Author Notes: Thank you, witchymagnolia, for this story's wonderful new cover art! If anyone is interested, you guys should go and give her stories a read they're really nice and cozy! (A perfect present for this story's milestone!)
Revendread Slayer: 8000 LP
Alexis: 4000 LP
Seika: 4000 LP
"I take the first turn!" Alexis drew her card as she stole the first move of the duel. Standing before her was a Duelist that defeated their best; she couldn't afford to back down. "I play Polymerization! I fuse Eloite Cyber and Blade Skater to fusion summon Cyber Blader!"
Cyber Blader [Type:Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-Type:Warrior/Attribute:EARTH/Level:7/ATK:2100/DEF:800]
"I'll end my turn there!" Alexis cried out.
Turn 2: Revendread Slayer. Cards: 5.
"She summoned Cyber Blader on her first turn!" Jaden cried out.
"Cyber Blader is indeed a formidable monster, but I fear that it won't be enough." Bastion noted as all eyes turned to the 3rd Shadow Rider.
The Shadow Rider drew his card. "I play the Ritual Spell card, Revendread Evolution! I must tribute a monster from my hand, grave, or my deck that is equal level to the monster I'm ritual summoning! I sacrifice a card from my deck to summon Revendread Slayer!" As the Shadow Rider exclaimed this, he activated the card in front of him. With the same chant that chilled Zane's bones, the Shadow Rider walked through the card, transforming into the ritual monster that Seika and Alexis were fighting.
Revendread Slayer [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/ Level: 6/ATK: 2400/ DEF: 0]
"Alright, I gotta admit," Jaden spoke up. "I've seen many spirits summon themselves, but his summoning was kickass!"
"Idiot! All he did was walk through a card!" Chazz shouted despite the fact he felt intimidated by the simple action, mostly because the mere presence and weight in their enemy's gait was more intimidating than he expected.
"That's right!" The Dark Scorpions appeared from Chazz's side deck. "How come when we do it, no one bats an eye!? Yet when he does it, he's like Oprah!?"
"Chazz, why'd you bring them along!?" Syrus yelled.
"I didn't!" Chazz turned to the Ojama brothers. "Did you punks bring them!?"
"That nice black and white dragon asked us to come." Cliff of the Dark Scorpions spoke up, making Chazz look up at his Light and Darkness Dragon.
However, an instant later, everyone felt a thick pressure in the air emanating from the 3rd Shadow Rider. There was a silent answer as to why Revendread Slayer got away with walking to the battlefield.
"This is bad. I found out the longer that monster is on the field, it grows stronger with each battle." Zane's words made everyone worry. A monster that grew stronger after every battle? It looked strong in its base form!
"I'll end my turn there." Revendread Slayer folded his arms as his cards and duel disk vanished.
Turn 3: Seika. Cards: 5.
Everyone watched as Seika drew her first card. "I activate Spring of Rebirth! For each card that returns to the owner's hand, my life points increase by 500!" She took another card from her hand. "I normal summon Tsukiomi in attack mode!"
Tsukiomi [Type: Spirit/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/ Attribute: DARK/ Level: 4/ATK: 1100/ DEF: 1400]
"I activate Tsukiomi's effect! I can flip one face-up monster into a face-down position!" It didn't take much to figure out the target of her ability. The Spirit started to dance and then pointed her fan over to Revendread Slayer. His card flipped while a ghost-like image appeared behind where he once stood before he summoned himself.
"That's a strong ability. Especially since our opponent's monsters have 0 defense points." Bastion noted. "It'll no doubt help them in the long run."
However, Seika narrowed her eyes towards the supposedly defenseless monster. "I play one card face down and end my turn. Tsukiomi returns to my hand, and I gain 500 life points."
Revendread Slayer: 8000 LP
Alexis: 4000 LP
Seika: 4000 LP → 4500 LP
As Seika's life points rose, the facedown of Revendread Slayer shattered.
"What happened!? Seika didn't attack that monster!?" Alexis cried out.
Revendread Slayer started to appear in solid colors after the card was destroyed. "Revendread Evolution has a drawback that destroys the ritual monster summoned at the end phase of my opponent's turn." He threw his hand outward. "Revendread Slayer has an ability that allows me to send a Vendread monster to the graveyard and collect a ritual spell card for my hand."
Seika looked confused. "His ritual cards destroy his monsters on purpose? He's just setting up... he set up for his next turn." Her eyes widened as she pieced together the moves of her opponent.
"Alexis, Seika! Don't give up!" Atticus shouted.
Turn 4: Revendread Slayer. Cards: 5
The crowd went silent when Slayer drew his card. "I discard one Vendread card in my hand to special summon Vendread Houndhorde in defense mode!" As he exclaimed this, a familiar sight of zombie dogs appeared into the field. "This was the card I discarded when my first form left the field."
Vendread Houndhorde [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/Level: 3/ ATK: 0/ DEF: 2100]
"Huh," Alexis noticed the smaller dogs in the pile. "They're kinda cute." Then the cuter dogs started splitting in half to form mouths bigger than their original size. "In a horrifying way."
"I now normal summon Vendread Revenants." Multiple people, all looking zombified and mutated, appeared onto the field in a collective moan.
Vendread Revenants [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/Level: 4/ ATK: 1800/ DEF: 0]
Zane recognized that monster. "Everyone, be careful! That monster gives his ritual monsters the ability to banish special summoned monsters!"
His warning was moot as Slayer moved before anyone could react. "I activate Revendread Origin! I tribute both monsters, with Houndhorde being banished instead of going to the graveyard, to ritual summon this abhorrent abomination." Everyone noted the seething hate coming from the 3rd Shadow Rider. They wondered why he would hate the monster he was summoning?
The air turned cold, and clouds started to obscure the once clear skies. As it got dark, Wilona's Medallion and the other Spirit Keys formed a dome around the spectators.
No one saw where that giant came from. He-It was as big as Beauregard when he was posing as the Duel Giant. But the monster before them was infinitely more threatening. They thought it wore bulky, black armor. They realized armor doesn't move as if it was a living parasite. Yet it started to shift and from into skeletons, spikes, and capes. From the head skull, its lone eye burned with pale blue fire.
"Behold the end of my world and the instrument of your end, The Anathema! Vendread Battelord!"
Vendread Battlelord [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/ Level: 7/ATK: 2700/ DEF: 0]
The being shot its hand to the ground, then with a mighty heave pulled out a sword as massive as itself and slung it over its shoulder.
"This doesn't look good," Alexis commented as the creature appeared with an oppressive force surrounding it.
"I activate the ability of my Remnants! My Ritual monster gains this effect! I can now banish a monster that was special summoned!" Slayer pointed to Cyber Blader. "The Fusion monster falls! Go, Anathema!"
The beast roared before it swung its blade with deceptive speed. An energy slash caught Cyber Blader by surprise before she was cut in half with almost no effort.
"The sad truth of life is that nightmares are never one singular tragedy. They are multiple that stack upon each other!" Revendread Slayer shouted as he made a crushing motion with his fist. "Vendread Houndhorde had an ability that allows Ritual Monsters to banish spell and or trap cards once per turn!" He let everyone gasp before pointing towards Seika. "My monster will banish that face down!"
The ritual monster unleashed another energy slash right for Seika's facedown. However, the President of the school pressed a button on her duel disk. "I play my facedown, the quick-play spell, Quick Summon! I'm allowed to normal summon one monster! I choose Shinobird Crow in defense mode!"
To Seika's defense, an anthropomorphic bird in ninja gear appeared on the field.
Shinobird Crow [Type: Spirit/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Winged-Beast/ Attribute: WIND/ Level: 4/ATK: 0/ DEF: 0]
"Tch!" Bastion bit his thumb. "To think he could make any of his ritual monsters capable of banishing both Special Summoned monsters and facedowns. His deck is versatile in disruption."
"I don't know what Bastion said," Syrus tried to look forward but was struggling. "But I know it's not good."
"Basically," Atticus spoke up. "He can disrupt combos. Even if Alexis or Seika has a combo to beat Slayer, he can disrupt or even stop their combos from being pulled off." His eyes narrowed. "But here comes the even worse part: Alexis is wide open."
Everyone watched with horror as Slayer pointed over to the blonde's empty field. "Attack her directly!"
The monster started to swing his blade with its eye blazing. However, at the last second, one of Slayer's tendrils snaked around the neck of his own monster, causing him to fire in a different direction. The energy slash missed Alexis and cut a tree in half instead.
Revendread Slayer: 8000 LP
Alexis: 4000 LP → 1300 LP
Seika: 4500 LP
Alexis felt herself gasping for air. Was she holding her breath as the attack came in?
However, everyone turned back to see the curious sight of Slayer torturing his monster.
"I gave specific orders not to harm them," The Slayer showed no mercy to the creature as it pressured more power into the tendril, causing the mighty giant to fall on his knees. "Do not think I did not sense the bloodlust in your movements."
"He can overpower his own monsters!?" Chazz wondered how much raw power could this Shadow Rider even have?
"That's weird." Everyone turned to Jesse as he pointed to the shadow rider. "It's like he's disciplining that monster. I don't think I've seen that before. And did ya all hear what he said? He ordered his monsters not to harm the girls!"
Zane's eyes snapped open. "During my Shadow Duel with him, the most pain I got was a scratch. He's purposely not harming us?"
Seika overheard this and spoke up, "Aren't you chivalrous? Even though it's technically a shadow game, you're making sure your opponents are safe."
The Slayer let go of his monster as the tendril returned. "There is no need for more pain."
That caught the attention of everyone listening.
"Are you crazy!?" Alexis shouted. "You're trying to unleash the Sacred Beasts! Did you forget that they'll destroy the world if unleashed?!"
"Was that your side of the story?" Everyone seemed to be surprised at the calm reaction of the 3rd Shadow Rider. He slowly turned to the Dark Scorpions, making the former Shadow Riders flinch under his gaze. "I'm surprised you lot haven't mentioned it if you had been in their company for a while."
Chazz instantly glared at the Dark Scorpions after hearing that. "Spill it! What the hell is he talking about!?"
Don Zaloog and the others looked nervous. However, Revendread Slayer began to speak up. "Don't you think it's strange that beings of different corners of the cosmos, such as the Shadow Riders, are traveling so far for the Sacred Beasts? Haven't you wondered what is worth making eight powerful strangers enter different worlds and participate in these strange games?"
He hung those questions in the air for all to absorb.
"Isn't it ultimate power?" Bastion began. "That is what the cards are implied to have: ultimate power and ultimate destruction."
"There is more to it than that," Revendread Slayer turned to Bastion before looking over to his field. "However, I've spoken too much for now. Show me your skills if you wish to know what you're truly protecting." The 3rd Shadow Rider took a card out of his hand. "I play the continuous Spell Card, Ritual Cage! I'll end my turn there."
"If you're ending your turn," Seika pointed out, "My Shinobird returns to my hand, and my Spell card gives me another 500 life points!"
Revendread Slayer: 8000 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 4500 LP → 5000 LP
Turn 5: Alexis. Cards: 3
"This isn't good," Atticus hissed. "Alexis is getting left behind."
"Don't count your sister out yet, Atticus," Zane folded his arms but held a hard stare. "She's not one to go down easily."
Alexis drew her next card. She eyed the monster in front of her and felt her heart beating louder. Alexis needed to be careful with Special Summoned Monsters, at least until Seika could flip the monster over as she did before.
"I summon Cyber Tutu in attack mode!" Alexis shouted out loud as a familiar pink-haired monster appeared.
Cyber Tutu [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/ Attribute: EARTH/ Level: 3/ATK: 1000/ DEF: 800]
"If my opponent has more attack points than her, then she can attack directly!"
The cyber ballerina skated past the monstrous beast. As she went towards Slayer, she started to twirl before unleashing a kick meant right for the face of the being. However, the 3rd Shadow Rider merely tilted his head to the side to avoid the blow.
It did not stop his life points from falling.
Revendread Slayer: 8000 LP → 7000 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 5000 LP
"Okay, I have to admit that was kinda intimidating," Chazz hated the fact he said that out loud.
"Man, I wonder if he can teach me how to dodge monster attacks like that. I mean—duels are awesome, but they hurt like heck!" Jaden stared in awe while everyone else stared at him in disappointment.
Alexis picked up two cards from her hand. "I'll set two facedowns, and I'll end my—" The girl was interrupted by a hellish wail coming from Battlelord. The monster titan unleashed another energy slash that destroyed one of Alexis' set cards.
"As I said," Slayer began. "My Ritual Monsters gain quick effects. I can activate them even on your turn. Your defenses are crippled even before you prepare them."
"That's not good! He can keep doing that and pretty much get rid of any defense the girls try to make!" Atticus yelled out.
Alexis gritted her teeth. "I'll end my turn there."
Turn 6: Slayer. Cards: 2.
The Shadow Rider drew his next card. Yet he then pointed to Alexis' last facedown. "I banish your other defensive card!" Battlelord unleashed another powerful energy slash in Alexis' direction.
The Obelisk Blue narrowed her eyes and pressed a button on her duel disk. "I reveal my facedown, Threatening Roar! This card prevents you from entering your battle phase!"
The card shined before it was turned to dust from the blast.
"In that case," Slayer lifted his hand down. "I end my turn."
Turn 7: Seika. Cards: 4
It returned to the purple-haired duelist. As she drew her card, she then played it. "I drew and activate Graceful Charity! I now draw three cards and discard two! I normal Summon Amano Iwato in attack mode!" As the 3rd-year exclaimed this, a giant cliff grew behind her that oozed with purifying aura.
Amano-Iwato [Type: Spirit/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Rock/ Attribute: EARTH/ Level: 4/ATK: 1900/ DEF: 1200]
"Great move!" Atticus smiled. "Amano Iwato prevents all monster effects but Spirit Monsters from activating! That seals Battlelord's banishing!"
"Did you forget spirit monsters return to the hand?" Chazz scoffed. "The moment Amano leaves the field, he can just banish facedowns and special summoned monsters with ease."
However, Seika wasn't finished. "Next, I banish Tsukiyomi from my hand to special summon Izanagi in attack mode!" At her call, a tall man with white hair and a staff longer than he appeared.
Izanagi [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Fairy/ Attribute: WIND/ Level: 6/ATK: 2200/ DEF: 1600]
"When he's on the field, Spirit Monsters don't need to return to my hand!" The president shouted, which shut Chazz up real good. "I play two cards facedown and end my turn there."
Turn 8: Slayer. Cards: 3.
"She saved her cards!" Atticus was quick to cheer. "She can put facedowns to protect Amano! That's why she even put them in attack position!"
"Don't let your guard down," Zane narrowed his eyes. "Our opponent has skills he hasn't unleashed yet."
The 3rd Shadow rider drew his next card. He eyed the mountain monster and pointed over. "I command Battlelord to attack Amano-Iwato!"
The monstrosity rushed with a roar towards the giant mountain. However, Seika pointed forward. "Too bad for you that I have the quick-play card, Half Shut!" Wilona, Zane, and Alexis recognized that card. "I choose one monster on the field, and it doesn't get destroyed in battle! The price? Well, the monster loses half its attack points." The purple-haired girl smirked.
The 3rd Shadow was unimpressed even as an energy beam shot out of the card and hit his monster. (ATK:2700 → 1350) The Mountain started to glow and erected a barrier that repelled the monstrous beast mid-air, sending it crashing to the ground.
Revendread Slayer: 7000 LP → 6450 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 5000 LP
Revendread Slayer said nothing as he picked up a card from his hand. "I'll set a card and end my turn there."
Turn 9: Alexis. Cards: 1.
Alexis drew her next card. Her eyes widened at what it was. However, she didn't know if she should play it.
The blonde girl was distracted when a pointed voice spoke up, "Where is the courage you showed your friend a while ago?" Everyone turned to see the Shadow Rider looking at Alexis. "Do not falter now."
Alexis found it odd that she was being given a pep talk by her enemy. "He's right, Alexis!" The blonde turned to see Jaden shouting. "I mean he's the enemy, but he's got a point! You always give it your all! You're one of the best duelists I know!" Soon more of the others started to agree.
Alexis looked towards her opponent. He was powerful but not without honor. Because of this, her pride as a duelist started to rise. How far was the gap between her and someone who defeated the strongest of their school?
"I play the spell card, Card of Sanctity! All players draw up to six cards!" As she declared this, the three players drew until they had a full hand. "I'll start off by playing Machine Angel Ritual! I'm using Cyber Tutu and another level three monster in my hand to bring out Cyber Angel Idaten in defense mode!" As Alexis exclaimed this, a familiar Cyber Angel came into play.
Cyber Angel Idaten. [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Fairy/ Attribute: LIGHT/ Level: 6/ATK: 1600/ DEF: 2000]
"I'm not done! Idaten allowed me to pick up a Ritual Card from my deck and add it to my hand!" She looked up. "And now, I'm going to play it! Go, Holy Machine Angel Ritual! I give up my Cyber Gymnast and another copy of my Blade skater to summon this reliable monster, Cyber Angel Izana!"
Cyber Angel Izana. [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Fairy/ Attribute: LIGHT/ Level: 8/ATK: 2500/ DEF: 2600]
The celestial being appeared on the field wielding a variety of weapons. Alexis wasn't done as she pointed. "Holy Machine Angel Ritual has a bonus: for one turn, the monster summoned is not affected by cards other than my own! That means I can use Izana's abilities even with Amano-Iwato out! When she's summoned, she allows you to send one trap or spell card on your side of the field to the graveyard! And the only one you have is that Ritual Cage!" The Cyber Angel raised one of her hands and unleashed an energy slash of her own. The attack cut and shattered the spell card. "Now your Ritual Monsters aren't immune to monster effects anymore!"
"Wait, they were?" Syrus asked out loud.
"Ritual Cage protects Ritual monsters from being effect by opponent monster card effects. It's why Seika didn't try to use Tsukiyomi's effect on Battle Lord." Atticus spoke up. "It's kinda funny to think that all three of them use Ritual Monsters. They're so used to the card, none of them needed to be explained about it."
"Alexis and Seika both have copies of that card," Zane added. "But they should press whatever advantage they have. They've sealed Battlelord's banishing abilities and his immunity to monster effects. If there's a time to take him out, it's now."
Everyone turned back to the duel as Alexis brought up another card. " If you think I finished there, you're wrong! I activate another Absolute Machine Angel Ritual! This time I can shuffle cards from my graveyard as tribute! I send Idaten back to the deck with Etoile Cyber to bring out this fierce monster!" At her cry, Alexis's right eye started to glow while her Spirit Key started to shake.
Wilona was the first to recognize the symbol. "Don't tell me she's summoning that card!?"
Everyone watched and heard Alexis start chanting before she raised out the card. "Come forth, Cyber Angel Vrash!"
Cyber Angel Vrash. [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Fairy/ Attribute: LIGHT/ Level: 10/ATK: 3000/ DEF: 2000]
It was almost biblical the way a goddess from above parted the darkness and descended behind Alexis. "When Vrash is summoned, she can destroy all monsters summoned from the Extra Deck!" Alexis reviewed over her mind the fact that she hasn't fought anyone using Extra Deck Monsters. "But since there aren't any, I'll just have to settle for Idaten's tribute ability: I can make my Ritual Monsters gain 1000 attack and defense points! Since she's not on the field, and it's not an active ability, Amano won't negate her ability!" (ATK:3000 → 4000/DEF:2000 → 3000) (ATK:2500 → 3500/DEF: 2600 → 3600)
"That's one stacked board!" Jaden gasped.
Alexis pointed over to Battlelord. "It's time to end this! Izana, destroy Battlelord!"
The Angel rushed to face the demonic being. However, Battlelord didn't look like he was going down without a fight as he rushed for the Cyber Angel. The two clashed weapons and unleashed a shockwave that the barriers for the bystanders absorbed.
"I reveal my facedown!" Revendread Slayer exclaimed as the two creatures clashed. "Raigeki Break! I discard one card, and I can destroy one card on the field! I choose Amano-Iwato!" As he claimed this, the trap card fired off a blast towards the mountain.
"Great-Scott! If he gets rid of Amano, his ability to banish special summoned monsters will be unleashed!" Bastion cried out with panic.
"Then it's a good thing he won't!" Seika motioned to the ground in front of her. "I play Dark Bribe! I can negate that activation, but my opponent can draw one card!" The trap card created a barrier that quickly protected the mountain of a monster.
"That's too bad!" Alexis pointed. "Now you've lost your chance to counter us!"
Luckily, Izana won the clash and was able to use her upper two arms to stab weapons right into the chest of the monster. Light started to shine inside before it enveloped and exploded the amalgamation.
Revendread Slayer: 6450 LP → 5650 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 5000 LP
"Battlelord has an effect when he's sent to the graveyard." Slayer began as he pulled out his deck. "I can bring one Ritual Monster from my deck to my hand while I send another Vendread monster to the graveyard."
Alexis raised a fist. "If you think it's over, you're not wrong! Just not in the way you think! Izana can attack again after successfully destroying a monster!" At her command, Izana rushed with all weapons. The Ritual Monster raised her weapons to the sky and brought down a holy light bomb at the 3rd Shadow Rider.
Revendread Slayer: 5650 LP → 2150 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 5000 LP
As the smoke cleared, The Revendread Slayer flinched in pain. Alexis was like a shark that smelled blood at that moment. She pointed faster than she ever did in her duel career so far. "Quick Vrash! End this duel!"
The goddess on the field started to glow even brighter. Her ring gathered energy as she placed her hands together in prayer. Vrash's magic circle/halo lifted and unleashed a powerful laser right for Revendread Slayer.
Everyone braced themselves as the attack connected and created an explosion in the area.
"Yes! Direct hit!" Jaden cried out as the others cheered.
"No," Everyone looked to Zane, who seemed to have his eyes narrowing.
"He's right," Atticus gripped his fist. "Something moved at the last second from Slayer's Graveyard."
As the dust settled, everyone saw an inky, glop-like creature forming a cocoon around the 3rd Shadow Rider. It moved like water and rubber combined, stretching and forming into a moving blob with fangs. Then the creature unfurled itself, revealing the 3rd Shadow Rider was unharmed by that last attack.
"When a Vendread Monster is destroyed," The Slayer's eyes were set ablaze, "I can activate this trap card from the graveyard, Vendread Prototype!"
"When was that card in your graveyard!?" Alexis cried out in surprise.
The Slayer turned to her. "Did you recall Raigeki Break needed a card to be discarded?"
Alexis's eyes widened as she recalled the Shadow Rider discarding a card to activate the trap.
"He," Chazz felt himself starting to sweat, and he wasn't even dueling! "He planned that!? I refuse to believe he knew his trap was going to fail!"
"I'm afraid this is the one time I loathe correcting you, Chazz," Bastion too felt nervous. "I believe he did. The attempt on Amano was the bait. He must have known Seika's final facedown would protect it. "
"If I may continue," Everyone turned back to Slayer, "Vendread Prototype has the following effects: it can negate any damage I would have taken and converts it into gaining life points instead."
As soon as the words left him, everyone on the opposing side gasped at what that meant.
Revendread Slayer: 2150 LP → 6150 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 5000 LP
"All that set up," Wilona gulped as the protective blob started to disintegrate. "Just for 300 Lifepoints."
If it was bad then, it was now about to get worse. Alexis looked as if her entire world came crashing down on her. Even with the help of the Blessed Spirit Key, all she could do was put a dent on her opponent? Was their gap that big after all?
"Hey! Little Sister!" Alexis looked over to Seika again. She continued to stare down the 3rd Shadow Rider. " You think you have it bad? You should have seen me after Zane beat me on the second turn the first time we dueled. I was a complete mess." She gave a light scoff before the president turned to the blonde with a calm look. "Don't give up now."
The simple words allowed Alexis to breathe again. "I end my turn there."
"And since I have seven cards in my hand at the end of the turn, I will discard one in respect to the hand limit." Slayer declared.
Turn 10: Slayer. Cards: 6.
They watched their opponent draw the seventh card that he technically discarded. He had a full hand, and now it was his turn to counterattack.
"Your assault was not without waste." The Slayer spoke with an unexpected gentleness to his tone. "What were you told about the Sacred Beasts?"
Seika was the first to answer. "They wield unimaginable and destructive power. They would destroy our world if they were free."
"That is true," Revendread Slayer concurred. "However, do you know why they cause such destruction in the first place?"
Everyone seemed to be surprised by that one word: why.
"The Sacred Beasts are more than just wanton beings of destruction. They are also keys: keys to traveling freely among the 12 dimensions! And when they've gathered more than enough power, they have the ability to reach what legends call the Tag Force!"
"Tag Force? What's that?" Syrus looked around for an answer, but he didn't find it among his friends.
His enemy answered for him. "No one knows. I'm not entirely sure if it's even called that in the first place. What I do know is that the Sacred Beasts have the ability to open a portal to the center of the 12 Dimensions, a source of unimaginable power." Revendread Slayer looked up to the clear night sky. "And, dare I hope, the power to grant a wish."
"The center of our world and others as well!?" Bastion breathed in awe.
"A Wish!? The Sacred Beasts can grant wishes!?" Dr. Crowler screamed as his mind wandered to getting his desires granted.
The Slayer shrugged his shoulders. "I do not know if they can. But with that much power, perhaps even a wish as such as mine could be granted."
Alexis heard this. "Wait, you don't know?"
"As I said, all I know is that the Sacred Beasts do have the ability to enter the Center of the 12 Dimensions. Whether my wish can be granted or not is purely up to whatever is in the center."
Alexis had to believe some of this was starting to make some sense. The Shadow Riders were doing all of this for a wish? Come to think of it, Bastion did tell her and the others that Aruru wanted to be a true living being. The Dark Scorpions... but wait. "What is your wish?" The blonde asked.
Her answer met with a different type of silence from the Shadow Rider. Instead, he pointed a palm outward. "First, I play the Spell Card, Sick Day. I choose one card on the field, and its effects are negated for this turn only." He pointed to the only monster the Keepers didn't want to have its effects negated. "I choose Amano! With his nullifying ability gone, I now banish Vendread Striges from my grave to summon Vendread Core to the field!"
A small, ethereal orb of light and mist appeared onto the field.
Vendread Core. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/Level: 1/ ATK: 0/ DEF: 500]
"He must have discarded that sometime during the duel," Chazz leered at the monster despite having no attack points. "He had a lot of discarding abilities."
"Next, I activate my second Houndhorde from my graveyard! I discard one Vendread Card, and it can be special summoned to the field.
Vendread Houndhorde [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/Level: 3/ ATK: 0/ DEF: 2100]
The familiar gaggle of monstrous dogs appeared into the field. "Next, I summon another copy of my Vendread Revenants."
Vendread Revenants [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/Level: 4/ ATK: 1800/ DEF: 0]
"Uh oh." Seika breathed as she and Alexis tensed.
They knew what was coming; they all knew. But they were still unprepared when Slayer took out, "Revendread Origin! I tribute monsters equal level to the Ritual Monster I am about to summon! I tribute all three monsters on my field for a level 8 Vendread monster!"
Zane looked on as he felt a familiar but powerful presence. "He's summoning the card that beat me!"
That caught everyone's attention more than usual.
They all watched the Ritual Card lift and turn red with gathered energy. Revendread Slayer walked through the card, transforming into a much more powerful version of himself.
Revendread Executor [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/ Level: 8/ATK: 3000/ DEF: 0]
"Because Amano's effect is no longer active," Executor gathered energy in his palm. "I choose to banish the Cyber Angel Izana from play." He fired a ball of red energy that grew in size the further it traveled.
Alexis grunted before throwing her hand out. "Don't think it's only your effects that are free! I activate Izana's effect! When my opponent targets one of my Cyber Angels, I can choose one card on my opponent's side of the field and destroy it after shuffling Idaten back to my deck!"
Izana raised a spear and threw it at the attack. The spear went through the attack but didn't stop it. However, the spear kept flying towards the only target in the Shadow Rider's field: himself!
"Vendread Core's ability activates. When this monster is used for a Ritual Summon, the Ritual monster gains the ability of immunity to my opponent's monster effects." Although he said this, the 3rd Shadow Rider used his empowered tendril to catch the spear before it could skewer his face. The same could not be said for Izana as she was absorbed by the red energy and vanished on the spot.
"I knew there was something off about that small light!" Chumley cried out. Everyone else was horrified to learn that a small monster could grant such a devastating ability.
"Now, to get rid of that monster." Executor turned to Amano-Iwato. The Shadow Rider reclined his fist before he disappeared in a blink of an eye. He appeared above the mountain and unleashed one punch that unleashed a force that shattered the monster into pieces.
Revendread Slayer: 6150 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 5000 LP → 3900 LP
Executor appeared back to his side of the field before he slowly stood back up. "I'll end my turn there."
Turn 11: Seika. Cards: 6
But now it was Seika's turn to pull off a big combo and she wasn't going to put this to waste. "I'll start off with a continuous spell card, Shinobird Power Spot! As long as this card is up, all spirit monsters gain 500 attack and defense points!" (ATK: 2200 → 2700/DEF: 1000 → 1500) "I now activate Shinobird's Calling! I can banish Amano-Iwato and Tsukiomi from my graveyard to special summon this Shinobaron Peacock!"
In a flurry of feathers, a noble and elegant young man appeared on Seika's field.
Shinobaron Peacock. [Type: Ritual/Spirit/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Winged-Beast/ Attribute: WIND/ Level: 8/ATK: 3000/ DEF: 2500]
"So she finally brought out one of her strongest monsters. Where was that earlier?" Chazz scoffed, but he was secretly calmed by the sight of the monster. However, the moment passed as he recalled, "It's too bad Revendread Executor can just banish the monster."
"Your monster is unfortunately immune to my monster's bouncing effects," Seika began. "But when he's summoned, I can Special Summon a level 4 or lower Spirit Monster from my hand that ignores its summoning conditions! I bring out, Yaksha!"
Yaksha [Type: Spirit/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Fairy/ Attribute: WATER/ Level: 4/ATK: 1900/ DEF: 1500]
A more monstrous but warrior-like spirit appeared in the field. Yet Seika pointed and claimed, "Shinobird Power Spot is still in play! Yaksha and Shinobaron gain 500 points!" (ATK: 3000 → 3500/DEF: 2500 → 3000)(ATK: 1900 → 2400/DEF: 1500 → 2000)
"Now, Shinobaron! Attack Revendread Executor!" Seika commanded.
Revendread Executor narrowed his eyes as the opposing ritual monster summoned an ornate blade and rushed towards him. "I accept your challenge. Show me what you'll do to overcome! I activate my ability to banish one special summoned monster this turn!"
"I thought you might!" Seika quickly took a card from her hand. "I play the Quick-Play card, Honor Duel! For the rest of the turn, no more effects from any card can activate! Second, this card prevents other cards from activating in response to its effects, so you won't be able to chain your back row banishing with this card!"
With the moves of a master swordsman, Shinobaron Peacock avoided Executor's tendrils and unleashed a slash that tore through the torso of the Shadow Rider. Although in pain, Executor stood tall.
"I can remove one of my Revendread Origins from the graveyard," Executor gasped. "To prevent my destruction."
Revendread Slayer: 6150 LP → 5650 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 3900 LP
"Oooh," Everyone turned to Seika as she placed her hand wielding her duel disk on her hips. "You shouldn't have done that. See, Honor Duel has another situational effect: if the weaker monster is not destroyed by battle in the first fight, it's technically a foul. You know? Battle to the death and all? Since you disobeyed the rules, here comes the penality! The rest of my monsters can attack directly!"
Yaksha and Izanagi held their weapons and rushed right for the Shadow Rider, attacking him with great force.
Revendread Slayer: 5650 LP → 550 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 3900 LP
"There we go," Seika smiled and tilted her head. "That's what you get for hurting my cute underclassman's feelings~."
The Key Keepers cheered at the combo pulled off by the Queen of Duel Academy.
"Haha! There we go!" "She's amazing!" "Golly! Think she can duel me next?!" "Sorry, Jesse! I wanted to duel her first!" "You two have to be brothers."
Seika gave a small laugh before her face fell to a more serious tone. "In the end phase, I allow Shinobaron to return to my hand! When he's returned, I'm allowed to summon two Shinobird Tokens in his place."
As she picked up her Ritual Card back to her hand, two statues appeared of a woman and a man that looked like Shinobaron. [Winged Beast-Type/WIND/Level 4/ATK 1500/DEF 1500] "And they're both in defense position. Power Spot has an effect that allows me to search for either a Spirit Ritual Monster or a Ritual card, and I choose Ritual monster. It activates when a Wind Monster returns to my hand. But that's not the only card to activate. I still have my Spring of Rebirth giving me another 500 points."
Revendread Slayer: 550 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP
Seika: 3900 LP → 4400 LP
"I'll play one card face down, and end my turn there."
Turn 12: Slayer/Executor. Cards: 2.
Executor summoned his duel disk and drew a card from his deck. "Well fought. But my powers have returned." His eyes were set ablaze as he said this. "I see now that the two of you together do have the power to defeat me. That is why I must shatter your bond." Everyone saw Executor turn to Alexis. "I activate both my banishing abilities! I banish Vrash and the only facedown on the field!"
"Sorry!" Seika shouted. "I activate that facedown you're trying to banish! Blind Blizzard! This Quick-Play card forces my opponent to skip his battle—"
"I link my own Quick-Play Card! Over Sword!" Executor claimed as he removed a card from his hand. "This card gives one monster of my choosing 500 attack points for this turn. And it prevents my opponent from manipulating the battle phase!" He quickly grabbed an energy sword and threw it as if it was a javelin. Faster than a blink, it stabbed and shattered the last facedown. (ATK: 3000 → 3500)
As soon as that was done, the Shadow Rider threw the orbs that banished both Alexis' monster and Seika's attempt at defense.
"No! Alexis!" Everyone cried out in fear as Alexis' field was left wide open.
However, the Shadow Rider pushed out his hand. Alexis instinctively shielded herself. But instead of something coming over to her, she felt something leave. She opened her eyes to see that her Spirit Key flew up and flew over to The Shadow Rider's hand.
Revendread Slayer: 550 LP
Alexis: 1300 LP → 0 LP
Seika: 4400 LP
The symbol in Alexis's eye faded and her duel disk powered down.
The Shadow Rider let go of the key and it levitated in the air beside him before it vanished.
"You should leave." The Shadow Rider began. "I can no longer promise to hold back if you intervene more than necessary."
Alexis looked like she wanted to argue, but Seika lifted her hand. "You did good, little sister. You helped me out more than you realize. Just let me handle it from here, okay?" She winked. The Queen turned to Shadow Rider. "Mind if she stays close to me?"
The Shadow Rider stayed silent before he shook his head. This signaled that he didn't mind Alexis staying near Seika.
"Thank you, Mr. Shadow Rider. You sure know how to pamper a lady."
Seika gave a playful wink. "Is your turn done?"
Her opponent simply nodded once. (ATK: 3500 → 3000)
Turn 13: Seika. Cards: 3.
She drew her next card. "I play all of my monsters in defense mode!" The Queen of Duel Academy gave a small smirk. "And I think I'll end my turn there."
Before she finished her sentence, Revendread Executor moved and fired two red spheres that banished both her Shinobird Power Spot and Izanagi.
"What's she doing!? She said she was going to make a move, but all she did was move her monsters in defense mode!?" Chazz screamed out.
While everyone else was worried, Atticus and Zane noticed how Seika still looked calm.
"Whatever she's planning," Atticus said in a low voice. "I hope she pulls it off." Zane found himself silently agreeing with his friend.
Turn 14: Revendread Slayer/Executor. Cards: 2
Their opponent kept his composure as well. Even with the clear advantage, it looked as if this Shadow Rider was competent enough to not let down his guard. "I banish your Fountain card and your Yaksha!" He threw out his hand as his cards and duel disk disappeared again. "I then destroy one of your tokens!" He jumped and unleashed his tendrils that skewered one of the token statues.
He jumped back down and made his duel disk reappear. "I'll end my turn with a facedown."
Turn 15: Seika. Cards: 4.
Seika drew her card. "First, I play Spell Books in the Pot! Both players draw three cards!" Both duelists did so. "I activate another Shinobird's calling! I sacrifice my last token and banish Shinobird Crow back when I played Graceful Charity! This lets me special summon another Ritual monster of mine! Grace the field, Shinobaroness Peacock!"
If Shinobaron was handsome, Shinobaroness was so gorgeous that there was no way she could be real.
Shinobaroness Peacock. [Type: Ritual/Spirit/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Winged-Beast/ Attribute: WIND/ Level: 8/ATK: 2500/ DEF: 3000]
"Her effect is to bounce back up to 3 spell or trap cards my opponent controls! So that facedown has to go!" Shinobaroness unfolded a fan. With one swipe, she sent a whirlwind that blasted the card to the sky. Executor lifted his hand as the card appeared in his hand. "Now, she has an ability that will allow me to special summon another level 4 spirit monster, but I won't activate it!" Everyone was surprised to hear Seika exclaim that. "Instead, I'll go right for an attack!"
That made everyone but Zane and Atticus look on with surprise. Why was Seika attacking with a monster that had 500 fewer attack points!?
As if answering their question, Seika pulled out a card from her hand. "I play the Quick-Play card, Swapped Weapons! For this turn, all monsters swap their attack and defense points!"
The Shadow Rider's eyes widened as he realized what that meant.
(ATK: 3000 → 0/DEF: 0 → 3000)(ATK: 2500 → 3000/DEF: 3000 → 2500)
"He has zero attack points!" "If this attack connects, Seika will win!"
Revendread Executor's eyes flared with power as he lifted his hand towards the incoming Shinobaroness. "I activate my ability to banish a special summoned monster! I will not let you strike me!" He fired a red sphere blast that caught and disintegrated the heavenly Ritual Monster.
"Drat! So close!" Bastion cursed.
"Wait, guys!" Jaden pointed to Seika, who still looked confident. "Looks like the Queen of Duel Academy is about to pull off a move fit for royalty!"
"Aww," The duelist cooed as she picked up a card from her hand. "I guess I have to live up to my subject's expectations. It's a good thing I baited your banishing ability."
Executor's eyes widened as Seika played the card. "I play the Quick-Play card, Trap Booster! By discarding Shinobaron, I can now activate Trap Cards from my hand! And the card I'm using is Return from the Different Dimension! By paying half my life points," (Seika: 4400 LP → 2200 LP) "Both you and I can special summon as many banished monsters into our fields!"
"What!?" For the first time in the duel, the Shadow Rider's stoic facade broke into pieces after hearing that.
"But why stop at my monsters? I seem to recall you banished my cute underclassman's monsters as well!" Alexis gasped as Seika pointed to the sky as it started to distort. "Ladies, Gentlemen, and those assholes Zane and Atticus! I bring back to the field, Shinobaroness Peacock, Izanagi, Cyber Blader, Cyber Angel Izana, and Cyber Angel Vrash!"
The heaviest hitters of both Seika and Alexis' deck entered back into the field as they passed through distortions of space and time.
"Man, am I glad to be wrong," Jaden had a look of utter awe in his eyes. "THAT is a stacked field!"
Seika smirked and turned back towards the Shadow Rider. "So, are you going to summon any of your banished cards?"
The Shadow Rider paused before he finally answered. "I choose my Core, Houndehorde, and Striges all in defense mode."
Seika noted that he choose four monsters. If he had only brought back two, Cyber Blader would be able to negate his monster, trap, and spell card effects. However, that wasn't the point. She pointed back to Revendread Executor. "Did I forget to mention that you still have 0 attack points!? My battle phase isn't over yet!" Seika turned back to Alexis.
The blonde girl was shocked for a second before she was overcome with confidence. "I think it's time for some payback! Vrash, end this duel! Attack Revendread Executor!"
"I activate the monster card, Vendread Shadow, from my hand! When a Vendread Ritual monster is attacked, I can discard this card and another to activate a trap card from my hand! I choose the one you bounced back to my hand: Vendread Daybreak!" He exclaimed as he took out the trap card that started to glow. "If my opponent controls more cards than I do, I can choose one ritual Vendread monster and destroy all other cards on the field!"
The entire area around Executor exploded. The bystanders were protected by the Spirit Keys and Medallion, but smoke filled the air.
"Alexis! Seika!" Atticus yelled out before he stepped forward. He was caught by Zane who pulled him back.
"The dust is clearing up!" Syrus shouted as everyone looked back to the duel.
To the surprise of everyone, Cyber Angel Vrash and Izana were still on the field.
"And that's why I made sure your monsters were back on the field." Seika folded her arms.
Alexis pointed forward with a smile. "If my Cyber Angel Monsters would be destroyed, I can banish Machine Angel Ritual from my graveyard to negate their destruction!" Alexis removed the card from her graveyard. "You're not the only one with Ritual Cards that protect their monsters!"
Executor's eyes flared again.
Seika put a hand over her eyes and looked forward. "And with you look at that? You still have 0 attack points. Ms. Rhodes? I believe you were in the middle of something before you were rudely interrupted?"
The President's confidence was infectious as even Alexis looked better than when she was in the duel. "Vrash! Attack again!"
"Vendread Shadow has a graveyard effect! By sacrificing a Vendread Ritual monster, I take no battle or effect damage for the rest of the turn!" Once more, something came from the Rider's duel disk and covered him into a cocoon. Vrash unleashed another bright laser onto the target, but Slayer, appearing in his original form, jumped out and landed where he first began the duel.
"Come on! I thought for sure they had em that time!" Jesse grunted.
"But they got rid of a monster that could continuously banish their own," Bastion countered. "They have more breathing room now."
Back in the duel, Seika narrowed her eyes. "I'll end my turn there." As she said this, Return From the Different Dimension's secondary effect activated, re-banishing the summoned monsters, and leaving the Prez's field empty.
Turn 16: Slayer. Cards: 3
It was at that point that everyone started to notice the 3rd Shadow Rider was slouching. His body heaved as if he was breathing for air, but they heard no panting or gasps coming from him.
"Is he reaching his limits?" Alexis asked.
"Don't let your guard down. It only means he's about to do everything he has to win this duel." Seika straightened her stance.
They watched the 3rd Shadow Rider draw his next card. "When there are no monsters on my side of the field, I can special summon Vendread Wisp in attack mode."
Vendread Wisp [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: LIGHT/Level: 1/ ATK: 0/ DEF: 0]
It was a strange but quiet thing that appeared on the field. It was a blob-like creature, as with all the other infected creatures in the Shadow Rider's deck. But like Vendread Core, it was glowing. Unlike Core, there was something almost gentle about this creature.
"I tribute this card to summon Vendread Behemoth in attack mode!"
A singular Revenant appeared where the white blob once was. However, all of his muscles were swollen to the point where they looked like they were about to burst.
Vendread Behemoth [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/Level: 5/ ATK: 2000/ DEF: 0]
The Shadow Rider pointed. "I attack directly with Behemoth!" The muscled mutant unleashed a scream that was definitely inhuman. It slammed its hands on the ground and created a shockwave towards the two Obelisk Ladies.
"Move!" Seika yelled as she and Alexis jumped out of the way as the ground where the two stood tore open.
Revendread Slayer: 550 LP
Alexis: 0 LP
Seika: 2200 LP → 200 LP
"I'll end my turn there." The Shadow Rider breathed.
Turn 17: Seika. Cards: 1.
"Yeesh," Seika dusted herself off and helped up Alexis. "This guy is stubborn."
"That's one word for it." Alexis gasped as she stood back up. "Even after turning his banishing powers against him, he still so fearsome."
"Well, look on the bright side: he looks like he's running out of tricks," Seika started to walk back as close as possible to her previous position. "The downside: I'm pretty much out of tricks." Yet as she said this she had a smile on her face. "But there's no way I'm losing to some supposedly unstoppable duelist a second time!"
"A second time?" Syrus tilted his head.
"Aww geez," Atticus rubbed the back of his head. "Seika still hasn't gotten over Zane beating her?" He laughed as he looked towards his friend.
A small smile appeared on the Kaiser's face. "I'll give her one thing. She the most stubborn duelist I've ever met. This duel is getting close to an end, but Seika's far from done."
Seika drew her second card. "I drew Pot of Greed, so of course I'm going to activate it!" At that moment, even in the darkness, many noticed Seika raising her brow in confusion when she saw what she drew. However, she looked up and said, "I'll play two cards facedown and end my turn."
"Even with facedowns, that's a bold move to pull." Bastion started to feel his heart rate skyrocketing. If Seika won, then they would have defeated one of the most challenging Shadow Riders yet. However, if she lost, then the keepers would be without their two best duelists against a Shadow Rider that defeated them both!
Turn 18: Slayer. Cards: 2
The Slayer drew his card. As he did, silence filled the area.
The 3rd Shadow Rider pointed to Seika. "I attack with Behemoth!"
The muscle mutant foamed at the mouth before he rushed for the President. Yet, Seika held firm and activated one of her facedowns.
"I play my trap card, Impetuous Ritual! I'm allowed to Ritual Summon a monster using materials from my grave, hand, or even banish pile! The price is that I have to shuffle the cards in my deck. I choose to shuffle back Shinobaron and Shinobaronees back to my deck!"
"Wait, both of her ritual monsters?" Atticus cried out as the two monsters appeared onto the field. "But their combined levels don't match well!"
"That's because this Ritual Monster doesn't require levels!" Seika closed her eyes. For some reason, she kept them shut. "This Ritual Monster can only be Ritual Summoned if both Shinobaron Peacock and Shinobaroness Peacock are the tributes!"
Zane and Atticus looked confused. "That's odd. I've never heard her use this Ritual Monster before." Zane unfolded his arms.
Seika, with her eyes closed, smirked. "Okay, why don't I just show you?" Her eyes snapped open, and everyone in the area gasped. Her right eye was glowing with her Spirit Key's symbol! It was just like Alexis! That meant...
"Seika has one of the Blessed Keys!" Chazz shouted.
"It's like Rhodes!" Wilona added along. "It's granting her a card to help turn the tide in her favor!"
"Two star-crossed lovers, fated to never meet in life. In the beyond, their tribulations transform into a creature that symbolizes their long-awaited union!" Seika grabbed the last card in her hand. "I Ritual Summon ShinoDeity Phoenix!"
If Vrash was a goddess, ShinoDeity was akin to the first of the seraphim. An ethereal bird with six rainbow-feathered wings, a tail that put even the best peacocks to shame, and patterns on its body that showed a woman and a man hold their hands at the heart of the divine beast.
ShinoDeity Phoenix [Type: Ritual/Spirit/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Winged-Beast/ Attribute: WIND/ Level: 12/ATK: 0/ DEF: 0]
Revendread Slayer narrowed his eyes. "A level 12 monster with 0 attack points? Its effect must be catastrophic. I will cancel my attack!"
"No," Seika yelled with command. "You won't. I play my final trap: Last Turn! I can only activate this trap card if I had less than 1000 life points and on it's my opponent's turn. I choose a monster from my field, while you choose a monster from anywhere, including your banish pile, graveyard, hand, and deck. Choose so I can activate the second part of this card."
The Shadow Rider narrowed his eyes. "I activate Behemoth's effect! I can sacrifice him and banish Wisp so that I can Ritual Summon a Vendread monster! I choose another copy of Revendread Slayer in my hand!" The Shadow Rider jumped into the field as Behemoth vanished into thin air.
The Shadow Rider looked up to the majestic Phoenix-Peacock god. He then declared, "I will be representing myself."
Everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of respect towards the Shadow Rider as he decided to face the new monster alone. Seika nodded before she pushed her hand outward. "Now! Last Turn's next effect activates! All other cards in our graveyards, hand, and banish pile gets shuffled back into the deck!"
The Shadow Rider's eyes widened as all cards from both sides started to refill their decks.
"All cards are back in the deck. No more hand traps, graveyard effects, or even banished abilities." Zane focused on the duel more than he had ever before.
"And the last part of this trap card," Seika continued. "The two monsters will battle each other while all battle damage is reduced to 0. Whoever is left standing is the winner. Any other situation means a draw."
"I see," Revendread Slayer looked to his graveyard. Previously he had one more Revendread Origins card in his grave. If it was still there, he could remove it from the graveyard and protect his monster from being destroyed.
Instead, he extended his arm and one of his altered bones shot out in the form of a blade. "I am ready."
Seika nodded once before she closed her eyes. She inhaled then exhaled before her eyes snapped open. "ShinoDiety Phoenix, attack!"
The large bird started to gather light. Revendread Slayer kicked off with a sonic boom and rushed towards the bird.
"I activate ShinoDeity's effect! It can't be destroyed by card effects or battle! When it battles a monster, that monster is instantly destroyed and my opponent takes effect damage equal to its attack points!"
Golden ribbons shot out of the ground that snagged and ensnared Revendread Slayer before he could leap at the monster. Try as he might, he was no longer moving, and ShinoDeity's attack was getting brighter.
"I activate Vendread Wisp's tribute ability!" Slayer shouted while trapped by golden ribbons. "I can send one Vendread Card from my deck to the graveyard! I choose ReVendread Origins!"
"If he sends that card to the graveyard, he'll be able to negate his destruction!" Chazz shouted.
"And according to Last Turn," Bastion caught on. "That will end this duel in a draw since they both won't be destroyed!"
"Oh no!" Seika motioned a fist forward. "You're not getting away that easily! ShinoDeity can negate a card effect once per turn, and I'm negating that ability!"
Six rainbow pulses shot out from the wings of the Ritual Monster. Slayer screamed in pain as his body started to burn from the intense light.
"Go, ShinoDeity!" Seika shouted. "Unleash Union Ultimate!"
The beast folded all its wings together before snapping them open to its full wingspan. It fired a laser of rainbow light at the entrapped and in-pain Slayer.
"I-I," Slayer stammer— "ACTIVATE BEHEMOTH'S QUICK EFFECT!"
"Dammit! No!" Seika yelled as Slayer powered through the golden ribbons and avoided the first attack.
"I can tribute one Ritual Vendread Monster," Slayer speed off again to avoid another rainbow beam from Shinodiety. "And my opponent takes effect damage equal to half of its attack points!"
"Nonononono! ShinoDiety, stop him!" The Student President of Duel Academy yelled.
It seemed to work as the new Ritual Monster was finally able to nail Revendread Slayer in a direct hit. However, even under the laser fire, Revendread Slayer resisted the laser, threw his hand back—
And a second later, everyone realized that a bone in the shape of a blade, cut and stole Seika's Spirit Key that hung from her neck.
ShinoDeity's attack exploded and forced everyone else to shield themselves.
As the smoke died down, the barrier protecting the bystanders fell. This signaled everyone to run over towards Seika and Alexis. The former ran towards the last attack of the duel. However, as the smoke cleared, there was no sign of the Shadow Rider.
Seika looked to her duel disk— "DAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMNNNN IIIIIITTTT!"
"Seika!?" Atticus yelled as he and Zane ran over to their friend. Meanwhile, everyone was wondering why the girl was screaming like that until they heard Alexis gasp.
"Oh no," The blonde showed everyone her duel disk. Even though it was dark, the rest of them could see the result of the duel.
Revendread Slayer: 550 LP
Alexis: 0 LP
Seika: 200 LP → 0 LP
Revendread Slayer: Winner!
When they all looked back, they saw Seika walking up to Alexis. The blonde girl felt her heart rate quicken. Would she blame her for los—
Seika slapped a hand on the girl's shoulder. They all watched Seika sigh deeply. "You did good, kid. Real good. Sorry for not carrying it in the last second."
"What? No! Seika, you played amazingly!" Alexis shouted. "It felt more like I was holding you back!"
The president shook her head. "I didn't have an answer to his trap card that nuked the field. Your monsters did, which was why I knew I had to bring them back in case he tried something like that."
"Seika," Zane of all people spoke up. "Don't be too hard on yourself. You did better against him than when I did. I never had him on the ropes for that long."
"Yeah! You totally dueled like a pro! if I was sitting, I'd be on the edge of my seat pretty much the entire time!" Jaden added along. "Seriously! That was an amazing duel!"
Everyone relaxed when they saw Seika smile. The girl shook her head and said, "I appreciate it, guys. But this means that there's a Shadow Rider that just defeated two Blessed Keys at the same time when they're both supposed to give us the advantage."
That made everyone widen their eyes in realization. Sheppard told them that three of the Spirit Keys were blessed with the ability to claim victory over the Shadow Riders. Revendread Slayer defied two of those keys used against him!
"And even though everyone's dueled, we still don't know who has the Cursed Spirit Key." That was true! Among the eight Spirit Keys was one that was cursed! It was supposed to grant favor to the Shadow Riders. "It's odd why it never activated even up to now, but at this rate, it won't matter if the Revendread Slayer defeats us normally."
"He's not going to!" Chazz pointed to himself. "I admit, this guy is good, but I can handle him on my own! I know his tricks now!"
"No, if anyone should duel him next, it should be me!" Bastion stepped up. "I've seen the staples of his deck along with his play style. I'll create a counter deck that will ensure victory!"
Jesse stepped in. "Hold on there! Me and my Crystal Beast pals are ready to slay this Slayer!"
As everyone started to add in, Wilona found herself looking at where the Shadow Rider was last seen.
She thought back to the duel: back when they talked about the wishes. When Alexis asked the Shadow Rider about his wish, she recognized the hesitation in his eyes.
It was the same look of horror she had thinking about losing her mom.
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
Paradox hummed as he twirled and skipped through the forest at night. He jumped, spun, and landed on one foot. "Wow, you look like shit!"
If Revendread Slayer could respond, he would. He was hunched down, leaning on a tree while half of his body was smoking and burning from Seika's last attack.
"Good job on scoring us two more wins, buddy!" Paradox gave two thumbs up. "Let's get you patched up!" The Second Shadow Rider stepped forward.
Only to step back to avoid a tendril whipping towards him like a bullet. The tendril flew past him and shattered a tree, showing how much power the weakened Rider still had.
"My my! Someone's testy," Paradox clicked his tongue before he brought up his hands that started to glow of both light and darkness. "Don't worry, Dr. Paradox is here to help."
Something grabbed 'Dr.' Paradox's hand and threw him into another tree.
"Begone, jester." The Eight Shadow Rider commanded as his eyes started to glow green and orange.
"Yeesh," Paradox stood up and dusted himself off. "Part poopers. I guess I'll go tell The First we now have half of the Spirit Keys. It was about time we scored some major wins!" The Shadow Rider disappeared into the darkness.
The 8th Rider turned to the 3rd. "Why do you do that?"
The 3rd Shadow Rider heaved weakly, but he looked up towards the 8th.
"You didn't suppress the pain of those you dueled against in a Shadow Game. You transferred all their pain... to yourself." The air between the two was silent. "Why?"
The 3rd gasped a few more times. "Because," He calmed himself. "Someone I cared about hated seeing children hurt."
"You realize unleashing the Sacred Beasts will hurt many more innocents?"
"I am aware," He gasped. "But at the same time, is that really a reason to hurt other people more? Even a poor Adult like me thinks human kindness is underrated."
At that answer, the 8th turned around and started to walk away.
"Thank you," The 3rd called out. "For stopping him."
The 8th Shadow Rider froze. He stood there for a few more seconds before he responded, "I wouldn't have saved a poor adult." He quietly admitted his admiration for his fellow Shadow Rider. "You are coming to an important crossroads in your life. I only ask that you choose wisely."
And with that, the 8th left the 3rd alone, sitting under a tree, watching the sunrise after a dark night.
"My life is nothing but crossroads. And I have taken all the wrong ones."
[Author Notes]
Whoo! Chapter 25! That's a milestone and what better way to celebrate it than this chapter clocking around 10K words!? This duel was a monster to write! I had to make a lot of made-up cards to pull off the combos I wanted to see in this duel.
You can tell that I'm biased as heck towards the Vendread Archetype if I'm giving them this much ass-kicking! Wait till you guys see the next duel!
Place your guesses! Which pair do you think is going to face the Revendread Slayer next? Or is it even going to be a pair? Perhaps a solo?
Anyway, I hope this story finds you well. Thank you all for reading and supporting this story!
[Made Up/Altered Card list]- (Warning, this duel was a nightmare to write because what I wanted to happen conflicted with how the cards worked.)
Quick Summon- I think this is an Anime only card. All it does is normal summon a monster, but I wonder how that could be abused in the TCG or OCG format. (Never played either, too broke to even try. At least with Duel Links, some F2P Decks are good enough for Legend 1 even if it takes a stupidly long time to make one.)
Discard/Sent Ruling:(Future Me: Ignore this one, I wanted an earlier play, but found out it was useless because of Amano-Iwato. You're going to see that name alot in the next notes.) Okay, so this is a little complex, but details are everything. Raigeki Break makes one (discard) a card to activate its effect. Striges activates when it's (sent) to the graveyard. On the surface, (Sent) and (Discard) look the same, but it's always weird how they work in they're not the same in obscure situations. I'm not sure about the rulings between these words, I've done way too much research already for this blasted game, but for the sake of this duel, I'll let them work the same way for now.
Holy Machine Angel Ritual: This card was my workaround Amano-Iwato. Holy crap! (Ha, pun) this game has so many details! (Then again, I did get to King of Games in Duel Links using a Triamid Deck, and the deck is very complex to play.)
Vendread Prototype: I originally wanted to try this cool combo with Vendread Striges, but I found out Amano-Iwato can negate graveyard effects too.
Cyber Angel Izana: just in case there needs to be a refresher: I slightly altered Izana so that she can attack again after destroying a monster. In the TCG, she can only attack another monster.
Sick Day: Again, Amano-Iwato was unexpectedly hard to work around for such a simple card.
Idaten: Because I keep forgetting about Amano, I let her ability not be counted as an activation. I want fun combos, dang it! What's with all this technical stuff!?
Vendread Core: in the card game, it's supposed to grant the ritual monster target immunity. But Seika and Alexis had too many non-targeting abilities. So now it's immunity to monster effects.
Honor Duel: This card was made to counter those pesky monsters that don't get destroyed by battle.
Blind Blizzard: This is based on an Action Card from Yugioh Arc-V. Instead of skipping the battle phase, it's supposed to automatically end it.
Over Sword: Another Action card from Arc-V. This allows a monster's attack to not be negated, so I changed it up so that it prevents the battle phase from being manipulated.
Spell Books in The Pot: this is a manga card. For me, I like this card because it's kind of an in-between for Card of Sanctity and Pot of Greed.
Swapped Weapons: this card is a quick-play version of Sword and Shield.
Trap Booster: this card is from the Yugioh GX anime. It came from the duel between Jaden and Ra.
Vendread Shadow: made with the intent to ensure Executor/Slayer's trap card was played even after a bounce.
Vendread Wisp/ Behemoth: Behemoth is loosely based on that rampage monster in Left 4 dead. And I kinda wanted some new Vendread monsters since I used up a lot of the normal ones.
Impetuous Ritual: A trap version for Ritual Summoning. (Fusion, Syncro, and Xyz have trap summons. Why not Ritual?)
Shino Diety Phoenix: I thought I'd make up a cool card for Shinobirds. This card was the idea of combining the souls of both Shinobaron and Shinobaroness. Plus, how cool does a Phoenix Peacock sound? Well, I think it sounds cool.
Last Turn: Okay, here's how the real last turn works. The stipulations are the same to activate it, but I've changed how it works. It's supposed to make the opponent choose a monster from only their deck. That monster pits against a monster in the owner's side of the field that they currently control. But it sends every other card to the graveyard. Seeing as how I'm using a lot of graveyard effect cards, even made-up ones, I decided to change it up so it shuffles cards back into the deck. That way there are fewer options for counterplay from the graveyard.
Overall, I have no blasted clue how some writers pull off pure Yugioh duels. So Kudos to you! (Shame on me for trying to cutdown on drawing cards like Pot of Greed as much as possible. Why? I don't know.) The game is too restrictive, and I wanna see cool combos and plays like the ones in the Anime!
