Gravity lockdown!
A massive black energy sphere appeared overhead, crackling with lightning. A powerful gravitational wave blanketed the field. Giant Rat, charging in, was crushed to the ground mid-sprint, screeching as it struggled to move.
"Level 4 and below, bound by gravity?" Kira looked intrigued. "Interesting."
Naturally, this anime card card brings to mind the once-notorious "Lockdown" card: Gravity Bind.
Gravity Bind stops Level 4 and higher from attacking, whereas this card hits Level 4 and below. As everyone knows in rulings, "4 or higher" and "4 or lower" both include Level 4, so theoretically, if both cards are on the field, no monster of any Level can attack.
"Feeling fear already?" Guardian Baouu sneered. "This is just the tip of the iceberg."
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it," Kira smiled.
He meant it. He hoped these Supreme King lieutenants would pull out more anime cards—who knows what new hijinks they might inspire.
"I set a card. Turn end."
"My turn, draw!" Guardian Baouu said. "During my Standby Phase, if 'Fiend Slime Mold' is on my field in Attack Position, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon another 'Fiend Slime Mold' from my Deck!"
[Guardian Baouu, LP 4000 → 3500]
"I pay 500 LP to divide the slime!"
The purple goop split into two nearly identical halves.
[Fiend Slime Mold, ATK 500]
"This effect isn't once per turn. As long as I have LP left and more Slime Molds in the Deck, I can activate it repeatedly during the Standby Phase."
Baou barked, "Again! I pay 500 LP to Special Summon another 'Fiend Slime Mold'!"
[Guardian Baouu, LP 3500 → 3000]
"And here's the maintenance cost of 'Gravity Gain.' During my Standby Phase, I must Tribute one of my monsters.
If I don't, this card is destroyed."
He pointed at his three slimes.
"I Tribute one 'Fiend Slime Mold' to maintain the Gravity Gain!"
The freshly called slime collapsed into a puddle and dissolved, its released energy feeding the Continuous Trap.
Kira let out a quiet "oh," frowning slightly.
A Tribute every turn to maintain it, huh…
For that cost, only stopping Level 4 and lower from attacking is… kind of mid.
Kira gave him a look of mild disappointment.
Couldn't you bring something stronger?
"Then I Tribute another 'Fiend Slime Mold' to Tribute Summon!" Baou clenched his fist. "Appear—
—Level 6, Twinheaded Beast!"
A half-man, half-beast body wreathed in hellish flames, with a lion-like head engulfed in fire.
[Twinheaded Beast, ATK 1700]
Kira's frown lingered.
That one's from Baou's anime lineup too, but it's printed—nothing special.
"Spell Card 'Double Summon.' This turn I can Tribute Summon again," Baou said. "So I Tribute the last 'Fiend Slime Mold' to Tribute Summon!
Level 6, Archfiend Giant!!!"
A great darkness blotted out the sky. A crimson-eyed demon in black armor loomed like a sinister mountain.
[Archfiend Giant, ATK 2400]
"Feel the power of a member of the Duelists of Death!
Archfiend Giant, attack 'Giant Rat'!"
The massive demon thrust out its hand. Its bulk made the motion seem ponderous, yet that palm's shadow fell like Mount Everest, smothering every avenue of escape. Under its oppressive might, the rat could only tremble, even the thought of dodging snuffed out.
[Kira, LP 4000 → 3000]
"Giant Rat's effect activates," Kira said. "When destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, I can Special Summon a EARTH monster with 1500 or less ATK from my Deck in Attack Position."
He paused and revealed the card the Deck offered up.
"Giant Rat itself is EARTH with 1500 or less ATK.
So I Special Summon a second Giant Rat."
[Giant Rat, ATK 1400]
"My attacks aren't over!" Baou said. "Twinheaded Beast, attack Giant Rat!"
The left lion head slammed its palm through the air; a fireball erupted and struck home, igniting the rat. It burned into a fireball and crumbled to ash.
[Kira, LP 3000 → 2700]
"Then the second Giant Rat's effect," Kira said. "I Special Summon a third 'Giant Rat' from my Deck."
[Giant Rat, ATK 1400]
With the remains of its two brothers still smoldering, the third rat spawned, immediately crouched and covered its head, rump stuck up, as if saying, "If you're gonna do it, do it quick."
"Twinheaded Beast's effect—this monster can attack twice each Battle Phase," Baou barked. "And you're out of Giant Rats in your Deck.
Twinheaded Beast, continue! Pulverize it!"
The right lion head mirrored the strike, blasting the third rat into another ball of flame that soon turned to ash.
[Kira, LP 2700 → 2400]
"But the last Giant Rat still triggers. I Special Summon a EARTH monster with 1500 or less ATK…"
Kira drew out the searched card.
"I Special Summon 'Stone Statue of the Aztecs.'"
A green boulder crashed down onto Kira's field with a dull thud. The statue had a puckered mouth and held up both palms in a very "don't do that" gesture.
[Stone Statue of the Aztecs, ATK 300]
"More and more nonsensical," Baou scoffed. "Whatever. As long as 'Gravity Gain' is up, Level 4 and under can't attack.
I don't know how it is in your dimension, but here only the strong survive. Trash should live like trash!"
He tossed down another card with a flourish.
"I set one in the back row. Turn end!"
...
2 Bonus chapters at 500 PS