"Speaking"

*Noise*

"Thoughts, Calls, Monster's speaking or Summoning chants and etc."

0/0 (Bold means what position the monster is summoned into)


Reiji finally found a good seat within the crowd, many more seats being filled slowly, he glanced around, taking in all his surrounds, this would actually be his first time seeing one of these duels, "Barbaric..." he thought with distain, the mere thought of Dueling like this was an insult, especially to Action Duelling, oh how would Yusho Sasaki react to discover such a sport as this existed...

"The match will be starting soon, please be seated..." the com system announced, some people getting excited at this news, this was after all what they came for. Reiji frowned at their reaction. But even with all his power with LDS, he couldn't touch this place.

To think, this is what Apollo had been doing after his leaving his employ, "I just hope this hasn't stifled his abilities... what a waste of potential..." he truly hoped this wasn't the case, otherwise it could lead to trouble later on...


Apollo sat in his changing room, going over his Deck, a scowl on his face. Once again, he had been told that his opponent had just been changed somehow to another newbie, "I'm really starting to wonder why I still come to this place, winnings aren't as good these days..." he thought frowning, likely people were now getting worried of the risk of being caught at such an event.

"Maybe its time to start thinking of a new Duel career..." he muttered to himself, if that was the case, better to get out as quick as possible. There would be a slight annoyance with paperwork when he quit, but he had abided by the circuits rules since coming here, so that would be a smooth transition, after that was over, he would rely on his job for income.

"Hmm, but what to do after? I think I can qualify for this year's Senior Division of the tournament." he had plenty of wins under his belts, though the duels here aren't official for obvious reasons. However, he didn't just duel here, he had gotten plenty of wins outside of this circuit. The ones here had simply made him strong enough for out there. The win rate for the Senior Division was 75%. Which he knew he had passed. So he could get in.

The thought of it made him grin, if he did enter, then there was a chance he could face off against Nigel, and without Akaba rigging the matchups for whatever reasons he had, and without him ordering him to hold back, he could truly face the middle brother with all he had.

He then recalled his encounter with the middle triplet at the garden centre, with that pink haired girl also with him, he frowned, noting that since that year, Nigel seemed to have been slipped, no longer having an edge to his duelling, he knew from what that duel showed, Nigel should have finished that duel faster than what he did. But he didn't.

It annoyed him, one of the few Synchro Duelist he actually respected in this city, and he goes soft. But he would bring him back, that he would guarantee...


"Sign here..." the manager told the duellist standing before her as they signed the paper work, he had been very agreeing to the terms and conditions, which made her life easier and less annoying, unlike one of the last contenders. She rolled her eyes at the name that one gave himself.

"And what would like to be called for your stage name?" she asked taking the paperwork, facing the Duelist, his plague mask catching the light from the tunnel exit behind her. "Janus..." was all Janus said to that.

"Very well than, Janus, wait here until you've been called. It should be starting soon." she then turned to leave, he was alone, his crew were watching from the crowd, it had been their idea after all for this. He thought back to that discussion from earlier...


"Underground Action Duelling?" Janus repeated what the crew member had said, "Ah, that's right you're not from this city, it's likely that Action Duelling is not well known where you're from, right?" Adam concluded.

"No... it's not..." Janus said playing along with the lie that had just been handed to him, "But what is this Underground version?" he asked, Adam took over, "Basically like Action Duelling, in which the monsters use Real Solid Vision..." he missed the glare from his boss at that mentioned part. "There are also Action Cards, these cards are scattered across the Action Field you duel on, and can be picked on, but only one in your hand at once." he explained.

"The Underground version is more brutal though, not only can you attack each other physically when going for Action Cards. But you need to wear special gear during the Duel, connected to your Duel Disks, when you take damage, you get a strong shock." they finished.

"You have to actually sign a form to even compete, as you can be seriously injured, thus a need to protect the circuit from being sued." the crew member added on, meanwhile Janus took all that he had been told.

"Is that all?" he asked nonclantly, he had honestly been expecting more, the crew members were rather stunned by his reaction, "What do you mean 'is that all?' This is a dangerous..." the crew member said, "Sure, to you its dangerous..." Janus began, "But I've been through worse..." he told them without a trace of deception, Adam looked him in the eye, and was unnerved by his reaction. He could tell he truly had been through worse.

"Well then Boss..." Adam began, "If you're serious about going through with this, I can make it happen, there's a match happening tonight, you interested?" he asked, "Yes, we've got nothing better to do until the heat goes down, besides..." he began, thinking back a bit. "I've only duelled you Adam so far, and while you are a strong opponent, you're the benchmark for others at the moment." he added.

"I need to see what else this city has to offer in terms of Dueling." he smirked under the mask at the thought...


And that was how he came to be here, Adam having once been a regular contender in the Underground Circuit, called in a favour with the owner, thus allowing him to enter, but the owner, despite Adam's claim of his skills, wanted to test him, so his entry into the circuit would be against one of the Circuit's most popular contenders.

"The Collector..." Janus repeated the name Adam had told him, while he hadn't told him much of the guy, he did say he was a tough opponent for any one to face. "I can't wait to see their reactions after I beat him." he declared, not only would this be a good side gig for them, but by besting one of the circuit's best, the underworld of the city, who were said to likely attend these duels would know not to mess with them.


At last the time had finally come, everyone was seated, their masks on, the lights now dimming, a puff of smoke erupted from the arena, revealing Mr Shroud in all his glory. "Welcome once again Ladies and Gentlemen!" Mr Shroud spoke into their microphone, "I'm your host, Mr Shroud! And tonight matches is another qualifying match!" he declared.

The crowd however, had mixed reactions about this, some were intrigued by this, as fresh blood was needed here and then, but said matches never had much to offer as the newbie always got demolished by the veterans. "Now now..." Mr Shroud told them, "For this qualifying match, an old contender is sponsoring this qualifier!" at this, they were intrigued.

As was Apollo from his entrance, "An old contender? Then this newbie's skills must be worth something at least." Apollo thought with new interest, "But who sponsored the guy?" he added.

"But first, we shall introduce their opponent, one of our regulars, the being who shatters their enemy's spirit, the being who see the worth of money, and whose single gaze will leave them feeling despair..." at this Apollo began walking out of the tunnel into the arena.

"Introducing... The Collector!" they yelled as the crowd roared as he walked into the arena. Once in place, Apollo gazed into the other tunnel, his opponent hidden by the shadows.

With Reiji, he had his focus fully on Apollo, "Time to see if you're ready..." he thought, depending on how he thought this Duel turned, he would make his choice.

"And now for his opponent, sponsored by once regular contender Adam himself." at this mention, most of the crowd gasped, while Apollo's eye widened in shock, "Adam... There's no way." Apollo thought, not believing it to be true, the only Duelist to best Adam in the circuit, was himself, and even it had been close. "This is getting interesting..." he muttered. If this was true, he would be entertained.

"Here's the literally masked duellist, Janus!" Mr Shroud declared, the spotlights focused on the other tunnel with the crowd and Apollo focused on who would step through it, but what they witness confused them.

The opponent they saw walk their way into the arena was boy of 15, wearing a drab grey shirt, dusty black trousers, a dull green jacket, under the sleeves of the right arm, was a red bandage tied around his arm. He had emerald coloured eyes, his black hair, was sleeked back, and entwined with gold locks, giving off a stinger like theme like that of a wasp.

"Whoa, what's a kid doing here?" "Isn't it pass his bedtime?" "What's with his get up?" were just some of the response to their reveal. Meanwhile Apollo was both disappointed, but also intrigued.

"A kid?" Apollo thought with a frown, he was expecting someone more his age or older, but he was intrigued by something about the kid. Covering their mouth was a faded grey plague doctor's mask which he could tell was just used to conceal the faint black markings that poked out from under the mask even from where he stood. There was also something else about the kid, something that alarmed even him. "He's been through some s%?$" he thought, but what, he couldn't say.

With Reiji, his eyes had widened upon the reveal of Janus, "What are the odds?" he thought now interested even more, here before him was another Duelist he hoped to test and acquire for his cause, and given what he had seen from the surveillance footage, especially their Duel Disk, he knew of their origins to some degree, this would be a better test for Apollo now. "Now I can truly see if Apollo has grown or fallen..." he thought, Janus came to a stop, now facing Apollo.

The two continued to look at one another, each trying the get a feel of the other, "What's with you cyclops?" Janus said out of nowhere, the crowd gasped at the response from such a comment, meanwhile Apollo didn't react to such a comment, "Shouldn't you be in bed kid?" they retorted with a grin, while Janus frowned, furthering his grin.

"Age doesn't matter, I'll prove that when you're face first on the ground." Janus retorted back as quick, the crowd were stunned, the kid didn't seem fazed at all, the smack talk was enjoyable.

Meanwhile Apollo frowned as his remark, "Oh... I'm so going to enjoy tearing you apart brat." he said viciously with a grin, but Janus didn't so much as flinch as his response. "I hope what Adam told me about you is true, otherwise this will be a waste of my time..." Janus said, Apollo frowned at this at the mention of his old opponent, "And just how did you come to know about Adam?" he asked, he had a few guesses.

"Adam..." Janus began, the crowd listened intently, some guessing how the kid knew about the old contender of the circuit, some thinking he was taken under his wing, others thought he was a new member of Adam's crew.

"Oh... I defeated him and took over his crew!" he declared, this however had stunned the crowd, as well as Apollo, that was not what they were expecting, "You... bested Adam?" Mr Shroud slowly got out, not even he expected that, "Yeah... Quite the opponent he was." Janus said, thinking back to his Duel.

He then turned to Apollo, "He's my benchmark for all Duelist since coming to this city, hope you can live up to his claims as you're next on my list." he proclaimed confidently.

Apollo slowly took a while, he inhaled and then exhaled, "Then I'll make sure you don't get any further..." he said stoically with a glare, which Janus returned without hesitation. "Oh, the sparks are flying between these two, this match if what the qualifier says should be quite the show." Mr Shroud said, "And without any further interruptions, it is now time!" he added.

At this, Two masked women walked towards the arena, each holding a set of three spiked bands, one bigger than the other two. As the two stood before the Duellist, they were helped by the women as they placed the bands around their wrist and neck.

"He knew of them before hand..." Apollo thought as his bands were locked into place, he watched as Janus didn't even question the bands, like all newbies typically did. "Even knowing of the shocks, he still entered, he's either extremely confident in his skills, or he's definitely been through something worst... But what?" he asked himself, the masked woman, after making sure the bands were secured, made their way off the arena, their job done.

"Now that our contenders are fitted with our Shock bands, we can begin!" Mr Shroud then snapped his fingers, "I activate the Action Field, Painful Cage Match!" at the mention, the ARC System activated, beginning to generate the battlefield, the cage and platforms and chains the same as before.

"Hmm... It's alright..." Janus muttered looking around at the field before him, "Take this seriously kid!" Apollo shouted to him gaining his attention, "For this Duel will be your undoing!" he declared, Janus smiled under his mask undeterred, "We'll see..." he said, the two then armed their Duel Disk, Apollo noting that Janus's one was a strange model he had never seen before.

As the two were ready, Mr Shroud, now outside the cage, began the chant. "Only the strong will prevail here..." he began "Tearing apart the earth and raining down destruction from the air along side their monsters..." the crowd took over "They storm through the field, crushing all that stand in the path! "Now behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of Duelling from the Underground!" the two gotten ready, "ACTION..." the crowds finished off as the the the Action Cards scattered from their bubble.

"DUEL!" the two shouted, drawing five cards each.

Apollo (Collector) LP: 4000

Janus's LP: 4000

Turn 1

"I'm going first!" Apollo declared. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Super Rejuvenation!" he said, the card appeared on the Field, "Then I activate the effect of Stream, Dragon Ruler of Droplets from my Hand!" he declared showing the card, "By discarding this card and another Dragon-Type or WATER monster in my Hand to the Graveyard..." he sent Droplet and Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos to the Graveyard.

"This let's me Special Summon Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls from my Deck!" a card was ejected from his Deck, which he grabbed, "Appear, my mighty Tidal!" he placed the card onto his blade. As soon as he did, a geyser of water erupted from out of nowhere, once it ended, soaring in the air, before landing was a dragon made of solid water, the Dragon Ruler roared as it landed.

Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls: WATER, Level: 7 [Dragon/Effect] ATK: 2600 DEF: 2000

"And there it is! One of the Collector's mighty Dragon Rulers!" Mr Shroud declared as some cheered at seeing the Dragon Ruler, Reiji was not impressed, having seen them multiple times in the past, "Standard performance so far..." he thought to himself, unimpressed

"Then I set a monster face-down along with a set card..." two cards appeared on his field, one a monster, the other in a Spell and Trap Zone. "And with that I end my turn. But due to the Super Rejuvenation's effect, at the end of the turn it was activated, I draw cards for every Dragon-Type monster that was sent to the GY or tributed from my hand this turn!" he then drew 2 cards. "And now my turn is over..." he declared.

Apollo's Hand x 2

Turn 2

"Good opening act, now its my turn!" Janus thought grinning, "My turn! I draw!" he drew his card. "First I Normal Evilswarm Castor!" a knight garbed in full body armour appeared, their cape was ragged, and their armour was darkened. They groaned as they appeared.

Evilswarm Castor: DARK, Level: 4 [Warrior/Effect] ATK/1750 DEF/550

"Castor's effect! When Normal Summoned, I can Normal Summon once again!" he took another card from his hand, "I Normal Summon Evilswarm Contamiknight!" another warrior appeared appeared, infected with a strange plague, causing it to obey some force.

Evilswarm Contamiknight: DARK, Level: 4 [Warrior/Effect] ATK/1650 DEF/1050

"Contamiknight's effect! When Summoned, I can add 1 "Infestation or Infection card from my Deck to my Hand!" he added his card, "Now let's see you handle this!" he then raised his non Duel Disk into the air, "Now using the Level 4 Castor and Contamiknight, I build the Overlay Network!" he declared.

Both Evilswarm monsters turned into purple energy, which then soared into the air as a spiralling galaxy appeared before his feet, the two energy were then sucked into the galaxy.

"Dragon of ice, succumb to the plague's will and serve me!" he chanted as the monster formed. "Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Evilswarm Bahamut!" he took the card from his Extra Deck, then soaring out of the galaxy, which then collapsed was the dragon formed from ice, it was the spitting image of Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier, but it was covered with some black ooze acting as armour, its head was slightly different also, and the symbol of the Evilswarm rested at the centre of its torso. Two purple Overlay Units orbited the monster.

Evilswarm Bahamut: DARK, Rank: 4 [Dragon/Xyz/Effect] ATK/2350 DEF/1350 OLUs: 2

"Whoa! Look at that Xyz Monster Janus just summoned! Freaky!" Shroud proclaimed, meanwhile Apollo glared at the monster that reminded him of its Synchro version, his damaged eye flaring up, despite it not being an actual Synchro Monster.

"I should thank you Collector..." Janus began, gaining his attention, "Because you've just made this Duel easier for me!" he exclaimed, "I now activate Bahamut's effect!" One of Bahamut's orbiting units veered off its orbit "By using 1 Overlay Unit..." Bahamut consumed it. Bahamut's OLUs: 2 - 1 = 1 "I can target 1 face-up monster you control, and then by discarding 1 lswarm monster from my hand..." he sent Evilswarm Kerykeion to the Graveyard.

"I can take control of the target!" he said, as Apollo's eyes widened in shock, "Take over Tidal for me Bahamut!" he called out as Bahamut inhaled, and then spat out a wad of the black ooze covering it, it soared over to Tidal, being absorbed into it's watery body, a black aura covered the dragon, as it was forced over to Janus's side of the field.

"Amazing! The newcomer has taken over one of the Collector's prized monsters with ease!" Shroud declared, not expecting this at all, seeing the situation he was in, Apollo took of running. "You can run, but you can't hide!" Janus chuckled out. "I activate the Equip Spell, Infection's Edge! And equip it onto Bahamut!" he said, Bahamut's oozing armour suddenly became spiked and jagged.

"The monster equipped with this card can inflict piercing damage when battling a monster in Defense!" he explained, the crowd were amazed, the newcomer had set up a OTK strategy as easy as if breathing.

"Battle! Bahamut attack that face-down monster!" Bahamut breathed into, its chest expanding slightly, as this happened, the face-down monster flipped up, with it revealed to be Exploder Dragon.

Exploder Dragon: EARTH, Level: 3 [Dragon/Effect] ATK/1000 DEF/0

"Should Exploder be destroyed, the monster that destroys it is also destroyed!" Apollo explained to his opponent as he hopped from platform to platform, his comment alerted Janus. Bahamut then exhaled, releasing sharp black icicles from its breath attack, they striked the smaller dragon, before it was destroyed, it tossed its egg at Bahamut.

"Should the monster equipped with Infection's Edge be destroyed, the equipped card is destroyed instead!" Janus said, Bahamut's armour returned to normal, when the egg made contact, it detonated, the explosion washing over the monster, but it survived, leaving it unscathed.

"Wait..." Janus began, having noticed something off with his opponent. Apollo's LP: 4000 = 4000 "Why didn't you take damage? Infection's Edge on Bahamut should have dealt piercing damage to you!" Janus asked his opponent.

"Exploder Dragon's effect ensures neither of us takes battle damage from battles involving it." Apollo explained, he then looked down to spot an Action Card on the platform he was standing on, he then picked it up.

"Whatever! As now your own Dragon Ruler will attack you directly!" Tidal roared as its chest expanded, It then fired a stream of concentrated water at its former master. "I activate the Action Spell, Miracle!" Apollo quickly activated his Action Card instantly. "I target 1 monster on the Field, and it cannot be destroyed by battle!" he said.

"What good does that do you? You don't control a monster to protect you!" Janus asked confused. "Any monster targeted by this card also halves the battle damage when it battles!" Apollo explained, his opponent catching on instantly. "I target Tidal, thus halving the battle damage when it battles!" he said as he then braced himself as the torrent of water washed over him. 4000 - 1300 = 2700 (Apollo)

As soon as the damage registered, Apollo's bands began to spark, before causing an intense shock, he groaned through the shock, once it finished he breathed in and out, to calm his heart. "Not bad..." Janus said, "No idea you could use an Action Card like that..." he added.

Apollo stared at his opponent for that, "Have you never done an Action Duel?" he asked him, to which he shook his head, shocking the crowd, "Nope! I new to all this, literally!" he explained, "Like I said, I'm from out of town, where Action Duelling isn't really considered popular..." he explained. "Amazing, the newcomer is an Action Duelling Virgin!, but that hasn't dampened his Duelling Skills!" Mr Shroud exclaimed

However, Apollo noticed something off with what he said, "He's lying..." that much he could tell, but for some reason there was truth within it, but he couldn't tell what was true and what was false with what he told them. "Something is definitely off with him..." he added in his mind.

"I set two cards and end my turn!" Janus placed two cards into his Duel Disk, two bigger face-downs appeared in his Spell and Trap Zones. "And that will do for me-" "Tidal's effect!" Apollo cut him off, alerting Janus.

"This effect applies when it was Special Summoned during my turn..." he began, "After the next turn it was Special Summoned, A.K.A. your End Phase, it returns to my hand!" Janus looked at his taken monster, which then burst into particles, which then gathered into Apollo's Hand as its card form.

"And now because it returned to my Hand, I can activate the Trap, Dragon Ruler's Return!" his face down flipped, the image showing Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders appearing from its element. "When Dragon Ruler monsters are returned to my hand, I can Special Summon those monsters with their effects negated!" he placed Tidal's card back onto his blade.

The aquatic Dragon Ruler once again appeared on the Field. "Since its effects are negated when it was Special Summoned this time, that means it won't be returning to my Hand anymore!" he explained, Janus huffed at this, all that effort to take that monster, wasted.

Janus's Hand x 1

Turn 3

Reiji was very interested and what had transpired, "It seems this Janus is a lot more skilled, than previously predicted..." he thought, "Let's see how Apollo responds to this..." he added, turning his focus to Apollo.

Apollo studied his opponent, "Safe to say... Adam sponsored him for a reason..." he thought, continuing to watch the younger teen, "I still can't get a read on the guy. What is it about him..." he then shook his head of these thoughts, "Doesn't matter, he fall soon enough, they all do in the end..." he then placed his fingers over his Deck.

"My turn! I draw!" he drew his card, he flipped it to reveal what it was. But Janus quickly interrupted, "I activate the Continous Trap, Xyz Infection Epidemic!" he shouted out as one of his face-downs flipped up.

"I can activate this card while I control an Evilswarm Xyz Monster, now as long as this card is active, all Evilswarm Xyz Monsters I control gain 400 ATK for every Overlay Unit attached to them!" he said, Bahamut growled as it gains power. Bahamut's ATK: 2350 + 400 = 2750 "Now its stronger than Tidal, what can the Collector do?" Mr Shroud exclaimed in shock.

Meanwhile Apollo wasn't worried at all, as he looked at the card he just drew, smiling at it. "Guess my Deck is eager to help me put this brat in his place..." he grinned, his plan coming to mind.

Janus noticed this grinning, "Something on your mind Cyclops?" Janus mocked, "Nothing really, I'm just now seeing why Adam sponsored you." he complimented the teen, "He also was tough opponent for me back then..." he began, "But that was then, and this is now. I'm a lot stronger from back then, and I'll prove it to you!" he then took a card from his Hand.

"I Normal Summon Mythic Tree Dragon!" upon placing the card onto his blade, the flash of light appeared, appearing out of it was an elongated brown dragon, atop its shoulders were tree branches fused to its body. It roared as it appeared next to Tidal.

Mythic Tree Dragon: EARTH, Level: 4 [Dragon/Effect] ATK/100 DEF/1400

"Mythic Tree Dragon's effect activates!" The mentioned dragon glowed orange, as did Tidal glowing blue, "Once per turn, I can target 1 WATER Dragon-Type monster I control, and Tree Dragon's Level becomes the same as the targets!" he explained. "Now Tree Dragon is Level 7!" he declared, Janus catching on instantly, as did the crowd.

Mythic Tree Dragon's Level: 4 = 7

"Oh my! Does this mean he's summoning one of them?!" Mr Shroud announced, the crowd abuzz with excitement.

"This new Ruler will be the start to your end!" Apollo declared, he then threw his hand into the air, "With the Level 7 Tidal and Mythic Tree Dragon, I build the Overlay Network!" the two monsters turned into energy, Tidal blue and Tree Dragon orange. Only Tree Dragon soared into the air as the the network appeared underneath Tidal's energy, the orange one was then absorbed into it the blue one. A geyser of water erupted from the Overlay Network, covering the blue energy.

"Aquatic dragon of the divine, descend from your throne and punish those before me!" Tidal's energy ball then gathered more water into itself, this water was mystical in nature. the energy then took a new form. Apollo's Duel Disk then ejected a card from his Extra Deck.

"Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 7! Tsunami, Holy Dragon Ruler of Oceans!" he yelled as he took the card from his Extra Deck and placed it onto his blade. As soon as he did, the energy ball dispersed, revealing to the world the new form Tidal had taken. It was bigger than Tidal, its body was a dark blue of water, like that of the sea, resting in its chest was an orb of blue energy, some parts of its body were solid, as they were comprised of artic ice, these parts were its horns, claws, talons and the spikes was lined it spine, knees, elbows, wings and tail. The new dragon roared, which sounded like crashing waves against a cliffside. Two blue Overlay Units orbited the monster.

Tsunami, Holy Dragon Ruler of Oceans: WATER, Rank: 7, Dragon/Xyz/Effect, ATK/3100 DEF/2500, OLUs: 2

"There it is folks, one of the Collector's strongest Xyz monsters, a Holy Dragon Ruler!" Mr Shroud declared, the crowd roared at the sight of the mighty monster, meanwhile Reiji stared at the beast, "It seems like he's getting excited..." he thought to himself, it would appear this Janus was definitely a good opponent for Apollo, making him use more of his power.

"Hmmm, not bad..." Janus said, not at all intimidated by the Xyz Monster before him,

"It's about to get bad for you brat! Tsunami's effect activates!" Apollo exclaimed as the Holy Dragon Ruler glowed, one of its Units was swallowed by its monster, Tsunami's OLUs: 2 - 1 = 1 "By using 1 Overlay Unit, I can Special Summon or add to my Hand a Dragon Ruler monster from my Deck or Graveyard!" he explained. A card was ejected from his Graveyard slot, "I add back to my hand, Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos!" he told him.

"Is that meant to be impressive? Boring..." Janus mocked, ticking Apollo off, but he calmed down "Oh but this next move may impress you..." Apollo said as he calmed down, the kid was annoying him. "Let me ask you something." he began, confusing the younger boy.

"What do you think the strategy of my Main Deck Dragon Rulers is?" he asked. The other boy took a pause, having only seen two of them use their effects, but since he controlled Tidal for a short while, he looked over its effects.

"Discarding itself and one other monster, either a Dragon or with same Attribute, so they can trigger their effects." he finally answered, "Correct..." Apollo said, so his opponent was analytical it seems. Even Reiji was impressed by his quick deduction from just two cards of the archetype.

"But..." Apollo added on, making Janus frown, "Due to Tsunami's effects, as long as its face-up on the Field, I only need to discard the Dragon Ruler to use their effects!" he explained, Janus gasped at what this meant.

"Ah! Smart to realise where this is going, as long as I have Tsunami on my Field, I can cut the cost and still gain the benefits of my monsters!" he declared,

"I think I'll make use of this benefit right now!" he took Blaster's card, "I send only Blaster from my Hand to activate it's effect!" he sent the mentioned card, and only it back to the Graveyard. "Since it was sent to the Graveyard, I can target 1 card on the field, and destroy it!" he explained.

"What!?" Janus shouted in shock, either card he picked wouldn't be good for him, meanwhile, upon Blaster being sent to the Graveyard, Tsunami's chest orb turned red, which somehow caused the entire dragon's watery body to become a light red. "Look at that folks, its as if Tsunami is using Blaster's effect for itself!" Mr Shroud said into the com.

"I think..." Apollo began, making his choice, "I'll destroy your face-up Trap!" he said, at this, Tsunami's orb began gathering fire, as the dragon was see through-ish, they could all see the fire travel into the mouth. "Fire!" Apollo declared, Tsunami then fired, the fireball launched then hit the Infection Trap, destroying it, making the younger boy brace himself.

"As its now gone, your monster's ATK returns to normal." Apollo said grinning as now Janus was getting frustrated, which he savoured, 2750 = 2350 (Bahamut)

"And now I activate Blaster's effect from the GY, by banishing 2 monsters, either FIRE or Dragon-Types..." he banished Mythic Tree Dragon, which was detached from Tsunami, and Burner from his Graveyard. "I can now Special Summon Blaster onto my Field from the Graveyard!" he took the card again from his Graveyard, this time placing it onto his blade.

Erupting from a column of fire, appeared a dragon comprised of magma, the roared, which sounded garbled somewhat as the dragon's form was semi-solid. It breathed out searing flames as it landed.

Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos: FIRE, Level: 7 [Dragon/Effect] ATK/2800 DEF/1800

"Now he controls two Dragon Rulers, that's the Collector for you!" Mr Shroud said.

"Battle! Blaster attack his Bahamut!" Apollo ordered, Blaster roared, inhaling, its chest glowing as fire began to gather. Meanwhile Apollo began hoping from the platforms, hoping to find a new Action card.

As for Janus... He snapped his fingers, making Bahamut roar, the ooze covering it suddenly shot out two black tendrils, which then began traversing the arena, this alerted everyone, "W-What's going on?!" Mr Shroud asked nobody, Reiji however was intrigued at what was happening.

The two tendrils eventually stopped, each one on a different platform, they then reeled back to their owner, who then placed them before Janus. But what the tendrils had on them stunned the crowd, even Apollo was.

"Action Cards!?" Mr Shroud exclaimed in shock. As stuck to each of the tendrils before Janus was an Action Card, he looked between the two, "Hmmm" he hummed, "What the f..." Apollo stared at the scene stunned, having no clue such a thing was possible. Meanwhile Blaster finished charging its attack, it then breathed out a concentrated beam of heat, aiming for Bahamut.

Janus had made his choice, picking the Action Card to his right, the other tendril then dropped the other Action Card, which floated onto the ground before his feet. "I activate the Action Spell, Evasion!" he said activating the card. "Blaster's attack is negated!" he has said this, Blaster's fire beam slowly diminished, until just before hitting Bahamut, it was gone.

Apollo shook his head at what occurred, he needed to focus, he then turned and spotted an Action Card lower to the ground, he jumped off his platform and landed before the card, which he picked up. "The Action Spell, High Dive! Now one monster gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn!" Apollo declared.

"High Dive gives Tsunami 1000 ATK!" he added as his dragon roared, gaining a boost in power, Tsunami's ATK: 3100 + 1000 = 4100 "Tsunami attacks your Bahamut!" Tsunami didn't charge up an attack, extending its tail out, which whipped Bahamut across the face. The infected dragon cried out in pain before being destroyed.

The explosion washed over Janus, who braced himself, Janus's LP: 4000 - 1750 = 2250 "And that's just the start of my punishment..." Apollo grinned, he watched his opponent waiting for the shock to register.

Janus's bands finally registered the damage, shocking their holder... Who didn't flinch, just standing there as the shocks faded, the sight stunned most. "What the..." someone in the crowd gasped out, "Just who is this kid?" Mr Shroud asked concerned.

"Just what has this kid been through to withstand a shock like that?" Apollo asked himself stunned at his opponent, for a first time Underground Duelist, he was doing surprisingly well, both in the Duel and with the shocks, the latter meant the kid had a shady past, he then thought back to moments prior, still not believing what he saw. "By the way, what the hell was that with before?!" he asked his opponent, "The Action Cards." he clarified.

His opponent looked at him confused. "What do you mean cyclops? This is an Action Duel after all..." Janus said smugly.

"True..." Mr Shroud began, "But the Duelist is the one to pick up the Action Cards, not their monsters..." he explained. At this Janus looked to the announcer, "When was that ever established in the rules?" he asked them...

...

...

...

"WHAAAAAAATTTTT!" the entire crowd but Reiji yelled out, stunned. The crowd then murmured amongst themselves for this revelation.

"What? When I came to this city, Adam told me the rules for Action Dueling, should I Duel in one, but one thought bugged me. So I asked him a question. Could a monster pick up the cards for their master?" he explained to them all, while recalling such an event, he still remembered Adam's stunned face at such a question.

"The fact he never gave an answer meant it could be possible, so I went for it..." he added, "But why risk something that may not be possible?" Mr Shroud asked, Janus took a while to respond, Apollo could tell he was reliving something, horrible may he add. "Sometimes you've got to take risks to stay alive..." he muttered, more to himself.

"But why not actually run around for the cards?" Apollo suddenly asked, surely the kid wasn't that lazy, his attitude so far revealed he was far from that. "Oh that... I can't run properly..." Janus explained, confusing them. "Due to an incident years ago, one of my legs was damaged, leaving me with a limp." he told them, shocking them.

"A limp!? But I watched you walk into the arena as normal!" Apollo remarked, "I've got a bionic brace around my damaged leg..." he then pointed to his head, at the band around his head, "This band here is linked to it, allowing me to walk as normal." he tapped the mentioned band.

"I had one of my new crew, a tech head, tinker with the brace, to prevent outside currents with making it malfunction." he added, he was thankful to his crew for that, otherwise he would have needed to steal another brace, likely to never happen as they encountered this one by pure chance.

Though Apollo somewhat stunned at what his opponent had told them, he shrugged it off, and looked at his two cards. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn..." Apollo declared, "With it ending, High Dive's effect ends, returning Tsunami's ATK to normal..." 4100 = 3100 (Tsunami) "As entertaining as its been to try and grasp what you've been through kid, I'm over it..." Apollo said, "Now hurry and start your turn, it will be the last turn you have in this Duel..." he said.

Apollo's Hand x 0

Turn 4

Janus wasn't annoyed by his opponent, he just grinned, his mask distorting to match his attitude, "My last turn, really?" he asked, "Let's see you change your mind after it then, I draw!" he drew and flipped the card to reveal what it was.

"I activate the Trap, Xyz Reborn!" his face-down flipped up, "I can target an Xyz Monster in my Graveyard, Special Summoning it..." Bahamut returned back the Field, roared at the two dragons before it, who roared back. "Then Xyz Reborn becomes an Overlay Unit for it..." the trap condensed into a small light, which travelled over to its target before transforming into an Overlay Unit, turning purple as it orbited the dragon. 0 + 1 = 1 (Bahamut)

"I wouldn't bother..." Apollo began, confusing the younger boy, "Due to Tsunami's effect, as it was Xyz Summoned using Tidal, it's unaffected by your effects!" he explained, "What?" Janus yelled out, "And you know the deal with Blaster, like Tidal, as it was Special Summoned, at the end of your turn, returns to my Hand..." he added grinning.

"Meaning its pointless, either way, you waste Bahamut's effect, as both it and Blaster are weaker than Tsunami!" he smirked, "I did say this was your last turn, now end it, you can't beat my dragon." he declared, smug.

"Oh we'll see won't we..." Janus was getting really annoyed now, "I activate the effect of Evilswarm Kerykieon from the Graveyard!" Janus declared, "The Graveyard? How-" Shroud began, but realised, "That's the card you sent to the Graveyard as apart of Bahamut's effect to take Tidal." Apollo realised.

"Correct! Now for the effect, I can banish an Evilswarm monster from my Graveyard, to add a different one in there to my Hand..." he explained, "I banish Castor..." Castor was banished, "To add back Contamiknight to my Hand!" his choice was returned to him. "I Normal Summon Contamiknight once more!"

The infected knight once again appeared, "It's effect activates, letting me add an Infection or Infestation card from my Deck to my Hand." he added his choice.

"Also..." he began, "Kerykeion's additional effect can be activated since using that effect..." he added, "It allows me to Normal Summon again! I now Normal Summon, Rescue Rabbit!"

Appearing on the field was a harmless looking rabbit, wearing a helmet, goggles and a walkie talkie.

Rescue Rabbit: EARTH, Level: 4 [Beast/Effect] ATK/300 DEF/100

"It's effect activates! I can banish it..." The rabbit began digging a burrow, which collapsed after itself, "To Special Summon 2 Level 4 or lower monsters from my Deck whose names are the same!" two cards were eject from his Deck.

"I Special Summon two Evilswarm Heliotropes!" two identical monsters, formed from rock, but looking like knight appeared.

Evilswarm Heliotrope: DARK, Level: 4 [Rock] ATK/1950 DEF/650 x2

"They're destroyed at the end of the turn, if I don't do anything that is!" he began, "I now use the Level 4 Contamiknight and two Heliotropes to build the Overlay Network!" the three mentioned turn into energy, soaring into the air was the network appeared on the ground as they were sucked into the swirling galaxy.

"Three headed dragon of ice, give into the infection's will and submit!" black ooze began to cover a dragon that had formed within the galaxy.

"Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Evilswarm Ouroboros!" appearing from the galaxy was a corrupted version of Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier. Instead of white, black took it places, on its back were three thick black ooze tendrils. The corrupted dragon roared as three Overlay Units orbited around the infected monster.

Evilswarm Ouroboros: DARK, Rank: 4 [Dragon/Xyz/Effect] ATK/2750 DEF/1950 OLUs: 3

"Another imitation of a Synchro Monster..." Apollo's eye flared up again, he then glanced at the info for the monster real quick, something he noted was interesting. "Oh, it seems Janus isn't backing down from this Duel, what can he do to overcome Apollo's Dragons?" Mr Shroud exclaimed. Apollo however looked over the Summoned monster's info as it appeared. "Nothing really..." he caught Shroud's attentions.

"That monster, looks just like Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier." he began, at this Janus was intrigued, looking at his summoned monster. "Therefore, its shares a similar effect to it, Trishula can banish 1 card each from the opponent's Hand, Field or Graveyard..." he explained, he had faced such a monster in his past.

"That monster does something similar..." he added, at this Janus gained an amused smile, "Yeah... Ouroboros can use an Overlay Unit once per turn, to use one of three effects once while its on the Field..." he told them, he then held up three fingers.

"I can target a card you control and return it to your Hand..." he took one finger down, "Send 1 random card in your Hand to the Graveyard..." a second finger down, "And finally, target 1 card in your Graveyard, and banish it." he finished as the final finger went down.

"Altogether, that would make it act like Trishula..." Reiji noted, "As powerful as those effects are, they're useless in this Duel now." Apollo began smug.

"You can't target Tsunami to return it to my Hand due to its effect. And Blaster is pointless with either Bahamut or Ouroboros's effects, as it will return to my Hand at end of the turn anyways..." he said, "I have no cards in my Hand, making the second effect useless..." he added. "There is my two face-downs..." he added. "But I can just set them again..." he added.

"And any cards in my Graveyard at the moment, I don't need..." He finished, looking back at the younger boy, who was calm during his explanation. "Like I said before, this is your last turn of the Duel..." he smirked, again he didn't retort, much to his dismay.

At this, Janus took over, "Yeah... Ouroboros is somewhat useless at the moment..." he told him, Apollo chuckled, having been proven right, he began to speak once more, "But..." Janus carried on, catching their attention.

"That's not why I summoned it..." he explained, confusing them all, "Then what was the purpose of summoning it?" Apollo asked frowning, not expecting this.
"For this..." Janus said, he then took one of his two remaining cards, and flipped it.

"I activate the Spell, Rank Up Magic - Infection Force!" he declared, shocking them all, "Rank Up Magic..." Apollo muttered stunned, he really wasn't expecting this at all...

"I target one Evilswarm Xyz Monster I control, and using it and its Overlay Units, I can Xyz Summon a Evilswarm Xyz Monster whose Rank is 1 higher than the target!" Janus declared.

"I target Ouroboros!" the selected monster gained a black misty aura, "And using it, I rebuild the Overlay Network!" as soon as he finished, the triple headed dragon roared, its tendrils reaching out and forming a sphere around the monster.

"Behold! The infection's true form..." light began flashing from within the sphere, showing the silhouette of the monster within, its own tendrils attacking it, the beast cried out in pain, making the crowd feel somewhat sick. "-a monster created from the plague that will crush the enemy into the infect earth!" with each flash the new monster took form. A card was ejected from his Extra Deck

"Go! Rank Up Xyz Evolution!" he yelled, taking the new card and placing it over Ouroboros's card. "Appear, Rank 5! Evilswarm Pestilence Dragon!" the sphere cracked, before exploding as the new monster within broke free, it gave a strange screech as it landed in front of its master, four purple Overlay Units orbited the otherworldly dragon.

Evilswarm Pestilence Dragon: DARK, Rank: 5 [Dragon/Xyz/Effect] ATK/2800 DEF/2500, OLUs: 4

"What... What is that thing?!" Shroud cried out in horror, as did most of the crowd, he had seen some things during this gig, but nothing like that even came close to the sight before him right now. "Xyz Evolution..." Apollo said stunned, sure he knew the mechanic existed, but not many used it. Reiji looked on interested at such a monster before him. This would be a good experience for him to witness.

"As amazing as Pestilence Dragon is, its effect is even more impressive!" Janus yelled to this opponent, "I activate his effect! By using one Overlay Unit..." one of the four orbiting was absorbed into the strange dragon. Pestilence Dragon's OLUs: 4 - 1 = 3 "I can add 1 Level 4 or lower lswarm monster from my Deck to to my Hand..." he added his choice.

Suddenly, Pestilence Dragon's tubes began pumping fluid through them, "Not only that, But Pestilence Dragons gains 500 ATK until the end of the turn!" he declared, the dragon's body began to expand, looking a bit painful for the monster. Pestilence Dragon's ATK: 2800 + 500 = 3300 Once the expansion stopped, the dragon looked bigger, its veins bulging with power.

"It now has enough ATK to destroy Tsunami!" Shroud cried out, "True... but a bit more couldn't hurt..." Janus then snapped his fingers, Bahamut roared, making two tendrils that once again shot out and travelling the cage.

At this, Apollo began hopping from platform to platform. The tendrils then returned, each once again having an Action Card, "Hmm..." looking over the cards.

"This one!" he picked his choice, this time the left, the other tendril dropped the other card, which floated down to rest atop of the other card. "I activate the Action Spell, Over Sword!" he activated the card, "Shit!" Apollo shouted out, having come to a platform with another Action Card on it, "I target Pestilence Dragon, and now when it battles this turn, not only does it gains 500 ATK during that battle, but its attack cannot be negated!" he told him.

"Battle! Pestilence Dragon attacks Tsunami!" The dragons roared at each other, challenging each other, "Over Sword's effect now gives Pestilence Dragon 500 ATK!" the infected dragon's power rose even more, 3300 + 500 = 3800 (Pestilence Dragon) "Not only that, but its attack cannot be negated!" he added. Even though the coming attack couldn't be negated, Apollo still picked up the Action Card he found.

"Destroy that Tsunami!" Pestilence Dragon's chest began to swell, "Plague Spreading Wrath!" The dragon exhaled, released a stream of concentrated ooze, it soared and pierced though Tsunami's watery body with ease. The water dragon cried out in pain as it was destroyed, its form burst in a watery explosion. 2700 - 700 = 2000 (Apollo) Apollo then received another shock.

It ended almost as soon as it began, "I activate the effects of both Tsunami and Dragon Ruler's Return from my Graveyard!" Apollo declared.

"First up is Tsunami, when its destroyed, I can Special Summon Tidal from my Graveyard!" The dispersed water began to gather once again, eventually Tidal appeared in Tsunami's place in Attack.

"And then Return's effect! When a Dragon Ruler is destroyed and this card is in my Graveyard, I can banish Return..." he did so, "Doing so lets me add either a Level 4 or 7 Dragon Ruler from my Deck whose Attribute is not the same as the destroyed one!" a card was ejected from his Deck, which he added to his Hand.

"Hmm... So you lied... Clever move..." Janus realised, he had specifically told him his cards in the Graveyard were useless, thereby making him over look the cards, and he fell for it. Not that it mattered now. "As Pestilence Dragon has finished battling, Over Sword's effect is over." he said. 3800 = 3300 (Pestilence Dragon)

He took one of his cards, looked it over, and then glanced at the two Action Cards at his feet "I set a card face-down..." Janus said, the card appeared on his field face-down. "And end my turn. With it ending, Pestilence Dragon's effect ends, returning its ATK to normal." he added as the dragon's bulk returned to its normal state. 3300 = 2800 (Pestilence Dragon)

"And with your turn ending, both Blaster and Tidal, due to Tsunami's effect summoning it return to my Hand..." Apollo said, both the fire and water Dragon Ruler's disappeared from the field, their cards appearing in Apollo's Hand.

Janus's Hand x 1

Turn 5

"This Duel is really heating up folks!" Shroud proclaimed, "Each contender has trumped the other, the two, despite the difference in Life Points, seem to be even in terms of skill!" he added, "This may be this circuit's finest duel so far!" he added, the crowd cheering at this.

Reiji however was intrigued, "What he said is true... Both are evenly powerful..." he thought, so far, his expectations of the duel were exceeded, due to the nature of Apollo's opponent, if he could rival him, he could fight them, at this clarification he made his decision, "But the duel is far from over, let's see how this duel ends, as either win or lose..." he looked to Apollo, "I think he's ready for what's to come..." he added.

Meanwhile Apollo looked over at his opponent, a bead of sweat rolling down his face, he was annoyed, "Guess this won't be the last turn... Maybe." he muttered to himself, Janus controlled two powerful Xyz Monsters, he then glanced at Pestilence Dragon "I didn't think he could use Rank Up Magic, though... Something seems off about it." he had duelled other Duelists that could use such a technique in the past, even seeing Matthew Denisu's use of the mechanic last year during that year's championship... paled to Janus's use of it.

"He's more powerful than I thought..." instead of being annoyed by that statement, he was actually thrilled, it had been quite awhile since he faced such a powerful duellist. Then it suddenly hit him, why this Duel bothered him, Xyz monsters looking like existing Synchro Monsters, that coupled with the skill his opponent displayed...

It reminded him of "Nigel..." he muttered to himself, looking at his opponent, grinning, as to him now, Nigel's image, from what he remembered from last year, was superimposed over Janus. He remembered the Mirror Edge Duelist having an certain edge to his duelling, one which he broke sadly, leading to what he witnessed at the gardening centre awhile ago.

"It feels just like back then, which means, I get break someone like him again!" he grinned even more, this disturbed Janus, Nigel's image fading away from him. "What's with you Cyclops, losing your marbles!?" he mocked.

Apollo chuckled at that, "No... It's just..." he began, "You remind me of another Duelist I faced a year ago..." he smiled, thinking back to that Duel in question. Reiji knew exactly what he was referring to, he did after all, make that match happen, to test the other boy.

"He was like you back then, he had an edge, which is what was bugging me about this Duel..." he told him, "Your duelling is just like his was back then." he added, "And while I did lose that match..." he said, shocking the crowd, "I broke him, I haven't seen him since until a while ago, I witnessed him duel again... He had sadly lost that edge..." he frowned recalling that recent Duel the middle triplet had.

"Due to yours truly." he threw his arms out wide dramatically. "But now I have another chance..." he pointed at Janus, who had been confused. "Only this time, not only will I break you, I'll win this time!" he smirked.

"My turn! I draw!" he then drew his card, and then entered his Standby Phase. "At this moment, Pestilence Dragon's effect activates!" Janus declared, "As long as Pestilence Dragon has an Evilswarm Xyz Monster as an Overlay Unit, during your Standby Phase, you must pay 500 LP in order to Special Summon for the rest of the turn!" he explained.

Apollo shrugged at this, "No problem..." he then paided the toll, 2000 - 500 = 1500 (Apollo) "And onto my Main Phase! Once again, I use Blaster's effect! I banish Tidal, and Reactan, Dragon Ruler of Pebbles from my Hand..." he sent the two to his Banished Zone, "And then Special Summon Blaster from my Hand!"

Once again Blaster appeared on the Field, roaring at the Evilswarm dragon. "I activate Pestilence Dragon's effect!" Janus interrupted with a grin, "When you Special Summon a monster to your Field, by sending 1 card in my Hand to the Graveyard..." he sent his only card there. "This lets me Set that Summoned monster face-down in Defense!"

"Do it Pestilence, make that Dragon Ruler kneel!" Pestilence Dragon roared, shooting out two tendrils from the front of its chest, which travelled over to Blaster "Counter Trap, Dragon Ruler's Domination!" Apollo declared, one of his cards flipped up, showing Blaster overpowering another dragon. "Should a Dragon Ruler be affected by a card effect you activate, that effect is negated!" he explained. Blaster's body burned hotter, vaporising the approaching tendrils as they made contact with the fiery dragon.

At this, Janus still smiled, "Either way, you can't get past Pestilence Dragon's ATK, both it and Blaster's ATK are equal, both will be destroyed, leaving you without a monster while I still control Bahamut." he smiled, "And if you attack Bahamut to take a a chunk of my LP, on my next turn, Pestilence Dragon will power up to destroy Blaster, and if I get a monster on my next turn, I win after destroying Blaster!" Janus smiled, already picturing it.

"I would hold off picturing your imaginary win there kid, after all, it's still my turn..." Apollo remarked, Janus frowned at that.

"I now Set my Action Card..." he set the mentioned card, a large A was printed on its back. "Then I activate my final card in my Hand! The Spell, Card of Sanctity!" he declared activating the card, "This lets both of us draw cards until we have six each!" as neither he or Janus had cards in their hands now, they both drew until they had six.

"Perfect!" Apollo grinned out, his Deck never failed him when he needed it, meanwhile Janus looked over his own new cards, somewhat confused, but he smiled nonetheless. "Thanks for this gift, Cyclops." he said, "You may want to take that back boy, after all... You may not get the chance to use them." Apollo smirked, taking one of his card, holding it between his other hand's fingers, a dangerous grin on his face.

"The last time I used this card, I gave my opponent an out, salvation..." he began confidently, crowd began to murmur at this, knowing what was coming "I'll give you that same chance, but it's gonna cost you..." he said, looking over at Janus, his eyes focusing in on the unusual Duel Disk his opponent used, "How important is that Duel Disk to you?..." he asked, normally he would go for cards, but something told him those his opponent had would be useless to him.

Janus protectively held his Duel Disk arm to himself, "Over my dead body Cyclops!" he growled protectively, after all, it had some important tech incorporated into the system, which he worked hard to get.

"So I take that as a no..." Apollo said, still smiling, "Alright then, get ready..." he began his next move. "I activate the Spell, Sacred Dragon Fusion!" he declared. The card slotted into his Duel Disk, its card appearing on the Field.

While the crowd was a buzz with joy, Janus was anything but that, his eyes narrowed into a glare, "Fusion..." he growled out in disgust. "With this card, I can Fusion Summon a Sacred Dragon Ruler by banishing its Fusion Material from my Hand, Field or Graveyard!" Apollo explained smirking.

"I Fuse Blaster on my Field, and Dragon Ice in my Hand, banishing them!" Dragon Ice's spirit appeared next to Blaster. Blaster glowed blue while Dragon Ice glowed red. The Fusion Vortex appeared behind them.

"Dragon ruling over flames, become one with the draconic spirit formed of ice and bring about a new ruler!" the two glowing monster's forms began to distort, being sucked into the Fusion Vortex, which released a bright light.

"Fusion Summon!" his Extra Deck ejected a card, which he took, "Appear, Level 8! Eruption, Sacred Dragon Ruler of Volcanoes!" he placed the card onto his blade.

As soon as he did, the ground began to shake, a fissure crack started to form, it then glowed orange, before erupting, summoning forth an eruption of lava, from within the stream an dragon's form appeared, when the eruption ended, a dragon, looking like Blaster stood, though this one was bigger, its body was red hot glowing, but only parts of its arms, legs, lower torso, tail and horns revealed this, as the dragon was mostly comprise of nature obsidian armour, some parts had glowing orange cracks, as the dragon was still hot. Resting and fused into its back was a miniature volcano, smoke bellowing out of it. Altogether, the dragon looked demonic. The dragons eyes opened, revealing them to completely orange in colour. It then roared, black smoke misted out its mouth as it did.

Eruption, Sacred Dragon Ruler of Volcanoes: FIRE, Level: 8, Dragon/Fusion/Effect, ATK/3300 DEF/2300

"What a monster folks, one of the Collector's strongest Fusion Monsters, a Sacred Dragon Ruler, rivalled by their Xyz Counterparts!" Mr Shroud proclaimed, the crowd roared at the sight of the monster. "Blaster's effect! When banished, I can add a FIRE Dragon-Type from my Deck to my Hand" he added a Burner, its baby version to his Hand.

Meanwhile Janus's glare intensified at the sight of the monster, "Fusion and Xyz... Disgusting!" he spat out in silent fury. The thought of those two in the same deck disgusted him.

Apollo however noted his reaction, "That anger..." he thought, the anger Janus was displaying at the sight of his Fusion Monster, it reminded him of... his own anger towards Synchro Monsters... though not for the same reasons... "Just what is with this kids and what has he been through?" he added. Nothing about the kid made sense to him.

He shook his head of these thoughts, after all he likely wouldn't see the kid after this Duel... Hopefully. "Eruption's effect activates!" he shouted, the volcano on Eruption's back began to bellowing out more smoke, small chunks of molten rock also spewing out. "When Fusion Summoned using Blaster on my Field, I can destroy as many cards you control as possible!"

Janus stopped his glaring to widen his eyes in shock, he immediately took action. "Not happening! I activate the Trap, Overlay Guard!" Janus snapped as his face-down flipped up. "Should Xyz Monsters with Overlay Units be destroyed, I can detach 1 Overlay Unit from the monsters about to be destroyed, they cannot be destroyed for the rest of the turn!" he explained.

"I use this protection on both Pestilence Dragon and Bahamut!" he said the last one reluctantly. Both of the dragons than consumed an Overlay Unit each, this however left Bahamut without any now. 3 - 1 = 2 (Pestilence Dragon) 1 - 1 = 0 (Bahamut) Two multi-coloured barriers than erupted around the dragons.

"Hmmm..." Apollo hummed in thought, seeing that those were the only two cards Janus controlled, it made Eruption's activated effect useless, said dragon had stopped erupting. "Clever move. But now Bahamut is useless!" he told him. Now he couldn't lose control of Eruption, or any others that followed. Even more so with a certain Spell he had.

"Battle! Eruption attack that Bahamut!" Eruption then inhaled, causing its chest to glow brighter, "Hellfire Eruption!" he called out, the dragon released a stream of intense fire at the infected ice dragon, the barrier appeared, preventing its destruction. Though Janus braced himself, the damage and the shock with it still going through. 2250 - 950 = 1300 (Janus) Janus's body sparked slightly. "That one had to have hurt!" Apollo mocked. Janus glared at him for that remark.

"Before I end my turn, I activate the Equip Spell, Dragon Ruler's Radiance!" the card appeared, showing a Sacred Dragon Ruler, Gale, radiating a strange aura, other dragons that surrounded the monster bowed their heads in its presence. "I target Eruption and equip this card onto it!"

As soon as the card was equipped, Eruption growled as a strange aura enveloped the molten dragon. "And then I set another card face-down and end my turn..." another card appeared next to the set Action Card.

Apollo's Hand x 3

Turn 6

"What a show folks, not only did Apollo Summon a mighty dragon, but manage to make Janus's LP lower than his. This Duel has been so up and down for either Duellist, who knows who will win at this rate?!" Mr Shroud announced.

Janus didn't hear anything, his sole focus was on the obsidian covered Dragon, "Damn you Fusion..." he growled, trying to ignore the terrified screams in his memories. He still couldn't believe it, "Fusion and Xyz, in the same Deck together, its despicable!" he muttered to himself.

"If he thinks he can get away with this, he's mistaken, he'll pay..." he frowned, he then glared at Apollo, who was quite relaxed, a smug grin of his face, "I'll wipe that stupid grin right of his face, along with that thing!" he thought maliciously.

"It's my turn now! I draw!" he drew his card, he then entered his Standby Phase, "Due to Pestilence Dragon's effect, if its around during my Standby Phase, I must pay 500 LP..." he reluctantly did so. 1300 - 500 = 800 (Janus)

Janus is down to his last 800 LP!" Mr Shroud announced, Apollo huffed at this, "Makes sense, a powerful card like that requires something to leech off, given its a parasite!" Apollo mocked, Janus glared at him, gritting his teeth behind his teeth.

"Will you piss off Cyclops!" he yelled about. His opponent sighed, closing his eyes, "Name calling, really? I mean sure I called you brat, but that's all..." he began, "Plus, I don't care what you or people have to say about my appearance." he opened his eyes, gesturing to his bad useless one "I'm proud of what happened to me! After all..." he thought back to the accident, and despite all the hate he developed because of it...

He was grateful that it had happened, after all, without that event in his life, he would likely turned out different, weak even. That version of him would likely have lost by now in this Duel.

"It's what made me who I am today!" he declared proudly, "I wear this as a symbol of who I am, with pride! I have nothing to hide..." he then frowned, "Where as you... hide who you really are..." he began, referring to Janus's mask. "There's something about you kid, you've been through some things, like me. But that is where it ends..." Janus flinched slightly at that.

"But while I don't care what your past whatsoever, you shouldn't hide from it, accept what happened..." he stared him straight in the eyes, his good eye boring into his two. "It will give you strength." he finished.

Janus had been quiet though his whole speech, but he anger was still present, "You don't get to tell me how to life my live Cyclops!" he yelled out, "You're incident happened late in life! Whereas this!" he pointed to his masked face, "I was born with it, but that's not where the shit began!" he began reliving his past.

"I've always been an outsider, never belonging any way in life..." his memories of him wandering the streets at night, never staying still at all to survive, "This last month has been hellish for me..." he then recounted all that had happened back home, his life was terrible, even before all that crap happened.

"This place was a fresh start for me, but even that doesn't seem to be going well..." he stared at the ground, sure when he came to this world, life was looking up, but this Duel, it was souring this new life for him.

"Like I told you..." Apollo interrupted, "I don't care about all that..." he said, "No good comes from reliving the past, the good or the bad..." he shook his head, abit hypocritical there. He had just tried to relive his experience facing Nigel from back then through Janus. And while delightful as it was to experience that again, he had to treat his opponent for who he was, not who he reminded him of.

Besides, he could face Nigel again, hopefully bringing the Nigel he faced back, he would do so if given the chance. "You just have to move on in life, take the good with bad..." he finished. Janus, once again had been quite, processing all that.

"You're right..." Janus muttered, he then made up his mind, and peeled off his mask, throwing it to the ground behind him. The sight of his revealed face made some of the crowd cringe and gasp. Apollo and Reiji behind his mask raised an eyebrow at the sight.

His black markings were on full display, his lower face looked as if it was cracking, from each corner of his cheeks, they met at each end of his lips, forming some zigzags as they did. Around his lips were small splinter cracks. His expression was neutral, ignoring all the disgust and gasps, facing his opponent, as who he was.

Apollo was impressed, "Honestly... I was expecting worst!" he joked, "Whatever Cyclops! Let's just end this Duel, I ain't coming back here after this one..." he told him. "Don't want to see your ugly mug ever again!" he grinned at him.

"Alright, it's your turn after all..." he waved over to him, "Make your move, Marks!" he said nicknaming him, Janus didn't rise to this. Not that he cared. "Just to let you know... Radiance's effect, as long as its equipped onto a Dragon Ruler, you cannot activate the effects of your monsters with less ATK than the equipped monster!" he explained.

Janus then looked over his cards, all seven of them, a few monsters, spells and a single trap. He then looked over at the Field. Three dragons in total, two for him, and one for Apollo, which he gave a glare, not only for being a Fusion Monster, but for its equipped card. He needed to get rid of that card, or he would likely lose the Duel.

Suddenly one of his cards caught his attention. "This one will do the trick!" he took that card, "I activate the Spell, Overlay Infection Discharge!" he declared activating the card, the card showed Pestilence Dragon's artwork, orbiting it like Overlay Units were two ball of the infectious ooze.

"If I control an Evilswarm Xyz Monster with Overlay Units, I can detach any number of them..." Pestilence Dragon consumed one of its two remaining ones, 2 - 1 = 1 (Pestilence Dragon) "This then let's me target Spells and Traps you control up the number of detached Overlay Units, and destroy them!" Pestilence Dragon called forth a tendril from its chest.

"I destroy your Equip Spell!" he told him, the tendril then whipped out, shattering the equipped spell. "With that gone, Pestilence Dragon can now use its effects, which I'll use right now!" he declared.

"Once again, Pestilence Dragon uses an Overlay Unit!" the dragon consumed its last unit, 1 - 1 = 0 (Pestilence Dragon) "I now add a Level 4 or lower Evilswarm monster from my Deck to my Hand..." he added one. "And then Pestilence Dragon gains 500 ATK until the end of the turn!" Once again the dragon's body began to expand, surging with power. 2800 + 500 = 3300 (Pestilence Dragon)

"Now I Normal Summon Evilswarm Salamandra!" Appearing on the field was a bottom heavy green thick dinosaur standing on it back legs, covering the ancient beast was spiky dark grey armour, the Evilswarm Insignia was marked on the front of the armour.

Evilswarm Salamandra: DARK, Level: 4 [Dinosaur/Effect] ATK/1850 DEF/950

"When an Evilswarm monster is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon this card from my Hand! Appear, Evilswarm Monk!" appearing next to Salamandra was a monster resembling Summoner Monk, though it clothing colour palate was reversed, and on its chest was the Evilswarm crest. It was mediating as it appeared.

Evilswarm Monk: DARK, Level: 4 [Spellcaster/Effect] ATK/850 DEF/1650

"Monk's effect! By discarding a card..." he sent an Evilswarm monster to the Graveyard... "I can add 1 Evilswarm monster, Infection or Infestation card from my Deck to my Hand." he added his card.

"And now using the two Level 4 Salamandra and Monk, I once again build the Overlay Network!" the two turned into purple purple, soared into the air as the network appeared before Janus's feet. The two energies were sucked into the network, releasing a bright light.

"Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Evilswarm Ophion!" the corrupted version of Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier appeared on the Field, two purple overlay units orbited the dragon. It roared as it appeared.

Evilswarm Ophion: DARK, Rank: 4 [Dragon/Xyz/Effect] ATK/2550 DEF/1650, OLUs: 2

"Now Janus controls three powerful Xyz Monsters to Apollo's single powerful Fusion Monster!" Mr Shroud said impressed, "That's right... we usually did have to face them in numbers..." Janus muttered to himself, thinking back to those battles- He shook his head of such memories, they didn't matter now.

"While Ophion is on the Field, you cannot Special Summon Level 5 or higher monsters!" Janus explained smirking, his marks shifting slightly due to his facial muscles moving. "Meaning that if you survive this turn, you can't bring out your Dragon Rulers or your Sacred Dragon ones anymore!" he explained.

"It would appear Janus has made a tremendous comeback folks! Could this be the end for the Collector!?" Mr Shroud despaired. "Both Pestilence and Eruption share the same ATK points, meaning Janus is going to sacrifice his Dragon to make his opponent an easy target." he explained to the crowd.

Neither Apollo nor Reiji reacted at all, there was something to two knew, involving one of the cards.

"Time to end this!" Janus declared, "Battle! Pestilence Dragon, attack Eruption! Plague Spreading Wrath!" his dragon inhaled, charging up a sludge attack, Eruption prepared its own attack, its mini volcano acting up.

The two then released their attack, one sludge based, the other pure fire, the two attacks clashed evenly between them. "It's over Cyclops! I win!" Janus grinned out.

"And that Marks, is where you're wrong!" Apollo suddenly shouted out with a smirk, shocking the younger boy. "I should have also mentioned that the monster equipped with Radiance cannot activate its effects, so thank you. As now Eruption's effect activates!" he declared, the volcano began acting up even more.

"When Eruption is about to be destroyed by battle, I can send a FIRE or Dragon-Type monster from my Hand to the Graveyard..." he sent Tidal to the Graveyard... "Now not only is Eruption is not destroyed in this battle, but your monster battling it, regardless if its ATK is higher or equal to its ATK, is destroyed by this effect!" Janus gasped at this news.

Eruption's attack began to gain more power, pushing back Pestilence's sludge stream.

Janus panicked, looking down at his cards, none of them could help him at the moment, he gasped, looking beyond them on the ground were two Action Cards, their backs showing the A, there were the two he didn't choose from his choices when his monsters got them for him.

Though there was a problem, one of them could save Pestilence Dragon having read the card's effect... but the other, also not helpful, in fact, it was a last resort move this late into the Duel, and he couldn't remember which one was which, having paid them no mind as they landed on the ground.

He shifted between the two, he could only pick up one as per the rules, but if he picked the wrong one, the next turn would likely be the end...

"Time to risk it all for this, I can't lose this!" as the fire overwhelmed the sludge, getting closer to the oozing dragon, he quickly picked one of the two on the ground.

He flipped it over, sighing to himself as he did. "I activate the Action Spell, Mirror Barrier!" he shouted using the card instantly. "I target 1 monster on the Field, and it cannot be destroyed by card effects!" he explained sighing to himself.

"I activate the Set Action Spell, No Action!" Apollo announced, his set Action Card flipped up, "This card negates the activation of your Action Card!" he explained, shocking Janus, "WHAT!" he gasped out.

Mirror Barrier's card was instantly destroyed. Apollo smirk still remained, "As your Mirror Barrier was negated, Eruption's effect goes through! Finish it Eruption!" the volcanos on the dragon's back the erupted, "Karma's Eruption!" he declared, Eruption's fire then doubled in strength, instantly overcoming the infected dragon, vaporising it and causing it to explode.

When the dust settled, only Eruption remained of the two fighters, it roared, challenging the other two dragons to face it. "Damn it!" Janus gritted out. "I place a card face-down..." he said slowly, the card appeared on the his field, "And end my turn..." he reluctantly added.

Janus's Hand x 4

Turn 7

"All that effort, for nothing..." Apollo sighed satisfied his victory now assured, "I draw!" he drew his card, "I activate Eruption's other effect!" he said, "By returning a Dragon Ruler monster in my Graveyard or Banished Zone to my Deck..." he returned Blaster, "I can now destroy 1 card on the Field!" he said.

"I select that pesky Ophion!" Eruption's back erupted, send a molten chunk flying out, it hit Ophion, destroying the monster instantly. "Eruption cannot attack the turn it uses this effect." he said, "But with Ophion gone, I can Special Summon Level 5 or higher again!" he added.

"I activate the Spell, Pot of Greed! Drawing 2 cards..." he drew two, "Then I activate the Spell, Dragon Shrine!" he activated another Spell, "I send a Dragon-Type from my Deck to the Graveyard..." he sent Hyozanryu to the Graveyard. "And if that monster was a Normal Monster, I can send another Dragon-Type to the Graveyard with it!" he added another Dragon to the Graveyard.

"I also send Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms to the Graveyard!" he added, Janus glared, knowing what that meant. "And now for Tempest's effect! By banishing Burner from my Hand and Tidal from the Graveyard..." he did such a thing.

"I can now Special Summon Tempest from the Graveyard!" a twister suddenly formed, forming from it was an elemental dragon of condensed air, it roared as it hovered over the field.

Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms: WIND, Level: 7 [Dragon/Effect] ATK/2400 DEF/2200

"Tidal's effect! When Banished, I can add a WATER Dragon-Type to my Hand from my Deck!" he added his second Stream to his Hand. "And then I activate the effect of Sacred Dragon Fusion from my Graveyard! I can banish a Dragon-Type..." he banished Tsunami... This caused the Spell to eject itself from his Graveyard.

"This let's me add the card to my Hand!" he revealed the Fusion Spell to his opponent, who glared at the card. "Another Sacred Dragon Ruler is coming!" Mr Shroud announced, he had never seen him use more than one in the same Duel before. "I now activate it!" he activated the card instantly.

"I now Fuse Tempest and Eruption from my Field!" the two mentioned glowed, blue and red, "Ruling dragon of storms, become one with the sacred ruler of eruptions, a bring forth of new ruler!" he chanted as the monster swirled into a vortex, releasing a bright light.

"Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Gale, Sacred Dragon Ruler of Typhoons!" Tempest's form appeared before more wind began to gather around it, sparks of lightning began to appear. When the new twister ended, Tempest had transformed into its Sacred Dragon Ruler form. Roaring, sounding like thunder.

Gale, Sacred Dragon Ruler of Typhoon: WIND, Level: 8 [Dragon/Fusion/Effect] ATK/2900 DEF/2700

"And for Gale's effect! When Fusion Summoned using Tempest on the Field, all other cards return to our Hands!" he declared, Janus's eyes widened in shock, "Gale's Wrath!" he yelled out, an updraft then began, the other actual cards on the Field began to shake, Janus braced himself, his eyes shifted down the Action Card at his feet, the winds making the card move, he quickly slammed his foot on top of the card to keep it in place.

Once the winds had died down, all that remained on the Field was Gale, Apollo grinned at this, "I did give you chance earlier... But I will make it again, for a price." he said calmly, "What do you say?" he asked his opponent, who just glared at him.

"Get bent!" was all he said to that, Apollo chuckled, "Very well then, time to end this!" he then thrusted his arm out, "Battle! Gale, attack him directly!" Gale roared and then began charging up an attack, lightning began gathering within its chest.

Janus instantly took action, lifting his foot of the ground, revealing the Action Card beneath it, which caught Apollo's attention, just before he could question it, his opponent swiped up the card, "I activate the Action Spell, M.A.D!" Janus instantly activated the card.

What he said made his opponent shocked though, "Are you kidding me!? You had that card near you the entire time!?" he shouted stunned, the odds of that card were rare, exclusive only to the Underground Circuit of Action Duels.

"Yeah, and since you declared a direct attack against me, I can activate this card!" Janus said as the card's form appeared on the field, showing a generic monster exploding, sending two characters flying.

"What a surprise this is folks! Janus has activated one of this circuit's rarest Action Cards." Mr Shroud said stunned, one of the display screens mounted around the outside of the arena brought up the image of the activated card.

"M.A.D! Is an acronym, as the card's full name is Mutually..." he began.

"Assured..." Apollo muttered.

"Destruction..." Reiji thought, guessing

"Since you declared a direct attack, that attack is now negated!" Janus explained, Gale stopped charging its attack... though the gathering energy within didn't dispel, in fact it got much worse.

"Unfortunately for both of us, that monster is then destroyed..." he began, then gaining a vicious smile, his markings highlighting it more. "And we both take damage equal to that monster's original ATK!" the energy began to grow wild, light began to shine out from multiple areas of the storm dragon, "We both lose!" he said sighing. Apollo quietly accepted the fate of this duel.

Gale then suddenly exploded, releasing all that gathered energy, it washed over both Duelist, who were also shocked by the bands and then sent flying. The crowd also braced themselves against the intense force of the explosion, some even losing their masks in the process...

A few moments later and the explosion had ended and settled, a dust cloud had formed, hanging low across the arena. It was silent for a while as everyone collected themselves.

Mr Shroud, having been sent flying, grasped the edge of the arena to hull himself up, "That was intense..." he muttered, at this point, the cloud had disappeared revealing the scene for all to time.

On each opposing side of the cage, resting upright and possibly unconscious were both Janus and Apollo, their head drooping, neither moving, their bodies still sparking from the shocks.

1500 - 2900 = 0 (Apollo)

800 - 2900 = 0 (Janus)

DRAW

Mr Shroud still couldn't believe what had played out, but he quickly gathered himself, coughing, gaining everyone's attention.

"Well folks..." he began, "Due to the events in that Duel... mostly that last card used, both duellist have been eliminated at the same time!" the crowd seemed to understand where this was going, "Therefore, the Duel has ended in a Draw!" he declared.

As soon as he finished, the crowd began to mutter to their friends by their side, "A Draw!?" "What about my bet?" "I had money on the Collector! God damn it!" "Do we get a refund for our bets?" were just some of the response.

The crowd got louder, some clearly annoyed with the outcome of the Duel, they began booing, both Apollo and Janus stirred at the loud noises. "Damn that's smarts..." Janus groaned out, bringing a hand to rub the back of his head. The cage then began to de-materialise.

Apollo was quiet as he opened his eyes, the loud noise from the angry crowd and booing, annoyed him. "SHUT UP!" He instantly yelled out, this managed to the silence the crowd.

He then began to rise, getting to his feet slowly. "Ah!" he hissed in slight pain, clutching his right arm, having knocked it when he crashed into the wall bars of his side of the cage. "A Duel can go in any direction..." he said to them as Janus then rose to his own feet, a bit wobblily on his feet, he was still rubbing the back of his head.

"All that matters in the end is the last move, no matter who plays it..." he added, softly glaring at Janus at the last part. "If you aren't happy with the outcome, get over it, you made your bets as you wanted, you gotta live with the consequences. Even if they aren't favourable to you..." after saying his piece, he slowly turned and walked away from the arena. Janus just stared at the back of his head for a while. He then eventually did the same, turning the other direction, heading for the tunnel he came from, leaving his discarded mask behind, no longer needing it.

His words seemed to have gotten to the audience, Mr Shroud seeing this, quickly took the reins, "Just as he said folks, you made your bets, so you gotta live with that decision. So sadly no refunds to those betting of either of the two. Apologises!"

"But there is always next time, so until then, we look forward to having you!" he said, "That's all for tonight! Please make your way out safely of course." he finished and also began his leave.

At the mention, the crowd now began getting ready to leave, most standing up, others waiting until more had dispersed before they left.

Reiji had remained seated, having been staring at the tunnel he saw Apollo leave through. "Not the expected outcome, but as he said, all that matters is the last move..." he thought about said move, had it not happened, a clear victor would have been declared...

"I guess all that's left... Is to bring him on board, hopefully..." as he finished his thought, he noticed there was now room to leave, and so he did, already thinking of what to say to his old ex-employ


Apollo sat in his chair in his dressing room having been in there, after having collecting his earnings, despite the bets not being met (him winning), he still got his cut for duelling, even if it was less for now winning. He was nursing his arm, "Damn that hurt..." he groaned to himself, he would likely have a small bruise from that knock. Even if he hadn't been injured, he would still be in a foul mood. The outcome of the duel the main reason.

"A Draw..." he thought annoyed, no winner, no loser... All because of that stupid rare Action Card. Sure he said the outcome didn't matter... but that was just to shut the crowd up. He really wanted to win. He had promised himself he would. "What was with that kid anyways? That sort out duelling..." he had never seen anything like it.

Especially the parts when Janus had his monsters get the Action Cards, one of them being that stupid suicidal card, "It was like he was accustomed to Real Solid Vison, but his use was bizarre, as if he used it for practical use... but how can that be possible?..." he asked himself, such a thing was reserved only to Action Dueling, how could it be used in any other way?

Then the actual kid was bizarre, just what had a kid that young been through, to shrug off being shocked with ease. That comes from having strong will. His duelling itself was just as odd, not only did he have an edge to his Duelling, one that reminded him of his old rival (Did he consider Nigel his rival?) only somewhat more intense, his use of Xyz Summoning and the Rank Up Evolution technique was more refined then Nigel's brothers use of it. And then there was the oddest thing.

His apparent hatred for Fusion Monsters, like him and his hatred for Synchro Monsters. Only the reasonings were different, though Janus's reasons were known only to him, but he could tell there was a righteous reason to have that hatred.

He was an enigma... one he hoped he never had to see again, as Janus himself claimed he wouldn't return here...

He too was thinking that also... "I think that will be the most intense Duel I'll ever get from this place now..." he muttered, frowning, if that was the case, then he would be bored here from now on... "Maybe this is a sign to call it quits here..." he would think about that later, before the next match, possibly his last one...

"Excuse me Collector..." a female voice called out from behind the closed door, one of the attendants. "What?" he responded annoyed. "There's someone wanting to met you!" she told him from the other side of the door, he was confused, not expecting this.

"Who wants to met me? One of the higher ups?" he asked himself, were they mad about the outcome of the duel? No, that couldn't be it, he had never once caught their attention like that. So who could it be? "Let them in!" he told her, still not facing the door, the door began to unlock. But he could see the door behind through the reflection of his mirror.

It opened, revealing a young man, his age wearing his hoodie up. But he could tell instantly who it was. "What are you doing here, Akaba?" he asked annoyed, having not expected to met the guy again, it had been a year since their last discussion, him quitting his employ. "You refused to met me when I sent you that message awhile ago." he explained.

"So I decided to come to you instead, and see how you were doing." he added. "While I'm here, I might as well congratulate you on tonight's Duel." he said,

Apollo frowned at that last bit, "Why? I didn't win..." he told him, his comment having infuriated him. "True but you didn't lose either..." Reiji remarked, he frowned, Apollo seeing this from the reflection.

"Just cut to the chase Akaba... Why are you here?" he asked, "Is it wrong to visit a former employ?" Reiji asked, "Even if its somewhere like this..." Reiji frowned adding that piece in. The other boy frowned at this.

"This place is a disgrace to Dueling, both standard and Action Duelling..." he began, "It's barbaric..." he said that disgusted. "What reason is there to come here, and risk getting arrested?" he asked the other boy.

"If you must know, Akaba, down here, the Duels are more extreme, one gets to truly test oneself, no restrictions and more risks means growth in skill." He glared at Reiji's reflection. "And no one else gets to tell you how to Duel..." he remarked, Reiji instantly got what he was referring too.

"We can discuss the past all you want, but it won't change that it happened." Reiji responded. "I'm over that, but what really annoyed me back then was that I never got an answer for why you were testing him, or his brothers..." Apollo said. He turned to face the other boy.

"In fact, all that I did when working for you back then... What even was your goal?" he asked, Reiji kept quiet. "The first day we met, when you sought me out, I could tell you had secret agendas, ones not meant for the public." he began, "Every company has its dark side. So I didn't question it at the time" he shrugged.

"You were ambitious, you tried to expand LDS. Aggressively, through whatever means necessary." he remembered all the deals he was apart of, all of it apparently tied into Reiji's goals. "Yet you never gave an explanation for all that work." he said. "Then the testing of actual Duelists was the one thing that stuck out the most." he recalled his duel with Nigel, being told to hold back... his aggression, as Nigel was a Synchro Duelist.

"You said he passed back then, though there was more growth for him." he recalled Reiji telling him own experience against the Synchro Duelist. "Just what were you testing them for? And how did it fit into your endgame?" he then turned to face Reiji.

Reiji was quiet for a while, before he looked him "A storm has been brewing..." he began, "One that I've been prepping for, for 4 years..." he said, "4 years?" Apollo thought, just what has he been preparing for?

"That storm is fast approaching, all that had happened in the past..." reminding him of his work during his employ, "Has helped to get us ready for it!" he declared.

Apollo was confused by all this, but his turned serious. "Get back on track Akaba... What are you really here for?" he asked again, "I called out to you back then, as I was hoping to bring you on board." he explained. Apollo raised an eyebrow at this.

"A Duelist of your calibre, would be highly usable for what is to come." he explained. Apollo was intrigued, he then huffed at this, "So you want me to join you again?" he asked, Reiji just nodded, "Well sorry to disappoint you Akaba, but you had your chance back then, and you blew it then..."

"Besides... I've got a good thing going on here. Not only do I get to test myself, but nobody tells me how to duel." he then looked at his right hand, clenching it into a fist. "Each duel here makes me stronger." he declared.

"And what if your peak were to suddenly come to a standstill?" Reiji asked, alerting Apollo with this, "I watched you tonight. And from watching that duel, it has lead me to believe that that Duel..." he paused. "-Was likely the most intense you've ever had here..." Apollo didn't answer.

"You'll never reach heights like that here again, I can see it in your eye..." Apollo flinched, "You've been thinking about this for a while..." he added, Apollo was annoyed, that was one of the things that bugged him about Reiji. He was quite good at getting a read on people.

"So what?... even If this place doesn't have any more to offer me, I can simply go somewhere else..." he retorted, "Like this year's Senior Division." he said.

Reiji narrowed his eyes, "And you believe you can qualify for this year?" Apollo glared at what he was implying, "The duels here aren't added on to my win rate, as they aren't official..." he explained, "So you can't hold that over me, I've duelled outside of this circuit, with enough wins out there to enter for this year." he smirked, having gotten pass a hurdle Reiji was likely planning to use against him.

"But..." Reiji began, "Even if these Duels aren't official, if word got out to the committee about your Duelling history, for these unofficial duels... That would jeopardize you chance to get in..." he finished.

Apollo stood up, ignoring the pain in his arm, "You wouldn't dare..." he growled out, "I could... But I won't..." Reiji said, Apollo became confused. "Your work from before has helped me greatly, so I owe you that." he said. "And as we discussed earlier, you clearly want answers..." he then held out a hand, "I'm now willing to share them with you... Only if you join me once again..." Apollo looked stunned for a moment, but it vanished instantly.

"If you say no, I shall accept that, and won't interfere with you getting into the Senior Division." he said, "The only difference will be, that you will find out the truth the same time as the public does..." Apollo's eyes widened, he was going to reveal his endgame to the public. "But accept my offer now, and you get the answers now..." he still kept his hand out. Awaiting his decision.

"Why are you so adamant about this Akaba? Why now?" Apollo asked him, "When I came here tonight, it was also a chance to see what Duelling here has done to your skill..." he began, "In other words, this was a test, one which you passed, I as thought you would." he added. Apollo was stunned, even he was tested, but for what?

"Also..." Apollo looked at him, "If you do accept, then there's a chance that you can face other Duelists like you did tonight..." he was intrigued by this. There were more Duelist like that kid out there, waiting to be duelled?

"So... what is your answer Apollo?" he asked serious, his eyes expressing that as well. Apollo didn't answer, mulling over his words, either way, all would be explained in due time, the only difference was now and then...

"Well?" Reiji said, knowing what he was thinking. Apollo took a few more moments before coming to his decision.

He then grasped Reiji's hand tightly, "You drive a hard bargain Akaba..." he began, "I hope this is worth it though." he muttered. Reiji smiled at his decision, "Welcome Apollo... To the Lancers!" he declared, Apollo was confused by the title...


Both Reiji and Apollo left the tunnel leading to the outside world, the audience were long gone now. There were heading for LDS. "Lancers..." Apollo repeated to himself, it being plural meant there would be more to join him... And he had a likely good guess on who three of them would be.

Though Reiji had promised him answers, he said that would wait for tomorrow, when they were refreshed. "So who else is apart of this group?" he asked Reiji.

"So far... There is me, two others, and now you" Reiji told him. Apollo frowned at that, he was expecting more before he joined, "But more are to come..." he turned to his the other boy. "Three of which you have likely guessed already." he said, Apollo nodded at this.

"Though they may have passed the tests back then, this is year's Senior Division will likely determine whether they're capable of joining us on our mission..." he then thought back to recent events. "As this year will be playing out differently due to recent events..." Apollo understood instantly.

"Right... The Pendulum Summon..." Apollo muttered, it had been all over the news a lot since its debut, the hype now slowly coming down, "Wait..." he got a thought, "Is it possible you're thinking of him as becoming one because of it?" he asked, Reiji nodded, "Perhaps, I've only met him once, recently might I add, there's plently of room for him to grow..." he recalled his Duel, as well as the possible idea of Pendulum's Evolution, which he still hasn't discovered himself yet.

"He's in Junior Youth right? Are you sure he's capable of this?" Apollo asked, "Him and several others in that division are possible candidates to join us." Reiji added. "So... roughly over ten of us..." Apollo said.

"And there's one other we need to bring into our fold..." Reiji added, "And who would this be?" Apollo asked, they had pretty much discussed the others, so this one was from another party to join them.

"I'm surprised you've haven't figure it out Apollo..." Reiji told his friend... did he consider Apollo a friend... He would evaluate that for another day, "He was just your opponent..." he told him. Apollo's eyes widened at that.

"Janus!?" he said, "I mean sure, he's a good duellist, but do you think he's cut out for this?" he asked, "Certainly, after all..." he began, "Him being to your unintentional test to join the lancers has actual meaning..." Apollo raised an eyebrow at this. "Because... he shares a similar story with the other two I mentioned..." was all he said.

Apollo was confused... But that would wait until tomorrow, he would get his answers then...


?

A young man of 15 wandered the park of a strange advanced city, passing by others as they enjoyed themselves, his face was obscured, though his hair was grey and spiked, with green highlights.

The annual championship were coming up, and he couldn't wait to enter, and amaze the audience, he had come up with some jaw dropping strategies, he was currently discussing one of them. "What do you think O...?" he asked himself, having explained it to no one around him. The last part having faded, unheard.

"It's a good stunt Z..." a voice said, the last part having been distorted, also unheard, "Though whether the others think it will be good enough is up for debate..." the voice added, the boy chuckled not aware of his surrounding to some degree, lost in his thoughts, "Oh I'm sure they'll come around, you and I know they likely want their strategies to be used." he remarked, the others certainly did have their own way of entertaining.

"In the end, all that matters is what we do when we get to that point, right?" he asked the voice, before they could answer, a hissing noise made itself known, "You say that, but in the end, I know my strategy will be the most spectacular..." the new voice said, "Hey! I think mine's just as great S..." a third new voice declared, the boy heard a growl, directed at the hissing one.

"Calm down you two, As Z... said, whatever happens, happens..." a fourth voice announced, the boy was thankful, the two before seemed to have calmed down at their mention, "Thanks for that D..." the boy said, he was really grateful there was someone able to calm those two down-

"Watch out!" a voice cried out, a girl, "Huh?" he began, he began to snap out of his thoughts, looking ahead, only to be alarmed by something fast approaching him, "Out of the way!" she called out, getting closer, the boy became alarmed, but he had no time to react when-

*Bonk*

"Owww!" the boy cried out, he stumbled back from the force and fell to the ground on his butt, the other being also falling over from the collision "Damn that hurt..." he groaned out, his head down in pain.

"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" the girl asked, also groaning, "Yeah... But you should watch where you're-" he opened his eyes to see who had run into him, only to be stunned.

On the ground just like him, was a girl, his age, though he could see her face clearly, it was obscured, her hair was maroon and long, in two long pigtails, resting above her face was a pair of pink goggles. She also wore a pair advanced looking rollerskates. The cause of her speed in colliding with him.

"-going..." he whispered, stunned by her presence "Well I did try and warn you..." she said back, she then deactivated her rollerskates. She then got to her feet and dusted herself off, "But you seemed to have been lost in thought..." she added, and then want to offer him a hand. "Here..." she said.

He then quickly took her hand and hulled himself up, "Thanks..." he said quietly, "And sorry about that... I was thinking about somethings..." he said, rubbing the back of head, laughing to himself, "My bad!" he said flashing her a smile, which she giggled at.

"That's alright..." she said, a small silence surrounded them, "Well..." she began, her skates activating again, giving her some height "I gotta get going!" she then began to skate past him.

"Hey wait!" he suddenly called out, she quickly stopped to look back at him, "I didn't get your name!" he said, "You never asked silly!" she said back, he then felt stupid for saying that. "Oh right..." he said nervously, she giggled at this. "But since you clearly want to know, I'm R-" she declared, it being cut off somehow.

"And you?" she asked him back. "Oh right!" he paused, "My name is Z-" he too was cut off, "Well Z... It was nice meeting you!" she declared, "Right... Maybe we'll see each other again." he said.

Despite what had occurred, she smiled at the thought... "Sure, see ya around!" she declared, and then proceeded to skate away. He watched her as she got further...

"R..." he muttered the name she gave him, "Nice name..." he added... He was unaware of the chuckling voices in his head...


Both Yuya and Yuzu awoke with a shock at the same time within their own bedrooms, slight sweat running down their faces, their dreams having been so strange and real somehow, "What was that about?" they thought simultaneously... Confused at what they had just dreamed about...

End of Chapter 30


And that's another chapter done...

And I come bearing some bad news, involving my other Fanfiction Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: The Link between Fates... I've lost interest with that fanfic sadly, and thus made the decision the scrap it... Sorry to those who awaited for me to update that one, but again lost interest with that one...

OC cards

(Apollo)

Dragon Ruler's Radiance
Equip Spell
Target and equip this card onto a "Dragon Ruler" monster you control. While this card is equipped onto a "Dragon Ruler", that monster's effect cannot be activated, but your opponent cannot activate the effects of monsters with less ATK than the equipped monster.

Dragon Ruler's Return
Normal Trap
Activate this card If a "Dragon Ruler" monster(s) are returned to your Hand. Special Summon any "Dragon Ruler" monster(s) that were returned to your Hand, their effects negated. When a "Dragon Ruler" monster is destroyed while this card is in your GY: Banish this card, and if you do; add 1 Level 4 or 7 "Dragon Ruler" monster from your Deck to your Hand whose Attribute is not the same as the destroyed monster.

Dragon Ruler's Domination
Counter Trap
Activate this card if a "Dragon Ruler" monster you control should be affected by a card's effect your opponent activated, negate that card's activation.

Tsunami, Holy Dragon Ruler of Oceans
WATER, Rank: 7, Dragon/Xyz/Effect, ATK/3100 DEF/2500
2 Level 7 Dragon-Type monsters (at least 1 WATER monster)
If this card is Xyz Summoned using "Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfall" as Xyz Material: Your opponent's card effects cannot affect this card. You can only activate each effect of this card once per turn; 1) Detach one Xyz Material from this card: Add or Special Summon 1 Dragon-Type from your Deck or GY. 2) While this card if face-up on your Field, you are allowed to just discard the "Dragon Ruler" monsters in your Hand to activate their effects. 3) If this card is destroyed: Target 1 "Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfall" in your GY: Special Summon it, but it returns to your Hand at the end of turn it was Summoned through this effect.

Eruption, Sacred Dragon Ruler of Volcanoes
FIRE, Level: 8, Dragon/Fusion/Effect, ATK/3300 DEF/2300
"Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos" + 1 FIRE/or Dragon-Type
This card can only be Fusion Summoned using "Sacred Dragon Fusion". If this card is Fusion Summoned using "Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos" on the Field as Fusion Material: Destroy as many cards your opponent controls as possible. Once per turn, target 1 "Dragon Ruler" in your GY or Banished Zone, return it your Deck, and if you do: Target 1 card on the Field, destroy it, but this card cannot attack if this effect is resolved. Once per turn (Quick Effect) if this card would be destroyed by battle: Send 1 FIRE or Dragon-Type monster in your Hand to the GY: The monster this card battles is destroyed instead.

(Janus)

Evilswarm Monk
DARK, Level: 4, Spellcaster/Effect ATK/850 DEF/1650
This card cannot be Normal Summoned. When a "Evilswarm" monster is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon this card (From your Hand) Once per turn, discard 1 card from your Hand; Add 1 "Evilswarm" monster", "Infection" or "Infestation" card from your Deck to your Hand. You can only activate each effect of "Evilswarm Monk" once per turn.

Infection's Edge
Equip Spell
Equip this card only onto an "Evilswarm" monster you control. The monster equipped with this card can inflict piercing battle damage when battling a monster in Defense Position. If the monster this card is equipped to should be destroyed, destroy this card instead.

Overlay Infection Discharge
Normal Spell
If you control an "Evilswarm" Xyz Monster with Xyz Material attached to them, detach any number of them from that monster; target Spell and Traps equal to the number of Xyz Material detached from that Xyz Monster: Destroy them.

(Action Cards)

M.A.D! (Underground Action Duelling only)
Action Spell
You can only activate this card if you are attacked directly: Negate that attack, and if you do; destroy that attacking monster, then both players take damage equal to that destroyed monster's original ATK.