Kaiba drew his next card and now held an unprecedented hand of eight cards.
None of his cards stood a chance against Atem's spellcasters, but he did have the means to destroy the magicians… if only he could get a Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field. Fortunately for him, he did have a way.
"First, I activate White Dragon Ritual and tribute the Level-4 Eclipse Wyvern in my hand," Kaiba declared. "Allowing me to Ritual Summon: Paladin of White Dragon."
A smaller two-sided dragon briefly appeared on the field, one side being silvery and the other black and strewn with red flame markings. It was quickly absorbed by the Ritual Spell Card and replacing it was another silver dragon with a green-skinned knight riding atop it.
Paladin of White Dragon – Level 4/LIGHT/Dragon/Ritual/Effect/ATK: 1900
"Since my Eclipse Wyvern was sent to the Graveyard, its effect now activates, letting me banish a Level-7 or higher Dragon-Type monster from my deck. I'll use its effect to banish Chaos Emperor Dragon – Envoy of the End from my deck."
Atem knew of Chaos Emperor Dragon – Envoy of the End and the tremendous power it possessed. Although it was now banished before being Special Summoned and therefore could not be brought back, he had no doubt that this was all part of Kaiba's strategy.
"And don't get too acquainted with my paladin, as this monster is just the stepping-stone to my victory. Now, I tribute Paladin of White Dragon, to Special Summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my deck!"
With those words, Paladin of White Dragon disappeared and was replaced by Kaiba's signature monster yet again.
Blue-Eyes White Dragon – ATK: 3000
"Now that I have my Blue-Eyes on the field, I'll play this: Burst Stream of Destruction!"
The Spell Card showed the head of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, its mouth crackling with energy that made up its main attack technique.
"Hold on, Kaiba," Atem interrupted. "By activating your Burst Stream of Destruction, you've activated my Magician of Chaos' effect, allowing him to target and destroy your Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
As before, Magician of Chaos raised his magical staff and blasted Kaiba's dragon to nothingness. Despite the loss of his dragon, Kaiba remained unconcerned.
"My dragon maybe gone, but my Spell Card's effect still resolves," Kaiba said. "Even though my dragon was destroyed at the resolution of your magician's effect, the condition to activate my card was still met and can still be put to use."
The head of Blue-Eyes White Dragon emerged from the Spell Card's artwork and, like its depiction, began to charge its mouth with devastating electrical energy.
"Which means, all your monsters are destroyed!"
The dragon let loose a torrent of white lightning that consumed Atem's field and his magicians recoiled in pain as they were overcome by it. As strong as Dark Cavalry was at currently 6000 attack points, even he had no chance against such a powerful move and as the effect was non-targeting, Atem could not use Dark Cavalry's secondary effect to try and protect him. Atem could only shield himself from the dragon's wrath as, one by one, his magicians were destroyed. Kaiba savoured the sight of Atem's magicians being destroyed. But as the smoke began to clear, there appeared to be a magician still standing. It was Magician of Chaos and behind him, the stone tablet of Eternal Soul was glowing.
"How can this be?" Kaiba demanded. "Why is your Magician of Chaos still on the field?"
"Very simple," Atem smiled. "Since Magician of Chaos' name is also treated as Dark Magician while on the field or in the Graveyard, he falls under Eternal Soul's protection and making him unaffected by your card effects, including your Burst Stream of Destruction."
Kaiba grimaced again. Although he was successful in ridding himself of Atem's Dark Cavalry, he still had to deal with Magician of Chaos who was unaffected by his card effects and worse, having used Burst Stream of Destruction, he would not be able to attack with any Blue-Eyes White Dragons even if they were summoned afterwards. The only saving grace for Kaiba was that Magician of Chaos had used its effect for the turn and so he was free to play whatever he wanted.
"In that case, I'll continue with Cards of Consonance," Kaiba resumed. "This lets me discard a Dragon Tuner monster with 1000 or less attack points and lets me draw 2 cards. I'll discard The White Stone of Ancients for its effect."
Without hesitation, Kaiba did away with the Level 1 Tuner Monster and drew 2 new cards. The mere mention of Tuner Monster reminded Atem of the time he teamed up Jaden Yuki and Yusei Fudo in helping to save the world and the future from the evil time-traveller Paradox, with Yusei being the one who used Tuner Monsters to summon stronger Synchro Monsters.
"Next, I'll activate Spell Reproduction. By discarding two Spell Cards from my hand, I can then add a Spell Card from my Graveyard back to my hand. So, I'll discard Duality and Fusion Substitute, to retrieve my Card of Demise."
Very soon, Kaiba would be able to refresh his hand and perhaps gain some options to defeat Atem. But first he had to get the last card out of his hand to make the most of Card of Demise.
"Next, I'll set one card facedown and then activate Card of Demise again. Allowing me to draw until I have 5 cards in hand and then discard my hand in 5 turns."
Kaiba studied his 5 new cards and, taking his set card into account, began to formulate a plan.
"The next card I'll play is The Melody of Awakening Dragon," he continued. "I'll discard my Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon that just I've redrawn to add two dragons from my deck to my hand, as long as they both have 3000 or more Attack and 2500 or less Defense Points. I'll add my Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon to my hand."
It didn't take Atem long to anticipate what Kaiba was planning to do next.
"Now, I reveal the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand and Special Summon Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon again!"
Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon – ATK: 3000
Once again, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon was back with a vengeance. As long as Eternal Soul was keeping Magician of Chaos safe from Kaiba's card effects, his dragon's own effect was neutralized. But it mattered little to Kaiba, all he needed now was one more dragon and he had means of getting it.
"Next, I'll play Return of the Dragon Lords," Kaiba kept up his momentum. "Allowing me to Special Summon a Level 7 or 8 Dragon-Type monster in my Graveyard. Return, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon – ATK: 3000
Blue-Eyes White Dragon returned from the Graveyard and joined its alternative brethren on the field. As terrifying as it was for Atem to now face two Blue-Eyes White Dragons on the field, the fact that neither dragon could attack and as to why Kaiba was bringing them on to the field was perplexing. The realization then struck him: two Blue-Eyes on the field and another in Kaiba's hand, was Kaiba going to try and join them together again?
"Now I everything I need," Kaiba gloated. "I activate my face-down card: Polymerization!"
The confirming sight of Kaiba's Fusion Spell Card spelled trouble for Atem.
"I'll use it to fuse Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Alternative White Dragon on the field and another White Dragon in my hand."
The second Blue-Eyes White Dragon joined its fellow dragons and together they combined themselves to create another terrific and terrible creature of destruction.
"Arise! Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
The new triple-headed behemoth greatly resembled its original counterpart, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, but much like how Alternative White Dragon was to the original Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon looked far more ferocious and deadly. Its tail was triple spiked, its wings were enormous and the three heads that comprised all had an appetite for destruction.
Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon – Level 12/LIGHT/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 4500
"It has the same Attack Points as the original Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Atem remarked.
"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Atem's Magician of Chaos," Kaiba commanded. "Hyper Neutron Blast!"
With his Magician of Chaos in attack position and nothing to stop the attack, Atem's situation was dire. His only other option was simply to survive the attack.
"I activate my face-down card: Nutrient Z!" Atem countered. "I can only activate this card if I am about to take 2000 or more points of battle damage, but this Trap Card imbues me with 4000 Life Points before the damage strikes."
Atem could feel the soothing and relaxing energy of his Trap Card coursing through his body, as his Life Points climbed rapidly. Kaiba on the other hand could only grimace in frustration at the fact that victory was still far from certain. As comforting as his Trap's effect was, Atem still had to brace himself for the inevitable clash between his magician and Kaiba's triple-headed dragon. The unstoppable breath of lightning struck down the magician and he cried out in pain as he disintegrated into nothing. Atem also writhed as Hyper Neutron Blast's after blast knocked his Life Points back down. Painful though the battle was, damage was what Atem was looking for.
Atem: 700 - 4700 - 2700
"My magician maybe gone but having taken some battle damage, I now activate my two face-down cards: Dig of Destiny and Dark Horizon!" Atem said as the two Trap Cards revealed themselves. "First, Dark Horizon lets me Special Summon from my deck a Dark-Spellcaster monsters with attack power equal or lower than the damage I took. So, having taken 2000 points of damage, I'll bring out my Apprentice Illusion Magician in defense position. Come forth, Magician!"
Out of the Trap Card's artwork came a playful magical girl, similar in appearance to the Dark Magician Girl, except that her attire was mostly purple, and she had tanned skin & white hair. To a certain extent, she resembled a cross between Palladium Oracle Mana and Dark Magician Girl, or rather looked like a transitional form between the two.
Apprentice Illusion Magician – Level 6/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect/DEF: 1700
"Then my Dig of Destiny's effect kicks in, allowing me to draw 1 card from my deck," Atem continued.
Atem took a quick glance at the new card he drew. It was a Monster Card and a very useful one, if he could survive until his turn.
"You may have survived my dragon's initial attack, but I'll continue piling the pressure!" said Kaiba "I activate my Neo Blue-Eyes' effect: by sending a Blue-Eyes Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard, it can attack again. So, I'll send my Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon to the Graveyard and have my dragon attack your Apprentice Illusion Magician."
Kaiba's dragon roared again as all three heads charged their breath for another attack and discharged their fury at Atem's spellcaster. Against Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's 4500 attack strength, Atem's Apprentice Illusion Magician stood no chance and could only scream as she was vaporised into nothingness. Even though the battle had no effect on Atem's life points, he still had to shield himself from the blinding light of Neo Blue-Eyes' attack.
"Now that your field is empty, I'll activate my dragon's effect for the third and final time," Kaiba continued. "I'll send my Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon to my Graveyard. Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Atem directly and end this duel. Hyper Neutron Blast!"
For the third and last time of the turn, Kaiba's dragon began charging its breath for another barrage of destructive white lightning, this time aimed at the Pharaoh himself.
"I'm not finished just yet Kaiba," Atem said with confidence. "I still have my Eternal Soul on the field, and I activate its effect. Return from the grave, Dark Magician!"
The stone slab that was Eternal Soul began to glow and out of the etched image of Dark Magician came the ultimate purple wizard himself, taking a defensive posture and ready to give his life in the name of the Pharaoh.
Dark Magician – DEF: 2100
As there was a new monster on Atem's field, Neo Blue-Eyes' deadly breath fizzled as Kaiba now had the choice to whether or not to attack Dark Magician. As frustrating as it was to have victory delayed, it was a no-brainer for Kaiba to attack Dark Magician. There was only one other face-down card on Atem's field and if it had capability of stopping his dragon the Pharaoh would have used it by now.
"In that case, I'll have my dragon attack your Dark Magician instead," Kaiba replied. "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack and destroy Atem's Dark Magician!"
Continuing where it left off, Neo Blue-Eyes let loose its destructive attack with predictable results. Although he was considered the "Ultimate Wizard", Dark Magician couldn't match the Ultimate Dragon's tremendous attack power and was easily wiped out by it.
"You may have survived this turn, but I can assure you that my next turn will be the end of you," Kaiba calmly yet arrogantly stated. "I'll set one card face-down and move to the End Phase of my turn. Since my White Stone of Ancients was sent to the Graveyard this turn, I can Special Summon a Blue-Eyes monster from my deck to my field. Take flight, Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon!"
Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon – ATK: 3000
Atem grimaced as the familiar sight of Kaiba's dragon shaped plane took to the field and spelled trouble for Atem's chances for victory. He had hoped he wouldn't have to face it again, but now that it was there and knowing what it was capable of earlier in the duel, he knew he was in for a major struggle.
"I draw," Atem drew a card for his turn. "First, I'll activate my Eternal Soul's effect and Special Summon Magician of Chaos back to the field."
Once again, Atem's black and magenta liveried Dark Magician had come back to battle again.
Magician of Chaos – ATK: 2500
"Next, I'll activate Destruction Swordsman Fusion. This card allows me to Fusion Summon a monster as long as Buster Blader is one of its Fusion-Materials," Atem continued. "And let's not forget my Magician's effect; since I activated a Spell Card while he's on my field, I get to destroy a card. Magician of Chaos, destroy Kaiba's face-down card!"
It almost became a familiar sight as Atem's magician began blasting at another of Kaiba's cards. Without a warning, Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon began whirring its engines and let out a loud mechanical roar.
"Sorry to disappoint you," Kaiba smiled. "But my Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon prevents my other cards from being destroyed by your card effects."
"Even if that is so, my magician's effect can still destroy your Jet Dragon."
Magician of Chaos' magical effect redirected itself towards Kaiba's dragon, causing it to explode into smithereens. Kaiba's Jet Dragon was gone for now but, given its effect to Special Summon itself, Atem could count on seeing it again sometime later in the duel and having protected Kaiba's face-down card, Atem could only suspect Kaiba was up to something.
"In that case, I'll resolve the effect of Destruction Swordsman Fusion and fuse Buster Blader in my hand with Magician of Chaos on my field."
Beside Magician of Chaos appeared a humanoid fighter dressed in purple and gold armour, armed with a large, curved sword. Both magician and warrior were enveloped by white light as both coalesced together. It was a sight that Kaiba was all too familiar with for it was this monster that ultimately defeated him at his Battle City tournament.
"Emerge, my Ultimate Magical Swordsman: Dark Paladin!"
At the Pharaoh's call, the ball of light dissipated and out stood a magician dressed in dark teal robes with gold highlights. He was armed with a naginata-like bladed staff, decorated with the same gold trim and teal orbs.
Dark Paladin – Level 8/DARK/Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2900
"Just in case you don't remember, Kaiba, Dark Paladin gains 500 more attack points for every dragon on the field and the Graveyard."
"What?" Kaiba recoiled. "Oh no!"
Kaiba glanced at his duel disk and to an extent the dragons that were lying in his graveyard and now powering up Dark Paladin. Currently, there were 16 dragons and all of them belonged to Kaiba (Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon, Dragon Spirit of White, The White Stone of Legend, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Deep-Eyes White Dragon, Eclipse Wyvern, Paladin of White Dragon, The White Stone of Ancients, Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, 2 Blue-Eyes White Dragons, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon, Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon and Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon). As a result, Dark Paladin's attack points rose to an extreme value, much to Kaiba's horror.
Dark Paladin – ATK: 10900
"Once again, it will be my Dark Paladin that puts an end to our duel," said Atem. "Dark Paladin, attack Kaiba's Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Super Magical-Wave Slash!"
With a swing of his staff, Dark Paladin unleashed a destructive crescent of magic straight at Kaiba's Ultimate Dragon. If the attack connected, it would be a repeat of Atem and Kaiba's Battle City Semi-Final duel, and Kaiba would not allow it to happen again if he could help it.
"Nice try, but your attack won't succeed this time. I activate my Counter Trap: Negate Attack!" Kaiba revealed his set card. "I target your Dark Paladin, negating its attack and ending your Battle Phase."
Kaiba's powerful trap caused Dark Paladin's attack to fizzle out and left his Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon untouched. As much as he would have liked to celebrate avoiding defeat, Kaiba needed to get rid of Dark Paladin somehow or else it would just attack during the Pharaoh's next turn and if he didn't have a way to stop it, it would be potentially game over.
Despite the setback of having Dark Paladin's attack negated, Atem remained calm and composed and continued his play for his second Main Phase.
"I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn," Atem finished. "It's your move Kaiba."
"I draw!" Kaiba acknowledged the change in turn.
His hand merely consisted of two cards: Dark Core and Soul Absorption. While it was possible for Kaiba to use Dark Core (while discarding a card from his hand as a cost) to target and banish Dark Paladin, he was conscious of Dark Paladin's secondary effect, which could negate and destroy a Spell Card so long as Atem discarded a card from his hand. Not only that but there was also the threat of Atem's Palladium Oracle Mana in the Graveyard and, without a doubt, Atem would bring her back to protect his high-level Spellcasters. With Soul Absorption being too valuable to waste, what Kaiba needed was just one more card to use as fodder for Dark Core. Luckily for him, there was an option for such a venture.
"First, I banish The White Stone of Ancients from my Graveyard, to add a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Graveyard to my hand," Kaiba calmly played. "Second, I activate my Spell Card: Dark Core. I'll discard the Blue-Eyes White Dragon I just recovered, to target and banish your Dark Paladin."
A large black orb appeared on the field, crackling with lightning and began pulling the struggling Dark Paladin into it.
"Not so fast Kaiba," Atem interrupted. "First, I activate my Dark Paladin's effect: by discarding Dark Magician of Chaos from my hand, I can negate your Spell Card and destroy it. But also, since you targeted a Spellcaster on my field, I can Special Summon Palladium Oracle Mana back to the field in defense mode."
In a flash of light, the Light-Attribute female Spellcaster was back on the field and ready to help both Atem and Dark Paladin by whatever means necessary. At the same time, Dark Paladin raised his staff and conjured a beam of dark light that pierced the black orb that was Dark Core and shattered it.
Palladium Oracle Mana – DEF: 1700
"Nice try, but you won't get rid of my Dark Paladin that easily."
But Kaiba merely smirked, as everything went exactly as he predicted. "I figured you'd do something like that. Since my Dark Core was negated and destroyed, my Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon's effect activates again and lets me Special Summon it back from the Graveyard. Take off again, Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon!"
Once again, Kaiba's mechanical dragon was back with a vengeance and with its ability to bounce a card from Atem's field back to his hand and protect Kaiba's other cards, the odds were getting stacked against the Pharaoh.
Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon: 3000 ATK
"Next, I'll play my Continuous Spell: Soul Absorption. Now, for each card that gets banished, I gain 500 life points," Kaiba continued. "Now that that's in place, I banish Duality from my Graveyard and return my Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon and Lord of Dragons to their respective decks to draw a card. But I'm not going to stop there. Next, I'll banish Fusion Substitute and return my Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon back to my Extra Deck to draw another card."
Kaiba: 900 - 1900
"Then I'll play one of the cards I've just drawn: Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw 2 cards."
With his hand replenished with 3 new cards, Kaiba had some new options.
"Perfect," Kaiba remarked. "I activate Dragon's Mirror! This card lets me banish monsters from my field or Graveyard to Fusion Summon a Dragon Fusion Monster. So, I'll banish my Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon and 2 Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my Graveyard."
Kaiba: 1900 - 3400
It did not escape Atem's notice that it was the same formula Kaiba had used to summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon and Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, and the terrifying prospect crossed his mind: was there a third variation of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon? Kaiba's three Blue-Eyes White Dragons crossed into the giant mirror and out of it came yet another triple-headed monstrosity, undoubtedly a dragon and looking more deadlier than the last two Ultimate Dragons.
"Tremble at the sight of Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon."
Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon – Level 12/LIGHT/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 4500
Despite the loss of several dragons in Kaiba's Graveyard, Atem's Dark Paladin was still the strongest entity on the field. With the addition Palladium Oracle Mana on the field, Dark Paladin was also protected from being destroyed by card effects, so it became hard for Atem to see how Kaiba's new Ultimate Dragon could help him.
Dark Paladin: 8400 ATK
"Impressive, Kaiba. You've managed to summon yet another Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," Atem remarked. "Even so, my Dark Paladin far outclasses your dragon."
Kaiba merely smirked. "Maybe, but my Alternative Ultimate Dragon packs a devastating effect. Once per turn, I can target and destroy a card on your field at the cost of my dragon not being able to attack this turn; but since I used Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon as a Fusion-Material, I get to destroy up to three of your cards."
Suddenly it all made sense to Atem and now his defensive plan was starting to look vulnerable.
"Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon, target and destroy Atem's Palladium Oracle Mana, Eternal Soul and one of his face-down cards!"
Kaiba's dragon responded to his command and unleashed its destructive energies on Atem's three defenseless cards.
"If my Eternal Soul is to be destroyed, then I will make the most of it before it goes," Atem defiantly said. "I activate my Quick-Play Spell, Emergency Provisions. By sending my Eternal Soul and my face-down Magic Formula & the targeted Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light to the Graveyard, I gain 1000 Life Points for each."
Atem's three Spell and Trap Cards dissolved to nothing and Atem's Life Points increased.
Atem: 2700 - 5700
As two of Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon's targets were gone, Palladium Oracle Mana was now the sole victim of the dragon's effect. Despite the increase of Life Points for Atem, he had no room for celebration as the stone tablet that was Eternal Soul began to fracture, for the card carried a heavy price if it left the field while active.
"Since I've activated a Spell or Trap card during your turn, I'll use the effect of Magician's Rod in my Graveyard. By tributing Dark Paladin on my field, I can add Magician's Rod back to my hand."
Atem's dragon slaying magician vanished from the field, just in time, as Eternal Soul crumbled to large chunks of debris and landed on the spots where Atem's monsters would've been.
"You've given up your Dark Paladin for your Magician's Rod?" asked a perplexed Kaiba.
"My Eternal Soul maybe a powerful trap, but it comes at a heavy price. For if it leaves the field while face-up, all my monsters are destroyed." Atem answered. "So, by using Magician's Rod's effect, I can at least make the most of Dark Paladin instead of letting him fall to Eternal Soul."
It was for the same reason that Atem did not use Palladium Oracle Mana's ability to Special Summon Dark Magician Girl from the Graveyard, for she would have been destroyed by the same effect.
"In addition, since Magic Formula was sent from my field to the Graveyard, I gain another 1000 Life Points."
Atem: 5700 - 6700
Kaiba sneered. "As if an extra 1000 Life Points is going to make a difference. My Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon and Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's combined attack power still exceeds your Life Points, and you have nothing left on your field to protect you."
Atem could do naught but stare at Kaiba's battle hungry dragons, as Kaiba's words sunk in.
"Now my dragons, attack the Pharaoh directly and end this duel. Hyper Neutron Barrage!"
Despite the game-ending threat of Kaiba's dragons, Atem remained composed.
"This duel isn't over yet, Kaiba," Atem said. "I activate the effect of my Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light in my Graveyard. By banishing it from my Graveyard during your turn, your monsters can't attack me directly this turn."
A bright light enveloped the room as several sword-shaped objects made of pure light divided the field between Atem and Kaiba, forcing Kaiba's dragons to stand down from their attack. Kaiba could only grimace in anger, yet deep down this was also precisely what he was looking for from his trip: an intense duel between him and Atem and, so far, it was turning out to be worth the trouble and effort trying make it this far.
"You may have brought yourself yet another turn, but banishing your Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light allows my Soul Absorption to give me another 500 Life Points."
Kaiba: 3400 - 3900
"I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
With nothing on his field, Atem had to hope that the next card he pulled could help him turn the duel around or else it would be all over for him.
"I draw!" Atem quickly glanced at the card and smiled at its welcoming sight. "I activate Graceful Charity, allowing me to draw 3 cards and discard 2."
With the blessing of the same angel that helped Kaiba, Atem drew his 3 cards and quickly decided which cards he was going to keep.
"I'll discard my Magician's Rod and Electromagnetic Turtle," Atem continued. "Next, I'll Normal Summon Kuribandit."
Atem's newest recruit resembled his familiar monster Kuriboh but was noticeably different in that its fur was much darker and it wore a bandana and an eyepatch like a twisted bandit that was its namesake.
Kuribandit – Level 3/DARK/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1000
"Next, I activate Monster Reborn, allowing me to Special Summon Dark Magician of Chaos from my Graveyard."
Atem's newly summoned magician was clothed in the same black and magenta colour scheme as his fellow chaotic spellcasters, but wore a large horned hat over his long black hair, instead of a conical hat like his fellow magicians.
Dark Magician of Chaos – Level 8/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect/DEF: 2600
"Having Special Summoned my Dark Magician of Chaos, his effect activates: allowing me to add a Spell Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Card of Sanctity to my hand, and I'll waste no time in activating it. Once again, we both draw from our decks until we have six cards in our hands."
"Thanks again for the free cards," Kaiba quipped, eager for his next turn.
"Next, I'll tribute Kuribandit to activate its effect, allowing me to excavate the top five cards of my deck, and add all the Spell and Trap Cards to my hand. Any monsters that I excavate are sent to the Graveyard.
Atem drew his 5 cards, consisting of 2 Spells, 1 Trap and 2 Monsters.
"I keep 3 and send two monster cards to the Graveyard. Next, I'll play one of the Spells I just added: Strength in Unity."
The artwork of Atem's new Spell Card depicted the combined form of Kaiba's Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon and Atem's Black Luster Soldier, known as Dragon Master Knight, a card that was used between them when they joined forces to defeat a much more powerful foe.
"Now, I'll use Strength in Unity's secondary effect. By sending it from my field to the Graveyard, I get to add a Level 7 or higher Normal Monster from my Graveyard to my hand, and I choose my Dark Magician."
"You're still relying on your Dark Magician?" Kaiba remarked. "Some things never change."
"I won't be solely relying on him this time, Kaiba," Atem answered. "For my next move, I'll send my Dark Magician of Chaos from my field to the Graveyard. However, my Dark Magician of Chaos will banish himself when he leaves the field. It is times like these I can still count on old friends and allies, especially the legendary warriors of Atlantis. Come forth, Timaeus the United Dragon!"
Kaiba: 3900 - 4400
In place of the black spellcaster came a huge teal dragon with one of its eyes having already been gashed. It was the same dragon that had fought alongside Atem in their endeavour to save the world from The Great Leviathan and the evil of the Orichalcos. Even Kaiba stared in awe at the sight of the legendary dragon.
Timaeus the United Dragon – Level 8/LIGHT/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 2800
"Now that Timaeus is on the field, I activate his effect: allowing me to Fusion Summon using materials from my hand and field as long as one of them is a Spellcaster monster. Timaeus, transform yourself and merge with the Dark Magician in my hand!"
The familiar sight of Atem's purple robed servant appeared on his field as both dragon and spellcaster began to combine their powers. Timaeus' form began to change and was no longer the teal stereotypical shaped dragon, but was now a pale green sleek-looking winged creature, which resembled Curse of Dragon, and was covered in blue armour. Dark Magician also underwent a metamorphosis and was now dressed in matching blue robes and armour, while his green staff was changed into a large green spear. Dark Magician took charge of the dragon and was now a dragon rider.
"Behold, Dark Magician the Knight of Dragon Magic."
Dark Magician the Knight of Dragon Magic – Level 8/DARK/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2900
"Knight of Dragon Magic?" Kaiba repeated. "But it only has 2900 Attack Points."
"That maybe, but don't underestimate my Dark Magician's newest form. I activate my Continuous Spell Card: Piercing the Darkness," Atem continued.
The Spell Card's artwork depicted Atem's Dark Paladin attacking in combination with Diffusion Wave-Motion.
"Now the stage is set for my victory and your defeat, Kaiba. Dark Magician the Knight of Dragon Magic, prepare to attack Kaiba's Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon."
"This doesn't make any sense. Why is Atem attacking my Ultimate Dragon with a clearly weaker monster?" Kaiba thought to himself as he watched the Pharaoh's Dragon preparing for battle.
"By declaring an attack with my Knight of Dragon Magic, Piercing the Darkness' effect now activates. This effect can only be activated if I declare an attack with Level 5 or higher Normal Monster, or with a Fusion, Ritual, Synchro or XYZ Monster that was summoned using a Normal Monster as material, and if it does then my monster gains Attack Points equal to the monster it is battling. Since my Knight of Dragon Magic used Dark Magician as a Fusion-Material and is a Normal Monster it is eligible for its effect, and since it is attacking your Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon, my monster's Attack Points increase by 4,500."
Dark Magician the Knight of Dragon Magic – ATK: 7400
"And my Knight also possesses a powerful effect. For if he destroys one of your monsters in battle, your monster's Attack Points will be dealt to you as damage. And with only 4400 Life Points, the combined battle and effect damage is more than you can spare."
Facing such a high attack power, Kaiba could do little but try and stand firm against Atem's powered-up dragon knight.
"Now, Dark Magician the Knight of Dragon Magic, attack and destroy Kaiba's Ultimate Dragon. Dark Magic Dragon Thrust!"
Dark Magician, riding Curse of Dragon, sprang into action and charged directly at Kaiba's triple-headed beast, intending to end the struggle between Kaiba and Atem. But instead of fretting, Kaiba smugly smiled.
"Not if I can help it," he retorted. "I play my continuous Trap Card: Shadow Spell!"
Before Atem's Knight of Dragon Magic could come within striking distance of Kaiba's Alternative Ultimate Dragon, dark chains rushed out from Kaiba's Trap Card and shackled both magician and dragon to the spot. Try as they did to free themselves from the chains, their efforts were in vain.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Atem.
"Oh yes. This card paralyses your monster and lowers its Attack Points by 700," Kaiba said.
Dark Magician the Knight of Dragon Magic – ATK: 2200
Atem could only exchange a glance at Dark Magician, the latter looking at his master in frustration and disappointment at his own failure to achieve victory and knowing that he would be vulnerable come Kaiba's turn. Atem knew this too and with the amount of advantage he allowed Kaiba to gain through Card of Sanctity, his objective was back to one of survival.
"I set four cards and end my turn," Atem finished.
With two Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragons and Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon on Kaiba's front lines, Atem could only hope that everything he had on the board would enable him to survive the inevitable oncoming storm, or else Kaiba would emerge the victor.
