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?

48. Divide & Conquer Part 1

"It appears the decisive battle is almost upon us. Look, our enemies are nearly approaching our doorstep."

Seated upon her throne with Umbra flanking her, Queen Priscilla surveyed the screen before her, showing the Top 10 and their allies.

"Storm Rider and his little troupe appear to have taken down the forces we sent to intercept them and are making their way towards us as we speak."

Dismissing the holographic screen with a flick of her wrist, Priscilla turned to the four individuals who were kneeling before her. The first person was a tan-skinned young man with short blond hair and bright green eyes, said. He wore dark green armor on his shoulders, torso, legs, and feet. Under that, he wore a light brown tunic, which covered his arms and formed fingerless gloves for his hands. The armor was decorated with light blue gems and yellow highlights, and he wore a helmet of the same color in the shape of a dragon. Lastly, he wore a light blue scarf around his neck, which covered the lower part of his face.

The second was a fair-skinned, cute young woman with long, silver hair, a deep crimson left eye, and a sky blue right eye, chimed in. She wore a black dress with white accents in a Gothic Lolita style, black nails, and a purple hairband holding her hair in a high ponytail.

The third was a woman with tanned skin, dark hair tied in a ponytail with two bangs on the sides and bright purple eyes. She wore dark blue regal clothing reminiscent of a witch's robe with stars and galaxies engraved on it. She also wore a small golden necklace around her neck.

The fourth was a young girl with dark skin, bright silver eyes, and long, curly white hair, but her head was mostly covered inside a tiger head mask. She wore a gray jumpsuit underneath white-gold armor covering her chest, shoulders, arms, and legs, with a brown leather gauntlet with a black glove on her right hand and a lion's cloth waving around her hip, giving her the appearance of an ancient barbaric warrior.

"Drakon, Nyx, Fortuna and Artemis." Priscilla addressed the kneeling quartet. "According to Astro and Glacia, the four of you are among the strongest duelists within the Black Market, a feat that made you worthy of being considered as top candidates for joining the ranks of the Syndicate. Although you lack actual combat experience, our dwindling manpower has left me with no choice but to request your assistance. Despite that, I trust that you will not disappoint me and will exert yourself to the utmost in order to grant victory to the Syndicate."

Umbra let out a growl as he saw the four individuals kneeling to Queen Priscilla. He had warned the Syndicate and her specifically about how Drakon and Nyx were failures, as evidenced by their inability to stop Storm Rider and Sanctum when the Arbiters attacked LINK VRAINS long ago. It was due to this failure that Umbra didn't bother recruiting the two of them, and instead chose to recruit Astro and Glacia. Those two not only stood a chance against Storm Rider and Sanctum but pushed them to the limit as well. Nevertheless, if recruiting two failures would ensure the Syndicate stopped the Top 10 for good, then Umbra would keep these thoughts to himself. After all, the last thing he needed was to face Priscilla's wrath.

Divine and Artemis, however, were two unique cases. According to Astro and Glacia, the two of them told Umbra about how successful Fortuna and Artemis were as duelists. Combined with their ability to get things done in the network more efficiently, they were more... fitting to be recruited for the battle against the Top 10. After passing this information on to Queen Priscilla, she sent Lumine to recruit the two individuals for the task, knowing that they would have a strong chance of getting the job done.

"Of course!" Drakon yelled as he shot upwards, making a guts pose. "I've been desperately waiting to have my revenge against Storm Rider after he served me a humiliating defeat. Oooh, my blood is boiling at the prospect of a good challenge!"

"I'm also looking forward to this very much," Nyx added. "Just like my friend, I also want to get revenge. Sanctum will rue the day for defeating me."

"Idiots, the both of you." Umbra rebuked the other two with a cold tone. "This isn't a game, but the final battle in the war to end all wars. You better take this mission seriously, or else you'll end up like everyone else who fell before the Top 10."

"Enough chatter." Priscilla clapped her hands, silencing the trio. "I have high expectations of you, so I trust that you will live up to them. Should you distinguish yourselves during this battle by taking down the Top 10, you will be rewarded handsomely."

"Thank you, Queen Priscilla!"

Drakon and Nynx, along with Divine and Artemis, sprung up like coils and saluted before exiting the throne room. Once they were gone, Priscilla turned to Umbra.

"Now then, Umbra, I also have some special orders for you," Priscilla said. "During your mission, when you invaded the Light Ignis' castle, you came across Storm Rider, no? Should you encounter him, I expect you to terminate them with extreme prejudice."

"You mean…you want me to dispose of him?" Umbra narrowed his eyes at this. "Don't you think that's a bit overkill, your Holiness?"

"The Top 10 and their allies are all dangerous, Umbra," Priscilla spoke with a grave expression on her face. "Especially, Storm Rider. Don't let his appearance fool you. I can tell that he hides a terrible darkness within him that can jeopardize everything we fought for so far. You should know since you experienced it firsthand in your last duel with him. If you come across him, you must eliminate him no matter the cost, Umbra. Everyone's safety depends on this."

"Everyone's safety, you say…?" Umbra seemed a bit perplexed but eventually nodded. "…Very well. If that is your command, then I'll see this task done, your Holiness. However, I wish for you to allow me to handle this matter at my discretion and in my way."

"That's fair, seeing as I'm asking you to shoulder a terrible burden, Umbra." Priscilla inclined her head at the black-clothed man. "But just know that I am grateful for this and that you're doing the world a great service."

Umbra offered no response to this as he exited the throne room as well, leaving Queen Priscilla alone.

Meanwhile…

"So this is the Syndicate's base of operation. It sure doesn't look that imposing from here…"

Storm Rider muttered as he and the others were getting closer and closer to a floating island where a massive fortress was situated. Although its appearance was reminiscent of a medieval castle, the various crystal-shaped objects hovering around it and the high-tech equipment situated at its port ruined that image.

"The goal is finally in sight," Sanctum commented next to Storm Rider. "In there, Triton, Hornet and Kid Fate are waiting for us." She lowered her head. And hopefully, I'll be able to bring Rhea back to her senses…"

"Speaking of Rhea, or should I say Marionette. I'm still astonished over the fact that she was a double agent this whole time," Magnum remarked. "When you told me that you and her weren't friends anymore, I immediately jumped to the conclusion that you caused the friendship to end. But after learning the truth, I was wrong. I'm telling you cuz, if anyone one of us stands a chance of getting through to Rhea, a.k.a. Marionette, it's you."

"More importantly, however, why haven't we been attacked yet?" Ginger asked. "According to Varis, Ghost Gal and The Shepherd informed him that the Syndicate's leader keeps track of everything going on around here through the surveillance devices installed in these crystal-shaped pillars hovering in the sky. Plus, the perimeter defenses he spoke about should have been activated by now. Not that I'm complaining that it's been smooth sailing so far, but it makes me feel uneasy."

"There are two possibilities regarding this," Na'amah stated. "The optimistic one is that Ghost Gal and The Shepherd succeeded in neutralizing at least part of the defense system from the inside. The less hopeful of the two scenarios is that our dear foe is setting a trap for us and is inviting us in."

"Yeah, I'd rather go with the first one," Gore said. "But if they are setting a trap for us, then let's spring it and make them regret it."

Everyone present nodded in agreement, following Gore's words. At that moment, Pyrrha pointed at the rocky cliffs ahead of them.

"Alright, looks like we're coming up on the island's north side," she stated. "As per the blueprints Varis provided us, it's a bit of rough terrain, but it's the fastest way to the leader's chambers. Even if the surveillance system is down, they'll probably be expecting us, so you'd better bring your A-game if you don't want to get your consciousness data taken in record time."

"That won't be a problem." Magnum puffed his chest out. "On this day, we'll prove once and for all that the Syndicate was wrong to mess with us! We'll definitely pass judgment on those fiends on behalf of everyone who's suffered because of them!"

"That's a noble goal, but in the meantime, I suggest you start climbing," Faris suggested as the group came to a stop next to the cliffs. "We don't have all day here, and I'd hate to be ambushed while climbing that cliff."

"Right," Playmaker said. "Let's get a move on, everyone."

Following his prompt, the group started ascending slowly, with Magnum predictably grumbling for the duration of the climb.

"Something doesn't feel right…" Storm Rider said. "In any case, this place seems a bit too quiet for my tastes. Weren't we supposed to be greeted by the welcoming committee by now?"

"Perhaps news of our arrival has reached them, and they decided to scurry off in fear," Magnum suggested with a proud smile. "They must be aware of our victories, hence why they wisely chose not to confront us."

"That would be nice, but that doesn't seem to be the case." Roselyn's expression hardened as he said so. "They're already here."

"Indeed," Blue Maiden said. "We appear to be surrounded."

Suddenly, a large number of Syndicate soldiers appeared seemingly out of nowhere, forming a circle around the group and trapping them inside.

"I knew they'd be here," Varis smirked. "Therefore, we'll break through them just like we planned!"

Following Varis' shout, Gore and Pyrrha dashed forward on his D-Board, with Sanctum and Blue Maiden doing the same. As for Magnum and Faris, they dashed around, causing several soldiers to collide with one another. Thanks to their combined efforts, the Syndicate soldiers' formation was broken, allowing Varis, Playmaker and Storm Rider to escape and dash ahead toward the fortress in order to find Queen Priscilla.

"Yosh, it's all according to plan!" Na'amah cheered as she, Na'amah, Soulburner and Roselyn stood in front of the Syndicate students in order to prevent them from going after Varis and the others. "All that's left now is taking out the trash!"

"I won't allow a single one of you rascals pass!" Soulburner bellowed. "Today, the Syndicate's reign of terror comes to an end!"

"What our comrades said," Roselyn and Ginger smirked. "Now, let's do this!"

[Duel!]

All Duelists present shouted as one, and despite the Syndicate soldiers putting up a brave fight, they were overwhelmed by the group's superior skill and swiftly retreated.

"Oi, where the heck do you think you're going!?" Na'amah shouted. "Get back here, you cowards!"

"After them!" Soulburner shouted. "We cannot let them interfere with Varis' group!"

Everyone chased the retreating Syndicate soldiers into one of the side entrances that led to their fortress. However, the soldiers had seemingly disappeared into thin air, prompting Gore and Pyrrha to stop and motion for the others to halt as well.

"Something is wrong here," Pyrhha said with an urgent tone. "Oh no. Since there was an enemy before us, then—"

"Now! Get them!"

Suddenly, a number of nets made out of Real Solid Vision descended from the ceiling and seized the members of the group before they could react in any manner.

"Darn it, they baited us!" Na'amah complained as she and Ginger were trapped. "Stupid Syndicate and their nets!"

"We've walked right into this one." Pyrrha grimaced as she and Gore were trapped. "In hindsight, it should have been obvious that they had a trap laid for us the moment they ran away. I've screwed up big time…"

"It looks like we've got ourselves a big catch today." One of the soldiers grinned. "But man, you guys sure are unlucky. Some of you will be used as fodder for the elites, while the rest of you will have to entertain some of our soldiers. I sure wouldn't want to be in your shoes right now."

Following his words, the nets holding Magnum, Faris, Ginger, Na'amah, Soulburner, Roselyn, Blue Maiden, Sanctum, Gore, and Pyrrha moved to the side while the ones carrying Varis, Playmaker, and Storm Rider moved forward and entered some narrow passageways that appeared on the wall, separating them.

"Just great. We've all been split up," Magnum remarked as he attempted to cut the net with his Duel Disk's blade. "This is the worst situation. And where is each of us being transferred to? I wish I could escape, but by the looks of it, this net is too strong. My Disk's blade isn't even making a dent in it. I suppose I have no choice but to adopt a wait-and-see approach for now. If need be, I'll fight my way out when I arrive at wherever I'm being taken at."

After a few minutes of being moved inside a dimly lit corridor and arriving at a spacious room, the net-binding Magnum abruptly disappeared, sending falling to the floor.

"Oh? The first visitor is here already. And it looks like he's cosplaying one of his favorite characters from a science fiction show…"

Magnum narrowed his eyes at the sight as Drakon materialized in front of him.

"So the enemy has already appeared before me," Magnum said as he assumed a battle stance. "Are you an agent of the Syndicate?"

"The name's Drakon," Drakon introduced himself. "And unless I'm mistaken, you are Magnum, one of the allies the Top 10 has recently recruited and causing the Syndicate so much trouble."

"It looks like I don't need to introduce myself," Magnum smirked. "But I don't remember hearing anything about you from the others. Nor did I see you listed in any of the files they provided. " So that must mean you also be an ally the Syndicate recruited just like Astro and Glacia, right?"

"You could say that," Drakon responded. "Rejoice, Mr. Trench Coat, for your demise will be the first step towards claiming my award and exacting revenge on that detestable Storm Rider…"

"You seem to have a grudge towards Storm Rider," Magnum remarked. "In that case, that's all the more reason for me to take you down here and now. The Syndicate's downfall begins with your defeat!"

"How confident you are…" Drakon smirked as he activated his Duel Disk. "Let's see whether you have the strength to back up your defiant words."

"Then let us get this show on the road!" Magnum exclaimed as he activated his Duel Disk. "Prepare yourself for defeat, Drakon!"

"Duel!" they shouted.

Magnum: 4000 LP

Drakon: 4000 LP

"I'll go first!" Magnum said, taking a card from his hand. "I summon Witch of the Black Forest!"

A woman with purple hair wearing a long, black dress, with an eye on the collar and a third eye on her forehead, appeared.

Witch of the Black Forest ATK 1100 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"I place two cards face-down," Magnum said, doing so. "I end my turn." I have to be careful, he thought. I have no idea what Deck this guy's running, so I can't just jump in blind.

"If you think starting slow will save you, you have another thing coming!" Drakon stated. "My turn! I draw!" Drakon looked at his cards, then picked one. "I activate the Spell Card: Cards of Consonance! I discard a Dragon Tuner monster with 1000 attack points or less and draw two cards."

He drew, then said, "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Celestial Bell Tower! Due to its effect, whenever a player Synchro Summons, they get to draw a card. Next, I summon Dragunity Dux!"

A bird-headed warrior with white and purple wings wielding a whip appeared on her field.

Dragunity Dux ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Dragunity?" Magnum blinked. "That Deck focuses on equipping themselves to other Dragunity monsters and also incorporates Synchro Summoning."

"Glad to know you're a fan," Drakon teased Magnum before gesturing to his field. "Dux's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can equip a Level 3 or lower Dragon "Dragunity" monster from my Graveyard to it. I equip Dragunity Couse to Dux!"

A blue and purple dragon with a sword-shaped head briefly appeared before morphing into a small sword that Dux held in its right hand. "Dux also gains 200 attack points for each "Dragunity" card I control."

Dragunity Dux ATK 1500→1900

"I activate the effect of the equipped Couse! If it is equipped to a monster, I can Special Summon it!"

The sword disintegrated and the purple dragon reappeared and roared while in Attack Position.

Dragunity Couse ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Now, Level 2 Couse tunes Level 4 Dux!"

Following Drakon's declaration, threads of orange energy spread outwards from him. The birdman and dragon disintegrated into green data before reforming into two rings, each a shade of green. The rings merged and then formed a tower of six rings. A screen appeared before the rings and displayed "2 + 4" before changing to "6." Light surged through the rings as Drakon chanted.

"Spear of the knight! Become a dragon of legend! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Dragunity Knight – Gae Dearg!"

A large red and purple dragon with a humanoid bird in red and purple armor riding its back emerged from the rings in Attack Position.

Dragunity Knight – Gae Dearg ATK 2400 DEF 800 LVL: 6

"Thanks to the effect of Celestial Bell Tower, I draw a card!" Drakon declared as he drew. "Then, I activate the Spell Card: One for One! By discarding one card from my hand, I can Special Summon a Level 1 monster from my Deck! Come, Dragunity Brandistock!"

A blue dragon with a pike attached to its head appeared.

Dragunity Brandistock ATK 600 DEF 400 LVL: 1

"Furthermore, I activate the Spell Card: Battle Waltz! By targeting a Synchro Monster I control, I can Special Summon a Waltz Token in Attack Position with stats equal to the targeted monster. I target Gae Dearg!"

A duplicate of Gae Dearg made of light appeared beside the original

Dragunity Knight – Gae Dearg ATK 2400 DEF 800 LVL: 6

"Level 1 Branditock tunes the Level 6 Waltz Token!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Drakon as his monsters disintegrated and reformed into two rings. The rings turned blue and merged before reforming again into seven blue rings in a tower. Light surged through the rings as Drakon chanted.

"Rider of the gale winds! Pierce through your enemies with fierce determination! I Synchro Summon! Take to the skies, Level 7! Dragunity Knight - Trident!"

A large blue-armored dragon with a serpentine body, four wings and a trident-shaped helmet emerged onto the field in Attack Position. Like Gae Daerg, it had a rider, but its rider wore a blue and white tunic with a red hood and wielded a whip.

Dragunity Knight - Trident ATK 2400 DEF 1700 LVL: 7

"Two Synchro Monsters in one turn…" Magnum remarked with narrowed eyes. "You are skilled, huh…?"

"Bell Tower's effect activates!" Drakon shouted. "Since I Synchro Summoned, I can draw one card from my Deck! Now, let's battle! Gae Dearg attacks Witch of the Black Forest!"

The dragon charged the purple-haired woman, but Magnum gestured to his field.

"I activate the Trap Card: Soul Transition!" he declared. "As I control no Special Summoned monsters, I Tribute a Level 4 Normal Summoned monster to draw two cards!" The woman disintegrated as Magnum drew. "Moreover, since it was sent to the Graveyard, the effect of Witch of the Black Forest activates, allowing me to add a monster with 1500 defense points or less from my Deck to my hand. I choose X-Head Cannon."

Drakon blinked and then pointed at him. "In that case, Gae Dearg will attack you directly!"

"That's not going to work either," Magnum stated. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Negate Attack! It negates your attack and ends the Battle Phase!"

A barrier appeared around him and knocked Gae Dearg back, prompting a scowl from Drakon. "So? Do you have any other moves to make? Anything else you want to try?"

"I'm going to make you eat those words!" Drakon let out a wild grin. "I activate Trident's effect! I can send up to three cards I control to the Graveyard to send the same number of cards from your Extra Deck to the Graveyard!"

"What?" Magnum gasped.

"You weren't expecting such a move, were you?" A series of cards appeared in front of Drakon. After looking at them for a moment, he then picked one. "I send XYZ-Dragon Cannon to the Graveyard!" The Fusion Monster shattered while the others disappeared. "The Syndicate was kind enough to provide me recordings of your duels against their soldiers, and in them, you always used Dragon Cannon. Not to mention the fact that it's needed to bring out your boss monsters." He sneered. "Looks like I was one step ahead of you. I place a card face-down, and then I activate Gae Dearg's effect! Once per turn, I can add 1 Level 4 or lower Dragon or Winged Beast monster from my Deck to my hand in exchange for discarding one. I add Dragunity Legionnaire and discard Dragunity Angusticlavii. With that, I end my turn."

Magnum narrowed his eyes. "Your attitude aside, your skills appear to be the real deal. I guess the title of a bounty hunter isn't just for show."

"Thank you." Drakon made a small bow. "However, I'll be very disappointed if you are discouraged by just this much."

"Heck no." Magnum snorted. "I was just impressed by your moves. But if you think you've already won just because you managed to rid me of one of my best monsters, then you're sorely mistaken. My turn! I draw! First, I summon X-Head Cannon!"

A blue-and-yellow machine with no legs and two cannons on its shoulders appeared.

X-Head Cannon ATK 1800 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Frontline Base! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Union monster from my hand. Come, E-Edge Bat!"

A dark blue mechanical bat with bladed wings and a head in the shape of an axe appeared on Magnum's field.

E-Edge Bat ATK 1400 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

Drakon's eyes widened. "I didn't see that monster in the recordings!"

"That's because I just recently added it to my Deck," Magnum revealed. "Now I'll combine my X-Head Cannon with my E-Edge Bat! Come forth! EX-Bat Cannon!"

The pieces were pulled together in a swirling vortex, linking and snapping in seemingly impossible ways. E-Edge Bat's lower half transformed and attached itself to the head of X-Head Cannon, forming a single cannon machine that had wings flapping above its head and a bladed helmet resting on top.

EX-Bat Cannon ATK 2400 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

Drakon narrowed his eyes at Magnum's new monster. "While I'll admit that your new monster is impressive, with attack points equal to both my Dragunity Knights, it was a foolish move bringing it out."

"You and I both know that attack points aren't everything," Magnum stated. "I activate Bat Cannon's effect! By discarding a card from my hand, I can destroy a monster you control and inflict 700 points of damage to your Life Points!" Drakon's eyes widened. "And my target is none other than Trident!"

A beam of energy erupted from the tip of Bat Cannon's cannons, piercing through Trident and striking Drakon, who doubled over.

Drakon: 4000→3300 LP

"I'm not finished yet!" Magnum proclaimed. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: 7 Completed and equip it to Bat Cannon!" A red glowing 7 appeared on the Fusion Monster's crest. "This card lets me increase the attack or defense points of a Machine monster equipped with this card by 700. I choose to increase Bat Cannon's attack points!"

EX-Bat Cannon ATK 2400→3100

Magnum gestured to his field. "Battle! Bat Cannon attacks Gae Daerg!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Synchro Barrier!" Drakon bellowed. "Through its effect, I can Tribute a Synchro Monster on my field and reduce all damage I receive to 0 until the next turn's End Phase! I Tribute Gae Daerg!"

Magnum growled. "In that case, I'll place a card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Drakon looked at his card, then chose a different one. "I activate the Spell Card: Trade-In! By discarding a Level 8 monster, I can draw two cards. I discard Dragunity Arma Leyvaten!" Drakon drew, then said, "I summon a second copy of Dragunity Dux!"

The birdman with a riding crop reappeared.

Dragunity Dux ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"And thanks to its effect, Dux gains 200 attack points for each "Dragunity" card I control."

Dragunity Dux ATK 1500→1700

"Furthermore, I activate Dux's second effect to equip Dragunity Couse to it!"

The purple dragon with a sword-shaped head appeared before turning into a sword that Dux held in its left hand.

Drakon smirked."And with another "Dragunity" card on my field, Dux's attack points increase again!"

Dragunity Dux ATK 1700→1900

"Following that, I activate the effect of the equipped Couse!" Drakon continued. "If it is equipped to a monster, I can Special Summon it!"

The sword disintegrated and the purple dragon reappeared and roared while in Attack Position.

Dragunity Couse ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Level 2 Couse tunes Level 4 Dux!"

Threads of orange energy traveled outwards from Drakon's body as his monsters turned into particles. Two green rings, one twice the other's size and a darker shade, appeared before turning blue and merging. They then split into six rings in a tower, orbited by blue-green rectangles. A screen displayed "2 + 4" before changing to "6" as a surge of light passed through the rings.

"Dragon of war!" Drakon chanted. "Embody the hero's spear and impale your enemies! I Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 6! Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg!"

A large white-armored dragon with purple skin and wings emerged from the rings. Its rider also had white and purple armor and wielded a gold and white trident. The dragon roared in Attack Position.

Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg ATK 2000 DEF 1100 LVL: 6

"With my hand now empty, I activate the Spell Card: Emergency Recharge!" Drakon continued. "Through its effect, I get to draw four cards from my Deck! Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Dragunity Divine Lance! By equipping it to Gae Bulg, my monster gains attack points equal to its Level times 100 and is unaffected by Trap effects!"

Gae Bulg's trident turned into a massive golden lance with dragon wings in the middle.

Dragunity Knight Gae Bulg ATK 2000→2600

"600 more attack points isn't enough to defeat Bat Cannon!" Magnum pointed out.

Drakon raised an eyebrow. "Are you bragging about something I already know? I can't tell if confident or annoying."

"I am neither!" Magnum shouted. "I am strong and intelligent!"

"Whatever," Drakon scoffed as he gestured to his new card. "I activate Divine Lance's effect! During my Main Phase, I can equip one Dragon "Dragunity" Tuner monster from my Deck to Gae Bulg. I equip Dragunity Brandistock to Gae Bulg!" A blue armored dragon appeared before changing shape into a spear. Gae Bulg took hold of Brandistock in its left hand. "While Brandistock is equipped to Gae Bulg, Bae Bulg can attack twice!"

Magnum's eyes widened. "Battle! Gae Bulg, attack Bat Cannon!"

The dragon rider charged the Fusion Monster as Drakon gestured to his field. "Gae Bulg's effect activates! If it attacks or is attacked, I can banish a Winged Beast monster from my Graveyard to increase Gae Bulg's attack points by that monster's attack points!" Magnum gasped. "I banish Dux to increase Gae Bulg's attack points by 1500!"

Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg ATK 2600→4100

"Continue your attack, Gae Bulg! Spear of Ulster!"

Gae Burg's lance and spear lit up with yellow energy, which it fired at Bat Cannon, destroying it and pushing Magnum nack due to the shockwave.

Magnum: 4000→3000 LP

"Bat Cannon's additional effect!" Magnum declared, gesturing to his field. "If it's destroyed, I can target and Special Summon a banished Light monster. Return, E-Edge Bat!"

The mechanical bat with bladed wings reappeared in Defense Position.

E-Edge Bat ATK 1400 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Nice effect," Drakon commented. "Too bad it was all for nothing. Don't forget that Gae Bulg gets to attack twice since it's equipped with Brandistock." He gestured to his field. "Gae Bulg attacks Edge Bat!"

"Not happening!" Magnum said. "I activate the Trap Card: Impenetrable Attack! With this card, I can neither negate battle damage nor my monster's destruction! I choose to prevent Edfe Bat's destruction!"

The Synchro Monster struck Edge Bat with its lance, but nothing happened.

"Tch." Green clicked his tongue in irritation. "I place a card face-down and end my turn. As it's now the End Phase, Gae Bulg's effect ends, and its attack points return to normal."

Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg ATK 4100→2600

"It's my turn!" Magnum announced. "I draw! Now then, allow me to pay you back for that damage. First, I activate the Spell Card: Spellbook Inside the Pot, which allows both of us to draw three cards from our Decks. From there, I activate the effect of Frontline Base to Special Summon this monster. Come forth, D-Dash Lizard!"

A green mechanical lizard with plated armor on its scales and jet boosters on its back appeared beside Edge Bat.

D-Dash Lizard ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Time to bring out another one of my new toys," Magnum smirked, "I combine Dash Lizard with Edge Bat to form DE-Dash Edge Drake!"

The two monsters broke apart into their respective pieces, swirling and whirling together. E-Edge Bat attached to D-Dash Lizard's back, forming a single lizard machine as its head had an axe blade protruding from its head, wings protruding from its back and hollow cylinders attached to the side of its cheeks.

DE-Dash Edge Drake ATK 2400 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

Drakon narrowed his eyes. "Cool monster, but it isn't strong enough to take down Gae Bulg."

"Is that so?" Magnum said. "Since you don't get it yet, allow me to thoroughly demonstrate the difference between our abilities. I activate the Spell Card: Block Attack! This card allows me to switch one monster on the field to Defense Position! I target Gae Bulg!"

A blast fired out of the Spell Card, hitting the Synchro Monster and making it kneel.

"Now, battle!" Magnum exclaimed. "Dash Edge Drake, attack Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg! And whenever Edge Drake attacks a Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage!"

Following Magnum's words, Edge Drake opened its maw, unleashing an energy blast, piercing through Gae Bulg's body and destroying it, with Drakon being thrown back from the force of the attack.

Drakon: 3300→2000 LP

"It looks like the tables have turned to my side once again," Magnum commented with a wide grin. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn. Now, show me what else you can do by using your "Dragunity" monsters and how you plan on fighting against mine. This back-and-forth exchange has got me really pumped up here! Let's make this even more exciting!"

"Unfortunately, from now on, only despair awaits you." Drakon declared in a chilling tone that gave Magnum pause. "My turn! I draw! "I summon Dragunity Partisan!"

A purple and gold dragon with a spearhead attached to its forehead appeared.

Dragunity Partisan ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"Partisan's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Winged-Beast "Dragunity" monster from my hand and equip Partisan to it. Come, Dragunity Militum!"

A warrior in white and green armor with wings wielding a sword and dagger appeared in Attack Position. It then leapt onto Partisan's back.

Dragunity Militum ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Militum's effect activates!" Drakon declared. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon a "Dragunity" card from my Spell & Trap Zone! Return to me, Partisan!"

Militum jumped off of Partisan's back as it returned to the Main Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Dragunity Partisan ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"I now tune Level 2 Partisan with Level 4 Militum!"

Threads of orange energy traveled outwards from Drakon's body as his monsters turned into particles. Two green rings, one twice the other's size and a darker shade, appeared before turning blue and merging. They then split into six rings in a tower, orbited by blue-green rectangles. A screen displayed "2 + 4" before changing to "6" as a surge of light passed through the rings.

"Spear of the heavens! Transform into the dragon of lightning!" Drakon chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Descend, Level 6! Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana!"

A purple-skinned dragon covered in orange armor emerged from the rings. The rider on its back wore similar armor and held a spear in its right hand. The rider's mount roared in Attack Position.

Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana ATK 1900 DEF 1200 LVL: 6

"I activate Vajrayana's effect!" Drakon continued. "When it is Synchro Summoned, I can equip a Level 3 or lower "Dragunity" monster from my Graveyard to it. I equip Aklys to Vajrayana." Another spear appeared in the rider's left hand. "Vajrayana's additional effect! I send the equipped Aklys to the Graveyard to double Vajrayana's attack points until the end of the turn!"

"No, you won't!" Magnum declared. "I activate Dash Edge Drake's effect! During either player's turn, I can target one card on the field and negate its effects. I negate Vajrayana's effects!"

"You slippery little…" Drakon growled. "In this case, by banishing Aklys and Militum from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Dragunity Arma Gram from my hand!"

A massive red dragon with golden wings appeared in Attack Position, wielding a hooked sword in its right hand while flames wreathed its head, elbows, and tail.

Dragunity Arma Gram ATK 2900 DEF 2200 LVL: 10

Drakon gestured to his field. "I activate Arma Gram's effect! Once per turn, I target a face-up monster. That monster's effects are negated, and it loses 1000 attack points for each Equip Card I control. I target Dash Edge Drake!"

The sword-wielding dragon breathed red flames that consumed Magnum's Fusion Monster, making it groan.

DE-Dash Edge Drake ATK 2400→1400

"Furthermore, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Burden of the Mighty! All of your face-up monsters lose attack points equal to their Levels times 100!"

DE-Dash Edge Drake ATK 1400→700

"Battle!" Drakon exclaimed. "Arma Gram attacks Dash Edge Drake!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!" Magnum abruptly shouted. "It negates your attack."

A scarecrow made out of junk appeared before Arma Gram, who hit it with its sword. Unfortunately, it didn't do anything, forcing the dragon to back off.

"And due to Scarecrow's other effect, I can set it face-down instead of sending it to the Graveyard," Magnum explained, with Scarecrow setting itself face-down again.

Drakon gritted his teeth. "I guess this will be dragged out another turn. But no matter; Vajrayana attacks Edge Drake!"

This time, the dragon rider charged forward, bringing his spears down, and this time, the spears pierced the Fusion Monster's body, making it explode.

Magnum: 3000→1800 LP

"I activate the Trap Card: Destruction Bounty!" Magnum declared. "If a monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck was destroyed, I can draw a card from my Deck for every material used to summon it. Moreover, I can draw an additional card from my Deck if I control no other monsters. So I draw a total of three cards!"

"Great. Just great. You refilled your hand, which means you can resume your strategies on your next turn." Drakon sarcastically commented. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Magnum announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Fusion Shuffle!" The card showed a stream of light, with Elemental Hero Flame Wingman amid it, headed towards a white Duel Disk. "This card returns a Fusion Monster that is either banished or in the Graveyard to the owner's Extra Deck. Then, I draw cards depending on that monster's Level. I shuffle my Level 8 XYZ-Dragon Cannon back into your Extra Deck to draw two cards."

"I see," Drakon mused as Magnum drew. "A card to take advantage of your or the opponent's defeated Fusion Monsters. Rather clever of you."

Magnum ignored the praise. "Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Different Dimension Hangar!"

A swirling black vortex with two mechanical arms appeared above Magnum.

"When this card is activated, I can banish up to 3 Level 4 or lower Union Monsters from my Deck. And If I summon a monster that any of the banished Union Monsters can hook up with, then I can Special Summon them.

Pulling his Deck out, Magnum selected his three cards and showed them to everyone. "I remove Y-Dragon Head, Z-Metal Tank, and W-Catapult Wing!" He quickly threw them into the portal, still staying due to its effect. He then took a card from his hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Silent Doom! It lets me Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. However, the summoned monster can't attack. Revive, X-Head Cannon!"

The blue and yellow machine appeared again on Magnum's field after emerging from a portal in the ground.

X-Head Cannon ATK 1800→1200 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"And don't forget about my Different Dimension Hangar," Magnum stated. "Since I removed from play two Union Monsters that can be equipped to X-Head Cannon, I can now Special Summon them back. Return Y-Dragon Head and Z-Metal Tank!"

The mechanical claws suddenly began extending out of the black rift. In one of its clawed hands was a red mechanical dragon. The clawed hand soon enough set the dragon down and retracted into the rift. After a moment, it reappeared while carrying a large yellow and blue tank. Setting it down onto the field, the clawed hand finally retracted into the rift, vanishing once more.

Y-Dragon Head ATK 1500→1100 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

Z-Metal Tank ATK 1500→1100 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

"Of course, the summoned monsters are prevented from attacking this turn, but that doesn't matter," Magnum smirked. "I'm removing all three from play to fuse them!" He gestured to his three monsters. "Merge to form XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

Y-Dragon Head's wings popped off as X-Head Cannon connected to its back. The two monsters then set themselves into Z-Metal Tank's body. The resulting Fusion Monster was summoned to Magnum's field in Attack Position.

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800→2000 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"I activate Dragon Cannon's effect!" Magnum declared. "By discarding Ojamagic, I destroy Burden of the Mighty!"

The cannons on X-Head Cannon gathered energy and fired at the Continuous Spell Card, destroying it.

"And don't think for a second that I'm finished," Magnum promised. "Since I sent Ojamagic to the Graveyard, I now add Ojamas Black, Green, and Yellow from my Deck to my hand. But they won't be there for long because by discarding the three of them plus Electromagnetic Turtle to destroy your four remaining cards!"

"Before that, I activate the Trap Card: Threatening Roar!" Drakon interjected as his cards were destroyed. "It prevents you from declaring an attack this turn!"

Magnum frowned. "You might've saved yourself, but since Burden of the Mighty is no longer on your field, Dragon Cannon's attack points return to normal."

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2000→2800

"I place a card face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Drakon announced. "I draw! Now, it's time to stop playing around. I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise, allowing me to draw until I'm holding five cards in my hand. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed to draw two more cards. From there, I activate the Spell Card: Foolish Burial! This card sends a monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Dragunity Voulge to my Graveyard. Then, I summon Dragunity Legionnaire!"

A muscular birdman with green wings and white and gold armor appeared.

Dragunity Legionnaire ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Legionnaire's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can equip a Level 3 or lower Dragon 'Dragunity' monster from my Graveyard to it. I equip Voulge to Legionnaire." A serpentine green dragon wearing silver armor appeared. A pole with an angled blade was attached to its back, with the blade above its head. Legionnaire leaped onto the dragon's back. "And now I activate the Spell Card: Sealed Potential!" The card showed a Duel Field, specifically a Monster Card in the Spell & Trap Zone wrapped in chains, but the chains were breaking. "This lets me Special Summon a monster from my Spell & Trap Zone. Come, Dragunity Voulge!"

Legionnaire leaped off the friendly dragon as the dragon took its place in Attack Position.

Dragunity Voulge ATK 900 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"I'm far from finished!" Drakonsaid. "I activate the Spell Card Plus Star 123! I target a Level 4 or below monster, then increase that monster's Level by up to 3! I target Legionnaire and increase its Level by 2!"

Dragunity Legionnaire LVL: 3→5

"Level 3 Voulge tunes Level 5 Legionnaire!"

Following Drakon's declaration, a bolt of green lightning struck the field and atomized the two monsters, whose data reformed into two green rings. The rings turned blue and merged before becoming a tower of eight blue rings. A surge of light shot through them.

"Emerald, shining scales! Glide onto the field now, and let these fallen souls be your fuel! I Synchro Summon! Level 8! Dragunity Knight - Barcha!"

A large serpentine dragon with violet scales cladded in green armor appeared on Drakon's field and roared. It possessed two wings that emerged from its head and a blade attached to its jaw. A winged soldier draped in armor, which had an eagle motif, rode on its back.

"Barcha's effect activates!" Drakon exclaimed. "When Synchro Summoned, I can any number of Dragon "Dragunity" monsters in my Graveyard to it, and it gains 300 attack points for each monster equipped to it! I will equip Dragunity Voulge and Dragunity Brandistock!"

The small blue and green dragons reappeared before morphing into a blue spear and a green polearm that Barcha gripped in its hands.

Dragunity Knight – Barcha ATK 2000 DEF 1200 LVL: 8

Dragunity Knight – Barcha ATK 2000→2600

"That's quite impressive, but your dragon still doesn't hold a candle to my Dragon Cannon," Magnum stated.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you," Drakon remarked. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Gravity Lash! This card targets one monster on the field and has it lose attack points equal to its defense points!" Magnum's eyes widened. "I target Dragon Cannon, meaning its 2000 defense points are coming right out of its 2800 attack points!"

A bolt of green lightning erupted from Drakon's card, striking the Fusion Monster and causing it to groan.

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800→800

"While Barcha is equipped with Voulge, it can't be targeted by card effects," Drakon revealed. "Now, let's battle! Barcha attacks XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

"I don't think so!" Magnum shouted. "I activate the Trap Card: Scrap-Iron Scarecrow! As you are already aware, this card negates your attack and then resets itself!"

"True, but as you're well aware, Barcha is allowed to attack twice since it's equipped with Brandistock," Drakon stated. "Barcha attacks Dragon Cannon again!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Half Counter!" Magnum abruptly declared. "Due to its effect, since you declared an attack against my monster, I can increase Dragon Cannon's attack points by half of your Synchro Monster's original attack points!"

Drakon narrowed his eyes. "Barcha's original attack points were 2000! That means Dragon Cannon gains 1000 attack points!"

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 800→1800

The mounted rider on Barcha's back raised both its weapons and shot green energy bolts at Dragon Cannon while Barcha fired a green energy beam. The three blasts converged on the Fusion Monster, destroying it and pushing Magnum back, making him grunt in pain.

Magnum: 1800→1000 LP

"Struggle in vain all you want, but that won't change the outcome of this duel," Drakon said. "I activate the Spell Card: Synchro Draw!" The card showed a white dragon over a Duel Disk. "If I control a Level 7 or higher Synchro Monster and have no cards in my hand, this card lets me draw three cards!" He drew, then said, "Finally, I will place three cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Magnum announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Roll of Fate! This card lets me roll a six-sided die and draw cards equal to the result. Afterward, I must banish cards from the top of my Deck equal to that same result. Go, Dice Roll!"

A dice flew out of the Spell Card and landed on the ground. After it stopped rolling, it eventually stopped at a five.

"Just what I need. Because I rolled a five, I get to draw five cards." Magnum drew, then sent five cards from his Deck to the Graveyard. "I summon V-Tiger Jet!"

A fighter craft with a tiger head attached to its front appeared on Magnum's field.

V-Tiger Jet ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Next, the effect of my Hangar activates!" Magnum continued. "When I summon a monster compatible with a Union Monster removed from the game, the Union Monster returns to the field. Come, W-Wing Catapult!"

A blue machine with engines and wings appeared in Attack Position.

W-Wing Catapult ATK 1300 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"I banish V-Tiger Jet and W-Wing Catapult!" Magnum declared. "Go, Combination Summon! Come, VW-Tiger Catapult!"

W-Wing Catapult split down the middle, allowing V-Tiger Jet to attach itself to the top of the other monster.

VW-Tiger Catapult ATK 2000 DEF 2100 LVL: 6

"Moving on, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magnet Reverse!" Magnum announced. "Through its effect, I can Special Summon a Machine or Rock monster that can't be Normal Summoned or Set from my Graveyard or Banished Zone. Return to my side, Xyz-Dragon Cannon!"

A portal appeared on Magnum's field, with Dragon Cannon emerging from it.

XYZ-Dragon Cannon ATK 2800 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"If you're planning to use your monster's effect to destroy me, I regret to inform you that you're wasting your time," Drakon said. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Fiendish Chain! I target an Effect Monster on the field, and that monster cannot attack, and its effects are negated! I target your Dragon Cannon!"

Green chains shot out of the Trap Card and wrapped themselves around the Fusion Monster's body, making it groan in pain.

However, instead of being worried, Magnum smirked. "Nice try, but I was one step ahead of you," he stated. "I banish VW-Tiger Catapult and XYZ-Dragon Cannon!"

The two Fusion Monsters broke apart into their component monsters and began reassembling.

"Come, VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon!"

Magnum's newest Fusion Monster had W-Wing Catapult as legs, Y-Dragon Head's body at its waist, X-Head Cannon as its torso and head, while X-Head Cannon's arms held Z-Metal Tank's treads. V-Tiger Jet was on its back, with its head covering X-Head Cannon's head as a cowl. Y-Dragon Head's wings spread behind it, held in place by Z-Metal Tank's main body. The massive Fusion Monster was summoned to Magnum's field in Attack Position.

VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"So you brought out one of your best monsters." Drakon sneered. "Too bad you won't get the chance to use it. I activate the Trap Card: Bottomless Trap Hole! Since you summoned a monster with at least 1500 attack points, that monster is destroyed and banished!"

Immediately afterward, a large hole appeared underneath Dragon Catapult Cannon, causing it to fall into its depths and disappear.

"How dare you get rid of one of my favorite monsters…?" Magnum's expression hardened. "Well, I suppose I'll have to go with Plan B. I activate the Spell Card: Ojamassimilation! By revealing a Light Machine Fusion Monster in my Extra Deck, I can banish any number of "Ojama" monsters from my hand, field, and Graveyard to Special Summon an equal number of that monster's Fusion Materials from my hand, Deck, and/or Graveyard."

Drakon gasped. "He had a card like that?!"

"I reveal the Fusion Monster ABC-Dragon Buster, and banish Ojama Yellow, Ojama Green and Ojama Black from my Graveyard to Special Summon its Fusion Materials from my Deck: A-Assault Core, B-Buster Drake and C-Crush Wyvern!"

A small yellow tank with a tail-shaped cannon attached to it appeared, along with a green mechanical dragon and purple mechanical wyvern with engines and wings. All three monsters materialized in Attack Position.

A-Assault Core ATK 1900 DEF 200 LVL: 4

B-Buster Drake ATK 1500 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

C-Crush Wyvern ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"Since A-Assault Core, B-Buster Drake and C-Crush Wyvern are all on my field, I can banish them to bring out a new Fusion Monster!" Magnum declared as his three monsters joined together. "Appear, ABC-Dragon Buster!"

Following Magnum's words, Assault Core lowered its 'tail' over its body. Then Buster Drake and Crush Wyvern dropped in and latched themselves into the open slot inside Assault Core. Buster Drake detached its wings and attached to the base of Assault Core on the left. Finally, Crush Wyvern detached its wings and placed them in the back while attached to Assault Core on the right side.

ABC-Dragon Buster ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"I activate ABC-Buster Cannon's effect!" Magnum declared. "By sending one card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can banish one card on the field! I discard my last two cards to banish Dragunity Brandistock and Voulge!" Drakon gasped as Barcha's weapons vanished. "With them gone, Barcha not only can be targeted by effects now, but it also loses 600 attack points!"

Dragunity Knight – Barcha ATK 2600→2000

"Battle! Dragon Buster attacks Barcha! Dragonic Volley Shot!"

The monster unleashed an energy blast at the large dragon, destroying it and causing Drakon to grunt in pain due to the ensuing shockwave.

Drakon: 2000→1000 LP

"I activate the Trap Card: Destruction Reward!" Drakon exclaimed. "Through its effect, I get to draw two cards from my Deck since a Level 8 monster was destroyed!"

Magnum narrowed his eyes as Drakon drew. "It looks like we're even in terms of Life Points for now," he remarked. "However, that will soon change. With this, I end my turn."

"You annoying flea…" Drakon had a dark look on his face as he glared at Magnum. "To think that my Life Points would be brought so low by a mere acquaintance of the Top 10, it's truly revolting. It seems everyone is intent on ridiculing me. In that case—I will make sure there isn't enough of you left to bury once I'm finished with you! My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Adversity! Since you control a Special Summoned monster while I control no monsters, I can draw two cards. Next, I summon Dragunity Guisarme!"

A small turquoise dragon with a spiked head appeared.

Dragunity Guisarme ATK 600 DEF 1600 LVL: 3

"Guisarme's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Wind Dragon or Winged Beast monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Legionnaire!"

The muscular armored birdman reappeared in Attack Position.

Dragunity Legionnaire ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Furthermore, since I control a "Dragunity" monster," Drakon continued. "I can Special Summon this monster from my hand. Appear, Dragunity Legatus!"

A winged soldier cladded in armor that had an eagle motif and spikes emerging from its knuckles appeared.

Dragunity Legatus ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

Drakon's eyes widened. "It's time to end this! Level 3 Dragunity Guisarme tunes with the Level 3 Dragunity Legionnaire and Level 4 Dragunity Legastus!"

Drakon's monsters broke apart into green data before reforming into three green circles, one a lighter shade. The rings merged and then formed a tower of ten rings. A screen displayed "3 + 3 + 4" before changing to "10" as light surged through the rings.

"Weapons of the gods! Reside in the golden dragon and ignite the future!" Drakon chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Take flight! Level 10! Dragunity Knight – Ascalon!"

A massive serpentine golden dragon emerged from the rings. It had eight massive wings and a humanoid bird on its neck, wielding a spear. It spread its eight wings and its rider raised its spear as the dragon itself roared in Attack Position.

Dragunity Knight – Ascalon ATK 3300 DEF 3200 LVL: 10

"Is that his ace monster?" Magnum muttered. "It definitely looks like a major threat."

"I activate Ascalon's effect!" Drakon declared. "By banishing a "Dragunity" monster from my Graveyard, I can banish one of your monsters. I banish Couse to banish Dragon Buster! Vanishing Force!"

"No, you won't!" Magnum countered as golden energy gathered in Ascalon's mouth. "I activate Dragon Buster's effect! During either player's turn, I can Tribute it to Special Summon three banished Light Machine monsters!" The giant Fusion Monster split apart into pieces. "Come back, A-Assault Core, B-Buster Drake, and C-Crush Wvyern!"

Following Magnum's words, the three aforementioned monsters reappeared on his field in Defense Position.

A-Assault Core ATK 1900 DEF 200 LVL: 4

B-Buster Drake ATK 1500 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

C-Crush Wyvern ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"And because Dragon Buster left the field, Ascalon's effect fails to resolve."

"That may be the case, but there's a simple way to circumvent that," Drakon responded. "You see, I can keep using Ascalon's effect so long as there are "Dragunity" monsters in my Graveyard." Magnum's eyes widened. "So let's do this again! I banish Dux, Legastus and Militum from my Graveyard to banish Assault Core, Buster Drake and Crush Wyvern! Vanishing Force!"

Ascalon fired three beams of golden energy, disintegrating the three Union Monsters and leaving Magnum defenseless.

"With this, you're wide open!" Drakon exclaimed. "Battle! Ascalon, attack him directly! Imperial Turbulence!"

"No, it's not over yet!" Magnum shouted. "I banish Electromagnetic Turtle from my Graveyard to end the Battle Phase!"

Following Magnum's words, an electromagnetic barrier appeared around his field, shielding him from the blast.

"Darn it, I failed again…" Drakon grimaced. "However, you won't be able to escape from your fate forever, you piece of trash. I activate the Spell Card: Dragon's Gunfire! If I control a Dragon monster, I can activate one of two effects. I can either inflict 800 points of damage to your Life Points or destroy a monster on the field with 800 defense points or less! I choose to activate the second and inflict 800 points of damage!"

A large ball of flame fired from the card, striking Magnum's body head-on and causing him to wince as he struggled to remain upright despite the intense agony.

Magnum: 1000→200 LP

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Drakon concluded. "It seems like this duel is almost over. As expected, even someone as skilled as you couldn't stand up to me. On my next turn, I will bury you for good and move on to defeat the rest of your pathetic companions. And once I destroy that accursed Storm Rider, my grudge will finally be satisfied."

"Unfortunately for you, I have no intention of being defeated by a worm like you!" Magnum exclaimed. "There is no way I will let a depraved individual like you feel the satisfaction of triumphing over me or anyone else for that matter. I'll take you down right here and now! My turn! I draw!"

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Follow Wing!" Drakon abruptly declared. "I activate this card by targeting Ascalon! Now, Ascalon cannot be destroyed by battle, and if a Level 5 or higher monster attacks it, that monster is destroyed, and Ascalon gains attack points equal to your monster's attack points!"

"If you think you can trick me into making a hasty move, then you're sorely underestimating me." Magnum let out a sly smile. "Besides, I've already come up with a plan to defeat you. First, I activate the effect of Ojamassimilation in the Graveyard! By banishing it and shuffling Ojamas Black, Green, and Yellow back into my Deck, I can draw a card."

"Oh?" Drakon raised an eyebrow. "So you're placing the fate of this duel on a single draw?"

Magnum sneered. "You say that like it's pointless." He placed his hand on his Deck. "I draw!"

Magnum drew and smirked. "It seems my fate is to win this duel! I activate the Spell Card: Miracle Union! With this card, I can banish "A-to-Z" monsters from my field or Graveyard to Special Summon an "A-to-Z" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by ignoring its summoning conditions. I will banish ABC-Dragon Buster and DE-Dash Edge Drake from my Graveyard to summon a monster you've never seen before! Come forth, ABCDE-Dragon Edge Buster!"

Following Magnum's words, Dragon Buster and Edge Drake reappeared before soaring into the air, with Edge Drake disassembling itself. Dash Lizard's body went into the middle of Dragon Buster, making it have three heads. Edge Bat's wings attached to the side of A-Assault Core and its axe attached itself to the third head, making the middle have a bladed forehead.

ABCDE-Dragon Edge Buster ATK 3600 DEF 3400 LVL: 10

Drakon blinked in shock. "A Level 10 Fusion Monster besides Dragon Catapult Cannon?"

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Hyper Cannon and equip it to Dragon Edge Buster." The monster's cannon barrels turned into silver streamlined barrels. "While Hyper Cannon is equipped, your card effects can't target or destroy Dragon Cannon. Nor can its control be changed, and if it battles your Special Summoned monster, it gains 1000 attack points during damage calculation!" Drakon's eyes widened at that. "Battle! Dragon Edge Buster attacks Dragunity Knight – Ascalon! And since Ascalon is a Special Summoned monster, Edge Buster gains 1000 attack points via Hyper Cannon's effect!"

ABCDE-Dragon Edge Buster ATK 3600→4600

"Due to Follow Wing's effect, Ascalon cannot be destroyed by battle!" Drakon panickingly reminded his opponent.

"It cannot," Magnum agreed. "Ascalon will survive this attack. But you won't!"

A large, violet energy beam erupted from Dragon Edge Buster's three heads, consuming Ascalon. The dragon cried out, and the shockwave of the attack continued onwards to Drakon, with the force of the blast sending the screaming Drakon flying into a wall.

Drakon: 1000→0 LP

"That was a good finish," Magnum said as the monsters vanished. "You have my thanks for becoming my stepping stone to even greater heights. Now then, how about you tell me where the leader's chambers are located?"

Only a faint groan was heard in response to Magnum's query. It was only then that he noticed that his opponent had lost consciousness as a result of that last attack and was thus in no position to give him any info whatsoever.

"Just great…" Magnum sighed but immediately cheered up. "Oh well, I'm no worse than I was before, so I'll just forge ahead and question the next unfortunate Syndicate lackey I come across." He looked up to the ceiling. "More importantly, I should find the others and hope that they haven't fallen victim to the enemy's hands."

Upon saying so, Magnum turned around and left the area. Unbeknownst to him, however, someone was observing him while concealed in the shadows.

"Well, that duel surely has piqued my interest. Although he's somewhat cocky and overconfident, he's got some good skills. I think facing him will be a worthy battle for me."

Following these words, the concealed figure let out a smile filled with excitement as they quickly disappeared from the area…

Meanwhile, with Faris…

"Whooooooaaaa!"

Faris screamed as the net that was restraining her disappeared, sending her crashing to the stone floor below. Once the dizziness and ringing in his ears subsided, the Amosis City Duelist stood up and began checking her body for signs of any injuries. Luckily, there were none.

"Looks like nothing seems to be bent or broken, so that's a relief. On the downside, I have been brought to a really dreary place.

Faris remarked thus after examining her rather spacious surroundings, which somewhat reminded him of the detainment area back home where most of the criminals were sent, only more high-tech since the bars of the cells seemed to be made entirely out of Real Solid Vision.

"Aw, you don't like our dungeon? I thought a sewer rat like you would feel right at home in this place."

Faris sharply turned on his heels at the sound of this voice coming face-to-face with Nyx.

"Who are you?" she asked. "I'm guessing you're with the Syndicate, but you don't look like any I've faced so far."

"My name is Nyx," she said. "And once I defeat you, I'll be one step closer to exacting my revenge against Sanctum."

"So it is revenge you seek," Faris shrugged. "Sorry, but if you expect me to sympathize with you, then you're wasting your time. The Syndicate started a conflict that nearly damaged the lives of hundreds of people, and since you decided to work with them, it's only fair for you to receive a small amount of everything that's coming to them."

"I didn't expect anything else for an answer from someone who's barely experienced LINK VRAINS," Nyx snorted as she activated her Duel Disk. "Luckily, purging irritants like you is my specialty."

"Really? Well, my comrades' specialty is fighting against and toppling authoritarian figures and their peons," Faris shot back as she also activated her Duel Disk. "Now, let's do this!"

"Duel!" they shouted.

Nyx: 4000 LP

Faris: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Nyx declared. "I summon Shaddoll Angel!"

A humanoid angel with black wings that was bound by several energy threads appeared on Nyx's field.

Shaddoll Angel ATK 1200 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Shaddoll…?" Faris wondered. "Looks like an unknown archetype has shown up…"

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Nephe Shaddoll Fusion and equip it to Angel. Nephe Shaddoll Fusion requires me to declare an Attribute, and then the equipped monster becomes that Attribute. I change Angel to Fire Attribute." A red glow appeared around the monster. "I now activate Nephe Shaddoll Fusion's second effect! During my Main Phase, I can Fusion Summon a "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster using monsters from my hand or field as materials. I fuse Squamata with Shaddoll Beast in my hand."

A silhouette of a large, four-legged creature with purple fur on its back and head, held up by violet strings, appeared beside Angel. The monsters broke apart into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. The particles turned into streams of energy that soared upwards before merging into a violet whirlwind.

"Twisted threads of corruption!" Nyx chanted. "Place the raging flames under your absolute control and give birth to a new race! I Fusion Summon! Appear! El Shaddoll Moloch!"

The monster that emerged from the vortex had the top half of a humanoid bull and the lower half of a massive spider, which was surrounded by eerie crimson flames and had several energy strings extending from its body.

El Shaddoll Moloch ATK 2700 DEF 1950 LVL: 7

"Since Shaddoll Beast and Shaddoll Angel were sent to the Graveyard their effects activate!" Nyx stated. "Thanks to them, I will draw one card from my Deck and gain 600 Life Points respectively."

Following his words, Nyx was surrounded by a violet aura.

Nyx: 4000→4600 LP

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn." Nyx. "Now then, let's see if your bite can match your bark."

"Oh, you'll find out that I'm full of nasty surprises," Faris smirked. "My turn! I draw! I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Pinpoint Landing! Once per turn, I can draw a card from my Deck whenever I Special Summon exactly one monster from my hand. Next, I summon Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire!"

A humanoid rabbit wielding a sword appeared on her field.

Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire ATK 1200 DEF 500 LVL: 3

"The Fur Hire archetype," Nyx commented. "An archetype that focuses on swarming and activating effects when others of their kind are Special Summoned."

"Seems you did your homework," Faris snarked. "Then you should know what's coming next. I activate Beat's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a monster "Fur Hire" from my hand. Come, Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire!"

A humanoid fennec wearing goggles and wielding a slingshot appeared in Defense Position.

Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire ATK 500 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"However, since you Special Summoned a Monster, Moloch's effect activates." Nyx grinned. "Through it, you'll receive 200 points of damage. Infernal Penalty!"

A stream of crimson embers that erupted from Moloch's body struck Faris, causing her to wince.

Faris: 4000→3800 LP

"That was nothing! Beat's additional effect activates! Since a "Fur Hire" monster was Special Summoned, I can add a monster "Fur Hire" from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Tigra, Blazing Fur Hire to my hand. In addition, since I Special Summoned a monster from my hand, Pinpoint Landing's effect lets me draw 1 card!"

Faris drew, then declared, "I activate Donpa's effect! I can Special Summon one monster "Fur Hire" monster from my hand. Come, Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire!"

A red-skinned humanoid lizard with three claws on its wrists appeared in Attack Position.

Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire ATK 1900 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"At this moment, Donpa's effect activates since a "Fur Hire" monster was Special Summoned!" Faris declared. "I get to destroy a face-up card on the field. I destroy a Set card! I destroy El Shaddoll Moloch!"

"I activate the Counter Trap Card: Chaos Reversal!" Nyx shouted. "When a card effect would destroy monsters on my field, they are unaffected by that effect and cannot be destroyed until the end of this turn! Furthermore, since you Special Summoned again, you'll receive damage from Moloch's effect." Nyx reminded Faris. "Infernal Penalty!"

Faris' body was once again struck by several embers, causing her to hiss.

Faris: 3800→3600 LP

"In that case, allow me to pay you back with interest for the damage you inflicted on me!" Faris stated. "I activate Bravo's effect! Once per turn, I Special Summon a "Fur Hire" monster from my hand. Come forth, Tigra, Blazing Fur Hire!"

A feminine humanoid with the characteristics of a tiger wearing a pirate-like outfit wielding a miniature Gatling gun appeared in Attack Position. She wore a striped pirate hat and had a sharp blade on the tip of its tail.

A green-skinned dragon with armor on its legs and arms appeared in Attack Position and roared, swinging a sword in its right hand.

Tigra, Blazing Fur Hire ATK 1800 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Bravo's additional effect! Since a "Fur Hire" monster was Special Summoned while Bravo is on the field, "Fur Hire" monsters that are currently on the field gain 500 attack and defense points until the end of the turn."

Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire ATK 1900→2400 DEF 200→700

Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire ATK 1200→1700 DEF 500→1000

Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire ATK 500→1000 DEF 1000→1500

Tigra, Blazing Fur Hire ATK 1800→2300 DEF 200→700

"And I'm far from finished." Faris continued. "Appear, my circuit!" The Link Portal appeared above her. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two "Fur Hire" monsters. I set Beat and Donpa in the Link Arrows!"

The two monsters turned into whirlwinds and entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire!"

An anthropomorphic brown turtle wearing a light blue tunic wielding a long white staff with a green gem emerged from the portal in the left Extra Monster Zone.

Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↙↘

"A Link Summon, huh?" Nyx remarked. "It seems I must revise my opinion of you a bit. You must possess a modicum of skill to pull that off. However, I hope you haven't forgotten what happens when you Special Summon monsters. I activate Moloch's effect once again in order to inflict 400 points of damage since you Special Summoned two monsters! Infernal Penalty!"

Several sparks were launched once again from Moloch's body, causing Faris to grunt as they made contact with his body.

Faris: 3600→3200 LP

"That sure is one annoying effect…" Faris grumbled. "I think it's about time to pay you back for all that damage. First, Lutle's effect upon being Special Summoned comes into play! I can add a "Fur Hire" monster from my Deck to hand that is a different typing than the monsters I used as Link Material. I add Seal, Strategist Fur Hire. Then, I activate Tigra's effect! Since a "Fur Hire" monster was Special Summoned, all "Fur Hire" monsters I control gain 300 attack points for every "Fur Hire" monster on my field, in this case, three! With three monsters, Lutle, Bravo and Tigra each gain 900 attack points!"

Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire ATK 2400→3300

Tigra, Blazing Fur Hire ATK 2300→3200

Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire ATK 1900→2800

"I'll also activate the Equip Spell Card: Horn of the Unicorn and equip it to Lutle." A large horn appeared on Lutle's forehead. "While Horn of the Unicorn is equipped, Lutle gains 700 attack points."

Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire ATK 2800→3500

"Battle!" Faris exclaimed. "Battle! Tigra, attack El Shaddoll Moloch!"

The feminine tiger fired off a volley of bullets, striking Moloch's body and generating a shockwave that sent Nyx skidding back.

Nyx: 4600→4100 LP

"Next, Bravo and Lutle will attack Moloch as well!"

Bravo and Lutle dashed forward and struck Moloch with their weapons, generating yet another shockwave that sent Nyx flying.

Nyx: 4100→3300→2700 LP

"I place a card face-down and end my turn," Faris concluded. "At this moment, Bravo and Tigra's effects come to an end, returning all three of my monsters' attack points to normal."

Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire ATK 3500→2600

Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire ATK 3300→1900 DEF 700→200

Tigra, Blazing Fur Hire ATK 3200→1800 DEF 700→200

"Chaos Reversal's second effect activates as well right now, sending all cards that would have been destroyed by the card effect it protected them from to the Graveyard," Nyx said. "And since El Shaddoll Moloch was sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates, allowing me to add a "Shaddoll" Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I choose Nephe Shaddoll Fusion."

"So the Shaddoll archetype also allows the user to recycle the Spell and Trap Cards they use," Faris remarked. "You're shaping up to be quite the annoying opponent."

"Oh, trust me, I'm not just a mere opponent," Nyx smirked. "I am your end, lowlife. And that end begins now. My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Gap Draw, whose effect allows me to draw cards equal to the number of monsters my opponent controls, in this case, three, since I control no monsters. Then, I activate the Continuous Trap Card: DNA Transplant! This card changes the Attributes of all monsters on the field to what I declare! I declare Dark!"

Bravo, Tigra, and Lutle were all sheathed in dark auras as their attributes changed.

What is she doing? Faris wondered.

"I activate the Spell Card: Magical Pendulum Box!" Nyx continued. "I draw two cards, and if they are Pendulum Monsters, they are added to my hand. Otherwise, they are sent to the Graveyard."

Nyx drew and smirked. "They are both Pendulum Monsters, so I add them to my hand." Then she held the two cards up. "Using the Scale 1 Shaddoll Qliphacore and Scale 2 Shaddoll Qliphazohar, I set the Pendulum Scale!"

Two blue pillars appeared on either edge of Nyx's field. One contained a sphere surrounded by dark roots. The other held a giant serpent with several tentacles extending from it and energy threads attached to its body.

Shaddoll Qliphacore Scale: 1

Shaddoll Qliphazohar Scale: 2

"So Storm Rider and the others weren't lying when they said the Syndicate has access to Pendulum Summoning, huh?" Faris narrowed eyes at the sight, but her expression soon changed to a confused one. "However, what game are you playing here? You cannot summon anything with your current Scale."

"Yes, thank you for pointing out the obvious," Nyx spoke with a voice dripping with sarcasm. "It seems your eyes aren't just there for decoration, something that can't be said for your brain. It should have been obvious that I placed these cards there with the intent to take advantage of their Pendulum Effects. But first things first. I activate the Spell Card: Shaddoll Fusion, sending Shaddoll Dragon and Shaddoll Hedgehog from my Deck to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon!"

Silhouettes of a violet mechanical dragon and a violet and black hedgehog, both held up by strings, appeared before turning into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. Blue and red twisters shot upward before merging into a single violet tornado as Nyx chanted.

"Twisted threads of corruption, place the bottomless darkness under your absolute control and give birth to a new race! I Fusion Summon! Appear, El Shaddoll Mephisto!"

A large demonic humanoid clad in black and crimson armor, which had azure flames in the shape of wings extending from its back, a dark halo comprised of nine concentric circles hovering above its head and dark threads extending from its body, appeared on Nyx's field.

El Shaddoll Mephisto ATK 3100 DEF 1900 LVL: 8

"You performed a Fusion Summon by using monsters from your Deck?" Faris seemed shocked. "How is that possible?"

"That's due to Shaddoll Fusion's effect, which allows me to Fusion Summon by using monsters from my Deck as materials if my opponent controls a Special Summoned monster," Nyx responded. "However, the really interesting thing starts from here. When a "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned, Qliphazohar's Pendulum Effect activates, allowing me to make the attack of all monsters my opponent controls with the same Attribute as the summoned monster 0 and negate their effects."

A wave of darkness erupted from one of Qliphazohar's tentacles, enveloping Faris' monsters and forcing them onto their knees.

Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire ATK 2600→0

Bravo, Fighter Fur Hire ATK 1900→0

Tigra, Blazing Fur Hire ATK 1800→0

"So that's why you played DNA Transplant…" Faris grimaced. "It was so that you could use Qliphazohar's Pendulum Effect to weaken my monsters."

"Bingo," Nyx confirmed it. "Next, since Shaddoll Hedgehog and Shaddoll Dragon were sent to the Graveyard, their effects activate, allowing me to add a "Shaddoll" monster from my Deck to my hand and destroy a Spell or Trap Card on your field. I add Shaddoll Falco and destroy Pinpoint Landing!"

Following Nyx's words, a portal appeared on the ground, out of which several threads were shot and destroyed Faris' Spell Card.

"And there's even more from where that came from," Nyx stated. "I activate Qliphacore's Pendulum Effect. Once per turn, I can target a "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster and Special Summon another "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck with the same Attribute but with a lower Level than it by ignoring its summoning conditions. Come, El Shaddoll Uruz!"

A warlock clad in violet robes and holding an ornate staff in its left hand, which was bound by several energy threads, appeared on Nyx's field.

El Shaddoll Uruz ATK 2400 DEF 1300 LVL: 6

"Battle!" Nyx exclaimed. "El Shaddoll Mephisto, attack Lutle! And thanks to Uruz's effect, all damage my opponent receives from battles involving a Special Summoned monster they control is doubled! This will finish you off!"

"I don't think so!" Faris shouted. "I activate the Trap Card: Needle Ceiling! Since there are at least four monsters on the field, all face-up monsters are destroyed!"

Several spikes descended from the sky following Faris' words, impaling Faris and Nyx's monsters and destroying them.

"Not bad," Nyx said. "You were content with destroying your monsters if it meant getting rid of mine. However, if you were hoping that would leave me completely defenseless, I'm afraid I will disappoint you. First, when Mephisto is sent to the Graveyard, I can add a "Shaddoll" Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add back Shaddoll Fusion. Then, I summon Shaddoll Falco!"

A small mechanical bird bound by several threads appeared.

Shaddoll Falco ATK 600 DEF 1400 LVL: 2

"I equip Shaddoll Falco with Nephe Shaddoll Fusion and change its attribute to Fire." Nyx continued as Falco glowed red. "Then, I will fuse Shaddoll Falco with Shaddoll Hound in my hand!"

A silhouette of a dog made of violet shadows and golden armor, held up by violet strings, appeared beside Falco before the two broke into red and blue particles that formed into a violet twister.

"Twisted threads of corruption!" Nyx chanted. "Place the raging flames under your absolute control and give birth to a new race! I Fusion Summon! Appear, El Shaddoll Grysta!"

A mechanical Monster clad in red armor with a large number of crimson threads extending from its back appeared on Nyx's field in Attack Position. Several snake-like creatures also extended from its head, further twisting its appearance.

El Shaddoll Grysta ATK 2450 DEF 1950 LVL: 7

"Since Shaddoll Falco was sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates, allowing me to Special Summon it in face-down Defense Position," Nyx said. "I end my turn with this."

"My turn!" Faris announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two cards. Next, I summon Seal, Strategist Fur Hire!"

A humanoid rat in blue and light brown robes with a large mustache appeared.

Seal, Strategist Fur Hire ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"From there, I activate Seal's effect!" Faris declared. "Once per turn, I Special Summon a "Fur Hire" monster from my hand. Come forth, Rafale, Champion Fur Hire!"

A green-skinned dragon with armor on its legs and arms appeared in Attack Position and roared, swinging a sword in its right hand.

Rafale, Champion Fur Hire ATK 2800 DEF 2200 LVL: 8

"Fool." Nyx sneered. "You insist on Special Summoning even though you figured out that Shaddolls are especially effective against your tactics. In that case, your monster will pay the price for your conceit! Grysta's effect activates! When my opponent Special Summons a monster while I have a "Shaddoll" card in my hand, I can negate that summon, destroy that monster and send a "Shaddoll" card from my hand to the Graveyard. I will send Shaddoll Fusion to my Graveyard to destroy your Rafale. Paradox Unborn!"

The threads on Grysta's back shot forward while surrounded by flames, piercing through Rafale and destroying it.

"Such a nasty effect…" Faris muttered. "I suppose it's a good thing that I always have a plan B. I activate the Spell Card: Rookie Fur Hire! I Tribute a monster and Special Summon a "Fur Hire" monster from my hand or Deck whose Level is 1 higher or lower. I Tribute the Level 4 Seal and Special Summon the Level 5 Hammer, Claw Fur Hire from my Deck!"

A red humanoid crab with large claws and mechanical legs appeared.

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire ATK 2400 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

"Hammer's effect activates! When Special Summoned, I can add a card "Fur Hire" card from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Beat, Swordsman to my hand. Now, let's battle. Hammer attacks Grysta!"

"What!?" Nyx cried out in surprise. "You're attacking even though your monster has fewer attack points!?"

"At this moment, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Rush Recklessly!" Faris declared. "It increases Hammer's attack points by 700 until the end of the turn!"

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire ATK 2400→3100

Faris' monster charged forward following her words, piercing through Grysta's chest and destroying it, with the explosion sending Nyx crashing to the wall behind her.

Nyx: 2700→2050 LP

"Since Grysta was sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates, allowing me to add a "Shaddoll" Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand," Nyx said as he stood up and dusted himself. "I choose Shaddoll Fusion."

"In that case, let me put a wrench in your strategy," Faris said. "By discarding Cards of Compensation from my hand, I can activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Twin Twisters to destroy both your Pendulum Cards!"

Two small twisters erupted from the Spell Card and shot toward Nyx's Pendulum Cards, destroying them, much to her dismay.

"And since Cards of Compensation was sent to the Graveyard, I get to draw two cards thanks to its effect," Faris said as she drew. "With that, I end my turn, meaning Rush Recklessly's effect comes to an end, and Hammer's attack points return to normal."

Hammer, Claw Fur Hire ATK 3100→2400

"Then, it's my turn!" Nyx announced. "I draw! You might've rid me of my Pendulum Scale, but I don't need it to destroy you. First, I activate the Spell Card Shaddoll Reincarnation. With it, I can Special Summon a "Shaddoll" monster from my Graveyard and change its Attribute. In exchange, if that monster is sent to the Graveyard, its effect won't activate. I will revive Shaddoll Beast as an Earth monster!"

The mechanical lion-like creature bound by several threads reappeared with a black-colored aura surrounding its body.

Shaddoll Beast ATK 2200 DEF 1700 LVL: 5

"Now then, time to get truly serious from this point on." Nyx let out a malicious grin. "I activate the Spell Card: Shaddoll Fusion, sending Falco and Beast to Fusion Summon!"

Her monsters disintegrated into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. Two streams of energy shot upward and merged into a violet whirlwind.

"Twisted threads of corruption!" Nyx chanted. "Place the indomitable earth under your absolute control and give birth to a new race! I Fusion Summon! Rise! El Shaddoll Ophiuchus!"

A giant, mechanical snake covered in black and silver-colored armor plates, which was bound by several threads, appeared on Nyx's field in Attack Position.

El Shaddoll Ophiuchus ATK 2600 DEF 1750 LVL: 7

"Due to Shaddoll Reincarnation's other effect, Shaddoll Dragon's effect won't be activated even though it was sent to the Graveyard through a card effect," Nyx said. "However, Falco's effect still resolves, allowing me to Special Summon it face-down. Now, let's battle. El Shaddoll Ophiuchus, attack Hammer, Claw Fur Hire! Cursed Constriction!"

The large snake wrapped itself around Hammer, smashing it to pieces with a powerful squeeze.

Faris: 3200→3000 LP

"And there's more where that came from." Nyx let out a sly smile. "When it destroys a Special Summoned monster through battle, Ophiuchus can attack once again! Go, El Shaddoll Ophiuchus! Attack her directly!"

Following its master's command, Ophiuchus slammed its tail at Faris, sending her crashing into a wall.

Faris: 3000→400 LP

"I end my turn with this." Nyx concluded. "If I were you, I'd give up just about now. How can you possibly hope to defeat me?"

"Oh, there's more than one way to skin a cat." Faris smiled. "My turn! I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Gift of the Weak! By banishing a Level 3 or lower monster from my hand, I get to draw two cards. I banish Beat, Swordsman Fur Hire!"

"She did so, then said, "I summon Filo Messenger Fur Hire!"

A baby duck wearing a blue coat and a bandana around its neck appeared.

Filo, Messenger Fur Hire ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"And now I activate the Spell Card: Double Summon! This card lets me perform a second Normal Summon this turn. Emerge, Recon, Scout Fur Hire!"

A humanoid fennec carrying a sniper-like telescope appeared on Magnum's field.

Recon, Scout Fur Hire ATK 1000 DEF 500 LVL: 2

"I activate Filo's effect!" Faris continued. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon a "Fur Hire" monster from my hand. Come, Wiz, Sage Fur Hire!"

An anthropomorphic octopus wearing a sailor's outfit with a golden rope around her lower waist appeared on Faris' field in Defense Position. In her hands, she carried a large wand.

Wiz, Sage Fur Hire ATK 1600 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"Wiz's effect activates! When it's Special Summoned, I gain 500 Life Points for every "Fur Hire" monster on my field! I have three, so I gain 1500 Life Points!"

A silvery light enveloped Faris following her words, causing her body to glow for several seconds.

Faris: 400→1900 LP

She raised her right arm. "Appear my circuit! The summoning conditions are three monsters with different Types. I set the Beast Recon, the Winged-Beast Filo and the Spellcaster Wiz in the Link Arrows!"

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

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Folgo, Justice Fur Hire!"

A humanoid wolf wielding a katana emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"Folgo's effect activates!" Faris exclaimed. "When it is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Fur Hire" monster from my Deck in Defense Position, so long as it's a different Monster Type than the ones I used to summon Folgo. I Special Summon the Beast-Warrior Dyna, Hero Fur Hire!"

A large and muscular humanoid lion wearing armored pants and gauntlets appeared and roared.

Dyna, Hero Fur Hire ATK 2500 DEF 1400 LVL: 6

"Dyna's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can banish cards from your Graveyard up to the number of different "Fur Hire" monsters I control. I control two, so I'll banish Shaddoll Fusion and Nephe Shaddoll Fusion from your Graveyard!"

Dyna roared as the cards disappeared. Faris smirked. "Since they're banished, you cannot retrieve them through your Fusion Monster's effects." Nyx growled as Faris continued, "Moving on, I activate the Equip Spell Card: United We Stand! By equipping this card to Folgo, it gains 800 attack points for every monster I control, in this case, two, meaning its attack points increase by 1600!"

Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK 2400→4000

"Battle!" Faris shouted. "Folgo attacks El Shaddoll Ophiuchus!"

The Link Monster charged forward and slashed the large mechanical snake in two with its sword, destroying it in an explosion and making Nyx grunt in pain from the shockwave.

Nyx: 2050→650 LP

"Since it was sent to the Graveyard, Ophiuchus's effect activates." Nyx stated. "Through it, I will add Shaddoll Reincarnation to my hand."

"Too bad you won't get the chance to use it!" Faris smirked. "I activate the Spell Card: Card Destruction! Thanks to its effect, all players discard the cards in their hands and draw new cards equal to the amount of discarded cards!"

Nyx growled as she and Faris discarded their hands and drew new ones. "You'll pay for that…"

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Faris said with a cocky smile. "How do you find me now, Syndicate lapdog? You fell apart like a house of cards before my assault. Not too shabby, huh?"

"Wretched insect…" Nyx's expression distorted in hatred. "Feel free to ride that high horse of yours all you want for now because I guarantee that you're in for a very nasty downfall! My turn! I draw! First, I Flip Summon Shaddol Falco!"

Shaddoll Falco ATK 600 DEF 1400 LVL: 2

"Falco's Flip Effect activates! I Special Summon El Shaddoll Uruz! In face-down Defense Position!" A Set card appeared next to Falco. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Book of Taiyou! It lets me change one Set monster into face-up Attack Position. I Flip Summon Uruz!"

The warlock held by strings emerged from the Set card.

El Shaddoll Uruz ATK 2400 DEF 1300 LVL: 6

Nyx let out a sly smile. "Now, since I'm sure you're quite tired of seeing Fusion Monsters all the time, how about we mix things up a bit? I tune the Level 6 El Shaddoll Uruz with the Level 2 Tuner Monster Shaddoll Falco!"

A bolt of dark purple lightning struck Nyx and disintegrated her two monsters. They reformed into two purple rings that merged before turning into a tower of eight rings. Light surged through the rings as a screen appeared. The screen said "6 + 2" and changed into "8".

"Progenitor of the ancient evils!" Nyx chanted. "Be revived now through the twisted threads of corruption and cleanse the impurities of this world with your scorching flames! I Synchro Summon! Emerge now, Level 8! El Shaddoll Tathamet!"

A mechanical monster with an oversized torso resembling a head, two dragon heads protruding from its shoulders, a long tail in the place of legs and several threads binding its body appeared on Nyx's field in Attack Position and roared.

El Shaddoll Tathamet ATK 3000 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"Synchro Summon…?" Faris seemed astonished. "OK, I didn't expect that."

"I believe that was the idea." Nyx grinned. "Now, let's continue. I activate El Shaddoll Tathamet's effect! Since this card was Synchro Summoned successfully, I can Special Summon a "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster from my Graveyard! Revive, El Shaddoll Moloch!"

The giant mouth on Tathamet's torso opened wide, with Moloch emerging out of it.

El Shaddoll Mephisto ATK 3100 DEF 1900 LVL: 8

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon! It destroys a Spell or Trap Card on the field. I destroy United We Stand!"

Faris growled as a gust of wind destroyed the Equip Spell Card. "With it gone, Faris loses its attack boost."

Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK 4000→2400

"Battle!" Nyx exclaimed. "El Shaddoll Tathamet, attack Folgo! At this moment, Tathamet's effect activates! When it battles a Special Summoned monster, that monster's attack points are halved until the End Phase!"

Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK 2400→1200

"Do it, Tathamet! Extermination Storm!"

Two torrents of violet flames erupted from Tathamet's two dragon heads, vaporizing Folgo and sending Faris flying back.

Faris: 1900→100 LP

"Finally, El Shaddoll Moloch will destroy your Dyna!" Nyx pointed at Faris' remaining monster. "Firestorm Webbing!"

Moloch unleashed several webs made out of fire from its underbelly, entangling Dyna with them and destroying it.

"I end my turn with this," Nyx said. "You may have survived, but your Life Points are merely a candle in the wind. During my next turn, they will be extinguished completely! Now, begin your last turn and try to make it count!"

"I don't need you to tell me that…" Faris grumbled. "My turn! I draw!" Lilith looked at her card, then chose another. "Alright, here goes nothing! This turn will be the last one, Nyx! I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Double Hooking! By discarding a card from my hand, I can target up to two monsters in my Graveyard and Special Summon them. Return to my Rafale and Folgo!"

Two portals appeared on the ground, out of which the humanoid dragon and wolf emerged and returned to the field.

Rafale, Champion Fur Hire ATK 2800 DEF 2200 LVL: 8

Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"So you brought back your two strongest monsters," Nyx sneered. "Even so, that won't make a difference in the slightest. No matter what you bring out, it's only a matter of time before I destroy it and pulverize you, you lowly vermin!"

"It looks like someone has quite a few anger issues," Faris remarked. "I think it's time for me to call forth one of the newest additions to my Deck! I—fuse Rafale, Champion Fur Hire and Folgo, Justice Fur Hire!"

"You're fusing them?" Nyx showed a skeptical look. "But you don't have a Fusion card, and none of your monsters have an effect that allows them to perform a Fusion Summon. Have you actually gone mad?"

"Normally, that's true. But this particular Fusion Monster can be Fusion Summoned by sending its materials to the Graveyard.."

Much to Nyx's astonishment, Rafale and Folgo disintegrated into red and blue particles. The particles swirled together into a vortex before bursting forth as two whirlwinds of energy that combined to form a purple whirlwind as Faris chanted.

"Pirates of the Sky, Sea and Land! Intertwine with the champion of the Fur Hires and manifest the legendary captain of pirates! Let your mighty presence tremble the world with greatness! I Fusion Summon! Come out! Skyfang, Captain Fur Hire!"

A wingless humanoid dragon with golden scales and an eyepatch on his right eye emerged from the whirlwind onto Faris' field in Attack Position and roared. He wore a long trench pirate coat with sharp, torn-up bottom ends and long pants. Atop his head was a pirate's hat, and around his neck was a necklace with an emblem resembling a sword and a tail crossing. He wielded a pistol gun with a bladed tip and a long black sword.

Skyfang, Captain Fur Hire ATK 3200 DEF 2800 LVL: 10

"N-No way," Nyx said, stunned and sweating in shock. "Y-You have a Fusion Monster, too?!"

"Skyfang's effect activates!" Faris declared. "When it is Fusion Summoned, I can target cards you control equal to the number of monsters used for its Fusion Summon and shuffle the targeted cards back into your Deck!"

Nyx's eyes widened. "What?!"

"I used two monsters. So I get to shuffle two of your cards!" She pointed at Nyx's field. "I target El Shaddoll Tathamet and El Shaddoll Moloch! Legendary Quake!"

Following Faris' declaration, Skyfang roared as it swung its sword, unleashing two streams of energy that struck the designated cards, causing them to vanish from the field, leaving Nyx defenseless.

"Impossible!" Nyx bellowed. "You little… Was this your plan from the start!?"

"Let's settle this, Nyx!" Faris shouted. "Skyfang, attack her directly and finish this!"

Skyfang roared as it charged forward, striking Nyx with its sword, sending the screaming girl off her feet and sending her tumbling onto the dungeon's floor, where she fell unconscious.

Nyx: 650→0 LP

"I guess that settles it," Faris remarked as she gazed at Nyx's unconscious form. "More importantly, I have to find a way to notify the rest that the Syndicate has recruited some extra reinforcement. But by the looks of things, communications seem to be jammed. Meaning, I can only send a short burst message. Hopefully, at least the more experienced members will understand it and warn the others if they come across them."

After sending her message and hoping that it might help his comrades in some manner, Faris took her leave, leaving the unconscious Nyx behind…