Oh my Ra, this took forever! And this is so much bigger than I intially intended! I hope you all enjoy this behemot of a chapter.
"… I'm coming back as soon as I can. Promise." Taylor gripped the mobile phone tighter. "Love you, dad."
She hung up with some regrets. She wishes she could have avoided worrying her father so much. At least he didn't know any better. She had feared the PRT had contacted him, that he would tell her to surrender herself to the authorities. None of this happened. Instead, the irritatingly smug villain the lair she was crashing in since yesterday had managed to convince Danny, somehow, that Taylor had been with her since her disappearance and the lack of communication resulted from not being able to use phones until now.
"My smug is perfectly justified, thank you." And now she really wanted to wipe that grin off.
"Cut it out, Tattletatle." Groaned the taller, broader of the two guys among the teenage villains. Grue, if her memory served her. "Why did you even bring her here, by the way? The boss again?"
"Who else?" Snickered the other, lazily laying on the entire apartment couch. "Been a while since Tate did anything without being told to."
"Oh shut it Regent. She's our best chance to get out of this mess."
Despite not wanting to be even more involved with actual villains than she was already, Taylor was actually curious as to why they came to her help. Especially as it looked like most of them either didn't want her to be in their lair, or just with them at all.
"I didn't want to bring the cape who destroyed an entire neighbourhood either, but it's the boss' orders." Taylor tensed, ready to retort before realizing the villains again answered to her thoughts. Was she reading them? "Exactly, I'm psychic." The eye-rolls she noticed from the guy on the couch told her it was either bullshit or an exaggeration. "In any case, we've got little time left before the meeting."
"You want the gangs to attack us on sight?" Protested a very obviously worried Grue.
"Hold on. What meeting?" Interrupted Taylor with apprehension.
"The city's villains are gathering today to negotiate an alliance against the ABB." Helpfully but incredulously supplies Grue. "The Undersiders have a place at the table…"
"A druggie, a neo-Nazi, and a thief walk into a bar…" Snickers Regent, earning another groan from the other villains.
"In short, no one likes being in open war with bombs exploding everywhere. We barely ran away from Bakuda ourselves not too long ago." Finished Grue. "But what the hell, Tattletale? Khepri's a hero! How do you think the Empire is going to react?"
"I'm not thrilled either but the boss didn't exactly ask." Snapped the girl back. "He thinks—and I can't believe my power agrees—that Khepri will be useful to take down Bakuda without half the city exploding."
"By reducing only a quarter of it to rubbles?" Derisively asked Regen.
"It was Menja's and Fenja's fault!" Retorted Taylor, feeling the itch to just use her power and make the buffoon swallow his words.
"Cool down Khepri! You owe us, remember?"
As much as she really wanted to ignore Tattletale Taylor couldn't deny it. She did owe them for taking her in and sheltering her from the Protectorate, and even more for allowing her to speak to her father.
"Exactly. And I had to unmask to help you on that front too, so you can consider it another sacrifice I had to make here." Added Tattletale, or rather, Lisa, as she introduced herself before lending the phone. "Now if you want to repay us, hop on when Bitch comes back with the dogs... about now. You'll be with us at the meeting, no one will attack you. If they do, they'll lose all chance of the rest actually sitting down and joining forces to deal with the insecure psycho bombing the entire place. Just listen to my instructions and everything will work out."
Gritting her teeth, Taylor swallowed her irritation and complied with Tattletale's request. She hated the idea of working with villains, but if it really meant neutralizing Bakuda… and the PRT would certainly be forced to see her in another light if she actually managed to bring her in. They would have to listen to her and see the good she did largely outweigh the rest. She had to also string her cohabitation with the villains to her advantage. Take advantage of everything she learned here and at the summit between gangs, listen and report.
The ride on what was for all intent and purpose the lovechild of a T-rex and the hound of Baskerville was both comfortable and lacking in worries. A part of Taylor couldn't help but wonder if her experiences with vastly larger creatures coloured her perception. It all seemed at least more securing than a car in her own eyes, the sheer size of each Hellound-improved dogs putting even trucks to shame. But white the ride was peaceful, Taylor could not notice how desolated the city looked under the quasi-martial law. Nary a soul walked or rode anywhere, and the few places the ABB fought against either the authorities or the other gangs were sadly all too recognizable.
"Yeah, that's how it is now. Bakuda conscripted all the Asians she could get her hand on, put a bomb in about three quarters of them, and keep attacking everything in sight."
"Why do you care? I mean, you're villains." Asked Taylor, unconvinced by Tattletale's apparent concern.
"Okay first, I don't enjoy having the place I live look like this. Secondly, at this rate of murders Bakuda is getting a Kill Order yesterday and that means she'll escalate. With her speciality, a literal nuke isn't so far off her capabilities and if the Triumvirate threaten to intervene, the cunt would set it off. No thank you, and every single villain in the city wants to avoid either the Triumvirate coming or Bakuda killing everyone."
That made sense. Far too much sense to be comfortable in Taylor's mind, but she couldn't disagree. Fortunately, their arrival to the rendezvous point, a nondescript pub by the name of Somer's Rock, didn't let her mull over it. And apparently, they weren't the first to arrive. In fact, it looked like they were dead last with the discussion already well engaged, and the accumulated firepower in the room made Taylor shiver. Kaiser, with no less than seven of the Empire 88, including Purity and Hookwolf. Fautline, with four of her mercenaries. Four unknown capes Tattletale whispered to her were the Travelers, nomadic capes currently stopping by. And finally, Coil, flanked by Uber and Leet. Strange, weren't they sighted with Bakuda?
"What is she doing here?" Seethed Fenja, sitting by Kaiser's side with her twin.
"Khepri's on the run from the Protectorate, so technically she is just as much a villain as everyone else here." Explained Tattletale with aplomb, and it made Taylor cringe that she couldn't deny it.
"Now that the Undersiders are here, that should be everyone." Said Coil with a smooth tone. "We have already convened the ABB cannot be allowed to continue operating. As such, I proposed a truce. Not just everyone here, but between ourselves and the law. Are the Undersiders in accord?"
"Of course." Opined Grue.
It didn't surprise Taylor much to hear Faultline would stick to her mercenary ways, but she still hoped they wouldn't have to fight. Bakuda was too much of a danger without even more assets. Speaking of assets, why were the two losers with Coil?
"Uber and Leet have deserted Bakuda after realizing she was not abiding by the usual principles of our business." Explained Coil after the Undersiders distributed a video of an encounter they had with Bakuda. "They also brought back useful intel. Including the location of Bakuda's hidden base, away from her usual main lab, where she is currently tinkering a nuclear ordinance. Unless we organize an assault this very day, our chances of triumph, if not survival, are small."
That titbit, confirming what Tattletale said earlier to Taylor, got a raise of attentiveness around the table.
"We were expecting something like this." Interjected Grue. "That's why we brought Khepri. We believe she can help with Bakuda's greatest strength: that her bombs will go off if she dies or feel threatened."
"I've studied her power and obtained the Protectorate files to confirm my hypothesis." Tattletale was obviously taking great pleasure in having everyone listen. "With a few exception like breathable air and the consequences of the fight itself, nothing can come in or out of it. That includes radio waves. If Khepri get the drop on her and activate her power, Bakuda won't be able to coordinate her bombings or set off her countermeasures."
"That would be convenient." Admitted Kaiser, tapping on the table with his metal covered fingers.
"Though, this raises a problem. I do not believe any of us here can trust Khepri to be certain to win against Bakuda."
"My only loss was two against one! I brought down Lung before!" She protested over Coil's tranquil downplay of her abilities, but the look she received over the table told her he was not the only one to think so.
"Her ability is still too useful to discard. Without it, Bakuda may simply transforms the city into hell." Objected Grue.
"So what? We just hope she has what it takes while the rest of us fight on?" Mocked Menja.
"I do think there may be a point to Khepri." Raised Coil. "If she cannot be trusted to win, perhaps another could fight in her stead."
That proposal shook Taylor. Could she? She always was the one to fight, that was her power. It was… actually, she had the feeling… that it was possible. That she could have two other people duel instead. Only if at least one of them was willing and seeing the other as an adversary, she realized instinctively.
"I can have someone else duel instead of me, yes." She spoke aloud. "But they'd need to be close enough of Bakuda for my power to work."
"The chink won't just get out of her lair for anyone." Raised Hookwolf to Taylor's surprise. "I know the type. Not just anyone will push her to come out to show off."
"Someone powerful enough to win against Bakuda, and important enough she will feel the need to confront them with words… The list isn't long." Admitted Coil.
After a minute of silence, an unexpected voice broke it.
"The Empire 88 will lead the charge. And I lead the Empire." Almost lazily declared Kaiser to the shock of almost everyone present. Taylor felt her train of thought crash. Was Kaiser proposing himself as the one to duel Bakuda? "I expect guarantees in exchange, as well as a solid plan. In return, I will confront Bakuda." He was. What the hell?
The following minutes were spent in negotiations between gangs and numerous phone calls. In what felt like a momentary fever dream, an accord was indeed reached between the villains. Coil would cede a large portion of territory from the spoil of wars and part of his current holdings but in return, Kaiser would send every single cape at his disposal to neutralize Oni Lee and assault the unpowered forces of the ABB, while Coil's mercenaries would only play a support and communication role.
The Undersiders would split up: Tattletale, Regent and Bitch would accompany Uber, Leet and Kaiser to Bakuda's lair. Bitch was the transport povider, Tattletale because of her Thinker ability and predict the best moment for Taylor to strike, Regent to throw Bakuda off and prevent an early explosive end. The ABB would never suspect the leader of the E88 to travel without his forces, making it less likely for them to be intercepted. On the other hand, and it was left unsaid but loudly thought, Kaiser was powerful enough to simply kill everyone else present should they breach the truce. Not that anyone would be stupid enough to do so. Ironically, the ones who protested the most over this plan were the E88 members themselves, with Hookwolf having personal beef with Bitch, as well as Fenja and Menja the most vocal of them all. Mostly because Fenja had to experience losing an entire arm and losing half her blood before reaching Othala due to Taylor's actions.
"Gentlemen, let us end this disorder today." Concluded Coil after the villains ended their round of handshakes.
The end of the meeting and their ride passed in a blur. The sound of fighting resumed in the city far away, but thanks to Uber and Leet directions they managed to find the place near the Docks were Bakuda was holed in. The few sentinels around the block were quickly dealt with, leaving only he small closed building with their target holed in.
"If it's not Kaiser. Less accompanied than I expected." Except the target was not holed in, but standing on top of the building with a grenade launcher in her hands and a multitude of grenades strapped over her shoulders. "You thought I wouldn't be aware those two imbeciles deserted? I expected them too! How else could I have my preys come to me by themselves? This entire block is riddled with my own, personal explosives. They completely bypass inorganic matter to directly reduce flesh to soup, one of my lesser achievements."
Uber and Leet froze where they stood, looking around desperately to attempt to find a safe road to escape, while the others remained at least outwardly assured. Bakuda was smaller than Taylor expected, but her attitude and gear quickly corrected any presumption of harmlessness. Tattletale and the video did justice to one point: she loved hearing herself talk.
"And that's the thing that caught Lung? Hardly anything impressive. Don't bother coming closer, I've measured your range. Trying to get on me many against one in your little game? Too bad! That's what you get going against a genius so far beyond yourself." The bomb Tinker fiddled with her weapon, pointing it respectively at Taylor and Kaiser. "I'm going to start with those idiots Undersiders. Just stay nice and put until it's your turn."
"A Kaiser does not heed the words of their lesser." Confidently said the nazi leader, walking slowly but assuredly towards Bakuda. "I must admit, I thought you would have freed that rage beast of yours. I even heard the Protectorate report an assault on their cell… Why, then is he not anywhere to see?"
"That loser? There's nothing of value left of him, Oni Lee couldn't even make him move out of his cell! Pathetic." Bakuda flickered the sight her weapon, spitting her disdain openly. "Fear is what bring loyalty and power. If he can't muster any, then he'll just rot in the past where you all belong. Like all of you. Only a superior mind can rule this city, and no one can rival my genius here. Or anywhere, really. Though…" She held her weapon higher, targeting Kaiser directly. "Perhaps I'll start with you after-"
Kaiser was close enough! "Bakuda! Kaiser of the Empire 88 challenges you to a Shadow Game!" Declared Taylor as imperiously as she could, urging her power to do what she half knew and half hoped it could.
Host Requests Arbiter Privileges.
Accumulated Performance Deemed Insufficient.
Evaluating Benefits… Available Data Insufficient.
Requesting Data from Conflict Engine N3.
Proposal Received from Conflict Engine N3: Transaction.
Evaluating Terms…
Images without shape or colours. Sounds without vibration. Words that weren't words. All accompanied with a soul shattering spike of pain.
Transaction Accepted.
Data Received.
It drilled through her brain, flooded it with ungodly amounts of information. Flashes of insight filtered, trimmed, reconfigured, packaged.
Host Request Acknowledged.
Arbiter Position Granted.
Shard/Host Synchronicity Increased.
Her mind was clearing, focus returning at accelerated pace as she perceived with renewed clarity. She was now a neutral party. Bakuda's defeat was her preferred outcome, but taking the role of Arbiter meant she could not interfere unless the integrity of the Duel itself was at stake.
Subordination of Competing Shards Complete.
Conversion of Power to Skill Complete.
Attribution of Decks Complete.
Configuring Battlefield.
Area Perimeter… Restricted.
Area Isolation… High.
Field Permutation… Enabled.
Tag Duel Switch… Disabled.
Battle Royale Switch… Disabled.
Duel Mode: Master Duel.
D-Vision… Activated.
All Clear.
The starting hand of each duellist materialised before each of them. The entire process only lasted a single heartbeat.
"Nice! Bitch, secure the block. Make sure we don't get jumped on by ABB stragglers." Commanded Tattletale. Bitch didn't answer and left with her massive dogs, leaving the street to the starting duel while Tattletale communicated Grue phone the plan was working.
"Duel Start!" Declared Khepri, ignoring the stream of expletive coming from Bakuda and her vain attempts to use either her grenade launcher or trigger her bombs manually.
"Well done, Khepri. I had my doubts, but you may prove worthy of consideration." She similarly ignored Kaiser's own prattling, leading the gang leader to turn his attention to the Duel. "The superior race will take the first turn, as is its due."
Turn 1
Kaiser: 8000 LP – Hand: 5
Bakuda: 8000 LP – Hand: 5
"I activate the Spell card Reinforcement of the Army. With its effect, I add a Level 4 or lower Warrior monster from my Deck to my hand." Kaiser perused his option without hurry, openly enjoying his opponent's hysteria. "I will add Armatos Legio Gladius to my hand."
Anomaly Detected… Analysis Complete.
Anomaly Identified: Compatibility Adjustment Host/Deck.
Anomaly Reclassified as Minor Adjustment.
"I normal summon Armatos Legio Gladius."
A pure white marble statue, its antique colours long gone, rose from the ground. Depicting a roman soldier armed with its namesake, the pedestal engraved with deeds of valour, it was a close recreation of the style used in the late Roman Empire.
Armatos Legio Gladius – LIGHT/CyberseWarrior/Level 2/Effect: 0/800
"A craftmanship above any the savages could attain on their own. I activate its effect to add Armatos Colosseum from my Deck to my hand." Another card added to his hand. "Now, behold the glory we will rebuild upon a world clean of impure blood! I activate the Field Spell Armatos Colosseum!"
Field Permutation Activated.
Area Perimeter Increased
The ground quaked, the air trembled. The city yielded to the gigantic Colosseum emerging from the ground, larger than even the famous monument of Rome. Buildings and roads split up to give space, while everything in the arena of the Colosseum purely and simply dissipated like an illusion, leaving naught but the flat sand waiting for the combatants' blood. With Bakuda losing her high ground, she looked even smaller compared to Kaiser.
"Nice, front rows. Shame about the lack of comfort." Whistled Regent, making himself as comfortable as he could on the stone stands where the non-participants found themselves in.
"When it is activated, I can add an Armatos Legio monster from my Deck to my hand." Once again Kaiser looked upon his cards, comfortably taking his time.
Khepri noticed Uber and Leet approach the tribune she was sitting in, a floating camera drone following.
"Khepri, about the battle…"
"Duel." She corrected him without even a glance.
"The Duel." Corrected Uber without missing a beat. "Could you explain to our viewers what is happening?"
D-Vision Sharing Requested.
Evaluating Benefits… Benefits Sufficient.
Sharing Accepted.
Commencing D-Vision Sharing.
With a mere thought and a nod, Khepri extended the more detailed vision usually only given to the Duellists and herself to all spectators and the drone itself, allowing it to transmit in the same manner.
"It works! I can see the monster's stats! Look, the field zones! It shows on stream too!" Gushed Leet, shaking his large tablet with excitement.
"Thank you, Khepri. If that is not too much to ask, could you be our commentator and explain the Duel for the benefit of our audience?"
Uber's plea was smooth, with just the right measure of respect, begging and demand. Likely from his power. Seeing no reason to deny Uber's request, she nodded easily.
"Folks, Khepri herself will give us running commentary for the Duel! Stay tuned, for this battle will be unlike anything else you have seen before!" The duo's flying drone quickly position itself in the right angle to be able to quickly zoom on either the Duel or herself.
"I will add Armatos Legio Sica to my hand." Finally decided Kaiser. "Now is the time to gather the might of the Empire. Appear, circuit leading to purity! The summoning condition is one Armatos Legio monster. I place Armatos Legio Gladius in the Link marker!" The marble statue became a stream of light converging at the bottom of the appearing circuit. "I Link summon the Link 1, Armatos Legio Decurion!
From the circuit came running not a statue, but a man of flesh and blood. A muscled soldier armed with a gladius, his head hidden by a helmet topped with a crimson panache, taking position on Kaiser field.
Armatos Legio Decurion – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 1/ /Link/Effect: 1000
"This is a Link monster." Explained Khepri. "They are summoned from the Extra Deck by sending the requisite monsters from the field to the graveyard."
"Look at the highlighted zones on your screen folks, and you'll get this in no time!" Shouted Uber, adapting immediately to her slower speaking pace by taking the role of hype man while Leet was busy working his drone. "But why is in one of the central zones of the field and not on Kaiser's side?
"Link Monsters are easier to summon than other Extra Deck Monsters. To compensate, they must be summoned either in one of the Extra Monster zones or a zone another Link Monster's arrow point to."
"I activate the effect of Armatos Colosseum!" Announced Kaiser loudly, with the obvious intention to make a better show of himself. "By sending an Armatos Legio monster from my hand to the graveyard, I can special summon Armatos Legio monsters from my graveyard next to a Link monster's Link arrows with different names from the sent monster! I send Armatos Legio Scutum to the graveyard to bring back Gladius next to Decurion's Link!"
The statue returned from the graveyard, silent and inert in comparison to the Link monster.
Armatos Legio Decurion – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 1/Link/Effect: 1500
"When a Link monster points to Gladius, it gains 500 ATK." Offhandedly mentioned Kaiser, far from done." Then, I will discard Armatos Legio Galea to special summon from my hand Armatos Legio Speculata by its own effect!"
Another statue emerged from the ground. Compared to Gladius it sported a cape and a different armour. It also wore no weapons and its posture was lower, less heroic.
Armatos Legio Speculata– LIGHT/Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 0/1800
"That one represents the Speculatores. Scouts and spies of the Roman army; sometimes political officers too." Suddenly said Tattletale just as Uber was about to open his mouth, certainly to ask the question she just answered.
"Everyone, this is Tattletale of the Undersiders, Thinker of our local ragtag band of burglars! Any trivia you need, she'll know it before you can type Search!" Quickly adapted Uber. "Remember, donation of 10$ and higher will get a direct answer from our commentator!"
"May you all be reminded of my power! I activate my Skill, Steel Shaping!" Large squares of metal erupted from the ground, smooth and shining, before taking on very familiar shape. "With it, I create a Token copy of each non-Link monster I control!"
"Token are treated as monster cards, except they are not cards in themselves. Leaving the field makes them disappear instead of moving to another zone. As for Skills, each duellist has one, representing their power." Clarified Khepri as the metallic copies of Gladius and Speculata were finished.
TOKEN Armatos Legio Speculata – LIGHT/Warrior/Level 5/Effect: 0/1800
TOKEN Armatos Legio Gladius – LIGHT/Warrior/Level 2/Effect: 0/800
"And with his Skill, Kaiser just doubled the number of materials he has available! Folks, this is a massive play we're about to see!"
"Appear again, circuit leading to purity! The summoning condition is two Armatos Legio monsters! I place my non-token Gladius and Speculata in the Link markers!" Once more, monsters became streams of light converging on the circuit. "I summon the Link 2, Armatos Legio Centurion!"
From the circuit jumped a taller and slimmer soldier in gold and silver armor, his helmet crowned by two golden horn like ornaments. With a menacing spin of his lance and a haughty war cry the new monster took position with a salute from the Decurion.
Armatos Legio Centurion – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 2/Link/Effect: 1700
"I activate Armatos Colosseum once again! By sending Armatos Legio Sica from my hand to the graveyard, I return Armatos Legio Galea and Armatos Legio Scutum next to Centurion's Links!"
Two new statues appeared on the sides of the Link monster: the first carrying a long dagger and the second a massive rectangular shield.
Armatos Legio Galea – LIGHT/Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 0/1000
Armatos Legio Scutum – LIGHT/Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 0/1800
"Despite only having a single card left in his hand the leader of the Empire has a field chock full of monsters! I smell a massive combo just starting!"
"Appear a third time, circuit leading to purity! The summoning condition is one Armatos Legio monster. I place Galea in the Link marker and Link summon a second Armatos Legio Decurion!" Declared Kaiser, the new Decurion saluting his superior on arrival. "Galea's effect. When used as a Link material, I can draw a card. And now that I have a Link arrow pointing to my Spell and Trap zone, I can activate this card! The three arrows that will judge the world! The Link Spell, Judgment Arrow!"
A short burst of information came to the forefront of Khepri's consciousness. From analysing data of a previous Cycle
Shard/Host Synchronicity Exceeds Safe Level
Cycle Secrecy Threatened.
Accessing Safeguard Cluster.
what her intuition told her, the card carried many meanings. Self-righteousness, jealousy of one's own kind, inferiority complexes, hatred on one's own kind, superiority complexes. A fitting weapon in the hand of Kaiser.
"Appear once more, circuit that leads to…"
"Shut up and get on with it!"
Bakuda's shout stopped Kaiser in his tracks for an instant. The new leader of the ABB had fallen silent after realizing she had no mean to free herself from the Duel, and only now did she seem to find her voice again.
"Yet again I find myself disappointed in the lower races. Incapable of the most basic decorum." Mocked Kaiser with a mouthful of disdain.
"That's rich. Pricks like you only care when it gets you something." Shot back Bakuda, hatred easily noticed despite the robotic distortion of her mask.
"What a surprise. I thought the yellow monkeys' only grace was their ability to bow gracefully." Politely and sarcastically replied Kaiser.
"Things appear to get heated between our two duellists and wait, we have our first 10$ question from Red Will Rise!" Uber turned to Khepri as if he could present her a speaker. "Khepri, our viewer asks if there is a time limit to a turn, and what happen if it's reached?"
"There is a time limit for turns and another individual actions. Exceeding one or the other allows the opponent to forcibly end your turn."
"There you have it Red Will Rise, a brutal penalty to those who dare to slow play! Perhaps this is what Bakuda is aiming for?"
Their words carried over the arena. Predictably, Kaider abruptly dropped the barbed retorts he was laying into Bakuda, whose reaction was yet another death threat toward everyone present.
"A cowardly scheme from a human animal." Growled a now irritated Kaiser. "No matter. The summoning condition are two monsters, including an Armatos Legio Link monster! I place Centurion and Scutum in the Link markers to summon the Link 2 Armatos Legio Primi Ordines!"
Unlike its predecessors, this soldier was covered in dark gray plaque armour, a large red crest fashioned upon its helmet. The one only thing identical to Centurion was his spear.
Armatos Legio Primi Ordines – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 2/Link/Effect: 1800
"A monster with the same Link rating as Centurion, but a stricter summoning condition! People in chat are talking, littyganium thanks for the 10$ asks if the ATK increase is what matter, Khepri what do you think?"
"The answer will lie in its effect. 100 ATK is an insignificant upgrade." Stated Khepri.
"And because of how its Link markers are placed." Added Tattletale with her trademark smug grin. "Also Primi Ordines were the centurions in charge of the first cohort in each Roman legion."
"Here you have it littyganium and you too Debitard, your own 10$ questions are answered before I could shout you out!"
"I activate the effect of Primi Ordines! I target one level 4 or lower Armatos Legio from my graveyard and special summon it. Return to the front, Galea!" The Link monster struck sand with its spear and the standard bearing statue materialized in that emplacement.
"And Khepri's conclusion is immediately proven right, with Kaiser adding yet again another body to fuel his combo!"
"Now appear, circuit leading to purity! Once again the summoning condition more two monsters, including an Armatos Legio Link monster. I place the Decurion in my main monster zone and one token in the Link markers to summon the Link 2 Armatos Legio Pilus Prior!"
Walking with military precision out of the circuit, the newcomer wielded not a spear but a large sword and shield with golden decoration, its armour a combination of light and dark metal.
Armatos Legio Pilus Prior – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 2/Link/Effect: 1800
"The Pilus Prior was the oldest and highest-ranking among the Primi Ordines." Said Tattletale the very instant as a yellow message popped on Leet's tablet, prompting Uber to thanks the donator.
"When Pilus Prior is Link summoned, I banish a card from the top of my deck for each co-linked monster I control. Those cards will be added to my hand during my next Standby Phase. I banish three cards." Whether the cards were good or not could not be perceived through Kaiser's voice.
"Also, I was right about the Link markers mattering." If the Thinker's grin got any wider, her head would split in two.
"We've got a lot of questions here! Khepri, how did Kaiser summon Pilus Prior without link to another monster? What is co-linked? Why three cards and not two?" Rapid-fired Uber in a single breath.
"Co-linked means two cards with connected Link markers." Explained Khepri. "Judgment Arrows has its own Link markers and Pilus Prior is co-linked with it. Three monster are thus co-linked on Kaiser's field."
"Hear that folk? Now we know why Kaiser discarded Centurion, Primi Ordines' Link markers went towards Judgment Arrows and allowed him to extend his combo! And with Pilus Prior, his next turn will have three more cards in hand!" Shouted Uber at the filming drone. "I see people in chat are betting on the issue of the Duel, don't forget this is just the first turn!"
"There is no doubt to the issue, though I am not yet finished." Informed Kaiser as a matter of fact, the drone focusing back on him. "I activate the effect of Pilus Prior. I target one level 4 or lower Armatos Legio from my graveyard and special summon it. Sica comes back to the front. With Sica in the Link marker, I summon my third Decurion."
"We see Pilus Prior kept Primi Ordines' effect, a logical conclusion as he is their highest-ranking member!" Added Uber. "And look at this! Kaiser has taken position in both Extra Monster zone!"
"This is an Extra Link. By co-linking monsters from one Extra Monster zone to the other, you prevent your opponent from summoning his own Link monsters entirely." Explained Khepri. "Though if the two zones stop being co-linked, the Extra Link is broken and the opponent can summon a Link monster to his Main Monster zone."
"And now, Brockton Bay and all those who spectate, behold!" Kaiser spread his arms theatrically as the Link circuit materialized before him. "Appear one last time, circuit that leads us to purity! The summoning condition is three or more Armatos Legio monsters! I place the last token, Galea, and Pilus Prior in the Link markers!"
The three monsters were sublimating into vortex of golden light illuminating the four cardinal arrows.
"Appear, commander that advance upon the chaotic battlefield! Bring the light of civilization upon the savages opposing us! I Link summon the Link 4, Armatos Legio Magnus Dux!"
With an earth quaking stomp and a sonorous trumpeting, a massive elephant entered the field. Clad in golden plates and carrying a gilded throne, and on that throne sat a man wearing an equally golden armour carrying a sceptre of command. Yet two enormous canons upon the elephants sides displayed how it was not simply the mount of a general witnessing war from afar, but an active combatant capable of turning the tide of conflicts by itself.
Armatos Legio Magnus Dux – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 4/Link/Effect: 3000
"Now that's a big monster! Yet it appears Kaiser destroyed his own Extra Link to summon it! Anything to say about that, Khepri?"
"The Extra Link is inconsequential unless Bakuda also plays a Link centric deck. If that monster possesses an effect powerful enough, it is a worthy trade." Pointed out Khepri.
She neglected to further explain this monster was also Kaiser's own representation in his Deck. The information had no bearing on the Duel.
"I activate Armatos Colosseum a final time. By discarding Armatos Legio Segmentata, I special summon Centurion and Scutum next to Magnus Dux's Links. With this, my turn ends."
Kaiser: 8000 LP – Hand 0 – Field: Decurion (Right Extra monster zone), Primi Ordines, Centurion, Magnus Dux, Scutum, Decurion (Left Extra monster zone), Judgment Arrows
Bakuda: 8000 LP – Hand 6
"Finally." Growled Bakuda. "I use my Skill, Detonation Technology." The grenade launcher in her hand suddenly disintegrated into motes of multicoloured data. "I convert that weapon into Volcanic Blaze Accelerator." The light solidified once more as an additional, revealed card for Bakuda's hand.
Bakuda: – Hand 7
"Now that's a surprise! Bakuda literally transformed her weapon into a card! Folks, the spectacle is only starting!"
"I'll deal with you turncoats after that." Mumbled the bomber loud enough for Uber to hear and shiver in fear. "I send Blaze Accelerator from Deck to graveyard to activate Volcanic Blaze Accelerator." The Continuous Spell appeared as a tripod mounted double barrelled cannon, ready to unleash murder. "With it, I special summon Volcanic Soldier."
A blaze signalled the arrival of Bakuda's monster. A man covered in spiked armour, lava coloured veins coursing through its body, flames erupting from its limbs, holding a short and heavy gun.
Volcanic Soldier – FIRE/Pyro/Level 3/Effect: 1000/1000
"With its effect, I add Volcanic Emperor to my hand. With its second effect, I discard a card. You get a Bomb Token."
Bomb Token – FIRE/Pyro/Level 1/Effect: 1000/1000
"Bakuda is summoning a monster on their opponent's side of the field! Khepri, any idea as to why?"
"Doesn't the name give it away? Also, it's in attack mode. Anything can walk over it and deal major damage." Snickered Tattletale after Uber's question.
"Blaze Accelerator's effect. I send Volcanic Rimfire from Deck to graveyard." A serpentine shape surrounded by a fiery aura jumped into the tripod's side. "Blow up that stupid elephant."
"A predictable attempt. Armatos Legio Scutum's effect!" Declared Kaiser as the shield equipping the statue disappeared to materialise again in Magnus Dux's hands. "The first time each turn a Link monster pointing to Scutum would be destroyed, that destruction is negated!"
The cannon fired a heat missile at Magnus Dux, only to be easily deflected by the shield.
"Think you're safe? Rimfire's effect. I banish Volcanic Blaze Accelerator to place Tri-Blaze Accelerator from Deck into the S/T zone." Following Bakuda's words, the tripod cannon disappeared, only to be replaced by another tripod crowned by three silver cannons.
"And that's why you shouldn't think a Tinker beaten just because you destroyed one of their toys, there are always more when it comes from!" Shouted Leet from the side.
"Don't yours all blow up by themselves?" Snickered Tattletale.
"No fighting in the tribune, focus on the Duel down below!" Yelled Uber before Leet could fall right into Tattletale's verbal trap.
"Tri-Blaze effect. I discard Volcanic Scattershot to blow up that elephant. If it does, you'll take 500 damage."
"And it looks like Bakuda isn't done trying to destroy Kaiser's big monster!"
Another scale covered reptile surrounded by fire flew up from Bakuda's hand and settled within the weapon.
"Inferior races never learn. Armatos Legio Decurion's effect! By sending it to the graveyard, I can protect my Armatos Legio monsters from destruction!"
Making true of Kaiser's words, one of the Decurion jumped in front of the shot and exploded with it, sparring Magnus Dux… but a flaming debris was still flung towards Kaiser. The leader of the E88 couldn't react in time and was struck, making him stumble.
Kaiser: 7500 LP
"Scattershot deals 500 damage when sent to the graveyard. It's second effect send two other Scattershots from Deck to graveyard and destroy all monsters you control."
"My second Decurion will protect his comrades!" Retorted Kaiser, yet the sacrifice of the Link monster couldn't protect him from the effect damage from the two other Scattershots, and once more he couldn't dodge the fiery fragments.
Kaiser: 6500 LP
"Don't forget my little gift." A dark chuckle accompanied the declaration as the Bomb Token exploded right in front of Kaiser, sending him face first on the ground.
Kaiser: 6000 LP
"Look at that, folks! It seems Bomb Tokens deal damage to their controller when destroyed! Bakuda appears to be playing an entirely different game than her opponent, directly damaging them without bothering building a field! Khepri, do you think this approach can yield results?"
"Yes. A one-turn-kill is unlikely, but not impossible."
"Let's hope it won't come to that. But you can bet on it in the chat!" Quickly added Uber.
"Heh, roasted nazi isn't too bad a smell. We can always run away when it turns to charcoal." Regent jokingly and audibly breathed through the nose like some sort of connoisseur.
"You damn monkey…" Growled Kaiser as he stood up, eliciting another chuckle from Bakuda.
"I'm starting to like this. I activate Fire Ejection and send Rimfire to the graveyard from Deck. That create another Bomb Token to your field." Another sphere of danger appeared on Kaiser's field. "Rimfire's effect. I banish it to send Volcanic Shell to the graveyard from Deck. Shell's effect: I pay 500 LP and add another Shell from Deck to hand."
Bakuda: 7500 LP
"You've got no more shields. I discard Shell with Tri-Blaze."
A creature very similar to Volcanic Scattershot and Rimfire slithered in the air and infiltrated the triple canon. The weapon fired at Magnus Dux and this time, the war elephant was torn into pieces, the detonation throwing Kaiser away once more.
Kaiser: 5500 LP
"Second Shell's effect."
Bakuda: 7000 LP
"Let's blow up that last tin can. I discard the third Shell." The cannon rang true, perforating Primi Ordines' torso.
Kaiser: 5000 LP
"What a turnaround! Every single monster on Kaiser's side of the field have been destroyed, apart from that last bomb token!" Despite playing his role of hypeman well, one could hear a tinge of worry in Uber's voice.
"I use Fire Recovery. I discard Volcanic Emperor to special summon Rimfire in defense mode." The creature was just as small on the field as it had been when charging the canon, almost cute.
Volcanic Rimfire – FIRE/Pyro/Level 1/Effect: 300/0
"And now, I banish my three Scattershots in the graveyard to special summon Volcanic Emperor from the graveyard!"
The ground erupted like a volcano, a gigantic form climbing from the depths. The unholy union between a dinosaur and a dragon, wrapped in orange flames, its body covered with magmatic lines. Standing ten meters tall on two muscular legs ending in menacing claws, unleashing a roar so powerful it almost deafened the audience.
Volcanic Emperor – FIRE/Pyro/Level 8/Effect: 3100/2400
"Oh right, it has an effect." The electronic filter hid nothing of her sadistic glee. "When summoned, you take 500 damage for each banished Pyro monsters!"
A blazing inferno enveloped the field, the heat strong enough to be felt by all those in the Colosseum. Kaiser couldn't dodge or react, only scream. When it died down, the leader of the E88 looked worse than he ever had. A good third of his metal armour was red hot, the smell of burnt flesh spreading in the arena. Yet he still stood in a show of willpower Khepri did not expect.
Kaiser: 3000 LP
"Still standing?" Even Bakuda seemed, if not impressed, at least surprised. "Emperor also makes me set a Volcanic Trap from Deck. I set Volcanic Emission."
"Lung." Tattletale suddenly gasped. "That monster is Lung, it's how Bakuda's Deck represents him. Her own cards are those Blaze Accelerators!"
"What? Uh I mean, new info folks, as some of you guessed the cards do have a deeper meaning!" Said Uber to catch the situation, distracting from the fuming pile the one supposed to defeat Bakuda was turning into.
"Correct." Confirmed Khepri. "Keep going, NegotiatorTattletale."
"Right, that's…" The Thinker eyes behind her mask seemed to widen before returning to their previous focus in a flash. Safeguard played its role."That Link 4, Magnus Dux, represented Kaiser himself. But for Bakuda, her Continuous Spells are the cards representing her and her power. If she hadn't been in the ABB, it's likely she wouldn't have had that Volcanic Emperor at her disposal."
"Incredible! Cards in the players Deck can be influenced not only by the person using it and their power, but also other capes they interact with! Theory crafters and tinfoil hats, you know what to do!" Added Uber, putting up a cheerful face.
"I set another card. Oh, I also banish Fire Recovery to return all banished Scattershots to my Deck and draw a card." Bakuda looked at the new card she obtained before huffing in disappointment. "Too bad, no Scattershot. I'll still discard Volcanic Slicer and explode that last bomb!"
The Tri-Blaze Accelerator greedily devoured the last card in Bakuda's hand and fired at the bomb. Another explosion, and once again Kaiser was thrown on the side, his armour bending oddly in some parts.
Kaiser: 2000 LP
"Can't attack this turn because I used Tri-Blaze. Too bad. I'll just end my turn."
Bakuda: Hand 0 – 7000 LP – Field: Trooper, Rimfire, Emperor, Tri-Blaze, Volcanic Emission, one Set S/T
Kaiser: Hand 1 – 2000 LP – Field: Judgment Arrows, Colosseum
"… Standby Phase… I add the cards banished by Pilus Prior to my hand."
Kaiser: Hand 4
Uber let out a relieved breath when Kaiser growled his action. A dolorous, wrathful growl, but not one belonging to a defeated man. Yet Bakuda only laughed.
"Still trying, nazi bastard? You're dead already! You thought I'd leave you any chance?" She let out a mad chuckle, distorted and deranged through the audio filter. "Hard to be the only genius here. I'll break it down to you imbeciles. Volcanic Emperor deals 500 damage when you special summon. And that Volcanic Emission I just set? It'll deal you half of Volcanic Emperor's ATK. Do the math and try not to fail, white boy!"
"That's… That's 1550 damage! If he special summons anything, he's toast! But he needs those! All of his non-Link monsters have been nothing but bodies for summon!" Panicked Leet.
"Oh, and if you survive? The other one I've set is Firewall. It let me banish Pyro monsters to negate your attacks. Your tin cans won't even endanger me if you tried, and if you ever destroy Emperor, I'll just summon it back next turn and finish you off!" Bakuda let out another burst of laughter, fully convinced of her victory.
"He can do something, right? Christ, I can't believe I'm hoping for a nazi to turn this around." Uber looked like he was desperately searching for a way out.
"Most likely. Whether or not he has the necessary cards at hand is another matter entirely." Simply said Khepri to Leet and Uber utter discomfort.
"Damn, that's cold, lady." Whistled Regent. "Oh look, CEO of racism here seems to have something left in him."
Indeed, Kaiser was speaking. "I activate the Continuous Spell Armatos Lex… I shuffle a Spell card in my graveyard into my Deck and add an Armatos Legio monster from my Deck to my hand… I shuffle Reinforcement of the Army into my Deck… and add Armatos Legio Magica Alcum to my hand."
Credit where credit was due, he still insisted to fully lay out his actions, far from the abridging of Bakuda.
"I cannot be defeated… The Empire cannot be defeated!" Shouted Kaiser, full of pain and anger. "I activate the Spell Monster Reborn! I target a monster in any graveyard and special summon it on my field! I target and special summon Magnus Dux!"
The war elephant trumpeted furiously upon its revival, the commander sitting atop the throne looking severely at the Volcanic Emperor. The monster roared in response before sending out a wave of flames. This time Kaiser managed to limp away, coming out not that much worse for wear beside more charred skin.
Armatos Legio Magnus Dux – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 4/Link/Effect: 3000
Kaiser: 1500 LP
"Too stupid to accept defeat? Hilarious. Go on, keep summoning. I'll let you roast yourself. You can't beat Emperor with that weakling anyway!" Taunted Bakuda without a care.
"I normal summon Armatos Legio Magica Alcum." A new statue appeared on Kaiser field, sporting a large bow drawn to its limits and a full quiver. "When it is normal or special summoned next to the Link of a monster pointing to a Link Spell, Armatos Legio monsters I control cannot be destroyed by card effect this turn."
Armatos Magica Alcum – LIGHT/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 0/1600
"What the hell is Kaiser thinking? That's something that would have been useful a turn ago! It's stupid useless right now!" Complained a panicked Leet.
"No, that's exactly what he needs!" NegotiatorSaid Tattletale, almost bouncing in place as she decrypted the situation.
"Then!" Kaiser pointed at his field with difficulty, the cooling metal of his armour reducing his movement. "It sends Judgment Arrows to the graveyard and destroys all cards in my opponent's main monster zones and Spell and Trap zones! Judgment Arrows leaving the field would normally destroy all monster linked to it, but thanks to Magica Alcum's effect, it won't happen!"
The bow disappeared from the statue's hand, reappearing in the hand of Magnus Dux. The general stood from his throne, drawing a fistful of energy arrows from the quiver before drawing the bow.
"Useless. Useless, useless, useless! I activate Volcanic Emission and target Volcanic Emperor!" The Trap came in full view of everyone, the temperature of the arena rising as more flames licked the sand.
"I see no genius, only a blind eastern primate!" Spat Kaiser violently. "I activate the Quick Spell Final Bringer of the End Times! I target a monster on my field and a monster on your field and destroy them both! I target Magica Alcum that cannot be destroyed by card effect, and your Volcanic Emperor!"
A spiralling light erupted from the Spell Card and annihilated Volcanic Emperor on the spot. Having lost its target, Volcanic Emission failed to resolve and its flames dispersed harmlessly. Magnus Dux let loose the bowstring at the same time, the arrow volley finding its mark and destroying every single card Bakuda had left as she cried in impotent rage.
"I can't believe my own eyes! Kaiser did it! He managed to avoid Bakuda's trap and cleaned up her entire field! She is wide open! Who could have seen it coming?" Uber was almost crying in relief, ignoring the eyerolls from both Regent and Tattletale. "We have one, three… a lot of donations, asking why Kaiser isn't dead, Khepri, anyone?"
"When a card or effect is activated in answer to another, they form a Chain. Once no more cards or effects are activated, the Chain closes then resolve backward, last effect first." Clarified Khepri.
"Also, Bakuda's Trap needed a valid target to resolve. Kaiser destroyed it before resolution." Informed Tattletale to complement the explanation. "She tried to play with her food and got burnt. Must be what she felt failing at Cornell when she didn't work enough for it, with the excuse she was a supposed genius."
"There you have it, everyone who donated! Sorry we can't shout out all of you, we'll do that in the next stream! The Duel isn't over yet, though the odds are now in Kaiser's favor again!"
"I won't make the same mistake as you. I will finish you with a single strike!" Vowed Kaider to the camera. "I activate Magnus Dux' effect! For each monster linked to it, I return a card from the field or the graveyard to its owner's hand! The three arrows that judge the world, come to me once more! I return Judgement Arrows from my graveyard to my hand and activate it!"
"Why did Kaiser bring back this card in particular? Does it have a secret effect we have not yet seen? We're sure to discover it soon!" Hyped Uber much more sincerely than before.
"And the last card in my hand is the Continuous Spell Solidarity! If I only have a single monster type on my field and in my graveyard, each monster I control gains 800 ATK! Such is the power of the superior race uniting!" Kaiser, too, was back to acting as if he was in control, disregarding how much of his body would need either Othala, Panacea, or a complete skin surgery.
Armatos Legio Magnus Dux – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 4/Link/Effect: 3800
Armatos Magica Alcum – LIGHT/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 800/1600
"Battle Phase! I attack directly with Magnus Dux!" The twin cannons upon the elephants started accumulating energy. "At this moment, Judgment Arrows' effect activate! When attack is declared involving a Link monster I control, that monster's attack is doubled until the end of the damage step!"
"Doubled?" Shouted both Uber and Bakuda at the same time.
Armatos Legio Magnus Dux – LIGHT/Warrior/Link 4/Link/Effect: 3800 7600
"It has enough ATK now! Bakuda has lost! Everyone on stream, the Duel is over!" Shouted Uber, pumping his fist.
Subversive Activity Detected.
Subversive Activity Neutralized.
Analysis… Analysis Complete.
Origin: Detonation-Based Technology Archive Shard.
Locking Down Shard… Lockdown Complete.
Bakuda tried to activate her bombs in the city, but the Duelling field blocked each and every signal she sent, and just like at the start of none of the grenades did anything. AdministratorKhepri would not allow her to subvert her funrules.
"Damn you! Damn you all!" Bakuda stomped on one of her grenade before tearing her mask off, unveiling a young woman of mixed heritage. "Volcanic Counter's effect in my graveyard! I banish it, and you'll take the same damage I do! I'll take you down with me!"
"What?" The utter shock in Kaiser's voice was far more pleasing to Khepri's ears than she expected. "Wait, no!"
But it was too late. The twin canons of Magnus Dux fired and at the same time, a massive flaming tiger surged from behind Bakuda and jumped. Crossing the path of the light beams, the beast pounced towards Kaiser. The two attacks reached their target at the same time, and the world turned white.
Kaiser: 0 LP
Bakuda: 0 LP
DRAW
The Colosseum vanished. Of the two duellists, there was little left beside charred corpses. Only melted steel upon one and fragments of undetonated explosives near the other would allow their identification. Though the city remained entirely intact from the battle, both due to the Field Spell and the more restrictive perimeters set up.
"Fuck me…" Whispered Uber… "Well, folks that's all, don't forget to subscribe! Uber and Leet out!" The feed was cut. "Dude we need to run the fuck away!" He shouted to Leet before the both of them started a mad sprint, the drone following above them.
"Let's do the same before the PRT or the Empire come! Bitch!" Snapped Tattletale when she sighted the giant dogs arrive urgently. "Come on Khepri, you too!"
Duel Data Compiled.
Shard/Host Synchronicity Returning to Normal Level.
Taylor blinked. With Tattletale? Her mind suddenly raced, the enormity of the situation dawning on her. Bakuda was dead. Kaiser was dead. That one wasn't supposed to happen. Lisa assured her Bakuda either had a Kill Order already ready or one that would be signed retroactively. Kaiser wasn't the same. Would the PRT accuse her of murder? Wouldn't they?… Director Piggot would. And that was the only thing that mattered. No matter what she helped accomplish before and today, no matter if she helped save the city, the Director already decided she was a villain. And the PRT would act in consequence.
"Come on!" Shouted Lisa, extending her hand.
Taylor took Lisa's hand and climbed upon Bitch's giant dog. She wasn't going to join a gang. But she couldn't keep being a hero if the PRT arrested her. First, reaching safety. Then get home, hug her dad, and find a way to deal with the whole mess. Khepri was a hero. She just needed to find a way to be one without the authorities ruining everything.