Comment Corner:
shadowdark7: That would be an interesting way to look at it, but she's most definitely not. She really does doesn't she? Well she does have the Yu in her name so…
White War Crewmate: Ah IV, truly a YuGiOh! Character of all time. Well, bet this wasn't what you expected to happen.
Voidicus: They mean new cards to print for Konami probably.
Zet4: Thanks for reading! Here's the next chapter!
XelaZagity: Yep she definitely had it. And everyone else really did make it worse, yes. Well you know, hindsight 20/20 and all that.
yann0406: Thanks for reading! Here's the next chapter!
A Synchron Fan: It certainly is a gimmicky deck. Yea lists did essentially nothing to it, thanks Konami. That was indeed a bad decision on their part, but hey, hindsight is 20/20. Yea she was doing fine and all, and she definitely could have won that, but then… ah well, who knows. Nah it's fine, it was a very accurate dissection of how the duel went, this format really is hell. Sadly they most likely will not. Eh who knows~
AkumaESPer: Well, modern Shark cards will make writing combo lines more easier since I'm more familiar with them, but I'm trying to limit most 'anime' duelists to only cards that are out during the show's run, with notable exceptions. Ah true, that too is hell. The salt is in people actually pulling the actual cardboard and either bricking or drawing the out. Well, you know… when you rarely do tag duels… F for Shark though, kek.
Keldeox: Got to put in that flashback somewhere.
Pjo crossovers: If he gets to duel him that is.
magostera: This isn't new and improved, this is like, two new cards lmao. But in any case, it is one of the most consistent and handtrap resistant FTK decks, thank for printing the Field Spell Konami, banlist be damned. I actually had a hard time deciding which effect to use for Giant Grinder because the anime and the actual card has totally different effect, but then chose the actual card with no MP1 restriction, because it is bad. Well, we'll know when it gets to him again.
Guest: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Shadow Guest: Cool, you don't really have to anyway, the only character that really is from ZEXAL is just IV lmao. Probably won't.
Kingofbots: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Nightmare locking is really something that only Branded does sadly, big oopsie by the others just generally sadly. Well, we'll see when he duels IV! And nope he has not.
Peter Kim: Glad you have opinions on them then, probably not anytime soon. She could, but it has been a while since she had watched them hasn't it?
I own what I own.
Which apparently includes,
A Link that I have for some reason:
https/ PandorasJailofCreativity/membership?view_as=patron
Discord Link that I have for some reason:
https/ /4bg8TRm2Gk
Twitter that I have for some reason:
https/mobile. / pandorajail
Shout out to Zeranion, pyro stick figure 76 and a special thanks to 13arabba who actually paid for , along with the people on the discord who helped with the chapter.
Note that this work is also crossposted on Webnovel, AO3, and Space Battles, all because I hate myself lmao.
Have an anime duel featuring anime cards lmao.
Trading Game
48th Pack
Marshalling Field.
"IV!"
"Hmph… who are you again?" The scarred duelist said with a tilt of his head, before realisation seemed to flash in his eyes as he showed a mocking smile. "Oh! You're that one aren't you? I remember now! Kamishiro Ryoga was it?"
"You! IV!" Yet the dark blue haired duelist couldn't seem to form proper words, anger clouding his thoughts as he faced the teen who merely laughed at him.
"Well if it isn't a surprise! I didn't think I'd meet you again after… oh it has been quite long that I don't even remember!" He said with a laugh, shrugging as he shook his head. And then eyed the teen with his deep purple eyes.
"Although, I do still remember. How's your sister doing?" He asked.
"You!" Shark roared. "YOU DARE!"
"Well of course I do! Who do you think I am, Ryoga?" He said with a laugh, a hand on his chest and a manic smile to mirror the one of pure rage that Shark had. And he extended his left hand out, "Now, then. What kind of person would I be if I didn't oblige? I'll give you a grand fanse-"
Only for the duel disk attached to his forearm to vibrate, causing him to stop as he pulled it close to himself. And as he looked towards it, the smile that the scarred duelist had disappeared entirely. "Tch. What a mood killer."
And the hand fell limply to his said with a click of his tongue, as the blonde duelist glanced at the blue haired one and said. "It seems that I'll have to hold back in putting you in your place."
"What?" And that declaration took the wind off of Ryoga's sails, briefly stunning him as he watched the formally dressed Asia Champion turn and showed his back to him.
"We'll settle our matters another time." He said, not even looking at him as he began to walk away. And that snapped Shark back to action as he ran towards him with a shout.
"Wait! Don't think you can run you bastard!" He roared, hand outstretched to reach towards him, but barely missing as a mass of people rushed towards him.
Or rather, rushing past him.
"Oh my god it's IV-Sama!"
"Wait for real! OH MY GOD IT IS HIM!"
"Is he here for the World Duel Carnival!? Oh I don't care, please sign my shirt!"
A crowd of fans dashed from the woodworks of the amusement part upon seeing IV, creating a human wall between him and Shark all while the scarred duelist continued to make his way away from here.
"Wait! Damn you, get off!" The dark haired teen said, shoving people from around him as he tried to reach towards the target of his rage to no avail. "Come back here IV! IV!" He roared, his words never reaching him as it was drowned by the noise of the amusement park.
"Then we picked ourselves up and left. And that's kinda what happened." Allen told her over the phone, and she noted all of the little details that Sayaka had to remind him, having notably missed them in his retelling.
"I see, thank you." She said, fully meaning so as she continued her walk, going through a central part of the Heartland City in her normal guise of red hat and paired jacket. And taking a moment to briefly pause.
"Are you sure that you're all alright?" She asked, her voice going lower, biting her own lip as she held herself close. She didn't think that they would run into someone like IV nor did she even think that he was here.
Something that she should have noticed the moment that the Numbers Hunt began, really. Because that meant that even though the Numbers Hunt only required 99 cards, it said that there was a possibility for the Over Hundred Numbers to be out there.
Which, of course. Brought out even more problems. Barians and all that.
She could already feel a small headache start forming when she thought of dealing with that interdimensional space mess on top of the other interdimensional space mess that she was already dealing with.
"Psh, I told you already we're fine-ow! Quit it that hurts!" The brown haired teen's voice raised from the other side of the call. "Anyway, like I said, we're fine! But uh, since we kinda lost all our points to that IV guy we kinda…"
"No, that's fine. I understand." She spoke, shaking her head even though she knew that the boy couldn't see it. The trio's defeat at IV's hand didn't just end at merely a loss of their points, but the strike of the multiple Numbers Monsters had also taken a toll on them physically. It would be troublesome if they tried to duel in their current condition.
Which meant that, for all intents and purposes, Allen, Sayaka, and Myu had all been eliminated from the World Duel Carnival.
"You've all already helped a bunch, and I honestly can't thank you all enough if I'm being honest." She said over the phone, once again thanking the three of them for all of their help. Though she was only on the phone with Allen currently, she knew that he would pass the message along.
"Well what are friends for yeah? We wanted to help anyway. But i guess, I should probably go back to bed before Sayaka smacks me for not resting. Knowing her she'd somehow be able to manifest in my room just to do that;." the brown haired teen said, shuddering at the very thought.
She chuckled at that. "That does sound like something she would do." She said, shaking her head. "Well, get well soon then." She said as she hung up on the call, moving the duel disk away from her ear, yet still holding it in her hand as she stared into it.
She stared right into the small screen on a circular panel on top of a longer rectangle, it fits inside her palm while also large enough that it was perfect in size for her forearm.
She took the time to marvel at the device, something that she hadn't done since many years ago after she received the first duel disk ever in this life. Seeing just how different it was in design with the ones that That Man had made the norm back at that place, before sighing as she attached it back on her left hand. Strapping it onto her forearm before she continued on.
The sun had already fallen, the moon was soon to rise from twilight as hours passed since the start of the World Duel Carnival. And she had been rushed by people ever since it had started.
The moment that the announcement was made she had done her best to listen, to understand exactly how this tournament that she would need to join works.
And then proceeded to blanch at the absolute insanity that Mr. Heartland had spewed out of his mouth.
It was insanity, it was a mess, it was a way to run a tournament that would have every single member of the staff pull their hairs in managing how the tournament would even work. A city wide tournament was one thing, but a battle royal?
The man, Mr. Heartland, obvious antagonist even if she couldn't remember much of the story of ZEXAL, claimed that they would be watching the duelists to make sure that rules violation would be subsequently punished. As in, they are always watching each and every duelist and their duels to make sure that no such thing happen.
Which was most certainly not ominous and was only said in the kindest of ways.
Yeah no, it was obvious in many ways that this World Duel Carnival was suspicious, the sudden advancement in schedule was already a large red flag after all. And while duel disks normally do have a prevention measure that prevents anyone from cheating, including a warning system for illegal plays and all that, human error is still fallible.
The battle royal rules that Mr. Heartland explained was most certainly exploitable, she's experienced it just earlier with how people kept just challenging her right in the middle of an already ongoing duel, artificially lengthening a duel which she had in technicalities already won.
All because of the tournament system deciding that their point system would be based on the win-loss ratio that someone has recorded on their duel disk. And considering her's was a relatively brand new one with only a handful of lossless when she was sparring with Anna, it decided that she was the 'Bounty Duelist'.
Which made quite a lot of people target her as someone that they needed to defeat. To the point where they would even team up with one another, even though only one of them would get the points for defeating her.
She was glad that she had already gotten Boss Stage onto the field at that point, as every entry meant that she'd just keep triggering the Field Spell to summon monsters onto the field. Though she was briefly worried of actually running out of names to summon. Though thankfully it never got to that point.
In the process however, she did manage to nack a handful of Numbers from their clearly possessed users. She was sure that they would be better without them, hopefully the police would handle their unconscious bodies.
In other news, she was quite sure that she was gaining notoriety as someone who carries unconscious people to the local police stations. Though what other rumours are spread around about that, she had no idea.
Well, better for them to find her rather than Kaito, God knows that the Numbers Hunter would just leave them to rot.
But Allen's call on their situation brought a whole new problem along with it, one that she had thought wouldn't matter at all when dealing with the Numbers and hunting all 99 of them down.
That is, the Arclight family. More specifically, Tron and his three sons.
Allen, Myu, and Sayaka had somehow met with IV, and though their loss was saddening, and rather infuriating after she had gotten the details out of the brown haired teen, it gave her valuable information.
Because IV's involvement meant that III, V, and subsequently Tron was no doubt also in play. And knowing that they were here, meant that they would most likely make their way through the World Duel carnival.
Well, IV at least will most likely. A brief search showed that the teen was very accomplished for one his age, having several championships under his belt, the National Duel Circuit, T.F.E. Tournament, Mini Surf Expert Match, along with most notably the Asia Duelists Championship.
The first one was the most notable for her however, as further digging unearthed the fact that his opponent for the finals of that tournament was none other than one Kamishiro Ryoga, who lost by default due to disqualification.
Curious, extremely so. Because though she barely remembered it, it sounded extremely familiar.
But enough about the Gimmick Puppet duelist that managed to somehow manage to get tops without any sort of support cards, a miracle in its own right, she didn't really have the time to care about him. No matter how much she does want to knock him right in the face for the pain he inflicted onto her friends.
That could come later, his mere existence implies Tron's as well. And that meant that she'll have to deal with him in the near future, which was problematic in its own way.
So there's that, and then there's also the obviously corrupt World Duel Carnival.
Because surprise, surprise, apparently most tournaments that were run in this world didn't need the duelists to send in their decklists. She didn't know why, apparently everyone would definitely follow what banlists exists and won't even entertain the thought of cheating, but they apparently don't need those.
So for a tournament to need one was already strange. One could say that it was a world level tournament, so of course they would have increased their security measures. Especially because it's in a battle royal format.
But then if you were to know that the people who were behind the wheels of the World Duel Carnival were also the same people who were searching for the scattered Numbers Monsters, well…
Things would start to click now wouldn't they?
With how the bounty system works, the ones working behind the scenes would always know where any particular duelists are. And with having the deck lists of every duelist in the tournament, then that meant that they would know the location of every Numbers possible in the tournament.
And with how those Numbers cards possessing people makes people more aggressive, and essentially making them want to duel, then of course they would enter the currently ongoing tournament.
"So getting all of the Numbers is just a waiting game now then." She sighed, looking up at the futurist buildings surrounding her, and the many shining lights that shone as the light of the sun became dimmer and dimmer.
And she then thought of the rules of the battle royal too, the specific 2000 Life Point cost on entry is too specific. And she didn't think that this was merely something that the tournament staffs made up on the spot either. For some reason, it felt familiar.
And that bothered her. An itch that she couldn't seem to scratch.
Was it merely just a coincidence? She didn't know, and that worries her.
She could hear people talking, others whispering as they pointed and glanced towards her, some being duelists that she had already beaten earlier and shied away from her. She huffed at seeing that. They didn't have to act that way around her, they were the one that essentially ganged up against her and lost.
And she watched as the clock strikes 5, and the giant blimp flying high above the sky made another announcement.
"GOOOOOOD EVENING, PEOPLE OF HEARTLAND!"
The shout of Mr. Heartland resounded throughout the entire city, the man spreading his arms wide as his signature smile beamed. The cane in his hand spun as he spoke, "I hope that you all are having a wonderful time today, because the World Duel Carnival is just beginning!"
The man stopped his spinning cane with a twist of his hand, tapping it into the ground as he continued. "Today's preliminary round is only halfway done! And yet we already have duelists shining brightly among the other duelists!"
He raised his left hand and snapped his fingers, and a giant screen burst onto the scene right beside him. The man threw his cane up, catching it with his other hand as he then gestured towards the screen. "And now I, Mr. Heartland, will present to you, the three great duelists that have distinguished themselves so far!" He shouted, his hand raising three fingers as he said so.
And tapped his cane once more, as the screen beside him began to shine and flicker. "Now behold! The three duelists who had gathered more points than anyone else!" He declared, flourishing his hand as the screen then showed a figure.
"On to the first one! He is a great duelist with fans all around the world, the Asia Dueling Champion himself! With 444 points! Give it up for IV!" Mr. Heartland shouted the name as the screen showed a formal dress wearing teen, his hair being a shade of blonde and dark brown. His purple eyes light and kind even as a cross shaped crass ran through the right side of his face.
"And what a surprise it is! That the Asia Champion himself would place at the third spot for the most points!" The stylishly dressed man said solemnly with a shake of his head, while beside him, the screen showed IV and his adoring fans, along with brief shots of him in his duels with a kind smile. Before Mr. Heartland raised his head again to flash a smile.
"But! That simply shows that even a champion like himself is even struggling! That this is the level that the World Duel Carnival is!" He shouted with a wave of his cane, letting the fact sink in for those who watched him before he then continued.
"And next up, in second place!" Mr. Heartland said, as the screen flickered once again. "An unrelenting genius! A duelist born and raised in Heartland who has defeated all the foes in his path! With 462 points! Give it up for Kaito Tenjo!"
And with a flourish, the man presented the figure that was revealed on the screen, revealing a blonde haired teen with a spikes of green at the front of his head akin to that of a crown. The image shows his pale green eyes glaring forward as he held a small frown, garbed in a dark blue and black trenchcoat with an inner red shown in his collar.
"This Genius Boy managed to barely wrangle the current second place spot from our dear Asia Champion! Having a mere 18 point lead ahead of IV, how fierce!" He said as he gripped a fist in front of himself, all while the screen showed brief duels featuring the blonde teen single handedly defeating his foes. The fearsome form of a galactical dragon at his command striking a powerful image.
"The spot for second and third are neck and neck! Oh dear, just thinking about it is already making my heart burst!" He said with flourish, placing a hand at where his heart would be.
"Heart Burning!" He shouted, raising both of his arms high and wide, head arched back and eyes closed. Only for him to open them again and send a wink straight forward, as he then put on a confused look.
"Oh? But that was only two of them wasn't it? My oh my! We're still missing one!" He said as he placed a palm on top of his head fancily, his mouth opening and making an 'o' before he shook his head, spun in place and gestured back towards the screen once again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Heartland City and duelists from all around the world! I present to you, the duelist currently in first place!" He shouted, as the screen beside him began to shine and flicker as the image of Kaito changed.
"A stranger that appeared out of nowhere! An unknown duelist with an unknown past! A wonder Mystery Duelist, who scored 700 points!" And he presented the screen once more. "The ever mysterious Red Hat!"
And the figure that appeared on the screen was one whose face wasn't even revealed. For their entire features were hidden under the red hat that they wore, along with the long red jacket that shadowed their figure.
"A contestant that came out of nowhere and stole the spotlight! What a surprise! What strength! What power!" So the man declared as the screen showed glimpses of the Red Hat's duels, of them being surrounded by a whole group of duelists, and fast forwarding to see them winning against them all.
And the man twirled the cane in his hand once again. "And oh what an amazing performance! To be able to face the odds and win them all, truly! This mysterious duelist is a force to be reckoned with!" He shouted, spreading his arms wide as the screen zoomed in to the image of the figure, their signature red hat masking their features.
"Ladies and gentlemen! These three great duelists are the current top three duelists of the first round of the World Duel Carnival!" Mr. Heartland declared, the image on the screen beside him switching to the profile of the three duelists, along with a number right next to them indicating their current position, along with their points.
"And that's all for this broadcast! Be sure to tune in for more information on the World Duel Carnival! Heart~ Burning!"
She watched as the broadcast proceeded to end, and for it to then be replayed again as Mr. Heartland once more gave his spiel.
She stood with mouth agape as she heard him explain once again, that she had somehow managed to steal the first spot of the tournament, by complete accident of people trying to duel her.
She could feel the headache that she was having slowly turn into a migraine. And she felt more eyes on her than ever as she heard people's whispers grew louder and louder.
"Okay that's enough of this." She muttered aloud as she turned around to leave, only to see a group of people walking towards her, blocking her way.
"Hey you're Red Hat right? The one that Mr. Heartland said was first place?" Their leader said, looking at her and appraising her, eyes trailing up and down. "Hmph, you don't look like much." He said with a huff, while the others behind him nodded their heads.
"Hey so if I beat you, that means that I get to be in first place right?" He said, pointing towards her. She kept silent as she inwardly groaned, while he instead clicked his tongue. "Not much of a talker huh? Well that's fine by me! Even if you pretend to act cool, I'll still beat you up no problem!"
And as he activated his duel disk while others watched and cheered. She resisted the urge to face palm and groan publicly as she activated her own duel disk and complied.
He really shouldn't be that surprised to see his friend in the giant screen before him, yet for some reason it felt wrong when he saw Kaito's face on there. Maybe it was the fact that he hadn't seen him in a while, but Yuto would admit that the look that Kaito had unnerved him.
"I'd never seen him so… angry." He spoke breathlessly, watching the screen showcase the short few glimpses of the blonde boy's matches, and saw the different figures of cards that he had never seen before.
Shun had said that Kaito had changed, he even saw him himself in that short confrontation. But in that short span of time, in the short span of time that was barely over a month, he hadn't thought that Kaito would change so much.
That Red Hat person, it took him far too long to figure out that they were a girl, something that he didn't dare to tell Ruri or the others because they would no doubt tease him for it, had briefly hinted that there was something going on, but what, he didn't know.
But if there was something that he could tell, it was that Red Hat was strong. Incredibly so. Whether or not she was stronger than Kaito was irrelevant, they were working together after all, though for what he didn't know.
But… he didn't really know what to do about it all.
He thought about it hard, but with him not even knowing what the problem was that turned Kaito like this, how was he even supposed to help?
So, he dedicated to find out. First off by trying to find out more about the Numbers cards that the Red Hat used, her's was the Number… 39 was it? So that probably meant that there were others out there, and he decided to see what others could tell him about it.
Shun told him that Kaito had one of them too, so there were definitely more of them, so he went and tried to find out as much as he could about it. From rumours and the like from other children at the orphanages or other students in general.
The latter he couldn't really contact that much since the World Duel Carnival was coming close he couldn't really contact them much in person. Everyone was busy around this time after all, but he still asked around nonetheless.
But he did get a lead! There were apparently rumours of duelists coming around with extremely strong cards. Talking about how they were indestructible and unbeatable, along with how vicious their duels are. And how some of them would steal cards from the duelists that they defeat.
Adding in the other unsavoury rumour that a suspicious person has been found bringing defeated and unconscious duelists to the authorities? Well, it certainly doesn't paint a nice picture.
One that was incredibly worrisome. Because Kaito was involved in it. That he could possibly be one of the duelists who was beating others and-and stealing their cards.
It was… very much worrying.
So he decided to get to the bottom of it. There was bound to be a connection to this, there has to be. So he decided to warn everyone, sending a message to Ruri and the others about the Numbers, and what dangers that they have.
Though he hasn't been able to see Allen and Sayaka and warn them about it, he hoped that Allen at least read his message about it. He heard that they have been busy lately helping out their new friend. What was her name, Yuma? Yuuna?
He heard that she was nice. And a strong duelist too. He would have loved to meet her at one point, though maybe in a better circumstance, when one of his friends isn't running around terrorising others.
And he was about to go out and find out more about these Number Monsters, really he was! He was out and about trying to find out anything about the Numbers card and the like, thought for the most part all that he got was the buzz about people coming from all around the world for the World Duel Carnival.
Some of them were nice, like the nice red haired man who was quite headstrong and looked quite intimidating but was kind. And the black and purple haired lady who accompanied him was cool and composed. They said that they were here for the tournament as well, he hoped that they would do well, maybe they could even meet each other again.
But then suddenly…all of this dropped.
He did say he was prepared for the World Duel Carnival, but not for it to suddenly start out all this sudden! He had to scrap away all of the plans that he had for the rest of the day to make sure that he wouldn't miss it! And right after that he was busy with dealing with other duelists trying to take his points!
And now… now there was this too! He should have expected Kaito to be in the tournament, but second place! Over that famous Asia Champion of all people too! He knew that he was talented, but this was a whole new level that he'd never seen of him!
Then she was there too, in first place of all places! Ranking higher than Kaito! Even calling herself Red Hat instead of using her actual name. He knew that she was strong but not this strong.
"But… this is also an opportunity." He said as he glanced down towards his hand, and the looked up towards the screen high on the building wall right on time for it to show Kaito's figure.
Kaito was here, participating in this tournament, and placing quite well by the looks of it, then that meant that there was a chance for them to meet if he also did well.
He couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at that. "So in the end of the day, what I have to do is to win huh?" His resolve grew stronger as he said the words aloud, and a new goal was set.
If he keeps winning, there was a chance that he would meet Kaito. Most definitely not now at the preliminary stages, what would the chances be for them to meet while he was running around gathering those points? But maybe, if he made it past then…
This World Duel Carnival is most certainly different than any before it. He knows that this tournament specifically has always been different, their format has always changed to keep duelists guessing, but this battle royal has taken the cake.
"If I can get past the preliminary round then…" It would be hard, undoubtedly so. But didn't he and Shun planned to enter the tournament in the first place to see how far they have grown? To see how far they can go against actual professional duelists?
And if… if he were to somehow win it all, then…
Just thinking about it already brought a shiver down his spine, he had to hold himself from jittering in excitement. The thought of challenging himself by fighting against a strong duelist, of facing them head on in a grand stage like the one under Heartland Tower. All while the crowd cheered and chanted while wishing for more.
He frowned, for some reason the last part didn't sound that appealing. Though he didn't know why.
But in any case, he now has a goal that he needs to achieve. It would be hard, most definitely, but if he wanted to know what happened to Kaito, wanted to find out what's going on with his friend…
"Then I'll have to do my best." He said to himself as he took a deep breath, and went on to go find duelists to challenge.
Perhaps it was destiny. Perhaps it was fate. Perhaps it was the machinations of something else.
But whatever it was, the string of fate that between the duelists all around the city began to cross. But what would it do to the tie that binds them, no one knows.
He met them by accident.
It was around the time that the first half of the World Duel Carnival's preliminary round finished. It was when he was making his way back to the orphanage after a day filled with gruelling non stop dueling, that he spotted them.
It was two people, a pair, standing at the front of an alley. Talking. It was a normal occurrence, even in night time like this, Heartland City is still active even after the sun goes down. Finding people to talk about at this time of day is nothing special.
But what was special, was the two people talking. A blonde haired teen wearing a dark trenchcoat and another garbed from head to toe in red.
"-it was annoying I tell you! I couldn't get away from any of them and had to duel all of them non stop!" Red Hat groaned, a hand placed on her head as she shook it and let out a sigh. "And none of them even had Numbers at all. It's getting annoying trying to find them."
"I don't care." Was the curt response that she received as the blonde haired teen kept walking deeper into the alley, while the girl beside him kept following him, and subsequently pestering him.
"Oh come on! You've got to have a way to find them right? At least give me a clue on where some of them are!" She whined again. To which the trenchcoat wearing teen ignored in place of walking faster. "Hey come on! You have an in don't you? Just give me some directions and-oh?"
Then she stopped, turning her head as she spotted him. Watching with his mouth agape. "Well what do we have here?"
The sudden question took Kaito's attention ever so briefly, as he took a glance behind him and his eyes widened as he saw him.
"Kaito!?" He shouted in surprise, and the blonde teen clicked his tongue as he turned back and ran. "Wait! Come back!" He said as he ran after him.
And past the Red Hat, who merely looked at both their running forms with a wry smile. As she was left behind, she let out a sigh. "Well good evening to you as well." She grumbled before she then turned and followed along.
The two ran for a minute or so, going through corners and weaving through the crowd. And yet none were able to lose the other, with Kaito always finding Yuto tailing behind him tenaciously.
"Wait Kaito! I just want to talk!" He shouted while he ran, and the blonde haired teen clicked his tongue in annoyance as he looked back.
"There's nothing to talk about-!" Only for him to suddenly stop again, as they reached a street that was suspiciously empty in a city that doesn't sleep, with another pair of people standing at one end and they at the other.
One was tall young man, with long flowing silver hair with darker accents in the front along with amount green bang. He wore a long formal wear, purple and white with golden linings that fit him well as he stood calmly.
Accompanying him was a pink haired boy, with similar clothes. Being that of a formal attire reminiscent of eighteenth century men's tailored clothing, only coloured red and white, once more with golden linings. Standing close by him as he watched them carefully.
"... so he was correct. It seems that we meet again, Kaito." The tall silver haired young man said, opening his eyes to reveal his deep ocean blue eyes. "I should have known that it would have ended like this… ever since that day."
"You're-! Chris!?" His eyes widened, shock clearly seen palpable in his eyes. Before they hardened into a glare, one that could cut through steel as the blonde spoke again, his hands curling into fists. "No, V!"
"That look… I see. So have you finally understood then?" The now named V spoke softly, tone even as he closed his eyes again, before opening them once more to meet Kaito's eyes. "We've come to take away your Numbers, Kaito. He has deemed that you're too dangerous to be left alone, even this early into the game."
"'He'? Who are you…" The blonde haired teen spoke out, a look of confusion falling on him as he failed to figure out who V was talking of.
"So you still don't know. He still decides to hide it from you." The silver haired young man said, clicking his tongue as his serene face twitched and showed anger. "I should have known… but it is no matter. You will duel us, Kaito. And you will give us your Numbers."
The declaration was final, as the formal dress wearing due extended their left arms, and duel blades extended from their hand. From the silver haired young man's was a shining golden one in the shape akin to a clock's hand, while the pink haired teen manifested a crimson red in the shape akin to a wing, or blooming flower petals.
"What the-what's going on?!" And being suddenly thrusted in the middle of whatever it was going on, Yuto looked back and forth between the pair with wide eyes. His head spinning from trying to understand what was happening before him.
"You! V!" Kaito growled through gritted teeth, "You-! I don't care what it is you're planning! If you want to take my Numbers, then that means that you have some yourself don't you!" He shouted, accusingly pointing towards the young man before him.
Who stood with his face unmoved as he spoke. "And what if I do?" He asked back, headd titled upwards ever so slightly as he looked down on the blonde haired teen.
"Then I will hunt you down!" He roared back, as he swiped his arm out, and a shining crescent duel blade emerged from his duel disk.
"Wait! Kaito! If you duel then now, it'll be two on one! You'll be at a disadvantage!" Though he didn't understand the underlying meaning in whatever it was that was happening in front of him, he knew that it wouldn't be good for Kaito if he were to just go duel these two duelists by himself.
He sent a glance towards the two as he spoke. "I don't know them and even I can tell. They're… they're strong." He said with a gulp, a gut feeling telling him that there was something going on with the pair before him. And that he shouldn't take them lightly.
"Shut up! This doesn't concern you!" He growled out, eyes focused on the pair before him and to nothing else.
"That's right, Nii-sama. The person that fa-that Tron mentioned isn't here." The pink haired teen spoke, pointing out the person that was missing from their impromptu group. The red clad girl was nowhere in sight.
"So it would seem." The silver haired young man said, his eyes wandering briefly in search of the red clad duelists, and finding no one in sight other than the two of them "But it is no matter. The irregular can be dealt with accordingly after we deal with him."
"Irregular?" He whispered, wondering why they would call the Red Hat by that name, before shaking his head, eyes wandering back and forth from his friend and the pair of duelists that he was willing to face against.
He stepped forward and activated his own duel disk. Purple curved duel blade manifesting from his left hand. "Then I'll duel with you, that way it'll be fair right?"
"What!?" Kaito shouted as his head snapped towards him. "Yuto! You-! Mind your own business!" He hissed at him.
"If you want me to mind my own business then fine!" He shouted back, eyes briefly turning to meet Kaito's own. "But just so you know. You're the business that I'm trying to mind alright! You're not going to get rid of me that easily."
"Tch! You-!" The blonde growled, gritting his teeth as he clicked his tongue and snapped his head away from him, and glared forwards towards his two opponents. "Do as you please!"
And thus began a differently formatted battle royal, where the first turn of each duelist cannot enter the Battle Phase. Yet they would still draw at the start of their turn, barring the first turn player of course.
Then the duel began.
""""DUEL!""""
V: 4000LP
Kaito Tenjo: 4000LP
III: 4000LP
Yuto: 4000LP
"Ah… seems like I was too late." Said the just appearing Red Hat, whose appearance captured all of their attention. She then waved her hand in front of her. "Oh don't mind me, I'm too spent anyway. You boys do your stuff and I'll just watch." She said, as she leaned back on a building, making herself comfortable as she took the role of a spectator.
"Hmph. So be it. Then I shall go first." The long silver haired young man declared, taking the first turn in the battle royal that they had started. "I shall begin by activating the Field Spell, Space Field." V said as he placed the card in his hand on the giant twin triangle-like duel blade.
The area around them was then engulfed by circuit-like patterns, one that spread to envelop the area around them. Circling them into a giant dome of darkness. Which was then filled by small shining dots of stars and a bright burning sun.
The ground that they stood on then turned into giant panels, which extended from a giant satellite that hovered in the emptiness of space.
"What the-! This is-!" The black and purple haired young man shouted as he stumbled, his head spinning around as he saw the giant empty field of space that had replaced the area around them.
"Ho? A Field Spell? Haven't seen someone else played them in a while." Red Hat hummed as she stood and watched them from afar, sitting atop of one of the satellite's now solid holographic panels. Fiddling with their hand as they watched from afar and not at all bothered by the sudden change in their dueling venue. "There's no need to panic, Knight-kun, this is all just a realistic hologram after all."
"I-right." Yuto nodded his head, regaining his composure as he returned his focus on the duel, and towards the other duelists that were in the duel with him. None of which had reacted like he had with the change of scenery.
"I guess that would make sense since we can breathe normally here. Knight-kun… huh." He muttered as he sent a glance back to her for the nickname that she had given him on the spot. She never did get his name did she? Or did she just forget it?
"With Space Field remaining face-up as the Field Spell, whenever a player performs an XYZ Summon, they draw one card." The silver haired young man said, explaining the effect of the Field Spell that he had activated.
"I then shall special summon Solar Wind Jammer." The oldest of the Arclight brothers declared, placing the monster card onto his duel blade, and the large purple ship with three pairs of sails appeared onto the field. Flying onto the field as it appeared defensively before him.
Solar Wind Jammer - Light/Machine/Level 5/Effect: 800/2400
"That monster." The blonde Numbers Hunter muttered, watching the monster that was summoned essentially for free appear on V's side of the field, not even starting a chain as it was summoned.
"I can special summon Solar Wind Jammer from my hand if I control no monster, but its original attack and defence become halved." The silver haired young man spoke, as his summoned spaceship was enveloped by shining golden light, both its original attack and defence halved as it was summoned by its own effect.
Solar Wind Jammer - Light/Machine/Level 5/Effect: 400/1200
"But he still managed to get a Level 5 monster on the field…" The purple haired teen pointed out, "then the next play has to be…"
"Then, I will activate the effect of Deep-Space Cruiser IX." He declared, revealing the monster in his hand. "I can special summon this card from my hand, by sending one other Machine type monster from my hand."
With that explanation, V then revealed a second card that he would discard to summon the first. "I will discard Planet Pathfinder, to special summon Deep-Space Cruiser IX in defence position."
He then discarded the monster, sending it to the graveyard as the giant space cruiser appeared. The spaceship floated and flew until it placed itself right beside his other monster, its machine humming as it made its way onto the field.
Deep-Space Cruiser IX - Light/Machine/Level 9/Effect: 900/900
"Pathfinder?" The red hat wearing girl behind him spoke aloud at the monster's appearance, seemingly knowing the card as her hands moved around in front of her. "With a Field Spell already here, it's no wonder it was a discard fodder."
Yet the purple formal attire wearing young man continued on with his turn. "Next, I shall activate the Spell, Iron Draw." He declared, as the Spell card's holographic projection appeared right before him, shining as its effect was activated.
"If I control exactly two Machine Effect Monsters and no other monsters, I can draw two cards." He explained the card's effect, and it was then resolved. With the two cards that he drew additionally, he now had four cards in hand.
"But for the rest of this turn, after this card resolves, I can only special summon once." V added on, tacking the Spell card's restriction at the end of his explanation. "I will set two cards face-down, and end my turn."
"What?"
"Huh?"
"Ho?"
All three of them, Kaito, Yuto and the red hat wearing girl let out as the first turn player ended his turn. Ending with two monsters with mismatching Levels, along with two set cards in his spell and trap zone. No cards remained left in his hand.
"Not an… XYZ Monster then?" The dark haired teen spoke out. "But there's still two set cards to be wary off. Be careful Kaito." He said as he turned towards his blonde haired partner for the duel, who merely clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"You don't need to tell me. My turn! I draw!" He declared, beginning his turn with a draw as is the rules of the four-man battle royal that they had started. Beginning with six cards in his hand.
"I will activate the Quick-Play Spell, Photon Lead!" And the blonde haired duelist activated his Spell card right as he began his turn, the Spell card's holographic projection shining right before him. "This card allows me to special summon one Level 4 or lower Light monster from my hand in face-up attack position!"
With the explanation of his card finished, the black trench coat wearing teen then took out a monster card from his hand. "I will special summon Galaxy Wizard!" And he summoned the monster onto the field, the giant cloaked wizard appeared onto the field in attack position.
Galaxy Wizard - Light/Spellcaster/Level 4/Effect: 0/1800
"That monster…" And this time, it was V's turn to mutter as he scrutinised the monster that Kaito had summoned. "I see. So you have changed your deck after all."
"Kaito…" And Yuto merely whispered out his friend's name as he saw the new monster, while the blonde haired Numbers Hunter ignored both of their comments and continued on with his turn.
"I will then activate Galaxy Wizard's effect!" He shouted, waving his hand forward towards the monster in question who then let out a cry.
"Once per turn, I can increase Galaxy Wizard's Level by 4 until the end of this turn!" He declared, as a bright light began to envelop the white garbed spellcaster, as its Level then changed and doubled due to its power.
Galaxy Wizard - Light/Spellcaster/Level 8/Effect: 0/1800
"And now, I will activate another Spell! the Spell card, Galaxy Expedition!" The teen shouted again, playing a second Spell card from his hand which shone brightly right behind his own monster.
"If I control a Level 5 or higher 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' monster, I can special summon a Level 5 or higher 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' monster from my deck in defence position!" He said, explaining the Spell card's effect.
"That's! So you increased the monster's Level first to summon one from deck!" The dark haired teen beside him noted, as Kaito then took out another monster from his deck that he would summon.
"From my deck, I will special summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" He roared as he raised his right hand, the holographic projection of the Spell card before him dissipating into shining motes of light that gathered in his hands.
Which then took the form of a crimson trident, one with a large gem embedded in its centre. Kaito deftly twirled it with one hand, before throwing it upwards towards the sky as it glowed brightly with galactic light.
At the highest point of the throw, the spear halted in mid air, as it then released galactical particles all around it, the monster slowly taking form. "The galaxy that shines in the darkness. Become the light of hope and my very servant. The incarnation of light, descend here!"
With his right hand outstretched upwards, Kaito shouted his monster's name. "Appear now, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" And before him materialised a fierce dragon, one whose eyes was like the galaxy itself, spreading both its bright blue wings of energy as it let out a roar that reverberated throughout the area around them.
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon - Light/Dragon/Level 8/Effect: 3000/2500
"That's… the main deck Galaxy-Eyes that Shun had told me about." Yuto spoke with a gulp, while the two brothers of the Arclight family stared warily at the galactical dragon, and the other Level 8 monster that Kaito also had on field.
But of course, with two monsters of the same Level at his field, there was only one play that the blonde Numbers Hunter intended to do. "I will overlay the Level 8 galaxy Wizard and the Level 8 Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!"
The galactical dragon roared, and the robe-clad wizard let out his cry as both their forms shimmered with energy, turning into shining pillars of golden light. All while a galactical vortex appeared right before Kaito.
"With these two monsters, I will construct an overlay network!" The dark trench coat wearing teen shouted as the two pillars of light crisscrossed one another, once again entering the galactical vortex that appeared right in the middle of the field.
"O galaxy that shines in the darkness! Become my servant to achieve my goals!" The blond duelist chanted as the whirlpool of power exploded with golden lights. "XYZ Summon! Descend! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
The chant soon concluded, and Kaito's signature XYZ Monster then descended from the skies, both of its eyes shining as if they were the galaxy itself as it unfurled its large wings which shined with its rainbow cipher-like pattern. The summoned dragon let out a roar that sent vibrations throughout the empty void of space upon its entry into the field.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 8/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 2
"There it is… Cipher Dragon." The silver haired young man spoke as he eyed the newly summoned XYZ Monster.
"Nii-sama." III said, calling to his brother who nodded his head.
"Don't worry III. I understand." V said.
"Cipher Dragon on what's basically turn one? How bold. But I can see why." Red Hat commented, a small smile on her shadowed face as she watched the duel unfold before her.
But with the appearance of the XYZ Monster, the giant satellite that they were dueling atop of shone. Mechanical lights flickering from the giant machine that the Field Spell took form of.
"Then with the effect of Space Field, I will draw a card." Kaito declared, as he then took a card from the top of his deck. Drawing back up to four cards in his hand.
But with the summon of the XYZ Monster however, V then declared as he waved his hand forwards and declared. "I will activate the Continuous Trap, Marshalling Field!" And flipped up one of the two set cards that the purple gardbed young man had.
With the Continuous Trap shining, he explained what it does. "While Marshalling Field is on the field, I cannot special summon monsters, except Machine monsters. And once per turn, I can declare a Level from 5 to 9, and have all Level 5 or higher Machine monsters that I control become that Level."
"What? Level modulating on the opponent's turn?" Yuto spoke out, eyes moving from Kaito's own XYZ Monsters onto the giant pair of spaceships that V had on his side of the field. "But what are…"
"I will declare Level 6, and have both of my monsters turn to that Level." Yet his train of thought was cut off as he declared so, a giant ray of light shone from beneath the two spaceships. Engulfing them in a light as their Levels was changed to his declared Level.
Solar Wind Jammer - Light/Machine/Level 6/Effect: 400/1200
Deep-Space Cruiser IX - Light/Machine/Level 6/Effect: 900/900
"But even with their Levels changed, it won't matter! I will activate the effect of Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!" Kaito declared as he extended his arms forward towards his second XYZ monster.
"Once per turn, I can detach one Overlay Material from it, then I can target one face-up monster you control and take control of it until the end of the turn!" And with the effect explained, he waved his hand forward towards his XYZ Monster.
And with a loud roar, the dragon unfurled its wings to their full size as it absorbed one of the two Overlay units that it has. Using it to activate its effect.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 8/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 1
Then the blonde Numbers Hunter waved and motioned towards his target of choice. "I will target your Solar Wind Jammer! Cipher Projection!" With its wings spread, the gigantic XYZ Monster rained down beams of light towards the mechanical ship with sails.
"Hmph, naive! I will activate my other set card!" The silver haired young man declared, raising his right hand as he flipped up his second set card. "The Trap card, Wonder XYZ!" He shouted, as the Trap card's projection shone brightly.
"This card allows me to immediately perform an XYZ Summon using monsters that I control as materials!" He shouted, exclaiming the Trap card's effect.
"That's! An XYZ Summon on the opponent's turn!?" Yuto shouted in surprise, eyes wide at the move that the oldest of the Arclights brothers had made.
"I will overlay the now Level 6 Solar Wind Jammer along with the Level 6 Deep-Space Cruiser IX!" The silver haired young man shouted, raising his right hand as the two gigantic spaceships turned into shining golden pillars.
All while a black and golden vortex appeared right before him. "I shall construct an overlay network with these two monsters." And the two pillars of light crossed over one another, before they then entered the galactical vortex.
"XYZ Summon! Appear! Numbers 25!" And the giant vortex exploded, erupting in shining lights. And from before him, a giant magenta machine with multiple scopes appeared, its form unfolding and unravelling as it turned into a gigantic camera. A giant numerical 25 shining under the monster's gigantic main lens.
"Force Focus!" V shouted out the monster's name, as a pair of shining golden orbs orbited along the XYZ Monstet's form. Fully manifesting onto the field
Number 25: Force Focus - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2800/2400 OV: 2
"Force Focus… so this is your Numbers." Kaito said as he eyed V's summoned XYZ Monster. His fists tightening and curling into balls as he then growled out. "The effect for Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon then would resolve without effect with its target removed from the field."
"And with the effect of Space Field, I will draw a card." V said, as he drew on his opponent's turn with him summoning an XYZ Monster.
The giant dragon with wings of light growled as it pulled back its wings. The light that it had once emitted receding upon doing so, the giant dragon with galactic eyes focused on the XYZ Monster that its summoner controlled.
"But that won't matter! I will normal summon Galaxy Knight!" So the blond haired duelist said, taking out another card in his three card hand, and placing it onto his crescent duel blade. The armoured blade wielding warrior appeared onto the field with a battle cry.
Galaxy Knight - Light/Warrior/Level 8/Effect: 2800/2600
"I can normal summon Galaxy Knight without tributing if I control a 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' monster. Then, if summoned this way, I can target one 'Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon' in my graveyard, reduce this monster's attack by 1000 points, and special summon in defence position!"
"A Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon in the graveyard? The detached monster!" III shouted in realization, figuring out that the blonde haired teen was aiming in summoning the monster back onto the field.
"Then that would mean, two more Level 8 monsters!" Yuto shouted as well, eyes wide in disbelief. "Kaito-you're intending to summon two Rank 8 monsters in the same turn!?"
"With its effect, I will special summon the Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon back from the graveyard!" With that declaration, a wave of light reduced the monster's attack points. All while the white armoured monster raised its blade, releasing a wave of energy from his weapon of choice.
Galaxy Knight - Light/Warrior/Level 8/Effect: 1800/2600
"Predictable! I will activate the effect of Force Focus!" The formal dress wearing young man declared, waving his hand out towards his own XYZ Monster before him. Activating the monster's effect in response to Kaito's own.
"Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can detach one XYZ Material from this card, then target one Level 5 or higher effect monster that my opponent controls, and negate the effect of that opponent's face-up monster until the end of the turn!" V shouted the monster's effect, as one of the two overlay materials that it had flew right into the giant camera's lens.
Number 25: Force Focus - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2800/2400 OV: 1
"What?!" Kaito exclaimed with wide eyes, while V waved his hand down towards his monster.
"Go, Focus Force! Soul Develop!" The giant scope of the mechanical camera zoomed onto the armored white knight, and shot it with a blast of energy that negated its effect. Though in doing so also increased its attack once more.
Galaxy Knight - Light/Warrior/Level 8/Effect: 2800/2600
"Tch!" The blonde Numbers Hunter clicked his tongue, glancing at the cards that he still had in his hand before declaring, "I will set a card face-down, and end my turn." And ended his turn with a board of a pair of monsters, along with a single set card. Two cards left in his hand, unable to move to the Battle Phase due to the rules.
"Then it's my turn. I draw!" And with Kaito passing his turn, III took his place as turn player. Beginning with six cards in hand, the pink haired teen sent a glance at his older brother. "Nii-sama, I will perform that combo."
To which the silver haired young man nodded, giving him permission to do so. And the teen wearing yellow formal wear showed one of the six cards in his hand."I will special summon Chronomaly Crystal Bones!"
He said as he placed the card onto his flowery wing-like duel blade, and a headless skeleton appeared onto his side of the field. Its form is made entirely out of crystals instead of the average bone.
Chronomaly Crystal Bones - Light/Rock/Level 3/Effect: 1300/400
"If my opponent controls a monster and I control no monsters, I can special summon Chronomaly Crystal Bones from my hand." III said, explaining the monster's built in summoning condition.
"And when summoned this way, its effect activates! Allowing me to special summon one 'Chronomaly' monster from my hand or graveyard except another 'Chronomaly Crystal Bones'!" The pink haired teen exclaimed, waving his hand as the headless skeleton's body shone with alien light.
"I will special summon Chronomaly Cabrera Trebuchet in defence position!" He said, revealing another monster in his hand, the monster made off of andesite in shape resembling a catapult with limbs appeared. Its dark body glints under the lights of the stars.
Chronomaly Cabrera Trebuchet - Earth/Rock/Level 4/Effect: 0/1800
"A monster with 0 attack? And it's another set of monsters with differing Levels." Yuto muttered at seeing III assembled the pair of monsters, already wary for what was to come after seeing what V had done the turn prior. "Is it move withLevel modulation?"
"No, that's not quite it." Red Hat spoke, watching as III continued on.
"Now I will summon Chronomaly Tula Guardian!" The pink haired Arclight shouted, placing the card on his duel blade as the giant a statue appeared onto the field. The giant monster resembling a Telamon Tula statue then roared as it began to move, eyes glowing red as it waved its limbs as it took a stance against the opposing XYZ Monster.
Chronomaly Tula Guardian - Earth/Rock/Level 5/Effect: 1800/900
"If there is a face-up Field Spell Card on the field, I can special summon Chronomaly Tula Guardian from my hand." III said, explaining yet another one of his monsters which could be summon with its innate summoning condition.
But he wasn't finished yet. "And I'll special summon Chronomaly Moai as well!" He declared as he summoned a giant statue of moai with shining markings. The giant floating piece of stone hovering over him defensively.
Chronomaly Moai - Earth/Rock/Level 5/Effect: 1800/1600
"Chronomaly Moai can be special summoned from my hand in defence position if I control a 'Chronomaly' monster in defence position." The pink haired boy said, once again explaining another of his monster's innate summoning condition.
"Another monster that can be summoned for free?!"
"Two Level 5 monsters!" Both Kaito and Yuto said one after the other, both noting how III had managed to summon an almost full field of monsters, and two of them sharing the same Level.
"Now, I will overlay the Level 5 Chronomaly Tula Guardian and the Level 5 Chronomaly Moai!" The formal dress wearing teen shouted as he raised his right arm. The two monsters of stone shining as they turned into brown pillars of energy. All while a giant black and gold vortex appeared before him.
"Here it comes." Red Hat noted aloud, knowing what was to come.
"With these two monsters, I will construct an Overlay Network!" He declared as the two pillars of light continued to cross one another in the sky, before they swerved and entered the shining galactical vortex.
"XYZ Summon! Appear, Number 33!" And created an explosion of light. "Appear! The grand megalopolis of monsters, Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech!" Then the monster appeared, descending from the sky already in its complete form was a giant city-scape.
A giant monster in the form of a floating city, with pieces of rubble and stone floating and orbiting around it, all centred around the glowing blue orb on the centre of the monster. A pair of golden XYZ Material shining as they orbited around the XYZ Monster.
Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 5/EffectL 2400/1500 OV: 2
"Another Number!" Kaito said through gritted teeth.
While Yuto gaped at the appearance of the giant monster that filled the emptiness of space around them. "33… Just how many of these cards are there?" He spoke aloud, noting the giant blue numeral on the monster's underside.
"Then with the effect of Space Field, I will draw a card." The formal dress wearing teen declared, drawing a card from his deck due to the Field Spell's effect. Returning up to two cards in his hand.
"And now, I shall activate the effect of Chronomaly Cabrera Trebuchet!" III declared with a wave of his hand. "Once per turn, I can tribute one other 'Chronomaly' monster, then target one face-up monster that my opponent controls, and its attack becomes 0 until the End Phase!"
Then he waved his hand. "I will tribute Chronomaly Crystal Bones," He said, as the mass of crystal bones turned to shining dust, "and I will target your Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, and reduce its attack to zero!" Then pointed towards his target of choice, that being none other than Kaito's singular XYZ Dragon.
The trebuchet-like monster then used its arms to grab what remained of Chronomaly Crystal Bones. Solidifying the residual particles that it has turned into before absorbing it, and shooting it towards the giant galactical dragon.
Kaito could do nothing as he saw the attack hit, his own dragon letting out a roar of pain as it struggled, its attack points dropping and being reduced to virtually nothing due to the effect of III's monster.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 8/Effect: 0/2500 OV: 1
"But you can't go to the Battle Phase." The blonde duelist muttered in confusion, eyebrows furrowed as he turned towards his pink haired opponent. "What are you planning III?"
The formal dress wearing teen let a smirk form as he heard Kaito's confusion, waving his hand as he declared as follows. "Now, I will use the effect of Machu Mech!" He shouted, as the giant monster flying above him radiated power.
"Once per turn, I can detach one XYZ Material from this card, then target one face-up monster that my opponent controls, and inflict damage to my opponent equal to the difference between its original attack and current attack!" He said, explaining his XYZ Monster's effect.
"Damage equal to the difference!? Then your target is-!" Yuto gasped as his head swerve to Kaito's monster.
"But that's not all! Because if I do, Chronomaly Machu Mech can then gain attack equal to the damage that is inflicted!" He shouted, with a grin, and then waved towards Kaito's XYZ Monster.
"I will target Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!" III declared, as one of the two shining golden overlay materials of his giant mechanical XYZ Monster was absorbed into its core. Empowering the monster and granting it the use of its effect.
Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 5/EffectL 2400/1500 OV: 1
"Go Machu Mech! Infinity Cannon!" And with his command the giant mechanical floating city obliged, firing from the many cannons it had in its ring. Shining beams of golden energy pouring down all aimed towards Kaito.
"Kaito!" Yuto shouted as his friend was engulfed by the golden rays. The effect of the Numbers XYZ Monster landing against him as it shot damage that was equal to the difference of attack points that his monster had possessed.
The clouds that the blasts soon disappeared however, and shown the blonde Numbers Hunter to be… still standing. Scuffed and marked by the blow, yet he stood firm as he glared at his opponents.
"So you withstood the attack." III remarked, noting Kaito's resilience. "But you still took a heavy blow, you only have… what?!" The teen shouted as his eyes went wide, seeing the remaining Life Points that Kaito still had.
"How! Machu Mech should have dealt 3000 damage!"
"From my hand, I activate the effect of Kuriphoton." Kaito declared as he took a breath, explaining as he kept his eyes on the pink haired teen. "As a Quick effect, I can send this card from my hand to the graveyard and pay half of my Life Points, to make it so that I take no damage until the End Phase!"
Kaito Tenjo: 2000LP
"So that's why you lowered my monster's attack points." The blonde pointed out, understanding his opponent's strategy now that he had seen it. "Don't think that it will work again, III!"
"Tch!" III clicked his tongue, gritting his teeth as he saw that his offensive was not as successful as he thought.
"Calm down, III." His brother called out to him, taking his attention. "Though you didn't manage to fully deal 3000 damage, Kaito is still only left with half of his Life Points. That is enough."
"Nii-sama… Right." The pink haired teen said with a nod, calming himself thanks to his older brother's words as he continued on with his turn. "I will set a card face-down, and end my turn."
To which he set one of the two cards that he had remaining in his hand. Then proceeded to end his turn with a field mirroring to that of Kaito's own. A pair of monsters and a singular set card, while he only possessed a single card in hand.
"And in the End Phase, Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon's attack would return to normal." He added on, as the galactical dragon's attack points returned to what it once was.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 8/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 1
"Then it's my turn! I draw!" Yuto shouted as he finally began his turn, drawing a card from the top of his deck as he started with six cards in hand. The dark haired teen glanced at the cards that he had. "Alright, I'll-"
"A small piece of advice, Knight-kun." Their one spectator spoke aloud, drawing his attention. "You don't have a Battle Phase after all, but in the next turn your opponent will. So it would be wise to prepare for that."
Though his opponent did not verbally speak against the advice, V shot a look towards the red garbed duelist. Who, under the glare of the oldest brother of the Arclight family, merely shrugged. "Don't think that I would give you any other freebies though."
"Right!" Yet that advice was seemingly enough for the dark haired duelist, as he nodded his head and turned to focus back on the duel before him. "I will set a card face-down, then activate the Trap card, The Phantom Knight of Shade Brigandine!"
So Yuto said, setting a card face-down and then immediately activating it. The Trap card's holographic projection appeared before him and shone as he explained its effect. "Shade Brigandine can be activated the turn that it was set if I have no Traps in my graveyard!" He said, explaining as to how he can immediately activate the Trap.
"Shade Brigandine can special summon itself in defence position, as a normal monster!" He continued on, moving the Trap card from the spell and trap zone onto his monster zone, as a ghoulish black armour possessed by a flaming blue spirit manifested from the trap card's projection.
The Phantom Knight of Shade Brigandine - Dark/Warrior/Level 4/Normal: 0/300
"Then I will normal summon The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor!" And he continued on, playing a monster card from his hand for his normal summon of the turn. The armour of a fallen warrior and its lingering spirit appeared beside the shade.
The Phantom Knight of Fragile Armor - Dark/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1000/2000
And having managed to summon forth two Level 4 monsters in quick succession, Yuto raised his right arm and shouted aloud "I will take my Level 4 The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine and the Level 4 The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor, and overlay them!"
The declaration was followed by both ghostly warriors glowing and becoming dark purple pillars of light. For the fourth time this duel, the ever familiar vortex of black and gold appeared this time before Yuto. "With these two monsters, I will construct an overlay network!"
And he then began his chant. "Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, descend, here and now!" With his words, the vortex of energy then exploded into darkness, and the silhouette of the monster appeared beneath the dark clouds that it generated.
Dark purple orbs and bright molten gold eyes shining and seen even through the dark thunderous clouds that clad it upon its summon. "XYZ Summon! Arise! Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon!"
The dragon let out a roar that sent chills down to her spine, and flapped its wings and pushed away the darkness that cloaked it to reveal its full form. Two glowing purple orbs orbiting around the dragonic XYZ Monster.
Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2500/2000 OV: 2
"And with the effect of Space Field, I will draw a card." Yuto said, as he drew with having conducted an XYZ Summon. Once more returned to having five cards in his hands.
He glanced at the cards in his hand, before glancing back towards the red garbed spectator. Closing his eyes for a brief moment before opening them once more. "I will use the effect of Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon!" He declared.
"I can detach 2 materials from this card, then target one face-up monster that you control, and halve its current attack! And if I do, this card will then gain that lost attack!" He said, explaining the XYZ Monster's effect.
Raising his right hand along with his own dragon raising its head for a roar, the black and purple haired duelist shouted his target. "V! I will target your Number 25: Focus Force! Treason Discharge!"
And the dark dragon roared, its wings morphing and releasing purple electricity as it absorbed its two overlay units to empower itself and use its effect.
Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2500/2000 OV: 0
And shot a torrent of thunder towards the gigantic camera-like monster that V had on his field, striking it and halving what attack points that it had.
Number 25: Force Focus - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 1400/2400 OV: 1
Only for his own XYZ Monster to be empowered by the same amount that its opponent has lost. The dragon of darkness let out a roar as its strength grew, almost reaching the threshmark of 4000 attack with its effect.
Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 3900/2000 OV: 0
"3900! But you can't attack this turn!" III shouted out, pointing to the fact that Red Hat had warned him of at the beginning of his turn.
"Yeah, that's right." Yuto acknowledged his point. "But that wasn't what I was aiming for. I will activate the effect of the Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor in my graveyard!" He declared, waving his hand outwards as he did so.
"I can banish Fragile Armor from my graveyard and send one 'Phantom Knights' card from my hand to the graveyard, to draw one card!" He said, explaining the monster's effect as he revealed another card in his hand to cycle with.
"I will discard The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, to draw one card!" He declared, discarding the monster card in his hand to get another draw. Cycling and remaining with five cards in hand.
Yet he still continued. "Next I will use the Spell card, Foolish Burial Goods!" Yuto shouted, placing the card onto his golden duel blade and manifesting its holographic projection before himself.
The card brought a small frown from V. "Foolish Burial Goods?" His muttering was lost to all but the spectator that watched their duel.
Then the dark haired duelist began explaining its effects. "This card allows me to send one Spell or Trap from my deck to the graveyard!" He said, explaining its effect and revealing an appropriate target as none of his opponents responded to the card's effect.
"I will send the Continuous Trap, Phantom Knights' Sword from my deck to the graveyard!" He shouted, showing the card to his opponents before sending it to his duel disk's graveyard slot.
"And I will use its effect!" He continued on with a shout. "I can banish Phantom Knights' Sword from my graveyard, to target one 'The Phantom Knights' monster in my graveyard, and special summon it!" Only to then remove it as he activated its effect.
"Come! The Phantom Knights Ancient Cloak!" The dark haired boy shouted with a wave of his hand, as the spirit of a warrior possessing an ancient and tattered cloak appeared onto his field. Summoned forth from the graveyard to aid his XYZ Monster.
The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak - Dark/Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 800/1000
"But if summoned this way, The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak is banished when it leaves the field." Yuto added on, noting the added restriction that the revived monster was now under.
"And since I control a 'The Phantom Knights' monster, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my hand!" He declared, immediately summoning the monster in his hand, the ghostly figure silently appearing right next to his Ragged Gloves in attack position.
The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots - Dark/Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 200/1200
He raised his right hand and shouted. "I will now use the Level 3 The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak and the Level 3 The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots and overlay them!" He declared.
Both monsters then turned to purple pillars of light that crisscrossed one another, and he continued his chant. "With these two monsters, I will construct an Overlay Network!" And both lights eventually convened in the dark gold and black and golden vortex that appeared between the two of them.
"O soul of knights felled in battle, stand once more with light that cuts through darkness!" He chanted as he swung his hand down, and the spiral exploded in light. "XYZ Summon! Appear! The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!"
And theXYZ Monster then appeared, the monster itself being a ghostly apparition that seemed to be a combination of a knight and its trusty steed, wielding in its right hand a broken and chipped greatsword, as its two dark purple overlay materials orbited it.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/1000 OV: 2
"Two XYZ Summons in one turn!?" III exclaimed with a gasp as his eyes widened.
While V watched the black and purple haired teen with keen EE's as he spoke. "And due to the effect of Space Field that means…"
"I get to draw another card!" Yuto shouted, drawing another card from his deck, and remaining with four cards in hand. Having benefited from the Field Spell that V had set face-up as it had replenished his hands, and letting him draw into the pieces that allowed him to extend this far.
Again, he sent a glance at the card that he had drawn. His mind whirling at the new possibilities that it had given him when played alongside the rest of the cards that he had in his possessions.
Yet the advice of the red hat wearing duelist echoed in his head, and he sent a glance back towards them. Red Hat noticed his look, and merely tipped the tip of her hat, features still hidden under its rim as she sent him a knowing smirk.
In truth, it quite unnerved him, both the look and the advice that she had given. But he also knew that he should always take in as much advice as possible if he wanted to grow. The perspective of a duelist in the middle of a deal and a duelist watching as a spectator would always be different, they were experiencing two different things after all.
But in this case, the Red Hat as an outsider also knew far more than he did regarding these Numbers Monsters. That, and for some reason she also seemed to be familiar with their opponents' cards. Giving her more insight than they ever could regarding their opponent.
So he decided to follow her advice for now. "I will set another card in my hand face-down." Which was why his next move was to set one of the cards that he had in his hand face-down in his spell and trap zone, with three left remaining in hand.
"Then I will use the effect of The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!" Yuto declared aloud. "Once per turn, I can detach one material from this card, then target one card that I control and one card that you control, and destroy both of them!"
And then waved his hand and pointed towards his target. "I will target both your Force Focus and my own set card!" Yuto declared the two target's for Break Sword's effect, intending to destroy the already weakened XYZ Monster along with his own newly set set card.
With his command, the Dark Warrior XYZ Monster then activated its effects. Raising its broken blade as it absorbed one of the two glowing purple overlay units that orbited around it.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/1000 OV: 1
And the headless armored warrior swung its blade, using its ability to destroy both Yuto's own set card along with V's singular XYZ Monster. Destroying and sending both cards to the graveyard, and in doing so revealing that Yuto's set had been The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield.
"Alright! Now his Numbers Monster is gone!" The dark haired teen said as he pumped his fist beside him, while V looked unperturbed by the disappearance of the XYZ Monster that he had summoned.
"Then I will use the effect of The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots in my graveyard! Banishing it to add one 'Phantom Knights' Spell or Trap card from my deck to my hand!" He declared, banishing the monster from his graveyard to add one of his archetypal Spells or Traps from his deck to his hand.
And he took out his target and revealed it for all to see. "I will add the Trap, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring from my deck to my hand!" So he said, adding the card to the other three cards that he had in his hand.
"I will then set all the cards in my hand face-down. And end my turn." Then proceeded to set it along with all the other three cards he had in his hand face-down in his spell and trap zone, almost filling in entirely, and ended his turn.
Ending with a board of two XYZ Monsters, and an almost full spell and trap line up as his backrow. One of them being the known The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring. While no cards remained left in his hand.
"Two XYZ Monsters, and four cards in the spell and trap zone." The silver haired young man spoke aloud, noting the board that Yuto had made. A formidable board especially by the standard of the level of duelists.
An XYZ Monsters whose attack almost reached 4000, and another that would float into two other monsters, or would have had Yuto not just banished one of the materials that it had detached to search for one of his set backrow. Thus leaving it as a mere 2000 attack beater.
The four set cards however, was something that they had to worry about. A possible end board that was only achievable due to the dark haired duelist taking advantage of V's own Field Spell, and extending as much as possible without any interruptions from his opponents.
"Not bad at all, Knight-kun." Red Hat, hummed with a small smile. And let out a small giggle and a lopsided smile. "Though you certainly could have chosen a better choice of archetypal backrow, this is certainly an improvement."
"Then it is my turn, I draw!" V shouted, beginning his turn with a draw. Starting out with two cards in his hand, having drawn one from his XYZ Summon on Kaito's turn with Space Field. Starting out with a field without anything but Marshalling Field.
"Now then, it would seem that I have to get serious." The silver haired young man said, narrowing his ocean blue eyes as he shouted. "Then prepare yourselves! I will normal summon Arcjet Lightcraft!"
And as he placed the card onto his unusual duel blade, a futuristic spaceship entered the battlefield. Its silvery hull shone as bright golden lights shone from the ship's windows and its core. Flying high above all of the monsters on the field.
Arcjet Lightcraft - Light/Machine/Level 9/Effect: 0/2100
"A Level 9!? Normal summoned without tributing!?" Yuto shouted his eyes wide from the monster that V had just summoned.
"Arcjet Lightcraft can be normal summoned without tributing if I control no monsters." V said, explaining the monster's effect. "But that is not all, if Arcjet Lightcraft is normal or special summoned, I can target one Level 8 or lower Machine monster in my graveyard, and special summon it in defence position!"
And the purple formal wear dressed teen young man waved his right hand forward. "Return, Planet Pathfinder." And he summoned back a monster that he had discarded on his previous turn. The giant rover-like machine monster appeared right before him as it was summoned by the effect of Arcjet Lightcraft.
Planet Pathfinder - Earth/Machine/Level 4/Effect: 1000/1000
"Then if I special summoned it, I can change its Level to become 9, but negate its effects." A golden glow enveloped the six wheeled giant rover, its Level being increased to be the same as the monster that had summoned it onto the field.
Planet Pathfinder - Earth/Machine/Level 9/Effect: 1000/1000
"Two Level 9 monsters!" Kaito shouted.
"And he didn't even need to use Marshalling Field to change their Levels too!" And his partner for the duel also pointed out, with the oldest Arclight not needing to use the effect of his Continuous Trap to even change their Levels.
"Now, I will take the Level 9 Arcjet Lightcraft and the now Level 9 Planet Pathfinder, and overlay them!" And V continued on with that shout, raising his right hand as both machine monsters transformed into shining gold and brown pillars of light.
The silver haired young man then began to chant as the two pillars of light twisted before him, while a giant vortex of black and gold appeared before him. "With these two monsters, I shall construct an overlay network!"
The two pillars of light then entered the dark vortex, and created an explosion of light that engulfed the entire field. "XYZ Summon! Appear, Numbers 9!" V shouted, and continued to chant for the summoning of the Numbers XYZ Monster.
"My burdensome fate, let the gigantic world capable of swallowing an entire galaxy descend right here and now. Behold the Canopy Star! Number 9: Dyson Sphere!" And he swept his hand out, as the monster made its way onto the field.
Only… no monster had appeared before, behind, nor above the silver haired duelist. All around them was still the vast emptiness of space, only decorated by the shining stars and a burning sun.
"What the-where is it?" Yuto spoke, his head moving left and right in search of V's newly summoned monster. "That Numbers Monster, where is it?"
"What sort of trick is this, V?" Kaito growled, his hands balling into fists. "Just where is that monster that you summoned!?"
"I will say, if it is a trick, it is quite the fancy one." Red Hat from her perch, sitting languidly cross legged as she held a hand above the rim of her hat. "Even as a hologram, looking at it for too long would just hurt the eyes. Though I do see the appeal, yes."
"What are you… talking about? That's-!" The dark haired teen spoke out, following her line of view towards the giant ball of fire floating in space. And seeing that his forced partner had paused, Kaito followed suit. His head trailing upwards towards the sun.
Or rather what was behind it. What encompassed the burning star.
With these many eyes on it, the monster then revealed itself. From behind the giant burning star, its absolutely giant silhouette began to be seen. The many panels that had mirrored the stars of space flipping themselves to show the futuristic mechanisms that it held within. Revealing that all this time, the giant burning star in the vastness of space was but a mere centrepiece to an even larger mechanism.
Five giant petal-like panels bloomed, golden circuitry flowing akin to large rivers moving in towards the giant machine's centre. The now revealed flower-like gigantic dyson hovered high above their heads. Its size is far larger than even III's own Machu Mech.
Such was V's Number Monster. His true Numbers Monster. As his own words described it, it was the Canopy Star, the Dyson Sphere. The numeral 9 shines near the monster's core, dwarfed by the monster's own enormous size.
Number 9: Dyson Sphere - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 2800/3000 OV: 2
"T-that's-!"
"Dyson… Sphere…" Both Kaito and Yuto said in awe, words losing meaning as they stared up towards the insanely large monster. A monster unlike anything that they have ever seen before in size.
"B-but that's still fine!" The dark haired Phantom Knights duelist regained his wits as he shook his head. "No matter how large your monster is, our monsters has more attack than your Dyson Sphere!" He said, followed by his signature Dark Dragon spreading its wings and roaring. Kaito's own Cipher Dragon also doing the same.
Yuto's words did not shake V however, as he declared simply with his eyes closed. "With Space Field's effect, as I have XYZ Summoned Dyson Sphere, I will draw a card." He said, drawing a card from his Field Spell's effect.
"Yuto was it? Then I shall show you that attack points aren't all that matters in a duel!" The young man declared aloud, his eyes opening as he swung his arms upwards towards the monster high above him. "I will use the effect of Dyson Sphere!"
The declaration was followed by the giant mechanical monster flashing, the many golden circuit-like markings that the monster had shining brightly as its effect had been declared. "During my Main Phase 1, if my opponent controls a monster with higher attack than this card, I can detach one material from this card, to make it so that Dyson Sphere can attack directly this turn!"
The giant flower-like machine absorbed one of its two massive overlay materials. Its core powered by a burning star shining even brighter as it let out a humm of machinery, the mechanical monster empowering itself to attack directly.
Number 9: Dyson Sphere - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 2800/3000 OV: 1
"That's!" The blonde haired duelists eyes went wide as he saw the effect activate, watching the many lights of the giant XYZ Monster flash as it prepared itself to attack directly.
"What!? A direct attack with 2800 attack!? But with Kaito's Life Points-!" And once again, Yuto snapped his head towards his partner, whose Life Points had already been lowered during the previous few turns.
"Now behold! Battle! Dyson Sphere will attack you directly Kaito! Brilliant Bombardment!" The purple formal wear dressed young man declared as he shouted and waved his hand outwards, the giant man-made megastructure flashing its many mechanical lights as it prepared its attack.
Said flashing lights then came closer, and closer, as a veritable hail of attacks befell Kaito. All launched from the gigantic XYZ Monster, aiming to take him out of the game immediately with its attack.
The blonde watched the attack with wide eyes, before preparing himself as he pulled his right hand back and declared-
"I will use the Trap, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring!" But whatever he had wanted to activate would be moot as Yuto had activated something first, chaining one of the many cards that he had set at the attack.
"When an opponent's monster declares an attack, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring allows me to negate that attack, and then special summon this card in attack position as an effect monster!" The dark haired teen said, explaining the Trap card's effect.
Then proceeded to place the Trap card on his duel blade, moving it from his spell and trap zone and summoning it as a monster. A robed monster carrying a giant glowing magnet ring, one that seemed to pull in all of the attack that was aimed towards Kaito. Pulling in and making all of the attack that was launched toward Kaito disappear.
The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring - Dark/Warrior/Level2/Effect: 0/0
"Hmph. Then I will set two cards face-down, and end my turn." The silver haired young man said, ending his turn as he set two more additional cards in his spell and trap zone. Ending with an XYZ Monster, two new backrow, and no remaining cards left in hand.
"You-! I don't need your help!" The blonde Galaxy-Eyes duelist snapped, glaring to the teen standing beside him, a scowl on his face as he shouted so.
"But Kaito, if that attack went-"
"I don't need your help!" Whatever argument the dark haired teen wished to say was swept away by Kaito's own shout. Anger and frustration clearly shown on his face. "I don't need, anyone's help! I can finish this on my own!"
"You seem to be quite brave, Yuto." V's deep voice brought back their attention to him, as he stood and watched the two bicker. "For you to ally with Kaito, he had beaten your friend Shun did he not? He had already turned his back on you and your compatriots once. The son of Dr. Faker, and most importantly he is a ruthless Numbers Hunter!"
The young man's ocean blue eyes narrowed as they met Yuto's own metal grey. "As long as you associate with him, you and the lives of those around you will all be thrown to chaos!" He shouted, delivering what was more or less an ultimatum.
For Kaito was a Numbers Hunter, in the span of a mere month, he had done many things that duelists would say atrocious to those that he had defeated to acquire their Numbers Monsters.
Though Yuto knew not completely what that would mean, nor the implications that it entails, what he had heard from Shun of Kaito's change was already drastic. The words of the girl with the red hat and the tidbits that he could see from this duel and this duel alone told him many things.
Kaito's far more aggressive style of play. His blatant disregard of Life Points where he would play a card that would shave half of it away. And the way that he had interacted with him during the duel clearly shows him that Kaito has changed.
He was walking on a dark path. And V was correct that if he or anyone tries to follow him, that their lives too, will be thrown to chaos.
"I know." Yet his answer was resolute and unwavering, how steel grey eyes matching the conviction that V's own ocean pair held. "I've dueled him before. And though I haven't dueled him since… since whatever happened, I know him!"
He closed his eyes as he continued. "I… don't know what happened to him. I don't know what made him so… so angry like this. I know that it's somehow connected to this whole mess… so, so I will do my best to help!" He shouted.
The dark haired teen balled his hand into a fist and brought it near his chest as he glanced towards Kaito. "And I know that no matter what happens, he'll always be my friend!" He shouted. "He'll always be my rival!"
"..." The blonde haired teen in question stayed quiet throughout the entire exchange. Not meeting neither V nor Yuto's gaze as it all unfolded.
"My how passionate. Spoken like a true knight in shining armor." The red hat wearing girl cackled from their perch. "Though I do wonder how that other friend of yours would feel if he heard that you claim Kaito as a rival and not him…"
"Ack! Well that's-! You can always have more than one rival! Shun would definitely understand!" Yuto choked as he turned and shouted back to the red clad girl, who giggled at his reaction.
"I didn't say who~" She hummed in a tune, making the dark haired teen wince as he realised he blurted out his friend's name himself.
"Ugh…" He groaned at her, yet that only made her enjoy seeing his torment even more.
"Friends… Rivals… so those are the things that you treasure." V spoke the words softly, gently, kindly letting them out of his mouth. "Those sentiments are desecrated by Dr. Faker! His father! And he himself too! And yet you wish to forgive him like that!"
"Huh? Dr. Faker? Kaito's… father?" The dark haired teen spoke, as he looked between the brothers and to his friend with worry. "Kaito…"
"Nii-sama…" The same was done by III after hearing his brother's heated words about the one he taught how to duel, the younger brother glancing back between the blonde haired duelist and his brother.
"Enough of this chatter!" And whatever heartfelt talk that they were having were cut by Kaito, who shouted as he waved his hand out. "I will defeat you, and take your Numbers!" He said, glaring at V.
And the young man stared back. "So after all, you didn't understand our hate at all."
"Shut up! My turn! I draw!" The blonde haired duelist roared again as he began his turn, starting with two cards in his hand. "I will activate the effect of Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! V! I will target your monster! Cipher Projection!"
His roar was followed suit by his own dragon, the galactical dragon spreading its wings wide as it absorbed its one and last overlay unit. Rain of circuit-like light shooting out from its body as it tried to take control of the gigantic monster on V's side of the field.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 8/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 0
"Nii-sama!" III cried out, worried for his brother.
But the silver haired young man remained unphased. "Naive! I will activate the Counter Trap, XYZ Block!" He roared as he raised his right hand, flipping up one of the two set cards that he had just set.
"When my opponent activates a monster effect, I can detach one XYZ Material from a monster that I control, negate the activation, and if I do, destroy it!" V spoke, explaining the Trap card's effect as one of Dyson Sphere's gigantic material flew and entered the Counter Trap's holographic projection.
Number 9: Dyson Sphere - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 2800/3000 OV: 0
And the chain then resolved, the giant mechanical megastructure firing a blast of energy straight from its core towards Kaito's XYZ Monster. XYZ Block negates its effect and destroys the monster.
"Tch!" Kaito grit his teeth as he held both of his hands upwards, protecting himself from the cloud of dust that the destruction of his signature boss monster had created. "But now your monster can't use its effect anymore! It doesn't have any XYZ Materials."
"Is that so?" Was V's response, still standing tall and unmoving right from the first turn of the duel, facing Kaito as he said. "Then go ahead and defeat it then, Kaito. My Numbers that is!" He shouted.
"I will! I will normal summon Galaxy-Eyes Cloudragon from my hand!" He shouted aloud, slamming the card from his hand onto his glowing crescent-like duel blade. The small galactical dragon then emerged, its size far smaller than that of Kaito's other dragons.
Galaxy-Eyes Cloudragon - Light/Dragon/Level 1/Effect: 300/250
"And I will use its effects! I can tribute Galaxy-Eyes Cloudragon, to special summon one 'Galaxy-Eyes' monster from my hand or graveyard, except 'Galaxy-Eyes Cloudragon'!" He shouted, giving an explanation to the monster's effect as he then waved his hand.
"I will tribute Galaxy-Eyes Cloudragon, to special summon back Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon! Return, Photon Dragon!" And with a wave of his hand, the gigantic galactical dragon returned onto the field, spreading its shining blue wings wide.
Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon - Light/Dragon/Level 8/Effect: 3000/2500
"Galaxy-Eyes… reviving that instead of the XYZ Monster." V noted aloud, noting how Kaito had not summoned the destroyed XYZ Monster, and instead summoned back the main deck version of the galactical eyed monster.
"I see." The silver haired teen said, narrowing his eyes. "So you intend to summon it again."
"That's right! I will overlay the two Level 8 monsters, Galaxy Knight and Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" Both armoured knight and giant dragon let out their respective cries, as they both shone and turned into golden pillars of light.
And once before him, a giant vortex of black and gold appeared before him. "With these two monsters, I will once more construct an overlay network!" Kaito shouted as he waved his hand upwards. And both shining pillars of light entered the galactical vortex.
And once more, he chanted a familiar chant. "O galaxy that shines in the darkness! Become my servant to achieve my goals!" The blond duelist chanted as the whirlpool of power exploded with golden lights. "XYZ Summon! Descend! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
Once again, Kaito's signature XYZ Monster then descended from the skies. The newly summoned monster spread its wings wide as two shining overlay units orbited around it. The monster letting out a roar as it was summoned.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 8/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 2
"A second copy! Nii-sama!" And III sent a look towards his brother, who grunted in acknowledgment.
"And I will use its effect again!" The blonde duelist roared. "I will detach one material from it, and once again target your monster V! Cipher Projection!" And with his shout, the giant galactical dragon spreads its wings. Roaring as it swung its head and absorbed one of its overlay materials.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 8/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 1
"That's! Cipher Dtagon's effect can be used again!?" Yuto shouted with wide eyes as he watched as Kaito activated the effect of his XYZ Monster, despite remembering that the card had a once per turn in its text.
"A soft once per turn. Summoning a different copy meant that it can use its effect again." The red clad girl spoke from her seat, watching the duel with rapt attention.
"Now! III!" V shouted, waving a hand to his younger brother.
"Yes! I will activate the Continuous Trap, Stonehenge Shield!" The pink haired teen declared, flipping up the set card that he had set all from his previous turn. The Continuous Trap card's projection shone as it was flipped face-up.
"Stonehenge Shield can be activated by targeting one monster on the field whose original attack is 3000 or more. That monster's attack becomes 0, it cannot attack, and its effects are negated!" He said, explaining the Continuous Trap card's effect.
And then shot his arm forwards as he pointed towards Kaito's Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon. "I will target your Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, to reduce its attack to 0, and negate its effect!"
"Tch!" Kaito clicked his tongue once again, frustration growing even more as chains emerged and captured his XYZ Monster. Binding it down and reducing its attack to zero, while also negating the effect that the monster had.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 8/Effect: 0/2500 OV: 1
"No! I'm not done yet!" The dark trenchcoat wearing teen shouted, waving his hands out as he shouted. "I will take the Rank 8 Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, and overlay itself!" He shouted aloud to the vastness of space.
"What?!"
"Wha-!"
"Cipher Dragon itself?"
"Ho, finally using it then?"
All the other duelists on the field stared in shock as a giant vortex of darkness appeared right below the newly summoned XYZ Monster. The dragon let out a roar as it slowly lowered itself into the gigantic vortex below itself.
"With it, I will reconstruct the overlay network!" And as it entered the giant vortex beneath it, and created a blinding pillar of light accompanied by flashes of lightning. O galaxy shining in the darkness," He began to chant, as a giant blade manifested before him.
He placed his hand onto its hilt as he continued on, lifting it as he spoke. "With the savagery of a supernova, bring on a cosmic cataclysm that vaporises everything in your path!" And threw it into the air, the blade cutting through the empty void of space as it created an arc of light in its path.
Before it then exploded into a blossoming galaxy. "Rank-Up! XYZ Change! Descend! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon!" With a roar a new monster emerged, an evolved form of Cipher Dragon, a giant dragon with rainbow-like ciphered wings, its eyes shining as if it was the galaxy itself.
Long fierce blades came from its arms, both shining with cipher lines like its gigantic wings, with its head sporting long golden horns. Letting a loud roar that shook even space itself, the XYZ Monster made its presence clear on the field, standing next to Kaito's other two XYZ Monsters. Two glowing yellow orbs orbiting the monster.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 3200/2800 OV: 2
"Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon can be XYZ Summoned using a Rank 8 'Galaxy-Eyes' XYZ monster that I control as material" Kaito explained, and the monster let out another roar, wings spread wide upon its evolution. "And with the effect of Space Field, I will draw a card."
"This is… Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon's evolution…"
"Cipher… Blade"
"A Rank-Up without using a Rank-Up Magic…"
The three other duelists stared in awe at the newly evolved Cipher Dragon, while their spectator watched from afar. Appraising the blonde haired duelist on what his next move would be.
"Now then, you've summoned Cipher Blade, what's next?" She muttered, silent enough for none of the starstruck duelists nor for Kaito himself to hear.
"And I will activate its effect!" The blond Galaxy-Eyes duelist shouted aloud waving his hand to the newly evolved XYZ Monster. "Once per turn, I can detach one material from this card, then target one card on the field and destroy it!"
With a roar, the bladed giant dragon swung its appendage and sliced through one of its XYZ Material, paying for the cost of its effect activation as it empowered itself to use its own ability.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 3200/2800 OV: 1
Kaito then pointed towards his target pointing upwards towards the giant monster high up in space. "V! I will target your Dyson Sphere, and destroy it!" So he said, and the blade on the giant dragon's forearm swung, releasing a blade of light towards the giant monster.
The golden beam of energy flew and flew, shining all throughout the vast empty space that they were in right until it met the giant megastructure's core.
And destroyed it.
The monster's destruction was grand. Beginning from its centre, a plethora of explosions began to emerge. Before it slowly but surely expanded farther and farther throughout every facet of the megastructure. And with that, the giant monster that had blocked a majority of their view of the empty space had disappeared.
"That does it! Now V's field is empty!" Yuto celebrated, pumping his fist. With the XYZ Monster's disappearance, V's field now was completely empty of monsters.
And of course, that was the result that Kaito had waited for. "Battle! I will attack you with Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon directly! Cipher Stream of Destruction!" And with that declaration, he moved into the Battle Phase. And the bladed monster roared, gathering energy in its maw and shooting a beam of destructive energy straight towards V.
"Tch! Then I will activate the Trap! XYZ Reborn!" The large holographic projection of the Ttap card shone right before him. "This card allows me to target one XYZ Monster in my graveyard and special summon it, and if I do, attach this card to it."
With the explanation, the silver haired young man waved his hand upwards as he shouted aloud. "Return! Dyson Sphere!" And with the single activation of his last Trap Card, the gigantic monster that encapsulated the giant star once again reappeared onto the field.
Number 9: Dyson Sphere - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 2800/3000 OV: 0
And said Trap card then flew from V's spell and trap zone right into the gigantic megastructure. Turning into a shining golden orb that then orbited the now revived XYZ Monster.
Number 9: Dyson Sphere - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 2800/3000 OV: 1
"Tch!" The blonde haunted teen grit his teeth at the returned XYZ Monster, only for him to notice that it was summoned back in attack position. "Even if its a Numbers and it won't be destroyed, you'll still take the damage! Go! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon!"
The galactical dragon of light moved its head and redirected its attack, shooting the beam of energy towards the gigantic XYZ Monster hovering right above their heads. Yet as the attack flew closer and closer, it could not reach the monster as the giant megastructure released pulses of yellow energy.
"What!?" Kaito spoke aloud confusedly, glancing up towards the monster that let off the wave of energy. "What did you do!?" He shouted as his head snapped towards V.
"It is useless, Kaito. So long as Dyson Sphere is on the field, none of your attacks will ever reach." He spoke, tone even as he began to explain. "Once per battle, during the Battle Step, if this card with material is being attacked, as a Quick Effect, I can negate that attack."
"Attack negation! Tch! Then I'll just have to remove it next turn!" He said with a grunt, the giant dragon before him growling up towards V's XYZ Monster high above them while doing so.
"But will there be a next turn?" His dueling mentor spoke as he glanced to his right, where his younger brother was, who then nodded his head. An exchange which made Kaito stop and grit his teeth harder.
"Kaito! Why didn't you go for III's monster!" The dark haired teen beside him shouted, pointing towards the monster in the pink haired teen's possession, the two monsters he had still remained pristine.
"If it's still there next turn, if he has a normal summon then he can turn a monster's attack to zero and-"
"Shut up! I already said I don't need your help!" The blonde haired teen shouted as he waved his hand outwards. "I will activate the effect of Kuriphoton in my graveyard!" He declared.
"If this card is in my graveyard, I can send one 'Photon' monster from my hand to the graveyard, except another 'Kuriphoton', to add this card from my graveyard to my hand!" He shouted, and showed one of the two the last cards in his hand.
"I will discard Photon Lizard in my hand to add Kuriphoton to my hand!" He said, adding the monster card from his graveyard to his hand. "Then I will end my turn." He said with a growl.
Before he then proceeded to end his turn, with his field now having the evolved XYZ Monster along with a single set card, while one card remained in his hand, the Kuriphoton that he had just added to hand and another unknown card.
And with him passing the turn, control returns to III once more. "Then it's my turn. I draw!" He shouted, as he drew a card for turn. Beginning with all but a singular card in his hand. The pink haired teen moved his head as he stared between both of his opponents, before sending a glance towards his older brother.
V nodded, and III shouted aloud as he began his turn. "I will start by activating the Spell, Palenque Sarcophagus! This card allows me to draw two cards if I control a 'Chronomaly' monster!" He said, as the Spell card that he had drawn was played.
And resolved, giving him an additional two cards in his hand. The pink haired formal dress wearing teen glanced at the card that he had drawn, before he turned his head towards Yuto and shouted. "Now I will activate the effect of Chronomaly Machu Mech!" He shouted, hand raised and pointing towards the 6th Number Monster.
"I will detach one XYZ Material from it, to target your Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon, and inflict damage to you equal to the difference between its original attack and current attack! Then if I do, this card gains attack equal to the damage inflicted!" He shouted.
The gigantic mechanical city then absorbed its last remaining overlay material. The giant blue core in the middle of the flying city shining brightly.
Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 5/EffectL 2400/1500 OV: 0
"Your Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon has an original attack of 2500, but since you used its effect to increase it to 3900, it means that you will be taking 1400 damage!" The red formal dress wearing teen shouted, as power began to consolidate on his XYZ Monster.
"Infinity Cannon!" And with his shout, the giant mechanical city shot a barrage of light showers towards Yuto. Attacking him with the exact same power that his own XYZ Monster had stolen from V's Force Focus, many turns ago.
"Then I will use the Trap! The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace!" He shouted. Flipping up the set card in the same chain. "This card lets me target one face-up monster on the field, and while that target is still face-up on the field, 'The Phantom Knights' monsters that I control cannot be destroyed by battle, it loses 600 attack, and its Level becomes 2!"
"That's-!" III's eyes went wide at hearing the effect, thinking that Yuto must have intended to lower his own monster's attack points to reduce the burn damage that he would be inflicted with.
Only for him to realize that, "But you can't target your own Dark Rebellion! Because XYZ Monsters don't have Levels!" He said, pointing out the mechanic that XYZ Monsters had, making them illegal targets for Lost Vambrace's effect.
"I know that! I will target The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring!" He declared with a wave of his hand, targeting a monster who already have 0 attack and defence, along with already being a Level 2 monster, essentially changing nothing from it as the giant ghostly armor was summoned onto the field.
The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace - Dark/Warrior/Level 2/Normal: 600/0
The chain then continued to resolve, with the rain of energy beams coming down from the gigantic mechanical city floating in the sky. "Gah!" Yuto cried out as he was hit by the bombardment, sending him flying right towards the satellite panels below as a cloud of dust left from the attack engulfed him.
Yuto: 2600LP
Seeing his opponent taking the damage from his monster's effect, III couldn't help but hold a smirk. "Then since you took 1400 damage, Machu Mech's attack will increase by that same amount!" He shouted, as a light glow enveloped the giant mechanical monster flying above him.
Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3800/1500 OV: 0
"Kuh-! But that's… exactly what I needed!" The dark haired teen's voice was heard, as the cloud of dust that had gathered around him started to disperse. To reveal Yuto pushing himself up to stand up straight, his eyes staring directly at III.
"I will activate the Quick-Play Spell, The Phantom Knights' Twin Medals!" He shouted as he waved his right hand out, revealing one of the two remaining set cards that he had placed on his previous turn.
The Quick-Play Spell's projection shone, and he began to read the card's text aloud. "When I take damage, I can target two 'The Phantom Knights' monsters that I control with the same Level, and immediately after this effect resolve, XYZ Summon one XYZ Monster using those two monsters!"
"You're also XYZ Summoning during the opponent's turn!?" The pink haired teen's eyes went wide, and Yuto declared his targets, the dark haired teen swept his hand towards the two monsters with proper Levels on his field.
"Uwaah, what a specific condition to meet…" The red hat wearing girl groaned out from her seat.
"I will take the two Level 2 The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring and The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace, and overlay them!" He shouted, raising his hand as both ghoulish warriors turned and morphed into giant pillars of darkness.
And a giant vortex of darkness appeared before him. "With these two monsters, I will once again construct an overlay network" And as the pillars of purple light entered the galactical vortex, he began to chant.
"Piercing through ten thousand warriors, the cursed spear of rebellion entombed in darkness, descend now!" A blinding pillar of light then manifested from the vortex of darkness, before a new monster appeared before him.
"Xyz Summon!" He roared. "Come forth! The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin!" Said monster taking the form of a new armored warrior. With a terrifying skull-like head, the monster spun its cursed weapon deftly. Ghoulish blue flames sprouting from its shoulders as it hefted a circular bone-like shield in its other hand.
The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 2/Effect: 1600/0 OV: 2
"And with Space Field's effect, I will draw a card." He said, taking a moment to take a breath as the giant satellite that they stood on shone once again, allowing him to draw a card once again.
"So you even managed to summon another XYZ Monster…" V muttered, eyes narrowed at the new monster that Yuto had summoned, watching it stand proudly beside his other monsters as two purple orbs orbited the XYZ Monster. "But it won't be enough."
"That's right, it won't be enough." III said, the teen spoke evenly with his eyes closed before he continued. "Because this turn will not only be the end of you, but Kaito as well!"
"What!?" The declaration shook Yuto, as he watched III then pull out one of the cards in his hand.
"I will tribute Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech!" He shouted, waving his hand upwards as he released the gigantic XYZ Monster, tributing it and letting it turn into glowing golden particles.
"What-!?"
"You're tributing an XYZ Monster-!?" Both Kaito and Yuto were shocked, as III then continued on.
"Now I tribute summon Chronomaly Sol Monolith!" And in its place summoned forth a giant floating monolith. A giant round circle at the upper part of the monster's form resembling that of a sun while, all while broken parts of its bottom floated around it.
Chronomaly Sol Monolith - Earth/Rock/Level 6/Effect: 600/600
"You tributed a Numbers Monster for a summon!?" Yuto exclaimed with wide eyes, watching the tribute summoned monster with worry. "Just what are you planning!"
"Well you will find out now! I will activate Chronomaly Sol Monolith's effect!" He shouted, waving his right hand forward towards the newly summoned monster. "Once per turn, I can target one 'Chronomaly' monster that I control, and change its Level to become 6! But I cannot summon monsters the turn I activate this effect, except 'Chronomaly' monsters!"
The giant monolith of the sun shone, using its effect to change the Level of another monster to become the same as itself. And III swept his hand to the side as he declared, "I will target Chronomaly Cabrera Trebuchet, and change its Level to 6!" He said, as the monster was enveloped by a brown aura.
Chronomaly Cabrera Trebuchet - Earth/Rock/Level 6/Effect: 0/1800
"Two Level 6 monsters!" Kaito hissed, left hand in front of himself as he braced himself for another XYZ Summon.
"Darn it! Is it another Numbers Monster!?" The dark haired teen groaned, but prepared himself for the upcoming XYZ Monster nonetheless.
"Now behold! I will take the now Level 6 Chronomaly Cabrera Trebuchet and the Level 6 Chronomaly Sol Monolith, and overlay them!" The formal dress wearing teen shouted, waving his right hand upwards as the two monsters were engulfed and turned into shining brown pillars of light.
And once more, a giant vortex of black and gold appeared before the pink haired duelist. "With these two monsters, I will construct an overlay network!" And the two giant brown pillars of light entered the vortex, and created an explosion of light.
"XYZ Summon!" III shouted, as a giant monster began to take form. He balled his fist in front of him, and raised his left hand as he shouted. "Descend! Number 6!" And what appeared was a giant volcano, which then proceeded to open and expand itself.
"Machine beyond space-time, come and engrave your existence into the history of creation!" From the centre of its body, giant cubes began to form, expanding further and further into various rocky limbs, and a pair of molten feet that shone like lava.
The monster's face took the form of shining cracks in its volcano-like head, forming something resembling a face as its core shone brightly. While a gigantic pair of shining brown overlay materials orbited around the monster whose size was only second to Dyson Spere. A shining numeral written 6 shone in its chest ring.
"Number 6: Chronomaly Atlandis!" III shouted, announcing the monster's name as it was summoned. Managing to perform a second XYZ Summon in this duel and summoning forth yet another enormous Numbers Monster.
Number 6: Chronomaly Atlandis - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 2600/3000 OV: 2
"Chronomaly Atlandis! Its another Number!" Kaito said through gritted teeth.
"It's… I would have pointed out how large it was, but with Dyson Sphere being there…" Yuto trailed off, eyes trailing from III's gigantic monster to the even larger spatial megastructure hovering right behind it.
Before he shook his head. "No, that's not important. It's a whole new Number Monster! And he essentially summoned by by tributing his other Number Monster too." He pointed out as his eyes narrowed. "Just what are you planning on summoning this monster III!"
"By the effect of Space Field, I will draw a card." III said, first off activating the Field Spell's effect to draw after successfully performing an XYZ Summon. "And then I will activate the effect of Chronomaly Atlandis!" He declared.
"When this card is XYZ Summoned, I can target one 'Number' monster in my graveyard, and equip that target to this card." He said, as he then pointed up towards the empty cavity in the monster's chest.
"That's! So that's why you tributed your own Numbers Monster!" Yuto pointed out, realising that this was III's aim from the start.
"From my graveyard, I will equip Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech to Atlandis!" The formal dress wearing teen declared, as a giant void appeared before him, and from it the gigantic mechanical city once again reappeared.
And flew on, higher and higher until it reached right before the XYZ Monster, inserting itself and finally completing its form as a wave of energy expanded from the monster. Releasing a wave of pressure that encumbered the satellite that they were standing on.
"Ugh!"
"This is!" Both Kaito and Yuto groaned, as III continued on.
"Chronomaly Atlandis gains attack equal to the attack of that equipped monster!" He spoke aloud, as the monster let out a monstrous roar, its attack points rising exponentially with it now being equipped with another Number Monster.
Number 6: Chronomaly Atlandis - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 5000/3000 OV: 2
And Yuto gaped at the increase. "5000 attack!"
"5000 attack…" The blonde Numbers Hunter also muttered, watching the gigantic monster, and the cards that he had, both set on his spell and trap zone, and towards one of the cards that he had in his hand.
"But that's not all!" III shouted, waving his hand and gaining their attention once again. "Because I will use Chronomaly Atlandis' second effect!" He declared, waving up towards the gigantic XYZ Monster.
"Once per turn, I can detach one XYZ Material from this card, to halve my opponent's Life Points!" He explained, as the giant monster began to slowly move its gigantic right hand, leaving pieces of rubble and debris floating in space in its wake.
"What!?"
"Halve our Life Points-!?"
Both duelist stared with wide eyes as one of the giant monster's overlay material was absorbed right onto the monster's gigantic fist, as it then raised it in preparation to activate its effect.
Number 6: Chronomaly Atlandis - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 5000/3000 OV: 1
"Oh so it does that huh? Quite light on the activation conditions too." The red hat wearing girl hummed, as Yuto rushed to activate an effect in the same chain.
"As if I'll let you! I will activate The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin's effect!" He shouted, declaring the activation of his newly summoned XYZ Monster's effect. "I can detach one material from this card, then target one face-up monster that my opponent controls, and until the end of this turn, I can change its attack to 0, and also negate its effect!"
And swipe his hand again. "If this card has a 'The Phantom Knights' card as a material, this effect is a Quick Effect! I will target your Chronomaly Atlandis, to change its attack to 0, and negate its effect!"
The flames on the ghoulish warrior's shoulders bursts, the XYZ Monster raising its cursed weapon with a roar as it absorbed one of its overlay materials. The dark javelin decorated with the skulls of his enemies gaining an ominous crimson glow.
The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 2/Effect: 1600/0 OV: 1
"No you won't! From my hand, I will activate the Quick-Play Spell, Forbidden Chalice!" III shouted back, slamming a card onto his flowery wing-like duel blade as its holographic projection appeared before him.
"Forbidden Chalice allows me to target one face-up monster on the field, and until the end of this turn, that target gains 400 attack, but its effects are negated!" He shouted, explaining the effect of the card that he had just chained.
And then pointed towards the cursed javelin wielding XYZ Monster. "I will target The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin, and negate its effect!" III shouted, as the monster was then splashed with the water of the forbidden chalice, letting out a drunken groan as it swayed, losing grip on its weapon.
The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 2/Effect: 2000/0 OV: 1
"No!" The dark haired teen shouted with wide eyes, as the chain continued to resolve.
"Go! Chronomaly Atlandis! Orichalcum gate!" And the giant monster molten fist was then fully raised above its head, and it then released a wave of energy, before a veritable storm of harsh wind and lighting befell its opponents.
All merely optical effects, for the gigantic monster then slammed its fist into the ground. Sending both duelists flying,
"Guagh!"
"Gyah!" Both of them shouted, landing harshly onto the solid holographic ground lay out behind them, as their Life Points were all cut straight into half with a single card effect activation.
Kaito Tenjo: 1000LP
Yuto: 1300LP
"And now this will finish you." The pink haired teen spoke with a smile as he then waved his hand forwards, moving on towards his own Battle Phase. "Battle! Go Atlandis! Attack his Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin! Divine Punishment!"
Yuto struggled to stand up, with nicks and dust clinging to his form as he watched the giant monster prepare its attack. A giant vortex forming above it as it then sent the tornado spiralling towards the weakened Cursed Javelin.
"Kuh!" He winced as he tried to stand up, closing his eyes as the attack came closer. Not having a way to prevent the attack from reaching his monster. Grimacing as he knew that he would be thrown out of the game from the attack.
"I will activate the Trap! Lumenize!"
Yet it would never reach him, as a Trap card was activated on Kaito's side of the field.
The dark haired teen's eyes went wide, as his head snapped to his right where the blonde Numbers Hunter was standing. "Kaito-!? Why did you-"
"Shut up. When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can target the attack monster, negate the attack, and a face-up Light monster that I control gains attack equal to that target's attack, until the end of my next End Phase." Kaito said, shutting Yuto down as he explained the Trap card's effect.
Pointing towards the giant mechanical monstrosity that was III's monster, he said, "I will target your Atlandis, negate its attack, and have Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon gain its attack!"
"That's-!" III shouted with gritted teeth as he stumbled back, watching as the bladed dragon intercepted the attack. Spreading both its wings and arms as it roared and absorbed the attack that the Numbers Monster let out, using it to instead empower itself to become even stronger.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon - Light/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 8200/2800 OV: 2
"8200 attack points…" V spoke as he arched his head to glare towards the now empowered bladed dragon.
"Nii-sama… I'm…" III muttered, biting his lips as he failed to achieve his intended goal for the turn.
"It's fine, III." His older brother said, shaking his head.
The exchange wasn't the only one that was happening however, as the dark haired teen turned towards his friend with a grateful smile. "Kaito! You saved-"
"Don't misunderstand." The blonde haired teen said coldly. "I only negated that attack to make my Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon stronger. That's it." He said with a huff, eyes closed and refusing to meet Yuto as he kept staring straight forward towards his opponent.
"Man, what a tsundere." Their spectator muttered loudly, yet getting no reaction from the trenchcoat wearing Numbers Hunter.
"Regardless. You saved me. Thank you." Yuto said with a nod, his smile still on his face as he turned and shouted. "So what now III! Your attack was stopped by Kaito! It seems that you won't be beating us this time!"
"Tch!" The pink haired teen gritted his teeth, as he moved on from the Battle Phase. "I will set a card face-down, and end my turn." He said, slamming the card onto his duel blade as it then appeared before him, and then disappearing. Ending his turn with an empowered XYZ Monster and a singular set card.
"And at the End Phase, The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin would regain its effect." Yuto said with a nod, as the javelin wielding warrior let out a cry as its power was returned to normal.
The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 2/Effect: 1600/0 OV: 1
"Then it's my turn! I draw!" The black and purple haired boy shouted as he drew from his deck, beginning with two cards in his hand to start off his turn. "I will start with this! I will use the effect of The Phantom Knights of Break Sword again!"
The dark haired teen waved his hand to point towards V's gigantic XYZ Monster. "This time I will target your Dyson Sphere, and my own set card!" He shouted, as the headless horse-riding warrior swung its blade, absorbing its last overlay unit to activate its effect.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/1000 OV: 0
"And I will also chain it!" Yuto said, flipping up the set card that he would be destroying in chain. "The Phantom Knights' Wing!" And the Trap card's holographic projection shone before him.
"This card allows me to target one face-up monster on the field, and have it gain 500 attack, and the first time it would be destroyed by battle or card effect this turn, it is not destroyed!" He said, explaining the Trap card's lingering effect as he then pointed towards his target.
"I will target Break Sword! And increase its attack, and make it unable to be destroyed once this turn!" He shouted, the ghostly horse neighing as it buckled, both it and its rider's attack points rising as they were surrounded by a purple aura.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2500/1000 OV: 0
Then the chain continued to resolve backwards, with the giant broken blade wielding warrior swinging its weapon down, intending to destroy both the set card behind it and the gigantic XYZ Monster that opposed its summoner.
Or at least, it should have been. "I will activate the effect of Marshalling Field." V declared. "If a Machine XYZ Monster that I control would be destroyed, I can send this card to the graveyard instead." He said, as the holographic projection of his Continuous-Trap card flashed, before breaking into shining particles as it destroyed itself in place of Dyson Sphere.
"Kuh! Then how about this!" Yuto shouted as he waved his hand out once again. "I will activate Cursed Javelin's effect! I will target your Dyson Sphere, turn its attack to 0, and negate its effect!"
The cursed polearm wielding monster raised its weapon, allowing it to absorb its last overlay material as a crimson glow emanated from it.
The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 2/Effect: 1600/0 OV: 0
And then the cursed warrior twirled its chosen weapon, winding its right arm back as it then threw the cursed javelin, launching it straight towards the gigantic burning star laying at the megastructure's core.
The cursed javelin soared through the vast empty space, and before long, it hit the XYZ Monster's core, a mechanical groan could be heard all around them as the many lights that had once shone from the XYZ Monster's large blooming flower-like panel began to turn off, leaving them once again with only the many stars as their source of light.
Number 9: Dyson Sphere - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 9/Effect: 0/3000 OV: 1
"With its effects negated, Dyson Sphere can't stop attack anymore." Kaito spoke aloud, knowing what Yuto was going for by using the effect and why he hadn't used it to instead reduce III's Atlandis to zero attack points.
"Alright! Next up, I will activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak in my graveyard!" Yuto declared, shooting his arm forwards. "I can banish this card from my graveyard, to add one 'The Phantom knights' card from my deck to my hand, except another copy of Ancient Cloak!"
With the card's explanation, he took out a card from his deck and revealed it for all to see. "I will add the Quick-Play Spell, The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch from my deck to my hand!"
"A Rank-Up-Magic!"
"Could it be!"
"And activate it!" Yuto declared, confirming the two brothers' suspicion as he slammed the Quick-Play Spell onto his golden duel blade. "During the Main Phase, The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch lets me target one Dark XYZ Monster that I control with no material, and special summon from my Extra Deck, one Dark XYZ Monster that is one Rank higher than that monster I control, by using it as the XYZ Material!" He exclaimed, and motioned towards his target between his three XYZ Monsters.
"I will target Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon!" He shouted, and the dark dragon let out a roar as it was called, its red markings glowing with power along with the rest of its body.
And the Rank-Up-Magic's effect then began to resolve. As it does, and the dragon's form began to change, Yuto began to chant. "From the depths of purgatory, dedicate to the unsinking souls your song of rebellion! Appear and echo forevermore!" And he waved his right hand down, and then outwards.
"Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear! Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon!" The dragon's form crystalized, and changed. The sleek scales of his dark dragon grew rough, its body now covered in by a bone-like outer skeleton, and its wings spread longer and wider than it had once been.
The dragon sent an earth shaking roar as it fully manifested, spreading its skeletal wings as wide as it could as it arched its head upwards, only lowering it as it glared towards his opponent. A single purple or orb orbiting the monster with its appearance.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 1
"But that's not all!" He continued loudly, swiping his hand outwards, "Since I used The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch to Rank Up, I can attach this card to it as an additional material as well!" He shouted, as the projection of the Quick-Play Spell ahead of him was compressed itself into a sphere, before flying towards the Dark XYZ Monster, turning into another xyz material that it could use as it saw fit.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 2
"And since this also counts as an XYZ Summon, I will draw a card." He said, drawing a card through the effect of Space Field once again.
"A Rank-Up-Magic! That's!" III spoke aloud, taking another stumble as he was moved back at the appearance of the monster. "And Nii-sama's monster was negated too-but you still won't be able to beat my Chronomaly Atlandis!" He shouted, as the giant monster looming high above them let its presence be known as with a mechanical groan.
"Hmph. I wonder about that." The steely eyed duelist said with a smirk.
"What?" And his sudden confidence shook III. The red hat wearing spectator hummed as she had known how the game would now go.
"I will activate the effect of Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon!" Yuto shouted with a wave of his hand. "If this card has 'Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon' as material, it gains this effect!" He began.
"Once per turn, I can detach one material from this card, then target one face-up monster that my opponent controls, change its attack to 0, and if I do, this card gains attack equal to that monster's original attack!" He shouted.
"What!?" And the pink haired Arclight's eyes went wide as he heard the effect's description, watching as the skeletal dragon absorbed one its two overlay material to activate the desired effect.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 1
The two giant orbs in its wings began to shine, sparking with galactical lights as the monster roared. "Go! Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon! Requiem Salvation!" And bracing itself forwards as tendrils of darkness erupted from the two purple orbs, all of them homing straight towards the gigantic XYZ Monster.
"Atlandis!" III shouted as the giant tendrils came towards his monster, wrapping around it and restructuring it. The gigantic volcano-like monster letting out a weakened groan as all of its attack points was drained through Dark Requiem's effect.
Number 6: Chronomaly Atlandis - Light/Machine/XYZ/Rank 6/Effect: 0/3000 OV: 1
"And then Dark Requiem will gain attack equal to its original attack." Yuto said, as the giant dragon of darkness roared, though it didn't gain the amount of attack points that the enormous monster had, it gained enough more than enough.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 5600/2500 OV: 1
"5600! And with all of those monsters!" The two Arclight brothers grit their teeth at they both saw the impressive board that Yuto had amassed, "This is…!"
"Now, Battle!" The dark haired teen declared, moving right towards the Battle Phase, knowing full well that he has more than enough attack points to defeat both of their opponents on field. "I will start with you V! I will attack your Dyson Sphere with The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin!"
The command came as soon as he went into the Battle Phase, the cursed warrior preparing its strike as it leapt, reading itself and once again, sending its cursed javelin spiralling through space.
And with its effect negated, and its attack points lowered to zero, the gigantic megastructure soon feel once again. Meeting another flashy end as slowly but surely exploded bit by bit, and sending a wave of damage towards its summoner.
"Kuh!" V Grunted as he held his hand up in front of himself, the chime of his duel disk told him of his Life Points decreasing from the battle damage that he received from the attack.
V: 2400LP
"Nii-sama!" III shouted, worried for his brother who could do nothing but watch.
"And this will finish it! I will attack you directly with The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!" Yuto's declaration was followed by a ghostly neigh, as the headless horsemen blitzed past him with its broken blade drawn.
"No! "I will activate the Trap! Stonehenge Bola!" The formal dress wearing teen shouted, flipping his last face-down card in response to the attack directed at his brother.
"III! Why are you-!"
"If at least Nii-sama can survive the attack then you can surely find a way to win! When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can target that monster, negate that attack, and if I do, that target cannot attack during your next Battle Phase!" He shouted the Trap card's explanation, before pointing towards the attacking monster.
"I will target your Phantom Knights of Break Sword, and negate its attack!" III shouted, as the Trap card shot out stone bolas headed towards the rushing horse riding XYZ Monster.
"Then I will use the effect of The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield in my graveyard!" Yuto responded, shouting a card effect in the same chain as III's own with a card from his graveyard.
"A Trap card from the graveyard!?" He shouted with wide eyes.
"During my turn, except the turn this card was sent to the graveyard, I can banish this card from the graveyard, then target one face-up Trap you control, and negate its effects until the end of this turn!" He said, explaining the card's effect as he then pointed towards the only Trap card currently on the field.
"I will target your Stone Bola, and negate its effects!" On the armored knight's left hand, a giant shield with crossing chains appeared, deflecting the incoming stone bolas and allowing him to land his decisive blow.
"GUAAAAGH!" V shouted as he was thrown from the strike, landing harshly on the ground as his Life Points reached zero.
V: 0LP
"NII-SAMA!" III shouted as he saw his brother defeated, and the field of space that held them slowly dissolve. And then turned to shoot a hateful glare towards Yuto.
He flinched, seeing the pure rage that the teen emanated, Yuto bit his lip, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath as he then declared. "I will attack your Chronomaly Atlandis with Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon!"
And the giant dragon took flight, spreading its wings wide as panes of energy formed between its skeletal wings. Power gathered on the blade on the dragon's maw. "Finish it! Disaster Disobey of Requiem!"
Dark Requiem then rushed down delivering the final blow of the duel as it struck III's enormous monster. Destroying it with but a single blow and creating a huge explosion. One that was masked by the still dissolving Space Field.
"GYAAAAGH!" III roared as like his brother, was thrown down towards the ground, the titular chime of his duel disk resounding around them as his Life Point counter reached zero.
III: 0LP
And with both opposing duelists fallen, the duel ended. Both Arclight duelists groaned as they attempted to rise. Both of their heads raised to glare at the duelists that had defeated them.
"That's… done…" He said between huffs of breaths, the duel having taken quite a lot off of him. After he took a deep breath, he turned towards Kaito. "Now, we actually get to talk." He said.
"Just what exactly is happening here!?"