"Here you go, Mario."
"Huh?"
"I fixed your duel disk for you."
Izzy approached the boy as she presented him with his duel disk. The girl had taken it upon herself to repair the device for her friend as she knew how upset Mario must be to not it. The boy took the rectangle device and examined it. He strapped and turned it on as it projected his red card tray. It retracted as he took the device off and looked at it.
"I uh, I don't know what to say… thanks Izzy. You didn't have to do this for me."
"I know. But I saw how super bum you were, so I decided to fix it," said the girl.
"Thanks," smiled Mario as he was grateful for his friend for going out of her way to repair his duel disk.
"So, want to have a practice duel?" asked Izzy.
"Uh, n-not right now, Iz. Maybe some other time."
"Oh, okay," stated the girl as she watched her friend walk away.
The boy was still suffering the effects of his last duel encounter, as it was taking its toll on his mind. It also affected someone else as Zipp had been watching from the shadows and noticed the interaction between Mario and Izzy when she offered a friendly duel, but he turned it down. The heiress gritted her teeth as she didn't like the sight before her.
"What's wrong with him?" muttered the heiress.
In Maritime City, Isaac was shown sitting outside a cafe while reviewing something. The World Champion was currently out in town as he was scouting to find out where Opaline was potentially hiding. Argyle was back in the bay, doing some more research while he was out in the field. He had a map of the entire city as, the past few days, he'd been going to places that could potentially be the evil sorceress' hideout. Yet all of them turned out to be a dead end.
"Where are you, Opaline?" muttered the World Champion as he was determined to find her.
Watching the boy was a raven; its eyes were glowing red. The evil witch and her covenant of officers watched from the bird's eyes.
"How much longer are we gonna keep playing this game of cat and mouse?" asked one of the officers.
"Patience, young Melodie. Our time is nigh at hand," said Opaline to her officer before waving her hand about the crystal ball as it showed the face of another comrade. "What is the progress, Kross?"
"Preparations are at 97%."
"Good. Keep me posted," responded the evil sorceress as her crystal ball ceased. "Well, Melodie… it seems you may get your wish. The war is almost here. Contact Adam."
As Isaac got up, the raven, watching him, flapped its wings and took flight. The duelist was walking down the sidewalk when the raven made a sound and snatched his cap off his head.
"Hey!" shouted the World Champion as he took off after the bird.
The raven was leading him on a wild goose chase. He was ducking and avoiding several obstacles and people while trying to catch up with the bird. The raven took a moment to look back, seeing the man still on its tail. It soon turned the corner into an alleyway, and the bird dropped the cap.
"Crazy bird," said Isaac, bending over to pick up his cap. He dusted it off before placing it on his head.
He then spotted the raven perched on a fire escape as it began to be surrounded by some dark aura. The World Champion pulled out his duel disk as he looked ready to fight whatever was appearing. The figure then revealed Opaline in her cloak as she held a staff.
"Opaline," responded Isaac as he gritted his teeth.
"Your little search for us is at an end, Isaac."
"You're right; just tell me where you are so we can settle this!"
"Patience, Prince. If you want to find us, meet us tonight at the park where the age-old tree slumbers," stated Opaline as she began to disappear amid clouds.
"Wait!" shouted the World Champion as the evil sorceress was gone.
Nothing remained where the evil sorceress was as he adjusted his cap.
"What does she mean?" muttered Isaac as he turned to leave.
"Tell Kross he better be ready for a fight tonight," said Opaline, getting up from her table and informing her officer to tell their comrade of his assignment.
"At once, mistress," responded Melodie as she got up to meet their ally.
"And get me Dawn in here. It's time we give Isaac and his band of guardians a sight they won't forget," snickered the evil sorceress, as tonight would be the night where things would be set.
Isaac was shown standing outside the lighthouse beside a car. The World Champion took out his phone and began to call. Twilight heard her phone go off as she crawled on her bed to the nightstand and answered it.
"Isaac."
"Twilight, listen. Something's about to go down. If you don't hear from me in 24 hours, I want you to finish prepping the kids. And… I want you to take Mario and Roll and move on with your life." After saying that, the World Champion took a deep breath, which was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do. "You understand?"
"N-no, I can't do that, honey. I can't! The kids need their father, so you have to finish what you're doing there and come home to us. You have to come home to us!" said Twilight, refusing to continue living her life if her husband wasn't in it.
"Heh. You know, if I didn't catch you snooping around school that day, I would've made it to class on time," chuckled Isaac.
"It's your fault for waking up late that day," chuckled Twilight, though it was filled with nervousness and anxiety.
"Well, it was the best decision I ever made."
The two chuckled, unable to help but laugh at their uneasiness. They had been through so much that all this time had passed in a blur. After they ceased laughing, silence filled their conversation as Isaac tried to figure out what to say next.
"I love you, Twilight."
"D-Don't do that!"
"What?"
"The way you said it, it's like you're saying goodbye. Say something else!" pleaded Twilight as she didn't want to end their conversation with her husband speaking as if he were going to die.
"Kiss the kids for me, honey," answered Isaac.
"I will," sighed Twilight as she shed some tears.
Silence returned as the phone call ended. Twilight looked at her phone as she had water rolling down her eyes.
"I love you, Isaac," whimpered Twilight before she dropped her phone and curled up as she cried into her knees.
Isaac looked at his phone as he held strong after an emotional moment with his wife. He adjusted his cap before entering the car as it drove away.
Nighttime had descended on the city, and Isaac was shown standing in a large park in the middle of the city. The World Champion looked at his watch before tracing the rim of his cap as he looked around. Exiting from the car's other side was Argyle, who adjusted his old coat before putting on a beret. It was a bit chilly this evening despite it being summer. A large tree stood behind the pair, and it turned out Argyle knew what Opaline was referring to. She had referred to the age-old tree that had been in Maritime City's Central Park for as long as he'd been living there as it'd become one of the city's most visited sites for any tourists. There was a small gate chain fence around the tree's base to avoid anyone trying to climb its tall bark.
"I appreciate you telling me about this place, Argyle. But you didn't have to come with me. I can handle this on my own."
"My job as your guide is to lead you. I'm just doing my job, Isaac," smiled Argyle. He pulled out a pocket watch to check the time. Inside the locket was a photo of his wife and Sunny from when she was a baby. He smiled, looking at the photo before closing.
"Though you said this place is populated, right?" remarked Isaac as he could see how many people were out and about given the time it was. "So my understanding is, why would Opaline want to do here? Why risk showing herself in front of several people? Doesn't make much sense; she might as well have asked me to meet in broad daylight?"
Argyle understood what the World Champion meant. This was a very populated place with little privacy, even for someone as evil as her. He looked around and noticed several people exiting a subway station as the door shut behind them. At that moment, the historian got an idea.
"Maybe she didn't refer to you meeting her above but below."
Isaac raised an eyebrow as he saw him pointing to the entrance to the subway station. The World Champion smirked at Argyle's genius thinking as he reached into the back and pulled out his duel disk before strapping the device onto his wrist.
"Alright, I'm going in. Stay here, Argyle."
"I'm going with you," said the man.
"It's much too dangerous. I can handle myself. I've been in this situation before. I don't want to risk your safety, let alone worry Sunny about her old man."
"I appreciate your concern, Isaac. But my mind is made up. I'm going with you."
"... Just stay behind me then. When I say run, you run," stated Isaac as he began walking with Argyle behind him.
The pair approached the entrance, and when Isaac opened the door, they began descending the stairs. The two adults arrived at the underground station as they saw people passing a gate to a waiting platform. They then noticed someone in a dark cloak standing there, looking at them through the window of a nearby room. They walked away as if that was their cue. Isaac approached the door to find it unlocked, and he and Argyle slipped into a secret door meant for the workers as it locked behind them. The two walked down a corridor before reaching another door, which opened to reveal a descending stairway. Both walked down the many levels of stairs as they began to turn from modern-day stairs to rundown, old stairs with the walls turning from concrete and brick to stone. Eventually, the stairs came to an end as they were now walking through a dark cave that was dimly lit. Isaac activated the flashlight of his duel disk and held his device up as if he were dueling while moving forward.
It wasn't long before they emerged, as they came to a large area in what seemed like a courtyard. Both adults were behind some rocks as they looked down to see the courtyard and some minions all bowing before Opaline, who had some of her officers behind her. Isaac caught the evil sorceress as he turned to address Argyle.
"Wait here. If anything happens to me, you turn and run."
"Right."
"Stay hidden."
Isaac then emerged as he kept low while walking down the side of the cliff they were on. Argyle watched from a distance as he eyed the World Champion, slowly making his way to the courtyard as he walked directly into the lion's den. Opaline lifted her head to eye Isaac, walking toward her as he walked between the rows of her minions to confront the evil sorceress and her crew of soldiers.
"The World Champion…" said Opaline as she saw Isaac. "Brave to come here, but foolish…"
She snapped her fingers as the minions around Isaac got up and moved. The World Champion expected them to surround him, but they vanished, and all moved to the outer rims of the courtyard before he turned back forward and saw a cloaked individual facing him.
"Prove your worth!" stated Opaline.
"Yes, mistress Opaline," responded the Shadow Duelist as Isaac detected the minion's voice to be female, moreso a girl.
"Let's see if she's worth it," remarked Melodie to her comrades.
"I wouldn't hold my breath. She's benched for a reason. The only smart thing to do is to get rid of her," stated Kross, as he felt it was a waste of time to have their benched teammate try to defeat the World Champion.
"Even trash has its worth. Let's see if she can pull something out of her ass," stated Bolt Switch.
"Don't let me down," muttered Opaline as she eyed the Shadow Duelist intently.
"Opponent detected. Streaming data. Duel mode set. Initiating. Commencing duel," said their devices.
Isaac's Life Points: 8000-
Shadow Duelist's Life Points: 8000-
"Let's duel!" said Isaac and the Shadow Duelist as they drew their opening hand.
Turn 1: Shadow Duelist (Hand 5)
"I summon a monster in defense mode. And place two cards facedown. That ends my turn," said the Shadow Duelist.
Turn 2: Isaac (Hand 5)
"My move…" said Isaac as he drew his card and saw his opponent's field.
A simple facedown. I don't want to say she doesn't have anything, but the way she played those cards, she's unsure of herself. Either way… she's a Shadow Duelist. I can't show mercy unless I want an all-expense paid trip to the Shadow Realm.
"I summon Magician's Valkyria(1600/1800)!"
Out came a magician girl in a striking and elegant ensemble. Her outfit was predominantly blue with yellow accents. Her skirt featured a layered design in purple and pink hues. She wore a matching hat adorned with feathers and arm and leg protectors that complimented the overall aesthetic.
"Now, Magician's Valkyria, strike down that hidden monster!"
The World Champion's monster aimed her staff and fired as it traveled through the air. The monster that the Shadow Duelist had hidden appeared as it seemed to be a wooden puppet doll girl, and it didn't stand much of a chance. The Shadow Duelist covered up as they felt the power of the World Champion's magician.
"I activate my facedown! The Puppet Repair trap card! This trap is handy when a 'Puppet' monster that's Level 4 or lower gets destroyed. It lets me summon the same monster from my deck. So here's another Gimmick Puppet Princess(0/0)!" stated the Shadow Duelist as a second copy of the monster that Isaac had just destroyed appeared in defense mode.
Why play that using that monster? It has no attack or defense points.
"I end my turn with a facedown!" stated the World Champion as he ended his turn.
Turn 3: Shadow Duelist (Hand 3)
"My move, I draw. I summon Gimmick Puppet Egg Head(1600/1200)." A puppet with the body of an orange egg appeared, and it did a courtesy bow and removed the blonde wig it wore. "I then activate my monster's ability. By discarding a 'Gimmick Puppet' monster from my hand, I can deal you 800 points of damage."
The egg puppet had its top open up and fired a beam that headed straight for Isaac. The World Champion covered up, raising his arm to block the attack.
Isaac's Life Points: 7200-
"Next, I activate the spell card, Card of Puppets. So, by destroying my Gimmick Puppet Princess, I draw a card. I then end my turn."
Turn 4: Isaac (Hand 4)
"My move! I draw! I summon Chronicle Sorceress(1250/1250) in defense mode."
A white portal appeared and out came a magical girl. She wore a magical girl attire featuring a black and pink color scheme. She wore a long, flowing black dress with a high collar and a pink sash tied around her waist. The dress was adorned with various magical symbols and designs. She also wore black boots and a pink witch's hat with a star on top. Her right hand had a pink spellbook with magical runes on it.
"I then play Graceful Charity. So I draw three cards and discard two. Next, I'll use my Chronicle Sorceress' ability. Since I have a 'Dark' attribute monster in my graveyard, I can send a 'Dark Magician' related card from my deck to the graveyard!"
Isaac touched his duel screen and began to look at his options. Once he made his choice, the card slid out for him to grab as he sent it away.
"Why would he do that?" wondered the Shadow Duelist, unclear by Isaac's actions.
"I set a card facedown."
Turn 5: Shadow Duelist (Hand 2)
"My move," said the Shadow Duelist as she drew her card and looked at it before eyeing Opaline and her allies.
The evil sorceress eyed her latest soldier and scowled. The Shadow Duelist looked at the others, who all had similar expressions. Knowing they were watching her to prove her worth, she took a deep breath before looking back at the World Champion.
"I summon Gimmick Puppet Des Troy(1200/2000). I now overlay my two Level 4 monsters to build the Overlay Network!" stated the Shadow Duelist as the two monsters turned into orbs of light that hovered in the air. A portal opened as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon! Gimmick Puppet Gigantes Doll(0/2000, OLU: 2) in defense mode!"
A large, humanoid puppet with a somewhat unsettling appearance emerged. Its visible joints and other features emphasize its doll-like nature. Isaac stared up at the monster as he got a mysterious and dangerous aura.
"I activate my Gigantes Doll's special ability. By using two overlay units, I can take control of up to 2 of your monsters this turn. So I'll take your Magician' Valkyria and Chronicle Sorceress!"
"Oh, no!" said Isaac as he watched his monsters switch sides as they were now on his opponent's field.
"Next, I'll activate Gigantes Doll's additional effect. By tributing it, all the monsters I have on my field become Level 8 until the end of the turn!"
"Well, well, looks like she actually does know what she's doing," remarked Rose.
"Please, anybody can get lucky," responded Bolt Switch.
"I now overlay Level 8 Magician' Valkyria and Chronicle Sorceress to build the Overlay Network!" shouted the Shadow Duelist as Isaac's monsters turned into orbs of light and hovered in the air. A portal opened before them as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon! Emerge, Number 40: Gimmick Puppet of Strings(3000/2000, OLU: 2)!"
A nightmarish puppet appeared, its porcelain-like skin cracked and marred. Thin, almost invisible strings extended from its limbs and head. The puppet's expression was vacant, yet there was a hint of malevolence in its eyes. The dark, gothic aesthetic focused on muted colors and sharp contrasts.
"Now… Gimmick Puppet of Strings, attack him directly! Celestial Slash!" commanded the Shadow Duelist.
The monster lifted its sword before it brought it downward in a slash. Isaac didn't have time to react as the attack crashed before him, creating a hole in the ground; he yelled while tossed into the air and tumbled back.
Isaac's Life Points: 4200-
"Good," grinned Opaline at seeing her minion do their job.
The others all grinned at seeing the World Champion lay on the ground. Isaac began to stir as the attack left him with some bumps and marks. He took a moment to wipe some dirt off his cheek; he then began to stand up as he was still raring to go despite being hit hard. He then touched his duel screen as a card before him flipped up.
"I activate my facedown, Dark Horizon! Thanks to this trap, I can summon a Dark Spellcaster-type monster from my deck with attack points less than or equal to the damage I took. So I'm bringing out my Magician of Dark Illusion(2100/2500) in defense mode!"
A spellcaster appeared, wearing a tall, pointed hat and flowing robes. They had dark garments as swirling magical energy surrounded it that took the form of dark flames flickering off its form.
"But that's not all, because since I activated a trap card during your turn, I can special summon another Magician of Dark Illusion from my hand!" stated Isaac as a second copy of his monster appeared.
"In that case… I activate my Puppet of Strings' special ability! It puts a String Counter on all your monsters!" stated the Shadow Duelist as their monster strummed the strings holding its limbs with its sword. A sound was heard as strings appeared and began to control Isaac's magicians as if they were puppets.
"Now, during your next end phase, any of your monsters with a String Counter are destroyed, and you take 500 points of damage for each one. With that, I end my turn."
Turn 6: Isaac (Hand 3)
"My move! It's time I take things to the next level!"
"He can't mean…" stated Argyle as he watched the duel unfold.
"I overlay my two Level 7 monsters… to build the Overlay Network!" shouted Isaac as he thrust his arm upward. His two monsters turned into orbs of light that hovered in the air as a portal opened before the World Champion. The orbs were sucked in as a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon! Go… Ebon High Magician(2300/2800, OLU: 2) in defense mode!"
A fierce spellcaster appeared as it had its materials circling it. It wore a flowing, dark robe adorned with intricate patterns and symbols. Shadows obscured his face as he wielded a staff.
"I'm amazed… he Xyz summoned," said Melodie, astonished by Isaac's skills.
"Yeah, well, that monster ain't much of anything," scoffed Kross, not too impressed by the magician that the World Champion brought out.
"That's it, Isaac. Keep giving me that energy," muttered Opaline as soon as their plan was put into motion.
"I then summon Kuribandit(1000/700). Next, I'll activate Kuribandit's special ability. By tributing it, I can reveal the top five cards of my deck, and any spells or trap cards that are among them, I get to add to my hand. Any monsters are sent to my graveyard!"
Isaac's monster vanished as he placed his hand on his deck. In one flourish move, Isaac fanned out the cards he had picked up, looking at them with a smile. Everyone else waited to see what he got. As he projected the cards, he drew them one by one behind him for all to see.
"I draw… Spellbinding Circle, Dark Magic Twin Burst, Magical Dimension, Electromagnetic Turtle, and Dark Illusion. Since four are spells/trap cards, I get to keep them."
"No way!" shouted Bolt, he couldn't believe his eyes.
"He actually drew four cards," said Melodie, also in astonishment.
"He's good. Really good," remarked Argyle from his hiding spot as the skill on display by the World Champion spoke volumes.
Isaac sent his Electromagnetic Turtle to the graveyard as it was the only monster he drew. He then looked at the other cards he managed to get before closing them. He added them to his current hand and quickly snapped two before slotting them into his duel disk.
"I set two cards facedown! You're up!"
Turn 7: Shadow Duelist (Hand 4)
"My move. Now… Gimmick Puppet of Strings, take out his Ebon High Magician!"
"I activate my facedown! Spellbinding Circle!" stated Isaac as he touched his duel screen. A magical circle appeared before it shot forward and encased itself around the puppet monster as it couldn't move. "Due to my trap, it stops your monster's attack, loses 700 attack points, and can't change modes!"
"In that case… I'll activate my monster's ability. By using one overlay unit, I can put a String Counter on your monster!" stated the Shadow Duelist as he began straining his limbs.
"Then let me introduce you to Ebon High Magician's special ability. During your turn, by using an overlay unit, I can activate a Quick-Play spell or trap card from my hand!"
"From your hand?!" exclaimed the World Champion's opponent.
"That's right. So, from my hand, I'm activating the trap card, Dark Illusion! This card allows me to pump the brakes on your Gimmick Puppet of String's effect. But that's not all; it also destroys it!"
"No!" said the Shadow Duelist as they watched their puppet explode, as they covered up while porcelain pieces fell to the ground.
"I had a feeling you'd try to use your monster's ability once your attack failed. Which is why I had another trap lying in wait," remarked Isaac with a smug smile.
"Thinking that far ahead. It's amazing, really," said Rose as Isaac impressed the evil forces with his dueling prowess.
"I activate the spell card, Junk Puppet! This allows me to target a 'Gimmick Puppet' monster in my graveyard and special summon it. So Gimmick Puppet of Strings is back in play!" stated the Shadow Duelist as their monster appeared.
"It may be back, but without its overlay units, it's powerless!" barked Isaac as the Shadow Duelist grit their teeth to prove the World Champion's point.
"I end my turn."
Turn 8: Isaac (Hand 4)
"My move! I activate the field spell, Magician's Salvation! I set an Eternal Soul from my deck when I activate this card. Next, I'm gonna activate the ability of my Magicians' Souls. By discarding it and sending a Level 6 or higher spellcaster from my deck to the graveyard, I can special summon my Dark Magician from my graveyard!"
"But I never sent that card to the graveyard," said the Shadow Duelist before they gasped. They thought back to a few turns ago.
"I activate Graceful Charity to draw three cards and discard two!"
A freeze frame occurred during the flashback as the image stopped on Isaac, sending his chosen cards away. A zoom-in revealed that one of the cards was none other than his star monster.
There's no way… he couldn't have thought that far ahead.
"Understanding everything now?" smirked Isaac as he could tell his opponent figured out when he sent his monster away to bring it back later. "Appear… my faithful servant!"
In a flash of light, the World Champion had his most trusted partner appear as he grabbed his staff and spun it around before striking a dominant pose.
"And there's more, because now I activate my field spell's ability. Since I summoned my Dark Magician, I can also special summon my Dark Magician Girl that I just sent away. Appear!" shouted Isaac, and he now had his two top spellcasters, who took their positions. "Next, I play the spell card, Dark Magic Twin Burst, to raise the attack points of my Dark Magician by my Dark Magician Girl. Dark Magician, attack and destroy Gimmick Puppet of Strings!"
The wizard had his staff glow with power before he aimed it and fired his attack. Dark magical energy shot out and pierced through the porcelain monster as it exploded, making the Shadow Duelist flinch and cover-up.
Shadow Duelist's Life Points: 6500-
"Now… Dark Magician Girl, attack them directly!"
Isaac's female spellcaster had her wand glow before she aimed it. Her wand fired her spell as it began to head toward the Shadow Duelist.
"I activate my facedown! Gimmick Box Trap! Thanks to this, not only do I not take any damage from your attack, but this trap card transforms into a monster card. And the amount of damage I would've taken becomes my monster's attack points!" stated the Shadow Duelist.
"Heh, not bad," remarked Isaac. "In that case, I'll end my turn."
Turn 9: Shadow Duelist (Hand 4)
"My move. And I summon Gimmick Puppet Scarecrow(800/2000). Next, I activate the spell card Level Doubler! Now I can send one of the cards in my hand to the graveyard to double my Gimmick Puppet Scarecrow's level from 4 to 8!"
"But then…" said Isaac.
"I overlay Level 8 Gimmick Box and Gimmick Puppet Scarecrow to build the Overlay Network!" stated the Shadow Duelist as their two monsters turned into orbs of light that hovered in the air. A portal opened before them as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon! Appear, Number 15: Gimmick Puppet Giant Grinder(1500/2500, OLU: 2)!"
When summoned, it appeared sealed, resembling a pulsating heart made of limbs coiled together and attached to a puppet controller. As the sealed form unfolded, the exterior opened to reveal moving gears while the puppet controller maneuvered the strings to lift the limbs and generate the puppet's movements. The monster's parts were connected and sealed before its full form was revealed.
"This could be bad," said Argyle as he saw the giant monster that Isaac's opponent brought out.
"I activate my Gimmick Puppet Giant Grinder's special ability! By using an overlay unit, I can destroy your Xyz monster, and you will take damage equal to its attack points!" stated the Shadow Duelist.
"Oh no!" said Isaac, as he had nothing to counter his opponent's move.
"Go Destruction Cannon!" said the Shadow Duelist as a large cannon appeared from the chest of the giant puppet. The cannon fired and took out Isaac's magician as the remaining attack headed toward him and knocked the World Champion to the ground with a hard impact.
Isaac's Life Points: 1900-
"I might do… I actually beat the World Champion," said the Shadow Duelist as they couldn't believe the situation before them.
"Maybe she might do it," said Melodie as their ally was one move away from beating the so-called best duelist in the world.
"If he's the so-called Prince like everyone loves to call him by, let's see him get out of this," remarked Adam.
"I end my turn!" stated the Shadow Duelist.
Turn 10: Isaac (Hand 2)
Isaac began to stir as he struggled a bit to get up. He took a moment to get to his hands and knees as he clutched his side before taking a deep breath and pushing through the pain. The World Champion grabbed his cap and put it on as he turned around to eye his opponents. He traced the brim of his cap as, despite being in a do-or-die situation, he wasn't sweating bullets and just simply kept on dueling.
"It's my turn. I draw!"
"Cool, calm, collected… truly a sight to behold," muttered Opaline as Isaac's defiant display spoke volumes.
"First, I'll activate my Eternal Soul. Then I'll use its first effect to add the spell card, Thousand Knives, to my hand!" A flash of light occurred as the card appeared in Isaac's fingers before he expertly flipped it over to reveal it for all to see. "Next, I play Thousand Knives to destroy your Gimmick Puppet Giant Grinder!"
Thousand of magical daggers appeared before the World Champion and his magicians as they quickly flew forward. The giant puppet began to break apart as the strings that the puppet controller was controlling snapped as it fell to the ground and broke apart, making a giant dust cloud appear while the Shadow Duelist covered up.
"Now… go my magicians. Double Dark Magic Attack!" shouted Isaac.
The World Champion's top magicians leaped into the air as they had their respective wands glow with power before they crisscrossed and fired their attack. The two spells converged into one as the Shadow Duelist was taken off their feet and hit the ground hard.
Shadow Duelist's Life Points: 2000-
"I end my turn."
Turn 11: Shadow Duelist (Hand 2)
"Get up!" yelled Opaline as she eyed her minion, who began to stir and struggle.
The Shadow Duelist got to their hands and knees as they looked Opaline in the eyes. The cold, menacing stare in the evil sorceress spoke volumes to the minion as they knew if they failed now, it would embarrass her and make her look like a joke. They soon rose as they turned to confront Isaac, who held his defiant look.
"My move. I draw. I play Monster Reborn to revive my Gimmick Puppet Giant Grinder!"
In the blink of an eye, the Shadow Duelist brought back their massive monster as they looked at the card they drew before holding it out.
"Next… I activate… the spell card, Rank-Up-Magic Argent Chaos Force!" stated the Shadow Duelist as they showed the card they just drew. Isaac eyed it, glowing in a blinding light. "Know what it does? It allows me to rank up my Xyz monster into a Chaos Xyz monster. I overlay Rank 8 Giant Grinder! With this one monster, I rebuild the Overlay Network!"
The giant puppet turned into an orb that hovered in the air as a portal opened. The orb was then sucked in as a pillar of light exploded out. "Go Chaos Xyz Evolution! I Xyz Summon… Chaos Number 15: Gimmick Puppet Giant Hunter(2500/1500, OLU: 1)!"
"Look at that thing!" said Argyle in awe.
"I activate its special ability. By using one overlay unit, it crushes your monster and you take damage equal to that monster's attack points. Seek and destroy. Take out his Dark Magician and end this duel!" commanded the Shadow Duelist.
"Well, well… she might do it," responded Rose.
The puppet opened its mouth, and a cannon emerged before it was fired. The attack headed toward Isaac's magician, and an explosion occurred. Everyone covered up, as the explosion proved a bit more powerful than expected. The smoke began to die as an outline was shown; the smoke cleared, and Isaac stood there, still standing but with more marks on his skin and clothes.
Isaac's Life Points: 650-
"But… but how? Your Life Points should've been wiped out!" exclaimed the Shadow Duelist.
"Should've, if not for my trap. Magicians' Defense. Thanks to this, the damage I would've taken is cut in half!" responded the World Champion as his card was revealed and glowed brightly. "And with my Dark Magician now in the graveyard, my Dark Magician Girl gets 300 more points stronger."
"Either way, she's not strong enough to take down my monster. So there's no chance you'll be able to stop me this time. Giant Hunter… attack Dark Magician Girl! Battle Burst!"
The puppet had opened its mouth as a gattling gun appeared and began to fire rapidly. The barrage of energy bullets began to pelt Isaac and his magician as she covered up before she let out a defeated scream.
"My trap cuts that damage in half!" stated Isaac as he braced himself before skidding back and falling to a knee.
Isaac's Life Points: 550-
"Close, but close doesn't cut it," remarked Adam.
"I end my turn with two cards facedown."
Turn 12: Isaac (Hand 3)
"This isn't good. Please, Isaac, take action to change the situation," Argyle urged, his concern for his comrade's safety evident.
Isaac stood up as he took a moment to dust himself and rotate his left arm. The World Champion observed the battlefield as he stared down the Shadow Duelist and the monster they had. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand on his deck and closed his eyes. The pro duelist took a moment to clear his mind and speak with his deck to communicate with it and help him draw the card he needed to turn things around.
Please… guide me.
He then began to draw as everything moved in slow motion. Isaac extended his arm out as he closed his eyes. He flipped the card over, looking out of the corner of his eyes and making them go wide. A smile crept on his face as everyone looked on curiously to see what he was planning.
"First, I'm activating my Eternal Soul trap card to return my Dark Magician from the graveyard. Next, my field spell kicks in, and I can bring back my Dark Magician Girl. Then… I'll play this Magicians' Magic Council. By cutting my Life Points in half, I can bring back a magician from my graveyard as long as it's Level 4 or below. So I'm bringing back my Magicians' Valkyria!"
Isaac's Life Points: 225-
"What's the point of lowering your Life Points even more to bring back one measly monster?"
"See, my Magicians' Magic Council makes the monster that I brought back count as two monsters if I use it to Xyz summon."
"Xyz Summon? But that's impossible…"
"Is it? Watch… I overlay my Magicians' Valkyria to build the Overlay Network!" shouted Isaac, pointing upward. His monster turned into an orb of light as a portal opened before him; the orb was sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon… Now appear… Ventus Oraculum(3500/2900, Rank 4, Scale 3, OLU: 1)!"
A burst of magic exploded as two outlines were shown. The first one belonged to the rider as it was a teen magician who wielded a magical javelin-like spear. He wore a small red cape, a purple magician hat, and a magician outfit with shades of dark red with green outlines and hints of yellow. The second outline was the creature that the rider rode in on as it was a wyvern that let out a roar.
"What is that thing?" exclaimed Bolt Switch.
"Our data didn't say anything about him having that card!" proclaimed Kross as they were taken aback by the monster that Isaac brought out.
"What is it anyways?" said Melody.
"It's a… a Pendulum Xyz monster… but how… where did he…" said Adam as he couldn't put the sight of Isaac's latest monster into words.
"I didn't know you were packing that heat," said the Shadow Duelist in a rather nervous tone at seeing how powerful this monster was.
"Looks like your data on me is a little outdated. Here… why don't I provide you with an update? Ventus Oraculum, strut your stuff, bud!" proclaimed Isaac as his monster took flight and began to hover in the air. "I activate my monster's ability. By using an overlay unit, you can't activate any spells or traps during the battle phase!"
"What?" said the Shadow Duelist as they looked down and saw their set cards lock up and lose their power as they couldn't access them.
"Now that you've been shut down, let's end this! Ventus Oraculum, take out that Giant Hunter!"
The magician zoomed forward as the wyvern dodged several times while its target tried to shoot it out of the air. However, it avoided the barrage of bullets before the magician raised his spear, spun it above his head, and then thrust it forward. The outlines of the two monsters were shown before Isaac's magician flew past and turned around while the giant puppet exploded.
Shadow Duelist's Life Points: 1000-
"One more time, you two. Finish this… Double Dark Magic Attack!" said Isaac as his two top magicians levitated.
The Shadow Duelist looked up and saw the two fierce monsters put their staffs together in an X as they began to gather energy. They channeled all their magical prowess into the attack as a huge ball of energy appeared where they crossed wands. Once they had collected enough power, the duo let out a cry and threw it forward with all their might. The orb was zooming toward the Shadow Duelist, who didn't have time to cover up and was taken off their feet. They crashed and burned as they lay on the ground.
Shadow Duelist's Life Points: 0-
Winner: Isaac
"He did it. Wow!" said Argyle as he was glad Isaac won.
"Never send an amateur to do an actual duelist's job," scoffed Rose.
Opaline strode in front of her unsuccessful minion, casting a scowl their way. Next, she shifted her focus to Isaac, with her loyal commanders behind her.
"Now… why don't you take me on!" said Isaac.
"I'm afraid we're out of time. But… let me just say thank you, Isaac. Thank you… for helping me to unleash the darkness."
A rumbling was heard before the World Champion could say or do anything. He looked about as the entire place began to shake, and parts of the cave ceiling fell. Argyle also noticed the place starting to come down as he exited his hiding spot and called out to Isaac.
"Isaac, we need to go. This whole place is coming down!"
"Now… let the darkness take these innocent souls!" shouted the evil witch.
The World Champion heard the man's cry before he turned to look at Opaline. The evil sorceress was shown chanting something as her crystal ball glowed. The giant door behind her and her commanders began to respond to her chant as the energy from them seemed absorbed by it. A part of the cave ceiling nearly crushed him as he took that moment to book it. He met up with Argyle as the two began to hurry back the way they came. All the while, Opaline smiled, seeing the World Champion retreat before more of the cave ceiling fell, covering the entire courtyard and burying it.
Isaac and Argyle returned to surface level as they pushed through the subway doors and continued climbing. The pair arrived back on street level as they felt the ground shaking; the people around them also felt the rumbling as a few of them fell. The duo turned back to the subway station, where they emerged and saw a dark cloud seeping out; the cloud was rolled by some people, unsure of what it was before it suddenly vanished. Seeing that made their eyes widen as they got to the car and quickly put it into gear. The vehicle was now racing out of the park as the dark fog trailed behind them and began to take more people.
Argyle took a moment to look back. He could see the shadowy fog closing in, and he urged Isaac to step on the gas. The World Champion put the petal to the metal as he picked up speed. They soon reached the end of the city as Isaac swerved the car, and they left some tire marks on the road. They got out for a moment to look at the scene before them. The fog that had chased them out of the city had come to a halt as it surrounded the city. Everyone caught in the fog's path had all vanished, and only the empty buildings remained.
"I… can't believe it," said Argyle as he was forced to watch his former home become a ghost town.
In the city itself, among the fog, was Opaline and her commanders. The evil sorceress smiled as her plan worked, and now she controlled the city. She gave her officers their orders as they all split up and disappeared among the city. The evil sorceress walked among the rubble and empty streets as she began to climb a pile of debris before making a throne appear. She then sat down and smiled evilly as the battlefield was now set, and all she had to do was wait.
"Your move, Isaac," snickered Opaline as the invasion of the darkness had just occurred.