Edit

I made changes to the effects of a certain Ritual Monster that debuted in this chapter so that it would flow better and to make it more powerful. Just to let people know.

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to neostardustdragon101, suppes1, ZarcEternal, Jason, doa570047, RoyalTwinFangs, Dinomain, HunterHQ, star eyes pendulum dragon, savagemaster1999, yuman28, snowman1989, guiltyr2, rgriffin8999, darthwolf, D3lph0xL0v3r, Ethan Kironus, Dimension Se7en, SakushiRyu, empourer, Yugifan101, Nirvash Neo, LazinessRules, the dragoon of END, CrazedGammaMan1721, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 22.

darthwolf: I agree with the alignments, except for Yugo. I'd say he's Chaotic Good.

Ethan Kironus: Ancient Gear Scrap Fusion was only used in one episode – Episode 109 – where the Obelisk Force used it to fuse monsters from his teammates' Graveyards. So yes, there is precedent for it.

Okay, on to Chapter 23!

Chapter 23: Fusion Rebellion

It was night at Academia, and all was quiet across the secluded island. Or rather, it was supposed to be, and for most of the island, it was. But there was a commotion at the docks. A commotion that had become increasingly common over the last month.

"Stop him! Don't let him escape!"

A teen in a black jacket leapt over a low wall, his brown shoes hitting the pavement as he raced towards the boats.

"Don't let him steal one!"

The teen stopped in his tracks and then leapt to the side, avoiding a burst of flames. He spun around and looked at the yellow- and red-jacketed duelists surrounding him. Several of them had summoned Ancient Gear Hunting Hounds, while others had Double and Triple Ancient Gear Hunting Hounds.

"There's no escape, traitor!"

The teen smirked. "Really? Let's test that!" He activated his black Duel Disk's red sword-shaped blade and played a card.

"ROAR!"

His opponents all gasped and took a step back as a massive red and black dragon with silver blades and drills covering its body appeared behind him and roared.

"Go! Genocide Cutter!" The dragon roared again as the blades on its stomach glowed and started rotating. Disks of energy shot out towards the monsters. The duelists all cried out in shock and pain as their monsters were destroyed and they were sent flying from the resulting explosions.

"Argh," one of the leaders groaned as he picked himself up. He looked up and saw smoke covering the area. When it faded, he gasped. One of the speedboats was gone. And off in the distance, a trail of foam was heading towards the mainland.

He grit his teeth. "Damn it. Not another one."

Leo Akaba slouched on his throne as he observed the cards falling into ARC-V. Everything is proceeding as planned, he thought. The Heartland occupation group had encountered a few problems, mostly thanks to that rampaging Resistance duelist, but events were on schedule. And thanks to Yuri, he had two of Ray's counterparts.

No, three, he thought with a small smile. Yuri had returned not thirty minutes ago, carrying a redheaded girl over one shoulder. The boy had been unusually happy when he returned. Upon Leo's questioning, he revealed the girl in question was named Hanako Zaizen, and she knew not only Link Summoning, but also Ritual Summoning and Xyz Summoning. And evidently, she had managed to give Yuri one of the best duels of his life.

Leo had to admit, that confession had surprised him. While Ray had been an excellent duelist in life, far better than him certainly, she had never been Zarc's equal in skill. The Demon Duelist had truly been unrivaled in that regard. No, it had only been the power of the Natural Energy Cards that had allowed her to defeat him.

But what intrigued Leo the most about Hanako Zaizen wasn't her dueling skills; it was the fact of her existence, and her avatar in LINK VRAINS. There had been four Natural Energy Cards, and Leo had seen his daughter split into four. There was absolutely no reason for this girl to exist in the first place, and yet she did. She, and by extension the entire Link Dimension, was an anomaly, something that shouldn't be and yet was. Leo hated mysteries and loose ends. At this stage in the Arc Area Project, he couldn't afford to be blindsided. Then there was her Nature Queen persona. Age aside, it was the spitting image of Ray. Did Hanako Zaizen have his daughter's memories? Or were they buried somewhere in her subconscious?

His thoughts were rudely interrupted by an alert. Leo sighed and pressed a button on his throne. "What is it?"

"Sir!" A screen popped up, showing a frazzled operator. "I have bad news; a defector has stolen one of our speedboats and is making their way to the mainland!"

Leo sighed again. Another defection? This was getting ridiculous. He understood why these defections occurred; in fact, he shared their moral repugnance of what had been done to Heartland, at least to a degree. Unlike the defectors however, he understood and accepted the necessity of such actions. These people were simply cowards who couldn't live with their actions and thought leaving and opposing Academia would help them atone. Leo sympathized with their concerns, but not enough to stop. If anything, the defectors just made things worse for everyone.

If only more of my people were like Barrett, he thought. The man taking Serena to Standard aside, he was an honorable soldier who understood the necessity of war but took no pleasure in the act itself. Leo would happily trade people like Yuri and Abelard for more Barretts, though with the formers' skill levels. It was why Asuka Tenjoin's defection in particular had hit hard; the girl was talented but willing to do what needed to be done. At least Leo had assumed as such.

"Who was it?" Leo asked absentmindedly. If it was one of the weaker classes, then it would be no loss, but if it was one of the upper classes…

"It… was Manjome, sir."

Leo froze. "…Manjome?"

"Y-Yes, sir."

Leo's eyes narrowed. Well… that changed things. It had been bad enough when Asuka left, but for another Honor Student to do so…

"Dispatch the Capture Squad," he ordered.

"The Capture Squad, sir?"

"The Juvenile Officers have failed to capture Tenjoin, and they aren't equipped to handle someone of Manjome's rank," Leo explained. "The Capture Squad is. Send them into the City. Their orders are to bring Manjome in alive. Anyone who attempts to stop them is to be arrested, and anyone who tries to duel them is to be carded."

"Understood, sir. But… Mr. Rabb has issued a request that he be the one to apprehend Manjome."

Leo rolled his eyes. Of course he was. Rabb had held a grudge against Manjome ever since losing to him in the last interclass competition. That loss had been through no fault of Rabb's though; Manjome was just that much stronger.

"Send Rabb with them," Leo ordered. "He's the closest ranked Honor Student after Manjome and he knows his Deck well. Perhaps he'll have a better chance against him."

Leo doubted it though; Manjome had earned his place as one of the strongest Honor Students through his Deck's unpredictability and his mastery of it. Still, Rabb might get lucky. He was smart and knew not to underestimate Manjome, a mistake the Juvenile Officers would likely make. And even if Rabb failed, there was still the Capture Squad to pick up the pieces.

"Understood, sir. They'll be on the way within the hour."

Leo ended the call and returned his attention to ARC-V. Sometimes I miss the everyday dullness of corporate politics, he thought. Things were so much simpler when he ran the Leo Corporation. Still, he had to persevere; this was all for Ray's sake after all.

"Hey, did you hear?"

"About the defection?"

"Yeah, that's the fifth one this week."

"Ugh. Why do we have to do this? This is getting out of hand. We don't have the manpower to hunt all these kids down."

"That's the thing. Apparently, we're getting reinforcements. The Professor's sending in the Capture Squad."

"The Capture Squad? Really? Who defected, the Kaiser?"

"No, some Honor Student. Manjome, I think?"

"Still, for the Professor to send the Capture Squad… We better up our game if we want to keep our jobs."

"No joke. These defectors just keep coming. And those rebels just keep getting in our way."

One of those aforementioned rebels smirked to himself, concealed in an alleyway as he eavesdropped on the two Juvenile Officers' conversation.

Ryoken had thought to just challenge them, but once they started talking, he decided to listen in. And he was glad he did. The teen turned and headed for a nearby fire escape, quickly clambering up to the rooftops. Once he reached the top, he leapt across to another building, putting distance between himself and the officers.

He had to admit, the Fusion Dimension wasn't like he was expecting. There was a huge focus on Academia and its "righteous" mission, but most people just went about their ordinary lives. Aside from the Juvenile Officers, the place was like a lower tech version of Den City. With canals. And cobblestones.

Ryoken raised his Duel Disk and pressed the call button. After a few rings, the person on the other end picked up. "Tenjoin, it's me."

"Kogami. What is it?"

Ryoken smirked at her tone. Ah, she still didn't like him. That was fine with him; he didn't need her to like him, he just needed her to work with him.

He himself had nothing against Asuka. She was driven, skilled, and knew right from wrong. When she was confronted with Academia's actions, she chose action and defected instead of inaction and staying. There was nothing there for him to dislike. In fact, he could say he honestly respected the girl, and if nothing else, he hoped that feeling was mutual.

No, the reason she disliked him was because of differing beliefs. She was on board about dueling being a tool of protection, enjoyment, and healing. She fully believed in the teachings of Yusho Sakaki and how they could make the world better. Ryoken's pragmatic views on dueling and his complete indifference to the idea of Entertainment Dueling were just too separate from her own views for her to accept him.

Ironically, her teacher didn't share in her dislike. Yusho, after a brief introduction to Entertainment Dueling, hadn't bothered trying to change Ryoken's view or convince him of the virtues of his school. If anything, he seemed to enjoy talking to someone who challenged his worldview.

Then again, perhaps Asuka's dislike of him was less about their disagreements, and more her knowledge of how ruthless he could be. Ryoken took no issue with that. If Academia was willing to resort to dirty tactics to win, then so would he. Honor had no place in the field. All that mattered was fulfilling your goal. Or perhaps she was worried he would betray them if it meant fulfilling that goal.

He would, but only if he was certain it was worthwhile. Until then, they were on the same side.

"I overheard two of the Juvenile Officers," Ryoken informed her. "They mentioned another defection."

"Really?" Asuka's voice gained a noticeable interest. "Did they say who?"

"An Honor Student. Named Manjome."

"Ma-Manjome?! You're certain?"

"That's the name I heard. Who is Manjome?"

It took a few seconds for Asuka to answer. "Jun Manjome is the second highest ranked Honor Student in Academia. The only students with higher ranks than him are Yuri, the highest ranked Honor Student, and the Kaiser, who's technically an alumnus."

"You knew him?" Ryoken remembered that Asuka used to be an Honor Student.

"I did. He was famous for how varied his Deck was and how skilled he was at taking advantage of that variability. In fact, he was in the running for the position of the Commander of the Xyz Occupation Forces. I heard that the reason he wasn't chosen was because of family issues or something."

Ryoken frowned. "Do you know why he would defect?"

"Hmm. I can't say for certain. Manjome was always very proud. Perhaps he felt insulted in some way?"

A possibility. But either way, this was an opportunity. "What are the chances you could convince Manjome to join us?"

"Hmm. We were friends when I was with Academia, so it is worth a shot. Did you hear anything else?"

"Yes. They mentioned a group called the Capture Squad."

"The Capture Squad?!" Asuka gasped. "They're sending them?! Then again, if Manjome did defect, they'd have the best chance of bringing him in."

"I'm guessing they're an elite part of the Juvenile Officers?"

"Technically yes, but they take their orders directly from the Professor. They're sent after high-priority targets."

"Like Honor Students?"

"Yes. I had to evade them myself when I left. They're much stronger than the Juvenile Officers."

Stronger huh? Well, Ryoken wasn't concerned. Still, it would be best to have backup. "I'll try and find Manjome. Meet me at the docks."

"Sure. I'll bring Sho with me."

That was fine; Ryoken hadn't had much interaction with the blue-haired boy, but he'd seen him duel at You Show Duel School enough times to know the boy was both patient and talented. Particularly since his Deck was much slower than the ones Ryoken was used to back home.

"Good to know. I'll see you there."

Ryoken ended the call and started typing on his Duel Disk. He had hacked into the Juvenile Officers' communications a few days ago – it kind of annoyed him how easy it had been; seriously, were these people even trying? – and figured that following them would give him the best chance of locating Manjome.

All things told, Jun was having a rotten day. First, he'd found out about his brothers. Then, when he confronted his teachers, all they said was that his brothers had been traitors and it had been standard practice.

Traitors. Hah! Chosaku and Shoji may have been idiots, but they wouldn't have betrayed Academia while it was profitable for them to support it. In other words, while Jun was still affiliated with them. No, Jun knew the truth; it only took some snooping around to find out. It had been the Professor who betrayed the Manjome family, not the other way around. Jun had no proof, but he was sure the Garam Group had planted the idea in the Professor's head; they'd been the Manjome family's rivals for years. The fact that their eldest son was also attending Academia was no coincidence in Jun's mind.

Whether Jun was right or not, it didn't change the facts: His brothers Chosaku and Shoji had been arrested and carded, their assets seized by the government, all of whom were in the Professor's pocket. The only reason Jun had been spared, in his mind at least, was because of his talent. He was Academia's second-best Honor Student. And the only one in the school willing to stand up to that psychopath Yuri.

In the end, Jun had decided his best option was to leave. As much as he disliked the pressure his brothers put on him all the time, they were still family. He couldn't stay with Academia after what they did. Besides, he'd heard that Tenjoin had defected too, and he'd heard nothing about her getting carded. Perhaps this would be his chance to see her again.

It took until dawn before Jun finally arrived at the city. He would have arrived earlier, but he had to dodge a few Academia patrol boats. After ditching his stolen speedboat at the wharf, he'd gone into the city, aiming for the alleys. He hadn't been to the city in years and the same city was a veritable labyrinth to the uninitiated, so it didn't long for Jun to get lost. That was fine with him though; he was more likely to run into Tenjoin or other defectors if he stuck to the backstreets.

"Halt right there!"

Or he would just be easier prey for the Juvenile Officers. He turned to face the voice that had spoken behind him. Oh well, he wasn't worried. He'd heard of the skill level of the group, and frankly, to someone of his level, they were-.

Jun's black eyes blinked. The four people facing him… weren't the Juvenile Officers.

Three of them wore maroon military uniforms with black pants and hats, with one having epaulets on the shoulders. And in front of them…

Jun sneered. "Well Rabb, I have to admit; I wasn't expecting you to chase after me."

The blonde blue-eyed boy amid the officers, wearing a white officer's uniform, glared at Jun. "After the humiliation you dealt me, did you expect anything else?" David Rabb sneered. "Now that you've defected Manjome, you're just another dog to put down."

Before Jun could respond, the officer with the epaulets stepped forth. "Mr. Rabb, may I remind you we have orders to take Manjome in alive?" His stoic face turned to Jun. "I'm the captain of the Capture Squad. I have orders to bring you back to Academia. Please do not resist."

Jun's eyes narrowed. The Capture Squad, huh? It seemed the Professor was more hurt by Jun's betrayal than he thought. And to bring him back in alive? Not carded as an example?

He probably needs me for the takeover of my family's assets, Jun reasoned. Or he doesn't want to waste a powerful duelist he could just send to a rehabilitation camp.

"What are you going to do if I say no?" Jun challenged.

"We'll take you in by force if necessary." The Captain stepped forward, as did the other two officers, their Duel Disks slightly raised. Jun smirked at the threat. Still…

Jun looked out the corner of his eye at the buildings around him. The officers had managed to find him at an intersection in the alleys, and not counting the route they were blocking, there were three ways to run. Unfortunately, the officers and Rabb were standing too close, and Jun knew their physical training would be enough to keep up with him. And considering the Capture Squad worked in the city, they undoubtedly had a better sense of direction than him.

He had two options: Run or fight. And the former would only delay the latter, given Jun's unfamiliarity with the city. While Jun was confident in his skills, he doubted he could take four opponents at once. Especially if one of them was Rabb. Blowhard that he was, the fellow Honor Student was skilled.

If only he had an opening…

"Get down!"

Jun, David, and the officers looked up as a canister was flung down to the ground. Everyone dove for cover, an indication to the quality of their training, but none were able to predict that what they assumed was a grenade would start spewing smoke in every direction.

Jun blinked. A smoke bomb. It wouldn't benefit the officers, so that meant it was for him. To help him escape.

He wouldn't waste the opportunity. Jun turned and ran down the right road, and by the time the smoke had dissipated, he was gone.

David growled. "Damn it! Who threw that!?"

"It must have been one of the rebels that were reported," the Captain assumed.

The Honor Student growled again. "You're not getting away from me, Manjome!" He broke off running down the right path.

"Mr. Rabb!" David ignored the Captain's call. "Damn it. I'll follow him! Sergeant, take the left path! Lieutenant, the left! Follow my signal and we'll encircle Manjome!"

"Yes, sir!" "Yes, sir!"

The three officers ran off, each going a different direction.

The Sergeant of the Capture Squad ran down the road, looking down other passages. He lifted his Duel Disk to his face. "Captain. Do you read me?"

Static.

The Sergeant blinked. "What the-?" He pressed some buttons on his Duel Disk and tried again. But the result was the same. An equipment failure? No, my Duel Disk is fine. He narrowed his eyes. "Someone's jamming our communications," he muttered. "Who would dare do that?"

"Stop it right there!"

The Sergeant looked up and blinked. He was being opposed by a short blue-haired boy in a red jacket over a black shirt and jeans. The Sergeant narrowed his eyes. He recognized this boy. "Sho Marufuji," he said. "Younger brother of Kaiser Ryo Marufuji. Defected from Academia roughly two weeks ago."

Sho's eyes narrowed. "So you've heard of me."

"I have." The Sergeant raised his Duel Disk. "Jun Manjome is my primary target, but I can't turn my back on a traitor. Surrender."

"I can't do that." Sho shook his head. "I know what Academia is doing in the Xyz Dimension. The Arc Area Project… it's wrong! I can't stand by and let Academia get away with it!" Sho's eyes narrowed. "Even if I have to oppose my brother, I won't let Academia's actions go unpunished!"

"Hmm. Very well." The officer activated his Duel Disk's violet blade while Sho activated his white and red Duel Disk's red blade.

"Duel!"

Sho Marufuji: 4000 LP

Capture Squad Sergeant: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," the Sergeant said. "I activate the effect of Thunder Dragondark in my hand! By discarding it, I add another Thunder Dragondark from my Deck to my hand. And since the effect of a Thunder monster was activated from my hand, I can banish Thunder Dragondark from my hand to Special Summon Thunder Dragonlord!" A massive white dragon with yellow spines on its body, along with four massive golden horns appeared and roared in Attack Position, its red eyes gleaming.

Thunder Dragonlord ATK 3000 DEF 2000 LVL: 9

Sho grit his teeth. "3000 attack points like that? And Thunder Dragon… that's a tough archetype to beat."

"I summon Thunder Dragonmatrix." A crystal ball with a yellow core appeared, nestled in black rock.

Thunder Dragonmatrix ATK 0 DEF 2000 LVL: 1

"As I activated a Thunder monster's effect from the hand this turn, I can Special Summon this monster from my Extra Deck by Tributing a Thunder Effect non-Fusion Monster I control." The Sergeant's eyes widened as he gestured to his field. "I Tribute Thunder Dragonmatrix and Special Summon the Fusion Monster Thunder Dragon Colossus!" The crystal ball shattered, but its fragments glowed and reformed into a massive dragon. When the light faded, it revealed a large violet dragon with horns and wings in Attack Position.

Thunder Dragon Colossus ATK 2600 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"Since Thunder Dragonmatrix was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a second Thunder Dragonmatrix from my Deck to my hand. And while Thunder Dragon Colossus is on my field, you cannot add cards from your Deck to your hand except by drawing them." Sho frowned at that. "I Set one card. I end my turn." The Sergeant gestured to his field. "Thunder Dragonlord's effect activates! During my End Phase, I can send a 'Thunder Dragon' card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Thunder Dragonhawk to the Graveyard."

"A Level 8 and Level 9 monster, each with 2600 and 3000 attack points respectively," Sho mused with a frown. "This won't be easy…" His eyes narrowed. "But I have to do this. Asuka and Ryoken are counting on me! My turn! Draw!"

Sho looked at his card, then added it to his hand and chose a different one. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Megaroid City! And then I summon Submarineroid!" A cartoonish blue and yellow submarine holding a missile with eyes appeared.

Submarineroid ATK 800 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Submarineroid can attack you directly," Sho revealed, making the Sergeant gasp. "Battle! Submarineroid attacks you directly!" The monster burrowed into the ground and then charged straight towards Sho's opponent. "I activate Megaroid City's effect! When my 'roid' monster battles, I can send a 'roid' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard to switch my monster's original attack and defense points during damage calculation. I send Steamroid to the Graveyard to switch Submarineroid's attack and defense points!"

Submarineroid ATK 800→1800 DEF 1800→800

The underground pressure struck the Sergeant, making him cry out in pain as Submarineroid resurfaced. Thankfully, he regained his footing as Submarineroid returned to Sho's field.

Capture Squad Sergeant: 4000→2200 LP

Submarineroid ATK 1800→800 DEF 800→1800

"Since Submarineroid attacked, it switches to Defense Position. I Set one card. I end my turn."

The Sergeant scowled. "I see. Your Deck is quite troublesome. No matter. I'll just overwhelm you with power! My turn! Draw! Continuous Trap activate! Thunder Dragon Discharge! While this card is on the field, the activation of my Thunder monsters' effects cannot be negated. And now, by banishing the Light Attribute Thunder Dragonhawk and the Dark Attribute Thunder Dragondark from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card! Come, Thunder Dragonduo!" A two-headed violet dragon with a green underbelly appeared in Attack Position and roared.

Thunder Dragonduo ATK 2800 DEF 0 LVL: 8

"As Thunder Dragonhawk and Thunder Dragondark were both banished, their effects activate!"

Sho blinked. "Your monsters' effects activate when they're banished!?"

"My Thunder Dragons all have effects that activate when they're banished or sent from the field to the Graveyard," the Sergeant explained. "In the case of Thunder Dragondark, I can add a different 'Thunder Dragon' card from my Deck to hand. I'll add Thunder Dragon Fusion to my hand. And in the case of Thunder Dragonhawk, I can shuffle cards from my hand into my Deck, then draw the same number of cards. I'll shuffle one card into my Deck and draw."

The Sergeant drew and then pointed to his field. "The effect of Thunder Dragon Discharge activates! When my 'Thunder Dragon' monster is Normal or Special Summoned, I can banish a Thunder monster from my Deck to destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field." Sho's eyes widened. "I banish Thunder Dragonroar to destroy your Set card!" Sho gasped as his card shattered before his eyes, leaving his Submarineroid defenseless.

Sho smiled. "I was hoping you'd do that."

"What?"

"When you destroy my Set Wonder Garage, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Machine 'roid' monster from my hand!" Sho revealed. "I Special Summon Jetroid in Defense Position!" A jet airplane with four wheels and eyes near its nose appeared.

Jetroid ATK 1200 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

The Sergeant blinked and then scowled. "I see. You deliberately Set Wonder Garage as bait. And the reason it was the only Set card was because you intended to summon Jetroid."

Sho smirked but sweated nervously on the inside. It seemed the officer was aware of Jetroid's effect. That could be good or bad. The good possibility would be the officer wouldn't dare attack Jetroid for fear of its effect. The bad possibility was the officer had a way to counter it.

"No matter. Since Thunder Dragonroar was banished, I can Special Summon a 'Thunder Dragon' monster from my Deck in Defense Position, at the cost of returning it to my hand during the End Phase. Come, another Thunder Dragonhawk!" A yellow dragon with avian features, namely claws, feathers, and a beak, appeared and screeched.

Thunder Dragonhawk ATK 1800 DEF 2200 LVL: 6

"I activate the Spell Card: Thunder Dragon Fusion!" the Sergeant declared. "By shuffling the Fusion Materials from my field or among my banished cards into my Deck, I can Fusion Summon a Thunder Fusion Monster!" Sho scowled. "I shuffle my two banished Thunder Dragondark and banished Thunder Dragonroar back into my Deck in order to Fusion Summon!"

The three dragons reappeared behind the Sergeant and swirled into the Fusion vortex. "Twin dragons whose lightning splits the night, merge with the dragon whose howl parts the sky, and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 10! Thunder Dragon Titan!" A massive three-headed green dragon with electricity sparking all over its skin emerged from the vortex in Attack Position and roared.

Thunder Dragon Titan ATK 3200 DEF 3200 LVL: 10

Sho grit his teeth. Not counting his Dragonhawk, he has four high-Level Dragon monsters with attack points between 2600 and 3200. Still, so long as I have Jetroid-.

"I activate the effect of Thunder Dragonmatrix in my hand! By discarding it, Thunder Dragon Titan gains 500 attack points."

Thunder Dragon Titan ATK 3200→3700

"Thunder Dragon Titan's effect activates! When a Thunder monster's effect is activated from the hand, I can destroy one card on the field!" Sho's eyes widened again. "I'll destroy Jetroid!" The three heads all blasted Jetroid with yellow lightning, reducing it to scrap metal and making Sho flinch. "Thunder Dragonduo's monster effect! Once per turn, when a monster effect is activated from the hand, it gains 300 attack points until the end of the turn."

Thunder Dragonduo ATK 2800→3100

"Battle! Thunder Dragonduo attacks Submarineroid!" The two-headed dragon roared and fired blue lightning at Sho's submarine, destroying it in an explosion. "Thunder Dragonduo's effect activates! When it destroys your monster by battle, I can banish a card from my Deck to add a Thunder monster from my Deck to my hand. I banish Thunder Dragonmatrix and add Thunder Dragondark to my hand." The Sergeant narrowed his eyes. "This is the beginning of the end for you, Sho Marufuji. Thunder Dragon Colossus attacks you directly!" The violet-skinned dragon gathered yellow lightning in its maw and launched said lightning at the blue-haired boy, who-.

"I activate the Trap Card: Roid Force from my hand!" Sho declared, surprising the Sergeant. The card showed Super Vehicroid – Stealth Union glowing with a blue light. "I can activate this card if I control no monsters. And when you attack, your monster is banished!" The lightning blast, and Thunder Dragon Colossus, warped away, banished by Sho's card. "And then, I can Special Summon a 'roid' Machine monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position, but at the cost of banishing it when it leaves the field. Return to me, Jetroid!"

Jetroid ATK 1200 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

The Sergeant blinked and then smiled, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "I see. So you were prepared for me to destroy your monster. Perhaps I should have expected it. You are the Kaiser's brother, after all." Sho's eyes narrowed at the praise. "Well then, I think I'll charge ahead in this case. Thunder Dragonlord attacks Jetroid!" The white dragon gathered yellow lightning in its jaws in preparation.

"Jetroid's effect activates! When you attack it, I can activate a Trap Card from my hand. I activate the Trap Card Supercharge! Since you declared an attack while I control only 'roid' monsters, I draw two cards!" Sho drew and frowned. Neither were Trap Cards.

"I see you didn't get what you intended. No matter. Thunder Dragonlord, continue your attack!" The dragon blasted its lightning at Jetroid, tearing it to shreds and leaving Sho defenseless, but not intimidated.

"Since Jetroid was Special Summoned by Roid Force's effect, it's banished now that it's left the field."

"And now you have no defenses. Thunder Dragon Titan attacks you directly! Triple Voltage Attack!" The three heads gathered blue lightning in their mouths and launched their attacks at Sho. The boy screamed as he was sent flying. His screams came to a stop when he landed painfully on the ground.

Sho Marufuji: 4000→300 LP

"I end my turn," the Sergeant said. "During my End Phase, Thunder Dragonhawk is added to my hand per Thunder Dragonroar's effect. And via Thunder Dragonlord's effect, I send Thunder Dragonroar from my Deck to the Graveyard. In addition, Thunder Dragonduo's attack points return to normal."

Thunder Dragonduo ATK 3100→2800

The Sergeant watched dispassionately as Sho pushed himself to his knees. "I won't ask you to surrender," he warned. "I know you would refuse such an offer; as wrong as defecting from Academia was of you, I can see you have conviction in your choice. All I will say is that if you wish to prove that conviction was right for you, then you should make this turn count. Because it will otherwise be your last."

Sho grimaced as he glared at the officer. "…Yeah, I figured that out."

"Even so, I can't understand why you would defect. You are the Kaiser's brother. How can you turn against your family?"

Sho's grimace grew as he pushed himself to his feet. "The Kaiser's brother… that's all Academia cares about, isn't it? That I'm the younger brother of a prodigy. As though that's my only worth."

He glared at the Sergeant. "You expect me to be loyal just because my brother is. But I know what Academia has done to the Xyz Dimension. I know what you've done to those who protested those actions. And I can't stand by and do nothing as innocent people are hurt. I can't let Academia get away with that! Even if I have to face my own family down the line, I won't abandon the path I've chosen!"

Sho placed his hand on his Duel Disk. "That's why, I'll win! My turn! Draw!" He looked at his card, then played a different one. "I activate the Spell Card: Fusion Shuffle!" The card showed a stream of light, with Elemental Hero Flame Wingman amid it, headed towards a white Duel Disk. "This card returns a Fusion Monster that is either banished or in the Graveyard to the owner's Extra Deck. Then I draw cards depending on that monster's Level. I shuffle your Level 8 Thunder Dragon Colossus back into your Extra Deck to draw two cards."

"I see," the Sergeant mused as Sho drew. "A card to take advantage of the opponent's defeated Fusion Monsters. Rather clever of you."

Sho ignored the praise. "I summon Expressroid!" A white and purple subway train with eyes appeared.

Expressroid ATK 400 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

"Expressroid's effect activates! When it is Summoned, I can add two 'roid' monsters from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Steamroid and Submarineroid to my hand." Sho took the cards, then chose another one. "I activate the Spell Card: Vehicroid Connection Zone! This lets me Fusion Summon a 'Vehicroid' Fusion Monster by using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Materials. I fuse Drillroid, Steamroid, and Submarineroid in my hand!" The three monsters appeared behind Sho, along with the Fusion portal.

"The piercing drill, the old steam engine, and the aquatic attacker, meld your power!" Sho chanted. "Become a new machine whose power far surpasses your own! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill!" A massive pink and purple tank with claws attached to its sides and topped by a massive silver drill emerged from the portal in Attack Position.

Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill ATK 3000 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"A 3000 attack point Fusion Monster," the Sergeant commented. "Impressive."

"I activate the Spell Card: Block Attack!" Sho declared. "With this, I'll change Thunder Dragonduo to Defense Position!"

"I see. Your Jumbo Drill inflicts piercing battle damage, and Thunder Dragonduo has 0 defense points. Well, I'm afraid that won't work! Thunder Dragonlord's effect activates! Once during your turn, I can banish two cards from my Graveyard, one of which must be a Thunder monster, and for the rest of the turn, you cannot target one of my Thunder monsters with a card effect. I banish Thunder Dragonmatrix and Thunder Dragonroar from my Graveyard to prevent you from targeting Thunder Dragonduo with your card effects."

Sho narrowed his eyes. "Then I'll change Thunder Dragonlord to Defense Position."

"And I'll activate the effects of the banished Thunder Dragonmatrix and Thunder Dragonroar!" the Sergeant said. "I now add my third Thunder Dragonmatrix to my hand and Special Summon another Thunder Dragonhawk from my Deck in Defense Position." Another avian dragon appeared at his words.

Thunder Dragonhawk ATK 1800 DEF 2200 LVL: 6

"You won't be able to win that easily, Marufuji," the Sergeant said.

Sho smirked. "I figured. So it's a good thing I can do this." He gestured to his field. "Megaroid City's effect! By destroying a card I control, I can add a 'roid' card from my Deck to my hand. I destroy Expressroid to add Railroid Battery from my Deck to my hand. And now I'll activate the Spell Card: Railroid Battery!" The card showed Expressroid going down train tracks, a massive battery attached to its back. "This card lets only one 'roid' monster I control attack this turn. But that monster's attack points become double its original attack points until the end of the turn!"

"What?!" the Sergeant gasped.

Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill ATK 3000→6000

The officer grit his teeth. "So you had a backup plan in case your first plan fell through. No matter. I have my own options as well! By discarding Thunder Dragondark from my hand, I add another Thunder Dragondark from my Deck to my hand. Thunder Dragon Titan's effect activates! Since a Thunder monster's effect was activated in the hand, I can destroy one card on the field. Say goodbye to Jumbo Drill!" The dragon fired blue lightning at Jumbo Drill, but to the Sergeant's surprise, the lightning did nothing. "What?!"

Sho chuckled. "Sorry. But when I Fusion Summon using Vehicroid Connection Zone, my monster cannot be destroyed by card effects, nor can its effects be negated!"

The Sergeant growled in displeasure. "Thunder Dragonduo's effect activates! As a monster effect was activated from the hand, it gains 300 attack points!"

Thunder Dragonduo ATK 2800→3100

"That doesn't matter!" Sho declared. "Battle! Jumbo Drill attacks Thunder Dragon Titan!" Sho's monster's drill started spinning as it charged the three-headed dragon. The drill struck the dragon's chest, making it cry out in pain before it exploded. The backlash of the attack knocked the officer off his feet and sent him flying into a wall, knocking him unconscious.

Capture Squad Sergeant: 2200→0 LP

Sho nodded as he turned away from his fallen opponent. "I've gotten stronger, though I'm still nowhere near big brother's strength." He frowned but then shook his head. He didn't have time for such thoughts. "I should make sure Asuka and Kogami don't need any help."

The Lieutenant of the Capture Squad glared at the person in front of him. "Asuka Tenjoin," he said. "You are interfering in the business of the Capture Squad, under direct order of the Professor. I recommend you surrender and come quietly."

Asuka placed her right hand on her hip. "I'm afraid I can't do that," she said. "I've made a promise to help everyone who wishes to leave Academia behind." Her eyes narrowed. "Manjome can be a pain sometimes, but he's still an old friend. I won't let you take him without a fight."

The Lieutenant grunted. "Very well. You evaded us once before. I'll bring you in this time." The two activated their Duel Disks.

"Duel!"

Asuka Tenjoin: 4000 LP

Capture Squad Lieutenant: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," the Lieutenant decided. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Curse of the Shadow Prison. Each time a 'Shaddoll' monster is sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can place a Spellstone Counter on this card. And for each counter it has, your monsters lose 100 attack points during your turn. I summon Shaddoll Squamata." The monster was made of armor encasing purple shadows in the shape of a lizard, held up by several strings.

Shaddoll Squamata ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Nephe Shaddoll Fusion and equip it to Squamata. Nephe Shaddoll Fusion requires me to declare an Attribute, and then the equipped monster becomes that Attribute. I change Squamata to Water Attribute." A blue glow appeared around the monster. "I now activate Nephe Shaddoll Fusion's second effect! During my Main Phase, I can Fusion Summon a 'Shaddoll' Fusion Monster using monsters from my hand or field as materials. I fuse Squamata with Shaddoll Hedgehog in my hand." A violet and black hedgehog held up by strings appeared before swirling into the Fusion vortex alongside Squamata. "Rodent of twisted darkness, unite with the reptile's shadow and bring forth a new shadow! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 9! El Shaddoll Anoyatyllis!" A white-skinned woman in a violet dress wearing a pink headdress emerged from the Fusion vortex in Attack Position.

El Shaddoll Anoyatyllis ATK 2700 DEF 2000 LVL: 9

"Since Hedgehog and Squamata were sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, Curse of the Shadow Prison gains two Spellstone Counters."

Curse of the Shadow Prison: 0 SC→2 SC

"Squamata's and Hedgehog's effects activate! When they are sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can send a 'Shaddoll' card from my Deck to the Graveyard and add a 'Shaddoll' monster from my Deck to my hand. I send Shaddoll Beast to the Graveyard and add Shaddoll Dragon to my hand."

Curse of the Shadow Prison: 2 SC→3 SC

"As Shaddoll Beast was sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I draw a card." The Lieutenant drew, then smirked at Asuka. "You should be aware of this. So long as Anoyatyllis is on the field, neither of us can Special Summon monsters from the hand or Graveyard using Spell or Trap effects."

Asuka's eyes widened in shock before quickly narrowing in suspicion. "I see. So you're aware of my focus on Ritual Summoning."

"We've analyzed your duels with the Juvenile Officers and your records in Academia and came up with counters to your dueling. This is the most immediate one."

Asuka frowned. It was true that this monster shut down her Ritual Summons. A lesser duelist would either try to get around with Fusion Summoning or surrender.

But Asuka was not a lesser duelist. She had sworn never to Fusion Summon again; there was too much pain there. And she wouldn't surrender this early in the duel. She would find a way around this predicament.

"I Set one card. I end my turn."

Asuka smiled. Her opponent was already a higher quality than the Juvenile Officers. This would be interesting. "My turn! Draw!" She looked at her card and her smile widened. Perfect. "I summon Cyber Gymnast!" A muscular blonde woman wearing a white mask and blue and black leotard appeared.

Cyber Gymnast ATK 800 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Do not forget that during your turn, your monsters lose 100 attack points for each Spellstone Counter my Field Spell has."

Cyber Gymnast ATK 800→500

"What are you hoping to do with that?" the Lieutenant asked. "Will you Fusion Summon?"

"No," Asuka said, her eyes narrowed. "I will never use Fusion Summoning again. And this is what I'm hoping to do. Cyber Gymnast's effect activates! Once per turn, by discarding a card, I can destroy your face-up Attack Position monster!"

"What?" the officer gasped.

"I discard Etoile Cyber to destroy El Shaddoll Anoyatyllis!" Said monster glowed before breaking apart and making the Lieutenant grimace.

"I did see you getting around Anoyatyllis," he admitted. "But I didn't see you doing it this quickly. That aside, when Anoyatllis is sent to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Shaddoll' Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Nephe Shaddoll Fusion to my hand. In addition, since Anoyatyllis was sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, Curse of the Shadow Prison gains another Spellstone Counter."

Curse of the Shadow Prison: 3 SC→4 SC

Cyber Gymnast ATK 500→400

"With your monster gone, I can Ritual Summon again," Asuka reminded him. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Ritual Sanctuary. Once per turn, I can discard a Spell Card to add a Light Ritual Monster or a Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I discard Ritual Weapon to add the Ritual Spell Card: Machine Angel Absolute Ritual to my hand, which I'll now activate! With this card, I can Ritual Summon a 'Cyber Angel' Ritual Monster from my hand by Tributing 'Cyber' monsters from my hand or field whose combined Levels equal that of the Ritual Monster. Alternatively, I can shuffle 'Cyber' monsters in my Graveyard back into my Deck instead." A golden seal appeared on Asuka's field. It didn't remain for long however, with the ground breaking apart and a stone pedestal rising from the ground. "I Tribute Level 4 Cyber Gymnast and shuffle the Level 4 Etoile Cyber in my Graveyard into my Deck to Ritual Summon!"

A redheaded woman in white and red appeared on Asuka's field, but both monsters were enveloped in pink flames that traveled upwards before going down and striking the pedestal. "Angel of light hiding creation. Bring your form into this world, and strike down all threats! Ritual Summon! Descend, Level 8! Cyber Angel Izana!"

A golden flame materialized on the pedestal, and from the flame, a gray-skinned woman wearing dark blue armor emerged. Long blue hair fell down her neck, and four arms sprouted from her sides. In one upper hand, she held a one-handed axe, while in her lower arms she held a blue spear with a goldin tip. The woman grunted as she spun the spear in Attack Position.

Cyber Angel Izana: 2500→2100 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"Izana's effect activates! When she is Ritual Summoned, you must send a Spell or Trap Card you control to the Graveyard!"

The Lieutenant scowled. "I'll send my Set card to the Graveyard." The card shattered, and Asuka spared the card a glance as it entered the Graveyard.

Purushaddoll Aeon, she thought. That card would only work if he controlled a 'Shaddoll' monster. So it was useless at the moment.

"Battle! Izana attacks you directly! Oho Ikazuchi!" The woman spun her spear before bringing it down and blasted the Lieutenant with bolts of golden lightning, making him cry out in pain. Once the lightning faded, he stumbled, but remained on his feet with a grimace.

Capture Squad Lieutenant: 4000→1900 LP

"I Set one card. I end my turn."

The Lieutenant scowled at her. "Impressive. As expected of a former Honor Student. But I was trained specifically to bring down traitors like you. My turn! Draw! As it is no longer your turn, your monsters' attack points return to normal."

Cyber Angel Izana ATK 2100→2500

"I summon Shaddoll Dragon." A violet mechanical dragon held up by strings appeared.

Shaddoll Dragon ATK 1900 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"I equip Shaddoll Dragon with Nephe Shaddoll Fusion and declare Fire Attribute." The dragon puppet briefly glowed with red light. "I activate Nephe Shaddoll Fusion's effect to perform a Fusion Summon." The Lieutenant smirked. "And if I would Fusion Summon a 'Shaddoll' Fusion Monster, Curse of the Shadow Prison lets me remove three Spellstone Counters to use one of your monsters as material!"

Asuka gasped. "You're Fusion Summoning using my monster!?"

Curse of the Shadow Prison: 4 SC→1 SC

"I fuse Shaddoll Dragon with Cyber Angel Izana!" Izana warped from Asuka's field to the Lieutenant's as the Fusion vortex appeared. The Ritual Monster and the dragon puppet swirled into the vortex. "Dragon held by the shadow strings, unite with the angel of hidden power and bring forth a new shadow! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! El Shaddoll Construct!" Another woman emerged from the portal, but this one was mechanical in appearance, wearing purple robes with numerous violet strings extending out of her back. The woman spread her arms in Attack Position.

El Shaddoll Construct ATK 2800 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Curse of the Shadow Prison: 1 SC→2 SC

"Construct's effect activates! When she is Special Summoned, I can send a 'Shaddoll' card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I'll send Reeshaddoll Wendi to the Graveyard."

Curse of the Shadow Prison: 2 SC→3 SC

"As Shaddoll Dragon was sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can target and destroy a Spell or Trap Card on the field. I'll destroy your Set card!" Asuka winced as the card shattered, leaving her defenseless. "And as Reeshaddoll Wendi was sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can Special Summon a 'Shaddoll' monster from my Deck in face-down Defense Position. I Set Shaddoll Hound. I now activate the Spell Card: Book of Taiyou, which changes my Set Shaddoll Hound to face-up Attack Position." A dog made of violet shadows and golden armor appeared on the field, held up by violet strings.

Shaddoll Hound ATK 1600 DEF 900 LVL: 4

"Shaddoll Hound's Flip effect activates! When it is flipped face-up, I can add a 'Shaddoll' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Nephe Shaddoll Fusion to my hand."

The Lieutenant gestured to his field. "Battle! El Shaddoll Construct attacks you directly!" The woman sent her strings twisting towards Asuka, who gestured to her field.

"I activate the effect of the Trap Card: Reincarnated Machine Angels in the Graveyard!" she declared. The card showed the pedestal from Machine Angel Absolute Ritual emitting a pillar of light. Inside the pillar was the silhouette of Cyber Angel Dakini. "This lets me Special Summon a 'Cyber Angel' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated. Resurrect, Cyber Angel Izana!" The four-armed woman wielding a spear and axe reappeared.

Cyber Angel Izana ATK 2500 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"Furthermore, the monster Special Summoned by Reincarnated Machine Angels cannot be destroyed by battle this turn," Asuka continued.

"Hmm. That matters not," the Lieutenant said dismissively. "El Shaddoll Construct's effect activates! When it battles a Special Summoned monster, that monster is destroyed!" Asuka's eyes widened as Construct's strings ensnared Izana and squeezed until the Cyber Angel disintegrated. "Now you are defenseless. Shaddoll Hound attacks directly!" The shadow dog leapt forward and brought its claws down on Asuka, making her wince.

Asuka Tenjoin: 4000→2400 LP

"I Set one card. I end my turn." The Lieutenant narrowed his eyes. "You are strong, Tenjoin; it is clear your skills have not atrophied from your time away. But I know your tricks, and against my El Shaddoll Construct, your chances are low."

"Maybe," Asuka allowed. "But I was taught to never give up. That when your back is against the wall is when things are the most exciting." She smirked. "Let's see which is superior: Academia's teachings, or Yusho Sakaki's! My turn! Draw!"

She looked at her card and smirked. Even if she refused to Fusion Summon ever again, that didn't mean she didn't have cards meant to take advantage of it. "I activate the Spell Card: Fusion Shuffle! By returning a Fusion Monster that is in the Graveyard or banished to the owner's Extra Deck, I draw cards depending on that monster's Level. I return the Level 9 El Shaddoll Anoyatyllis in your Graveyard to your Extra Deck to draw three cards."

Asuka drew and smiled again. Perfect. "I activate the Spell Card: Rising Machine Angels!" The card showed Cyber Angel Vrash, standing in the middle of a yellow magical circle. "By banishing Fairy and/or Warrior monsters from my Deck, I can Special Summon a 'Cyber Angel' monster from my Graveyard whose Level equals that of the banished monsters'. I banish Level 2 Cyber Petit Angel and Level 6 Cyber Prima from my Deck to Special Summon the Level 8 Cyber Angel Izana!" The four-armed woman with a spear and axe reappeared again, this time in Attack Position.

Cyber Angel Izana ATK 2500→2200 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

The Lieutenant narrowed his eyes. "I don't know what you hope to accomplish with that monster, but I won't let you achieve it! Continuous Trap activate! Shaddoll Ruq! During the Main Phase, I can Fusion Summon a 'Shaddoll' Fusion Monster by banishing materials from my field or Graveyard!" Asuka's eyes widened. "I banish El Shaddoll Construct from my field and Shaddoll Squamata from my Graveyard to Fusion Summon! Shadow of the reptile, unite with the puppet of darkness and bring forth a new shadow! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! El Shaddoll Construct!" Another copy of the mechanical maiden appeared in Attack Position.

El Shaddoll Construct ATK 2800 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Asuka blinked. "Why would you Fusion Summon another copy of Construct?"

The Lieutenant sneered. "Because of the second part of Shaddoll Ruq's effect. After a monster is Fusion Summoned, I can send a monster you control with the same Attribute as Construct to the Graveyard. El Shaddoll Construct is Light Attribute, so I can send Izana to the Graveyard!"

Asuka's eyes widened. "That's a rather nasty effect…" Then she smirked. "Too bad it's pointless."

"What?"

"The monster Special Summoned by Rising Machine Angels' effect is unaffected by your Spell and Trap effects," Asuka explained, making the Lieutenant's eyes widen.

The man growled and then gestured to his field. "Construct's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can send a 'Shaddoll' card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Shaddoll Falco to the Graveyard."

Curse of the Shadow Prison: 3 SC→4 SC

Cyber Angel Izana ATK 2200→2100

"Since Shaddoll Falco was sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can Special Summon it in face-down Defense Position." A Set card appeared on the Lieutenant's field. "Even if you evaded Shaddoll Ruq's effect, your monster is still affected by monster effects. Meaning you can't get around Construct's effect." And next turn, I can make use of either Nephe Shaddoll Fusion or Shaddoll Ruq to bring out more Fusion Monsters to overwhelm her.

Asuka smirked. "You're not wrong. So how about I change that? I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magnificent Machine Angel! By Tributing the Level 6 Cyber Angel Benten in my hand, Izana gains attack and defense points equal to Benten's Level times 200!"

Cyber Angel Izana ATK 2100→3300 DEF 2600→3800

"Since Benten was Tributed, I can add a Light Fairy monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cyber Angel Dakini to my hand."

"It doesn't matter how much you strengthen your monster; El Shaddoll Construct's effect will still destroy it."

"Are you sure about that?" Asuka pointed to her field. "Battle! Cyber Angel Izana attacks El Shaddoll Construct! At this point, Magnificent Machine Angel's effect activates! When the targeted monster battles a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, that monster's effects are negated during the Battle Phase!"

"What?" the Lieutenant gasped in panic.

"Go, Izana! Oho Ikazuchi!" The Ritual Monster blasted Construct with gold lightning, destroying the female puppet and making the Lieutenant grunt in pain.

Capture Squad Lieutenant: 1900→1400 LP

He growled. "Since Construct was sent to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Shaddoll' Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Purushaddoll Aeon to my hand."

Asuka smiled. "That's fine. But I'm afraid it's too late for you to change the outcome of this duel. Izana's effect activates! When she destroys your monster in battle, she can attack your monster again in a row!" The Lieutenant gasped again. "Izana attacks Shaddoll Hound! Oho Ikazuchi!" The woman spun her spear before bringing it down, cleaving the shadow dog in two. The resulting explosion knocked the Lieutenant off his feet and straight into a wall, where he crumbled to the ground.

Capture Squad Lieutenant: 1400→0 LP

"Asuka!" The girl turned as Sho ran towards her. "I got my opponent!"

"Good." Asuka nodded. "Let's go find Kogami and Manjome. The captain is the strongest of the Capture Squad, and Rabb is no weakling."

Jun ran, pursued by a yelling David and the Capture Squad's Captain, the latter trying to order Rabb to calm down. Jun turned a corner and then cursed; a dead end.

"Nowhere to run, Manjome!"

He turned again to face the panting David and Captain. The officer held his Duel Disk to his face. "Sergeant, Lieutenant, Mr. Rabb and I have cornered Mr. Manjome. Rendezvous on my position."

Static.

The Captain gasped and pressed a button. "Lieutenant, Sergeant, do you read me?" Only more static. Jun smirked. It seemed his mystery friend was jamming communications. "Damn it."

"It doesn't matter; I don't their help for this," David boasted as he stepped forward. Jun's smirk widened. Taking on the entire Capture Squad at once was one thing, but now that it was just Rabb and the Captain…

"You really think you can take me, Rabb? After what happened last time? You must really like being humiliated by me."

"Mr. Rabb, I insist you and I team up to take Manjome in," the Captain said. "He is the #2 Honor Student, and our chances together will be-."

"Shut up!" David shouted, his eyes not leaving Jun. "I'm taking Jun on myself. I don't need your help!"

"Let's test that theory."

A cord shot down from the roof of the nearby building and wrapped itself around the Captain's Duel Disk.

"What the-?" the officer gasped before being yanked up with a scream. Jun watched, wide-eyed as someone in a trench coat pulled the officer up before throwing him to the other side of the roof. That person, who Jun realized was a young man with white hair and blue eyes wearing a white trench coat over a gray suit jacket and a pink shirt.

"Do you mind if I take care of this one?" the man asked, his voice deep. Jun nodded. It was perfectly fine with him.

"Damn it," the Captain grumbled as he unlatched the cord from his arm and stood up. "Who the hell are you?"

"You can call me Revolver," Ryoken said, stepping forward. "I'm also the one who's blocking your communications. If you want to talk to your comrades, you'll need to defeat me." His eyes narrowed. "Though I doubt they're in any condition to reply. My own allies are formidable."

The Captain growled. "Revolver… I've heard that name. You're the one with the strange summoning method called Link Summoning, yes?"

Ryoken raised an eyebrow. Ah, so Academia had heard of him. "And if I am?"

"Then you are a high-priority target. Orders are to card you on sight." The officer raised his arm. "You're interfering with an official arrest. Submit to being carded and you'll save yourself a lot of pain."

"Hmm. I don't think so." Ryoken smirked. "I think I'll take my chances with the pain."

"Suit yourself."

"Duel!"

Revolver: 4000 LP

Capture Squad Captain: 4000 LP

"Master Rule Override activated."

"I'll take the first turn," Ryoken asserted. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Boot Sector Launch. While this card is on the field, all 'Rokket' monsters gain 300 attack and defense points. But first, I activate Boot Sector Launch's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon up to two 'Rokket' monsters from my hand in Defense Position. Come, Anesthrokket Dragon and Shelrokket Dragon!" A green-and-yellow dragon with a hypodermic needle attached to its head, along with a yellow, black, and green dragon with a bullet casing attached to its head, appeared on the field.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK 0→300 DEF 2200→2500 LVL: 1

Shelrokket Dragon ATK 1100→1400 DEF 2000→2300 LVL: 2

"I Set one card. I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" the Captain declared. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen. If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Fairy monster from my hand. Come, Darklord Nergal!" A zombified angel with black wings wearing black armor appeared in Attack Position.

Darklord Nergal ATK 2700 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

"I activate the Spell Card: Banishment of the Darklords, which lets me add a 'Darklord' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Darklord of Delight to my hand. Nergal's effect activates! By paying 1000 Life Points, I can shuffle a 'Darklord' Spell or Trap Card in my Graveyard back into my Deck and apply that card's effect as Nergal's."

Capture Squad Captain: 4000→3000 LP

"I shuffle Banishment of the Darklords into my Deck, then apply its effect to add Darklord Desire to my hand. I summon Darklord of Delight." A blue-skinned woman in black-and-gold robes with a single black wing appeared.

Darklord of Delight ATK 0 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

"Darklord of Delight's effect! During my Main Phase, I can Tribute Summon a Fairy monster face-up. I Tribute Darklord of Delight to Tribute Summon Darklord Desire!" An angel with red wings and black-and-gold armor, with two massive claws on his arms, emerged as Darklord of Delight disappeared.

Darklord Desire ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 10

"Darklord Desire normally requires two Tributes, but it can be Tribute Summoned by Tributing a Fairy monster," the Captain explained. "As Darklord of Delight was sent to the Graveyard, your monsters all lose 500 attack and defense points for each Fairy monster on the field until the end of the turn!" Ryoken's eyes narrowed.

Anesthrokket Dragon DEF 2500→1500

Shelrokket Dragon ATK 1400→400 DEF 2300→1300

"Darklord Desire's effect activates! Once per turn, by lowering its attack points by 1000, one monster you control is sent to the Graveyard! I send Anesthrokket Dragon to the Graveyard!"

Darklord Desire ATK 3000→2000

"That won't happen," Ryoken denied. "Trap activate! Tactical Exchanger! By destroying Anesthrokket Dragon, I can Special Summon a different 'Rokket' monster from my Deck or Graveyard!"

"What?" the Captain gasped as the yellow and green dragon disintegrated.

"I summon Magnarokket Dragon!" A blue and red mechanical dragon with green holographic wings appeared on the field in Attack Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

The Captain grit his teeth. "Since Desire lost its target, no monster is sent to the Graveyard. Even so, you'll lose your monsters! Battle! Desire attacks Shelrokket Dragon! Nergal's monster effect! When my Fairy monster attacks a Defense Position monster, my monster inflicts piercing battle damage!" Desire's claws tore Shelrokket Dragon apart and made Ryoken wince.

Revolver: 4000→3300 LP

"Nergal attacks and destroys Magnarokket Dragon!" Nergal blasted said dragon with dark energy, destroying it and making Ryoken wince again.

Revolver: 3300→2700 LP

"I Set card. I end my turn."

Ryoken smirked. "And during the End Phase, the true power of my 'Rokket' monsters come through!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Let me show you! During the End Phase, as Anesthrokket Dragon, Magnarokket Dragon, and Shelrokket Dragon are all in the Graveyard as they were destroyed this turn, I can Special Summon three new 'Rokket' monsters from my Deck!"

"What?!" the Captain gasped in surprise. "Three new monsters?!"

"That's right! Come to me, Autorokket Dragon, Metalrokket Dragon, and a second Anesthrokket Dragon!" Another copy of the green-and-yellow dragon appeared, joined by a bronze dragon with a missile attached to its head and a blue dragon with a long, thin casing attached to its head. All three monsters were summoned in Defense Position.

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 3

Metalrokket Dragon ATK 1700→2000 DEF 1400→1700 LVL: 4

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK 0→300 DEF 2200→2500 LVL: 1

The Captain narrowed his eyes. "I see. Replacement through destruction. An interesting strategy. But you will never defeat me by playing defensively."

"Then why don't I play aggressive this turn?" Ryoken asked with a sneer. "My turn! Draw! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Squib Draw. By destroying my Anesthrokket Dragon, I draw two cards." Ryoken looked at his cards, then raised his right hand. "Manifest! The future circuit that lights up my path!" The Captain's eyes widened as the Link portal appeared. "The summoning conditions are two 'Rokket' monsters. I set Autorokket Dragon and Metalrokket Dragon in the Link Markers!" His two monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right Link Markers. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Booster Dragon!" A gray metal dragon with green holographic wings and a revolver barrel attached to its head emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Booster Dragon ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↙↘

"So this is Link Summoning," the Captain muttered. "I'd heard reports on this both from the Juvenile Officers and from the Heartland Occupation Force." Ryoken's ear perked up, catching that last bit. "Still, whatever this monster is capable of, I won't let you use it! Trap activate! The Sanctified Darklord! By sending a 'Darklord' monster from my hand or field to the Graveyard, I can negate the effects of an Effect Monster until the end of the turn and gain Life Points equal to that monster's attack points. I send Desire to the Graveyard to negate Booster Dragon's effects!" Said Darklord disintegrated as Booster Dragon glowed gray.

Capture Squad Captain: 3000→4900 LP

Ryoken smirked. "I see." He glanced at Nergal before taking a card from his hand. "As a Dark Dragon monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon Noctovision Dragon from my hand!" A large gray-green mechanical dragon with green holographic wings and four red eyes appeared in Defense Position.

Noctovision Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"I summon Magnarokket Dragon!" Another blue and red mechanical dragon appeared.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

"Manifest once more, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters. I set Magnarokket Dragon, Noctovision Dragon, and Link-2 Booster Dragon in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left, right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "My new wind that pierces through the closed world! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Borreload Dragon!" A massive red dragon covered in green lines, with red and silver spines that produced green holographic wings, and a gun cylinder in its chest cavity emerged from the portal and roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Borreload Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

"Since Noctovision Dragon was sent to the Graveyard as Link Material, I draw a card."

The Captain narrowed his eyes. "So this is your ace monster. As powerful as it is, it's useless! Nergal's effect activates! I pay 1000 Life Points to shuffle The Sanctified Darklord into my Deck and apply its effect!"

Capture Squad Captain: 4900→3900 LP

"I discard Darklord Superbia to negate your monster's effects and gain 3000 Life Points!"

"Are you sure about that?"

The Captain gasped at the smug look on Ryoken's face. "While the effect is originally a Trap Card, Nergal's effect changes it to a monster effect. And Borreload Dragon cannot be targeted by monster effects!"

"What?" The Captain gasped again. He grit his teeth. "Fine then. I target Nergal itself for its effects." The Darklord grayed out and whined.

Capture Squad Captain: 3900→6600 LP

"Even if your dragon retains its effects, my Life Points are still too high for you to defeat me."

"True," Ryoken allowed. "But I think it's time I show you just who you're dealing with. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Borrel Regenerator, which Special Summons a 'Rokket' monster from my Graveyard and equips itself to it. Resurrect, Magnarokket Dragon!" The blue-and-red mechanical dragon reappeared in Attack Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

"Battle! Borreload Dragon attacks Darklord Nergal!" A gun barrel shot out of Borreload Dragon's mouth and fired a large bullet at Nergal. "Borreload Dragon's effect activates! Strange Trigger!" The bullet hit Nergal, but instead of destroying Nergal, the bullet burst open and sprayed an orange paste over the monster.

"What?" the Captain gasped, watching as his monster glitched out. "What's happening?" Nergal then disappeared, but then reappeared at Borreload Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker. "You took control of my monster?!"

"That's right," Ryoken confirmed. "If Borreload Dragon attacks your monster, I can place that monster at Borreload Dragon's Link Marker and take control of it. And that monster will be sent to the Graveyard during the End Phase of the next turn." Ryoken's eyes narrowed. "Now, face your punishment at your own monster's hands! Darklord Nergal attacks you directly!" The fallen angel blasted the Captain with dark energy, making him cry out in pain.

Capture Squad Captain: 6600→3900 LP

"Now Magnarokket Dragon attacks you directly!" The mechanical dragon fired a beam from the attachment on its head, striking the officer and making him grunt as he was pushed back a few inches.

Capture Squad Captain: 3900→1800 LP

"I think that's enough. I Set one card. I end my turn. During the End Phase, the destroyed Anesthrokket Dragon's effect activates, and I Special Summon Autorokket Dragon from my Deck." Another bronze dragon appeared in Attack Position.

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 3

The Capture grit his teeth. "You really are strong. Far stronger than I anticipated. But I have a duty to perform. I will defeat you and bring Manjome back! My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise, which lets me draw until I have five cards in my hand. But during my fifth Standby Phase after activating this card, I must send my entire hand to the Graveyard."

Ryoken narrowed his eyes. "What an annoying card."

The Captain drew four cards, looked at them, then took one. "I activate Valhalla's effect! Since I control no monsters, I Special Summon Darklord Asmodeus!" A white-skinned angel in blue armor appeared in Attack Position.

Darklord Asmodeus ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

"Asmodeus's effect activates! Once per turn, I can send a Fairy monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send a second Darklord Nergal to the Graveyard. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Darklord Contact! This card Special Summons a 'Darklord' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Resurrect, Darklord Superbia!" A black mechanical monster with a cracked red mask and brown wings appeared.

Darklord Superbia ATK 2900 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"Superbia's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Fairy monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Darklord Nergal!" Another copy of the zombified fallen angel appeared in Attack Position.

Darklord Nergal ATK 2700 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Ryoken narrowed his eyes. "I'm not sure what you're planning, but you won't get far. Borreload Dragon's effect activates! Once per turn, I can reduce the attack and defense points of one monster on the field by 500, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. I target Magnarokket Dragon for this effect!"

"What?" the Captain blinked. "You target your own monster?"

"Magnarokket Dragon's effect activates!" Ryoken declared. "When it is targeted by a Link Monster's effect, I can destroy Magnarokket Dragon and then send a monster on the field to the Graveyard. I send your Nergal to the Graveyard!"

"Eh?!" Magnarokket Dragon disintegrated, and then its particles traveled into the gun barrel in Borreload Dragon's chest. The barrel rotated, and then Borreload Dragon fired a blast at Nergal disintegrating it.

"As the monster equipped with Borrel Regenerator was destroyed, I draw a card, but as Borrel Regenerator left the field, Magnarokket Dragon is banished."

The Captain narrowed his eyes as he stared at Borreload Dragon. I believe I see how your Deck works now."

"Oh?"

"You use your Link Monsters to trigger your other monsters' effects, and then they dismantle my field. You turn your monsters into literal bullets that you fire at me. A very effective playstyle. And ruthless."

"Where are you going with this?" Ryoken wondered.

"Your dueling is very pragmatic and goal-oriented. It is not like that of the rebels who hide here in the City. They follow a philosophy of using duels for enjoyment and defense. Not offense like yours." The Captain held up a hand. "It is quite clear you are not like the rebels we hunt. Come, work with Academia! Whatever your goal is here, we can work together to achieve it! Academia has the resources needed to see your goal through!"

"…"

Ryoken smiled as he closed his eyes. "You're not wrong; I don't belong with people like Tenjoin and Marufuji; they are naïve in their views on dueling. They see dueling as the ends itself, instead of the means to the end. I don't doubt that if I were to work with Academia, I would accomplish my objective. But…"

"But?"

Ryoken's eyes opened as he glared at the Captain. "Despite Tenjoin and Marufuji and their allies not agreeing with me, we have still formed an alliance and promised to work together. I will not break that promise for convenience's sake!" His lips morphed into a smirk. "And also… I'm pretty sure you don't have the authority to guarantee what you offer."

"…A minor detail."

"But an important one."

"Hmph. So be it. Spurn my mercy for the sake of your allies. I can respect such a choice, however foolish it may be." The Captain took a card from his hand and played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization, and fuse Asmodeus and Superbia on my field with Darklord Morningstar in my hand!" A pale-skinned white-haired fallen angel in black armor with six black wings appeared, along with the Fusion vortex. The fallen angel, along with Asmodeus and Superbia, turned into energy and swirled into the portal.

"Fallen angel of pride, fallen angel of lust, and fallen bringer of the light! Merge your heavenly light into a being of absolute power! Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 12! Lucifer, Darklord of the Morning Star!" A new angel emerged from the portal. This one was as pale as Morningstar and had long white hair and black armor too. But it had twelve black wings instead of six, and wielding a glowing violet sword in its right hand and a black shield with a red gem in the center in its left hand. The fallen angel's wings beat as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Lucifer, Darklord of the Morning Star ATK 4000 DEF 4000 LVL: 12

Ryoken's eyes narrowed. "This must be his true ace monster," he muttered.

"Lucifer's effect activates! When it is Fusion Summoned using Darklord Morningstar, all cards you control are destroyed!" Ryoken's eyes widened. "Go, Lucifer!" The fallen angel's sword lit up before it swung the blade, engulfing Ryoken's field in violet light. When the light faded, his field was left empty.

Ryoken grit his teeth. He got rid of my Mirror Force.

"You should have accepted my offer, Revolver. Now pay the price for defying Academia! Battle! Lucifer attacks you directly!" The fallen angel charged Ryoken, swinging its sword.

The man himself narrowed his eyes and took the card from his hand. "I activate the effect of Chobham Armor Dragon in my hand! When you attack me directly, I can Special Summon it in Attack Position!" A four-legged mechanical green and violet dragon appeared.

Chobham Armor Dragon ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

The Captain narrowed his eyes. "0 attack points? That won't make a difference!" Lucifer swung his sword at Chobham Armor Dragon and struck its head, but the monster withstood the attack.

"The turn it is Special Summoned, Chobham Armor Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle and the battle damage I would take is halved!" Ryoken winced as the shockwave of the attack struck and pushed him back.

Revolver: 2700→700 LP

The officer grit his teeth. "I'll put an end to this next turn. I end my turn."

Ryoken grimaced. "During the End Phase, Autorokket Dragon's effect activates, and I Special Summon Shelrokket Dragon." Another gold and green metal dragon appeared in Defense Position.

Shelrokket Dragon ATK 1100 DEF 2000 LVL: 2

"I would advise you to surrender. Against the 4000 attack point Lucifer, you have no chance."

Ryoken glared at the officer and then smirked. "On the contrary… I already have everything I need to win."

"What?"

"My turn! Draw!" Ryoken raised his hand. "Manifest, the future circuit that lights up my path! The summoning conditions are two Dark Dragon monsters. I set Chobham Armor Dragon and Shelrokket Dragon in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cartridge Dragon!" A new mechanical dragon emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone. This one was red with black plating on its upper legs and feet, and its plated tail ended in a black trident. It had no arms and instead had yellow holographic wings, with a gun cylinder for its chest. And attached to the top of its red head were two black gun barrels.

Cartridge Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↙↓

"When I use Chobham Armor Dragon to Link Summon, I can add a Dark monster from my Graveyard to my hand, and you can add a monster from your Graveyard to your hand. I add Magnarokket Dragon to my hand."

The Captain narrowed his eyes. "I'll add Darklord of Delight to my hand."

"I summon Magnarokket Dragon." The blue and red metal dragon was summoned to Cartridge Dragon's bottom Link Marker.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Cartridge Dragon's effect activates! Once per turn, I can target another monster and reduce its attack and defense points by 500. I target Magnarokket Dragon. At this point, Magnarokket Dragon's effect activates! As it was targeted by a Link Monster's effect, I can send a monster on the field to the Graveyard!"

"Lucifer's effect prevents you from targeting my Fairy monsters with your card effects!" the Captain said.

Ryoken smirked. "Then it's a good thing Magnarokket Dragon's effect doesn't target."

The Captain grit his teeth. "Lucifer's effect activates! By paying 1000 Life Points, I can Special Summon a Fairy monster from my hand or Graveyard in Defense Position."

Capture Squad Captain: 1800→800 LP

"Resurrect, Darklord Superbia!" The black monster with brown-red wings reappeared and spring said wings.

Darklord Superbia ATK 2900 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

"Magnarokket Dragon's effect resolves, and Lucifer goes to the Graveyard!" Magnarokket Dragon disintegrated and its particles entered the gun barrel in Cartridge Dragon's chest. The two barrels atop its head charged with red light before firing at Lucifer, destroying him.

"Superbia's effect activates!" the Captain declared. "When it is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Fairy monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Lucifer!" The fallen angel in black armor reappeared in Attack Position and swung its sword.

Lucifer, Darklord of the Morning Star ATK 4000 DEF 4000 LVL: 12

The Captain smirked. "You failed to defeat my monster. On my next turn, I will-."

"There won't be a next turn," Ryoken interrupted. "I told you before; this is my win." He gestured to his field. "Cartridge Dragon's effect activates! When a 'Rokket' monster at its Link Marker is destroyed by a card effect, I can banish a card from my Graveyard to add a Dragon Ritual Monster and the Ritual Spell Card Explosive Trigger from my Deck to my hand!"

"What?!" the Captain gasped. "Ritual?!"

"I banish Squib Draw to add Borreload Ravenous Dragon and Explosive Trigger to my hand. And now I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Explosive Trigger!" The card showed an underground hangar, with four red metal dragons inactive in separate holds. In one of those holds, one of the dragons was spreading dark blue holographic wings. "This lets me Ritual Summon a 'Borrel' Ritual Monster by Tributing monsters from my hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed the Ritual Monster's Level." Ryoken smirked. "However, if I control a Dark Dragon Link Monster, I can also shuffle Dragon monsters in my Graveyard back into my Deck!" The Captain gasped. "I shuffle the Level 4 Magnarokket Dragon and the Level 4 Metalrokket Dragon in my Graveyard back into my Deck to Ritual Summon!"

A dark green circle materialized in front of Ryoken, with eight green flames around it. Magnarokket Dragon and Metalrokket Dragon briefly appeared before disintegrating into particles that entered the circle, which emitted a pillar of green light. "The contract has been made!" Ryoken chanted as he raised his right hand. "The heroic dragon whose hunger ravages the world inherits these two souls!" He brought his hand down. "Ritual Summon! Take flight! Level 8! Borreload Ravenous Dragon!"

The dragon that emerged from the light was a bipedal machine dragon like Borreload Dragon, with chunks of dark blue armor covering its red and gray body, along with glowing green lines. Dark gray spines with blue attachments projected dark blue holographic wings behind it, and a black gun cylinder with blue markings sat in its chest. Two dark blue horns curled behind its head, along with two fangs on the sides of its mouth. The armored metal dragon roared from Cartridge Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Borreload Ravenous Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

The Captain blinked. "A 3000 attack points Ritual Monster?" he gasped.

"That's right. Now let me show you its power! Borreload Ravenous Dragon's effect activates! Once per turn, I can target a Dark Link Monster that is on my field or in my Graveyard. And until my next Standby Phase, Borreload Ravenous Dragon gains attack points equal to that monster's Link Rating times 1000!" The Captain gasped. "I target the Link-4 Borreload Dragon in my Graveyard!" Ravenous Dragon roared and glowed with power

Borreload Ravenous Dragon ATK 3000→7000

"Battle! Borreload Ravenous Dragon attacks Lucifer!" The dragon's holographic wings faded as the spines straightened out before bending at a 90-degree angle and turning forward, revealing two cannon barrels. Ravenous Dragon opened its mouth, revealing a third barrel in its mouth. The three barrels starting charging with dark blue energy. "Go! Varrel Cannon of Destruction!" The beams fired, converging on Lucifer and destroying him. The Captain cried out as he was knocked off his feet and landed unconscious on his back.

Capture Squad Captain: 800→0 LP

Ryoken smirked. Yuji may use Ritual Summoning more than I do, but I'm still competent at it, he thought. He turned around to look at the alley and raised an eyebrow. Huh.

"The hell was that?" David asked, blinking up at the man who just took the Captain of the Capture Squad away. Then he shook his head. "Never mind that. It's time you get what's coming to you, Manjome!"

Jun smirked and activated his Duel Disk. Now that it was just David, this would be too easy. "Stop it with the smug act, Rabb. We both know there's no way you're beating me."

Rabb growled as he activated his white Duel Disk's red blade.

"Duel!"

Jun Manjome: 4000 LP

David Rabb: 4000 LP

"Feel free to take the first turn, Manjome."

"Thanks. I think I will." Jun looked at his cards and smirked. "I Set one monster. I Set two cards. I end my turn."

David blinked and then sneered. "That's it? Three set cards? This will be even easier than I thought! My turn! Draw!" He looked at his card and then played it. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Ancient Gear Fortress!"

Jun sneered. "You're playing that Honor Student Deck? You really think you can beat me with that?"

"I don't need anything else to defeat you, Manjome! While Ancient Gear Fortress is on the field, you cannot target or destroy my 'Ancient Gear' monsters with card effects during the turn they are Normal or Special Summoned, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of my 'Ancient Gear' cards or effects. I summon Ancient Gear Wyvern!" A green-and-gray mechanical dragon appeared and roared.

Ancient Gear Wyvern ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Wyvern's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add an 'Ancient Gear' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Ancient Gear Box to my hand. And as Ancient Gear Box was added from my Deck to my hand, I can now add an Earth Machine monster with 500 attack and/or defense points from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Ancient Gear Gadget to my hand."

David sneered. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Trap Booster! By discarding Ancient Gear Box, I can activate a Trap Card from my hand. I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Ultimate Offering! And with this, I can-."

"I know what that card does," Jun interrupted. "It lets you Normal Summon again by paying 500 Life Points. I received the Honor Student Deck too, remember?"

David growled. "Then you should know what I have planned next. I activate Ultimate Offering's effect!"

David Rabb: 4000→3500 LP

"I summon Ancient Gear Gadget!" A bronze mechanical humanoid with a gear stuck to its back appeared.

Ancient Gear Gadget ATK 500 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"Gadget's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can declare a card type, and if my monster attacks this turn, you cannot activate cards or effects of that type. I declare Monsters. Gadget's additional effect! Once per turn, until the End Phase, I can change Ancient Gear Gadget's name to that of a 'Gadget' monster's name. I declare Gold Gadget!" A golden glow enveloped the monster.

Jun adopted a lopsided smirk. "An 'Ancient Gear' monster and a 'Gadget' monster. I can see where this is going."

"Then you know exactly how you're going to lose. I activate Ultimate Offering's effect once more!"

David Rabb: 3500→3000 LP

"I Tribute Gadget and Wyvern to Tribute Summon Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon!" The two monsters disappeared and were replaced by a large green mechanical dragon with three eyes and ragged wings.

Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 3000 LVL: 9

David smirked. "If you're so familiar with the Honor Student Deck, then you should know what happens when Reactor Dragon is Tributed Summoned using an 'Ancient Gear' monster and a 'Gadget' monster."

Jun's eyes narrowed. "If you Tribute an 'Ancient Gear' monster for it, it can inflict piercing battle damage. And if you Tribute a 'Gadget' monster, it can attack twice during the Battle Phase."

"That's right! And when it attacks, you cannot activate Spell Cards, Trap Cards, or monster effects until the end of the Damage Step, at which point Reactor Dragon can destroy a Spell or Trap Card on the field." David's sneer widened. "I'll end this duel in a single turn! Battle! Reactor Dragon attacks your Set monster!" The mechanical dragon blasted the card with purple fire.

Jun frowned. "My Set monster is Ojama Blue!" The card flipped, revealing a small blue-skinned humanoid with a large head, tiny eyes, and a red speedo.

Ojama Blue ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

David blinked. Then burst out laughing. "Ojamas?! You still use those ridiculous cards?! Reactor Dragon, tear that thing apart!" The purple flames consumed the blue monster, who screamed as it exploded. The backlash pushed Jun back as he grunted in pain.

Jun Manjome: 4000→2000 LP

Jun narrowed his eyes. "Ojama Blue's effect activates! When it is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can add two 'Ojama' cards from my Deck to my hand."

"Add as many of those useless cards to your hand as you want," David said mockingly. "They won't save you! Reactor Dragon's effect activates! I destroy one of your Set cards!" Another blast of purple flames consumed the card on Jun's left. "One more attack, Manjome! That's all it will take to knock your arrogant ass to the ground!"

Jun glared at David and then, to the latter's surprise, smirked. "You really do talk too much, Rabb. And you make terrible choices."

"What?"

"You could have destroyed either of my cards, but you happened to destroy the one I needed the least," Jun revealed. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Ojamatch! By sending an 'Ojama' card from my hand or field to the Graveyard, I can add an 'Ojama' monster and an 'Armed Dragon' monster from my Deck and/or Graveyard to my hand. I discard Ojamagic to add Ojama Red and Armed Dragon LV3 to my hand." Jun's smirk widened. "Ojamatch then lets me Normal Summon one of the monsters I added to my hand. I summon Armed Dragon LV3!" A small orange and brown dragon with spikes on its body appeared on Jun's field.

Armed Dragon LV3 ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"That's not the only effect I can activate. Since Ojamagic was sent from my hand to the Graveyard, I add Ojama Green, Ojama Yellow, and Ojama Black from my Deck to my hand."

David narrowed his eyes. "Those weaklings aside, your Armed Dragons are genuinely dangerous. But only if given time to evolve. Time which you won't have! Remember, Reactor Dragon can attack twice! Reactor Dragon attacks Armed Dragon LV3!" The dragon blasted purple flames, destroying the smaller dragon and knocking Jun back.

Jun Manjome: 2000→200 LP

"Your Armed Dragons are only dangerous if they can level up, but since it's in the Graveyard, that's impossible for you."

Jun stood up straight, wincing from the pain of the attack, before smirking again. "You sure about that? I activate the effect of the Trap Card: Level Rebirth in my Graveyard!" The card showed Silent Magician LV4 kneeling in front of a tombstone on a small island floating inside a wormhole. "By banishing it, I can Special Summon a 'LV' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Armed Dragon LV3!" The orange and brown dragon reappeared in Attack Position and let out a little roar.

Armed Dragon LV3 ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

David grit his teeth. "Like I said," Jun gloated, "you really have bad luck choosing which cards to destroy."

Jun's opponent growled. "I Set one card. I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" Jun gestured to his field. "Armed Dragon LV3's effect activates! During my Standby Phase, I send it to the Graveyard to Special Summon Armed Dragon LV5 from my Deck!" A pillar of fire erupted around the small dragon, and when it disappeared, a new monster had appeared in Attack Position. This dragon was red and black and covered in spikes and drills.

Armed Dragon LV5 ATK 2400 DEF 1700 LVL: 5

David narrowed his eyes. "I know how that monster's effect works. You can destroy my Reactor Dragon if you discard a monster with equal or greater attack points than Reactor Dragon. But that won't be enough to defeat me."

Jun smirked. "To be honest Rabb, I don't need my Armed Dragon LV5 to destroy your monster."

"What?"

"I summon Ojama Red." A small red humanoid wearing a yellow cape and speedo appeared.

Ojama Red ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"Ojama Red's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon up to four 'Ojama' monsters from my hand in Attack Position. Come to me, Ojama Black, Ojama Green, and Ojama Yellow!" Three small humanoids in red speedos – one black with a large nose, one green with a single eye and a long tongue, and one yellow with two eyestalks – appeared.

Ojama Black ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

Ojama Green ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

Ojama Yellow ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

David grimaced in disgust. "Why must you insist on using monsters like these? They're disgusting troglodytes unworthy of a proud Academia duelist."

"Then I guess it's a good thing I'm not an Academia duelist anymore," Jun said with a smirk. "And yeah, these monsters are gross." Said monsters all look disheartened at their owner's admittance. "But they're a lot more powerful than you think. And this card is the proof. I activate the Spell Card: Ojama Delta Hurricane! Since I control Ojamas Black, Green, and Yellow, all cards on your field are destroyed!"

"What?" David gasped in surprise.

"Do your thing boys!" The three Ojama brothers cackled as they leapt into the air and stuck their butts together. The trio started spinning, creating a whirlwind that encircled David's field before-

BOOM

Jun smirked as smoke filled David's field and the three brothers returned to his field. When the smoke cleared, a rather irate David glared at him, his field now empty.

"You'll pay for that," David growled. "Since Ancient Gear Fortress was destroyed while it was on my field, I can Special Summon an 'Ancient Gear' monster from my hand or Graveyard. Resurrect, Reactor Dragon!" The green mechanical dragon with ragged wings reappeared and roared in Attack Position.

Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 3000 LVL: 9

"Even if my dragon can no longer inflict piercing battle damage or attack twice, it's still stronger than your monsters," David said. "And even if you destroy it with your Armed Dragon, I'll still have Life Points left after your attack!"

"That would be true," Jun admitted. "Which is why Armed Dragon LV5 won't be the one attacking. I activate the Spell Card: Level Up!, which lets me send a 'LV' monster I control to the Graveyard to Special Summon a monster from my hand or Deck whose name is listed in that monster's text. I send Armed Dragon LV5 to the Graveyard to Special Summon Armed Dragon LV7!" Another pillar of fire engulfed the dragon on Jun's field, and when it dissipated, Armed Dragon LV5 had been replaced by a much larger red and silver dragon, its body covered in blades and drills. Said dragon roared in Attack Position.

Armed Dragon LV7 ATK 2800 DEF 1000 LVL: 7

David growled. "That monster may have a stronger effect, but it isn't enough to defeat me either!"

"I know. You don't have to keep bringing that up," Jun said mockingly. "By Tributing Armed Dragon LV7, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand. Come, Armed Dragon LV10!" The red and silver dragon exploded, and from the smoke, a new dragon rose in Attack Position. This one had red skin covered by black and silver armor and wings.

Armed Dragon LV10 ATK 3000 DEF 2000 LVL: 10

David's eyes widened. "Armed Dragon LV10?!"

"Armed Dragon LV10's effect activates! By discarding X-Head Cannon, all face-up monsters you control are destroyed!" The dragon released a wave of pressure from its mouth that engulfed Reactor Dragon, making it explode. When the smoke cleared, a panicking Rabb was left defenseless.

Jun smirked. "Like I told you, that Honor Student Deck is useless against me! Battle! Armed Dragon LV10 attacks you directly! Armed Big Punisher!" The dragon gathered a ball of dark energy and lightning in its right hand, which it flung at David. The Honor Student screamed in pain as it struck him. David was knocked off his feet and flung unceremoniously out of the alley to the ground.

David Rabb: 3000→0 LP

"Hmph. I may not be with Academia anymore, but some things will always be constant." Jun's eyes narrowed as his Duel Disk deactivated and he glared at the prone Rabb. "You'll always be second-best to me, Rabb."

The young man growled as he tried to push himself up, only to fall back to the ground.

"Very impressive."

Jun turned as the man from before jumped down to the ground. "I only caught the end of your duel, but it seems you're a higher quality than most here."

"Hmph. Tell me something I don't know." Jun's eyes narrowed. "Who are you? You may have helped me with these guys, but I'm not just going to trust you so easily."

"Fair enough; I wouldn't either. My name is Ryoken Kogami. And while I'm not a defector like you, I am an ally of Asuka Tenjoin."

Jun's eyes narrowed further. "Tenjoin?"

"You know her?"

"Yeah. We used to be friends."

"I'm meeting her after this." Ryoken glanced at his Duel Disk. "I jammed the Capture Squad's communications, but with all the noise we made, someone will surely investigate. While I'm sure they won't be able to defeat us, it would be troublesome having to deal with reinforcements." He turned his eyes to Jun. "Do you want to come with me?"

Jun considered it before nodding. Stranger this man may have been, but if he knew Asuka, it would be worth it to go with him. And if it was a trap, then Jun would just fight his way out.

The two men turned and left the alley, leaving Rabb to watch their departing backs helplessly. "Manjome…" The man's eyes glittered with hate. "This isn't over…"

Sho Marufuji vs. Capture Squad Sergeant

Turn 1: Capture Squad Sergeant

CSS activates the effect of Thunder Dragondark in his hand, discarding it to add a 2nd Thunder Dragondark from his Deck to his hand. As a Thunder monster's effect was activated in the hand this turn, CSS activates the effect of Thunder Dragonlord in his hand, banishing the Level 5 Thunder Dragondark from his hand to Special Summon it (3000/2000/9) in Attack Position. CSS Normal Summons Thunder Dragonmatrix (0/2000/1). As a Thunder monster's effect was activated in the hand, CSS Special Summons Thunder Dragon Colossus (2600/2400/8) from his Extra Deck in Attack Position via Tributing Dragonmatrix. As Dragonmatrix was sent from the field to the GY, CSS ads a 2nd Thunder Dragonmatrix from his Deck to his hand. While Thunder Dragon Colossus is on the field, Sho cannot add cards from his Main Deck to his hand except by drawing them. CSS Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During his End Phase, he activates Thunder Dragonlord's effect to send 1 "Thunder Dragon" card from his Deck to the GY. He sends Thunder Dragonhawk to the GY.

Turn 2: Sho Marufuji

Sho draws. He activates the Field Spell Card Megaroid City. Sho Normal Summons Submarineroid (800/1800/4).

Submarineroid can attack CSS directly. As Sho's "roid" monster is battling, Sho activates the effect of Megaroid City to send 1 "roid" monster from his Deck to the GY to switch the original ATK and DEF of his monster during damage calculation only. He sends Steamroid to the GY (Submarineroid: 800→1800/1800→800). The attack continues (CSS: 4000→2200 LP) (Submarineroid: 1800→800/800→1800). As Submarineroid attacked, its effect switches itself to Defense Position. Sho Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 3: Capture Squad Sergeant

CSS draws. He activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Thunder Dragon Discharge, which prevents the activation of his Thunder monsters' effects from being negated. By banishing the Light Thunder Dragonhawk and Dark Thunder Dragondark from his GY, CSS Special Summons Thunder Dragonduo (2800/0/8) in Attack Position. As Thunder Dragonhawk and Thunder Dragondark were banished, their effects activate, and CSS can shuffle any number of cards in his hand into his Deck then draw the same number of cards, and add 1 "Thunder Dragon" card from his Deck to his hand. CSS shuffles and draws 1 card, then adds Thunder Dragon Fusion to his hand. As a "Thunder Dragon" monster was Normal or Special Summoned, Thunder Dragon Discharge's effect activates, and CSS can banish 1 Thunder monster from his Deck and then destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field. He banishes Thunder Dragonroar and destroys Sho's Set Wonder Garage. As Wonder Garage was destroyed and sent to the GY, Sho can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Machine "roid" monster from his hand. He Special Summons Jetroid (1200/1800/4) in Defense Position. As Thunder Dragonroar was banished, CSS can Special Summon 1 "Thunder Dragon" monster from his Deck in Defense Position, but that monster is returned to his hand during the End Phase. CSS Special Summons a 2nd Thunder Dragonhawk (1800/2200/6). CSS activates the Spell Card Thunder Dragon Fusion, which lets him Fusion Summon 1 Thunder Fusion Monster by shuffling the listed Fusion Materials into his Deck from among his cards on the field, in his GY, and/or his face-up banished cards. CSS shuffles 2 copies of Thunder Dragondark and Thunder Dragonroar from among his banished cards into his Deck to Fusion Summon Thunder Dragon Titan (3200/3200/10) in Attack Position. CSS activates the effect of Thunder Dragonmatrix in his hand, discarding it to increase Thunder Dragon Titan's ATK by 500 (Thunder Dragon Titan: 3200→3700). As a Thunder monster's effect was activated in CSS's hand, Thunder Dragon Titan's effect activates, letting CSS destroy 1 card on the field. He destroys Jetroid. As a monster effect was activated in the hand, Thunder Dragonduo's effect activates, and it gains 300 ATK until the end of the turn (Thunder Dragonduo: 2800→3100).

Thunder Dragonduo attacks and destroys Submarineroid. As Thunder Dragonduo destroyed Sho's monster by battle, CSS can banish 1 card from his GY to add 1 Thunder monster from his Deck to his hand. He banishes Thunder Dragonmatrix to add Thunder Dragondark to his hand. Thunder Dragon Colossus attacks Sho directly. As CSS's monster declared an attack while Sho controls no monsters, Sho activates the Trap Card Roid Force from his hand, which lets him banish the attacking monster, then Special Summon 1 "roid" monster from his GY in Defense Position. He banishes Thunder Dragon Colossus and Special Summons Jetroid (1200/1800/4). Thunder Dragonlord attacks Jetroid. As Jetroid was selected as the target of an attack, Sho can activate 1 Trap Card from his hand. Sho activates the Trap Card Supercharge from his hand. As CSS declared an attack while the only monsters Sho controls are Machine "roid" monsters, Sho draws 2 cards. The attack continues and Jetroid is destroyed. As the Jetroid Special Summoned by Roid Force left the field, it is banished. Thunder Dragon Titan attacks Sho directly (Sho: 4000→300 LP). CSS ends his turn. During CSS's End Phase, he sends Thunder Dragonroar from his Deck to the GY via Thunder Dragonlord's effect, Thunder Dragonhawk returns to his hand via Thunder Dragonroar's effect, and Thunder Dragonduo's effect ends (Thunder Dragonduo: 3100→2800).

Turn 4: Sho Marufuji

Sho draws. He activates the Spell Card Fusion Shuffle, which lets him return 1 Fusion Monster that is banished or in the GY to the owner's Extra Deck, then draw cards depending on that monster's Level. He shuffles the Level 8 Thunder Dragon Colossus into CSS's Extra Deck, so he draws 2 cards. Sho Normal Summons Expressroid (400/1600/4). As Expressroid was Summoned, Sho can add 2 "roid" monsters from his GY to his hand. He adds Steamroid and Submarineroid from his GY to his hand. Sho activates the Spell Card Vehicroid Connection Zone, which lets him Fusion Summon 1 "Vehicroid" Fusion Monster using monsters from his hand or field as Fusion Materials. He fuses Drillroid, Steamroid, and Submarineroid in his hand to Fusion Summon Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill (3000/2000/8) in Attack Position. Sho activates the Spell Card Block Attack, which lets him change 1 Attack Position monster to Defense Position. He attempts to target Thunder Dagonduo, but CSS activates the effect of Thunder Dragonlord, banishing Thunder Dragonmatrix and Thunder Dragonroar from his GY to target Thunder Dragonduo. Until the end of the turn, Thunder Dragonduo cannot be targeted with Sho's card effects. Sho targets Thunder Dragonlord and changes it to Defense Position. As Thunder Dragonmatrix was banished, CSS adds a 3rd Thunder Dragonmatrix from his Deck to his hand, and as Thunder Dragonroar was banished, CSS can Special Summon 1 "Thunder Dragon" monster from his Deck in Defense Position, but it is returned to his hand during the End Phase. He Special Summons Thunder Dragonhawk (1800/2200/6). Sho activates the effect of Megaroid City, targeting Expressroid. Expressroid is destroyed, and Sho can add 1 "roid" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Railroid Battery to his hand. Sho activates the Spell Card Railroid Battery, targeting Jumbo Drill. Sho's other monsters cannot attack, and Jumbo Drill's ATK becomes double its original ATK until the end of the turn (Jumbo Drill: 3000→6000). CSS activates the effect of Thunder Dragondark in his hand, discarding it to add another Thunder Dragondark from his Deck to his hand. As a Thunder monster's effect was activated in the hand, CSS activates Thunder Dragon Titan's effect to destroy Jumbo Drill, but as Jumbo Drill was Fusion Summoned using Vehicroid Connection Zone, it cannot be destroyed by card effects. As a monster effect was activated from the hand, Thunder Dragonduo gains 300 ATK (Thunder Dragonduo: 2800→3100).

Jumbo Drill attacks and destroys Thunder Dragon Titan (CSS: 2200→0 LP). Sho wins.

Asuka Tenjoin vs. Capture Squad Lieutenant

Turn 1: Capture Squad Lieutenant

CSL activates the Field Spell Card Curse of the Shadow Prison. Each time a "Shaddoll" monster is sent to the GY by a card effect, CSL must place 1 Spellstone Counter on Curse of the Shadow Prison, and during Asuka's turn, her monsters lose 100 ATK for each Spellstone Counter on the card. CSL Normal Summons Shaddoll Squamata (1800/1000/4). He activates the Equip Spell Card Nephe Shaddoll Fusion and equips it to Squamata. Nephe Shaddoll Fusion's effect changes Squamata's Attribute to an Attribute that CSL declares. He declares Water Attribute. CSL then activates the effect of Nephe Shaddoll Fusion to Fusion Summon 1 "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster from his Extra Deck using monsters from his hand or field as Fusion Materials. He fuses Squamata on his field with Shaddoll Hedgehog in his hand to Fusion Summon El Shaddoll Anoyatyllis (2700/2000/9) in Attack Position (Curse of the Shadow Prison: 0 SC→2 SC). As Squamata was sent to the GY by a card effect, CSL can send 1 "Shaddoll" card from his Deck to the GY. He sends Shaddoll Beast to the GY (Curse of the Shadow Prison: 2 SC→3 SC). As Hedgehog was sent to the GY by a card effect, CSL can add 1 "Shaddoll" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Shaddoll Dragon to his hand. As Beast was sent to the GY by a card effect, CSL draws 1 card. While Anoyatyllis is on the field, neither player can Special Summon monsters from the hand or GY with Spell or Trap effects. CSL Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Asuka Tenjoin

Asuka draws. She Normal Summons Cyber Gymnast (800→500/1800/4). She activates Cyber Gymnast's effect to discard 1 card, then destroy 1 face-up Attack Position monster CSL controls. She discards Etoile Cyber to destroy Anoyatyllis (Curse of the Shadow Prison: 3 SC→4 SC) (Cyber Gymnast: 500→400). As Anonyatyllis was sent to the GY, CSL can add 1 "Shaddoll" Spell/Trap Card from his GY to his hand. He adds Nephe Shaddoll Fusion from his GY to his hand. Asuka activates the Field Spell Card Ritual Sanctuary. She activates its effect to discard 1 Spell to add 1 Light Ritual Monster or 1 Ritual Spell Card from her Deck to her hand. She discards Ritual Weapon to add Machine Angel Absolute Ritual to her hand. Asuka activates the Ritual Spell Card Machine Angel Absolute Ritual, which lets her Ritual Summon 1 "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster from her hand by Tributing "Cyber" monsters from her hand or field, or shuffling "Cyber" monsters from her GY into her Deck, whose combined Levels exactly equal the Ritual Monster's. Asuka Tributes the Level 4 Cyber Gymnast and shuffles the Level 4 Etoile Cyber in her GY back into her Deck to Ritual Summon Cyber Angel Izana (2500→2100/2600/8) in Attack Position. As Izana was Ritual Summoned, Asuka can make CSL send 1 Spell/Trap they control to the GY. CSL sends his Set Purushaddoll Aeon to the GY.

Izana attacks CSL directly (CSL: 4000→1900 LP). Asuka Sets 1 card. She ends her turn.

Turn 3: Capture Squad Lieutenant

CSL draws (Izana: 2100→2500). He Normal Summons Shaddoll Dragon (1900/0/4). He then equips Shaddoll Dragon with Nephe Shaddoll Fusion and declares FIRE. CSL activates the effect of Nephe Shaddoll Fusion to Fusion Summon 1 "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster. As CSL would Fusion Summon a "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster, he activates the effect of Curse of the Shadow Prison, removing 3 Spellstone Counters (Curse of the Shadow Prison: 4 SC→1 SC) to use 1 of Asuka's face-up monsters as Fusion Material. CSL fuses Shaddoll Dragon with the Light Cyber Angel Izana to Fusion Summon El Shaddoll Construct (2800/2500/8) in Attack Position (Curse of the Shadow Prison: 1 SC→2 SC). As El Shaddoll Construct was Special Summoned, CSL can send 1 "Shaddoll" card from his Deck to the GY. He sends Reeshaddoll Wendi to the GY (Curse of the Shadow Prison: 2 SC→3 SC). As Shaddoll Dragon was sent to the GY by a card effect, CSL can target and destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field. He targets and destroys Asuka's Set Reincarnated Machine Angels. As Reeshaddoll Wendi was sent to the GY by a card effect, CSL can Special Summon 1 "Shaddoll" monster from his Deck in face-down Defense Position. He Special Summons Shaddoll Hound in face-down Defense Position. CSL activates the Spell Card Book of Taiyou, targeting and changing Shaddoll Hound to face-up Attack Position (1600/900/4). As Shaddoll Hound was Flip Summoned, its Flip Effect activates, letting CSL add 1 "Shaddoll" card from his GY to his hand. He adds Nephe Shaddoll Fusion to his hand.

El Shaddoll Construct attacks Asuka directly. Asuka activates the effect of Reincarnated Machine Angels in her GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "Cyber Angel" monster from her GY in Defense Position with its effects negated. She Special Summons Cyber Angel Izana (2500/2600/8). The monster Special Summoned by Machine Angel Reincarnation cannot be destroyed by battle for the rest of the turn. A replay occurs and El Shaddoll Construct attacks Cyber Angel Izana. At the start of the Damage Step, as Construct is battling a Special Summoned monster, Izana is destroyed. Shaddoll Hound attacks Asuka directly (Asuka: 4000→2400 LP). CSL Sets 1 card (Shaddoll Ruq). He ends his turn.

Turn 4: Asuka Tenjoin

Asuka draws. She activates the Spell Card Fusion Shuffle, which lets her return 1 Fusion Monster that is banished or in the GY to the Extra Deck to draw cards based on its Level. She shuffles the Level 9 El Shaddoll Anoyatyllis from CSL's GY back into his Extra Deck, so she draws 3 cards. Asuka activates the Spell Card Rising Machine Angels, which lets her Special Summon 1 "Cyber Angel" monster from her GY by banishing Fairy and/or Warrior monsters from her Deck whose combined Levels equal that monster's Level, but the Special Summoned monster cannot attack directly. Asuka banishes the Level 2 Cyber Petit Angel and the Level 6 Cyber Prima to Special Summon the Level 8 Cyber Angel Izana (2500→2200/2600/8) from her GY in Attack Position. CSL activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Shaddoll Ruq, then activates its effect to Fusion Summon 1 "Shaddoll" Fusion Monster from his Extra Deck by banishing Fusion Materials listed on it from his field or GY, but that monster cannot attack directly. He banishes El Shaddoll Construct from his field and Shaddoll Squamata from his GY to Fusion Summon a 2nd El Shaddoll Construct (2800/2500/8) in Attack Position. Shaddoll Ruq's effect then lets CSL send 1 monster Asuka controls with the same Attribute as El Shaddoll Construct to the GY. CSL attempts to send Cyber Angel Izana to the GY, but the monster Special Summoned by the effect of Rising Machine Angels is unaffected by the effects of CSL's Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the turn. As El Shaddoll Construct was Special Summoned, its effect activates, and CSL sends Shaddoll Falco to the GY (Curse of the Shadow Prison: 3 SC→4 SC) (Izana: 2200→2100). As Shaddoll Falco was sent to the GY by a card effect, CSL Special Summons it in face-down Defense Position. Asuka activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magnificent Machine Angel, Tributing the Level 6 Cyber Angel Benten in her hand and targeting Cyber Angel Izana. Until the end of the turn, Izana gains ATK/DEF equal to Benten's Level x 200 (Izana: 2100→3300/2600→3800). As Benten was Tributed, Asuka can add 1 Light Fairy monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Cyber Angel Dakini to her hand.

Izana attacks El Shaddoll Construct. As the monster targeted by Magnificent Machine Angel is battling a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, El Shaddoll Construct's effects are negated during the Battle Phase. El Shaddoll Construct is destroyed (CSL: 1900→1400 LP). As El Shaddoll Construct was sent to the GY, CSL can add 1 "Shaddoll" Spell/Trap Card from his GY to his hand. He adds Purushaddoll Aeon to his hand. As Izana destroyed CSL's monster by battle and sent it to the GY, its effect activates, and Izana can attack CSL's monster again in a row. Izana attacks and destroys Shaddoll Hound (CSL: 1400→0 LP). Asuka wins.

Revolver vs. Capture Squad Captain

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.

Turn 1: Revolver

Revolver activates the Field Spell Card Boot Sector Launch, which increases the ATK/DEF of "Rokket" monsters by 300. Revolver activates Boot Sector Launch's effect to Special Summon up to 2 "Rokket" monsters with different names from his hand in Defense Position. He Special Summons Anesthrokket Dragon (0→300/2200→2500/1) and Shelrokket Dragon (1100→1400/2000→2300/2). Revolver Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Capture Squad Captain

CSC draws. He activates the Continuous Spell Card Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen. If CSC controls no monsters, he can Special Summon 1 Fairy monster from his hand. He activates Valhalla's effect, Special Summoning Darklord Nergal (2700/2500/8) from his hand in Attack Position. CSC activates the Spell Card Banishment of the Darklords, which lets him add 1 "Darklord" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Darklord of Delight to his hand. CSC activates Nergal's effect, paying 1000 LP to target 1 "Darklord" Spell/Trap Card in his GY, apply its effect, then shuffle it into his Deck (CSC: 4000→3000 LP). CSC targets Banishment of the Darklords and applies its effect, adding Darklord Desire to his hand. CSC Normal Summons Darklord of Delight (0/1600/4). He activates Darklord of Delight's effect to immediately Tribute Summon 1 Fairy monster face-up. He Tributes Darklord of Delight to Tribute Summon Darklord Desire (3000/2800/10). As Darklord of Delight was sent to the GY, Revolver's face-up monsters lose 500 ATK/DEF for each Fairy monster on the field (Anesthrokket Dragon: 2500→1500) (Shelrokket Dragon: 1400→400/2300→1300). CSC activates Desire's effect, targeting Anesthrokket Dragon. CSC lowers Desire's ATK by 1000 to send Anesthrokket Dragon to the GY (Desire: 3000→2000), but Revolver chains his Set Trap Card Tactical Exchanger, targeting and destroying Anesthrokket Dragon to Special Summon 1 "Rokket" monster with a different original name from his Deck or GY. He Special Summons Magnarokket Dragon (1800→2100/1200→1500/4) in Attack Position. Desire's effect resolves with no target.

Desire attacks Shelrokket Dragon. As CSC's Fairy monster is attacking a Defense Position monster, Nergal's effect inflicts piercing battle damage. Shelrokket Dragon is destroyed (Revolver: 4000→3300 LP). Nergal attacks and destroys Magnarokket Dragon (Revolver: 3300→2700 LP). CSC Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, as Anesthrokket Dragon, Magnarokket Dragon, and Shelrokket Dragon are in the GY because they were destroyed, their effects activate, and Revolver can Special Summon 3 different "Rokket" monsters from his Deck. He Special Summons Autorokket Dragon (1600→1900/1000→1300/3), Metalrokket Dragon (1700→2000/1400→1700/4), and a 2nd Anesthrokket Dragon (0→300/2200→2500/1), all in Defense Position.

Turn 3: Revolver

Revolver draws. He activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Squib Draw, which lets him destroy 1 "Rokket" monster he controls to draw 2 cards. He destroys Anesthrokket Dragon and draws. Revolver uses Autorokket Dragon and Metalrokket Dragon to Link Summon Booster Dragon (1900/2/↙↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. CSC activates his Set Trap Card The Sanctified Darklord, which lets him send 1 "Darklord" monster from his hand or field to the GY to negate the effects of 1 Effect Monster on the field until the end of the turn. CSC sends Desire to the GY to negate Booster Dragon's effects, then gain LP equal to its ATK (CSC: 3000→4900 LP). As a Dark Dragon monster was Special Summoned to Revolver's field, he activates the effect of Noctovision Dragon in his hand, Special Summoning it (0/2800/7) in Defense Position. Revolver Normal Summons Magnarokket Dragon (1800→2100/1200→1500/4). Revolver uses Magnarokket Dragon, Noctovision Dragon, and Link-2 Booster Dragon to Link Summon Borreload Dragon (3000/4/←↙↘→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Noctovision Dragon was sent to the GY as Link Material, Revolver can draw 1 card. CSC activates Nergal's effect, paying 1000 LP (CSC: 4900→3900 LP) and targeting The Sanctified Darklord in his GY. CSC sends Darklord Superbia to the GY and attempts to target Borreload Dragon for The Sanctified Darklord's effect as Nergal's effect, but Borreload Dragon cannot be targeted by monster effects. CSC targets Nergal for its effect (CSC: 3900→6600 LP). Revolver activates the Equip Spell Card Borrel Regenerator, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Rokket" monster from his GY and equip it to Borrel Regenerator, but it will be banished when Borrel Regenerator leaves the field. He Special Summons Magnarokket Dragon (1800→2100/1200→1500/4) in Attack Position.

Borreload Dragon attacks Nergal. At the start of the Damage Step, as Borreload Dragon attacked CSC's monster, Revolver takes control of that monster and places it at Borreload Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker, but it will be sent to the GY during the End Phase of the next turn. Nergal attacks CSC directly (CSC: 6600→3900 LP). Magnarokket Dragon attacks CSC directly (CSC: 3900→1800 LP). Revolver Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, the effect of the destroyed Anesthrokket Dragon activates, and Revolver Special Summons Autorokket Dragon (1600→1900/1000→1300/3) in Attack Position.

Turn 4: Capture Squad Captain

CSC draws. He activates the Spell Card Card of Demise, which lets him draw until he has 5 cards in his hand, but during his 5th Standby Phase after activation, he must send all cards in his hand to the GY. CSC activates the effect of Valhalla, Special Summoning Darklord Asmodeus (3000/2500/8) from his hand in Attack Position. CSC activates Asmodeus's effect to send 1 Fairy monster from his Deck to the GY. He sends Darklord Nergal to the GY. CSC activates the Spell Card Darklord Contact, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Darklord" monster from his GY in Defense Position. He Special Summons Darklord Superbia (2900/2400/8). As Superbia was Special Summoned from the GY, CSC can Special Summon 1 Fairy monster from his GY. He Special Summons Darklord Nergal (2700/2500/8) in Attack Position. Revolver activates Borreload Dragon's effect, targeting Magnarokket Dragon and attempting to lower its ATK/DEF by 500. As Magnarokket Dragon was targeted by a Link Monster's effect, it is destroyed, then 1 monster on the field is sent to the GY. Revolver sends Nergal to the GY. As the monster equipped with Borrel Regenerator was destroyed, Revolver can draw 1 card. CSC activates the Spell Card Polymerization, fusing Asmodeus and Superbia with Darklord Morningstar in his hand to Fusion Summon Lucifer, Darklord of the Morning Star (4000/4000/12) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Lucifer was Fusion Summoned using Darklord Morningstar as material, all cards Revolver controls are destroyed. Autorokket Dragon, Borreload Dragon, Nergal, Boot Sector Launch, and Revolver's Set Mirror Force are destroyed.

Lucifer attacks Revolver directly. As CSC's monster declared a direct attack, Revolver activates the effect of Chobham Armor Dragon in his hand, Special Summoning it in Attack Position (0/0/1). A replay occurs and Lucifer attacks Chobham Armor Dragon. The turn Chobham Armor Dragon's effect is activated, it cannot be destroyed by battle, and any battle damage Revolver would take is halved (Revolver: 2700→700 LP). CSC ends his turn. During the End Phase, Autorokket Dragon's effect activates, and Revolver Special Summons Shelrokket Dragon (1100/2000/2) in Defense Position.

Turn 5: Revolver

Revolver draws. He uses Chobham Armor Dragon and Shelrokket Dragon to Link Summon Cartridge Dragon (1200/2/↙↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Chobham Armor Dragon was sent to the GY as Link Material, Revolver can add 1 Dark monster in his GY to his hand, and CSC can add 1 monster from his GY to his hand. Revolver adds Magnarokket Dragon to his hand, and CSC adds Darklord of Delight to his hand. Revolver Normal Summons Magnarokket Dragon (1800/1200/4) to Cartridge Dragon's bottom Link Marker. Revolver activates Cartridge Dragon's effect, targeting Magnarokket Dragon and reducing its ATK/DEF by 500. As Magnarokket Dragon was targeted by a Link Monster's effect, its effect activates, destroying itself and letting Revolver send 1 monster on the field to the GY. CSC activates Lucifer's effect, paying 1000 LP (CSC: 1800→800 LP) to Special Summon 1 Fairy monster from his hand or GY in Defense Position. He Special Summons Darklord Superbia (2900/2400/8) from his GY. Magnarokket Dragon's effect resolves, and Lucifer is sent to the GY. As Superbia was Special Summoned from the GY, its effect activates, and CSC Special Summons Lucifer (4000/4000/12) from his GY in Attack Position. As Revolver's "Rokket" monster that Cartridge Dragon pointed to was destroyed by a card effect, Cartridge Dragon's effect activates, letting Revolver banish 1 card from his GY to add 1 Dragon Ritual Monster and/or 1 Explosive Trigger from his Deck to his hand. He banishes Squib Draw, then adds Borreload Ravenous Dragon and Explosive Trigger from his Deck to his hand. Revolver activates the Ritual Spell Card Explosive Trigger, which lets him Ritual Summon 1 "Borrel" Ritual Monster from his hand by Tributing monsters whose combined Levels equal or exceed the Ritual Monster's. Alternatively, as Revolver controls a Dark Dragon Link Monster, he can use Dragon monsters in his GY as material by shuffling them back into his Deck. Revolver shuffles the Level 4 Magnarokket Dragon and the Level 4 Metalrokket Dragon in his GY back into his Deck to Ritual Summon Borreload Ravenous Dragon (3000/2500/8) to Cartridge Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Revolver activates Ravenous Dragon's effect to target 1 Dark Link Monster he controls or in his GY, and increase Ravenous Dragon's ATK by that monster's Link Rating x 1000 until his next Standby Phase. He targets the Link-4 Borreload Dragon in his GY (Ravenous Dragon: 3000→7000).

Ravenous Dragon attacks and destroys Lucifer (CSC: 800→0 LP). Revolver wins.

Jun Manjome vs. David Rabb

Turn 1: Jun Manjome

Jun Sets 1 monster. He Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: David Rabb

David draws. He activates the Continuous Spell Card Ancient Gear Fortress. During the turn they are Normal or Special Summoned, Jun cannot target David's "Ancient Gear" monsters with card effects, nor can they be destroyed by card effects, and Jun cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of "Ancient Gear" cards and effects. David Normal Summons Ancient Gear Wyvern (1700/1200/4). As Wyvern was Normal or Special Summoned, David can add 1 "Ancient Gear" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Ancient Gear Box to his hand. As Ancient Gear Box was added to David's hand from his Deck, David can add 1 Earth Machine monster with 500 ATK and/or DEF from his Deck to his hand. He adds Ancient Gear Gadget to his hand. David Rabb activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Trap Booster, which lets him discard 1 card to activate 1 Trap Card from his hand. He discards Ancient Gear Box and activates the Continuous Trap Card Ultimate Offering. By paying 500 LP, David can Normal Summon/Set during his Main Phase or Jun's Battle Phase. David activates Ultimate Offering's effect (David: 4000→3500 LP) to Normal Summon Ancient Gear Gadget (500/2000/4). As Ancient Gear Gadget was Normal or Special Summoned, David can declare 1 card type (Monster, Spell, or Trap), and for the rest of the turn, if David's monster attacks, Jun's cards of the declared type cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step. He declares Monster Cards. David activates Gadget's effect to declare 1 "Gadget" monster's name and make Ancient Gear Gadget's name that card's name until the End Phase. David declares Gold Gadget. David activates the effect of Ultimate Offering (David: 3500→3000 LP) to Tribute Gadget and Wyvern to Tribute Summon Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon (3000/3000/9). As Reactor Dragon was Tribute Summoned by Tributing an "Ancient Gear" monster and a "Gadget" monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage and can make a second attack during each Battle Phase.

Reactor Dragon attacks Jun's Set monster. When Reactor Dragon attacks, Jun's Spell/Trap Cards and monster effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step. Reactor Dragon destroys the Set Ojama Blue (0/1000/2) and inflicts piercing battle damage (Jun: 4000→2000 LP). As Ojama Blue was destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, Jun can add 2 "Ojama" cards from his Deck to his hand. He adds Ojamagic and Ojama Delta Hurricane! to his hand. As Reactor Dragon attacked, David can destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field. He destroys Jun's Set Level Rebirth. Jun activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Ojamatch, which lets him send 1 "Ojama" card from his hand or field to the GY, then add 1 "Ojama" monster and 1 "Armed Dragon" monster from his Deck to his hand, then Normal Summon 1 of those monsters. Jun discards Ojamagic and adds Ojama Red and Armed Dragon LV3 to his hand, then Normal Summons Armed Dragon LV3 (1200/900/3). As Ojamagic was sent to the GY, Jun adds Ojama Black, Ojama Green, and Ojama Yellow from his Deck to his hand. Reactor Dragon attacks and destroys Armed Dragon LV3 (Jun: 2000→200 LP). Jun activates the effect of Level Rebirth in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "LV" monster from his GY, ignoring its summoning conditions. Jun Special Summons Armed Dragon LV3 (1200/900/3). David Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 3: Jun Manjome

Jun draws. During his Standby Phase, he activates Armed Dragon LV3's effect, sending it to the GY to Special Summon Armed Dragon LV5 (2400/1700/5) from his Deck in Attack Position. Jun Normal Summons Ojama Red (0/1000/2). As Ojama Red was Normal Summoned, Jun can Special Summon up to 4 "Ojama" monsters from his hand in Attack Position. He Special Summons Ojama Black (0/1000/2), Ojama Green (0/1000/2), and Ojama Yellow (0/1000/2). As Jun controls Ojama Black, Ojama Green, and Ojama Yellow, Jun activates the Spell Card Ojama Delta Hurricane!, which destroys all cards on David's field. Ancient Gear Fortress, Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon, and David's Set Dimensional Prison are destroyed. As Ancient Gear Fortress was destroyed, David can Special Summon 1 "Ancient Gear" monster from his hand or GY. He Special Summons Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon (3000/3000/9) in Attack Position. Jun activates the Spell Card Level Up!, targeting Armed Dragon LV5. By sending Armed Dragon LV5 to the GY, Jun can Special Summon 1 monster from his hand or Deck that is listed in that monster's text, ignoring its Summoning conditions. Jun Special Summons Armed Dragon LV7 (28001000/7) in Attack Position. By Tributing Armed Dragon LV7, Jun Special Summons Armed Dragon LV10 (3000/2000/10) in Attack Position via its effect. Jun activates Armed Dragon LV10's effect, discarding X-Head Cannon to destroy all face-up monsters David controls. Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon is destroyed.

Armed Dragon LV10 attacks David directly (David: 3000→0 LP). Jun wins.

Sho Marufuji:

Roid Force Normal Trap Card

When an opponent's monster declares an attack: You can banish that attacking monster, and if you do, Special Summon 1 Machine "roid" monster from your GY in Defense Position. If the Special Summoned monster leaves the field, it is banished. If you control no monsters, you can activate this card from your hand.

Fusion Shuffle Normal Spell Card

Target 1 Fusion Monster that is banished or in the GY: return it to the owner's Extra Deck, and if you do, apply 1 of the following effects depending on that monster's Level;

-1-4: Draw 1 card.

-5-8: Draw 2 cards.

-9-12: Draw 3 cards.

You can only activate "Fusion Shuffle" once per turn.

Railroid Battery Normal Spell Card

Target 1 Machine "roid" monster you control; your other monsters cannot attack, and the targeted monster's ATK becomes double its original ATK until the end of the turn.

Asuka Tenjoin:

Reincarnated Machine Angels Normal Trap Card

Target 1 "Cyber Angel" monster in your GY; Special Summon it in Defense Position with its effects negated. The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot be destroyed by battle until the end of the turn. Once per Duel, if this card is in your GY, you can activate the above effect by banishing this card from your GY.

Rising Machine Angels Normal Spell Card

Target 1 "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monster in your GY: banish Fairy and/or Warrior monsters from your Deck whose combined Levels exactly equal that of the targeted monster; Special Summon that monster. The Special Summoned monster cannot attack directly and is unaffected by your opponent's Spell/Trap effects until the end of the turn. You cannot Normal Summon/Set the turn you activate this card.

Fusion Shuffle Normal Spell Card (see above)

Capture Squad Captain

Darklord Desire

Attribute: DARK Type: [Fairy/Effect] ATK 3000 DEF 2800 Level: 10

Cannot be Special Summoned. You can Tribute Summon this card by Tributing 1 Fairy monster. Once per turn: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls and lower this card's ATK by exactly 1000; send that target to the GY.

Note: This is a real-life card, but when I wrote the duel, I misunderstood the ATK loss as a cost to activate its effect. Rather than rewrite the duel, I decided to just give this card an anime version of itself.

Ryoken Kogami:

Cartridge Dragon (name credit to SakushiRyu)

Attribute: DARK Type: [Dragon/Link/Effect] ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↙↓

2 DARK Dragon monsters

Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 other face-up monster on the field; it loses 500 ATK/DEF. When your "Rokket" monster this card points to is destroyed by a card effect: You can banish 1 card from your GY; add 1 Dragon Ritual Monster and/or 1 "Explosive Trigger" from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Cartridge Dragon" once per turn.

Borreload Ravenous Dragon

Attribute: DARK Type: [Dragon/Ritual/Effect] ATK 3000 DEF 2500 Level: 8

You can Ritual Summon this card with "Explosive Trigger". This Ritual Summoned card cannot be destroyed by card effects. Once per turn: You can target 1 DARK Link Monster you control or in your GY; this card gains ATK equal to that monster's Link Rating x 1000 until your next Standby Phase, also your other monsters cannot attack.

Explosive Trigger Ritual Spell Card

This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Borrel" Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. If you control a DARK Dragon Link Monster, you can also use Dragon monster(s) in your GY, by shuffling them into the Deck.

Jun Manjome:

Level Rebirth Normal Trap Card

Special Summon 1 "LV" monster from your GY, ignoring its summoning conditions. You can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon 1 "LV" monster from your GY, ignoring its summoning conditions. You can only activate 1 effect of "Level Rebirth" per turn, and only once per turn.

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: The Fifth Circuit. Chapter 24 – Thunder and Lightning

Question of the Chapter

Is buying a Nintendo Switch worth it just to play Fire Emblem Three Houses? I know I should ask a Yu-Gi-Oh!-related question, but I genuinely want to know others' opinions.

Author's Notes

Thank you to SakushiRyu and Haoh Ryu Z-ARC for providing feedback on my cards and duels for this chapter. And thank you to HunterHQ for providing feedback on Ryoken's new cards and their effects.

Now I know some people are going to be disappointed or complain that we don't have Ryoken rescuing Hanako like they expected. But I felt like it was more important to establish the groundwork in the Fusion Dimension. Don't worry; as a free spoiler, I will admit there's a Hanako Rescue chapter planned eventually. It will just be a while before it happens.

Instead of having Ryoken assault Academia, we have Jun Manjome, or Chazz Princeton in the dub, defecting from Academia because his brothers were carded. He gets chased by the Capture Squad, a group of OCs, and David Rabb, a character from the manga. The Capture Squad is meant to be the elite of the Juvenile Officers, like how the Obelisk Force is the elite of Academia's forces. Honestly, the main reason I created them was because I wanted to write more varied duels for this chapter than just Ancient Gears. Rabb, meanwhile, uses the Honor Student Deck against Jun, as in the manga he used Machines, so I think Ancient Gears are acceptable. As for Jun, he uses a varied Deck focusing on Armed Dragons and V-to-Z, with his Ojamas as support and cannon fodder.

After that, we have Sho and Asuka duel. Vehicroids are tough to write, as the Deck is rather slow, and the monsters have varied effects of just-as-varied effectiveness. But I think I did good with them.

We also have the debut of Ryoken's Ritual Monster, Borreload Ravenous Dragon, and its support cards. What do you think of it? Is it a good addition to Ryoken's Deck?

Final comment: The Professor. My interpretation of the man is someone who, in his heart, knows that what he is doing is wrong, but believes that it is necessary for his goal. He and Ryoken are very similar in that regard. This is why he has a higher opinion of people like Barrett, who fight realistically, than psychopaths like Yuri, no matter how strong they are.

Before I go, I want to say this. Originally, I was going to release this with Hidden Memories Chapter 53. However, I was working on Chapter 53 when my house suffered a power outage and I ended up losing the entire Chapter. I've rewritten a good chunk of it, but it will still take time to finish. That's why I'm releasing this one early. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Thank you for reading Chapter 23. We'll be continuing in the Fusion Dimension next chapter, and after that, we'll be back in the Synchro Dimension for the Round of 16. I hope you all stay safe and have a good day!