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?

33. Recruiting Reinforcements

In LINK VRAINS at Kolter's private server...

Storm Rider and everyone logged into Kolter's private server, only to be surprised by its new appearance. It was reminiscent of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China and a canyon with large pillar-like formations of earth and rocks, forming a giant maze if you find yourself at the bottom. Waterfalls emerged from the pillars' tops, falling to the canyon's bottom and creating a network of rivers. On top of the pillars, on the other hand, amazing and breathtaking greenery decorated the location: rose trellises, trees, bushes, different types of flowers, and ponds with water leaves floating on them were present, but also artificial objects like small bridges that allowed a person to walk over the ponds or from one pillar to the other and small fountains further decorated the place. There were bees pollinating flowers, butterflies with vivid scales, and singing birds which made the server a fictional paradise, and in the distance, a sunrise illuminated everything. They had to admit this private server was beyond beautiful; it was God's work.

"I must admit, Kolter did a nice job redecorating this place," Sanctum commentated. "He sure does have a vivid imagination."

"I agree. Reminds me of a place my father took me on vacation to a few years back."

Sanctum and the others turned around upon hearing those words and directed their gaze forward, where they saw Pyrhha standing on the tallest pillar in the server, which consisted of a round and desolated top with grass at its edges, making it look like a field used for fighting. Two unknown individuals were standing next to her. The one on Pyrhha's left was a female of average height with fair skin, grey eyes and blonde curly hair with ends split into two long low-tails that reached her hips, tied together by black bows. She wore a slim dark red top with a ruffled black strip, a white crop jacket with a pink tie over her neck, dark red pants, and long white boots with black laces. She also wore white gloves on her hands and a black hat with a pink ribbon. The person on Pyrrha's right was also a female with red eyes, pale olive-green skin, and long navy-blue hair. She wore a thin teal coat lined with golden details, red in the middle and a white collar above it, gold arm bracelets with blue gems and a belt with her initial on it. She also wears tight brown pants and blue high-heeled boots with yellow tips.

After seeing Storm Rider and the others, Pyrhha and the two girls descended from the pillar. Pyrrha gave him a fist bump, who reciprocated it in response. "Great to see you again, Storm Rider!"

"Great to see you as well, Pyrrha." Storm Rider replied with a smile.

"So you're the great and amazing Storm Rider!" the girl in the dark red top with blonde hair said, going over and giving shaking Storm Rider's hand with extreme force.

"Hey, Ginger. Let him go, or else you'll make his arm go numb. Or worse, rip it off by accident," the girl in the teal coat with long navy-blue hair told her comrade, going over to Storm Rider and the others.

Following her friend's words, Ginger released Storm Rider and bowed. "I'm sorry for getting so carried away. It's just an honor to meet you."

"Don't sweat it." Storm Rider dismissively waved his hand. "If I heard correctly, your friend called you Ginger, right?" The girl nodded in response. Storm Rider turned to the other girl. "What's your name?"

"Na'amah," the girl answered. "And I must say, you're much cuter in person than in your pictures."

Storm Rider blushed in embarrassment. "Thanks. My mom always told me I got my looks from her. But enough about me." Storm Rider gestured over to his comrades. "I bet the two of you already know about Sanctum from her duel earlier today. So I'd like to introduce you to Playmaker, Soulburner, Blue Maiden and Roselyn. My squad, if you will."

"So you're the famous Playmaker in the flesh," Na'amah said, going over and shaking Playmaker's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Playmaker replied.

Na'amah turned to Soulburner. "And you must be Soulburner. The guy that's notoriously famous for his unique Reincarnation Link Summon technique."

"The one and only," Soulburner said with a smirk.

Ginger approached Blue Maiden and Roselyn. "I can't believe I'm meeting two of LINK VRAINS dueling queens!" she squealed excitedly. "If this is a dream, I never want to wake up!"

"Well, lucky for you, it isn't," Blue Maiden said with a chuckle.

"I know how you feel," Roselyn said. "I felt the same when I first joined the Top 10."

Pyrhha cleared her throat, getting the audience's attention. "Sorry, but if you guys don't mind, I want to get through this little initiation as fast as possible. Tonight's Taco Tuesday at my house, and that's something I don't want to be late for."

"I feel you there," Sanctum said. "When I was a kid, we had Fajita Friday. And we couldn't celebrate it one time because the grocery store had run out of the special seasoning the mom used."

"Same thing happened to me," Pyrrha stated. "But enough reminiscing of the past. If you don't mind, can I choose the duelist from your squad who will duel first?"

"Be our guest." Storm Rider said.

"Alright then. The one I choose is none other than Soulburner!"

"What!? Me!?" Soublurner shouted in shock.

"Yes, you," Pyrrha confirmed. "And there's no need for you to choose your opponent since the person you're going up against wants to duel you anyway."

"Do they now?" Soulburner said. Which of your two pals is the lucky one who gets to duel me?

"That would be me!" Ginger exclaimed as she stepped forward. "As for why I want to duel you, you'll see once our duel starts."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get started!" Soulburner said as he activated his Duel Disk. "Ready?"

"Always."

Ginger said as she also activated her Duel Disk. It was an old model like Soulburner and Playmaker's Duel Disks. It was a pink body with a purple circle and a dark blue side. It produced a yellow blade.

"Let's Duel!"

Soulburner: 4000 LP

Ginger: 4000 LP

"Ladies first!" Ginger declared, taking a card from her hand. "I summon Madolche Magileine!"

A small girl with purple hair wearing a purple dress with green patterns and a witch hat, holding a fork in her hand, appeared on Ginger's field in Attack Position. She was floating above a chocolate-covered sponge cake platform.

Madolche Magileine ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

Soulburner snickered. "A witch riding a utensil? No offense, but that monster of yours belongs on a cake, not the battlefield."

"Never underestimate the power of someone's Deck," Ginger said as she gestured to her monster. "Magileine's effect activates! When she's summoned, I can add a "Madolche" monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Madolche Messengelato to my hand. Then, I activate the Equip Spell Card: One-Shot Wand and equip it to Magileine!"

Magileine's fork transformed into a wand tipped with a crescent moon.

"Through its effect, the equipped monster's attack points are increased by 800!"

Madolche Magileine ATK 1400→2200

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

"It's my turn!" Soulburner announced. "I draw! First, I summon Salamangreat Falco!"

A blackbird with flaming wings appeared on Soulburner's field, letting out a powerful screech.

Salamangreat Falco ATK 1200 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

"I now blaze the circuit that scorches the path to the future!"

Fire erupted from Soulburner's hand, twirling before conjuring a Link Portal.

"Link Arrow authorized!" Soulburner declared. "The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster. I set Falco in the Link Arrow!"

Falco became a whirlwind of fire and entered the bottom arrow.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-1! Salamangreat Balelynx!"

A cat in red and white armor with a flaming tail appeared in the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Salamangreat Balelynx ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓

"Balelynx's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I add Salamangreat Sanctuary from my Deck to my hand." Soulburner took the card before continuing. "Since I performed a Link Summon this turn, I can Special Summon Salamangreat Mole!"

An armored mole with flaming front paws appeared at Baelynx's bottom Link Arrow in Defense Position.

Salamangreat Mole ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

Soulburner raised his hand as another Link Portal appeared. "I'll blaze my circuit once again! The summoning conditions are two Fire Effect Monsters. I set Mole and Balelynx in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters entered the top and bottom arrows.

"I Link Summon! Link-2! Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf!"

A stream of fire burst from the portal, revealing an anthropomorphic wolf covered from head to toe in grey and green armor, red eyes, sharp claws and fangs, and its torso burning with flames. The beast gave a loud howl as it entered the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf ATK 1800 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Since I Summoned a "Salamangreat" monster, I can Special Summon Salamangreat Fowl!"

A blue and green mechanical peacock with feathers made of fire appeared at Sunlight Wolf's bottom Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Salamangreat Fowl ATK 1800 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Sunlight Wolf's effect activates! When a monster is Special Summoned to its Link Arrow, I can add a Fire monster from my Graveyard to my hand, but I cannot Normal Summon, Set, or Special Summon any monsters with that monster's name. I add Salamangreat Falco to my hand. Soulburner raised his hand again. "For a third time, I'll blaze my circuit! The summoning conditions are two or more Fire Effect Monsters. I set Mole and Link-2 Sunlight Wolf in the Link Arrows!"

Soulburner's monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Link-3! Salamangreat Heatleo!"

A large anthropomorphic lion covered in orange armor with wings emerged from the portal and roared from the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Salamangreat Heatleo ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"Soulburner's ace has arrived," Na'amah noted. "He sure isn't wasting any time."

"Heatleo's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, one card in your Spell & Trap Zone is shuffled into your Deck!" Ginger's eyes narrowed. "I choose your One-Shot Wand! Resounding Roar!"

"Not so fast!" Ginger interjected. "I activate the Trap Card: Card of Pandora! When you target a card in my Spell & Trap Zone with an effect, that effect now targets Card of Pandora instead!"

The Trap Card glowed with an eerie color, forcing Heatleo to fire a soundwave at it, turning it into particles.

"Then I get to draw two cards!"

As Ginger drew, Soulburner smirked. "You think you've stopped one of the methods I can use to clear your back row? Think again! I activate the Field Spell Card: Salamangreat Sanctuary!" A large pink magic circle with white light in the center appeared above Soulburner's field. Embers started falling on the field. "Sanctuary's effect lets me Link Summon a "Salamangreat" Link Monster by using a monster with the same name as Link Material!"

"I don't think so!" Ginger exclaimed. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Cursed Seal of the Forbidden Spell! Now, by discarding one Spell Card from my hand, I can negate the activation of your Spell Card and destroy it!"

After discarding a card, The Spell Card shattered, and the large pink circle in the sky vanished.

Ginger narrowed her eyes at Soulburner, smiling. "Furthermore, you can no longer use the Spell Card destroyed through Cursed Seal's effect for the rest of the duel!"

Soulburner stared at her, completely frozen in shock. He blinked, "Wait, I can't use Salamangreat Sanctuary anymore!?"

"I'm afraid not," Ginger answered with a smirk. "Which means you can't Reincarnation Link Summon. And since I discarded Cards of Compensation through Cursed Seal, its effect activates, letting me draw two cards."

"Impressive," Sanctum commented. "Ginger not only stopped Heatleo's effect. She also locked Soulburner out from using his Deck's main specialty."

"Does that mean Soulburner's going to end up losing?" Roselyn asked.

"It's still too early to tell," Storm Rider said.

"Storm Rider's right," Playmaker agreed. "Just because the main core of Soulburner's dueling has been taken away doesn't mean he's lost."

"If anything, it makes him even more determined to win," Blue Maiden stated.

Pyrrha chuckled. "It's nice to see you haven't lost faith in your friend. Let's see if words end up being true or not."

Soulburner glared at Ginger and then smirked. "Very clever," she said. "A card like Cursed Seal of the Forbidden Spell would cripple someone who uses a Deck that relies on Spells, especially if its user was a lesser duelist. But…" His eyes narrowed. "We're both aware that I'm not a lesser duelist. Battle! Heatleo attacks Madolche Magileine! Inferno Strike!"

Flames covered Heatleo's body as it spun and charged at the small witch, destroying it.

Ginger: 4000→3900 LP

"Since my monster was equipped with One-Shot Wand when attacked, I get to draw a card!" Ginger stated as she drew. "Furthermore, Madolche Magileine's effect activates from the Graveyard! I can shuffle her back into my Deck whenever she's destroyed by battle or a card effect. And just a heads up, all Madolche monsters share this effect."

"Interesting." Blue Maiden mused. "So, she can continually reuse her monsters without fear of running out of cards."

"Which makes it harder for Soulburner to get rid of them," Sanctum added.

Soulburner narrowed his eyes and frowned. "Since I can do nothing else, I have no choice but to end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" Ginger announced. "I draw! First, I summon Madolche Mewfeuille!"

A pink stuffed kitten doll with blue eyes and wore a purple vest. It sat on layers of vanilla custard pastries, shaped like a puzzle piece.

Madolche Mewfeuille ATK 500 DEF 300 LVL: 3

"Then the effect of my sweet little kitty activates!" Ginger continued. "When summoned, I can Special Summon a "Madolche" monster from my hand. Come, Madolche Messengelato!"

A postman with turquoise-colored hair and fair skin, wearing a brown suit under a Bordeaux-colored jacket and having a green bag over his shoulder filled with letters, appeared next to Mewfuille following Ginger's words. He was standing on a puzzle piece made from an ice cream sandwich with a mailbox beside him.

Madolche Messengelato ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"When Special Summoned while I control a Beast-type "Madolche" monster, I can activate Messengelato's effect," Ginger said. "I add one "Madolche" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I add and activate the Continuous Spell Card: Madolche Ticket! For what it does, you'll find out soon enough. Now, be prepared! Time for me to sweeten up my circuit!"

At Ginger's declaration, a Link Portal appeared above her.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two "Madolche" monsters!" she shouted. "I set Mewfeuille and Messengelato in the Link Arrows!"

Her two monsters turned into twisters of various sweets and entered the Link Portal, causing the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows to light up.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Madolche Fresh Sistart!"

Emerging from the Link Portal was a young girl wearing a dress reminiscent of a nun. She gave a gentle smile and a bow with her head, standing in the Extra Monster Zone on her user's right.

Madolche Fresh Sistart ATK 1500 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Now, how about we liven up things a bit?" Ginger said with a grin. "Now, while the scenery around us is beautiful, I have a better one in mind." She took a card from her hand. "Time for a little redecorating. Now everyone, feast your eyes as I activate the Field Spell Card: Madolche Chateau!"

After she played the card, the world surrounding them changed. Walls made out of biscuits formed around them, the ground turned into bread, and the spectators found themselves sitting in chairs made of chocolate. Soulburner and Ginger were also sitting in chairs made of chocolate but with a chocolate table between them. The cards are laid out on a table, resembling a game before Duel Disks, though the monsters still appeared, albeit more tabletop-friendly in size.

"Worry not - this should not dirty your clothes," Ginger said. "But the tea they serve here is delicious, if a bit imaginary."

As if on cue, two people, a man and a woman, entered the room everyone was in. The man handed everyone a teacup, then filled it with tea. The woman then handed everyone a piece of cake.

"Please enjoy," the two servants said, disappearing into the door.

Soulburner and his comrades were left wide-eyed at the development while Ginger, Na'amah and Pyrrha sipped their tea.

After drinking a bit, Ginger narrowed her eyes at Soulburner and his friends. "What are you two waiting for? Take a bite already, and we'll continue with the duel."

"Is this… real?" Blue Maiden said out loud, picking up the teacup from her table and drinking from it. "It is!"

Roselyn followed her teammate's example, taking a bite of her cake. "But how is this possible…?" she asked, taking another bite.

"This may surprise all of you, but my Father was involved in developing the Duel Disks we use today, which can make solid holograms with tangible physical attributes, like smell and taste, though they disappear after turning it off," Ginger explained, causing Soulburner's and his friends to widen in shock. "It also lets us play at a table like this, virtually simulating the cards and the Deck so you can take off your Duel Disk." She then noticed that her explanations were probably for nothing, as some people were too busy delighting themselves with the sweets. "Um…"

"Don't worry, we-" Sanctum stopped mid-sentence, reassessing what she was about to say. "I heard you."

"Uh, Sanctum…?" Playmaker said.

Sanctum turned and saw Storm Rider eating a big chunk of the floor. She pulled him by the ear and sat him back in his chair. He rubbed his head in embarrassment.

"Sorry about our attitude," he apologized. "Both earlier and in this instant."

Ginger giggled. "It's okay. It's okay." She narrowed her eyes at Soulburner. If you're ready, may we continue the duel?"

Soulburner nodded as he quickly finished his cake and tea. "Of course!" he said on instinct. "Let's continue!"

Ginger smiled. "You got it! First, when Madolche Chateau is activated, it lets me shuffle all "Madolche" monsters in my Graveyard into my Deck," she explained, shuffling Mewfeuille and Messengelato from the Graveyard to her Deck. "And at this moment, Ticket's effect activates! When a "Madolche" card or cards are returned from my field or Graveyard into my Deck or hand while I control a Fairy-type "Madolche" monster, I can Special Summon one "Madolche" monster from my Deck in Attack Position! Appear, Madolche Cruffssant!"

Appearing on Ginger's field was a cute plush dog with small brown eyes, brown and vanilla fur, and wearing a small hat and bell around its neck appeared on her field, giving an adorable bark.

Madolche Cruffssant ATK 1500 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

Soulburner narrowed his eyes. "So this is her Deck's specialty."

"Since I have no monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card from my hand! " Ginger said as she held up a card. "Appear, Madolche Petingcessoeur!"

Following her words, a young girl with fair skin, blonde hair, round eyes, and wearing an elegant dress appeared. She stood on a puzzle piece made of crem brulee with mounds of different puddings on top.

Madolche Pettingcessoeur ATK 1400 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"When Special Summoned, Petingcessoeur's effect activates!" Ginger continued. "I can Special Summon another "Madolche" monster from my hand or Deck and lower its Level by one! From my Deck, I Special Summon Madolche Puddingcess!"

Appearing next to Pettingcessoeur was a woman that looked like a grown-up version of her. She wore a tiara with a red ribbon tied around her waist and a brown and white dress decorated like a cake with curly blond hair. She stood on a pudding puzzle piece with piles of different sizes nearby.

Madolche Puddingcess ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 5→4

"Moving on, I activate Cruffssant's effect!" Ginger declared. "Once per turn, I can target one other "Madolche" card I control and return to my hand. In return, I raise Cruffssant's Level by one and its attack points by 300! Return, Petingcessoeur!"

The plush dog gave another bark, prompting the said monster to pet it with an 'Aww...' before she vanished from the field.

Madolche Cruffssant ATK 1500→1800 LVL: 3→4

"With that card back in her hand, she can Special Summon it again next turn," Soulburner muttered.

Ginger gestured to her field. "Now I overlay the Level 4 Cruffssant and Puddingcess!"

Following Ginger's declaration, a bolt of orange light erupted from her Duel Disk and shot behind her, conjuring an X-shaped portal with four red points at its sides.

"An Xyz Summon...?" Storm Rider narrowed his eyes.

"With these two Monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Ginger shouted as her monsters exploded in orange particles and entered the red points on the left and right, causing them to glow. A red circle appeared behind the X, firing four beams from its edges that opened a swirling galaxy portal.

"Mind filled with great sapience! Appear before us as a holy guide! I Xyz Summon!"

The galaxy exploded after the chant, and a stream of DNA appeared before breaking apart and taking the form of a monster.

"Come, Rank 4! Madolche Teacher Glassouffle!"

Emerging onto Ginger's field was a young woman with fair skin, tied-up green hair, and an elegant green dress. Upon entering the field under Fresh Sistart's Bottom-Left Marker, she giggled loudly, and two Overlay Units circled behind her.

Madolche Teacher Glassouffle ATK 1800 DEF 2500 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"So she can Link Summon and Xyz Summon," Sanctum said with a smile. "Impressive. Let's see how Soulburner responds."

"Due to Fresh Sistart's effect, since there's a "Madolche" monster next to a zone it points to, "Madolche" Spell and Trap Cards I control cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects," Ginger revealed. "Moreover, due to Madolche Chateau, all "Madolche" monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points!"

Madolche Fresh Sistart ATK 1500→2000

Madolche Teacher Glassouffle ATK 1800→2300 DEF 2500→3000

"Not bad," Soulburner said. "But your monsters aren't strong enough to destroy Heatleo."

"Then why don't I change that?" Ginger replied. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Glass Slippers and equip it to Heatleo!"

Soulburner gasped as a pair of glass slippers appeared on Heatleo's feet. "But why equip to my monster?"

"Simple. These slippers curse the wearer," Ginger said with a wicked smile. "While equipped to a non-Fairy monster, that monster loses 1000 attack points and is prevented from attacking."

Salamangreat Heatleo ATK 2300→1300

"Battle!" Ginger exclaimed. "Glassouffle, attack Salamangreat Heatleo!"

The Xyz Monster formed a pretzel-like spear in her hands and launched it at Heatleo.

"My Heatleo won't be destroyed that easily!" Soulburner declared. "I activate Salamangreat Balelynx's effect from my Graveyard! If a "Salamangreat" card would be destroyed, I can banish Balelynx instead!"

The spare pierced Heatleo in the chest. And while it wasn't destroyed, the backlash from the attack caused Soulburner to grunt in pain.

Soulburner: 4000→3000 LP

"In that case, I'll have Fresh Sistart attack Heatleo!"

The Madolche Link Monster conjured a flour storm, which engulfed Heatleo and destroyed it, with Soulburner being sent skidding back due to the force of the winds.

Soulburner: 3000→2300 LP

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Ginger concluded. "Not bad, eh, Soulburner?"

"Not bad at all." Soulburner smiled. "That's why I have to do my best not to fall behind. It's my turn! I draw!"

"At this moment, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Summon Limit!" Ginger declared. "As long as this card is active, neither player can summon more than two times per turn!"

"This means most of Soulburner's moves have been restricted," Playmaker remarked as he turned to Pyrrha. "Your friend has surely done her homework."

Pyrrha nodded in confirmation. "That's exactly why I had these two duel each other. Their Decks and strategies are nearly identical, making it easy for them to figure out what others think."

"That may be true," Roselyn said. "But it looks like Soulburner's having more difficulty than his opponent."

"Which is why Pyrhha pitted them against each other in the first place," Storm Rider stated. "She wants to see if Soulburner can make a comeback after being countered many times."

Soulburner checked his cards as he pondered his next move.

Ginger sure isn't messing around. She's the female counterpart of me, except for the fact she doesn't use a Fire Deck. Regardless, I'll always find a way out, no matter how often she puts me in a bind. Time to go to work…

"I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity! I draw three cards, then send two to the Graveyard!"

He sent Salamangreat Spinny and Cards of Compensation to the Graveyard.

"Then," Soulburner continued. "Since I sent Cards of Compensation to the Graveyard, I can draw two extra cards!"

He looked at his cards and smiled. Perfect.

"I activate the Spell Card: Ritual Forgone! By paying 1000 Life Points, I can Special Summon one Ritual monster from my hand. In exchange, it can't attack, and it's destroyed at the end of my turn. Come on out, Salamangreat Emerald Eagle!"

A dark aura surrounded Soulburner and made him wince as a large green and silver mechanical bird appeared on his field in Attack Position.

Soulburner: 2300→1300 LP

Salamangreat Emerald Eagle ATK 2800 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"A Ritual monster without a Ritual Spell?" Ginger mused.

"And it doesn't end there. I activate the Spell Card Pre-Preparation of Rites, which allows me to add a Ritual Monster and its corresponding Ritual Card from my Deck to my hand!" Soulburner stated as he took two cards from his Deck. "I add the Ritual Spell Card: Rise of the Salamangreat and another copy of Salamangreat Emerald Eagle from my Deck to my hand! Then, I activate Rise of the Salamangreat, Tributing the Emerald Eagle on my field to Ritual Summon!"

A dark pink magic circle appeared on the ground in front of Soulburner. Eight flames materialized around the circle's edges as Emerald Eagle turned into red particles that entered the circle's center, glowing with red energy. The flames then merged and formed a ring of fire.

"Jade eagle flying over the valley of flame, embrace the flames of rebirth, and emerge as a creature of emerald fire!" Soulburner chanted. "Reincarnation Ritual Summon! Descend, Level 8! Salamangreat Emerald Eagle!"

Another copy of Emerald Eagle appeared on Soulburner's field. However, he had a much more radiant jade plumage, flaring with green flames and sharper features such as its beak and blade features.

Salamangreat Emerald Eagle ATK 2800 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"Emerald Eagle's effect activates!" Soulburner declared. "When this card is Ritual Summoned using Salamangreat Emerald Eagle, I can destroy all monsters on my opponent's field!"

Ginger blinked. "What?"

"Go, Emerald Eagle! Emerald Overload!"

"I'm sorry, but I won't let things go as you wish," Ginger stated. "I activate Glassouffle's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can have a "Madolche" monster I control be unaffected by monster effects. I select Glassouffle herself! Furthermore, I activate Fresh Sistart's effect! By shuffling a "Madolche" monster from my Graveyard back into my Deck, I can prevent it from being destroyed!"

Madolche Teacher Glassouffle OU: 2→1

"You're not making this easy for me." Soulburner let out a small smile. "Then, how about this? I activate the Trap Card: Absolute Buster! Thanks to it, any effects that negate an attack or prevent a card from being destroyed are negated!" Ginger gasped. "Your Xyz Monster might escape Emerald Eagle's flames, but your Link Monster is a different story!"

Emerald Eagle released tremendous prominence from his fiery feathers that rained down upon Ginger's field, swamping it in a sea of fire. While a semi-transparent barrier shielded Teacher Glassouffle from the flames, Fresh Sistart was unluckily engulfed by them and was destroyed.

"Don't get too laid back!" Ginger stated. "At this moment, I activate Teacher Glassoufle's second effect! Once per turn, whenever a "Madolche" card is sent to the, I can shuffle up to two cards from the Graveyards into their owner's Decks. I shuffle Fresh Sistart and Puddingcess back into my Deck!"

Soulburner narrowed his eyes as his opponent returned the two designated cards to her Deck. "In addition, Madolce Ticket's effect activates! Since a "Madolche" card was returned to my Deck via a card effect, I can either add a "Madolche" monster from my Deck to my hand or Special Summon it. I choose the latter and Special Summon Madolche Hootcakes in Defense Position!"

A magenta owl wearing glasses, wearing a blue uniform with white on the inside, and a hat made of cake appeared on Ginger's field. It was perched on a small tree where smaller owls watched the larger one. They were all on top of a brown and white striped puzzle piece made of hotcakes.

Madolche Hootcakes ATK 1500→2000 DEF 1100→1600 LVL: 3

Soulburner ignored his opponent's play and continued with his turn. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Salamandra and equip it to Emerald Eagle! While equipped with Salamandra, Emerald Eagle's attack points increase by 700!"

Salamangreat Emerald Eagle ATK 2800→3500

"Battle! Emerald Eagle attacks Teacher Glassouffle! Emerald Flames!"

Emerald Eagle was enveloped in fire and charged Glassouffle, destroying it in an explosion and making Ginger cry in pain.

Ginger: 3900→2700 LP

"It looks like I can't do anything else for this turn…." Soulburner begrudgingly admitted. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Ginger announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Magic Planter, destroying Summon Limit to draw two cards. Then, I activate Madolche Hootcake's effect! By banishing a monster from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a "Madolche" monster from my Deck. I banish Teacher Glassouffle to Special Summon a second Messengelato!"

Hootcake flew up, summoning a stream of chocolate that drizzled down like rain, quickly flooding the area. From the chocolaty puddle rose a waffle-shaped puzzle piece with Messengelato standing on it.

Madolche Messengelato ATK 1600→2100 DEF 1000→1500 LVL: 4

"Due to Messengelato's effect, I can add a "Madolche" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand!" Ginger continued as she took a card from her Deck. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Monster Slots! With this card, by targeting the Level 3 Madolche Hootcake and banishing the Level 3 Madolche Cruffsant from my Graveyard, I can draw a card, and if it's also a Level 3 monster, I can Special Summon it."

A goblin-like slot machine appeared, projecting three images, two of which were Hootcake and Cruffsant. The other one rapidly changes to all sorts of cards in Ginger's Deck.

"C'mon, mama needs a Level 3 monster!" Ginger begged as she placed her hand on her Deck. "I draw!"

Ginger drew as the slot machine stopped on…

Madolche Baaple.

"Yeah!" Ginger cheered. "I Special Summon the Level 3 Madolche Baaple!"

A sheep with orange cream horns with purple sprinkles on one and vanilla cream for its body and fur appeared next to Hootcake. It stood on a puzzle piece made of pancake that was covered in syrup.

Madolche Baaple ATK 0→500 DEF 1800→2300 LVL: 3

"Two Level 3s…." Roselyn muttered. "That means an Xyz Monster is coming."

"I overlay my Level 3 Hootcake and Baaple!"

A bolt of crimson energy shot out of Ginger's Duel Disk, creating the Xyz cross behind her.

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

Her monsters disintegrated into data and entered the red dots. The ends fired beams and created a galaxy of energy.

"I Xyz Summon! Rise, Rank 3! M-X-Saber Invoker!"

A humanoid male in dark brown armor covered with magical runes, wielding a scimitar, appeared in Attack Position. He also wore a horned helmet, a scarlet cape, and large, red-colored shoulder epaulets. Two orange lights orbited him.

M-X-Saber Invoker ATK 1600 DEF 500 RNK: 3 OU: 2

"I activate Invoker's effect!" Ginger declared. "By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can Special Summon a Level 4 Earth Warrior or Beast-Warrior monster from my Deck. I Special Summon Madolche Chouxvalier!"

M-X-Saber Invoker OU: 2→1

A young boy with spiky blond hair appeared on Ginger's field. His attire was black ship captain attire with a red feather on the cap and piano designs on the seams of his coat, white jeans, and black boots. He rode a white horse doll with lime-green hair and hooves. In his right hand was a candy cane sword. Below them was a chocolate sandwich cookie with cream filling shaped like a puzzle piece.

Madolche Chouxvalier ATK 1700→2200 DEF 1300→1800 LVL: 4

Sanctum narrowed her eyes at Messengelto and Chouxvalier. "Those monsters-!"

"Are both Level 4!" Soulburner announced, his eyes wide.

Ginger smirked as she gestured to her field "I overlay Level 4 Madolche Messengelato and Madolche Chouxvalier!"

A bolt of orange lightning was released from Ginger's Duel Disk, striking the sky and creating the Xyz cross. Both monsters disintegrated into data bits 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 monster formed within it.

"Mind filled with great potential!" Ginger chanted. "Become our mighty ruler! I Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Madolche Queen Tiaramisu!"

A young woman with fair skin, silver hair with a crown on the top of her head, and a royal brown and orange dress. She held a scepter tightly in her left hand. She sat on a throne perched on a puzzle piece made out of tiramisu. Two Overlay Units circled behind her.

Madolche Queen Tiaramisu 2200→2700 DEF 2100→2600 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"She Xyz Summoned two monsters in a single turn," Blue Maiden noted.

"I must say that's impressive," Storm Rider said. He turned to Pyrrha and Na'amah. "Am I right to assume that monster she brought out is the ace of her Deck?"

"You could say that," Na'amah replied with a small smirk.

"What my friend is trying to say is that Queen Tiaramisu used to be Ginger's ace," Pyrrha revealed. "But it was replaced by a new card released recently." She narrowed her eyes toward the duel. "If Soulburner survives this turn, you might get to see it."

Ginger gestured to Tiaramisu. "I activate Tiaramisu's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can return up to two "Madolche" cards from my Graveyard to my Deck, target the same number of monsters on your field, and shuffle them into your Deck! I will return Messengelato and Hootcake to the Deck and Emerald Eagle to yours!"

Madolche Queen Tiaramisu OU: 2→1

"Before that, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Salamangreat Tail!" Soulburner exclaimed. "Thanks to its effect, by targeting Emerald Eagle, it gains attack points equal to its defense points, and I gain Life Points equal to its defense points!"

Following Soulburner's words, he and Emerald Eagle were surrounded by fiery auras.

Salamangreat Emerald Eagle ATK 3500→5500

Soulburner: 1300→3300 LP

"That doesn't matter one bit," Ginger said. "Your monster's still a goner! Go, Majestic Unravel!

Tiaramisu aimed her staff at Soulburner's monster and fired the energy from the embedded crystals, enveloping Emerald Eagle in a rainbow aura and causing it to vanish from the field.

"Now, it's time for battle!" Ginger exclaimed. "M-X-Saber Invoker, attack Soulburner directly!"

"When I'm about to receive a direct attack, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" Soulburner announced. "Come, Salamangreat Parro!"

A parrot with sharp blue wings, a long, yellow tail with red and blue feathers on the sides and a flaming forehead appeared on Soulburner's field in Attack Position.

Salamangreat Parro ATK 2000 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"And when Parro is Special Summoned, I can target one "Salamangreat" monster in my Graveyard and make its attack points become that targeted monster's attack points." Soulburner continued. "I target Emerald Eagle in my Graveyard, who has 2800 attack points. That means Parro's attack points become 2800!"

Salamangreat Parro ATK 2000→2800

"Now Soulburner has the stronger monster!"'

"Not for long, he doesn't," Ginger corrected. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Half Shut! It lets me halve the attack points of your monster until the End Phase. However, it can't be destroyed this turn."

Salamangreat Parro ATK 2800→1400

Invoker swung its sword downwards, pushing Parro and Soulburner back a meter.

Soulburner: 3300→3100 LP

"Next up is Queen Tiaramisu!" Ginger stated. "Attack his Salamangreat Parro once more! Candy Blast!"

A multi-colored blast of energy was fired from Tiaramisu's staff and enveloped Parro, which wasn't destroyed due to Half Shut's effect. However, Soulburner was pushed back once more due to the shockwave.

Soulburner: 3100→1800 LP

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Ginger concluded. "Which means Salamangreat Parro's attack points revert to normal."

Salamangreat Parro ATK 1400→2800

"Even though Ginger was set to inflict quite a bit of damage on Soulburner and end the duel on this turn, he was able to increase his Life Points and reduce the damage dealt to him," Sanctum remarked. "Pyrrha sure wasn't kidding when she said this would be a difficult due for him."

"My turn!" Soulburner announced. "I draw!" He looked at his card and smirked. "Allow me to repay you with interest for the damage you inflicted on me. I activate the Spell Card: Foresight Draw! Through its effect, I can draw five cards from my Deck, provided that I guess what type of card the top card of my Deck is. If I guess wrong, I must send five cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard and skip my next Draw Phase. I predict that my top card is a Monster." Now, let's see if I was correct. I draw!"

Soulburner drew a card from his Deck—and grinned as he showed it to Ginger.

"I guessed correctly. My top card was Salamangreat Gazelle, meaning I can draw five cards from my Deck."

"Yes! With those cards, Soulburner can prepare himself for what's to come!" Roselyn exclaimed, with Playmaker also smiling at the same time.

"This is certainly looking good for Soulburner. If he plays this right, he can make a massive comeback this turn." Blue Maiden commented.

"Given how strong of a duelist Soulburner is, I do not doubt that he will succeed." Storm Rider said.

"I activate the effect of Salamangreat Meer from my hand!" Soulburner continued. "Since it was added to my hand, except by drawing it, I can Special Summon it from my hand to my field!"

A small orange, red, and black meercat appeared on Soulburner's field.

Salamangreat Meer ATK 800 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"Following that, I activate the effect of Salamangreat Beat Bison in my hand! When I have three or more "Salamangreat" monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card to my field!"

A large, red, light-purple armored buffalo with golden horns and flames all over its body appeared on Soulburner's field in Defense Position.

Salamangreat Beat Bison ATK 2800 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"And you know how they say "three's a crowd," How about don't we change that?" Soulburner said. "I summon Salamangreat Gazelle!"

A white-and-black metal gazelle with flames on its back appeared in Attack Position.

Salamangreat Gazelle ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Gazelle's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can send a "Salamangreat" card from my Deck to the Graveyard." Soulburner took a card from his Deck and placed it in the Graveyard. "I now blaze the circuit that changes the future!''

A Link Portal appeared above Soulburner.

"Link Arrows Authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more Fire Effect Monsters. I set Salamangreat Meer, Gazelle, Parro, and Beast Bison in the Link Arrows!''

His monsters entered the left, top, bottom, and right Link Arrows.

"Link the Circuit!'" Soulburner shouts as the Link Portal glows and a figure burns through it. ''I Link Summon! Blazing flames of rebirth! Link 4! Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix!"

A humanoid, red-crimson creature resembling a phoenix appeared on Soulburner's field.

Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix ATK 2800 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"Link-4?" Ginger muttered. "So this must be his true ace monster."

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Salamangreat Shrine!" Soulburner continued. "With this card, I can use a "Salamangreat" Link Monster I control to Link Summon a 'Salamangreat' Link Monster with the same name!"

"What?" Ginger gasped. "Another Field Spell that allows you to Reincarnation Link Summoning?"

Pyro Phoenix burst into flames and entered a magic circle that appeared in the sky. The circle exploded with fire.

"Pyro Phoenix! Let the flames engulf your body! Cause from its ashes, you will be reborn! Super Reincarnation Link Summon! Soar, Link-4! Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix!"

Once more appearing is Pyro Phoenix, only now it has majestic blue fiery twin bird-like wings, burning hotter and brighter.

Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix ATK 2800 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"Looks like Soulburner's decided to take his game to the next level," Pyrrha commentated.

"Pyro Phoenix's Reincarnation effect activates!" Soulburner declared. "All cards on your field are destroyed!"

"Before you do that, I'll activate my face-down card!" Ginger exclaimed. "Due to my Trap Card: Damage Diet's effect, I can halve all damage I take this turn!"

Pyro Phoenix spreads its arms and wings and unleashes a destructive burst of flames upon Ginger's field, destroying all her cards. Suddenly, the area around them reverted to normal.

"Battle! Pyro Phoenix attacks you directly! Phoenix Finisher!"

Pyro Phoenix charged a flame ball in its hands and launched it at Ginger. An explosion enveloped her body and caused her to cry out in pain.

Ginger: 2700→1300 LP

"That was close…." Na'amah let out a sigh of relief. "If it weren't for Damage Diet, Ginger would have probably lost. It's a shame that her field is empty now…."

"Not entirely true," Pyrrha said. "As long as Ginger has Life Points, she's still in this. Soulburner knows that well, which is why he tried to end things. Shame it didn't work out for him."

"Nothing else I can do for now…." Soulburner muttered. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" Ginger announced. "I draw!"

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: DNA Transplant!" Soulburner declared. "This card changes the Attributes of all monsters on the field to what I declare! I declare Fire!"

Ginger raised an eyebrow. What was the point of that? she wondered.

"If you're confused about why I made such a move, let me dumb it down for you," Soulburner said. "As long as Salamangret Shrine's on the field, all "Salamangreat" monsters I control are unaffected by my opponent's Fire monsters' effects."

"What?" Ginger gasped.

"Most impressive," Pyrrha commented with a smile. "By making her monsters the same Attribute as his, Soulburner prevented Ginger from potentially using Queen Tiaramisu's effect should she bring it out."

"If you think your little move is enough to hinder me, then you're sorely underestimating me." Ginger let out a sly smile. "Besides, I've already devised a plan to destroy your Monster. First, I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise, whose effect allows me to draw five cards from my Deck. Then, I summon Madolche Petingcessoeur!"

The young blonde-haired girl in an elegant dress reappeared.

Madolche Pettingcessoeur ATK 1400 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"From there, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Madolche Salon! With this card, I can Normal Summon one "Madolche" monster in addition to my Normal Summon. I summon Madolche Butlerlusk!"

A small male figure wearing a black colored suit and holding a teacup appeared on Ginger's field. He was standing on a waffle platform that was buttered.

Madolche Butlerlusk ATK 1500 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Butlerusk's effect activates!" Ginger continued. "Since I controlled another "Madolche" monster when this card was summoned, I can add a Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I choose a second copy of Madolche Chateau, which I'll activate immediately!"

Butlerusk extracted a notebook from its suit, which he opened to reveal the mentioned Field Spell. It glowed brightly and vanished, causing the area to take the card's art.

"Due to Chateau's effect, when activated, I have to shuffle all "Madolche" monsters from my Graveyard into the Deck," Ginger explained, doing just that. "And with its second effect, all "Madolche" monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points!"

Madolche Pettingcessoeur ATK 1400→1900 DEF 1400→1900

Madolche Butlerlusk ATK 1500→2000 DEF 800→1300

"Now, with my Level 4 Madolche Pettingcessoeur and Madolche Butlerusk, I build the Overlay Network!"

The bolt of orange energy burst out, creating the blue "X". Her monsters disintegrated into blue data and entered the red dots. The ends of the "X" fired beams and created the exploding galaxy.

"I Xyz Summon! Appear once more! Rank 4! Madolche Queen Tiaramisu!"

The mighty queen reappeared in Attack Position with two Overlay Units circled behind her.

Madolche Queen Tiaramisu ATK 2200→2700 DEF 2100→2600 RNK: 4 OU: 2

Ginger gestured to her field. "I activate a Monster Effect from my Extra Deck, targeting the Rank 4 Madolche Queen Tiaramisu for it! Using that single target, I rebuild the Overlay Network!" she exclaimed, shocking Soulburner while his allies' eyes widened. The X-shaped portal reappeared and created a swirling galaxy portal.

"Mind filled with developed potential and newfound power! Become a roar that breaks your kingdom's sadness! Go, Rank-Up Xyz Evolution!"

The galaxy exploded after the chant, and a stream of DNA appeared before breaking apart and taking the form of her Xyz Monster.

"Appear, Rank 5! Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon!"

Appearing on Ginger's field was a long-necked, four-pedal dragon with brown scales and long eyelashes, signaling it was a female, with two wide wings decorated with tied ribbons, short silver hair, and wearing orange clothing over its back reminiscent of Madolche Queen Tiaramisu's dress. The dragon stood with its head raised high and ready to battle.

Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon ATK 2500→3000 DEF 1800→2300 RNK: 5 OU: 3

"Rank-Up without a Rank-Up-Magic?" Roselyn gasped. "And 3000 attack points?"

Blue Maiden gritted her teeth. "This doesn't bode well for Soulburner."

"You performed a Rank-Up without using a Spell Card?" Soulburner tilted his head to the side slightly. "I wasn't expecting that. But do you think your new monster is enough to win you this duel?"

"I guess we'll find out soon enough, won't we?" Ginger stated. "I activate Tiaramisu Dragon's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can shuffle two "Madolche" cards from my Graveyard into the Deck and shuffle one card from my opponent's field or Graveyard to their Deck, or two if Tiaramisu Dragon has Queen Tiaramisu attached to it as an Overlay Unit!"

Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon OU: 3→2

"I shuffle Madolche Petingcessoeur and Madolche Ticket into my Deck to use my dragon's effect!" Ginger exclaimed. "But I activate Madolche Chateau's other effect, returning Petingcessoeur to my hand instead of shuffling it into the Deck. Begone, DNA Transplant and Salamangreat Shrine!"

Tiaramisu Dragon blasted a ray of golden energy from its mouth, striking Soulburner's Duel Disk and making it glow as the mentioned cards flew into his Deck before it auto-shuffled.

"Moving on, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Xyz Unit! Tiaramisu Dragon now gains 200 attack points multiplied by its Rank! Since its Rank is 5, it gains 1000 attack points!"

Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon ATK 3000→4000

"Now, let's battle! Tiaramisu Dragon, attack Pyro Phoenix! Sweet Puissance!"

Her dragon unleashed another ray of golden energy from its mouth, piercing Pyro Phoenix's body and causing it to explode, sending Soulburner tumbling back as he cried out in pain.

Soulburner: 1800→600 LP

"With the destruction of your final trump card, I've got you right where I want you. I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"I don't remember ever mentioning that Pyro Phoenix was my final trump card," Soulburner stated. "I guess everything depends on this draw. Come on, Deck, give me something I can work with. It's my turn! I draw!"

Soulburner checked his drawn card and frowned.

"You have got to be kidding me.." Soulburner muttered. "No matter. I have a backup plan. I activate Salamangreat Mole's effect from my Graveyard! When no monsters are on my field, I can banish this card and shuffle five "Salamangret" cards from my Graveyard into my Deck to draw two cards. I shuffle Heatleo, Beat Bison, Sunlight Wolf, Fowl and Falco!"

Soulburner drew and fanned out his two new cards. His eyes widened on seeing them. Yes! This will work!

He took a card from his hand. "I summon Salamangreat Foxer!"

A red and grey armored fox with a burning tail appeared on Soulburner's field.

Salamangreat Foxer ATK 1200 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"And since I control a "Salamangret" monster, I can Special Summon Salamangreat Spinny from the Graveyard!"

A black and orange metal armadillo covered in flames appeared.

Salamangreat Spinny ATK 1000 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"Following that, I activate the Spell Card: Level Lifter!" Soulburner continued. "By discarding the Level 4 Salamangreat Wolvie, I can change the Levels of two monsters on my field to Wolvie's Level. I change Foxer and Spinny to Level 4!"

Salamangreat Foxer LVL: 3→4

Salamangreat Spinny LVL: 3→4

"Hey, Storm Rider. Take a look at Soulburner's field." Sanctum stated.

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes at the monsters Soulburner had on his field. "Both his monsters are Level 4!"

"You and I know what that means, huh?"

"An Xyz Summon is coming..."

"I overlay the Level 4 Salamangreat Spinny with the Level 4 Salamangreat Foxer to build the Overlay Network!"

A blazing galaxy portal appeared behind him. Spinny and Foxer turned into streams of blue and red energy into the portal, where a fiery pillar of light erupted.

"The racing, fiery horse that dashes through the darkness! I Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Salamangreat Silver Unicorn!"

The monster that emerged from the galaxy was a silver and black armored metallic unicorn with a yellow metal horn and red mane. It had silver stripes across its body, and its hooves and thighs were shaped like rocket-like engines that erupted in small flames. Two red lights circled it as it appeared in Attack Position.

Salamangreat Silver Unicorn ATK 2400 DEF 1500 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"I activate Silver Unicorn's effect!" Soulburner declared. "By detaching an Overlay Unit from it, I can target a monster on the field and deal you damage equal to half the targeted monster's attack points!"

One of the red orbs entered Silver Unicorn's mane as it neighed.

Salamangreat Silver Unicorn OU: 2→1

Ginger gritted her teeth and gestured to her field. "I activate the Trap Card: Courageous Heart!" she declared. "Through its effect, by paying half my Life Points, I can negate your Silver Unicorn's effects!"

A portal appeared before the Salamangreat Xyz Monster as it was engulfed by a beam of purple light and slumped over. At the same time, Ginger was enveloped by a crimson aura that caused her to wince.

Ginger: 1300→650 LP

"Looks like you've exhausted all of your options," Ginger said. "It's best for you to surrender than be humiliated by a girl."

"Why should I do that when I'm all set to win?" Soulburner unexpectedly smiled. "I was expecting you to counter my monster's effect and was ready for that possibility. I activate the Spell Card: Rank-Up Return! It lets me add a "Rank-Up-Magic" Spell Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I choose Rank-Up-Magic Blaze Ascension and activate it!"

"Rank-Up?" Ginger muttered in shock. "When did you…?" her eyes narrowed in realization. "I see. It was when you activated Gazelle's effect. That was the card you sent to the Graveyard, wasn't it?"

"Indeed it was," Soulburner confirmed it. "And due to its effect, I can target one "Salamangreat" Xyz Monster I control and use it as an Xyz Material to summon an Xyz Monster that's one Rank higher than it from my Extra Deck! I use Silver Unicorn as material to rebuild the Overlay Network!"

Soulburner raised his left hand high into the air before he shot out a bolt of red energy, which caused a galaxy portal to appear behind him. Silver Unicorn turned into red energy that went into it before a pillar of light erupted from the center.

"Noble blazing steed!" Soulburner chanted. "Soar above the heavens and become the light that burns worldwide! Go, Rank-Up Xyz Evolution! Ascend, Rank 5! The erupting stallion! Salamangreat Flare Pegasus!

A white pegasus with a dark yellow mane coated in red crimson armor with gold-plated bladed wings appeared on Soulburner's field and neighed. It has bright yellow eyes and rocket-shaped hooves that shoot out flames. Two red lights orbited around it.

Salamangreat Flare Pegasus ATK 2800 DEF 2000 RNK: 5 OU: 2

"Battle!" Soulburner exclaimed. "Salamangreat Flare Pegasus, attack Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon!"

"Have you lost it!?" Ginger looked astonished. "Tiaramisu Dragon has more attack points than your Flare Pegasus!"

"At this moment, I activate Flare Pegasus's effect!" Soulburner shouted. "When it battles an opponent's monster, I can detach an Overlay Unit to have it gain attack points equal to the attack points of the monster it's battling! Surging Flame!"

One of the orbs lit up as Flare Pegasus' rocket hooves erupted.

Salamangreat Flare Pegasus ATK 2800→6800 OU: 2→1

"6800 attack points!?" Ginger cried out in shock. "It has far surpassed Tiaramisu Dragon's attack points!"

"Now, the finale!" Soulburner declared. "Go, Salamangreat Flare Pegasus! Flare Tornado!"

Following Soulburner's command, Flare Pegasus dashed forward, surrounded by flames as it drilled through Tiaramisu Dragon, causing cracks throughout its body. Shortly afterward, the monster exploded, with the force of the explosion, sending Ginger flying.

Ginger: 650→0 LP

As the field around them returned to normal, Soulburner approached Ginger, who had got back on her feet.

"That was a great duel." Soulburner honestly said as he extended his hand forward. "You almost had me a couple of times back there."

"Almost, but not quite…" Ginger grumbled before shaking Soulburner's hand with a small smile. "I was certain I had you back there, but you managed to pull off a miraculous reversal and come out on top in the end! I've witnessed your strong bond with your Deck and its full might with my body!"

"Likewise, I also got a good taste of your dueling skills thanks to our clash," Soulburner stated. "I would have been defeated if you had pushed me a bit more."

"Your praise honors me," Ginger said. "Even though I lost, I'm completely satisfied. So rest assured that I will refine my skills even further in preparation for a future match."

"You're going to get even tougher?" Soulburner grimaced. "It was already hard enough to go through your formation as it was. Not to mention, I wasn't even able to scratch your monsters or Life Points at all. It scares me to think you can improve even further. I shouldn't slack off and make sure I'm ready for our next duel."

"I'll be looking forward to it."

After saying so, Ginger took her leave and returned to her group while Soulburner went to his.

"Sorry for the delay, everyone," Soulburner said. "She was stronger than I could have anticipated. Fortunately, I managed to overcome her."

"I knew you could pull it off, Soulburner." Playmaker smiled before turning to the others. "Who's planning on dueling next?"

"That would be me," Roselyn responded, causing her comrades to turn to her.

"You sure, Roselyn?" Blue Maiden asked.

"She's right," Storm Rider said with a serious look. "We don't mind if one of us duels in your place instead."

Roselyn thought about it and shook her head. "There's no need for that. I promise you I can handle it."

"We know you can, Roselyn," Sanctum said.

"You heard Sanctum," Soulburner said. "Go out there and earn us our second win!"

Roselyn nodded and went to the center where Soulburner and Ginger dueled, with Na'amah following suit.

"So you're my opponent, huh?" Na'amah said. "Let's make our duel as exciting and fun as the previous one."

"You took the words right out of my mouth," Roselyn smiled. "But before we begin, I have a question regarding your name."

Na'amah raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"You said it was Na'amah, right?" Roselyn asked, with Na'amah nodding in response. "In Jewish mythology, Naamah was the third wife of Adam. And was known as the "Mother of Demons". After being cast out of Eden by Michael, she was approached by Beelzebub, and the two had a child named Abezethibou, who joined his father in the war against Heaven. Why would you name yourself after a figure like that?"

Na'amah shrugged. "That's for me to know and you to find out."

"Figures you wouldn't share the answer so willingly…." Roselyn remarked with a small sigh.

"Are both duelists ready?" Pyrrha asked. Na'amah nodded as she activated her Duel Disk. It was a new model, shaped like a triangle with a grey body, a glowing purple screen and a neon red-colored ring. Roselyn nodded, only much faster, and activated her Duel Disk. "Then begin!"

"Duel!" they shouted.

Na'amah: 4000 LP

Roselyn: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Na'amah declared, selecting a card from her hand. "I summon The Fabled Rubyruda!"

A small, black-feathered bird with big eyes appeared on Na'amah's field. Riding on its back was a small red fiend with green eyes.

The Fabled Rubyruda ATK 1100 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"From there, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Card of Safe Return. Finally, I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"For a first turn, she made such a small play…." Roselyn murmured. "My turn! I draw! First, I summon Bird of Roses!"

A big green plant-like bird with roses sprouting from its head and wingtips appeared.

Bird of Roses ATK 1800 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Seed of Deception! This lets me Special Summon a Level 2 or lower Plant monster from my hand. Come, Glow-Up Bulb!"

A small plant with an eye in its center appeared.

Glow-Up Bulb ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"A Tuner Monster?" Soubluner blinked. "Is she planning on Synchro Summoning?"

"I activate the effect of the Fallen Angel of Roses in my hand!" Roselyn declared. "I return Bird of Roses to my hand to Special Summon it. Come forth!"

A dark-haired pale woman wearing a black corset skirt with purple feathered wings and a whip made of thorns appeared in a flurry of black and purple rose petals.

Fallen Angel of Roses ATK 2400 DEF 1300 LVL: 7

"Furthermore," Roselyn continued, "Since I summoned a Level 5 or higher Plant monster, I can discard Lantern Seed from my hand to activate its effect!" The card showed a glowing Chinese Lantern seed sinking into a black portal as a beacon of light shone. "It lets me add one Level 5 or higher Plant monster from my Deck to the hand and perform an additional Normal Summon this turn. I add the Level 7 Queen Angel of Roses from my Deck to my hand. But it won't stay there for long because I Tribute Glow-Up Bulb to Tribute Summon Queen Angel of Roses, who can be Tribute Summoned by Tributing just one Plant monster with its effect. Appear now!"

A female angel with short, blond hair appeared on Roselyn's field. She had red, featherily wings with strands of blond hair attached. She also wore a long, rose-themed dress that started as a regular dress but became more armored and sharper at the bottom. She wore a helmet with a rose symbol on her head. In her left arm, she carried a long sword.

Queen Angel of Roses ATK 2400 DEF 1300 LVL: 7

"Two monsters with 2400 attack points each," Blue Maiden noted. "This doesn't bode well for Na'amah."

Roselyn gestured to her field. "Battle! Fallen Angel of Roses, attack The Fabled Rubyruda!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Staunch Defender!" Na'amah abruptly declared. "This card forces all monsters you control to attack Rubyruda!"

"What was the point of that?" Roselyn seemed perplexed. "Your monster will still be destroyed."

"Or so you think," Na'amah corrected her. "I activate Rubyruda's effect! Whenever it's attacked, I can discard a "Fabled" monster from my hand to negate the attack."

As Na'amah slid a card into her Graveyard, a barrier appeared around Rubyruda, blocking Fallen Angel's strike. Roselyn gritted her teeth.

"And since the card I discarded was Fabled Lurrie, its effect lets me Special Summon it from the Graveyard!"

A small, pink-skinned fiend with large bat wings and a mask appeared next to Rubyruda in Defense Position.

Fabled Lurrie ATK 200 DEF 400 LVL: 1

"And due to the effect of Card of Safe Return, I get to draw a card from my Deck since a monster was Special Summoned from my Graveyard," Na'amah stated as she drew. "And since Staunch Defender is still in effect, Queen Angel of Roses must battle!"

Queen Angel of Roses saw Rubyruda dive in to recklessly attack her. To catch the avian creature off guard, the blonde angel rushed in... Only for Na'amah to discard another card from her hand, allowing Rubyruda to turn left to dodge the attack.

"I just discarded The Fabled Cerburrel to activate Rubyruda's effect," Na'amah said, "And because of its discard, Cerburrel will join us!"

A red, three-headed puppy appeared on the field in Attack Position. Each of its three heads had a crest over its black eyes with white pupils. And just like Rubyruda, it was collared by a small, grey demon with green eyes.

The Fabled Cerburrel ATK 1000 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"And just like before, the effect of Card of Safe Return activates again, allowing me to draw a card from my Deck."

"So you were aiming to summon more monsters?" Roselyn questioned. "In that case, I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"I see," Sanctum commented. "Her monsters have effects that activate when discarded from the hand. And it seems most of them share the effect of being Special Summoned from the Graveyard."

"Her moves are nearly similar to Umbra's," Storm Rider mentioned. "Roselyn's going to have much more difficulty than anticipated in this duel."

"My turn!" Na'amah announced. "I draw! First, I place two cards face-down. Then, I summon The Fabled Nozoochee!"

A small, yellow serpent with a blue head crest and brown markings all over its body appeared. Latching onto it was a small blue imp with green eyes.

The Fabled Nozoochee ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"Now I shall tune together Level 1 Lurrie with Level 4 Rubyruda!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Na'amah as the world greyed out, and her two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one pink and one yellow, appeared before turning blue and merging. Five blue rings stacked in a tower appeared as a screen displayed "1 + 4". The screen changed to "5" as light surged through the rings.

"Rebellious angel who fell from heaven's grace." Na'amah chanted. "Indulge yourself in this world's pleasures! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 5! Fabled Ragin!"

A demonic humanoid clad in ornate black and gold armor with red lines and bat-like wings emerged from the light onto Na'amah's field in Attack Position. Two imps, one blue and one black, floated around him. A sword in its scabbard was strapped to his waist, letting him draw it.

Fabled Ragin ATK 2300 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

Roselyn narrowed her eyes. "So she's a Synchro user just like me."

"That's right," Na'amah confined. "And at this moment, Ragin's effect activates! When Synchro Summoned while I have less than two cards in my hand, I can draw until I have two cards in my hand." She drew, then said, "Next, I tune my Level 2 Nozoochee with my Level 2 Cerburrel!"

The world greyed out again as Nozoochee and Cerburrel formed into two rings that turned blue. A screen that displayed "2 + 2" appeared before changing to "4" as a light surged through the rings.

"Elite steed engulfed in light, gallop towards the darkness in legend! Unmatched speed of consecrated darkness! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 4! The Fabled Unicore!"

With a whinny, a white horse galloped onto the field. It had a black tail and harness on its back, ridden by a small white fiend with a helmet on its head. Also on the head was a sharp, white horn and an evil look in its red eyes.

The Fabled Unicore ATK 2300 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"Two Synchro Summons in a single turn!?" Roselyn gasped.

"That's right." Na'amah grinned. "And they're about to wreak havoc on your monsters. But first, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Burden of the Mighty! Each monster you control loses attack points equal to its Level times 100!"

Roselyn's monsters groaned and slumped over.

Fallen Angel of Roses ATK 2400→1700

Queen Angel of Roses ATK 2400→1700

"Now, battle! The Fabled Unicore, attack Fallen Angel of Roses! Greed Horn!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Storming Mirror Force!" Roselyn declared. "When a monster you control declares an attack, all face-up Attack Position monsters you control are returned to your hand!"

Instead of being worried, Na'amah smiled. "You fell for it! Thanks to its effect, The Fabled Unicore can negate the activation of all your cards as long as I hold the same number of cards as you!"

"What?" Roselyn gasped as she realized she and Na'amah both had one card in their hands. "But that means..."

"It means your Trap Card is negated and destroyed!"

Following Na'amah's words, Roselyn's Trap Card shattered as Unicore impaled Fallen Angel of Roses with its horn, causing it to explode and pushing Roselyn back with a grimace.

Roselyn: 4000→3400 LP

"Next, I'll have Ragin attack Queen Angel of Roses with Loss of Regality!"

Ragin flew into the skies and dove straight for the spear-wielding angel, slicing her half with his sword and causing Roselyn to stagger and wince due to the pain.

Roselyn: 3400→2800 LP

"I end my turn with this," Na'amah grinned. "I think you understand what happens now... the next card or effect you activate will be negated by my Unicore's effect as long as we have the same number of cards. What will you do?"

This is not good, Roselyn thought. With my hand going to be at 2, I need to draw a good if I'm going to stand to win this duel.

"Come now, girl," Na'amah said, "Make your move and draw a card."

Roselyn growled. "If it'll make you happy, then fine. My turn! I draw! First, I summon Bird of Roses!"

The bird-like plant reappeared.

Bird of Roses ATK 1800→1400 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Since my hand is empty, I can activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge!" Roselyn continued. "It lets me draw four cards. Then, by sending the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Glow-Up Bulb from my Graveyard!"

The small plant with one eye reappeared.

Glow-Up Bulb ATK 100→0 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"Lastly, since a Tuner monster is on my field, I can Special Summon Quillbolt Hedgehog from my Graveyard!"

An orange hedgehog with screws covering its back joined Roselyn's army of monsters.

Quillbolt Hedgehog ATK 800→200 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"When did-?" Na'amah asked, then it hit her. "You sent that card to the Graveyard when you used Glow-Up Bulb's effect, didn't you?"

"Yes," Roselyn answered. "I place a card face-down and then tune Level 1 Glow-Up Bulb with the two Level 1 Evil Thorn and the Level 2 Dark Rose Fairy and Quillbolt Hedgehog!"

The world grayed out as green energy gathered around Roselyn before blasting upwards. Her monsters disintegrated into data that reformed into five rings. The rings turned blue and merged before reforming into seven blue rings in a tower. "1 + 2 + 4" before shifting to "7". A beam of light shot through the rings.

"The cold flame envelops the entire world. Black flower, bloom! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Black Rose Dragon!"

A massive, black-skinned dragon, whose entire body was covered in roses, spread out her wings and let out a shriveling roar as she was summoned in Attack Position. She had a long, slender neck covered in roses at the back and three mandibles made of roses on her head. She also had clawed draconic feet. In addition, the dragon had a long, thorned tail and thinner thorned tails.

Black Rose Dragon ATK 2400→1700 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"Black Rose Dragon's effect activates!" Roselyn said. "When it's Synchro Summoned, every card on the field is destroyed!"

"Not so fast!" Na'amah abruptly shouted. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: The Huge Revolution is Over! Since you activated a card effect that would destroy two or more cards on the field, that effect is negated, and the card that activated the effect is banished!"

"That's pointless!" Roselyn interrupted. "I activate the effect of Rose Archer in my hand! When you activate a Trap Card, I can send Rose Archer to the Graveyard to negate the activation of your card and destroy it!"

Following Roselyn's words, the Trap Card disintegrated.

"The effect continues!"

Black Rose Dragon flapped her wings in front of her and unleashed a tornado, destroying every card on the field, causing Na'amah to raise her arms to protect herself from the wind.

"Following that, I activate the effect of the Trap Card: Forceful Rebirth from my Graveyard!" Roselyn said. "When a card effect destroys this card, I can Special Summon a monster straight from my Graveyard. Return, Black Rose Dragon!"

Black Rose Dragon reappeared on Roselyn's field.

Black Rose Dragon ATK 2400 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"Battle!" Roselyn declared. "Black Rose Dragon attacks you directly! Black Rose Flare!"

Black Rose Dragon gathered energy inside her maw before firing it at Na'amah, causing her to fly back and fall to the ground.

Na'amah: 4000→1600 LP

"Awesome! She inflicted more than 2000 points of damage!" Soulburner said.

"And now Na'amah's Life Points are less than half," Blue Maiden noted.

"And more importantly, Roselyn currently holds the advantage," Storm Rider pointed out. "As long as she does, this duel is as good as hers."

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Roselyn concluded. "You're up."

"My turn!" Na'amah exclaimed. "I draw! I place a card face-down and activate the Spell Card: Card of Sanctity, which allows both players to draw cards until they have six. Then, I activate the Continous Spell Card: Eternal Spell! With its effect, I can banish a Continous Spell from my Graveyard, like my Card of Safe Return, to have this card gain its effects. From there, I summon Fabled Raven!"

From a dark tornado emerged a black-robed, purple-skinned fiend with wings protruding from his back. He had a black mask covering the top half of his face, but enough to show off his glaring, red eyes. On each of his arms and legs were bladed wings with red tips.

Fabled Raven ATK 1300 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"Next, since I control a "Fabled" monster, I can discard Fabled Grimro to add a "Fabled" monster from my Deck to my hand. I choose to add The Fabled Chawa. Following that, I activate Fabled Raven's effect! I can discard as many cards as possible to increase this card's Level by 1 and its attack by 400. I discard two cards to increase Fabled Raven's attack points by 800 and Level by 2."

The Fabled Ganashia ATK 1300→2100 LVL: 2→4

"Since one of the cards I discarded was Cards of Compensation, I get to draw two cards," Na'amah stated. "And since the second card I sent was The Fabled Ganashia, its effect activates and Special Summons itself!"

A blue humanoid elephant wearing a vest appeared in Attack Position.

The Fabled Ganashia ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Since The Fabled Ganashia was Special Summoned by its effect, it gains 200 attack points and will be banished when it leaves the field."

The Fabled Ganashia ATK 1600→1800

"Furthermore, I get to draw a card due to Card of Safe Return's effect," Na'amah said as she drew. "I activate the Spell Card: Resonance Device! I target two of my monsters that have the same Type and Attribute and change the Level of one to the Level of the other. I target Raven and Ganashia and change the latter's Level to the former's."

The Fabled Ganashia LVL: 3→4

"I tune the Level 4 Fabled Raven with the Level 4 The Fabled Ganashia!" Na'amah declared as a bolt of green lightning struck her before the world greyed out and her two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, both purple, appeared before turning blue and merging. Eight blue rings stacked in a tower appeared as a screen displayed "4 + 4" in front of them. The screen changed to "8" as light surged through the rings.

"Rise down from the impure heavens and shed your light! I Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Fabled Valkyrus!"

A tall fiendish humanoid with pale green skin appeared. He had a black mask over his face and twin black wings jutting out from his back. He wore elaborate black and gold armor with long red curls down his back.

Fabled Valkyrus ATK 2900 DEF 1700 LVL: 8

Na'amah smirked. "You're about to witness my monster's power beyond compare. But first, I activate Valkyrus's effect! I discard a Fiend monster, like my Fabled Krus, to draw a card!" She drew, then said, "And since I discarded Fabled Krus, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Fabled" monster from the Graveyard. Return to the field, Fabled Grimro!"

A white-skinned female in black robes with black-feathered wings appeared on Na'amah's field.

Fabled Grimro ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"She keeps summoning monster after monster...?" Soulburner narrowed his eyes. "Guess Storm Rider was right when he said those "Fabled" monsters work around discarding and being discarded from the hand."

"Due to the effect of Card of Safe Return, I get to draw a card," Na'amah continued. "Then, by discarding The Fabled Bigwig from my hand, I can Special Summon The Fabled Chawa!"

A beige-colored chihuahua-like creature appeared. A small yellow imp rode on its back.

The Fabled Chawa ATK 200 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"I activate the effect of the discarded The Fabled Bigwig, which lets me Special Summon it from my Graveyard!"

A large, bunny-like monster with crimson eyes accompanied by a little yellow demon appeared.

The Fabled Bigwig ATK 500 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"And since another monster was Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I get to draw another card," Na'amah stated. "Finally, I tune the Level 1 Fabled Chawa with the Level 2 Bigwig and Level 4 Grimro!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Na'amah as the world turned gray. A wave of energy swept across his field and disintegrated her three monsters disappeared into particles. Three rings, one brown, one pink and one yellow, appeared before turning blue and merging. A screen showed "1 + 2 + 4" before shifting to "7". A beam of light shot through the rings.

"Beating pulse of the new ruler!" Na'amah chanted. "Show the chaos within yourself! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! Chaos King Archfiend!"

A slender blue and red figure with flaming bat-like wings attached to its arms and smoke billowing out from its head emerged from the light and appeared on Na'amah's field.

Chaos King Archfiend ATK 2600 DEF 2600 LVL: 7

"Battle!" Na'amah exclaimed. "Fabled Valkryus, attack Black Rose Dragon!"

"I won't let you!" Roselyn shouted. "I activate the Trap Card: Power Frame!"A clear prism appeared as Valkyrus stuck it. "Since you declared an attack, this card negates it, then equips to the monster you attacked and increases its attack points equal to the difference between our two monsters' attack points! So that means Black Rose Dragon gains 500 attack points!"

The prism fired a concentrated aura at the dragon, strengthening it.

Black Rose Dragon ATK 2400→2900

Roselyn grinned. "Not only did I make my monster stronger, but now you can't attack with your other monster."

"Is that so?" Na'amah let out a sly smile. "Then, let's test that theory out! Chaos King Archfiend, attack Black Rose Dragon! At this moment, Chaos King's effect activates! When it attacks, the attack and defense points of all face-up monsters you control are switched!"

Black Rose Dragon ATK 2900→1800 DEF 1800→2900

"Go, Cross Chaos Slash!"

Chaos King used its fire-enveloped blades to slash through Black Rose Dragon, destroying it easily, with the shockwave pushing Roselyn back.

Roselyn: 2800→2000 LP

"Since a Synchro Monster on my field was destroyed, I can activate the Trap Card: Crush Star!" Roselyn declared. "Thanks to its effect, I can Special Summon a monster from my hand and Graveyard with 1000 or fewer attack points in Defense Position. I Special Dark Verger from my hand and Glow-Up Bulb from my Graveyard!"

Glow-Up Bulb and a dark green plant with two eyes on its leaves appeared on Roselyn's field in Defense Position.

Glow-Up Bulb ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

Dark Verger ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"Such petty tricks only serve to delay the inevitable." Na'amah sneered. "I place three cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Roselyn announced. "I draw! First, I summon Twilight Rose Knight!"

A little girl with white hair in dark purple armor with a light pink cape carrying a sword appeared on Rosleyn's field.

Twilight Rose Knight ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LV: 3

"Twilight Rose Knight's effect activates! When she's Normal Summoned, I get to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Plant monster from my hand! Come, Phoenixian Seed!"

A budding red seed with a giant eye sprouted on Roselyn's field in Defense Position.

Phoenixian Seed ATK 800 DEF 0 LVL: 2

"Next, I tune the Level 3 Twilight Rose Knight with the Level 2 Phoenixian Seed and Dark Verger!"

The world grayed out as green energy gathered around Roselyn before blasting upwards. Her monsters disintegrated into data that reformed into three rings. The rings turned blue and merged before reforming into seven blue rings in a tower. "3 + 2 + 2" before shifting to "7". A beam of light shot through the rings.

"Empress of blossoming new life!" Roselyn chanted. "Descend from your throne of crimson roses and cast your judgment upon this world! I Synchro Summon! Level 7! Periallis, Empress of Blossom!"

A woman with long green hair and elf ears appeared before Roselyn wearing a beautifully decorated dress resembling a flower, with a grass-like skirt covering her legs. She had orange and red decorations around her waist resembling flower petals. Above her waist, her dress was primarily red, with black sleeves and golden outlines. A black and red crown on her head finished her outfit.

Periallis, Empress of Blossom ATK 1600 DEF 2400 LVL: 7

"Due to Periallis's effect, she gains 400 attack points for every other Plant monster on the field," Roselyn stated. "I have one, so she gains 400 attack points!"

Periallis, Empress of Blossom ATK 1600→2000

"And I'm far from finished." Roselyn let out a small smirk. "I activate Periallis's second effect! Once per turn, she lets me Special Summon any Level 5 or higher Plant monster from my hand or Graveyard to the field in Defense Position. From my hand, I Special Summon the Level 5 Mandragon!"

Periallis raised her hands and cast a green aura in the zone next to her, causing a portal to appear. Emerging from the portal was a monster resembling a cross between a mandrake plant and a mandolin with dragon-like characteristics.

Mandragon ATK 2500 DEF 1000 LVL: 5 PS: 2

Periallis, Empress of Blossom ATK 2000→2400

"I now tune the Level 1 Glow-Up Bulb with the Level 5 Mandragon!"

Following her declaration, a bolt of green lightning struck Roselyn. Soon, the world greyed out, causing both monsters to disappear. Two pink rings appeared before turning blue and merging. Six blue rings stacked in a tower then appeared as a screen displayed "1 + 5". The screen changed to a "6" as light surged through the rings.

"Sinister rose born within the sacred forest!" Roselyn chanted. "Consumes all your prey to give birth to greater roses! I Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 6! Torment Rose!"

A female humanoid wearing a dark purple jumpsuit-like dress with crimson red petals designed at the waistline and her wrists and ankles emerged from the pillar of light. She had black hair shaped like a flower bulb and purple vines with thorns hanging around her sides.

Torment Rose ATK 2200 DEF 1200 LVL: 6

"Since I control one less Plant monster, Periallis loses 400 attack points."

Periallis, Empress of Blossom ATK 2400→2000

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Synchro Treasure! I draw a card for each Synchro Monster on the field, but I can't add cards from my Deck to my hand for the rest of the turn. There are four, so I draw four cards!"

Roselyn drew her cards, looked at them and smirked. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Black Pendant and equip it to Torment Rose!" A dark purple pendant in a gold casing appeared around the Synchro Monster's neck. "Thanks to this card, Torment Rose gains 500 attack points!"

Torment Rose ATK 2200→2700

"Battle! Torment Rose attacks Chaos King Archfiend! Rose Crusher!"

The monster fired several rose petals following Roselyn's command.

"Torment Rose's effect activates! When it attacks, it gains 200 attack points during damage calculation!"

Torment Rose ATK 2700→2900

Na'amah gritted her teeth and gestured to her field. "I activate the Trap Card: Enchanted Javelin!" she exclaimed. "Since your monster declared an attack, I gain Life Points equal to its attack points!"

Na'amah: 1400→4300 LP

The rose petals struck Chaos King Archfiend in the chest, destroying and making Na'amah wince.

Na'amah: 4300→4000 LP

"I activate the Trap Card: Destruction Reward!" Na'amah declared. "Because you destroyed Chaos King Archfiend, who was Level 7, I can draw two cards!"

Roselyn narrowed her eyes. "My Battle Phase isn't over. Thanks to its effect, Torment Rose can attack all your monsters! Attack Fabled Valkyrus, Torment Rose! And thanks to its effect, its attack points increase by 200 once more!"

Torment Rose ATK 2900→3100

The previous scene was repeated as Torment Rose destroyed Valkyrus and caused Na'amah to stumble from the damage.

Na'amah: 4000→3800 LP

"Next, I'll have Periallis attack you directly!" Roselyn said. "Do it, Periallis!"

A storm of petals surrounded Periallas as it shot forward, engulfing Na'amah and sending her tumbling back several feet.

Na'amah: 3800→1800 LP

"I can't do anything else for now," Roselyn remarked. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"That was amazing!" Soulburner cheered. "Keep going like this, and you'll have this duel in the bag!"

"Will it be that easy, I wonder?" Storm Rider said. "From what I have observed, Na'amah can bounce back easily. Let's see what other interesting strategies she has left to offer."

"It's my turn!" Na'amah announced. "I draw! Now, I suppose it's only proper to go all out from here on out. First, I activate the Trap Card: Descending Lost Star! It lets me Special Summon a Synchro Monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. However, its effects are negated, its Level is reduced by one, and its defense points become 0. Resurrect, Fabled Valkyrus!"

The tall armored demonic humanoid reappeared.

Fabled Vakyrus ATK 2900 DEF 1700→0 LVL: 8→7

"Due to Card of Safe Return's effect, I can draw a card. Next, I Special Summon the second copy of The Fabled Chawa from my hand through its effect!"

The small dog with a yellow imp on its back reappeared.

The Fabled Chawa ATK 200 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"I activate the effect of the discarded Fabled Watcher!" Na'amah continued. "By paying 1000 Life Points, I can Special Summon it to my field!"

An over-muscular humanoid demon wearing a sleeveless black robe with two large bat wings and a long tail appeared with a roar. At the same time, Na'amah grunted in pain as a dark aura surrounded her.

Fabled Watcher ATK 2800 DEF 200 LVL: 8

Na'amah: 1800→800 LP

"Card of Safe Return's effect goes off, and I can draw another card. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Falling Current! This card requires me to target 1 monster I control and declare a Level between 1 and 3. I target The Fabled Chawa and declare 3! Now, Chawa's Level becomes 3!"

The Fabled Chawa LVL: 1→3

"Now I tune the Level 3 Fabled Chawa with the Level 7 Fabled Valkyrus!"

Following Na'amah's declaration, her monsters disintegrated into particles. Two rings appeared before turning blue and merging. Ten blue rings appeared, stacked in a tower as small blue-green rectangles circled them. A screen displayed "3 + 7" before changing to "10" as light surged through the rings.

"Fallen angels that descend to a dark abyss!" Na'amah chanted. "Engulf them in radiance and turn the darkness into light! I Synchro Summon! Rise, Level 10! Fabled Leviathan!"

A huge marble chair appeared, and seated within was a male humanoid fiend with one of his legs crossed over the other. He had long red hair that flowed down to his shoulders while wearing a red mask that resembled goggles over his eyes. He also wore red-plated armor with golden adornments and green emeralds in the center. He also had giant, gargoyle-like wings that were half-closed around his body.

Fabled Leviathan ATK 3000 DEF 2000 LVL: 10

"Fabled Leviathan…" Playmaker narrowed his eyes at that sight. "Is that her ace monster? It looks like a major threat."

"Roselyn…" Blue Maiden muttered. "Be careful…"

"I activate the Spell Card: Heavy Storm!" Na'amah continued. "This card destroys every Spell and Trap Card on the field!"

"Seriously?" Roselyn replied as she raised her arms as a massive storm destroyed all Spell and Trap Cards on both players' fields. "You might have destroyed my back row, but not without paying the price. When Black Pendant is destroyed, you take 500 points of damage!"

A dark purple cloud came out of Roselyn's Graveyard slot before it flew over and assaulted Na'amah.

Na'amah: 800→300 LP

"But since your Torment Rose is no longer equipped with it, it loses 500 attack points."

Torment Rose ATK 3100→2600

"Battle!" Na'amah shouted. "Fabled Watcher will attack Periallis! And at this moment, Watcher's effect activates! When it attacks an opponent's monster, I can shuffle one "Fabled" monster from my Graveyard into my Deck to increase its attack points by 600 until the End Phase! I return one of the two Fabled Chawa into my Deck!"

Fabled Watcher ATK 2800→3400

Fabled Watcher pierced Periallis's chest using its tail. The Synchro Monster cried out in pain before she exploded, and Roselyn was knocked to the ground due to the backlash of the attack.

Roselyn: 2000→600 LP

"Now, Fabled Leviathan, incinerate Torment Rose!" Na'amah exclaimed. "Fabled Fire Blast!"

Leviathan flew into the air, unfurling his wings and conjuring a large ball of fire before launching it at Torment Rose, easily vaporizing it, with Roselyn wincing due to the ensuing shockwave.

Roselyn: 600→200 LP

"I activate Torment Rose's effect!" Roselyn declared. "When it's destroyed, its effect activates, allowing me to add a Plant monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I choose Phoenixian Seed!"

"You survived by the skin of your teeth, but you're only a step away from defeat," Na'amah remarked. "I activate the Spell Card: Advance Draw! By Tributing the Level 8 Fabled Watcher, I can draw two cards. Finally, I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"The situation is quite difficult," Soulburner commented. "Roselyn has 200 Life Points left and is facing off against a Level 10 Synchro Monster. Not to mention, we have yet to witness Leviathan's effects. She's at an overwhelming disadvantage."

"Even so, I'm certain Roselyn will find a way to pull through," Sanctum said with conviction. "She's grown a lot ever since she joined the Top 10, so she's bound to have several tricks up her sleeves. Don't count her out just yet."

"My turn!" Roselyn announced. "I draw! Since you control a monster and I don't, I can Special Summon Rose Princess!"

A pink-skinned girl in a red dress with rose petals for hair appeared in Attack Position.

Rose Princess ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"As Rose Princess was Special Summoned by its effect, it is treated as a Tuner monster! And as I control a Plant Tuner monster, I can Special Summon Dark Verger from the Graveyard!"

The two-eyed plant reappeared in Attack Position.

Dark Verger ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"And now I summon Phoenixian Seed!"

The one-eyed red seed materialized on Roselyn's field.

Phoenixian Seed ATK 800 DEF 0 LVL: 2

Roselyn's eyes widened as she raised her arm. "I tune Level 3 Rose Princess to Level 2 Dark Verger and Level 2 Phoenixian Seed!"

A bolt of blue lightning struck behind Roselyn as the world grayed out. Her three monsters disintegrated into particles of green data that reformed into three circles, one being pink and composed of two concentric rings, while the other two were red and purple and composed of two concentric rings. The circles turned blue before merging, forming seven rings stacked in a tower, circled by blue-green rectangles. A screen displayed "3 + 2 + 2" appeared before changing to "7." A light surged through the rings.

"Comfort waters engulf the entire world!" Roselyn chanted. "Bright-blue flower from the bottom of the abyss, set into bloom!" She brought her hand down. "I Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 7! Blue Blossom Dragon!"

The dragon that emerged from the light was identical to Black Rose Dragon but with longer and thinner blue rose petals adorning her wings and a blue gem attached to the tip of its tail. It spread its wings and unleashed a shriveling roar as it was summoned to Roselyn's field in Attack Position.

Blue Blossom Dragon ATK 2400 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"Blue Blossom Dragon…?" Na'amah narrowed her eyes at the sight of the dragon. "Is it a variant of her ace monster?"

"A different variant of Black Rose Dragon…." Storm Rider muttered. "Does it also have an ability similar to its counterpart?"

"You should consider yourself very lucky, Na'amah," Roselyn said. "This is my first time using this monster in a duel. Even though I recently added it before the start of our duel."

"It's an impressive dragon that I'll give you." Na'amah had adopted a fearless expression, but anyone could see the uneasiness in her eyes. "However, it doesn't have enough attack points to take down Leviathan."

"Let's test that theory, shall we?" Roselyn said with a sly smile. "I activate Blue Blossom Dragon's effect! Once per turn, by banishing a Plant monster from my Graveyard and targeting a monster my opponent controls, I can reduce the attack points of the targeted monster equal to those of the banished monster! I target your Leviathan and banish Queen Angel of Roses! Pure Torrent!"

A spectral image of Queen Angel appeared before Blue Blossom as it devoured it and flapped her wings, unleashing a torrent of pure water at Fabled Leviathan, trapping him inside a large bubble.

Fabled Leviathan ATK 3000→600

"Battle!" Roselyn exclaimed. "Blue Blossom Dragon, attack Fabled Leviathan and end this! Cold Ripple!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Hate Buster!" Na'amah abruptly declared. "When a Fiend monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can destroy the monster I control along with your attacking monster and then inflict damage to you equal to the original attack points of the monster you had!"

"That won't be enough to stop me or my dragon!" Roselyn retorted. "Blue Blossom Dragon's second effect activates! Once per turn, when the effect of a Spell or Trap Card is activated, I can banish a Plant monster from my Graveyard to negate its activation and destroy it! I banish Periallis, Empress of Blossoms!"

Blue Blossoms's wings generated several twisters, enveloping and destroying Hate Buster. At the same time, it unleashed a torrent of ice from its maw, which headed straight for Leviathan.

"In that case, I activate my second face-down, the Trap Card: King's Synchro!" Na'amah exclaimed. "Thanks to it, when a Synchro Monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can negate it! Then, I can banish that Synchro Monster and a Tuner from my Graveyard to Synchro Summon a Synchro Monster whose Level equals the sum of the banished monsters' Levels! I tune the Level 10 Fabled Leviathan with the Level 2 Fabled Cerburrel!"

A ghostly image of Cerburrel appeared as it and Leviathan disintegrated into particles that reformed into two circles, both red. The circles turned blue before merging, forming twelve rings stacked in a tower, circled by blue-green rectangles. A screen displayed "10 + 2" appeared before changing to "12." A light surged through the rings as Na'amah chanted.

"Spread your twelve dark wings and guide the lost souls of the forgotten to their eternal doom! I Synchro Summon! Manifest now, Level 12! Fabled Azrael!"

A humanoid fiend clad in gold and purple armor with twelve black angel wings protruding from its back, which held a large scythe, appeared on Na'amah's field.

Fabled Azrael ATK 3500 DEF 2800 LVL: 12

"Amazing!" Ginger cheered. "Na'amah brought out her true ace monster!"

"That she did," Pyrrha said with a wide grin. "I can't wait to see how Roselyn plans to deal with it."

"Fabled Azrael's effect activates!" Na'amah announced. "When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can return up to three "Fabled" monsters from my Graveyard to my Deck. I choose Krus, Lurrie and Watcher. Then, I can destroy one card on your field for every monster I return to my Deck!"

"What!?" Roselyn cried out. "That means you can destroy up to three cards from my field!"

"Exactly," Na'amah confirmed with a smirk. "Through Azrael's effect, I will destroy Blue Blossom Dragon!"

Following Na'amah's words, Azrael shot a bolt of dark energy from its wings, destroying Roselyn's Synchro Monster.

"…I'll praise you for taking down my Synchro Monster," Roselyn said through gritted teeth. "However, don't think this over! Blue Blossom Dragon's third and final effect activates! When this card leaves the field, I can Special Summon up to two banished Plant monsters! Revive, Queen Angel of Roses and Periallis, Empress of Blossoms in Defense Position!"

Two portals appeared on Roselyn's field, with Queen Angel and Perialiss emerging from them.

Queen Angel of Roses ATK 2400 DEF 1300 LVL: 7

Periallis, Empress of Blossom ATK 1600 DEF 2400 LVL: 7

"And due to Periallis's effect, she gains 400 attack points for every other Plant monster on the field."

Periallis, Empress of Blossom ATK 1600→2000

"Furthermore, I activate Periallis's second effect!" Roselyn continued. "I Special Summon Torment Rose from my Graveyard!"

A portal appeared on the ground, with Torment Rose emerging from it.

Torment Rose ATK 2200 DEF 1200 LVL: 6

Periallis, Empress of Blossom ATK 2000→2400

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Roselyn concluded. "Now, hit me with your best shot!"

"You appear to be rather confident," Na'amah remarked. "Then, let's see whether this is all mere bravado. My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Burial Magic! In exchange for banishing three Spell Cards from my Graveyard, I draw two cards!" She drew and smirked. "Looks like my bet paid off! I activate the Spell Card: Synchro Cracker! By returning Fabled Azrael to my Extra Deck, all monsters with equal or fewer attack points than it are destroyed!"

Roselyn's eyes widened. "What?! All… monsters?!"

Azrael began to glow before turning into a blue orb that expanded and caused a massive explosion that destroyed Roselyn's three monsters.

"Since Torment Rose was destroyed, its effect activates, letting me add Rose Princess to my hand," Roseyn stated.

"It's too early to relax!" Na'amah grinned maliciously. "I activate the Spell Card: Mirror World Synchro!" The card showed a cluster of stars gathered in the center of several green rings surrounded by mirrors that shone with light. "Through its effect, by banishing the necessary materials from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck. And on top of that, this Special Summon is treated as a Synchro Summon!"

"What?" Roselyn gasped.

"I banish Fabled Ragin, Unicore, Nozoochee and Chawa to bring back Fabled Azrael!"

Following Na'amah's words, spectral images of the four mentioned monsters appeared before her. Shortly afterward, they merged and formed into Azarael, who let out an evil cackle.

Fabled Azrael ATK 3500 DEF 2800 LVL: 12

"Since Azrael was once again successfully Synchro Summoned, its effect activates!" Na'amah declared. "I shuffle The Fabled Rubyruda from my Graveyard into my Deck to destroy your face-down card!"

A dark lightning bolt shot out of Azrael's wings, destroying Roselyn's face-down card.

"Looks like it's the end of the line for you, Roselyn," Na'amah stated as she gestured to her monster. "Finish her off, Azrael! Soul Harvester!"

"I banish the Trap Card: Battle Tendency from my Graveyard to activate its effect!" Roselyn shouted as a silhouette of a card appeared and showed several warriors with fierce expressions fighting on a battlefield. "Through its effect, if my opponent controls more monsters than I do, I can send three cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard and end the Battle Phase, along with reducing any effect damage I receive to 0 for the rest of this turn! Then, my opponent gains 400 Life Points for every monster they have on the field!"

A semi-transparent wall appeared before Roselyn, shielding her from Azrael's attack. At the same time, Na'amah was surrounded by a multi-colored aura.

Na'amah: 300→700 LP

Pyrrha narrowed her eyes. "That must've been one of the cards Na'amah destroyed through Azrael's effect."

"You may have survived this turn, but against my strongest monster, your chances of victory are rather slim," Na'amah said. "Due to its effect, so long as I have less than two cards in my hand, Fabled Azrael is unaffected by your card effects."

"Unaffected by card effects, you say?" Roselyn grimaced. "Kuh, that means I can only destroy it by battle…."

"I end my turn. Now then, if you truly believe you can change the outcome of this battle, you had best show me your full strength here."

"I will!" Roselyn declared with a resolute expression. "No matter what, I won't lose. My turn! I draw!"

Upon checking out her drawn card, Roselyn let out a faint smile.

"That's just what I needed," Roselyn said. "I'll place all my hopes on this final trump card. First, I Special Summon Rose Princess from my hand through its effect!"

The pink-skinned woman in a red dress reappeared.

Rose Princess ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"And since I summoned Rose Princess this way, she's treated as a Tuner, "Roselyn stated. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Step on Shadow! Thanks to its effect, I can target a monster you control and Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck with an equal or lower Level by negating that monster's effect. I will target your Level 12 Azrael to bring back Black Rose Dragon!"

Fabled Azrael's shadow extended to Roselyn's field before shifting into the form of Black Rose.

Black Rose Dragon ATK 2400 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"A Level 3 Tuner and a Level 7 monster," Storm Rider muttered. "That can only mean one thing."

Roselyn gestured to her field. "Level 3 Rose Princess tunes Level 7 Black Rose Dragon!"

A bolt of green lightning struck behind Roselyn as the world grayed out. Her two monsters disintegrated into particles of green data that reformed into two circles, one being pink and composed of three concentric rings, while the other red and composed of seven concentric rings. The circles turned blue before merging, forming ten blue rings stacked in a tower, circled by blue-green rectangles. A screen displayed "3 + 7" appeared before changing to "10." A light surged through the rings as Roselyn raised her hand above her head.

"A divine flame envelops the world, and a dragon's roar resounds within its incandescent light! Touch the soul of the Crimson Dragon, and set it into bloom!"

The fleeting image of a serpentine dragon flew behind Roselyn, whose entire body burned with pure, sacred fire and radiated indisputable, cosmic might.

"I Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 10! Ruddy Rose Dragon!"

The ground cracked, followed by myriad thorny vines bursting out of it and growing towards the sky, where they tangled together. A large, red rose with pink trims bloomed on its tip, then split into four directions, revealing a large dragon's body hidden within it. The dragon hit the ground with its vines, like cracking a whip and letting loose a resounding roar.

Ruddy Rose Dragon ATK 3200 DEF 2400 LVL: 10

"A Level 10 Synchro Monter…" Na'amah muttered. "This could be troublesome…"

Sanctum smirked. "Black Rose Dragon's evolved form has finally appeared."

"But will it be enough to win Roselyn the duel?" Blue Maiden questioned.

"Ruddy Rose Dragon's effect activates!" Roselyn declared. "When it's Synchro Summoned, all cards in our Graveyards are banished!"

Ruddy Rose stabbed the ground with her vines, and several others burst out, each impaled with a card on one of its thorns. The dragon then unleashed a tide of chilling flames, burning everything down to ashes.

"A powerful but ultimately futile effect," Na'amah mockingly praised Roselyn. "But because of Azrael's effect, you can't destroy it through your dragon's second effect. And with your monster only having 3200 attack points, it isn't strong enough to destroy it in battle. This duel will end in your loss come my turn!"

"Hate to break it to you, but there'll be no next turn because I plan to end this duel right now!" Roselyn said. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Trinity Convergence, equipping it to Ruddy Rose Dragon! Thanks to its effect, I can banish two monsters with the same summoning type and an equal or lower Level as the equipped monster from my Deck or Extra Deck to add their attack points to the equipped monster. I banish the Level 7 Black Rose Moonlight Dragon and the Level 4 Phonon Pulse Dragon from my Extra Deck, adding their attack points to Ruddy Rose Dragon!"

Spirits of a monster resembling Black Rose Dragon and a purple dragon in golden armor with multiple jewels appeared. They soon entered Ruddy Rose Dragon's body, surrounding its body in a multi-colored aura.

Ruddy Rose Dragon ATK 3200→7500

"Battle!" Roselyn exclaimed. "Ruddy Rose Dragon, attack Fabled Azrael! Ruddy Rose Inferno!"

As Ruddy Rose fired a stream of flames from its mouth at the Fabled Synchro Monster, Na'amah smiled.

"You're a truly incredible duelist, Roselyn. However—victory will be mine in the end! I activate the effect of Honest from my hand! When a Light monster I control battles an opponent's monster, I can send this card to the Graveyard to have that monster gain attack points equal to the attack points of the monster it's battling!"

Following Na'amah's words, a transparent form of a male angel with long blonde hair and multi-colored wings momentarily appeared before merging with Azrael. As a result, its body was enveloped by a golden aura.

Fabled Leviathan ATK 3500→11000

"You fought well, but it's time to settle this!" Na'amah exclaimed. "Counterattack, Fabled Azrael! Soul Harvester!"

Following its master's command, Azrael charged forward. It slashed apart the flames with its scythe and bifurcated Ruddy Rose Dragon, destroying it in a massive explosion, with the ensuing shockwave sending Roselyn to her knees.

Roselyn: 200→0 LP

"Roselyn!" Sanctum yelled as she ran from the side to her, with Blue Maiden, Storm Rider, Playmaker and Soulburner following her. "Are you alright?"

"Of course I am," Roselyn replied as she stood up. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"That was very exciting," Ginger said as she approached the group. "You two had me on the edge of my seat!"

"You did very well, Roselyn," Pyrrha said, who had approached the group. She was smiling. "Truth be told, it's been a long time since Na'amah brought out Azrael. That means she acknowledges your skill is great enough for her to use it."

Roselyn smiled before narrowing her eyes at Na'amah. "That was a good duel, Na'amah," she said to her. "And since you beat me, we'll let you and Ginger join the fight against the Syndicate."

Na'amah smiled. "Glad to hear it," she said, then looked at her watch. "Oh boy, it's dinner time back at my place. Looks like we should all head out."

Storm Rider nodded in response. "See you guys soon," he said. "And bring your A-game for when the real fight begins."

"We will," Pyrrha said as she and her friends logged out, with Storm Rider and everyone else following suit.

Meanwhile, at the Syndicate's base, in the throne room...

"As you expected, Marionette, Storm Rider and his allies decided to recruit reinforcements. This could be very troublesome for us…."

Priscilla commented as she and Marionette viewed the recordings of Soulburner and Roselyn's duels.

"I suppose it can't be helped, given that I betrayed their trust," Marionette said as he opened a different screen showing data on Ginger and Na'amah. "Either way, they seem to excel in their respective summoning methods. While I hoped my betrayal would waver the Top 10 from trusting anyone who offered their help, I should have considered Pyrrha."

"Indeed," Priscilla agreed. "But no matter how many victories they pile up, once Dr. Willow's creation is fully operational, my long-awaited goal will finally be at my grasp. But first, we'll have to discipline these rebels."

Marionette let out a sly smile. "I couldn't agree more." A thought then crossed her mind. "Speaking of Dr. Willow, shouldn't he be speaking to Galerius right now?"

"Yes." Priscilla narrowed her eyes. "Given how the Top 10 and their meddlesome allies destroyed, evaluating how our cybernetic soldiers did against our enemies will allow us to improve them for next time."

"Then there's the matter of the Top 10's secret little weapon of theirs," a familiar voice commented as its owner, Desperado appeared, along with Ladon and Lumina. "The Action Field."

"Hey, Action Fields make duels more exciting, Desperado! And I enjoyed my duel against Soulburner and Roselyn, despite them being our enemies!" Ladon protested.

"But they are our enemies, Ladon." Lumine reminded Ladon. "Dr. Willow had the right idea of disabling it, but it's only good for one duel. We need to disable it for good from the source."

"SOL Technologies' mother computer. That's where it comes from due to Ringmaster and Maestra's presence all those months prior, along with their meddlesome Lancers." Priscilla explained. "Contact Umbra, Lumine. Tell him that I request his presence. His chance for redemption is here."

"Of course, your Holiness." Lumine complied as she left the throne room.

"It seems you're giving Umbra another mission after his failure, huh?" Desperado stated the obvious, having crossed his arms. "You're always someone who gives second chances, after all."

Priscilla nodded in agreement. "Every person learns from failure, Desperado. And that failure can lead to knowledge as well. But you do make a point. I can't afford to take risks."

"Perhaps Natura or I can go with Umbra to ensure the mission's complete," Ladon suggested.

"Your suggestion has merit, Ladon. Very well. You and she can decide which of you will accompany Umbra. As for whoever doesn't go, I have an assignment for them." Priscilla accepted Ladon's suggestion, the latter giving a bow before leaving the throne room. She turned to Desperado. "As for you, I'd like you to get me, Dr. Willow. I want to know what happened at the factory and the progress regarding the cybernetic soldiers."

Desperado bowed. "Yes, my queen," he said before leaving Priscilla and Marionette alone again.

"Do you believe Umbra will successfully infiltrate SOL's mother computer?" Marionette asked.

"I hope he does," Priscilla said. "I'm on my last nerve with the Top 10, and the only way to relieve that is by eliminating their advantage. And the first way to do that is by permanently ridding the usage of Action Fields."

OC Card Memo:

Ginger:

Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon (Earth/Fairy/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1800/RK: 5)

2 Level 5 "Madolche" monsters

You can also Xyz Summon this card using a Rank 4 or lower "Madolche" Xyz Monster you control as the Xyz Material. (Xyz Materials attached to that monster also become Xyz Materials on this card.) You can only Special Summon 1 "Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon" per turn. When summoned this way by using "Madolche Queen Tiaramisu", you can target up to 2 "Madolche" monsters in your GY: Attach them to this card as Xyz Materials. Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card: Shuffle 2 "Madolche" cards from your GY into the deck, and if you do, shuffle 1 card your opponent controls or in their GY into the deck. If "Madolche Queen Tiaramisu" is attached to this card, shuffle 2 instead of 1. Your opponent, except this card, cannot target face-up "Madolche" monsters you search control for attacks.

Na'amah:

The Fabled Bigwig (Light/Beast/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 200/LV: 2)

When this card is discarded from your hand to the GY, Special Summon it.

Fabled Watcher (Light/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 200/LV: 8)

When this card is discarded from your hand to the GY, you can pay 1000 LP: Special Summon it. When this card declares an attack on a monster, you can shuffle 1 "Fabled" monster from your GY into your deck to have this card gain 600 ATK until the End Phase.

Fabled Azrael

ATK: 3500, DEF: 2800, LV: 12

Light/Fiend/Synchro/Effect

1 "Fabled" Tuner Monster + 1 or more non-Tuner "Fabled" Monsters

Monster Effect: When this card is Synchro Summoned, you can return up to three "Fabled" Monsters from your Graveyard to your Deck and then destroy an equal number of cards on your opponent's field. If you have two or fewer cards in your hand, this card is unaffected by your opponent's card effects. If this card is destroyed, you and your opponent must send all cards in your hands to the Graveyard (if any), and then you can draw cards equal to the number of cards discarded from your opponent's hand.

Mirror World Synchro

Normal Spell Card

You can Special Summon 1 Synchro monster from your Extra Deck by banishing materials from your GY and treating it as a Synchro Summon. If this card is in your GY, except the turn it was sent there, and you control no monsters: You can banish 1 Synchro monster from your GY; Special Summon monsters from your GY whose combined levels equal the banished Synchro monster's level. You can only use each effect of Mirror World Synchro once per turn.

Roselyn:

Lantern Seed / EARTH / Level 1 / Plant / Effect / ATK 200 / DEF 200 / If a Level 5 or higher Plant Monster is Summoned: You can discard this card; add 1 Level 5 or higher Plant monster from your Deck or GY to your hand, and if you do, you can Normal Summon 1 Plant Monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set this turn. If a Level 5 or Higher Monster you control is destroyed, add this card from your GY to your hand. You can only use one "Lantern Seed" effect per turn and only once that turn.

Paladin of Rose Dragon

Attribute: Fire Type: [Warrior/Ritual/Tuner/Effect] ATK 1900 DEF 1300 Level: 4

You can Ritual Summon this card with "Black Rose Ritual". If this card is Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Plant monster from your Deck or GY. A Synchro Monster that used this card as a Synchro Material cannot be destroyed by card effects during the turn it's Synchro Summoned. You can only use each effect of the "Paladin of Rose Dragon" effect once per turn.

Torment Rose

EARTH

Level 6

ATK: 2200/DEF: 1200

[ Plant/Synchro/Effect ]

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

This card can attack all monsters your opponent controls once each. At the start of the Damage Step, if this card attacks: It gains 200 ATK. If this card is destroyed by battle or your opponent's card effect and sent to the Graveyard: You can target 1 Plant-Type monster in your Graveyard, except "Torment Rose"; add it to your hand.

Blue Blossom Dragon

Attribute: WATER

Level: 7

Type: Dragon/Synchro/Effect

ATK: 2400

DEF: 1800

Effect: 1 Plant-Type tuner + 1 or more Plant-Type non-Tuner monsters

While this card is face-up on the field, you can remove from play 1 Plant-Type monster in your Graveyard to negate the activation of a Spell or Trap Card and destroy it. Once per turn, during your Main Phase 1, you can select and remove from play 1 Plant-Type monster in your Graveyard. Select 1 face-up monster your opponent controls and reduce its ATK or DEF equal to the ATK or DEF of the monster removed from play by this effect until the End Phase of the turn. This effect is activated. When this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect), you can select up to 2 Plant-Type monsters you've removed from play and Special Summon them.

Battle Tendency

Normal Trap Card

If your opponent controls more Monsters than you do when they declare an attack, you can send three cards from the top of your Deck to the Graveyard to end the Battle Phase and reduce any effect damage you receive for the rest of this turn to 0. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can banish it to activate its effect, but your opponent gains 400 Life Points for every Monster on their field.

Soulburner:

Salamangreat Flare Pegasus

ATK: 2800/DEF: 2000/RNK: 5

Fire/Cyberse/XYZ/Effect

Monster Effect: 2 Level 5 FIRE monsters

You can target 1 "Salamangreat" Link Monster you control; Inflict damage to your opponent equal to its ATK; if you do, that monster cannot attack. You can only use this "Salamangreat Flare Pegasus" effect once per turn. Once per turn, during damage calculation, if this monster battles an opponent's monster: You can detach 1 material from this card; This card gains ATK equal to the ATK of the opponent's monster until the end of this turn. This card that was Xyz Summoned using "Salamangreat Flare Pegasus" as material can attack all monsters your opponent control, once each.

And that's Chapter 33. Hope you guys enjoyed the duels. Thanks to SakushiRyu and DragonKnight15 for designing Soulburner and Roselyn's cards. I decided to make the outcomes of these duels similar to the ones in Chapter 30 of Circuit of Smiles, but instead of Roselyn ending the duel in a draw, she loses during her turn. But for those who haven't read that story, check it out. See you guys next time. Let me know what you guys thought of the duel in the reviews. Well, that's all for now. Remember to follow and favorite this story and me. Leave a review as well. And don't hesitate to send me a PM. See you guys next time.