A few days had passed since Eddie's mission to fusion (where she accomplished a lot more than she ever expected), but the date of the Arc League Championship was looming ever closer with the cut off point of qualification only being a few days away.
She was a bit worried but Smiley kept reassuring he had a plan and he was gonna have her be a smash hit.
And so it was with only five days left while she was eating breakfast with the Sakaki's joined by Yuto and Yugo as the two had been invited by Yoko as she very much so had declared them to be her boys.
She ignored any objections and cemented her position by beating the two of them in a duel and that was when Eddie actually learned what the woman played.
Kozmo.
Eddie had honestly been expecting Goblin Bikers, but Kozmo made sense too.
And that was when her duel disk began ringing, an image of a smiley face on the screen.
"Scuse me, gotta take this." Eddie said, quickly walking off to a more secluded area of the house. "Talk to me Smiles."
"Ah young Eddie I've got good news, your costume has been finished and I've got all six of your duels for your qualification ready; you're gonna take the world by storm, kid!"
"Excellent, where do I go for the fitting?"
"You need to go to Arkana's Costumes For All, they are the ones I hired for the job, and you will be having two duels over the next three days each, and if you win you get to join the Junior Youth League."
Arkana, huh? Dark Magician? That sounded sick.
"Alright Smiles, thanks for this. You got an address or this place got a website?"
"Got a website but I will be sending you the address." Smiley answered and a second later she got a message.
"Thank you kindly, Smiles." Eddie said as he hung up before rejoining the table.
"So who was that?" Yugo asked.
"A little curious as well I thought our numbers were the only ones you had?" Yuya asked.
"Yuya I know people outside of You Show." Eddie said flatly.
"Oh."
"Dolt." Yuto simply said.
"Hey! I am not a dolt, you are a dolt."
"You don't even know what dolt means do you?"
"Hrmmm."
"Boys no fighting at the table, also you want more Pancakes Yugo?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Yugo answered as he devoured his food.
"Savor the flavor boy, dang." Eddie said. "The food won't disappear if you don't eat it."
"It won't?"
Okay, wow, that hurt Eddie's heart a little. "No, it won't."
"Yes you can take your time," Yoko added, and with that Yugo started slowing down a little, from 'vacuum' to 'ravenous'.
Baby steps.
So unlike what she'd been hoping for, Arkana's was a chain established by the duelist of the same name after he lost his legs, and was not directly run by the Dark Magician user.
The store itself was nice and rather spellcaster-themed, but Smiley had apparently set her up with a very professional costume.
The base layer of the costume was a black bodysuit under a pinkish-red minidress that if it weren't for said body suit would be incredibly revealing for her tastes with a golden outlined heart shape on the chest mirroring the Quantal symbol, paired with thick boots, and pink and white striped gloves that went up most of her arm with thick golden bracelets at the wrists. This was then accentuated by a pink helmet with two thick rounded white nubby 'horns' coming from the top and another heart on the forehead, a blue visor covering her eyes and a wig of short spiky blond hair to further distance herself from her normal look, and a long white scarf to finish off the look.
In other words, she'd stolen Harp Note's look from Megaman and Quant-ified it.
Including a heart-shaped 'guitar' that could play pre-programmed tunes!
And after getting fitted, it felt pretty dang good.
Good enough that the reveal Smiley had misspoke and her first two matches were today not tomorrow was… mostly okay with her, after a quick ride there.
Eddie found herself at the Cuisine Duel School, one of the lesser Duel Schools (compared to You Show or LDS) and if she remembered correctly, alma mater of Sensei's rival.
And right now she was backstage waiting for her entrance as Smiley did introductions.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Nico Smiley and today we have a special program for you today as we are not going to have a cook off between two chefs but between Duelists. And the one from the cooking school that is being challenged is the man in charge himself, Kirigakure!"
Eddie heard the sound of cheering and also swooning.
"And now for the challenger, she is an unknown rising from the depths of darkness to do battle against the forces of evil with her team of heroes, rise forth Super Quantum Pink Layer!"
Eddie took her cue as she burst onto the field, playing the intro to 'Go Go Power Rangers' on her 'guitar' as she entered, a pink smoke explosion accompanying her landing pose.
Which was met by a wave of 'wows' from the audience who sat in the standard cooking show seating as opposed to a more traditional stadium seating.
Her opponent, a man who's outfit looked like a hybrid of a chef and a king, meanwhile, was grinning. "When Smiley said he found one for theatrics, he did not mince words, it's been a while since I've been challenged by a duelist who can actually cook."
"Oh, don't worry King Chef, I came here to bring you a twelve course butt-kicking!" Eddie said with an equally large grin, her voice ever so slightly modulated by her helmet. "So you better be ready to bring your A Game and your A Grade!"
"Oh I will young Pink Player, I am gonna grill you to perfection."
"It's Pink Layer." Eddie corrected as she activated her duel disk, letting the 'guitar' hang loose on the strap for the moment. "So let's see if you can handle the heat out of the kitchen!"
"Then let us have an Action Duel," Kirigakure said as his Duel Disk activated.
"Duelists locked in battle! Kicking the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters! They storm through this field! Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of Dueling!" The crowd shouted as the field formed and it was a massive kitchen. Home field advantage, of course.
"ACTION DUEL!" They finished.
Pink Layer LP: 8000/Kirigakure LP: 8000
"As the one being challenged I will go first," Kirigakure said. "And I will show off one of the newest card's that I've gained that were just released onto the market, I will Normal Summon the Pendulum Monster Poissonniere De Nouvelles(700/1700)!"
"A what monster?!" Eddie asked in real shock. Dang it, she must have missed the new booster set being released!
"Haven't you heard? They are the newest craze in town, first debuted by Yuya Sakaki of You Show and now LDS is fully releasing them to the public. Still missing a few… cards but I can deal with that, but now that my Poissonniere De Nouvelles has been summoned she will start preparing the course that will defeat you by adding a Recipe card to my hand."
As he spoke, Eddie had been heading for an action card, and after a quick read decided to use it. "And I'll chain the Energy Biscuits I just picked up to gain some life points."
Pink Layer LP: 8500/Kirigakure LP: 8000
"You can have that as a treat, as I will activate Impcantation Talismandra(0/0) in my hand, by revealing a Hungry Burger in my hand to Special Summon it and another Impcantation from my deck." The mandrake hit the field, and was swiftly followed by Impcantation Candoll(0/0) as he scooped up an Action Card. "And Since Candoll was Special Summoned from my deck, I can add a Ritual Card from my deck to my hand. Which I will then activate, that being Recette de Viande or Meat Recipe for the people at home."
"All that work for a Burger?" Eddie asked, not tauntingly but more confusedly.
"That will not be served just yet, first the chef needs to enter the field, as I sacrifice Impcantation Candoll Level 4 and Poissonniere De Nouvelles Level 1, a chef needs both ingredients and heat to cook up this Five Star Meal, Ritual Summon! Level 5! Balameuniere de Nouvelles(2000/1850)!"
And then from the flames of the ritual chef emerged an appropriately hot demonic chef with an actual five stars on his chest, a blue bird appearing from one shoulder and a red bear head from the other as he presented a very fancy looking meal that if Eddie remembered correctly was the source of his name.
The ladies in the audience went wild at the literal hot boy.
"Now that he has been Ritual Summoned, I can add a Nouvelles to my hand, and since Poissonniere De Nouvelles was used as a sacrifice she can be placed in my Pendulum Zone!"
"Pendulum Zone?" Eddie asked, staying in character as she looked for another Action Card.
"These are a special Zone that they can be placed in and from there they can be used as Spell Cards." Kirigakure explained. "And next I will use Recette de Poisson, to Ritual Summon Buerillabaisse de Nouvelles(400/1850) using my other Impcantation on the field as the sacrifice, and doing that with the matching Ritual Card as it is a Fish Recipe and Baisse is a Fish Dish I can add my Recette de Viande from my graveyard back to my hand."
This time, Poissonniere made a lovely looking fish dish that actually stuck around, an adorable little food demon popping out of the bowl a moment after she disappeared.
"And now Beurillabaisse de Nouvelles' effect activate allowing me to excavate the top five cards of my deck," and those cards were revealed to Pink Layer, with the five being another Poissonniere, Voici la Carte aka Today's Menu, Recette de Personnel, and two copies of Pre-Preparation of Rites. "And I will be adding Poissonniere as that was the only Nouvelles card."
"Wow look at the Chef King go."
"No surprise that Michio-ku is so talented."
"He learned from the best didn't he?"
Those were just some choice sentences Pink Layer heard from the crowd, the unique setup giving her a much better ability to hear it than normal.
"And with that I end my turn." Kirigakure said.
"I draw, and I'll start off with a Terraforming to add a field spell to my hand." Pink Layer said as she got on top of one of the floating plates for a better vantage point. "Then, I'll call my comrades to arms! I normal summon Super Quantum Green Layer(1600/1400) who will special summon Super Quantum Blue Layer(1200/2000) from my hand in defense position. When she joins the fight I get to add a Super Quant card from my deck to my hand. And now, let's change up the scenery a bit! Super Quantal Mech Ship Magnacarrier!"
The space above the kitchen warped as the blue wormhole of the stock footage dimension appeared, the ship hovering ominously overhead.
"Next, I'll activate the Super Quantum White Layer(2400/2400) I added to my hand to summon itself by sending Green Layer to the grave! This will cause a chain of effects as our comrades unite!" Pink Layer said as a Red Layer was sent to the grave making White Layer level 5, she discarded and drew, and the discarded Alphan(0/0) was summoned. "Now, we need Mechbeast Power! XYZ MORPH! Rank 5! Super Quantal Mechbeast Magnaliger(2600/2000)!"
"Xyz!?" Came the shout from the crowd.
"An Xyz Summon? Are you an LDS Student?" Kirigakure asked.
"No, I am completely unaffiliated with them!" Pink Layer denied. "But we're not done yet! I'll do it again! XYZ MORPH! RANK 3! Super Quantal Mechbeast Grampulse(1800/2800) in defense position! I'll use its effect to detach a material and destroy your Pendulum with a Deep Sea Strike! And Blue Layer's graveyard effect will shuffle some cards from my graveyard into the deck."
"You know I would have appreciated it if you targeted my Buerillabaisse," Kirigakure said conversationally.
"No can do chief, Grampulse can only target spell and trap cards." Pink Layer said. "Now then, Battle Phase! Attack the hot one!"
"It's Balameuniere de Nouvelles, and I activate the Action Card - Victory Topping, increasing the attack of my monster by 600!" Kirigakure shouted as the attacks were equalized and Grampulse was changed to attack position- and she knew attacking the tiny ritual would only bring danger.
And the two monsters took each other out.
"White Layer's graveyard effect will add another Alphan from my deck to my hand." Pink Layer said. "Main phase 2, Rank Up! Rank 5! Xyz Armor Fortress(2500/1800)! I'll use his effect to detach a material and add an Armored Xyz card from my deck to my hand, set two cards, and end my turn."
"I will then draw and once again I will Normal Summon, Poissonniere De Nouvelles to my field, to use her effect to a add a Recipe Card to my hand, Next I will using the Ritual Spell - Recette de Viande to Sacrifice the Level 6 Hungry Burger in my hand to use the meat for a special dish. Ritual Summon! Level 4! Foie Glasya de Nouvelles(1600/1850)!"
Another hot chef appeared, this one riding a spoon like a witch's broom, sidesaddle, and staring seductively (hungrily) at her monsters, as his effect activated putting three cards from Kirigakure's graveyard back into his deck.
"And then the battle phase," Kirigakure declared. "Foie Glasya de Nouvelles attack that marketable plushie! And in doing so his effect activates since a monster on the field was targeted for an attack. Which allows me to sacrifice one of my Nouvelles and one of your monsters to Special Summon a Nouvelles from my deck."
"But my Armor Fortress doesn't have levels?!" Pink Layer asked in shock.
"Ah but for this, I don't need a level, it just needs to be in attack position." Kirigakure said with a smile as Pink Layer's monster was cooked up by Glasya, revealing a much more ghostly demonic chef. "Now come forth, Baelgrill de Nouvelles(2400/1850)- and then I will resume my attack to activate Baelgrill's effect to sacrifice your remaining monster to serve you the burger I promised for here comes Hungry Burger(2000/1850)!"
And then Glasya's attack connected, almost sending her flying off the plate.
Pink Layer LP: 6900/Kirigakure LP: 8000
"And now you're wide open young Pink Layer, it seems that you couldn't keep up with me." Kirigakure said as his other two monsters attacked, bringing her life points down to a more critical amount- but more concerningly, the Burger shattered the plate as she scrambled to land without hurting herself.
Pink Layer LP: 2500/Kirigakure LP: 8000
"I thought she was gonna do more."
"Yeah that Xyz stuff was cool, but I guess Pendulum and Ritual is better."
"Yeah Chef King, show the newbie hero why you are the king!"
And then came the audience heckling.
"I guess with that I will end my turn, as I don't even need this card to win." Kirigakure said confidently as he held up the back of one of his cards.
"Now why is everyone acting like I've already lost?" Pink Layer asked as she got up from the ground she'd been knocked too when the Burger had shattered her plate.
"You've only got 2500 Life points left."
"You have nothing on your field."
"And you've got nothing that can beat the king's monsters, and your summons are gonna get cooked."
"YEAH!"
"I'm." She continued as if they hadn't interrupted as she picked up an Action Card. "Just. Getting. Started. I draw, and Normal Summon Summoner Monk(800/1600) whose effect puts him in defense position. I'll then discard this action card to special summon Super Quantum Green Layer from my deck in defense position. Now, XYZ MORPH! RANK 4! Super Quantal Mech Beast Aeroboros(2200/2400) in defense position!"
"Is defense the only thing you have? I will have you know it will do you no good, the next turn shall be the last." Kirigakure said.
"I activate Aeroboros's effect, detaching a material to flip Baelgrill facedown! High Fly Bombardment!" Pink Layer said, before grabbing her guitar. "WE NEED MEGAZORD POWER, NOW!"
The ship overhead exploded as all three pieces came together- red, blue, and green, to form-!
"RANK 12! SUPER QUANTAL MECH KING GREAT MAGNUS(3600/3200)!" She declared as she played the song, letting the combination sequence play out.
"Giant robot!" The crowd shouted.
"Impressive monster but you summoned it in Attack Position so you will lose the second you attack thanks to Foie Glasya de Nouvelles' effect." Kirigakure said.
"Before the might of SUPER QUANTAL MECH KING GREAT MAGNUS, EVIL FLEES!" Pink Layer declared as she detached a material and Foie Glasya was shuffled back into the deck.
"What? Why didn't Foie Glasya activate? You used his effect on him!"
"I most certainly did not target, no." Pink Layer said. "Now, Battle Phase! Destroy that face-down chef! RGB STRIKE!"
"Baelgrills no!" Kirigakure shouted.
"Main phase 2!" Pink Layer declared, uncaring to his plight. "I activate my face down Full Armored XYZ! XYZ MORPH! RANK 12! ALLIES FROM BEYOND THE STARS, ALIGHT TO FIGHT BACK THE EVIL! DIVINE ARSENAL AA-ZEUS - SKY THUNDER(3000/3000)!" She declared as one giant robot switched for another.
"It's another cool robot!" The crowd shouted.
"And what a magnificent turnabout from Pink Layer, at the brink of defeat she has now recovered and turned the situation back around on the Chef King Kirigakure, how will he respond?" Smiley chimed in as he had been running commentary in the background but until now it had not stood out.
"And with your turn ending it is now mine and I draw," Kirigakure said. "I activate the Pendulum Effect of Poissonniere De Nouvelles- by targeting a monster on the field I can change its battle position and special summon her, and I target your Summoner Monk changing it to attack." Kirigakure said as he added another recipe with the summoning of Poissonniere De Nouvelles. "Next I activate the Action Card Victory Topping targeting Bure-"
"ZEUS! DESTROY EVERYTHING!" Pink Layer shouted as Zeus exploded in lightning, scorching the kitchen clear of anything but itself and the duelists.
"What? What just happened?" Kirigakure asked in shock as he looked at his empty field, the effect of Beurillabaisse de Nouvelles was given no chance to activate.
"This is the power of XYZ!" Pink Layer proudly declared. "I detached two materials from Zeus to rid the field of everything else."
"I… I end my turn."
"During your end phase, I'll use this Energy Biscuits I just picked up." Pink Layer said with a smile as she neared the group of pushed-together Action Cards.
Pink Layer LP: 3000/Kirigakure LP: 8000
"Now, I draw, and I'll use this Action Card, Spice Spice, to buff Zeus's attack (3000-4000)!" Pink Layer said. "Battle Phase, direct attack! Blam!"
"Argh…!" Kirigakure shouted as he was knocked down.
"End phase! You got any more surprises cooking in the kitchen?" Pink Layer asked, eager for her next turn.
"I… will… set two cards and activate the Field Spell - Nouvelles Restaurant "At Table"," And with that the action field had been fully transformed form the kitchen to the outside of a restaurant.
"I'll use this Energy Biscuits real quick when you do."
Pink Layer LP: 3500/Kirigakure LP: 4000
"I can add a Recipe card to my hand when it is activated, and I end my turn. And then during the End Phase I can shuffle two cards from my grave to the deck and draw a card."
And when he did Pink Layer saw just a pained expression on his face.
"Things have turned bad for the Chef King now, with how Pink Layer wiped his field leaving him with little defense." Smiley said.
"I'll start with another Energy Biscuits for fun, and then it's time to end this! The greatest power of my deck is in combination!" Pink Layer declared.
Pink Layer LP: 4000/Kirigakure LP: 4000
"And now their life points are equal, but the Machine God on Pink Layer's side is a thousand short, does she have a monster to add for the win?"
"So now I'll activate Full Armored Xyz from the grave to equip XYZ Armor Fortress to Zeus, combining their attack together!"
"Oh she had something worse!" Smiley shouted and the audience gasped as XYZ Armor Fortress merged with ZEUS's wings to become a massive missile-like spear made mostly out of lightning.
DIVINE ARSENAL AA-ZEUS - SKY THUNDER(3000/3000-5500/3000)
"Now then, let's end this! ZEUS! TITANOMACHIA!"
Pink Layer LP: 4000/Kirigakure LP: 0
"And that is the duel! Ladies and gentlemen." Smiley shouted. "The winner is Super Quantum Pink Layer!"
And the crowd went wild.
—
"I will say that was an ex-cellent first duel my friend," Smiley said, his grinning face even wider(somehow) than before as now the two of them were in Smiley's limos as they headed for the days second duel, which was would be a guy literally called John Smith.
Half American on his dad's side, apparently.
"I'd say! I haven't been able to shut anyone down that completely in a long time-oh, but the crowd, it is such a different experience playing the hero instead of the villain, people were actually cheering for me near the end!" Eddie said excitedly, still in costume just in case and honestly it was quite comfortable.
"Being a heel can be fun, but embracing the role of a hero? That is not something everyone can do and you are doing it excellent." Smiley stated.
"Thank you kindly, Smiles." Eddie said excitedly. "So, anything you can tell me about what's next? At least the venue?"
"John Smith is one of the top duelists in the Masquerade Duel School, it is one of the minor ones, but it is one for those of higher society to send their kids when they get denied for LDS."
"Ah, the rich kids who didn't have the skill to back up their money." Eddie said. "Sounds fun~!"
"Snot nosed brats the lot of them, it is only really John Smith who managed to break into the cities' top 100."
Eddie whistled, now actually impressed. "Okay, okay, okay. Deck and or Style? I've still never actually heard of the guy."
"Ah seeking intel, good. John, like many others in Maiami City, does not have access to extra deck monsters, though being of money he might have gotten some of the newly released Pendulum Cards, but he has a focus on Normal Monsters." Smiley explained as he brought up a profile of the teen that looked to be the same age as Kaito and Shou, on the screen that was in the limo, with a picture of his Ace Monster next to him.
Trance the Magic Swordsman.
"Normal monsters, huh?" Eddie said. "I know not to underestimate a good Normal Monster deck, but Trance… heh."
That poor kid wouldn't know what hit him.
—
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Masquerade Duel School, plus family in the audience it is time for two masked duelists to do battle! One a hero rising from the depths of obscurity, the other the top dog of your lovely School, now it's time for an ACTIOOOOON DUUEEELLLL!" Smiley announced while Eddie, no it was back to Pink Layer, exploded onto the arena while John Smith (if that was his real name she'd eat her nonexistent hat) walked with a confident swagger befitting one born with a silver spoon in his mouth, wearing a suit and opera mask.
"A little girl playing hero?" He asked.
"We're the same height, so what does that make you?" She shot back.
"I speak of status, not something as basic as stature." He answered. "Now let me show you the kind of cards you wish you could own."
"Ha… someone didn't see my debut." Pink Layer said as she activated her disk.
John Smith did the same and he began the chant. "Duelists locked in battle!"
"Kicking the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters!" Pink Layer continued.
"They storm through this field!"
"Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of Dueling!
"ACTION DUEL!" The crowd finished.
Pink Layer LP: 8000/ John Smith LP: 8000
"I shall of course go first," John Smith said. "And I will also be getting my home advantage."
And Pink Layer saw that the Action Field that had formed was Mausoleum of the Emperor.
Field effect and all, as she knew.
"Intimidated yet? If not you will be as I activate the Spell Card - Painful Decision, by sending a Level 4 or Lower Normal Monster from my Deck to my Graveyard, I can add one with the same name from my Deck to my hand." John Smith stated as he sent Alexandrite Dragon to the Graveyard adding another copy of it to his hand. "And I will be taking that Action Card over there."
And Pink Layer saw a thin string in the air that was pulled taut sending an Action Card that had been in one of the cracks in the obelisk into his hand.
"? You can do stage magic in Action Duels?" Pink Layer asked in genuine shock (why did this keep happening today?).
"I dabble, and there are no rules against bringing in items so long as you don't modify the duel disk."
"Respect!" Pink Layer said. It was annoying, but if it was technically correct (the best kind of correct) she wasn't gonna get mad… if it stuck to this level.
"Next I will Normal Summon, Alexandrite Dragon(2000/100) to the field," John Smith said as one of the Gem Dragons were summoned, and it showed the kid had money as the things were old and expensive. "Next I will set two cards face down and end my turn."
"I draw, and I'll use your Home Field to my advantage! Advance Summon, Super Quantum White Layer(2400/2400) who upon being summoned sends a Super Quantum Green Layer to the grave from my deck, who lets me discard a card to draw a card." Much better hand… for next turn. "Battle Phase! White Layer, slay that dragon!"
"Trap Card activate! Wall of Revealing Light!" John Smith shouted. "By paying life points in increments of Thousands, I can prevent monsters with less than or equal attack from battling! I pay 3000."
Pink Layer LP: 6000/ John Smith LP: 5000
"That arrogance will be your undoing." Pink Layer said. "Main Phase 2, I'll throw down a face down and end my turn."
"Hah the amount of monsters with more than 3000ATK is so low, someone like you would never be able to obtain one." John Smith replied as he drew his card. "But those just below the statline of the all powerful dragon of legend? Those can be easily bought for money, I activate the effect of my Mausoleum of the Emperor, I pay 2000." John Smith stated. "So I can Advance Summon Gogiga Gagagigo(2950/2800)."
Pink Layer LP: 6000/ John Smith LP: 3000
It took everything in Pink Layer's power (and the fact she was running up and down the damn stairs looking for an Action Card) to not applaud and cheer at seeing one of her OG Favorites being played in a serious match.
"And there is one of John Smith's Boss Monsters, with 2950 attack points it is just in fact just below the power of the strongest Normal Monster in the game!" Smiley shouted as the crowd roared.
"Next I shall Equip mine Alexandrite Dragon with the Equip Spell - Moon Mirror Shield!" John Smith declared as the dragon was emblazoned with a golden shield. "Now battle phase. Alexandrite Dragon attack that wannabe hero!" The dragon roared as it rushed towards Super Quantum White Layer. "And now thanks to the effect of my Moon Mirror Shield, the attack of my Alexandrite Dragon became that of the monster it battles plus one-hundred." The classic sound of attack points increasing played.
"Oh no! Anyway, when he's destroyed, I get to add a Super Quantum Alphan to hand." Pink Layer said, not distressed in the least.
"You are quite confident for one who is about to lose, go Gogiga Gagagigo, attack with Cyber Claws!"
"You've triggered my trap card! Magic Cylinder!"
"What?" John Smith shouted in shock as his own monster collided with him, sending him down the mausoleum.
Pink Layer LP: 5900/ John Smith LP: 50
"Arrogance~!" Pink Layer called from the top of the stairs.
"You still have no way to attack me, I shall win next round." John Smith said as he ended his turn.
"That would be true… if I needed to attack you." Pink Layer said. "Draw! Come forth my comrades! Red(2000/800)! Green(1600/1400)! Blue(1200/2000)! And from above, the Magnacarrier!" And then the stock footage dimension descended upon them.
"Is that a spaceship?"
"Better! It's a Mech Beast carrier! TRIPLE XYZ MORPH! SUPER QUANTAL MECH BEASTS! GRAMPULSE(1800/2800)! MAGNALIGER(2600/2000)! AEROBOROS(2200/2400)! ASSEMBLE!"
"Xyz Summon? How did you get Extra Deck monsters? You aren't an LDS student!"
"There are things no money or influence could ever buy! True power is earned!" Pink Layer declared. "But you aren't worth my true power."
"Oh burn." Smiley commented.
"Magnaliger! Destroy Alexandrite Dragon! Volcanic Mortar!" Pink Layer ordered, detaching a material. Damn, she misremembered how Moon Mirror Shield worked. Oh well, Plan B. "Which will send Red Layer to the grave, where he'll bring back White Layer! But he won't stick around for long! XYZ MORPH! SUPER QUANTAL MECH BEAST LUSTERREX(2700/1900)!"
"You might have many monsters, but even so none of them can overcome my Gogiga Gagagigo, even if you could destroy my Wall." John Smith announced, with the audience agreeing, as she had 'wasted' the effect of her monster.
"Oh right thanks for reminding me! Grampulse, Deep Sea Strike."
Pink Layer couldn't see his eyes properly but she could tell that they were probably going very, very wide.
"Blue Layer's graveyard effect will shuffle three cards from my grave back to the deck." She added. "And I will freely admit my own hubris in thinking I could end things this turn while holding back, so I'll just do one more thing before I end my turn. Rank Up! Rank 5! Xyz Armor Fortress(2500/1800)! I'll use his effect to detach one material and add an 'Armored XYZ' card to hand from my deck, set two, and give you one last chance to prove your mettle."
"You dare, I draw, and I will go to the Battle Phase immediately." John Smith stated. "And I will destroy that pesky Magnaliger of yours."
"Aeroboros! High Fly Bombardment!" Pink Layer interrupted, flipping Gagagigo face down.
"Wait how?" He asked. "You shouldn't be able to do that on my turn?"
"My Mech Beast's effects are Quick Effects as long as they have the correct pilot." Pink Layer explained for him and the audience.
"Argh… I will end my turn."
"Draw, FULL ARMORED XYZ! COME FORTH AUXILIARY MECH BEAST OF YELLOW! RANK UP! RANK 5, DRILL DRIVER VESPENATO(2500/2100)! And again from the graveyard! The power of my deck is COMBINATION! Equipping Xyz Armor Fortress to Vespenato, increasing its attack by Fortress's!"
Drill Driver Vespenato(2500-5000/2000)
"Oh no!"
"And that ladies and gents is the end for John Smith!" Smiley shouted. "Say the line! Super Quantum Pink Layer!"
"VESPENATO! ATTACK WITH DOUBLE PIERCING BATTLE DAMAGE! GIGA DRILL BREAKAAAA!"
"NOOOOO!" John Smith shouted as his Gogiga Gagagigo was flipped face up and then drilled to bits the metal shards of his body hitting John Smith. Which seemed like overkill, but compared to what she could have done the previous turn? Was exactly enough kill.
Pink Layer LP: 5900/ John Smith LP: 0
Winner: Super Quantal Pink Layer
Pink Layer took the moment to play the Go Go Power Rangers riff. "And that's holding back!"
"Urghhhh…."