"And what a magnificent come back by our resident student! He managed to weather against his opponent's dastardly plays, and deal a hefty amount of damage!" Mr. Heartland spoke with awe, rousing the same feeling among the crowd.
Some however, did not share the same sentiment.
"Darn it Yuto why didn't you just make Dark Requiem and hit him through that stupid Number Monster!" Mei bit her thumb, glaring at her friend shown through the screen. "You could have gotten all of this over with!"
"He looked… troubled?" Serena frowned as she watched the duel. "The screens only showing the duel and sounding out the plays but somehow not the… banter? That they seemed to have is annoying."
"W-well, it's a Heartland policy, the World Duel Carnival I mean. Since what some duelists would say could be… not friendly for viewers, they make it so that the recording only picks up when it's actually something that could matter in the duel. I believe an AI of some sort handles the part that shown on screen." Sayaka answered.
"That's… pretty advanced." Mei could help but say, even back home, for all its technological advancements, didn't have something like that.
Or maybe they did, but the Academia held it close. Like everything else it does.
The thought quickly soured her mood, so she focused back on the duel to keep her mind off it.
-
"Well now, that's certainly something. Setting four whole cards? Your hand really was something!" The masked boy giggled, placing his hand atop of his own duel disk.
"But I suppose it's my turn now. Draw!" And Tron began his turn yet again, four cards in hand with one of them being known.
"To start off, I think I'll use Augmented Heraldry's effect again." The cage of gold shudders at his words, as if it was eager to be used. "I will discard this Twin-Headed Eagle that found its way into my hand, to add the Spell, Advanced Heraldry Art."
"Then I will chain the Quick-Play Spell, The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch!" And Yuto chained the card as soon as he possibly could.
"Oh right! You certainly did add that didn't you!" Tron clapped his hands in glee. "A Quick-Play Rank-Up-Magic! How novel!"
He ignored him. "During the Main Phase, I can target one Dark XYZ Monster I control with no material; Special Summon from my Extra Deck, one Dark XYZ Monster that is one Rank higher than that monster I control, by using it as the Xyz Material and if I do, attach this card to it as additional material!"
His hands swiped towards his only XYZ Monster. "I will target Dark Rebellion! And with it, reconstruct the overlay network!" And the dragon roared as its slowly reentered the galactical vortex that appeared under it.
"From the depths of purgatory, dedicate to the unappeased souls your song of rebellion! Appear and let it echo forevermore!" And exploded into a pillar of light as he chanted.
"Rank-Up Xyz Change!" He roared as purple lightning struck the golden barriers around them, making them fray at certain spots.
"Appear, Rank 5! Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon!" And the monster that appeared was the stronger evolved form of Dark Rebellion, bone like plates littered its body, a rib cage like structure jutting out from its chest. Stained glass-like membrane appeared between its once empty bone-like wings, spread wide in the sky while its roar shook the field once more.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 2
"Oh dear! Such a fearsome dragon being XYZ Summoned right during my turn!" Tron shook in mock fear once more with an ever present smile. "That friend of your never did something like that! Oh wait, maybe he did? I can't quite remember since it was sooo unmemorable."
Yuto grit his teeth at the jab at his friend. Dark Requiem growled at his summoner's visible distress.
"But well, interesting dragon or not, it matters little! I'll be using the Spell that I just added to my hand right away!" He said as he played the card that he took as soon as the chain of effect ended, the card's art shining on the field.
"Advanced Heraldry Art lets me target two 'Heraldic Beast' monsters in my graveyard, special summon them, then immediately after this resolves, XYZ Summon an XYZ Monster using those two monsters only!"
"W-what!?" Yuto balked. "Summoning back two monsters and immediately XYZ Summoning?!"
"That's right~it's such a nifty card isn't it?" Tron grinned, half only visible due to his mask, and took a pair of cards from his graveyard. "I'll summon back my two favorites, Heraldic Beast Leo and Heraldic Beast Aberconway!"
With a wave of his hand, both the armored golden lion and maroon and white dragon returned onto the field in a flash of crimson light.
Heraldic Beast Leo - Earth/Beast/Level 4/Effect: 2000/1000
Heraldic Beast Aberconway - Wind/Dragon/Level 4/Effect: 1800/900
"Now, lets begin." Tron spoke with his ever present smile, yet there was a hint of danger present. "With the effect of Advanced Heraldry Art, I will overlay both the Level 4 Leo and Aberconway!"
The two monsters who were just summoned immediately morphed into a pair of pillars of energy, shining as they rose while a vortex of power appeared before Tron. "And I'll be using them both to make an overlay network!"
The two pillars swiveled in the air as they arched down and entered the vortex, creating an explosion of light.
"Appear! Number 8!" And once more, the giant crimson crest on the ground pulsed, glowing with ominous energy.
And the monster that the light revealed was a mask, with a numeral 8 etched in purple. And from behind it, tendrils of hair began to unfold, folding in on itself again and again, gaining colour, and forming an equine-like body.
"Rank 4! Heraldic King Genom-Heritage!" And the monster stood on its hind legs as it let out an otherworldly screech. Long tendrils of hair flowing from its head and neck as a pair of golden orbs orbited the newly formed XYZ.
Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 2
"A second Number Monster?!"
"Ha! That's a nice look on your face!" Tron grinned from ear to ear seeing Yuto's shocked expression. "But its too soon to be shocked you know, I'll be using Genom-Heritage's effect!"
Its name called, the regal four legged XYZ Monster let out another otherworldly screech as it bucked.
"Once per turn, I can target one face-up XYZ Monster you control and have this card's name and original attack become that monster's name and current ATK, and this card's effect becomes that monster's original effect, then that monster's ATK becomes 0 and its effects are negated. These changes last until the End Phase!"
"What!?" Alarm bells rung inside his head as he recoiled upon hearing the effects. "It copies names and effects?!"
"That's right~! And though you had to go through all that trouble to summon it, I'd like to target your Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon!" Tron declared his target with glee.
"Heraldry Flash!" The XYZ Monster's hair-like tendrils were raised, coated in a golden glow as they spread and towards his own Dark Requiem.
The copying effect didn't really matter, not when Dark Requiem needed a Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon as a material to use its effects, but the fact that it copies the monster's name, attack points, and then reduces it to 0 was certainly unfavorable. Especially when you factor in Patriarch's own effect.
So he won't let it resolve. "Then I'll use Dark Requiem's effect!" He swiped his hand in a cutting motion, and the dark dragon in front of him responded with a menacing growl.
"If this card has Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon as material, when you activate a monster effect, as a Quick Effect I can detach material from this card, negate the activation, and if I do, destroy that card!"
Dark Requiem spreads its stained glass-like wings, shining in a multitude of colors as the dragon pulses with power as it absorbs one of the two overlay materials that it possessed.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 1
"Uh oh, so that's what it does?" Tron comically blinked his one visible eye as he had no other card to add to the chain, allowing it to resolve with Dark Requiem launching a the gathered lightning from its wings straight towards the four legged Number monster, reducing it to golden motes of light as it exploded.
"Gyah!" The masked boy grunted as he flinched from the resulting explosion, being engulfed in a cloud of dust from his proximity.
"Then after that, I can Special Summon one XYZ Monster from my GY! Return! Break Sword!" And he continued on with Dark Requiem's additional effect, taking out the monster card from his graveyard and placing it back on her duel blade.
Summoning back the destroyed horse riding spirit, both warrior and steed letting out a cry and a neigh as they returned onto the battlefield.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/1000 OV: 0
"And you get to summon something back?! That's just unfair!" Tron whined as he cleared away the dust with a wave of his hand. "But if you want to play it like that, then I'll just have to get even more seriouser than I did against that friend of yours!"
Following that undecipherable declaration, the boy waved his hand to the side. "But before that, Leo's effect activates! So I'll be adding another 'Heraldic Beast' from my deck to my hand!"
Yuto briefly thought of using Dark Requiem's effect on this effect, an effect that his opponent had already used twice already in this duel. But while doing so would deny his opponent advantage, Yuto would instead save Dark Requiem for whatever Number monster effect Tron would use next.
After all, he didn't have many ways around their admittedly annoying protection. Not while this Field Spell remained on field.
"I'll be adding the second Heraldic Beast Aberconway to my hand ok~?" The metal masked duelist showed the second copy of the monster, shuffling it along with the rest of his cards.
"But you know, Yuto-kun." His opponent spoke in a serious tone, a from half visible as his one eye furrowed its brow. "What you did was very bad! Bad and mean! You're not letting me have fun just like your friend did!"
"There's nothing fun about any of this."He spat out with a bit more vitriol than he thought he would.
While he agreed with Sakaki Sensei that duels were things that bring smiles, there wasn't a single ounce of that feeling in this duel.
How could it, when his opponent was someone who was blatantly insulting his precious friend.
"Oh but that's where you're wrong, Yuto-kun." His opponent said with an eerie look. "Seeing my opponent despair, squirm in the loss as I dominate over them..."
His entire body shivered, both hands wrapping around his body as he flashed a manic grin. "That feeling of euphoria! That happiness! If I just imagine that my opponent was them, then this feeling...don't you understand? This superior feeling!?"
He didn't get it. Not at all. Not a single bit.
And he didn't ever want to. Not when these cards were the thing that connected them together.
He didn't want to tarnish them with... whatever his opponent was talking.
"You're insane." He whispered as he looked at his opponent. "Just like IV, you're twisted."
"How rude. I can certainly say that I'm mentally stable. To an extent." The masked boy huffed, crossing his arms while pouting. "Well, you can say that it runs in the blood, I suppose."
"Huh?' Yuto's eyes widened. "Wait, you-"
"But I guess if we don't see eye to eye that's fine. I'm still getting at you for ruining my fun." Tron shrugged as he picked out a card from his hand. "So I'll be having my revenge! XYZ Revenge that is!"
The duel resumed as Tron activated a Spell, the card's enlarged art manifesting before him as it shone.
"This Spell Edition can be used when you control a face-up XYZ Monster that has XYZ Material, and let me target an XYZ monster in my graveyard; Special Summon it, then detach an XYZ Material from a monster you control and attach it to that monster as an Xyz Material!"
"W-what!?" Yuto stumbled back as he heard the card's effect, eyes wide as he snapped towards Tron's one and only target. "That's-!"
"Oh and would you look at that, there just seems to be an XYZ Monster in my gravyuard! How convenient!" Tron exclaimed, and with a wave he declared. "I'll target Genom-Heritage, and summon it back!"
A hole of black void briefly appeared in front of his opponent, and out galloped the four legged Number monster, returning onto the field with a vengeance.
Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 0
A vengeance it quickly enacted as one of its hair tendrils snapped towards his XYZ Monster, snatching its remaining overlay material and taking it for itself.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 0
Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 1
"D-Dark Requiem!"
"Now, where were we before you oh so rudely interrupted me?" Tron mused, tapping the metal chin of his mask, before his visible eye shone.
"Oh right! It was when I was doing this! I'll activate Genom-Heritage's effect that you negated the activation of, and target your Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon!" The masked duelist pointed towards the giant dragon with glee.
"Heraldry Flash!" Those hair tendrils extended once more, coiling around his XYZ Monster and constricting it. Flows of golden energy connecting the two monsters as Dark Requiem let out a weak growl as it resisted.
"Dark Requiem!" Yuto could only helplessly call out to his monster as the effect of Genom-Heritage resolved. Releasing its strangling hold on the opposing XYZ Monster as it's power, ability, and name were taken.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 0
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 3000/1800 OV: 1
"And would you look at that, now there's two monsters with the same name on the field! What a coincidence don't you think?" The masked boy laughed as he waved his hand forward.
"Since that seems to be the case, I'll be using Heraldry Patriarch's effect! Targeting my own Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon! Plain Coat!" Tron's other XYZ Monster, the weakened floating giant crest, let out an ominous otherworldly noise as its crimson center glowed, absorbing the last of its overlay material.
Number 18: Heraldry Patriarch - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 1100/2200 OV: 0
And struck down Dark Requiem mercilessly. The sharp floating part of its body loomed over the dark dragon for a brief moment, before striking down and slicing the dragon in two.
"Kuh!" And the clast of solid vision created a large explosion. One that he had to cover his face with his hands for.
"Hm, yes, that's definitely a better look on you." Tron grinned. "Since its a novel experience, why don't I use your own monster's effect against you? I'll activate Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon's effect!"
The equine XYZ Monster neighed an unworldy screech, rising on its hind legs before slamming down.
"Since this card has 'Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon' as material, and what a coincidence that it does! Once per turn, I can detach one material from this card, then target one face-up monster you controls; change its attack to 0, and this card gains attack equal to that monster's original attack!"
The boy grinned from ear to ear, even with half only visible, and pushed his palm towards the only monster worth using the effect on. "I'll target that Break Sword you have on the field, and take its attack points too!"
With another screech, the XYZ Monster absorbed its stolen ovelray material. Burning it up as fuel to activate its effect.
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 3000/1800 OV: 0
Purple lightning gathered across the XYZ Monster's body all the way to its hairy tendrils, as if in mockery of Dark Requiem, and struck the revived Break Sword. The monster groaned under the pressure as its steed struggled to stand upright.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 0/1000 OV: 0
Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 5200/1800 OV: 1
"Requiem Retribution..." Yuto gritted the words out of his mouth as he saw his monster's effect be used by his opponent.
"Oh is that what it's called? You should have told me earlier! I would have loved to shout Requiem Retribution while I activated it!" The masked duelist spoke aloud, even waving his hands fancifully while speaking of the name of the effect.
"Well in any case, your loss is pretty much guaranteed at this point." Tron said smugly as he inched his head upward ever so slightly, as if to look down at him in his diminutive body.
"Buuuuuut, since I have the chance, I might as well show off! This is all going live after all!" The boy giggled, taking out another card from his slowly dwindling hand.
"I will activate another Charged-Up Heraldry! Tributing my own Heraldry Patriarch to summon two whole monsters from my deck!" The giant floating crest disappeared as the Spell shone on field.
"That card again!"
Tron giggled at his reaction, shaking his head with a wide smile. "And while I would love to summon the same two monsters, I'll change it just a little bit and summon up Heraldic Beast Stad Whale and Heraldic Beast Unicorn!"
The giant crimson crest etched on the ground shone once more, and out the silvery blue whale manifested, this time accompanied by a light purple-skinned unicorn, adorned in black armor plating with striking yellow patterns.
Heraldic Beast Stad Whale - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 900/1900
Heraldic Beast Unicorn - Light/Beast/Level 4/Effect: 1100/1600
"Now you've heard this before but I'll be using Stad Whale's effect! Discarding this other Aberconway in my hand." The boy smiled as he waved the card in his hand playfully before inserting it into his graveyard slot.
"But that's not all, because I'll also be using Heraldry Patriarch's other effect!" The masked boy declared with a wave.
"Another effect? In the graveyard?" Yuto furrowed his brows as he thought of what exactly it could even be.
"Now you might be thinking, Tron, why did you remove your monster when its already used its effect on Dark Requiem XYZ Dragon so that your pitiful opponent can't summon it back?" The boy asked to himself, and Yuto agreed to a degree.
If it was him, even knowing the monster had half its attack, he would have simply let it stick on the field to prevent the opponent from summoning the monster again. Especially when he could leverage its battle protection.
"Well its simple really!" Tron answered his own question, shooting him a beaming smile. "Because whatever you throw at me, I can just as easily deal with! That and the fact that Partriarch's graveyard effect is truly useful."
He giggled as he actually explained what the card does. "You see, if Patriarch is sent to the graveyard, I get to send two 'Heraldic Beast' monsters from my deck to the graveyard!"
"Sending two cards if its sent to the graveyard!?" Even if so far he'd only seen Leo have a graveyard effect, it certainly told him that the others also did as well.
Which meant that this effect was terrible for him, even if he couldn't do anything about it.
The other one however, "I will activate the Continuous Trap, Phantom Knights' Fog Blade!" He declared as he flipped the second card of his numerous set cards, the card's enlarged projection shining as it was activated.
"Haha, so here's one of that other set cards you had!" Tron laughed in the face of him activating a card that could possibly hinder him.
"I can activate this card by targeting an Effect Monster on the field to negate that face-up monster's effects, that face-up monster cannot attack also monsters cannot target that face-up monster for attacks!" He shouted out the card's effect, before pointing towards the silvery blue Heraldic Beast.
"I will target Heraldic Beast Stad Whale, and negate its effects!" A wave of dark blue fog manifested in the form of a sword held by an ethereal arm. And with a swing that same fog began to surround Stad Whale.
"Oh my, so that means that my Stad Whale would be negated then. What a shame." Tron didn't even seem bothered at all as the chain of effects began to resolve backwards.
"I'll be sending the last Heraldic Beast Aberconway and another Heraldic Beast Eagle if you don't mind." And continued by resolving Partriarch's graveyard effect, sending two more monsters onto his graveyard.
And as the last card to resolve, Stad Whale whined as it was surrounded by a dark blue fog. Its effects negated and unable to attack or be attacked as long as it remained like so.
A state that it wouldn't stay in for long, much to Yuto's dismay.
"A shame you did that to Stad Whale, ah well. I'll take the two Level 4 Heraldic Beast Stad Whale and Heraldic Beast Unicorn and overlay them~!" The boy said in a sing-song tone, the pair turning into shining pillars of energy that shot off into the ceiling of the dome of light.
"I'll be forming the overlay network again with these two monsters!" The pillars of energy entered the manifested vortex following the wave of Tron's hand, and exploded.
"XYZ Summon! Appear, my rage! Rank 4! Sakra Vendirage!" And what appeared wasn't a Number monster this time, but otherworldly and unnerving all the same.
Lanky black limbs and golden plating, the alien monster manifested from the vortex with its head turned his way. Mandala-like orbs shined at his back as green otherworldly energy surrounded it from the top of its halo all the way to its feet.
Sakra Vendirage - Dark/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2000/2500 OV: 2
"A third XYZ Monster!" And though it wasn't a Number this time, he still dreaded what the monster could do.
"Aww, don't look so scared, this one wouldn't even hurt a fly! Well alright that was a lie, it certainly hurt that friend of yours quite a bit." Tron giggled at his own joke.
"But anyway, effects! Let's use them shall we?" His grin ever present, Tron waved his hand towards the newly summoned XYZ Monster. Sakra Vendirage hummed with a powerful green glow.
"I can detach one material from this card, then target Level or Rank 4 Psychic monster in your graveyard except 'Sakra Vendirage' and special summon it." Tron spoke the card's effect aloud with glee.
"And since it just got to the graveyard, I'll target Number 18: Heraldry Partriarch, and summon it back!" The golden monster extended its hand, crushing one of its two overlay units as green wisps of energy seeped into the giant crimson crest on the ground.
Sakra Vendirage - Dark/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2000/2500 OV: 1
"Now return! Heraldry Partriarch!" Tron pulled his hand upward, the motion followed by Vendirage as the gigantic crest-like monster appeared from a black vortex as it was pulled by the green rope of energy.
Number 18: Heraldry Patriarch - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2200/2200 OV: 0
"This is bad..." Yuto was starting to sweat as he came face to face with three whole XYZ Monsters standing on his opponent's field, two of them being Numbers of all things.
His brain rapidly thought of the plays that he could do with the cards he had, all while his opponent still continued on. "Oh but we're not done yet." He said ominously.
"Because Sakra Vendirage has another effect! If a monster is special summoned, while this card is in your Monster Zone, I can target another face-up monster on the field and have that monster's name becomes 'Sakra Vendirage' until the End Phase!"
"Another name replacement effect!?" He gasped.
"That's right~! Hm, it'd be a bit of a shame, but I suppose I'll use it on that Shade Brigandine of yours!" Tron declared as he pointed towards the monster.
Sakra Vendirage let out another wisp of green energy, this one coiling around the specter residing in the armor and seeping through.
Sakra Vendirage - Dark/Warrior/Level 4/Normal: 0/300
An annoying thing to be sure, but it doesn't change the fact that he still had to destroy it by battle. Especially since the monster whose whole effect revolves around having monsters with the same name had no more materials to use its effects.
In face of the somewhat grateful look that Yuto had for a split second, Tron giggled to himself, making Yuto stiffen as he focused back on the masked duelist.
"Pft. I can completely read what you're thinking, it's so obvious, you and that friend of yours are similar that way, I suppose."
His hand gestured toward Heraldry Patriarch. "I bet you're happy because Patriarch doesn't have anymore materials to use its effects right? Well let's fix that."
With a wave of his hand, Tron shouted aloud. "I will activate the effect of Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle in my graveyard!" He declared.
"I can banish this card from my graveyard to target one face-up XYZ Monster I control with no XYZ Materials and two 'Heraldic Beast' monsters in my graveyard and attach those monsters from the graveyard to that face-up XYZ Monster as XYZ Materials!" He read out the card's graveyard effect with glee.
"A-a recovery effect for XYZ Materials?! And two of them at once?!"
"That's right~! I don't think I even used this against that friend of yours with how bad he was! Or maybe I did and I just didn't remember." Tron's head tilted, before he simply shrugged in indifference.
"Either way, my choice is obviously Heraldry Patriarch! And I will attach Heraldic Beast Leo and Heraldic Beast Aberconway onto it as material!"
Both the golden lion and maroon and white dragon appeared onto the field briefly, before both let out their roars as they transformed into golden orbs that orbited around the floating crest.
Number 18: Heraldry Patriarch - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2200/2200 OV: 2
"Now lets cut to the chase and use its effects then. Patriarch, destroy his pesky monster." Tron said with a smile, and the crest glowed as it immediately absorbed one of its newly gained overlay units.
Number 18: Heraldry Patriarch - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2200/2200 OV: 1
"What?! It can activate its effects again?!" Yuto shouted.
"Oh dear did I not tell you? Patriarch's effect isn't so limited like that! Since this one was newly summoned from the graveyard, of course it can do it again!" Tron laughed at his opponent's distress.
"Go, Patriarch! Plain Coat!" And the monster smited the lingering Shade Brigandine in a single strike. Leaving him with but a singular Break Sword with no attack points in attack position.
"Now then, I suppose I've had my fill of fun. Battle." Tron said as he moved on to the Battle Phase, and ordered with a thrust of his arm. "Attack, Heraldic King Genom-Heritage!"
The monster let out a cry as it leapt, its mask like face shining as it released a blast of energy. "Flash Impact!" Aimed at none other than Yuto's singular monster.
But in the face of an attack that would instantly defeat him, Yuto didn't falter. "I will activate the Trap, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring!" And flipped one of the remaining two set cards that he owned.
The card shone as it was activated, and he read out its effect. "When an opponent's monster declares an attack, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring can negate that attack, then Special Summon itself in Attack Position as an Effect Monster!"
"What?" Bereft of the lighthearted tone that he'd had for the entire duel, Tron spoke in a flat, emotionless voice as the card resolved.
From the Trap card a cloaked spirit holding a giant ring appeared, emitting a spiritual blue flame that drew the oncoming attack onto itself and allowed it to disperse harmlessly.
The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring - Dark/Warrior/Level 2/Effect: 0/0
"That's... not ideal." Tron said with a twitching smile, once more putting on his lighthearted persona. "I suppose it makes sense that you're as persistent as that friend of yours. Let's see how long you'll last then."
With a wave of his hand, Tron continued. "Heraldry Patriarch! Attack The Phantom Knight of Break Sword!" And the giant floating crest obeyed his commands.
This time Yuto didn't have anything to deter the oncoming attack, the crimson core of the Number monster released a devastating crimson beam that decimated his diminished XYZ Monster.
"GAAAH!" Resulting with an explosion that blew him off his feet. Being thrown a considerable distance as he tumbled in the aftermath.
Yuto: 1800LP
"Kuh!" Yuto grunted as he managed to get himself up to a knee, his body aching from the back-to-back duels. Still not fully healing after the short time from his scuffle against IV.
"Well you certainly tried your best, you and that friend of your sadly amounted to nothing after all. Just know that you extended this suffering yourself." Tron said with a malicious smile, pointing towards the monster remaining on his field.
"End it, Sakra Vendirage." The gold and black Psychic monster reared its head, a single hand outstretched as green otherworldly power gathered at his behest.
But, much to Tron's dismay, he did correctly point out a similar trait that both his current and previous opponents shared.
They were, if nothing else, persistent.
"I will activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring!" Yuto shouted as the attack was declared, one hand supporting himself while the other outstretched to point towards the attack target in question.
Tron's smile twitched. "What's this? More pointless struggle?"
"As a Quick Effect, I can send this card and a face-up card you control to the graveyard, either a 'The Phantom Knights' monster or a 'Phantom Knights' Continuous Spellor Trap, and draw 2 cards!" Yuto managed to spoke out, before he waved his hand to the other target of the effect.
"I will send The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring itself and the Continuous Trap, Phantom Knights' Fog Blade to the graveyard, to draw two cards!"
Both monster and the face-up Continuous Trap disappeared in a blaze of blue fire. Allowing Yuto to draw two cards with their disappearance.
"Oh wow so instead of having a monster at least soften the blow you want to take in all the damage yourself? Well who am I to judge. Vendirage!" Tron shrugged as he gave the command.
"Attack him directly!"
The humanoid XYZ Monster once more prepared to strike, Yuto managed to push himself to stand upright. "I will activate the effect of Phantom Knights' Fog Blade in my graveyard!" And declare another effect.
"Again?!" The smile of certain victory wiped, Tron clicked his tongue as he saw the boy he was facing desperately activate another card in the face of his immediate defeat.
"I can banish this card from my graveyard, then target 1 'The Phantom Knights' monster in my graveyard; special summon it, but banish it when it leaves the field!" Yuto coughed out the card's effect, as he took out a card that he had just sent to the graveyard.
"I will target The Phantom Knights of Break Sword that was just destroyed, and summon it back to the field!" Placing the card back onto his duel blade, the headless knight and his noble steed once more rode onto the battle.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/1000 OV: 0
"Tch!" The masked duelist clicked his tongue, Sakra Vendirage's attack briefly stalled by a new monster's appearance and awaiting its summoner's decision.
His one visible eye glanced back and forth between on the monsters in the field, before closing as he came to a decision.
"Fine then. I suppose I can give you a turn. Either way the outcome will remain the same." Tron sighed as he ruffled his hair, conceding the fact that he wouldn't be able to catch a quick victory.
With all that said, he moved into his second Main Phase of the turn, his excitement was dimmed as he declared the activation of another card.
"I'll be activating the effect of Heraldic Beast Aberconway in my graveyard."
"So they do have graveyard effects..."
"Of course they do. Otherwise I wouldn't bother sending them there." The masked duelist huffed.
"In any case, if this card is in my graveyard, I can banish another 'Heraldic Beast Aberconway' from my graveyard, then target one 'Heraldic Beast' monster in your GY; add that target to your hand." Tron explained.
"So I'll banish the second Aberconway, to add back Heraldic Beast Stad Whale to my hand okay~" The masked duelist showed the card to Yuto as he added it to his hand.
"Then I guess I might as well set this card face-down." And then proceeded to set the only other card that he had in his Spell and Trap Zone.
"And I guess that's that for me." Tron said as he moved towards the End Phase, much to Yuto's relief, only for him to light up as he lightly rapped his own head.
"Oh wait, there is something else! I almost forgot." He laughed while shaking his head. "I'll be activating the effect of Flash of Heraldry in my graveyard if you don't mind."
Yuto most certainly minded, but there wasn't much that he could do regarding it.
"During my End Phase, if I control a Psychic Xyz Monster and this card is in my graveyard, I can Set this card back on the field, but it gets banished when it leaves the field!" The boy said cheerfully.
"And well," He gestured towards the monsters he had on his field, all three XYZ Monsters that fit that criteria. "I certainly have that in spades! So I'll be setting back Flash of Heraldry on my field."
The card briefly manifested back onto the field, before setting itself back face-down along with its new companion.
"Oh, and I guess in the End Phase Heraldic King Genom-Heritage returns to normal. A shame really." Tron said with a sigh, the purple aura that the Number monster dissipated as it returned to its regular state.
Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 0
And so Tron ended his eventful turn, managing to dismantle most of his opponents board while once more establishing a dominant presence on the field with three XYZ Monsters along with two cards in his backrow, all with a follow up ready in his hand.
-
"Oh what a twist! In a shocking turn of events, now contestant Yuto is on the backfoot!" Mr. Heartland gasped at the display on the screen. "And to think that Tron had managed not one, not two, but three whole XYZ Monster on his field just like in his previous duel! Its almost like he's showing that his previous duel was just a warm up! That his skill then was not just a fluke!"
"No! Come on Yuto! You can come back from this!" Allen desperately shouted, his worry was undoubtedly shared by the rest of the group.
"This is really bad… Yuto doesn't really have a clean way to get rid of all of those monsters." Mei grit her teeth. She doesn't know how much Yuto has changed his deck since he met with Yuna, but of the new cards thats he's seen him use, a board wipe wasn't one of them.
"He'll figure out a way out of this." Serena's hold grew tighter as she crossed her arms. "He has to."
-
"Then... its my turn!" Yuto managed to regain his bearings, cautiously watching his masked opponent and the field of monsters and cards that he had made as he placed his hand atop of his deck.
Yuto closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them once more. "I draw!" And began his turn with three cards in his hand.
A brief glance at the card that he drew gave him an idea on what to do, a line of play with the possibility to bring him victory.
And as far as he could see, it was the only path he could take.
"I will activate the effect of The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch in my graveyard!" And so, he began by waving his hand out, declaring the activation of the Rank-Up-Magic's graveyard effect.
"During my Main Phase, I can banish this card from my graveyard, then target a Dark XYZ Monster I control and attach a 'The Phantom Knights' monster from my hand to that monster as material!"
Finished with explaining the card's graveyard effect, Yuto declared his target and revealed the card in his hand that he would attach to it. "I will target my Break Sword! And attach The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves onto it as material!"
A ghostly apparition of the warrior spirit residing in the giant gloves briefly manifested on the field, transforming into a glowing orb of purple energy that began to orbit the revived Break Sword.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/1000 OV: 1
"And now I will activate its effect!" Right as it gained an overlay unit, Yuto wasted no time in immediately putting it to use.
"I will target Break Sword itself once more, and that leftmost set card of yours!" He pointed toward Tron's most recent set card, in other words, the Flash of Heraldry that he had reset.
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/1000 OV: 0
"Uh oh." Tron let out a concerned chuckle. "Whoops. Forgot it could do that."
And with a wave of his blade, empowered by the overlay unit it used, Break Sword swung its giant blade, destroying both itself and the set Flash of Heraldry. Both meeting the same end as they were destroyed and removed from play.
"Well there goes that." Tron slumped as he sighed. "Ugh, and I had such a nice strategy to use it too! Well you've already seen it already, but it would have been fun to resolve it a second time!"
"I doubt that that's the case." Yuto growled, but he made a note of something important. That being the set card that Tron had set. The unknown card sitting on his Spell and Trap Zone.
There was an argument that his target to use Break Sword should have been Heraldry Patriarch itself, since that was the monster that could use its effect to destroy his monsters.
But having already seen it used multiple times already, and now that he was limited in using its effects without Flash of Heraldry, he was sure that he could prevent that from being a hindrance in his plan.
And now he also knew that that set card wasn't the Counter Trap that he could search, and that was an incredible boon to know.
So it was most likely a bluff, or if it wasn't it hopefully wasn't something that could stop his plans.
"I will activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves in my graveyard!" He declared with another wave of his hand.
"I can banish this card from my graveyard to special summon a 'The Phantom Knights' monster from my hand, except 'The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves', then I can increase its Level by one!"
The card's graveyard effect was similar to its other effect, and once he finished explaining it to his opponent, Yuto revealed the card from his hand that he intended to summon with the effect.
"I will special summon The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales from my hand in defense position!" He placed the card in his purple duel blade, and the spirit possessing the torn scale armor manifested onto the field.
The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales - Dark/Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 600/1600
"And this time, I will use Stained Greaves' optional effect and increase its Level to 4!" A purple veil briefly enveloped the monster as its Level was increased.
The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales - Dark/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 600/1600
"Ho? So you're going for a Rank 4 now are you?" Of course, with something this obvious, his opponent would no doubt notice it. Tron was surely already thinking of a way to interrupt.
But since his opponent had goaded him into a mistake, it should be fair game for him to do the same.
"Sorry to say, Tron. There's nothing you can do that will stop me." Yuto said, trying to imitate his own opponent and forming a smug grin of his own.
"Ho?" The boy's one visible eye twitched, yet he was intrigued enough to still ask. "And why would you think that?"
"Because I know for a fact that I'm going to be able to XYZ Summon no matter what you do that's all." He said with a smirk, a bead of sweat running down his face as he tried to hide his nervousness.
"Is that so?" Tron's visible eye narrowed, the crimson lens that covered his other eye somehow shining in tandem. "We'll see about that."
Yuto's smirk grew a bit more genuine. He certainly didn't think that his opponent was this easy to rile up.
"We'll see indeed. In fact, why don't I just show you? I'll start by activating my last set card, The Phantom Knights of Mist Claws!" The plan continued with him flipping up the last set card that he had, the card depicting the claw wielding warrior shining as it was activated.
"This card lets me target one of my banished 'Phantom Knights' card, and add it to my hand!" He explained, and declared a card from his banishment zone that he would target.
"I will target The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak and add it back to my hand!" He could have technically done this the last turn, if nothing else to simply have Mist Claws in the graveyard to prevent a direct attack.
But he had gambled on his opponent not crashing against his Break Sword with his Sakra Vendirage, not when it didn't have the same protection that his other monsters had in virtue of it not being a Number.
And it paid off either way, he managed to get rid of a problem card before it could be used.
Mist Claws' effect eventually resolved, and he added back Ancient Cloak to his hand. "Next, I will activate The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales' effect!" And continue with his plan as soon as it was added.
"By discarding one card, I can send one 'Phantom Knights' card from my Deck to the graveyard, except another 'The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales'!"
And there wasn't a better card to discard than the one he just added. "I will discard the Ancient Cloak that I just added, to send The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm from my deck to the graveyard!"
He revealed the monster card to his opponent, before promptly inserting it into his duel disk's graveyard slot.
Now it was just one more piece that was missing. "Then I will use The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves' effect!"
"My you're using even more card effects in the graveyard that I have! And you're even chaining them all into one long combo." Tron said with a bright smile.
"It's getting quite infuriating. Hurry up, would you." One that vanished quickly, replaced with an impatient glare.
"And here I thought you were all smiles and grins." He quipped even as he winced from the blatant animosity his opponent was giving him. Tron certainly wasn't handling his taunt well.
"By banishing it from my graveyard, I can send one 'Phantom Knights' card from my deck to my graveyard!" He explained, and quickly dug out his target. "I will send the Continuous Trap, Phantom Knights' Wing!"
The card effect successfully resolved, and all the pieces were in order. It was time to see if his bait was enough to reel in Tron.
"Then I will use its graveyard effect!" Yuto shouted, waving his hand forward. "By banishing it from my graveyard, I can target one 'The Phantom Knights' monster in my graveyard and special summon it, but it's banished when it leaves the field!"
"So it's the same revival effect as Fog Blade then. How curious." Tron hummed, singular visible eye narrowed. "Well then, what will your target be then, Yuto-kun? Oh don't worry, whatever it is, it won't last!"
"I will target The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm, and specially summon it!" And brought forth the spirit possessing the knight's helmet, the monster floating onto the field as it appeared.
The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm - Dark/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1500/500
"Haha! So all that just to get two Level 4 monsters onto the field?" The masked boy laughed, holding his stomach with both hands as he arched from laughing.
"Naive!" Then immediately stopped as his face hardened with anger. "Since you special summoned a monster, I will use Sakra Vendirage's effect to change the name of that other monster of yours into Sakra Vendirage!"
The golden and black XYZ Monster once more gathered its green otherworldly energy into its hands, targeting the Level modulated Torn Scales to change its name in preparation for it to be destroyed by Heraldry Patriarch.
"This is what you get boy, for thinking you can play against your betters!" Tron cackled maniacally, as he watched his opponent-
Grin?
"It seems that you fell for it, Tron!" Yuto grinned, taking out the last card in his grip, and revealed it. "Since a 'The Phantom Knights' monster is special summoned to my field, I will activate the effect of the second The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves in my hand!"
"W-what!?" Tron stumbled back in shock.
"I waited for exactly this moment. Since you still had Sakra Vendirage, you could have changed the name of one of my monsters and destroyed it. That's why I went through all of this trouble, to get an extra Level 4 onto my field!"
So with a grin, Yuto proceeded to play the card as the chain resolved. "So I will special summon Stained Greaves! And change its Level to 4!" A second copy of the armor dwelling spirit appeared, this time its additional effect applied as its Level was modulated.
The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves - Dark/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1200/600
Then, through Sakra Vendirage's effect, the Torn Scales whose Level had been modulated had its name changed as a green glow enveloped its body.
Sakra Vendirage - Dark/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 600/1600
"This is-! You played me?! ME?!" Tron's smile was completely gone, in its place was a look of incandescent rage.
"I honestly didn't know if you would fall for it or not, I was betting on it really." Yuto closed his eyes briefly, before opening them back with a look of confidence. "But you fell for it pretty easily. I was honestly surprised."
"You little-!" Tron growled, a voice unlike any he'd made before coming out of his throat. "Patriarch's effect! Targeting my own monster! Plain Coat!" In face of this humiliation, he turned towards his XYZ Monster and activated its effect as there were now two monsters with the same name on field.
The crest-like monster used the last of the overlay unit it regained.
Number 18: Heraldry Patriarch - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2200/2200 OV: 0
And destroyed the renamed Torn Scales, removing it from the field with its giant wing-like appendage. Yet that did not deter Yuto's plan.
"I will use the effect of Leo that's sent to the graveyard to add Heraldic Beast Gryphon to my hand." The masked duelist spoke with no levity in his voice, glaring daggers at his opponent as he added the card into his hand.
In face of this, Yuto once more closed his eyes. Placing a hand on his chest, he whispered. "Lend me your strength, Shun." And once he opened them again, he looked straight to his opponent's eyes as he performed his next play.
"I will take the Level 4 The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm and the Level 4 The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves, and overlay them!" Which was to combine both of his monsters, both fallen warriors releasing their war cries as they morphed into pillars of light.
"With these two monsters, I will form the overlay network!" And as the galactical vortex appeared before him, both monster entered, and created a blinding explosion.
"Souls of revolution! Knight of justice! Charge into battle and lead towards the light of the future!" He chanted as the monster began to form, metal hooves clashing against the ground, the grinding of souls burning brightly in blue flame.
"XYZ Summon!" And roared, along with the newly summoned XYZ Monster. "Appear! Rank 4! Raider's Knight!" A second horse riding XYZ Monster manifested. Unlike Break Sword however, the rider was not combined with its steed.
The warrior rode atop of a jet black armored horse, pipe-like exhausts on its neck jutting blue ghoulish flames. The rider too was the same, clad in dark silver and wielding a long polearm and a dark purple cloak. The very same blue fire emanated from its shoulders and from the crown of its helm.
Raider's Knight - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2000/0 OV: 2
"A Rank 4… but its not a Numbers I see." Even after the episode he went through, Tron still managed a quip in the face of Yuto's newly formed XYZ Monster.
Yet, the Phantom Knights duelist ignored his comment. "Raider's Knights is always treated as a Phantom Knights… as well as a Raidraptor card."
"Huh?" Tron let out a confused sound, visible eye narrowing. "Raidraptor? That sure sounds familiar…"
"This card that is the key to my victory… isn't just my power." Yuto said as he gripped his hand into a fist. "This is also Shun's! THe power of the person who you looked down on and ridiculed this entire time!"
"It's a worthless power then." Tron spat. "Bonds. Teamwork. Friendship. Power is juts power. You're just dressing it up with a fancy coat and calling it precious!"
"That's not true!" He denied. "They're not just fancy words or dressings! This is a power that couldn't have achieved alone! This is our power!" He roared back, conviction burning in his eyes.
"I will activate Raider's Knight's effect!" He declared, the blue fire that the horse and rider emitted growing in intensity as he does so.
"I can detach one material from this card to special summon from my Extra Deck, one 'The Phantom Knights', 'Raidraptor', or 'XYZ Dragon' XYZ Monster that is one Rank higher or lower than this card, by using this face-up card I control as material, but it's destroyed during your next End Phase!"
"What?! A monster that just Rank-Ups on its own?!" Tron watched as his visible eye widened, the dark knight swung its polearm and bisected one of its overlay unit, the flames around it and its steed grew in intensity.
Raider's Knight - Dark/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2000/0 OV: 1
"I will take Raider's Knight and with it, remake the overlay network!" He roared aloud as he threw his right hand to the side, the galactical vortex appearing right beneath the monster. The rider and its steed letting out their cry and neigh as they re-entered the vortex of energy.
"Fangs of rebellion gain new strength and break the ark of injustice!" He roared, throwing his fist up as the vortex exploded into a pillar of light, brimming with arcs of purple lightning. "Rank-Up! XYZ CHANGE!"
And formed black clouds, brimming positively with purple arcs of thunder, and humming with power. Which parted with a blast of power, revealing the form of his XYZ Monster.
It was mechanic, unlike Requiem, with wings of dark purple and jets of grey metal jutting out blue flames, arcs of metals that gave it a form larger than before. Its tails coils on its back, armor featured more heavily glistening under purple light.
Its horns were sharper, more sleek, stronger than ever before as the monster arched its long neck and released a roar that shook the golden dome it was summon within.
"Descend! Rank 5!" Yuto roared in sync with his monster. "Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon!"
Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 2
-
"Whoa! What the heck is that!? Did he just pull out another Dark Rebellion evolution!? When did he get that!?" The excitement in Allen's voice was palpable, something shared by the crowd watching the duel as they all screamed on the dragon's appearance.
"I-I've never seen something like that before…" Myu said in wonder as she watched the screen intently with mouth slightly open in amazement, a feeling that many shared.
"Is this what…" Mei briefly muttered to herself before she shook her head. There wasn't any use in speculating. Wherever he got the card from, she could only hope that this card would bring victory for her friend.
-
"Arc Rebellion can't be destroyed by card effects, meaning even after your turn ends, it won't disappear!" He declared, noting of course the summoning effect of Raider's Knight that lingered on the monster.
"Now I will activate Arc Rebellion's effect!" And he wasted no time at all in using the newly summoned monster's effect, blue flame jutting out on the exhausts of Arc Rebellion's wings as it roared and spread its wings.
"By detaching one material from this card, Arc Rebellion will gain attack equal to the total original attack of all other monsters on the field!" The flames grew in intensity, accompanied by just of purple electricity.
"W-what?! All of them?!" Tron sounded genuinely shocked. Certainly not expecting an effect like this from the dragon.
"But that's not all!" Yuto added. "If this card has a Dark XYZ Monster as material, it can then negate the effects of all other face-up monsters on the field!" His hand waved to the side, and pointed towards his opponents monsters.
"It negates effects as well!?"
"After this effect resolves, I can't declare attacks with other monsters for the rest of this turn, but that's fine!" He roared as he raised his hand, the giant dragon absorbed one of the two overlay material that it possessed onto its torso.
Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 3000/2500 OV: 1
"Go! Arc Rebellion! Arc Salvation!" And with the command, blue flames immolated the entire field, dancing along with arcs of purple lightnings that suffused the entire field with their dance.
"Gah!" Tron winced as he held both of his hands in front of him, and his plethora of monsters all let out unworldly moans and groans as they were bathed in pale blue fire and arc of thunder, all which cancelled out their abilities and added Arc Rebellion their battle prowess.
Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/Effect: 9600/2500 OV: 1
"BATTLE! FINISH THIS ARC REBELLION XYZ DRAGON!" Again he wasted no time as Yuto immediately threw himself into the Battle Phase, and he threw his fist forward as he ordered his only monster to attack.
"ARC DISASTER DISOBEY!" It didn't truly matter which monster it attack, yet it chose Genom-Heritage nonetheless, both monster launched themselves against one another in a clash of dominance.
Genom-Heritage leapt back, tendrils of hair lashing out to the side as it fired off a beam of pure energy from its head, aiming to strike down the offending dragon right where it stood.
Arc Rebellion's wings spread wide, pale blue fire rippling from the mechanical skeletal wings it possessed, filling the empty wings and turning it into one of pale blue flame and black metal.
It flew up, easily dodging the attack as it reigned supremacy in the sky, arcs of purple lightning gathered on its maw, the blade under its jaw glistening with power as it dove down with enough speed to cut through air.
The monsters clashed, the destructive fang of lighting met against the beam of light, and the whole field shook from the explosion that the crashing solid vision entities caused.
"Kuh!" Yuto grunted as he held an arm in front of him and turned away from the grand explosion. Shielding his eyes from the clouds of dust it made and the biting wind that almost blew him away.
The only thing he could see was only the dust all around him. Enveloping any and all things around him.
-
"D-did he do it!? Did he win?!"
"Oh man that was soo cool! That attack was crazy!"
"There's no way that didn't finish it!"
In midst of all the cheer and celebrations, Serena's light green eyes narrowed as her hands twitched in worry. "No." She muttered as she realized. "The duel isn't over yet."
That the duel still continued.
-
And then he heard it. Through his ears that were slightly ringing from the explosion, he heard it. A shrill sound that cut through the ringing.
A giggle.
"Fufu-
And then a laugh.
fuhaha-"
Soon, as the dust slowly lessened and vision became obscured by the cloud of dust, he saw his opponent doubled over holding his stomach.
Laughing.
"FUHA! FUHAHAHAHA! YOU'RE BOTH THE SAME AREN'T YOU?! A PAIR OF IDIOTS THE LOT OF YOU! FALLING FOR THE SAME TRICKS LIKE THIS!"
And what Yuto saw as the cloud of dust parted, was the field of monsters remaining clean and untouched. Along with the additional monster that now accompanied the rest of the XYZ Monsters on Tron's field.
Heraldic Beast Stad Whale - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 900/1900
And, more importantly than anything else, the flipped final set card that the masked duelist had. Shining with power behind the lines of monsters that he possessed.
Tron remained standing, smiling ear to ear as he laughed maniacally. Against all the odds, he had weathered and survived the blow that should have defeated him.
"B-but how?!" Yuto knew the answer of course. It was blatantly shining in front of his face. And yet he still instinctively asked the question as his brain still tried to catch up to the reality before him.
"Ha... Heraldry Change." Tron said as his bout of mad laughter subsided, lowering into mere giggles. "When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I get to special summon one 'Heraldic Beast' monster from my hand, then end the Battle Phase."
"That's-!" Yuto's face paled.
"Ah, this is rich~ did you think that this was just a bluff? Oh that's too bad~! Fufu! Fuha! Fuhahahaha~!" And Tron fell into another round of laughter.
And he was right. Tron's use of Spells had been varied for sure, most used to help him summon his XYZ Monsters, or to disrupt him by changing his monsters name. And the single Trap he's seen was the Counter Trap specifically against XYZ Monsters.
He never expected that it would be something like this.
"Ah..." Tron wiped away a tear from his eye. "That was the most I've laughed in years. You and that friend of yours should maybe start on a career as jesters. You've clearly got the talent for it." The metal masked boy snickered.
Yuto could feel his teeth grinding against each other. He'd never been so-so angry his entire life. Furious against a single person.
He wants to hurt him. Make him take back his words and make him eat them. He wants him to be beaten and then more.
He wants him to suffer.
Tron grinned, chin raised high and visible eye crinkled with happiness. It was infuriating and insulting.
"Ah~! Yes that look! That's what I've been looking for!" His glee was palpable, a full body shiver went past the smaller duelist as their eyes met.
"That anger! That rage! So great, so powerful-" The boy held his hands in front of his face, but through the gaps of his fingers Yuto could see him smile.
An unkind, unhinged smile filled with nothing but madness.
"I want it. I will use it. To fuel this funeral pyre, to fight against him."
Before he could make heads or tails on whatever Tron was talking about, his opponent swiped his hand forwards with a mad grin.
"Stad Whale's effect!" He declared. "I will discard Heraldic Beast Gryphon, to add the Spell, Heraldry Reborn and Advanced Heraldry Art!"
As Tron added the pair of cards, Yuto visibly cringed. Though he didn't know what the first card was he could infer from its name, and the second card was the Spell that brought back two monsters and immediately let him XYZ Summon with them.
Not only had Tron stopped his all-out attack, but he had also gotten himself recursion for the next turn that he was now guaranteed to have.
There was nothing else that Yuto could do but feel bad for himself. If only he had a way to destroy that Trap card. If he had some more foresight when using the Rank-Up-Magic earlier.
If, if, if. So many mistakes had been made in this duel because of his opponent's goading. And the one time where he thought he had managed to get one over him...
Yuto was wallowing in his own pity, he knew this. He needed to focus on something else before he could spiral even further-
It was as if his thoughts could be heard, his newly evolved monster growled. Menacingly, still filled with power.
He arched his head, toward Arc Rebellion. Crimson eyes still full of the will to fight, to revolt against the injustice. The soul of the rebel still burned strong even against all odds.
"Arc Rebellion..." He unconsciously spoke out aloud. Yuto met the dragon's eyes, and he could feel the dragon nod.
"Right... This isn't over." He said as he squared his shoulders. Holding his head high, he shouted. "The duel still isn't over!"
"Hah?" Tron was stunned out of his euphoric mood, letting out a confused noise out of his mouth at his opponent's sudden reversal.
"I will activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak in my graveyard!" He declared, "I will banish it, to add The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots to my hand!"
"Huh? Did you regain your wits or something?" The masked boy frowned.
"And then I will activate The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales' other effect!" Yuto marched on, unheeding to his opponent's words.
"If another 'Phantom Knights' card in my graveyard is banished while this card is in my graveyard, I can special summon this card, but its banished when it leaves the field!"
Finished with reading the card's text aloud, Yuto pulled the card out of his graveyard and placed it onto his duel blade. "Return! The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales!"
In a blaze of blue flames, the haunted piece of armor returned onto the field once again.
The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales - Dark/Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 600/1600
"And now since I have a 'The Phantom Knights' Monster, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my hand!"
And so Yuto put forth the card that he had just added, the tattered cloth-wearing spirit arriving with silent steps.
The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots - Dark/Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 200/1200
"I will take the Level 3 Torn Scales and the Level 3 Silent Boots, and overlay them!" With his fist raised, the two monsters became purple pillars of energy, firing off toward the sky.
"Another XYZ Monster? At this point of time?"
"I will create the overlay network with these two monsters!" And as the galactical vortex manifested, the pair of purple pillars entered, and formed an explosion.
"XYZ Summon! Appear!" He roared as he brought his fist down. "Rank 3! Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss!" And what appeared from beyond the abyss was a warrior clad in simple cloth, sword drawn in a defensive posture as he was summoned in defense position.
Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss - Light/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 1000/2500 OV: 2
"Another Rank 3? And this one's different isn't it?" Tron hummed, then snorted as he dismissed it. "Just more bodies to try and defend yourself I guess? But it won't matter. In the next turn, Genom-Heritage will-"
"Ah, I suppose it flew off your head with how happy you are huh Tron." Yuto smirked.
"Ha?"
"Arc Rebellion's effect, both the increase to its attack and the ability to negate the effects of all other face-up monsters... is permanent!" He shouted as he pointed towards Tron.
"W-what?!" The shorter duelist's visible eye widened as he looked towards the three XYZ Monsters on his field. "Then they're-"
"Right now, those monsters that you're so proud of are nothing but dead weight! You won't be able to use their effects on the field, even when the next turn comes!" Yuto grinned, taking pleasure in seeing Tron's panic.
And he waved his hand to the side. "I will activate Dante's effect!" He declared.
"Once per turn, I can detach one material from this card and choose a number from 1 to 3, then send that many cards from the top of my Deck to the graveyard and until the end of this turn, this card gains 500 ATK for each card sent to the graveyard this way!"
The traveler held his sword high, slicing down one of the two overlay materials that he had.
Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss - Light/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 1000/2500 OV: 1
As he finished reading out the card's effect aloud, Yuto declared the number of cards he would send for cost. "I will send the top three cards of my deck, and increase Dante's attack by 1500!"
"What's the point of you gaining attack points if you're in Main Phase 2 and it won't stay-" Tron stopped himself, lone visible eye narrowing. "You're not doing this for the attack points." He pointed out.
Yuto kept a small grin as the effect resolved, a golden aura being released from the traveler of the abyss as his attack power rose.
Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss - Light/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 2500/2500 OV: 1
With that done, Yuto took a glance on his graveyard to see what cards were sent. A second copy of Fog Blade, The Phantom Knights of Shadow Veil and The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor.
They were... not the best, but he would make do. He already have quite a bit in his graveyard after all.
"Next, I will activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm in my graveyard!" He declared as his opponent groaned.
"More graveyard effects? Is that all you have?"
"By banishing this card from my graveyard, during the End Phase of this turn, I can add one 'Phantom Knights' card from my graveyard to my hand." He explained the card's effect, one that would linger and resolve as he entered his End Phase.
"Then I will use Silent Cloak's effect!" he continued with a swipe. "I will banish it, to add another Phantom Knights' Fog Blade to my hand!"
The card promptly added became the only card in his hand, one that he then proceeded to set. "I will set one card, and end my turn."
Then proceeded to end his turn, where a few effects then resolved. "Then with Cloven Helm's effect, I will add back The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor to my hand."
He added the monster sent from Dante's cost to his hand. "Then Dante's attack increase will fade." As well as marking the end to Dante's own attack increasing effect.
Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss - Light/Warrior/XYZ/Rank 3/Effect: 1000/2500 OV: 1
And so he finished his turn with a field consisting of a pair of XYZ Monster, one with a massive attack and the other standing in defense position, along with a single card in his Spell and Trap Zone along with his hand.
"Huh? Oh, you're done?" Tron groaned as he yawned and stretched his arms. "You were going on and on for so long to do something completely useless like that friend of yours that I couldn't help but fall asleep from boredom."
Yuto held his tongue. There was no use in meeting him with words.
"Man you became no fun again Yuto-kun. How'd you get to be so calm at your age, I have no idea." The masked duelist sighed in disappointment as he shook his head.
"Well, whatever. I already got enough from this duel after all. My turn, I draw!" And Tron began his turn with three cards in his opening hand.
"Why don't we do this to start off? I will use the Spell, Heraldry Reborn!" And began by playing one of the Spells he had added previously.
"This card lets me target one 'Heraldic Beast' monster in my graveyard, and special summon it!" He raised his hand as a giant purple crest manifested before him, digging chains into a portal to the abyss below.
"I'll target the Heraldic Beast Gryphon in my graveyard! Rise! Heraldic Beast Gryphon!" And fished out from the deep abyss was a golden feathered and crimson armored gryphon, letting out a screeching noise as it arrived onto the field.
Heraldic Beast Gryphon - Wind/Winged Beast/Level 4/Effect: 1600/1000
"Two Level 4s!" Yuto braced himself for the upcoming XYZ Monster. With Arc Rebellion, he was quite confident that he would be able to survive until at the very least the next turn. With its inability to be destroyed by card effects and its enormous attack points, he was a wall to be reckoned with.
But with how his opponent was... Yuto held his breath as he awaited what monster would come to face him.
"Fufu," Tron giggled. "Do you want to know something interesting, Yuto-kun?" The masked boy smiled ever so menacingly.
The black and purple haired duelist turned toward Tron once more, taking his eyes away from the summoned monsters and to the summoner himself.
"You see, Heraldic Beast Gryphon has this interesting little effect." Tron spoke slowly, assuredly, taking a pause to smile knowingly as he waited for what was no doubt his reaction going to be as soon as he heard what he had to say.
"First off, I suppose I have to commend you for giving me an interesting duel. It has genuinely been a while since I've had to go this far. Your friend certainly didn't push me this hard."
The masked duelist gave him a complimentary clap. "So congrats on that! I suppose if this was your school, you would have gotten a gold star!"
The grin on his face briefly disappeared as he tilted his head in thought. "Do they even give out those in school these days?"
And immediately ended his own line of thought with a shrug. "Oh well, either way its actually been a fun duel." And with the most genuine smile he's shown today, Tron spoke.
"So I'll end it here and now okay~!"
"Just get on with it!" Yuto said through gritted teeth, having quite heard enough of his opponent's inane rambling.
"Rude, I was getting to that." He waved his hand towards the winged gryphon. "Heraldic Beast Gryphon, you see, can be treated as two materials for the XYZ Summon of a 'Number' XYZ Monster that requires three or more materials!"
Much to his own dismay, Yuto couldn't hide his shock. "T-two materials?! That's-!"
"What, did you mistakenly think that all I have are XYZ Monsters that need just two materials to summon?" Tron snickered as he wagged a finger from side to side in a mocking gesture.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. That's twice you've deluded yourself to another mistake, Yuto-kun~! Shame on you. Really, it is." Tron said as he then raised his hand.
"I will take the Level 4 Heraldic Beast Stad Whale and the Level 4 Heraldic Beast Gryphon, and ovelray them!" The call was followed by the whale's echoing cry, and the gryphon's high pitched screech, transforming into a pillar of blue and a branching pair of green.
"And with these two monsters, I will once more form the overlay network!" The dark vortex that appeared in front of Tron rumbled, space twisting and morphing as the pillars of energy entered.
And formed an explosion of light like none before. One that shook the golden dome that encompassed them, the entire fantastical factory that lay beyond them.
One that sent minor shockwaves even to the stadium, laying high above them.
"Here and now, I will unleash this festering rage within my soul!" Tron roared as his hand quivered, and as he gripped into a fist, a purple crest shone on the back of his hand.
The world shuddered, reality itself seemed to pause as something began to form and emerge from the vortex.
"Manifest! Number 69!" Tron roared as he raised his fist, and the blinding light began to fade out as the monster's form was revealed.
A giant sigil, like a shield or an double sided axe head, with a golden center and a dark purple body that supports its black and maroon wings.
But that wasn't the monster's true form.
Its wings unfolded, flipping out and morphing into long skeletal limbs with three long sharp claws that hung upon them.
The golden piece that he thought was its chest folded into itself, it paradoxically became larger, growing bigger, transforming into the creature's whole body.
And then formed its face, a devilish, monstrous face, with large pale skeletal curved horns. The numeral 69 shone in eerie purple on the left horn atop its face.
It was the face of a devil, an evil god manifest.
"Rank 4! Heraldry Crest!" And the monster released a noise that he could not describe. A pitched noise that cracked his sanity and physically hurt his ears.
He fell to his knees again, he realized. The monster's sheer presence, its sheer weight on reality that it imposed.
It was then, that Yuto knew, that this was Tron's Ace Monster.
Number 69: Heraldry Crest - Light/Psychic/XZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2600/1400 OV: 2
"Ah~! This feeling!" Tron shook as he grasped the metal mask on his face, he couldn't help but note that the crimson lens hiding his left eye shone even brighter than before.
"This anger... this rage... the amalgam of my feelings made manifest." Yuto shuddered as he saw Tron smile as their eyes met.
"Ah, don't get me wrong, I don't hate you at all Yuto-kun~! If anything it's the opposite!" The masked boy said as he stumbled in place, before standing straight while looking down at him.
"I feel nothing but gratitude, to you and your friend. Your contributions of anger and emotions finally let me manifest Heraldry Crest into this world."
Then, surprisingly, his face softened. A look of sadness visible from his lone eye that was shown to the world.
"Yet I can't help but pity you." His tone, once jovial and lighthearted, disappeared, replaced with genuine sadness.
"You really had nothing to do with me, with all of this. You're just unlucky enough to be roped into all of this because of his kid-"
The word was spat out like filth, his facade once more breaking before Tron closed his eyes and took a breath. And slowly opened again.
"So, for what it's worth, I'll give you a fitting ending for a duelist like yourself."
The masked duelist's hand swept to the side as he spoke aloud. "I will activate Heraldry Crest's effect." He declared.
"If Heraldry Crest is special summoned, I can negate the effects of all other XYZ Monsters currently on the field." A smirk found its way to Tron's face as he pointed towards Yuto's gigantic boss monster.
"Think of this as payback for that dragon of yours." And the giant purple crest shone in resonance with the screech of the demonic XYZ Monster as its power began to envelop the field.
"That's!" Yuto grit his teeth, still struggling to even stand, he desperately shouted with his right arm outstretched. "I will activate the Continuous Trap! The Phantom Knights' Fog Blade!"
The one and only card in his Spell Trap Zone flipped and shone. Being used in chain with the XYZ Monster's effect.
Tron scoffed, a look of pity flashing through his visible eye. "Did that attack earlier rattle your head? You should know by now that with Augmented Heraldry face-up, you can't target any of my XYZ Monsters with Spell or Trap cards."
Yuto knew that, he most certainly did. Evidently, it could even be said that it was a mistake to let this Field Spell stay for this long.
It wouldn't even be wrong to say that that one card, which had remained since the very beginning of the duel as the first card to have hit the field, had been the most impactful card of the duel.
In allowing Tron access to his repertoire of powerful Spell, and in essence his entire deck, along with hampering Yuto's own strategy which relies on his Traps, the card had given Tron a massive advantage throughout the duel.
But as he couldn't target Heraldry Crest to stop its effects, he would do the next best thing he could. "I will target my own Arc Rebellion!"
"What?!"
Dark blue fog began to surround the gigantic dragon, the monster letting out a growl as it was enveloped by Fog Blade's effect, negating its own effects.
Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Dark/Dragon/XYZ/Rank 5/EffectL 3000/2500 OV: 1
Then, right after the blue fog surrounded Arc Rebellion, an energy that could only be described as malicious rage enveloped the whole arena, the effects of Dante, the singular XYZ Monster whose effects remained untouched too became negated.
"You didn't get that Fog Blade to negate my effect." Tron narrowed his eye. "It was to make your own monster untargetable by attacks."
"It was just insurance. In case you somehow manage to make Genom-Heritage capable of using its effect again." Seeing how he had done it once with XYZ Revenge, he most likely could do so again.
"So you've made it so that you have more chance of surviving until next turn, with a monster in defense position and one that can't be attacked at all." Tron surmised.
And indeed, this was a last ditch effort that Yuto had thought up in a moment where Yuto was almost convinced of his defeat.
If he managed to survive this turn, and he somehow managed to summon another Break Sword with the cards he already set up in the graveyard and get rid of the Fog Blade that's affecting Arc Rebellion-
Then there was still a chance for him to win.
"Ah, you were close. Really you were." The masked duelist said, holding his face in his hand. "But not enough. Not even close. Your petty resistance can't face my rage in earnest fight like this."
Tron raised his hand, and along with it, a card that was in his hand. "Fate decided that you will not win this duel." He said evenly as he flipped the card and showed it.
The card was old, both genuinely, and in term of the game itself. Being one of the few cards released during the early years of the game that now ran worldwide.
"The Quick-Play Spell, Enemy Controller." The card was placed onto his unique duel blade, and its holographic projection shone.
"This card lets me either target a face-up monster on the field and change its battle position, or tribute a monster and target a monster you control and take control of it until the End Phase."
The air left his lungs, what strength Yuto tried to muster to stand disappeared into thin air as he saw the card.
"I originally planned on using its second effect you know? Tributing Patriarch, taking control of a monster for a turn and activating Patriarch's graveyard effect."
He laughed. Palm holding his forehead enclosed by his metal mask as he shook his head. "I never thought I'd use it like this instead."
A hand rose, finger pointed toward the other monster on Yuto's field. Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss.
"I will target Dante, and change his battle position into attack."
A simple effect. It wasn't anything complex like Genom-Heritage's ability to copy names and effect, or Patriarch's effect to destroy and prevent the summons of monsters with the same name.
But it was the effect that guaranteed Tron victory.
Dante shifted, from holding his blade defensively into a charging stance. Prepared to attack at any given moment.
"But its still not enough is it?" Tron muttered. "A bystander you maybe, unlucky though you are, you still stand here, an obstacle."
The devilish monster on his field screeched, emitting an aura of pure, unadulterated rage. Anger. Vitriol.
When he raised his head again, Tron's lone eye lost its soft, pitying luster, replaced with that same emotion mirrored by the monster it represented.
"I will activate Heraldry Crest's effect." He sad in monotone. "I can target other face-up XYZ Monster on the field and until the End Phase, this card's name becomes that monster's original name, and this card's effect is replaced with that monster's original effects."
"That's-!" Yuto gasped as he struggled to stand on one knee. "The same as Genom-Heritage!"
"I will target your Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon. Heraldic Crest." His hand outstretched, the monster complied with an outworldly screech.
A purple crest engraved itself onto Arc Rebellion's chest, one that began to emit sparks of energy, making the monster in question groan as its body became rigid.
The same crest and energy suffused the devilish monster on Tron's field, letting out a guttural screech as its effects were overwritten.
Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Light/Psychic/XZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2600/1400 OV: 2
"And I will use its effects." He spoke as he waved his hand to the side. "I will increase its attack by absorbing every other attack on the field!"
Another ear shattering screech, the monster absorbed one of the two overlay materials orbiting it, as it released a wave of purple lightning that struck the whole field.
Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Light/Psychic/XZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2600/1400 OV: 1
All monsters, both Yuto's and his opponents, let out pained shrieks as their attack points were absorbed, the sheer presence that Heraldry Crest released becoming more and more suffocating as it went on.
Arc Rebellion XYZ Dragon - Light/Psychic/XZ/Rank 4/Effect: 13200/1400 OV: 1
"13200..." An even higher attack points than what his Arc Rebellion had, given the additional presence on the field.
"End this! Heraldry Crest! Attack Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss!" Tron roared. "My anger! My rage! Engrave this into your heart!"
The monster roared alongside its summoner, launching itself towards the chosen target.
"GOD RAGE!"
And released a wave of pure destruction, annihilating the offending monster along with anything and everything around it. One of anger, of rage made manifest into a force that did nothing but destroy anything in its path.
Including himself.
"GHAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Yuto could do nothing but scream as the blast threw him off his feet, far, far from the spot that he had once been.
And he fell with a thud, skidding across the metal floor, with nary a thought as conciousness had left him from the shock of the attack.
Past it all, cutting through the eerie silence of the booming explosion of the attack, was an ever familiar chime of victory and loss.
Yuto: 0LP
"Lament. Rue this day. This was your misfortune." Tron muttered as the dome of light slowly dissipated around them.
"To stand against my rage. My vengeance. This anger, this rage of yours." His hand reached out, palm open to the empty air.
And gripped, taking on something that was ethereal, something that was not real nor physically present. His hand was brought closer to his face, a purple crest glowing at the back of his gloved hand.
"I will consume it. Subsume it into mine." And he opened his eye as the glow dimmed and disappeared, his head arched upwards, towards a corner of the room, concealed in solid holograms.
"I'm coming for you. Dr. Faker."