Response to Reviews
Thank you to HunterHQ, Ambiguous, Noobmaster, Anonymous, E.T. 2000, Unnamed, Kingdom Hearts Guy, Unknown, ZarcEternal, Zeromk7, Guest, Guest, Guest, Cosmic Cat, and Internethater for reviewing Chapter 52 of Obscured Truth.
How's everyone doing? I hope you're all safe and sound wherever you are in the world. Before I begin, I want to make a special announcement. For the past few chapters, it has occurred to me that I've been making mistakes recently. To rectify this, I am hiring Duel Readers! You heard me correctly. I am hiring Duel Readers to assist me in my duels and to provide tips on where I can improve, as well as make any comments or suggestions if needed. If you're interested, let me know in your reviews for this chapter.
Now that the announcement is done, let's respond to reviews:
HunterHQ: Don't worry, I already fixed those minor mistakes. It's obvious Roxy was obviously cranky, as sleep's an important thing in life. Regarding your video games question, she was able to afford various consoles because of all the money made through selling burgers and the Black Market. If Naoki were involved in the Turf War, he'd be toast, along with Frog and Pigeon. No, Arashi didn't give himself away, and he definitely didn't reveal that he's a Lost Incident victim. Are you referring to Teeso from Gunvolt? It's likely Arashi can do a rule change for future duels, as he's quite crafty and clever to do so. Since Turbo Duels are prevalent in Tokyo, it's likely that Action cards and the Real Solid Vision was there as well. For SOL Technologies to get this new entertainment for LINK VRAINS, they need to make a contract with the main company in Tokyo first. Azrael and Wraith didn't focus on finding the culprit because Lightning told them to focus on the coming war. If Malf eats Infearno's demons, let's just say he'll have an upset stomach. What I'll say about the swords is this: Yukage's sword separates, while Yuhiro's sword unites. I have a character based on Granny Goodness for my Arc-V story, remember? No, I won't use the 'Rent a Girlfriend' anime. That anime just creeps me out.
Ambiguous: The guards from the prison were able to round up the criminals that escaped. I'm calling Azrael the azure-overcoated man because that's what Yuhiro and the others are referring him as. At least until Raguel's duel against Azrael. Remember: Wraith and Herald were practically stuck in pendants, so it's likely Yukage's pendant led him to finding his dragon and freeing Wraith. I know for a fact Epsilon has more of a Japanese vibe, which has shrines, festivals, etc. As for your future idea, it's something I'll consider, so as Haru would say, stay tuned.
Noobmaster: Dr. Kogami was able to find the remnants of Project: VIII by scouring all of SOL Technologies' files. I'll confirm now: All the Hanoi thugs were arrested and grouped in several prisons over Den City. If the original ending for Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS was inputted, that would be very sad. Season 3 will have a different, yet more tragic ending, as it'll be extended quite a bit. There will also be a few more tragic bits as well, and you might know one of them. As for your last point, the Turf War was mainly inspired by Marvel's Spiderman game for PS4.
Anonymous: The Zeta Branch infiltration was definitely similar to the Batman and Spiderman video games. Yes, by stealing all the Hanoi's data, Azrael literally has access to everything they've done. Amazing quotes you provided from Avatar, and boy was Iroh wise. Thanks for providing the comparisons and similarities between Lost Incident victim and Ignis, as this connection gives the victim a unique power from the Lost Incident. An example being Yuhiro and Yukage's Link Triggers.
E.T. 2000: It's obvious Yuhiro and the others don't trust Aoi and Emma, for if they told Akira, he'd be likely forced to share it with his bosses. I'll tell you now: That would not end well for the company. The duel between Ghost Girl and Wyatt was that of brains vs brawn, and it challenged her to get rid of a very strong monster without using pure strength. For the duel between Raguel and Blood Shepherd, you'll just have to read and find out. Thanks for providing ideas for Miyu's LINK VRAINS avatar. It's actually Sandalphon, not Saldolphon. I could use that for an 'Orcust' user, so thanks for that name. The avatar appearance for Miyu has already been planned, and it's based on Saber Pendragon Lily. What do you mean by Ariel or Gabriel?
Unnamed: If someone else offered Blood Shepherd more money, he'd leave SOL Technologies. As for Blue Girl, Ghost Girl, and SengokuQueen, Blood Shepherd wants to warn them should they get in his way by defeating Raguel. Yup, Blood Shepherd is definitely the guy who would use others to get the job done. Reminds me of Cad Bane from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Wolf O'Donnell from Star Fox. Roxy and Yuhiro know that Blood Shepherd is Emma's half-brother because they helped her find out. Yes, Miles will duel, and it'll actually connect to what will happen next. Of course Blood Shepherd has time to do this, as his trap takes a lot of time to set up. As for when Athaliah will appear next, you'll just need to keep reading.
Kingdom Hearts Guy: Raguel and Ghost Girl are obviously friends again, although right now, he doesn't trust her right now.
Unknown: Lightning knew Aoi and Akira were connected by simply looking through the network, which is obviously no surprise. We'll see what happens when Yuhiro meets Aqua for the first time. She's obviously a great aid, as she'll be able to figure out when someone's lying or not, just like Miyu and Roxy. Even if Raguel gave the video to SOL Technologies, it would benefit Ace, as he'd buy time for Bohman to regenerate. This would result in a two way war between the branches and SOL Technologies, thus escalating tensions between all groups further. Also, Malf can feast on more people. You'll find out more info on Arashi as you read the story. Of course you'll see Rachel and Tsubaki again. If Yuhiro had to dress up as a girl for a third time, he'd be infuriated, that's for sure. Who knows where Malf is? Obviously, Akira would reprimand Blood Shepherd for escalating the Turf War, but Blood Shepherd's response would be "I don't give a damn, Zaizen. If you get in my way, you'll regret it bigtime."
ZarcEternal: If I were to put an emoji here, it would be the facepalm emoji. When you listen to music and write the duel, you tend to get distracted sometimes. Don't worry. I fixed that little error. Even though Arashi passed the first test, he still has to prove himself. Regardless, I'm glad you enjoy the chapter.
Zeromk7: There are seven branches, with their names being Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Zeta, Omega, and Epsilon. I originally planned to put Machina Citadel in the duel, but went for Machina Ruinforce, as that was obviously a bigger threat that needed to be dealt with.
Guest: Chapter 53 is where you'll get answers, and who in the world Abysstainer is. Hope you enjoy!
Guest: Ghost Girl using United We Stand is a sign that she's slowly being a team player, that's for sure. For SOL Technologies, they'll reward the hunter who catches Playmaker or the others. That means if any of the hunters capture the group separately, they'll get the prize.
Guest: It's obvious that ownership of LINK VRAINS is split across various countries. Azrael won't reveal the Hanoi's identities, nor will he reveal the identities of Raguel and the others. He'll only take care of matters in the real world if it benefits him, such as freeing Ace and Athaliah, or sending Miyu to the hospital.
Cosmic Cat: Happy you enjoyed the chapter.
Internethater: I'm glad you like the story. Just a question: Do you hate fanfics in general?
With all reviews responded, it's time for the entertaining fireworks to begin! Enjoy!
Chapter 53: Explosive Entertainment
The sky appears, full of clouds. Playmaker races through the clouds on his duel board, followed by Raguel, Soulburner, and Slipstream. Two swords then slice the clouds completely to reveal NEW LINK VRAINS. One of the swords, a katana with symbols inscribed on the blade, crosses downwards to the left. Crossing downwards to the right was a typical western sword, with a golden rain-guard and a blue grip. The sword also had symbols inscribed on the blade as well. The two swords made a shining X, causing the Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS! logo to appear, and underneath it, the words "OBSCURED TRUTH" ominously appear.
Yuhiro and Yusaku are walking down the street to school. Naoki runs past them, a large smile on his face. Aoi walks past them on the other side, smiling lightly and blushing at Yusaku. Then Takeru walks up behind them and wraps one arm around Yusaku. He then wraps the other arm around Yuhiro, surprising him for a few moments before being pulled to the side by Rachel, who's clearly happy to see him. Yuhiro smiles back at her.
Tsubaki and Hideki are shown boarding an airplane as they head to their destination. After sitting down next to each other in their respective seats, Tsubaki looks out in the window, which shows a reflection of Rosetta, while Hideki picks up the airplane guide and reads it. In the sky above them is Ace, a malicious sneer on his face.
Go Onizuka is shown wearing a hoodie as he leaves the waterfront for the last time. Outside of his home, he encounters Kenmochi and Yoroizaka, who are waiting for him. Smirking, the three of them raise their left arms into the air and enter NEW LINK VRAINS, with Go in his new avatar riding beside his new allies. Stregone crosses his arms as he looks down at them, a look of shock and disappointment on his face.
Kusanagi is then shown with Roxy at a nearby picnic table, both enjoying food and laughter while talking about technology. Flame and Ai are shown arguing in Café Nagi, while Herald ends up getting annoyed with their bickering. As a result, he snaps his fingers, causing Progleo to jump onto the desk and startle Ai and Flame.
At SOL Technologies, Akira Zaizen and Hayami are shown in Queen's office, with Queen handing them a signed order regarding Playmaker and Raguel. A look of hesitation appears on Akira's face, but he hides it just in time.
Azrael and Wraith are then shown with Ace and Athaliah standing behind them, shrouded in shadow along with their ace monsters Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed and El Shaddoll Construct. Standing behind Azrael and Wraith though, is a black, bipedal dragon with red sclera, white irises, and black pupils obscured in shadow. The dragon roars before disappearing with Zerrziel and El Shaddoll Construct. Jumping above Azrael and Wraith is Malf, sporting a demonic expression on his face. He then extends his right arm forward towards the screen, darkening it completely.
When the screen becomes clear, Playmaker and Raguel are shown riding their duel boards next to each other, with Cyberse Witch and Cyberse Magician in front of Playmaker, and Cyreath Hercules and Cyreath Medusa in front of Raguel. The two are chased by Blood Shepherd, who directs two copies of Battledrone Sergeant to fire at them. Although the two of them are hit by the explosions the missiles caused, they escape unharmed. Suddenly, Drachen orders Red-Eyes Black Dragon to fire at them. In response, Playmaker and Raguel are shown swerving left and right to avoid the consecutive fire blasts. Joining the young man in the hunt is Electrolyzer, who orders PSY-Framelord Omega to attack Playmaker, but Raguel turns his duel board around and activates a card, causing Hercules to glow a bright light before transforming into a colossal, statue-like man with long, shaggy black hair and elbow protrusions. His eyes glowing red, Hercules charged forward with his axe sword and clashed with PSY-Framelord Omega.
The screen then shifts to Slipstream watching the duel between Playmaker and an obscured Bohman, while Raguel duels Electrolyzer. Noticing Haru, who's also watching the duel between Playmaker and an obscured Bohman, Slipstream takes a card and summons Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, who roars at the boy. Haru, in response, takes a card and summons Hydradrive Nagini, who hissed at Clear Wing in the process.
Blue Angel and Rosetta are shown in NEW LINK VRAINS at a picnic table, laughing and enjoying each other's company. The two of them then turn their heads towards the duels going on in the sky, a look of concern on each of their faces.
Watchman's group is then shown, with Percival standing slightly apart from them as he makes a fist with his left hand. Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon appear before a massive, red-skinned demonic looking monster with golden elements, several eyeballs embedded on its body and four tentacles with bladed claws rises from behind them.
The Knights of Hanoi are shown summoning their monsters. Motor Worm Spread Queen, Helixx Necro Darwin, and Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps first appear before fading into the background. Next is Dark Magician, Berserker of the Tenyi, and Lucifer, Condemner of the Burning Abyss, with Sunavalon Dryanome behind them. Borreload Savage Dragon then rises from behind the four monsters and roars loudly.
Akira is shown at Green Park with Emma, Gekiryushi, and Aoi, giving them details on finding the Ignis. Emma proceeds to make a flirtatious gesture at Akira, making Gekiryushi facepalm and comment on how flirting can be useful at a time like this. The two women then begin to argue, with Akira and Aoi trying to break up the argument.
Yuhiro and Progleo are shown with Miyu at the Den City Hospital, trying to help her walk. Miyu, who's using the parallel bars, ends up slipping, only for Yuhiro to immediately catch her from behind and help her stand up. Roxy then runs out of nowhere and starts pummeling Yuhiro, causing Miyu to almost fall backwards again to their shock. Catching her this time though is Medusa, who appears behind her and smiles, much to everyone's relief. Miyu smiles back, grateful for Medusa's help. The screen then flips around before showing Yuhiro on his knees, clasping an unconscious Miyu's hand in sadness and rage.
Cyreaths Hercules, Medusa, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus are then shown in the air, with Turboblaze Dragon racing past them. The five of them prepare to attack alongside Turboblaze Dragon, who unleashes his Desolation Flare attack as well.
Raguel and Herald are then shown on top of a tower, facing off against Azrael and Wraith in a duel. Behind Raguel and Herald is Turboblaze Dragon, while behind Azrael and Wraith is the black, bipedal dragon from earlier in the opening. Both dragons roar at each other. Raguel reeves up his sword, while Azrael unsheathes his katana before the two of them and their dragons charge at each other.
Yuhiro, Roxy, Miyu, Kusanagi, Takeru, and Yusaku are all shown sitting outdoors at a picnic table near the Den City Hospital, all of them eating hot dogs, and Takeru, Kusanagi, and Roxy are laughing. Three duel disks are shown on the table, with Flame lecturing Ai while Herald plays a game on Yuhiro's tablet.
Yuhiro, Roxy, and Miyu are sitting down on a bench outside the Den City Hospital, with Medusa standing nearby them and Progleo on Roxy's lap. Miyu proceeds to rest her head on Yuhiro's shoulder, causing him to blush as she smiles. Yuhiro smiles back at her, while Roxy and Medusa both smile at them, happy they're able to find happiness with each other. The scene then switches to NEW LINK VRAINS, with Raguel, Playmaker, and Soulburner standing on a building and looking out into the radiant sky.
In LINK VRAINS...
"Speed Duel!" Raguel and Blood Shepherd shouted, ready to throw down.
Raguel: 4000 LP
Blood Shepherd: 4000 LP
"I hope Raguel knows what he's doing." Ghost Girl commented. "Because if he drops his guard, he'll be screwed pretty quickly."
"If I know Raguel, he won't let someone like Blood Shepherd defeat him without a fight." Blue Girl said. "That's why I believe he'll win this duel."
"I'm with you on that one, Blue Girl." SengokuQueen agreed with her. "Blood Shepherd needs to learn that even people he deems inferior can defeat him."
"Your count has begun, Raguel!" Blood Shepherd announced. "My turn! One!"
SNAP!
"I activate the Field Spell card, Drone Helicarrier!" The card showed a gigantic aircraft carrier, with four massive turbines and a long runway that had various 'Drone' monsters on it, ready for takeoff. Long-range dorsal and ventral guns heavily armed the aircraft all over it. The next thing everyone knew, Helicarrier appeared high in the sky, shocking everyone but Blood Shepherd.
"Holy moly, that thing's huge!" Herald exclaimed, shocked by Helicarrier's size. Raguel couldn't help but nod in agreement. He knew that whatever this ship was, it was obviously not good for them.
"When this card is activated, I'm allowed to add one 'Drone' monster from my deck to my hand." Blood Shepherd explained, taking a card from his deck and adding it to his hand. "I summon Drone XL!" A light blue, gray, and orange plane appeared on Blood Shepherd's field.
Drone XL ATK: 400 DEF: 400 LV: 2
"Helicarrier's effect! Each time I Normal or Special Summon a 'Drone' monster, it gains one 'Drone' counter!" A large, orbital glowing orb appeared and orbited around Drone Helicarrier, similar to that of an Overlay Unit.
Drone Helicarrier DC: 0 + 1 = 1
"I'll now forge my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one 'Drone' monster. I'll set Drone XL into the Link Markers!" XL went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.
"Link Summon! Deploy! Link 1! Battledrone Sergeant!" A whit and blue plane appeared on Blood Shepherd's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.
Battledrone Sergeant ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️
Drone Helicarrier DC: 1 + 1 = 2
"XL's effect! When this Normal Summoned card is used as Link Material, I can Special Summon a Drone token to my field!" Blood Shepherd added, as a purple and green propellor appeared on Blood Shepherd's as well, only in defense position.
Drone Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1
Drone Helicarrier DC: 2 + 1 = 3
"Helicarrier's effect! Once per turn, I can remove a number of 'Drone' counters from this card to activate one of the following effects! I remove two 'Drone' counters to activate Helicarrier's first effect!" The two glowing orbital orbs went down from Helicarrier and into Blood Shepherd's deck. "By removing two 'Drone' counters, I can Special Summon one 'Drone' monster straight from my deck. Come on out, Drone Supplier!" A small black drone connected to six rotors appeared on his field, carrying a package.
Drone Supplier ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1
Drone Helicarrier DC: 3 – 2 = 1
Drone Helicarrier DC: 1 + 1 = 2
"Aw, come on!" Herald complained. "That first effect of Helicarrier lets him pay counters to Special Summon a 'Drone' monster from his deck, only to get half of those counters back!"
"If you recall, Blood Shepherd uses an Anti-Link monster lockdown strategy." Raguel recapped. "He combines this with burn damage, direct attacks and powering up his ace monster to defeat enemies quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if Blood Shepherd incorporated new cards based on past opponents he dueled."
"If you're finished talking about my deck, I think I'll continue my turn now." Blood Shepherd told both of them, ending their conversation. "I'll now forge my circuit for a second time!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two non-token 'Drone' monsters. I'll set Battledrone Sergeant, which is a Link 1 monster, and Drone Supplier into the Link Markers!" Sergeant went into the left arrowhead, while Supplier went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both of them red.
"Link Summon! Deploy! Link 2! Battledrone Warrant!" A gray military jet with a red and black nose appeared on Blood Shepherd's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.
Battledrone Warrant ATK: 1200 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️
Drone Helicarrier DC: 2 + 1 = 3
"When Drone Supplier is used as Link material for the Link Summon of a 'Drone' monster, I can Set one 'Drone' Spell or Trap card from my deck to my Spell & Trap card zone." Blood Shepherd informed Raguel, as he took out a card from his deck before Setting it face-down in his Spell & Trap card zone. "But why stop there, when I can forge my circuit for a third time!" A third Link Portal appeared above Blood Shepherd. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Drone' monsters. I'll set Battledrone Warrant, which is a Link 2 monster, and the Drone token into the Link Markers!" Warrant went into the left and right arrowheads, while the token went into the bottom arrowhead.
"Link Summon! Deploy! Link 3! Battledrone General!" A massive black military jet appeared in Blood Shepherd's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.
Battledrone General ATK: 2400 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️
Drone Helicarrier DC: 3 + 1 = 4
"That's not good." SengokuQueen commented, looking at Blood Shepherd's field. "He not only summoned his ace monster, but has that aerial fortress above us and a Set card."
"It is possible to beat Blood Shepherd, though." Ghost Girl told SengokuQueen. "Before Blue Girl and I went through the gate, I found out that Blood Shepherd was pursuing Playmaker before challenging him to a duel. Given how we saw Playmaker in the flesh, he was the first to evade Blood Shepherd's three count and defeat him."
"I'll have you know that I intend to rectify that loss, Ghost Girl." Blood Shepherd furiously said, having overhead her and SengokuQueen's conversation. He then turned his attention back to the duel. "I Set one card face-down and end my turn, which lets me activate Warrant's effect in my Graveyard. As I control no monsters in the Main Monster Zones, I can Special Summon this card back to my field. Return to the skies, Battledrone Warrant!" Warrant then reappeared on Blood Shepherd's field, only in the Main Monster Zone General pointed to.
Battledrone Warrant ATK: 1200 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️
Drone Helicarrier DC: 4 + 1 = 5
Blood Shepherd turned to Raguel. "Let's see if whether or not you'll survive against me, Raguel."
"A duel isn't decided until all the cards have been played, Blood Shepherd." Raguel told him. "My turn! I draw!" He drew the top card of his deck.
"Continuous-Trap, activate! Link Minefield!" Blood Shepherd interrupted, gesturing to his face-down card. The card showed several mines emitting electricity as they orbited in the sky. Multiple Link monsters couldn't evade the mines and got shocked, while Battledrone General led several copies of Battledrone Sergeant to evade the mines. "While is card is face-up on my field, if either of us Link Summons a Link monster from our Extra Decks, we'll take 500 points of damage times that Link monster's Link rating!"
"...!" Raguel did not like this at all. A lot of players Raguel knew relied on Link Summoning for their decks, thus making Link Mindfield a serious deterrent for them. However, if one incorporated multiple summoning methods, it would give them a chance to counterattack. "Since you control a Link monster, I can Special Summon Cyreath Lava Hound from my hand. However, if it's summoned using this effect, it can only attack Link monsters." An overweight, volcanic creature with small wings appeared on Raguel's field.
Cyreath Lava Hound ATK: 2200 DEF: 1700 LV: 6
"Nice!" Herald cheered. "We can attack Warrant and set back Blood Shepherd with-!"
"Appear, the circuit showing the highest mountain!" Raguel declared, much to Herald and everyone else's shock as a Link Portal appeared above him. Blood Shepherd, on the other hand, had no reaction whatsoever. "The summoning conditions are one 'Cyreath' monster. I'll set Cyreath Lava Hound into the Link Markers!" Lava Hound went into the bottom-left arrowhead, turning it red.
"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyreath Ceryneian Hind!" A female deer with light-brown skin appeared on Raguel's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Unlike other deer though, she had male-like antlers made of gold and hooves made of bronze. She also had a dappled hide as well.
Cyreath Ceryneian Hind ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ↙️
"You're either an idiot or very arrogant to do that." Blood Shepherd commented. "Because of your foolish mistake, Link Minefield's effect activates!" A mine emitting electricity emerged from the card, hitting Ceryneian Hind before bouncing off and pushing Raguel back.
Raguel: 4000 – 500 = 3500 LP
"Ceryneian Hind's effect! When it's Link Summoned, I can draw a card from my deck." Raguel explained, drawing the top card of his deck. "Lava Hound's second effect! As it left the field, I can Special Summon two 'Cyreath Lava Pup' tokens to my field!" Immediately, two smaller pups resembling Lava Hound emerged into existence on Raguel's field in defense position.
Cyreath Lava Pup Token ATK: 800 DEF: 800 LV: 3
Cyreath Lava Pup Token ATK: 800 DEF: 800 LV: 3
"Appear, for a second time! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" A second Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two 'Cyreath' monsters with different names. I'll set Cyreath Ceryneian Hind, which is a Link 1 monster, and one of the Cyreath Lava Pup tokens into the Link Markers!" Ceryneian Hind went into the bottom-left arrowhead, while one of the Lava Pup tokens went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning both of them red.
"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Cyreath Paris!" A young boy wearing ornate white and black robes appeared on Raguel's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. He had neck-long, moss-colored hair, as well as sheep horns on each side of his head. He also had long, elf-like shoes on his feet. Lastly, Paris had orange eyes, which twinkled for a brief moment before dimming down.
Cyreath Paris ATK: 1000 LINK-2 ↙️↘️
"You never learn, do you!" Blood Shepherd exclaimed. "Because of your foolish decision, you're taking more damage than before!" Two mines emitting electricity emerged from the card, hitting Paris twice before bouncing off and pushing Raguel back for a second time. As a result, he was near the others watching the duel.
Raguel: 3500 – (500 X 2) = 2500 LP
"I hate to be the one saying this, but if you keep doing what you're doing, you'll end up defeating yourself." SengokuQueen told him. Meanwhile, Blue Girl looked at Raguel with concern for her friend.
"I'll be fine. You'll see." Raguel assured the others as he sped up to where Blood Shepherd was. "I activate Paris's effect! When he's Link Summoned using a 'Cyreath' Link monster as Link material, I can add one 'Cyreath' Ritual Spell card and one 'Cyreath' Ritual monster from my deck to my hand." He took two cards from his deck and added them to his hand.
"I know what you plan on doing." Blood Shepherd said. "You intend on Ritual Summoning Cyreath Castor & Pollux using Cyreath Ceremony, am I correct?" Raguel narrowed his eyes. "Let me tell you something, Raguel. I've taken down so many duelists over the years. Once you figure out one, the rest are easy."
"And what about Playmaker? If what you said is true, then why was he able to evade your three count and defeat you?" Raguel taunted, causing Blood Shepherd to growl. "I'll let you think about that while I continue my turn."
"Oh snap!" Herald commented before turning to Raguel. "I trust you got that card, right?"
"Obviously." Raguel smirked, knowing what to do. "I activate the Ritual Spell card, Cyreath Ceremony." The orange lines on his white tunics glowed a bright blue. "This card lets me tribute 'Cyreath' monsters on my field or hand whose total levels equal or exceed the Level of the 'Cyreath' Ritual monster I'm summoning from my hand. However, if I control a 'Cyreath' Link monster, I can also use 'Cyreath' monsters in my deck by sending them from my deck to my Graveyard! I send the Level 4 Cyreath Rushing Skeleton from my deck to my Graveyard!" Soon, a white and orange magical circle with seven flames appeared on Raguel's field, along with Rushing Skeleton. It disintegrated into light and entered into the center of the circle, which emitted a pillar of bright light.
"The contract has been made!" Raguel chanted. "With this offering from Nyx, the mischievous god shall rise and manipulate this battle in his favor! Ritual Summon! Emerge, Cyreath Dolos!" A male phantom wearing black and grey robes with a white cape tied to the middle appeared on Raguel's field in the Main Monster Zone Paris pointed to. His skin was blue all over his body up to the top half of his head, which was colored white. He was bald in the middle, with black hair on the sides of his head. Dolos had blue eyes and grey pupils, which looked at Blood Shepherd as he cackled.
Cyreath Dolos ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000 LV: 4
"Paris's second effect! Once per turn, when a 'Cyreath' monster is Normal or Special Summoned to a Main Monster Zone he points to, that monster gains 500 attack and defense points, and is unaffected by your card effects until the End Phase!" Paris turned around and shined light from his hands onto Dolos, enveloping him in a golden aura that increased his strength.
Cyreath Dolos ATK: 1500 + 500 = 2000 DEF: 1000 + 500 = 1500
"I Set three cards face-down." Raguel said, before thrusting out his right hand. "Battle! Cyreath Dolos attacks Battledrone Warrant! Illusion Fog!" Dolos conjured up blue, sand-like energy and created a fog around Warrant. He then disappeared into the fog and struck Warrant multiple times before destroying it, making Blood Shepherd slightly wince.
Blood Shepherd: 4000 – 800 = 3200 LP
"I should thank you for that, Raguel." Blood Shepherd said. "Since a 'Drone' monster I control was destroyed by battle or card effect, I can activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Drone Force Ritual!" The card showed a dark-red and grey quadrotor drone in a hanger underneath Drone Helicarrier that was armed with two M61 Vulcan guns on the bottom of its body before being launched through a circular gate. "This card lets me tribute 'Drone' monsters on my field or hand whose total levels equal or exceed the Level of the 'Drone' Ritual monster I'm summoning from my hand. However, if I control a 'Drone' Link monster, I can tribute one 'Drone' Link monster with a different name from my Extra Deck to my Graveyard instead! In addition, you cannot activate cards or effects in response as well!"
"Say what?!" Raguel stated in surprise, along with the others behind him who felt the same way he did. A Quick-Play Spell card that let Blood Shepherd Ritual Summon during his turn? He didn't see that coming, that's for sure.
"Hey, that card's totally broken!" Herald protested, furious with the card Blood Shepherd played.
"Raguel's AI is clearly infuriated." Blood Shepherd's AI told him. "Apparently, it has anger issues."
"Oh will you shut up already with your statements, you stupid AI?!" Herald demanded, not happy with that statement.
"From my Extra Deck, I tribute a second copy of Sergeant!" Soon, a metallic circle with four lights appeared on Blood Shepherd's field, along with Sergeant. It disintegrated into light and entered into the center of the circle, which emitted a pillar of bright light.
"The contract has been made!" Blood Shepherd chanted. "Behold a drone that will unleash an unrelenting onslaught of gunfire! Ritual Summon! Deploy, Infandrone Brigadier!" A dark-red and grey quadrotor with two M61 Vulcan guns on the bottom of its body appeared on Blood Shepherd's field.
Infandrone Brigadier ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 4
Drone Helicarrier DC: 5 + 1 = 6
"Brigadier's effect! When it's Ritual Summoned, I can target one 'Drone' Link monster on my field and inflict 300 points of damage times that monsters Link rating! I target General, which is a Link 3 monster. That means you take 900 points of damage! Salvo Burst!" The barrels underneath Brigadier began turning before firing rounds of bullets at Raguel.
"Oh no, this is gonna hurt..." Herald panicked. "...if it wasn't for this! Do it, Dolos!" As the bullets reached Raguel, Dios quickly snatched each of the bullets using his hands before converting them into energy spheres.
"Dolos' effect! Any effect damage I would take by your card effects is inflicted to you instead!" Raguel smirkingly said. "Let him have it, Dolos! Mischievous Ruse!" Dolos ate the energy spheres before spitting it out repeatedly at Blood Shepherd like bullets, causing him to slightly wobble before regaining his balance.
Blood Shepherd: 3200 – (300 X 3) = 2300 LP
Raguel and Herald laughed at his development, satisfied that their new Ritual monster's effect worked.
"How dare you use my own strategy against me!" Blood Shepherd exclaimed, furious at what had occurred. "You'll pay for that in spades!"
"I originally created this monster after seeing Blue Girl's duels against Phoenix and Soulburner, and we intended on testing Dolos against her to see if his effect worked." Herald began.
"But seeing Dolos use his effect on you was far more satisfying." Raguel finished, the smirk still on his face.
"Hang on, you planned on using that monster against me?" Blue Girl questioned, causing Raguel to turn to her.
"Considering how your allegiances are questionable these days, yes." Raguel answered, narrowing his eyes.
"Akira sent Blue Girl and I because he has good intentions for the Ignis." Ghost Girl explained. "He wanted to see if the Ignis are a threat to humanity, and if not, to protect them from eradication."
"If you and the others believe AI's like the Ignis are good, then you're all wrong!" Blood Shepherd snarled. "An AI was responsible for sending my mother to the hospital, and had it not been for that wretched program, she wouldn't be on a hospital bed clinging for life. While I plan on handing the Ignis to SOL Technologies, I'll kill them as well if they're a threat to humanity, just like with every other AI in existence! So shut up and let me do my job, Ghost Girl! Because if you interfere, I'll end you along with your friends!"
Ghost Girl grit her teeth. She and Blue Girl wanted to convince Raguel that they had good intentions for the Ignis, just like Akira did. Unfortunately, their comments only riled Blood Shepherd up, to the point of threatening them should they interfere. Meanwhile, SengokuQueen narrowed her eyes at Blood Shepherd, furious that he would hurt innocent people. This man's not a bounty hunter, she thought. He's a monster that needs to be stopped.
"I end my turn, which means the effect of Paris ends, and Dolos' attack and defense points return to normal." Raguel concluded, as Dolos' attack and defense points reverted to his original amount.
Cyreath Dolos ATK: 2000 – 500 = 1500 DEF: 1500 – 500 = 1000
"My turn! I draw!" Blood Shepherd said, drawing the top card of his deck and adding it to his hand. "Two!"
SNAP!
"Brigadier's second effect! I can target one 'Drone' Link monster on my field and equip it with this card! I target General!" Robotic pincers underneath Brigadier emerged as it attached itself to the topside of General. "By doing so, the equipped monster can decrease your monster's attack points equal to its Link rating times 300 whenever it battles that monster." As long as Raguel has Dolos on his field, I'll be taking effect damage instead of him. Which is why I need to defeat Raguel using battle damage, Blood Shepherd decided. "General's effect! Once per turn, I can target one 'Drone' monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to a Main Monster Zone it points to. Return to the skies once again, Battledrone Warrant!" Warrant then reappeared on Blood Shepherd's field, only in the Main Monster Zone General pointed to.
Battledrone Warrant ATK: 1200 LINK-2 ⬅️⬇️
Drone Helicarrier DC: 6 + 1 = 7
"I now activate Helicarrier's effect!" Blood Shepherd continued. "Once per turn, during either of our turns, I can remove a number of 'Drone' counters from this card to activate one of the following effects! I remove four 'Drone' counters to activate Helicarrier's second effect! By removing four 'Drone' counters, one 'Drone' monster on my field gets to attack you directly this turn! I target Warrant!" Four out of the six glowing orbital orbs went down from Helicarrier and into Warrant, causing it to glow with energy.
Drone Helicarrier DC: 7 – 4 = 3
"Oh, that's not a good sign..." Herald muttered in panic. Raguel couldn't help but nod in agreement. It wasn't a good sign at all.
"I Set one card face-down." Blood Shepard pointed his right hand at Raguel. "Battle! Battledrone Warrant attacks you directly, Raguel!" Warrant fired its missiles straight towards Raguel, intent on destroying him.
"I'm not that easy to defeat, you know!" Raguel suddenly told him, before gesturing to one of his face-down cards. "Trap card, activate! Cyreath Counter-Shuffle! If you declare an attack with a Link monster, I can negate that attack and return that monster back to your Extra Deck!"
"What did you say?!" Blood Shepherd shouted with shock in his voice. The next thing he knew, Raguel grabbed both missiles and spun them around before firing each one back at Warrant, turning it into yellow particles that went back into Blood Shepherd's Extra Deck.
"Did Raguel just-?" SengokuQueen asked, shocked that Raguel threw the missiles at Warrant.
"Yup. He did." Ghost Girl confirmed.
"I still have one more attack to go." Blood Shepherd pointed out. "The battle still continues! Battledrone General attacks Cyreath Paris! Brigadier's effect! Since the equipped monster is battling a monster you control, it can decrease your monster's attack points equal to its Link rating times 300. General is a Link 3 monster, meaning Paris loses 900 attack points!" The barrels underneath Brigadier began turning before firing rounds of bullets at Paris, weakening him.
Cyreath Paris ATK: 1000 – (300 X 3) = 100
"Missile Barrage!" General fired its missiles at Paris, intent on destroying Paris.
"Trap card, activate! Link Showdown!" Raguel said. "When a Link monster I control battles a monster my opponent controls with higher attack points, my monster gains attack points equal to its Link Rating times 500! Since Paris is a Link 2 monster, he gains 1000 attack points." Paris glowed with light as his strength increased.
Cyreath Paris ATK: 100 + (500 X 2) = 1100
"You may survive, but you'll still be taking damage." Blood Shepherd pointed out, as the missiles hit Paris, destroying him and causing Raguel to nearly lose balance before barely regaining it.
Raguel: 2500 – 1300 = 1200 LP
"That may be so, but I still have one more trick up my sleeve." Raguel informed his opponent. "I activate the Trap card, Cyreath Succession! Since a 'Cyreath' monster left the field, I can Special Summon a 'Cyreath' monster from my Graveyard, except a Link monster from my Graveyard as long as I negate its effects. Come, Rushing Skeleton!" A small skeleton carrying a bomb appeared on Raguel's field.
Cyreath Rushing Skeleton ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 4
"I end my turn." Blood Shepherd concluded. "You're somehow more annoying than Playmaker, Raguel. Don't think you'll evade my three count."
"Just like how you study your opponents, I studied you." Raguel said. "While I'll admit you have some new cards, I'm lucky to have some old cards that work just as well."
"Regardless, you still have only one turn left. So make it count!" Blood Shepherd warned him.
Meanwhile, in another area of LINK VRAINS...
Stregone and Phoenix landed on the rooftop of a building, which overlooked the general area of the Black Market that connected every single branch together.
"Remind me why we're here again." Phoenix requested. A half hour ago, Stregone asked Gabriella, who the two of them knew as Krystal, to keep an eye on the kids for a bit while they took care of some business in the network. If Phoenix was being honest, he didn't want to go to the Black Market, as he knew there were gangs there. It was likely that a few members of the Sons of Ajax and the Nightlock Predators logged into the network for smuggling of supplies. At that moment, Phoenix was glad the Disbandment Armistice was in place, as these unethical practices from both groups would have continued had it not been for that.
"To see the Abysstainer, remember?" Stregone answered. "The good news is that he isn't located in any of the branches." He snapped his fingers, causing a poncho with a hood to cover the both of them up. "So long as we keep these on, we'll be able to blend in."
"Understood." The two of them jumped off the rooftop and landed on the street before walking to the general area. Looking around, Phoenix saw several workers doing various things. From selling supplies to improving their programs and even making deals with one another, it was clear that the Black Market was one of the largest areas in the network. He was so immersed with the general area that Stregone had to grab his shoulder to snap him out of his stupor.
"Don't get lost." Stregone whispered to Phoenix. "Otherwise, you'll end up in an area that you don't want to be in." Nodding quickly, Phoenix resumed following after Stregone, eventually reaching an alleyway. After reaching the end of the alleyway, they took a left turn before taking a right turn, encountering another alleyway. Once they reached the end of that alleyway, the duo found a staircase, which had a flamboyant entrance similar to that of a theater.
"It looks like we made it." Phoenix said, approaching the entrance. "Whoever Abysstainer is, he definitely has a flair for theatrics." He was about to knock on the door when Stregone stopped him.
"You don't knock like that." Stregone told him. "To get inside, you have to do the secret knock. Like this." He knocked on the door with five knocks, waiting for a second before finishing it off with two knocks.
Really? Phoenix thought. The Shaves and a haircut with Two bits knock. You have got to be kidding be. The doors then opened, allowing the duo to enter inside. As they walked down the stairs, Stregone turned to Phoenix.
"There's a few things I should inform you about Abysstainer." Stregone began. "First, he's willing to help a customer out, as long as you stay on his good side. You could say he's like the middle man for negotiations. Second, never make fun of his taste in theatrics. I heard that those who did were literally kicked out and banned from going back there again. Lastly, if you have questions, save them until the end. You do these things and he'll be willing to assist you in the future."
"I'll keep that in mind." Phoenix noted, the duo reaching the end of the stairs. "I have a question. Why did you bring me here exactly?"
"I wanted you to meet Abysstainer in person." Stregone answered. "He's someone I know who can point us in the right direction due to everything that recently happened. I also brought you here to show you that things aren't always black and white, especially your thoughts on the Disbandment Armistice."
"Like Raguel working on the Black Market to help a loved one a while back..." Phoenix deduced. "People may think he's bad, but what he's doing is for the betterment of someone he cares about."
"Bingo!" Stregone gave him a thumbs up. "The choices we make is sometimes obscured, and it is your job to figure out why you chose to become a Charisma Duelist. This job doesn't apply just to Charisma Duelists, but to everyone as well. I hope that's the main lesson you take away from today's visit."
"I'll try my best." Phoenix assured Stregone. A thought then popped in his head. "Hang on. Isn't there something else-?" The next thing both duelists knew, the lights went out as the doors closed behind them. Then purple portals appeared behind them before grey chains with purple highlights were unleashed, wrapping themselves around Phoenix and Stregone before pulling the duo into the portals, closing up the process.
A minute later...
"Phoenix. Phoenix. Can you hear me?" Stregone asked. Phoenix, upon hearing this, slowly opened his eyes.
"Yeah, I hear you." Phoenix answered. Although he didn't know what happened, it was clear to him that they were hanging upside down by the chains. "What in the world just happened?
"If I recall from memory, Abysstainer would welcome me upon entry." Stregone recalled. "He certainly didn't summon chains to drag us here, wherever that is."
"It's a stage, dum-dum!" a voice suddenly cried out in the darkness.
The lights suddenly went on, causing Phoenix and Stregone to close their eyes momentarily before slowly opening them, adjusting to the light in the process. When they did, they saw a boy with golden, brushed down hair, along with amber-colored eyes sitting in front of them on a director's chair. He wore a long-sleeved white shirt with a dark-green sleeveless jacket. He also wore light-brown pants, as well as sneakers.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Stregone said in relief, as the boy approached the duo. "We thought someone infiltrated the place and took it over."
"Come now, you really think someone would take this place over?" Gil raised an eyebrow at him.
"Um, Stregone, who is this boy?" Phoenix asked.
"Oh, I forgot to mention Phoenix. In front of us is Gil Ariba, Abysstainer's son." Stregone explained to Phoenix. He turned to Gil. "Would you mind getting your father for us? We need to speak to him immediately."
"Uh, yeah. About that." Gil thought about it before smiling innocently at Stregone and Phoenix. "I threw him to the wolves."
"What?!" Stregone and Phoenix both said at the same time, astonished that a boy would do something like that. Before the former could speak, the latter beat him to the punch.
"Why did you do that?!" Phoenix exclaimed. "A child doesn't betray their father like that!"
"That's rich coming from you, Miles Shilton." Gil replied, narrowing his eyes at Phoenix before walking over to him. "Your father, Jeff Shilton and Norman Rodriguez had an argument that led to your mother Hailee Shilton being killed because she tried to stop things from escalating further."
"It was an accident." Phoenix told Gil. "Something my father regrets to this very day."
"And yet you somehow moved past it." Gil continued. "You want to know why I threw my father to the wolves? It's because seven years ago, he abandoned me at the mercy of a scientist named Athaliah Kuraishi to be a part of something called Project: Apotheosis! All because he wanted classified information for his Black Market business as an information broker!" He put a hand on his head as he started laughing. "How ridiculous is that..."
"Your father did that to you?" Stregone said, having never heard of this information before.
"You see these?" Gil rolled up his sleeves and turned his arms around to show them his veins. When they looked closer, they saw circuits running all over them. "Athaliah put something in me. All in the name of preparing a human to become something called a Construct. Again, it's ridiculous if you ask me..." He walked away from them, trying to keep it together.
"I'm so sorry..." was all Phoenix could say. As for Stregone, he was trying to process this information, realizing that the Abysstainer he knew from years ago was someone who gave their son up just to obtain classified information for his business on the Black Market as an information broker. To attract clients, it was likely that he called himself Abysstainer so he can portray himself as a theater enthusiast, who was willing to lend a helping hand. At that moment, Stregone felt disgusted by himself for falling for that ruse.
"There's one last thing I forgot to mention." Gil recalled, turning around and giving an innocent smile. "After that project was shut down, I was taken in by a lady who saw potential in me. She not only taught me in programming, but also in understanding my unique abilities and how to be invisible. Sadly, she died while on a mission for the Delta Branch, but let's put aside that, shall we? I used her teachings to find the man I called my father and ensured he couldn't escape. Once I took his deck, I alerted the authorities to my father's presence, who arrested him afterwards."
"And I'm guessing you took Abysstainer's name as your own?" Phoenix assumed.
"Yup! That's correct!" Gil confirmed, the innocent smile still on his face. "I took the information my father had and created a façade that I'm selling it to attract people like moths to a flame. Once they come in, I throw them out and alert the authorities to their presence. So in a sense, I'm doing myself and those people a favor."
"You can't just decide a person's fate because of their actions." Stregone reprimanded Gil. "Sometimes, there's people who do bad things. But other times, there's people who work in the Black Market for good reasons. You essentially judge them before they can explain-." But before Stregone could continue, Gil moved his finger back and forth, causing Stregone to hit Phoenix before he hit him back similar to that of a pendulum.
"I'm not sure if you know, but human physiology cannot last being hung upside down for very long, especially when I make you guys hit each other like a pendulum." Gil informed them, the smile now turning to a frown. "The exact time is disputed, but most seem to agree that after three hours, the heart cannot endure the strain of blood flow reversal, thus causing it to no longer beat. So you better explain why you're honestly here, or else I'll throw the both of you out. However, you're both good people, so consider it a mercy when I say I won't alert the authorities."
"There's an important reason why we're here!" Phoenix exclaimed. "If you steady us, I'll spill the beans!" Gil snapped his fingers upon hearing this, stopping them from hitting each other like a pendulum.
"The Chains of Tragedy, a symbol of the trauma I experienced." Gil explained. "If I wanted to, I could activate them and cause the captive to re-experience all the trauma they went through. Unless you want that to happen, start speaking."
"Lots of events have happened recently, and we need more clarity on what's been going on!" Phoenix said. "If we knew, we could assist Raguel and the others!"
Gil turned to Stregone. "Can you confirm if this is true?"
"It is." Stregone confirmed. "I battled alongside Raguel and the others during the Tower of Hanoi events, and with Playmaker's return, something bad will soon happen. That's why we need that information. I hope we can work something out." To their surprise, the chains released the duo, causing them to drop onto the stage.
"The last client my father had was you, Stregone." Gil said. "Since you know how the 'Abyss Actor' deck works, it wouldn't be entertaining if you defeated me quickly. That's why..." He pointed his finger at Phoenix. "I'll duel Phoenix for the information." Before Stregone could protest, Phoenix got up.
"I accept your challenge." Phoenix decided.
"Phoenix, are you sure about this?" Stregone asked, also standing up.
"It's the only way I'll know if I learned anything from the Charisma Duelist event." Phoenix answered. "So let me do this." Sighing, Stregone nodded.
"Oh, and one last thing." Gil interrupted. "If you lose, what do I get?"
Phoenix thought this over for a moment before speaking. "Are you a sucker for sweets?" Gil nodded, now paying attention. "If you win, I'll write up a recipe for you before leaving."
"Oh yeah." Stregone realized. "I forgot you were a sucker for sweets, Gil."
"Alright. Conditions are set!" Gil declared. "Stregone, go to the seats and watch the duel, will ya?" Stregone used his powers to hover over to one of the front row seats, wanting to get a view over the duel.
Both duelists then walked over to opposite sides of the stage. "You piqued my attention during the Charisma Duelist event," Gil said to Phoenix as he activated his duel disk. "I want to see if you really are related to the previous Phoenix."
"We'll find out through this duel." Phoenix promised Gil, also activating his duel disk.
"Duel!" Gil and Phoenix said at the same time.
Gil Ariba: 4000 LP
Phoenix: 4000 LP
"As the owner of this theatre, I'll let you go first." Gil allowed.
"Alright. Let's do this! My turn!" Phoenix said, looking at his hand. "I activate the Field Spell card, Temple of Nephthys!" The card showed a massive statue of Nephthys, The Sacred Flame, with Matriarch, Defender, Disciple, Hand, and Chronicler prostrating themselves before the statue. "When this card is activated, I'm allowed to add one 'Rebirth of Nephthys' and one 'Nephthys' Ritual monster from my deck to my hand." Two cards popped out of his deck, which he added to his hand. "I summon Hand of Nephthys from my hand." A woman wearing an Egyptian orange skirt and over her shoulders to her chest appeared on Phoenix's field. She also wore golden pieces of Egyptian textile-like clothing all over her upper body, as well as on her legs and arms. On top of her head was a golden headdress, with an orange feather on it.
Hand of Nephthys ATK: 600 DEF: 600 LV: 2
Okay Phoenix. Let's see how much you learned since the Charisma Duelist event, Stregone thought, paying close attention to the duel.
"I activate the Spell card, Ready Fusion! By paying 1000 life points, I can Special Summon one non-effect Level 6 or lower Fusion monster from my Extra Deck! However, it can't attack, and it's destroyed during the End Phase. I Special Summon Crimson Sunbird from my Extra Deck!" A large, crimson bird with light purple hair on its wings and the top of its head also appeared on Phoenix's field.
Phoenix: 4000 – 1000 = 3000 LP
Crimson Sunbird ATK: 2300 DEF: 1800 LV: 6
"From there, I activate the Ritual Spell card, Rebirth of Nephthys." Phoenix continued. "This card lets me Ritual Summon one 'Nephthys' Ritual monster from my hand by tributing monsters from my hand or field. I tribute the Level 2 Hand of Nephthys and the Level 6 Crimson Sunbird on my field." Soon, a red and gold circle with eight blue flames appeared on Phoenix's field, along with Hand and Crimson Sunbird. Both monsters disintegrated into light and entered into the center of the circle, which emitted a pillar of bright light.
"The contract's been made!" Phoenix chanted. "Sealed preserver sleeping in the statue, heed my call and awaken! Ritual Summon! Fly, Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys!" A cobalt-blue phoenix with arms, blue fire on its head, as well as the back of her wings, flew out of the portal and screeched upon appearing on Phoenix's field.
Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK: 3000 DEF: 1000 LV: 8
Gil whistled. "Yup. That's one of the previous Phoenix's main monsters, that's for sure," he said. "Will you please tell me if you're related to her?"
"Only after this duel's over." Phoenix replied. "Temple of Nephthys's second effect! Once per turn, when I Ritual Summon a 'Nephthys' Ritual monster and 'Rebirth of Nephthys' is in my Graveyard, I can shuffle that card into my deck and add one 'Nephthys' card with a different name than 'Rebirth of Nephthys' to my hand equal to the number of monsters I tributed to Ritual Summon this turn. I tributed two monsters, meaning I can add two 'Nephthys' cards with different names from my deck to my hand!" After taking a card from his Graveyard and shuffling it into his deck, two cards popped out of Phoenix's deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I Set two cards face-down and end my turn."
"My turn! I draw!" Gil said, drawing the top card of his deck. "I activate the Field Spell card, Abyss Playhouse – Fantastic Theater! Once per turn, I can reveal one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster and one 'Abyss Script' Spell card in my hand to add an 'Abyss Script' Spell card with a different name than the revealed Spell card. I reveal Abyss Actor – Trendy Understudy and the Spell card Abyss Script – Opening Ceremony from my hand." Two cards appeared in front of Abysstainer before turning around, showing themselves to Phoenix.
Trendy Understudy's Pendulum effect lets Gil add a Level 1 or 8 'Abyss Actor' from his Extra Deck to his hand if he performs a Pendulum Summon. Whereas his monster effect lets him tribute that card to Special Summon a Level 1 or 8 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster either from the hand or from his Extra Deck, Phoenix recapped. As for Opening Ceremony, Gil gains 500 life points for every 'Abyss Actor' monster on his field. But should it be destroyed and he has a face-up 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster in his Extra Deck, he gets to draw until there's five cards in his hand. Phoenix was glad Stregone told him about Abysstainer's deck before they got here, as it gave him a slight advantage in this duel.
After Gil added a card from his deck to his hand, he then calmly said, "I'll now use the Scale 1 – Evil Heel and the Scale 8 Abyss Actor Trendy Understudy to set the Pendulum Scale." Soon, two pillars of light appeared on both sides of Gil's field. In the pillar of light on the left was a large, dark-blue fiend with a large mouth and a white mask rose on its body. His right arm was bigger than that of his left arm.
In the pillar of light on the right was a plump circus performer with a red overcoat and purple and black striped pants. He wore a black, buttoned up shirt with the Abyss Actor logo on the right side of his chest. On his face, he had a large mustache and a monocle on his left eye. He also wore a red top hat on his head. In his left hand, he had a small trumpet.
Abyss Actor – Evil Heel Scale: 1
Abyss Actor – Trendy Understudy Scale: 8
"I summon Abyss Actor – Comic Relief from my hand!" Gil continued, as a pink-skinned clown with purple overalls appeared on his field. He wore hypnotic glasses and had a small cap on his head. On his overalls were stickers resembling eyeballs.
Abyss Actor – Comic Relief ATK: 1000 DEF: 2000 LV: 3 Scale: 8
"Appear, the circuit of theatrics!" A Link Portal appeared above Gil. "The summoning conditions are one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster. I'll set Abyss Actor – Comic Relief into the Link Markers!" Comic Relief went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.
"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Abyss Actor – Hyper Director!" A light-blue skinned man with a buttoned up black shirt and an orange overcoat, as well as violet and purple striped pants, appeared on Gil's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. He had a small mustache and a monocle on his left eye, with what looked like a flexible hat on the back of his head. In his left hand, he carried a script as he sat down on a green director's chair that appeared behind him.
Abyss Actor – Hyper Director ATK: 800 LINK-1 ⬇️
"Hyper Director's effect!" Gil added. "Once per turn, I can target one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster in my Pendulum zone and Special Summon it to my field. Also, I can place one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster with a different name from my deck or Extra Deck to my Pendulum Zone. However, I can't Normal or Special Summon monsters for the rest of the turn, except for 'Abyss Actor' monsters of course. I target Evil Heel and put Mellow Madonna in my Pendulum Zone!" Evil Heel teleported from the Pendulum Zone and then reappeared on Gil's field in the Main Monster Zone Hyper Director pointed to.
Abyss Actor – Evil Heel ATK: 3000 DEF: 2000 LV: 8 Scale: 1
Then a woman wearing a long black dress appeared in the pillar of light on the left on Gil's field. She had long pink hair, with the front bang of it being yellow. In the middle of her dress was a purple rose.
Abyss Actor – Mellow Madonna Scale: 0
"Evil Heel's effect! When he's Normal or Special Summoned, I can target one monster you control and have it lose 1000 attack points for every 'Abyss Actor' monster I current control."
"Oh, that isn't good..." Phoenix muttered. Although he knew about Evil Heel's effects, it still wasn't good to be on the receiving end of them.
"I target your Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, which loses 2000 attack points because there's two 'Abyss Actor' monsters on my field!" Gil declared. "Heel Pressure!" Evil Heel roared at Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, pushing her back before she flew back onto Phoenix's field.
Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK: 3000 – (1000 X 2) = 1000
I faced that effect multiple times in my duels against the previous Abysstainer, and always managed to make a comeback, Stregone thought, paying close attention to the duel. How will you get through this setback, Phoenix? That's what I want to see as your mentor.
"Mellow Madonna's Pendulum effect! By paying 1000 life points, I can add one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster with a different name from my deck to my hand. However, I can't Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monsters." After Abysstainer took the card that popped out of his deck and added it to his hand, a red glow surrounded him, indicating that he lost life points.
Abysstainer: 4000 – 1000 = 3000 LP
"Looks like this duel's swinging my way, if you get what I mean?" Gil announced. "With the set Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon monsters between Levels 1 and 7 at the same time! Emerge, Abyss Actor – Funky Comedian!" Within moments, a portal opened between the two pillars, where one light emerged. The light hit the field and then dissipated, revealing a fat, green four-armed fiend with a brown vest and orange pants. On the right side of his face was a small mask with eyes, with a top hat on his head.
Abyss Actor – Funky Comedian ATK: 300 DEF: 300 LV: 1 Scale: 8
Phoenix's eyes widened briefly in surprise before he regained his composure. If he knew anything about the previous Abysstainer and the current Abysstainer, it was to expect the unexpected.
"Funky Comedian's first effect! When he's Normal or Special Summoned, he gains 300 attack points for every 'Abyss Actor' monster I currently control. Since I control three 'Abyss Actor' monsters, he gains 300 attack points!" A green aura surrounded Funky Comedian, increasing his strength.
Abyss Actor – Funky Comedian ATK: 300 + (300 X 3) = 1200
"Last but not least, I activate the Spell card, Abyss Script – Opening Ceremony!" Gil stated. "For every 'Abyss Actor' monster I control, I gain 500 life points! As I control Evil Heel and Hyper Director, I gain 1000 life points!" Gil snapped his fingers as fireworks went off, a display of lights also appearing behind him.
Abysstainer: 3000 + 1500 = 4500 LP
"Battle!" Gil pointed his right hand to Phoenix's field. "Abyss Actor – Evil Heel attacks Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys! Heel Slam!" Evil Heel charged towards Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, intent on grabbing it by the neck.
"Trap card, activate! Defense Draw!" Phoenix said. "This card not only reduces battle damage to zero, it lets me draw a card from my deck as well!" Evil Heel grabbed Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys by the neck before jumping high into the air and slamming it to the ground, turning it into particles as Phoenix drew a card.
"Not bad. You actually survived that." Gil praised Phoenix. "Stregone over there is also the only other duelist who survived the tactic my father pulled." He then frowned. "However, I still have two other monsters that can attack, remember? The battle continues! Abyss Actor – Hyper Director attacks you directly!" Hyper Director leapt out of the chair and smacked Phoenix multiple times with his script before returning back to Gil field, sitting back on his chair as he sighed to himself, annoyed that he had to such a menial task.
Phoenix: 3000 – 500 = 2500 LP
"Abyss Actor – Funky Comedian attacks you directly as well!" Funky Comedian leapt forward and punched Phoenix with his four fists, causing him to take a step back.
Phoenix: 2500 – 1200 = 1300 LP
"Seriously?" Phoenix asked. "Was that really necessary?" He then noticed Stregone laughing from the audience. "Really? You're laughing at this?"
"Sorry Phoenix, but that little scene was actually funny." Stregone admitted. "But know I'm still cheering on for you, man. Win this!"
"Yeah. Thanks..." Phoenix replied, unimpressed that his mentor actually laughing at him.
"I Set two cards face-down and end my turn, which means the effect of Funky Comedian ends." Gil concluded. "Okay, Phoenix. Let's see how you respond to my field."
"My turn! I draw!" Phoenix said, drawing the top card of his deck. I know this strategy, he realized. All the Abyss Scripts have a second effect that activates when they're facedown and are destroyed by a card effect. For them to work, however, Gil needs to have an 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster in his Extra Deck zone, which he already has. Hence, I need to be cautious. "I activate the effect of Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys from my Graveyard. On my next Standby Phase after it was destroyed by battle or card effect, I can-!"
"Uh-uh. That isn't happening." Gil interrupted. "Fantastic Theater's second effect! Once per turn, when you activate a monster effect while I control a Pendulum Summoned 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster, that effect is changed!"
Phoenix gasped. "Changed?" Even though he knew about Fantastic Theater's second effect, it still was something that caught him off guard.
"That's right." Gil confirmed. "Your monster's effect now becomes 'Destroy one Set Spell or Trap card I control. Pick a card, any card, as whatever you choose makes the duel more exciting!"
Stregone whistled. From his experience with the previous Abysstainer, Fantastic Theater was a tricky card to get around, as whatever card chosen would swing the duel either way.
As for Phoenix, he steadied his breathing. I better choose the correct card. Otherwise, it'll ether benefit Gil further or cripples my strategy. "Very well. I destroy the face-down card on your right." A cobalt-blue fireball fired out of Phoenix's Graveyard before destroying the face-down card, revealing it to be Abyss Script – Abysstainment, much to Phoenix's dismay. "This is gonna suck for me."
"Since the Set card Abyss Script – Abysstainment was destroyed by your card effect and I have a face-up 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster face-up in my Extra Deck, I can Special Summon any number of 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monsters from my deck." Gil explained, as the script appeared above him. "From my deck, I Special Summon Abyss Actor – Superstar, Abyss Actor – Leading Lady, and Abyss Actor – Sassy Rookie!" Three lights emerged from the script and landed on the field before dimming, which revealed three new monsters.
The first monster was a pink-skinned fiend wearing an exaggerated suit. He had a mechanical monocle over his one eye, along with a hat resembling that of a rose.
The second monster was a purple-skinned girl in a dress with one eye. She had green hair, with the back of it tied in two ponytails. At the top of her head was a purple hat with gold bat symbols. In her left hand, Leading Lady carried a purple whip.
The third monster was a one-eyed fiend with blue hair and wearing overalls. On top of his head was a small gold and purple hat, with a bell at the top.
Abyss Actor – Superstar ATK: 2500 DEF: 1800 LV: 7 Scale: 3
Abyss Actor – Leading Lady ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000 LV: 4 Scale: 2
Abyss Actor – Sassy Rookie ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000 LV: 4 Scale: 2
"Behold, Phoenix! My stage of actors!" Gil spread out his arms open, showing his entire field filled with a total of six monsters.
Seeing this, Stregone was amused on how Gil was able to fill his field with three more 'Abyss Actor' monsters, bringing the grand amount to a total of six monsters. You may never admit it kid, but you have some of your father's qualities, he thought.
Phoenix recapped what just occurred. Since he destroyed Abysstainment, Gil was able to Special Summon three new 'Abyss Actor' monsters and fill up his field. After looking at his hand, he smirked, realizing there was something he can do.
"What's so funny?" Gil asked, raising an eyebrow before coming to a conclusion. "Ah. You have a trick up your sleeve, don't you?"
"It's thanks to your Fantastic Theatre that I have no monsters on my field." Phoenix began explaining. "And because you have Special Summoned monsters, I can activate this! The Spell card, Card of Adversity! Since I have no monsters and you control Special Summoned monsters, I can draw two cards from my deck!" He drew the top two cards of his deck. "I activate the Spell card, Pre-Preparation of Rites. This card lets me add one Ritual Spell card from my deck and one Ritual monster from my deck or Graveyard to my hand." Two cards popped out his deck, which he added to his hand.
"Once again, I activate the Ritual Spell card, Rebirth of Nephthys. This card lets me Ritual Summon one 'Nephthys' Ritual monster from my hand by tributing monsters from my hand or field. I tribute the Level 2 Devotee of Nephthys from my hand." Soon, a red and gold circle with two blue flames materialized in front of Phoenix. Then a silhouette of a tan skinned woman wearing dark and light-blue clothing with a white dress around her lower body. She had a dark-blue headdress with three light-blue feathers, as well as a feather on her chest. Lastly, she had two large strands of clothing attached to her similar to that of bowties, which had blue dress pieces each. Devotee of Nephthys then broke into particles, which went into the circle and produced a beam of light.
"The contract's been made!" Phoenix chanted. "Ritual Summon! Emerge, Conductor of Nephthys!" A tan skinned woman wearing red Egyptian clothing appeared on Phoenix's field. She had two red skirts wrapped at the beginning of her arms, while a long orange skirt was latched onto her shoulders, which extended out from her through a rope. Lastly, she wore an Egyptian headdress that had a feather on top of it.
Conductor of Nephthys ATK: 2000 DEF: 0 LV: 2
"The effects of Conductor, Rebirth of Nephthys, and Temple of Nephthys all activate. First, when Conductor is Ritual Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Nephthys' Ritual monster from my deck and treat it as a Ritual Summon. From my deck, I Special Summon a second copy of Devotee of Nephthys." A tan skinned woman wearing dark and light-blue clothing with a white dress around her lower body also appeared on Phoenix's field. She had a dark-blue headdress with three light-blue feathers, as well as a feather on her chest. Lastly, she had two large strands of clothing attached to her similar to that of bowties, which had blue dress pieces each.
Devotee of Nephthys ATK: 1200 DEF: 1200 LV: 2
"Second, if I tributed Devotee of Nephthys or Cerulean Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, I can destroy one card on your field." Phoenix continued, surprising Abysstainer. "I destroy Evil Heel!" A blast of blue fire erupted from Rebirth of Nephthys, which hit Evil Heel before turning him into particles.
"Aw come on!" Gil complained. "That's my boss monster you just destroyed!"
"There's still one more effect." Phoenix told him. "Once per turn, when I Ritual Summon a 'Nephthys' Ritual monster and 'Rebirth of Nephthys' is in my Graveyard, I can shuffle that card into my deck and add one 'Nephthys' card with a different name other than 'Rebirth of Nephthys' to my hand equal to the number of monsters I tributed to Ritual Summon this turn. I tributed one monster, which means I can add one 'Nephthys' card from my deck to my hand with a different name." After taking a card from his Graveyard and shuffling it into his deck, a card popped out of Phoenix's deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I activate the effect of the second copy of Devotee on my field. Since she was Ritual Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Nephthys' monster from my deck. However, I must destroy her at the end of my turn." A card popped out of his deck before Phoenix took it. "I Special Summon Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys from my deck." A golden phoenix with arms and fire on the back of her head, as well as orbiting around her wings appeared on Phoenix's field.
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK: 2400 DEF: 1600
"In addition, I activate the effect of the first copy of Devotee on my Graveyard. By destroying a 'Nephthys' card in my hand, I can Special Summon her back to my field." After a card in Phoenix's hand turned into particles and went to the Graveyard, a second copy of Devotee appeared on his field.
Devotee of Nephthys ATK: 1200 DEF: 1200 LV: 2
"He's got everything in place, including the third strongest 'Nephthys' monster on his field..." Stregone muttered, impressed with how strong Phoenix has become. "Now let's see if he can bring her out and utilize her abilities to the fullest."
"Appear, the circuit of the holy flame!" Phoenix declared, as a Link Portal appeared in the sky above him. "The summoning conditions are two ore monsters, including a Ritual monster. I'll Set my two copies of Devotee of Nephthys and Conductor of Nephthys into the Link Markers!" Both Devotees went into the bottom-left and bottom-right arrowheads respectively, while Conductor went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.
"Link Summon! With the eternal flame, you are reborn! Link 3! Nephthys, the Sacred Flame!" A large red phoenix with gold outlines all over her body appeared on Phoenix's field before letting out a screech. She had arms, along with four legs instead of the usual two. Steamy fire emitted from all over the back of her body.
Nephthys, the Sacred Flame ATK: 2400 LINK-3 ↙️⬇️↘️
"Bravo! Bravo!" Stregone clapped at what just happened. "Be proud of yourself, Phoenix! You brought out both your first and your third strongest monsters in a single turn!"
"I did it..." Phoenix muttered, looking at Nephthys, the Sacred Flame. In a way that he couldn't explain, it was like his mother was with him. "I DID IT!"
"Oi!" Gil said, snapping his fingers to snap Phoenix out of his daze. "We're in the middle of a duel, remember?"
"Right, right. Getting back to it." Phoenix complied. "I activate the first effect of Nephthys, the Sacred Flame. While she's in the Extra Monster Zone, you can't target 'Nephthys' monsters in my Main Monster Zones for attacks." Abysstainer's eyes widened in surprise. "Now here's the best part. Nephthys, the Sacred Flames gains effects equal to the number of Ritual monsters used for her Link Summon. Since three Ritual monsters were used, I can activate all three effects! First, Nephthys, the Sacred Flame can't be destroyed by battle!" The flames emitting from her started to grow in strength. "Second, she can't be destroyed by card effects and gains 1200 attack points!" The flames emitting from her continued to grow in strength as she gained strength.
Nephthys, the Sacred Flame ATK: 2400 + 1200 = 3600
"Three, none of us can target her with card effects, and she gains another 1200 attack points." The flames emitting from Nephthys, the Sacred Flame consumed her completely, turning her into a massive fiery phoenix.
Nephthys, the Sacred Flame ATK: 3600 + 1200 = 4800
"I activate the Continuous-Trap card, Awakening of Nephthys." Phoenix stated. "All 'Nephthys' monsters on my field gain 300 attack points." Both Nephthys, The Sacred Flame and Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys glowed in yellow light, increasing both of their attack points.
Nephthys, the Sacred Flame ATK: 4800 + 300 = 5100
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK: 2400 + 300 = 2700
"Okay, that's a problem..." Gil admitted.
"Battle!" Phoenix declared. "Nephthys, the Sacred Flame attacks Abyss Actor – Hyper Director! Heat Crash!" Nephthys, the Sacred Flame charged forward at Hyper Director, intent on hitting him and causing a fiery explosion.
"Uh, I don't think so." Gil calmly said. "Trap card, activate! Abyss Actors' Great Escape!" The card showed a trap door opening underneath Leading Lady as she fell through it to showcase an act from a play, surprising the audience. "If you attack an 'Abyss Actor' monster on my field, I can negate the attack and shuffle that monster into my Extra Deck. So say goodbye to Hyper Director!" A trap door opened underneath Hyper Director as he saluted to the audience before falling through it, evading Nephthys, the Sacred Flame's attack.
"I still have one more attack to go." Phoenix remined Gil. "The battle continues! Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys attacks Abyss Actor – Funky Comedian! Holy Flame!" Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys gathered fiery energy in her maw before firing it at Funky Comedian, turning him to particles and causing Abysstainer to shield his eyes as he took a few steps back to avoid the fire.
Abysstainer: 4500 – 1500 = 3000 LP
"You got guts, Phoenix. I'll give you that." Gil told Phoenix. "But if there's one thing I can teach you, it's to pay attention to detail. Allow me to show you why! I activate Leading Lady's effect! Since one of us took battle damage, I can target one monster you control and have it lose attack points by the damage either of us took. I target Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, and have her lose 1500 attack points!" Leading Lady lashed her whip out at Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, making her groan in pain as her attack points dropped.
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK: 2700 – 1500 = 1200
"In that case, I Set two cards face-down and end my turn, which means Sacred Phoenix is destroyed." Phoenix concluded, with Sacred Phoenix bursting in flames.
"My turn! I draw!" Gil said, drawing the top card of his deck. "I activate Superstar's effect! Once per turn, I can add one 'Abyss Script' from my deck to my hand, but it's sent to my Graveyard at the end of my turn. Though it won't be a problem because I intend to use it later on! Appear, the circuit of theatrics!" A Link Portal appeared above Gil. "The summoning conditions are conditions are one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster. I'll set Abyss Actor – Sassy Rookie into the Link Markers!" Sassy Rookie went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.
"Link Summon! Link 1! Abyss Actor – Hyper Director!" For a second time, Hyper Director reappeared on Gil's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.
Abyss Actor – Hyper Director ATK: 800 LINK-1 ⬇️
"Hyper Director's effect!" Gil continued. ""Once per turn, I can target one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster in my Pendulum zone and Special Summon it to my field. Also, I can place one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster with a different name from my deck or Extra Deck to my Pendulum Zone. However, I can't Normal or Special Summon monsters for the rest of the turn, except for 'Abyss Actor' monsters of course. I target Trendy Understudy and put Twinkle Little Star in my Pendulum Zone!" Trendy Understudy from the Pendulum Zone and then reappeared on Gil's field in the Main Monster Zone Hyper Director pointed to.
Abyss Actor – Trendy Understudy ATK: 700 DEF: 700 LV: 2 Scale: 8
Then a small purple skinned girl in a tutu appeared in the pillar of light on the left on Gil's field. She had light violet hair, and a dark violet hat on her head shaped like a rose.
Abyss Actor – Twinkle Little Star Scale: 9
"Trendy Understudy's effect! As I have two 'Abyss Actor' cards in my Pendulum zones, I can tribute him to Special Summon one Level 1 or Level 8 'Abyss Actor' from my hand or face-up from my Extra Deck! I tribute Trendy Understudy and Special Summon Evil Heel back to my field!" As Trendy Understudy turned into yellow particles, he was replaced by Evil Heel, which reappeared on Abysstainer's field in the Main Monster Zone Hyper Director pointed to.
Abyss Actor – Evil Heel ATK: 3000 DEF: 2000 LV: 8 Scale: 1
"I now activate the Spell card, Abyss Script – Fantasy Magic." Gil added. "I can target one 'Abyss Actor' monster I control, and for the rest of this turn, if the targeted monster battles that monster, it returns to your hand at the end of battle. I target Evil Heel!" A dark book that had 'DEATH' as the title appeared in front of Evil Heel, which he grabbed and read it before light-blue smoke surrounded him.
"Oh, I don't like where this is going..." Phoenix muttered. Fantasy Magic was one of the most powerful Abyss Scripts the previous and the current Abysstainer had, along with the other two Abyss Scripts that Phoenix did not want to recall in his mind. Think, Phoenix, he thought. You have two face-down cards on your field. If you time it right, you'll be able to survive the turn.
Stregone, looking at the field, also had a grim look on his face. If these next attacks succeeded, then Phoenix would lose big time.
"Battle!" Gil declared. "Abyss Actor – Evil Heel attacks Nephthys, the Sacred Flame! Heel Slam!" Evil Heel charged towards Nephthys, the Sacred Flame, intent on grabbing her by the neck and slamming her to the ground. But before he could reach his target, Nephthys, the Sacred Flame fired a massive stream of fire from her maw, causing an explosion that forced Abysstainer to do a backflip and evade the smoke that emitted from it.
Abysstainer: 3000 – 2100 = 900 LP
"As the battle's over, Nephthys, the Sacred Flame returns back to your hand. But since she's a monster from the Extra Deck, it returns back there instead!"
Phoenix's eyes widened in shock as light-blue smoke surrounded Nephthys, the Sacred Flame before returning to his Extra Deck. Okay. The good news is that my monster returned to the Extra Deck instead of being destroyed, he thought, glad that she was safe in the Extra Deck. What's more, I didn't need to activate either of my face-down cards. Bad news is that he can still attack Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys. In times like this, you just need to stay calm, no matter the situation.
"You put on a great show, Phoenix, but it's time for the closing act." Gil calmly informed his opponent. "The battle still continues! Abyss Actor – Superstar attacks you directly! Hero's Spinkick!" Superstar ran towards Phoenix before spinning around, intent on delivering a roundhouse kick towards her.
"Trap card, activate!" Phoenix interjected. "Negate Attack! This card negates your attack and ends the Battle Phase!" Superstar was repelled back by a barrier surrounding Phoenix, forcing him to return to Gil's field.
"I Set one card face-down and end my turn." Abysstainer concluded, before letting out a laugh. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you actually survived my closing act, with more life points than I expected. Not bad, Phoenix. Not bad at all. Know however, that the odds are completely stacked against you now."
"I'm well aware of that." Phoenix replied, panting from those attacks.
"You got this, buddy!" Stregone cheered Phoenix on. "Show me how you've grown as a Charisma Duelist!"
Phoenix, upon seeing Stregone cheer him on, knew that he could overcome the odds against him. I owe it to Stregone and to my mother to keep going. To show them how much I've grown throughout my life. "My turn! I draw!" Phoenix drew the top card of his deck. "The effect of Matriarch of Nephthys activates from my Graveyard. Since she was destroyed by a card effect-."
"Like before, I'm afraid that won't work." Gil interrupted. "Fantastic Theater's second effect! Once per turn, when you activate a monster effect while I control a Pendulum Summoned 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster, that effect is changed to 'Destroy one Set Spell or Trap card I control. You might as well destroy the only face-down on my field."
"Very well." Phoenix complied with a sigh. "I destroy the face-down card you control." A golden fireball fired out of Phoenix's Graveyard before destroying the face-down card, revealing it to be Abyss Actors' Chains of Tragedy.
"Since the Set card Abyss Actors' Chains of Tragedy was destroyed by your card effect and I have a face-up 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster face-up in my Extra Deck, I can shuffle an 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum monster from my Extra Deck back into my deck to Re-Set it in my Spell & Trap card zone. I shuffle Comic Relief back into my deck!" Gil explained, as he took a card from his Extra Deck and shuffled it into his deck before a Set card appeared on his field.
"I activate the Spell card, Monster Reborn from my hand." Phoenix stated. "This card lets me target one monster from either player's Graveyard and Special Summon it back to my field! I Special Summon Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys from my Graveyard!" Within moments, Sacred Phoenix reappeared on Phoenix's field.
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK: 2400 DEF: 1600
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK: 2400 + 300 = 2700
"Continuous-Trap card, activate! Abyss Actors' Chains of Tragedy!" Gil interrupted. The card showed Gil with a muscular purple demon that a gold emblem on his chest and golden spikes on his shoulders, as well as a tail connected to the shadow behind Gil. Emerging out of several purple portals beside them were grey chains with purple highlights. "This card lets me target one monster you control and prevent it from attacking or activating its card effects while its on your field. I target your Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys!" Purple portals appeared all around the duel field before unleashing grey chains with purple highlights at Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, wrapping themselves around her and restraining her movement.
"While that's tricky to get around, it's a good thing I got this." Phoenix replied. "I activate the Trap card, Icarus Attack. By tributing one Winged Beast monster on my field, I can target two cards on my field and destroy them!" Gil's eyes widened in shock. "I tribute Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys to target and destroy Awakening of Nephthys and Abyss Actors' Chains of Tragedy!" Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys exploded into particles that went into Icarus Attack, which fired a blast of energy at Awakening of Nephthys and Abyss Actors' Chains of Tragedy, destroying both of them at the same time. "Also, the second effect of Awakening of Nephthys activates. If this face-up card is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Nephthys' monster from my hand, deck, or Graveyard. However, it's destroyed at the end of my turn. I Special Summon Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys from my Graveyard!" Soon, Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys reappeared on Phoenix's field for the second time.
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK: 2400 DEF: 1600
"It appears I immersed myself a bit too much in my performance..." Gil realized, before shrugging his shoulders. "It could be much worse though."
"Battle!" Phoenix declared. "Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys attacks Abyss Actor – Hyper Director!" Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys gathered fiery energy in her maw before firing it at Hyper Director, turning him into particles as an explosion occurred, which sent Gil flying back before he landed on the ground.
Abysstainer: 900 – 1900 = 0
"YES!" Stregone cheered. "Well done, Phoenix! I knew you can do it!"
"What about earlier when you laughed at Funky Comedian and Hyper Director beating me up?" Phoenix questioned, causing Stregone to sheepishly chuckle. But before he could respond, the two of them noticed Gil get up.
"Nice job, Phoenix." Gil praised Phoenix with a smile on his face. "I have to admit, you definitely have the potential to become a Charisma Duelist, that's for sure."
"Listen. I know you and your dad don't have the best history." Phoenix began, approaching Abysstainer before kneeling down to his level. "But you'd do yourself a favor if you forgave him for what happened. My mother, the previous Phoenix, would want me to enjoy my life to the fullest. That led me to forgive my dad and move past the grieving process."
Gil thought about it for a moment. "I'll think about it. But it's ultimately my choice in the end, so I hope you understand that." Phoenix nodded, accepting the terms.
"Glad to see that's done and over with." Stregone said, walking over to the stage and climbing onto it where the others were. "But since Phoenix defeated you, it's only fair you honor your end of the deal."
"Oh yes, of course!" Gil said, remembering the deal. "Follow me!"
Elsewhere, in LINK VRAINS...
"My turn! I draw!" Raguel said, drawing the top card of his deck.
"Trap card, activate! Drone Insight!" Blood Shepherd interrupted. The card showed Helicarrier firing down on several duel monsters in the sky, tearing them apart with an endless stream of bullets and explosions. "By sending a 'Drone' monster from my deck to my Graveyard, I can destroy all monsters you control. In addition, if Helicarrier is in my Field Card zone and I control a 'Drone' Link monster, I can target that monster on my field and have Helicarrier gain 'Drone' counters equal to that monster's Link rating. I send Scud Drone from my deck to my Graveyard." A card popped out of Blood Shepherd's deck, which he took and sent to his Graveyard before motioning to Helicarrier. "Eradicate his monsters, Helicarrier! Aerial Bombardment!" Helicarrier locked onto Dolos before firing its guns at him, tearing the field apart with bullets and explosions before he turned into yellow particles. "The second effect of Helicarrier now activates. I target General, which is a Link 3 monster. Helicarrier now gains three 'Drone' counters!" Three glowing orbs appeared and orbited around Helicarrier.
Drone Helicarrier DC: 3 + 3 = 6
Raguel narrowed his eyes at what just happened. If he Set Cyreath Dispel or had Nymph in his hand, he could have destroyed Drone Insight before Blood Shepherd could activate it. However, there was a bigger threat on his field, and Raguel had to take care of it, lest he lose.
"If we're going to win this duel Raguel, we have to do it now!" Herald notified him.
"Right!" Raguel agreed. "I activate my Skill! Godly Grandeur!" The silver armor on Raguel's body then began to shine, causing everyone to shield their eyes. "By returning one 'Cyreath' Link monster in my Graveyard back to my Extra Deck, I can draw the top card of my deck and reveal it to you before activating one of three effects. I return Ceryneian Hind to my Extra Deck and draw!" Raguel then drew the top card of his deck before looking at it briefly. "The card I drew is the Spell card, Cyreath Ascension. That means all 'Cyreath' monsters I Normal or Special Summon are unaffected by your card effects for the rest of my turn!"
"Tch!" Blood Shepherd narrowed his eyes in anger. Even if he could activate card effects, they wouldn't affect Raguel's monsters at all until the end of his turn. While he did watch Raguel use this Skill in previous duels, he saw him draw a monster card both times. But he wasn't prepared for him drawing a Spell card this time around.
"I activate the effect of Ceremony from my Graveyard. By banishing this card and a 'Cyreath' Ritual monster from my Graveyard, I can add a 'Cyreath' Spell or Trap card from my deck to my Graveyard. I banish Ceremony and Dolos from my Graveyard!" A card popped out of Raguel's deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I also activate the Quick-Spell card Cyreath Dispel from my hand, which lets me target one Spell or Trap card on your field and destroy it! I target Link Minefield!"
"You're more of a hindrance than Playmaker!" Blood Shepherd growled, as Cyreath Dispel fired a purple blast at Link Minefield before causing it to vanish into yellow particles. In Blood Shepherd's previous duel, he was able to maintain the lead until Playmaker Fusion Summoned Cyberse Clock Dragon. Although Blood Shepherd had the lead so far in this duel, Raguel was on the brink of catching up and taking the lead from him, which is something he couldn't afford.
"If that's the case, it means I'm doing something right." Raguel responded, knowing that he was close to winning the duel.
"Yes! With Link Minefield gone, Raguel can Link Summon again!" Blue Girl cheered.
"Appear, the circuit showing the highest mountain!" Raguel declared, as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two 'Cyreath' monsters. I'll set Cyreath Rushing Skeleton and the remaining Lava Pup token into the Link Markers!" Rushing Skeleton went into the bottom-left arrowhead, while the remaining Lava Pup token went into the bottom arrowhead.
"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Cyreath Teumessian Fox!" An orange fox with black stripes all over its body appeared on Raguel's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.
Cyreath Teumessian Fox ATK: 1000 LINK-2 ↙️⬇️
"I activate the Spell card, Cyreath Ascension." Raguel added. "This card lets me target one Link monster on my field and Special Summon 'Cyreath' monsters from my Graveyard to Main Monster Zones that Link monster points to, in exchange for negating their effects. I target Teumessian Fox, which is a Link 2 monster, and Special Summon Rushing Skeleton and Lava Hound from my Graveyard." Both Rushing Skeleton and Lava Hound then reappeared on Raguel's field, only in the Main Monster Zones Teumessian Fox pointed to.
Cyreath Rushing Skeleton ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 4
Cyreath Lava Hound ATK: 2200 DEF: 1700 LV: 6
"Appear, for a second time! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" A second Link Portal appeared above Raguel. "The summoning conditions are three or more 'Cyreath' monsters. I'll set Cyreath Teumessian Fox, which is a Link 2 monster, Cyreath Rushing Skeleton, and Cyreath Lava Hound into the Link Markers!" Teumessian Fox went into the left and right arrowheads, Rushing Skeleton went into the bottom-left arrowhead, and Lava Hound went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning all of them red.
"Link Summon! King of the Gods, stand together with your brethren, and ensure that Olympus conquers this evil before you! Link 4! Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm!" A muscular, white-haired man with pure white eyes leapt out of the Link Portal and appeared on Raguel's field in the Extra Monster Zone. His attire consisted of a white toga, with a golden side guard on each arm.
Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ↙️⬅️➡️↘️
"That's one of the 'Cyreath' gods, as well as one of the strongest monsters in Raguel's deck..." Blood Shepherd realized, knowing the situation was not in his favor at the moment.
"Teumessian Fox's effect! As it was used to Link Summon a 'Cyreath' Link monster, it can attack you directly this turn!" Raguel told Blood Shepherd.
"Attack directly?!" Blood Shepherd repeated, shocked at what he just heard.
"You heard Raguel right. Thanks to Teumessian Fox, Zeus is about to electrocute you and end this duel!" Herald affirmed.
"Raguel's AI is arrogant, which will lead them to their downfall." Blood Shepherd's AI stated. "As such, it should learn proper manners."
"It's not arrogance if it's confidence I'm showing! And I obviously have proper manners!" Herald replied, annoyed with those comment.
"Never have I seen a duelist push back against Blood Shepherd's strategies like that." SengokuQueen admitted. "At this rate, if his direct attack works..."
"Then Blood Shepherd will lose!" Blue Girl finished, happy that the duel was about to be over in Raguel's victory.
"Making it the second time Blood Shepherd lost a duel." Ghost Girl added, a smirk on her face. However, her eyes widened upon realizing something. "Oh no!"
"Ghost Girl? What is it?"
"He still has one more trick up his sleeve...", was all Ghost Girl responded with. The other girls then widened their eyes as well after putting two and two together as well.
"I Set two cards face-down." Raguel said. In case this attack didn't work, he wanted to be prepared for the next turn. "Battle! Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm attacks you directly!" Zeus began to generate massive lightning in his hands, intent on firing them at Blood Shepherd.
"You may have protected your monsters by card effects, but let's see how you do against this!" Blood Shepherd exclaimed. "I activate my Skill! Drone Craft Force! I can target one monster you control and have it lose 200 attack points for every 'Drone' card in my Graveyard until the End Phase! I can also target one 'Drone' monster on my field, and have it gain those attack points as well! I have XL, Supplier, two copies of Sergeant, Force Ritual, Insight, and Scud in my Graveyard! As a result, Zeus loses 1400 attack points, while General gains 1400 attack points!" An ominous purple portal appeared before firing seven purple rings at Zeus, which drained his strength temporarily. Meanwhile, General glowed as its strength increased.
Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm ATK: 3000 – 1400 = 1600
Battledrone General ATK: 2400 + 1400 = 3800
To Blood Shepherd's surprise, Raguel grinned. "What's so funny? I'll obviously survive your turn and defeat you at my third count. Yet you still act you'll win. Why?"
"It's because I have a card to ensure you're close to losing." Raguel answered. "I activate the effect of Cyreath Remains from my hand. By sending this card from my hand to my Graveyard during either player's turn, one 'Cyreath' monster I control gains 500 attack and defense points until the end of my turn. I target Zeus!" Zeus regained some of his strength as he powered up.
Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm ATK: 1600 + 500 = 2100
"Lightning of Olympus!" Zeus fired the massive lightning in his hands at Blood Shepherd, causing him to scream in pain and nearly lose his balance before barely regaining it.
Blood Shepherd: 2300 – 2100 = 200 LP
"I end my turn, which means the effects of Remains and your Skill end." Raguel concluded, as both Zeus and General's strength returned back to normal.
Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm ATK: 2100 + 900 = 3000
Battledrone General ATK: 3800 – 1400 = 2400
"Your life points are in the red zone now, Blood Shepherd." Herald stated the obvious. "Once Raguel's next turn comes around, it'll be all over for you!"
"Raguel's AI made a video game reference." Blood Shepherd's AI replied to Herald. "It really should get a new hobby. One that doesn't involve rotting the brain."
"Hey! I totally have another hobby!" Herald objected, done with this AI. He made a mental note to create a program with Ai and Flame that would get rid of it as soon as possible. This way, it wouldn't anger them as much.
Suddenly, Raguel and the others noticed Blood Shepherd tensing up, as if he were trying to hold back all the anger that was both in his mind and his body.
"Oh boy." Ghost Girl said, looking at Blood Shepherd. "This is not good for Raguel."
"Have you ever seen Blood Shepherd this angry before?" SengokuQueen asked her.
"Only one other time." Ghost Girl answered her. "It got ugly so fast that Blood Shepherd eradicated his target instead of bringing them in to his client. He ended up getting double his payment for what happened." Blue Girl gasped in horror upon hearing this, now worried that Raguel was about to face Blood Shepherd's wrath.
"Fool..." Blood Shepherd began, the anger now coming out of him. "I am a pro among pros, yet you would have me trod upon the ground?!" He clenched his right fist, sparks coming out of it in the process. "Your impudence has guaranteed your death! Raguel, when I am through with you, nothing will remain of your corpse!"
"AAAAH! He just became really terrifying now!" Herald screamed, now actually scared for both Raguel and himself.
"I haven't forgotten about you either, Ignis." Blood Shepherd said, addressing the latter. "You'll be spared so you can witness Raguel's death. After that, I'm handing you over to SOL Technologies! My turn! I draw!" Blood Shepherd drew the top card of his deck. "As of this turn Raguel, the count ends with your defeat! Three!"
SNAP!
Zeus has three very troublesome effects, Blood Shepherd began recalling in his mind. He had been able to hack the servers during the Tower of Hanoi events and witness the duel between Raguel and Infearno, which narrowly ended in Raguel's victory. In that duel, he used all three of the 'Cyreath' gods, and of all of them, Blood Shepherd knew that Zeus would give him the most trouble due to his effects. The first one lets Raguel negate a card effect and destroy it before doubling his monster's attack points until the End Phase. The second effect lets Raguel destroy all 'Cyreath' Link monsters on his field to Special Summon Zeus back from his Graveyard once he leaves the field. Last but not least, Zeus cannot be destroyed by card effects. I need to carefully plan my steps to defeat Raguel, as a single misstep will allow him to defeat me. "I activate the Equip Spell card, Drone Launcher Unit, and equip it onto General." Brigadier detached itself from General temporarily as a pair of connected white and blue cannons appeared. The cannons then attached themselves to the topside of the black jet before Brigadier reattached itself as well. The barrels underneath Brigadier moved closer to ensure General was equipped with both cards. "Drone Launcher Unit prevents you from targeting General with your monster's card effects. Also, I can inflict damage equal to the combined Link rating of all Link monsters on the field times one hundred once per turn."
"If Zeus and General's Link ratings are added up together, the combined amount is-!" Herald began.
"Seven." Blood Shepherd finished for Herald. "Take this!" The cannons charged yellow energy and fired at Raguel.
"Not so fast, Blood Shepherd! I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Cyreath Repulse!" Raguel interjected. "If I control a 'Cyreath' Link monster, any effect damage I would take for the rest of the turn is reduced to zero!" Zeus jumped in front of Raguel and thunder clapped the energy, dissipating it.
Blood Shepherd frowned at this development. First Dolos, now Repulse prevented him from inflicting effect damage? And on top of that, Raguel was able to Link Summon his Link monsters once again? This was another sign that he had to be very careful. "I activate Helicarrier's effect! By removing 'Drone' counters, I can-!"
"Like Hell I'll let you do that!" Raguel interrupted. "I activate Zeus's effect! Once, if you activate a card effect, not only can I negate that effect, I can destroy that card as well. In addition, Zeus's attack points are doubled until the End Phase! Divine Absorption!" Two lightning bolts appeared in Zeus's hands, which he threw at Helicarrier, tearing it apart and causing smoke to emit from several parts of the gigantic aircraft carrier. It then fell down from the sky and was about to land on the ground when it broke into yellow particles.
Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm ATK: 3000 X 2 = 6000
"I don't usually use this card, but it seems I have no choice..." Blood Shepherd whispered to himself, before turning to Raguel. "I activate the Spell card, Drone Supercharge!" The card showed General being overcharged with energy as its speed increased, creating a sonic boom. "When this card is activated, I can target one 'Drone' Link monster on my field and increase its attack points by 500 for every 'Drone' card in my Graveyard. However, if this effect is applied to the targeted monster, its destroyed and I take damage equal to its original attack points at the end of my turn."
"Oh, boy. Blood Shepherd has eight 'Drone' counters in his Graveyard, which means his monster gains 4000 attack points!" Herald panicked.
"And combined with Brigadier, he'll be able to inflict even more damage." Raguel added.
"I target General!" Blood Shepherd decided, as electricity emerged out Supercharge and connected to General's engines, overpowering it in the process. "Since there are eight 'Drone' cards in my Graveyard, General gains 4000 attack points!"
Battledrone General ATK: 2400 + (500 X 8) = 6400
"It seems Blood Shepherd's desperate to win, which is something I've never seen before." Ghost Girl commented. "If this hits, he wins. But if it misses, then he loses."
"Thus making it all or nothing for both duelists." SengokuQueen deduced. "Whatever happens next will decide the duel."
Meanwhile, Blue Girl looked at both Raguel and Blood Shepherd. Even after incorporating new cards in my deck to address their weaknesses, they didn't work against duelists like them, she thought, recalling her loss against Soulburner. I need to get stronger. So I can stand against my enemies, no matter how strong they are.
"Battle!" Blood Shepherd declared. "Battledrone General attacks Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm! And just like before, Brigadier's effect activates! When the equipped monster attacks a monster you control, it can decrease your monster loses attack points equal to its Link rating! General is a Link 3 monster, meaning Zeus loses 900 attack points!" The barrels underneath Brigadier began turning before firing rounds of bullets at Zeus, weakening him.
Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm ATK: 6000 – (300 X 3) = 5100
"End this duel, General! Artillery Fusillade!" The barrels underneath Brigadier began turning as it fired rounds of bullets at Zeus. Launcher Unit also charged yellow energy before firing it at Zeus, with General firing its missiles at well. The three attacks then merged into one, resulting in the missiles and bullets to orbit around the beam.
I can only use Link Showdown when my Link monster attacks, not the way around, Raguel thought. That means... "I hoped to not use this, but it seems I must to win this duel." He gestured to his remaining face-down card. "Trap card, activate! Maximum Bet!" The card showed several Cyreath Goblins and Gargoyles betting on who would win a battle between Hercules and Scorpius. "When either of us declares an attack with a monster on our fields, a dice is rolled, and we call out a number. If the dice lands on either of our numbers, the winner's monster has its attack points doubled until the End Phase. However, if the dice lands on a number we didn't call, we both take damage from this attack!"
"You're resorting to luck to win this duel?!" Blood Shepherd furiously shouted in shock. That was the last thing he expected Raguel to do. As for Blue Girl, Ghost Girl, and SengokuQueen, they were just equally shocked as well.
"I learned from a friend that luck has the power to turn a duel around." Raguel explained. "That's why I'm using this card. The number I call is five. What's your number, Blood Shepherd?"
"I call a three." Blood Shepherd answered. If getting through this dice game meant winning the duel, he was willing to do it.
"Go, Dice Roll!" A dice then appeared between both duelists before it flung itself in the air. It then landed on the field before rolling. Once it finished rolling, the dice landed on a two, causing it to become berserk by enveloping itself in a very large fire.
"We might want to move back." Blue Girl cautioned the others, decreasing their speed to not get caught in the upcoming explosion.
"No..." was all Blood Shepherd muttered, appalled by the result.
"Just be grateful you didn't lose. Again." Raguel taunted. "Since the dice landed on a number we didn't call out, the both of us take damage from your attack!" Zeus began to generate massive lightning in his hands before firing it at General.
All of a sudden, the fiery dice went into the middle of the clash before absorbing so much energy that it created a massive explosion, causing both duelists to scream as they fell off their duel boards and land on nearby buildings.
Blood Shepherd: 200 – 1300 = 0
Raguel: 1200 – 1300 = 0
"Ugh..." Raguel's ears rang for a few moments before he was able to hear sounds again.
"Yuhiro? Are you there? Yuhiro!" Roxy shouted through his earpiece.
"Yeah, I'm right here." Raguel answered, still stunned by the explosion that Maximum Bet caused. "Though I'll need a minute to get up."
"You won't need one." Blue Girl said, as she and the others landed where Raguel was. While Blue Girl put her left arm around his right shoulder, SengokuQueen put her right arm around Raguel's left shoulder.
"I'll admit it. You're the only one who managed to anger Blood Shepherd to a degree and end the duel in a draw." Ghost Girl stated to Raguel. The four of them then noticed Blood Shepherd struggling to get up on his feet before managing his balance.
"You... This is far from over..." Blood Shepherd growled. He would have said more, but his AI then spoke up.
"Sir, the trap has been set." Blood Shepherd's AI informed him.
"What perfect timing." Blood Shepherd's duel board then materialized beside him. "It looks like I'll be seeing you again sooner than expected, Raguel." He then jumped onto his duel board and sped away from the others.
"No. Get back here, Blood-!" Raguel began, only for him to nearly fall over.
"The duel took a bigger toll on you than expected. You should log out for now." Herald advised him. Raguel nodded before turning to the others.
"I have a bad feeling about what Blood Shepherd's planning, and it has to do with either myself, Playmaker, or Soulburner." Raguel told them. "Are you okay with assisting us in the real world? We can use a few more hackers."
"Since this is Blood Shepherd we're dealing with, I'll be more than happy to help." Ghost Girl confirmed.
"I may not be as good as a hacker, but I'll help you to the best of my ability." SengokuQueen promised.
Raguel turned to Blue Girl. "What about you, Blue Girl? You in on this?"
"I'm not sure if I'll be available." Blue Girl answered. "But if I am, then I'll help you anyway I can."
"Okay. Then let's get out of here." With that, everyone logged out.
At Café Matsuo, in the backroom...
Yuhiro panted as he slowly walked out of the closed space, worn out from his duel against Blood Shepherd. Roxy came over and caught him from falling.
"That duel really tired me out." Yuhiro admitted.
"A duel against Blood Shepherd would obviously do that." Roxy agreed. "I'm just glad he didn't kill you. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what I'd do in that situation."
"Well, I didn't die, so that's never gonna happen." Roxy helped Yuhiro walk over to the backroom before sitting in their respective seats.
"While you were away, I helped Kusanagi and the others continue finding out where the gate will likely appear next." Roxy informed Yuhiro. "When he told me a faster way to speed up the process, I laughed!"
"Is it because it was something neither of you thought of?" Yuhiro asked, a smile on his face. With what recently happened, it was good to find a small sense of humor.
"Partly. It's because a fifteen year old was able to find the answer to our dilemma!" Roxy answered. "Man, it goes to show how young minds have a fresh perspective on situations. Oh, and one last thing." She motioned over to the food on her right. "I had a feeling you'd want food after your duel. Which is why I made couscous for everyone!"
"I want some!" Herald said, with Progleo jumping out of the duel disk and landing on Yuhiro's lap.
"I think we have some more hungry mouths to feed." Yuhiro joked, as he and Roxy chuckled. So for the next few hours, the four of them ate their meals as they worked with Kusanagi and the others. Although it was a lot of work, they were able to make great progress thanks to Arashi's suggestion. Eventually, thanks to everyone collaborating, they were able to find the gate. A screen of Kusanagi, Takeru, Arashi, Yusaku then appeared moments later.
"Hey, check this out." Kusanagi told everyone. "The gate's reappeared, but in a different location. Way up here at the Archimedes Island. It's a section of LINK VRAINS that's still being built, so not many visitors go there."
"Well that's about to change." Ai said.
"It's imperative we arrive there first." Flame added with great importance.
"It'll be good to see Windy, that's for sure." Herald stated, wanting to find out more information from him.
"Then let's get going." Yusaku decided.
"Sure thing." Kusanagi replied, with Takeru and Arashi nodding.
"This mission will be your second test." Yusaku explained to Arashi. "I want to see how you manage yourself against our enemies, as well as how you adapt to unexpected situations."
"Seems like a fair test." Arashi responded, willing to get started. "The sooner we log into LINK VRAINS, the better."
"Right!" everyone else agreed. Yuhiro, Yusaku and Takeru entered their respective closed-off spaces in Café Nagi and Café Matsuo, while Arashi made do with a chair. The four duelists then took their decks out and inserted them into their respective duel disks.
"Deck Set! Into the VRAINS!"
In LINK VRAINS...
The four duelists landed on their respective duel boards before speeding towards their location.
"Look, there it is!" Ai said, pointing at the portal. "Hmm. Doesn't that portal look different than last time?"
"We should still go and check it out." Yusaku replied.
"If you like, I can analyze the gate to soothe your worries, Ai." Slipstream offered.
"That would be a good idea." Raguel agreed, nodding to Slipstream as he pressed a few buttons on his duel disk, causing a screen to appear as he typed in some combinations.
"Uh, guys." Slipstream's eyes widened underneath his mask. "I think we have a problem." At the same time, a 'Caution' alert appeared on the screens at Café Nagi and Café Matsuo.
"Wait. The Ignis didn't create that gate?" Kusanagi said, before realizing what it could be. "Guys, get out of there! It's a trap!"
"And I know who did it!" Roxy added. "Yuhiro, it's Blood Shepherd! He's-!"
SNAP!
Before Raguel could warn the others, the gate suddenly started to act like a wormhole, sucking them in.
"Hang on, Ai!" Playmaker told him.
"Hang on to what?!" Ai replied, obviously knowing he couldn't grab anything near them. Ai then noticed a silhouette inside the portal.
"Blood Shepherd set this trap!" Raguel informed the others. "We need to-!" The winds generated by the portal increased, pulling Playmaker in.
"Playmaker!" Soulburner exclaimed, concerned for his ally. Speeding to where he was, Soulburner knocked Playmaker and Raguel out of the way while Slipstream was able to get out of there in time. Sensing that it failed, the suction increased, preventing Soulburner from escaping and even pulling him off his duel board. He screamed as he was pulled through the portal.
"Soulburner!" Playmaker, Raguel, and Slipstream shouted. They watched in shock as the portal disappeared and was replaced by a large sphere cracking with blue lightning.
"Aw glitch! How are going to rescue him now?" Ai asked.
"I wish that I knew..." Playmaker responded, as he and the others orbited around the sphere.
Elsewhere, in LINK VRAINS...
"And done..." Gil announced, the information having been successfully downloaded into a USB drive. Taking it out, he then handed it over to Phoenix. "Sorry it took so long, but there was a lot of information that needed to be downloaded. Thus, our business is done."
"We appreciate your assistance, Gil." Stregone said. Before Phoenix could weigh in, an alarm popped up on the screen behind Gil.
"Oh dear." Gil went over to the screen and began typing to see what was going on. Multiple windows appeared on the screen, enabling everyone to look at them. One screen showed Soulburner being sucked into a portal while Playmaker, Raguel, and Slipstream orbited around the large sphere that cracked with blue lightning. "It seems that Soulburner fell into Blood Shepherd's trap..."
"That's the new duelist that appeared in the network." Phoenix realized. When he looked at the other screen, his eyes widened in horror. "No way..."
"Phoenix, what's-?" Stregone stopped speaking when he looked at the second screen. It showed Go Onizuka speeding towards the portal's location. "Go, how could you..."
"Looks like Go Onizuka's not giving on that bounty hunter gig anytime soon." Gil said, turned to the others. Another screen popped up, which showed the other bounty hunters. "And the other bounty hunters are closing in on that same location."
"We have to help Raguel and the others!" Phoenix immediately decided, turning to Stregone.
"And what about Go Onizuka?" Stregone questioned back. "This may be the only chance to turn him from this path."
"Thus bringing you to an impasse." Gil finished, getting their attention. "You can choose to help Raguel and the others, or stop Go Onizuka from pursuing this path as a bounty hunter. While I have full confidence that Raguel and the others can handle themselves, if you think they need your assistance, I won't stop either of you." He then narrowed his eyes. "But be honest with yourselves. Do you really want to miss an opportunity to remind Go of who he once was? Because based on recent events, it's clear something's coming, and you'll need all the allies you can get."
Phoenix narrowed his eyes, contemplating this information. While he did say that recent events occurred, it never occurred to him of what they may lead to. Thus, Gil's comment made sense. They'll need as many allies they can get. Turning to Stregone, he said, "Let's go after Go."
Stregone smiled. "You made the right choice."
"The route to Go Onizuka will be long." Gil explained, a screen popping up to show them the route. "But if you follow this route, you'll be able to catch up to him in no time."
"Thank you, Gil." Phoenix replied. "You've been a great help."
Gil, in response, shrugged his shoulders. "It's the least I can do to help you guys out further. Oh, and allow me to give the both of you a head start." Before the duo could question Gil what he meant, he pulled a lever nearby, activating a spring trap that sprung them out of the theater. He then turned to the screens. "If things get hectic from here on out, I may need to get involved in this debacle."
As for Stregone and Phoenix, they were sent flying into the sky, and they would have fell to the ground had the both of them not landed on their duel boards.
"According to this map, Go's got seventy percent to go until he reaches the location Raguel and the others are at." Phoenix said.
"Then let's intercept Go before it's too late." Stregone responded, as the two of them increased their speed on their duel boards. Don't worry Go, he thought. You may have given up on yourself, but we won't give up on the man you once were. This I promise.
A light shines and the letters spelling out VRAINS light up the screen before a network is formed and several cards are drawn in towards a pillar of light. Playmaker, Raguel, and Soulburner are shown with their respective Ignis and stats, along with real-life forms that across the backgrounds that match their Ignis' colors. The screen then shows each of them being shocked while wearing VR sets as kids, along with Arashi.
The screen gets swallowed with darkness at it reveals a young Yukage huddled up and crying, his shadow shrinking behind him before taking the form of Wraith and comforting him. Yukage looks up with a menacing and soul piercing glare before the darkness consumes him and he's replaced with an older version of himself. Azrael and Wraith are then shown in NEW LINK VRAINS, as they look out into the digital sky. The scene then shifts to Bohman standing tall above NEW LINK VRAINS and holding the earth in his hands with Haru by his side. Malf grins in the shadows behind them, his red eyes shining bright in the process.
A drop of light falls down, and as it explodes, it reveals Playmaker, Raguel, and Soulburner, standing on buildings watching over the network, along with Slipstream as well. Blood Shepherd is shown commanding a trio of Battledrone Sergeants before the screen shifts to Drachen, who is shown commanding Red-Eyes Black Dragon. The screen then shifts a third time to Electrolyzer, where above him was PSY-Frame Driver, with PSY-Framegears Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta. The screen then shows Go Onizuka, Kenmochi, and Yoroizaka with Dinowrestler King T Wrextle, Gouki the Blade Ogre, and Gouki the Solid Ogre behind them ready for battle.
Blue Girl, Ghost Girl, Numera and SengokuQueen are then featured together riding their duel boards across the night sky with shooting stars flying across them. Trickstar Holly Angel was with Blue Angel, while Numera was with Geomathmech Final Sigma. Ghost Girl was with Altergeist Dragvirion, while SengokuQueen was with a male shinobi wearing grey robes and armor pads with neon-yellow lines running over them. The man had a red scarf around his neck, along with a face-mask and face visor on his head. He also had spiked-brown hair and a ponytail as well. In his right hand, he carried a Sai, while the brass knuckle on his left hand emitted four translucent blades.
The screen then changes to Raguel, Playmaker, and Soulburner riding on their duel boards with Cyreath Medusa and Cyreath Hercules in his new form, Cyberse Magician, Cyberse Witch, and Salamangreat Heatleo behind them. Following the trio is Slipstream and Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. The four of them join together with a fist bump and smile in the real world as the wind blows, with Kusanagi, Roxy, and Greg watching them from Kusanagi's truck. Rachel then runs toward the quartet, and more specifically, Yuhiro, a look of joy clearly on her face. Unbeknownst to everyone, they're watched from the shadows by a cloaked person who glares at them, biding his time.
Card Gallery
Blood Shepherd:
Drone Supplier (LV: 1/Machine/Wind/ATK: 0/DEF: 0)
Effect: If this card is used as Link Material for the Link Summon of a 'Drone' monster: You can Set one 'Drone' Spell or Trap card from your deck to your Spell & Trap card zone. You can only activate 1 'Drone Supplier' effect per turn.
Infandrone Brigadier (LV: 4/Ritual/Machine/Earth/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000)
Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card using 'Drone Force Ritual'. When this card is Ritual Summoned: You can target 1 'Drone' Link Monster your control: Inflict damage to your opponent by 300 times its Link Rating. Once per turn: You can target 1 'Drone' Link Monster you control; equip that monster with this card, and if you do, it gains the following effect:
When this card battles a monster your opponent controls, it loses ATK equal to this card's Link Rating times 300.
Drone Helicarrier (Field Spell card)
Effect: When this card is activated: You can add 1 'Drone' monster from your deck to your hand. Each time a 'Drone' monster is Normal or Special Summoned: You can place 1 'Drone' counter on this card. Once per turn: You can remove 'Drone' counters from this card to activate one of these effects:
2. Special Summon 1 'Drone' monster from your deck.
4. Target 1 'Drone' monster on your field; it can attack your opponent directly this turn.
6. Inflict 200 damage to your opponent for each 'Drone' monster in your GY.
8. Immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 'Drone' Link Monster from your Extra Deck by using 'Drone' monsters from your hand or side of your field.
10. Destroy all cards your opponent controls. If you activate this effect, your opponent takes no battle damage for the rest of the turn.
Drone Supercharge (Normal Spell card)
Effect: When this card is activated: You can target 1 'Drone' Link Monster on your field; it gains 500 ATK for each 'Drone' card in your GY with a different name, except this card. During the End Phase, if this effect was applied to the targeted monster, it's destroyed and you take damage equal to its original ATK.
Drone Force Ritual (Quick-Play Spell card)
Effect: When a 'Drone' monster you control is destroyed by battle or card effect, you can: Immediately after this effect resolves, Ritual Summon 1 'Drone' Ritual Monster from your hand by tributing 'Drone' monsters from your hand or field whose total levels equal or exceed the Level of the 'Drone' Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. If you control a 'Drone' Link Monster: You can tribute 1 'Drone' Link Monster with a different name from your Extra Deck instead. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to either of these effects.
Drone Insight (Normal Trap card)
Effect: When this card is activated: You can send 1 'Drone' monster from your deck to your GY; destroy all monsters your opponent controls. If you control a 'Drone' Link Monster and 'Drone Helicarrier' is in your Field Card Zone: You can target that monster; place 'Drone' counters on 'Drone Helicarrier' equal to its Link Rating. You can only activate 1 'Drone Insight' once per turn.
Link Minefield (Continuous-Trap card)
Effect: While this card is face-up on your field, each time a Link Monster is Link Summoned: The Summoning player takes 500 damage.
Raguel:
Cyreath Dolos (LV: 4/Cyberse/Ritual/Dark/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1000)
Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card using 'Cyreath Ceremony'. While this card is on the field, any effect damage you would take is inflicted to your opponent instead. If this card attacks you opponent directly and inflicts battle damage: You can banish 1 card from your opponent's field or GY. You can only use this effect of 'Cyreath Dolos' once per turn.
Maximum Bet (Normal Trap card)
Effect: When either player attacks with a monster they control: Roll a dice, and have both players call out a number. If the dice lands on either player's declared number, their monster has its ATK doubled until the End Phase. If the dice lands on a number neither player called out, both players take battle damage from the attack.
Gil Ariba:
Abyss Actors' Great Escape (Normal Trap card)
Effect: When your opponent's monster battles an 'Abyss Actor' you control: You can negate that attack, and if you do, shuffle that monster into your Extra Deck. You can only use each effect of 'Abyss Actors' Great Escape' once per turn.
Abyss Actors' Chains of Tragedy (Continuous-Trap card)
Effect: When this card is activated: You can target one monster your opponent controls; it cannot attack, nor activate its effects while this card is on the field. If this Set card is destroyed by your opponent's card effect and you have a face-up 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum Monster face-up in your Extra Deck: You can shuffle one 'Abyss Actor' Pendulum Monster from your Extra Deck into your deck, and if you do, Set this card in your Spell & Trap card zone. You can only use each effect of 'Abyss Actors' Chains of Tragedy' once per turn.
Phoenix:
Temple of Nephthys (Field Spell card)
Effect: When this card is activated: You can add 1 'Rebirth of Nephthys' and one 'Nephthys' Ritual Monster from your deck to your hand. If you Ritual Summon a 'Nephthys' Ritual Monster and 'Rebirth of Nephthys' is in your Graveyard: You can shuffle that card into your deck, and if you do, add 'Nephthys' cards with different names from your deck to your hand equal to the number of monsters Tributed to Ritual Summon this turn. You can only use this effect of 'Temple of Nephthys' once per turn.
QOTC
What do you think of Raguel and Blood Shepherd's new cards? Also, who here was surprised with Gil's story? Lastly, of the two duels, which one do you like?
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth. Chapter 54: Attack of the Bounty Hunters. Soulburner has fallen into Blood Shepherd's trap, shocking Playmaker, Slipstream and Raguel. Intent on freeing their captive ally, Slipstream immediately works with Roxy and Kusanagi on creating a program that will hack into Blood Shepherd's trap. At the same time, SOL Technologies' bounty hunters arrive at their location, forcing the trio to face off against them...
Chapter 55: A Friend in Need. Thanks to the information provided by Gil, Stregone and Phoenix pursue Go Onizuka, stopping him from joining up with the other bounty hunters. With hope in his heart, Stregone challenges Go to a duel, intent on helping him return to who he once was...
Author's Notes
Grateful to HunterHQ for Duel Reading this chapter. While the two duels were the main highlight of this chapter, there was also some other stuff that occurred as well. That being said, I'll break it up so you can understand it.
First up is the duel between Raguel and Blood Shepherd. I wanted to show how Blood Shepherd responds to defeat, which is by incorporating new cards and strategies that'll ensure victory the next time he duels. That being said, he used a Field Spell in Drone Helicarrier, added another Anti-Link card called Link Minefield, a Trap card called Drone Insight, and a Spell card called Drone Supercharge if needed to finish the duel off. We also get to see Blood Shepherd's new Ritual Monster called Infandrone Brigadier, with the first part being a combination of Infantry and Drone. Thanks to incorporating these cards, Blood Shepherd was able to counter Raguel's moves, with him responding to return because he analyzed Blood Shepherd's previous duel against Playmaker. Another thing to point out. While Revolver and the Light Ignis were able to make Blood Shepherd slightly snap, Raguel was the one who managed to fully make him snap, to the point where he wanted to kill Raguel himself. Just goes to show that even the most tactical duelists can lose their cool if things don't work out the way they intended.
Next is the duel between the new Abysstainer, whose name is Gil Ariba, and Phoenix. Gil's appearance is based off of Gil-Kun from Fate/Kaleid liner Prisma Illya. Compared to Gilgamesh from Fate/Stay Night, who was just as interesting, I found Gil-Kun to be like a wildcard. That's why I decided to base Gil Ariba's appearance off of him. A little story for Gil: Seven years ago, his father abandoned him to Athaliah's mercy in exchange for classified information he can sell as an information broker on the Black Market. Once Project: Apotheosis was shut down, he was taken in by a lady who taught him programming and how to master his new abilities. Gil used these tools to track down and prevent his father from escaping before alerting the authorities, thus throwing him to the wolves. Compared to Rachel, who had a happy outcome, Gil didn't exactly have the best outcome from Project: Apotheosis. While he has an easygoing attitude and acts innocently like a child, it's clear that the trauma affected his personality by making him sarcastic and having a large ego. Despite this, he has the common sense to realize this during the duel's conclusion.
For this duel, I originally planned for Gil to defeat Phoenix, but eventually decided for Phoenix to defeat him. Why? It shows his growth as a duelist by analyzing his deck further and connecting his cards together. There's a comparison I want to show you between both characters. While Gil's resentful of what his father did to him, Phoenix was able to move past his mother's death and forgive his father for the role he played, enabling him to continue enjoying his life. Do you think Gil will forgive his dad for what he did to him? You'll have to read on and find out for yourself. I also have another question. Do you think Phoenix winning a duel was a bit rushed? Let me know what you think, as I didn't want his first victory to be against a fodder cannon like Bitboot.
Lastly, there was the events that occurred in the anime, with Soulburner falling into Blood Shepherd's trap. The only difference was that Blood Shepherd told Raguel about this earlier, and by the time everyone realized what was going on, it was too late. I also added a new scene where Gil points Stregone and Phoenix in the direction Go Onizuka's going, enabling them to catch up to him. Do you think Gil will play a more prominent role in the chapters to come? Let me know your thoughts.
Lastly, if you're interested in becoming a Duel Reader, let me know in your reviews and I'll reach out through a PM with the rules.
So without further ado, I want to thank everyone for reading Chapter 53 of Obscured Truth. As always, please let me know your thoughts about the chapters below in your reviews. Also, constructive criticism is appreciated, as your tips and advice helps make the story better. In addition, don't forget to favorite and follow the story. That way, you will get a notification once the next chapter is released.
What did you enjoy the most about this chapter? The duels? Gil's story? Or something else?
That's all for now. Stay tuned, as the attack of the bounty hunters begins next chapter!
