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?

41. Target Practice

In LINK VRAINS...

Storm Rider, Sanctum, Soulburner, Roselyn, Blue Maiden, and Playmaker sped toward the central station of LINK VRAINS. Upon arriving, they found several buildings on fire and several injured duelists on the ground.

"What the..." Soulburner muttered, having seen the destruction below them. "Those people..."

"Curse them..." Playmaker quietly commented.

Storm Rider gritted his teeth. "The Syndicate will pay for all of this," he swore to the others.

"Don't worry, Storm Rider. They will." Blue Maiden agreed before the six of them heard a roar.

"LOOK OUT!" Roselyn shrieked as all six saw a Cracking Dragon headed straight towards them! As a result, they had to jump off their duel boards and land on the ground.

"Cyberse Quantum Dragon, come and assist us!" Playmaker said as he took a card and played it. Cyberse Quantum Dragon appeared before him as it chased down and destroyed Cracking Dragon out of retaliation for the attack. Unfortunately, the six met several cybernetic soldiers led by a non-cybernetic Syndicate Sergeant with an absurd army of monsters behind them.

"You're too late, bub!" The sergeant boasted. "Your failure to prevent this tragedy from happening will be on your-!"

WHOOSH!

Everyone turned to see Storm Rider holding a blue cybernetic sword with data streams. He pointed the sword toward the sergeant and, with a burst of wind, vaporized him instantly.

"We're not allowing any more lives to be injured or taken today!" Storm Rider snarled.

"Whoa, Storm Rider!" Sanctum exclaimed. "Where did you get that?"

"I had Kolter made it for me just in case a situation like this would happen," he explained before taking a card from his Deck and placing it on his Duel Disk, causing Cyber Tech Link Dragon to appear beside him. Then, an innocent smile appeared on Storm Rider's face as if he was looking forward to what would come next. "Okay, time for all of you to suffer the consequences of your actions. Get them! Cyber Tech!"

With a roar, the large blue dragon charged forward and practically annihilated the soldiers and their monsters.

Knowing what needed to be done, Playmaker, Soulburner, Sanctum, Roselyn and Blue Maiden pulled out their cards.

"Come forth and help us, Salamangreat Emerald Eagle!" Soulburner said as Emerald Eagle appeared in a blaze of fury. The monster sped forward quickly and divebombed into several monsters, including Worm Drakes, Dark Jeroids and Lord Posions in another area. Pulling out another card from his Deck, Soulburner played it, causing a quiver of bow and arrows to appear. He grabbed them before rolling to his side and firing them at the other soldiers nearby, causing each one to vanish. He also fired a few of them at the Jack Wyverns nearby.

"Lend us a hand, Marincess Marbled Rock!" Blue Maiden stated as Marbled Rock appeared before she sliced several of the Soldiers' monsters up with her nail-like claws.

"Whip it to 'em, Splendid Rose!" Roselyn declared as Splendid Rose lashed its whip at three soldiers, sending them flying alongside their monsters.

Cyberse Quantum Dragon appeared from above and fired a burst of energy from its maw, destroying several monsters such as Baron, King of Yamimakai and Giant Orc.

As the chaos unfolded in the area, Sanctum turned her head and gasped upon seeing Charmcaster and Chevalier alongside Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight and Invoked Caliga being overwhelmed by multiple Syndicate soldiers, with several Jirai Gumos and a Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth behind them. Thinking quickly, Sanctum ran to assist the duo.

"Hah! The two of you are now cornered!" A Syndicate soldier boasted to Chevalier and Charmcaster until he and the others heard a shout from Sanctum as Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall raced towards the Jirai Gumos and slashed each one down.

"Strike them down, Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme!" Sanctum shouted as she played a card in her hand, which caused Spectrum Supreme to appear. The monster fired several lights of energy at Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth, which caused a massive explosion that sent the troops flying off the ground before their backs hit the building nearby. A look of surprise was on Chevalier and Charmcaster's faces as Sanctum walked towards them. "Are the two of you alright?"

"We're fine," Charmcaster assured her comrade. "Thank you for the assistance."

"No problem," Sanctum replied, glad she could save her friends.

KABOOM!

The trio turned their heads at the sight of the explosion, where they saw several soldiers flying off the ground before they turned into particles.

"It seems that Storm Rider and the others finished their group of soldiers..." Chevalier commentated.

"It would seem so," Sanctum said. "If the two of you are here, where's Gore and the others?"

"No clue. I haven't heard anything from the others about how they're doing." Charmcaster answered. The trio then heard Emerald Eagle blaze through several monsters, with Cyberse Quantum Dragon doing the same.

"We could use your assistance over here!" Soulburner commented nearby on top of a building, firing arrows at several soldiers trying to attack him.

"Yeah! Key emphasis on the word assistance!" Roselyn agreed loudly.

As if on cue, Charmcaster and Chevalier activated their Duel Disk. "We'll assist them. You and Storm Rider go help the others stop the chaos on the ground."

"Right!" Sanctum said as Charmcaster and Chevalier joined the battle, intent on helping Playmaker, Soulburner and Roselyn. Once that was done, Sanctum ran down the street, hoping to find Storm Rider and eliminate more attackers.

Elsewhere, Storm Rider slashed through several soldiers one by one with his sword, while Cyber Tech Link Dagon steamrolled through several of them, along with monsters, such as Machine King, Helpoemer, Infernal Incinerator and Shadow Ghoul. Unfortunately, a blast of cannon fire came out of nowhere, which hit Storm Rider and sent him flying to the wall.

"Awesome shot, Monster Cannon!" one soldier praised his monster. It was a large black bipedal dragon with yellow eyes and a massive cannon. He and several other soldiers ganged up on Storm Rider. "You're completely-!"

CRASH!

Spectrum Supreme landed on the ground from above, which sent a shockwave that resulted in the soldiers and their monsters flying off the ground before they all turned into particles. When Storm Rider looked up, he saw Sanctum on Spectrum Supreme's shoulder.

"Hey, Storm Riderl!" Sanctum called out to him as she jumped off Spectrum Supreme's shoulder and onto the ground, where she ran over to him and helped him stand up. "Glad to see that you're still in one piece."

"I'm glad you're okay, too," Storm Rider smiled. "How are the others doing? Especially with Gore and everyone else?"

"Playmaker and the others should be fine for the time being," Sanctum said. "Chevalier and Charmcaster are currently assisting them at the moment. But I'm not quite sure about Gore and everyone else."

"Then let's go investigate. I hope everyone's okay. Especially Triton, Hornet and Kid Fate."

Following Storm Rider's words, he and Sanctum began running down the street, intent on finding the rest of their comrades.

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

"No matter how many of you show up, I won't let you harm LINK VRAINS!" Seraph declared.

"Let's see if you can keep that promise!" A male Syndicate sergeant responded.

"Let's Duel!"

Seraph: 4000 LP

Syndicate Sergeant: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" The sergeant declared, looking at his hand. "I summon Evilswarm Castor!"

A brown and white warrior with a red cape appeared on the Syndicate soldier's field.

Evilswarm Castor ATK 1750 DEF 550 LVL: 4

"The turn that Castor is Normal Summoned," the soldier continued, "I can Normal Summon one "lswarm" monster in addition to my Normal Summon. I summon Steelswarm Scout!"

A little humanoid monster with goggles appeared alongside Castor.

Steelswarm Scout ATK 200 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"A monster with only 200 attack points?" Seraph mused. He narrowed his eyes. "That means-."

"Appear, our future circuit!" The soldier declared. The Link Portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two "lswarm" monsters! I set Evilswarm Castor and Steelswarm Scout in the Link Arrows!"

His two monsters entered the portal as the top and bottom arrows turned red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Steelswarm Origin!"

The soldier's Link Monster was… well, it was a head. It was a giant dark blue head with three horns, sharp teeth, and dark eyes. Seraph scowled at the monster as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Steelswarm Origin ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Steelswarm Origin?" Seraph muttered. "I've never heard of this monster…"

"I place a card face-down," the sergeant said. "I end my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Seraph drew, looked at his card and played it. "First, I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed, drawing two cards from my Deck! Then, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen!"

Behind Seraph came a sacred room filled with marble statues of great angels and pillars with red roses around them.

"I activate Valhalla's effect!" Seraph declared. "Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Fairy monster from my hand. Arise, Tethys, Goddess of Light!"

Light shone from Valhalla's walls, merging into a beautiful goddess with long silver-white hair. She wore a glowing white dress adorned with rubies and gold, with white angelic wings spreading behind her as she descended before Seraph in Attack Position.

Tethys, Goddess of Light ATK 2400 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

"Next, I summon Freya, the Spirit of Victory!"

A purple-haired young woman appeared in Attack Position. She wore a black and purple dress with sandals and a necklace. She had halos around her ankles and wrists and carried red pom-poms in her hands.

Freya, the Spirit of Victory ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"All that fanfare for that wimp of a monster?" The sergeant asked. "Nothing my monster can't handle."

"Hey, don't trash my monster," Seraph said with a smirk as he gestured to his field. "As long as Freya is on the field, all Fairy monsters I control gain 400 attack and defense points!"

Tethys, Goddess of Light ATK 2400→2800 DEF 1800→2200

Freya, the Spirit of Victory ATK 100→500 DEF 100→500

"Battle!" he then declared. "Tethys, attack Steelswarm Origin! Surging Light!"

Tethys raised a hand as a wave of light tore from her palm at Origin and charged it, but the sergeant was ready.

"I activate my Trap Card!" The soldier declared. "Impenetrable Attack! This card allows me to activate one of two effects during the Battle Phase. I can either prevent one monster from being destroyed by battle or card effects during this Battle Phase or take no battle damage during the Battle Phase." He smirked at Seraph. "I choose to take no battle damage!"

"I might not be able to damage you, but you'll still lose your monster," Seraph stated.

"No, I won't."

"What?"

Tethys finally fired at Origin. The blast hit, but after the smoke cleared, Origin was revealed unharmed.

The soldier laughed at Seraph's failure. "So long as Origin points to a monster, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects! Thanks to your Freya, my monster isn't going anywhere!"

Seraph frowned. "This duel is far from over," he said. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

The sergeant smirked at Seraph. "Guess your reputation is exaggerated, Seraph," he said. "I look forward to defeating you this turn." He then gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Steelswarm Scout in the Graveyard! At the start of my Main Phase, I can Special Summon Scout as I control no Spell or Trap Cards!"

The little black monster with goggles reappeared.

Steelswarm Scout ATK 200 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"And now I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Offerings to the Doomed!" The sergeant declared, which made Seraph's eyes widen. "At the cost of skipping my next Draw Phase, I can destroy one monster on the field! Say goodbye to your Tethys!"

A purple portal appeared beneath Tethys, out of which bandages came and wrapped themselves around the woman. They pulled Seraph's monster down and destroyed it. Seraph gritted his teeth.

"Steelswarm Origin's effect activates!" The sergeant continued. "Once per turn, if monsters on the field were destroyed by battle or card effect, I can Special Summon Level 4 or lower "lswarm" monsters from my Deck in Defense Position, up to the number of monsters destroyed. One monster was destroyed, so I can Special Summon one "lswarm" monster. I Special Summon Steelswarm Genome!"

A ghoul-like monster covered in black scales appeared alongside Scout.

Steelswarm Genome ATK 1000 DEF 0 LVL: 2

"Steelswarm Genome can be treated as two Tributes for the Tribute Summon of a "Steelswarm" monster!" The sergeant said. "I Tribute the Genome treated as two monsters and Steelswarm Scout to Tribute Summon Steelswarm Hercules!"

A massive black and golden monster reminiscent of a beetle appeared in Attack Position, summoned to Origin's bottom Link Arrow.

Steelswarm Hercules ATK 3200 DEF 0 LVL: 10

"A Level 10 monster!?" Seraph shouted in shock.

The sergeant smirked. "This is the end for you, Seraph! I activate Hercules's effect! In exchange for half of my Life Points, all other cards on the field are destroyed!"

"Won't you destroy your Link Monster with that effect?" Serpah asked.

"No," The sergeant said. "Since Origin points to a monster, in this case, Hercules, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."

"In that case, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Emergency Provisions, whose effect allows me to send any number of Spell or Trap Cards I control to the Graveyard and gain 1000 Life Points for every sent card. I will send Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen and my remaining face-down card to the Graveyard to gain 2000 Life Points."

Seraph: 4000→6000 LP

Hercules let loose a sonic blast, tearing apart Freya. Origin, however, remained on the field since it pointed to Hercules.

Syndicate Soldier: 4000→2000 LP

The sergeant gritted his teeth. "You might survive this turn, but I will still win! Battle! Steelswarm Origin attacks you directly!"

Origin blasted Seraph with black energy from its mouth, making him stumble.

Seraph: 6000→4000 LP

"Your turn, Hercules! Attack Seraph directly!"

Hercules gathered dark energy in its hands and blasted Seraph. Seraph glared fiercely at the energy as it traveled towards him and-.

It hit him. Seraph screamed with pain as he was sent flying off his feet and crashing into a building. He finally came to rest after crashing through five walls.

Seraph: 4000→800 LP

"Don't count me out just yet," Seraph said, wincing as he stood up. "I can keep fighting." He ran through the hole he'd made and jumped out.

"I end my turn," the sergeant said, smirking at Seraph. "You can't win this! Before Hercules and Origin, you've failed!"

"Have I?" Seraph asked, smirking. "I think you'll find you are the one who has failed."

"What?"

"My turn! I draw!" Seraph looked at his card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Photon Sanctuary, which Special Summons two Photon Tokens in Defense Position."

Two balls of light circled by streams of similar light appeared.

Photon Token ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4 x 2

"I Tribute the two Photon Tokens to Tribute Summon Archlord Morningstar!"

The two tokens disappeared and were replaced by a male angel clad in white armor with golden trims and a transparent waist cape emerging from its waist. A halo glowed above his head, and his eyes were yellow. Six brown angelic wings emerged from his back, and he held a long lance with a banner and a glowing sword.

Archlord Morningstar ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"Finally, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Megamorph," Seraph continued. "And equip it to Morningstar. With this card's effect, Archlord Morningstar's attack points are doubled since my Life Points are lower than yours."

Archlord Morningstar ATK 3000→6000

"6-6000 attack points?" The sergeant said, his voice filled with surprise.

"Battle!" Seraph exclaimed. "Archlord Morningstar, destroy Steelswarm Hercules and end this! Heavenly Grace!"

Morningstar surged forward while brandishing its sword and slashed at Hercules, destroying it in a massive explosion and sending the Syndicate sergeant flying off the ground.

Syndicate Soldier: 2000→0 LP

"Mission complete," Seraph commented. "I had better find everyone else and regroup…although I'm sure they're doing just fine on their own."

And with that, Seraph turned around and left the area.

Meanwhile, with Brawler…

"You'll learn to fear the Syndicate's power!" The sergeant declared. However, Brawler yawned in response.

"Oh, sorry. Did you say something?" Brawler chuckled before his face turned serious. "When I win this duel, there won't be any trace of you left! Now, let's begin!"

"Let's Duel!"

Brawler: 4000 LP

Syndicate Soldier: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Brawler declared. "By discarding Dinowrestler Systegosaur, I can Special Summon Dinowrestler Iguanodraka!"

A humanoid red-skinned dinosaur wearing yellow armor appeared and roared in Attack Position.

Dinowrestler Iguanodraka ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 6

"With that, I end my turn."

"My turn! I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Machina Redeployment from my hand! By discarding Machina Fortress, I can add two "Machin" monsters with different names from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Machina Soldier and Machina Sniper to my hand."

Brawler narrowed his eyes. "Machinas, huh…?" he muttered.

"I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn," the sergeant continued. "This card lets me Special Summon one monster from either player's Graveyards. Arise, Machina Metalcruncher!"

A tall, humanoid machine coated in orange armor pieces appeared. Its right arm was massive, with a large metal claw. Meanwhile, its left arm was smaller and only had a smaller claw with a wire attached to said arm. Metalcruncher had a singular eye, which glowed green as it looked at Brawler.

Machina Metalcruncher ATK 2800 DEF 0 LVL: 9

"Metalcruncher's effect! When it's Normal or Special Summoned, I can reveal three Earth Machine monsters from my deck, and you must choose one at random. The selected card is added to my hand while the other two are shuffled into my Deck. I reveal to you three copies of Machina Fortress!"

Three cards popped out of his Deck and appeared before him, revealing three copies of Machina Fortress to Brawler.

Brawler gritted his teeth in annoyance. "Fine. I choose for you to add one of the copies of Machina Fortress to your hand."

"I was hoping you would choose that card," the sergeant responded. "Next, I activate Machina Fortress's effect! By discarding Machine monsters whose total levels equal eight or more, I can Special Summon this card from my hand or Graveyard! I discard the Level 4 Machina Soldier and the Level 4 Machina Sniper from my hand to Special Summon Machina Fortress!"

A large blue tank with three treads, blue arms, and a railgun attached to its left shoulder appeared in Attack Position.

Machina Fortress ATK 2500 DEF 1600 LVL: 7

"Since I control two Machine Effect Monsters and no other monsters, I can activate the Spell Card: Iron Draw, which lets me draw two cards." The sergeant drew, then said, "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Machina Armored Unit. Now, if my Machine monster is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Machine monster from my Deck, so long as it has the same Attribute but fewer attack points."

"A card to replace destroyed monsters," Brawler noted.

"Battle!" The sergeant declared. "Machina Metalcruncher attacks Dinowrestler Iguanodraka!"

"I activate the effect of Dinowrestler Martial Anga in my hand!" Brawler declared. "When you attack my monster, I can send Martial Anga to the Graveyard to prevent my monster's destruction by battle!"

"But you will still take damage!" The sergeant reminded him as Metalcruncher struck Iguanodraka with its claw. Brawler winced from the shockwave.

Brawler: 4000→3100 LP

"Martial Anga's effect also ends the Battle Phase."

"Tch." The sergeant clicked his tongue in irritation. "You'll pay for that. I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"During your End Phase, Martial Anga's additional effect activates! Since you control more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon Martial Anga in Attack Position!"

A humanoid purple dinosaur wearing a pink vest appeared and roared.

Dinowrestler Martial Anga ATK 1600 DEF 0 LVL: 5

"My turn! I draw!" Brawler looked at his card, then gestured to his field. "I activate Iguanodraka's effect! Once per turn, I can Tribute a Dinosaur monster to Special Summon a different "Dinowrestler" monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. I Tribute Martial Anga to Special Summon Dinowrestler Systegosaur!"

Martial Anga disintegrated and was replaced by a green humanoid dinosaur with spines on its back.

Dinowrestler Systegosaur ATK 1900 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Systegosaur's effect activates! I can add a "Dinowrestler" monster or World Dino Wrestling from my Deck to my hand when it is Special Summoned. I'll add the latter to my hand, then Normal Summon Dinowrestler Capaptera!"

A humanoid pterodactyl wearing orange robes appeared.

Dinowrestler Capaptera ATK 1600 DEF 0 LVL: 3

Brawler pointed upwards. "Appear, my circuit! The summoning conditions are two "Dinowrestler" monsters. I set Iguanodraka and Systegosaur in the Link Arrows!"

His dinosaurs became whirlwinds that entered the top and left arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Dinowrestler Terra Parkourio!"

A gray-skinned humanoid dinosaur wearing red and purple armor over its shoulders and around its waist appeared and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Dinowrestler Terra Parkourio ATK 1000 LINK-2 ←↑

"I activate the Field Spell Card: World Dino Wrestling! While I control a "Dinowrestler" monster, only one monster can attack during each Battle Phase. Terra Parkourio's effect activates! As I activated World Dino Wrestling, I can add a "Dinowrestler" monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Martial Anga to my hand."

Brawler pointed upwards again. "Appear again, my circuit! The summoning conditions are two or more "Dinowrestler" monsters. I set Capaptera and Link-2 Terra Parkourio in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Dinowrestler King T Wrextle!"

A massive humanoid dinosaur with purple and red skin and dinosaur bones attached to its shoulders appeared and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Capaptera's effect activates! As it was used to Link Summon, King T Wrextle gains 1000 attack points until the end of the turn!"

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000→4000

"Furthermore, since Terra Parkourio was used to Link Summon, I can Special Summon a "Dinowrestler" monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated. Resurrect, Iguanodraka!"

The red dinosaur in a yellow vest reappeared.

Dinowrestler Iguanodraka ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 6

"I activate the Spell Card: Dino Reserve!" The card showed a forest with Terra Parkourio walking through it on four legs. "This card moves my "Dinowrestler" Link Monster to a Main Monster Zone it points to. I move King T Wrextle to my center Main Monster Zone. Then, Dino Reserve lets me draw two cards!"

Brawler drew his cards, then said, "Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Dinomuscle! While this card is active, my "Dinowrestler" monsters gain 400 attack points. And the first time they would be destroyed by battle or card effects each turn, they aren't!"

Dinowrestler Iguanodraka ATK 2000→2400

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4000→4400

"Battle! King T Wrextle attacks Metalcruncher! And at this moment, Wrextle's effect activates! When it attacks, you cannot activate Spell or Trap Cards! And at this point, World Dino Wrestling's effect activates! When my "Dinowrestler" monster attacks, it gains 200 attack points during damage calculation."

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4400→4600

"Furthermore, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Dino Stomp!" Brawler continued. "Since a Dinosaur monster declared an attack, I get to destroy a Spell or Trap Card you control. I destroy Machina Armored Unit!"

"What?" The sergeant gasped as his Spell Card shattered.

"Go! Jurassic Howl!"

King T Wrextle roared, producing shockwaves that blasted Metalcruncher and disintegrated it. The soldier grunted from the damage.

Syndicate Sergeant: 4000→2700 LP

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle 4600→4400

"I activate the effect of Dino Reserve in my Graveyard!" Brawler continued. "Since my "Dinowrestler" Link Monster destroyed your monster, I can banish Dino Reserve so King T Wrextle can attack again!" The soldier gasped in surprise. "Attack once more! And once again, World Dino Wrestling's effect activates!"

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle 4400→4600

"Go! Jurassic Howl!" King T Wrextle roared again, destroying the large blue tank.

Syndicate Sergeant: 2700→600 LP

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4600→4400

"I activate the Trap Card: Cross Heart!" The sergeant exclaimed. "Since King T Wrextle dealt me damage, I get to take control of it!"

Following his words, T Wrextle suddenly disappeared from Brawler's field and appeared on his.

Brawler growled. "You'll regret taking my monster. Especially since it now loses 400 attack points because it is no longer under my control."

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4400→4000

"I end my turn," Brawler said. "With that, Capaptera's effect ends and King T Wrextle's attack points return to normal."

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4000→3000

"My turn!" The sergeant announced. "I draw! It looks like it's time for me to put you out of your misery. But rest assured that I'll do my best to make this as quick and painless as possible. "I activate the Continous Spell Card: Iron Cage! Thanks to this card, I can target and destroy a monster on the field. But in exchange, I can Special Summon that monster back to its owner's field. I target and destroy Fortress!"

Suddenly, a metal cage appeared, hovering over Machina Fortress. The cage fell upon the large tank and the monster.

Brawler raised an eyebrow. Why would he destroy his monster instead of my King T Wrextle since it's now under his control? His eyes widened in shock. Unless...

"It seems you figured out that something bad is going to happen. If that's the case, you're correct!" The sergeant said with a grin. "I activate the effect of Machina Ruinforce in my Graveyard! By banishing Machine monsters from my Graveyard whose total Levels equal twelve or more, I can Special Summon this card from my Graveyard! I banish the Level 7 Fortress and the Level 4 Soldier and Sniper to bring out a monster that unleashes true terror! Come forth, Machina Ruinforce!"

An enormous black tank with three treads and a railgun attached to its back appeared on the field in Attack Position. It had a black sniper in place of a right arm and a silver blade in place of a left arm. On its shoulders were two black multi-cannons that were as long as arms. Its two eyes glowed red as it looked at Brawler.

Machina Ruinforce ATK 4600 DEF 4100 LVL: 10

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon! This card lets me target and destroy one Spell or Trap card on your field. I target and destroy your World Dino Wrestling!"

A typhoon emerged from the Spell Card and destroyed Brawler's Field Spell.

"Battle! King T Wrextle attacks Iguanodraka! Jurassic Howl!"

"Due to Dinomuscle's effect, Iguanodraka isn't destroyed!" Brawler stated.

"But you'll still take damage!" The sergeant pointed out. The Dinowrestler Link Monster roared and slammed Iguanodraka with its fist. Bralwer cried out as the ensuing shockwave pushed him back.

Brawler: 3100→2500 LP

"Here comes the second attack! Go, Machina Ruinforce! Attack Iguanodraka! Termination Sequence!"

The weapons aimed at Iguanodraka before firing a barrage of blasts and missiles, destroying it and causing a massive explosion that sent Brawler tumbling.

Brawler: 2500→300 LP

"With that, I end my turn," The sergeant concluded. "On my next turn, you're finished!"

"We'll see if what you say is true!" Brawler replied. "My turn! I draw!" He drew his card and smirked. Time to end this fool, he thought. "First, I activate the Spell Card: Earthquake! It switches all attack Position monsters to Defense Position!"

Following Brawler's words, the ground started shaking as Machina Ruinforce dropped to its knees.

"Moving on, I activate Dinowrestler Coelasilat's effect from my hand!" Brawler continued. "Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon it!"

A light-green humanoid dinosaur who wore a piece of clothing that was a combination of a brown vest and a cape appeared on Brawle's field. He wore dark blue pants that had silver pieces of armor on them, along with knee guards. He also wore a silver mask that had a total of eight sharp leaves protruding from the back. Last but not least, attached to his shoulders were shoulder pads that had green orbs in them.

Dinowrestler Coelasilat ATK 100→500 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"From there, I activate the Spell Card: Comeback! With this card, I can take back a monster that was originally under my control. Return to me, King T Wrextle!"

A beam of light erupted from the Spell Card, forcing T Wrextle to move to Brawler's side of the field.

"Since King T Wrextle is now under my control, it gains 400 attack points due to Dinomuscle!"

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000→3400

"With this, everything is set!" Brawler stated. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Tyrant Dino Fusion! It lets me perform a Fusion Summon using "Dinowrestler" monsters on my field. I fuse King T Wrextle and Coelasilat!"

The two monsters turned into red and blue particles that shot into the air before forming a violet twister.

"Now, King T-Wrextle! Feel the power rising within you, and become the monstrous tyrant that tears my enemies to pieces!" Brawler chanted. "I Fusion Summon! Appear! Dinowrestler Chimera T-Wrextle!"

A maroon-skinned humanoid dinosaur wearing black pants with red stripes and bone armor all over his body appeared on Brawler's field in Attack Position. The shoulder pads resembled the top portion of a dinosaur's jaw, each with red stripes on the top and long, spiked bones protruding from them on the back. On Chimera T-Wrextle's chest was a piece of armor resembling a mouth, as evident by the teeth. Bones were also wrapped around his forearms and legs as well. Lastly, Chimera T-Wrextle wore a bone mask with spikes and red stripes on top, along with light-purple hair on the back of his head.

Dinowrestler Chimera T-Wrextle ATK 3500 DEF 0 LVL: 8

"Battle!" Brawler exclaimed. "Chimera T-Wrextle attack Machina Ruinforce! And thanks to its effect, it inflicts piercing damage when it attacks a Defense Position monster!"

"Inflict… piercing battle, you say?" The sergeant said with a trembling voice. "But that means…"

"It means that you're finished!" Brawler mercilessly declared. "Jurassic Impact!"

Chimera T-Wrextle roared as its fist glowed red and punched Ruinforce, destroying it in an explosion that engulfed the Syndicate sergeant and sent him flying into a wall, causing him to lose consciousness.

Syndicate Sergeant: 600→0 LP

"Game, set and match." Brawler made a thumbs-up while smiling. "I'll admit this was an amusing distraction, but I've wasted enough time here already. Better see if I can find the others. Hopefully, they shouldn't be too far…"

After saying so, Brawler hurriedly exited the area, leaving the unconscious Syndicate soldier behind.

Elsewhere, at the top of a building in LINK VRAINS...

"Looks like the rest of the Top 10 and their new allies are more formidable than we expected. Look, they've already eliminated over a third of our troops."

Dr. Willow said as he, Galerius, Astro, Glacia, Enoch and Marionette surveyed the screen before her, which showed Ginger, Na'a mah, Seraph and Brawler's duels.

"Their skills as duelists are nothing to laugh about," Enoch commented.

"And considering how they just joined the Top 10's squad, it makes them even more intimidating." Marionette agreed.

"Lucky for us, I have an idea," Galerius said as another screen popped up, which showed Triton, Hornet and Kid Fate battling several soldiers. "I believe these three will be beneficial to us."

"You wish to capture them, right?" Astro deduced. "Very well. Glacia and I will take on Triton and Hornet while you take the little pipsqueak."

"Deal." Galerius then leaped from building to building, intent on finding Kid Fate, with Astro and Glacia doing the same for Triton and Hornet.

"We should get going as well, Enoch," Marionette stated.

"We should indeed." Enoch before turning to Dr. Willow. "Keep sending out soldiers. Once we locate Storm Rider, we'll initiate the next phase."

"Understood." Willow complied before Enoch and Marionette leaped from building to building, heading towards the central station.

Elsewhere, in the central area of the network...

"And that makes forty of them. Seriously though, how many people did Syndicate send to attack LINK VRAINS…?"

Triton sighed after he left his fortieth opponent behind and ran through the narrow streets of LINK VRAINS, intent on finding everyone else and regrouping.

"I just hope everyone else is alright…" Triton said with a worried expression on his face. "Especially Hornet. Knowing how ruthless the Syndicate is, nothing good awaits her if she loses. I need to find her as soon as possible."

"Sorry. But you won't get the chance!"

Turning his head around, Triton saw the figure of Astro appear on top of a nearby debris pile.

"So it's you. Astro, if I'm not mistaken," Triton said. "I only read about you in the files Storm Rider provided me... But I never thought we'd ever meet in person so soon..."

"What's wrong? Getting cold feet?" Astro taunted as he activated his Duel Disk. "Looks like I've earned quite the status among lowlifes like you. Don't think you can escape only because you're scared."

"Oh, I'm going to make you eat those words," Triton growled as she activated his Duel Disk. "I'll be sure to carve a message of gratitude in your grave. The time has come for you to pay for all the crimes you've committed!"

"Now you're speaking my language." Astro grinned. "Let's see how long your bravado will hold against me!"

"Duel!" the two duelists shouted in unison.

Triton: 4000 LP

Astro: 4000 LP

"I shall go first!" Triton announced, looking at his hand. "I summon Mermail Abysspike!"

A merman with blonde hair wearing light blue armor appeared on Triton's field.

Mermail Abysspike ATK 1600 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Abysspike's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can discard one Water monster and add one Level 3 Water monster from my Deck to hand. I discard Mermail Abysshilde to add Mermail Abyssnerei from my Deck to my hand."

After doing so, Triton said, "I activate the effect of the Abysshilde in my Graveyard! Because it was sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one "Mermail" monster from my hand. Come forth, Mermail Abysslung!"

Another merman with red hair, wearing black and silver armor and two massive black and gold arm shields, appeared alongside Abysspike in Defense Position.

Mermail Abysslung ATK 1200 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Abysslung's effect!" Triton continued. "While it is face-up on the field, all Water monsters I control gain 300 attack points!"

Mermail Abysspike ATK 1600→1900

Mermail Abysslung ATK 1200→1500

"I activate the Spell Card: Mermail Gift!" The card showed Abysshilde opening a small box shining with light. "Since I control 2 or more "Mermail" monsters, I can perform a second Normal Summon this turn. And if I summon a "Mermail" monster, I can draw one card. I summon Mermail Abyssnerei!"

A mermaid with long white hair wearing dark blue armor appeared on his field.

Mermail Abyssnerei ATK 1200→1500 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"Since Abyssnerei is a "Mermail" monster, I draw one card due to Mermail Gift's effect!" After Triton drew, he smiled. "It is time to take this duel to the next level! Appear, the circuit of the deepest ocean!"

Triton's hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared above him. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua monsters! I set Abyssnerei and Abysspike in the Link Arrows!"

His two monsters became whirlwinds of blue energy that entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Mermail Abyssalacia!"

A woman with purple hair wearing purple armor and carrying a golden staff appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Mermail Abyssalacia ATK 1600→1900 LINK-2 ↙↘

"A Link Monster…" Astro noted. "Looks like you're changing things up."

"That's the point," Triton told Astro. "To throw you off guard." He gestured to his field. Abyssnerei's effect activates! Since this card was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can draw a card and discard one." He did so, then said, "I discarded Mermail Abyssgunde. And when Abyssgunde is discarded, I can Special Summon one "Mermail" monster from my Graveyard. Return to me, Abysspike!"

Mermail Abysspike ATK 1600→1900 DEF 800 LVL: 4

Triton gestured to his Link Monster. "Abyssalacia's effect! Any monster that it points to gains 500 attack and defense points. Abyssalacia points to Abysslung!"

Mermail Abysslung ATK 1500→2000 DEF 1800→2300

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Triton said. "Now, let's see what you got."

"Someone is a bit too confident," Astro remarked. "Let's fix that, shall we? My turn! I draw! I summon Tachyon Engineer!"

A robotic dragonic humanoid in black armor with two small wings of red and purple light extending from its back, which held a hammer in its right arm, appeared on Astro's field.

Tachyon Engineer ATK 1000 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

"Tachyon Engineer's effect activates!" Astro declared. "When this card is summoned successfully, and I control no other monsters apart from it while my opponent does, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Tachyon" monster from my Deck. Appear, Tachyon Draco!"

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

Tachyon Draco ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Now, I build the Overlay Network with my Level 4 Tachyon Engineer and Tachyon Draco!"

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

"Pursuer of the ever-distant galaxy! Become a swift enforcer to purge those who upset order from this world! I Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Tachyon Raider!"

A humanoid monster clad in futuristic black armor, which had several purple energy lines and held two red energy disks in its hands, appeared on Astro's field. Two purple orbs of light circled it.

Tachyon Raider ATK 2600 DEF 900 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Battle!" Astro exclaimed. "Tachyon Raider, attack Mermail Abyssalacia! At this moment, I detach an Overlay Unit from Dual Raider to activate its effect! During either player's turn, I can detach an Overlay Unit from it and reveal one "Tachyon" monster in my hand! Then, that monster's attack points are added to my Raider's until the End Phase! I reveal the 1600 attack Tachyon Twin Wyvern, meaning that my monster's attack points become 4200!"

Tachyon Raider OU: 2→1 ATK 2600→4200

"Go, Tachyon Raider! Light Cycle Mayhem!"

Raider threw its energy disks forward at Abyssalacia, but Abysslung got in the way as its disk struck its shields.

Triton smirked. "Sorry, but Abyssalacia is not going anywhere!" he declared. "So long as Abysslung is on my field, you cannot target any other Water monster for an attack!"

Triton smirked. "I figured you would have an effect like that," he said, surprising Fatumare as Raider destroyed Abysslung. "Since Abysslung's no longer on the field, your monsters lose 300 attack points."

Mermail Abyssalacia ATK 1900→1600

Mermail Abysspike ATK 1900→1600

"You might have destroyed my monster, but its sacrifice won't be for nothing," Triton stated. "I activate the Trap Card: Card of Last Will! Though its effect, I can draw until I hold five cards in my hand since you destroyed my monster! And since I don't have a hand… I draw five cards!"

"You may have refilled your hand, but that doesn't mean you're safe," Astro said. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Pursuit of the Fiend! Since my Xyz Monster destroyed a Defense Position monster, I can detach all of Raider's Overlay Units. And then it can make a second attack!"

Triton's eyes widened. "What?" The purple orbs circling Raider burst as the monster roared.

Tachyon Raider OU: 1→0

"Battle! Tachyon Raider, attack Abysspike!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Half Counter!" Triton abruptly stated. "Due to its effect, since you declared an attack against my monster, I can increase Mermail Abysspike's attack points by half of yourTachyon Raider's original attack points!"

Mermail Abysspike ATK 1600→2900

Raider charged Abysspike as it launched its energy disks at the Mermail monster, which buried itself into Abysspike's body and exited it from the opposite side before returning to their controller's hands. Immediately afterward, the merman was destroyed in a flashy explosion, with the ensuing shockwave making Triton grunt in pain.

Triton: 4000→2700 LP

"This shockwave…isn't normal…even by Real Solid Vision standards…" Triton muttered as he clenched his abdomen, where a sizeable bruise had probably started forming. "Even so, I won't be deterred by this much."

"I place three cards face-down and end my turn," Astro said. "Now then, what sort of strategies will you show me? I can't wait for it."

"In that case, take a good look at this!" Triton declared. "My turn! I draw! I activate the effect of Mermail Abyssmegalo in my hand. I can Special Summon it by sending two Water monsters from my hand to the Graveyard!"

A giant red humanoid fish appeared on Fatumare's field, summoned to Abyssalacia's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. It wore golden armor and carried a massive spiked cutlass.

Mermail Abyssmegalo ATK 2400 DEF 1900 LVL: 7

"And remember, because Abyssalacia points to Abyssmegalo, it gains 500 attack and defense points!"

Mermail Abyssmegalo ATK 2400→2900 DEF 1900→2400

"Abyssmegalo's effect activates!" Triton stated. "Since it was Special Summoned, I can add one "Abyss-" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I choose Abyss-Scale of the Suijin." He took the card from his Deck and placed it in his hand, "Furthermore, the effects of the previously discarded Atlantean Marksman and Atlantean Heavy Infantry activate as well. When Marksman is sent to the Graveyard to activate the effect of a Watter Attribute monster, I can destroy a face-down card on your field. And when Heavy Infantry is sent to the Graveyard the same, I can destroy a face-up card on your field." He grinned. "My obvious targets are Tachyon Raider and one of your face-down cards!" Triton held out his hand. "Now, destroy his cards, Marksmen and Heavy Infantry!"

Spectral figures of a green-skinned, fish-like humanoid wielding a crossbow and a humanoid fish wielding two shields appeared before slamming into the designated cards, shattering them.

"Since it was destroyed, Tachyon Raider's effect activates!" Astro declared. "Thanks to it, I can Special Summon its Xyz Materials from my Graveyard with their Levels doubled and their effects negated! Revive, Tachyon Engineer and Tachyon Draco!"

A portal appeared on the ground, out of which the two Tachyon monsters emerged and landed on Astro's field.

Tachyon Engineer ATK 1000 DEF 1300 LVL: 4→8

Tachyon Draco ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4→8

Triton narrowed his eyes. "He has two Level 8 monsters now," he remarked. "He's planning on Xyz Summoning again. I have to make sure that he doesn't. I activate the Equip Spell Card: Abyss-scale of the Suijin! And I equip it to Abyssalacia!" Abyssalacia's armor changed color to white and green. "The monster equipped with Mizuchi gains 800 attack points!"

Mermail Abyssalacia ATK 1600→2400

"Battle! Abyssalacia, attack Tachyon Engineer!"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Fighting Fund!" Astro declared. "Due to its effect, monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn! Furthermore, I activate my other Trap Card, Damage Diet, whose effect allows me to halve all battle damage for this turn!"

Following Astro's words, Abyssalacia lifted her wand and pointed it at Engineer. A blast of water erupted from the wand and struck Engineer, sending Astro skidding back.

Astro: 4000→3300 LP

"Next up is Abyssmegalo!" Triton stated. "Attack his Tachyon Engineer once more! Abyssal Slasher!"

Abyssmegalo swung its sword, slashing Engineer, which wasn't destroyed due to Fighting Fund's effect. However, Astro was pushed back once more due to the shockwave.

Astro: 3300→2600 LP

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Triton concluded as he narrowed his eyes toward Astro. As long as I keep playing my cards right, this duel is as good as mine. I plan to finish this quickly so I can continue looking for Hornet so we can regroup with everyone else. Wondering how she's doing right now?

Meanwhile, at another area of LINK VRAINS...

"Go, Hama the Conquering Bow!" Hornet shouted. "Attack him directly!"

Following its master's command, an arrow formed on Hama's left wrist. Hama knocked the arrow and released the string, striking Hornet's remaining opponent and sending them flying back towards a broken wall. After that, they fell to the ground, with their Life Points reaching 0.

"And with that, we're finished here," Hornet remarked as she deactivated her Duel Disk. She looked around and frowned. She saw explosions going off in the distance, assumed it was her comrades dueling, and hoped they were winning. She had already defeated twenty soldiers, so they weren't that tough. Which raised the question: What was the point of this attack?

If it had been to eliminate them, wouldn't the Syndicate have sent more skilled fighters? Or was this a diversion of some sort?

She shook her head. "Whatever the reason for why the Syndicate's doing this, right now, I have to track down the others and—"

"I'm afraid I cannot let you do that."

Hornet flinched at the sudden statement that came out of nowhere, certain that the enemy was upon him. Upon turning around, he noticed the figure of Glacia standing across from her.

"It looks like my next opponent has shown themselves," Hornet said. "Honestly, you guys have the worst timing. However, know that I will blow you away without mercy if you choose to stand in my way."

"How confident you are…" Glacia smirked as she activated her Duel Disk. "Let's see whether you can back up your defiant words. But do entertain me to the best of your abilities before you perish!"

"Oh, I'll do more than that," Hornet said. "I will defeat you for sure! Now, let's begin!"

"Duel!"

Hornet: 4000 LP

Glacia: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," Hornet said. Glacia offered no objections. "First, I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity, drawing three cards from my Deck and discarding two. Then, I summon Battlewasp – Sting the Poison!"

A mechanical bee with a glass abdomen filled with pink liquid appeared.

Battlewasp – Sting the Poison ATK 400 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"And when Sting the Posion is summoned, I can add a "Battlewasp" monster from my Deck to my hand," Hornet said as she took a card from her Deck. "I choose Battlewasp – Kunai the Sharp. Next, since I control an Insect monster, I can Special Summon Battlewasp – Pin the Bullseye from my hand!"

An insect with a yellow head, a blue body that ended in a rocket, and wings appeared.

Battlewasp – Pin the Bullseye ATK 200 DEF 300 LVL: 1

"I Special Summon Battlewasp – Twinbow the Attacker through its effect!"

A brown and magenta four-legged bee appeared in Attack Position.

Battlewasp – Twinbow the Attacker ATK 1000 DEF 500 LVL: 3

"When Twinbow the Attacker is Special Summoned, I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck this turn, except Insect monsters," Hornet revealed. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Celestial Bell Tower! Now, whenever a player Synchro Summons, they get to draw a card." She gestured to her field. "I tune the Level 2 Sting the Poison with the Level 3 Twinbow the Attacker!"

The world greyed out as the two monsters disintegrated into green data. Two rings appeared. One brown and one red, with the red ring made of two concentric circles. Several blue-green rectangles appeared, circling the tower of rings as a screen appeared in front of the tower. The screen said "2 + 3" before changing it to read "5." A stream of light went through the rings as Hornet chanted.

"Stingers of rage, become a bow to pierce the heavens with a flash! I Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 5! Battlewasp – Azusa the Ghost Bow!"

A red and white feminine humanoid monster with a longbow and a quiver of arrows at its waist emerged from the light in Attack Position.

Battlewasp – Azusa the Ghost Bow ATK 2200 DEF 1600 LVL: 5

"Thanks to the effect of Celestial Bell Tower, I draw a card!" Hornet declared as she drew. "Then, I activate Pin the Bullseye's effect! Once per turn, it can inflict you with 200 points of damage! And thanks to Azusa the Ghost Bow's effect, whenever a "Battlewasp" monster inflicts effect damage, that damage is doubled! In other words, Pin the Bullseye's effect will now deal 400 points of damage!"

Following Hornet's words, the small bee shot its stinger at Glacia, causing her to wince.

Glacia: 4000→3600 LP

"The real thing starts here," Hornet smirked. "I tune my Level 1 Pin the Bullseye to my Level 5 Azusa the Ghost Bow!"

"What!?" Glacia cried out in shock. "Azusa is also a Tuner apart from being a Synchro Monster!?"

"That's right!" Hornet exclaimed as the world grayed out as green energy gathered around Hornet before blasting upwards. Her monsters disintegrated into data that reformed into two rings. The rings turned blue and merged before reforming into six blue rings in a tower. "1 + 5" before shifting to "6". A beam of light shot through the rings.

"Beat your wings, bring your sting, unite and fight!" Hornet chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Battlewasp - Halberd the Charge!"

A blue and gold humanoid insect with a red halberd appeared on Hornet's field in Attack Position.

Battlewasp - Halberd the Charge ATK 2500 DEF 800 LVL: 6

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

"It's my turn!" Glacia announced. "I draw! Since my opponent is the only one to control monsters, I can Special Summon Rime Wings from my hand!"

The floor around Glacia started freezing as it became an ice bird. The ice broke apart, revealing a blue-colored falcon with red eyes and wings made of rime ice.

Rime Wings ATK 1000 DEF 700 LVL: 4

"Then, I Normal Summon Blizzard Falcon!"

A dark blue bird made of ice crystals appeared.

Blizzard Falcon ATK 1500 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"I activate Rime Wings' effect!" Glacia continued. "Once per turn, I can target another Watter Attribute Winged Beast monster I control and increase its attack points equal to Rime Wings'. I designate Blizzard Falcon for this effect!"

Rime Wings flapped its wings, creating a gust of cold wind that enveloped Blizzard Falcon.

Blizzard Falcon ATK 1500→2500

"Time to inflict some pain!" Glacia shouted. "When Blizzard Falcon's attack points become higher than its original value, you take damage equal to that difference! Take 1000 points of damage!"

A ghostly image of Blizzard Falcon appeared before the original, diving towards Hornet. The ghostly image flew past Hornet, sending her skidding back.

Hornet: 4000→3000 LP

"And don't relax just yet. The true terror starts from here." Glacia grinned. "I overlay my Level 4 Rime Wings and Blizzard Falcon!"

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

"Piercing the hearts of countless warriors with ice, the beast of rebellion that flies in the sky descends onto this battlefield! I Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 4! Ice Beast Zerofrey!"

A blizzard shot out of the portal and revealed a female humanoid with its attire made of dark-blue ice, wings of feather-shaped ice, skin white as snow, eyes yellow like an eagle's, and its head covered by an eagle-motif helmet. Two orbs of blue light circled it.

Ice Beast Zerofrey ATK 2400 DEF 1800 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Zerofrey's effect activates!" Glacia exclaimed. "It lets me target one face-up monster on the field, negate its effects and seal it from attacking! I choose Halberd the Charge! Ice Cage!"

Blue-colored electricity shot out from Zerofrey's wings, striking the Battlewasp Synchro Monster and freezing it.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Zero Blade! This card reduces Halberd the Chage's attack points by 1000 and allows Zerofrey to attack twice!"

Battlewasp - Halberd the Charge ATK 2500→1500

"Battle! Ice Beast Zerofrey attacks Halberd the Charge! Icicle Storm!"

Several gusts of winds were generated from Zerofrey's body, enveloping Halbed the Charge's body and tearing it apart, generating a massive explosion that engulfed Hornet.

Hornet: 3000→2100 LP

"I activate the Trap Card: Synchro Last Will!" Hornet declared as the card showed three cards shooting out of the destroyed body of Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth. "When a Synchro Monster is destroyed, this Trap allows me to draw 1 card for every 2 Levels the destroyed Synchro Monster has. Since Halberd the Charge was Level 6, I draw three cards!"

"It's a real shame you won't get to use them," Glacia stated. "Zerofrey attacks you directly!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Counter Gate!" Hornet yelled. "Through its effect, if I'm about to receive a direct attack, I can negate it! Then, I will draw a card from my Deck, and if it's a Monster Card, I can Normal Summon it!"

Hornet drew her card and smirked as she revealed it.

"The drawn card is Battlewasp - Arbalest the Rapidfire, a Monster Card. That means I can summon it!"

A portal appeared before Hornet, out of which a purple and yellow bee with glaring red eyes appeared.

Battlewasp - Arbalest the Rapidfire ATK 1800 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"I activate Arbalest's effect! When this card is summoned successfully, I can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower Insect monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Come, Ultimate Insect LV3!"

A purple and red caterpillar appeared on Hornet's field.

Ultimate Insect LV3 ATK 1400 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Not bad, but the fall into the abyss of despair has only just begun," Glacia said. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Hornet announced. "I draw!" She gestured to his field. "Ultimate Insect LV3's effect activates! During my Standby Phase, I send it to the Graveyard to Special Summon Ultimate Insect LV5 from my Deck!"

A pillar of green light erupted around the small insect, and when it disappeared, a new monster appeared in Attack Position. This insect was a large flea coated in silver metallic armor with spikes and six legs with bladed ends.

Ultimate Insect LV5 ATK 2300 DEF 900 LVL: 5

"So your bug is stronger, but it's not scaring me!" Glacia boasted. "I'm ready for it!"

"Are you?" Hornet smirked, "When my Ultimate Insect Level 5 is summoned by leveling up, your monsters lose 500 attack points!"

Following its master's command, the large insect shot out several spores that embedded into Zeroprey's body.

Ice Beast Zeroprey ATK 2400→1900

"Now, I summon Battlewasp - Kunai the Sharp!"

An orange and black striped bee with brown beady eyes and a sharp knife as its stinger appeared on Hornet's field.

Battlewasp – Kunai the Sharp ATK 500 DEF 300 LVL: 1

"Kunai's effect activates! When it's summoned, I can Special Summon a "Battlewasp" monster from my hand or Graveyard. Return from the Graveyard, Battlewasp – Pin the Bullseye!"

The small cone-shaped bee reappeared.

Battlewasp – Pin the Bullseye ATK 200 DEF 300 LVL: 1

"Following that, I activate Pin the Bullseye's effect to deal you 200 points of damage!"

Glacia: 3600→3400 LP

Hornet gestured to her field. "I tune Level 1 Kunai the Sharp with the Level 1 Pin the Bullseye and the Level 4 Arbalest the Rapidfire!"

The world grayed out as green energy gathered around Hornet before blasting upwards. Her monsters disintegrated into data that reformed into three rings. The rings turned blue and merged before reforming into six blue rings in a tower. "1 + 1 + 4" before shifting to "6". A beam of light shot through the rings.

"Flap your wings and fill the air with the sound of fury, with your spear pierce through that barrier of injustice!" Hornet chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Fly, Battlewasp – Javelin the Strike!"

Emerging from the pillar of light was a humanoid wasp with red eyes and a mostly black body. Its arms and legs were colored a golden yellow, and it had thin golden-yellow stripes decorating its abdomen. On the insect's back were two pairs of large transparent wings with a honeycomb pattern, and in its right hand, it carried a long silver spear.

Battlewasp - Javelin the Strike ATK 2600 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"When Javlin the Strike is Synchro Summoned, you take 200 points of damage to my opponent for each "Battlewasp" monster currently in my Graveyard!" Hornet announced. "Since there are seven of them in my Graveyard right now, you take 1400 points of damage!"

Javelin unleashed a golden energy spear that struck Glacia's body and caused her to let out a grunt of pain.

Glacia: 3400→2000 LP

"Battle!" Hornet exclaimed. "Javelin the Strike, attack Ice Beast Zerofrey! Spear Sting Strike!"

"It won't be that easy!" Glacia shouted. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Command Silencer!"

A totem pole about ten feet tall with speakers inside appeared. The speakers went off, creating an ear-splitting sound that made Hornet cover her ears.

"What's that card do, bust eardrums?" Hornet asked.

"It negates your attack, and I get to draw one card," Glacia explained as she drew. "Which means summoning that monster was all for naught."

"We'll see," Hornet remarked. "Ultimate Insect attacks Zeroprey!"

The giant insect crawled over to the Xyz Monster and impaled it with one of its bladed legs, destroying it and making Glacia wince.

Glacia: 2000→1600 LP

"I activate the effect of Glacier Colibri from my hand!" Glacia declared. "When a Water Attribute monster I control is destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon this card!"

A small iceberg erupted from the ground, breaking apart and revealing the form of a cyan colibri with wings composed of blowing snow and a multicolored, icy beak.

Glacier Colibri ATK 1200→700 DEF 1400 LVL: 5

Hornet narrowed her eyes. "It seems I have to prepare for facing yet another Xyz Monster. I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Then it's my turn! I draw!" Glacia shouted. "I activate the Spell Card: Akashic Record. It lets me draw two cards, but I lose both if either has been used previously."

Glacia drew twice more and smiled as she revealed the two cards, seeing she hadn't played them. "Following that, I activate Glacier Colibri's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Water Winged Beast monster from your hand or Graveyard as a Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 monster. I choose to bring back Rime Wings as a Level 5 monster!"

A portal appeared on Glacia's field, with Rime Wings emerging.

Rime Wings ATK 1000→500 DEF 700 LVL: 4→5

Glacia blinked her eyes and gasped. "Two Level 5s?"

"I overlay my Level 5 Glacier Colibri and Rime Wings!" Glacia declared as she raised her Duel Disk and shot a bolt of dark blue energy. That bolt created the Xyz cross. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Her monsters disintegrated into data and entered the red bolts. The ends fired beams and created a galaxy, which exploded with energy.

"Ruler of the frozen night! Travel to new heights through our frozen evolution!" Glacia chanted. "I Xyz Summon! Rank 5! Ice Princess Zereort!"

A monster similar to Zeroprey, having her body covered in crystals, but instead of being dark blue, they were pale blue while her body was dark blue. She also carried a yellow scythe as a weapon. Two orbs of blue light circled her.

Ice Princess Zereort ATK 2500→2000 DEF 2100 RNK: 5 OU: 2

"Another Xyz Monster?" Hornet said in surprise.

"I activate the Trap Card: Dimension Slice!" Glacia declared. "Since I Special Summoned a monster, this Trap Card lets me banish a card on your field!"

"What!?" Hornet gasped.

"I choose to banish Javelin the Strike."

A portal to a different dimension opened up underneath the Battlewasp Synchro Monster, dragging it down.

"Furthermore, I activate Zereort's effect!" Glacia continued. "By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can target a monster you control and make its attack points 0! Arm Freezing!"

One of the lights orbiting Zereort disappeared, and as it did, Zereort let loose a blast of ice at Ultimate Insect LV5, causing it to freeze over as its attack points went down.

Ultimate Insect LV5 ATK 2300→0

Ice Princess Zereort OU: 2→1

"Battle!" Glacia exclaimed. "Zereort, attack Valkyrion the Magna Warrior! Frozen Calamity!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Ground Capture!" Hornet abruptly declared. "Thanks to it, the damage I take from this attack is halved!"

Zereort swung her scythe at the armored bug, destroying it in an explosion with the force of the explosion sending Hornet tumbling back.

Hornet: 2100→850 LP

"And due to the second effect of Ground Capture, I get to draw a card from my Deck since I took at least 1000 points of damage."

"You may be quite tenacious, but you won't last much longer against me," Glacia said. "It would be best to give up and spare yourself the upcoming agony. I place three cards face-down and end my turn."

"If you knew anything about me at all, you'd know how futile it is to ask me to surrender," Hornet stated with a confident smile. "I always fight to the last card and to the last Life Point. Nothing more. Nothing less." She then looked at her Deck. The next card she drew would determine the outcome of this duel.

Elsewhere, at Triton and Astro's duel…

"My turn! I draw!" Astro declared. "Heh, you truly are formidable. However, I absolutely won't lose to you here! I summon Tachyon Crusher!"

A large humanoid wearing red and black armor wielding a double-sided purple club appeared.

Tachyon Crusher ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"I activate Tachyon Crusher's effect!" Astro continued. "When Normal Summoned, I can swap its attack and defense points to have its Level become 8 until my next Standby Phase."

Tachyon Crusher ATK 2000→0 DEF 0→2000 LVL: 4→8

"The time is here! I overlay my Level 8 Tachyon Draco, Tachyon Engineer and Tachyon Crusher!"

Astro placed his hands in front of him as his Duel Disk glowed. A bolt of crimson energy broke out of his Duel Disk and traveled into the air behind him. The bolt created a massive portal behind him – a blue X with four red dots at the sides. All three monsters broke apart into blue particles and entered the red dots on the side and top, making them glow and causing a red circle around the portal. The four points of the X lit up and fired lasers, creating a swirling galaxy in front of Astro. The galaxy exploded with energy as he chanted.

"Galaxy lost through time, reawaken and reshape time and space with your roar! Manifest and create the voidless path of absolute victory! I Xyz Summon! Now manifest, Rank 8! Galaxy-Eyes Void Tachyon Dragon!"

A black dragon emerged from the galaxy with a body that almost looked mechanical. It had a violet-purple armor-scaled body with four red-bladed wings that released electricity across each one and yellow eyes with black pupils resembling a universe. Its tail was a sharp red blade resembling a hook, sharp-bladed shield-like hands, and pointy feet with four sharp claws coated in purple energy. The dragon roared as three lights orbited it.

Galaxy-Eyes Void Tachyon Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 RNK: 8 OU: 3

Triton blinked. "V-Void Tachyon Dragon?" His eyes narrowed. "This must be the ace of his Deck."

Astro gestured to his field. "I activate Void Tachyon Dragon's effect! I can detach an Overlay Unit to banish one monster you control and summon a Galaxy Tachyon Dragon Token whose attack and defense points become equal to the banished monster's original attack or defense points, whichever is higher."

"What?" Triton gasped as one of the lights struck Void Tachyon Dragon's chest, which erupted with a blue glow.

Galaxy-Eyes Void Tachyon Dragon OU: 3→2

"I choose Mermail Abyssmegalo! Go, Tachyon Illusion!"

Tachyon Dragon's wings emitted a red-black spiral energy wave that ensnared Abyssmegalo's entire body. The bipedal red shark burst into particles as a particle-like illusion of Void Tachyon Dragon appeared on Astro's field in Attack Position.

Galaxy Tachyon Dragon Token ATK ?→2400 DEF ?→2400 LVL: 8

"Battle!" Astro declared. "Galaxy Tachyon Tachyon Token, attack Mermail Abyssalacia!"

Tachyon Token unleashed a massive energy beam from its mouth, which struck Abyssalacia and easily destroyed it, causing Triton to wince.

Triton: 2700→1900 LP

Triton narrowed his eyes at Astro as he dusted himself off. "So this is your strength? Certainly, it is more than I expected. But now it's my turn to strike. I activate the Trap Card: Torrential Reborn! Since a Water monster on my field was destroyed, I can Special Summon it back in Attack Position! Arise, Mermail Abyssalacia!"

A portal appeared above Triton, with Abyssalacia emerging from it and landing on his field.

Mermail Abyssalacia ATK 1600 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Furthermore, you take 500 points of damage for each revived monster!"

Following his words, a large tidal wave engulfed Astro's body, sending him back several feet.

Astro: 2600→2100 LP

"You might have brought your monster back, but it won't be here long," Astro stated. "Void Tachyon Dragon attacks Mermail Abyssalacia Tachyon Spiral of Annihilation!"

The dragon roared as its wings and crystals glowed as energy gathered in its maw. It fired a blast of red energy that engulfed the Link Monster, destroying it in an explosion and knocking Triton back several feet.

Triton: 1900→500 LP

"What…is this…?" Triton questioned as he struggled to breathe. "That shockwave…is not normal… Don't tell me…the output of the Real Solid Vision system…has been tampered with…?"

"That's right. I neglected to explain this before," Astro said. "As you guessed, the output of the Real Solid Vision system in this area around us is many times higher than the normal output. Therefore, the pain you experience when struck by my attacks is magnified by several folds."

"Is…that so?" Triton said as he slowly stood up. "Then…what about you? Why don't you seem as affected as I am…by this enhanced output?"

"I've trained and dueled so many times in duels like this that my body has become acclimated to these harsh conditions," Astro explained. "Even though you bought yourself an extra turn, it won't be enough. Bring out everything you've got and show me the true you if you wish to have a chance of victory. I place one card face-down and end my turn. Now, tell me. How do you plan to defeat my monsters when yours are useless against them?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Triton grinned. "You should know by now that I'm not a one-trick pony. Just because you destroyed a few of my monsters doesn't mean I can't rely on my other monsters to slay your dragons. It's my turn! I draw! From my hand, I activate the Spell Card: Card of Adversity! Since I control no monsters on my field and you control a Special Summoned monster on yours, I can draw two cards."

Triton drew and smiled at his cards. "I activate the Field Spell Lemuria, the Forgotten City!"

A massive white stone temple appeared behind him. Astro looked around his surroundings. The entire environment had changed. They were surrounded by white buildings, with water around their ankles.

"This card's name is always treated as 'Umi!' Triton said. "And so long as it is on the field, all Water monsters gain 200 attack and defense points. But that's not the reason why I played it. Here and now, I will show the strength that being among the Top 10 has given me. I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Bonds of the Sea!"

Astro's eyes widened. "What? Ritual?"

The card showed Legendary Fisherman swimming in the deep ocean towards an ancient city, with Great White guiding him to it while being followed by Deepsea Warrior. "I Tribute monsters from my whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the stated Ritual Monster in my hand. I will Tribute the Level 7 Mermail Abyssteus from my hand!"

Following Triton's words, a large stone altar that resembled a coral reef appeared on the field. A spectral form of a green bipedal turtle wearing silver armor and wielding a red lance appeared before turning into particles and was absorbed by the altar, with a torrent of water erupting from it as Triton chanted.

"Seven Seas reign together to welcome the warrior that has the artillery of a rainstorm! Swim from the depths and rise for battle! I Ritual Summon! Appear, Level 7! The Eternal Fisherman!"

The monster that emerged from the pillar of water was an old man with tanned skin, a long beard, and grey hair reaching his elbows. He wore nothing but blue swimming trunks. He carried a fishing net in his right hand and a silver leister in the other hand. He rode on a bowhead whale with a large, robust, dark-colored body, triangular head and a white chin.

The Eternal Fisherman ATK 2750→2950 DEF 2550→2750 LVL: 7

"Ritual Summoning," Astro muttered. "I had heard that he used some sort of Armored Xyz card against one of our soldiers… but I didn't expect him to possess Ritual Summoning also."

"The Eternal Fisherman's effect activates!" Triton declared. "When this card is successfully Ritual Summoned, I can banish any number of monsters my opponents control equal to the number of monsters I Tributed for this card's Ritual Summon. However, if I used a Level 5 or higher Water Attribute monster as one of the Tributes, I get to banish all your monsters!"

"What?!" Astro gasped.

Triton smirked as he gestured to his monster. "I'll get your dragon in one big catch! Get him, my fisherman!"

Following Triton's command, The Eternal Fisherman snagged both of Astro's dragons in his huge fishing net before throwing it high into the sky and striking them with its harpoon.

"Now, attack him directly and finish this, Eternal Fisherman!" Triton pointed at Astro. "Tidal Strike!"

"I won't allow that!" Astro declared. "I activate the Trap Card: Spirit Coup! When your monster declares an attack, I can activate the effect of a Trap Card from my Graveyard as Spirit Coup's effect. I activate Damage Diet's effect, which halves all damage this turn!"

A torrent of water erupted from the tip of the fisherman's harpoon, striking Astro and causing a hiss of pain to escape from his mouth as he fell to his knees.

Astro: 2100→625 LP

"Even though you survived, I got rid of your ace monster, meaning you can no longer use its effects against me," Triton said. "Before I end my turn, I activate the Spell Card: Spell Summon Stopper! During the next turn, my opponent can't Normal Summon, Special Summon, or Set any monsters using the effect of a Spell Card. You like to use Rank-Up-Magic Spell Cards to strengthen your monsters. However, you're now prevented from doing so. I end my turn. Looks like you're completely out of options."

"And I would love to prove you wrong as always," Astro smirked. "It's my turn! I draw! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Tachyon Caeser from my hand!"

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

Tachyon Caesar ATK 2000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

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

A second warrior appeared in Attack Position.

Tachyon Caesar ATK 2000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

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

"That's right," Astro confirmed with a malicious smile. "But first, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Orichalcum Chain! When I perform an Xyz Summon, I can use one less Xyz Material."

"Say what?" Triton said, surprised.

"The time is here! I overlay my two Level 8 Tachyon Thrashers!"

Astro placed his hands in front of him as his Duel Disk glowed. A bolt of crimson energy broke out of his Duel Disk and traveled into the air behind him. The bolt created a massive portal behind him – a blue X with four red dots at the sides. The two monsters broke apart into blue particles and entered the red dots on the side and top, making them glow and creating a swirling galaxy in front of Astro. The galaxy exploded with energy as he chanted.

"At the end of the Milky Way's light, a new world opens! Descend, scion of divinity! I Xyz Summon! Come forth, the new incarnation of light! Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon!"

Emerging from the portal was a large dragon with glowing light blue skin and pitch-black armor covering its body. It roared from the field in Attack Position as two yellow lights circled it.

Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon ATK 4000 DEF 3500 RNK: 8 OU: 2

"So this is your ace in the hole?" Triton wondered. "Well, it's certainly impressive, but it won't be enough to win you the duel. Thanks to Eternal Fisherman's effect, whenever it battles a monster, I can send a Water monster from my Deck to the Graveyard to increase its attack points equal to the sent monster's Level multiplied by 200. In other words, my monster will easily overpower yours!"

"Unfortunately, that won't happen here!" Astro exclaimed. "I activate Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon's effect, detaching an Overlay Unit to target and destroy one face-up card my opponent controls! Vanish, The Eternal Fisherman!"

Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon OU: 2→1

One of the lights orbiting around the Xyz Monster was sucked into its left wing, from which a yellow beam was fired and destroyed the Ritual Monster.

"My monster is gone. But that means...!" Triton's eyes widened in shock.

"It means it's time for the final curtain call!" Astro declared with a malicious smile as his pupils became slit. "Full Armor Photon Dragon, pass off judgment on this pitiful excuse of a duelist! Photon Stream of Destruction!"

The large dragon opened its maw and released a stream of blue energy. Triton watched with shock as it converged on him and-

BOOM!

Triton screamed as he was knocked off his feet and hit the ground.

Triton: 500→0 LP

"I got taken down…" Triton muttered while lying on the ground. "My deepest apologies to everyone for being so useless here."

"If you're done with your depressing monologue of apologies, I believe it's time for you to disappear." Astro sneered as he approached the fallen duelist. "With my victory, you lose your consciousness data!"

"You may have defeated me…but I assure you the Syndicate will never win…" Triton wheezed out. "My comrades…will definitely stop their plans…"

"If you're thinking about your friends, you shouldn't worry about them," Astro spoke with a cruel smile etched on his face as he kneeled next to Triton. "They'll be joining you soon enough, as will anyone else who dares stand in the Syndicate's way. Now then, be gone."

Astro raised his Duel Disk as it emitted a purple light, causing Triton's body to break apart into blue data. Data that traveled over to Astro's Duel Disk.

"One pest down, several more to go," Astro remarked. "While I would love to hunt down the rest of his friends, I should see how Glacia's handling her prey."

Upon saying so, Astro snapped his fingers and made a portal open. He turned and walked through it.

Elsewhere, at Hornet and Glacia's duel…

"Here goes nothing!" Hornet exclaimed. "My turn! I draw!" She looked at her card and played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed to draw two cards from my Deck."

Upon looking at her drawn cards, Hornet grinned. Perfect.

"I activate the Spell Card: Pre-Preparation of Rites!" Hornet declared. "This card lets me add one Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. Then, I can add a Ritual Monster listed on that Ritual Spell Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand."

"R-Ritual...!?" Glacia gasped as her eyes widened.

"Exactly, Ritual." Hornet chuckled as she took two cards from her Deck. "From my hand, I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Insect High Coronation!" The card showed a sleeping Metamorphosed Insect Queen floating in a pool filled with black, gooey substance and red rose petals, a thorny crown glowing brightly above her head. "This card lets me Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual monster I'm about to Ritual Summon. As such, I Tribute the Level 8 Queen Butterfly Danaus from my hand!"

A bright green magic circle and a large green butterfly with eight rainbow-like wings appeared. The monster disintegrated into green particles as eight flames appeared around the circle. The particles entered the circle, which shot a beam of light upwards.

"The first queen of the insect kingdom. With the ancient ritual, now, regain your rightful and indisputable might! I Ritual Summon! Rise, Insect High Queen!"

The light faded to reveal an enormous female humanoid insect in Attack Position. An actual red eye with yellow sclera was present on the back of each of her wings' scales while her transparent wings glowed with a light of their own. Several cracks appeared on her abdomen, from which neon green light peeked through. Her claws were golden, and she wore a thorny crown.

Insect High Queen ATK 2800 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

Glacia blinked in surprise before recomposing herself. "Not bad, but not good enough. You can't win if the most damage you can inflict is 300."

"Are you sure about that?" Hornet asked before taking a card from her hand. "I summon Insect Knight!"

A humanoid insect appeared, wielding a sword and shield.

Insect Knight ATK 1900 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

She gestured to her field. "I activate Insect High Queen's effect! Once per turn, I can Tribute an Insect monster I control to lower the attack and defense points of up to two of your monsters by 1000 until the end of the turn. Furthermore, if the targeted monsters are in Attack Position, they're switched to Defense Position. I Tribute Insect Knight to reduce Ice Princess Zereort's attack points. Corpus Paralysis!"

Insect Knight disintegrated as its particles entered High Queen's abdomen, and she released a resounding screech that paralyzed Zereort as she fell to her knees.

Ice Princess Zereort ATK 2500→1500

"Battle!" Hornet exclaimed. "Insect High Queen, attack Ice Princess Zereort! And thanks to her effect, she can deal piercing damage. Go, Queen's Wrath!"

"I don't think so! I activate the Trap Card: Half Shield!" Glacia declared. "This card will halve the battle damage I take from your monster's attack!"

A shield with a glass and metal side appeared before Glacia's Xyz Monster. High Queen swung her claws, generating a stream of energy that hit the shield and went through it, but with force weakened. The energy stream struck Zereort, destroying it and creating a shockwave that sent Glacia tumbling.

Glacia: 1600→750 LP

"Thank you for the assistance," Glacia said with a grin as she got up. "If you hadn't destroyed my monster, I wouldn't have been able to do this. Since an Xyz Monster on my field left the field, I can activate the Trap Card: Rank Inheritance. Thanks to its effect, I can add a "Rank-Up-Magic" Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I choose Rank-Up-Magic Oceanic Force."

"A Rank-Up-Magic, you say?" Hornet snorted. "Too bad you won't get the chance to use it. Thanks to her effect, Insect High Queen can attack twice during the same Battle Phase. Take her down, my queen!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Depth Gardna!" Glacia abruptly announced. "If I would take damage from a direct attack, I can make the damage 0!" A semi-transparent appeared around Glacia, shielding her from Insect High Queen's attack.

"Due to Depth Gardna's second effect, I can Special Summon it as a Monster Card whose attack and defense points equal the negated damage."

A small fossil-like creature with four arms appeared on Glacia's field in Attack Position.

Depth Gardna ATK 2800 DEF 2800 LVL: 5

"I hate your persistence…" Hornet growled. "No matter, I'll bring you down before long. I place one card face-down and end my turn. At this moment, the final effect of Insect High Queen activates. Since it destroyed a monster in battle, it Special Summons an Insect Monster Token to my field."

Following her words, Insect High Queen's crown begins glowing, prompting a small insect to crawl from the ground beside her in Defense Position.

Insect Monster Token ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"In that case, I guess it's time to settle things with you for good," Glacia stated. "It's my turn! I draw! Since my Life Points are lower than yours and you're the only one with a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can activate the Spell Card: Final Offguard! This lets me draw two cards! Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Xyz Revival! This card allows me to target an Xyz Monster on my Graveyard, Special Summon it and equip it with this card. Revive, Ice Princess Zereort!"

A gravestone appeared on Glacia's field, with Zereort breaking out of it.

Ice Princess Zereort ATK 2500 DEF 2100 RNK: 5

"No…Not Zereort!" Hornet's eyes opened wide in realization. "That means…!"

"That's right." Glacia let out a small smile. "I activate the Spell Card: Rank-Up-Magic Oceanic Force!" The card showed an ocean with a pillar of light erupting from it. "By using a Water Xyz Monster as Material, I can summon a Water Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck that's one Rank higher! I Rank-Up Zereort!"

Glacia raised her Duel Disk, releasing a bolt of blue energy from her Duel Disk that traveled behind her. A large black X with four blue dots around it appeared behind her in a flash of light. Zereort disintegrated and entered the top blue dot. The ends of the "X" shot lasers that formed the exploding galaxy. A chain of DNA appeared before reintegrating into a purple orb.

"Let your frozen beauty reign over the land!" Glacia chanted. "Go, Rank-Up Xyz Evolution! Please appear, Rank 6! Ice Queen Zerona!"

A light blue beautiful winged creature with a feminine body as her body is covered in white ice-like shards that resemble a dress, transparent crystal wings, sharp blue blades coming out from each arm and a blue crystal-like crown as it appeared in the Right Extra Monster Zone, as two orbs of blue lights circled it.

Ice Queen Zerona ATK 2800 DEF 2600 RNK: 6 OU: 1

"Ice Queen Zerona's effect activates!" Glacia declared. "When it is Special Summoned, all other cards on the field cannot have their effects activated, and other cards' effects are also negated for the rest of this turn. In addition, you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect!"

"What?!" Hornet gasped, her eyes wide.

"Go! Field Freeze!"

Zerona spread her wings as she whipped up a powerful blizzard surrounding Hornet's field, encasing her cards in ice.

"Finally, I activate the Spell Card: Gift of the Martyr!" Glacia said, surprising Hornet. "With this card, I send a monster on my field to the Graveyard, and another monster gains attack points equal to the sent monster's original attack points until the end of the turn. I send Depth Gardna to the Graveyard and increase Zerona's attack points!"

Depth Gardna disintegrated as Zerona glowed red from its increased power.

Ice Queen Zerona ATK 2800→5600

"Battle!" Glacia exclaimed. "Ice Queen Zerona, attack Insect High Queen and annihilate her! Double Frozen Slash!"

Zerona slammed her arm blades together in an "X" shape stance. The two swords were engulfed in blue flames, completely covered as she charged towards the frozen Ritual Monster and struck it with its blades, generating a massive explosion that engulfed Hornet, sending her flying as she let out a scream of pain before crashing to the ground.

Hornet: 850→0 LP

"Sorry, Storm Rider and everyone…" Hornet spoke with a look of regret on her face. "It looks like…I won't be able to help you…further than this…"

"That was a satisfying warm-up, so I'll praise you for getting my blood flowing," Glacia said as she approached the fallen Hornet. "As a reward—I'll send you straight to oblivion."

Upon saying so, Gacia pointed her Duel Disk at Hornet. One flash of violet light later, Hornet had been turned into an orb of green data, which flew into Glacia's Duel Disk.

"Ah, you sure showed her who's boss. I was sure you would use Oceanic Force to summon your Number."

Glacia turned around, coming face-to-face with Astro.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in," Glacia said as they exited the area. "Have you received any reports about how the battle is going so far?"

"Unfortunately, most of our soldiers have been eliminated," Astro responded. "But lucky for us, that's Galerius's problem, not ours."

"You're not wrong," Glacia said. "While I would love to continue hunting down the Top 10, that duel with the bug girl exhausted me."

"Me too," Astro stated. "Let's log out and continue watching the mayhem back at the base."

"Sounds good to me." Upon saying so, the duo logged out.

Meanwhile, in another area of the network...

"Hah… hah…" Kid Fate panted as he stumbled after Gore over a low wall. "As soon as we're done, and back in the real world, I'm signing up for a gym membership."

Gore looked over him with a curious eye, not even winded from their trek. "If I recall, you claimed to be some crime-fighting superhero. I would have thought you'd be in good condition."

"To tell the truth, I failed gym class more times than I can count," Kid Fate sheepishly admitted. "But moving on from that, this place seems a bit too quiet for my tastes."

"Now that I think about it, we've been running around for the last hour and haven't run into any Syndicate soldiers," Gore said. "I wonder if it's because they've all been eliminated. However, if they're setting some ambush for us, I would like them or someone to show up sooner rather than later."

"—It appears that wish of yours will be fulfilled!"

Suddenly, the figure of Galerius appeared on the top of a slope, looking down on Gore and Kid Fate with a savage grin.

"Me next! I want ten million yen!" Kid Fate exclaimed as he raised his hands to the sky, but naturally, nothing appeared. "No? Figures…"

"Read the mood a bit, junior…" Gore sighed at his comrade's childish antics and his disappointed expression.

"As you must have already surmised, I'm one of the Syndicate's elite duelists," Galerius said. "My name is Galerius. Make sure you engrave that name into your memory, for it's the last one the two of you will ever hear."

"These are pretty big words," Gore said as he raised his Duel Disk. "Since you seem so confident in your abilities, I—"

"Wait." Kid Fate said as he grabbed Gore's arm. "Gore, you should go on ahead and continue looking for the others. Leave this guy to me."

"What!?" Gore cried out in shock. "What are you saying!? I can tell this guy is dangerous! Even more than the soldiers! Let me deal with him instead while you go looking for everyone."

Kid Fate shook his head and spoke with a resolute expression.

"No, I have to do this myself. I have to prove that I made the right decision to aid you. And even if I can't win, I can at least stall long enough until you've regrouped with everyone. For all we know, this guy might only be here to obstruct us while his comrades are closing in on ours. And if that's the case, all the more reason to hurry up. Besides, I've faced bullies like him and managed to take them without problems. I'll be alright even on my own."

"Kid…"

Gore desperately wanted to prevent Kid Fate from dueling, but he could tell that any attempts to dissuade him would be a waste of time since he was determined to do this. Furthermore, such an act would show that he had no confidence that his comrade would prevail against Galerius, which would end up tarnishing his pride as a Duelist and damaging his self-esteem.

"…If you feel so strongly about this, then I don't have any right to stop you, kid," Gore said with a sigh. "Just be careful and make sure to survive no matter what."

"Don't worry about me." Kid Fate responded with a thumbs-up. "Now go!"

With that, Gore took his leave, with Galerius making no move to stop him since his attention was focused solely on Kid Fate.

"You know, I was worried that you would've been eliminated by one of our soldiers," Galerius said as he descended from the top of the slope to the ground below. "But know one thing. You and the Top 10 are nothing mere anarchists that endanger the society of perfect order that the Syndicate is trying to create. And purging irritants like you is my specialty."

"Really? Well, mine and that of my comrades is fighting against and toppling tyrannical tyrants such as yourself." Kid Fate shot back as he also activated his Duel Disk. "You're going down for good this time, you Syndicate scum! There's no way I'm letting a dangerous fellow like you continue walking freely!"

"Then I suppose it can't be helped," Galerius said as he activated his Duel Disk in response. "If you insist on getting in my way, I will remove you by force! In addition, you'll make for a decent guinea pig for my new and improved Deck. Now, let's begin your execution!"

"Let's Duel!"

Galerius: 4000 LP

Kid Fate: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Kid Fate decided. "I summon Destiny HERO – Dunker!"

A muscular humanoid with dark skin and dreadlocks clad in silver armor appeared on Kid Fate's field in Attack Position.

Destiny HERO – Dunker ATK 1200 DEF 1700 LVL: 4

"I activate Dunker's effect, sending a "Destiny HERO" monster from my hand to the Graveyard to inflict 500 points of damage to you!" Kid Fate shouted. "Power Dunk!"

Dunker conjured an energy sphere in its hands and sent it flying forward, striking Galerius and causing him to wince.

Galerius: 4000→3500 LP

"And now, I activate the effect of the discarded Destiny HERO – Diver." Kid Fate continued. "When this card is sent from my hand to the Graveyard through a card effect, I can Special Summon it and increase the attack points of all "Destiny HERO" monsters I control by 500!"

Following Kid Fate's words, a man cladded in a suit resembling a ship captain's uniform and holding a harpoon in his left hand appeared on his field next to Dunker.

Destiny HERO – Diver ATK 1300→1800 DEF 800

Destiny HERO – Dunker ATK 1200→1700

"I place three cards face-down and end my turn." Kid Fate concluded. "Now, come at me, Galerius."

"It's my turn!" Galerius announced. "I draw!"

Kid Fate gestured to his field. "Since you have at least six cards in your hand, while I have none, I can activate the Trap Card: Gamble!" he declared. "It allows me to flip a coin. If I call it right, I draw five cards. But if I'm wrong, I'm forced to skip his next turn."

A holographic coin appeared before Kid Fate, which he grabbed and held ready, "I pick heads!"

He flicked the coin high up into the air before descending. The coin fell onto Kid Fate's left hand, which he quickly covered with his right to stop it from falling. He slowly removed his right hand to reveal...

"The result is heads!" Kid Fate rejoiced. "Which means I get to draw five cards!"

Galeirus narrowed his eyes as he took a card from his hand. "If my opponent controls a monster and I don't, I can summon Hayate the Earth Star without a Tribute!"

A purple and blue armored warrior appeared next to him, wearing arm guards and a wolf's pelt on his head. It reached behind its back, which had a circular wooden ring attached, and brought out the metal pole it possessed.

Hayate the Earth Star ATK 2100 DEF 0 LVL: 5

"Hayate's effect activates!" Galerius declared as he held up a card. "When this card is successfully summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 5 Light Attribute Warrior-type monster from my hand! Come, Tenma the Sky Star!"

A warrior wearing a blue samurai outfit, sage green pants, and a white helmet resembling a horse's head appeared next to Hayate. He wielded a short sword in his right hand.

Tenma the Sky Star ATK 2100 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: The A. Forces! With it, every Warrior monster I control gains 200 attack points for each Spellcaster or Warrior monster I control. I control two warriors, so they all gain 400 attack points!"

Hayate the Earth Star ATK 2100→2500

Tenma the Sky Star ATK 2100→2500

"Battle!" Galerius exclaimed. "Hayate attaks Dunker!"

Ryua jumped over to Dunker, impaling him with his spears and destroying him, causing Kid Fate to grunt in pain.

Kid Fate: 4000→3200 LP

"Next, Tenma will attack Diver!"

Tenma chopped Diver in half with its sword, making Kid Fate cover his eyes from the smoke.

Kid Fate: 3200→2500 LP

Galerius grinned. "You're now completely defenseless!"

"I beg to differ," Kid Fate smirked. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Chrono Fusion! Through its effect, if "Destiny HERO" monsters on my field were destroyed, I can Special Summon a "Destiny HERO" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck that can be Fusion Summoned by using the destroyed monsters as materials!"

"A Quick-Play Fusion Spell Card!?" Galerius seemed astonished. "Curses, I should've expected you to have something like that…"

Spectral images of Dunker and Diver appeared before turning into red and blue particles, with both swirling into a vortex afterward. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"Heroes who fight in the name of fate! Now, become one and soar toward the future! I Fusion Summon! Destiny HERO – Phoenix Enforcer!"

A warrior clad in crimson red armor with avian features and a red 'D' painted on his torso emerged from the whirlwind onto Kid Fate's field in Attack Position. He wore a dark red helmet with a single spike and an orange visor above his eyes and held a double-bladed scimitar in each hand.

Destiny HERO – Phoenix Enforcer ATK 2100 DEF 1200 LVL: 6

"Phoenix Enforcer's effect activates!" Kid Fate declared. "When this card is Fusion Summoned successfully while I only control DARK "HERO" monsters, I can activate a Field Spell directly from my Deck. I activate the Field Spell Card: Dark City!"

Rising from the ground as the area above the duelists turned into a nighttime sky were several large black skyscrapers with yellow lights on in their windows. The ground beneath them turned to blacktop while a full moon rose into the sky.

Galerius narrowed his eyes. "Not a bad comeback. But don't think for a second this duel is yours. I place one card face-down and end my turn. Let's see how you'll deal with what's coming next."

"It's my turn!" Kid Fate announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Cost Down! By discarding Disk Commander from my hand, the Levels of all monsters in my hand are reduced by 2 until the End Phase, which means I can summon the now Level 3 Destiny HERO – Double Dude!"

A man dressed in a black suit with white gloves, with one hand holding a cane with a blue sphere at the top, a purple scarf covering his mouth and nose, wore glasses that hid his eyes from view, and a black hat on top of his head appeared on Kid Fate's field.

Destiny Hero – Double Dude ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"Following that, I activate the Trap Card: D – Chain!" Kid Fate continued as a gray chain with a purple gem on the end appeared in the shape of a fang. "When activated, this card becomes an Equip Card and can only be equipped to a "Destiny Hero" monster. I equip it to Double Dude, which increases his attack points by 500!"

Double Dude gripped the chain, causing a purple aura to surround his body.

Destiny HERO – Double Dude ATK 1000→1500

"And with this setup, you're in trouble now!" Kid Fate stated. "But first, I activate the Spell Card: D–Shock! Thanks to its effect, if I control a "Destiny HERO" monster, I can negate the effects of all monsters you control until the End Phase!"

Galerius frowned. Just great. Because of his Spell, I can't use Hayate's effect to negate one of his attacks. Galerius thought.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon! I destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field. I'll destroy The A. Forces!" Galerius frowned as his Continuous Spell shattered. "With your Spell gone, your monsters lose their attack boost."

Hayate the Earth Star ATK 2500→2100

Tenma the Sky Star ATK 2500→2100

"Battle!" Kid Fate exclaimed. "Thanks to its effect, Double Dude can attack twice. Double Dude attacks Hayate and Tenma! And thanks to Dark City, his attack points increase by 1000!"

Destiny HERO – Double Dude ATK 1500→2500

Without warning, Double Dude flung the end of the chain into the air at the two armored warriors. The chain easily pierced Hayate and Tenma, making them scream as they exploded, with the ensuing shockwave making Galerius hiss in pain.

Galerius: 3500→2700 LP

Destiny HERO – Double Dude ATK 2500→1500

"One more thing. Whenever the monster that's equipped with D-Chain destroys a monster in battle, my opponent is dealt 500 points of damage." Kid Fate revealed. "Since Double Dude destroyed two monsters, you take 1000 points of damage!"

The chain extended into Galerius's body and shot straight through him.

Galerius: 2700→1700 LP

"Looks like you're all bark and no bite," Kid Fate said. "Time to put an end to this. Phoenix Enforcer, attack him directly!"

"Don't think for a second that you've won this duel!" Galerius exclaimed. "I activate Continuous Trap Card: Direct Border! Due to its effect, monsters with at least 1000 attack points are prevented from attacking directly!"

"Tch. I was so close," Kid Fate grimaced. "I activate the Spell Card: Aurora Draw, whose effect lets me draw two cards since my hand is empty. Finally, I place a card face-down and activate the Continuous Spell Card: D & Crumpets." The card showed Destiny HERO – Denier and Destiny HERO – Departed having a friendly conversation at a table outside a restaurant at night, Destiny HERO – Dread Servant serving them drinks and sweets. "With this, I end my turn."

"As I thought, you are strong," Galerius smiled. "No wonder you were chosen to aid the Top 10 in their fight against us. However, don't be complacent just because you think you have the upper hand. The true terror of my Deck starts from here. My turn! I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity, which allows me to draw three cards from my Deck and discard two from my hand. And since one of the cards I discarded was Cards of Compensation, I can draw two more cards. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Fusion Birth! This allows me to send the top five cards of my Deck to the Graveyard, and if any of them happen to be monsters that can be used as Fusion Materials, I can Fusion Summon! Let's see now."

Galerius took the five cards from his Deck and showed them off by the holograms. Hidden Armory, Fairy of the Spring, Expendable Dai, Turret Warrior, and Jack's Knight! "Well, what do you know, two of them are monsters. I Fusion Summon using Turret Warrior and Jack's Knight!"

Silhouettes of a large stone warrior with turret-shaped towers for shoulders and a dark-skinned man with shoulder-length blond hair who wore dark-blue armor appeared on Enzo's field. Over his armor were silver outlines, which had black spikes on them. On top of his head was a crown-styled helmet. In his right hand, he carried a sword. As for his left hand, he carried a shield. The monsters disintegrated into particles that formed a vortex. Two whirlwinds, colored red and blue, emerged from the vortex before merging into a purple tornado as Galerius chanted.

"You're going to get pounded. I'll strike hard and bring you down fast. Never to rise again! I Fusion Summon! Idaten, the Conqueror Star!"

From the tornado emerged a male warrior wearing a dark ornate mask with two golden horns, purple chest and shoulder armor, blue green undershirt, blue pants and dark boots, a golden belt, and a crimson cape with golden blades attached to its back. He also carried a large, brown trident with a green gem inserted near the three tips in his right hand.

Idaten the Conqueror Star ATK 3000 DEF 2200 LVL: 10

"A Fusion Monster?" Kid Fate said with shock.

"When Idaten is Fusion Summoned, its effect allows me to add a Level 5 Warrior-type monster from my Deck," Galerius stated as he took a card from his Deck and placed it in his hand. "Moving on, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Shooting Star Sword! I will equip it onto Idaten!"

In Fujin's empty right hand, a black sword with ruby crafted on the edges appeared in his hand.

"When Shooting Star Sword is equipped, Idaten cannot be destroyed by battle with a monster with an equal or lower Level than its own," Galerius explained before gesturing to his field. "Battle! Idaten attacks Phoenix Enforcer! And at this moment, Idaten's effect activates! When it battles a monster with an equal or lower Level, the opposing monster's attack becomes 0!"

"It does what?!" Kid Fate gasped as a green aura surrounded Phoenix Enforcer, sapping him of his strength.

Destiny HERO – Phoenix Enforcer ATK 2100→0

Kid Fate clicked his tongue. "I activate the Trap Card: Realize Defense! Since my Phoenix Enforcer has higher defense points than attack points, this card switches him to Defense Position!"

Following his words, Phoenix Enforcer went into a defensive stance. Upon reaching Enforcer, Idaten slashed at it with its sword, cleanly bisecting it and causing it to explode.

"If you think my attack is over, you're sorely mistaken," Galerius stated. "Shooting Star Sword's additional effect activated! When the equipped monster destroys a monster in battle with a lower Level than its own, it can attack again this turn!"

"Not good," Kid Fate muttered with a concerned expression.

"Idaten, attack Double Dude! And since Double Dude's Level is lower than Idaten's, its attack points become 0!"

Destiny HERO – Double Dude ATK 1500→0

"However, due to Dark City's effect, Double Dude's attack points increase by 1000!"

Destiny HERO – Double Dude ATK 0→1000

"Also, D & Crumpets' effect kicks in," Kid Fate added. "While I control a "Destiny HERO" monster, all damage I take is halved!"

Following Kid Fate's words, Idaten charged forward, piercing through Double Dude's body with its sword and destroying it, with the ensuing shockwave causing Kid Fate to cry out in pain.

Kid Fate: 2500→1500 LP

"I believe that's quite enough for now," Galerius said. "I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" Kid Fate announced. "I draw! To kick things off this turn, the effect of Double Dude activates! When he's sent to my Graveyard, I get to Special Summon two Double Dude Tokens in his place!"

Suddenly, two copies of Double Dude appeared on Kid Fate's field in Attack Position.

Double Dude Token ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 5 x 2

"Furthermore, the effect if Phoenix Enforcer also activates!" Kid Fate continued. "During my Standby Phase after the turn he was destroyed, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Destiny HERO" monster from my Graveyard. Return to me, Destiny HERO – Disk Commander!"

A muscular male humanoid wearing a grey suit with blue outlines and several disks attached to it appeared.

Destiny HERO – Disk Commander ATK 300 DEF 300 LVL: 1

"And since Disk Commander was Special Summoned from the Graveyard, its effect activities, letting me draw two cards," Kid Fate drew, then said, "Last but not least, I activate the second effect of D & Crumpets! If it's the Standby Phase and I control a "Destiny HERO" monster, I can add a "Destiny HERO" monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand."

A card ejected from his Deck, which he took and added to his hand.

"The time has come for one of my aces to take the field!" Kid Fate declared. "I Tribute Disk Commander and my two Double Dude Tokens to call forth Destiny Hero – Plasma!"

A humanoid monster with vampiric characteristics clad in dark red armor, which had two bat-like wings extending from its back and the head of a dragon protruding from its right arm, appeared on Kid Fate's field.

Destiny HERO – Plasma ATK 1900 DEF 600 LVL: 8

"Due to Plasma's effect, the effects of all face-up monsters my opponent controls are negated," Kid Fate revealed. "Next, I activate Plasma's second effect, which allows me to equip one monster you control to Plasma as an Equip Card once per turn and have it gain attack points equal to half that monster's attack points. I choose to equip Idaten to Plasma!"

Plasma extended its wings and generated a current that drew Idaten towards it, absorbing the Fusion Monster's body within its right wing.

Destiny HERO – Plasma ATK 1900→3400

"Strengthen your monster all you want!" Galerius sneered. "So long as I have Direct Border, you can't attack me."

"Like that card will stop me," Kid Fate calmly responded. "I activate the Spell Card: Remove Trap. This card lets me destroy one face-up Trap Card on the field. I choose Direct Border."

A blast of energy erupted from the Spell Card at Direct Border, destroying it, much to Galerius's dismay.

"Battle!" Kid Fate exclaimed. "Destiny Hero – Plasma, attack him directly! Vengeful Rain!"

"I won't allow that!" Galerius stated. "I activate the Trap Card: Break Away! During the Battle Phase, I can send a Spell Card from my hand to the Graveyard, in this case, Swords at Dwan, to end the Battle Phase and negate the effects of all monsters on the field until the end of this turn, meaning Plasma's attack points return to normal!"

Destiny HERO – Plasma ATK 3400→1900

"It was a failure, huh?" Kid Fate. "That's alright. Your defeat will come soon enough. I place two cards face-down and end my turn. And since it's the End Phase, Plasma regains its effects and attack boost."

Destiny HERO – Plasma ATK 1900→3400

"It's my turn!" Galerius announced. "I draw!" He looked at his card before narrowing his eyes at Kid Fate. "I underestimated you before. But I will not lose to someone like you. Until this duel, you haven't experienced a shadow looming over your life."

"What are you talking about?" Kid Fate questioned, showing confusion.

"During my life, I walked only a path of pitch-black darkness," Galerius replied with his glare getting more serious. "And on that path, victory is all that matters, and I will obtain it using any means necessary!"

Kid Fate gritted his teeth in frustration. "You don't know what I've been through. But if you want to know so badly, I've experienced a traumatic event, which is why I'm doing this!"

"That may be the case, but I'll show you that my pain and struggles are deeper than yours," Galerius stated. "First, I activate the Spell Card: Cards of Burial Magic! Through its effect, I banish Fusion Birth, Graceful Charity and Cards of Compensation to draw two cards. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Calling of the Army!" The card showed Marauding, Marmitting, and Motivating Captain looking up at the sky with their fists raised, standing in the middle of a wasteland. "By shuffling a Level 5 Warrior-type monster from my Graveyard, I can draw two cards. I return Tenma to my Deck!"

He drew his cards, then said, "I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization, fusing Komi the Volt Star and Noire the Kunoichi Star in my hand!"

Two spectral figures appeared on Galerius's field. One was a blonde-haired female warrior wearing brown samurai armor with orange clothing underneath appeared in Attack Position. A sallet helmet covered her entire head except her face, which had yellow eyes. She wore metal gauntlets and boots with yellow lightning patterned on the sides. Four yellow metal edges were protruding from her back. The other was a dark-haired female warrior wearing light purple ninja armor, a brown vest and shorts underneath, and a headband on her forehead. She carried a kunai knife and a large shuriken in her hands. Sharp metal edges protruded from her back in the shape of a star. Komi broke down into red particles, while Noire broke into blue particles, which swirled into a vortex afterward. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"Star bursting across the sky! With the storms forming, ascend to greater heights and merge into a great ruler!" Galerius chanted. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth! Fujin the Breakstorm Star!"

From a tornado bursting out in the open was a large warrior wearing armor with various shades of green highlighting his body. Three yellow orbs were implanted around the chest. White cloth was wrapped around his torso and above his shoulders. His back had the standard armor plate, though white cloth was attached to shape it like the winds and clouds. His green ornate mask had the same design on the top of the head, with his red eyes gleaming as he brought his dark blue scythe out and yelled while appearing.

Fujin the Breakstorm Star ATK 3000 DEF 2200 LVL: 10

"Oh my…that might be a bit troublesome." Kid Fate let out a lopsided smile. "Another Level 10 Fusion Monster with 3000 attack points."

"It's about to get even worse," Galerius stated. "Since Komi was used as Fusion Material, Fujin's attack points are increased by 1000 until the End Phase."

Fujin the Breakstorm Star ATK 3000→4000

"From there, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Twin Twisters!" Galerius continued. "By discarding a card from my hand, I can destroy up to two Spell or Trap Cards on the field. I'll destroy your Dark City and the equipped Idaten."

Two twisters emerged from Galerius's Spell Card, striking the aforementioned cards and destroying them.

Kid Fate frowned. "Since Idaten's no longer equipped to Plasma, its attack points return to normal."

Destiny HERO – Plasma ATK 3400→1900

"Battle!" Galerius exclaimed. "Fujin, attack Plasma! Rumbling Calamity!"

"Don't forget about the effect of D & Crumpets!" Kid Fate stated. "Through its effect, the damage I take from this attack is halved!"

Several lightning bolts were shot out of Fujin's scythe, destroying Plasma in a spectacular explosion, with the ensuing shockwave sending Kid Fate skidding back.

Kid Fate: 1500→450 LP

"Don't think you're safe just yet, you scum." Galerius pointed at Kid Fate. "Fujin inherited a second effect from Noire, namely the ability to attack twice per Battle Phase since it was used as Fusion Material! As such, Fujin will attack you directly! Sickle of Ruin!"

"Sorry, but I'm not a duelist who'll go down from just this much!" Kid Fate exclaimed. "I activate the Trap Card: D–Fortune! Since I'm about to receive a direct attack, I can banish a "Destiny HERO" monster from my Graveyard, such as Disk Commander, to end the Battle Phase!"

"Humph, not bad, I suppose." Galerius grudgingly admitted. "However, don't entertain any thoughts about having a chance to win this duel. You've merely prolonged the inevitable, that's all. I place a card face-down and end my turn, which means Fujin's attack points return to normal."

Fujin the Breakstorm Star ATK 4000→3000

Galerius narrowed his eyes, "But that's not all. During each End Phase, Fujin inflicts 500 points of damage to my opponent for each Warrior-type monster on my field! Farewell, Kid Fate!"

Following Galerius's words, Fujin raised his scythe again before blowing another tornado forward.

Kid Fate gritted his teeth and gestured to his field. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Damage Polarizer! An effect that would inflict effect damage is negated!" The tornado dissipated at Kid Fate's words. "Then, we each draw one card!"

"Hmm. An unexpected counter," Galerius said, drawing his card and glancing at it. "Still, the result of this duel has been decided already. It's your turn, and I suggest you make it count."

"As you wish." Kid Fate said. "My turn! I draw! Let me respond since you saw fit to get a bit more serious. I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise, which allows me to draw five cards from my Deck at the cost of discarding my entire hand in five turns. Next, I summon D Cubed!"

A small, mechanical dog with a D engraved on its head appeared on Kid Fate's field.

D Cubed ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I activate D–Cubed's effect!" Kid Fate continued. "By sending two cards from my hand to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon two more copies of D Cubed from my Deck."

Two portals appeared on the ground, out of which the two copies of D Cubed emerged and landed on the field beside the first one.

D Cubed ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1 x 2

"You may have overcome my Plasma, but let's see how you'll deal with this fellow, Galerius." Kid Fate stated. "I Tribute all three copies of D Cubed to Special Summon Destiny HERO – Dogma!"

A humanoid male clad in demonic-looking armor, with two bat-shaped wings extending from its back and a blade extending from its right gauntlet, appeared on Kid Fate's field in Attack Position.

Destiny HERO – Dogma ATK 3400 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"Time to get down to business. Dogma!" Kid Fate bellowed. "Attack Fujin with Dogma Dagger Dash!"

Spreading its wings to their full length, the armored warrior raised both arms as his swords slid out further than before. Clashing them together, he suddenly raced across the field at near-blinding speed. Dogma slashed at Fujin with its blades, bisecting and generating a shockwave that caused Galerius to grunt in pain.

Galerius: 1700→1300 LP

"Since there's nothing else I can do, I have no choice but to end my turn," Kid Fate stated. "What else have you got for me?"

"You're about to find out," Galerius said with a malicious smirk. "I activate the Trap Card: Necro Fusion! This card lets me Fusion Summon one monster by banishing the materials from my Graveyard! I banish Idaten and Fujin!"

The two monsters he spoke of reappeared on his field before disintegrating into red and blue particles.

"I bring the one who erases the heavens, the eternal conqueror. With the crossing power, conquer all under the sky! I Fusion Summon! Come! Shura the Combat Star!"

A massive entity with four faces and an equal number of arms emerged from the whirlwind. It was cladded in black and crimson armor and wielded a long triple-spiked spear in one of its hands.

Shura the Combat Star ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 12

"Shura the Combat Star…" Kid Fate muttered. "That must be his strongest monster. Looks Like I better prepare for the worst."

"Shura's effect activates!" Galerius abruptly declared. "So long as it's on the field, the attack points of all other monsters become 0!"

"My turn!" Galerius declared. "I draw!"

"At this moment, Dogma's effect activates!" Kid Fate abruptly spoke. "Since he was successfully summoned last turn, your Life Points are halved on the following Standby Phase."

Eyes widening, Galerius barely had time to react as Dogma spread his wings with a red aura encircling him. At the same time, a similar red aura formed around Galeius. The auras flared upwards, making the Syndicate agent cry out in pain before falling to one knee as the aura vanished.

Galerius: 1300→650 LP

Letting out a low growl while forcing himself back onto his feet, Galerius narrowed his eyes at Kid Fate. "I'm not losing this duel to you! No matter what, I'll win this duel and your consciousness data!"

"You'd better start trying harder then." Kid Fate smartly remarked.

Once more growling with irritation, Galerius gestured to his field. " Battle! Shura attacks Dogma! And now, I activate Shura's effect! During the Battle Phase, I can reduce the attack points of all monsters on the field to 0!"

"What?!" Kid Fate gasped as a dark aura enveloped Dogma's body, draining him of his power.

Destiny HERO – Dogma ATK 3400→0

"Battle!" Galerius exclaimed. "Shura the Combat Star, attack Destiny HERO – Dogma! And at this moment, Shura's second effect activates! When it battles, both battling monsters gain attack points equal to their Level multiplied by 200!"

"By their Level?" Kid Fate repeated. "Shura is Level 12, and Dogma is Level 8."

"Precisely," Galerius stated. "Shura gains 2400 attack points while Dogma gains 1600 attack points."

Shura the Combat Star ATK 0→2400

Destiny HERO – Dogma ATK 0→1600

"Sorry to disappoint you again, but I'm not going down so easily!" Kid Fate shouted. "Due to D & Crumpet's effect, the damage is halved!"

"Regardless, damage is still damage!" Galerius pointed out. "Go, Shura! Final Revelation!"

Following Galerius's command, Shura raised its weapon before striking it down on the ground, splitting the earth in two before a rising geyser of blazing fire erupted from the crevices, turning Dogma to ashes, with the ensuing explosion sending Kid Fate flying back, where he crashed on the wall and fell to the ground while gasping.

Kid Fate: 450→50 LP

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," Galerius concluded as he gazed at Kid Fate, struggling to stand up. "What's wrong? Is that the limit of your resolve? Weren't you going on and on about how you're going to defeat me? Or perhaps are you finally beginning to understand that you cannot escape the merciless hand of the Syndicate?"

"No matter how many times you knock me down…There's no way I'll give up." Kid Fate declared as he stood up. "Me and my cards will surely overcome you. My turn! I draw!"

Upon checking his drawn card, Kid Fate smiled before addressing Galerius.

"Looks like my luck hasn't run out yet. I activate the Spell Card: Miracle Destiny! Through its effect, I banish Dogma and Plasma from my Graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon!"

Silhouettes of the two aforementioned monsters appeared on Kid Fate's field. The two monsters turned into red and blue data streams and swirled into a vortex. Two twisters shot upwards before merging into a single violet tornado.

"Hero hungering for vengeance! Hero enforcing authority! Now become one and reign over destiny itself! I Fusion Summon! Come on, Destiny End Dragon!"

Emerging from a whirlwind was a new warrior, which had characteristics from both Dogma and Plasma. The monster had two large wings on his back, and the armor on his chest had transformed to look like the head of a purplish-red dragon with yellow eyes. Covering his right forearm was a piece of armor with a sword blade extending from it, and on his left was a large shield resembling a dragon's head with red eyes.

Destiny End Dragoon ATK 3000→0 DEF 3000 LVL: 10

"Destiny End Dragoon…?" Galerius wondered. "That's an impressive monster, but Shura will easily overpower with its effect. So there's no point in attacking it."

"It doesn't have to," Kid Fate smirked. "I activate Destiny End Dragoon's effect! Once per turn, I can destroy a face-up monster my opponent controls and inflict damage to them equal to the attack points it has on the field! I target Shura! Invincible D!"

"I won't allow that!" Galerius declared. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Invalidate! Thanks to its effect, card effects cannot destroy monsters on the field during this turn!"

True enough, a semi-transparent barrier appeared around Shura, shielding it from the energy blast unleashed from the dragon mouth attached to Dragoon's left arm.

"If that was supposed to be your big comeback, it's lacking." Galerius snorted. "Like I said before, this is your limit."

"Then watch me surpass that limit!" Kid Fate declared. "Battle! Destiny End Dragoon, attack Shura the Combat Star!"

"Foolish mistake. Shura's effect activates!" Galerius shouted. "Both monsters gain attack points equal to their Level times 200!"

Shura the Combat Star ATK 0→2400

Destiny End Dragoon ATK 0→2000

"This is the end!" Galerius exclaimed. "Do it, Shura! Final Revelation!"

Shura spun its spear and brought it down, generating a blast of heat that traveled toward Dragoon. However, Kid Fate seemed unconcerned by this as he merely smiled.

"Sorry, but this duel is as good as mine." Kid Fate said. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Battle Fusion! When a face-up Fusion Monster I control battles, it gains attack points equal to the attack points of the opponent's monster until the end of the damage step!"

"No way!" Galerius gasped.

"You heard me! Destiny End Dragoon gains your Shura's 2400 attack points!"

Destiny End Dragoon ATK 2000→4400

"This is for everyone affected by the Syndicate's actions!" Kid Fate stated. "Finish him off, Dragoon! Ultimate Destiny Burst!"

Following Kid Fate's command, Destiny End Dragoon struck its blade into the ground, unleashing a tremor of energy that struck Shura, causing its body to crack in several places, with dark energy spewing from the cracks.

"Heh, it looks like this duel resulted in a loss…" Galerius muttered with a lowered head before raising it and glaring at Kid Fate with a maniacal smile etched on his face. "For you that is!"

"What?" Kid Fate was startled by Savaris's sudden change in attitude. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the final trick I have up my sleeve, which is this!" Galerius exclaimed while cackling. "I activate the Trap Card: Dimension Wall! Through its effect, all battle damage I would receive from this battle is instead inflicted on you!"

"What did you say!?" Kid Fate gasped. "But my Life Points are a mere 50! That means—"

"It means you're finished, you little brat!" Galerius said while laughing. "Sink into the depths of the abyss!"

Following Galerius's words, Shura's body broke apart, unleashing a storm of dark energy that struck Kid Fate and sent him crashing hard on the ground as he screamed in agony.

Kid Fate: 50→0 LP

"I…lost…" Kid Fate wheezed out. "Even though…this was a duel I had to win…"

"Unfortunately, in terms of conviction, it seems I was ahead of you by miles," Galerius remarked as he approached Kid Fate. "Now then, time for you to abide by the outcome of this duel and disappear from this battlefield."

Kid Fate gritted his teeth. "Even if I fall, another will put an end to you."

Galerius remained silent as he pointed his Duel Disk at Kid Fate. One flash of violet light later, Kid Fate's body broke down into an orb of purple data, with Galerius picking it up. After studying it for a few seconds, he placed it on his Duel Disk, causing it to vanish. And with that, Galerius took his leave, disappearing inside the shadows.