Triangle Power (Part 1)

Previously…

            "I am Sangan," said Sangan. Now that you have entered my lair, it's time the Duel begin!

            "Well if you want to Duel me then fine," said Zane. Show me what you've got.

            "Believe me, I will," said Sangan. I'll start with Hunter Dragon (1700 ATK) in Attack Mode and 2 cards face-down end my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

            "Very well. I play my Cyber Dragon (2100 ATK) in Attack Mode as a Special Summon since you have a monster out and I don't," said Zane. Next I set 3 cards face-down and attack your Hunter Dragon!

           "I activate Gravity Bind!" said Sangan. Monsters with Levels higher than 3 can't attack.

            "I end my turn," said Zane (Hand: 2 cards)

            "I equip my Hunter Dragon with Axe of Despair, giving it 1000 ATK!" said Sangan. *Hunter Dragon's ATK rises to 2700.* Now Hunter Dragon, destroy his Cyber Dragon!

            "I activate my Limiter Removal Spell!" said Zane. Now my Cyber Dragon's ATK doubles! *Cyber Dragon's ATK rises to 4200.* Now your Hunter Dragon is now the hunted! Hunter Dragon is destroyed and Sangan's LP drops to 6500.

            "Not a bad play but your Cyber Dragon is about to suffer the same fate," said Sangan. I set 1 card face-down to end my turn. Cyber Dragon is destroyed. (Hand: 2 cards)

            "I play Proto-Cyber Dragon (Info) (1100 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Zane. Since it's a Level 3 monster, it gets under your Trap Card's effect and will now attack you directly! Sangan's LP drops to 5400.

            "I now play Tragoedia (Info) (? ATK) in Attack Mode," said Sangan. It's a Level 10 monster that I can bring out for free when I take Battle Damage and it gets 600 ATK and DEF for every card in my hand, which is currently 2. Tragoedia's ATK rises to 1200.

            "Too bad it can't get to my Cyber Dragon," said Zane. I end my turn. (Hand: 2 cards)

            "Don't be so sure," said Sangan. Tragoedia's ATK rises to 1800. Thanks to Tragoedia's other effect, he can convert his Level into the Level of any monster I have in my Grave,\ but first I play Giant Soldier of Stone (Info) (1300 ATK) in Attack Mode. Tragoedia's ATK drops to 1200. Giant Soldier of Stone, destroy his Proto-Cyber Dragon!

            "I activate Attack Reflector Unit (Info)!" said Zane. Since my Proto-Cyber Dragon has his name converted into just Cyber Dragon, I can Tribute him to play Cyber Barrier Dragon (Info) (2800 DEF) in Defense Mode.

            "Nothing my Deck can't handle," said Sangan. I end my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

            "We'll see how much you can handle when I play this, my Cyber Valley (Info) (0 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Zane. Next I remove from play it and my Barrier Dragon, letting me draw twice due to Cyber Valley's effect. Cyber Valley and Cyber Barrier Dragon disappear. I set 2 cards face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 2 cards)

            "You seem to be wide open now," said Sangan. I'll be taking full advantage as I bring my own self, Sangan (1000 ATK) to the field in Attack Mode and I'll hurt your score with all of my monsters!

            "I activate Call of the Haunted (Info) to bring back my regular Cyber Dragon (Info) (2100 ATK) in Attack Mode!" said Zane. Cyber Dragon appears.

            "Well it looks like you're off the hook this round," said Sangan. I'll set 1 more card face-down to end my turn. Tragoedia's ATK drops to 600. (Hand: 1 card)

            "I use Different Dimension Capsule (Info), which stays on the field for 2 turns and lets me remove from play any card in my Deck, then 2 turns later, I destroy this card and add the removed from play card to my hand," said Zane. Next I Summon another Proto-Cyber Dragon (Info) in Attack Mode. Proto-Cyber, take out his Sangan! Sangan is destroyed and Sangan's LP drops to 5300.

            "Since you've destroyed my holographic self, my effect kicks in," said Sangan. Now I pick up a monster from my Deck with no more than 1500 ATK and add it to my hand. I think I'll take my 4-Starred Ladybug of Doom card. Tragoedia's ATK returns to 1200.

            "That card won't do much to my Deck," said Zane.

            "You might end up changing your mind when its effect kicks in and you DO have Level 4 monsters out," said Sangan.

            "Little does he know that my Deck doesn't have very many Level 4 monsters. They're either above or below," thought Zane. So he'll be disappointed when its effect doesn't catch any of my monsters.

            "You will fall at the hands of my Level 3 monsters!" said Sangan. There's no hope for you now!

            "It's time I end this Duel," said Calculator. I play The Calculator (? ATK) in Attack Mode. Due to my own effect, I get 300 ATK for every Level of monster I have and I count 10! *The Calculator's ATK rises to 3000 while Charger's ATK rises back to 2700.* Then I use another Judgment of Thunder to destroy your Steam Gyroid! *Steam Gyroid is destroyed* This Duel is over as I attack you directly with both of my monsters!

            "I discard Kiteroid to reduce the Battle Damage from your first direct attack to 0," said Syrus. Then for your second direct attack, I remove Kiteroid from my Grave.

            "My calculations still have me way ahead on LP and your defeat will be arriving soon," said Calculator. I end my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

            "I Summon Cycroid (1000 DEF) in Defense Mode and set 1 card face-down to end my turn," said Syrus. (Hand: 0 cards)

            "Another toy?" questioned Calculator. I see its demise coming up in my first attack. Batteryman Charger, destroy Cycroid! *Cycroid is destroyed.* I'll attack you directly personally now!

            "I use Magic Cylinder!" said Syrus. Now you take damage equal to your monster's ATK! *Calculator's LP drops to 1200.*

            "I set 1 card face-down to end my turn," said Calculator. (Hand: 0 cards) The numbers are in and so is your defeat!

            "I also set 1 card face-down and that's all," said Syrus. (Hand: 0 cards)

            "I Tribute my Batteryman AA for another Batteryman Charger (Info) (1800 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Calculator. Since the total Levels I have has gone up by 2, I gain 600 ATK! Calculator's ATK rises to 3600. Next I remove from play my Batteryman AA and my Batteryman Industrial Strength for another Batteryman Industrial Strength (Info) (2600 ATK) in Attack Mode! I now gain 2400 ATK points! Calculator's ATK rises to 6000. Now you'll feel my rage as I physically attack you directly!

            "I activate ~Roid Emergency~ (Info)!" said Syrus. Since I have no cards out and all of your monsters exceed my current LP, I can Special Summon 2 Roid monsters from my Grave and draw 1 card and I choose Gyroid (Info) (1000 DEF) and Expressroid (Info) (1600 DEF) in Defense Mode! With Expressroid's effect, I can return Steamroid and Submarineroid back to my hand. Oh yeah and this turn, neither of my monsters that I Summoned with Roid Emergency can be destroyed in battle.

            "Fine that ends my turn," said Calculator. (Hand: 0 cards)

           "Here goes," said Syrus. I use a second Power Bond (Info) to send Drillroid in my hand and Submarineroid and Steamroid I have out to the Grave for Super Vehicroid - Jumbo Drill

(Info) (3000 ATK) in Attack Mode. Due to Power Bond, my Jumbo Drill has enough to win this Duel! Jumbo Drill's ATK rises to 6000. Jumbo Drill, destroy his Batteryman Industrial Strength and end this Duel! Industrial Strength is destroyed and Calculator's LP drops to 0. I won, Jay, I won!

            "Way to show 'em Sy!" said Jaden.

            "That was awesome, Syrus," said Alexis. Elsewhere…

            "Now let's try and see how the academy's top student fairs," said Yubel. With Zane…

           "Something must be up," thought Zane. I'm the top student at my school and no one has challenged me lately, not even from Jaden and he's always up for a challenge. He sees Sangan. What's this? Who are you?

            "I am Sangan," said Sangan. Now that you have entered my lair, it's time the Duel begin!

            "Well if you want to Duel me then fine," said Zane. Show me what you've got.

            "Believe me. I will," said Sangan. I'll start with Hunter Dragon (Info) (1700 ATK) in Attack Mode and 2 cards face-down end my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

            "Very well. I play my Cyber Dragon (2100 ATK) in Attack Mode as a Special Summon since you have a monster out and I don't," said Zane. Next I set 3 cards face-down and attack your Hunter Dragon!

            "I activate Gravity Bind!" said Sangan. Monsters with Levels higher than 3 can't attack.

            "I end my turn," said Zane (Hand: 2 cards)

            "I equip my Hunter Dragon with Axe of Despair (Info), giving it 1000 ATK!" said Sangan. Hunter Dragon's ATK rises to 2700. Now Hunter Dragon, destroy his Cyber Dragon!

            "I activate my Limiter Removal (Info) Spell!" said Zane. Now my Cyber Dragon's ATK doubles! Cyber Dragon's ATK rises to 4200. Now your Hunter Dragon is the hunted!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Thunder-Storm (Part 1)

Previously…

           "Hurry up, we have no time to lose," said Calculator. Follow me. *The gang follow The Calculator to his lair.* *At his lair...* Here is our Dueling site. It's a special Dueling arena I built myself. Let us get started, shall we? *Both players enter the Dueling arena.*

           "Bring it on!" said Syrus.

           "I will bring more than you can handle," said Calculator.

           "We'll see," said Syrus. I'll start with Patroid (1200 DEF) in Defense Mode and set 1 card face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 4 cards)

           "Then I play Batteryman AA (0 DEF) in Defense Mode," said Calculator. Next I set 2 cards face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

           "Try this on for size," said Syrus. I play Expressroid (400 ATK) in Attack Mode. Next I switch Patroid to Attack Mode. Expressroid, dismantle that Batteryman AA! *Batteryman AA is destroyed* Patroid, attack him directly! *Calculator's LP drops to 6800.* I set 1 card face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

            "I Summon Batteryman D (1900 DEF) in Defense Mode," said Calculator. Next I activate 1 of my face-down cards, Judgment of Thunder, letting me take out your Patroid. *Patroid is destroyed* That ends my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

            "I play Submarineroid (800 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Syrus. It can attack you directly so attack directly, Submarineroid! Calculator's LP drops to 6000. Next, due to its other effect, Submarineroid goes to Defense Mode. I set 1 card face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 2 cards)

            "I Tribute Batteryman D for Batteryman Charger (Info) (1800 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Calculator. Then, due to his effect, I can play another Batteryman AA (Info) (0 DEF) in Defense Mode from my Deck! For his final trick, he gets 300 ATK and DEF for every Thunder-Type monster I have. Charger's ATK rises to 2400. Next, since I have at least 2 Batteryman monsters in my Grave, I can now Summon Batteryman Industrial Strength (Info) (2600 ATK) in Attack Mode by removing 2 of them from play. Charger's ATK rises to 2700. Now I play Short Circuit (Info), which destroys all cards you control since I have at least 3 Batteryman monsters. Syrus' cards are destroyed. Now Batterymen Industrial Strength and Charger, attach Syrus directly! Syrus' LP drops to 3300. That ends my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

           "I activate Pot of Greed (Info) so that I now get 2 more cards," said Syrus. Then, I use Power Bond (Info) to discard my Steamroid and Gyroid for Steam Gyroid (Info) (2200 ATK) in Attack Mode.

           "Please. That hunk of metal cannot take down my Batteryman Industrial Strength," said Calculator. Looks like you miscalculated your strategy.

           "Better look a little closer," said Syrus. Steam Gyroid's ATK rises to 4400. Thanks to Power Bond, my Steam Gyroid has twice its original ATK, which is more than enough to take out your Industrial Strength so Steam Gyroid, destroy his Industrial Strength! Industrial Strength is destroyed and Calculator's LP drops to 4200 while Charger's ATK drops to 2400. Then, to end my turn, Power Bond's other effect activates, dealing me damage equal to Steam Gyroid's ATK. His LP drops to 1100. (Hand: 1 card)

           "It's time I end this Duel," said Calculator. I play The Calculator (Info) (? ATK) in Attack Mode. Due to my own effect, I get 300 ATK for every Level of monster I have and I count 10! The Calculator's ATK rises to 3000. Charger's ATK rises back to 2700. Then I use another Judgment of Thunder (Info) to destroy your Steam Gyroid! Steam Gyroid is destroyed. This Duel is over as I attack you directly with both of my monsters!

           "I discard Kiteroid (Info) to reduce the Battle Damage from your first direct attack to 0," said Syrus. Then for your second direct attack, I remove Kiteroid from my Grave.

           "My calculations still have me way ahead on LP and your defeat will be arriving soon," said Calculator. I end my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

           "I Summon Cycroid (Info) (1000 DEF) in Defense Mode and set 1 card face-down to end my turn," said Syrus. (Hand: 0 cards)

           "Another toy?" questioned Calculator. I see its demise coming up in my first attack. Batteryman Charger, destroy Cycroid! Cycroid is destroyed. I'll attack you directly personally now!

           "I use Magic Cylinder (Info)!" said Syrus. Now you take damage equal to your monster's ATK! Calculator's LP drops to 1200.

           "I set 1 card face-down to end my turn," said Calculator. (Hand: 0 cards) The numbers are in and so is your defeat!

           "Here goes somethin'," said Jaden. With Necroshade in my Grave, I bring out Elemental Hero Bladedge (Info) (2600 ATK) in Attack Mode and I don't need Tributes due to Necroshade's effect. Bladedge and Shining Flare, end this Duel! Endymion's LP drops to 0. That's game! Pretty sweet Deck ya got there. Meanwhile…

           "Perhaps this group is a better set of Duelists than I first thought," said Yubel. We'll just have to see how the other three fair. Back at the Duel site...

           "It's getting late, guys, we should head back to our dorms," said Syrus.

           "Sounds good," said Jaden.

           "Ditto," said Alexis. They start to head back but The Calculator stops them.

           "Uh hi. What are you supposed to be?" asked Jaden.

           "They call me The Calculator," said Calculator. If my math is correct, then you are the 2nd best Duelist at Duel Academy.

           "You got it," said Jaden.

           "However, I'm not here to Duel you, I'm here to Duel the one called Syrus Truesdale," said Calculator.

           "Aw man," said Syrus.

           "Take him down, Sy," said Jaden.

           "Hurry up. We have no time to lose," said Calculator. Follow me. The gang follow The Calculator to his lair. At his lair... Here is our Dueling site. It's a special Dueling arena I built myself. Let us get started, shall we? Both players enter the Dueling arena.

           "Bring it on!" said Syrus.

           "I will bring more than you can handle," said Calculator.

           "We'll see," said Syrus. I'll start with Patroid (Info) (1200 DEF) in Defense Mode and set 1 card face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 4 cards)

           "Then I play Batteryman AA (Info) (0 DEF) in Defense Mode," said Calculator. Next I set 2 cards face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

           "Try this on for size," said Syrus. I play Expressroid (Info) (400 ATK) in Attack Mode. Next I switch Patroid to Attack Mode. Expressroid, dismantle that Batteryman AA! Batteryman AA is destroyed. Patroid, attack him directly! Calculator's LP drops to 6800. I set 1 card face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

           "I Summon Batteryman D (Info) (1900 DEF) in Defense Mode," said Calculator. Next I activate 1 of my face-down cards, Judgment of Thunder (Info), letting me take out your Patroid. Patroid is destroyed. That ends my turn. (Hand: 3 cards)

           "I play Submarineroid (Info) (800 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Syrus. It can attack you directly so attack directly, Submarineroid!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Spellcaster Mania (Part 3)

Previously…

           "I'll have no problem tearing apart that toy," said Endymion. I play Breaker the Magical Warrior (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode and he gets a Spell Counter and 300 ATK! *Breaker's ATK rises to 1900.* Breaker, destroy Bubbleman!

           "I activate Mirror Force!" said Jaden. Now you lose all monsters you have in Attack Mode. Endymion and Breaker are destroyed.

           "I set 1 card face-down to end my turn," said Endymion. (Hand: 0 cards)

           "I play Skyscraper 2 - Hero City, which lets me bring back an Elemental Hero destroyed and sent to my Grave from battle," said Jaden. *Magical Citadel is destroyed.* Then I use Card Trooper's effect to send another 3 cards to the Grave. *Card Trooper's ATK rises back to 1900.* Now Card Trooper, attack directly!

           "I activate Magic Cylinder on Card Trooper, dealing you damage equal to Card Trooper's ATK!" said Endymion. *Jaden's score drops to 5200.* You're no match for the might of my Spellcaster Deck. It's all over!

           "With only Card Trooper in play, I'll take some serious damage next round," thought Jaden. I need a plan. I call it a turn. Card Trooper's ATK returns to 400. (Hand: 0 cards)

           "I call forth Skilled Dark Magician (Info) (1900 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Endymion. Skilled Dark, destroy his Card Trooper! Card Trooper is destroyed and Jaden's LP drops to 3700.

          "When Card Trooper gets destroyed, I can draw 1 card," said Jaden.

          "I end my turn," said Endymion. (Hand: 0 cards)

          "I use Pot of Greed (Info) so another 2 for me," said Jaden. Next I use Monster Reborn (Info) to bring back Avian (Info) (1000 ATK) in Attack Mode. Avian appears. Then I Tribute my 2 monsters for Elemental Hero Neos (Info) (2500 ATK) in Attack Mode. Neos, take out Skilled Dark Magician! Skilled Dark Magician is destroyed and Endymion's LP drops to 6600. I'll leave it at that. (Hand: 1 card)

          "I set 1 card face-down to end my turn," said Endymion. (Hand: 0 cards)

          "I exchange Skyscraper 2 for Neo Space (Info)!" said Jaden. Due to its effect, Neos gets 500 ATK! Neos' ATK rises to 3000. Neos, attack directly!

          "I activate Enemy Controller (Info) to put your Neos into Defense Mode," said Endymion.

          "I throw down a face-down to call it a turn," said Jaden. (Hand: 0 cards)

          "I set 1 monster in Defense Mode to end my turn," said Endymion. (Hand: 0 cards)

          "Then watch this," said Jaden drawing his card. I play Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab (Info) (500 ATK) in Attack Mode and with him out, he gets 400 ATK for every Spell and Trap Card you have, but right now you have none so I think I'll use Contact Fusion to return Neos and Flare Scarab to my Deck for Elemental Hero Flare Neos (Info) (2500 ATK) in Attack Mode! Plus, due to Neo Space, Flare Neos gets 500 ATK and 400 more ATK for every Spell and Trap Card out due to his own effect. Flare Neos' ATK rises to 3400. Flare Neos, attack the face-down monster! The face-down Old Vindictive Magician (Info) (600 DEF) is destroyed.

          "My Old Vindictive has an effect that you just triggered so your Flare Neos gets destroyed!" said Endymion. Flare Neos is destroyed.

          "I use O - Oversoul (Info) to bring back Elemental Hero Sparkman (Info) (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Jaden. Sparkman appears. That's it for me. (Hand: 0 cards)

          "Then I play Summoner Monk (Info) (1600 DEF) in Defense Mode and end my turn," said Endymion. (Hand: 0 cards)

          "I play Miracle Fusion (Info) to remove from play the Sparkman I have and the Flame Wingman in my Grave for Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman (Info) (2500 ATK) in Attack Mode and with his effect, he gets 300 ATK for every Elemental Hero in my Grave and there are 3! Shining Flare's ATK rises to 3400. Shining Flare Wingman, take out his Summoner Monk! Summoner Monk is destroyed. When Shining Flare takes out a monster and sends it to the Grave, the ATK of the destroyed monster is dealt to you! Endymion's LP drops to 5800. That ends my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

          "I play Brain Control (Info) to take your Shining Flare by paying 800 Life Points," said Endymion. His LP drops to 5000 and Shining Flare moves to his field.

          "Since you have no Elemental Heroes in your Grave, Shining Flare loses the bonus ATK it had," said Jaden.  Shining Flare's ATK drops to 2500

          "No matter. I'll still hit you hard," said Endymion. Shining Flare, attack Jaden directly!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Spellcaster Mania (Part 2)

Previously…

             "Whoa, did you guys see that?" asked Jaden.

             "See what, Jay?" asked Syrus.

             "That magician," said Alexis.

             "Where?" asked Syrus. I don't see him.

             "Over there!" said Jaden pointing. *The gang race off and find him*

             "So glad you could stay for the magic act," said Endymion.

             "Check it out, it's some kind of fortress.

             "This is the Citadel of Endymion," said Endymion.

             "The Citadel of what?" asked Jaden. *The gang step inside.*

             "Endymion," said Endymion. Now that you are here, why don't we get the show started?

             "Game on!" both said simultaneously.

            "Here's a bit of bonus action," said Jaden. I play Polymerization to discard Avian and Burstinatrix for Elemental Hero Flame Wingman (2100 ATK) in Attack Mode. Flame Wingman, take out that Crusader of Endymion!

             "I activate Magical Dimension (Info), letting me Tribute my Crusader for Endymion, the Master Magician (Info) (2700 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Endymion.

            "Not bad," said Jaden. I throw down another face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

            "I play Defender, the Magical Knight (Info) (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Endymion. Since it was Summoned, it gets a Spell Counter and can only have one at a time. Endymion, destroy his Flame Wingman! Flame Wingman is destroyed and Jaden's LP drops to 7400. That ends my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

           "I play Elemental Hero Sparkman (Info) (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Jaden. Then I use Fusion Recovery (Info) to take back Burstinatrix and Polymerization. Next I use Poly (Info) again to send the Sparkman and Clayman I have out for Elemental Hero Thunder Giant (Info)

(2400 ATK) in Attack Mode. With Thunder Giant's effect, I discard Necroshade destroy your Defender the Magical Knight!

           "I use Defender's effect," said Endymion. By removing a Spell Counter from anywhere on my field, I can prevent its destruction.

           "Thunder Giant, destroy his Defender the Magical Knight!" said Jaden. Defender is destroyed and Endymion's LP drops to 7200. That'll do. (Hand: 1 card)

           "I remove all of my Spell Counters from Magical Citadel to resurrect Endymion the Master Magician (Info)!" said Endymion. Endymion appears. Endymion, take out his Thunder Giant! Thunder Giant is destroyed and Jaden's score drops to 7100.

           "I activate Hero Signal (Info)," said Jaden. Now I can Special Summon a Level 4 or less Elemental Hero and I pick Elemental Hero Bubbleman (Info) (1200 DEF) in Defense Mode. Bubbleman appears.

           "I end my turn," said Endymion. (Hand: 1 card)

           "I play Card Trooper (Info) (400 ATK) in Attack Mode," said Jaden. I use its effect to send 3 cards from my Deck to my Grave and when that happens, my Trooper gets 1500 extra ATK! Card Trooper's ATK rises to 1900. I throw down a face-down to end my turn. Card Trooper's ATK returns to 400. (Hand: 0 cards)

           "I'll have no problem tearing apart that toy," said Endymion. I play Breaker the Magical Warrior (Info) (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode and he gets a Spell Counter and 300 ATK! Breaker's ATK rises to 1900. Breaker, destroy Bubbleman!

           "I activate Mirror Force (Info)!" said Jaden. Now you lose all monsters you have in Attack Mode. Endymion and Breaker are destroyed.

           "I set 1 card face-down to end my turn," said Endymion. (Hand: 0 cards)

           "I play Skyscraper 2 - Hero City (Info), which lets me bring back an Elemental Hero destroyed and sent to my Grave from battle," said Jaden. Magical Citadel is destroyed. Then I use Card Trooper's effect to send another 3 cards to the Grave. Card Trooper's ATK rises back to 1900. Now Card Trooper, attack directly!

           "I activate Magic Cylinder (Info) on Card Trooper, dealing you damage equal to Card Trooper's ATK!" said Endymion. Jaden's score drops to 5200. You're no match for the might of my Spellcaster Deck! It's all over!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Spellcaster Mania (Part 1)

Previously…

             "I use the other effect of Cyber Armor," said Alexis drawing her card. Since it and Cyber Tutu are in my Grave, and I have no cards on the field, I can remove from play Cyber Armor in my Grave to Special Summon a Level 7 Fusion Monster from my Graveyard with its ATK doubled this turn and its Level decreased by 1 so come on back Cyber Blader! *Cyber Blader reappears and its ATK rises to 4200.* Now your cards are powerless again. *Botanical Lion's ATK returns to 1600.* Finally, I equip Cyber Blader with Fusion Weapon, raising its ATK by 1500. *Cyber Blader's ATK rises to 5700.* Cyber Blader, destroy her Botanical Lion and end this Duel! *Botanical Lion is destroyed and Samsara's LP drops to 0.*

            "Way to play, Alexis!" said Syrus.

            "Sweet Duel, 'lex," said Jaden. Meanwhile…

            "She did better than I expected," said Yubel. The other three won't be so lucky. She laughs. Back at the former Duel, Endymion appears

            "Whoa! Did you guys see that?" asked Jaden.

            "See what, Jay?" asked Syrus.

            "That magician," said Alexis.

            "Where?" asked Syrus. I don't see him.

            "Over there!" said Jaden pointing. The gang race off and find him

            "So glad you could stay for the magic act," said Endymion.

            "Check it out. It's some kind of fortress," said Jaden.

            "This is the citadel of Endymion," said Endymion.

            "The citadel of what?" asked Jaden. The gang step inside

            "Endymion," said Endymion. Now that you are here, why don't we get the show started?

            "Sounds good," said Jaden. What're we doing exactly?

            "Why Dueling of course," said Endymion. Loser disappears forever.

            "I'm not exactly good at losing," said Jaden.

            "I'll make it a no-brainer," said Endymion.

            "Game on!" both said simultaneously.

            "The first trick is mine," said Endymion. I discard 1 card to play The Tricky (Info) (2000 ATK) in Attack Mode. Then I play the Field Spell Magical Citadel of Endymion (Info), which gets a Spell Counter every time a Spell Card is played. Now I bring out Crusader of Endymion (Info) (1900 ATK) in Attack Mode and set 1 card face-down to end my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

            "Not a bad lineup there but let's see what I can do," said Jaden. I play Elemental Hero Clayman (Info) (2000 DEF) in Defense Mode and throw down a face-down to call it a turn. (Hand: 4 cards)

            "If that's all you can do each turn, then defeating you will be a snap," said Endymion. I activate Spell Power Grasp (Info), which puts 1 Spell Counter on anything capable of getting them and I pick my Magical Citadel, putting it at 2. Then I can add another copy of Spell Power Grasp from my Deck to my hand but I can only play one per turn. Next I Gemini Summon Crusader of Endymion!

            "Gemini Summon?" questioned Syrus.

            "I've heard of that," said Alexis. It's a secondary Summon that brings out the monster's actual effect, which until the second Summon occurs treats the monster as a Normal Monster but if the monster is higher than Level 4, it doesn't need another Tribute.

            "That's correct," said Endymion. Thanks to my Crusader's new effect, I can place a Spell Counter on Magical Citadel and give my Crusader 600 ATK this turn and I think I will so Crusader's now stronger! Crusader's ATK rises to 2500 Crusader, destroy his Clayman!

            "I activate Negate Attack (Info)!" said Jaden. No more attacks for you this round.

            "I set 1 card face-down to end my turn," said Endymion. Crusader's ATK returns to 1900 (Hand: 1 card)

            "Here's a bit of bonus action," said Jaden. I play Polymerization (Info) to discard Avian and Burstinatrix for Elemental Hero Flame Wingman (Info) (2100 ATK) in Attack Mode. Flame Wingman, take out that Crusader of Endymion!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Mark of the Lotus (Part 2)

Previously…

            "I must say you aren't half bad," said Samara. However, it's time you met another of my monsters. I play Lonefire Blossom (500 ATK) in Attack Mode. With its effect, I can Tribute it to play Tytannial, Princess of Camellias (2800 ATK) in Attack Mode.

            "I Summon Lord Poison (Info) (1000 DEF) in Defense Mode," said Samsara. That ends my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

            "It appears I've over-estimated you," said Samsara. Now you're just stalling the inevitable. I, however, will crush you in a matter of turns. I play Gigantic Cephalotus (Info) (1850 ATK) in Attack Mode. Now my monsters, destroy a Goat Token! 2 Goat Tokens are destroyed. I'll end my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

            "That was a waste of a turn," said Samsara. However, her Cyber Blader is pretty strong against my monsters. I'll just have to weaken it somehow. I Summon Botanical Lion (Info) (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode and for every Plant-Type monster I have out, it gets 300 ATK.