R:Ultra Evolution

by Primal WolfBlood

Follow the Renegades as they continue their quest for fixing the world, taking on all comers, including fellow revolutionaries Junction 7 led by their unhinged leader Rhydian, and the sinister Style Council, led by the devilish Caprice. To survive in this cut-throat world, they will have to evolve their power even further beyond. It's a battle for success and survival.

2. A Bud of Deceit

R: Ultra Evolution

Book 2: A Bud of Deceit

WDC presents: Second City Showdown card

WDC Tag-Team Championships Gauntlet: [c] Frozen Diamonds (Blair Flannigan/Rio Kastle) vs. The Sledgehammer and Justin Pipe vs. Firestorm (Marko Anders and Zak Zapata) vs. Typhus Markars and Ian Jones vs. Powerplay (David Marshall and Da Brooks Kid) vs. The Regiment vs. Black Rose Inc. (Lukas Chipperfield and Tee Taylor)

Lt. Claude W. Duane vs. Sgt. Tyranno Hassleberry

Freja McKinna vs. Brooke Angharad

WDC Championship: Shannon Kelly vs. [c] Phil Robinson

The Renegades were in Chicago, and the search for Maddy wasn't relenting, as Phil was approached for an interview. 'Phil' 'Look, unless you've got something useful to tell us, kindly go away.' 'But we need to know what's going on with Maddy, has she run away from the Renegades, or has she been kidnapped?' 'Look, we don't know what's going on aside from the fact that Akiza took her. So if you don't mind.' As he tried to walk away though, the reporter and her camera crew blocked their path. 'But Bolton Andrews has stated that Maddy has quit the Renegades' 'Well Bolton Andrews is full of shit. Now out of the way.' 'Not until you give us a definitive answer - are you responsible for Maddy abandoning all of you?' He responded by pie-facing her, shoving her to the ground before they all walked off together.

As they did so, Hannah received a phone call. As she came off it, she gave Phil the update. 'Just got a call from the Board of Directors, they've held a meeting this morning and approved our stipulation for the main event.' 'What - the lie detector?' 'Yep, if Shannon loses, she'll be forced to take a lie detector straight after the show so we can find out where Maddy is. They're also investigating what happened in Toronto.' 'Should think so, that was well fishy' Rio responded having been listening to the conversation.

As they arrived in the arena, it was Hannah who took charge. 'Right, all of us need to be on the lookout here. If you encounter anybody who even has a chance of knowing anything, you immediately get information by any means necessary. But we also need to keep our titles, because the more they win, the more money they get, and if they run out of money, we can find out where they are easier and get Maddy back.' As she said this, they walked past Bolton's office as he was talking to a sharply-dressed corporate suit.

'What do you mean I'm "under investigation"?' 'The board are very concerned regarding your actions of late, specifically your antagonisation of Blair Flannigan, attacking Maddy Smith and the danger of having a masked individual running around causing so many issues. You realise that if the company is taken to court then that could cost millions don't you?' Trying to keep his composure through his disgust, Bolton quickly responded with 'Absolutely.'

'If you have any idea where Maddy might be, then it is your responsibility to tell us immediately.' Bolton didn't seem interested in assisting, so the pressure was turned up on him. 'I am under obligation to warn you that this is now a criminal investigation, as Maddy is considered a missing person. If you know anything, you are obligated to report to us or the police.' Holding himself firm, the commissioner responded confidently. 'I haven't been told anything by Akiza, she simply asked me to make sure that the duel took place. My attack on Ms. Smith was purely personal for the way she has disrespected me.'

Unconvinced but with no contrary evidence, the suit let him go with a warning. 'As I say, you are under investigation as of right now. We will be continuing to discuss the situation, and should any evidence come to light of you hiding anything, then we will be having this conversation at the company's headquarters. You should have the phone number for Martin Daniels, who is the head of the Board, if you don't then you can email any of us for his details. I hope for your sake that you're not lying.'

As the club continued to search the arena, Freja suddenly dashed away, returning with Nash who she was dragging by his ear. Seeing this, Rio immediately intervened. 'Let him go Fre, he's not going to run away.' 'Why?' 'Because he wants to help us. Or at least, he SHOULD do. Right, what do you know?' 'Like?' Her stance then started to soften, and she held his shoulder for a moment. 'Just tell me Maddy's location, and we can try and rebuild our bonds, because that would be worth more than anything right now.'

'I really wish I could, but I don't know. Akiza hasn't been seen by anyone outside of probably Lukas and Tee since Witchunt, and if they know, they've probably been told not to say anything. I knew for a couple of weeks that she intended on catching Maddy.' 'And you didn't think to tell me?' He shrugged as a response and informed her that he 'Didn't think she'd actually do it, I didn't realise how bad shape Maddy was in. And the stuff with Bolton, all I know is he don't like you.'

As he stated all of this, Rio turned to the rest of the club, and gave her verdict. 'He's telling the truth guys. I know when he's lying, and he's not lying.' Reassured by this, they backed off, and her brother was brave enough to ask the question of 'So we can rebuild our relationship?' She seemed more hesitant though. 'We'll… talk about it.' As he walked away, Freja came up behind her. 'So you trust him?' 'He's not lying, doesn't mean he can be trusted. Just means Akiza hasn't told him anything. Me and Blair need to go for our duel, but everyone else should keep looking.' 'Don't you need backup or anything?' 'We'll be fine, we've got an ex-Marine on our team, I'm not scared of anyone.'

Meanwhile, just far enough away to avoid detection, Nash got his phone out, and frantically dialled. 'They're on your scent, but she fell for it, she has no idea what's going on.' On the other end of the phone, he heard some laughing, and then he heard a very familiar Geordie accent growling 'You will pay!', before the call abruptly terminated. 'Least you could have done was say thank you for lying to your own sister… I hope this is right.'

The show began with a recap of the previous few events, ending on Witchunt's closing scenes. As it did, the show opened with the commentary team updating the Maddy situation. 'Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Second City Showdown. I'm Brad Best, this is Kalin Kessler. Now we do have to open with some news regarding our WDC Young-Gun Champion, Maddy Smith. As you saw, she disappeared alongside Akiza Izinski after their main event at Witchunt. As of yet, there have been no reported sightings of Maddy since, and she has officially been reported missing by the Toronto Police Department. Details of who to contact should you know anything regarding the situation will be appearing on the screen as we speak, we as an organisation just ask that you do not waste the police's time if you do not have any information. We will keep you updated as and when we know anything.'

Justin and Sledgehammer then entered the arena to a tepid response as the first duel got underway. 'The following duel opens Second City Showdown, and is a 7 team Gauntlet for the WDC Tag-Team Championships. Each team will start with 8000 Life points, and when a team is defeated, they are eliminated, and must leave the zone immediately before the next team enters. The last team standing will be declared the winners and the WDC Tag-Team Champions. Introducing first, representing the Leo Federation, they are the team of the Player - Justin Pipe and The Sledgehammer!'

As they entered, Justin seemed far more intent on plugging his book to several totally disinterested fans in the front rows, while Sledgehammer was being talked to by Nico but clearly not listening, as he had a point to prove after his previous encounter with Blair. "Our first team has two talented competitors who lack experience as this is their first time as a team. Justin might have much bluster, but he is also a duellist who has worked his way up from the bottom over three years in the WDC. His Gravekeeper's deck controls and constrains the opponent's moves by stopping them from accessing the graveyard, attempting to lock their options down there. As for Sledgehammer, he has been a top name in the Leo Federation for a long time now, but has been on a downward turn of late, losing multiple title opportunities to the Renegades in quick succession. His Cubic deck is sure to be a tricky customer to deal with, as it aims to produce a large monster which is immune to all card effects, blocking the opponent from gaining any momentum."

While they finished entering, the champions made their presence known, with Rio wearing a light blue sailor bow on her purple gear to emphasise a water theming. 'Introducing their opponents, representing the Dynasty, they are the reigning and defending WDC Tag-Team Champions, Cold Blooded Rio Kastle and the Rough Diamond, Blair Flannigan.' "If you want well oiled teams, look no further than our WDC Tag-Team Champions. Rio and Blair are best friends, and you can see why, because their personalities bounce off each other. Rio, the wildcard, has recently debuted a new Doubles-specific Harpie deck which is sure to leave opponents in a flap, speed is the name of the game with their swarming, while Blair is the more measured and composed competitor, her Shaddoll deck taking on many variants, each one more sinister and iron-fisted than the last, all with the same aim though: box the opponent in, and never give them any space to perform. Your opponent can't beat you if they can't play, and that's why she's our World Number 1."

WDC Tag-Team Championship Gauntlet Round 1: LFD (The Sledgehammer and Justin Pipe) LP:8000 vs. [c] Frozen Diamonds LP:8000

(Justin hand: Gravekeeper's Spiritualist, Gravekeeper's Guard, Gravekeeper's Commandant, Necrovalley, Rite of Spirit)

Turn 1: Justin: 'I'll draw, and activate Necrovalley.' As the great valley expanded across the field, the champions looked confident. 'Now I'll summon Spiritualist (Atk:1500), and use its effect to Fusion summon, combining it and Gravekeeper's Commandant to Fusion summon Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, gaining Attack equal to the combined Levels of its materials x100 (Atk:2000-2800). I end my turn with a face-down.'

(Blair hand: Shaddoll Dragon, Sol and Luna, Shaddoll Fusion, Fusion Weapon, Book of Lunar Eclipse, Ego Boost)

Blair: 'I'll draw, and I'll activate Shaddoll Fusion.' 'I swear you always draw that thing' Justin mumbled, to which the champion wittily responded with 'It's a skill issue, get as good as me and then you'll draw the right card'. As he fumed, she continued her play. 'I'll fuse Naelshaddoll Ariel and Shaddoll Beast to Fusion summon the puppet queen, El Shaddoll Winda (Atk:2200). That triggers Beast to draw a card and Ariel will banish Spiritualist and Commandant from your grave. Then I'll activate Fusion Weapon, giving her 1500 more Attack (Atk:2200-3700), and set a monster, before setting three face-downs and ending my turn.'

(Sledgehammer hand: Indira Doom Volt the Cubic Lord, Cubic Dharma, Polymerisation, Crimson Nova the Dark Cubic Lord, Crimson Nova the Dark Cubic Lord, Crimson Nova the Dark Cubic Lord)

Sledgehammer: 'The mighty Sledgehammer' 'Can't speak for himself apparently' Rio cut off Nico to state. 'Look, if I can talk without my manager after being shot in the head, I'm pretty sure Sledgehammer can talk without you holding his hand Nico. Also we're busy so could we speed this up a bit, we've kind of got a wolf to find.' 'Ah yes, your dear little friend who flew too close to the sun and' 'Look, if you've got a kink about being beaten up by a fed-up Idahoan, that's fine, we can sort that later, I promise I'm cheap. But can he please take his turn?'

While Rio and Blair had a discussion over kink shaming, Sledgehammer took his turn, with Nico still speaking for him. 'He'll activate the Polymerisation spell, fusing together three Crimson Novas in his hand, to Fusion summon Crimson Nova Trinity the Dark Cubic Lord (Atk:4500). Crimson Nova Trinity will then attack Winda.' 'And I'll activate my face-down Ego Boost. I like to think I'm not self centred, but Winda? She just loves the spotlight, and I'm going to provide it to her by increasing her Attack by 1000 until the end of the Battle phase (Atk:3700-4700).' Sledgehammer looked on in disgust while his ultimate boss got ripped apart by Winda's strings (LFD LP:8000-7800; Winda Atk:4700-3700). 'The Sledgehammer will end his turn.'

(Rio hand: Breakthrough Skill, Harpie Channeler, Harpie Harpist, Wing Requital, Harpie Queen, Harpie's Pet Dragon - Fearsome Fire Blast)

Rio: 'I told you B, I'm not shaming, I'm just… never mind. I draw and I'll summon Harpie Channeler (Atk:1400). Then the effect of Channeler, discard Queen to summon Harpie's Pet Dragon (Atk:2000). Now Channeler makes herself a Level 7 because I control a Dragon (Level:4-7). And I'll overlay them both to Xyz summon Number 76: Harmonizer Gradielle (Atk:2700). Winda, attack Supernaturalist with String of Lament.' Winda produced a thin thread, and leapt off her dragon, wrapping the string around the Gravekeeper's neck and cleanly removing his head (LFD LP:7800-6900). 'And then Gradielle attacks directly.' Rio's newest option materialised a keyboard, which it played, turning the sound into a sonar-like wave (LFD LP:6900-4200). 'I end my turn setting one.'

(Justin hand: Gravekeeper's Guard, Rite of Spirit, Gravekeeper's Nobleman)

Justin: 'I'll draw and set a monster and a trap before ending my turn.'

(Blair hand: Shaddoll Dragon, Foolish Burial Goods)

Blair: 'I'll draw and activate Foolish Burial Goods, to send Fusion Substitute to the graveyard.' As she did, Rio mouthed 'Thread the needle' at Blair, who smiled in response. 'Time to leave you in stitches. I'll attack into your monster with Winda. String of Lament.' Winda produced a thin wire again, trying to slice into the set monster (Gravekeeper's Guard Def.:1900), with it banging its staff down in response. 'Bet you never saw that one coming, Guard's sending windy Winda back to your hand.'

Calmly, Rio answered by stating 'Actually you did exactly what we thought you would. That's why I have this - Breakthrough Skill. It's going to block all the abilities your monster has, nothing more, nothing less.' The effect negated, Winda beheaded the Guard, emerging triumphant as Justin groaned, and Blair, without showing a flicker of emotion, continued. 'Gradielle, attack.' The Harmonizer produced her fearful thrall and took out more Life points (LFD LP:4200-1500). 'I end my turn.'

(Sledgehammer hand: Indira Doom Volt the Cubic Lord, Cubic Dharma, Unification of the Cubic Lords)

Sledgehammer: 'The deadly Sledgehammer draws and sets two fiendish cards before ending his turn. Can you overcome this perilous trap?'

(Rio hand: Harpie Harpist, Wing Requital, Harpie's Pet Dragon - Fearsome Fire Blast, R:Blowback)

Rio: 'I think I'll be fine setting one card and attacking with Gradielle.' The third attack from the musical menace proved to be the end of the Leo contingent, the champions barely breaking a sweat (LFD LP:1500-0).

While Rio and Blair bumped fists with an easy first round, Sledgehammer and Justin started arguing about whose responsibility the loss was. They continued squabbling all the way back, while the next team ran out. 'Introducing the next team, Marko Anders and Zak Zapata.' The second set of challengers immediately activated their duel disks, as the Finn declared 'We're not giving you any time to rest, we're coming at you RIGHT NOW!' Enjoying the spirit, Rio responded 'Better now than later.'

WDC Tag-Team Championships Gauntlet Round 2: Marko Anders/Zak Zapata LP:8000 vs. [c] Frozen Diamonds (Blair Flannigan/Rio Kastle LP:8000)

(Zak hand: Thunder Dragonroar, Thunder Dragonmatrix, Instant Fusion, Thunder Dragon, Thunder Dragon Fusion)

Turn 3: Zak: 'I'll open our go round by using Thunder Dragon in my hand, discarding it to add Thunder Dragon to my hand. So fun that I'll do it again! And now I have two Thunder monsters in my graveyard, I'll activate Thunder Dragon Fusion, banishing them both for Thunder Dragon Colossus (Def.:2400). That's going to be my turn.'

(Rio hand: Harpie Harpist, Wing Requital, Harpie's Pet Dragon - Fearsome Fire Blast, Harpie Channeler)

Rio: 'I draw and I'll attack your Colossus with Gradielle.' 'I'll activate the effect of Dragonmatrix in my hand, discarding it to increase Colossus' stats by 500 (Def.:2400-2900; Frozen Diamonds LP:8000-7800). 'Now I'll attack with Winda! Get rid of his Dragon!' 'Not when I use the effect of Colossus to banish Dragonmatrix and survive the hit.' As this happened, Rio looked carefully at her hand. 'Well I can't use this due to Colossus, so I'll just end my turn.'

(Marko hand: Red-Eyes Retro Dragon, Red-Eyes Insight, The Black Stone of Legend, Red-Eyes Fusion, Fusion Duplication, Twin Twisters)

Marko: 'My turn begins with a bang - Red-Eyes Fusion.' This seemed to momentarily take Blair out of the situation, as she looked on in surprise. 'I can use this to fuse Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Beast of Talwar to Fusion summon Archfiend Black Skull Dragon (Atk:3200). I'm no longer able to summon this turn, but I can use Twin Twisters to remove your Fusion Weapon and Rio's set card.' The dual storms ripped through the field, taking out Fusion Weapon and R:Blowback in the process (Winda Atk:3700-2200).

'Now I'm switching Colossus to attack (Atk:2600), and it's destroying Winda.' Colossus brimmed with static as it bit Winda's arm, electrocuting the shadow puppet (Frozen Diamonds LP:7800-7400). 'Winda might be gone, but she's bringing Shaddoll Fusion straight back to us.' 'Then I'll destroy Gradielle with Black Skull Dragon.' 'I activate Gradielle's ability. By detaching an Xyz material, she can attach Red-Eyes from your graveyard as a material, gaining its attribute. Now you can't destroy her with Dark, Wind or Light monsters (Frozen Diamonds LP:7400-6900).' 'That's fine, I end setting two.' As he did, Blair looked over to Rio, and murmured 'Close the doors', her partner offering a subtle thumbs up as a response.

(Blair hand: Shaddoll Dragon, Shaddoll Fusion, Shaddoll Schism)

Blair: 'I'll draw, and activate Shaddoll Fusion, fusing the Shaddoll Dragon and Nehshaddoll Genius to summon El Shaddoll Apkallone (Def.:2000). And when it's summoned, I can negate the effects of a monster on the field, like Thunder Dragon Colossus. Meanwhile, Shaddoll Dragon will destroy one of your face-downs, and I'm going to choose the one on the right.' This sprung Marko into action himself. 'My face-down is what you would call ironic?' As the champions looked confused, Zak provided some context.

'So a couple of months back, Marko was trying to improve, become world class if you like. So he signed up to a little online seminar thingy, and if it wasn't our World Number 1 presenting it, talking about the secrets to her success. And the cheeky tech that you yourself recommended Blair, is now going to come back to haunt you.' 'Activate Fusion Duplication.' This brought the memories back for Blair. 'Well aren't you a dark horse?' she responded, impressed with the hustle. 'I'm glad someone benefitted from that seminar at least. Anyway, you were saying?'

'Uh… yeah, Fusion Duplication copies the Red-Eyes Fusion from my graveyard by removing it. Fuse Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Luster Dragon #2 to Fusion summon Meteor Black Comet Dragon (Atk:3500). Using the effect, I send Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning from deck to grave and you take half its Attack as damage.' An inferno was blasted out by the Comet Dragon, chipping away at the champions again (Frozen Diamonds LP:6900-5700). 'I'll set a monster, switch Gradielle to Defence (Def.:2100) and pass.'

(Zak hand: Thunder Dragonroar, Instant Fusion, Thunder Dragon's Hundred Thunders)

Zak: 'I'll draw. Mind me spending some Life points bud?' Marko responded affirmatively with 'Spend away.' 'I'll activate my Instant Fusion, to pay 1000 Life points (Zak and Marko LP:8000-7000), summoning Kaminari Attack (Atk:1900). But if you've ever seen me, you know that's not where it ends. I'll banish Thunder Dragonroar from my hand and Kaminari Attack from my field to summon the biggest and baddest of them all, Thunder Dragon Titan (Atk:3200). Now Colossus can attack your face-down monster.' Colossus flared up again with static, and bit straight through Blair's hidden monster, getting a shock when it was revealed as Shaddoll Dragon (Def.:0).

'When Shaddoll Dragon is flipped up, one of your monsters goes back to where it came from. Say goodbye to your Black Skull Dragon.' Blair's monster slithered around the Black Skull Dragon, before eating it whole with a huge bite before bursting. 'Well I can still remove your Graidelle' 'You realise it has a Wind monster as material already? So you can't destroy it. Nice idea though.' Realising that he couldn't destroy Gradielle anymore, Zak moaned to himself. 'I'll end my turn.' And this is where the duel turned, as Blair leapt into action.

'I'll activate Shaddoll Schism, using its effect to banish Shaddoll Dragon and Naelshaddoll Ariel from my graveyard to summon El Shaddoll Apkallone (Atk:2500). On summon, Apkallone will negate the effects of Thunder Dragon Titan, and Schism's second effect will banish your Meteor Black Comet Dragon.' While Titan was blinded by the glare from Apkallone's mirror, Comet Dragon was sucked into a void that was created in the air by Blair's crafty trap, allowing Rio to go to work.

(Rio hand: Harpie Harpist, Wing Requital, Harpie's Pet Dragon - Fearsome Fire Blast, Harpie Channeler, Alluring Mirror Split)

Rio: 'I'll draw and summon Harpie Channeler (Atk:1400). Then I'll use her effect to discard my Harpist and replace it with Harpie Oracle (Def.:1400). Then the effect of Oracle activates, but we don't talk about that until later. What you need to worry about is me using Wing Requital to draw two cards (Frozen Diamonds LP:5700-5100) and then summoning Harpie's Pet Dragon - Fearsome Fire Blast (Atk:2000). Now I'll use the effect of Channeler to make itself a Level 7 monster, and overlay it and Fearsome Fire Blast to summon Voloferniges, the Darkest Dragon Doomrider (Atk:2500).'

'My monster's effect is quite good as well. By detaching both of its materials, I can destroy Thunder Dragon Titan and then it gains Attack equal to your Titan's level x 300.' Doomrider went to work, tearing Titan apart with Zak unable to use his monster's effect to save itself (Doomrider Atk:2500-5500). 'Now I'll destroy Colossus with Doomrider.' Doomrider made light work of Colossus with sharp wings (Zak and Marco LP:7000-4200). 'I end my turn, and with the effect of Harpie Oracle, I'll add Hysteric Party.'

(Marko hand: Red-Eyes Retro Dragon, Red-Eyes Insight, The Black Stone of Legend, Red-Eyes Burn)

Marko: 'I draw and set one monster, setting a face-down and pass (Doomrider Atk:5500-2500).'

(Blair hand: Rank-Up Magic Renegades Unite!)

Blair: 'I'll draw, set one card face-down and then attack with Apkallone into your set monster.' As his monster (The Black Stone of Legend Def.:0) was destroyed, Marko showed his guts. 'Activate Red-Eyes Retro Dragon from hand, summoning itself and reviving Black Stone (Def.:1600, 0).' 'That's alright, I've got a second Apkallone, and while monsters summoned by Schism can't attack directly, they can attack other monsters.'

The second Apkallone unleashed its watery fury on Retro Dragon, removing it from the field. 'And then Doomrider will destroy your Black Stone once again.' Doomrider carved up the Black Stone, cutting strips off it and leaving little discernible trace. 'That's my turn done.'

(Zak hand: Instant Fusion)

Zak: 'If we're going down then I want to go down swinging. I'll activate Thunder Dragon Fusion's effect in my graveyard, banishing it to add Thunder Dragondark to my hand. Then I'll activate Instant Fusion, paying 1000 more Life points (Zak and Marko LP:4200-3200), and summon another Kaminari Attack (Atk:1900). Now I'm able to banish it and then Dragondark to Fusion summon another Thunder Dragon Titan (Atk:3200). That then triggers Dragondark, adding Thunder Dragonhawk to my hand.'

'Dragonhawk's ability now, I'll discard it and revive Thunder Dragon Colossus (Atk:2600). Dragon Titan's effect then destroys one of your Apkallones, the one that was summoned by Shaddoll Fusion.' Blair nodded quietly to herself as her monster was fried to a crisp by Titan. 'Titan now attacks Doomrider!' The powerful surge from Titan saw it obliterate the Doomrider, causing it to explode from the incredible electrical charge pulsating through it (Frozen Diamonds LP:5100-4400). 'And Colossus can attack for a little more damage into Apkallone (Frozen Diamonds LP:4400-4200). 'See ya next turn.'

(Rio hand: Scroll of Bewitchment, Premature Burial, Hysteric Party, Icaron's Ice Trap)

Rio: 'I'll draw.' As she did, Blair quietly murmured 'Upgrade' to her, and Rio immediately understood the assignment. 'I'll use Premature Burial to pay 800 (Frozen Diamonds LP:4200-3400) and summon back Doomrider (Atk:2500). Now I'll activate the Scroll of Bewitchment. This equips to a monster on my field, and changes its attribute to whatever I choose. So now, Doomrider is a Water monster. And that's mighty convenient, because I'll activate Blair's face-down.' As she did, Renegades United flipped up, and Rio was in her element again. 'With Renegades Unite, I can rank up my monster into an Xyz monster one Rank higher. Renegades Xyz Evolution! 100 years ago, a powerful sorcerer was sentenced to a watery grave, and cursed to spend eternity with his spirit imprisoned. Now it's time that I bring him back to our world! I Xyz summon Number 110: Ragnar the Sea Ghost (Atk:2400).'

'But that's far from where it ends. First of all, through Renegades Unite, you have some damage to be taking - 200 for every Rank that Ragnar has. Revolution's Wake - Water Force!' An ice-blue beam of light flew out from the Rank-up-Magic, while the rusting prison holding Ragnar saw acidic bubbles rising out of it, forming a torrent with the beam (Zak and Marco LP:4200-2600). 'And now, I'll activate Icaron's Ice Trap! This crystallises my monster and evolves it into a monster one rank higher. Let the phantom's power be truly unlocked and regain his previous strength. Renegades Xyz Evolution! Appear, Rank 9, Number C110, Ragnar the Sealed (Atk:3050). And you know the best thing with Ragnar? If he gives up an Xyz material (Materials:2-1), he can attack directly! Phantom Drowning!' The mysterious sea ghost rose out of his prison, bound by thick chains and launched a wave-like attack which ripped across the field, ending the brave challenge from Zak and Marco (Zak and Marco LP:2600-0).

Defeated but not deflated, the youngsters applauded the champions as they left, while Blair gave them a knowing glance, murmuring 'Not bad at all.' They then had to wait a moment for the 3rd team to walk down. 'Introducing the next set of challengers, Typhus Markars and Ian Jones.' The ad-hoc team were deep in conversation on their way down, with Typhus apparently directing traffic for his much older and grizzled team-mate. Reaching the zone, Typhus and Rio had a tense moment, before they began the round.

WDC Tag-Team Championship Gauntlet Round 3: Typhus Markars/Ian Jones LP:8000 vs. [c] Frozen Diamonds (Blair Flannigan/Rio Kastle) LP:4200

(Ian hand: Imperial Bower, Face Card Fusion, King's Knight, Reinforcement of the Army, Arcana Triumph Joker)

Turn 6: Ian: 'I'll draw, and summon the Imperial Bower (Atk:1500). And as he lays his life on the line for his country' 'You mean the country that used yours as an open prison' Blair interrupted to point out, clearly irking Ian. 'As I was saying, it lays down its life to add Jack's Knight and Queen's Knight to my hand. Then I'll send Jack's, Queen's and King's to the graveyard and Special summon the mighty Arcana Triumph Joker (Atk:?). It gains 500 Attack for every card in any players' hands (Atk:4000). I end my turn.'

(Blair hand: Pot of Duality)

Blair: 'I'll draw and I'll use Pot of Duality. By giving up the ability to Special summon this turn, I can excavate three from the top of my deck, taking the best card.' After revealing Shaddoll Fusion, Xyz Unit and Shockwave, the choice was clear. 'I'll take and then equip Ragnar with Xyz Unit, giving it a nice little power boost - 200 Attack per Rank. Also this card is treated as its material (Atk:3050-4850). Now I'll detach a material to attack directly.' Ragnar surged out of his prison, and nailed the incoming team with a huge hit immediately (Typhus and Ian LP:8000-3150). 'I'll switch Apkallone to Defence (Def.:2000) and end my turn.'

(Typhus hand: Inzektor Firefly, Insect Horde, Inzektor Sword Zektcaliber, Inzektor Dragonfly, Inzektor Hornet, Inzektor Hopper)

Typhus: 'I'm drawing and I'm coming straight for your Life points. I'll summon Inzektor Dragonfly (Atk:1000), and it's going to equip Inzektor Hopper from my hand to itself. Then I'll equip Inzektor Sword Zektkaliber to it, giving it 1000 more Attack points (Atk:1000-2000). And by sending the equipped Hopper to the graveyard, I can attack directly. Go get 'em!' The sword-wielding Dragonfly buzzed its way along the field, slashing as it did, cutting the champions' Life points down further (Frozen Diamonds LP:4200-2200). 'And I'll wipe out your little Harpie Oracle with Triumph Joker. After that, I end my turn.'

(Rio hand: Harpie's Feather Rest)

Rio: 'I'll draw and activate Hysteric Party, to summon as many Harpie Ladies as I can from my graveyard. So please welcome back two Harpie Channelers, Harpie Queen, and Harpie Oracle (Atk:1400,1400,1900,1300). Then I'll immediately activate Oracle's effect, before I overlay it and Channeler to summon my birthright, Number 103: Ragnazero (Atk:2400). With her effect, I'll detach a material to destroy your Dragonfly. Moonblade Blitz.' Ragnazero flew across the ground with her blade in hand, and quickly sliced twice, quartering the Dragonfly and destroying it.

'Now I get to draw a card. And that card's going to be curtains for you, I activate Level Doubler. This does exactly what it says, and doubles the levels of all monsters on the field. Now I'll overlay both of my Level 8 Harpies to Xyz summon! When you're fighting the Renegades, you're fighting ALL of us. I Xyz summon Number R26: the heart of the originator, Northern Lights Dolphin (Atk:3000).' This sent shivers down the spine of the challengers, and Rio had another surprise.

'I activate the effect of Ragnar the Sealed. When I Xyz summon a Water monster while he's on my field, I can add a Rank-up-Magic from my graveyard back to my hand. Like Renegades Unite! By adding it back, I can use it again, ranking up my Ragnazero into a Chaos Xyz monster. Chaos Xyz Evolution! I Xyz summon the funerary maiden, Number C103, Ragnafinity (Atk:2800). By detaching one of her materials, I can deal you damage equal to the difference between Triumph Joker's current and original Attack. Game over boys.' Ragnafinity spun her scythe up to a devastating speed, producing a black orb which blasted the challengers, ending the round swiftly (Typhus and Ian LP:3150-0).

After the round, the champions fist-bumped while Typhus and Ian both looked disappointed and looked at each other suspiciously as they departed. Before they could even leave though, the next challengers invited themselves out. 'Introducing the 4th challengers, David Marshall and Da Brooks Kid, Powerplay.' The Junction 7-aligned team raced down, with Marshall taunting 'A lezzer and a braindead bitch? Easy pickings.' Rio and Blair looked at each other, and decided to make Marshall regret his comments.

WDC Tag-Team Championships Gauntlet Round 4: Powerplay (David Marshall/Da Brooks Kid) LP:8000 vs. [c] Frozen Diamonds (Blair Flannigan/Rio Kastle) LP:2200

(Marshall hand: Archfiend Interceptor, Dark World Lightning, Terrible Deal, Dark World Punishment, Dark Energy, Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World)

Turn 8: Marshall: 'It's time to bring home the bacon, if the fat purple pig ain't eaten it already that is.' 'As soon as your Main Phase begins, I'll use the effect of Northern Lights Dolphin, detaching a material to banish a Spell or Trap from my deck, and use its effect. Data Hornload.' The Dolphin's horn glowed all the colours of the rainbow, as Blair took a card from her deck and banished it, before the horn produced a rather splendid scent, calming the challengers down.

'What's that smell? It's really good.' 'That's the Calming Magic I activated from my deck. Because I activated it, you can't Normal or Special summon until the End phase.' 'That's fine… sorry, WHAT?' As he heard this, he desperately started rummaging through his deck for a card which could answer it, only for the referee to intervene. 'David Marshall and Da Brooks Kid have been disqualified.' Brooks left straight away while shaking his head, whereas the guilty party continued to protest his innocence, the pleas falling on deaf ears however.

After he was removed from the zone, the next team entered, and it was a surprise to Blair and Rio as Kari and Radley walked in. As they entered the zone, Rio let out the elephant in the room. 'I thought you were supposed to be banned from facing us again. You know, we had that 3v3, you two and Brooke's boyfriend vs. us and Phil, we won' 'Yeah, I remember that too' Kari responded. 'But we were told by Bolton that we're in the duel, and we're not going to turn the opportunity down.' 'We didn't even know we were in it until yesterday. But you know, good luck and all that.'

WDC Tag-Team Championship Gauntlet Round 5: No Remorse Corps (Radley/Kari Tsukumo) LP:8000 vs. Frozen Diamonds (Blair Flannigan/Rio Kastle) LP:2200

(Blair hand: Lost Wind)

Turn 9: Blair: 'I'll draw, set one and pass.' This move took Kari aback. 'You realise you could have attacked, right?' 'I want to win because we're better than you, not because some dickhead got caught with sticky fingers.'

(Radley hand: Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Boar, Fire Fortress Atop Liang Peak, Ultimate Fire Formation - Seito, One Day of Peace, Trap of Darkness)

Radley: 'I'll draw and activate One Day of Peace, to give us some breathing room. Now you can't do any damage to us until the end of Blair's next turn. I'll then activate the Field spell Fire Fortress Atop Liang Peak.' As a grand shrine atop a large winding hill appeared on the field, Blair stared at it impressed. 'This is a rare sight, didn't expect this one.' 'That's why I'm using it. I'll summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Boar (Atk:1100), giving my Field spell a Fire Fist Counter (Counters:0-1). I end my turn with a face-down.'

(Rio hand: Harpie's Feather Duster)

Rio: 'I'll draw. I'll attack your Boar straight up with Northern Lights Dolphin.' Rio's gifted Rank 8 surged towards Boar, and using its horn as a drill, went straight through its opponent. 'When Boar's destroyed, I can summon another Fire Fist from my deck as long as it's Level 4 or below. I summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon (Atk:1800; FF Counters:2). 'I end my turn.'

(Kari hand: Hyper Rank-up-Magic Utopiforce, Xyz Change Tactics, Rank-up-Magic Zexal Force, Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant, Fire Formation - Ingen, Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Leopard)

Kari: 'I'll draw and you're never going to expect what I've got in store, I activate Fire Formation - Ingen.' As Radley apologised for the inconvenient Day of Peace, Rio smiled, enjoying the challenge. 'Now I'll summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Elephant (Atk:1000; FF Counters:2-3), and use its effect, sending Ingen to the graveyard and summoning Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Leopard from my hand (FF Counters:3-4). And because I sent Ingen to the graveyard, I can add Boar back to Radley's hand.'

'Now let's overlay them both and summon my signature, you know him, you love him, Number 39: Utopia (Atk:2500).' 'Not sure we exactly "love him", more fed-up of his face' Rio murmured as Kari continued without listening to her for a moment. 'Now I'll upgrade him with this - Rank-up-Magic Zexal Force! He's going up by a whole Rank, Chaos Xyz Evolution! I Xyz summon Number C39: Utopia Ray V (Atk:2600). By detaching a material, he's going to destroy Ragnafinity.'

Rio was just about to respond, when Blair mouthed the words "Greater good" to her, immediately changing her mind. 'Do it, see if I care. Because when she's destroyed while she has Xyz material, and Ragnazero is in the graveyard, she comes straight back for another round (Atk:2800).' This frustrated Kari, but she kept a lid on said frustrations, and continued with the gameplan. 'I end my turn.'

(Blair hand: Harpie's Feather Duster)

Blair: 'I draw. I'll activate Harpie's Feather Duster, before your Field spell gets out of hand. I know you're going for the big effect, but now you'll never reach it.' As the duster appeared and swept all the Spells and Traps off Kari and Radley's field, they smiled to each other, Rio apparently falling straight into their plan. 'I'll then attack Utopia Ray V with Dolphin, keep it off the field.' Rio's tactical play was somewhat unexpected by the challengers, and dented their plans with Dolphin boring through a second monster. 'I end my turn.'

(Radley hand: Card of Demise, Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Boar)

Radley: 'I'll draw, set a monster and activate my Card of Demise. This draws until I have three cards in my hand, but you take no damage for the rest of the turn, and I have to discard everything from my hand when my turn ends. I'll set a monster and activate Into the Void to draw another card. I end my turn, sending the other two cards to my graveyard. Careful, if you don't beat me this turn, then I'm about to flood the field and your titles are back to us.'

(Rio hand: Harpie's Feather Duster, Defence Draw)

Rio: 'I'll draw.' After assessing the field for some time, Rio decided to go all in, and informed Blair with a single word. 'Shoot.' As she did, Blair nodded. 'We have to beat them. Go get 'em RI.' 'This is a move which Hannah taught me. I'll use Northern Lights Dolphin's effect to detach its last material and banish Ebon Arrow from my deck. It reduces the attack of Dolphin by 500, but allows it to deal piercing damage. Now destroy the set monster.' As Dolphin's horn started spinning up again, it collided with Boar (Def.:2000), destroying it (No Remorse Corps LP:8000-7500). 'Now through Ebon Arrow, you take more damage - your monster's Defence points. All 2k.' A single black arrow appeared out of thin air, and shot through the sky like a lightning bolt, smashing into the field in front of the challengers and precariously placing them (No Remorse Corps LP:7500-5500). 'Now I'll attack directly with our other monsters for game.' Ragnafinity swung her scythe back and forth as Ragnar reached out of his watery grave, which is where Kari and Radley's Life points ended up, as Radley looked at his face-down. 'One more turn…' (No Remorse Corps LP:7500-0).

As this round finished, Radley shook his head, and apologised to Kari, aware that it was his use of One Day of Peace which had likely cost them the contest. He then walked up to Blair and Rio, and tapped them both on the shoulder. 'You're a good combination, we need more work.' 'Run it back properly some time' Blair politely stated, as Kari walked over, and completely froze Blair out while congratulating Rio. 'Go and win the last round so this was worth it.' 'We'll try' was the somewhat timid response from the Idahoan, who was clearly starting to tire, unlike her endurant partner, for whom over 70 minutes of competition was absolutely nothing.

While Kari and Radley left disappointed, the final team came in with their manager, hoping to pick off the weakened champions. 'The final team in the Gauntlet, accompanied by Akiza Izinski, Tee Taylor and Lukas Chipperfield, Black Rose Inc.' The two youngsters under Akiza's charge faced off with their counterparts briefly as the tag titles were brought down for whichever team would win to claim.

WDC Tag-Team Championship Gauntlet FInal Round: Black Rose Inc. (Lukas Chipperfield/Tee Taylor) LP:8000 vs. [c] Frozen Diamonds (Blair Flannigan/Rio Kastle) LP:8000

(Lukas hand: Night Express Knight, Heavy Freight Train Derricrane, Ruffian Railcar, Flying Pegasus Railroad Stampede, Revolving Switchyard)

Turn 11: Lukas: 'It's time to clean you out.' As he stated that confidently, Tee wisely told him 'Don't do anything stupid, just get the job done' 'I don't need your advice, I'm the leader here.' 'But Akiza said' 'I don't care what Akiza said, I'm the leader so shut up. I'll summon Night Express Knight by dropping its Attack to 0 (Atk:3000-0). Then I'll follow that up by summoning Heavy Freight Train Derricrane through its effect (Atk:2800-1400).'

'That means I can overlay them' 'Lukas, you're missing' 'Shut up! I overlay my two Level 10 monsters to Xyz summon Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max (Atk:3000). Now Gustav Max, use your effect to deal 2000 points of direct damage to them! Bombs away!' As Tee looked on in anger, Lukas' monster shot out a large cannonball, which almost hit Rio directly, and took the champions down to their last few points (Frozen Diamonds LP:2200-200).

'And now I can attack Ragnafinity for the last 200.' This triggered Rio to nod at Blair. 'DD.' 'Got it. I'll activate Defence Draw, to drop the damage to 0 and draw a card.' Lukas then narrowed his eyes at them. 'You were lucky. I'll end my turn and let her clean you up.' As he did, Tee admonished him. 'You realise we had them there? You just summon Galaxy Destroyer, blow up their backrow, and attack for lethal.' 'Like you could do better.' 'I literally just did and it isn't even my deck.'

(Blair hand: Megamorph, R:Unity)

Blair: 'I'll draw, and you're about to wish you'd never messed with Maddy!' She then screamed in fury, as she hit a devastating one-two punch. 'I'll activate Megamorph, equipping to Ragnar, and doubling its Attack (Atk:4850-9700). And then I'll activate this - R:Unity!' As she did, Northern Lights Dolphin and Ragnafinity started glowing a golden hue, and slowly disintegrating. 'Prepare to say goodbye, this banishes Dolphin and Ragnafinity until the end of your turn that you're never going to get, in exchange for giving their Attack stats to Ragnar (Atk:9700-15,500). NOW ATTACK!' As she screamed again, Ragnar surged out of his grave once more, and rusted the cannon to the point of it not exploding, but rather falling apart, as Tee admonished her partner once more (BRI LP:8000-0).

After the final round, Tee and Lukas started arguing again and got into a rather violent pushing match which was interrupted by Nash, only for the Australian to then punch him in the face. As the elder Kastle sibling walked away, Tee right behind him, the champions raised their titles, and toasted them, as Rio took a microphone. 'Hey Junction 7, if you want some of us, come get some, because we want to know where Maddy is, and let's face it, we've just beaten our "competition", so what are you waiting for?'

Rio then raised her title again, and turned to the other side of the crowd, only to be wiped out by White Mask cracking a cricket bat into her face, causing the tag champion to immediately crash to the ground. As Blair checked on her friend, and then screamed for medics to come out, White Mask just tilted their head briefly, staring at Blair and Rio, before calmly and silently walking off, as the fans looked genuinely concerned, and the medical team rushed out, carrying a stretcher.

After checking over an unconscious Rio, the medics immediately lifted her onto the stretcher, as Jade and Freja rushed out. While Jade comforted her tearful girlfriend, Freja took the microphone from Rio's unmoving hand. 'Hey White Mask or whatever the fuck you call yourself, why don't you come and attack someone face to face? I'm right here, I'll even turn my back if you're too much of a coward to do that. But why don't you come and get someone who actually deserves it?'

Unsurprisingly, Freja's challenge wasn't answered, but Nash came back out, wanting to check on his sister, only for Freja to block him. 'Get out of my way you twerp.' 'Why, so you can continue lying to her?' A livid Jade then squared up to him, standing in solidarity with Freja. 'I heard you on the phone, your little plan's working is it? Having fun with it are you? Well you'll be glad to know that Rio knows. So why don't you go back to your little crew and tell them that we're not that stupid?' Nash responded by shaking his head. 'You have no idea what you're getting yourselves into here, you're messing with people who could destroy you in an instant. Trust me, it's better you don't go after her.'

As he walked away again, Rio was being carried out in a different direction. As she was nearing the ambulance, she woke up, holding her head, and seeing Blair next to her. 'B… where am I?' 'You're being taken to hospital Rio, what do you remember?' 'I remember being on a plane… I think?' 'Long story short, someone hit you in the head with a cricket bat. How do you feel?' Rio replied with a groggy 'Uhhh', as she was loaded into the ambulance.

After checking on her once more though, Blair jumped out of the ambulance. 'Jade, this is a massive thing, but could you stay in the ambulance with her?' 'Yeah, but what about you?' Looking back at the arena, she responded by stating 'I've got something to do back here. Just trust me, ok?' 'Ok, I trust you' the immediate response came. One kiss later, and the Iranian loaded herself in, before the emergency vehicle blared its sirens and accelerated away.

Elsewhere backstage

Akiza was casually stood around when an interviewer approached her. 'Akiza, the last time we saw you, you were with Maddy, can you tell us anything on where she might be? I mean surely if anyone would know it would be you?' She laughed, and responded by saying 'Surely I'd know something, right? Except the question isn't whether I know something, it's whether you'd believe me if I told you. Because the truth is'

Before Akiza could say any more, she was blasted by a running boot from Blair rushing into shot, and the Michigan native started raining down punches on her enemy, while screaming 'Nobody believes a word of your bullshit! Maddy is coming home whether you like it or not and the only thing you can believe is that we're going to hunt you down until that happens! The pack never rests!'

Bolton then arrived, with two very roughhousing police officers, one of whom immediately pushed Blair against the wall. 'Before you boys throw her out of this building, just give me a moment to talk to her.' As the police restrained Blair, Bolton laughed to himself, and punched her in the mouth, making her bleed, with even the resulting swift kick to the groin not dampening his spirits. She was then removed by the officers, with Akiza getting back up and patting him on the back. 'When she's ready, you'll know.' He responded with a disgusting smile, the kind that could only hint at ill intent.

Meanwhile, Brooke was sat near the entrance gate when Hassleberry walked up to the gate, noticing her at the last moment. 'Oh hey, what were you doing here?' 'Waiting for you. I see you're wearing what I made for you?' 'Yeah, I wanted to… well… thank you I suppose, it's really good.' 'So any idea why Claude's challenged you?' 'Something about teaching me respect, I dunno. I don't even know where I stand, he's seemed kind of friendly with Akiza and her lot recently.' Brooke responded by linking her arm through the Dino duellist's meaty bicep. 'Well you've always got me. Look, if you fancy some company, I'll happily come out with you.' Mulling it over, he agreed. 'Yeah, I think I'd like that.'

In the zone, Claude and Hassleberry should have been facing off, but instead, Claude and Brooke were still squabbling, as he just stood by. He tried talking to both, but neither were listening, until he forced them apart with his ripped biceps and military tattoos. 'Just stop, I came out here to duel, ok? I didn't come out here to become some kind of creche minder.' Hearing this, Brooke stepped away, ignoring Claude's cries of her being a chicken, forcing him to actually focus on the duel.

Claude W. Duane LP:8000 vs. Sgt. Tyranno Hassleberry LP:8000

(Claude hand: Petiteranodon, Rescue Rabbit, Beta Evolution Pill - Ultratranscendence, Xeno Meteorus, Ground Xeno)

Turn 1: Claude; 'I'll start with Ground Xeno, adding the Sabersaurus to my hand and then destroying the Petiteranodon in my hand. That triggers the baby, summoning Fire Opal Head (Atk:2500). I'll also use the effect of Xeno Meteorus, because I just destroyed a card (Atk:2000). Now I'll overlay both of these Level 6 monsters to Xyz summon Evolzar Lars (Atk:2500). And because I haven't Normal summoned yet, I can also utilise Rescue Rabbit (Atk:300), using its effect tributing itself for two more Sabersaurus' (Atk:1900)x2, and overlay them to Xyz summon Evolzar Laggia (Atk:2400). I end my turn, maybe that will teach you a little bit of respect.'

(Hassleberry hand: Dinomorphia Domain, Dinomorphia Sonic, Dinomorphia Frenzy, Dinomorphia Shell, Dinomorphia Brute, End of the Line)

Hassleberry: 'I got loads of respect for you sarge, but if you ain't making it hard to like you at the moment.' 'Face facts kid, you need me, your entire career's been because of me.' 'That's where you're wrong, you might be a mentor but I don't need you. A platoon stays together, and that's what we are sarge, if you want to lead us into war then we're right behind you. But right now, this is a civil war soldier, so buckle up. I'll set five cards and pass.'

(Claude hand: Beta Evolution Pill - Ultratranscendance, Souleating Oviraptor)

Claude: 'It's cute that you think you're better than me, but let's be honest, if you'd just kick this kid to the curb, we can get back on track.' Always happy to stand up for herself, Brooke struck back. 'Alternatively if he kicks that big bully to the curb, then he might be able to continue his career his way rather than dancing to the tune of some jumped up lunatic who keeps promoting himself in an imaginary army. I know you think you can intimidate anybody Claude, but it doesn't work on me, I'm not scared of you nor have I ever been scared of you.'

Having clearly lost the argument, Claude turned his attention back to winning the duel. 'I'll summon Souleating Oviraptor (Atk:1800), and use it to add Ultimate Conductor Tyranno to my hand. I'll then attack with Oviraptor.' 'Let's play then, you never asked to enter battle. So rewind to Main and I'll activate Dinomorphia Domain (Hassleberry LP:8000-4000), fusing the Dinomorphia Therezia and Diplos from my deck' 'Don't even bother, I'll just negate your Trap with the effect of Laggia detaching two materials.' 'Well I'll activate Dinomorphia Frenzy then (Hassleberry LP:4000-2000).' 'I'll use the effect of Lars, detaching a material to negate the effect of Frenzy.'

'With that sorted, I'm now going to my Battle phase and attacking with Laggia.' 'I activate Dinomorphia Shell, paying half (Hassleberry LP:2000-1000) and summoning a Dinomorphia Token (Def.:3000). Try beating that.' 'Very good, I taught you well.' 'You didn't teach me this, this is my deck sarge and you're going to learn to respect that.' 'You're being a little punk and I need to beat that out of you. I'll banish two Dinosaurs from my graveyard and summon Ultimate Conductor Tyranno (Atk:3500). I end my turn.'

(Hassleberry hand: Dinomorphia Frenzy)

Hassleberry: 'I draw and I'll set a card before ending my turn.'

(Claude hand: Beta Evolution Pill - Ultratranscendence, Xyz Encore)

Claude: 'I draw. I'll just attack into your stupid Token.' 'And I'll activate Dinomorphia Frenzy (Hassleberry LP:1000-500).' 'You seriously got another one?' 'Yup, and it's going to put in work, sending Stealthbergia from my Extra deck and Diplos from my deck to Fusion summon Dinomorphia Rexterm (Atk:3000). And I'll use its effect immediately, to pay half of my Life points (Hassleberry LP:500-250), and make your monsters' Attack points the same as my Life total (Atk:1800-250; 2400-250; 2500-250; 3500-250).' Concerned but still banking on inexperience from his opponent, Claude kept his cool. 'I'll switch everything other than Ultimate Conductor to Defence (Oviraptor Def.:500, Laggia Def.:2000, Lars Def.:1500), and end my turn.'

(Hassleberry hand: Dinomorphia Therezia)

Hassleberry: 'I draw and I'll come steaming in with an attack into your Ultimate Conductor.' Rexterm roared, and rampaged across the field as it and Ultimate Conductor had a kaiju match for the ages, wrestling for superiority before Rexterm bit into its opponent's neck, and slammed it into the ground (Claude LP:8000-5250). 'I end my turn.'

(Claude hand: Soul Release)

Claude: 'I draw, and I'll just end my turn.' As he did, Brooke started hyping Hasslberry up. 'See, that's how you do it!' He responded by flexing for her, as she swooned and the crowd cheered them on.

(Hassleberry hand: Dinomorphia Therezia, Dinomorphia Diplos)

Hassleberry: 'I'll draw and attack your Laggia next.' Another battle ensued with Rexterm overpowering its opponent and breaking its neck, Hassleberry clearly now on the front foot. 'I end my turn.'

(Claude hand: Soul Release, Ookazi)

Claude: 'I'll draw.' After his draw, he saw Hassleberry and Brooke talking again, and grinned. 'I'll activate Soul Release to banish five cards from the graveyard. I'll banish Domain, Frenzy, Frenzy, Shell, Kentragina and Therezia. Then I'll activate Ookazi, and now there's nothing stopping me doing this damage.' The distraction from Brooke proved costly, as Hassleberry didn't see his opportunity to negate the effect, and when he turned around, it was too late (Hassleberry LP:250-0).

Claude lauded his win afterwards, celebrating and shouting right in Brooke's face, causing her to square up to him, and after jaw-jacking, their confrontation turned violent with them throwing punches at each other, before Hassleberry split them up. 'Right now, I don't need either of you as part of my platoon. I want to be alone.' He then stormed away without either of them, as the arguing pair continued to blame one another.

Claude eventually left to find his mentee, but on his way out, he walked into Freja, who in a bad mood, just hoofed him in the groin immediately, before walking down to the zone, taking her ponytail out as she did. 'We've got a duel, remember. So when you're quite done being lonesome, I haven't got time to waste.' 'Someone's in a good mood today.' 'Well if it hasn't occurred to you, Maddy's still missing and nobody's taking the situation seriously. So are we gonna duel or what?' Brooke responded by activating her own duel disk. 'No time like the present I guess.'

As they did, they were both introduced by DJ. 'The following duel is under Standard Rules. Introducing first, from Corwen, Denbighshire, Wales, she is the Dragon - Brooke Angharad.' As her name was said, Brooke raised her arm. 'And her opponent, representing the Dynasty, from St. Helens, England, she is one half of the reigning LFD Doubles Champions, Ms. Hellfire - Freja McKinna.' Freja raised the symbol of excellence while staring her opponent in the face as the duel began.

Freja McKinna LP:8000 vs. Brooke Angharad LP:4000

(Brooke hand: Double Summon, Power of the Guardians, Magician's Rod, Magician's Souls, Magician's Robe)

Brooke: 'I'll start by summoning Magician's Rod (Atk:1600), adding Dark Magical Circle to my hand, and then activate Double Summon for Magician's Robe (Atk:700).' 'What's next - Magician's Underpants?' Freja quipped snappily, frustrating Brooke. 'I know you're angry, but I ain't the enemy Freja.' 'You really don't get it, she's our Alpha and we she needs us, but instead of finding Junction 7 and kicking their heads in, we have to do stupid shit like walk around asking questions like it's some kind of survey.'

'In that case, why are you even here? Shouldn't you be doing your terminator bit?' 'Because these titles are power, and power means that they get even stronger, and let's face it, Bolton will give the titles to them in a heartbeat.' 'It isn't even in his power!' 'Like that's going to stop him, it wasn't "in his power" to attack Maddy was it? So how about you finish your turn so we can go and attack them?' 'Fine, I'll end my turn.'

(Freja hand: Skull Invitation, Cyber Emergency, Cyber Dragon, Drytron Nova, Drytron Gamma Eltanin, Drytron Nova)

Freja: 'Let's get this one over with! I'll summon Cyber Dragon (Atk:2100) and then activate Drytron Nova, summoning Drytron Alpha Thuban (Atk:2000).' 'I'll respond with Magician's Robe, by discarding Power of the Guardians from my hand, I can summon Dark Magician (Atk:2500). Then the effect of Dark Magical Circle triggers, and banishes Alpha Thuban.' A circle of runes appeared around Freja's monster, and released a bright light, leaving no sign of the Drytron afterwards. 'I'll still destroy your Robe with Cyber Dragon.' Phil's trusty monster scorched the robe, burning it to smithereens (Brooke LP:8000-6600). 'I end my turn by setting a card.'

(Brooke hand: Thousand Knives)

Brooke: 'I'll draw to start my turn, and activate a Spell - Thousand Knives.' As she did, Dark Magician produced an air full of knives, and on his signal, they all flew into Cyber Dragon, piercing and destroying it. 'Now I'll attack directly.' The magician picked up Magician's Rod, and they produced a dual magic attack (Freja LP:8000-3900). 'I end my turn.'

(Freja hand: Cyber Emergency, Drytron Nova, Ultimate Bright Knight Ursatron Alpha)

Freja: 'I'll draw, and this time you're not gonna stop me. I activate Drytron Nova to summon Beta Rastaban from my deck (Atk:2000). Then I'll use Cyber Emergency, to add Drytron Delta Altais to my hand. Now let's get cooking, summoning Ultimate Bright Knight Ursatron Alpha (Atk:2000). It's going to add Meteonis Drytron to my hand, then I'll tribute Beta to summon Delta Altais (Def.:0). By revealing Meteonis in my hand, I can draw a card.'

'Then I can summon Beta Rastaban tributing Delta (Def.:0). And Beta Rastaban can return a banished Drytron to my graveyard. Including the Alpha you removed. Meaning I can then summon Alpha tributing Beta (Def.:0). Alpha adds Draconids to my hand, and then I'll activate Meteonis, tributing both Alpha and Ursatron to Ritual summon Drytron Meteonis Draconids (Atk:4000). Now Meteonis' effect will banish Alpha and Ursatron from my graveyard, to send both of your monsters to the graveyard. And chaining to that is Skull Invitation.'

This move amazed Brooke. 'Didn't think you'd have seen something like that.' 'Leave it out, I know how the deck works now. Each time one of our cards goes to the graveyard, whoever owned the card loses 300 Life points (Brooke LP:6600-6000). And I'll continue' 'There's more?' 'Yeah, I haven't Normal summoned yet, so meet Cyber Dragon Nachster (Atk:100).' 'The hell's that doing in your deck?' 'Summoning back my Cyber Dragon (Atk:2100). Now I'll Link off both of my monsters to Link summon! Upgrade, Cyber Dragon Sieger (Atk:2100, Freja LP:3900-3300). Sieger's effect then adds 2100 Attack to Draconids' total, but Sieger can't deal damage this turn (Atk:4000-6100). Now attack!' Brooke had no choice but to take the total, as Freja realised that she'd had the game won over a minute previously (Brooke LP:6000-0).

As the duel finished, Brooke offered her hand to Freja, an offer which was accepted. 'You were really good at the end there.' 'I'm sorry, I had the win before, I just tunnelled.' 'Totally get it.' As they continued talking, Declan walked out, surprising both. 'Excellent duel girls, I know that my announcement is best for business now. See, I know that you have both verbally agreed to a rematch for the Doubles titles, but I have the opportunity to spice this up. At LFD Madchester Mayhem, it will be Brooke and Jade vs. the Bad Breed in Three Steps to Heaven. The first duel will be Deck Master Rules, the second will be a 20 minute exhibition, and the final step if needed will be under standard rules. Good luck.'

Backstage

As Freja left, she ran into PhIl, who was pacing around before his main event. 'Quickly, what can you tell me about Deck Master rules?' 'Ask Astrid, she's more experienced with alternate formats than I am. We can program the rules into the drones in the arena if you want some practice, Declan gave me a heads up about the possibility of Deck Master rules.' 'Why didn't you say anything?' 'Because I didn't think he'd actually go through with it. But yeah, ask Astrid.'

Meanwhile, in a quiet corridor

Just beyond the doors for a corridor which was closed off for construction, Marshall found himself tied upside down from the roof, as Astrid interrogated him, wearing a long hood as a disguise. 'Where's Maddy?' 'Who?' She responded by kicking him in the back. 'That might jog your memory.' 'I don't know. I didn't get told anything.' 'Seems awful strange that such a "high ranking" member doesn't know anything, doesn't it? Oh well, if you won't tell me anything, I suppose I'll just have to bring Ally over, we can use you as a pinata.'

This was enough for the weedy Marshall to break. 'Ok, uh, Akiza's got Maddy hostage, I didn't get told where but it's probably in Canada still, she's working with some other bloke to try and cure her, make her pure again. I have no idea what any of that means though, I think it's only Nash and Kieran that were told anything out of the rest of us.' 'I might have known Segolia were involved somehow. Well I'm sure we can deal with them.'

As she went to leave though, he shouted at her again. 'You're forgetting something - let me down.' 'Pardon?' 'I gave you all the information you wanted, now get me down from here!' Astrid gave a slight grin, and walked back over, before taking a bow and arrow off her back and with the help of a match, set the arrow on fire. As he panicked, she took aim at his face, before lifting the bow up at the last second and setting the rope on fire, causing it to burn through in seconds and Marshall to land on the ground head first. She then left, and with the help of Jana, immediately went back to England.

In the duelling zone

After a video highlighting the situation with Maddy and Akiza as well as the Renegades and Junction 7, the lights dimmed in the arena, as the announcer went through the rules of the duel. 'The following duel is your main event, and is a Lockdown Rules duel for the WDC Championship. Nobody aside from the competitors is allowed in the duelling zone until the duel ends. As per a decree from the WDC Board of Directors, there MUST BE a winner, and the duel will continue until there is one. Additionally, if Shannon Kelly loses this contest, she will be forced to take a lie detector test.'

As this was announced, Junction 7's music started up, and Shannon walked out, wearing Maddy's name hoodie which she'd been wearing at Witchunt. Smiling madly, she strolled down, even stopping to show off the name on the rear of the garment as she did. In the zone, she waited for a moment, breathed in, and then shouted out something impossible to understand to the crowd, who applauded her for it, and waited with baited breath for her opponent.

Shortly after, Phil's music started, and he stormed straight out, carrying his briefcase but ditching it straight away, taking his title belt out and flinging it over his meaty shoulder, and pushing his way down where he got straight into the challenger's face. 'Where is she?!' 'Maddy? She's blooming in the shadows, and when I take your title, our revenge is finally going to be complete!' 'I don't care what you think I've done' 'I know what you've done. You corrupted her mind, you turned my best friend of 15 years against me, and now I'm going to take everything away from you and cure her.' 'She isn't to be cured, she's to be embraced' 'What would you know, you don't embrace anything. You couldn't even embrace your wife, let's face it you slept with a client after she told you she was pregnant. So what's actually going to happen is you're going to give me that belt, I'm going to take it back home, and I'm going to fix Maddy after what you did.'

As he walked back to his zone, Phil had his say on the situation. 'You realise they aren't going to fix her, right? All they're wanting to do is remove everything that makes her unique and special and Maddy and I don't intend on letting you do that for a second.' 'She doesn't need to be "unique" and "special", she just needs to be safe.' 'Which is why I'm going to get her back. I know you don't believe me, but Maddy came with me voluntarily back then, I didn't force her to do anything. And what did Akiza do? Huh? Tell me, did she come of her own accord, or did you need an entire fucking army to beat her up and take her? As for the title, how about you prove that you deserve it?'

WDC Championship: Shannon Kelly LP:8000 vs. [c] Phil Robinson LP:8000

(Shannon hand: Eldlixer of Scarlet Sanguine, Eldlixer of Black Awakening, Huaquero of the Golden Land, Shiranui Style Swallow Slash, Zombie World)

Turn 1: Shannon: 'Time for you to pay for what you took from us! I'll activate a Field spell that's sure to put the creeps up you - welcome to Zombie World.' A dank and rotting landscape spread across the battlefield, devoid of any life or atmosphere. 'So dark, so empty, so hopeless' 'Is this your life you're talking about or the field? Because if you don't stop messing me around, your life's not going to be worth living.' 'Someone's cranky today. But I get it, your little fantasy world is falling apart around you, and you want someone to blame. My Zombie World turns every monster on your field and in your graveyard into a Zombie. I'll set four and end my turn.'

(Phil hand: Chain Material, Flash Fusion, Cyber Dragon, Premature Burial, Cyber Dragon Nächster)

Phil: 'Call it a fantasy all you like because when I'm done with you, you're going to wish this was a fantasy! I draw and I'll send Cyber Dragon from my hand to the graveyard for Cyber Dragon Nachster (Atk:100). And then I'll use its effect to summon Cyber Dragon from my graveyard.' 'As you do, I'll activate my face-down Eldlixir of Scarlet Sanguine. You like talking about levelling up, but almost certainly you didn't expect me to have done the same. And a little birdy told me you like experimenting on little girls with alchemy.'

'Funny.' 'Well you're about to see what happened to the man who tried to use alchemy for his own purposes - immortality. He got it, but at the cost of his soul, and I know someone who's just the same. This summons a monster from my deck called Eldlich the Golden Lord (Atk:2800, Cyber Dragon Atk:2100). And now they're both on the field, I can use this - Shiranui Style Swallow Slash. It will destroy my Golden Lord, rip out his soul, and use it to destroy both of your monsters.'

A ghostly sword rose up from the ground, and without hesitation, slashed wildly, cutting through Eldlich as well as both of Phil's monsters, destroying the field. 'So much for your Sieger then. I presume that's what you were going for at least. See, I know everything about your deck. It's amazing what a little bit of torture will do for you, there's nothing you can do which could possibly surprise me.' 'I'll set two and end my turn.'

(Shannon hand: Zombie Master)

Shannon: 'I'll draw and summon the Zombie Master (Atk:1800), and attack you.' 'I'll activate Chain Material and pair it with a Flash Fusion. Normally Flash Fusion forces you to use monsters from your field, but with Chain Material, I can just banish them from my deck. So I'll banish Ancient Gear Hydra and Ancient Gear Golem to Fusion summon Ancient Gear Howitzer (Def.:1000).' 'Ah, the classic Cydra Deck 4 is it then?' This comment totally spooked Phil, who rarely if ever shared these details regarding his deck choices or builds, and this threw the normally cool customer totally off his game, as Shannon laughed. 'I end my turn.'

(Phil hand: Premature Burial, Limiter Removal)

Phil: 'I'll draw.' He then took well over a minute to consider his move, very uncharacteristic of the normally decisive player, but after all the consideration, he just couldn't bring himself to perform any significant action. 'I'll use the effect of Howitzer to deal 1000 damage to you.' As Howitzer's twin guns started revolving and firing, Shannon continued her own plan, stating 'Howitzer into triple Blaze Fenix, the only time you've beaten her with any experience because you're pathetic (Shannon LP:8000-7000).' Unable to concentrate, he simply said 'I end my turn.'

(Shannon hand: Il Blud)

Shannon: 'I'll draw and activate the effect of Scarlet Sanguine in my graveyard. By banishing it, I can set a Golden Land trap from my deck. I'll set Guardian of the Golden Land, and then use the effect of Eldlich the Golden Lord in my graveyard. By sending this Il Blud from my hand to the graveyard, I can add Eldlich to my hand, and then summon a Zombie from my hand straight after, giving it 1000 Attack (Atk:2800-3800). Zombie Master, attack Howitzer.' Recognising her strategy, Phil managed to claw enough of his experience to the fore to come up with one of his own, while Howitzer fell apart at the spectral hands of Shannon's monster.

'When Howitzer is destroyed, I can summon any Ancient Gear from my deck. And I'll get something that no amount of intel could show you, because I put it in my deck today - Ancient Gear Dark Golem (Def.:3000). When Dark Golem is summoned, I can add two Ancient Gear cards from my deck to my hand. I'll add Box and Commander, and then discard Commander. The effect of Box will then add Infinitrack Anchor Drill to my hand because it has 500 Defence.' 'Well I hope you weren't planning on keeping your Golem, because Golden Lord can still attack.' Shannon's Eldlich grasped Dark Golem, and turned it entirely to gold, before shattering it. 'I end my turn. Tell me how it feels to know that everything has fallen apart?'

(Phil hand: Premature Burial, Limiter Removal, Ancient Gear Box, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Overload Future Fusion)

Phil: 'We'll see who's fallen apart after I win. I'll activate my Premature Burial, to pay 800 (Phil LP:8000-7200) and revive Ancient Gear Howitzer (Atk:1000). Then I think I'll use its effect to deal you 1000 damage (Shannon LP:7000-6000). Then I'll end my turn (Eldlich Atk:3800-2800).'

(Shannon hand: Golden Land Forever)

Shannon: 'I'll draw for my turn and set one card, then I'll end my turn.'

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Overload Future Fusion, Cyberload Fusion)

Phil: 'I draw and I'll activate Overload Future Fusion, using its 1st effect to reveal Cyber Twin Dragon in my Extra deck, and send Cyber Dragon from my deck to the graveyard. Then I'll use the effect of Howitzer again to deal 1000 damage (Shannon LP:6000-5000). I end my turn.'

(Shannon hand: Conquistador of the Golden Land)

Shannon: 'I draw and it's about time that I started to show you what you're dealing with. I activate my face-down Eldlixir of Black Awakening, and because I control Eldlich, I can summon any Zombie I like from my hand or Deck. I summon Alghoul Mazera (Atk:2800), and then attack Howitzer.' Mazera took his sword, and carved through the centre of Howitzer, resulting in the antique monster falling apart. 'The effect of Howitzer will summon Ancient Gear Dark Golem from my deck again (Atk:3000). Then Dark Golem will add Ancient Gear Box and Ancient Gear Catapult, then discard Catapult. Then Box will search for Ancient Gear Frame.' 'I end my turn. I can't wait to see the look on your face when the truth hits you like a ton of bricks, or should I say, like the fangs of a wolf?'

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Cyberload Fusion, Ancient Gear Box, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Ancient Gear Box, Ancient Gear Frame, Cyber Dragon Drei)

Phil: 'I see your comedy career's going well since you got your arsehole torn apart at In the Shadows.' The comment struck a nerve with Shannon, and even though she wasn't letting it show much, it was enough to be picked up on. 'If you couldn't beat Maddy when she was out of control, you sure as fuck can't beat me. In fact I'm insulted that you even think you can. I'll activate the second effect of Over Future Fusion, fusing the two Cyber Dragons in my graveyard. See, you can make them Zombies, but if the monster I'm summoning doesn't need Machines, then your Field spell suddenly becomes pretty useless. I summon Chimeratech Rampage Dragon (Def.:1600). When Rampage Dragon is summoned, it destroys up to two Spells or Traps on your field, and I'll go ahead and get rid of Zombie World and your newest face-down.'

'Fine, I'll just activate it, Golden Land Forever. By tributing Eldlich, I can negate your Rampage Dragon's effect and destroy it.' 'And that's where this comes in - Cyberload Fusion. By returning Chimeratech to my Extra deck and my two Cyber Dragons to the regular deck, I can Fusion summon with them. Meet the barrier that can never be broken, the wall that goes on forever - Cyber Eternity Dragon (Def.:4000).'

'Very clever, I knew you had a reputation.' 'You've seen me enough to know how I operate. And quite frankly I don't care how you operate. What I do care about is Maddy, so if you're not going to tell me where she is, I'm going to beat you, be that through aggression or attrition. I'll end my turn.'

(Shannon hand: Eldlixer of White Destiny)

Shannon: 'I already told you, she's blooming, in her cocoon, waiting to emerge anew.' 'What on earth are you on about?' 'Never mind, you wouldn't understand' she stated while laughing to herself. 'I activate Eldlixer of White Destiny to revive Eldlich the Golden Lord (Atk:2800), then I'll activate Conquistador of the Golden Land, summoning itself as a Trap Monster (Def.:1800). Then Conquistador's effect can destroy your Cyber Eternity.' The undead crusader charged straight at Eternity, spearing it like a fish with a sharp sword while being roasted by the flames, only for Conquistador to reincarnate immediately, leaving Phil's Dragon to take the fall.

'When Eternity Dragon is destroyed, I can summon Cyber Dragon from my deck (Def.:1600).' 'And it's immediately going to fall to Alghoul Mazera.' Mazera carved all the way up the body of the Cyber Dragon, splitting it clean in half vertically as it sparked and went boom. 'Eldlich, destroy his set monster.' The gleaming Golden Lord grasped Phil's set Ancient Gear Box (Def.:2000), turning it to gold before destroying it. 'That's it for my turn, I hope all the cards in your hand are good, because you clearly need them.'

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Ancient Gear Box, Ancient Gear Frame, Cyber Dragon Drei, Shining Angel)

Phil: 'I draw, I'll set a monster and pass.' 'Aww, getting all shy now? Or did you just realise you can't live in Zombie World?' 'Save your crowing for when you've won, since you're clearly going to win judging by how confident you are.'

(Shannon hand: Il Blud)

Shannon: 'I'll draw for my turn and tribute Alghoul Mazera to summon Il Blud (Atk:2200). And it's immediately going to attack.' The terrifying-looking Zombie vanished briefly, before appearing like a phantom behind Phil's monster (Shining Angel Def.:800), and swallowing it whole with its disgusting face. 'When Shining Angel is destroyed, I can summon a Light monster from my deck with 1500 or less Attack.' 'Let me guess, another Shining Angel?' Phil's idea though, was far more strategical. 'Not quite, I'm actually getting Cyber Dragon Herz (Atk:100).'

'100 Attack? You've got to be kidding, right? Oh well, if you're that stupid then I'll happily destroy it with Eldlich.' Eldlich claimed another victim to its power and lust, turning it to gold before it shattered (Phil LP:7200-4500). 'When Herz goes to the graveyard, it can add a Cyber Dragon monster from my deck to my hand. I choose Nächster.' Intrigued at his play, she ended her turn with a sinister grin.

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Ancient Gear Box, Ancient Gear Frame, Cyber Dragon Drei, Cyber Dragon Nachster, Ancient Gear Reborn)

Phil: 'I draw, and I'll discard Ancient Gear Box to summon Cyber Dragon Nachster to my hand (Atk:100). Then I'll use its ability to rebuild the Herz in my graveyard, and Herz has a little party piece you should know - when it's Special summoned, it can make its Level 5 (Atk:100; Level:1-5). And I'll also summon Cyber Dragon Drei (Atk:1800), and use it to make all of my Cyber Dragons Level 5.' 'I mean you can't summon your Nova, so I'm looking forward to this one.'

Phil, as ever though, had allowed for this possibility. 'I'll overlay my three Level 5 monsters to build the overlay network. Did you really think Nova was the only option? Or that I wouldn't see something like Zombie World coming? You simply can't outsmart me, never going to happen. I summon Rank 5, Digvorzhak, King of Heavy Industry (Atk:3200).' 'Impressive, I have to say I wasn't expecting that.' 'And I'm going to use its effect immediately. By detaching one material, I send three cards from the top of your deck to the graveyard, and for each monster, I can destroy a card on your field.'

As Digvorzhak's horn belted out noisily across the field, Shannon flipped and sent three cards (Doomking Balerdroch, Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon, Zombie Necronize). 'Two monsters means I can destroy Eldlich and Zombie World.' 'I might lose my field, but Eldlich will live on a little longer. All I need to do is banish Alghoul Mazera from my graveyard. And Mazera will then summon itself because it was banished by its own effect (Def.:2300).' 'That's fine, I'll attack Eldlich.'

'And I'll flip up my Guardian of the Golden Land, which summons itself as a Trap monster (Def.:2500), then reduces the Attack of Digvorzhak to 0 (Atk:3200-0). A fatal mistake.' Phil nodded, and ended his turn. 'I'll set one more card.'

(Shannon hand: Uni-Zombie)

Shannon: 'I'll draw and Gemini summon Il Blud. That allows it to use its effect and revive Doomking Balerdroch from my grave (Atk:2800). Now I can overlay it and Guardian to build the overlay network and Xyz summon!' A sinister energy filled the arena, as Shannon grinned and the lenses of her glasses shimmered a crimson red. 'Meet the destruction of everything you love, because you took everything away and now you will lose even more - tremble in fear in front of The Zombie Vampire (Atk:3000).'

As Shannon continued, Phil looked weary, and for the first time in his entire title reign, entirely under the cosh. 'Now the effect of Zombie Vampire will force us both to send four cards from the top of our decks to the graveyard. And then I can summon one monster that was amongst them. So let me ask you - HOW'S YOUR LUCK!' Phil sent his cards first, sending Infinitrack Tunneler, Infinitrack Road Roller, Machina Ruinforce and Ancient Gear Fusion. Then Shannon sent her cards, milling Eldlich the Golden Lord, Seven Cities of the Golden Land, Glow-up Bulb and Mark of the Rose. 'I'll summon another Eldlich then (Atk:2800). Zombie Vampire, attack Digvorzhak.' The mighty Vampire bared its fangs, and bit straight through Phil's monster, sending him scuttling away (Phil LP:4500-1500).

'And now for the finishing blow, it's only fitting it comes from the Golden Lord himself!' Phil though, was a survivor. 'Not today - I activate my face-down Ancient Gear Reborn. Once per turn, this allows me to revive an Ancient Gear from my graveyard as long as my field is empty. Return, Ancient Gear Dark Golem. It also gets a little gift, 200 Attack points (Atk:3000-3200).' This infuriated Shannon. 'Absolute fluke! I end my turn.' 'Not before I get my search off Dark Golem, I'll add Ancient Gear Golem - Ultimate Pound and Ancient Gear Hunting Hound. Then I'll discard one card. Face facts, you're NEVER going to see Maddy again, because someone like you doesn't deserve her!'

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Ancient Gear Frame, Ancient Gear Golem - Ultimate Pound, Ancient Gear Hunting Hound, Cyber Dragon)

Phil: 'You're sounding very confident for someone who's about to lose. I'll give you credit, you're a damn good opponent, but I'm the godfather of the revolution, and it's about time I brought in the heavy infantry! Prepare to meet your doom, I banish the Level 8 Dark Golem and Level 4 Drei from my graveyard to summon Machina Ruinforce!' As his eyes widened in fury and adrenaline, a gargantuan pile of bolts equipped with four missile launchers, caterpillar tracks and a large claw rumbled into life with a pair of glowing red eyes, as Shannon took a step back and gulped (Atk:4600).

'4… 4600… how…' 'I can only summon this by disposing of broken Machines whose Levels equal 12. Now how about we show Shannon REAL FIREPOWER! COSMIC CANNON CALAMITY!' On command, Ruinforce rumbled up deafeningly, and loaded up four missiles, before firing at Shannon's field. 'I'll banish Mazera to protect Eldlich!' Phil laughed in response. 'How sweet, she thinks she can stop the onslaught. Well not happening! When you try and activate anything in the Battle phase, Reinforce stops it. It costs half my Life points, but then spirits away half of yours!'

As he declared this, explosions rocked the battlefield leaving craters (Phil LP:1500-750; Shannon LP:5000-2500). 'But now I can redeclare, I think I'll destroy your Il Blud instead.' The rockets fired by Ruinforce scattered across the field, with one piercing straight through the terrified-looking Zombie's eye, blowing it up brutally and knocking Shannon to the ground like a leaf in the wind (Shannon LP:2500-700). 'I end my turn. Get up if you can, oppose me if you DARE!' As the shocked crowd applauded, he raised the red right hand, while a dazed Shannon stumbled to her feet, her glasses lenses shattered from the previous attack.

(Shannon hand: Uni-Zombie, Eldlixer of Scarlet Sanguine)

Shannon: 'I draw. I'll switch my monster to Defence mode (Eldlich Def.:3000), and end my turn setting a monster.'

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Ancient Gear Frame, Ancient Gear Golem - Ultimate Pound, Ancient Gear Hunting Hound, Damage-off Zone)

Phil: 'I'll draw and summon Ancient Gear Hunting Hound (Atk:1000). When it's summoned you lose 600 points.' The dog on his field barked and released a fireball, which dropped Shannon's points even further towards the abyss (Shannon LP:700-100). And then I can Fusion summon with its effect. So I'll fuse together Hunting Hound, Ultimate Pound, and Ancient Gear Frame to Fusion summon Ancient Gear Megaton Golem (Atk:3300). Megaton, attack Eldlich!' The Ancient Gear fusion monster pulled back all four arms, before clobbering Eldlich with them, destroying it. 'And now I'll polish off your field.' Ruinforce bombarded the field with missiles, tearing Uni-Zombie apart (Def.:300). 'I end my turn.'

(Shannon hand: Cursed Eldland)

Shannon: 'I'll draw and activate Cursed Eldland, but then I'll immediately send it to the graveyard to add Eldlich from my grave to my hand. Then I'll use the effect of Eldland to add Seven Cities of the Golden Land to my hand. Now I'll activate Eldlixer of Scarlet Sanguine, to bring back another Eldlich (Atk:2800). And I can activate this - the Continuous spell, Seven Cities of the Golden Land. This allows me to combine my two Eldliches in a fused thrall, combining their might and ego to create something far stronger. Meet Eldlich the Mad Golden Lord (Def.:3500). I end my turn.'

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Damage-off Zone, Royal Decree)

Phil: 'I draw, and I'll set a card before attacking you.' 'Attack all you like with Ruinforce, because the Mad Golden Lord isn't so easily felled. He can't be destroyed by battle or card effects. So you're just going to have to work a little harder. And the moment I get a Zombie on my field, he can snatch up Ruinforce, and I'll take away the last important thing from you.' 'Just try it. I'll set this other card and end my turn.'

(Shannon hand: Huaquero of the Golden Land)

Shannon: 'I'll draw and set this one card before passing.'

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Infinitrack Tunneler)

Phil: 'I'll draw for turn and seeing as I can't destroy your Mad Golden Lord, I'll just pass it back.' 'During your End phase, I'll activate Huaquero of the Golden Land, summoning itself as a monster. Want to concede yet?' 'Royal Decree, do you want to concede yet? By the way, because your Trap's effect is negated and not the activation, it stays face-up in the Spell and Trap zone. You'll get to summon your monster… if you get rid of my Decree first.'

(Shannon hand: El Dorado Adelantado)

Shannon: 'I draw. Well this would be great if I could use it. For now all I can do is survive. I end my turn with another face-down.'

(Phil hand: Limiter Removal, Infinitrack Anchor Drill, Infinitrack Tunneler, Skull Lair)

Phil: 'I'll draw.' Frustrated at not being able to finish his foe off, Phil decided to dig for more cards. 'I activate Infinitrack Tunneler from my graveyard. I can shuffle five Earth Machine monsters back into my deck from there including itself to draw 2 cards.' As he did, he breathed a huge sigh of relief. 'I activate Monster Reborn, it's going to bring back an old friend from my graveyard. You started against it, now you're going to LOSE against it - Ancient Gear Howitzer (Def.:1000). Howitzer, end the duel.' Howitzer's two wheel cannons spun up to high speed once more, firing madly and ending a duel which had just crept past 62 minutes in length (Shannon LP:100-0).

As the duel finished, Shannon fell to the ground again after the bruising encounter, while Phil didn't bother celebrating the retainment of his title, as he immediately stormed over to his fallen foe, grasping her by the throat. 'Tell me where my daughter is.' 'You'll see soon enough. You're never getting her back.' He then tightened his grip, starting to choke her out. 'I'm not taking no for an answer! Tell me where she is, otherwise I'll choke you out until your eyeballs bleed.'

As he was doing this, he failed to notice a hooded figure walking up behind him, the bottom half of their face being obscured by a familiar white mask. While he choked Shannon out, the figure came up behind him, lifting up a concrete block and smashed it into his head, causing the champion to slump straight to the ground. With this, Shannon took some breaths, before sitting up. Meanwhile, the figure stood, and then removed their hood and mask to reveal Maddy with dead eyes, her hair tight in two buns.

As she did that and everyone watched on, stunned, Junction 7's music played, and the plan was revealed, as Rhydian walked out, fresh out of prison, with hair now down to his shoulders, and with a sinister grin on his face, walked straight over to Maddy, who immediately knelt to him. He planted a firm kiss on her lips, and then nodded to the brainwashed wolf, who picked up the block again, only for Hannah to run out to protect her husband. As she warned Rhydian off, he relented, and stopped Maddy.

As Hannah turned around to check on Phil however, Rhydian took a cricket bat from his bag, and smashed Hannah in the back of the head with it. With her barely conscious, he passed the bat to Maddy, who repeatedly hit Hannah in the back with it while growling. With both her adoptive parents crippled, Maddy stood emotionless, as Rhydian walked up to her, stamped on her back, and then took the WDC Championship, lifting it above his head and kissing Maddy again, before they left together to end the show.

Next time: As the club come to terms with Maddy's fate, but will her last gift to her pack provide help or harm? Meanwhile Rio has her own destiny to accept, whether she likes it or not. R: Ultra Evolution Book 3: A Sprig of Poison