Chapter 862: If It Can't Hit, It's Meaningless
"Using (Machine Duplication) to Summon copies of a monster with the same name, two (Proto-Cyber Dragon) with 1100 ATK?"
"1100 ATK, aren't all monsters with ATK below 1500 just Fodder Monsters?"
Syrus looked on unconcerned as two Phantoms split from beside the (Proto-Cyber Dragon) on Zane Truesdale's Field and quickly solidified. But what appeared before his eyes was not the two (Proto-Cyber Dragon) with 1100 ATK that he expected; instead, two majestic (Cyber Dragon) appeared!?
(Cyber Dragon) [ATK 2100] x2
"Because of (Proto-Cyber Dragon)'s Own Effect, its card name on the Field is not (Proto-Cyber Dragon) but (Cyber Dragon). Therefore, the two monsters I Special Summoned from my Deck are two (Cyber Dragon)."
Hearing Zane Truesdale's words, a drop of cold sweat couldn't help but run down Syrus's forehead. Two (Proto-Cyber Dragon) with 1100 ATK were indeed just Fodder Monsters, but two (Cyber Dragon) with 2100 ATK was a different matter entirely. Relying on the Monsters on his Field, if he wasn't careful, he might be One-Turn-Killed this turn.
The presence of (Megaroid City) and (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base) was his last source of confidence. Swallowing hard, Syrus said, "If it's just this much, I can withstand it."
"The ability of (Megaroid City) to swap ATK and DEF? That ability indeed brought out the power of (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base), which has extremely unbalanced ATK and DEF." Zane Truesdale took a Card from his Hand, and under Syrus's startled gaze, he actually activated the Field Spell Zone on his Duel Disk.
"But blindly relying on external forces without true inherent power of your own, that will simply not do."
"I Activate the Field Spell Card, 'Fusion Gate'!"
As Zane Truesdale placed the Field Spell Card 'Fusion Gate' from his Hand onto the Field Zone, Syrus's Duel Disk, sensing this action, automatically opened its Field Spell Zone, causing the (Megaroid City) Card that Syrus had previously activated to be forcibly ejected.
It's important to note that under the current Duel Monsters Rules, only one Field Spell Card is allowed to exist, and with the exception of rare cases like (The Seal of Orichalcos), a Field Spell Card activated first will be overwritten by a subsequently activated Field Spell Card, then destroyed and sent to the Graveyard.
This also means that Syrus's (Megaroid City), which could reverse the ATK and DEF of his (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base), was thus easily Destroyed, leaving him with only two Monsters on his Field whose combined ATK was less than 500, to face the Monsters on Zane Truesdale's Field!
What's worse is the Effect of the Card Zane Truesdale activated—
"The Effect of the Field Spell Card 'Fusion Gate' allows the Turn Player, as long as this Card remains on the Field, to Banish the Fusion Material Monsters specified for a Fusion Monster from their Hand or Field from the Game, and Special Summon that Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck as a Fusion Summon."
The ground beneath their feet transformed from (Megaroid City)'s overpass into Chaos. Zane Truesdale, standing on it, said while extending three fingers, "And on my Field, three (Cyber Dragon) have already gathered! At this very moment, I will display the brilliance and Ultimate Secret Technique of the 'Cyber Style'!"
"Banish the (Proto-Cyber Dragon), which is treated as (Cyber Dragon) on the Field, along with the other two (Cyber Dragon) from my Field. Don't blink, Fusion Summon!!"
Under the Effect of 'Fusion Gate', the bodies of the Monsters on Zane Truesdale's Field became illusory and transparent, transforming into specks of light that seemed ready to vanish at any moment, and converged towards one point.
Within the gathered brilliance, a Machine-Type Dragon with three heads suddenly spread its wings, its eyes glowing with light! Amidst Zane Truesdale's call, it descended with a thunderous roar!
"(Cyber End Dragon)!!!"
(Cyber End Dragon) [Level 10/LIGHT Attribute]
[Machine-Type/Fusion/Effect Monster]
[4000/2800]
"It's here, the proof of 'Cyber Style' Graduation—(Cyber End Dragon)!" "Its ATK is 1000 points higher than the legendary (Blue-Eyes White Dragon)! So strong!" "I'm hyped!"
Seeing Zane Truesdale Summon (Cyber End Dragon), even Zane Truesdale himself wasn't as excited as the 'Cyber Style' Apprentices watching. After all, most of them who came for the training trip were just Apprentices similar to Syrus, and even those who had joined and acquired (Cyber Dragon) were a minority among minorities, while (Cyber End Dragon) was the long-desired Ultimate Secret Technique of the 'Cyber Style'.
"4000 ATK, it's practically a Monster!" Syrus looked at the majestic (Cyber End Dragon), feeling his legs tremble, intimidated by the Aura of this steel Dragon before him.
Although (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base) could indeed reach an ATK of 5000 under the power of (Megaroid City), that was merely temporary, existing due to external forces, and only had the power for a single attack, far from being as powerful as (Cyber End Dragon), which naturally possesses 4000 ATK.
(Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base) with 0 ATK and (Cyber End Dragon) with 4000 ATK, it was like comparing his untalented self to his genius Atticus Rhodes. He couldn't win; such a gap was simply...
In Syrus's Heart, a feeling of 'Despair' arose, and a Card in his Hand subtly released an imperceptible Darkness, silently.
Looking at Zane Truesdale across from him, for some reason, Syrus still spoke up: "But no matter how high its ATK is, if it can't hit, it's meaningless. Although my (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base) on the Field, in Attack Position, has an ATK of 0 after being separated from the Field Spell Card."
"But the Effect of my other Monster—(Decoyroid)—is that as long as this Card exists Face-up Position on my Field, the Opponent cannot Target a Face-up Position Monster other than (Decoyroid) as an Attack Target, which means the only Monster you can Attack is (Decoyroid) in Defense Position!"
Hearing Syrus's words, Zane Truesdale's gaze towards his younger brother showed a bit more disappointment. Not only had he not practiced diligently, he hadn't even studied the most basic lessons. Even though the Ultimate Secret Technique of the 'Cyber Style' was only to be obtained after Graduation, it wasn't kept secret from disciples before then.
And it wasn't just 'Cyber Style' disciples; it's important to know that the deepest impression the 'Cyber Style' gave people outside, that 'Aggressive Play' label, came from (Cyber End Dragon). Even people who weren't 'Cyber Style' Apprentices knew (Cyber End Dragon)'s Effect.
"If I recall correctly, the Effect of (Cyber End Dragon) is that Piercing Defense Effect that perfectly suits Aggro Decks, isn't it?" Even Tristan Taylor, a beginner, could state (Cyber End Dragon)'s Effect. "When it Attacks a Defense Position Monster, it inflicts Battle Damage equal to the excess of its ATK over that monster's DEF. 4000 ATK combined with this Effect is too strong."
"(Cyber End Dragon) is the Fusion of the power of three (Cyber Dragon)s. The Fusion between two Monsters can already awaken great power, let alone three Monsters. How could three powerful Monsters Fuse and turn into a Vanilla Monster with no Effect?" Taking advantage of Kaiba's absence, Joey, who was watching, also took the opportunity to 'diss' his three-in-one Vanilla Fusion Monster, (Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon).
Hearing the voices of others, Syrus's face also showed a startled expression, but Zane Truesdale didn't give him time to adjust his mindset, but waved his hand and said: "Then, Enter Battle Phase! Use (Cyber End Dragon) to Attack!"
"Eternal Evolution Burst!"
After Zane Truesdale declared the Battle Phase, Syrus's (Decoyroid) on the Field immediately blocked in front of (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base), which was in 0 ATK position, attempting to receive (Cyber End Dragon)'s Attack in Defense Position.
However, under the triple beam attack, in just an instant, (Decoyroid), with no card support, was instantly Destroyed by (Cyber End Dragon). At the same time, Damage exceeding its Defense Stats also fell upon Syrus!
(Decoyroid) [DEF 500]
"UWOOOAAH!"
[Syrus: 4000 → 500 Life Points]
A powerful impact struck Syrus; even though this Duel was not a Darkness Game, it brought him immense pain, making the ten-year-old boy uncontrollably howl, his face twisted in a grimace of pain.
Zane Truesdale was also very surprised to see this. The Duel Disks they wore were toned-down versions for teenagers and shouldn't have caused such great pain, but why was Syrus making that kind of face?
Meanwhile, off the Field, Pegasus rubbed his eyes. For a moment, he seemed to have an illusion, seeing a trace of Darkness on Syrus?
"Hah," Syrus gasped, barely recovered from (Cyber End Dragon)'s Attack. After sending (Decoyroid) to the Graveyard, he looked at Zane Truesdale, saying, "My Life Points are still 500! It's not over yet! (Cyber End Dragon) shouldn't have the ability to attack consecutively, right? I survived!"
After Zane Truesdale glanced at the two Cards remaining in his Hand, he Set one of them, Declaring: "Next Turn will be the final Turn, Syrus. During Main Phase 2, I Set one Card from my Hand. End Turn."
[Zane Truesdale: 4000 LP, Hand 1]
(Cyber End Dragon) [ATK 4000]
(Time Capsule) [Set Card] x2
Field: 'Fusion Gate'
Joey looked somewhat puzzled and couldn't help but ask Chumley: "Speaking of which, when that kid Zane Truesdale was using 'Fusion Gate' just now, why didn't he use the (Cyber Twin Dragon) that he used when he dueled you, Chumley, before? A Monster with 2800 ATK that can attack twice, plus he could have left one (Cyber Dragon) on the Field, wouldn't that have ended the Duel this turn?"
"Well," Chumley said casually, "I think one reason is the kid's own ideas: 'respecting the Duel' means enjoying the Duel. Compared to mere victory or defeat, whether a shining brilliance can burst forth in the Duel is the key." He then gave an example: "For example, let's say you Draw a 'God Card' in your Hand, you have three Monsters on the Field, and you can also control a God."
"Who could refuse to play a (Obelisk the Tormentor) and let the Opponent have a blast?"
That being said, Chumley frowned deeply when he looked at Syrus. Even being able to see Duel Monster spirits didn't mean one was sensitive to the presence of Dark Magical Energy. Joey didn't notice, but whether it was Chumley, Atem, Pegasus, or Marik, they all somewhat noticed something was wrong with Syrus.
Even Bakura, because he had been possessed and controlled by Zorc for a long time, also seemed to see the Darkness gradually emerging from Syrus.
"Since just now, something has been strange. What exactly is on that kid's body..."
Bakura hadn't finished speaking when he heard Syrus, whose head was lowered, place his finger on his Deck and slowly say: "You were just born a little earlier than me. Why? Why don't I have talent like yours."
"Syrus?" Zane Truesdale was startled and softly called his younger brother's name. But Syrus didn't answer; instead, he Drew a Card from his Deck: "My Turn, Draw!"
"Zane Truesdale, Syrus, you are brothers, but you, who are two years older than me, are always the focus of others' attention, shining brightly like your name. In every aspect, I am suppressed in a corner by you, simply unable to surpass you..."
Muttering to himself, Syrus raised his hand and said: "Activate (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base)'s Effect, Targeting (Cyber End Dragon) on the Opponent's Field, Special Summon one (Roid) with ATK lower than 4000 from my Extra Deck. I Special Summon (Super Vehicleroid - Stealth Union) with 3600 ATK."
Beside (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base), a pile of personified "vehicles" appeared, from freight trucks, high-speed trains, to drill vehicles and stealth fighters. These four types of vehicles combined in a way that would make the Brave King next door to sue for plagiarism, and became a giant combined robot.
(Super Vehicleroid - Stealth Union) [Level 9/Earth Attribute]
[Machine-Type/Fusion/Effect Monster]
[3600/3000]
"Next is this Card, (Monster Reborn). I Special Summon (Decoyroid) from my Graveyard. And because its ATK is 300, Chain its Special Summon, I then Activate 'Inferno Reckless Summon' from my Hand."
Syrus Played two more Cards, and on his Field, the toy car that was just Destroyed reappeared.
"'Inferno Reckless Summon' can only be Activated when there is a Face-up Position Monster on the Opponent's Field, and only one Monster with 1500 ATK or less is Special Summoned to my Field. It allows me to Special Summon as many Cards with the same name as (Decoyroid) from my Deck as possible, and the Opponent Duelist can also Special Summon as many Cards with the same name as one Face-up Position Monster on their Field from their Deck as possible."
As he spoke, Syrus took two Cards from his Deck and placed them on his Duel Disk. As for Zane Truesdale, since he only had one (Cyber End Dragon) on his Field, he didn't Summon any other Monsters.
Author's Note: Those who follow Yu-Gi-Oh should remember a Card, the Fusion Monster (UFOroid Fighter), which is (Elemental HERO Tempest) riding on (UFOroid). In the Anime, it was key to Jaden and Syrus working together to defeat the Labyrinth Brothers, and can be considered a symbol of their Bonds.
Author's Note: However, this Monster's Effect is an utterly useless one: "This card's original ATK/DEF becomes the combined original ATK of the 2 Fusion Material Monsters." It's even less useful than Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts. Such a useless Effect is practically a prophecy that Syrus and Jaden's Bonds in the future will be as good as nonexistent.
(end of chapter)