This story was done in collaboration between me, Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and DaveMan1000 (both here and on DeviantART), and we own the OCs that are used in the story. AaronCottrell97 (known as stevecottrell on DeviantART) provided the Duel Layouts and additional ideas. Everything else belongs to their respective owners:
Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel
The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry
Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami
Gundam SEED characters, Orb, Blue Cosmos, M1 Astray, Strike Rouge, Murasame, Akatsuki (c) Sunrise
Character of Lisa Drake (c) DaveMan1000
Character of David Xadashi (c) DaveMan1000
Jak and Daxter characters, Spargus, Tough Puppy, Sand Shark, Dune Hopper, Gila Stomper, Slam Dozer, Heat Seeker, Dust Demon, Desert Screamer (c) Naughty Dog
Crash Bandicoot characters, Wumpa (c) Activision
Ratchet & Clank characters, Veldin, Sargasso, Shatterbomb (c) Insomniac
Sly Cooper characters (c) Sucker Punch
WARNING: Once again, this story is rated T for violence, some blood, suggestive themes, and some language. Reader discretion is advised.
WARNING 2: If you haven't read "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles Season 2", "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles Season 4", "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles (Pyramid of Light", "David Xadashi", "Lisa Drake", or "Team 4D's", you might want to do so before reading this story
Title: Reckless Abandon
Opening up inside the simulation chamber at Orb, Rin had finished telling Matt and Ms. Simmons everything she already told everyone else. Needless to say, they were not very happy about it.
"Asagi, Mayura, Juri… Why would they undertake such a dangerous duel challenge without first telling us?" wondered Ms. Simmons in disappointment.
"I'm sorry," apologized Rin, who was upset with herself, "I wanted to tell all of you the second I found out about it—but I agreed to keep quiet instead of coming clean the first chance I got. In fact…" She looked at Mr. Murdoch, who looked pretty understanding about the whole thing, "Mr. Murdoch convinced me to confess about the note when I bumped into him in the hallway."
Michael silently took the note from Rin and looked it over one more time before angrily crumbling it up and hurling it aside.
"What are we going to do?" fretted Carlie.
"It isn't too late to catch up to them," answered James R. with determination, as he cast a quick glance at Matt and Michael, "We still have a chance at saving them!" He then looked at the rest of the group, "Matt, Mike, and I are heading out; the rest of you stay here."
"Wait!" interrupted Rin, stepping forward, "I'm going with you guys," She looked downward for a few seconds before looking back up, "This mess is mostly my fault. I really want to help make things right!"
Matt nodded, "Sure," he accepted, before issuing an order, "Let's go!"
The three champion duelists all left the chamber with Rin following from behind to head outside and find their Duel Runners, while everyone else watched and prayed for the safe return of the three Astray girls.
(elsewhere…)
Back on the streets of Hartford and inside the geoglyph, the Turbo Duel between the three Astray girls and the three Bio-CPU boys was underway—and Shani had so much he wanted to do to teach the Orb-based duelists a lesson.
"I activate 'Evigishki Gustkraken's' effect!" The light green-haired boy declared, "When this card is Ritual Summoned: I must look at up to 2 random cards in my opponent's hand, then shuffle 1 of them into the Deck," As he continued speaking, Mayura gritted her teeth before easing up in total surprise when her name was brought up, "The opponent I choose is none other than you, Mayura!"
"Me?" gasped Mayura.
"You betrayed us years ago!" ranted Shani, having never forgotten that time from years ago, "If you had just stayed by our side and kept your mouth shut like a good bad girl you were, we'd become well known throughout the whole town!" He smiled like a shark, "So, now, you will have to take this effect."
"In case you haven't noticed, we hate traitors!" added Orga, before pointing forth, "So now, those two cards in your hand are…" Mayura, looking over her shoulder, listened with dismay, "…shown to Shani!"
Mayura reluctantly took her starting hand and held it up enough for Shani to see what the starting cards were. He looked very interested, and soon saw two cards ('Scrap Raptor' and 'Scrap Orthros') he thought were better off not in the hand.
"I see… There are two cards in your hand, widely seen as some of your best Tuners," grinned Shani, "It'd be a damn shame for you to lose one of them before you can use it!" He then made his decision, "The card you'll shuffle will be 'Scrap Raptor'!"
Mayura took and looked at her two cards ('Scrap Raptor' and 'Scrap Orthros') before shuffling one of them ('Scrap Raptor') into her Deck. It was then a face-down card materialized on the field beside Forbidden (on its left).
"I Set one card face-down and enter my End Phase," announced Shani, as his Set card faded away for later use, "As of now, I'll activate the second effect of 'Focused Aquamirror'!" While explaining away, a card ('Focused Aquamirror') ejected from his GY before fading away into oblivion before another card slipped from the middle of the Deck, which he then took and slotted into a Spell & Trap Zone on the Duel Runner, "During the End Phase, if I control a WATER Ritual Monster: I can banish this card from my GY; I must Set 1 'Aquamirror' Spell/Trap directly from my Deck or GY, except 'Focused Aquamirror'!"
A second face-down card materialized on the field beside Forbidden (on its right) before fading away for later use.
"My turn ends here," finished Shani, "Alright, Mayura!" As he finished speaking, Mayura listened to him with contempt, "Show us the power of the Orb Duel School like you said you would—despite only having one less card in your hand!"
"Grr… That Shani…" Mayura grumbled to herself, "I'll definitely show him!" She then drew a card, "It's my turn!"
With it being the first turn, all six players gained a Speed Counter:
-Shani: 0 → 1
-Mayura: 0 → 1
-Orga: 0 → 1
-Juri: 0 → 1
-Clotho: 0 → 1
-Asagi: 0 → 1
Turn Two: Mayura Labatt (LP: 4000)
Deck: 55
Current Hand (5): "Scrap Orthros", "Scrap Whirlwind", "Scrap Lube", "Scrap Processing", and "Scrapyard"
Speed Counters: 1
Upon drawing the 'Scrapyard' Spell Card, Mayura looked upon her card and grinned with reassurance.
"My previous card might be lost in my Deck," she was saying, to Shani's confusion, "but it won't remain there for too much longer."
"What?" quizzed Shani.
"Spell Card, 'Scrapyard', activate!" began Mayura, swinging her right arm about and causing the mentioned Spell Card to materialize face-up on the field in-front of her M1 Astray, "I must add 1 'Scrap' Tuner from my Deck to my hand!"
"What?!" Shani repeated, more loudly, "So, you managed to draw that damned Spell Card, you traitor!"
"I take 'Scrap Raptor' from my Deck…" As Mayura spoke, a card ejected from the top of her Deck, which she took, readied, and held it out, "…and then Summon it! Come, 'Scrap Raptor'!"
Appearing onto the field was the machine-like raptor (a type of dinosaur), and it let out a roar to signal its arrival (Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1000).
"I activate 'Scrap Raptor's' first effect!" continued Mayura, as her newly Summoned monster beeped for a few seconds before turning red and smoke started coming off of it, "I can target 1 monster I control; I must destroy it, also, during my Main Phase this turn, I can Normal Summon 1 'Scrap' monster in addition to my Normal Summon/Set! I will destroy my own 'Scrap Raptor'!"
And 'Scrap Raptor' exploded from destruction.
"This lets me activate "Scrap Raptor's' second effect!" Mayura pointed out, before holding up a card taken from her Deck and adding it into her hand, "If this card is destroyed by the effect of a 'Scrap' card and sent to my GY: I can add 1 'Scrap Factory' or 1 non-Tuner 'Scrap' monster from my Deck to my hand."
"Tch! That's one of your favorite combos," remembered Orga grimly.
"Next, I'll activate a Continuous Spell from my hand," said Mayura, taking another card from her hand before, with another swing of her right arm, inserting it into her Duel Runner, "'Scrap Lube'!" The mentioned Spell card materialized face-up on the field in-front of her M1 Astray, "I must target 1 'Scrap' monster in my GY; I must Special Summon that target, but negate its effects. I cannot conduct my Battle Phase the turn I activate this card."
From there, reappearing on the field was 'Scrap Raptor' (LeveL: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1000).
"Resurrect, 'Scrap Raptor'!" The voice of Mayura commanded, as the above scenario played out.
"Heh! Now it's my turn to play something," hissed Shani with an open sneer, before yelling out a command, "Face-down card, open!" On cue, the first face-down card reappeared on the field behind Forbidden, flipped face-up and revealed itself, "I activate a Trap, 'Aquamirror Cycle'!" He smirked madly, while Mayura frowned, "I must target 1 WATER monster I control and 2 WATER monsters in my GY; I must shuffle the first target into the Deck, and if I do, add the second targets to my hand," 'Gishki Beast' shattered into shards of glass, "I shuffle the 'Gishki Beast' on my field into my Deck…" After adding the 'Gishki Beast' into his Deck (which then shuffled on its own), he held up two cards ('Gishki Shadow' and 'Gishki Vision') taken from the GY, "…to add 'Gishki Shadow' and 'Gishki Vision' into my hand!"
"That gives him another potential Ritual Summon!" realized Asagi.
"But there's still a way to go before that happens," corrected Mayura, before placing another card onto her Duel Runner, "I Special Summon 'Scrap Orthros'!"
Appearing onto the field was the huge, two-headed 'Scrap' monster (Level: 4/ATK: 1700/DEF: 1100).
"This is a monster that can't be Normal Summoned or Set, and can be Special Summoned if I control a 'Scrap' monster," explained Mayura, She then held out her right hand, "Then I'll activate my monster's first effect!" While going over the effect, 'Scrap Raptor' started beeping, turning red, and causing smoke to come off its body, "If Summoned this way: I must target 1 'Scrap' monster I control; I must destroy that target."
Once again, 'Scrap Raptor' exploded from its own destruction, causing the face-up 'Scrap Lube' Spell Card to shatter into shards of glass.
"When that monster leaves the field, destroy this card," recalled Mayura, before placing a card ('Scrap Chimera') onto her Duel Runner, "I Normal Summon 'Scrap Chimera'!"
Appearing onto the field was the chimera monster made entirely out of junk and scrap (Level: 4/ATK: 1700/DEF: 500).
"Normally, this monster is unable to be used as Synchro Material unless the Synchro Monster is a 'Scrap' monster," informed Mayura, "Furthermore, the other materials also have to be 'Scrap' monsters," She then pointed forth using her right hand, "'Scrap Chimera's' monster effect activates!" Focus then shifted to her 'Scrap Chimera' "When this card is Normal Summoned: I can target 1 'Scrap' Tuner in my GY; I must Special Summon that target."
Reappearing on the field again was 'Scrap Raptor' (Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1000), who then started glowing and transforming.
"I tune Level 4 'Scrap Chimera' into Level 4 'Scrap Raptor'!" The voice of Mayura proclaimed, as the above scenario played out.
'Scrap Raptor' turned into four Synchro Rings, which 'Scrap Chimera' jumped into before turning into four orbs of light as a Summon Chant echoed throughout.
"Guardian of the mechanical wastelands, take flight and scorch those who oppose the antique and obsolete!" chanted Mayura, as the symbols 4 + 4 = 8 were shown briefly before the four orbs of light within the four Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 8! 'Scrap Dragon'!"
Appearing from the bursting beam of light and onto the field, was the large, scary-looking machine dragon of a sor (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2000).
"'Scrap Dragon'!" admired Juri, "Mayura's really going all out!"
"But I'm worried," cut in Asagi, "The use of 'Scrapyard' has greatly limited her options for the turn," She frowned a little bit, not wanting to dismiss her tomboyish, red-haired friend's tactics, "But, at the same time, I do trust her."
Meanwhile, Mayura's turn continued…
"I Set one card face-down…" she began, as a face-down card materialized on the field in-front of her M1 Astray, "…and activate 'Scrap Dragon's' first effect! Scrap Inferno!"
Up in the sky, 'Scrap Dragon' obeyed the order, charging a blast of fire and letting it loose, torching Shani's 'Evigishki Gustkraken' and Mayura's Set card.
"'Evigishki Gustkraken'!" hollered Shani.
"Once per turn: I can target 1 card I control and 1 card my opponent controls; I must destroy them," explained Mayura, "The card I had Set was the Trap, 'Scrap Processing', and its first effect activates," While speaking on, she held up a card and then, at the end of her explanation, sent it to the GY, "If this Set card is destroyed by the effect of a 'Scrap' card and sent to the GY: I can send 1 'Scrap' monster from my Deck to the GY."
"You're gonna regret destroying a card of mine!" vowed Shani, as he held his right hand out near the open road ahead of him, "I activate a Trap, 'Torrential Reborn'!" The remaining Set card reappeared on the field in-front of Forbidden, flipped face-up, and revealed itself, "When a face-up WATER monster I control is destroyed by battle or by a card effect and sent to the GY: I must Special Summon the monsters destroyed and sent from the field to my GY at that time, then inflict 500 damage to my opponent for each of those Special Summoned monsters!" He took a card ('Evigishki Gustkraken') from his GY and held it, "Resurrect, 'Evigishki Gustkraken'!"
Reappearing on the field was 'Evigishki Gustkraken' (Level: 6/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000)—which then turned and fired off a blast of water, striking the pink M1 Astray and pushing it back as Mayura cried out and took damage (LP: 4000 → 3500).
"No!" cried Juri.
"Mayura!" added Asagi.
Luckily, Mayura was able to regain control of her Duel Runner before it could crash into the fire wall of the geoglyph.
"Ugh… I can't go down like this…" groaned Mayura, managing to grab a card from her hand, "I activate the Spell Card, 'Scrap Whirlwind'!" She slotted the card into her Duel Runner, causing the mentioned Spell Card to materialize face-up on the field beside her (on her right), "I must destroy 1 'Scrap' card I control, and if I do, Special Summon 1 'Scrap' monster from my hand or GY," As she revealed which monster she would destroy, 'Scrap Orthros' started beeping a few times, "I destroy 'Scrap Orthros'!"
'Scrap Orthros' exploded from destruction. With that done, Mayura took another card from her GY, looked at it (which was a Monster Card called 'Scrap Bandicoot'(!)) for a few seconds, then held it out.
"Now I Special Summon the Tuner monster, 'Scrap Bandicoot', from my GY!" announced Mayura.
Appearing on the field was a small, mechanical rat-like monster (Level: 1/ATK: 300/DEF: 150).
"I activate 'Scrap Orthros's' second effect!" Mayura went on, "If this card is destroyed by the effect of…" A card ('Scrap Chimera') then ejected from her GY, which was grabbed, "…a 'Scrap' card and sent to the GY: I can target 1 'Scrap' monster in my…" She held the card out for about two seconds, then added it into her hand, "…GY, except 'Scrap Orthros'; I must add that target to my hand. And then…I tune Level 8 'Scrap Dragon' into Level 1 'Scrap Bandicoot'!"
'Scrap Bandicoot' turned into one Synchro Ring, which 'Scrap Dragon' flew into before turning into eight orbs of light while a Summon Chant from Mayura was done throughout the sequence.
"When one mighty guardian falls, a new one will arise from its remains with twice the destructive force!" chanted Mayura, as the symbols 8 + 1 = 9 were shown briefly just before, as she punched her right fist forth, an explosion of light erupted in the background, "Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 9! 'Scrap Twin Dragon'!"
When the beam of light finally died down, there, in the sky above Mayura and her M1 Astray, was the huge two-headed dragon molded from scrap metal (Level: 9/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2200).
"I end my turn!" finished Mayura, at least glad she had control of a powerful monster.
Over with Asagi…
"I was right; having to waste a resource to regain the lost 'Scrap Raptor' meant Mayura didn't have anything to use for 'Scrap Twin Dragon's' first effect," she sighed in defeat.
Over with Orga, who wasn't impressed that Mayura brought out, in his eyes, a 3000 ATK beatstick. He was certain he could beat it, and dish out some pain to the three Astray girls.
"You honestly think your beatstick will be of help? Well, it won't help you!" insulted Orga, "It's my turn!" He drew a card, "Draw!"
Every player in the duel gained another Speed Counter:
-Shani: 1 → 2
-Mayura: 1 → 2
-Orga: 1 → 2
-Juri: 1 → 2"
-Clotho: 1 → 2
-Asagi: 1 → 2
Turn Three: Orga Sabnak (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Gladiator Beast Laquari", "Gladiator Beast's Medallion", "Test Tiger", "Gladiator Beast Attorix", "Gladiator Beast's Comeback", and "Greed Grado"
Speed Counters: 2
Upon seeing his drawn 'Greed Grado' Spell Card, Orga took another card from his hand and held it out.
"I Summon 'Gladiator Beast Laquari'!" began Orga.
Appearing onto the field was the tiger-like warrior in fire-based armor (Level: 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 400).
"And then… If I control a face-up 'Gladiator Beast' monster, I can Special Summon this card (from my hand)," As he said that, Orga, after readying it for a few seconds, placed a card onto his Duel Runner, "I Special Summon 'Test Tiger'!"
Appearing onto the field was the tiger monster wearing armor of sorts (Level: 3/ATK: 600/DEF: 300).
"I activate 'Test Tiger's' second effect!" exclaimed Orga, "I can Tribute this card, then target 1 face-up 'Gladiator Beast' monster I control; I must shuffle that target into the Deck, then Special Summon 1 'Gladiator Beast' from my Deck, and treat it as if it was Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster," He smirked deviously some more, "Be gone, 'Test Tiger'!"
'Test Tiger' vanished in streaks of blue, as commanded.
"With that done, I'll shuffle 'Gladiator Beast Laquari' back into my Deck!"
'Gladiator Beast Laquari' turned into a ball of light and returned to Orga's Deck, just before he took a card from it, looking at it (the card) for a moment, and then prepared to place it onto his Duel Runner.
"I Special Summon 'Gladiator Beast Augustus' in Attack Position!" declared Orga, before placing the card ('Gladiator Beast Augustus') onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Runner.
Appearing onto the field was the vulture-like 'Gladiator Beast' monster with four arms and clad in armor (Level: 8/ATK: 2600/DEF: 1000).
"When 'Augustus' is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster: I can Special Summon 1 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my hand in Defense Position," Orga explained, going over the first effect of his monster as he readied another card ('Gladiator Beast Attorix') taken from his hand "I must shuffle it into the Deck during the End Phase," He placed the card onto a Monster Zone (sideways) on his Duel Runner, "Come, 'Gladiator Beast Attorix'!"
Appearing on the field was a female tiger-like monster wearing gladiator armor wielding a sword and shield (Level: 4/ATK: 800/DEF: 2000).
"The first effect of 'Attorix' activates!" said Orga madly, "If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster: I can send 1 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my Deck or Extra Deck to the GY, except 'Gladiator Beast Attorix'; until the End Phase, this card's Level and name become the same as that monster sent to the GY," He held up a card ('Gladiator Beast Vespasius') taken from his Deck, "I send 'Vespasius' from…" The card was sent to the GY, "…my Deck to the GY!" Focus then went towards 'Gladiator Beast Attorix' as her Level was modified (Level: 4 → 7), "This makes 'Attorix' into a Level 7 monster!"
"He's got two Level 5 or higher 'Gladiator Beast' monsters…" grimaced Juri, knowing what monster would show up next.
And thus, both 'Gladiator Beast Augustus' and 'Gladiator Beast Attorix' waited for the order.
"I shuffle these two monsters back into my Deck!" The voice of Orga proclaimed.
'Gladiator Beast Augustus' and 'Gladiator Beast Attorix' started fusing together, as a Summon Chant from Orga was heard throughout.
"Behind every great warrior is an even greater trainer to keep them mighty and strong!" chanted Orga, with the artwork of the 'Polymerization' Spell Card looming in the background. He then managed to bring both hands together, "Fusion Summon! Come forth, 'Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor'!"
Appearing on the field, once the Fusion Summon sequence had finished, was the deer-like warrior in red armor wielding a staff—who pointed said weapon with a loud cry (Level: 8/ATK: 2400/DEF: 3000). All three Astray girls knew it wasn't going to be any fun, since they were quite aware that 'Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor' was one of Orga's most dangerous monsters.
"I activate 'Tamer Editor's' first effect!" boomed Orga, as 'Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor' turned the tip of his staff into an energized whip, "Once per turn: I can choose 1 'Gladiator Beast' Fusion Monster in any player's Extra Deck and Special Summon it to its controller's field in Attack Position, ignoring its Summoning conditions!" He then decided on which monster he would choose, "I choose-"
"Not so fast, Orga!" interrupted Juri fiercely.
Orga scowled, "What are you-?"
"I activate the first effect of 'Ally Sniper'(!)!" announced Juri, holding out a card ('Ally Sniper'), "If my opponent activates the effect of a monster they control: I can…" She discarded the card, "…discard this card; I must negate the effects of that monster until the end of this turn, then, if that monster is non-DARK, destroy it!"
Orga flinched. Appearing on the field was a humanoid Machine monster wielding a sniper rifle, who took aim until it was locked onto 'Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor'.
"Don't miss!" pleaded Juri, before issuing a command to her monster, "Open fire!"
A powerful blast was fired, connecting with 'Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor' and wounding him to the point of not being able to complete his effect—but since it wasn't a non-DARK monster, it was not destroyed.
"Tch! That's one of your more annoying monsters," grunted Orga in displeasure, but recovered quickly, "Still… You could've used it to stop your friend from losing 'Scrap Raptor' on Shani's turn, and what with 'Evigishki Gustkraken' being non-DARK," As he rambled on, Juri listened before gritting her teeth, "'Ally Sniper' would've destroyed it!" The mustard yellow-haired young man let out a taunting laugh, "You're not as smart as you're made out to be, you know!"
"Keep your traps shut!" snapped Mayura, "I believe it was better for Juri to save it for something much more dangerous!"
"Keep telling yourself that," Orga huffed, before making another move. He took a card ('Gladiator Beast's Comeback') from his hand and held it out, "Spell Card, 'Gladiator Beast's Comeback'! I must Special Summon 1 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my hand or GY, with a different Type from the monsters I control. It cannot be destroyed by battle," He slotted the card into his Duel Runner, causing the mentioned Spell Card to materialize face-up on the field behind Calamity—before turning into another card ('Gladiator Beast Vespasius'), "I Special Summon 'Gladiator Beast Vespasius' from my GY!"
Appearing on the field was the blue-scaled Sea Serpent-like creature dressed in armor and brandishing a sword (Level: 7/ATK: 2300/DEF: 0).
"Battle!" announced Orga, entering the Battle Phase.
"I activate the second effect of 'Scrap Whirlwind'!" interrupted Mayura.
Orga gasped, "What?!"
"During my opponent's Battle Phase: I can banish this card from my GY; monsters my opponent controls can only attack 'Scrap' monsters I control this turn!" revealed Mayura, "That means your monsters are only able to attack 'Scrap Twin Dragon' instead of Juri or Asagi!"
"Dammit!" cussed Orga, as his 'Gladiator Beast Vespasius' went and attacked the far stronger 'Scrap Twin Dragon', "I can't do anything to stop that!"
The attack had no effect on 'Scrap Twin Dragon', and it was all set to counterattack on command.
"Go, 'Scrap Twin Dragon'!" ordered Mayura, as 'Scrap Twin Dragon' finished charging its signature attack, "Scrap Twin Blaze!"
'Scrap Twin Dragon' obeyed, firing off a powerful blast of fire, roasting 'Gladiator Beast Vespasius'.
"Thanks to the effect of 'Gladiator Beast's Comeback', my Special Summoned 'Gladiator Beast' is not destroyed by battle!" reminded Orga.
"But you'll still take the damage!" countered Mayura.
Orga, glowing red, shut his eyes and grunted in pain as he lost LP from the attack (LP: 4000 → 3300). Even so, he recovered quickly from it to make another move.
"I activate the third effect of 'Vespasius'!" yelled Orga, removing the card ('Gladiator Beast Vespasius') from his Duel Runner and holding it up for a few seconds before placing it into his Deck as he automatically shuffled, "At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: I can shuffle this card into the Deck; I must Special Summon 1 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my Deck, except 'Gladiator Beast Vespasius'!" A card ejected from the middle of the Deck, which he reached over to take, "I Special Summon…" He held the taken card ('Gladiator Beast Murmillo') up before placing it onto his Duel Runner (sideways), "…'Gladiator Beast Murmillo'!"
Appearing onto the field was the fish-like 'Gladiator Beast' monster (Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 400).
"And then I'll activate 'Murmillo's' first effect!" raged Orga, "When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster: I must…" Focus then went to the 'Scrap Twin Dragon' on Mayura's field, "…target 1 face-up monster; I must destroy that target!"
"Oh no!" panicked Mayura.
"Oh yes!" cackled Orga, "Vanish, 'Scrap Twin Dragon'!"
On cue, 'Scrap Twin Dragon' exploded from destruction, clouding Mayura's field as she braced herself and yelled out. When the smoke cleared away, there, on the field, was 'Scrap Raptor' (Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1000).
"Oh, right," smirked Orga, not bothered by 'Scrap Twin Dragon's' second effect, "You used your monster's second effect, didn't you?"
"Y-Yeah," stammered Mayura, "If this card in my possession is destroyed by my opponent's card and sent to my GY: I must target 1 non-Synchro 'Scrap' monster in my GY; I must Special Summon it!" Focus then went towards her 'Scrap Raptor', "I Special Summoned 'Scrap Raptor' in Defense Position!"
"Whatever," Orga dismissed, before holding out another card ('Greed Grado'), "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, 'Greed Grado'!" He drew two cards, "If I destroyed a face-up Synchro Monster controlled by my opponent this turn, either by battle or card effect: I must draw 2 cards!" Upon seeing his drawn 'Gladiator Beast's Valor' (Trap Card) and 'Gladiator Beast Darius' (Effect Monster Card), he took the former and another card from his hand.
"I Set two cards face-down and end my turn!" concluded Orga, slotting the cards into his Duel Runner, "Since it's the End Phase, the effects of 'Scrap Whirlwind' and 'Ally Sniper' end!"
"Orga, Clotho, and Shani have gotten stronger since the last time we saw them duel," thought Juri, before narrowing her eyes, "Even so, I'm not going to back down!" She spoke aloud, "I will show you the power of the Orb Duel School!"
"Yes, we're listening," shrugged Clotho cockily, "Let's see that so-called power."
"It's my turn!" announced Juri, drawing a card.
Every player in the duel gained another Speed Counter:
-Shani: 2 → 3
-Mayura: 2 → 3
-Orga: 2 → 3
-Juri: 2 → 3
-Clotho: 2 → 3
-Asagi: 2 → 3
Turn Four: Juri Wu Nien (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (5): "Ally of Justice Transplanter"(!), "Gozen Match", "Ally of Justice Void Warper"(!), "Property Spray", and "Ally Engage Tuning"(!)
Speed Counters: 3
Her drawn card was a Trap Card called 'Ally Engage Tuning', which she added into her four card hand—containing 'Ally of Justice Transplanter', 'Gozen Match', 'Ally of Justice Void Warper', and 'Property Spray'.
"Because I used 'Ally Sniper' during Orga's turn, I'm one card short," thought Juri, "But I can still make this all work," She began her move, "I Summon 'Ally of Justice Transplanter' in Attack Position!"
Appearing on the field was a humanoid Machine monster wearing a white lab coat and appeared to be designed after a doctor (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 200).
"When this card is Normal Summoned: I can Set 1 'DNA Transplant' directly from my Deck or GY," explained Juri, drawing a card, looking at it, then slotting it into her Duel Runner, "It can be activated this turn," Materializing face-up on the field in-front of her M1 Astray was the 'DNA Transplant' Trap Card, "Continuous Trap, 'DNA Transplant'! I must activate this card by declaring 1 monster Attribute. All face-up monsters become that Attribute."
"Heh! She's going to try and stone wall our upcoming attacks," muttered Shani, "How pathetic that a powerful duelist from Orb would continue to use that strategy!" He tried provoking his opponents, "Go ahead! Choose LIGHT!"
Juri scowled and nodded firmly, accepting the dare as every monster on the field got a much lighter skin color to signify they've become LIGHT monsters.
"I now use this opportunity to activate 'Ally of Justice Transplanter's' second effect!" continued Juri, "When I activate 'DNA Transplant': I can…" 'Ally of Justice Transplanter' disappeared in a blue streak, "…banish this card from my field or GY; I must…" Materializing face-up on the field in-front of her M1 Astray was the 'Ally of Justice Tractor' Monster Card, "…Special Summon 1 'Ally of Justice' monster from my Deck in Defense Position, except 'Ally of Justice Transplanter'. I cannot Special Summon monsters the turn I activate this effect, except 'Ally of Justice' monsters," Appearing on the field was a large green-hued robot monster designed after a tractor (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0), "Come, 'Ally of Justice Tractor'!"
"'Ally of Justice Tractor'?" blinked Orga.
"This monster is perfect for an occasion like this," insisted Juri, "I activate 'Ally of Justice Tractor's' effect!" Focus went towards the monsters on Orga and Shani's respective fields, before going to 'Ally of Justice Tractor' as it faded away in a streak of blue, "If my opponent controls a face-up LIGHT monster: I can Tribute this card; I must…" She drew two cards and looked them over, "…add 2 'Ally of Justice' monsters from my Deck to my hand."
The two cards Juri took were 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer'(!) (Effect Monster Card) and 'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway' (Effect Monster Card). Nodding, she made another move.
"If this card is added to my hand, except by drawing it: I can Special Summon it," As Juri said that, she placed one of the cards ('Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer') onto a Monster Zone on her Duel Runner, "Come, 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer'!"
Appearing on the field was a highly advanced, futuristic military gunship (Level: 2/ATK: 1000/DEF: 0).
"'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer's' second effect activates!" continued Juri, "If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: I can target 1 'Ally of Justice' monster in my GY, except 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer'; I must Special Summon it in Defense Position, but it cannot activate its effects this turn."
"Oh? And what else are you going to bring out?" taunted Clotho.
"I'm going to revive my 'Ally of Justice Tractor, that's what'!" answered Juri, as 'Ally of Justice Tractor' reappeared on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0), "Resurrect, 'Ally of Justice Tractor'!" She then reached for another card in her hand, "Despite the Level criteria not being met nor do I control a Tuner monster, I'm going to attempt a Synchro Summon," Upon saying that, the intelligent, dark blue-haired young woman snagged the card ('Ally of Justice Void Warper') and held it out, "If I would Synchro Summon an 'Ally of Justice' Synchro Monster, 'Ally of Justice Void Warper' in my hand can also be used as material!"
"What?! That's some hack!" complained Clotho hypocritically.
Briefly appearing on the field was a large teleportation device that also seemed to resemble a black hole.
"I tune Level 2 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer', Level 1 'Ally of Justice Tractor' into Level 2 'Ally of Justice Void Warper'!" declared Juri.
'Ally of Justice Void Warper' turned into two Synchro Rings, which both 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer' and 'Ally of Justice Tractor' flew into before becoming three orbs of light (two for 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer', and one for 'Ally of Justice Tractor') all while a Summon Chant from Juri was heard.
"Destroyer built by complete and perfect cooperation, deploy and reap major gains on the battlefield!" chanted Juri, as the symbols 2 + 1 + 2 = 5 were shown briefly before the three orbs of light within the two Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Level 5! 'Ally of Justice Catastor'!"
Appearing out of the beam of light and onto the speeding field, was the familiar large yellow and gold robotic 'Ally of Justice' monster with four robo-like legs (Level: 5/ATK: 2200/DEF: 1200).
"Here I go, Orga!" boomed Juri, before pointing forth, "Right now, you control two LIGHT monsters!"
"Yeah, so?" frowned Orga.
"If my opponent controls 2 or more monsters including a LIGHT monster, I can Special Summon this card (from my hand)," Juri replied, as, while going over her monster's effect, she placed one more card onto her Duel Runner, "Appear now, 'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway'!"
Appearing onto the speeding field was what looked like a hovering generator machine that also seemed to be alive (Level: 8/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1200).
"'Ally of Justice Catastor's' effect could destroy 'Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor', but if I attack it, Orga will just activate 'Tamer Editor's' third effect to negate the attack and stop me from destroying it," thought Juri, "In that case…" She spoke aloud and entered her Battle Phase, "Battle! 'Ally of Justice Catastor' will attack 'Evigishki Gustkraken'!"
'Ally of Justice Catastor' obeyed, charging and firing off a beam of plasma towards Shani's monster.
"I activate the effect of 'Ally of Justice Catastor'!" continued Juri, as 'Evigishki Gustkraken' got hit by the attack before shattering into shards of glass about two seconds later, "At the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles a face-up non-DARK monster: I must destroy that monster!"
"Tch! You got lucky there," grumbled Shani.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey! Watch this!" cut in Orga, as he pressed a button on his Duel Runner, "I activate a Continuous Trap!" His first Set card reappeared on the field behind Calamity, flipped face-up, and revealed itself to be… "'Gladiator Beast's Valor'! I must activate only if I control a 'Gladiator Beast' monster. Monsters my opponent controls cannot attack, except to attack 'Gladiator Beast' monsters!"
Asagi and Mayura both were frustrated by that.
"'Tamer Editor' and 'Cosmic Gateway' could end up crashing into each other, if not for Orga being able to negate my attack," Juri was telling herself, mentally, "I suspect his other Set card is something like 'Gladiator Beast's Medallion', since the only other attack target is 'Murmillo', and if it survives the Battle Phase, it'll be tagged out for another 'Gladiator Beast' monster—most likely 'Bestiari'… I'll just have to chance it!" She resumed her Battle Phase, "'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway', take down 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo'!"
'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway' obeyed, charging towards the weakest monster on Orga's field. Unfortunately, Juri was not going to be successful in defeating 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo', because, as she feared, Orga was ready for the attack.
"Continuous Trap, open!" laughed Orga, as his remaining Set card flipped face-up on the field behind Calamity and revealed itself to be… "'Gladiator Beast's Medallion'! 'Gladiator Beast' monsters I control cannot be destroyed by battle, also any battle damage I take becomes doubled!"
'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway' smashed into a barrier formed around 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo', being unable to break through and destroy the weaker monster.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! Your tactics are worthless against my cards!" guffawed Orga, "So long as I keep my monsters in Defense Position, you can't destroy them nor damage me!" As he continued speaking, 'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway' backed away from 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo' as turned into a small orb of light and fluttered into the air, "I activate 'Murmillo's' second effect! At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: I can shuffle it into the Deck; I must Special Summon 1 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my Deck, except 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo'!" The orb of light retreated into his Deck, which caused him to draw and hold out another card ('Gladiator Beast Bestiari'), "Well, look what we have here… I'll Special Summon this 'Gladiator Beast' monster! Come, 'Bestiari'!"
Appearing on the field was the green-feathered Winged Beast monster in armor (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 800).
"I knew it!" thought Juri.
"I activate 'Bestiari's' first effect!" The voice of Orga cut in.
"Say what?!"
"If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster: I must target 1 Spell/Trap on the field; I must destroy that target," The mustard yellow-haired young man explained, "Alright, four eyes, say goodbye to your best card!"
From there, 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' summoned a great gust of wind with his wings, causing Juri's face-up 'DNA Transplant' Trap Card to get blown away before shattering into shards of glass. With it gone, every monster returned to their original Attribute.
"Did you seriously think your stone wall strategy would work against a Dark Signer?" mocked Orga, before he, Shani, and Clotho burst into laughter.
Gritting her teeth, Juri knew Orga had a fair point, but she wasn't going to let that stop her from fighting on. To that end, she took and readied two cards in-between the index and middle fingers of her right hand.
"I Set two cards face-down and end my turn!" concluded Juri, swinging her right arm about and slotting the cards into her Duel Runner.
Two face-down cards materialized on the field in-front of Juri's M1 Astray before fading away for later use.
"About damn time!" chuckled Clotho, "In this duel, I'm not holding anything back against you three noobs!"
"Just bring it on, Clotho!" dared Asagi, "We're not afraid of you!"
"I'll make you regret those words," Clotho warned, before drawing a card, "It's my turn!"
Every player in the duel gained another Speed Counter:
-Shani: 3 → 4
-Mayura: 3 → 4
-Orga: 3 → 4
-Juri: 3 → 4
-Clotho: 3 → 4
-Asagi: 3 → 4
Turn Five: Clotho Buer (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Infernity Wildcat", "Blaster Cartridge", "Infernity Sage", "Infernity Archer", "Infernity Beast", and "This Creepy Little Punk"
Speed Counters: 4
Clotho looked at his drawn card and became ecstatic over seeing it. But before he could make a single move…
"Continuous Trap, open!" interrupted Juri, as one of her Set cards reappeared on the field in-front of her M1 Astray, flipped face-up, and revealed itself to be… "'Gozen Match'! Each player can only control 1 Attribute of monster. I must send all other face-up monsters they control to the GY!"
"You can do that?!" gasped Orga.
"Mayura only controls an EARTH monster, and I only control DARK monsters," recalled Juri, before narrowing her eyes again, "However, you, Orga, control both a DARK and WIND monster, so you have to send one of them to the GY!"
"Damn…!" swore Orga, before accepting the condition, "Alright! I send the WIND 'Bestiari' to the GY!"
'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' shattered into shards of glass.
"Here I come!" exclaimed Clotho, slotting a card into his Duel Runner, "I activate the Spell, 'Blaster Cartridge'!" The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of Raider, "I must send the top 4 cards of my Deck to the GY; I must draw 1 card, then place this card on top of my Deck. If I draw this card placed on top of my Deck by this effect, I must send it to the GY!" He drew the top four cards of his Deck and sent them one-by-one to the GY before drawing another card, "My special attack!"
His drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Infernity Doom Slinger', which was a card he would enjoy using when it came time. Clotho placed the card into his hand, then placed his 'Blaster Cartridge' Spell Card on top of the Deck, knowing he would send it to the GY on his next turn. From there, he resumed his turn.
"Next, I'll Set one card face-down," The voice of Clotho went on, as a face-down card materialized on the field in-front of Raider. He then placed a card ('Infernity Sage') onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Runner, "And then I'll Summon 'Infernity Sage'!"
Appearing on the field was a purple Fiend monster with a long red cape and sword in hand (Level: 2/ATK: 400/DEF: 800).
"Clotho's Handless Combo… It's coming!" fretted Mayura.
Sadly so…
"I activate 'Internity Sage's' first effect!" shrieked Clotho with glee, as he sent every card in his hand to the GY, "During my Main Phase: I can discard my entire hand!" He looked up once the deed was done, "That means my Handless Combo is ready to go! I'm gonna enjoy tearing the three of you girls to shreds with it!" From there, he went and pressed a button on his Duel Runner, "Face-down card, open!"
Clotho's Set card flipped face-up on the field in-front of Raider and revealed itself.
"'This Creepy Little Punk', activate!" The voice of Clotho announced, before growing increasingly unstable while going over his card's effect, "I must Special Summon 1 of my 'Infernity' monsters that is banished, or in my hand or GY!" He held his right hand out, "Resurrect, 'Infernity Archfiend'!"
Appearing on the field was a lean and mean Fiend monster with long arms and devil horns (Level: 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1200).
"I activate 'Infernity Archfiend's' second effect!" As Clotho spoke, he took a card from the top of his Deck and looked at it (which was the 'Infernity Launcher' Spell Card), "When this card is Special Summoned: I can add 1 'Infernity' card from my Deck to my hand. I must have no cards in my hand to activate and to resolve this effect."
He let out a menacing laugh over his card. And while that was going on, Fudo Go, Wheel of Fortune, Blackbird, and an M1 Astray were busy searching for the duel. Before long, they came across the fire wall of the geoglyph—just in time for the main three M1 Astrays, Forbidden, Calamity, and Raider to all race by.
"Looks like we've found them," acknowledged James R..
"And Asagi and the others are already dueling!" worried Rin.
To that end, Matt, Michael, and James R. each pressed a button on their respective Duel Runners, activating the monitors to display the current standings for the match. So far, it wasn't in the Astray trio's favor, and it was currently Clotho's turn.
"Clotho… He's trying to keep his Handless Combo going," said Matt gravely
"That's something we'd like to call bad," grumbled James R..
Back in the geoglyph, Clotho, with the swing of his right arm, made the 'Infernity Launcher' Spell Card materialize face-up on the field in-front of Raider.
"I activate the Continuous Spell, 'Infernity Launcher'!" The orange/red-haired young man declared, "Once per turn: I can send 1 'Infernity' monster from my hand to the GY. This will allow me to keep my Handless Combo going without stopping!" From there, as he gave a command, 'Infernity Sage' turned itself into two Synchro Rings, "I tune Level 4 'Infernity Archfiend' into Level 2 'Infernity Sage'!"
The two Synchro Rings hovered over, lowered, and overwhelmed 'Infernity Archfiend', turning it into four orbs of light. The symbols 4 + 2 = 6 were shown for two seconds before the four orbs of light within the duo of Synchro Rings and turned into a massive beam of light.
"Synchro Summon!" declared Clotho, "Appear now, 'Infernity Doom Archfiend'!"
Appearing out of the beam of light and onto the field, was the stronger, more evolved form of 'Infernity Archfiend' (Level: 6/ATK: 2200/DEF: 1600).
"Once per turn: I can target 1 face-up card on the field; I must negate its effects (until the end of this turn), then if I have no cards in my hand, I can destroy it," explained Clotho, going over his monster's first effect almost immediately, before eyeing his Raider's monitor and eyed his three opponents' fields, "Let's see… Which card should I negate, then obliterate? Hmm…" A sadistic smile formed on his face, "Why, it's so obvious…" Juri listened with dread as he spoke aloud to her, "Juri! I'm going to negate and destroy your Continuous Trap, 'Gozen Match'!"
Juri gasped, watching helplessly as her face-up 'Gozen Match' Trap Card shorted out, then shattered into shards of glass.
"Juri's 'Gozen Match'!" wailed Asagi.
"And there's more still!" laughed Clotho, "I activate 'Infernity Launcher's' second effect!" Holding up his card ('Infernity Launcher'). He then sent it to the GY while explaining the effect, "I can send this card to the GY," Two additional cards ('Infernity Wildcat' and 'Infernity Conjurer') emerged from the GY, which were taken and placed onto separate Monster Zones on the Duel Runner, "then target up to 2 'Infernity' monsters in my GY; I must Special Summon them. I must have no cards in my hand to activate and to resolve this effect."
Appearing on the field were 'Infernity Wildcat' (Level: 3/ATK: 1400/DEF: 0) and 'Infernity Conjurer' (Level: 3/ATK: 1200/DEF: 900).
"'Infernity Conjurer's' first effect!" bragged Clotho, as focus went to the three monsters owned by Mayura and Juri respectively, "While I have no cards in my hand, monsters my opponent controls lose 800 ATK!"
'Scrap Raptor' (ATK: 1400 → 600), 'Ally of Justice Catastor' (ATK: 2200 → 1400), and 'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway' (ATK: 2400 → 1600) got weaker, making Mayura and Juri very worried as they wondered what else Clotho was going to do. Sure enough, Clotho made another move.
"I activate 'Infernity Wildcat's' second effect!" announced Clotho, "While I have no cards in my hand: I can banish 1 'Infernity' monster from my GY; I must increase or decrease the Level of this card by 1 until the end of this turn," He held up a card ('Infernity Sage') and allowed it to fade away into oblivion, "By banishing 'Infernity Sage', I'll…" As he revealed his next move, 'Infernity Wildcat' had its Level decreased (Level: 3 → 2), "…decrease my monster's Level by one and make it Level 2!"
"Damn…" muttered Asagi, as she shouted a warning, "Brace yourselves, girls," This caused Juri and Mayura both to look very fearful, "'Infernity Doom Dragon' is coming!"
"How naive," responded Clotho sinisterly, before giving the command, "I dark tune Level 6 'Infernity Doom Archfiend' into Level 2 'Infernity Wildcat'!"
Asagi, Mayura, and Juri got really scared. And, from outside the geoglyph, Matt, Michael, James R., and Rin were not looking any better. 'Infernity Wildcat' turned itself into two balls of darkness. They were then absorbed into 'Infernity Doom Archfiend', before exploding into a total of eight balls of darkness, which then began spinning together in a circle above as a sinister-sounding Summon Chant was heard.
"When the curtain of darkness comes down, the eyes of the underworld will open. Swoop down, darkness!" chanted Clotho, as the symbols 6 + 2 = 8 were shown briefly just before a massive beam of darkness exploded from within the eight dark stars, "Dark Synchro! Show yourself, 'Hundred Eyes Dragon'!"
When the beam of darkness died down, there, flying above the field, was a huge black dragon with two large wings and countless purple eyes on its body (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500). 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' let out a roar to signal its arrival, while the three Astray girls looked upward at it in both shock and terror. Outside the geoglyph, Rin was speechless at what she saw just now.
"Wh-What was that Synchro Summon just now?" The aqua blue-haired young woman stammered, "I never saw anything like it before."
"Dark Synchro…" Michael darkly whispered.
"It makes sense since Clotho is a Synchro user and has become a Dark Signer," acknowledged James R..
Although he was aware that 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' was Clotho's newest ace monster, Matt said nothing about it. He just watched on in concern for his friends. He genuinely hoped they knew what they were doing despite the risk. Back in the geoglyph, Clotho burst into maniacal laughter over how awesome he believed his monster was.
"It's amazing… It's amazing, isn't it?!" Clotho screeched excitedly, "The power of Dark Synchro and 'Hundred Eyes Dragon'!" As he rambled on, Asagi, Mayura, and Juri dreaded what was coming next, "If you think it's terrifying now, just wait! It's going to get even scarier starting here!"
"How scarier can it already get?" peeped Asagi, who hadn't even taken her first turn yet.
"I'm glad you asked," snickered Clotho, "Do you girls remember 'Infernity Doom Archfiend'?" When nothing was said by the three Astray girls, he continued, "Well, I'm activating its third effect!" When explaining the effect, a faded clip of the 'Infernity Doom Archfiend' Synchro Monster Card spun and enlarged in the background, "A DARK Synchro Monster that was Summoned using this card as material can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase!"
"Two attacks?!" shivered Mayura fearfully, while Juri wasn't looking any better.
"And you're scared of 'that'?" scoffed Orga, "Man, you're a bunch of sissies! That's 'not' what makes 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' so frightening!"
"It's my monster's first effect!" put in Clotho, as, while explaining the effect, within the abyss (GY) several Monster Cards ('Infernity Wildcat', 'Infernity Archer', 'Infernity Beast', 'Infernity Doom Slinger', 'Infernity Archfiend', 'Infernity Climber', and 'Infernity Doom Archfiend') emerged and lined up, with one of them ('Infernity Doom Archfiend') fading away into oblivion, causing 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' to gain a new power, "Once per turn: I can banish 1 Level 6 or lower DARK Effect Monster from my GY; until the End Phase, this card's name becomes that banished monster's, and I must replace this effect with that banished monster's original effects!"
Outside the geoglyph…
"According to Clotho's GY, he has seven different DARK Effect Monsters in his GY," reported Rin, reading her M1 Astray's monitor. She looked up and at Matt, Michael, and James R., "That would give that dragon a variety of new powers to use against our friends!"
"Not to mention it, since 'Infernity Doom Archfiend' was used as Synchro Material, can also make two attacks in one turn if the opponent controls two or more monsters," Michael said firmly.
Back in the geoglyph…
"The monster I've banished is 'Infernity Doom Archfiend'," confessed Clotho, "Which grants 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' the following effects…" Focus then went towards his frightening ace monster, "Once per turn: I can target 1 face-up card on the field; negate its effects (until the end of this turn), then if I have no cards in my hand, I can destroy it!"
Opening its mouth as the purple eyes on its body reacted, 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' fired off a plasma blast so powerful that it vaporized 'Scrap Raptor' in an instant.
"Scrap Raptor'!" cried Mayura.
"And the second effect!" Clotho cackled on, "While I have no cards in my hand, if this card battles an opponent's monster, any battle damage this card inflicts to my opponent is doubled!" He entered the Battle Phase, "Battle!"
"That Clotho bastard!" growled Michael, "He's going to first attack 'Ally of Justice Catastor' and deal serious damage to Juri, before attacking 'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway' to defeat her!"
Sure enough, 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' was looking towards the two 'Ally of Justice' monsters on Juri's field, while Juri herself was so scared she couldn't speak.
"Go, 'Hundred Eyes Dragon'!" commanded Clotho, as 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' powered up before opening its mouth to attack for real, "Infinity Sight Stream!"
The attack was unleashed and connected with 'Ally of Justice Catastor', destroying it but not actually stopping the attack—the remains of it connected with the purple M1 Astray.
"Don't you remember?" joked Clotho in a very sick sort of way, "Thanks to the inherited effect of 'Infernity Doom Archfiend', the damage you take from this battle is 'doubled'!"
Feeling the full force of Infinity Sight Stream, Juri screamed in tremendous pain as her LP took an enormous drop thanks to the doubled damage (LP: 4000 → 800).
"Juri!" Matt and James R. called out at the same time.
"JURI!" Michael, Rin, Asagi, and Mayura all yelled at once.
After skidding about for a few seconds past Raider and Asagi's M1 Astray towards the fire wall, Juri slowly began to regain control of her Duel Runner and resume driving.
"Didn't have enough?" spat Clotho, "Fine, perhaps a second attack will be enough!" He started to give the command, "Do it, 'Hundred Eyes Dragon!"
"N-No!" said Juri, very weakly and forcefully, "I activate a Continuous Trap!"
Clotho cringed in rage, "What?!"
"'Property Spray'!" The voice of Juri declared, as her Set card flipped face-up in-front of her M1 Astray and revealed itself, "Once per turn: I can Tribute 1 monster; I must gain LP equal to the ATK the Tributed monster had on the field, then all monsters my opponent currently controls become the Tributed monster's Attribute until the end of this turn!" Focus then went towards her 'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway' as it turned into a purple twister (since it was DARK Attribute) that then surrounded Juri, "I Tribute my 'Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway'," She closed her eyes and regained some LP (LP: 800 → 2400), "With my monster having 1600 ATK, I gain that much LP, restoring me to 2400 LP."
"That isn't all," added Mayura, "Your 'Hundred Eyes Dragon' has no more targets. That means it can't attack again this turn."
"Ngh… Damn you and your shrewd trickery!" cursed Clotho. He then turned his anger towards Asagi, "'Infernity Conjurer', attack Asagi directly!"
'Infernity Conjurer' obeyed, pointing its staff at Asagi's M1 Astray and firing off a magical blast, striking the Duel Runner as Asagi screamed, her M1 Astray got thrown further back, and her LP fell down a bit (LP: 4000 → 2800). Luckily, she regained control of her M1 Astray. Finally, the Battle Phase was over.
"That was too close of a shave," thought Juri, "Still, Asagi and I made it out of the Battle Phase alive, and now I can take advantage of it," She spoke aloud, "From my hand, I'll activate the Trap Card, 'Ally Engage Tuning'!"
"What?! You're activating a Trap from your hand?" protested Orga.
The 'Ally Engage Tuning' Trap Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of Juri's M1 Astray.
"I must Synchro Summon 1 'Ally of Justice' Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck, by banishing 'Ally of Justice' monsters from my GY face-down as material," explained Juri, "If I control no monsters, I can activate this card from my hand during my opponent's turn."
"That makes it legal," reminded Mayura, "Any objections now?"
The fuming Orga, Clotho, and Shani had nothing more to say.
"I tune Level 5 'Ally of Justice Catastor', Level 2 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer', Level 1 'Ally of Justice Tractor' into Level 2 'Ally of Justice Void Warper'!" began Juri.
The four monsters reappeared on the field—before 'Ally of Justice Void Warper' turned into two Synchro Rings, while the other three monsters ('Ally of Justice Catastor', 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer', and 'Ally of Justice Tractor') all jumped in before becoming eight orbs of light (five for 'Ally of Justice Catastor', two for 'Ally of Justice Sonic Deployer', and one for 'Ally of Justice Tractor') as a Summon Chant ensued.
"Enormous floating fortress, unleash the greatest firepower known to mankind and eradicate all sinful opposition!" chanted Juri, as the symbols 5 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 10 were shown briefly before the eight orbs of light within the two Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Descend! Level 10! 'Ally of Justice Decisive Armor'!"
Appearing on the field, as the Synchro Summon sequence ended, was a large, golden-armored, mobile canon system (Level: 10/ATK: 3300/DEF: 3300). Clotho gritted his teeth in anger initially, but recovered and smiled smugly.
"You think that monster will help you?" he retorted, "Don't you remember? I still have 'Infernity Conjurer' on my field, which reduces the ATK of your monsters by 800!"
'Ally of Justice Decisive Armor's' ATK was indeed reduced (ATK: 3300 → 2500), making it weaker than 'Hundred Eyes Dragon'.
"You…!" hissed Mayura.
"Asagi… Mayura…" murmured an exhausted Juri, closing her eyes in defeat, "I'm sorry…"
After a moment of silence, Clotho entered his Main Phase 2 to do one final thing before ending his turn.
"I won't let any of you girls get ahead! I activate 'Infernity Climber's' effect!" snarled Clotho, as a card ejected from his GY. He took the card and placed it on top of his Deck, "If I have no cards in my hand while this card is in the GY: I can return this card to the top of my Deck!" He then eyed Juri with malice, "You got away with your life, Juri. Next time, you won't be so fortunate," The orange/red-haired young man finally entered his End Phase, "I end my turn! Now do your worst, Asagi!"
Outside the geoglyph…
"Man, Juri barely survived…" sighed James R. in great relief.
"She's also Synchro Summoned 'Ally of Justice Decisive Armor'," put in Rin.
"Unfortunately," cut in Matt grimly, "it got weakened by 'Infernity Conjurer'—meaning it can't stand up to 'Hundred Eyes Dragon'," He eyed the orange-hued M1 Astray inside the geoglyph, "Asagi, can you find a way to defeat Clotho's monster on your own?"
Back in the geoglyph, Asagi Caldwell finally began her first turn.
"It's my turn!" she began, drawing a card.
Every player in the duel gained another Speed Counter:
-Shani: 4 → 5
-Mayura: 4 → 5
-Orga: 4 → 5
-Juri: 4 → 5
-Clotho: 4 → 5
-Asagi: 4 → 5
Turn Six: Asagi Caldwell (LP: 2800)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Omega Judgment", "Vylon Kappa", "Vylon Filament", "Double Cyclone", "Vylon Tetra", and "Vylon Yocto"(!)
Speed Counters: 5
Asagi's drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Vylon Yocto'. She added the card into her hand and took out another card ('Vylon Kappa') to play.
"If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon this card (from my hand)!" explained Asagi, before placing the card onto her Duel Runner, "Come, 'Vylon Kappa'!"
Appearing onto the field was the 'Vylon' monster that looked remarkably like the legendary Yokai Kappa (Level: 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1100).
"The lingering first effect of 'Infernity Conjurer'!" interrupted Clotho, "Your monster loses 800 ATK!"
Only seconds after arriving, 'Vylon Kappa' was immediately weakened (ATK: 1800 → 1000). Asagi wasn't 'too' bothered by that, since she had other plans for her monster.
"And now for my monster's second effect!" Asagi declared, as a card ('Vylon Element') ejected from her Deck, she then took and held it (without revealing what it was) up for one and a half second, "When this monster is Normal or Special Summoned: I must add 1 'Vylon' Spell from my Deck to my hand."
Adding the drawn 'Vylon Element' Spell Card into her hand, Asagi's hand also contained 'Omega Judgment', 'Vylon Filament', 'Double Cyclone', 'Vylon Tetra', and 'Vylon Yocto'. With there now being three Spell Cards present and having more than enough Speed Counters to activate an effect from her 'High Speed World' Spell Card, she was now able to deal some serious damage.
"This will work," thought Asagi, "Look out, Clotho, because you're about to take massive damage in one fell swoop!" She made her move, "I activate the third effect of 'High Speed World'!" While explaining the effect, her Speed Counter gauge nearly emptied itself (SPC: 5 → 1), "Once per turn: I can remove 4 Speed Counters of my own, then reveal…" She reached for three cards ('Vylon Filament', 'Double Cyclone', and 'Vylon Filament') in her hand and took them, "…any number of Spell Cards in my hand; I must…" With the cards picked out, she held them up to show her opponents what they were, "…inflict 800 damage to my opponent for each card revealed!"
"Asagi revealed three Spell Cards!" rejoiced Juri.
"So she can inflict up to 2400 damage to one of our opponents!" whooped Mayura.
Clotho grinned, "God, just when I thought you idiots couldn't be any more naive," he insulted, bringing some worry to the three Astray girls before more was said, "I won't let you use this boring tactic to hurt me or my friends!"
"Does he have a way to stop this effect?" Asagi wondered to herself.
And, unfortunately, Clotho did have a way…
"I activate the effect of 'Infernity Doom Slinger'!" began Clotho, making a card ('Infernity Doom Slinger') emerge from his GY and having it fade away after three seconds, "If I have no cards in my hand, when my opponent…" He looked up as no damage was dealt, "…activates an effect that would inflict damage: I can banish this card from my GY; I must negate the effect damage I take!"
Asagi, Mayura, and Juri were dismayed by the failed attempt to damage one of the Bio-CPU boys. Oh, and if only Clotho stopped there…
"But this is where the real fun begins!" jeered Clotho, "Because now it's time to play Russian roulette!"
"Russian roulette?" repeated Asagi. Suddenly, she gasped upon hearing Juri scream, "Wha-?"
"What's going on?!" cried Mayura.
Suddenly, there was a monster standing beside the purple M1 Astray and pointing a gun at Juri's head, while she was both surprised and frightened by what was happening. The new monster was a Fiend monster with a skull-like face and wearing both a long, open red coat and blue pants. Outside the geoglyph, Matt, Michael, James R., and Rin saw what was going on.
"That's 'Infernity Doom Slinger'," realized Matt, "Clotho has somehow revived it even though he banished it."
"More importantly," said Rin urgently, "why does it look like it's going to shoot Juri?"
Michael said nothing, but it was obvious he was worried for Juri's safety, especially if Clotho was actually being serious about it being Russian roulette. Back in the geoglyph, 'Infernity Doom Slinger' continued to hold its gun at Juri's head, just waiting for the opportunity to pull the trigger and shoot.
"You can 'try' to inflict the damage if you want, but you also have a big decision to make," Shani coldly pointed out.
"Did you say decision?" fretted Asagi.
"'Infernity Doom Slinger' has a another effect that can be applied, but it requires the opponent to decide whether or not to apply it," explained Clotho, as focus went towards 'Infernity Doom Slinger' and Juri, "I must reveal the top card of my Deck. If it is a monster, I must inflict damage to my opponent equal to the amount of effect damage I took this turn plus the amount of negated effect damage."
"Which is a big, fat 0!" taunted Orga.
"If it is a Spell/Trap," continued Clotho, still smirking as though he was enjoying mentally tormenting his enemies—which he blatantly was, "I take damage equal to the amount of effect damage I took this turn. If my opponent does not choose to apply this effect, I take no effect damage this turn."
"You were going to deal 2400 damage with 'High Speed World', and Juri has, well, whaddya know, 2400 LP left" recalled Shani, as focus again went towards Juri as she remained very scared (LP: 2400), "This means if Clotho gets a Monster Card, she will be given, in Clotho's terms, a Game Over!"
"Grr… 'Blaster Cartridge' is no longer on top of Clotho's Deck since it was shuffled after 'Infernity Sage' sent a monster from the Deck to the GY, so if I go through with it, I can run the risk of killing Juri if Clotho ends up getting a Monster Card," muttered Asagi, but then froze, "W-Wait a sec…!"
A short flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
During Flashback Clotho's turn…
"I activate 'Infernity Climber's' effect!" snarled Flashback Clotho, as a card ejected from his GY. He took the card and placed it on top of his Deck, "If I have no cards in my hand while this card is in the GY: I can return this card to the top of my Deck!"
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"Clotho added 'Infernity Climber' from his GY to the top of his Deck!" realized Asagi, "It would guarantee he will reveal a Monster Card and deal Juri that fatal amount of damage!"
"And even if it somehow was a Spell/Trap, he wouldn't take any damage since he hasn't taken any other effect damage this turn!" added Mayura.
"In all this excitement, I've forgotten how many Monster Cards I have in my Deck," cracked Clotho, making a reference to an old movie he liked.
He, Shani, and Orga laughed from the selfmade joke, which didn't amuse the three Astray girls, at all—and it likely didn't amuse the spectators watching from outside the geoglyph.
"Clotho planned for this the entire time! He knows I rely so heavily on gathering Spell Cards into my hand," thought Asagi, horrified, "He completely rigged the gamble in his favor… What the hell am I going to do?!"
Outside the geoglyph, the three champion duelists knew the situation with Asagi and her friends was extremely bad.
"Those creeps are making mockeries out of Orb's best duelists," bemoaned Rin.
"Do they even stand a chance against Orga, Clotho, and Shani—let alone Dark Signers?" demanded James R..
As he watched the duel going on in the geoglyph, Matt began to regret his decision to let his non-Signer friends join the war. Would the three Astray girls be able to mount a counteroffensive against the Biological CPU trio? That, I'm afraid, is an unknown possibility at this time.