R: Ultra Evolution
Book 22: Six Flags
International Panic card:
European Qualifier: Marko Anders (Fin) vs. Typhus Markars (Lth) vs. Blair Flannigan (UK)
African Qualifier: Caprice Morris (Zsa) vs. Riaz Almas (Egy) vs. Robert Duman (Sen)
Asian Qualifier: Saeed-Ul-Habarak (Pak) vs. Jade Goocheneyad (Ira) vs. The Sledgehammer (Jpn)
Oceania Qualifier: Lukas Chipperfield (Aus) vs. JD Carter (Aus) vs. Zak Zapata (NZ)
Americas Qualifier: Brooke Angharad (Pri) vs. Akiza Izinski (USA) vs. Myka Grainger (Can)
International Panic final: European Qualifier vs. African Qualifier vs. Asian Qualifier vs. Oceania Qualifier vs. Americas Qualifier vs. Rhydian Morris (qualifies automatically as WDC Champion)
The Renegades were on a plane to Geneva for the famous International Panic event, and the six-way main event that had become its showpiece. Except Maddy wasn't competing like originally scheduled. 'You sure you're ok?' Freja asked insistently, but she nodded in return, clearly still somewhat numb from the revelation of her actions several days previously. 'Just you never said why you were pulling out.' 'I'm just not up to it, I just can't go out there physically and do it. Facing Akiza nearly killed me, I just need some time.'
Astrid then sidled up to her, explaining 'We just want to know why because of everything that happened when you found out those things.' 'You can just say the horrible things I did to people, it's not like there's anything to avoid now. I'm sorry for how I got, it was all just… so much to take in, it overwhelmed me' Maddy told Astrid in return, seemingly more aloof regarding her actions. Her friend though, didn't look nearly as convinced on this, and turned back to Freja, mouthing 'She's not ok'.
While this trying time was going on though, Maddy's struggles had provided Blair with an interesting opportunity. 'I can't believe the Board actually agreed to let me represent the UK in this!' 'To be fair it was only after you turned down the chance to represent where you're actually from.' 'Actually from?' she questioned, clearly incredibly confused as Rio knew as well as she did that Blair was indeed born in the UK. 'I was born in Manchester, and just in case anyone else grills me, I brought this' she declared while pulling out her birth certificate, which Rio was more than happy to examine.
'How did I never know your middle name was Elena?' 'Aside from the fact you never asked? It's just never come up I suppose.' 'Why do you have two middle names anyway? It's not like either of them are saints.' 'Glad you asked' she beamed in return, vollying away an answer of 'After I started looking after Ally more, I decided I wanted that as one of my middle names, this was long before we were talking about fostering her or anything. So I thought I'd spell it a bit different, give it a little bit more class and elegance' she boasted while motioning to her face like a Geisha would do with a fan.
'The day you become a lady is the day that I want to be president' Rio mumbled. 'Hey, I know I'm not exactly graceful but I'm trying. I'm dressing smarter, I'm brushing my hair multiple times a day, and not once have I yawned during those elocution lessons.' Rio responded by pulling her closer for a hug, and smiling, told her 'I know, I'm just messing with you. You're amazing, and you're going to make a fantastic lady one day.'
The love from the best friends was interrupted soon after though, as Jade leaned between them. 'Was just wondering where you'd got to.' 'I was waiting to have my girlfriend back' she joked, before squeezing her phone between them. 'You know you've got a fanbase Rio?' 'I mean yeah, everyone does' 'No, I mean you REALLY have a fanbase.' She then flicked her phone's social media on, to show Rio a video of a group of no less than 30 or 40 fans cheering outside the venue, holding a sign with the words "Ice Station" in thick black block capitals, and the fans declaring where they had travelled from to support her, with answers ranging from Munich to Lisbon to a married couple from Osaka, the support shocking Rio.
'That's awesome, I'm gonna watch the show with them.' 'Might join you after my duel' Blair reiterated, clearly also excited at the sight of Rio's most dedicated fans. 'Did they give their names?' 'No sadly' Jade told her in return. 'All I know is that they've been running a ticket-swapping operation in order to effectively book out this entire corner section of the arena. They were also talking about painting the seats ice-blue, but I don't know if that was a joke or not '
An hour later
As they landed in Geneva, they quickly were greeted by Mollie, who was bouncing up and down, delighted to see them all. 'Hey how are you all? Rio, great to see you, how's leading the club been?' 'Yeah, it's been… going… I guess.' 'Freja, great to see you, where's Lydia?' 'She doesn't come to events with us anymore, and I don't really want to talk about her right now. How are you anyway?' 'Yeah all's great here, got a nice house, got a nice car, got two lovely guys waiting on me hand and foot.'
She then saw Maddy quietly stood in the background, and gave her a huge hug. 'Hey Meatball, you're… not exactly much of a meatball anymore are you? You're all thin and boney, what happened to you? Well I mean obviously the whole brainwashing stuff, and attacking Phil and Hannah the way you did, and let's be honest, you going blonde and being Rhydian's blushing bride wasn't exactly what i had in mind for you'
As she continued talking about Maddy's sins, Freja started signalling for her to stop, gesturing her hand across her throat, not that she was paying any attention. 'I mean what even happened for you to end up with him, I mean you're hating him one minute, and the next you're going with Akiza, I mean what the hell is that about?' Desperate, Freja then shut down the conversation.
'Hey Mollie, you said that you were interested in fortune telling when you spoke to Rio didn't you?' 'Oh yeah, I'm huge into astrology at the moment, I've been reading the stars for my boys' 'Well I've been learning to do tarot readings the past few months, if you want I'll give you one for free later.' Excited, Mollie agreed. 'That sounds really awesome, I'll check my diary and then let you know.'
Seeing Maddy getting upset though, Freja came up with an emergency situation. 'Hey, why don't we go and do it now? I've got my cards with me, I only need a few minutes to set up, and then you get to see all the inner workings of a reading. I don't offer this for just anybody you know.' Persuaded, she agreed as Maddy started to slip away from everyone else, followed swiftly by Astrid. 'Yeah, why not, if you've got the time then I'd love to know how to do it. Hey, maybe I'm going to find a beautiful husband to go along with my two boyfriends!'
While they found a table, Astrid caught up to Maddy on a row of seats just outside the airport. 'I thought I could do this but I can't.' 'You can do this, because you're strong' 'I'm not' Maddy insisted while holding tears of embarrassment back. 'I'm trying, but it's just so hard facing people knowing that they know what I've done, they know how I hurt people… broke people… did worse to people…'
Clutching her tight, Astrid gently reassured her. 'Nothing that happened was your fault, you couldn't control it. And only Rhydian and his cronies know and they're not going to say anything, because they created the situation. You're going to get through this, because this was never your fault. And if you can't face going in there today, then you don't have to, because we have a beautiful city to explore and nothing but time on our hands.' Shaking, Maddy told her 'I think I'd like that'.
As this was happening, Rio looked over towards them, and Astrid signalled for them to go ahead, which the Interim President agreed to, while Maddy was still visibly shaking. 'It's ok to be like this' 'I'm just… I can't. I'm not ready. I can't face them all out there, I'm sorry, I'm ruining this for everyone' 'You're not ruining anything for anyone, you're giving us the opportunity to spend time with you. While you were gone, that's all we ever wanted. And now, we can do that. Whatever you want to do, we'll do, as long as you try and have fun.'
In the arena
Junction 7 opened the show by walking straight out, with Rhydian wearing his serpent's head atop him and carrying his belt on a holster on his hip, but he was clearly the furthest thing from being in a good mood. 'Ladies and Gentlemen, the WDC Champion, the Cobra - Rhydian Morris.' As he stormed down, everyone else looked sullen and glum, while the teenage girl doing announcing duties offered him her microphone, only for him to headbutt her and split her head right open. While she was being helped away, he said exactly what was on his mind.
'Boiling Point was supposed to be a victory lap, the final celebration, and a glorious goodbye as I rode off into the sunset, my beautiful, stunning wife to be attached to me like she was always meant to be, with this title belt that nobody will ever be able to beat me for. Instead, it was a total disaster, because I lost the love of my life again, right where she was where she needed to be all along, I was this… THIS close to her being all mine like destiny favoured. Except I… I didn't lose her… SHE DID!'
Immediately, Shannon produced a bloodstained brick, the same one that had once been wielded by Rhydian's aforementioned love, and smashed it over the top of Akiza's head, shocking the crowd as she fell straight to the ground, her legs buckling under her in the process, conscious just long enough for her to see Rhydian lean over her, and tell her 'You let your ego get in the way of the perfect job, and because of that, she's gone. And so are you. You don't deserve to be alive, and without me, neither does she.'
Their music then hit again, and they walked off, not looking back once at their former ally, leader even, who was lay unmoving where she had stood mere moments before. And there she stayed for some time, with her having made enemies with most everybody, and the few she hadn't not being willing to risk the wrath of Rhydian. Eventually a spinal board appeared with two medics carrying it, and after having a neck brace placed on her, they carried her out as the fans applauded, but the applause was clearly for the medics and not Akiza herself.
As the commentators tried to process what had happened though, the show itself immediately started as Blair's music started, and she walked out, dressed in a long shirt adorned with the Union Jack, and red and blue trousers with her name on the waistband in the pattern of the iconic British flag. 'The opening duel is the International Panic European Qualifier. The winner of each qualifier will go through to the International Panic free for all at the end of the show. Introducing first, representing the United Kingdom, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, England, the Rough Diamond - Blair Flannigan.'
The fans' immediate cheers were soon drowned out by the confusion from the commentators as to why Blair was Maddy's replacement, until she bounded over to commentary and showed them her birth certificate. 'Born in Manchester, live in Washington, the one in Wearside that is. Spoke to the board, they cleared it, the only reason I'm not representing the UK all the time is that the board won't let me.'
With that clarified, she jogged out and down the steps, delighted at the opportunity she had been granted, saluting the fans in the process as they cheered the World Number 1 on. As she arrived at the zone, she shouted 'Howay!' in tribute to her now home county, and entered, throwing a fist in excitement as she did, before raising the red right hand high and proud, flexing her toned body in the process.
Marko was next, sporting a sparse covering of hair around his upper lip and a slightly growing beard, his mousey grey hair now spiked at the front, not dissimilar to his tag partner Zak. 'Introducing the second competitor, from Viitasaari, Finland, Marko Anders.' Marko walked straight and true, getting straight in to face Blair down, and in a sign of confidence, told her 'I will beat you, you're no Astrid, you're overrated.' Calmly, Blair responded to him, telling him 'You're about to see what overrated really is. It's easy to talk, beating me is another matter.'
While this confrontation was taking place, Typhus made his way out, now with a single green strip of hair down the back of his head, and a shaved head everywhere else. 'Introducing the third competitor, from Rucava, Lithuania, Typhus Markars.' He walked down in great confidence, and pushed both Marko and Blair to one side, proclaiming 'You're both old news, now is my time, so just keep out of the way, k?'
International Panic European Qualifier: Blair Flannigan (UK) LP:8000 vs. Marko Anders (Fin) LP:8000 vs. Typhus Markars (Lth) LP:8000
(Blair hand: Shaddoll Dragon, Shaddoll Schism, Shadow's Light, Reeshaddoll Wendi, Duality)
Blair: 'I'll start with Shaddoll Dragon (Atk:1900). But it's not sticking around, as I use Shadow's Light, which tributes a Dark monster on my field to summon out a Light monster from my Deck or Extra deck of the same type. I summon Blazing Cartesia the Virtuous (Atk:1500). She's new, so I'll explain what she does, which is Fusion summon a Level 8 or higher monster. Guess what Level Construct is (Atk:2800). That triggers Wendi's effect, summoning Helshaddoll Hollow from my deck face-down, while Construct on summon sends Shaddoll Beast to my graveyard so I can draw a card. I end my turn with two face-downs.'
(Marko hand: Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Red-Eyes Spirit, Odd-Eyes Advent, Red-Eyes Wyvern, Lord of the Red, Dragon Nails)
Marko: 'I draw and let's activate Odd-Eyes Advent, which Ritual summons a Dragon, and because I control nothing and you have two monsters, I can send an Odd-Eyes monster from the Extra deck to the graveyard. I send Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon from the Extra deck and Red-Eyes Wyvern from my hand to Ritual summon Lord of the Red (Atk:2400). And he's going to be upgraded by a set of Dragon Nails, giving 600 Attack points and it's now protected from Construct's effect. So destroy it.'
Ever the innovator though, Blair had an idea. 'I'll activate Shaddoll Schism, fusing the Construct on my field with the Wendi in my graveyard, banishing them both to summon another El Shaddoll Construct (Atk:2800). This Construct will send Shaddoll Hound from my deck to the grave, then Hound's effect will force your Lord of the Red into Defence mode.' 'Well I'll use Lord's effect to destroy your Construct when you activate Hound's effect.' She might have lost her monster, but Blair was still satisfied at neutralising the threat (Def.:2100). 'I'll end my turn with a face-down' he stated in disappointment, the pressure of who he was facing clearly weighing heavily.
(Typhus hand: Inzektor Hornet, Inzektor Hopper, Inzektor Dragonfly, Insect Neglect, Xyz Unit, Xyz Force)
Typhus: 'You two idiots don't stand a chance, I'll be walking out of here with a title shot and then the world. I'll start with Inzektor Dragonfly (Atk:1000), and it will equip an Inzektor Hornet from my hand to it. Then I'll use Dragonfly's other effect to summon Inzektor Centipede from my deck.' 'I'll chain Schism' Blair immediately responded, not even waiting for the last syllable to leave Typhus' mouth before telling him 'I'm going to fuse the Construct on my field with the Dragon in my graveyard to summon El Shaddoll Winda (Atk:2200). So enjoy your Centipede (Atk:1600, Dragonfly Atk:1000-1500), and enjoy not Special summoning for the rest of the turn because you just tripped Winda's lock.'
Typhus was very clearly furious at this, his face swelling with anger and his hands all but yanking out his green and black hair which dipped just below the top of his spinal column. 'You're going to pay, I swear. I activate Insect Neglect, and end my turn with two face-downs.' The crowd started chanting loudly for Blair, with the Ice Bank being particularly vocal, the fans acknowledging that on a seemingly inferior board, Blair had taken control of the duel with sheer skill.
(Blair hand: Fusion Weapon, Dimension Fusion)
Blair: 'I'll draw and activate the Spell card Dimension Fusion. By paying 2000 of my lovely Life points (Blair LP:8000-6000), I can summon back any monsters I have banished. So I'll grab Construct, Construct, and Dragon (Atk 2800,2800,1900). Now Winda's looking a little weak though, so I'll power her up with a Fusion Weapon. This fiery red blade gives her a huge 1500 point boost (Atk:2200-3700). In addition, I can flip up Helshaddoll Hollow (Atk:2900), using its effect to send El Shaddoll Apkallone from my Extra deck to the graveyard and banish Inzektor Centipede.' Hollow rose from being face-down, and the flaming knight slowly lumbered over to Centipede, before setting it on fire with a single touch, burning it to ashes.
Totally in control, Blair now had the choice of who to take out, and there was no doubt in her mind as to the bigger threat. 'Now I'll attack Inzektor Dragonfly with Shaddoll Dragon.' Dragon leapt up, and surrounded Dragonfly's head with its teeth, before viciously ripping it off (Typhus LP:8000-7600). And don't worry Marko, I know you're missing out on the action, but I've got three attacks just for you.' The two Constructs opened up their arms, and streams of strings came floating out of their chests, piercing straight through the Lord serenely, while Winda swung her blade violently and released a powerful shockwave and Hollow shot out a burst of flames, taking Marko's Life points to the rinsers (Marko LP:8000-0).
As he was defeated, Marko looked to the heavens, and shook his head, wondering whether Blair would have done things different had he not spoken big before the duel. He walked away still wondering, as the crowd applauded his efforts, while Blair smiled at Typhus, who now looked very concerned, not just at the board he was facing, but at an opponent who was far more aggressive than he could have expected. As Marko had been eliminated, Blair's turn automatically concluded.
(Typhus hand: Inzektor Hopper, Zektrike Kou-ou)
Typhus: 'Let's try it, I'll draw and activate the Zektrike Kou-ou, sending Hopper from my hand to the graveyard and summoning Inzektor Giga-Weevil (Def.:2600). I'll end my turn, Insect Neglect, see me home.'
(Blair hand: Blizzard)
Blair: 'I'll draw, and that just speeds up the process - I'll channel Rio and activate Blizzard. This freezes Insect Neglect, so for the rest of the turn, its effects are negated. Oh, and if somehow you activated another one, that's also negated. Winda, show him what we think of insects, and why Jade has to clear up any spiders!' Winda swung her blade violently, and sliced right across the middle of Giga-Weevil's shell, bisecting the insect, and leaving the cost clear for 'A quadruple threat of terror tearing your way!', and clearing out a second opponent effortlessly (Typhus LP:8000-0).
The duel finishing, Blair raised her arm, as an interviewer quickly made his way over to her. 'Blair Flannigan, World Number 1, that took you exactly nine minutes. Got somewhere to be?' She laughed at the rhetorical question, before telling him 'When you've got a smoking hot Persian for a girlfriend, then you'd understand why I was in a rush. No seriously though, I was just concentrating on my job, and the opportunity presented itself.'
'That deck of yours, it's powerful, isn't it?' 'It's great because standalone it's great as you saw there, I'm pretty much not playing anything outside of Shaddoll there, aside from a few banish recoveries, but it also works super well with… anything really.' 'You describe the deck as "modular", what exactly do you mean by that for the uninitiated?' She started replying, but got distracted by a fan shouting 'Marry me Blair!', to which she humorously replied 'Ask Jade and get back to me!'
She then turned her attention back to the matter at hand. 'So yeah, with this being a modular deck, what that kind of means is that I can use the Shaddoll cards as this base, I've gone into detail on this before in a couple of training things on the Arena website, but I have a base deck of around 24-26 cards, and then I just plug in whatever other engine I want to use, could be Invoked, Artifact, Crystal Beast, whatever, and it changes the feel of the deck for a situation.' 'Well I'm sure you'll pick your best version for the final later on. Ladies and gents, Blair Flannigan!' She raised her hand gratefully and walked back through the Ice Bank.
Backstage, Brooke was talking to Hassleberry, trying to convince him to submit an application to Rio. 'I'm not so sure about that.' 'I'm struggling to find the bad part here, you get the chance to be part of something huge, you know what we're about, it sticks it to Claude, and you get to see me more often.' 'So us, it's… a thing, right?' 'I mean if you want it to be. Oh, and that's not dependant on you joining us, I spoke to Rio and there are NO issues there. Just… think about it, that's all I'm asking.'
He nodded, and told her 'You get me some of that sweet information, and I'm going to be sucking all that up private. But I'm not entering enemy lines without a truce being on the table.' 'She won't allow you in unless you're really close to joining, but I'll work something out with her. You're in no danger from us anyway, because I think anyone who's beefing with Claude is cool with just about all of us.'
'So what do you guys even do in a day?' 'Varies really, could just be in and around the base all day, get to use the Arena basically whenever you want' 'For free?' 'Yeah… there's supposed to be a £5 a month thing but it's more of a donation than a subscription, it's not like you're going to be banned from there for not paying or anything. There's scouting missions for other people to join, but you wouldn't be sent on one straight away, you don't even have to live with us, you can live wherever, I mean Dakota's talking about moving back to New Zealand, which reminds me, she should really tell Rio that. Look, I'll get you some more information, and then you can get back to me when you've decided.'
Meanwhile, beside Lake Geneva
Before exploring the famous city, Maddy was sat dipping her toes in Lake Geneva, staring into the crystal clear waters. 'I'm sorry I freaked out earlier, I'm still trying to process everything I think. I'm just oversensitive right now.' As she said this though, she found Astrid rubbing her on the back. 'You're not oversensitive at all, nobody thinks that. Mollie just… didn't think I guess? Hardly the first time she's put her foot in her mouth.'
'Can say that again' Maddy giggled, before turning to Astrid with a smile, the first real smile Astrid had seen from her in a long time, before the young alpha asked a strange question. 'Did you… know what I did?' 'What, like with Dan and Emma?' As she silently nodded, Astrid decided to deliver the truth directly. 'Yes. We knew what happened, we found out after a couple of days, Emma contacted Hannah from hospital, explained what happened.'
'And you still wanted to help me after all of that? Why?' Shaking her head, Astrid told her 'You've done so much for all of us. We've all got a family, who we can trust, who are there for us, who believe in us, who can rely on us and we them; and you're responsible for all of that. You've done so much good for everyone, we couldn't just abandon you when you needed us. Yeah what you did was fucked up, like we've not all done things like that. I kicked my own uncle's head in just because I was angry. Rio watched us nearly break her brother's arm, you don't want to know half the shit Freja got up to while you were gone. Point is that everyone does bad things, the only difference with this is that you couldn't control what you were doing.'
'I still can't help but think that he genuinely loves me though…' a conflicted Maddy admitted, reflecting that she wasn't controlling her own actions. 'He's evil, like obviously, but he went to all that trouble just for me. He wanted me.' Angry, Astrid passionately 'He was emotionally manipulating and abusing you, he was prepared to see you tortured purely for the sake of keeping you by his side. It's not love, it's lust, lust for power, lust for control. He wants you, but he doesn't want you as a person, he doesn't care that way…'
Astrid's struggle to explain was mercifully cut off by Freja, who told Maddy straight 'Rhydian sees you as an object that he wants. You were basically his little doll, he could play dress up with you, he could make you walk and talk, he could fantasise about you. Rhydian loved you once, sure, and there's still a version of you he loves, but it's a version that only existed while you were in that stupid trance Akiza put you under.'
This was the moment that Maddy revealed a new disturbing detail about her time in the condo. 'I remember I used to worship, he'd create an altar of pictures of him and us together, he'd leave me to worship every time he left me, he was never out of my brain I guess, and that's just totally mixed me up.' Freja didn't react with anger though, but instead just rubbed Maddy's back. 'Bet you don't even know which way is up right now. So how about we just don't talk about this and spend the rest of today sunbathing and enjoying the mini-break? And if you wanna stay on, Mollie's offered us a few days staying in her place.'
Maddy smiled at them, and lay back. 'I suppose I could stay here a little while. I just want to feel normal again, but I don't know if I can.' 'Well we'll just create a new normal' Freja told her while hugging her from behind. 'We'll create a better normal' 'With blackjack and hookers' Astrid added, leading to curious looks from her friends. 'Yeah, I know that as well.' The three stared at each other briefly, waiting for someone to crack, and then they all burst out laughing together.
Back in the venue
After Caprice dominated the African qualifier, winning in just nine minutes, it was time for the Asian qualifier, with Jade first out, going straight over to the Ice Bank, and slapping hands with every single member. 'The following is the International Panic Asian Qualifier. Introducing first, from Qa'em Shahr, Iran, the Vespertine - Jade Goocheneyad.' Once she was done with her best friend's fan section, Jade ran down the steps, launching herself off the steps over two metres to the zone, landing a picture perfect set of splits as she did, before shouting 'And that is how we do it!' to the crowd, who roared in return for her.
Saeed then entered next, now with an even thicker beard and sunglasses. 'Introducing the 2nd competitor, from Karachi, Pakistan, Saeed Ul-Habarak.' As he walked down to a reasonable reaction from an experienced crowd knowing his long and successful career, the commentators had to hastily read out a note given to them by MGA's personal assistant, explaining that while always representing Leeds, Saeed was indeed born in Pakistan's bustling former capital. In the zone, he faced off with Jade, but quickly offered her a handshake, and they conversed in Arabic, which while not the native language of Jade's represented country, was still understood by the widely travelled former dancer.
Their calm conversation was soon interrupted though as Sledgehammer's music hit, now with some angry chanting before it. He emerged from the smoke with Nico and Chazz by his side, and was wearing a very fierce terminator suit which he shed on his way down. 'Introducing the final competitor in this qualifier, from Kabuchiko, Tokyo, Japan, cower in fear at The Sledgehammer!' As the towering seven footer entered the zone, Nico went to tear down his opponents, only for Jade to whip kick his microphone clean in two. 'I came here to duel, not to listen to you gob off.'
International Panic Asian Qualifier: Jade Goocheneyad (Ira) LP:8000 vs. Saeed Ul-Habarak (Pak) LP:8000 vs. The Sledgehammer LP:8000
(Jade hand: Abyss Actor - Extras, Pendulum Scale, Duelist Alliance, Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist, Abyss Actor - Evil Heel)
Jade: Seeing her opening hand, Jade quickly cracked her knuckles, before declaring 'I'll start by summoning Abyss Actor - Extras (Atk:300). And the best thing about Extras is that they can support any part of our production, so it's tributing itself for any Abyss Actor from my deck, placing it in the Pendulum zone ready to enter. I'll grab Scale 7 Curtain Raiser, then use it to send Abyss Script - Fantasy Magic from my deck to the grave and add Extras back to my hand. Then I'll scale up Scale 3 Extras and Link off Curtain Raiser into Link 1, Abyss Actor - Hyper Director (Atk:800).'
'Hyper Director's effect will summon Abyss Actor - Extras from my Pendulum zone (Atk:300), and placing Scale 0 Abyss Actor - Mellow Madonna in my zone. And I'll Link off both it and Hyper Director to Link summon Link 2, Abyss Actor - Super Producer (Atk:1600). Now Mellow Madonna's effect pays 1000 Life points (Jade LP:8000-7000) and adds Wild Hope to my hand. Then I'll scale up Scale 2 Wild Hope, before triggering Super Producer to destroy Wild Hope and set Scale 8 Comic Relief in that scale.'
'Now Wild Hope's been destroyed, it's effect will search out another Abyss Actor card from my deck, like the one and only Superstar. And finally I'm going to Pendulum summon, so welcome back from my Extra deck the quick starter of Curtain Raiser, the endlessly charismatic Wild Hope, and top of the bill where he belongs, the mighty Abyss Actor - Superstar (Def.:1100;1200;2000). Superstar on summon will set Abyss Script - Abysstainment from my deck.'
'Now Abysstainment will tribute Curtain Raiser to set the Abyss Script - Fantasy Magic from my graveyard. Then I'll activate the Spell card Duellist Alliance, which will add Pendulum Area to my hand. I'll set two and pass.'
(Saeed hand: Steelswarm Cell, Steelswarm Caller, Steelswarm Sentinel, Infestation Tool, Steelswarm Longhorn, Steelswarm Sting)
Saeed: 'You might be good, but this old man's got a trick or two of his own. I'll draw and because this old field of mine's bare, I can summon my Steelswarm Cell (Atk:0). And because most of my big monsters need only one tribute, I can tribute Cell to summon Steelswarm Longhorn (Atk:3000). Now Longhorn uses 1000 of my Life points (Saeed LP:8000-7000) to destroy Abyss Actor - Superstar.' The mighty Longhorn wrapped the Superstar up in long hair-like tendrils, strangling the life out of it until it went limp and vanished.
'Now Longhorn, attack Wild Hope.' As he attempted to do this though, a large golden pendulum frame rose from the ground, and an impressive pendulum started to swing back and forth. 'What you trying to do - the thing they did to Maddy?' 'Of course not, we've changed' Jade insisted in response. 'I activated Pendulum Scale. This has varying effects depending on the gap in scales in my Pendulum zone, and because the gap is 7 or more (Scale 0 and Scale 8), I can return both scales to my hand, then summon Abyss Actor - Evil Heel from my hand (Atk:3000).'
As the titanic bruiser appeared on the field, Jade smiled, and did a 360 spin for the hollering crowd, before stating 'Now do your thing Evil Heel!' As she did, it jumped onto the back of Longhorn, and after a struggle, snapped it spine-first across its own lengthy back. 'For each Abyss Actor I control, your Longhorn loses 1000 Attack points (Atk:3000-0). You can still attack if you want to.' Subdued, Saeed calmly told her 'I'll pass, I end my turn (Atk:3000-0).'
(Sledgehammer hand: Cubic Dharma, Cubic Karma, Cubic Wave, Vijam the Cubic Seed, Crimson Nova the Dark Cubic Lord, Rainbow Life)
Sledgehammer: 'The incredible, (in a sarcastically whispered voice) and only real Asian here against an American, and barely one at that, and an Englishman who's probably never seen Pakistan in his life, Sledgehammer draws!' Saeed was first to put him right, with Jade swiftly following up. 'Never seen Pakistan in my life? I go there twice a year, last time I stayed there for three months. I've been to Pakistan more recently than Sledgehammer's been to Japan.' 'You're full of so much shit Nico, I'm surprised it doesn't come out of your mouth every time you speak… oh wait, it does, now shut up.'
'Why would I do that though when I still have the incomparable Sledgehammer to promote, and reveal his devilish deeds to you?' Getting impatient, Jade rolled her eyes. 'I've had enough, I'm activating Pendulum Area, now you can only Pendulum summon for the rest of the turn.' Sledgehammer grunted noisily, then set one monster and passed his turn with a face-down.
(Jade hand: Abyss Actor - Mellow Madonna, Abyss Actor - Comic Relief, Abyss Actor - Extras)
Jade: 'I'll draw and set the scales with Scale 8 Abyss Actor - Comic Relief and Scale 0 Mellow Madonna, before summoning Abyss Actor - Extras (Atk:300). Then I'll use Comic Relief's effect, but it's going to be no laughing matter for one of you, as it switches control of my Extras and one of your monsters.' This made Sledgehammer stop in his tracks for a moment, but Jade didn't see this, and instead declared 'I'm going to take control of Steelswarm Longhorn.'
As the Abyss Actor logo was inked onto Longhorn, Jade did a little more work. 'I activate Mellow Madonna now, by locking myself into only summoning Abyss Actor Pendulum monsters this turn, I'll pay 1000 Life points (Jade LP:8000-7000), and add Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie to my hand. Now I'll summon it (Atk:1700), and this will be more than enough to take you out Saeed.' Jade's troupe of fearful thespians marched in alongside their new addition, and Saeed was dispatched with ease (Saeed LP:7000-0).
As he was defeated, Saeed walked up to Jade, and tapped her on the shoulder, telling her 'You're good, don't let anybody tell you otherwise, you understand? Get some experience under your belt, you're golden.' With these warm words melting Jade's heart, Saeed left. But as her turn ended, Jade heard a shout from the crowd telling her to concentrate, and looked up to see Blair stood in the ice bank bellowing out to her girlfriend, which the cameras then picked up on as well while she sat down.
(Sledgehammer hand: Cubic Dharma, Cubic Karma, Cubic Wave, Crimson Nova the Dark Cubic Lord, Call of the Haunted)
Sledgehammer: 'The undeniable Sledgehammer draws!' 'Can the "undeniable" Sledgehammer speak for himself? Or does he need his little babysitter to talk for him?' 'Silence!' Nico responded, telling Jade bluntly 'We will not take insults from some exotic dancer who people only care about because her girlfriend is a good duellist. You have not yet earned your right to talk to people in that manner, so unless you're here to do a little dance for us and wait for a $5 bill, I suggest you wait until you are spoken to.'
Humiliated by this, Jade stayed quiet as Sledgehammer took his turn. 'The Sledgehammer will reveal Cubic Karma, Dharma and Wave in his hand to summon Crimson Nova the Cubic Lord (Atk:3000). And he will activate the Spell card Cubic Wave, so if you had any ideas of your bigger monsters protecting you, think again as this will give Crimson Nova half the Attack points of your Longhorn (Atk:3000-4500). Now Crimson Nova, attack Longhorn with Fires of the End.' Crimson Nova created two pixilated arms, which it used to firmly grasp Longhorn before setting them on fire, charring it to ashes (Jade LP:7000-5500). 'The Sledgehammer ends his turn setting a card, and as a consequence, both competitors take 3000 damage through Crimson Nova's effect (Sledgehammer LP:8000-5000; Jade LP:5500-2500).'
(Jade hand: Abyss Actor's Back Stage)
Jade: 'I'll draw and use the effect of Abyss Actor Mellow Madonna in the Pendulum zone, to pay 1000 Life points (Jade LP:2500-1500) and add Abyss Actor Funky Comedian to my hand. Now I'll summon Funky Comedian (Atk:300), and use its effects. First, it will gain 300 Attack for every Abyss Actor on my field (Atk:300-1500), and then it gives up its attack for the turn to give another monster the same boost. One like Evil Heel (Atk:3000-4200). Evil Heel, destroy Crimson Nova.'
As Evil Heel grabbed the cuboid Crimson Nova and started smashing it on the ground, Sledgehammer laughed, as Nico told everyone 'Did you really think the kingly Sledgehammer would allow such a move to defeat him? He has the Rainbow Life trap, which will turn all his damage into Life point gain this turn (Sledgehammer LP:5000-6200).' Annoyed she hadn't predicted this coming, Jade casually ended her turn, only to get a nasty surprise when Nico delightedly declared 'He will now activate Call of the Haunted, bringing back Crimson Nova from the dead, replacing its spot with your Life points (Atk:3000).' The burn damage from Crimson Nova then triggered immediately, with the scoreline not reflecting the close call Sledgehammer had (Sledgehammer LP:6200-9200; Jade LP:1500-0).
As the contest concluded, Sledgehammer roared and raised his arms in victory, looking powerful and dangerous, as he started to gesture for a new title to be placed around his waist. Meanwhile Jade stood on the sidelines, cutting a highly frustrated figure, but after puffing her cheeks out, she thanked the crowd for their support, and gave her opponent a polite tap on the back in victory.
Returning backstage, Jade was greeted by commiserations from Brooke. 'You were fantastic there, he duelled really well.' 'I don't think I've seen him better since he arrived, I gave it my all, but it wasn't enough this time' she reflected cheerily. 'Besides, we've still got titles to win together, it would be no fun if I had a WDC Championship shot as well. Don't wanna hog everything now, do I?' 'So… what you doing now? Only I heard Maddy's at Lake Geneva and it's supposed to be the most beautiful water in the world or something.'
Considering it, Jade smiled. 'I mean you've got your qualifier to come yet, but when we're done here, we'll absolutely go down there. For now I'm just going to get to know Rio's fanclub, I heard one of them downed 8 shots before coming in here and is still totally sober.' 'If I had 8 shots I'd be on the floor' Brooke joked as they walked off to find the entrance to the Ice Bank, shuffling from wrong door to wrong door in the labyrinthine venue.
In the zone, Lukas was making his entrance, now sporting a dirty mechanical inspired denim jacket over his shirt, and looking supremely confident. 'The following duel is the Oceania qualifier, introducing first, representing Junction 7, from Bishop and Clerk, Tasmania, Australia, the Cursed Thorn - Lukas Chipperfield.' While being introduced, he was very keen on threatening the announcer, demanding to not be associated with Akiza anymore.
Before he was finished doing this though, Zak walked in, with the earlier defeated Marko cheering him on from the entranceway, this distracting Lukas for long enough for the announcer to run for higher ground. 'Introducing the next competitor, from Hamilton, New Zealand, Zak Zapata.' Upon his introduction, he dashed out and pushed Lukas, which sparked a near fight in response, only interrupted by the Renegades' music.
As this happened, JD appeared, now sporting a white jacket and brown fedora. 'Introducing the third competitor, representing the Renegades, from Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, he is JD Carter.' He strolled down, smiling as he did in his first appearance in the company for months, three strips of tape covering his left eye and got in the middle of Zak and Lukas, telling them 'Let's get going mates' in the most stereotypical way he could muster. Zak still wanted a fight, but Lukas stepped away.
International Panic Oceania Qualifier: Lukas Chipperfield LP:8000 vs. JD Carter LP:8000 vs. Zak Zapata LP:8000
(Lukas hand: Snow Plow Hustle Rustle, Night Express Knight, Special Schedule, Super Express Bullet Train, Barrage Blast, Revolving Switchyard)
Turn 1: Lukas: 'Might as well start since I'm going to win anyway, and the hand's a killer. I'll activate a Field spell called Revolving Switchyard.' A train switchyard materialised on the field, and Lukas was quick to load it up. 'I control no monsters so I'll summon Night Express Knight (Atk:3000-0). And with my Switchyard, I can summon a Level 4 or below Machine from my deck if it has at least 1800 Attack, and it becomes Level 10.'
As he declared this, his Knight mounted onto the turntable, which then rotated around slowly, revealing Ruffian Railcar on the other side (Atk:1800, Level:10). 'And because I have an Earth Machine on my field, I'll also summon Super Express Bullet Train (Atk:3000). And I'll overlay all three to Xyz summon Superdimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer (Atk:5000). I end my turn setting one.'
(JD hand: Fossil Fusion, Specimen Inspection, Weathering Soldier, Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo, Rock Bombardment, Miracle Rupture)
JD: 'Time to uncover myself a victory, I'm beginning with a Specimen Inspection. This reveals Fossil Fusion in my hand and sends Weathering Soldier from my hand to the grave. Now I can nominate a Type and Level, and you have to send a monster fitting those specifications to the graveyard. Or, because I know you're too busy with your fists to have a brain, you're sending a Level 10 Machine.'
Totally fine with this, Lukas casually tossed out another Night Express Knight. 'Now I'll use my Fossil Fusion.' As he did, two fossilised rocks rose up from the ground, one containing Weathering Soldier, and the other, Lukas' Knight that he had just tossed out. As everyone looked on in surprise, the two rocks lumbered towards each other, and as they crashed, they combined in a blinding light, as JD declared 'Appear, Fossil Dragon Skullgios (Atk:3500).'
'Skullgios, attack Galaxy Destroyer.' 'Strike back!' Lukas demanded, but as lasers shot out from the eyes of the Rank 10 Robot, JD showed his plan. 'The effect of Skullgios activates when it battles, and swaps your monster's Attack and Defence. It also deals double damage (Atk:5000-2000).' This swapping of the stats was enough for the shooting lasers to bounce off the rampaging tyrannosaurus fossil, which grabbed its foe in its mouth, and tore it apart with sharp teeth (Lukas LP:8000-5000).
'After that battle, I'm going to continue with a Miracle Rupture. This digs deep into my deck for another Rock to send to my graveyard, and I'm sending Shell Knight. Then because there's a Fossil Fusion in my graveyard, I can draw a card. Shell Knight now activates because I put it in my graveyard, and because Fossil Fusion's a part of my graveyard, I can summon a Level 8 Rock monster from my deck. Meet Ironhammer the Giant (Def.:3500). I end my turn with a face-down.'
(Zak hand: Thunder Dragon, Thunder Dragonroar, Thunder Dragonmatrix, Thunder Dragonhawk, Brohunder, Mahunder)
Zak: 'I'll draw for my turn and summon the lovin' Mahunder (Atk:1400). She loves her kind so much that she allows another Level 4 Light Thunder monster to be Normal summoned this turn, so meet Brohunder (Atk:900). Then Brohunder will add Otonari Thunder to my hand. And because I control two Thunder monsters, I can summon Otonari Thunder (Atk:500). Now I'll overlay my Brohunder and his Mahunder to build the overlay network and Xyz summon Lightning Chidori (Atk:1900).'
'Chidori on summon targets a set card and puts it on the bottom of the deck, I'm targeting Lukas'.' As Lukas was unable to respond with his Barrage Blast, it got shot away by an electrically live tornado. But he wasn't the only target of Zak's aggression. 'Now I'm coming after you JD, because I can detach a material from my Chidori to spin your Skullgios to the top of the deck.' 'Sure as houses' JD told him as Skullgios left the field,
'I'll activate Thunder Dragon's effect in my hand, to send itself to the grave and add another Thunder Dragon to my hand. Now because I did that, I fulfilled the conditions to summon Thunder Dragon Colossus, tributing Otonari Thunder (Atk:2600). But why end there when I can banish Thunder Dragonmatrix from my hand and tribute Colossus from my field to Fusion summon Thunder Dragon Titan (Atk:3200). Titan and Chidori, attack directly.' The ferocious electrical serpent bit down on Lukas with an electrified grasp, giving him a well deserved shock while Chidori sent a blast of wind in (Lukas LP:8000-3000). 'I end my turn.'
(Lukas hand: Snow Plow Hustle Rustle, Special Schedule, Urgent Schedule)
Lukas: 'I'll draw and activate Urgent Schedule.' As he did, a loud horn sounded and two large gaping tunnels opened up either side of his brawling frame, cut off shirt and all. 'This allows me to summon two monsters from my deck, one a Level 4 Machine and the other a Level 10 Machine. I summon Ruffian Railcar and Meteor Rush - Monochroid (Atk:1800;0). Then I can use my Special Schedule, to revive a Machine from my graveyard as long as it has 3000 Attack. I'll revive Bullet Train with it (Atk:3000).'
'Now I can overlay Bullet Train and Monochroid to summon the old favourite, just not for either of you losers - Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max (Atk:3000). Gustav Max, activate your effect and deal 2000 damage to JD, that will make him start to pay for stealing my monster.' As he did this though, Zak took the opportunity to remove a clear and present danger. 'I'll activate Dragonmatrix in my hand, to discard it and give Titan 500 more Attack points. Then Titan's effect will trigger because I used a Thunder monster's effect in my hand, destroying Gustav Max.' Keen to get in on the action, JD responded with 'Rock Bombardment, I'll send Block Dragon from my deck to the graveyard and deal 500 damage to Zak.'
All hell broke loose as the chain resolved, with rocks, electrical blasts and cannonballs being fired all in different directions, interacting with each other as they crossed paths and escalating in danger, resulting in all three being knocked back severely, and Gustav Max exploding in violent flames for good measure (JD LP:8000-6000; Zak LP:8000-7500). The shocking turn of events would lead to the end of Lukas' turn.
(JD hand: Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo, Fusion Weapon, Miracle Rupture)
JD: 'I'll draw and it's time to dig back into the cliff-face with another Miracle Rupture. I'll send another Weathering Soldier to the graveyard, and because Fossil Fusion's a relic itself down there, I draw another card. But right now, Weathering Soldier is all the tool I need, because when I send it to the graveyard, I can add Fossil Fusion back to my hand. Now I'll use that Fossil Fusion, fusing Weathering Soldier and Bullet Train to Fusion summon the ancient wagon, Fossil Machine Skull Convoy (Atk:2100).'
As it hit the field, Zak's monsters seemed to be somehow crippled by its presence. 'The old days not good for your monsters? Well I'm about to leave tyre treads all over your new-fangled crew, because when I have Convoy out, all your monsters lose Attack equal to their original Defence (Titan Atk:3200-0, Chidori Atk:1900-300). And I'll banish Weathering Soldier and Skullgios from my graveyard and Pachycephalo from my hand to summon Block Dragon from my grave (Atk:2800).'
'Skull Convoy, attack Thunder Dragon Titan.' With a stone age whirr, the wheeled Convoy's eye hole lit up blue and it ran straight over Thunder Dragon Titan, mowing Zak's points down in the process (Zak LP:7500-5400). 'And Convoy can attack monsters up to three times, so it's going after Chidori now.' The Convoy, fresh off its first attack, turned around and with a puff of smoke, rumbled ever onwards, crushing Chidori under its tracks (Zak LP:5400-3600). 'Finally, Block Dragon can attack Lukas directly, and with the effect of the Rush Recklessly in my hand, it's going to gain a 700 point boost (Atk:2800-3500).' This sudden boost was enough for the dragon to fire hard blocks of plastic off its body, pelting Lukas and eliminating the clear favourite from the duel (Lukas LP:3000-0).
(Zak hand: Thunder Dragonhawk, Thunder Dragonmatrix)
Zak: 'I'll draw and activate Thunder Dragonhawk in hand, discarding it to summon back Thunder Dragon Titan from the graveyard (Atk:500). Then I'll use Dragonmatrix in hand to give it 500 more Attack points (Atk:0-500), and use the effect of my Titan to destroy Skull Convoy.' The mighty Titan surged with electrical potential, shooting out a rogue bolt into the Skull Convoy, and blowing it to pieces (Atk:500-3700). 'Now attack!' Titan's incredible electrical power was put to good use by its hissing heads, bursting through Block Dragon and dropping JD's points (JD LP:7000-6100). 'When Block Dragon goes to the graveyard, I can add three Rocks to my hand whose Levels equal 8. I'll get the Level 1 Nemesis Keystone, Level 3 Flint Cragger and the Level 4 Weathering Soldier.' 'I end my turn.'
(JD hand: Nemesis Keystone, Flint Cragger, Weathering Soldier, Trade-In)
JD: 'I'll draw and set a monster before passing my turn.' It was clear to all involved that JD was waiting for his monster to be destroyed, so Zak took a moment to steady himself.
(Zak hand: Dark Hole)
Zak: 'I'll draw and activate Dark Hole, to destroy every monster on the field. Except Titan can avoid that if I banish two Thunder monsters from my graveyard. I'm banishing Dragonhawk and Dragonmatrix to save my monster.' As the fierce gravitational pull drew in Weathering Soldier, JD grinned. 'Just what I was waiting for, because now I can use Weathering Soldier's effect to add Fossil Fusion to my hand.'
'Well because I banished Thunder Dragonmatrix, I can use its effect to add another Matrix to my hand. Then I'll attack directly with Thunder Dragon Titan.' The devastatingly powerful Dragon rampaged with electrical might, hissing as it did and taking away a chunk of JD's points (JD LP:6100-2900). 'I end my turn.'
(JD hand: Nemesis Keystone, Flint Cragger, Trade-In, Fossil Fusion, Banish Reactor)
JD: 'I'll draw and activate my Banish Reactor. Now whenever a monster is banished, you take 300 damage. I'll then activate Fossil Fusion, and banish Thunder Dragon Colossus from your graveyard and the Weathering Soldier from mine to bring out another specimen that you saw earlier, time to show off my Fossil Dragon Skullgios (Atk:3500, Zak LP:3600-3300). Skullgios, attack Titan.' The mighty Titan once more lunged into battle, but this time it's charged bite had no effect on the opponent, the skeletal dinosaur biting back in response and destroying it (Zak LP:3300-3000). 'I end my turn.'
(Zak hand: Thunder Dragonmatrix, Archnemesis Protos)
Zak: 'I'll draw for my turn and you might just be cooked, I'll banish the Light-attribute Mahunder, Dark-attribute Thunder Dragonroar and Wind-attribute Lightning Chidori from my graveyard to summon the devastatingly despicable Archnemesis Protos (Atk:2500). And its evil effect will destroy all monsters of a particular attribute on the field, and then you can't summon those until the end of your next turn. I'll select Earth.'
As soon as he did, JD put his hand over his deck to concede the duel, accepting that the resolution of the effect would leave him no possible way out. Zak then punched the air in victory, and JD walked over to him laughing and shaking his head. 'That was the craziest duel I've ever seen' he exclaimed, which Zak concurred with, telling him 'Not wrong there, that was insane man. Top decked the hell out of you.' 'Like I didn't' the response came. A fist bump later, and Zak was left alone to celebrate his win with a cheering crowd.
Backstage, Brooke was warming up for the final qualifier when Hassleberry approached her with a bunch of flowers. 'I was going to wait until you won your duel, but I couldn't resist, just coming to say good luck private.' 'Thanks. I know it's an uphill battle even if it's just Myka, but all I can do is my best, if it doesn't come now' 'Don't talk like that' he told her reassuringly. 'You gotta believe you can win. Because I believe you can.' She chuckled, and kissed him on the lips, as Jade and Blair passed them, and jokingly shouted 'Get a room!', before locking lips themselves.
In the zone
Myka was first to enter for the final qualifier, now with the letters S and C henna'd onto her hands, shown off as she held them up, Caprice seemingly sending her into battle from the entranceway. 'The following is the Americas qualifier, introducing first, sitting on the Style Council, from Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada, the Storm - Myka Grainger.' True to her nickname, Myka stormed down, not giving anyone a moment of her time, and thumping the floor as she entered the zone, clearly extremely pumped for the duel.
Shortly after she did so, Brooke entered, with the cameras more interested in watching Hassleberry cheer her on from backstage than focus on her entrance. 'Introducing next, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Brooke Angharad.' As the commentators made mention that she was representing the birthplace of her father, she walked down, spending some more time with the Ice Bank as she did, and even stopping for a selfie with one particularly passionate fan, before entering the zone, and flicking her mid length chestnut hair into Myka's face to annoy her.
As this resulted in a near-fight, Akiza's music started, but there was no sign of her after the earlier attack. It continued to play with her still not appearing, as both Myka and Brooke watched in in confusion. After several minutes, she still hadn't appeared, and the competitors appeared to accept that she wasn't coming, and turned to each other, activating their duel disks and starting the duel, only for the cameras to cut backstage.
Backstage
As the dulcet tones of Akiza's theme continued droning through the speakers, MGA was busy talking to a medic. 'I told you before, she is awake but is not being cleared, she has to go to hospital. She cannot compete.' 'If we give her enough time before the final duel?' 'She is not going to be cleared today sir, she needs to go to hospital. You are going to have to complete the show without her.' Stressed out by the conformation, Michael buried his head in his hand. 'Looks like we're going to have a 1-1 then.'
Seconds later though, as the duel was about to be given the go-ahead, Rio ran up to him, as the crowd went mental for her. 'I want in.' Michael sniggered at the very thought, and told her 'You really think that someone like you, some brain dead kid, would be let out there with those monsters? You know what you are, you're the equivalent of a cancer patient being allowed to run the Boston Marathon, that's what you are, you're just a sickly little patient waiting for her next visit to hospital.'
Sickened by his response, Rio squared up to him as Phil and Donny watched on silently behind her. 'You've got two choices, either let me out there or I'll go out there, take Brooke and Myka out, then come back and set the Renegades on every other competitor in International Panic, and I'll leave you with Blair as your top contender and some very angry pay-per-view providers, because I can very easily arrange all of that for you. And how much is it you get from the Duelling Network every year - £20mil? Imagine where you'd be if they took their money and ran because of your words.'
Scared straight by these very realistic thoughts, Michael had little option. 'Fine, you can go out there. Get eaten alive for all I care.' 'Pleasure doing business with you' she responded, before Phil passed her a shinier version of her white duel disk with purple ice crystals, and she ran straight out to her music, to the crowd's adoration. Meanwhile, Michael was returning to his office when his PA approached him. 'Mr. Adams?' 'What is it?' he gruffly responded in frustration at the bargain he'd just been forced into.
'I have here, a correspondence from a Mr. Clark Maxwell.' 'What does he want…' 'It says that he is sending a member of the Board to talk to you in Long Beach regarding your conduct, amidst allegations of misconduct in office.' 'What allegations?' he questioned, but the answer was cleared up, as Geoff Maltby walked into view, confronting him. 'The allegations that you knew about Bolton being paid off and about his alliance with Rhydian, and that you also chose not to do anything about it. You knew that a competitor who we have a duty of care for like we do all competitors was being taken advantage of and manipulated, and you chose to let it happen out of greed and a grudge. Oh by the way, you'll find yourself a little busy in Long Beach, so the Board have asked me to take charge.'
Americas Qualifier: Myka Grainger (Can) LP:8000 vs. Brooke Angharad (Pri) LP:8000 vs. Rio Kastle (USA) LP:8000
(Myka hand: Kozmo Tincan, Emergency Teleport, Kozmo Sliprider, Kozmourning, Kozmo Lightsword)
Myka: 'I'll start and summon Kozmo Tincan (Atk:0). I end my turn setting three, and Tincan's effect (Myka LP:8000-7500) will reveal Dark Destroyer, Sliprider, and DOG Fighter. Since one of you's actually supposed to be here, Brooke can choose a random one.' 'Middle solves the riddle' she responded, without being clear as to what riddle she was actually referring to. 'The others go to the grave.'
(Brooke hand: Dark Magician Girl, Magician's Rod, Fusion Conscription, Fusion Armament, Timaeus the United Dragon, Legion the Fiend Jester)
Brooke: 'I'll draw and discard Legion the Fiend Jester to summon Timaeus the United Dragon (Atk:2800). Legion's effect in the graveyard then adds Dark Magician to my hand. Now I'll use Timaeus' effect to fuse itself with the Dark Magician in my hand to summon Dark Cavalry (Atk:2800). And for each Spell or Trap out or in the graveyards, Cavalry gets 100 Attack (Atk:2800-3100). I set two (Atk:3100-3300), and end my turn.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Unexplored Winds, Floowandereeze and the Dreaming Town, Floowandereeze and Stri, Solemn Judgement, Swallow's Cowrie, Solemn Strike)
Rio: 'I'll draw, and activate the Spell card Swallow's Cowrie. This tributes the Level 1 Stri from my hand to add a Winged Beast of the same Level from my deck to my hand. I'll grab Robina. Then I'll summon Floowandereeze and Robina (Atk:600), use it to add Floowandereeze and Eglen to my hand. Then I'll summon Eglen (Atk:800), and it's going to add Empen to my hand. Now I'll tribute both for Empen (Atk:2700), and Chain Link 1, Empen will add Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map to my hand.'
'Then I'll activate Map, before attacking with' 'Hey, what does Map do?' Brooke asked, but answers were far from forthcoming. 'Doesn't matter right now. Empen, attack Kozmo Tincan.' 'Fine, you forced it out, I'll tribute my Kozmo Tincan through its effect for Kozmo Dark Destroyer (Def.:1800), and use its effect to destroy your Empen.' The lasers of Myka's spaceship shot through the stomach of Empen, pixelating and disintegrating it. 'I'll set two, activate Unexplored Winds, and end my turn.'
(Myka hand: Kozmo Sliprider, Kozmo Scaredy Lion)
Myka: 'I'll draw, and summon Kozmo Scaredy Lion (Atk:1200).' 'And I'll activate the effect of Magnificent Map. This is going to find a course to victory for me by waiting for you to Normal summon, and then allowing me to summon a Floowandereeze from my hand. I'll summon Floowandereeze and Eglen (Atk:800), and add Simorgh, Lord of the Storm to my hand. Now I'll tribute both Eglen and your Dark Destroyer through Unexplored Winds for Lord of the Storm (Atk:2900), and it stops my Tribute-Summoned Winged Beasts from being targeted by Spells and Traps.' Stunned, Myka ended her turn.
(Brooke hand: Dark Magician Girl, Chronicle Sorceress)
Brooke: 'I'll draw and summon Chronicle Sorceress (Atk:1250).' 'Sorry Brooke, but nobody gets to steer around Map. I'll use it to summon Eglen (Atk:800), and add Earthbound Immortal Asila Piscu to my hand. Now I'll tribute your Dark Cavalry and my own Eglen to summon Asila Piscu (Atk:2500).' Myka then tried to counteract her. 'As soon as you do, I'll use the effect of Scaredy Lion to tribute itself for Kozmo Sliprider (Atk:2300). The effect of Sliprider then will destroy your Map.'
On fire by now though, Rio had the measure of this move. 'I activate Solemn Strike, by paying 1500 Life points (Rio LP:8000-6500), I can negate the activation of your Sliprider's effect and destroy it.' 'Well Sliprider will float into a lower Level Kozmo from my deck. I'll summon Kozmoll Wickedwitch (Def.:300).' With the threat to her Immortal removed, Rio was right in the driving seat, while Brooke had little to do. 'I'll use the effect of Chronicle Sorceress. Because I have a Dark monster in my grave, I can send Soul Servant from my deck to the graveyard. I end my turn.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and Eglen, Tribute Burial)
Rio: 'I'll draw and summon Floowandereeze and Eglen (Atk:800), and use it to add Floowandereeze and Snowl to my hand. Now I'll tribute your Sorceress and my own Eglen to summon Floowandereeze and Snowl (Atk:2900).' With this, Rio had to choose who to target, and had a very firm idea. 'Asila Piscu, attack Myka directly.' The huge hummingbird released a grating screech from its plunging beak, and Myka found herself taking punishment (Myka LP:7500-5000).
'Now I'll attack' 'Before you even do, I'll use Wickedwitch's effect to pay 1000 life points (Myka LP:5000-4000)' 'Will you though? I'll banish Eglen from my hand with Snowl's effect to set your monster. And that means she can no longer protect herself. Also, Snowl deals piercing damage, so it's going to come straight for your Witch.' Snowl flew in through a blizzard, as its beak glowed red and orange, going through Wickedwitch's pitiful defences.
At the last moment though, Myka realised she had a potential way out. 'I'll activate Kozmojo, I can't target your monsters, but guess what - Kozmojo doesn't have to target. It just destroys my Witch to banish your Empen.' A dark energy overtook Wickedwitch as she was being destroyed, and she fell backwards in apparent death, before the energy zoned in on Empen, and disintegrated it.
'I've still got two monsters, and Snowl can redeclare its attack.' 'I'll activate Emergency Teleport, to summon Super Quantum Blue Layer from my hand (Def.:2000). When it's summoned, I can add Super Quantum Red Layer to my hand.' 'I'll pierce through it with Snowl.' At the third attempt, Snowl's attack went through, and pierced through the defences of the Blue Layer, dealing further damage (Myka LP:4000-3100).
At this moment though, Rio had a sneaky look over at her other opponent, and as she was distracted looking at her hand, declared 'Lord of the Storm attacks Chronicle Sorceress.' This shocked Brooke, who would have had no time to react had she actually had a response, and a powerful gust blew away some of her total (Brooke LP:8000-6350). 'I end my turn with that.' The crowd continued to cheer Rio on, with the Ice Station cheering her on like mad.
(Myka hand: Super Quantum Red Layer, Kozmo Farmgirl)
Myka: 'I'll draw, and summon Kozmo Farmgirl (Atk:1500). And I'll equip her with the Kozmo Lightsword I have face-down (Atk:1500-2000). Now Farmgirl, attack directly.' Myka's Farmgirl swung her lightsword around, striking Brooke with a stiff blow (Brooke LP:6350-4350). 'When it deals Battle damage to you, Farmgirl will pay 500 Life points (Myka LP:3100-2600) and grab me a Kozmo Dark Destroyer for my hand. Then I'll immediately banish Farmgirl to summon Dark Destroyer (Atk:3000), and it will destroy Snowl.' 'I'll use Snowl's effect to banish Robina and flip your monster face-down. I still lose Snowl, but I keep my Lord of the Storm.' 'I'll end my turn.'
(Brooke hand: Dark Magician Girl, Palladium Oracle Mahad)
Brooke: 'I'll draw and because I drew this, I can summon it immediately - Palladium Oracle Mahad (Atk:2500). Now it can attack the face-down Dark Destroyer, and when I do, it gains 2500 Attack points (Atk:2500-5000).' As the boisterous crowd continued enjoying a cracking contest between clever competitors, Mahad slammed his mystic staff straight into the spaceship (Atk:2500-5000), destroying it.
'Every time a ship gets destroyed, reinforcements arrive. I summon Kozmo Sliprider (Atk:2300), and it's going to destroy Unexplored Winds so Rio can stop tributing over my monsters. Maybe now she'll get the message that she shouldn't even be here.' 'I'll end my turn.'
(Rio hand: Chaos Witch)
Rio: 'I'll draw, and Lord of the Storm will attack Sliprider.' The Simorgh's powerfully whipped up gales rushed through the field, and blew Sliprider straight into the ground uncontrollably (Myka LP:2600-2000). 'Sliprider's floating effect, I'll summon Kozmo Goodwitch (Atk:1900).' 'Ok, I'll attack it with Snowl.' The blinding blizzard bird surged through its storm with a keen eye, focused exclusively on its target as it pierced through the Goodwitch's skin (Myka LP:2000-1000). 'And I still have Asila Piscu, attacking Brooke directly.' The sonic screech from the hummingbird rocked Brooke as her points slipped down (Brooke LP:4350-1850). 'I end my turn.'
(Myka hand: Phosphorage the Elemental Lord)
Myka: 'I'll draw for my turn.' Still not lacking confidence, Myka steeled herself for a push. 'And because I now have five Light monsters in the graveyard, I can summon Phosphorage the Elemental Lord (Atk:2800). When it's summoned, it blows up every other monster on the field.' This is when Rio finally revealed her final face-down. 'Good a time as any I suppose, I'll activate Solemn Judgement, paying half my points to negate Phosphorage's effect and destroy it (Rio LP:6500-3250).' As her monster was taken down by a light from the heavens above, Myka ended her turn, out of ideas.
(Brooke hand: Dark Magician Girl, Magicians' Souls)
Brooke: 'I'll draw, and activate Magicians' Souls from my hand. By sending it and Dark Magician from my deck to the graveyard, I can summon another Dark Magician from my graveyard (Atk:2500). Then I'll tribute it for Dark Magician Girl, who gains 300 Attack for each Magician in my graveyard (Atk:2000-2600). Now I'll use the effect of Soul Servant in the graveyard. For every Palladium, Magician Girl or Dark Magician with different names in the graveyard or on the field, I draw a card. With three of them (Mahad, Dark Magician Girl, Dark Magician), I draw three cards.'
'Now I'll activate Monster Reborn, which will revive Dark Cavalry (Atk:2800). And for each Spell or Trap in any graveyard, it gains 100 Attack (Atk:2800-3800). Now I'll use Fusion Armament, and this is sure to give you something to think about, as I can reveal a Fusion monster from my Extra deck to summon a listed material from it, but it loses its ability to attack this turn and its effects are disabled this turn. I'll reveal Dragon Magia Master and summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (Atk:4500). Dark Cavalry, attack Myka.' The purple steed and rider charged in with a spiralling spear, sucking the wind out of Myka's sails as she was eliminated (Myka LP:1000-0). 'I end my turn with a face-down.'
(Rio hand: March of the Monarchs)
Rio: 'I'll draw.' 'I'll activate Spirit Barrier immediately, so unless you're planning on attacking over 4500 Attack, don't bother.' Rio though, laughed to herself. 'This is a real scummy one for you, I activate March of the Monarchs, which stops my Tribute summoned monsters being destroyed by card effects. Now Asila Piscu, attack Dark Cavalry!' This confused Brooke, until she saw March again, and had the realisation that she was going to lose. 'Fair play, didn't see this one coming (Rio LP:3250-1950).'
'Looks like you already figured it out, not surprised to be honest, you are pretty astute. When Asila Piscu leaves the field, every monster on the field is destroyed, and you take 800 damage for each one. Except my monsters won't be destroyed.' An earthquake rocked the field, as Brooke's trio of monsters were consumed by fierce fires from below (Brooke LP:1850-0).
After the duel, Rio barely had time to smile in victory before MGA walked out, clearly annoyed that she was through. 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I hate to inform you of all this, but as a result of the duel overrunning, no doubt thanks to this… scoundrel, we are running short on our allotted time for the show. Therefore, the International Panic final duel will begin IMMEDIATELY. Good luck, you're going to need it.'
The winners from earlier then started entering, with Sledgehammer entering first, and storming straight over to Rio, grabbing her by the head, to which she responded by elbowing him in the chest, as security rushed out to separate them. Zak then emerged next, carrying his head up high after his earlier victory, and looking for support from the crowd, before walking up to the Ice Station, and signalling to them that Rio was going out first, and he was going to the top himself.
Blair was third, and walked down calmly to a huge response, but brushed off both Sledgehammer and Zak, squaring straight up with Rio. There was a tense moment before the UK representative offered her friend a bottle of ice-cold water and a sugar sweet to recharge, with the response being a smile and a grateful fist-bump, as Rio declared 'Gonna beat you', to which Blair responded 'More than welcome to try.'
Caprice was quick in after, fresh from having the most comfortable win in the qualifiers, and making a beeline for her old rival Blair, with the two of them exchanging rather terse words, but no physicality, as the mutual respect they had for each other as competitors wouldn't let either jeopardise their chance to once again prove superior to each other. She then walked up to Sledgehammer and called him "Sledgedumber", and confidently told Zak that he was "so far out of his league" that it "wasn't even funny".
Finally Rhydian entered, the only one coming out to his own music, with Nash and Shannon allowed to flank him on his way down, along with his own personal security team consisting of half a dozen guards with handguns in their holsters and batons in their hands. He walked down confidently, as the crowd booed him relentlessly, and held his title up in front of every competitor, saving special attention for Blair, telling her 'You ruined my life. So I could very easily get one of my boys to end yours.'
She didn't appear worried though, calmly informing him 'If they try, I'll choke them all out. And unlike your groupies, I have used a gun before. Ex-Marines aren't the type to fuck with.' 'Choke six out at once? I'd like to see you try.' 'My arms are long enough, their necks are scorny enough. But if you'd like to try, you're going to find yourself the other end of a gun barrel. So bring it on.' Rhydian responded by spitting in her face, only for Blair to punk him out by putting her mask on, before they were separated, and the final commenced.
International Panic Final: Blair Flannigan (Team Europe) LP:8000 vs. Caprice Morris (Team Africa) LP:8000 vs. The Sledgehammer (Team Asia) LP:8000 vs. Zak Zapata (Team Oceania) LP:8000 vs. Rio Kastle (Team USA) LP:8000 vs. Rhydian Morris LP:8000
(Blair hand: Shaddoll Dragon, El Shaddoll Fusion, Shaddoll Fusion, Shadow's Light, Shaddoll Beast)
Turn 1: Blair: 'I'll start, activating El Shaddoll Fusion to fuse Dragon and Beast into the puppet who's going to leave you all strung up, El Shaddoll Winda (Atk:2200). Then Beast will draw me a card, which I'm setting along with another card, ending my turn.'
(Caprice hand: Trickstar Lycoris, Trickstar Bouquet, Trickstar Light Stage, Angel of Blue Tears, Trickstar Candina)
Caprice: 'I'll open with Angel of Blue Tears, which negates the effect of Winda until the end of the turn, then you take 200 damage for each card in your hand (Blair LP:8000-7800). Then I'll activate Light Stage, and it's going to add Lycoris to my hand. Now I can summon Trickstar Candina (Atk:1800), using her effect to add Trickstar Lycoris to my hand. And I'll activate Lycoris, to bounce Candina back and summon herself. I'll chain Lycoris, to bounce back Candina and summon herself, and chain Lycoris, to… you get the idea. Even though there's only one Candina, all three Lycoris' summon themselves (Atk:1600x3). I'll end my turn with a face-down.'
(Sledgehammer hand: Ancient Warriors - Deceptive Jia Wen, Ancient Warriors - Masterful Sun Mou, Ancient Warriors Saga - Defence of Changban, Sneak Exploder, Ancient Warriors Saga - Three Visits)
Sledgehammer: 'The undeniable Sledgehammer begins his noble quest, and he'll activate the dangerous Ancient Warriors Saga - Three Visits, before summoning Ancient Warriors - Deceptive Jia Wen (Atk:1100). Then he'll use Three Visits to search for a differently named Ancient Warrior from his deck, like the Loyal Guan Yun. He'll be ending his turn, but not after setting two pesky face-downs.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and Toccan, Floowandereeze and the Dreaming Town, Mist Valley Apex Avian)
Rio: 'I'll summon Floowandereeze and Robina (Atk:600). And it's going to add Eglen to my hand, which I'm then summoning (Atk:800), and it will add Empen to my hand before I tribute them both for Mist Valley Apex Avian (Atk:2700). Robina and Eglen will then add themselves back to my hand, and I end my turn with a face-down.'
(Zak hand: Thunder Dragon, Instant Fusion, Thunder Dragondark, Thunder Dragonduo, Thunder Dragon Discharge)
Zak: 'I'm up now, using Thunder Dragon's effect to send it to the graveyard and add Thunder Dragon from my deck to my hand. Then I'll use Thunder Dragondark's effect to send itself from my hand to the grave and getting another Dragondark. And I did that so I can banish a Light and a Dark Thunder Dragon monster for Thunder Dragonduo (Atk:2800). I end my turn setting a card.'
(Rhydian hand: Snake Rain, Ogdoadic Water Lily, Nunu, the Ogdoadic Remnant, Nauya, the Ogdoadic Remnant, Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light)
Rhydian: 'I don't even know why I'm here, I should be trying to get Maddy back. I'll activate Snake Rain.' Taking a calculated gamble, Rio struck. 'I'll activate Apex Avian's effect, to negate and destroy your Snake Rain.' Incredibly irritated, Rhydian had to regroup. 'Fine, I'll summon Nauya, the Ogdoadic Remnant (Atk:0), and use it to add Ogdoadic Daybreak to my hand. Now I'll use Water Lily, and it's going to send Amunessia to the graveyard. Now Nunu effect in my hand, I'm sending it to the grave in order to send Aleirtt to the grave from my deck. Nunu in the graveyard summons itself because I only control Ogdoadics (Atk:0), then I'll tribute it and Nauya for Amunessia (Atk:2700). I end my turn.'
(Blair hand: Shaddoll Fusion, Reeshaddoll Wendi, Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise)
Blair: 'I'll draw.' 'And as you do, my three Lycoris will deal 200 damage each to you. And each time they do, Light Stage deals another 200 (Blair LP:8000-6800). 'That's fine, I'll attack Lycoris with Winda. String of Destiny!' Winda shot thin wires from her sleeves, which wrapped around Lycoris, and sliced her angelic body into pieces (Caprice LP:8000-7400). 'I'll now activate Shaddoll Fusion, fusing Wendi and Winda to Fusion summon El Shaddoll Apkallone (Atk:2500). And it's going to negate the effect of Lycoris. I end my turn.'
(Caprice hand: Trickstar Bouquet, Trickstar Candina, Trickstar Lilybell)
Caprice: 'I'll draw and summon Trickstar Candina (Atk:1800), using her effect to add Trickstar Narkissus to my hand. Then because I added a monster through that effect, Trickstar Lilybell will summon herself (Atk:800). Now I'll Link off Candina and two of the Lycoris' to summon Link 3, Trickstar Foxglove Witch (Atk:2200). Foxglove Witch will do 200 damage for every card you control. And don't forget about the damage from my Light Stage either (Blair LP:6800-6200).'
'Then, because I dealt you a teeny little bit of damage, I can summon Trickstar Narkissus (Atk:1000). Then I'll Link off Narkissus to summon Trickstar Colchica (Atk:200). Finally, I'll Link off Foxglove Witch and Colchica to Link summon Link 4, Trickstar Bella Madonna (Atk:2800). When she's summoned and doesn't point to a monster, you take 200 damage for each unique Trickstar in my graveyard.' Madonna opened her mouth, and emitted a long sustained note, with the soundwaves hitting the Union Jack-clad Blair like an earthquake (Blair LP:6200-5000).'
'Now Bella Madonna can attack your Apkallone.' As a harsher note started to push Apkallone back, Blair calmly informed Caprice 'I imagine you're aware, but Apkallone can't be destroyed in battle.' 'I was aware (Blair LP:5000-4500). 'And Lilybell' 'Can attack directly, there, I saved you some breath. Funny how your foot got better in a few days isn't it? (Blair LP:4500-3500). 'Lilybell, when she deals battle damage, adds Candina back to my hand. I end my turn.'
(Sledgehammer hand: Ancient Warriors - Loyal Guan Yun, Ancient Warriors - Savage Don Ying)
Sledgehammer: 'The true WDC Champion, The Sledgehammer draws!' As Nico declared this, Caprice took the opportunity for a shot at him. 'Hang on, the "true" WDC Champion? Sorry, but didn't you lose two title duels against Phil? Who let's be honest, is maybe a B- player at this point.' Rhydian then crowed 'Beating Phil's easy.' 'Yeah, all you need is Mindless Maddy on your arm to attack him before the first duel, and Meatshield Maddy to get in the way in the second duel. Simple really.'
Zak then stated confidently that 'Rhydian's just a coward, Sledgehammer's useless, and you're a bitch Caprice.' 'Who are you again?' she responded, which Zak nodded his head at. 'Funny. Then again, at least you're not cheating, I mean when did Michigan start being in the UK, or is it a rule that anybody can sub in for anybody now?' 'I was born in England, I'll scan my birth certificate over for you if you like. Let's also not forget that but for Ginger Bitch, I'd be WDC Champion already, because Rhydian sure as hell can't beat me, the only person here who can is Caprice.'
'And the incredible Sledgehammer!' Nico added. 'Erm no, Sledgehammer's an overhyped nobody. I'll tell you who he's a great match for - Ally. She's my nephew, she's never duelled competitively, and she's 9 - you'd be a really even match, although I'm worried she'd be a little strong if she duels well.' Throughout all the war of words, Rio was conspicuous in her absence, but nobody appeared to notice as Sledgehammer continued his turn.
'The Sledgehammer will tribute Deceptive Jia Wen, he's earned a promotion to become Savage Don Ying (Atk:2200). That will trigger his Three Visits, which will welcome Fearsome Zhang Yuan to the sanctuary of his hand. And now Don Ying will wage war upon El Shaddoll Apkallone, to punish the heathen for her insolence.' 'Excuse me, I'll have you know that I actually do belong to a religion. I'm presuming you know what a "heathen" is.'
Nico didn't answer this, but instead declared 'Zhang Yuan's effect in Sledgehammer's hand, to summon itself and Apkallone loses 1000 Attack points (Atk:2300; Apkallone Atk:2500-1500).' The violent and aggressive Don Ying picked up his spear, and ran it straight into Apkallone, dealing more damage to Blair who had seemingly become public enemy #1 (Blair LP:3500-2800). 'And now he can also attack with Zhang Yuan.' The other Ancient Warrior spun his staff, before swinging it down on the top of Apkallone as Blair still looked perfectly calm (Blair LP:2800-2000). 'He ends his mighty turn.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and Toccan, Floowandereeze and Eglen, Chain Summoning)
Rio: 'I'll draw, summoning Floowandereeze and Robina (Atk:600), then using her to add Floowandereeze and Stri to my hand, before summoning Eglen (Atk:800), using it to add Mist Valley Apex Avian to my hand. Then I'll tribute them both for Apex Avian (Atk:2700), before they both return to my hand as I Normal summoned a Winged Beast. I end my turn.'
(Zak hand: Thunder Dragon, Instant Fusion, Thunder Dragon)
Zak: 'I draw, and man, this isn't exciting, but I'm going to attack Blair's Apkallone, because she shouldn't even be here.' Dragonduo shot out a dual blast of electricity, which charred Apkallone, staying firm, unlike Blair's ever decreasing total (Blair LP:2000-700). 'I end my turn.'
(Rhydian hand: Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light, Ogdoadic Daybreak, Ogdoadic Water Lily)
Rhydian: 'Let's get this over and done with, I'll use Ogdoadic Daybreak to tribute Amunessia and summon an Ogdoadic Token for every two Levels she has (Atk:0x4). Then Water Lily again, to send Ogdoabyss, the Ogdoadic Overlord to the graveyard, and because I have five Reptiles in the graveyard, I can summon back Amunessia (Atk:2700). Now I'll tribute three Tokens to revive Ogdoabyss (Atk:3100), and attack Apkallone.' Ogdoabyss swung its mighty tail, and creating a waterfall of pressure, finished Blair's points off in a shocking early exit (Blair LP:700-0).
With her elimination, the expectation would have been for Blair to be angry or frustrated. But instead, she just turned to the crowd, and shrugged. Meanwhile, Rhydian started boasting 'See, I just beat her, now she's had her chance. I'm not losing to some lesbian freak!' Blair responded to this by whispering something to Rio, which she appeared to agree with, before she hopped into the crowd, and sat in the "ice station", cheering Rio on. Due to the rules of a melee, Rhydian's turn automatically ended.
(Caprice hand: Trickstar Candina, Phantom Knight's Wing)
Caprice: 'I'll draw, set a card and attack Don Ying with my Bella Madonna.' Madonna's majestic note proved to be incredibly grating for Don Ying, as it was destroyed by the soundwaves (Sledgehammer LP:8000-7200). 'I'll use Bella Madonna's effect to then deal 200 damage to Rhydian for every Trickstar in the graveyard (Rhydian LP:8000-6800) and end my turn.'
(Sledgehammer hand: Ancient Warriors - Loyal Guan Yun, Ancient Warriors - Virtuous Liu Xuan)
Sledgehammer: 'The Blair conqueror, the Sledgehammer draws!' 'Blair conqueror?' Caprice immediately questioned. 'Let's not forget who did the most damage here, I'll give you a hint: she's stylish, gorgeous, and just made you look stupid. Well more stupid than you do anyway.' Angered, Sledgehammer turned his attention squarely to her. 'The incredible Sledgehammer summons Ancient Warriors - Virtuous Liu Xuan (Atk:1400). Then Three Visits will call Rebellious Lu Feng to his hand, and by controlling the Ancient Warrior with the highest Attack power, he can summon Lu Feng (Atk:2800). And Lu Feng can destroy the monster Caprice controls with the highest Attack power.'
'It's not happening, while she points to no monsters, Bella Madonna is immune to your card effects while no other monsters point to her.' Sledgehammer grunted, and then said something that was unintelligible, even in Japanese. 'The Sledgehammer is going to attack Bella Madonna with Lu Feng.' 'I activate my face-down Phantom Knights' Sword, giving Trickstar Bella Madonna 800 Attack points and immunity from destruction (Atk:2800-3600).'
This all led to Sledgehammer's Lu Feng going to punch Madonna, only for the Link 4 to impale it with a sword, destroying it (Sledgehammer LP:7200-6200). 'After the battle ends, Sledgehammer will Link off his two mighty warriors for the Ancient Warriors Oath - Double Dragon Lords (Atk:1100). He gives all Ancient Warriors 500 more Attack points, and use his Dragon Lords to add any Ancient Warriors card to his hand. So he'll add Ancient Warriors Saga - Chivalrous Path to my hand. He sets one card and ends his turn.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Toccan, Chain Summoning, Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and Eglen, Floorandereeze and Stri, Floowandereeze and the Scary Sea)
Rio: 'I draw, and I'll summon Floowandereeze and Stri (Atk:700), using it to banish Nauya the Ogdoadic Remnant from Rhydian's graveyard, then Normal summon Eglen (Atk:800), searching out Dark Simorgh. Then I can tribute both my monsters for Dark Simorgh (Atk:2700), and end my turn. Now nobody's allowed to set cards.' 'Well you're fun' Caprice responded, leading to a tense reply of 'I'm not here for fun, I'm here to win.' This comment fired up the Ice Wall, who roared Rio on, with nobody cheering louder than Blair.
(Zak hand: Thunder Dragon, Instant Fusion, Thunder Dragon, Thunder Dragonmatrix)
Zak: 'I'll draw, and activate Instant Fusion, to summon Kaminari Attack (Atk:1900). Then I'll activate the effect of Thunder Dragonmatrix in my hand to give it 500 more Attack points (Atk:1900-2400). But that's not really what I was after, I actually wanted to activate that effect because now I can tribute Kaminari for Thunder Dragon Colossus (Atk:2600). Now Colossus is out, your little birds can't search any monsters out' he directed at Rio, who nodded in understanding, content to still be off everybody else's radar.
Sledgehammer though, had a surprise of his own. 'The mighty Sledgehammer's Chivalrous Path activates, to summon an Ancient Warriors Token because you Special summoned (Def.:500-1000).' 'You're good, because now I'll attack Double Dragon Lords with Colossus.' Colossus sparked up with static, before wrapping its purple body around Dragon Lords, as Sledgehammer declared 'Chivalrous Path, destroy to save Lords.' 'Oh, so you're not a mute, why you letting stripes talk for you then? (Sledgehammer LP:6200-5300). 'I end my turn.'
(Rhydian hand: Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light, Ego Boost)
Rhydian: 'I'll draw, and attack Bella Madonna, activating Ego Boost as I do to boost my Ogdoabyss by 1000 Attack (Atk:3100-4100).' Seeing that her monster was outmatched, Caprice did what she had to. 'I'll send Phantom Knights' Sword to the graveyard and that will save Bella Madonna (Atk:3600-2800; Caprice LP:8000-7500). 'I end my turn.'
(Caprice hand: Trickstar Candina, Trickstar Fusion)
Caprice: 'Right, I'll draw, and it's time I turned up the heat. I'll summon Trickstar Candina (Atk:1800), and use her to add Trickstar Lilybell to my hand. Then Lilybell will summon herself because she was added to my hand without being drawn (Atk:800). Lilybell, attack Sledgehammer directly.' The pretty pink-haired Lilybell flew into the sky, and rung her bell, which rained sound waves onto Sledgehammer, dropping his points (Sledgehammer LP:5300-4300).
'Because she did that, Lilybell can add Trickstar Lycoris back to my hand. Then I'll attack him with Bella Madonna.' The now regular-strength Madonna came firing in with her own vicious noise, shocking Sledgehammer who had no defence for it (Sledgehammer LP:4300-2900). 'Finally Candina will take your Token down.' Candina picked up what appeared to be an airhorn, and ran towards Sledgehammer, blasting it at his Token, which stood no chance. 'I end my turn.' Caprice then struck a pose for the crowd, who appeared to be heavily favouring both she and Rio.
(Sledgehammer hand: Ancient Warriors - Loyal Guan Yun, Ancient Warriors Saga - Defence of Changban)
Sledgehammer: 'The brave Sledgehammer draws, and summons Loyal Guan Yun as he controls no monsters but other competitors do (Atk:2500). And with his effect, he can destroy any monster on the field, choosing that pesky Thunder Dragon Colossus.' 'I'll use Colossus' effect, banishing Thunder Dragonmatrix to survive this hit.' Sledgehammer then spoke himself to say 'Attack Candina.' So in a momentary decision, Caprice decided to save her Candina. 'I'll use Lycoris, returning Candina to my hand (Def.:1200).' 'Attack Lycoris.' This strange move from Sledgehammer was clearly an attempt to save his points on his next turn, as Lycoris got a halberd through the stomach. 'Turn end, set one.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Robina, Chain Summoning, Floowandereeze and Empen, Floowandereeze and Toccan, Floowandereeze and Eglen, Solemn Warning)
Rio: 'I'll draw, and summon Floowandereeze and Eglen (Atk:800). Then I'll use Eglen's effect, to add Mist Valley Apex Avian in my hand. I'll chain the effect of my banished Stri to add itself back to my hand, and then Chain Link 3, Chain Summoning. Now I can Normal summon up to three times this turn, so I'll resolve that, then tribute them both for Empen (Atk:2700). On summon, Empten adds Floowandereeze and the Scary Sea to my hand, then I'll summon Floowandereeze and Robina (Atk:600), ignoring her effect so I can just summon Toccan (Atk:500), and tributing them both for Mist Valley Apex Avian (Atk:2700). I'll then add Robina back to my hand with her effect.'
'Now for battle. Empen, attack Rhydian's Ogdoabyss with Polar Slicer! Oh, by the way, Empen can banish Robina from my hand to halve the Attack of your Ogdoabyss.' This forced Rhydian to declare 'Ogdoabyss effect, I'll send every monster on the field to the graveyard unless it was Special summoned from the graveyard. Absolutely pathetic.' Rio though, was grinning while gritting her teeth. 'Boy do I have some bad news for you - Empen stops you activating the effects of any Special summoned monster in Attack mode. Enjoy the taste of PAIN!'
Empen's sharp and solid wing sliced straight through Ogdoabyss (Atk:3100-1550), as Rhydian took the hit (Rhydian LP:6800-5650). 'Now Simorgh will attack Amunessia.' Rio's sacrifice of her Simorgh was another calculated ploy, as it crashed straight into the serpent with a sharp beak, both monsters falling in the kamikaze crash. 'Now I'm seeing nothing on your field, so Apex Avian attacks directly.'
The mighty bird of prey swooped from up high, and crashed into Rhydian, forcing him to the edge of the zone and his points down well below half (Rhydian LP:5650-2950). 'I end my turn.' As Rhydian reeled from the big attacks, Rio sarcastically bowed, causing the fans to burst into chants for her, and she shouted to Rhydian 'Now you know how SHE felt with you! Ignorance is NOT an excuse!'
(Zak hand: Thunder Dragon, Thunder Dragon, Pot of Avarice)
Zak: 'I'll draw and attack Guan Yun with Colossus.' The Thunder Dragon sparked into life again, and a charge left Guan Yun fried (Sledgehammer LP:2900-2700). 'I end my turn.'
(Rhydian hand: Keurse, the Ogdoadic Light, Ogdoadic Water Lily)
Rhydian: 'So the little mouse came out to play did she? Well consider me the rat poison. I'll activate Ogdoadic Water Lily' 'Apex Avian's effect to negate it.' Stunned, Rhydian scrambled for a response, and there was a new look on his face - far from his usual confident self, he was flustered. 'I'll use Nunu's effect to summon itself from the graveyard (Atk:0), then tribute it for Aleirtt from the graveyard (Def.:800). I end my turn.'
As he was ending his turn though, the crowd had caught sight of something else happening - Rio and Caprice were making hand signals to each other, apparently forming some kind of alliance. By the time Rhydian looked around though, they had finished communicating, and both looked totally normal, leaving him utterly unsuspecting.
(Caprice hand: Trickstar Fusion, Trickstar Candina, Pot of Avarice)
Caprice: 'I'll draw, and summon Trickstar Candina (Atk:1800), using her to add Trickstar Corobane to my hand. Then because I only control Trickstars, I can summon Corobane (Atk:2000). Then I'll use the effect of Trickstar Bella Madonna to deal 200 damage for every Trickstar in my graveyard. This one's going straight to Sledgehammer.' The soundwaves hit once more, and knocked Sledgehammer low on points (Sledgehammer LP:2700-1500).
Now it's Trickstar Fusion time, I'm going to combine Candina and Corobane to slam the beatdown with Trickstar Band Drummatis (Atk:2000). When she's on the field, any Link monster pointing to her gains 1000 Attack points (Madonna Atk:2800-3800). And when she's summoned, she adds a Trickstar card to my hand that has a different name to the ones in my field and graveyard. So I'll grab Trickstar Magical Laurel. Now Madonna, attack Sledgehammer directly!' Bella Madonna shot out more sound waves, which took Sledgehammer out cleanly (Sledgehammer LP:1500-0).
As he fell, Sledgehammer went to attack Caprice, only for Nico to come in front of him, and talk him down, resulting in him slowly and angrily walking away, as the field was cut down to four. Caprice's turn then ended automatically.
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Toccan, Dark Ruler No More)
Rio: 'I draw, and I'll activate Dark Ruler No More, which puts Zak's Colossus on ice for the turn, freezing its abilities but saving Zak from damage. Then I'll summon Floowandereeze and Toccan (Atk:500). Toucan will return the banished Eglen to my hand, while Robina will return herself to my hand through her effect. Then I'll summon Eglen (Atk:800), and use his effect to add Simorgh, Bird of Divinity to my hand. Now I'll tribute both Eglen and Toccan to summon Simorgh, Bird of Divinity (Atk:2700). Divinity and Empen, attack Rhydian directly!' The double aerial assault launched by Rio was enough to blast through the remainder of Rhydian's Life points, as the Ice Bank exploded in cheers (Rhydian LP:2950-0).
As his points hit 0, Rhydian just stared at Rio in shock, as she raised the red right hand, and shouted 'I'm better than you and YOU KNOW IT!' This caused him to go into an absolute rage, with him kicking the hell out of the zone walls and swearing, before he got into the face of a particularly loud and taunting fan in Rio's fan section, who was dressed in all black with a huge afro and sunglasses.
After some arguing, he pushed the fan in the face, but before security could make their way out, the "fan" leapt over the barrier and rugby-tackled him, as their afro fell off to reveal that the fan was in fact, Freja, who mounted him with punches, before catching Rhydian in the same bulldog choke that Blair had previously used, while screaming 'Next time you want to lay a finger on Maddy, it's OVER MY DEAD BODY!', and the fans were seemingly more than happy for her to do this.
While security tried to prize her off him, Rio's turn ended, but she had another surprise. 'My turn might be over, but that only triggers the effect of Bird of Divinity. During the End phase, we all take 1000 points of damage, but for every Spell and Trap we control, we get a 500 point discount. I control two, so I'm good.' 'I'm gucci because I've also got two' Caprice declared, as a stormwind whipped up and buffeted Zak (Zak LP:8000-7500). 'And because Zak took effect damage, Drummatis will reduce Colossus' Attack to 0 (Colossus Atk:2600-0).'
(Zak hand: Thunder Dragon, Thunder Dragon, Polymerisation)
Zak: 'I'll be drawing and activating my Polymerisation, fusing two Thunder Dragons from my hand and the Thunder Dragon Colossus on my field to summon Thunder Dragon Titan (Atk:3200). Titan, attack Drummatis with Static Orb Shock!' Titan unleashed several electrical orbs, each one more charged than the last, and they lit up Drummatis incredibly (Caprice LP:7500-6300; Madonna Atk:3800-2800). 'I end my turn.'
(Caprice hand: Trickstar Hoodie)
Caprice: 'I'll draw and activate Bella Madonna's effect, another Trickstar means extra damage straight to Rio.' Bella Madonna's tricky ability with the soundwaves hit Rio, who looked absolutely unconcerned with her apparent alliance breaking down (Rio LP:8000-6600). 'Now I think I'll use Light Stage's effect to freeze one of your face-downs for the turn. Which one do I want… I think I'll pick the one on the left.'
'I'll save you the bother and activate it right now, Floowandereeze and the Dreaming Town. This will summon Toccan (Atk:500), and it will add Eglen back to my hand. Then I'll summon Eglen (Atk:800), and use it to add Simorgh, Lord of the Storm to my hand. Now I can tribute both Toccan and Eglen for Simorgh (Atk:2900), and add Toccan back to my hand.' Caprice didn't seem particularly concerned at facing another monster on Rio's field though, as she considered her next move.
'Firstly, you activated a Trap, so Candina deals you 200 damage, plus another 200 from the fabulous stage we're on (Rio LP:6600-6200). Then I'll activate Trickstar Magical Laurel' 'And I'll activate the effect of Simorgh when you activate that Spell, tributing Empen and blowing your Trickstar Hoodie back to your hand.' 'Well I'll revive Candina with my Laurel (Atk:1800), using her to add Corobane to my hand. And as I only control Trickstars, I can summon Corobane (Atk:2000). Now I'll link off Corobane and Hoodie to summon Link 2, Trickstar Noble Angel (Atk:2000).'
'Noble Angel's effect activates on summon, activating Maiden of Blue Tears to my hand. And her other effect can be used if I have a Fusion monster in the graveyard, which summons back Candina (Atk:1800), meanwhile Hoodie's grave effect adds Trickstar Diffusion to my hand. And Candina will then search Trickstar Festival. I'll activate Festival, summoning two Tokens (Atk:0x2), before I link off the two Tokens with Candina for Link 3, Trickstar Foxglove Witch (Atk:2200). And when I do, Rio will take 200 damage for each of the cards on her field.'
This was when Rio finally pulled the trigger on her other face-down. 'I activate Solemn Warning!' she declared, which caught Caprice very much off guard. 'Wow… you're ballsy aren't you?' 'Maybe, maybe I just think this is the time. I'll pay 2000 Life points (Rio LP:6200-4200), to negate Foxglove Witch's effect and destroy her.' As the Witch was dispatched, Caprice looked for another plan, but found very little available to her. 'You're SO annoying! I end my turn.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and Toccan, Icarus Attack)
Rio: 'I'll draw, and summon Toccan (Atk:500), using it to add Floowandereeze and Eglen to my hand. Then I'll summon Floowandereeze and Eglen (Atk:800), using it to search out Floowandereeze and Snowl.' This was when Rio hatched herself a plan, seeing a potential path to victory. 'I'll summon Floowandereeze and Robina now (Atk:600), and with it, I'll add Floowandereeze and Stri to my hand.'
'Now I can summon Stri, using it to banish Candina from Caprice's graveyard. Now I'll tribute Stri and Eglen to summon Floowandereeze and Snowl (Atk:2900), returning both my little birds to the roost of my hand. Now I'll attack Bella Madonna with Snowl. Snowstorm Strike!' Snowl flew through the blizzard that it created itself, gently swooping towards Bella Madonna and cutting through it with the sharp and stiff hairs on its head (Caprice LP:6300-6200). 'Well when you do that, I'll use Colchica's effect in my graveyard, banishing her to deal you with damage equal to Bella Madonna's Attack! This might sting a bit.' A swarm of autumn leaves swelled up onto the field, and fired themselves into Rio, taking her total down significantly (Rio LP:4200-1400). 'I end my turn.'
(Zak hand: Batteryman Solar)
Zak: 'I draw and I'm going to destroy the ever living hell out of Trickstar Noble Angel.' Zak's aggressive play saw his Titan easily zap Noble Angel, removing more of Caprice's Life points in the process (Caprice LP:6200-5000). 'I end my turn.'
(Caprice hand: Pot of Avarice)
Caprice: 'I'll draw and activate my Pot of Avarice, to return five cards from my graveyard into my deck or Extra deck, then draw two cards. Now I'll summon Trickstar Candina (Atk:1800), and use Candina's effect to add Trickstar Festival to my hand. Festival, I'll summon two Tokens (Atk:0x2). I'll then Link off one Token to summon Link 1, Trickstar Colchica (Atk:800).' Sensing where this was going, Rio decided that this was the time to intervene. 'I'll activate Icarus Attack, tributing the spare Stri on my field to destroy both Colchica and Candina.'
This deadly trap saw the minute Stri burst into flames, and fly in on a sturdy and determined suicide mission, charging into the small space between Candina and Colchica, before they all went up, the fire pluming into the sky as Caprice, Zak, and a now handcuffed Freja watched in amazement. Stunned, Caprice quietly stated 'I'll Link off my Token for Trickstar Bloom (Atk:200), and end my turn with a face-down.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and Eglen, Floowandereeze and Toccan, Simorgh, Lord of the Storm)
Rio: 'I draw, and I'm summoning Floowandereeze and Toccan (Atk:700), using it to add Stri back to my hand. Now I'll summon Eglen (Atk:800), using it to add Dark Simorgh to my hand. Now I'll summon Stri (Atk:500), and with it, I'll banish your Colchica from the graveyard. Then I'll tribute Stri and Toccan to summon Dark Simorgh (Atk:2700), adding just Stri back. Simorgh, attack Caprice.' 'Good job I've got this Negate Attack, because I'm going nowhere.'
As her offensive push was once again rebuffed, Rio sighed in frustration. 'I end my turn.' As she did, she turned to Freja, and mouthed 'You got your revenge' to her, which she smiled at, before she started shouting at the crowd to "make a bit of noise", which they did in spades, with even many of the fans shouting for Caprice previously now in Rio's corner. Zak meanwhile, got booed as soon as he drew.
(Zak hand: Batteryman Solar, Thunder Dragon Fusion)
Zak: 'I'll draw for turn and activate Thunder Dragon Fusion, fusing together my two Thunder Dragondarks from my banished pile and the Colossus in my graveyard to Fusion summon a second Thunder Dragon Titan (Atk:3200).' This was when Caprice revealed her own plan for him. 'I activate Maiden of Blue Tears, so because you Special summoned a monster while I control a Link monster, your monster is destroyed and you take all its Attack points.'
A huge slab of what appeared to be marble rose onto the field, with a blue maiden wielding a large blue staff etched upon it, before the maiden emerged from her apparent image to cover the newly summoned Titan in an electric blue light, and making it vanish (Zak LP:7500-4200). 'Never mind that, I'll just attack Rio's Owl.' 'No you don't, because all I have to do is banish this little Eglen from my hand, and everything else on the field is flipped face-down.' 'Well Links can't be flipped so I'm good' Caprice taunted, but it was clear that Rio's target was set. 'I end my turn.'
(Caprice hand: Trickstar Nightshade, The Sanctuary in the Sky)
Caprice: 'Every point you lose is one step closer. I'll draw and summon Trickstar Nightshade (Atk:100). And I'll Link off her and Trickstar Bloom for Link 2, Trickstar Holly Angel (Atk:2000).' As she did, Rio remarked 'So you ran out of the good monsters then?' 'Try saying that when Nightshade revives herself immediately after the summon for another go around (Atk:100). Now I'll overlay her and Holly Angel to create the gentle flower with a vicious burn, Link 3, Trickstar Foxglove Witch (Atk:2200).'
'Now Rio, prepare to take more damage, because you might be smart, but you're not the international superstar' Caprice gloated while posing for the crowd (Rio LP:1400-800). 'Now I'll activate The Sanctuary in the Sky, so I take no damage as long as I have a Fairy monster on my field. I end my turn.'
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and Stri, Simorgh, Lord of the Storm, Big Burn)
Rio: 'I'll draw.' Looking at the options she had, Rio concluded that there was only one reasonable move to make. 'I'll summon Floowandereeze and Stri (Atk:700), using it to banish Candina from your graveyard, While that happens, I'll add Eglen back to my hand through its own effect, and summon it (Atk:800). I'll add Raiza the Mega Monarch, and then tribute Stri and Toccan to summon it (Atk:2800), both returning to my hand.'
'Now Raiza will target one card on the field and one card in the graveyard, and return them to the top of their owner's deck. Then because I tributed a Wind monster for it, I can return another card from the field to the hand. So I'll send your face-down Titan to the deck, alongside the Magical Laurel in her graveyard, and then I'll bounce Foxglove Witch.' With Raiza whipping up a storm, Zak was now right in the crosshairs. 'Dark Simorgh and Snowl can now both attack you.' The two birds swooped in with their full frontal assaults, and after a great effort, the young New Zealander was defeated (Zak LP:4200-0).
As he was eliminated, Zak raised his hand to the crowd, who in turn applauded him. He then stepped back, and let the final two conclude the contest. Rio had the advantage, but with another elimination came the end of her turn.
(Caprice hand: Trickstar Magical Laurel)
Caprice: 'I'll draw and activate Trickstar Magical Laurel, to summon back my Bella Madonna. Someone like you was never going to win this, because this company needs style and class, not somebody who's… brain damaged.' Sick of people making fun of her condition, Rio responded angrily with 'Let's see who's brain damaged now - Big Burn!' This move stopped Caprice right in her tracks, and for the first time, she looked genuinely concerned, while a heavily breathing Rio smiled.
'How's that for braindead? Because you tried to interfere with a monster in the graveyard, now they're all banished.' In a panic, Caprice responded 'Trickstar Diffusion! This allows me to Fusion summon using Trickstars in my grave. So before they're banished, I'll use Bella Madonna and Bloom to Fusion summon Trickstar Band Drummatis (Atk:2000).' As everything else was banished, Caprice had a tough decision. 'Drummatis gives me a search.' After over a minute of frantic searching, she came to a decision.
'I'm going to add Trickstar Festival to my hand. Then I'll activate it, to summon two Tokens (Atk:0x2). I'll Link them both off to summon Link 2, Trickstar Divaridis (Atk:1800). When she's summoned, you take 200 damage, and don't forget about Light Stage's bonus.' Angelic petals surrounded Rio, before crashing into her, halving her already measly total (Rio LP:800-400). 'I end my turn. Because of the effect of Divaridis, you take 200 damage if you Normal or Special summon a monster. And with so few points and Light Stage up' 'I'm aware' Rio calmly responded.
(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, Floowandereeze and Robina, Simorgh, Lord of the Storm, Floowandereeze and Stri, Floowandereeze and Toccan, Prime Material Dragon)
Rio: 'I draw.' As she did, she looked to the skies, giving Caprice the impression that she'd bricked. 'So near and yet so far eh? Maybe next time.' Rio then stared daggers into her, and stated 'No next times. I'll start by tributing Dark Simorgh to summon Prime Material Dragon (Atk:2400).' 'And now you lose!' 'No I don't, because Prime Material Dragon protects me; instead of losing Life points, they increase by the same amount (Rio LP:200-400).'
This left Caprice incensed, as Rio made one more big push. 'Now I'll summon Floowandereeze and Toccan, because Snowl allows me three Normal summons (Atk:500; Rio LP:400-600).' 'Yeah, really useful' the South African taunted in response, but Rio wasn't concerned about that. 'Toccan can add back a Floowandereeze card, and I'll choose one you probably missed me banishing - Empen.' Caprice then had flashbacks to Big Burn, as Rio continued on gutsily.
'Now I'll summon Floowandereeze and Stri (Atk:700; Rio LP:600-800), and it can banish one of your Trickstar Festivals from the graveyard, then I'll tribute it and Toccan for Floowandereeze and Empen (Atk:2700). Now Empen disables your Divardis' effect, and I'll also use it to add Floowandereeze and the Unexplored Winds to my hand. Here's something unexplored for you now - DEFEAT. I'll activate Winds, and summon Robina to add Eglen. Now with Winds, for a Tribute summon, I can tribute my own Robina and one of your monsters. I'll tribute Drummatis to summon Simorgh, Lord of the Storm (Atk:2900).'
'Now it's time to battle, Simorgh attacks Divaridis.' Suddenly fighting for survival, Caprice responded confidently. 'I'll banish the other Festival from my graveyard to protect her.' 'Just what I wanted' Rio then grinned while gritting her teeth. 'Because when you do that, I can use Lord of the Storm to bounce Divaridis back to your hand.' As the gale blew, Rio declared 'Simorgh, attack!' Her mighty bird soared overhead, and enveloped Caprice in a hurricane, dropping her total (Caprice LP:5000-2100). 'And Snowl attacks with Blizzard Barrage!' The ice-white Snowl flew unnoticed through a snowstorm, and appeared at the last moment, taking Caprice down in a major shock (Caprice LP:2100-0).
At the end of the contest, the crowd erupted, as Rio raised her arm in victory, stumbling out of the zone and straight into an embrace from Blair. 'Your winner and the International Panic Champion - Cold Blooded Rio Kastle.' The crowd continued to roar and whistle in approval as Freja had her handcuffs taken off to embrace her, while Blair fetched her a microphone. And as the trophy was presented to her, Rio looked Rhydian (who was just sat on the floor) dead in the eyes, and told him 'I want your title. You can run, but you can't hide from the Renegades and the Red Right Hand!'
Next time: Belle finally reveals what she knows about Maddy's ordeal, Blair and Jade finalise their family, and Astrid makes a disturbing discovery about how Maddy is coping. R: Ultra Evolution Book 23: Stress Rehearsal
