Yu-Gi-Oh Vrains: Advent of New Beginnings

by donkeyboy100

Sequel to Circuit of Smiles. Months have passed since Yuji, Ena, along with their counterparts, Yuya and Zuzu put a stop to Roget's plans and saved LINK VRAINS. However, a new mysterious group has come along that plans to eliminate LINK VRAINS Top 10 to take control of SOL Technologies. Can Storm Rider and his friends stop this new enemy without the aid of their counterparts?

37. Facing Family

In LINK VRAINS, at the Syndicate's base…

Umbra and Natura entered the throne room, where they saw Queen Priscilla on her throne with Ladon, Lumine, Desperado and Marionette standing beside her.

"Ah, I'm glad to see the two of you have returned safe and sound," the Syndicate leader said with a smile. "Did you successfully implant the virus?"

"We sure did," Natura replied with a smile. "We had to deal with some Security AI, but we managed to defeat them easily.

"I see. In any case, well done. Especially you, Umbra."

"I'm glad you allowed me to make up for my past failures," Umbra said as he bowed. "Though I think Dr. Willow also deserves some praise. The cards he provided helped me... find myself..."

"Really?" Ladon asked with a confused tone. "So you're saying that it gave you that new look?"

"That and so much more..." Umbra grinned, recalling the test of his newfound power on the Security AI. "But speaking of that, I no longer doubt my skills as a duelist or the goal I'm helping the Syndicate to achieve."

"I'm glad to hear that," Priscilla said. "However, we still have another problem on our hands."

"Does it involve the Top 10 gathering more allies?" Lumine asked.

"It does," Priscilla confirmed.

"So what if they gather more allies?" Natura said. "We have an army of soldiers on our side, and I doubt they know many duelists."

"It doesn't matter whether they recruit ten duelists or a thousand," Marionette said, "What matters is how skilled the duelists they recruit are. Should they be on the level of the Top 10, Playmaker or the Knights of Hanoi can be a big problem for us."

"Well put, Marionette," Priscilla said.

"So if we don't want the Top 10 to gather any more allies, wouldn't it be best to target the people they're recruiting and eliminate them?" Desperado suggested.

"I've considered that," Marionette said. "However, I feel they should get their hopes up, so it'll be more satisfying for us to see the tragic looks on their face when all their effort went to waste."

"I like that idea," Lumine said with a wicked smile. "If Galerius were here, he would prefer eliminating the targets as soon as possible."

"Speaking of which, where is Galerius?" Natura asked. "Everyone else is here except him."

Desperado growled. "I told him to come, but I guess he had other ideas..."

"Just leave him," Ladon scoffed. "He's been nothing but dead weight ever since he failed to beat Playmaker... as long as he helps the Syndicate's goal, I could care less..."

"If you're so curious about Galerius's whereabouts, I can tell you where he is," Priscilla said, drawing everyone's attention. "Shortly after Galerius and Natura's departure, Dr. Willow notified me that he finished his latest project. And I sent Galerius to the training area to test its dueling programming."

"Is that so? Natura said with a smirk. "This I gotta see."

"You're not the only one!" Desperado smirked along with Ladon and Lumine.

"Then let's go," Umbra stated as he and the others exited the throne room, leaving Marionette and Priscilla alone.

Marionette turned to Priscilla. "Should we join them?" she asked.

"No. Let them be for now," Priscilla answered. "For now, I want you to master the new card Dr. Willow provided you. Once we have an update regarding the Top 10, I'll dispatch you and the others."

"Of course," Maionette said, leaving the room.

Meanwhile, in Amosis City…

"Boy, that hit the spot!" Yuji said, rubbing his stomach.

"I still can't believe you could eat enough for four plates," Xander commented.

"That's Yuji for you," Theodore replied, earning a nod from Lily.

"He's like a bottomless pit," Skye muttered.

"I say he's more like a cow," Ena stated.

"Am not!" Yuji yelled.

"Relax, honey," Daisy said. "Ena's only just teasing you."

"She's right," Isaac agreed. "I'd take it as a compliment. Cows have four stomachs, you know. Meaning they can eat a lot more."

"I guess that can be considered a good thing," Yuji muttered.

"In any case, leaving that aside, how are things going with you, Ena?" Xander asked his cousin. "Last time we saw each other, you were upset because you lost a close friend. Were you able to make things up with that friend?"

"Sadly, no…" Ena answered with a hesitant expression. "I shortly found out she wasn't who she said she was. However, I'm still torn over the fact that our friendship didn't mean anything to her and whether or not she should still be considered a friend. If someone betrays you, it's hard for them to regain your trust. Though a part of me feels like she's still the person I thought she was, I don't know how I can make her see that… Can't you help me a bit with that, Xander?"

"I wish I could, Ena," Xander said, crossing his arms. "However, if I solve all your problems for you, you won't solve them alone, enabling us to identify and exploit opportunities in the environment and exert control over the future. You must find your answer in how you wish to help this former friend."

"I guess you're right…" Ena admitted with a sigh. "But I can't help but feel frustrated with my lack of progress. Compared to you and everyone else, my problem-solving skills seem woefully inadequate…"

"Nonsense." Yuji grinned. "As someone who's known you your whole life, I can tell that you are an excellent problem solver. Undoubtedly, you'll find a way to repair your friendship and help them see the right path."

"Heh, thanks, Yuji," Ena said with a smile. "I'll live up to your and everyone else's expectations by rising above my current self for sure!"

"That's the spirit, Ena." Yuji returned his friend's smile. "Keep burning on! With a hot-blooded attitude!"

Everyone at the table laughed at this until Daisy looked at the clock on the kitchen wall.

"Uh-oh, look at the time!" she said with an alarmed expression as she narrowed her eyes at Xander and Zoey. "The two of you better be getting home before it gets dark outside."

Xander yawned and checked his watch. "It's still an hour before 8 o'clock, so we have plenty of time before it gets dark. But yeah, we should head out anyway."

"Yes," Zoey agreed as she got up from her chair, with Xander following suit. "Thanks again for the dinner, Mrs. Daisy. And it was a pleasure meeting all of you."

"Same here," Xander said with a nod. "See you guys later."

Oi, wait a minute!" Ena cried out, catching Xander and Zoey's attention. "You can't leave yet. Remember earlier, when I told you why the five of us came here was because we had something important to tell you."

After thinking about it for a few seconds, Xander snapped his fingers in realization.

"Of course… Now I remember. We can discuss it on the way to my place if you'd like. However, it wouldn't be right if you didn't have someone to accompany you." He narrowed his eyes further. "You mind joining our walk/conversation, Yuji?"

"Not at all." Yuji smiled before turning to Daisy and Isaac. "Thanks again for the food and your company."

"No problem," Daisy said with a smile. "Just promise you won't stay out too long like earlier. We don't want the four of you wandering the streets in the dark."

"We'll be just fine, Mom…" Xander said as he and the others headed for the door.

"Alright… watch yourself, and don't get into trouble," Issac said as he waved the quartet goodbye as they exited the house and started walking the streets of Amosis.

"Okay, we're alone now," Zoey said. "What is it that you need to tell Xander?"

Enaa took a deep breath, steeling her elf."Buckle up, you two. Because what we're about to share may come as a surprise."

A few minutes later...

After a long and difficult conversation, Xander and Zoey were shocked by what they had just heard from Ena and Yuji.

''So wait-wait, hold on a second,'' Xander uttered, gazing at Yuji and Ena. ''So the two of you are Storm Rider and Sanctum?''

''And your friends are Soulburner, Blue Maiden and Roselyn. Meaning the five of you are members of LINK VRAINS' Top 10," Zoey added.

"Not only that, but the friend you mentioned earlier was originally an ally of yours who was later revealed to be your enemy," Xander stated.

"This led you guys to search for more allies," Zoey continued. "Them being Playmaker, the Knights of Hanoi and three individuals by the names of Pyrrha, Ginger and Na'amah."

"But you still feel like you don't have enough reinforcements, which is why you came here," Xander added.

"You came here to ask Xander for his assistance since you know he has the skills of a Pro Duelist," Zoey stated.

"But you were hesitant in asking since you were afraid of how I would react, given that you would have to come clean and reveal this giant secret of yours," Xander concluded.

Yuji responded with a nervous chuckle. ''Basically.''

"We know this is a lot to take in, and if you guys have a hard time believing us, we understand," Ena noted.

Xander and Zoey were quiet for a few seconds before finally responding.

"Don't worry, we believe you," Zoey said.

"You do?" Yuji and Ena both said, shocked.

"Of course," Xander replied. "Given what's going on with the Syndicate and what happened with the Arbiters a few months ago, it's unsurprising how crazy your story sounds."

"What a relief," Yuji said.

"It sure is. We were expecting you guys to be mad or get freaked out," Ena admitted. "So, does that mean you'll help us out?"

"Of course we will," Zoey said, pounding a fist into her open hand. "We'll show the Syndicate just how wrong they were to mess with us and LINK VRAINS."

"Whoa, slow down for a second here, you two." Xander raised his hands in a placating manner. "Don't go on making my decisions for me. Just because you told us the whole story doesn't mean we're inclined to aid in your situation."

"What are you saying!?" Ena asked with evident distress. "You have to help us! Otherwise, LINK VRAINS will be destroyed!"

"If you are expecting a changed mind here, then I'm afraid you are wasting your time, cuz," Xander said. "Last I checked, neither Zoey nor I have any reason to get involved in the war between you and the Syndicate. If anything, this seems more of a "you" problem than a "we" problem. And even if you get enough allies to help you, what assurance do you have that you can defeat the Syndicate? From what I heard, you managed to shut down their factory, but that's just it. You've only won the battle but not the war. Most likely, you'll perish along with the rest of your comrades. We will have none of that. I'd rather be part of the safe side, even if I end up on your bad side."

"True, this doesn't involve the two of you…but that doesn't mean you can't provide us with your assistance," Yuji said. "The fight between the Syndicate may only have begun, but I don't want to simply stand by while those I care about suffer. That's a far worse fate for me than anything else. Don't you understand that, Xander?"

"Of course I do. I'm not an idiot." Xander snorted. "I understand you're fighting for your family, friends and the people of Den City. But last time I checked, the Syndicate's main target is SOL Technologies. We have no affiliation with SOL at all. If the roles were reversed, you'd probably understand my perspective."

"And are these your real thoughts, Xander?" Ena asked. "Or are you scared that if you get involved, you're risking the safety of your family?"

"Does it even matter at this point?" Xander shrugged. "Either way, the truth will not change. Suppose Zoey and I help you fight against the Syndicate, and we defeat him by some divine miracle. What then? Do you think there won't be another dangerous enemy along the way? That they might be more dangerous and wicked than the Syndicate? That's a reality I don't want any part in. If the Syndicate were just a group of street thugs, it would be no problem. But sadly, they're not. That's why we shouldn't get involved at all."

This conversation was heading to a place Ena least liked. There had been a gnawing worry at the back of her head that Xander would be hesitant to lend his help, but she had counted on the fact that the two of them being family would make him more open to dialogue. However, that was not the case here. He seemed determined to let the Syndicate do as they please, regardless of the damage they may cause. As she racked her brain in an attempt to approach the issue from another angle—

"Don't give me that idiotic crap, you stuck-up jerk!"

Yuji suddenly punched Xander in the face with all his strength, causing him to stumble.

"…What was that about?" Xander said while rubbing his cheek. "Persuasion failed, so you're resorting to violence now? Well, I expected that from someone like Gore if he were here, but still—"

"You shut up and listen." Yuji cut off Xander. "I've had enough of listening to all this nonsense about how you don't care about the Syndicate destroying LINK VRAINS and how you and Zoey shouldn't help us stop them. If that's true, then why did you take the time to listen to our story? Earlier, you said that Ena needs to start solving her problems without your help, but this a problem where we need all the help we can get."

"I—"

"Also, that whole thing about this not being your fight and not wanting to be involved is utter garbage." Yuji continued. "When I first met you, I thought you were this proud and honorable. The kind of person who would do anything for anyone who needed help, no matter how small their problem is. But after what you said, I can see that I was wrong. The people of this city see you as a hero. Just like the people of Den City see Ena and me as heroes since we're protecting something they love. But if you're unwilling to lend a hand, especially to own your flesh and blood, you have no right to call yourself a hero."

"What nonsense is this?" Xander narrowed his eyes at Yuji. "You don't know me. And I don't need you to know me. Like I said before, since this doesn't involve me or the citizens of Amosis, there's no reason for me to help."

"Do you want me to punch you again?" Yuji menacingly raised his fist. "How can you tell that even if the Syndicate destroys LINK VRAINS and takes over SOL, they won't start attacking other cities and duelists? Even if you're not their main target right now, it doesn't mean you won't be at some point."

"He's not wrong, Xander. There is a possibility that the Syndicate may attack our hometown," Zoey stated. "Even though this isn't our battle to fight, it would be wrong for us to stand on the sidelines while Ena and her friends risk their lives fighting for what we love."

"It's never too late to lend a hand and help, Xander," Ena spoke next. "You said it so yourself. Back when I refused help from my friends, you took it upon yourself to help me see that I was wrong and that it's okay to be vulnerable. No matter what dangers and obstacles exist, we can overcome them by working together."

"Ena's right. Nothing will ever change if you always stay in the same place out of fear." Yuji said as he lowered his fist. "Take a step forward with courage, and bet on the possibility that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. That's what my experiences taught me. And we'll all be next to you if you let us, Xander."

Xander stared at the three individuals with an unreadable expression. He lowered his head and closed his eyes in thought. After ten seconds, he opened his eyes. "Very well, I will help you. But under one condition."

Yuji raised an eyebrow. "And what is this condition?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Xander said as he took out his Duel Disk and placed it on his arm. "Since you desperately need my skills, how about you and I have a Duel? I think it would be beneficial in more ways than one."

"Beneficial?" Yuji asked. "How so?"

"First of all, if we're going to be comrades, I believe we should be familiar with each other's strengths and tactics in case we need to fight in Tag Duels," Xander explained. "Furthermore, you're known to be the strongest duelist in LINK VRAINS. Or should I say you were the strongest? Given you lost to that Enoch guy."

Yuji gritted his teeth at the reminder. "You saw that?"

"Of course. It was broadcasted throughout the whole world."

"Don't underestimate Yuji or his skills!" Ena declared. "He may have lost to Enoch before, but they had a rematch, and Enoch was so close to losing that he forced the duel to end in a draw!"

"That is impressive, but he still didn't win," Xander said bluntly. "But I digress; do you accept my challenge, Yuji?"

Yuji pondered this for a while. Xander made some good points here. A duel between them could kill two birds with one stone, so there was no reason to refuse him.

"Why not?" Yuji eventually said. "I must admit, ever since your duel with Ena, I've wanted to face you myself. However, if we're going to duel, I would rather it be in LINK VRAINS. Is that acceptable?"

"That's just what I was thinking," Xander said.

"Then why don't we make it more interesting?"

The duo, along with Ena, turned to Zoey. "It would be boring for Ena and me just to sit back and watch the two of you duel," he said. "So why don't we duel, too?"

"But why?" Yuji asked. "You already agreed to help us. So what would be the point if you and Ena dueled?"

"I didn't mean she and I should duel each other," Zoey clarified. "I meant Xander and me against both of you. But to ensure everyone can use their full abilities, we'll make this a Tag Duel with Battle Royal Rules, with each of us having their field, Graveyard, and Life Points."

"So it's like a four-way duel, except two duelists ganging up on the other two," Yuji said, understanding the premise. "I have no objections to this arrangement."

Ena smiled in response. "Neither do I. Let's go!"

Xander and Zoey nodded as the quartet went into a nearby ally. Once they ensured no one was nearby, Yuji, Ena and Zoey placed their Duel Disks on their arms and raised them.

"Time to link into the VRAINS!"

The four youths shouted as they logged into the network, causing a blue sphere to surround them.

Elsewhere, at the Syndicate's base…

Lumine turned to look at Dr. Willow. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" she asked him.

Willow shrugged. "Galerius was the one who requested it. He said that if this AI duelist is supposed to go toe-to-toe with duelists like the Top 10, Playmaker, and the Knights of Hanoi, a duelist of their skill level should test it."

Lumine turned forward again. The two stood on a balcony overlooking an arena. On one end stood the Duel Bot Dr. Willow had finished creating. It was a humanoid figure dressed in a form-fitting black jumpsuit with several armor pieces. It had a robotic head with a crimson visor where the eyes should be attached to its shoulders. On the other end was Galerius.

"Well, this is interesting." Dr. Willow turned as Natura, Umbra, Ladon and Desperado materialized beside them. Natura, who had spoken, said, "I would have thought dueling a robot would be beneath Galerius of all people."

"I assumed you would be testing it, Dr. Willow," Umbra said. "Why is Galerius doing this?"

"It was his request," Dr. Willow answered. "In any event, I can't dissuade him from it."

Desperado glanced at Willow and smirked. "I'm curious. Do you think your Duel Bot will win?"

"Maybe." Willow shrugged. "I'll leave that up to your imagination."

"I just hope Galerius doesn't get too serious," Ladon said. "If I recall, this is our only prototype; if he obliterates it, you'll have to start from scratch."

In the arena, Galerius smirked at the Duel Bot. "An AI duelist is no replacement for a human," he said. "There's no way you can defeat me. But Dr. Willow put a lot of work into you. If you do not push me even a little, I will deem you worthless."

Dr. Willow pressed some buttons, causing the Duel Bot to raise its arm. "Commence, Master Duel," it said. Galerius frowned. He liked taunting and belittling his opponents when he fought them, but there was no point in doing that to an AI duelist.

"Duel!" they shouted.

Galerius: 4000 LP

Duel Bot: 4000 LP

"Since I volunteered to be your opponent, it's only fair that I go first," Galerius said. "My turn!" He grinned upon looking at his hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Terraforming, which lets me add a Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add and activate the Field Spell Card: Domain of the True Monarchs! So long as there are no cards in my Extra Deck, and I am the only one who controls a Tribute Summoned monster, my opponent cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two cards from my Deck. From there, I activate the Spell Card: Card Advance. It lets me look at the top five cards of my Deck and place them in any order I want."

Galerius drew five cards, looked at them and rearranged them before returning them to his Deck.

"Not bad," Ladon commented. "With that, he'll be able to draw the card he might need for later."

"But that's not all it does," Lumine added.

"I discard Cards of Compensation to Special Summon Berlineth the Firestorm Vassal!"

A humanoid in red-and-white armor with blue capes at its waist and back appeared in Attack Position.

Berlineth the Firestorm Vassal ATK 800 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Since I discarded Cards of Compensation, its effect activates," Galerius continued. "I'm permitted to draw two cards. Next, I Tribute Berlinth to Tribute Summon Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch!"

Berlineth erupted into flames as an even larger warrior in red armor and a blue cape took his place.

Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"As Berlineth was Tributed for a Tribute Summon, I can look at your hand and banish one card until the End Phase."

The Duel Bot's hand glowed as holograms of its cards appeared in front of Galerius, who then blinked in surprise.

"Despia?" he read, confused. "I've never seen or heard of that archetype before. Was it created recently?" He shook his head and selected a card. "I'll banish this card! Despian Tragedy!"

Following Galerius's words, the selected card burst into flames.

"And now, since he was Tribute Summoned, Thestalos's effect activates!" Galerius declared. "I can now discard a card from your hand, and if it is a Monster Card, you take damage equal to its Level x 100," Galerius smirked. "And I already know what card I want. The far left one!"

The Duel Bot took the far left card and showed it to Galerius, who smiled. "The card you targeted was Albuer Jester of Despia," The Duel Bot said. "That means I take 400 points of damage."

Thestalos threw a fireball at the Duel Bot, who barely acknowledged it.

Duel Bot: 4000→3600 LP

"There's more where that comes from!" Galerius promised. "Thanks to the second effect of Card Advance, I can perform an additional Tribute Summon this turn! So I'll Tribute Thestalos to Tribute Summon Thestalos the Mega Monarch!"

Thestalos burst into flames, which soon receded. The monster left behind was much larger than Thestalos, with gold edges on its chest armor, gloves, and more pronounced shoulder pads.

Thestalos the Mega Monarch ATK 2800 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"Thestalos's effect activates! When it is Tribute Summoned, I look at your hand and discard one card. If that card is a Monster Card, you take damage equal to that monster's Level times 200, and if I Tribute Summoned Thestalos by Tributing a Fire monster, you take an additional 1000 points of damage." Galerius smirked. "I already saw your hand, so I don't need you to show me. I'll send Level 8 Dramaturge of Despia to the Graveyard!"

The Duel Bot discarded the card, and then Thestalos lobbed a fireball at the AI. The machine grunted as it was pushed back.

Duel Bot: 3600→2000→1000 LP

"I place a card face-down," Galerius said. Dr. Willow looked at the controls and scowled. Because he monitored the duel, he could see Galerius's face-down card, even though the latter had asked him not to interfere. The face-down card was Chaos Burst. Once the Duel Bot declares an attack, that card will destroy its monster and inflict 1000 damage. "Then, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: March of the Monarchs! While this card is on my field, my Tribute Summoned monsters cannot be destroyed or targeted by card effects. With that, I end my turn."

Umbra narrowed his eyes. "Galerius has a monster on his field with 2800 attack points. Not to mention the fact he has 4000 Life Points while his opponent is down to 1000."

"Such a shame," Natura said as she crossed her arms behind his head. "I was hoping Galerius would receive a thrashing."

"My turn." Duel Bot announced. "Draw. I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity. Through its effect, I draw three cards from my Deck and discard two. In addition, since one of the discarded cards was Cards of Compensation, I'm permitted to draw two more cards. Then, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon."

"What?" Galerius gasped.

"This card destroys a Spell or Trap Card on the field. I'll destroy Domain of the True Monarchs."

Galerius winced as his Field Spell shattered.

"Next, I summon Fallen of Albaz."

A white-haired man in dark armor appeared, with a tattered red cape drifting through the air behind him.

Fallen of Albaz ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"I'll activate Albaz's effect," Duel Bot continued. "I'll send a card from my hand to the Graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon with monsters on the field."

"But you only have one monster on your field!" Galerius pointed out.

"Due to Albaz's effect, I can perform a Fusion Summon by using monsters from my opponent's field as Fusion Materials," Duel Bot revealed. "I will fuse my Fallen of Albaz with your Thestalos!"

"How dare you!" Galerius cursed as his monster was drawn towards a multi-colored vortex that had appeared in the middle of the field alongside Albaz.

"Lawful dragon born of the stoic judgment of the land of cruel dogma! With your ruthlessness, reduce this world to ashes. Fusion Summon. Titaniklad the Ash Dragon!"

A large, metallic dragon appeared before the two duelists, with flame-like light forming lines beneath the metallic skeleton of its wings.

Titaniklad the Ash Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Titaniklad's effect," Duel Bot continued. "It gains 100 attack points times the total Levels of its Fusion Materials."

Titaniklad the Ash Dragon ATK 2500→3700

"I activate the Spell Card Back-Up Rider. Until the end of this turn, one face-up monster gains 1500 attack points. I choose Titaniklad."

The metallic dragon roared as a red aura briefly appeared around its body.

Titaniklad the Ash Dragon ATK 3700→5200

"Impossible!" Galreius exclaimed. "An attack of 5200!? He gritted his teeth. And I can't use my face-down card since I don't control a monster.

"Battle." Duel Bot stated. "Titaniklad attacks you directly."

Responding to its master's will, Titaniklad roared before unleashing a massive stream of flames from its maw, engulfing Galerius and sending him flying off the ground. The arena's walls were also scorched due to the intensity of the flames.

Galerius: 4000→0 LP

Dr. Willow smiled as he, Lumine, Umbra, Natura, Ladon and Desperado teleported down to the Duel Arena.

"Does anyone else want to try his luck!?"

The doctor's words had the intended effect as the members of the Syndicate quickly shook their heads. After all, no one wanted to pick up a fight with the guy who created a dueling weapon that managed to beat Galerius in an OTK.

"Well, my creation is ready to hit the battlefield." He materialized out of the room, with everyone else following suit. Meanwhile, Galerius was on his knees, punching the floor.

"How humiliating," he muttered. "I need to get stronger." He gritted his teeth. "I… I need to get stronger!"

In LINK VRAINS, at Kolter's private server…

"Whoa... this is..."

"Beautiful."

Zoey finished for Xander, the two marveling at the private server.

"Glad you two like the place." Storm Rider said, catching the duo's attention. "Not to mention your guys' avatars. They look good."

Zoey blushed at the compliment. Her hair color changed from purple to blonde and was tied into a ponytail. She wore a long, sleeveless black coat and a striped purple scarf over a red shirt with a kilt and white trousers. Her arms had several pieces of spiked bronze armor, and she had tall, black armored boots with dragon wings at her ankles. Xander's avatar looked almost similar to his real-world appearance with a few slight differences: he wore a Ravager's trench coat over a black jumpsuit with dark grey wrist bracers & skin guards; both have purple accent lines running over them that transition onto his jumpsuit. His feet were garbed in navy blue shin-high boots. A green visor covered his eyes. His hair became spiky, and his silver highlights changed to purple.

"I agree," Sanctum said as two IDs displayed on her Duel Disk. "Says here that you two go by Faris and Magnum. Is that right?"

"It is," Faris revealed. "We made our avatars a few months ago but never had the time to experience them."

"Well, what better time than right now?" Storm Rider smirked as he and Sanctum activated their Duel Disks, with Faris and Magnum following suit. "Get ready!"

"You bet!" Faris declared.

"Here I go!" Sanctum exclaimed.

"Bring it!" Magnum said.

"Duel!" they all shouted.

Magnum: 4000 LP

Storm Rider: 4000 LP

Faris: 4000 LP

Sanctum: 4000 LP

"As additional rules for this Duel, players who haven't taken a turn yet cannot be attacked," Faris suggested. "Also, when inflicting effect damage or activating card effects that don't designate a target, we can choose which player we wish to affect. Is that acceptable?"

Storm Rider nodded. "That's fine with me."

"Me too," Sanctum said.

"In that case, I'll take the first turn!" Magnum declared, selecting a card from his hand. "I summon X-Head Cannon!"

A blue-and-yellow machine with no legs and two cannons on its shoulders appeared.

X-Head Cannon ATK 1800 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

Not much of a starter, Sanctum thought. That means he's setting the stage for something.

"Now it's my turn!" Storm Rider declared. "I draw!" He glanced down at his hand and took one. "As I control no monsters, I Special Summon Cycode Swordsman!"

The man in cybernetic blue armor carrying futuristic swords appeared, summoned in Attack Position.

Cycode Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Swordsman's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned by its effect, I can add one "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand," Storm Rider took another card from his Deck, then gestured to the sky as his hand glowed blue. "Now, I'll create my circuit!"

Storm Rider's hand shot a lightning bolt, creating a Link Portal.

"Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one "Cycode" monster. I set Cycode Swordsman in the Link Arrow!"

His monster became a whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom-left arrow, turning red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Come forth! Link-1! Cycode Architect!"

A man in a digital light brown robe, wielding a staff and book, appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cycode Architect ATK 700 LINK-1 ↙

"I activate Cycode Architect's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a "Cycode" monster from my hand. I Special Summon Cycode Teleporter!"

The black-skinned alien-like warrior in grey armor and holding a baton appeared on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Teleporter ATK 500 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"And since there's a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I Special Summon Cycode Prisoner from my hand!"

A cyborg in a prisoner's uniform appeared in Attack Position.

Cyborg Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

Storm Rider gestured to the sky again. "I'll create my circuit again!" The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider a second time. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse Effect Monsters. I set Cycode Teleporter, Prisoner, and Architect in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters entered the top, right, and bottom left arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cycode Gladiator!"

A gray cybernetic humanoid emerged from the portal, wearing Roman battle armor with a red and blue grid design. It wielded a long spear with a serrated point and a small dagger at the other end. The monster spun its spear as it was summoned to the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Cycode Gladiator ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑→

Faris narrowed her eyes. "Link-3 this early…"

"Since Prisoner was used as Link Material for the summoning of a "Cycode" Link Monster, I can add a "Cycode" card from my Deck to my hand." Storm Rider did so, then gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Teleporter in the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Swordsman!"

His monster reappeared at Fortress Golem's bottom-left Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Cycode Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

Is he going to Link Summon a Link-4? Magnum wondered.

"I activate Cycode Gladiator's effect!" Storm Rider declared. "Once per turn, if it points to at least one monster, I can change that monster's battle position and destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field. I change Swordsman to Defense Position to destroy your face-down card on the left!"

Swordsman kneeled as a shining arrow materialized in Gladiator's right hand, which he aimed and threw at Magnum's face-down card.

"Like I'll let that happen!" Magnum said, narrowing his eyes. "I activate the Trap Card: Card of Pandora! When you target a card in my Spell & Trap Zone with an effect, that effect is changed to target Card of Pandora instead!" The Trap Card shattered. "And then, Card of Pandora lets me draw two cards."

Storm Rider frowned as Magnum drew. "You have got to be kidding me..." he grumbled.

"He had a counter prepared for protecting his face-down cards," Sanctum said, narrowing her eyes.

Storm Rider's frown deepened. "Even so, I won't let one little move stop me." He gestured to his field. "Battle! Cycode Gladiator, attack X-Head Cannon!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!" Magnum said, causing his Trap Card to flip over. "It negates your attack."

A scarecrow made out of junk appeared before Gladiator, who hit it with his spear. Unfortunately, it didn't do anything, forcing the Link Monster to back off.

"And due to Scarecrow's other effect, I can set it face-down instead of sending it to the Graveyard," Magnum explained, with Scarecrow setting itself face-down again.

Storm Rider smirked. "I must say I'm impressed." He narrowed his eyes. "Not only did you counter my monster's effect, but you also stopped its attack. Guess I'll have to take you seriously from here on out. I place two cards face-down and activate the Continuous Spell Card: Link Blockade!" The card showed Day-Breaker the Shining Magical Warrior and Fire Fighting Daruma Doll, standing atop a wall, looking down on an army of monsters. "While Link Blockade is active, only Link Monsters can declare an attack. And since a Link-3 or higher monster is on the field, you cannot target my Spell or Trap Cards with your card effects." Magnum grimaced at that. "With that, I end my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Faris looked at her card, then played it. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Fandora's Last Stand!" The card showed a large airship, heavily damaged, using all of its cannons and ramming itself against Plunder Patrollship Moerk. "This card lets me activate the Field Spell Card: Fandora, the Flying Furtress from my Deck. Furthermore, all "Fur Hire" monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points. Next, I summon Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire!"

A humanoid fennec wearing goggles and wielding a slingshot appeared.

Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire ATK 500→1000 DEF 1000→1500 LVL: 2

"I activate Donpa's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a "Fur Hire" monster from my hand. Come, Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire!"

A humanoid bird in leather appeared in Defense Position, a sniper rifle propped on one knee.

Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire ATK 1200→1700 DEF 2400→2900 LVL: 5

"Sagitta's effect activates!" Faris declared as she pointed at Storm Rider. "When Special Summoned, you take 500 points of damage for every other "Fur Hire" monster I control! And I choose you, Storm Rider! Do it, Sagitta! Hunter's Bullet!"

Sagitta shot a crimson bullet from its rifle, striking Storm Rider squarely on the chest and causing him to wince in pain.

Storm Rider: 4000→3500 LP

"Donpa's second effect activates since another "Fur Hire" monster was Special Summoned!" Faris stated. "It lets me destroy a face-up card on the field. I destroy Cycode Gladiator!"

"Not so fast!" Storm Rider declared. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Cycode Zone! If I control a "Cycode" Link Monster, "Cycode" monsters I control cannot be destroyed by card effects!"

Faris narrowed her eyes at Storm Rider and smirked. "Not one of your better cards!" she teased as she raised her right hand. "Appear, my circuit!"

The Link Portal appeared above her. "Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower "Fur Hire" monster. I set Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire in the Link Arrow!"

The monster became a whirlwind of energy and entered the left arrow.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Radar, Harbarger Fur Hire!"

A red-furred humanoid bat in pirate clothes emerged from the portal at the left Extra Monster Zone. It wielded a small flamethrower in its right hand.

Radar, Harbarger Fur Hire ATK 1000→1500 LINK-1 ←

"Next, "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Great Blade, Furcalibur and equip it to Radar!" A long, elegant golden sword appeared. Radar gripped the sword in his left hand. "The equipped monster gains 1000 attack points, unaffected by the effects of monsters and can attack all your monsters once each!"

Radar, Harbarger Fur Hire ATK 1500→2500

"She Link Summoned, inflicted damage, and strengthened her monsters right off the bat…" Sanctum remarked. "Not a bad opening move."

"Battle! Radar attacks Cycode Gladiator!"

The bat charged forward as it hefted its broadsword, cutting Gladiator in half and making Storm Rider wince from the damage.

Storm Rider: 3500→3400 LP

"Radar now attacks Cycode Swordsman!"

The Link Monster leaped into the air and spun, bringing its sword down and destroying Swordsman.

"That should be enough for now," Faris stated. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Since it's the End Phase, the third effect of Link Blockade activates," Storm Rider explained. "Since I control no Link Monsters, it's immediately destroyed."

The Continuous Spell shattered following his words.

Faris narrowed her eyes at Sanctum. "You're up now. So show us what you got."

Sanctum nodded as she stepped up and placed her hand on her Deck. "My turn! I draw!"

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Mind Drain!" Faris abruptly declared. "I can activate this by paying 1000 Life Points, and so long as it remains on the field, neither of us can activate the effects of monsters from the hand!"

Faris: 4000→3000 LP

"This isn't good." Storm Rider said as he turned to Sanctum. "That card essentially locks you out from summoning any monsters."

"Relax, Storm Rider," Sanctum reassured him. "If you think one little Trap Card would deter me, then you don't know me at all," she smirked and narrowed her eyes toward her opponents. "Since you wanted to show what I'm made up of, I'll gladly deliver. First, I activate the Spell Card: Trade-In! By discarding a Level 8 monster, I can draw two cards. I discard Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall!"

Upon drawing her two cards, Sanctum let out a small smile.

"Perfect," Sanctum stated. "The stage is set for me to test my new power. Be honored that the two of you will be the first duelists to experience it. With the Scale 3 Mekk-Knight Golden Dawn and the Scale 11 Mekk-Knight Grey Haze, I set the Pendulum Scale!"

Two pillars of light appeared on Sanctum's field. In one was a humanoid machine with a body of pure silver, golden energy lines running on it, and hands shaped like jack plugs, one of which had a spiked ball attached. It also had a star-shaped gem inside its chest and a horn emerging from the back of its head, which then curled forward but had no legs. In the other was a humanoid machine with a body of pure silver, grey energy lines running on it, and hands shaped like jack plugs. It also had a star-shaped gem inside its chest, and attached to its hands were two vaguely wing-shaped contraptions connected to its hips and legs, lined with grey gems of their own.

Mekk-Knight Golden Dawn Scale 3

Mekk-Knight Grey Haze Scale 11

Faris and Magnum gasped. "Pendulum!?"

"With the set Pendulum Scale, I can simultaneously summon monsters from Levels 4 through 10! I Pendulum Summon! Appear, Mekk-Knight Blue Sky and Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal!"

A portal appeared between the pillars as two monsters shot out of it in Attack Position. One was a mechanical warrior with gold and blue armor and a blue cape, carrying two curved swords. The other was a silver machine with aquamarine-colored energy lines, brandishing a trident of the same color.

Mekk-Knight Blue Sky ATK 2000 DEF 2500 LVL: 5

Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal ATK 3100 DEF 2700 LVL: 10

"Pendulum Summon, huh?" Magnum murmured. "It seems like you weren't kidding when you said you have improved since we last saw each other. However, can you put your newfound power to good use?"

"I guess we'll find out soon enough," Sanctum responded. "Blue Sky's effect activates! When this card is Summoned from my hand, I can add "Mekk-Knight" monsters from my Deck to my hand, equal to the number of your cards in Blue Sky's column. You have two, so I'll add Mekk-Knight Yellow Star and Mekk-Knight Magenta Elver to my hand." Sanctum took the cards, then gestured to her field. "Also, thanks to Aquamarine Tidal's effect, all monsters my opponent controls lose 1000 attack points so long as it's on the field!"

X-Head Cannon ATK 1800→800

Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire ATK 1700→700

Radar, Harbarger Fur Hire ATK 2500→1500

"From there, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Reverse Breaker!" Sanctum continued. "I equip this card onto Blue Sky. Now, time for battle! Mekk-Knight Blue Sky attacks X-Head Cannon! And at this moment, the effect of Reverse Breaker activates! When the equipped monster attacks, I can destroy a card in the opponent's Spell & Trap Zone! Also, my opponent is prevented from activating the effects of Spell & Trap Cards during this time!"

Blue Sky sent a fire bolt from its sword at Magnum's face-down Trap Card, causing it to disintegrate. Soon after, the armored warrior slashed X-Head Cannon in half with its blades, destroying it in an explosion and making Magnum grunt in pain.

Magnum: 4000→2800 LP

"Next, I'll have Aquamarine Tidal attack Radar!"

Tidal launched its trident, piercing Radar through its chest and destroying it in an explosion. The ensuing shockwave sent Faris skidding back a few inches.

Faris: 4000→2400 LP

Sanctum smirked. "That will teach the two of you for underestimating me. I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Magnum announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Spellbook Inside the Pot, enabling us to draw three cards. Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Different Dimension Hangar!"

A swirling black vortex with two mechanical arms appeared above Magnum.

"When this card is activated, I can banish up to 3 Level 4 or lower Union Monsters from my Deck. And If I summon a monster that any of the banished Union Monsters can hook up with, then I can Special Summon them.

Pulling his Deck out, Magnum selected his three cards and showed them to everyone. "I remove Y-Dragon Head, Z-Metal Tank, and W-Catapult Wing!" He quickly threw them into the portal, still staying due to its effect. He then took a card from his hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Silent Doom! It lets me Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. However, the summoned monster can't attack. Revive, X-Head Cannon!"

The blue and yellow machine appeared again on Magnum's field after emerging from a portal in the ground.

X-Head Cannon ATK 1800→800 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"And don't forget about my Different Dimension Hangar," Magnum stated. "Since I removed from play two Union Monsters that can be equipped to X-Head Cannon, I can now Special Summon them back. Return Y-Dragon Head and Z-Metal Tank!"

The mechanical claws suddenly began extending out of the black rift. In one of its clawed hands was a red mechanical dragon. The clawed hand soon enough set the dragon down and retracted into the rift. After a moment, it reappeared while carrying a large yellow and blue tank. Setting it down onto the field, the clawed hand finally retracted into the rift, vanishing once more.

Y-Dragon Head ATK 1500→500 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

Z-Metal Tank ATK 1500→500 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

"Of course, the summoned monsters are prevented from attacking this turn, but that doesn't matter," Magnum smirked. "I'm removing all three from play to fuse them!" He gestured to his three monsters. "Merge to form XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

Y-Dragon Head's wings popped off as X-Head Cannon connected to its back. The two monsters then set themselves into Z-Metal Tank's body. The resulting Fusion Monster was summoned to Magnum's field in Attack Position.

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800→1800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"I activate Dragon Cannon's effect!" Magnum declared. "By discarding Ojamagic and Cards of Compensation, I destroy Mekk-Aquamarine Tidal and Storm Rider's face-down card!"

The cannons on X-Head Cannon gathered energy and fired at the two designated cards, destroying them in an explosion and making Storm Rider and Sanctum shield their eyes.

"And don't think for a second that I'm finished," Magnum promised. "Since I sent Ojamagic to the Graveyard, I now add Ojamas Black, Green, and Yellow from my Deck to my hand. Plus, I get to draw two cards thanks to Cards of Compensation. And since your Aquamarine Tidal left the field, all our monsters gain 1000 attack points."

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 1800→2800

Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire ATK 700→1700

"And so long as I have cards in my hand, I can continue using Dragon Cannon's effect," Magnum stated. "I discard Ojama Black, Ojama Green, Ojama Yellow to destroy your remaining three cards, Sanctum!"

The Fusion Monster's cannons fired again, destroying Sanctum's cards.

"Allow me to pay you back for the earlier damage!" Magnum declared as he pointed at Sanctum. "XYZ-Dragon Cannon, attack Sanctum directly!"

Dragon Cannon aimed and fired its cannons at Sanctum, who had no cards on her field, but Storm Rider was ready.

"I activate the effect of Cycode Half-Guard in the Graveyard!" he declared. Everyone's eyes widened in surprise and realization; Half-Guard must have been the card Magnum destroyed with Dragon Cannon's effect. "By discarding a "Cycode" monster, all battle damage this turn is halved." He revealed the card in his hand. "I send Cycode Kid to the Graveyard."

The beams struck, and Sanctum grunted as the attack pushed her back.

Sanctum: 4000→2600 LP

"Half-Guard has one more effect," Storm Rider continued. "At the end of the Battle Phase, I can draw a card for every monster you control that battled this turn. One monster battled, so I get to draw one card!"

"Not bad," Faris said, a grin on her face. "He reduced the damage and replaced the card he discarded. Nice."

Magnum sighed. "Not as much damage as I hoped to inflict, but it's still something. I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Storm Rider said. "I draw!" She looked at her card, then played it. "I summon Cycode Sorceress!"

A mechanical female humanoid in a black dress carrying a metal staff appeared on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Sorceress ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Sorceress's effect activates! When she is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position. Return to me, Cycode Kid!"

A small robotic boy in a t-shirt and cap appeared.

Cycode Kid ATK 300 DEF 200 LVL: 1

"I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Emblem!" Storm Rider continued. "By sending a "Cycode" monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, I can then Special Summon a "Cycode" monster from my Deck in Attack Position, so long as it has the same Level as the sent monster. I send the Level 4 Cycode Miner to the Graveyard and Special Summon Cycode Strider!"

A robot in bulky armor wielding a futuristic rifle appeared on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Strider ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"And when Strider's Special Summoned, its effect activates! I now check the top card of my Deck, and if it's a Monster, I get to summon it. So, let's see if luck is on my side. I draw!"

He drew and looked at his card, causing him to smile.

"I drew Cycode Assailant, which means I can summon it!"

A one-eyed slim, black, metal skeletal robot with six arms, each holding a red blade energy dagger, appeared next to Strider.

Cycode Assailant ATK 1500 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Now, I'll build my circuit!"

The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Cycode Sorceress and Kid in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy before entering the left and bottom arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Cycode Magician!"

A female with long light-blue hair, wearing a long, digital-like cloak with a witch's hat and wielding an energy rod, appeared in the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Cycode Magician ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↓

"Cycode Kid's effect activates!" Storm Rider declared. "When this card is used to Link Summon a "Cycode" Link Monster, I can target and destroy one face-up card on my opponent's field!"

"What?" Faris and Magnum said.

"I destroy Mind Drain!"

The Continuous Trap shattered as Faris gritted his teeth. Storm Rider and Sanctum could now activate monster effects from the hand.

"And when Cycode Magician is successfully Link Summoned, I get to return a "Cycode" card from my Graveyard to my hand," Storm Rider continued. "I'll return Cycode Swordsman to my hand." After taking the card from the Graveyard, Storm Rider gestured to his field again. "I'll build my circuit for a second time! The summoning conditions are Cyberse monsters, including a "Cycode" monster. I set Cycode Strider and Cycode Assailant in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom and right arrows, turning red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Cycode Leo!"

A large digital lion with white fur, blue fangs, claws and lining appeared, summoned to Cycode Magician's bottom Link Arrow.

Cycode Leo ATK 2100 LINK-2 ↑↓

"He summoned two Link Monsters in one turn like before," Magnum muttered.

"Cycode Magician's second effect activates! When a monster is summoned to its Link Arrow, I can banish one card on your field!" Magnum gasped as Storm Rider pointed to him. "Say goodbye to your Dragon Cannon!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Interdimensional Matter Transporter, using its effect to banish XYZ-Dragon Cannon until the end of the turn!" Magnum abruptly declared as Dragon Cannon disappeared inside a space rift. "Moreover, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Direct Border, whose effect prevents monsters with 1000 or more attack points from attacking directly!"

"Not bad, but my turn isn't over yet!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "Battle! Cycode Magician attacks Sagitta!"

Cycode Magician flew up and aimed its rod at the humanoid raven.

"At this moment, Cycode Leo's effect activates! Since Cycode Magician is linked to Leo, she gains 1000 attack points, but since the two are co-linked, they both gain 1000 attack points!"

Cycode Magician ATK 2000→3000

Cycode Leo ATK 2100→3100

"Go! Digital Deletion!"

Cycode Magician's rod glowed blue as it released a wave of energy at Sagitta, destroying it.

Faris gritted her teeth. "I may be defenseless, but not for long," she said. "Since the Battle Phase is over, Cycode Leo's effect ends, and your monsters' attack points return to normal."

Cycode Magician ATK 3000→2000

Cycode Leo ATK 3100→2100

"Furthermore, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Training Fur Hire, Fur All Your Training Needs! "Once per turn, when a "Fur Hire" monster is destroyed, I can Special Summon a "Fur Hire" monster from my Deck with a Level lower than the destroyed monster! I Special Summon the Level 1 Seeker, Escort Fur Hire!"

A humanoid seagull wearing a sailor's hat and wielding a dagger appeared in Defense Position.

Seeker, Escort Fur Hire ATK 200→700 DEF 200→700 LVL: 1

"Seeker's effect activates!" Faris declared. "When this card is summoned successfully, I can check the top card of my Deck, and if it's a "Fur Hire" monster, I can Special Summon it. Any other card is sent to the Graveyard. Let's see whether Lady Luck will smile at me or not."

Faris drew a card from her Deck and showed it to everyone.

"I drew Hammer, Claw Fur Hire," Faris said. "As such, I will Special Summon it!"

A red humanoid crab with large claws and mechanical legs appeared in Attack Position.

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire ATK 2400→2900 DEF 1600→2100 LVL: 5

"Hammer's effect activates! When Special Summoned, I can add a "Fur Hire" card from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire to my hand."

"Guess that's enough for now," Storm Rider said. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn. And since this turn ended, XYZ-Dragon Cannon will return to the field."

Another rift in space appeared following Storm Rider's words, with Dragon Cannon emerging from it and landing on Magnum's field.

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

Faris placed her hand on her Duel Disk. "My turn! I draw!" She looked at her card, then gestured to her field. "I activate Hammer's effect! By discarding Donpa from my hand, I can shuffle one card on my opponent's field back into their Deck. I will return Cycode Leo to your Extra Deck, Storm Rider!"

"I don't think so!" Storm Rider rebutted. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cycode Coating! Until the end of the turn, one "Cycode" I monster I control is unaffected by your card effects!"

"What?!" Faris gasped.

"I target Cycode Leo!" The digital lion's body turned silver. "With Leo unaffected by your card effects, Hammer's effect does nothing to it. Meaning it stays on the field!"

Faris narrowed her eyes… then smirked. "That's alright," she said, surprising Storm Rider. "I thought you might try something like this, which is why I had a backup plan. I summon Rex, Freight Fur Hire!"

A small yellow baby dragon appeared.

Rex, Freight Fur Hire ATK 300→800 DEF 200→700 LVL: 2

"Rex's effect activates! When it is Summoned, I add a "Fur Hire" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add The Mysterious Furasure, which I'll activate!" The card showed Beat, Donpa, Recon and Seal sitting at a table looking at an old treasure map with a large red X in the center. "When activated, I can place a "Fur Hire" card from my Deck on the top of my Deck."

A card popped out of her Duel Disk, which she took and then placed back in, this time on top.

"Then, I activate Mysterious Furasure's second effect!" Faris continued. "Since I control at least three "Fur Hire" monsters, I get to draw a card." She drew, then gestured to the sky. "Appear, my circuit!" The Link Portal appeared above her. "The summoning conditions are two "Fur Hire" monsters. I set Seeker and Rex in the Link Arrows!"

The two monsters entered the right and bottom-left arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire!"

A monster resembling a grown-up version of Rex, Freight Fur Hire, with claws and fangs cladded in armor, emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire ATK 1800→2300 LINK-2 →↙

"Rex's effect! For every "Fur Hire" card on my field, all "Fur Hire" monsters I control gain 200 attack points," Faris stated. "I have six, so Rex and Hammer gain 1200 attack points!"

Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire ATK 2300→3500

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire ATK 2900→4100

"Now her monsters are stronger than Storm Rider's," Sanctum noted. "Not a bad comeback."

"Battle!" Faris exclaimed. "Rex, destroy his Cycode Magician!"

Storm Rider gritted his teeth as Faris's monster charged forward. "Cycode Leo's effect activates! Both it and Cycode Magician gain 1000 attack points!"

Cycode Magician ATK 2000→3000

Cycode Leo ATK 2100→3100

"Your monster may be stronger, but it'll still be destroyed!"

Rex slashed Cycode Magician with its claws, making it explode and pushing Storm Rider back.

Storm Rider: 3400→2900 LP

Cycode Leo ATK 3100→2100

"I activate my face-down card!" Storm Rider declared. "The Trap Card: Cyberse Beacon! Since I took damage, I can add one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cycode Masterframe!"

Faris narrowed her eyes, then gestured to her field. "Hammer attacks Cycode Leo!"

The humanoid crab grabbed Leo with its claw and smashed it to pieces, generating yet another shockwave that sent Storm Rider tumbling.

Storm Rider: 2900→900 LP

"Storm Rider!" Sanctum said, worried for her friend.

"I'm fine, Sanctum," he assured her as he got up.

"That should do for now," Faris stated. " I end my turn with this."

Magnum smirked as he narrowed his eyes at Sanctum. "You're partner doesn't look so good. It's best if he'd tap out now."

Sanctum growled. "I'm going to make you eat those words, Magnum!" she stated. "My turn! I draw! First, I Special Summon Mekk-Knight Yellow Star from my hand via its effect!"

A machine with silver and yellow mechanical wings appeared in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Yellow Star ATK 2200 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"I activate Yellow Star's effect! By banishing a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Graveyard, I can destroy a Spell or Trap Card in Yellow Star's column! I banish Blue Sky from my Graveyard to destroy Fandora's Last Stand!"

Yellow Star's wings started to glow before releasing a beam of golden energy at the Continuous Spell, turning it into particles.

Faris frowned. "Since all Last Stand left the field, all my monsters lose 500 attack and defense points."

Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire ATK 3500→3000

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire ATK 4100→3600 DEF 2100→1600

"Not only that," Sanctum said. "Since a "Fur Hire" card left your field, your monsters lose an additional 200 attack points."

Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire ATK 3000→2800

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire ATK 3600→3400

"And since I now control a "Mekk-Knight" monster, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Magenta Elver from my hand!"

A gray mechanical humanoid with a slim body appeared in Defense Position. It had bladed wings coated in magenta on its edges and smaller ones on its helmet.

Mekk-Knight Magenta Elver ATK 800 DEF 500 LVL: 2

"I activate Magenta Elver's effect!" Sanctum continued. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 6 or lower "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Deck. I Special Summon a Mekk-Knight Black Hole!"

A silver and black machine, wielding round-bladed weapons and wearing a torn-up black cape, appeared in Defense Position.

Mekk-Knight Black Hole ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I activate Black Hole's effect!" Sanctum continued. "I can destroy one card in its column by moving Yellow Star to another Monster Zone. I move Yellow Star to the column to its left to destroy Training Fur Hire, Fur All Your Training Needs!"

The orb in Black Hole's chest started to glow before releasing a beam of dark energy at Faris's Trap Card, destroying it.

"And since you lost another "Fur Hire" card, your monsters lose 200 more attack points."

Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire ATK 2800→2600

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire ATK 3400→3200

Sanctum gestured to her field. "Following that, I Tribute Yellow Star, Magenta Elver and Black Hole to Tribute Summon Gilford the Lightning!"

Her three monsters disappeared as a lightning bolt struck the ground and deposited a tall, muscular man in silver armor and a red cape wielding a large sword.

Gilford the Lightning ATK 2800 DEF 1400 LVL: 8

"At this moment, Gilford the Lightning's effect activates!" Sanctum declared. "Since it was summoned by Tributing three monsters, I can destroy all monsters on your field! Lightning Sword!"

"I won't let you!" Faris shouted. "I activate Mysterious Furasure's second effect! Through its effect, when you activate a card or effect, I can target a "Fur Hire" monster on my field and have it be unaffected by your card effects until the end of the turn. I target Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire!"

Following Faris's words, Gilford raised its blade, calling down three lightning bolts. The first two destroyed Hammer and Dragon Cannon. However, the second was blocked by a semi-transparent shield that appeared around Rex.

Sanctum frowned. "Not bad. But since you lost another "Fur Hire" card, Rex loses 200 attack points."

Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire ATK 2600→2400

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Junk Barrage! I equip it to Gilford the Lightning. Now whenever Gilford destroys a monster in battle, the destroyed monster's controller takes damage equal to half the attack points of the destroyed monster!" Faris's eyes narrowed. "Battle! Gilford the Lightning attacks Rex, Assaulter Fur Fire!"

Gilford charged forward and swung its lightning-clad sword at the Fur Hire Link Monster, destroying it and making Faris wince from the shockwave.

Faris: 2400→2000 LP

"And now the effect of my Junk Barrage activates!" Sanctum continued. "So half of Rex's attack points are dealt to you as damage!"

Gilford's sword glowed, creating another shockwave that struck Faris and sent her tumbling back.

Faris: 2000→800 LP

"I believe this is enough for now," Sanctum said. "I end my turn with a face-down."

"It's my turn!" Magnum announced. "I draw! Since the three of you went all out during your previous turns, allow me to respond in kind by unleashing even more of my Deck's strength. First, I activate the Spell Card: Monster Recovery, shuffling all the cards in my hand and on my field to draw five new cards. Next, I summon Beetron-1 Beetletop!"

A yellow and black mechanical beetle with four legs and two wheels on its back side appeared.

Beetron-1 Beetletop ATK 1700 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Beetron…?" Storm Rider, Sanctum and Faris murmured in confusion.

"I activate the Spell Card: Ties of the Brethren, targeting Beetletop with it," Magnum continued. "By paying 1000 Life Points, I Special Summon two Level 4 Monsters from my hand or Deck with the same type as the targeted monster.

Magnum: 2800→1800 LP

"Appear, Beetron-2 Beetleturbo and Beetron-3 Spider Base!"

Appearing beside Beetletop was a green mechanical stag beetle with a small horn and a red mechanical spider that stood rather tall and had two levels of legs. At the same time, a red aura surrounded Magnum, making him wince.

Beetron-2 Beetleturbo ATK 1500 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

Beetron-3 Spider Base ATK 800 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"I'm not through yet!" Magnum stated. "I'm merging my three Beetrons to create something even better! I return all three to my Deck to bring out Assault Cannon Beetle!"

Beetletop began spinning its wheels, causing smoke and rubber to fly. Soon, it let off its brakes and ran straight toward Beetleturbo. Using it like a ramp, it leaped into the air and landed on Spider Base. Slowly, a locking sound was heard as the two merged. Not to be left out, Beetleturbo leaped into the air with its thrusters and attached itself to the back end of Beetleturbo, making it look like a large tail with scissors sticking out.

Assault Cannon Beetle ATK 2400 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"Assault Cannon…Beetle…" Faris muttered in awe. "So this monster is also one of the new additions to your Deck…"

Magnum nodded in confirmation as he narrowed his eyes toward Storm Rider and Sanctum. "Feel honored for being the first one among your peers to witness this monster."

"Aww, we feel so special," Sanctum remarked sarcastically.

Growling softly, Magnum glared at Sanctum. "I'd watch what you say, Sanctum. It could cost you." He took a card from his hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Front Change! This card allows me to swap my Assault Cannon Beetle out for a much better and stronger monster! Come forth! Combat Scissors Beetle!"

Assault Cannon Beetle suddenly began to break apart into the three original monsters. Beetletop came to a stop while Spider base stepped onto it. Its body lowered into Beetletop but left its legs standing. Beetleturbo then landed on the waiting legs sticking up and docked, with four legs sticking out to the sides, two holding Beetleturbo up, one in the front and one in the back sticking out.

Combat Scissors Beetle ATK 3600 DEF 1800 LVL: 8

Staring at the newly formed creature, Sanctum bit her lower lip and lightly grunted with irritation. Seeing this, Magnum began laughing.

"Now watch this action!"Magnum announced as he gestured to his field. "Combat Scissors Beetle, attack Storm Rider directly with Scissor Missile!"

"I won't let you!" Sanctum exclaimed. "I activate the Trap Card: Attack Guidance Armor! Through its effect, I can target a monster on the field and force Scissors Beetle to attack it! I choose Gilford the Lightning!"

"Then, as you wish, I'll destroy your monster!" Magnum shouted. "Go, Combat Scissors Beetle! Destroy Gilford the Lightning! Scissor Missile!"

Aiming directly for the armored warrior, the mechanical beetle launched a set of scissors from its top half. Gilford gasped in shock as the scissors struck it, making it explode on impact. Meanwhile, Scissor Beetle's horn shot a beam that struck Sanctum hard, making her fall to one knee with a groan.

Sanctum: 2400→1600→600 LP

Laughing loudly, Magnum pointed at Sanctum's weakened form. "I bet you didn't see that one coming! Whenever Combat Scissor Beetle destroys a monster in battle, the owner of that monster takes 1000 points of damage. How do you like those apples!?"

Clenching her right fist, Sanctum returned to her feet and slightly smirked. "Not bad, Magnum, but it'll take a lot more than that to take me down."

"We'll see about that. I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Storm Rider announced. "I draw! First, I summon Cycode Masterframe!"

A young boy with dark brown hair, wearing a dark orange hoodie, a pair of goggles with white lining across the lens, hover boots and gauntlet-like gloves appeared.

Cycode Masterframe ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Masterframe's effect activates!" Storm Rider continued. "When Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one "Cycode" monster from my hand. Appear, Cycode Wanderer!"

A black-skinned alien that wore a tattered brown cloak appeared.

Cycode Wanderer ATK 1900 DEF 200 LVL: 5

"When Cycode Wanderer is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Cycode" card, it can lower the attack points of one of my opponent's monsters by 800! I lower Combat Scissor Beetle's attack points! Digital Drain!"

Magnum gritted his teeth as his monster's attack points dropped.

Combat Scissors Beetle ATK 3600→2800

"Now, I'll create my circuit!" Storm Rider declared as he raised his hand and shot a lightning bolt, creating a Link Portal. "Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one Cyberse monster! I set Cycode Masterframe in the Link Arrow!"

Masterframe entered the bottom-left arrow, turning it red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cycode Sky Eagle!"

A light green cybernetic eagle with turbine wings appeared in the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Cycode Sky Eagle ATK 300 LINK-1 ↙

"Sky Eagle's effect activates! When it's Link Summoned, I can add a "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Cycode Swordsman to my hand." Storm Rider said. "Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Overdone Burial! By discarding one monster, I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard so long as its Level is lower than the discarded monster's and equip it with Overdone Burial. I discard the Level 8 Cycode Scorpion to Special Summon the Level 4 Cycode Assailant!"

The metal skeletal robot with six arms reappeared.

Cycode Assailant ATK 1500 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I'll now create my circuit for a second time!"

The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters, including one "Cycode" monster. I set Cycode Assailant, Sky Eagle and Masterframe in the Link Arrows!"

Storm Rider's monsters became whirlwinds of energy as they entered the left, bottom, and right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cycode Gaia Charger!"

A knight riding a robotic horse with digital wings appeared in the Extra Monster Zone. He wielded digital twin lances.

Cycode Gaia Charger ATK 2600 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Since I used Cycode Sky Eagle to Link Summon Administrator, its effect activates!" Storm Rider added. "All my monsters gain 400 attack points!"

Cycode Gaia Charger ATK 2600→3000

"Furthermore, Gaia Charger's effect activates! When summoned, the attack points of all monsters my opponent controls are halved!"

Magnum smirked. "I'm sorry, but that won't work! I activate the Trap Card: Breakthrough Skill! I target your Effect Monster and negate its effects until the end of the turn! I target Gaia Charger!" Storm Rider gritted her teeth. "I knew you would summon Gaia Charger and use its effect; if you couldn't reach Combat Scissor's attack points, the obvious solution would be to destroy or weaken it with an effect. So I prepared for that possibility."

Storm Rider glared at him before smirking. "Indeed, you did. But did you prepare for a backup plant?"

Magnum blinked. "Backup plan?"

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure Ticket and target Gaia Charger! I now draw cards equal to the selected monster's Link Rating and then send an equal number of cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. I draw three cards and send three to the Graveyard." Storm Rider drew, then sent Cycode Firefighter, Effect Cowl and Parallel Port Armor to the Graveyard. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Cycode War Helm and equip it to Gaia Charger!"

Gaia Charger glowed green as its head was equipped with a silver helmet. This one was tapered at the top with a raised face guard. Wings framed the sides of the helmet.

"The equipped monster gains 800 attack points thanks to War Helm."

Cycode Gaia Charger ATK 3000→3800

"Battle! Gaia Charger attacks Combat Scissors Beetle! Linkage Spiral!"

The mechanical warrior charged forward, piercing the Fusion Monster with its lance and destroying it in an explosion. The force of the attack pushed Magnum back several feet.

Magnum: 1800→800 LP

"I place a card face-down and end my turn." Storm Rider concluded. "As it's now the End Phase, Breakthrough Skill wears off, and Gaia Charger regains its effects."

"My turn! I draw!" Faris declared. "At this moment, the second effect of Rex. Assaulter Fur Hire's effect activates! Since it was destroyed in battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it!"

Following Faris's words, the evolved form of Rex reappeared.

Rex, Assaulter Fur Hire ATK 1800 LINK-2 →↙

"I was prepared for this," Storm Rider smirked. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Black Horn of Heaven! Through its effect, when my opponent would Special Summon a Monster, I can negate the summoning of that monster and destroy it! Say farewell to your Link Monster!"

True enough, the Topologic Link Monster's body started crumbling and eventually disappeared from Varis's field.

I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my Deck. Next, I summon Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire!"

A humanoid rabbit wielding a sword appeared.

Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire ATK 1200 DEF 500 LVL: 3

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mayhem Fur Hire! I Special Summon a "Fur Hire" monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Come, Rex, Freight Fur Hire!"

The baby dragon reappeared.

Rex, Freight Fur Hire ATK 300 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Rex's effect activates! I add a "Fur Hire" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. In addition, Beat's effect activates! When a "Fur Hire" monster is Special Summoned, I can add a "Fur Hire" monster from my Deck to my hand."

Faris took two cards from her Deck, then played one of them. "I activate the Spell Card: Conflict Fur Hire!" The card showed Rafale, Champion of Fur Hire, having a conflict with Dyna, Hero Fur Hire and settling it with an arm wrestling match. "Since I control a "Fur Hire" monster, I can Special Summon another "Fur Hire" monster from my Deck, Appear, Recon, Scout Fur Hire!"

An anthropomorphic fennec carrying a sniper-like telescope appeared on Faris's field.

Recon, Scout Fur Hire ATK 1000 DEF 500 LVL: 2

Faris raised her right hand. "Appear, my circuit! The summoning conditions are three monsters with different Types. I set Beat, Rex, and Recon in the Link Arrows!"

Her monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Folgo, Justice Fur Hire!"

Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

A humanoid wolf wielding a katana emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

"Folgo's effect activates!" Faris stated. "Since he was Link Summoned, I can Special Summon one "Fur Hire" monster from my Deck in Defense Position, as long as it's a different type than the monsters I used to Link Summon Folgo. I Special Summon the Beast-Warrior Dyna, Hero Fur Hire!"

A large, muscular humanoid lion wearing armored pants and gauntlets appeared and roared.

Dyna, Hero Fur Hire ATK 2500 DEF 1400 LVL: 6

"Dyna's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can banish cards from your Graveyard up to the number of different "Fur Hire" monsters I control. I control two monsters, so I'll banish Cycode Scorpion and Cycode Strider from Storm Rider's Graveyard!"

Dyna roared as the cards disappeared. Faris's smirk widened. "Since they're banished, you cannot activate Scorpion's effect to revive itself, nor can you revive Strider on your next turn to use its effect." She took a card from her hand, "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Shrink! This card lets me target a monster you control and halve its attack points until the end of this turn! I target Cycode Gaia Charger!"

Cycode Gaia Charger ATK 3400→1700

"Battle!" Faris exclaimed. "Folgo attacks Cycode Gaia Charger!"

The Link Monster charged forward and slashed the Cycode Link Monster in two with its sword, destroying it in an explosion and making Storm Rider grunt in pain from the shockwave.

Storm Rider: 900→200 LP

"I wish I could do more, but unfortunately, I can't…" Faris frowned. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Sanctum announced. "I draw! First, I place a card facedown. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Supreme Recharge! Since my hand's empty and I have fewer Life Points, I can draw until I hold six cards. Next, I summon Mekk-Knight Avram!"

A young blonde man in gold armor wielding two curved swords appeared.

Mekk-Knight Avram ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Link Unit and equip it to Mekk-Knight Avram! If Avram is used to Link Summon, it counts as two materials!"

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes. "So she's planning on Link Summoning next," he muttered.

"Appear, the circuit of illumination!"

Sanctum's hand shot a lightning bolt into the air, creating a Link Portal.

"Link Arrows authorized!" Sanctum chanted. "The summoning conditions are two monsters, including at least one "Mekk-Knight" monster. I set Mekk-Knight Avram, now treated as two monsters in the Link Arrows!"

Avram split into two before turning into dark energy and entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star!"

A large bipedal machine appeared on Sanctum's field. Its armor was grey, with blue lines running across its skin. Instead of hands, it had two electrodes, one of which created a blade of yellow fire. Morning Star roared from the Left Extra Monster Zone despite having no mouth.

Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘

"I've got plenty more moves to make, and one of them is activating Morning Star's effect!" Sanctum declared. "When it is Link Summoned, by discarding a "Mekk-Knight" monster or "World Legacy" card, I get to add a "World Legacy" card from my Deck to my hand."

She discarded World Legacy's Whispers and added a card from her Deck to her hand. She took another card from her hand a revealed it. "I activate the effect of Mekk-Knight Green Horizon from my hand! Since two or more cards are in the same column, I can Special Summon this card to that column!"

A green armored monster wielding a staff appeared on Sanctum's field in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Green Horizon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 6

Sanctum raised her hand. "Appear, the circuit of illumination!" Lightning shot from her hand and created another Link Portal. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Mekk-Knight" monsters. I set Green Horizon and Morning Star in the Link Arrows!"

Morning Star split into two and entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, while Indigo Eclipse entered the bottom arrow, turning them red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme!"

A monster that appeared to be an amalgamation of all the Mekk-Knight monsters' weapons emerged from the portal, summoned to the same Extra Monster Zone that Morning Star had vacated.

Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"So this is Ena's ace.." Magnum muttered. He checked the card on the field using his Duel Disk. After reading its effects, he narrowed his eyes. It may appear invulnerable but not for long.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Twin Twisters!" Sanctum continued. "By discarding a card, I can target and destroy up to two Spell or Trap Cards. I destroy Fandora, the Flying Fortress and The Mysterious Furasure!"

Two whirlwinds erupted from the Spell Card, destroying the designated cards.

"Since I discarded Cards of Compensation through Twin Twisters, I get to draw two cards." She drew, then said, "Battle! Spectrum Supreme, attack Faris directly!"

Following its master's command, Spectrum Supreme flew over Folgo, surprising Faris.

"How is your monster able to attack me directly?" Faris demanded.

"If Spectrum Supreme is the only card in its column," Sanctum explained, "then it can attack you directly. In addition, if this card in the Extra Monster Zone points to no monsters, you can't also target or destroy it with card effects! Go, Rainbow Fall!"

"In that case, I'll activate my Trap Card!" Faris stated. "Graverobber! Thanks to this card, I can take any card from either player's Graveyard and use it as my own. I choose to activate Attack Guidance Armor from Sanctum's Graveyard, which will redirect Spectrum Supreme's attack to Folgo instead of me!"

Following Faris's words, Spectrum Supreme fired several rainbow blasts of energy at Folgo, destroying it and making Faris wince in pain from the damage.

Faris: 800→200 LP

"As expected of Faris, her defenses are rock-solid." Sanctum narrowed her eyes. "No choice then. I place three cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Magnum announced. "I draw! Now, it's time to start going all out against you two. First, I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge! With it, I can draw four cards since my hand is empty. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Dian Keto the Cure Master. This card increases my Life Points by 1000."

Magnum: 800→1800 LP

"Moving on, I activate the Spell Card: Spirit Collapse!" Xander continued. "By paying 1000 Life Points, I send a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard. I send VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon to the Graveyard."

Magnum: 1800→800 LP

Sanctum narrowed her eyes. "You are sending one of your best monsters to the Graveyard?"

"He's up to something," Storm Rider muttered.

"I will defeat you both here and now with my newly found power!" Amelia declared. He gestured to his field. "I banish VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon and Combat Scissors Beetle from my Graveyard to create a new monster!"

Following Magnum's words, the two Fusion Monsters reappeared on his field as a bright light enveloped the two.

"Combination Summon! Appear now, Level 11! Combat Scissors Dragon Catapult Cannon!"

A massive mechanical monster resembling a union between VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon and Combat Scissors Beetle appeared on Magnum'S field.

"Are you kidding me…?" Sanctum muttered with evident shock. "Another fusion between two Fusion Monsters?"

"I have a bad feeling about this…" Storm Rider said as he narrowed his eyes toward Magnum's new monster. "I don't know why, but something's telling me that monster of his has one nasty effect."

"And you're right to believe so," Magnum said as he gestured to his monster. "I activate Combat Scissors' effect! Once per turn, I can target and banish one card on the field. And whoever controlled that card takes 1000 points of damage."

"What!?" Storm Rider and Sanctum gasped.

Magnum's grin became wider as he turned to Storm Rider. "You heard me. And since you were spot on my monster's effect, I'll finish you off first, Storm Rider! I'll banish your face-down card!"

The Fusion Monster aimed its twin-barreled rifle at Reira and unleashed a powerful blast of energy toward Storm Rider. However—

"I activate the Trap Card: Courageous Heart!" Sanctum abruptly declared. "Through its effect, by paying half my Life Points, I can negate your monster's effects until the end of the turn!"

A portal appeared before Magnum's monster as it emitted a beam of purple light that drained its power. At the same time, Sanctum was enveloped by a red aura that caused her to wince.

Sanctum: 600→300 LP

Magnum frowned but then smirked. "Well, that was a bummer. I preferred to finish Storm Rider before you, but you're now my prime target after that little stunt you pulled." He gestured to his field. "Battle! Combat Scissors Dragon Catapult Cannon, attack Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme!

"I activate the Trap Card: Defense Draw!" Sanctum shouted as the massive energy blast launched from Combat Scissors' cannons consumed her monster. "Through its effect, the battle damage is reduced to 0, and I draw one card from my Deck!"

Magnum narrowed his eyes as Sanctum drew. "Persistent as always. I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

Storm Rider stepped forward, his hand on his Deck. "My turn! I draw!" Looking at his card, Storm Rider chose a different one. "Through its effect, I Special Summon Cycode Swordsman from my hand!"

The man with two swords reappeared.

Cycode Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Since Swordsman was Special Summoned by its effect, I can add one "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand," Storm Rider continued as a card slid out from his Deck, which he added to his hand. "

"I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Gift! By discarding a "Cycode" card, I draw two cards." He discarded Cycode Knight, drew, then said, "I activate Cycode Knight's effect from my Graveyard, banishing it to shuffle Cycode Masterframe, Kid, Sorceress, Prisoner and Wanderer into my Deck to draw two cards!"

He drew his cards, then showed one of them to his opponent. "I Special Summon Cycode Serpent!"

A robotic snake appeared in Attack Position.

Cycode Serpent ATK 400 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I can Special Summon Serpent if it's added to my hand outside my Draw Phase," Storm Rider explained. "I activate the Spell Card: Passcode Rewrite! This card Special Summons two Cycode Tokens to my field in Defense Position!"

Cycode Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL 1 x 2

"I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Core! In exchange for negating its effects, I can Special Summon a "Cycode" monster with a Level from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Return, Cycode Assailant!"

Cycode Assailant ATK 1500 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

Storm Rider raised his hand. "Appear! The ultimate circuit!" The Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set my two Cycode Tokens, Cycode Serpent and Cycode Assailant in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters entered the top-left, top, bottom, and top-right arrows.

"The new wind that flows throughout this world gives the mighty creature that connects the past and future! I Link Summon! Link-4! Cyber Tech Link Dragon!"

The dragon that emerged from the portal had a blue body, white and yellow lining, and silver claws. It also had a spiral-like tail and jet-like energy wings with white and blue-lining eyes like a circuit board. Two large horns on its head faced forward, with a smaller one on the back of its head. Three small spikes that resembled claws were placed on the "elbow" of the wings. The dragon's red eyes glowed as it released a powerful roar from the Left Extra Monster Zone.

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"Your ace monster is out, eh?" Magnum smirked. "Looks like things are starting to get serious."

"Since the monster Special Summoned by Cycode Core was used as Link Material, I get to draw a card." Storm Rider drew his card, then gestured to his field. "I activate Cyber Tech's effect! Once per turn, I can Tribute a monster it points to and target one Special Summoned monster my opponent controls that's in Attack Position, and until the end of this turn, I can place that monster in a zone it points to and take control of it! I Tribute Swordsman to take control of Combat Scissors Dragon Catapult Cannon. Go, Cryptic Corruption!"

"I won't let you!" Magnum shouted. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Safe Zone! Through its effect, I target one monster on my field, and as long as this card remains, the targeted monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, nor can it be targeted by card effects. I target Black Rose Dragon!"

Storm Rider gritted his teeth. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Link Armaments and equip it to Cyber Tech!" Cyber Tech's armor changed colors from dark blue to silver. "Due to this card's effect, card effects cannot destroy the equipped monster. The equipped monster can inflict piercing battle damage. And it gains 500 attack points for each Link Monster in my Graveyard. My Graveyard has six Link Monsters, so Cyber Tech's attack points increase by 3000!"

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 2500→5500

Sanctum smirked. "A single attack from that dragon will end this! Finish him, Storm Rider!"

"Battle! Cyber Tech attacks Combat Scissors Dragon Catapult Cannon! Digitized Burst Stream!"

The dragon opened its maw and fired a blue energy stream at the monster.

Magnum sneered. "Impressive but not enough! I activate the Trap Card: Waboku! "It reduces all battle damage I take to 0 and prevents my monsters from being destroyed by battle this turn!"

True enough, Cyber Tech's energy stream failed to affect Magnum or his monster in any manner.

"This means I cannot do anything else for now…" Storm Rider clicked his tongue in irritation. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Faris announced. "I draw!"

Storm Rider gestured to his field. "I activate the Trap Cad: Lightforce Claymore! Through its effect, I banish a random card from your Extra Deck. And since I control a Link Monster, you can't activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation!"

"What?" Faris tensed as several cards appeared before her. Soon, a large claymore sword descended from the sky and pierced one of the cards. While it was random, Faris could still check her Extra Deck to see which monsters he had left. And…Her eyes widened.

Sanctum smirked. "Judging from your reaction, it seems Storm Rider was successful." The monster that had been banished was…Leaviath, Dreadnought Fur Hire. Her ace monster was gone.

"Oh my, that's a problem." Faris had a troubled expression but then let out a confident smile. "Fortunately, I have a solution right here. I activate the Spell Card: Card of Burial Magic, whose effect allows me to draw two cards from my Deck by banishing three Spell Cards from my Graveyard. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization! This card lets me Fusion Summon one Fusion monster from my Extra Deck by using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Materials. I use Dyna, Hero Fur Hire on my field, Helmer, Helmsman Fur Hire and Wiz, Sage Fur Hire from my hand as Fusion Materials!"

Two silhouettes, one an anthropomorphic, blue-skinned monster with the tail of a fish and wearing a sailor's outfit, and the other anthropomorphic, pink female octopus wearing a sailor's outfit with a golden rope around her lower waist, appeared. Wiz turned to red particles, Helmer turned to blue particles, and Dyna turned to green particles before they swirled into a vortex. Three tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a white and yellow whirlwind.

"Massive creature of the land, make all who roam it tremble with your unrelenting might! I Fusion Summon! Arise! Guardian Chimera!"

A massive, four-headed armored beast with large wings appeared. One head was that of an eagle, the second head was that of a dragon, the third head was that of a horned fiend, and the fourth head was that of a snake at the end of its tail. All four heads roared at Storm Rider and Sanctum, ready for battle.

Guardian Chimera ATK 3300 DEF 3300 LVL: 9

"Look at the size of that thing!" Sanctum cried out. "It's almost as big as the Statue of Liberty! How is that possible!?"

"Guardian Chimera's effect activates!" Faris declared. "Since it was Fusion Summoned through the effect of a Spell Card, I can draw cards equal to the number of monsters used as Fusion Material from my hand, as well as destroy cards on the opponent's field equal to the number of monsters used as Fusion Material from the field. Two monsters from my hand were used, so I draw two cards." Faris drew, then said, "And one monster was used on our field, which means one card on your field's destroyed. I destroy Link Armaments!"

All three heads breathed fire at Storm Rider's Equip Spell, destroying it and making Cyber Tech lose its attack boost.

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 5500→2500

"From there, I activate the Spell Card: Forbidden Substance!" Faris continued. "This card lets Guardian Chimera attack twice this turn. Now, let's battle! Guardian Chimera, take down Cyber Tech Link Dragon! Flames of the Mighty!"

All the heads breathed orange fire at the Link Monster. But…

"You're not taking me down that easily!" Storm Rider exclaimed as he gestured to his field. "I activate the Trap Card: Link Barrier! When this card is activated, I can prevent my Link Monster from being destroyed in battle this turn. Also, I can reduce the damage I take involving it equal to its Link Rating times 500. Cyber Tech is Link-4, so the damage is reduced by 2000!"

Following Storm Rider's words, a translucent formed before the dragon, protecting it from harm.

"As expected from Storm Rider, you managed to withstand the first attack." Faris clapped. "However, your partner is a different story. Go, Guardian Chimera! Attack Sanctum directly!"

"Unfortunately, that won't happen!" Sanctum shouted. "I activate the Trap Card: World Legacy Backup!" The card showed Crusadia Maximus, Crusadia Arboria and Crusadia Reclusia uploading the memories of several damaged Mekk-Knights contained within special stasis tubes. "It lets me Special Summon a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Deck. However, it'll be banished during the End Phase. Aid me, Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset!"

A silver, black, and orange warrior with two shields appeared on Sanctum's field in Defense Position.

Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset ATK 800 DEF 3000 LVL: 6

"Furthermore, the monster summoned through World Legacy Backup can't be destroyed and is unaffected by card effects this turn."

A barrier formed around Orange Sunset, protecting it from Guardian Chimera's attack.

"Man, I was so close…." Faris muttered. "In that case, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Double Check! Due to its effect, it destroys Cyber Tech Link Dragon since Guardian Chimera failed to destroy it in battle!"

A lightning bolt erupted from Faris's card, striking and destroying Storm Rider's monster.

"With this, I end my turn. And since it's the End Phase, the final effect of World Legacy Backup resolves and banishes Orange Sunset."

Following Faris's words, the silver and orange Mekk-Knight disintegrated.

Storm Rider frowned as he turned to his partner. "Sanctum…I'm sorry… I couldn't do more…"

"You did plenty already." Sanctum smiled. "Now relax and leave the rest to me. I'll win this for sure."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Magnum said. "Faris and I each control a monster with over 3000 attack points. Not to mention, you can't destroy or target mine with card effects. What makes you think you can take out the both of us in a single turn?"

"Well, you know what they say," Sanctum stated. "If you don't succeed at first, try, try again! And I'll prove that here and now! My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Variation, whose effect lets me draw two cards from my Deck. But I must send one card from my hand to the Graveyard at the end of my turn. Otherwise, I take 3000 points of damage."

"The die is cast," Faris muttered. "Sanctum has to defeat Magnum and me in this turn, or she'll lose the Duel due to her own card's effect. Leaving Storm Rider by himself. I hope she draws some good cards there."

Upon checking out her drawn cards, Sanctum let out a small smile.

Perfect. With this card, I can make a comeback and win this.

"Before I finish this Duel, thank you, Magnum." Sanctum unexpectedly said. "If you hadn't activated Safe Zone, I would have probably been unable to counterattack. You helped me here."

"Eh?" Magnum tilted his head to this side in confusion. "What are you saying? Have you gone crazy from despair? What can you accomplish with your field empty and only three cards in your hands?"

"I can win this Duel!" Sancrum declared with evident confidence. "And these three cards are the pieces of it! First, I activate the Spell Card: Mekk-Knight Battle! Through its effect, I can Special Summon as many "Mekk-Knight" monsters from my hand, Graveyard, and banish zone at the cost of negating their effects, halving all damage my opponent takes for the remainder of the turn and limiting me to only summoning one monster from the Extra Deck. I Special Summon Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star and Spectrum Supreme!"

Two portals appeared on Sanctum's field, with her two monsters emerging from them.

Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘

Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Appear, the circuit of illumination!" Lightning shot from Sanctum's hand and created a Link portal. "Link Arrows Authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more Extra Deck monsters. I set the Link-3 Spectrum Supreme and Morning Star in the Link Arrows!"

Her monsters entered the left, right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-4! Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax!"

A young warrior with cyan hair in silver armor, blue lines across it, and a tattered cape and shield appeared on Sanctum's field in the Extra Monster Zone as he swung his sword.

Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

"Crusadia Avaramax…?" Magnum wondered. "I will admit that monster of yours is impressive, but what can you do with a mere 3000 attack points? Furthermore, even if you manage to strengthen it, you'll only be able to defeat one of us."

"I beg to differ," Sanctum smirked. "I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn! With this, I can summon a monster from any player's Graveyard! I summon Cyber Tech Link Dragon from Storm Rider's Graveyard!"

Cyber Tech reappeared, letting out a roar.

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"Why would she summon Storm Rider's ace?" Faris wondered. "What is she planning?"

"Cyber Tech may not be as much help since I can't use its effect," Sanctum said, taking the last card from her hand. "But it's a different story after I play this! I activate the Equip Spell Card: Infernal Gauntlet and equip it to Crusadia Avramax!" Soon, the Link Monster's sword arm was covered in a dark red muscle mass. "Now, let's battle! Crusadia Avramax, attack Guardian Chimera! And at this moment, Avramax's effect activates! When this card battles an opponent's Special Summoned monster, it gains attack points equal to that monster's attack during damage calculation only!"

Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax ATK 3000→6300

"6300 attack points!?" Faris gasped.

Sanctum smirked. "Even with the damage halved, it's still enough to finish you off! Go, Crusadia Avramax! Courageous Charge!"

Following Sanctum's command, the armored warrior lashed out with its sword, cutting Heraklinos from shoulder to hip and causing a giant explosion that destroyed the monster and sent Faris flying back. She grunted as she landed painfully on her back.

Faris: 200→0 LP

Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax ATK 6300→3000

"Faris!" Magnum cried out in worry. He growled as he turned back to Sanctum. "Not bad. However, you have no more attacks! On my next turn—"

"There won't be a next turn for you!" Sanctum declared mercilessly. "I activate Infernal Gauntlet's effect! By Tributing a monster I control, the equipped monster can attack again. And I think it's obvious what my choice will be, right?"

"Cyber Tech…Link Dragon…" Magnum said with a somewhat trembling voice as Storm Rider's ace disintegrated and its particles entered Avramax's arm. "And with its effect, I'll take 1500 damage…which will wipe out my Life Points."

"Someone give this fellow a prize." Sanctum clapped. "In any case, this is the end! Finish him off, Avramax! And thanks to its effect, it gains your monster's attack points!"

Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax ATK 3000→6600

The Mekk-Knight Link Monster charged forward and struck Combat Scissors Dragon Catapult Cannon with its broadsword. Although it failed to destroy it, the shockwave continued onwards. Striking Magnum as he was knocked off his feet and landed on his back, groaning in pain.

Magnum: 800→0 LP

Sanctum breathed a sigh of relief, smirked, and held out a fist. "We won, Storm Rider."

Storm Rider stared at the extended fist before he recognized the gesture. He held out his fist and bumped hers. "That we did; your last move was played out expertly."

"I agree. This duel of ours surely makes my Top 5 list," Faris said upon approaching the duo. "However, you could have won the duel by summoning any monster with Monster Reborn. So out of every monster, why go with Storm Rider's ace?"

"What are you saying, Faris?" Sanctum said. "Summoning Cyber Tech, yet not using it to help me get the win would have been a terrible waste. Plus, I could tell it wanted a second chance since it failed to defeat Magnum last turn."

"I see." Faris smiled. "It would have been a shame not to use that monster after calling it out."

"More importantly, Magnum." Storm Rider turned to the purple-haired Duelist. "Per our earlier agreement, you must aid us in stopping the Syndicate. Do you understand"

"Yes, yes, I understand." Magnum huffed. "In addition, I'd like to apologize for my behavior toward the two of you earlier. A role's model job is to inspire and motivate people, but I let my fear get the best of me. Because of that, I became cowardly. However…"

At this point, Magnum started ruffling Sanctum's head with a smile, causing the latter to fidget.

"I'm really glad that, despite my rudeness, you didn't give up on convincing me to help you," Magnum said. "This duel was ample proof of that."

"Glad to have you onboard then." Storm Rider smiled. "However, we should log out. I bet everyone else wonders where we're at and what's taking us so long."

Sanctum, Magnum and Faris nodded, with the four duelists logging out…

OC Card Memo:

Sanctum:

Mekk-Knight Golden Dawn
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Psychic/Pendulum/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 2600 Level: 7 Scale: 3

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn: You can target 1 of your banished "Mekk-Knight" monsters; add it to your hand.

Monster Effect: If 2 or more cards are in the same column, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand) in that column. You can only Special Summon "Mekk-Knight Golden Dawn" once per turn this way. If this card is banished by the effect of a "Mekk-Knight" monster you control: You can draw 1 card.

Mekk-Knight Grey Haze
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Psychic/Pendulum/Effect] ATK 2000 DEF 2000 Level: 5 Scale: 11

Pendulum Effect: "Mekk-Knight" and "World Legacy" Spells/Traps you control cannot be destroyed or targeted by the effects of cards in the same column as them.

Monster Effect: If 2 or more cards are in the same column, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand) in that column. You can only Special Summon "Mekk-Knight Grey Haze" once per turn this way. Once per turn: You can send 1 "Mekk-Knight" or "World Legacy" card from your Deck to the GY.

World Legacy Backup Normal Trap Card
Special Summon 1 "Mekk-Knight" monster from your Deck. It cannot be destroyed by battle and is unaffected by other card effects, but banish it during the End Phase.

Zoey/Faris:

Radar, Harbarger Fur Hire
Attribute: FIRE Type: [Beast/Link/Effect] ATK 1000 LINK-1

1 Level 4 or lower "Fur Hire" monster

If this card is Link Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 monster "Fur Hire" from your Deck to a zone this card points to. If this card is used as material for the Link Summon of a Link Monster "Fur Hire", it gains 1000 ATK until the end of your next turn. You can only use each effect of 'Radar, Harbarger Fur Hire' once per turn.

Beastborg Taurus Jaeger
Attribute: DARK Type: [Machine/Fusion/Effect] ATK 2500 DEF 1200 Level: 6
1 Level 4 or lower Beast-Warrior monster + 1 Level 4 or lower Machine monster
Once per turn: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; negate its effects, then decrease its ATK by 800. If this card is destroyed by battle, and all of the Fusion Materials that were used for its Fusion Summon are in your GY: You can Special Summon all of them.

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire
Attribute: WATER Type: [Aqua/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 1600 Level: 5
If this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 card "Fur Hire" from your GY to your hand. Once per turn: You can discard 1 card "Fur Hire"; shuffle 1 card on the field to the player's Deck. You can only use each effect of "Hammer, Claw Fur Hire" once per turn.

Beastborg Panther Defender
Attribute: DARK Type: [Machine/Link/Effect] ATK 1600 LINK-2 ↙↘
2 Beast-Warrior and/or Machine monsters
If this card is Link Summoned: You can add 1 "Beastborg" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand. Your opponent cannot target "Beastborg" monsters for attacks, except this one. If your "Beastborg" monster battles an opponent's monster, that monster loses ATK equal to the number of "Beastborg" monsters you control x 200 during damage calculation only.

Beastborg Rhino Berserker
Attribute: DARK Type: [Machine/Fusion/Effect] ATK 2300 DEF 1500 Level: 6
1 Level 4 or lower Beast-Warrior monster + 1 Level 4 or lower Machine monster
This Fusion Summoned card can attack all Special Summoned monsters your opponent controls, once each. If this card is destroyed by battle, and all of the Fusion Materials that were used for its Fusion Summon are in your GY: You can Special Summon all of them.

Repair Sentinel
Attribute: DARK Type: [Machine/Effect] ATK 1400 DEF 1600 Level: 4
If this card is sent to the GY as Fusion Material for a Fusion Summon: You can Special Summon 1 Beast-Warrior or Machine monster from your GY in Defense Position. You can only use this effect of "Repair Sentinel" once per turn.

Beastborg Manticore Destroyer
Attribute: DARK Type: [Machine/Fusion/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 1600 Level: 7
1 Level 6 or lower Beast-Warrior monster + 1 Level 5 or higher Machine monster
Your "Beastborg" monsters gain 200 ATK for each "Beastborg" monster you control. If your "Beastborg" monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; negate its effects, then you can destroy it. You can only use this effect of "Beastborg Manticore Destroyer" once per turn. If this card is destroyed by battle, and all of the Fusion Materials that were used for its Fusion Summon are in your GY: You can Special Summon all of them.

Conflict Fur Hire Normal Spell Card
Activate if you control 1 monster "Fur Hire" on your field. You can Special Summon 1 "Fur Hire" monster from your Deck in Defense Position but shuffle it back to your Deck at the end of this turn. You cannot summon other monsters this turn, except monsters "Fur Hire". You can only activate 1 "Fur Hire Conflict" once per turn.

The Mysterious Furasure Continuous Spell Card
When this card is activated, place 1 card "Fur Hire" from your Deck to the top of your Deck. When you control 3 or more monster "Fur Hire": Draw 1 card. When your opponent activates a card or effect (Quick Effect): Target 1 monster "Fur Hire"; it is unaffected by your opponent's card effects until the end of this turn. You can only use each effect of "The Mysterious Furasure" once per turn.

Great Blade, Furcalibur Equip Spell Card
Equip only to a monster "Fur Hire". The equipped monster gains 1000 ATK, attack all monsters your opponent controls, once each and is unaffected by the activated effects of your opponent's monsters. You can banish this card from your GY: Add 1 "Legendary Pistol, Furshoot" from your Deck to your hand. You can only control 1 "Great Blade, Furcalibur". You can only activate 1 "Great Blade, Furcalibur" once per turn.

Fandora's Last Stand Continuous Spell Card
"HERO" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects. Once per turn: You can target 1 "HERO" you control; other monsters you control cannot attack, and until your next Standby Phase, that monster gains the following effect.
-This card gains 200 ATK for each "HERO" monster in your GY, also if this card attacks and destroys your opponent's monster by battle, it can make a second attack in a row.

Storm Rider:

Cycode Gladiator
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑→
2+ "Cycode" monsters
This Link Summoned card gains these effects depending on the number of monsters it points to.
-1 or more: Once per turn: You can change the battle position of 1 monster this card points to; destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field.
-2 or more: If this card destroys a monster by battle; you gain LP equal to half the destroyed monster's ATK.
-3: You can Tribute 1 monster this card points to; increase this card's ATK by the Tributed monster's ATK.

Link Blockade Continuous Spell Card

During the End Phase: Destroy this card if you do not control at least 1 Link Monster. While this card is face-up on the field, monsters that are not Link Monsters cannot attack. If there is a Link-3 or higher Link Monster on the field: Your opponent cannot target your Spell/Trap Cards with their card effects.

Xander/Magnum:

Combat Scissors Dragon Catapult Cannon
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Machine/Fusion/Effect] ATK 3600 DEF 3000 Level: 11

"VWXYZ - Dragon Catapult Cannon" + "Combat Scissors Beetle"

Must first be Special Summoned (from the Extra Deck) by banishing the above cards you control and/or from your GY.

Once per turn, you can banish 1 card your opponent control and if you do, inflict 1000 damage to their Life Points. If this card attacks, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step.