//------------------------------// // Darkness Under the Big Top // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! EG: Neo W.R.P.G U.S. Selection Arc // by foxmaster //------------------------------// “ And now Taking the second leg for Team Nebula is Asuka Atlas,” The Mc said as Asuka entered the Duel Lane and caught up to Lyra. Asuka drew her opening hand and the duel picked up again. DUEL Asuka Atlas:4000 Lyra Heartstrings:6500 “ My turn I draw,” Asuka said as she drew her sixth card. Asuka remembered that Lyra’s Titania can stop attacks and heal her and was lucky enough to draw exactly what she needed. “ First I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale three Performage Bonus Dealer and Scale Eight Performage Nightmare Doll. Two columns of light shot up. In the left one was a creepy looking man with a strange mask flipping a coin appeared over a stylized three and in the right one appeared a gothic doll wearing a black lolita outfit over a stylized eight. Asuka: ♦3___________8♦ “ Now I can Pendulum Summon monsters between levels four and seven all at the same time so I will do just that. A portal opened from the web that was created in the sky and three streams of light came out. “ I pendulum Summon Performage Bubble Garndna, Performage Ball Balancer, and Performage Puppet Master. Out of the lights came a little girl dressed as a witch with pink bubbles and a krab wand, A light red clown rolling on a ball bigger than it was, And a man with an owl-like half mask on his left eye and strings on his fingers all ready to fight. Performage Bubble Gardna LV:4 DEF:2000 Performage Ball Balancer LV:4 ATK:1000 Performage Puppet Master LV:7 ATK:2500 “ My Bonus Dealer’s Pendulum Effect Activates since I Pendulum Summoned three Performages I get to draw two cards. Asuka drew her two cards and was glad about what she drew. “ Now I activate Puppet Master’s effect once per turn I can take control of one of your monsters in exchange for cutting that monster's attack in half so welcome to my stage Titania. Puppet Master fired a barrage of strings from his fingertips and each of them attached themselves to Titania then Puppet master yanked on them and pulled Titania to Asuka’s field making her look like a lifeless husk of herself. 4500 - 2250 = 2250 “ Next I activate my Field Spell Performage Big Top. The entire city transformed into a giant circus tent with a center ring and everything. Now all my Performage monsters gain 500 attack and defense points. All of Asuka’s monsters began to power up. 2500 + 500 = 3000 2000 + 500 = 2500 1000 + 500 = 1500 “ And for my next trick, I overlay my Level four Ball Balancer and Bubble Gardna in order to build the overlay network. Ball Balancer turned into an orange stream of energy while Bubble gardna turned into a blue one and they each orbited around each other before entering a galaxy-like portal and exploded. “ "Show must go on! Artisan of the air, swing across the stage with grace! Xyz Summon! Appear now! Rank 4! performage Trapeze Magician!" A magician clad in white with a purple cape came swinging in a set of trapeze bars that magically appeared and kept swinging around the tent. Performage Trapeze Magician RANK:4 ATK:2500 + 500 = 3000 UNITS:2 “ Allow me to explained what my magician does first I don,t take any damage that is less than his attack points but that's just for starters by detaching one overlay unit I can choose another monster and have it attack twice this turn however it will be destroyed after the battle phase and I will use this effect on your Titania. Trapeze Magician detached one of its units and sent it into Titania. 2 - 1 = 1 “ Time to battle Puppet Master attack Brigid. Puppet Master fired one of his strings at the top of the tent and used it to swing himself at Brigid and kicked her with enough force to destroy her. Asuka Atlas:4000 Lyra Heartstrings:6300 “ Now that your field is empty time to feel the wrath of your own monster Titania attack Lyra Directly. Trapeze Magician got into position and grabbed Titania’s hands before swinging her and allowing her to kick Lyra for a ton of damage. Asuka Atlas:4000 Lyra Heartstrings:4050 “ Titania attack her again,” Trapeze Magician swung high and launched Titania into the sky and she came down swinging her scythe down ready to take more of Lyra’s Life Points. Asuka Atlas:4000 Lyra Heartstrings:1800 “ Now to Finish this Trapeze Magician attack Lyra Directly and end this. Trapeze magician swung faster and was about to kick Lyra until she pulled a card from her hand. “ I’m not finished yet because when I am Attacked Directly while having 2000 or fewer life points I can Special Summon Fairy Gardna from my hand to stop your attack and add one Spell Card from my GY to my hand. A fairy with Valkyrie style armor and light blue fairy wings appeared and cast a magical barrier that blocked Asuka final attack. Fairy Gardna LV:3 DEF:2000 “ Now that your attack was blocked time to add that Spell card to my hand and the one I choose is Land of Salvation Elysium. Lyra added the declared card from her GY to her hand before chaining another card in her GY. “ Since I added a Field Spell to my hand I activate the effect of Returning Empire from my GY by banishing it from my GY I can immediately activate the Field Spell I added to my hand so Welcome back my Elysium. The area beneath the tent turned into a field of grass with some trees which caused Asuka’s monsters to feel like they had their power drained from them. “ I enter my Main Phase 2 and since the Battle Phase has ended Titania is now destroyed. Titania was suddenly destroyed. “ I end my turn by setting two cards face-down,” Asuka said as two set cards appeared behind her monsters. “ My turn I draw,” Lyra said as she drew her second card. Lyra needed a game changer but before she could think Asuka interrupted her train of thought. “ During your Standby Phase, I activate the Trap Performage Archery Act,” Asuka said as a trap with an image of a blindfolded archer aim his arrow flipped face-up. While I control two or more Performage Monsters I can destroy one card on the field so I destroy Elysium. Asuka’s Trap fired a barrage of flaming arrows that caused Elysium to burn. “ I activate my Spell Melodious Fusion,” Lyra said as a spell with an image of Mozarta and another monster combining in the fusion vortex appeared. This allows me to Fusion Summon a Melodious Fusion Monster using cards from my hand and/or field but if my opponent control a monster from the Extra Deck I can use monsters in my GY to Fusion Summon by banishing them so I fuse the Mozarta and Adagio that are currently in my GY. The spirits of Octavia and Adagio appeared and Lyra began her chant. “ Mighty lead singer of the concert fuse with the refined spirit of the concert hall and combine to form a flower that will win me this fight! Fusion Summon! Sing loudly! Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir! Bloom Diva appeared dramatically and sang her song. Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir LV: 6 ATK: 1000 “ Like that will beat me in case you forgot my Trapeze Magician negates all damage that is equal or fewer to its attack points,” Asuka said mockingly. “ That will change once I play this the Spell Zelda’s Second Movement,” Lyra said as a spell with an image of Zelda singer her song in a prayer stance appeared. While I control a Melodious Fusion or Synchro monster all your card effects are negated until the end of the turn. A wave of light hit all the cards on Asuka’s field and everything was down. 3000 - 500 = 2500 3000 - 500 = 2500 Before Lyra made her attack she noticed an Action Card ahead and grabbed it. Lyra smiled and activated it. “ I activate the Action Spell Encore this allows me to use the effect of another Action Spell in my GY and the one I will use will be the effect of Monster Draw so that means I can draw one card for every monster on the field so that means I draw four cards. Lyra drew her four cards and smiled at what she drew. “ Perfect I drew just what I needed I activate the Equip Spell Twin Swords of Flashing Light - Tryce and by discarding a card from my hand I can equip it onto my Bloom Diva this may reduce her attack by 500 but it allows her to attack twice. Lyra discarded her card and a pair of twin blades appeared in Bloom Diva’s hands. 1000 - 500 = 500 “ Now that My monster is ready it's time to Battle Bloom Diva attack Trapeze Magician with Deflate Shot. Bloom Diva sent her flurry of yellow flower petals at Trapeze Magician and destroyed it to Asuka dismay. “ How did my monster fall and why are your Life Points and monster undamaged?” Asuka asked frantically. “ That's the effect of my Bloom Diva first she can't be destroyed in battle and I take no battle damage but here is the part you're really going to hate if bloom Diva battled a Special Summoned monster its destroyed after damage calculation and you take damage equal to the difference between your monster’s original attack and Bloom Diva’s current attack which by my count is 2000,” Lyra replied as Trapeze Magician blew up and Asuka took the damage. Asuka Atlas:2000 Lyra Heartstrings:1800 “ You may have destroyed my Magician but he has one last trick up his sleeve when he is destroyed and sent to the GY I can Special Summon another Performage monster from my Deck to take his place so welcome to the field Performage Ringmaster. A man wearing a purple suit with a top hat of the same color appeared and pulled out a few linked rings and welded them like a weapon. Performage Ringmaster LV:4 ATK:1000 “ When Ringmaster is Special Summoned he allows me to add another Performage Monster from my Deck to my hand and with this effect, I add Performage Damage Juggler to my hand. Asuka added her declared card to her hand before Lyra got on with her turn. “ Now for my second attack, Bloom Diva attack Puppet Master. Bloom Diva sent her flurry of flower petals at Puppet Master and destroyed it only this time Asuka was prepared for it. “ I'm not letting you burn me twice because when you activate an effect that inflicts damage I can discard my Damage Juggler to not only negate that effect but also destroy the card it came from so say goodbye to your Bloom Diva. As Puppet Master fell Bloom Diva self-destructed and Lyra ended the Battle phase. “ I set two cards Face-Down and end my turn,” Lyra said as two set cards appeared behind her remaining monster. 1000 + 500 = 1500 “ My turn I draw,” Asuka said as she drew her card. Asuka was now down to nothing until she saw what she drew. “ First I activate the Spell Rank-Up-Magic Supreme Magical Force,” This allows me to Special Summon one Xyz Monster that was destroyed by a monster effect and then Ranks it up into an Xyz Monster that is one rank higher with an extra 1000 attack points and the monster I will Bring back is Trapeze Magician. Trapeze Magician made his triumphant return and laugh lightly while swinging above the field. Performage Trapeze Magician RANK:4 ATK:2500 + 500 = 3000 UNITS:0 Suddenly Trapeze Magician turned into a stream of yellow energy and entered a galaxy-like portal and exploded. “ From the realm of the magical circus, I call upon the greatest of acrobatic artists to aid me in this fight and strike my foe down! Rank Up Xyz Evolution! Appear! Rank five! Performage Trapeze High Magician! A bigger and much more evolved version of Trapeze Magician took the field and laughed more joyfully than the original. Performage Trapeze High Magician RANK:5 ATK: 2700 + 500 + 1000 = 4200 UNITS:2 “ Almost forgot Supreme Magical Force also becomes an overlay unit for the new monster,” Asuka pointed out in case Lyra would ask. “ Now it's time for the finale and my friend Trapeze High Magician will help me out Since I used a Rank Four Spellcaster-Type Xyz Monster to Summon him I can Detach one overlay unit to allow him to attack two or three times this turn but he can only attack directly once with this effect but I’m afraid either way you lose. An overlay unit flew into Trapeze High Magician’s core and he was ready to deal some damage. 2 - 1 = 1 “ Time to Battle Trapeze High Magician unleash your first attack on Fairy Gardna. Trapeze High Magician swung at Lyra’s Monster and successfully destroyed it. “ Since you destroyed my Monster I activate my Trap Half Curse,” Lyra said as a trap with an image of a spirit that was half man and half beast flipped face up. When one of my monsters is destroyed by battle this card targets the monster responsible and cuts its attack points in half until the End Phase. Lyra’s Trap fired the spirit of the card at Trapeze High Magician and lowered his attack. 4200 - 2100 = 2100 “ No matter because even with half his attack he is still strong enough to end this,” Asuka pointed out before spotting a Clutch Action Card up ahead. Lyra also spotted the very same Action Card. Both duelists hit the nitro and by a split second Lyra grabbed it and smiled. “ Looks like I’m still in this because I activate the Action Spell Medi Charge this restores my Life Points by 800. Lyra felt the healing effect of her card as her points went up slightly. Asuka Atlas:2000 Lyra Heartstrings:2600 “ Even so I still attack. Trapeze High Magician swung himself at Lyra and kicked her right in the back. Asuka Atlas:2000 Lyra Heartstrings:500 “ I still have one more attack left RingMaster attack Lyra directly and end this. RingMaster charged at Lyra only for her to trigger her set card. “ I activate the Trap Fairy Blast,” Lyra said as a trap with an image of the Timelords destroying an entire fortress flipped face up. This card destroys every card on the field and we both take 700 points of damage for each card destroyed by this effect and with four cards on your field and zero on mine that's 2800 points of damage looks like its a stalemate. All of Asuka’s cards were destroyed and both her and Lyra were caught in the blast. Asuka Atlas:0 Lyra Heartstrings:0 DRAW Both Lyra and Asuka returned to their respective pits to pass the baton to their next duelist. Lyra pulled over next to Lightning who was prime, locked, loaded, and ready to go and passed the baton to her. “ Well done Lyra you managed to beat two of them,” Lightning said. “ Thanks, Lightning now just be careful with Ren and Remember what Tetsu told us,” Lyra said before joining Silver by the console. Lightning waited for the green light while Asuka made it back to her pit only to be confronted by a very pissed off Ren. “ I'm sorry for losing to that girl Ren but I gave it my best,” Asuka said hoping Ren would forgive her. “ Your best is meaningless you remember our team's motto only the strong survive well your nothing so stay put while I win this,” Ren said before he and Lightning took off at the same time. Asuka looked heartbroken after hearing what Ren said to her. Tetsu reassured her that was not the real Ren talking just some evil force possessing him. As Lightning and Ren caught up to each other they both drew their opening hand and the duel picked up. DUEL Ren Darkbright:4000 Lightning Dust:4000 “ My turn I draw,” Lightning said as she drew her sixth card. Lightning had the advantage since both Lyra and Asuka,s duel ended in a draw and it was Asuka’s turn that left Ren completely Defenseless. “ First since neither of us has a monster on the Field I can Special Summon Raidraptor - Striker Lanius in attack mode. A mechanical bird with red and white armor plating with booster jets on its back and a lance on its underside flew in ready to fight. Raidraptor - Striker Lanius LV:5 ATK:2000 “ Next I activate the Spell Birds of a Feather,” Lightning said as a spell with an image of two different bird people sharing a drink appeared. When I have a Winged-Beast-Type monster on my field this card allows me to Special Summon another one from my deck with the same Level, Attack Points, and Attribute so with this effect I Special Summon Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn in attack mode. Sirocco took his position next to Strike Lanius. Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn LV:5 ATK:2000 “ Time to Battle Striker Lanius attack Ren Directly. Striker Lanius fired its boosters and charged straight for Ren. Lightning thought she has this won until Ren pulled a card out of his hand. “You're not going to hit me that easily because when you declare a direct attack on me I can Special Summon Battle Fader to end the Battle Phase. Battle Fader appeared and rang its bell thus ending the battle. Battle Fader LV:1 DEF:0 “ I set two cards Face-Down and end my turn,” Lightning said as two set cards appeared behind her monsters. “ My turn I draw,” Ren said as he drew his fifth card. Ren had everything he needed for his plan and made his move. “ First I summon the Tuner monster Shadow Whelp of the Sombra Sword in attack mode. A darker version of Buster Whelp with red eyes and a vicious looking expression appeared. Shadow Whelp of the Sombra Sword LV:1 ATK:400 “ When my Whelp is Normal Summoned I can add a Sombra Sword card from my Deck to my hand and the card I will add is Shadow Slayer Sombra Sword. Ren added his card to his hand and then made his next move. “ Next I activate the other effect of my Whelp by banishing it from my field I can special Summon his master Buster Dark from my hand. Shadow Whelp suddenly disappeared and in its place stood a darker version of Buster Blader with black armor, red eyes, and a mighty black sword. Buster Dark LV:7 ATK:2600 + 500 = 3100 Lightning was in shock to see that there was a deck that was similar to Silver’s and then Tetsu’s words flashed through her head. “ don't let him banish any dragons it will just make him stronger,” Tetsu said as the flashback ended. “ As I’m sure you already figured out My Buster Dark gains 500 attack points for every Dragon-Type Monster that is Banished,” Ren said before continuing his turn. “ Next I equip the Shadow Slayer I added to my hand to my Buster Dark. Buster Dark’s sword was replaced by a much more fiendish looking one. “ As long as this is Equipped you can't summon monsters from your Extra Deck,” Ren said. “ So your deck is basically a darker version of Silver’s is that right?” Lightning asked. “ Exactly the Sombra Sword and Destruction Sword Archetypes were meant to represent two sides of the same coin so to say one being a mighty hero and the other being a tyrannical ruler who draws their strength from outside the Space-Time Continuum,” Ren explained before making his next move. “ Next I activate the Spell Galaxy-Queen’s Light this changes all my monster’s levels to the exact level as my Buster Dark so now Battle Fader becomes Level Seven. Battle Fader was bathed in light as its level went up. 1 + 6 = 7 “ Now that I have the right Levels I overlay my Level Seven Buster Dark and Battle Fader in order to build the Overlay Network. Buster Dark and Battle Fader turned into streams of purple energy and entered a galaxy like portal and exploded. “ Souls of the dragons banished from Time and Space converge and join my warrior's mighty blade! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 60 Buster Dictator! An odd shaped black crystal appeared and began to take shape into a swordsman with black armor with crimson trim and a very big crimson sword along with the most intimidating red eyes anyone has ever seen. Number 60 Buster Dictator RANK:7 ATK:2800 UNITS:2 “ Impressive monster but now that Buster Dark is gone so is the blade that seals my Extra Deck,” Lightning pointed out Ren not worried in the slightest. “ It makes no difference Now that my number out allow me to explain what it does first since I used Buster Dark as Xyz Material for it Buster Dictator has his attack points doubled. Buster Dictator felt an incredible surge of power. 2800 x 2 = 5600 “ Now on to his main effect once per turn by detaching one overlay unit I can banish a Dragon-Type monster from either GY and destroy one card on the field and if the destroyed card was a monster you take 500 points of damage times that monster’s level but I will save that for the foe I really want and destroy your set card on the left. Buster Dictator absorbed one of his units into his sword and sent a bolt of red lightning at the card Ren chose. Lightning smiled at her card being destroyed. 2 - 1 = 1 “ I was hoping you would choose that one because you just destroyed my Blackwing - Boobytrap and when its destroyed by my opponent’s card effect not only do you take 1000 points of damage but I also draw one card. An explosive was sent flying towards Ren and then exploded on him. Ren Darkbright:3000 Lightning Dust:4000 “ Nice shot now it's my turn I enter battle and have Buster Dictator attack Striker Lanius with Crimson Punisher Slash. Buster Dictator charged forward with his sword above him. Just as the blade was about to come down Lightning activated her other set card. “ Not so fast I activate the Quick-Play Spell Raidraptor - Rapid Xyz since you control a Special Summoned monster I can Xyz Summon a Raidraptor xyz monster during the Battle Phase so I overlay my Level five Striker Lanius and Sirocco in order to build the overlay network. Both Sirocco and Striker Lanius turned into streams of purple energy and entered a galaxy-like portal and exploded. “ Forged from the armored plating of a space battleship and charged by the power of a supernova let the bird of the cosmos strike you down! Xyz Summon! Take Flight! Rank Five! RaidRaptor - Cruiser Falcon! A gold and green plated falcon with booster jets in its wings and a missile launcher on its back took off and hovered above Lightning. Raidraptor - Cruiser Falcon RANK:5 ATK:3000 UNITS:2 “ Nice try but Buster Dictator is still stronger and he will continue his attack. Buster Dictator continued his attack only for Lightning to do something. “ I may take damage but my Falcon is staying put because when he is about to be destroyed I can save it by detaching an overlay unit. Cruiser Falcon absorbed one of its units to survive the blade but Lightning still felt the impact. 2 - 1 = 1 Ren Darkbright:3000 Lightning Dust:1600 “ You may have survived my attack but next turn you're finished I end my turn with one card Face-Down,” Ren said as a set card appeared behind Buster Dictator. My turn I draw,” Lightning said as she drew her third card. Lightning was shocked to see she drew Lyra’s Polymerization and thought she was done for until a new monster flashed before her eyes. Lightning suddenly saw her strategy manifest before her eyes and acted on it. “ First since I control a Winged Beast-Type monster I can Special Summon the Tuner Monster Blackwing - Roc the Warmonger. A birdman dressed as a Viking warrior wielding a mighty ax appeared and unleashed his war cry. Blackwing - Roc the Warmonger LV:5 ATK:2200 “ When Roc is Normal or Special Summoned he allows me to Special Summon a Level Five or above Winged-Beast-Type monster from my GY but that monster will be destroyed during the End Phase and the monster I will bring back is Sirocco the Dawn. Roc slammed his ax on the ground and out of the crevice came Sirocco ready to fight. Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn LV:5 ATK:2000 “ Now that the stage is set I tune my Level five Roc with my Level Five Sirocco to Synchro Summon a monster that will help me greatly. Roc flew into the air and turned into five stars and then five green rings that encircled Sirocco turning him into five stars that fell into alignment. 5 + 5 = 10 “ Darkness descending from the kingdom of birds bring forth the mighty black blade and slash my foes to pieces! Synchro Summon! Burn! Level Ten! Assault Blackwing - Shusui the Autumn Blaze! Shusui slashed at the air and left some embers before taking a fighting stance. Assault Blackwing - Shusui the Autumn Blaze LV:10 ATK:3800 “ Nice try but this monster can,t hold a candle to Buster Dictator either,” Ren pointed out until Light told him she was not done yet. “ Ready for a surprise twist I activate the Spell Polymerization fusing My Cruiser Falcon with my Shusui to Fusion Summon my newest monster. Both Shusui and Cruiser Falcon rose up and spun in the vortex. “ Mighty bird of the ancient kingdom of Wano combine with the Falcon that sours through the cosmos and evolves into a mightier bird of prey! Fusion Summon! Take Flight! Black Raptor - Finch the Warhammer! A black Finch bird girl wearing orange futuristic armor along with blue goggles appeared and summoned her Warhammer ready to fight. Black Raptor - Finch the Warhammer LV:12 ATK:4000 “ Impressive monster what does she do besides looking like a confused child,” Ren asked. “ what she does is once per turn she can cut your monster attack points in half and when she destroys a monster in battle you take damage equal to your destroyed monster’s attack points. Finch called forth a bolt of lightning that hit Buster Dictator and returned him to his original attack value. 5600 - 2800 = 2800 “ Time to Battle Finch attack Buster Dictator with Thunderbolt Smasher. Finch charged at Buster Dictator and swung her hammer swiftly at him knocking him into the track causing smoke to cover the field. Lightning was sure she won until Ren came out of the smoke with his monster still intact. “ How is your monster still alive that was a direct hit?” Lightning asked confused. “ One thing all number monsters have in common is they can only be destroyed in battle by other Numbers which by the way your Finch is not but don,t worry your attack packed quite a punch one you are about to taste because I activate the Trap Return Damage when I would take Battle Damage this card sends it back to you. Ren’s card sent the damage done by Finch back at Lightning. Ren Darkbright:3000 Lightning Dust:400 Lightning was upset she could not beat Ren and knew there was nothing more she could do until she saw the last card in her hand. Lightning them thought maybe she could not do anything more but she could leave Silver with something. “ I set one card face-down and end my turn,” Lightning said as a set card appeared behind her Finch. “ My turn I draw,” Ren said as he drew his second card. Ren smiled at what he drew and wasted no time in using it. “ I activate the Spell Number Blast,” Ren said as a spell with an image of Lucky Straight exploding appeared. While I control a Number Monster I can destroy one card on the field and your Finch will be my target. Buster Dictator channeled the spell's power through his blade and destroyed Lightnings chance of survival. “ Time to end this Buster Dictator attack Lightning directly and end this. Buster Dictator charged at Lightning and slashed her right in the back causing her life points to reach zero and her runner to emit smoke. Ren Darkbright:3000 Lightning Dust:0 WINNER:Ren Darkbright Lightning took one of the side roads back to her pit where Silver was waiting for her and passed the baton and her set card to him. “ Well Silver it's all up to you now knock him back to his senses,” Lightning said as she took her place next to Lyra. “ You know I will,” Silver said before taking off. Meanwhile back on the top of the empire state building Lydia was jotting down her latest data on Lightning and was about to start on Silver next. “Let's see how you fare against a monster you can't possibly beat Mr. Chance,” Lydia said as she prepared to write Silver’s data.