Chapter 65: DogDay Vs Poppy Popgoes: A Show Stopping Duel!
DogDay was in a rather fancy outfit for Poppy Popgoes, his crush from high school and during graduation. He was ready for Poppy's arrival.
"She should be here any minute now…" DogDay said,
Then, DogDay heard a knock on the front door to the apartment.
"Oh!" He said, "Is that her? I'm gonna go check…"
DogDay went to open the door, revealing a white weasel with red hair and 2 big ponytails and was wearing a blue dress and some blue bowties.
"Poppy, hello!" DogDay said,
"Hello, DogDay." Poppy said, "You look great today."
"Awww, thanks! You too!"
"Appreciate it… Now, can I come in?"
"Sure! After you!"
DogDay let Poppy into his apartment.
"So, this is where you and CatNap lived for a while, huh?" She wondered,
"We've been here for years." DogDay replied as he closed the door, "Since in the middle of our freshman year of high school."
"Ah, interesting… And you do all the cooking and cleaning?"
"Yeah, it's a lot of work, but… It's worth it."
"Interesting…"
DogDay then noticed that Poppy had a briefcase with her.
"Are you applying for a job?" DogDay wondered,
"Oh?" Poppy wondered as she showed DogDay her briefcase, "Is that why you noticed this briefcase?"
"Yeah. Considering that you're the highest graded student in Theater…"
"I haven't even gone to college yet."
"Oh. Me neither."
Poppy chuckled.
"You're too funny, DogDay." Poppy said, "You said you wanted to be an English teacher? You could have been better off as a comedian."
DogDay blushed a bit.
"Come on, I don't have comedic knowledge." He said,
"I do, but not a lot." Poppy said, "Anyways, whatever career you shall take a path to, I won't judge you."
"Alright, alright… Anyways, what brings you here, Poppy?"
"For 2 things."
"2?"
"That's right. The first thing is to ask you a big question."
"And what that might be?"
Poppy took a deep breath as her mood changed.
"...Have you noticed anything… strange going on?" She wondered,
"N-No…" DogDay replied,
"Have you watched the news lately?"
"Last I checked was when Mira became mayor of Sunshine Valley, since that's where you live at…"
"Hmmm, she did win it fair and square… But something else was… strange."
"What's going on?"
"I… I don't know… It's like… All of a sudden… You think everything would seem normal when your town elected a new mayor that's worthy to make progress for the town you're from, but… You would then notice that something is off around you and in the town…"
"Context?"
"A murder has happened in Sunshine Valley 2 months ago, right before Mira won the election to become Sunshine Valley's next mayor. And it's still being investigated to this day…"
"A murder?"
"Mhmm."
"In Sunshine Valley?"
"Yup, and 4 Critters in that town were kidnapped around the time of the murder taking place, but were brought back like nothing happened, 2 days later."
"...Huh… Why is this brought up now?"
"Because the same thing to those 4 Critters has happened. They were kidnapped, again, 2 days ago and were brought back like nothing happened today."
"What are the odds of that happening?"
"I don't know, it beats me…"
"Hmmm… So why are you asking me that question?"
"That's where the 2nd thing I'm here for, comes into place."
Poppy then brings out her briefcase and then opens it to reveal a high quality Duel Disk with her Deck and Extra Deck. This surprised DogDay.
"This is a new high quality Duel Disk that I have gotten as a graduation gift thanks to my parents." Poppy said, "The briefcase comes with it as a case. And of course, it can store my Deck and Extra Deck."
DogDay was still shocked.
"I… I didn't know you were a duelist as well, Poppy…" He said, "Why are you showing me this?"
"Because I want to duel you, to see if you're ready to help out with the mission to help with this mystery going on in Sunshine Valley." Poppy said,
"Poppy… I… I don't know what to say…"
"Don't worry, I'll give you time to–"
"--I'll duel you. Just let me get my Duel Disk and Deck. It's in my room."
"Oh, take your time."
"Alright."
"And by the way, thanks for volunteering."
"I'm not sure if this is volunteering, but… I'll trust you."
Later, DogDay and Poppy were outside of the apartment as the two were ready to duel together.
"Shall we get started?" Poppy asked,
"Yes, let's do this." DogDay replied, "And once this duel is done, I'll see where I stand on your mission."
"Very well."
Both critters then activated their Duel Disks and shouted, "Duel!" to start the Duel.
Turn 1.
DogDay: 4000
Poppy Popgoes: 4000
As the two critters fill up their hands 5 with cards to start the Duel, DogDay cleared his throat as he looked at Poppy.
"Ladies first." He said,
"Oh, thank you, DogDay." Poppy said, "I will begin Act 1 of this duel."
Poppy then starts by playing a Spell Card.
"And to start Main Phase 1, I will activate this Spell Card known as Abyss Actors' Dress Rehearsal!" She said, "This lets me add an Abyss Actor card and an Abyss Script Spell from my Deck to my Hand!"
"Abyss Actors and Abyss Scripts, huh?" DogDay wondered, "It fits you very well."
"Appreciate it."
Poppy then adds Abyss Actor - Superstar and Abyss Script - Abysstainment from her Deck to her Hand under the effect of Abyss Actors' Dress Rehearsal. DogDay was confused.
"Wait, the Abyss Actor she added…" He wondered, "Is that a… Pendulum monster? She can Pendulum Summon?"
Poppy then placed a different Abyss Actor Pendulum Monster in her Pendulum Zone of her Spell/Trap Zone.
"Next, I'll place Scale 7 Abyss Actor - Curtain Raiser in the Pendulum Zone!" She said, "And to activate its effect! When I control no monsters, I can Special Summon it from my Pendulum Zone!"
Abyss Actor - Curtain Raiser was Special Summoned to the field in Attack Position with 1100 ATK Points, but was raised to 2200.
"Of course, it gains 1100 when I control no other monsters." Poppy said, "But I won't be needing that, as I shall create the Link Circuit to guide my spotlight!"
"Wh-What?!" DogDay said, "You can Link Summon as well as Pendulum Summon?!"
"Correct, so here comes the Link Circuit!"
A Link Circuit appeared.
"The requirement for this Link Summon is 1 Abyss Actor Pendulum Monster, which means Abyss Actor - Curtain Raiser will be used as Link Material!" Poppy said as Abyss Actor - Curtain Raiser went to the Bottom Link Arrow, "Link the circuit!"
A new Abyss Actor monster came out of the Link Circuit.
"I Link Summon, Link-1, Abyss Actor Hyper Director!" Poppy said,
Link-1 Abyss Actor Hyper Director was Link Summoned in Attack Position with 800 ATK Points.
"Before I show you my Hyper Director's effect, allow me to place Scale 3 Abyss Actor - Superstar in my Pendulum Zone." Poppy continued as she did, "And now I activate! By targeting a card in my Pendulum Zone, I can Special Summon it to my field and place another Abyss Actor Pendulum Monster from my Deck or face-up in my Extra Deck to the Pendulum Zone!"
A spotlight shined down on the field.
"Every act needs a leading star, so shine bright in the darkened theater to lead the abyssal act!" Poppy chanted, "Take center stage, Abyss Actor - Superstar!"
Abyss Actor - Superstar was Special Summoned onto the field in Attack Position with 2500 ATK Points.
"And when Normal or Special Summoned, you cannot activate any Spells or Traps in response to its grand appearance." Poppy said,
"Well it's not my turn, so I don't have anything." DogDay said,
"I get that."
Poppy then placed another Abyss Actor Pendulum Monster from her Deck to her Pendulum Zone via Hyper Director's effect.
"And since I'm still on Hyper Director's effect, I'll place Scale 2 Abyss Actor - Leading Lady in my Pendulum Zone." She said as she then sets 2 cards face-down in her Spell/Trap Zones, "And to close up Act 2, I'll set 2 cards face-down and end my turn."
"Well, what a turn." DogDay said, "It's my turn now. Are you ready?"
"More than anything. I'll be watching all of your moves!"
"Here I go! I draw!"
DogDay draws to start Turn 2. He looked at the card he drew and played it.
"I'll start by activating the Quick-Play Spell, Twin Twisters!" He said as he discarded the Weeping Idol from his hand to his Graveyard, "By discarding 1 card, I can destroy up to 2 Spells or Traps on the field!"
"And that means my 2 set cards are gone." Poppy said,
Twin Twisters destroyed Abyss Script - Abysstainment and Abyss Script - Opening Ceremony.
"Huh?" DogDay said, confused, "I destroyed 2 set Spells that aren't Quick-Play Spells?"
"You've triggered the effects of my Abyss Scripts!" Poppy said,
"Uh-oh."
"First, let's talk about Abysstainment. When it's destroyed while being set and when have a face-up Abyss Actor Pendulum Monster in my Extra Deck, I can Special Summon any number of Abyss Actor Pendulum Monsters from my Deck!"
"Woah, any number?!"
"That's right! As many as I want! This is where Act 1 reaches its breaking point! But first, Abyss Script - Opening Ceremony's effect will also activate when destroyed while set!"
"Oh boy, what does that do?"
"Since I have an Abyss Actor Pendulum Monster face-up in my Extra Deck, when the Opening Ceremony is destroyed, I can draw until I have 5 cards in my hand!"
"For real?! You have 2 cards in your hand!"
"Not for long!"
Poppy then draws 3 cards from her Deck under Opening Ceremony's effect when destroyed. She then goes into her Deck to Special Summon any number of Abyss Actor Pendulum Monsters there under Abysstainment's effect.
"Hmmm, I have Superstar on my field, Leading Lady in my Pendulum Zone and Curtain Raiser face-up in my Extra Deck…" Poppy said to herself, "I think these 2 will do."
Poppy then Special Summoned 2 different Abyss Actor Pendulum Monsters from her Deck under Abysstainment's effect.
"So coming out on stage will be Abyss Actor - Wild Hope and Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist!" She shouted,
Abyss Actor - Wild Hope was in Attack Position with 1600 ATK Points while Abyss Actor - Liberty Dramatist was in Defense Position with 1500 DEF Points.
"Ok, just two monsters…" DogDay said as he sighed in relief, "I suppose I'll continue then!"
DogDay then activates a Continuous Spell.
"Moving on, I activate the Continuous Spell, Branded Regained!" He said, "I'll explain the details later! For now!"
DogDay then revealed a monster in his hand.
"I activate the effect of The Bystial Lubellion fron my hand!" He said as he discarded the monster to his Graveyard, "By discarding this card, I can add 1 other Bystial monster from my Deck to my Hand!"
DogDay then adds Bystial Magnamhut from his Deck to his hand under the effect of The Bystial Lubellion.
"And then I'll activate Magnamhut's effect!" He said, "By banishing Weeping Idol who is a DARK monster, I can Special Summon Bystial Magnamhut from my hand, right now!"
Bystial Magnamhut was Special Summoned onto the field in Attack Position with 2500 ATK Points while Weeping Idol was banished from the Graveyard.
"And when Magnamhut is Special Summoned, I can add a Dragon monster from my Deck to my Hand at the end of my turn!" DogDay said, "But there's more, Branded Regained will now activate its effect!"
Branded Regained started to glow.
"Go on…" Poppy said, interested,
"Whenever a LIGHT or DARK monster is banished, I can place that monster in the bottom of either of our Decks, and I get to draw 1 card." DogDay said, "And since Weeping Idol was banished and is a DARK monster, I'll be placing it back in my Deck at the bottom, and drawing a card!"
Weeping Idol was returned to the bottom of DogDay's deck and DogDay then drew a card under Branded Regained's effect.
"Interesting…" Poppy said, "A free draw whenever a LIGHT or DARK monster gets banished. Doesn't matter who, but you get to always draw, huh?"
"That's true." DogDay said,
"Carry on, I'm still looking forward to what's next!"
"Oh, that would be lovely! Don't look away yet, because this duel is only getting started!"
Poppy was excited as DogDay was talking her language.
"Now, I will tribute Bystial Magnamhut and send him to the Graveyard to Special Summon another familiar monster from my Graveyard!" DogDay said as he started to chant while glowing and glittering light started to form, "From the aftermath of a branded fusion, reborn yourself under a dragon of chaotic light! Come forth, The Bystial Lubellion!"
The Bystial Lubellion was Special Summoned from the Graveyard under its own effect in Attack Position with 2500 ATK Points.
"Now for The Bystial Lubellion's effect!" DogDay said as he went into his Deck, "I can place a Branded Continuous Spell or Trap from my Deck to my side of the field, face-up!"
"And what will that be?" Poppy wondered,
DogDay then revealed a Continuous Trap Card from his Deck.
"The Continuous Trap Card, Branded Befallen!" He said as he placed it face-up on his field under the effect of The Bystial Lubellion,
"Alright, time to battle!" DogDay said as the Battle Phase started,
"Oh! Battling already?!" Poppy said, shocked,
"Y-Yeah?"
"Oh, ok, carry on."
"O-Ok, I will gladly do so! I will attack your Abyss Actor - Hyper Director with my Bystial Lubellion! Bright Branded Blast!"
The Bystial Lubellion then attacks Abyss Actor - Hyper Director with a blast of chaotic light energy. Poppy was dealt 1700 points of damage, draining her Life Points to 2300.
"Are you ok?" DogDay asked, concerned
"Yes, I'm fine, thanks." Poppy replied as she dusted herself off,
"Phew, ok, let's move on."
"Hold on! From my Pendulum Zone, I activate Leading Lady's Pendulum Effect!"
"Huh?!"
"When I take battle damage from a monster you control, I can activate one of these effects Leading Lady provided!"
"What are those effects?"
"I can either make your Lubellion lose ATK Points equal to the damage I took, or add an Abyss Actor Pendulum Monster from my Extra Deck to my hand with ATK Points less than or equal to the damage I just took."
"Huh… Ok, so which effect are you choosing?"
"The first one, of course! Your Bystial Lubellion loses 1700 ATK Points!"
The Bystial Lubellion loses 1700 ATK Points under one of the effects of Abyss Actor - Leading Lady, draining it down to 800.
"Phooey." DogDay said as he sighed, "No worries, I got this."
DogDay then sets a card in his Spell and Trap Zone.
"I'll set a card and end my turn." He said,
"Very well!" Poppy said as she draws to start Turn 3, "Time for Act 2!"
Turn 3
DogDay: 4000
Poppy Popgoes: 2300
Poppy then revealed the card she drew.
"Placing on the other side of the Pendulum Zone will be Scale 9 Abyss Actor - Twinkle Little Star!" She said as she does to create the Pendulum Scale, "Setting the Pendulum Scale, I can Pendulum Summon Abyss Actor monsters with Levels ranging from 3 to 8!"
"Well that's a lot!" DogDay said, shocked,
"And you know what's also a lot, DogDay? You shouldn't have destroyed my Abyss Actor - Hyper Director during Battle."
"Uh-oh."
"Once again, I'll be creating the Link Circuit to guide my spotlight further!"
"Another Link Monster?!"
The Link Circuit appeared again.
"This summoning requirement this time will be 2 monsters including a Fiend monster!" Poppy said, "So I'll be using Abyss Actors - Liberty Dramatist and Wild Hope as Link Materials!"
Liberty Dramatist and Wild Hope were used as Link Materials as they were sent to the Bottom Left and Bottom Right Link Arrows of the Link Circuit.
"Link the Circuit!" Poppy shouted, "This time I Link Summon, Link-2, Abyss Actor - Super Producer!"
Link-2 Abyss Actor - Super Producer was Link Summoned in Attack Position with 1600 ATK Points.
"Now that I have a Link Monster in my Extra Monster Zone, I'm ready to Pendulum Summon!" Poppy said,
"Here it comes…" DogDay said, "Gotta brace myself for what's to come…"
"Coming onto the stage for this show stopping duel to heat up, I Pendulum Summon my monsters!"
Multiple Abyss Actor Pendulum Monsters were Pendulum Summoned onto the field.
"Taking their part of the stage through the Monster Zones my Super Producer points to are Liberty Dramatist and Wild Hope!" Poppy shouted,
Both Liberty Dramatist and Wild Hope were Pendulum Summoned from the Extra Deck to the 2 Monster Zones Super Producer was pointing to, in Attack Position with 1600 ATK Points and 1500 ATK Points.
"And finally, from my hand are Abyss Actors - Mellow Madonna and Evil Heel!" Poppy shouted,
Mellow Madonna and Evil Heel were Pendulum Summoned from Poppy's Hand, both in Attack Position with 1800 ATK Points and 3000 ATK Points.
"That's a lot of monsters Pendulum Summoned, but I'm gonna have to activate Branded Regained's other effect!" DogDay said, "When you Normal or Special Summon a monster or two, I can Special Summon a Bystial monster from my Graveyard, so coming back to my field will be Bystial Magnamhut!"
Bystial Magnamhut was Special Summoned back from the Graveyard and onto the field in Attack Position.
"And his effect will still apply since it's your turn." DogDay said, "Adding another Dragon monster from my Deck to my Hand at the end of the turn."
"Fair." Poppy said, "But I will be going into battle right about you, so prepare yourself!"
"Oh, I will be prepared!"
"Very well, time for The Battle Phase!"
The Battle Phase started again.
"I will let Abyss Actor - Superstar start the attack on The Bystial Lubellion!" Poppy shouted, "Superstar Superkick!"
Abyss Actor - Superstar catwalk its way to Bystial Lubellion before kicking it in the lower jaw of it, destroying it and dealing 1700 points of damage to DogDay, draining his Life Points to 2300.
"Now for Evil Heel to attack Magnamhut!" Poppy shouted as Evil Heel rushed to attack Bystial Magnamhut, "Heel Havoc!"
"Not so fast, Poppy!" DogDay shouted, "I play my Counter Trap, Negate Attack!"
Negate Attack was activated, canceling out Evil Heel's attack.
"Not only do I negate your Evil Heel's attack, I can also end the Battle Phase right now!" DogDay shouted,
"Not bad…" Poppy said as she clapped a bit, "Not bad at all… Don't you worry, DogDay, I'll make a comeback to this later."
Poppy then sets 2 cards in her Spell/Trap Zone.
"I'll set 2 and pass it to you." She said,
"Alright, now for Magnamhut's effect again since it's the end of the turn." DogDay said as he added a Dragon monster from his Deck to his Hand via Bystial Magnamhut's effect, "Ok, here I go, it's my turn!"
Turn 4
DogDay: 2300
Poppy Popgoes: 2300
"This is where the show ends!" DogDay said as draws a card to start Turn 4 and then revealed the card he drew, "I summon the Tuner monster, The Bystial Aluber!"
The Bystial Aluber was Normal Summoned in Attack Position with 1800 ATK Points.
"A Tuner monster?" Poppy wondered, "Are you gonna Synchro Summon?"
"Not yet!" DogDay said as he revealed Druiswurm, "First, I activate the effect of my Bystial Druiswurm that I added a while ago!"
DogDay then banished The Bystial Lubellion from his Graveyard.
"By banishing a LIGHT or DARK monster, I can Special Summon Druiswurm from my hand!" He said,
Bystial Druiswurm was Special Summoned in Attack Position with 2500 ATK Points.
"And now I activate Branded Regained's effect which lets me place a banished monster back to the bottom of my Deck and draw a card!" DogDay said as he placed Bystial Lubellion back to the bottom of his Deck and draws a card and smiled, "Perfect."
DogDay then revealed the card he drew.
"I will tribute 2 Bystial monsters to Special Summon this card!" He said, "I sacrifice Bystials Druiswurm and Magnamhut to Special Summon The Bystial Alba Los in Attack Position!"
The Bystial Alba Los was Special Summoned onto the field in Attack Position with 3500 ATK Points.
"And while on the field and Summoned that way, it can negate the effects of all face-up monsters on the field that are either Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Monsters!" DogDay said, "…Pendulums don't count for whatever reason."
"A scary beast…" Poppy said as she looked at her field, "My Super Producer's effects are negated… I can't use its effect…"
"Alright, moving on! Druiswurm will activate it's effect now from the Graveyard! When sent there, I can target a Special Summoned monster you control and send it to the Graveyard! I choose youe Evil Heel!"
Abyss Actor - Evil Heel was sent to the Graveyard.
"Now for 1 more Special Summon!" DogDay said as he revealed Bystial Saronir, "Because I have Bystial Saronir to Special Summon since I just added him at the end of your recent turn!"
Bystial Magnamhut was banished for Bystial Saronir to be Special Summoned under its effect in Attack Position with 2500 ATK Points.
"Where's the Synchro Summoning at?" Poppy wondered, "You promised it?"
"I didn't promise it!" DogDay said, "I purposely set you up for one to occur when in reality, it didn't!"
"Oh! A plot twist! You tricked me!"
"I know, but if it's all about proving myself to help you on your mission, I will do so! Battle!"
The Battle Phase started again.
"The Bystial Aluber will attack Super Producer!" DogDay shouted,
The Bystial Aluber attacked and destroyed Super Producer, dealint 200 points of damage to Poppy, draining her Life Points to 2100.
"And next, Bystial Saronir will attack Wild Hope!" DogDay shouted,
Bystial Saronir then attacked and destroyed Wild Hope, dealing 900 points of damage to Poppy, draining her Life Points to 1200.
"And now for the grand finale!" DogDay said, "The Bystial Alba Los will destroy Liberty Dramatist and close the curtains to this duel!"
The Bystial Alba Los attacked and destroyed Liberty Dramatist, dealing 2000 points of damage to Poppy, draining her Life Points to 0. DogDay ends up winning the duel.
"Yes, I won!" DogDay said as he went over to Poppy to check on her, "Hey, you did amazing! I never would have thought that Pendulum and Link Monsters were possible together…"
Poppy chuckled a bit as she was looking down at her Duel Disk.
"Well, this duel disk did its job…" She said as she looked at DogDay, "Perfecto. You did a perfecto job dueling, DogDay. I appreciate the time."
DogDay chuckled and blushed a bit.
"Appreciate it, Poppy." He said,
Poppy then placed her hand on DogDay's left shoulder.
"Oh?" DogDay wondered,
"I'll let you know when the time is right." Poppy said, "Bring some friends over for protection because we're gonna be at Sunshine Valley when the time comes."
"G-Got it… Is the place dangerous?"
"Some parts of it is."
"Ok, I'll remember that."
"Good."
As Poppy went closer to DogDay, the two heard a voice.
"DogDay, I'm here!" CatNap's voice shouted as DogDay and Poppy turned to CatNap running home with two books in his hands,
"Oh, it's CatNap!" DogDay said,
"Ah, perfect timing for him." Poppy said, "You don't mind if I talk to him, no?"
"Go ahead, Poppy."
"Thank you."
CatNap then noticed Poppy and chuckled a bit.
"I guess those two had their fun, huh?" He wondered, "Whatever it was, as long as it didn't get either one of them into any trouble, ha ha…"
CatNap then went to Poppy as Poppy caught her attention to CatNap.
"So, how was the little love duel you and DogDay had?" He asks Poppy,
"CatNap!" DogDay said, embarrassed, "Not now!"
Poppy chuckled.
"Don't worry, he's only teasing you." She said, "Nothing like a poke in the ribs between friends."
"If you say so…" DogDay said as he then sighed, "Anyways, Poppy, what are you gonna tell CatNap?"
"Oh, it's about the recent kidnappings and murder."
"In Sunshine Valley?" CatNap wondered, "4 Critters were kidnapped twice in that area, and they were the same ones for whatever reason."
"So you heard the news as well…"
"Well, on TV and mostly on my phone, but I've heard what you're talking about on my phone."
"News is still news." DogDay said,
"True." Poppy said,
"So, why are you telling me this, Poppy?" CatNap wondered,
"Would you like to help me and DogDay with looking into this unsolved mystery?"
"That sounds risky…"
"But the reward might be great if we help out."
"Without law enforcement?"
"With it."
"Now how does that work?"
"I'm friends with a detective who's also got 2 friends that help him out. Don't worry, they're part of law enforcement."
"You're all over the place… It's no wonder why DogDay likes you."
"CatNap, stop!" DogDay said,
"I'll take that as a compliment." Poppy said,
DogDay sighed heavily.
"Forget it, did you get what Miss FishyFinns helped you with?" DogDay asked CatNap,
"I did." CatNap replied as he showed him and Poppy the two books, "They're very exotic yet helpful books on dreams, nightmares and trauma sometimes causing them."
"Oh, are you ok?" Poppy wondered,
"Right now, yeah, but I'm gonna take a read on them right about now."
"That's fine. I'll let you two know when I'm ready. And again, DogDay, make sure you bring some friends over for extra protection."
"I will." DogDay said,
"Ok, then that's it from me. Take care, you two."
"Bye."
Poppy left as DogDay sighed heavily.
"Well, what a day." He said as he turned to CatNap who was already started reading one of the books, "Wh-Ok, nevermind…"