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?

2. An Unexpected Enemy

Greetings, community. Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, favored, and followed this story! I'm grateful to all of you! Second, I expected this chapter to come out later, but I finished it earlier. So without further ado, here's chapter 2. Enjoy!

Den City Mall, in the morning…

"Ah. It's good to be back."

Said a bespectacled young girl of medium height with medium-length black hair and brown eyes as she entered a mall. After moving to Den City, her parents had her focus on school and her studies. When summer vacation started, she started working at her favorite sushi place. But the new school year was starting, and she needed new clothes.

She blinked in surprise as she walked into the women's section of her favorite store and saw two familiar people. The first individual was a young man with dark blue eyes that complimented his dual-colored electric blue and cyan hair. His attire was simple: a blue jacket with blue steel trim over a white shirt with a red tie and a pair of black pants and white shoes with a stripe of blue running across the front. Standing beside him was a girl with light gray eyes and short-length blonde hair, with a blue clip on the left of her front bangs. Her hair also features two lighter blonde bangs that fall to the side of her face. Her attire consisted of a light blue and white shirt, a blue skirt over shorts held in place by a purple belt wrapped around her waist. Going to the middle of her lower legs were green-yellow socks, with purple boots covering her feet. Around the circumference of her right wrist was a silver bracelet with a blue gem placed in a droplet shape. The girl in question was looking at blouses but had one hand on the boy's arm.

"Ena, I already told you I don't know anything about girls' clothing," the blue-haired boy said. "You couldn't have invited Skye to come down."

"I already told you she was spending the day with her brother," the blonde-haired girl replied.

Lily walked up to the duo, curious about the situation and not seeing them all summer.

"Hello, Yuji and Ena."

The boy and girl turned at her words, and their eyes widened in recognition.

"Lily, hey!" Ena exclaimed in joy. "I assume you're here to shop?"

"Yes, I needed new clothes for the new school year," Lily replied. "I can't believe we're about to be 3rd-years."

"I know," Yuji said. "Summer sure went by quickly. Though it will be nice to see everyone again."

"You said it," Lily said.

"Can I ask a favor of you, Lily?" Yuji asked. "We're looking for new clothes for Ena, but my expertise in girl's clothing is… nonexistent. You mind taking over for me?"

Lily smiled. "Sure. I'd be happy to."

"Yeah! This is going to be fun!" Ena cheered.

The three teenagers walked through the store and looked through the clothing. Lily and Ena found clothes that the former thought would look good on the latter, while Yuji remained silent the whole time. The girls couldn't blame him; this was foreign territory to him.

"You know what I just realized, Ena? I don't how you and Yuji know each other," Lily said.

"No worries. Let me ease that thought of yours," Ena said. "Our parents were friends, and one day when they were visiting, Yuji entered my family's shop and knocked over a counter of flowers."

"Oh, my god. I'm so sorry."

"Tell me about it. I was so mad that I wanted to beat him senselessly. However, as we got older, we grew closer and have been by each other's side ever since."

"No kidding," Lily said. "You could say that you depend on one another."

"You took the words right out of my mouth," Ena said.

After they found a selection of clothes, they went to the changing rooms. Ena went in alone as Lily and Yuji sat some distance away.

"I never noticed it before, but the two of you are very close," Lily mentioned. "I wish I had someone I was close with."

Yuji narrowed her eyes. "Don't worry, Lily. I believe you'll find someone to share yourself with," he said.

"Thanks, Yuji. I appreciate it."

"Yuji? Lily?"

The two teenagers looked up at the voice, and the male promptly blushed. Ena had exited the changing room, wearing some of Lily's recommended clothes. She wore a dark purple skirt with vine patterns and flower designs that went down to her ankles and a light blue blouse that exposed her arms and slightly clung to her figure.

"Do these clothes look okay?" Ena asked.

Man, Yuji thought, trying to get his emotions under control. That expression is not good for my heart.

Lily, who was looking at Yuji, lightly smirked. "It looks lovely on you, Ena," she said, smiling at her. "Don't you think so, Ena?"

Lily's words knocked Yuji out of his stupor. Glaring at her, he said, "Y-Yes, they suit you well."

At his words, Ena blushed. "Thanks," she said before returning to the changing room.

Lily smirked as she glanced at Yuji. "You can hide it all you want, but I can tell you have a soft spot for her," she said. Before Yuji could say anything, Ena returned, dressed in her old clothes and carrying the ones she had tried on.

"These are the ones I like the best," she said. "Thanks for helping me, Lily."

Lily smiled at the girl. "You're welcome. I'll happily join you if you want to do this again."

"I might just have to take you up on that offer."

Lily nodded before turning to Yuji. "It was good to see the both of you today, Yuji," she said. "But I have my shopping to do now. I'll see you at school."

"Of course." Lily walked off, after which Ena and Yuji headed to the cashiers to pay for Ena's clothes before exiting the mall.

At the Den City Shopping District…

Yuji blinked in surprise. "Why are we here?" he asked Ena, who turned to him. The two were standing outside a bookstore in the middle of the shopping district called The Book Worm. Bookstores have never been one of Yuji's favorite places, so it makes sense that he'd never been here.

"I was hoping you would forget about coming to this place," Yuji commented, looking through the window at the displayed books.

Ena raised an eyebrow and frowned. "You know why we're here, Yuji. School starts tomorrow, and you still haven't gotten any textbooks for your classes."

Yuji shrugged. "What's the big deal? I can use yours, right?"

Ena shook her head. "We're now juniors, Yuji." She said, "Next year, we're going to be seniors. And before you know it, we'll be heading to college. You can't always rely on me. You have to be more responsible when dealing with these things."

Yuji narrowed his eyes. He hated to admit it, but Ena was right. Ever since they were kids, he relied on her to help him whenever he put something off. Whether it was doing homework, completing chores, or even remembering his Deck for an upcoming duel. In LINK VRAINS, he's a role model to many people; role models are responsible individuals. If he couldn't be responsible and mature in real life, what's the point of him being a part of the Top 10?

Setting his thought aside, Yuji narrowed his eyes toward Ena. "You're right, Ena. Sorry for not keeping up with my education. I promise not to let it happen again."

Ena's face lit up. "Glad to hear it," she said. "If I recall, you need a US Government, World Language, Computer Science and Calculus textbook, right? I'm sure they have the necessary textbooks. And since you were mature enough to admit your flaws, I'll let you buy one of your favorite mangas from here."

"Are you serious?" Yuji said with a smile. He looked back at the store. While he didn't do much reading in school, he enjoyed reading manga. Especially One Piece, Dragon Ball, Naruto, Bleah or Death Note. "What are we waiting for? Let's head on in and purchase some books!"

The teenagers entered the store. Yuji saw it was rather sparsely crowded, not surprising considering the time of day.

"What aisle do you think school textbooks are in?" Yuji asked Ena, who frowned in thought.

"I'm not sure…," Ena replied.

"Hello. Do you two need some assistance?"

The teenagers jumped and whirled around at the voice behind them. It was a young woman with fair skin, light green eyes, and pinkish-silver hair that reached her shoulders. She wore a black, sleeveless turtleneck under a denim jacket, dark blue jeans, and brown boots. Her green eyes sparkled as she smiled at them.

"Sorry about that," she said. "I didn't mean to startle you. Are either of you looking for something specific?" She narrowed her eyes. "I think you said you were looking for some school textbooks."

"You heard right," Ena replied. "Do you have US Government, World Language, Computer Science and Calculus textbooks?"

The girl raised an eyebrow. "Yes, in the education section. We just got it in a new shipment a few days ago." She then narrowed her eyes at the duo. "I'm sorry, but the two of you seem familiar. Have we met before?"

Yuji raised an eyebrow. "I doubt it. But if you want to know, I'm Yuji, and this is Ena. What's your name?"

"Oh, yes. Sorry," she said, bowing slightly. "My name is Sabrina Grimms. And my family are the proud owners of this establishment."

"Your family owns this place?" Ena said, surprised. "If that's the case, why are you the only one here?"

"They're currently in Cancun celebrating their anniversary," Sabrina answered. "Besides owning this bookstore, they're also the proud authors of the famous Skyfire Cycle series."

"Skyfire?" Yuji repeated. "Are you telling me your parents are responsible for creating the Skyfire Cycle?" "What is happening?" Ena said, with a confused look on her face.

"Seriously, Ena? You never heard of the Skyfire Cycle!" 12 books chronicling the war between sky and sand, clouds and rocks, the Sepsidians and Grantitans."

"My my. Aren't you a big fan?" Sabrina said with a smirk.

"Oh, so it's like a "Game of Thrones" type thing?" Ena assumed.

"No, "Game of Thrones" is a "Skyfire" type thing!" Yuji corrected her.

"Okay, I'm sorry. Jeez.

"Anyway, the education section is over there," Sabrina pointed to her. "It should be fairly easy to find." Se turned to Yuji. "If you would like, I can show you some early drafts of the first Skyfire books in the back."

"I would love to," Yuji said, smiling at Sabrina. "Is that okay with you, Ena?"

"It's fine," Ena said. "Go ahead and have fun. You deserve it."

She hurried off. Sabrina chuckled to himself as she and Yuji headed to the back room. From there, Sabrina opened a box of papers and handed a set to Yuji.

"This is the best day of my life!" Yuji said with a big smile. It had been a long time since he'd read the Skyfire series. Before he met Ena, he was a very lonely kid and spent most of his time reading those books. He was upset when they stopped being made, and they were lost in the move to Den City, forcing him to resort to reading manga. But it was nice to relive his childhood.

"I have to say, I'm surprised."

Yuji turned to Sabrina after hearing her words.

"Oh, don't mind me," the girl said. "It's just… most of the people I've met who read The Skyfire Cycle are little kids who discover it at their school's library or the public one. And the few teenagers we get are usually looking for books for reports or manga." She looked down at the book of pages in Yuji's hands. "It's rare to meet a fellow book worm."

Yuji raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Does that mean you're also into science fiction? What's your favorite series?"

"Harry Potter," Sabrina replied. "I had to read it and write a report on it in the 5th grade. Unlike the other students, I enjoyed reading it and became a huge fan. Guess you could say the books spoke to me."

"I completely understand," Yuji said. "'As the Cloud Rock says... You found yourself in your struggle. The truth is what you came for and found within your strife. Be brave for Tolgan. Tolgan the last, Tolgan the first, Tolgan."

Sabrina was impressed. "You've surely read the series a lot."

Yuji nodded. "As you said, the books spoke to me."

Sabrina smiled. "Well, I can give you a complete box set free of charge if you like."

"Seriously?!" Yuji said, surprised. "Thank you so much!"

"No problem. Let's head up front so I can check it out for you."

Yuji nodded and led the way to the cash register. After getting his free box set, he walked to the entrance, where Ena awaited him.

"You got the textbooks?" Yuji asked her.

Ena nodded in responded, "Sure did. And it seems you got a complete box set of the books. Looks like you're having a great day so far."

"I sure am." As the two teenagers headed outside, Sabrina frowned to himself.

I swear I've seen that boy somewhere before, he thought. And the girl looks familiar too, but why? How do I know those two?

After leaving the bookstore, Yuji and Ena visited various places in the Den City Shopping District for the next few hours. The video store, the produce market and the district's central area. However, there was one stop that Yuji and Ena made before returning home.

"Yuji! Yuji!" Ena said, pulling his arm and stopping him from walking. "Look! An adorable stuffed black teddy bear!"

He turned in the direction that Ena was looking. Sure enough, she was right. There, indeed, was a stuffed black bear in the Den City Arcade. "It's inside the Den City Arcade. If you want, we can go there." As if in confirmation, Ena pulled him along to the arcade. "Hold on. If you want to go in there, I must get you a Power Play card."

"A Power Play card? What's that?" Ena asked as she and Yuhiro walked inside the arcade.

"Oh yeah. I forgot that you're not much of a gamer. It lets you play all the games inside here," Yuji explained. "You pay for a card loaded with a specific amount of chips and then use that card to play the game." Walking towards the counter, they noticed a familiar face rush holding Power Play cards.

"I'd like one collectible coin each of Seraph, Brawler, Chevalier, Charmcaster, and Roselyn, please," Shima said to the person there.

"That'll be one-hundred-thousand tickets, please," the man at the counter replied.

"Done and done." Shima complied, giving him the card. "After coming here so many times and playing the games, I can finally complete the Top 10 Charisma Duelist coins set, along with Gore, Blue Maiden, Soulburner, Sanctum, and Storm Rider!"

"Collectible coins?" Yuji questioned, scaring Shima as he turned behind him in shock.

"Yuji? Ena? What are you two doing here?" Shima asked.

"I believe I asked you a question first. What coins are you talking about?" Yuhiro interjected.

"These!" Shima answered, grabbing them from the man at the counter and showing them to Yuji.

"Isn't collecting pro-duelist memorabilia a little excessive?" Yuji raised an eyebrow. There was nothing wrong with being a collector, but if it reached the point where it took over someone's life, then some intervention would be required.

"Hey, I'm just a simple guy," Shima replied. "A simple guy who immediately buys something related to the heroes of LINK VRAINS when it becomes available!" Suddenly, Shima's Duel Disk beeped, causing him to look at the notification. Upon doing so, his eyes widened in surprise. "Gotta run! The set of posters I saved a month's allowance for has arrived!" He then sped out of the arcade and ran home.

Ena's sweat dropped after witnessing the scene. "Shima truly is a peculiar guy, isn't he?"

"You're not wrong about that statement." Yuji agreed. He got a Power Play card for himself and Ena at the counter before heading towards the game with the biggest number of tickets offered as a top prize. "Skeez Ball? Seriously?"

"It says that if we get at least 100,000 points or more, we'll win fifty-thousand tickets!" Ena squealed. "A shame this isn't a two-player game. Then this would be a walk in the park."

"I'm sure you can do it," Yuji assured her. "Good luck." He then watched Ena swiped her card and launched the ball into different holes. Even though she managed to get the ball inside the 10,000-point hole, the game proved hard because the player only had a minute. And unfortunately, she only gathered 35,000 points.

"Aw, man!" Enal said. "But I'm not giving up!" She swiped her card five times and got further to the necessary score each time. Sadly, she couldn't make it to 100,000 points.

"No, no, no, no!" She realized that all the chips on her card were used up. "I was so close to gathering 100,000 points!"

"Check it out! That girl couldn't win at Skeez Ball!"

Yuji turned around, only to see a group of teens approach them.

"Hey, cut her some slack. She did her best, and this is her first time playing." Yuji told the leader of the group.

"You got a problem, bro?" the leader questioned. He then motioned for Yuji to look at the leader's score. At the top contained the name Exterminator, and beside it was a score of 1,000,000 points. "You see that score? It's proof I aced this game, which means respect here at this arcade." He then turned to Ena. It would be best to tell your friend that this game isn't for her. Uh-oh. Somebody's got a frowny face. Better luck next time."

The leader and his posse laughed as Ena turned to Yuji, giving him sad puppy-dog eyes.

There's no way I'm letting these guys bully Ena. Time to give them a taste of their own medicine, he decided. "Okay. My turn," Yuji told the leader and his posse as he walked over to the seat and sat on it. Yuji swiped his card to start the game. To the leader and his posse's surprise, Yuji quickly got each ball in the 10,000-point hole, racking up tons of points.

"What? There's no way you can reach my high score!" the leader exclaimed. "You must be cheating!"

"Nope. I have more experience in arcade games." Yuji replied as he kept getting the ball in the hole, finishing the game with a high score of 5,000,000 points and making him the top player. "Aced it."

"Impossible!" the leader stated, furiously grabbing Yuji by the collar of his shirt as he stood up. "I'm the top player of Skeez Ball, and no one-." His speech was cut short as Yuji headbutted him with enough force to break his nose.

"Boss!" one member of the posse said.

"This is what's going to happen," Yuji told the leader and his posse. "You're going to give your Power Play cards to my friend and me before leaving. You will also never tell anyone what happened today. If you don't, we'll report all of you to the local authorities for bodily harm."

"As the authorities would believe you!" the leader declared.

"I'm best friends with the sister of Akiza Zaizen," Ena explained, scaring the leader and his posse. A smirk formed on her face. "If he were involved, it would get much worse for you. After all, I wonder what he would do to the three of you for threatening to hurt a girl like me."

Afraid of what might happen, the leader and his posse immediately grab their Power Play cards and drop them to the ground in front of Yuji and Ena.

"Let's get out of there!" one said as they ran out of the arcade.

"Okay, Ena," Yuhiro said, turning to her. "With that out of the way, which game do you want to play next?"

Meanwhile, LINK VRAINS Warehouse District…

Glacia looked around the corner and frowned. "You're sure this is the place, Desperado?"

Standing beside Glacia and Astro while leaning against the warehouse side, Desperado rolled his eyes. "As sure as I can be. I heard of a gang, The Duel Hunters, who hang in this warehouse. They're known for ambushing strong duelists and taking their rarest card. They make the perfect guinea pig for this mission."

Astro turned back and frowned at him. "But didn't you volunteer to distribute the program yourself? You're going against your promise to Queen Priscilla."

"Yes and no. While volunteering to distribute the program, I didn't specifically say I would do it."

"He's got you there, Astro," Glacia said.

Astro scowled. "Why did I agree to put up with this?"

"To get revenge on Storm Rider, and you know it."

Astro sighed as Glacia smirked. Then she turned around to see Desperado had already entered the warehouse, so they followed suit.

In an unknown abandoned warehouse near the harbor, several explosions were heard inside the building and grunts that sounded like fighting.

From the inside, as explosions were happening on one side, A muscular middle-aged man was yelling. He had brown eyes and dark blue hair with spikes high above his head. He had canine teeth that somewhat stuck out of his mouth. He wore a gray coat with ripped sleeves and a dark blue shirt underneath it. He also wore brown pants and boots.

"Next, next! What's the problem? Why are you stopping? I must fight now!" The unknown man looked intensely as he stared at his subordinates, who were tired from dueling all night as they had their Duel Disks activated on their arms.

One of his men spoke, "Ah, sir, we've been at it all night! We need a break!" The ones on their knees nodded as they were exhausted as well.

Another member looked distressed as he held his back with his right arm, "Ow, my back is aching. I think I might be getting a cramp."

However, the muscular man laughed before holding out his duel disk, "Prepare to duel! I'm not pumped enough yet!"

Suddenly, another member walked up. He narrowed his eyes and held out his hand, "Alright, go get him! Kaiser Vorse Raider!"

A beastly-blue warrior wearing spike armor and a purple jacket swung his axe toward the muscular man.

The man, however, was unfazed as he held up a card. He smirked as he placed it on his Duel Disk, "...Unleash your fury, Zerrziel!" It was too dark to see what the monster looked exactly like. But its summon caused the entire room to shake in its power.

The man chuckled a little as the ground trembled, "C'mon! Is that all you got? Can't anyone of you provide me challenge? It's been so long since I've found someone worthy of my skills!" He looked at his men, "Perk up, ladies! We're just getting started!" The man's monster, Zerrziel, howled loudly as it created a shockwave that created an explosion and pushed everyone back into the walls except for him, who stood proudly.

Everyone else was groaning from the pain of being slammed into the walls. The man laughed as the wind died, "Wait, Top 10! I, Phantom, am going to crush you!"

"Why wait? Why not get a head start?"

Startled, everyone turned around to see Desperado, Glacia and Astro.

"Forgive me," Desperado said. His voice was harsh and low, barely above a whisper. "The name's Desperado. These two here are Glacia and Astro. Apologies for our sudden arrival. We didn't mean to interrupt your little sparring session, but I couldn't help but overhear you saying you want to take on LINK VRAINS' Top 10. Today is your lucky day because if you and your crew pledge your loyalty to my superior, she'll give you the power to take down the Top 10 and even control LINK VRAINS. What do you say?"

Phantom narrowed his eyes. "What do I say? I say this! Get them, boys!"

The trio and the thugs blinked. The one behind them ran at Glacia, while the two on the left and right charged at Desperado and Astro.

Desperado turned his head in time to see the thug on the right's fist head towards his head. He reflexively caught said thug's fist in his left hand. He twisted the man's hand, causing him to cry out in pain. Astro reached out with his hand and grabbed the man on his left elbow, using his smaller size and the thug's momentum to throw him over his shoulder, right at his other opponent. The two men hit each other, knocking each other to the ground.

Astro looked for Glacia and saw the last thug wrap his arms around her, restraining her. Before he could help her, she stepped on his right foot with the heel of her boot, making him cry out in pain. She pushed her head back, bashing his nose in. The man loosened his grip, allowing Glacia to escape. She quickly turned around and lashed out with her leg, hitting him in the side, knocking him to the ground, and groaning in pain.

Phantom stood in shock after watching his men get beat up. "Impossible…"

"Now, I'm going to ask you again," Desperado said. "Will you work for my leader?"

"Even if I agree, I feel like there's something I have to do first, am I right?" Phantom asked.

"Nothing gets past you, that's for sure." Desperado pressed a button on his Duel Disk, causing a glowing green card to materialize. "This program will put everyone in LINK VRAINS in a comatose state. Once the Top 10 learn about this tragic incident, they will come out to help stop it. Your mission is to beat one of them in a duel. Do that, and my master will reward you handsomely."

Following Desperado's words, he threw the program to Phantom, who caught it before he, Glacia and Astro left the warehouse.

"I have to say, Desperado, you know how to put on a show," Astro said.

"Not a big deal. I do these things from time to time," he replied.

Two hours later...

Despite the scuffle with the group of teens, Yujoi and Ena had a lot of fun inside the Den City Arcade. Once they were finished, they procured the stuffed bear for Ena and a little something for Kolter before leaving.

"It's so soft and cute!" Ena said, hugging the bunny as they left the shopping district. "Thank you so much, Yuji! You showed those dumb bullies who's boss!"

"No problem, Ena," Yuji replied, happy she was having a good time. Suddenly, she heard Yuji's stomach rumble.

"Hee-Hee." Ena covered her mouth to muffle her laughter. "Looks like someone's hungry." As if on cue, her stomach rumbled as well.

"Guess I'm not the only one," Yuji responded. "I know a good cafe nearby. I've heard they've got some great..."

"Ahhh!"

The two teenagers became startled after hearing the scream before turning around to see it was coming from Shima.

"Shima?" Ena questioned. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Shima repeated. "Everyone in LINKS VRAINS is being put into a coma! That's what's wrong!"

The duo walked over toward Shima and looked at his tablet. It showed multiple people unconscious on the ground.

"What do you think caused this, Yuji?" Ena asked.

"I don't think it was something," he replied. "More like someone. Sorry, Shima. But we have to run."

"No sweat. But if you're thinking of entering LINK VRAINS, don't!"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Yuji said as he and Ena entered a nearby alleyway.

Yuji and Ena put on their Duel Disks and entered the truck's backroom.

"You ready, Ena?" Yuji asked.

"Always," she replied.

"It's time to link into the VRAINS!"

A sphere of light surrounded Yuji as he spread his arms. Yuji's appearance changed to that of his digital avatar. He wore a blue and green jumpsuit with blue boots. A yellow line ran from his legs up his right arm. A grey belt appeared around his waist. His once downward hair was now spiky and swept upward and had purple highlights, contrasting with white bangs that fell to the right side of his face. The last part to change was his eyes, changing from dark blue to gold. He was no longer Yuji Sugimuto. Now he was Storm Rider.

A sphere of blue light surrounded Ena as she spread out her arms. Her appearance changed to that of her digital avatar. She now had purple eyes, two-toned silver hair with purple fringes, and wore a mechanical silver-white jumpsuit with several pieces of golden armor and a small gauntlet on each arm, with the left one housing her Duel Disk. No longer was she Ena Yamishiro. Now she was Sanctum.

In LINK VRAINS...

Storm Rider and Sanctum emerged onto a building in LINK VRAINS. As they saw on Shima's tablet, many people were unconscious on the ground.

"Glad to see the two of you could make it." Storm Rider and Sanctum turned and saw three individuals. The first was a well-built young man with dark hair, a chin beard and a gold hat. He wore a large jacket that exposed his chest with dark pants, a golden belt, large boots with gold-plated buckles, and gold plates on his arms over black finger-less gloves.

The second duelist was a teenage girl with light blue hair with dark blue highlights that were wavy and extended to the small of her back. She retained her blue eyes but gained a teardrop tattoo and heart-shaped earrings. She wore a long black, white, and blue sleeveless waistcoat with a pink and black skirt, a golden belt, and a black armband with a pink stone on her left arm. Her forearms were covered by black wristguards with blue wings on the ends and pointed pink tips at her hands. She wore blue, pink, and black tights with pink and black boots with blue wings.

The third duelist was a young man with golden eyes. He wore a red, orange, yellow, and gray bodysuit with a red scarf and red gauntlet on his left arm. His spiky bangs were red and orange, while the rest of his hair was light blue and dark blue.

"Gore, Blue Maiden and Soulburner?" Sanctum asked. "What are you guys doing here?"

"What does it look like? We're here to investigate the situation," Gore answered.

"You guys can leave this area to us," Blue Maiden said. "Charmcaster, Chevalier and Roselyn are in one area evacuating unaffected civilians while Brawler and Seraph are using a cure to wake up the ones affected.

"So while we lend them a hand with that, the two of you can locate the person responsible for this," Soulburner said with a smirk.

"You got it!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "Let's go, Sanctum!"

The two jumped off the building as their D-Boards appeared as they rode off.

In the Syndicate Stronghold...

"Storm Rider and Sanctum just logged into LINK VRAINS, Queen Priscilla," Umbra stated, looking at the monitor as it showed a notification.

"So they have," Priscilla replied, with a smirk on her face. "How interesting indeed."

"Would you like one of us to go after them?"

"As much as I want to, no," Priscilla answered, turning to face Umbra. "I want to see how Desperado's plan plays out first."

In LINK VRAINS...

"I just patched the coordinates to your Duel Disk, you guys," Kolter said through an earpiece as Storm Rider and Sanctum rode their D-Boards on the data stream.

"Perfect." Storm Rider replied, looking at them. "If we hurry, we'll be able to find the person responsible for this mess."

"Yeah!" Sanctum agreed. "You think whoever did this was hired by someone?"

"If you want your question answered, go through me."

The duo looked behind upon hearing the voice, only to see Phantom zoom right past them on his D-Board. Phantom swerved his D-Board so he could face Storm Rider.

"So, I assume you're responsible for all this?" Storm Rider asked. "How about you do both of us a favor and surrender?"

"I have a better idea. How about the two of us duel instead?" Phantom suggested. "My name is Phantom, and I've been sent to dispose of you two."

"Dispose of us?" Sanctum repeated. "And who exactly sent you to do that?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Phantom said as he fired a red cord from his Duel Disk, which wrapped around Storm Rider's wrist. "I caught you with my Duel Anchor, which means you can't leave until you beat me in a Duel."

"Is that so?" Storm Rider responded, activating his Duel Disk. "Then it looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson!"

"So be it," Phantom replied, activating his Duel Disk.

"Take him down, Storm Rider!" Sanctum exclaimed. "I'll head back and help the others. Promise me you'll win."

"Relax, Sanctum. This guy has nothing on me!" Storm Rider replied with a smirk. Sanctum smiled as she turned around. "Now, let's see if your dueling skills are as good as your trash talk."

"I'm going to make you eat those words!" Phantom retorted.

"Speed Duel!" Storm Rider and Phantom shouted at the same time.

Storm Rider: 4000 LP

Phantom: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," Storm Rider said, taking a card from his hand. "I Special Summon Cycode Illusionist!"

A red curtain appeared on the field. It pulled back, revealing a robot in a tuxedo and top hat carrying a wand.

Cycode Illusionist ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"I can Special Summon Illusionist when no monsters are on the field," Storm Rider explained. "But Illusionist's attack points become 1800 as a result."

Cycode Illusionist ATK 2400→1800

"When Illusionist is Special Summoned by its effect, I can add one "Cycode" card from my Deck to my hand," Storm Rider said. "I add Cycode Acrobat to my hand." He did so, then said, "I summon Cycode Masterframe!"

A hacker-like human with dark brown hair wearing a dark orange hoodie outfit and dark orange goggles that glow with white circuit lining across the lenses. He wears a heavy right gauntlet glove and hoverboots.

Cycode Masterframe ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Cycode" monster from my hand. Come on out, Cycode Acrobat!"

A female-like android in a light blue leotard, leg warmers, and arm sleeves with a silver hoop in its right hand appeared next to Masterframe in Attack Position.

Cycode Acrobat ATK 1700 DEF 1400 LVL: 5

"Amazing! Storm Rider brought out three monsters nearly instantly!" Hayami cheered.

"Acrobat's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned by a "Cycode" card's effect, I can add a "Cycode" card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cycode Half-Guard to my hand. Now I'll create my circuit!"

Storm Rider raised his hand as it glowed blue 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-like monster appeared in the Right Extra Monster Zone with turbine-like wings.

Cycode Sky Eagle ATK 300 LINK-1 ↙

"Sky Eagle's effect activates!" Storm Rider continued. "When it's Link Summoned, I can add a "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Masterframe to my hand. Now, I'll build my circuit again!"

The Link Portal appeared again above Storm Rider.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse Effect Monsters. I set Cycode Acrobat and Illusionist 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 Buster!"

A male humanoid wearing a digital-like energy trench coat wielding a rifle-like energy blaster appeared, summoned to Sky Eagle's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Cycode Buster ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←↓

"Cycode Buster's effect activates! When Link Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard to its Link Arrow. Resurrect, Cycode Illusionist!"

The robot in a tuxedo reappeared on Storm Rider's field at Buster's bottom Link Arrow.

Cycode Illusionist ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"The monster Special Summoned by Cycode Buster's effect has its effects negated," Storm Rider stated. "I build my circuit again!" The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider again as his hand glowed blue. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Cycode" monsters. I set Link-2 Cycode Buster and Sky Eagle in the Link Arrows!"

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

I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cycode Deleter!"

A purple and silver humanoid monster with a bulky body wearing a blue vest wielding digital-like batons emerged from the portal, summoned to Extra Monster Zone.

Cycode Deleter ATK 2100 LINK-3 ←↘→

"Cycode Sky Eagle's effect activates! When it is used to Link Summon, all my monsters gain 400 attack points!"

Cycode Deleter ATK 2100→2500

Cycode Acrobat ATK 2400→2800

"I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Phantom exclaimed. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Evil Eye Reemergence! This card lets me Special Summon one Familiar of the Evil Eye Token to my field. Now emerge!"

A yellow eyeball in a lens floated onto Phantom's field.

Familiar with the Evil Eye Token ATK 400 DEF 400 LVL: 1

"Appear! The circuit of the all-consuming Evil Eye!" A Link Portal soon appeared above him. "The summoning condition is one "Evil Eye" monster! I'll set the Evil Eye Token into the Link Arrow!"

The token turned into a red tornado of energy that went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Beltran, Familiar of the Evil Eye!"

A violet-colored raven flew onto Ace's field in the Right Extra Monster Zone. On Beltran's head was a small, red eye.

Beltran, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 100 LINK-1

Storm Rider raised an eyebrow. Evil Eye? I've never heard of this archetype.

"When Beltran is successfully Link Summoned, I'm allowed to add an "Evil Eye" card from my Deck to my hand." A card popped out of Phantom's Deck, which he added to his hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Glare of the Evil Eye!" The card showed a red eyeball with a yellow pupil glaring intensely at a white-haired man as he bravely approached it, holding the red and silver lens in his right hand. "This card lets me target one card you control and negate its effects until the End Phase. I target Cycode Deleter!"

A red blast of light fired out of the card and hit Deleter, greying him out.

"Cycode Deleter!" Storm Rider exclaimed. Now his monsters are immune to its banishing effect.

"Next, I summon Medusa, Watcher of the Evil Eye!"

A purple-haired girl wearing black and green clothes appeared.

Medusa, Watcher of the Evil Eye ATK 1400 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

"Medusa's effect activates!" Phantom continued. "When it is Normal Summoned, I can add an "Evil Eye" card from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Glare of the Evil Eye to my hand. Then, as I control an "Evil Eye" monster, I can Special Summon Basilius, Familiar of the Evil Eye."

A blue and black serpent appeared in Attack Position and hissed at Storm Rider.

Basilius, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 400 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"I activate Basilius's effect! Once per turn, I can send one "Evil Eye" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Evil Eye of Confrontation to the Graveyard. Appear once again! The circuit of the all-consuming Evil Eye!" A second Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two monsters, one of which must be an "Evil Eye" monster! I'll set Medusa, Watcher of the Evil Eye, and Beltran, Familiar of the Evil Eye, into the Link Arrows!"

Beltran went into the top arrow, while Medusa went into the bottom arrow.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed!"

A white-haired monster wearing a black and purple dress covered in white and red armor emerged from the portal at the Right Extra Monster Zone. A white mechanical device covered her left eye with a red lens.

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Gorgon's effect! It gains 100 attack points for each "Evil Eye card with a different name in my Graveyard," Phantom explained. "There are four "Evil Eye" cards, so Gorgon gains 400 attack points."

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 1900→2300

"Appear for the third time! The circuit of the all-consuming Evil Eye!" A third Link Portal appeared above Phantom. "The summoning conditions are one "Evil Eye" monster! I'll set Basilius, Familiar of the Evil Eye in the Link Arrow!"

Basilius went into the top arrowhead, turning it red.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Huan, Familiar of the Evil Eye!"

A black fox with three tails ran out of the Link Portal and onto Phantom's field in the Main Monster Zone Gorgon was pointing to, resulting in them being co-linked. The small creature had pieces of purple armor on its body, legs, and head. The creature also had two sets of ears: Two big ones at the top and two little ones on its sides. Upon seeing Storm Rider, Huan narrowed its red eye and growled at him.

Huan, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↑

"As there's one more "Evil Eye" card in the Graveyard with a different name, Gorgon gains 100 more attack points," Phantom added.

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 2300→2400

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure!" Phantom continued. The card showed an open treasure chest with Mistar Boy racing towards it. "This card lets me draw a draw for each Link Monster on the field. With four Link Monsters, I draw four cards."

Phantom smiled on seeing what he drew. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Solidarity! Since I have only Fiend monsters in my Graveyard, all Fiend monsters I control gain 800 attack points!"

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 2400→3200

Huan, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 1000→1800

"I activate the Spell Card: Forbidden Substance! I can target a monster I control to allow it to attack twice this turn. I select Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed!"

A syringe appeared above Gorgon before injecting itself into Gorgon's body, causing her eyes to turn blue.

"I set two cards face-down. Battle! Huan, Familiar of the Evil Eye attacks you directly!"

To his surprise, Huan charged at Storm Rider, intent on sinking its teeth into him.

"Wait, what? How did you-?" Storm Rider was about to say but then took it back. "I activate the Trap Card: Cycode Half-Guard!" The card showed a cybernetic warrior with two lances and damaged armor. "By discarding one "Cycode" monster from my hand, like Cycode Master, all battle damage I take is halved!"

Before Huan could lunge at Storm Rider, he raised his left arm to act as a shield, causing the fox to bite it instead before being shaken off.

Storm Rider: 4000→3100 LP

"I'm guessing your monster can attack me directly due to its effect, right?" Storm Rider asked.

"That's correct!" Phantom confirmed. "As long as Huan points to an "Evil Eye" monster, it gets to attack you directly. Putting that aside, it's time for Gorgon to attack Cycode Deleter and Cycode Acrobat!"

Gorgon's two lenses lit up before firing a beam of red energy at the two Cycode monsters, blasting a hole inside their bodies before turning into particles. As a result, Storm Rider's body slightly winced.

Storm Rider: 3100→2750→2550 LP

"Cycode 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. Both your monsters battled, so I get to draw two cards!"

"I end my turn," Phantom concluded. "I must say, Storm Rider. Even after setting up a strong field, I still managed to get around them."

"Perhaps." Storm Rider agreed. "But this duel has only begun. My turn! I draw!" Storm Rider looked at his new card, added it to his hand, and chose a different one. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cyberse Infinite Coding!" The card showed bright green lines passing over a shadow shaped like Cycode Hunter.

"This card gains a Cyberse Counter every time a Cyberse monster is Link Summoned." Phantom narrowed his eyes. Since Storm Rider uses a Cyberse Deck, that card would fill up on counters quickly. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyberse Call! By discarding one card, I add a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand." He discarded a card, then took another one from his Deck. "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 beside Sorceress on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Kid ATK 300 DEF 200 LVL: 1

"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?" Phantom said, his eyes widening.

"I destroy Solidarity!"

The Continuous Spell shattered as Phantom gritted his teeth. "Since Solidarity's no longer on my field, my monsters lose 800 attack points," he stated.

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 3200→2400

Huan, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 1800→1000

"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 Sorceress to my hand. Finally, because a Cyberse monster was Link Summoned, Infinite Coding gains one Cyberse Counter!"

Cyberse Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC

"I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Emblem!" The card showed a crest with blue data streams mixed in the middle, one red, and one blue orb at each top corner. "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 Archer to the Graveyard and Special Summon Cycode Strider!"

The medium-sized robot with semi-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 the monster Cycode Assailant, which means I can summon it!"

A one-eyed tall 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

"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, white fur-like digital lion with a blue circuit pattern lining its body with blue fangs and claws appeared next to Cycode Magician's bottom Link Arrow.

Cycode Leo ATK 2100 LINK-2 ↑↓

"He summoned two Link Monsters in one turn," Phantom muttered.

"Because another Cyberse monster was Link Summoned, Infinite Coding gains another Cyberse Counter!"

Cyberse Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC

"Cycode Magician's second effect activates! When a monster is Special Summoned next to its Link Arrow, I can banish one card on your field!" Phantom gasped. "Say goodbye to Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed!"

"I don't think so!" Phantom abruptly stated. "I activate the Trap Card: Shift! When a monster I control is targeted for an attack or a Spell or Trap card effect, I can target another monster I control and change the target to it instead! I change the target to Haul!"

Shift fired a beam at Cycode Magician, causing her to aim her staff at Haul as she fired a beam of blue energy, causing it to vanish.

"I activate the second effect of Infinite Coding!" Storm Rider shouted. "By removing two Cyberse Counters, I draw one card!"

Cyberse Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC

He smiled at his card. "Well, what do you know? It's the same card you played. I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure! This card lets me draw a card for each Link Monster on the field. With three Link Monsters on the field, I draw three cards!"

Storm Rider drew and looked at his cards. His lip twitched. Perfect!

"I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Storm!" The card showed Cycode Accelerator with its legs wrapped around a utility pole, getting electrocuted by lightning striking the pole. "For every "Cycode" Link Monster I control, I can destroy up to that many Spell or Trap Cards on the field. I'll destroy your remaining face-down card!"

"Wait just a moment!" Phantom shouted. "Before you do, I activate the Trap Card: Damage Diet! All damage I take this turn is halved!"

Following his words, Phantom's Trap Card shattered.

"I set two cards. Battle! Cycode Magician attacks Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed!"

Cycode Magician flew up and aimed its rod at Leading Lady.

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

"What?!" Phantom gasped.

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 Gorgon, destroying it and making Phantom wince.

Phantom: 4000→3700 LP

"Next, Cycode Leo attacks you directly!"

Leo growled as it released a blue energy blast from its mouth at Phantom, striking him and causing him to stagger temporarily before regaining his balance.

Phantom: 3700→2150 LP

"I end my turn. And since my turn is over, both my monsters' attack points return to normal."

Cycode Magician ATK 3000→2000

Cycode Leo ATK 3100→2100

Meanwhile, at another area of LINK VRAINS...

Sanctum smiled after viewing a clip of her teammate's duel and seeing that he made a comeback. Phantom believed he had the lead for a second, but he underestimated Storm Rider. Hopefully, I can make it to the others so I can aid them in recovering everyone.

The next thing she knew, a light-red Duel Anchor was shot out of nowhere. On instinct, Sanctum raised her right arm across her face, and the light-red cord wrapped around her wrist. Sanctum couldn't help but gasp at what she was seeing.

"Greetings, Sanctum," a male voice said. When Sanctum turned around to identify the voice, she saw a man riding on a purple and yellow D-Board. The man was fair-skinned with dark hair, which resembled short tentacles hanging down with curled-up ends and a left eye covered by bangs. His torso was covered in bandages that reached his biceps where one armband was on each side, his arms mostly bare bar gray armguards, a green scarf knotted around his neck, dark teal pants, bandages wrapped around his shins, and black shoes. He raised his left hand and clenched it, revealing his armguard had an elongated oval-shaped crimson screen and green accents.

"Who are you?" Sanctum asked.

"My name is Oranos," the man answered him. "And on behalf of my boss, I've been ordered to eliminate you!"

"Your boss, huh?" Sanctum repeated. "You mean the guy Storm Rider's dueling?"

"Bingo!" Oranos confirmed as he activated his Duel Disk. "Prepared to be crushed, little girl!"

"If anyone's going to get crushed, it'll be you!" Sanctum retorted as she activated her Duel Disk.

"Speed Duel!" they shouted.

Sanctum: 4000 LP

Oranos: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Sanctum said. "I activate the Spell Card: Trade-In! This card lets me discard a Level 8 monster to draw two cards. I discard Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse."

Oranos narrowed his eyes as his opponent drew. Mekk-Knights? he thought. This may be trickier than I thought.

"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 set two cards," Sanctum said. "I end my turn."

"My turn!" Oranos said. "I draw! I activate the Field Spell Card: Colosseum - Cage of the Gladiator Beasts!"

Following Oranos's words, a large stadium made entirely out of solid rock with glowing energy lines running through it materialized around the two duelists.

"Next, I summon Gladiator Beast Dimacari!"

A minotaur-like monster dressed like a gladiator with spiked bracers on its arms.

Gladiator Beast Dimacari ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Gladiator Beasts, huh…?" Sanctum muttered. "I suppose facing such monsters is fitting when I'm inside a colosseum."

"I equip Dimacari with the Equip Spell Card: Gladiator Beast's Battle Manica!" Oranos declared as armor enveloped Dimacari's right hand from top to bottom. "I set two cards. Battle! Gladiator Beast Dimacari, attack Mekk-Knight Avram!"

"You're attacking Avram even though your monster's attack points are lower?" Sanctum narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what you're planning, but I won't just sit back and let you go through with it! I activate the Trap Card: Security Orb! It switches your attacking monster's battle position!"

Dimacari turned around and retreated as it held up its arms defensively.

"Curse you…" Oranos had an irritated expression on his face. "I end my turn."

"Before my turn, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: World Legacy's Secret!" Sanctum declared. "This card lets me Special Summon a Level 5 or higher monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Indigo Eclipse!"

A large white monster with blue crystals embedded in its armor appeared, summoned in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse ATK 2400 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"My turn! I draw!" Sanctum looked at her card, then chose a different one. "As Battle Manica and Dimacari are in the same column, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall from my hand to their column!"

An armored warrior with a purple cape wielding a spear appeared in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Spellbook Inside the Pot, which allows us to draw three cards!"

Sanctum and Oranos both drew their cards and added them to their hands.

"I place two cards face-down and activate the Spell Card: Stop Defense! Through its effect, your monster is switched to Attack Position!"

Following Sanctum's words, Dimacari changed battle positions once more.

"Battle!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Mekk-Knight Avram, attack Gladiator Beast Dimacari!"

"Too bad!" Oranos shouted. "Due to the Battle Manica's effect, Dimacari cannot be destroyed by battle!"

True enough, Dimacari used its armored hand to stop Avrams's swords from shredding its body.

"However, you'll still receive the damage!" Sanctum pointed out.

Oranos: 4000→3600 LP

"Next, Purple Nightfall attacks Dimacari!"

Her monster twirled its spear before impaling the minotaur, causing a shockwave that made Oranos wince.

Oranos: 3600→2700 LP

"Finally, Indigo Eclipse attacks Dimacari!"

Eclipse blasted Dimacari with blue energy fired from its chest. It withstood the attack, but the ensuing shockwave caused Oranos's D-Board to spiral out of control.

Oranos: 2700→1900 LP

"You've gone and done it now, you pest…." Oranos had an irritated look but then grinned. "However, that attack has benefited me as well! Dimacari's effect activates! During the Battle Phase's end, if this card battled during it, I can shuffle it back to my Deck and Special Summon another "Gladiator Beast" from my Deck! Come to me, Gladiator Beast Alexander!"

Dimacari disappeared from Oranos's field and was replaced by an armored, bipedal lion with two large shield-shaped wings extending from its shoulders.

Gladiator Beast Alexander ATK 2400 DEF 600 LVL: 6

"You Special Summoned it directly from the Deck?" Sanctum seemed surprised. "Gladiator Beasts have the power to exchange places with their comrades through battle?"

"That's right." Oranos let out a savage grin. "However, I'm not done! Since the equipped monster returned to the Deck, Manica's effect in my Graveyard activates, allowing me to return it to my hand! And now my Field Spell activates! Since a monster was Special Summoned from the Deck, it gains a Counter, and all "Gladiator Beast" monsters gain 100 attack and defense points for each Counter my Colosseum has!"

Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts 0 C→1 C

Gladiator Beast Alexander ATK 2400→2500 DEF 600→700

"Next, I activate the Trap Card: Double Tag Team! Since I Special Summoned a "Gladiator Beast" monster, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower "Gladiator Beast" monster from my hand or Deck! I Special Summon Gladiator Beast Hoplomus from my Deck in Defense Position!"

A rhinoceros in white armor with massive gauntlets appeared on Oranos's field.

Gladiator Beast Hoplomus ATK 700→800 DEF 2100→2200 LVL: 4

"And now the effect of my Colosseum activates again! It gains another counter!"

Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts 1 C→2 C

Gladiator Beast Alexander ATK 2500→2600 DEF 700→800

Gladiator Beast Hoplomus ATK 800→900 DEF 2200→2300 LVL: 4

"That could be troublesome…." Sanctum frowned. "The more Gladiator Beasts he Special Summons from his Deck, the more powerful they will become due to Colosseum's effect. I end my turn."

"My turn!" Oranos announced. "I draw! Now, from this point on, the real deal begins! First, I activate the Spell Card: Gladiator Beast's Respite! It allows me to shuffle two "Gladiator Beast" cards from my hand to my Deck to draw two cards! Next, I summon Gladiator Beast Lanista!"

A humanoid bird with green skin, armor, wings and cannons on its arms appeared.

Gladiator Beast Bestiari ATK 1500→1700 DEF 800→1000 LVL: 4

Oranos smiled at Sanctum. "I think it's about time you see my Fusion Summon."

"You drew Polymerization?" Sanctum asked, panicking a little.

Oranos shook his head. "No," he said. "I don't need it to Fusion Summon." He gestured to his Bestiari. "Gladiator Beast Fusion Monsters can be Fusion Summoned by returning their materials to the Deck!"

"They can do what?" Sanctum said, surprised.

"It's called Contact Fusion," Oranos explained as a portal of energy appeared behind Damon, into which Hoplomus and Bestiari entered.

"Fighting bird of prey that lived in ancient times! Merge with the souls of gladiators and become a warrior of legend!" He brought his hands together in front of him. "Fusion Summon! Come! Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!"

Oranos's new monster appeared on his field in the Left Extra Monster Zone. It looked similar to Bestiari but had much heavier armor and larger wings.

Gladiator Beast Gyzarus ATK 2400→2600 DEF 1500→1700 LVL: 6

"Amazing!" Sanctum said, her eyes wide. "So that's a Contact Fusion."

"Gyzarus' effect activates!" Oranos continued. "When this card is Special Summoned, I can destroy up to two cards on the field!"

"What!?"

"I'll destroy Indigo Eclipse and your face-down card on the right!"

Sanctum gritted her teeth and gestured to her field. "I activate Purple Nightfall's effect! Once per turn, during either of our turns, I can banish a "Mekk-Knight" monster until my next Standby Phase and add a new "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Deck to my hand."

"I won't let you!" Oranos shouted. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Gladiator Beast Chariot! Through its effect, I can negate the activation of a monster's effect and destroy it if I control a face-up "Gladiator Beast" monster! As such, your Purple Nightfall is destroyed!"

A chariot suddenly appeared from one of the Colosseum's gates, running over Purple Nightfall and destroying it. At the same time, Gyzarus let loose with blasts from the cannons on its arms, destroying Indigo Eclipse and Sanctum's face-down card.

"I place a card face-down. Battle!" Oranos exclaimed. "Gladiator Beast Alexander, attack Mekk-Knight Avram!"

Alexander charged at Avram, breaking its blades before sending it crashing at the stands with a mighty throw.

Sanctum: 4000→3400 LP

"Next, Gyzarus attacks you directly!" Gyzarus charged its blasters again, firing two shots that struck Sanctum, sending her flying off her D-Board.

Sanctum: 3400→800 LP

"Yes!" Oranos shouted. "Looks like I win before the duel is over!"

As she fell, Sanctum activated her Data Anchor and anchored herself to her D-Board. She managed to use her momentum to swing herself back onto her D-Board, but she winced as she did so.

"I activate my Trap Card: Damage Condenser!" Sanctum announced. "By discarding one card from my hand, I can Special Summon a monster from my Deck whose attack points are equal or lower than the damage I just took. I discard Cards of Compensation to Special Summon Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine from my Deck!"

Soon, a silver, marigold-colored machine with a feminine body appeared. It had sharp shoulders and a long marigold energy-like ribbon on top of its head, resembling a ponytail. It wielded a rapier-like weapon with a flower-like guard.

Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine ATK 2300 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

"Marigold Shine's second effect!" Sanctum continued. "When this card is summoned, I gain 500 Life Points for every card in its column. There are three cards, so I gain 1500 Life Points!"

Sanctum: 800→2300 LP

"Cards of Compensation's effect activates! I can draw two cards as I sent it from my hand to the Graveyard."

"You shouldn't have done that," Oranos said. "Remember my Colosseum's effect? It gains one Counter when either player summons a monster from the Deck. And my Gladiator Beasts gain 100 more attack and defense points."

Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts 2 C→3 C

Gladiator Beast Alexander ATK 2600→2700 DEF 800→900

Gladiator Beast Gyzarus ATK 2600→2700 DEF 1700→1800

"I'll end my turn with that," Oranos said. "Let's see what you can do, Sanctum!"

"My turn!" Sanctum announced. "I draw! Certainly, that's a tough formation. However, I'll show you I can break through it without a problem. From my hand, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Senet Switch! Once per turn, I can move a monster I control to an adjacent Main Monster Zone. I move Marigold Shine to the column to its right. And since Senet Switch and your Alexander are in the same column, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Blue Sky from my hand!"

An armored warrior wielding two curved swords appeared, summoned in Attack Position.

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

"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 cards, so I'll add Mekk-Knight Yellow Star and Mekk-Knight Green Horizon to my hand." Sanctum then took and played another card from her hand. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed!"

Sanctum drew two cards and then played one of them. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Solidarity!" she said. "So long as I have one original Type of monster in my Graveyard, all my monsters with the same Type gain 800 attack points. The only monsters in my Graveyard are Psychic monsters, so all my Psychic monsters gain 800 attack points!"

Mekk-Knight Blue Sky ATK 2000→2800

Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine ATK 2300→3100

"Battle!" Sanctum declared. "Blue Sky, attack Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!"

"I activate my Trap Card!" Oranos exclaimed. "Defensive Tactics! Since I control a "Gladiator Beast" monster, monsters I control cannot be destroyed this turn, and any battle damage I would take is reduced to 0!"

"That won't happen." Sanctum grinned. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Mekk-Knight Justice from my hand!" The card showed Girsu, the Orcust Mekk-Knight and Crusadia Equimax deflecting a powerful attack against a zombified Knightmare Gryphon. "I can activate this card from my hand when I control two or more "Mekk-Knight" monsters with different names. Through its effect, whenever you activate the effect of a Spell or Trap Card while I control a "Mekk-Knight" monster, I can negate that card's activation and destroy it!"

Following Sanctum's words, her Trap Card released a golden beam at Oranos's Trap Card, destroying it.

"Without your Trap Card to protect your monster, Blue Sky's attack resumes!"

Blue Sky charged at Lancer and cut it in half with its blades, causing a shockwave that made Oranos's D-Board wobble.

Oranos: 1900→1700 LP

"Next, Marigold Shine attacks Gladiator Beast Alexander!"

The previous scene was repeated as Marigold struck Alexander with its sword, making Oranos grunt.

Oranos: 1700→1200 LP

"I end my turn. Now, let's see what you have next, Oranos."

Elsewhere, at Storm Rider's duel…

"My turn! I draw!" Phantom declared. "I activate the Spell Card: Card of Adversity! Since I control no monsters on my field and you control a Special Summoned monster on yours, I can draw two cards."

Phantom drew and smiled at his cards. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Evil Eye Domain – Pareidolia. When this card is activated, I can add an "Evil Eye" monster from my Deck to my hand." A card popped out of Phantom's Deck. "I summon Catopleas, Familiar of the Evil Eye!"

A buffalo with grey and purple skin wearing cyan armor appeared. On its forehead was a red eyeball.

Catopleas, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 600 DEF 1900 LVL: 3

"I activate Basilius's effect from my hand! As I control an "Evil Eye" monster, I'm allowed to Special Summon this card from my hand to my field!"

The blue and black serpent with a big red eye on its head from before reappeared.

Basilius, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 400 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes. Phantom must've added it through his Field Spell.

"Appear! The circuit of the all-consuming Evil Eye!" A Link Portal soon appeared above Phantom. "The summoning conditions are exactly two "Evil Eye" monsters! I'll set Catopleas, Familiar of the Evil Eye, and Basilius, Familiar of the Evil Eye in the Link Arrows!"

Catopleas went into the bottom arrowhead, while Basilius went into the right arrowhead.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Quarrion, Familiar of the Evil Eye!"

A velociraptor with a slender neck and dark purple skin appeared on Phantom's field in the Right Extra Monster Zone. All over the velociraptor's body were little eyeballs.

Quarrion, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 2100 LINK-2 →↓

"Quarrion's effect activates!" Phantom continued. "When it's Link Summoned, I can add an "Evil Eye" card from my Deck to my hand. I add and activate the Equip Spell Card: Evil Eye of Selene, equipping it onto Quarrion."

A red and silver mechanical device appeared and attached to Quarrion's left eye.

"I'll let both of you know that as long as Quarrion is equipped with the Evil Eye of Selene, it can no longer be destroyed by battle or card effects. Nor can you target it with your card effects!"

Storm Rider frowned. A solid setup, he thought.

"I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge!" The card showed a duelist attaching a battery pack to their Duel Disk. "Normally, it lets me draw two cards, but when my hand is empty, I can draw four!"

Phantom drew his cards and played one of them.

"I activate the Spell Card World Legacy Succession!" Phantom continued. "This card Special Summons a monster from my Graveyard to a Link Monster's Link Arrow. I Special Summon Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed to Quarrion's Link Arrow!"

The white-haired woman reappeared at Quarrion's bottom Link Arrow in Attack Position.

"Gorgon's effect! It gains 100 attack points for each "Evil Eye card with a different name in my Graveyard. There are eight "Evil Eye" cards, so Gorgon gains 800 attack points."

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 1900→2700

"I activate Quarrion's effect! Once per turn, I can target one monster you control and one "Evil Eye" monster in my Graveyard. By doing so, your monster loses attack points equal to the targeted monster's attack points in my Graveyard."

"Your monster can do that?" Storm Rider said, surprised.

"Indeed it can," Phantom answered. He then pointed at Cycode Leo. "I target your Cycode Leo on the field and my Medusa, Watcher of the Evil Eye, in my Graveyard. Which means it loses 1400 attack points!"

Quarrion fired a toxic burst of energy from its mouth at Leo, poisoning him and draining his strength.

Cycode Leo ATK 2100→700

"The effect of the equipped Evil Eye of Selene activates. When the equipped monster or the effect of another "Evil Eye" Spell or Trap Card is activated, the equipped monster gains 500 attack points, and I lose 500 life points."

As Quarrion powered up, Phantom clutched his heart like he were in pain. But what was disturbing was that he enjoyed it.

Quarrion, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 2100→2600

Phantom: 2150→1650 LP

Storm Rider gritted his teeth. "So that's his strategy," he muttered. "Its monsters can activate effects while equipped, and that same Equip Spell strengthens its monsters. Though it does come with a cost."

"Battle! Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed, attack Cycode Leo!"

Gorgon's two lenses lit up and fired beams of red energy at Storm Rider's field as he gestured to his field.

"I activate the Trap Card: Link Showdown!" Storm Rider suddenly said. The card showed Decode Talker clashing with Gouki the Great Ogre in an arena. "When a Link Monster I control battles a monster with higher attack points, it gains attack points equal to its Link Rating times 500! Since Cycode Leo's Link Rating is 2, it gains 1000 attack points!"

Cycode Leo ATK 700→1700

The beams struck Leo, destroying him and making Storm Rider cry in pain.

Storm Rider: 2750→1750 LP

"Next, Quarrion attacks Cycode Magician!"

Quarrion leaped onto Cycode Magician and bit her neck, destroying the mage and turning her into yellow particles.

Storm Rider: 1750→1050 LP

"Guess that's enough for now," Phantom said. "I end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Storm Rider announced. "I draw! Since you control monsters and I don't, I can Special Summon Cycode Swordsman!"

A cybernetic man in blue armor with swords appeared.

Cycode Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Since Swordsman was Special Summoned by its effect," Storm Rider explained, "I can add one "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cycode Nova!" He did so, then said, "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Cycode Lineage!" The card showed a robotic ballerina bowing low, one foot on the ground and the other raised, as its body turned transparent. "This lets me Special Summon a "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard, so long as it isn't a Link Monster. Resurrect, Cycode Acrobat!"

The female android holding a silver hoop in its right hand reappeared.

Cycode Acrobat ATK 1700 DEF 1400 LVL: 5

"Acrobat's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned by a "Cycode" card's effect, I can add a "Cycode" card from my Deck to my hand. I add Cycode War Helm to my hand. "I summon Cycode Nova!"

A small robotic dragon with metallic armor with silver wings appeared.

Cycode Nova ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"I'll now create my circuit!"

The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider once again.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters, including one "Cycode" monster. I set Cycode Swordsman, Acrobat and Nova 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 new monster charged out of the Link portal. It resembled Gaia the Fierce Knight and Gaia Saber the Lightning Shadow, but his body is merged with the horse. His design is like Gaia with blue armor but dark brown colors with digital energy light brown lancers as if it were his hands. The horse has the same color design but with robotic, digital wings as he was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone. Storm Rider watched as his Continuous Spell gained another Cyberse Counter.

Cyberse Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC

Cycode Gaia Charger ATK 2600 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Since Acrobat left the field, Lineage is also destroyed," Storm Rider said as his Trap Card disintegrated. "And when this effect destroys it, I can add a "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cycode Battler. Then, Gaia Charger's effect activates! When it's successfully Link Summoned, all your monsters lose half their attack points. Go, Jamming Javelin!"

Gaia Charger aimed its lances at Quarrion and Gorgon, but Phantom wasn't worried.

"That's pointless! I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Glare of the Evil Eye! Like before, this card lets me target one card you control and negate its effects until the End Phase. I target Gaia Charger!"

A red blast of light fired out of the card and hit the Cycode Link Monster, greying it out temporarily.

"Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates."

Quarrion, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 2600→3100

Phantom: 1650→1150 LP

"In that case, I activate the Trap Card: Cynet Regression!" Storm Rider declared. "As I Special Summoned a Link Monster, one card on the field is destroyed! I destroy Evil Eye of Selene!"

Following his words, The Evil Eye Equip Spell disintegrated, and the red lens on Quarrion's face vanished.

"Since there is another "Evil Eye" card in my Graveyard, Gorgon gains 100 attack points," Phantom stated.

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 2700→2800

"Regression also lets me draw a card," Storm Rider added. "And I'm far from done! 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 2600→3400

"I set a card. Battle!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "Gaia Charger attacks Quarrion, Familiar of the Evil Eye! Linkage Spiral!"

Gaia Charger charged Familiar. Its lance struck the Link Monster, destroying it and making Phantom wince.

Phantom: 1150→850 LP

"As another "Evil Eye" card was sent to the Graveyard, Gorgon gains 100 attack points."

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 2800→2900

Storm Rider gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Cycode Archer in the Graveyard!" he declared. "By banishing it, one "Cycode" monster I control can make a second attack during the Battle Phase! I target Gaia Charger! And I'll use its extra attack to destroy Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed! Go, Linkage Spiral!"

Gaia charged again toward Gorgon, piercing it with its lance, destroying it and making Phantom wince again.

Phantom: 850→350 LP

"I end my turn," Storm Rider concluded.

Elsewhere, at Sanctum and Oranos's duel...

"You just don't learn, do you?" Oranos growled. "If you enjoy courting defeat so much, I'll grant you an experience you'll never forget by tearing you to pieces! My turn! I draw! I place two cards face-down and activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity! It allows me to draw three cards without discarding two."

He drew three cards, then discarded Cards of Compensation and Gladiator Beast Reitiari.

"Cards of Compensation's effect activates! I get to draw two cards as I sent it from my hand to the Graveyard." Oranos drew his cards, then said, "I summon Gladiator Beast Samnite!"

A humanoid sabretooth tiger clad in armor with a large shield and sword on his arms appeared.

Gladiator Beast Samnite ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 3

"And since I control a face-up "Gladiator Beast", I can Special Summon this card! Test Tiger!"

A tiger with blue and orange armor and brown cloth on its legs appeared on his field alongside Samnite.

Test Tiger ATK 600 DEF 300 LVL: 3

"But my big cat won't stay around for long! By Tributing Test Tiger, I can shuffle my Samnite back into my Deck and Special Summon a new "Gladiator Beast" monster! Say goodbye to Samnite and hello to Gladiator Beast Augustus!"

Samnite and Tiger disappeared as a humanoid bird in purple armor appeared with a second pair of hands on the ends of its wings.

Gladiator Beast Augustus ATK 2600→2900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 8

"And since Augustus Special Summoned from the Deck, my Colosseum Field Spell gains another counter!"

Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts 3 C→4 C

Gladiator Beast Augustus ATK 2900→3000 DEF 1300→1400

"Now Augustus's effect activates!" Oranos declared. "It lets me Special Summon a "Gladiator Beast" monster from my hand, but that monster is shuffled into my Deck during the End Phase. I Special Summon Gladiator Beast Darius!"

A monster resembling a humanoid horse in orange armor and carrying a chain appeared on Oranos's field.

Gladiator Beast Darius ATK 1700→2100 DEF 300→700 LVL: 4

"Darius's effect activates!" Oranos continued. "When this monster is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast", I can Special Summon a "Gladiator Beast" monster from the Graveyard with its effects negated. But when Darius leaves the field, that card is shuffled into my Deck. I Special Summon Gladiator Beast Reitiari!"

A green lizard man in black and gold armor carrying a trident appeared.

Gladiator Beast Retiari ATK 1200→1600 DEF 800→1200 LVL: 3

"By returning them to the Deck, I use Augustus, Darius, and Retiari to perform a Fusion Summon!"

The fusion portal appeared behind him. His three monsters became particles that swirled together into the vortex as Oranos spread his arms and chanted.

"Wandering ghosts of the gladiators! Gather under the name of the emperor and offer your power!" He brought his hands together in front of him. "Fusion Summon! Come! Gladiator Beast Andabata!"

A monster resembling a humanoid green hadrosaurid clad in blue armor with wing-like protrusions extending from its back, which held a small shield and a curved sword, appeared on Oranos's field.

Gladiator Beast Andabata ATK 1000→1400 DEF 2800→3200 LVL: 8

"I activate Andabata's effect!" Oranos declared. "When this card is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Gladiator Beast" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by ignoring its summoning conditions! I Special Summon Gladiator Beast Nerokius!"

A muscular humanoid bat clad in armor with several pink orbs around it and six wings extending from its back appeared.

Gladiator Beast Nerokius ATK 2800→3200 DEF 1900→2300 LVL: 8

"Two Fusion Monsters in one turn…." Sanctum looked uncomfortable. "This might be somewhat problematic to deal with…."

"Now, it's time for your execution!" Oranos exclaimed. "Battle! Go, Gladiator Beast Nerokius! Attack Mekk-Knight Blue Sky! And when Nerokius attacks, you can't activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step! Lethal Shout!"

Nerokius unleashed a powerful soundwave from its mouth, destroying Blue Sky and sending Sanctum's D-Board backward.

Sanctum: 2300→1900 LP

"Andabata's effect activates!" Oranos exclaimed. "After the monster that was Special Summoned by its effect battles, it returns to the Extra Deck!" Nerokius disintegrated as Oranos said that. "And then, the second half of Andabata's effect activates, and Andabata gains attack points equal to Nerokius's!"

"WHAT!?" Sanctum gasped.

Gladiator Beast Andabata ATK 1400→4600

"Battle! Andabata, attack Marigold Shine!"

Andabata charged the Mekk-Knight as it swung its sword and slashed Marigold in half. The explosion of the attack made Sanctum scream as her D-Board started to wobble.

Sanctum: 1900→400 LP

"Since the Battle Phase ended, Andabata returns to the Extra Deck and lets me Special Summon two "Gladiator Beasts" monsters! Come, Gladiator Beast Bestiari and Gladiator Beast Equeste!"

The green bird in armor with cannons on its arms reappeared along with a centaur in blue armor with wings and a blue shield.

Gladiator Beast Bestiari ATK 1500→1900 DEF 800→1200 LVL: 4

Gladiator Beast Equeste ATK 1600→2000 DEF 1200→1600 LVL: 4

"Now Bestiari's and Equeste's effects activate!" Oranos reminded Sanctum. "Equeste lets me return Gladiator Beast Respite from my Graveyard to my hand, and Bestiari destroys a Spell or Trap Card on the field. I destroy your Solidarity!"

Bestiari fired a blast from its cannon at Sanctum's field, destroying the Continuous Spell.

"And now the effect of my Colosseum activates again! Since two monsters were summoned from the Deck, my Field Spell gains two Counters, and my gladiators gain 200 more attack and defense points!"

Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts 4 C→6 C

Gladiator Beast Bestiari ATK 1900→2100 DEF 1200→1400

Gladiator Beast Equeste ATK 2000→2200 DEF 1600→1800

"I end my turn with this." Oranos spread his arms wide. "What do you think of my skills, now!? No matter what you try, you'll never be able to get past the wall of my invincible Gladiator Beasts, which will only grow stronger with each passing turn! If you understand the futility of continuing this Duel, hurry up and surrender! And I will finish you off quickly and painlessly in exchange!"

"Thanks, but no thanks." Sanctum scoffed at Oranos's words. "There's no way I'll surrender when people count on me. My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Burial Magic! It lets me draw two cards by banishing three Spell Cards from my Graveyard! I banish Senet Switch, Pot of Greed, and Card of Compensation!" She proceeded to draw two more cards. "I activate the effect of Mekk-Knight Yellow Star from my hand! Since two or more cards are in the same column, I can Special Summon this card to that column!"

A machine with silver and yellow mechanical wings appeared on her field.

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

"I activate Yellow Star's effect! I banish Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall in my Graveyard to target and destroy one Spell or Trap Card in Yellow Bloom's column. I destroy your set card on the left!"

Yellow Star's wings started to glow before releasing a beam of golden energy at Oranos's face-down card.

Oranos pointed to one of his face-down cards, which turned upright. "Before it's destroyed, I activate the Trap Card: Baton of the Hero! This turn, I select the targets of your attacks!"

Following his words, the Trap Card shattered.

"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: World Legacy Multi-Skies!" The card showed a sky coated in multiple colors. "This card lets me add or Special Summon a "Mekk-Knight" from my Banished Zone. Resurrect, Indigo Eclipse!"

Indigo Eclipse reappeared on Sanctum's field once again.

Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse ATK 2400 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"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 Yellow Star and Indigo Eclipse in the Link Arrows!"

Her monsters shot into the portal and another world before turning into red 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 new bipedal machine appeared on Sanctum's field. It had two electrodes, creating a blade of yellow fire. Morning Star roared from the Right Extra Monster Zone.

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

"While summoning a Link Monster is nice and all, it's still not strong enough to take out my Oyster Maiden," Blue Maiden stated.

"I've got plenty more moves to make, and one of them is activating Morning Star's effect!" Sanctum exclaimed. "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. I send Mekk-Knight Green Horizon to the Graveyard and add Mekk-Knight Reflection to my hand. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure Ticket!" The card showed Decode Talker and three cards flying away from it. "This card targets a Link Monster I control. I then draw cards equal to that monster's Link Rating, but I must send an equal number of cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard." She drew her cards, then sent World Legacy Whispers and Mekk-Knight Red Moon from the top of her Deck to the Graveyard.

"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card World Legacy's Memory! This card lets me Special Summon a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my hand or Deck in Defense Position. From my hand, I Special Summon Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset!"

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

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

"Appear, the circuit of illumination!" Lightning shot from Sanctum's hand and created another Link portal. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Mekk-Knight" monsters. I set Link-2 Morning Star and Orange Sunset in the Link Arrows!"

Her monsters entered the portal into another world before turning into red energy and surging into the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, 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 ↙↓↘

Since there's a card in the same column as Spectrum Supreme, I can't use its effect to attack directly, Sanctum thought, But at least I can destroy his monsters to prevent him from bringing out another Fusion Monster.

Sanctum narrowed her eyes. "I set two cards. Battle! Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme, attack!"

"Due to the effect of Baton of the Hero, I select your attack target!" Damon said. "I select Gladiator Beast Equeste! And at this moment, I activate the Trap Card: Impenetrable Attack! This turn, I can either negate all battle damage or prevent a monster I control from being destroyed by battle! I choose to prevent Equeste's destruction!"

Spectrum Supreme flew high and fired a barrage of rainbow lasers at Equeste, but it didn't destroy him.

"But you'll still take damage!" Sanctum pointed out.

Oranos: 1200→400 LP

Oranos smiled. "I activate the effect of Equeste! At the end of the Battle Phase, it shuffles back into my Deck, and I Special Summon a different Gladiator Beast! I Special Summon Gladiator Beast Laquari!"

Equeste disappeared, and a monster resembling an armored tiger surrounded by a ring of fire appeared on Oranos's field.

Gladiator Beast Darius ATK 1800→2400 DEF 400→1000 LVL: 4

"Since Laquari was Special Summoned from the Deck, my Colosseum Field Spell gains another counter!"

Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts 6 C→7 C

Gladiator Beast Laquari ATK 2400→2500 DEF 1000→1100

"Since it was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast" monster, Laquari's effect activates!" Oranos declared. "Its attack points increase by 300!"

Gladiator Beast Darius ATK 2500→2800

"Even if he summoned another monster, my monster is still stronger…." Sanctum murmured. "I end my turn."

"My turn!" Oranos announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Cup of Ace. It lets me flip a coin, and depending on the result, you or I will get to draw two cards." A coin appeared above Oranos's head, which he grasped and flipped. When the coin landed in his hand, he said, "It landed on heads, so I get to draw two cards."

Sanctum frowned. "Well, that sucks. I could have used some new cards."

"Moving on, I summon Gladiator Beast Murmillo!"

A blue humanoid fish monster with rotors shaped like conch shells on its back appeared on Damon's field.

Gladiator Beast Murmillo ATK 800→1500 DEF 400→1100 LVL: 3

All three warriors raised a fist and gave off a mighty roar as Oranos laughed crazily. "Now, all three of my monsters unite and join forces to create a mightier creature!"

An energy portal appeared behind Damon, which the three Gladiator Beasts entered as he spread his arms and chanted.

"Destroy all in your path and make all those who know your name fear it and cause despair in the depths of the universe! I Fusion Summon! The ultimate warrior, Gladiator Beast Heraklinos!"

A large bipedal armored chimera-like creature gave a roar that shook the stadium. It wielded holding a gold-plated shield and a spear with an ax attached to it. On its back were two light green translucent wings.

Gladiator Beast Heraklinos ATK 3000→3700 DEF 2800→3500 LVL: 8

"This will be the final nail in your coffin!" Oranos roared. "Battle! Gladial Beast Heraklinos, destroy Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme! Gladiator's Halberd!"

"Not so fast!" Sanctum abruptly stated. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Mekk-Knight Reflection!" The card showed Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset, Indigo Eclipse, Blue Sky and Yellow Star blocking a dark blast of energy from World Legacy - "World Ark". "When you declare an attack, I can banish a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Graveyard to banish the attacking monster! I banish Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall!"

"Sorry, but that won't work," Oranos objected. "Thanks to Heraklinos's effect, I can discard a card to negate the activation of a Spell or Trap Card and destroy it!"

As Oranos sent one of the two remaining cards he held to the Graveyard, a golden light emanating from Heraklinos's shield, effectively shattering Sanctum's Trap.

"With nothing now holding Heraklinos back, his attack continues!"

"Hold on a sec!" Sanctum exclaimed. "I activate the Trap Card: Mirror Shade! I take no battle damage this turn by paying half my Life Points!"

Heraklinos swung its halberd and chopped Spectrum Supreme in half, causing it to explode, but Sanctum didn't feel the force of the attack.

Sanctum: 400→200 LP

"Looks like you still have a long way to go before taking me down."

"You're truly stubborn, you darn pest." Oranos gritted his teeth. "I end my turn. You may have earned a small reprieve, but I'll end your miserable existence on my next turn!"

"Sorry, but that won't be happening," Sanctum said with a serious expression. "My friends require assistance, so I can't waste more time with you. As such, I'll finish you off quickly! My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Mekk-Knight Battle!" The card showed Girsu, the Orcust Mekk-Knight summoning forth the other Mekk-Knight in a major battle between the Krawlers, Knightmares and Orcusts. "If I have a "Mekk-Knight" monster on my field or in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon as many "Mekk-Knight" monsters from your hand, GY or banished zone at the cost of negating their effects, halving all damage you take for the remainder of the turn and limiting me to only summoning one monster from the Extra Deck."

"Not if Heraklinos has anything to say about that," Oranos interjected. "By discarding a card in my hand, I can negate the activation of your Spell and destroy it."

Sanctum's Spell Card shattered in front of him, but instead of being worried, she smirked. "That's exactly the move I figured you'd make."

"What?"

"I activate the effect of the Mekk-Knight Justice in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Set a "Mekk-Knight" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck or Graveyard, and I can activate that card this turn. I set and activate Mekk-Knight Battle! Through its effect, I Special Summon Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star and Spectrum Supreme!"

Morning Star and Spectrum Supreme reappeared on Sanctum's field in a light beam following her words.

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 in silver armor with blue lines across it with a tattered cape and shield appeared in the Extra Monster Zone and swung his sword.

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

Oranos snorted. "Don't make me laugh! Do you think such a puny monster can pose a challenge to Heraklinos!?"

"Don't be so sure." Sanctum grinned. "Battle! Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax attacks Gladiator Beast Heraklinos!"

The armored warrior charged the chimera-like creature as Sanctum gestured to his field.

"Crusadia Avramax's effect activates! When it attacks your Special Summoned monster, its attack points increase by your monster's attack points!"

Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax ATK 3000→6700

"6700 attack points!?" Oranos cried out. "It surpassed Heraklinos attack points!?"

"Now, the finale!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax, destroy Gladiator Beast Heraklinos! 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 Oranos flying off his D-Board as he turned into particles.

Oranos: 400→0 LP

"Glad that's over," Sanctum said. Suddenly, there was a massive explosion, causing Sanctum to turn his head to the right. "That explosion came from Storm Rider's duel. I better check on him." She then sped off on her Duel Board to the scene. Hope that you're okay, Yuji, Sanctum thought. Because if you lose this duel, I will avenge you, no matter what opponent I face.

At Storm Rider's duel…

"My turn! I draw!" Phantom looked at his card and smirked, "Ooh, lucky me! I summon Serziel, Watcher of the Evil Eye."

A fair-skinned white-haired man wearing red and purple robes with several yellow eyes on his body appeared.

Serziel, Watcher of the Evil Eye ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Serziel's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can add one "Evil Eye" card from my Deck to my hand." It took a card, then played a different one. "It's time to end this Storm Rider. I activate the Spell Card: Evil Eye Awakening! This card lets me Special Summon one "Evil Eye" monster from my hand or Graveyard. Return, Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed!"

The white-haired woman appeared for a third time.

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Gorgon's effect! It gains 100 attack points for each "Evil Eye card with a different name in my Graveyard. There are eleven "Evil Eye" cards, so Gorgon gains 1100 attack points."

Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 1900→3000

"Appear! The circuit of the all-consuming Evil Eye!" A Link Portal appeared above Phantom. "The summoning conditions are two or more "Evil Eye" monsters. I'll set the Link-2 Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed and Serziel, Watcher of the Evil Eye in the Link Arrows!"

Gorgon split into two tornadoes of energy that went into the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, while Serziel went into the top arrow.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! With the power the Evil Eye has given you, unleash your hatred and destruction onto this world gleefully! Link-3! Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed!"

A red-and-gray armored man with large wings emerged in the Right Extra Monster Zone. Giant yellow eyes opened at its knees, right arm, left shoulder, and chest and a red lens covered its right eye.

Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed ATK 2600 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"As Zerrziel was Link Summoned using a monster with more than 2600 attack points, it can attack twice during each Battle Phase. Furthermore, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Evil Eye of Gorgoneio and equip it to Zerrziel." A new red lens held in silver appeared this one on Zerrziel's left eye. "Evil Eye of Gorgoneio's name becomes Evil Eye of Selene while in the Spell & Trap Zone. Also, while my life points are lower than yours, the equipped monster gains attack points equal to the difference. Therefore, since the difference between our life points is 850, Zerrziel gains 850 attack points!"

A purple aura surrounded Zerrziel as he powered up.

Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed ATK 2600→3300

"I activate Zerrziel's effect! Once per turn, when it is equipped with the Evil Eye of Selene, I can target and destroy one card you control. I destroy Gaia Charger."

Zerrziel fired an optic blast from both red lenses at the Cycode Link Monster, destroying it.

"I set a card. Battle!" Phantom declared. "Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed, attack Storm Rider directly! Disdainful Vision!"

The giant, yellow eyes on Zerrziel glowed as he charged energy at the center. He fired a beam of energy from the eye at the center of his body, which headed straight for Storm Rider!

"I activate the effect of the Cycode Battler in my hand!" Storm Rider declared, surprising Abyssio. "If you attack me directly, I can Special Summon this card in Attack Position!"

A muscular robot in boxer's clothes, with red boxing gloves, blue shorts, a white tank top, and red headgear, appeared on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Battler ATK 1500 DEF 700 LVL: 4

Phantom narrowed his eyes. "Very well then. Zerrziel, attack Cycode Battler!"

Upon seeing Zerrziel's attack approaching, Storm Rider remained calm and gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of the Cycode Half-Guard in my Graveyard!" Morningstar declared. "By banishing it and discarding the Cycode Sorceress in my hand, all battle damage I take this turn is halved!"

"But you will still take damage!" Phantom reminded him. Zerrziel's attack finally overpowered Cycode Battler, and the robotic boxer was destroyed in a massive explosion.

Storm Rider cried out as the backlash hit him, but he stayed on his D-Board. Just barely.

Storm Rider: 1050→150 LP

"Since your Life Points are now lower than mine, Zerrziel loses its attack boost," Phantom pointed out.

Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed ATK 3300→2600

"When Battler is destroyed by battle, I can add one "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard to my hand," Storm Rider said. "I return Cycode Sorceress to my hand. Furthermore, I activate the Trap Card: Cyberse Beacon! Since I took battle damage this turn, I can add a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cycode Defender to my hand."

"Tch." Phantom grimaced and then smirked. "So what? I still have an attack left. Finish him, Zerrziel!"

Zerrziel once again charged energy at the center of his body before firing it at Storm Rider, but he was ready.

"I activate the effect of Cycode Defender in my hand!" he declared. "Since you attacked me directly, I can Special Summon Defender and make it the target of your attack."

A digital warrior wearing a black and gray armor suit with pink circuit lines with armor with two large shields appeared in Defense Position.

Cycode Defender ATK 0 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Not only that but Defender also can't be destroyed in battle once per turn!"

The red energy beam struck Defender's shields, but they held firm.

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes. "Since the Battle Phase is over, Half-Guard's second effect activates, letting me draw a card."

"Whatever. I end my turn," Phantom concluded. "It seems like this Duel is almost over. As expected, even someone as skilled as you couldn't stand up to me. And with your downfall, my boss will be one step closer to the noble goal of restoring order and ushering in a new golden age of peace and prosperity."

"Order? Peace?" Storm Rider snorted. "No, whoever you work for truly wants control over everything. They merely wish to manipulate people and bend them to their will. However, I'm not about to stand by idly and let that twisted vision of theirs come to fruition. I'm going to defeat you and end this madness, Phantom! My turn! I draw!"

Upon seeing his drawn card, Storm Rider smiled. If things went well, he could end Phantom with his next combo.

"I summon Cycode Sorceress!"

The mechanical female reappeared on Storm Rider's field next to Defender.

Cycode Sorceress ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Sorceress's effect activates! I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position when summoned. Return to me, Cycode Assailant!"

The metal skeletal robot with six arms reappeared next to Sorceress.

Cycode Assailant ATK 1500 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Link Unit! "Through its effect, I-!"

"It's pointless," Phantom said. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Evil Eye Retribution! As you activated a Spell or Trap Card while I control an "Evil Eye" monster, the activation of that card is negated and destroyed. And as Evil Eye of Selene is in my Spell & Trap Zone, Evil Eye Retribution's activation and effect cannot be negated."

Storm Rider smirked as his Trap Card shattered. Just as I expected, he thought. "I'll now create my circuit!"

Storm Rider raised his hand as it glowed blue and shot a lightning bolt, creating a Link Portal.

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

Storm Rider's monster entered the bottom-left arrow, turning it red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cycode Kuriboh!"

A small light blue monster with antenna-like winged heads with white lining emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone and started cooing.

Cycode Kuriboh ATK 300 LINK-1 ↙

"Because a Cyberse monster was Link Summoned, Infinite Coding gains another Cyberse Counter!"

Cyberse Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC

"I activate the second effect of Infinite Coding!" Storm Rider shouted. "By removing two Cyberse Counters, I draw one card!"

Cyberse Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC

He looked at his card and smirked. "Since I control two or "Cycode" monsters, I Special Summon Cycode General from my hand!"

A large male humanoid cladded in blue armor with white lining appeared. He wielded a massive energy blade in his right hand.

Cycode General ATK 2600 DEF 2300 LVL: 7

"Time for me to create the ultimate circuit!" Storm Rider declared as the Link Portal appeared above him. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set Cycode General, Sorceress, Assailant and Kuriboh in the Link Arrows!"

Storm Rider's monsters entered the top, left, right, and bottom arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! The new wind that flows throughout this world gives the mighty creature that connects the past and future! Appear, 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 Right Extra Monster Zone.

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

Storm Rider then gestured to his monster. "Cyber Tech's effect activates! If it is Link Summoned using a Link Monster as material, the effects of all your monsters are negated! Go! Software Nullification!"

"In that case, I'll activate Zerrziel's effect!" Phantom declared, gesturing to his monster. "I destroy Cyber Tech Link Dra-!"

"That's pointless!" Storm Rider interrupted, silencing his opponent. "When Cyber Tech activates its effect, you cannot activate any cards or effects in response!"

"What!?"

The horns on Cyber Tech's body lit up and began releasing pulses of blue energy at Zerrziel, making it lose its color.

Phantom growled again but said, "So what? My monster has more attack points, meaning on my next turn, you're finished!"

"And as I said, the final victor will be me!" Storm Rider announced with a resolute expression. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Link Armaments and equip it to my Link Monster!" The armor on Cyber Tech's body turned silver and made it roar. "Thanks to this card's effect, Cyber Tech Link Dragon gains 500 attack points for each Link Monster in my Graveyard. My Graveyard has seven Link Monsters, so my dragon gains 3500 attack points!"

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 2500→6000

"But… but…"

"Battle! Cyber Tech, attack Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed! Digitized Burst Stream!"

The dragon flew above Zerrziel and Phantom on command and roared directly at them. All the circuits on Cyber Tech's body lit as dark blue energy traveled across its skin. The energy then gathered in its mouth and released in a massive burst toward the red-and-gray armored man, destroying him in an explosion and hurling Phantom from his D-Board, causing him to vanish.

Phantom: 350→0 LP

Storm Rider descended from his D-Board onto a nearby building, "People like him don't deserve to be called duelists," he stated.

Of course, they don't. They're scum after all," a voice commented as several bullets flew through the air before hitting Storm Rider on his arms, who screamed in pain as several red cuts formed on his body.

"What the-?" Storm Rider said as he saw the one responsible for firing the bullets in the first place on top of a nearby building. "Who are you?!"

"Call me Desperado, partner," Desperado answered with a smirk.

Storm Rider pressed his Duel Disk because something wasn't right here. "Sanctum! Anyone! Come in! I found another-!"

"They won't be able to get here in time, especially with how my comrades will take care of them," Desperado replied as he activated his Duel Disk. "As for you... Well, it ain't end well for you, boy."

And with that, Chapter 2 comes to an end. Hope you guys are excited that Storm Rider and Sanctum are back in action. Shoutout to SakushiRyu for the designs of the gang members, and a shoutout to Divadx for helping with the Deck choices for the gang leader. In case you all are wondering, I decided to have Sanctum Crusadia Avramax because I forgot it was a part of the Mekk-Knight archetype when I wrote Circuit of Smiles.

Hopefully, Chapter 3 will take around the same time to come out. Until then, please read and review.

Until next time!

OC Card Memo:

Yuji/Storm Rider:

Cycode Illusionist

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 1000 Level: 6

If there are no monsters on the field, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand), but its ATK becomes 1800. If this monster is Special Summoned by its effect: You can add 1 "Cycode" card from your Deck to your hand. This card cannot declare an attack the turn you activate this effect. You can only Special Summon "Cycode Illusionist" once per turn this way.

Cycode Masterframe- Level 4, ATK: 1600, DEF: 400, ATT: EARTH, Type: Cyberse/Effect

Effect: When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from your hand. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can Tribute this face-up monster you control, then target 1 Cyberse monster(s) that was summoned from the Extra Deck: It is unaffected by your opponent's card effects until the End Phase of the next turn. You can only use each effect of ''Cycode Masterframe'' once per turn.

Cycode Acrobat

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1700 DEF 1400 Level: 5

If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Cycode" card: You can add 1 "Cycode" card from your Deck to your hand. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Cycode" monster you control; during each Battle Phase this turn, that monster can attack all monsters your opponent controls, once each. You can only use each effect of "Cycode Acrobat" once per turn.

Cycode Battler

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1500 DEF 700 Level: 4

When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: You can Special Summon this card in Attack Position (from your hand). If this card is destroyed by battle: You can target 1 "Cycode" monster in your GY, except "Cycode Battler"; add it to your hand. You can only activate each effect of "Cycode Battler" once per turn.

Cycode Kid

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 300 DEF 200 Level: 1

If this card is used as material for the Link Summon of a "Cycode" Link Monster: Target 1 face-up card on your opponent's field; destroy that card. You can only activate this effect of "Cycode Kid" once per turn.

Cycode Archer

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1500 DEF 0 Level: 4

Once per turn: You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Cycode" monster you control (Quick Effect); it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase this turn. You can only activate this effect of "Cycode Archer" once per turn.

Cycode Sorceress

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1400 DEF 400 Level: 4

When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cycode" monster from your GY in Attack Position. You can only control 1 "Cycode Sorceress".

Cycode Strider
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1600 DEF 1200 Level: 4 If this card is Special Summoned: Reveal the top card of your deck, and if it's a Monster, Special Summon it; otherwise, shuffle it back into the Deck.

Cycode Updater- Level 4, ATK: 1900, DEF: 1000, ATT: WIND, Type: Cyberse/Effect

Effect: You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) in Attack Position to your zone a Link Monster points to. If this card is Special Summoned while you control a ''Cycode'' Link Monster: Special Summon 1 Level 6 or lower ''Cycode'' monster from your Deck but with a different name from monsters on your field and GY. You can only use the effects of "Cycode Safeguard" once per turn.

Cycode General- Level 7, ATK: 2600, DEF: 2300, ATT: WATER, Type: Cyberse/Effect

Effect: If you control a ''Cycode'' monster; Normal Summon it without Tributing. This monster can perform battle-piercing damage. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can Tribute this face-up monster you control, then target 1 Cyberse monster(s) that was summoned from the Extra Deck: It can attack twice and perform piercing damage. This effect applies while that monster is face-up on the field. You can only use the effects of "Cycode General" once per turn.

Cycode Swordsman

Attribute: WIND Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1200 DEF 900 Level: 3

If you control no monsters and your opponent does, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). If this monster is Special Summoned by its own effect: you can add 1 "Cycode" monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate this effect of "Cycode Swordsman" once per turn.

Cycode Assailant
Attribute: Dark Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1500 DEF 1400 Level: 4
If you control no other monsters: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it. You can not conduct your Battle Phase the turn you activate this effect.

Cycode Defender

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 0 DEF 1500 Level: 4

During the battle phase, when your opponent declares a direct attack, you can summon this card from your hand and redirect the attack towards it. Once per turn this card can't be destroyed by battle. If a "Cycode" Link Monster battles, you can banish this card from your graveyard to prevent your monster from being destroyed and negate all battle damage, then your monster gains attack points equal to the damage negated.

Cycode Nova

Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Normal] ATK 1500 DEF 1000 Level: 3

This dragon has a lot of growing up to do. And when it does…

Cycode Kuriboh- Link-1, ATK: 300, ATT: DARK, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Arrows: Bottom-Left

Effect: 1 ''Cycode'' monster

During the Battle Phase (Quick Effect): You can Tribute this card you control, and if you do until the end of the Battle Phase; your Cyberse monsters cannot be destroyed by battle, and you take no damage. If you activate a ''Cycode'' monster's effect that tributes itself while you have this card in your GY, you can banish this card instead.

Cycode Buster- Link-2, ATK: 1800, ATT: EARTH, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Arrows: Left, Bottom

Effect: When this card is Link Summoned: Special Summon 1 ''Cycode'' monster from your GY, but with its effects negated. If this card or a Cyberse monster battles an opponent's monster; you can tribute 1 monster you control is linked to this card: Destroy the opponent's battling monster. If a ''Cycode'' Link Monster is destroyed by battle or card effect; Special Summon this card from your GY but banish it when it leaves the field. You can only use each effect of ''Cycode Buster'' once per turn.

Cycode Deleter- LINK-3, ATK: 2100, ATT: DARK, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Arrows: Left, Right, Bottom-Right

Effect: 2+ "Cycode" monsters

Once per turn, at the start of the Damage Step, when this card battles a face-up monster that is not a Link-3 or higher Link Monster: Banish it, then this card can attack again. Once per turn: You can Tribute 1 Cyberse monster this card points to, then target 1 card on the field; destroy it.

Cycode Sky Eagle- LINK-1, ATK: 800, ATT: WIND, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Arrow: Bottom-Left

Effect: 1 Cyberse monster

When this card is Link Summoned: Add 1 "Cycode" monster from your GY to your hand and if you do; you can Normal Summon it, in addition to your Normal Summon/Set, to a zone this card points to. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.) If this card is used as Link Material for the summon of a Link Summon: All monsters you control gains 400 ATK. You can only use this effect of "Cycode Sky Eagle" once per turn.

Cycode Magician- Link-2, ATK: 2000, ATT: DARK, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Arrows: Leftt, Bottom

Effect: 2 Cyberse monsters

When this card is Link Summoned: Add 1 ''Cycode'' card from your GY to your hand. If a Cyberse monster is Special Summoned to a zone this card points to; target 1 card on the field and if you do; banish it. If a ''Cycode'' Link Monster is destroyed by battle or card effect; Special Summon this card from your GY, but banish it when it leaves the field. You can only use each effect of ''Cycode Magician'' once per turn.

Cycode Leo- Link-2, ATK: 2100, ATT: LIGHT, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Arrows: Top, Bottom-Right

Effect: 2 Cyberse monsters, including a ''Cycode'' monster.

When this card or a Cyberse Link Monster battles an opponent's monster: That monster you control gains 1000 ATK. If a ''Cycode'' Link Monster is destroyed by battle or card effect; Special Summon this card from your GY, but banish it when it leaves the field. You can only use each effect of ''Cycode Leo'' once per turn.

Cycode Gaia Charger- Link-3, ATK: 2600, ATT: EARTH, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Arrows: Bottom-Left, Bottom, Right

Effect: 2+ Cyberse monsters, including a "Cycode" Monster

If this card is Link Summoned: Halve the ATK of all monsters your opponent currently controls. If your opponent summons a monster; halved its ATK and it cannot activate its effect until the End Phase. This card can attack twice and if this card attacks a Defense Position Monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. You can only use each effect of ''Cycode Gaia Charger'' once per turn.

Cyber-Eyes Link Dragon- Link-4, ATK: 2500, ATT: LIGHT, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Arrows: Top, Left, Bottom, Right

Effect: 2+ monsters

If this card is Link Summoned using at least one Link monster(s): Negate the effects of all face-up monsters your opponent controls. Your opponent can't activate cards or effects in response to this activation. Once per turn: You can Tribute one monster this card points to, then target one Special Summoned Monster on your opponent's field in Attack Position; until the end of the turn, take control of it and place it in a zone this card points to, and if you do this card gains attack points equal to that face-up monster's while you control it. Monsters you control cannot attack the turn you activate this effect, except Dragon monsters with 2500 or more ATK.

Cycode Emblem Normal Spell Card
Send 1 "Cycode" monster from your Deck to the GY; Special Summon 1 "Cycode" monster with the same Level as the sent monster from your Deck in Attack Position. You can banish this card and 1 "Cycode" monster from your GY; Special Summon 1 "Cycode" monster from your GY whose Level is equal to, or one higher or one lower than, the banished monster's. You can only activate one effect of "Cyspirit Emblem" per turn and only once per turn.

Cycode War Helm Equip Spell Card

Equip only to a "Cycode" monster. The equipped monster gains 800 ATK. Your opponent cannot target "Cycode" monsters you control for attacks, except the equipped monster. Also, your opponent cannot target "Cycode" monsters you control with card effects, except the equipped monster. This card gains the following effects, depending on the type of the equipped monster.

-Fusion, Ritual, Synchro, Xyz: When the equipped monster inflicts battle damage to your opponent: You can target 1 card in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone: destroy it, and if you do, draw 1 card.

Cyberse Infinite Coding Continuous Spell Card

Each time a Cyberse Link Monster is Link Summoned: place 1 Cyberse Counter on this card (max. 5). Once per turn: you can remove 2 Cyberse Counters from this card; draw 1 card. If this card leaves the field while it has 2 or more Cyberse Counters on it; You can Special Summon 1 Cyberse Link Monster from your Extra Deck (this Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon) whose Link Rating is equal to or less than the number of Cyberse Counters on this card when it was removed from the field.

Link Unit Equip Spell Card

Cannot be equipped to a Link Monster. If the equipped monster is used as Material for a Link Summon: it counts as 2 Link Materials.

Link Armaments Equip Spell Card

Equip only to a Link Monster. The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects and gains 500 ATK for each Link Monster in your GY. If the equipped monster attacks your opponent's Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage.

Cycode Half-Guard Normal Trap Card

If an opponent's monster declares an attack: Discard 1 "Cycode" monster; all battle damage you take for the rest of the turn is halved. At the end of the Battle Phase of the turn you activate this effect: draw 1 card for each monster your opponent controls that battled this turn. Once per Duel, if this card is in your GY, you can activate the above effect by banishing this card from the GY.

Cycode Lineage Continuous Trap Card

Activate this card by targeting 1 "Cycode" monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in Attack Position. You cannot target a Link Monster with this effect. When this card leaves the field, destroy that target. When that target is destroyed, destroy this card, then add 1 "Cycode" monster from your Deck to your hand.

Link Showdown (Normal Trap card)

Effect: When a Link Monster battles a monster your opponent controls with higher ATK, it gains ATK equal to its Link Rating x 500 until the End Phase. If a Link Monster you control attacks a monster your opponent controls: You can banish this card from your GY; it gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn.

Phantom:

Quarrion, Familiar of the Evil Eye (LR: 2/Fiend/Dark/ATK: 2100/➡️⬇️): Credit by Divadx

Effect: 2 'Evil Eye' monsters. When this card is Link Summoned: You can add 1 'Evil Eye' card from your deck to your hand. Once per turn: You can target one monster your opponent controls and one 'Evil Eye' monster in your GY; your opponent's monster loses ATK equal to your monsters ATK.

Glare of the Evil Eye (Quick-Play Spell card)

Effect: When this card is activated while you control an 'Evil Eye' monster: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; negate its effects until the End Phase.

Beltran, Familiar of the Evil Eye (LR: 1/Fiend/Dark/ATK: 100/⬇️️)

Effect: When this card is Link Summoned: You can add 1 'Evil Eye' card from your deck to your hand. Once per turn: You can destroy a card this card points to, and if you do, you can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy it.

Huan, Familiar of the Evil Eye (LR: 1/Fiend/Dark/ATK: 1000/️⬆️)

Effect: If this card points to an 'Evil Eye' monster, it can attack your opponent directly. Once, if this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can tribute 1 'Evil Eye' monster on your field; Special Summon this card from your GY.

Ena/Sanctum:

Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine- Level 6, ATK: 2300, DEF: 2000, ATT: LIGHT, Type: Psychic/Effect

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 Marigold Shine" once per turn. If this card is Summoned: Gain Life Points equal the number of cards in this card's column x500. Once per turn: Banish 1 card in your opponent's GY until the end of the next End Phase; cards with that name cannot be activated.

World Legacy Multi-Skies- Type: Continuous Spell Card

Effect: When this card is activated: You can target 1 of your banished "Mekk-Knight" or "World Legacy" cards; Special Summon it or add it to your hand. Negate any opponent's Spell effect that resolves in the same column as a "Mekk-Knight" monster you control.

Link Treasure Ticket Normal Spell Card

Target 1 Link Monster you control; draw cards equal to its Link Rating, then send an equal number of cards from the top of your Deck to the GY. You can only activate 1 "Link Treasure Ticket" once per turn.

Mekk-Knight Justice- Type: Counter Trap Card

Effect: If your opponent activates a Spell/Trap card effect or activation, banish 1 "Mekk-Knight" monster from your hand, field or GY, negate that card's activation and if you do, destroy it. You can activate this card from your hand if you control two or more "Mekk-Knight" monsters with different names. During your Main Phase, except for the turn, this card was sent to the GY; you can set 1 "Mekk-Knight" Spell or Trap from your Deck or GY face-down. You can also activate that card the turn it was set. You can only activate 1 "Mekk-Knight Justice" per turn.

Mekk-Knight Reflection- Type: Continuous Trap Card

Effect: When your opponent declares an attack or activates a monster effect, banish 1 "Mekk-Knight" monster you control; banish 1 card your opponent controls or in your GY. If your opponent declares a direct attack: Special Summon 1 of your banished "Mekk-Knight" monsters. You can only activate each effect of "Mekk-Knight Reflection" once per turn.

Various users

Link Treasure Normal Spell Card
Draw 1 card for each Link Monster on the field. You can only activate 1 "Link Treasure" per turn.

QOTC:

Which one did you enjoy the most between Storm Rider and Sanctum's duel? And do you think Storm Rider will be the only one to duel next chapter?

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Advent of New Beginnings. Chapter 3: Dueling Showdown. A mysterious new foe confronts Storm Rider by the name of Desperado, who he duels. Meanwhile, Charmcaster and Chevalier are ambushed by Glacia and Astro and are forced into a duel. Can these Top 10 members win their duels and save the people of LINK VRAINS, or will they fail?