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?

15. Eliminating the Target Part 2

Greetings, community! This chapter will conclude the Knights of Hanoi's bout with the Syndicate. And now, without further ado, on with the story!

In LINK VRAINS, at the Hanoi's Stronghold…

"Oi, oi, are you serious?"

Natura was exploring the Knights of Hanoi's bade lot for any signs of the enemy when she received Desperado's brief message about him being forcibly logged out due to a program the Hanoi secretly installed to his Duel Disk.

"I knew the Knights of Hanoi were smart and strategic, but to come up with a failsafe in case they lost." Natura sounded astonished. "However, given their reputation, we should've expected this to happen. An uphill battle awaits me for sure."

"The cat is already out of the bag?" A male voice suddenly resounded the area around Natura. "That's a shame. I was looking forward to seeing your surprised and despaired expression when faced with one of us Knights. Oh well, I suppose it can't be helped."

"A Knight of Hanoi!?" Natura's eyes darted around the area, searching for any sight of Hanoi. "Where are you!? Stop skulking in the shadows and show yourself!"

"My, aren't you an impatient fellow." The voice let out a small giggle. "While I wanted to enjoy a game of hide-and-seek with you, taking you down as quickly as possible is my priority here."

As Natura refocused, he noticed something in front of her. The space in front of him warped as someone stepped out. Natura narrowed her eyes. Standing before her was a fair-skinned man with grey hair and blue eyes. He wore a white suit with grey outlines and white shoes.

"I know you," she said. "You're Specter. Varis' second-in-command."

Specter smirked. "My goodness. Someone who knows me. That's rare to see. Nice to meet you. I've been looking forward to facing you in a duel."

"I'm pressed for time, so how about we skip the pleasantries and jump right to the duel part?" Natura said as she activated her Duel Disk. "Or better yet, why don't we just jump straight to the part where you surrender to me, sparing yourself from a ghastly fate?"

"Your concern is quite touching," Specter said, his voice dripped with irony. "However, you should be more worried about yourself. Once I'm through with you, you and your friends will regret deciding to attack us."

"Says the guy who brought destruction to LINK VRAINS not that long ago…" Natura said with disgust on her face. " Well, it's not all bad. I always wanted to try exterminating a monster."

"You should be careful what you wish for," Specter said as he activated his Duel Disk. "This monster might prove to be more than you can handle. Now, prepare to be obliterated, you filthy scum!"

"Duel!" they shouted.

Natura: 4000 LP

Specter: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Specter announced. "I activate the Spell Card: Unexpected Dai! It allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my Deck as long as I don't control any monsters! Come, Sunseed Genius Loci!"

A golden statue with a green base holding a brown seed appeared on Specter's field.

Sunseed Genius Loci ATK 0 DEF 600 LVL: 1

"Appear! The future circuit that lights up our path!" Spectre raised his hand in the air as it glowed blue. A massive Link portal appeared on the ground behind Spectre. "Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one Plant Normal Monster. I set Sunseed Genius Loci in the Link Arrow!"

Genius Loci became an orange whirlwind that entered the bottom Link Arrow opposite Specter.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Sunavalon Dryas!"

Natura watched in surprise as the ground behind Specter broke apart, and something rose out of it. His monster was a giant tree with a few bulbs hanging from the branches and what appeared to be a face in the center.

Sunavalon Dryas ATK 0 LINK-1 ↓

Natura frowned. "0 attack points?"

"Sunavalon Dryas can't be used as Link Material the turn it's summoned," Specter explained. "Moreover, they cannot be targeted for attacks, which means you can only wager direct attacks. I set two cards face-down and end my turn. Now, let's see what you can do, Syndicate."

"My turn!" Natura announced. "I draw! First, I activate two Continuous Spells from my hand: Spell Absorption and Soul Absorption! Spell Absorption increases my Life Points by 500 after a Spell Card. And whenever cards are banished, Soul Absorption increases my Life Points by 500 for each banished card. Because I activated Soul Absorption after Spell Absorption, I gain 500 Life Points because of the latter's effect!"

Natura: 4000→4500 LP

Specter narrowed his yes. Both "Absorption" Continuous Spells right off the bat? He thought. Not to mention both in her starting hand...?

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Foolish Burial and send Spiritual Beast Pettlephin from my Deck to the Graveyard. And since another Spell Card was played, I gain an additional 500 Life Points thanks to Spell Absorption."

Natura: 4500→5000 LP

"From there, I summon Ritual Beast Tamer Lara!"

A blonde girl in green robes and a cloak appeared, leaning on a wooden staff.

Ritual Beast Tamer Lara ATK 100 DEF 2000 LVL: 1

"Lara's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Ritual Beast" monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Pettlephin!"

A pink dolphin with a blue gem on its forehead appeared in Defense Position.

Spiritual Beast Pettlephin ATK 0 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

She gestured to her monster. "I activate Pettlephin's effect! Once per turn, by banishing a "Ritual Beast" card from my hand, I can target one of my opponent's cards and return it to their hand. I'll banish Spiritual Beast Apelio and return that trees of yours to your Extra Deck!"

Pettlephin shot a blast of water at Dryas, but Specter wasn't worried.

"I activate Sunvine Maiden's effect from my hand!" Specter suddenly said. "When you activate a card effect that targets one Plant monster I control, I can Special Summon this card from my hand, and by doing so, I can negate the activation!"

A little elven girl with bright blue eyes, long purple hair, and a dress created from vines appeared on Specter's field in Defense Position. She raised her hands and created a barrier to protect Dryas from the blast of water.

Sunvine Maiden ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Not bad," Natura said, "But it's a good thing I have other tricks up my sleeve. I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge, which lets me draw four cards since my hand is empty. And thanks to Spell Absorption, my Life Points increase by 500."

Natura: 5000→5500 LP

She thrust her right hand above her. "It's now time to whip out my spiritual circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Natura. "The summoning conditions are two monsters, including a "Ritual Beast" or "Spiritual Beast" monster. I'll set Ritual Beast Tamer Wen and Ritual Beast Tamer Lara into the Link Arrows!"

Wen went into the bottom-right arrowhead, while Lara went into the bottom-right arrowhead.

"I Link Summon! Fly into battle! Link 2! Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalcos!"

The monster that emerged from the portal was a massive green bird wearing spiked green armor with a green-haired woman riding on its back. The bird cawed from the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalcos ATK 1800 LINK-2 ↙↘

"I activate Ulti-Kimunfalcos's effect!" Natura continued. "Once per turn, I can banish a '"Ritual Beast" card from my Graveyard to Normal Summon one "Ritual Beast" monster from my hand. I banish Lara to Normal Summon Ritual Beast Tamer Wen!"

A young blonde girl wearing a violet skirt appeared, holding a staff with a blue top.

Ritual Beast Tamer Wen ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Wen's monster effect! If it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a banished "Ritual Beast" monster. Come, Spiritual Beast Apelio!"

A red-skinned lion appeared and roared in Attack Position.

Spiritual Beast Apelio ATK 1800 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Next, I activate Graceful Charity!" She said. "Now I draw three cards, then discard two."

She drew her cards, then sent Breakthrough Skill and a second copy of Spiritual Beast Pettlephin. At the same time, Spell Absorption glowed.

Natura: 5500→6000 LP

She drew again, then said, "I activate Apelio's effect!" Natura continued. "Once per turn, I can banish a "Ritual Beast" card from my Graveyard, and for the rest of the turn, all "Ritual Beast" monsters I control will gain 500 attack and defense points. I banish Pettlephin from my Graveyard."

The lion roared as a red aura briefly appeared around Natura's monsters.

Ritual Beast Tamer Wen ATK 1500→2000 DEF 1000→1500

Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalcos ATK 1800→2300

Spiritual Beast Apelio ATK 1800→2300 DEF 200→700

Natura narrowed her eyes at Specter. "As you're aware, using Polymerization is the key to bringing out Fusion Monsters. She then smirked. "But what I'm about to show you is a different and unique kind of Fusion Summoning. It's called Contact Fusion." Natura gestured to her field. "By banishing the Fusion Materials, I can perform a Fusion Summon! I banish Pettlephin and Tamer Wen to Fusion Summon!"

A Fusion Portal appeared above Natura, much to Specter's shock. "The summoning conditions are one "Spitual Beast" monster and one "Ritual Beast Tamer" monster. I banish Ritual Beast Tamer Wen and Spiritual Beast Apelio from my field!"

The two monsters broke into red and green particles, which went into the Fusion Portal before swirling into a vortex. A massive tornado of energy then shot downwards from the portal to the ground on Natura's field.

"Beast of the plains! The apprentice tamer! Enter the realm of the spirits, and combine your power into a new form! I Fusion Summon! Come forth! Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio!"

A much larger lion emerged from the Fusion vortex, with a blonde woman riding on its back.

The lion roared from Ulti-Kimunfalcos's bottom-left Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio ATK 2600 DEF 400 LVL: 6

"Apelio's effect is applied to every one of my "Ritual Beast" monsters this turn," Natura revealed. "Including any I summon after I use its effect."

Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio ATK 2600→3100 DEF 400→900

"Ulti-Kimunfalcos has another effect! "Ritual Beast" monsters that it points to gain 600 attack and defense points."

Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio ATK 3100→3700 DEF 900→1500

"3700 attack points," Specter muttered.

"And due to Soul Absorption's effect, I gain 1000 Life Points since I banished two cards!"

The Continuous Spell glowed as a bright aura surrounded Natura.

Natura: 6000→7000 LP

"Battle!" Natura exclaimed. Ulti-Apelio, attack Sunvine Maiden!" Ulti-Apelio roared and charged the little girl. "When it attacks, Ulti-Apelio is unaffected by other cards' effects."

This means it loses Apelio's attack boost, Specter thought.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio ATK 3100→2600 DEF 900→400

The lion shredded the young girl, destroying her in an explosion. Specter's entire body fizzled as he took damage.

Specter: 4000→1400 LP

Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio ATK 2600→3700 DEF 400→1500

"I activate the effect of Sunavalon Dryas!" Specter said. "Once during each of our turns, when I take damage, I get to Special Summon a "Sunvine" Link Monster from my Extra Deck to a zone a "Sunavalon" Link Monster points to. Come, Sunvine Gardna!"

One of the pods hanging from Dryas glowed and burst as purple fluid came out. The fluid solidified into a brown and white warrior-like monster summoned to Dryas's Link Arrow.

Sunvine Gardna ATK 600 LINK-1 ↑

"And I regain Life Points equal to the damage I took!"

Pink vines emerged from the tree and wrapped around Spectre. He sighed as his Life Points increased.

Specter: 1400→4000 LP

"In that case, Ulti-Kimunfalcos attacks Sunvine Gardna!"

Specter gestured to his field. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Fighting Fund! Through its effect, monsters can't be destroyed in battle this turn. Furthermore, Sunvine Gardna's effect activates! Since it is linked to a "Sunavalon" monster, battle damage is decreased by 800 for each of Dryas's Link Arrows!"

The bird's beak hit Sunvine Gardna head-on and created a shockwave.

"So the damage is 900."

Specter: 4000→3100 LP

"But thanks to Spell Absorption, I gain 500 Life Points since a Spell Card was activated," Natura stated.

Natura: 7000→7500 LP

"Since I took battle damage, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Sunavalon Glorious Growth!" Specter declared, his Trap Card revealing itself. "I Special Summon a Sunvine Token!"

A small dark brown plant with a golden center appeared in Attack Position.

Sunvine Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Then, Glorious Growth allows me to use my Token and other monsters I control to Link Summon!"

"What?" Natura said, surprised. "You're Link Summoning on my turn?"

"Appear! The future circuit that lights up our path!" The Link Portal appeared beneath Sunavalon Dryas. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are at least two Plant monsters! I set Sunvine Token, Gardna, and Sunavalon Dryas in the Link Arrows!"

The two Sunvine monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, while Dryas sent vines into the bottom arrow. All three arrows turned red as a result.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Sunavalon Dryanome!"

The tree grew and changed. Instead of a face, it now had a pink-skinned woman growing from the center, and there were bushes around the base with more branches surrounding it. Red pods swung from it as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Sunavalon Dryanome ATK 0 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Natura gritted her teeth as Specter scoffed. "Like me, my cards surpass your expectations. This Deck can defeat you handily." Spectre then gestured in front of him. "Glorious Growth's secondary effect activates! I regain Life Points equal to the damage I just took."

Specter: 3100→4000 LP

"And you take the same amount as damage!"

A golden burst of energy fired out of Glorious Growth, which hit Natura, making her wince.

Natura: 7500→6600 LP

Natura sighed. "Not as much damage as I was hoping to inflict, but it's still something. I place two cards face-down and end my turn. During the End Phase, Apelio's effect ends."

Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio ATK 3700→3200 DEF 1500→1000

Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalcos ATK 2300→1800

"My turn! I draw!" After drawing and looking at the card he drew, he smirked. "First, I activate the Spell Card: Extra Treasure!" The card's image showed various Extra Deck Monsters digging for different gold. "For every monster on the field originally summoned from the Extra Deck, I draw one card. In this case, three."

"But since you activated a Spell Card, Spell Absorption rewards me with 500 Life Points," Natura pointed out.

Natura: 6600→7100 LP

"With what I've just drawn, your Spell Card is as good as gone," Specter stated. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Twin Twisters! By discarding one card from my hand, I can target up to two Spell and Trap Cards on the field and destroy them. I target and destroy both your Continuous Spells!"

As Specter discarded a card from his hand, two twisters emerged from Twin Twisters, destroying both of Natura's cards.

"Since the card I discarded was Cards of Compensation, I now get to draw two extra cards. Next, I summon Sunseed Growth."

A green humanoid plant with yellow eyes and pink flowers covering its chest and back appeared on Specter's field.

Sunseed Growth ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Sunseed Growth's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can add a "Sunseed" monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Genius Loci from my Graveyard to my hand." He took the card from his Graveyard. "I'll now manifest my circuit!"

The Link Portal appeared underneath Dryanome.

"Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one Plant Normal Monster. Thanks to its effect, Sunseed Growth is also treated as a Normal Monster while on the field. I set Growth in the Link Arrow!"

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

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Sunvine Thrasher!"

A blue-skinned warrior wearing a green coat and cloak appeared. It swung a large sword as it was summoned to Dryanome's bottom-right Link Arrow.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 800 LINK-1 ↓

"Thrasher's effect activates!" Specter declared. "Since it's linked to a "Sunavalon" monster, it gains 800 attack points for each of Dryanome's Link Arrows."

Natura gasped as Thrasher's attack points increased.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 800→3200

"Lastly, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Sunavalon Malice and equip it to Thrasher." The card showed Sunvine Thrasher glowing with a dark aura. "When the equipped monster destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, I can target one "Sunavalon" Link Monster I control and inflict damage equal to its Link Rating times 800!"

Natura grimaced. If Specter attacked Ulti-Kimunfalcos, then she would take 1400 damage. Plus, an additional 2400 because of Malice.

"I activate Ulti-Kimunfalcos's effect!" she declared. "By returning it to the Extra Deck, I can Special Summon a banished "Ritual Beast Tamer" and "Spiritual Beast" in Defense Position."

The armored bird vanished, and in its place appeared Tamer Lara and Pettlephin.

Ritual Beast Tamer Lara ATK 100 DEF 2000 LVL: 1

Spiritual Best Pettlephin ATK 0 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio ATK 3200→2600 DEF 1000→400

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Ritual Beast's Bond!" Natura continued. "By banishing two "Ritual Beast" monsters I control, I can Special Summon a "Ritual Beast" monster from my Extra Deck. I banish Lara and Pettlephin to Special Summon Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin!"

The two new monsters vanished and were replaced by an armored pink dolphin ridden by a blonde girl at the Extra Monster Zone in Defense Position.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin ATK 200 DEF 2800 LVL: 6

Specter smirked. "Battle! Thrasher attacks Ulti-Apelio! At this moment, the second effect activates! When the equipped monster attacks while linked to a "Sunavalon" monster, you can't activate any cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step!"

Natura's eyes widened. Now she couldn't use Ulti-Apelio's effect to bring back the monsters used to summon it. While she wouldn't lose this turn, she still would take massive damage.

Thrasher slashed Ulti-Apelio, destroying it. Natura winced from the damage.

Natura: 7100→6500 LP

"And since Thrasher destroyed your monster, I can target Dryanome using Malice's effect! As Dryanome is a Link 3 monster, you take 2400 points of damage!"

A blast of energy came out of Sunavalon Malice and went straight toward Natura, knocking her down.

Natura: 6500→4100 LP

"Thrasher's effect activates!" Specter declared. "The monster it destroyed by battle is Special Summoned to a "Sunavalon" Link Monster's Link Arrow."

"What?" Natura said, surprised. "You're taking my monster?"

"Taking is such a harsh word. I prefer borrowing," Specter said gleefully. Vines from Dryades entered a portal that appeared on Talon's field and pulled Etranger Falcon out before taking it over to Dryanome's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio ATK 2600 DEF 400 LVL: 6

Natura growled. "How dare you take one of my monsters…."

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

"My turn!" Natura announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Sanctity! Now both of us draw until we have six cards in our hands!"

After drawing their cards, Natura took one of them and played it. I summon Ritual Beast Tamer Elder!"

A bearded man with long hair in robes wielding a staff appeared.

Ritual Beast Tamer Elder ATK 200 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"Tamer Elder's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Normal Summon a "Ritual Beast" monster. I summon Ritual Beast Tamer Wen!"

The short blonde-haired girl reappeared.

Ritual Beast Tamer Wen ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Tamer Wen's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one of my banished "Ritual Beast" monsters. I summon the banished Spiritual Beast Apelio!"

The red ion reappeared on Natura's field in Attack Position.

Spiritual Beast Apelio ATK 1800 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Apelio's effect activates! By banishing Ritual Beast's Bond from my Graveyard, all of my "Ritual Beast" monsters gain 500 attack and defense points!"

Ritual Beast Tamer Elder ATK 200→700 DEF 1000→1500

Ritual Beast Tamer Wen ATK 1500→2000 DEF 1000→1500

Spiritual Beast Apelio ATK 1800→2300 DEF 200→700

Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin ATK 200→700 DEF 2800→3300 LVL: 6

"I'll then activate the Spell Card: Terminal Port!" The card showed Baby Tiragon being transported from the Extra Monster Zone to the Main Monster Zone behind it. "I can target one Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz monster in my Extra Monster Zone and move it to a Main Monster Zone. Let's see. I'll targetUlti-Pettlephin and move it to the Main Monster Zone below the Extra Monster Zone it's in!"

Ulti-Pettlephin did a backward somersault and landed in the Main Monster Zone.

"Now, I banish Elder and Apelio to perform a Contact Fusion!"

The Fusion Portal appeared behind Natura as she spread her arms. His monsters turned into red and blue particles and swirled into the vortex.

"Beast of the plains! The master tamer! Enter the realm of the spirits, and combine your power into a new form!" She clasped her hands together. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth! Ritual Beast Ulti-Cannahawk!"

An old man resembling Tamer Elder with a more elaborate staff rode on the bird's back. The hawk screeched as it appeared on Natura's field in Attack Position.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Cannahawk ATK 1400 DEF 1600 LVL: 6

"And just like before, Apelio's effect persists after it leaves the field!"

Ritual Beast Ulti-Cannahawk ATK 1400→1900 DEF 1600→2100

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: DDR – Different Dimension Reincarnation! By discarding one card from my hand, I can Special Summon one of my banished monsters in Attack Position and equip it with this card. Return, Pettlephin!"

At Natura's command, the pink dolphin reappeared on her field.

Spiritual Beast Pettlephin ATK 0→500 DEF 2000→2500 LVL: 4

"Since I discarded Cards of Compensation from my hand to the Graveyard, I can draw two cards," Natura continued. "Appear, my circuit! The summoning conditions are two monsters, including a " Ritual Beast" or "Spiritual Beast" monster. I set Pettlephin and Apelio in the Link Arrows!"

Said monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalcos!"

The armored bird and its rider reappeared at the right Extra Monster Zone with a caw.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalcos ATK 1800→2300 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Ulti-Kimunfalcos's effect! "Ritual Beast" monsters that it points to gain 600 attack and defense points."

Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin ATK 700→1300 DEF 3300→3900

Ritual Beast Ulti-Cannahawk ATK 1900→2500 DEF 2100→2700

"And now," Natura said, taking a card from her hand, "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Shield Attack!"

Specter's eyes widened. "I get it!" he said. "You're switching Ulti-Pettlephin's attack and defense points!"

Natura smiled. "Exactly."

Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin ATK 1300→3900 DEF 3900→1300

"Lastly, I activate the effect of the Trap Card: Breakthrough Skill!" Natura declared. By banishing this card, I can target a face-up effect monster you control and negate its effects until the end of the turn. I target Sunavalon Drynome!"

Breakthrough Skill appeared on the field and fired a beam at Dryanome, but…

"I activate my face-down!" Specter interjected. "The Continuous Trap Card: Sunavalon Force! This card-."

"Will not help you!" Natura interrupted. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Royal Surrender! The activation of your Continuous Trap Card is negated and destroyed!"

Sunavalon Force disintegrated at Natura's words.

"Now Breakthrough Skill's effect continues on that tree!"

Breakthrough glowed and fired a beam again at Dryanome, shutting down its effects.

"And all that trouble for two cards," Natura teased. "What a shame."

Specter thought, gritting his teeth in annoyance as he looked at what Ace did to his beloved mother tree. She outplayed me. But only for now.

"Battle! Ulti-Pettlephin, attack Sunavalon Dryanome!"

Ulti-Pettlephin raised its staff as a wave of water appeared and crashed into Thrasher, destroying it and making Specter wince.

Specter: 4000→3300 LP

"Ulti-Cannahawk now attacks Sunavalon Dryanime!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Baton of the Hero!" Specter abruptly declared. "This turn, I select the targets of your attacks!"

"So you had a counter ready, huh…?" Natura muttered. "In that case, Ulti-Pettlephin attacks Sunvine Thrasher!"

The hawk released a sonic screech as the man riding it blasted the tree with green energy, destroying it in an explosion and pushing Specter back.

Specter: 3800→1300 LP

"I move to my Main Phase 2 and activate Ulti-Cannahawk's effect!" Natura declared. "Once per turn, by returning two of my banished "Ritual Beast" cards to my Graveyard, I can add a "Ritual Beast" card from my Deck to my hand. I return the banished Apelio and Tamer Winda to my Graveyard and add Ritual Beast Steeds to my hand."

An information window on the added card briefly popped up on Specter's Duel Disk, narrowing his eyes.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Share the Pain! We now both Tribute one monster on the field. I Tribute Ulti-Cannahawk"

"Ah..." Specter sighed. "I Tribute Ulti-Apelio."

Following his words, Ulti-Apelio vanished from the field along with Ulti-Cannahawk.

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn. And during the End Phase, Apelio's effect ends, and all my monsters' attack points return to normal."

Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin ATK 3900→3400 DEF 1300→800

Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalcos ATK 2300→1800

Specter laughed. "No matter how hard you try, defeating me will be near impossible."

Natura narrowed her eyes. "Don't get cocky," she said. "Then again, it'll be nice to wipe that cocky smile off your face once I win."

Specter smirked. "In that case, I'll begin the countdown to your defeat and destruction. My turn. I draw! First, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Trap Booster! By discarding one card, I can activate a Trap Card from my hand. I activate the Trap Card: Loss Time! Since your Life Points are at least 4000, my Life Points become 1000 less than yours."

Specter: 1300→3100 LP

"Next, I set one monster."

Natura narrowed her eyes. What is he planning?

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Book of Taiyou," Specter continued. "This card flips one face-down monster into face-up Attack Position. I flip my set monster face-up."

The face-down monster flipped up, revealing a plant monster with a metal eye on one end and a tree on the other.

"I flip Fiber Jar face-up."

Fiber Jar ATK 500 DEF 500 LVL: 2

Natura's eyes widened in surprise. "Fiber Jar?" she said. This wasn't good.

"Fiber Jar's Flip Effect activates," Specter said. "If Fiber Jar is flipped face-up, all cards in both players' hands, fields, and Graveyards are shuffled into their Decks. Then we each draw five cards."

Fiber Jar began emitting red pulses from its eye.

All cards on the field disappeared. Specter and Natura took the cards from their Graveyards and returned them to their Deck and Extra Deck. They then drew five cards.

"I activate the Spell Card: Foolish Burial. This card sends one monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Aromage Bergamot from my Deck to the Graveyard."

After Specter said that, Natura narrowed her eyes. Aromage? Why is Specter using Aromage cards? Something tells me I'm not going to like the answer.

"I activate the effect of the Aromaseraphy Angelica in my hand!" Specter continued. "By discarding it, I can target an "Aroma" monster in my Graveyard and gain Life Points equal to its attack points. I target Bergamot and gain Life Points equal to its 2400 attack points."

Specter: 3000→5400 LP

"I activate the Spell Card: Garden's Gift!" Specter said. The card showed Aromaseraphy Angelica standing in front of a gate made of vines. "As I have two or more "Aroma" monsters in my Graveyard and control no monsters, I can draw one card. If that card is an "Aroma" monster, I can Special Summon it in Attack Position. If it is not, then it is sent to the Graveyard." Specter drew, then said, "I drew Aromage Jasmine, which is Special Summoned in Attack Position."

A little girl with long white hair appeared on Specter's field.

Aromage Jasmine ATK 100 DEF 1900 LVL: 2

"I activate the Spell Card: Dian Keto the Cure Master!" Specter said. "This card increases my Life Points by 1000!"

Specter: 5400→6400 LP

"I activate Aromage Jasmine's effect! Once per turn, if I gain Life Points, I can draw one card." He drew, then said, "I activate the effect of the Aromaseraphy Angelica in my Graveyard. As I control an "Aroma" monster and my Life Points are higher than yours, I can Special Summon Angelica in Attack Position."

Another little girl, this one with green fairy wings, appeared on its field.

Aromaseraphy Angelica ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

Specter raised its hands above it. "Appear, my circuit!" The Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two Plant monsters. I set Aromage Jasmine and Aromaseraphy Angelica in the Link Arrows!"

His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Aromaseraphy Jasmine!"

A blue-haired young woman wearing a blue Ladonet and pants emerged from the portal. She had green fairy wings on her back and carried a staff with a large blue ball on her end. She was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone and winked at Natura.

Aromaseraphy Jasmine ATK 1800 LINK-2 ↙↘

Natura gritted her teeth. "So this is another of Specter's Link Monsters…."

"As Angelica left the field, it is banished," Specter said. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Aroma Garden! I activate Aroma Garden's effect. Once per turn, if I control an "Aroma" monster, I can gain 500 Life Points and all monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points until the end of your next turn."

Specter: 6400→6900 LP

Aromaseraphy Jasmine ATK 1800→2300

"Jasmine's effect activates! Once per turn, if I gain Life Points, I can add one Plant monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Aromage Rosemary from my Deck to my hand."

Specter gestured to its field. "Battle! Jasmine attacks you directly!"

Jasmine swung her staff and blasted Natura with a gust of wind. She cried out as she was pushed back several feet.

Natura: 4100→1800 LP

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

"I have a question for you," Natura said. "According to our data, your Deck consists of Sunvine and Sunavalon cards. So why do you have Aroma cards in your Deck?"

Specter smirked. "Very well. I suppose you deserve an explanation." He narrowed his eyes at Natura. "The Sunavalon cards are my Deck's main force, but the Aroma cards support them. They both mostly supported just Plant monsters, after all."

Natura gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes at Specter. "Even so, I'm going to end this duel right now! My turn! I draw! I summon Spiritual Beast Repunwhale!"

A killer whale with a tall and triangular dorsal fin, sapphire blue eyes, and white tribal tattoos on his body's black parts, and with silver armor covering his fins, tail, and forehead appeared on the field with a loud cry.

Spiritual Beast Repunwhale ATK 200 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Repunwhale's effect activates!" Natura continued. "When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one "Ritual Beast Tamer" monster from my Deck. Appear, Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda!"

A female with long green hair and holding an ornate staff appeared.

Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Moving on, I activate the Spell Card: Gold Sarcophagus." On activation, a large golden box appeared behind Glacia. "Through its effect, I get to take any card in my Deck and banish it face-up. Then, I add the banished card to my hand during my second Standby Phase."

The designated card appeared above the coffin as the lid began to open, and tendrils of light then began to reach out and place the card inside.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Double Summon!" Natura said. "This card allows me to perform a second Normal Summon this turn. I summon Ritual Beast Tamer Wen!"

The short blonde-haired girl reappeared.

Ritual Beast Tamer Wen ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Tamer Wen's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one of my banished "Ritual Beast" monsters. I Special Summon Spiritual Beast Rampengu that I banished through Gold Sarcophagus!"

A penguin with a dark green back and wings, a greenish-white front, and long eyebrows appeared in Attack Position.

Spiritual Beast Rampengu ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Now, I banish Winda and Rampengu to perform a Contact Fusion!" Natura exclaimed as the vortex appeared behind her "Tamer of the wind! Beast of the sea! Enter the realm of the spirits, and combine your power into a new form! I Fusion Summon! Come forth! Ritual Beast Ulti-Rampengu!"

The monster that emerged from the Fusion vortex was an oversized green and beige penguin wearing green and yellow armor on its chest, head, and flippers. On its back rode a short green-haired girl in a green robe. The penguin cried out in Attack Position.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Rampengu ATK 2400 DEF 600 LVL: 6

"Time for me to get truly serious," Natura stated as she clenched her fist. "I banish Ulti-Rampengu, Tamer Wen, and Repunwhale to perform a Triple Contact Fusion!"

The three monsters turned into red, green, and yellow energy and swirled together into the Fusion vortex as Natura spread her arms.

"Spiritual bird of prey! Tamer of the wind! Beast of the plains! Enter the realm of the great spirits, and reveal a new power!" He clasped his hands together. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth! The king of the spirits and beasts! Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio!"

The monster that emerged from the vortex was massive, at least three times larger than Ulti-Apelio had been. It had pale green skin, four legs, and the head of a lion. For its mane, it had a red flower, and there was a large tree on its back. Silver and black armor covered its legs, chest, and head. The black tubes attached to its armor were wreathed in fire, and an older version of Tamer Lara rode on its back. Ulti-Gaiapelio roared directly at Specter as it appeared on the field in Attack Position.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio ATK 3200 DEF 2100 LVL: 10

Specter narrowed his eyes. "Her boss monster…."

"I place a card face-down and then activate the Spell Card: Spell Rewind!" Natura continued. "By banishing one Normal Spell Card from my Graveyard, I can add a different Normal Spell Card to my hand. I banish Gold Sarcophagus to add Emergency Recharge to my hand, which I'll activate to draw four cards since my hand is empty!"

After drawing her cards, Natura played one of them. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Megamorph! Since my Life Points are less than yours, the equipped Ulti-Gaiapeio's attack points become equal to double its original attack points!"

Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio ATK 3200→6400

"Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Fusion Annihilation!" The card showed three purple cards with chains wrapped around them, an explosion in the background. "This card can only be equipped to a Fusion Monster, and when it is equipped, that monster gains 500 attack and defense points!"

Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio ATK 6400→6900 DEF 3100→3600

"Battle!" Natura declared. "Ulti-Gaiapelio, attack Aromaseraphy Jasmine!"

Ulti-Gaiapelio gathered red fire in its maw as Specter gestured to his field.

"You'll have to try harder than that!" he declared. "I activate the Trap Card: Wall of Thorns! If you attack a Plant-type monster, all your monsters in Attack Position are destroyed."

A giant wall of thorns sprung up from the ground and extended towards the Fusion Monster, but Natura wasn't worried.

Natura sneered. "Is that what you think?" Specter gasped at that. "Ulti-Gaiapelio's effect activates! When a Spell, Trap, or monster effect is activated, I can banish a "Ritual Beast" card from my hand to negate the activation of that effect and destroy that card! I banish Spiritual Beast Cannahawk to negate Wall of Thorns and destroy it! Gaia's Vengeance!"

The woman on the back of Ulti-Gaiapelio lifted her staff and shot streams of energy at Specter's Trap Card, destroying it.

"And now that the path is clear, Ulti-Gaiapelio's attack continues! Destroy Aromasephary Jasmine! Nature's Force!"

Ulti-Gaiapelio blasted the Aroma Link Monster, destroying it. Specter cried out as he was flung backward several feet, landing painfully on his back.

Specter: 6900→2300 LP

"Fusion Annihilation's effect activates! When the equipped monster destroys your monster by battle, you take 1000 points of damage!"

A stream of energy sprung from the Spell Card, striking Specter and making him fall to one knee.

Specter: 2300→1300 LP

"You've put up a good fight," Natura said. "But I think it's about time to end things. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Serial Claw. Since my monster destroyed your monster in battle, it gains 500 attack points and can also attack a second time!"

Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio ATK 6900→7400

"Ulti-Gaiapelio attacks you directly!"

The monster breathed fire again, this time at Specter.

Specter gritted his teeth as he pushes himself up. "I activate the Trap Card: Defense Draw!" He exclaimed as a semi-transparent barrier formed around him. "Through its effect, the damage is reduced to 0, and I can draw one card from my Deck."

"I guess you'll get another turn," Natura said evenly. "I end my turn. During the End Phase, Serial Claw's effect wears off."

Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio ATK 7400→6900

"However, don't get too complacent, Hanoi. Ulti-Gaiapelio has 6900 attack points, a hurdle you won't overcome so easily."

"Then allow me to prove you wrong," Specter smirked. "It's my turn! I draw! I summon Aromage Rosemary!"

A young woman with blue hair and robes carrying a staff appeared on Specter's field.

Aromage Rosemary ATK 1800 DEF 700 LVL: 4

"And since my Life Points are higher than yours while I control an "Aroma" monster, I can activate the effect of the Aromaseraphy Angelica in my Graveyard," Specter said. "And Special Summon it to my field in Attack Position."

Aromaseraphy Angelica ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Moving on, I activate the Spell Card: Link Reborn! 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! Aromaseraphy Jasmine!"

Aromaseraphy Jasmine ATK 1800 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Congratulations on bringing out three monsters, but you still don't have a way to defeat me," Natura said, folding her arms.

"You are wrong," Specter replied. "I have everything I need to defeat you. One last time. Manifest the circuit that sows the seeds to the future!" The Link Portal appeared above him. "Link Arrows authorized! The conditions are two or more Plant monsters. I will set Angelica, Rosemary and Jasmine in the Link Arrows!"

The monsters shot up, turning into streams of flower petals as they entered the top, bottom, left and right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! The one who protects the ancient forest with the essence of nature in its veins! Appear! Link 4! Benghalancer the Resurgent!"

A gigantic, humanoid wooden creature with red blood-like veins running through it, consolidating in a shiny, circular red orb in the middle of its wooden body. Dark green, verdant foliage could be seen all over the golem, like an ancient tree that had come to life. Its right arm was a large, pulsing lance, and its left arm had gnarly fingers of wooden bark holding onto a large piece of wood.

Benghalancer the Resurgent ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"Battle! Benghalancer the Resurgent, attack Ulti-Gaiapelio!"

"Fool." Natura snorted. "My monster's way stronger. Therefore, your monster will get destroyed, causing you to lose the duel!"

"Is that what you think?" Specter smirked. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Reversal Attack from my hand! Through its effect, I can target one monster you control and one monster I control and switch their attack points until the Battle Phase's end! I choose to switch the attack points of Benghalancer and Gaiapelio, meaning my monster is now stronger than yours!"

Benghalancer the Resurgent ATK 2500→6900

Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio ATK 6900→2500

Natura gasped. "This can't be!"

"Go, Wrath of Nature!"

A strong storm of leaves erupted from Benghalancer's body, engulfing Gaiapelio's body and destroying it in a massive explosion. Natura screamed as she was sent flying back several feet and forcefully logged out.

Natura: 1800→0 LP

"The Syndicate thought we wouldn't be prepared for their ambush." Specter grinned. If he hurried, he could regroup with the others to see how Varis was doing. After sending a message to the other Knights of Hanoi, he logged out.

Meanwhile...

"So it looks like you're my opponent, huh?" Varis remarked as he narrowed his eyes at Ladon before activating his Duel Disk. "Hmph, while I don't know what Deck you use or your skills, I feel this duel will still provide benefitting data for us."

"Same here for the Syndicate," Ladon stated as he activated his Duel Disk. "You may be the leader of the Hanoi, but don't think for a second that intimidates me one bit."

"Duel!" they shouted.

Varis: 4000 LP

Ladon: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Ladon announced. "I activate the Spell Card: Sacred Sword of the Seven Stars. It lets me draw two cards by banishing one Level 7 monster from my hand!" He grinned as he revealed one card. "So, I'll get banish Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos!"

He then pocketed said monster and drew another two cards.

Varis gasped, "A Dragon Ruler!?"

Ladon narrowed his eyes. "I take it you know these cards?" he asked.

"They're dragons that can work well with being banished and search out other monsters of the same attribute," Varis answered. "And with the right cards, they can swarm the field and dominate just as quickly!"

"Correct." Ladon grinned as he also took another card from his Deck. "And when Blaster's banished, his effect kicks in and adds another Fire monster to my hand. I add a second copy of Blaster. Next, activate the Spell Card: Cards of Consonance! I discard a Dragon Tuner monster with 1000 or less attack points and draw two cards. I discard Flamvell Guard!"

"Are you going to play any cards now?" Varis scoffed.

"There's nothing wrong with gathering resources," Ladon rebutted, with Varis nodding in agreement. "Very well. I activate the Field Spell Card: Dragon Ravine!" Ladon continued as the area became a deep ravine with stone pillars placed behind the two duelists. "Once per turn, I can activate one of two effects by discarding a card. I discard Blaster to activate the second one, which lets me send a Dragon monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Trigon to the Graveyard."

After discarding the Dragon Ruler, Ladon took a card from his Deck and placed it in his Graveyard.

"Then, I activate Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms effect from my hand! By discarding it and Twin-Headed Behemoth, I can add a Dragon monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Debris Dragon to my hand, which I'll summon!"

A dragon with a trident-shaped head and white scales wearing green armor with orange crystals inside its chest and shoulders appeared.

Debris Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"A Tuner, huh? I see." Varis scoffed. "You plan on Synchro Summoning, aren't you"

"Right on the nose," Ladon confirmed. "I activate Debris Dragon's effect! When it's Normal Summoned, I can target one monster with 500 or less attack points in my Graveyard and Special Summon in exchange for its effects being negated. Come back, Trigon!"

A dragon whose entire body was made of flames appeared next to Debris Dragon.

Trigon ATK 500 DEF 1700 LVL: 3

"Now, Level 4 Debris Dragon tunes Level 3 Trigon!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Ladon as the world greyed out. The dragons disintegrated into two rings, each a shade of green. The rings merged and formed a tower of seven rings. A screen appeared before the rings and displayed "4 + 3" before changing to "7.

"The holy light of protection, now cross and become eternal life! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! Ancient Fairy Dragon!"

A blue serpentine dragon with fairy-like wings descended onto the field in Attack Position.

Ancient Fairy Dragon ATK 2100 DEF 3000 LVL: 7

Ladon gestured to his monster. "I activate Ancient Fairy Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can destroy a Field Spell Card. I destroy Dragon Ravine!"

Following his words, the Field Spell shattered, causing the entire area around them to return to normal.

"Because I destroyed a Field Spell using Ancient Fairy Dragon's effect, I gain 1000 Life Points, and I get to add a Field Spell from my Deck to my hand," Ladon continued, as Ancient Fairy Dragon flared its wings, allowing a green, life-giving aura to seep toward Ladon, surrounding his body in a golden aura.

Ladon: 4000→5000 LP

"I add a second copy of Dragon Ravine, which I'll activate!" The field reverted to a mountain-like landscape. "Next, I activate Dragon Ravine's second effect! I discard Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders, to send Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls, from my Deck to the Graveyard. Then, I activate Redox's effect from my Graveyard! I banish Tidal and Debris Dragon from my Graveyard to Special Summon it!"

A massive grey dragon whose body was made entirely out of rock appeared on Ladon's field in Defense Position, letting out a loud howl.

Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders ATK 1600 DEF 3000 LVL: 7

Varis narrowed his eyes. "He has two Level 7 monsters," he noted. "That means…"

"Since I banished Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls, I can a Water Attribute Dragon monster to my hand. I add another copy of Tidal. Then, I overlay my Level 7 Ancient Fairy Dragon and Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders!"

A bolt of dark green energy shot out of his Duel Disk. The bolt created a massive blue "X" with four red dots at the corners.

"With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"

His monsters disintegrated into data particles and entered two of the dots, lighting them up. The ends of the "X" fired light beams, creating a galaxy in front of Galahad. The galaxy exploded with power as Ladon chanted.

"O mighty beast of the skies, descend here and now with your artificial power given to you by humanity! I Xyz Summon! Behold! Rank 7! Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack!"

A dragon with a body made of a white airplane emerged from the portal with a roar in Attack Position.

Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack ATK 2600 DEF 2200 RNK: 7 OU: 2

"Synchro and Xyz Summoning!?" Varis gasped. "Amazing..."

"I activate Dracossack's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can Special Summon two Mecha Phantom Beast Tokens to my field!"

Two holographic projections of Dracossack materialized on Ladon's field in Defense Position.

Mecha Phantom Beast Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 3 x 2

"From there, I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Ladon concluded.

Varis smirked. "Very impressive. For you to perform a Synchro and Xyz Summon on your first turn… You aren't taking me lightly." He closed his eyes. "A pity it won't matter." He opened his eyes and placed his hand on his Deck. "My turn! I draw!"

Varis looked at his card, then chose a different one. "First, I summon Gateway Dragon from my hand!"

A bronze six-sided gate appeared on Varis's field. The gate then opened as a three-armed bronze dragon emerged in Attack Position.

Gateway Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I activate Gateway Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand. I bring out Triggering Wurm!"

Gateway Dragon's gate opened, and a small worm-like dragon came out with large, orange spikes on its back.

Triggering Wurm ATK 600 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"Next, I activate the effect of Defrag Dragon in my hand! By discarding Linkbelt Wall Dragon, I can Special Summon Defrag Dragon!"

A black and red dragon with green holographic wings appeared in Attack Position.

Defrag Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

Varis gestured to the sky. "I now manifest my circuit!" His hand glowed blue as the Link Portal appeared above him. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Level 4 or lower non-Token Dragon monsters. I set Gateway Dragon and Defrag Dragon 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! Appear! Link-2! Twin Triangle Dragon!"

A maroon and gold metal dragon emerged from the Link Portal in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Twin Triangle Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓→

"Twin Triangle Dragon's effect activates! When Link Summoned, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher monster from my Graveyard to its Link Arrow. Resurrect, Linkbelt Wall Dragon Dragon!"

A large blue and gold dragon with two silver arms appeared behind Varis in Attack Position.

Varis: 4000→3500 LP

Linkbelt Wall Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 6

"The monster Special Summoned by Twin Triangle Dragon's effect cannot attack, and its effects are negated," Varis continued. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Cross Linkage Hack, enabling me to draw two cards if I control a non-Link-Monster linked to a Link-Monster! Since Twin Triangle Dragon points to Linkbelt Wall Dragon, I draw two cards. I now manifest my circuit for a second time!" The Link Portal appeared above Varis again as his hand glowed blue. "The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters. I set Linkbelt Wall Dragon, Triggering Wurm, and the Link-2 Twin Triangle Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with Twin Triangle Dragon splitting into two, and entered the top, bottom, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Topologic Bomber Dragon!"

A massive metal orange dragon with green lines running over its body emerged from the portal and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Topologic Bomber Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

Ladon narrowed his eyes. "One of Varis's ace monsters…" he muttered.

Varis smirked again. "Triggering Wurm's effect activates!" he said. "Since I used it to Link Summon a Dark Link Monster, I can Special Summon Triggering Wurm from my Graveyard next to its Link Arrow."

Ladon's eyes widened as Triggering Wurm reappeared in Attack Position, summoned to Topologic Bomber Dragon's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Triggering Wurm ATK 600 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"At this moment, the effect of Topologic Bomber Dragon activates!" Varis said as he clenched his fists. "If another Monster is Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, all monsters in the Main Monster Zones are destroyed! Go, Decimation Destruction!"

Topologic Bomber Dragon grew large green holographic wings that gathered and released a powerful energy surge. Ladon braced himself again as the two tokens and Triggering Wurm exploded.

"Thanks to Dracossack's effect, it can't be destroyed while I control a Mecha Phantom Beast Token," Ladon explained. "Meaning it's safe from Bomber Dragon's effect."

Varis frowned. "When a Link Monster's effect destroys Triggering Wurm, I can draw one card." he drew his card and then took another one from his hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Twin Twisters! By discarding one card from my hand, I can target up to two Spell and Trap Cards on the field and destroy them. I target and destroy both your face-down cards!"

"Before you do that, I'll activate one of them!" Ladon exclaimed as one of his face-down cards opened. "I activate the Trap Card: Sixth Sense! First, I have to pick two numbers between 1 and 6. Then you get to roll a die. If the die lands on one of the numbers I chose, I get to draw that many cards, but if it lands on a different number, then I have to send that many cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. I declare numbers 5 and 6!"

"That's a pretty risky move to make," Varis commentated.

"But if I get the right numbers, then it gives me a chance to turn this duel in my favor," Ladon rebutted.

A die materialized in Varis's hand, which he began to roll. The die kept on rolling until it eventually stopped landing on a 6.

"Alright! That's six new cards for me!"

"You just got lucky," Varis said. "Here's something that you won't enjoy. Since the card I discarded was Cards of Compensation, I get to draw two cards." He gestured to his field. "Battle! Topologic Bomber Dragon, attack Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack! Malicious Mayhem!"

Topologic Bomber gathered red energy in its mouth, which it then released at the Xyz Monster. Ladon braced himself again as Dracossack exploded.

Ladon: 5000→4600 LP

"Topologic Bomber Dragon's effect activates!" Varis declared. "Since it attacked an opponent's monster, you take damage equal to your monster's original attack points! Aiming Blast!"

Topologic Bomber Dragon gathered red lightning around its body, which it then released. The shockwaves hit Ladon, making him cry and pushing him back several feet. He went to his knees and panted from the attack.

Ladon: 4600→2000 LP

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Varis concluded. He narrowed his eyes at Ladon. "So disappointing. You lost all your monsters and more than half your Life Points. Seeing as I hold the upper hand, I would appreciate it if you surrendered here."

"If you believe that much will deter me, then you are deluded," Ladon stated. "Though you may have overcome many challenges to become the duelist you are today, I have survived several obstacles throughout my life that this duel cannot compare with. Also, my pride and honor as a member of the Syndicate will not allow me to yield to an enemy under any circumstances. As such, this duel will continue until one of us is no more, Varis!"

That guy… He might be an enemy, but I must respect that tenacious attitude and steadfast loyalty. Varis thought. It's too bad he's fighting for the wrong side.

"Let's go!" Tadon announced. "The true battle starts from here! My turn! I draw! First, I place a card face-down. Then, since you control a monster while I don't, I can Special Summon this card from my hand! Come, Vice Dragon!"

A winged dragon with a somewhat deformed body appeared on Ladon's field.

Vice Dragon ATK 2000 DEF 2400 LVL: 5

"Since it was Special Summoned through its effect, Vice Dragon's attack and defense points are halved."

Vice Dragon ATK 2000→1000 DEF 2400→1200 LVL: 5

"Moving on, I summon the Tuner Monster Influence Dragon!"

A winged dragon with a thin body clad in blue armor appeared on Ladon's field next to Power Giant.

Influence Dragon ATK 300 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"I tune the Level 5 Vice Dragon with the Level 3 Influence Dragon!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Ladon, and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, blue and purple, appeared before turning blue and merging. Eight blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "3 + 5" in front of them. The screen changed to "8" as light surged through the rings.

"The king's determination is conceived with a flame that burns red and becomes a crimson blade! Appear from beyond the burning hot waves! I Synchro Summon! Descend now, Level 8! The fierce god of flames, Crimson Blader!"

A monster clad in crimson armor and holding two longswords appeared on Ladon's field.

Crimson Blader ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"Next, by banishing Flamvell Guard and Influence Dragon from my Graveyard, I call forth the mighty beast of tides from my hand. Come forth, Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls!"

A dragon with a body made of ice and water appeared, roaring.

Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls ATK 2600 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"Then, I activate the Spell Card: Water of Life!" Ladon continued. "This card lets Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position! Return, Debris Dragon!"

The small white dragon with orange crystals on its body reappeared.

Debris Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"Level 4 Debris Dragon tunes Level 7 Tidal!"

Ladon's monsters disintegrated into green data as eleven blue rings formed. The screen said "4 + 7" before changing to "11." A stream of light went through the rings.

"Out of two will come one, and out of one comes great cosmic might!" Ladon chanted. "Watch as the cosmos creates a monster of galactic right! I Synchro Summon!"

A star began to flare up brightly above the two duelists despite being in the virtual world. "

Appear! Emissary of the flaming star! Level 11! Star Eater!"

A massive supernova of explosion occurred. Rising out and wrapping its body around was an enormous red serpentine dragon wrapped itself completely around it, roaring powerfully and blazing brightly.

Star Eater ATK 3200 DEF 2800 LVL: 11

Varis couldn't help but step back in awe and stagger at the enormous pressure it gave off, "A dragon that represents the brightest star of the galaxy….."

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Harpie's Feather Duster! It destroys all your Spell and Trap Cards."

A massive wing appeared, creating a gust of wind that destroyed Varis's face-down cards.

"Battle! Star Eater attacks Topologic Bomber Dragon! Star Spiral Annihilation!"

The giant dragon opened its maw and blasted a beam of golden toward Bomber Dragon. The stream of energy pierced through its chest and destroyed it in an explosion. Varis winced due to the ensuing shockwave.

Varis: 4000→3800 LP

"Next, Crimson Blader attacks you directly!"

Crimson Blader charged at Varis and slashed him with its swords, causing him to scream in pain from the attack.

Varis: 3800→1000 LP

Ladon smirked. "Guess I have the advantage now." He took a card from his hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Sebek's Blessing!"

Rising from the ground, a large green crocodile appeared wearing a holy white robe and carrying a golden staff with a red jewel.

"With this card, I gain Life Points equal to the amount you lost from Crimson's Blader attack!"

Sebek struck the ground with his staff, creating a wave of water that washed over Ladon, revitalizing some of his Life Points.

Ladon: 2000→4800 LP

"I end my turn with a face-down," Ladon said. "Let's see how you intend to entertain me further."

"My turn! I draw!" Varis looked at his card and smirked. "First, I activate the Spell Card: Final Offguard! As my Life Points are lower than yours and you're the only one with a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can draw two cards."

Varis drew twice more and smiled at his cards. "Next, I summon Hibernation Dragon!"

A bizarre-looking mechanical dragon with blue-colored energy wings appeared in Attack Position.

Hibernation Dragon ATK 600 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Hibernation Dragon's effect activates upon Normal or Special Summon, letting me return a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my Graveyard to my hand," Varis explained. "I return Gateway Dragon Dragon to my hand. Next, since I control a Dragon-Type monster, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand! Come forth, Hammer Dragon!"

A dragon with black scales, in dark-blue armor, with a hammer-shaped object attached to its head and the end of its tail, appeared.

Hammer Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"As a Dark Dragon monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon Noctovision Dragon from my hand!"

A large gray-green mechanical dragon with green holographic wings and four red eyes appeared in Defense Position.

Noctovision Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Link Unit and equip it to Noctovision Dragon! If Hammer Dragon is used to Link Summon, it counts as two materials!"

Ladon narrowed his eyes. "So he's planning on summoning another Link Monster."

"I now manifest my circuit for a second time!" A Link Portal appeared in the sky above Varis. "The summoning conditions are three or more effect monsters! I'll set Hammer Dragon, whose now treated as two monsters, Hibernation Dragon and Noctovision Dragon, into the Link Arrows!"

Hammer Dragon split into two tornadoes of energy and entered the top and bottom arrows, Hibernation Dragon entered the left arrow, and Noctovision Dragon entered the bottom-left arrow, turning them red.

"My gale that slices open the closed world! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Borrelsword Dragon!"

The dragon that emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone was mechanized, with yellow holographic wings, red skin with silver mechanical parts, a gun barrel in its chest, and three blades attached to its head.

Borrelsword Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↑↓

"3000 attack points?" Ladonmuttered, his eyes narrowing. "This must be another one of his ace monsters."

"Since Noctovision Dragon was used as Link Material, I can draw a card!" Varis drew his card and immediately played it. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Supply Squad! Once per turn, if a monster I control is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can draw a card. Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Quick Launch! This card lets me Special Summon a "Rokket" monster from my deck, but it can't attack and is destroyed during my End Phase. Come, Magnarokket Dragon!"

A blue and red mechanical dragon with green holographic wings appeared in Attack Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"I'll then activate Borrelsword Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can change an Attack Position monster to Defense Position to allow Borrelsword to attack twice. I change Magnarokket Dragon to Defense Position." Magnarokket shifted. "Magnarokket Dragon's effect! If a Link monster's effect targets it, I can destroy this card and send one monster on your field to your Graveyard. I'll send Star Eater to the Graveyard!"

Magnarokket Dragon's entire body transformed into a bullet that went into the gun barrel in Borrelsword Dragon's chest. The gun barrel rotated again as Borrelsword Dragon opened its mouth. "Blast Destruction!" Borrelsword Dragon fired a fountain of yellow energy at the serpentine dragon, destroying it completely.

"And thanks to Supply Squad, I can draw a card!" Varis added as he drew, then gestured to his field. "Battle! Borrelsword Dragon attacks Crimson Blader! Borrel Sword Slash!"

The two blades on the sides of Borrelsword Dragon's head snapped upwards, forming a single massive blade before bringing it down on the Synchro Monster.

"I activate my Trap Card!" Ladon declared. "Metal Coat! This card makes it so that card effects can't destroy Crimson Blader!"

"Protecting it from card effects?" Varis repeated. "I see. You're planning on using its second effect."

Ladon nodded in confirmation. "By sending Metal Coat to the Graveyard, I can negate Crimson Blader's destruction in battle!"

Borrelsword struck the warrior with its blade, but Crimson Blader withstood the attack.

"But you still take damage!" Varis reminded Ladon, who winced from the blow.

Ladon: 4800→4600 LP

"Borrelsword Dragon's effect activates!" Varis continued. "After it battles a monster, Borrelsword Dragon gains attack points equal to half of your monster's attack points until the end of the turn. And then your monster's attack points are halved!"

Borrelsword Dragon ATK 3000→4400

Crimson Blader ATK 2800→1400

Ladon gritted his teeth. "So he planned to strengthen his monster and weaken mine so he can deal more damage."

"Attack again, Borrelsword Dragon! Borrel Sword Slash!"

Lightning sparked on Borrelsword Dragon's blade as it brought it down on Crimson Blade, bisecting the monster down the middle. The resulting explosion blew Ladon back and knocked him off his feet before landing back on the ground.

Ladon: 4600→1600 LP

"I place a card face-down and end my turn," Varis concluded. "And during the End Phase, Borrelsword's effect ends, and I can Special Summon a new "Rokket" monster from my Deck since Magnarokket was destroyed this turn. Come, Autorokket Dragon!"

A light brown metal dragon with a rocket attached to its head appeared on Varis's field in Defense Position.

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

Borrelsword Dragon ATK 4400→3000

"Then, it's my turn!" Ladon announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Spellbook Inside the Pot, which allows us to draw three cards!"

Ladon and Varis both drew their cards and added them to their hands.

"Then, I will banish Debris Dragon and Vice Dragon from my Graveyard to Special Summon Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos from my hand!"

A large red and black-colored winged dragon with veins containing magma crisscrossing its body emerged on Ladon's field from a lava-spewing fissure that suddenly appeared on the ground.

Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos ATK 2800 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"Another dragon, huh…?" Varis muttered. "At the very least, I'll praise your taste for choosing an archetype centered on such imposing monsters."

"Don't think flattery will make me go easy on you." Ladon abruptly stated. "I activate the Spell Card: Swing of Memories, whose effect allows me to Special Summon a Normal Monster from my Graveyard in exchange for the summoned monster being destroyed during the End Phase. Be revived, Flamvell Guard!"

A blazing orb ignited before Ladon. That orb carried a blue dragon with scorching metal scales, curled up in a peaceful slumber.

Flamvell Guard ATK 100 DEF 2000 LVL: 1

Ladon grinned as he gestured to his field. "I tune Level 1 Flamvell Guard to Level 7 Blaster!

A bolt of green lightning struck Ladon as the world greyed out, and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, which were colored red, appeared before turning blue and merging. Eight blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "1 + 7" in front of them. The screen then changed to "8" as light surged through the rings.

"I Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Scrap Dragon!"

A mechanical dragon with plated wings and red eyes emerged from the rings and roared in Attack Position.

Scrap Dragon ATK 2800 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"That's a pretty strong monster," Varis commented. "But it's not strong enough to destroy Borrelsword."

"Then it's a good thing I'm not attacking your monster," Ladon said smugly. "I place a card face-down and activate Scrap Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can destroy a card I control, then destroy a card you control!"

"What?" Varis gasped.

"I'll destroy face-down card to destroy your Borrelsword Dragon! Go! Steam Release!"

The two pipes shot superheated steam out at Borrelsword and Ladon's face-down card, vaporizing both.

"Supply Squad's effect activates! I can draw one card since my monster was destroyed." Varis said as he drew.

"Don't think I'm finished yet," Ladon stated, gesturing to his field once more, where a card appeared. "The card I destroyed through Scrap Dragon's effect was Wild Tornado. When it's destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can target one card on the field and destroy it. Say goodbye to your Autorokket Dragon!"

A tornado fired out of the card and engulfed Autorokket, destroying it.

"Battle!" Ladon declared. "Scrap Dragon attacks you directly! Steam Burst!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Half or Nothing!" Varis exclaimed. "This card can be activated during my opponent's Battle Phase and offers you two choices! You must either halve your monsters' attack points until the Battle Phase's end if you wish for the Battle Phase to resume, or you must end your Battle Phase! Now, what do you choose!?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ladon rhetorically asked. "In that case, I choose to halve my monster's attack points to resume its attack!"

Scrap Dragon ATK 2800→1400

"Finish him off, Scrap Dragon!"

The dragon opened its mouth and fired superheated steam at Varis.

"Did you think it would be that easy?" Varis demanded. "When your monster declares an attack, I can Special Summon Checksum Dragon from my hand in Attack Position!"

A red dragon with a large shield atop its head appeared.

Checksum Dragon ATK 400 DEF 2400 LVL: 6

"When Checksum Dragon is Special Summoned by its effect, I gain Life Points equal to half its defense points!"

Varis: 1000→2200 LP

Ladon narrowed his eyes. "Scrap Dragon attacks Checksum Dragon! Steam Burst!"

The superheated steam struck the dragon and exploded, creating a massive smoke cloud. But when the smoke faded, Checksum Dragon was revealed to be unhurt. Varis, not so much.

Varis: 2200→1200 LP

"Nice try. But thanks to its effect, Checksum Dragon can't be destroyed in battle on the turn it's summoned," Varis explained.

"With the Battle Phase's end, Scrap Dragon's attack points return to normal," Ladon said.

Scrap Dragon ATK 1400→2800

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

"During the End Phase, the destroyed Autorokket Dragon's effect activates, and I Special Summon Silverrokket Dragon from my Deck."

A bright silver mechanical dragon with violet holographic wings appeared in Attack Position.

Silverrokket Dragon ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 4

"My turn!" Varis announced. "I draw! I activate the Equip Spell Card: Demotion and equip it to Checksum Dragon! Through its effect, Checksum's Level is reduced by 2."

Checksum Dragon LVL: 6→4

Ladon frowned. "Those monsters… They are both Level 4."

"I use Level 4 Magnarokket Dragon and Silverroket Dragon to build the Overlay Network!" Varis proclaimed as he raised his Duel Disk. A bolt of green lightning shot out of it, turning the world around them into a void. The Xyz cross appeared beneath the two dragons, which turned into data and entered the circles on the cross. The ends of the cross shot beams of light upward, creating a spiraling galaxy that exploded with power.

"When steel and darkness synergize into one, the portal to the edge of the universe opens to invite its solitary denizen! I Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Borreload eXcharge Dragon!"

A new black-and-gray armored dragon emerged from the portal. This one had red holographic wings attached to two massive thrusters and a red "X" across the cylinder's chest. Two red horns rose from the sides of the dragon's gray head as it roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position, two orange lights circling behind it.

Borreload eXcharge Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"I activate eXcharge Dragon's effect!" Varis declared. "By detaching an Overlay Unit, one monster on the field loses 600 attack and defense points. I target Scrap Dragon! Anti-Enemy eXcharge!"

One of the circling lights broke apart as eXcharge Dragon roared.

Scrap Dragon ATK 2800→2200

Borreload eXcharge Dragon OU: 2→1

"In addition, I can Special Summon a "Borrel" monster from my Graveyard! Resurrect, Borrelsword Dragon!"

The bladed dragon reappeared and roared.

Borrelsword Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↑↓

"Battle! eXcharge Dragon attacks Scrap Dragon! Blasting Borrel Cannon!"

eXcharge Dragon's wings turned forward and broke open, revealing two cannon barrels and several smaller lasers. The dragon's mouth opened, revealing two gun barrels. The cannons charged and then fired blue lasers at the mechanical dragon.

"I activate the Trap Card: Draining Shield!" Ladon shouted. "Through its effect, your monster's attack is negated, and I gain Life Points equal to its attack points!"

Following his words, eXcharge Dragon unleashed a powerful energy blast, which struck a shield that hovered before Ladon, dispersing harmlessly. Immediately afterward, the shield burst apart and turned into golden particles that enveloped him.

Ladon: 1600→4600 LP

Varis frowned. "Then, how about I try this? I'll activate Borrelsword Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can change an Attack Position monster to Defense Position to allow Borrelsword to attack twice. I change eXcharge Dragon to Defense Position. From there, Borrelsword attacks Scrap Dragon! Borrel Sword Slash!"

Borrelsword Dragon charged forward and bisected the mechanical dragon down the middle, destroying it and making Ladon grunt in pain.

Ladon: 4600→3800 LP

"Here comes the second one. Borrelsword attacks you directly!"

The previous scene was repeated as Borrelsword slashed Ladon with its blade, striking him directly and causing him to cry out as he was sent flying, crashing into a nearby wall hard and falling to the ground.

Ladon: 3800→800 LP

"I set two cards face-down," Varis said. "I end my turn. At the End Phase, since Borrelsword Dragon was Special Summoned by eXcharge Dragon's effect, it's sent to the Graveyard."

The large dragon warped away, leaving its armored twin alone.

"Then, it's my turn!" Ladon announced. "I draw! Now then, it's time to finally bring an end to you with my absolute power. I activate the Spell, Dragon's Mirror!" he declared. "This card lets me Fusion Summon a Dragon Fusion Monster by banishing Fusion Materials from my field or Graveyard! I banish Redox, Tempest, Tidal, Blaster and Star Eater from my Graveyard!"

A giant mirror with a dragon-like design materialized on Ladon's field, in which the reflections of the selected monsters. Moments later, the five dragons turned into a whirlpool of particles that formed into a twister as he chanted.

"Mighty beasts, the time has come to merge your five heads and become an entity that rivals the Gods! I Fusion Summon! Behold! Five-Headed Dragon!"

A massive dragon with five heads made of water, fire, a dark mist, metal, and wind emerged from the vortex with a giant roar onto Ladon's field in Attack Position.

"Behold, the manifestation of sublime power!" Ladon exclaimed with a beatific expression on his face. "Furthermore, the effects of my Dragon Rulers now resolve! Each of them lets me take a Dragon of their respective attribute from my Deck and add them to my hand. So, I'll add Tyrant Dragon, White Night Dragon, Dodger Dragon and Des Volsgapth!"

Varis frowned. Great. More problems for the future. He thought.

"Don't worry. I don't intend to use these cards because I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Reload! It allows me to shuffle my hand back to my Deck and draw the same number of cards I shuffled!"

After Ladon did so, he took one of his new cards and played them. "I activate the Spell Card: Equivalent Exchange! By sending one Spell Card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can add another Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I discard Super Rejuvenation to add the Spell Card: Stop Defense, which I'll activate! It switches eXcharge Dragon from Defense Position to Attack Position!"

"Changing my monster's battle position so he can finish me off in one attack," Varis said as he smirked. "Not bad. But unfortunately for you, I expected this! I activate the Trap Card: Revolving Borrel!" The card showed the interior of a hangar, with Borreload Dragon standing in the middle of a rotating platform. Borrelguard Dragon, Borrelsword Dragon, Borreload Furious Dragon, Borreload Savage Dragon, and Borreload eXcharge Dragon stood around it in different hangar parts. "I Tribute a "Borrel" monster I control to Special Summon a "Borrel" monster that is either banished or in my Graveyard. I Tribute Borreload eXcharge Dragon to Special Summon Borrelsword Dragon!"

The Xyz Monster disintegrated as Borrelsword Dragon reappeared and roared.

Borrelsword Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↑↓

"You brought Borrelsword back?" Ladon said in surprise.

"Then, Revolving Borrel increases Borreload Dragon's attack points by the Tributed eXcharge Dragon's original attack points until the end of the turn!"

Borrelsword Dragon ATK 3000→6000

"6000 attack points?!"

"It doesn't matter what you do," Varis said. "I'll always be one step ahead."

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

A golden glow surrounded the large dragon, increasing its strength.

Five-Headed Dragon ATK 5000→10000

He thrusted out his hand. "Battle! Five-Headed Dragon attacks Borrelsword Dragon! Five Streams of Supremacy!"

Each head of the dragon fired a beam of a different element at the Borrel Link Monster.

"I activate the Trap Card: Borrel Shield!" Varis declared as the card showed a barrier protecting Borreload Dragon from a large beam of energy. "By targeting a "Borrel" Link Monster I control, I can reduce the damage I would take from this attack by the targeted monster's original attack points. So instead of taking 4000 points of damage, I only take 1000!"

The energy beam blasted through Borrelsword's torso, destroying it. A barrier appeared in front of Varis, temporarily shielding him from the backlash before eventually breaking and sending him tumbling back from the shockwave.

Varis: 1200→200 LP

"And since my monster was destroyed, Supply Squad's effect lets me draw a card."

"Curses…" Ladon spat out through gritted teeth. "To think that you had such a trick up your sleeve…."

"A truly skilled duelist knows to be prepared for most situations by adjusting their Deck accordingly," Varis mentioned. "But you wouldn't know that, would you?"

"Don't you dare lecture me!" Ladon said with undisguised hatred. "The ramblings of a former criminal don't interest me one bit. All that matters is that you're yet another enemy of the order we're trying to establish. And for that, you will perish like everyone that stands against us. I place a card face-down and end my turn. As it's now the End Phase, my monster's attack points return to normal."

Five-Headed Dragon ATK 10000→5000

"I think you've confused order with tyranny, which is not surprising considering your blind fanaticism," Varis stated. "In your words, I shall end you this turn."

"Please." Ladon scoffed at Varis's words. "How do you intend to defeat my monster when a Light monster can only destroy it while all of yours are Dark?"

"See for yourself," Varis replied. "My turn! I draw!"

Ladon gestured to his field. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Spirit Barrier!" He exclaimed. "Now, thanks to this card's effect, as long as I have one monster on the field, any battle damage is reduced to 0!"

I activate the Spell Card: Foolish Burial! This card sends a monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Background Dragon to my Graveyard. I then activate the effect of Background Dragon in the Graveyard! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Background Dragon and a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand in Defense Position. Resurrect, Background Dragon! And be joined by Gateway Dragon!"

A large dragon covered in orange and black armor appeared, joined by the golden serpentine dragon that emerged from a golden gate.

Background Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

Gateway Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I activate Spell Card: Polymerization!" Varis declared. "With it, I can perform a Fusion Summon by using monsters from my hand or field!"

"What?" Ladon gasped. "You're Fusion Summoning?"

Varis smirked. "I fuse Background Dragon and Gateway Dragon!"

The two dragons shattered into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex before shooting upwards as tornados. The two tornados merged into a single violet twister.

"When the roar and anger merge, they coalesce into the source of all rage! I Fusion Summon! Borreload Furious Dragon!"

A new red and gray mechanical dragon emerged from the whirlwind. It had violet armor parts on its legs, arms, chest barrel, and violet horns. The dragon roared in Attack Position.

Borreload Furious Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Ladon narrowed his eyes and sneered. "I wasn't expecting a Fusion Monster. But it doesn't have enough attack points to compete with my Five-Headed Dragon."

"I suppose I'll have to deal with that," Varis allowed. "Since Background Dragon left the field, it is banished by its effect." Varis took the second to last card in his hand. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Overdone Burial! By discarding one monster, I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard so long as its Level is lower than the discarded monster's and equip it with Overdone Burial. I discard the Level 8 Darkstorm Dragon to Special Summon the Level 4 Magnarokket Dragon!"

The blue and red metal dragon reappeared.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"I activate Furious Dragon's effect!" Varis declared. "Once per turn, I can target a monster on my field and a card you control and destroy them!" Ladon's eyes widened. "I destroy Magnarokket Dragon and Five-Headed Dragon! Null Varrel Fire!"

Magnarokket Dragon became an orb of light and entered Furious Dragon's chest cavity. The dragon opened its mouth and revealed a gun barrel charged with violet energy. The dragon shot the beam of energy at Ladon's Fusion Monster, destroying it in an explosion.

"This duel was more interesting than I expected it to be," Varis said. "But it's time to put an end to it. Supply Squad's effect activates, and I draw a card! However, I won't be needing it." He gestured to his monster. Borreload Furious Dragon attacks you directly! Varrel Cannon of Ferocity!"

The gun barrel extended and charged with yellow energy. The dragon raised its head, then brought it back down and fired the beam. Ladon cried out as he was knocked off his feet and forcibly logged.

Ladon: 800→0 LP

"It looks like you're done here, Master Varis."

Specter said as he and the other Knights of Hanois approached Varis.

"Unfortunately, we sustained some casualties before we managed to drive off the Syndicate members," Faust spoke sorrowfully. "The fact that you defeated their strongest certainly had a major impact on them."

"So, what do we do next?" Baira asked. "I'd suggest we repair the damages the base has sustained from their assault, but I feel you have something else in mind."

"Indeed, I do," Varis replied before turning to Specter. "Have Pandor contact Storm Rider immediately."

"Yes, Master Varis," Specter said as he logged out. The remaining Knights soon logged out after him, leaving Varis alone.

"We won the battle," he muttered. "But not the war. This is only just the beginning..."

Following his words, he logged out of the room.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in LINK VRAINS, at the Hanoi's Stronghold…..

"And that concludes the story of our bout with the Syndicate," Varis said after informing the Top 10 of why he invited them.

"So what now?" Storm Rider asked. "After dueling the Syndicate and gathering data on them, I assume you're going to create a plan of attack, right?"

"Correct," Specter confirmed. "Unfortunately, most of our technology and resources were lost when the Syndicate attacked our base."

"So it will take a while for us to make the necessary tools to enact the plan," Baira added.

"Which is why in the meantime, all of you need to hone your skills and become stronger if you wish to stand a chance against the Syndicate," Faust said.

"In other words, evolve your dueling DNA," Genome said.

"Once we finish rebuilding our base, we will continue researching a way to help us defeat the Syndicate," Varis said. "So until then, I would like each of you to improve your Decks and become stronger."

"Well, lucky for you, we were already planning on doing that," Sanctum stated. "Take Esper, for example. After dueling Roselyn and seeing her using an "Assault/Mode monster, she decided to add one to her Deck."

Varis narrowed his eyes at Esper. "Speaking of Esper, I think she should leave this fight to the professionals and stand back."

Esper's eyes widened. "You're kidding. There's no way I'm standing on the sidelines. I have to avenge my friend after the Syndicate hurt her."

"While I'm sorry your friend got hurt, you have no experience fighting people like the Syndicate," Varis pointed out. "So I'm only going to say this once. Step out."

There was a brief silence before Esper ended it. "Then how about this?" The others turned to her. "We duel," she said to Varis. "If I win, I fight alongside you. I'll stand back if you win and let you guys handle the Syndicate."

Sanctum frowned. "Are you crazy, Esper?!" she said. "If you duel Varis, you'll get creamed!"

Esper gritted her teeth at that before Varis interrupted. "No." They turned to him. "A Tag Duel."

Everyone else blinked. "Tag Duel?"

"Seeing how Esper wants to fight so bad and Sanctum's defending her," Varis said. "The two of them will participate in a Tag Duel."

"So they're going to duel against you and one of the other Knights?" Roselyn asked.

"No. They'll be dueling against her."

Varis snapped his fingers, causing a portal to manifest. Stepping out from the portal was Pandor.

"It's Pandor!" Soulburner and Blue Maiden exclaimed in unison.

"The two of you will face Pandor," Varis explained. "Defeat her, and Esper's free to be a part of the fight against the Syndicate. But if you lose, then not only she's forbidden from fighting against the Syndicate, but she also can't assist the Top 10. Do you accept the stakes?"

"Heck yeah, I accept the stakes!" Esper exclaimed as she activated her Duel Disk. "You with me, Sanctum?"

"Always," Sanctum answered as she activated her Duel Disk.

"But hold up," Soulburner asked, "If this is Tag Duel, where's Pandor's partner?"

"I guess she's flying solo," Blue Maiden stated.

Pandor chuckled. "My partner has been here this whole time. Would you like to meet her?"

Suddenly, the AI started to split into two.

"Surprise!" They shouted before activating their Duel Disks.

"And I thought one of them was bad," Storm Rider muttered.

"Let's Duel!"

The four duelists shouted in unison.

Meanwhile…

"It appears the Hanoi proved to be more than I expected is almost upon us."

Seated upon her throne with Umbra flanking her, Queen Priscilla surveyed the screen before her, which showed the Knights of Hanoi duels against Desperado, Ladon, Natura, Astro and Glacia.

"So it looks like the Hanoi expected us to attack them," Umbra remarked with a snort. "Not to mention, it looks like they let us attack them. Given how easy it was for us to break through their security. Regardless, we managed to gather data on them. Should we dispatch reinforcements to attack the Hanoi while they're down?"

"No, not for the time being." Queen Priscilla responded before she opened a second holographic screen that showed Desperado and the others recovering from their duels. "Let them believe that they have the upper hand for now. As for the Top 10, they'll likely be motivated to train and get stronger following Storm Rider's loss at Enoch's hands. The two of them will likely duel again, which is why I had him train to fully master his Deck for their next bout."

Soon, Queen Priscilla and Umbra saw Galerius and Lumine approach them. The two soldiers then knelt in front of Queen Priscilla. "Galerius and Lumine." Priscilla addressed the kneeling soldiers. "The two of you will go out and find Ghost Gal and the Shepherd. Once you do, immediately apprehend them and bring them to me alive. If they resist, you have my permission to defeat them in duels. I have questions to ask them."

"Of course, your Holiness!" Galerius responded. "We'll defeat them and return them to you!"

"I'm also looking forward to this very much." Lumine chimed in with a carefree tone of voice. "I've been itching getting my hands dirty. I was hoping it would be against the top 10, though!"

"I have expectations for both of you, especially with your skills as duelists. Do not fail me." Priscilla told Galerius and Lumine.

"Of course, your Holiness!" Lumine and Galerius replied in unison.

KABOOM!

The whole palace began shaking as if someone had launched an attack on it.

Priscilla immediately snapped his fingers, which caused a screen to appear. "Somebody. Report!"

"Your majesty, we're getting overwhelmed!" A soldier said before being attacked by a monster.

"Yeah! We're losing forces one by-AAAAH!" Another soldier added before he was cut off midway by a blast of yellow energy, which caused the screen to fizzle before turning off.

Did the Top 10 find this place? No, it's impossible, Priscilla thought. She snapped her fingers, causing a second screen to pop up. Upon replaying the footage in slow motion, she breathed a breath of relief.

It wasn't the Top 10. It was Ghost Gal and The Shepherd.

"Huh. Well, this is rather unexpected. It appears they came to us." Priscilla muttered. This was going to be easier than she thought. Priscilla then turned to Galerius and Lumine. "Bring those two to me immediately."

"Yes, your Holiness!" Lumine and Galerius responded.

OC Card Memo:

Natura:

Spiritual Beast Repunwhale (Wind/Fish/Effect/ATK: 200/DEF: 1800/LV: 4)

If this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Ritual Beast Tamer" monster from your Deck, ignoring its summoning conditions. You can only Special Summon "Spiritual Beast Repunwhale" once per turn.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Rampengu

Attribute: WIND Type: [Beast/Fusion/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 600 Level: 6

1 "Ritual Beast Tamer" monster + 1 "Spiritual Beast" monster

Must be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by banishing the above cards you control, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. (You do not use "Polymerization".) Once per turn: You can banish 1 "Ritual Beast" monster from your Deck; add 1 "Ritual Beast" card from your Deck to your hand. (Quick Effect): You can return this card you control to the Extra Deck, then target 2 of your banished monsters (1 "Ritual Beast Tamer" monster and 1 "Spiritual Beast" monster); Special Summon them in Defense Position.

Terminal Port (Normal Spell card) (Credit to Divadx)

Effect: Target 1 Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz monster in your Extra Monster Zone; move that monster you control to an empty Main Monster Zone on your field. You can only activate 1 'Terminal Port' per turn.

Fusion Annihilation Equip Spell Card (Credit to Scififan599)

Equip only to a Fusion Monster. Increase the equipped monster's ATK/DEF by 500. If the equipped monster destroys a monster by battle: Inflict 1000 damage to that monster's controller. You can send this card from the field to the GY; add 1 "Fusion" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate this effect of "Fusion Annihilation" once per turn.

Specter:

Sunseed Growth

Level: 1/Attribute: EARTH/Type: Plant/Effect

ATK: 0/DEF: 0

Effect: When this card is Normal Summoned, you can target 1 "Sunseed" monster in your GY: Return that target to the hand. During your End Phase, if this card is in your GY: You can target 1 "Sunavalon" or "Sunvine" Spell/Trap Card in your GY; banish this card, and if you do, add that target to your hand. You can only use each effect of "Sunseed Growth" once per turn.

Extra Treasure

Normal Spell Card

Draw 1 card for each face-up monster on the field summoned from the Extra Deck.

Garden's Gift Normal Spell Card

If you have 2 or more "Aroma" monsters in your GY and control no monsters: draw 1 card; if the card is an "Aroma" monster, you can Special Summon it in Attack Position. If not, send it to the GY.

Sunavalon Malice (Equip Spell Card) (Credit to Divadx)

Effect: Equip only to a 'Sunvine' or 'Sunavalon' Link Monster you control. When the equipped monster destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can target 1 'Sunavalon' Link Monster you control; inflict damage to your opponent equal to its Link Rating x 800.

Varis:

Borrel Shield Normal Trap Card (name credit to Divadx)

Activate this card when your opponent declares an attack; Target a "Borrel" monster you control: Reduce the damage you would take equal to the targeted monster's original ATK.

Revolving Borrel Normal Trap Card

Tribute 1 "Borrel" monster you control; Special Summon 1 "Borrel" monster with a different name that is either banished or in your GY, and if you do, it gains ATK equal to the Tributed monster's original ATK until the end of the turn. If your "Rokket" monster is destroyed, you can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Borrel" monster you control; increase its ATK by the destroyed monster's original ATK until the end of the turn. You can only use each effect of "Revolving Borrel" once per turn.

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-OH! VRAINS: Advent of New Beginnings. Chapter 16 – Relentless Hunters: Shepherd and Ghost Gal launch an attack on the Syndicate's base, and infiltrate it. Can they stop the Syndicate's actions, or will they suffer at their hands?

And that concludes Chapter 15. As you might've guessed. I paired Natura against Specter and Ladon against Varis. As for the Decks, I gave Natura Spiritual Beast/Ritual Beast Tamer and Ladon Dragon Rulers. I decided to have Specter and Varis win their duels instead of ending them in a draw since they're the most skilled of the Hanoi. Also, after chapter 16, Sanctum and Esper will team up to have a Tag Duel against Pandor so keep an eye out for that chapter when it comes out.

Well, that's all for now. As always, please read, review, favorite and follow.

See you all next time!