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?

8. Full Frontal Assault

Greetings, community! Donkeyboy100 is here with chapter 8, where the battle against the Syndicate will begin. So, without further ado, please enjoy!

In the network, at the Syndicate's Stronghold,

Ladon looked at the digital screen in front of him. At the moment, Natura was doing another search to see if SOL Technologies and the Knights of Hanoi were close to finding them. After a moment passed, she found no tracks of either.

"That's a relief," Natura said. "While I hate doing these routine check-ups, SOL or the Hanoi still haven't found us yet."

"Just because they haven't found us yet, doesn't mean that they will soon," Ladon replied.

You never cease to be a bummer, Ladon." Natura added. "Moving that aside, we should focus on another threat I'm concerned about. Ghost Gal and the Shepherd."

"I'm well aware. I proposed that Galerius deal with them when they find and attack us." Ladon finished. "In the meantime, we should focus on our upcoming assignment. To prepare for the task, Queen Priscilla requested us to oversee the training of our duel soldiers. With them, they'll make a strong distraction that would keep the Top 10 busy for a while until the main event comes. And if they succeed in defeating either Storm Rider or Sanctum, the Top 10, as well as all of LINK VRAINS, will certainly lose hope. And even if they don't, their best duelists would be eliminated from the game."

"Ah, there you are," a voice said as he and another mysterious individual approached Ladon and Natura. The one who spoke was a male with short orange hair, wearing a grey jacket left unbuttoned at the end to reveal a belt with a blue gem. The jacket is also adorned with blue and yellow lines as well. He had silver eyes and a beaded earring with a blue crystal attached to his left ear. Standing next to him was a female with light purple hair and purple eyes wearing a black skirt with golden yellow outlines on her sleeves and her skirt, with the middle portion having bright-blue lines. The color on the right side of her pants was colored black with golden outlines, while the other side was colored white.

"Well, well. If it isn't Enoch and Marionette," Natura said teasingly. "How nice of you two to greet us with your presence."

"Oh, spare us," Enoch said. Per the queen's orders, we have rounded up the soldiers for you to use in the attack."

"We appreciate the assistance. With these forces, the Top 10 will fall. With SO Technologies following right after." Ladon stated. And even if they aren't, they'll be crippled, he thought in the back of his mind. "I assume either Umbra or Desperado will be in charge of leading the soldiers." He and Malf began walking away, only for the Light Ignis to speak up.

"Not quite," Marionette said. "Since you guys watched over the soldiers, Queen Priscilla wants the two of you to lead them."

"Awesome!" Natura cheered. "I've been dying for some action! I can't wait!"

"So, are you two going to continue with your mission?" Ladon asked.

"Of course. Once we fulfilled it, the Top 10 will finally be eliminated along with SOL Technologies," Enoch said. "We wish the two of you luck."

"Thanks. We'll inform you of what happened once the mission is complete. Ciao."

Ladon and Natura walked away from Enoch and Marionette.

"You think the mission will be a success?" Marionette asked.

"Who knows? Anything could happen," Enoch replied. "I know we'll learn more about the Top 10 and how they duel, whatever the outcome."

"That's true," Marionette agreed. "Well, we better get a move on. We have a mission of ours to complete also.

Following her words, Marionette and Enoch logged out of the room.

At Kolter's apartment, in the morning...

Yuji got up, having had enough rest from doing a background check on Esper to discover her true identity. Still, the news regarding an unknown individual message him about wanting to team up with the Top 10 and help them stop the Syndicate from destroying LINK VRAINS. Yuji was curious about how Esper contacted him since his email was for Storm Rider, and people who had his email knew him.

While having more allies wasn't a problem for him, there were some things to consider when working with someone you don't know. First, there were the person's motives. Esper stated that a friend of hers was one of the victims during the incident the Syndicate caused. Feeling helpless that she couldn't do anything, Esper took it upon herself to stand up against the Syndicate to avenge her friend. Second, if they're telling the truth. While Esper seemed nice and honest, there was still a suspicion that she could not be who she said she was. Therefore, it would be wise for everyone to keep an eye on her.

Third, there was the concern that only some team members would get along with them or be okay with a new member joining. Some may be okay with it, while others may not be. Yuji then went downstairs to the living room before heading to the kitchen, the thoughts still on his mind. He'd likely be talking it over with Ena and the others once they were at school. His eyes widened when he recalled that Esper would see them today at school. Indicating she's already a student there or a transfer. At least this loose end will be solved by the end of the day.

"Morning, Yuji," Kolter said, who was sitting down at the kitchen table with Ena and Jin, drinking coffee. Near him were a bowl of cereal and a blueberry muffin.

"Morning," Yuji replied, going over to the fridge and grabbing a yogurt before grabbing a piece of toast and putting it in the nearby toaster. When he set up at his usual spot at the kitchen table, the toast came out of the toaster, causing Yuji to take it out and put blueberry jam on it. From there, he brought it to the table and began eating it. "Did you sleep last night, Ena?"

Ena shook her head. "While I partially succeeded, the shock that Esper would attend school with us today was distracting. I got about five hours of sleep last night, slightly better than I anticipated."

"That's good to hear," Yuji said.

Kolter looked at the duo. "I know it's not my place to say this, but what will you guys do when you meet Esper at school?"

Ena sighed, knowing that Kolter had a point. "To be honest, I have no idea. I understand she wants to avenge her friend, but she's putting herself at risk."

"But you saw her duel with Roselyn. She proved to be a challenging opponent to face," Yuji reminded her. "And Zaizen says it's best to have more allies on our side. Whoever Esper is, we'll have to treat her as if she was a member of the Top 10."

"I guess you're right," Ena admitted. "Well, since I didn't have a chance to shower last night, I'm going to take one before we leave."

The next few minutes were silent as the quartet ate their breakfasts. Once that was done, Ena went to the bathroom while Yuji headed to the living room. He picked up his Duel Disk before going to his room. After he changed into his Den City High School uniform and attached his Duel Disk to his left wrist, he went to the front door. Shortly after, Ena, now in her school uniform, left the apartment with Yuju before going the usual route. When the duo arrived at Den City High, they spotted Skye ahead of them.

"Skye." The girl turned to Yuji and Ena as they approached her.

"Morning, Yuji and Ena," Skye responded. "Did you do any work regarding who Esper is?"

"We did, but we up sadly short," Yuji answered. "Either way, we'll find out their identity today. That's for sure." The three teens kept walking until a familiar voice got their attention.

"Yuji! Ena! Skye! Wait up!" Theodore and Lily ran over to them, stopping the trio

"You seem more energetic than usual today," Ena remarked.

"When you get a good night's sleep, it fires you up for the day!" Theodore told her. "Also, in case you're wondering, Lily and I failed to figure out Esper's identity. You guys had any luck?"

"Afraid not," Skye answered.

"That's okay. We're meeting them today anyway," Lily casually said. "Speaking of which, did she contact you, Yuji?"

"She did," Yuji replied as the group continued walking. "She said she'll meet us during lunch, and I told her to meet in a classroom that I reserved for us."

"Smart move." Ena praised.

"I wonder how Esper knew we attended Den City High School?" Theodore questioned.

"Probably because we're teenagers," Skye said.

"That makes sense," Lily said.

"Hey, you guys!" Shima shouted out of nowhere, getting the quintet's attention as they stopped walking. "It's nice to see you guys. Did I miss anything important in Duel Club?"

"Nope. You're good," Skye told him.

"Forget about Duel Club. It would be best if you focused on getting back to full health Shima," Yuji said.

"Geez, you're such a bummer, Sugimuto," Shima pouted. "Plus, I could forget about Duel Club."

"Our school has a Duel Club?" Lily asked, getting Naoki's attention. "With all my studies, I never had time to join any clubs. Maybe I should go and sign up."

"Yeah, you totally should!" Shima encouraged Lily. "It's the only club in school where you can learn pro-level strategies from yours truly."

"Learn from you?" Ena raised an eyebrow.

"What's with the skepticism? You know you're talking to Playmaker's sidekick, right!" Upon hearing Shima's rant again, Skye stopped walking and returned to the conversation. "Isn't that so, Theodore?"

"So you claim." Theodore calmly responded.

"It's a fact that he couldn't defeat the Knights of Hanoi without my help!" Shima firmly stated. "When we hung out the other day, he couldn't stop gushing about how awesome I was!"

"Oh?" Yuji interrupted before laughing. "I find your obsession with Playmaker disturbing."

"Hey, it's not disturbing!" Shima rebutted, causing Yuji to laugh even more. Sighing, Skye was about to walk toward the Den Academy entrance when she and the others heard another voice.

"Don't bother convincing them, Shidra."

The quintet, along with Shima, turned towards Taigen walking past them, before Shima stopped him from walking, getting his attention.

"It's Shima! Not Shidra, not Shido, but Shima! Get it right!" Shima told him.

"Sorry," Taigen apologized. "I'm terrible with names."

"That's okay. I'll let it slide this time. That being said, after witnessing your skills firsthand, you can raise awareness for the Duel Club, thus recruiting more members. What do you say? Want to lend a helping hand?"

"Thanks, but no thanks." Taigen calmly declined, causing Shima's jaw to drop as he forced the boy to let go of him. "The reason is that while I love being a member of Duel Club, I believe the original members should be the ones to get the word out about it. Once again, I'm sorry. Have a nice day." He walked up the steps towards the Den City High School, leaving Shima in shock. Yuji had to admit. At least one student had the guts to decline Shima's offer like that, and in a fashion that was both polite and brutal.

"The rest of us have class," Yuji told a stuttering Shima as he, Ena, and the others went towards Den City High School and headed to their classrooms.

A few hours later, at lunch period, in Room 101…

Yuji, Ena and the others were in a classroom eating, waiting for Esper to arrive. As the classroom was empty, they could reserve it for themselves, thus enabling the opportunity to privately discuss the matter.

"Honestly, when's Esper going to arrive?" Skye asked. "Waiting is annoying."

"I thought you liked waiting," Theodore stated.

"I only like waiting when it's for good news," Skye replied. Their conversation would have gone on had they not heard someone knocking on the door.

"Looks like they're here," Ena said. "Let's see who they are and see if they're worth working alongside."

Yugi got off his chair and went to the entrance before opening the door. Within moments, Yuji and Ena's eyes widened upon seeing the individual.

"RHEA!"

The two teens shouted as the girl smiled and waved at them. "The one and only," she said. "First off, it's nice to meet everyone! A fun fact: I managed to figure out your identities. Rest assured, everyone. I won't tell anyone, as that wouldn't be nice of me."

Skye, Theodore and Lily were all surprised at hearing this statement. This girl was able to figure out all their identities and connect the dots. Still, there was something fishy about it.

"So you're Esper?" Theodore asked.

"Yup. That's me!" Rhea confirmed.

"I'm confused," Ena said. "You said your friend was one of the victims affected by the incident the Syndicate caused. If you just moved here, then how is that possible?"

"Oh yeah. Guess I should explain that," Rhea said. "You see, she's my childhood friend. We grew up together, and then three years ago, she moved to Den City. We kept in touch by meeting each other in LINK VRAINS."

"Why do you want to help us?" Skye raised an eyebrow, waiting for Rhea to answer.

"As I said, I want to avenge my friend and make the Syndicate pay for harming them," Rhea explained. "That's why I came to you guys. I understand I'm an outsider, meaning it's hard for you guys to believe and trust me. But you have to understand, you guys don't have to face this fight alone."

Ena thought about this for a minute. Rhea showed good potential in aiding the group and acted sincerely in helping them out. However, she suspected that something was up. A girl she just met messages Yuji and says she wants to help, with no relation to what is happening. Still, it didn't hurt to give Rhea a shot.

"Ena, I know you're suspicious about Rhea's intentions, but I don't think she's the guy who would be our enemy," Yuji told her. "If she wanted, he would have given away our identities long ago."

"Which means another point for the good guys!" Lily cheered. Ena thought about it for a little longer before coming to a decision.

"If what you say is true, we'll give you a chance," she told Rhea. "However, you'll have to earn the trust of the rest of the Top 10 over the next few days."

Rhea grinned, happy with the answer. "Great! Uh, how can I do that?"

"We're trying to pinpoint the location of the Syndicate or force them to come out of hiding," Theodore explained. "Meet us at Café Nom, and we'll give you a shot!"

"And where's that?" Rhea asked.

"The public viewing plaza," Ena answered.

"Here's the address," Yuji said, sending it to Rhea through a text message. The teens then walked out of the empty classroom. "See you all at the end of the day." With that, everyone went in separate directions, heading to their afternoon classes.

A few hours later...

"There you are!"

Rhea met Yuji and Ena in the hallway, walking with them. "So you ready for the upcoming mission or what?"

Yuji and Ena stopped walking when they and Rhea exited the school, turning to their right.

"Okay, there are some ground rules regarding our actions," Ena said.

"Ground rules?" Rhea repeated. "Fine. What are they?"

"Rule One: You do not reveal your identity to the public, nor disclose information that's discussed in private," Yuji said. "Rule Two: Do not talk about Rule One. Rule Three: Do not stand out; otherwise, people will become suspicious of you. Do you understand?"

Rhea nodded in response, knowing this was serious. "Alright. I understand." Her eyes widened. "Oops. I just remembered I promised my mom I would pick something up from the store while she and my father were busy at work. Do you guys mind heading without me? I'll meet you there."

"Sure thing," Ena replied. "See you when you arrive."

At that moment, Rhea began walking away from Den City High School while Yuji and Ena headed toward Cafe Nom.

At Café Nom...

Yuji and Ena arrived at Café Nagi. Seeing that Skye, Theodore and Lily had arrived, Kolter served a takeout package of two hot dogs to a customer as they left.

"Enjoy!" Kolter called out as the customer left. He then turned to Yuji and Ena before smiling and wiping his forehead. "Man, when you're working all day, it doesn't give you a chance to analyze that gate. One couple I served hot dogs to called them hot dog sandwiches, and I'll admit it. I was slightly irritated."

"Well, at least you got through the afternoon shift," Theodore stated, trying to help Kolter look on the bright side as he closed up for the day.

"Kolter, I sent you a text earlier." Yuji interrupted as he, Ena and the others entered Café Nom from the side.

"If you mean regarding our potential ally, yeah. I got it." Kolter responded. "I'm quite curious whether they have the skills to."

"WAIT! FOR! ME!" Rhea suddenly said, running to Café Nom and panting in the process. She looked around before going to the side and knocking on the door. "Hello? Anyone there?" Yuji opened the door, allowing Rhea to enter.

"Well, that was quick," Ena commented. "I was sure you'd be arriving a bit later."

"Lucky for me, the store was close to school," Rhea replied.

"So you're the famous Esper." Kolter greeted her. "Yuji and Ena said you just moved here, correct?" Arashi nodded before Kusanagi got serious. "While I am glad for more allies, you must prove yourself if you want to join the team."

"I'm aware," Rhea replied. "But know I'll do everything I can to prove my usefulness to you guys."

Suddenly, a scream interrupted Kolter. The screens flickered, and several duelists appeared from a large portal formed within LINK VRAINS. They were riding on monsters that went on a rampage, causing several screens to explode.

"It's the Syndicate!"

"They're attacking!"

"Hurry and log out!"

The crowds immediately dispersed, and the Duelists in LINK VRAINS started logging out one by one.

"It's the Syndicate!" Theodore stated, seeing the live footage of the soldiers defeating one duelist after another.

"They're attacking LINK VRAINS again?!" Lily exclaimed with a frown, covering her mouth as a soldier had purged a duelist.

"Aside from defeating duelist, it also looks like they're spreading viruses and bugs into the server. I don't know why they're doing this since I don't know what kind of viruses and bugs these are, but it is certainly something we cannot ignore. They need to be stopped." Kolter stated.

"Don't worry, Kolter. Leave this to us. Time for us to put a stop to this." Yuji told everyone, showing a message with written instructions from Zaizen for them to take immediate action.

"I'll contact Gore and the others," Skye said.

"We should split into groups to cover more ground," Lily suggested. "I'll go with Skye and Theo, while Yuji and Ena can go with Rhea. Sound good?"

All of them nodded as they put on their Duel Disks.

"Be careful, everyone!" Kolter told them.

"It's okay! We'll return!" Yuji promised. He looked at his comrades again. "Ready, everyone?"

"Do you need to ask?" Ena responded with a raised brow and excited grin. They were more than ready.

"Time to link into the VRAINS!"

In LINK VRAINS...

The Syndicate soldiers mercilessly attacked and purged any duelist they crossed paths with. The viruses they scattered along the way began to corrupt the server. People who came in contact with it were instantly deleted.

"Do you think this is enough? It will spread the entire area in a few minutes." A soldier in a white high-collared shirt with a black necktie under a black suit whose sleeves rolled up to his elbows said. He also had a light gray belt around his wrists, waist, and knees, black pants, shoes, and fingerless gloves.

"No. Not yet. Let's hunt down more prey before we finish this." Another soldier said. He was wearing a white high-collared shirt under a dark gray vest and a black jacket with golden chains attached to his shoulders. He spotted an escaping player before him. He and his three companions were ready to give the said prey a chase when wind-like blades barely grazed them, stopping them.

"That's as far as you can go!"

The three soldiers turned to the source of the voice. It was Storm Rider, Sanctum and Esper. The three of them rode their D-Boards as they approached the three soldiers.

"It's the Top 10!" The third soldier exclaimed. He was wearing a black high-collared shirt under a white, and golden vest, a black necktie, a black jacket with white and golden trims, a golden ring on each of their fingers, a black belt with a golden ornament on its front, white pants rolled up to reveal their black interior, and black shoes with dark gray soles exclaimed.

"But who's the girl with them?" The first soldier asked.

"The name's Esper!" she answered. And we're the ones who will put a stop to you!"

Following Esper's words, she activated her Data Anchor as it latched onto the first soldier's wrist. She yanked him off his D-Board as they landed on the ground.

"I'll take care of this guy. You two take care of the others."

Storm Rider and Sanctum nodded before activating their Data Anchors. Separating the last two soldiers from each other.

"Oh? So the Top 10 has recruited some allies." The second soldier said with a mocking tone as he faced Esper and activated his Duel Disk. "I'll show you the real horror of the Syndicate with the power they've granted us!"

"And I'll show you the power of duelists who fight for justice and what's right!" Esper retorted, activating her Duel Disk.

"Duel!" The Syndicate Soldier and Esper shouted in unison.

Syndicate Soldier No. 1: 4000 LP

Esper: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn." the Soldier said, waving his hand in front of him to see his cards. I activate the Field Spell Card: Palace of the Elemental Lords! While this card is on the field, my monsters gain 200 attack and defense points for each monster with a different Attribute in my Graveyard!" Leila narrowed her eyes at that information. "I summon Elementsaber Malo!"

A muscular shirtless man in red and blue pants appeared, wielding an axe with the blade on fire.

Elementsaber Malo ATK 1700 DEF 200 LVL: 3

"Malo's effect activates! Once per turn, I can send an "Elementsaber" monster from my hand to the Graveyard to send an "Elementsaber" or "Elemental Lord" monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. However, if I would send a card from my hand to the Graveyard to activate an "Elementsaber" monster's effect, Palace of the Elemental Lords' effect lets me send the same number of "Elementsaber" monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard instead! I send Elementsaber Makani from my Deck to the Graveyard to send Elementsaber Molehu from my Deck to the Graveyard. And since there are now two monsters in my Graveyard with different Attributes, Palace of the Elemental Lords increases Malo's attack and defense points by 400!"

Elementsaber Malo ATK 1700→2100 DEF 200→600

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," the Soldier concluded. "Show me your worst, Esper!"

"I will," Esper said. "My turn! I draw!" She took a card from her hand and played it. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Brain Research Lab!"

The entire area around the two duelists became covered in monitors and computers while a green tube holding a brain appeared behind Esper.

"Next, I Normal Summon Psychic Snail!"

An orange and purple monster emerging from a large shell covered in yellow orbs appeared in Attack Position.

Psychic Snail ATK 1900 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"And thanks to the effect of Brain Research Lab, I can perform a second Normal Summon, so long as the monster is Psychic-type and I place a Psychic Counter on this card. I summon Mind Master!"

A monster that resembled a small robot with a glass bowl on its head containing a brain. At the same time, one of the wall panels lit up, signaling the placing of a Psychic Counter.

Mind Master ATK 100 DEF 200 LVL: 1

Brain Research Lab: 1 PC

"I tune the Level 1 Mind Master with the Level 4 Psychic Snail!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Esper as the world greyed out, and her two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, which were colored green, appeared before turning blue and merging. Five blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "1 + 4" in front of them. The screen then changed to "5" as light surged through the rings.

"I Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 5! Magical Android!"

A woman with pink hair, wearing a blue and white dress, carrying a strange-shaped staff and shield, appeared on Esper's field in Attack Position.

Magical Android ATK 2400 DEF 1700 LVL: 5

Esper took another card from her hand. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Teleport, which allows me to Special Summon 1 Level 3 or lower Psychic-type monster from my hand or Deck, but it is banished during the End Phase. I Special Summon Psychic Commander from my Deck!"

A man in a green uniform riding in a hovering tank appeared.

Psychic Commander ATK 1400 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Next, I activate the Equip Spell Premature Burial!" Esper continued. "By paying 800 Life Points, I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard! I return Psychic Snail to the field!"

Esper: 4000→3200 LP

Psychic Snail ATK 1900 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"I now activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge! Normally, it lets me draw two cards, but I can draw four when my hand is empty!"

Esper drew and smiled at her cards. "And now I activate the Equip Spell Card: Psychic Dawn, and equip it to Psychic Commander!"

Psychic Commander got a little yellow sun on its jacket.

"Before I explain its effects, though, I'll activate the effect of Psychic Snail! By paying 800 Life Points, 1 Psychic-type monster can attack twice this turn, but Psychic Snail cannot attack in return. I target Magical Android with its effect!"

Psychic Snail gathered electricity between its antennae, which was then directed to Magical Android, who absorbed it.

"Hold on!" Soldier 1 said, confused. "Didn't you say that card requires you to pay 800 Life Points?"

"Normally, it does," Esper answered, "but thanks to the effect of Brain Research Lab, I don't have to pay Life Points to activate the effects of Psychic-type monsters. Instead, I place 1 Psychic Counter on Brain Research Lab!"

Brain Research Lab: 2 PC

"Battle!" Esper exclaimed. "Magical Android, attack Elementsaber Malo!"

Magical Android started to gather energy in its staff.

The Soldier smirked. "Predictable. I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Elemental Training! While this card is on the field, you cannot target Palace of the Elemental Lords with card effects, and card effects can't destroy it."

Esper narrowed her eyes. That effect didn't help his monster. Which means-

"I activate Elemental Training's additional effect! Once per turn, I can Tribute a monster to Special Summon an "Elementsaber" monster from my Deck with a different Attribute. I Tribute Malo to Special Summon Elementsaber Aina!"

The muscular man disappeared and was replaced by a young blonde girl with a shield larger than her in Defense Position.

Elementsaber Aina ATK 900→1500 DEF 1800→2400

Esper gritted her teeth. There it was; he had traded his monster for one in Defense Position and increased the bonus Palace of the Elemental Lords granted his monsters. Even so… "I activate the effect of Psychic Commander! Since a Psychic-Type monster is battling, I can pay up to 500 Life Points to reduce your monster's attack and defense by the same amount! I pay 500 Life Points to reduce your Aina's attack and defense by 500! But due to the effect of Brain Research Lab, I pay no Life Points, and it gains a Psychic Counter!"

Elementsaber Aina ATK 1500→1000 DEF 2400→1900

Brain Research Lab: 3 PC

Magical Android let loose an energy blast at Aina, destroying her.

"Next, I attack you directly with Magical Android again!"

"Not so fast! I activate the Trap Card: Pinpoint Guard!" Soldier 1 shouted. "When a monster you control declares an attack, I'm allowed to target a Level 4 or lower monster in my Graveyard, and Special Summon it in Defense Position! Aid me, Elementsaber Aina!"

The girl with a large shield reappeared on the Soldier's field in Defense Position.

Elementsaber Aina ATK 900→1500 DEF 1800→2400

"In addition, the monster summoned by Pinpoint Guard cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn."

A barrier formed around Aina, protecting her from Magical Android's attack.

"Guess I have no choice but to place a card face-down and activate the Continuous Spell Card: Field Barrier!" Esper stated. "So long as Field Barrier is in play, Field Spell Cards cannot be destroyed, and neither of us can activate a new Field Spell Card. With that, I end my turn. Since it is the End Phase, two things happen. First, the effect of Emergency Teleport would banish my Psychic Commander, but because it is equipped with Psychic Dawn, it cannot be banished. Therefore, it remains on the field. Second, the effect of my Magical Android increases my Life Points by 600 for each Psychic-type monster I control. I control three, so I gain 1800 Life Points!"

Esper: 3200→5000 LP

"My turn! I draw!" the Soldier declared. "I activate the Spell Card: Offerings to a Higher Power! I can draw two cards by sending one monster on my field to my Graveyard. I send Elementsaber Aina from my field to my Graveyard and draw!"

After Aina turned into particles, the Soldier drew and looked at his cards.

I activate the effect of Elementsaber Lapauila Mana in my hand! By discarding two monsters, I can Special Summon it from my hand. However, once per turn, if an "Elementsaber" monster would send cards from my hand to the Graveyard to activate its effect, Palace of the Elemental Lords lets me send such cards from my Deck to the Graveyard instead. I send Elementsaber Lapauila and Elementsaber Nalu from my Deck to the Graveyard to Special Summon Lapauila Mana!" A blonde man in yellow-and-green armor appeared in Attack Position, a sword in his left hand.

Elementsaber Lapauila Mana ATK 2400→3600 DEF 2100→3300

"Now he has six Attributes in his Graveyard," Esper muttered.

"When Lapauila Mana is Special Summoned by its effect, I can apply certain effects depending on the Attributes of any "Elementsaber" monsters sent to the Graveyard," Soldier 1 continued. "The monsters I sent were Light and Water, so my "Elementsaber" and "Elemental Lord" monsters cannot be destroyed by effects and cannot be targeted by your card effects." Esper grit her teeth while Soldier 1 smirked. "And now, I think it's time I reveal a certain mechanic of my "Elementsaber" monsters; once per turn, while they are in the Graveyard, I can change their Attributes."

"You can change their Attributes in the Graveyard?" Esper repeated with a frown.

"That's right. I activate the effects of Molehu, Malo, Aina, and Lapauila in my Graveyard! Until the end of the turn, I change the four of them to Wind Attribute!"

Why would he do that? Esper wondered. He's weakening his monsters by lessening the number of Attributes in his Graveyard.

Elementsaber Lapauila Mana ATK 3600→2800 DEF 3300→2500

"What you are thinking is obvious: Why did he change his monsters' Attributes? Why would he weaken his monster?" Esper scowled at the correct but obvious guess. "My reason is this: When I have exactly five Wind monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Windrose the Elemental Lord!" Esper's eyes widened. A tornado formed on Soldier 1's field, only to disperse and reveal a massive green bird with wings and claws made of violet roses in Attack Position.

Windrose the Elemental Lord ATK 2800→3200 DEF 2200→2600 LVL: 8

"Windrose's monster effect! When it is Special Summoned, all Spell and Trap Cards you control are destroyed!"

A gale of wind tore across Esper's field, destroying Field Barrier, Psychic Dawn and her face-down card.

"Battle! Lapauila Mana attacks Psychic Commander!"

The man fired several bolts of lightning at the man in a hover tank.

"I activate Psychic Commnader's effect to lower Mana's attack and defense points by 500!" Esper declared.

Elementsaber Lapauila Mana ATK 2800→2300 DEF 2500→2000

Brain Research Lab: 4 PC

"That matters not! My monster's still stronger!" The Soldier pointed out. "Continue your attack, Lapauila Mana!"

The lightning struck and destroyed Psychic Commander, causing Esper to flinch.

Esper: 5000→4100 LP

"Windrose attacks Magical Android!"

The massive bird flapped its wings, sending wind blades at the Synchro Monster. She screamed from the impact as she was destroyed while Esper winced.

Esper: 4100→3300 LP

"I end my turn. During the End Phase, the effect of Psychic Commander ends and the Attributes of Elementsabers Aina, Lapauila, Malo, and Molehu in my Graveyard return to their original Attributes."

Elementsaber Lapuila Mana ATK 2300→3600 DEF 2500→3300

Windrose the Elemental Lord ATK 3200→4000 DEF 2600→3400

Soldier 1 smirked. "Why don't you just give up now? So long as Lapauila Mana is on the field, my "Elementsaber" and "Elemental Lord" monsters cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects. You are at a disadvantage."

"Perhaps," Esper allowed. "But this situation motivates me all the more to make such a situation as temporary as possible! My turn! I draw! First, I place a card face-down and then activate the Spell Card: Foresight Draw! Through its effect, l guess what the top card of my Deck is. If I guess correctly, I can draw five cards from my Deck; otherwise, I will have to send the five top cards of my Deck to the Graveyard and skip my next Draw Phase. I guess that my top card is a Monster Card. Now, draw!"

She checked her top card and revealed it.

"It looks like I was correct, so I draw five cards. Next, I summon Hushed Psychic Cleric!"

A dark-skinned man with long gray hair wearing white and purple robes with yellow lining appeared. He wielded a yellow and white staff in his left hand.

Hushed Psychic Cleric ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 3

"Psychic Cleric's effect activates! When it is Normal or Flip Summoned, it is changed to Defense Position. Then, its additional effect activates! Once per turn, I can discard a card and then banish a Psychic monster from my Graveyard. I'll banish the discarded Master Gig. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Water of Life! This card lets Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position! Return, Mind Master!"

The small robot with a brain reappeared.

Mind Master ATK 100 DEF 200 LVL: 1

Soldier 1 narrowed his eyes. "That monster's a Tuner." His eyes widened. "She's planning to-!"

"Level 1 Mind Master tunes Level 4 Psychic Snail and Level 3 Hushed Psychic Cleric!"

Esper's monsters disintegrated into green data as eight blue rings formed. Blue-green rectangles appeared, circling the tower of rings. The screen said "1 + 4 + 3" before changing to "8." A stream of light went through the rings.

"Demon born from black flames, emerge and destroy all my enemies!" Esper chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Thought Ruler Archfiend!"

A massive, green-skinned demon with white bones on his chest and legs appeared on Esper's field in Attack Position. He had green wings with orange spines all over them and orange nails on his fingers and toes. Lastly, there were orange braces evenly spread out on his tail.

Thought Ruler Archfiend ATK 2700 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

"Since Hushed Psychic Cleric was sent to the Graveyard, its additional effect activates, and I can Special Summon a monster that was banished by its effect." The Soldier's eyes widened. "Return to me, Master Gig!"

A large black ball appeared on Esper's field in Attack Position. It had a face atop its body and a series of tubes around its midsection.

Master Gig ATK 2600 DEF 1400 LVL: 8

I place a card face-down and activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Double Cyclone! I can destroy one of my Spell or Trap cards in exchange for destroying one of yours! In this case, I'll destroy my set card to destroy Element Training!"

Two cyclones emerged from the card, one yellow and one red. The red cyclone destroyed Esper's set card, while the yellow cyclone destroyed Soldier 1's Continuous Trap.

"And since my destroyed card was Dummy Marker and a card effect destroyed it, I can draw one card, plus an additional one since a Spell destroyed it," Esper drew, then she said, "

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Palace of the Elemental Lords!"

"What?" Soldier 1 said, startled as a blast of wind struck his Field Spell and destroyed it. "With Palace of the Elemental Lords no longer on the field, my monsters' attack points return to normal."

Elementsaber Lapauila Mana ATK 3600→2400 DEF 3300→2100

Windrose the Elemental Lord ATK 4000→2800 DEF 3400→2200

"Now," Esper said, "I activate the Continuous Spell Card Solidarity! If I have only one type of monster in the Graveyard, all monsters I control of the same type gain 800 attack points! All the monsters in my Graveyard are Psychic-type, so all Psychic monsters gain 800 attack points!"

"What?" Soldier 1 said, surprised.

Thought Ruler Archfiend ATK 2700→3500

Master Gig ATK 2600→3400

"Battle! Thought Ruler Archfiend attacks Windrose the Elemental Lord!"

The demon brought its claws down on the winged creature. Windrose tried to block with its wing, but Thought Ruler Archfiend's claws pierced it and destroyed it, making Solider wince in pain from the attack.

Syndicate Soldier No. 1: 4000→3300 LP

"Thought Ruler Archfiend's effect activates! When it destroys your monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, I gain Life Points equal to your monster's attack points!"

Esper: 3300→6100 LP

"Now, Master Gig attacks Lapauila Mana!"

The monster fired several bolts of green energy that tore through the man, making Soldier No. 1 grunt.

Syndicate Soldier No. 1: 3300→2200 LP

The Soldier grimaced. Perhaps I should have used Palace of the Elemental Lords' effect to send Aina or Makani to the Graveyard; that would have protected my monsters from destruction by battle.

"As I said before, I am familiar with the Elemental Lords," Esper said. "And I know that when Windrose leaves the field, the Battle Phase of your next turn is skipped." The Soldier gritted his teeth at the reminder. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."

The Soldier gritted his teeth. "You are strong. Far stronger than I anticipated. But I have a job to fulfill. I will defeat you and take down your Top 10 comrades! My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise, which lets me draw until I have five cards. But I must send my entire hand to the Graveyard during my fifth Standby Phase after activating this card."

Esper narrowed her eyes. "What an annoying card."

The Soldier drew four cards, looked at them, then took one. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Nitro Unit, and equip it to your Master Gig!"

"To my monster?" Esper said, surprised. "I don't know what you have planned, but I won't allow it. I activate Thought Ruler Archfiend's effect! When you target a Psychic monster I control with a Spell or Trap effect, I can pay 1000 Life Points to negate the activation of that card and destroy it!"

"That's pointless!" Soldier 1 abruptly stated. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Effect Shut! It negates the activation of Thought Ruler Archfiends effect and destroys it!"

Esper gasped as the demon was suddenly trapped inside a steel cage and vanished into a bright light.

"Since Thought Ruler is gone, Nitro Unit can now be equipped to Master Gig!"

A green and black machine attached itself to Master Gig's body.

"I activate the effects of Makani, Aina, and Nalu in my Graveyard!" Soldier 1 declared. "I change their Attributes to Light until the end of the turn."

"Looks like another Elemental Lord is coming," Esper muttered.

"Since I have exactly five Light monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Phosphorage the Elemental Lord!"

The sky around them started to change. In a strike of thunder, a large creature in yellow armor appeared in Attack Position, with electricity emitting from its body.

Phosphorage the Elemental Lord ATK 2800 DEF 2200 LVL: 8

"Phosphorage's effect activates! When it's Special Summoned, I can destroy all monsters on your field!" Esper's eyes widened. "Phosphorage, strike with Wrath of Thunder!"

Black clouds appeared above the two duelists and started to rumble before bolts of lightning shot downward and slammed onto Esper's monsters, destroying them.

"The effect of Nitro Unit activates!" Soldier 1 continued. "When the equipped monster is destroyed, you take damage equal to that monster's attack points! Take 3400 points!"

Nitro Unit reappeared on Esper's field and exploded. Esper screamed in pain as she was pushed back several feet.

Esper: 6100→2700 LP

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Power Converter and equip it to Phosphorage!"

A bronze and silver mechanical armor appeared and was equipped onto Phosphorage's back.

"I activate Power Converter's effect!" Soldier No. 1 shouted. "By sending it to the Graveyard, all of Phosphorage's attack points are added to my Life Points."

Syndicate Soldier No. 1: 2200→5000 LP

Phosphorage the Elemental Lord ATK 2800→0

"Great. Now it's going to be more of a challenge to beat him," Esper muttered.

"I end my turn, meaning Phosphorage's attack points return to normal."

Phosphorage the Elemental Lord ATK 0→2800

"My turn! I draw!" Esper announced. "I activate the Trap Card: Psychic Overload! This card lets me target three Psychic monsters in my Graveyard and shuffle them into my Deck. By doing so, I can draw two cards. I shuffle Psychic Snail, Hushed Psychic Cleric, and Psychic Commander from my Graveyard into my Deck!"

Esper took the cards from her Graveyard, shuffled them into her Deck and drew.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Grief!" Esper continued. "By sending the top five cards of my Deck to the Graveyard, I can draw two cards in exchange. Furthermore, I activate the Spell Card: Soul Release! This card lets me banish up to five cards from our Graveyards. I banish Thought Ruler Archfiend and Mind Master from my Graveyard!"

"What?" the Syndicate Soldier said, surprised. "Why would you banish your cards?"

"To do this!" Esper answered with a confident smile. "I activate the Spell Card: Psychic Re-Synchro!" The card showed a series of Synchro rings surrounding Thought Ruler Archfiend as he emerged from a Graveyard. "This card lets me return one Psychic Tuner monster and one non-Tuner Psychic monster that is banished right back into my Deck. By doing so, I can Synchro Summon one Psychic Synchro monster, whose levels equal the total levels of the returned monsters. I return the Level 1 Tuner monster Mind Master and the Level 8 non-Tuner monster Thought Ruler Archfiend that's banished back to my Deck and Extra Deck!"

A portal appeared beside Esper with two cards popping out of it before she grabbed them and shuffled them into her Deck and Extra Deck.

"Now come, Level 9! Hyper Psychic Blaster!"

A humanoid giant wearing white armor appeared on Esper's field in Attack Position. In his hands, he wielded dual-wielding back and white futuristic guns.

Hyper Psychic Blaster ATK 3000→3800 DEF 2500 LVL: 9

"I also activate the Spell Card: Block Attack!" Esper continued. "This card lets me target one face-up Attack Position monster you control and change it to face-up Defense Position. I target Phosphorage the Elemental Lord!"

A blast fired out of Block Attack, which hit Phosphorage and forced it to change to Defense Position.

"Battle!" Esper declared. "Hyper Psychic Blaster attacks Phosphorage the Elemental Lord! And when Hyper Psychic Blaster battles your defense position monster, you take piercing battle damage!"

"What?!" Soldier No. 1 exclaimed, having been caught off guard by what he had just heard.

"Take this! Hyper Piercer!"

Hyper Psychic Blaster's guns charged for a moment or two before releasing energy beams at Phosphorage. The beams hit the Soldier, who was forced to take a step back upon impact.

Syndicate Soldier No. 1: 5000→3400 LP

"Hyper Psychic Blaster has another effect!" Esper stated. "When it battles your Defense Position monster, I gain Life Points equal to the difference between its attack points and your monster's defense points. In this case, the difference is 1600!"

A golden light surrounded Esper as her Life Points increased.

Esper: 2700→4300

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

The Soldier frowned. "My Life Points are 3400 while yours are 4300. At this rate, our duel will turn to one of attrition."

"Perhaps," Esper allowed. "Or you could make it easier and surrender."

"Ha! Why would I make such an illogical choice? While I appear to be at a disadvantage, that can shift at any moment. And if Phosphorage's effect means I cannot battle this turn, I have other means to turn the tides. My turn! I draw!" The Soldier drew and smirked. "I activate the Spell Card: Spell Rewind!" The card showed a blank green card falling into a vortex. "By banishing one Normal Spell Card from my Graveyard, I can add a different Normal Spell Card to my hand. I banish Offerings to a Higher Power and add Card of Demis to my hand, which I'll now activate! Through its effect, I draw until I have five cards in my hand!"

Following his words, the Soldier drew four new cards.

"I activate the Spell Card: Terraforming, which lets me add a Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add another Palace of the Elemental Lords, which I'll activate! While Palace is on the field, my monsters gain 200 attack and defense points for each attribute in my Graveyard. I activate Palace's effect! Once per turn, I can add an "Elementsaber" monster from my Deck to my hand, but at the cost of skipping the Battle Phase of my next turn. I'll add Elementsaber Makani to my hand and then summon it!"

A young boy in green armor with violet hair appeared.

Elementsaber Makani ATK 1300→2500 DEF 1200→2400 LVL: 2

"Makani's monster effect! Once per turn, I can send an "Elementsaber" monster from my hand to the Graveyard to add an "Elementsaber" or "Elemental Lord" monster from my Deck to my hand. But due to Palace's effect, I can send a monster from my Deck to the Graveyard instead. I send Elementsaber Malo from my Deck to the Graveyard to add Pyrorex the Elemental Lord."

The Soldier smirked. "I believe it is time to prove my prior statement true. I activate the Spell Card: Misfortune! I select a monster you control and inflict damage to you equal to half that monster's original attack points!" Esper's eyes widened. "I select Hyper Psychic Blaster!"

The Synchro duelist groaned as a red aura appeared around her.

Esper: 4300→2800 LP

"The turn I activate Misfortune, my monsters cannot attack, but since Phosphorage's effect kept me from attacking anyway, it is no concern. I activate the effects of Makani, Aina, and Nalu in my Graveyard, changing their Attributes to Fire until the end of the turn."

Elementsaber Makani ATK 2500→2100 DEF 2400→2000

"Since I have exactly five Fire monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Pyrorex the Elemental Lord!"

A pillar of flames appeared on the Soldier's field. When it dissipated, it revealed a massive dinosaur in black armor in Attack Position, its tail and back alight with flames.

Pyrorex the Elemental Lord ATK 2800→3600 DEF 2200→3000 LVL: 8

"Pyrorex's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can target and destroy one monster you control, then both of us take damage equal to half that monster's original attack points!" Esper gritted her teeth. "I target Hyper Psychic Blaster!"

The dinosaur breathed a stream of fire at the Synchro Monster, who roared in pain as it exploded. The Syndicate Soldier and Esper both grunted as flames washed over the two of them.

Syndicate Soldier No. 1: 3400→1900 LP

Esper: 2800→1300 LP

"I may have taken damage myself," The Soldier continued while breathing hard, "but I have damaged you more in the process. But don't think it'll stop there! I activate the Spell Card: Level Thunder!"

Esper blinked a few times as Pyrorex and Makani's bodies started creating several sparks of electricity that began to build up. "Now, you take 100 points of damage equal to the total combined Levels of all my face-up monsters!"

"What!?" Esper gasped.

"And that's 1000 points of damage!"

The electricity surged from the two monsters, concentrating into a powerful bolt of energy that crashed into Esper's body, making her convulse as she screamed in pain before falling to her knees.

Esper: 1300→300 LP

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," he concluded. "During the End Phase, the Attributes of Aina, Makani, and Nalu in my Graveyard return to normal."

Elementsaber Makani ATK 2100→2500 DEF 2000→2400

Pyrorex the Elemental Lord ATK 3600→4000 DEF 3000→3400

"It's over, Esper," the Soldier said, a smirk on his face. "Surrender now, and I'll make your defeat painless, I promise."

Esper scoffed as she pushed herself up and dusted herself off. "Painless, huh? That's kind of you to offer. But I must refuse."

"You only have 300 Life Points left," the Soldier reminded her.

Esper smirked. "That's true; I do have fewer Life Points than you. But that doesn't mean I'll surrender!" Esper glared at her opponent with such ferocity that they took an unconscious step back. "My turn! I draw!"

"During your Standby Phase, I activate the Trap Card: Battle Mania!" The Syndicate Soldier abruptly declared. "With this, all monsters you control must battle this turn!"

Esper looked at her card, smiled then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Card of Adversity. As you control a Special Summoned monster and I control no monsters, I get to draw two cards." She drew her card and smirked. Yes! These cards will help me win the duel! "I activate the Spell Card: Earthquake to switch all Attack Position monsters on the field to Defense Position!"

Suddenly, the ground shook as both Makani and Pyrorex took a knee and placed their arms in front of themselves.

"I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn!" Esper continued. "With this, I Special Summon Hyper Psychic Blaster from the Graveyard!"

The massive giant with futuristic guns reappeared on Esper's field in Attack Position.

Hyper Psychic Blaster ATK 3000→3800 DEF 2500 LVL: 9

The Soldier narrowed his eyes and smirked. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid your plan won't work! I activate the Trap Card: Breakthrough Skill! I target your Effect Monster and negate its effects until the end of the turn! I target Hyper Psychic Blaster!" Esper's Synchro Monster greyed out. "You were planning on attacking Makani with Psychic Blaster to damage me and restore your Life Points. Luckily, I prepared for that."

Esper glared at him before smirking. "Indeed, you did. But did you prepare this?" The Soldier blinked at Esper's words. "I activate the Trap Card: Assault Mode Activate!" Esper declared. "When this card is activated, I can Tribute a Synchro Monster I control to Special Summon an "/Assault Mode" monster whose name includes the tributed monster's name from my Deck in Attack Position!"

"Did you say Assault Mode?" the Soldier repeated, his eyes widening in horror.

"I Tribute my Hyper Psychic Blaster!"

A futuristic, black-and-white portal appeared above the sky. Hyper Psychic Blaster then turned into a stream of white energy and went into it, causing the portal to overflow with energy.

"Go, wielder of futuristic energy!" Esper chanted. "Unleash your full power, and erase the servants of evil now and forever! I Special Summon Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode!"

A humanoid giant wearing black and white armor with golden lines appeared on Esper's field. On the armor's top collar were numerous golden orbs that had light-blue outlines surrounding each one. Attached to his back was a pair of futuristic wings with light-blue outlines that emitted electrical energy, along with a large circle connecting them.

Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode ATK 3500→4300 DEF 3000 LVL: 11

The Soldier frowned. "Even if your monster is stronger than both my monsters, an attack won't defeat me."

"We'll see about that," Esper said. "Battle Hyper Psychid Blaster/Assault Mode attacks Pyrorex the Elemental Lord!"

The monster aimed its blasters at Pyrorex and fired, piercing the flaming dinosaur through its abdomen and destroying it in an explosion.

"Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode's effect now activates!" Esper exclaimed. "After damage calculation, you take damage equal to your monster's defense points!"

"What!?"

"Finish this duel, Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode! Ray Durance!"

Light-blue energy surrounded Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode's wings before he fired it straight at Sharpshot, who screamed as he was sent flying off the ground, turning into black data as he did so.

Syndicate Soldier No. 1: 1900→0 LP

Soon, people witnessing the duel came out of the alleyways and began clapping and cheering for Esper. She saluted the crowd as they continued to cheer and clap for her.

"…This is no time to bask in the limelight." Esper shook her head in an attempt to focus. "Although taking down one of the soldiers is a plus for our side, the fact that we still haven't come close to fulfilling our primary objective is a cause for concern. I must hurry and find the others before they get purged like my opponent."

Upon saying so, Esper pointed her Duel Disk toward the top of a nearby building and fired her Data Anchor. She used it as a grappling hook to pull herself to the top. Using the momentum of being pulled, Esper swung forward and briefly free-fell before landing on her Duel board.

Elsewhere, in LINK VRAINS...

Sanctum activated her Duel Disk as she stood opposite Syndicate Soldier No. 2, who activated his Duel Disk in response.

"I won't let hooligans like you threaten LINK VRAINS!" Sanctum declared.

"Let's see if you can back it up!" the soldier in front of Sanctum said.

"Let's Duel!" they shouted.

Sanctum: 4000 LP

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 4000 LP

"The first move is mine!" Sanctum announced. "I activate the Spell Card: Summon Dice! By paying 1000 Life Points, I get to roll a die and depending on the roll of the die, I get to activate one of three effects. Go, Dice Roll!"

Sanctum: 4000→3000 LP

A dice flew out of Summon Dice and landed on the ground. After it stopped rolling, it eventually stopped at six. "Alright! Since it landed on a six, I can Special Summon a Level 5 or higher monster from my hand. I Special Summon Purple Nightfall!"

A mechanical warrior carrying a spear and wearing a purple cape appeared in Attack Position.

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

"Next, I summon Mekk-Knight Avram!"

A young blonde man in gold armor carrying two curved swords emerged on Sanctum's field.

Mekk-Knight Avram ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"I place a card face-down," Sanctum said. "I end my turn."

The Syndicate Soldier smirked as he narrowed his eyes at Sanctum. "Not a bad start for a first turn. But like any great walls of defense, holes and cracks always expose them, and yours are already obvious."

"Enough with the monologue. Just start your turn already." Sanctum retorted.

"If you insist. My turn! I draw! I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Vampire's Castle!" The card showed dark clouds appearing in the sky as a giant, dark medieval castle was in the background. Bats flew out of place from the window openings.

"Then, I activate the Spell Card: Vampire Vision!" The card showed Vampire Lord looking into a mirror as he saw a premonition of villagers attacking Vampire Lady, Vampire Dragon, Vampire Koala and Vampire Baby. " Through its effect, I can send a "Vampire" monster from my hand or Deck to the Graveyard to add a "Vampire" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand."

Following the soldier's words, he took a card from his Deck and sent it to the Graveyard before adding another card to his hand.

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Vampire's Domain!" The Syndicate Soldier continued. "Then, I summon Vampire Goblin!"

A dark green-skinned goblin that was wearing a dark robe and had sharp teeth appeared in Attack Position.

Vampire Goblin ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

The Syndicate Soldier gestured to his field., "I activate Vampire Goblin's effect! When this card is successfully summoned, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Vampire" monster from my hand or Graveyard."

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 4000→3500 LP

"I Special Summon Vampire Retainer from my Graveyard!"

A white wolf with half its body covered in shadows appeared next to Goblin. Its right eye was glowing red as well.

Vampire Retainer ATK 1200 DEF 0 LVL: 2

"Retainer's effect activates! When Special Summoned, I can pay 500 Life Points to add a "Vampire" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand."

A red aura formed around the soldier as he added a card to his hand.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 3500→3000 LP

"Next, I activate the effect of Vampire's Domain!" the soldier continued. "By paying 500 Life Points, I can summon another "Vampire" monster this turn."

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 3000→2500 LP

"I Tribute Retainer to summon Vampire Red Baron!"

Retainer vanished from the field in exchange for a blue-armored chevalier that rode a black horse with blue armor and a red mane while also carrying a spear in its right hand.

Vampire Red Baron ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

Sanctum raised an eyebrow. "Huh. You sure are taking risks by decreasing your Life Points. Still, if that's all your Deck can do, you seriously underestimate me." Although, on the inside, she was curious and confused as to why her opponent would be taking so many risks just to activate effects.

The soldier stared at her for a second before giving a cold smile. "Quite the contrary. It is just how I do things. I take risks to gain an advantage. And with those risks…." He then gestured to his field, "I intend to pay back fully! I activate Vampire Red Baron's effect! Once per turn, I can pay 1000 Life Points to target one of my opponent's monsters and one other "Vampire" monster I control."

Sanctum's widened in shock as she heard that effect, "What?"

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 2500→1500 LP

"I think I'll switch control of Purple Nightfall with my Vampire Goblin!"

Sanctum grit 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 banish Purple Nightfall to add Mekk-Knight Blue Sky to my hand."

Purple Nightfall disintegrated as Sanctum took the card from her Deck.

The Syndicate Soldier frowned. "In that case, I'll switch control of Mekk-Knight Avram with Vampire Goblin."

Red Baron shot a red stream of energy from his spear as it hit both Goblin and Avram, connecting both monsters on either side of the field. Once the soldier snapped his fingers, both monsters vanished before reappearing on the opposite side of each other's field.

"Battle! Mekk-Knight Avram attacks Vampire Goblin!"

Avram charged straight forward and slashed Goblin with its sword, destroying it and sending Sanctum skidding backwards.

Sanctum: 3000→2600 LP

The Syndicate Soldier smirked. "With your field wide open, Vampire Red Baron attacks you directly!"

Baron galloped his horse and charged straight forward, slashing Sanctum with his spear and making her cry out in pain from the damage.

Sanctum: 2600→200 LP

"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: 200→1700 LP

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

The soldier smiled as he placed a hand on his chest, "And now, the effect of Vampire's Domain activates. I regain Life Points equal to the amount of damage I've dealt to my opponent with a "Vampire" monster I control."

The Continuous Spell glowed as a golden light surrounded the Syndicate Soldier's body.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 1500→3900 LP

"I set two cards face-down and end my turn." he concluded, "At this moment, the effect of Vampire's Castle activates. During the End Phase, I gain 1000 Life Points for every "Vampire" monster on my field."

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 3900→4900 LP

"Now, I hope you don't disappoint me this turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Sanctum looked at her card, then gestured to her field. "As it is my Standby Phase, the effect of Purple Nightfall activates, and it returns to my field!"

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

"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 Vampire Castle is in the same column as Vampire Red Baron, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Blue Sky from my hand to that column!"

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 Black Hole and Yellow Star to my hand. And since I control a "Mekk-Knight" monster, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Black Hole from my hand!"

A silver, black glowing armored/mecha-like humanoid with a black lining design, a thin waist and a bulky chest with a black crystal-like orb swirling like a black hole, wielding round-bladed weapons with black linings and a torn-up black cape with some white outline, appeared in Defense Position.

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

"I activate Black Hole's effect!" Sanctum continued. "I can destroy one card in its column by moving Mekk-Knight Blue Sky to another Monster Zone. I move Blue Sky to the column to its left to destroy Vampire's Domain!"

The orb in Black Hole's chest started to glow before releasing a beam of dark energy at the Continuous Spell.

"Sorry. But I'm one step ahead of you!" The soldier interjected. "I activate the Trap Card: Card of Pandora! When you target a card in my Spell & Trap Zone with an effect, that effect is changed to target Card of Pandora instead!" The Trap Card shattered. "Card of Pandora's second effect lets me draw two cards."

Sanctum frowned as her opponent drew. "I see. So you were prepared for me to target your Spell Cards?"

"Indeed I was," the soldier answered.

"You may have escaped Black Hole's effect, but you won't escape this!" Sanctum stated. "Battle! Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall, attack Vampire Red Baron!"

Her monster charged Red Baron and jabbed its spear in its chest, destroying it.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 4900→4800 LP

"Go, Marigold Shine! Attack Mekk-Knight Avram!"

Marigold Shine struck Avram with its sword, destroying it and making an explosion that caused the soldier to wince in pain.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 4800→4500 LP

"Lastly, Blue Sky attacks you directly!"

Blue Sky charged at the soldier and slashed him with its blades, sending him tumbling back.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 4500→2500 LP

"With that, I end my turn," Sanctum concluded.

"My turn!" the Syndicate Soldier announced. "I draw! "I activate the Spell Card: Cards of Red Moon!" The card showed Vampire Hunter bringing captured villagers to Vampire Genesis in exchange for gold. "Since I have 3 or more "Vampires" in my Graveyard, I can draw two cards by paying 1000 Life Points."

As he drew two cards, a red aura surrounded the Syndicate Soldier.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 2500→1500 LP

"Next, I activate Vampire Retainer's effect from my Graveyard! By discarding Vampire Duke from my hand, I can Special Summon it!"

Vampire Retainer ATK 1200 DEF 0 LVL: 2

"Retainer's effect activates! When Special Summoned, I can pay 500 Life Points to add a "Vampire" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand."

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 1500→1000 LP

"And then, I Tribute Retainer to summon Shadow Vampire!"

Retainer vanished from the field as a dark, shadowy vampire in gray stone armor appeared in Attack Position. It had white hair with glowing red eyes and wielded a spiky sword in its right hand.

Shadow Vampire ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 5

"I activate Shadow Vampire'seffect! When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a DARK "Vampire" monster from my hand or Deck other than this monster. With this effect, I Special Summon Vampire Knight!"

A portal of darkness opened up, and a black knight with bat-like wings on its back appeared on the field. It wielded a spear and shield in its hands. From the little opening of the helmet, glowing red eyes can be seen inside.

Vampire Knight ATK 2600 DEF 0 LVL: 6

"Unfortunately, due to Shadow Vampire's effect, Vampire Knight is the only monster I can attack with this turn." The soldier stated., "But that doesn't concern me right now. Moving on, I activate the Trap Card: Weight Measuring! Since you control at least two more monsters than me, you're forced to send monsters to your Graveyard until you only control one!"

"In that case, I activate Purple Nightfall's effect!" Sanctum declared. "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!" The Syndicate Soldier shouted. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Forbidden Chalice! Through its effect, I can target one face-up monster on the field and increase its attack points by 400 until the end of this turn. In exchange, until the End Phase, its effects are negated. I target Purple Nightfall!"

Purple Nightfall was surrounded by a white veil for a few moments, increasing its strength before changing color to red and draining its effects.

Mekk-Knight Purple Knightfall ATK 2500→2900

"Since Purple Nightfall's effects are now negated, Weight Measuring's effect continues," The soldier stated. "So choose which monsters to send to the Graveyard!"

"As if you don't know already." Sanctum grimaced. "I choose to send Mekk-Knight Black Hole, Blue Sky and Marigold Shine to my Graveyard."

"A wise choice. Unfortunately, it won't change the outcome one bit. "I activate the Spell Card: Nightmare Binding. I can target one monster you control and have it lose 800 attack points." Sanctum's eyes widened. "Also, your monster can't activate its effects while on your field, nor can it be tributed. What's more, I gain 800 Life Points! I target Purple Nightfall!"

Chains erupted from the card and wrapped themselves around Nightfall, restricting its movements. A golden aura surrounded the soldier afterward.

Mekk-Knight Purple Knightfall ATK 2900→2100

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 1000→1800 LP

Battle! Vampire Knight attacks Purple Nightfall!"

Vampire Knight thrust its spear and pierced through the armored warrior, destroying it and making Sanctum grunt in pain.

Sanctum: 1700→1200 LP

"Once again, the effect of Vampire's Domain activates. I regain Life Points equal to the damage I inflicted."

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 1800→2300 LP

"Since the Battle Phase is over, Vampire Knight's effect activates! When it destroys a monster by battle, I can Special Summon to my side of the field from either player's Graveyards! Return to my side, Purple Nightfall!"

A hole opened from the ground, and Purple Nightfall appeared next to Vampire Knight in Defense Position.

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

"How dare he take my monster," Sanctum muttered.

"Finally, I set a card and end my turn. And at this moment, the effect of Vampire's Castle activates again, increasing my Life Points by 1000 for every "Vampire" on my field."

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 2300→4300 LP

Sanctum clicked her tongue in irritation as she started to rethink her strategy, "His Vampires keep relying on sacrificing Life Points to keep using their effects…." If she wants to win this, she must figure out a way to stop her opponent from regaining Life Points each turn. Luckily, she does have something up in mind.

"My turn, I draw!" Sanctum looked at her card, then played it. I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed!" Sanctum drew her two cards. "Then, 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 Summon Dice, Pot of Greed, and Cards of Compensation!" She proceeded to draw two more cards. "And since your Vampire Domain and Senet Switch are in the same column, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Yellow Star to that column!"

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

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

"I activate Yellow Star's effect! By banishing a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Graveyard, I can destroy a Spell or Trap Card in Yellow Star's column! I banish Purple Nightfall from my Graveyard to destroy Vampire's Domain!"

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

"Then, I activate the effect of Senet Switch to move Yellow Star to the column to its right. And now I activate the effect of Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse from my hand! Since there are two or more cards in the same column, I can Special Summon this card to that same column!"

Soon, a silver machine with a circle around its body and blue crystals embedded in its armor appeared in Attack Position.

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

"Indigo Eclipse's second effect!" Sanctum continued. "Once per turn, I can move one "Mekk-Knight" monster I control to another Main Monster Zone. I move Indigo Eclipse to the column on its left!"

Indigo Eclipse then shifted to the Main Monster Zone on its left, causing the Syndicate Soldier to scowl in annoyance.

"And since Senet Switch is in the same column as Vampire Knight, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Red Moon to that column!"

A red and silver machine carrying a large ax appeared in Attack Position.

Mekk-Knight Red Moon ATK 2300 DEF 2600 LVL: 7

"I activate Red Moon's effect!" Sanctum continued. "By banishing a "Mekk-Knight" monster from my Graveyard, I can destroy a face-up monster in Red Moon's column! I banish Mekk-Knight Avram to destroy Vampire Knight!"

Red Moon's ax glowed before it drove it into the ground, creating and releasing a blast of energy that struck Vampire Knight, destroying it.

"Battle! Yellow Star will attack Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall!"

Yellow Star's wings glowed as they released a wave of energy at Purple Nightfall, destroying it.

"The Battle Phase is not over! Red Moon attacks Shadow Vampire!"

Red Moon raised its ax before bringing it down, bisecting Shadow Vampire and making the soldier wince in pain.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 4300→4000 LP

"Don't forget I still have one attack left," Sanctum reminded him. "Go, Indigo Eclipse! Attack him directly!"

The silver machine released a blue energy wave at Sanctum's opponent. He raised his arms, protecting himself from the attack as it pushed him back.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 4000→1600 LP

"I set three cards face-down and end my turn," Sanctum smirked. "Looks like we're about evenly matched. If you want to throw in the towel."

"I must admit I'm a little impressed," the soldier said. "But that cockiness of yours will be your downfall! My turn! I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Roll of Fate! This card lets me roll a six-sided die and draw cards equal to the result. Afterward, I must banish cards from the top of my Deck equal to that same result. Go, Dice Roll!"

A dice flew out of Roll of Fate and landed on the ground. After it stopped rolling, it eventually stopped at a four.

"Oh yeah! A four! That means I can draw four cards!"

The soldier drew four cards and then removed the top four cards of his Deck from play.

"Next, I activate the Trap Card: Vampire Takeover! With this card, since I have no cards in my Field Zone, I can activate one Vampire Kingdom from my Deck!"

The Syndicate Soldier took a card from his Deck and played it. Soon after, a dark town formed around the area with fog. A hill behind these buildings had a giant castle with a red moon hovering over it.

"And then, I can Special Summon a Dark "Vampire" monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. I Special Summon Vampire Duke!"

A pale-skinned man dressed in a white shirt, black pants and a cape appeared.

Vampire Duke ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 5

"Now, I activate its effect! When Vampire Duke is Special Summoned, I can declare a card type and force you to send it from your Deck to your graveyard. I choose Monster Card."

"Fine.." Sanctum complied as she discarded Mekk-Knight Green Horizon from her Deck.

The Syndicate Soldier gestured to his field. "The effect of Vampire Empire activates! When a card is sent from my opponent's Deck to the Graveyard, I target a card on the field and send a DARK "Vampire" monster from my hand or Deck to the Graveyard. That card is then destroyed." The soldier chose a card from his Deck and held it up momentarily, "I send Vampire Bat to the Graveyard to destroy your Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse!"

He sent Vampire Bat to his Graveyard before a wave of crimson energy engulfed Indigo Eclipse, destroying it.

"Then, I Tribute Vampire Duke to summon Vampire's Curse!"

Duke disappeared from the field as a light purple-skinned man with red eyes and spiked-up blue hair. It also wore dark purple shoulder armor, a blue suit, and a black cape.

Vampire's Curse ATK 2000 DEF 800 LVL: 6

"I activate the Spell Card: Forbidden Substance!" The soldier continued. "By targeting a monster I control, it can attack twice this turn. I select Vampire's Curse!"

A syringe appeared above Vampire's Curse before injecting itself into his body, causing his eyes to turn blue.

"Battle! Vampire's Curse attacks Mekk-Knight Yellow Star and Remmon!"

Vampire's Curse spread his wings and flew toward the two Mekk-Knight monsters.

"Vampire Kingdom's additional effect activates!" The Syndicate Soldier declared! "Zombie-type monsters that battle gain 500 attack points during damage calculation!"

Vampire's Curse ATK 2000→2500

Curse slashed Yellow Star and Red Moon with its claws, destroying them and making Sanctum wince.

Sanctum: 1200→700 LP

Vampire's Curse ATK 2500→2000

"I place a card face-down and end my turn. And since it's now the End Phase, Vampire's Castle's effect activates again!"

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 1600→2600 LP

"My turn! I draw!" Sanctum declared as she drew her card. "First, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: World Legacy Recovery! The card showed multiple damaged Mekk-Knights being repaired. "By banishing a "Mekk-Knight" or "World Legacy" card from my hand or Graveyard, like my Mekk-Knight Black Hole, I get to draw two cards from my Deck." Sanctum drew her cards, then said. "Through its effect, I Special Summo Mekk-Knight Orange Star to the same column as Vampire's Curse and Senet Switch!"

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

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

"Next, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Crusadia Krawler! This card Special Summons itself as an Effect Monster!"

A four-legged gold insect with blue lines covering its body appeared on Sanctum's field in Defense Position.

Crusadia Krawler ATK 300 DEF 2100 LVL: 2

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

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

"Appear, the circuit of illumination!"

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

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more "Mekk-Knight" monsters. I set Crusadia Krawler and Orange Sunset, who's now treated as two monsters in the Link Arrows!"

Orange Sunset split into two as it and Krawler entered 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 looked like an amalgamation of all the Mekk-Knight monsters' weapons emerged from appeared in the Left Extra Monster Zone.

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

"I activate the Trap Card: Cynet Regression!" Sanctum declared. "As I Special Summoned a Link Monster, one card on the field is destroyed! I destroy Vampire's Caste!"

Sanctum's opponent blinked as the Continuous Spell on their field disintegrated.

"Vampire's Castle? Not Vampire's Curse?"

"Vampire's Castle is more troublesome," Sanctum explained. "Cynet Regression's effect also lets me draw a card.

"You may hold the advantage now, but if you believe that monster of yours is enough to help you win, then you're a fool," the soldier stated.

"Believe what you want, but I assure you I'll walk away as the victor of this duel!" Sanctum exclaimed. "I activate the Spell Card: Pump Up! Until the end of this turn, Spectrum Supreme's attack points are doubled!"

A golden glow surrounded Spectrum Supreme, increasing its strength.

Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme ATK 3000→6000

She thrusted out her hand. "Battle! Spectrum Supreme attacks Vampire's Curse! Rainbow Fall!"

Spectrum Supreme flew high into the air and fired a barrage of rainbow lasers at Vampire's Curse.

"Vampire Kingdom's effect!" The Syndicate Soldier abruptly exclaimed. "Vampire's Curse gains 500 attack points!"

Vampire's Curse ATK 2000→2500

"Furthermore, I activate the Trap Card: Ground Capture! When you declare an attack, I can halve any battle damage from that attack!"

Soon, a giant stone hand erupted from the ground, temporarily stopping Spectrum Supreme's attack. Unfortunately, it hit Vampire's Curse, destroying it and pushing the soldier back due to the ensuing shockwave.

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 2600→850 LP

"I activate Curse of Vampire's effect! The soldier declared. "When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon it during the next Standby Phase."

Syndicate Soldier No. 2: 850→350 LP

"Also, thanks to the effect of Ground Capture, I get to draw a card since I took at least 1000 damage from your attack."

"I set one card and end my turn," Sanctum concluded. "As it's now the End Phase, Spectrum Supreme's attack points return to normal."

Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme ATK 6000→3000

"My turn! I draw!" Looking at his card, the soldier smirked. "First, due to its effect, Vampire's Curse returns to the field! And it also gains 500 attack points when summoned this way!"

A portal appeared on the field, with Vampire's Curse emerging.

Vampire's Curse ATK 2000→2500 DEF 800 LVL: 6

A condescending smile formed on the soldier's face. "You've put up a nice little show for me. But I'm afraid it is time for me to put you out of your misery."

Sanctum raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"This! I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization!" Sanctum's eyes widened on seeing the classic Spell Card. "With this card, I fuse Vampire's Curse on my field with Vampire Familiar in my hand!"

A silhouette of a black bat-like creature with no eyes and a red mouth appeared next to Vampire's Curse. The monsters disintegrated into red and blue particles and swirled into a vortex. Two whirlwinds of energy burst from the vortex before merging into a purple whirlwind as the soldier chanted.

"Servants of the night! Unite and form an amalgamation for one of the great lords of the shadows! I Fusion Summon! Come forth! Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven!"

A white-skinned vampire that had ash-colored eyes and spiky black hair. He wore a dark grey robe, a purple cape, dark red polyester on the collar, and golden buttons on the design. The vampire had a cruel smile on his face as he appeared.

Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven ATK 2700 DEF 2200 LVL: 8

While Sanctum was surprised by the summoning, she regained her composure. "I was expecting you to Fusion Summon, but even if you attack, I'll still have Life Points left."

"I beg to differ. I activate the Spell Card: Riryoku! This card lets me target two monsters on the field, halve the first monster's attack points, and add those attack points to the other monster, with these changes lasting until the end of my turn. I target Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme and Vampire Lord Ruthven!"

Sanctum gasped as the said monsters glowed.

Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme ATK 3000→1500

Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven ATK 2700→4200

"Battle!" The soldier declared. "Vampire Lord Ruthven attacks Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme! And due to the effect of my Field Spell, its attack points increase!"

Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven ATK 4200→4700

Ruthven gathered a dark orb of energy and then launched the orb at the Mekk-Knight Link Monster.

"I activate the Trap Card: Mirror Shade!" Sanctum declared. In exchange for halving my Life Points, I take no battle damage this turn!"

The orb struck and destroyed Spectrum Supreme, but Sanctum didn't feel the force of the attack.

Sanctum: 700→350 LP

Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven ATK 4700→4200

"I place a card face-down and end my turn, meaning Ruthven's attack points return to normal."

Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven ATK 4200→2700

"Foolish girl." the soldier sneered. "No matter what card you draw, you won't defeat me!"

"That's what makes the duel more interesting, though," Sanctum said as she put a hand on her Deck. "You ultimately won't know who wins the duel until every card has been played."

"If you think the next card will help you win this turn, then prove it!" the Sergeant dared him.

"Oh, I will," Sanctum replied. "My turn! I draw!" She drew her card, looked at it and smiled. "I activate the Spell Card: Bubble Burst!" The card showed Elemental Hero Bubbleman in a bubble about to get popped by Destiny Hero – Diamond Dude."Through its effect, I can destroy one face-up Spell or Trap I control to draw two cards. I destroy World Legacy Recovery!"

The Continuous Trap exploded into particles as Sanctum drew.

"Since World Legacy Recovery was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a banished "Mekk-Knight monster to my hand," Sanctum stated. "I add Mekk-Knight Avram, which I'll summon!"

The warrior in gold armor carrying two swords reappeared.

Mekk-Knight Avram ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"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 Deck, I Special Summon another copy of Mekk-Knight Green Horizon!"

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

Looking at the field, Sanctum realized she knew what to do to win.

"Appear, the circuit of illumination!" His 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 Avram and Green Horizon in the Link Arrows!"

Her monsters turned into 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. Its armor was grey, with blue lines running across its skin. Instead of hands, it had two electrodes, one of which created a blade of yellow fire. Morning Star roared from the Right Extra Monster Zone despite having no mouth.

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

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Reborn!" Sanctum continued. "This card lets me Special Summon a Link Monster from my Graveyard! However, it can't attack for the rest of this turn! Appear once again! Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme!"

Soon, Spectrum Supreme reappeared on Sanctum's field in the Main Monster Zone.

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

"Appear again, 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 Extra Deck monsters. I set the Link-3 Spectrum Supreme and Morning Star in the Link Arrows!"

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

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

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

Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax ATK 3000 LINK-4

"It's over for you! I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Nightmare Wheel!" The soldier declared with a sinister smile. "Through its effect, I can target a monster on my opponent's field and prevent it from declaring an attack or changing its battle position. Not only that, but during each of my Standy Phases, you'll take 500 points of damage. Of course, I will target your Crusadia Avramax!"

A deformed, monster-shaped torture wheel appeared on Sanctum's field following the soldier's words. However, it failed to imprison Avramax.

"What? What happened?"

"Thanks to Avramax's effect, it can't be targeted by your card effects!" Sanctum explained, which made her opponent grit his teeth. "Battle! Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax attacks Vampire Lord Ruthven!"

The armored warrior charged the Fusion Monster.

"Did you forget Vampire Kingdom's effect?" The Syndicate Soldier asked. "Ruthven gains 500 attack points!"

Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven ATK 2700→3200

Sanctum smirked as she gestured to her 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→6200

"6200 attack points!?" the soldier cried out.

"Now, the finale!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Mekk-Knight Crusadia Avramax, destroy Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven! Courageous Charge!"

Following Sanctum's command, the armored warrior lashed out with its sword, cutting Lord Ruthven in half and causing a giant explosion that destroyed the monster and sent the soldier flying off the ground. Soon after, his body disintegrated into black particles.

"It's over…."

After a deep sigh, Sanctum summoned her D-Board as she, hopped on it and quickly left the scene of her duel with the Syndicate Soldier.

OC Card Memo:

Syndicate Soldier:

Spell Rewind Normal Spell Card (Credit to Scififan599)

Banish 1 Normal Spell Card from your GY; add 1 Normal Spell Card from your GY to your hand. You can only activate "Spell Rewind" once per turn.

Vampire Goblin

(LV: 4, Zombie, DARK, ATK: 1600, DEF: 1300)

Monster Effect: If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can pay 500 LP; Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Vampire" monster from your hand or Graveyard. If this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: Send the top card of your opponent's Deck to the Graveyard.

Vampire Knight

(LV: 6, Zombie, DARK, ATK: 2600, DEF: 2000)

Monster Effect: When a "Vampire" monster you control attacks a monster in Defense Position: Inflict piercing damage. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card destroyed any monster(s) by battle: You can Special Summon them from the Graveyards to your field.

Al Dhampir - Vampire Lord Ruthven

(LV: 8, Zombie, DARK, Fusion, ATK: 2700, DEF: 2200)

2 "Vampire" monsters

Monster Effect: As long as your LP are higher than your opponent's, this card cannot be destroyed by battle. Each time you deal damage (battle or effect) to your opponent: Gain LP equal to that amount. Once per turn, when you gain LP: Target 1 card on the field; destroy it. Once per turn, if your opponent activates a card or effect that targets or would destroy this card (Quick Effect): You can pay 1000 LP; negate that effect, and if you do, destroy it.

Vampire's Castle (Continuous Spell Card) - During the turn they are Normal or Special Summoned, your opponent cannot target "Vampire" monsters you control with card effects, and your opponent's card effects cannot destroy them. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of "Vampire" cards and effects. During your End Phase, gain 1000 LP for each "Vampire" monster you control.

Cards of Red Moon (Normal Spell Card) - If you have 3 or more "Vampire" cards in your Graveyard, pay 1000 LP; draw 2 cards.

Esper:

Psychic Dawn Equip Spell Card (Credit to Scififan599)
This card can only be equipped to Psychic-Type monsters. The equipped monster cannot be banished. If the equipped monster inflicts battle damage, draw 1 card.

Psychic Re-Synchro (Normal Spell card) (Credit by Divadx)

Effect: Target 1 Psychic Tuner Monster and 1 non-Tuner Psychic Monster that is banished or in your GY; shuffle them into your deck, and if you do, immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Psychic Synchro Monster, whose levels equal the total levels of the returned monsters. You can only activate 1 'Psychic Re-Synchro' per turn.

Sanctum:

Mekk-Knight Black Hole- Level 1, ATK: 0, DEF: 0, ATT: LIGHT, Type: Psychic/Effect

Effect: If you control a ''Mekk-Knight'' monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only Special Summon "Mekk-Knight Black Hole" once per turn this way. Once per turn (Quick Effect): Target 1 "Mekk-Knight" monster you control; destroy one card in this card's column, and then move that monster you control to another of your Main Monster Zones. You can only use this effect of "Mekk-Knight Black Hole" once per turn.

Bubble Burst (Spell)

Normal Spell

Effect: Destroy 1 face-up Spell or Trap card you control and draw two cards.

World Legacy Recovery- Type: Continuous Trap Card

Effect: Banish 1 "Mekk-Knight" or "World Legacy" monster from your hand or GY; draw 2 cards, but you can only summon from the Extra Deck twice this turn. If this card leaves the field, add 1 of your banished "Mekk-Knight" or "World Legacy" cards to your hand. You can only use 1 "World Legacy Recovery" effect per turn and only once per turn.

QOTC:

Did you guys enjoy Sanctum and Esper's duels? Do you think Esper is a perfect addition to the team? And what role do the newly added Enoch and Marionette play in this story?

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Advent of New Beginnings. Chapter 9: United Front. With their new ally Esper, the Top 10 continue to fight against the Syndicate soldiers in an attempt to find out the Syndicate's location and determine their plan. Confronted by two more soldiers, Blue Maiden and Soulburner face off against them. Will the power of their Cyberse Decks be enough to help them win?

Well, that's it for now. Don't forget to favorite and follow this story. Leave a review. And please share and spread the word of this story to all of your friends. See you next time!