Chapter 256: This Isn't a Dark Duel, Right?
Chapter 256: This Isn't a Dark Duel, Right?
"Lava Golem, return to my hand!"
"Hmph, here we go again," Ameruda frowned. As the duel progressed, his demeanor seemed to undergo a subtle shift.
"I'll set a card and end my turn."
"Oh, and 'Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk' has another effect, right?" You Xuan smiled, "As a legendary duelist like yourself, I've studied your cards thoroughly."
In other words, don't even think about bluffing your way through.
Ameruda hesitated for a moment before reluctantly explaining, "Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk, during the End Phase: Special Summon 1 'Robot Token' (Machine-Type/EARTH/Level 2/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position.
The Token cannot attack, but while it is on the field, your opponent can only attack the Token."
[Robot Token: DEF 0]
"Ah, this is the defensive effect that even gave my brother a hard time back in the day," Guiping exclaimed as this scene stirred distant memories within him.
With a new Token summoned each turn to act as a shield, even if your opponent manages to bring out a powerful monster with an attack higher than Meklord's, they must first destroy the Token before they can attack it.
Coupled with the fortress' inherent trap and magic resistance, it's quite a challenge to overcome in this slow-paced game format.
But now, this very ability has become a hindrance.
As everyone knows, Lava Golem can't be destroyed if there's only one monster on the field. So, it's almost considerate that it has an effect to automatically replace itself during the End Phase.
"Now, drawing for my turn," You Xuan smiled, "I'll start with the Quick-Play Spell, 'Hand Destruction'. Both players discard two cards and then draw two cards."
You Xuan drew some cards, paused momentarily, and then casually revealed one of the cards in his hand.
"Now, I believe you know what's coming next, Mr. Ameruda.
I'll tribute your 'Robot Token' and 'Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk' on the field, and once again rise from the abyss—
—Lava Golem, I summon you!"
The invincible Meklord fortress instantly melted away, the robot dissolving in the lava as well. From the molten depths, the burning giant rose once more, exuding an aura of destruction.
[Lava Golem: ATK 3000]
The giant turned its head, flashing what seemed like a rather goofy smile at Ameruda.
As if to say, fancy meeting you here again, pal.
Ameruda: "..."
For some reason, he suddenly felt like punching something.
"Then I activate the Continuous Trap, 'Brain Control Exit'!" You Xuan declared, "As long as this card is on the field, control of all monsters switches back to their original owners.
Thus, Lava Golem returns to my field—its original controller."
And with that, the Lava Golem dusted itself off and swaggered back to You Xuan's field. Before leaving, it even seemed to give a slight bow to its opponent.
Probably its way of saying, "Thanks for the hospitality."
Ameruda: "..."
He paused for a moment before muttering, "Hmm, I see. So, this is your ace in the hole, huh?"
Brain Control Exit, followed by Lava Golem to wipe the field clean, and then immediately turn the tables—there's even a dedicated combo for this.
"I can't Normal Summon or Set other monsters during the turn I summon Lava Golem," You Xuan explained, "So, I'll have Lava Golem attack directly."
The Lava Golem roared, unleashing a "You Xuan Flame" that struck with deadly force.
"Not so fast!" Ameruda countered in a low voice, "I activate my face-down Trap Card, 'Dimension Vanish'! The attacking monster is removed from play!
Lava Golem is removed from play!"
Only after the iron goof's fist was sucked into the dimensional rift did Ameruda's mood improve. He took a deep breath, reflecting on how he had indeed been a bit agitated during their exchange.
However, facing such an opponent, it was challenging to maintain one's composure.
"I'll set one card and end my turn."
"My turn, I draw," Ameruda said, "I activate the Magic Card, 'Burial Goods'! Remove from play the three Magic Cards in my Graveyard: 'Meklord Fusion', 'Toy Box', and 'Scrap-Iron Scout' to draw two cards!" (Original card)
Ameruda's hand was replenished once more, and he continued, "Now I activate the Magic Card, 'Armory Arm'! Send the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard, then add 1 Equip-Magic Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand."
He sent the top card of his Deck to the Graveyard and then removed a card from his Graveyard.
"Return the Equip-Magic Card, 'Premature Burial', from my Graveyard to my hand," Ameruda instructed, "And now I activate it again!
Pay 800 Life Points to Special Summon 1 monster from my Graveyard in face-up Attack Position!"
[Ameruda: LP 2400 → LP 1600]
He plucked the card from his Graveyard and held it high.
"Descend once more, Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk!!!"
A shadow of steel blotted out the sky as the once-melted Meklord fortress reappeared, soaring high above the lava!
[Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk: ATK 2500]
You Xuan: "You brought it back so quickly."
"Meklord attacks directly!" Ameruda shouted, "The fortress is unaffected by any Trap effects! It's over!"
"Not necessarily," You Xuan smiled, "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, 'Command Silencer'. Negate your attack declaration and draw 1 card from your Deck." (Original card)
Sonic waves spread out, washing over the massive fortress. The cannon that had just been raised sank back down, as if it wasn't going to be easy to bring it to bear this time.
"Another one of Kaiba's cards," Ameruda frowned, glancing irritably at Kaiba standing beside him.
Guiping, on the other hand, was delighted, "Looks like You Xuan's gotten pretty good at using our cards."
"I'll set two cards and end my turn." Ameruda said, sounding displeased.
"And during the End Phase, Meklord's effect activates, Special Summoning a 'Robot Token' to the field," Ameruda continued.
[Robot Token: DEF 0]
"My turn, I draw," You Xuan said, drawing his card and then glancing up at the massive Meklord fortress hovering in the sky.
"So, this is the mighty Gilford the Legend, huh? Well, Mr. Ameruda, as a token of my gratitude for letting me witness such a powerful monster, I suppose it's time I showed you what I'm truly capable of."
Ameruda focused his mind, signaling that he was about to reveal a truly impressive trump card.
"I activate the Magic Card, 'Super Warrior's Rebirth'!" You Xuan declared, "Until the total Level of monsters becomes 8, send monsters from your hand and Deck to the Graveyard, and Ritual Summon a 'Chaos Soldier' monster!"
"As expected.
His expression turned grim as he chuckled.
"But will it be that easy? I activate my face-down Trap Card, 'Rebound Trap - Palace Bribe!' Negate the activation of any Magic or Trap Card and destroy it, then your opponent draws 1 card."
The activation of Super Warrior's Rebirth was negated, and the chaos storm came to an abrupt halt.
"Ah!" Guiping exclaimed in disappointment. "The Chaos Soldier's debut failed."
"Then, the effect of the 'Ritual Magic: Super Warrior's Ritual' card discarded by 'Hand Destruction' last turn is activated!" You Xuan declared.
This was beyond Ameruda's knowledge: "Activating a Ritual Magic Card from the Graveyard!?
From selecting Ritual materials from the Deck to Ritual Summoning a Ritual Monster from the Graveyard, and now even activating a Ritual Magic Card from the Graveyard? Has the cutting-edge research on Chaos Soldiers developed so many fancy Ritual components?"
"Super Warrior's Ritual: By removing from play this card, as well as one Light Attribute and one Dark Attribute monster from the game, you can Special Summon a 'Chaos Soldier' monster from your hand, ignoring the Summoning conditions."
You Xuan retrieved the two discarded cards from the Graveyard.
"Remove from play 'Magical Merchant' with Light Attribute and 'Cyborg - Telepathifier' with Dark Attribute from the Graveyard! One soul guides the light, and one soul guides the darkness, opening the gates of chaos—
—Chaos Soldier, I summon you!"
The souls of light and darkness spun and vanished into the vortex, and the sword light cleaved through the chaos, summoning the legendary warrior!
[Chaos Soldier: ATK 3000]
"It's not that easy," Ameruda said in a deep voice. "I activate my Counter Trap Card, 'Divine Declaration'!"
You Xuan's eyelids twitched.
Even the God Elder made an appearance.
"Pay half your Life Points to negate the activation of any Magic or Trap Card, or the Summon of a monster, and destroy it!"
[Ameruda: LP 1600 → LP 800]
"Negate the activation of 'Super Warrior's Ritual'! Therefore, the Summoning of the Chaos Soldier is also invalid!" Ameruda smiled. "The Chaos Soldier should stay put in your hand."
The divine radiance descended, and the silhouette of the God Elder appeared on the field, extending a majestic hand as if to say, "Thou shalt not."
Thus, the image of the Chaos Soldier failed to fully materialize and disappeared before it could land.
"That's impressive! Stopping it like that," Guiping exclaimed.
You Xuan smiled faintly and then retrieved the two cards that had returned to the Graveyard.
"Then, I will also remove from play these two cards: 'Angel 07' with Light Attribute and 'Cyborg - Telepathifier' with Dark Attribute from the Graveyard!"
Ameruda: "!"
Again?
"The souls of Light and Darkness are sacrificed to the Chaos Field, summoning the legendary warrior to descend!"
You Xuan raised his arm.
"Heaven and Earth are split asunder! Level 8, Messenger of Creation, Chaos Soldier - I summon you!"
Once again, the souls of Light and Darkness were sacrificed, and the storm of chaos rose. The blades of Light and Darkness cleaved through the void, and the Chaos Soldier descended as if from the far end of the starry sky!
[Chaos Soldier - Messenger of Creation: ATK 3000]
"Who would have thought that I'd make an appearance in a different guise?"
"Well," Ameruda said in a low voice, "so the descent of the Messenger of Creation couldn't be stopped either."
However, he soon added, "But the Messenger of Creation can only choose the effect of continuous attacks or removing an opponent's monster from play.
I have the 'Magical Citadel' and the 'Token' as a shield, so even the Messenger of Creation won't be able to break through in this turn."
You Xuan smiled faintly and revealed another card in his hand.
"Magic Card 'Primal Seed.' When 'Chaos Soldier - Messenger of Creation' is on the field, you can activate this card to add two removed-from-play cards to your hand."
Ameruda's heart skipped a beat.
A Magic Card exclusive to the Messenger of Creation
Recycling cards removed from play?
"I return these two removed-from-play cards to my hand."
You Xuan revealed two cards.
"Cyborg - Telepathifier and Lava Golem, return to my hand."
Ameruda immediately wore a mask of pain.
Ah! I knew it!
That damn card again! He instantly realized what was about to happen next.
But knowing it didn't change anything.
There was nothing he could do.
He was like a puppet that had seen its own strings, helplessly swept toward the abyss of despair in the torrent of this Duel.
"I did not perform a Normal Summon this turn." You Xuan smiled. "So, I Tribute your 'Magical Citadel - Ziggurat' and 'Robot Token' as Tributes and Special Summon this powerful monster on your field.
Rise once again from the abyss, power of destruction and rebirth—
—Level 8, Lava Golem!"
The invincible Magical Citadel and its shield-like Token seemed as weak as lambs in the face of the even more formidable Lava Golem.
Once again, Ameruda's field was wiped clean as the Lava Golem leaped onto his field and flashed him a goofy smile.
Three times the charm.
Nice to meet you, and goodbye.
After feasting and saying hello, the Lava Golem dusted itself off and swaggered back to You Xuan's field. Before leaving, it even seemed to bow slightly to its opponent.
See you, and thanks for the meal.
[Lava Golem: ATK 3000]
"Of course," You Xuan explained, "the Continuous Trap Card 'Brain Control Exit' is still on the field. So, when the Lava Golem is successfully summoned, it immediately returns to its original controller, which is me."
Ameruda: "..."
"So, Lava Golem," You Xuan said politely, "attack Mr. Ameruda directly."
The Lava Golem roared.
You Xuan Flame!
Just before Ameruda was consumed by the goofy flame, he looked up, a glimmer of doubt flashing in his eyes.
He had told You Xuan earlier that there was no need to worry as this was just a friendly spar and not a Dark Duel, so there shouldn't be any pressure.
But now, he suddenly doubted himself.
Was this really not a Dark Duel? Then why did he feel a bit tortured by the way the cards were played?
[Ameruda: LP 800 → LP 0]
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
