"DUEL!" Ryo and Kaito recited in unison as they removed five Cards from their Decks.
"For the part you played in the loss of my family, I will make you pay!" Kaito shouted with a scowl ever present on his hate-filled face. "I will take the first move! From my Hand, I Special Summon Cipher Gardna to the Field!"
Kaito placed his Monster on the Duel Disk. A bright light enveloped the area as a glowing armored Monster appeared to the Field in Defense Position.
Cipher Gardna: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 2000 Def
"Now, I Normal Summon Cipher Wing from my Hand!" Kaito exclaimed. Appearing in front of him was a Monster with neon-colored wings extending from its cube-shaped core.
Cipher Wing: Level 4, 1400 Atk, 1200 Def
"I activate a Continuous Magic Card, Double Exposure!" Inserting the Card into his Duel Disk, a Continuous Magic Card with an image of two exact silhouettes appeared on the Field. The Card glowed a bright white hue as Kaito utilized its effect. "Once during either player's turn, I can activate one of two effects. I choose the second, which allows me to select a Monster on the Field, and then target a Monster on the same controller's Field. The first target's name then becomes the same as the second."
Kaito's first target was Cipher Gardna, followed by Cipher Wing. As such, Cipher Gardna's name became Cipher Wing.
Cipher Gardna- Cipher Wing
"I set this Card facedown. That's the end of my turn." Kaito finished, glaring at his enemy. "Now, Academia scum, come at me! With no restraint, come at me!" His eyes flared. He shot a glance towards Yuto. To think that his old friend of all people was being fooled by this piece of garbage. It only served as evidence as to why he left the Resistance in the first place.
He will destroy Academia. In his own way, he will make sure no one will have to lose their families like he did. Never again…
"My turn, draw!" Ryo roared, drawing a Card from the top of his Deck. He put the drawn Card into his Hand, taking another and placing it on his Duel Disk. "I call out Cyber Dragon Core from my Hand!"
Appearing on the Field was the endoskeleton of Cyber Dragon. Coming out of its core were red wires, seemingly to connect it with the exoskeleton. The wires surged with red energy nodes as the dragon let out a metallic yet distorted wail.
Core: Level 2, 400 Atk, 1500 Def
"Cyber Dragon Core's effect activates!" Ryo continued, removing a Card from his Deck as it was automatically shuffled by the Duel Disk. "When this Card is Normal Summoned, I add a Cyber Magic or Trap Card to my Hand. I'm adding the Card Cyber Revsystem! Next, I shall activate the Magic Card Fusion!"
Kaito narrowed his eyes, the fire in his eyes only being fanned even more. His usage of Fusion only made him all the more guilty for the loss of his family.
"Cyber Dragon Core's name becomes Cyber Dragon while on the Field or in the Graveyard. Using this fact, I fuse Cyber Dragon Core with the Cyber Dragon in my Hand!" Ryo declared as his Monsters swirled together with a vortex-like formation. A flash of light enlightened the area, and out of it rose a dual-headed metallic dragon. "Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Cyber Twin Dragon!"
Twin Dragon: Level 8, 2800 Atk, 2100 Def
"Now then, Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Cipher Wing!" Ryo commanded as his Monster let out a wail. Suddenly, however, before the dragon could even move, a large orange barrier appeared on Kaito's Field, surrounding his Monsters and secluding them from the rest of the Field. "What the hell? But how?"
"Academia fools." Kaito spat with contempt. "You fools always think that we Xyz users are defenseless...hunting us down like cattle!" Kaito shook his head, reminiscing the terror he and the other citizens had felt when being chased down by Academia soldiers. With a cold stare toward his opponent, he began to explain what happened. "Cipher Gardna's effect makes it so you cannot attack any Cipher Monster except those named Cipher Gardna. However, since Cipher Gardna's name is now Cipher Wing, he is also protected by his effect."
"Tch!" Ryo grunted.
Honestly, what an annoying effect…
"I set these two Cards facedown and end my turn." Ryo finished as the back of two Cards appeared in front of him.
"My turn, draw!" Kaito announced, angrily removing a Card from the top of his Deck. "I activate Double Exposure once again, using its other effect this time. With this first effect, I can target two Monsters with a Level of 6 or lower with the same name. The Levels of these two Monsters are then doubled!" As he spoke, both of Kaito's Monsters lit up with a white light.
Cipher Wing (Cipher Gardna): Level 4-8
Cipher Wing: Level 4-8
"Kaito has two Level 8 Monsters…" Yuya trailed off, watching the Duel with awe.
"Galaxy Eyes." Yuto and Ryoga mumbled at the same time, knowing Kaito's playstyle all too well.
"I overlay my two Level 8 Monsters!" Kaito announced as his Monsters formed two streams of energy, converging into a vortex in front of him. A pillar of energy erupted from the portal as Kaito began to chant. "Galaxy shining in the darkness, dwell in the demonic god of revenge and become my very servant! Xyz Summon! Descend, Rank 8! Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon: Rank 8, 3000 Atk, 2500 Def
Kaito pointed toward his dragon as it let out a roar. The dragon grabbed one of the overlay units orbiting it, crushing it with the grasp of its hand. "I activate Cipher Dragon's effect! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can take control of a Monster you control. Its name becomes Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, and its Attack is raised to the same as this Card!"
"I will not let that happen!" Ryo countered, revealing one of his two set Cards, a Quick-Play Magic Card. "De-Fusion, activate! Using this Card, I return Cyber Twin Dragon to the Extra Deck. Now, I get to Special Summon the Materials used to Summon it!" The former Academia Duelist explained as his Monster was replaced by the Fusion Materials, Cyber Dragon and Cyber Dragon Core, both in Defense Position.
Cyber Dragon: Level 5, 2100 Atk, 1600 Def
"Very well, then. I will attack Cyber Dragon with my Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon! Cipher Stream of Eradication!" Kaito shouted as his Monster released a blue stream from its mouth, enveloping Ryo's iconic Monster and incinerating it instantly. After the battle, the dragon returned to Kaito's side as he concluded turn. "I end my turn."
"My turn, draw! From my Hand," Ryo started, inserting a Magic Card into his Duel Disk, "I activate the Magic Card Cyber Revsystem! With this, I can Special Summon a Cyber Dragon from my Hand or Graveyard. It then cannot be destroyed by Card effects. Return, Cyber Dragon!" A purple portal opened in front of Ryo. Rising from it was his signature Cyber Dragon in Attack Position. Switching his attention to Cyber Dragon Core, he shifted the Card to the right. "I switch Cyber Dragon Core to Attack Position!"
Ryoga narrowed his eyes. "Both of his Monsters in Attack Position?" He spoke with a skeptical tone. "Neither of those Monsters are on Cipher Dragon's level."
"That man doesn't make moves for no reason." Yuto spoke up, gathering the attention of his two friends. "Everything he does is calculated. He's always trying to outsmart his opponent. That is how he plays…"
"And you can trust him?" Ryoga questioned his dear comrade. He had complete faith in Yuto, hell, even Yuya now. The same could not be said for this stranger. After all, Allen and the others had said that he was with Academia…
"He saved us." Yuya answered for Yuto. Ryoga glanced at the Entermate user. "He fought against an Academia Duelist in order to protect us. If that isn't proof enough, I don't know what is."
"Hmm…" Ryoga hummed quietly as he and the others returned their attention to the Duel.
Inserting the Card he just drew into the Duel Disk, Ryo used another Quick-Play Magic Card. "Limited Removal, activate! With this, the Attack of all Machine-Type Monsters I currently control is doubled!" Both of Ryo's Monsters glowed with a green hue as their strength was doubled.
Cyber Dragon Core: 400-800 Atk
Cyber Dragon: 2100-4200 Atk
Kaito narrowed his eyes at the sight of the Card. He knew how this Card worked…
"Battle! Cyber Dragon, attack Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon! Evolution Burst!" A ball of fire bursted out of Cyber Dragon's mouth. The fire overtook Cipher Dragon, burning Kaito's ace Monster to smithereens. The fire nicked Kaito, causing the Xyz user to grimace from the scorching pain.
Kaito: 4000-2800 LP
"It ends here!" Kaito shouted through a pained groan. He clicked a button on his Duel Disk, opening his one and only set Card. "Trap Card, activate! Cipher Spectrum! If a Cipher Xyz Monster gets destroyed while it has an overlay unit, then I can Special Summon it back to the Field. Then, I can bring out another copy of the Monster from the Extra Deck, ignoring the Summoning conditions. Appear, my two Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragons!"
A bright light blue emitted in front of Kaito from the Trap Card. When the light dissipated, his Trap Card was gone. In its place, two Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragons stood side by side.
A rare, pleased smile found itself plastered on Kaito's face as he spoke. "I've already Dueled many of your comrades before. They too have used that Limiter Removal Card, so I know of its weakness. At the end of the turn, all Monsters affected by the Card get destroyed! In short, you messed up, and it has cost you the game."
"Is that so?" Ryo replied with a knowing smirk, earning a scowl from his opponent. The next thing Kaito knew, Ryo had opened another Quick-Play Card. "I activate Photon Generator Unit! With this, I release two Cyber Dragons in order to Special Summon from my Hand, Deck, or Graveyard Cyber Laser Dragon!"
Ryo's Monsters were tributed, making way for a longer version of Cyber Dragon with a laser at the end of its tail.
Laser Dragon: Level 7, 2400 Atk, 1800 Def
"I use the effect of Cyber Laser Dragon!" Ryo yelled as the weapon on the end of his Monster glowed with a light blue hue. "Once per turn, I can destroy one Monster on the Field who has a higher Attack or Defense than this Card. Say goodbye to one of your Cipher Dragons!"
A laser shot out from Cyber Laser Dragon's tail. The beam hit one of Kaito's Cipher Dragons, blowing it up and destroying it upon impact.
"I end my turn."
"Then it's my turn!" Kaito announced, swiping a Card from the top of his Deck. "I activate the Magic Card Armored Xyz! I target an Xyz Monster in my Graveyard. Then, that Monster is then equipped to a face-up Xyz Monster I control. Now, the equipped Monster will have the same name and Attack as the Monster from the Graveyard." A ghostly image of Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon appeared, superimposing itself with the currently alive Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon on the Field. As they were both the same Monster, the name and Attack were not affected at all.
Yuto narrowed his eyes. "Armored Xyz? This isn't looking good for Ryo…" Next to him, Ryoga nodded in agreement, knowing what the last effect of that Card did.
"Battle!" Kaito roared ferociously. "Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, attack Cyber Laser Dragon! Cipher Stream of Eradication!" Once again, a light blue stream of energy erupted from Cipher Dragon's mouth. Unfortunately for Ryo, he had no set Cards or effects to defend his Monster. As such, it was destroyed without struggle instantly.
"GAH!" Ryo cried out as the ensuing explosion blew him backwards. He was too busy stumbling on the ground that he nearly missed what Kaito had said next.
Ryo: 4000-3400 LP
"I activate the last effect of Armored Xyz! After the affected Monster battles, I can send the Monster it was equipped with to the Graveyard and give it another attack!"
"What?" Ryo blurted out, shock filling his eyes at this revelation. He no longer had anything to defend himself. That means…
"Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon can now attack you directly!" Kaito yelled as once more, his ace Monster released a light blue stream from its mouth. The stream connected with the ground right in front of Ryo, exploding upon impact and blowing him away with a scream.
Ryo: 3400-400 LP
"I set this one Card. Turn end." Kaito concluded.
"This isn't good." Yuto mumbled with sweat rolling down his face. He glanced towards Ryo, who was rising to his feet, with a concerned expression. "If he doesn't do something next turn, then…"
"Are you prepared to repent?" Kaito questioned with narrowed eyes, the hate ever present in his gaze.
"I've been prepared since I left Academia." Ryo muttered, hunching over, his hair covering his eyes to hide his expression. "And this is my start. I will atone by saving you, the biggest victim of my presence. I am sorry about your family. Truly. Had I known about what happened to Rin, I could have stopped the massacre of the Resistance. The loss of all of those people on that day is on me...and there is a penance for that."
Kaito processed what Ryo said with a calculating gaze. As the Cyber Dragon user began his turn, Kaito closed his eyes.
"Draw! From my Hand, I activate the Magic Card Pot of Greed. This Card allows me to draw two Cards!" Ryo explained as he did so, fishing two Cards from the top of his Deck.
However, before Ryo could make another move, Kaito had opened a Trap Card in front of him titled Cipher Deterrent. Kaito explained that this Card, targeting Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, prevented the targeted Monster from being destroyed by battle and Card effects. Also, he mentioned that when the targeted Monster battles this turn, the Attack doubles until the end of the turn.
Cipher Dragon will be too strong for the Chimeratech Monsters in battle. Ryo thought to himself with a sharpened gaze. He glanced at the three Cards in his Hand and smirked. In that case, I'll have to call you out...
"I Normal Summon Cyber Giraffe!" Ryo slammed the Monster onto his Monster Zone. Appearing in front of Ryo was a cybernetic giraffe who let out a mechanical groan. The metallic gears on the inside creaked with a loud, old tune.
Cyber Giraffe was small, weak, and old, but the Monster had its uses. And he was gonna show how.
Grabbing another Card in his Hand, Ryo slid a Card into the Magic and Trap Card Zone. "I activate the ultimate Fusion Card, Power Bond!"
"Power Bond? The ultimate Fusion Card?" Ryoga murmured. Was it just a boast, or is that Card actually that strong?
"Normally, I would need to use Monsters on my Hand or Field to Fusion Summon a Monster. However…" Ryo trailed off, chaining a Quick-Play Magic Card to Power Bond's activation. "Cybernetic Fusion Support, activate! To activate this Card, I must pay half my life points."
Ryo: 400-200 LP
"Now, when I Fusion Summon, I can banish Monsters in my Hand, Field, or Graveyard as Fusion Materials." Ryo spoke as three Monster Cards were ejected from the Graveyard. "I banish Cyber Dragon, Cyber Dragon Core treated as Cyber Dragon, and Cyber Laser Dragon also treated as Cyber Dragon. Fusion Summon! Show yourself, Cyber End Dragon!" With a magnificent roar, Ryo's ace Monster, a three-headed behemoth Cyber Monster appeared to the Field, towering over Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon.
Cyber End Dragon: Level 10, 4000 Atk, 2800 Def
"4000 Attack is nothing compared to the might of my Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!" Kaito proclaimed, motioning towards his ace. "When you attack, Cipher Dragon's Attack will be 6000!"
"I already know!" Ryo responded with a grin. "With Power Bond, the Attack of the Monster Fusion Summoned is doubled! So, Cyber End Dragon's Attack becomes 8000! Much more than Cipher Dragon's."
Cyber End Dragon: 4000-8000 Atk
"A-Amazing!" Ryoga blinked with awe, not able to see what was before him. "An 8000 Attack Monster just like that?" Even Kaito was actually concerned, as he had no sort of defense for his Cipher Dragon other than the Trap Card he had used.
"Battle!" Ryo declared with the wave of his hand. He pointed towards Kaito's Monster, commanding his Monster to attack. "Cyber End, attack Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon! Eternal Evolution Burst!" The three-headed Cyber Dragon released streams of fire from each of its heads with each enveloping the Xyz Monster.
Since Kaito had used a Cipher Deterrent and Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon was in battle, it's Attack was doubled. Also, it was not destroyed in the battle.
Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon: 3000-6000 Atk
Fortunately, the Xyz Monster shielded Kaito from the fire, but the burning temperature still got to him, causing the boy to grimace.
Kaito: 2800-800 LP
"I use the effect of Cyber Giraffe!" Ryo said as the Monster disappeared from the Field. "By releasing this Card, I make all the effect damage I would take this turn 0. I end my turn. Now, normally, Power Bond would make me take the Attack of the Summoned Monster as damage. However, with Cyber Giraffe's effect, I am safe."
"Such a risky effect." Yuya commented with raised eyebrows. "And he managed to avoid the cost so easily. If Cyber End Dragon keeps the Attack boost, then Ryo can win!"
"Turn end." Ryo concluded.
Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon: 6000-3000 Atk
"Kaito, your friends still care about you. No matter how hard you try to push them away, they will keep trying to help you. Believe me, taking on everything on your own will not help at all."
"You were right about one thing." The Galaxy Eyes user spoke.
"Hmm?"
"There is a penance for your sins." Kaito said with cold, dead eyes, glaring at the Cyber user. "And you will serve your penance in a Card along with all of the Academia scum! My turn!" The former member of the Resistance glanced at the drawn Card, narrowing his eyes upon sight. He turned back to Ryo and gave him his signature glare. "It ends here. I activate the Magic Card Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension!"
"No!" Ryoga blurted out with wide eyes. "That's the worst kind of Card he could have gotten! If that Cyber End Dragon doesn't have an effect to defend itself, then…"
"In the chance that happens…" Yuto trailed off as he raised his arm slightly.
"Using Cipher Ascension, I can use a Cipher Xyz Monster as Material for a Cipher Xyz Monster whose Rank is 1 higher!" Kaito explained as his ace Monster once again entered the overlay network. "Galaxy shining in the darkness. Release the forever unchanging light and become the beacon that illuminates the future! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Descend, Rank 9! Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
Rising from the portal was the upgraded form of Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon. A chill ran down Ryo's spine. The hate radiating off of this Monster...it was...petrifying. The hate and anger of this Monster rivaled that of his old Cyberdark Dragon.
Neo Galaxy Eyes: Rank 9, 4500 Atk, 3000 Def
"Now," Kaito started as the overlay unit on his new Monster disappeared, "I activate Neo Galaxy Eyes' effect. By detaching all overlay units, I can take control of all Monsters you control possible. Then, the name of those Monsters becomes Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, their Attack becomes the same as them, but consequently their effects are negated."
"What?" Ryo widened his eyes. He watched helplessly as his Monster was transformed into a Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon that teleported to Kaito's side of the Field. Unfortunately, the absence of Cyber End Dragon left Ryo completely open.
Cyber End Dragon - Neo Galaxy Eyes: 8000-4500 Atk
"Are you prepared to repent?" Kaito asked once again callously as he declared battle on the defenseless Ryo. "Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, attack him directly! Neo Cipher Stream of Eradication!" Like it's downgraded form, a stream of blue energy gushed out of the mouth of Kaito's Monster. The stream enveloped Ryo, causing a large explosion that could be seen from afar.
Ryo cried out in pain as he was thrown to the ground, his clothes and body riddled with dirt and grime. Grimacing with each little movement, the defeated man struggled to look at the victor, who had now begun to slowly walk towards him so with his Duel Disk anchored, ready to utilize the Carding process.
Ryo: 400-0 LP
"Shit! Ryo!" Yuto called out of concern as he ran in between the two Duelists. "Kaito! Please, don't do this!"
"Yuto." Kaito spoke, his voice unwavering. "If you don't get out of my way, then I will take you down too."
"I will not let you do this! Whatever happened to cause you to lose your family, I assure you it wasn't Ryo's fault!"
"IT WAS!" Kaito shouted with venom, veins now sprouting on his face. "HE WAS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT THAT BITCH TO THE RESISTANCE! HE'S THE REASON MY FAMILY IS GONE!"
"He didn't intend for that to happen! He is no longer with Academia anymore and he seeks to atone for what happened to your family! He does not deserve to be Carded!"
"I don't care."
"Kaito, open your eyes!" Yuto pleaded. "This isn't you! Trust me, Kaito. We're friends! He is not the person you should be fighting!"
"I. Don't. Care." Kaito retorted once again with slow, tension-filled pauses. "If you insist on getting in my way Yuto, then I will destroy you too. As far as I'm concerned, it's yours and Ryoga's fault as well for the loss of my family."
Ryo rose to his feet, supported by Yuya and Ryoga until the whiplash from the attack wore off. He narrowed his eyes as the two argued. Is it truly impossible to save him?
"Shun, too!" Kaito screamed at the top of his lungs, his anger spilling out with each word. "I trusted all three of you to come back, or to stay with us in our trying time! But you didn't! Now...the Spade Branch has been practically eradicated, and my family...is GONE!"
"So you respond by cutting ties with everyone who cares about you?" A new voice questioned.
Kaito gasped, immediately recognizing the voice. He turned to see Shun standing with his arms crossed. Behind him, the other Lancers and some Resistance members ran towards them. Kaito looked at the ground, recognizing Rio, Allen, Sayaka, Ruri, and O'Brien immediately. He also took note of the Yuto lookalike he Dueled along with the Ruri lookalike as well the Standard Duelist he had defeated and a big brute with black hair.
"To think you would go this far, Kaito." Shun said with disapproval evident in his voice.
"I wouldn't have to if you didn't leave." Kaito returned with a glare.
Shun frowned, his eyes filled with regret and remorse. So that's how it is…
The Raidraptor user stepped forward, holding up his Duel Disk. "Everyone, I'm taking Kaito on. Leave him to me."
"But brother-" Ruri started with a cry.
"I have to do this, Ruri." Shun said with closed eyes. "I definitely could have helped him protect his family. Plus, I understand how he is feeling right now. I was the same way. I need to do this, not just for Kaito...but for me as well. I need to see if I have truly changed."
"Shun…" Yuto spoke the name of his best friend. He sighed. "If that is what you want, then fine."
"Yuto!" Ruri shouted out of disbelief. Was he really going to stand by and watch two of their friends participate in a deathmatch alone?
"Marufuji Ryo…" Allen murmured as he saw him limping towards them. "You tried to help Kaito?"
"That is why I left the Resistance!" Kaito spoke up. "He is Academia! All you people are doing is letting a rat into your ranks once again. Look at what happened the last time."
"Kaito!" Shun yelled the name of his former comrade and friend. "I understand how painful it was to lose your family, but it's all the more reason to be with us, your comrades!"
"I have no comrades!" Kaito roared, activating his Duel Disk. "Anyone who gets in my way is an enemy!"
"Kgh!" Shun growled, disappointed that the Xyz Duelist was rejecting his friends in such a way. It was as if they were completely strangers now. And normally, it would be with this new Kaito. But the thing is, while the others may not recognize this new Kaito, Shun himself does. He knows him all too well.
He's just like how I was…
Shun activated his Duel Disk, removing five Cards from the top of his Deck.
It was just like after Ruri was kidnapped. Shun didn't realize how much he had changed. He had become so cold and bloodthirsty. He only wanted to destroy Academia and get his sister back, the consequences on himself and his friends be damned.
It was a phase filled with only anger, hate, and suffering.
And Kaito was going through the exact same thing right now.
"Kaito...I will save you!"
"You can try." The boy responded as he also removed five Cards.
"DUEL!"
Card Catalog
Nothing much here, but for Cyber Laser Dragon and also Cyber Barrier Dragon (who isn't in this chapter but in case I use it in the future, it is treated as Cyber Dragon while on the Field or in the Graveyard. Also, for Cybernetic Fusion Support I decided to go with the effect in real life.
This chapter was actually supposed to be longer with two Duels, but the file didn't save or some shut so it all got deleted. I had to rewrite the chapter hence why it took two months to get this out.
I honestly didn't want this part to go into a third chapter, but it looks like that's what I'm going to have to do. The file not saving really left me bummed out so I stopped writing for a bit, but now I'm back.
Recently, I've been trying to think how long this arc will be, but honestly, I don't think it'll be that long. I definitely think it will be longer than the anime, but definitely not as long as the Synchro arc. If I were to ballpark, then I think this arc will have like 20-30 chapters. I am not 100% though.
Anyways, until next time.
Take care, goodbye!
