"I'll take the first turn!" Shinji roared. "Draw!"
The two D-Wheels rushed off the normal track and onto a massive flaming road suspended in the sky, neither willing to yield.
"Th-those two… they're flying?" Trudge said in shock.
Hikaru and Yusei, while riding, activated their D-Wheel broadcast function and began watching the Duel.
Honestly, the situation had developed beyond Hikaru's expectations. He never imagined Crow would also become a Dark Signer. From the looks of it, he might even be the Dark Signer chosen by the Ultimate Earthbound Immortal.
He needed to understand everything that had happened.
At this moment, the Duel had truly begun.
"I activate the effect of Battlewasp - Rapier the Onslaught from my hand! By discarding another Insect-Type monster from my hand, I place one Battlewasp Wind face-up on my field from my Deck! Then, Special Summon this card from my hand!"
"This turn, I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except Insect-Type monsters!"
"Come forth, Rapier the Onslaught!"
A jet-black mechanical bee appeared, carrying the Continuous Spell behind it.
Battlewasp - Rapier the Onslaught
"The effect of Continuous Spell Battlewasp Wind! Up to twice per turn, if a 'Battlewasp' monster is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add one 'Battlewasp' monster with lower ATK from my Deck to my hand!
Battlewasp - Rapier the Onslaught 1900 ATK, so I add Battlewasp - Arbalest the Rapidfire with 1800 ATK to my hand!"
"It's not over! I Normal Summon Battlewasp - Arbalest the Rapidfire!"
"Then I activate its effect! I Special Summon the Tuner monster I discarded earlier, Battlewasp – Pin the Bullseye!"
"Battlewasp - Wind activates again! I add another Pin the Bullseye from my Deck to my hand!"
From a single card, Shinji had instantly created a field full of monsters.
Countless mechanical bees hovered in formation, staring coldly at their opponent.
They resembled a suicide squad ready to die for their commander.
"He summoned that many monsters instantly?" Sector Security gasped.
"So strong… was he always this strong?" Trudge muttered.
"The effect of Battlewasp – Pin the Bullseye! During my Main Phase, it inflicts 200 damage for each copy on my field!"
The small bee flew forward and stabbed Crow.
Crow did not even react.
Crow LP 4000 → 3800
"I activate Battlewasp Wind's second effect! Once per turn, I can treat one Insect monster as a Tuner! I choose Pin the Bullseye!"
"I tune Level 1 Pin the Bullseye with Level 5 Rapier the Onslaught!"
"With wings that stir explosive winds, carve open the path of truth!"
"Synchro Summon!"
"Level 6! Battlewasp - Sachi the Ceremonial Bow."
A bee warrior holding a massive bow appeared, landing gracefully on the flaming road.
Battlewasp - Sachi the Ceremonial Bow- Level 6 | WIND | Insect
ATK 2400
"When Sachi is Synchro Summoned, it becomes a Tuner!"
"Now I activate its second effect! Once per turn, I can return one Continuous Spell Card from my field to my hand. This turn, during my Main Phase, I gain an additional Special Summon of one 'Battlewasp' monster, in addition to my Normal Summon!"
"I activate Battlewasp Wind again!"
Shinji's eyes burned with intensity. This was his true power.
"Activate Continuous Spell! Battlewasp Wind!"
"What?" Trudge gasped.
"That card is incredibly powerful," Serena said quietly. "He can search again…"
"Normal Summon Battlewasp – Pin the Bullseye!"
"I activate its effect! I add Arbalest the Rapidfire to my hand!"
"Battlewasp Wind activates again! I add another Pin the Bullseye!"
"Finally, I tune 2 Pin the Bullseye with Level 4 Arbalest the Rapidfire !"
"Synchro Summon!"
"Level 6! Battlewasp - Halberd the Charge!"
The massive bee warrior slammed its weapon into the blazing road.
Battlewasp - Halberd the Charge- Level 6 | WIND | Insect
ATK 2500
"Battlewasp Wind activates! I add Battlewasp - Rapier the Onslaught to my hand!"
The police watching were stunned.
With this back and forth, wouldn't he be able to perform the same combo again next turn?
Even more terrifying, next turn Shinji might be able to establish two Battlewasp Wind cards on the field through Rapier the Onslaught's effect!
"I Set one card and end my turn!"
Shinji placed the card down coldly and glanced sideways at Crow.
"Crow, show me how you Duel."
"I'll show you, Shinji."
"Draw!"
Serena watched the broadcast nervously.
Even though she did not fully understand Synchro Summoning, she could tell that Shinji's Deck was simple, direct, and extremely aggressive. His power flowed endlessly, one wave after another.
When she thought about Crow's previous Duels…
Crow looked at his hand and raised one card.
"If I control no monsters, I activate the effect of Blackwing - Simoon the Poison Wind. By banishing another Blackwing monster from my hand, I Set one Black Whirlwind directly from my Deck. Then, Simoon the Poison Wind is Special Summoned!"
"This turn, I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except DARK monsters!"
"Huh?"
"What!?"
The police and spectators gasped in unison.
Because this…
Was exactly the same.
If Black Whirlwind had the same effect as Battlewasp Wind…
Then this Duel…
"Normal Summon, Level 6, Simoon the Poison Wind!"
"Black Whirlwind activates! When a Blackwing monster is Normal Summoned, I add one Blackwing monster with lower ATK from my Deck to my hand!"
"It really is the same strategy?"
"Identical tactics…"
Serena stared in shock.
In this world, Duels were not just battles. They were rituals of spirit.
The stronger one's belief, the stronger their Deck.
Her master had proven that.
Using the same tactics, the same summoning methods, even similar monster names…
There was only one explanation.
These two Duelists had started from the exact same origin.
But…
Why had they ended up on opposite sides?
Same path, different choices.
A violent black whirlwind rose around Crow's D-Wheel.
"Based on Black Whirlwind's effect, I add Blackwing – Sudri the Phantom Glimmer, which has less than 1600 ATK, from my Deck to my hand. Then, I Normal Summon it!"
"At that moment, Sudri the Phantom Glimmer's effect and Black Whirlwind's effect activate!
Black Whirlwind's effect allows me to add one 'Blackwing' monster with less than 1400 ATK from my Deck to my hand.
Sudri the Phantom Glimmer's effect allows me to add one card that mentions 'Black-Winged Dragon' in its text from my Deck to my hand, except Sudri itself.
I add Blackwing – Shamal the Sandstorm, which mentions 'Black-Winged Dragon,' and Blackwing – Vata the Emblem of Wandering, which has less than 1400 ATK, to my hand."
"Next, I activate Shamal the Sandstorm's effect! By sending this card from my hand or field to the Graveyard, I place one Black Feather Whirlwind from my Deck face-up on my field!"
"Black Feather Whirlwind?" Shinji, who was Dueling Crow, couldn't help but ask when he heard the name. "What card is that?"
He and Crow were extremely familiar with each other's Decks. They often exchanged strategies, since both of their Duels revolved around continuously Special Summoning monsters and searching their Decks to perform repeated Synchro Summons.
But this card Crow used now was completely unfamiliar to him.
Crow glanced at him but did not answer.
This was power he had gained after being resurrected as a Dark Signer.
"If I control a 'Blackwing' monster other than Blackwing – Vata the Emblem of Wandering, I can Special Summon it!
Then, I activate its effect during my Main Phase!
I send this card and one or more non-Tuner 'Blackwing' monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard whose total Levels equal 8, and special Summon Black-Winged Dragon!"
Buzz
Yusei had already stopped his D-Wheel on the roadside, watching the two Duelists racing and Dueling through the sky, his brows tightly furrowed.
"A Deck… Synchro Summon?"
"This is the first time I've ever seen Synchro Summoning directly from the Deck," Trudge said in shock.
Even the nobles of the Upper District probably didn't possess cards of this level.
Screech
On the other side, Hikaru braked sharply, pulled his D-Wheel to the side of the road, jumped off, and strode straight toward Serena.
"Ahhh..Master!"
Serena, who had been focused on the Duel, suddenly felt herself grabbed by the back of her collar and lifted up like a piglet. She struggled briefly, but after seeing it was Hikaru, she immediately shrank back timidly.
Seeing this, Trudge realized they knew each other and did not interfere.
"Serena!!" Hikaru shouted, still holding her. "Do you have any idea how worried I was about you!?"
"I'm sorry… Master…" Serena curled up in embarrassment.
"Tell me everything that happened."
Hikaru took two deep breaths, glanced at the Duel unfolding in midair, then forced himself to calm down.
"I'll deal with you later."
"Yes, sir!"
Serena instinctively gave a Fusion Army salute.
"Don't do that here! Speak normally!"
"Yes, sir!!"
Serena stiffened.
Meanwhile, Crow had already completed his play.
He sent two monsters from his Deck and Blackwing – Vata the Emblem of Wandering from his field to the Graveyard.
A massive black dragon descended onto the field.
Black-Winged Dragon-Level 8-DARK-Dragon-ATK 2800
"I activate the effect of Black Feather Whirlwind!
Once per turn, when I Special Summon a DARK Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck, I can target one monster in my Graveyard with lower ATK and Special Summon it!
Come back, Blackwing – Shamal the Sandstorm!"
The Level 4 Tuner reappeared instantly.
"This guy filled his field in an instant…"
"These two are terrifying…"
"They've mastered Synchro Summoning…"
Hikaru frowned as he watched.
The Blackwing Deck truly lived up to its reputation as a former championship-level Deck. Its ability to extend plays was overwhelming.
"I tune Level 4 Blackwing – Shamal the Sandstorm with Level 6 Blackwing – Simoon the Poison Wind!"
"Black whirlwind, drive the wings of the sky!"
"Fully armored warrior, descend upon the battlefield!"
"Synchro Summon!"
"Level 10- Blackwing Full Armor Master!"
Click.
A black-armored winged warrior appeared silently, loading a weapon before resting a massive blade on his shoulder, staring at his opponent with cold indifference.
Blackwing Full Armor Master-Level 10-DARK-Winged Beast-ATK 3000- DEF 3000
"3000 ATK…!"
"Same as Red Dragon Archfiend!"
"But the pressure is completely different."
"I activate Shamal the Sandstorm's effect in the Graveyard!
If I control a Blackwing Synchro Monster, I can banish this card and add one Blackwing monster from my Graveyard to my hand!"
"I add, Blackwing – Simoon the Poison Wind to my hand!"
"He even recovered the card that can place Black Whirlwind…"
"With this effect, I would take 700 points of damage. However, Black-Winged Dragon's effect activates! If I would take effect damage, I place one Black Feather Counter on this card instead, and I take no damage!
For each Black Feather Counter on Black-Winged Dragon, its ATK decreases by 700!"
Black-Winged Dragon
ATK: 2800 → 2100
"Next, I activate the effect of Blackwing – Zephyros the Elite in my Graveyard! I return one face-up card on my field to my hand to Special Summon this card, and I take 400 damage! I return Black Whirlwind to my hand!"
Black-Winged Dragon
ATK: 2100 → 1400
"Now I activate Black-Winged Dragon's effect! I remove all Black Feather Counters on it and target one monster on your field! That monster loses 700 ATK for each counter removed, and you take damage equal to that amount!"
Crow pointed forward.
"I choose Battlewasp – Sachi the Ceremonial Bow! Its ATK decreases by 1400, and you take 1400 damage!"
Black-Winged Dragon spread its crimson-glowing wings, releasing a rain of dark feathers that struck the mechanical bee warrior.
Shinji's LP: 4000 → 2600
Battlewasp – Sachi the Ceremonial Bow
ATK: 2400 → 1000
"These two… not only are their Synchro strategies similar, they're even damaging themselves to activate their effects…"
"Why are their Duels so alike?"
Trudge calculated quickly.
"If those attacks go through… Shinji will lose!"
"Battle! Blackwing Full Armor Master, attack!"
Shinji roared.
"In your dreams!!!"
"Open my face-down card! Trap Card, Urgent Tuning!"
"During the Battle Phase, I Synchro Summon!"
"I tune Level 6 Tuner Battlewasp – Sachi the Ceremonial Bow with Level 6 Battlewasp – Halberd the Charge!"
"Membranous wings and stingers, carve the path to truth!
Become the ultimate weapon of resistance!"
"Synchro Summon!
Level 12!
Battlewasp – Ballista the Armageddon!"
A colossal mechanical bee appeared, its massive ballista stinger aimed directly at Crow.
Battlewasp – Ballista the Armageddon - Level 12 - ATK 3000
"When Ballista the Armageddon is Synchro Summoned, I banish all Insect monsters in my Graveyard!
Then, all monsters on your field lose 500 ATK and DEF for each monster banished!"
"I banished 6 monsters!
All your monsters lose 3000 ATK and DEF!"
Black-Winged Dragon
ATK: 2800 → 0
Blackwing – Shamal the Sandstorm
DEF: 1400 → 0
Blackwing – Zephyros the Elite
ATK: 1600 → 0
"However," Crow said calmly, "Blackwing Full Armor Master is unaffected by other card effects."
Shinji clicked his tongue.
"Tch… but now its ATK is equal!"
Crow continued calmly.
"Full Armor Master's effect activates! Each time your monster activates its effect, it gains a Wedge Counter!"
Full Armor Master fired its weapon, marking Ballista the Armageddon.
"You planned to use its destruction effect to revive your banished monsters and continue Synchro Summoning next turn… didn't you?"
Shinji remained silent.
That strategy…
They had created it together.
Once.
For the sake of protecting the Lower District.
But now they stood on opposite sides.
"Full Armor Master's third effect!
I take control of your monster with a Wedge Counter!"
Ballista the Armageddon was forcibly dragged to Crow's side.
"And now… I activate the effect of Blackwing – Sudri the Phantom Glimmer!
I Tribute one monster and Special Summon a Phantom Glimmer Token!
Then, I would take 700 damage!"
Phantom Glimmer Token - Level 2 - DEF 700
Black-Winged Dragon
Black Feather Counter: 0 → 1
Ballista the Armageddon disintegrated.
Shinji's field became empty.
"Crow!!!"
"Shinji!!!"
Shinji roared.
"To defeat the Upper District, we must eliminate every enemy by any means necessary!"
Crow shouted back.
"No! Protecting everyone, and making sure no one gets hurt, that's what's right!"
Their D-Wheels collided violently again.
They had already walked toward two completely opposite extremes.
...
Any mismatched names?