Welcome back, everyone!
Phew, this chapter took longer than expected to finish... I've watched Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans in the past weeks, a storm came by and almost flooded my entire house, and personal staff happened. But now I'm back and ready to continue!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!
- In response to HunterHQ's review:
"Almark doesn't actually know what Ai's plan is about; this piece of information will be explained better in a later chapter, so don't worry. Regarding the meaning of my OC cards' names, I usually explain that in their Trivia in the Fan-made Cards segment, but if you have any specific questions let me know."
- In response to Jason's review:
"Roboppy will get more Duels, that's for sure."
- In response to ZarcEternal's review:
"Well, he helped them but for his own personal gain. If it wasn't for the alliance, he wouldn't have done it."
- In response to electriuser's review:
"RAFO for the Duel, as for Deva's words, I concur Nina and Shin aren't rivals. Shin's rival is Takeru, Nina just wants to show Shin she's become a good master for Clear Wing. What Deva meant is that he's excited to Duel two people who're on the same team but one wants to show the other they're strong."
- In response to D3lph0xL0v3r's review:
"Kochokocho, which is based after Lily, appeared in the last chapter. The AtIgnister based after Grim is mentioned in its Pendulum Effect, too, but it wasn't used yet."
- In response to Noobmaster's review:
"Almark won't get the chance to take back Queen's key for reasons that will be shown, and during the meeting, he'll explain everything to the others."
- In response to Veta Takomoro's review:
"Sure, go ahead!"
Opening:
The screen is pitch-black as Yusaku's, Kioku's, Erika's, and Ryoken's Duel Disks slowly fall from the top, scattered around the screen, and leaving smalls trail of stardust behind them.
(Calling and Feeling Kimi e no omoi Mune ni kizande VRAINS)
The Duel Disks hit an invisible ground in unison, causing them to explode into cards that were used by every character in the story so far. The cards continue to rain across the screen before an unknown Link Monster flies over the screen, replacing the scene with a new one.
The camera moves from left to right, showing a field with Den City in the background and the following characters in the said order: Shin, Ema, Akira, Kengo, Go, Aoi, Almark, Nina, Kioku, Erika, Shoichi, Takeru, Yusaku, Spectre, and Ryoken.
Akira, Aoi, Kioku, Erika, Yusaku, and Ryoken are in the foreground. The wind was blowing, causing their hair and clothes to be blown up a bit. The scene suddenly changes, revealing Playmaker, Bloody Talker, Blue Maiden on one side and Revolver, Eve, and Soulburner on the other, a destroyed VRAINS behind them.
Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS Overdrive!
(Hoho wo kasumeru Me ga akanai hodo Arashi no naka de)
The screen now shows Yusaku and Ai in the streets of a raining Den City. Yusaku was looking down and Ai upward at the sky, the rain drenching their clothes. Yusaku slowly looks up with a vexed expression while Ai runs a hand through his hair and turns his gaze onward.
(Nani wo mitsuke Doko made yuku no ka Ore-tachi wa)
The camera races to the left, revealing Kioku and Erika. They were holding hands, holding Grangadez and Grandeen in their chibi forms with their free hands and close to their chests, and the four weren't bothered by the rain at all; Kioku was looking down, Erika upward with her eyes closed, and the Overdrive Monsters at their Masters in worry. The twins look onward and say something, and Grangadez and Grandeen also nod in unison.
(Mou dare mo kanashimasenai)
The camera moves upward, revealing the following characters in the said order in front of a flaming city in ruin: Psychic Lord, Titan, Keliphortress, Nahum, Deva, Miranda, Tormentor, Kisskill, Kenji, Ruka, Kai, and lastly King standing atop of them all. King's eyes flash blue as the screen fades into the next scene.
(Tori-kaesu Kimi no koto)
The camera races upward again, this time showing KaibaCorp with the following characters standing on its roof: Regalia, Bast, Mokuba, Cyndy, and Kaiba who was standing in front of everyone with his arms crossed and showing a resilient look.
(Let's go and look ahead)
Ai and Roboppy are shown next, the camera zooming into Ai's right eye and revealing the reflection of Playmaker, Bloody Talker, and Eve. The reflection turns real, and the camera zooms into Playmaker's left eye, showing Ai's reflection as he grins wide.
(Kimi to deai Sekai iro zuite)
We're in LINK VRAINS. Roboppy is shown again, this time riding a D-Board and declaring an attack with two of their Monsters. They fly downward, from where Ghost Girl and Blood Shepherd appear, with Altergeist Memorygant and Battledrone General behind them.
The two siblings fly into different directions, letting Andal and Spectre fly into vision with Wild Dragon Emperor and Sunavalon Dryanome following them.
(Mienai kizuna de Mamotte-iku)
The camera turns around to show Baira, Faust, and Dr. Genome flying past the viewer, followed by Go with Gouki The Powerload Ogre and Gouki The Giant Ogre. Revolver comes next with Stardust Dragon Astralcaliber and Varrelload Dragon as he draws a card, flying off to the side when Soulburner came into view who then summons Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix and Heatleo.
(Calling)
An explosion ignites, blowing Blue Maiden's and Akira's hair and clothes back, the two seemingly Tag Dueling.
(Tōmei na tsubasa de)
Ai is shown again, his lips curving into a grin as he points his right hand forward. The camera then zooms back to reveal he was in space and riding a D-Board, three Monsters behind him, one of which was Dark Templar AtIgnister. The three Monster launch forward and the camera shows who he's Dueling: Playmaker, Bloody Talker, and Eve.
(Kakaeta yami mo Yowai jibun mo-)
Bloody Talker uses Creeping Kaiser Dragon to stop the first Monster, Eve blocks the second with Entermangel Lily Magician, while Playmaker's Decode Talker clashes its sword with Dark Templar's.
(-kowashite!)
Playmaker lets loose a frustrated cry as the attention focuses on him. Different slides are shown: Slave of Agony's temple, a humanoid A.I.-like woman turning around in the Hanoi H.Q. with a smile, Ai surrounded by streams of data in the Cyberse World's cave, a strange labyrinth with stairs on the ceiling, an array of SOLtiS, seven graves in a destroyed Cyberse World, Revolver and Soulburner Dueling near the Lost Incident facility, Shoichi and Jin in their van with Jeanne, Adrian, Mizumi, Miyu, and Hayami in the foreground- all seven looking at the viewer- and lastly Erika's piano with Firewall Dragon Darkfluid, Grangadez's and Grandeen's card form, and Stardust Varrel Dragon on it.
(Season 3)
Turn 2:
Shining Machine Angels
[King's headed to the Zaizens. The coast is clear.]
"Got it." Regalia, who was talking with Kaiba on her phone, replied. She then hung up, ending the call as quickly as it started, and glanced at other young woman in the room.
"Finally. I was getting tired of waiting." Cyndy commented as she did a cross-body shoulder stretch. Both of them were wearing rather expensive clothing and wigs, as well as colored contact lenses, completely hiding their real identities, a wise choice considering Queen's daughter in public or an ex-Charisma Duelist in IRL would attract a lot of attention. "Let's go, then."
They left their cabin and headed for Queen's, planning to free Cyndy's mother from King's control. They infiltrated the cruise ship this morning before its departure, acting as two wealthy, young women; needless to say, nobody got in their way and they've spent their entire day in the cabin, waiting for this exact moment.
Now that King's faction is at disarray and their number-one focus is aiding their leader, Cyndy and Regalia can peacefully rescue Queen and leave the ship with Cyber Angel Vrash's help, Cyndy's new IRL partner who can harness the power of flight.
And speaking of the Masayoshi family's lastborn, she seemed perturbed, but Regalia thought it was a normal reaction considering the state of affairs: wouldn't you be turbulent if you were on your way to saving your mother from the control of an inhuman? But Kaiba, the one who suggested the operation by taking into account the possibility of King surviving Almark's attack, explicitly elected Cyndy to take part in this, knowing her desire to save Queen was stronger than anyone's.
The door to Queen's cabin was left unlocked, courtesy of Ai, and Regalia remained outside to keep guard. Cyndy padded towards her mother's bedroom, her eyes scanning her surrounding to avoid falling into some sort of trap.
"Mother...!" Cyndy whispered when she entered the bedroom, rushing to Queen's side while avoiding the two SOLtiS splayed out on the ground beside her bed. She was unconscious, but ultimately unharmed, which made her sigh in relief. Cyndy then smiled. "Let's go home, Mother."
She raised her left wrist, which was equipped with her Duel Disk of the latest model, colored black with an elongated hexagonal shape and a gray wristband that bore a purple stripe. Its black screen started glowing, causing a blue aura to appear around Queen before shattering.
"...It really worked." Cyndy said, astounded. She recalled her conversation with Almark before leaving HQ this morning.
FLASHBACK
"A program?" Cyndy's eyebrows furrowed as she stared at the data Almark has just sent to her Duel Disk.
"Yes, and no." Almark stated while pushing up his spectacles. "If I had to explain it without going into detail, what I've sent you is light encompassed by data."
"Light?" Cyndy's eyes widened. "You can trap light into the network? Wouldn't that make it artificial?"
"That's not simple 'light'. It's Ylil's light." Almark smirked. "Therefore, divine light."
"Divine..." Cyndy echoed in surprise. To be honest, she's still trying to get used to the idea that supernatural elements now play a role in her life... "How did you get your hands on it? I don't take it you can create it."
"That's right, Ylil's light is hers alone. She gave it to me so we can free Queen." Almark said. "Defeating your mother or King in a Duel won't free her from Control Over. There are two ways to save her: kill King...or a Blessing."
He gestured at Cyndy's Duel Disk, "When given to a human, that light becomes a Blessing. If a person is already affected by the power of a Star Relic or a god and gains a Blessing, the powers previously affecting said person will vanish."
"I understand." Cyndy nodded. She then raised an eyebrow. "But when Ylil Blessed me, she did it herself. Why do I have to do it?"
"A clever observation." Almark chuckled. "Ylil's powers can't reach your mother because of King, who's repelling them. That's why Master Mirg and Ylil can't liberate any of the people he's taken control of, unless we do it personally. These are hard times for the gods as well."
FLASHBACK END
Cyndy effortlessly carried the still-unconscious Queen on her back out of the cabin, reuniting with Regalia.
"We can head back to HQ—"
"Can you run?"
Cyndy stopped talking at Regalia's sudden question, also noticing she was glaring at something to their right. The Cyber Angel user looked in the said direction, and gasped when she saw a living skeleton staring back at them on the other side of the corridor.
"Tormentor...!?" Cyndy muttered in shock. "What's a Star Relic doing here?"
"We can ponder about that later." Regalia pointed out, and the two broke into a run, heading in the opposite direction of their foe and their own cabin. Tormentor is the most dangerous Star Relic after King due to his ability and deck, so avoiding him would be a wise choice—
When they were halfway down the corridor, Helhest emerged from behind the corner and blocked their escape route, while Tormentor was slowly closing in on them from behind, "Star Lance" now in his right hand.
"I'd love to throw Vrash on them, but this place's too cramped. I'd avoid putting our and civilian's lives in danger." Cyndy remarked while glancing at her teammate.
"I know." Regalia nodded as she extracted a grenade-like device from an inside pocket of her cardigan and removed its pin.
She quickly threw it into the air before it produced a strong flash of light, which momentarily blinded Tormentor and his steed, the latter whining and kicking their legs at nothing in particular in confusion. When his vision returned, Tormentor saw exactly what he'd expected to see: the girls were gone.
The Star Relic impassively crushed the grenade that was left behind with his foot.
At the same time - IRL: a couple of streets away from the Zaizen apartment
Nahum was running down the street, without doubt angrily by how his face was twisted into a grimace. Everything was going smoothly: they baited out the Dark Ignis, he accepted the alliance, he played along with the entrance exam, they gathered a lot of info about his deck—but something had to go wrong.
He made a mental note to punch that damn Ignis in the face the next time he'll see him; this is all his fault!
King luckily took Kisskill and Deva with him, but that won't stop the remaining Star Relics from rushing to their aid. They can't contact them, so for all they know the entire Kaiba Corporation is there to capture/kill them. They won't take risks.
Nahum halted and turned his head around, seeing Miranda has fallen behind.
"Oi, are you half-asleep or something!? Hurry up, dammit!" he snapped.
"I'm not...an athlete..." Miranda, who was jogging, deadpanned when she caught up to him. "I don't want to...run out of breath."
Just then, they received a message from Tormentor.
"They got Queen!?" Nahum seethed after reading it. "They want to kill two birds with one stone...? I'm going to the cruise ship to back him up!"
"No." Miranda grasped his arm before he could leave. Sigh, she was never a fan of Star Armor due to his aggressive vitality. "Tormentor can take care of two girls...the others take priority...and could you calm down...?"
"Tch." Nahum jerked his arm free, and did his best to do as he was told. "Fine. Then let's go save the others."
Miranda nodded, but then frowned as her eyes flashed orange. "Wait..."
"What now?" Nahum frowned.
"The Wicked God Avatar...just sent me a message..." she said.
"Why only to you?" Nahum's eyebrows furrowed. That bastard—was he underestimating him!?
"This is..." Miranda's eyes widened in surprise after reading the message. "...We're leaving."
"He ordered us to retreat? Is he nuts!?" Nahum cried out, prompting her to glare at him for raising his voice so much. "Why would he—" his eyes widened in realization. "Oi...oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi! Did he...!?"
"Yes." Miranda nodded. "He said he and the other gods will take care of this. We'll have to back them up if needed."
At the same time - IRL: at the Zaizen apartment
Hayami and her Swordsman of Revealing Light were escorting the Zaizen siblings, with the former at the rear and the latter up front. There was a minute of awkward silence and just running down the fire escape following Hayami's big reveal, after which Aoi spoke up.
"Another Duel Monster that's in the real world..." Aoi muttered in awe as she gave a quick glance at the said being in front of them. "Did Almark make it for you?"
"No, he didn't." Hayami admitted. "Swordsman was an already existing Monster by the time Almark-san was born. I've been given this card when I joined KaibaCorp."
"Eh?" Aoi said in surprise.
"It's not Almark-san who gives a Monster the ability to exist in the real world," Hayami explained. "That's up to Ylil or Mirg and their Blessing. Almark-san can only create the Monster and help with the Blessing."
"Blessing..." Aoi parroted. Almark didn't mention that to them.
"That's what prevented King from taking control of you, Executive Vice President Zaizen." Hayami pointed out. "A Monster of yours was Blessed by one of the Twin Gods."
"So that's why it was glowing..." Akira realized and he gave a quick glance at the Duel Disk in his hand. It wasn't glowing anymore, but that got him thinking: how does he feel about having a 'Tindangle' Monster in real life? He...to be honest, he doesn't know...
"I'm sorry, Executive Vice President Zaizen." Hayami apologized out of the blue. "It must hurt you to know you've been nice to a liar for all this time."
"Hayami." Akira abruptly stopped, prompting the others to do the same. He smiled at the double agent, surprising her. "It's alright. I'm not hurt nor mad. You were simply doing your job. And if you're taking the time to apologize, that means you weren't enjoying deceiving us."
"Executive Vice President Zaizen..." Hayami whispered in shock.
"Thank you, for helping us." Akira added, and Aoi nodded in agreement.
"...Thank you." Hayami smiled, too.
When they exited the building, the Zaizen siblings saw two white vans with the KaibaCorp insignia parked in front of the apartment, with a control center and KaibaCorp personnel inside them. In front of them stood Kaiba, as well as Kioku, Erika, Grangadez, and Grandeen.
"Everyone!" Aoi called out with wide eyes.
"Aoi, Akira, thank goodness." Kioku sighed in relief. "Are you alright?"
A cold gust blew by, causing the mentioned siblings to shiver; they didn't get the chance to change their clothes, so they were stuck in their pajamas, and it wasn't a particularly warm night.
"Y-Yes, we aren't injured." Aoi nodded.
"Here, take these." Erika handed them two jackets, which they instantly put on.
"Thank you." Akira said. "Did you know about Almark's plan?"
"Truth be told, Almark-san revealed it to us this morning." Grangadez told him.
"It was...a surprise, to say the least." Grandeen said.
"Sir, we just got a call from Regalia-san!" a black-haired man with a moustache, wearing a black suit and a purple tie, addressed Kaiba from one of the vans. "She says Tormentor's on the cruise ship, too, and that he's after them!"
Kaiba frowned, "Tormentor's not our objective. Tell them to focus on leaving the ship."
"Understood!" the man nodded.
"Wouldn't it be safer to send reinforcements?" Erika asked.
"Yes, but it would take too much time for them to arrive." Kaiba folded his arms.
"As things stand, our only choice is to believe in them." Hayami muttered.
"That would be pointless, too." Kaiba remarked, confusing her.
"But they're your subordinates." Akira reminded him.
"It's because they're my subordinates that I can say that." Kaiba intoned, making him gasp. "I know their strength better than anyone. And I know they won't fail this mission."
IRL: back on the cruise ship...
Cyndy and Regalia luckily didn't run into anyone as they headed to the ship's frontal open-air terrace, but they both cursed in frustration when they reached their destination and noted Tormentor somehow managed to beat them at it, Helhest behind him.
"Is it impossible to shake this bastard off...?" Cyndy thought out loud. "And how did he know we were coming here?"
"He probably hacked the ship's video surveillance system." Regalia assumed. "He's fast...and silent. As things stand, it's impossible to avoid a battle. What a pain."
"You can say that again." Cyndy grimaced.
"...We're an organized team." Tormentor finally let his voice be heard. "You can jam our communications and separate us, but we'll find a way to recover and come out on top."
His eyes flashed violet, "But it's clear Queen wasn't your main objective, if not this entire ship would've been flooded by KaibaCorp's agents." his opponents frowned, but said nothing. "Even if it's just a secondary objective, I won't let you complete it."
"Regalia, could you watch over Mother?" Cyndy inquired as she carefully placed Queen down so her back was resting against the railing.
"You want to do it?"
"Yes." Cyndy replied to the Bujin user's question. She then glared at their foe. "He'll get his just deserts for trying to kill me that time after Lightning's attack on SOL!" she pointed a finger at him. "Almark filled us in on your deck, so I know it's specialized in completing an Extra Link. As such, I won't let you take the first turn."
"I know." Tormentor opened a segment of his right gauntlet and extracted a golden coin from it, which he threw at Cyndy, who swiftly caught it.
"So we'll toss a coin to determine who goes first and second..." Cyndy thought out loud while inspecting the coin. Alright, it wasn't a double sided one. "I'll toss."
"Then I'll choose after you toss it." Tormentor said.
Cyndy frowned. She knew some tricks on how to rig a coin toss, but she'd have to catch it or call the result before his opponent; it seems Tormentor doesn't want any of that to happen.
She tossed the coin in the air—
"Heads."
—and caught it, revealing Heads.
Dammit. she thought and returned the coin the same way she got it. But even then...I won't lose. We will leave this ship, all three of us! "You'll go first, but I'll warn you, I'm equipped with Skill Prevention, meaning you can't use your Skill during this Master Duel in case you had one. Let's do this!"
"DUEL!" they shouted in unison.
Tormentor: LP 4000
VS
Cyndy: LP 4000
(The Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.)
"Ware no turn." the living skeleton moved his right arm to the side, causing his five cards to appear. "I summon Mathematician."
To appear in his Middle Main Monster Zone was a fair-skinned elderly man with an unusually long gray beard, wearing an outfit that seemed a cross between a mage's robes and an academic dress, and holding a wooden staff.
Mathematician: Earth / Spellcaster / Effect / ATK: 1500 / DEF: 500 / LV: 3
"When this card is Normal Summoned, I can send one Level 4 or lower Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard." a violet circle formed around his left wrist, from which a card emerged. He took hold of it and revealed it. "I send the Level 1 Glow-Up Bulb to the Graveyard. Then I activate its effect, sending to the Graveyard the top card of my Deck to Special Summon itself."
A round-shaped Monster made of dirt with an eye in its centre and a flower on its 'head' emerged from a GY Portal on Mathematician's right.
Glow-Up Bulb: Earth / Plant / Tuner / Effect / ATK: 100 / DEF: 100 / LV: 1
"Arise, my nightmarish Circuit." Tormentor was surrounded by a violet aura, which then shot into the sky and conjured a Link Portal. "The summoning conditions are two Monsters, including a Tuner. I set Mathematician and Glow-Up Bulb. Link Summon. Link 2, Crystron Halqifibrax."
The said Monsters turned into violet beams and launched into the Link Markers, and a humanoid machine with blue and yellow crystals jutting out of its body emerged from the portal and floated above the Extra Monster Zone on its user's right.
Crystron Halqifibrax: Water / Machine / Effect / ATK: 1500 / Link 2: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right
"If Halqifibrax's Link Summoned, I can Special Summon one Level 3 or lower Tuner Monster from my hand or Deck in Defense Position," Tormentor explained. "Arise from the Deck, Mecha Phantom Beast O-Lion."
A Monster that was a combination of an Orion spacecraft and a lion appeared in his Middle Main Monster Zone.
Mecha Phantom Beast O-Lion: Wind / Machine / Tuner / Effect / ATK: 600 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 2
"Almark wasn't lying when he said this guy's deck was a mess..." Cyndy pointed out.
"Yeah." Regalia nodded. She then took out her phone from an inside pocket of her cardigan and started taking notes. "A variety of cards that have good synergy are what make up his deck. Banal, but extremely efficient."
"Using Mystroymare Aulees' effect in my hand, by Special Summoning two Star Relic Tokens to my field in Attack Position, I can Special Summon this card to your side of the field in Defense Position." Tormentor stated as his eyes flashed violet. "But these Tokens can't be Tributed or be used as Link Material, except for the Link Summon of a Troymare."
While two holograms each projected by four cubes that represented miniature versions of Star Relic - "Star Lance" appeared on O-Lion's left, a corrupted version of Chosen by the Star Chalice materialized in Cyndy's Middle Main Monster Zone. Instead of wearing its iconic golden armor decorated with cyan orbs, it wore obsidian armor that had a violet baritone clef on its chest and a spiked crown, and its scarf seemed to have a life of its own, acting as a second set of arms for the youth.
Star Relic Token: Dark / Machine / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1 - x2
Mystroymare Aulees: Dark / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 1600 / DEF: 2100 / LV: 5
"Aulees...this card wasn't in the data Almark gave us." Cyndy frowned. "And it's Cyberse to boot..."
"Arise, my nightmarish Circuit." a new Link Portal opened. "The summoning conditions are two or more Monsters with the same Type, excluding Tokens. I set O-Lion and the Link 2 Halqifibrax. Link Summon. Link 3, Summon Sorceress."
To land in the Extra Monster Zone on Tormentor's right was a sorceress with bright pink hair, clad in black robes and armor decorated with violet highlights, and wielding a staff with a weirdly shaped, serrated blade attached to its tip. It winked at their opponents, followed by a giggle.
Summon Sorceress: Dark / Spellcaster / Effect / ATK: 2400 / Link 3: Bottom-Left, Top, Bottom-Right
"O-Lion's effect activates as it was sent to the Graveyard, letting me Special Summon a Mecha Phantom Beast Token to my field."
Following Tormentor's words, a holographic O-Lion appeared under Summon Sorceress' Bottom-Right Marker.
Mecha Phantom Beast Token: Wind / Machine / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 3
"I activate Summon Sorceress' effect, targeting the face-up Mecha Phantom Beast Token next to its Link Marker." Tormentor stated. "I Special Summon one Monster from my Deck in Defense Position and with its effects negated, with the same Type as that target, to a zone Sorceress points to. Arise, Crystron Thystvern."
The sorceress waved its staff, conjuring a pentagram under its Bottom-Left Marker from which a mechanical wyvern with violet crystals jutting out of its body emerged with a roar.
Crystron Thystvern: Water / Machine / Effect / ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 3
"My nightmarish Circuit." the third Link Portal of this turn appeared. "The summoning conditions are two Monsters with different names. I set Thystvern and the Mecha Phantom Beast Token. Link Summon. Arise, Link 2. Troymare Goblin."
A goblin composed of green energy and mechanical parts attached to its body emerged from the portal with a battle cry and landed under Summon Sorceress' Bottom-Left Marker.
Troymare Goblin: Wind / Fiend / Effect / ATK: 1300 / Link 2: Left, Right
"Goblin's effect activates." Tormentor declared. "If this card is Link Summoned, I can discard one card from my hand to gain an additional Normal Summon during this turn's Main Phase, at pact I summon that Monster to a zone Goblin points to. Now I activate Thystvern's effect in my Graveyard, banishing it to add a non-Thystvern 'Crystron' Monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Crystron Rosenix to my hand, which I summon."
A mechanical phoenix with rose crystals jutting out of its body appeared with a screech on Goblin's right.
Crystron Rosenix: Water / Machine / Effect / ATK: 1800 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4
The Star Relic gestured at the sky, causing a Link Portal to open. "The summoning conditions are two Monsters with different names. I set Rosenix and one Star Relic Token. Link Summon. Arise, Link 2. Troymare Kerberos."
A three-headed hound composed of orange energy and mechanical parts attached to its body landed on Goblin's right and its heads howled in unison.
Troymare Kerberos: Earth / Fiend / Effect / ATK: 1600 / Link 2: Left, Top
"Kerberos' effect activates." another card from Tormentor's hand disintegrated. "If this card is Link Summoned, I can discard a card and target one Special Summoned Monster in your Main Monster Zones to destroy. Obviously, I'll target your only Monster, Aulees."
"You're destroying it?" Cyndy's eyebrows furrowed.
The three-headed hound howled again, releasing an orange sound wave at Aulees, but the latter crossed its second set of arms in front of itself to block the effect.
"Due to its mandatory effect, the first time Aulees would be destroyed each turn, it is not destroyed," Tormentor explained. "Then, because Kerberos was co-linked when its effect was activated, I can draw a card."
"So his aim was to replenish his hand." Regalia realized.
"My nightmarish Circuit, arise again." the fifth Link Portal of this turn appeared. "The summoning conditions are two or more Monsters with different names. I set the Link 3 Summon Sorceress and the remaining Star Relic Token. Link Summon. Arise, Link 4. Troymare Gryphon."
The gryphon composed of purple energy and mechanical parts attached to its body emerged from the portal with a screech and landed on Goblin's left.
Troymare Gryphon: ATK 2500 / Link 4: Left, Bottom, Right, Top
"Gryphon's effect activates." Tormentor stated. "If this card is Link Summoned, I can discard a card to set one Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard, but it can't be activated this turn. I choose to set the Counter Trap Yelling Echo Resounding in the Star Relic."
After doing so, "And because Gryphon was co-linked when its effect was activated, I can draw a card. The effect of the discarded Distroymare Gilees activates. If this card is sent from my hand to the Graveyard by the effect of a 'Troymare' Link Monster, I can Special Summon it in Defense Position."
A corrupted version of Beckoned by the Star Chalice wearing primarily black and dark purple clothes, bandages over its eyes, and a long shoulder cape draped over its left arm, and having a black alto clef on its bare right shoulder appeared next.
Distroymare Gilees: Dark / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 1600 / DEF: 100 / LV: 4
"Another Cyberse..." Regalia noted and narrowed her eyes.
"The sixth." another Link Portal opened. "The summoning condition is one Troymare, except Troymare Mermaid. I set Gilees. Link Summon. Arise, Link 1. Troymare Mermaid."
A mermaid composed of indigo energy with mechanical parts attached to its body and encompassed by an arc-shaped construct emerged from the portal and floated above the Extra Monster Zone on its user's right.
Troymare Mermaid: Water / Fiend / Effect / ATK: 1000 / Link 1: Bottom
"Dammit..." Cyndy muttered as a bead of sweat ran down her cheek. Her opponent's Monsters were all co-linked with each other and Gryphon's Top Marker pointed at the remaining Extra Monster Zone...which meant...
"He's about to complete it." Regalia thought out loud, taking a picture of his field. "An Extra Link."
"Gilees' and Mermaid's effects activate," Tormentor explained as his eyes flashed violet. "If I control Gilees and it's sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it to your field in Defense Position."
Gilees returned to the field by Cyndy's side, on Aulees' left.
"Mermaid's effect resolves. If this card is Link Summoned, I can discard a card to Special Summon one Troymare from my Deck. Arise, Destroymare Evelees. And because Mermaid was co-linked when its effect was activated, I can draw a card."
Following his words, a corrupted version of Priestess Who Drinks from the Star Chalice materialized on his field.
Destroymare Evelees: Dark / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 2
"I banish Link Restore from my Graveyard to activate its effect." the living skeleton said. "I target the Link Monster, Crystron Halqifibrax in my Graveyard and Special Summon it."
The said Link Monster returned to his field through a GY Portal.
"The seventh." here it comes! "The summoning conditions are two or more Monsters with different names. I set the Link 2 Halqifibrax and Evelees. Link Summon. Arise, Link 3. Troymare Unicorn."
A unicorn composed of yellow energy and mechanical parts attached to its body ran out of the portal and landed in the second Extra Monster Zone.
Troymare Unicorn: Dark / Fiend / Effect / ATK: 2200 / Link 3: Left, Bottom, Right
"Extra Link." Tormentor proclaimed, and his Link Monsters screeched, howled, and cried out in unison, prompting Cyndy to take a step back in intimidation.
Extra...Link...to be honest, this is the first time I'm up against it. she thought. She looked at her shaking hands, and clenched them. Calm down. Remember what you're fighting for. Remember what happens if you lose.
She glanced at Queen, Mother...I left your side because I wanted to change. And I did. she glared at her opponent, determined again. I've become stronger, and I've gained a new conviction. I'll protect you, Mother. Not just for your sake, but for everyone's sake. For everyone's future!
Her eyes...they're filled to the brim with hope. Tormentor noted. His eyes then flashed violet. "But I'll show it to you: a field which seeps despair, and one of the reasons I'm called 'Tormentor'. Evelees' effect activates! If I control Evelees and it's sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it to your field in Defense Position."
Evelees returned to the field by Cyndy's side, on Aulees' right.
"He completed an Extra Link, but keeps Summoning Monsters to his opponent's field?" Regalia remarked. "Those Cyberse...they must have additional effects."
"That's right." Tormentor confirmed. "Aulees, Gilees, and Evelees each have one negative effect which hinders their controller, unless they're a Troymare user."
"Negative...effect?" Cyndy echoed. "It's the first time I hear something like that..."
"Due to Aulees' negative effect, 'Troymare' non-Link Monsters you control can't attack or be targeted for attacks, but doesn't prevent me from attacking you directly. Gilees' negative effect, on the other hand, makes it so I can't Tribute or use as materials 'Troymare' Monsters you control, and their control can't be switched. Lastly, Evelees' negative effect prevents you from Special Summoning non-Link Monsters."
"What did you say!?" Cyndy's eyes widened in shock. "I can't attack with them, use them as wall-Monsters, or give them back, and I can only Special Summon Link Monsters...!?"
"And because none of Tormentor's Link Markers point to Cyndy's field, she can't Special Summon Link Monsters from the Extra Deck..." Regalia's eyes narrowed. "What a terrifying strategy...! At this rate, her options are almost 0."
"And the nightmare's just started." Tormentor said. "I activate the Spell Card Delirium Born from the Star Relic."
A card, which depicted Star Relic - "Star Lance" glowing with an ominous aura and towering over the viewer with Aulees, Gilees, and Evelees in front of it, who had matching, sadistic grins plastered on their faces as they stared at the viewer, appeared.
"I target up to two Link Monsters with different names in my Graveyard and Special Summon them, but their effects are negated, their Attack becomes 0, and they become Link 1 Link Monsters with a Bottom Marker. Arise anew, Halqifibrax, Summon Sorceress."
The stated Monsters emerged from separate GY Portal in the only Main Monster Zones left free on Tormentor's field, namely his Left-most and Right-most Main Monster Zones.
"Usually, I would lose 2000 Life Points by Delirium Born from the Star Relic's additional effect, but because I controlled an Extra Link when it was activated, I don't, and I draw one card. My nightmarish Circuit, arise for the eighth and final time. The summoning conditions are two Monsters with different names. I set Halqifibrax and Summon Sorceress. Link Summon. Arise, Link 2. Troymare Phoenix."
The phoenix composed of red energy and mechanical parts attached to its body emerged from the portal with a screech and landed on Gryphon's left.
Troymare Phoenix: ATK 1900 / Link 2: Top, Right
"This is Star Lance's power..." Regalia took a picture of his field.
"These Link Monsters each have one effect that makes this formation even more despair-inducing." Tormentor commented. "Co-Linked Monsters I control can't be destroyed by battle or by card effects and neither player can target them with card effects due to Phoenix's, Kerberos', and Goblin's effects."
"I know this much, by virtue of the data Almark gave us." Cyndy interrupted him. "Thanks to Unicorn's effect, for your normal draw during the Draw Phase, you can draw one card for each co-linked Troymare you control with a different name instead, in this case six. While Gryphon and Mermaid are around, Special Summoned Monsters on the field can't activate their effects, unless they are linked, and Monsters that aren't co-linked lose 1000 Attack and Defense."
(Aulees: 1600→600 ATK, 2100→1100 DEF; Gilees: 1600→600 ATK, 100→0 DEF)
"Turn End. Continuing this Duel would be a waste of time." Tormentor coldly said. A Cyber Dragon deck can't overcome this type of situation.
"...Sore wa dokashira?" after a short pause, Cyndy smirked. "I've already told you Almark filled us in on your deck! Your Cyberse cards caught me off guard, but I'm prepared. I won't give in to despair! Atashi no turn, draw! I'll begin by activating the Quick-Play Spell Mystical Space Typhoon, targeting your set card in order to destroy it!"
A miniature cyclone enveloped Tormentor's set card, causing it to shatter into particles.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card Benevolent Machine Angel!" a card, which depicted Cyber Angel Natasha with a kind expression, its eyes closed, and clad in a divine radiance as it extended its four hands towards the viewer, appeared. "I can release up to two 'Cyber Angel' Ritual Monsters from my hand or field to negate the effects of face-up monsters on the field, up to the number of released Monsters plus one!"
"Cyber Angel, you say?" Tormentor inquired with a surprised tone. She changed her deck... That must be why she's so confident.
"From my hand, I release Cyber Angel Benten and Idaten to negate the effects of Kerberos, Gryphon, and Evelees!" the stated Monsters gained a divine radiance before they grayed. "And because I released two Monsters, I can also draw one card! At this moment, the effects of the released Benten and Idaten activate! I can add one Light-Attribute Fairy-Type Monster and one Ritual Spell from my Deck to my hand!"
"Ritual..." Tormentor muttered. I see, that's why she negated Gryphon's and Evelees' effects. Now she's free to Ritual Summon and activate the effects of that Ritual Monster.
"I'll end this quickly." Cyndy thought out loud as she increased the number of cards in her hand back to five. "I activate the Ritual Spell I added to my hand: Machine Angel Ritual! With this card, I release the Level 5 Aulees, the Level 4 Gilees, and the Level 2 Evelees on my field to perform a Ritual Summon!"
A large, yellow magic circle with a complex design materialized in front of her, and seconds later, an iron pillar emerged from its centre.
"The contract has been made." Cyndy chanted as her three Monsters turned into spheres of flame which then circled the pillar, causing it to lit up. "The angel of light hiding eternal power inherits these souls. Now show your form to this vast world, and illuminate all creation!"
A tower of fire erupted from the pillar, and its tip exploded.
"Descend, Level 10! Cyber Angel Vrash!" Cyndy shouted as her Monster emerged from the explosion. It was a fair-skinned woman with long, black hair and four arms, wearing a lavender and pink form-fitting jumpsuit, a translucent skirt, a headdress equipped with a visor, and pristine white armor. A large cog with eyes engraved on it floated behind it, and four wings of light materialized from its waist as it landed in front of its user.
Cyber Angel Vrash: Light / Fairy / Ritual / Effect / ATK: 3000→2000/ DEF: 2000→1000 / LV: 10
A Level 10 Ritual Monster... Tormentor parroted in his mind.
"He got cocky and gave her the materials to Ritual Summon Vrash." Regalia remarked. "He has no set cards and Kerberos' effect is negated; if he can't defend himself, he'll lose this turn."
"If Vrash is Ritual Summoned successfully, all face-up Monsters my opponent controls that were Special Summoned from the Extra Deck are destroyed, and for each one, they take 1000 damage!" Cyndy thrusted an arm forward. "Go, Ascension Burst!"
The eyes on Vrash's cog lit up as they unleashed a rain of yellow orbs at Tormentor's Link Monsters, causing them to explode and to envelop his field in smoke.
"6000 points of effect damage." Cyndy's eyes narrowed. "But did it really work...?"
She got her answer when the smoke dissipated, revealing an unharmed Tormentor inside a transparent, violet barrier behind a corrupted version of Imduk the Star Chalice Dragon, whose turquoise and white scales turned black and violet respectively, its feathered wings were replaced by leathery wings, and a black neutral clef was situated on its forehead.
"When my opponent activates a card or effect that would inflict damage, I can discard Castroymare Leenkidu to activate its effect," Tormentor explained as Leenkidu vanished. "This turn, I take no effect damage. Vrash's Attack and Defense return to normal since Mermaid left the field."
(Vrash: 2000→3000 ATK, 1000→2000 DEF)
"Kuh, a Hand Trap." Cyndy frowned. "Since Vrash's effect didn't inflict damage, she can't attack twice this turn... You'll survive, but not unscathed! Battle! Cyber Angel Vrash attacks you directly!"
Vrash blasted a massive surge of yellow energy from its hands at Tormentor, sending him tumbling backwards against the railing.
Tormentor: LP 4000 - 3000 = 1000
"I set two cards face-down and end my turn!" Cyndy stated. "As long as we have hope, you won't force us into submission. Using your words, our hope is your despair—"
The violet glow radiating from inside Tormentor's empty eye sockets turned brighter, and the night gave it an even more sinistrous look, prompting Cyndy to stop talking and slowly assume a defensive stance out of instinct.
The atmosphere...
...Changed. Regalia unconsciously concluded Cyndy's trail of thought. She, too, assumed a defensive stance, even if she wasn't the one Dueling the Star Relic; their foe's aura...just changed. It became more serious, more frightening...
"Humans speak too freely of the sacred powers known as hope and despair. Your kind doesn't understand how deep and mighty they are; so far, you've only scratched the tip of the iceberg," Tormentor explained before drawing a card. "Ware no turn! I banish another Link Restore from my Graveyard to activate its effect. I target Troymare Gryphon in my Graveyard and Special Summon it."
The said Link Monster returned to his Left Main Monster Zone through a GY Portal.
"I summon Formud Skipper."
A mechanical Monster that resembled a mudskipper appeared on Gryphon's right.
Formud Skipper: Light / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1
"I activate its effect, revealing Troymare Mermaid from my Extra Deck." the spectral image of the said mermaid materialized behind Formud Skipper. "With this, if I use Formud Skipper as material for a Link Summon this turn, its name, Type, and Attribute can be treated as the revealed Monster's. Using Formud Skipper, I Link Summon Troymare Catoblepas."
A Link Portal opened above him, and the mudskipper turned into a stream of violet energy that shot into one of its markers. A catoblepas composed of blue energy and mechanical parts attached to its body, amongst which was a quarter rest on its head, ran out of the portal and landed in the Extra Monster Zone on its user's left.
Troymare Catoblepas: Light / Fiend / Effect / ATK: 1000 / Link 1: Bottom
"A new Troymare Link Monster?" Regalia noted in a low tone.
"Catoblepas' and Formud Skipper's effects activate," Tormentor explained. "Since it was sent to the Graveyard as material for a Link Summon, Formud Skipper lets me add one Level 5 or higher Cyberse Monster from my Deck to my hand. I choose Scrypton. Catoblepas' effect resolves. If this card is Link Summoned, I can discard a card to shuffle all Link Monsters from my Graveyard into the Extra Deck and gain 1000 Life Points."
"I won't let you rebuild your formation!" Cyndy glared. "I activate the Trap Card Infinite Impermanence! I target your Catoblepas to negate its effects until the end of this turn!"
The said Link Monster grayed.
"Useless." Tormentor intoned. "Using Troymare Catoblepas, I Link Summon a second Troymare Mermaid!"
A new Mermaid replaced Catoblepas in the Extra Monster Zone.
"I activate Mermaid's effect." Tormentor stated as he discarded the remaining card in his hand, which was Scrypton. "Arise from my Deck, Destroymare Evelees. And because Mermaid was co-linked when its effect was activated, I can draw a card."
A new Evelees appeared on Gryphon's left.
"My nightmarish Circuit, arise again." the third Link Portal of this turn appeared. "The summoning conditions are two Monsters. I set Mermaid and Evelees. Link Summon. Link 2. World Remnant Livhrazir."
To land in the Extra Monster Zone on Tormentor's left was an adult Imduk the Star Chalice Dragon, not clad in any armor the said alternative version wore, and with its eyes glowing softly.
World Remnant Livhrazir: Light / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 2000 / Link 2: Bottom, Top
"Another Cyberse?" Cyndy muttered in exasperation. "Just how many did they make? There's no end to them..."
"Next, I banish Link Advantage from my Graveyard to activate its effect." the living skeleton declared. "I target two Link 1 Link Monsters with different names in my Graveyard and Special Summon them, but I can only Special Summon Link Monsters from my Extra Deck for the rest of this turn. Arise again, Catoblepas, Mermaid!"
The two Link Monsters emerged from a GY Portal on either side of Gryphon.
"Since I Special Summon them both to zones a Link Monster points to, I can draw a card." Tormentor went on. "My nightmarish Circuit, arise for the fourth time. The summoning conditions are two or more non-Token Monsters. I set Catoblepas, Mermaid, and the Link 2 Livhrazir. Link Summon. Link 4. Rasterliger!"
A white liger with futuristic armor and two cameras on its body pounced out of the portal and landed on Gryphon's right with a roar.
Rasterliger: Light / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 2000 / Link 4: Left, Bottom, Right, Top
"If the Link Summoned Livhrazir is sent to the Graveyard as Link Material, I can add one 'Star Relic' card from my Deck to your hand. I choose the Spell Card Star Relic Inheritor." Tormentor said. "Now I activate Rasterliger's effect. I target one Link Monster in either Graveyard, in this case Summon Sorceress in mine, and have this card gain Attack equal to that target's Attack until the end of this turn. Attack Scrape."
The liger gave a second roar as it gained a yellow aura.
(Rasterliger: 2000→4400 ATK)
"It surpassed Vrash's Attack." Regalia pointed out in spleen.
"I activate Star Relic Inheritor, using its effect to revive Livhrazir next to Rasterliger's Right Marker." the green and white dragon returned to his field with a growl. "I also banish Crystron Rosenix from my Graveyard to activate its effect, Special Summoning a Crystron Token to my field."
A chunk of crystal with a red and a blue electrical cable extending out of it appeared next.
Crystron Token: Water / Machine / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1
The Star Relic gestured at the sky, causing a Link Portal to open. "The summoning conditions are two or more Monsters. I set the Link 2 Livhrazir and the Crystron Token. Link Summon. Link 3. Gaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow."
To emerge from the portal was a mechanical form of the infamous Gaia The Fierce Knight, and it landed in the Main Monster Zone on Rasterliger's right.
Gaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow: Earth / Machine / ATK: 2600 / Link 3: Left, Bottom, Right
"Th-This guy...! He used up thirteen cards of his Extra Deck..." Cyndy muttered incredulously. If she didn't know any better, she'd think he was showing off.
"I activate the Spell Card Revenge Link Return." a card, which depicted Agave Dragon surrounded by an eerie aura and two GY Portals behind it from which Gravity Controller and Relinquished Anima were emerging, appeared. "I target one Link 4 or higher Link Monster I control and Special Summon, from my Graveyard, an equal number of Link Monsters as the number of Link Monsters that left my field this turn prior to this card's activation subtracted by that target's Link Rating."
"What?" Cyndy's eyes widened in shock.
"The number of Link Monsters that left his field this turn is six." Regalia grimaced.
"Exactly. I target the Link 4 Gryphon in order to Special Summon two Link Monsters from my Graveyard. Arise again, Phoenix, Kerberos!"
Following those words, a GY Portal materialized on Gryphon's left and Gaia Saber's right, which were his Left-most and Right-most Main Monster Zones, with Phoenix and Kerberos emerging from them respectively.
"But these Monsters can't attack this turn, and since I Special Summoned two Link Monsters this way, I can draw one card." Tormentor's eyes flashed violet. "And the card that will seal your fate: I activate the Field Spell Nightmare Luring to the Star Relic! Thanks to this card, I take no battle damage from attacks involving my co-linked Monsters."
"So in other words, his co-linked Monsters can't be destroyed by battle or card effects, he takes no battle damage involving them, and non-linked Special Summoned Monsters on the field can't activate their effects." Regalia summarized with knitted eyebrows. "Cyndy's gotten herself into another desperate situation."
"Battle." Tormentor pointed forward. "Rasterliger, attack Cyber Angel Vrash. Scatter Burn!"
"I banish Machine Angel Ritual from my Graveyard to avoid Vrash's destruction!" Cyndy exclaimed.
"But you still take the damage."
True to her opponent's words, Rasterliger pointed both of its cameras at Cyndy as they emitted a strong ray of light, prompting her to shield her eyes with her arms.
Cyndy: LP 4000 - 1400 = 2600
"I set a card and end my turn." Tormentor concluded. "Rasterliger's effect also expires."
(Rasterliger: 4400→2000 ATK)
"I can get that you might want to play the good Samaritan; some humans love to be at the centre of attention. But I wouldn't recommend it." Tormentor said. "Bravery and recklessness are two different things. Surrender."
"Surrender?" Cyndy snorted. "Sorry, but some humans don't throw in the towel so easily, especially if they're fighting for an important cause or for someone precious to them!"
"Precious...that woman?" Tormentor asked as he glanced at the unconscious Queen. "You're the only one who loves her. Majority of the people who know her despise her, and a couple of SOL Technologies' business rivals wouldn't mind seeing her die, too. Your statement is based purely on parental affection, a right many people in this world can't rejoice of."
Not just humans, but Star Relics as well. was left unsaid. Tormentor balled his hands into fists. It's true that Ylil and Mirg didn't leave us because they wanted to. But...their absence left a hole in our hearts. And I won't forgive them for that.
"So what?" Cyndy asked as she glared. "Even if I love Mother just because I'm her daughter, that changes nothing. That's still love! Don't forget parental affection can be rejected as well, so don't think I'm obligated to feel this way! I chose with my free will to reciprocate her feelings! Atashi no turn! DRAW!"
The card she drew glowed for a second, and when she saw what it was, Cyndy smiled.
"And just like I expected, this deck responded to my feelings with a beautiful harmony." she said, using Lily's own words from their one and only Duel. She spun the card on her index finger, revealing it her opponent. "I activate Rank-Up-Magic Shine Force!"
A card, which depicted a light blue background with pinpricks of starlight on the edges and a darker blue magic circle containing an unfilled, eight-pointed star in its centre, as well as a silver angel made of metal, appeared.
Tormentor's mouth fell open, "Ylil's Shine Force...!?" dammit, this could spell trouble for him! "I activate the Continuous Trap Boompoline! I can activate this card by choosing one unused Monster Zone, in this case the Extra Monster Zone on my left, the one Troymare Gryphon points to. Now, if an Effect Monster is Special Summoned to that zone, both that Monster and this card return to their owner's hand."
"An effect which neither destroys or targets..." Regalia wrote that down while Cyndy stayed silent.
"Your aim was to Summon your new Monster to the Extra Monster Zone Gryphon points to, thus linking it to my own Monster." Tormentor theorized. "Since it would be linked, it would become unaffected by Gryphon's effect. Unfortunately for you, I expected you to use my own Link Marker against me now that the Extra Monster Zones freed up, albeit not with Shine Force."
"The one that was read was you." Cyndy declared seconds later with a smirk, confusing him. "I activate the Trap Card Fouetté Turn! I target your Boompoline and destroy it!"
A card, which depicted Etoile Cyber performing the card's namesake on a stage, appeared. At the same time, Boompoline shattered into particles and Tormentor tsked in frustration.
"With Shine Force, I target one face-up Monster I control and Xyz Summon one Shining Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck that has the same Type but it's one Rank higher than my target's Level, Rank, or Link Rating, by using it and Shine Force as materials!" Cyndy stated as the Spell glowed brightly and she gained a yellow aura. "Using the Level 10 Cyber Angel Vrash, I build the Overlay Network!"
After summoning the X-shaped portal and opening a swirling galaxy portal, she shouted.
"Shining Xyz Change!" the galaxy exploded, and a rainbow spectrum of spherical light burst from the explosion. "The eternal power born from Divine Light," Cyndy chanted as lines of yellow squares formed a sphere around the rainbow energy. "Preserve over all creation, and ward off the chaos! Shining Xyz! Cyber Seraph Adideva!"
A Monster that bore resemblance to Vrash materialized inside the sphere. It was a fair-skinned woman with long, black hair and four arms like Vrash, but wore a savoy blue and pink form-fitting jumpsuit adorned by yellow highlights which visibly pulsed like veins with divine energy, a lotus petal-designed translucent skirt, a golden crown equipped with a visor, a garland of flowers hanging from its neck, and pristine white armor. It retained its four wings, but the large cog was replaced by a yellow magic circle with a complex design.
When it landed in the Extra Monster Zone in front of Gryphon, the two Overlay Units circling behind it turned into yellow panels which glowed with the same divine energy as Adideva, and floated near its feet.
SXyz Cyber Seraph Adideva: Light / Fairy / Xyz / Effect / ATK: 3500 / DEF: 2500 / RK: 11
"If Adideva is Xyz Summoned by Ranking Up Vrash, I can activate her effect!" Cyndy pointed forward. "All face-up cards my opponent controls are destroyed, and for each one, they take 500 damage! Do it! Samsara Break!"
Adideva acknowledged its user's command with a nod, and the magic circle on its back vanished, only for it to reappear a couple of feet in front of the Shining Xyz Monster. Adideva put its four hands together, unleashing a surge of yellow energy from them which doubled in size when it passed through the magic circle and enveloped Tormentor's field.
When the energy dissipated, it revealed Tormentor on one knee and his five unscathed Link Monsters.
Tormentor: LP 1000 - 500 = 500
"Due to Troymare Kerberos' effect, co-linked Monsters I control can't be destroyed by card effects." he reminded his opponent while standing up with a grunt. "But...your aim was my Field Spell."
"Exactly! Now that it's gone, you can't avoid battle damage!" Cyndy confirmed. "Battle! Cyber Seraph Adideva, attack Troymare Gryphon! Creation Burst!"
To think she was able to retaliate... Tormentor thought as Adideva spread its four wings. "From my Graveyard, I banish Star Relic Treachery to activate its effect. I lower the Attack of the attacked Link Monster to 0 until the end of this turn—so that any battle damage from this attack is inflicted to both players."
"What!?" Cyndy gasped.
"But that means—" Regalia frowned.
(Gryphon: 2500→0 ATK)
Each one of Adideva's wings unleashed a ray of light at Gryphon, ensuing an explosion that covered the open-air terrace in smoke.
Tormentor: LP 500 - 3500 = 0
Cyndy: LP 2600 - 3500 = 0
Winner: DRAW!
By the time the smoke and cards on the field vanished with the Duel's conclusion, Tormentor had already mounted Helhest, and they were galloping away from the cruise ship. The Star Relic turned his head a little so he could look at his foes, seeing Vrash flying in the opposite direction while carrying Queen in its upper set of arms bridal-style and holding one of Cyndy's and Regalia's arms with its remaining hands.
We'll have to re-evaluate their strength. he thought while turning his head back, and Helhest sped up.
Fan-made Cards:
Tormentor:
Mystroymare Aulees (Dark/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 2100/LV: 5)
"Troymare" non-Link Monsters you control cannot attack or be targeted for attacks, but does not prevent your opponent from attacking you directly. The first time this card would be destroyed each turn, it is not destroyed. You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) to your opponent's side of the field in Defense Position by Special Summoning 2 "Star Relic Tokens" (Dark/Machine/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1) in Attack Position on your side of the field, but they cannot be Tributed or be used as Link Material, except for the Link Summon of a "Troymare" monster. You can only use this effect of "Mystroymare Aulees" once per turn.
[Trivia: this card's a combination of "Chosen by the Star Chalice" and "Lees the Star Chalice Fairy". Aulee is a male given name, equivalent to English 'Olaf', which comes from the Old Norse name Áleifr meaning "ancestor's descendant".]
Distroymare Gilees (Dark/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 100/LV: 4)
"Troymare" monsters you control cannot be Tributed, or be used as materials, by your opponent, also their control cannot switch. If this card is sent from the hand to the GY by the effect of a "Troymare" Link Monster: You can Special Summon it in Defense Position. If this card in its owner's control is sent to the GY: You can Special Summon it to your opponent's field in Defense Position. You can only use each effect of "Distroymare Gilees" once per turn.
[Trivia: this card's a combination of "Beckoned by the Star Chalice" and "Lees the Star Chalice Fairy". Giles is a male given name, from the Late Latin name Aegidius, which is derived from Greek aigidion meaning "young goat".]
Delirium Born from the Star Relic
Normal Spell
Target up to 2 Link Monsters with different names in your GY; Special Summon them, but their effects are negated, their ATK becomes 0, and they become Link 1 Link Monsters with a Bottom Marker, and if you do, you lose 2000 LP unless you controlled an Extra Link when this card was activated. If you do not lose LP this way, draw 1 card. You can only activate 1 "Delirium Born from the Star Relic" per turn.
Castroymare Leenkidu (Dark/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 800/DEF: 2000/LV: 3)
During damage calculation, if your co-linked monster is attacked (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; you take no battle damage from that battle, then you can activate 1 "Nightmare Luring to the Star Relic" from your Deck. When your opponent activates a card or effect that would inflict damage (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; you take no effect damage this turn. You can only use each effect of "Castroymare Leenkidu" once per turn.
[Trivia: this card's a combination of "Imduk the Star Chalice Dragon" and "Lees the Star Chalice Fairy". In a similar fashion to "Guardragon of the Star Relic Melodark" and "Star Chalice Guardian Dragon Almaduk", this card's also based on an element of the Mesopotamian mythology, namely the legendary figure Enkidu.]
Troymare Catoblepas (Light/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1000/Link 1: Bottom)
1 "Troymare" monster, except "Troymare Catoblepas"
If this card is Link Summoned: You can discard 1 card; shuffle all Link Monsters from your GY into the Extra Deck, and if you do, gain 1000 LP, then if this card was co-linked when this effect was activated, you can draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Troymare Catoblepas" once per turn. If a player controls a face-up monster, their opponent's monsters can only select their highest ATK monster as an attack target, unless they are co-linked.
[Trivia: this card's the Troymare counterpart of "Jack-Knights of the Blue Sky".]
World Remnant Livhrazir (Light/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 2000/Link 2: Bottom, Top)
2 monsters
Can only be Link Summoned while you have a "Star Relic" card in your GY. You can only use each of the following effects of "World Remnant Livhrazir" once per turn.
- During your Main Phase: You can Special Summon 1 monster from your hand to your zone this card points to.
- If this Link Summoned card is sent to the GY as Link Material: You can add 1 "Star Relic" card from your Deck to your hand.
[Trivia: similarly to "World Keymaster Liv", this card's a reference to Líf and Lífþrasir, two humans foretold to survive Ragnarök and to repopulate the world in Norse mythology. (And before you ask, no, Liv and Livhrazir aren't a couple. They're the only survivors of a catastrophic event, THAT'S IT! But you can ship it if you want, that's up to you.)]
Link Advantage
Normal Trap
Target 1 Link Monster you control; this turn, it cannot be destroyed by battle. You can banish this card from your GY, then target 2 Link 1 Link Monsters with different names in your GY; Special Summon them, also you can only Special Summon Link Monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn, and if you Special Summon them to zones a Link Monster(s) points to, you can draw 1 card. You can only use 1 "Link Advantage" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Revenge Link Return
Normal Spell
Target 1 Link 4 or higher Link Monster you control; Special Summon from your GY, an equal number of Link Monsters as the number of Link Monsters that left your field this turn prior to this card's activation subtracted by that target's Link Rating, but those monsters cannot attack this turn. If you Special Summon 2 or more Link Monsters this way, draw 1 card. You can only activate 1 "Revenge Link Return" per Duel.
Star Relic Treachery
Normal Trap
If you control a "Star Relic" monster: Target 1 face-up card your opponent controls; negates its effects until the end of this turn. If a Link Monster you control was attacked, at damage calculation: You can banish this card from your GY; lower the ATK of your Link Monster to 0 (until the end of this turn), also any battle damage from that attack is inflicted to both players. You can only use each effect of "Star Relic Treachery" once per turn.
Cyndy:
Benevolent Machine Angel
Normal Spell
Tribute up to 2 "Cyber Angel" Ritual Monsters from your hand and/or field; negate the effects of face-up monsters on the field, up to the number of Tributed monsters this way +1, and if you Tributed 2, you can draw 1 card. For the rest of this turn after this card resolves, you cannot Special Summon monsters, except Ritual Monsters. You can only activate 1 "Benevolent Machine Angel" per turn.
Rank-Up-Magic Shine Force
Normal Spell
Target 1 face-up monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 "SXyz" monster with the same Type as that monster you control but 1 Rank higher than its Level, Rank, or Link Rating, by using it as the Xyz Material, and if you do, attach this card to it as additional Xyz Material. (This is treated as an Xyz Summon. Xyz Materials attached to it also become Xyz Materials on the Summoned monster.)
Fouetté Turn
Normal Trap
Target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy it. Your opponent cannot activate the targeted card or its effects in response to this card's activation. If this Set card leaves the field by your opponent's card effect: You can draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Fouetté Turn" once per turn.
SXyz Cyber Seraph Adideva (Light/Fairy/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 3500/DEF: 2500/RK: 11)
3 Level 11 LIGHT monsters
You can only Xyz Summon "SXyz Cyber Seraph Adideva" once per turn. When a card or effect is activated that would destroy or target a card you control, or if a monster you control would be destroyed by battle: You can detach 1 material from this card; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card, or negate that monster's destruction, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent. If this card was Xyz Summoned by Ranking Up "Cyber Angel Vrash", it gains this effect.
- If this card is Xyz Summoned: You can destroy all face-up cards your opponent controls, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each. This card can make a second attack during each Battle Phase.
[Trivia: this card's the "SXyz" variant of "Cyber Angel Vrash", in fact, Vishnu's also known as Adideva in Hinduism.]
I'm sorry to those who wanted to read Almark and King's Duel, but I've decided to leave that for the next chapter. Originally, I was going to show a segment of that Duel here as well, but then I chose not to do that, simply because the transition from one chapter to the other could make the Duel confusing. We'll get to that Duel in the next chapter, I promise.
Here we see how the others are doing during the attack and we learn the remaining characters who are involved in it: Cyndy and Regalia have to save Queen but Tormentor gets in their way, Nahum and Miranda are on standby, the Evil Gods will finally make a move, and the twins and their Overdrive Monsters are present to aid Kaiba.
I hope you all liked Cyndy vs. Tormentor and the new addition to the story, namely Shining Xyz Monsters (or SXyz for short). This type of monsters is Ylil's specialty; since her brother has Dark Synchros as his signature Summoning Method, I thought it would be cool for her to have something as well. A thank you to scififan599 and HunterHQ who helped me create Shine Force's artwork (oh, and it's called Shine Force because Shining Force was already used in the Zexal manga).
Three more things before I sign out:
1) If Tormentor's Field Spell would've not been destroyed, the battle damage he takes from Star Relic Treachery would've been negated, resulting in Cyndy's loss (just pointing this out so it's clear Tormentor didn't intend to draw from the very beginning).
2) Livhrazir is a card that replaces World Keymaster Liv in King's faction (Liv holds the Star Key and only Almark, Nina, and Clear Wing know of it). Liv will be used as well (but not by King's faction) way later in the series, by the time everyone discovers Nina's true identity.
3) For now, the only SXyz Cyndy has is Adideva (I've chosen Vrash as her partner and Blessed monster because she's the highest Leveled Cyber Angel and she makes for a good ace). That might change in the future, but don't get too attached to the idea. The same goes for all the characters who'll use SXyz (except Ylil); they'll all have only one SXyz monster.
Reviews really make my day and it's a great way to communicate with you readers, and maybe find out errors I can avoid making. Please review, and with that said, here's the chapter's last scene!
Two cards appeared on the screen before turning around, revealing Cyber Angel Vrash and Bujin Yamato. They suddenly glowed, and Cyndy and Regalia emerged from them respectively.
"You were able to turn things around twice in that Duel." Regalia told her comrade. "Not many Duelists can do that when they're up against Tormentor."
"But in the end, I wasn't able to win..." Cyndy lowered her head.
"Yes, but you did well." Regalia said. "Thanks to your efforts, we saved your mother and completed our mission. That's all that matters."
"Thank you, Regalia." Cyndy smiled. "The next time I'll Duel that walking skeleton, I won't lose!"
"Good." she nodded and raised her phone.
"W-Wait!" Cyndy raised her hands. "I have to prepare or else—"
Too late.
The sound effect of a camera shutter taking a picture caused Cyndy to pale.
"Why are you rattled?" Regalia asked in confusion, but when she looked at the picture, she immediately understood her reaction: for some reason, Cyndy came out with the Enel face.
"...Or else that happens." Cyndy sighed in exasperation while Regalia continued to stare at the picture in bewilderment. The Cyber Angel user turned to the viewer. "I guess it's time for the Secret of the Chapter... My VR design is based on Alisa Reinford, a character from The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III..." she sighed again. "With that said, take care, everyone..."
The screen faded into black, followed by the words [To Be Continued...].