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?

30. Payback

Greetings, community. Donkeyboy100 is here with Chapter 30. So, without further ado, on with the story!

In LINK VRAINS, at the Syndicate's factory...

"This could be troublesome…"

A middle-aged man with white mid-length hair, a white goatee, and a white mustache murmured so while examining the readings from his portable tablet. On his right eye, he wore a device with a red lens. He wore a white lab coat over a buttoned purple vest. Underneath his vest, he wears a light purple shirt wing tip collared over a yellow necktie. He also wore brown pants along with some white and black dress shoes. The man was currently inside a spacious office near the top of the factory, surrounded by glass windows that enabled one to see the outside of the factory. However, the man's eyes were glued to the tablet's screen, paying no heed to anything else.

"What's the matter? Even with that silly accessory blocking one of your eyes, I can still tell you're agitated. Has some unforeseen complication occurred?"

The one who had addressed the man was Desperado, standing near one of the windows and observing the fierce battle unfolding around the factory between the Syndicate soldiers and Chevalier and Charmcaster.

"You could say that," the man said. "Storm Rider and his friends as successfully infiltrated the factory. Furthermore, I received word from Ladon and Lumine that they managed to encounter and force Soulburner and Roselyn into a duel. Sadly, they failed to capture them due to their duel ending in a draw and their targets escaping. I think it's safe to assume that the Top 10 the Queen wants so badly to be eliminated shouldn't be underestimated. While I expected some of my subordinates to fall, I didn't think you and your comrades would have trouble after your practice duels with my soldiers."

"That's only to be expected," Desperado stated. "Our current opponents, whether the Top 10, the Knights of Hanoi or every duelist in LINK VRAINS, are battle-hardened warriors who have proven themselves to be quite formidable time and time again throughout this fight. Even Ladon and Lumine, with all their power, couldn't secure a win in their favor. If this keeps up, the Syndicate might end up being defeated."

"That cannot be allowed." the man declared with an icy tone. "No matter what sacrifice we must make, our opponents must meet their end today. If they are allowed to survive, they will certainly become a major impediment to the Queen's noble goal. As such, perhaps it's time for me to enter the fray."

"You sure that's a wise move? No offense, but it's been a while since you picked up a Duel Disk or Deck." Desperado countered. "Let's have our soldiers wear our foes out overtime with sheer numbers. Even if they succeed in defeating everyone and destroying the assembly line, they will not find it easy to fully shut down the factory, as you know. And while they rack their brains trying to find a solution to their predicament, we'll crush them one by one."

"…I suppose you have a point." the man sighed. "Still, even though I know that my soldiers have chosen to give up their free will to help with Queen Priscilla's dream, I cannot help but wish to preserve their lives and prevent their sacrifice… And here I thought I had left such soft-hearted emotions befitting of a human behind long ago…."

"Your concern is understandable, especially after what you've been through," Desperado said. "I suppose you cannot help but feel a kinship with them both as their leader and a man of science. If Umbra were here, he would completely understand your pain and strife. The idea of sacrificing comrades is abhorrent to him. However, as painful as the price is, we cannot lose sight of our goal. I'm sure they wouldn't want our pity since they plunged into this fight of their own volition while knowing the risks. Everyone, including us, is dedicated to creating the Eden the Queen envisions."

"Yes, the ideal we seek is almost within our grasp…." the man murmured as he made a fist at the sky and then turned to Desperado, tossing him a circular device. "Judging from the commotion below us, I doubt those two Celebrity Duelists will be able to break through the soldiers' formation and aid their friends before everything is settled. As such, we only have to worry about the duelists in the building. When the time comes for us to make our move, use that to ensure that the fights will be one-on-one."

"Understood." Desperado nodded. "What about you, Dr. Willow? I assume you've decided and are serious about joining the fight?"

"Of course," Dr. Willow confirmed. "Against ferocious duelists such as these, I cannot afford to hold back after everything we've done and accomplished. Besides, it would be disrespectful to my soldiers if I didn't join this fight."

Upon saying so, Dr. Willow reached into the side pocket of his lab coat and took out a Deck before inserting it into his Duel Disk. It resembled a wristwatch. It had a violet base, a bright yellow band, and a black orb.

"Now then, let's see if these brave duelists truly have what it takes to stand up to the might of the Syndicate…."

Meanwhile, in another area of the factory…

"It appears this isn't the right place either. Cursed Syndicate, you never make things easy for us…"

Sanctum muttered while she and Blue Maiden checked the factory's engine room, hoping it was the assembly line, only to find out it wasn't. This was the fourth place they had investigated, and she was anxious. Not to mention that communications got jammed a few minutes ago. The only brief message they had received was from Soulburner, warning them about several Syndicate members being here also. As such, she had no idea whether any progress had been made toward shutting the down the factory, hence her growing concern. Since they were racing against the clock, speed and efficiency were paramount.

"Guess there's no use to continue dillydallying here any further," Blue Maiden stated. "Let's hurry up and move to the next area."

Sanctum nodded as she and Blue Maiden began walking toward the exit. Suddenly, an almost inaudible sound from her Duel Disk distracted Sanctum, stopping her from walking as she turned her attention to the data stream displayed on its screen. After gazing at their contents for a few seconds, Sanctum smirked. It seemed like things were about to get interesting.

"If you were planning on catching us by surprise, I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you." Sanctum abruptly stated as she let her gaze wander around the room. "I know you're there, Syndicate. Your petty tricks aren't enough to hide from me. As such, I would appreciate it if you stopped wasting our time and revealed yourselves already."

"You were able to notice our presence?" A voice sounded somewhat surprised as he and another figure emerged from the shadows on the room's far side. To Sanctum and Blue Maiden's surprise, the two individuals were Astro and Glacia.

"Astro and Glacia?" Blue Maiden said, shocked. "They're here also?"

"That's right," Glacia confirmed. "However, it shouldn't have been easy for your little friend to discover us without our consent." She turned to Sanctum. "How did you manage that?"

"It's quite simple," Sanctum said as she pointed at her Duel Disk. "I assume the technology weaved into your Duel Disks, and your skills allow you to be virtually undetectable, making it impossible to leave traces of your presence behind. I merely programmed my Duel Disk to isolate and detect only the faintest of vibrations within a ten-meter radius from my position. No matter how much you try to be as stealthy as possible, you cannot erase all vibrations emitted from your feet when you move from one position to the next. And thanks to that, I became aware of your presence."

"I suppose congratulations are in order then." Astro mockingly clapped his hands, angering Sanctum in the process. "And with that out of the way, I believe it's time we get down to business. Sorry, but we must have you disappear here. The only thing filthy insects like you deserve is a slow and very painful demise, especially you, Sanctum. While I wish Storm Rider were here instead so I can have my revenge against him, you should provide quite the warm-up before I hunt him down."

Sanctum growled as she glared at Astro. "Shut up!" she shouted. "I…I'm not afraid of you, and I'm not the same as before. I've gotten a lot stronger since our last encounter!"

"Is that so?" Astro said. "Then, are you perhaps afraid of the weight of your responsibility? After all, if you fail here, neither you nor the others can move forward. Should that be the case, then that's all the more reason for you to quit now. In this mental state, you won't be able to properly support your comrades, much less defeat me."

"I…" Sanctum looked distraught. "That's…not true…"

"My my. Look at that," Glacia smirked. "Ms. Top 10 doesn't look so good there. Despite her constant blustering, her mind is as feeble as I thought."

"Sanctum…" Blue Maiden looked concerned. "Don't let them discourage you! They're just trying to mess with your head!"

"Humph." Astro snorted. "I'm merely stating facts. However, if she wishes to fight, I guess giving her what she wants is only proper. Maybe she'll realize the futility of her struggles. Hopefully, you don't up regret your decision."

Following his words, Astro pressed a button on his Duel Disk, causing a crimson energy line to be shot from the Duel Disk and locked around Sanctum's own Duel Disk.

"My Data Anchor prevents us from engaging in a duel except with each other. If you wish to be free and help your friends, you must defeat me first!"

"Well, that isn't going to be a problem," Sanctum replied. "Since it will be alright if your mouth at least can move, don't blame me for whatever happens to your body! I have quite the grudge against you after all!"

"Now you're speaking my language." Astro grinned. "That belligerent attitude of yours, I like it very much. It looks like I can have some more fun with you." He turned to Glacia. "This is my fight. You can do whatever you want with the other one, but I will deal with Storm Rider's little girlfriend alone! She needs to have some sense knocked into her!"

Glacia nodded. "No problem. If I recall, Blue Maiden uses a Water Deck just like me. So you won't be the only one to have a fun duel."

Following these words, Glacia shot a Duel Anchor from her Duel Disk, which locked itself around Blue Maiden's own Duel Disk before she could react.

"If you don't mind, Blue Maiden, I'll have you accompany me for a while. It seems my friend wishes for a one-on-one fight with your friend, so we'll have to take our fight further away."

"It'll be alright, Blue Maiden," Sanctum reassured her comrade upon seeing her concerned look. "The result won't end up being the same as last time. I can handle Astro with no problem. And besides, my pride won't let me rest until I prove to him that he shouldn't underestimate me."

"…Alright," Blue Maiden said after a brief pause. "It's not like I can do anything with this Data Anchor restraining me. But you'd better ensure not to lose and get your consciousness data taken Sanctum."

"Right back at you."

Once Blue Maiden and Glacia took their leave, Sanctum turned to Astro. "This time, instead of me, you'll be lying on the ground begging for mercy!"

"How confident you are." Astro grinned as he activated his Duel Disk. "Make sure you entertain me to the fullest. That is if you can."

"Rest assured that I'll go above and beyond that," Sanctum growled as she activated her Duel Disk. "My performance will blow you away for sure! Now, let's begin!"

"Let's Duel!"

Both youths shouted together.

Astro: 4000 LP

Sanctum: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," Astro announced as he waved his hand and revealed his cards. "I summon Tachyon Rotor!"

A dragonic humanoid with an hourglass-shaped body and two gears with red energy lines on them rotating around its body appeared on Astro's field.

Tachyon Rotor ATK 1000 DEF 500 LVL: 4

"Tachyon Rotor's effect activates!" Astro declared. "When this card is summoned successfully, I can check the top card of my Deck, and if it's a Level 4 or lower "Tachyon" monster, I can Special Summon it. Any other card is sent to the Graveyard. I draw!"

Astro drew the top card of his Deck, checked it and revealed it to Sanctum.

"The card I drew is the Level 4 Tachyon Mirror Knight," Astro said. "As such, I can Special Summon it!"

A knight with dragonic features and a glowing body, cladded in armor and holding a small sword, appeared on Astro's field.

Tachyon Mirror Knight ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"There are two Level 4 monsters on the field…" Sanctum muttered. "Of course, what follows next is…."

"That's right!" Astro exclaimed. "I overlay the Level 4 Tachyon Rotor and Tachyon Mirror Knight!"

A bolt of crimson energy burst out from Astro's Duel Disk and created a blue "X". His monsters disintegrated into blue data and entered the red dots. The ends of the "X" fired beams and created the exploding galaxy.

"Proud ruler resting within the unfathomable light! Descend now and grace us with your brilliance! I Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Tachyon Spectral Baron!"

A mechanical monster clad in dark purple armor with red energy lines running through it, which held a lance-shaped wand and had a glowing cape strapped to its left shoulder, appeared on Astroo's field.

Tachyon Spectral Baron ATK 2200 DEF 1400 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"I place one card face-down and end my turn with this," Astro concluded. "Now, let's see how strong you've gotten since I last saw you."

"As you wish, I'll give you a good taste of my new power," Sanctum stated. "My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Trade-In! I discard a Level 8 monster to draw two cards. I discard Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall."

Sanctum discarded, drew, then played another card from her hand. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Unexpected Dai. This card lets me Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my Deck if I control no monsters on my field!" A card popped out of Sanctum's Deck. "Appear, Mekk-Knight Avram!"

A young blonde man in gold armor carrying two curved swords emerged on her field.

Mekk-Knight Avram ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Senet Switch!" Sanctum continued. "Once per turn, I can move a monster I control to an adjacent Main Monster Zone. And since Senet Switch and your Spectral Baron are in the same column, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Blue Sky from my hand!"

A mechanical warrior in gold and blue armor, wearing a blue cape and wielding two curved silver swords, appeared in Attack Position.

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

"Blue Sky's effect activates! If it is Summoned from the hand, I can add different "Mekk-Knight" monsters from my Deck to my hand, equal to the number of cards you have in its column. Since you have two, I gain two more "Mekk-Knight" monsters!"

Sanctum took two cards, then said, "I activate the effect Senet Switch to move Blue Sky to the Monster Zone on its right. Following that, I activate the effect of Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse from my hand! Since two or more cards are in the same column, I can Special Summon this card to that column!"

A silver machine with a circle around its body and blue crystals embedded in its armor appeared on Sanctum's field, summoned in Attack Position.

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

"Battle!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse, attack Tachyon Spectral Baron!"

"I activate Tachyon Spectral Baron's effect!" Astro declared. "Once per turn, when this card is targeted for an attack or by a card effect, I can detach an Overlay Unit to Special Summon a Spectral Token with the same Attribute, Type, attack and defense points as it, and have it become the target instead! Moreover, that Token's name becomes the same as Tachyon Spectral Baron's name, but it cannot declare an attack! Appear, Spectral Token!"

The orb of light entered Spectral Baron's wand, creating a galaxy-like portal. A monster resembling Spectral Baron, only colored light blue, appeared from the portal onto Astro's field.

Tachyon Spectral Baron OU: 2→1

Spectral Token ATK 2200 DEF 1400 LVL: 1

"I also activate the Continuous Trap Card: Split Guard!" Astro continued. "Since I now control two monsters with the same name, the first time each would be destroyed by battle or card effect, it's not destroyed! Therefore, my Spectral Token is safe!"

Following Astro's words, Indigo Eclipse fired a beam of blue energy from its core, striking the token and failing to destroy it, with Astro wincing due to the ensuing shockwave.

Astro: 4000→3800 LP

"I had a feeling he'd survive..." Sanctum muttered. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Astro announced. "I draw! I summon Tachyon Twin Wyvern!"

A raptor with red and black skin glowing with energy appeared in a bright flash, covered by armor and had two purple wings attached to its back.

Tachyon Twin Wyvern ATK 1600 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"I activate Twin Wyvern's effect!" Astro continued. "By discarding a card from my hand, I can Special Summon a "Tachyon" monster from my Deck. I Special Summon Tachyon Chargon!"

A monster with a dragonic body colored purple-red with a trimmed lining appeared.

Tachyon Chargon ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"With my Level 4 Tachyon Twin Wyvern and Tachyon Chargon, I build the Overlay Network!"

A bolt of crimson energy burst out of Astro's Duel Disk and traveled upwards. It struck the sky and exploded into a ring of purple energy, changing the environment to a midnight sky. Streams of blue data traveled downward. A purple "X" with four red points appeared beneath his two monsters, who broke into blue data and entered two of the dots. The corners of the "X" fired beams upwards, creating a shining galaxy.

"Holder of the ancient secrets!" Astro chanted. "Walk the path illuminated by the unyielding light and open the door of truth hidden at its end! I Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Tachyon Code Keeper!"

A dragonic humanoid in a robe that seemed to be woven out of light with wings extending from its back, which held an ornate staff with streams of energy swirling around it, appeared on Astro's field in Attack Position.

Tachyon Code Keeper ATK 2500 DEF 1600 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Battle!" Astro exclaimed. "Spectral Baron, attack Blue Sky! And if Tachyon Code Keeper is face-up on the field during my Battle Phase, all other "Tachyon" Xyz Monsters I control are unaffected by my opponent's card effects! Do it, Spectral Baron! Recode Hacking!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Damage Diet!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Thanks to its effect, the damage I receive is halved for the rest of this turn!"

Spectral Baron charged forward and pierced Blue Sky's body, destroying it and making Sanctum wince.

Sanctum: 4000→3800 LP

"At the moment, I activate Tachyon Code Keeper's effect!" Astro stated. "When a "Tachyon" Xyz Monster I control destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I can detach one Overlay Unit from this card to negate the activation of that monster's effects and attach it to a "Tachyon" Xyz Monster I control as an Overlay Unit! I attach your Blue Sky to my Spectral Baron!"

Tachyon Spectral Baron OU: 1→2

Tachyon Code Keeper OU: 2→1

Furthermore, when Code Keeper uses its effect, its attack points increase by 500!"

Tachyon Code Keeper ATK 2500→3000

"Go, Tachyon Code Keeper! Destroy Mekk-Knight Avram! Arc Flash Hazard!"

A beam of light that moved faster than the eye could see pierced through Avram, destroying it, with the ensuing shockwave sending Sanctum back a meter.

Sanctum: 3800→2800 LP

"My token cannot attack, so that's all I can do for now…." Astro muttered with evident chagrin. "I will switch my token to Defense Position. I end my turn."

"My turn!" Sanctum announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed to draw two cards! Then, I activate Indigo Eclipse's effect! Once per turn, I can move one "Mekk-Knight" monster I control to another Main Monster Zone. I move Indigo Eclipse to the column on its right!"

Indigo Eclipse shifted to the Main Monster Zone on its right, causing Astro to scowl in annoyance.

"I activate the effect of Mekk-Knight Yellow Star from my hand!" Sanctum continued. "Since there are two or more cards in the same column, I can Special Summon this card to that column!"

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

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

"Yellow Star's effect! I banish Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall in my Graveyard to target and destroy one Spell or Trap Card in Yellow Bloom's column. I destroy Split Guard!"

Yellow Star's wings started to glow before releasing a beam of golden energy at Astro's face-down card, turning it into particles.

"Following that, I activate the effect of Senet Switch to move Yellow Star to the column to its left. And now I Special Summon Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal via its effect!"

An aquamarine and silver machine brandishing a trident of the same color appeared in Attack Position in the same column Yellow Star had vacated.

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

"Aquamarine Tidal's effect activates!" Sanctum exclaimed. "As long as this card is on the field, all your monsters lose 1000 attack points!"

Tachyon Spectral Baron ATK 2200→1200

Spectral Token ATK 2200→1200

Tachyon Code Keeper ATK 3000→2000

"Battle!" Sanctum declared. "Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal, attack Tachyon Spectral Baron!"

"I detach Spectral Baron's final Overlay Unit to activate its effect!" Astro shouted. "Thanks to it, I can Special Summon a Spectral Token and redirect your attack to it!"

"That's not going to happen!" Sanctum stated. "Thanks to Tidal's second effect, whenever it attacks, you can't activate cards of effects in the same column as it until the end of the Damage Step!"

Astro gritted his teeth as he gestured to his monster. "Due to Tachyon Spectral Baron's effect, the damage I receive from battles involving it is halved!"

Following his words, Aquamarine Tidal charged forward and swung its trident at Spectral Baron, cleanly bisecting it and causing Astro to grunt in pain from the backlash of the attack.

Astro: 3800→2850 LP

"Next, Indigo Eclipse will destroy Code Keeper!"

The silver machine released a blue energy wave at the Xyz Monster, making it explode. Astro raised his arm, protecting his face from the shockwave.

Astro: 2850→2450 LP

"Finally, Yellow Star will attack your Spectral Token!"

Yellow Star's wings glowed as it fired a beam of light that bisected Astro's remaining monster and destroyed it.

"This will do for now," Sanctum said. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Hehe…"

Sanctum narrowed her eyes as a wide smile formed on Astro's face. "Impressive!" he said excitedly. "You weren't kidding when you said you've gotten stronger. Your moves have become more fierce!" His eyes widened in glee. "You've shown your offense, so let's see your defense! My turn! I draw!"

Meanwhile...

Restrained by the Duel Anchor, Blue Maideno was forced to follow Glacia further away from Astro and Sanctum. They were inside a room surrounded by boxes and scraped metal. After ensuring they were far enough, Glacia deactivated the Anchor, releasing Blue Maiden.

"My apologies for the rough treatment, but you have your friend to blame for that." Glacia addressed Blue Maiden as she activated her Duel Disk. "I can understand Sanctum's hatred towards Astro, but letting her emotions get to her is very sad. In any case, I believe that's enough small talk. You and your peers are undoubtedly the Syndicate's enemies and an obstacle to whatever their goal is. Therefore, I will destroy you, Blue Maiden."

"You're welcome to try!" Blue Maiden grinned as she also activated her Duel Disk. "However, countless Syndicate soldiers can attest that I'm no pushover, Glacia! Now, let's do this!"

"Duel!" they shouted.

Blue Maiden: 4000 LP

Glacia: 4000 LP

"Since I was forced into dueling you, I'll take the first move!" Blue Maiden said, taking a card from her hand. "I summon Marincess Pascalus!"

A young maiden with long pink hair appeared on the field. She wore a pink dress with sleeves resembling fins and a pink scarf. There was a ribbon at the back of the dress, which resembled a mermaid's tail.

Marincess Pascalus ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"And when Pascalus is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from my hand in Defense Position!" Blue Maiden played another card from her hand. "I'll Special Summon Marincess Blue Tang!"

A woman with long blue hair tied into a ponytail appeared, wearing a black vest over a blue dress.

Marincess Blue Tang ATK 1500 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Blue Tang's effect activates! When she is Normal or Special Summoned, I can send a "Marincess" monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Marincess Sea Star to the Graveyard. Then, by banishing Sea Star from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Marincess Springirl from my hand!"

A girl with dark blue hair appeared, dressed in a gown of the same color.

Marincess Springirl ATK 1200 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

Blue Maiden raised her hand. "Shine, the circuit of friendship and bonds! Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster. I set Marincess Springirl in the Link Arrow!"

The woman entered the bottom arrow.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Marincess Blue Slug!"

A short blue-haired girl in a blue dress and tights emerged from the portal into the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Marincess Blue Slug ATK 1500 LINK-1 ↓

"When Link Summoned, I can activate Blue Slug's effect!" Blue Maiden stated. "However, I chain Springirl's effect! Since she was used as Link Material, I can send cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard up to the number of "Marincess" monsters I control! Since I control three of them, I can send three cards to the Graveyard!"

She milled the top three cards of her Deck immediately.

"Following that, I can inflict 200 points damage to you for each "Marincess" card sent! I sent three, so you take 600 points of damage!"

Three large bubbles appeared, flying toward Glacia and popping, causing her to hiss in pain.

Glacia: 4000→3400 LP

"From there, I use Blue Slug's effect to add a "Marincess" Monster in my Graveyard to my hand. I choose Springirl. Shine, the circuit of friendship and bonds! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster. I set Blue Tang in the Link Arrow!"

The woman entered the left arrow.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Marincess Sea Angel!"

A girl in a white dress with long white hair emerged from the portal to Blug Slug's Link Arrow.

Marincess Sea Angel ATK 1000 LINK-1 ←

"Sea Angel's effect activates!" Blue Maiden declared. "When it's Link Summoned, I can add a "Marincess" Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I add Marincess Battle Ocean, which I'll activate! This card increases my "Marincess" monsters' attack points by 200!"

Marincess Pascalus ATK 1200→1400

Marincess Blue Slug ATK 1500→1700

Marincess Sea Angel ATK 1000→1200

"And since I used Blue Tang to Link Summon, I can excavate the top three cards of my Deck, add a "Marincess" card among those cards and shuffle the rest back to my Deck.''

She pulled out her top three cards and eyed them before picking one and returning the rest.

"For a third time, shine! The circuit of friendship and bonds! The summoning conditions are two or more "Marincess" monsters. I set Marincess Blue Slug, Sea Angel and Pascalus in the Link Arrows!"

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

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Marincess Coral Triangle!"

A green-haired woman with purple-colored coral hairpins appeared in the Extra Monster Zone that Blue Slug had vacated. She wore a green top and a long blue skirt, with bits of blue coral peeking out of her back and graceful blue fins resembling wings.

Marincess Coral Triangle ATK 1500→1700 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"It's only the first turn, yet Blue Maiden has already summoned Link-3 Link Monster," Glacia noted. "She sure is going all out."

"Battle Ocean's second effect activates!" Blue Maiden exclaimed. "Since a "Marincess" Link Monster was Special Summoned to the Extra Monster Zone, I can equip up to three "Marincess" Link Monsters with different names from my Graveyard to that monster!"

"What? Equip?" Glacia repeated.

"I equip Blue Slug and Sea Angel to Coral Triangle!"

Spectral images of Blue Slug and Sea Angel appeared before disappearing into Coral Triangle, making her glow blue.

"While Battle Ocean is on the field, monsters equipped with "Marincess" Link Monsters gain 300 attack points for each of the equipped monsters' Link Arrows!" Blue Maiden continued. "Since both Sea Angel and Blue Slug are Link 1, their combined Link Rating is 2, meaning Coral Triangle gains 600 attack points!"

Marincess Coral Triangle ATK 1700→2300

"Furthermore, I activate Coral Triangle's effect! By sending a Water monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I can add a "Marincess" Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I discard Marincess Basilalima to add Marincess Wave. I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Not bad, Blue Maiden." Glacia praised his opponent. "That's quite the setup you've got there. However, I won't be deterred by just this! My turn! I draw! I summon Blizzard Thunderbird!"

A female humanoid, covered in dark blue armor with angular yellow wings, appeared in Attack Position.

Blizzard Thunderbird ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Then, since I control a Water monster, I can Special Summon Silent Angler from my hand!"

A torrent of water erupted from the ground, and a large brown angler fish emerged.

Silent Angler ATK 800 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Now she has two Level 4 monsters…." Blue Maiden narrowed her eyes. "Which means…"

Glacia let out a small chuckle. "The real deal starts from here. Prepare to witness a sublime power that transcends humanity! I overlay the Level 4 Blizzard Thunderbird and Silent Angler to build the Overlay Network!"

A bolt of blue energy shot out of Glacia's Duel Disk, creating the Xyz cross behind her. Her monsters disintegrated into data and entered the red dots. The ends of the cross-fired beams created a galaxy of energy.

"The transparent warrior drifting through the chaos. Sting everything in this world that lay before you! I Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Number 4: Stealth Kragen!"

A large dark purple cylinder rose out of the portal as it began to transform, revealing itself to be a monstrous jellyfish/ Its dome-shaped head was a bright royal purple with a blue, crown-shaped crest on the top. It had four long, whip-like tentacles with spear-tipped ends that sprouted out of the sides of its body, flailing in the air and dancing next to its two dark blue pectoral fins, one of which had "4" on it. The bottom half of its body contained four large, blue crab-like legs with red jewels at the joints and was separated from the rest of the body with a glowing yellow sphere at the center, connecting the two halves. The monster's glowing red eyes burst open as it narrowed them at Blue Maiden.

Number 4: Stealth Kragen ATK 1900 DEF 1500 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Numbers…?" Blue Maiden wondered upon seeing that. "What sort of Xyz Monster is that? I've never heard of it before."

"How is it?" Glacia laughed. "Numbers are a rare type of Xyz Monster. It took the Syndicate a long time to find them, but it was worth the wait." She narrowed her eyes at Blue Maiden. "So, are you scared yet?"

"Not really," Blue Maiden answered. "Though I am curious. Is there anything special about this new monster of yours?"

"Do you want to know?" Glacia chuckled. "Do you want to know? Yes, yes, I bet you want to. It can't be helped, then. Very well, I will graciously explain things to you, so you better pay very close attention. You see, Number Monsters cannot be destroyed by battle except by another Number. Magnificent, is it not?"

"Eh, I'm not that impressed." Blue Maiden shrugged. "I expected more from 'the power that transcends humanity'."

"Hmmm, tough crowd." Glacia rubbed her chin, seemingly deep in thought. "In that case, let's demonstrate their power a bit more. I activate Stealth Kragen's effect! Once per turn, I can target and destroy one Water monster on the field! Then you take damage equal to its attack points!" Blue Maiden's eyes widened. "I target Coral Triangle! Venom Blast!"

Blue Maiden gritted her teeth. Such an effect…! "I activate the Trap Card: Marincess Wave from my hand! I can activate this card from my hand when I control a Link-3 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster. Until the end of the turn, one of your monsters has its effects negated until the end of the turn! I negate Stealth Kragen's effect!"

Glacia frowned as her monster greyed out. "Guess I'll have to destroy your monster the old-fashioned way. I activate the Spell Card: Aqua Jet! By targeting Stealth Kragen, I can increase its attack points by 1000!"

Number 4: Stealth Kragen ATK 1900→2900

"Furthermore, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Xyz Unit! Stealth Kragen now gains 200 attack points multiplied by its Rank! Since its Rank is 4, it gains 800 attack points!"

Number 4: Stealth Kragen ATK 2900→3700

"Battle! Stealth Kragen attacks Coral Triangle! Tentacle Surge!"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Fighting Fund!" Blue Maiden declared as Stealth Kragen's tentacles approached Coral Triangle. "Through its effect, Coral Triangle can't be destroyed in battle!"

Following Blue Maiden's words, Stealth Kragen's tentacles struck a semi-transparent barrier that appeared around the Coral Triangle, preventing it from reaching the Link Monster. However, the shockwaves from the attack struck Blue Maiden, sending her tumbling back a few feet.

Blue Maiden: 4000→2600 LP

"Boo, party-pooper!" Glacia sulked. "I went to all this trouble to summon my awesome new Number, and you won't even give it the chance of destroying your monster? I suppose I can hold off for a little while longer. I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Blue Maiden announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Spell Containment! This allows me to draw two new cards!"

Blue Maiden drew her cards with a grin, but Glacia sneered. "A costly move," she noted. "You might have expanded your hand, but now you are no longer permitted to use Spell Cards or defend yourself with face-down cards during this turn, even monsters."

"I'll just have to live with that!" Blue Maiden retorted. "I Special Summon Marincess Sea Horse!"

A blonde girl in a dress, pink and golden dress appeared at Coral Triangle's bottom-left Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK 1400→1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Sea Horse can be Special Summoned to a "Marincess" Link Monster's Link Arrow," she explained. "Shine, the circuit of friendship and bonds! Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster. I set Sea Horse in the Link Arrow!"

The woman entered the bottom arrow.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Marincess Blue Slug!"

A short blue-haired girl in a blue dress and tights emerged from the portal in the Monster Zone that Sea Horse had vacated.

Marincess Blue Slug ATK 1500→1700 LINK-1 ↓

"I activate the Trap Card: Cynet Regression!" Blue Maiden declared. "As I Special Summoned a Link Monster, I can target and destroy one card on the field! I destroy none other than Stealth Kragen!"

Following her words, the monstrous jellyfish exploded, causing a cloud of smoke to engulf Glacia's field.

"Your Number is no more!"

Unexpectedly, Glacia started laughing, causing Blue Maiden to tense up.

"What? What's so funny?"

"It looks like a fool can never learn from her mistakes after all," Glacia remarked. "You may believe that you have grasped hope, but the only thing you accomplished was opening the door towards even greater despair. Look at my field, and you'll understand what I mean."

Following Glacia's words, Blue Maiden narrowed her eyes toward her opponent's field, causing her eyes to widen as she saw two new monsters. They looked similar to Stealth Kragen but were light blue and lacked their predecessor's crown. Their tentacles were much shorter, and the jewel in the center of their bodies was purple instead of yellow. A small mask-shaped crest was worn on both heads, glaring at Blue Maiden with tiny yellow eyes.

Stealth Kragen Spawn ATK 1900 DEF 1500 RNK: 4 OU: 1 x 2

"What? How did you replace your monster with two others?" Blue Maiden asked. "Where did they come from?"

"When you destroyed Stealth Kragen, you triggered its other effect!" Glacia explained. "I can Special Summon any number of "Number 4: Stealth Kragen" or "Stealth Kragen Spawn" from my Extra Deck or Graveyard for every Overlay Unit it had when it was destroyed! Stealth Kraken had two Overlay Units, so I am granted two Stealth Kragen Spawns with one Overlay Unit attached to each of them, and both Stealth Kragen Spawns have the same effects as Number 4, so I can continue to dominate this duel!"

"Summon as many jellyfish as you like. You will be done soon enough." Blue Maiden stated."Continuing from where I left off, after Cynet Regression's effect resolves, I get to draw a card. Furthermore, Blue Slug's effect activates! I target one "Marincess" Monster in my Graveyard and add it to my hand. I choose Sea Horse, which I'll summon!"

The blonde girl reappeared and smiled at Blue Maiden's opponent.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK 1400→1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Shine again, the circuit of friendship and bonds! The summoning conditions are two Water monsters. I set Sea Horse and Blue Slug in the Link Arrows!"

Blue Maiden's monsters entered the left and bottom arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Marincess Coral Anemone!"

An orange-haired woman in a yellow, pink, and orange dress appeared on the field to Coral Triangle's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK 2000→2200 LINK-2 ←↓

"Naïve." Glacia snorted as she gestured to her field. "I activate both my Stealth Kragen Spawn's effects! During either player's turn, I can target and destroy one Water monster on the field and inflict damage equal to the destroyed monster's attack points to its controller. I destroy your Coral Triangle and Coral Anemone, whose combined attack points equal 4500, which is more than you can spare!"

Following Glacia's command, her Xyz Monsters fired a powerful stream of water, striking Coral Triangle and Coral Anemone, causing a huge explosion. The ensuing explosion kicked up a thick smokescreen that obscured the field. But the two Marincess Link Monsters emerged without even a scratch when the smoke faded.

Glacia's eyes widened. "Why weren't your monsters destroyed?"

"I used Marincess Basilalima's effect in response to my monsters' destruction," Blue Maiden explained. "By banishing Marincess Basilalima, Coral Triangle and Coral Anemone's destruction is negated. Then, as Basilalima is banished, one monster I control gains 600 attack points. I choose Coral Triangle!"

Marincess Coral Triangle ATK 2300→2900

Blue Maiden gestured to her field. "Battle! Coral Triangle attacks the Kragen Spawn on the left!"

Coral Triangle held out its hand as it formed a whip made of water as it shot forward, striking the Xyz Monter and destroying it, with the ensuing shockwave causing Glacia to stumble.

Glacia: 3400→2400 LP

"Kragen Spawn's effect activates!" Glacia shouted. "Since it was destroyed, I can Special Summon a third Stealth Kragen Spawn from my Extra Deck!"

A portal appeared on the ground, out of which emerged Kragen Spawn and landed next to its copy.

Stealth Kragen Spawn ATK 1900 DEF 1500 RNK: 4 OU: 1

"At this moment, I activate the effect of my newly summoned Kragen Spawn!" Glacia continued. "I target and destroy Coral Triangle!"

"Sorry, but we can't have me losing here!" Blue Maiden exclaimed. "Since I control a Link 3 or higher "Marincess" monster, I can activate this card from my hand! The Trap Card: Marincess Circulation! I can target a Water Link Monster and return it to the Extra Deck to Special Summon a "Marincess" Link Monster with the same Link Rating. This is treated as a Link Summon, but the summoned monster cannot attack directly or be destroyed by battle this turn! I return Coral Triangle to my Extra Deck and Special Summon Marincess Marbled Rock!"

Coral Triangle turned into a sphere of water that broke apart, with its remnants forming into a woman with spiky blue hair, wearing a red armored dress with fins on the sides and coral on her forehead and shoulders, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 2500→2700 LINK-3 ←↓→

Glacia raised an eyebrow. "What about your Field Spell?"

"Marbled Rock was Special Summoned as Chain Link 2," Blue Maiden said sheepishly. "Thus, Battle Ocean misses timing. But that doesn't matter. Marincess Coral Anemone attacks the Kragen Spawn on the right!"

Coral Anemone brought her hands together as they glowed blue. She blasted a stream of water at Kragen Spawn, destroying it and making Glacia wince.

Glacia: 2400→2100 LP

"The destroyed Kragen Spawn's effect activates!" Glacia exclaimed. "With it, I Special Summon Number 4: Stealth Kragen from my Graveyard!"

A portal appeared on the ground, with Stealth Kragen emerging from it and landing on Glacia's field.

Number 4: Stealth Kragen ATK 1900 DEF 1500 RNK: 4 OU: 1

"Last but not least, Marbled Rock attacks your final Kragen Spawn! Marincess Submerge!"

"As I said before, you are naïve!" Glacia shouted. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Narrow Corridor! Thanks to it, you can only attack with up to two monsters!"

"How stubborn…" Blue Maiden growled. "I end my turn with that."

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

"I activate the Spell Card: Tachyon Restart!" Astro declared. "Since I control no monsters, I can banish two "Tachyon" Xyz Monsters with the same Rank from my Graveyard to draw cards from my Deck until I have six. I choose to banish Code Keeper and Spectral Baron. Then, I summon Tachyon Draco!"

A black dragon with six holographic wings colored purple and red appeared.

Tachyon Draco ATK 1400→400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Since I control a "Tachyon" monster, I can Special Summon a second Tachyon Draco from my hand!"

Another monster appeared in Attack Position.

Tachyon Draco ATK 1400→400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Next, I discard Tachyon Dragon from my hand to Special Summon Tachyon Soldier!"

A monster covered in red and black dragonic armor with golden details and a glowing orb in its chest appeared in Defense Position. Its lone left eye shone a purple light.

Tachyon Soldier ATK 2000→1000 DEF 0 LVL: 5

"And since I control a "Tachyon" monster, I can Special Summon Tachyon Vanisher from my hand!"

A humanoid with glowing red skin appeared in Attack Position. It wore purple and black armor over its legs, chest, upper arms, and head and carried a sniper rifle.

Tachyon Vanisher ATK 2000→1000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Vanisher's effect activates! I can add a "Tachyon" monster from my Deck to my hand when it is Special Summoned. I add a third copy of Tachyon Draco, which I'll summon through its effect!"

A third Tachyon Draco appeared next to the other two already on Astro's field.

Tachyon Draco ATK 1400→400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"He summoned five monsters to the field at once?" Sanctum said in surprise.

"I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge!" Astro continued. "Since my hand is empty, I get to draw four cards. Following that, I activate the Spell Card: Upshift! This changes the Levels of all my monsters to the Level of my monster with the highest Level!"

Tachyon Draco x 3 LVL: 4→5

Tachyon Vanisher LVL: 4→5

Sanctum narrowed her eyes at Astro's field. "All his monsters are now Level 5," she noted.

Astro gestured to his five monsters. "I overlay my five Level 5 monsters!"

Astro raised his Duel Disk and released a bolt of violet energy. The bolt transformed their surroundings to outer space and summoned the Xyz cross beneath his monsters. His monsters disintegrated into violet data and entered the red dots, creating a galaxy of energy, which exploded as Astro chanted.

"Dragon of destruction, let your roar echo through eternity! Manifest before us with your vicious fangs! I Xyz Summon! Descend now, Number 5! Doom Chimera Dragon!"

Emerging from the galaxy was a large skeletal egg with a glowing red orb thumbing like a heart, with the bones coiling around each other like chains. The egg's bones began uncoiling themselves as the orb remained, while the bones reformed into the large skeleton of a dragon. Soon, the red core beat loudly as purple fur began to extend from the spine down to the tail; several single thin feathers began to spread down the bone-like wings as if they had all been plucked dry. Around the giant bone protrusion on its back was the large crimson Number 5. Flesh began to form over the skull, as did blue fire as its red eyes shined, letting loose a dangerous and malicious roar with five violet orbs of light circling it.

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon ATK 0 DEF 0 RNK: 5 OU: 5

"Number…? Is it a special archetype of Xyz Monsters?" Sanctum wondered. "Even with 0 attack and defense points, I can only assume its effect must be quite formidable."

"An accurate deduction," Astro said. "Doom Chimaera Dragon gains 1000 attack points for every Overlay Unit it has." Sanctum's eyes widened. "Since it has five Overlay Units, it gains 5000 attack points!"

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon ATK 0→5000

Sanctum gritted her teeth. "It won't have those attack points for long," she stated. "Due to Aquamarine Tidal's effect, your monster's attack points are reduced by 1000!"

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon ATK 5000→4000

"However, your monsters are still weaker," Astro pointed out. "Battle! Doom Chimera Dragon attacks Aquamarine Tidal! Doom Gaze Destructor!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Enchanted Javelin!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Since your monster declared an attack, I gain Life Points equal to its attack points!"

Sanctum: 2800→6800 LP

A torrent of violet flames erupted from Chimera Dragon's maw, vaporizing Aquamarine Tidal, with the ensuing shockwave causing Sanctum to wince.

Sanctum: 6800→5900 LP

Sanctum frowned. "Since Aquamarine Tidal left the field, your dragon's attack points increase by 1000."

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon ATK 4000→5000

"There's more from where that came from." Astro grinned. "Thanks to its second effect, Chimera Dragon can attack all monsters you control once each. As such, my dragon will attack your Mekk-Knight Yellow Star next! Doom Gaze Destructor!"

The previous scene was repeated as Yellow Star was engulfed in flames, destroying it in an explosion and sending Sanctum tumbling back as she cried out in pain.

Sanctum: 5900→3100 LP

"Finally, Doom Chimera Dragon attacks Indigo Eclipse!" Astro pointed at Sanctum's remaining monster. "Doom Gaze Destructor!"

Chimera Dragon unleashed a dark-colored blast from its maw, piercing through the Mekk-Knight monster's body and destroying it, with the ensuing explosion's shockwave sending Sanctum flying.

Sanctum: 3100→500 LP

"At this moment, I activate the Trap Card: Shock Draw!" Sanctum exclaimed, recovering from the attacks. "It lets me draw a card for every 1000 points of damage I took this turn! I took over 6000 points of damage, meaning I can draw six cards!"

Astro gritted his teeth. "You planned for this, didn't you?"

"Sometimes you have to take damage to gain the advantage," Sanctum replied.

"Regardless, I end my Battle Phase and go to Main Phase 2!" Astro stated. "However, Doom Chimera Dragon's additional effect activates now! Since it battled this turn, I can activate one of two effects. I choose the first one, which lets me target one monster in your Graveyard and attach it to Doom Chimera Dragon as an Overlay Unit!"

"What!?" Sanctum gasped before looking down at her Duel Disk, surrounded by a dark aura.

"And the card I think I'll take will be your Mekk-Knight Aquamarine Tidal!"

Following Astro's declaration, a violet orb of light came out of Sanctum's Duel Disk and began circling Doom Chimera Dragon.

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon OU: 5→6

"And with an additional Overlay Unit, Doom Chimera Dragon gains 1000 attack points!"

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon ATK 5000→6000

"Well, well, it appears you managed to survive even though your Life Points are now a candle in the wind," Astro remarked. "However, you won't be so fortunate next turn. My Number is thirsty for power, so I'll have you become a sacrifice to satiate its cravings. I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"Sorry, but I'm in no mood to become an undead mutant lizard's appetizer," Sanctum said. "I think it's time to step up my game a bit. My turn! I draw! First, since Senet Switch and your Set card are in the same column, I can Special Summon Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine from my hand!"

A silver and marigold-colored machine with a feminine body, wielding a rapier-like weapon, appeared in Attack Position.

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

"Marigold Shine's effect activates! When this card is summoned, I gain 500 Life Points for every other card in its column. Two cards are in its column, so I gain 1000 Life Points!"

Following her words, Sanctum was surrounded by a golden aura emitting from Marigold Shine's body.

Sanctum: 500→1500 LP

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

A silver and magenta machine with a slim body and bladed wings appeared in Defense Position next to Marigold Shine.

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

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

At Sanctum's command, a green armored monster wielding a staff appeared on her field in Attack Position.

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

Sanctum gestured to her field. "I Tribute Mekk-Knight Marigold Shine, Magenta Elver and Green Horizon to Tribute Summon Gilford the Lightning!"

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

Gilford the Lightning ATK 2800 DEF 1400 LVL: 8

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

"I won't let you!" Astro shouted. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Xyz Tribalrivals! Through its effect, Xyz Monsters with two or more Overlay Units attached to them cannot be destroyed by card effects! Therefore, Gilford's effect won't apply!"

"In that case, I activate the Equip Spell Cards: Giant Hunter and Disposable Learner Device!" Sanctum continued. "Due to Learner Device's effect, the equipped monster gains 200 attack points for every monster in my Graveyard. My Graveyard has seven monsters, so Gilford gains 1400 attack points!"

Gilford the Lightning ATK 2800→4200

"Battle!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Gilford the Lightning attacks Doom Chimera Dragon! And at this moment, I activate Giant Hunter's effect! When the equipped monster attacks, if my Life Points are lower than yours, the attack target's attack points are halved!"

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon ATK 6000→3000

Gilford charged forward and swung its lightning-clad sword at Chimera Dragon, generating a shockwave that sent Astro tumbling back a few feet.

Astro: 2450→1250 LP

"What's this?" Sanctum asked upon seeing that Doom Chimera was still on the field. "Why wasn't your monster destroyed?"

"Only a Number can destroy another Number in battle," Astro explained as he dusted himself off. "And since I know that you don't have any Number Monsters of your own, as far as you're concerned, Chimera Dragon's invincible."

Sanctum gritted her teeth in frustration. "Since we've reached the Battle Phase's end, Doom Chimera's attack points now return to normal."

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon ATK 3000→6000

"Not only that, but its effect activates as well," Astro stated. "Since it battled this turn, I can attach a monster from your Graveyard to it as an Overlay Unit. I attach your Marigold Shine!"

Following Astro's words, a portal appeared on the ground, with Marigold Shine emerging from it and turning into a violet light that started orbiting Doom Chimera Dragon.

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon OU: 6→7

Number 5: Doom Chimera Dragon ATK 6000→7000

Sanctum frowned. "Since's there one less monster in my Graveyard, Gilford loses 200 attack points."

Gilford the Lightning ATK 4200→4000

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

Meanwhile, at Blue Maiden and Glacia's duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Glacia declared. "First, I activate Stealth Kragen and Kragen Spawn's effects to destroy Marincess Marbled Rock and Coral Anemone! You're finished!"

"At this moment, I activate the Trap Card: Marincess Pressure from my hand!" Blue Maiden declared as the card showed Marincess Wonder Heart underwater, unleashing two powerful geysers against two black silhouettes that resembled Borreload Dragon and Salamangreat Heatleo. "I can activate this card from my hand if I control a Link-3 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster. And thanks to its effect, I get to banish two of your monsters. In addition, since I control "Marincess" "Link Monsters, you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation!"

Two waves of water erupted from Blue Maiden's Trap, enveloping Glacia's monsters and disappearing them from the field.

"You'll pay for this, Blue Maiden," Glacia spoke hatefully. "I believe that's enough playing around already. It's time for you to experience true despair. First, I activate the Spell Card: Spellbook Inside the Pot, which allows us to draw three cards!"

The two duelists drew their cards and added them to their hands.

"Then, I summon Hailstone Pelican!"

A white pelican whose wings ended with black feathers and were covered in ice appeared on Glacia's field.

Hailstone Pelican ATK 1500 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Hailstone Pelican's effect activates!" Glacia declared. "When summoned, I can Special Summon a Water Winged-Beast monster from my hand. Swoop right on down, Blizzard Falcon!"

A dark blue bird made out of ice crystals appeared.

Blizzard Falcon ATK 1500 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

Glacia gestured to her field. "I overlay my Level 4 Hailstone Pelican and Blizzard Falcon!"

A bolt of blue energy shot out of Glacia's Duel Disk, creating the Xyz cross behind her. Her monsters disintegrated into data and entered the red dots. The ends of the cross-fired beams created a galaxy of energy.

"Elegant bird of the frozen night! Take flight in the endless blizzard! I Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Ice Beast Zerofyne!"

The portal exploded with energy, and a humanoid monster emerged from it. She had black crystals on her wings, arms, head, and skirt. Two blue lights orbited around her.

Ice Beast Zerofyne ATK 2000 DEF 2200 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"I activate Zerofyne's effect!" Glacia declared. "By detaching an Overlay Unit, the effects of all other face-up cards on the field are negated until my next Standby Phase! Perfect Freeze!"

Ice Warrior Zerofyne OU: 2→1

Zerofyne let loose a snowy wind that encased the entire field, including the monsters beside itself.

Blue Maiden gritted her teeth. "Since Battle Ocean lost its effects, Marbled Rock and Coral Anemone lose 200 attack points."

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 2700→2500

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK 2200→2000

"Not only that, but Zerofyne's second effect activates," Glacia continued, "For each card that had its effects negated, one monster on your field loses 300 attack points! The effects of three cards were negated, so I'll have your Marincess Marbled Rock lose 900 attack points!"

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 2500→1600

"My Marbled Rock!" Blue Maiden screamed.

"I activate the Spell Card: Xyz Treasure Ticket!" Glacia exclaimed. "This card lets me draw cards equal to the Rank of a Rank 4 or lower Xyz Monster I control. Zerofyne is Rank 4, so I can draw four cards!"

She drew, then said, "I activate the Spell Card: Forbidden Substance, which allows Zerofyne to attack twice this turn. Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card: United We Stand and equip it onto Zerofyne! The equipped monster gains 800 attack and defense points for every monster on my field! As I only control one monster, my Xyz Monster gains 800 attack and defense points!"

Ice Beast Zerofyne ATK 2000→2800 DEF 2200→3000

"Battle! Ice Beast Zerofyne attacks Marincess Marbled Rock! Icicle Rain!"

Zerofyne created several icicles around her, which she sent streaming at Marbled Rock, destroying it in an explosion and generating a powerful shockwave that sent Blue Maiden skidding back.

Blue Maiden: 2600→1400 LP

"Don't think you're safe just yet, Top 10 scum." Glacia pointed at Blue Maiden. "Thanks to Forbidden Substance, Zerofyne gets to attack again! Go, Icicle Rain!"

The previous scene was repeated, with the ensuing shockwave causing Blue Maiden to grunt in pain.

Blue Maiden: 1400→600 LP

"I end my turn with this," Glacia said. "If I were you, I'd give up just about now. Your Link Monsters are completely useless against me. How can you possibly hope to defeat me?"

"Oh, there's more than one way to skin a cat." Blue Maiden smiled. "Let me show you what I mean. My turn! I draw! First, I summon Marincess Blue Clam!"

A girl with peach-colored hair and blue highlights appeared in Attack Position. She wore a blue and peach-colored dress with a golden lining.

Marincess Blue Clam ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 3

"Then, by banishing Marincess Pascalus from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Marincess Springirl from my hand!"

The blue-haired girl in a dress reappeared.

Marincess Springirl ATK 1200 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"I activate Blue Clam's effect!" Blue Maiden continued. "By using monsters I control, I can Fusion Summon a "Marincess" Fusion Monster!"

"What?" Glacia gasped.

"I fuse Blue Clam and Springirl!"

Both monsters disintegrated into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex before bursting forth as tornados. The streams merged to form one purple tornado.

"Lovely maiden whose heart is as bright and flawless as a pearl! Let your strength protect the ocean you love! I Fusion Summon! Marincess Oyster Maiden!"

A beautiful woman with long, majestic purple princess hair with a crown on her head and blue eyes emerged from the tornado. She wore a beautiful, blue-purple-colored royal-like princess dress with golden color designs and wielded a long purple-blue-colored staff with an oyster tip with an orb in the center. She rested on top of a beautiful, giant oyster in Attack Position.

Marincess Oyster Maiden ATK 2700 DEF 1700 LVL: 8

"Blue Clam's second effect activates!" Blue Maiden declared. "When it's used as material for a "Marincess" Fusion Monster, I get to draw two cards then shuffle one card in my hand back to my Deck afterward."

She drew her cards before shuffling one of the cards she had just drawn back into her Deck.

Blue Maiden gestured to her field. "I activate Oyster Maiden's effect! For every "Marincess card on my field, you take 200 points of damage. There are two "Marincess" cards, so you take 400 points of damage!"

Oyster Maiden gathered water into a massive sphere above her head, which she flung at Glacia, who grunted in pain as it exploded.

Glacia: 2100→1700 LP

"From there, I discard Marincess Sea Star from my hand to activate its effect! One "Marincess" monster I control gains 800 attack points. I increase Oyster Maiden's attack points!"

Marincess Oyster Maiden ATK 2700→3500

"Battle!" Blue Maiden exclaimed. "Oyster Maiden attacks Ice Beast Zerofryne! Marincess Shining!"

The Fusion Monster leaped into the air and aimed her staff, forming a sphere of water. She launched the sphere at Glacia's Xyz Monster, destroying it and creating a shockwave that almost sent Glacia flying.

Glacia: 1700→1000 LP

"Before I end my turn, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Damage Off Zone!" Blue Maiden stated. "Due to its effect, any battle damage we take is halved. With that, I end my turn. And since it's now the End Phase, Sea Star's effect ends, returning Oyster Maiden's attack points to normal."

Marincess Oyster Maiden ATK 3500→2700

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

"It's my turn!" Astro announced. "I draw! Time for me to draw the curtain on this duel! Battle! Doom Chimera Dragon, attack Gilford the Lightning and wipe out the remainder of Sanctum's Life Points! Doom Gaze Destructor!"

"I won't allow that!" Sanctum exclaimed. "I activate the Trap Card: Surprise Assist! When a monster I control is being targeted for an attack, I can reveal cards from the top of my Deck until I get a Level 4 or lower monster, and once I do, the targeted monster gains attack points equal to the revealed monster's attack points until the End Phase, while all other cards are sent to the Graveyard! Let's do this!"

Sanctum began checking the cards in her Deck, sending the first three to the Graveyard before finally coming across a monster.

"I drew Mekk-Knight Avram," Sanctum said. "So through Surprise Assist's effect, Gilford gains 2000 attack points! Plus an additional 200 through Disposable Learner Device since another monster's in my Graveyard!"

Gilford the Lightning ATK 4000→6200

Doom Chimera opened up its maw, unleashing a stream of violet flames that vaporized Gilford, causing Sanctum to wince from the intense heat.

Sanctum: 1500→700 LP

"Furthermore, I activate the Trap Card: Cross Heart!" Sanctum continued. "Since Doom Chimera Dragon dealt me damage, I get to take control of it!"

Following Sanctum's words, Doom Chimera suddenly disappeared from Astro's field and appeared on hers. However, a thick dark aura appeared around her, causing her to cry out in pain as she felt a sensation akin to being repeatedly stabbed by knives throughout her body.

"What…is this…?" Sanctum wheezed out. "What did your monster do to me…?"

"Judging from your expression, I assume you're feeling quite horrible right now," Astro stated. "This is a result of the Number's malicious will. So if you have somebody to blame, blame yourself for stealing my monster. You're not worthy of controlling a Number."

"We'll…see about that…"

After a full minute, Sanctum took a deep breath and regained control.

Astro's eyes widened in shock. "To think that you would be able to control Doom Chimera's for yourself, I'm quite surprised by your boldness," he stated. "However, don't entertain any thoughts about having a chance to win this duel. You've merely prolonged the inevitable, that's all. I activate the Spell Card: Magic Planter, sending the Continuous Trap Xyz Tribalrivals to the Graveyard to draw two cards."

He drew, then said, "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Sanctum announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Akashic Record! Thanks to it, I get to draw two cards! And if they're cards I haven't used, I get to keep them!" She drew her cards and smiled at the find. "Since the cards I've drawn haven't been used, I can keep them. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Card of Distrain! Since you have at least two Set cards on your field, this card renders one unusable for the rest of the turn. I choose the one on the left!"

Following Sanctum's words, a purple crystal pierced the designated card, pinning it to the ground.

"Let's settle this!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Battle! Doom Chimera Dragon, attack Astro directly!"

"Not so fast!" Astro shouted. "I activate the Trap Card: Trick Buster! Thanks to its effect, when I'm attacked directly while only my opponent controls monsters, all monsters they control in Attack Position are destroyed!"

Following Astro's words, a large silver broadsword erupted from his Trap Card, piercing through Doom Chimera Dragon and destroying it in an explosion.

"And due to the second effect of Trick Buster, you receive 300 points of damage for each destroyed monster!" Astro pointed at Sanctum. "Take this!"

The broadsword that had destroyed Doom Chimera emerged from the smokescreen and struck Sanctum in the abdomen, causing her to grunt in pain.

Sanctum: 700→400 LP

"Two can play at that game, Astro," Sanctum stated. "Card of Distrain's second effect activates! Since you activated a card other than the one selected by its effect, you take 800 points of damage!"

Several tendrils of purple lightning shot out from the crystal, striking Astro and causing him to scream in pain.

Astro: 1250→450 LP

"That's as far as I can go for now," Sanctum remarked. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Astro announced. "I draw! Since you've pushed me to such an extent, I will allow you to experience the full might of my new power. First, I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity, drawing three cards from my Deck and discarding two. Then, I activate the effect of the discarded Cards of Compensation, which allows me to draw two more cards. And since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Tachyon Caeser from my hand!"

A large warrior in red and black armor wielding a purple sword and shield appeared on Lucian's field.

Tachyon Caesar ATK 2000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"Caesar's effect activates! When summoned, I can Special Summon a "Tachyon" monster from my hand or Deck with its effects negated. I Special Summon a second copy of Tachyon Caeser from my Deck!"

A second warrior appeared in Attack Position.

Tachyon Caesar ATK 2000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"Two Level 8 monsters..." Sanctum breathed. "Another Xyz Summon?"

"Yes and no," Astro said, taking another card from his hand. "Since I control a Dragon monster, I can Special Summon Holeum, the Shadowbound Dragon!"

A dragon whose body was made up of shadows with a single purple eye lodged in its chest appeared.

Holeum, the Shadowbound Dragon ATK 2200 DEF 1000 LVL: 9

Sanctum narrowed her eyes at the dragon. "That monster isn't a Tachyon monster."

"Holeum's effect activates!" Astro continued as the eye in Holeum's chest began glowing. The same shadowy shroud covering Holeum began extending, enveloping the two Caesars.

"What's happening?" Sanctum asked.

Astro pointed towards Holeum. "When Holeum is summoned, all Level 8 and lower Dragon monsters I control become 9."

Tachyon Caesar x 2 LVL: 8→9

"The time has come for this! I overlay my two Level 9 Tachyon Caesars and Hoelum, the Shadowbound Dragon!"

A galaxy vortex appeared in the sky as Astro's three monsters turned into purple energy and entered it. His body began giving off a powerful purple aura as he chanted.

"Power filling the galaxy... When the ruler has exhausted his body and spirit, his soul curses the world! I Xyz Summon! Come forth, Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon!"

Emerging from the portal, a spiral cloud of shadowy energy erupted and poured down, creating a column behind Astro. The shadows changed into a pitch-black cloud that began to grow in size. A pair of massive wings burst from the sides of the cloud, and the top formed into a head with two small eyes and a mouth filled with large white fangs. The creature's bottom half changed into a black mist trail that split into two heads that looked like tormented lost souls whose screams filled the air with a deep, bellowing howl that seemed to echo a thousand moans of agony. In place of Overlay Units, three pale ghosts traced slow and irregular circles around the dragon, their faces stretched wide in a never-ending scream of torment.

Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon ATK 4000 DEF 0 RNK: 9 OU: 3

"Another Number..." Sanctum muttered in frustration. "Just my luck—is what I would say if I didn't already have what I need to deal with your monster on my field! I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Xyz Imprisonment! Since an Xyz Monster was Special Summoned to your field, this card prevents it from attacking!"

"Anti-Xyz measures, huh…?" Astro muttered as his monster became encased in a cage of electricity. "I guess I should have expected that much from the Top 10 since we're working with their enemy…."

"Furthermore, Imprisonment will deal 500 points of damage to you during the End Phase," Sanctum added. "And with only 450 Life points to your name, you'll lose come the end of your turn."

"If that's how it's going to be…then I guess I have to win during this turn." Astro smirked as he gestured to his field. "Dark Matter Dragon's effect activates! When Xyz Summoned, I can send three Dragon monsters from my Deck to banish three cards from yours! I send Tachyon Crusher, Tachyon Thrasher and Tachyon Jumper!"

As Astro inserted the three cards into his Graveyard slot, one of the lost spirits emanating from Dark Matter Dragon flew down and struck Sanctum's Deck before vanishing. Soon after, three random cards in her Deck turned black and flew out, seeming to vanish from existence.

"And just what good is that effect supposed to do?" Sanctum asked.

"The point of that was this!" Astro exclaimed as he gestured to his face-down card. "I activate the Trap Card: Banishment Curse! "When a card effect banishes an opponent's card, I can activate one of two effects. I activate the first effect, which lets me banish cards on your field up to the number that were banished!" Sanctum's eyes widened. "I banish Xyz Imprisonment!"

Following Astro's words, a beam of light erupted from his Trap, vaporizing Sanctum's and causing the electric cage around Dark Matter to vanish.

"It's time to exit the stage permanently, you stubborn worm!" Astro declared with a cruel smile. "Battle! Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon attacks you directly! Dark Matter Storm of Destruction!"

"I activate Battle Fader's effect from my hand!" Sanctum abruptly declared, surprising Astro. "If you attack me directly, I can Special Summon this card and end the Battle Phase!"

A monster shaped like a pendulum in a clock with fiendish features appeared on Sanctum's field. It rang the bell attached to it, creating sound waves that stopped Dark Matter's attack.

Battle Fader ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Tch." Astro sounded vexed. "You survived this turn, but flukes can get you so far. I activate the Field Spell Card: Overlay World!"

A black hole appeared in the sky, surrounded by different colors.

"I place one card face-down and end my turn. And at this moment, Overlay World's effect activates! During the End Phase of each turn, if one of us doesn't control an Xyz Monster, we take 500 points of damage! And last I checked, you have none! In other words, you're finished!"

"Not so fast!" Sanctum shouted. "I banish Damage Diet from my Graveyard to activate its effect! All effect damage I take this turn is halved!"

Immediately afterward, several different-colored lightning bolts descended from the sky and struck Sanctum's body, causing her to cry in pain as she fell to her knees, struggling to catch her breath.

Sanctum: 400→150 LP

"You truly are the embodiment of tenacity, aren't you?" Astro grinned. "Well, that suits me just fine since I can enjoy watching you struggle more. But will you finally acknowledge that you've exhausted all your options and give up? Or will you continue this futile resistance?"

"I'm afraid I'm far too stubborn to give up merely due to the threat of an impending defeat," Sanctum smirked. "Moreover, to cinch victory under such desperate circumstances is something I'm now an expert at, as you're about to discover. My turn! I draw!"

Meanwhile, at Sanctum and Glacia's duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Glacia looked at her card and smirked. "Since it is now my Standby Phase, the effect of Zerofyne ends, and Marincess Battle Ocean regains its effects."

Blue Maiden smiled. "Which means Oyster Maiden's attack points increase by 200."

Marincess Oyster Maiden ATK 2700→2900

"That won't be much help to you," Glacia stated. "First, I activate the Spell Card: Edict of Atlantis! For the rest of this turn, I can increase the Levels of all Water monsters I summon by up to 2. Next, I summon Aurora Wing!"

A blue, green, and white bird with big wings appeared.

Aurora Wing ATK 1200 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

"And with the effect of Edict of Atlantis, I'll increase Aurora Wing's Level by 1!"

Aurora Wing LVL: 4→5

"Moving on, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Aqua Mirage and equip it to Aurora Wing!" Glacia continued as a blue aura surrounded her monster. "Due to its effect, if Aurora Wing is used for an Xyz Summon, Aqua Mirage can also be treated as an Xyz Material with the same Level!"

"So she's bringing out a Rank 5 Xyz Monster," Blue Maiden silently deduced.

"I overlay my Level 5 Aurora Wing and Aqua Mirage!"

Glacia raised her Duel Disk and shot a bolt of dark blue energy. That bolt created the Xyz cross. Her monsters disintegrated into data and entered the red bolts. The ends fired beams and created a galaxy, which exploded with energy.

"Priestess of the Spirit World with a heart of ice! Show that clear and bright soul!" Glacia chanted. "I Xyz Summon! Emerge! Number 94: Crystalzero!"

Her Number's sealed form was that of a dark blue and white snowflake. But it did not stay sealed for long, and soon its true form was revealed. The monster was a tall woman with thin legs and a large blue and white skirt. She had a headdress with icicles at the tips and four icicles dripping from her shoulder. She carried a saber made of ice and was orbited by three blue lights.

Number 94: Crystalzero ATK 2200 DEF 1600 RNK: 5 OU: 2

"Another Number card!?" Blue Maiden seemed shocked. "I already had so much trouble dealing with one, and now I have to fight another!?"

Glacia gestured to her monster. "I activate Crystalzero's effect! By detaching one Overlay Unit, the attack points of one of your monsters are halved until the end of the turn!"

"What?" Blue Maiden said, surprised for the second time in under a minute.

"What's more, I can use this effect more than once per turn," Glacia added. "I'll detach two Overlay Units to use its effect twice! Crystal Eraser!"

Number 94: Crystalzero OU: 2→0

Crystalzero pointed its sword at Oyster Maiden and zapped it with a blue and purple blast.

Marincess Oyster Maiden ATK 2900→1450→725

"725 attack points?" Blue Maiden said, her eyes wide. Now she understood what Glacia was trying to do.

Glacia smirked. "Even with Damage Off Zone in play, you'll still take enough damage to lose," she stated. "Battle! Crystalzero, attack Oyster Maiden! Crystal Javelin!"

"Crystalzero threw her saber at Oyster Maiden, impaling her before a massive explosion occurred. The explosion engulfed Blue Maiden, obscuring her side of the field in a cloud of smoke.

Glacia let out an eerie laugh as she doubled over. "Serves you right, trash. Before the power that I wield, you—"

"Don't gloat just yet. The duel is far from finished."

A voice was heard from within the cloud, cutting off Glacia. As the smoke cleared, Blue Maiden could be seen standing there, completely unharmed.

"What's the meaning of this?" Glacia frowned. "Crystalzero's attack should have obliterated you."

"I activated Damage Off Zone's second effect," Blue Maiden explained. "In exchange for paying half my Life Points and sending it to the Graveyard, it reduces all battle damage I take to 0."

After saying so, a glowing blue aura surrounded Blue Maiden, causing her to hiss in pain.

Blue Maiden: 600→300 LP

"Looks like you managed to escape in the nick of time once again," Glacia remarked. "However, it's pointless. As things stand, your chances of mounting a successful counterattack are close to none. I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Blue Maiden announced. "I draw! Well, this is certainly quite the bind. Luckily, just like you, I also kept one last trump card in reserve."

"Hoh, a last trump card, you say?" Glacia grinned. "Then, by all means, I'll enjoy watching you squirm as your last measure fails and you are cast into the abyss of despair."

"If you're trying to throw me off my game, you'll have to try harder than that if you want me to abandon all hope." Blue Maiden stated. "I activate the Spell Card: Cynet Mining! Thanks to it, I can discard a card to add a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand."

She sent the first card to the Graveyard, then took the second from her Deck.

"Next, I summon Marincess Ocella!"

A young girl with orange hair tied into a ponytail appeared in Attack Position. She wore a blue-colored royal-like shoulderless dress with black trimmed lining.

Marincess Ocella ATK 1500→1700 DEF 1100 LVL: 4

"Ocella's effect activates!" Blue Maiden continued. "When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from my hand or Graveyard and then either increase or decrease that monster's Level. I Special Summon Marincess Sea Horse from my hand and increase her Level by 1!"

The blonde girl reappeared, with her Level changed.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK 1400→1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3→4

Blue Maiden narrowed her eyes. "Now, since this is my first time, let's do this properly! I—overlay the Level 4 Marincess Ocelaa and Marincess Seahorse and build the Overlay Network!"

Blue Maiden brought her Duel Disk in front of her face and raised it above her head as it released a burst of blue energy that struck the sky. From where the bolt struck, the field changed into outer space, streams of blue energy floating in the air. A digital blue cross with four red dots in its corners comes down below her monsters, which dissolved into blue particles. The particles flowed into two red dots, making a red circle appear beneath the cross. The ends of the cross fired blue beams into the sky, converging on a point and creating a galaxy that exploded with energy.

"Essence of the mother ocean's purity!" Blue Maiden chanted, her Duel Disk still glowing. "Emerge from the dark depths and cleanse these lands! I Xyz Summon!" A string of DNA formed within the galaxy before reforming into a sphere that changed into Blue Maiden's monster. "Appear! Rank 4! Marincess Spring Angler!"

The woman that formed from the sphere had piercing yellow eyes and dark brown puffy hair. She was clad in a beautiful light blue pouf dress with wave-shaped dark blue trims, yellow crescent-shaped accessories around her upper arms, and dark blue high heels. A cord with a golden crown on its tip emerged from the back of her dress and curved to the top of her head, giving the impression that said crown was floating above her head. Two golden lights circled her.

Marincess Spring Angler ATK 2400→2600 DEF 1400 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"You also use Xyz Summoning?" Glacia said in surprise.

"I didn't at first, but after witnessing my teammate use a new summoning method, it only seemed right for me to use a new one," Blue Maiden explained. "And with Void Spring Angler on the field, my victory is assured! Spring Angler's effect activates! When Xyz Summoned, I can add a "Marincess" card from my Deck to my hand."

Blue Maiden took the card from her Deck, then gestured to her field. "Following that, I activate Spring Angler's second effect! I detach one Overlay Unit to banish a "Marincess" Link Monster from my Graveyard to increase Spring Angler's attack points by half of the banished monster's. I banish the 2500 attack Marbled Rock from my Graveyard to increase Spring Angler's attack points by 1250! Blue Blessing!"

One of the circling lights hit Spring Angler's crown, causing it to shine as the spectral image of Marbled Rock behind her before turning into waves of water that envelop her hands, turning them into blades.

Marincess Spring Angler ATK 2600→3850 OU: 2→1

"Now, it's time to end this duel!" Blue Maiden exclaimed. "Battle! Marincess Spring Angler, attack Number 94: Crystalzero!"

"I'm afraid that's not good enough!" Glacia shouted. "I activate the Trap Card: Wild Charger! When an Xyz Monster with no Overlay Units I control is attacked, it gains attack points equal to your monster's attack points! It's your loss, Blue Maiden!"

"Is that so?" Blue Maiden smirked. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Marincess Typhoon! When you activate a card effect, I can negate the effect and banish it!"

"What?!" Glacia gasped as her Trap Card turned into particles.

"Since your Trap was negated, my attack resumes," Blue Maiden said. "It's time for the coup de grâce! Go, Spring Angler! Okeanos Frenzy!"

Through graceful maneuvers, Spring Angler crosses the distance between herself and Crystalzero, slashing it repeatedly with its blades, and generating an explosion that engulfed Glacia, sending her flying back before crashing into a wall, where she fell unconscious.

Glacia: 1000→0 LP

"Finally, that's over with." Blue Maiden said as Glacia was enveloped by blue light and disappeared. "More importantly, what about Sanctum? Is she still dueling Astro? Or maybe—"

Blue Maiden's next words were interrupted by a loud explosion from where she had left Sanctum.

"Sanctum!" she screamed. "I have to hurry!"

With her mind and heart consumed by concern and dread about the state of her comrade, Blue Maiden immediately began running back to the engine room, fervently hoping that her friend was safe…

Several minutes back, at Sanctum and Astro's duel…

"I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise!" Sanctum said. "Now, I draw until I have five cards in my hand, but I discard my entire hand in five turns." She drew, looked at them, then chose one. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: D.D.R - Different Dimension Reincarnation! By discarding one card from my hand, I can target and Special Summon one of my banished monsters from my banished zone. However, the equipped monster is destroyed if this card leaves my field. Return to the field, Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset!"

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

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

"That must be one of the cards I banished through Dark Matter Dragon's effect," Astro deduced.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Double Spell!" Sanctum continued. "By discarding a Spell Card, I can use the effects of a Spell Card in your Graveyard as Double Spell's effect. I discard Teleport and apply the effect of Upshift from your Graveyard to make Battle Fader's Level the same as Orange Sunset's!"

Battle Fader LVL: 1→6

"Two Level 6s?" Astro said in surprise. "That means-."

"I overlay the Level 6 Battle Fader and Mekk-Knight Orange Sunset!"

Sanctum brought her Duel Disk in front of her face and raised it above her head as it released a burst of golden energy that struck the sky. From where the bolt struck, the field changed into outer space, streams of golden energy floating in the air. Battle Fader and Orange Sunset broke apart and entered the dots. The ends of the cross lit up and fired beams, creating a miniature galaxy. The galaxy exploded with energy as a new monster formed within.

"Darken knight of the shadowy star of darkness!" Sanctum chanted. "With pure stars of the same life and devouring them, transform into the vengeful knight that consumes all enemies into the blackness of its blade! I Xyz Summon! Rank 0! Mekk-Knight Eclipse Supreme!"

A silver machine with shiny black with bladed bat-like wings wielding a long broadsword appeared on Sanctum's field in Attack Position. Two yellow lights circled it.

Mekk-Knight Eclipse Supreme ATK 3000 DEF 2500 RNK: 0 OU: 2

"Let's end this, Astro!" Sanctum exclaimed. "I activate the Spell Card: Riryoku! Through its effect, one monster on the field loses half of its attack points, and another monster gains them. I'll target my Eclipse Supreme and your Dark Matter Dragon!"

Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon ATK 4000→2000

Mekk-Knight Eclipse Supreme ATK 3000→5000

"Battle! Eclipse Supreme, attack Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon and end this! Disaster Eclipse Blade Break!"

"Tch!" Astro clicked his tongue in frustration as the Mekk-Knight Xyz Monster prepared its attack. "I… I have no choice. I activate the Trap Card: High Speed Aria! By sending one Spell Card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can apply its effect to this card! I send the Spell Card: Dragon King's Demise, which Tributes all Dragon monsters I control and inflicts damage to both players equal to the combined attack points of the Tributed monsters!"

Sanctum's eyes widened as Dark Matter Dragon exploded into particles that formed into and large ball of energy, generating a large explosion that engulfed both players, sending Astro to a knee and knocking Sanctum into a ruined wall that collapsed on top of her.

Sanctum: 150→0 LP

Astro: 450→0 LP

While lying on top of the rubble, the last thing Sanctum saw was Astro turning into particles and disappearing. After that, she lost consciousness.

A few minutes later...

Blue Maiden finally returned to the engine room and found it wrecked and abandoned. "Sanctum!" she called out. "Where are you?"

"I'm right here!" The girl blinked and turned her head to watch as some rubble shifted, revealing Sanctum. "Are you alright?"

"I feel I should be asking you that." Blue Maiden walked up to her teammate and looked her up and down with a frown. "I hate to say this, but you cannot duel or provide support in your condition. Your duel against Astro must have been more intense than you expected, so you should log out and take it easy for now."

"I was seen through, huh…." Sanctum let out a self-deprecating smile. "Very well, I'll log out. Just promise me you and the others will be careful and survive no matter what."

"Got it." And with that, Sanctum logged out, leaving Blue Maiden alone as she headed towards the stairway that led to the top floors…

OC Card Memo:

Glacia:

Hailstone Pelican

WATER/Winged Beast - Effect/4/1500/800

When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 level 4 or lower WATER Winged Beast-Type monster from your hand, except "Hailstone Pelican". If this card is used as Xyz Material for a WATER Xyz Monster, you can draw 1 card. You can only activate this effect of "Hailstone Pelican" once per turn.

Rose Sniper

Attribute: FIRE Type: [Plant/Synchro/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 2200 Level: 6

1 Plant-Type Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters

If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can target 1 Plant monster in your GY; inflict damage to your opponent equal to half of its ATK. If this card battles a Monster whose ATK is different than its original ATK: You can shuffle that monster into your opponent's Deck without applying damage calculation, and if you do, you can inflict damage to your opponent equal to half of that monster's original ATK. You can only use each effect of "Rose Sniper" once per turn.

Shining Rose Phoenix

Attribute: FIRE Type: [Winged-Beast/Synchro/Effect] ATK 2800 DEF 2400 Level: 8

1 Plant-Type Tuner + Black Rose Dragon

If this card is Special Summoned: You can destroy all monsters your opponent controls OR all Spell/Trap Cards they control. If this card you control is destroyed by your opponent's card (by battle or card effect) and sent to your Graveyard: You can Special Summon 1 "Rose Dragon" monster from your Deck or Extra Deck, ignoring its summoning conditions. You can only use each effect of "Shining Rose Phoenix" once per turn.

Gap Draw

Normal Spell Card

If your opponent controls more monsters than you, draw cards from your Deck equal to the difference.

Blue Maiden:

Marincess Spring Angler
Attribute: WATER Type: [Cyberse/Xyz/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 1400 Rank: 4
2 Level 4 "Marincess" monsters
If this card is Xyz Summoned: You can add 1 "Marincess" card from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Marincess Spring Angler" once per turn. You can detach 1 material from this card; banish 1 "Marincess" Link Monster from your GY, then this card gains ATK equal to the banished monster's Link Rating x 500, until the end of this turn. While a "Marincess" Link Monster points to this card, any battle damage this card inflicts to your opponent is doubled.

Marincess Pressure- Type: Normal Trap Card
Effect: If you control a "Marincess" monster: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls, or 2 instead if you control a Link-2 or higher "Marincess" monster; banish them. If you control a Link-3 or higher "Marincess" monster, you can activate this card from your hand. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation if you control two or more "Marincess" Link Monsters.

Glacia:

Hailstone Pelican

WATER/Winged Beast - Effect/4/1500/800

When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 level 4 or lower WATER Winged Beast-Type monster from your hand, except "Hailstone Pelican". If this card is used as Xyz Material for a WATER Xyz Monster, you can draw 1 card. You can only activate this effect of "Hailstone Pelican" once per turn.

Astro:

Tachyon Rotor

ATK: 1000, DEF: 500, LV: 4

Light/Dragon/Effect

Monster Effect: When this card is summoned successfully, you can check the top card of your Deck, and if it's a Level 4 or lower "Tachyon" monster, you can Special Summon it. Any other card is sent to the Graveyard.

Tachyon Mirror Knight

ATK: 0, DEF: 0, LV: 4

Light/Dragon/Effect

Monster Effect: When a "Tachyon" monster you control is destroyed by battle and sent to your Graveyard: You can discard this card; send 1 card from your hand or field to the Graveyard, and if you do, Special Summon that destroyed monster.

Tachyon Soldier

ATK: 2000, DEF: 0, LV: 5

Light/Dragon/Effect

Monster Effect: You can discard 1 card; Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position. When this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Tachyon" monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Tachyon Soldier" once per turn.

Tachyon Soldier

ATK: 2200, DEF: 1000, LV: 9

Dark/Dragon/Effect

Monster Effect: If you control a face-up Dragon-Type monster(s), you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). When you do: All face-up Dragon-Type monsters become Level 9.

Tachyon Spectral Baron

ATK: 2200, DEF: 1400, R: 4

Light/Dragon/Xyz/Effect

2 Level 4 "Tachyon" monsters

Monster Effect: Once during either player's turn, when this card is targeted for an attack or by a card effect, you can detach an Xyz Material from it; Special Summon a Spectral Token (LV: 1) with the same Attribute, Type, attack and defense as it, and have it become the target instead. That Token cannot declare an attack and its name becomes the same as this card's as long as it remains on the field. If this card is destroyed by battle, halve the damage you receive from that battle.

Tachyon Code Keeper

ATK: 2500, DEF: 1600, R: 4

Light/Dragon/Xyz/Effect

2 Level 4 "Tachyon" monsters

Monster Effect: As long as this card remains face-up on the field, other "Tachyon" Xyz Monsters you control are unaffected by your opponent's card effects during your Battle Phase. Once per turn, when a "Tachyon" Xyz Monster you control destroys an opponent's monster, you can detach an Xyz Material from this card to negate the destroyed monster's effects and attach it as an Xyz Material to the monster that destroyed it. This card gains 500 ATK upon activating this effect until the End Phase.

Tachyon Restart

Normal Spell Card

If you control no monsters, you can banish two "Tachyon" Xyz Monsters with the same Rank from your Graveyard to draw cards from your Deck until you have six.

And that was Chapter 30. As you can see, I gave Astro and Glacia Number cards. I had never considered using them until someone asked me if I planned to include them in the story. Before writing this Chapter, I already had the duels written out, but I figured it would be more interesting if Numbers were used in this fanfic. You'll have to keep reading this story for any questions regarding if more will show.

Regarding the duels featured here, Sanctum finally had her rematch with Astro, which ended in a draw. I plan to have them duel again, so stay tuned for that. As for Blue Maiden, she dueled Glacia and won but had some difficulty.

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

See you all next time!