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?

26. Reaching Out

Donkeyboy100 is back with chapter 26. I apologize for the delayed release. The size of this chapter and my computer broke down, and I almost lost all my files. Let's get on with the story.

In LINK VRAINS, at the Syndicate's base…

A portal appeared before Marionette exited it, walking down the halls of the Syndicate's fortress.

"Excellent job, Marionette." Enoch praised Marionette as he approached his comrade.

"It was far easier than I expected," Marionette commented. "My favorite part was seeing the look on Storm Rider and his friends' faces after witnessing the tragic consequences their ally suffered. That'll surely mess with their heads."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Enoch stated. "When I took Storm Rider's conscious data, Sanctum went berserk. I bet the loss of their friend will motivate them even more."

"I suppose it will," Marionette agreed. "However, that's where the second part of my master plan will come into play. And to ensure it'll be a success, I will need your help."

"Is that so? In that case, I'm all in! The Top 10 won't know what hit them!"

"Enacting a plan without notifying Her Holiness? The both of you should rethink your ideas, or there will be consequences."

Enoch and Marionette sharply turned on their heels at the sound of the dreadfully familiar voice coming face-to-face with Galerius.

"Galerius…" Marionette muttered, narrowing her eyes at the sight of the elite. "How much did you hear?"

"Just about everything," he answered, much to Marionette's dismay. "You know the Queen doesn't condone this kind of behavior. She'll be surely upset once she hears this."

Enoch frowned. "So does that mean you're going to rat us out?" he asked.

"Normally, I would. But lately, I've been feeling impatient," Galerius replied. "So far, the only duel I had was with The Shepherd, and while he managed to put up a good fight and force me to use one of my best monsters against him, I still wasn't satisfied." He then narrowed his eyes at Marionette. "If you agree to let me join your plan, I promise not to turn you into the Queen. And I'll ensure she doesn't find out about it either."

Marionette smirked. "Alright, you're in. I'll inform you of the details after setting things up." Her smirk widened. "If this plan succeeds, the Top 10 will be no more, and Queen Priscilla's dream will come to fruition."

"I hope you're right," Enoch smirked. "Otherwise, we'll all be in some serious trouble."

"As long as the Top 10 is eliminated, that's all that matters," Galerius stated as he turned around and began walking before stopping as he turned to the duo. "You two should get out here before anyone spots you. Meanwhile, I will disable the trackers inside our Duel Disks and hide our data footprint. Do not make me regret this."

Enoch narrowed her eyes. "You better do a good job. Otherwise, you'll have to deal with me."

"I ensure you it'll work," Galerius clarified. "See the two of you soon."

Following his words, Galerius continued walking as Enoch and Marionette walked in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile…

After going their separate ways, Galerius stood in the corridor while pondering his recent decision of going behind the Queen's back. No matter what, however, he couldn't help but feel guilty and not guilty at the same time. The idea that performing mischievous tactics without the Queen knowing about it is disobedient, but seeing how little he's been involved in her plans, he feels mainly desperate for action at this point, regardless of the consequences that may come his way should the Queen find out.

"You sure have a terrifying expression on your face, Galerius. Are you seriously planning to go behind Queen Priscilla's back just to be involved in some action?"

Turning around at the sound of the familiar voice, Galerius saw Lumine observing him with an amused smile. At first, the Syndicate elite offered no response to Lumine's comment but delivered her an unsettling glance of hatred.

"What's it to you? I remember you wanting to join the Syndicate after seeing my skills in action and claiming that others couldn't see your potential."

"Oi, how long do you intend to bring that up?" Lumine complained. "It's been almost four years already. Give me a break, you big jerk."

"As your first recruited member of the Syndicate and your superior, such actions are within my privileges," Galerius responded as he approached Lumine. "I'm afraid it will be a bit of a tall order to stop viewing you as lower rank, Lumine. Speaking of which, what are you doing out so late? Normally, you would be busy getting stronger or fulfilling a task given to you by Queen Priscilla."

"I was, but I got thirsty and was going to the dining hall to get a drink," Lumine replied. "And on my way there, I overheard you talking with Enoch and Marionette. As for whatever it is, Marionette's planning, I still believe Queen Priscilla should know about it."

"I see you're still a boot-licker," Galerius sighed. "I knew letting you become an elite member so early was a horrible idea. Even if it was a direct order from the Queen, I should have opposed her more fervently."

"I admit while I was halfway through the training program," Lumine casually remarked. "I'm still grateful for its rigorous and grueling physical training that gave me a body that can withstand the copious amount of punishment without breaking, as well as Queen Priscilla's proclamations that only the strong can determine the course of this world and indulge in whatever pleases them. Thanks to those words, I've arrived at where I'm standing. I'm also grateful for your help back then, which drew out my latent talent in dueling by making me do rigorous practice duels with you. That's why I'll appreciate what you've done for me by surpassing you."

"…Surpass me, huh?" Galerius said with a smirk. "You are indeed powerful, Lumine. You possess the talent and skill that the soldiers here and other duelists would kill to have. However, you should remember this; if you seek victory merely for victory's sake, you will never truly grow as a duelist."

"…Eh?" Lumine seemed perplexed. "I'm not sure I understand what you're saying, Galerius."

"Duelists can reach new heights when fighting for something or someone other than themselves and the self-satisfaction victory brings them." Galerius elaborated. "Only then can the true potential of a duelist be unleashed. But you haven't experienced that, so you have yet to surpass me. As such, I'm looking forward to when you discover something you wish to protect and bring out your full strength. At that moment, I am certain you will obtain the power necessary to overcome me and become the strongest duelist."

With those words, Galerius turned around and left, leaving Lumine in the corridor alone by herself.

Meanwhile, later at night at Kolter's apartment…

"Esper didn't deserve to be taken. If only I had arrived in time."

Ena splashed the water from the sink on his face before looking at the mirror. Her face looked terrible, with water running down all over. It wasn't like she wanted this. After witnessing Esper, a.k.a. Rhea, being kidnapped, she and Yuji return to the real world to inform the others of what happened. Everyone was shocked to hear this information, and they immediately reassured Ena that they would rescue Esper the first chance they got. Even with the encouraging words from her friends, Ena continued to blame herself for Rhea being captured. After going to bed, she began having nightmares of Rhea being kidnapped over and over again. She tried various ways to avoid the nightmare, such as waking up and going back to sleep, drinking warm milk and taking melatonin pills, but nothing worked. No matter how many times, she was still seeing that nightmare. The nightmare also began adding the memories of her losing to Astro and witnessing Storm Rider being taken by Enoch. It was the worst one she had so far in her life, and she was considering developing insomnia so she won't have to experience the recurring nightmares.

"Even if everyone says things will be alright, how can they know? Unlike the rest of us, Rhea's a normal person, meaning they won't take it east or her."

Ena gritted her teeth before splashing another water on her face. She gripped the sides of the sink tightly as she looked at her face again. She needed to get rid of this face.

The next day…

"Wow! So this is Amosis?!"

Yuji exclaimed as he and Ena, Skye, Theodore, and Lily arrived at the said city, admiring the view the moment they stepped foot into the city. They were in the south of the street leading to the town entrance and exited with a statue in the middle of the square. North leads toward the castle. Residences and a tavern line the street. Among the cobbled streets is a mosaic of Alexandria Castle with a star shining above it. When they reached the City Square, there were shops, stalls, and an inn around the square. The ticket office in the middle checks patrons' tickets when they come to see the performance in the main theater building.

Today, Den City High School had two-day and one-night field trips. Field trips were recognized as important moments in learning, a shared social experience that allows students to encounter and explore novel things in an authentic setting.

"Amosis is one of the cities famous for a tourist spot. This city is famous for its street performance and culinary." the teacher in charge of the field trip explained, smiling satisfactorily at the students. "Now all of you are free to explore the city, but I prefer if you travel in groups. Meet me back at the hotel at 5. With that all said, you're free to roam!"

Following the teacher's words, all students speared out like wildfire.

"Hey! Hey! Let's go watch that performance!" A male student said while pointing at one of the street performers. He didn't wait for their response and dragged one of his friends to the performer despite his protest to wait. Two more friends followed them, given how the teacher preferred they travel in groups.

"Hey! That meat over there smells delicious! Let's buy some!" A female student pointed at a meat stall with drool coming out from his mouth and dragged her friend there, and two more girls followed behind them.

"They're just like little kids," Ena commented on the two groups of students.

"Indeed. But aren't we all a child at heart?" Lily said with a giggle. She then glanced at Ena and noticed something unusual about her that she had wondered about since they departed.

"Ena, you're not wearing your bracelet today?" Skye asked, pointing at Ena's bare wrist.

"Oh yeah. I didn't realize it until Yuji and I left the apartment. It's not a big deal. People always forget things, so I don't mind not having it." Ena said.

"But it's a waste…you're cuter when wearing that bracelet. I know! Why don't we buy you a new one? I'm sure there's a shop that sells bracelets!" Lily suggested, clasping her hands together while looking for shops that look would jewelry and accessories.

Ena shook her head. "No. It's really fine. Rather than that, I want to eat that." She pointed at a crepe stall nearby. She took Lily and Skye by the hand, and the three walked to the crepe stall. Yuji, who had been doing nothing but standing, glanced at Ena, precisely her naked wrist.

"Do you want to buy a new bracelet for Ena, Yuji?"

Theodore whispered from behind his friend, startling the latter, who looked behind at him with incredulous eyes.

"What? I never said that I did."

"C'mon Yuji. You know that Ena's been in a funk lately ever since Rhea was captured," Theodore stated. "To tell you the truth, I bet she left her bracelet on purpose."

"What would make you think that?" Yuji asked.

"Think about it. I remember you telling me that Ena's mother gave her that bracelet when she and your father left for America. That means it holds sentimental value to her, just like her friendship with Rhea."

"You do make a good point."

"So if we were to get Ena a new bracelet, it might put her in a good mood," Theodore said. "What do you say? Are you in?"

Yuji sighed. "…I guess it couldn't hurt to try…." he answered, making Theodore smile in satisfaction.

"Awesome! I've been here with Kiku a few times. And if I remember right, I think that shop sells bracelets. You can buy it there. If you are too embarrassed to go and buy alone, ask Lily and Skye to come with you." Theodore pointed at a shop behind the ticket stall. It has a pristine white-colored wall and various colorful decorations with accessories on display behind transparent glass. You could see girls or couples inside the shop.

Yuji grimaced at the sight of the store. "Fine. If you say so!"

"All right. Let's go. Skye! Lily! Yuji needs your help!" Theodore out for the two girls while pushing Yuji toward the shop.

Amosis City, Accessory Shop…

Skye, Lily and Yuji were inside the shop, standing in the jewelry section and choosing bracelets they thought would be perfect for Ena. Yuji twitched at Theodore, who was from outside the store standing with the other boys. He secretly enjoyed placing Yuji in this situation.

"How about this one? Ena usually wears red clothes during her free time." Lily suggested a bracelet with a red gem.

"But don't you think it's boring to give her a bracelet the same color as her clothes? Giving her a bracelet with different colors is better for a change." Skye said while pointing to a different bracelet with a blue gem.

"I feel so stupid and useless being here. I'll leave this to you two." Yuj said with annoyance. His remark, as he expected, caused the two girls to giggle. Yuji sighed. Why did he agree to this?

"Anyway, I'm out of here." Yuji waved his hand to the two, attempting to leave. The keyword 'attempting' as Theodore appeared out of nowhere and blocked Yuji's path.

"You're the one who wants to buy Ena a new bracelet, so you should be the one who stays," Theodore said as he held Yuji's shoulders so tightly that he couldn't move despite his struggle. Suddenly, he was bombarded by Lily and Skye with multiple bracelets, angering him in the process.

"Knock it off! This mess is getting us nowhere! Can we please get this over with so I can leave this place?" Yuji told them, glaring at Theodore, who was watching with not so innocent smile.

"R-right! I-I think we should go with this one after all!" Skye said while holding the bracelet with a blue gem.

"No. Let's go with the red one!" Lily disagreed while holding the bracelet with a red gem.

"Okay, I have watched enough. Yuji, you've been friends with Ena since you were little, right? You should know what kind of bracelet would suit her." Theodore finally interfered, getting between the three.

Yuji pondered Theodore's words. He's never bought anything for a girl. He made a bookmark from pressed moonflower petals for Ena but didn't get to give it to her.

"It doesn't matter. You know what she likes, right? Just choose the bracelet based on that." Theodore told the confused cyan-haired boy while pointing to the bracelets. He was looking at Yuji with anticipation, making him slightly uncomfortable.

Yuji sighed in defeat and finally looked at the bracelets. He eyed the bracelet individually until his eyes stopped at one certain bracelet. It was a white colored bracelet with shades of yellow. His hand reached for the bracelet and looked closer at it from every angle. It was perfect.

"This one," Yuji said while showing the bracelet.

"This one is pretty. But why this?" Lily asked.

"It's the color of moonflower. She always likes them." Yuji recalled their childhood when they visited this public garden and how Ena always cared for the flower bank filled with her favorite moonflower. Without him realizing it, his face softened while reminiscing, something the other three noticed.

"If only he were like this from the beginning, then we wouldn't have to hear him yell," Lily said quietly to Skye and Theodore while glancing at Yuji, who was paying for the bracelet at the cashier.

"Yeah. If Yuji's like this always, then maybe he would have more friends." Theodore agreed, whispering as well.

"When he is like this, he is kinda cute. He should stay cute like this all the time." Skye said with a snicker, causing Lily and Theodore to giggle.

"I can hear you three, you know," Yuji said, annoyedly twitching. Man. How could he let his guard down in front of these three? At least it's better than being in front of Ena or Kolter. Or worse of all, Shima.

A few minutes later…

After buying the bracelet, the trio headed to the main street to the hotel where they would stay. They already have their eyes and stomachs full from buying foods and various things from the stalls and shops even though they haven't even reached half a day yet.

"Hey, isn't that…!"

Theodore pointed at a group of students wearing the Den City High School uniform gathering in front of the hotel lobby. Amongst the students, they noticed someone they immediately recognized at first sight. They were standing out in their eyes.

"Taigen!" Yuji called out to the orange-haired individual.

Yuji was the first to approach the group, followed by the others. The person whose name was called turned to the person who called him, saw Yuji and the others coming towards him and smiled.

"Yuji! Everyone! How are you doing?" Taigen asked.

"We're doing great," Theodore replied. "How about yourself?"

"I'm doing great. It's great to see all of you."

"You too," Lily said with a smile.

"I'm confused. How did you get here?" Skye asked. "I didn't see you on the bus ride here. Nor when we arrived at the school for departure. So how were you able to make it here?"

Taigen nervously chuckled. "It's quite an embarrassing story. You see, I slept through my alarm and missed the bus and practically had to beg my parents to drive me down here. I just arrived about 30 minutes ago. Hope I didn't mess a lot."

"No. You're good," Yuji said. "The students are free to roam until 5, so you have enough time to look around and sightsee."

"Glad to hear it," Taigen said with a smile before noticing someone missing from Yuji's group. "Hey, where's Ena at? Isn't she normally with you guys?"

Everyone frowned at Taigen's words. "Normally, yes. However, she's dealing with something and decided to give her some space for now."

"I see. Well, I hope that Ena feels better soon."

"We do as well," Theodore replied before noticing eight people across the room wearing Duel Disks. "Why do those guys have their Duel Disks out? Are they planning to duel each other?"

"I don't think," Lily said. "If I remember correctly, the brochure about this place stated there's an area known as the Duel Field in a place called the Forest Town."

"Oh yeah. I remember reading about that also," Skye stated. "Maybe we should all go and check it out. Feels like it could be fun."

"That's a great idea!" Yuji said. "You want to join us, Taigen?"

"I would love to. The more, the merrier. Joining activities like this helps deepen friendships and broaden horizons. Not to mention, it'll help me learn more about the city. However, I passed this arcade on my way here that I want to check out, so could we do that first?"

"Sure thing," Yuji agreed. "Just lead us straight there."

"No problem."

After putting his luggage in his room, Taigen and the others left the hotel and headed for the arcade.

At Amosis City's arcade…

"Taigen! He's around the corner!"

"I see him!"

"Take that, dirty dan!"

"Yuji, I need a medpac!"

"There's one on the level above you!"

"Thank you!"

"I'm pinned down! The sniper is on your roof!"

"I'll get him after I've grabbed the medpac!"

Yuji and Taigen stood before a shooter game, holding a controller and button-mashing as furiously as possible. So engrossed were they in their game that they didn't notice they had drawn a small crowd. An unnerved Theodore, Skye and Lily watched them off to the side.

"…I've never seen Taigen or Yuji act like this," Skye admitted.

"You're not wrong about that statement," Theodore said, staring at the duo. Whether he was energetic when performing during a duel or not, he was more energetic in the face of this game and even shouted along with Yuji without a single care.

"It's good to see Yuji enjoying himself."

The trio turned around to see none other than Ena standing behind them.

"Ena! Glad to see you. We thought you must've returned to the hotel," Lily said.

"And what do you mean you're glad to see Yuji enjoying himself?" Skye asked.

"When the two of us were kids, Yuji and I would always go to the local arcade on weekends with our families," Ena explained. "But as you know, we stopped after our parents went to America. And anytime we go, it doesn't feel the same as when we were younger."

"…I think I get what you mean," Theodore said. "While Yuji can be serious at times, especially during a duel, there are times he can relax and have fun. I was worried about him coming on this field trip when it was brought up. But seeing him act like this… Yeah, I agree. It is good to see."

The two watched as Taigen and Yuji played, walking back over, having finished their game.

"Did you two have fun playing that shooter game, Theo suggested?" Lily asked.

"You know it!" Taigen replied. "We even beat the high score!"

"But it did kind of tire me out a bit," Yuji said. "I could go for a good nap right about now."

"Aw, come on, Yuji! Just one more game!" Taigen pleaded.

Yuji sighed. "Alright, fine. What did you have in mind?"

"Why don't we end today's game with this one? It can help relieve our stress!" Taigen suggested while pointing at a punching bag arcade game.

"THIS is the game that could help let out our stress?" Ena raised a brow.

"You punch on the cushion in the center, which measures your power level by a score from 0 to 400. You can then claim your gift according to your points. I overheard that this machine helps the boxing club recruit new members." Taigen explained while staring at the punching game. This game was quite popular with the boxing club members in his school since it was like punching a sandbag.

"YUP! That's true!" Theodore confirmed despite not knowing what Taigen meant. "Try now. I'm sure it would relieve all of your stress!" Theodore proceeded to hand Yuji a pair of boxing gloves.

"If you insist…." Yuji reluctantly wore the gloves. He then punched into the cushion…

BANG…!

DING! DING! SCORE: 300

"Wow! Awesome! You're quite good, Yuji!" Lily praised.

"I've done a lot of exercises with my father as a kid. Your turn." Yuji handed the gloves to Theodore next.

"Oh yeah! Here goes!" Theodore bumped his boxing gloves before he delivered the punch with his full power.

DING! DING! SCORE: 354

"Wow! Awesome! You're quite good, Theo!" Taigen praised.

"Whaddya mean by 'quite'? It was supposed to be great! All my grandpa's training for nothing!" Theodore protested, but Taigen didn't hear him as his attention focused on the others. Theodore decided not to waste his voice again at him and turned to Lily. "Here, Ena! Your turn! I remember you mentioning your parents putting you in self-defense classes. Let's see if those classes paid off."

"Okay…" Ena accepted the gloves. She has built-up stress that she has been itching to release anyway.

"Just focus on the stress you wish to release," Taigen suggested.

Ena started to mumble. "…stress…stress…here we go… TAKE THIS!" She punched the cushion. The force was formidable when her bare fist landed on the cushion, creating a thunderous rumble…

BBBAAAAAAAANG

DING! DING! SCORE: 400

"How the heck…did you?" Theodore's jaw dropped to the ground. Everyone watching was in shock, looking at the monitor doubtfully, and so were Taigen and the others, except Yuji, who didn't look surprised at all as if he had expected this.

Everyone was shocked. A skinny girl couldn't possibly score 400. Her score was even higher than all the boxing club members. Theodore and the others knew that Ena was strong, but they never thought she was this strong. Yuji said Ena's punch-packed punches were exaggerated to scare them, but Ena has proven them wrong.

"That does feel better. Let me do it again!" Ena punched the cushion again.

BBBAAAAAAAAANG

DING! DING! SCORE: 400

"Alright! One more time!" Ena began to punch the cushion and increased the force in her every punch.

"Miss…please, don't…! We just leased this thing…please…please don't break it…! I think it needs to rest after you and your friends played." A few store workers grabbed Ena's hand, restraining her from pummeling again.

They were indeed MONSTERS. The crowd was looking at them amusedly, including the other members of the boxing team that Taigen mentioned, who had just arrived to play the game. The general impressions of Ena extended from a simply tomboyish transfer student who likes dueling to a girl with monstrous strength. The boxing club members began considering recruiting Ena into their club. She was strong but also a cute girl (they don't have any girl members), so having her as an addition to their club would be great.

"I…I lost to a girl…." Theodore sulked. Out of the five teens, he was confident he was number one regarding muscles and strength.

"Y-you don't need to be that depressed, Theo! You're still strong!" Skye tried to comfort the sulking boy.

"You can do better by exercising more." Lily also joined Skye in comforting Theodore. He was also shocked by the difference between his and Ena's strength. He made a mental note to start training his body more from now on.

"You're so cool, Ena!" Skye praised with big admiration.

"Yeah! You're so strong! Maybe you can teach us a bit!" Lily requested, equally impressed by Ena's display of power.

"I don't know if that's a good idea, you two," Yuji interjected. "You might end up becoming a reckless baboon?"

Ena narrowed his eyes at Yuji. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means nothing, Ena. It was just a joke."

"I don't think it was. You were implying that I'm stubborn and impulsive, right?"

"Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't. Just relax, will you."

Ena growled. "Whatever. I'm going back to the hotel."

"Wait! Ena!" Yuji quickly chased after her, leaving the rest behind. "Ena!"

Yuji kept calling out again for his childhood friend, but Ena ignored him and kept walking, not even bothering to turn his head back to her.

"I said wait, Ena!" Yuji repeated as he grabbed Ena by the arm.

Ena groaned and then glared at Yuji. "What do you want?! I'm tired, so let go and let me be!" She said with barely concealed annoyance in her voice.

"What's wrong with you recently?! I know that you've been avoiding us! And I think I know the reason why! Just tell me and the others what we can do to help!" Yuji demanded, yanking Ena's arm and pulling her closer to him.

"I don't want to talk! I just rather be alone!" Ena spat back.

"Forget that! I'm your friend! And friends help friends out! Listen to what I have to say!" Yuji stated.

"I told you to leave me alone! So buzz off!" Ena replied immediately, pushing Yuji off her. She brushed herself off and was ready to dash, but Yuji was as quick as a rabbit and grabbed her arm again.

"Ena, you're being impulsive right now. This is something you've done since we met as kids. If something's bothering you, can't you talk to me? I can get only so much by looking at your habits." Yuji never liked this part of her. Since they were little, whenever Yuji felt like something was bothering Ena, he always asked what was wrong, but she always shrugged it off and said she was okay. He always hated it when she did that. It was like she didn't trust him. Then again, this reminded Yuji of this group of friends he and Ena met long ago. Specifically Yuya Sakaki and Zuzu Boyle.

"Even if I tell you, you can't do anything anyway. Don't pretend to understand." Ena said as she freed her arm from Yuji's grip.

"Pretend?! I'm trying to understand so I can help!" Yuji retorted.

"No one can ever understand, especially you," Ena responded with a tone so cold that it shut Yuji's mouth. She left after realizing what she had said, and this time, Yuji didn't move to stop her. He stood on the spot, watching Ena's back getting farther from him.

"Ena..." Yuji muttered. He was honestly glad he could hold himself back, or else he would have said something he could never take back.

Theodore and the others were watching their friends' argument. They intended to interfere, but seeing the heated argument between the two childhood friends, they didn't have the heart to jump in. They doubt the duo will talk to each other for a while. Theodore sighed.

"This is bad…."

Before Theodore could say anything else, a loud sound caught their attention. They turned to the window that showed the scenery of trees outside and then spotted a thick black smoke that seemed not too far from the Duel Field, followed by another loud sound that sounded like an explosion.

"Hey? What's with that smoke?" Lily questioned worriedly.

"It might be a fire. Let's check it out!" Skye suggested.

"Hey! It might be dangerous! Don't!" A store worker warned the trio.

"We have to make sure of it first! If it's a fire, we must get out of here!" Theodore said before turning to Taigen. "Taigen, can you ensure no one else leaves until we return?"

Taigen nodded. "Sure thing, bro."

Theodore smirked. "Thanks. I owe you one. Come on, guys!"

Following Theodore's words, he and the others exited the arcade and ran toward where the smoke was coming from.

A few minutes later…

Yuji and the others reached where the smoke came from, and they were horrified to find the fortress's entrance in flame, with many guards protecting the fort lying on the ground covered in wounds. Some were close to dying, and some were already beyond saving.

"Hey! Are you okay?" Yuji noticed a wounded guard who was still alive, writhing in pain. Without thinking and despite his friends' protest, he approached the guard out of concern, checking his wounds. Yuji gasped at the severity of the injuries. He needs to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.

"Yuji! Don't be so reckless!" Skye told him, grabbing him by the shoulder and trying to convince the boy to retreat, but Yuji refused to leave the still-alive guards. Skye couldn't blame him for thinking so. She felt sick seeing how severe the guard's injuries were and could understand that he wanted to help, but if they were seen by whoever attacked them, it would be the end.

"Hey, isn't this dangerous? We have to return to the town and call for help!" Lily said. She was starting to get scared.

"What's this? A bunch of brats?"

A group that consisted of three men emerged from the smoke. They wore matching dark grey-violet coats with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, silver lining designs, an emerald turtle-neck shirt underneath, tan bare baggy pants, dark black boots and hand-to-wrist cover black fingerless gloves with straps. They also wore matching Duel Disks with orange-colored energy blades.

"Those clothes! They are mercenaries!" Theodore deduced.

"They did this?!" Skye said.

"Let's take care of them. We can't afford to have any eyewitnesses." One of the mercenaries wearing a blue bandana said, prompting the others to turn their attention to the quartet.

Yuji growled and glared at the mercenaries. "It's one thing to set an entire fortress on fire, but harming and nearly endangering the lives of innocent people is another." He took out his Duel Disk. "I'm in a bad mood right now, and what better way to calm myself down than crushing the three of you."

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that, man."

Yuji and everyone else turned around and saw a tall pale-skinned young male with pale green eyes standing behind them. He had black hair, with the fringe/sides twisted to make a half-crescent shape, while the rest was a curly mess. His hair had silver highlights, giving it a gale wind-like effect. He stood with near-perfect posture and a physique akin to a male model's. He wore a light brown cardigan with black buttons that seemed to have been sewn in by hand, and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Underneath his brown cardigan, he wears a simple black dress shirt and has a set of silver bracelets on his right wrist. Completing his outfit are light blue trousers and white running shoes. He began to walk over until he stood in front of Yuji.

"Don't worry about them, dude. Leave this to me."

"Are you sure?" Yuji asked. "I can provide backup."

"Thanks. But no thanks." The black-haired man said. "I dealt with guys like these before. So I should handle them just fine. But you and your friends are welcome to watch if you want."

Yuji pondered the man's offer for a minute before deciding. "Alright. They're all yours." He put his Duel Disk away and walked over to where his friends were standing.

"You sure this guy can handle these three, Yuji?" Theodore asked.

"I'm not entirely sure," Yuji replied. "But something tells me this guy is more bite than bark."

"But what if he loses?" Lily asked.

"Lily has a point," Skye stated. "Her and I will go back into town and get help. While you guys stay here and hold them off."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Theodore said with a smile.

Yuji nodded in response. "I agree. Now hurry before things get out of hand."

And with that, Skye and Lily left the fortress's grounds.

"Oh? So you're challenging us? Some cocky brats you are." A man with a blue bandana said mockingly at the mysterious man.

"We won't hold back just because you felt foolish enough to play the hero." A man with a red bandana said condescendingly.

"By all means, please give everything you got. It won't be fun if I defeat you so easily." The black-haired man.

"Very well." A man with a green bandana sneered. "If you're that eager to perish, who are we to try and dissuade you? But don't come crying to us later when the pain becomes too much for you to handle!"

All four duelists activated their Duel Disks.

"Duel!"

Mysterious Man: 4000 LP

Mercenary #1: 4000 LP

Mercenary #2: 4000 LP

Mercenary #3: 4000 LP

"To show that we're fair duelists, as an additional rule for this duel, players who haven't taken a turn yet cannot be attacked." One of the mercenaries suggested. "Is that acceptable?"

"That's completely fair," the man answered. "Let's begin as soon as we can."

"Then, I'll start!" Mercenary #1 announced. "I activate the Spell Card: Cost Down. By discarding one card from my hand, I can now reduce the Level of all monsters in my hand by 2. That means I can now summon this monster from my hand. Come, Power Darts Striker!"

A robot with orange armor and an oversized armament filled with darts equipped on its right hand appeared on the field.

Power Dart Striker ATK 1800 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"I place one card face-down and end my turn, with Power Darts Shooter's Level returning to normal."

Power Dart Striker LVL: 3→5

"My turn!" Mercenary #2 declared. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Level Succession! This card enables me to target one monster on the field and Special Summon one monster that's one Level higher than the target from my hand. In exchange, I cannot Normal Summon this turn. I target the Level 5 Power Darts Shooter to Special Summon Rocket Darts Shooter!"

Rocket Dart Striker ATK 1900 DEF 100 LVL: 6

Another robot with pink-colored armor and an oversized armament filled with darts on its right hand appeared, making Yuji wonder what the deal with all the dart monsters was. Were these mercenaries running Decks with the same archetype as those thugs he dueled a day ago?

"As my pal stated earlier, since we're in Battle Royal Mode, I can't attack, so I'll settle for placing one card face-down and end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" Mercenary #3 shouted. "I draw! I also activate the Spell Card: Level Succession and target Rocket Darts Shooter. It allows me to Special Summon Ultimate Darts Shooter from my hand!"

Yet another robotic warrior with blue-colored armor similar to the previous ones appeared on the field.

Ultimate Dart Striker ATK 2400 DEF 300 LVL: 7

"Furthermore, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Machine Fortification! This card enables all Machine-type Monsters on the field to gain 300 attack points for every Machine-type monster on the field. Since there are three Machine-type monsters, our Dart Strikers gain 900 extra attack points each!"

Power Dart Striker ATK 1800→2700

Rocket Dart Striker ATK 1900→2800

Ultimate Dart Striker ATK 2400→3300

Yuji was sure something was up. How could those mercenaries possibly have a copy of Level Succession in their hands, and each of them had a monster exactly one Level higher than the previous one, allowing them to pull off their combo flawlessly? Were these lowlifes cheating? Quite possible, but since he had no proof, he couldn't say anything. Next to him, Theodore was looking at the unfolding duel with evident concern.

"I place a card face-down and end my turn." Mercenary #3 concluded. "Now, it's your turn, Mr. Bigshot."

"My turn!" The man announced. "I draw!"

After checking the cards in his hand, he remarked with apparent disappointment.

"So weak…"

"What's the matter, hero?" Mercenary #1 sneered. "Did you have a bad draw? If that's the case, too bad for you. When our next turn comes, we'll pulverize you mercilessly!"

"That's wrong. I wasn't talking about my cards. I was referring to you three."

The three mercenaries were stunned by the abrupt announcement, while the mysterious man forged on undaunted.

"I can feel neither a blade's sharpness nor a bullet's power from your dueling. In other words, you're too soft and naïve."

"What did you say!?" Mercenary #2 shouted in anger. "We won't allow you to mock our dueling skills!"

"There's also one more thing you're mistaken about." The mystery man stated, looking like he hadn't paid much attention to Mercenary #2's words. "There won't be a next turn for you three."

"Hah, are you saying you'll somehow finish all three of us in this turn?" Mercenary #3 said in a mocking tone. "There's a limit to how arrogant you can be! I activate the Trap Card: Explosive Darts! During either player's End Phase, I can Tribute one "Darts" monster I control and inflict half its attack points as damage to my opponent!"

"I also activate the Trap Card: Explosive Darts!" Mercenary #2 declared. "Now I can also Tribute a "Darts" monster and inflict half its attack points to you as damage!"

"And don't forget about me!" Mercenary #1 grinned maliciously. "I also activate the Trap Card: Explosive Darts! When your End Phase comes, you'll take 4400 points of damage! How's that, Mr. Big Mouth!?"

OK, Yuji was now certain that these jerks were cheating. The earlier combo might have been excused as extremely good luck, but they all had the same Trap on their hands was practically impossible. What a sorry excuse for duelists this pathetic bunch was.

However, the mystery man looked completely unfazed as he made his move.

"I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization! With this, I fuse UFO Turtle and Solar Flare Dragon that are in my hand!"

Silhouettes of a green turtle with a silver metal shell and red windows and a dragon made of magma and wreathed by flames appeared on the man's field. The turtle broke into red particles, while the dragon into blue particles, swirling into a vortex afterward. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"Fiery reptile who burns with the power of a furnace, join with the flames of a volcano!" The man chanted. "Burn down all our pathetic prey with your new fiery form! I Fusion Summon! Appear! Blaze Fenix, the Burning Bombardment Bird!"

Erupting from a whirlwind was a massive firebird cladded in dark black armor. It spread its fiery wings and shrieked at the three mercenaries as it appeared in Attack Position!

Blaze Fenix, the Burning Bombardment Bird ATK 2800 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

"W-Well, that's an impressive monster you got there." Mercenary #1 said while struggling to keep a confident expression. "However, it still can't attack since it's your first turn, making it a mere baby bird."

"Is that so? Well, let me prove you wrong then." The man stated as he gestured to his monster. "I activate Blaze Fenix's effect! Once per turn, I can inflict 300 points of damage to my opponents for every card on the field!"

"Every card!?" The three mercenaries gasped.

"I count five cards on the field, so the three of you will take 1500 points of damage! Go, Burning Bombardment!"

The phoenix screeched before fiery a barrage of fireballs at three mercenaries, which exploded and pushed them back several feet.

Mercenary #1: 4000→2500 LP

Mercenary #2: 4000→2500 LP

Mercenary #3: 4000→2500 LP

"Now it's time for the icing on the cake," the man said. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Trap Booster! By discarding a card from my hand, I can activate a Trap Card from my hand. I activate the Trap Card: Ring of Destruction!" A metal ring with red bombs appeared around Blaze Fenix's neck. "This card enables me to destroy one monster on the field, and then all players take damage equal to that monster's attack points."

"What did you say!?" The three mercenaries gasped in shock.

Yuji whistled. The mystery man was correct in his assessment; there would be no next turn. And thinking that he pulled off a one-turn-three-kill so easily made him nothing amazing in Yuji's eyes.

"You three now...go...bye...bye!" The man waved at them before Blaze Fenix exploded, causing not only the Dart Strikers to be destroyed but also causing a huge cloud of smoke to envelop the area. As the smoke cleared, he saw the three mercenaries lying on the ground, moaning in pain.

Mercenary #1: 2500→0 LP

Mercenary #2: 2500→0 LP

Mercenary #3: 2500→0 LP

Mystery Man: 4000→1200 LP

Yuji and Theodore stared at the defeated mercenaries and then up at the mystery man, who turned to face them.

"Are you two alright?" The man asked as he deactivated his Duel Disk. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

"…That was so cool!" Theodore cheered, jumping in the man's face, surprising him. "That move you made was like nothing I've ever seen before! Not to mention you use Fire monsters!"

"I have to agree. That was impressive!" Yuji said, smirking. "I take it you face guys like those three occasionally?"

The man laughed. "My, aren't you a smart one? Our City is known for its ancient history and wealth, making it targetable for those who want it themselves. Luckily, I called a few officers before I arrived and should be here shortly" He narrowed his eyes at Yuji and Theodore. "By the way, I can tell you aren't from around here. "You new to town or just visiting."

"We're visiting," Theodore answered. "We're here on a field trip."

"That would explain a few things," The man said, nodding. "I should've guessed that by your clothing. You two attend Den City High School, right?"

"We do," Yuji confirmed. "Did you go there also?"

"Nope, but my cousin does," the man answered. "She should be in your grade, if I'm not mistaken. Would be nice to get the chance to see her."

"If you want, we can take you back to the hotel we're staying at," Theodore suggested. "What do you say?"

"I'm in!" The man said as he, Yuji and Theodore headed back to the hotel. "I haven't seen her in almost three years, so it'd be great for us to catch up."

"That's a nice thought," Yuji said. "By the way, I'm Yuji. And this is my friend Theodore."

"Nice to meet you two. The name's Xander."

"You too, Xander," Theodore replied. "So, you lived in Amosis your whole life?"

"Sure have," he answered. "Born and raised. Can't imagine being anywhere else."

"That's bold of you to say," Yuji commentated. "Have you ever been outside Amosis?"

"Of course I have. But there's something about this place that makes it the perfect home for me."

"Understandable," Theodore said. "I can tell by how you easily defeated those mercenaries that you're a great duelist. You've been dueling for a long time?"

"Sure have," Xander replied. "I even taught my cousin how to play a few years after her birth. Every time she came and visited, we always dueled. From sunrise to sunset."

"Sounds exhausting," Yuji chuckled. "But also fun. I grew up an only child, but I had a friend I dueled daily."

"Is that so? Well, if we have time, I would like to meet this friend of yours."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. I doubt she would want to talk or be around anyone right now."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Judging from your tone, I can tell something's bothering you. Am I correct to assume it has to deal with your friend?"

"It's that obvious, huh?" Yuji said. "To answer your question, yes, it is. Recently, she just lost a close friend of hers. You could say there were like sisters. And instead of talking it out, she wants to be alone and keep her anger bottled." Yuji sighed. "It makes me furious that she won't share and accept my help."

Xander chuckled. "Been there, buddy. My cousin's also the same. Anytime I could tell something was eating her up, I always offered to help, but she denied it every time." He turned to Yuji. "If it helps, let me talk to this person. I could probably get them to open up."

"What makes you think you can?" Theodore asked.

"Simple. I've been in Yuji's shoes. And no matter how much someone tries to keep their problems locked away, it's only a matter of time before someone breaks through."

"If you're certain you can do it, I won't stop," Yuji said before taking out his Duel Disk. "I'll tell them to meet us at the Duel Field. I'll also invite Skye and Lily to join us as well."

"Yuji, if it's alright with you, I believe I have a better place in mind that will solve this problem."

Yuji nodded. "Alright. You know this place better than me, so I'll take your word for it."

"By the way, Xander, should your words not work, do you have a backup plan?" Theodore asked.

"Of course. And just between you guys, I'm hoping it comes to that."

A while later…

Yuji, Xander and the others were inside a large arena. There was a central raised platform where the Duel Field was, surrounded by stands on all sides that almost went up to the ceiling.

"You sure she'll show up?" Lily asked.

"I'm not sure," Skye replied. "But I hope she does."

"Even if she doesn't, we know where she is anyway," Theodore stated. "So we should be ready if she decides not—"

Theodore's words were interrupted by the footsteps approaching, causing everyone to turn in their direction of them. Shortly afterward, a familiar figure was before them.

"Nice for you to show up, Ena," Yuji commented with a frown.

"Why wouldn't I? I was invited-" Ena suddenly stopped talking after narrowing her eyes at the person next to Yuji. "Xander!? What are you doing here?"

"Wait a minute. Do the two of you know each other? But how?" Theodore asked.

Ena growled. "I know him because he's my cousin."

Lily and Skye gasped. What!? Cousin!?"

Yuji narrowed his eyes at Xander. "Looks like my suspicion was right."

Theodore turned to Yuji. "You mean you knew all along?"

"Well, I'm not saying I knew Xander. Just like you, it's my first time meeting him. But after deducing our conversation from earlier, something told me we were referring to the same person. Therefore, meaning Ena is Xander's cousin."

Xander chuckled as he narrowed his eyes at Ena. "You sure have a smart and observant friend, Ena. And he's told me you've been upset lately. So why not do all of us a favor and tell us what's wrong so we can help you."

"Thanks. But no thanks," Ena responded. "As I told Yuji, I prefer not to talk about it."

"Should've known that was the case. Fine then. If you're unwilling to share, I'll have to force it out of you. And you know what I mean by that, right?"

"Of course. You and I will duel each other. If I win, you guys will leave me alone and let this thing go. But if you win, Xander, I'll tell you guys what's happening."

Xander nodded. "Smart girl. This should be fun. We haven't dueled in a long time, so I hope you haven't gotten rusty."

Ena chuckled. "Funny. I was going to say the same to you."

Skye turned to Yuji. "You sure this is a good idea, Yuji."

"Xander expected something like this to happen," he revealed. "If Ena doesn't listen to reason, we rely on the next best thing. Duel Monsters."

"I hope you're right," Lily said with a worried tone."

"Don't worry, Lily. Even though we just met him, I'm sure Xander's capable enough of reaching Ena. I'm sure of it!"

"Well, well," Xander said as he and Ena got up onto the platform. "I was waiting for the day when you and I would duel again. The last time we dueled here, you lost for the 99th time. And I'm confident that won't change anytime soon. So why not do us both a favor and give up now."

"Not a chance," Ena said. "I never pass up a duel."

"Good to know," Xander said with another smirk. "Ready?"

"Ready," Ena said. She placed her Duel Disk, Having an oval shape with a blue orb and yellow circle, projecting a light blue blade. Xander likewise activated his Disk. It was the same as Ena's but with a black orb outlined by a purple circle with a purple side. It has a red blade.

"Duel!" they shouted.

Ena: 4000 LP

Xander: 4000 LP

"Since we're on my turf, I'll take the first turn!" Xander announced. "I activate the Spell Card: Unexpected Dai, which 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, V-Tiger Jet!"

A fighter craft with a tiger head attached to its front appeared on Xander's field.

V-Tiger Jet ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Next, I summon W-Wing Catapult."

A blue machine with engines and wings appeared in Attack Position.

W-Wing Catapult ATK 1300 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

Yuji narrowed his eyes. When Xander dueled before, he used Fire monsters, he thought. But now he is using Machine monsters. That must mean he uses a different variety of Decks.

"I banish V-Tiger Jet and W-Wing Catapult!" Xander declared. "Go, Combination Summon! Come, VW-Tiger Catapult!"

W-Wing Catapult split down the middle, allowing V-Tiger Jet to attach itself to the top of the other monster.

VW-Tiger Catapult ATK 2000 DEF 2100 LVL: 6

"What, a Fusion Summon without Polymerization!?" Lily gasped.

"So he uses Union Monsters?" Skye deduced. "Moreover, thanks to their special characteristic, he can perform Fusion Summon without a Fusion card."

"I place three cards face-down and end my turn with this."

"He summoned a Fusion Monster on his first turn like it was nothing…." Ena remarked. "As expected, he's thorough in his attempts to reach me. However, the true battle starts right now! My turn! I draw! I summon Cyber Gymnast!"

A muscular blonde woman wearing a white mask and blue and black leotard appeared.

Cyber Gymnast ATK 800 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"I activate Cyber Gymnast's effect! Once per turn, I can destroy your face-up Attack Position monster by discarding a card!"

"What?" Xander gasped.

"I discard Cyber Egg Angel to destroy Tiger Catapult!"

The Fusion Monster glowed before breaking apart and making Xander grimace.

"I did expect you to get around my monster," he admitted. "But I didn't see you doing it this quickly. I activate the Trap Cards: Destruction Bounty and Destruction Reward! Through their effects, I get to draw a total of five cards. And following that, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Union Recovery!" The card showed Union Driver pulling out Heavy Mech Support Platform from a dimensional rift with its hands. "It allows me to Special Summon a Union Monster from my banished zone with 500 extra attack and defense points! Revive, W-Wing Catapult in Defense Position!"

W-Wing Catapult appeared once more on Xander's field.

W-Wing Catapult ATK 1300→1800 DEF 1500→2000 LVL: 4

"That wasn't too bad. But it's not good enough." Ena stated. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Ritual Sanctuary. Once per turn, I can discard a Spell Card to add a Light Ritual Monster or a Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I discard Cards of Compensation to add the Ritual Spell Card: Machine Angel Absolute Ritual to my hand. And thanks to the discarded Cards of Compensation's effect, I draw two cards. Next, I activate Machine Angel Absolute Ritual! With this card, I can Ritual Summon a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster from my hand by Tributing "Cyber" monsters from my hand or field whose combined Levels equal that of the Ritual Monster. Alternatively, I can shuffle "Cyber" monsters in my Graveyard back into my Deck instead."

A golden seal appeared on Ena's field. However, it didn't remain long as the ground broke apart and a stone pedestal rose.

"I Tribute Level 4 Cyber Gymnast and shuffle the Level 2 Cyber Egg Angel in my Graveyard into my Deck to Ritual Summon!"

A small glass-scaled egg with green metal wings appeared on Ena's field, but both monsters were enveloped in pink flames that traveled upwards before going down and striking the pedestal.

"Angel of light hiding vast knowledge! Manipulate the flowing currents of the world with your profound power! I Ritual Summon! Descend now, Level 6! Cyber Angel Benten!"

A female warrior clad in a red, black and white suit, wearing an ornate headband and holding two war fans, appeared on Ena's field.

Cyber Angel Benten ATK 1800 DEF 1500 LVL: 6

Skye's eyes widened in surprise, "Ritual?!" She was caught off guard as she wasn't aware that Ena knew how to Ritual Summon.

"It kind of suits her, though," Theodore stated. "Just like her Deck in LINK VRAINS, it rarely relies on the Extra Deck."

"That's true," Lily agreed. "But you heard what Xander said. Ena's never beaten him before."

"It's still too early to decide who'll win and who will lose," Yuji said. "All we can do now is wait and watch."

"I activate the Spell Card: Cards of Rites!" Ena shouted. "Through its effect, if I control a Ritual Monster, I can draw two cards. From there, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Ritual Weapon, equipping it to Benten!" A golden crossbow materialized on the said Ritual Monster's arm. "The equipped Ritual Monster gains 1500 attack and defense points!"

Cyber Angel Benten ATK 1800→3300 DEF 1500→3000

"Battle!" Ena exclaimed. "Cyber Angel Benten, attack W-Wing Catapult! Angelic Turn!"

After executing a graceful spin, Benten struck Wing Catapult with a powerful kick that caused it to explode.

"And now, Benten's effect activates!" Ena stated. "When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to that monster's original defense points!"

Benten swung its war fans, generating a powerful gust of wind that sent Xander tumbling back.

Xander: 4000→2500 LP

"I place a card face-down and end my turn," Ena concluded with a playful grin. "You'll excuse me for blowing you away, but I felt you needed to cool down. See what I did there?"

"I do. Still making those tasteless jokes like you did when we were kids." Xander said with an annoyed expression. "However, I can tell from that attack you're being serious. Well, if it's serious you want, then serious you'll get. My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my Deck. Next, I activate the Field Spell Card: Union Hangar!"

A towering pillar with several containers attached to it appeared behind Xander.

"When this card is activated, I can add a Light Attribute Union Monster from my Deck to my hand," Xander stated. "I choose Y-Dragon Head. Then, I summon X-Head Cannon!"

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

X-Head Cannon ATK 1800 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Frontline Base! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Union monster from my hand. Come, Y-Dragon Head!"

A red mechanical dragon appeared in Attack Position.

Y-Dragon Head ATK 1500 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

"And since I summoned a Light Machine Union Monster, Union Hangar's effect activates!" Xander continued. "I can now equip a Light Machine Union monster with a different name from my Deck to that monster, but the Union monster I equip cannot be Special Summoned this turn. I equip Y-Dragon Head with Union Driver!" A man in a white armored bodysuit appeared and sat on Y-Dragon Head's back. "I activate the effect of the equipped Union Driver! While it's equipped to a monster, I can banish it to equip a Level 4 or lower Union monster from my Deck to that monster. I banish Union Driver and equip Y-Dragon Head with Z-Metal Tank!" The man in a bodysuit disappeared and was replaced by a yellow and blue tank that Y-Dragon Head laid into. "While Y-Dragon Head is equipped with Z-Metal Tank, it gains 600 attack and defense points."

Y-Dragon Head ATK 1500→2100 DEF 1600→2200

"The equipped Z-Metal Tank's effect activates! I Special Summon it in Attack Position!"

The blue and yellow tank detached itself from Y-Dragon Head.

Z-Metal Tank ATK 1500 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

Y-Dragon Head ATK 2100→1500 DEF 2200→1600

"X, Y, and Z," Ena muttered, her eyes narrowing. She recognized this combination.

"Now, I banish X-Head Cannon, Y-Dragon Head, and Z-Metal Tank! Come, XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

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

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"I activate XYZ-Dragon Cannon's effect!" Xander declared. "Once per turn, I can send a card from my hand to the Graveyard to destroy a card my opponent controls! I choose to destroy Cyber Angel Benten! Hyper Destruction!"

Two energy blasts were shot out of XYZ's shoulder cannons, vaporizing Ena's monster.

"Battle!" Xander exclaimed. "XYZ-Dragon Cannon, attack her directly! XYZ Hyper Cannon!"

"Not so fast!" Ena yelled. I activate the Trap Card: Offensive Guard! When a monster you control declares a direct attack, I can halve the attacking monster's attack points until the End Phase and draw one card!"

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800→1400

The beams struck, and Ena grunted as the attack pushed her back. She quickly recovered as she drew.

Ena: 4000→2600 LP

"It's too bad I didn't have another monster to attack with," Xander said as he narrowed his eyes at Ena. "I could have ended this farce sooner if I could do so. In any case, I place two cards face-down and end my turn. And since it's the End Phase, Offensive Guard's effect ends."

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 1400→2800

"Why…didn't you use your monster's effect to destroy my face-down?" Ena asked with an angry look. "If you had done so, you could've dealt me more damage. But you didn't. Don't tell me…you're holding back. You're holding back because you think I'm not a challenge!"

"Hoh, is that what you think I'm doing?" Xander said. "I can assure you I'm not. But it's your choice to believe me or not. Use your full power and strive to make me acknowledge that you've grown as a duelist and provide me with a challenge. If you can, that is. You were always far too soft for your good, Ena."

"I will. I will defeat you!" Ena shouted. "My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity! It allows me to draw three cards and then discard two."

She drew three cards, then discarded Ritual Buster and Diviner of the Herald.

"Moving on, I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed to draw two more cards. Then, I summon Cyber Petit Angel!"

A round-shaped robotic creature with small angel wings appeared on Ena's field.

Cyber Petit Angel ATK 300 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Since I successfully summoned Cyber Petit Angell, its effect activates, enabling me to add a Machine Angel Ritual from my Deck to my hand," Ena stated. "I activate Machine Angel Ritual, offering Cyber Petit Angel from my field along with the Level 5 Cyber Tutubon from my hand as Tributes to Ritual Summon again!"

The mechanical pillar emerged from the ground once more, with Cyber Petit Angel and a young woman with short straight teal hair clad in a skintight green, light-blue and red bodysuit becoming particles and absorbed by it. As a pillar of fire erupted from the top of the pillar, Ena chanted.

"Angel of light embodying the principle of sovereignty! Walk the path of Heaven and demonstrate your supreme might! I Ritual Summon! Show yourself, Level 7! Cyber Angel Aishvarya!"

A female with silver hair clad in similarly colored armor and holding a scepter in its right hand appeared on Ena's field.

Cyber Angel Aishvarya ATK 2600 DEF 2200 LVL: 7

"I activate Aishvarya's effect!" Ena declared. "Since it was Ritual Summoned successfully, its effect activates, allowing me to Special Summon a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster from my Graveyard. Revive, Cyber Angel Benten!"

Aishvarya pointed its scepter towards the ground, generating a portal from which Benten emerged and landed on the field.

Cyber Angel Benten ATK 1800 DEF 1500 LVL: 6

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: World Legacy Clash! By banishing my monster until the End Phase, one of yours loses attack and defense points equal to the banished monster's!"

"What!?" Xander gasped.

"I banish Aishvarya and lower Dragon Cannon's attack points!"

The Ritual Monster disintegrated as the Fusion Monster glowed red.

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800→200 DEF 2600→0

Yuji narrowed his eyes at Ena's field. "I see. Ena plans to destroy Dragon Cannon with Benten, then use its effect to deal the finishing blow."

"In other words, Xander will be taking 4200 points of damage." Theodore finished. "Looks like Ena's walking away the winner."

"Battle!" Ena announced. "Benten attacks XYZ-Dragon Cannon! Angelic Turn!"

Xander gestured to his field. "I activate the Trap Card: Guardraw!" he declared. Through its effect, it lets me switch Dragon Cannon into Defense Position and draw a card from my Deck."

A gold light surrounded Xander's monster as it shifted to a defensive stance, and he drew his card. Following that, Benten struck Dragon Cannon with a powerful kick, destroying it and pushing Xander back due to the force of the attack.

"And I hope you haven't forgotten about Benten's effect," Ena smirked. "Since it destroyed your monster by battle, you take damage equal to its original defense points! Get sent flying!"

"Sorry, but the same tricks won't work twice!" Xander declared. "I activate the Trap Card: Damage Eraser, whose effect reduces the effect damage to 0 and increases my Life Points by an equal amount!"

The gusts of wind launched from Bentan's war fans transformed into a wave of golden-colored particles that enveloped Xander.

Xander: 2500→5100 LP

Xander smirked. "As you can see, I'm still full of tricks and surprises, so you'd better not let your guard down if you wish to stand a chance against me."

"I'm well aware of that, and I have no intention of underestimating you," Ena said. "You are a formidable opponent, cuz. Still, for my pride as a duelist, I will win. I place a card face-down and end my turn. And during the End Phase, the effect of World Legacy Clash activates and Special Summons Aishvarya to my field."

The Ritual Monster wielding a scepter reappeared.

Cyber Angel Aishvarya ATK 2600 DEF 2200 LVL: 7

"Your pride, you say?" Xander snorted. "Because of your stupid pride, your relationship with your friends has wavered. We wouldn't be dueling if you had opened up and stopped acting so high and mighty. Regardless of what I say, you won't listen. So I'll let my cards do the talking. My turn! I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Card of Adversity! I can draw two cards since you control a Special Summoned monster while I control no monsters. Then, I activate the Equip Spell Card: DDR – Different Dimension Reincarnation! By discarding one card from my hand, I can target one of my banished monsters and Special Summon it to my field in Attack Position before equipping it with this card. Return, Y-Dragon Head!"

At Xander's command, the red mechanical dragon appeared again on his field.

Y-Dragon Head ATK 1500 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

"Since I discarded Card of Compensation from my hand to the Graveyard, I can draw two cards," Xander continued. "Furthermore, Union Hangar's effect activates. Through it, I will equip A-Assault Core to my Y-Dragon Head. Then, I activate the equipped A-Assault Core's effect to Special Summon itself!"

A small yellow tank with a tail-shaped cannon attached to it appeared on Xander's field.

A-Assault Core ATK 1900 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Due to Union Hangar's effect, I will attach B-Buster Drake as an Equip Card to my A-Assault Core," Xander stated. "From there, I activate the Spell Card: Union Support!" The card showed ABC-Dragon Buster inside a GY, its three body components glowing their respective colors as cards burst out of them and spiral towards the viewer. "This card allows me to banish a Fusion Monster in my Graveyard, which was summoned by using Union Monsters as its materials, and draw cards equal to the number of these materials. I will banish XYZ-Dragon Cannon to draw three cards!"

Upon checking out his new cards, Xander grinned.

"Perfect. I activate the Spell Card: Identity Theft!" The card showed Meklord Astro Mekanikle absorbing Shooting Star Dragon, who glowed purple as a spectral form of Dragon Knight Draco-Equsite floated above it. "Through its effect, I can target Y-Dragon Head to change its name into that of a monster in my hand, field, Graveyard or banish zone until the End Phase. I change Y-Dragon Head's name to that of XYZ-Dragon Cannon. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn, which lets me Special Summon a monster from either Graveyard! Return, VW-Tiger Catapult!"

VW-Tiger Catapult returned to the field following Xander's words.

VW-Tiger Catapult ATK 2000 DEF 2100 LVL: 6

Ena narrowed her eyes. "This monster is X, Y, and Z," she thought aloud. "And your other Fusion Monster is V and W. Which means…."

Xander smirked. "You catch on pretty quick. But it wouldn't be a challenge if you were too slow. I banish VW-Tiger Catapult and XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

The two Fusion Monsters broke apart into their component monsters and began reassembling.

"Come, VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon!"

Xander's newest Fusion Monster had W-Wing Catapult as legs, Y-Dragon Head's body at its waist, X-Head Cannon as its torso and head, while X-Head Cannon's arms held Z-Metal Tank's treads. V-Tiger Jet was on its back, with its head covering X-Head Cannon's head as a cowl. Y-Dragon Head's wings spread behind it, held in place by Z-Metal Tank's main body. The massive Fusion Monster was summoned to Xander's field in Attack Position.

VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"I activate VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon's effect, which allows me to banish a card my opponent controls once per turn!" Xander pointed at Ena's field. "I'll get rid of Aishvarya!"

Dragon Catapult Cannon's blasters fired blue energy at the Cyber Angel Ritual Monster, making it disintegrate.

Ena growled. "Since Aishvarya left the field, her effect activates," she said. "Thanks to it, I can draw two cards from my Deck."

"Battle!" Xander exclaimed. "First, A-Assault Core, attack Cyber Angel Benten!"

A-Assault Core launched a blast of energy from its tail-shaped cannon, piercing Benten's body and destroying it.

Ena: 2600→2500 LP

"And now, it's time to finish you off!" Xander declared. "Dragon Catapult Cannon, attack Ena directly! Ultimate Destruction!"

"You think I'll let things end here!?" Ena yelled. "I activate the Trap Card: Ground Capture! Since your monster declared an attack, the battle damage is halved!"

The cannon barrels fired yellow energy at Ena, striking her body and causing her to fall to her knees in pain.

Ena: 2500→1000 LP

"Then, since I took 1000 or more points of damage from your attack, I can draw a card!"

"Good job. You managed to survive for another round," Xander said as he took the second to last card from his hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Ledger of Legerdemain! This card allows me to banish the top three cards of my Deck, and on my third Standby Phase, after I activate this card, I can add them to my hand. With that, I end my turn."

"Until your 3rd Standby Phase?" Ena inquired. "You won't even last until your 2nd. And I'll ensure that. My turn! I draw! I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Machine Angel Cross Ritual! Through its effect, I will Tribute Cyber Prima and Cyber Tutu from my hand to Ritual Summon!"

A mechanical pillar surrounded by four smaller ones appeared on Ena's field, along with a petite pink-haired girl in a ballerina outfit and a woman wearing a skintight gray catsuit, a strange mask over her eyes, and long platinum hair. The tallest pillar absorbed both monsters. As a towering blaze erupted from its top, Ena chanted.

"Angel of liberation that governs all of nature! Become the embodiment of death and guide the lost souls of the damned to salvation! I Ritual Summon! Descend now, Level 9! Cyber Angel Kali!"

A female monster with dark-colored skin and four hands extending from its torso, clad in crimson armor with a lion motif and holding two scimitars and two staffs with a skull on its tip, appeared on Ena's field.

Cyber Angel Kali ATK 3100 DEF 2500 LVL: 9

"And that's not all." Ena continued. "Due to the second effect of Machine Angel Cross Ritual, I can also Special Summon a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster from my Deck with a lower Level than that of the Ritual Monster summoned through this card's effect. Come, Cyber Angel Natasha!"

A four-armed, four-legged female resembling a centaur and holding a whip appeared on Ena's field next to Kali in Defense Position.

Cyber Angel Natasha ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"Simultaneously summoning two Ritual Monsters through a single Ritual Spell Card's effect?" Lily said, impressed. "That's quite the fascinating move Ena pulled there."

"I activate Natasha's effect!" Ena declared. "Once per turn, I can target a face-up monster I control and gain Life Points equal to half its attack points. I choose Cyber Angel Kali. Recovery Ray!"

Nasateiya raised its hands high, causing light rays to descend from the sky and envelop Ena's body.

Ena: 1000→2550 LP

"Moving on, I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge, which lets me draw four cards since it's the only card in my hand. Then, I activate Cyber Angel Kali's effect!" Ena announced. "Once per turn, I can banish a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster from my hand or Graveyard and add its attack points to Kali's attack points until the End Phase. I banish Cyber Angel Dakini from my Graveyard to have Kali gain 2700 attack points!"

Cyber Angel Kali ATK 3100→5800

"Now, it's time for battle!" Ena exclaimed. "Cyber Angel Kali, attack VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon! Naraka Sanction!"

A wave of darkness erupted from Kali's staff, hitting VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon squarely on the chest, destroying it, and sending Xander tumbling back due to the ensuing shockwave.

Xander: 5100→2300 LP

"I…am not done yet!" Xander yelled as he forced himself upwards. "I banish the Trap Card: Union Recycling from my Graveyard to activate its effect!"

"What?!" Ena gasped. "From the Graveyard?!"

The card showed Y-Dragon Head exploding and B-Buster Drake emerging from the smoke behind it. "If an "A-to-Z" Fusion Monster was destroyed, I can Special Summon one of its materials from the banish zone! Revive, XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

XYZ-Dragon Cannon returned to the field after emerging from a portal.

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

Theodore raised an eyebrow. "When did he send that card to the Graveyard?"

"It was probably the card he discarded through Dragon Cannon's effect from earlier," Yuji answered. "I feel that things are about to get tougher."

"Not bad, but I'm not finished yet," Ena stated. "Cyber Angel Kali's second effect activates! When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I can target another Monster they control, destroy it and inflict damage to them equal to its Level multiplied by 100. Of course, I will destroy your XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

Following Ena's words, Kali swung its scimitars and unleashed two crescent-shaped waves of energy that bisected Dragon Cannon and destroyed it, sending Xander skidding back due to the ensuing shockwave.

Xander: 2300→1500 LP

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Ena concluded. "At this moment, Cyber Angel Kali's effect expires, returning its attack points to their normal value."

Cyber Angel Kali ATK 5800→3100

"My turn!" Xander announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Cup of Ace! I flip a coin with this card, and depending on the result, you or I will draw two cards." A coin materialized in his hand, which he tossed into the air. He slammed it on the back of his other hand. He removed his hand and said, "What do you know? The result's heads, which means I draw two cards. Following that, I summon C-Crush Wyvern!"

A violet-colored, mechanical dragon appeared on the field in Attack Position.

C-Crush Wyvern ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"Since A-Assault Core, B-Buster Drake and C-Crush Wyvern are all on my field, I can banish them to bring out a new Fusion Monster!" Xander declared as his three Monsters joined together. "Combination Summon! Appear, ABC-Dragon Buster!"

Following Xander's words, Assault Core lowered its 'tail' over its body. Then Buster Drake and Crush Wyvern dropped in and latched themselves into the open slot inside Assault Core. Buster Drake detached its wings and attached to the base of Assault Core on the left. Finally, Crush Wyvern detached its wings and placed them in the back while attached to Assault Core on the right side.

ABC-Dragon Buster ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"I activate ABC-Buster Cannon's effect!" Xander declared. "By sending one card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can banish one card on the field! The one I choose to banish is your Cyber Angel Kali! Do it, ABC-Buster Cannon! Perfect Destruction!"

The mechanical monster's two dragon heads unleashed flames that completely incinerated Kali, leaving no remains behind.

"From there, I activate the effect of the recently discarded Breakthrough Skill from my Graveyard! By banishing this card from my Graveyard, I can target a monster you control and negate its effects until the end of the turn. I target Cyber Angel Natasha!"

Ena gritted her teeth in anger as her monster greyed out. Now she couldn't use its effect to negate Dragon Buster's attack.

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Fairy Meteor Crush! I equip it to Dragon Buster. If Dragon Buster attacks your Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage!" Ena's eyes narrowed. "Battle! Dragon Buster attacks Cyber Angel Natasha! Dragonic Volley Shot!"

The monster unleashed an energy blast at Ena's monster while the girl in question gestured to her field.

"I activate the Trap Card: D2 Shield!" she declared. "Through its effect, I can double the defense points of one monster on my field. I double Natasha's defense points!"

Cyber Angel Natasha DEF 1000→2000

The energy blasts struck Natasha, destroying it and causing Ena to grunt in pain due to the ensuing shockwave.

Ena: 2550→1550 LP

"Since you destroyed the monster affected by D2 Shield's effect, I get to draw a card."

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Xander said. "Now then, what else do you have in store for me? I'm looking forward to your next play."

"Be careful what you say. Otherwise, you might regret it." Ena said as she narrowed her eyes at Xander. "My turn! I draw! Since I control no monsters while you do, I can activate the effect of Cyber Artist from my hand!" The card showed a young girl with brown hair tied into a ponytail dressed in a smock covered in paint. "By sending it to the Graveyard, I can add Machine Angel Absolute Ritual and a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster from my Deck to my hand. Then, I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Machine Angel Absolute Ritual! Thanks to this card, I shuffle Cyber Prima and Cyber Artist back into my Deck and Ritual Summon!"

Ena chanted as her monsters were absorbed by the mechanical pillar that appeared on the field, causing a towering blaze to erupt from its top.

"Angel of creation that witnessed the beginning of the cosmos! Descend upon this mortal plane and enlighten the ignorant with your supreme wisdom! I Ritual Summon! Appear before us, Level 10! Cyber Angel Brahma!"

An imposing female with four faces and an equal number of arms extending from its torso, which had a silver cog-shaped wheel floating behind it and was clad in a royal dress with arcane symbols inscribed, appeared on Ena's field.

Cyber Angel Brahma ATK 3200 DEF 2400 LVL: 10

"Brahma's effect activates!" Ena declared. "Since it was Ritual Summoned successfully, I gain 700 Life Points for every face-up monster you control. Blessing of Creation!"

Ena's body was surrounded by particles of light generated from one of Brahma's mouths following her words.

Ena: 1550→2250 LP

"Next, I activate Cyber Angel Nasateiya's effect in my Graveyard." Ena declared. "By banishing Benten from my Graveyard, I will Special Summon it in defense mode and take control of one Monster on your field. So if you don't mind, I'll take your Dragon Buster!"

Cyber Angel Nasateiya returned to Ena's field and swung its whip forward, entangling Dragon Buster and dragging it to Ena's field.

Cyber Angel Natasha ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"How does that feel, Xander?" Ena questioned her cousin. "I've taken one of your best monsters. What did you think of me now?"

"I think you're still the childish brat I crushed all those years ago," Xander responded. "It's going to take a lot more than that to take me down."

"If words don't get through that thick skull of yours, perhaps force will do the trick," Ena said. "But first, I activate Natasha's effect to recover Life Points equal to half of Brahma's attack points. Recovery Ray!"

Natasha raised its arms high, causing a ray of light to envelop Ena's body.

Ena: 2250→3850 LP

"Battle!" Ena exclaimed. "Cyber Angel Brahma attacks you directly! Samaveda Hymn!"

Another one of Brahma's mouths opened wide, unleashing a powerful soundwave that headed straight for Xander.

"I activate the Trap Card: Negate Attack!" Xander abruptly declared. "This card negates your monster's attack and ends the Battle Phase."

A barrier appeared in front of Xander and protected him from the soundwave.

"So close…" Ena grimaced. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" Xander announced. "I draw! "I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise, whose effect allows me to draw five cards from my Deck. However, in exchange, I must discard my entire hand during my fifth Standby Phase after this card's activation. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Owner's Seal, whose effect forces all monsters on the field to return to their original controllers. As such, I will regain control of Dragon Buster."

Following Xander's words, Dragon Buster disappeared from Ena's field and materialized on his field.

"Following that, I activate ABC-Buster Cannon's effect!" Xander continued. "By sending a card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can banish one card on the field! I banish Cyber Angel Natasha! Perfect Destruction!"

Dragon Buster unleashed streams of flames that completely incinerated Natasha.

"I activate the Spell Card: Silent Doom! It lets me Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position! Return, XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

Following his words, Dragon Cannon returned to Xander's field.

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"I discard another card to activate Dragon Cannon's effect to destroy your Ritual Monster, Ena! Do it, XYZ-Dragon Cannon! Hyper Destruction!"

XYZ-Dragon Cannon unleashed two energy blasts from its shoulder-mounted cannons, vaporizing Brahma.

"Finally, I will banish ABC-Dragon Buster and XYZ-Dragon Cannon to bring out my ultimate monster!"

As his two mechanical monsters split into separate parts that started joining together once again, Xander chanted.

"Combination Summon! Descend now! A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon!"

The combined form of ABC-Dragon Buster and XYZ-Dragon Cannon appeared on Xander's field.

A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon ATK 4000 DEF 4000 LVL: 10

"Battle!" Xander exclaimed. "A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon, attack Ena directly and end this!"

Ena smirked. "I activate the Trap Card: Magic Cylinder!" she declared. "Magic Cylinder negates your attack and then inflicts damage equal to your monster's attack points! It's all over for you!"

Xander smirked. "Are you sure about that?" Ena raised an eyebrow. "I send one card from my hand to the Graveyard to activate A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon's effect, which allows me to negate the activation of a card effect and destroy that card during either player's turn! As such, Magic Cylinder's effect is negated!"

Ena gasped as her Trap Card shattered.

"Dragon Buster Cannon continues its attack! A-to-Z Full Burst Cannon!"

"I activate the effect of Cyber Hoofer in my hand!" Ena abruptly declared. "If I would take damage by battle or a card effect, I can discard this card to negate that damage! Then, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Warrior-type "Cyber" monster from my Graveyard. Revive, Cyber Gymnast!"

A barrage of beam blasts was unleashed from A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon, heading towards Ena. However, a female monster wearing a black and white bodysuit, blond hair tied up in a ponytail, and golden hoops around her waist and wrists appeared, deflecting the stream with her rings. Seconds later, she vanished from the field as Cyber Gymnast reappeared in Defense Position.

Cyber Gymnast ATK 800 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"So you managed to escape again…." Xander muttered. "However, I'm not finished yet! I activate A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon's effect, banishing it to Special Summon its materials from my banish zone!"

The massive Fusion Monster disappeared as Dragon Buster and Dragon Cannon reappeared on Xander's field, both in Attack Position.

ABC-Dragon Buster ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"Dragon Cannon attacks Cyber Gymnast! XYZ Hyper Cannon!"

The cannon barrels charged and fired violet energy at Gymnast, destroying her.

"Next, Dragon Buster attacks you directly!" Xander exclaimed. "Dragonic Volley Shot!"

The monster unleashed an energy blast striking Ena and sending her flying back as she screamed in pain.

Ena: 3850→850 LP

Xander pointed to his field. "Once again, I banish Dragon Buster and Dragon Cannon! Combination Summon! Come, A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon!"

The two monsters broke apart and reassembled again, returning their combined form to the field in Attack Position.

A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon ATK 4000 DEF 4000 LVL: 10

"That's good enough for now," Xander remarked. "I end my turn with this."

"I must admit, Xander's an excellent duelist," Skye commented. "He cleared Ena's field and dealt a massive blow to her Life Points in a single turn."

"You said it," Theodore said next to her. "I thought Ena had this in the bag at first, but now, I can't tell who'll win this."

Ena narrowed her eyes at Xander as she stood back up. "If the outcome is to be decided here and now…I'll overcome this situation with a bang!" she declared. "My turn! I draw!"

Upon checking out her drawn card, Ena had an unreadable expression, which morphed into a small smirk.

"This could work, though it can also cost me the duel," Ena remarked. "Here goes nothing. I activate the Spell Card: Monster Recovery! This card shuffles all the cards on my field and in my hand back into my Deck to let me draw five new cards!"

"So it's an all-or-nothing gamble," Xander remarked. "How interesting. Very well. Let's see if luck is on your side or not."

Following Xander's words, Ena shuffled her cards back into the Deck and drew five new cards. Upon checking her drawn cards, she let out a small smile.

"This is a good haul. Let's put it to good use. First, I activate the Spell Card: Ritual Replication! Thanks to its effect, I can target one Ritual Spell Card in my Graveyard, banish it and apply its effects if there's an appropriate target!"

"What!?" Xander cried out in shock. "You're using a Ritual Spell from the Graveyard!?"

"That's right!" Ena announced. "I banish Machine Angel Ritual from my Graveyard to perform a Ritual Summon. Through it, I offer Cyber Skater in my hand as Tribute and Ritual Summon! Moreover, Cyber Skater can be treated as an entire requirement when Ritual Summoning a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster!"

A circle of light appeared in front of Ena as a mechanical pillar emerged from its center. A female monster wearing a purple and grey bodysuit with blades attached to her arms and legs appeared before turning into flames as it was absorbed into the pillar. Flames erupted from it as Ena chanted.

"Angel of destruction wielding infinite power! Bring forth extinction to the corrupted world and spin the cycle of reincarnation! I Ritual Summon! Come forth now, Level 12! Cyber Angel Shiva!"

A towering female with three eyes and four arms clad in dark grey armor reminiscent of a dress with a mechanical serpent coiled around its neck, which held a gold trident and a two headed-drum in its hands, had a crescent moon-shaped crown placed on its head and had a grey cog-shaped ornament hovering behind its back, appeared on Ena's field.

Cyber Angel Shiva ATK 3500 DEF 3300 LVL: 12

"A Level 12 Ritual Monster, huh?" Xander remarked. "So that's your strongest monster. It certainly seems quite imposing."

"Its appearance isn't the only fearsome thing about it," Ena stated. "Let me show you what I mean. Cyber Angel Shiva's effect activates! When this card is Ritual Summoned successfully, all monsters my opponent controls are destroyed, and their Life Points are halved! Chakravartin Enlightenment!"

Shiva raised its trident high, unleashing a violet wave of energy that enveloped Dragon Buster Cannon and instantly vaporized it, sending Xander tumbling back.

Xander: 1500→750 LP

"This is the end for you!" Ena exclaimed. "Cyber Angel Shiva, attack Xander directly and win me this duel! Blazing Trishula Storm!"

Shiva pointed its trident at Xander as flame, thunder and light gathered at each point of the weapon and was launched forward in the form of energy blasts that converged into a massive wave. Shiva's blast struck Xander, generating a massive explosion that enveloped most of the area in smoke.

"I did it…." Ena let out a relieved sigh. "I would apologize for the rough treatment, but you only have yourself to blame. Do you now understand that some things are better left unshared, and I've finally surpassed you?"

"Oh please, spare me." A voice said from within the smokescreen. "This duel is far from over yet, so you've proved nothing other than that you're a bit too hasty to declare your victory as always."

As the smoke cleared, Xander could be seen standing upright with his Life Points untouched, much to Ena's shock.

"But…how? Shiva's attack should have brought your Life Points down to 0…."

"That would have been the case if I didn't activate the effect of Electromagnetic Turtle in my Graveyard," Xander revealed. "By banishing it, I can automatically end the Battle Phase. As such, your attack was unable to reach me."

"Tch, at least that stubbornness of yours hasn't changed…." Ena clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I place one card face-down and activate the Continuous Spell Card: Ritual Cage! Though its effect, any battle damage I take involving Ritual Monsters becomes 0. And thanks to Shiva's effect, all "Cyber Angel" monsters on my field cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects as long as it remains face-up on the field. With that, I end my turn. I may have been unable to defeat you, but I now hold the advantage here."

"Looks like Ena's going to end up being the winner," Lily said.

"Don't be so sure," Yuji stated. "In a duel, no matter how big of an advantage you have, never allow your opponent the chance to turn things around. And I feel Xander will do exactly that."

"It's my turn!" Xander announced. "I draw! Let's finally close the curtain on this duel, my persistent cousin. First, since three turns have gone by, Ledger of Legerdemain's effect allows me to add the three banished cards to my hand. Then, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Burial from a Different Dimension! This card lets me return up to three banished monsters to the Graveyard. I return Dragon Buster to my Graveyard. From there, I activate the Spell Card: Miracle Union!"

"Miracle Union?" Ena repeated. "I've never heard nor seen him play that card before."

The card showed a similar scenario to Polymerization but with ABC-Dragon Buster and XYZ-Dragon Cannon instead, spiraling upwards into a star-filled night sky. "Through its effect, I can banish "A-to-Z" monsters from my field or Graveyard to Special Summon an "A-to-Z" Fusion Monster by ignoring its summoning conditions. I will banish ABC-Dragon Buster and VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon to summon my true ace! Come forth, A-to-Z Dragon Buster Catapult Cannon!"

Following Xander's words, Dragon Buster and Dragon Catapult Cannon reappeared before soaring into the air, each one changing. The wings of C-Crush Wyvern are attached on top of Y-Dragon Head's wings, the parts of B-Buster Drake are attached to the arms and waist of its Z-Metal Tank arms and waist with buster cannons are attached to the waist and forearm of the arms, and A-Assault Core is split, having its bottom tank attached to the legs and its top opens open and attaches around and onto the neck and chest of the monster, giving it bull-like beam horns.

A-to-Z Dragon Buster Catapult Cannon ATK 4500 DEF 4500 LVL: 12

"Look at the size of that thing!" Theodore cried out. "It's almost as big as a skyscraper!"

"Time to commence your defeat," Xander stated. "I activate Dragon Buster Catapult Cannon's effect! Once per turn, I can inflict damage to you equal to the number of cards on your field multiplied by 500! Since you control three cards, you'll receive 1500 points of damage! Omega Destruction!"'

The Fusion Monster charged his blasters and fired three energy beams at Ena.

"Don't count me out just yet!" Ena exclaimed. "I activate the Trap Card: Damage Reactor!"

At Ena's command, a pink energy beam shot out from the Trap Card and formed pink waves above Ena, blocking the energy blasts.

"Whenever I would take damage from a card effect, Damage Reactor not only reduces it to 0, but one of my face-up monsters also gains 800 attack points!"

The pink waves transformed into a blue beam that shot out and struck Shiva, powering her up.

Cyber Angel Shiva ATK 3500→4300

"You may have avoided my monster's effect but won't escape its attack!" Xander exclaimed. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Double Cyclone! I target one Spell or Trap Card I control and one Spell or Trap Card you control, then destroy both of them!" Ena's eyes widened. "I target and destroy Union Hangar and Ritual Cage!"

The two Spell Cards shattered at Xander's declaration.

"Just great…" Ena grimaced. "However, even though I will now take damage, you still can't destroy my monster. Which means on my next turn, this duel is mine."

"There will be no next turn," Xander stated. "I'm settling things right now. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Limiter Removal! It doubles the attack points of all Machine monsters I control until the end of the turn!"

A-to-Z Dragon Buster Catapult Cannon ATK 4500→9000

"9000 attack points!?" Ena cried out. "It's way above Shiva's attack points!"

"This is the end!" Xander exclaimed. "Catapult Cannon, attack Cyber Angel Shiva! Full Blitz Barrage!"

The Fusion Monster aimed its cannons and unleashed a massive energy blast that consumed the Cyber Angel Ritual Monster, with the ensuing explosion sending Ena flying from off the platform.

Ena: 850→0 LP

After the holograms disappeared, Xander approached the fallen Ena and extended his hand to her.

"That was a pretty good duel," Xander said as he helped the blonde-haired girl to her feet. "Plus, that was a nice Ritual Summon back there."

"Even so, I still lost…." Ena said with a small pout. "I thought I had improved since our last duel, but I still can't reach your level…."

"No, you're strong already, Ena," Xander said. "You cornered me pretty well during your last turn and would have taken me down if you had squeezed in one more attack. Not to mention, you can still grow as a duelist. I'm a bit scared to see what you'll come up with in the future…."

"You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"

"Of course, I'm not saying that just to make you better," Xander said before he ruffled Ena's hair with a small smile, causing her to blush in embarrassment. "What I'm trying to say is this: Your strength may be the real deal, but sometimes, it takes some help to get stronger. Even if it means opening yourself up to others and letting them help you."

"He's right, Ena," Yuji said as he approached the duo with everyone else following behind him. "Remember before when I wanted to give up dueling just because I lost a duel? You used dueling to help me realize that no matter if you lose, you get back up and try again." He narrowed his eyes at Xander. "That's what Xander was doing for you. Reaching out to you in the best way possible. Through Duel Monsters."

Ena frowned. Oh my god, you're right, Yuji," she admitted. "I was solely focusing on myself that was ignoring everything in front of me." She turned to Theodore and the others. "I'm sorry, everyone. I hope you can forgive me."

"There's nothing for you to apologize about." Theodore shook his head. "We've all been in similar situations, so we completely understand. Still, we want you to know this. Ena, you're one of the most amazing people we've met and an amazing friend. Our feelings will never change even if the world turns upside down."

"I feel the same way," Lily said. "You will always be someone I admire and am proud of, Ena."

"Ena…" Skye muttered. "While he may have our difference sometimes, I consider you my best friend, now and always."

All four youths smiled at each other, following their heartfelt words. At that time, Xander began to speak.

"While I hate to interrupt this heartwarming moment, don't you guys have to return to the hotel before 5?"

Yuji's eyes then shifted to his watch. "Oh, look at the time!" He exclaimed, catching his friends' attention. "It's almost 5. We better hurry back, or else we'll not have free time for the rest of the trip."

"That does sound like a good idea." Ena agreed. "While I was hoping to catch up with Xander, it's best we keep our promise to our teacher. See you later!"

"You too, cuz!" Xander as he waved goodbye to Ena and the others. "Hope you guys have fun on the rest of your trip! And if you ever in the mood for a duel, have Ena call me!"

"You got it!"

The five youths ran down the road following Xander's words, hoping to return to the hotel in time.

A while later...

Once they arrived back at the hotel, they were greeted and surrounded by classmates who were too worried to relax and had been waiting for them in the lobby. The teacher soon came in and scolded them for their stunt. After that, Yuji and the others went upstairs to their designated rooms.

"Today was sure eventful," Lily said. "First, Yuji and Ena got into a fight. Then, we meet a stranger who turns out to be Ena's cousin. And to top it all off, they duel and become closer than ever."

"Couldn't put it better myself," Theodore said. "But it sure was exhausting. I'm going to take a nap right before dinner starts. What do you guys have planned?"

"I was gonna see if Ena can set up a time for me to duel Xander," Yuji replied. "After seeing him in action, it kind of made me eager to duel him."

"That's Xander for you," Ena said. "When people see him duel, they can't help but wait to have a shot at him."

"No joke," Skye commented. "He made a comeback every single turn. How come he never decided to go pro?"

Before Ena could answer, her Duel Disk started beeping, and she saw she had received a message. She checked it, and her eyes widened.

"What is it, Ena?" Yuji asked. "What's wrong?"

"It's Yusaku," she said. "He says he has news regarding Rhea's location."

"He does? But how?"

"Let me show you."

Following Ena's words, she pressed a button on her Duel Disk and caused a new hologram to flash to life on the wall.

"Is this...a map?" Theodore's eyebrows furrowed, but they soon jumped when a red dot appeared on the map. "What's that?"

"Coordinates." Ena clarified. "It seems Yusaku returned to the scene to investigate and see if he could find some clue. What greeted him was an envelope on the ground containing these."

"What!?" Yuji took a step forward in shock. "Rhea couldn't have left them... Did Marionette...!?"

"That's my guess as well." Ena nodded.

"But why? Wasn't she our enemy?" Skye inquired. "Or...is this a trap?"

"Surely." Lily agreed with a frown. "The real question is, what do we do now?"

"We go there and see for ourselves whether it's a trap!" Theodore exclaimed. "I know this looks all too convenient, but we have no choice. We've finally got a lead, and we can't simply ignore it!"

"Theodore's right." Ena immediately backed him up, much to his surprise. "Even if it's a trap, we're bound to meet Marionette there, or at least someone or something that could lead us to a new clue!"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but let's cool our heads first," Lily sighed. "We need a plan before jumping into the lion's den."

"Correct." Yuji nodded.

"Who will go, and who will stay behind for support?" Skye asked.

"No one's staying behind," Ena stated, causing everyone to turn to her. "Last time that happened, one of our comrades got kidnapped. I'm not letting that happen again. And there's no way you guys can talk me out of it."

"Wasn't planning on it," Yuji said. "Should we also invite Yusaku? He is the one who found the coordinates, after all."

"I don't see why not," Ena said as she pressed a few buttons on her Duel Disk." I messaged Yusaku and told him to meet us there." She turned to everyone. "You guys ready to get our friend back?"

"We were born ready," Theodore said.

"It's time to get Rhea back!" Lily stated.

"And make the Syndicate pay!" Skye added.

"So let's do this!" Yuji exclaimed.

Ena nodded as she and the others entered her room and locked it. They then placed their Duel Disks on their wrists and raised them.

"Time to link into the VRAINS!"

In LINK VRAINS...

The five youths emerged in LINK VRAINS before landing on a floating island in a sea of light and dark purple clouds. An ancient temple with an Olympian design and in ruins was present on the island, with a tall statue in its center that glowed with an eerie light. As a field area in VRAINS, the players can freely move around in the sky and on the island, but the area is sealed inside a hurricane of black and dark purple clouds with thunder occasionally echoing from it. Playmaker was already there waiting for them.

"Nice to see you, Playmaker," Storm Rider said. "And thanks for finding the coordinates.

"No problem," he replied, "However, something tells me that this is a trap."

"You're not the only one who thinks that," Soulburner said. "So you already checked this place out or decided to wait until we arrived?"

"The latter," Playmaker answered before turning to the temple. "My best guess is that Rhea, a.k.a. Esper is inside that temple." He then turned to the others. "But be aware of your surroundings. We don't know what dangers await us in there."

"Of course." Storm Rider agreed. He then glanced to the side, prompting the others to do the same. "Prepare yourselves, everyone. Once we head there, we'll-"

The ground under their feet suddenly shook, ending the conversation. The island began detaching and splitting into two, prompting the team to gasp in shock and quickly separate. Soulburner, Blue Maiden and Roselyn stood on the island with the temple. However, Storm Rider, Sanctum and Playmaker's part of the island were suddenly encased in white and green energy, trapping them inside and in separate rooms.

"This is..." Storm Rider muttered and touched the wall, flinching as it sent a small shock through his body. "A trap, huh."

"It will be your grave, actually." a sudden voice announced seconds before an avatar materialized in the room with the Cycode user. Storm Rider's eyes widened at the sight of the foe.

"Nice to see you again, Storm Rider. Welcome to your doom. Have you become stronger since the last time our paths crossed?"

"Enoch…"

Storm Rider clenched his fists, barely suppressing the tremors running throughout his body at the sight of his opponent and the feeling of pressure he was exuding. Memories of his previous defeat at Enoch's hands rushed unbidden to his mind, causing beads of sweat to run down his back.

Come on, move. The cyan-haired youth said to himself as he struggled to control his instinctive fear towards the duelist who had crushed him in the past. I knew this was a rematch that would happen sooner or later. Enoch is a huge obstacle in our goal to stop the Syndicate, so he must be taken down. I'm stronger now, definitely not the same man that lost so miserably to him. This time…this time, I'll defeat him!

In Sanctum's room...

Sanctum narrowed her eyes inside Storm Rider's room as she saw who he was facing. "This is bad," she said. "Hopefully, Storm Rider can remain calm and defeat Enoch."

"I highly doubt that."

At the sound of that familiar voice, Sanctum sharply turned on his heels, coming face-to-face with Marionette.

"Marionette," Sanctum said, not attempting to disguise her hatred. "Not that you need to know, but I've already dueled today. So to spare us both the time, why don't you surrender Rhea's consciousness data and never return? Otherwise, you're in for a beating."

"Scary, scary," Marionette spoke in a mocking tone. "But if I were you, I'd be more concerned about myself than others. Compared to the last time we crossed paths, I've changed slightly. Underestimate me, and you'll be the one hurting."

In Playmaker's room...

"Looks like Storm Rider and Sanctum have their hands full by going off against their rivals from the get-go," Playmaker commentated.

"You should worry about yourself more than your little friends."

Playmaker turned to see Galerius materializing into the room with a cruel smile etched on his face.

"So you are the infamous Playmaker? The one who defeated the AI Duelist, Bohman? I expected someone at least moderately intimidating. This is disappointing on so many levels…."

Playmaker's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"

Galerius smirked. "How could I not? The Syndicate's reach in terms of power is greater than he or the others could have anticipated. You must have been born under an unlucky star to have attracted so much attention… But where are my manners? I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Galerius, one of the Syndicate's elites. It will only be for a short while, but making your acquaintance is a pleasure."

"If you're a Syndicate elite, then that means you're a threat to LINK VRAINS!" Playmaker stated. "However, I haven't had a chance to face one of you. So excuse me when I say I'm glad you're my opponent."

"You took the words right out of my mouth." Galerius grinned. "I hoped to meet and duel the fabled hero of LINK VRAINS. Now, show me a duel to satisfy me to the extreme, Playmaker!"

"You're on!" Playmaker exclaimed. "By taking you down, we'll be one step closer to stopping the senseless violence you're spreading!"

"Let's Duel!"

All six duelists shouted together as they activated their Duel Disks.

OC Card Memo:

Mercenaries:

Level Succession

Normal Spell Card

Target one monster with a Level; Special Summon one monster from your hand whose Level is higher than the targeted monster's. You cannot Normal Summon the turn you activated this card.

Machine Fortification

Continuous Spell Card

All Machine-type Monsters on the field gain 300 ATK for every Machine-type Monster on the field.

Explosive Darts

Continuous Trap Card

During either player's End Phase, you can tribute one Darts monster you control; inflict half its ATK as damage to your opponent.

Xander:

A-to-Z Dragon Buster Catapult Cannon

LIGHT

Level 12

ATK: 4500/DEF: 4500

"ABC-Dragon Buster" + VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon"

This card can be Fusion Summoned by banishing the above Fusion Materials. If this card is Fusion Summoned, it is unaffected by your opponent's card effects for the rest of this turn. You can discard 1 card from your hand; inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each card on their field. If this card leaves the field: You can Special Summon 1 'ABC - Dragon Buster' and 1 'VWXYZ Dragon Catapult Cannon' from your GY or banish zone to your field.

Identity Theft

Normal Spell Card

Target one Monster on your field and one Monster in your hand, field, Graveyard, or banish zone; replace the first target's name with the second target's name until the End Phase.

Union Support

Normal Spell Card

Banish a Fusion Monster from your Graveyard that was summoned by using Union Monsters as its materials; draw one card for each of these materials.

Miracle Union

Normal Spell Card

Banish "A-to-Z" Fusion Monsters from your field and/or Graveyard to Special Summon an "A-to-Z" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck by ignoring its summoning conditions (this Special Summon is treated as a Fusion Summon).

Union Recovery

Continuous Trap Card

Target one Union Monster in your banish zone; Special Summon it with its ATK and DEF increased by 500 points and equip it with this card. If this card is destroyed, destroy the equipped Monster. If the equipped Monster is destroyed, destroy this card.

Union Recycling

Normal Trap Card

Destroy a Union Monster equipped to a Monster you control; Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Union Monster from your Deck. If an "A-to-Z" Fusion Monster you control is destroyed, you can banish this card to Special Summon one of its materials from the banish zone.

Ena:

Cyber Skater (Earth/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1500/LV: 4)

If you Ritual Summon exactly 1 "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster with a card effect that requires the use of monsters, this card can be used as the entire requirement. You can discard this card; add 1 "Machine Angel Ritual" from your Deck to your hand.

Cyber Hoofer (Light/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 200/DEF: 2100/LV: 6)

When you would take damage by battle or a card effect, you can: Discard this card from your hand; Negate that damage. Then, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Warrior "Cyber" monster from your GY. When you Ritual Summon a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster (except during the damage step), you can Special Summon this card from your GY but banish it the next time it leaves the field.

Cyber Artist

ATK: 1500, DEF: 800, LV: 4

Light/Fairy/Effect

Monster Effect: If you control no Monsters while your opponent does, you can discard this card; add one "Machine Angel Ritual" and a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster from your Deck to your hand.

Cyber Angel Aishvarya

ATK: 2600, DEF: 2200, LV: 7

Light/Fairy/Ritual/Effect

Monster Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with "Machine Angel Ritual". If this card is Ritual Summoned successfully, you can Special Summon a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster from your Graveyard. When a Ritual Monster you control destroys an opponent's Monster by battle, gain 1000 Life Points. If this card leaves the field due to an opponent's card, you can draw two cards from your Deck.

Cyber Angel Kali

ATK: 3100, DEF: 2500, LV: 9

Light/Fairy/Ritual/Effect

Monster Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with "Machine Angel Ritual". Once per turn, you can banish a "Cyber Angel" Monster from your hand or Graveyard and add its ATK to Kali's ATK until the End Phase. When this card destroys an opponent's Monster by battle, you can target another Monster they control, destroy it and inflict damage to them equal to its Level x 100. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, you receive no damage for the rest of that turn.

Cyber Anger Brahma

ATK: 3200, DEF: 2400, LV: 10

Light/Fairy/Ritual/Effect

Monster Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with "Machine Angel Ritual". If this card is Ritual Summoned successfully, gain 700 Life Points for every face-up Monster your opponent controls. If this card battles an opponent's Monster while your Life Points are higher than theirs, increase this card's ATK by an amount equal to the difference until the End Phase. If this card destroys an opponent's Monster, inflict damage to them equal to half the difference between this card's original and current ATK. During the Battle Phase's end, increase your Life Points by an amount equal to the number of opponent's Monsters destroyed during the Battle Phase x 200.

Cyber Angel Shiva

ATK: 3500, DEF: 3300, LV: 12

Light/Fairy/Ritual/Effect

Monster Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with "Machine Angel Ritual". When this card is Ritual Summoned, destroy all Monsters your opponent controls and halve their Life Points. As long as this card remains face-up on the field, "Cyber Angel" Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. Once per turn, you can destroy a Monster your opponent controls that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck and inflict damage to them equal to half its ATK. If this card was sent from your field to the Graveyard, you can banish a "Cyber Angel" Monster from your field or Graveyard to Special Summon it during the End Phase.

Cards of Rites

Normal Spell Card

If you control at least 1 Ritual Monster: Draw 2 cards. You can only activate 1 "Cards of Rites" per turn.

Machine Angel Cross Ritual

Ritual Spell Card

This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you wish to Ritual Summon. If you successfully Ritual Summon a Ritual Monster through this card's effect, you can Special Summon a "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster with a lower Level than the Monster you Ritual Summoned from your Deck.

And that was Chapter 26, which was entirely dedicated to Ena. As you all can see, she uses the "Cyber Angel" archetype with a few original cards.

Regarding the plot here, I had difficulty initially with how I wanted the chapter to go. But I decided to have Ena neglect her friends' offer to help, exactly how Yuji did after his loss to Enoch. I decided to introduce a family member of Ena's to help her open up by challenging her to a duel. Initially, I planned to have Yuji and Ena duel, but I decided writing an OC related to her would be better. Finally, the gang logged into LINK VRAINS after Playmaker obtained Rhea's location, only to be stopped by Enoch, Marionette and Galerius.

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

See you all next time!