remaining near the ground morphing into a strange canoe-like sea vessel. "Grand Warrior of the first nation!" The flame that continued shifting in mid-air took an almost serpentine shape, two arms sprouting out of it. "Steer your canoe to this shore, and let none stand against you!" Horns sprouted from its head, and another horn-like sound emanated from it. "OOPArts no Kamigami – Winalagalis Senshi (Winalagalis Warrior)!" The figure dove back into the canoe and rose up, shedding the flames to reveal a sea serpent-like figure dressed in warrior's clothing, including a horned helmet, a necklace resembling a miniature OOPArts Moai on its neck. If one looked within the canoe, they could see that it was actually fused to the vessel. One hand was holding a war horn, which it blew inside to create a loud noise.
Gods of the OOPArts – Winalagalis Warrior: Lv.5 EARTH Warrior/Ritual ATK:2000/DEF:1350
Link's eyes actually widened at this move. "That monster is Level 5. You release a Level 4. How?"
"Call to the Ancient Ones, which is treated as an OOPArts card, can let me Summon a Ritual Monster that's one Level higher than the offerings if I already have a Chronomaly Lord on the field." Keegan explained. "Winalagalis no kouka hatsudo! By paying 2000 Life Points, Winalagalis gains 1000 Attack Points!" Hoisting his war horn up, Winalagalis blew another loud, rousing note to the sky as its body took on a red aura.
Keegan LP:1700
Winalagalis ATK:3000
"Now, Winalagalis! The time is right!" Keegan cried. "Attack Iron Chain Golem! Red Tide Charge!" Letting out a loud screech, the red aura around Winalagalis flared before the canoe it was fused to charged toward the chain-wrapped creature, the force of the aura practically creating a red wave of water for it to sail across as it glared daggers at its target.
"Trap, hatsudo- " Link went to flip up his face-down, but Winalagalis quickly blew another note through its horn, firing a red laser beam that struck the card and made it crackle with electricity. "Nani?"
"The god of battle doesn't allow others to stop him!" Keegan told him. "Since I paid Life Points to give Winalagalis more Attack Points, it also gained an extra effect: When it attacks, no cards or effects can be activated until the end of the Damage Step!" The red electricity prevented the card from moving, leaving Link only capable of watching as Winalagalis smashed his canoe right into the Number, causing it to let out a loud, low groan before it was obliterated.
Link glared at Keegan as his Ritual Monster went back to his field. "You're pay for that. The Damage Step is over. Trap, hatsudo! Nightmare Wheel!" The face-down flipped up for real this time, and out of nowhere, a large wheel fell onto Winalagalis's back, strapping itself to it with chains. "No more attacks. No changing battle position. 500 damage every turn. I'm done playing with you. Next turn, I'll crush you."
"What next turn?" Keegan asked, confusing the thief. "OOPArts Temple Pyramid no kouka hatsudo!" The green lines that graced the pyramid glowed brighter than they ever had before, but at the same time, the structure started rumbling violently, cracks forming across it. "Since Temple Pyramid is equipped with OOPArts no Kamigami ni Saidan, I can release it and two other OOPArts monsters on my field… to Ritual Summon a Gods of the OOPArts Ritual Monster from my Graveyard!"
"N... Nani...?!" Link cried in fear. The Distributor, fist clenching in anger, simply gave a "Hmph!" before using his powers to vanish in red energy.
Keegan thrust a hand to the sky, Crest glowing bright on his hand. "Ike! God's Final Judgment!" His words echoed as the pyramid burst into pieces around a pillar of light, which enveloped the two other gods. "I offer the gods of abundance and battle to bring forth one the greats of the pantheon! Gishiki Shoukan!" Purple flames rose out of the light as a figure slowly rose out of the ground within the light. "Overseer of Hell, rise up now!" Large wings spread open as clawed hands grasped their own weapons. "Bring forth the vengeance of the fallen against those who threaten the Gods!" Bones dangled from blood-spattered clothing as a tail swished with the light. "Yomigaere! OOPArts no Kamigami… Mictlantecuhtli Meikaiō (Underworld King)!" Two eyes glowed brightly as the figure let out a roar to dispel both the light and the flames, revealing its true form: A gray-skinned demonic entity with clothing designed with bones adorning its body, most of it spattered with blood, large scimitars with bone hilts in its hands, two bat-like wings, a necklace of a miniature OOPArts Sol Monolith on its neck, and its face covered by a bloodstained skull.
Gods of the OOPArts – Mictlantecuhtli Underworld King: Lv.6 EARTH Fiend/Ritual ATK:?/DEF:0
Link stared at the strange monster in justified fear, but for whatever reason, the sight of a skeleton-wearing demon did nothing but make Harumi feel better. "You've got this."
"Attack Points are unknown… What is its power?!" Link cried.
"Simple. Mictlantecuhtli's Attack Points are equal to the number of monsters in my Graveyard multiplied by 200!" Keegan told him. "And as you so thoughtfully provided through your own strategy, the total number of monsters in my Graveyard right now is 22!" Images of every other monster that was sent to his Graveyard appeared behind Mictlantecuhtli and turned into purple flames, striking both its scimitars and turning the blades into dark burning blades.
Mictlantecuhtli ATK:4400
Link stutter-stepped backwards, sweating bullets. "The finisher! Mictlantecuhtli Meikaiō, attack Iron Chain Dragon! Underworld Rend!" Crossing its scimitars together, Mictlantecuhtli stared right past the dragon into Link's eyes with its own, and while the thief was occupied with his fear, the demon had appeared right in front of Iron Chain Dragon and sliced it clear across its body in an X-shape. Not only was the dragon roaring in pain, the dark flames were striking its very soul and burning it into spiritual cinders, and finally, the dragon exploded in a violent show of light and darkness. Link let out a loud scream as the force of the attack flung his back, his bandanna flying off mid-flight, landing on the ground in a heap as the darkness faded from his eyes.
Keegan LP:1700
Link LP:0 – LOSER
Keegan's face appeared with the word "WIN" as the buzzer sounded, and the Augmented Reality faded from the area. The pink-haired boy let out a breath of relief as Harumi came out from her hiding spot, Keegan turning to face her. "Are you OK, Yazawa-chan?"
"Yeah." Harumi replied with a nod. "What about you?"
Before he could answer, he grunted a bit from the pain of the wounds the Distributor inflicted on him. "Those scratches are going to take some time to heal… but other than that, I think I'll be fine." Looking back at Link, Keegan hold out his hand and caused his Crest to form. A green glow came from Link's chest before his Number card came out, floating into Keegan's hand.
"What happened here?" A voice called out. Keegan and Harumi turned to see a man, which Keegan recognized as one of Isozaki's guards, running up to them. "Isozaki-sama got concerned and asked me to check up on you, and I get here to see chains wrapped around you!"
"…I'd rather not get you or Yazawa-chan involved." Keegan replied. "All I will say, though, is that in order to stop that person, we need the card Isozaki-san has."
The guard nodded, looking over at Harumi. "Are you okay, Harumi-san?"
"Yes. This boy protected me from them." Harumi replied. "I would have told Isozaki-san the reason behind my lack of payments, but I don't have any type of phone."
Going silent for a moment, the guard pulled out his own D-Gazer and quickly dialed a number, showing Isozaki's face on the other end. "What's the update, Kengo?" Rather than answer, however, Kengo turned the D-Gazer to face Harumi, surprising Isozaki. "Harumi-chan!"
"Hello, Isozaki-san." Harumi told him. "Gomen-nasai for my missing payments. Thankfully, the cause of it has stopped." She pointed at the unconscious Link, Kengo turning the Gazer in order for Isozaki to see. "That man, Link… he continuously stole the profits from my takoyaki stand. I don't even know why."
"Wait a moment. Kengo, move closer." Isozaki said, his guard doing so. With his bandanna gone, Isozaki was able to get a good look at his face, making him sigh. "…You always were this kind of person, Roudou."
"Roudou?" Keegan and Harumi wondered.
"Roudou Isozaki. He's my son." Isozaki told them. "He ran away from home as a teenager because I wouldn't spoil him using the profits from my business. I haven't seen him since, and it seems he turned to crime because of it."
"He mentioned that Yazawa-chan 'owed him' the money he stole." Keegan said. "What do you think he means by that?"
"Since Harumi-chan makes payments to me, he probably started taking that money to get it directly from me." Isozaki replied with another sigh as Kengo turned the Gazer back to face the kids. "I can't apologize enough for this. Harumi-chan, if it's all right with you, I'd like to have Kengo watch over your stand from here on in to prevent another incident like this from occurring."
"Arigatou, Isozaki-san." Harumi said with a slight bow. "I'll send the next payment to you as soon as possible."
Isozaki nodded before looking at Keegan. "As for you, I give you my thanks in helping both Harumi-chan and myself in this situation. As promised, you may have my Master Key card." He held the card up as he said this. "Your friends will meet you outside the building's front when you return."
"Arigatou." Keegan replied, bowing as well.
"Kengo, call the police and remain with Roudou until they arrive. I don't want him slipping away again." Isozaki said, Kengo giving an affirmative reply. With that, Kengo hung up the D-Gazer call before effortlessly slinging the out-cold Roudou over his shoulder and heading back to his boss's HQ.
"I want to thank you again for helping me." Harumi told Keegan. "I don't know if I would've ever made my payments to Isozaki-san if you hadn't been here."
Keegan smiled at her. "It was my pleasure. But that reminds me: Why do you pay Isozaki-san in the first place? If he didn't protect you already, what were the payments for?"
Harumi looked a bit startled, but quickly regained her smile. "I wanted to do my part." Keegan looked confused. "My father is in the hospital with an illness, but our current family wages couldn't possibly support the medical bills. Isozaki-san, however, is a friend of my family, my dad having worked for him for years." Harumi closed her eyes. "Isozaki-san might look like a yakuza to some people, but he's really a good person after all. He offered to cover my father's medical bills so he could get the treatment he needed. I was so happy to hear that, but my mother and I didn't want to just sit back, so we offered to give Isozaki-san some of the funds we made as part of the medical payments. You know what he told me when I said I'd help out, too?" Keegan shook his head negatively. "He said, 'Your father was a fortunate man to have a daughter as helpful as you. Roudou could learn something from you.'"
A smile came back across Keegan's face as all of his previous fears about Isozaki seemed to burn away. "You're also lucky to know a man like him, Yazawa-chan." Keegan told her. "Have a good day, and stay strong." Harumi nodded and waved as Keegan walked away from the temple, a very good feeling brimming in his chest.
Since Kengo wasn't too far behind, Keegan basically followed him back to the antique shop, and upon getting there, Yuma and Kotori were waiting outside the building, smiling when they saw him. Kengo acknowledged them and briefly filled them in on the situation before entering the store, Keegan walking up shortly after. "Oi, nice going, Keegan!" Yuma told him. "Heard you stopped some thief and got a Number to boot!"
"Yeah." Keegan replied, holding up Number 66. "The Distributor was there, too. He tried to get me to tell him where you were, which is why I look like, well, this." He gestured to his torn clothing and injuries.
"We'll make sure you get patched up before we head to the next Master Key." Kotori told him. "Speaking of which, Isozaki-san upheld his end of the deal, just like he said." She held up Master Key Unicorn as proof.
"Great. Only two more Master Keys to go." Keegan said.
Yuma looked at Kotori. "Hang on, Kotori. Didn't Daigo give you a couple other cards?"
Kotori merely giggled in reply. "That's a surprise, Yuma." She said with a wink, confusing her boyfriend greatly. Regardless, Keegan contacted his father to inform them of their success (as well as what happened), and they headed back into the alleyway to prevent anyone from seeing them. It didn't take long for the return portal to crack open, allowing the trio to return home.
*Back in Heartland*
The portal was open and stable as Yuma, Kotori, and Keegan leapt through it, the Arclight boy staggering a bit from his injuries. Marcus and Chris, who already had a first-aid kit ready, helped their little brother over to a chair as Yuma and Kotori approached Byron. "Glad to hear that things went well in spite of running into the yakuza." The patriarch of the family told them.
"Yeah, well, I guess you shouldn't judge all books by their covers. They turned out to be some actually decent people." Yuma replied with his hand behind his head.
However, the moment he got that sentence out of his mouth, another, completely separate portal began to emerge in the space of the Arclight home, forming by what looked like two clock hands spinning in a circle. Yuma and Kotori stood ready to combat whatever came out, Byron and his sons watching in shock, but the figure that emerged sent off recognition bells in Yuma and Kotori's heads: A teenage boy with teal hair, light blue armor over a dark blue bodysuit, and most notably, two large clocks on his wrists along with two clock hands on his back. His silver eyes opened with a smile as he held out a hand in greeting. "Yo."
Yuma wasn't sure if he was actually seeing things right, but after Kotori closed his unknowingly-gaping mouth shut, things got back into gear for him. "Zaman?!"
"How's it going, Yuma?" The time-traveler asked.
"Uh... good, I guess." Yuma replied. "I'm just surprised that you came back to our time after going back home!"
Zaman briefly shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it's a stop over..." He created a miniature time portal near his hand, reached inside, and pulled something out before making the portal close. "...to return this to its rightful owner." He held out the object, which turned out to be a card.
When they saw the telltale Archetype name on the card, the two kids gasped. "A Number card?" Kotori wondered in surprised.
"Where'd you find that?" Yuma asked Zaman.
"There's actually a funny story behind that..." Zaman said, trailing off as he began his tale.
*Meanwhile*
"That prick had Ritual Monsters?!" Vector roared in anger from within a personal containment chamber that was built to sustain his form, as the Distributor recalled his failure. "Damn it!"
"Those Arclights are even bigger thorns in our sides than we thought." The Distributor said, clenching a fist in memory of being defeated.
"I thought we'd have them under our control or destroyed from within by now. You were the one who gave the elder son the Lightrays. Those cards should have changed him."
"As did I, but they've harnessed the power we gave them too well. We've essentially lost control of them because of that Tsukumo brat."
Vector let out an irritated sigh. "Terrific. Tsukumo gets revived by his girlfriend, I can't get to Ryoga and destroy him because of his girlfriend, Tenjo keeps me from his girlfriend, and now we lost one of my earliest pawns and his family!"
"Still, your plan hasn't been a total loss."
"It's still the principle of the matter, my little puppet." Vector said, his mind focusing on everyone that stood in his way. "I know my plan is still in place... but I am utterly TIRED of all these losses!" In sheer rage, he fired a blast of energy that phased right through his containment chamber, but blew a hole in the wall he aimed at. "I want Tsukumo dead... No one makes me look like a fool!"
The Distributor merely leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed. "Still, the day is done, so things can't get any worse."
"BOSS!" The angry voice of Yugra called out, startling the Distributor and Vector into looking in his direction. The gunslinger stormed into the room, his hand gripping the coat collar of a long-forgotten face as he forced him inside, a gun pointed at his back. "Look who I found sneaking around outside."
The Distributor lowered his sunglasses to directly look at the green-haired man he once worked closely with. "Mr. Heartland... It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Mr. Heartland didn't pay attention to him, as he was too busy glaring at Yugra. "Get that gun away from me, you little prick!" He yelled in rage.
"Head, back, or nuts. Only options." Yugra replied.
"I swear I'll have you evicted from this city if you don't release me!"
At that moment, Mitsume walked in behind him. "Ignore him, Yugra."
"Already done. His words are mud right now, anyway." Yugra said, jabbing Mr. Heartland with his gun again.
"Indeed. You think you're still in control, Heartland?" The Distributor asked matter-of-factly.
"I assumed we were at least still partners in this." Mr. Heartland replied. "And that I'd have enough respect that your little minions wouldn't be manhandling me like this!"
"Partners don't sneak. Plus, you've been very absent."
Vector was then heard growling as he was working the main computer from within his chamber. "Great. More bad news. He's 2 Numbers shorts of what we gave him." The computer readout showed a list of Numbers that Mr. Heartland had, but two of them were darkened out.
Mr. Heartland, upon having this exposed, began to sweat a bit. "Wh-what makes you think I didn't give them to someone to give Yuma hell?"
"It would've shown up on our monitors." The Distributor replied without missing a beat, with a look on his face that basically said "Explain yourself".
Yugra tightened his grip on Mr. Heartland's collar. "You got 10 seconds."
"Would you stop him?!" Mr. Heartland cried at the Distributor, his face clearly scared out of his mind, expect Yugra to blow a hole through him at any moment.
The Distributor sighed. "Yugra, disarm. It's going to be tough for him to actually talk like this." With a scoff, Yugra roughly let go of his collar and backed off, but he kept his gun trained on his back.
Mr. Heartland took a moment to catch his breath, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Arigatou." He said, adjusting his coat. "If you must know, I lost them to that brat my former employees spawned." He spat the words "former employees" with venom, remembering Gauche, Droite, and their son Yamoto. "But... I did manage to find out a juicy detail about him you might find... useful." The Distributor rose an eyebrow at this claim, Mr. Heartland's fear having been replaced by a confident, sinister grin.
Author-Made Cards (Iron Chain cards here made by me, OOPArts/Chronomaly cards made by RK777; "Gods of the OOPArts" is "Chronomaly Lord" in TCG)
Iron Chain Bandit
Level 4 EARTH Warrior
ATK:1200/DEF:500
When this card is Normal and Special Summoned: Reveal 1 random card in your opponent's hand. If the revealed card is a monster, send a number of cards equal to that monster's Level from the top of your opponent's Deck to the Graveyard.
OOPArts Totem Pole Titan
Level 9 EARTH Rock
ATK:3000/DEF:2400
Once per turn, while this card is in your Graveyard; Special Summon 1 "OOPArts Totem Token" (Rock-Type/EARTH/Level 3/ATK 1000/DEF 800) onto either side of the field. A "OOPArts Totem Token" cannot be used as a Synchro Material Monster. During your Standby Phase, if this monster is in your Graveyard; Tribute 3 "OOPArts Totem Tokens" on your side of the field; Special Summon this card from your Graveyard.
Iron Chain Bat
Level 1 EARTH Winged Beast
ATK:300/DEF:100
During your Main Phase, you can declare a number from 1 to 3: Your opponent can send the declared number of cards from the top of their Deck to the Graveyard to negate this effect, otherwise increase this card's Level until the End Phase.
Iron Chain Magician
Level 3 EARTH Spellcaster
ATK:800/DEF:1000
If a monster your opponent controls with a Level activates its effect while this card is in your Graveyard: You can banish this card from your Graveyard; negate the activation and effect, and if you do, send a number of cards equal to that monster's Level from the top of your opponent's Deck to the Graveyard.
Number 66: (OCG: Imprisoned Demon -) Iron Chain Golem
Rank 4 EARTH Fiend/Xyz
ATK:0/DEF:2800
3 Level 4 monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle. Your opponent must attack this card at least once per turn, if able. If this card battles an opponent's monster that has more ATK than this card: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card: Negate the Battle Damage from that battle, then send 1 card from the top of your opponent's Deck for every 200 points of Battle Damage that was negated by this effect.
OOPArts Temple Pyramid
Rank 5 LIGHT Rock/Xyz
ATK:0/DEF:2600
2 Level 5 monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; add 1 "OOPArts" Ritual Spell and 1 "Gods of the OOPArts" Ritual Monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand. If this card is equipped with "Altar to the Gods of the OOPArts": You can Tribute this card and 2 other "OOPArts" monsters you control; Special Summon 1 "Gods of the OOPArts" monster from your Graveyard, ignoring the Summoning conditions. (This Special Summon is treated as a Ritual Summon.)
Gods of the OOPArts - Heyoka Clever (C-Lord of Mischief Heyoka)
Level 5 EARTH Beast/Ritual
ATK:1400/DEF:800
You can Ritual Summon this card with any Ritual Spell Card that can Ritual Summon "Gods of the OOPArts" monsters. "OOPArts" monsters you control are unaffected by your opponent's Trap Cards. Once per turn, you can Set 1 Trap Card directly from your Deck and Set it, but if you do, send the top card of your Deck to the Graveyard, then place 1 card from your hand on the bottom of your Deck.
Gods of the OOPArts - Ekeko Giver (C-Lord of Abundance Ekio)
Level 3 EARTH Fairy/Ritual
ATK:1100/DEF:0
You can Ritual Summon this card with any Ritual Spell Card that can Ritual Summon "Gods of the OOPArts" monsters. Once per turn: You can Tribute 1 other "OOPArts" monster you control; gain LP equal to that monster's ATK or DEF, whichever is higher.
Gods of the OOPArts - Winalagalis Warrior (C-Lord of Battle Winnalaaghales)
Level 5 EARTH Warrior/Ritual
ATK:2000/DEF:1350
You can Ritual Summon this card with any Ritual Spell Card that can Ritual Summon "Gods of the OOPArts" Monsters. Once per turn: You can pay 2000 Life Points; This card gains 1000 ATK and one of the following effects until the End Phase:
* If this card attacks or is attacked, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step.
* This card cannot be destroyed by battle, and can inflict piercing damage until the end of this turn.
Other monsters you control cannot attack during a turn you activate this effect.
Gods of the OOPArts - Mictlantecuhtli Underworld King (C-Lord of Necromancy Meclan Tecultly)
Level 6 EARTH Fiend/Ritual
ATK:?/DEF:0
You can Ritual Summon this card with any Ritual Spell Card that can Ritual Summon "Gods of the OOPArts" monsters. This card's original ATK is the number of Monster Cards in your Graveyard x 200. (OCG/TCG: number of monsters in both players' Graveyards at the time of Ritual Summoned x 100) Once per turn: You can send 2 Monster Cards from your hand to your Graveyard; Special Summon 1 "OOPArts" monster, except "Gods of the OOPArts - Mictlantecuhtli Underworld King", from your Graveyard whose Level is equal to the total Levels of the monsters sent to your Graveyard by this effect. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect cannot be used as Synchro Materials. If this card would be destroyed by battle, you can banish 1 "OOPArts" monster from your Graveyard instead.
Revenge Chain
Continuous Spell Card
Once per turn, during your Main Phase 2, if you took battle damage this turn: You can send 1 card from the top of your opponent's Deck to the Graveyard for every 200 damage you took during 1 battle this turn.
Newton Stone
Continuous Spell Card
While you control at least 2 "OOPArts" monsters: You can discard 1 card from your hand; increase the Level of all face-up "OOPArts" monsters you control by 1 (OCG/TCG: 1 for each monster on your field) until the End Phase of this turn. If you control "Poteau Runestone" or "Heavener Runestone" along with this card: You can use this card as an Xyz Material for the Xyz Summon of 1 "OOPArts" Xyz Monster in your Extra Deck.
Altar to the Gods of the OOPArts
Ritual Spell Card
This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Gods of the OOPArts" Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from the field or your hand whose total Levels equal or surpass the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. If you control "OOPArts Temple Pyramid" when this card is activated: Target that monster; after this card's effect resolves, equip this card to the target as an Equip Spell Card. Once per turn, if this card is equipped to "OOPArts Temple Pyramid": You can Ritual Summon any "Gods of the OOPArts" Ritual Monster in your hand by Tributing monsters from the field or your hand whose total Levels equal the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon.
Call to the Ancient Gods (Ancient Ones in TCG)
Ritual Spell Card
(This card is treated as an "OOPArts" card.)
This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Gods of the OOPArts" Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from the field or your hand whose total Levels equal the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. If you control a "Gods of the OOPArts" Ritual Monster when this card is activated, you can instead Tribute monsters whose total Levels equal 1 Level less than the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon.
Barrier Chain
Continuous Trap Card
Once per turn, if your opponent declares an attack: You can send the top 5 cards from your Deck to the Graveyard; negate the attack, then you can Special Summon 1 "Iron Chain" monster from your Graveyard.
Resurrection Chain
Continuous Trap Card
Once per turn, you can target 1 "Iron Chain" monster in your Graveyard: Send a number of cards equal to that monster's Level or Rank from the top of your Deck to the Graveyard; Special Summon that target.
Chain Retraction
Counter Trap Card
When an "Iron Chain" monster you control is attacked: Return that monster to your hand, and if you do, shuffle a number of cards equal to that monster's Level or Rank from your Graveyard into your Deck.
Poteau Runestone
Continuous Trap Card
Once per turn, during either player's turn (OCG/TCG: opponent's turn only): You can discard 1 card from your hand to target 1 "OOPArts" monster you control; it cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. If you control "Newton Stone" or "Heavener Runestone" along with this card: You can use this card as an Xyz Material for the Xyz Summon of 1 "OOPArts" Xyz Monster in your Extra Deck.
Wrath from the Gods of the OOPArts
Normal Trap Card
If a "Gods of the OOPArts" monster you control is destroyed by your opponent (by battle or by card effect): Negate the effects of all monsters your opponent controls, then inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK.
Yuma: WHAT?! A chiffhanger? Seriously, Vile?
Vile: *grinning* Oh, come on, you know I love cliffhangers.
Kotori: But a double cliffhanger? You're going to hurt Yuma's head. Which one come next?
Vile: Oh, you'll find out eventually. Not within the next month, though, which brings me around to my big announcement for anyone who's still here by this point. I know I haven't had the best track record with updates, but in spite of my creative drive resurging, I decided to use it for something a lot more productive:
I'm going to be taking part in National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo, this November.
Vile: I've been writing fanfictions for almost seven years now, and it's been the support of all my fans that kept me going even though all the bullshit in my life, so in a way, I could give back to you all by using this opportunity to get a true book of mine written. NaNoWriMo cares more about length than quality, so my mission is to get my chosen idea in at least 50,000 words, and although I was a bit nervous about it, I'm really psyched to have a chance at getting an original work onto paper!
All Vile-verse characters: Woooooooow...
Vile: So, for the month of November, my writing focus will be on my novel, which means I won't be updating at all during November. This will also mean commissions are closed during November, but they will be back open on December 1st. You guys have been awesome to me this whole run, so I hope to have a story that's actually worth paying for (since I'll actually try to get the book published after editing) to show you all how far I've truly come. If you guys liked this chapter, leave a review for me, and remember, you ZEXAL fans were the ones who got me where I am. Ja ne for now, and stay awesome, folks.
Computer Voice: Vile, logging out- *static* Hack detected.
RK777: Hey guys, Rocket Knight 777 checking in. So, what Vile forgot to mention is that the cliffhanger for this recent edition will be resolved by you, the readers. I convinced him to put a poll up on his profile where you choose to either hear Zaman's story first, or Heartlands. For a juicy drop of spoiler, Zaman's story will crossover with another of Vile's currently unfinished fics and will only require one Numbershot (but it will also involve the other story being caught up). Heartland's will probably involve two Decksibitions and a Numbershot, but I know he hasn't got it all figured out yet. Still, the choice is your, who would you rather hear from, Zaman or Heartland?
Vile: *briefly logs in and grabs Rocket by the ear* I really need to invest in a better firewall. *logs out with Rocket*